====================
Flowering Potential.
====================
C&C can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net Flames will be ignored with
extreme prejudice.
Disclaimer: I do not own the series depicted within, but go buy it anyway.
Conventions:
~ ~ are used for thoughts and Telepathic communication.
This series is archived at http://www.lum.co.uk/cobalt/
##########
Chapter 13
##########
There was something wrong. The whole house could feel it. Something was amiss, but
none of them could tell what it was. It persisted for almost an hour, before suddenly
disappearing.
It did nothing to settle the unease that it had generated.
***
Upstairs, Tsunami was crying.
The reason for the tears was lying on the bed below her, sleeping peacefully.
"Oh Tenchi." She whispered. "I almost lost you again, and it was my fault. I couldn't see
beyond my hopes and dreams for you. The bright future I had created for you, for making us
all so happy."
The tree became lost in her own thoughts for a few minutes before she gathered them up,
and wiped the tears away.
"Why didn't you tell us it hurt you so? To never be able to know if you could return our
feelings?" She sniffed. "We would have understood in time. But none of us can lose you.
We would never be able to live with ourselves."
She smiled down on the sleeping young lady.
"Don't worry." She told the unknowing lady below her. "I have not changed you in any
way. Your strength has come to the fore now; it has fixed your soul. You helped yourself to
heal, and I will keep your secret."
The smile turned decidedly impish.
"It will make things more fun to catch you now." She admitted to herself.
She carefully laid herself on top of Tenchi, savouring the feel of her body against the silent
woman. The contact electrified her, but she knew it wouldn't last and reluctantly pulled
away.
"I am so sorry we will never know each other like that." She sighed, and waited.
***
"Uhrrum...?"
Head swimming, Tenchi greeted life again. Through sleep encrusted eyes she saw the
worried face.
"Are you all right?" The pink eyed goddess asked hesitantly.
Tenchi worked her way to her elbows.
"Wha...what happened?"
"We fought, and we drew. I'm so sorry Tenchi. I should have known better."
"As... should...I." Tenchi said before collapsing back. "Is my head supposed to feel like
this?"
"Like what?"
Tenchi searched for a suitable description.
"Like I tried to head-butt a planet. At lightspeed. Repeatedly"
Tsunami couldn't help smiling.
"For what you did... Yes."
Tenchi chuckled. "Maybe you won't try that again. I have a short temper these days if you
haven't noticed."
"I did. It's only because you have so much going on around you at the moment that you
don't like."
"Speaking of which, I hope you didn't play with me while I was out."
"Tenchi, I swear I did nothing to change you."
Tenchi worked herself into a sitting position.
"I believe you. I don't know why, but I do."
All the tension drained out of Tsunami's image.
"Thank you."
Tenchi held her head and groaned. The pain seemed to be tap-dancing across her brain.
"So..." Tenchi began. "What did you think of this?" She gestured the outfit she had thrown
on.
"It was OK." Tsunami shrugged. She was downplaying how nice Tenchi looked.
"I think I'll still go back to my ordinary clothes."
"Ordinary clothes don't suit you Tenchi. Washu knew that when she made them."
"I hate this body. It makes everybody forget that I'm still male." ~ And a shy one at that.
~ She added silently. "I still think she got mixed up between me and Ryoko. I suppose
forgetfulness is something I've got to look forward to in my old age."
"Washu's not that old Tenchi." Tsunami giggled.
"Compared to you maybe."
"Humph!" Tsunami turned her head to one side, indicating her displeasure. "Just for that
I'm not going to leave until you make yourself look three times as good as you do now."
"Oh really?" Tenchi asked archly. "I think I can do something to change that."
Tenchi got up on slightly unsteady legs and walked up to Tsunami. She had an impish glint
in her eyes.
"Um... Tenchi?" Tsunami asked, slightly unnerved.
Tenchi struck, tickling the future image of Sasami.
"Stop it!" Tsunami gasped, giggling under the onslaught.
Tenchi responded by redoubling her efforts.
"Please!" Tsunami pleaded, breaking into laughter. "Please stop!" She wondered how her
other half was coping.
***
Sasami's cheerful personality was reasserting itself with a vengeance. There were hints that
if she wasn't tied down soon she'd float away.
~ What's making me feel this way? ~ She literally bubbled with joy. It was distracting.
She went to sit down.
***
In Tenchi's room, Tsunami had collapsed and been rendered helpless with laughter. She
couldn't even talk to Sasami and ask for a rescue.
Tenchi still had an impish, intent look, and was continuing her torture of the tree.
"Maybe I overdid it?" Tenchi asked herself out loud. She stopped tickling.
It took Tsunami a few minutes to recover.
"Now, are you going to leave peacefully or do I have to do that again?" Tenchi flexed her
fingers.
"No." Tsunami said, giggling still. "I get the point." She sat up and hugged Tenchi. "This
impish side suits you." She told Tenchi before kissing her on the lips. "I think you should
stay this way." She kissed Tenchi again. "While you are female at least." Kiss number
three. "I like this."
"Are you done?"
Tsunami thought about it. "No." She kissed Tenchi again, making the kiss last as long as
she could. It was a couple of minutes before she broke. "Now I'm done."
"You two are going to be a menace." Tenchi said as she stood. She held out a hand and
helped Tsunami up. "For a projection you sure are heavy." She complained.
"It's just spiritual weight."
"Whatever."
"I hope you have learned something." Tsunami said. "If you have to ask, then you
haven't."
"It depends on what I think I've learned. I've learned that you are about as stubborn as me,
that you are as ticklish as your other half and that you two will be a menace to me later on. If
I have a later on. But knowing you I would doubt that was what you were looking for."
"No, it wasn't." Tsunami sighed disappointedly.
"Or is it the fact you think that I've solved how to be female temporarily? Sorry, no I
haven't. I don't want to be female period."
"I haven't given up on you just yet."
"I didn't think so."
Tsunami's image faded away, leaving Tenchi to get dressed in peace.
***
Minagi sighed as she watched Sasami and Ryo-Ohki play.
"It does seem that way, doesn't it?" A familiar voice said.
Ryoko shimmered into view to one side.
"At least Yakage was kinder to you than..." Ryoko trailed off.
"You too huh?" Kiyone said from behind.
She walked to a position between the two 'sisters'.
"Minagi I can understand." Ryoko said. "But you?"
"Don't act so surprised." Kiyone sighed. "Being an only child has its drawbacks when your
father is such a perfectionist."
"What do you know Ryoko," Minagi teased, "a soul sister. The fact she's a GP detective is
ironic, don't you think?"
Ryoko gave Minagi a dark look.
"Sasami is lucky. She doesn't know the pressures she will have to bare."
"What do you mean?" Minagi asked the detective.
"I suppose Ayeka's been hiding the fact." Kiyone sighed. "The Juraian Royalty is much
more honourable and dutiful than most. Including the protection of their subjects." She
smiled wanly. "There have been occasions where the Royal court has submitted to terrorists
holding hostages, including times when those hostages have been GP officers."
"But they are the most powerful group in the universe." Minagi scoffed.
"Don't get me wrong. Holding hostages just makes the eventual punishment that much
more...severe." The last word was dropped like an asteroid.
Ryoko looked out at where Ryo-Ohki was tickling the azure-hared princess.
"I already know that being on Sasami's bad side is not a good idea. Having her mad at you
doesn't bare thinking about. Especially when she grows up." Ryoko shuddered.
"Hear hear." Her companions agreed.
"The problem is," Kiyone said, "that Ayeka and Yosho will soon have to start teaching both
her and Tenchi all about it. It will not be a good time."
"I wish I'd had the sort of carefree life Sasami has." Ryoko sighed.
Minagi and Kiyone knew better than to press for an explanation. They could well guess the
sort of thing she was on about.
"Yakage was kind to me, but there was always another practice session." Minagi said.
"Heh." Kiyone snorted, shocking the clone sisters. "You try growing up with a Father who
strived for perfection every waking moment in everything around him."
"Sounds like Clay." Ryoko said.
"At least he knew he would never reach it, but it was a goal. I was five years ahead when I
started school, and until I got to GP academy I stayed that way. How else do you think I got
a degree in Xeno-anthropology?"
"Well, if I had to guess..." Ryoko told her. "I'd say the universe was saving up to give you
Mihoshi."
"Oh thank you." Kiyone complained.
"No problem." Ryoko smiled evilly.
***
Tenchi had managed to dig out a light shirt and an old pair of jeans from her old clothes.
She couldn't help the clothes being tight.
~ Why oh why did I have to get stuck with this? ~ She asked herself.
There was no one downstairs. She couldn't even hear Sasami in the kitchen.
~ They're probably planning some sort of surprise for me. ~ She thought sourly.
She sat down and savoured the relative quiet, fleeting though it would prove to be. A
movement outside the window caught her eye and she saw Sasami and Ryo-Ohki playing
outside.
~ At last, something normal. ~ She smiled inwardly.
To say that the girls, or more properly ladies, worried Tenchi was an understatement. All of
them had their little, or not so little in the Queens' case, plans for Tenchi. Tenchi herself
didn't want to be part of those plans, and as such avoided playing the games everybody set
up. It was one of the reasons why shyness was such a major part of Tenchi's personality.
"I wonder where everybody else is?" She muttered to herself.
Funaho is up at the shrine with Grandfather.
Misaki is with Ayeka.
Minagi, Ryoko and Kiyone are watching Sasami and Ryo-Ohki.
Mihoshi is in the lab, being looked over by Washu.
Tenchi blinked. Where the hell did that come from?
She needed someone neutral to talk to. Well, reasonably neutral at least. There was only
one being she could think of around. The problem was how to get there.
~ I...suppose I could give it a try. ~ She thought to herself. She concentrated, picturing
the destination.
After a few minutes it was obvious that it wasn't working.
~ Why can't anything go right? All I want to do is go there. ~
The sudden change in temperature and slight breeze told her something had happened. The
mental gasp helped her get her bearings.
"Hello again Funaho." She said to the tree.
~ Funaho: How did you do that? ~
"I can teleport now. I just thought I should say thank you for putting up with me last night."
~ Funaho: That's not the only reason though, is it? ~
Tenchi sighed. "No." She admitted. "I needed someone to talk to. Things are getting
rather..."
~ Funaho: Uncomfortable? ~ The tree ventured.
Tenchi nodded.
~ Funaho: I thought as much, what with your sudden desire for the outdoor life last night. ~
"Droll Funaho, very droll."
~ Funaho: Thank you. ~
Tenchi walked up to Funaho and sat down under her branches.
"I'm tending towards the opinion that either everybody in the house has gone crazy or I
have. Quite probably both."
~ Funaho: Negative thoughts will get you nowhere. ~
"From where I was, negative thoughts are up."
~ Funaho: Things are never as bad as they seem. ~ She pointed out.
"I don't suppose you've had the experience of five people trying to turn you into something
you don't want to be. I'm sure the rest will catch on soon."
~ Funaho: Have you considered that you may be wrong? ~
"Not really. This little episode has helped me make up my mind about some things, and
opened up new questions."
~ Funaho: Oh? What things have you decided? And what new questions has it raised? ~
"Well, for starters I have decided not to go to Jurai. That is not in anybody's best interests.
And I am asking myself, 'What am I?' Am I a person or, as I'm beginning to suspect, am I a
thing?"
~ Funaho: You are just filled with doubts. Don't rush into any life affecting decisions. ~
"Well the decision not to go to Jurai will stand."
~ Funaho: The Mistress will not give up. ~ The tree warned.
"What do you think of my choice?" Tenchi asked.
~ Funaho: I will not comment on things such as that. ~
"Ah. So you don't approve either. Thought so. Nether the less, I made the decision and I
will stick to it."
~ Funaho: That decision will haunt you Your Highness. ~
"Much like the killing of Kagato and Yakage does already. Just something else I will have
to live with. I'm already a danger to everybody. This morning's display proved that."
~ Funaho: That 'display', as you put it, just goes to show that you need advice and
guidance. Their Majesties have been trying to do that. You have been turning that away. ~
"If it had been sensible advice, maybe I would have taken it. But they tried to place their
standards of who I should be on me. I don't trust them any more."
~ Funaho: Which hurts them as much as it hurts you. They do care for you Tenchi, but they
have responsibilities as well. That also causes them pain. Don't you care about their
feelings? ~
"They didn't seem to care about mine, and they are probably realising they took the wrong
path in dealing with me."
The tree sighed. ~ Funaho: You are just angry at your situation. ~
"I'm angry at them for putting this damn collar on me." Tenchi yanked at the necklace.
"While I have this on, Washu won't turn me back to normal. Who gave them the right to
mess with my life like that?!"
Funaho was silent this time.
"Correct. Nobody gave them that right. I'm the puppet that refuses to follow the act, and I
like it that way. I'll find a way to remove it, even if it kills me."
Tenchi stood up.
"Thanks for listening." And she vanished.
~ Funaho: This could be a lot of trouble. ~
~ Tsunami: I can only agree. ~
***
Tenchi popping into existence is not something Washu expected to happen right in front of
her. Unfortunately, the look on Tenchi's face told her this wasn't a social call.
"Hello Washu." Tenchi said.
"Hi Tenchi. What can I do for you?"
"Remove this." Tenchi told her, fingering the necklace. "Failing that, I want the design
schematics for it."
Washu sighed. "I'm sorry Tenchi. I can't do that. I promised the Queens."
"Right." There was a bitter understanding in the voice. "How long do you plan on keeping
me as a toy then?"
Washu had had enough of Tenchi's sulking. She walked up to Tenchi and began poking her
in the chest.
"You need to wake up and stop being such a selfish cry-baby. You can't go on trying to get
your way. You need to let us have our way too."
Tenchi looked down coldly on Washu.
"You have no idea what I gave up for you all. I had to sacrifice my life for you all, to keep
you happy. Now, all I want is some compensation. You have to give up something for me."
Washu stood back and considered this.
"I should get out of the lab more." She smiled grimly. "You are right, of course. But we
have given up some of our selves as well. Not enough though, I'm beginning to realise."
"I know you don't really like it here, on this 'backwards planet'..."
"Hold it right there Tenchi." Washu warned. "Yes, it's an out of the way planet. But the
peace and quiet here is worth it. I seriously doubt that I would have got half as much done
anywhere else. It certainly wouldn't have been so fun."
"I'm sure you would have thought something up. Yelling at the Faculty of the Science
Academy about how they have messed up about everything in the universe comes to mind."
Washu smiled.
"Now that would be fun. But don't try to avoid what's really the problem. You not taking
the advice we've been giving you. And yes, Misaki has told me about that 'vacation' idea.
It's unusual, to say the least, but this is an unusual situation we have here."
"That everybody's misplaced efforts on me are making worse." Tenchi said.
"That's because you are being stubborn about it. You need to relax and enjoy your self
more."
"You try relaxing when everybody and their dog are after you for some reason." Tenchi
grumbled at the redhead.
"Hum... This is what's called a vicious circle. You can't relax because everyone is trying
to help you, and we are trying to help you because you won't relax." She sat down on the
convenient floating cushion behind her. "The crux of the problem seems to be that your
efforts to cope, by staying as close as you can to how you were, are being countered by our
efforts to help, trying to get you to accept your new form completely. Now, it's obvious that
your method is OK for the short term, but six weeks is not 'short term'. Our method is OK
for the long term, but six weeks isn't 'long term' either. It is properly considered medium
term, a range between 4 weeks to about 4 months I'd say. We're all in the wrong, which is
fair but doesn't make any of us feel better." Washu sat silently for a while, thinking. "Here's
what we'll do. First, we need to talk to the Queens. They haven't told the others about the
conditions they think will help you yet. I'll get them to disregard that that idea. We'll leave
it on you, but you'll have to 'give away' the stones slowly as to not draw attention."
"That seems better." Tenchi grudgingly conceded.
"Second, You take Misaki's idea on board lightly. Relax a bit. I'll tone down the next
batch of clothes, but they will still be sexy." Washu grinned. "Just not as overt. Ordinary
clothes don't suit your current form."
"I'm not at all sure about that, but we can talk about that another time."
"Lastly, you need to convince Tsunami not to torment you as much."
Tenchi smiled faintly. "Got that one sorted. I just 'torment' her back."
Washu raised a questioning eyebrow, but said nothing about it.
"How's Mihoshi doing?" Tenchi asked.
"How did you...? Never mind. She was acting a bit out of sorts, actually saying relevant
things and having good ideas. More than likely it's her luck playing up, but it pays to be
careful. Nothing's turned up so far so I had just dumped her back in the living room when
you appeared. Have you worked out how to control where you teleport?"
"Sort of. I just have to 'want' to go to a place, and I go there." She smirked. "Nothing
scientific."
Washu gave her a dark look, but chuckled none the less.
"See, you only have to relax a bit." She pointed out.
"OK." Tenchi complained. "I get the point. I just have to do it my way."
"More that fair enough." Washu said.
"Now, about some of those clothes..."
***
Up in the shrine office, Yosho had just finished making another cup of tea for his mother.
"So you believe Tenchi needs more training in politics? I am not sure that would be worth
my time. Ayeka would be the most suitable candidate."
"There are things you know that Ayeka doesn't. As crown prince you had access to
information I didn't." Funaho pointed out.
"I'm sure you can find out mother." Yosho smiled. He was still in disguise, feeling that it
added dignity and wisdom. Also, it was hard to break the habit of a lifetime. Several
lifetimes on this world actually.
"Humph! Now I know where Tenchi got her stubbornness." Funaho said before sipping her
tea. "So what are your plans for Tenchi?"
"Tenchi has shown a knack for overlay techniques. I feel that some work in that direction is
in order."
"I see." The Queen said. "However there are some other things we need to talk about..."
***
Tenchi walked out the door to the lab feeling a bit better. The feeling didn't deteriorate
when Ryoko teleported beside her and wrapped a hug around her.
"Tenchi..." She purred.
"Hi Ryoko." Tenchi replied in the neutral tone that she reserved for the ladies when they
appeared like that.
"Ryoko!" Ayeka growled from upstairs. She quickly came downstairs and joined in the
battle.
"Hi Ayeka." Tenchi said in that same neutral voice.
Tenchi disengaged her self from the quarrelling twosome and walked calmly upstairs.
"At least they are having fun." Tenchi muttered.
"Who are?" Misaki asked, appearing from the princesses' room.
"Ayeka and Ryoko. I've always half thought they argue because they enjoy it."
Misaki smiled. "That would explain a lot of things."
"Washu would like to see you and Funaho." Tenchi said. "By the way, Misaki?" Tenchi
added as she walked towards her.
"Yes?"
Tenchi quickly gave the woman a peck on the cheek. "Thanks for trying to help." She said
before disappearing upstairs, leaving a stunned Queen in her wake.
Back in her room Tenchi smiled. She had successfully got back at Misaki for tormenting
her. Then she put it out of her mind and started her homework.
***
Misaki sat in the room she and her Sister shared. She still hadn't recovered from Tenchi's
unexpected kiss when Funaho came in.
"Something the matter Sister?" The black-hared Queen asked.
"Hum? Oh, nothing Sister." Misaki replied.
Funaho sat down beside her. "Tenchi kissed you didn't she?"
Misaki sighed. "You were always so perceptive Sister. It was completely out of the blue.
She even thanked me for trying to help her." She replied, her voice filled with confusion.
"I think it was an honest thank you, but also a way for her to get back at you and me."
"If it was, then it was very subtle. Most unlike her."
"She probably thought it was the best way to get to us." Funaho said, putting an arm around
her Sister. "Did she say anything else?"
"Just that Washu wanted to see us."
"I'm sure she won't mind waiting. I have a plan to get back at Tenchi that I want to
discuss..."
***
Life was kind to Ryo-Ohki. She had friends, a master who took care of her and lots of
carrots to eat. True she did have the odd space battle now and again to worry about, but she
was used to that. Her only problem was that she didn't get to fly around the cosmos as much
as she would like.
The former space pirate and ship meowed quietly to herself. Now she had other forms to
get used to. Her grown up form didn't feel right yet, but she changed to it now and again to
keep in practice. Her other forms felt fine, but she spent her time in her birth form or her
little form mostly. Since only Ryoko and Washu could truly understand her, she didn't mind
the odd misunderstanding she had with the others. They tried their best though, and Ryo-
Ohki was glad she understood them really. Learning Japanese was proving difficult but she
had figured out how to say the names of those around her thanks to Tenchi. She liked
Tenchi, but she liked Sasami better. As soon as she had seen the little girl, she had felt a
kindred spirit. Knowing she was also Tsunami helped explain that, but Ryo-Ohki was not big
on explanations really. If it got her another carrot she didn't mind.
***
Kiyone leaned back as the lab computers churned through the latest info from the automated
P.O.N. system.
"Any luck?" Washu asked, popping out of one of her portals.
"Sort of." Kiyone replied hesitantly. "I've kinda got a handle on the overlapping culture
problem. I had to backtrack through about two hundred years worth of Earth history though.
The system is working on it, but preliminary results suggest an accelerating Qr'ai-Harvwill-
Okejck period."
"And that means?"
"It means this world is undergoing a inter-cultural phase that will probably lead to Geo-
political breakdown."
"I wouldn't have thought this world was ready for that for probably a couple of centuries."
"Even worse. It's doing it while maintaining the geo-political entities that are supposed to
be breaking down."
"Could you run that past me again? How can a world undergo geo-political breakdown
while maintaining the geo-political entities themselves?"
"I don't know. We may have to do a full historical analysis. But from what I've seen that
will be even harder." Kiyone sighed. "I'm beginning to think cracking this planet is
impossible, or at least worth a couple thousand Vennin prizes."
"Don't worry." Washu consoled her. "I've been through times like this. Just keep
plugging away at it and something will turn up."
***
The sun was well on its downward arc by the time Tenchi finished her homework. She
couldn't really go to anybody else for help since they would not understand the question or,
particularly in Washu's case, laugh their head off. It made life a lot more difficult.
Stepping out of the door to her room was a dangerous and unpredictable undertaking these
days what with everybody's efforts for feminising her still ongoing, the usual attack of the
lustful paramours, space beings visiting for various purposes and the occasional (un) natural
disaster. It paid to be careful.
~ Good. Nobody is waiting to ambush me. ~ Tenchi thought, though she remained ready
to take evasive action.
Quietly she slipped out and closed the door. Now would be a perfect time for an attack, but
it didn't come. Tenchi's paranoia was playing up again making her extra cautious. With her
senses tuned for the slightest wrong feeling, Tenchi walked downstairs. She was about to
start down from the first floor landing when a feeling from behind stopped her. Spinning
around, she felt another presence behind her and teleported herself to one side.
Ayeka and Ryoko wore matching shocked expressions that their attempt at surprise had
been so easily foiled.
"Finished your homework Tenchi?" Ayeka asked, recovering nicely.
"Finally." Tenchi sighed, as if this happened every day. It didn't, but it happened often
enough that Tenchi expected it to happen about twice a week.
"You really need to relax a bit after you finish." Ryoko said.
Tenchi gave them a dark look instead of the scathing reply she would have liked. Gathering
herself up, Tenchi walked haughtily past the pair and downstairs. Turning on the main screen
she tuned into the latest news on CNN and Sky. At the same time. Not satisfied, she added
the galactic news channel, a few sports channels, eight documentary channels and the local
TV channel to catch up with Ranma 1/2.
Ryoko and Ayeka watched in amazement as Tenchi sat down in a chair and seemingly
devoured the cavalcade of information for five minutes before turning the screen off.
Leaning back, Tenchi sighed. "Well, so much for TV."
"Tenchi?" Ryoko asked cautiously. "Are you feeling OK?"
"Huh?" Tenchi turned around. "What are you talking about?"
~ She didn't notice? ~ The two women asked themselves.
"You do realise you were watching about 16 channels at once don't you?"
"I was?"
The two other women nodded.
"Oh." And Tenchi turned back.
The nonchalant tone hid the growing distraction inside Tenchi. She couldn't pinpoint its
source, but it didn't feel good. As soon as she had stepped around the incident with the
others five or so minutes ago, the feeling had started. It was gradually increasing, as if it was
trying to sneak up on her consciousness. Ignoring it with TV hadn't worked, living with it
when she didn't know what it was was not a good idea so that left only one option. Confront
it. It was her head after all.
~ What are you? ~ She demanded of the unwelcome feeling before noticing the slight
familiar resonance. ~ I thought you were gone. ~ She said, realising what it was.
The feeling stopped, sat down and sniggered.
~ Leave. ~ Tenchi told it.
In Tenchi's mind the feeling shook its head. Tenchi sighed mentally and did it the old
fashioned way. She picked the feeling up, opened a door to oblivion and tossed it through.
~ There. That's better. ~ She thought, doing the mental equivalent of dusting off her
hands. She was going to have a looong talk with Tsunami.
***
Tsunami watched the little incident from her higher dimensional hidey-hole. It was so
disappointing that Tenchi wouldn't let those feelings out.
~ Who am I kidding? ~ She scolded her self. ~ It's bloody frustrating, that's what it is.
Why Tenchi? Why won't you let yourself enjoy life, and all the pleasures it can bring? ~
She knew the answer. Tenchi didn't want to hurt them like that, or get hurt. Or killed,
vaporised, subjected to strange experiments or anything else. Simple self-preservation.
~ One of these days I'm going to have to have a long talk with them all and sort that all out.
It's making my heads hurt. ~
She sighed and left to tell the others of the latest development.
***
"*Oooh*!" Misaki sighed disappointedly. "Now they won't get to have any fun."
"It will work better that way." Washu told the Queens. "Tenchi doesn't need that stress.
What it will allow for is a greater bond between the girls. If they all have one of the stones,
then none of them will feel left out."
"Not an ideal solution." Funaho said. "But it will have to suffice."
"Unfortunately Tenchi is progressing further." Tsunami's voice rang out before her image
appeared. "She has managed to purge the inclination I placed in her. Not something I would
have expected for a month."
"Dang. And I was hoping to get her later." Misaki complained.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll think something up." Funaho consoled her Sister.
Washu shook her head in amused dismay.
"Aren't you getting a little obsessive Misaki?" She asked.
Misaki sniffed. "I don't think so."
"One might think you had a crush on the poor girl." Tsunami pointed out, keeping a straight
face.
"Is this true?" Funaho asked her Sister. Her eyes were wide and her lower lip was
trembling.
Misaki was completely caught off balance by the sudden role reversal, and as such was in
no condition to lie.
"No! Yes. I don't know. Probably. I just want my daughters to have the best they can
get."
Funaho jumped on her Sister and kissed her hard, forcing them both to the ground.
Washu and Tsunami watched the pair for a moment, then looked at each other and
shrugged.
"Shall we tell them about Ryoko and Ayeka?" Tsunami mouthed to Washu.
Washu looked momentarily surprised before shaking her head.
Funaho finally broke the kiss.
"Happy now Sister?" She asked archly.
Misaki squeezed her Sister in various intimate places.
"Oooo. So you want an audience this time?" Funaho teased.
Washu and Tsunami broke out into laughter.
***
Two rather dirty and smudged beings appeared from out of a hole in Hinase's deck.
"Thanks for helping me out." Minagi said.
"No problem." Kiyone told her. "Washu was busy, and I need to keep my hand in."
The crystal sphere that was the manifest personality of the ship popped out of the hole after
them. It was wearing a miners helmet, complete with still working light.
"The plasma conduit is working fine now." Hinase told them.
"How's the research coming?" Minagi asked as Kiyone helped her put the cover back on
the hatch.
"Slowly." Kiyone sighed. "Even with all Washu's help we're going very slowly."
"Too bad we can't get the locals to help." Minagi grinned.
"Maybe we can." Kiyone said as she had an idea. "Fancy going shopping?"
"What for?"
"An encyclop'dia. Preferably electronic. I don't know about you, but lugging the entire set
of books home would not be what I consider fun."
"Hum... Doesn't Washu have all those gadgets for copying things?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So, why don't we see if there is something that can copy books. Then all we need do is go
to a library and copy its contents. It wouldn't be illegal."
"That may work, since it would only be for research purposes."
"Let's do it then."
***
Kiyone washed her hands and face.
~ At least life here wasn't dull. ~ She thought as she walked back to the room she shared
with Mihoshi. Her partner, the major pain in the butt.
~ Why did you have to give me her... ~ She stopped that thought as she entered the room.
Mihoshi was crying. Not the normal Mihoshi crying, but the tears of deep pain and sadness.
But it was the eyes that had stopped Kiyone dead.
Mihoshi had looked up as Kiyone had come in, and the emerald-hared woman saw
something she thought long dead. Instantly she was by Mihoshi's side, hugging and
consoling her partner and friend.
Mihoshi sobbed, head resting on Kiyone's shoulder.
"Why?" The blond woman asked. "Why them?"
"Shush." Kiyone said gently. "It's OK. Everything is fine now."
"No it's not! Why did...they..." Mihoshi broke down again, unable to speak.
~ It's finally started. ~ Kiyone thought sadly. ~ They thought it would never happen. I
just hope we can help her. ~
Flowering Potential.
====================
C&C can be sent to cobalt@elhazard.net Flames will be ignored with
extreme prejudice.
Disclaimer: I do not own the series depicted within, but go buy it anyway.
Conventions:
~ ~ are used for thoughts and Telepathic communication.
This series is archived at http://www.lum.co.uk/cobalt/
##########
Chapter 13
##########
There was something wrong. The whole house could feel it. Something was amiss, but
none of them could tell what it was. It persisted for almost an hour, before suddenly
disappearing.
It did nothing to settle the unease that it had generated.
***
Upstairs, Tsunami was crying.
The reason for the tears was lying on the bed below her, sleeping peacefully.
"Oh Tenchi." She whispered. "I almost lost you again, and it was my fault. I couldn't see
beyond my hopes and dreams for you. The bright future I had created for you, for making us
all so happy."
The tree became lost in her own thoughts for a few minutes before she gathered them up,
and wiped the tears away.
"Why didn't you tell us it hurt you so? To never be able to know if you could return our
feelings?" She sniffed. "We would have understood in time. But none of us can lose you.
We would never be able to live with ourselves."
She smiled down on the sleeping young lady.
"Don't worry." She told the unknowing lady below her. "I have not changed you in any
way. Your strength has come to the fore now; it has fixed your soul. You helped yourself to
heal, and I will keep your secret."
The smile turned decidedly impish.
"It will make things more fun to catch you now." She admitted to herself.
She carefully laid herself on top of Tenchi, savouring the feel of her body against the silent
woman. The contact electrified her, but she knew it wouldn't last and reluctantly pulled
away.
"I am so sorry we will never know each other like that." She sighed, and waited.
***
"Uhrrum...?"
Head swimming, Tenchi greeted life again. Through sleep encrusted eyes she saw the
worried face.
"Are you all right?" The pink eyed goddess asked hesitantly.
Tenchi worked her way to her elbows.
"Wha...what happened?"
"We fought, and we drew. I'm so sorry Tenchi. I should have known better."
"As... should...I." Tenchi said before collapsing back. "Is my head supposed to feel like
this?"
"Like what?"
Tenchi searched for a suitable description.
"Like I tried to head-butt a planet. At lightspeed. Repeatedly"
Tsunami couldn't help smiling.
"For what you did... Yes."
Tenchi chuckled. "Maybe you won't try that again. I have a short temper these days if you
haven't noticed."
"I did. It's only because you have so much going on around you at the moment that you
don't like."
"Speaking of which, I hope you didn't play with me while I was out."
"Tenchi, I swear I did nothing to change you."
Tenchi worked herself into a sitting position.
"I believe you. I don't know why, but I do."
All the tension drained out of Tsunami's image.
"Thank you."
Tenchi held her head and groaned. The pain seemed to be tap-dancing across her brain.
"So..." Tenchi began. "What did you think of this?" She gestured the outfit she had thrown
on.
"It was OK." Tsunami shrugged. She was downplaying how nice Tenchi looked.
"I think I'll still go back to my ordinary clothes."
"Ordinary clothes don't suit you Tenchi. Washu knew that when she made them."
"I hate this body. It makes everybody forget that I'm still male." ~ And a shy one at that.
~ She added silently. "I still think she got mixed up between me and Ryoko. I suppose
forgetfulness is something I've got to look forward to in my old age."
"Washu's not that old Tenchi." Tsunami giggled.
"Compared to you maybe."
"Humph!" Tsunami turned her head to one side, indicating her displeasure. "Just for that
I'm not going to leave until you make yourself look three times as good as you do now."
"Oh really?" Tenchi asked archly. "I think I can do something to change that."
Tenchi got up on slightly unsteady legs and walked up to Tsunami. She had an impish glint
in her eyes.
"Um... Tenchi?" Tsunami asked, slightly unnerved.
Tenchi struck, tickling the future image of Sasami.
"Stop it!" Tsunami gasped, giggling under the onslaught.
Tenchi responded by redoubling her efforts.
"Please!" Tsunami pleaded, breaking into laughter. "Please stop!" She wondered how her
other half was coping.
***
Sasami's cheerful personality was reasserting itself with a vengeance. There were hints that
if she wasn't tied down soon she'd float away.
~ What's making me feel this way? ~ She literally bubbled with joy. It was distracting.
She went to sit down.
***
In Tenchi's room, Tsunami had collapsed and been rendered helpless with laughter. She
couldn't even talk to Sasami and ask for a rescue.
Tenchi still had an impish, intent look, and was continuing her torture of the tree.
"Maybe I overdid it?" Tenchi asked herself out loud. She stopped tickling.
It took Tsunami a few minutes to recover.
"Now, are you going to leave peacefully or do I have to do that again?" Tenchi flexed her
fingers.
"No." Tsunami said, giggling still. "I get the point." She sat up and hugged Tenchi. "This
impish side suits you." She told Tenchi before kissing her on the lips. "I think you should
stay this way." She kissed Tenchi again. "While you are female at least." Kiss number
three. "I like this."
"Are you done?"
Tsunami thought about it. "No." She kissed Tenchi again, making the kiss last as long as
she could. It was a couple of minutes before she broke. "Now I'm done."
"You two are going to be a menace." Tenchi said as she stood. She held out a hand and
helped Tsunami up. "For a projection you sure are heavy." She complained.
"It's just spiritual weight."
"Whatever."
"I hope you have learned something." Tsunami said. "If you have to ask, then you
haven't."
"It depends on what I think I've learned. I've learned that you are about as stubborn as me,
that you are as ticklish as your other half and that you two will be a menace to me later on. If
I have a later on. But knowing you I would doubt that was what you were looking for."
"No, it wasn't." Tsunami sighed disappointedly.
"Or is it the fact you think that I've solved how to be female temporarily? Sorry, no I
haven't. I don't want to be female period."
"I haven't given up on you just yet."
"I didn't think so."
Tsunami's image faded away, leaving Tenchi to get dressed in peace.
***
Minagi sighed as she watched Sasami and Ryo-Ohki play.
"It does seem that way, doesn't it?" A familiar voice said.
Ryoko shimmered into view to one side.
"At least Yakage was kinder to you than..." Ryoko trailed off.
"You too huh?" Kiyone said from behind.
She walked to a position between the two 'sisters'.
"Minagi I can understand." Ryoko said. "But you?"
"Don't act so surprised." Kiyone sighed. "Being an only child has its drawbacks when your
father is such a perfectionist."
"What do you know Ryoko," Minagi teased, "a soul sister. The fact she's a GP detective is
ironic, don't you think?"
Ryoko gave Minagi a dark look.
"Sasami is lucky. She doesn't know the pressures she will have to bare."
"What do you mean?" Minagi asked the detective.
"I suppose Ayeka's been hiding the fact." Kiyone sighed. "The Juraian Royalty is much
more honourable and dutiful than most. Including the protection of their subjects." She
smiled wanly. "There have been occasions where the Royal court has submitted to terrorists
holding hostages, including times when those hostages have been GP officers."
"But they are the most powerful group in the universe." Minagi scoffed.
"Don't get me wrong. Holding hostages just makes the eventual punishment that much
more...severe." The last word was dropped like an asteroid.
Ryoko looked out at where Ryo-Ohki was tickling the azure-hared princess.
"I already know that being on Sasami's bad side is not a good idea. Having her mad at you
doesn't bare thinking about. Especially when she grows up." Ryoko shuddered.
"Hear hear." Her companions agreed.
"The problem is," Kiyone said, "that Ayeka and Yosho will soon have to start teaching both
her and Tenchi all about it. It will not be a good time."
"I wish I'd had the sort of carefree life Sasami has." Ryoko sighed.
Minagi and Kiyone knew better than to press for an explanation. They could well guess the
sort of thing she was on about.
"Yakage was kind to me, but there was always another practice session." Minagi said.
"Heh." Kiyone snorted, shocking the clone sisters. "You try growing up with a Father who
strived for perfection every waking moment in everything around him."
"Sounds like Clay." Ryoko said.
"At least he knew he would never reach it, but it was a goal. I was five years ahead when I
started school, and until I got to GP academy I stayed that way. How else do you think I got
a degree in Xeno-anthropology?"
"Well, if I had to guess..." Ryoko told her. "I'd say the universe was saving up to give you
Mihoshi."
"Oh thank you." Kiyone complained.
"No problem." Ryoko smiled evilly.
***
Tenchi had managed to dig out a light shirt and an old pair of jeans from her old clothes.
She couldn't help the clothes being tight.
~ Why oh why did I have to get stuck with this? ~ She asked herself.
There was no one downstairs. She couldn't even hear Sasami in the kitchen.
~ They're probably planning some sort of surprise for me. ~ She thought sourly.
She sat down and savoured the relative quiet, fleeting though it would prove to be. A
movement outside the window caught her eye and she saw Sasami and Ryo-Ohki playing
outside.
~ At last, something normal. ~ She smiled inwardly.
To say that the girls, or more properly ladies, worried Tenchi was an understatement. All of
them had their little, or not so little in the Queens' case, plans for Tenchi. Tenchi herself
didn't want to be part of those plans, and as such avoided playing the games everybody set
up. It was one of the reasons why shyness was such a major part of Tenchi's personality.
"I wonder where everybody else is?" She muttered to herself.
Funaho is up at the shrine with Grandfather.
Misaki is with Ayeka.
Minagi, Ryoko and Kiyone are watching Sasami and Ryo-Ohki.
Mihoshi is in the lab, being looked over by Washu.
Tenchi blinked. Where the hell did that come from?
She needed someone neutral to talk to. Well, reasonably neutral at least. There was only
one being she could think of around. The problem was how to get there.
~ I...suppose I could give it a try. ~ She thought to herself. She concentrated, picturing
the destination.
After a few minutes it was obvious that it wasn't working.
~ Why can't anything go right? All I want to do is go there. ~
The sudden change in temperature and slight breeze told her something had happened. The
mental gasp helped her get her bearings.
"Hello again Funaho." She said to the tree.
~ Funaho: How did you do that? ~
"I can teleport now. I just thought I should say thank you for putting up with me last night."
~ Funaho: That's not the only reason though, is it? ~
Tenchi sighed. "No." She admitted. "I needed someone to talk to. Things are getting
rather..."
~ Funaho: Uncomfortable? ~ The tree ventured.
Tenchi nodded.
~ Funaho: I thought as much, what with your sudden desire for the outdoor life last night. ~
"Droll Funaho, very droll."
~ Funaho: Thank you. ~
Tenchi walked up to Funaho and sat down under her branches.
"I'm tending towards the opinion that either everybody in the house has gone crazy or I
have. Quite probably both."
~ Funaho: Negative thoughts will get you nowhere. ~
"From where I was, negative thoughts are up."
~ Funaho: Things are never as bad as they seem. ~ She pointed out.
"I don't suppose you've had the experience of five people trying to turn you into something
you don't want to be. I'm sure the rest will catch on soon."
~ Funaho: Have you considered that you may be wrong? ~
"Not really. This little episode has helped me make up my mind about some things, and
opened up new questions."
~ Funaho: Oh? What things have you decided? And what new questions has it raised? ~
"Well, for starters I have decided not to go to Jurai. That is not in anybody's best interests.
And I am asking myself, 'What am I?' Am I a person or, as I'm beginning to suspect, am I a
thing?"
~ Funaho: You are just filled with doubts. Don't rush into any life affecting decisions. ~
"Well the decision not to go to Jurai will stand."
~ Funaho: The Mistress will not give up. ~ The tree warned.
"What do you think of my choice?" Tenchi asked.
~ Funaho: I will not comment on things such as that. ~
"Ah. So you don't approve either. Thought so. Nether the less, I made the decision and I
will stick to it."
~ Funaho: That decision will haunt you Your Highness. ~
"Much like the killing of Kagato and Yakage does already. Just something else I will have
to live with. I'm already a danger to everybody. This morning's display proved that."
~ Funaho: That 'display', as you put it, just goes to show that you need advice and
guidance. Their Majesties have been trying to do that. You have been turning that away. ~
"If it had been sensible advice, maybe I would have taken it. But they tried to place their
standards of who I should be on me. I don't trust them any more."
~ Funaho: Which hurts them as much as it hurts you. They do care for you Tenchi, but they
have responsibilities as well. That also causes them pain. Don't you care about their
feelings? ~
"They didn't seem to care about mine, and they are probably realising they took the wrong
path in dealing with me."
The tree sighed. ~ Funaho: You are just angry at your situation. ~
"I'm angry at them for putting this damn collar on me." Tenchi yanked at the necklace.
"While I have this on, Washu won't turn me back to normal. Who gave them the right to
mess with my life like that?!"
Funaho was silent this time.
"Correct. Nobody gave them that right. I'm the puppet that refuses to follow the act, and I
like it that way. I'll find a way to remove it, even if it kills me."
Tenchi stood up.
"Thanks for listening." And she vanished.
~ Funaho: This could be a lot of trouble. ~
~ Tsunami: I can only agree. ~
***
Tenchi popping into existence is not something Washu expected to happen right in front of
her. Unfortunately, the look on Tenchi's face told her this wasn't a social call.
"Hello Washu." Tenchi said.
"Hi Tenchi. What can I do for you?"
"Remove this." Tenchi told her, fingering the necklace. "Failing that, I want the design
schematics for it."
Washu sighed. "I'm sorry Tenchi. I can't do that. I promised the Queens."
"Right." There was a bitter understanding in the voice. "How long do you plan on keeping
me as a toy then?"
Washu had had enough of Tenchi's sulking. She walked up to Tenchi and began poking her
in the chest.
"You need to wake up and stop being such a selfish cry-baby. You can't go on trying to get
your way. You need to let us have our way too."
Tenchi looked down coldly on Washu.
"You have no idea what I gave up for you all. I had to sacrifice my life for you all, to keep
you happy. Now, all I want is some compensation. You have to give up something for me."
Washu stood back and considered this.
"I should get out of the lab more." She smiled grimly. "You are right, of course. But we
have given up some of our selves as well. Not enough though, I'm beginning to realise."
"I know you don't really like it here, on this 'backwards planet'..."
"Hold it right there Tenchi." Washu warned. "Yes, it's an out of the way planet. But the
peace and quiet here is worth it. I seriously doubt that I would have got half as much done
anywhere else. It certainly wouldn't have been so fun."
"I'm sure you would have thought something up. Yelling at the Faculty of the Science
Academy about how they have messed up about everything in the universe comes to mind."
Washu smiled.
"Now that would be fun. But don't try to avoid what's really the problem. You not taking
the advice we've been giving you. And yes, Misaki has told me about that 'vacation' idea.
It's unusual, to say the least, but this is an unusual situation we have here."
"That everybody's misplaced efforts on me are making worse." Tenchi said.
"That's because you are being stubborn about it. You need to relax and enjoy your self
more."
"You try relaxing when everybody and their dog are after you for some reason." Tenchi
grumbled at the redhead.
"Hum... This is what's called a vicious circle. You can't relax because everyone is trying
to help you, and we are trying to help you because you won't relax." She sat down on the
convenient floating cushion behind her. "The crux of the problem seems to be that your
efforts to cope, by staying as close as you can to how you were, are being countered by our
efforts to help, trying to get you to accept your new form completely. Now, it's obvious that
your method is OK for the short term, but six weeks is not 'short term'. Our method is OK
for the long term, but six weeks isn't 'long term' either. It is properly considered medium
term, a range between 4 weeks to about 4 months I'd say. We're all in the wrong, which is
fair but doesn't make any of us feel better." Washu sat silently for a while, thinking. "Here's
what we'll do. First, we need to talk to the Queens. They haven't told the others about the
conditions they think will help you yet. I'll get them to disregard that that idea. We'll leave
it on you, but you'll have to 'give away' the stones slowly as to not draw attention."
"That seems better." Tenchi grudgingly conceded.
"Second, You take Misaki's idea on board lightly. Relax a bit. I'll tone down the next
batch of clothes, but they will still be sexy." Washu grinned. "Just not as overt. Ordinary
clothes don't suit your current form."
"I'm not at all sure about that, but we can talk about that another time."
"Lastly, you need to convince Tsunami not to torment you as much."
Tenchi smiled faintly. "Got that one sorted. I just 'torment' her back."
Washu raised a questioning eyebrow, but said nothing about it.
"How's Mihoshi doing?" Tenchi asked.
"How did you...? Never mind. She was acting a bit out of sorts, actually saying relevant
things and having good ideas. More than likely it's her luck playing up, but it pays to be
careful. Nothing's turned up so far so I had just dumped her back in the living room when
you appeared. Have you worked out how to control where you teleport?"
"Sort of. I just have to 'want' to go to a place, and I go there." She smirked. "Nothing
scientific."
Washu gave her a dark look, but chuckled none the less.
"See, you only have to relax a bit." She pointed out.
"OK." Tenchi complained. "I get the point. I just have to do it my way."
"More that fair enough." Washu said.
"Now, about some of those clothes..."
***
Up in the shrine office, Yosho had just finished making another cup of tea for his mother.
"So you believe Tenchi needs more training in politics? I am not sure that would be worth
my time. Ayeka would be the most suitable candidate."
"There are things you know that Ayeka doesn't. As crown prince you had access to
information I didn't." Funaho pointed out.
"I'm sure you can find out mother." Yosho smiled. He was still in disguise, feeling that it
added dignity and wisdom. Also, it was hard to break the habit of a lifetime. Several
lifetimes on this world actually.
"Humph! Now I know where Tenchi got her stubbornness." Funaho said before sipping her
tea. "So what are your plans for Tenchi?"
"Tenchi has shown a knack for overlay techniques. I feel that some work in that direction is
in order."
"I see." The Queen said. "However there are some other things we need to talk about..."
***
Tenchi walked out the door to the lab feeling a bit better. The feeling didn't deteriorate
when Ryoko teleported beside her and wrapped a hug around her.
"Tenchi..." She purred.
"Hi Ryoko." Tenchi replied in the neutral tone that she reserved for the ladies when they
appeared like that.
"Ryoko!" Ayeka growled from upstairs. She quickly came downstairs and joined in the
battle.
"Hi Ayeka." Tenchi said in that same neutral voice.
Tenchi disengaged her self from the quarrelling twosome and walked calmly upstairs.
"At least they are having fun." Tenchi muttered.
"Who are?" Misaki asked, appearing from the princesses' room.
"Ayeka and Ryoko. I've always half thought they argue because they enjoy it."
Misaki smiled. "That would explain a lot of things."
"Washu would like to see you and Funaho." Tenchi said. "By the way, Misaki?" Tenchi
added as she walked towards her.
"Yes?"
Tenchi quickly gave the woman a peck on the cheek. "Thanks for trying to help." She said
before disappearing upstairs, leaving a stunned Queen in her wake.
Back in her room Tenchi smiled. She had successfully got back at Misaki for tormenting
her. Then she put it out of her mind and started her homework.
***
Misaki sat in the room she and her Sister shared. She still hadn't recovered from Tenchi's
unexpected kiss when Funaho came in.
"Something the matter Sister?" The black-hared Queen asked.
"Hum? Oh, nothing Sister." Misaki replied.
Funaho sat down beside her. "Tenchi kissed you didn't she?"
Misaki sighed. "You were always so perceptive Sister. It was completely out of the blue.
She even thanked me for trying to help her." She replied, her voice filled with confusion.
"I think it was an honest thank you, but also a way for her to get back at you and me."
"If it was, then it was very subtle. Most unlike her."
"She probably thought it was the best way to get to us." Funaho said, putting an arm around
her Sister. "Did she say anything else?"
"Just that Washu wanted to see us."
"I'm sure she won't mind waiting. I have a plan to get back at Tenchi that I want to
discuss..."
***
Life was kind to Ryo-Ohki. She had friends, a master who took care of her and lots of
carrots to eat. True she did have the odd space battle now and again to worry about, but she
was used to that. Her only problem was that she didn't get to fly around the cosmos as much
as she would like.
The former space pirate and ship meowed quietly to herself. Now she had other forms to
get used to. Her grown up form didn't feel right yet, but she changed to it now and again to
keep in practice. Her other forms felt fine, but she spent her time in her birth form or her
little form mostly. Since only Ryoko and Washu could truly understand her, she didn't mind
the odd misunderstanding she had with the others. They tried their best though, and Ryo-
Ohki was glad she understood them really. Learning Japanese was proving difficult but she
had figured out how to say the names of those around her thanks to Tenchi. She liked
Tenchi, but she liked Sasami better. As soon as she had seen the little girl, she had felt a
kindred spirit. Knowing she was also Tsunami helped explain that, but Ryo-Ohki was not big
on explanations really. If it got her another carrot she didn't mind.
***
Kiyone leaned back as the lab computers churned through the latest info from the automated
P.O.N. system.
"Any luck?" Washu asked, popping out of one of her portals.
"Sort of." Kiyone replied hesitantly. "I've kinda got a handle on the overlapping culture
problem. I had to backtrack through about two hundred years worth of Earth history though.
The system is working on it, but preliminary results suggest an accelerating Qr'ai-Harvwill-
Okejck period."
"And that means?"
"It means this world is undergoing a inter-cultural phase that will probably lead to Geo-
political breakdown."
"I wouldn't have thought this world was ready for that for probably a couple of centuries."
"Even worse. It's doing it while maintaining the geo-political entities that are supposed to
be breaking down."
"Could you run that past me again? How can a world undergo geo-political breakdown
while maintaining the geo-political entities themselves?"
"I don't know. We may have to do a full historical analysis. But from what I've seen that
will be even harder." Kiyone sighed. "I'm beginning to think cracking this planet is
impossible, or at least worth a couple thousand Vennin prizes."
"Don't worry." Washu consoled her. "I've been through times like this. Just keep
plugging away at it and something will turn up."
***
The sun was well on its downward arc by the time Tenchi finished her homework. She
couldn't really go to anybody else for help since they would not understand the question or,
particularly in Washu's case, laugh their head off. It made life a lot more difficult.
Stepping out of the door to her room was a dangerous and unpredictable undertaking these
days what with everybody's efforts for feminising her still ongoing, the usual attack of the
lustful paramours, space beings visiting for various purposes and the occasional (un) natural
disaster. It paid to be careful.
~ Good. Nobody is waiting to ambush me. ~ Tenchi thought, though she remained ready
to take evasive action.
Quietly she slipped out and closed the door. Now would be a perfect time for an attack, but
it didn't come. Tenchi's paranoia was playing up again making her extra cautious. With her
senses tuned for the slightest wrong feeling, Tenchi walked downstairs. She was about to
start down from the first floor landing when a feeling from behind stopped her. Spinning
around, she felt another presence behind her and teleported herself to one side.
Ayeka and Ryoko wore matching shocked expressions that their attempt at surprise had
been so easily foiled.
"Finished your homework Tenchi?" Ayeka asked, recovering nicely.
"Finally." Tenchi sighed, as if this happened every day. It didn't, but it happened often
enough that Tenchi expected it to happen about twice a week.
"You really need to relax a bit after you finish." Ryoko said.
Tenchi gave them a dark look instead of the scathing reply she would have liked. Gathering
herself up, Tenchi walked haughtily past the pair and downstairs. Turning on the main screen
she tuned into the latest news on CNN and Sky. At the same time. Not satisfied, she added
the galactic news channel, a few sports channels, eight documentary channels and the local
TV channel to catch up with Ranma 1/2.
Ryoko and Ayeka watched in amazement as Tenchi sat down in a chair and seemingly
devoured the cavalcade of information for five minutes before turning the screen off.
Leaning back, Tenchi sighed. "Well, so much for TV."
"Tenchi?" Ryoko asked cautiously. "Are you feeling OK?"
"Huh?" Tenchi turned around. "What are you talking about?"
~ She didn't notice? ~ The two women asked themselves.
"You do realise you were watching about 16 channels at once don't you?"
"I was?"
The two other women nodded.
"Oh." And Tenchi turned back.
The nonchalant tone hid the growing distraction inside Tenchi. She couldn't pinpoint its
source, but it didn't feel good. As soon as she had stepped around the incident with the
others five or so minutes ago, the feeling had started. It was gradually increasing, as if it was
trying to sneak up on her consciousness. Ignoring it with TV hadn't worked, living with it
when she didn't know what it was was not a good idea so that left only one option. Confront
it. It was her head after all.
~ What are you? ~ She demanded of the unwelcome feeling before noticing the slight
familiar resonance. ~ I thought you were gone. ~ She said, realising what it was.
The feeling stopped, sat down and sniggered.
~ Leave. ~ Tenchi told it.
In Tenchi's mind the feeling shook its head. Tenchi sighed mentally and did it the old
fashioned way. She picked the feeling up, opened a door to oblivion and tossed it through.
~ There. That's better. ~ She thought, doing the mental equivalent of dusting off her
hands. She was going to have a looong talk with Tsunami.
***
Tsunami watched the little incident from her higher dimensional hidey-hole. It was so
disappointing that Tenchi wouldn't let those feelings out.
~ Who am I kidding? ~ She scolded her self. ~ It's bloody frustrating, that's what it is.
Why Tenchi? Why won't you let yourself enjoy life, and all the pleasures it can bring? ~
She knew the answer. Tenchi didn't want to hurt them like that, or get hurt. Or killed,
vaporised, subjected to strange experiments or anything else. Simple self-preservation.
~ One of these days I'm going to have to have a long talk with them all and sort that all out.
It's making my heads hurt. ~
She sighed and left to tell the others of the latest development.
***
"*Oooh*!" Misaki sighed disappointedly. "Now they won't get to have any fun."
"It will work better that way." Washu told the Queens. "Tenchi doesn't need that stress.
What it will allow for is a greater bond between the girls. If they all have one of the stones,
then none of them will feel left out."
"Not an ideal solution." Funaho said. "But it will have to suffice."
"Unfortunately Tenchi is progressing further." Tsunami's voice rang out before her image
appeared. "She has managed to purge the inclination I placed in her. Not something I would
have expected for a month."
"Dang. And I was hoping to get her later." Misaki complained.
"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll think something up." Funaho consoled her Sister.
Washu shook her head in amused dismay.
"Aren't you getting a little obsessive Misaki?" She asked.
Misaki sniffed. "I don't think so."
"One might think you had a crush on the poor girl." Tsunami pointed out, keeping a straight
face.
"Is this true?" Funaho asked her Sister. Her eyes were wide and her lower lip was
trembling.
Misaki was completely caught off balance by the sudden role reversal, and as such was in
no condition to lie.
"No! Yes. I don't know. Probably. I just want my daughters to have the best they can
get."
Funaho jumped on her Sister and kissed her hard, forcing them both to the ground.
Washu and Tsunami watched the pair for a moment, then looked at each other and
shrugged.
"Shall we tell them about Ryoko and Ayeka?" Tsunami mouthed to Washu.
Washu looked momentarily surprised before shaking her head.
Funaho finally broke the kiss.
"Happy now Sister?" She asked archly.
Misaki squeezed her Sister in various intimate places.
"Oooo. So you want an audience this time?" Funaho teased.
Washu and Tsunami broke out into laughter.
***
Two rather dirty and smudged beings appeared from out of a hole in Hinase's deck.
"Thanks for helping me out." Minagi said.
"No problem." Kiyone told her. "Washu was busy, and I need to keep my hand in."
The crystal sphere that was the manifest personality of the ship popped out of the hole after
them. It was wearing a miners helmet, complete with still working light.
"The plasma conduit is working fine now." Hinase told them.
"How's the research coming?" Minagi asked as Kiyone helped her put the cover back on
the hatch.
"Slowly." Kiyone sighed. "Even with all Washu's help we're going very slowly."
"Too bad we can't get the locals to help." Minagi grinned.
"Maybe we can." Kiyone said as she had an idea. "Fancy going shopping?"
"What for?"
"An encyclop'dia. Preferably electronic. I don't know about you, but lugging the entire set
of books home would not be what I consider fun."
"Hum... Doesn't Washu have all those gadgets for copying things?"
"Yeah, so?"
"So, why don't we see if there is something that can copy books. Then all we need do is go
to a library and copy its contents. It wouldn't be illegal."
"That may work, since it would only be for research purposes."
"Let's do it then."
***
Kiyone washed her hands and face.
~ At least life here wasn't dull. ~ She thought as she walked back to the room she shared
with Mihoshi. Her partner, the major pain in the butt.
~ Why did you have to give me her... ~ She stopped that thought as she entered the room.
Mihoshi was crying. Not the normal Mihoshi crying, but the tears of deep pain and sadness.
But it was the eyes that had stopped Kiyone dead.
Mihoshi had looked up as Kiyone had come in, and the emerald-hared woman saw
something she thought long dead. Instantly she was by Mihoshi's side, hugging and
consoling her partner and friend.
Mihoshi sobbed, head resting on Kiyone's shoulder.
"Why?" The blond woman asked. "Why them?"
"Shush." Kiyone said gently. "It's OK. Everything is fine now."
"No it's not! Why did...they..." Mihoshi broke down again, unable to speak.
~ It's finally started. ~ Kiyone thought sadly. ~ They thought it would never happen. I
just hope we can help her. ~