Chapter 20: To End an Eternal War

Disclaimer: I don't own the Tenchi cast, or any of its characters. I did however create The Ebon Shard, the two universe's, Tenchi and Ryoko's son, Yosho [boy with golden eyes] (Please note I DID NOT create Tenchi or Ryoko), Blackshire, Planet Plesruis, Captain Koreas, Sigius Meldred, The Yenvala, Commander Katiso, and Kenzar, Lued, and Posic. Thank you.

* Means a note at the end of the story

Tenchi Muyo: The Final Saga:?!

Chapter 20: To End an Eternal War

THE LEGEND:

The legend of the two Universes' is an ancient one. These days it is told only to calm children with nightmares. You see, in one dimension, called the Universe of Delight, good always triumphs in the end. Things may not be perfect, yet in the end justice and right shall never fail. However, the other universe, The Universe of Torment, is not so fortunate. It is a realm where evil reigns supreme. In the end the evils that roam that plane stand triumphant and those with pure hearts must be prepared, in the end, to die by these monster's hands.

But, that is not the entirety of the legend. For you see, the old legend states that one day a being of purest evil will leave The Universe of Torment, and wage a horrible war with the Universe of Delight. This monster shall be born from love, yet be the bane of all that have love inside themselves. His hate and fury will lay waste entire worlds, and all of time will quake at his passing. If the demon is defeated, then the Universe of Torment will forever be free of its curse. The curse that evil shall always prevail. But if the demon is not stopped, then the Universe of Delight will fall under the same curse as it's parallel, and every living thing in both universes shall know unending pain and suffering for all time.

The horror of this war was but a painful memory to the Masaki family, however recent events have changed that, from dreaded nightmare, to reality.

"Where there's day, there shall come night; when there's smoke, you will find fire; where once there was Yosho, now there is only BLACKSHIRE!"


It was these words, which, among other things, started a war, a war of legendary proportions. After defeating the evil Blackshire on Planet Plesruis, live returned to its normal state of chaos at the Masaki house. Blackshire has sent Leech on an important mission, and Ayeka has declared to her sister that after the Cherry Blossom's fall they will be going back to Planet Jurai. This story now prepares to enter into its final cycle. So please prepare yourselves. I have told you the past, so you might know the present, and comprehend the future that much better….

Chapter 20 of 26:

One Week After our Last Chapter:

Earth:

Nearing Sunset:

Mayuka's Room:

"Come on, Tenchi!" Ryoko screamed, pulling forcefully, yet delicately on the young man's arm. "Let's go take a bath!"

"Ryoko!" the young man moaned struggling as best he could to break free of her grasp. "I told you I was going to take a bath with Mayuka."

"I know," she pouted, releasing the brown-haired young man, sending him sprawling to the floor. "But as her mother, I feel it's my job to make sure you bathe her properly."

At that instant, another voice echoed into the tiny room. "Ryoko! Keep your filthy hands off Lord Tenchi," almost the same time those words were spoken, a woman in a pink kimono appeared between the two parents, shaking her hands at the lithe woman as if shooing off an animal. "If he says he does not wish to take a bath with someone as loathe some as you, then that is his right," Ayeka hmphed, rising to her full height, turning her nose up properly to her adversary, "besides you know it is against the rules for men and women to bathe together!"

"Oh, Tenchi and I already broke that rule, didn't we dear?" the golden-eyed woman giggled, casting the embarrassed youth a seductive smile.

"I've heard enough of your lies," the first princess of Jurai spouted. "I have no time to argue with the likes of you, Ryoko. There is something very important I must attend to, but I'm warning you…." As she finished speaking the purple-haired woman growled, extending a finger angrily towards the former space pirate.

"Oh fine," the lithe woman shrugged, her fun having been ruined by the snooty princess. "I promise I won't bother Tenchi while he's bathing… at least not as long as you're around," she added with a smirk. Breathing deeply Ayeka spun on her heels, and quickly exited the room.

"What was that all about?" Tenchi asked, pulling himself to his feet. Gently the young father reached into his daughter's crib, lifting the sleepy eyed girl into his arms.

Without thinking, a trait Washu hated in her daughter, the golden-eyed woman began to make her reply. "Aw, Ayeka's just upset because her and Sasami are leaving after the cherry blossom's fall."

"WHAT! They're leaving!" The young man said, completely stunned by the seductive woman's words. "But why?"

Her eyes now wide, as she realized what she had said, Ryoko looked at Tenchi, a sweat drop forming on her head as she laughed weakly. "If you'll excuse me Tenchi…" the silver-haired seductress began, "I have to go, I think I hear the phone…." In a hiss of dissipating matter, the buxom woman vanished, leaving her beloved to ponder what has just happened.

Looking out the window, the brown-haired youth saw a lone figure walking up the dock, with a smile, he held his daughter close to himself, and left the room realizing he had something important to do.

Sunset:

The Lake:

As the water gently lapped against the sandy shore, a lone woman stood at the end of the docks, peering out at the passionate display of colors before her, marveling at how such a back water planet, could generate such a beautiful image. Princess Ayeka Jurai seemed to absorb the beauteous wonder around her, as if she was making it a part of her very essence. It was in that time, when she had lost her self to the Earth's natural beauty, when she heard the soft sounds of shuffling footsteps beside her. Turning her head ever so slightly, so she could still focus on the scenery, the red-eyed woman noticed it was her beloved, Tenchi, and his daughter, of whom she had been mother for a short time.

"Hello Lord Tenchi, I came out here to see the sun set. One can never know how many more one will see." She muttered, "If I may be so bold, do you think this is beautiful?"

"Yes," the young man replied, however his attention was not on the setting star before them, but rather on the moment itself. The two Jurains stood together, watching the orange sky slowly fade to a pinkish glow, as the sounds of the day slowly faded, being replaced by the waking of the night.

"So you're really going?" Tenchi finally declared, holding Mayuka gently against his hip, as he looked at the fading sun. "After all this time, and all we've been through, you were going to leave without telling us…." The young man tensed his lips as he finished speaking, a hurt look on his face. Before the young princess could reply, the heir to Jurai's throne quickly answered the question that he knew was foremost on her mind. "Ryoko was there when you told Sasami, and she told me. That's how I know. I am sorry your privacy was invaded, Lady Ayeka."

As Ayeka did her best to recover from this shocking news, she bowed her head, doing her best to reign in her heart. This had been a moment she had been dreading, yet it was also one she had been hoping wouldn't come for many months to come. When she was finally able to look up, the purple-haired princess couldn't bring herself to speak. Instead she merely stared at the horizon where the beautiful sun set had just occurred, and allowed her tears to roll freely down her silky cheeks. Damn that monster woman! Why did she have to make my last few months here so difficult! If she had to find out, why couldn't she keep her big mouth shut for once! I guess she was so happy to hear me leave, that she probably had to tell everyone. Thinking I would leave sooner if she blabbed it to everyone! "So everyone knows…"

"No," the young man said respectfully, "just, you, me, Ryoko and Sasami."

"I see… Lord Tenchi, I am very sorry for trying to deceive you, but you see I… I did not want you to know. I knew if you were to find out you would try to stop me." Smiling sadly, the red-eyed woman looked at him with pain in her eyes, "and if that happened, I can honestly say I would not be able to refuse your offer."

"But why? Did we do something to anger you?"

"No. Nothing like that, my life here has been wonderful, and save a few instances, completely without any sorrow. However the other night, before our visitors from Torment left, Yosho said he was returning to where he belongs. It struck a cord in me, and I realized, that I do not truly belong here. My home is Planet Jurai, you have, much to my dismay, chosen Ryoko." Ayeka paused, seeing that Tenchi was about to interrupt her, she held up one of her slender hands, to silence his protests. "Please Lord Tenchi… I have more to say."

The brown haired prince laughed slightly, placing his arm around her neck drawing her close. "You know, for all your differences, fights, and arguments, you and Ryoko have a lot in common." The silky skinned woman pulled away slightly clearly insulted by his comment. "You see, it wasn't too long ago I had a conversation almost exactly like this with Ryoko. It was at her cave…." Tenchi trailed off, recalling that fateful night with Ryoko. "And like I told her, if you want to leave, you are more than welcome. I won't try to stop you. Of course, I'll miss you and Sasami, but I would never stand in the way of your happiness." Giving the princess a tender squeeze, with his arm around her shoulders, the young man soon continued. "This place is as much your home as it is mine. Please… go if you have to, but come back to us. I would hate to think of our lives without you and Sasami. If any of your girls left, life here wouldn't be the same, and besides you saw what happened to Noodles when Ryoko left…."

The purple haired Jurain smiled looking up at him with tear filled eyes, as endless trickles of tears ran down her face. "Very well. We will come back to you, however Lord Tenchi, as kind as your words are I do not think my presence will matter much to little Mayuka."

"Oh really," Tenchi smirked jostling the blue-haired girl who had fallen asleep in her father's arms. As her tiny orange eyes flickered open, the young daughter of Tenchi Masaki moaned her displeasure at being woke up. "I'm sorry Noodles, " The young man kindly apologized. "But your Auntie Ayeka and Aunt Sasami don't think you want them here, is that true?"

Looking up at him with a shaky gaze, the little girl frowned, not fully understanding what her father was saying. Ayeka smiled, touching the little girl's face gently with one of her silky hands. "Allow me, Lord Tenchi. Mayuka," she chimed. "It is okay if Sasami and I go bah-bye?"

"Uh-uhp…." The little girl moaned, almost sounding like she was burping. With a slow movement, the little girl moved one of her chubby, little arms up, grasping one of Ayeka's fingers in her weak grip. "'Tay…." She said, trying her best to utter the words she knew in with all her heart were the correct, but her mouth simply could not form the words she wanted to say.

However the little girl's words had the effect she had wanted, and more. The purple haired woman tried to speak; however like Mayuka, when she moved her mouth, no words came out. Looking up at Tenchi, she shook her head shocked by this turn of events. The young man smiled at her. "You see. You'll be missed if you go, so if you are still planning on leaving?"

Ayeka took the orange-eyed girl from her father, holding the confused and tired youth before her so they gazed into each other's eyes. "Well, I suppose we could only go home for a little while, just to check on mother and father… besides, my tree is still in Washu's lab. I must return to retrieve my Ryo-Oh." Smiling the Jurain princess looked back and forth between the daughter and father. "Will that be acceptable, Mayuka?"

"Eye-eha-ka, 'tay?" The blue-haired girl asked, barely following the conversation.

As she spoke, the first princess shook her head, disagreeing with her tiny companion. "No, I am sorry but…."

Sadly, Ayeka's reply was never finished as Mayuka, who was normally a quiet little angel like her father, showed she could be a demon like her mother, as she bellowed loudly, flailing her arms and legs as she screamed in protest. It had been a long day for the little girl, she had played a lot with her aunts and Ryo-Ohki, as well as her mother, Ryoko, and now having been woke up to hear disappointment was too much for her. Ayeka's meek smile faded completely as she glanced at Tenchi, who looked as stunned as the Jurain first Princess.

It was at that moment, a hiss of dissipating matter sounded, and Mayuka was snatched away from the purple-haired woman's grasp. "Honestly Ayeka, you know your face scares small children, so why did you have to go looking at Mayuka?" Cuddling the little girl in her arms, Ryoko's voice changed to a cooing as she looked at her new bundle. "There, there Noodles, no one's going anywhere."

"Going anywhere? How long have you been listening in on our conversation, Ryoko?" Ayeka demanded, her usual pride and rigid attitude returning in the face of her greatest rival. Looking at Ryoko, the purple-haired Jurain saw something, which caused her to be taken aback. Was that… a tear? Was Ryoko crying that I am leaving? No, that is impossible. She'd never cry for me, not in a million years. Still… there was that night, one week ago… in The Onsen, when she offered me some Saki…. Shifting her gaze to Tenchi, the young princess realized he had not seen this display of emotion, since he was looking at his daughter, more than the silver-haired woman holding her.

"Long enough," she said glancing up from her charge, any sadness she felt repressed back into her tough outer exterior, a wicked smile on her face. "I think it's time I put Noodles to bed, don't you, Tenchi?"

"Yeah," he said, nodding in agreement.

"And by the way, honey," the golden-eyed woman seductively stated, "don't be up too much later, it wouldn't be good to keep me in bed waiting too much longer. I'm feeling rather energetic tonight, and you know what that means." Before either person could reply, the silver-haired woman laughed boldly, and vanished.

"Lady Ayeka…" the young man began turning towards her to explain the truth behind Mayuka's mother's words.

"There is no need to say anything, Lord Tenchi." The purple-haired princess proclaimed. "I know you are not the sort of man to condone or subscribe to the forms of pleasures that monster woman is speaking of. No matter what she may say." Sighing, the Jurain princess bowed before him. "I want to thank you, Lord Tenchi. For all you have done for me, both tonight, and always. You have been the most gracious host a woman of my stature could ask for. I will always cherish my time here."

Feeling awkward when it came to situations where Ayeka put on a royal air, Tenchi merely smiled, "aw… I didn't do anything special. I was just doing what came natural. It's you girls who-"

"What comes natural to you is the greatest joy I have ever known," The woman in the pink kimono declared stepping towards him, her head bowed respectfully, "once again, I thank you."

With a shrug, the young man decided to follow his heart, and do what came natural to him. Reaching forward, Tenchi wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. "Your welcome…." He said in a caring voice, and so for long moments the two figures said nothing more, standing on the docks in each others arms, enjoying one of the last possible chances they would have to share a moment like this.

Tenchi's Room:

"I'm really proud of you, Ryoko." Tenchi whispered to the woman with the silver necklace beside him. "Thanks to you, I was able to get Ayeka to agree to come back. Plus she won't be acting weird anymore-"

"Oh no matter what, that little princess is going to act, weird Tenchi dearest…."

Pausing, the young man smiled, rubbing her silver hair delicately with his hand, "as I was saying… now Ayeka can enjoy the little time she has left without hiding the fact she's leaving."

"Well that's good." Ryoko said cuddling up close to the young man, nearly climbing on top of him as she drew closer. "You know Tenchi, I've been thinking." The silver-haired woman paused, drawing small circles on his chest, with one of her lithe fingers.

After a long pause, the young Jurain prince finally decided to play along. "About what, Ryoko…."

"Well, since Ayeka said it was Yosho's speech that made her feel the desire to leave, wouldn't it be nice to have him come back, just for the day?"


"You just like having him around," the young man proclaimed, finding humor in her statement. Although he was a little unnerved by her statement, wondering exactly how long had the golden-eyed woman been listening to his conversation.


"Well you know me, Tenchi…." The silver-haired woman said with an impish smile. "I have so much love to give, if you let me, I'll show you just how much love I have to give…." Leaning forward the lithe woman pressed her lips to his, a wild look in her eyes….

Later:

Washu's Lab:

"Washu!" Ryoko screamed loudly as she threw open the door to the lab. "You better not be asleep, I've got something more important for you to be doing!"

"What is it, now Little Ryoko?" the diminutive genius muttered, coming around the corner, wearing a light blue pair of pajamas. "Can't it wait until morning?"

"NO!" the busty space pirate remarked, extending a slip of paper forward, "I want you to send this to Torment for me!"

"That's it…" Washu groaned, taking the note from her daughter with a sleeping angry glare. "You woke me up in the middle of the night so I would send out your mail?"

"It's night my fault you use the night to sleep. Tenchi and I have been doing so many other things."

"I'll bet…" the red-haired girl muttered, as she typed a few keys on her ethereal keyboard, causing a vortex to open before her. With a casual motion she tossed the note into the opening in time and space. "There, done… now can I please get some sleep? Mommy has a lot of work to do tomorrow…."

"Fine, do what you want," the silver-haired daughter shrugged. "I'm going back to have some 'fun' with Tenchi."

"Alright, goodnight…." Washu said, dropping into her floating cushion chair. Almost before she had hit the comforter, the emerald-eyed woman was sound asleep, dreaming of projects and designs to come.

Universe of Torment:

Hours later:

Sakuya's Apartment:

In a cozy apartment complex in the town of Okinawa, a girl looked out her third story window, smiling happily at the rain which poured down steadily from up above. Despite the chill in the air, and the dampness of the day, what she saw when she looked outside was nothing short of a paradise. A weary sigh escaped her lips as she smiled, her face becoming pink from her embarrassment from being so happy. Yosho… I don't know why, but I feel so happy when I'm with you, so safe. I know I should be afraid of you, what with your weird family and super powers, but for some reason… for some reason knowing that you aren't just a regular guy makes me love you even more than before. Turning away from her window, the love struck teen glided over to her dresser, where a large mirror, with all her brushes and make up rested. Picking up the comb before her, Sakuya brushed her short hair wistfully. I'm so happy now… now that I know Yosho. I can't wait for tomorrow, then I can see him again. As she continued to get ready for bed, the enraptured girl glanced at the telephone beside her bed. I could give him a call…Shaking her head, which would almost appear comical, since her hair wafted back and forth as she moved, the young woman scolded herself. I can't go calling him now, it's so late, and he needs to get his rest.

Outside:

During the last week, a rash of disappearances have been occurring in the streets of Okinawa, people have vanished leaving only their clothes they were wearing, and a pile of dust, where they had been. Since these events have begun, no one has gone outside at night, at least not alone. But as the heavy rain pounds down upon the small town, one man, who hides in the shadows of an alley, stands alone. Having only come to town a week ago, this particular man had first hand knowledge of the sort of things the residents were up against. Smiling the black haired man shook his head, knowing that the recent disappearances weren't kidnappings, but murders. Looking up at the apartment complex before him, the muscular young man stepped out of the alley. These humans, they are so stupid and weak. It's been so much fun killing them, watching their life flicker and fade away. Sighing the mysterious man began marched towards the apartments, as a glint of gold sparkled from his eyes. But I suppose playtime is over. Now it's time to get to work…

Sakuya's Room:

In her now darkened room, the emerald-eyed woman slept soundly, a smile on her weary face, as she dreamed of the man she loved so dearly. Occasionally, a passionate moan would escape her tired lips, as she rolled over, and fantasized about spending yet another moment with her beloved. She was truly in the happiest state she had ever been, since she met her beloved Yosho Masaki.

Sadly, her wonderful dreams were brought to a crashing end; as something loudly tried to pry open her door, filling the tiny apartment with its thunderous echo. Sitting up almost instantly, the slender woman looked at the door fear mirrored in her eyes. Who could that be? I wasn't expecting anyone. Oh no! She panicked, drawing her covers closer to herself. What if it's that kidnapper? No, it can't be, Sakuya told herself, trying to calm her jaded nerves. No kidnapper would knock, especially that loud. Reaching for the phone, the young woman prepared to call her beloved, knowing he could reach her in an instants time. However just as her trembling fingers touched the speed dial, a voice caused her to stop.

"Sakuya! It's me Yosho," the familiar voice said, sounding kind, yet annoyed. "My key to your room isn't working, could you let me in?"

"Yosho?" the volleyball captain replied, shocked by this turn of events. The young woman was so entranced by this occurrence, that she did not hear the angry voice on the other end of the phone when she hung up. Standing slowly, the confused youth slowly made her way to the door, her hands clenched tightly before her. As she stood before the door, which now seemed to be a barrier to her, an immense wall protecting her from the outside world, she paused. Wait a minute… Yosho doesn't have a key to my apartment, and besides he could just teleport himself inside. Leaning close to the doorway, Sakuya looked out her peephole, and gasped. Standing before the entrance to her room, was a tall, muscular young man with jet-black hair, and kind golden eyes. "Thank goodness it's you," she whispered, still slightly afraid. "But why didn't you just walk in?"

"Because the door's locked," Yosho answered basically. "Now please, let me in?"

"So?" the calming woman declared, "you could have used your powers to get in, couldn't you?"

Powers? The young man thought. Damn! I was told Yosho has powers, but I don't know which ones… oh well, all is not lost. I just need to play this right. "Look I didn't want anyone to see me using them. Now then are you going to let me in, or not?"

"Well…." She began toying with the pleading youth, a smile finally dawning on her sorrowful face.

"Okay then," he said with a shrug, "I guess I'll just keep what I was going to give you…."

Give me? The curious schoolgirl thought as she unconsciously unlocked the door. With a quick motion, Sakuya threw open the door, looking at the slightly stunned young man in the hall. "Well what did you want to give me? It better be good to have woke me up for, and…" At that instant Miss Kumashiro could say nothing more, as the young man's face closed in on her own, and their lips met.

Overwhelmed by the intense passion her boyfriend was showing, the freshly awoken woman closed her eyes, enjoying the romantic way in which she had received her first kiss. Yosho's eyes also changed, as her closed, the young man's pupils began to glow with a red hue, and his skin appeared to almost melt, as he drew the young woman deeper into his embrace.

Moments Earlier

The Masaki House:

"Hello? Hello?" Ryoko shouted into the phone in her most angry tone. "HEY IS ANYONE THERE?" Having received no reply, the cyan-haired woman slammed the phone back in its holder, nearly snapping it in two.

Washu stood beside her daughter, shaking her head at how riled the golden-eyed woman had become from the phone call, which was clearly a prank call. Turning away, the red-haired woman shook her head as she made her way back to the lab. Still at least she didn't break the phone. I swear that girl has the worst temp-. At that instant a scream filled the air, followed by an explosion and bright light. Looking over her shoulder, the emerald-eyed scientist sighed heavily, as she made her way towards her lab. Ryoko will be Ryoko… she mentally mused. I suppose we'll have to buy a new phone tomorrow… I really wish she would control her temper, or at least not blast the furniture….

"What in the world just happened?" A new voice shouted, as the sound of something crashing down the stairs drew nearer to where the young super genius stood. "Are we under attack?"

Shaking her head, the diminutive scientist waved at the newcomer, "don't worry Yosho, you're mother was just answering the phone."

"The phone!" he gasped, a new sense of urgency in his voice, "did she say who it was? It wasn't Sakuya was it?"

Smiling the little woman opened the door to her lab, "I couldn't say, but it sounded like it was a prank call. Of course if you want, you can always ask your mother…." Seeing the young man's face, Washu grinned. No one, not even Yosho or Washu, wanted to bother the cyan-haired woman when she got angry.

"I'll call Sakuya later, and see if it was her calling us…" the golden-eyed youth proclaimed as he slipped back upstairs, being careful this time not to make much noise, lest his easily provoked mother hear him.

A Short Time Later:

Yosho's Room:

Yosho sat in his neat room, every poster hung perfectly, his clothes tidily put away, and every book properly shelved, his room appearing to be the opposite of his mother's in nearly everyway. The young man with golden eyes rested upon his bed with a vacant expression, holding a picture in a frame, in his strong young hands. Holding the frame tenderly, the golden-eyed youth sighed. It was a picture taken many years ago, when all his family had been alive. He was only a few years younger, but when he gazed at the joy in his eyes, he wondered if he could ever go back to having that kind of joy again in his life. As of late, the youngest Masaki had begun to feel that he could go on. Ever since he had started dating Sakuya Kumashiro, life had taken a turn for the better. Still, the newfound love he had in his heart did not erase the old hatred he felt, the blinding fury which had allowed him to stop the monster who nearly taken all of his family away. "Leech," he hissed as he set the picture on a nearby desk, where he could easily look at it. "I hope that wretched monster is still burning in hell for what he did."

Closing his eyes, Yosho listened to the rain pouring down outside, letting it's constant rhythmic pounding calm his jaded nerves. This was always the hardest time for the young hero, night. During the day he had his family and friends to help him banish the darkness in his mind, to help him cope with all he had lost. Yet when night fell, and he was completely alone, his thoughts always returned to that fateful night over a year ago that changed his life forever. His breath came in ragged gasps, as the young man tried to repress that awful memory, and calm his tortured brain. Just when it seemed the young man was able to suppress the horror that clung to his soul, a loud ring filled the air, the ringing of the telephone.

Glad for any distraction, even a prank call or a wrong number, the golden-eyed son of Ryoko answered the phone with a quick motion. "Hello, Masaki residence, Yosho speaking. How may I help you?"

Pausing the last Masaki male gasped as the person on the other end of the line answered. "Sakuya," he said with a sigh of relief. "How are you? I was going to call you earlier, but…."

The young man suddenly paused, his smile fading away as he listened to his girlfriend. "What…" Yosho stammered, panic in his voice. "But why? I… hello?? Hello?" With a defeated look in his eyes, the black-haired youth lowered the phone, letting it fall limply from his hands. Staring at the floor he could not believe what he had just heard.

As the morbid youth continued to glare at the floor, tears welled in his golden eyes. Outside the wind and rain seemed to pick up, and lightning struck as he spoke again. "Sakuya… why… what did I do wrong? Why did you break up with me?"

Sakuya's House:

"Well," the young woman hissed a look of absolute glee on her face. "That's that." Spinning like a ballerina, the green eyed woman leapt around the room. "I just wish I could have seen the look on his face when his world came crumbling down." Leaning forward as she reached her dresser, the schoolgirl gazed at herself in the mirror. "What a lovely body I picked up. I wonder why Blackshire was so insistent I take her body?" Shrugging the strange girl looked at the strange watch lying on the floor by the door. Picking it up, the young woman with short black hair couldn't help but grin at it. "A new body, and a new life, all thanks to this little image inducer…."

Still she has one of my favorite things in a victim, a loving heart. I haven't ever experienced such love, such passion. It almost, ALMOST, hurt ME to break Yosho's heart. I've spent this last week possessing people with loving hearts, breaking up their relationships, and then killing them, and I still can't get over how much fun it is.

With a sigh, Leech looked at the device in his hand. "I suppose I should go back home, after all my job here is done." Looking over his slender shoulders, the evil creature smiled victoriously. It's too bad the fun had to come to an end. Of course it doesn't HAVE to, not just yet….

"I suppose I should leave dear Yosho a note, knowing him he'll come to talk to Sakuya. Now let's see," she said aloud as she pressed the pen to her lips, pondering her message. "Ah! I know exactly what to say…." After a few moments, the slender woman had finished her letter, even putting it in an envelope addressed, TO YOSHO, and after pressing a button on her wrist the possessed youth disappeared, venturing to the Hell that both Blackshire and Leech called home.

One Hour Later:

"That's it!" Yosho said standing up. Having spent the last hour in shock, the young man finally got up the energy to act. "If Sakuya wants to dump me, that's fine with me," he lied to himself, trying his best to suppress the horrible pain he was feeling. "But she'll have to do it to my face." Taking a deep breath, the warrior in training focused his mind. "Ready or not Sakuya, here I come…." In a flicker of dissipating matter, the youngest Masaki was gone.

Moments later:

As the sounds of matter dissipating faded into nothing more than a memory, a friendly rapping came at the door. Whoever was at the door waited for a time, before knocking again, this time a little louder, and longer. Finally a voice followed the polite knocking. "Yosho!" an almost childlike voice asked, "it's me, Aunt Sasami! Ryo-Ohki heard you were up, and I was wondering if you wanted to join me for a snack?"

"Yosho?" Sasami asked kindly, as she slid open the young man's door, seeing there was no one there. "Where did he go?" Coming up beside her, Ryo-Ohki sniffed the air for a few seconds, before meowing sadly in defeat. "I hope he's okay. I've just had the most horrible feeling, Ryo-Ohki. Like something bad has just happened to someone close to us…."

Back at Sakuya's Apartment:

With a hiss of matter rearranging himself, the young Jurain appeared in his former girlfriends room, a desperate expression on his tortured face. "Sakuya!" Yosho screamed as he ran quickly through her tiny apartment, searching everywhere for her, so he could at have some solace for his soul. Finally, having scoured the entire area to the best of his abilities, the young man sat down on her bed, resting his face in his shaking hands. Where is she?

Looking up from his self induced depression; the young man slowly tugged the skin on his face, stretching his flesh as he shook his head. It was at that instant when his keen eyes, an ability he had received from his mother, and honed thanks to his father, focused on a letter, resting daintily upon Sakuya's dresser, one addressed, To Yosho. Nearly flying from his position, the young man snatched up the parchment, tearing the envelope off it, in a hasty endeavor to discover what lied within. As he read, the golden-eyed swordsman suddenly wished he hadn't been so eager for answers.

Dear Yosho,

I am sorry it came to this, but something has come up, and we can no longer be together. I know this is all very strange, but we are two very different people now, more than you could ever imagine. I cherish our time together, and I'm sure we'll meet again someday, but for now I have to leave this place. To find a place of pure Delight, but to do that, I have to leave this world of dread. I hope you can understand.

Yours forever,

Sakuya Kumashiro

That was it. In a few short words, the young man's entire world had been shattered, beyond what he felt was, any hope of repair. His soul torn to pieces and thrown on the jagged rocks of sorrow. As he clutched the letter, which had quickly obliterated his joy, tightly in his hands, the young man appeared to fall to his knees, yet just as he was about to come into contact with the ground, he vanished, leaving the apartment of the woman who had taken his heart, both into a world of joy he had never known, and to a level of pain which was only exceeded by one other time in his young life.

The Masaki House:

The Living Room:

Sitting in the living room of the Masaki house, were two women, although neither looked very old, the duo had known each other for well over fifty years.*** During that time, they had faced many hardships, and had even more great times. However right now, one of the two women was facing a crisis. Sasami sat huddled up next to her red-haired friend, looking as timid and frail as she had in her youth, even thought she was currently full grown.

"Are you feeling better now, Sasami?" The little genius said placing a miniature hand on the back of her taller companion. In a way it was rather amusing, despite the fact that the blue haired princess had not been a little girl in well over 40 years, the short red-head still considered her to be a little girl at heart, still pure, innocent, and prone to nightmares.

"Yes, Little Washu," the pink eyed woman said before taking a sip of her warm green tea, and grimacing. In the past year, since Ryoko had become comatose, and Ayeka died, the younger sister had taken up drinking tea when she felt uncomfortable, or when she wished to remember her sister. However the taste was still something she could not bring herself to like, no matter how much of the green liquid she consumes. "I'll be fine. I really would like to talk to Yosho, thought. I sensed a presence recently, one I know I've felt before…."

With a sigh, the small scientist placed a hand on Sasami's. "You sensed something? Interesting, about an hour ago I noticed another ripple in our time and space continuum."

"Another ripple?" the woman who was now first princess of Jurai declared. "When did you see the last one? Was it… him?"

"I assume you mean Leech," the diminutive genius declared, folding her arms over her chest, Washu appeared to dread that memory. "No, not him. Thank god he's dead, and we'll never have to see that creature again. If you remember, in the past few months we've had numerous meetings with our doubles from another universe like this one, which we call the Universe of Delight."

"Yes, I remember Yosho telling Sakuya that, but I had thought it just part of his vivid imagination."

"Sadly, that kid doesn't have much of an imagination, not like you, or his mother…" Washu paused, smiling as she shook her head, recalling some of the things Ryoko had thought up to seduce Tenchi, her future husband. "He's about as creative as Tenchi…." The young looking scientist mentioned. The Jurain princess merely chuckled, covering her mouth, so as not to appear to be rude. She is becoming so proper and polite, she reminds me of her sister, but I can still see that impish look in her eyes. "As I was saying," the super genius resumed, "I saw another ripple, about an hour ago."

"The same time I got this feeling of something bad happening…."

"Right," the emerald-eyed woman proclaimed, "the other one was about a year ago. Both were in Okinawa, and both were very small and sporadic. I wasn't able to lock onto either one."

"So what do you think it was?"

"Well, normally, I thought it was just a few erratic situations, perhaps even some form of reaction by time and space from our leaps back and forth. But after what you've told me…." With a shudder, the woman with the mane of red hair looked in her companion's eyes, a forced smile on her face. "Let me just say it makes me think my research over who changed the constants of time and space*, and why, are going to be very important, and soon." After a few moments of sitting in silence, the small woman rose to her feet, stretching her small body to its limits. "I guess I'm going to go back to work. Try to get some rest, okay Sasami? I'll talk to you later." The young princess nodded, as the woman in the Science Academy outfit turned, and casually walked away.

Setting her cup of tea on the table, the blue-haired princess exhaled slowly, letting her eyes slowly travel around the room. So many memories… she thought sadly as she looked from panel to panel.

"Mya?" the tiny cabbit, called Ryo-Ohki meowed, hopping up on her friends lap.

"You miss them all too, don't you Ryo-Ohki?" The pink-eyed woman said more to herself than to her friend. "Of course you do," petting the brown haired creatures back, Sasami looked at the door, memories flooding back to her, from when she had watched Ryoko try to win Tenchi over after reading on of Noboyuki's comics for girls, to all the incidents in the Onsen. Of course, not every day was happy, there was Kagato, Dr Clay, and Blackshire,* but in the end they had always come out in the end, and normally happier than ever before.

As the young princess recalled all her past memories, a steady thud from the stairway suddenly jostled her from her thoughts. "Hello…Aunt Sasami…" a young man said, his voice dry and painful as he descended the staircase into the living room. "How are you tonight?"

"Yosho," the woman who was once a chipper little girl said, wiping the pre-tears from her large eyes as she turned to face him. "I've been looking everywhere for you. How have you been? Where did you go?"

"I'm… fine…" he said in disgust, his long black hair hanging in front of his eyes, as he walked over to sit across from her, falling into the couch with a thud. "I'm sorry if I made you worry, I went to see, Sakuya. But I'm home to stay now." It was at that time, Sasami noticed the young man had something clenched tightly in his hands. The item he held appeared to be a letter.

"What is that you have there?" the woman with short blue hair asked, a happy smile forming on her face. "A love letter?"

"No… it was how Sakuya broke up with me. She wasn't even there when I showed up, she just left THIS," as he yelled, the young man threw the paper away from himself, as if it were poisonous, "and now I'm left alone, to pick up the pieces."

"Oh quit being so mella-dra-matic! Besh ides, I wouldn't say you're alone," a seductive voice answered, turning the two people saw the final member of their family coming out of the kitchen, none other than a very drunk, and also naked, Ryoko Masaki. In one hand, she held a bottle of Saki, showing she had just returned from the Onsen, and in the other she held a letter, one that seemed to be the source of the intense smile on her face. "You should read this…Yosho," Wobbling back and forth for a few moments, the lithe woman's eyes suddenly rolled back into her head, as she collapsed onto the floor.

"Ryoko!" Sasami screamed, jumping to her friend's side, trying to figure out what had happened to the cyan-haired space pirate.

"Don't worry," Yosho replied, coming forward to kneel beside his aunt, and reaching for the letter in her hand. "Mom's just got herself plastered again. I guess she was having a rough day like the rest of us." Unfolding the piece of paper, the golden-eyed youth glanced over at his aunt, a sympathetic smile on his young face. "I keep forgetting how much mom loved… no loves, dad. It's still very hard on her to think about him being gone. But…" the young man paused suddenly as his eyes seemed to instantly be drawn to the paper, as if it had some power over him."

"What is it, Yosho? Is something wrong?" the pink-eyed woman declared, leaning forward, trying to read the strange letter.

"No…" he finally said, handing it to her. "Nothing wrong. Mom's not passed out drunk from depression she just celebrated too much. 'Everything to access as grandmother used to say about her.' We've been invited to a party, and I suppose mom's reaction means we're going? Do you want to come too, Aunt Sasami?"

Looking up from the paper, Sasami's eyes sparkled like twin stars, something they hadn't done since she was very young, making no reply she merely smiled, and hugged her nephew, rubbing her head against his up and down as she held him close.

As he held his aunt close to him the young man smiled happily, yet he couldn't help but wonder about something. I wonder why Ryoko sent the note to the Onsen? It's a good thing mother was down there, or it could have gotten lost or wet? Oh well, I'm sure there is a perfectly logical explanation….

Universe of Delight:

The Ebon Shard:

The Control Room:

With a flash of light, the slender young woman, known to her friends and family as Sakuya Kumashiro, suddenly appeared on the bridge of the all black starship, called The Ebon Shard. The black-haired youth staggered in the darkness, as her emerald eyes tried to get used to the lightless bridge.

"So," a raspy voice announced, coming from behind the youthful girl. "It's about time you came back…what were you doing?"

Spinning about, the possessed Sakuya, was taken aback by what she saw. She had expected to see Blackshire, strong, muscular, and powerful, towering over her, yet what she was there was truly bizarre. Blackshire still possessed the body of the Priderian Galaxy Police Captain, Koreas, yet now the body appeared withered and old, as if it had seen an entire lifetime in the short time since Leech had left. His body was now a mass of tubes and machine parts, however over all these things, two things stood out, his black armor, which seemed to glisten even in the nearly lightless command center, and the twin glowing spheres which composed his eyes.

"What happened to you?" Leech asked, as it gazed upon the ancient looking Priderian with a confused glance. "You appear to be nearly dead, but when I left you, you were so young."

The old Priderian made what appeared to be a laugh, as the tubes and machines, which held him together worked harder to keep him stable. "I have been using the chronological enhancer. Sadly, I neglected the strain of going to its limits for so long might have on both it and my body."

"But why would you do such a thing?" The young woman asked, clearly confused by this turn of events.

"It was meant to happen, and the Enhancer is in a better place." The withering creature proclaimed, waving away his creations questions. "One where it can serve me better than ever before…. Besides I am not without a new body," The ebon monster paused, smiling. "This one will do until it is time for me to don the new one." Patting his chest, as he inhaled a ragged breath, the old Priderian admired the woman before him. "You have done well, my son… or maybe I should call you daughter now."

Laughing, the evil demon sat back in his control seat, appearing weary from his latest endeavor. "Which ever you prefer really doesn't matter to me. For you see, all preparations are nearly complete, and all the pieces in place. Soon we will go, Washu will be mine, and I will have my wish granted!" As the vile ship, called the Ebon Shard continued to drift in the coldness of space, a horrible, wretched laughter seemed to fill the endless night, the bone-chilling laugh of death.

Next Time: Blackshire's back! Things are about to get way beyond ugly as the ebon monster comes gunning for Tenchi and the gang! It's time to start everything up, and bring this seemingly eternal war between the extended Masaki family, and Blackshire, to it's terrible close! Be here next time for a chapter I like to call: Chapter 21: Sasami's Price!

* The Waking Nightmare, Part 1 is when all time and space where altered in the Universe of Torment

** Sasami is thinking of Cell Zero's creation, Blackshire.

*** Remember Torment follows the Ryoko's Birthday, Ryoko's Wedding, No Need for Proof, Vegeta Muyo 2, Blackshire Interval, Waking Nightmare story line.