Disclaimer
Tenchi and all associated characters are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC. I don't own any rights to them. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.
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Duty Calls
Chapter 1
Surprise
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"Tenchi!" Washu rushed out of her lab waving what looked like a perfectly ordinary envelope. "Tenchi! You've got mail!" She couldn't see her erstwhile son-in-law anywhere.
Ryoko faded into view before her mother and tried to snatch the letter. "Gimme," she grunted as Washu jerked the paper out of her reach. "Mom, I'm his wife so I can look at his mail if I want to."
Washu smiled evilly at he daughter. "Think so, do you? Well Ayeka's his wife too so maybe I can give it to her." The small scientist wheeled around and headed towards the kitchen where the sound of utensils crashing told the tale of the two Juraian princesses preparing dinner. Or rather one preparing and the other getting in the way. Ryoko dashed after her mother.
"Washu, I'm sorry," the cyan haired woman apologized. "I just get so excited about him and anything that has to do with him..." She skidded to a stop as something suddenly occurred to her. "By the way, how did you get a hold of my Tenchi's mail?"
Washu stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Well, daughter-mine, it seems that I'm the only one on this planet with a subspace mailbox so it's addressed to Tenchi in care of my lab."
"What was Miss Washu?" came Ayeka's voice from the kitchen door. The First Princess and Empress-to-be of the mightiest empire in the galaxy bustled into the room, wiping her hands on her apron. "Ryoko, could you go find Tenchi and tell him that dinner's almost ready? I think he's working in the far carrot field today."
Ryoko's gaze shifted between her mother and Ayeka several times before she answered. "Uh, sure, I guess. But why can't you just call him through our link?"
Ayeka shook her head in exasperation. "Because that is not the proper way to summon our husband home for the evening meal. Haven't I been able to teach you anything in the last few years?"
Ryoko scratched the back of her head in a perfect imitation of Tenchi. "Um…" She saw Ayeka and Washu glaring at her. "All right, all right. I'm going, see?" She started to fade out. A ghostly finger pointed at Washu. "Don't let her open that letter before I get back," the pirate's now ethereal voice warned. Washu stuck her tongue out at the now empty spot where her daughter had been standing.
"And stop by the shrine to tell brother Yosho as well!" Ayeka called as her friend's form disappeared into nothingness. She turned back to the kitchen where a sudden curse told them that some part of dinner wasn't quite right. Ayeka winced. "Ever since Sasami's started growing she's picked up some very bad habits."
"Probably from Ryoko," Washu stated with a chuckle.
Ayeka nodded her head in agreement. "That woman! I'm sorry Miss Washu, but I've been trying to teach her manners, she just doesn't want to learn. And now she's corrupting my little sister."
Washu smiled at Ayeka's comments. "Not so little anymore, she's taller than you now. Besides, aside from a few bad words here and there, I think Ryoko's been a positive influence on Sasami. And don't consider yourself a total failure; you've managed to calm Ryoko quite a bit. And civilize her some too."
Ayeka sighed and then smiled. "I guess you're right. By the way, what's this letter you two were arguing about?"
Washu held the missive up for the princess to inspect and Ayeka's eyes lit up as she read the seal on the envelope. "A letter from the Juraian government! Maybe they are finally going to recognize my love for the part he played in bringing Kagato down. Although that was almost ten years ago now…" She shrugged noncommittally. "Bureaucracies move slowly sometimes I guess." She noticed the look in Washu's eyes and the frown on her face. "You've already read it, haven't you? And that's not it, is it?" Her eyes fell. "It's bad news, right?"
Washu's eyes met Ayeka's and the scientist's frown slowly turned into a smile. "Well, that all depends on your point of view. It's not that bad and no, I'm not going to tell you. You'll have to wait with Ryoko until Tenchi opens it himself."
*****
The dinner was a typical family affair with Tenchi's two children getting into a small food fight and Ryoko joining in by letting fly at Ayeka. Unfortunately the princess saw it coming and ducked, the glob of rice taking Sasami, who was coming through the kitchen door, right between the eyes. Even Katsuhito chuckled at the sight of his youngest sister standing there cross-eyed as sticky grains of rice slowly peeled away from her face and fell to the floor. Sasami's mouth opened to yell at Ryoko until she saw her reflection in the window. Her mouth snapped shut and her lips twitched as she tried to keep from laughing at the sight. What she saw was the image of Tsunami standing there stunned as rice dripped from her forehead.
The letter from Jurai sat unopened on the table near the phone all through dinner. Ayeka kept glancing nervously at it while Ryoko pointedly ignored it just to get under the princess' skin. Tenchi had promised everyone that he would open it first thing after the meal and as soon as the dishes were cleared the kids ran to get it for their father. There was a small squabble over who would be the one to give it to him but it was settled by Ryoko deftly plucking it from her daughter's pudgy hand. She presented it to her husband with a flourish.
"My Lord," she bowed deeply. "Your letter." She turned and thumbed her nose at Ayeka.
Tenchi took the envelope and Ryoko floated over to the princess and sat down beside her. Ayeka smacked her across one shoulder then folded her hands politely in her lap. With a wicked grin, Ryoko leaned over and whispered something in Ayeka's ear. The princess' eyes got wide and her face turned a deep red. The pirate snickered and nuzzled her head against Ayeka's cheek, embarrassing her even more.
Tenchi cleared his throat. "If you two are done, I'll open this now," he announced.
Ayeka pulled away from Ryoko and gave Tenchi her rapt attention. Ryoko too turned her attention to their husband, but she also noticed that the princess didn't move too far away. She started to snake an arm around the Juraian's shoulders only to receive a poke in the ribs from Ayeka's elbow. "Stop it Ryoko," the princess said out of the side of her mouth. "We'll continue this later." Ryoko smiled slyly then put on her most innocent face and gave Tenchi her undivided attention.
Tenchi made a great show of opening the envelope and taking out the letter. He unfolded it and began reading. His jaw dropped open and the farther he read the wider it got. By the time he reached the end of the brief letter he was numb and the paper slid out of his limp fingers and floated gently to the floor where it was immediately snatched up by a cyan blur.
"What's it say Tenchi?" Ryoko asked as her golden eyes moved down the paper. Her own mouth fell open and this time it was the princess' turn to grab the letter.
"Drafted. I've been drafted," said Tenchi in a weak voice. Ayeka finished reading the letter and calmly handed it to Katsuhito. The old priest's eyes moved rapidly from side to side as he scanned the document.
"Yes, indeed you have," Tenchi's grandfather said as he set the paper down on the table. "Congratulations."
Tenchi's head snapped around and he looked at his grandfather in shock. "What do you mean 'congratulations'? This is terrible, there must be some mistake."
"No Tenchi," said Ayeka from behind him. "No mistake. It is the duty of every Juraian to serve a brief time in the military. When you were confirmed as a true prince of Jurai as well as my husband a few years ago, you assumed that obligation too. It just took them this long to track you down."
Tenchi turned to her. "But, but, but…" Her finger gently touching his lips stopped him.
"Shhh. It's your duty," she said to him, following her finger with her lips. The children giggled as they watched the scene unfold. Washu took it upon herself to escort them outside for some after dinner playtime before they made any comments and ruined the moment. The scientist motioned with her head for Sasami to follow. Katsuhito also followed a moment later, to give the trio some time alone.
Tenchi sat down wearily in the spot recently vacated by his mother-in-law and put his face in his hands. "Why do these things always happen to me?" he moaned. "Don't they know I have a family now?" Ryoko put her arm around him and patted him on the shoulder as Ayeka sat down on his other side.
"There, there Tenchi," the pirate said condescendingly. "It'll be all right; it probably is a mistake, you know how those Juraians are." The princess gave her counterpart a dirty look and Ryoko countered by sticking out her tongue this time.
"It's not that bad dear," Ayeka explained. "I'm sure you'll be given a minor commission and assigned to palace duty. Then we can all live on Jurai for a few years while you fulfill your service. Won't that be nice Ryoko?"
"Uh, sure," the pirate mumbled, seriously doubting if the adjective 'fun' could describe how she was feeling at the prospect of living on Jurai for any length of time. "But the princess is right dearest," she continued to Tenchi. "You'll be given some easy duty and time will fly by. We'll be back home before you know it. Besides, we can always come here for a visit when you're on leave."
Ayeka's head bobbed up and down in agreement. "Yes, yes. Listen to her Tenchi. You'll see; father will make sure that we all stay together. After all, you're Prince Consort to the future Empress."
"And I'm Princess Consort," piped in Ryoko.
"Don't remind me," said Ayeka in a low tone.
Ryoko's eyes widened at that remark. "Hey! I thought we've been getting along rather well. At least you seem to be enjoying yourself." Ayeka blushed even though no one was around to see it.
"It's not that, not really," Tenchi raised his head. "It's just that grandpa expects me to take over the shrine in a couple of years."
"He'll wait," said Ayeka. "He's waited 700 years, a bit longer won't hurt."
"But the kids…" Tenchi started.
"Will come to Jurai with us," said Ryoko with a small shrug. "I suppose it's time they started learning about their heritage anyway."
"Then it's settled," Ayeka clapped her hands on her knees and stood up. "We're going to Jurai. Washu and Sasami will probably want to stay here and Mihoshi can't leave her assigned post so I guess it's just us three and the children. Once we're settled in everyone else can come for a visit."
"When do we have to be there Tenchi?" Ryoko asked, not having got that far in the letter.
Tenchi's head was spinning from the way his wives had just made all the decisions without him. He picked up the letter and reread it. "I have to report in two weeks."
"Two weeks?" Ayeka pursed her lips. " That doesn't give us much time to pack."
Tenchi decided it was time for him to reassert control of the situation. "Two weeks is plenty of time for me to get ready. You two are going to stay here until I call for you."
Both girls opened their mouths to argue but one look at Tenchi's expression told them it would be pointless. Their mouths closed. "Yes Tenchi." "Ok dear, we'll do it your way."
*****
Two weeks later the family was gathered on the deck to say goodbye. Mihoshi had received permission from her superiors to fly Tenchi to Jurai in Yukinojo, saving the Juraian government the expense of sending a courier for him. He hefted his bag and started down the line taking his leave from everyone. As he hugged her, he was again amazed at how much Sasami had grown, she really did look like Tsunami now even though the merging wasn't complete.
Washu had assumed her adult form and as he embraced her she whispered in his ear that she would make sure his wives behaved themselves. He wasn't sure if that was good or bad so he just thanked her. He knew she'd also keep an eye on Sasami because the rapidly maturing princess had discovered boys; which was the biggest reason she didn't want to leave Earth at the moment, something that caused Ayeka no end of concern.
Tenchi knelt down and took both his children in his arms. He, Ayeka and Ryoko had tried over the past two weeks to explain to them why daddy had to go away. He wasn't sure if they understood entirely but he knew they were looking forward to visiting their other grandmothers on Jurai.
Ryoko and Ayeka stood embracing each other, trying to hold back their tears. Tenchi chuckled inwardly. In public his wives were always bickering but in private and at moments like this it was obvious just how much they really cared for each other. He gently separated them and gave them each a long farewell kiss. He had to shake them both off before he could move on to his grandfather. The minute they were loose they grabbed on to each other again and the tears finally started flowing. Tenchi just shook his head in wonder.
"Got everything you need boy?" Katsuhito asked. "You did give the Master Key to Ayeka for safekeeping, didn't you?" Tenchi assured him that he had. The old priest had informed him that he would not be allowed to have the sword while he was being trained, as it would give him an unfair advantage over the other trainees. After he was assigned Ayeka would bring it when she, Ryoko and the kids joined him. Likewise, he was told to try not to use the Lighthawk Wings or any of his other powers. Washu had offered to fit him with an inhibitor and he was tempted but ended up politely declining when he considered the source. Besides, he'd seen Skuld puttering about in Washu's lab and he still remembered what had happened to Ryoko the last time the little goddess had taken it upon herself to 'improve' one of Washu's gadgets. He shook his grandfather's hand and turned to his father who had been taping the whole affair.
Noboyuki left the camera running on the tripod as he hugged his son. "I'm so proud of you Tenchi," he sniffed. "My son, a military man. What would your mother say? She always had a thing for uniforms." Tenchi glanced up at his father's girlfriend, Mai, but she didn't mind Noboyuki talking about his deceased wife. The purple haired alien ex-cop, now award-winning architect, smiled at him and held out her hand. Tenchi reached past his father and shook it firmly.
Mihoshi was waiting at the bottom of the shuttle's entry ramp. She threw herself at Tenchi as he approached. "Tenchi, I'm going to miss you," the blonde cried. "Write a lot and come home soon."
With the sometimes-ungentle help of Ayeka and Ryoko Tenchi managed to pry the GP Lieutenant off of him after a brief struggle. "Mihoshi!" he said sharply. "Stop it. You're going with me, as far as Jurai anyway. Remember?"
Mihoshi wiped the tears from her eyes with a sleeve. "I am? Oh yeah." She snapped to attention and saluted. "Officer Kuramitsu Mihoshi reporting for transport duty." She began hopping up and down from leg to leg. "Oh boy, this is gonna be great, just me an' Tenchi."
Ryoko and Ayeka stood there fuming, tears forgotten. "That's it," stated the pirate, grabbing Tenchi's arm. "You're not going with this bubblehead. I'll take you myself in Ryo-ohki."
Ayeka grabbed his other arm and glared at the GP. "I agree with Ryoko. We can take you ourselves. In Ay-ohki." Ryoko looked at the princess and growled.
Tenchi shook himself loose and hugged both girls close before an argument could start. "No," he said. "I'll be fine, don't worry. Besides, Mihoshi's engaged, remember? And I'm married to you guys. You have nothing to worry about."
"That's why we're worried," sniffed Ryoko, before starting to cry again. Tenchi hugged both his wives tightly.
He nuzzled both their heads then released them. "I really have to go. I'll see you both in a few weeks, take care of the kids."
"We will Tenchi," they said in unison. Tenchi walked up the short ramp to Yukinojo's cabin. At the top he turned and waved goodbye to his family. He wasn't worried either; after all, what could possibly go wrong?
*****
To be continued.
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Author's Notes
Well, here we go again. It's been a bit since I started a new story and this one grew from an idea I'd been toying with for a little while. I hope you enjoy it.
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BobR
9/25/2002