Authors note: This is my first attempt at fan fic. Tenchi Muyo is the property of Pioneer and others etc...I hope you enjoy this. All contents of this story take place after OVA 13.5 and are in the story line of the OVA series.
SELF SACRIFICE
Chapter Four: The Resurrection
That same night Yosho meditates in the shrine, his thoughts on his grandson. He slowly rises and stretches his tired muscles. Time to go he thinks to himself. Washu should have figured it out by now. He leaves the shrine and makes his way to the cave. Arriving at the cave he settles down to await the arrival of Washu. Two hours later Little Washu and Sasami are making their way to the cave. As they near it Yosho steps out.
"Good Evening, a little late for a walk, isn't it"?
"AACCCKKK," screamed Little Washhu "Are you trying to scare us to death"? yelled Little Washu as Sasami started to cry.
Seeing Sasami starting to cry, Yosho goes to her and comforts her "I'm sorry Sasami I didn't mean to startle you so much".
"It's all right, actually Little Washu's scream scared me more than you did". She replied with a small smile starting.
"So why are you here"? asked Yosho.
"You know damn good and well why were here". replied an angry Little Washu.
"Are you sure he is ready to come out"? he responded.
"How did you know Tenchi is in there"? asked Sasami.
Yosho explained that after imprisoning Ryoko all those years ago, he was in tune with the feelings of Funaho and the Tenchiken when used to hold or sustain a life in stasis.
"So you knew he was in there the entire time, didn't you"? both of the girls asked.
"Yes" he replied.
"And you did nothing to release him. WHY"!? seethed Little Washu.
"Three reasons". replied Yosho. "One, He needed this time to come to terms with the accident and to realize that his powers are not a curse to be burdened with. Two, He needed time away from all the problems he faced living with four girls, two of which were causing more stress than he would have been able to handle if the situation continued as it was. Three, It had to be Sasami who would awaken him. If I had brought him out he would have been thankful, but he would not have had a chance to come to terms with his actions and powers. Sasami will be the one to wake him and comfort him. He will need this reasurrance more than you know".
"I can understand those reasons, but why didn't you tell us". asked Sasami.
"And if I had, what then? Would you have left him there or tried to wake him? He needed this, even though it caused him great pain and anguish, and what of the others, they would have been here in a minute to get him. No! He needed to be alone with himself and his memories to find out who he is and what he will become. I knew he would be able to reach out to you when the time was right for his re-awakening, and here you are". Yosho explained. "Do you understand now Sasami?"
"Yes, I guess so". she replied meekly.
"I also understand" said Little Washu "but that doesn't mean I have to like it". she quickly snorted.
"Now that that is settled, how do you know it is time to wake Tenchi"? asked Yosho.
Little Washu then explained the situation with the dreams and how Sasami helped to locate Tenchi.
"I see". remarked Yosho, His powers are starting to materialze themselves even better than I had hoped. I wonder if any Washu realizes this as well. he thinks to himself. "Lets go inside, and I'll show you what to do". said Yosho.
As the group makes their way into the cave, Yosho explains how to start the ressurrection process. "First, it has to be either Sasami or myself to pull the Tenciken from the shrine, the we must split the lock, and finally Sasami will go down alone to get Tenchi".
They enter the cave and after a short walk they approach the small shrine. "I'll remove the Tenchiken and Washu you remove the bindings from that small rock". said Yosho.
"That's a lock"? smirked Little Washu. "All right, lets do it then".
Yosho opens the doors to the shrine and removes the Tenchiken, while Little Washu removes the ropes from the rock. As they finished, the back wall opens.
"Now Sasami", spoke Yosho quietly, "you must go down alone and wake Tenchi. Do not step into the pool with him. Just reach down and pull him to you. Do you understand"?
"Yes, but I am afraid". the little princess replied.
"There is nothing to fear Sasami. It will be all right". replied Yosho and Little Washu together.
Sasami proceeds throught the wall and down the slope, after about five minutes she reaches the bottom. Looking across the area, she sees the radiant light coming from the pool. Moving towards it she absently notices Tenchi's clothes folded by the pool. Looking into the pool, she suddenly feels grief and such sadness as she sees the state that Tenchi is in. He is a shell of the young man she remembers. His bones look like they are threatening to burst through his skin. His face looks like a death skull. How come he looks like this she thinks, has he wasted away? She starts crying again, "please don't die Tenchi" she queitly whispers.
Reaching into the pool, she gently grasps his head and neck and slowly pulls him to the surface. As his head and shoulders clear the surface, Tenchi starts to convulse and choke. Sasami turns him on his side and he starts spitting up the clear liquid. Sasami is sobbing trying to help him, but suddenly her eyes go blank and she has a slack expression on her face. A light suddenly flashes softly then Tsunami is there. The reflection in the liquid is of Sasami. Tsunami quickly assimulates with Tenchi. As they float up from the pool she helps him purge the liquid from his lungs and stomach. Understanding that he needed to know how much Sasami cared for him she decided not to heal him to full health, she would let Sasami take care of that. Soon he is laying next to the pool, calmed and sleeping. The Light pulses softly and Sasami is back. Seeing Tenchi is alright she cried softly thanking Tsunami for her help.
"Tenchi.. Tenchi, wake up please". Sasami softly whispers. She shakes him very gently fearing for the state he is in and cradles his head in her lap. "Please Tenchi wake up".
Tenchi moans slightly and his eyes start to flutter. "Tenchi? how do you feel?" she asks.
"Sa Sass Sasami? Is that you"? the voice is so low and hoarse she can barely hear him. "I am so sorry", he says as tears are flowing from his eyes, "there is no way I can ever begin to ask for your forgiveness".
"Please Tenchi, don't speak just rest and listen to me. There is nothing to forgive, I know you didn't mean it". Sasami cried. But why did you have to leave? why"?
"Because, after seeing you like that", he whispered, "I couldn't even bear the thought of facing you". When you lay there I thought I was going to die, it hurt so bad, I just knew you would hate me for doing that to you".
"OHH Tenchi", She wailed the tears streaming down her face, "I love you so much I could never hate you, how could you ever think that"?
"I love you too Sasami", he replied, "I just hurt so much I wasn't thinking straight I guess".
Looking around he notices that no one else is here. "Where is everyone else"? he asks.
"Its a long story, I will tell you later". she replied.
"Ok, I'll just rest a minute and then we will go to the house". he replied . He quickly falls asleep. Sasami just holds him and quietly rocks him.
Brushing his hair out of his face, she leans down and kisses him softly. "I love you Tenchi Masaki".
"I love you too Sasami". came the sleepy whispered reply.
"Mmm-uummm! Yosho cleared his throat. Sasami turned and saw Little Washu and Yosho standing about 30 feet back. "Are you alright"? Yosho asks.
"No", she tearfully replied, "Tenchi is in real bad shape".
Little Washu quickly went to them and check on Tenchi. She brought up her portable laptop and created a portal to her lab.
"Yosho, bring him quickly", Little Washu told him while still typing in commands. "I am setting up a regeneration chamber in my lab, but we have to hurry. His life force is very weak".
Yosho picked up Tenchi and they all proceeded through the portal. In the lab Little Washu had Yosho put Tenchi in the chamber which then filled with a nutrient and healing solution.
"Will he be all right"? asked Sasami.
"I think so", replied Little Washu, "but he will be in here for a while. We need to keep this quiet for while untill he is better though. I don't need people bothering me while I work and he doesn't need the aggravation. I'll stay in my lab and you, Sasami, can bring my meals down here".
"I think that will be best for now". said Yosho. "I am going back to the shrine now. I trust you'll keep me posted won't you Washu"?
"Yes, I'll let you know when anything happens". she replied as Yosho left.
Little Washu typed a few more commands on her laptop and the area around Tenchi was walled off, a bed materialized and then the lights dimmed.
"If you want to Sasami you can sleep here until he is better". Washu said giving Sasami a knowing look.
"Oh Thank you Little Washu. I really appreciate what you are doing for Tenchi". Sasami said with a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"It's not just for Tenchi, it's for you as well". Little Washu replied.
"What do you mean Little Washu"? she asked.
"Sit down Sasami, I need to talk to you. How do you feel about Ryoko"? Little Washu asked.
"I love her like a sister, why"? asked Sasami with a puzzled expression.
"Well this will take a little time to explain. Would you like to wait till tommorrow or talk tonight"? asked Little Washu.
"Tonight will be fine. I'm to excited to sleep right now". said Sasami.
"OK let's start with Tenchi. He has to choose one of you girls, but which one? Let's start with Ayeka. She is a nice girl, but she is arrogant and concieted. If Tenchi married her she would walk all over him. I also think she would be her fathers mouthpiece. You see Tenchi will take the throne, even if he doesn't realize it yet. Now for Ryoko. She loves Tenchi very much, but Jurai will never accept her as a crown princess, or at least Azuza won't. She would do anything for Tenchi, but she is too impulsive. The ruler of an empire can not have that in a wife, and Tenchi is just too nice to effectively rule with her as a queen. Now let's go to Mihoshi".
"Mihoshi"??!! Sasami asked in a very suprised voice.
"Oh yes. Never forget Mihoshi. She has a way of turning up when you least expect her to, and she is also in love with Tenchi. If not for her clumsiness I think Tenchi might have picked her, But I think he loves too much like a sister now. That leaves you".
"ME, you have got to be kidding. I am to young Little Washu". said Sasami with a sad look on her face.
"Do you love him though"? Little Washu asked with a kindness seldom seen coming from her.
"Yes very much. He is everything I could want. Kind, caring, considerate, and cute too". she giggled.
"Let me ask you, how old was Ayeka when she was betrothed to Yosho"? asked Little Washu.
"It was before I was born, so I guess about five maybe. Sasami replied with a questioning look.
"Let me explain something to you. The reason Tenchi hasn't picked one of you yet is because he doesn't want to hurt the others. I also know he is very much in love with Ryoko, but he just doesn't realize it yet. Don't ask how I found out, let's just say his brainwaves turned up some very interesting data for analysis, anyway I think he will marry my daughter, and that is what I want, for her to be happy. If he should choose Ayeka it will completely crush Ryoko. After being under Kagato's control for so long and never having been loved, then sealed away in the cave for seven hundred years, Tenchi is her life line. Notice how she has been changing these past two years. She's been helping out more, she plays with you, and she doesn't fight with Ayeka as much as she used to and that is just playful fighting at that with no intention of killing or hurting her like she used to. She is changing into a better and more caring person thanks to the influence of all of you. Take that away and I don't know what she will do, but it won't be good.
Now if Tenchi chooses Ryoko, Ayeka will be hurt but she has people who love her very much and she will not be driven to the extremes that Ryoko would, because she grew up with love and happiness. Now I want my daughter to be happy, so I am working to get Tenchi and her together. But there is that royalty thing getting in the way again. Azuza will not accept Tenchi and Ryoko's marriage. Even though Tenchi is of royal blood if he marries Ryoko, Azuza will do everything in his power to break it up. Now when Tenchi becomes the Emporer he will have certain obligations, now won't he"? Little Washu explained with a devilish smile.
"Oooohhh, I see now", said Sasami with a look of understanding dawning on her face, "your talking about the second wife aren't you"?
"That's riiigghht", Little Washu sing-songed, "now I know how devious you can be and don't try to deny it. You're as sneaky as my daughter and as coniving as you're sister, you are just much better at it than they are. As the second wife of Tenchi, it will be your job to make sure that the first wife is kept in line and to make all of you look good to your subjects. Ayeka could not be his second wife because of the competion between her and Ryoko. Also by going this route we effectively silence any of your fathers objections to this marriage, at least publicly, privately he will still try to end the union. But I think you can handle your father with both your mother and aunt to help you out. So will you help me to put my plan in action"?
"YESSS, of course I will"!! replied an excited Sasami. "But are you sure it will work"?
"Of course it will after all when you comine the talents of the Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe with the cutest and most devious person in the universe how can we fail". Little Washu gloated.
"So when should we tell Ryoko"? asked Sasami.
"After you're married to Tenchi of course. She would never let me live it down if she knew I was helping her to get him". replied Little Washu. "We start tommorrow. Now why don't you go to sleep and remember not a word to anyone".
"OK, good night Little Washu". came her sleepy reply.
"Good night Sasami". Little Washu responded with a motherly tone.
Sasami lay down on the bed next to Tenchi's life support unit and watched him until sleep finally overtook her. "Good night Tenchi". she whispered dreamily. Had she been more awake she would have seen the figure in the tank smile a small smile and mouth back the words "Good night Sasami".