*************
Author's notes: It has been a great long time since I added to this story. For that, I am sorry. I have such great ideas for this piece but hope that things in real life don't continue to keep me from finishing it. For now, here's the newest installment.
*************
Chapter 8:
Ryoko didn't have time to worry about how long it would take to get to Tokyo. She didn't have to worry about the wedding, which was in two days. She didn't have to, but she did. She sat pensively upon her plush velvet chair as Sasami gazed at the images of clouds whirring past. Ryo- Ohki sped faster and faster, pushed harder and harder by the pirate to reach their destination so she could finally get her prize.
"C'mon, Ryo-Okhi. We don't have much time to do this."
"Miya!"
"Ryoko? Have you thought of what color kimono you are going to buy?" Sasami plopped down at the woman's feet.
"Well, white of course."
"Hmmmm, Ayeka said she'd really be surprised if you wore white..what does that mean?"
"Nothing." Ryoko growled and bit her tongue not wanting to ruin this day with thoughts of Ayeka's words. "Ryo-Ohki! That looks like the shopping district.let's land there." Ryoko pointed to the screen before her. The busy Tokyo streets bustled with people.
"Miya!" The cabbit wailed as the three of them dematerialized, landing discretely in an alleyway.
"All right, Sasami," Ryoko pushed back her sleeves with determination. "Let's find me a dress!"
"Okay, but remember, we have to be back in a few hours." The pirate, the little princess and the gray cabbit rounded the corner on their hunt for a kimono.
***
"Damn it! If I can't control Number Four's sentience, then I'll have to think for it." Clay slammed his fist down on his control panel. He watched as Ryo-Ohki landed in the metropolis and he knew that this was his chance. However, he needed an assistant and until he could secure his original zero unit's database and operating system, his shiny new hunk of junk, Number Four, would remain mindless. "Well, I will just have to improvise." He pressed a button which raised a small gray box. Clay reached inside and removed what appeared to be a small earphone. He attached this tiny device to his left ear and pressed a small red button on the contraption directly resting on his mastoid process*.
"Four!" He roared. "Come here!" The gleaming red robot levitated towards him. "You will need to blend in with those Earthlings. Let's see, what form..." The rotund man squinted his eyes and began to think of several images he had run across in his lifetime. As he thought, the air around the metal robot began to fizzle and squirm like that of an old television set trying to pick up a signal. Finally, a clear image appeared over that of the machine.an image of Zero Ryoko. "Well, since I have nothing to copy your image from, we will have to use this subspace mask.but I don't think this is the right form.I'll try again." Again the Ryoko's face fizzled out and in its stead was the stern countenance of Kagato. "Hehehe, that would rile her..but no, that's no good." The next face that appeared was that of a certain red-haired genius. "No, not Washu either.." Clay stood back and thought a while. Suddenly a wicked smile creased his face. "That's it!" The air around the robot disrupted again.
As the robot stood still a fuzzy form took shape around it. As the signal strengthened, Number Four transformed yet again into a young woman standing tall before Clay. Her steel gray hair was brushed away from her face and tied in a low pony tail, leaving two thick, straight tendrils hanging on either side of her ears. Her porcelain fair skin glowed as she smiled with thin red lips. She squinted her dark red eyes-eye so dark they almost appeared black and as she did, she adjusted the small round glasses she wore just on the bridge of her nose.
"Ah! What I wouldn't give to show you to Washu!" Clay bemused. "It's been such a long time since you two tormented me in the academy..I bet you are rolling in your grave to see me steal your image for my own purposes!" He chuckled and walked over to Number four, giving her a pat on the back. "Now I have a strong arm with a pretty face. my dear, let's go retrieve Zero." Clay and the robot in human form turned to leave the lab.
***
"The guide book says this shop is rated the best for wedding fashions, Ryoko..do you want to check in here?" Sasami lowered the shopping guide she picked up from a vendor and pointed towards a grand dress shop ahead. The sign was in French "La Magasin De Robe" The young girl wondered just how traditional a kimono they could find in a shop with a French name, but the book suggested it and they were there.
"Why not." The pirate led the girl and the cabbit into the upscale store.
Despite the absurd French name, the interior of the shop was purely Japanese. The low tan ceilings and deep wood trim reminded the girls of the Masaki home. They stepped delicately upon the beige mats on the floor and as the door shut behind them a small bell twinkled immediately notifying the salesperson of their arrival.
A very petite woman with shellacked black hair approached them. She wore an immaculate blue business suit and a cold stare to go with it. The woman sauntered towards them and motioned them to an adjacent room.
"My name is Hirima, how can I help you ladies, and." She caught glimpse of Ryo-Ohki and her red lips curled into a frown. "I am sorry, but no pets are allowed in this store."
"Lady, I'm looking for a wedding kimono. You want me to buy, you let her stay." Ryoko's eyes glowed with anger shocking the clerk into submission.
"Very well." She raised her nose. "Please have a seat in here." The three of them and the cabbit sat on the floor before a finely lacquered low table. As soon as they sat, another small woman entered with a tray of tea and rice biscuits. "Please, refresh yourselves and explain to me what you are looking for and Nana here will arrange a viewing."
"Ryoko's getting married! She wants to look at wedding kimonos." Sasami chuckled.
"We don't get many inquires in traditional fashions these days.however, we have some very fine samples.Nana, have the girls bring them in." She leered again at Ryoko trying her best to pick apart the odd woman before her. "The uchikakes you will find in this store are the very best in Tokyo, and with no disrespect to Kyoto, some say the very best in Japan.they do carry a very premium price.." She insinuated.
"Are you saying I would not be able to afford one?" Ryoko used all the willpower in her soul to keep her anger to a minimum, but she still managed to politely growl her response.
"Of course not, of course not..." Hirima delicately raised her teacup to her red stained lips and took a tiny sip. "I was only thinking about your time and not wanting to advise you incorrectly. Nana, please bring in the samples for Miss.Miss, I am sorry what was your name, dear?" She didn't even bat an eyelash.
"Ryoko." The Pirate huffed.
"Please bring in some of our samples for Miss Ryoko." She motioned to the smaller woman who had just delivered the tea. Nana bowed and exited the room.
"Well, about time!" Ryoko stretched and cracked her knuckles in anticipation.
"It takes a while for our girls to get the kimonos on properly. Please help yourself to these refreshments and I will join you presently." Hirima spoke coolly and exited the room.
"Ryoko..I don't like this." Sasami cuddled Ryo-Ohki. "Are you sure you have enough money to buy from a place like this?"
"Relax kiddo." I have enough. Just sit back and enjoy the snacks until the show starts." She rubbed the back of the child's head.
***
Surrounded by brass and silver implements and several sacred vessels, Tenchi sat in the middle of the shrine office diligently polishing the tarnish away. He groaned as he surveyed the remaining artifacts he had to polish but assumed it a fit punishment for being late again for practice with his grandfather. It was only a few days before the wedding, assuming Ryoko would still have him after this morning, and along with the additional chores piled on him for being tardy, Yosho put him in charge of preparing the Shrine for the ceremony.
"Tenchi!" The gruff old man's voice reverberated against the paper door. "When you are done, don't forget to sweep the stairs to the shrine."
"All the way down the mountain, Grandpa?"
"All the way."
"Man," Tenchi sighed at the thought of sweeping the falling leaves from the winding steps from the shrine all the way to the house himself. He had hoped to do it the morning of the wedding, but now he might not make it home in time for dinner. He bit his lip and rubbed the silver vase in his hand harder with frustration.
The autumn leaves rustled gently in the cool breeze. The boy took a whiff of the air coming through the open windows and he felt the soft frozen nip of winter soon approaching. Somewhere off in the distance, the faintest tinkle of a wind chime echoed through the forest seeming to tag along with the sound of the leaves. Then, as if from a spirit or ghost, he heard it.
"Tenchi." A sweet feminine voice uttered his name, a sound so faint he almost mistook it for the wind and the leaves until it repeated. "Tenchi?"
"Is anyone there?" The boy uttered towards the closed door.
"Tenchi? Boy? Who are you talking to?" Yosho asked from his seat.
Tenchi didn't answer his grandfather, instead, he slowly got up and stepped over the mass of metal before him and tip toed to the door. At first he thought this was Ryoko or one of the girls, but he had never heard this voice before. He took a gulp and slowly opened the door.
"Hello Tenchi." Before the young prince stood the perfect picture of Jurian nobility, Lady Seto.
"Hello?" Tenchi gazed at the tall woman before him. He could tell that she was Juraian by the regal clothing she wore-not unlike that of Queen Funaho at her last visit. He marveled at her beautiful face and those remarkable red eyes, eyes which suddenly made him think of Princess Ayeka. So stunned was he, that he failed to offer Seto entry into the shrine.
"Are we forgetting our manners young Tenchi?" Seto smiled and indicated she meant to enter.
"Tenchi! Who are you talking to.." Yosho commanded as he entered the room and met Seto eye to eye for the first time in seven hundred years. "Lady Seto."
"Ummm, please come in." Tenchi stammered and stepped aside.
"Thank you Tenchi," Seto winked at him. "Why don't you wait here with my servants, I'd like to take a walk with your grandfather. Yosho?" She raised her arm motioning the old man to take it and lead them on their walk.
"Sure." The boy stepped outside as Yosho took Seto's arm and the two slowly walked away from the shrine. Tenchi followed the two but missed a step as he kept his attention on the strange new lady and his grandfather. He fell forward and winced expecting to feel the hard dirt in his teeth but instead he felt a soft cushion of flesh.
"Nice to meet you too, Prince Tenchi."
Tenchi opened his eyes to find his face smack in between two half exposed and bountiful breasts. He shot back in fear.
"Aw, don't be scared, I just saved you from falling." The woman answered.
"Uh, sorry..uh, no. thanks?" Tenchi scratched the back of his head as he stared at the woman before him. She also wore Jurian robes but different, not royal but similar to that of Lady Misaki, only not so fancy but a plain blue tunic and trousers with a darker blue cloak around her shoulders. Tenchi struggled to make out her eyes behind the dark visor that covered her face from her nose up but he could only see her amused smile which led him to gaze once more at her revealing bosom.
"He is sweet, isn't he?" A second woman approached dressed identically to the first, then two more similar ladies stood before him.
"Such a doll.no wonder Lady Seto has "business" here." A third woman giggled.
"Oh, you're just so cute, I could eat you up!" The fourth woman grabbed Tenchi's cheek and pinched it as she spoke.
"T,t,thank you?" He stood aback and rubbed his cheek. "Who are you?"
"We are Lady's Seto's personal guards." The first woman spoke and removed her visor revealing blood red hair and amber eyes. As she removed her visor, so did her companions-one with white hair and black eyes, another with blue hair and blue eyes and the final girl with green hair and green eyes hiding behind square rimmed glasses.
"Lady Seto asked us to keep you occupied while she spoke with Lord Yosho." The white-haired guard motioned with her index finger for Tenchi to come to her.
"Well, that won't be necessary..ladies.."
"Aw, come here handsome!" The green haired guard with glasses hugged Tenchi from behind and the others joined in, totally surrounding the startled young man.
***
"This kimono is hand crafted from the finest silk. Please notice the intricate details of the cascading sakura.." Hirima spoke with no emotion as a tiny model demurely presented her garment before Ryoko.
"That is really pretty, but I don't like the color, I was thinking of something in white."
"Red is a very fashionable color for a traditional wedding, Miss Ryoko."
"I'm sure it is, now let's see some white ones." Ryoko held back a sneer.
"Very well, next please." As she commanded another model strolled into the sitting room, this time she was wearing a kimono of pure white with tiny cranes and flowers embroidered upon the luxurious fabric in silver silk. The heavy obi was of a slight pale shade of pink, so pale, almost white itself. The small model carried herself slowly and deliberately, obviously due to the immense weight of the garment and the layers underneath.
"Wow! Ryoko! That is the most beautiful one we've seen today." Sasami cheered backed up by the gentle cooing of Ryo-Ohki.
"Hirima, that is the one I like. I'll take it."
"Are you certain? We haven't even begun..and you have a host of fabrics to choose from."
"That is the one I want, wrap it up."
"Miss Ryoko, this is only the store model. Your Kimono must be made to your proportions."
"Can that be done in two days?" Sasami inquired.
"Oh, ladies." Hirima rolled her eyes. "It takes several weeks to prepare, just what made you think you could come in here and purchase a work of art such as this in a day."
"Well, I want that one! I don't have time to wait, I can wear that one!" Ryoko shot up and began prodding the poor woman wearing the kimono. "Have her take this off so I can try it on."
"Certainly not! Please leave the girl alone." The saleswoman stood to face the pirate.
"Oh no, Ryo-Ohki." Sasami hid her eyes to avoid seeing the inevitable confrontation.
"I am a paying customer and I want this kimono!" Ryoko raged grabbing the collar of the poor model before her. "How much is this?"
"For you and your impertinence, this kimono is not for sale!" Hirima glared at the pirate totally unaware of the violent rage building within her customer. "Nana! Call the police!"
"Why you!" Ryoko released her grip on the young woman and turned her rage upon Hirima pulling her into a headlock and seriously messing up her finely coffered hairdo in the process. "Now, how much is this dress?"
"You can have it for three million yen, that is a deal!" Hirima cried through the chokehold.
"Are you kidding? How can a mess of fabric be so much, you can do better!" Ryoko was about to increase the strength of her choke hold and hopefully not pop the clerks head off in the process, when she saw little Sasami. Sasami held Ryo-ohki and the child's eyes shone with fear, fear of Ryoko and of what she was violently doing. "I, I, I, can't afford it." She released the shaken saleswoman who leapt to her feet and left the room followed by the terrified model. "Oh, Sasami!" Ryoko ran to the child and hugged her. "I am so sorry! I don't know what came over me. Please don't be mad!"
"I'm not mad at you, Ryoko." The child sniffled back tears. "You just can't act like that and almost hurt people when you are mad all the time..you can't just attack people.like, like."
"Like Ayeka?"
"Yeah. But Earth people can't take as much as Ayeka can. I don't want you to hurt anyone who can't protect themselves.." She wiped her eyes as the faint sound of police sirens echoed from down the street.
"I promise, I'll work on it for you. But now we have to leave, or I'll be married from jail!" She grabbled the child's hand and drug her along with the cabbit through the wall into the street just in time to see the police car pull up.
"There she is! She attacked me!" Hirima pointed as the police officers ran after Ryoko and Sasami.
"Ryoko, they're after us!"
"Don't worry kid, this way!" She rounded a corner leading to an alleyway. The trio ducked past dumpsters and around another building. "Ryo-Ohki! Get us out of here!"
"No Ryoko, there are too many people!' Sasami panted.
Ryoko knew the child was right, that just on the other side of the building, there was a whole crowd of shoppers ready to see a spaceship fly off. She also knew from Washu's urging that should the government track Ryo-Ohki back to the Masaki home they all would be in serious trouble. She was about to think of another way when as they turned the corner they came smack dab into a dead end.
"What do we do now?"
"Relax, Sasami, we'll just go through the wall." She was about to lead them through the concrete when a kind voice stopped her.
"In here, quickly!" The voice came from a beautiful woman with silver hair, standing in a doorway neither Ryoko or Sasami noticed was there before. "Please, or you will be caught!"
"Might as well!" Ryoko drug the child and the cabbit into the doorway and it closed behind them. Just as the police rounded the corner to the dead end, the door disappeared entirely, leaving the men stumped and scratching their heads as to where the fugitives escaped.
"That was close. Thank's for helping us." Sasami smiled at the woman.
"Yeah, it sure was convenient that you were there..what's your name?" Ryoko's gut told her it was just too fishy to be helped out of the blue. However, she turned her head and squinted at the woman's appearance-her silver hair and round spectacles made her very familiar and the pirate somehow felt she knew her.
"Don't worry, I am a true friend. In fact, I know your mother from way way back, Ryoko.." She smiled.
"What?"
"Then who are you?" Sasami asked.
"Beautiful child, my name is Naja Akara."
***
"Yosho, you don't need to keep appearances up for me." Lady Seto peered at the old man from the corner of her eye as they walked through the forest. Wisps of red and orange leaves scattered about their feet with each step.
"I know. It's become a necessary habit." As he spoke, Yosho's wrinkled face melted away to reveal the rosy skin of youth and his gray hair became lustrous and black once more. The now young Yosho adjusted his glasses and smiled at the lady beside him. "I know this is not a social call. Do you bring news for me from my father?"
"Get right to the point, don't you Yosho..and a bit conceited, don't you think?"
"Huh?"
"To think I come only concerning you." She stopped and turned to him. The chilly autumn breeze whisked her pale green hair across the ivory skin of her face. Yosho couldn't stop staring at her vivid red eyes and he suddenly felt something he hadn't since the last time they spoke hundreds of years ago - nervousness.
***
"Cut it out!" Tenchi squirmed against the soft flesh of the maidens molesting him. Each of Seto's beautiful guards held onto the boy as he struggled. "I'm serious!"
"Oh, he's serious now. Watch out!" The red head cooed.
"Remember, he's the human guardian of the light hawk..we must be careful!" Another mocked.
"That's it!" Tenchi shot back and out of the siren's grasps. "No disrespect, but ladies. I'm getting married."
"He knows already, how'd that happen?" The white haired girl asked.
"I told you he was special!" The green haired one piped in.
"Ok," Tenchi, assuming the girls were referring to his nuptials with Ryoko, tried to back his way from their sticky paws, "so let's not try anymore funny stuff until Grandpa comes back.."
"Awwww, we're just teasing with you..you are so cute!" The girls lunged at the boy again, he barely missing their advances. Tenchi ran backwards into the forest and fell upon the path his grandfather and Seto had just taken.
"Sorry! But I, I, I, have to find Grandpa!" With that, he disappeared into the brush leaving the four women alone at the shrine.
"My, he runs quickly." The redhead pouted.
***
"As I was saying, you shouldn't assume my visit is solely for you.although a certain wife of yours in the academy wishes me to deliver a message."
"Airi? What is it?"
Smack!
"That's for not keeping in touch with her for so long." Seto laughed as she withdrew her hand from slapping Yosho. "And part of that message was from me too."
"Alright. You've humbled me enough Lady Seto," The young man winched as he rubbed his read cheek. "Please honor me with your news."
"It seems that in light of recent events..namely young Tenchi's rescue of Jurai from the dark armada, King Asuza has an announcement."
"Yes?"
"He has named his successor.."
"Yes?"
"The King has announced, and the Holy Council has ratified and agreed to crown young Tenchi as the next Emperor of Jurai when Asuza retires..you were once the obvious choice, but since you'd rather roam this backwater planet than rule a kingdom, you put your father in a very awkward position."
"Tenchi?" Yosho pondered his grandson as king. He knew the boy had superfluous power he had not even begun to tap. He also knew that Tenchi was not yet mature enough to handle the burden of a universal kingdom. Then something else, something potentially earth shaking struck him. "Seto, I thought that Ayeka would be next in line?"
"That's the very best part of it all.." As she spoke, both failed to notice the bushes to the left of the path rattle and shake as a clumsy boy drug his way through in an escape from four beautiful women. "Ayeka has been betrothed to young Tenchi! They are to co-rule the Juriaian Empire!" She sneered.
"Wha, wha, what?" Seto and Yosho turned around as Tenchi, his head covered in leaves popped out of the shrubbery. Having just heard the news the boys stood in shock.
"Tenchi, you are to be Emperor of Jurai and Ayeka, is to be your Empress."
Tenchi fainted into the bushes and disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Yosho cupped his brow with his hand as Seto giggled.
***
"Washu! Can you fix the shuttle again?" Mihoshi wailed as she and Kiyone marched dripping wet through the hallway towards Washu's lab.
"Yeah, knuckle head forgot the reverse brake.again!"
"I'm going to stop charging you two "friend rates" for repairs if you don't start improving your landings!" Washu popped out from behind the round door. "Is that all you are bothering me for?"
"No, Miss Washu.we do have some news to report." Kiyone answered as she wrung water from her silky hair.
"What sort of news?" Lady Ayeka stepped into the corridor followed by Zephr.
"It seems that there has been an escape from GP Twenty-One Eleven.."
"Where?" Mishoshi blinked.
"The prison, blondie!"
"Oh, yeah!"
"Why should I care?" Washu answered.
"It's someone we know."
"Who is that, Kiyone?" Ayeka asked.
"Dr. Clay."
* Mastoid Process: A conical protuberance of the posterior portion of the temporal bone that is situated behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates and serves as a site of muscle attachment. Also called mastoid bone. This area is located behind the ear at the base of the skull. ( Yay! I remembered something from all those anatomy classes!)
Author's notes: It has been a great long time since I added to this story. For that, I am sorry. I have such great ideas for this piece but hope that things in real life don't continue to keep me from finishing it. For now, here's the newest installment.
*************
Chapter 8:
Ryoko didn't have time to worry about how long it would take to get to Tokyo. She didn't have to worry about the wedding, which was in two days. She didn't have to, but she did. She sat pensively upon her plush velvet chair as Sasami gazed at the images of clouds whirring past. Ryo- Ohki sped faster and faster, pushed harder and harder by the pirate to reach their destination so she could finally get her prize.
"C'mon, Ryo-Okhi. We don't have much time to do this."
"Miya!"
"Ryoko? Have you thought of what color kimono you are going to buy?" Sasami plopped down at the woman's feet.
"Well, white of course."
"Hmmmm, Ayeka said she'd really be surprised if you wore white..what does that mean?"
"Nothing." Ryoko growled and bit her tongue not wanting to ruin this day with thoughts of Ayeka's words. "Ryo-Ohki! That looks like the shopping district.let's land there." Ryoko pointed to the screen before her. The busy Tokyo streets bustled with people.
"Miya!" The cabbit wailed as the three of them dematerialized, landing discretely in an alleyway.
"All right, Sasami," Ryoko pushed back her sleeves with determination. "Let's find me a dress!"
"Okay, but remember, we have to be back in a few hours." The pirate, the little princess and the gray cabbit rounded the corner on their hunt for a kimono.
***
"Damn it! If I can't control Number Four's sentience, then I'll have to think for it." Clay slammed his fist down on his control panel. He watched as Ryo-Ohki landed in the metropolis and he knew that this was his chance. However, he needed an assistant and until he could secure his original zero unit's database and operating system, his shiny new hunk of junk, Number Four, would remain mindless. "Well, I will just have to improvise." He pressed a button which raised a small gray box. Clay reached inside and removed what appeared to be a small earphone. He attached this tiny device to his left ear and pressed a small red button on the contraption directly resting on his mastoid process*.
"Four!" He roared. "Come here!" The gleaming red robot levitated towards him. "You will need to blend in with those Earthlings. Let's see, what form..." The rotund man squinted his eyes and began to think of several images he had run across in his lifetime. As he thought, the air around the metal robot began to fizzle and squirm like that of an old television set trying to pick up a signal. Finally, a clear image appeared over that of the machine.an image of Zero Ryoko. "Well, since I have nothing to copy your image from, we will have to use this subspace mask.but I don't think this is the right form.I'll try again." Again the Ryoko's face fizzled out and in its stead was the stern countenance of Kagato. "Hehehe, that would rile her..but no, that's no good." The next face that appeared was that of a certain red-haired genius. "No, not Washu either.." Clay stood back and thought a while. Suddenly a wicked smile creased his face. "That's it!" The air around the robot disrupted again.
As the robot stood still a fuzzy form took shape around it. As the signal strengthened, Number Four transformed yet again into a young woman standing tall before Clay. Her steel gray hair was brushed away from her face and tied in a low pony tail, leaving two thick, straight tendrils hanging on either side of her ears. Her porcelain fair skin glowed as she smiled with thin red lips. She squinted her dark red eyes-eye so dark they almost appeared black and as she did, she adjusted the small round glasses she wore just on the bridge of her nose.
"Ah! What I wouldn't give to show you to Washu!" Clay bemused. "It's been such a long time since you two tormented me in the academy..I bet you are rolling in your grave to see me steal your image for my own purposes!" He chuckled and walked over to Number four, giving her a pat on the back. "Now I have a strong arm with a pretty face. my dear, let's go retrieve Zero." Clay and the robot in human form turned to leave the lab.
***
"The guide book says this shop is rated the best for wedding fashions, Ryoko..do you want to check in here?" Sasami lowered the shopping guide she picked up from a vendor and pointed towards a grand dress shop ahead. The sign was in French "La Magasin De Robe" The young girl wondered just how traditional a kimono they could find in a shop with a French name, but the book suggested it and they were there.
"Why not." The pirate led the girl and the cabbit into the upscale store.
Despite the absurd French name, the interior of the shop was purely Japanese. The low tan ceilings and deep wood trim reminded the girls of the Masaki home. They stepped delicately upon the beige mats on the floor and as the door shut behind them a small bell twinkled immediately notifying the salesperson of their arrival.
A very petite woman with shellacked black hair approached them. She wore an immaculate blue business suit and a cold stare to go with it. The woman sauntered towards them and motioned them to an adjacent room.
"My name is Hirima, how can I help you ladies, and." She caught glimpse of Ryo-Ohki and her red lips curled into a frown. "I am sorry, but no pets are allowed in this store."
"Lady, I'm looking for a wedding kimono. You want me to buy, you let her stay." Ryoko's eyes glowed with anger shocking the clerk into submission.
"Very well." She raised her nose. "Please have a seat in here." The three of them and the cabbit sat on the floor before a finely lacquered low table. As soon as they sat, another small woman entered with a tray of tea and rice biscuits. "Please, refresh yourselves and explain to me what you are looking for and Nana here will arrange a viewing."
"Ryoko's getting married! She wants to look at wedding kimonos." Sasami chuckled.
"We don't get many inquires in traditional fashions these days.however, we have some very fine samples.Nana, have the girls bring them in." She leered again at Ryoko trying her best to pick apart the odd woman before her. "The uchikakes you will find in this store are the very best in Tokyo, and with no disrespect to Kyoto, some say the very best in Japan.they do carry a very premium price.." She insinuated.
"Are you saying I would not be able to afford one?" Ryoko used all the willpower in her soul to keep her anger to a minimum, but she still managed to politely growl her response.
"Of course not, of course not..." Hirima delicately raised her teacup to her red stained lips and took a tiny sip. "I was only thinking about your time and not wanting to advise you incorrectly. Nana, please bring in the samples for Miss.Miss, I am sorry what was your name, dear?" She didn't even bat an eyelash.
"Ryoko." The Pirate huffed.
"Please bring in some of our samples for Miss Ryoko." She motioned to the smaller woman who had just delivered the tea. Nana bowed and exited the room.
"Well, about time!" Ryoko stretched and cracked her knuckles in anticipation.
"It takes a while for our girls to get the kimonos on properly. Please help yourself to these refreshments and I will join you presently." Hirima spoke coolly and exited the room.
"Ryoko..I don't like this." Sasami cuddled Ryo-Ohki. "Are you sure you have enough money to buy from a place like this?"
"Relax kiddo." I have enough. Just sit back and enjoy the snacks until the show starts." She rubbed the back of the child's head.
***
Surrounded by brass and silver implements and several sacred vessels, Tenchi sat in the middle of the shrine office diligently polishing the tarnish away. He groaned as he surveyed the remaining artifacts he had to polish but assumed it a fit punishment for being late again for practice with his grandfather. It was only a few days before the wedding, assuming Ryoko would still have him after this morning, and along with the additional chores piled on him for being tardy, Yosho put him in charge of preparing the Shrine for the ceremony.
"Tenchi!" The gruff old man's voice reverberated against the paper door. "When you are done, don't forget to sweep the stairs to the shrine."
"All the way down the mountain, Grandpa?"
"All the way."
"Man," Tenchi sighed at the thought of sweeping the falling leaves from the winding steps from the shrine all the way to the house himself. He had hoped to do it the morning of the wedding, but now he might not make it home in time for dinner. He bit his lip and rubbed the silver vase in his hand harder with frustration.
The autumn leaves rustled gently in the cool breeze. The boy took a whiff of the air coming through the open windows and he felt the soft frozen nip of winter soon approaching. Somewhere off in the distance, the faintest tinkle of a wind chime echoed through the forest seeming to tag along with the sound of the leaves. Then, as if from a spirit or ghost, he heard it.
"Tenchi." A sweet feminine voice uttered his name, a sound so faint he almost mistook it for the wind and the leaves until it repeated. "Tenchi?"
"Is anyone there?" The boy uttered towards the closed door.
"Tenchi? Boy? Who are you talking to?" Yosho asked from his seat.
Tenchi didn't answer his grandfather, instead, he slowly got up and stepped over the mass of metal before him and tip toed to the door. At first he thought this was Ryoko or one of the girls, but he had never heard this voice before. He took a gulp and slowly opened the door.
"Hello Tenchi." Before the young prince stood the perfect picture of Jurian nobility, Lady Seto.
"Hello?" Tenchi gazed at the tall woman before him. He could tell that she was Juraian by the regal clothing she wore-not unlike that of Queen Funaho at her last visit. He marveled at her beautiful face and those remarkable red eyes, eyes which suddenly made him think of Princess Ayeka. So stunned was he, that he failed to offer Seto entry into the shrine.
"Are we forgetting our manners young Tenchi?" Seto smiled and indicated she meant to enter.
"Tenchi! Who are you talking to.." Yosho commanded as he entered the room and met Seto eye to eye for the first time in seven hundred years. "Lady Seto."
"Ummm, please come in." Tenchi stammered and stepped aside.
"Thank you Tenchi," Seto winked at him. "Why don't you wait here with my servants, I'd like to take a walk with your grandfather. Yosho?" She raised her arm motioning the old man to take it and lead them on their walk.
"Sure." The boy stepped outside as Yosho took Seto's arm and the two slowly walked away from the shrine. Tenchi followed the two but missed a step as he kept his attention on the strange new lady and his grandfather. He fell forward and winced expecting to feel the hard dirt in his teeth but instead he felt a soft cushion of flesh.
"Nice to meet you too, Prince Tenchi."
Tenchi opened his eyes to find his face smack in between two half exposed and bountiful breasts. He shot back in fear.
"Aw, don't be scared, I just saved you from falling." The woman answered.
"Uh, sorry..uh, no. thanks?" Tenchi scratched the back of his head as he stared at the woman before him. She also wore Jurian robes but different, not royal but similar to that of Lady Misaki, only not so fancy but a plain blue tunic and trousers with a darker blue cloak around her shoulders. Tenchi struggled to make out her eyes behind the dark visor that covered her face from her nose up but he could only see her amused smile which led him to gaze once more at her revealing bosom.
"He is sweet, isn't he?" A second woman approached dressed identically to the first, then two more similar ladies stood before him.
"Such a doll.no wonder Lady Seto has "business" here." A third woman giggled.
"Oh, you're just so cute, I could eat you up!" The fourth woman grabbed Tenchi's cheek and pinched it as she spoke.
"T,t,thank you?" He stood aback and rubbed his cheek. "Who are you?"
"We are Lady's Seto's personal guards." The first woman spoke and removed her visor revealing blood red hair and amber eyes. As she removed her visor, so did her companions-one with white hair and black eyes, another with blue hair and blue eyes and the final girl with green hair and green eyes hiding behind square rimmed glasses.
"Lady Seto asked us to keep you occupied while she spoke with Lord Yosho." The white-haired guard motioned with her index finger for Tenchi to come to her.
"Well, that won't be necessary..ladies.."
"Aw, come here handsome!" The green haired guard with glasses hugged Tenchi from behind and the others joined in, totally surrounding the startled young man.
***
"This kimono is hand crafted from the finest silk. Please notice the intricate details of the cascading sakura.." Hirima spoke with no emotion as a tiny model demurely presented her garment before Ryoko.
"That is really pretty, but I don't like the color, I was thinking of something in white."
"Red is a very fashionable color for a traditional wedding, Miss Ryoko."
"I'm sure it is, now let's see some white ones." Ryoko held back a sneer.
"Very well, next please." As she commanded another model strolled into the sitting room, this time she was wearing a kimono of pure white with tiny cranes and flowers embroidered upon the luxurious fabric in silver silk. The heavy obi was of a slight pale shade of pink, so pale, almost white itself. The small model carried herself slowly and deliberately, obviously due to the immense weight of the garment and the layers underneath.
"Wow! Ryoko! That is the most beautiful one we've seen today." Sasami cheered backed up by the gentle cooing of Ryo-Ohki.
"Hirima, that is the one I like. I'll take it."
"Are you certain? We haven't even begun..and you have a host of fabrics to choose from."
"That is the one I want, wrap it up."
"Miss Ryoko, this is only the store model. Your Kimono must be made to your proportions."
"Can that be done in two days?" Sasami inquired.
"Oh, ladies." Hirima rolled her eyes. "It takes several weeks to prepare, just what made you think you could come in here and purchase a work of art such as this in a day."
"Well, I want that one! I don't have time to wait, I can wear that one!" Ryoko shot up and began prodding the poor woman wearing the kimono. "Have her take this off so I can try it on."
"Certainly not! Please leave the girl alone." The saleswoman stood to face the pirate.
"Oh no, Ryo-Ohki." Sasami hid her eyes to avoid seeing the inevitable confrontation.
"I am a paying customer and I want this kimono!" Ryoko raged grabbing the collar of the poor model before her. "How much is this?"
"For you and your impertinence, this kimono is not for sale!" Hirima glared at the pirate totally unaware of the violent rage building within her customer. "Nana! Call the police!"
"Why you!" Ryoko released her grip on the young woman and turned her rage upon Hirima pulling her into a headlock and seriously messing up her finely coffered hairdo in the process. "Now, how much is this dress?"
"You can have it for three million yen, that is a deal!" Hirima cried through the chokehold.
"Are you kidding? How can a mess of fabric be so much, you can do better!" Ryoko was about to increase the strength of her choke hold and hopefully not pop the clerks head off in the process, when she saw little Sasami. Sasami held Ryo-ohki and the child's eyes shone with fear, fear of Ryoko and of what she was violently doing. "I, I, I, can't afford it." She released the shaken saleswoman who leapt to her feet and left the room followed by the terrified model. "Oh, Sasami!" Ryoko ran to the child and hugged her. "I am so sorry! I don't know what came over me. Please don't be mad!"
"I'm not mad at you, Ryoko." The child sniffled back tears. "You just can't act like that and almost hurt people when you are mad all the time..you can't just attack people.like, like."
"Like Ayeka?"
"Yeah. But Earth people can't take as much as Ayeka can. I don't want you to hurt anyone who can't protect themselves.." She wiped her eyes as the faint sound of police sirens echoed from down the street.
"I promise, I'll work on it for you. But now we have to leave, or I'll be married from jail!" She grabbled the child's hand and drug her along with the cabbit through the wall into the street just in time to see the police car pull up.
"There she is! She attacked me!" Hirima pointed as the police officers ran after Ryoko and Sasami.
"Ryoko, they're after us!"
"Don't worry kid, this way!" She rounded a corner leading to an alleyway. The trio ducked past dumpsters and around another building. "Ryo-Ohki! Get us out of here!"
"No Ryoko, there are too many people!' Sasami panted.
Ryoko knew the child was right, that just on the other side of the building, there was a whole crowd of shoppers ready to see a spaceship fly off. She also knew from Washu's urging that should the government track Ryo-Ohki back to the Masaki home they all would be in serious trouble. She was about to think of another way when as they turned the corner they came smack dab into a dead end.
"What do we do now?"
"Relax, Sasami, we'll just go through the wall." She was about to lead them through the concrete when a kind voice stopped her.
"In here, quickly!" The voice came from a beautiful woman with silver hair, standing in a doorway neither Ryoko or Sasami noticed was there before. "Please, or you will be caught!"
"Might as well!" Ryoko drug the child and the cabbit into the doorway and it closed behind them. Just as the police rounded the corner to the dead end, the door disappeared entirely, leaving the men stumped and scratching their heads as to where the fugitives escaped.
"That was close. Thank's for helping us." Sasami smiled at the woman.
"Yeah, it sure was convenient that you were there..what's your name?" Ryoko's gut told her it was just too fishy to be helped out of the blue. However, she turned her head and squinted at the woman's appearance-her silver hair and round spectacles made her very familiar and the pirate somehow felt she knew her.
"Don't worry, I am a true friend. In fact, I know your mother from way way back, Ryoko.." She smiled.
"What?"
"Then who are you?" Sasami asked.
"Beautiful child, my name is Naja Akara."
***
"Yosho, you don't need to keep appearances up for me." Lady Seto peered at the old man from the corner of her eye as they walked through the forest. Wisps of red and orange leaves scattered about their feet with each step.
"I know. It's become a necessary habit." As he spoke, Yosho's wrinkled face melted away to reveal the rosy skin of youth and his gray hair became lustrous and black once more. The now young Yosho adjusted his glasses and smiled at the lady beside him. "I know this is not a social call. Do you bring news for me from my father?"
"Get right to the point, don't you Yosho..and a bit conceited, don't you think?"
"Huh?"
"To think I come only concerning you." She stopped and turned to him. The chilly autumn breeze whisked her pale green hair across the ivory skin of her face. Yosho couldn't stop staring at her vivid red eyes and he suddenly felt something he hadn't since the last time they spoke hundreds of years ago - nervousness.
***
"Cut it out!" Tenchi squirmed against the soft flesh of the maidens molesting him. Each of Seto's beautiful guards held onto the boy as he struggled. "I'm serious!"
"Oh, he's serious now. Watch out!" The red head cooed.
"Remember, he's the human guardian of the light hawk..we must be careful!" Another mocked.
"That's it!" Tenchi shot back and out of the siren's grasps. "No disrespect, but ladies. I'm getting married."
"He knows already, how'd that happen?" The white haired girl asked.
"I told you he was special!" The green haired one piped in.
"Ok," Tenchi, assuming the girls were referring to his nuptials with Ryoko, tried to back his way from their sticky paws, "so let's not try anymore funny stuff until Grandpa comes back.."
"Awwww, we're just teasing with you..you are so cute!" The girls lunged at the boy again, he barely missing their advances. Tenchi ran backwards into the forest and fell upon the path his grandfather and Seto had just taken.
"Sorry! But I, I, I, have to find Grandpa!" With that, he disappeared into the brush leaving the four women alone at the shrine.
"My, he runs quickly." The redhead pouted.
***
"As I was saying, you shouldn't assume my visit is solely for you.although a certain wife of yours in the academy wishes me to deliver a message."
"Airi? What is it?"
Smack!
"That's for not keeping in touch with her for so long." Seto laughed as she withdrew her hand from slapping Yosho. "And part of that message was from me too."
"Alright. You've humbled me enough Lady Seto," The young man winched as he rubbed his read cheek. "Please honor me with your news."
"It seems that in light of recent events..namely young Tenchi's rescue of Jurai from the dark armada, King Asuza has an announcement."
"Yes?"
"He has named his successor.."
"Yes?"
"The King has announced, and the Holy Council has ratified and agreed to crown young Tenchi as the next Emperor of Jurai when Asuza retires..you were once the obvious choice, but since you'd rather roam this backwater planet than rule a kingdom, you put your father in a very awkward position."
"Tenchi?" Yosho pondered his grandson as king. He knew the boy had superfluous power he had not even begun to tap. He also knew that Tenchi was not yet mature enough to handle the burden of a universal kingdom. Then something else, something potentially earth shaking struck him. "Seto, I thought that Ayeka would be next in line?"
"That's the very best part of it all.." As she spoke, both failed to notice the bushes to the left of the path rattle and shake as a clumsy boy drug his way through in an escape from four beautiful women. "Ayeka has been betrothed to young Tenchi! They are to co-rule the Juriaian Empire!" She sneered.
"Wha, wha, what?" Seto and Yosho turned around as Tenchi, his head covered in leaves popped out of the shrubbery. Having just heard the news the boys stood in shock.
"Tenchi, you are to be Emperor of Jurai and Ayeka, is to be your Empress."
Tenchi fainted into the bushes and disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Yosho cupped his brow with his hand as Seto giggled.
***
"Washu! Can you fix the shuttle again?" Mihoshi wailed as she and Kiyone marched dripping wet through the hallway towards Washu's lab.
"Yeah, knuckle head forgot the reverse brake.again!"
"I'm going to stop charging you two "friend rates" for repairs if you don't start improving your landings!" Washu popped out from behind the round door. "Is that all you are bothering me for?"
"No, Miss Washu.we do have some news to report." Kiyone answered as she wrung water from her silky hair.
"What sort of news?" Lady Ayeka stepped into the corridor followed by Zephr.
"It seems that there has been an escape from GP Twenty-One Eleven.."
"Where?" Mishoshi blinked.
"The prison, blondie!"
"Oh, yeah!"
"Why should I care?" Washu answered.
"It's someone we know."
"Who is that, Kiyone?" Ayeka asked.
"Dr. Clay."
* Mastoid Process: A conical protuberance of the posterior portion of the temporal bone that is situated behind the ear in humans and many other vertebrates and serves as a site of muscle attachment. Also called mastoid bone. This area is located behind the ear at the base of the skull. ( Yay! I remembered something from all those anatomy classes!)