All characters are property of AIC and Pioneer LCD except one. This story line is based on the Tenchi Muyo OVA and Tenchi Universe. It is not my intent to rip off other peoples' work so, if this story resembles another, it does so inadvertently.
Love's Lament
Part II
Christian had talked to Kiyone in private before he headed out. He seemed to be in a lot better mood afterwards and everyone wished him a speedy journey. He soon departed for what he called a 'short stint' to collect some things from various spots in the territory. Everyone waved as Christian sped towards space.
"You two sure seem to be spending a lot of time together lately." Ryoko said with a grin. Kiyone became reserved once more. Ryoko's goal was to get a rise out of Kiyone from the first time she started teasing her but Kiyone didn't seem willing to admit that she liked Christian to anyone. Ryoko's grin slowly turned to a more concerned expression.
"Hey. There is nothing wrong in liking him. I'm just teasing you." Ryoko admitted. Kiyone turned to Ryoko with some surprise at Ryoko's more tender words. However, Kiyone remained quiet.
"I know you like him. We all do. Why are you being so shy?" Ryoko asked.
"I'm afraid." Kiyone said. Ryoko looked to the ground then looked back to Kiyone. She was trying to help but she had no idea that she would find such a shy side of Kiyone.
"Afraid of what?" Ryoko asked as she steered Kiyone somewhere a little more private.
"Whenever I get close to someone, they go away. I think if I admit that I like him, something will change and he'll go away." Kiyone explained. "You told him how you feel. There really isn't any reason to try and keep it private." Ryoko said. Kiyone looked at Ryoko and didn't blink.
"You have told him how you feel?" Ryoko asked. Kiyone didn't change.
"Why not?" Ryoko asked. Kiyone looked a little upset.
"Why haven't you told Tenchi how you feel?" Kiyone fired back. Ryoko took a step back and now she looked hurt.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." Kiyone apologized. Ryoko smiled.
"You do have a point though. You may have answered my question better than you know. I'm waiting for the right moment with Tenchi. The right moment is very elusive in this place with Ayeka around and all the other distractions. Granted, I'm a little afraid of what he may say. However, there is no doubt how Christian feels about you. You had better make your move before Ayeka starts to make her play for him like she did with Tenchi." Ryoko concluded. Kiyone smiled and giggled.
"I'm not kidding. I knew Tenchi since he was a rug rat. Ayeka comes in and decides that he is the one meant for her in a few weeks." Ryoko joked half heatedly.
"Thanks Ryoko. I'm glad we talked." Kiyone finished as she walked towards the house. Ryoko smiled briefly then a grave expression came to her face. Something wasn't right. She closed her eyes with consternation when she realized what it was.
"What do you want?" Ryoko said loudly. Washu stepped from behind her.
"Well, well. My little Ryoko is giving good friendly advice." Washu teased. Ryoko remained silent.
"I especially liked the part where Kiyone told you to take some of your own advice." Washu said as she strolled towards the house. A quick grin quickly came to Ryoko's face but she hid it under a very solemn expression.
"Wash...Mom, I have something to say." Ryoko managed through a choked up voice. Washu quickly whipped around and faced Ryoko. Her eyes were large and her mouth drew tight. She couldn't believe what she had just heard. She took a few steps towards Ryoko. Ryoko looked away and clutched her arm to her side. She looked to be having trouble gathering the courage to say whatever was on her mind.
"What is it, Ryoko?" Washu asked with genuine concern. Ryoko looked into Washu's eyes with a pleading expression.
"It's hard for me to say this but.." Ryoko started. If Washu was sitting, she would be on the edge of her seat.
"Even in your current state, I can tell by the look in your eyes that you are as old as the hills and I can understand why you choose to appear as a ten year old." Ryoko said. For the first time in a long time, Washu was confused. Ryoko still had a serious expression.
"What?" Washu asked still confused.
"Picking a body older than a ten year old would have worked more to your disadvantage because, truthfully, it was all downhill after that." Ryoko explained. Washu's concerned expression swiftly changed to a quiet hate. Ryoko couldn't hold back any longer. She erupted into uncontrollable laughter.
"HAHAHA! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW HARD IT WAS FOR ME TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE!" Ryoko almost screamed. Washu remained as she was before. Ryoko brought herself under control and still snickered as she looked to Washu.
"Now we're even. How does it feel, Grand Ma?" Ryoko gloated. Washu brought her hand to her side and produced an orange blade. Ryoko raised an eyebrow with curiosity.
"Oh really?" Ryoko asked rhetorically. Washu assumed an aggressive posture. A wicked smile came to Ryoko's face. In a flash, she donned her black and red battle suit as well as her own orange blade. Not saying another word, Ryoko charged. Washu remained planted. The next thing she knew, Ryoko felt as though she had been hit with a fire hose. She stood with her arms extended out at her sides as she examined her drenched body. Apparently, the Washu she attacked was a fake that contained water under great pressure. Ryoko knew this as she looked to a slain Washu Doll at her feet. The real Washu walked out from nowhere.
"Youth and agility are no match for age and treachery." Washu said as she made for the house. Ryoko lifted her head to look at Washu. Although she was had, she still felt as though her victory over Washu was greater and she smiled.
"I don't know about the treachery but you're right about age." Ryoko said. Ryoko suddenly remembered something she overheard.
"So you can't remember anything over twenty thousand years ago? No doubt you have reached your mental capacity. The memory is one of the last things to go. We both know the body went a long time ago." Ryoko said. Washu stopped in her tracks. She turned to Ryoko and wore a wily smile.
"Persistent to the end. You are definitely my daughter but know this, I created you so I can break you." Washu warned.
"Ewww! I'm scared of the geezerly." Ryoko spouted with mock concern. She then turned, bent over and peered between her legs.
"Hey Granny! Why don't you come and break this?" Ryoko taunted as she slapped her butt.
"Too late, this one already has a crack." Ryoko continued. Washu appeared to be angry but in fact, she was now struggling to keep a straight face. Ryoko was Washu's daughter but no one would know it by the way the two normally interacted. However, Washu wasn't going to miss this opportunity. She didn't play with her daughter that much and she decided to make the most of it. The two had at it well into the afternoon.
* * *
Days had passed since Christian made his way to points unknown. Kiyone appeared uneasy shortly afterwards. Now she was driving everyone up the wall with her worrying. She practically dragged Washu into her own lab to finish work on Yagami.
"Can you please hurry?" Kiyone snapped.
"Calm down, Kiyone. You've been acting strange ever since Christian left. There are many reasons he could be held up. Running off to find him is jumping the gun a little." Washu explained.
"What makes you think I'm going to look for him?" Kiyone asked.
"Oh come off it! You are at wits end worrying about him and you want your ship fixed so you can go look for him." Washu said as she typed at her keyboard. Kiyone was about to come up with an excuse but she was tired.
"Oh all right! So I like him a lot. So I want to go look for him. So I want to be with him! Is that so wrong?" Kiyone yelled. Washu stopped typing and swiveled around on her cushion.
"No. There is nothing wrong with that. Everything is right with that." Washu said with a grin.
"If you feel so compelled to find him then why don't you use Ryo-Ohki?" Washu suggested. Kiyone's eyes widened and she smacked herself hard on the head.
"I completely forgot about Ryo-Ohki!" Kiyone shouted.
"Don't worry about Ryo-Ohki." Washu said as she turned back to her keyboard.
"Why?" Kiyone asked.
"Because the repairs to Yagami are complete.
"We'll come with you." A voice sounded from Washu's lab door. Kiyone turned to see Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, Mihoshi, Azaka, Kamedake, Sasami and Ryo-Ohki standing inside the door.
"I don't want to bother you." Kiyone said. "If it means that much to you, then we will be happy to help." Ayeka offered.
"Let's get started then." Washu said and the group made their way out of the lab.
* * *
Yagami was speeding through the solar system. Washu had brought along a device that allowed the group to track the Christian's ship through space.
"Anything yet?" Kiyone asked. "Yes. We are definitely on his trail but still no sign of him." Washu said.
"What makes you think that we are going to catch up to him. He has more than a week's worth of a head start." Tenchi asked.
"Unfortunately, the haste in which I built Christians ship didn't allow for me to make it is fast as I would have wanted. Even if he hasn't stopped, Yagami will catch him in a few days." Washu pointed out. Yagami had passed the outer planets and was entering a vast field of ice.
"Where are we?" Mihoshi asked as she looked at the chunks of ice that zipped past Yagami.
"We just entered the Ort Cloud. It is a spherical field of ice that envelops the solar system." Washu explained. Yagami was starting to emerge from the ice field when a light on the Yagami's control panel started to flash.
"What is that?" Ayeka asked.
"That's a distress signal. There is a ship nearby that needs assistance." Kiyone said as she hit a few buttons on the panel.
"That's strange. The signal is very weak but according to these readings, the ship is very near." Kiyone said.
"I guess this take precedence over my search." Kiyone stated as she brought Yagami about and headed back into the ice field. It wasn't long until Yagami came upon a Jurai freighter. Kiyone was relieved that it wasn't Christian's ship. She opened a subspace channel but the other ship's communications were down. The other ship came into view as Yagami passed a large chunk of ice. The group let out a collective gasp when they saw that the ship was severely damaged. It looked as though it were blasted almost in two. Yagami pulled along side the other ship and docked. Kiyone and Mihoshi were the first to enter the ship. Two women happily greeted the visitors.
"Oh thank goodness it's the galaxy police!" One of the women spouted.
"What happened?" Kiyone asked. "We were attacked by space pirates." The other woman offered.
"What?" Kiyone asked with disbelief.
"We knew that this was a specially protected area and rushed here with hopes of running into the police who guard this system. The pirates got to us before we made it in. The pirates were already starting to shoot us up when a strange ship appeared and started to attack the pirates. The other ship was much smaller than the pirate's ship. The captain of that ship was extremely courageous." The woman finally finished.
"I hope it wasn't..." Kiyone started but was unable to finish as her heart sank. Washu typed on her keyboard and a video screen popped up in front of the two women.
"Is this the ship that you saw?" Washu asked.
"Why yes! I've never seen anything like it before but I won't be forgetting it anytime soon." The one woman said. The group looked at Washu.
"It was Christian." Washu confirmed. Kiyone rushed back aboard Yagami.
"Let's go. This just got a hell of a lot more serious." Ryoko said.
"What about our ship and cargo?" The first woman asked.
"It wasn't your fault. I'll make sure you two are not held responsible." Ayeka said. The two women finally recognized the Princess of Jurai and started to bow but Ryoko grabbed the two by the waste and flew aboard Yagami. Everyone else followed suit.
* * *
Yagami was now running at ten- percent overdrive. If Kiyone didn't run across any promising news soon, she would be forced to shut down Yagami's reactors for a few hours to allow them to cool and recharge. It didn't take long for Washu's device to detect Christian's ship. Yagami slowed as Christian's ship came into view. Christian's ship floated upside down and the remains of another ship drifted nearby. His ship was more severely damaged than the other. Kiyone's mouth opened wide at the desperation of her situation. The docking rings on Christian's ship were ruined. Washu produced a device that teleported everyone aboard Christians ship. Washu couldn't believe this was the same ship she built only a week prior. The lights onboard didn't function. Washu brought forth her keyboard and typed in a few commands. The lights blinked to life, revealing the full extent of damage to the ship. The bridge looked like a war zone. The controls were smashed and frayed and cut wires hung from the ceiling. The floor was seared and melted in several places. Everyone scattered to different parts of the ship to see what they could find. A scream pierced the silence and everyone jumped. Mihoshi was cowering in the middle of the bridge. Her arm was fully extended and pointed the way to the corner of the ship where she was just looking. Everyone saw what appeared to be a hand lying on the deck sticking out from underneath a pile of rubble. Ryoko quickly made her way to the hand. She grabbed the large section of ceiling and heaved it out of the way. Sasami quickly turned and covered her face. The body was mangled and almost unrecognizable. Ryoko stooped down and looked at the remains.
"Luchin Marauders." Ryoko stated as she turned to Kiyone.
"Very nasty beings." Washu offered.
"At least this one got what he deserved. Why would the marauders attack if they had people already aboard?" Ayeka asked.
"I'll show you why." Ryoko said as she walked across the bridge to another pile of rubble. She dug through the pile until she pulled out another body.
"What does this mean?" Kiyone asked.
"It means the Luchin had disabled the ship and boarded. They scanned the bridge and teleported aboard in places that would give them an interlocking field of fire." Washu explained as she moved to anther pile of debris and found another body.
"Luchin Marauders travel in groups no larger than eight and they work in teams of two. There are three dead here and I'm willing to bet that there is at least one more on the ship somewhere." Washu said.
"I don't understand. What are Luchin Marauders? And how does their number and where they stand tell you about what happened?" Tenchi asked.
"Luchin Marauders are pirates from a very far away galaxy. As you can see, they look similar to humanoid dogs. As beastly as they look, they are very intelligent. One teleported here and his partner teleported there." Kiyone explained.
"However, they didn't expect to encounter someone who could wield a blade like Christian could." Ryoko explained as she put her foot on one of the bodies. She pressed her foot down and a very fine line became a deep vicious cut.
"Christian got him first and the zig-zagged his way here until he was within striking distance." Ryoko said. She imitated the way Christian should have moved across the floor.
"You can see the marks on the floor from the marauder's missed shots." Washu noticed.
"After the first two were defeated, the marauders sent down another pair. This one materialized right next to Christian. He was able to duck the marauder's attack and cut the back of his legs but his partner was closing in and he didn't have time to finish him." Ryoko explained as she examined the slice on the back of one of the marauder's legs.
"Then where did Christian go?" Mihoshi asked as she recovered from her fright. Washu looked to the door that led off the bridge. It had several plasma burns in it.
"This way." Washu said. Everyone hurried to the door. Washu stood in front of the door but it didn't open. She was about to put her hand on the door then it slid open. To the group's horror, the fourth marauder was found but his head was lying several feet away from him. Washu looked down then to the wall on the other side of the doors. The panel that served the doors was open. Ryoko walked in and saw the same thing.
"Clever boy." Ryoko said.
"What happened here?" Tenchi asked. "Christian knew he wouldn't be able to close the distance on the fourth marauder the same as he did with the second so he ran for this doorway. Once he got to the other side, he changed the settings so the door would open only when someone got within a few inches. He knew the marauder would put his hand to the door the same way I did. This would give Christian an advantage. As soon as the doors opened, he leaped forward and decapitated the last marauder." Washu explained. Kiyone looked frightened.
"How could he be so vicious?" Kiyone though out loud. Ryoko turned sharply towards Kiyone.
"He did what he had to do stay alive. He knew these marauders wouldn't try to take this ship unless everyone on board was dead. That's how they are. He was merciful enough to leave number three alive." Ryoko explained.
"But that one is dead." Ayeka noted.
"Yes he is but that is the Luchin's doing." Washu pointed out.
"How do you figure?" Ryoko asked.
"After they lost half of their crew, they decided to take no more chances and pummeled the ship with cannon fire until they were confident of Christian's death. That or they just became upset about being whipped by a single earthling. In the attack, the surviving Luchin was killed. However, that's not the reason for the severe damage to this ship." Washu concluded as she walked down the hall. The group came upon another set of doors.
"We aren't going to find any other gross things are we?" Mihoshi asked as she stood behind Kiyone.
"No. These doors won't open because there is nothing behind them but black space. This was the passage that led to the reactor room. Christian had no substantial firepower so he came here and put a remote overload command into the reactor controls. He waited until he knew the Luchin were close or on board before he blew the reactor. The resulting explosion finished the rest of the Luchin and their ship." Washu said with a smile.
"He's a sharp cookie alright." Ryoko commented. Kiyone looked stricken.
"Then where is he?" Kiyone asked. Washu smiled brightly and pointed to a small door to her left and a red light on the door.
"This was the escape pod. It's not here. He escaped and as soon as he was clear of the ship, he hit the button. That's what I would have done at least." Washu spouted. Kiyone brightened.
"What are we doing here? Let's go find him." Kiyone announced.
* * *
Washu patched her tracking device into the controls of Yagami. The ship would follow the signature of Christian's escape pod. Yagami slowly banked and swerved back and forth.
"Was his pod damaged?" Kiyone asked as she tried to sip her tea.
"All the readings from his exhaust trail indicate that his pod is operating normally." Washu stated.
"Then why is he swerving like this?" Ayeka asked. Ryoko laughed out loud. "Ha!Ha! You mean like this?" Ryoko jumped to her feet and put her arms out like she was an airplane. She flew around the room swerving like a happy child.
"I think you are right." Kiyone said with a smile.
"A single person beating eight Luchin marauders is an accomplishment worthy of celebration. Even if it did cost him his ship." Washu said.
"I'll drink to that." Ryoko said. She lifted her glass of tea in a toast the same way Christian did a week ago.
"Here! Here!" The group sounded together. Just as they were about to drink, Yagami banked sharply to starboard and came to a stop. The group spilt their tea all over themselves. Kiyone rushed to the bridge to see Christian's escape pod floating in space in front of Yagami. Kiyone hit a few buttons on the control panel and scanned the pod. No one was on board.
"Wh...Where is he?" Kiyone said as tears filled her eyes. Washu was already typing furiously. Her eyes narrowed and her mouth drew tight. She then closed her eyes.
"Another ship intercepted him. Its exhaust signature is similar to that of the Luchin Marauder's."
* * *
Yagami raced through space once more. Washu's tracking device was now locked onto the ship that intercepted Christian. The ship was quiet. Kiyone wanted to be left alone and she sat by herself in the pilot's seat. Everyone else was in the cargo hold. Washu was able to come up with a few things that made the hold a little more hospitable. Ryoko sat by herself in a chair near the wall. An orange ball of energy materialized in her hand and disappeared. Then it materialized again and it disappeared again. She did this for a few minutes until she squeezed the ball into her orange sword. She stared at the bright blade. She was thinking to herself and she started to become uneasy. She squeezed her blade tighter until small arcs of her power traveled up and down her blade. Ryoko's mood wasn't unnoticed. Everyone looked at her but she was still engrossed in deep though. Her face became sour and before she knew it, her black and red battle suit materialized on her body. Ryoko was surprised and lost track of what she was thinking about. She looked at her hand and the sword was gone. She then looked to the rest of the group who was staring at her. She scratched her head and smiled nervously.
"Ummm..sorry about that." She said apologetically. Ayeka shook her head and continued to speak with Sasami. Tenchi looked concerned and was about to walk over to talk to Ryoko until he noticed Washu was already on her way.
"What's eating you?" Washu asked. Ryoko tried to blow off Washu but the little scientist continued to follow Ryoko around.
"Will you leave me alone? If I want your help, I'll ask for it." Ryoko complained.
"No you won't. You don't ask anyone for help but there are times when you need it. That's why I'm here talking to you now." Washu said.
"Forget it Washu. Leave me be." Ryoko said and tried to walk away. Washu caught her by the wrist and prevented her departure.
"You know I'm not going to leave you be until I find out what your problem is." Washu said as she sat. Ryoko conceded Washu's point and sat next to her.
"I didn't know you cared so much for Christian that his absence is causing you such distraction." Washu said.
"It's not that." Ryoko said.
"Then what?" Washu prompted.
"Everyone can see that Kiyone likes Christian very much if she doesn't love him." Ryoko started. Washu nodded.
"Now that she has finally found someone she wants to be with, he is gone." Ryoko explained.
"You care so much for Kiyone that this is upsetting you?" Washu asked.
"I wish that was the case but no. It just reminds me of Tenchi." Ryoko said. Washu looked up at Tenchi across the hold. He was sitting with his back against the wall and his head was bowed. He looked like he was asleep but he scratched his ear. Ryoko smiled then became disheartened once more.
"I put myself in Kiyone's place and asked myself, 'What would you do, Ryoko?" Ryoko said.
"What would you do?" Washu asked.
"I would do what Kiyone is doing now. I would search until the end of time to find him." Ryoko said. Washu smiled.
"I don't see the problem." Washu said.
"I didn't say there was a problem. You won't leave me alone until I come clean." Ryoko snapped at Washu. Washu didn't change at first then her expression changed to concern.
"But there is a problem." Washu stated. Ryoko calmed down and looked sad.
"Yes." Ryoko admitted.
"Well?" Washu prodded.
"We are searching for Christian and with any luck we will find him. But these are Luchin Marauders. They are savage, monstrous creatures. I'm afraid that we may not find Christian alive. I feel so desperately sad for Kiyone that I can hardly bare it." Ryoko said.
"You have been thinking about what you might do if you were in Kiyone's place and Tenchi was in Christian's?" Washu asked. Ryoko looked like she really had lost Tenchi. Her eyes watered and she bit her bottom lip. Washu stood and wrapped her arms around Ryoko.
"You have been thinking about what you would do if you found Tenchi dead?" Washu asked as Ryoko sobbed. Ryoko didn't reply.
"What would you do?" Washu asked. Ryoko replied through her psychic link. Washu closed her eyes.
"I wouldn't like that too much. It took me a long time to create you and I've become fond of you." Washu said. Washu opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder. Everyone was now looking at the two of them. Her eyes narrowed and everyone went about what they were doing.
"You shouldn't be like this. True, it is very bad that such a thing could befall anyone. It's not wrong to feel sad for Kiyone. We all do. We would all feel terrible if the worst would come to pass but it hasn't. We're going to find him and then everything will be back the way it was before." Washu said. Ryoko gently pushed Washu away from her. She brought her sleeve up to her face and dried her tears. Washu smiled again.
"As for Tenchi, look across the hold. Tenchi is sleeping now and, unless I'm mistaken, he has a big smile on his face. He's a happy boy and he's right over there." Washu spouted. Ryoko smiled and stood. Ryoko changed back into her blue and yellow outfit and flew across the hold until she was standing next to Tenchi. She sat down next to him in and fell asleep leaning against him.
* * *
Ayeka walked onto the bridge to see Kiyone punching buttons on the console. Kiyone looked like she needed some sleep but she refused to give up her chair until she found Christian.
"Are you ok, Kiyone?" Ayeka asked. Kiyone looked over her shoulder and saw Ayeka walking towards her with a cup in her hand.
"I'm pretty tired but I'll get over it." Kiyone said as she rubbed her eyes.
"Sasami made this for you. She said this will help you stay awake." Ayeka said as she handed the cup to Kiyone.
"Thank you and please thank Sasami for me if I don't see her before you do." Kiyone said. Ayeka nodded and sat in Mihoshi's chair.
"We sure have flown a long way." Ayeka observed.
"Yes we have. I've already submitted a report to Galaxy Police headquarters and every police ship in the galaxy is on the look out for the same type of ship that we saw back there. Washu thinks that the one we are after now is a sister ship of that wrecked one. If that is the case then tracking it won't be all that hard." Kiyone explained.
"Do you know where they are going yet?" Ayeka asked.
"No. Luchin change their coarse every so often so tracking them that way is difficult." Kiyone said. The ship was jolted hard to port and Ayeka fell to the deck. If Kiyone hadn't been buckled in, she would have been thrown out of the chair. Yagami was knocked hard to port once more. Kiyone hit a few more switches. She leaned towards the PA microphone.
"We're under attack! Everyone do what you need to do to keep from getting hurt." Kiyone yelled. Yagami's inner shields held off the first two attacks and Kiyone just activated the main shields. She hit a button and a ship appeared on the view screen in front of her. Washu ran to the bridge in time to see Kiyone's monitor.
"It's the Luchin." Washu said.
"It sure appears that way." Kiyone said.
"Can you get any back-up?" Washu asked.
"No. They are jamming all channels." Kiyone announced.
"I guess we are on our own." Washu said.
"No you are not." Ryoko said as she walked onto the bridge.
"How about it Ryo-Ohki? Are you ready to fight the good fight?" Ryoko asked the cabbit at her feet.
"Miaaa." Ryo-Ohki agreed. Ryoko picked up Ryo-Ohki and teleported outside Yagami. Moments later, Ryo-Ohki transformed into her spaceship form. Ryo-Ohki flew straight at the Luchin battleship. The Luchin ship banked hard to avoid Ryo-Ohki. Yagami came about and Kiyone powered up the weapon systems. Ryo-Ohki let loose a salvo after passing the Luchin but their shields defeated her attack. The Luchin were expecting to take on Yagami, which was pushing their luck to begin with. Now they had to contest with Ryo-Ohki as well. The Luchin were outnumbered and outclassed and tried to make a break for it. Yagami fired a full spread from the forward plasma cannons and the attack overloaded the Luchin's shield generators. As soon as the shield collapsed, Ryo-Ohki took out the engines and the Luchin ship sat motionless in space. Ryo-Ohki fired another set of well-placed shots and disabled the ship's reactors. Now the Luchin couldn't fight back. Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki rematerialized on Yagami's bridge.
"That was easy enough." Ryoko spouted. Just then, the Luchin ship exploded. Everyone was shocked.
"Now let's not have anyone freak out!" Washu yelled over the explosion.
"That wasn't the ship we were chasing." Washu said. Kiyone felt relieved.
"More over, I now have a pretty good idea where Christian may be." Washu said.
"Hold on a minute. What the hell just happened, Washu?" Ryoko asked trying to get a grasp on the situation.
"The Luchin are as proud as they are intelligent. They won't be taken prisoner. So, they blew themselves up." Washu explained.
"That's a relief." Ryoko said as she wiped some sweat from her brow. Everyone looked at her curiously. She noticed.
"What I mean is I'm glad I didn't do anything to cause the ship that might have carried Christian to blow up." Ryoko explained. Kiyone looked stern.
"Next time, don't take out their reactors. If they still have the means to fight, they won't kill themselves." Kiyone advised.
"Well excuse me for breathing." Ryoko said sarcastically.
"You were saying you might know where he is, Washu." Kiyone said.
"Yes. Before the ship exploded, I detected a trace amount of a rare microbe found on a moon near here. This moon is uninhabited and would make an excellent pirate hide out." Washu finished. Washu walked over to the console and punched the coordinates into the computer. Yagami turned and started off for the moon Washu mentioned.
* * *
Yagami touched down on the fifth moon of the Planet Setriad. The planet was cover with dense vegetation but Washu was able to locate a small structure on the surface. The building was similar in design to that of the Luchin. Kiyone set down a few kilometers away from the building so they wouldn't be detected. Ryoko went ahead and scouted out the structure and the only guards she could find were patrolling the fence line of the building. Sasami, the two women from the freighter, Azaka and Kamedake stayed behind. Tenchi led the way into the jungle and sliced a path with the master key. Although the land was rugged, the group made considerably good time. It only took about an hour for them to reach the fence line.
"It doesn't look all that big for a pirate hideout." Tenchi observed.
"More than likely, that is just the guardhouse to the entrance. I'll bet the hideout itself is underground." Kiyone offered.
"What are we waiting for. Let's go shake their monkey tree." Ryoko spouted.
"Hold on there, crazy girl. We don't know how many are in there and they know that place inside and out. We are going to be at a big disadvantage." Washu advised.
"We really don't have a choice. We hunt them or draw them out. Either way, we are going to have to go in there to get Christian out." Tenchi said.
"It's your call Kiyone." Ryoko said. Kiyone looked thoughtful for a moment before she spoke.
"We're going in." Kiyone decided.
* * *
Ryoko was able to knock out the guards quickly and silently. She entered the complex first as a scout. Ayeka, who would shield the group with the power of Jurai, followed her. Kiyone and Mihoshi flanked Ayeka and they would secure the sides. Tenchi and Washu would guard the rear. The group made their way down a narrow corridor until they came to a heavy door. Ryoko phased through the wall and opened it from the other side. When the door opened, the group saw Ryoko took out another two guards. They continued down a large spiral staircase until they came to a large chamber. They crept along the edge of the round chamber. Their footsteps echoed loudly off the smooth floor and walls. The room was very dark and no one could see the other side of the room. If they could, it is doubtful that they would have entered the room. A brilliant white light illuminated the chamber, as the door they came through slammed shut. Everyone's eyesight recovered and they could see dozens of Luchin Marauders standing on the far side of the room. They had walked into a trap. The marauders fanned out and the group stood in the middle of the room. A sinister laugh rang out and echoed in the chamber. The group looked up to see a large, black Luchin step forward onto a balcony that overlooked the chamber. He was clad in chrome armor and wore a red cape. He also wore chrome gauntlets on his forearms and shins. His steps were heavy and they seemed to shake the ground they stood on. The other Luchin in the room were smaller but not much smaller.
"This must be the leader." Ayeka whispered.
"You are correct, Princess." The large Luchin growled.
"You had better let me go. If you do not, the king will be furious and he will not rest until I'm set free." Ayeka warned. The leader laughed loudly again and his followers did the same.
"I have no doubt that the king values the welfare of his daughter a great deal. That will make your ransom that much more." The leader spoke.
"We seek the earthling you captured days ago named Christian." Washu said.
"Ah! That earthling rat. He is a valiant warrior but crossing the Luchin was a mistake that he will regret. I think he regrets it even now but he shall regret it far more the longer he remains alive. He slew eight of my beloved Marauders and destroyed one of my ships. You have done no less. My pride will not stand such an insult. Even after he dies, I will not be satisfied. I will impose my people's power against all earthlings until no less than one hundred have been dealt the same fate as he. This Grimmle swears!" The large Luchin roared as his fists came down and slammed against the marble banister in front of him. The impact resonated in the chamber and sounded like thunder. The Luchin became excited and howled at their leader's declaration. Tenchi thought he was in a nightmare. These Luchin looked like werewolves. They had large muscular arms that seemed to hang to the floor and short powerful legs. They had the faces of dogs. Their claws scratched harshly against the marble floor as they moved. Kiyone was scared as well but brightened after hearing that Christian was alive and in this structure. All she had to do now was survive the impending onslaught of Luchin, free Christian and escape. It looked bleak but at least it was a plan.
"Take the princess! Kill the rest!" Grimmle roared again. The Luchin raised their weapons and opened fire. They were smart enough to only circle the group half way as not to shoot their own people across the room. However, they didn't know about the princess's power. Her shield deflected the plasma rounds and sent a few back at her attackers. The Luchin managed to shoot four of their own. Grimmle growled in consternation. Washu stepped toward Grimmle and produced an orange sword like Ryoko's. She held it in front of her, saluting Grimmle. This pleased Grimmle and he laughed.
"Ha! Very well. Put away your plasma rifles, Marauders!" Grimmle sounded. The Luchin slung their weapons behind their back. Ryoko produced two balls of energy in her hands and prepared to release them at the Luchin.
"Ryoko! No!" Washu yelled. Ryoko looked at Washu but Washu was still looking at Grimmle.
"Sabers!" Ordered Grimmle. The Luchin produced plasma sabers from their belts. The sabers burned red and the white marble of the walls now appeared to be as red as blood. Tenchi brought forth his blue blade and Ryoko created her orange blade.
"Ayeka, protect Kiyone and Mihoshi." Washu said.
"Marauders! One on one. Bring me victory and you shall have honor." Grimmle roared once more. The Luchin filed into three lines. Each line faced Tenchi, Ryoko or Washu. No sooner did the Luchin line up than the first in each line launched forward. Tenchi was surprised and was on the defensive for the first few assaults but he focused and pressed the attack until he disarmed his first assailant. Washu ducked and dodged the Luchin's attack until she saw an opening and marked her opponent. It only took a few marks before her attacker was too weary to fight. Ryoko, on the other hand, fought just as savagely if not more so than the Luchin. She swung her blade and countered each of her attacker's assaults until she found her opening. She jabbed her first opponent in the face. While he was dazed, she grabbed him by the neck and threw him across the room. She quickly turned back towards her line of attackers to face the next challenger. She wore a wicked smile and the next Luchin wasn't all that motivated to attack her. Grimmle looked down from his balcony and didn't like what he was seeing. One by one, his warriors were falling to the wayside until half of his warriors remained. Grimmle became enraged. He howled at the top of his lungs. The sound made all of the Luchin back to the walls with fear. Washu, Tenchi and Ryoko put their fingers in their ears. Grimmle leaped over the balcony and his landing shook the room. His red cape was spread around him so only the top of his head was visible. He looked up with a sneer. As he stood, everyone could see the marble beneath his feet and under his fists was shattered like glass. He reared up to his full height, which was twice as tall as Tenchi.
"Posts!" Grimmle roared once more. The Luchin put away their sabers and lined up against the wall. Grimmle walked in front of them and growled his disapproval. He then stopped and strode to the middle of the chamber.
"If I succeed where you failed, there will be hell to pay." Grimmle growled. He took off his cape, folded it, and handed it to one of the Luchin. He walked to the middle of the room once more and stood. He removed a plasma saber from his belt and it crackled to life. It was as large as a broadsword and it seemed to be an appropriate match to the leader of the Luchin.
"Choose a champion!" Grimmle roared. Ryoko took a step forward but was halted by a hand on her shoulder. Tenchi stepped in front of Ryoko.
"I'm not going to let you fight him." Ryoko complained. Tenchi faced Ryoko.
"Ryoko, if I win we will be able to get out of here together. If I fail, it will be up to you to get the others out of here. You are their only hope." Tenchi finished. Ryoko looked at Tenchi.
"Then you are our only hope because I'm not leaving here without you." Ryoko said. Tenchi nodded and faced Grimmle. Grimmle looked at Tenchi with disapproval.
"This is your champion?" Grimmle laughed. Tenchi remained focused.
"I was hoping to fight the woman in red. She fights like our queen." Grimmle laughed.
"I think you will find more than you can handle with Tenchi." Ryoko taunted.
"Hmph! We shall see." Grimmle snorted with contempt. The two brought their blades to the ready.
* * *
For being an arrogant being, Grimmle proved to show signs of a skilled warrior. Although he was much larger and clearly stronger than Tenchi, he didn't underestimate him. The two circled each other. Tenchi paced with both hands on his hilt. The blade was held in front of Tenchi and it was pointed at Grimmle the whole time. Grimmle held his blade behind him and up. His leading hand was in front of him as if it was going to grab at Tenchi. Grimmle made a huge circle above his head with his blade but then he swung it low with both hands to slice off Tenchi's legs. Tenchi leaped over Grimmle's attack and lunged at the huge Luchin. Grimmle was surprised but he stepped out of the way and used his momentum to bring his blade around towards Tenchi's back. Tenchi sensed this and turned to block Grimmle's attack. Unfortunately, Grimmle's strike had more power than Tenchi could stop. Tenchi was knocked backwards and onto the floor. Grimmle didn't let up. He leaped high into the air and brought the point of his blazing broadsword down at Tenchi. Tenchi moved out of the way just in time. Grimmle's sword drove deep into the marble floor. Tenchi used his momentum to land a sweep in the back of Grimmle's knee. Grimmle flew back and slammed into the floor. Tenchi was about to press the attack when Grimmle raised his blade at Tenchi. The Luchin was back on his feet. Tenchi thought the Luchin would be angry but we wore a smile.
"Well met. You surprise me." Grimmle grumbled. He brought his blade at Tenchi parallel to the floor. Tenchi ducked and countered but Grimmle quickly brought his blade back around and blocked Tenchi's counter. Grimmle brought his head down and bit Tenchi's shoulder viciously. Tenchi yelled in pain. Ryoko was about to step in when Washu stopped her. Ayeka screamed but there was nothing she could do either. Grimmle's teeth were deeply imbedded in Tenchi's right shoulder. Grimmle thought Tenchi was at his mercy and lowered his sword. Tenchi managed to switch hands with his sword behind his back. He brought his blade at Grimmle's head with his left arm. Grimmle saw this and let go of Tenchi to avoid the strike but he wasn't fast enough. The tip of Tenchi's blade sliced Grimmle's right eye and he would never see out of that eye again. Grimmle jumped back and clutched at his face as he howled in pain. Tenchi dropped to his knees when he was released but he was soon standing with his right arm hanging useless to his side. He took a step towards Grimmle and the Luchin raised his blade once more. Grimmle turned his head to stare at Tenchi with his good eye. Grimmle stood once more. He grumbled something no one but Luchin could understand and two of the Luchin along the wall stepped out of the chamber. Grimmle laughed once more.
"You took my eye. Now I will take your life. But before that happens I want you to see something." Grimmle growled. The two Luchin stepped back into the chamber dragging someone with them. They threw their detainee into the middle of the chamber. The human was naked and was in miserable shape. His back was cut from lashes and he was bruised and bleeding from head to toe. At first the prisoner appeared to be dead but then he started to stir. He put one hand in front of himself to support his weight. The other was obviously broken in several places. He lifted his head and opened his blackened eyes to see Kiyone.
"Good evening, Detective. I would have liked to have shown you Alaska." The prisoner managed before slipped into unconsciousness.
"CHRISTIAN!!!" Kiyone screamed. She dashed for Christian before Ryoko had a chance to stop her.
"Kiyone! Look out!" Mihoshi yelled. Kiyone didn't see Grimmle's huge fist streak for her until it was too late. His punch landed square in her chest. Kiyoned sailed backwards then slid to a stop on the floor in front of Ayeka. She was still conscious but in great pain from Grimmle's punch. A roar filled the room until everyone, including the Luchin, were forced to cover their ears. The roar did not come from Grimmle, however. Grimmle turned to face the source of the cry. He looked upon Tenchi. The three wings of the light hawk burned in front of him. Tenchi placed his two hands on the upper wings. Doing so, he was now clad in the robes of the keeper of the light hawk wings. He reached forward and clasped the remaining wing to form the light hawk sword. For the first time since his youth, Grimmle was afraid. He knew what the light hawk wings were but a boy who possessed them must be more powerful than he could ever imagine. Grimmle knew his end was at hand. He decided that he wouldn't go alone. Grimmle heaved his blade in the air above Christian.
"DON'T!" Kiyone screamed again. Tenchi moved like lightning across the floor and stood between Christian and Grimmle with the light hawk sword at the point of follow through. Grimmle still stood with his blade over Christian ready to strike. Grimmle dropped to one knee then his torso separated from his waist and fell backwards. The Luchin sank to their knees and howled and groaned at the sight of their fallen lord. Kiyone stood back up and ran over to Christian. She didn't want to touch him for fear of hurting him. She put her hands on the back of his hands and started to cry. Christian's hand moved slightly.
"Christian! You're alive!" Kiyone yelled with delight.
"Yeah, but not for long if we don't get him out of here." Washu noted.
"Tenchi, you cover our escape. Ryoko, you teleport Christian back to the infirmary on board Yagami. Everyone else, follow me." Washu yelled. Ryoko disappeared with Christian and the group headed for the way out. Tenchi sliced open the door and soon were all on their way to the surface. The Luchin were so grief stricken that they didn't even give chase. Everyone was aboard Yagami and headed for earth before the Luchin noticed they were gone. One of the Luchin finally stood. The one Grimmle handed his cape to spoke and donned the cape.
"Lord Grimmle has fallen and now I assume his place." The Luchin spoke. The other Luchin looked to the new leader.
"My first order of business as Lord of the Scarlet Sect is to attack earth." He spoke. The Luchin jumped to their feet and howled their agreement. The new leader raised his hand and the Luchin became silent.
"Lord Grimmle is dead." He said.
"Long live Lord Sorba!" The Luchin exclaimed.
"We will attack earth and will not rest until every earthling has felt Lord Grimmle's hate from beyond the realm of the dead." Lord Sorba proclaimed. All the Luchin raised their red plasma blades above their heads.
* * *
Mihoshi was crying while she piloted Yagami. It tore her to pieces seeing Christian in terrible shape but it hurt more seeing her partner in such agony. Kiyone wanted to stay with Christian so it was up to Mihoshi to pilot the ship. Washu had turned the cargo hold into a makeshift medical facility. Although Washu was able to alleviate much of Christian's pain, she didn't have right equipment to heal him.
"What can I do?" Kiyone asked. Washu removed her gloves and looked at Kiyone.
"There isn't anything you can do Kiyone, for the fifth time. I was able to give him pain killers and I stopped most of the bleeding but I can't do more than that until I get him in my lab." Washu explained. Kiyone jumped up and grabbed Washu by the collar. Kiyone dragged Washu out of the room before Washu could object. She stopped in the next compartment and remained silent. Washu straightened her clothes and remained calm. Kiyone looked like she was ready to burst.
"What do you think?" Kiyone finally managed.
"Can you be more specific?" Washu asked back.
"You know what I mean. Don't make me say it." Kiyone said. Washu bowed her head. She did know what Kiyone was talking about.
"It doesn't look good. Without going into detail, I would say he has maybe two days." Washu said. Kiyone's leg buckled and she put her hand on the wall to keep from falling.
"I'm sorry Kiyone. I've done all I can. I am not capable of fixing his critical injuries but was able to fix his superficial injuries. I'm sure you will find him looking the same as he did before. Why don't you go talk to him? I'm sure he misses you every minute you aren't there." Washu explained. Kiyone knew Washu did all that she could but she felt like her world was coming to an end. She walked to the cargo bay and to Christian. Washu was very sad as well. She was reminded of how she felt when her son was taken from her while she was at the academy. The hair on Washu's neck stood up and she knew she wasn't alone. She turned and saw a figure leaning against the wall in the shadows. At first, Washu was at a loss. Ryo-Ohki ran from behind Washu and sat next to the figure. The figure looked at Washu. Washu's eyes narrowed when she saw two golden eyes peer out of the darkness. Ryoko bent over and picked up Ryo-Ohki and cradled the cabbit in her arms. She scratched Ryo-Ohki's ear and continued to look at Washu.
"What are you up to, Ryoko?" Washu asked. This time, Ryoko's eyes narrowed but she didn't reply. Washu sprinted for Ryoko but she disappeared with Ryo-Ohki before Washu could get to her.
"Get back here!" Washu yelled through her Psychic link.
"I'll come back in due time. I have something to take care of." Ryoko replied.
"You can't do that!" Washu yelled. "I must. Kiyone can't but I can...and I will." Ryoko finished.
* * *
All the Luchin's preparations were complete and now the Scarlet Sect was gathered in the chamber that Grimmle and Tenchi battled.
"My valiant warriors, it is time. Hunt down the lowly rabble that fell Lord Grimmle. Seek them out and have revenge!" Lord Sorba howled in the chamber. The Luchin turned and were headed for the marble archway that led to the surface when all of a sudden, the marble archway was blasted to rubble and the debris blocked the passage. Another series of shots were fired and the passage leading to the lower levels was blocked as well. The entire Scarlet Sect of the Luchin was now trapped in the marble chamber. The lights went out and all was silent. The Luchin turned and listened in the dark. Their hearing was good and they scanned the room for what caused the commotion.
"Listen to me, Luchin." A clear feminine voice spoke in the darkness. The Luchin's heads turned toward the ceiling.
"You warriors, in your foolish arrogance, have carried out an atrocity that can not be left unanswered. You have gravely wounded two people who are very dear to me. They will not recover from their injuries and neither shall you. They are not able to stand against you but I am. I am here now and I invite you to stand against my wrath if you can. Your pride caused your folly and now your pride will assist me in reaping retribution." The voice concluded. An orange saber illuminated the room and its light reflected the hate in Ryoko's eyes. The Luchin brandished their red sabers and charged Ryoko. The fight lasted about a half an hour. There would never be a Scarlet Sect of the Luchin again.
* * *
Christian opened his eyes and looked at Kiyone. Her eyes were watered and it was all she could do to keep from bursting into tears.
"Hi, Kiyone. You look like you have been through quite a lot. You shouldn't have done that on my account." Christian whispered. Kiyone smiled.
"How do you feel?" Kiyone asked.
"I feel tired." Christian replied and he closed his eyes.
"You just hold on tight. We are going to be at Washu's lab soon and she will fix you up as good as new." Kiyone urged. Christian's eyes opened again and a bright warm smile lit up his face. He looked as though he was trying to laugh but laughter didn't come.
"Thank you for trying to comfort me but I know that my end has come." Christian said. Kiyone looked very sad. Christian saw this.
"Oh. Don't be sad. Everything must come to an end sooner or later. I very much doubt that we would expire at the same time anyway." Christian joked.
"I don't think that's funny." Kiyone said.
"Don't be so serious. I've lived much longer than a human being is supposed to. That doesn't matter. I'm just glad I met you before I left." Christian said.
"I don't want you to go." Kiyone said through her sobs. Christian smiled brightly again as though he was going to laugh but, again, laughter failed him.
"Do you think I want to go? I like it here but that can't be stopped now." Christian said. Kiyone nodded and looked depressed all over again.
"There is something I would like to do before I go though." Christian said.
"What?" Kiyone asked.
"I want to show you Alaska." Christian said.
"I don't think Mihoshi will have that much trouble flying there." Kiyone said with a smile.
"No. I want to show you Alaska. No one else." Christian said as he squeezed Kiyone's hand.
"How are we going to get there? Ryoko took Ryo-Ohki and who knows when she'll..." Kiyone stopped. She looked up and Ryoko rematerialized. Ryoko was wearing her battle suit and she was in bad shape. Washu walked over to her and led her to another bed across the way. Ryoko looked at Kiyone and smiled as she walked away. Ryo-Ohki walked next to Washu and didn't look hurt at all. Kiyone looked back to Christian who was still smiling at her.
"If they won't mind flying home on Ryo-Ohki, I would love to see Alaska." Kiyone said with a smile.
"They better not mind after all the presents I bought them." Christian joked.
"That's not very nice." Kiyone said. Christian was finally able to laugh and he laughed a little while.
* * *
Christian and Kiyone lay down on the snow and gazed to the sky. The snow was about a meter deep but Kiyone put out some planks out so they wouldn't sink in. The sleeping bag Washu gave them worked extremely well. It was large enough for two people and was warm and soft, even when lying on ice. Or that's what Washu said. They weren't willing to test it. Only Kiyone's face felt chilled. There was no wind so the night didn't feel all that cold at all. Everyone agreed to Christian's request and they flew back to the Masaki residence on board Ryo-Ohki. Kiyone was able to trace the iridium Christian left in the ground so many years ago and put down in the same place. Christian was happy to see that the land had not been developed. Nor did he see any signs of development on the way there. Kiyone had dug out a small place in the snow before she put down the planks. She placed the sleeping bag in the small hole and it sat like a recliner. Kiyone helped Christian in first before she slid in behind him. It was a bit of trouble but Christian and Kiyone laughed at the awkward position. She put her arms underneath his and interlocked her fingers in front of his chest. Christian held Kiyone's hands in front of him.
"How much longer?" Kiyone asked.
"Who knows. They don't work on a schedule." Christian explained.
"They may not come out at all?" Kiyone asked with a little surprise.
"That is entirely possible but I think they are going to come out tonight." Christian said. Kiyone felt better.
"Take this time to admire the countryside around you." Christian said. Kiyone looked around and saw the snow capped mountains in the distance even though the moon wasn't up. Kiyone stuck her right hand out of the sleeping bag and pressed down on the snow. The snow squeaked. Kiyone giggled. She quickly brought her hand back in and grabbed Christian's hands. She felt Christian jump a little.
"Yahhh! That's cold." Christian alarmed before he laughed.
"I told you the snow squeaked." Christian said as he rubbed Kiyone' hands. "Now I'm a believer." Kiyone joked. The two sat in silence for a long time as they looked at the sky. Kiyone never saw so many stars while she was on earth. She suddenly remembered Christian's condition and she squeezed him a little tighter.
"What is it?" Christian asked.
"I don't want you to go." Kiyone said. Christian remained silent for a few moments. He sighed before he spoke.
"I don't want to go either. I love you more than anything in the universe. There is no way to stop what is going to happen. But listen to me. If you think more along these lines then maybe you will see that I'm not really going away." Christian explained.
"I'm listening." Kiyone said.
"I was born in 1698. That makes me 303 years old. I have seen much of this planet in my travels but even if there were others to live the same life I did, they would see much less of the planet than I did. You may even be able to see more of this planet in one year than most earthlings see in one lifetime." Christian said.
"I don't understand." Kiyone said. "Look up and what do you see?" Christian asked. Kiyone looked up.
"I see stars." Kiyone said.
"Yes. But at this very moment what do you see?" Christian asked. Kiyone looked up again. "I see the last star on the handle of the Big Dipper." Kiyone said.
"Very good. Now continue to look at it and tell me what you see." Christian instructed.
"I see the starlight shifts from blue to white and back every few seconds." Kiyone said. Kiyone was starting to see how beautiful this one star was. "Excellent. Now look at the others." Christian said. Kiyone shifted her gaze to the stars that surround it. She drew in a deep breath. She felt as if though this was the first time she had ever seen stars in her life. There were big white stars and tiny flashing red stars. Some even looked green and violet. She was even able to see a manmade satellite fly quickly across the sky. Kiyone laughed in amazement. Christian laughed at Kiyone's discovery. She felt as though she was lost in a see of stars.
"Now. What do you smell? What do you hear? How does the gentle breeze feel on your cheek?" Christian asked. Kiyone smelt the pine trees. She heard her heart beating. She felt the cool crisp breeze stoke her face like an icy touch. Kiyone was speechless for a few minutes. The whole world seemed new to her. It lived and danced like an endless ballet. She applied what Christian just showed her to other things. She noticed the smoothness of her fingernails. She saw shadows of the hills of snow roll across the valley. She heard the distant cry of a wolf. Kiyone snapped out of her state when a thought crossed her mind.
"How does this keep you from going away?" Kiyone asked. Christian chuckled.
"What you just experienced is what I experience whenever I take time to look around. You are the only person I've ever spoken to about this. You and I now will see the same things and it will belong to just to us. That's why I didn't want the others to come up here. You may have been too distracted by them to be able to see what I wanted you to see. Not just that but I only wanted you to see it. Whenever you feel lonely or you doubt that I'm with you, take a look around and see the things that I see. You will be looking through my eyes and we will never be apart." Christian finished. Kiyone hugged Christian and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you." Kiyone said with a smile. Christian and Kiyone looked back to the sky once more. A green meteor streaked halfway across the sky before it exploded in white sparks.
"Did you see that?" Kiyone almost yelled. Christian laughed. "Yes I did. Wasn't it great?" Christian said. Kiyone kept looking and before she knew it, a hazy green curtain descended from above. At first she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. Then the curtain became more distinct and it started to ripple as it filled the sky. Kiyone's mouth opened with wonder. Blues and reds mixed in seamlessly with the steady green. The ribbon of light moved across the sky and back. Kiyone couldn't blink and her eyes filled with tears.
"It's...It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen in my entire life." Kiyone said through a choked up voice.
"Yes." Christian said as he gripped her hand. Kiyone was speechless. She and Christian sat and watched the aurora for hours. Kiyone shifted her position a little and she felt Christians grip loosen. She squeezed his hand but he didn't return the gesture.
"Christian?" Kiyone asked. Christian didn't reply.
"Christian?!" She asked more urgently. He still didn't reply. She leaned over his shoulder and looked at his face. His eyes were closed and he had a pleasant smile on his face. She knew he was gone. Kiyone started to cry. The sun was starting to rise and the aurora and stars were fading with the coming of day. She held onto Christian tightly and slowly rocked back in forth. Kiyone's sadness turned bitter. She didn't like the stars. She didn't like the aurora. She didn't like being alone. The sun finally managed to climb over the mountains and sunlight burned white in the valley. Kiyone was now speechless. Clouds splashed over the mountains like huge waves breaking on a rocky shore. The wind picked up and blew through her hair. She looked at Christian. He still had the same smile on his face. The higher the sun climbed, the happier he seemed. Kiyone dried her tears and smiled.
"I'm not going to let you leave me. I promise to never lose sight of the things that made you so happy. I'll never forget you. I'll always love you. Always." Kiyone whispered in Christian's ear.
* * *
Dawn broke at the Masaki residence. Sasami woke up early and was getting a head start on breakfast. Ayeka was already up as well and she was watching the sun climb into the sky. Ryoko appeared in the living room and stood in front of the sofa next to the one Ayeka was sitting in. The two looked at one another. Tenchi was walking down the stairs and he saw the two ladies. He thought they were getting ready to kick of the day with their morning bout but something seemed different.
"Good morning." Ayeka greeted.
"Good morning." Ryoko greeted back as she took her seat. Tenchi couldn't believe his eyes. Noboyuki walked out of the kitchen with a newspaper in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. He sat down across from Ayeka. Mihoshi walked into the room and she was sobbing. Tenchi, Ayeka and Ryoko turned to face Mihoshi.
"What's wrong Mihoshi?" Tenchi asked.
"I feel so sorry for Kiyone and Christian. I can't stop crying and now I have a splitting headache." Mihoshi complained. The others weren't as physically emotional as Mihoshi but they all felt the same. Washu stepped through her lab door with a million-dollar smile.
"Good morning everyone." Washu chimed. Tenchi was uneasy. Ryoko and Ayeka scowled at Washu. Mihoshi still cried. Washu walked to Mihoshi and handed her two pills. Mihoshi quickly downed them and her crying slowed and then stopped. Washu turned her attention to Ryoko and Ayeka.
"What are you two looking at?" Washu asked.
"You have some nerve Washu." Ryoko said. "Ryoko's right. How can you walk in here like nothing has happened?" Ayeka scolded.
"What happened?" Washu asked. Everyone fell over. Tenchi stood and gathered himself.
"Little Washu, don't you remember Christian's condition?" Tenchi asked.
"Yes. And?" Washu asked again.
"We don't understand how you could be so happy when Christian could be.." Tenchi was unable to finish.
"Dead?" Washu finished for him.
"Well, yes." Tenchi replied. Washu sighed.
"I understand how you people are feeling and I was feeling the same way. I knew I couldn't fix Christian and he knew it more than I. He will die but that is no reason to be sorrowful. Christian went with Kiyone to enjoy his last moments on earth. He is having a good time and I think he would want us to do the same." Washu explained. The group looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I still feel bad though." Tenchi explained. Lord Katsuhito stepped into the living room.
"The reason you feel bad is because Christian and Kiyone love each other and now he is dying. This isn't their end. You can never unlove someone. As long as Kiyone goes on, so will their love. It all depends on how you look at it. The way you are looking at it is that Christian is going to leave just when he found Kiyone and that isn't fair. Am I right?" Lord Katsuhito asked. Tenchi nodded.
"Try to think of it how Christian thought of it. He knew that he should have died on that piece of reef way back when. However, he lived and he found true love before he past on. He was given a second chance and he made the most of it. Don't be sad for his premature ending for it wasn't premature. Instead be happy that he lived beyond the time he was supposed to and he made Kiyone extremely happy for a short time." Lord Katsuhito finished.
"But what about Kiyone? She may not feel the same way." Tenchi said.
"I'm sure Christian told her how he would wants her to feel. Besides, there is nothing you can do about the way Kiyone feels. All you can do is decide how you feel." Lord Katsuhito said as he took his place at the table with a cup of tea.
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Washu piped up.
"No, you couldn't have." Lord Katsuhito teased. Washu stuck her tongue out at Lord Katsuhito. He smiled. Tenchi, Ayeka and Ryoko brightened. Ryoko looked at Noboyuki then looked at Ayeka. She smiled her trademark mischievous smile.
"Well, he did buy all that stuff for me at the mall." Ryoko commented.
"How tacky of you to say such a thing!" Ayeka argued.
"What are you talking about? He bought you all that jewelry you wanted." Ryoko yelled back.
"Yes he did but at least I don't have to use that as some kind of twisted complement." Ayeka said.
"Come on. Do you two have to go at it every morning?" Tenchi asked. The two ladies ignored him.
"You're just upset because I made out better than you did." Ryoko said. Ayeka became curious. She never did find out what kind of clothes Ryoko modeled for Tenchi.
"What disastrous wardrobe did you put together anyway?" Ayeka questioned. Ryoko waited for Noboyuki to get a big mouthful of tea.
"This kind!" Ryoko yelled. Ryoko whipped off her yellow and blue dress, exposing a very skimpy piece of lace that barely managed to cover all of her parts that needed to be covered. She quickly latched onto Tenchi before he had a chance to bolt. Noboyuki's eyes nearly popped out of his head. As if on cue, he spit all of his tea across the coffee table and all over Ayeka. Ryoko started to laugh as she continued to mall Tenchi. Ayeka was insulted, embarrassed, wet and furious. She knew Ryoko planned this. Tenchi tried to bolt again and but Ryoko drew him close. She wrapped her arms tight around Tenchi and lifted her knee to Tenchi's waste. A small trickle of blood came out of Tenchi's nose. Ryoko turned Tenchi's head to face Ayeka.
"Look at that Ayeka. I think he likes it." Ryoko taunted. When Tenchi tried to bolt a third time, Ryoko let him go. She didn't want him to get hurt in the fight that was sure to come. Ayeka didn't even say a word. She summoned her power and attacked. Ryoko was surprised but was able to put up a hasty defense in the nick of time. The explosion knocked Ayeka and Ryoko out and the rest of the company suffered only minor injuries.
* * *
Kiyone jumped down from Yagami's gangway and sent the ship back into its orbit. She saw there was still a little debris in the front yard from Ryoko an Ayeka's morning bout. She smiled at the thought of her friends getting back into their normal routine. She walked through the front door to see everyone coming together at the dining room table. Mihoshi jumped up from her seat and rushed Kiyone with a fountain of tears streaming from her eyes.
"KIYONE!" Mihoshi yelled. Kiyone tried to dodge her partner's attack but Mihoshi closed the distance between the two with lightning speed. Kiyone found herself sprawled out on the floor with her partner hugging her waste and crying her eyes out. Kiyone felt the urge to try and pry her partner off of her like she usually did but then she was compelled to try something different. She patted Mihoshi's head.
"It's ok Mihoshi. I'm fine." Kiyone said with a smile. Mihoshi looked up at her partner and she knew that Kiyone was being genuine. She let go and stood up. Mihoshi didn't stop crying though. Kiyone put her hand around her partner's shoulder and walked her to the table. Kiyone sat down in her normal spot.
"I hope everyone is ok. I'm sorry that I've been away when you may have needed me." Kiyone said. The group looked shocked.
"We thought it would be you who needed us." Ayeka said.
"Some of us thought." Washu corrected as she sipped her tea.
"How do you feel?" Tenchi asked.
"I'm fine. No, I'm better than that. I feel great." Kiyone announced. The group looked even more surprised. They all then smiled as their concern melted away.
"Where's Christian?" Mihoshi blurted. Everyone felt like that was the worst thing that could have been said and they all looked at Mihoshi menacingly to convey their feelings. Mihoshi could feel their look and she sank low in her seat.
"It's alright. Christian is in Alaska right now. He is enjoying his most favorite place. I'll take you all up over there to see him some day." Kiyone offered.
"Kiyone!" Sasami spouted as she stepped into the dining area with a tray of bowls of Miso in her hands. She hurried to the table and sat the tray down then she ran to Kiyone and gave her a big hug.
"Thank you, Sasami." Kiyone said as she released the little girl. Sasami went back to her tray and passed around the bowls of soup. Sasami then hurried back into the kitchen. Ayeka tried to explain to Kiyone how Ryoko was responsible for the mess. Ryoko and Ayeka started to argue once again. Kiyone picked up her chopsticks and looked into her bowl of soup. She stuck her chopsticks in and stirred until the sediment at the bottom boiled up like a thunderstorm. Kiyone placed her chopsticks on the their stand she cupped both of her hands beneath the bowl. She enjoyed the warmth of the bowl and the way it radiated up her arms. She lifted the bowl and smelt the salty tang. She closed her eyes and took a sip. She felt the warm liquid run down her throat and into her stomach. She placed the bowl on the table and smiled. Kiyone looked up to see everyone else was paying attention to Ryoko and Ayeka's argument, except Lord Katsuhito. He was looking at Kiyone with a big smile on his face. He looked as though Kiyone and he shared a secret.
"How is the soup?" He asked. Kiyone brightened.
"It is very good." Kiyone replied.
"I think so too." Lord Katsuhito agreed. Just then a few dull chimes were barely noticed over Ayeka and Ryoko's shouting. The room became silent and the melody played on. Sasami walked back into the room with the main dishes. She sat the tray down on the table then stood still to listen to the melody she didn't here before. Kiyone reached into her pocket and pulled out the little music box Christian gave her. The melody slowed. Kiyone wound the crank a few times and the melody resumed at normal speed. The house was silent except for the melody. Kiyone smiled brightly at the memory of the night she received it.
"What a pretty song!" Sasami exclaimed. Kiyone continued to stare at the little device when she replied.
"Yes it is."
THE END
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