====================
Flowering Potential.
====================
C&C can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net . Flames should be writen down on pieces of paper
and burned. You'll feel a whole lot better.
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 5
#########
The house rarely looked this clean. Although Ryoko and Ayeka had got into another fight,
Washu had taken the opportunity to rebuild the furniture as self-cleaning. As she ruefully
admitted, she'd been meaning to do that for months. None of the others had the slightest hint
that Tenchi, Washu and Sasami had orchestrated the scene at lunch two days ago.
The two reasons for the hubbub of activity were due in about three hours, and everybody
was finishing up.
Tenchi wiped the back of her hand across her for head as she finished cleaning the room she
had set aside for her guests.
"Well, that should do it." She said to herself.
It wasn't much, she knew, but it was the best they could do. Her house was not a palace, not
even technically with all the royalties living there.
***
Ryoko and Ayeka only really share two real fears. One was that Tenchi would choose the
other over her. The other was how Misaki would treat them when she got here. The anxiety
gave the girls a much needed energy boost and focus. Tenchi noticed their efforts as she
walked to the kitchen.
"Hi Guys."
"Hi Tenchi." The two worker bees replied. They were too busy to do anything else.
Tenchi smiled at the rare scene before heading through the kitchen door.
It wasn't often Washu was in the kitchen, even less that she was cooking. Sasami was to
one side working on the dishes.
"What you working on Washu?" Tenchi asked.
"Just doing some vegetables for later."
"Any idea when they'll arrive."
"About three hours." Sasami told them. "We will be finished in one."
"Anybody told Grandfather?"
The redhead and the princess looked at each other in shock that they could forget that.
Tenchi sighed and looked herself over. She looked normal, or more precisely she was
wearing what she would normally be wearing if she had been normal at the moment.
"I'll go tell him." She said before a thought hit her. "Washu, remind me to talk to you
about making some Earth appliances. They'll save some work."
***
Yosho was finishing his writing. Over the past seven hundred years he had developed
something of a habit of doing that. How the world would shudder to find out he had actually
travelled around the planet, sampling the local cultures and contributing to several works of
art. He and Leonardo Da Vinchi had been good friends, with Yosho causing the famous
smile of the Mona Lisa. Tenchi would no doubt hate that.
He smiled faintly at that thought before hearing the footfalls of someone approaching. They
were slightly strange, meaning it was Tenchi. The newly female priest (or priestess at the
moment) hadn't yet become fully comfortable with her new body.
He heard her climb the steps before knocking.
"Come in Tenchi." He called.
The door slid open to reveal a normal looking Tenchi, if you discounted the fact of her
femininity.
"Morning Grandpa." She said pleasantly.
"What can I do for you today?" He asked.
"I...er...just thought that you should know we're expecting some visitors." She told him
looking uncomfortable.
"I see. I had noticed the increased activity. Anybody I know?"
"Er...yeah. It's Funaho and Misaki." She told him. "But the King isn't coming."
"Hum..."
Tenchi plunged straight on. "And they may be staying a few days."
"I see. Thank you for bringing this to my attention before they arrive. When ARE they
due?"
"A little over two hours."
"Was there anything else?"
Tenchi thought of something. "I was wondering, who names the Royal Trees?"
Yosho blinked. It was not something he did often.
"The trees have their own names, but when they bond to someone the two of them chose a
name that they feel is suitable. Why?"
"So you named your tree after your mother. Was it because of the way she sounds?"
"That and the fact she always gave me good advice. You have begun talking to her then?"
Yosho asked cautiously
"It was a bit unexpected. I was talking to Tsunami and I suddenly heard her voice. It was
just after this." At the last bit she gestured to herself.
They both felt a presence, but it was Tenchi who placed it.
"Are you sure this is a wise idea?" She asked.
"A goddess is always wise." Came the voice. The image of Tsunami formed.
Yosho bowed respectfully towards her. She returned the bow.
"I can't help but think those are famous last words." The old priest said wryly.
"Be clever on your own time. I must borrow your granddaughter." She said coldly.
"There's no need to be rude." Tenchi said severely. "You're never like this around me."
"Our relationship is not exactly cordial." Yosho explained. "We disagreed on several
points in the past."
"I won't bother asking because I know you won't tell me. But that's no excuse to be rude."
She turned to Tsunami. "Apologise, then we'll go."
"Giving ultimatums to a goddess is not a good idea Tenchi." Yosho warned.
Tenchi shrugged. "I've done it before. Well?"
"I apologise for any rudeness I displayed before Prince Yosho." The image said.
"I humbly accept your apology." The priest acknowledged.
"Now that wasn't so bad was it?" Tenchi stood up. She walked up and opened the door,
gesturing for the image to go first. "After you."
Tsunami and Yosho exchanged a knowing glance before the image walked out the open
door. Tenchi followed, closing the door after her.
Yosho smiled. Tenchi was progressing better than he had hoped.
***
The two beings didn't speak for a few minutes as they walked down the stairs.
Tenchi broke the silence. "So what did you want me for?"
"I think you should change into something more suitable to meet the Queens."
"Probably a bad idea. They won't be expecting a female me, let alone a female me dressed
like a woman. Hell, I'm still not comfortable with seeing myself like that no matter how hard
you two try to convince me."
Tsunami sighed in disappointment. "And you would have looked so good in that blue
number."
"Touch'." Tenchi conceded.
A bit of the smile she normally wore around Tenchi reappeared on Tsunami's lips.
"Although I think you should wear the black and gold one."
Tenchi shuddered. "I'll change into some clean clothes, but that's it."
"Oh go on." Tsunami coaxed. "You know you want to."
"No. I don't. Have they finished?" Tenchi changed the subject.
"Yes, and changed."
"Good, at least that's out of the way."
Tenchi suddenly felt a tingling surge of power nearby. A black hole, similar to Washu's
portals appeared above the lake and two ships dropped out of it.
"Looks like they're early." Tenchi noted blandly.
Tsunami looked embarrassed.
"Don't worry, you're only human."
***
"They're here!" Washu called out. She actually thought it was for the best, as then Ayeka,
Sasami and Ryoko didn't get too wound up waiting for them.
Ayeka looked worried and relieved at the same time.
Washu remembered the shielding and turned it on, hiding the Juraian Battle cruisers from
Earth's sensor net.
Ayeka and Sasami rushed out of the patio door with Washu following at a more sedate pace.
The two Sister Queens materialised on the jetty.
"Mommy! Auntie Funaho!" Sasami cried as she ran towards them. Misaki dropped to one
knee to receive the onrushing girl in her arms.
"Oh Sasami! It's so good to see you again!"
The two blue-hared ladies hugged each other, with Funaho watching on and Ayeka staying a
safe distance.
Washu walked up. "It's nice to see you again."
"Hello Washu." Funaho replied. "How are things here?"
Washu hesitated a microsecond, but Funaho picked it up. "About the same as usual. Won't
you come in?"
Misaki had by this time turned her attentions to Ayeka, who was wearing a resigned
grimace.
The group began moving.
"Where's Tenchi?"
"Up at the temple seeing Yosho." Washu answered quickly. "Tenchi should be back soon."
Misaki had caught this as well. The Queens knew that something was up. Washu had
answered too quickly. But they were distracted as they entered the house by seeing Minagi.
Then they noticed Kiyone.
Washu sighed. "I think some introductions are in order." She pointed to Kiyone.
"Detective First Class Kiyone your Majesties." The emerald-hared woman introduced
herself.
"So nice to meet you!" Misaki said, covering the distance instantly and hugging the young
detective so tightly her eyes began to bulge.
"Please Lady Misaki, not so tight!" Minagi cried out, rushing over. "You'll hurt her!"
Funaho blinked and the distraught tone got through to Misaki. She lessened her grip enough
for Kiyone to breathe as she looked at Minagi and then Ryoko.
"And that is Minagi." Washu introduced the young clone sister/daughter of Ryoko. At
Funaho's cold stare she added, "It's a long story."
Misaki released Kiyone and went to work on Minagi.
"All these girls for Tenchi?" Funaho asked slyly.
All the girls wore pained expressions. There was not even an outburst from Ryoko about
the comment.
"Ok," The first Queen of Jurai asked, "what's wrong?"
Everybody looked at the others.
"Um... Well, Tenchi is a bit out of sorts at the moment." Kiyone said.
There was a pause.
"Don't worry." Ryoko added. "Tenchi's not injured or anything, just..." She trailed off.
"What's happened?" Funaho pressed. "Where's Tenchi?"
There was a sigh.
"Right here." An attractive and somewhat familiar voice said tiredly.
The two Queens turned to see a very familiar and very beautiful young woman standing
demurely in the doorway.
"Nice to see you again." The woman continued.
"Tenchi?!?" The two visitors exclaimed in astonishment.
The woman nodded.
Funaho snapped herself around to face Washu.
"I'll ask again. What happened?" She demanded.
"She doesn't know." Tenchi answered for her, knowing how Washu hated admitting to
ignorance. "None of us do."
Tenchi sighed again. "Sasami?" She asked quietly. "Could you fetch something to drink?
I think we are going to need it."
***
It was three hours later. A wonderful lunch by Sasami had been and gone, relaxing the
atmosphere only slightly.
The two Sister Queens were examining Tenchi minutely.
"Could you please stop?" Tenchi asked desperately. "I've gone through this twice already.
It just makes me more nervous."
"She's right." Washu told them. "It won't do any good and all you are doing is upsetting
the poor woman more and more."
"Please!" Sasami pleaded.
Misaki and Funaho stopped their investigation and sat down opposite the distraught Tenchi.
"Come on Tenchi." Sasami said gently, taking the upset young woman's hand. "Let's go
and get you cleaned up." And she led the elder girl upstairs.
Funaho turned to Washu. "How long will...she...be like this?"
"Six weeks." There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice though. Everyone picked it up
and looked questioningly at the redhead. "It's just that the work is going slowly at the
moment. I'll speed up."
Misaki sniffed. "Well, at least she's beautiful."
The regular inhabitant's face's dropped.
"Mother." Ayeka said pointedly. "I would advise you not to say that in front of Tenchi. It
just upsets her."
"Although it's quite true." Ryoko added.
"I wonder if I could go to the bathroom?" Mihoshi asked.
The puzzled looks and silence that usually followed Mihoshi's announcements were more
pointed.
"What?" She asked.
***
Tenchi was sat on her bed, drooping and looking very close to tears. Sasami really didn't
want that, as she felt she wouldn't be able to keep her hands off the young woman. It not
helping either was a big factor. She put her arm gently around the almost depressed girl next
to her.
"Don't be so upset." She told Tenchi. "They were just surprised that's all. We were the
first time we saw you."
"It...it was the cold way they looked at me." She complained. "As if I was a thing. Even
Washu treated me as a person."
"Well... They don't have as much experience of weird things happening around here as we
do." Sasami tried to explain. "And..."
Tenchi could guess what the 'and' was.
"... They had plans for me?" Tenchi completed.
Sasami nodded.
Tenchi flung herself back in frustration.
"Everyone does. No one seems to take into account my feelings. I didn't want this you
know. I just wanted to live a normal life. Finish school, get a job, maybe get married.
Simple everyday things. But nnoooo... Fate wouldn't be so kind as to give me a normal
life. It had to go and give me an alien prince for a grandfather. A grandfather who I'm sure
set me up to release Ryoko. Now I have too many women to count after me, the most
powerful and important beings in the galaxy planning to deal with me..." She paused. "I
don't think your father likes me." She noted before continuing. "... And I'm not even a
human being any more." She sighed. "I might as well run away, since I can't kill myself for
fear of destroying the planet."
Sasami was looking at her with a very worried expression on her face.
"Think of all you've gained."
Tenchi snorted. "Yeah, enough power to slice a spaceship the size of a country in half,
enough power to climb out of a black hole. A rank so exalted I'll never relax again. I'm in
line for a throne that rules most of the galaxy, and I'm almost a god. I'm also lucky to be
alive, and..." She turned her gaze on Sasami. "... I'm beginning to wonder if someone
didn't play around with me while they had me in their clutches."
Sasami acted as though she had been slapped. Tenchi was accusing Tsunami of creating the
being she'd become.
"How can you say that?" She asked in disbelief. "Your power was always there."
"Oh really? No one decided to play around to make it come to the fore?"
"No!" She cried. "Do you think I would let her harm you?"
Tenchi was quiet.
"That's it, isn't it? You never really believed in yourself after that? You really think all
that's happened is some sort of dream?"
"I don't know what to believe." Tenchi answered quietly.
"Don't be so childish."
"Why shouldn't I? To you I am a child. You've got to be over 1,000 years old. Give me a
break Sasami. I'm coping the best I can, but you're not helping with this attempt to bring out
my feminine side. Nor is the fact that everybody and their dog are out to get me, for good or
bad. I'm more than a little paranoid, and am probably going insane."
"This is because you won't face facts."
"I like being in the dark. It's safer there." Tenchi's expression turned to one of sadness. "It
was that pink-hared pansy of a fianc' your dad brought for Ayeka that convinced me how
dangerous I am to you. If he had been good enough to trigger the wings, I could have done
something nasty. Slice Japan in half for example. I could have been cutting the tops off
mountains while I was fighting that idiot."
There was a long silence before Sasami spoke up.
"You want us to leave? To head off into space and never see you again? Just because you
don't feel you can protect us any more?" The little princess stood up and walked away. She
paused at the door. "I knew you were many things, but never a quitter. I can't see what we
ever saw in you."
"Same here. You had a galaxy to choose from, men throwing themselves at your feet
probably. But you chose a nobody like me."
Sasami left without answering.
Nobody heard the sob from the bed.
***
Sasami came downstairs and walked off to a corner to sulk.
"What's wrong dear?" Her mother asked. Everybody jumped when she glared back.
"That's no way to act towards Mother." Ayeka was profoundly shocked. Ryo-Ohki walked
over and tried to get the little girl's attention. Sasami pointedly ignored her carrot-eating
friend.
Washu felt something she hadn't for a long time. It was the fingers of ice cold fear
wrapping around her heart. Something was very, VERY wrong.
The redhead walked over to where Ryo-Ohki was getting distraught.
"Sasami please. We can't help unless you tell us what's wrong."
"No." The little woman said quietly. "It won't do any good."
Kiyone made for the stairs. "Maybe Tenchi can help explain this."
"No!" Sasami shouted. The outburst stopped the detective dead in her tracks, plus Misaki
and Funaho who were walking towards her. "Leave Tenchi alone!"
Sasami began to cry. "Everything's going wrong!" She wailed in despair.
Misaki was instantly there, hugging and consoling her daughter.
Ryoko had a grim expression and got up. She looked Kiyone in the eye and they started
climbing the stairs.
Sasami's head snapped round. "I said...!" She yelled, symbol clearly glowing. "... Leave
her alone!"
Something blasted the two women from the stairs, throwing them clear across the room.
The young girl buried her face in her mother's chest and sobbed.
"How?" Funaho asked.
Washu and the rest were silent, even Kiyone and Ryoko. It was clear that they had some
idea, but would not talk about it.
"I guess upstairs is out." Minagi sighed.
Sasami brought her tearful face up to face her mother's.
"Why'd you have to be so cold mom?" She demanded. "Now Tenchi is about ready to
send us away!"
There were gasps, but Washu ignored them. The cold hand of fear now gripped her heart.
"I guess you chose a bad time to visit." She told Funaho.
Sasami had cried herself out and was resting her head on Misaki's shoulder.
"Why would Tenchi do that?" Misaki asked gently.
"She...she doesn't believe in herself any more."
Ayeka threw a questioning look at her sister. Sasami caught it and nodded. Funaho dearly
wished she knew what that meant when Ayeka muttered "Oh no."
Minagi appeared in front of the crying girl.
"Sasami, one of us has to talk to Tenchi. Will you let me?"
Sasami stared at the young pirate before nodding.
***
"Tenchi." The younger and kinder version of Ryoko knocked on the door. "Tenchi please
talk to us."
There was a muffled "Go away." from inside.
"I know you're upset. I was too when my father was killed."
"At my hands." The self-loathing was clearly evident.
"Don't let it eat you up. He died as he would have wished. I don't blame you."
"It was a pointless death. I will always hate my self for that."
Minagi tried another approach. "It just shows that you're human."
"HAH!" It was a derisive laugh, aimed inwards.
"Sasami is quite upset."
"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT?!?" The shout had such intensity that Minagi
reactively jumped back a couple of feet.
The young pirate realised she was not helping. She sighed.
"We'll be downstairs if you want us." She told the door.
Tenchi waited until she couldn't hear the footsteps before moving from the bed. She was
glad that Minagi couldn't see the tear streaks on her face.
~ Why is it that I'm going through this now? ~ She thought bitterly.
She had realised that Sasami had been right. Tenchi had never been a quitter, especially
where it concerned the girls. She began thinking how to get out of the latest hole she had dug
herself into this time. She had nothing much left to give up.
***
"Well?" The question came from multiple directions as Minagi came down the stairs.
Minagi didn't reply straight away. She found a place to sit down.
"It's bad. Worse than I was. WE can't help her, she has to help herself."
The glum expressions on most of the faces around showed what everybody felt about that.
Mihoshi had fallen asleep again.
They sat there in silence for ten minutes, contemplating the worst. There was a creak at the
top of the stairs.
Tenchi was walking down and boy, did she look different.
She was wearing a tight top, much like one Ryoko wore sometimes. It was white with
coloured straps running across it. Her cleavage was in full view but unlike Ryoko's outfit,
which thrust her attributes at the observer's consciousness, this one drew your gaze
unconsciously. The garment seemed to wrap around her, leaving the midsection bare. What
was left of it was tucked into a tight pair of...well...shorts was a perfect description. They
were VERY short, and looked to be made of denim. Sasami absently noted that, while she
wouldn't have gone for that combo, it looked almost totally right for her.
Tenchi gave the crowd a sad little smile.
"Hi." She said quietly.
Funaho cleared her throat. "Tenchi... I-."
"We." Misaki interjected.
"-Would like to apologise for upsetting you."
Tenchi nodded her head towards the two, acknowledging and accepting. Looking around
she noticed Ryoko staring more intently than the others at her and an idea formed in her
mind. She walked up to the former space pirate and posed.
"You like?" She asked.
Ryoko started, wearing a worried and embarrassed look. Tenchi suddenly realised that
that's how she must have looked all those times Ryoko came after her. An impish smile
formed.
"Don't be so scared sweetypie." She said, mimicking Ryoko's tone from her memory. It
was so sweet that you could feel the cavities forming, if you could think straight from the
seductive undertones. She reached out and gently put her hand to the side of Ryoko's face.
"I won't hurt you..."
Ryoko seemed to realise where this was heading. A panicked look formed.
"... Too much." The tone moved from sweet to vengeful, as did the look in Tenchi's face.
Ryoko teleported to the other side of the room, blade formed.
The look of terror on her face caused Tenchi to burst out laughing. It took about a second
until everybody besides the battle ready Ryoko realised what had happened and joined in.
Ryoko herself took a few more seconds to calm down and let the events run through her
mind again. She looked annoyed, then sheepish as her blade dissipated. Then she too began
to laugh.
Tenchi tried to speak but she was laughing so hard she just gasped for breath. She forced
herself to calm, but she was still giggling slightly when she spoke.
"You should have seen your face." She told the woman on the other side of the room.
"Revenge is sweet, don't you agree? Now you know how I felt all those times."
Sasami had a bright smile now.
Minagi, however, was suspicious of Tenchi's gleeful disposition. She got up and walked to
confront the still giggling woman. This was a bad move.
"What happened?" She asked Tenchi. "You were pretty upset a few minutes ago."
Tenchi still had the impish look in her eyes. She grabbed the younger version of Ryoko and
spun around with her. Minagi had barely got her bearings when she found herself bent back
and Tenchi leaning over her like a lover.
"Don't worry. I'm fine now." She answered. "Wouldn't you agree?" She asked archly, an
eyebrow raised.
Minagi suddenly noticed Tenchi's assets and gulped.
The reaction brought another smile to Tenchi's lips and she pulled her unwilling partner up.
"I realised what fun I could have at the moment." Tenchi told the room by way of an
explanation. "I needed to cheer up a bit." She looked herself over and sighed before turning
to Sasami.
"Well, what do you think Sasami?" She asked seriously. "It was about as far as I dared to
go."
Sasami had a merry twinkle in her eyes as she responded.
"It's very nice. Although I still think the blue number would be more appropriate."
This got an amused groan from Tenchi.
"And the black and gold one really suits you."
Tenchi shook her head in amused dismay.
"One of these days I am going to get you to wear the red and silver."
Tenchi exaggeratedly sighed, turned her gaze to the sky, raised her arms in a plea and said...
"Help."
Funaho couldn't help but chuckle at the display.
Tenchi bowed. "I don't do encores." She told them, before getting hugged by Misaki. She
looked like she really wanted help now.
Ayeka sighed. "Tell me Washu," She asked, "In your considered opinion, what's happened
to Tenchi?"
"In my considered opinion?" Washu repeated. "She's flipped."
Ayeka gave the redhead a pained stare.
"Best thing for her I'd say." Washu continued. "What with all that's happened to her in the
past four days. Keep her sane."
Funaho was the only other one to understand that.
"Sister dear." She said, noticing Tenchi's condition. "Tenchi's turning blue."
"Oh I'm sorry." She said as she released her hold.
"No...problem." Tenchi gasped. "How long are you planning to stay?"
"Three days." Funaho replied.
"Washu? Do you have enough room to hanger the ships?"
"Hanger?" It wasn't often that Washu didn't know what a word meant.
Tenchi sighed. "A large storage space for flying craft. A docking bay? Spaceships may be
common elsewhere, but do I have to remind you they are not here."
At the puzzled looks from the Queens she added, "I guess I have to explain."
Flowering Potential.
====================
C&C can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net . Flames should be writen down on pieces of paper
and burned. You'll feel a whole lot better.
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 5
#########
The house rarely looked this clean. Although Ryoko and Ayeka had got into another fight,
Washu had taken the opportunity to rebuild the furniture as self-cleaning. As she ruefully
admitted, she'd been meaning to do that for months. None of the others had the slightest hint
that Tenchi, Washu and Sasami had orchestrated the scene at lunch two days ago.
The two reasons for the hubbub of activity were due in about three hours, and everybody
was finishing up.
Tenchi wiped the back of her hand across her for head as she finished cleaning the room she
had set aside for her guests.
"Well, that should do it." She said to herself.
It wasn't much, she knew, but it was the best they could do. Her house was not a palace, not
even technically with all the royalties living there.
***
Ryoko and Ayeka only really share two real fears. One was that Tenchi would choose the
other over her. The other was how Misaki would treat them when she got here. The anxiety
gave the girls a much needed energy boost and focus. Tenchi noticed their efforts as she
walked to the kitchen.
"Hi Guys."
"Hi Tenchi." The two worker bees replied. They were too busy to do anything else.
Tenchi smiled at the rare scene before heading through the kitchen door.
It wasn't often Washu was in the kitchen, even less that she was cooking. Sasami was to
one side working on the dishes.
"What you working on Washu?" Tenchi asked.
"Just doing some vegetables for later."
"Any idea when they'll arrive."
"About three hours." Sasami told them. "We will be finished in one."
"Anybody told Grandfather?"
The redhead and the princess looked at each other in shock that they could forget that.
Tenchi sighed and looked herself over. She looked normal, or more precisely she was
wearing what she would normally be wearing if she had been normal at the moment.
"I'll go tell him." She said before a thought hit her. "Washu, remind me to talk to you
about making some Earth appliances. They'll save some work."
***
Yosho was finishing his writing. Over the past seven hundred years he had developed
something of a habit of doing that. How the world would shudder to find out he had actually
travelled around the planet, sampling the local cultures and contributing to several works of
art. He and Leonardo Da Vinchi had been good friends, with Yosho causing the famous
smile of the Mona Lisa. Tenchi would no doubt hate that.
He smiled faintly at that thought before hearing the footfalls of someone approaching. They
were slightly strange, meaning it was Tenchi. The newly female priest (or priestess at the
moment) hadn't yet become fully comfortable with her new body.
He heard her climb the steps before knocking.
"Come in Tenchi." He called.
The door slid open to reveal a normal looking Tenchi, if you discounted the fact of her
femininity.
"Morning Grandpa." She said pleasantly.
"What can I do for you today?" He asked.
"I...er...just thought that you should know we're expecting some visitors." She told him
looking uncomfortable.
"I see. I had noticed the increased activity. Anybody I know?"
"Er...yeah. It's Funaho and Misaki." She told him. "But the King isn't coming."
"Hum..."
Tenchi plunged straight on. "And they may be staying a few days."
"I see. Thank you for bringing this to my attention before they arrive. When ARE they
due?"
"A little over two hours."
"Was there anything else?"
Tenchi thought of something. "I was wondering, who names the Royal Trees?"
Yosho blinked. It was not something he did often.
"The trees have their own names, but when they bond to someone the two of them chose a
name that they feel is suitable. Why?"
"So you named your tree after your mother. Was it because of the way she sounds?"
"That and the fact she always gave me good advice. You have begun talking to her then?"
Yosho asked cautiously
"It was a bit unexpected. I was talking to Tsunami and I suddenly heard her voice. It was
just after this." At the last bit she gestured to herself.
They both felt a presence, but it was Tenchi who placed it.
"Are you sure this is a wise idea?" She asked.
"A goddess is always wise." Came the voice. The image of Tsunami formed.
Yosho bowed respectfully towards her. She returned the bow.
"I can't help but think those are famous last words." The old priest said wryly.
"Be clever on your own time. I must borrow your granddaughter." She said coldly.
"There's no need to be rude." Tenchi said severely. "You're never like this around me."
"Our relationship is not exactly cordial." Yosho explained. "We disagreed on several
points in the past."
"I won't bother asking because I know you won't tell me. But that's no excuse to be rude."
She turned to Tsunami. "Apologise, then we'll go."
"Giving ultimatums to a goddess is not a good idea Tenchi." Yosho warned.
Tenchi shrugged. "I've done it before. Well?"
"I apologise for any rudeness I displayed before Prince Yosho." The image said.
"I humbly accept your apology." The priest acknowledged.
"Now that wasn't so bad was it?" Tenchi stood up. She walked up and opened the door,
gesturing for the image to go first. "After you."
Tsunami and Yosho exchanged a knowing glance before the image walked out the open
door. Tenchi followed, closing the door after her.
Yosho smiled. Tenchi was progressing better than he had hoped.
***
The two beings didn't speak for a few minutes as they walked down the stairs.
Tenchi broke the silence. "So what did you want me for?"
"I think you should change into something more suitable to meet the Queens."
"Probably a bad idea. They won't be expecting a female me, let alone a female me dressed
like a woman. Hell, I'm still not comfortable with seeing myself like that no matter how hard
you two try to convince me."
Tsunami sighed in disappointment. "And you would have looked so good in that blue
number."
"Touch'." Tenchi conceded.
A bit of the smile she normally wore around Tenchi reappeared on Tsunami's lips.
"Although I think you should wear the black and gold one."
Tenchi shuddered. "I'll change into some clean clothes, but that's it."
"Oh go on." Tsunami coaxed. "You know you want to."
"No. I don't. Have they finished?" Tenchi changed the subject.
"Yes, and changed."
"Good, at least that's out of the way."
Tenchi suddenly felt a tingling surge of power nearby. A black hole, similar to Washu's
portals appeared above the lake and two ships dropped out of it.
"Looks like they're early." Tenchi noted blandly.
Tsunami looked embarrassed.
"Don't worry, you're only human."
***
"They're here!" Washu called out. She actually thought it was for the best, as then Ayeka,
Sasami and Ryoko didn't get too wound up waiting for them.
Ayeka looked worried and relieved at the same time.
Washu remembered the shielding and turned it on, hiding the Juraian Battle cruisers from
Earth's sensor net.
Ayeka and Sasami rushed out of the patio door with Washu following at a more sedate pace.
The two Sister Queens materialised on the jetty.
"Mommy! Auntie Funaho!" Sasami cried as she ran towards them. Misaki dropped to one
knee to receive the onrushing girl in her arms.
"Oh Sasami! It's so good to see you again!"
The two blue-hared ladies hugged each other, with Funaho watching on and Ayeka staying a
safe distance.
Washu walked up. "It's nice to see you again."
"Hello Washu." Funaho replied. "How are things here?"
Washu hesitated a microsecond, but Funaho picked it up. "About the same as usual. Won't
you come in?"
Misaki had by this time turned her attentions to Ayeka, who was wearing a resigned
grimace.
The group began moving.
"Where's Tenchi?"
"Up at the temple seeing Yosho." Washu answered quickly. "Tenchi should be back soon."
Misaki had caught this as well. The Queens knew that something was up. Washu had
answered too quickly. But they were distracted as they entered the house by seeing Minagi.
Then they noticed Kiyone.
Washu sighed. "I think some introductions are in order." She pointed to Kiyone.
"Detective First Class Kiyone your Majesties." The emerald-hared woman introduced
herself.
"So nice to meet you!" Misaki said, covering the distance instantly and hugging the young
detective so tightly her eyes began to bulge.
"Please Lady Misaki, not so tight!" Minagi cried out, rushing over. "You'll hurt her!"
Funaho blinked and the distraught tone got through to Misaki. She lessened her grip enough
for Kiyone to breathe as she looked at Minagi and then Ryoko.
"And that is Minagi." Washu introduced the young clone sister/daughter of Ryoko. At
Funaho's cold stare she added, "It's a long story."
Misaki released Kiyone and went to work on Minagi.
"All these girls for Tenchi?" Funaho asked slyly.
All the girls wore pained expressions. There was not even an outburst from Ryoko about
the comment.
"Ok," The first Queen of Jurai asked, "what's wrong?"
Everybody looked at the others.
"Um... Well, Tenchi is a bit out of sorts at the moment." Kiyone said.
There was a pause.
"Don't worry." Ryoko added. "Tenchi's not injured or anything, just..." She trailed off.
"What's happened?" Funaho pressed. "Where's Tenchi?"
There was a sigh.
"Right here." An attractive and somewhat familiar voice said tiredly.
The two Queens turned to see a very familiar and very beautiful young woman standing
demurely in the doorway.
"Nice to see you again." The woman continued.
"Tenchi?!?" The two visitors exclaimed in astonishment.
The woman nodded.
Funaho snapped herself around to face Washu.
"I'll ask again. What happened?" She demanded.
"She doesn't know." Tenchi answered for her, knowing how Washu hated admitting to
ignorance. "None of us do."
Tenchi sighed again. "Sasami?" She asked quietly. "Could you fetch something to drink?
I think we are going to need it."
***
It was three hours later. A wonderful lunch by Sasami had been and gone, relaxing the
atmosphere only slightly.
The two Sister Queens were examining Tenchi minutely.
"Could you please stop?" Tenchi asked desperately. "I've gone through this twice already.
It just makes me more nervous."
"She's right." Washu told them. "It won't do any good and all you are doing is upsetting
the poor woman more and more."
"Please!" Sasami pleaded.
Misaki and Funaho stopped their investigation and sat down opposite the distraught Tenchi.
"Come on Tenchi." Sasami said gently, taking the upset young woman's hand. "Let's go
and get you cleaned up." And she led the elder girl upstairs.
Funaho turned to Washu. "How long will...she...be like this?"
"Six weeks." There was a hint of uncertainty in her voice though. Everyone picked it up
and looked questioningly at the redhead. "It's just that the work is going slowly at the
moment. I'll speed up."
Misaki sniffed. "Well, at least she's beautiful."
The regular inhabitant's face's dropped.
"Mother." Ayeka said pointedly. "I would advise you not to say that in front of Tenchi. It
just upsets her."
"Although it's quite true." Ryoko added.
"I wonder if I could go to the bathroom?" Mihoshi asked.
The puzzled looks and silence that usually followed Mihoshi's announcements were more
pointed.
"What?" She asked.
***
Tenchi was sat on her bed, drooping and looking very close to tears. Sasami really didn't
want that, as she felt she wouldn't be able to keep her hands off the young woman. It not
helping either was a big factor. She put her arm gently around the almost depressed girl next
to her.
"Don't be so upset." She told Tenchi. "They were just surprised that's all. We were the
first time we saw you."
"It...it was the cold way they looked at me." She complained. "As if I was a thing. Even
Washu treated me as a person."
"Well... They don't have as much experience of weird things happening around here as we
do." Sasami tried to explain. "And..."
Tenchi could guess what the 'and' was.
"... They had plans for me?" Tenchi completed.
Sasami nodded.
Tenchi flung herself back in frustration.
"Everyone does. No one seems to take into account my feelings. I didn't want this you
know. I just wanted to live a normal life. Finish school, get a job, maybe get married.
Simple everyday things. But nnoooo... Fate wouldn't be so kind as to give me a normal
life. It had to go and give me an alien prince for a grandfather. A grandfather who I'm sure
set me up to release Ryoko. Now I have too many women to count after me, the most
powerful and important beings in the galaxy planning to deal with me..." She paused. "I
don't think your father likes me." She noted before continuing. "... And I'm not even a
human being any more." She sighed. "I might as well run away, since I can't kill myself for
fear of destroying the planet."
Sasami was looking at her with a very worried expression on her face.
"Think of all you've gained."
Tenchi snorted. "Yeah, enough power to slice a spaceship the size of a country in half,
enough power to climb out of a black hole. A rank so exalted I'll never relax again. I'm in
line for a throne that rules most of the galaxy, and I'm almost a god. I'm also lucky to be
alive, and..." She turned her gaze on Sasami. "... I'm beginning to wonder if someone
didn't play around with me while they had me in their clutches."
Sasami acted as though she had been slapped. Tenchi was accusing Tsunami of creating the
being she'd become.
"How can you say that?" She asked in disbelief. "Your power was always there."
"Oh really? No one decided to play around to make it come to the fore?"
"No!" She cried. "Do you think I would let her harm you?"
Tenchi was quiet.
"That's it, isn't it? You never really believed in yourself after that? You really think all
that's happened is some sort of dream?"
"I don't know what to believe." Tenchi answered quietly.
"Don't be so childish."
"Why shouldn't I? To you I am a child. You've got to be over 1,000 years old. Give me a
break Sasami. I'm coping the best I can, but you're not helping with this attempt to bring out
my feminine side. Nor is the fact that everybody and their dog are out to get me, for good or
bad. I'm more than a little paranoid, and am probably going insane."
"This is because you won't face facts."
"I like being in the dark. It's safer there." Tenchi's expression turned to one of sadness. "It
was that pink-hared pansy of a fianc' your dad brought for Ayeka that convinced me how
dangerous I am to you. If he had been good enough to trigger the wings, I could have done
something nasty. Slice Japan in half for example. I could have been cutting the tops off
mountains while I was fighting that idiot."
There was a long silence before Sasami spoke up.
"You want us to leave? To head off into space and never see you again? Just because you
don't feel you can protect us any more?" The little princess stood up and walked away. She
paused at the door. "I knew you were many things, but never a quitter. I can't see what we
ever saw in you."
"Same here. You had a galaxy to choose from, men throwing themselves at your feet
probably. But you chose a nobody like me."
Sasami left without answering.
Nobody heard the sob from the bed.
***
Sasami came downstairs and walked off to a corner to sulk.
"What's wrong dear?" Her mother asked. Everybody jumped when she glared back.
"That's no way to act towards Mother." Ayeka was profoundly shocked. Ryo-Ohki walked
over and tried to get the little girl's attention. Sasami pointedly ignored her carrot-eating
friend.
Washu felt something she hadn't for a long time. It was the fingers of ice cold fear
wrapping around her heart. Something was very, VERY wrong.
The redhead walked over to where Ryo-Ohki was getting distraught.
"Sasami please. We can't help unless you tell us what's wrong."
"No." The little woman said quietly. "It won't do any good."
Kiyone made for the stairs. "Maybe Tenchi can help explain this."
"No!" Sasami shouted. The outburst stopped the detective dead in her tracks, plus Misaki
and Funaho who were walking towards her. "Leave Tenchi alone!"
Sasami began to cry. "Everything's going wrong!" She wailed in despair.
Misaki was instantly there, hugging and consoling her daughter.
Ryoko had a grim expression and got up. She looked Kiyone in the eye and they started
climbing the stairs.
Sasami's head snapped round. "I said...!" She yelled, symbol clearly glowing. "... Leave
her alone!"
Something blasted the two women from the stairs, throwing them clear across the room.
The young girl buried her face in her mother's chest and sobbed.
"How?" Funaho asked.
Washu and the rest were silent, even Kiyone and Ryoko. It was clear that they had some
idea, but would not talk about it.
"I guess upstairs is out." Minagi sighed.
Sasami brought her tearful face up to face her mother's.
"Why'd you have to be so cold mom?" She demanded. "Now Tenchi is about ready to
send us away!"
There were gasps, but Washu ignored them. The cold hand of fear now gripped her heart.
"I guess you chose a bad time to visit." She told Funaho.
Sasami had cried herself out and was resting her head on Misaki's shoulder.
"Why would Tenchi do that?" Misaki asked gently.
"She...she doesn't believe in herself any more."
Ayeka threw a questioning look at her sister. Sasami caught it and nodded. Funaho dearly
wished she knew what that meant when Ayeka muttered "Oh no."
Minagi appeared in front of the crying girl.
"Sasami, one of us has to talk to Tenchi. Will you let me?"
Sasami stared at the young pirate before nodding.
***
"Tenchi." The younger and kinder version of Ryoko knocked on the door. "Tenchi please
talk to us."
There was a muffled "Go away." from inside.
"I know you're upset. I was too when my father was killed."
"At my hands." The self-loathing was clearly evident.
"Don't let it eat you up. He died as he would have wished. I don't blame you."
"It was a pointless death. I will always hate my self for that."
Minagi tried another approach. "It just shows that you're human."
"HAH!" It was a derisive laugh, aimed inwards.
"Sasami is quite upset."
"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT?!?" The shout had such intensity that Minagi
reactively jumped back a couple of feet.
The young pirate realised she was not helping. She sighed.
"We'll be downstairs if you want us." She told the door.
Tenchi waited until she couldn't hear the footsteps before moving from the bed. She was
glad that Minagi couldn't see the tear streaks on her face.
~ Why is it that I'm going through this now? ~ She thought bitterly.
She had realised that Sasami had been right. Tenchi had never been a quitter, especially
where it concerned the girls. She began thinking how to get out of the latest hole she had dug
herself into this time. She had nothing much left to give up.
***
"Well?" The question came from multiple directions as Minagi came down the stairs.
Minagi didn't reply straight away. She found a place to sit down.
"It's bad. Worse than I was. WE can't help her, she has to help herself."
The glum expressions on most of the faces around showed what everybody felt about that.
Mihoshi had fallen asleep again.
They sat there in silence for ten minutes, contemplating the worst. There was a creak at the
top of the stairs.
Tenchi was walking down and boy, did she look different.
She was wearing a tight top, much like one Ryoko wore sometimes. It was white with
coloured straps running across it. Her cleavage was in full view but unlike Ryoko's outfit,
which thrust her attributes at the observer's consciousness, this one drew your gaze
unconsciously. The garment seemed to wrap around her, leaving the midsection bare. What
was left of it was tucked into a tight pair of...well...shorts was a perfect description. They
were VERY short, and looked to be made of denim. Sasami absently noted that, while she
wouldn't have gone for that combo, it looked almost totally right for her.
Tenchi gave the crowd a sad little smile.
"Hi." She said quietly.
Funaho cleared her throat. "Tenchi... I-."
"We." Misaki interjected.
"-Would like to apologise for upsetting you."
Tenchi nodded her head towards the two, acknowledging and accepting. Looking around
she noticed Ryoko staring more intently than the others at her and an idea formed in her
mind. She walked up to the former space pirate and posed.
"You like?" She asked.
Ryoko started, wearing a worried and embarrassed look. Tenchi suddenly realised that
that's how she must have looked all those times Ryoko came after her. An impish smile
formed.
"Don't be so scared sweetypie." She said, mimicking Ryoko's tone from her memory. It
was so sweet that you could feel the cavities forming, if you could think straight from the
seductive undertones. She reached out and gently put her hand to the side of Ryoko's face.
"I won't hurt you..."
Ryoko seemed to realise where this was heading. A panicked look formed.
"... Too much." The tone moved from sweet to vengeful, as did the look in Tenchi's face.
Ryoko teleported to the other side of the room, blade formed.
The look of terror on her face caused Tenchi to burst out laughing. It took about a second
until everybody besides the battle ready Ryoko realised what had happened and joined in.
Ryoko herself took a few more seconds to calm down and let the events run through her
mind again. She looked annoyed, then sheepish as her blade dissipated. Then she too began
to laugh.
Tenchi tried to speak but she was laughing so hard she just gasped for breath. She forced
herself to calm, but she was still giggling slightly when she spoke.
"You should have seen your face." She told the woman on the other side of the room.
"Revenge is sweet, don't you agree? Now you know how I felt all those times."
Sasami had a bright smile now.
Minagi, however, was suspicious of Tenchi's gleeful disposition. She got up and walked to
confront the still giggling woman. This was a bad move.
"What happened?" She asked Tenchi. "You were pretty upset a few minutes ago."
Tenchi still had the impish look in her eyes. She grabbed the younger version of Ryoko and
spun around with her. Minagi had barely got her bearings when she found herself bent back
and Tenchi leaning over her like a lover.
"Don't worry. I'm fine now." She answered. "Wouldn't you agree?" She asked archly, an
eyebrow raised.
Minagi suddenly noticed Tenchi's assets and gulped.
The reaction brought another smile to Tenchi's lips and she pulled her unwilling partner up.
"I realised what fun I could have at the moment." Tenchi told the room by way of an
explanation. "I needed to cheer up a bit." She looked herself over and sighed before turning
to Sasami.
"Well, what do you think Sasami?" She asked seriously. "It was about as far as I dared to
go."
Sasami had a merry twinkle in her eyes as she responded.
"It's very nice. Although I still think the blue number would be more appropriate."
This got an amused groan from Tenchi.
"And the black and gold one really suits you."
Tenchi shook her head in amused dismay.
"One of these days I am going to get you to wear the red and silver."
Tenchi exaggeratedly sighed, turned her gaze to the sky, raised her arms in a plea and said...
"Help."
Funaho couldn't help but chuckle at the display.
Tenchi bowed. "I don't do encores." She told them, before getting hugged by Misaki. She
looked like she really wanted help now.
Ayeka sighed. "Tell me Washu," She asked, "In your considered opinion, what's happened
to Tenchi?"
"In my considered opinion?" Washu repeated. "She's flipped."
Ayeka gave the redhead a pained stare.
"Best thing for her I'd say." Washu continued. "What with all that's happened to her in the
past four days. Keep her sane."
Funaho was the only other one to understand that.
"Sister dear." She said, noticing Tenchi's condition. "Tenchi's turning blue."
"Oh I'm sorry." She said as she released her hold.
"No...problem." Tenchi gasped. "How long are you planning to stay?"
"Three days." Funaho replied.
"Washu? Do you have enough room to hanger the ships?"
"Hanger?" It wasn't often that Washu didn't know what a word meant.
Tenchi sighed. "A large storage space for flying craft. A docking bay? Spaceships may be
common elsewhere, but do I have to remind you they are not here."
At the puzzled looks from the Queens she added, "I guess I have to explain."