"Tenchi Muyo!" and all characters herein are the property of Pioneer and AIC, save those created by the author.  "Ah! My Goddess!" is also the property of Pioneer.  This is a fanfic, and is not for profit.

Tenchi Muyo!

-Odyssey-

Chapter Thirty-three

All Good Things…by William Nichols

            Tenchi awoke to the feeling of someone playing with the slight stubble on the side if his face.  A hushed giggle instantly gave away the identity of the suspected culprit.  Just a few short weeks ago such an awaking would have sent him through the roof in a semi-alarmed tirade at that suspected culprit.  Tenchi smiled.  Now that suspected culprit was sharing his bed with him.  "Are you awake?" Ryoko purred softly into his ear.

            "I am now," Tenchi said with a hint of feigned annoyance in his voice.

            "Good," Ryoko purred before she kissed his cheek.  "But I was enjoying watching you sleep." 

            Tenchi shifted his body around to where he was facing his smiling love.  "You still do that?" he asked somewhat surprised.

            "Yeah," Ryoko said, her finger tracing the outline of his jaw.  "I feel at peace when I know you're safe, my Tenchi." 

            "I feel at peace with you just being here," Tenchi said as he drew Ryoko into a good morning kiss.  "And I'll never let anything happen to you again."

            "I know," Ryoko said contently.  Her Tenchi had matured so much over the ordeal that was the Odyssey.  A shy, almost reclusive boy had walked thru the door of the Odyssey, but he did not come back.  From her perch in the nether realm Ryoko watched an unsure young man fight across alien worlds and celestial temples to save her.  And when the young man returned from that final temple, his own demons vanquished, he was no longer a shy, almost reclusive young man.  He was a man in every right now.  Of course it did take a little prodding from her mother to carry out Ryoko's fairytale awakening, but she had been planning that moment for the better part of two weeks.  And what an awakening it was, Ryoko thought.

            "Huh?" Tenchi muttered as he sensed a feeling of cold from Ryoko across their burgeoning empathic bond.  But a second later it was replaced by the warmth of her love that he come to find so comforting in the past few days.

            "Just remembering," Ryoko said softly.   "I would have given anything to be by your side during that mess," she said honestly. 

            "You were," Tenchi replied, taking her hand and drawing it close to his heart as he did so.  "You were with me every second of the way."

            He's wide open now…Ryoko thought mischievously.  "Even when Ayeka had you where she wanted you back on that one planet?" she asked with a hint of uncertainty and hurt in her voice.  How will he handle this one?

            "Whose name did I say when I got that lump on the side of my head?" he playfully shot back as those embarrassing memories flooded back to him.  How could I have been that dumb!  I deserved that lump on my head, the slap from Sasami, and a whole lot more!  "I screwed up big.  All I can do is apologize again and promise my heart to you."

            "You are forgiven," Ryoko said lightly as she leaned forward to kiss him on the lips.  "Just don't ever let it happen again," she said in all earnestness, showing a hint of fang. 

            Tenchi nodded.  "I am yours: heart, mind, and soul," Tenchi said pressing her hand to his heart again.

            "Stay that way," Ryoko cooed.  "I wouldn't have you any other way."  A quiet moment passed between them.  Nothing else needed to be said.  The both of them just lay there.  The warmth emanating from their empathic bond was enough to know that what had been said, was meant. 

This new level of bonding had appeared after their return from Aescheron's citadel.  Much to their surprise the morning after their 'victory celebration,' they awoke to each other's emotions.  After a quick exam from a still red-faced Washu, she had two announcements for them.  The bond was the first one, and she predicted that over time it would grow into a full-blown mental link.

The other announcement was that their powers were dissipating.  Washu's models showed that over a similar period of time their powers would slowly fade away.  Even the ones Ryoko had been born with.  They would be normal.  After a brief moment of shock that the both of them shared over the fledgling link, Ryoko threw herself onto Tenchi in tears.  When Washu and Tenchi had finally calmed her enough to speak, Ryoko told them that this did not sadden her.  Ever since she first saw Tenchi as a child, all she wanted was to have a normal life with him.  Finally, Ryoko had been granted her wish.

"I'm cold," Ryoko, said snuggling a little closer to Tenchi.  This was the one downside to the loss of her powers, but Tenchi knew this as well.   Ryoko purred happily as Tenchi wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled up to his chest.  "Much better," she said happily.

"We'll have to get out of bed sometime," Tenchi said forlornly.  Truth be known, he wanted to stay just as he was forever. 

"But your so warm," Ryoko replied.  "And it's so-o-o-o-o cold out side."

"I know," Tenchi sighed.  "But we don't want Dad or your Mom coming to wake us up like they did the other day."

Ryoko winced as the memories of Nobuyuki and Washu bursting into the bedroom with loaded camcorders as she and Tenchi were sharing a moment.  "I still haven't found all those tapes yet," she sighed.

"We'll get them," Tenchi said with a chuckle.  He just hoped that the remainders didn't get distributed around the galaxy.  "But I'm more worried about what grandpa will do if I don't finish getting the shrine back in one piece."

"I knew that he'd be pissed when he saw that mess," Ryoko said.

"Yeah, but we're going to leave the painting for Ayeka and Marnot when they return from Jurai."

"I miss them," Ryoko sighed.  I must be going soft!  Did I just say that I miss Ayeka?

"We all do," Tenchi said, pulling Ryoko closer to him as he felt the sensation of worry across the bond.  "But it's better that they go see their parents than they come here."  Ryoko sighed into his chest.  "Remember what happened last time the royal family showed up here?"

"How can I forget," Ryoko whined.  "If I had to say: 'I'm sorry pretty young lady' one more time, I think that I would've barfed!"

"Misaki's not that bad," Tenchi laughed.

"Listen bub," Ryoko playfully growled, "you weren't the one she mistook for Sasami, or redecorated the walls with!"

"I see your point, but we still have to get up sometime this morning," Tenchi prodded.

"You go," Ryoko said, rolling over and wrapping up in the blankets.  "It's too cold out there and I refuse.  Nope.  No way.  No how."

This will get her up, Tenchi thought.  "Fine.  Suit yourself, but I was headed to the Onsen," he said as he swung his feet off the bed.  "And since you wanna sleep in, I don't guess you'd care to join me."

Damn he's good! Ryoko cursed inwardly.  "I coming," she said peeling the covers away to reveal what little she had been sleeping in.  Tenchi's face reddened a bit when he saw the portion of Ryoko's legs that the black tee shirt did not cover.  "I think I can manage one last teleport," Ryoko said, placing an arm around Tenchi.

"Are you sure?  I don't want you to hurt yourself," Tenchi said in all honesty.

"I'm not normal yet," she playfully jabbed back.  "But I'm getting there."  With a smile, Ryoko scrunched her face in concentration and the two of them blinked out of Tenchi's room for the final time.

* * *

            "We're almost finished," Katsuhito said as he sipped a steaming cup of tea.  For the better part of the day Tenchi had been repairing the outer wall of the shrine office that he and Aescheron had destroyed in their duel.  One more board nailed in place and the demolished wall would be as good as new.

            "What's this 'we' stuff?" Tenchi mumbled under his breath as he drove the final nails.

            "I am with you in spirit my son," Katsuhito said after another sip from his tea.  "And at times the spirit can be stronger than the body." 

Tenchi cringed.  How does he always do that?  "Yes sensei," Tenchi apologized.  The last nail driven, he wiped his brow with his forearm and stepped back to admire his handy work.  "That should do it," Tenchi said.

Katsuhito rose from his perch atop the low steps that led to the portico and inspected his grandson's handy work.  Tenchi watched nervously as the elder Masaki eyed the patched work suspiciously. After giving the boards a few good wraps, Katsuhito nodded.  "This will do nicely."

"Many thanks," Tenchi said while bowing reverently to his grandfather.  "Your words honor me."

"Your actions have honored your family name," Katsuhito said placing a hand on Tenchi's shoulder.  "You have redeemed an old mans folly."

"You really wanted to be champion?" Tenchi asked of his grandfather as he was ushered inside.

"At one point in my life I did," Katsuhito spoke, with an air of remorse in his voice.  "But unlike you I was arrogant and brash.  I wanted to be champion for personal gain and glory.  I could see it so clearly in my mind.  If I became the fabled champion the people would put aside their prejudices and accept me as their rightful heir.   And I was willing to do anything to achieve that misbegotten goal."

Tenchi nodded.  "Ayeka was your sacrifice, was she not?" he asked out of the blue.

Katsuhito sighed.  "As I said, it was the folly of youth.  I could not see the love she had for me beyond that one has for a beloved sibling.  And in punishment I have to live with that knowledge for the rest of my days."

Tenchi nodded as a cup of steaming tea was passed to him.  "I'd say it all worked out in the end," he said puffing the wisps of steam away from his beverage.  "Who knows what might of happened if things had not happened the way they did.  Everything has a purpose."

"You are wise beyond your years," Katsuhito said fondly.  "You will make an excellent shrine keeper."

"That's all I want," Tenchi agreed.  "A quiet existence for me and Ryoko." Katsuhito laughed and shook his head.  "What?" asked a somewhat perplexed Tenchi.

"Young love," Katsuhito chuckled with a gleam in his eye that hinted to past experiences.  "And to think a month ago such an open show of affection from you was as alien as the women who share our home."

"I wasn't that bad," Tenchi asked in disbelief.  "Was I?"  Surely I wasn't, was I?

"Yes.  You were," Katsuhito laughed.  "Your father and I were beginning to wonder if you would ever show any affection towards Ryoko or not."

"That obvious huh?"  Could everyone see it but me?

"You were a child then, but all things change.  And all things have a reason."

Tenchi sighed.  "Even the loss of my Jurai power?"

"Yes.  But I would not worry," Katsuhito comforted.  "Everything serves a purpose, remember?"

"I can barely ignite the master key now," Tenchi continued.  "And I haven't been able to form the Lighthawk wings for about a week."

"Such things are not necessary in everyday life," Katsuhito said calmly.  "I suspect that if you truly needed them, they would have been left to you."

"But I can't help thinking about what happened to my mother when she lost her Jurai power," Tenchi said with a tremor to his voice.  "I don't want to leave Ryoko like mom left us."

"As I said," Katsuhito said, placing a hand on Tenchi's shoulder, "I would not worry.  You have three deities and the Elder watching over you.  I suspect that your lives will be long and prosperous."

"Thanks grandpa," Tenchi said with a lopsided smile.  "I just want everyone to be proud of me.  I don't want to let anyone down."

"I know my daughter is so proud of you right now."  Tenchi pulled back to look into his grandfathers maroon eyes.  "Because I am."

* * *

"Come in Little Ryoko," Washu said in answer to the wrap on the trans-dimensional door to her lab.  Ryoko took a deep breath and hesitantly entered the lab.  The two weeks she spent in stasis in there was more than enough time in her book.  "I'm over here," Washu called out.  Ryoko squinted in the dim light.  Finally she saw the illuminated area where Washu's workstation was located.  "Come to visit your poor mother?" Washu playfully jabbed.  "I'm honored."

"Very funny mom," Ryoko growled.

"Well I am," Washu said drawing her daughter in to a bear hug.  "Usually Tenchi is the only one who gets to spend any quality time with you these days."

"I'm closing off our link!" Ryoko protested as Washu clasped her hands under her chin and batted her eyelashes.

"And I'm thankful for that," Washu laughed.  "There are some things that a mother should never have to see their daughter doing."

"You were the one who came snooping," Ryoko defended.  "Besides," she countered, "who had the video camera the other morning?"

"Who left their end of the link open?" Washu said.  Ryoko stuck her tongue out at Washu.  "Now, now, Little Ryoko. Speaking of links, how's your and Tenchi's developing?"

"It's still pretty much empathic right now," Ryoko said as she poked at one of Washu's experiments.  It was a green gelatinous mass with what seemed to be a mouth at one end.  "I hope that it turns into a full blown link one day."  Ryoko jerked her hand back as the experiment tried to bite her.

"Don't provoke it dearie," Washu warned, "I haven't developed an anti-venom yet."  Ryoko carefully backed away as the mass settled back into its specimen dish.   "I expect that in a few months that you two will share a full link.  Also, how are you doing?"

Ryoko blinked a few times before she realized Washu's question.  "Oh," she gasped.  "I'm doing fine, I guess.  Flying is becoming really difficult and I think I teleported for the last time today."

Washu "uh-huh-ed" as she made note of what Ryoko was saying in her logbook. "Anything else?"

"It's cold out side," Ryoko added, hugging herself.

Washu looked her up and down.  How anybody could be cold when they were wearing a wool sweater and blue jeans was beyond her.  But then again, until now Ryoko had been impervious to the elements.  "Your system will stabilize soon, I promise," Washu said as she waved a beeping, glowing green wand over Ryoko's head that seemed to appear from nowhere.

"Stop that," Ryoko hissed as she batted the wand away. 

"Just checking," Washu said as she tossed the wand over her shoulder.  A little black hole opened up and swallowed the wand before it hit the floor.  "I suspect the two of you will be just fine."

"Any better ideas as to why this happened?" Ryoko asked as the gelatin creature shifted in its dish, prompting the former pirate to scoot even further away.

"Near as I can tell," Washu began, placing a lid on the specimen dish, "It's similar to what happened to Lady Achika.  The two of you funneled so much energy to turn back what Aescheron had set into motion.  Add in the Elder removing their essence from Tenchi and your power devolved back to us, and you get a pretty good idea of what happened.  But I suspect the biggest clue is that when the Elder told Tenchi that the two of you would live your lives in peace."

"Kinda like a reward for dragging your tails out of the fire, huh?" Ryoko said with a half-hearted smirk.

"You could look at it like that," Washu said as she typed a few commands on her holo-computer.  "For saving the universe the two of you get to live out semi-normal lives.  It's better than the alternatives."     

"That's another thing," Ryoko said slowly as she studied one of the tiles of the lab floor.  Well, it's now or never.  I have to know just to ease my mind. 

"Go on," Washu prodded.  I think I have an inkling as to what could be bothering her…

            "This loss of powers thing," Ryoko stammered.  "It's fine by me and all, it just that, just that…"

            "Just what dear?"

            "I'm worried," Ryoko spat out.  "I'm worried that…"

            "Take your time," Washu said as Ryoko fought back her emotions.

            Damned Zero… "Will I outlive Tenchi?" Ryoko blurted, as the first tears streaked her face.  "I don't want him to grow old while I stay the same…I knew that with his Jurai power he would live just about forever…but now…"

            Washu sighed as violent sobs wracked her daughter.  Okay, maybe I was wrong about she wanted to talk about… "I wouldn't worry," Washu comforted as she drew Ryoko close to her. 

            "Easy for you to say," Ryoko sniffed.  "You're a goddess…"

            "That's why I say don't worry," Washu said quietly, as she rocked Ryoko back and forth.  "The two of you will have a long and happy life.  I promise."

            "Thanks, Mom," Ryoko said as her fears dissipated.  "All I want is for Tenchi to be happy."

            "I think Tenchi should be finished at the shrine now," Washu said as she wiped the final tears from her daughter's eyes.  "Go to him."

            "You do know I love you," Ryoko said softly as Washu summoned a doorway for her.  "Don't you?"

            "I love you to," Washu said as Ryoko slipped out of the lab.  For the longest afterward the former goddess returned to being a scientist just sat there and basked in the pride she felt for her daughter.

***

            "So there you are," Ryoko said as she came upon Tenchi.  He was sitting on a boulder overlooking the house.  Ryoko knew this place all too well.  This was the small clearing that the family gravesite occupied.  Tenchi's ancestors going back seven hundred years rested here.  And this was also the resting place for someone else as well.  Across from Achika's grave the ground still showed the signs of its resent disturbance.  A small stone slab marked the head of the grave.  And it was across from this marker that Tenchi sat.

            "Just thinking," Tenchi said, his breath hanging in the chilled air. 

            "We seem to be doing that a lot lately," said Ryoko as she took a seat next to Tenchi.  A smile etched her face as she felt the warmth of his love come across empathically. 

            "I wish we could have saved him," Tenchi said, nodding towards Aescheron's grave.  "A life is a precious thing.  Even when it is one that has not always followed the right path."

            "You're sounding like the old man more and more," Ryoko chuckled as she nuzzled up to Tenchi.  He gladly wrapped an arm around her and drew her near.

            "Is that so bad?" he asked, resting his chin on the top of her head.

            "Not really," Ryoko admitted.  "I got a call from Urd today," she continued.  "She wants all of to come visit her when Ayeka and the others get back."

            "That sounds nice," Tenchi said contently.  The feeling he was getting across his end of the bond was more than enough to make him forget about the chilly clime around him.

            "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Ryoko asked with a giggle.  Her end of the bond was revealing to her that Tenchi felt just as she did at the moment.

            "Like I said," Tenchi softly spoke, "I feel at peace when you're at my side." 

"Do you really think we will have peace now?" Ryoko asked, seemingly reading Tenchi's thoughts.

              "I hope," Tenchi said in all earnestness.  "You know," he began, as he shifted around to look Ryoko in the eyes.  "The Odyssey isn't really over."  Ryoko blinked a few times and before she could say anything in response, Tenchi continued.  "The Odyssey never really ends.   Each day we live is an Odyssey in its own right.  Whether it's learning to live with out teleporting or saving the universe; the same premise holds true."

            "And what premise would that be?" Ryoko playfully asked.

            "Be grateful for what you have," Tenchi answered.  "Do not shun compassion and live each day to it's fullest."

            "Does that include being grateful for ex-space pirates?" Ryoko asked in a mock pout.

            "Especially ex-space pirates," Tenchi said softly before drawing her into a passionate kiss.  The two champions sat there in their embrace for the longest, enjoying the warmth of one-another and remembering that each day is its own Odyssey.

* * *

            Outside a pair of intricately carved marble doors a lone figure stands guard.  The radiant light filtering in through the myriad of arched windows glinted off of his obsidian armor and helm.  His hands rest on the pommel and hilt of a large, ornate broad sword.  Time is meaningless to this being.  It is his sacred duty as emissary to guard the Shrine of Ages and it's hall of heroes. 

            Every once in a while during his lone vigil his gaze shifts to a formerly empty spot.  Now filling this vacancy was a bronze statue of the pair who had turned back the darkness.  Standing atop a small outcropping of rock the champion holds his sword aloft while his sacrifice and fellow champion reclined by his side, her arm wrapped around his waist.  Ignatius Baltus nodded once more in acknowledgement of their deed as the light shimmered on the Champions armor.

            "I knew he would make a fine champion," Baltus said quietly to himself before returning to his age-old duty.   "A fine champion indeed."

-The End-

Stick around for a letter from me to all of you!