Conversations II
Chapter 2
Wedding Day
*****
Tenchi had spent the whole night pacing his room. He still didn't think that he was ready for marriage, but after talking to his father about it, he discovered that that was a normal reaction. His dad called it 'cold feet' and told him that the same thing had happened to him, he just didn't let the feeling stop him from doing what he wanted to do. Ryoko's disclosure that she was still a virgin hadn't really shocked him; he knew how some of his friends at school acted and suspected that their amorous escapades were more imagination than anything else as well, just like Ryoko. Ayeka though… He never would have thought that she would have done anything like that. It didn't bother him that she had; he wasn't traditional in the sense that the woman he would marry would have to be pure and innocent, after all this was modern Japan; but it had surprised him when she told him.
He wondered what would happen that night. Both girls at once? The thought sort of titillated and scared him at the same time, but inside he knew that wasn't going to happen. He suspected that Ryoko and Ayeka already had some sort of plan worked out. He just hoped that they consulted him first.
*****
While Tenchi pondered what would happen later, the girls were indeed working out the details. Sasami was spending the night in Washu's lab while the two brides-to-be used the bedroom. The girls each sat on a futon, facing each other. The argument had been going on for some time and tempers were starting to flare.
"No, Ayeka. I promised you that you could go first. I might not like it, but a promise is a promise." Ryoko said reasonably.
"Listen pirate. I can be patient if I need to be. I've waited 700 years for my wedding night, I can wait one more night. You go first."
"What? Aren't you afraid that you might not measure up to me? Don't you want Tenchi to sample the royal goodies before anything else?"
"Don't make me laugh demon," Ayeka snorted. "There's no comparison to be made. Tenchi can consider me the fine dessert."
"I suppose that would make me the main course then? Hey, wait!
I kinda like that. I'm the main
course and you're just the light snack afterwards."
Ayeka glared at Ryoko and sparks began to fly between the two.
"You wanna take this outside, princess?"
"Fine with me, pirate!"
Ryoko suddenly looked down. "Why're we arguing Ayeka? We're both gonna get our chance with him. This is pointless."
Ayeka sighed. "Yes, it really is. But it was kind of fun, just like old times. I miss fighting with you Ryoko."
"Yeah. Me too. Now how're we gonna resolve this little problem?"
"Well, I want you to consider this Ryoko, that even if it wasn't with Tenchi, I've already 'gone first' as you put it. So really, it's your turn. My chance will come; as I said before, I'm patient. Tenchi's not going anywhere and neither am I. Nor are you for that matter. Besides, you've known him longer."
Ryoko's expression brightened. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll go first then. But after a while I suppose we need to let him choose who to spend the night with. If he's going to be Emperor some day, he needs to learn to make his own decisions. We don't want him to totally depend on us, do we?" She smiled. "So, tell me about this ceremony tomorrow princess."
*****
Morning finally dawned, bright and sunny. Which when you think about it was odd, as the weather forecast had called for thunderstorms. But Washu wasn't going to let anything ruin her daughter's big day.
Today's ceremony was going to be a small one, with just the royal family and a few close friends in attendance. A much larger Royal wedding would be held later on Planet Jurai, after all of the planning and details were taken care of. Katsuhito would officiate at this wedding as the trio recited their vows in the Juraian manner. Tenchi's father Noboyuki, along with Mihoshi, had been elected as decorating committee, while Sasami had spent the day before preparing a meal for the party afterwards.
The first guests to arrive were Ayeka's parents. Tenchi and Sasami greeted them out on the wooden deck as they were teleported down from the Juraian flagship. As Tenchi bowed to his future father- and mother's-in-law he noticed that Azusa didn't look entirely happy. This was because the Emperor's political plans for Ayeka were about to end up in the dumpster. After exchanging pleasantries, Tenchi beat a hasty retreat toward the shrine where he would change clothes and where Mihoshi and his father were finishing up the decorations. The two queens entered the house, searching for the brides-to-be.
Azusa looked around, alone except for his youngest daughter and the two guardians. Oh well, he thought with a sigh, there's still Sasami. He patted her on the top of her head.
*****
Misaki and Funaho hovered around Ayeka and Ryoko, straightening this and tightening that. Misaki was going to make sure her daughter looked perfect for her wedding, while Funaho coached Ryoko in the Juraian wedding ceremony. Both teased the girls mercilessly about the wedding night.
"Please," Ayeka pleaded. "Ryoko and I spent all night talking about this. Can't we just drop the subject?"
The two queens looked at each other. "No."
*****
Next to show up were the three goddesses and Keiichi, Belldandy's mortal boyfriend. Mara tagged along with them. Belldandy headed up the stairs to the shrine to look for Katsuhito and Keiichi, nervous about meeting real aliens, followed her. Skuld made a beeline for Washu's lab, while Urd and Mara joined Sasami and her father on the deck.
Azusa saw the two approaching. Seeing the way Mara was dressed, his eyes almost fell out of his head. "Must be a friend of Ryoko's," he muttered.
"Father, this is Urd. She's a goddess," introduced Sasami.
Yes, she is, thought Azusa. And the other one isn't bad looking either.
Sasami turned to the demon. "I've never met you in person, but you must be Mara, Ryoko's told me about you. Welcome. I'm Sasami and this is my father Azusa."
Urd bowed to them while Mara just glared.
The goddess smiled at Sasami. "Don't worry. She's promised to be on her best behavior. Ryoko cleaned her clock last time they 'played' together, and I don't think she wants a rematch yet."
"I'll behave, just as long as there's no disco music at the party later," Mara growled.
"Or polkas," added Urd with a smile. "So Azusa, you're Ayeka's father, eh? What do you do for a living?" she asked politely, trying to make conversation.
The ruler of the greatest empire in the galaxy gave her a cool look. He was not in a good mood and certainly wasn't going to let this woman talk to him as if he were a commoner. He decided to put her in her place. "I am the Emperor of Planet Jurai. And just who do you think you are to be so familiar with me?"
Lightning began to crackle around Urd, but she was still smiling, more amused than anything by Azusa's attitude. She thought she'd bring this stuck-up snob down a notch. "I am Urd, Goddess First Class," she pronounced in her most officious voice.
The lightning faded away and Mara growled again, this time showing her fangs. "I wish you wouldn't do that. It makes me nervous."
"I know. That's why I dood it," Urd replied, laughing. "Oh yeah, and Mara here's a demon first class."
"And you're a goddess second class, not first." Mara rejoined.
"Shh! Quiet! I've got him going," whispered Urd as she poked at Mara with her elbow.
Azusa was suitably impressed nonetheless. A goddess and a demon, together? As wedding guests of my daughter? This may work out… Ayeka may be marrying into power after all…
Funaho stuck her head out the door. "Sasami dear, could you get Little Washu and have her meet us at the shrine? Tenchi and the others are already up there and it's almost time to start."
"Ok, Auntie Funaho!" chirped Sasami. She disappeared into the house.
"Now, husband. I want you to greet your daughter and Ryoko and escort them to the ceremony." Funaho said to Azusa. "After all, you'll be giving both of them away." Azusa forced a smile, thinking of how far away he'd like to give Ryoko, and Tenchi for that matter.
Ayeka came through the door. She was wearing the flowing robes of traditional Juraian wedding attire. She bowed to her guests and went to stand by her father. Then Ryoko emerged. She was wearing a western-style wedding gown: white, lots of lace, low cut, complete with veil. She grinned at Urd and Mara, and then took her place at Azusa's side.
Urd walked over and gave Ryoko a hug. "Ryoko, you look great." She turned and hugged Ayeka as well. "And this must be Ayeka. You look wonderful too. Your Tenchi is really going to be impressed by both of you. By the way Ayeka, I'm Urd, goddess of love, among other things. I've been boning up on Juraian physiology, so if you ever need anything…"
"Urd, can it!" was Ryoko's response. "I'm glad you could make it Mara."
"Urd insisted. She held a four leaf clover over my head until I agreed."
Misaki bustled out of the house. "Everyone ready?" she asked, glancing around, too excited to even notice the goddess and demon. "Ok then, let's go!" She headed off toward the shrine steps.
*****
The entire group was gathered in the courtyard in front of the Masaki shrine. Tenchi and his two fiancés stood before the steps, Ayeka on his right and Ryoko on his left, as befitted a first and second wife. Katsuhito stood at the top of the small flight, facing the group. He began to speak the words that would bind his grandson and his two loves together forever in the eyes of Jurai. He hadn't gotten that far into the ceremony when there was a surge of energy and a shadow fell over the shrine.
"Sisters! Where are you? I can feel your presence," boomed a voice.
The entire wedding party looked up to see the giant form of a woman in flowing robes similar to Ayeka's, looking down on them from the sky.
"Tokimi!" gasped Sasami, Belldandy and Mara almost as one.
Ryoko started to form her energy sword, but a touch and headshake from Tenchi stopped her. Several rings of small logs appeared as Ayeka formed a shield around the wedding party. Azaka and Kamidake moved to protect Sasami and the royal family in a similar shield while Belldandy cast a protection spell around everyone else. Mara had disappeared somewhere.
Everyone looked up at the immense apparition in stunned silence as a stiff wind generated by Tokimi's presence swept over them.
"Those shields won't protect you for long," said Urd, standing near Ryoko, her long hair whipping in the wind. "That's one of Tsunami's sisters. Her power's the same as Jurai's and it's not sealed, she doesn't belong here. Unless her sisters appear she may do something rash, we've got to think of something to appease her." Urd looked at Belldandy.
Belldandy looked at Ryoko and made a decision. "Ryoko, you must release your gems. They must return to their original owner or this could be very bad, all of use together don't have the power to confront her." Belldandy urged.
"Why?" asked Ryoko.
"Lady Tokimi's powers aren't sealed and limited as Lady Tsunami's and ours are. We can't stop her; even if our powers were free, she's a goddess prime. If attempts to use her full power to find her sisters she could destroy this planet."
"But why release the gems?"
"We must summon the third Juraian goddess, Lady Tsunami's other sister. All of her memories and power are stored in the gems, that's where their power comes from. They're her seal. When the rightful owner takes possession, the goddess will be revealed and the seal broken."
"But what if this third Juraian goddess sides with Tokimi?" asked Washu.
"Trust me Washu, she won't," answered Urd before Belldandy could respond.
"Now Ryoko, you must release them! Give up the gems!" Belldandy called.
"If you say so…" Ryoko concentrated and the three red gems moved out from her body to float in the air before her.
"Ok, now what? Nothing's happening."
Belldandy turned to Washu. "Summon the gems to yourself Washu," she said quietly.
"Wha…? Why me?"
"Trust us Washu. Trust yourself. Concentrate and summon the gems to you."
Washu closed her eyes and mentally called to the gems floating in front of Ryoko. She mumbled, "I hope there's a good reason for thi… Ahh!" A blinding pain enveloped her head, she felt something enter her mind and heard Tenchi, her daughter and her student yell. Then she lost consciousness for a moment.
The others saw three red streaks move from Ryoko to Washu and impact her forehead. For several seconds she was covered by a reddish glow so bright that they had to cover their eyes.
"WASHU!" yelled Tenchi, Ryoko and Skuld simultaneously.
The glow faded to reveal Washu, but a Washu very different than any of them had seen before. The gems were now embedded in her forehead and she had markings on her cheeks. Her eyes were different as well. Instead of their normal brilliant green, that green was now surrounded by bright red. Her form resembled the adult Washu that had teased them on the bridge that day, but she looked older, as if the weight of a universe sat on her shoulders. There was much pain visible in her eyes. Pain and… power.
"Oh Little Washu…" moaned Tenchi, falling to his knees. The others, except for Belldandy and Urd, just stood in shock.
"I… am… I am whole again. I remember. I remember… everything," the new Washu said in a voice that seemed to span the cosmos.
Tsunami's astral form appeared next to Sasami. "Welcome back, sister," she greeted.
"Sisters!" thundered Tokimi. "I have searched long and hard to find you both."
Ryoko shook off the shock first. "M… Mom? My Mom is a… goddess?"
"Yes Ryoko. And I'm still your mother. I'm still the Washu you all knew. But now I'm more. Much more. I had forgotten, but now I remember again."
"Now you know why I called you cousin; your mom's a goddess prime too," Urd said to Ryoko out of the side of her mouth, her eyes still on Washu.
"My Lady Washu, you must do something about Lady Tokimi. We don't have the power to stop her from doing anything she wishes. We need your help, please," implored Belldandy
"You're absolutely right, this'll stop. Right now!" replied goddess Washu, with a touch of her old self coming through. Then with a grin that made her look a lot like the old Washu, she looked up at Tokimi's form. "Hey, Tokimi! Get yer butt down here. We won't talk to you unless you're down here!" She winked at Tsunami. There was a blue flash and more normal sized Tokimi was standing next to Washu and Tsunami.
"Yes, sisters. I am here."
"Like the whole world didn't already know that; nothing like stating the obvious. Now why'd you decide you had to go and disrupt my daughter's wedding?" Washu glared at her.
Urd snickered. "As if she had really planned..." Washu turned and gave her a look. "Oops. Sorry." Urd said, covering her mouth with her hand.
"I missed you, sisters. I need you. Please come back with me." Tokimi pleaded.
"I don't think I want to leave yet. There's still much to experience and explore here," responded Washu.
"And what of my sister Tsunami?"
"Well, Tsunami is bound to this reality for the moment. So she can't leave and I like it here, so I won't leave. Now, you may join us if you want to, but it comes with a cost."
"What cost? Must I become mortal like you did?"
"No, but there are two requirements. The first is that you agree to have your powers sealed, like Tsunami and I."
"And the second?"
"The second is that you ask the permission of these Earth goddesses to stay."
"And if I choose not to?"
"Then you must return to our home plane, or face me. And remember what happened last time you made me mad…"
"What happened?" Ryoko whispered to Urd.
"Well, you know the 'Big Bang' that created this universe?" Urd whispered back.
"No… Really? I thought that your dad…"
"Nope. It's all Washu's fault. It's rumored that she has quite a temper once you get her riled up. My father just created the reality, the space was already here."
"I will… stay, if I am allowed to. I missed you both, it is lonely by myself." Tokimi was saying to Washu.
Washu shook her head. "You guys really need to learn how to use contractions. You all sound like a certain character from Star Trek," she muttered. Louder she said, "I thought you might. Belldandy, can you and your sisters handle the sealing spell? This is your world after all…"
Belldandy nodded and beckoned to Urd and Skuld. The three sisters took up positions around Tokimi and joined hands. They began to chant.
A blue glow formed around Tokimi, when it faded there was a single blue gem floating in the air before her. Her eyes were now red on white instead of the red on blue they had been. She gasped and stumbled forward. "It is not quite what I expected," she said. "I still remember who I am, what I am. And I still have power. I can feel it."
"Yes," said Belldandy, "but most of your power has been confined to the gem, much like Lady Washu's was. If you need it, it will be there, but only under extreme circumstances can you break the seal."
"And who will keep the gem?" Tokimi asked.
"Why, you will determine where it's kept. We trust you, like we trust Lady Washu and Lady Tsunami."
"Speak for yourself," Urd said under her breath.
"Where are Tsunami's gems?" asked Tokimi.
"I will answer that," Tsunami spoke up. "They are contained within the great tree Tsunami on Planet Jurai and are what give all the Juraian trees their power. To break the seal I must return there. And breaking my seal would cause great harm to Jurai, as the trees would lose their power. That is why sister Washu had to deal with you, her seal and power were already here and were not being used except as a focus for Ryoko."
Washu looked at the group gathered before the temple. She smiled and said, "Now for myself. It won't do to have an unsealed goddess prime hanging around. Just look at poor Mara over there, cowering behind those bushes."
"I'm not hiding," came Mara's muffled voice. "I just felt a little tired and decided to take a nap while you resolved your differences."
"Oh, then it's ok if I stay like this?" Washu called to her.
"Oh, um, no. Milady Washu? If you please?" Mara squeaked.
Washu chuckled, the red glow forming around her, but less bright than last time. "There," said Little Washu, reaching out to take the three red gems floating in the air. "Better now?"
"Yeah, much," said Mara, crawling out from under the plants.
Washu put the gems in a subspace pocket. "I suppose they'll be safe enough there, or do you want 'em back Little Ryoko?"
Ryoko was still slightly stunned by the recent events. "Uh, no. You can keep them. I can use my own powers now and I have Tenchi and Ayeka for focus. But Mom?"
"Yes Ryoko?"
"Do you still… you know… remember?"
"Yes, Ryoko. It'll take several millennia for all the memories to fade again, if I want them to that is. Now that my sisters are both here, I may keep them this time. I also kept some of my power, just in case." A small red triangle flashed on her forehead, and then disappeared. She smiled at Tokimi and Tsunami. "Now, I believe we have a ceremony to finish, and with six goddesses present, nothing else should go wrong, right?"
*****
To be continued
