IT'S THE NAVEL LIFE FOR ME... Part two...

Author: Daferge

The characters in this story and the events of all the Tenchi Muyo shows are property of AIC and Pioneer. I have neither created them, nor do I own them.

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chapter - 07...

( Mid-day - Day Nine - North Atlantic )

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Tenchi stood, his forehead pressed against the cold, hard steel of the ship's bulkhead...

It was the closest he'd ever come to banging his head against a wall...

" Why me?... Why me?... "

Ayeka was looking from Tenchi to Washu to Ryoko and back to Tenchi... For once not at all sure what to do...

Washu was standing there, just studying every ones reactions...

While Ryoko was at the other bulkhead, actually banging her head on it... Washu could hear her mumbling something, but couldn't quite make it out...

However, knowing Ryoko... It probably wasn't any thing we could print here...

( She is a U.S. Marine, remember... )

It may have have just been her imagination, but Washu thought she noticed a dent where Ryoko's head was contacting the bulkhead...

She always was hard headed...

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All though Washu enjoyed studying peoples reactions to unusual situations, she wasn't at all happy where this situation was going... OR about who was becoming involved...

Ayeka had noticed the look in Washu's eyes change... If it were possible, she say they were beginning to glow...

She tried to get Washu's attention, but nothing worked... Washu... Miss Washu... Professor Washu... Nothing... Then she remembered something her father had told her...

" Little Washu?... "

This got a reaction... From every one...

Tenchi and Ryoko, as well as Washu was staring at her...

EVERY one knew Washu had a thing about her height... Back in their school days, Ayeka's father had pulled the 12 year old Washu off two six foot teenage males...

If you wanted to reach Old-age, there were some things you didn't mention...

Washu stared at Ayeka... But Ayeka had had enough, she stared back...

After a while, a smile formed on Washu's face and then she giggled...

Sighing, she turned to a relieved Tenchi and Ryoko...

" OK... What's next?... "

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Tenchi had led every one up to the bridge...

They now stood there the moist wind from the brewing storm felt good...

They watched as Tenchi leaned back against the bridge bulkhead, pulling down the brim of his cap...

" O.K... Who is Tokimi?... "

He didn't look up...

Ayeka watched Washu and Ryoko look at each others...

Washu sighed and looked at Ayeka... There was a sad smile on her face...

" The only Tokimi I know is Tokimi Hakubi, my younger sister... "

She looked at Ayeka and Ryoko... Tenchi didn't move, he just listened...

" I can't see how she could be involved... She lives on a commune... "

Ryoko stared at Washu...

" Commune?... We are talking about Auntie Tomy?... "

Washu looked at Ryoko and sighed...

" Yes... Auntie Tomy... "

Ryoko's eyes were wide...

" She's... She's a... "

Washu had a wicked smile...

" A hippie... "

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She turned to see Ayeka's eyes were wide too...

It was Ryoko who spoke first...

" But... Whenever she came to visit, you guys spent the night out bar-hopping... "

Washu just looked at her... SO?...

It was Ayeka who spoke...

" Bar-hopping?... "

Washu gave Ayeka a sad smile...

" What?... You've never let your hair down?... "

Ayeka blushed...

" Now Washu!... "

Tenchi spoke, but didn't move... He did smile...

" What else?... "

Washu smiled...

" Tokimi has a small, all female commune in the mountains outside San Diego... "

Neither Ayeka or Ryoko made a comment...

" Except for every once and a while visit, she spends her time COMMUNING with nature... Don't ask me what that means, it's one of the few things I've never understood... "

All three looked at Tenchi...

" What can Kagato's connection be?... "

Ryoko was about to say something, when Washu shook her head... It hadn't been a question... She waited a while...

" Tokimi may a hippie, but get her mad and she's all HAKUBI... "

This brought a smile to Ryoko's face...

Washu saw Tenchi smile too...

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No one talked... They just stood there watching the growing storm...

" Bridge?... "

Ayeka got to the bridge intercom first...

" Bridge here... "

" Engine room... Repairs done... Minor repairs will continue, but the engines should be back on line... "

Ayeka looked at Tenchi... He nodded his head...

" Ahead dead slow... "

" Aye... Ahead dead slow... "

Soon the welcome vibrations of the engines could be felt...

" Ayeka!... Take the helm and plot a course out of the area... "

" Aye, Sir... "

She quickly went inside and took the wheel...

" Ryoko, Washu please check on our guest and see if you can learn any thing else... "

Ryoko left, but Washu remained... Tenchi remained against the bulkhead...

"Yes?... "

Washu smiled...

" I thought I'd contact Tokimi and see if I can learn any thing... "

Tenchi pushed his cap up and looked at Washu...

" I thought you said she lived on a commune?... "

Washu smiled and shook her head...

" I said she was a hippie, not a caveman... "

Tenchi smiled and nodded his head... As Washu left, he pulled his cap back down and leaned back against the bulkhead again... Last thing Ayeka and the others needed was him getting underfoot...

SIGH...

to be continued...

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