Legacy of Darkness
Prologue
It was early in the morning when Tenchi started his walk out to the fields; with what few tools he used slung over his shoulder. It was a beautiful morning, the sky was mostly clear, with just a few clouds in it. (This would be so romantic, if only he would've come up here with me,) Ryoko thought as she watched him go. (Of course, what did I expect, this is Tenchi, the ever dutiful. I wonder if that's part of what attracts me to him?) She chuckled to herself a bit. (Of course it is. It's part of Tenchi. Sure, it can be a boring part sometimes, but, well, it's cute.) She kept her eyes on him until he crested the hill and began his walk down it. Silently, she phased through the roof and into Tenchi's room. (Now, unless he moved it,) Ryoko quickly floated over to his bed. She moved the pillow aside and was rewarded with the sight of Tenchi's journal. (Bingo.)
She quickly flicked it open. The first page had, in large letters, Ryoko, if you're looking at this, please put it down. The next page had an admonition to Aeka for the same thing, and the page after that warned Sasami, Mihoshi, Washu, and his Father. She quickly flipped past those pages to the newer entries. (Now to see what he has to say...)
December 8
Well, it's been a while since I last wrote in here. About a year, at least since we went back in time to stop Kain. I still can't believe all that's happened. We found out shortly after we got back that Aeka's mother and father, Queen Misaki and King Azusa, were not killed in Kagato's uprising. Apparently he had stuffed them into a pair of stasis pods and moved them off to a remote planet. Since they were found, Azusa has been put back onto the throne. When she heard the news, Aeka was overjoyed, and used the communications system of the Yagami to talk to them several times. They've given her permission to stay on Earth, at least for the time being. They had one condition for now, and that was that Aeka had to come back to Jurai for the birth of her younger brother, who is due around the end of this month. So, we're all getting ready to leave for Jurai tomorrow. This will be my first chance to meet Aeka's family, aside from Sasami.
December 10
Well, we've started another trip to Jurai. This time we're riding on a Jurain tree ship. Everyone came along, except for Kiyone and Mihoshi, who couldn't get time off, and Grandfather, who just said he didn't think it would be a good idea for him to go. Even dad used some vacation time. He said "I've been in space once, and it was so beautiful, even though it was dangerous. I want to go again, and I want to go without having anybody shoot at us!" Sasami and Aeka are both looking forward to going back to Jurai, and I can't wait to see such a beautiful planet again. Even Ryoko seems to be looking forward to getting there.
In other news, Amagasaki came over yesterday. Thankfully, it was before the Jurains came. I could just imagine the look on his face then. As it is, he insists on knowing which of the girls I'm sleeping with, and wants to know if he can have one of the others. I barely kept Ryoko and Aeka from hurting him. I don't think he'll be coming back for a while though, Ryoko gave him a major scare when she flashed her fangs at him, and I think that Aeka glaring doom at him didn't help much. Fortunately, he came by as Kiyone and Mihoshi were leaving, I don't think I could've held everyone back.
December 23
We reached Jurai three days ago. We would've been there sooner, except there was an engine problem. Fortunately, they got it fixed, and no one got hurt.
Unfortunately, I don't think King Azusa likes me very much. Queen Misaki seemed to like me, but I didn't get to see much of her. She's expecting soon, so they're not letting her go out and about much, and they're not allowing her to have many visitors.
Dad is enjoying himself a lot here, he seems to like the architecture they use here. I think he may try to apply some of it when he gets back to work.
I like it here also. It's such a beautiful planet, and the Jurain's seem to have worked hard to keep it that way. I haven't seen very much of Aeka or Sasami since we arrived, because they've been off visiting family a lot. I have, however been spending time with everyone else. Ryoko seems to be glad that she's got "time alone with me", even though Washu and Dad are usually with us.
January 1 (I think.)
Well, little Atsuka was born yesterday. I'm just getting ready to go off and visit the family before the baby is shown to the public.
January 4 (I'm pretty sure.)
Everything seems to be fine with Atsuka. He's healthy, and everyone expects him to grow up and be a credit to the Jurain Royal Family.
I also got a chance to speak with Azusa in private. Though I may have read it wrong, he seems to be trying to make it a point that he means for me to have absolutely NO claim on the throne. Not unless I marry Aeka that is. I think he may think I want to take the throne away from him. I'm guessing that the coup may have left him a bit paranoid, not that I can blame him.
I also got to visit Misaki again. She's doing well, and thanked me for helping stop the coup. Everyone was talking about how Atsuka has got Misaki's grip, and I know what they meant now. She insisted on giving me a hug, and, well, she's really strong. Let's leave it at that.
I also got a chance to have dinner alone with Aeka on the second, and Ryoko on the third. I really need to be more considerate of their feelings, but they still seem to want me to choose between them, and I just can't decide. I love them both, and don't want to see either of them hurt. I think they both know that, but I'm not sure. Maybe I should just tell them?
Washu hasn't been around much. I wonder what she could be doing.
January 7 (I may be wrong.)
We're starting back for Earth now. Though I loved visiting Jurai, I was starting to get homesick. Misaki has given us a standing invitation to come back, and has told us that Jurai is even more beautiful in the spring. We apparently got there in Jurai's autumn.
Washu, whom I'd hardly seen since the baby's birth, seems to be bringing along something she built on Jurai. She won't tell any of us what it is, but she insists that it's something only she could make.
The king has insisted that we be escorted by Kamedake, "to ensure the safety of the Princesses of Jurai, in case of any attacks from hostile powers." For some reason, I think it also serves the double purpose of having Kamedake keep an eye on me.
January 23 (I know I'm right this time.)
Wow, it's been hectic lately. I've been buried in schoolwork ever since we arrived, and I've just now caught up. Fortunately, Kamedake's been helping out. He said that even though he's here to protect the Princesses, that shouldn't stop him from doing his fair share. He's done most of the work Grandfather usually has me do at the shrine, and he and Grandfather seem to be getting along well.
Of course, he said he's also probably going back to Jurai soon. He doesn't think he's really needed here, and from what he's said, Azusa seems to agree.
Aeka and Ryoko have also been getting along better lately. I hope the trend keeps up.
January 25
Aeka, Kamedake, and I got messages last night. Apparently there's been an uprising on a few Jurain border planets. Kamedake is being recalled to help deal with it. A tree ship will be here to pick him up shortly. I don't know what Aeka's said, but my letter was directly from Azusa. He said that, while Kamedake is gone, I'll be expected to guard all of the members of the Jurain royal family on the planet. He included Grandfather in this edict, even though I don't think he really needs protection. At least Azusa seems to be showing some trust in me.
Also, Washu unveiled her new invention today. Apparently, she's been working on it since we were on Jurai. It's a booster for the Yagami. It increases its speed and power, over short periods of time. Unfortunately, it has a tendency to burn out after a while. Washu's working on that problem, as I write.
February 2
Kamedake left yesterday. I was sorry to see him go, as I'd gotten to know him a lot better while he was here.
I've started practicing with Grandfather again. I'm glad to say that my technique hasn't degraded from the time I spent not practicing.
It's getting close to planting time, so soon I'll have to go out and begin working the fields to get them ready for the carrot crop.
(...So, he's not sure that we know he loves us both? Either he's really imperceptive, or naïve. Or both.) Ryoko quickly smirked to herself again, then put the journal back under the pillow and quietly phased through the wall and started downstairs.
Author's Note: Yay, I finally posted something. Thanks to FallenDruid for his assistance in prereading this. Please Critique, flame, shamelessly, praise, or yell at me on the site, or send me an E-mail at Drakstern@Yahoo.com.