Chapter Nine: No Need for Subterfuge
Washu left the dinner table, went into the kitchen, where she had last seen Ceal and was struct dumb by the sight in front of her. There was the man who - just a few short hours ago - had attempted to take her from her friends and family, challenged Ryoko, Ayeka and Tenchi at the same time and come close to winning, and whose idea of honor made him give them a chance to stop him. Ceal chose to risk his life in one last attempt to be destroyed with his honor intact. There he was with his sleeves rolled, up to his elbows in dish water, washing the dishes along with a princess of Jurai. Washu shook her head in amazement as she watched and listened as Sasami told Ceal the story of how she and Ayeka had met Tenchi.
"Excuse me, Ceal, but I would like to run a few more tests...If I may." Washu did not want it to sound like an order; perhaps if she made it a request, Cael would show a small amount of defiance - just a little. His compliance to her was a bit unnerving. Washu could see he had a stubborn side: prideful, never willing to give in to anyone...except for her.
"Lady Washu, if these 'tests' - " Ceal pronounced the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth " - could wait, I have told Princess Sasami that I would help her with the dinah..." Ceal shook his head, dissatisfied. "...no, the dinner dishes."
Ceal glanced at Sasami, an expectant look on his face.
"That's the right word, Ceal." Sasami smiled at Ceal, then looked at Washu.
"Oh, all right. But when you're done, I need to see you. Understand?"
"Yes, Lady Washu. I will be there."
Washu turned and started towards her laboratory. Maybe Ceal has noticed Sasami too, she thought. Ceal had delayed her plans, but only because he had promised to help. If I can find a way to use that honor to counter the belief that he owes me life, limb and soul. Washu remembered that had been the pledge made by Ceal and his people, more than eight thousand years past. She recalled that they had been polite and had done their best for her and her team during the crisis. They had mourned for those who had lost their lives. Washu also had learned that his people were loyal and helpful to herself and her teammates, even at great cost to themselves. She could accept a certain amount of gratitude: a statue or two, perhaps. After all, she was the 'Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe'. This hero worship could get addictive.
Ceal and Sasami stepped out of the kitchen. "Lady Washu? I am ready to assist you in these tests of yours."
"Ceal?" Sasami took Ceal's hand in hers.
He looked down at Sasami and smiled. "Tommorrow, you must finish your story of how you met the Lady Washu. Now, let us begin."
He moves like a condemned man, Washu thought. "Ceal, tell me - do you have any friends?"
He stared at Washu, a quizzical look on his face. "Do you mean allies?"
"No, I mean friends, like Tenchi and the rest of us."
Ceal looked down for a moment, then met her gaze. The fire and determination that Washu had seen back in the woods had returned. "No, Lady Washu. I have lived most of my life separated from others."
"Why is that?"
Cael touched the jagged scar on his face in response.
"That scar can't be the only reason."
"Lady Washu..." Ceal paused, and seemed on the verge of making a revelation. "No. My scar is not the reason for my being alone." There was sadness to his voice then.
Kamidake was the current guard stationed by Washu's lab as Tenchi waited for them. Washu reached into her pocket. She hated to do this, but she needed answers and she didn't think that Ceal was going to let her do most of them...at least, not willingly, duty to her or not. Still, it might be interesting to see how many tests Ceal would allow before she had to use the device. But she wouldn't use it until Tenchi left.
"Miss Washu." Mihoshi walked down the hall. "Oh, Miss Washu, could I talk to you for a minute please?"
"Can't this wait for a little while, Mihoshi? I'm about to begin some work in my lab."
"Oh no...it's very important."
"Well, all right. Tenchi and Ceal, why don't you both go down and wait for me."
"You know, Washu, if you're going to be busy with Mihoshi, we can postpone the tests until tomorrow." Tenchi gave a nervous smile.
"This won't take too long. You two go ahead. Kamidake, don't let them leave until I return."
"Of course, Lady Washu."
Tenchi and Ceal passed through the dimensional barrier that led to Washu's lab. Washu turned to Mihoshi.
"What's all this about, hmm?"
"I'm so very sorry, Miss Washu. Please forgive me." Tears streamed down Mihoshi's face.
"What's wrong," Washu asked, and was shocked to see Mihoshi's face twist.
"Nothing, now." Mihoshi's voice sounded different, wrong. She jabbed a needle into Washu's arm before Washu could cry out. Washu slumped to the floor, paralyzed. "Now then, Washu, let us leave. We don't want to keep Lady Tokimi waiting, do we? Togami Plan Three - Execute now."
Mihoshi picked up Washu's prone body and disappeared in a bright yellow flash as Ayeka and Sasami entered the hallway. They ran to Kamidake.
"Kamidake, what happened?"
"The Lady Washu was escorting Lord Tenchi and Ceal own to her lab, then Lady Mihoshi insisted she needed to speak with her. So Lady Washu sent Lord Tenchi and Ceal down and ordered me not to let them leave."
"I order you to release Lord Tenchi this very minute!"
"Yes, Princess Ayeka."
"What about Ceal," Sasami asked.
"Release him too." Ayeka entered the lab. Tenchi stood by an exhibit of strange creatures that appeared to be a cross between a crab and a worm.
"Lord Tenchi, where is Ceal?"
"I am here, Princess Ayeka." Ceal crouched in the shadows like a predator.
"Must you do that?"
"No, but..."
"Ceal, please! Lady Washu has been abducted."
Ceal leapt up. How could Ayeka have forgotten how far he had jumped in the forest from a crouched position?
"Who had taken Lady Washu?" Anger in Ceal's voice.
"It was Mihoshi. Well, it looked like her," Sasami entered the lab.
"That doesn't make any sense," Tenchi said.
"It might. When you returned from your search, didn't you mention that Mihoshi was ill or injured from a fall?" Ceal said.
"Yes, but how did you...never mind. What of it?"
"If what I believe is true, then Lady Washu and detective Mihoshi are in the gravest of dangerous."
"How could this day get worse?" Ayeka asked.
"Mihoshi could be dead and Washu will be taken to Lady Tokimi. Princess Ayeka, have you heard of the Leeches of Life?"
"Yes, but they're a myth, something told to children to keep them in line."
"That's true now, but they existed and still do. Your Mihoshi is now a host to one. It will drain her life force until she is an empty, lifeless husk. And if the legends are correct, they are almost indestructible. They have a few weaknesses, but most physical attacks are completely useless. Yet, there may be a way one of my abilities can affect them, but we must hurry. The creature will leave as quickly as it is able. Lord Tenchi, I will need your and Ryoko's help. With Ryoko's powers of flight and her ability to teleport, we may be able to get to the transport in time. Where is Ryoko now?"
"Ryoko was sitting on the front step the last time I saw her," Sasami said.
Tenchi and Ceal raced outside, to find Ryoko sound asleep. Ceal knelt beside her.
"Ryoko." Ceal shook her. "Ryoko, you must wake up."
One of Ryoko's eyes opened a crack. "Oh, it's just you, Ceal. Whuchya want, hmm? More sssssake?" She giggled.
"Tenchi," Sasami came up beside Tenchi. "Mihoshi poured the sake into the flasks while everyone else was eating!"
Tenchi picked up one of the flasks by Ryoko's head and examined it. "Do you think the sake was drugged, Ceal?"
"It's possible, but I don't know how sake usually affects Ryoko."
"Hey Ceal," Ryoko slurred. "Ya really kicked my tail today, didn'cha?"
Ceal looked embarrassed, but he replied. "Yes. Yes I did."
"Well, les' drink to ya kickin' my butt." Ryoko looked around. "Hey Tenchi, give me that flask back,o k?"
Cael grabbed Ryoko's wrist. She tried to pull away, but Ceal held fast. "The first time we met, Ryoko, you won. Remember?"
"Well then, les' drink to kickin' each others tails." She tried to grab the flask from Tenchi.
"Later, Ryoko," Ceal said.
"Whadya mean lahter?" Ryoko eyed Ceal with suspicious.
"Tenchi and I need your help now to find Washu. I'll drink with you later about our mutual butt-kicking capabilities. All right?"
"Nah...it's a tie. Tha's no good. I want a third round. Shay yesh an' I'll help ya."
"Agreed." Ceal released her wrist.
"So watch you want me to do?"
"I need you to fly out about eight clicks; make a circle and see if you can find a spaceship. I'll try to sense the Life Leech from here."
Ryoko stood up, unsteady on her feet. "Ryo-oh-ki! How 'bout you an' me finding little old Washu for Ceal, huh?"
Ryo-oh-ki, who had been in the garden, came out. She leapt into the air and transformed into Space Battleship mode. Ryoko entered the ship, followed by Sasami.
"Tenchi, I should go with Ryoko," Sasami said
"Alright. You might be able to help in the search." Ryoko reached down to her. "Welcome aboard, Sasami. Dear old mom is waiting to get rescued...again."
Tenchi and Ceal could hear Ryoko's laughter coming from inside the ship as it started moving before the door sealed shut.
Ayeka emerged from the house. She was dressed in Juraian battle clothes. "Here, Tenchi. Take this." She gave Tenchi the Master Key.
"Ceal...Er, I found these down in Washu's lab. I thought you could use it now." She held out Ceal's power whip to him.
"Thank you, Princess Ayeka." Ceal twisted the base of the handle and extracted a small two-way radio and spoke into it. "Ryoko, can you hear me?"
Static answered him. Tenchi took the radio and tried.
"Ryoko, if you can her me, speak up. Come on..."
"Hey Tenchi, whatcha doing?" Ryoko's voice came over the radio.
"Ryoko, has Ryo-oh-ki found any signs of either a ship or Washu?"
"Not yet, but when I get my hands on the scum who drugged me -"
"Sounds like your head is clearing up."
"I guess so. Hey Tenchi, Ryo-oh-ki's picked up something about sixty kilometers from the house. Should we return and pick you up?"
Ceal shook his head. "She should stay there and keep an eye on that ship."
"Did you hear that," Tenchi asked.
"Yes, but how are you going to get over here?"
Ceal smiled. He showed Tenchi the whip, twisted the handle, and a small stud appeared. He pressed it, and a new voice came over the frequency.
"Ceal. I've been waiting and waiting! Are you all right?"
"Yes. I need you to pick me and two others up."
"You got it!"
"Who was that?" Ayeka asked.
"That was my ship, the Night Bird."
"A talking ship?"
"Yes. It's not like one of your Juraian tree ships, or Ryo-oh-ki, but it meets my needs, and it's mine...for a short time, at least." A shooting star appeared overhead, heading toward them. "There it is now."
While Ceal summoned his ship, Ryo-oh-ki circled the ship she had found hidden deep in the woods, and Ryoko waited with Sasami.
"I hope Tenchi and the others get here soon."
"Me too, Sasami. Ryo-oh-ki, I want you to hover right above that ship. Don't give them any room to maneuver."
"Mreow." Ryo-oh-ki dropped sown until she hovered less than 50 centimeters over the ship.
"Ryoko, what is that?"
Ryoko turned her attention to the monitor Sasami was watched. She saw a fast moving object coming straight at them. Then Tenchi's face appeared over the communications system.
"Tenchi is that you coming at us?"
"It sure is," Tenchi smiled.
"Hurry up and get your butt over here."
Ceal's voice came over the system. "On our way."
Ryo-oh-ki suddenly shuddered, and Sasami gasped. "The ship is trying to move."
Ryoko checked her monitors. Indeed, the other ship was trying to rise into the air and push Ryo-oh-ki out of the way. Ryoko concentrated on the controls. "Come on, Ryo-oh-ki, don't let that piece of garbage shove you around." In response to Ryoko's encouragement, Ryo-oh-ki pushed back.
Inside the Togami, Washu was coming around enough to blink. Mihoshi was busy at the controls and cursed at Ryoko for interfering with her prize. She pushed a button on the communications board.
"Move aside, Ryoko. I've no grudge against you or any of the others, but Washu is coming with me. Besides, you don't want to start a fight. After all, little Washu could get hurt during the confusion. And, what about poor Mihoshi? You'll have to hurt her to stop me. Even if you do, I'll simply find another host." She picked up a knife and cut the bak Mihoshi's hand. Blood dripped from the wound. "Now, I don't feel a thing...but let's see how Miss Mihoshi feels about it?"
Mihoshi's eyes glazed over for a moment, then she let out a blood curdling scream. She grabbed her wrist. "Ahh - Ryoko, you've got to help me. Please." Mihoshi burst into tears.
Sasami appeared on the video screen. "Mihoshi, we're here to help you. Land the ship and open the airlocks. We'll come in, we'll help..."
Mihoshi's eyes glazed again. "Oh, I don't think so, Sasami. If you don't move your ship then poor little Mihoshi will just go all to pieces." She slashed the back of Mihoshi's hand a second time, forming a red X. The Mihoshi's creature giggled. "Oooh, I bet the hurts. You have one minute to move, or I'll send you her entire hand. Ta ta!"
The video on Ryoko's screen went black.
"Ryoko, I'm scared. What will happen to Mihoshi?"
Ryoko fumed. "Damn that thing! Ryo-oh-ki, move out of the ship's path."
Ryo-oh-ki mewed once, a sad sound, and moved out of the way. The ship under her belly started to rise even before Ryo-oh-ki had completely cleared out, clipping her. The Night Bird tried to block the Togami's escape. Ryo-oh-ki slammed into the Night Bird and forced it to veer away. Ceal appeared on Ryoko's video screen.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"I'm trying to save Washu and Mihoshi, Ceal!"
"By letting them escape?" The screens of both ships split, each showing Mihoshi and the occupants of the other ship.
"Thank you so much, Ryoko, for helping me out."
"Stop that," Sasami yelled. "You're not the real Mihoshi, so stop pretending to be her."
"Poor Sasami. This really does bother you, doesn't it? But you know that I don't care. As for you, Ceal, when I return to Lady Tokimi and report on your failure and disloyalty, I am sure that I'll be sent back to fetch you and bring you back for just punishment."
"Release detective Mihoshi and use me as your host. That way, you will already have Washu and myself as prisoners. Perhaps Lady Tokimi will let you keep me as well."
"Ooohhh." Mihoshi's eyebrows raised. "That does sound tempting, but it just wouldn't work, Ceal. Besides, I wouldn't trust you to keep your word and I don't think I could control you half as well as Mihoshi. I've listened for over one hundred years about you and Lady Washu. Lady Washu did this and Lady Washu did that. Well, I'm sick of hearing about her. Why would I want to know your thoughts once we joined? Tell you what; I'll sent you a little souvenir before I leave, something to keep close to your heart until I return to rip it out in front of your cold, dead eye...oops! I mean eyes."
The creature traced a line that followed the scar on Ceal's face down the left side of Mihoshi's face. "But of course Lady Tokimi may demand some other part of your anatomy."
The screen went dead.
