The Seventh Moon Gate
By Kalika-Chan
Hi! Thank you so much for reviewing my story! I hope more people will! Anyway, the Prologue had ended and this is the real story. It takes place 5 years after Tenchi and Ryoko met at school, in Neo Tokyo.
--Chapter Three--
Child Play
Spring was coming. The perfect time for a wedding. Sakuya twisted the ring on her fourth finger. Yes, she was getting married. She would be forever bonded with Tenchi. Sakuya was sitting alone on a park bench, looking around at the surrounding landscape. They could get married here. It was so beautiful. Soft white snow still covered the playground and soon to be green grass. No one was there yet, it was early in the morning and the sky was still dark. She liked to talk long walks in the park of Tokyo. Tenchi wasn't a morning person like her. He hated to get up early. Grumbling and tired, he would drag himself out of bed and head for the bathroom. Sakuya smiled to herself. Didn't they say opposites attract? It certainly worked for them. Things were rough, especially with her mother's death. But everything was fine now. Tenchi was hers, and Ryoko was gone. The spell will last, she promised herself. It had to; or else she would lose Tenchi and everything that was dear to her.
Sakuya preferred not to think about that on such a cheerful day. She sighed and leaned back against the bench. Turning her head and touching the seat next to her, she wished Tenchi was here with her. Her black gloves skimmed the surface. It was pretty icy, and the cool feeling left numbness on her fingers. The thought of winter brought back a memory of school. It must have been five or six years ago, but she remembered it clearly. In English class, they were studying Shakespeare, a powerful and passionate poet and writer. A certain sonnet caught Sakuya's eye. She frowned at the use of words, Shakespeare compared love to a summer's day, but summer didn't last. It turned into fall, then winter, than spring. And back to summer. Was love this way? Did it just go away and come back? She hoped it wasn't. Love was so important. Some say love is the glue that holds this Universe together. Hate divides the line. Love was eternal; summer was not. It was always there, just not all the
time. But, as she thought about it, summer was year-round in some places. Maybe it was always summer in their hearts. She smiled. Love was magical. It was what she needed to complete her life. Tenchi.
A sudden ring startled her out of her daydream. Not realizing what it was at first, Sakuya quickly stood up. She felt a vibration by her leg and looked down. It was her cell phone. Sakuya reached into her back pocket to retrieve it. It itched her butt when she sat down.
"Hello?" She opened it and spoke.
"Sakuya-san, I'm calling to remind you that today is the meeting with Miss. Motisaki. Do you have the designs?" It was Hinae, her boss at work.
"Of course, I'm bringing them to work. I'll be sure to give it to her."
"Ok, I'm sorry for calling so early. Were you sleeping?"
"No, I'm usually awake early. I'm a morning person. It's ok, don't worry about it." Sakuya started walking back to her apartment, getting ready for work.
"That's good. I was just thinking about the designs and panicked. Wish I was a morning person." Hinae laughed a little.
"Well, it's certainly a good thing and bad thing." Sakuya laughed with her. They were close friends. "So, bye. I'll see you later."
"Ok, later." The dial tone echoed in her mind as she opened the door to her floor. Hinae was helping her plan her wedding with Tenchi. Miss. Motisaki was one of Hinae's friends. She had said Miss. Motisaki specialized in weddings and parties. Sakuya wanted just a small private wedding, not a big party with tons of people. Tenchi had wanted the same. They would last. Stepping inside her small apartment, she took off her jacket and went straight to the kitchen to eat. Coffee was a must, an every day thing. She praised the creator of coffee. A small wooden stool stood in the way of the fridge. She pushed it aside and frowned. Wait. She didn't have a kitchen stool. Glancing back at the seat, Sakuya saw it wasn't there. She shook her head. Things were a bit rough. She was busy with everything and stressed out. At least she had the wedding to look forward to.
Giggling like a little girl on her way to work, Sakuya looked at the passing landscapes. Skyscrapers and office buildings occupied most of Tokyo. Tenchi didn't like it. She frowned.
---------------------
Tall, dark, and handsome certainly fit 24 year old Tenchi Masaki. And he was getting married. To the love of his life. Sakuya. There was nothing wrong with her, and he loved her terribly. But the itchy feeling wouldn't go away. It burned through his heart, it messed his mind, but he pushed it away. Why were things getting complicated now? Shadows of doubt crept slowly into his mind like ice melting. He loved her. That's all that matter right now. They would figure things out later.
Yawning, Tenchi pushed the bed covers aside and placed one foot on the ground in front of him. Then the other. He walked to the bathroom and did his daily morning routine. Life was boring.
A buzzer sounded near the living room.
"Hello? Hey, Tenchi, you there?" A meager, yet clear voice spoke through the box at the door. Tenchi pressed the button and answered.
"Keti? It's kind of early in the morning, don't you think?"
"Dude, it's almost 11."
"Oh. Oh well. Come in."
Tenchi opened the door and in a few moment's time, Keti's footsteps sounded up the stairs and he came into view. Tenchi held the door for him as he sauntered in. Keti looked around for a minute, then settled down on Tenchi's sofa, arms spread and slouching. Tenchi closed the door after him and sat down in the kitchen facing his friend.
"What brings you here?" He asked.
"I just came to visit a friend before he got married. You mind?" Keti grinned.
"No, of course not. Why should I?"
"I'm wishing you good luck."
"Thanks."
"But Sakuya...."
"What about Sakuya?" Tenchi became alert. He knew Keti thought Sakuya wasn't for him, yet he didn't try to hook up with her either.
"She's not your type."
"So? How would you know?"
"Tenchi, man. You gotta look at things. You don't like living in Tokyo. She does. You don't like her job. She does. Plain and simple. She's not for you."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I'm just stating what's best for you." Keti grinned again, slowly nodding his head.
Tenchi was starting to become annoyed. Keti was a close friend, but he was strange. They met in high school, even went to the same college. Keti never worried about his future, only Tenchi's. He had dark hair, just like everybody else in Japan, but light brown eyes, different from most. A bit on the short side, he always got his way, including with girls. Keti claimed his parents were dead, and when Tenchi apologized, Keti showed no emotion. He got the impression Keti and his parents weren't close.
"Look, I am going to marry her whether you like it or not. I love Sakuya." For the first time in his life, saying `I love Sakuya' felt weirdly strange to him. It sounded unnatural on his tongue, like sticky ice cream on a hot July day.
Keti looked at him seriously, no longer smiling or grinning. He leaned forward on the sofa; hands clasped in front of him, no longer slouched against the seat.
"She's not for you. You're not for her."
"Shut the hell up. What do you mean?" Tenchi was quite angry by now, what did Keti want from him? He was going marry Sakuya for certain.
This time, Keti's usually light brown eyes clouded bluish gray. "She's not for you." He said again. Tenchi had stopped eating to argue with Keti. He simply stared at Keti, not believing he dared tell him to renounce his marriage to Sakuya. The two looked at each other for a moment. Tenchi with disbelief and shock; Keti with no expression. Finally, Keti got up and walked silently to the door. Tenchi's eyes followed him. As he turned the doorknob and headed out, Tenchi spoke.
"Wait."
Keti turned around. He glanced at Tenchi before walking out the door and shutting it behind him softly. That was one strange kid.
Tenchi had no idea what Keti's warning meant. He didn't know a lot about Keti himself. Tenchi finished his cereal and sighed. Today was Saturday, no work. He might as well sleep for the rest of the day. Frustrated by everything that was going on, he decided to take a walk.
-----------------------
Outside was cold, he concluded. It was almost spring, but winter had made its grand appearance and it was just beginning. He stuck his hands in his pockets and walked around Konton Park. Tenchi was surprised at how many people were there at this time for year. Most were walking like him, with pets or small children. They all seemed so happy and carefree. Emotions swept over him as he remembered high school. He didn't want to. Maybe Keti had reasons. Tenchi was more shocked at him than pissed off. Keti was carefree.
"Tenchi."
Tenchi was startled by the voice calling his name. He looked up to see Takashi and Yamazaki headed towards him. Two old friends of his. Tenchi smiled.
"Hey, how you two been?" Tenchi hugged them both.
"Great. You?"
"Same here."
"Yeah, well, we need to catch up." From as long as Tenchi had known Yamazaki, he hardly every spoke, but people knew what he meant.
"Of course. I'm free today. Sakuya has to work late."
Takashi and Yamazaki smiled at each other.
"We have the perfect idea. A bachelor party."
"Really? Shouldn't we ask Sakuya first?"
"Oh, come on, Tenchi. You're going to be married soon. You won't be able to go to strip clubs anymore. You can't look at other woman's chest. Losing your single status. Last night you're going to be a man. Right, Yamazaki?"
Yamasaki grinned and nodded. He liked that idea too.
Tenchi sighed. "Tonight?"
"Sure thing. We'll be at the new Sakura Sekai Club. Bye." They walked off, waving to Tenchi.
He smiled weakly and lifted his arm. Tenchi shook his head and headed home. His walk was over.
-----------------------
He sighed and shook his head. He should never have come. Minutes went by as they waited outside the door of Sakura Sekai. Takashi tried to stir up conversation, but it was awfully cold outside. A guard came out and finally let them in. It wasn't that Tenchi didn't like strip clubs, he didn't see a point in them. But he agreed to come and he couldn't back out now. They entered and the room was filled with pink and blue lights. He couldn't see a thing. Why did they have to come here? Couches were bright red and there were girls in bikinis all over. A stage made of wood was perched in the center in the back with three metal poles and girls dancing. The smell of liquor choked the air. The place was loud, din, and messy. Men were crowded around the bar, drinking heavily and tossing money at the strippers. People were laughing and having the greatest time, but Tenchi sure wasn't. He looked over at his two friends who had dragged him here. They each had their arms around a couple
girls and were enjoying this.
Tenchi settled himself down in one of the gigantic red couches. He propped his head up with arm, his face half hidden by his fist. Watching a girl with light blue hair sharing a drink with Takashi and Yamazaki, he was suddenly thrown into Déjà Vu. No, he didn't know any blue-haired girls. Most people in Japan had jet-black hair and brown eyes. Some had dyed hair. Tenchi shook his head. He wasn't thinking straight. How could he? He was in a strip joint, for Pete's sake.
A nice pair of tanned legs passed in front of him. Tenchi looked up to see a cute redhead wearing too much makeup. She grinned down at him and climbed into his lap. Tenchi stared at her and was quite shocked. And then she spoke in a clear, loud voice.
"Heyy. You're cute! Wanna free dance?" She sure giggled an awful lot. Tenchi tried to get her off of him, but she leaned in and licked his ear. He was disgusted.
"Well?" She asked again.
"Get away from me." He muttered under his breath as he feebly pushed her away. Tenchi quickly got up and away.
He ended up at the bar drinking a small glass of martini. Slowly as ever, Tenchi lifted the glass to his lips and listened to the noise behind him. Snitches of conversation were caught as he tried to shut them out. He looked around for Takashi and Yamazaki, but they were no where to be found. The bartender must have noticed Tenchi in his current state. He was passing out drinks and wiping the table. Dawdling, as if he didn't want to, he strolled over to the handsome young man. Hosama watched him for a while. Tenchi kept staring into his glass.
"So, what's a lonely guy to do without a girlfriend?"
"Huh?" Tenchi looked up to see the bartender looking at him. He had stopped wiping the table.
"You bored?" He asked.
"You could say that. Although my friends clearly aren't."
"Why? There's plenty of girls here. You could get lucky."
"On, no. I'm not looking for a girlfriend. I'm getting married."
"Married? Wow, you seem young. Name?"
"Well, her name's Sakuya and she's-"
"I meant your name." He chuckled.
"Tenchi. Tenchi Masaki."
"Hosama Shakado." The two men shook hands. Tenchi noted his eyes incredibly resembled Keti's. He was about to say something when his two friends came over. Tenchi greeted and asked to go.
"Already? But we just got here."
"You guys can hang here if you want, but I'm going." Without another word, Tenchi got up and left.
-----------------------
He stepped out onto the balcony of his apartment. It was dark outside and the moon was full. He signed, resting his hands on the wooden railing. The night air was cool and calm, absolutely no wind, not even a small breeze. It was a good time to think, something he hadn't been able to do quietly for a long time. Time at the shrine, time at work, and now, it's even harder with Sakuya. She was working late today. He never imagined his life would turn out the way it did. Being married to Sakuya was one thing, but they had also moved to Tokyo. He had preferred the quite of his Okayama home. Life was strange that way and had no point. Sometimes it felt like the world was a big nothing. And they were there, with lives granted to them. Kali is the Destroyer, but she also destroyed evil. She is the Darkness, she creates it, but she can also create Light from the Dark. Keti said he had met Kali Ma once, in a dream. The Goddess came to him, in her deadly form. She had skulls hanging
around her waist like a belt. Fangs peeked out of her mouth, covered with blood. They say she is bloodthirsty. Her skin was dark, but not black like the all the legends say. Keti had walked up to her, and say the Universe in her eyes. He saw the thirsty look, the deadly sin. Her eyes were dark, and they were filled with galaxies, endless stars, heaven, and hells. At the end of each Kali Yuga, Great Fires and Floods destroy the Universe. Then it is reborn again. Tenchi chose not to get involved. He was spiritual, but not very religious. Maybe there was no Gods, no God at all. Maybe there was.
Tenchi blinked. He looked down at the sidewalk below his balcony. A single lampost was on. The night was mysterious and eerie. Wrinkles appeared on his forehead as he looked more carefully.
There was a girl there, about his age. No, a woman. And a beautiful one too. She was leaning against the dim light with her back to it. The woman, possible the most gorgeous thing in creation was looking at him. Looking very sexy with her arms and legs crossed, she lifted her head and met his eyes. This *girl *, she was more like, had spiked cyan hair down to her waist and curled in at the tips. Absolutely stunning. Dad would've called her a `blue blonde'. Her eyes shone golden amber that seemed to light up the dark sky. Beautiful. That was Tenchi's first reaction. She was beautiful.
Suddenly, she smiled at him. And then she winked and was gone. Just like that. The feeling of Déjà vu came again, but it went away as fast as it came.
Tenchi back away from the balcony slowly, disbelieving his eyes. Did he just see Ryoko? Who was Ryoko, anyway? The name popped into his mind, but it shrank back into its far, far corner, once again forgotten as the spell intended. He signed. He was seeing things. Tenchi walked back to the edge of the balcony and leaned down. There was no one there.
Slowly, he opened the glass door to his bedroom. And then he heard it.
A soft voice spoke his name. It was gentle, like rain falling onto him. Nothing could compare to the beauty of that voice. Tenchi had heard it before, but he didn't recognize it. He turned around anyway and saw no one, but he felt her presence. Feeling like a fool, he stood there for a moment. She came to him. She spoke, but he didn't hear.
He tried to talk to her, but a pair of rosy lips touched his and he was lost.
A/N: Sorry this chapter took me so long to write. I've been feeling down lately and haven't felt up to writing. Kali, of course, is me, Kalika, and she is real. She's a Hindu Goddess in India, whom is greatly worshiped in Calcutta. She may be evil, but she does destroy evil, so she is not pure evil to some belief.
By Kalika-Chan
Hi! Thank you so much for reviewing my story! I hope more people will! Anyway, the Prologue had ended and this is the real story. It takes place 5 years after Tenchi and Ryoko met at school, in Neo Tokyo.
--Chapter Three--
Child Play
Spring was coming. The perfect time for a wedding. Sakuya twisted the ring on her fourth finger. Yes, she was getting married. She would be forever bonded with Tenchi. Sakuya was sitting alone on a park bench, looking around at the surrounding landscape. They could get married here. It was so beautiful. Soft white snow still covered the playground and soon to be green grass. No one was there yet, it was early in the morning and the sky was still dark. She liked to talk long walks in the park of Tokyo. Tenchi wasn't a morning person like her. He hated to get up early. Grumbling and tired, he would drag himself out of bed and head for the bathroom. Sakuya smiled to herself. Didn't they say opposites attract? It certainly worked for them. Things were rough, especially with her mother's death. But everything was fine now. Tenchi was hers, and Ryoko was gone. The spell will last, she promised herself. It had to; or else she would lose Tenchi and everything that was dear to her.
Sakuya preferred not to think about that on such a cheerful day. She sighed and leaned back against the bench. Turning her head and touching the seat next to her, she wished Tenchi was here with her. Her black gloves skimmed the surface. It was pretty icy, and the cool feeling left numbness on her fingers. The thought of winter brought back a memory of school. It must have been five or six years ago, but she remembered it clearly. In English class, they were studying Shakespeare, a powerful and passionate poet and writer. A certain sonnet caught Sakuya's eye. She frowned at the use of words, Shakespeare compared love to a summer's day, but summer didn't last. It turned into fall, then winter, than spring. And back to summer. Was love this way? Did it just go away and come back? She hoped it wasn't. Love was so important. Some say love is the glue that holds this Universe together. Hate divides the line. Love was eternal; summer was not. It was always there, just not all the
time. But, as she thought about it, summer was year-round in some places. Maybe it was always summer in their hearts. She smiled. Love was magical. It was what she needed to complete her life. Tenchi.
A sudden ring startled her out of her daydream. Not realizing what it was at first, Sakuya quickly stood up. She felt a vibration by her leg and looked down. It was her cell phone. Sakuya reached into her back pocket to retrieve it. It itched her butt when she sat down.
"Hello?" She opened it and spoke.
"Sakuya-san, I'm calling to remind you that today is the meeting with Miss. Motisaki. Do you have the designs?" It was Hinae, her boss at work.
"Of course, I'm bringing them to work. I'll be sure to give it to her."
"Ok, I'm sorry for calling so early. Were you sleeping?"
"No, I'm usually awake early. I'm a morning person. It's ok, don't worry about it." Sakuya started walking back to her apartment, getting ready for work.
"That's good. I was just thinking about the designs and panicked. Wish I was a morning person." Hinae laughed a little.
"Well, it's certainly a good thing and bad thing." Sakuya laughed with her. They were close friends. "So, bye. I'll see you later."
"Ok, later." The dial tone echoed in her mind as she opened the door to her floor. Hinae was helping her plan her wedding with Tenchi. Miss. Motisaki was one of Hinae's friends. She had said Miss. Motisaki specialized in weddings and parties. Sakuya wanted just a small private wedding, not a big party with tons of people. Tenchi had wanted the same. They would last. Stepping inside her small apartment, she took off her jacket and went straight to the kitchen to eat. Coffee was a must, an every day thing. She praised the creator of coffee. A small wooden stool stood in the way of the fridge. She pushed it aside and frowned. Wait. She didn't have a kitchen stool. Glancing back at the seat, Sakuya saw it wasn't there. She shook her head. Things were a bit rough. She was busy with everything and stressed out. At least she had the wedding to look forward to.
Giggling like a little girl on her way to work, Sakuya looked at the passing landscapes. Skyscrapers and office buildings occupied most of Tokyo. Tenchi didn't like it. She frowned.
---------------------
Tall, dark, and handsome certainly fit 24 year old Tenchi Masaki. And he was getting married. To the love of his life. Sakuya. There was nothing wrong with her, and he loved her terribly. But the itchy feeling wouldn't go away. It burned through his heart, it messed his mind, but he pushed it away. Why were things getting complicated now? Shadows of doubt crept slowly into his mind like ice melting. He loved her. That's all that matter right now. They would figure things out later.
Yawning, Tenchi pushed the bed covers aside and placed one foot on the ground in front of him. Then the other. He walked to the bathroom and did his daily morning routine. Life was boring.
A buzzer sounded near the living room.
"Hello? Hey, Tenchi, you there?" A meager, yet clear voice spoke through the box at the door. Tenchi pressed the button and answered.
"Keti? It's kind of early in the morning, don't you think?"
"Dude, it's almost 11."
"Oh. Oh well. Come in."
Tenchi opened the door and in a few moment's time, Keti's footsteps sounded up the stairs and he came into view. Tenchi held the door for him as he sauntered in. Keti looked around for a minute, then settled down on Tenchi's sofa, arms spread and slouching. Tenchi closed the door after him and sat down in the kitchen facing his friend.
"What brings you here?" He asked.
"I just came to visit a friend before he got married. You mind?" Keti grinned.
"No, of course not. Why should I?"
"I'm wishing you good luck."
"Thanks."
"But Sakuya...."
"What about Sakuya?" Tenchi became alert. He knew Keti thought Sakuya wasn't for him, yet he didn't try to hook up with her either.
"She's not your type."
"So? How would you know?"
"Tenchi, man. You gotta look at things. You don't like living in Tokyo. She does. You don't like her job. She does. Plain and simple. She's not for you."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. I'm just stating what's best for you." Keti grinned again, slowly nodding his head.
Tenchi was starting to become annoyed. Keti was a close friend, but he was strange. They met in high school, even went to the same college. Keti never worried about his future, only Tenchi's. He had dark hair, just like everybody else in Japan, but light brown eyes, different from most. A bit on the short side, he always got his way, including with girls. Keti claimed his parents were dead, and when Tenchi apologized, Keti showed no emotion. He got the impression Keti and his parents weren't close.
"Look, I am going to marry her whether you like it or not. I love Sakuya." For the first time in his life, saying `I love Sakuya' felt weirdly strange to him. It sounded unnatural on his tongue, like sticky ice cream on a hot July day.
Keti looked at him seriously, no longer smiling or grinning. He leaned forward on the sofa; hands clasped in front of him, no longer slouched against the seat.
"She's not for you. You're not for her."
"Shut the hell up. What do you mean?" Tenchi was quite angry by now, what did Keti want from him? He was going marry Sakuya for certain.
This time, Keti's usually light brown eyes clouded bluish gray. "She's not for you." He said again. Tenchi had stopped eating to argue with Keti. He simply stared at Keti, not believing he dared tell him to renounce his marriage to Sakuya. The two looked at each other for a moment. Tenchi with disbelief and shock; Keti with no expression. Finally, Keti got up and walked silently to the door. Tenchi's eyes followed him. As he turned the doorknob and headed out, Tenchi spoke.
"Wait."
Keti turned around. He glanced at Tenchi before walking out the door and shutting it behind him softly. That was one strange kid.
Tenchi had no idea what Keti's warning meant. He didn't know a lot about Keti himself. Tenchi finished his cereal and sighed. Today was Saturday, no work. He might as well sleep for the rest of the day. Frustrated by everything that was going on, he decided to take a walk.
-----------------------
Outside was cold, he concluded. It was almost spring, but winter had made its grand appearance and it was just beginning. He stuck his hands in his pockets and walked around Konton Park. Tenchi was surprised at how many people were there at this time for year. Most were walking like him, with pets or small children. They all seemed so happy and carefree. Emotions swept over him as he remembered high school. He didn't want to. Maybe Keti had reasons. Tenchi was more shocked at him than pissed off. Keti was carefree.
"Tenchi."
Tenchi was startled by the voice calling his name. He looked up to see Takashi and Yamazaki headed towards him. Two old friends of his. Tenchi smiled.
"Hey, how you two been?" Tenchi hugged them both.
"Great. You?"
"Same here."
"Yeah, well, we need to catch up." From as long as Tenchi had known Yamazaki, he hardly every spoke, but people knew what he meant.
"Of course. I'm free today. Sakuya has to work late."
Takashi and Yamazaki smiled at each other.
"We have the perfect idea. A bachelor party."
"Really? Shouldn't we ask Sakuya first?"
"Oh, come on, Tenchi. You're going to be married soon. You won't be able to go to strip clubs anymore. You can't look at other woman's chest. Losing your single status. Last night you're going to be a man. Right, Yamazaki?"
Yamasaki grinned and nodded. He liked that idea too.
Tenchi sighed. "Tonight?"
"Sure thing. We'll be at the new Sakura Sekai Club. Bye." They walked off, waving to Tenchi.
He smiled weakly and lifted his arm. Tenchi shook his head and headed home. His walk was over.
-----------------------
He sighed and shook his head. He should never have come. Minutes went by as they waited outside the door of Sakura Sekai. Takashi tried to stir up conversation, but it was awfully cold outside. A guard came out and finally let them in. It wasn't that Tenchi didn't like strip clubs, he didn't see a point in them. But he agreed to come and he couldn't back out now. They entered and the room was filled with pink and blue lights. He couldn't see a thing. Why did they have to come here? Couches were bright red and there were girls in bikinis all over. A stage made of wood was perched in the center in the back with three metal poles and girls dancing. The smell of liquor choked the air. The place was loud, din, and messy. Men were crowded around the bar, drinking heavily and tossing money at the strippers. People were laughing and having the greatest time, but Tenchi sure wasn't. He looked over at his two friends who had dragged him here. They each had their arms around a couple
girls and were enjoying this.
Tenchi settled himself down in one of the gigantic red couches. He propped his head up with arm, his face half hidden by his fist. Watching a girl with light blue hair sharing a drink with Takashi and Yamazaki, he was suddenly thrown into Déjà Vu. No, he didn't know any blue-haired girls. Most people in Japan had jet-black hair and brown eyes. Some had dyed hair. Tenchi shook his head. He wasn't thinking straight. How could he? He was in a strip joint, for Pete's sake.
A nice pair of tanned legs passed in front of him. Tenchi looked up to see a cute redhead wearing too much makeup. She grinned down at him and climbed into his lap. Tenchi stared at her and was quite shocked. And then she spoke in a clear, loud voice.
"Heyy. You're cute! Wanna free dance?" She sure giggled an awful lot. Tenchi tried to get her off of him, but she leaned in and licked his ear. He was disgusted.
"Well?" She asked again.
"Get away from me." He muttered under his breath as he feebly pushed her away. Tenchi quickly got up and away.
He ended up at the bar drinking a small glass of martini. Slowly as ever, Tenchi lifted the glass to his lips and listened to the noise behind him. Snitches of conversation were caught as he tried to shut them out. He looked around for Takashi and Yamazaki, but they were no where to be found. The bartender must have noticed Tenchi in his current state. He was passing out drinks and wiping the table. Dawdling, as if he didn't want to, he strolled over to the handsome young man. Hosama watched him for a while. Tenchi kept staring into his glass.
"So, what's a lonely guy to do without a girlfriend?"
"Huh?" Tenchi looked up to see the bartender looking at him. He had stopped wiping the table.
"You bored?" He asked.
"You could say that. Although my friends clearly aren't."
"Why? There's plenty of girls here. You could get lucky."
"On, no. I'm not looking for a girlfriend. I'm getting married."
"Married? Wow, you seem young. Name?"
"Well, her name's Sakuya and she's-"
"I meant your name." He chuckled.
"Tenchi. Tenchi Masaki."
"Hosama Shakado." The two men shook hands. Tenchi noted his eyes incredibly resembled Keti's. He was about to say something when his two friends came over. Tenchi greeted and asked to go.
"Already? But we just got here."
"You guys can hang here if you want, but I'm going." Without another word, Tenchi got up and left.
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He stepped out onto the balcony of his apartment. It was dark outside and the moon was full. He signed, resting his hands on the wooden railing. The night air was cool and calm, absolutely no wind, not even a small breeze. It was a good time to think, something he hadn't been able to do quietly for a long time. Time at the shrine, time at work, and now, it's even harder with Sakuya. She was working late today. He never imagined his life would turn out the way it did. Being married to Sakuya was one thing, but they had also moved to Tokyo. He had preferred the quite of his Okayama home. Life was strange that way and had no point. Sometimes it felt like the world was a big nothing. And they were there, with lives granted to them. Kali is the Destroyer, but she also destroyed evil. She is the Darkness, she creates it, but she can also create Light from the Dark. Keti said he had met Kali Ma once, in a dream. The Goddess came to him, in her deadly form. She had skulls hanging
around her waist like a belt. Fangs peeked out of her mouth, covered with blood. They say she is bloodthirsty. Her skin was dark, but not black like the all the legends say. Keti had walked up to her, and say the Universe in her eyes. He saw the thirsty look, the deadly sin. Her eyes were dark, and they were filled with galaxies, endless stars, heaven, and hells. At the end of each Kali Yuga, Great Fires and Floods destroy the Universe. Then it is reborn again. Tenchi chose not to get involved. He was spiritual, but not very religious. Maybe there was no Gods, no God at all. Maybe there was.
Tenchi blinked. He looked down at the sidewalk below his balcony. A single lampost was on. The night was mysterious and eerie. Wrinkles appeared on his forehead as he looked more carefully.
There was a girl there, about his age. No, a woman. And a beautiful one too. She was leaning against the dim light with her back to it. The woman, possible the most gorgeous thing in creation was looking at him. Looking very sexy with her arms and legs crossed, she lifted her head and met his eyes. This *girl *, she was more like, had spiked cyan hair down to her waist and curled in at the tips. Absolutely stunning. Dad would've called her a `blue blonde'. Her eyes shone golden amber that seemed to light up the dark sky. Beautiful. That was Tenchi's first reaction. She was beautiful.
Suddenly, she smiled at him. And then she winked and was gone. Just like that. The feeling of Déjà vu came again, but it went away as fast as it came.
Tenchi back away from the balcony slowly, disbelieving his eyes. Did he just see Ryoko? Who was Ryoko, anyway? The name popped into his mind, but it shrank back into its far, far corner, once again forgotten as the spell intended. He signed. He was seeing things. Tenchi walked back to the edge of the balcony and leaned down. There was no one there.
Slowly, he opened the glass door to his bedroom. And then he heard it.
A soft voice spoke his name. It was gentle, like rain falling onto him. Nothing could compare to the beauty of that voice. Tenchi had heard it before, but he didn't recognize it. He turned around anyway and saw no one, but he felt her presence. Feeling like a fool, he stood there for a moment. She came to him. She spoke, but he didn't hear.
He tried to talk to her, but a pair of rosy lips touched his and he was lost.
A/N: Sorry this chapter took me so long to write. I've been feeling down lately and haven't felt up to writing. Kali, of course, is me, Kalika, and she is real. She's a Hindu Goddess in India, whom is greatly worshiped in Calcutta. She may be evil, but she does destroy evil, so she is not pure evil to some belief.