Chapter Two: Mothers
Tenchi and Mayuka arrived a little later than Tenchi had intended and when they came home Tenchi half-expected a scolding for their absence. However, upon entering the house, he found that, as soon as he announced his and Mayuka's return, that there was no one coming up to scold him for their tardiness.
"Hello?" Tenchi called out, again, as he and Mayuka got out of their shoes and proceeded on in.
Just then, Sasami poked her head around from the kitchen entrance.
"Oh, hi, Tenchi. I guess I didn't hear you, I'm sorry."
Tenchi smiled, "That's alright." He then sniffed the air, "What smells so good, Sasami?"
"Teriyaki-style ramen, spicy curry rolls, and some crab dumplings. I'm making them for Mother and Funaho."
Tenchi froze and his eyes widened.
"Sasami, can I help?" Mayuka looked eagerly at her.
Sasami smiled, "Of course you can, Mayuka." Sasami then noticed the look on Tenchi's face. "Tenchi? Is everything alright?"
"Y-Your mother…and Funaho…are they coming here?" Tenchi was reeling with the memories of their last visit and then being accompanied by the Emperor of Jurai along with a suitor of Ayeka's that Tenchi had to fight in order for her and Sasami to be allowed to remain on Earth.
Sasami seemed to pick up on what was on Tenchi's mind. She nodded.
"Yes they are, but only them."
Tenchi sighed out of relief. "Anything I can do to help?"
Sasami shook her head, "With Ayeka and Mayuka helping me, I believe I'm covered, but thank you."
Tenchi nodded, "So, when are Misaki and Funaho arriving?"
Sasami shrugged, "Their message said some time this evening; but when exactly, I don't know."
Tenchi nodded and scratched the back of his head. "Well, I guess I'd better go get changed for their arrival. Tell Mayuka to go get changed too, when you can spare her."
Sasami nodded and then turned and went back to the kitchen.
Tenchi watched her leave before turning and nearly ran into his Grandfather.
"Watch it there, Tenchi."
"Yes Grandfather." Tenchi replied. Before he could move out, Katsuhito had grabbed his shoulder.
"Tenchi, I need to speak with you and Mayuka when you two are ready."
Tenchi nodded and then proceeded his way back to his room.
Later, after both he and Mayuka had changed into their formal wears; Tenchi brought the two of them into the living room where Katsuhito and Washu were waiting for them.
Tenchi looked between the two, wondering as to why there was a sudden spike of seriousness about their faces.
As soon as Tenchi and Mayuka settled themselves down n the couch, Katsuhito cleared his throat.
"Tenchi, no doubt you have found out through Sasami that Funaho and Misaki are to be arriving this evening."
Tenchi nodded, still looking at his Grandfather with curiosity, Mayuka mirroring it as well.
Katsuhito continued, "When they arrive, Tenchi, we're going to have to be extra careful."
Tenchi was now even more confused and he looked to Washu for some clarity on the situation.
Washu looked away, her eyes masking whatever was on her mind.
Tenchi turned back to his Grandfather, "What for? Since their last visit, we haven't anything that needs to be hidden from them."
Katsuhito sighed, "Yes, but, a lot has changed since then." He then smiled at Mayuka who was busy kicking her feet up in the air, playfully, as she seemed bored by the conversation.
Tenchi looked to Mayuka and then back to his Grandfather, grasping what he was talking about, finally.
"Mayuka…" Tenchi sighed, nodding.
Katsuhito, too, nodded.
Mayuka looked up at Tenchi, "Yes, Daddy?"
"Mayuka," Washu said, speaking for the first time and getting up, "Why don't you come with me to the lab while we all wait for our guests to arrive and let your Daddy and Grandpa talk; alright?"
Mayuka looked to her father to see if he wanted her to do what she said. Tenchi nodded and gave her a gentle push off of the couch.
"It'll only be for awhile, Mayuka. I'll come and get you when your Grandpa and I are done."
Mayuka pouted, a little, but then, obediently, followed Washu to her lab inside the Masaki closet.
As soon as she left, Tenchi turned back to his Grandfather.
"Would Funaho and Misaki really be that upset if they found out about Mayuka and who her mother was?"
Katsuhito nodded, "They would, because of who her mother was but also because you're unwed." Katsuhito stood up a little straighter and then closed his eyes. "Jurians frown on those that bear or raise illegitimate children."
Tenchi sighed, again. "Alright, what should we do, then?"
All of the members of the Masaki Household, save Washu, Mayuka, and Mihoshi, the latter having not arrived yet, settled in the living room, as Katsuhito remained standing.
As soon as everyone was sitted, he began.
"Funaho and Misaki should be here, shortly, and before they do we need to all be on our guard should they find anything about Mayuka."
"I still fail to see what the trouble is, Brother." Ayeka said. "I'm sure if Sasami and I talked to Mother we could get her to accept Mayuka for the precious thing she is and not being the half-demon daughter of Yuzuha."
Ryoko, who was sitting with her arms folded, scowled at the 'half-demon' comment Ayeka made.
Katsuhito shook his head, "Despite Misaki's love for all things cute, Ayeka, in the end she WILL do what's necessary for Jurai. No doubt my mother will too."
Ryoko yawned, "So what if they find out? It's not like they'd abandon Tenchi, Ayeka, and Sasami, out of spite. What's the worse they could do?"
"They could sentence Mayuka to death." Katsuhito said, in a flat tone.
The room, then, went into silence as Tenchi and the girls looked at Katsuhito with shocked expressions.
"N-No. They wouldn't…" Sasami whispered, her eyes alive with fear.
Katsuhito nodded, sadly. "They could, Sasami. Tenchi is second in line for the Throne of Jurai. Our father, our mothers, all on Jurai would never accept Mayuka as a member of the family. Tenchi isn't the first to bring a half-demon into the world. I remember, during my studies as a young man, of a cousin of the royal family who, centuries ago, fell in love with the ruler of a dark army that lived in the underworld of planet Jurai. Against the family's wishes she pursed this relationship further and followed her lover back to the darkness from which he came. Soon, after the war between the underworld and the Jurians had come to an end, the royal cousin emerged with child from the depth of the underworld. She told no one and only when she began to show that the family discovered what had transpired. Soon, after birth, the half-demon babe was killed by the royal guard by order of the Emperor and the royal family."
Again, the room filled with silence and fearful looks.
Tenchi was the one who spoke first. "What became of the royal cousin?"
Katsuhito closed his eyes and sighed. "She ran away from the planet and hasn't been heard from since."
Ryoko stood up and looked at Tenchi. "Tenchi, I can take Mayuka away. I'd rather not be here when Misaki comes, anyways."
Katsuhito smiled, "That's very noble of you, Ryoko. But, if we all can keep our wits about, we shouldn't draw any suspicion from Funaho and Misaki."
Tenchi, who hadn't heard Ryoko, was still reeling with the information provided by his Grandfather. He didn't want to believe that anyone would want to pass that kind of judgment on Mayuka, least of all Funaho and Misaki, who, to Tenchi, seemed incapable of that kind of thing. Tenchi knew that there were still things about the Jurians he still didn't know about.
Ayeka stood up, "So, what shall we do, then, Brother?"
"I talked with Washu and she's agreed to, under pretense, declare to the two of them that Mayuka is a distant relative of hers. She's talking with Mayuka right now to Mayuka to make sure she understands her part." Katsuhito turned to Tenchi. "Tenchi, why don't you go there and help her, as I'm sure Mayuka's going to be confused by all of this."
Tenchi, somberly, nodded and got up and walked to the closet as the others continued talking.
"What about Mihoshi?" Asked Sasami. "She's supposed to come here this evening and Washu still hasn't been able to get in touch with her."
Katsuhito sighed, "Mishoshi's going to be tricky. Hopefully, between the two of you, you'll be able to make her realize how important it is for her not to let anything slip in front of the two women."
Ayeka and Sasami nodded.
A knocking at the door caused the two girls to jump.
Katsuhito walked to the door; "They're here."
Mihoshi Kuramitsu ate noisily as her computer, Yukinojo, made his irritated reminders to her that Earth had no beacon and that they should try to be more careful upon entering the Earth's atmosphere.
Mihoshi waived a dismissive hand, "I gnow Yukinodo." She said with her mouth full.
Yukinojo beeped out of despair and then turned away and then turned back again.
"Mihoshi, we've got a call from GP Command."
Mihoshi didn't hear him as she was, loudly, slurping a drink.
Yukinojo put the call forward, thinking that she had heard him, and soon an image of the GP Commander came in with it his booming voice in full volume.
"Mihoshi!"
Mihoshi's drink sprayed through her nose and gasped for air as she fell to the floor.
The commander sighed and waited for her to come back up from the ground.
Mihoshi giggled, nervously as she apologetically waived at her Commander.
"H-Hey, Commander."
The Commander sighed, "Put yourself back together, Mihoshi. We've just received a distress signal from a science excavation team on the outreaches near the planet your presently on route to. We need you to deviate from your course and investigate."
Mihoshi stood straight and saluted. "Yes, sir. First Class Detective Mihoshi is on her way."
The Commander nodded and signed off.
Mihoshi sighed despairingly as she sat back into her chair, resting her head against her hand.
"Aw, man. What should I do?"
Yukinojo looked at her; "You'll report to that excavation site and investigate, what else, Mihoshi?"
Mihoshi sighed, "Yeah, yeah, I know." She then began dialing on a phone unit next to her chair.
"I'm sorry to hear that, Mihoshi." Sasami said, the phone resting against her head and shoulder as she was tossing a salad. "When do you think you'll be done?"
"I'm not sure, Sasami. I hope soon."
Sasami nodded and sighed, "Well, I guess we'll see you soon, hopefully."
The two then exchanged their good-byes and Sasami hung up the phone. She then held a hand to her mouth and then to her eyes as she then realized she forgot to mention to Mihoshi what was expected of her when she was to return to the house.
I'll tell her later, I guess. Sasami thought. She then continued tossing the salad she was preparing until she was satisfied and set it down as suddenly her mother, Misaki, came running into the kitchen grabbing her into a hard embrace.
"Sasami! Sasami! How I've missed you!"
Sasami grunted in surprise and out of lack of air from her mother's embrace.
"M-Mother!"
Misaki let go of her and took a step back, beaming at her daughter. "You've grown so beautiful my dear Sasami! How've you been, my dear?"
Sasami smiled, "I've been fine. Dinner's going to be ready soon."
Misaki, rolling back her sleeves, looked around. "Anything your dear mother can help with?"
Sasami smiled and shook her head, "No, everything's pretty much taken care of."
Misaki looked sadly at the ground. "Oh."
Sasami sighed. She knew her mother loved being involved with anything, if not everything; and it was hard to have her do otherwise.
"Well, if you want, the silverware needs to be put out as well as the napkins."
Misaki's face brightened and she put her hands on Sasami's shoulders.
"Leave it to me, then."
As the two of them brought everything out to the table, Sasami took notice of Funaho sitting down on the couch having tea with Katsuhito and Ayeka.
Sasami had to suppress a chuckle as she looked at the nervous look still plastered on Ayeka's face since the two's arrival.
Sasami's attention went elsewhere as she noticed Tenchi, Washu, and Mayuka's emergence from Washu's lab and the three of them coming into the living room.
Here we go, I guess. Sasami thought as she began mirroring Ayeka's nervous look as the attention of both Misaki and Funaho's soon came squarely on Mayuka, who was clutching Washu's hand.
Washu introduced her to both Funaho and Misaki; the latter soon picked her up into an abrupt hug, causing Mayuka to look scared.
Sasami let out a sigh she was holding in and then proceeded to set the table before announcing that dinner was ready.
Idle chatter broke as everyone settled and began serving themselves at the table.
Tenchi talked animatedly to Funaho about how his training with Katsuhito had began progressing, Funaho listening and smiling serenely. Mayuka and Ryo-Ohki demonstrating to a fascinated Misaki their song game, while Ayeka leaned over to Sasami.
"Well, so far so good, right Sasami?"
Sasami nodded. She ate quietly as she watched the family all together. She smiled and wondered why there was so much worry over Mayuka being discovered to be Tenchi's daughter? Her mother seemed to be ecstatic over meeting her, so would it be so disastrous if she had found out?
Sasami closed her eyes and sighed, quietly. She did know that her Brother was right. Her mother was very strict when it came to her duty as Empress of Jurai and Commander of the Royal Guard.
"Sasami, are there anymore dumplings? They're wonderful." Funaho asked, breaking Sasami out of her resolve.
Sasami smiled and nodded and got up. "I'll go get some more, Aunt Funaho."
Walking back into the kitchen she was soon joined by Tenchi.
"How are you doing, Tenchi." She asked.
Tenchi shrugged, "Good, so far. I'm happier that Mayuka is doing what she's supposed to like Washu and I asked her to. I notice we're one person short, Mihoshi's busy?"
Sasami nodded, "She says that she might be back later tonight, if her work doesn't keep her, that is."
Tenchi nodded, "Well I guess that covers that, then."
Sasami nodded, "I guess. Still…"
"What?" Tenchi asked.
Sasami thought for a moment and then shook her head. "Never mind, it's not important."
Tenchi nodded and then turned around and jumped as Misaki was right in front of him.
"Well, well, well! What are the two of you talking about?" She asked with a devious smile on her face.
"N-N-Nothing, really." Tenchi stuttered, still startled.
"Hmmm…" Misaki said, looking at his face. "You know, you've grown quite much yourself, Tenchi."
Tenchi relaxed a little as he smiled. "Really? You think?"
Misaki nodded. "Quite handsome, isn't he, Sasami?"
Sasami turned red and her eyes widened.
Misaki chuckled.
"I-I've got to get these to Aunt Funaho." Sasami said, excusing herself as she took a tray of the extra dumplings out, leaving Tenchi alone with her mother.
Tenchi watched her leave and then turned back to Misaki. Who continued to look at him in a mischievous way.
"Uh, Misaki?"
"Yes, Tenchi?" Misaki asked.
Tenchi gulped as he tried thinking a way out of the kitchen but also to do it in a way that was polite.
Fortune favored him as Misaki peered behind him and she exclaimed in joy.
"Ah, Ryoko, there you are!"
Tenchi turned around and saw Ryoko in the process of tiptoeing with a tray of food, freeze and turn slowly with a look of dread on her face.
Tenchi was pushed to the side as Misaki came bounding up and took Ryoko in a rib-cracking hug, causing the tray in Ryoko's hands to fall to the floor.
Ryoko looked as if she was going to pass out as she gasped out pleas for her to stop.
Tenchi took this opportunity to slip out and rejoin the others. Upon sitting back down, he noticed Funaho looking at Mayuka, who was chatting with Ayeka, with great interest.
Tenchi then became worried that their ruse might be given away without anything being said or done by anyone. He knew from what his Grandfather told him about her, that Funaho was a very smart woman and also a good judge of character. Trying to put anything pass her was a challenge. Tenchi was now worried that she might discover the truth on her own.
"Mayuka?" Funaho asked.
Mayuka, along with the rest of the table, became quiet and all turned to look at her.
"Yes?" Mayuka asked.
"How old are you, dear?" Funaho asked.
"I'm eight!" Mayuka said aloud, beaming with pride.
Funaho smiled, "That's old. Do you have any brothers and sisters?"
Tenchi looked at his Grandfather, questioningly as to where Funaho was going with this conversation. However, Katsuhito's attention was still directed at his mother.
Mayuka shook her head; "I don't have any."
"I see." Funaho said, she took another sip of her tea. She then looked back at her; "Do you miss your mother and father, Mayuka?"
Mayuka was unsure on how to answer and she looked to Washu and then Tenchi for guidance.
Tenchi gulped as he saw Funaho took notice of Mayuka's look at him.
Uh oh.
"Mayuka has never met her mother and father." Washu said. "She's an orphan, Empress."
Tenchi and Mayuka looked at Washu in surprise as she hadn't said anything during the entire dinner.
Funaho smiled, again. She looked back at Mayuka.
"I'm sorry to hear that, dear." Funaho then resumed drinking the rest of her tea.
The rest of the evening soon wore down and Tenchi couldn't be happier. He took Mayuka away after dinner and told her how good she had been and asked her to continue even though he knew that she felt strange doing it.
As everyone was now settled in their beds, Sasami found that she couldn't sleep. It seemed ever since her Brother had told them that story of what happened to the royal cousin and her offspring, Sasami hasn't been able to push aside the dread and fear of something like that happening to Mayuka. What scared her also was that the people to hand down the judgment would be her mother and her Aunt Funaho, two people she never would consider being able to hand down that type of judgment.
Sasami turned in her bed as she looked down at the cot on the floor that held her snoozing mother, who had Ryo-Ohki tightly clutched to her bosom.
Her mother, the one person she believed was incapable of inflicting harm on any thing cute or young. But then again, how well did she know of her mother when it came to her duties as a Commander of the Royal Guard? Or as the Empress of Jurai?
Sasami sighed as she quietly sat up and walked out of her bed and went downstairs. She continued on down and then stopped as she heard the door close. Proceeding cautiously, she went to the window and looked to see who was outside. She sighed in relief as she saw it was Tenchi, but then she began to wonder as to what could cause him to go out this late at night.
Walking outside she wrapped herself tightly in her night kimono.
"Tenchi?" She called out.
Tenchi turned and looked at her in surprise. He came up to her, slinging his jacket around her.
"Sasami, what are you doing up this late out here? It's freezing."
Sasami blushed as she felt his fingers slightly graze her shoulder as he was putting his jacket on her.
"Thanks, Tenchi, but won't you be cold?"
Tenchi shook his head; "I'll be fine." He then turned back at the house and sighed. "Crazy dinner, huh?"
Sasami nodded. "I thought it went well, though. I don't think my mother or Aunt Funaho suspects of anything."
Tenchi shrugged, "I guess. Funaho was close, though, when she was asking Mayuka those questions."
Sasami nodded. She then held the jacket Tenchi gave her closer to her body as a wind chill came by. Sasami looked at Tenchi.
"Why are you outside so late at night, Tenchi? Are you having trouble sleeping, too?"
Tenchi sighed and nodded. "I was going to go to Funaho, the tree, and sit and think. I always go there when something is troubling me."
Sasami smiled. "Can I join you?"
Tenchi smiled and nodded, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to him, causing Sasami, once again, to turn red. This time, though, she was smiling.
As the two walked, little did they know that both Misaki and Funaho were watching them from the second story window.
Mihoshi had arrived at the designated area where the distress signal had been sent. However, when she had arrived, she found the place completely decimated.
"Oh no." She said quietly as she walked around the area in her flight suit. Various scattered debris, metal, and bodies lay floating in the area.
Mihoshi continued her search around the area and came up to one of the floating bodies which, to her immediate surprise and startlement, moved in its response to her touching it.
"Ah!" She shouted.
The figure grunted as the Wau man in the suit grunted in pain and began wheezing and coughing.
Mihoshi whimpered as she floated back to the body.
"Uh, a-are you alright?" She asked.
The man squinted in pain as he wearily looked at her.
"W-We brought him back…W-We should…have known…better." He gasped and wheezed.
Mihoshi gulped as she looked around. "Brought who back?"
"K…Ka…Ka…" He then passed out, leaving Mihoshi shaking him.
"Hey, don't do that! Wh-Who did this?!"
To be continued…
A/N: Obvious? Maybe. I know that there are some nagging questions you might have regarding certain things in this, they'll be addressed in the next chapter, rest assure. All I hope is that this story's being enjoyed. That's all.
A/N II: Please Review!
Q-n-P