Chapter Ten

"Ryoko, when you said we were going to take a break, I didn't think you meant this kind of break."

Tenchi gazed up at the glowing neon signs that surrounded them, a doubtful look on his face as he observed the flickering letters and sparking wiring that occasionally sent bright shards of light into the black atmosphere. All around them, crafts of all shapes and sizes – most showing battle scars of some kind or another – were hauled in close to the walkways, while roughly dressed men and well-armoured women jostled to get through the doors before one another.

Ryoko snorted, nudging him on the arm.

"You're not going to wimp out on me, are you?" She asked speculatively. "Tenchi, you've been here before. And it's not like Haki will be waiting in the shadows this time. You're in no danger, trust me – the last time I came here I put straight anyone who thought they were going to mess with the Space Pirate Ryoko."

"Yes, but…" Tenchi sighed, shaking his head. "All right. I suppose so. Just…it doesn't seem like a good time to come drinking. I thought you were worried about Washu, that's all. And it's barely past midday, Earth time."

"We're not in an Earth time zone now, and I wasn't thinking of coming here for that reason." Ryoko shook her head impatiently, grabbing him by the arm and phasing them both through the pushing crowds of people into the main saloon of the bar itself. "Jiro is the kind of man who picks up information, and his clientele travel all over the known universe. Some of them even stray into unchartered territory from time to time. We're having no luck tracking down Washu or this planet that Ryo Ohki remembers them being on. Maybe he's heard something that can be of help to us. You never know."

She frowned, reaching up absently to pat the tired cabbit who was curled up against her neck.

"And Ryo Ohki's exhausted." She added. "She did just fly all the way out here and back. She needs a rest too, you know. This seems as good a place as any to stop, being that we're in the vicinity."

"I see." Tenchi nodded his head. "So you want to question Jiro, then? That does make sense."

"Thank you." Ryoko said acerbically. "I might be a pretty face, Tenchi-kun, but there's more to me than that. Give me some credit for knowing the universe, will you – and pipe down?"

"All right, all right. I'll follow your lead." Tenchi held up his hands in mock surrender. "I just don't feel very safe in this place. That's all. It's full of people who might kill you as soon as look at you – and that isn't really the kind of place I like to spend my free time."

"Noone will kill you." Ryoko dismissed this with a flick of her fingers. "Firstly, you're with me, and there are still a lot of people who are scared of me. Second, you have Tsunami's magic – or had you forgotten that little factor? And third, Jiro wouldn't stand for it. He doesn't much like killing in his bar – bad for business, you know. Haki might break those rules, but for most people – fighting is as far as it gets. We're fine. So stop worrying. All right?"

"You're really not doing much to comfort me, but all right." Tenchi muttered, trailing her up to the bar as his enigmatic fiancée dropped down onto an empty stool. She gestured for him to follow suit and he did so, even as she raised her hand, uttering a shrill call to alert the bartender's attention.

"Ryoko!" Jiro's eyes became wide with surprise and pleasure. "And I didn't think we'd get another visit from you so close to the last one. I thought you were avoiding this sector of space unless you had to come here."

"Well, it's not a case of avoidance." Ryoko shook her head. "But I'm sure it doesn't do you any favours, if I'm constantly dropping by. Now that I'm no longer a pirate, and all that."

"For you I always make an exception." Jiro said firmly, his hand hovering over the glasses as he eyed her questioningly. "I'm sure that you know it's all over the universe that Haki was destroyed by Jurai's Goddess. Since you have some connections with Jurai these days – can we put that act of blood-vengeance at your door?"

"I don't think Tsunami was thinking of me when she did it." Ryoko said honestly, gesturing to indicate that they weren't there to drink. "But I do know that there's been no sign of any debris or anything from Karasu since. We don't know if they will regenerate again, not for certain. But it doesn't seem like there's anything left of either of them to do it."

"That's good news, and for more than just myself." Jiro said frankly. "And the little girl? I trust you managed to get her home safely?"

"Little girl?" Tenchi looked startled, then, "Misao, you mean?"

"Misao is fine. She's back where she belongs and all of Yousai are pretty happy about it." Ryoko confirmed. "Though next time you have a lost waif and stray, Jiro, remind me to say no when you ask me to play babysitter. She was definitely more trouble than she was worth."

"Your friend has been here before." Jiro cast Tenchi a slight smile. "But it's been some time, and I don't remember a name."

"This is Tenchi Masaki Jurai." Ryoko's eyes twinkled with mischief as she innocently added the royal appendage to her fiance's name. "And I'm afraid we're not here to drink or socialise, nice as that would be. A friend of ours has disappeared, and I was hoping you might know something that would help."

"Masaki…Jurai?" Jiro paled slightly, staring at the Prince as if with new eyes, and Tenchi hastened to reassure him.

"Really, it's not what you think." He said hurriedly, casting his fiancée a dark look as he did so. "Ryoko likes to tease, that's all. I am a descendant of Jurai, just like she is. But I don't live there and I never have. This isn't an official Juraian investigation, and I'm not here to cause you any trouble. We've come from the Earth, Jiro-san. And if you can help us, we'd be grateful."

"Do you think pirates took your friend, then?" Jiro looked doubtful. "If so, I'm no help to you. I've heard nothing – and pirates do like to brag when they've pulled off a coup."

"We don't honestly know, but I don't think so." Ryoko sighed, resting her chin in her hands. "She was visiting Airai, and she disappeared on her way back. Ryo Ohki was flying with her, and they landed on some planet…but Ryo Ohki can't find it again. It's like it vanished. Whoever lives there seems to have been instrumental in Washu's disappearance – but so far we haven't managed to retrace my ship's steps completely."

"Foxed Ryo Ohki?" Jiro looked startled, glancing at the cabbit, who flicked her ears mournfully in agreement. "That's unusual."

"Yes. It is." Ryoko grimaced. "But she has no recollection in her memory-bank of what this planet looked like from space. In fact, it's as if she didn't see the place until she set down through the atmosphere. Washu guided her down – but Ryo Ohki isn't sure of what she saw at all. If anything."

"A planet that doesn't exist, but does?" Jiro raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like your ship's been indulging in the sake."

"It sounds crazy, but it's true, Jiro-san." Tenchi said earnestly, as Ryo Ohki let out a little hiss of indignation at the barman's implication. "We wondered if you knew anything about a planet like that – or if anyone had ever mentioned it to you in passing."

"A ghost planet, huh?" Jiro rubbed his chin. "Off the top of my head, I'm not sure. I mean, there are always stories – superstitions, all that. But I imagine you want something more concrete."

"At the moment, we'll take whatever you have." Ryoko said frankly. "Because right now, we're completely stuck for options."

"The friend in question is more than a friend." Tenchi added quietly. "She's Ryoko's mother, and we think she's in some danger."

"Ryoko's mother?" Shock flitted across Jiro's expression, and Ryoko gave Tenchi a hefty nudge.

"We just want to know what you know." She said briskly. "Never mind who she is or isn't. Just anything you can tell us – that will be fine."

"I didn't realise Ryoko had a mother." Jiro looked non-plussed, and Ryoko sighed, sending Tenchi a long-suffering glance.

"Pirates don't have family, Tenchi." She said quietly, and Tenchi looked sheepish at the reproach in her tones. "Remember that for next time, all right? If you have family, you have a weakness. And an enemy can exploit that weakness. In a place like this – learn to guard your tongue, okay?"

"You needn't worry. There are some clients whose secrets aren't for sale…not at any price." Jiro assured her. "But I had no idea the issue was that delicate. In which case, I will tell you the stories that I've heard. Nothing conclusive, mind. It could all be the talk of drunken, drugged pirate raiders who are rather given to superstition on the whole, anyway."

"Not all pirate superstitions are as nonsensical as they first seem to be." Ryoko said with a shrug. "So let's hear it. There might be something in it."

"There has been some talk about a planet which can only be seen on certain nights." Jiro said thoughtfully. "At least, I'm not sure that anyone really noticed it before. And even now, it's impossible to predict how and when it can be seen. All I know is that sometimes pirate raiders take wrong turns returning to this place because an extra planet seems to confuse their computer scanners. I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone who's seen this planet, mind you. Just that from time to time it flits up on the computer radar, making it look like there are thirteen planets in that solar system instead of twelve. The stories are that it's a ghost planet – and those stories have got stronger since that dead rock in the neighbouring sector blew itself to smithereens. I forget the name of the place – but it was supposed to be possessed by some demon, if you believe the drunken babble I have to listen to from time to time. I think the general pirate belief is that the soul of that planet haunts space – and that's where the invisible world story comes from."

"A ghost planet?" Tenchi's eyes narrowed. "Do you mean…Kihaku?"

"That's the one." Jiro nodded. "The world that blew up. Hit by a rocket or a meteor or some such thing – noone really knows. But there are a lot of legends about that place. Still, the story is contradictory in places, so I'm not sure how accurate it is. See, there have been records of this ghost-world showing up on pirate scanners before this Kihaku was obliterated. It's only more recently that I've heard people blame the phenomenon on that place – but the truth is, people were talking about it long before Kihaku exploded."

"But the pirates in this sector have changed – you've said as much yourself the last time I was here." Ryoko said pensively. "The Balta are gone, Shank was taken by Nagi, which means the Daluma are probably scattered, too. There are many unfamiliar faces these days – maybe they wouldn't know that the mystery is a lot older than just the past year or so since Kihaku was blown up."

"Yes." Jiro confirmed.

"Do we believe in ghost planets, Ryoko?" Tenchi looked doubtful. Ryoko frowned, shaking her head.

"No, we don't." She said firmly. "Wherever Ryo Ohki set down, it was on terra firma. This planet exists, it's just hidden for some reason. Which means we have to find it. And if other pirate scanners have picked it up, then Ryo Ohki must be able to find it, too. Surely?"

"Unless it's what Jiro-san said." Tenchi frowned. "That it only appears on occasion. That whatever cloaks it from the outside universe gets weakened from time to time…or something happens by which its presence grows stronger."

"I once heard a rumour that a planet's atmosphere grows more potent the moment someone dies." Jiro said off-handedly. "Although it sounds like nonsense to me. How a single person can alter the life force of a planet is beyond my understanding."

"But we've seen Tsunami's influence have a huge impact on Jurai's life force, haven't we?" Tenchi realised. "I wonder if that is it. I wonder if this planet only becomes visible when someone dies?"

"Or is intentionally killed." Ryoko said grimly. "Because if we're talking about a whole world, Tenchi, surely people die more often than once in a while. This must be something more significant - if it is death related, it must be a specific type of death. The pictures Ryo Ohki gave me of this place were of some savage paradise. I wonder, if this does only happen from time to time...maybe we're dealing with ritual sacrifice of some sort. In which case, Washu is in more trouble than we thought."

"That's a leap and a jump from logic, surely?" Jiro looked startled. Ryoko shook her head.

"Not if you'd encountered some of the things we have in recent years." She said darkly. "And if the planet only does become visible on any level when someone dies – or is sacrificed – then we might not see where we're going until it's too late and Washu is already…"

She faltered, and Tenchi saw a flicker of genuine emotion in his companion's eye. He shook his head, resting his hand gently on hers as he did so.

"We're going to find the planet before that." He said firmly. "So let's go and resume our search, okay? You should look at it another way – if Jiro-san's theory is right, then Washu must still be alive. The planet hasn't become visible, so if he's right, noone has died yet."

"I suppose so." Ryoko sighed. She nodded, getting to her feet and fumbling in her pocket for a handful of space coin as she did so. She set it down on the bar, casting Jiro a faint smile.

"I know we didn't drink here today, but you deserve this anyhow." She said flippantly. "I don't know when the next time will be I'll see you, so take care and don't let these rookie pirates push you people around. Okay?"

"Count on it, Ryoko." Jiro grinned. "And good luck with your quest. I hope…"

He faltered, then lowered his voice.

"I hope you find your mother." He said softly. "But I'm sure, if anyone can, it's you."

"Well, I guess we're going to find out." Ryoko said frankly. "Okay, Tenchi. We're done here. Let's go see what we can find."

-------------------

"So where exactly are you taking me, Tadashi?"

Washu slipped along the dark, narrow passageways behind her guide, struggling to keep up with his darting about as they went deeper and deeper into the centre of the planet. "I don't mean to sound rude, but we've been going a long time, and I've completely lost any bearings I might have had. Is that part of the plan, so I don't remember where you've taken me? Or is it supposed to be this convoluted?"

"These tracks and pathways were made by ancestors of mine. Well, of my people." Tadashi said simply, not hesitating for one moment in his progress as he answered her question. "Beneath the earth here, there are several shrines and funerary temples. When we first began living on this world, the people were very divided. Each had a different way to bury their dead. Some preferred to give themselves to flame, some to the water. Others wanted to be interred close to the heart of the planet, in the hope that they might generate the World's protection. Over time, things have merged together. Most people know their tribal origins, and respect them. But in a lot of ways we're just one people now."

"One people under the Priestess, Yuzuha." Washu said softly. Tadashi faltered, stopping in his tracks, and Washu had to act quickly so as to not run into him.

"Hey." She complained. "Are we moving forwards or aren't we?"

"I'm sorry." Tadashi looked apologetic, turning to cast her a smile. "Yes, it's true. One people under Yuzuha-sama's regime."

"I get the feeling it's not a happy place to be."

"Commenting on that might cost me my life."

"So might sheltering me, but you are helping me anyway." Washu leant up against the tunnel wall, folding her arms across her chest as she regarded him thoughtfully. "We're well away from your chamber now, Tadashi. Surely noone can hear us this far underground."

"No, I suppose not." Tadashi frowned, absently slipping his hand beneath his uniform as he retrieved his glittering blue-black pendant, rolling it between his fingers. "I'm just not sure what else to say about it. Especially not to you, when I don't know who you are or why you even came here."

"Well, I can tell you that much. It's not a big story." Washu said comfortably. "I was on my way home from a planet called Airai. A friend of mine lives there, and it was my first time visiting. I saw this world and it intrigued me. It reminded me of something I saw, a long time ago. So I decided to land here. When I did so, I was taken prisoner by people wearing the same thing you're wearing now. And that's as far as it goes, Tadashi. I'm not a spy nor an enemy. I simply am a traveller caught up in your planet's problems."

"Then how is it you speak our tongue?" Tadashi demanded. "Yuzuha was very specific about that. That our language was foreign to all worlds outside our boundaries. That she had been to many places, but that our World was dead, and so was our mother-tongue. The only way we could preserve who we were would be to stay here, under her protection. We have been invaded in the past. She claimed she could prevent it from ever happening again."

"But isn't what she's done, then, an invasion of sorts?"

"An invasion into men's souls and minds, yes." Tadashi sighed. "But we mustn't talk about that here."

"Then what can we talk about?" Washu questioned. "She said you were Kii – but Kihaku is a dead planet. Was she lying to me? You speak the language of the Kii, but…I don't understand how you can be from Kihaku."

"I was born on this world, as were my parents, my grandparents and many before that." Tadashi said softly. "Whether you call us Kii or not, I don't know. Rikishouki has been our home for generations. But once, we belonged to that world. Many, many millennia in the past, our ancestors came from Kihaku in search of their freedom. So I suppose, in a sense, we are Kii."

He frowned.

"But is that not also true for you? Must you not also be descended from such a source, to speak so fluently our words?"

Washu was silent for a moment, contemplating his words.

"Washu-san?"

"I really don't know enough to answer that, yet." Washu said at length. "You are taking me somewhere specific, aren't you, Tadashi? Then we should continue, and I'm sorry for the delay."

"Yes." Tadashi seemed to gather his wits, nodding his head. "We're not far, not now. There's a chamber a few yards along on the right. Follow me – through the archway. It's a cluttered, dusty room…but it is a short cut to the final place I want to take you."

"Short cut sounds good to me. These tunnels are oppressive." Washu admitted. "I'm not claustrophobic, but I can't say I like it down here."

"Nor I, but sometimes it is best." Tadashi responded simply. "Through this way. Mind the uneven step – along here. This is the chamber I mentioned."

Washu did as she was bidden, stopping dead as she registered the room's contents. Though it was much as her companion had said, dark, dusty and cluttered with paraphernalia, one item in particular caught her eye and she took a couple of steps forward, resting a tentative hand on the outstretched wing of the eagle statue.

"The Eagle of Kihaku." She whispered. Tadashi nodded, looking surprised.

"Then you do know something of our culture."

"Far more than you could ever imagine." Washu bit her lip, running a finger over the strange, glittering eyes of the beast, which seemed to glow and hum at her touch. She let out a gasp, withdrawing her hand almost immediately as a swirl of energy pulsed through her, prickling at her senses as if charged with mystical electricity.

"What is this stone?" She whispered. "The eyes of this bird…what are they made from?"

"Meteor rock." Tadashi frowned, looping his hand beneath his pendant once more and holding it up for her to see. "A year ago now, a flaming rock hit Rikishouki. Some believe it was a divine message from the Eagle of Kihaku…but Yuzuha-sama said it was simply a meteor – that such things happened in space and only fools gave them any more credence than that. I don't know what meteor means – the word is foreign, and I have no way of translating it into Kii. But I guess it means it came from outside of Rikishouki. Noone really knows where it came from."

"About a year ago?" Washu knelt beneath the overhanging wings of the bird statue, gazing up at it as she did so. "I see."

"The rock certainly behaves like nothing on Rikishouki." Tadashi continued. "It glows and glitters and some say they can sense more in it…I don't know. But it has been known to…to excite Kii sight in people. Visions. I'm not sure if it's true. I don't know anything any more, in truth – but if the Eagle really had come to save us, why would it take him so long?"

Washu looked grave.

"Perhaps it's taken this very long to find you." She said softly, idly tracing her fingers along the carved words at the Eagle's base. "Do you know what this says?"

"What what says?" Tadashi crouched at her side, squinting at the engraving in the dim light. "No. I'm sorry, but some of the things carved by the Ancient Ones we cannot read. Not all of their writings survived into our generation. Some were brought from Kihaku as plunder by the Settlers, when our people were forced to leave. Others were written by scribes whose talents were passed down in limited ways. I don't know what it says…though I think that the central one is the symbol for Eagle."

Washu bit her lip.

"It says 'The Eagle sleeps, awaiting the return of the ones who serve his soul. Blessed of the Eagle, Chosen of the World." She murmured, raising her solemn green eyes to his startled ones. "And then these characters…these letters underneath. They say "Priest" and…and a tribal name. An…an old tribal name."

"Really?" Tadashi stared. "How can you…are you sure? You can read the ancient lettering?"

"Yes, I can." Washu straightened herself, eying him ruefully. "But this isn't getting anywhere. This statue is old, true enough, but you said it was crafted here on Rikishouki. And I'm still not completely understanding what's going on here, but I doubt a dusty old statue will answer those questions. You said we had further to go – so lets go."

"No." Tadashi's brows drew together in consternation and he rested his hand on his sword, as if ready to draw it at any moment. "No, we go no further. I seek to help you, Washu-san, but I want to know who you are, first. You can speak our words, you claim to read the ancient letters that not even the most scholarly of our people can read. Tell me who you are, and why you really came to Rikishouki. I will take you no further until I know your true errand – so speak."