====================
Flowering Potential.
====================
C&C can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net Flames can be taken to the
nearest charity so they can be distributed to children in Third World
Countries to keep them warm.
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/
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Chapter 10
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Sasami got up and stretched. It had certainly been a fun night. If anyone saw the expression
on her face, they would be wondering why the little girl wasn't floating. Tsunami had
watched the goings on in her mother's room and shared her experiences with her younger
half. Sasami was glad nobody had been awake to hear her giggle hysterically or see her blush
profusely.
~ Tsunami: So dear, what will our little condition be? ~ The tree sounded decidedly impish
today.
~ Sasami: It's hard to decide. ~
~ Tsunami: Two heads are better than one. ~ She pointed out.
~ Sasami: Oh, you are so right. ~ The little girl managed to sound almost, but not quite,
exactly like Mihoshi.
Tsunami was silent for a second before her uproarious laughter filled the little girl's mind.
Sasami gave the equivalent to a mental bow.
~ Sasami: Thank you, thank you. ~
~ Tsunami: We are going to have so much fun! ~ She said delightedly. ~ There's an idea.
Why don't we work on Tenchi's sense of humour? ~
Sasami considered it. ~ Sasami: No. ~ She said sadly. ~ We need something that will be
easy enough to start with but hard to finish. No need to go stressing her out... What? ~
Tsunami had given an amused snort. ~ Tsunami: We've been here too long. We're starting
to pick up the local expressions. ~
~ Sasami: That's it! We'll get Tenchi to show us around. Little field trips around the
planet. ~ Sasami felt this would do. ~ Besides, ~ She added, ~ It will give her experience
in dealing with different cultures. ~
~ Tsunami: I like the way your mind works... ~
~ Sasami: You should do, it's yours as well. ~
~ Tsunami: ...But it's a little short sighted. Trips to tourist sites across the galaxy sound
much better. ~
~ Sasami: I don't know... ~
~ Tsunami: Jurai is on the other side of the galaxy and we can make it in under two days.
It's a simple weekend visit for everywhere else. ~ The tree pointed out.
~ Sasami: Oh OK. ~ She conceded. ~ But only a few. ~ She felt the tingling of
Tsunami's mental kiss.
~ Tsunami: Of course. Now, where to go? ~
***
It wasn't as though Tenchi didn't want to get up, it was just that she couldn't. Not with a
Queen lying on each arm anyway. She hadn't had much in the way of sleep either, what with
the fear of what would happen if she weren't looking.
Tenchi decided to try and pull her arm gently from under Misaki, for the eminently sensible
reason that she was beginning to doubt she would ever feel anything from it again. Besides
she was cold, being the least dressed of the trio.
Misaki rolled and draped her arm over Tenchi's bare chest.
"Oh no you don't dearie." The blue-hared Queen muttered into Tenchi's ear. "We're not
finished with you."
Tenchi groaned quietly, but at least she could move her arm. There was some life left in it
after all.
"What do you want from me?" She whispered despondently to the universe at large.
"We'll discuss that when my beloved Sister wakes up."
~ Please wake up soon. ~ Tenchi prayed as Misaki snuggled up against her.
***
Sasami, as was becoming more common these days, was arguing with herself while making
breakfast.
~ Tsunami: I still don't see why she didn't like the blue dress. ~
~ Sasami: I think it was because it felt too exposed. ~
~ Tsunami: Run that past me again? Yes it was pretty, but it was more than modest. ~
~ Sasami: OK, try it this way. How would you feel if it seemed as if your dress would blow
up at any minute? ~
~ Tsunami: Oh I see now. It looked very pretty on her though. ~
Sasami smiled. ~ Sasami: Yes it did. The black and gold one worked very well. She
should wear it more often. ~
~ Tsunami: I wonder if we could get her to wear the red and silver one around the house. ~
You could practically feel Tsunami leering.
Sasami felt her whole body start to warm.
~ Sasami: Will you stop that? ~ She pleaded.
Tsunami decided it would be fun to share what had happened to Ayeka and Ryoko
yesterday.
Sasami blushed beet red.
~ Tsunami: That might be fun. I have a good idea of how it worked so if you want... ~
~ Sasami: I'm saving myself for Tenchi. ~ She replied airily.
~ Tsunami: So you want to go first? I can tell you where to get the drug. ~
~ Sasami: Let's leave Tenchi out of this for the moment. Can we slow down the separation
process? It might finally stop them fighting. ~
~ Tsunami: Done. I'm sure Washu will understand. ~
~ Sasami: How about a quick prod to get them together? ~
~ Tsunami: Also done. They should be in each other's arms right now. ~
Sasami grinned. It might be a fun day.
***
Ayeka felt a slight presence appear beside her. She opened her eyes to find Ryoko's doing
the same.
"What are you doing in my room?" She asked.
Ryoko looked around. She was in the princesses' room.
"I don't know." She admitted. "I'd better be leaving."
Ayeka's hand snaked out of its own accord. The purple-hared woman looked at it in shock.
~ No. ~ They were both thinking. ~ I don't want to do this. ~
But it was too late. They could both feel their hormones kick in with a vengeance and their
bodies were no long under their conscious control.
"How about we just lay here?" Ayeka said. She knew they were both fighting hard against
the urge to hold one another.
"There's no reason to get up just yet." Ryoko agreed.
***
Tenchi had the expression of a trapped mouse. And the two pussycats surrounding her were
purring delightedly.
"See Tenchi." Funaho said gently. "It's not that bad."
~ I'm gonna die! ~ Tenchi raged in her head.
"We still have some unfinished business to conclude Sister." Misaki pointed out.
"Business before pleasure." Funaho sighed. "What will the price be?"
"I was thinking the best kiss she could do. How about you Sis?"
The first Queen thought about it. "Yes. That will do."
"Aren't I in enough trouble?" Tenchi asked.
***
Tenchi was wearing an eminently practical jeans and t-shirt ensemble and a tired look when
she staggered into the kitchen half an hour later.
"Enjoy the show?" She asked. "And don't give me the innocent routine. There is no way
you and Tsunami would pass up watching."
Sasami sighed. "We still don't really understand why you don't like the blue dress."
"It's too loose. It feels as if a sudden gust of wind would lift it off me."
"I thought it would be something like that." The little girl replied. "See Tenchi, you do
have some feminine modesty."
"I think it's acute masculine embarrassment myself." Tenchi muttered.
"Whatever." Sasami shrugged. "It serves the same purpose."
"Yeah, to make me feel a total idiot. Instead of the partial idiot I am otherwise."
"Stop it." Sasami gave her a gentle slap. "You've really got to work on you self
confidence."
"Is that going to be your little project?" Tenchi asked, fingering the necklace. Sasami noted
the two missing stones. "They're holding onto them as keepsakes." She explained at the
look.
"No. I'd guess Minagi, or possibly Ryoko."
"Speaking of whom, where is she? I didn't see her in her usual place."
Sasami grinned.
"Oh no." Tenchi groaned. "I know that look. What did you do?"
Sasami's grin threatened to cut the top off of her head as she told her.
***
"To think we'd end up like this." Ryoko sighed.
"Best of friends, Worst of enemies?" Ayeka quoted.
"I was thinking, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies' closer." myself."
"If you insist." Ayeka shrugged, and squeezed.
"Why you little minx!" Ryoko giggled then sighed. "I don't really hate you. I don't
suppose I ever have. We both know why we fight."
Ayeka kissed the former pirate full on the lips with a passion that startled Ryoko.
"I know." She said when they broke.
Ryoko's eyes had a predatory glint in them.
"Can't we share?" She asked.
Ayeka shook her head. "We may mix with blood of other planets now, but you may be too
alien."
"How about..." Ryoko was thinking out loud. "...As a Mistress?"
"Hum..." Ayeka thought seriously about the proposal. "That...may...just work."
"It's nice to have a backup plan." Ryoko grinned. "In the mean time, what are we going to
do with Tenchi?"
"Mister or Miss?" Ayeka asked archly.
"Gah! Don't remind me. That outfit last night nearly broke my control."
"It was rather... fetching, wasn't it?"
"Would you have joined in if I had leapt on her?"
"If it had been more private, I'd have beaten you to it." Ayeka grinned.
"I'm starting to think we're losing it." Ryoko admitted.
"As you would say, at least it'll be fun."
Ryoko smiled warmly, then leapt on her prey with passionate abandon.
"Too bad Tenchi isn't this affectionate." Was all the princess could say before being
smothered.
***
The smell of Sasami's cooking filled the house, and the sound of explosions echoed around
the valley.
"Who is that?" Funaho asked tiredly.
"Just Ryoko." Kiyone said. She'd come to discern the characteristics of Ryoko's attacks.
"My little Ayeka is not being sensible." Misaki sighed.
"Mother please!" Ayeka exclaimed behind her.
Misaki turned to look. "Then if it's not you she's fighting, who is she?"
"Minagi?" Kiyone suggested, just before the young pirate appeared.
"Um... Why are you all staring at me like that?" She asked.
Another explosion echoed around the valley.
"Sasami dear? Who's fighting with Ryoko?" Funaho asked.
"Oh it's just Tenchi." The Azure-hared little girl told them.
"WHAT!?!" The household exclaimed.
About two hundred metres down the valley Ryoko paused.
"Tell me again why we're doing this?" She asked.
"It's simple." Tenchi told her. "I don't need to use my full capabilities all the time, so I'm
trying to balance how much I need at least. You and Ayeka 'practice' all the time, so I
thought if I could measure how much I need around you two I should be fine in most
circumstances."
"Oh. So by working out how much you need to do against my usual energy bolt, you can
control your power better."
"That's the idea." Tenchi shrugged. "At least you don't have to worry about accidentally
blasting me."
Tenchi was standing next to Ryoko, but the translucent blue shield Ryoko was attacking was
shimmering faintly a few metres in front of them. Tenchi had already worked out how to
project the shield where she wanted it.
Tenchi concentrated then sighed.
"Great. I can't make it any weaker."
"Then let's see how much it can take."
Ryoko fired a large energy bolt at it. The two experimenters waited until the smoke had
cleared.
"Did you feel anything?" Ryoko asked.
"Nope. Should I?"
"Well, I know Ayeka can feel the impact of weapons on her shield."
"Maybe we should have waited for her then."
"She was busy. Here, let me try something. I need to let off a little steam anyway. Stand
back a bit."
Tenchi did so as Ryoko worked herself up to deliver the most powerful blast she could.
"Tenchi!" Came a cry.
The woman turned to see Funaho, Misaki and Kiyone coming from the house.
"Oh Hi guys..."
Ryoko fired. The yellow-orange plasma blast engulfed the target, but otherwise it was
unharmed.
"That was weird." Tenchi said as she turned back. "I did feel something, a slight... tingle?
I don't know how to describe it." Ryoko was breathing a bit heavily.
"What are you doing Tenchi?" Funaho asked.
"Just experimen-." Tenchi was cut off by Washu appearing out of a portal.
"What happened?" Washu asked. "I felt Ryoko using a full power blast." She got out her
projected computer and gasped. "That's a level 12 shield!"
"Excuse me?" Tenchi asked.
"Are you sure?" Ryoko asked. "No wonder I couldn't scratch it."
"Is this a good thing or a bad thing?" Tenchi tried again. "It was as weak as I could make
it."
Slowly, all eyes focused on her. Except for Ryoko who was getting her breath back.
"As weak as you could make it?" Washu repeated. "Tenchi, I have trouble creating a level
12 shield. The amount of power it takes is phenomenal."
"I didn't say it was easy. I have to concentrate to hold it in existence, not to mention hold it
at a distance. A single wing is so much easier."
Washu was giving Tenchi a 'She's grown a second head.' look.
"Do you want me to tell her?" Funaho asked. Washu just waved and walked back into the
portal.
"Tenchi," Funaho said, "A level 12 shield is the closest anyone has come to an artificial
Lighthawk wing. Just out of curiosity, how much weaker than a single wing is it?"
"I don't know. How am I supposed to tell? All I did was drop the power, not try to work
out how much. It doesn't feel natural, if you can call me that."
"Will you stop that?" Funaho snapped.
"That lack of self-confidence is going to get you into trouble." Misaki warned.
Tenchi gave the Queens a tired look.
"I'm not going to bother arguing since it's all been said." She told them. "Please, Ryoko
and I have had breakfast, go back and enjoy your meal. I'm going to have a little fun."
The shield vanished and Tenchi formed a wing, grabbing hold of it by the narrow end. She
didn't transform it, simply carried it to a stump.
"Toss me a plasma ball or two Ryoko." Tenchi asked, swinging the wing over the stump
like a baseball bat.
"But Tenchi..." Ryoko was worried.
"Just aim them over the stump." Tenchi told her.
"OK." Ryoko shrugged. She formed up a ball and threw it over the stump. Tenchi swung
and connected. The wing absorbed the energy.
"Hum..." Tenchi concentrated. "Try again."
Ryoko indulged the woman and did it again. When Tenchi connected this time, the plasma
ball turned into a plasma bolt as long as the eye could see for a second.
"That worked." Tenchi muttered.
Washu tiredly stepped out of another portal.
"Will you please stop that?" She asked, throwing a dark look at Tenchi.
"What's wrong with a little fun?" Tenchi asked. "Everybody says I'm too serious."
"That 'little fun' sent a plasma bolt into the reaches of space at 1.3 times the speed of light,
narrowly missing one of Earth's satellites. Can we do this later, when I am ready?"
Tenchi put her hands on her hips and pouted. "Where's the fun in that?"
Misaki sniggered.
"C'mon Tenchi," Kiyone said, "give it a rest."
"OK." Tenchi shrugged.
"Thank you." Washu said and popped back through her portal.
***
The GP station for the sector that contained Earth was either a work of genius or a work of
insanity. It was hard to know which. The multiple section rings intersected each other or
passed through the centre of each other, fully contained by the main arc section. In truth, it
had been one of the first stations to be built in subspace for security reasons. When they had
finished and pulled it from subspace it had looked like it did. The lessons had been learnt and
applied to the others.
Buried deep in the station was the office of the patrol section 5 chief. He seemed a meek
person, naturally suited to office work. But he handled the stress well, being both Mihoshi's
commanding officer and an agent for Juraian Intelligence. He was enjoying a brief quiet
period and had relaxed. He had felt sorry about lumping Detective Kiyone with Mihoshi the
first time, but keeping important people happy was part of his job. He wasn't a nasty man, so
Kiyone had a few surprises waiting for her when the command staff could get Mihoshi into a
nice safe office position in Central Command. The exploits of those two had given them both
enough commendations to get them promoted a few times. But the Ultra Energy Matter
incident had put Kiyone out of the picture for two years and had resulted in Mihoshi's
demotion and transfer to the chief's section. He had put her on the safest duty he could think
of, patrolling a non-interference preserve out of the way.
Then came the Kagato incident and all the ramifications of that had been dumped on him.
When Kiyone had been rescued he found that he could kill two birds with one stone, both the
GP's policy of an easy assignment for recovering officers and that he needed help dealing
with Mihoshi. His stress levels had dropped considerably in the three months since then.
The chief was just thinking how nice it would be to finally go on holiday when the incoming
signal alert sounded. The chief sighed.
"What now?" He asked. "At least it isn't from Mihoshi."
He sat up and pressed a control, causing a communications window to pop into existence.
"This is Station 12, patrol section 5, chief speaking. Go ahead."
The image of a young man in GP uniform appeared.
"Sir. This is Patrol officer Makishi, Patrol ship 992574." As the man spoke, the Station
computers brought up all relevant information on the ship position, local stellar conditions,
ship's complement and crew files.
"Go ahead Officer Makishi." The chief told the young man.
"Sir, we've encountered a ship in distress. Early information is indicative of a pirate attack,
and descriptions we've been given match members of the Black Star gang. Transmitting
current information now."
Two new windows appeared one with the incoming info, the other with a real-time analysis
of the data.
"Data received. Follow standard procedure, but I want hourly check-ins. The Black Star
gang is known to wait for passing ships and attacking them as well."
"Understood chief. Patrol ship 992574 out."
The communication windows blinked out of existence. The chief was about to sit back and
review the preliminary data when a third window suddenly opened. It was showing alarm
88042, his personal alarm for beings under his observation. The names on the list were
Ryoko, Mihoshi and Kiyone.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" He muttered to himself.
***
Tenchi had borrowed one of her dad's engineering books to read figuring it would help her
pass the time. The others had noticed the continual increase in Tenchi's reading speed as
they had finished breakfast. She was flipping a page every ten seconds at the end.
"Well, that was fun." She muttered sourly.
"Did you actually read that?" Kiyone asked.
"Most of it. I've been through it before when I needed help with my homework."
Kiyone shrugged. "Fine."
"I'll just put this away." Tenchi said and walked upstairs.
"I don't think she noticed how fast she was reading." Washu noted.
"New ability?" Funaho asked.
"Perhaps, or a consequence to that 'Understanding' ability."
"This is going to keep us on our toes." Ayeka pointed out. "Is it just me, or are her powers
developing ever faster?"
"I hope not." Ryoko said. "I can't keep up with the ones she's already got."
"It always seems like that when it starts." Misaki smiled. "It felt the same when Ayeka's
power emerged."
"You never told me that." Ayeka said.
"I was saving it for later."
Minagi shook her head. "Things are getting back to normal." She said, leaning back.
"Whatever next?"
A small explosion came from upstairs followed by the sound of coughing.
"OK." Tenchi called down. "Who set up the smoke bomb?"
***
The chief didn't like what he'd read about the history between the Black Star gang and the
two Detectives and former pirate. He sat considering the problem when a communication
window popped up.
"This is Patrol ship 992574 reporting in."
"Go ahead Officer Makishi."
"Sir. The suspects downloaded the contents of the victim's computers. The ship is a class 5
Berimi courier."
"Will they tell us what was in those files? And what they were carrying?"
"I'll try Sir."
"Tell them it will help with the insurance claim. That should make them more co-
operative."
"Understood Sir. Patrol ship 992574 out."
***
"Tenchi, you've got a smudge on your face." Sasami said.
"I'll deal with it once I've cleared up this mess." Tenchi told her.
Washu finished typing. "Well the device was primitive but manufactured. I'd say it was
one of Mr. Masaki's practical jokes he forgot about."
"I'd thought he'd given up on them over a year ago." The victim sighed.
"He's played a few on me since I've been here." Washu said. "I didn't mind, since nothing
important got damaged and they were good humoured."
"I'm going to have a long talk with my dad." Tenchi promised. "Now, if you'll leave so I
can get started..."
"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Sasami asked.
"I'll be fine."
Downstairs Misaki was frowning.
"Why she does things like that is beyond me." She grumbled.
"It's the way she was raised." Kiyone pointed out. "Tenchi has grown up an ordinary
person and trained to be a priest. I'd say she's just doing what comes naturally."
"Besides Mother," Ayeka added, "we all do chores around here. We couldn't sit around all
day doing nothing and not helping."
Misaki turned a slightly disbelieving gaze on her daughter.
"There there Sister." Funaho said, patting her fellow Queen on the shoulder. "It's a unusual
situation we have here. They have obviously dealt with it as best they can."
"How many years will it take to break the habits though?" Misaki asked.
"I think it would be rather refreshing." Yosho said from the doorway.
The Queens jumped.
"Would you stop that?" Funaho asked.
"You get used to it." Sasami giggled as she came downstairs.
"A Crown Prince who behaves as though he was an ordinary person would generate some
interesting comment don't you think?" Yosho continued as if he hadn't been interrupted.
"I see your talent for understatement hasn't deteriorated." His mother noted. "Interesting
comment indeed."
"I've had seven hundred years of practice Mother. Being a priest gives one much time to
contemplate." With that he disappeared into the hallway.
"I'll never understand him." Funaho sighed. "He's completely submerged in Earth culture
at the moment."
"Which one?" Kiyone asked herself quietly.
"Pardon?" The Queen turned to face the Detective.
Kiyone sighed. "Earth has multiple cultures Your Majesty."
Minagi groaned. "That's worse that the 300 languages it has."
Misaki was looking at the two women with a shocked expression.
"That's..." She began.
"Impossible?" Washu smirked. "Not here. Or don't you trust me? I came up with the
figures."
"Do you have solid data?" Funaho asked. "I'd like to confirm this. It may mean that the
protection my..this planet is under will have to be changed."
"Sure. Kiyone? Could you give me a hand? I need to collate all the data so I can upload it.
We will need your help Lady Funaho."
"Of course."
***
Tenchi finally finished cleaning up her dad's room.
"Phew! That took a while. I hope that dad doesn't mind." She said, wiping the back of her
hand across her forehead. She stood up and stretched. "I'd better go get cleaned up."
Tenchi walked out the door and almost bumped directly into Misaki.
"There you are Tenchi!" She exclaimed. "I hope you've finished." Misaki was quite
cheerful, making Tenchi quite suspicious.
"Just Misaki." She replied. "I was going to get cleaned up."
"Good. I'll join you."
Tenchi started, but had kind of expected it.
"Um... I don't think that would be a good idea..."
Tenchi was grabbed by the shoulders and lifted to look into the eyes of Misaki. They had a
distinctly hard glint.
"Are you saying..." Misaki growled quietly at Tenchi. "...That you don't want to bathe
with a beautiful woman?"
"Not when doing so will almost certainly get me into serious trouble." Tenchi replied. "I
meant what I said about not trusting you."
Misaki roughly dropped Tenchi and stormed off.
~ Of course, refusing would land me in trouble anyway. ~ Tenchi thought. She didn't
really care anymore.
***
"Kiyone, I need to tell you something." Washu said as they were working.
"Can't it wait?" The detective asked.
"Not anymore. I think you need to know now. It will become evident why, especially in
our present company."
"What is it Washu?" Funaho asked.
Washu waited until she had her companions' full attention.
"Now, I am never going to repeat this and I suggest you do the same." The two ladies
nodded. "Lady Funaho, Kiyone recently admitted to having a degree in xeno-anthropology.
Now, I looked into it and found something out that will help with the validation." Washu
smirked at Kiyone. "You got 98.6%. Now Science Academy Regulations state, and I know
this one very well because I created it, that a mark over 98% is an automatic Professorship. I
haven't seen a mark that high since my finals."
Kiyone looked stunned, then burst out laughing.
"Me?" She laughed incredulously. "A Professor? Give me a break Washu."
"Oh it's true alright." Washu was grinning her head off. "You see Lady Funaho, while I
did most of the research, Kiyone has been through it and helped me correct any mistakes. It's
a full and accurate report. It may help to point that out to anybody who disbelieves it."
"I have the feeling that I may have to." Funaho smiled.
***
Tenchi had managed to get a full bath to herself and managed to get back to her empty
room. This she considered a minor miracle. But she knew that it couldn't last. The more
than familiar surge that heralded Tsunami's appearance began.
"Can't you wait until I'm dressed?" Tenchi asked crossly.
"Why were you so cruel to Misaki?" The image didn't waste time. "She was just trying to
be nice."
"I'm in enough trouble with the King already thank you. And I really did mean what I said
last night. You'll all have to earn my trust again. And don't even think about getting me to
Jurai. I keep my promises."
"But you have to go to Jurai." Tsunami complained. "You will..." She didn't finish the
sentence.
"I'm willing to indulge your plan with Tokimi, but that's it."
"But..." Tsunami was at a loss for words. Tenchi was ripping apart plans that were
centuries old, and almost ripping her heart out as well.
"No buts Tsunami. I've made up my mind and I'm sticking to my decision. I'm going to be
decisive for once in my life."
"And I can't let you do that." Tsunami sighed. "Like it or not, you will go to Jurai. You
will become king and you will marry."
"Have you ever heard the phrase, 'There is no fate but what we make'? I choose what I'm
going to do with my life, not you. Now, please leave so I can get dressed."
"You haven't heard the last of this." Tsunami warned.
"I'd be rather surprised if it was." Tenchi told her.
"Humph!" Tsunami disappeared.
"Thank you." Tenchi told the empty air.
***
Funaho had found her Sister sulking. It was not something she often did.
"What's wrong Misaki?" The Queen asked.
"I'm having second thoughts about whether Tenchi should marry my daughters. Not really
suitable."
"And what brought this on?"
"Tenchi really meaning that she doesn't trust any of us."
"You better tell me what happened."
***
Tenchi was wearing black. Black shirt and black jeans to go with her black mood. She was
also doing her homework and failing miserably with the equations when someone knocked at
her door.
"Who is it?" She asked distractedly.
"It's Funaho." The voice replied.
"I'm a bit busy at the moment. Can you come back later?"
"We need to talk." The command was implicit.
Sighing, Tenchi picked up the Master Key and went to the door.
"Yes?" She asked, opening the door slightly.
"May I come in?" Funaho asked.
"I don't think that would be a good idea."
"This is a private matter between you and me." Funaho was insistent.
"With Tsunami, nothing's private around me." Tenchi told her, but let her in. "Let me
guess. This is about what I said to Misaki."
"My Sister was being friendly." Funaho was cold.
"Too friendly. I've become quite paranoid since my change and I see no reason to alter that
position."
"Would you explain that?"
"Certainly. It has become painfully obvious that everybody in this house has plans for me.
I don't like that. I'm getting the sneaking feeling people are going to force me to comply, so
I'm not going to make it easy. Misaki trying to bathe with me feels suspiciously like setting
me up for blackmail. That is illegal in most of the Galaxy isn't it? As far as I know it is.
The king doesn't like me anyway, but it would be even worse if he were to know what you
have manipulated me into doing wouldn't it? Remember two can play that game. This is a
friendly warning. You don't go there, I won't follow."
Funaho had a very dark look on her face. "I don't like your tone." She warned.
"Everybody's entitled to their opinion. All I'm doing is keeping myself out of your politics.
You have been doing that longer than Earth's recorded history, so you are no doubt very
good at it."
"You are already embroiled in politics at the highest level." Funaho told Tenchi. "If it
wasn't for my Sister and I, you would be up to your neck in it. Azusa would have no choice
but to forcibly remove everyone here from the planet."
"Well I'd like to see him try now."
"That's the problem. He might."
"He's got no patience you mean. All he has to do is wait a hundred years and I won't be a
problem anymore. I get the feeling he could wait a could wait a couple thousand years or so
if it got rid of me."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Whatever you want it to mean Your Majesty." Tenchi said. "Now, if you don't mind, I
have homework to do. We all need time to cool off."
"When did you change from the kind young man we met before to the cold hearted being
I'm facing now?"
"Probably when I became female and everybody decided to work on me. You may want to
keep from Misaki the fact that Sasami has tried to grope me at least three times already. The
old Tenchi is dead, and I think they killed him."
***
~ What now? ~ Sasami thought as Funaho came into the kitchen with a dark look.
"Auntie Funaho. What can I do for you?"
"You can tell me why I shouldn't just let Tenchi rot on this planet."
Sasami looked shocked. "W-what?"
"Tenchi has completely changed during our stay here. The...person in that room is no
longer the person I thought could take the throne."
"It's got that bad?" Sasami whispered.
Funaho nodded.
Sasami wanted to tell her Aunt everything, but that would mean braking a promise to
Tenchi. That could loose her the chance at happiness she wanted. Funaho noticed the
hesitation and fear on Sasami's face. Now why was that?
"Sasami?" She asked gently. "If you have something I should know, say it."
"I...I can't! I don't want to break my promise to Tenchi. I...can't..." She began to sob.
"I...can't...loose...Tenchi."
"If you don't, Your mother and I may be forced to take you away for your own good."
"That's cruel!" Sasami shouted. "You are forcing me to chose between my friends and my
family. I won't do it! Tenchi is too important to everyone!"
"And why is that?"
"I can't tell you, she just is. She is...hope." And with that Sasami collapsed, crying her
eyes out.
Funaho was quickly at her side, cradling the young girl.
"I'm sorry Sasami." She told her niece. "I'm sorry I had to do that. You were the only one
who I could get the answer I needed from." She wiped away Sasami's tears. "Now, can you
tell me why?"
Sasami felt her other half throw a plan into her mind.
"I have bad dreams." She sniffed. "Bad things happen, and I only remember for a short
while afterwards. I started recording them. I keep having one where I get hurt and Tenchi
reaches out to help me, but a lady takes him away. I don't like the lady. She scares me."
Sasami took a deep breath. "And I get bad dreams before bad things happen. The only good
dream like that is one where Tenchi is standing over us, getting hurt to protect us and we
can't go and help him. It makes us sad."
Funaho was shocked. Sasami, little Sasami, was slightly precognisant. She was predicting
the future, a future where Tenchi was a critical player. She gently kissed her niece on the
forehead.
"I understand Sasami. You care for Tenchi a great deal. So do I and so does everyone else.
Your mother is tearing her hair out because Tenchi is moving away from us."
"She was right then." Sasami said, red rimmed eyes filling again. "We have been too hard
on her."
"Now now don't blame yourself." Funaho tried to quickly head off more tears. "We are all
guilty of the same thing."
"Yes but I started it. I was the one who had to make Tenchi comfortable with her new form,
because I didn't want her getting distracted and getting hurt."
"The phrase 'doing something for their own good' does involve some pain to the person
involved." Funaho pointed out.
***
Washu jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder. She spun around to find Tenchi
standing there.
"Please don't do that." She asked. "Now, what can I do for you?"
"Could you knock up a practice room for me?" Tenchi asked.
Washu smiled the knowing smile she reserved for requests she had anticipated.
"Already done. I'll show you the way."
A few minutes later they were in one of the largest rooms Tenchi had ever seen. It was
filled with targets and machines of every description.
"Don't you think this is a bit excessive Washu?" Tenchi asked.
"Not for you. This is where I was planning to help you develop your power. All the regular
exercise equipment is across the hall if you want it."
"Not at the moment thanks." Washu couldn't place the glint in Tenchi's eyes. "I need to
work off some energy. I'll be fine on my own."
"You sure?" Washu asked. The look Tenchi returned confirmed that. "Fine." She
shrugged. "Just let me turn the systems on." She quickly typed a few commands on her
projected keyboard. "Now, I'm only leaving it on until lunch."
"Fine by me."
Washu threw a questioning look at the woman and left. Tenchi waited until she was sure
Washu was out of range before readying herself.
"OK," She muttered to herself, "let's see what I can do."
***
"Does anybody know where Tenchi is?" Ayeka asked as they sat down to lunch.
"She should have been here by now." Washu admitted. "I wonder what's keeping her?"
"Sorry I'm late guys." Tenchi said as she emerged from the lab. "I got caught up."
Ryoko and Ayeka glared at Washu.
Washu calmly ignored it. "How'd it go?" She asked Tenchi.
"I feel a lot better now, but I made rather a mess. I tried to clear it up." She apologised.
"Don't worry about it." Washu told her, secure in the knowledge that she had recorded
everything and her auto-repair systems could handle it.
Lunch from then on was normal, with Tenchi's more ardent chasers only threatening to fight
twice. Tenchi helped Sasami clear up.
"What was Tenchi doing in your lab?" Kiyone asked.
"Tenchi wanted a practice room to work off some energy." The redhead shrugged. "I
already had one so she used it."
"I'm worrying about her." Funaho said. "I've seen Tenchi three times today, and each time
she seems a different person. This time she seemed almost normal."
"What is normal Sister?" Misaki smiled faintly.
"Good point Sister." Funaho conceded.
The sound of Sasami laughing came from the kitchen.
"Well, she's finding something amusing." Ryoko noted.
"Either that or Tenchi's found out She's ticklish." Misaki suggested.
Ryoko rubbed her hands together in glee. "She is, is she? Well, well, well."
Ayeka also had a merry twinkle in her eyes. "Now Ryoko, don't be cruel to my sister."
"Why Princess," Ryoko replied in a shocked tone, "you misjudge me."
Sasami came dashing out of the kitchen headed straight for her mother.
"Hide me." She pleaded, still laughing slightly.
"You're not getting away that easily." Tenchi said from the door, massive grin on her face.
"There is plenty more where that came from."
"Yeep!" Sasami exclaimed and ducked behind the Queens.
Tenchi's grin turned up a notch. "Revenge is sweet." She said before returning to the
kitchen.
"A playful Tenchi I can live with." Misaki said.
***
Washu was surveying the damage to the practice room when someone let out a low whistle
from behind her.
"Tenchi did all this?" Minagi's voice asked.
Washu sighed. "No. This is two thirds repaired." She turned in time to see the young
pirate shudder.
"What did those poor machines do to her?" Minagi wondered.
"I think Tenchi was really letting off steam." Washu told her. "And I'd better work out
how to speed up the repairs. I get the feeling Tenchi's going to need this room quite a few
times."
"And you might want to reorganise the room so things don't get so damaged." Minagi
suggested.
***
Misaki was brushing her young daughter's hair.
"You know she was only playing." The Queen said.
"It was torture." Sasami insisted.
"Maybe you earned it in her mind. You have been forcing her into those clothes, nice
though they were."
"I want to see her in the red and silver outfit." Sasami complained.
"I have." Her mother grinned.
Sasami knew that, but kept quiet. "What's it like on her?" She asked, eager.
"Your Aunt and I are married women, but we both wanted to...well...do adult things with
her." Misaki actually blushed faintly.
"Mom!" Sasami gasped.
"I know. But she looked so attractive."
"Don't give her ideas Sister." Funaho said as she entered the room.
"Auntie Funaho." Sasami reproached. "I wouldn't dream of it."
"Oh really?" Funaho asked archly. "Tenchi's mentioned your attempts at seduction."
"Ooo. Tell me." Her Sister bounced. "Then we can give her some advice."
"Mom please." Sasami complained.
"Well Sister, it seems our little Sasami here has been the most successful of the girls. I did
mention how she handled Tenchi last night."
"You did. Who'd have thought my Sasami would be so sneaky." Misaki was purring with
pride.
Sasami was wearing an embarrassed expression.
"That's not all." Funaho said before walking over and whispering in her Sister's ear.
Misaki gasped.
"She didn't!"
"Tenchi suggested I keep that from you. I didn't promise anything."
"What?" Sasami sighed.
Her mother whispered in her ear.
"I did no such thing!" Sasami exclaimed. "I may have put my hands on them a few times,
but that's it."
"That was close enough for Tenchi." Funaho told her.
"Sasami dear." Misaki said. "Next time you get the chance..."
"What Mom?"
Misaki smirked. "Go for it."
***
"Please let me go." Tenchi pleaded.
"We like it like this." Ryoko told her, tightening her grip on Tenchi's right arm.
"Being in your company." Ayeka added, doing likewise with Tenchi's left arm.
Kiyone and Minagi watched the trio sitting on the edge of the jetty from a distance.
"Poor Tenchi." Minagi sighed. "Should we go rescue her?"
"No need." Kiyone said, pointing to a figure with blond hair walking towards the trio.
The usual three-way argument broke out, allowing Tenchi to escape.
"Every single time." Tenchi sighed quietly. "Hi guys, enjoying the show?"
"Someone has to lest something lethal happens." Kiyone said. "As much as I hate her,
she's still my partner."
"Then maybe you can answer something I've heard about her." Minagi asked.
"What have you heard?" Kiyone sighed.
"That GP officers go out of their way to be of assistance if she's in trouble."
"You don't know?" Kiyone slumped. "Figures, she probably doesn't even realise it
happens let alone that she hasn't told you. She's the Marshall's Granddaughter, and he is
known to be quite fond of her." She sighed. "About the only good thing about her is that she
doesn't want to live under his protection to and get by on her own merits."
"Washu noted that her report about Kagato was full of information."
"The version I read was censored." Kiyone told them. "I quickly realised that. Whoever
did it was very good though."
"Why would the report be censored?" Tenchi asked.
"They are a matter of public record. There are lots of secrets here Tenchi, things Jurai
would like very much to stay secret. Your power being most prominent."
"That I can understand." Tenchi admitted. She felt a surge and turned just in time to see
Ryoko teleport herself, Ayeka and Mihoshi away.
"Now, what are those two up to?" Tenchi asked.
***
"One..." Ryoko timed the swing.
"Two..." Ayeka caught the timing.
"THREE!" And they tossed Mihoshi into the baths.
"YEEEK!" SPLASH!
"That's better." Ryoko sighed.
"Much." Ayeka agreed.
Flowering Potential.
====================
C&C can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net Flames can be taken to the
nearest charity so they can be distributed to children in Third World
Countries to keep them warm.
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 10
##########
Sasami got up and stretched. It had certainly been a fun night. If anyone saw the expression
on her face, they would be wondering why the little girl wasn't floating. Tsunami had
watched the goings on in her mother's room and shared her experiences with her younger
half. Sasami was glad nobody had been awake to hear her giggle hysterically or see her blush
profusely.
~ Tsunami: So dear, what will our little condition be? ~ The tree sounded decidedly impish
today.
~ Sasami: It's hard to decide. ~
~ Tsunami: Two heads are better than one. ~ She pointed out.
~ Sasami: Oh, you are so right. ~ The little girl managed to sound almost, but not quite,
exactly like Mihoshi.
Tsunami was silent for a second before her uproarious laughter filled the little girl's mind.
Sasami gave the equivalent to a mental bow.
~ Sasami: Thank you, thank you. ~
~ Tsunami: We are going to have so much fun! ~ She said delightedly. ~ There's an idea.
Why don't we work on Tenchi's sense of humour? ~
Sasami considered it. ~ Sasami: No. ~ She said sadly. ~ We need something that will be
easy enough to start with but hard to finish. No need to go stressing her out... What? ~
Tsunami had given an amused snort. ~ Tsunami: We've been here too long. We're starting
to pick up the local expressions. ~
~ Sasami: That's it! We'll get Tenchi to show us around. Little field trips around the
planet. ~ Sasami felt this would do. ~ Besides, ~ She added, ~ It will give her experience
in dealing with different cultures. ~
~ Tsunami: I like the way your mind works... ~
~ Sasami: You should do, it's yours as well. ~
~ Tsunami: ...But it's a little short sighted. Trips to tourist sites across the galaxy sound
much better. ~
~ Sasami: I don't know... ~
~ Tsunami: Jurai is on the other side of the galaxy and we can make it in under two days.
It's a simple weekend visit for everywhere else. ~ The tree pointed out.
~ Sasami: Oh OK. ~ She conceded. ~ But only a few. ~ She felt the tingling of
Tsunami's mental kiss.
~ Tsunami: Of course. Now, where to go? ~
***
It wasn't as though Tenchi didn't want to get up, it was just that she couldn't. Not with a
Queen lying on each arm anyway. She hadn't had much in the way of sleep either, what with
the fear of what would happen if she weren't looking.
Tenchi decided to try and pull her arm gently from under Misaki, for the eminently sensible
reason that she was beginning to doubt she would ever feel anything from it again. Besides
she was cold, being the least dressed of the trio.
Misaki rolled and draped her arm over Tenchi's bare chest.
"Oh no you don't dearie." The blue-hared Queen muttered into Tenchi's ear. "We're not
finished with you."
Tenchi groaned quietly, but at least she could move her arm. There was some life left in it
after all.
"What do you want from me?" She whispered despondently to the universe at large.
"We'll discuss that when my beloved Sister wakes up."
~ Please wake up soon. ~ Tenchi prayed as Misaki snuggled up against her.
***
Sasami, as was becoming more common these days, was arguing with herself while making
breakfast.
~ Tsunami: I still don't see why she didn't like the blue dress. ~
~ Sasami: I think it was because it felt too exposed. ~
~ Tsunami: Run that past me again? Yes it was pretty, but it was more than modest. ~
~ Sasami: OK, try it this way. How would you feel if it seemed as if your dress would blow
up at any minute? ~
~ Tsunami: Oh I see now. It looked very pretty on her though. ~
Sasami smiled. ~ Sasami: Yes it did. The black and gold one worked very well. She
should wear it more often. ~
~ Tsunami: I wonder if we could get her to wear the red and silver one around the house. ~
You could practically feel Tsunami leering.
Sasami felt her whole body start to warm.
~ Sasami: Will you stop that? ~ She pleaded.
Tsunami decided it would be fun to share what had happened to Ayeka and Ryoko
yesterday.
Sasami blushed beet red.
~ Tsunami: That might be fun. I have a good idea of how it worked so if you want... ~
~ Sasami: I'm saving myself for Tenchi. ~ She replied airily.
~ Tsunami: So you want to go first? I can tell you where to get the drug. ~
~ Sasami: Let's leave Tenchi out of this for the moment. Can we slow down the separation
process? It might finally stop them fighting. ~
~ Tsunami: Done. I'm sure Washu will understand. ~
~ Sasami: How about a quick prod to get them together? ~
~ Tsunami: Also done. They should be in each other's arms right now. ~
Sasami grinned. It might be a fun day.
***
Ayeka felt a slight presence appear beside her. She opened her eyes to find Ryoko's doing
the same.
"What are you doing in my room?" She asked.
Ryoko looked around. She was in the princesses' room.
"I don't know." She admitted. "I'd better be leaving."
Ayeka's hand snaked out of its own accord. The purple-hared woman looked at it in shock.
~ No. ~ They were both thinking. ~ I don't want to do this. ~
But it was too late. They could both feel their hormones kick in with a vengeance and their
bodies were no long under their conscious control.
"How about we just lay here?" Ayeka said. She knew they were both fighting hard against
the urge to hold one another.
"There's no reason to get up just yet." Ryoko agreed.
***
Tenchi had the expression of a trapped mouse. And the two pussycats surrounding her were
purring delightedly.
"See Tenchi." Funaho said gently. "It's not that bad."
~ I'm gonna die! ~ Tenchi raged in her head.
"We still have some unfinished business to conclude Sister." Misaki pointed out.
"Business before pleasure." Funaho sighed. "What will the price be?"
"I was thinking the best kiss she could do. How about you Sis?"
The first Queen thought about it. "Yes. That will do."
"Aren't I in enough trouble?" Tenchi asked.
***
Tenchi was wearing an eminently practical jeans and t-shirt ensemble and a tired look when
she staggered into the kitchen half an hour later.
"Enjoy the show?" She asked. "And don't give me the innocent routine. There is no way
you and Tsunami would pass up watching."
Sasami sighed. "We still don't really understand why you don't like the blue dress."
"It's too loose. It feels as if a sudden gust of wind would lift it off me."
"I thought it would be something like that." The little girl replied. "See Tenchi, you do
have some feminine modesty."
"I think it's acute masculine embarrassment myself." Tenchi muttered.
"Whatever." Sasami shrugged. "It serves the same purpose."
"Yeah, to make me feel a total idiot. Instead of the partial idiot I am otherwise."
"Stop it." Sasami gave her a gentle slap. "You've really got to work on you self
confidence."
"Is that going to be your little project?" Tenchi asked, fingering the necklace. Sasami noted
the two missing stones. "They're holding onto them as keepsakes." She explained at the
look.
"No. I'd guess Minagi, or possibly Ryoko."
"Speaking of whom, where is she? I didn't see her in her usual place."
Sasami grinned.
"Oh no." Tenchi groaned. "I know that look. What did you do?"
Sasami's grin threatened to cut the top off of her head as she told her.
***
"To think we'd end up like this." Ryoko sighed.
"Best of friends, Worst of enemies?" Ayeka quoted.
"I was thinking, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies' closer." myself."
"If you insist." Ayeka shrugged, and squeezed.
"Why you little minx!" Ryoko giggled then sighed. "I don't really hate you. I don't
suppose I ever have. We both know why we fight."
Ayeka kissed the former pirate full on the lips with a passion that startled Ryoko.
"I know." She said when they broke.
Ryoko's eyes had a predatory glint in them.
"Can't we share?" She asked.
Ayeka shook her head. "We may mix with blood of other planets now, but you may be too
alien."
"How about..." Ryoko was thinking out loud. "...As a Mistress?"
"Hum..." Ayeka thought seriously about the proposal. "That...may...just work."
"It's nice to have a backup plan." Ryoko grinned. "In the mean time, what are we going to
do with Tenchi?"
"Mister or Miss?" Ayeka asked archly.
"Gah! Don't remind me. That outfit last night nearly broke my control."
"It was rather... fetching, wasn't it?"
"Would you have joined in if I had leapt on her?"
"If it had been more private, I'd have beaten you to it." Ayeka grinned.
"I'm starting to think we're losing it." Ryoko admitted.
"As you would say, at least it'll be fun."
Ryoko smiled warmly, then leapt on her prey with passionate abandon.
"Too bad Tenchi isn't this affectionate." Was all the princess could say before being
smothered.
***
The smell of Sasami's cooking filled the house, and the sound of explosions echoed around
the valley.
"Who is that?" Funaho asked tiredly.
"Just Ryoko." Kiyone said. She'd come to discern the characteristics of Ryoko's attacks.
"My little Ayeka is not being sensible." Misaki sighed.
"Mother please!" Ayeka exclaimed behind her.
Misaki turned to look. "Then if it's not you she's fighting, who is she?"
"Minagi?" Kiyone suggested, just before the young pirate appeared.
"Um... Why are you all staring at me like that?" She asked.
Another explosion echoed around the valley.
"Sasami dear? Who's fighting with Ryoko?" Funaho asked.
"Oh it's just Tenchi." The Azure-hared little girl told them.
"WHAT!?!" The household exclaimed.
About two hundred metres down the valley Ryoko paused.
"Tell me again why we're doing this?" She asked.
"It's simple." Tenchi told her. "I don't need to use my full capabilities all the time, so I'm
trying to balance how much I need at least. You and Ayeka 'practice' all the time, so I
thought if I could measure how much I need around you two I should be fine in most
circumstances."
"Oh. So by working out how much you need to do against my usual energy bolt, you can
control your power better."
"That's the idea." Tenchi shrugged. "At least you don't have to worry about accidentally
blasting me."
Tenchi was standing next to Ryoko, but the translucent blue shield Ryoko was attacking was
shimmering faintly a few metres in front of them. Tenchi had already worked out how to
project the shield where she wanted it.
Tenchi concentrated then sighed.
"Great. I can't make it any weaker."
"Then let's see how much it can take."
Ryoko fired a large energy bolt at it. The two experimenters waited until the smoke had
cleared.
"Did you feel anything?" Ryoko asked.
"Nope. Should I?"
"Well, I know Ayeka can feel the impact of weapons on her shield."
"Maybe we should have waited for her then."
"She was busy. Here, let me try something. I need to let off a little steam anyway. Stand
back a bit."
Tenchi did so as Ryoko worked herself up to deliver the most powerful blast she could.
"Tenchi!" Came a cry.
The woman turned to see Funaho, Misaki and Kiyone coming from the house.
"Oh Hi guys..."
Ryoko fired. The yellow-orange plasma blast engulfed the target, but otherwise it was
unharmed.
"That was weird." Tenchi said as she turned back. "I did feel something, a slight... tingle?
I don't know how to describe it." Ryoko was breathing a bit heavily.
"What are you doing Tenchi?" Funaho asked.
"Just experimen-." Tenchi was cut off by Washu appearing out of a portal.
"What happened?" Washu asked. "I felt Ryoko using a full power blast." She got out her
projected computer and gasped. "That's a level 12 shield!"
"Excuse me?" Tenchi asked.
"Are you sure?" Ryoko asked. "No wonder I couldn't scratch it."
"Is this a good thing or a bad thing?" Tenchi tried again. "It was as weak as I could make
it."
Slowly, all eyes focused on her. Except for Ryoko who was getting her breath back.
"As weak as you could make it?" Washu repeated. "Tenchi, I have trouble creating a level
12 shield. The amount of power it takes is phenomenal."
"I didn't say it was easy. I have to concentrate to hold it in existence, not to mention hold it
at a distance. A single wing is so much easier."
Washu was giving Tenchi a 'She's grown a second head.' look.
"Do you want me to tell her?" Funaho asked. Washu just waved and walked back into the
portal.
"Tenchi," Funaho said, "A level 12 shield is the closest anyone has come to an artificial
Lighthawk wing. Just out of curiosity, how much weaker than a single wing is it?"
"I don't know. How am I supposed to tell? All I did was drop the power, not try to work
out how much. It doesn't feel natural, if you can call me that."
"Will you stop that?" Funaho snapped.
"That lack of self-confidence is going to get you into trouble." Misaki warned.
Tenchi gave the Queens a tired look.
"I'm not going to bother arguing since it's all been said." She told them. "Please, Ryoko
and I have had breakfast, go back and enjoy your meal. I'm going to have a little fun."
The shield vanished and Tenchi formed a wing, grabbing hold of it by the narrow end. She
didn't transform it, simply carried it to a stump.
"Toss me a plasma ball or two Ryoko." Tenchi asked, swinging the wing over the stump
like a baseball bat.
"But Tenchi..." Ryoko was worried.
"Just aim them over the stump." Tenchi told her.
"OK." Ryoko shrugged. She formed up a ball and threw it over the stump. Tenchi swung
and connected. The wing absorbed the energy.
"Hum..." Tenchi concentrated. "Try again."
Ryoko indulged the woman and did it again. When Tenchi connected this time, the plasma
ball turned into a plasma bolt as long as the eye could see for a second.
"That worked." Tenchi muttered.
Washu tiredly stepped out of another portal.
"Will you please stop that?" She asked, throwing a dark look at Tenchi.
"What's wrong with a little fun?" Tenchi asked. "Everybody says I'm too serious."
"That 'little fun' sent a plasma bolt into the reaches of space at 1.3 times the speed of light,
narrowly missing one of Earth's satellites. Can we do this later, when I am ready?"
Tenchi put her hands on her hips and pouted. "Where's the fun in that?"
Misaki sniggered.
"C'mon Tenchi," Kiyone said, "give it a rest."
"OK." Tenchi shrugged.
"Thank you." Washu said and popped back through her portal.
***
The GP station for the sector that contained Earth was either a work of genius or a work of
insanity. It was hard to know which. The multiple section rings intersected each other or
passed through the centre of each other, fully contained by the main arc section. In truth, it
had been one of the first stations to be built in subspace for security reasons. When they had
finished and pulled it from subspace it had looked like it did. The lessons had been learnt and
applied to the others.
Buried deep in the station was the office of the patrol section 5 chief. He seemed a meek
person, naturally suited to office work. But he handled the stress well, being both Mihoshi's
commanding officer and an agent for Juraian Intelligence. He was enjoying a brief quiet
period and had relaxed. He had felt sorry about lumping Detective Kiyone with Mihoshi the
first time, but keeping important people happy was part of his job. He wasn't a nasty man, so
Kiyone had a few surprises waiting for her when the command staff could get Mihoshi into a
nice safe office position in Central Command. The exploits of those two had given them both
enough commendations to get them promoted a few times. But the Ultra Energy Matter
incident had put Kiyone out of the picture for two years and had resulted in Mihoshi's
demotion and transfer to the chief's section. He had put her on the safest duty he could think
of, patrolling a non-interference preserve out of the way.
Then came the Kagato incident and all the ramifications of that had been dumped on him.
When Kiyone had been rescued he found that he could kill two birds with one stone, both the
GP's policy of an easy assignment for recovering officers and that he needed help dealing
with Mihoshi. His stress levels had dropped considerably in the three months since then.
The chief was just thinking how nice it would be to finally go on holiday when the incoming
signal alert sounded. The chief sighed.
"What now?" He asked. "At least it isn't from Mihoshi."
He sat up and pressed a control, causing a communications window to pop into existence.
"This is Station 12, patrol section 5, chief speaking. Go ahead."
The image of a young man in GP uniform appeared.
"Sir. This is Patrol officer Makishi, Patrol ship 992574." As the man spoke, the Station
computers brought up all relevant information on the ship position, local stellar conditions,
ship's complement and crew files.
"Go ahead Officer Makishi." The chief told the young man.
"Sir, we've encountered a ship in distress. Early information is indicative of a pirate attack,
and descriptions we've been given match members of the Black Star gang. Transmitting
current information now."
Two new windows appeared one with the incoming info, the other with a real-time analysis
of the data.
"Data received. Follow standard procedure, but I want hourly check-ins. The Black Star
gang is known to wait for passing ships and attacking them as well."
"Understood chief. Patrol ship 992574 out."
The communication windows blinked out of existence. The chief was about to sit back and
review the preliminary data when a third window suddenly opened. It was showing alarm
88042, his personal alarm for beings under his observation. The names on the list were
Ryoko, Mihoshi and Kiyone.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" He muttered to himself.
***
Tenchi had borrowed one of her dad's engineering books to read figuring it would help her
pass the time. The others had noticed the continual increase in Tenchi's reading speed as
they had finished breakfast. She was flipping a page every ten seconds at the end.
"Well, that was fun." She muttered sourly.
"Did you actually read that?" Kiyone asked.
"Most of it. I've been through it before when I needed help with my homework."
Kiyone shrugged. "Fine."
"I'll just put this away." Tenchi said and walked upstairs.
"I don't think she noticed how fast she was reading." Washu noted.
"New ability?" Funaho asked.
"Perhaps, or a consequence to that 'Understanding' ability."
"This is going to keep us on our toes." Ayeka pointed out. "Is it just me, or are her powers
developing ever faster?"
"I hope not." Ryoko said. "I can't keep up with the ones she's already got."
"It always seems like that when it starts." Misaki smiled. "It felt the same when Ayeka's
power emerged."
"You never told me that." Ayeka said.
"I was saving it for later."
Minagi shook her head. "Things are getting back to normal." She said, leaning back.
"Whatever next?"
A small explosion came from upstairs followed by the sound of coughing.
"OK." Tenchi called down. "Who set up the smoke bomb?"
***
The chief didn't like what he'd read about the history between the Black Star gang and the
two Detectives and former pirate. He sat considering the problem when a communication
window popped up.
"This is Patrol ship 992574 reporting in."
"Go ahead Officer Makishi."
"Sir. The suspects downloaded the contents of the victim's computers. The ship is a class 5
Berimi courier."
"Will they tell us what was in those files? And what they were carrying?"
"I'll try Sir."
"Tell them it will help with the insurance claim. That should make them more co-
operative."
"Understood Sir. Patrol ship 992574 out."
***
"Tenchi, you've got a smudge on your face." Sasami said.
"I'll deal with it once I've cleared up this mess." Tenchi told her.
Washu finished typing. "Well the device was primitive but manufactured. I'd say it was
one of Mr. Masaki's practical jokes he forgot about."
"I'd thought he'd given up on them over a year ago." The victim sighed.
"He's played a few on me since I've been here." Washu said. "I didn't mind, since nothing
important got damaged and they were good humoured."
"I'm going to have a long talk with my dad." Tenchi promised. "Now, if you'll leave so I
can get started..."
"Are you sure you don't want any help?" Sasami asked.
"I'll be fine."
Downstairs Misaki was frowning.
"Why she does things like that is beyond me." She grumbled.
"It's the way she was raised." Kiyone pointed out. "Tenchi has grown up an ordinary
person and trained to be a priest. I'd say she's just doing what comes naturally."
"Besides Mother," Ayeka added, "we all do chores around here. We couldn't sit around all
day doing nothing and not helping."
Misaki turned a slightly disbelieving gaze on her daughter.
"There there Sister." Funaho said, patting her fellow Queen on the shoulder. "It's a unusual
situation we have here. They have obviously dealt with it as best they can."
"How many years will it take to break the habits though?" Misaki asked.
"I think it would be rather refreshing." Yosho said from the doorway.
The Queens jumped.
"Would you stop that?" Funaho asked.
"You get used to it." Sasami giggled as she came downstairs.
"A Crown Prince who behaves as though he was an ordinary person would generate some
interesting comment don't you think?" Yosho continued as if he hadn't been interrupted.
"I see your talent for understatement hasn't deteriorated." His mother noted. "Interesting
comment indeed."
"I've had seven hundred years of practice Mother. Being a priest gives one much time to
contemplate." With that he disappeared into the hallway.
"I'll never understand him." Funaho sighed. "He's completely submerged in Earth culture
at the moment."
"Which one?" Kiyone asked herself quietly.
"Pardon?" The Queen turned to face the Detective.
Kiyone sighed. "Earth has multiple cultures Your Majesty."
Minagi groaned. "That's worse that the 300 languages it has."
Misaki was looking at the two women with a shocked expression.
"That's..." She began.
"Impossible?" Washu smirked. "Not here. Or don't you trust me? I came up with the
figures."
"Do you have solid data?" Funaho asked. "I'd like to confirm this. It may mean that the
protection my..this planet is under will have to be changed."
"Sure. Kiyone? Could you give me a hand? I need to collate all the data so I can upload it.
We will need your help Lady Funaho."
"Of course."
***
Tenchi finally finished cleaning up her dad's room.
"Phew! That took a while. I hope that dad doesn't mind." She said, wiping the back of her
hand across her forehead. She stood up and stretched. "I'd better go get cleaned up."
Tenchi walked out the door and almost bumped directly into Misaki.
"There you are Tenchi!" She exclaimed. "I hope you've finished." Misaki was quite
cheerful, making Tenchi quite suspicious.
"Just Misaki." She replied. "I was going to get cleaned up."
"Good. I'll join you."
Tenchi started, but had kind of expected it.
"Um... I don't think that would be a good idea..."
Tenchi was grabbed by the shoulders and lifted to look into the eyes of Misaki. They had a
distinctly hard glint.
"Are you saying..." Misaki growled quietly at Tenchi. "...That you don't want to bathe
with a beautiful woman?"
"Not when doing so will almost certainly get me into serious trouble." Tenchi replied. "I
meant what I said about not trusting you."
Misaki roughly dropped Tenchi and stormed off.
~ Of course, refusing would land me in trouble anyway. ~ Tenchi thought. She didn't
really care anymore.
***
"Kiyone, I need to tell you something." Washu said as they were working.
"Can't it wait?" The detective asked.
"Not anymore. I think you need to know now. It will become evident why, especially in
our present company."
"What is it Washu?" Funaho asked.
Washu waited until she had her companions' full attention.
"Now, I am never going to repeat this and I suggest you do the same." The two ladies
nodded. "Lady Funaho, Kiyone recently admitted to having a degree in xeno-anthropology.
Now, I looked into it and found something out that will help with the validation." Washu
smirked at Kiyone. "You got 98.6%. Now Science Academy Regulations state, and I know
this one very well because I created it, that a mark over 98% is an automatic Professorship. I
haven't seen a mark that high since my finals."
Kiyone looked stunned, then burst out laughing.
"Me?" She laughed incredulously. "A Professor? Give me a break Washu."
"Oh it's true alright." Washu was grinning her head off. "You see Lady Funaho, while I
did most of the research, Kiyone has been through it and helped me correct any mistakes. It's
a full and accurate report. It may help to point that out to anybody who disbelieves it."
"I have the feeling that I may have to." Funaho smiled.
***
Tenchi had managed to get a full bath to herself and managed to get back to her empty
room. This she considered a minor miracle. But she knew that it couldn't last. The more
than familiar surge that heralded Tsunami's appearance began.
"Can't you wait until I'm dressed?" Tenchi asked crossly.
"Why were you so cruel to Misaki?" The image didn't waste time. "She was just trying to
be nice."
"I'm in enough trouble with the King already thank you. And I really did mean what I said
last night. You'll all have to earn my trust again. And don't even think about getting me to
Jurai. I keep my promises."
"But you have to go to Jurai." Tsunami complained. "You will..." She didn't finish the
sentence.
"I'm willing to indulge your plan with Tokimi, but that's it."
"But..." Tsunami was at a loss for words. Tenchi was ripping apart plans that were
centuries old, and almost ripping her heart out as well.
"No buts Tsunami. I've made up my mind and I'm sticking to my decision. I'm going to be
decisive for once in my life."
"And I can't let you do that." Tsunami sighed. "Like it or not, you will go to Jurai. You
will become king and you will marry."
"Have you ever heard the phrase, 'There is no fate but what we make'? I choose what I'm
going to do with my life, not you. Now, please leave so I can get dressed."
"You haven't heard the last of this." Tsunami warned.
"I'd be rather surprised if it was." Tenchi told her.
"Humph!" Tsunami disappeared.
"Thank you." Tenchi told the empty air.
***
Funaho had found her Sister sulking. It was not something she often did.
"What's wrong Misaki?" The Queen asked.
"I'm having second thoughts about whether Tenchi should marry my daughters. Not really
suitable."
"And what brought this on?"
"Tenchi really meaning that she doesn't trust any of us."
"You better tell me what happened."
***
Tenchi was wearing black. Black shirt and black jeans to go with her black mood. She was
also doing her homework and failing miserably with the equations when someone knocked at
her door.
"Who is it?" She asked distractedly.
"It's Funaho." The voice replied.
"I'm a bit busy at the moment. Can you come back later?"
"We need to talk." The command was implicit.
Sighing, Tenchi picked up the Master Key and went to the door.
"Yes?" She asked, opening the door slightly.
"May I come in?" Funaho asked.
"I don't think that would be a good idea."
"This is a private matter between you and me." Funaho was insistent.
"With Tsunami, nothing's private around me." Tenchi told her, but let her in. "Let me
guess. This is about what I said to Misaki."
"My Sister was being friendly." Funaho was cold.
"Too friendly. I've become quite paranoid since my change and I see no reason to alter that
position."
"Would you explain that?"
"Certainly. It has become painfully obvious that everybody in this house has plans for me.
I don't like that. I'm getting the sneaking feeling people are going to force me to comply, so
I'm not going to make it easy. Misaki trying to bathe with me feels suspiciously like setting
me up for blackmail. That is illegal in most of the Galaxy isn't it? As far as I know it is.
The king doesn't like me anyway, but it would be even worse if he were to know what you
have manipulated me into doing wouldn't it? Remember two can play that game. This is a
friendly warning. You don't go there, I won't follow."
Funaho had a very dark look on her face. "I don't like your tone." She warned.
"Everybody's entitled to their opinion. All I'm doing is keeping myself out of your politics.
You have been doing that longer than Earth's recorded history, so you are no doubt very
good at it."
"You are already embroiled in politics at the highest level." Funaho told Tenchi. "If it
wasn't for my Sister and I, you would be up to your neck in it. Azusa would have no choice
but to forcibly remove everyone here from the planet."
"Well I'd like to see him try now."
"That's the problem. He might."
"He's got no patience you mean. All he has to do is wait a hundred years and I won't be a
problem anymore. I get the feeling he could wait a could wait a couple thousand years or so
if it got rid of me."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Whatever you want it to mean Your Majesty." Tenchi said. "Now, if you don't mind, I
have homework to do. We all need time to cool off."
"When did you change from the kind young man we met before to the cold hearted being
I'm facing now?"
"Probably when I became female and everybody decided to work on me. You may want to
keep from Misaki the fact that Sasami has tried to grope me at least three times already. The
old Tenchi is dead, and I think they killed him."
***
~ What now? ~ Sasami thought as Funaho came into the kitchen with a dark look.
"Auntie Funaho. What can I do for you?"
"You can tell me why I shouldn't just let Tenchi rot on this planet."
Sasami looked shocked. "W-what?"
"Tenchi has completely changed during our stay here. The...person in that room is no
longer the person I thought could take the throne."
"It's got that bad?" Sasami whispered.
Funaho nodded.
Sasami wanted to tell her Aunt everything, but that would mean braking a promise to
Tenchi. That could loose her the chance at happiness she wanted. Funaho noticed the
hesitation and fear on Sasami's face. Now why was that?
"Sasami?" She asked gently. "If you have something I should know, say it."
"I...I can't! I don't want to break my promise to Tenchi. I...can't..." She began to sob.
"I...can't...loose...Tenchi."
"If you don't, Your mother and I may be forced to take you away for your own good."
"That's cruel!" Sasami shouted. "You are forcing me to chose between my friends and my
family. I won't do it! Tenchi is too important to everyone!"
"And why is that?"
"I can't tell you, she just is. She is...hope." And with that Sasami collapsed, crying her
eyes out.
Funaho was quickly at her side, cradling the young girl.
"I'm sorry Sasami." She told her niece. "I'm sorry I had to do that. You were the only one
who I could get the answer I needed from." She wiped away Sasami's tears. "Now, can you
tell me why?"
Sasami felt her other half throw a plan into her mind.
"I have bad dreams." She sniffed. "Bad things happen, and I only remember for a short
while afterwards. I started recording them. I keep having one where I get hurt and Tenchi
reaches out to help me, but a lady takes him away. I don't like the lady. She scares me."
Sasami took a deep breath. "And I get bad dreams before bad things happen. The only good
dream like that is one where Tenchi is standing over us, getting hurt to protect us and we
can't go and help him. It makes us sad."
Funaho was shocked. Sasami, little Sasami, was slightly precognisant. She was predicting
the future, a future where Tenchi was a critical player. She gently kissed her niece on the
forehead.
"I understand Sasami. You care for Tenchi a great deal. So do I and so does everyone else.
Your mother is tearing her hair out because Tenchi is moving away from us."
"She was right then." Sasami said, red rimmed eyes filling again. "We have been too hard
on her."
"Now now don't blame yourself." Funaho tried to quickly head off more tears. "We are all
guilty of the same thing."
"Yes but I started it. I was the one who had to make Tenchi comfortable with her new form,
because I didn't want her getting distracted and getting hurt."
"The phrase 'doing something for their own good' does involve some pain to the person
involved." Funaho pointed out.
***
Washu jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder. She spun around to find Tenchi
standing there.
"Please don't do that." She asked. "Now, what can I do for you?"
"Could you knock up a practice room for me?" Tenchi asked.
Washu smiled the knowing smile she reserved for requests she had anticipated.
"Already done. I'll show you the way."
A few minutes later they were in one of the largest rooms Tenchi had ever seen. It was
filled with targets and machines of every description.
"Don't you think this is a bit excessive Washu?" Tenchi asked.
"Not for you. This is where I was planning to help you develop your power. All the regular
exercise equipment is across the hall if you want it."
"Not at the moment thanks." Washu couldn't place the glint in Tenchi's eyes. "I need to
work off some energy. I'll be fine on my own."
"You sure?" Washu asked. The look Tenchi returned confirmed that. "Fine." She
shrugged. "Just let me turn the systems on." She quickly typed a few commands on her
projected keyboard. "Now, I'm only leaving it on until lunch."
"Fine by me."
Washu threw a questioning look at the woman and left. Tenchi waited until she was sure
Washu was out of range before readying herself.
"OK," She muttered to herself, "let's see what I can do."
***
"Does anybody know where Tenchi is?" Ayeka asked as they sat down to lunch.
"She should have been here by now." Washu admitted. "I wonder what's keeping her?"
"Sorry I'm late guys." Tenchi said as she emerged from the lab. "I got caught up."
Ryoko and Ayeka glared at Washu.
Washu calmly ignored it. "How'd it go?" She asked Tenchi.
"I feel a lot better now, but I made rather a mess. I tried to clear it up." She apologised.
"Don't worry about it." Washu told her, secure in the knowledge that she had recorded
everything and her auto-repair systems could handle it.
Lunch from then on was normal, with Tenchi's more ardent chasers only threatening to fight
twice. Tenchi helped Sasami clear up.
"What was Tenchi doing in your lab?" Kiyone asked.
"Tenchi wanted a practice room to work off some energy." The redhead shrugged. "I
already had one so she used it."
"I'm worrying about her." Funaho said. "I've seen Tenchi three times today, and each time
she seems a different person. This time she seemed almost normal."
"What is normal Sister?" Misaki smiled faintly.
"Good point Sister." Funaho conceded.
The sound of Sasami laughing came from the kitchen.
"Well, she's finding something amusing." Ryoko noted.
"Either that or Tenchi's found out She's ticklish." Misaki suggested.
Ryoko rubbed her hands together in glee. "She is, is she? Well, well, well."
Ayeka also had a merry twinkle in her eyes. "Now Ryoko, don't be cruel to my sister."
"Why Princess," Ryoko replied in a shocked tone, "you misjudge me."
Sasami came dashing out of the kitchen headed straight for her mother.
"Hide me." She pleaded, still laughing slightly.
"You're not getting away that easily." Tenchi said from the door, massive grin on her face.
"There is plenty more where that came from."
"Yeep!" Sasami exclaimed and ducked behind the Queens.
Tenchi's grin turned up a notch. "Revenge is sweet." She said before returning to the
kitchen.
"A playful Tenchi I can live with." Misaki said.
***
Washu was surveying the damage to the practice room when someone let out a low whistle
from behind her.
"Tenchi did all this?" Minagi's voice asked.
Washu sighed. "No. This is two thirds repaired." She turned in time to see the young
pirate shudder.
"What did those poor machines do to her?" Minagi wondered.
"I think Tenchi was really letting off steam." Washu told her. "And I'd better work out
how to speed up the repairs. I get the feeling Tenchi's going to need this room quite a few
times."
"And you might want to reorganise the room so things don't get so damaged." Minagi
suggested.
***
Misaki was brushing her young daughter's hair.
"You know she was only playing." The Queen said.
"It was torture." Sasami insisted.
"Maybe you earned it in her mind. You have been forcing her into those clothes, nice
though they were."
"I want to see her in the red and silver outfit." Sasami complained.
"I have." Her mother grinned.
Sasami knew that, but kept quiet. "What's it like on her?" She asked, eager.
"Your Aunt and I are married women, but we both wanted to...well...do adult things with
her." Misaki actually blushed faintly.
"Mom!" Sasami gasped.
"I know. But she looked so attractive."
"Don't give her ideas Sister." Funaho said as she entered the room.
"Auntie Funaho." Sasami reproached. "I wouldn't dream of it."
"Oh really?" Funaho asked archly. "Tenchi's mentioned your attempts at seduction."
"Ooo. Tell me." Her Sister bounced. "Then we can give her some advice."
"Mom please." Sasami complained.
"Well Sister, it seems our little Sasami here has been the most successful of the girls. I did
mention how she handled Tenchi last night."
"You did. Who'd have thought my Sasami would be so sneaky." Misaki was purring with
pride.
Sasami was wearing an embarrassed expression.
"That's not all." Funaho said before walking over and whispering in her Sister's ear.
Misaki gasped.
"She didn't!"
"Tenchi suggested I keep that from you. I didn't promise anything."
"What?" Sasami sighed.
Her mother whispered in her ear.
"I did no such thing!" Sasami exclaimed. "I may have put my hands on them a few times,
but that's it."
"That was close enough for Tenchi." Funaho told her.
"Sasami dear." Misaki said. "Next time you get the chance..."
"What Mom?"
Misaki smirked. "Go for it."
***
"Please let me go." Tenchi pleaded.
"We like it like this." Ryoko told her, tightening her grip on Tenchi's right arm.
"Being in your company." Ayeka added, doing likewise with Tenchi's left arm.
Kiyone and Minagi watched the trio sitting on the edge of the jetty from a distance.
"Poor Tenchi." Minagi sighed. "Should we go rescue her?"
"No need." Kiyone said, pointing to a figure with blond hair walking towards the trio.
The usual three-way argument broke out, allowing Tenchi to escape.
"Every single time." Tenchi sighed quietly. "Hi guys, enjoying the show?"
"Someone has to lest something lethal happens." Kiyone said. "As much as I hate her,
she's still my partner."
"Then maybe you can answer something I've heard about her." Minagi asked.
"What have you heard?" Kiyone sighed.
"That GP officers go out of their way to be of assistance if she's in trouble."
"You don't know?" Kiyone slumped. "Figures, she probably doesn't even realise it
happens let alone that she hasn't told you. She's the Marshall's Granddaughter, and he is
known to be quite fond of her." She sighed. "About the only good thing about her is that she
doesn't want to live under his protection to and get by on her own merits."
"Washu noted that her report about Kagato was full of information."
"The version I read was censored." Kiyone told them. "I quickly realised that. Whoever
did it was very good though."
"Why would the report be censored?" Tenchi asked.
"They are a matter of public record. There are lots of secrets here Tenchi, things Jurai
would like very much to stay secret. Your power being most prominent."
"That I can understand." Tenchi admitted. She felt a surge and turned just in time to see
Ryoko teleport herself, Ayeka and Mihoshi away.
"Now, what are those two up to?" Tenchi asked.
***
"One..." Ryoko timed the swing.
"Two..." Ayeka caught the timing.
"THREE!" And they tossed Mihoshi into the baths.
"YEEEK!" SPLASH!
"That's better." Ryoko sighed.
"Much." Ayeka agreed.