Disclaimer
Tenchi and all associated characters are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC. I don't own any rights to them. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.
*****
Ladies Night Out
Chapter 5
The Morning After
*****
Ryoko blearily opened her eyes but they wouldn't focus on anything but a silver-white blur. She blinked several times but the blur remained. What the hell happened last night? And what's that goddess-awful taste in my mouth? She licked her dry lips and tried to focus again. No luck. She closed her eyes and moved her arm, slowly, as it seemed to be trapped under something fairly heavy. Her hand encountered something soft and she gently squeezed whatever it was, trying to figure it out. A soft moan came from nearby and whatever she was holding escaped from her grasp. She suddenly realized what it had been. "Ayeka?" she croaked in a weak voice. Even as she said it she knew it wasn't the princess, they had been a bit too… big.
The ex-pirate heard a low chuckle from nearby and she opened her eyes again. She used her now free hand to brush aside the few remaining strands of long, platinum hair that clung to her face. Her vision finally focused on her mother seated across the room and next to her was Queen Funaho, smiling behind a cup of tea. Ryoko swallowed several times to lubricate her chapped throat before attempting to speak again. "Washu. Mom. What happened? Was there a fight? Did we win?"
Washu chuckled again and Funaho put down her teacup before she dropped it. "Kinda," said the scientist. "You guys came blasting in here in the wee hours, waking up the whole house."
"We?" Ryoko asked, then she remembered. She sat up suddenly, causing Urd's unconscious form to roll off the couch and onto the floor. The goddess snorted, then rolled over and started gently snoring. The cyan haired girl sat back, tilted her head up and stared at the ceiling. "Oh yeah. I sorta remember now. How did we get home? The last thing I clearly remember was some pub in America."
Washu took a sip of her tea. "The owner of the karaoke bar that got trashed brought you home. He remembered you from when you, Ayeka and Tenchi were in a few months ago."
Ryoko brought her head back down. "We trashed a local bar?"
Washu chuckled. "No, you were perfect ladies. Perfectly drunk ladies to be sure, but it wasn't you that did it this time. It seems there was a riot among the male patrons when you guys finished your last song. It was closing time but they didn't want you to stop; the owner disagreed."
Ryoko shook her head and frowned, "He'll never let us back in."
"He wasn't angry with you," Funaho spoke up. "As Washu said, you were very well behaved. Besides, Washu's agreed to help him rebuild."
"I'll have to apologize at breakfast to everyone. Did we wake the baby too?" Ryoko asked.
"No," said Washu. "I put a sound damper field around the nursery several weeks ago. But everyone else saw you four in all your drunken splendor."
"Four?" Ryoko looked around the room. She didn't see the other two. "Where's Nagi and Naga?"
"Upstairs in the loft," said Funaho as she refilled hers and Washu's cups. The scientist nodded her thanks to the queen. "Sasami and Misaki slept in Sasami's room and Washu and I stayed down here to keep an eye on you two. You passed out on the couch and Ayeka said to leave you but we didn't want you wandering off so we stayed too."
"Nagi was the least drunk of all you guys and she carried Naga upstairs," piped in Washu. "She sat up with us for a while afterwards and told us all about your evening."
Ryoko put her face in her hands. "Oh goddess." Urd groaned something from the floor and rolled over. Ryoko gave her a gentle poke with her foot. "I didn't mean you."
"Wha?" mumbled the goddess.
"Go back to sleep," said Ryoko.
"'Kay. Nighty night."
"Just what did she tell you?" Ryoko asked her mother.
"She told us where the device took you." Washu's face assumed a hurt look. "I'm sorry Ryoko, it wasn't supposed to take you off the planet. I'll have to talk to Skuld about 'improving' things next time I see her."
Ryoko dismissed her mother's contrition with a wave of her hand. "Ah, that's all right. No one was hurt and we did have a good time although I didn't plan on the two N's to join us. It just sorta happened." She stood up and wobbled a bit but managed to keep her feet. "Speaking of the two N's, as their hostess I'd better go check on them; you know, make sure they aren't in any trouble…" She gave her mother and the queen a sly wink and then teleported away.
Washu got up and walked over to Urd. She placed her foot on the goddess' hip and rocked her back and forth. "Hey! Wakey, wakey. If you're going to sleep get a room."
Urd opened her eyes and focused on Washu. "Ahh. Oh, morning Washu. Are we home?"
Washu grinned as Funaho chuckled behind her. "No. You're having a bad dream. Now get your butt up off my floor and go upstairs and find a bed to sleep it off."
Urd managed to get her legs under her and staggered off towards the stairs. She paused and turned back to Washu. "Are you sure this is just a dream?"
"Yes. Go to bed and we'll see you at lunch." As the goddess disappeared up the stairs Washu and Funaho broke into raucous laughter. The diminutive scientist picked up the device from where Nagi had left it earlier. Looking at it closely she shook her head. "I don't know… According to Nagi the places they went sounded like all literary or television establishments. I think they got some bad sake."
"How do you explain the presence of Nagi and Naga then?" asked the queen.
"I dunno but I'm working on it." With that Washu pushed the button on the device. She reappeared a moment later in her adult form, a gunbelt (complete with Colt Peacemaker) around her trim waist and cowboy hat perched jauntily on her head. "I'm gonna kill that little goddess when I catch her!" she exclaimed. She reverted to her child form and the belt slid to the floor with a dull thud. The hat fell down over her eyes as she said "But now I know what Miss Kitty sees in Marshal Dillon."
"What? You were only gone a few seconds, where did you go?" asked the queen, a puzzled expression on her face.
Washu bent down and picked up the belt, unclipping the bar hopping device from it. "Time flows differently in other Realities. To me, I've been gone two days. As to where, well I… I'd prefer not to say right now." She carefully set the device down on the table and stepped back, eyeing it suspiciously.
*****
Ryoko rematerialized in the Masaki family loft. She expected to find Naga and Nagi cuddled together among the carrot-shaped pillows but instead Naga was sprawled out, drooling from the corner of her mouth while Nagi sat and looked out the window, Ken-ohki perched on her right shoulder.
"Good morning Ryoko," said the bounty hunter without turning.
"Morning Nagi," replied the pirate. Damn, she's good. Ryoko walked over and sat down next to her on one of the fluffy carrots. "What's up? I thought you'd be asleep."
"Nah. In my line of work you learn that you don't need as much sleep as you might think."
"So what ya thinking about?"
Nagi continued to stare out the window. "What makes you think I'm thinking about anything?"
Ryoko smiled gently. "Because this is where Sasami comes when she wants to think about stuff. She sits and stares out the windows just like you are. So, what's on your mind?"
"Washu'll probably send us home right after lunch."
This surprised Ryoko. "Yeah? So? Don't you want to get back to where you belong?"
"You don't get it, do you? Washu'll send me home and she'll send Naga home."
A light came on in Ryoko's head. "Ah. I see. But you just met her last night and you didn't show a lot of interest either."
"Ryoko…"
"Sorry, I was just teasing. But you did just meet her last night."
Nagi sighed. "I know. But I'd like to get to know her better. I don't think I'll get the chance though."
Ryoko snaked an arm around the hunter's shoulders. "Tell ya what, we'll talk to Washu and see what she can do. In the meantime we could both use a good soak before breakfast. Let me show you my creation, the floating onsen…"
Naga's eyes snapped open and she sat up suddenly. "Onsen? As in 'hot spring'? I'm game, let's go!" The tall sorceress grabbed Ryoko and ran out of the room. Nagi stood up with a sigh, scratched Ken-ohki between the ears eliciting a purr from the cabbit, then followed the other two girls out of the room.
*****
Naga shouted gleefully as she dove into the warm water while Ryoko and Nagi sat near the edge of the pool and sipped cups of warm tea. Ryoko put her cup down on a floating platter. "Not what I normally drink when I'm in here, but sake doesn't sound too good right now."
Nagi nodded her agreement and set her own cup down. "This is great. I wish my Ryoko showed a talent like this. All she's good for is goofing off and getting in trouble."
The pirate laughed. "She also avoided you all those years. I understand she's settled down a bit now and wants to start a family."
"Has started a family you mean. She's due in about seven months," responded the hunter. "She doesn't leave Earth much anymore, aside from a very occasional visit to Jurai." She gave Ryoko a secretive smile whose meaning was totally lost on the pirate.
The cyan haired beauty got a wistful look on her face at Nagi's news then changed the subject slightly. "Speaking of the other Ryoko, I should have thought about this before. I hope it doesn't bother you to see me like this." Ryoko indicated her state of total undress. "I know you had feelings for her and all…"
Nagi shook her head. "Nah, not at all. At one time I would have enjoyed seeing a naked Ryoko but that time is well past. Besides, I'm very aware that you're not her. I do have to say though that you're pretty well preserved for a 5000 year old woman."
Naga's head popped out of the water in front of the two. "You're 5000? Wow." She ducked back under the water before Ryoko or Nagi could splash her.
There was a silent ripple in the water as Urd floated down and joined them. "Ahh!" exclaimed the goddess. "Just the thing, a hot soak before breakfast."
"Breakfast? It's closer to lunch!" came a nasal voice from behind them. They turned to find Washu and Ayeka standing at the edge of the pool wrapped in towels.
"It's getting crowded in here," mumbled Ryoko as she ducked beneath the water and swam away. Washu glared at the spot where her daughter had been sitting but Ayeka just shrugged her shoulders and slid into the water.
"Ah Washu," said Nagi. "There's something I want to talk to you about."
"Let me guess," said the scientist. "You want to spend more time with Princess Gracia."
Naga's head popped back up. "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't call me that. I'm just Naga now. Naga the Serpent." She disappeared again.
Nagi's eyes followed the sorceress' movement under water. "Er, yes. That's exactly it."
Naga popped up next to Nagi and glomped onto her. "You really want to spend time with me? That's great; we can have some wonderful adventures together." She held her arm out and moved it in a sweeping arc. "I can see it now: Naga and Nagi, the two most feared bounty hunters in the universe. With my magic and your technology we'll be unbeatable."
"Uh yeah," responded Nagi. "That too." She whispered in Naga's ear, "That's not the kind of adventure I meant; besides, who says you get top billing?"
"I know," Naga replied in a stage whisper. "And I don't care who's on top." She gave the hunter a quick peck on the cheek causing her to blush, then swam back to the center of the pool and disappeared again.
Washu chuckled at Naga's antics. "Well," she said. "No promises but I'll see what I can do."
Ayeka eased herself into the water between Washu and Nagi. "You must do something Washu," she said. "I'm happy that Nagi's finally found someone to spend some time with. I remember how she moped around when we were all on Jurai together."
"I said I'd see what I could do," said the scientist in a gruff tone. "And I will. I already have an idea but I want to run some sims on it first."
Nagi bowed her head slightly. "Thank you Washu, I know you'll do your best."
Ayeka sighed with pleasure and leaned her head back against the wall, her chin just touching the warm water. "I hope last night's little episode works out," the princess said cryptically as she closed her eyes and relaxed. Both Nagi and Washu smiled.
They'd been bathing for about twenty minutes when Sasami showed up and announced that lunch was ready. After drying each other off and getting dressed they all trouped back to the house to eat. Sasami, out of consideration of the revelry of the night before, had fixed a light lunch and there was much joking and teasing among the girls as they ate. When they were done and everyone had pitched in and helped with the cleanup, Ryoko, Urd, Nagi and Naga joined Washu in her lab. The scientist offered Naga and Nagi small objects.
"Here, these are similar to the device you used last night," she told them. Nagi recoiled from hers but Naga took the other and examined it closely. Washu offered the device to Nagi again. "Don't worry," she told the bounty hunter. "Skuld hasn't been near these. Since I doubt either of you actually want to live permanently in the other's Reality, the top button will take you to each other's location and the bottom button will take you home. They've been tuned to your exact parameters so they can tell the difference between you and all the other potential you's in the multiverse."
"Hey, thanks." Naga indicated a third, recessed button. "What'll this do?" She poked at it with her finger.
"Please don't touch that," said Washu, slapping her hand away.
Nagi laughed. "Knowing you Washu, it's probably the self destruct."
Washu smiled evilly back at her and Nagi shivered. "Not exactly, but close," the scientist said. "That'll summon me or one of my sisters. Use it only as a last resort."
Nagi grinned and nodded. "I suppose you're going to send us home now?" she asked.
"Nope. You can leave whenever you want to." Washu indicated the devices. "Those work just as well from here."
"Ok then," said Naga. "One last question. If I want to go home with Nagi now, do I have to go to my world first then to hers?"
"Not at all, just stand next to her when she pushes her button. It'll take both of you."
Naga's eyes sparkled and she moved over next to Nagi. "Ready when you are," she said, taking the hunter's hand.
"What? You mean…?" Nagi was astonished.
"Sure. You've been to my world; I wanna go see yours for a while."
"No you don't," Nagi told her. "My universe is boring without Ryoko to chase, yours looked much more interesting. At least the part I could see in the dark."
Naga considered for a moment. "All right," she said, snagging Nagi's arm. "But you have to promise me that we'll get to visit your home sometime."
They both waved goodbye then Naga pushed the button on her device. The two girls flickered out of existence. Washu sighed and turned away. "I hope they both find what they're looking for," she said in a low tone.
"What? My mother, one of the three great goddesses, can't foresee what's going to happen?" Ryoko teased.
Washu glared at her. "Don't push it 'daughter'. You know I don't like to call on the goddess in me, but if you want to test it…" Washu's forehead began to glow.
Ryoko ducked behind a piece of equipment. "Hey, just kidding Washu, just kidding."
Washu's glow faded as Urd stepped forward. "I guess I should be going too, Bell and Skuld are probably worried about me."
"Oh, I doubt that," replied Washu with a smile. She beckoned to Ryoko. "C'mon Ryoko, we'll walk her to the TV."
The trio found Ayeka and Juro seated on the couch, the princess making baby noises and the young prince gurgling with delight. Seeing the baby, Ryoko rushed over and began making funny faces and strange noises herself, trying to get him to laugh at her too. This brought a smile to Urd's face and she turned to Washu.
"She really loves that baby, Ryoko'll make a fine mother herself someday," the goddess said, watching Washu carefully. "Any idea when that might be?"
Washu chuckled and led Urd across the room, away from the group on the couch. "It's still a secret but we should be finding out in a few days. Or she should anyway."
Urd was stunned. "You mean Ryoko…? And Tenchi…? I mean, I figured it would be soon but…" She got a sly look on her face. "Does Tenchi know?"
"Couldn't have done it without him," explained Washu, rubbing her hands together with glee. "Ayeka knows too but they want it to be a surprise for Ryoko. I took care of it last night when you two were passed out. Nagi and the princess helped me carry her into the lab and assisted in the procedure."
Urd snickered in understanding. "So, this was all a setup. I get it."
"Yep," agreed the scientist. "And I appreciate the help. Do you know how hard it is to get Ryoko drunk enough to actually pass out? But I had faith in you, although Nagi and Naga were a surprise. I'm going to have a little talk with your younger sister about that."
Urd stepped over to the TV and started to float into the screen. "Not before I do. Tell Ryoko I'll see her later and take good care of her or face the wrath of Urd!" She waved jauntily and disappeared.
"Yeah, right!" Washu snorted at the TV. "Like I have anything to be afraid of." With that she turned and walked over to the couch where little Juro had a deathgrip on one of Auntie Ryoko's hair spikes, causing the pirate to grimace with pain. This is going to be so much fun, she thought as she helped disentangle the child from her daughter.
*****
Epilog…
"Sorry!" Ryoko pleaded for the thousandth time as Washu stood over her.
"Stop yapping and get these things out of my lab!" Washu ordered as Ryoko gathered up another armful of small fuzz balls and dumped them into a containment field. "And once you get them all out of here, you still have the shrine and the rest of the house to clean."
"Yes mother," Ryoko whined. Sheesh! Who'd thought that just one of these things would breed so many, she pondered as she rounded up another armload of tribbles. "Hold on," Ryoko asked before dumped the armload into the containment field, "just where are these guys going any way?"
"Well lets just say," Washu said with a mischievous grin, "I'm sending them someplace where they will be appreciated."
"Where's that?"
"Well I did a little research into that dimension where you found them…"
"Mom! Where…are…the tribbles…going?" Ryoko demanded.
"I've given them a very good home," Washu said still smiling.
"Where!" Ryoko roared.
"I'm sending the whole kit and caboodle to those Klingon fellows you had the little brawl with." Ryoko blinked a time or two as Washu's words sank in. "Where I'm sure they'll be no tribble at all."
***
Epilog the Second
Naga and Nagi materialized in a large clearing deep in the woods. Nagi looked around cautiously but saw nothing amiss. She shook Naga's hand loose from her arm and started for a trail she'd spotted. Naga followed along behind, slightly disappointed that her new friend had made her let go.
"Rule #1 of being a bounty hunter," Nagi explained when she saw the look on Naga's face. "Always be aware of your surroundings. We'll have plenty of time for fun and games later, don't worry," she said with a sly smile. Naga immediately cheered up.
As they neared the woods they could hear the sound of a commotion within; lots of yelling, breaking of tree branches and stuff like that. There was a flash of color within the trees and suddenly a high-pitched female voice could be heard.
"Gooouuurryy, you jellyfish brain! Get back here!"
More sounds of conflict, then the voice again.
"What do you mean running off and leaving me like that?" A dull thud followed and a figure came flying out of the forest, obviously propelled by a hefty kick. It landed in a heap a few yards from the duo. Nagi reached for her weapon but Naga stopped her before she could draw it.
"No," the tall sorceress said with a grin. "I know these two."
Another figure appeared in the clearing, a short, slender redhead dressed in demi-armor. She flew through the air and landed by where her male companion lay moaning in obvious pain. She didn't see Naga and Nagi at first as all her attention was focused on the man. She kicked him in the ribs generating another moan then knelt at his side and cradled his head against her small breasts.
Naga started to laugh. "Oh hohohohoho. So Lina Inverse, we meet again."
The woman cringed and looked up. "Oh gods no. Not you Naga," she said in a low tone.
"Oh hohoho. Yes, it is I, Naga the Serpent. But don't worry Lina, I'm not after you anymore."
Lina stood up and dusted herself off. "I guess that's good. What brings you out here and who's the chick with you?"
Naga put her arm around Nagi's shoulder. "This is Nagi, she's a bounty hunter from another er, province." Nagi gave a tentative wave and a weak smile, she knew all about Lina Inverse from Naga and Ryoko's explanations the night before.
Ken-ohki hopped over to the group from where he'd been chasing some butterflies. He jumped up on Nagi's unoccupied shoulder where Lina spotted him. "Hey! I know what that is. That's one of those flying thingies like that Ayeka and Ryoko had, isn't it?" She reached out to touch the cabbit and he started purring and rubbing her hand. "She's not from another province you idiot, she's from another world!" she told Naga sternly.
Naga put her hands on her hips and looked the smaller sorceress in the eye. Of course she had to look down to do this and because Lina was standing so close, Naga's eyes crossed. "I know that Lina," Naga said, trying to uncross her eyes before the other woman broke into laughter. "I just wanted to spare you the trauma of dealing with it." She felt something move in her belt pouch and she jumped a few inches before she remembered what it was. Reaching in she pulled out three tribbles. How odd, she thought. I only vaguely remember Ryoko giving me one…
Lina stopped petting the cabbit and leaned over to look at what Naga had in her hand. The tribbles started their own purring and trilling when they sensed her. "How cute," Lina said picking one up. "Can I have one?" She was thinking about how much she could get for it in the nearest town or how many meals she could trade it for.
"Sure," Naga said expansively. "I think I'll give one to my sister next time I see her too. I wonder if the little darlings are hungry?"
*****
The End
*****
Author's Notes
The first epilog was Thundergod's original one from Chapter 5. The second I wrote to try to fit in what happened to Naga's tribble and maybe what the consequences of having one might be for the uninitiated. It may also lead to another story sometime, who knows?
There's a small continuity error in this story too: in Chapter 1 Ryoko states that the queens dropped in suddenly that morning, but in "In a Family Way" it's obvious they've been there several months by this time. See Dragonbard, I can catch my own mistakes sometimes. Not often, but sometimes. The error is because the first chapter of this was written long before I had the entire plot of the other story firmly in place.
*****
Review Responses (from Chapter 4)
Dennisud – Actually I didn't like the 'Dark Empire' storyline that much. I prefer the X-wing and Thrawn stories, followed by the Han Solo books (all three trilogies). Now a Corran Horn/Ryoko adventure might be fun but Mirax and Tenchi might have things to say about it… Or maybe Washu and Booster Terrik on the Errant Venture? Hmmm.
Thundergod - I considered it, believe me.
Smack54 – I wanted to throw a Jedi into the mix but I didn't want to use Luke. And since the title is 'Ladies' I thought Luke's wife was a good choice.
Lizzy Hakubi – Mara Jade is from the novels. She's also a playable character in the Dark Forces – Mystery of the Sith computer game.
Taxzombie – I don't know if RLA will write more MYTH stories or not, he did just release a new Phule book last year I believe. After writing my bit about Deva though I'm sorry I didn't reread any of the books first.
Wharpt –I've never been to New Orleans so that's out.
DiCyfer – I've never seen Trigun although I'm slightly familiar with the storyline. What Naga and Nagi get into I'll leave to the reader's imagination, I decided that when I started writing these stories that I wouldn't do any lemons and I'm going to stick to it. It doesn't prevent me from using innuendo a lot though.
Vsdefender – Well, I tried to stay away from Star Wars but reader input made me change my mind. When I decided to use the cantina I had to come up with a Jedi character that was a part of the story that readers may be familiar with, might have a reason for being there and wasn't one of the original three main characters. Mara Jade Skywalker was the only one that fit in my opinion (unless Tavira kidnapped Corran Horn's wife again.)
Selene – Someone will probably shoot me, but I don't know who Hiko is. Sorry.
Alighthawk – No more, they're done. As you can see, it was all a setup by Washu anyway.
Priest – Don't worry about it, if I hadn't felt that it would work (and I didn't at first, that's why I resisted) I wouldn't have written it. Calahan's is familiar, I've heard of it but I can't place it.
Dragonbard – Forgot about that, sorry. Still, Ryoko was pretty sloshed by that point although she didn't show any outward signs of it. Maybe she just forgot too.
*****
BobR
8/9/2002