Homecomings: Masaki

by Will Pii

Edition 2. Following the defeat of the dark goddess on Earth, the victors search for solace in a world forever changed. This tale follows the residents of the Masaki household, both old and new, in the aftermath of this event.

2. Chapter 1: Living Together

Chapter 1 – Living Together

Millennia ago, a great war raged across the Milky Way Galaxy between two young nations. The victor of that war became the great and renowned Jurai Empire, its mythical power and distinctive tree-ships clashing with the Enemy in many legendary battles. This was the beginning of a dynasty which has lasted from the first king, Jurai Sho I, until the current emperor, Jurai Azusa II. Much of this time has been lost to history, names of the fallen and the immense sacrifices forgotten to the modern era.

However, the defeated will never forget, and they have not forgiven. Before the great war, the planet Jurai had several rivals to its growing influence, but only one truly stood against Jurai. Ryua, still known as the "world of crystals", nurtured a race of proud and passionate people. Physically, the "Ryoans" were seemingly much like any other humanoid, though they were distinguished by their feline features: slit-like pupils, elfin ears, and spiked locks of hair.

But, it was their power that threatened Jurai. Each could summon forth and manipulate a crimson energy, which could be forged into swords as well as used to teleport and incorporeally phase through matter. Unlike Jurai's power, which only flowed through the veins of the royal family, this Ryoan energy could be found in every member of the race.

That red light also gave the people a telepathy to the small, furry denizens of their world. Similar to some blend of Terran cats and rabbits, these "cabbits" had a crystalline nature, able to shift themselves into a gemstone and interact with the gems found throughout the world. This connection allowed the development of crystalline technology, allowing mass-shifting, computational efficiency, and eventually, space travel. The cabbits were trained in the manipulation of their crystalline state, forming starships that took the Ryoan race throughout the galaxy.

Independently, Jurai and Ryua grew until their borders abutted, and like many cultures before and since, they clashed and fell into war. For over a decade, these two mighty nations filled the spiral galaxy with bursts of azure and crimson, emerald and gold, ivory and onyx. At the end, then Commander-General Jurai Sho stood victorious in the halls of the Ryoan Council of Twelve as his foe, Chairwoman Ryua Nori, laid dead at his feet.

Crushed and broken, Ryua surrendered unconditionally, and its holdings were absorbed into what was renamed the "Jurai Empire". However, while the war ended, the fire in the Ryoan people never died. Many rebelled against their Juraian governors, gaining the label "pirate" from their daring raids. In reaction, newly crowned King Sho I gave an edict that has stood to the modern age.

"Strip them of their ruby light."

By Juraian law, Ryoans have since been injected with a solution made from the metal sinium. In its pure form, sinium was toxic alloy that can absorb both Juraian and Ryoan type energies. However, when chemically bonded to flourine, sinium became a salt which was harmless to the body, but retained its energy absorption properties. During the war, both sides used the metal to make shields, armor, and prison bonds while the salt was used on prisoners to keep them captive.

King Sho I's edict repressed Ryua, forcing them into the role of a subject world, rather than a powerful rival nation. Many fled their home-world and took refuge in the stars, gathering together into small clans and guilds. Jurai has since hunted these outlaws, with capture meaning the end of their innate power.

There were exceptions to this law. The Ryoan priesthood for their planetary faith were allowed to keep their innate powers for cultural reasons. The priesthood has remained very closely obedient to the laws of Jurai, walking a careful line between their beliefs and the requirements of the state, lest they too lose their light. This favoritism toward Jurai has made many of the pirates shun the culture and beliefs from their native world, creating a significant divide in Ryua's people.

Millennia later, the GU formed and came to know of the Ryoan pirates and the power they so jealousy maintained. In cooperation with the Jurai Empire, select Ryoans were allowed to keep their powers within the GU's Universal Science Academy to study the energy type. Yet, here too, each researcher was closely watched, lest they stray from their objective. One such Ryoan researcher was famous Dr. Hakubi Washu, who has had her own problems with the law in the past.

But now, Washu's findings were haunting the world of crystals. During the recent events on Earth, the Juraian governors of Ryua were asking questions of the Ryoan priests, unsettling questions. "What do you know of 'NVO' energy?" "Who is this 'Matron' you serve?" "Have you heard of the events on Earth?"

All of these weighed heavily on the brow of High Priest Ryua Murakami. Tied tightly behind his head, his silvered hair appeared like blades spiking from his scalp, much like the icy glare of his blue feline eyes. White robes cascaded down around him, embroidered with artistic reliefs of golden flames and ruby pyres. He rested his folded arms upon the meeting table before him, glancing at those gathered with him.

To his right hand was his son, Cardinal Ryua Shinya. In his mid-thirties, gray had only started to touch his tan hair, framing his cool violet gaze. Dressed in scarlet robes with similar fiery motifs to his father's, the younger man sat, thoughtfully stroking his smoothly shaven chin.

This pair listened carefully to the rhetoric of the remaining man standing in these chambers, Brother Kimpatsu Ryobachi, Shinya's student. His spikes of orange hair danced as this young priest spoke, emphasizing his points with animated gestures of his hands. Though his eyes were several shades lighter than Shinya's, a fire burned within Ryobachi's sight, reflecting the passion of his speech. Simple black robes embraced the Ryoan as he waved his hand aside and continued.

"Jurai knows nothing of what happened here, your Eminence," Ryobachi declared with a confident grin on his face. "They are grasping for a connection between our faith and their 'distortion', one they don't even fully believe."

Shinya closed his eyes in thought. "No, the upper echelon know, or they wouldn't be grasping so close. However, they have suspicion, but no proof."

Ryobachi scoffed. "Let them look! Washu herself found nothing when she was here."

The cardinal's eyes slid over at the young priest. "And, we would like to keep it that way, my student." He turned to Murakami. "I have sent two of my best, your Eminence."

The silver-haired man nodded. "How deep?"

"Full genetic over-scans and persona shields. Even their energy type has been masked to appear Juraian to any of their detection systems."

The high priest's brow raised. "What do you have planned, son?"

"Infiltration, intelligence, and subversion," he recited, though his voice lowered when he added, "as well as retrieval of what is hers."

Though he did not break his stoic facade, pride could be heard in Murakami's words. "Bold, my boy."

Shinya merely bowed his head with a filial respect. "Whatever brings the Lady's favor to our family."

Sagely, the father commented, "The Matron has touched our family twice, once with Ryua Nori, and again with your dear sister Ryoshu. I don't believe we have ever lost her favor."

The cardinal glanced aside, a twist in his belly at the mention of his sister. Ryua Shinya was the elder son, but the second child of Ryua Murakami. The high priest's daughter, his "little firebird", was Ryua Ryoshu, his firstborn, his favorite. Even after her death six years ago, the old patriarch of the family still held the auburn-haired girl close to his heart, despite her transgressions against her family and their traditions.

And, Shinya resented his father and struggled daily not to hate his sister.

"Perhaps not, Father," he answered dutifully.

Ryobachi, however, stood with his arms folded, his brow raised.

"What about her daughters?" the student asked. "We tried to bring that cyan-haired minx back home once, and all we got for our trouble was a scorched altar and a hole in the roof."

"She's always been a wild one," Shinya sighed, "like most young pirates." He glanced to Ryobachi and added, "You would know."

A sneer crossed the student's lip as he retorted, "I might have been raised with the pirates, but I'm hardly one of them." Then, the sneer grew into a twisted grin. "After all, didn't my old man take care of your own pirate problem?"

A slight scowl crept into Shinya's brow, the undertone of his student most disconcerting. However, Murakami simply nodded calmly.

"He certainly did his duty as I asked. I expect no less of his son."

The blue eyes of the high priest cooly met the purple of the young man, who beamed proudly.

"Whatever you command, your Eminence."

Many have regarded Ryua Murakami as an aging figurehead of the priesthood. The public saw his speeches denouncing the violence of the pirates as Juraian propaganda, his calls for tolerance as the mewling of a servant of the emperor. Most people, Ryoan or otherwise, just saw the silver-tressed priest barely clinging to what power he had left.

Yet, a cold fire burned deep in Murakami's eyes, calculating and patient. As the man stood, Ryobachi caught a glimpse of a deep scar just at the edge of the high priest's collar, long since knitted together. The cut was jagged, randomly torn, for what the student could see of it. The words Ryobachi heard now were not mewling, not orchestrated or rehearsed. They were strong, firm, and decisive.

"Your task, Brother Ryobachi, is to study and prepare. The work of Akara Naja is key to the Matron, and I expect you to bring it to us."

Ryobachi bowed respectfully. "Of course, your Eminence, but what of…"

"She will be handled," Murakami interrupted shortly.

A scowl crossed the young man's lowered eyes.

"She, as well as her half-sister, are a concern of the House Ryua," Murakami stated, "not of yours." Icily, he added, "You would do well to remember that, young man."

Ryobachi glared at the floor. He gripped his fist tightly at his side, suppressing his desire to speak out.

She was mine, old man, he seethed to himself. She is mine.

Shinya closed his eyes silently. He had been Ryobachi's mentor for the past six years and had seen the young man grow knowledgeable and powerful, but also impatient. The cardinal had known his student's father, a brave young cleric named Kimpatsu Masaru. He was the man who ended a long standing threat against the priesthood, the unification of the pirate guilds. However, in this great act of patriotism, Masaru left his son without a father. Without paternal guidance, Ryobachi bounced between foster parents until becoming Shinya's pupil seven years ago. Even as a boy, Ryobachi had raw talent with Ryua's power, but his years without a true family had made him selfish, even cruel.

Now, the young priest at least showed restraint on his tongue, thanks to Shinya's influence. His head bowed, he apologized to the high priest.

"I'm sorry, your Eminence. I'll leave it to your house."

Murakami waved Ryobachi aside. "Good."

Yet, the leader's attention then returned to his son. "What of the entity sent to Earth with the chimera, Shinya?"

"The Matron stated that it was severed from Jurai Ayeka and deposited in Sargasso," the cardinal answered. "I've sent Hotsuma with a small force to recover it."

As Murakami opened his lips to speak, the doors to this chamber swung open. All eyes turned to the one standing in the doorway. Murakami and Shinya stood in outrage, though Ryobachi stifled a snicker.

"Leon Tae! What is the meaning of this?!" Murakami demanded.

A young man ambled inside, his raven locks of hair flowing behind him like a dark cowl. His gray, feline eyes focused on those of the high priest, fearless and prideful. Bladed armor held firm to his form, colored blood crimson and earthen tones. The shoulder plates in particular shone with a well-maintained polished silver finish.

"I've been waiting, old man," Leon answered as he cracked his neck. "I'm tired of it."

A heavy sigh fell from Shinya's lips. The "necessary evil", Shinya thought to himself.

A scowl twisted Murakami's brow. "Impatient child."

"Child?" Leon scoffed as he motioned back toward the door. "I've bested every priest you've set me against." His lips curled into a smirk. "… And, as fun as it is to cleave through them, it's getting boring."

Ryobachi watched the exchange with interest. He had become close friends with Leon since the latter's arrival on Ryua three years ago. The two would spar often until the dark energies wielded by the black-haired warrior surpassed the priest's. Leon was as fierce as his name, and wickedly meticulous as to how he dissected an opponent's defense.

But, Ryua Murakami was a wall. His blue eyes glared deep into the young man's gaze, his stance firm while the young man rested his hands on a desk between them.

"The Matron gave you your power for a purpose," Murakami scolded, "but all I have seen you do is squander both your potential and the lives of my men. I will have no more of it."

Leon gripped his fists at his side, cracking his knuckles as sparks of obsidian arced over his skin.

"Really?" he grinned. "And, what's an ancient, broken, and forgotten relic like you going to do if I don't? I've got far more power than anyone in this building."

Without even the whoosh of air, Murakami vanished. Immediately, Leon summoned an orb of black fire, which his hand molded into a broadsword of shadows. He thrust to his side, the blade piercing the side of Ryua Murakami.

Ryobachi's eyes widened while Leon laughed, "Dumb old fu…"

Then, the figure standing before him dissolved into the shadows. Dumbfounded, Leon stepped back, as did Ryobachi.

"Wha… what is this?!" Leon stuttered.

Murakami's voice boomed off the walls of this small meeting chamber.

"Just like a child, always seeing with your eyes."

A scrape against Leon's armor spun the arrogant fighter around, swiping his black blade through the table. Shinya shook his head, disappointed.

"Only fighting with your brute strength," Murakami added.

Two black broadswords edged against Leon's neck as two figures of Ryua Murakami slid out of the shadows of the office. The eyes of each were dark as pitch, like the markings clawing along the face and neck of each. Leon glanced between the two copies of the high priest while they spoke together.

"Know your place, Leon Tae. You are a guest in the house of the Matron."

At this, the gray-eyed warrior released his sword, letting it vanish. The two Murakamis drifted toward one another before both flickered away and were replaced by the one true high priest of Ryua. His skin and eyes were clear of the black marks, and his blue gaze fell sternly on Leon. His words lacked their previous mighty echo, but carried no less authority.

"You have a mission already, and I suggest you begin your journey."

Irritation and embarrassment were in Leon's face, but so was a touch of humility. He nodded and relented, leaving soon afterward. Speechless, Ryobachi was excused to his own tasks by Shinya while the cardinal and his father continued their meeting uninterrupted by their juniors.

X X X

Autumnal winds blew through the leaves of the trees surrounding the Masaki shrine. Already, the forest's colors were changing from the lively green to the dry red and orange of fall. With the noon sun hanging overhead, flights of birds flew past in a "V"-formation, heading south to avoid the coming freeze.

Yet, within the trees, swipes of a weapon cut through the air. In years past, this sound had been common. From boyhood, Masaki Tenchi had been drilled and trained by his grandfather to wield the swordsmanship of Jurai's royal family. The swings of a bokken, as well as the crack of two bokkens striking, filled the forest as the boy grew into a young man.

In more recent memory, the swing and crack of bokken were replaced with the heated hum of energy blades, both Juraian and Ryoan. During the six months between the reunion incident on Jurai and the advent of the dark goddess on Earth, Tenchi sparred with Ryua Ryoko, each learning from the other. Sparks of red and blue flew from the clash of Tenchiken's blade against Ryoko's scarlet katana, the impact ringing metallic.

Now, the swipe of a bokken has returned to the Masaki estate with a new wielder. Jurai Nagi held the wooden sword before her, her crimson eyes focused and determined. She slid forward, the sword rising over her head and then back down to strike the empty air. Her heel twisted as she swung to the side, striking a second fictional enemy. Crouching, she hooked her other foot behind her, rending another imaginary foe from their footing. Her weapon rose, cleaving through this falling adversary.

Nagi continued through this kata, sweat beading on her brow. Around her body, a white gi flapped at each strike; red hakama snapped with each sweep and kick. Her hairband key held her purple hair away from her face as they shook with each motion in the routine.

As she neared the end, her foot thrust to the side, breaking the rib of an opponent. Her bokken drew close while her foot touched the ground under her. Then, she paused, her breath deep and slow. A scowl etched into her brow as she cursed under her breath.

"Dammit… what follows the kick?"

Frustrated, the huntress sighed hard and punched a nearby tree. However, a voice rose from behind her.

"I don't think the tree deserved that."

Nagi spun toward the voice to find Masaki Katsuhito leaning against another trunk with a jovial grin on his face.

"You've already worked up a sweat without me, I see."

She slipped the bokken into the belts at her waist before bowing respectfully to the master swordsman.

"I do remember some of my father's teachings, Lord Yosho. I thought I could refresh myself."

The great man nodded as he stepped closer to her.

"I'm sure he would be very proud to hear that."

Nagi glanced aside, but the grandfather rested a hand on her shoulder and smiled warmly.

"And, call me 'Grandpa'. Everyone else here does."

Her eyes turned back to him as he added, "I gave up being 'Jurai Yosho' years ago. Besides, I doubt your father ever made you call him anything besides 'Father' or 'Dad'."

Her gaze lowered a bit. Katsuhito had met Nagi's father, Jurai Tensho, after the reunion incident on Jurai. He was a good and noble man, and loved his daughter greatly. However, due to Nagi's maternal lineage, Juraian prejudice and politics had torn the two apart, Nagi only a girl of nine years. Since then, she had struggled and subsisted with her cabbit partner, Ken-Ohki, becoming one of the most successful, and feared, bounty hunters in the galaxy.

One of the reasons for her strength and success was the training she received from her father. As with many men in the Jurai royal family who had only daughters, Tensho taught Nagi the legendary swordsmanship of Jurai. Though she did not finish her training, much of that knowledge stayed with her after their separation and gave her a significant edge over her targets. Also, though she did not admit it openly, practicing the kata was nostalgic, something that reminded her of the home she had lost.

Nagi nodded quietly. "Very well."

Katsuhito walked past Nagi, following a well-tread path in the forest. The huntress went with him, her eyes set on the legendary warrior before her. As a girl, she, like Ayeka, had heard the story of the warrior prince who had abandoned the throne of Jurai decades ago. In those days, she wondered what sort of man he was. Her childhood peers envisioned him as a proud prince, traveling around the galaxy to combat evil. Nagi herself saw him differently, a wanderer searching for challenges to improve his skills, and was a bit surprised when she discovered his identity late during the coup of 1995.

Soon, the two reached a clearing, where many stakes had been planted into the ground. Nearby, a few boulders rose out of the ground, worn smooth by millennia of erosion. Here, Katsuhito sat down and took a few pebbles in hand from atop an adjacent stone. He rolled the small rocks in his palm, glancing up toward the canopy above them. With a slight motion, one pebble flew from his hand into the limbs above, knocking a block of wood free. Attached to the block was a rope, which soon became taut and halted the block's fall over the stakes below.

As this piece of wood swung from side to side, Nagi smirked to herself, recognizing the situation. She stepped toward the pegs, a hand already resting on her bokken.

Katsuhito grinned. "Seems like you know this routine."

"Indeed," she said, her feet levitating from the ground.

"Do not use your Juraian or Ryoan powers," he stipulated.

Confused, she glanced back to him. "Why not, sir? I thought the point of all this was to learn control of the two powers."

The old prince folded his arms and nodded. "It is, but you need a calm mind and disciplined spirit to control your body, let alone master either side of your heritage."

The huntress eyed the ground for a moment in thought. When puberty began her body's natural maturation, a few elementary abilities manifested, primarily flight from her Ryoan side. With time and practice, she did learn to maneuver through the air on par with Ryoko, which made the two excellent opponents. However, without a teacher, she neglected the potential locked within her.

During the reunion incident, stress and desperation saw her awaken to her Juraian lineage. Wounded and locked in combat, and her powers instinctively rose to protect her. The Juraian energy flowed violet through her, shattering the casing around her hairband to reveal the key inside. With this device, she slew her foe, Jezibel Kimitan.

Over Manhattan Island nearly a month ago, the dark goddess attempted to tear away the Ryoan energies dormant within Nagi. Crimson lashes snapped around the huntress, burning through her clothes, ripping at her spirit. However, Nagi's powers were intertwined from her birth and could not be separated in this way, but the contact brought her ruby light to the surface. The red energy flared around her, warring with the already awakened emerald power. The conflict between these opposites tormented her, out of her control.

Nagi never again wanted to feel that pain, that weakness. Katsuhito could see the deliberation in the huntress's eyes. He had stipulated the same for her half-sister seven months ago when Ryoko and Tenchi came to him with a similar request.

She's impatient, he thought to himself, just like her sister was.

"You've changed a great deal in the past three years, Nagi," he explained. "You need to give yourself time to adjust. We should proceed slowly and carefully."

Time to adjust…? Nagi thought.

Three years ago, she was chasing Ryoko around the galaxy, threatening to take her head. At the conclusion of the coup on Jurai, Nagi chose to help in battling Jurai's navy. Six months ago during the reunion, her lineage was exposed and her Jurai power awakened. She and Ryoko came to a tolerance of one another at that time as well, each knowing the truth behind the other. A month ago, her Ryoan power was revealed, and with both energies flaring brightly, the huntress dealt the fatal stroke to the dark goddess, Ryoko at her side.

Nagi's feet touched the ground again as she slowly nodded to Katsuhito.

"Very well, sir."

With that, the purple-haired woman dashed onto the pegs, drawing her bokken to strike the wooden block. The piece of wood swung away while Nagi stepped aside, her feet on a new set of pegs. When the block returned, she struck again, her technique strong and her balance stable.

Katsuhito silently watched her jump between the stakes in the ground, lashing out at the returning block of wood. With each step, her balance and poise on the pegs was nigh perfection. Each strike on the swinging target was exact and potent. Had she been wielding an actual blade, the block would have been cleaved in twain time and again. Certainly, Nagi had innate talent and practiced skill at wielding a sword.

However, the wise teacher narrowed his eyes and noted the tension in her shoulders, in her arms. Indeed, each impact was powerful, but to a fault. She would overcommit, her weight forward in her stance. In his mind's eye, he could see an opponent sidestepping her zealous strike and slicing down upon her arm or neck. Further, the energy she wasted in generating that power in her muscles was tiring her. The perspiration rolling down her brow spoke of that.

"Tell me, Nagi," Katsuhito inquired. "How did your father teach you?"

Distracted, the huntress stumbled a bit, her feet halting atop a pair of wooden stakes near the edge of the practice area. She quickly recovered and batted the target away, a tense glare in her eyes.

"Is that relevant?" she asked before she struck the block again.

"You've taken to this exercise rather well. I was curious what else you know."

Her focus cracked, Nagi's attacks slowed, her mind split between Katsuhito's question and her task of attacking the block.

"We would do this at home." A loud crack sent the target flying away. "But, not on Hi-Ryu." Her bokken collided with the false enemy again. "Fleet regulations didn't allow it."

Katsuhito nodded. "They are rather strict aboard naval ships. What did you do aboard Hi-Ryu?"

"We would spar." Her fingers wrapped tightly around the hilt of the wooden sword as she struck again.

The grandfather's brows rose. "Oh? A father-daughter duel?"

"Not always," she answered, the crack of her sword louder.

"I suppose then you sparred the other officers' children."

"Sometimes." She cleaved vertically, sending the block upward into the air.

Katsuhito could see her grip on the bokken and hear the shortness of her words. She was thinking, feeling. Three years ago, Nagi was completely focused on her vendetta against Ryoko that all she saw was her target, all she felt was fury.

What are you feeling now, Jurai Nagi? the old Juraian asked himself.

"Where is 'home'?" he asked her.

"Aiko," she replied with another mighty swipe.

"That's a beautiful city," Katsuhito commented with a smile. "It must have been lovely to grow up there."

Only strikes of the bokken answered him as she continued her exercise in silence. Honestly, he was pushing her, testing her focus. While he was not present when her Ryoan energies were awakened, he has heard from Ryoko and Azaka of the bitter tears and screams when the huntress first faced the dark goddess. Then too, she was pushed, stressed, and tempted by the Matron of Ryua. Nagi had survived far worse emotional distraction than a few mere questions.

But, those encounters not only left her hands burned from wielding a sword of wildly chaotic energy, but also had reopened old wounds in her heart. While her hands were healed by Washu's medical technology, emotions were a totally different matter. Katsuhito could only imagine how Nagi felt when the final strike of her flaring blade of Light and Dark sunk into the chest of her opponent, the body of her own mother.

"… How long has it been since you've been home, Jurai Nagi?"

Her feet halted as she raised the bokken, her left hand behind the blade in a reinforced block. The wooden target smacked against the edge. She took a deep breath, facing away from her teacher. Her weapon lowered at her side while she took a moment to regain her breath.

"… Nine years," she answered.

Over his lifetime, Katsuhito had developed a knack for reading people, not only their weaknesses, but also their state of mind and demeanor. Nagi shared a lot of similar talents and strengths with her half-sister, Ryoko. Both were fast and agile, stubborn and passionate. Both had lived difficult lives to become the women they now are, Ryoko the daughter of a dread Ryoan pirate and Nagi the illegitimate daughter of a Juraian captain.

However, despite their similarities, the sisters were vastly different. While the elder Ryoko was more relaxed and fluid, the younger Nagi was serious and rigid. In the aftermath of the events of Manhattan, Ryoko had clung to her blossoming romance with Tenchi, finding a solace in that mutual affection. On the contrary, Nagi chose to establish herself on Earth and train with the legendary "Jurai Yosho", rather than return to her father on Jurai. Often, the old Juraian noticed Ryoko taking a moment to visit her mother's grave in the hills near the shrine. Yet, Nagi never had since the day their mother's body was interred.

Katsuhito stood and motioned back toward the path.

"Come with me," he instructed.

Nagi's crimson gaze slid to him as he started down the path. After a moment to steel herself with a breath, the huntress followed, and the two came to another clearing. Here, the gentleman reached behind his back and produced his own bokken.

"You need to relax, Nagi."

Her eyes closed, and her brow furrowed. Frustration was written across her face as she nodded.

"Yes. Kamidake said much the same."

Katsuhito grinned to himself. "He's a bright young man. You'd do well to follow his advice."

Her eyes opened toward the soil beneath her feet. She carefully took a breath, deep and filling, and then released it slowly. Her teacher could see some of the tension fade from her shoulders and arms, though certainly not entirely.

He taught her a some breath control, the grandfather thought. Good.

"Keep at it," he said while sliding into a back stance, his sword extended toward her.

Her feline gaze rose to meet his. Her breath continued slowly, though she too took sword in hand. He nodded in silence, and she lowered into a forward stance, the tip of her bokken lightly clacking against his.

Nagi's foot slid forward, and her sword dipped to her right to swing at Katsuhito. Calmly, he stepped aside, letting his bokken deflect the blow with a tap and an angle change. She struck again, and the master likewise maneuvered away with ease.

Her eyes narrowed, considering his actions. The huntress swung again, but this time stepped forward into his guard. However, he glided to her side and raised his bokken to strike her exposed shoulder. Quickly, she spun toward him and blocked the strike with her weapon.

As the two slid apart, Yosho commented to himself, Impressive. She adapts well.

Then, her breath shortened, and she rushed at him, her sword drawn back to strike. However, he slipped away, letting his edge direct the fierce attack aside. At this, he crouched and hooked his foot toward hers. Reacting fast, she hopped away before his sweep made contact.

"Remember your breath!" he scolded.

Frustration shot through her eyes while he added, "Don't anticipate or plan. Breathe. Let yourself feel, Nagi: where your blade is, where mine is."

She nodded, visibly displeased with herself. Again, the two neared one another, their bokkens touching ever so briefly. Katsuhito remembered when he did this routine with Ryoko. She took to it very naturally, even though her technique took much longer to mature. Nagi seemed more like Tenchi or Achika, serious, concerned with each bit of minutiae.

Juraian blood, he thought. We are a self-important people, aren't we?

His pupil came at him again, this time struggling to keep her breath consistent. He likewise dodged, but felt a difference in her. Her movement was as swift as before, but she recovered a bit more quickly. As they reset their stances, the wise warrior suppressed a grin.

It's good to have another apt pupil.

X X X

Unlike the Jurai Empire, the Galactic Union was not formed by a single world's imperial expansion, but rather from an amalgamation of cultures. Outside the borders of Jurai's territory, several planets developed faster-than-light (FTL) travel and encountered one another. Most of these "first contact" incidents were peaceful, and the respective worlds initiated trade of ideas and technology. In this way, each race learned from the others and added their own contribution to the whole.

Some encounters, however, were far from peaceful and forced this young alliance to band together to protect itself. From their combined advancements, the newly forged Galactic Union repelled would-be invaders and conquerors. Soon enough, the worlds founded a united government with representatives from each member world. Like similar republican nations, an executive president was elected to stand for the GU in dealings with other cultures, provided they were peaceful. To study and advance the many varied technologies of the Union, the Universal Science Academy was formed and quickly became the center for scientific research. Naturally, unrest still was a problem periodically, and the Galaxy Police was established to handle such matters, supported by the SA's inventions.

Patiently, the Jurai Empire watched the GU arise to prominence, and when the younger nation's borders approached those of older, the current emperor, Jurai Yasu IX, initiated a cautious first contact. Having learned from previous encounters with other races, the emperor introduced his culture to the GU gradually. After a series of talks with the current GU president, Glenn Sterling, trade negotiations and diplomatic treaties were arranged between the GU and the Jurai Empire. Since then, the two nations have acted as allies in numerous circumstances, including the 1896 rampage of Kain and the more recent NVO distortion crisis.

And, in the wake of the latter incident, Jurai's Emperor Azusa II had eased the horrible first contact with Earth with a personal appearance and a formal apology. Still, this situation has thrust the GU into an awkward situation. While Earth had reached the space travel stage, they had yet to develop FTL travel, which was one of the main criteria for the GU to approach a new world. The planet as a whole was ignorant of extraterrestrial affairs before 12 September 1998.

However, some isolated agencies across the planet have had some off-world dealings and contact with alien technology. In particular, a saucer-shaped ship was retrofitted for combat during the aforementioned crisis. Representatives of the GU congress now debated the actual state of Earth's technological advancement.

Today, several representatives of the SA were meeting aboard a GP branch office in the Proxima Centauri system on the express topic of Earth. While many of these scientists were well-versed in interspecies relations and varied technological revolutions, one researcher had had direct experience with the Terran race, having lived on the planet for most of the past three years.

And, she was late. Against the brushstrokes of gaseous nebulae and the colorful arrangements of stars, a single crystalline starship streaked toward the Proxima Centauri GP office. Its onyx finish and angular configuration gave its sharp spines and spikes a menacing appearance. Much like a flower made from gemstone, a spherical region, red in color, was set in the center of these spines. In years past, this vessel would have been known as Ryo-Ohki, one of the most famous pirate ships.

But, the Ryoan craft no longer carried criminal intent. The vehicle slowed and gently docked with one of the docking arms around the station's outer ring. Within the arm, rings of scarlet light appeared and flowed down to the deck. Within these luminous circles, Dr. Hakubi Washu materialized from within the ship. Over her usual purple blouse, she wore her formal jacket, a deep green in color with a lighter shade interior. Notably, the lapels were each embroidered with the design of two outstretched wings, an imagery Washu had always found paradoxical to some SA dogmas.

The rings faded, and a similar light enveloped the ship. In a flash of red, the great Ryoan ship vanished and was replaced by a small, furry being. In this form, Ryo-Ohki had a healthy sheen to her fluffy brown coat, much like the bright and curious look in her amber eyes. Set in her forehead was a ruby gem, elongated and spheroidal in shape.

Ryo-Ohki plopped down on Washu's shoulder and quickly balanced herself with a cute mew. The Ryoan researcher grinned and glanced to the small creature, giving her a friendly scratch under the chin.

"Thanks for the lift," she said.

Two GP officers approached Washu, and one addressed her, "Dr. Hakubi, I presume?"

She smirked to herself. "You presume correctly."

"The other delegates from the Science Academy are waiting for you, doctor," the other officer added. "They've already been in the meeting hall for an hour."

The genius folded her arms, her grin not fading. "Then, they might have something meaningful to contribute now."

This response took both officers aback while the petite scientist walked past them. Ryo-Ohki mewed curiously at Washu.

"They can't decide anything without input from all investigators," she stated plainly, "and I'm the only one with direct contact with the planet of interest. They can wait."

A lady's voice called from down the corridor. "That sounds like you, Washu."

The fire-haired Ryoan turned her attention to the door at the end of the hallway, where a woman leaned against the doorframe. Dressed from a similar academic wardrobe as Washu, this lady lifted her reddish-purple eyes to meet those of her colleague. Her long silver hair fell on either side of her friendly face, though most of her mane was tied behind her head with a ribbon matching her eye color.

She smiled, adjusting the rectangular spectacles on her nose. "You know Airi's livid with you."

Ryo-Ohki's amber gaze fell on the new person while Washu's grin only widened.

"Let her be, Naja. She'll get a few more wrinkles that way."

The genius joined her friend, Dr. Akara Naja. This duo had been one of the more prolific in the history of the Universal Science Academy, coauthoring sixty papers in the past three years. Washu had met Naja shortly after being reinstated to the SA after the coup on Jurai, and the two immediately found common ground in challenging one another's academics. Even after Washu was expunged from the SA due to weapon development, the two continued to correspond and collaborate. Now, Naja too was assigned to investigate Earth.

The silver-maned woman laughed to herself. "Only you would antagonize the chairwoman of the board."

The Ryoan genius shrugged. "What's she going to do? She's already kicked me out of the academy once this decade, and I haven't done anything illegal since."

"Well, could you come on, Washu," Naja asked kindly, "for my sake?"

With a playful sigh and smile, Washu conceded. "Sure, fine. Twist my arm, why don't you?"

"Thanks, though I am curious to know what you've been doing on Earth."

The two scientists ambled from the docking arm into the main complex of the station, leaving the two GP officers speechless. Varied races also filled the corridors, most of which were naturally affiliated with the Galaxy Police. A low murmur flowed through the hallways from the different conversations underway as the duo passed. Ryo-Ohki watched the people, sniffing and mewing curiously at some of the strange beings.

Washu shrugged. "Eh, I've sent you most of the data I collected from the New York incident in 1997."

"True," Naja admitted, "but you've been pretty quiet since then. You had some interesting theories about the nature of NVO type energy."

Washu's closed her eyes and sighed softly. "Yes, and I haven't yet come to a conclusion on that investigation yet." Her brows rose slightly. "It's been rather hard to get test samples until now."

The silver-haired scientist grinned wryly. "That certainly isn't a problem anymore."

The redhead nodded. "Quite so." She glanced up to the taller of the pair. "I'll get a paper out on my theories soon enough. Don't worry," she added with a wink. "Besides, what about your work? You were still trying to stabilize genetic duplication, weren't you?"

"Yes, and I've had a lot of successful trials."

"So, I guess you're finally beyond the cellular stage?"

She smiled proudly. "Far beyond. I've successfully replicated entire organisms, Washu."

Interest shone brightly in the minute Ryoan's emerald eyes. "Oh? Do tell. What have you cloned?"

"I've stayed small for the most part: a Curulian sheep, a Wonsian penguin, and a Todainese cat. All were successfully grown to birth and have grown rather well."

"How'd you get around the copy breakdown? I remember that being you main limitation in the process."

Naja patted her friend's shoulder. "I used one of your cohesion boosters. That kept the chromosomes from eroding in the 'blank' cell before mitosis could occur. From there, the copied genetic code took control and overrode the blank."

Washu's eyes narrowed as she considered this idea. "Yes, yes, my organic cohesion booster, glombinatol. It was meant to slow, or terminate, decay of organic material due to enzymatic action, not unlike those found in the cytoplasm of a cell."

"Exactly! I only needed the DNA to survive one mitosis cycle since that splitting process would then preserve the structure. The remainder of my method would recursively handle the remaining cases."

The fire-haired researcher set her hands on her hips and chuckled. "Well, glad I could be of help, my dear colleague."

"Thanks again," Naja added with a grin.

"What're your plans now? Are you going to keep making more sheep and cats, or perhaps," she smirked to herself, "something more complex?"

A soft blush crossed the taller woman's cheeks. "Well… I've had some thoughts about that, but they're a bit premature. After all, I need to get board approval for continued experiments."

Washu rolled her eyes. "Which, Airi will shoot down. You need to live a little, Naja."

Cutely, her friend replied, "Does that mean a little 'homecoming' party for you?"

Ryo-Ohki peered up to her companion, who smiled wryly, some sweat beading on her brow.

"Not if I can help it."

The pair met a pair of pressure doors, which slid aside to reveal a conference room beyond. Here, two other people are seated on either side of an oval table, both quite impatiently waiting on the arrival of Dr. Hakubi.

The amber eyes of Dr. Kurayami Yume collided with the emerald of Washu's. Yume shared a similar height deficit to the Ryoan genius, no more than 130cm tall. Her brown hair was tied on either side of her head in arcing tails, each reaching to her shoulders. Her ears spiked out from either side of her head, lined with a layer of darker fur. This matched the hair that framed her eyes as she curled her lip at Washu. She wore a simple navy blue dress, trimmed with gold and split along either side along her legs.

However, her eyes struck Washu. Within them, she saw a swirling desire and hunger, very familiar in many ways she would later enumerate in her notes.

The other person, Dr. Albert Clay, tapped his finger incessantly on the table, his right eye sliding to meet Washu's gaze. His left eye had been replaced by a black orb with a particular golden gleam in the light of the room. His face had several deep wrinkles, trimmed by a distinctly curling beard. A red robe fell around his portly body, a star-shaped cloak draped around his shoulders. A black hat sat atop his head, seemingly designed more like a pot than a headpiece, but a peculiar logo was sewn into its facing side a golden character on a red, circular field.

The beard and hat specifically resonated with Washu. Looking at the pairing, she could not help but see an octopus squirming on his shoulders, rather than a man's head. She stifled a laugh at the sight of him, much to Clay's irritation. Still, the familiarity lingered for the moment.

"You certainly took your time, Dr. Hakubi," Clay said.

Washu shrugged, the humored grin remaining. "I didn't see any reason to rush things, really."

Yume folded her arms and crossed her feet on the edge of the table.

"Of course not," she added. "A second rate hack like you has nothing better to do than waste my time."

Ryo-Ohki's ears perked up suddenly at the insult while the Ryoan glared over at the other minute researcher.

"A 'second rate hack'?! Evidently, you have no idea who you're talking to."

Yume's eyes narrowed. "That's my line. I am the greatest scientific genius in the universe, after all."

Washu's brows furrowed angrily as she stormed over to this upstart.

"Hey! I'm the greatest scientific genius in the universe!"

Yume grinned to herself. "That's not what the tests say."

A wave of Yume's hand signaled the projector in the conference room to produce a holographic display. On this ethereal panel, two columns of data scrolled past, each headed with a portrait of either Washu or Yume. Across the rows, the white text highlighted red where Yume's exam scores surpassed Washu's: energy kinematics, psycho-dynamics, transcendental robotics, and several others. Proudly, the wild-eyed scientist underlined several of the tests with her finger.

"On every major standard test, I performed not only better than you, but at least fifty percent better!"

The fiery-haired researcher folded her arms and raised a brow, her annoyance most overt.

"Standardized tests? You're kidding, right?"

"It's more than sufficient, given the sheer deficit."

Washu rolled her eyes. "If you must know, I was hungover that day after a night of downing shots."

Ryo-Ohki mewed in surprise while Naja blinked incredulously.

"You're kidding?" Naja asked, anticipating one of Washu's usual jokes.

However, the Ryoan shook her head. "Nope. I drank everyone under the table." She grinned to herself, adding, "Which was a shame. Some of those para-physics guys were cute."

The tall woman smiled wryly, as did the cabbit on Washu's shoulder. Nevertheless, Yume rose from her seat, pointing her finger toward her competitor.

"Face it, Washu. You aren't that good, not that you ever were."

The spiky-tressed woman rested her hands on her hips, angling her head aside.

"Come on. Canned exams don't prove anything. Show me some research, Yume." She swept her hand grandly toward Yume. "Show me where you've shattered the space-time continuum, completely overridden an entire organic computer network, or warped across the galaxy in the span of a day."

Yume smiled widely, revealing sharp canine teeth while her wild eyes glared deep into Washu's.

"Oh, I can do better than that. Mushi-!"

Before she can finish, Clay cleared his throat and said, "And, when are we going to actually discuss this backwater planet?"

Both Washu and Yume spun to face the old man, yelling together, "Shut it, octopus-head!"

Taken aback, Clay remained silent, absently stroking the tentacle-like locks of his beard. Promptly, the two diminutive women resumed their verbal sparring with fervor while Naja grinned wryly, sweat beading on her brow.

"This couldn't have gone any better," she sighed, "could it?"

X X X

Though the world as a whole was stunned by the alien advent in New York six weeks ago, young couples still courted despite the shocking news. In Okayama Prefecture, the city Kurashiki was home to the Great Seto Bridge, which spanned across the Seto Inland Sea to Kagawa Prefecture. Much like its sister bridge, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the grand structure attracted tourists to the area, including young lovers in need of a romantic backdrop. As such, several restaurants of differing styles have established themselves on either side of the bridge to serve those who visit.

One particular Italian eatery rested near the foot of the bridge on the Okayama side, and its windows gave a splendid view of the sea and the illuminated construction at night. Within, patrons sat conversing over their various dinner choices, some discussing the recent news. Others traded words about their daily highlights between bites of a bread stick, but most of the young couples flirted while waiting for their food.

Masaki Tenchi, however, quietly watched as his companion gazed out the nearby window at the great bridge. In the three years Tenchi had known Ryua Ryoko, she had always had an affinity for this structure, especially in the silver glow of the moon. Even in the ideal world she discovered with the dimensional tuner, she inevitably found her way to the Golden Gate Bridge. The soft smile she wore now was very similar to the one she had then.

For the past month, Tenchi and Ryoko have been officially dating. After the chaos in New York, they took two weeks to settle back into their usual routines before they went on their first date. Surprisingly, despite her usual aggressive nature, Ryoko readily agreed to wait.

I shouldn't be that surprised, Tenchi thought. She went through a lot.

Yet, after those two weeks ended, the cyan-maned woman promptly asserted her claim to his heart. The young prince was walking down the stairs from the Masaki shrine after an afternoon of helping Katsuhito clean the floor of the haiden.

"Tenchi…" her voice whispered behind him.

The young man knew the tone well. Not long after they first met, Ryoko had bound him with rope and snuck into the yokai cave with him in tow. There, she had planned to seduce the teenager with her femininity, though this plan was promptly foiled through the intervention of others.

Tenchi turned toward her voice, but her words rose again near his ear.

"Oh, Tenchi…"

He grinned to himself when he heard the soft whoosh of air behind him. An arm snaked across his chest, her fingers lightly cupping his cheek. Her other hand slid down his abs and rested her hand on his opposite him. Her chest pressed against his back while she whispered softly into his ear.

"There you are."

Her breath warmed his skin, sending a shiver down his spine. One of his hands cupped hers while he turned his head to see her beautiful visage gazing back. Pleased, Ryoko's amber eyes narrowed as she smiled slightly.

"You're pretty sensitive," she commented, her fingers lightly tracing his jawline.

Tenchi blushed and glanced aside anxiously.

"Really?"

She nodded slowly before blowing lightly over his ear again. Her arms drew him closer when he reacted. Her smile grew as she kissed his neck and shoulder, a purr rising from her chest.

Finally, she thought, he's all mine.

Carefully, he turned in her embrace to face her, his arms sliding around her sides. The Ryoan woman held him close as they both leaned into a kiss. The prince parted his lips from his partner's, meeting her eyes with his.

"Where have you been?" he asked. "I haven't seen you all day."

Mischievously, she leered at him. "Just… thinking."

A drop of sweat rolled down his brow. "'Thinking'?"

"Mmhmm."

She gently pushed him back against a tree, pressing herself into him. Caught by surprise, Tenchi's eyes widened, his blush even brighter as her lips slid past his.

"About what?" he asked dumbly.

"Oh, what to do with you," Ryoko whispered hotly, her eyes fixed on his.

Her feline eyes gleamed, seeming to glow in the shade of the forest around them. To say Tenchi was excited would be a gross understatement. Having a beautiful woman like Ryoko tease in this way would erode any man's resolve. Though the young prince was very virtuous and honorable, his imagination quickly depicted some of what Ryoko was certainly considering. He took a deep breath, his heart beating hard against his chest, not unlike hers.

As he released his wind slowly, its heat fell upon her lips, and she again kissed him. However, this time, he felt her mouth open slightly, deepening the oral engagement. His fingers curled against her back, his arms tense while she ran her fingers along the outline of his sides.

Tenchi's thoughts were anything but clear. This gorgeous lady in his arms overtly desired him, had desired him for three years now, and in that time, he had grown to care deeply for her. Likewise, she had developed a genuine love for him, and this expression was natural.

However, the Terran native gently broke the kiss and took a deep breath, calming his heart. Confused, Ryoko blinked and looked back at him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"It's…" he stated, unsure of his words. His brown eyes met the gold of hers, and the blush returned to his cheeks briefly with an embarrassed grin. "… It's a bit fast, Ryoko."

"What do you mean?"

The young man scratched the back of his head nervously, embarrassment still plain on his face.

"I'm sorry. I've just… never…"

The former space pirate furrowed her brows for a moment before the realization came to her. Tenchi sighed softly and glanced aside, but she kissed his cheek. His eyes slid back to her while she smiled warmly for him.

"Tenchi, I'm well aware that you're a virgin."

Her hand gently caressed his cheek.

"… I'll be gentle with you."

His fingers rested top the back of her hand.

"I know… I just…"

The prince closed his eyes, frustrated.

"I love you, Ryoko," he stated plainly. "I really do, and I…"

He paused, his gaze returning to hers. She, however, could not completely hide the dejection in her face. She had waited for him to accept her, to love her, and now that he has, he kept her from sharing this side of herself with him.

"I don't want to mess this up," he continued, honest and true. "I don't want to rush this. When I was in school, I watched several of my classmates get sexual too fast."

Tenchi glanced aside, recalling one incident in particular. A good friend of his, Tsuchida Umanosuke, had been dating one of their classmates, Mizuno Sugano, for a full semester before their last term of classes. The couple would often be found making out on the roof of the junior wing, and their relationship seemed very close, even to a casual observer.

However, during their last year, that fiery passion seemed die. Worried for his friend, Tenchi asked Umanosuke what happened, and he explained.

"'We just burned out'," Tenchi quoted to Ryoko.

Taken aback, Ryoko blinked while her beloved continued, "That's what Umanosuke told me, that he and Sugano just 'burned out' too fast. He said it was exciting at first, but that it just died."

She glanced down in thought, considering this. Her gut twisted at the idea of her blazing desire for Tenchi just snuffing itself like that. In times past, she would have immediately blurted out, "That'll never happen!" or "Don't you love me, Tenchi?" Now, her mind took pause and contemplated this more.

"I don't want that to be us," he added.

"Tenchi," she started, her eyes returning to his, "I don't want to lose you either, and I want to be close to you."

"That's the point, Ryoko," he said as a blush crossed his face. "It's not like I…" He paused, a silly grin only adding to his embarrassed blush. "… don't want to…"

She smiled to herself while he concluded, "But, I want to love all of you, Ryoko, not just your body."

The former pirate had always been ruled by her impulses, and since she met Masaki Tenchi, her very being has wanted to be with him. Though she was disappointed and felt some rejection, part of her was also flattered.

"Alright, Tenchi," the Ryoan answered. "We'll 'go slow'." Her hand cupped his cheek, a mischievous grin arcing across her lips. "But, these lips right here…" Lightly, her finger traced along his mouth, circling the cusp on each. "… They're still mine."

With that, she kissed him lightly twice before the couple embraced, letting the kiss deepen on its own. Gently, Tenchi cradled her neck in his hand, leaving the other to draw her close at the waist. Ryoko's arms draped over his shoulders, her palms pulling his head down toward her.

After a few moments, the kiss broke, though the lady quickly stole two more quick pecks. Tenchi blinked at this, but Ryoko simply winked and replied, "I was a pirate, after all."

"Well, I do owe you a date," he said, a wry smile on his face.

Her forehead rested against his. "You certainly do."

Together, the couple strode back down to the Masaki house, discussing what they would do that evening. Tenchi initially suggested that the two attend a movie. There, they could enjoy the film, and each other's company, without anyone staring at Ryoko's alien features. At this, Ryoko shook her head.

"Good movies don't come out in October," she argued. "Even then, anything worth watching won't hit until Halloween at best."

Her idea, on the other hand, was to dance the night away at a local club. The young man was hesitant, until she outlined the particular details.

"Tenchi, people go to clubs for a few reasons. Either they go to show off and get a date, or they go to show off the date they have." She smirked and added, "A 'cosplayer' wouldn't be new, I don't think."

He considered it, but ultimately conceded, with one condition. The prince requested that she wear her hair down at least to mask a few of her alien attributes. The lady agreed to this, and he found himself opposite her on the floor of "Planet Dance", bombarded by strobe lights and loud trance music.

Ryoko was completely right. She melted into the atmosphere very well, particularly in the black dress she wore. The scarlet seam that spiraled up her body fluoresced under the few black lights mounted in the room. Her cyan hair, now smoothed down around her shoulders, stretched down her back to her waist. Her follicles too glowed in the unseen luminance, not unlike those who had dyed their hair.

As the bass blasted around them, Ryoko guided Tenchi onto the floor and quickly found the rhythm. She shook from side to side, her hands beckoning her man to join her. Needless to say, the "country boy" in him became immediately evident as he stiffly tried to match her steps. Twice, he bumped into two other young people, resulting in the young prince's embarrassment. The Ryoan woman laughed to herself as he tried to apologize to them, even as they blended back into the undulating mass around them.

Tenchi nervously scratched his head while Ryoko strode up to the young prince, taking his hand. She lead him aside, speaking over the loud music.

"Don't worry about it. It happens all the time."

"Sorry, Ryoko," he answered. "I never really learned to dance."

With a grin, she shook her head. "Oh, you did. Your grandpa just never told you."

Tenchi's brows furrowed as his date slid back into the other attendants. Her catlike form slunk into a familiar stance, her hands before her, her front leg drawn up slightly. The crowd slowly began to notice her standing amongst them when the disc jockey changed the music. A solo heavy bass pounded as the cyan-maned woman glided forward. Tenor and alto synthesizer tones wrapped and knitted around the central driving line when her arms swayed to either side.

Again, Tenchi knew this routine. He and she had practiced it ad nauseum before the dark goddess's advent, but never so slow, or as elegant. Where fierce knife-handed strikes would have broken an opponent's wrist, she arched her hand back toward her cheek and neck, curling her fingers with the chords' embrace. Where a kick would have swung at her foe, she instead held her leg for a moment and hotly eyed her beloved, before easing her toes again to the ground. She softened it all, using all she had learned from Katsuhito and her own talent at deception, all to claim Tenchi's undivided attention.

Ryoko grinned to herself as she spun toward him, her hand extended.

It's your turn, Tenchi, she thought to herself.

Dumbfounded at her performance, a moment passed before the country boy stepped forward. The music shifted again, a countermelody rose from the tenor line, interweaving with the theme established by the alto. Step by step, Tenchi and Ryoko circled one another, all the crowd watching, the two melodies starting to crescendo.

The chorus broke forth as the two slid at one another and shifted together, close and tight. He would snake his arms around her, but she would slip away, her eyes always locked on his. She would spin her foot at his, and he would jump aside. Ferociously, the couple ensnared and eluded one another, endlessly attacking and countering in a smooth flow. On they went as the melodic lines blended into one, alto and tenor trading the theme off to one another.

Then, Tenchi and Ryoko's hands touched, their fingers wed as the song slowed, now unison. Their breath heaved slowly, their hearts beating within their chests, their eyes ablaze at one another. Ryoko relished this look from him, drawing his arms around her.

That's the lion-hearted man I love, she thought as they embraced and swayed.

The crowd stood amazed and soon applauded, bringing a familiar reddish tint to Tenchi's face. His date merely grinned to herself and kissed his lips. The press of her mouth quickly thrust the rest of the world away from her partner's mind, leaving only the pair of them.

In the darkened club, the other attendees gradually returned to their own dancing as the music returned to its speedy pace, leaving the young couple to themselves. As the night carried into the very early hours of the morning, the two would take the dance floor a few more times, Ryoko teaching Tenchi the etiquette and a few moves. However, these moves never caught the rug on fire like that first "sparring match". The evening ended with them walking up the steps to the Masaki estate, arm in arm, laughing about their night. With one last lingering and deep kiss, Tenchi bid Ryoko good night as he retired to bed.

Ryoko, however, did not head immediately to bed. The former pirate took a deep breath, still feeling her boyfriend's lips on hers. She saw his door and thought about how feeble an impediment it was. She could phase right through it. She could destroy it with a gesture.

Yet, she shook those thoughts away and floated up through the roof. There, the Ryoan woman sat on the corner of the red tile as she had so many times before.

I'm impatient, she chided herself. Even the old man said so a while back.

She folded her arms and looked up at the silver moon looming overhead. The feeling of his arms around him filled her thoughts, part of her aching for that closeness again.

Still, she thought, he did cut loose.

Her lips curled into a grin. His hands did draw her close. His fingers did wed with hers. None of that was coerced or forced. All of it was him.

That's a start.

Now, she gazed out at the moon from within this Italian restaurant, thinking back on the last four weeks of their relationship. The pale light reflected off the Great Seto Bridge, much as it did off the Golden Gate Bridge that last night in her ideal world.

There's far less excitement and danger in this life, she thought.

They had agreed to alternate choosing the evening's entertainment, and tonight was Tenchi's turn. While she liked to frequent the clubs, he liked a quiet night at dinner, or even at home with the rest of the household. The cyan-maned woman enjoyed showing off her boyfriend in public, how they moved together and held each other close.

In contrast, the young prince preferred to find a private place for the two of them to have time alone, uninterrupted. Recent nights had found them both laying across Tenchi's bed, in one another's arms. He had become more forward with her, a change that she welcomed, but between the kisses and heated words, he asked her questions she had never been asked.

"What's your dream, Ryoko?"

Caught off-guard, she responded, "What do you mean?"

"You know, what do you want to do in the future?" He grinned wryly. "I mean, you're already famous… well, sorta."

Ryoko glanced down, blinking her amber eyes. In all her harrowing adventures, that question had never been asked of her, not once. Her finger twirled Tenchi's rat-tail while her gaze trailed back up to his.

"True. What's yours, Tenchi?"

His brown eyes glanced aside for a moment and replied, "Hmm … how about becoming a world famous painter?"

She pursed her lips and raised a brow. "Seriously? You want to be a painter?"

"Well, something like that. I can't leech off Dad and Grandpa forever."

The future had always been a black void to Ryoko for much of her life. As a space pirate, she lived from caper to caper, just avoiding the GP and other rival pirates. That excitement had fueled her, that adrenaline rush absolutely addictive. Her one wish for years was to live her life fast and bright, taking everything that she could whenever she could.

The young woman had taken that question, among others, and been rolling them around in her mind for the past few days. As she now looked at the bridge, she broke the silence between herself and Tenchi softly and thoughtfully.

"I don't know what I want, Tenchi."

The prince raised a brow. "… But, we already ordered, Ryoko."

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "No, not about dinner. I mean 'in life'."

Tenchi watched as her golden gaze lowered. Her cyan hair fell smooth around her head, framing her face while she spoke, reflectively.

"I've wanted lots of things in my life: money, men, sake…" She grinned to herself, adding, "I've always been a bit greedy."

Tenchi chuckled, "I can't disagree with that, really." Then, he smile warmly and continued, "But, you have changed over the time I've known you."

She turned her eyes back to him, a slight smile forming on her lips.

"Tenchi, part of me is a pirate, and it always will be." Her head motioned toward the cash register as she whispered, "I'll always think about phasing my hand through that plastic thing and taking the cash." Her hand waved to nearby the door and windows. "I'll always look for the quickest way out."

He took her hand in his and nodded. "I realize that, Ryoko, but you haven't done any of that. You might have thought about it, but you didn't do it. That shows that you've changed."

Her fingers wrapped around his as she raised her eyes to his, certainty prominent in his expression.

"When you're a pirate, you never think about much more than the next caper, at least I didn't."

"Your dad did, I think," Tenchi countered, taking Ryoko aback. "Or else, you wouldn't be here."

She smiled distantly. "Maybe. I never knew him. He was killed in a GP raid before I was even born."

"And, your mom took you to Jurai's territory."

"Yeah," she laughed humorlessly. "To get away from the 'pirate life' that killed him. Some good that did."

"You're out of it now," he said hopefully. "There's a Terran saying, Ryoko. 'You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy'." He motioned to himself. "Part of me will always be the kid from the Okayama countryside, no matter where I travel in this galaxy."

The former pirate listened to him speak, unsure of herself. She hated that feeling, and it was becoming more prevalent as she thought more about her own purpose.

"I don't really know what I'll end up doing either," he said honestly, "but I keep trying to figure it out." His fingers gently squeezed her palms. "And, I know you can too."

She smiled warmly while he added, "And, I don't think it will be robbing banks."

"You so sure?" Ryoko asked, some humor returning to her voice, leaning toward her date.

He nodded, leaning toward her. "I'll make sure of it."

Her fingers slid over his palms as she glanced at his lips and back to his eyes. However, before she could kiss him, the waiter returned holding a tray of freshly cooked food. Promptly, the couple pulled back into their seats for their server to place their dinner upon the table, Tenchi apologizing.

Yet, after the waiter left, Ryoko quickly stole a kiss on his lips. The prince grinned and shook his head while she smiled to herself.

X X X

Horrified, a single maiden heard the cries of an entire people, half of the population of a planet, murdered by beams and blades of crimson light. Her hands clutched close to her chest, her mind rejecting the image of numerous men, women, and even children piled high on shores of blood. Lifeless, they stared back at her, their empty gazes demanding action, revenge. She could feel their hands clutching at her elegant kimono, its beautiful leaf and water embroidery tainted by the carnage around her.

Her rosy eyes closed tightly, wanting to purge these awful images from her mind, but this proved impossible. Closed, her sight was only more clear. Chills ran through her while her ears heard words spoken in a settled calm.

"Jurai named that event the 'Massacre of Kyuka', the flame that ignited the great war between the nations of Jurai and Ryua."

The sentence flowed icily, no hesitation, no remorse. Each syllable sounded not only on a particular woman's voice, but rung out from an entire female chorus, all chordal to the lead. As refined as this speech was, it carried no warmth, no kindness. Only a well-kept scorn issued from these unified voices.

The maiden shook her head, shaking her great tails of azure hair.

"… Why, sister?!"

From within the matured body of Jurai Sasami, Tsunami, matron deity of Jurai, opened her eyes and focused on her sister. Tokimi, matron deity of Ryua, glared back at her sibling, eyes of crimson and azure narrow, anger and betrayal clear.

"Is it not evident?"

Inhabiting a Ryoan woman, the dark matron flexed the violet talons tightly. She circled Tsunami, slow and predatory, the red and black gown caressing and flowing with her regal gait. Behind her flowed a great spiked mane, tied in a single tail much like Tsunami's, easily reaching her heels. Over her head, four feather-like streamers hovered over her scalp, held in place by a golden medallion upon her forehead. Much like the warriors of Jurai, green leaf-like markings crossed her cheeks and neck, plunging down along her shoulders and beneath her clothes.

"They killed representatives of my world."

The feline irises of her eyes became as slits, sharply directed at Tsunami.

"They attacked me. This was an act of blatant aggression against the Ryoan people, and me in particular."

Venom dripped off each phrase, the entire accusation, as it penetrated the Juraian lady's heart. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she pleaded to her sibling.

"Why didn't you talk to me?! Why didn't you explain to Jurai?!"

"Did you ever look into them, dear sister?" Tokimi answered sharply. "Did you ever look into the hearts of your beloved Juraian race?"

Standing before her Juraian counterpart, she stepped back, her arms opening wide to either side. Her fiery gown blended into the shadows around her as she spoke in a hushed disdain.

"Fear."

Tsunami's skin crawled as an item shuffled its way out from her robes, a hairband. Composed of twisted vines and briars, this gray hair ornament held a violet crest that bloomed blades from its vicious garden. The device pulsed scarlet as it drifted toward Tokimi, taking its place over her left shoulder.

The Juraian deity watched the device floating, feeling the turmoil and fright of the one for whom it was made. She could see the swirling emerald and crimson consuming the young woman, seeing the two tearing her body asunder as they warred with one another.

Sasami's voice rose in her thoughts, nearly crying as she too experiencing that event.

Nagi…

A second arched hairpiece writhed from Tsunami's robes as Tokimi continued.

"Rage."

The azure-haired woman gripped her hand tight when she saw the item float over Tokimi's right shoulder. It was a tiara, made from tightly bound gray rose-like stems with their thorns sharp and carefully arranged in a regal pattern from the central crest. That centered gemstone was polished, sharp, pulsing a deep scarlet that turned Tsunami's stomach.

From this construct, she could feel her hands around Tenchiken's hilt, tight, the sword heavy in her grasp. She felt a shadowy presence encroaching on her mind, whispering deepest jealousies, tempting and taunting her. Anger and frustration seethed through her heart, but she recognized its voice, its texture. The child inside Tsunami wept, and the lady clenched her teeth, conflicted.

Ayeka…! Sasami's voice whispered.

The Juraian goddess set her eyes onto those of her sister's as the Ryoan deity opened the claws of her right hand.

"Arrogance," she hissed.

A staff appeared near the thorn tiara, levitating just behind the dark woman. Its pole split into vines that gathered into a star-like pattern around a blue orb, its core, which glowed to match the other two devices.

Tsunami settled herself with a slow breath, eying this weapon. She could feel the haughtiness that wielded it on Jurai, how its owner scowled down at a righteous man of the empire. She saw as the weapon lashed out and killed a man, impaling him as his wife watched, screaming.

Tetta… the girl answered, somberly.

Tokimi opened her left hand, her icy glare deep into the rosy gaze of her sister.

"Contempt."

A second staff materialized aside the briar hairband, mirroring the first. However, unlike the gray color and smooth texture of the first, this black item cracks into a sharp cage of nettles around its orb, which pulses with the other crests.

The Juraian goddess adjusted her shoulders, uncomfortable. The shadowy scorn that ran through her mind became unsettling, how the man who held that staff regarded everyone as worthless before his power. She could feel herself tense, hearing the needle-like rivets of his energy pierce through a good man, tearing at his flesh.

Tessei… Sasami spoke, her tone more settled and calm.

"And, most of all, avarice," Tokimi said, sliding her right hand toward Tsunami, talons outstretched.

Before the fingertips of the Ryoan matron, sparks of crimson lightning arced, materializing a sword hilt. Branches of a great tree were woven together intricately between the small blue sphere of its pommel and the larger orb of its guard. Like a twisted flower, the guard was closed on itself, silent and awaiting its mistress's order to bloom and strike.

The blue-haired woman cooly and sadly gazed upon the final weapon, its two spherical crests glowing in tune with the others in Tokimi's possession. She could see her power contorting inside the sword's original master, how he could not resist the urge to free it so recklessly. She could hear each resounding clash of that weapon against Tenchi's blue blade as the two fought on Jurai, until the dark warrior was cut down.

Kagato… Sasami stated coldly.

Together, all five of these "dark keys" shimmered while Tokimi's feline gaze fell on her sister.

"Can you feel them now, the vileness and corruption of your chosen people?"

Of course I can, Tsunami thought to herself. The Juraian people were mortal, fallible, just like all people on the infinite worlds in this universe. She never chose to bestow part of herself upon them because they were flawless.

Why did you? Sasami whispered back.

The mother goddess blinked at this.

If we're so horrible, the girl asked, why make us powerful enough to ruin the galaxy?

Your family are not monsters, Sasami. Tsunami's eyes closed somberly, a melancholy falling over her. I apologize. I had hoped we would never have to face my sister in this way.

I know. I never wanted to see Ayeka like…

She will never be that way again, my child. I promise you. She will be whole again.

Tokimi closed her claws around the sword hilt, its guard blossoming willingly for her. Filaments of power burst from the weapon, soon coalescing into a broad blade of onyx, edged in crimson.

"Ruling Ryua taught me many things, Tsunami," she said distantly as she looked at the blade, "and one of the most important lessons was to take control, to force equity. Two warring nations will not bring peace."

Her gaze slid back to the quiet of her sibling.

"However, one single nation can. But, war splintered Ryua, and me as well. I wandered through numerous worlds and dimensions, considering the future."

She lowered the sword at her side, its hum low and deep. She loosened her grip on the weapon slightly, feeling its weight before she tightened her talons again.

"Several had peoples touched by the divine, ones like ourselves. Prorans like Liaens and Aelins were one. The Kimitan sisters were another."

Raising the broadsword, the dark matron eyed it carefully, taking note of the keenness and heat of the edge.

"For a time, I considered letting Jurai be the ruling power, through Jurai Kagato. That failed in Masaki Tenchi and his mother, Masaki Achika."

It was her, Sasami whispered to herself. It was always her.

Tsunami raised her eyes and met gazes with her shadowy sister. The Juraian goddess wanted to dispute this, had wanted Tokimi to have a rational explanation for this torrid history. However, she did, always had.

She sent Kagato to take Jurai, Sasami spoke, focus and determination in her voice, to… kill Ayeka, Tenchi… and me.

"However, my people have begun to reunite under my banner."

She created Kain.

"Ryua will be whole again…"

You can't hesitate anymore.

"… and I will take control…"

You have to stop this.

"… as I should have millennia ago."

"You should have come to me, sister," Tsunami finally answered, conflicted. "We could have spared this galaxy so much bloodshed…"

"Your people are corrupt, Tsunami!" Tokimi barked back. "You neglected them! Most no longer even remember your name!"

She isn't like Ayeka was, Sasami plainly said. Ayeka couldn't stop herself, even though she wanted to.

The lady of light shook her head slowly, no more denial possible, no other way.

Tokimi chose this, all of this.

"No, Tokimi," Tsunami replied, "some have lost their way, but many have not."

The Juraian steeled her resolve, Sasami's determination now clear and plain in Tsunami's eyes.

"I will not forsake them, whether they forget my name or not."

"What do you see in them that is worth saving?" Tokimi hissed back, her glare hard and furious.

The Juraian matron felt a warmth wrap around her, much like a loving embrace. Sasami gasped, recognizing immediately the aspirations of courtly beauty shown before her. She remembered walks through Jurai's fields of amethyst-colored flowers, running just behind the heels of a young woman. Beneath the girl's violet tresses, Sasami could hear a soft laughter and a sisterly tease in the same breath.

Ayeka…! Sasami whispered, a joy filling her heart.

Tsunami nodded as she answered both Sasami and Tokimi, "Nobility."

Near the right shoulder of the azure-haired lady, a sparkle of white light materialized a familiar item, the tiara worn by Jurai Ayeka. Much like the princess herself, the tiara had a striking elegance, composed of intricately woven branches of the aspen-like trees on Jurai. Upon its brow, a regal crest bloomed around a violet gemstone, which glowed a gentle emerald for its mistress.

Sasami could see now through Tsunami's eyes, could see the Ryoan woman used by Tokimi, as well as the dark keys encircling her. This was her sister's foe, now her own. A coolness flowed through both the princess and the Juraian goddess, their minds both fixing on their opponent. Sasami remembered this feeling, this strength that was erecting walls around her heart. It was the same that hunted villains throughout the galaxy, that drove the purple-maned huntress day after day in her quest.

Nagi…

"Determination."

Near her left shoulder, a flash of white bestowed her with a second key, the hair-band carried recently by Jurai Nagi. Not unlike the tiara, it was composed of smooth vines and branches, all converging to two particular embedded gems. On one arm, it held a violet crest, similar in design to Ayeka's, but the other socket had a crimson sphere, both shimmering emerald.

In these moments, Sasami's vision grew far wider. She saw the scarlet and onyx flows inside Tokimi's avatar and keys. She witnessed the fall of Kyuka at the dark matron's hands, the vicious war that followed, and its bloody conclusion a decade later on Ryua. Many of the Juraians fought as bitterly as their counterparts, but a select few held no ill will to their foes. Sasami had never considered such matters previously, but recognized the character of this attitude, one that had watched over her and Ayeka since they were born.

Azaka…

"Duty."

Alongside Ayeka's tiara, a staff appeared with a swirl of ivory brilliance. Constructed from the oaks of Jurai, this weapon extended five feet in length, including the ornate headpiece. Embedded in the leaflike protrusions of the headpiece, a blue orb glowed a deep green alongside the others, two golden rings slowly rotating about this central orb.

The princess could then feel the gentle fire burning within the matron of Jurai, the love she had for her people, as well as her sister Tokimi. It drove her into conflict, desiring both to protect all Juraians and to hold her faith in her sibling. However, Sasami knew the balance was tipping, that urge to guard her "children", for lack of a better term, from harm stronger. She had seen this drive before in one who had stood for her.

Kamidake…

"Passion."

With Nagi's hairband, a second staff appeared in a burst of purity. Much like its brother, this weapon too had an ornate headpiece around a scarlet globe, a single golden ring orbiting the sphere. The crest of the pole was similar to its blue counterpart, but its leaf-like structure was more bottom-heavy, while the other more balanced. It pulsed emerald with the other keys, awaiting their mistress's order.

Lastly, not only could Sasami experience Tsunami's eternal being, but the goddess took a breath and opened her hands at her sides, watching through the girl's eyes her entire life. The matron saw the Azaka and Kamidake dispatch a Juraian destroyer with a mighty demonstration of power. She felt the fear of Ayeka being stolen away by Kagato. She witnessed Nagi's prowess at decimating the Juraian navy almost single-handedly. She even was struck by the vision of Tenchi's ascendence to his power in battle with Kagato, and later against Tokimi.

Tenchi, Sasami spoke softly to her other half.

"And, most importantly," Tsunami told her sister, "courage."

Before her, Tenchi's sword, his namesake "Tenchiken", glimmered into existence, slowly spinning along its length. Designed much like a katana's hilt, the device was wrapped tightly with vine strands, much like those of the other keys. Its guard seemed chiseled elegantly from a chunk of amethyst, but glowed white, not green like the others. Its pommel, much like Kagato's, resembled a closed blossom, soon to bloom in battle.

This is why, she exchanged with Sasami. I chose Jurai because of what you could be, Sasami.

Her hands raised around the hilt as the wrappings unraveled from around the hilt, extending from the guard like a star. Beneath, a golden grip and leaf-like flanges were revealed while the vines tightly wove themselves atop the violet crest. The flanges snapped up into place, creating a new guard while a wave of ivory washed over the wrappings, encasing them in a bladed shell of silver.

But, the princess quietly asked, why me?

The goddess's soft touch took the weapon and lowered it into a ready posture, aimed at Tokimi.

Because these strengths are also yours, my dear, the matron whispered back.

Coldly, Tokimi closed her eyes and called back to Tsunami, "Jurai is diseased. Their time is long since concluded."

Sasami's anger flared, remembering the pale face of her sister drift through her thoughts. Simultaneously, the Juraian goddess gripped the silvery sword tighter.

"That disease was not wholly of their making," she scolded back.

A scowl crossed Tokimi's features, easily knowing Tsunami's thoughts, as well as Sasami's.

"You would choose that mortal girl over your own sister? You would let that child you inhabit twist your heart?"

Tsunami's rosy eyes danced, Sasami glaring back through them at the dark matron. Together, the voices of the Juraian princess and her goddess answered, one boiling with sisterly vengeance, the other swelling with a broken heart.

"She is my sister, just as Ryoko and Nagi are your daughters."

The scowl on Tokimi's face twisted, insulted, baring her teeth as she extended her free hand to the shadows nearby. The darkness parted like an oily sea, to reveal a second silvery sword. This crystalline weapon gleamed when it slid into Tokimi's taloned fingers, its edge both gorgeously sharp and angular. In its hilt was a crimson gem, identical to the one in Nagi's hairband, which immediately burned an emerald green like Tsunami's keys. It arced white bolts of electricity along the hilt and guard of the weapon, each cutting into Tokimi's claws, burning her flesh. Yet, she steeled herself and brandished both this sword and Kagato's dark edge.

"Tsunami," she said, a harsh warning in her tone, "as your only true sister, I ask you once."

Her right wrist twisted slowly, cracking the stiffness from her bones while Kagato's blade blazed brighter. The air around the cutting surface ionized, sending off waves of blood red intent.

"Stand aside."

I can't, Tsunami thought.

I won't, Sasami answered.

"Jurai will fall."

She won't, they thought together.

"Ryua will rise."

Azure light gathered around Tsunami's kimono when the goddess of Jurai, the princess of Jurai, gave her answer.

"All this is a product of your interference, Tokimi, and I will not let it continue."

Soft waves of blue shed her elegant clothing and bestowed her with a white gi and zubon, highlighted in blue and green. These clothes were fitted, snug at the wrists, ankles, and waist, giving her freedom of movement elsewhere. Violet bracers and shin guards protected her joints, each carved with a fluid artistry that poured from her imagination.

Then, the tiara and hairband keys descended upon her shoulders, wrapping around each to form a braided ring. The staff keys followed, crossing behind her back, adhering to either the hairband or tiara. Now, she brandished the silver blade of Jurai, her keys shining bright with her power, her ten Wings of the Light Hawk breaking open reality around her.

Tokimi shook her head, disappointed.

"So be it."

Flames of red burned away the dark matron's gown, revealing her own combat garb. Crimson gloves wrapped like blazes up from her clawed fingertips, also with scarlet bracers around her wrists and forearms. Ruby shin guards rose against the black that ascended along her legs and body, blending into the bloody colors around her chest and collar. Crossing her two swords, her dark keys attached themselves to her, mimicking the placement of Tsunami's. With a broad sweep of her blades, the devices burned deep crimson with her strength, fifteen Wings of the Light Hawk cracking open above her.

Tokimi drew her swords back, the crystalline edge still resisting her. Tsunami met gazes with her sister one last time with one last plea.

"Please, sister. Stop this."

Unfazed, the dark matron shook her head and replied, "Not until Ryua is restored, and Jurai broken in her place."

In that instant, the Ryoan goddess shot forward, the silver sword leading her attack. A single tear rolled down Tsunami's cheek as she stepped forward, raising her own white blade to guard.

Alone, Sasami's young voice whispered from Tsunami's lips, "… I'm sorry, Ayeka…"

X X X

The maiden's rosy eyes popped open with a gasp. Her heart raced in her chest. Her mouth was dry. Hot sweat beaded on her forehead.

Then, a stab of pain rushed through her left shoulder. She could feel a blade punch through her skin, her muscle, followed shortly by a second just below her collarbone.

"Ayeka!" she cried out, curling beneath the sheets of her bed. Her breath hissed through her teeth, clutching her shoulder tightly.

Shortly afterward, the pain subsided, though echoes of it rippled through her mind. Her breath soon steadied, as did her heartbeat. Rubbing her shoulder and collar, she found no blade jutting through her body. The smoothness and continuity of her skin comforted her. There was no wound, and within moments, there was no pain.

What happened? the girl asked herself. Her mind clawed for answers, thinking back to her recent dream. However, the more she tried to remember, the more elusive the images became: a woman in white, a woman in black, glowing wings, silvery swords…

Pounding at her door broke her concentration, losing what hold she did have on the memory. Tenchi's voice called from the other side of the door, clearly worried.

"Sasami! Are you okay?!"

"… Yes, I'm fine," the maiden answered, draping a forearm over her eyes.

Jurai Sasami laid beneath her disheveled sheets on her bed. Her lip wrinkled in frustration, wanting answers but receiving none. A month ago, she had been ten years old, daydreaming while her elder sister lectured to her about etiquette and history. Now, she had the physical body of a teenager, roughly fifteen years old by Washu's estimates, and all the complications that went with that age. How she aged, why she changed so suddenly, no one has completely explained.

"What happened?" Tenchi asked. "We heard you scream."

"It was just a nightmare, Tenchi," she answered. "I'm fine."

She slid her hand down over her face, sighing hard. Ever since the royal family reunion seven months ago, Sasami had been having disturbing dreams. Most would just wake her once during the night, and she could easily slip back into slumber. However, after her metamorphosis, they had gotten worse, more vivid and frequent. The teen not only could feel the events in the dream, but like a few minutes ago, she would experience "aftershocks" of them.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"No," Sasami replied, "it's alright. I just…"

She paused. What could I talk about? she thought. It's not like I remember what happened.

"You know you can talk to us, Sasami. We all are here for you."

The young woman rubbed the drowsiness from her eyes and pushed herself upright. Her hair was bound in a pouch hanging behind her head, much like her sister had done. Looking around the room, several pieces of Juraian furniture sat around the room: cylindrical cabinets, a regal vanity, even elegantly woven curtains. All were given to her by Ayeka. Even the pajamas she was wearing were originally the elder sibling's.

But, she's not here.

"I know, Tenchi," she answered softly. "I just need to wake up. I'll be alright. Okay?"

Sasami could hear him shuffling outside the door. He sincerely wanted to help her, as, no doubt, did everyone else in the house. Her heart stung pushing him away like this, but part of her refused to talk with him.

"Okay," he finally relented. "Dinner'll be in a few minutes. It's Nagi's turn." He chuckled, "She's been trying some of those recipes she found."

The thought of the feared huntress Nagi slaving over a hot stove slid into the young princess's mind, and a humored grin crossed her lips.

"Alright. I'll be down soon."

As Tenchi's footsteps drifted away, Sasami glanced somberly down at her toes, rising beneath her sheets.

No one understands, she thought to herself.

After her transformation, she approached Washu. As a former professor at the Universal Science Academy, the self-promoted "greatest scientific genius in the universe" should be able to revert the Juraian princess back to her true age. However, the redhead disagreed.

"Sasami," the researcher answered, "frankly, I don't even know what happened to you."

She tapped a key, creating a screen of numerical and graphical data showing streams of high peaks, many leaving the display and being marked "immeasurable". Then, after a certain point, roughly 0234 GMT on 14 September 1998, all the measurements marked "Juraian" dropped to a flatline at zero.

"As you can see," Washu explained, "there were several massive ethereal events that happened from September twelfth through the fourteenth, but then the Juraian signal suddenly stopped at 0242 GMT. It didn't return until over an hour later at 0354."

"But, Washu," Sasami protested, "what does that have to do with me?"

The scientist's feline eyes slid aside with a sigh. The princess could tell this wasn't frustration with her understanding of the material before her. It was sympathy, like with Tenchi.

"Because, Sasami," the Ryoan stated gently, "that was you."

Her rosy eyes grew wide and shifted back to the data again. The information presented before her was far beyond her grasp of the sciences, but even then, she knew that Washu could easily quantify Tenchi, Ayeka, or even Ryoko's abilities. For Washu to say that Sasami's were "immeasurable" caused her young mind to twist around itself with doubt and disbelief.

"In midst of this storm of Juraian and NVO type energy, you literally vanished, Sasami. You reappeared about an hour later, unconscious, ice cold to the touch."

The azure-haired maiden looked back to Washu, who seated herself on the edge of one of her examination tables. Her emerald gaze became distant, remembering that fateful day. While her voice maintained her usual calm, Sasami could see a glimmer of an aging worry in the Ryoan's eyes. In that moment, Washu seemed three times older than her childish frame would admit.

"I was called in to help the doctors stabilize your condition. They were amateurs, but this wasn't an ordinary case. Your body was functioning. You were certainly alive, yet I ran my most comprehensive battery of emergency tests on you. You had no Jurai energy anywhere in your body."

Her eyes met those of the princess, gravely.

"That fabled 'godlike' power was just gone."

She paused for a moment. This struck Sasami as strange. Washu never just stopped in one of her explanations, but she could not see why. The princess was alive. Whether her power was there or not should not matter. Washu's gaze slid aside again as she delved back into the minutiae of the case, her voice more cold and distant.

"Of course, the doctors in Manhattan were amateurs at best. We set about stabilizing your body temperature and balancing your fluids. Naturally, I used a saline/equaline solution with a brief thermaline bath after your stats started to come back."

However, Sasami could feel a gentle touch on her shoulder, like a kind hand resting there, caring and supporting. She glanced there and found nothing, no displaced device or mistaken robot. Her own hand slid over her shoulder, but that kind feeling slipped away, another passing dream lost. She became more unsettled, a shiver shooting up her spine at this déjà vu.

"Washu?" she asked, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Yes?"

The girl's hands became clammy. She licked her lips, delaying her question. Her breath was deep, trying to keep her calm.

"… Did I…?" she started, wringing her hands together. "Did I… die?"

The princess expected the usual quick answer, the undying confidence that Washu had always exuded at every opportunity. She received silence. Washu again did not answer immediately. Her brows furrowed with a soft breath. Then, her green, catlike eyes turned to Sasami, but the teen could swear the researcher was staring more at her forehead.

"You weren't dead when I was with you, Sasami."

"But, you said I…"

"It's equally possible that you were locked in a pocket universe while most of the final confrontation took place. Dropping you onto an ice planet for a few minutes could easily cause your body temperature to plummet."

"Okay, but…"

"And," Washu interceded, a finger raised for her point, "the disappearance of your Juraian energies during that time is one of my top items of research right now. That's why I need your cooperation in the first place."

Despite the Ryoan's kind intent, Sasami could still feel the cold, professional distance Washu maintained. Granted, it existed for their mutual benefit, to keep the scientist's mind clear and to ensure an accurate, unbiased portrait of the situation. However, distance was precisely what the princess did not want at this moment.

"I know," she answered. "Maybe… maybe later."

A genuine worry crossed Washu's brow. "Keep in mind. The sooner we start the study," she warned, "the sooner we will answer your questions."

"I just…" the teen started. She did want answers, but at the same time, she did not. What if I really did… die? she thought. How did I come back? What am I now?

All Sasami's life, she had been sheltered within the Jurai royal family, not unlike her elder sister. She had to adhere to the courtesies and customs of royalty, rather than have the freedom of most children. She was naturally extroverted and wanted to make friends with everyone she met, but her position stymied this at every turn. Often, she had made a new friend only to be ripped away by either her own move, or by a move of the other. Even though she knew how important the traditions of Jurai were, she wanted to throw them away and be a normal little girl.

But, she admitted, I'm not normal, am I?

On Earth, she could be just "Sasami", not "Princess Jurai Sasami". She gained a close friend in Ryo-Ohki, as well as the other residents and constant visitors of the Masaki estate. Now, the household had drastically changed. Mihoshi and Kiyone had gone back to the Galaxy Police. Washu was constantly busy with the Science Academy and often off-world, usually with Ryo-Ohki. Tenchi and Ryoko were romantically involved and usually off alone together. While Nagi had moved into the house, she and Ken-Ohki were rarely away from either their bounty hunting rounds or training with Katsuhito.

Then, there's Ayeka…

"I just can't right now," she told Washu.

Sasami remembered the melancholic expression on the scientist's face as she nodded, accepting this response. She clearly wanted to help, in her own way. Now, sitting in her room, the princess sighed hard as she rose to her feet and slightly parted the window's curtains. Outside, the lake rested peacefully next to the Masaki home, its water lightly lapping at the shore beneath the starry night sky.

However, Ryu-Oh's great tree no longer stood majestically at its center. She remembered a couple winters ago, shortly after her arrival on Earth, when she rushed to Ayeka and showed her the sapling of Ryu-Oh's regeneration. Then, Azaka and Kamidake stated that the tree could never again fly.

But, she flew away…

Sasami turned away from the window and sat at the vanity. Her rosy eyes fell upon her new matured appearance. Her face was more defined, the childish roundness almost gone. Her freckles were likewise faded, blending into the her overall skin tone. Her azure-colored hair was clearly longer and fuller, almost covering the twin-triangle birthmark on her forehead.

She reached behind her head and slipped off the pouch around her great mane, letting its length fall gracefully behind her. Setting the pouch aside, she took a brush and began grooming the strands, a habit she had acquired long before her transformation. Idly, the girl just eyed the pouch on the vanity's counter. Both were Ayeka's. The comb and pajamas were as well.

Sasami paused and raised her gaze to her reflection. With her hair down, the resemblance was far stronger. She remembered watching Ayeka brush her hair in this way, and being taught to do it herself by her older sister. Everything she knew, Ayeka had taught her. Sasami never had the chance to know her parents. Both had died shortly after she was born, leaving Ayeka to try and fill that gap in both their lives. However, she could not, not and be the crown princess that society demanded that she be. Ayeka was the only close family Sasami knew. For all intents and purposes, she was Sasami's mother.

But, she's gone. She left me.

The violet-tressed princess departed Earth over a month ago now, after they had all returned from the recent incident in Manhattan. Sasami could still remember the amber light cast on the lake and house from the setting sun. Above, both Katsuhito's Funaho and Ayeka's Ryu-Oh floated silently, the hull of each scarred from the recent combat in America, particularly Ryu-Oh's.

Dressed in one of her favorite blue kimonos, Ayeka stood at the lake's edge, her eyes set on the ground below. Sasami knew that look, the same one she carried when Tenchi left Jurai after Kagato's defeat. She was going to leave. She had been planning it since her return to Okayama.

"Everyone," the regal-haired lady spoke, "I thank you for understanding."

Her hands were clutched tightly together. She had been broken ever since Manhattan, possibly even before. Her voice was clear and practiced, as with every speech she had ever given. She wanted distance, and the emotional safety that it afforded her.

"I will rest well knowing my sister is in your care. I do apologize for this inconvenience. I wish that it didn't have to be this way."

Beside Sasami, Tenchi and Ryoko both nodded sadly, though the young prince took a step forward.

"It's alright, Ayeka," he answered. "We'll take care of Sasami for you. You take care of yourself too."

His voice had always been warm and welcoming to all of them, but Sasami could hear a somber edge to his tone. He really had not wanted this either, not this way.

"You'll always have a home here with us. I… we all hope you can come back one day."

A tear rolled down Ayeka's cheek, but this was the only crack she let through her regal mask. She loved Tenchi, deeper than she had ever expressed openly. She loved Sasami, more than just as a sister. This humble estate on Earth had become her home, and she was ripping herself from it.

Her gaze briefly raised to meet Ryoko's, as the former pirate stood beside Tenchi and Sasami. There was no malice, no hate, not really jealousy. Only regret was silently exchanged between them. Neither wanted this ending to their story.

Nagi bowed her head in a respectful silence, acknowledging the princess's rank and decision. While she renounced much of her Juraian heritage, the huntress understood Ayeka's choice, and its repercussions all too well. Katsuhito was likewise quiet in this farewell. He knew the royal court and its machinations as well as the princess herself, and in her place, he would have done the same. Nobuyuki, however, extended his hand to her and kindly gave her one last offer.

"You can still stay here," he said. "I've been thinking of kicking Tenchi out on his own anyway."

He chuckles, as did Katsuhito. Nagi smirked to herself while sweat beaded on Tenchi's brow. The prince scratched the back of his head nervously, though Ryoko folded her arms with a humored grin. Still, with a warm smile of her own, Ayeka shook her head and waved the offer aside.

"That is very kind, Mr. Masaki, but I need to be away."

Yet, Sasami's hands grasped at her kimono sleeves. Her teeth gnashed as tears started to blur her vision. She could not understand. They were a family. This was their home now. She darted out at her sister and clutched her close, dragging them both to their knees.

"I don't want you to go, Ayeka!" Sasami sobbed into the blue fabric of her sister's kimono. "This is your home too! Everyone just said so! You should stay!"

Ayeka's arms looped around Sasami, holding her close as another tear rolled down her cheek, hidden by the younger sibling's sobs. Embracing one another, Sasami could feel Ayeka tremble beneath her regal robes.

"I… I'm sorry, Sasami…" Ayeka whispered to her softly. "I wish I could…"

"It doesn't matter if Tenchi and Ryoko are together," the teen sobbed quietly.

Gently, the violet-tressed lady eased her sister back and met her gaze, steadying herself enough to speak clearly.

"It's not just that, Sasami. Too much has happened. I have too many memories here. I need to start anew. I need to leave for that."

"Then, I'll go with you."

"No," she replied, shaking her head. "Like you said, this is your home. This is where you belong." Motioning to the others around them, she added, "And, they are the only ones I trust with your wellbeing."

Lightly, Ayeka kissed Sasami's forehead, just below the twin-triangle marking before resting her own forehead there. Her eyes closed as she took a slow breath, keeping control on her feelings.

"You deserve a normal life, Sasami. You always did. That's what I want for you."

Ayeka embraced her sister one more time, tightly and warmly, whispering to her, "I love you, Sasami, and I always will, no matter where we are."

The last vision Sasami had of Ayeka was when the regal-tressed lady stood and stepped away, vanishing in the emerald light of Ryu-Oh's teleporter.

Looking at her reflection in the vanity, the teenage Juraian lowered her head, tears rolling down her cheeks. Her hands again clutched her shoulders tightly, remembering that last embrace from her dear sister.

X X X

Shortly after her release in 1994, Washu integrated two dimensional doorways into the Masaki house. The first, of course, was connected to the old broom closet and led to her personal pocket dimension, which housed her laboratory. She rigged the other to the bathroom door with a genetic sensor. For a humanoid male, the doorway remained dormant, giving the entrant only the existing spartan bathroom. However, for a female, the system awoke and revealed a spacious onsen, luxuriously furnished with plenty of amenities. Among these were the the beautifully carved fountains in the center of the main pool, the plants distributed throughout the chamber to filter the air and water, the molecular converter system to create sake from the ambient energy of the local compression ratio, and plenty of others.

Nagi was honestly impressed. She had had the opportunity to stay at high-class hotels on occasion, usually for high profile targets in crime syndicates. She had to admit that Washu had very fine taste in décor. The clear, steaming water soothed her aching muscles, caressed her bare skin. The pleasant scent of the leaves and flowers soothed her lungs and sinuses. The quiet babble of the water and the smoothly curved sculptures eased her eyes and ears. The huntress laid back against the edge of the pool, letting her arms and legs relax beneath the surface of the water.

This has got to be the best way to relax, she thought to herself.

After hours of cracking bokkens with Katsuhito, her body needed a long soak to loosen her tension. Her mind needed to be just empty for a while. She had no worries, no bounties to chase, no kata to remember, just peace and quiet.

Then, a whooshing noise caught her ear. She promptly sat up and reached back to her rapier. Her crimson eyes shot toward the entrance, a fierce glare set firmly on her brow.

There, Ryoko stood holding a traditional wooden bucket of sake bottles and cups, not a shred of clothing to be seen. The cyan-maned woman raised a brow at her half-sister, considering the weapon in her hand.

"You're jumpy," the former pirate commented.

The purple-haired woman set her sword aside again and slid back into the water. Her eyes never left Ryoko as the Ryoan woman stepped into the warm water, letting the bucket float at her side.

"Most people knock," the huntress grumbled.

"Never had to before," the elder sister muttered back.

Nagi just huffed and returned to laying back in the water. Ryoko sighed and shook her head, sitting down on a ledge beneath the surface. The soothing currents easily met her chest as she too surrendered to the fluid's embrace. She rested her shoulders on the edge of the deck, her arms outstretched to either side. Her eyes closed while her head leaned back, a relaxing breath slipping from her lips.

However, both sisters could not completely rest at ease. Calling their relationship "rocky" would be a gross understatement. For roughly six years, Nagi had chased Ryoko, swearing to be the one to take her head for her crimes. At the time, the latter had not known that they were blood kin, let alone the reason for the passionate vendetta. The former pirate speculated from time to time, but she never really worried about it much. She had seen plenty of crazy hunters out for "justice" on her tail, but Nagi was far more tenacious, and many times more vicious.

Then came seven months ago, the incident at the reunion of the Jurai royal family. By this time, Ryoko had been acquitted of all her past piracy charges, thanks to her efforts helping the Galaxy Police and Jurai on several previous occasions. However, Nagi could not care less, continuing to demand a duel with the former criminal. Distracted by this old hatred, both were caught off-guard by a new foe.

Enter the master telepath, Jezibel Kimitan. With her talents at mental probes and mind control, she took the guise of Ryoko's mother, twisting her memories of Tenchi and Ayeka into a seething, angry confusion. In midst of the lies laid a single truth. Ken-Ohki confirmed it, showing his memory of a funeral from his perspective upon Nagi's shoulder. The huntress's own burning words from the gravesite only cemented it.

"Wasn't I anything to you?! Weren't we, Father and I?! If you would have stayed, maybe we wouldn't have been...!"

Ryoko had always felt alone. She sometimes had thought of her peers in the pirate guilds as surrogate fathers and brothers, but many of them, at their heart, would only use her to their own ends. Her father, the dread pirate Ten Akuno, died in a GP raid before she was born. Her mother was also gone forever. She did have Ryo-Ohki, but theirs was not the same kind of relationship. Now, suddenly, she had a sister, a sister who absolutely hated her. This fact ate at her, cut deeply into her.

Why? she asked herself. What did I ever do to her?

Those answers were locked inside of Nagi's mind, then under assault from Jezibel's wicked design. Along with Tenchi and Ayeka, Ryoko stole her half-sister back and returned to Jurai. There, the purple-haired woman remained unconscious, trapped inside herself by the green-eyed witch.

However, she had a key. Via her connection to Ryo-Ohki, and Nagi's to Ken-Ohki, Ryoko tapped into her half-sister's nightmare. Within, she saw, and felt, the undercurrents of the huntress's vendetta. She saw the Juraian children taunting her, calling her "half-breed" and "cat-fucker". She saw her ripped from her father's side and placed in an orphanage, slapped by the headmistress for her pride. Ryoko was taken aback when, even as a girl, Nagi took the hit and glared back icily, red handprint across the black mark on her cheek.

"… Is that the best you have, you old crone, a slap?"

She understood. They were not that different, the dread pirate's daughter and the captain's illegitimate daughter. Underneath, Nagi did too.

Since the incident, the pair have had an unspoken accord. They could tolerate one another and have even lived under the same roof for nearly a month. However, some attribute this more to their respective lives of late. Ryoko has been far more involved with her relationship with Tenchi, Nagi her training with Katsuhito and bounty hunting profession.

Laying in the hot pool, Ryoko took a sake bottle and a cup for herself before she pushed the floating bucket toward Nagi. The huntress glanced up while her counterpart raised her bottle.

"How's it going with the old man?" she asked. "Is he still a taskmaster?"

The purple-haired woman took a bottle of sake, scoffing to herself.

"Fine."

With a sip of alcohol, Ryoko grimaced and answered, "'Fine'? That's it?"

"Yes," the younger sibling answered plainly, downing a cup of liquor.

"Nothing more specific, like how sparring or forms were?" the elder asked, pouring another cup.

"No," Nagi answered, sipping her second cup.

The cyan-maned woman poured another cup, rolling her eyes. "Well, he kicked my ass for two months before he let me use my powers."

Then, she grinned to herself, remembering cracking bokkens with Tenchi, his breath deep and controlled, her heart pounding more from excitement than exertion. Honestly, she could imagine far more fun ways of spending her time, but she did enjoy watching him figure out her defenses. When she had learned to read him, it became another way to tease him, giving him an opening and then stealing it away.

"Though, it did have its advantages," she chuckled distantly with another drink.

Nagi glanced aside, irritated. "No doubt, that was due more to his grandson."

With a smile, Ryoko threw back another shot of liquor and commented, "You're damn right he did."

The huntress downed another drink, listening idly, her thoughts to herself.

"I loved toying with him." She raised her finger. "He'd thrust," she said before she curled her finger. "I'd parry." She flicked her wrist. "I'd counter; he'd dodge." She laughed, "I felt so restricted on the ground then, but…"

She trailed off, thinking of her dances with Tenchi in the clubs recently, how they synchronized and melted into one another's motions. Her arms curled around her chest, her chin resting on her knuckles, a pleased smile on her lips.

"You are hopeless," Nagi sighed as she tilted another cup of asked against her lips.

"Jealous?" Ryoko inquired, her eyes sliding back to her sister.

A subtle blush appeared on the purple-haired woman's cheeks, while she threw back another shot of liquor.

"Hardly," she replied.

The former pirate took a sake bottle in hand and sipped on it before she glanced down at it thoughtfully. Balanced between her thumb and forefinger, she tipped it side to side, sloshing its contents inside. An alcoholic blush of her own rose on her cheeks.

"Are you sure about that? I mean, that knight seemed to have a thing for you."

Nagi's eyes turned to the full sake cup in her hand, seeing a translucent reflection of herself. Absently, her fingers rested against her cheek and lightly traced the black claw imprinted there. It had always been there since she was born, every time she looked into a mirror. It signified her mixed heritage, spawned by the differential of the two powers she carried. Many days in her childhood, she loathed it.

"No, he didn't," she answered coldly, and quietly. "Don't mistake chivalry for affection."

Ryoko drank from her sake bottle directly, before she smirked with a chuckle.

"Come off it, sis. He was interested in you, and it wasn't just his job talking."

The huntress glanced to her half-sister, irritated, the redness on her face a bit brighter.

"He is sworn to protect Jurai's royal family, and my father is a descendent of the first king. His only interest in my wellbeing was due to his oath."

The cyan-maned woman rose a brow.

"Seriously?" she replied, her voice flat. "You seriously think that's it? Did you even talk to him afterward?"

"No," Nagi responded, a heated irritation in her voice.

"Why the hell not? He took a hit from that bitch for you," she said, taking another shot of sake, "both of us really. You owed him at least 'thanks for saving my ass'."

The younger sibling's eyes narrowed into a glare with her answer.

"I repaid him by helping you and your friends eliminate her."

"God, you're a moron," Ryoko blurted out, rolling her eyes. "Did you even pay attention to the guy? On Jurai, the old man told everyone to rest up, and what does the red knight do? He checks on you. When Jezibel caught you, guess who was the first to volunteer to get you, after me."

Nagi's fingers gripped along her forearms, her protests louder.

"He failed to protect a descendent of the king, like the others that fell that day. He felt it his obligation."

"Let me tell you why that's bullshit," the cyan-maned sister added, tossing her empty bottle into the floating bucket. "I've had guys try to play me before, and I bet you have too. Players don't keep coming back after you slap them away like you did."

A scowl twisted on Nagi's lips, her nails gripping into her skin.

"When the bitch came," Ryoko argued, "who came and helped you learn to use that precious key of yours? Who did Sasami send to look after you when your powers went crazy?"

"Obligation, Ryoko. Tsunami sent him."

"Uh huh. Someone who's assigned to protect you doesn't say what he did the way he did. Keep in mind. I was there too, both when Jezibel went down and when the bitch came after you."

Nagi gnashed her teeth, closing her eyes, pushing down her temper. However, the liquor had already done its job, removing many of her inhibitions, such as her vow to be peaceful.

"Think about it, sis," Ryoko continued, raising her hands from the water, palm up. "Look at the two Juraian knights." She raises her left. "The guy in blue is a little older, a little wiser, and knows how to get shit done. He fights like hell…"

She then swapped the elevations of her hands, nodding to Nagi.

"… but not like his partner. When they showed up, I swear that redheaded guy was going to rush the bitch. You could hear it in his voice and see it in his face."

Then, she looked over to her sister, seeing the scowl and the tension in her body.

"What? It's true. Besides, he's pretty hot. I'm surprised you haven't even said 'hello' to the man, let alone jump him."

At that, Nagi stood up from the water, swinging her arm broadly before her bare form.

"Shut your mouth, Ryoko," she barked. "You don't have any idea what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think I do," the former pirate laughed as she leered over at her sister. "You need to get laid, sis."

As she started to raise another cup of sake to her lips, Nagi slapped her hand aside, knocking the cup away. Surprised, Ryoko looked back up at the seething huntress standing over her.

"Hey, I was going to drink that!"

"You've had more than enough," Nagi retorted, raising an accusing finger to the cyan-maned woman. "I'm not like you, Ryoko. I don't need a man between my legs to define myself."

Ryoko's brows furrowed. "Whoa, where'd that come from?"

"Don't pretend. You drape yourself all over the Masaki boy."

"Now, wait a sec," Ryoko answered, standing from the water. "Tenchi and I haven't slept together yet."

A sneer crossed Nagi's lips as she answered, "Let me tell you why that is bullshit. You've lived with him for three years, and with your 'colorful' record, I'm surprised that the princess stayed here as long as she did."

The amber eyes ignited as the former criminal shook her head slowly.

"Don't."

"When did she find out?" the huntress asked, leaning closer, a devilish smile on her lips. "When she was possessed, how much of that was really her?"

Ryoko's hand connected hard against Nagi's cheek, her handprint bright red over the claw-mark.

"That wasn't Ayeka!" she screamed back.

The crimson eyes slid back as the hairband key glowed a deep violet, the gem a brilliant scarlet. Fury burned in her gaze as her hand slapped each of her sister's cheeks quick succession. Anger flared in the cyan-maned woman while her fingers gathered into fists, the gem in her bracelet shining brightly. As their feline eyes met, the old rivalry renewed itself, the years of conflict resurrected.

Nagi leapt from the water to the tile, taking her sword in hand. Ryoko darted up from the water, her scarlet power welling in her palms. The huntress stood, her sword ready. Her prey closed her hand around her red light, forging her own blades. As one, the two flew at one another, swinging their weapons to strike. Their edges connected, sparking a ruby brilliance around them as the blades ground together.

Outside, Sasami was scaling the stairs, her towels and clothes folded in her arms. However, her rosy eyes widened at the bright light shining from around the bathroom door. Rumbles and explosions were heard from the other side for a moment. Then, the door blew off its hinges and flew at the Juraian princess, followed by a burst of red.

With a shriek, she raised her arms before her, dropping her linens. A spherical shell appeared about her, deflecting the door aside, as well as the scarlet blast that followed. Dumbfounded, she blinked at the effect, the reaction of emerald and ruby in front of her.

Behind her, Tenchi and Nobuyuki rushed partway up the stairs and halted at the scene before them.

"Sasami!" they called out together.

Soon, the scarlet burst faded away, leaving a smoking cinder that was the second floor hallway. The bathroom door was now embedded into the nearby wall, its hinges hanging limply with the screws and parts of the frame still attached.

Sasami's breath heaved from her chest as she slipped down to her hands and knees, the excitement still rushing through her. The shield construct vanished, letting the smoke flow past her. Tenchi came to her side, setting a kind arm around her shoulders.

"You're okay, Sasami," he said. "It's alright."

She nodded while they looked up toward the former bathroom doorway. There, they could see easily into the women's onsen. The beautiful statues stood broken and scarred by sword strikes, scorched and blackened from energy blasts. The plants hung low, splintered or burnt from the exchange. The water was all but gone, evaporated from the climactic blast that had taken the door.

Tenchi helped Sasami back to her feet and walked with her inside, looking at the devastation.

"What happened?" Tenchi asked.

"I don't know," Sasami answered, shaking her head. "I was just… coming up for a bath. There was a red flash and then…"

She was cut off as the two reached the edge of the pool. At the bottom of the basin sat Ryoko and Nagi, each leaning against one of the sidewalls. The siblings were likewise scorched and scuffed from their combative action, though they were unconscious of it now.

Tenchi sighed and rested his face in his hands while Sasami grinned wryly at the two of them.

"It figures," Tenchi commented.

"Yeah," Sasami agreed, "it does, doesn't it?"

She glanced back to Nobuyuki, who stood at the entrance to the hallway. His eyes were glazed, his body stiff and rigid from the sight. Sweat beaded in Sasami's hair while Tenchi ran his hand over his scalp.

"At least Washu's not here," he commented, right before a familiar voice caught his ear.

"What the hell happened here?!"

Tenchi and Sasami spun back around to see Washu standing in the doorway, positively livid. Sweat then beaded on both their foreheads as they pointed into the pool at Ryoko and Nagi.

"So much for that," Sasami added.

"Right," Tenchi concurred.