~~~~~
RAYANI: Here's Chapter Two!
MAGARU: Isn't this a touching story?
RAYANI: Hey, hey! I didn't mean for this story to be a touching one!
MAGARU: So what?
RAYANI: Hmph. Anyways, we first have the disclaimer. We fully know that all
these character rightfully belong to Pioneer and AIC, and we know that we
don't own these characters.
MAGARU: Okay, we've satisfied the lawyers, now we have to satisfy the
readers!
RAYANI: So we give you...
MAGARU: Chapter Two: For the Sake of Friendship.
~~~~~
Chapter Two: For the Sake of Friendship
Maggie and Jake were thrown out of the vortex and landed on a soft, green hill. "Jake, where are we?" she murmured, her voice quivering. Jake was looking around.
"We're on Jurai..." Jake looked at the garden and pointed. "That's Princess Ayeka's garden. We'd better steal a ship and leave." Maggie sighed in relief.
"Let's go to Earth. I want to apologize to Ryoko," she said, getting up.
"She'll kill you. You wouldn't believe the stories my father told me about Ryoko Hakubi."
"Ryoko Masaki," Maggie corrected. He nodded and waved his hand impatiently.
"Yes, whatever, Ryoko Masaki. We'd better leave quickly or the Juraians will find us. I think the ship hangar is over there," Jakato whispered, pointing to their right and giving Maggie a kiss on the cheek. Maggie shuddered in delight and steadied Jake as they shared her cloak.
When they found the hangar, Maggie and Jake hid behind an enormous tree and ripped her cloak up to make bandages for the wound Tenchi gave him. When he felt better, they slunk into the shadows, examining the best ship to take. There was a beautiful ship that Magaru wanted to use, but Jake pointed out that the beautiful ship was none other than the king's ship and, consequently, would be the most heavily guarded. After much deliberation, they settled on an old-looking ship that was scratched and chipped. Maggie looked a bit put out, but when Jakato gave her a passionate kiss, she felt like submitting to anything.
Jake used his strange penguin model to render the guards unconscious, then boarded the small, scratched ship while carrying Maggie. The control board was similar to the model on his father's ship, so it was no problem getting out of the hangar. They left Jurai, carefully avoiding the checkpoint stations, and laughed at their own cunning and cleverness. Jakato wanted to go to a beautiful resort planet and spend time with his "little sweet tart" and ended up with having Maggie in fits of joyful laughter.
Magaru was firmly against going anywhere but Earth, no matter how much he coaxed and sweet-talked. After fifteen minutes, Jake finally gave in and turned the ship back towards Earth. "Do you like it there, Maggie? I mean, on Colonial Planet #0315?" he asked, putting an arm around her shoulder. A wave of shivers shot down her back, and she smiled in delight.
"Yes, it's very nice there," she replied when she regained control of herself. Jake snorted.
"But it's a colonial planet. So primitive," Jakato remarked contemptuously. "I can't believe the
8 GREAT Washu actually lives there." Maggie didn't answer and spent the rest of the journey in silence.
~~~~~
Ryoko was taking a nap up on the rafter she hadn't been on in twenty years. Kenny had taken all of this badly; he shut himself in his room and refused to eat anything or do anything at all. It was lucky that he was on a break from school. Princess Ayeka resided in her old room, which was kept empty after she left. Sasami was back to her precious kitchen and was humming an old Juraian song, trying not to think of what they could have all done together if the cursed Kagato hadn't returned. Ryo-ohki was following Sasami about the kitchen because she wanted some carrots and because Ryoko swatted at her every time she tried comforting the distressed space pirate.
Washu shut herself in her lab and was thinking about revenge, but the thought of Tsunami stopped her. They had all agreed on waiting until Ryoko overcame most of her sorrow before attempting to talk to her. Nobuyuki and Yosho had several sake drinking bouts under a cherry tree in the backyard. Mihoshi seemed clumsier than before and wandered about daydreaming. She even ended up walking into the lake once.
When Ryoko finally decided to speak again, she first went to Sasami, who was making some rice balls and Miso soup. Ryo-ohki was happily munching on carrots in a corner and did not notice Ryoko walk in. "Sasami," Ryoko croaked. Sasami jumped at Ryoko's hoarse voice and turned around.
"Hi, Ryoko! What do you need?" Sasami asked, stirring the soup slowly.
"Tsu--Tsu--" Ryoko choked and couldn't finish her sentence. Her golden eyes welled up and she teleported away. Sasami nodded to herself. "After dinner, we'll have time," she whispered, giving Ryo-ohki a small smile.
The space pirate reappeared in the lake and began swimming about underwater, looking for fish to catch. She knew that she wasn't really looking for fish. She wanted an excuse for taking a while to think. She remembered how she and Tenchi used to swim in the lake on hot summer days, splashing and laughing happily. Mihoshi used to stay in the shallows because she was a terrible swimmer, although she could hold out for at least ten minutes if she was forced to. Ryoko tried her best not to sob when she recalled the time when she got trapped in an underwater cave and Tenchi came to rescue her.
When Ryoko emerged, she saw a ship landing in the free space in the back yard. Intrigued, she flew up out of the water, her clothes soaked and dripping, and landed in front of the ship. Ryoko's eyes widened in anger when Magaru Sakari stepped out. Ryoko dashed to her and wrapped her sturdy fingers around Maggie's neck and began strangling her.
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU I NEVER WANTED TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Ryoko yelled, tightening her grip. Maggie choked and squirmed about, trying to break Ryoko's grip. Fortunately, Washu was going outside to collect various spiders and saw her daughter.
"No! Ryoko, stop!" Washu yelled. Ryoko ignored her and tossed Maggie around by the neck.
Jake heard the yelling and rushed outside. He shrieked when he saw Maggie being thrown about and rushed to her aid as he pulled his father's sword out. Ryoko saw him out of the corner of her eye and put her foot in his face, giving him a bloody nose and a cut lip. Washu managed to grab
9 Ryoko's arm and slapped her furiously. She wrenched Ryoko's fingers from Maggie's "RYOKO, STOP!" Washu shrieked. Ryoko stroked the red mark on her cheek and sniffed. Maggie got up and rubbed her sore neck.
"I just--wanted to apologize," croaked Maggie. Ryoko looked ready to blast her, but a look from Washu made her stop. "I'm sorry--"
"Tell me, can saying 'I'm sorry' be enough to bring Tenchi back?" Maggie didn't answer. "Answer me!" Ryoko burst wrathfully. Maggie winced and walked over to Jake, cleaning his bloody face.
"No," Maggie murmured. She dipped the remains of her cloak into the lake and patted Jake's lip tenderly. Ryoko stormed inside, leaving Washu alone. The genius gave Maggie and Jake both a severe look.
"You two better leave. If Ryoko sees you again, she might do something drastic. Next time, I WON'T stop her, understood? Go," she said, jerking her head towards their ship. She looked at the house and saw Ryoko peering through the window. "I mean it. Leave. She's really angry and I wouldn't be surprised if she starts chasing you to get revenge." Magaru and Jakato needed no second warning. They gave Washu a grateful look and boarded their ship. Washu smiled to herself and watched as the ship flew out of sight, then walked inside.
Sasami waited until after Ryoko had eaten her dinner before mentioning Tsunami. "Ryoko, do you want to talk to Tsunami now?" Ryoko nodded.
"Yes, please, Sasami." Sasami nodded and smiled as she cleared the plates and bowls away, then put them in the sink.
They all sat in the living room with Ryoko next to Sasami and Ayeka. Ryoko closed her eyes, thinking longingly of Tenchi. She suddenly found herself in a dark place.
Tsunami was standing in front of her and smiling. There was still, dark water all around and a Juraian tree behind the goddess. "Hello, Ryoko," she said calmly. Ryoko found that the tree spirit seemed to be radiating a soothing light. The pirate stood dumbstruck for a moment, then opened her mouth to speak. Tsunami held up a hand, silencing Ryoko.
"I will not bring Tenchi back," she said simply. Ryoko gave her a pleading look.
"Please, Tsunami," Ryoko moaned.
"Why?"
"Because...because I love him," Ryoko said quietly. Tsunami gave her a look that made her feel as if she was being scanned.
"I will not bring Tenchi back unless the need arises." Tenchi walked from behind the tree, smiling nervously. "Besides," Tsunami gave Tenchi a hug, "We're happy together." Ryoko looked furious.
"Hey, hey, hey! He's MY husband, not yours!" Ryoko said, accidentally spitting as she did.
"Yes, I know. Don't worry, I'll keep my hands to myself," said Tsunami, releasing Tenchi. Ryoko sighed in relief. "Go now. Your son will need you soon." Ryoko gave her a bemused look, but could not ask a question since she found herself back in the living room of her home.
Sasami would be unconscious for quite some time, but it was okay, since it was late at night
10 already. Right when she was about to settle down on her rafter, Ryoko heard an unexplainable crash from upstairs. She phased through the ceiling into Kenny's room, casting her eyes about.
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~~~~~
Chapter Two: For the Sake of Friendship
Maggie and Jake were thrown out of the vortex and landed on a soft, green hill. "Jake, where are we?" she murmured, her voice quivering. Jake was looking around.
"We're on Jurai..." Jake looked at the garden and pointed. "That's Princess Ayeka's garden. We'd better steal a ship and leave." Maggie sighed in relief.
"Let's go to Earth. I want to apologize to Ryoko," she said, getting up.
"She'll kill you. You wouldn't believe the stories my father told me about Ryoko Hakubi."
"Ryoko Masaki," Maggie corrected. He nodded and waved his hand impatiently.
"Yes, whatever, Ryoko Masaki. We'd better leave quickly or the Juraians will find us. I think the ship hangar is over there," Jakato whispered, pointing to their right and giving Maggie a kiss on the cheek. Maggie shuddered in delight and steadied Jake as they shared her cloak.
When they found the hangar, Maggie and Jake hid behind an enormous tree and ripped her cloak up to make bandages for the wound Tenchi gave him. When he felt better, they slunk into the shadows, examining the best ship to take. There was a beautiful ship that Magaru wanted to use, but Jake pointed out that the beautiful ship was none other than the king's ship and, consequently, would be the most heavily guarded. After much deliberation, they settled on an old-looking ship that was scratched and chipped. Maggie looked a bit put out, but when Jakato gave her a passionate kiss, she felt like submitting to anything.
Jake used his strange penguin model to render the guards unconscious, then boarded the small, scratched ship while carrying Maggie. The control board was similar to the model on his father's ship, so it was no problem getting out of the hangar. They left Jurai, carefully avoiding the checkpoint stations, and laughed at their own cunning and cleverness. Jakato wanted to go to a beautiful resort planet and spend time with his "little sweet tart" and ended up with having Maggie in fits of joyful laughter.
Magaru was firmly against going anywhere but Earth, no matter how much he coaxed and sweet-talked. After fifteen minutes, Jake finally gave in and turned the ship back towards Earth. "Do you like it there, Maggie? I mean, on Colonial Planet #0315?" he asked, putting an arm around her shoulder. A wave of shivers shot down her back, and she smiled in delight.
"Yes, it's very nice there," she replied when she regained control of herself. Jake snorted.
"But it's a colonial planet. So primitive," Jakato remarked contemptuously. "I can't believe the
8 GREAT Washu actually lives there." Maggie didn't answer and spent the rest of the journey in silence.
~~~~~
Ryoko was taking a nap up on the rafter she hadn't been on in twenty years. Kenny had taken all of this badly; he shut himself in his room and refused to eat anything or do anything at all. It was lucky that he was on a break from school. Princess Ayeka resided in her old room, which was kept empty after she left. Sasami was back to her precious kitchen and was humming an old Juraian song, trying not to think of what they could have all done together if the cursed Kagato hadn't returned. Ryo-ohki was following Sasami about the kitchen because she wanted some carrots and because Ryoko swatted at her every time she tried comforting the distressed space pirate.
Washu shut herself in her lab and was thinking about revenge, but the thought of Tsunami stopped her. They had all agreed on waiting until Ryoko overcame most of her sorrow before attempting to talk to her. Nobuyuki and Yosho had several sake drinking bouts under a cherry tree in the backyard. Mihoshi seemed clumsier than before and wandered about daydreaming. She even ended up walking into the lake once.
When Ryoko finally decided to speak again, she first went to Sasami, who was making some rice balls and Miso soup. Ryo-ohki was happily munching on carrots in a corner and did not notice Ryoko walk in. "Sasami," Ryoko croaked. Sasami jumped at Ryoko's hoarse voice and turned around.
"Hi, Ryoko! What do you need?" Sasami asked, stirring the soup slowly.
"Tsu--Tsu--" Ryoko choked and couldn't finish her sentence. Her golden eyes welled up and she teleported away. Sasami nodded to herself. "After dinner, we'll have time," she whispered, giving Ryo-ohki a small smile.
The space pirate reappeared in the lake and began swimming about underwater, looking for fish to catch. She knew that she wasn't really looking for fish. She wanted an excuse for taking a while to think. She remembered how she and Tenchi used to swim in the lake on hot summer days, splashing and laughing happily. Mihoshi used to stay in the shallows because she was a terrible swimmer, although she could hold out for at least ten minutes if she was forced to. Ryoko tried her best not to sob when she recalled the time when she got trapped in an underwater cave and Tenchi came to rescue her.
When Ryoko emerged, she saw a ship landing in the free space in the back yard. Intrigued, she flew up out of the water, her clothes soaked and dripping, and landed in front of the ship. Ryoko's eyes widened in anger when Magaru Sakari stepped out. Ryoko dashed to her and wrapped her sturdy fingers around Maggie's neck and began strangling her.
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU I NEVER WANTED TO SEE YOU AGAIN!" Ryoko yelled, tightening her grip. Maggie choked and squirmed about, trying to break Ryoko's grip. Fortunately, Washu was going outside to collect various spiders and saw her daughter.
"No! Ryoko, stop!" Washu yelled. Ryoko ignored her and tossed Maggie around by the neck.
Jake heard the yelling and rushed outside. He shrieked when he saw Maggie being thrown about and rushed to her aid as he pulled his father's sword out. Ryoko saw him out of the corner of her eye and put her foot in his face, giving him a bloody nose and a cut lip. Washu managed to grab
9 Ryoko's arm and slapped her furiously. She wrenched Ryoko's fingers from Maggie's "RYOKO, STOP!" Washu shrieked. Ryoko stroked the red mark on her cheek and sniffed. Maggie got up and rubbed her sore neck.
"I just--wanted to apologize," croaked Maggie. Ryoko looked ready to blast her, but a look from Washu made her stop. "I'm sorry--"
"Tell me, can saying 'I'm sorry' be enough to bring Tenchi back?" Maggie didn't answer. "Answer me!" Ryoko burst wrathfully. Maggie winced and walked over to Jake, cleaning his bloody face.
"No," Maggie murmured. She dipped the remains of her cloak into the lake and patted Jake's lip tenderly. Ryoko stormed inside, leaving Washu alone. The genius gave Maggie and Jake both a severe look.
"You two better leave. If Ryoko sees you again, she might do something drastic. Next time, I WON'T stop her, understood? Go," she said, jerking her head towards their ship. She looked at the house and saw Ryoko peering through the window. "I mean it. Leave. She's really angry and I wouldn't be surprised if she starts chasing you to get revenge." Magaru and Jakato needed no second warning. They gave Washu a grateful look and boarded their ship. Washu smiled to herself and watched as the ship flew out of sight, then walked inside.
Sasami waited until after Ryoko had eaten her dinner before mentioning Tsunami. "Ryoko, do you want to talk to Tsunami now?" Ryoko nodded.
"Yes, please, Sasami." Sasami nodded and smiled as she cleared the plates and bowls away, then put them in the sink.
They all sat in the living room with Ryoko next to Sasami and Ayeka. Ryoko closed her eyes, thinking longingly of Tenchi. She suddenly found herself in a dark place.
Tsunami was standing in front of her and smiling. There was still, dark water all around and a Juraian tree behind the goddess. "Hello, Ryoko," she said calmly. Ryoko found that the tree spirit seemed to be radiating a soothing light. The pirate stood dumbstruck for a moment, then opened her mouth to speak. Tsunami held up a hand, silencing Ryoko.
"I will not bring Tenchi back," she said simply. Ryoko gave her a pleading look.
"Please, Tsunami," Ryoko moaned.
"Why?"
"Because...because I love him," Ryoko said quietly. Tsunami gave her a look that made her feel as if she was being scanned.
"I will not bring Tenchi back unless the need arises." Tenchi walked from behind the tree, smiling nervously. "Besides," Tsunami gave Tenchi a hug, "We're happy together." Ryoko looked furious.
"Hey, hey, hey! He's MY husband, not yours!" Ryoko said, accidentally spitting as she did.
"Yes, I know. Don't worry, I'll keep my hands to myself," said Tsunami, releasing Tenchi. Ryoko sighed in relief. "Go now. Your son will need you soon." Ryoko gave her a bemused look, but could not ask a question since she found herself back in the living room of her home.
Sasami would be unconscious for quite some time, but it was okay, since it was late at night
10 already. Right when she was about to settle down on her rafter, Ryoko heard an unexplainable crash from upstairs. She phased through the ceiling into Kenny's room, casting her eyes about.
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