Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Tenchi characters Pioneer does. Matt is my character however and if you would like to use him please obtain my permission first
Journeys into the Infinite
"Mom, Mom open up," Ryoko called banging on the door with all her considerable might, "Damn it Washu I need your help."
"Looking for this," Ryoko whirled around to find the red haired genius standing in the middle of the living room holding up a teary eyed Ryo-Ohki by the scruff of the neck, "You didn't think I would let your transportation run away to Juria for some carrots would you?"
"Oh Ryo-Ohki," Ryoko cried snapping her companion away from Washu and hugging the cabbit close, "I knew you wouldn't abandon me."
With that the cyan haired pirate ran out to the deck and flung Ryo-Ohki into the air with a cry. Instantly the cabbit began to change from a small cuddly creature into a massive, menacing battle ship. Ryoko smiled at the sight of her oldest and truest friend hovering in the air above the lake waiting for her. She quickly rubbed the tear from her eye and phased aboard. Standing in the familiar dome she walked to the control chair and gripped the back. She knew what she had to do now.
"Let's go Ryo-Ohki," Ryoko called, the ship responded with a meow and burst into motion quickly leaving the house and a stunned Washu standing on the deck far behind. Her face twitched for a second as she tried to figure out what had just happened. Then with a sigh she walked back inside. "Kids," she murmured as the scientist closed the door to her lab.
Ryoko sighed in contentment as they broke free of the solar system and moved into deep space, she loved the freedom of space travel and it had been long time since she had felt so free. Using Ryo-Ohki's memory she plotted the most probable Matt had taken when he had passed them a two weeks earlier. Finding him would have been difficult for almost anyone else, but she was Ryoko the space pirate and she had never lost a mark. She sat down in the command chair and began to sort through the possible destinations he may have had considering his heading and speed. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the most likely destination. But why would he go there of all places? she thought, but in the darkness of space there was no immediate answer.
Matt saw the trouble brewing long before Ses warned of the men getting up and heading his way. Currently the two were sitting in a bar waiting for Salvation to be resupplied, and having never been in space Matt decided to rake in some culture. Unfortunately he chose the wrong place, the colony attached to an asteroid mining operation was a breeding ground of violence and new comers were definitely fair game. He gave his friend a reassuring pat and quietly slipped his hand into his dark jacket as the men approached. He set down his drink just as the first two rowdies slammed their hands down on the bar on either side of him. The leader roughly grabbed Matt's shoulder and spun him around. Matt looked up into the big man's eyes and instantly knew he wasn't going to be able to talk his way out of this. All three were dressed the same in brown uniforms with wide belts that contained various sized pouches. The two at his sides were not as big as their leader but by no means small. All sported the same style hair cut which led Matt to believe them to be some sort of soldiers. He groaned inwardly hoping he didn't start some sort of intergalactic incident.
"Nice kitty you got there junior," one of the smaller men teased reaching for Ses who promptly bit him. The man yelped and pulled his hand back. Before he could reach for the small creature again the leader shoved him away.
"Who cares about his pet," The large man sneered, and then turning back to Matt he glared, "I don't like you very much, what'd you gotta say about that runt?"
"That you need to lay off the hard stuff fat boy," Matt responded with an open smile.
"You're going to regret that," The man on his right said expectantly.
"Damn right you are boy," The big man snarled gripping the front of Matt's shirt roughly.
"I doubt it," Matt sniffed ignoring the hand on his shirt for the moment.
The big man curled his fist and sent it flying towards Matt's face. Matt didn't even try to block the blow but instead slid off the stool fluidly while grabbing the hand holding his shirt. Using the momentum of the fall he turned the big man so his fist smashed into the face of the man on his right. Matt flew up smoothly between the two tagging the smaller man with an uppercut before turning to face his other two attackers. The big man tried to tackle the swordsman but Matt set his feet and slammed his elbow into the man's exposed back hard enough to drop him to the floor. The last man was reaching for his side arm when Matt slid up to him and put a knife to his throat.
"Don't even try it," Matt whispered into his ear. The man slowly pulled his hand away from his gun and Matt pulled the knife away from his throat. He dropped some currency on the bar to pay for his drinks and meal and turned to leave. He got halfway to the exit before the big man called out to him.
"Your not going anywhere punk," he said rising to his feet he pulled a wicked knife from his belt, "You're going to pay for what you did."
"Get over yourself blow hard," Matt sneered, "You can't beat me so give it up. I don't want to have to really hurt you."
"Don't worry you won't" the big man cried running towards him knife extended.
Most people wouldn't have been able to block the attack coming from a trained soldier, but to Matt it seemed like the most basic of moves. In a flash Matt pulled two sias from the back of his belt hidden beneath his jacket and caught the knife in one and with a simple twist took it from the man's grasp. Following the move Matt slid in and drove the butt of one weapon into the man's temple. He then snapped the three pronged weapon down and out driving the soldier's arms wide. He flipped the other weapon around in his hand and drove into the opposite temple dropping the big man to the floor. Matt then spun both the weapons once before returning them to his belt. The other's in the bar stood there stunned, in the span of five seconds he had disarmed and knocked unconscious an elite officer. The weapons master turned to the other two soldiers waiting to see if they wanted to cause any trouble. Both men held their hands up and shook their heads indicating they had no desire for further violence. Matt stood aside as the two picked up their fallen comrade and left the bar.
"Well time to leave," Matt muttered under his breathe walking out of the bar.
About time, Ses huffed landing on his shoulder, I told this place was trouble.
"You'll never have any fun Ses unless you risk it sometimes," Matt retorted lightly, " Besides it wasn't anything I couldn't handle."
Is there anything you can't, Ses asked sarcastically.
"Ryoko," Matt whispered under his breath as they made their way back to the Salvation.
Tenchi was getting his first look at Juria from space and his mouth hung wide open. Juria was roughly earth sized if somewhat larger, but it was the two rings circling the planet that had Tenchi in awe. Sparkling like diamonds in the darkness Tenchi was awe struck, Ayeka explained they were mostly made of C\ice which caused the shimmering effect. As they broke through the atmosphere Tenchi noticed the how much darker the sky was here as compared to Earth, this was due to the fact that Juria was farther from the sun than Earth was and had a slightly denser atmosphere giving the sky a purple tinge.
Tenchi was starting to get his awe under control when the royal palace came into view and caused him to give a low whistle at the size of the place. It dominated his vision from where he stood on high aboard Ryu-Oh. Standing next to him Sasami explained that originally the place had been built on a high bluff overlooking the country side for miles about. However as time went on and the royal family gained control of the entire planet the palace was expanded beyond the cliffs seeing as having a defensive position was silly and no longer necessary. Much of the huge structure was crafted out of wood and had similar design to the Jurian ships.
"When you told me about your home Ayeka I always figured it would be grand but nothing like this," Tenchi said finally finding his voice again, "I sure makes my house on Earth seem like the dungeon Seriyo said it was."
"Tenchi," Ayeka breathed trying to maintain her concentration through the landing, "I loved your home on Earth, I always felt welcome there."
"I guess," Tenchi said scratching his head and then turning back to the view port as the ship descended towards the palace landing bay. As big as Ayeka's ship was it was swallowed by the palace in seconds and from above no one could tell it wasn't part of the whole. With a slight shudder Ryu-Oh set down unharmed after their month long journey through space. Ayeka wiped the sweat from her brow and allowed herself a moment of satisfaction at a job well done. She was home, after seven hundred years of wandering through the galaxy looking for her brother she was home. The first princess didn't know quite how to feel at that moment. Here she was at the royal palace of a galactic empire, to which she was heir, with the man she loved and her rival more than a thousand light years away. Yet something didn't feel right, a sense of doom hung in the air and suddenly she wanted nothing more than to be back in her cramped room on Earth and fighting with Ryoko over Tenchi.
"Azaka, Kamidake please see that Ryu-Oh has no damage from our journey and then see to our things," Ayeka ordered her guardians trying to shake off her disturbing feelings of dread.
"Yes Princess," they answered simultaneously and floated off to do her biding.
"Come Sasami we must make ourselves ready to great mother and father," Ayeka said curtly guiding her little sister away from the view port and Tenchi, "Lord Tenchi there is suitable arraignment for you in your cabin. Of course we will have better made for you once the royal tailor has seen you, but it will do for now."
"Umm thanks Ayeka," Tenchi said confused by her sudden formality both with him and Sasami. He watched them both leave before heading to his cabin to change.
"What's wrong sister," Sasami asked putting on her ceremonial robes, "You seem so distant today. Come on we're home and Tenchi's here too."
"I know Sasami," Ayeka brushing out her long purple tresses, "But now that we are finally home I really miss Earth."
"I miss everyone too Ayeka," Sasami said, "I hope everyone's ok."
"I'm sure they're fine Sasami," Ayeka said setting out her formal clothing.
"Do you think Tenchi will like it here on Juria Ayeka," Sasami asked adjusting her robes.
"I don't know Sasami I guess we will find out soon," Ayeka responded getting up and going over to the closet and pulled out her more formal robes. Laying them out carefully on the bed she then proceeded to remove her current garb with equal care. Folding and setting aside her travel clothes she donned the formal wear with practiced ease. Once dressed, both girls left their room and headed down the hall. Just as Ayeka was about to knock several loud explicit curses came from the other side of the door.
"Damn thing stay on," Tenchi cursed the wrap as it fell over his shoulder yet again. Nowhere on the outfit was a there a button, a zipper, or Velcro to keep anything in place, he had no clue as to how to keep the clothes from falling off him and onto the floor. I can see the headlines now, Tenchi thought in disgust, Crown Prince enters royal palace naked. He tried to reach back and grab the falling shoulder piece when it slipped from his grasp and the entire outfit slid to the floor around his ankles.
"Damn it," he cursed again, "I hate this damn outfit."
"Tenchi are you ok in there," Tenchi turned toward the door at the sound of Ayeka's voice as she knocked on the door.
"No I'm not," Tenchi spat back releasing some frustration, "How in the name of Tsunami do you keep these clothes on."
"What part of it are you having trouble with," Ayeka said loudly through the door, Tenchi also heard Sasami snickering followed by a quick rebuke from Ayeka.
"The whole thing," Tenchi answered red faced, "It just falls to the floor."
"It's ok Tenchi I'll help you," Ayeka said from the other side of the door, "Now here's what you do."
Ryoko stared hard at the small asteroid mining facility in doubt as Ryo-Ohki made her approach. It had taken longer than she had thought to find Matt's trail and now she was at least two weeks behind him. Luckily though Ryo-Ohki was faster than Matt's ship and now that she had his course it was only a matter of time. What was bothering her is why he had stopped at this dump, there were far better places to get supplies and repairs than some ancient mining facility. Her curiosity got the better of her and she ordered Ryo-Ohki to dock at the station hoping to get some information about Matt.
Once she got docking clearance Ryoko left the details up to Ryo-Ohki and headed to her cabin to change. This was a rough place the former pirate knew from experience so she choose her wardrobe accordingly. Nothing to showy but at the same time allowing for freedom of movement. A lavender skirt slit up the front covered black tights cinched by a cloth belt just below her midriff which was left bear by her yellow and lavender vest which covered her black shirt. Looking herself over in a long mirror she gave herself an approving nod. Ok maybe a little showy, she thought admiring her image. Then just as she was about to leave her cabin she rushed back to grab an object from the side of her bed deciding it was the perfect accessory to her outfit. After all a girl had to protect herself.
Heads turned as she strode confidently into the seedy bar and ordered the strongest drink in the house. Ryoko ignored the stares and struck up a conversation with the handsome bar tender. He was attentive and pliable until she turned the conversation towards Matt. After describing the swordsman to the bar tender he blanched white and took a step back apologizing for being so forward. Curious Ryoko asked him why he was so scared. She had to make the young man repeat himself twice before he slowed down enough to be intelligible. Ryoko guffawed loudly hearing the story drawing yet more attention to herself including three sets of eyes that also cause to remember the tall stranger.
"Why you so interested in that skinny perp sweet thing. We can show a good time, if that's what your lookin' for," Ryoko tried not to gag at the smell of the man's beer tainted breath. The three had come up to her after the smaller soldier had caught pieces of the conversation and put two and two together.
"Forget that pretty boy," the big officer continued taking her hand in one hairy paw, "You need a real man honey."
"I'm looking for him cause I haven't found any," Ryoko grinned back, "Real men that is, seen any?"
"Honey I'll forget what you just said if you come with us and play nice," the hulk continued pulling her towards him.
"I don't think so," Ryoko snapped taking her hand back from the brute, "I'm not into bestiality."
"Why you little bitch," the huge officer fumed, "Let's teach this little harlot a lesson boys. Her boyfriend will appreciate her more with a little humility."
The two on either side of her grabbed her arms while the officer grabbed her chin and leaned in for a kiss. Just as his sweaty lips were about to touch her's Ryoko slammed her knee into his crotch with all her considerable strength. The man's eyes crossed and he fell to floor with a high pitched groan. Just as the man slid to the floor Ryoko reversed the grips of the two men holding her and slammed them together face first. They crumpled atop their squealing commander. Brushing her hands she stepped over them in satisfaction and was about to leave the bar when several other tables of men is similar uniforms rose and blocked the exit.
"Your boyfriend may have gotten off easy," one man with red hair said as she approached the exit, "But your not getting off that easy."
"Oh boy," Ryoko muttered under her breath, "They never get a clue do they."
As the first one swung at her Ryoko parried the blow and returned it in kind sending the man flying across the barroom. She sent several more men into various corners of the bar before she got into trouble. The first blade appeared followed by at least a dozen others. Wishing it hadn't come to this Ryoko reached down to her waist and gripped the handle of her accessory. The blade leapt from the scabbard at her command to knock away the first weapon. She spun and deftly blocked the next incoming blade and then brought the sword back across it's previous path slitting the man's throat. Ryoko tried to recoil in horror as the man fell to the floor in a bloody pool, but the sword drove her onward. In mere moments ten men were dead at her hand.
Ryoko dropped the sword terrified by what she had just done. Around her lay the bodies of the men she had unintentionally killed. She stared at the katana in shock trying to figure out what just happened. Matt's sword lay in a puddle of blood the dark red substance dripping from the blade. Somehow the sword had taken hold of her. The style she had used was not her own, but she recognized it. Only the weapon's master had that kind of killing power. She didn't know how but she knew that Matt's sword contained his skills, and with that deadly power it thirsted for blood. Gingerly she picked up the deadly weapon and slid it back into it's ornate scabbard and fled back to her ship in tears.
Once back on Ryo-Ohki she commanded the cabbit back into space at full speed. She set the course to follow Matt's and then ran back to her cabin. With a frustrated sob Ryoko flung the sword as far away from her as she could and proceeded to strip off her blood soaked clothing. Not since Kagato had she felt so helpless, she had always felt like this after her former master had made her kill. She cried as the images of what she had done played over and over again in her mind. Naked she flung herself on the bed and sobbed until exhaustion finally claimed her.
Matt snapped his head up looking around at the empty bridge. Must have dozed off, he thought to himself. Stretching his arms upward Matt called up their current location on the star chart. The were almost there according to the map, another three days at most. Looking out the huge windows of the bridge all Matt saw was empty space and the long lines of light the stars made due to the speed of his craft. Sinking back down into the command chair Matt let his thought drift. Again Ryoko invaded his thoughts. Her evil smirk added to the sensual curve of her flesh made Matt wish the dream they had shared on their last night together was reality.
He wished she was with him now. Not only did he enjoy her company, but her knowledge of space would be extremely useful, and he had no doubt she could make this boring trip far more interesting. He grinned as the dream came back to the forefront of his thoughts. With a shake of the head he banished the alluring images. She wasn't in love with after all, Ryoko loved Tenchi. Hopefully by now they were together and happy back in Japan. Matt sighed when he remembered Tenchi kissing her awake and how happy she had been. How he envied Tenchi and his situation, all Matt had was a his unending quest for answers he wasn't sure he wanted.
With a sigh Matt tried to focus on the language Salvation was teaching him but his thoughts kept drifting back to Ryoko. He shouldn't have given her his sword. He could given it to the Yosho, or better yet Master Tsutargi to keep. At the time it seemed like the right thing to do but looking back on it Matt was coming to see that it wasn't one of his better ideas. Not only had he possibly thrown a wrench into her relationship with Tenchi but he had also put her potential danger. Of course there was little chance she would use the sword in anger, she had her own means of defense, but the possibility remained of some one else using the katana. No, Matt decided, Ryoko won't let anyone else handle my sword. Besides it's nice and quiet in Okiwama, not like that bar I stopped at.
Tenchi was sitting on an overstuffed ouch in the lavish suite he had been given listening to Ayeka tell her mother and aunt about her stay on Earth. Sasami had gone to bed hours ago and Tenchi was looking for the chance to do the same. With Ayeka's guidance he had managed to get his robes to stay on and survived meeting the royal family again. The three rulers hadn't changed much from the last Time Tenchi had seen them, Azusa still loathed him, Funaho gave him her quiet smile, and Misaki nearly crushed the life out of him. Just now though he was trying to get away from the three women and get some sleep it had been a long day. Just as he was about to try his well rehearsed excuse to leave the conversation swung towards the events of three months ago. He noticed Misaki suddenly take on a far more serious look than her normal cheerful countenance, Funaho also became quite serious and paled as Ayeka described Matt's abilities.
"And you say this young man found a spaceship," Funaho pressed as Ayeka came to the part about lifting Ryu-Oh into space.
"Yes aunt Funaho," Ayeka assured her not missing the glance that passed between the two older women, "Why do you know something about him.?"
"It's just odd that there was such an advanced spacecraft on Earth," Funaho said dismissively although no one bought into the act.
Tenchi felt a shiver run done his spine as the two queens quickly excused themselves and left the room in a rush. A feeling of dread washed over Tenchi as he and Ayeka tried to figure out what had just happened. Suddenly he knew he was going to be standing across from the deadly swordsman again, and this time it wasn't going to be about a misunderstanding. He suddenly began to question his decision to come to Juria. He thought about Ryoko and wished he was back on Earth where things were simple and all he had to worry about was not getting between Ayeka and Ryoko when they were mad.
"Do you think it's true sister," Misaki asked her counterpart as they moved quickly through the nighttime palace towards the multi leveled gardens that held the space trees. Funaho was always intrigued by her fellow wife's ability to go from a sweet somewhat addle minded mother and become Commander of the Royal Bodyguard in seconds. Now though they had bigger problems.
"I hope not," Funaho answered back worriedly picking up her pace, "If he is one of them it could be disastrous."
"Not only that my sister, but Ayeka said he was the last," the blue haired woman said with equal concern, "If that is true he will be far more powerful than his ancestors."
"I know Misaki," the dark haired woman returned, "Let us hope it doesn't come to blows."
"And if it does," she couldn't help but ask.
"Then there may be nothing we can do to stop him," Funaho sighed as they came to a stop before a set of massive doors, "He will be far stronger here than on Earth once he come in contact with the Space Trees."
"Let us hope we can avoid that," Misaki whispered as they walked into the Royal Gardens. The doors shut ominously behind them. Unknown to them a wicked set of eyes watched them enter the Gardens. Without making a sound he ran down the hall away from the double doors. His mistress would be very interested to hear this. Not only had the princesses returned along with the crown prince, but they were leading a Guardian here as well. Yes his mistress would be most pleased. And he would have his reward.
Author's Note
I need to stop saying I'm going to answer question in the next chapter because half the time I never answer them in said chapter. I apologize for this and will try harder in the future to keep my promises. Anyhow look for things to get interesting in the next chapter as all the parties meet on Juria. Also the side story I promised will be out soon as well. Thanks for reading and please keep reviewing I just can't get enough. Enough rambling, till next time.
Smack54
