====================
Flowering Potential.
====================
Comments, Constructive criticisum and Praise welcome & can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net.
Flames will be sent to the electronic ether.
P.S. The continuity used is basically OAV based with the addition of Kiyone from the TV
series and Minagi from the manga.
Disclaimer: I do not own the series depicted within, but go buy it anyway.
Conventions:
~ ~ are used for thoughts and Telepathic communication.
The series is archived at http://www.lum.co.uk/cobalt/
#########
Chapter 3
#########
Dinner went far too quickly for Tenchi's tastes. The food was better than usual but Tenchi
was getting suspicious of Sasami. Once dinner was finished she'd get bullied by the little girl
again. At least she had a little time to herself as the Girls' favourite soap was on.
~ And I thought she was the nice one. ~ She sourly realised, unknowingly speaking that
thought aloud.
"She is." Came Tsunami's voice.
Tenchi groaned and looked at the source of the voice. The first thing that hit her was
Tsunami's different appearance. She was wearing a simple light dress in a pale pink. The
second thing to hit her was the fact Tsunami was leaning against the wall, having seemed to
have been crying. The third thing was that she looked very fetching and vulnerable.
"What's wrong?" Tenchi asked, just a bit paranoid.
Tsunami snuffled and stood up. Then all dignity went out the window as she dashed
forward and threw herself at Tenchi. The impact knocked Tenchi onto the bed, and the
breath out of her.
~ What's next? ~ Tenchi thought, her paranoia confirmed.
Tsunami was holding onto the woman tightly. "Why?" She bawled, tears forming. "Why
don't you want to go to Jurai? You'll be happy there."
The future image of Sasami should have been used to unexpected things happening. When
Kagato attacked all those months ago she had been astonished to find Tenchi's potential
power was so great. She had resolved to look out for the young man when he had nearly
died. Many things had happened since then, and Tsunami had been pleased when Tenchi had
exceeded her expectations. Now fate had handed her the perfect opportunity with Tenchi,
and then followed up with not one but two blows to her hopes and plans. She'd always
known Tenchi might not want to leave Earth, but she'd never considered the fact that Tenchi
would die so quickly if s/he didn't. It was a short sighted and foolish mistake from one who
had guided lives for so long. But then, Yosho had convinced her to disguise him from the
search for him and she had lost him, her best creation, to similar desires.
"Tsunami." Tenchi said gently. "I'm never going to fit in there. Nobody would accept
me."
"You will. I know it." Tsunami said fiercely, hugging the woman tightly.
Tenchi sighed. "I think you never realised how much Sasami affected you. You can't admit
you are wrong about me. I'd never be a good ruler, and I'm a danger to everybody. It's
better this way."
Tsunami's image sat up. "You don't get it do you?" She said, wiping away the tears.
"These," She pointed to the twin circles on her forehead. "They mean that I'll be second wife
to someone. That's you."
Tenchi stayed how she was. "And you never considered it would be someone else? And
besides, I can't have two wives. It's illegal."
Tsunami sighed. "Tenchi, as the Crown Prince..."
"Not at the moment I'm not."
"... You can have multiple wives."
Tenchi looked at her darkly. "And this is your way of convincing me?" She asked.
An impish look appeared on Tsunami's face. Tenchi braced herself.
"No..." Tsunami said slowly. "I have...other means."
There was a knock at the door. "Tenchi?" Came Sasami's voice.
Tsunami answered. "Come in."
Sasami cautiously opened the door and looked inside. A worried look formed.
"It's alright my young self. Come in. We need to work on our friend here."
Sasami did so, closing the door behind her. On a thought, she locked it as well and took out
the key.
"Oh no." Tenchi moaned despondently.
"It's alright Tenchi." Sasami said, eyes fixed on her other self. "She won't hurt you. I
won't let her."
Tsunami chucked. "I won't hurt her. You had something planed." She walked forward and
seemingly took the key from her other self. There was a flash and it disappeared.
Sasami looked puzzled before an impish grin crossed her face. She walked over to the
balcony door.
Tenchi realised what they were doing.
"H...hey!" She exclaimed as she made for the only way out.
Tsunami intercepted her with a Ryoko style hug. Sasami locked the other door. She looked
at Tsunami and concentrated. There was another flash and that key disappeared also.
Tenchi tried to work herself free. "What are you planning to do?" She asked as she
struggled.
"I'm of two minds about that." Sasami replied.
Tenchi let out a heartfelt groan. "That's an awful joke Sasami."
"I don't know." Tsunami teased. "I rather liked it."
"Great. I'm locked in a room with Naughty and Nice, and they're the same person. Why do
I have the feeling it's going to get worse?"
Sasami sighed and walked over to help herself drag Tenchi back to the bed.
"Oh no you don't." Tenchi growled. She dropped through Tsunami's hug and uncoiled like
a spring, leaping to the far side of the room. She held out her hand and the Master Key
appeared, springing into life.
Sasami had a look of shock on her face. Tsunami had a look of disgust.
"Really Tenchi." She reproached.
"I don't care. I want the keys to the room back, and then I want you two out of here. I've
had enough of your games."
"But..." Sasami began.
"No buts. NOW!"
"Or you'll do what?" Tsunami asked coldly.
Tenchi reversed the sword. Her eyes went as cold as steel.
The two joined beings looked at her in terrified shock. "You wouldn't!" Tsunami gasped.
"Try me. I am not your plaything. I should have thought of this a long time ago."
"Do you have any idea what the suicide of a Crown Prince would do?" Sasami asked.
"Or a transcendent being?" Tsunami added.
"Well, in the first Ayeka gets the throne. And the second the universe loses a being it does
not need."
"Wrong. You would destroy both an empire and this planet."
"Maybe you should have thought of that before you decided to mess with my life!"
Tsunami lost her temper. "You selfish, ungrateful little brat! You have no idea what we are
trying to do for you. But no, it has to be me, me, me."
"It's about time too. It's been you, you, you for far too long. I don't care how dangerous it
is, I want my life back!"
"You were right." Sasami said quietly. "The Tenchi we knew and fell in love with doesn't
exist anymore." She began to cry. "I want that Tenchi back." She sobbed. "I want the
Tenchi who made me happy after all those bad dreams. I want the Tenchi that made me
realise who I am, who changed me from a thing to a person." She took a deep breath. "I
WANT THE TENCHI THAT WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RISK EVERYTHING FOR US!" She screamed.
Something glowing blue shot past her head and imbedded itself in the wall.
"Take it." Tenchi said quietly. "It's yours. I don't want it any more." She turned her gaze
to Tsunami. "I think this just about proves my point." She told her.
Tsunami turned and gently led her crying younger self to sit down on the bed. Then she
stood and walked towards Tenchi. Her dress vanished in a flash to be replaced with her usual
attire. She stopped in front of her and looked into her eyes coldly before sticking her hand
into Tenchi's chest and grabbing her heart.
Tenchi didn't flinch.
"You know how easy it is for me to kill you." She said emotionlessly.
"Then do it." Tenchi matched her tone.
They stood there for a long moment. Then slowly, ever so slowly, Tsunami retracted her
hand.
"Are you really that sad?" The image asked. "Are you really that fed up with life and the
possibilities it offers?"
Tenchi nodded. "Have you heard the expression the straw that broke the camels back?
That's what's happened to me. You broke your toy."
"Then you have no idea what you mean to me? You are my hope for the future. To the
others, you are their joy."
"And to some, I am their enemy. Who must be destroyed, and damn those around me."
Tsunami nodded sadly. "But to the universe, you are salvation. The only hope against one
who would control it all. The only one who can stand up to Washu's and my sister, Tokimi."
Tenchi thought about this. "Isn't she the one who came after Washu?"
"Yes. We opposed her before. We won, and it almost killed us. She is stronger this time.
If she wins, Washu and I will be stripped of our powers and memories and flung to the
furthest reaches. She will take what she has won into herself and become absolute. She will
take Sasami as her vessel and you as her consort. She has noticed you Tenchi, and you
cannot escape her."
The tears rolled freely down her face.
"I never wanted to tell you this. It was supposed to be for when you were ready. But we
were loosing you, and without you we hadn't a chance."
Tenchi stood silently for a few minutes before side-stepping the image and walking to the
young girl crying on her bed.
She knelt and began wiping the tears away. "I'm sorry Sasami. I didn't know. How could
I?"
The crying girl looked at her through teary eyes. Tenchi decided that it was now or never.
As a man, those long hours since seeming an eternity, she had imagined doing this to a girl.
But then s/he had been a normal shy boy. Well, not now.
Tenchi grabbed the little girl and kissed her full on the lips, stifling the sobs and her cries.
She wrapped her arms around her in a passionate embrace, tender but powerful. She crushed
her to her breasts, cradling her as if she was the most precious thing in the world.
Something exploded in Tsunami. She felt a joy beyond words engulf her whole being and
begin to carry her off. She gasped in pleasure.
Tenchi tenderly broke the kiss. "Feeling better now?" She asked the princess.
Sasami stared at her in puzzled wonderment before a look of absolute delight sprang to her
face.
"OH TENCHI!" She cried in pure joy, throwing her arms around the older girl and hugging
as tightly as she could. "You're back!"
Another pair of arms came around Tenchi from behind, and she felt the firm breasts in her
back.
"Welcome back Tenchi." Tsunami was practically purring.
The three of them stayed like that for a few minutes before Tenchi spoke up.
"At the risk if spoiling everything, can you two unlock the doors please?" She asked a bit
tiredly.
"Not yet." Tsunami said.
"Why?" Tenchi sighed.
"Because," Sasami told her, "you have to try on all those clothes Washu made for you."
Tenchi groaned. "Do I have too?" She sounded so pathetic that the joined ladies embracing
her burst out laughing.
***
The rest of the household was oblivious to the episode that had happened upstairs. When
Washu had delivered the clothes she had finally upgraded the forcefield around Tenchi's
room, soundproofing it. She'd figured that Tenchi might yell in anger at the world in general
for what had happened, and didn't particularly want to be distracted. Right now she was
going through her standard health check with everybody else. Mihoshi had gone first,
although that had entailed two explosions, numerous electric shocks and a headache that
would probably last a week. She had now wandered off, to everybody's immense relief.
Ryoko was now under her mother's gentle ministrations.
"Hum..."
"What?" Ryoko asked.
"Those workouts have done some good. You are no longer sagging."
"What did you say?" Ryoko exploded, rising.
Washu sighed and pressed a key. A large subspace portal opened above Ryoko and a
marble statue of a dog dropped out of it, hitting her with a loud klong.
"What have I told you about getting angry at your mom?"
***
"Oh please no." Tenchi complained, trying to bat the clothes away. "You two are having
too much fun at my expense."
"Just one outfit." Sasami begged. "Please?"
Tsunami was trying not to laugh. "You have to remember Tenchi." She said with the
barely controlled laughter evident. "You are very beautiful now."
"That just makes it harder. I am NOT dressing to kill, and that's final. I think we've had
enough for one day."
"Oh..." Sasami's tone was profoundly disappointed.
"Well I'm not finished with you yet." The projection walked towards the scantily clad
young lady.
"Can't we deal with it another time?" Tenchi asked tiredly. This was getting boring.
"No. Summon your armour."
"Like this?"
"Yes."
Tenchi sighed and twisted her ring slightly. There was a slight flash as the battle armour
emerged and Tenchi was standing in her usual outfit.
"Well?"
Tsunami looked her over. Apart from the face, nothing seemed different.
"It will do. Change back."
"I always hate this part." Tenchi grumbled, not noticing the twinkle in Tsunami's eyes.
The flash of the armour disappearing brightened the room.
"Can we stop now?" She asked. "I want to get dressed properly."
"Just one more thing." Tsunami said, touching Tenchi's ears. Tenchi felt a tingling
sensation.
"What did you just do?" She demanded.
"Have a look in the mirror."
Tenchi put on a tired and resigned look. She did so, and noted the two gold ear studs.
"What are these for?" She wanted to know.
"Just a thank you for helping me and Sasami."
"I don't deserve any thanks. I just did what I thought should be done."
"It was my idea." Sasami said.
"I know this is obvious, but you two think too much alike."
***
Washu had finally got down to Kiyone.
"It's nice to know that someone regularly keeps in shape." The redhead noted.
"I had to do something while I was waiting for a rescue. It got to be a habit."
After the Ultra Energy Matter incident, the Galaxy Police had issued a general space hazard
warning for the debris field. All that scattered Ultra Energy Matter played havoc with ship
systems. Kiyone had survived on scavenged rations. What nobody had realised was that, due
to the interactions between the emissions of the stolen material and half active devices, time
moved much more slowly inside the field than out.
When a GP survey ship had entered the area two years afterwards, the field had weakened
and they had found a Kiyone only two weeks older. She had immediately been taken back to
GP HQ to be examined and debriefed. They had given her an easy assignment to get used to
being slightly out of step with the rest of the universe.
Washu had calculated the odds of this happening at 1 in 854,311,090. Or about once a week
around Mihoshi.
Unfortunately that had meant being reassigned to Mihoshi. Kiyone had spent the first
month trying to keep from throttling the idiotic woman.
Washu put the odds of THIS happening at about the same.
Washu quickly finished typing. "There. All done."
There was a creek of the stairs as Sasami pulled Tenchi downstairs again.
"Do you enjoy this?" Tenchi tiredly asked the little girl.
"Lighten up Tenchi." The princess giggled. "It's not that bad."
"Why me?" She sighed.
The Azure-hared imp managed to get Tenchi down the stairs and onto the couch. Tenchi
closed her eyes and tried to relax, ignoring the looks she was sure were aimed at her.
Washu broke the silence. "It's your turn Sasami."
"Ok Washu." She said, moving to play designated victim.
Minagi sat down next to Tenchi.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
Eyes still closed, Tenchi leaned back and let her head drop back. "A certain Blue-hared imp
is having a lot of fun tormenting me." She sighed.
Sasami giggled. "I'm not that bad Tenchi."
Ryoko and Ayeka had indulgent expressions on their faces. Kiyone shook her head and
sighed. Minagi had a faint smile and a pitying look. Mihoshi was snoring. Washu was busy.
"It can't be that bad." The young space pirate told the woman beside her.
"She has backup. The two of them seem to be enjoying it immensely, which I suppose
makes some sense if you think about it." She finally opened her eyes and brought her head
back upright. "I mean," She gestured to herself, "it took me twenty minutes to convince them
that this would do."
Tenchi was wearing a light blue short-sleeved blouse, over which was a form fitting dark
red waistcoat, and tight Jeans.
"I don't think we need to go through the other options." She told them, shooting a dark look
at her tormentor. "Basically they locked away my old clothes to keep me to the new ones."
She turned a pleading look on Washu. "Please don't encourage them anymore, for my
sanity's sake!"
"Who is she talking about?" Ryoko asked Ayeka. Sasami's elder sister shrugged.
Washu finished with Sasami. "I'll think about it." She grinned. "Where'd the jewellery
come from?" She asked, noting the ear studs. "I didn't make any."
"They're sort of a misplaced gift."
"I don't think they're misplaced." Sasami mentioned. "Honestly Tenchi, you're so
stubborn." She turned her voice to the room. "She's hard to dress, hard to convince, almost
impossible to reason with when she's in a bad mood and we can't even give her a thank you
without her complaining."
Most of the room wore bemused looks.
"We?" Ayeka asked.
"Tsunami and I." Sasami said absently.
Ryoko popped into existence in front if Tenchi. "Well I think you look delectable." She
told the surprised young woman as she hugged her. Tenchi had a tired expression on her
face.
"Oh, not again." She murmured quietly.
The usual arguments started quickly.
"What's this about Tsunami?" Washu asked the young girl, wisely ignoring the battle going
on.
"Well, Tenchi and I had some long talks before dinner. I got upset at one point and Tenchi
tried to explain things as she saw it. I felt as if something just sort of clicked at each point
she made." She stopped and looked sheepish. "I feel really embarrassed at myself now."
She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Tenchi. She had extricated herself from
the fight.
"At least I scored some sort of victory today." She grinned.
Sasami sighed. "I was asking for that wasn't I?"
"Yes." Her two companions told her.
"Watch out for this one Washu." Tenchi told the scientist. "She's bossy, manipulative, and
determined. It takes her forever to accept 'No' as an answer and her other half has a
tendency to be, even worse, seductive."
Washu chuckled. "I see you two got to know each other pretty well."
"I'm not finished with her yet." Sasami said ominously.
"See what I mean?" Tenchi groaned.
***
It was late at night, and Sasami was creeping through the house. Everybody else was
asleep, having gone to bed hours ago.
~ Sasami: Are you sure this is a good idea? ~ She silently asked her other self.
~ Tsunami: Trust me Sasami. I've watched the best at this. You were the one who decided
she should be comfortable with her new body. ~
~ Sasami: Yeah well, I didn't think about going this far. ~
~ Tsunami: Just think of it as practice for later. ~
Sasami blushed. ~ Sasami: You have a nasty mind. ~
~ Tsunami: It's yours too. ~
The little princess arrived at her destination and worked herself up. She knocked at the
door.
"Tenchi!" She sobbed. "Tenchi!"
The door slid open to reveal a bleary eyed Tenchi dressed in a night-shirt.
"What's the matter?" She asked.
"I had a bad dream Tenchi!" The young girl cried, induced tears rolling from her eyes. She
flung herself at her and cried into her chest.
"It's alright Sasami." Tenchi soothed. "It's alright. It was only a dream."
"Can I stay with you tonight?" The apparently distraught Sasami asked.
"Um... But..." Tenchi began. She didn't have a spare bed.
Sasami renewed her sobs.
"Aw, ok." Tenchi gave in.
~ Tsunami: Told you it would work. ~ She sounded smug.
~ Sasami: Ok. But I still don't like playing on her feelings. ~ She thought as Tenchi
gently led her into her room and closed the door.
~ Tsunami: We can be especially nice to Tenchi later. ~ The voice practically leered.
Sasami didn't answer. She was too busy trying to keep from blushing.
Flowering Potential.
====================
Comments, Constructive criticisum and Praise welcome & can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net.
Flames will be sent to the electronic ether.
P.S. The continuity used is basically OAV based with the addition of Kiyone from the TV
series and Minagi from the manga.
Disclaimer: I do not own the series depicted within, but go buy it anyway.
Conventions:
~ ~ are used for thoughts and Telepathic communication.
The series is archived at http://www.lum.co.uk/cobalt/
#########
Chapter 3
#########
Dinner went far too quickly for Tenchi's tastes. The food was better than usual but Tenchi
was getting suspicious of Sasami. Once dinner was finished she'd get bullied by the little girl
again. At least she had a little time to herself as the Girls' favourite soap was on.
~ And I thought she was the nice one. ~ She sourly realised, unknowingly speaking that
thought aloud.
"She is." Came Tsunami's voice.
Tenchi groaned and looked at the source of the voice. The first thing that hit her was
Tsunami's different appearance. She was wearing a simple light dress in a pale pink. The
second thing to hit her was the fact Tsunami was leaning against the wall, having seemed to
have been crying. The third thing was that she looked very fetching and vulnerable.
"What's wrong?" Tenchi asked, just a bit paranoid.
Tsunami snuffled and stood up. Then all dignity went out the window as she dashed
forward and threw herself at Tenchi. The impact knocked Tenchi onto the bed, and the
breath out of her.
~ What's next? ~ Tenchi thought, her paranoia confirmed.
Tsunami was holding onto the woman tightly. "Why?" She bawled, tears forming. "Why
don't you want to go to Jurai? You'll be happy there."
The future image of Sasami should have been used to unexpected things happening. When
Kagato attacked all those months ago she had been astonished to find Tenchi's potential
power was so great. She had resolved to look out for the young man when he had nearly
died. Many things had happened since then, and Tsunami had been pleased when Tenchi had
exceeded her expectations. Now fate had handed her the perfect opportunity with Tenchi,
and then followed up with not one but two blows to her hopes and plans. She'd always
known Tenchi might not want to leave Earth, but she'd never considered the fact that Tenchi
would die so quickly if s/he didn't. It was a short sighted and foolish mistake from one who
had guided lives for so long. But then, Yosho had convinced her to disguise him from the
search for him and she had lost him, her best creation, to similar desires.
"Tsunami." Tenchi said gently. "I'm never going to fit in there. Nobody would accept
me."
"You will. I know it." Tsunami said fiercely, hugging the woman tightly.
Tenchi sighed. "I think you never realised how much Sasami affected you. You can't admit
you are wrong about me. I'd never be a good ruler, and I'm a danger to everybody. It's
better this way."
Tsunami's image sat up. "You don't get it do you?" She said, wiping away the tears.
"These," She pointed to the twin circles on her forehead. "They mean that I'll be second wife
to someone. That's you."
Tenchi stayed how she was. "And you never considered it would be someone else? And
besides, I can't have two wives. It's illegal."
Tsunami sighed. "Tenchi, as the Crown Prince..."
"Not at the moment I'm not."
"... You can have multiple wives."
Tenchi looked at her darkly. "And this is your way of convincing me?" She asked.
An impish look appeared on Tsunami's face. Tenchi braced herself.
"No..." Tsunami said slowly. "I have...other means."
There was a knock at the door. "Tenchi?" Came Sasami's voice.
Tsunami answered. "Come in."
Sasami cautiously opened the door and looked inside. A worried look formed.
"It's alright my young self. Come in. We need to work on our friend here."
Sasami did so, closing the door behind her. On a thought, she locked it as well and took out
the key.
"Oh no." Tenchi moaned despondently.
"It's alright Tenchi." Sasami said, eyes fixed on her other self. "She won't hurt you. I
won't let her."
Tsunami chucked. "I won't hurt her. You had something planed." She walked forward and
seemingly took the key from her other self. There was a flash and it disappeared.
Sasami looked puzzled before an impish grin crossed her face. She walked over to the
balcony door.
Tenchi realised what they were doing.
"H...hey!" She exclaimed as she made for the only way out.
Tsunami intercepted her with a Ryoko style hug. Sasami locked the other door. She looked
at Tsunami and concentrated. There was another flash and that key disappeared also.
Tenchi tried to work herself free. "What are you planning to do?" She asked as she
struggled.
"I'm of two minds about that." Sasami replied.
Tenchi let out a heartfelt groan. "That's an awful joke Sasami."
"I don't know." Tsunami teased. "I rather liked it."
"Great. I'm locked in a room with Naughty and Nice, and they're the same person. Why do
I have the feeling it's going to get worse?"
Sasami sighed and walked over to help herself drag Tenchi back to the bed.
"Oh no you don't." Tenchi growled. She dropped through Tsunami's hug and uncoiled like
a spring, leaping to the far side of the room. She held out her hand and the Master Key
appeared, springing into life.
Sasami had a look of shock on her face. Tsunami had a look of disgust.
"Really Tenchi." She reproached.
"I don't care. I want the keys to the room back, and then I want you two out of here. I've
had enough of your games."
"But..." Sasami began.
"No buts. NOW!"
"Or you'll do what?" Tsunami asked coldly.
Tenchi reversed the sword. Her eyes went as cold as steel.
The two joined beings looked at her in terrified shock. "You wouldn't!" Tsunami gasped.
"Try me. I am not your plaything. I should have thought of this a long time ago."
"Do you have any idea what the suicide of a Crown Prince would do?" Sasami asked.
"Or a transcendent being?" Tsunami added.
"Well, in the first Ayeka gets the throne. And the second the universe loses a being it does
not need."
"Wrong. You would destroy both an empire and this planet."
"Maybe you should have thought of that before you decided to mess with my life!"
Tsunami lost her temper. "You selfish, ungrateful little brat! You have no idea what we are
trying to do for you. But no, it has to be me, me, me."
"It's about time too. It's been you, you, you for far too long. I don't care how dangerous it
is, I want my life back!"
"You were right." Sasami said quietly. "The Tenchi we knew and fell in love with doesn't
exist anymore." She began to cry. "I want that Tenchi back." She sobbed. "I want the
Tenchi who made me happy after all those bad dreams. I want the Tenchi that made me
realise who I am, who changed me from a thing to a person." She took a deep breath. "I
WANT THE TENCHI THAT WOULD NOT HESITATE TO RISK EVERYTHING FOR US!" She screamed.
Something glowing blue shot past her head and imbedded itself in the wall.
"Take it." Tenchi said quietly. "It's yours. I don't want it any more." She turned her gaze
to Tsunami. "I think this just about proves my point." She told her.
Tsunami turned and gently led her crying younger self to sit down on the bed. Then she
stood and walked towards Tenchi. Her dress vanished in a flash to be replaced with her usual
attire. She stopped in front of her and looked into her eyes coldly before sticking her hand
into Tenchi's chest and grabbing her heart.
Tenchi didn't flinch.
"You know how easy it is for me to kill you." She said emotionlessly.
"Then do it." Tenchi matched her tone.
They stood there for a long moment. Then slowly, ever so slowly, Tsunami retracted her
hand.
"Are you really that sad?" The image asked. "Are you really that fed up with life and the
possibilities it offers?"
Tenchi nodded. "Have you heard the expression the straw that broke the camels back?
That's what's happened to me. You broke your toy."
"Then you have no idea what you mean to me? You are my hope for the future. To the
others, you are their joy."
"And to some, I am their enemy. Who must be destroyed, and damn those around me."
Tsunami nodded sadly. "But to the universe, you are salvation. The only hope against one
who would control it all. The only one who can stand up to Washu's and my sister, Tokimi."
Tenchi thought about this. "Isn't she the one who came after Washu?"
"Yes. We opposed her before. We won, and it almost killed us. She is stronger this time.
If she wins, Washu and I will be stripped of our powers and memories and flung to the
furthest reaches. She will take what she has won into herself and become absolute. She will
take Sasami as her vessel and you as her consort. She has noticed you Tenchi, and you
cannot escape her."
The tears rolled freely down her face.
"I never wanted to tell you this. It was supposed to be for when you were ready. But we
were loosing you, and without you we hadn't a chance."
Tenchi stood silently for a few minutes before side-stepping the image and walking to the
young girl crying on her bed.
She knelt and began wiping the tears away. "I'm sorry Sasami. I didn't know. How could
I?"
The crying girl looked at her through teary eyes. Tenchi decided that it was now or never.
As a man, those long hours since seeming an eternity, she had imagined doing this to a girl.
But then s/he had been a normal shy boy. Well, not now.
Tenchi grabbed the little girl and kissed her full on the lips, stifling the sobs and her cries.
She wrapped her arms around her in a passionate embrace, tender but powerful. She crushed
her to her breasts, cradling her as if she was the most precious thing in the world.
Something exploded in Tsunami. She felt a joy beyond words engulf her whole being and
begin to carry her off. She gasped in pleasure.
Tenchi tenderly broke the kiss. "Feeling better now?" She asked the princess.
Sasami stared at her in puzzled wonderment before a look of absolute delight sprang to her
face.
"OH TENCHI!" She cried in pure joy, throwing her arms around the older girl and hugging
as tightly as she could. "You're back!"
Another pair of arms came around Tenchi from behind, and she felt the firm breasts in her
back.
"Welcome back Tenchi." Tsunami was practically purring.
The three of them stayed like that for a few minutes before Tenchi spoke up.
"At the risk if spoiling everything, can you two unlock the doors please?" She asked a bit
tiredly.
"Not yet." Tsunami said.
"Why?" Tenchi sighed.
"Because," Sasami told her, "you have to try on all those clothes Washu made for you."
Tenchi groaned. "Do I have too?" She sounded so pathetic that the joined ladies embracing
her burst out laughing.
***
The rest of the household was oblivious to the episode that had happened upstairs. When
Washu had delivered the clothes she had finally upgraded the forcefield around Tenchi's
room, soundproofing it. She'd figured that Tenchi might yell in anger at the world in general
for what had happened, and didn't particularly want to be distracted. Right now she was
going through her standard health check with everybody else. Mihoshi had gone first,
although that had entailed two explosions, numerous electric shocks and a headache that
would probably last a week. She had now wandered off, to everybody's immense relief.
Ryoko was now under her mother's gentle ministrations.
"Hum..."
"What?" Ryoko asked.
"Those workouts have done some good. You are no longer sagging."
"What did you say?" Ryoko exploded, rising.
Washu sighed and pressed a key. A large subspace portal opened above Ryoko and a
marble statue of a dog dropped out of it, hitting her with a loud klong.
"What have I told you about getting angry at your mom?"
***
"Oh please no." Tenchi complained, trying to bat the clothes away. "You two are having
too much fun at my expense."
"Just one outfit." Sasami begged. "Please?"
Tsunami was trying not to laugh. "You have to remember Tenchi." She said with the
barely controlled laughter evident. "You are very beautiful now."
"That just makes it harder. I am NOT dressing to kill, and that's final. I think we've had
enough for one day."
"Oh..." Sasami's tone was profoundly disappointed.
"Well I'm not finished with you yet." The projection walked towards the scantily clad
young lady.
"Can't we deal with it another time?" Tenchi asked tiredly. This was getting boring.
"No. Summon your armour."
"Like this?"
"Yes."
Tenchi sighed and twisted her ring slightly. There was a slight flash as the battle armour
emerged and Tenchi was standing in her usual outfit.
"Well?"
Tsunami looked her over. Apart from the face, nothing seemed different.
"It will do. Change back."
"I always hate this part." Tenchi grumbled, not noticing the twinkle in Tsunami's eyes.
The flash of the armour disappearing brightened the room.
"Can we stop now?" She asked. "I want to get dressed properly."
"Just one more thing." Tsunami said, touching Tenchi's ears. Tenchi felt a tingling
sensation.
"What did you just do?" She demanded.
"Have a look in the mirror."
Tenchi put on a tired and resigned look. She did so, and noted the two gold ear studs.
"What are these for?" She wanted to know.
"Just a thank you for helping me and Sasami."
"I don't deserve any thanks. I just did what I thought should be done."
"It was my idea." Sasami said.
"I know this is obvious, but you two think too much alike."
***
Washu had finally got down to Kiyone.
"It's nice to know that someone regularly keeps in shape." The redhead noted.
"I had to do something while I was waiting for a rescue. It got to be a habit."
After the Ultra Energy Matter incident, the Galaxy Police had issued a general space hazard
warning for the debris field. All that scattered Ultra Energy Matter played havoc with ship
systems. Kiyone had survived on scavenged rations. What nobody had realised was that, due
to the interactions between the emissions of the stolen material and half active devices, time
moved much more slowly inside the field than out.
When a GP survey ship had entered the area two years afterwards, the field had weakened
and they had found a Kiyone only two weeks older. She had immediately been taken back to
GP HQ to be examined and debriefed. They had given her an easy assignment to get used to
being slightly out of step with the rest of the universe.
Washu had calculated the odds of this happening at 1 in 854,311,090. Or about once a week
around Mihoshi.
Unfortunately that had meant being reassigned to Mihoshi. Kiyone had spent the first
month trying to keep from throttling the idiotic woman.
Washu put the odds of THIS happening at about the same.
Washu quickly finished typing. "There. All done."
There was a creek of the stairs as Sasami pulled Tenchi downstairs again.
"Do you enjoy this?" Tenchi tiredly asked the little girl.
"Lighten up Tenchi." The princess giggled. "It's not that bad."
"Why me?" She sighed.
The Azure-hared imp managed to get Tenchi down the stairs and onto the couch. Tenchi
closed her eyes and tried to relax, ignoring the looks she was sure were aimed at her.
Washu broke the silence. "It's your turn Sasami."
"Ok Washu." She said, moving to play designated victim.
Minagi sat down next to Tenchi.
"What's wrong?" She asked.
Eyes still closed, Tenchi leaned back and let her head drop back. "A certain Blue-hared imp
is having a lot of fun tormenting me." She sighed.
Sasami giggled. "I'm not that bad Tenchi."
Ryoko and Ayeka had indulgent expressions on their faces. Kiyone shook her head and
sighed. Minagi had a faint smile and a pitying look. Mihoshi was snoring. Washu was busy.
"It can't be that bad." The young space pirate told the woman beside her.
"She has backup. The two of them seem to be enjoying it immensely, which I suppose
makes some sense if you think about it." She finally opened her eyes and brought her head
back upright. "I mean," She gestured to herself, "it took me twenty minutes to convince them
that this would do."
Tenchi was wearing a light blue short-sleeved blouse, over which was a form fitting dark
red waistcoat, and tight Jeans.
"I don't think we need to go through the other options." She told them, shooting a dark look
at her tormentor. "Basically they locked away my old clothes to keep me to the new ones."
She turned a pleading look on Washu. "Please don't encourage them anymore, for my
sanity's sake!"
"Who is she talking about?" Ryoko asked Ayeka. Sasami's elder sister shrugged.
Washu finished with Sasami. "I'll think about it." She grinned. "Where'd the jewellery
come from?" She asked, noting the ear studs. "I didn't make any."
"They're sort of a misplaced gift."
"I don't think they're misplaced." Sasami mentioned. "Honestly Tenchi, you're so
stubborn." She turned her voice to the room. "She's hard to dress, hard to convince, almost
impossible to reason with when she's in a bad mood and we can't even give her a thank you
without her complaining."
Most of the room wore bemused looks.
"We?" Ayeka asked.
"Tsunami and I." Sasami said absently.
Ryoko popped into existence in front if Tenchi. "Well I think you look delectable." She
told the surprised young woman as she hugged her. Tenchi had a tired expression on her
face.
"Oh, not again." She murmured quietly.
The usual arguments started quickly.
"What's this about Tsunami?" Washu asked the young girl, wisely ignoring the battle going
on.
"Well, Tenchi and I had some long talks before dinner. I got upset at one point and Tenchi
tried to explain things as she saw it. I felt as if something just sort of clicked at each point
she made." She stopped and looked sheepish. "I feel really embarrassed at myself now."
She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Tenchi. She had extricated herself from
the fight.
"At least I scored some sort of victory today." She grinned.
Sasami sighed. "I was asking for that wasn't I?"
"Yes." Her two companions told her.
"Watch out for this one Washu." Tenchi told the scientist. "She's bossy, manipulative, and
determined. It takes her forever to accept 'No' as an answer and her other half has a
tendency to be, even worse, seductive."
Washu chuckled. "I see you two got to know each other pretty well."
"I'm not finished with her yet." Sasami said ominously.
"See what I mean?" Tenchi groaned.
***
It was late at night, and Sasami was creeping through the house. Everybody else was
asleep, having gone to bed hours ago.
~ Sasami: Are you sure this is a good idea? ~ She silently asked her other self.
~ Tsunami: Trust me Sasami. I've watched the best at this. You were the one who decided
she should be comfortable with her new body. ~
~ Sasami: Yeah well, I didn't think about going this far. ~
~ Tsunami: Just think of it as practice for later. ~
Sasami blushed. ~ Sasami: You have a nasty mind. ~
~ Tsunami: It's yours too. ~
The little princess arrived at her destination and worked herself up. She knocked at the
door.
"Tenchi!" She sobbed. "Tenchi!"
The door slid open to reveal a bleary eyed Tenchi dressed in a night-shirt.
"What's the matter?" She asked.
"I had a bad dream Tenchi!" The young girl cried, induced tears rolling from her eyes. She
flung herself at her and cried into her chest.
"It's alright Sasami." Tenchi soothed. "It's alright. It was only a dream."
"Can I stay with you tonight?" The apparently distraught Sasami asked.
"Um... But..." Tenchi began. She didn't have a spare bed.
Sasami renewed her sobs.
"Aw, ok." Tenchi gave in.
~ Tsunami: Told you it would work. ~ She sounded smug.
~ Sasami: Ok. But I still don't like playing on her feelings. ~ She thought as Tenchi
gently led her into her room and closed the door.
~ Tsunami: We can be especially nice to Tenchi later. ~ The voice practically leered.
Sasami didn't answer. She was too busy trying to keep from blushing.