Chapter 1: Past Follies
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"Trust. That is the issue. I know that Yakage has stolen a few of the cells I was compiling for the one I have decided to call Demon Caller, but I choose to pretend I am ignorant on the matter. I have some strange belief it will all work out for the best."
"But my assistant Kagato disturbs me. I know he is not trustworthy, yet I cannot find an assistant with better qualifications. I have chosen to keep my fourth gem in hiding, for fear of what he could do if he gains control of it. It's location will not be recorded, and its location will only be known by me. I have taken the liberty of installing a memory lock on both myself, Ryoko and Ryo-oki, so the gems whereabouts cannot be removed forcefully from my mind and so that no one can manipulate the telekinetic link between me and my creations. Still, I am wary. Never has something been so crucial to existence as I know it."
"This is Professor Washu, Log 1874015D, Project 602 signing out."
Washu held her chin in her palm, drumming her fingers as she listened to the tinny voiced recording of herself from so long ago. She had listened to this particular tape out of mild interest, which had faded away a few moments before it had ended. The greatest scientist in the universe looked at the recorder skeptically before deleting the tape and moving on to the next one. She had decided to shift through a few of her older files today, but it was so damn boring. Giving up after deleting a few more recordings, Washu set her computer on "Delete All" and sauntered off into the catacombs of her lab to invent some deadly bomb that could threaten every living creature here to three galaxies over.
*
A teenage girl stood before the desk of her superior. Every now and again she looked up sheepishly, only to draw her eyes away once more. She shifted her position uncomfortably.
After a few moments of silence, her principal lowered the stack of papers that had once hidden the student from her view. She looked at the girl, who seemed to be guiltily growing smaller under her gaze.
Mrs. Kieko, Mistress of the Shigeho Academy for Girls, cleared her throat. "Miss Mikayu, it seems that this is the fourteenth time this month that I have received a record of misbehavior," she said at first formally, but beginning to twitch violently, "and it appears to be only the tenth. This particular conduct notice is for," she glanced at the paper in her hand, "not respecting a classmates space. What exactly, does this mean?"
Realizing that she was supposed to speak, Mikayu froze. Her tongue became like the thick mass of gum she had been in trouble for chewing two days ago. She mumbled something softly under her breath.
"Hm? What was that?" Mrs. Kieko leaned forward over her desk, giving Mikayu a watchful eye.
"I said I might've pushed her into a locker," she whispered, backing away and suddenly finding her shoes extremely interesting.
"Oh really? On the 'Further Description' Mrs. Senko has written that you slammed a young girls' face into a locker before breaking her nose with your fist!" The mistress backed away with a deep sigh, "I don't understand, Mikayu! Explain to me what exactly she did to deserve this treatment?" Mikayu whimpered.
"That's what I thought. Because I believe that it was your transfer from your old boarding home that has caused you to act so disruptively this past month. I will let you off with a warning, Mikayu. But anymore reports like this and you're out. I will, however, force you to join an extracurricular activity. Those seem to help our new girls settle in easily. In fact, there's an opening in the choir. You will join them." Mrs. Kieko studied her pupils face carefully. Shock was the emotion now apparent. She decide to continue, "Look at it on the bright side. At the end of the year, our Choir always visits Tokyo. I assure you it will be… fun. Now go back to your dormitory." The Mistress turned back to her papers as Mikayu walked out, grateful to be out from under the stare of her Principal.
*
Tenchi shoved a small slip of paper into is drawer, took a deep breath and slowly descended the stairs. He hated these awkward situations.
In the kitchen, as he had feared, he found Sasami, Ayeka and Ryoko. Ryoko seemed content to lean over a bowl of rice, eating it faster than Lord Katsuhito the infamous gorger himself. She grunted as Tenchi walked past, greeting him.
Ayeka, however, jumped slightly, out of shock when she caught her first glimpse of Tenchi. She fumbled with a knife and resumed cutting the anonymous vegetable that lay on the cutting board before her. She was careful to avoid his eyes, as was he.
"Ohayo, Tenchi-niichan!" Sasami smiled, and placed a bowl at the table for Tenchi. She smiled and motioned for him to sit down before turning back to her extensive cooking.
Tenchi's mouth went dry. He knew Sasami never tried to put him in situations like this, but she had just put his place between Ayeka and Ryoko. No matter what tactic he used, a fierce battle was sure to ensue. Tenchi took his place silently, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.
"L-Lord Tenchi…" Ayeka began, not looking up from her cutting. Tenchi noticed that she had finished her task, but was now dicing the carrot into extremely small pieces busily.
"Yes, Ayeka?" Tenchi asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible. Now Ryoko looked up. There was some strange silence between the princess and prince, and she was damned if she wasn't going to find it out.
"I… suppose you received my letter," Ayeka fumbled a bit with the knife.
"Yes, Ayeka, I did. It was very nice."
Ayeka froze. An eyebrow twitched as she whispered "Nice?" sounding rather annoyed.
A grain of rice fell from one of Ryoko's fangs as she grinned menacingly. "I see what's goin on here," she said, slathering her voice with oil. In the depth of her sneaky little eyes, a light bulb flickered. Ryoko lifted out of her chair and hovered around Ayeka's shoulder.
"You sent little Tenchi a love letter, didn't you?" she laughed. Both descendants of Jurai blushed furiously. "Did you mention how he makes your knees weak, and your young, fresh body hot?" she whispered just loud enough for Tenchi to hear as Ayeka clenched her fists, "I hope you didn't forget to add how you're lips start to tremble when he comes close to your face, or how you wish he'd sweep you off your feet and lay you in a bed of feathers so you can suck-"
"Stop it! You sick woman! How dare you try and pervert our love!" Ayeka screeched, standing up till she was eye level with Ryoko.
"Perverting!? I was telling the truth!" Ryoko said defensively. Lashing out in anger, she grabbed Ayeka by the elbow. The two lifted off the ground, disappearing. She materialized herself above Tenchi, dropping the flailing princess clumsily into his lap.
Ryoko flipped over, cackling with laughter as the two floundered to get away from any kind of contact with each other. Ayeka finally scrambled to stand, shaking with rage. Angry words spilled from her mouth like flames. Ryoko ignored them.
"See now? He doesn't like you, little princess. Run on home, and find yourself a nice little suitor who is just as pristine as you," Ryoko floated to Tenchi's lap, wrapping her arms luxuriously around his neck. She gave a pert little smile, revealing a fang.
Tenchi stood up, wiping the smile from Ryoko's face and landing her on the floor. She looked up in shock, only to see the vengeful eyes of Tenchi staring down at her. He clenched his fists, opening them every now and again in an attempt to try and calm himself.
"Ryoko. That's enough. You've crossed the line this time," he whispered sternly.
Ryoko stood up and looked curiously into his face. For a moment, he was surprised and forgot his anger. She seemed to be searched for something. The search stopped and she backed away, his anger returning.
"But Tenchi-chan, Ayeka was getting in the way of you and me…" she said lamely, trying to justify her actions.
"Ryoko, you can't keep terrorizing Ayeka like this. It took a lot of courage to write that letter. More than you've ever had," Tenchi blurted out. It had touched a nerve, he knew. But he couldn't stop. He could vaguely remember passing a note to a certain girl, only to be harassed by a little boy who had received the letter and thought it was a good enough joke to share with the whole second grade. "What's wrong with you? You think only of yourself, Ryoko! You don't care about anyone but yourself, do you?" Tenchi seethed.
Ryoko's mouth opened and closed for a few moments. She took a few deep breaths and turned, disappearing.
Tenchi straightened up, realizing what had just happened. He had to review the scene in his mind just to grasp what he had just done. This was far worse even than the time that he slapped Ryoko to keep her from hurting Mayuka. Words were far more powerful than actions.
Lost in thought, Tenchi didn't realize Ayeka was hanging triumphantly to his chest. "Oh, Lord Tenchi! You banished the beast! Now we can finally be-"
Tenchi puled her gently from him. Her look of hurt confusion made him avert her eyes. "Ayeka, I didn't mean to do that…"
"What do you mean!?" Ayeka screeched, her eyes about to burst with tears.
"I mean I'm sorry, Ayeka, but I'm not banishing Ryoko or anything. I slipped. I-I didn't mean to be so harsh, but now she knows. Maybe she'll ease up on you, Ayeka," Tenchi gave her a gentle smile. Inside, he was breaking up. How could he apologize for this? He had just called the woman who nearly gave her life up for him on more than one occasion a coward. "I'd better go find Ryoko."
*
Ryoko materialized outside the shrine. She looked sorrowfully at the steps before turning and walking towards her cave. The demoness turned, hearing a faint panting noise. She watched as Tenchi came into view, sprinting up the narrow stairs. Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away from him. But she did not move. She couldn't.
"Ryoko! Ryoko wait up!" Tenchi yelled. He slowed to a jog as he caught up with her.
Ryoko shut her eyes tightly, and opened them, regaining her composure. She tapped her foot impatiently, trying to look as smooth as possible.
"Ryoko?" Tenchi asked, surprised. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just… got angry."
"I'll say," Ryoko said dismissing it. But she didn't look him in the eyes. Instead, she stared lazily at the sky.
"So… we're ok? I mean… you're fine?"
"Tenchi, don't you understand that not even physical violence could keep me from you. Wanna try?" she asked hopefully. Images of her and Tenchi sparing filled her head. They would be covered in sweat.. and so close to each other… and after a few moves she'd pull a move of her own… Ryoko grinned.
Tenchi began to fret. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Eh… heh… no thanks, Ryoko. I'll pass."
Ryoko deflated a little. Catching one of her many mood swings, Ryoko suddenly became very somber.
"One day, Tenchi, you're going to realize what you've got. You know that? All you've ever wanted is right here under your nose."
"And how exactly how do you know what I want?" Tenchi asked playfully.
Ryoko gave him a very strange look. Her golden eye penetrated the shield he had put up around his feelings so long ago. He suddenly felt vulnerable under gaze. Like she was looking right into his very existance…
… and she wasn't using her powers. Ryoko pulled herself tantalizingly close. "Let's just say… I could tell from the start," she whispered, and while backing away, kissed Tenchi to the left of his lips. Tenchi was dumfounded for a moment as the spot that she had just so gingerly touched tingled. Before he could look back into her face, Ryoko was gone.
Tenchi twisted around, straining to find her, but the ex-pirate had disappeared.
*
Sasami stared at her sister, who was bent over the table. After a few moments, she tapped Ayeka on the shoulder.
"Niichan? Niichan… are you all right? What just happened?"
Ayeka looked up. She seemed to be writing something.
"I was so close!" she squealed excitedly, not really looking at Sasami but at the world itself while she contemplated the possibilities. "Just one letter and he was almost mine! This writing stuff could really get me somewhere…" she said thoughtfully. Ayeka began writing feverishly. Every now and again she would come up for air, tapping her pencil to her chin.
Sasami shook her head looking worried. Ayeka was bound to start something.
*
Washu leaned back in her chair. No matter how she had tried, she couldn't get into any inventions. Today just wasn't… one of those days…
Which was odd because every day was "one of those days." That tape kept replaying itself in her mind. Memory locks were powerful. There was no chance that someone could find the fourth gem. No way. And yet, all this time, she had forgotten about it. Nothing happened by chance. Not when dealing with that thing, anyway. Why had it resurfaced now? Washu looked wearily at her vid-screen.
She suddenly lurched forward, and began typing in the transparent keyboard. A map of the solar system appeared. Along the many graph lines separating the planets, little dots moved slowly, blinking as they went. She zoomed in on each of them, tapping into the GP for records on each one. You could never be *too* sure…
*
Saviya sat patiently at the end of her throne room. Her eyes danced across the intricate designs on the large, white marble walls until she came in contact with giant window that showed the vastness of space. From the corner of her eye, she saw the shadow of her sister.
"Milady?" A guard came sheepishly through the giant door.
"Yes?" Saviya spoke. Her voice rung sweetly, encouraging the guard further. He walked stiffly across the large room, stopping before her throne and kneeling on one knee.
"Speak, Narcial," she said kindly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder and forcing him off the ground.
"I- we have interceded another message from Jurai. It was sent to the planet Oku III. It appears they are forming an alliance with them… a very large military… they could be a force to reckon with," Narcial was now very worried. He watched his mistress intently, waiting for her reaction.
Lady Saviya leaned back slowly. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. "Jurai has always been… 'a force to reckon with.' We can deal with them. Tell me, Narcial, has your wife had her child yet?"
"Y-yes ma'am. But such trivial things should not matter with you…"
"Of course they do. I know all my men and their private affairs. What is her name?"
"H-how did you know she was a… girl…" he trailed off at seeing her smile. "T-truthfully Milady, we have no name as of yet."
"May I be of service?" she asked smoothly.
"I-it would be an honor…"
"Why don't you ask the cucumber? He told me a million times not to call him conversational."
Saviya turned to her left, watching her sister carefully. Jyl was her older sister, and was also completely and totally insane. She was always quiet… but every now and again she would pop up with something out of the ordinary to say. Jyl always had very deep conversations with herself. Rather loudly, too.
Jyl's beauty did not match that of her sisters. Or perhaps it was that, although they were the same skin tone, Jyl had pitch black hair and always wore rather frumpy black clothing, giving her the look of a rather convincing ghost.
Saviya was blonde and slender. She could pull herself off as a very sickly pixy. The only thing between ugly and gorgeous on this woman was her elaborate dresses, crowns and hair styles.
After a few moments of quiet contemplation, Saviya spoke softly. "No, Jyl. 'The cucumber' never comes up with good names." The guard gave the two a worried look. It was amazing what Saviya put up with…
Jyl looked distraught. "J-I-L-L," she said with much feeling and then began batting playfully at imaginary fairies.
"No, Jyl. Your name is J-Y-L. Not Jill. Remember? We talked about this I'm sure. Jill is too plain. We changed your name… remember?" she pleaded with her sister, who chose to ignore her and kept on swatting at those damn fairies.
Saviya gave Narcial a sad look before continuing their conversation. "I propose Cadwyn. Does that sound nice?"
The guard nodded violently. He didn't wait to be dismissed, and left at a swift walk towards the door.
"Oh, and Narcial," Saviya yelled as the guard reached for the door. He flinched at her voice. "Your loyalties wander. Make sure that you know where they lie." For a moment, Narcial was stunned. He had doubted Lady Saviya for so long… and how had she known?
A flicker of hot white light appeared before his eyes, and Narcial's mind was filled with thoughts of doing nothing but pleasing his mistress. He hadn't felt like this since he had first joined Lady Saviya in her quest…
… but then again, what was her quest? And what was his life before he… joined. Had he joined? Narcial nearly questioned himself before the thoughts overtook him again. He must do her biding.
As he left, Saviya cocked her head questionably. She looked at her sister, who returned with a blank stare.
"All magic wears off, sooner or later," Saviya sighed heavily.
"Damn fairies. I told them the mayonnaise would wear off…" Jyl muttered, biting her thumbnail.
*
Mr. Masaki sped along the dark winding road. He hated coming home late, but he had had a deadline… certainly Tenchi would forgive him for missing dinner. After all, he was the only thing sitting between Tenchi and the girls.
Nobuyuki pressed harder on the petal, speeding up at the thought of his son ripped apart by six lovely ladies. And to think, he wouldn't be there to video tape it…
Suddenly something came careening towards Nobuyuki. Or he came careening to it. He wasn't really sure, but something rolled over his windshield. He panicked, and swerved towards a ditch, only stopped by a tree.
The dust began to settle, and Mr. Masaki replayed what had just happened in his head.
"Shit." He whispered under his breath, hearing the engine steam. Nobuyuki pulled himself from the wreckage. He took a few steps back, observing that only a few broken lights had been afflicted on his car. "Now what on earth did I hit?" he asked the world in general, sauntering over to the middle of the deserted road.
Fear of a law suit overtook him as he realized it was a person. And in the dark it looked like an old woman.
Nobuyuki closed in on the limp being. On closer inspection, he found that it was a young girl. But that couldn't be right… she looked young, but her hair was white… almost silver. Nobuyuki searched his pockets until he found a small flashlight on a key chain. He peeled open the girl's eyelids, which he noticed were adorned with long silver eyelashes, and flashed the light in her pupils. It suddenly got very cold as he realized that her irises were a very light bluish white… like a blind person's eyes.
"Oh damn," he muttered, "I've hit a little blind girl. And she's wearing a school uniform. This isn't going to go well on my record." He shook her a bit, just to see if she was awake, and knowing that it would be on his conscience forever if he didn't do something about her, placed her in his car.
Nobuyuki glanced sideways at her every now and again as he drove along the dark road home.
*
Tenchi looked up from his book when he heard the sound of his father's car pulling in the driveway. He heard some loud shuffling until finally the door was opened. He could hear his father being greeted by his Grandfather, and rather harshly too.
Tenchi thought nothing of it, and after glancing at Ryoko, Sasami, and Mihoshi who were down on the floor playing video games, went back to reading.
"Teenchi," Nobuyuki called, persuasively, "I have… er… a surprise for you…"
Tenchi watched in horror as his Father walked in the room, holding the body of a rather young looking old woman.
"Who the hell is that?" Ryoko narrowed her eyes at Mr. Masaki.
"It seems my son-in-law has hit a poor little blind school girl," Lord Katsuhito glanced at Nobuyuki accusingly.
"Aw, Dad! You hit a little old… no.. a young… what is she?"
"Well… it appears she's a young girl with white hair, if you couldn't use your eyes, Tenchi. And it was dark, and she came out of nowhere. How was I to know she was there!" Mr. Masaki lay her on the couch before ascending the stairs. "You guys deal with her," he yelled down, "I've had a rough night as it is."
Tenchi looked expectantly at his grandfather, who shrugged and walked calmly out the door, heading for his shrine.
"Oh, great. Mihoshi, go and get Washu, will you?" Mihoshi nodded and skipped off, leaving Ryoko and Sasami to ogle over the strange girl.
"Wow! Her hair is so pretty and shiny! She's gorgeous, too!" Sasami marveled over the body.
Ryoko poked the girl's boob. "What makes him think she's blind?" she asked innocently.
Tenchi took the girl's pulse and sighed. "She's alive," he peeled back an eyelid and looked into her frosty colored eyes, "And I'm pretty sure she's blind."
Ryoko looked skeptically at the body. "She's not *that* pretty," she protested.
"All right, you morons! Clear out! Make way for the greatest scientific genus in the universe!" Washu pushed through Ryoko and Tenchi. After some investigation, she shrugged.
"She's fine. Just unconscious. She'll wake up sooner or later."
"Hey, Washu. I think she's blind… but I can't tell. I mean, look at her eyes. Is she?"
Washu glanced at them.
"Nope." She said bluntly. "She's just got white hair and weird eyes. I've seen this once before, I think. Sort of like albinos… ya know.. with the red eyes an' all."
"Lord Tenchi? What's all this commotion? Mr. Masaki informed me that there has been an accident…" Ayeka descended the staircase.
"The old coot hit a little girl," Ryoko said without taking her eyes off the victim.
"I don't believe I asked you!" Ayeka snapped.
"Miss Ayeka, can this girl board with you and Sasami tonight?" Washu inquired. Ayeka thought for a moment, and smiled. "Of course she can. Poor dear," she added, just for the effect.
*
Mikayu groused around for a few moments. She twisted among tight sheets and pulled herself free. Two frosty and curious eyes opened to scan her surroundings. Sitting up, she found herself in a dark room with a few other girls.
There's no way someone could have found her and brought her back to the Academy…
Inspecting herself further, she found that she wore pink silk pajamas covered in carrots. Her breasts were about to burst out of the tight confides of the small outfit, stretching the upper buttons.
Mikayu crept silently along the wall until she found a door. It squeaked slightly as she opened it and slipped out into a hallway.
"Well, well," a deep voice came from the darkness in front of her. "We wouldn't be trying to hurt Tenchi, now would we?" There was a flicker of red light at first, but soon it became stable. In the eerie shadows, Mikayu could make out the outlines of a very pointy face. The light came closer to her face, and she screamed.
There was a sudden pounding of footsteps as lights turned on and strange people spilled from the doors in the hallway. Most of them girls.
Now in the light, Mikayu could see her attacker. The woman was completely naked, causing a crimson blush to creep up Mikayu's face, and holding some sort of sword.
"Ryoko! What are you doing?" a male voice came from behind the woman. She seemed to flinch and lift off the ground. Then the naked woman floated around the young man who had spoken.
"Oh, Tenchi! I think she was trying to hurt you!" she said sulkily.
"That's rubbish, Ryoko! She doesn't even know us!" a purple-haired girl snorted. She glared at the naked woman wrapped around the boy's neck.
"Well how was I to know if she was gonna do anything! You never know!"
"Listen here, you, just because you're untrustworthy-"
"-you're calling me untrustworthy! Hah!"
"Please you two, stop," began a very buxom blonde woman.
"Niichan! It's late, let's just go back to bed…" a little girl with a strange rodent whispered behind the purple haired one.
"Can't all of you calm down?" pleaded the young man.
For a moment Mikayu listened to the bickering in amazement. "Shut up!" she screeched at last, "All of you shut the hell up! What am I doing here? Why am I in these clothes? Who the hell are you!?"
Everyone stared in astonishment.
*
Sasami brought a kettle to the living room, pouring their guest a cup of tea. She gave a little smile of gratitude.
"I apologize for my father's driving," he said conversationally. Everyone sat in the living room, giving each other sideways glances while Tenchi tried to explain things to the new girl.
"But why were you out on the road so late, Mikayu?" Tenchi asked.
"I-I was… leaving this place…"
"Where did you come from? Some far off planet?" Mihoshi asked hopefully. She received a look of bewildered disdain.
"I-I'm from a town just North of Tokyo."
"Oh."
"And if you don't mind me asking, what planet are you guys from?"
"Hehe… what makes you think their not from… Earth, Mikayu?" Tenchi asked nervously. His voice cracked.
"I was joking," she took a sip of her tea. "It's an expression."
"You don't know the half of it," Tenchi deflated.
"So, where are you from?"
"We're from-" Ayeka began.
"-America!" Tenchi yelled, "They're all from America."
She looked at each of them in turn, skeptically. "Oh. They must be very strange in America."
"Well, ya know… radiation and whatnot. Made their hair… different. And some other things, too," Tenchi ended lamely.
"Worse than Nagasaki, that radiation in America," a pink haired little girl entered the room.
"Mikayu, this is Washu. Washu, Mikayu. Mikayo comes from a town North of Tokyo. Washu comes from a planet that probably isn't mapped yet."
Mikayu gave him a blank look.
"Hehe… joke?" he squeaked.
"I'm interested, Mikayu. Where are your parents?" Washu sat down next to Ryoko.
"My mother and father were both abusive. I got sent to a few boarding schools. End of story."
"Are they alive?" Tenchi was now very interested.
"No. He killed her and now he's in jail," she said bluntly.
"And where were you staying?"
"At a school. I was on touring with this stupid chorus program. I didn't like it, so while we stopped in this town I left them."
"Now that's my kinda girl!" Ryoko said, grinning.
"And if you dare try and send me back I'll let a few reporters know that there are demons at the Masaki Shrine. Real ones. I gather you'd rather that not happen," she said stubbornly.
Tenchi got the sneaking suspicion that she didn't like him very much. He took a deep breath.
*Why me?*
"You can stay here, if you like." Ryoko's eyes opened wide, as did Ayeka's.
"No way in hell I'm gonna live with this little minor!" Ryoko roared.
"Sheesh, Ryoko. What's the matter? Where's your hospitality?"
"What's the matter!? What's the matter!? I'll tell you what's the matter!" Ayeka fumed, "We don't need another little… floozy living in this house! We've already got one!"
"Yea, and we don't need another priss in this house!" Ryoko and Ayeka shot each other looks of pure venom.
'"I-I really need a place to stay…" Mikayu ventured. She had suddenly forgotten her obstinate ways.
"Great!" Sasami yelped. "You can sleep with us!"
"I think your room is a little crowded. Ryoko, would you mind?"
Ryoko jumped, startled that she was even asked. "I-I guess so. Fine. Whatever." She disappeared.
*It's happening again. Another pretty girl comes and gets in the way of me and Tenchi. Why the hell are there so many obstacles?* Ryoko almost felt sorry for herself.
Almost.
The room started to empty slowly until only Mikayu, Sasami and Tenchi were left.
"So just like that? No papers or anything?" Mikayu asked, confused.
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Perfect. By the time someone finds you you'll have custody of yourself and be able to live anywhere you want," Tenchi concluded
"Isn't this illegal?"
"Isn't running away illegal?" Tenchi asked slyly before he went upstairs to his room.
Mikayo watched him go.
"C'mon. You can spend the rest of the night in our room!" Sasami tugged on Mikayu's sleeve.
"Er… yea. Say, Sasami," she began, staring at the room Ayeka had went into, "who was that purple haired girl?"
"Oh, that's my sister, Ayeka. She's the First Crown Princess of Jurai!" Sasami said proudly.
"Ah." Mikayo felt suddenly lightheaded.
**
-Time passes, as is it's job. Three months have gone by since Mikayu entered the life of the Masaki residents. Mikayu seems to get along with just about everybody, even Ryoko. Well, all except Tenchi. Which is the odd thing…-
**
"Lady Saviya?" a deep voice came across the room, echoing with a rather splendid affect.
"Yes, Corporal?"
"We have confirmation of the whereabouts of the Princesses of Jurai. It seems that the two on Jurai at this moment are body doubles, meant to protect them. Our assassin's have failed. They reside on a planet called Earth. We are nearing it now. Also, the small planet Yunti is now under our complete control. Their minds are now our slaves."
"Who's slaves, Corporal," she asked softly.
"You're servants, Milady. Forgive me, I slipped."
"Do not worry about it. The loafers are keeping me up late at night, always chirping," Jyl said conversationally.
"That's right, sister dear. You're learning," Saviya patted her sister on the shoulder. Jyl stared at the spot she had been touched in horror. "Corporal, send a few of my men out. Retrieve the Princesses and all of their minions."
"Yes, Ma'am," he bowed and left.
Saviya turned to her sister, and pointed at the large glass wall revealing the depths of space and, for the moment, a blue planet with white blobs speckled across it. "What do you think of Earth, Jyl?"
"I think the teeth are dancing on my head again. They're messing up my hair."
"Oh?"
"J-I-L-L," Jyl said sternly.
"Ah."
*
Tenchi wiped his brow. It was far too humid to be working in a carrot patch, but he might as well get his work done while Sasami kept Ryo-oki busy.
He leaned over to pick the last carrot from the ground. In this field, anyway. On his way back up, Tenchi came face to foot with a pair of bright red stockings. He turned his head up and smiled, squinting in the sunlight.
"Hey there, Ryoko."
"Hey there," she floated nimbly into the air, hovering a few feet above the ground.
"Whatchya doin' out here?" Tenchi began loading up the carrots.
"Oh, just wanted to talk," she shrugged looked back at the house, "Mikayu seems to be getting along nicely. Except with you, that is."
"Do you have to remind me? Look, we'd better get back to the-" Ryoko landed, and placed her hand on Tenchi's rather sweaty chest. He looked at her, surprised.
"No, Tenchi. I wanted to talk to you about something."
Ryoko always surprised him. She could be a freeloader, a villain, a sexual creature and an honest lover. She gave him a look now that was similar to that she gave a few weeks ago, and somehow he knew she gave him that look when he was growing up around the cave, and when he slept at night and knew he was safe with her near.
"Tenchi, I've been thinking a lot lately. About what you said… a while ago. That I was a 'selfish coward,' I believe."
"-Look Ryoko I'm sorry you're none of those thi-" Ryoko raised a finger to his lips, silencing him.
"I was saying, I know I'm not a coward, but I want to prove to you that I'm not selfish, either," she lowered her finger, now realizing that she had his complete and total attention. "I'll give you careless amounts of out right acceptance if you want it. I'll give you encouragement to choose the path you want if you need it. You can speak of anger and doubts, your fears and freak-outs and I'll hold it. You can share your so-called shame-filled accounts of times in your life and I won't judge it." Ryoko took a deep breath. " And there are no strings attached; you owe me nothing for giving the love that I give. You can ask for space for yourself, and only yourself and I'll grant it. You can ask for freedom as was or time to revel and you'll have it. You can ask to live by yourself, or love someone else and I'll support it. You can ask for anything you want, anything at all and I'll understand it. Even if it means I'll lose you," she concluded.
"R-Ryoko?"
"Yes?"
"What are you saying?"
"That if you want me to, I'll leave. If it'll make you happy. If I can do anything to make you happy Tenchi, I'll do it."
Tenchi stared at her. Clearly she was exposing herself for rejection. He leaned forward. "I've got everything to make me happy, right her," he whispered, and while backing away, kissed Ryoko to the left of her lips. Ryoko was dumfounded for a moment as the spot that he had just so gingerly touched tingled. Before she could look back into his face, Tenchi was gone.
Ryoko twisted around, straining to find him, but only caught a glimpse of his pack filled with carrots disappearing over a hill.
*
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------
"Trust. That is the issue. I know that Yakage has stolen a few of the cells I was compiling for the one I have decided to call Demon Caller, but I choose to pretend I am ignorant on the matter. I have some strange belief it will all work out for the best."
"But my assistant Kagato disturbs me. I know he is not trustworthy, yet I cannot find an assistant with better qualifications. I have chosen to keep my fourth gem in hiding, for fear of what he could do if he gains control of it. It's location will not be recorded, and its location will only be known by me. I have taken the liberty of installing a memory lock on both myself, Ryoko and Ryo-oki, so the gems whereabouts cannot be removed forcefully from my mind and so that no one can manipulate the telekinetic link between me and my creations. Still, I am wary. Never has something been so crucial to existence as I know it."
"This is Professor Washu, Log 1874015D, Project 602 signing out."
Washu held her chin in her palm, drumming her fingers as she listened to the tinny voiced recording of herself from so long ago. She had listened to this particular tape out of mild interest, which had faded away a few moments before it had ended. The greatest scientist in the universe looked at the recorder skeptically before deleting the tape and moving on to the next one. She had decided to shift through a few of her older files today, but it was so damn boring. Giving up after deleting a few more recordings, Washu set her computer on "Delete All" and sauntered off into the catacombs of her lab to invent some deadly bomb that could threaten every living creature here to three galaxies over.
*
A teenage girl stood before the desk of her superior. Every now and again she looked up sheepishly, only to draw her eyes away once more. She shifted her position uncomfortably.
After a few moments of silence, her principal lowered the stack of papers that had once hidden the student from her view. She looked at the girl, who seemed to be guiltily growing smaller under her gaze.
Mrs. Kieko, Mistress of the Shigeho Academy for Girls, cleared her throat. "Miss Mikayu, it seems that this is the fourteenth time this month that I have received a record of misbehavior," she said at first formally, but beginning to twitch violently, "and it appears to be only the tenth. This particular conduct notice is for," she glanced at the paper in her hand, "not respecting a classmates space. What exactly, does this mean?"
Realizing that she was supposed to speak, Mikayu froze. Her tongue became like the thick mass of gum she had been in trouble for chewing two days ago. She mumbled something softly under her breath.
"Hm? What was that?" Mrs. Kieko leaned forward over her desk, giving Mikayu a watchful eye.
"I said I might've pushed her into a locker," she whispered, backing away and suddenly finding her shoes extremely interesting.
"Oh really? On the 'Further Description' Mrs. Senko has written that you slammed a young girls' face into a locker before breaking her nose with your fist!" The mistress backed away with a deep sigh, "I don't understand, Mikayu! Explain to me what exactly she did to deserve this treatment?" Mikayu whimpered.
"That's what I thought. Because I believe that it was your transfer from your old boarding home that has caused you to act so disruptively this past month. I will let you off with a warning, Mikayu. But anymore reports like this and you're out. I will, however, force you to join an extracurricular activity. Those seem to help our new girls settle in easily. In fact, there's an opening in the choir. You will join them." Mrs. Kieko studied her pupils face carefully. Shock was the emotion now apparent. She decide to continue, "Look at it on the bright side. At the end of the year, our Choir always visits Tokyo. I assure you it will be… fun. Now go back to your dormitory." The Mistress turned back to her papers as Mikayu walked out, grateful to be out from under the stare of her Principal.
*
Tenchi shoved a small slip of paper into is drawer, took a deep breath and slowly descended the stairs. He hated these awkward situations.
In the kitchen, as he had feared, he found Sasami, Ayeka and Ryoko. Ryoko seemed content to lean over a bowl of rice, eating it faster than Lord Katsuhito the infamous gorger himself. She grunted as Tenchi walked past, greeting him.
Ayeka, however, jumped slightly, out of shock when she caught her first glimpse of Tenchi. She fumbled with a knife and resumed cutting the anonymous vegetable that lay on the cutting board before her. She was careful to avoid his eyes, as was he.
"Ohayo, Tenchi-niichan!" Sasami smiled, and placed a bowl at the table for Tenchi. She smiled and motioned for him to sit down before turning back to her extensive cooking.
Tenchi's mouth went dry. He knew Sasami never tried to put him in situations like this, but she had just put his place between Ayeka and Ryoko. No matter what tactic he used, a fierce battle was sure to ensue. Tenchi took his place silently, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously.
"L-Lord Tenchi…" Ayeka began, not looking up from her cutting. Tenchi noticed that she had finished her task, but was now dicing the carrot into extremely small pieces busily.
"Yes, Ayeka?" Tenchi asked, trying to sound as innocent as possible. Now Ryoko looked up. There was some strange silence between the princess and prince, and she was damned if she wasn't going to find it out.
"I… suppose you received my letter," Ayeka fumbled a bit with the knife.
"Yes, Ayeka, I did. It was very nice."
Ayeka froze. An eyebrow twitched as she whispered "Nice?" sounding rather annoyed.
A grain of rice fell from one of Ryoko's fangs as she grinned menacingly. "I see what's goin on here," she said, slathering her voice with oil. In the depth of her sneaky little eyes, a light bulb flickered. Ryoko lifted out of her chair and hovered around Ayeka's shoulder.
"You sent little Tenchi a love letter, didn't you?" she laughed. Both descendants of Jurai blushed furiously. "Did you mention how he makes your knees weak, and your young, fresh body hot?" she whispered just loud enough for Tenchi to hear as Ayeka clenched her fists, "I hope you didn't forget to add how you're lips start to tremble when he comes close to your face, or how you wish he'd sweep you off your feet and lay you in a bed of feathers so you can suck-"
"Stop it! You sick woman! How dare you try and pervert our love!" Ayeka screeched, standing up till she was eye level with Ryoko.
"Perverting!? I was telling the truth!" Ryoko said defensively. Lashing out in anger, she grabbed Ayeka by the elbow. The two lifted off the ground, disappearing. She materialized herself above Tenchi, dropping the flailing princess clumsily into his lap.
Ryoko flipped over, cackling with laughter as the two floundered to get away from any kind of contact with each other. Ayeka finally scrambled to stand, shaking with rage. Angry words spilled from her mouth like flames. Ryoko ignored them.
"See now? He doesn't like you, little princess. Run on home, and find yourself a nice little suitor who is just as pristine as you," Ryoko floated to Tenchi's lap, wrapping her arms luxuriously around his neck. She gave a pert little smile, revealing a fang.
Tenchi stood up, wiping the smile from Ryoko's face and landing her on the floor. She looked up in shock, only to see the vengeful eyes of Tenchi staring down at her. He clenched his fists, opening them every now and again in an attempt to try and calm himself.
"Ryoko. That's enough. You've crossed the line this time," he whispered sternly.
Ryoko stood up and looked curiously into his face. For a moment, he was surprised and forgot his anger. She seemed to be searched for something. The search stopped and she backed away, his anger returning.
"But Tenchi-chan, Ayeka was getting in the way of you and me…" she said lamely, trying to justify her actions.
"Ryoko, you can't keep terrorizing Ayeka like this. It took a lot of courage to write that letter. More than you've ever had," Tenchi blurted out. It had touched a nerve, he knew. But he couldn't stop. He could vaguely remember passing a note to a certain girl, only to be harassed by a little boy who had received the letter and thought it was a good enough joke to share with the whole second grade. "What's wrong with you? You think only of yourself, Ryoko! You don't care about anyone but yourself, do you?" Tenchi seethed.
Ryoko's mouth opened and closed for a few moments. She took a few deep breaths and turned, disappearing.
Tenchi straightened up, realizing what had just happened. He had to review the scene in his mind just to grasp what he had just done. This was far worse even than the time that he slapped Ryoko to keep her from hurting Mayuka. Words were far more powerful than actions.
Lost in thought, Tenchi didn't realize Ayeka was hanging triumphantly to his chest. "Oh, Lord Tenchi! You banished the beast! Now we can finally be-"
Tenchi puled her gently from him. Her look of hurt confusion made him avert her eyes. "Ayeka, I didn't mean to do that…"
"What do you mean!?" Ayeka screeched, her eyes about to burst with tears.
"I mean I'm sorry, Ayeka, but I'm not banishing Ryoko or anything. I slipped. I-I didn't mean to be so harsh, but now she knows. Maybe she'll ease up on you, Ayeka," Tenchi gave her a gentle smile. Inside, he was breaking up. How could he apologize for this? He had just called the woman who nearly gave her life up for him on more than one occasion a coward. "I'd better go find Ryoko."
*
Ryoko materialized outside the shrine. She looked sorrowfully at the steps before turning and walking towards her cave. The demoness turned, hearing a faint panting noise. She watched as Tenchi came into view, sprinting up the narrow stairs. Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned away from him. But she did not move. She couldn't.
"Ryoko! Ryoko wait up!" Tenchi yelled. He slowed to a jog as he caught up with her.
Ryoko shut her eyes tightly, and opened them, regaining her composure. She tapped her foot impatiently, trying to look as smooth as possible.
"Ryoko?" Tenchi asked, surprised. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just… got angry."
"I'll say," Ryoko said dismissing it. But she didn't look him in the eyes. Instead, she stared lazily at the sky.
"So… we're ok? I mean… you're fine?"
"Tenchi, don't you understand that not even physical violence could keep me from you. Wanna try?" she asked hopefully. Images of her and Tenchi sparing filled her head. They would be covered in sweat.. and so close to each other… and after a few moves she'd pull a move of her own… Ryoko grinned.
Tenchi began to fret. He rubbed the back of his neck nervously, "Eh… heh… no thanks, Ryoko. I'll pass."
Ryoko deflated a little. Catching one of her many mood swings, Ryoko suddenly became very somber.
"One day, Tenchi, you're going to realize what you've got. You know that? All you've ever wanted is right here under your nose."
"And how exactly how do you know what I want?" Tenchi asked playfully.
Ryoko gave him a very strange look. Her golden eye penetrated the shield he had put up around his feelings so long ago. He suddenly felt vulnerable under gaze. Like she was looking right into his very existance…
… and she wasn't using her powers. Ryoko pulled herself tantalizingly close. "Let's just say… I could tell from the start," she whispered, and while backing away, kissed Tenchi to the left of his lips. Tenchi was dumfounded for a moment as the spot that she had just so gingerly touched tingled. Before he could look back into her face, Ryoko was gone.
Tenchi twisted around, straining to find her, but the ex-pirate had disappeared.
*
Sasami stared at her sister, who was bent over the table. After a few moments, she tapped Ayeka on the shoulder.
"Niichan? Niichan… are you all right? What just happened?"
Ayeka looked up. She seemed to be writing something.
"I was so close!" she squealed excitedly, not really looking at Sasami but at the world itself while she contemplated the possibilities. "Just one letter and he was almost mine! This writing stuff could really get me somewhere…" she said thoughtfully. Ayeka began writing feverishly. Every now and again she would come up for air, tapping her pencil to her chin.
Sasami shook her head looking worried. Ayeka was bound to start something.
*
Washu leaned back in her chair. No matter how she had tried, she couldn't get into any inventions. Today just wasn't… one of those days…
Which was odd because every day was "one of those days." That tape kept replaying itself in her mind. Memory locks were powerful. There was no chance that someone could find the fourth gem. No way. And yet, all this time, she had forgotten about it. Nothing happened by chance. Not when dealing with that thing, anyway. Why had it resurfaced now? Washu looked wearily at her vid-screen.
She suddenly lurched forward, and began typing in the transparent keyboard. A map of the solar system appeared. Along the many graph lines separating the planets, little dots moved slowly, blinking as they went. She zoomed in on each of them, tapping into the GP for records on each one. You could never be *too* sure…
*
Saviya sat patiently at the end of her throne room. Her eyes danced across the intricate designs on the large, white marble walls until she came in contact with giant window that showed the vastness of space. From the corner of her eye, she saw the shadow of her sister.
"Milady?" A guard came sheepishly through the giant door.
"Yes?" Saviya spoke. Her voice rung sweetly, encouraging the guard further. He walked stiffly across the large room, stopping before her throne and kneeling on one knee.
"Speak, Narcial," she said kindly, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder and forcing him off the ground.
"I- we have interceded another message from Jurai. It was sent to the planet Oku III. It appears they are forming an alliance with them… a very large military… they could be a force to reckon with," Narcial was now very worried. He watched his mistress intently, waiting for her reaction.
Lady Saviya leaned back slowly. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. "Jurai has always been… 'a force to reckon with.' We can deal with them. Tell me, Narcial, has your wife had her child yet?"
"Y-yes ma'am. But such trivial things should not matter with you…"
"Of course they do. I know all my men and their private affairs. What is her name?"
"H-how did you know she was a… girl…" he trailed off at seeing her smile. "T-truthfully Milady, we have no name as of yet."
"May I be of service?" she asked smoothly.
"I-it would be an honor…"
"Why don't you ask the cucumber? He told me a million times not to call him conversational."
Saviya turned to her left, watching her sister carefully. Jyl was her older sister, and was also completely and totally insane. She was always quiet… but every now and again she would pop up with something out of the ordinary to say. Jyl always had very deep conversations with herself. Rather loudly, too.
Jyl's beauty did not match that of her sisters. Or perhaps it was that, although they were the same skin tone, Jyl had pitch black hair and always wore rather frumpy black clothing, giving her the look of a rather convincing ghost.
Saviya was blonde and slender. She could pull herself off as a very sickly pixy. The only thing between ugly and gorgeous on this woman was her elaborate dresses, crowns and hair styles.
After a few moments of quiet contemplation, Saviya spoke softly. "No, Jyl. 'The cucumber' never comes up with good names." The guard gave the two a worried look. It was amazing what Saviya put up with…
Jyl looked distraught. "J-I-L-L," she said with much feeling and then began batting playfully at imaginary fairies.
"No, Jyl. Your name is J-Y-L. Not Jill. Remember? We talked about this I'm sure. Jill is too plain. We changed your name… remember?" she pleaded with her sister, who chose to ignore her and kept on swatting at those damn fairies.
Saviya gave Narcial a sad look before continuing their conversation. "I propose Cadwyn. Does that sound nice?"
The guard nodded violently. He didn't wait to be dismissed, and left at a swift walk towards the door.
"Oh, and Narcial," Saviya yelled as the guard reached for the door. He flinched at her voice. "Your loyalties wander. Make sure that you know where they lie." For a moment, Narcial was stunned. He had doubted Lady Saviya for so long… and how had she known?
A flicker of hot white light appeared before his eyes, and Narcial's mind was filled with thoughts of doing nothing but pleasing his mistress. He hadn't felt like this since he had first joined Lady Saviya in her quest…
… but then again, what was her quest? And what was his life before he… joined. Had he joined? Narcial nearly questioned himself before the thoughts overtook him again. He must do her biding.
As he left, Saviya cocked her head questionably. She looked at her sister, who returned with a blank stare.
"All magic wears off, sooner or later," Saviya sighed heavily.
"Damn fairies. I told them the mayonnaise would wear off…" Jyl muttered, biting her thumbnail.
*
Mr. Masaki sped along the dark winding road. He hated coming home late, but he had had a deadline… certainly Tenchi would forgive him for missing dinner. After all, he was the only thing sitting between Tenchi and the girls.
Nobuyuki pressed harder on the petal, speeding up at the thought of his son ripped apart by six lovely ladies. And to think, he wouldn't be there to video tape it…
Suddenly something came careening towards Nobuyuki. Or he came careening to it. He wasn't really sure, but something rolled over his windshield. He panicked, and swerved towards a ditch, only stopped by a tree.
The dust began to settle, and Mr. Masaki replayed what had just happened in his head.
"Shit." He whispered under his breath, hearing the engine steam. Nobuyuki pulled himself from the wreckage. He took a few steps back, observing that only a few broken lights had been afflicted on his car. "Now what on earth did I hit?" he asked the world in general, sauntering over to the middle of the deserted road.
Fear of a law suit overtook him as he realized it was a person. And in the dark it looked like an old woman.
Nobuyuki closed in on the limp being. On closer inspection, he found that it was a young girl. But that couldn't be right… she looked young, but her hair was white… almost silver. Nobuyuki searched his pockets until he found a small flashlight on a key chain. He peeled open the girl's eyelids, which he noticed were adorned with long silver eyelashes, and flashed the light in her pupils. It suddenly got very cold as he realized that her irises were a very light bluish white… like a blind person's eyes.
"Oh damn," he muttered, "I've hit a little blind girl. And she's wearing a school uniform. This isn't going to go well on my record." He shook her a bit, just to see if she was awake, and knowing that it would be on his conscience forever if he didn't do something about her, placed her in his car.
Nobuyuki glanced sideways at her every now and again as he drove along the dark road home.
*
Tenchi looked up from his book when he heard the sound of his father's car pulling in the driveway. He heard some loud shuffling until finally the door was opened. He could hear his father being greeted by his Grandfather, and rather harshly too.
Tenchi thought nothing of it, and after glancing at Ryoko, Sasami, and Mihoshi who were down on the floor playing video games, went back to reading.
"Teenchi," Nobuyuki called, persuasively, "I have… er… a surprise for you…"
Tenchi watched in horror as his Father walked in the room, holding the body of a rather young looking old woman.
"Who the hell is that?" Ryoko narrowed her eyes at Mr. Masaki.
"It seems my son-in-law has hit a poor little blind school girl," Lord Katsuhito glanced at Nobuyuki accusingly.
"Aw, Dad! You hit a little old… no.. a young… what is she?"
"Well… it appears she's a young girl with white hair, if you couldn't use your eyes, Tenchi. And it was dark, and she came out of nowhere. How was I to know she was there!" Mr. Masaki lay her on the couch before ascending the stairs. "You guys deal with her," he yelled down, "I've had a rough night as it is."
Tenchi looked expectantly at his grandfather, who shrugged and walked calmly out the door, heading for his shrine.
"Oh, great. Mihoshi, go and get Washu, will you?" Mihoshi nodded and skipped off, leaving Ryoko and Sasami to ogle over the strange girl.
"Wow! Her hair is so pretty and shiny! She's gorgeous, too!" Sasami marveled over the body.
Ryoko poked the girl's boob. "What makes him think she's blind?" she asked innocently.
Tenchi took the girl's pulse and sighed. "She's alive," he peeled back an eyelid and looked into her frosty colored eyes, "And I'm pretty sure she's blind."
Ryoko looked skeptically at the body. "She's not *that* pretty," she protested.
"All right, you morons! Clear out! Make way for the greatest scientific genus in the universe!" Washu pushed through Ryoko and Tenchi. After some investigation, she shrugged.
"She's fine. Just unconscious. She'll wake up sooner or later."
"Hey, Washu. I think she's blind… but I can't tell. I mean, look at her eyes. Is she?"
Washu glanced at them.
"Nope." She said bluntly. "She's just got white hair and weird eyes. I've seen this once before, I think. Sort of like albinos… ya know.. with the red eyes an' all."
"Lord Tenchi? What's all this commotion? Mr. Masaki informed me that there has been an accident…" Ayeka descended the staircase.
"The old coot hit a little girl," Ryoko said without taking her eyes off the victim.
"I don't believe I asked you!" Ayeka snapped.
"Miss Ayeka, can this girl board with you and Sasami tonight?" Washu inquired. Ayeka thought for a moment, and smiled. "Of course she can. Poor dear," she added, just for the effect.
*
Mikayu groused around for a few moments. She twisted among tight sheets and pulled herself free. Two frosty and curious eyes opened to scan her surroundings. Sitting up, she found herself in a dark room with a few other girls.
There's no way someone could have found her and brought her back to the Academy…
Inspecting herself further, she found that she wore pink silk pajamas covered in carrots. Her breasts were about to burst out of the tight confides of the small outfit, stretching the upper buttons.
Mikayu crept silently along the wall until she found a door. It squeaked slightly as she opened it and slipped out into a hallway.
"Well, well," a deep voice came from the darkness in front of her. "We wouldn't be trying to hurt Tenchi, now would we?" There was a flicker of red light at first, but soon it became stable. In the eerie shadows, Mikayu could make out the outlines of a very pointy face. The light came closer to her face, and she screamed.
There was a sudden pounding of footsteps as lights turned on and strange people spilled from the doors in the hallway. Most of them girls.
Now in the light, Mikayu could see her attacker. The woman was completely naked, causing a crimson blush to creep up Mikayu's face, and holding some sort of sword.
"Ryoko! What are you doing?" a male voice came from behind the woman. She seemed to flinch and lift off the ground. Then the naked woman floated around the young man who had spoken.
"Oh, Tenchi! I think she was trying to hurt you!" she said sulkily.
"That's rubbish, Ryoko! She doesn't even know us!" a purple-haired girl snorted. She glared at the naked woman wrapped around the boy's neck.
"Well how was I to know if she was gonna do anything! You never know!"
"Listen here, you, just because you're untrustworthy-"
"-you're calling me untrustworthy! Hah!"
"Please you two, stop," began a very buxom blonde woman.
"Niichan! It's late, let's just go back to bed…" a little girl with a strange rodent whispered behind the purple haired one.
"Can't all of you calm down?" pleaded the young man.
For a moment Mikayu listened to the bickering in amazement. "Shut up!" she screeched at last, "All of you shut the hell up! What am I doing here? Why am I in these clothes? Who the hell are you!?"
Everyone stared in astonishment.
*
Sasami brought a kettle to the living room, pouring their guest a cup of tea. She gave a little smile of gratitude.
"I apologize for my father's driving," he said conversationally. Everyone sat in the living room, giving each other sideways glances while Tenchi tried to explain things to the new girl.
"But why were you out on the road so late, Mikayu?" Tenchi asked.
"I-I was… leaving this place…"
"Where did you come from? Some far off planet?" Mihoshi asked hopefully. She received a look of bewildered disdain.
"I-I'm from a town just North of Tokyo."
"Oh."
"And if you don't mind me asking, what planet are you guys from?"
"Hehe… what makes you think their not from… Earth, Mikayu?" Tenchi asked nervously. His voice cracked.
"I was joking," she took a sip of her tea. "It's an expression."
"You don't know the half of it," Tenchi deflated.
"So, where are you from?"
"We're from-" Ayeka began.
"-America!" Tenchi yelled, "They're all from America."
She looked at each of them in turn, skeptically. "Oh. They must be very strange in America."
"Well, ya know… radiation and whatnot. Made their hair… different. And some other things, too," Tenchi ended lamely.
"Worse than Nagasaki, that radiation in America," a pink haired little girl entered the room.
"Mikayu, this is Washu. Washu, Mikayu. Mikayo comes from a town North of Tokyo. Washu comes from a planet that probably isn't mapped yet."
Mikayu gave him a blank look.
"Hehe… joke?" he squeaked.
"I'm interested, Mikayu. Where are your parents?" Washu sat down next to Ryoko.
"My mother and father were both abusive. I got sent to a few boarding schools. End of story."
"Are they alive?" Tenchi was now very interested.
"No. He killed her and now he's in jail," she said bluntly.
"And where were you staying?"
"At a school. I was on touring with this stupid chorus program. I didn't like it, so while we stopped in this town I left them."
"Now that's my kinda girl!" Ryoko said, grinning.
"And if you dare try and send me back I'll let a few reporters know that there are demons at the Masaki Shrine. Real ones. I gather you'd rather that not happen," she said stubbornly.
Tenchi got the sneaking suspicion that she didn't like him very much. He took a deep breath.
*Why me?*
"You can stay here, if you like." Ryoko's eyes opened wide, as did Ayeka's.
"No way in hell I'm gonna live with this little minor!" Ryoko roared.
"Sheesh, Ryoko. What's the matter? Where's your hospitality?"
"What's the matter!? What's the matter!? I'll tell you what's the matter!" Ayeka fumed, "We don't need another little… floozy living in this house! We've already got one!"
"Yea, and we don't need another priss in this house!" Ryoko and Ayeka shot each other looks of pure venom.
'"I-I really need a place to stay…" Mikayu ventured. She had suddenly forgotten her obstinate ways.
"Great!" Sasami yelped. "You can sleep with us!"
"I think your room is a little crowded. Ryoko, would you mind?"
Ryoko jumped, startled that she was even asked. "I-I guess so. Fine. Whatever." She disappeared.
*It's happening again. Another pretty girl comes and gets in the way of me and Tenchi. Why the hell are there so many obstacles?* Ryoko almost felt sorry for herself.
Almost.
The room started to empty slowly until only Mikayu, Sasami and Tenchi were left.
"So just like that? No papers or anything?" Mikayu asked, confused.
"How old are you?"
"Seventeen."
"Perfect. By the time someone finds you you'll have custody of yourself and be able to live anywhere you want," Tenchi concluded
"Isn't this illegal?"
"Isn't running away illegal?" Tenchi asked slyly before he went upstairs to his room.
Mikayo watched him go.
"C'mon. You can spend the rest of the night in our room!" Sasami tugged on Mikayu's sleeve.
"Er… yea. Say, Sasami," she began, staring at the room Ayeka had went into, "who was that purple haired girl?"
"Oh, that's my sister, Ayeka. She's the First Crown Princess of Jurai!" Sasami said proudly.
"Ah." Mikayo felt suddenly lightheaded.
**
-Time passes, as is it's job. Three months have gone by since Mikayu entered the life of the Masaki residents. Mikayu seems to get along with just about everybody, even Ryoko. Well, all except Tenchi. Which is the odd thing…-
**
"Lady Saviya?" a deep voice came across the room, echoing with a rather splendid affect.
"Yes, Corporal?"
"We have confirmation of the whereabouts of the Princesses of Jurai. It seems that the two on Jurai at this moment are body doubles, meant to protect them. Our assassin's have failed. They reside on a planet called Earth. We are nearing it now. Also, the small planet Yunti is now under our complete control. Their minds are now our slaves."
"Who's slaves, Corporal," she asked softly.
"You're servants, Milady. Forgive me, I slipped."
"Do not worry about it. The loafers are keeping me up late at night, always chirping," Jyl said conversationally.
"That's right, sister dear. You're learning," Saviya patted her sister on the shoulder. Jyl stared at the spot she had been touched in horror. "Corporal, send a few of my men out. Retrieve the Princesses and all of their minions."
"Yes, Ma'am," he bowed and left.
Saviya turned to her sister, and pointed at the large glass wall revealing the depths of space and, for the moment, a blue planet with white blobs speckled across it. "What do you think of Earth, Jyl?"
"I think the teeth are dancing on my head again. They're messing up my hair."
"Oh?"
"J-I-L-L," Jyl said sternly.
"Ah."
*
Tenchi wiped his brow. It was far too humid to be working in a carrot patch, but he might as well get his work done while Sasami kept Ryo-oki busy.
He leaned over to pick the last carrot from the ground. In this field, anyway. On his way back up, Tenchi came face to foot with a pair of bright red stockings. He turned his head up and smiled, squinting in the sunlight.
"Hey there, Ryoko."
"Hey there," she floated nimbly into the air, hovering a few feet above the ground.
"Whatchya doin' out here?" Tenchi began loading up the carrots.
"Oh, just wanted to talk," she shrugged looked back at the house, "Mikayu seems to be getting along nicely. Except with you, that is."
"Do you have to remind me? Look, we'd better get back to the-" Ryoko landed, and placed her hand on Tenchi's rather sweaty chest. He looked at her, surprised.
"No, Tenchi. I wanted to talk to you about something."
Ryoko always surprised him. She could be a freeloader, a villain, a sexual creature and an honest lover. She gave him a look now that was similar to that she gave a few weeks ago, and somehow he knew she gave him that look when he was growing up around the cave, and when he slept at night and knew he was safe with her near.
"Tenchi, I've been thinking a lot lately. About what you said… a while ago. That I was a 'selfish coward,' I believe."
"-Look Ryoko I'm sorry you're none of those thi-" Ryoko raised a finger to his lips, silencing him.
"I was saying, I know I'm not a coward, but I want to prove to you that I'm not selfish, either," she lowered her finger, now realizing that she had his complete and total attention. "I'll give you careless amounts of out right acceptance if you want it. I'll give you encouragement to choose the path you want if you need it. You can speak of anger and doubts, your fears and freak-outs and I'll hold it. You can share your so-called shame-filled accounts of times in your life and I won't judge it." Ryoko took a deep breath. " And there are no strings attached; you owe me nothing for giving the love that I give. You can ask for space for yourself, and only yourself and I'll grant it. You can ask for freedom as was or time to revel and you'll have it. You can ask to live by yourself, or love someone else and I'll support it. You can ask for anything you want, anything at all and I'll understand it. Even if it means I'll lose you," she concluded.
"R-Ryoko?"
"Yes?"
"What are you saying?"
"That if you want me to, I'll leave. If it'll make you happy. If I can do anything to make you happy Tenchi, I'll do it."
Tenchi stared at her. Clearly she was exposing herself for rejection. He leaned forward. "I've got everything to make me happy, right her," he whispered, and while backing away, kissed Ryoko to the left of her lips. Ryoko was dumfounded for a moment as the spot that he had just so gingerly touched tingled. Before she could look back into his face, Tenchi was gone.
Ryoko twisted around, straining to find him, but only caught a glimpse of his pack filled with carrots disappearing over a hill.
*