Trouble

Hey, now, thanks for the feedback, so far- so good. Once again, Tenchi Muyo is not mine. The other Char are, so ask permission before use. Any and all relations who think I am using your name... well.. I won't if you won't.

On to the STORY!

Of Secrets and Lies

Chapter 3:

You've got mail or trouble

Tenchi nearly fell flat on his face as he ran through the dense forest behind the shrine. Once again Ayeka and Ryoko had begun to start a fight. And he tried to end it in a diplomatic manor, but they twisted his words and that was the end of it. Now they were trying to force him to choose between them, again. He slowed down, trying to catch his breath, leaning against a tall oak. He looked up, wishing he had planned for this and brought his sketchpad along. The sky had turned a shade of pink, lavender and yellow as the sun began to set. He didn't realize how long he had been running, he thought it was mid-afternoon when the fight started, and now he had to head home for dinner. He ran as twilight began to darken, and the path began to fade out. He didn't worry though because there wasn't and inch of the hills he didn't know that would make him lost. He came upon the back of the shrine, the candles dim inside. Dinner was starting soon, and the thought of disappointing Sasami made him break into a run down the shrine steps. About a quarter of the last set of steps, he saw his grandfather's back. So he wasn't late after all, he thought as called out, "Grandpa!"

His grandfather turned, "Hurry up Tenchi, we have a few minutes before we're late for dinner."

Tenchi nodded as he caught up. It had been two weeks since he had sent his letter to Corbin. Tomorrow, like clockwork, should Corbin's letter be in his mailbox in town.

Dinner ended with Ryoko and Ayeka blasting the back wall on the first floor and Tenchi with a huge migraine as he headed up to bed.

The next day, after doing the chores, avoiding the breakfast fight (which lately lasted only five minutes when he reminded Ryoko of what she promised a few days ago), and had actually walked alone today when Washu caught Ryoko for some early morning test runs. Tenchi stopped into the post office and grabbed the yellow envelope waiting for him. Unlike the other previous letters, which were typed, this one had an elegant kanji script. He paused briefly as he opened the letter, finding the same script. Tenchi leaned against the wall as he read his letter.

Tenchi-

Hope everything's been well. I've gotten back together with my girlfriend, Kitty, and everything well. But listen I need to ask you a very huge favor, even though I know it might cause you pain, distress, and with Ryoko- probably certain death...

Tenchi frowned, what was his friend asking of him, he continued reading.

What I really am asking you is very important. My sister, Jamilah....

The kanji sign read 'pretty pretty' and in parenthesis the roman written name.

Has been asked to work somewhere for at least two weeks. I'm not asking you to take her to your home; I know how upsetting that would be. Actually I am asking just that, and if you would be so kind as to help her adjust to living in Japan. If at least for a few days. I told you allot of what's been going on with her group and all. Weather or not you want to help is up to you. I'm sure she can adjust, but if you decide to meet her...

The rest of the letter stated what time and day his sister would be coming into the airport in Tokyo. Tenchi made a face. He could have asked him anything, except for that. Another girl in the house, he could just imagine it. Two out of six were going to go absolute ballistic and make assumptions at both of them, one would be elated, one would be ditzy and not care, another would decide to put out a full investigation to find out about her, and the other was too much of a workaholic to notice until she sat on her. Tenchi was about to fold the envelope until three pieces slid out. He bent and picked them up. All the pictures had the same girl; two had her with a boy beside her. He studied the ones with the boy first, Corbin with his sister he assumed, and who looked almost alike. With green eyes and wild brown hair you could tell they were related. The other picture had the girl alone on steely gray horse riding bareback. The sunset shined off her body, getting the red highlights glowing from her hair. He looked at her face at her features. She looked alone, and sad in more ways than one as an expanse of red mountains and prairie were the background of such a thought-provoking picture. She looked.... he frowned as he thought this, how he had felt sometimes when he just wanted to be normal. Tenchi then put the letter and the envelope into his school jacket, in a pocket he clumsily sewn on himself.

The rest of the day went in a whirl, with him ending up looking at the way the sun glinted off the lake, he ignored the fight inside the house and thought about a way to tell them that another person was going to stay with them for a few days. Finally the way came to him, he would only tell three people whom he knew could keep a secret long enough so that Ayeka and Ryoko couldn't do anything rash. HE finally decided on His father, grandfather and Sasami. But he would tell them later, like the day before she would arrive. She would spend a week here and if she was staying in Japan longer, help find her a place to live. Yes! The plan was perfect, and with a lot of luck he wouldn't have world war three going on in his home by the end of it.

Lord Katushitio, known once as Yosho, studied his grandson with a calculating eye. Tenchi usually kept, or tried to keep, peace in the household. Unfortunate for today because he seemed to totally ignore Ryoko and Ayeka, who had noticed only after they heard the door slide shut. They settled down instantly and ate quietly, only a few eye daggers were thrown at each other as they wondered what was bothering Tenchi. He decided to let Tenchi come to him for advice.

Tenchi worked hard, trying to get things ready for his visitor without anyone taking any real notice. For three days he kept things secret, until the day before he was to head to Tokyo Airport to meet her. He had flips going in his stomach as he looked toward his grandfather after dinner.

"Grandpa can I talk to you for a moment?" Tenchi motioned that he would like to talk to him away from everyone else. They walked for a while before Tenchi turned around.

"I have a friend who has asked me to help him with something.." he began as he looked up at the sky. The moon was bright, casting a white light through the trees. Katushitio looked at him, waiting for him to continue, and nodded.

"He wants me to help his sister get adjusted to Japan. I've offered to take her in for a week to help he get adjusted. I was wondering if you'd help me?"

"You knew this for awhile didn't you, Tenchi?" Yosho replied, studying his grandson as he nodded. "I can see why you would wait till the last minute. I'll help in anyway I can."

Tenchi smiled and nodded, "Thanks grandpa. She comes in tomorrow." And with that he turned and headed back to the house. However, Yosho nearly had a conniptions fit.

"Tomorrow!!??" he nearly shouted, but realized that no one else knew, otherwise Tenchi would have been running for his life. He hoped that the girls wouldn't go ballistic, it was ruining the good karmic aura that surrounded the shrine, which made people come in and pray, buy charms and such. As of late, very few made the trek. Maybe this was meant to happen, maybe.

Katushitio, known once as first prince of Jurai- Yosho, stared up at the stars and pondered.

*~-_-~*

Jamilah adjusted the huge duffle bag as she went to meet up with customs. It was grueling, and she didn't know whether Tenchi was going to meet her or not. She tugged a lock of hair away from her face as she finished with passports, customs, and her working visa. She grabbed her other, smaller suitcase. A man tried to help her, but she declined his offer, especially when he tried to heave it up and it didn't budge. She smiled as she lifted it with ease and moved towards the exit. The day was absolutely blazing as she stepped close to the exit. She stopped and sat down. Was Tenchi going to show up? How was she going to react? How was he going to react when she told him that she was the ones writing those letters? She scanned the crowd, wondering how she was going to tell apart Tenchi from the rest of the people around her. In order to protect who was really writing to him, they had never sent pictures to each other until she sent her last letter as her brother. Corbin had given her that picture of herself. She had never seen him take the picture at that time. She had gone with Kitty and Corbin on a horseback camping trip where she brought Winter 'Bolt on to give him an endurance run in New Mexico. She felt like a third wheel throughout the entire trip, Trever was not able to come due to his job and that he busted his knee when hiking six month back. And she was feeling very lonely at that time, took off the saddle just to feel the comfort of Winter's body under her. She hoped that it looked like the pictures were meant to identify her, not set her up with him.

She sighed, feeling very antsy. If he didn't show up, she'd have to brave finding the car rental place and a hotel on her own, even if she did know how to read and speak Japanese. Her language skills in this country were still way off, and her manners might be considered atrocious, being that her manners were not practiced often enough. Suddenly she saw someone out of the corner of her eye, he was in jeans and a red shirt, and he was looking down at a picture while trying not to get lost.

Tenchi, had left early that morning, and as he was scanning the crowd his stomach squirmed. He had brought the single picture of Corbin's sister and the horse. He looked and suddenly came upon a young woman, her hair tied back in a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. She had a huge duffle bag and a suitcase nearby, and she looked nervous. He looked at the picture and then at the young woman. She was looking at him too; her eyes were hazel and calm, even though she was biting her lower lip. He walked towards her.

She stood up.

He swallowed, he was never good at approaching girls and her eyes seem to look right through him.

She smiled and bowed her head down slightly. "Hello." she said.

Tenchi swallowed, "Are you Jarirah?"

She giggled, "If it's so hard, try Yam-i-rah" she pronounced phonetically.

Tenchi smiled, a slight flush coming up. "I'm Tenchi Masaki."

Her smile wavered for a quick moment before she replied, "Yes. I know."

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Okay okay how is this coming along? I know it's long and lagging, but please try to be patient, if you'd like review with a suggestion, not a demand. Tell me what you think. Chapter 5 might take a bit longer, but trust me It's only because I had to cut it in half.

*Windshale*