Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! is copyright AIC/Pioneer Ltd. All respective characters are property of their original owners. All original characters and ideas are property of the author.
Fudan Tenchi Muyo!
Chapter 7: No Need for New Settings
Jurai itself was a planet covered by vast expanses of tree cover stemming from the large growth and reverence of the trees in Jurain society. The largest tree, the Tree of Tsunami, served not only as the figurative base of the Tsunami religion and the Jurain Empire but also the center of government. The Jurai Royal Palace, home to the Royal Family was erected around the tree and climbed just as many stories into the sky as the tree itself. Protected by the cover of the tree, the circular palace served as a testament to the might of the Jurai Royal Family.
As the shuttle broke through the cloud cover of the upper atmosphere, Tenchi was amazed at how almost every inch of the planet was covered with foliage. On his last visit, he had not taken the time to admire the sheer vastness of the trees because of Ryoko and Ryo-ohki's battle against the planet's defenses. Underneath the canopy covering the planet was the civilization of Jurai. Working in an almost symbiotic relationship with the trees that they worshipped, the Jurain culture and cities revolved around the foliage. A thriving world that fascinated Tenchi lied underneath the trees below him.
"I never thought I'd be back here," Tenchi spoke up, looking out one of the viewing windows.
"Yes, and under very different circumstances," Ayeka nodded along with him.
The journey from Earth had been much less eventful than his previous trek towards the planet. In the company of Lady Seto, their journey was relatively peaceful. His grandfather had stabilized, though his condition had not changed. The old man was resting peacefully as far as Tenchi could tell. When he would wake up though, was anyone's guess. At Lady Seto's urging, Tenchi had returned to Jurai with Ayeka and Sasami. Katsuhito was injured very badly, and Lady Seto had suggested allowing the doctors on Jurai to treat him.
Tenchi had felt bad about leaving Earth and leaving his dad there all alone, but Seto was very insistent on him joining them. Nobuyuki seemed strangely at ease with Tenchi leaving for Jurai and had told Tenchi not to worry about him staying there on Earth. He had laughed, telling him that someone had to pay the bills while everyone else went gallivanting around the universe.
While Tenchi and the princesses headed back to Jurai, Kiyone and Mihoshi had said they had business back with the Galaxy Police. The last he had seen of any of the detectives or Washu was when they left Earth on Lady Seto's Mikigami.
The shuttle carrying Tenchi and Ayeka down to the planet from Lady Seto's ship landed on one of the hundreds of outstretched landing pads built into the palace. After landing, Tenchi followed Ayeka towards the exit of the shuttle. He adjusted the Jurain robes that Lady Seto had presented him with as he stood next to Ayeka by the unloading ramp.
"Ready?" she asked, "They're expecting us."
"Let's go," Tenchi nodded.
The ramp opened and Tenchi and Ayeka strode down towards a crowd of Jurain soldiers and other assorted officials who had come to welcome the eldest surviving child of their late Emperor Azusa and the famed Tenchi Masaki. Many had heard he would never return to Jurai and were eager to meet him since he had come back. Ayeka led Tenchi down the ramp as they were greeted by a large man flanked by the two knights, Azaka and Kamidake. The man carried himself as someone with great clout and power, Tenchi noticed as he bowed courteously to Ayeka.
"Lady Ayeka," the man greeted her, "When we heard the news of the attempt on your life, we were all very shaken. To have you back here with us warms all of our hearts."
"Thank you, Lord Oberon," Ayeka returned the gesture before motioning with her hands towards Tenchi, "I believe you know of Tenchi Masaki."
"Yes, the famed Lord Tenchi Masaki, grandson of the legendary Yosho and hero of Jurai," Oberon bowed again, "Welcome back to Jurai. I can promise you we are doing all we can to find those pirate fools and punish them for their transgressions."
"Umm, thank you, Lord Oberon," Tenchi replied, "You're very courteous."
"We serve at Princess Ayeka's pleasure," Oberon replied before turning back to the princess, "The governing council is awaiting you and Lord Tenchi to address them."
"Now is not the time for politics," Lady Seto strode down the ramp. While Minaho had stayed behind to oversee operations on the ship, Seto had felt it important to accompany her granddaughters and Tenchi down to Jurai, "It has been a long journey and these youngsters need their rest."
"As you wish, Lady Seto," Oberon rescinded his offer, "The council can wait."
"Thank you, Lord Oberon," Seto was gracious, "This way you two."
Seto strode past Oberon and the welcoming committee with Tenchi and Ayeka in tow. Sasami followed along behind Tenchi and her sister. Azaka and Kamidake followed along last. Originally, their oaths sworn to the Masaki line, the two knights had been in service of Ayeka and her sister with Tenchi's departure after defeating Kagato. They were, needless to say, glad their ladies and Lord Tenchi had returned to Jurai.
Even though it wasn't his first time seeing it, Tenchi was still quite amazed with the architecture of the Royal Palace. Built in a circular fashion around the Tree of Tsunami, there were over a hundred levels descending down to the ground where the tree was rooted. The level he was on, while not the top level, was still hundreds of feet up in the air from the bottom of the palace. Tenchi had never been down to the bottom of the palace before. He stood looking over the edge of the ledge down at the massive tree. It was miles wide, larger than anything he had ever seen on the Earth.
"It is quite magnificent," Ayeka joined him looking at the tree, "All that is Jurai is embodied in this tree."
"It's amazing," Tenchi stood awestruck.
"The Tree of Tsunami is the physical embodiment of our religion," Ayeka explained, "We are rewarded for our reverence of the Goddess and she rewards us with the Jurai power; the same power that allows you to use the sword."
"The sword," Tenchi pulled the ancient weapon from underneath his robes. Seto had been adamant about keeping Yosho's sword with him at all times.
"Lord Tenchi, Ayeka," the two turned to see Lady Seto standing with Sasami, "Come on now."
"Yes, ma'am," Tenchi tucked the sword back into his robe and followed Ayeka's grandmother through the palace.
Tono and Washu stood outside the Masaki home watching as Tenchi told his father goodbye. Tono was leaning against the house while Washu stood silently, arms crossed over her chest. Kiyone, Mihoshi, and Akane were gathered with the group by the lakeside where the shuttle from the Mikigami that had carried Lady Seto and Minaho down to the planet finished righting Tono and Akane's ship onto a large open area that was the Masaki front yard. The ship that had crashed in their lake was not the original portion of the Yojimbo, but a smaller, sleeker craft that the pair of undercover cops had used as an escape boat after some rival pirates attacked the right outside the Sol system. Though the ship was crashed in the lake, it suffered little structural damage as Akane had managed to slow their descent enough to use the lake as a pillow instead of smashing into the ground which may have killed them both.
"You sure you don't want to come along, dad?" Tenchi asked, "What about grandpa?"
"Son," Nobuyuki put his hands on his son's shoulders, "You're almost a grown man now, and a grown man has to take responsibility for his own life. This is a trip I'm not supposed to take. Besides, who's going to pay the bills here if I leave?"
"Dad," Tenchi shook his head.
"Tenchi, we must go," Seto called to him. The eldest member of the Jurai Royal Family stood with her aide and two granddaughters.
"Right," Tenchi turned to the gathered group who had come to see them off, "Well, I hope I get to see you all again."
"Be careful, Tenchi," Kiyone smiled at him.
"Stay out of trouble, love," Akane wished him well.
"Tenchi! I'm going to miss you even more this time!" Mihoshi wailed until Kiyone grabbed her arm tightly.
"Bye everyone," Tenchi waved before joining Seto and the others at the shuttle. After they disappeared aboard, the ship took off into the atmosphere towards the massive Jurain vessel that remained in orbit around Earth's moon.
With Tenchi and the collective members of the Royal Family gone, Tono strode away from the house and towards the trio of female detectives. Washu followed along silently.
"I don't think it's wise we didn't tell him," Kiyone voiced her objections, "He's our friend."
"It's not that we don't trust Tenchi," Akane explained, "He's a nice enough guy and all, but we can't rule out the possibility of someone finding out about Tono's cover. We have to take every precaution to keep his identity safe."
"So what about Seto and her aide?" Mihoshi asked, "What if they're the bad guys?"
"Unlikely," Tono shook his head, "Seto and Director Airi have worked closely together for years cultivating the relationship between Jurai and Megami. She's not likely to be the connection to the Oda Guild."
Tono and Akane, when they had been undercover, spent most of their time gathering intelligence and shipping it back to Airi's Special Operations Division within the GP. The information had been everything from locations of hideouts close to Megami territory, inside Megami territory, even within Jurai territory. Their information led to the arrest or death of scores of Oda's men, but their most prized piece of information was detailed on the small disk that Kiyone was now charged with delivering to her mother back at GP HQ.
"I hope this information is worth all the cloak and dagger," Kiyone slid the information disk into her uniform. She and Mihoshi had silently made plans to leave, per Akane's request, while Tenchi was readying himself to leave for Jurai.
"Trust me, love, this is something that the Grand Marshal and Director Airi will need to know as soon as possible," Akane nodded.
"And what about you?" Kiyone turned to her ex-husband, "Think you can get Ryoko out of Oda's clutches?"
"Doubtful," Tono shrugged, "Her running off twice? Knowing Oda, she'll be under lock and key for the rest of her life."
"And we'll do all we can," Washu stood next to Akane, she bent down and picked up Ryo-ohki, who had been left behind, "Saving Ryoko and finding out who ordered the attack on Tenchi and Ayeka is our top priority."
Washu then slung Ryo-ohki straight up into the air. Though Ryoko was her rightful owner, Ryo-ohki still reacted to Washu and transformed from the cute, loveable pet into the gigantic spaceship that floated over the Masakis' lake. Akane and Washu waved to their friends while Ryo-ohki transported them onboard. The ship let out its distinctive howl as it roared into the sky and off into space.
Tono turned and headed over to the Yojimbo, though the main body was destroyed, he would still be able to get back to what he hoped was Oda's main compound in the lighter craft. He popped the hatch and prepared to step inside when he turned around to find Kiyone standing behind him.
"Yes, dear?" he asked.
"Be careful," she muttered softly.
"Always," he smiled before entering the ship.
On Jurai, Tenchi could not fathom the size of his room in the Royal Palace. Situated on a level of the palace that Ayeka had described simply as for 'special guests' of the Royal Family, the room was easily larger than the Masaki house. Two stories, the bottom had a large pool with a growing tree and assorted couches and tables. It was like a living room and a garden mixed in one. There were two elegant stone staircases that circled up to the second level of the bedroom where Tenchi what was like a smaller room where an enormous bed was situated. As he approached the bed, one of the Jurain aides, a woman, was straightening the sheets on the bed. She looked up and was surprised by Tenchi's approach. Blushing, the young woman bowed graciously to him.
"Forgive me, Lord Tenchi," she smiled warmly, "It is an honor to serve you."
"Umm, thank you," Tenchi smiled back, being polite.
"The journey from Earth is a long one, let me fetch you a bath, Lord Tenchi," the woman headed towards the oversized swimming pool that Tenchi assumed was the bath. Why would he need a personal bath the size of the girl's bath Washu had created back on Earth?
"You don't have to do that," Tenchi tried to protest.
"Oh, it is the least I can do for the hero of Jurai, Lord Tenchi," the woman bowed again as she addressed him.
"More hero stuff," Tenchi muttered, "It's not necessary, really."
"My apologies, Lord Tenchi, it was wrong of me."
"No, no it's alright," he laughed, waving it off, "And please, you can just call me 'Tenchi'. I don't mind."
"As you wish….Tenchi," the woman seemed awkward not giving him a title.
"May I ask your name?"
"Temko," the woman replied, "I'm the servant for these quarters. Anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask."
"Umm, alright," Tenchi shrugged.
"Lord Tenchi," the two turned to find Ayeka standing at the top of the stairs. Beside her, Sasami rushed by and jumped on Tenchi's bed. The younger princess laughed playfully as she bounced on the sheets. Temko bowed to the both of them before scurrying down the opposite flight and leaving the chambers, "Tenchi, how do you like your room?"
"Well it certainly is big," he commented, laughing at his joke.
"You should see ours," Sasami laughed, jumping up landing on her stomach, "It's bigger than this one."
"Geez, that's a lot of space for you two girls," Tenchi sat down on the edge of the bed with the younger princess.
"Yes, everything here is a bit excessive, compared to Earth," Ayeka slid her hand along the stone banister that overlooked the pool on the lower floor, "I guess it's something you have to get used to."
"Speaking of which," Tenchi the asked as Sasami dropped down on her bottom and sat next to him, "How long are we going to be here?"
"Grandmother was cryptic about her reasons for bring us back," Ayeka pondered, "I wonder if it has to do with the Senate?"
"The Senate?"
"Yes, Tenchi," Ayeka explained, "While our family is the highest ruling body of Jurai, all the planets Jurai controls are represented within the Senate. Since the throne is vacant and many people in the government were either 'purged' by Kagato or removed for helping him, our government is very fragile."
"And that man at the ramp?" Tenchi asked, "Oberon?"
"Yes," Ayeka nodded, "A servant to my father from even before I was born. He's a politician through and through, though he was fiercely loyal to my father."
Ayeka failed to mention Oberon being the driving force between her decision to return to Earth. She thought to herself, had something changed since she had been away? There was no other explanation for her grandmother, who was swamped in trying to maintain the peace during the reconstitution, to travel to Earth to personally retrieve her. Her reasons for forcing Tenchi to come along with them were even more mysterious.
"Well, I just want to get some sleep," Tenchi laid back on the giant bed and stared up at the ornate ceiling, "I don't think I'll ever get used to traveling in a spaceship."
"Very well," Ayeka nodded, "Come along, Sasami."
"I wish, Ryo-ohki could have come," Sasami moaned to herself as she followed her sister down the stairs and out of the chamber.
Tenchi laid on his back wondering about his grandfather. Seto had promised him the best care that Jurai had, seeing how he was the legendary warrior, Yosho, but the old man had yet to come out of his coma. Tenchi worried if he would ever wake up. The injuries didn't seem severe enough that he would be unconscious the whole time from Earth to Jurai. The trip took nearly a week.
And Ryoko. Tenchi laid there thinking about the space pirate. Had she really abandoned them and gone back to her lover, Oda? He couldn't believe it. Tenchi touched his lips and tried to remember the sensation of her kiss. Her lips were warm, even caring. He hoped she was okay.
It was very early in the morning when Tenchi felt a hand tugging on his shoulder. He was still half-asleep as he tried to swat whoever was tugging on him.
"Go away, Ryoko," he muttered into his pillow, "It's still early."
"Lord….I mean, Tenchi, please wake up," Tenchi opened his eyes to find Temko looking over him, "You have a visitor."
"Huh, what?" Tenchi sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. At the foot of his bed was Lady Seto.
"Good morning, Tenchi," Seto greeted him, tossing some clothes onto the bed, "Please get dressed, I have some things to discuss with you."
An hour later, Tenchi, dressed in what could only be described as a Jurain gi was once again being led through the palace by Ayeka's grandmother. Instead of sleeves, the outfit was cut off at the shoulders and was a grayish hue. He followed Lady Seto, who was still wearing her flowing robes, through the palace. Tenchi was amazed that, for as early as it was, the palace was just as alive with activity as when he arrived the day before. Life inside the palace must be extremely busy, he told himself as Lady Seto led him down a long corridor. A pair of guards pulled open two gigantic doors at the end and the pair passed through. Behind them, the guards pulled the doors shut.
Tenchi followed Seto out and found that he was standing at the top of a large stone stairway that led about fifty feet or so down into one of the must lush and beautiful gardens Tenchi had ever seen. There were tons of different colored flowers and plants all artistically arranged that were interwoven with crystal clear ponds and stone pathways.
"Wow," Tenchi stood amazed.
"The Royal Gardens," Seto explained, "Come."
She moved silently down the steps as Tenchi followed her. They weaved past numerous bushes and ornate collections of plants to an open area surrounded by trees that Tenchi found oddly familiar.
"Are those…" he tried to ask.
"Yes, cherry blossoms from Earth," Seto confirmed for him, "Ayeka was adamant about having some grown here. A souvenir from her time on Earth."
"They're beautiful," Tenchi stood looking at the trees.
"Yes, the pristine atmosphere that Tsunami graces us with here on the planet allows us to grow very beautiful flora and fauna, but that is not why we are here."
"It's not?"
"No," Seto shook her head, "Your grandfather has trained you in our ways very well; that much was evident in your dispatching of Kagato. Not a simple task to say the least."
"Well, I…" Tenchi felt embarrassed.
"There are many things you do not understand about the Jurai power, I will teach you those things," Seto sat down on the edge of a large stone and crossed her arms over her chest, "I will show you how to harness the gift Tsunami has blessed you with."
"Grandpa showed me how to use the sword," Tenchi replied, clutching the weapon hilt in his hands.
"You really don't have any idea," Seto scoffed at him, "The sword is just a tool, children younger than Sasami can use them. The Jurai power is much more powerful than that."
Tenchi felt his ego bruised a little at her scolding. He looked at the sword before returning it to his waist. Seto held out her hand, palm facing upwards towards the sky. As she closed her eyes and focused, a small flame ignited from thin air in her palm. The fire burned, seeming to not harm Seto as she moved her hand about in a sweeping fashion. She opened her other palm and the flame danced back and forth between them like a small ball being tossed about. She then snapped her fingers and the flame disappeared. Tenchi was thoroughly impressed.
"That is but a taste," Seto explained, "We all express the Jurai power in various natures. Ayeka's energy field and defensive abilities are how she chooses to express the power. Now, I want you to try to focus your energy. Feel your connection with Tsunami and the Jurai power."
"Feel it?" Tenchi wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel something so abstract and, well, alien. Thinking about it, Ayeka had always made her abilities seem easy, almost natural. Of course, he had assumed she had been trained in them since she was very young, but still.
"It is like the air you breathe," Seto took a deep breath to illustrate her point, "And it will become as easy as breathing if you train here with me."
"Alright," Tenchi nodded. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on the Jurai power. His grandfather's training and always focused on meditation, self-control, and stability in his mind. Was it part of touching the power? He wasn't sure as he tried to reach out and feel it. Remembering back on what his grandfather had taught him, Tenchi began to center his mind and emulate what he had seen Ayeka do so many times before.
Seto sat on the stone and watched him silently as he tried to connect his mind to Tsunami. Not all Jurains were able to focus their minds intently enough to touch the Jurai power in ways that allowed them to physically manifest their connection. The knights of Jurai, the priests, the members of the Royal Family all trained diligently to be able to allow themselves to touch their minds to the Goddess's. She tried not to laugh t0o much as Tenchi stood, eyes closed and hands clutched into fists trying to show some sign of connection. What she didn't laugh at, but found herself impressed with was the sparks of electrical energy that danced on his shoulders. The energy was very slight, hardly noticeable but it was definitely there. Seto thought to herself that there was something very unique about the Masaki boy. All Jurains she knew from herself, her son, knights, even her granddaughter, had trained for years before being able to achieve what Tenchi was doing on his first attempt.
"Amazing," Seto whispered to herself.
From the balcony overlooking the garden, Oberon stood, arms folded over his chest watching the two in the garden. He was far from impressed.