The next morning, Tenchi went through the motions in school: fall asleep in Physics class as usual, doodle in his notebook during Japanese II, and then to lunch. But all day he had been thinking about Washu, his new guest. He wondered what fate would await her when whatever these Jurians used for police showed up.

Lunch provided a useful distraction, though not an appetizing one. He scowled at the strange lump of gray substance on his plate. The only thing he could identify for certain was the bread, but that had the consistency of stainless steel, so he avoided it as well. "What is this stuff supposed to be, anyway?" he grumbled to his friend, Shiro. He held up some on his fork, and watched it slowly drip off and splatter back on to the plate.

"Mashed potatoes, I think," the rough-looking, long-haired boy replied. Shiro Takagi was the son of Ataru Takagi, head of the school's science department and Tenchi's current Physics One instructor. Shiro went out of his way to avoid taking any classes under his father. This was not to say that they didn't get along, but nobody wants to take a class taught by either of their parents.

"Guess I'll have to hit the machines after school," Tenchi mused. Shiro did not reply. "Hey, Shiro. You listening?"

"Yeah." But Shiro was not listening. He was looking with awe at something behind Tenchi's head. Before he could turn around to find out what it was, something brushed his shoulder, and he looked up to see a big girl with a long pony tail walking away from him. She was very attractive, as far as he could tell, and he guessed this was what Shiro had been so intrigued with. Shiro looked over his shoulder at the girl, then back at Tenchi. He gave a low whistle, shaking his head. "Man, talk about Miss Irony," he chuckled.

"What do you mean?" Tenchi asked. He took a glance over his friend's shoulder at the girl, who was now at another table, conversing with a group of friends. "Who is she? She's gorgeous."

"That's Masaka Komanike," Shiro replied. "It really is a shame. She's the best-looking chick in the whole school, and can't get a boyfriend to save her life."

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Tenchi said incredulously. "With a body like that, she could have any man she wanted. And no one will date her?"

"Not a soul," Shiro affirmed. He leaned across the table and gave Tenchi a conspiritorial look. "Here's the deal," he explained, "She's really good friends with this guy named Kuno Harume, right? Well, Kuno's a huge guy, six and a half feet, good two-fifty or so. And everyone thinks that because they hang out so much, they must be dating. Nobody in Japan is dumb enough to fight Kuno, so poor Masaka is left man-less."

"Why doesn't she go out with him?"

"Too close. They've been friends too long, you know how that is."

"Are you telling me you know this girl?" Tenchi asked.

"I know her sister. Man, you think Masaka looks good? You ain't seen nothin' yet. Anyway, Kuno's not an option for her, and she's not my type. Now tell me, who do you suppose that leaves?"

"Uh-uh," Tenchi shook his head.

"Oh yes, my friend," Shiro gave him a devious look. "You have been date-less for too long, and I think I've found just the person to introduce you to." He stood, and began walking towards Masaka's table. Tenchi remained seated.

"Come on, man." Shiro said, waving at him. Tenchi rolled his eyes, and joined Shiro. How do I let myself get dragged into these things? he asked himself.

"Hey, Masaka," Shiro piped cheerfully when they reached her table. She looked up, giving Tenchi his first look at her face. Wow, she's pretty, he thought. Her eyes were a soft gray color, and her long, black pony-tail fell to her hips. She had a small, round nose and a wide mouth set in a round face. She wore no makeup that Tenchi could see.

"Hi, Shiro!" she said happily in a gently lilting voice. "What's up?"

"Just chillin'," he said. "Mind if we join you ladies?"

"Sure," she said. "Who's your friend?"

_Jackpot_, Shiro thought with amusement. _This is just too perfect._ "Oh, this is Tenchi Masaki. He's in my geography class, and if I'm not mistaken, the three of us are all in the same algebra class together."

"Yeah, I've seen you before," she said to Tenchi. "You're the quiet one. Have a seat, guys." She gestured to two empty seats on either side of her, and Tenchi settled into one. Shiro was about to sit, when he suddenly looked at his watch. "Oh, man! Will you look at the time? Sorry, Masaka, I'm supposed to meet Asuka at the coffee shop in five minutes. Tenchi, will you keep these lovely ladies company for me? Of course you will," he said before Tenchi had a chance to protest. "See you, guys." He was out the door before his flabbergasted friend could even open his mouth.

Tenchi was fuming silently, and plotting ways to get revenge on Shiro, when Masaka spoke to him. "My, you're quiet today."

"Yeah," Tenchi laughed nervously, "uhhh, not much to talk about, I guess." _I'm going to murder that guy._ "So, uuhhh, what classes do you take?" he asked, trying desperately to spark a conversation. If that wacko friend of his was going to fix him up, then he was determined to make the best of it.

"Well, let's see..." she looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well, besides the usual stuff, there's gym class, and I take clarinet practice." She game him a beautiful smile, and he almost melted.

"Wow, the clarinet, huh?" Tenchi asked, trying not to picture her in gym shorts. "What can you play?"

"Oh, just beginner's stuff," she said shyly. "'Fraera-Jacqua' (sp?), and 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'."

"That's it?"

"That's it," she said. "I like the guitar much better, because I'm a little better at it."

"Oh, that sounds nice," Tenchi said, feeling like a complete idiot. She played the clarinet _and_ the guitar?

"Yeah," she said. "Look, I've got to go. I'd really like to talk to you again some time. Want to meet me at the Starbucks after school tomorrow?"

Tenchi nearly fell out of his chair. Five minutes of conversation, and she had practically asked him out! "Yeah, sure," he said, trying to conceal his total shock. Okay, this hadn't gone as bad as he thought it would, but he was still going to jump all over Shiro, just on priciple.




When he got off the bus that afternoon, Tenchi practically skipped down the dirt path to his house. The only problem he could think of was how to get Grandpa to give him a break from his chores, so that he could meet Masaka tomorrow. He could already hear the old man's stern lecture in his head: 'You've got more important things to worry about than girls, Tenchi. The shrine won't maintain itself, and I've got housekeeping and bills to keep up with. And if I catch you sleeping today, you'll be doing double the chores tomorrow. Is that clear?'

Yeah, sure, it was clear, alright. It was clear that Tenchi had to have a life of his own someday. Get married, have children, hold down a job and such. He certainly wasn't about to spend the rest of his life here, keeping that old relic in the woods in shape.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard unfamiliar voices coming from his house. It sounded like Grandpa, and two or three other people. When he rounded the bend and arrived at the house, he did indeed find Katsuhito and two dark-haired women, standing in the front yard, having some kind of discussion. In the background stood red-headed Washu, looking on with something akin to amusement.

"She is a traitor to the Jurian people, and I demand to have her remanded to my custody at once!" the first woman yelled shrilly. She was medium-height, and had hip-length brown hair and a very regal air about her. She wore many flowing robes, and a small tiara around her forehead.

"Look, I'm sorry, lady, but she's in my jurisdiction," the second woman said to the first, sounding tired and frustrated. She was taller and bustier than the other one, with black hair that fell almost to the middle of her back. She wore an outfit that looked vaguely like a police uniform. "Now, unless you can come up with something for me to tell the Chief when I come back empty-handed," she went on, "then I am leaving, and I'm taking the prisoner with me." She gestured to Washu, who still looked quite entertained by the proceedings.

"You will address me as 'Your Highness!' the shorter woman shot back, "and you can tell your cheif--"

"Uhh, excuse me," Tenchi interrupted. "Grandpa, what is going on? Who are these people?"

"Tenchi," Katsuhito said, "I would like to introduce her Royal Highness, the Princess Ayeka of the planet Jurai," the short, regal-looking woman gave him a small bow, "and Captain Kiyone Makibi of the Galaxy Police. Your Highness, Captain, this is my grandson, Tenchi Masaki." The taller woman, evidently Kiyone, stuck out her hand, and Tenchi shook it limply, giving her his most nervous smile. "Uhhh, Grandpa, could I talk to you for a minute?" He led Katsuhito away while Ayeka and Kiyone continued arguing. When they reached a quiet spot, Tenchi blurted, "What the heck is going on here? Another planet?! Can't you tell those two are obviously nuts?"

Katsuhito looked thoughtful for a moment, then replied, "As I recall, you didn't seem quite so surprised at learning about the origin of our guest."

That stopped Tenchi cold. Grandpa did have a point, but still, this had to be the craziest thing in the world, or out of it for that matter.

"It seems the authorities have arrived to apprehend Miss Washu," Katsuhito went on. "Unfortunately, we can't seem to ascertain who the convening authority is." He looked back over his shoulder at the two shouting women. "I'm afraid there's only one solution to this little quandry."

Oh boy, Tenchi thought. This already sounded bad. Katsuhito walked up to the girls and gave a light cough. He was about to open his mouth when Washu finally spoke up. "Welcome to Earth, ladies. Now, I'm guessing that you two are both here to arrest me. I mean, sure, I committed a crime, I can admit that, and I'm willing to submit to whatever method of justice is decided on. But until you two bozos can decide which one of you is taking me where, it's obvious that none of us are going anywhere." Ayeka and Kiyone glared at Washu. Both were used to being in positions of authority, and neither liked having to take no for an answer.

"Ahem," Katsuhito finally broke in. "I was about to make that very point. Since it seems we are all going to be here a while, I suggest all of you spend the night."

Tenchi's jaw dropped. What the heck was Grandpa doing? Inviting total strangers to share their home and lives for goodness knew how long? Man, this really was nuts. But it was also Grandpa's house, and Tenchi had a feeling he would have little say in the matter, so he kept his mouth shut.

Ayeka appeared crestfallen for a moment. "Oh my, Mister--uh--sir, I wouldn't want to impose on your generosity that way. I really am greatfull, but we have quarters on our respective ships, and--"

"Nonsense," Katsuhito laughed, smiling warmly. "Imagine me allowing you to sleep in such cramped spaces when we have at least ten empty bedrooms with real beds right here at the house!"

Ayeka smiled. "Well then, I thank you for your offer, kind sir. But if I am to accept, you should be aware that I have a passenger back on the ship."

"Me too," Kiyone said, looking a little pained.

"That's quite alright," Katsuhito said, spreading his arms wide. "I'm sure we'll have enough room for all of you."

"Thank you very much then, sir," Ayeka said politely, punctuating the words with a small bow. "I accept your offer. I shall return." She turned gracefully and walked toward the woods.

"Look, Mister..." Kiyone trailed off.

"Masaki," Katsuhito informed her. "Katsuhito Masaki."

"Yeah, thanks alot, Mister Masaki. Not many people would go out of their way like this. I really appreciate it."

"You're quite welcome, Miss Makibi. Now, I suggest you go unpack. Tenchi, let's go get the house ready for our visitors.

Tenchi had no desire to make an ass of himself in front of guests, but as soon as they were gone, he could hold his temper no longer. "Grandpa, are you nuts?!" he shouted. Katsu-san did not flinch. "You've got to realize there's more to taking care of these people than just living space! How are we going to feed them? We can barely afford to feed the both us on your salary!"

"On my salary, Tenchi, that is true," he replied, unperturbed by Tenchi's bluster. "But you've forgotten about the rather large amount of funds I've been storing up over the years for just such an emergency. Many people come here, after all, for many diffent reasons. I had to have some recourse in the event that something happened to one of them."

Yeah, Tenchi thought. Got to keep enough cash on hand in case fugitives from outer space show up, being chased by the Galactic Police, who then start having a shouting contest on your front lawn. Happens all the time, don't you know? Sheesh.

"I'm going to go take a shower," he grumbled, then headed upstairs.

Tenchi had just enetered the kitchen, scrubbing his damp hair with a towel, when the knock sounded at the door. Katsuhito opened it, and Tenchi saw Ayeka and Kiyone standing on the step, along with yet another two girls. One was a little girl, perhaps nine or ten, with long blue--blue!--hair, and she stood next to Ayeka, smiling shyly at them. The other was a gorgeous blonde about Tenchi's age, in a police uniform identical to Kiyone's.

"Good afternoon," Katsuhito greeted. "I take it these two lovely ladies are the others you mentioned?"

"Yes sir," the blonde chirpped excitedly. "Lieutenant Mihoshi Akari, at your service!"

"And my name is Sasami," the blue-haired child said happily. "Pleased to meet you, sir. And thanks for letting us stay!"

"It is my pleasure, your majesty," Katsuhito said. He made a small bow to the little girl, and she blushed a little. "Just call me Sasami," she said meekly, looking down at the steps. Ayeka opened her mouth, apparently about to object, but the old man cut her off: "Do come in. Tenchi, will you show our guests to their rooms, please?"

"Yes sir," Tenchi said, trying to keep the attitude out of his voice as he led the girls into the living room and up the stairs.

"Wow, nice place," Kiyone complemented, looking around at the house's spanking cleanliness and traditional Oriental decore.

"Thanks," Tenchi replied nonchalantly. "I moved out here after my mom died. I hope you girls like your rooms." They had reached the rows of doors upstairs, and he showed them the sparse rooms, each with a twin bed and nightstand, and little else. "Sorry it's so sparse, but we don't use these rooms much, and they'd be awfully expensive to keep up if they were fancy." He stopped talking when he realized how insensitive he sounded. "Any how, good night everyone. I'll be down the hall if you need me." With that, he left as quickly as he could.