All characters relating to Tenchi Muyo! and its multiverses, if not stated before, are (c) AIC/Pioneer. All other characters not relating to it (Minaka, Tetsuri, etc.) are strictly of my creation.
Minaka Muyo! (No Need For Minaka!)
By Speck
Chapter 2: Of Mortals and Goddesses
Four more months had passed since the onset of Minaka's last pain attack. Now, weighing quite a bit more than she did four months ago, Minaka lay on the sofa, her feet elevated, relieving the pressure in her lower abdomen. She'd known it was going to get harder for her to stay comfortable as she neared the end of her term, but she didn't think it was going to be that difficult.
"So, how's our little mother-to-be doing today?" chirped a cheerful Washuu. Minaka groaned ruefully, and shoved herself into a sitting position.
"Our little mother-to-be is feeling like a beached whale," she muttered. Washuu chuckled and patted Minaka's stomach gently.
"Oh, you're doing fine. Just keep resting and don't overexert yourself."
"Washuu... I know it's been a while, but... about the virus?"
Washuu's features darkened. She'd hoped that Minaka wouldn't ask.
"Well, um... not so good. Its in remission, your virus, but for how much longer I can say is pretty short lived. The cure is... well..." Washuu nervously rubbed the back of her neck.
Minaka smiled sadly. "Thank you for trying, Miss Washuu. I really appreciate everything you've done for me, really..."
Washuu turned, suddenly angry. "I'm not giving up! I'm going to get you cured if it's the last thing I ever do!!"
Her sudden outburst frightened Minaka. Softening, she pulled Minaka close for a hug, and sighed.
"I'm sorry... it just gets frustrating when I can't solve something right away. Your baby is depending on you to live, and you're depending on me to find a cure so you can stay living... in the end, your baby's depending on me, too... sometimes it feels like I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders..."
Minaka let herself be held by Washuu, and she laughed quietly. "Be glad it's not the weight of a monster baby that you carry on your shoulders."
Washuu laughed. "Yeah, you're probably right about that."
She gave Minaka one last pat before rising from her spot on the floor. Minaka quickly leaned herself up.
"Miss Washuu, wait."
Washuu halted, and turned to look back. "Yeah hon? What is it?"
Minaka paused, an embarrassed look crossing her face. "Um... Aeka told me, when I first got here, that Tenchi is the grandson of Prince Yosho... that's true, isn't it?"
Washuu nodded. "Yup, he sure is. Why do you ask?"
"Well... I kind of figured... that if he's Prince Yosho's grandson, he's partly Juraian... has he ever displayed Juraian qualities?"
"Has he? HA! 'Course he has... countless times... he's pretty hot stuff, y'know."
"Oh... I was just wondering... is he very strong?"
"Oh yeah... considering he's only a quarter Juraian, he's really strong, compared to that of an average Juraian... why..."
Washuu paused. Minaka's eyes seemed to burn with an intensity she had not witnessed in her young friend before. Then she realized... Minaka was a warrior.
"No way... you shouldn't challenge Lord Tenchi, not in your condition... you'd get yourself hurt! When I say Tenchi isn't your average earthling, I mean it!"
"I know... but I have to find out... I want to challenge him... just to see how strong he really is... I can handle myself, really I can... I'll be okay... but I want to see how strong he is."
Washuu threw up her hands. "Alright... I know I can't change yer mind... or any warrior's mind, once its set. Just... be careful. If he lets into you too hard, tell him to stop... he's tough, but he's not without compassion... he'll let up."
Minaka shook her head. "That won't be necessary. I want to find out how strong he is... if I asked him to let up, I'd probably never find out."
Grunting, Minaka got off of the sofa, and padded quietly into Washuu's lab. She pulled out a satchel from the corner where her bed was located, and dug around inside. Finally, she found what she was seeking, an energy sword, much like that of Tenchi's, minus the shimmering gems in its hilt. Clasping it firmly, she exited Washuu's lab.
"Where would he be right now?"
Washuu looked at a clock on the wall. "Hmm... he's probably training in the forest with his grandfather. Oh, and by the way, call him Katsuhito... he prefers that name, anyways..."
Minaka grinned. "Right... maybe I'll watch Tenchi train a little before I challenge him."
And with that, she left, heading to the grove where Tenchi trained. Washuu remained behind, a bleak look on her face. She really hadn't been kidding when she said Tenchi was tough...
"Be careful, Minaka..."
"Hmm? Washuu, what are you talking about?"
Startled by the voice, Washuu turned. In the doorway stood Aeka, a dust broom in hand.
"Oh... nothing really..."
But Aeka couldn't be fooled. "Minaka left with a sword in her hand, I could see it. What is going on, Miss Washuu?"
A curious Sasami poked her head in. "What's going on?"
"Augh... looks like I'm going to have to 'fess up..." Washuu grumbled. Reluctantly, she told the two of Minaka's plans.
"WHAT?! No, she mustn't! Lord Tenchi, his power... who knows what could happen? Oh, Miss Washuu, how could you let this happen?"
"She's a warrior, Aeka. I could have locked her away in my lab, but she would have found a way out. Once a warrior's blood is stirred, nothing can stop them, not even the strongest prison chamber. I could have told her a million times not to do it, and she'd still go out and challenge him. It's in her blood. She lives for just one more battle, one more chance to prove herself. Right now, in her condition, she feels weak and useless. She believes that if she challenges Tenchi to a swordfight, it'll prove that she's strong, and can do things on her own. She's having a hard time doing the simplest of maneuvers, she can't even bend over to pick things up off the floor anymore. Wouldn't that make you feel useless, too?"
"Hmm.. I suppose so... oh, but I hope she doesn't get herself hurt..."
"Well, that's one thing I'm not gonna let happen. I may let her go off to satisfy her blood wrath, but I'm most certainly not gonna let her get hurt. C'mon... we can hide in the bushes where Tenchi trains. If it starts to look bad, we'll go out and break it up, okay?"
This seemed to calm Aeka's fears. "Oh, alright... I suppose it's okay to let Minaka fight against Lord Tenchi... I just hope she doesn't get too hurt."
Quickly, the threesome left the house, and ran off after Minaka.
*****
Panting, Minaka trudged along a wooded path. She knew of the grove where Tenchi trained, but had no idea it was so far off. Wondering just how much farther it was to the grove, Minaka was suddenly rewarded with the sounds of bamboo sword hitting targets. Quietly, she peered through a brush...
It was a marvelous sight. Lord Katsuhito, perched upon a rock, watched sternly as Tenchi leapt and soared through the air, his bamboo sword striking out and hitting a target, affixed to a tree by a rope. The target swung about, sometimes near to Tenchi, sometimes far away, but he managed to strike it every time it swung out. Maybe Washuu was right... maybe he was too powerful...
Minaka's grip on the sword hilt tightened. No... she couldn't be afraid, not now... she had to challenge him... her talents with swordsmanship were excellent... she could beat him, if she applied herself...
She stepped into the clearing. Tenchi, startled, dropped his sword.
"Minaka? What the- OW!"
The target, still swinging about crazily, had swung back, and struck Tenchi in the back of the head. Lord Katsuhito laughed.
"Ah, Tenchi, you still have much to learn. Do not let anything distract you, no matter how noisy, or pretty..."
Minaka grinned. "Flattery will get you nowhere, old man."
Katsuhito laughed. "Yes, I see that... hmm... impressive... you own a sword of the lighthawk. I take it you are here to challenge Tenchi?"
Minaka nodded her head. "Yes..."
Tenchi looked alarmed. But... but Minaka... I can't fight you, I mean-..."
Katsuhito silenced him with a glance. "Tenchi... you know that no matter who the opponent, male or female, handicapped or not, you must accept a challenge. Minaka is a warrior, born and bred, I can see it in her eyes. She will not back down, even if you choose to dismiss her challenge."
Tenchi looked helplessly back at Minaka. "Are you sure you want to fight? I mean..."
Minaka simply stared at him, her eyes unclouded, her mind clear, her voice true. "I wish to challenge you, Tenchi. I may be female, and I may be hampered, but I will take all that you give me. Please, I beg of you, accept my challenge, and hold nothing back."
Tenchi nodded. "Alright... I accept your challenge." Reaching down, he dislodged his real sword, the sword Tenchiken, from its sling on his belt, and activated it. A shimmering blade of energy manifested itself, and hummed with power.
"Good... this is what I wanted to see." Holding her own sword in front of her, Minaka activated its powers, and held her ground but for a moment. "Hold nothing back!"
And she disappeared. Tenchi whirled around. "She's fast!"
Katsuhito merely watched the proceedings. This girl was brave, and he could sense her power, but he could also sense a weak link in her chain. If she wasn't careful, Tenchi would find that weak spot, and strike. She was a seasoned warrior, but she was capable of mistakes, just as any warrior is often predisposed to.
Tenchi was mystified. Where had Minaka gotten off to? Then he realized what she was doing. She was testing his mental reflexes... he had to sense where she would be when she would strike. Standing still, he closed his eyes and concentrated... he had to find her before she struck...
THERE!
With all speed, Tenchi wielded his sword and turned. Minaka's sword clashed with his in a terrific burst of light.
"Ha! Not bad... you are good! Try this!" Quickly wrenching down, Minaka thrust her sword and slashed.
Shards of Tenchi's pant leg fluttered to the ground.
"W-whoa! N-now, now, hold on, Minaka, I- YIPE!" Tenchi had barely the time to recover his wits when Minaka struck again, this time sweeping over his head and slashing down to shred Tenchi's other pant leg. She wasn't kidding at all.
Composing himself, Tenchi focused his mind. He couldn't let her beat him... she had asked him to give it his all, hadn't she? Quickly maneuvering, he countered Minaka's slashes and undercuts with his own moves. She had essentially no holes in her defense, and was doing a good job of keeping it that way... when he noticed it. Of all the places she wasn't defending...
"Oh God... he saw it too..."
Washuu, perched on her haunches, looked out from the surrounding underbrush, Aeka and Sasami behind her. Aeka struggled to gain a better view.
"Saw what? Miss Washuu, what's going on out there?"
Washuu turned, quietly letting the branches of the shrubs snap back into place. "Well, Minaka's doing pretty well, and Tenchi's actually getting a workout. She's more of a fighter than I expected... but there's one weakness in her defense. She isn't protecting her midsection... where the baby is."
Aeka gasped. "She's going to get herself killed!"
"Well, if Lord Tenchi doesn't do anything, she'll be fine. But she did tell him to give it his all... she's leaving the weak spot in her defense to test him. If she realizes that he knows of the opening and isn't doing anything about it, she might get violent. I don't know... she seems awfully determined to prove her worth. If she doesn't get hurt, Lord Tenchi will."
A loud clang brought Washuu and Aeka to attention.
Minaka and Tenchi stood, their swords crossed, Minaka panting, as well as Tenchi.
"Why won't you strike?"
Tenchi gulped. "But Minaka... you..."
Minaka growled loudly and swung her sword in a vicious arc. It clanged as it roughly hit the ground, earth spraying in all directions. She glared angrily at Tenchi.
"I thought I told you to give it all you've got. Are you afraid of hurting me? Don't be. I don't care if I do get hurt... damn it, fight!"
With an agility born of anger, Minaka hopped back a few steps, brought her sword up to her face, pointed it straight, and charged.
/This girl is going through great mental pain/... the thought flashed in Katsuhito's mind. /Something must be bothering her greatly to cause her to charge so blindly into battle.../
Tenchi swung out desperately. Either Minaka had been taking battle lessons from Ryoko, or she was really crazy. No matter how fast he countered her slashes, she only came at him faster, until her sword moved in a dizzying spectacle of undercuts, uppercuts, thrusts, and slashes. Finally, he saw what she was trying to do. She was purposely leaving a hole in her defense at her midsection... she got angry at him when he'd tried to avoid striking her there... she /wanted/ him to strike her there.
Finally, he could take the strain no longer. Her lighting fast moves had finally agitated him enough... yelling at the top of his lungs, Tenchi swung out...
The blade disappeared, and Tenchi's fist, still clenching Tenchiken, hit Minaka squarely in the ribcage. She gave a cough, blood spattering to the ground, and curled over upon herself, finally falling to the ground.
"Oh... oh my God, Minaka!" Tenchi kneeled down, and shook the girl gently. She was out cold.
Washuu leapt out the brush into the clearing, roughly shoving Tenchi aside. She gathered Minaka up in her arms, and examined her.
"Hmm... KO'D, but she's alright. She'll wake up shortly."
Tenchi sat on his backside, befuddled. "Washuu... you were hiding in the brush all that time? But why... why didn't you do anything?"
"I think you did what I would have done if the situation turned bad anyway, Tenchi... you did a good job... she's a pretty tough fighter. Don't worry about hitting her like that... she was acting irrationally... if you hadn't knocked her out, she might still be letting into you right now."
Tenchi nodded his head. "I know... but still, I feel so guilty about all of it... she was really determined to win..."
A gentle cough brought them to attention. Minaka's eyes fluttered open, to rest upon Tenchi. She gave a gentle smile, and reached out to touch his hand.
"You... truly are a magnificent fighter... thank you for showing me how much power you possess... I'm sorry I pushed you so hard, but I had to find out..."
A flicker of light glinted on Minaka's forehead. She cried out loudly in pain, and began to convulse wretchedly on the ground.
"Oh God," Washuu breathed. "The patch just failed."
"What? What patch?..." Tenchi asked.
Ignoring him, Washuu grabbed Minaka in a restraint hold and held her tightly. Her body was immensely hot, but regardless, Washuu held her close to keep her from flailing about.
"Everybody, back to the house. Minaka's in danger."
"But... what danger? Miss Washuu, what's going on?"
"I'll explain later. It's a long story anyway, but..."
A loud cry from Minaka signaled them all that something was gravely wrong.
"Is she having her baby?" Sasami asked as they dashed headlong back to the house through the forest.
"No... it's not as simple as that, Sasami... I wish it was... Minaka's dying."
"WHAT?!"
Washuu whirled upon the straggling group angrily. "I don't have time to explain! I'll tell you all later but right now I have to stabilize her system or she'll die right now! Now COME ON!"
Sensing that she was close enough to teleport herself back to her lab, she did so, her spectral energy flashing about her as she disappeared before the others' eyes. In shock, the group followed Washuu numbly back to the house.
Rushing Minaka into her lab and immediately hooking her up to sensors, Washuu found what she'd feared the most. The patch, although a quick pain fix, had been unable to completely isolate the virus. It had spread rapidly, and now was in it's final throes. Minaka would die by that night. And, consequently, Washuu realized that she had failed. She had promised this girl that she would find a cure...
NO! No... I won't give up. Not yet...
Setting up her keyboard and data, Washuu began to type away more furiously than she had ever typed in her life. The explanation to the others would have to wait. This girl's life was much more important.
*****
Hours passed. Washuu's head lowered dejectedly. All testing came up negative. A weak cough from the corner woke Washuu from her disillusioned stupor, and led her to the corner of the room.
Minaka's form was much paler than it had been earlier that day. She lay, weak and limp, like a rag doll. Her eyes, usually so bright and filled with energy, looked blankly at Washuu, and pierced her soul.
"I'm sorry Minaka. I tried... I truly did... now I know I don't deserve to be called the most brilliant mind in the universe."
Minaka simply stared at Washuu, past her, as if Washuu were transparent. Finally, she spoke.
"I know you tried... Thank you for doing all those wonderful things for me... but... I thank you mostly... for the time you gave me... I got to live, I got to live as I never had. Sasami taught me how to cook... I won Ryoko over... I got to ... see... the rise of a truly strong warrior..."
She coughed, even more weak this time. Washuu clasped Minaka's tiny hand, and held it to her face.
"Miss Washuu... there is one more thing... before I die... I want to see Funaho again."
Washuu blinked. "Are you sure you could make it?"
Minaka grinned softly. "I can try."
Nodding, Washuu lifted Minaka into her arms, and teleported out of her lab. Seconds later, she appeared at the edge of Funaho Pond, and rested Minaka down. Neku-oh sat, as regal as ever, next to the beautiful Funaho. Minaka placed her eyes on the tree, and smiled.
"Thank you Washuu..."
Washuu nodded. "Don't worry... you just rest now, okay Minaka?... Minaka?"
Washuu looked down. Minaka's eyes no longer held the shine of life. They were now empty, devoid of life and spirit. Minaka had died.
"Oh no..." Washuu held Minaka's body, cradling it in her arms. "Minaka, please, don't go yet... Sasami..."
Washuu felt a hot lump rise in her throat. "Oh my God... Sasami... what am I going to tell her?..."
And then, Washuu did something she hadn't done in eons.
Holding Minaka's body, she screamed, one long, mournful wail, into the night sky. Sobbing, she rocked Minaka's body in her arms, feeling the warmth of her life drain away.
"Minaka... Minaka... oh God, please no, not this girl... she's just barely begun to live... why not me, huh?... Oh, Minaka..."
It had been like this only one other time, one other time that Washuu could remember... a strange girl named Hiwa had come on an unexpected visit to Tenchi, only to reveal herself as being a sort of spirit... her real body was in a hospital in Osaka, dying of severe damage in a car accident. Washuu had pressed herself to save this girl, only to have all her attempts fail, sometimes downright miserably. It burned her, having to tell Tenchi and the others- especially little Sasami- that Hiwa was going to die, and that there was nothing that she could do, nothing that she could have done, because she had done all she could. Only then did Tenchi remember Tsunami-
TSUNAMI! That was it! If anyone or anything could save Minaka, it was Tsunami! Sure, she'd have to tell Sasami and Tenchi and the others what had happened, and it would hurt, but then Sasami would be able to activate Tsunami's spirit, and everything would be okay! She just had to leave Minaka here, and-
Suddenly, Funaho began to glow. An eerie light set the entire lake aglow, casting its pale light over Washuu and Minaka. Curiously, Washuu looked up...
A beautiful woman floated at the center of the lake. She looked upon Washuu, and smiled gently.
"Oh... Tsu... Tsunami..." Washuu breathed.
*****
Sasami wandered into the middle of the living room, having suddenly abandoned her cooking in the kitchen. She seemed in a trance, and Ryo-Ohki, perched upon her head, seemed just as unaware as Sasami did. Curious, Tenchi called to her.
"Sasami? Sasami, where are you going? Ryo-Ohki?..."
Heedless, Sasami walked to the door. Pausing momentarily, she turned to Tenchi and spoke in a quiet, monotone voice.
"Tenchi-san, get the others. I must get to Funaho Pond... something is happening..."
With that, she slowly turned back to the door, and padded out quietly.
*****
Tsunami smiled at Washuu. "Yes... how are you, older sister?..."
Washuu blinked. "What... are you talking about?... Older sister?..." She shook her head. "No, you must be joking... Tsunami, please, you have to save this girl. She's good, pure and strong, she can't die now, she can't-..."
Tsunami placed a finger to her lips, hushing Washuu. She slowly shook her head, and remained still, instead of tending to Minaka.
"I can't..."
Washuu blinked again. "What do you mean you can't? Of course you can, you are an omniscient being! She's a good girl, I swear..."
Tsunami merely closed her eyes, and shook her head again. "I am sorry, but I cannot save this girl."
Fury took hold in Washuu's eyes. "Yes, yes you can... you just won't... Minaka's a good girl, she doesn't deserve to die... and she's having a baby! Why won't you save her?!"
Tsunami only regarded Washuu with silence. Finally, she spoke.
"I cannot save her, for there is someone here who can, who will have more meaning in saving her than I ever will. You really don't remember anything, do you?"
Washuu sat quietly, holding Minaka less tightly. "Remember?... What should I remember?..."
Tsunami moved. She floated across the surface of the pond, and hovered next to Washuu. Placing her transparent hands around Washuu's face, she leaned close, until her forehead touched with Washuu's.
A blinding light flashed directly into Washuu's eyes. For what seemed like an eternity, lasting only a few minutes, hundreds of images blinked and flashed in Washuu's memory.
She remembered.
Three red, rounded gems appeared, flying in from all directions. Faintly, Washuu's mortal brain recalled that Ryoko had one such gem embedded on her wrist.
*****
"AAGH!"
Ryoko clamped her right hand down on what remained of a bloodied stump of a left hand. A red flash of light, accompanied by yet another small explosion and two other points of red light, took off into the night sky.
"Ryoko! Ryoko, what happened?" Tenchi ran into the clearing where Ryoko sat holding her wrist, holding Tenchiken in his hand. Its base, usually fitted with two red gems, was now gem-less.
"Looks like the same thing happened to you, only you didn't lose a hand," she grumbled, looking in the direction of the departing points of light. "Just what the hell do you suppose is going on, anyway?"
Tenchi shook his head. "I don't know, but it just keeps getting stranger and stranger. Sasami is acting weird, Washuu ran off, and now we've both lost our gems."
Tenchi looked at the night sky, sighing quietly. "Just what is going on?..."
*****
The three gems circled Washuu's body, and formed themselves into a triangle formation just over her forehead. Another blinding flash of light, and Washuu was acutely aware of a throbbing pain in her forehead. It didn't seem so bad, though...
She knew what she was now. She knew what she had been, and what she was now, what powers she possessed...
"Younger sister... I thank you for enlightening me..."
Tsunami nodded, smiling, and beckoned Washuu to the middle of Funaho Pond. Obliging, Washuu floated spectrally to the center of the pond, and joined her sister.
Tenchi and the others arrived at the pond. Sasami stood, tears trickling from her eyes. She turned to the group, and looked sorrowfully upon them.
Tenchi gasped. "Tsunami? And... Washuu?..."
Sasami nodded. "Tsunami-sama and Washuu-sama..."
This threw the group completely off guard. "Washuu-sama?!"
Washuu was faintly aware of the groups' presence, but could not speak to them. Instead, she did what she had remembered to do. The little mortal girl, Minaka...
Quietly, Washuu floated back to the dead girl. Looking down upon her body, she smiled. Leaning close, she placed her hands on Minaka's face, and touched foreheads with the girl. The three gems on Washuu's forehead glowed, brighter and brighter, until even the others at the edge of the pond could not see. Shielding his eyes, Tenchi chanced a look...
Washuu's body floated into the air, her form carrying with her that of a naked Minaka. He could see hundreds of dark marks covering Minaka's exposed features. The dark marks began to glow, more brightly than the light that surrounded the goddess and her charge, and faded. Suddenly, two large white wings appeared, angel wings that enveloped Minaka's body. Washuu's eyes snapped open, the usual glitter replaced by a dull sheen. Smiling, she gestured with a hand down to the edge of the lake. Minaka's body, still enfolded in wings, floated down to the area where the goddess pointed, and made contact with the ground. As soon as wings touched earth, they phased out, and phased into clothing. Minaka began breathing again, but remained unconscious.
Washuu returned to Tsunami, who smiled at her gently.
Tenchi, still utterly confused, ran to the edge of the pond, and shouted to Tsunami.
"Tsunami-sama! What is this all about?"
Tsunami turned her attention from her sister to Tenchi, and smiled warmly at him.
"Do not be alarmed, Tenchi. Washuu is indeed a goddess, you are not being fooled. She didn't remember her past, and wished to grant Minaka life again. Yes, I could have saved Minaka, but Minaka means more to Washuu than to anybody else. I would have saved her if I had known Washuu was a simple mortal, but you see, I know her deeper than that. I am a goddess of the light, and my elder sister, Lady Tokimi, is a goddess of the dark. But Washuu is a goddess of both the dark and the light. She possesses a power that is greater than either I or Lady Tokimi's, and that is why I did not save Minaka. I knew that she is capable of doing much more than I could have. Now, her job is done."
Tenchi merely stood, trying to absorb all this information. "So... now what? Will Washuu-chan remain a goddess with you?"
Tsunami chuckled softly. "Oh, no. I could not be that cruel to her. She loves all of you more than anything in her life. Would it be fair to her to have her remain a goddess, never being able to live normally with all of you? No, it wouldn't."
"So... what will happen?"
Tsunami put a finger to her lips, and thought. "I... do not know... I make all these assumptions, and yet I do not even ask my own sister if she agrees. How rude of me."
Quietly, Tsunami turned to Washuu, and looked her directly in the eyes. "Which do you prefer, my sister? Remaining a goddess, or returning to your mortal ways, to remain in the Masaki household as you were, a scientist living under the stairs?"
Washuu seemed to think this over. She looked from Tsunami, to Tenchi and the gang... Minaka... and then back to Tsunami. She smiled...
"Actually, Tsunami, I'll have you know that I don't live under the stairs, I set up my lab in a hyper dimension. The warp point is under the stairs, but my lab is in another dimension. Even a goddess like yerself should know that one!"
Everyone, including Tsunami, face-faulted.
"Yep, that's our Washuu. Goddess and yet still the charming little scientist we all know and love," Tenchi groaned. Washuu winked at Tenchi. "I heard that. Being omniscient does that to your senses. How would you like me to get that sample again, honey?"
Tenchi spluttered. "I, uh... oh boy..."
Tsunami grinned and touched Washuu on the shoulder. "Just as I would have predicted. I know you are happier being mortal than you would ever be as a goddess. So..."
A blinding light enveloped the pair. Three red points of light appeared, even brighter than the energy of the goddesses, and shot out into the night. Two of them embedded themselves into Tenchiken, while one shot towards Ryoko. She caught it in a fist, and absorbed the gem. She finally grew back her left hand, and the gem appeared in its rightful place on her left wrist. The light phased out, and Washuu remained in the center of it, although Tsunami phased out completely, leaving Washuu hanging in midair. A large clap of energy, much like a thunder crash, broke the calm of the night. Washuu's lax form snapped at this sound, and began to fall from its position in midair. She landed with a 'plash' in the center of the pond.
Sasami collapsed, exhausted after having controlled Tsunami's essence for so long. Tenchi leapt into the pond, and swam out to where Washuu had fallen. He hooked his arm around her waist and began to pull her back to shore, a difficult task as her long, red hair almost swamped Tenchi in his heroic task. Finally, he dragged her out onto shore, and rested her next to the fallen Sasami.
Meanwhile, Aeka had gone to where Minaka lay. She took Minaka's pulse, and Minaka awoke with a start.
"Oh... oh my... what happened? I..." Minaka muttered, shaking her head to clear it. Blinking, she looked about at the astonished group, and then realized...
"I was dead! I died... and... but what happened? Why am I alive?..." Curiously, Minaka felt around her body, and pulled back her sleeve. There were no more burn marks, and all pain had left her.
"I'm okay... but... who... oh, Miss Washuu!!" With an unexpected agility for her size, Minaka leapt to her feet and rushed to Washuu, who remained unconscious. She shook her gently, calling her name softly.
"Miss Washuu? Washuu-chan? Please wake up... wake up now!" Frustrated with her friend's silence, she gave Washuu a gentle slap to the face. This woke the KO'D red head instantly.
"Oww... oh, I have such a headache..." Blinking, she looked about, and saw a teary-eyed Minaka kneeling before her.
"Minaka?... You're ALIVE! Oh... Tsunami did save you! Oh, Minaka..." Exhibiting a peculiar show of emotion, Washuu latched onto Minaka's waist and cried happily.
Tenchi sat, mouth agape. "But Washuu-chan... Tsunami didn't-.."
A gentle tug on his shirtsleeve alerted Tenchi to the fact that Sasami had awakened. She smiled up at him, and shook her head. In Tsunami's voice, she whispered, "No. It was necessary to wipe all the memories of Washuu's actions from her mind in order for her to function normally. If she knew she was a goddess, she would not be as you know her. It's better for her to not know of her past life. What she knows of her mortal life is much more important to her, anyway."
Tenchi nodded. "I see..."
Washuu finally disengaged herself from Minaka, stood, and brushed herself off. "Why am I wet? Goodness, I must have fallen asleep and fallen in the pond or something... oh well, unexplained phenomena, happens all the time. So, who's up for a little nighttime snack, eh? I'm starved..."
Completely disregarding the fact that the entire group had coalesced on the pond, Washuu skipped happily back to the Masaki residence, Minaka in tow. One by one, Tenchi hitching Sasami on his back (much to the disappointment of Aeka and Ryoko), the gang followed her back to the house, leaving the pond, and the mysterious Funaho.
*****
Five days had passed since Minaka's recovery. Washuu remained as she always was, a busybody of a scientist, always pestering Tenchi when she had an open moment to get that "one last sample", and she never recalled her past actions. Kiyone and Mihoshi were as they were, and still thankfully had their jobs at Burger Hut, even after several slight mishaps from Mihoshi. Aeka and Ryoko fought, as usual, over Tenchi, and Sasami remained her bright, sunny self, cooking and cleaning, while Ryo-Ohki perched upon her head and waited for Sasami to hopefully drop a carrot on the floor.
It couldn't be any more normal.
*****
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay, just a note. I'm pretty in tune to the whole Tenchi universe ("pretty" meaning most, not all, OAV, TV, and perhaps even Shin), but I sorta shlepped the whole "Washuu-goddess" thing together from several sources on the 'Net. Don't quote me on any of the statements made, even I don't know the validity of it all, but... I thought it came out pretty okiday. At least, that's to my way of thinking... and I know, "sending a pregnant woman into a fight? Are you nuts?!" Well, it takes a degree of nuttiness, yes. ;) It gets a bit sappy next chapter, but that's the way I operate. It'll get more intriguing (and even nuttier) later on, I promise. ;)
Minaka Muyo! (No Need For Minaka!)
By Speck
Chapter 2: Of Mortals and Goddesses
Four more months had passed since the onset of Minaka's last pain attack. Now, weighing quite a bit more than she did four months ago, Minaka lay on the sofa, her feet elevated, relieving the pressure in her lower abdomen. She'd known it was going to get harder for her to stay comfortable as she neared the end of her term, but she didn't think it was going to be that difficult.
"So, how's our little mother-to-be doing today?" chirped a cheerful Washuu. Minaka groaned ruefully, and shoved herself into a sitting position.
"Our little mother-to-be is feeling like a beached whale," she muttered. Washuu chuckled and patted Minaka's stomach gently.
"Oh, you're doing fine. Just keep resting and don't overexert yourself."
"Washuu... I know it's been a while, but... about the virus?"
Washuu's features darkened. She'd hoped that Minaka wouldn't ask.
"Well, um... not so good. Its in remission, your virus, but for how much longer I can say is pretty short lived. The cure is... well..." Washuu nervously rubbed the back of her neck.
Minaka smiled sadly. "Thank you for trying, Miss Washuu. I really appreciate everything you've done for me, really..."
Washuu turned, suddenly angry. "I'm not giving up! I'm going to get you cured if it's the last thing I ever do!!"
Her sudden outburst frightened Minaka. Softening, she pulled Minaka close for a hug, and sighed.
"I'm sorry... it just gets frustrating when I can't solve something right away. Your baby is depending on you to live, and you're depending on me to find a cure so you can stay living... in the end, your baby's depending on me, too... sometimes it feels like I carry the weight of the world on my shoulders..."
Minaka let herself be held by Washuu, and she laughed quietly. "Be glad it's not the weight of a monster baby that you carry on your shoulders."
Washuu laughed. "Yeah, you're probably right about that."
She gave Minaka one last pat before rising from her spot on the floor. Minaka quickly leaned herself up.
"Miss Washuu, wait."
Washuu halted, and turned to look back. "Yeah hon? What is it?"
Minaka paused, an embarrassed look crossing her face. "Um... Aeka told me, when I first got here, that Tenchi is the grandson of Prince Yosho... that's true, isn't it?"
Washuu nodded. "Yup, he sure is. Why do you ask?"
"Well... I kind of figured... that if he's Prince Yosho's grandson, he's partly Juraian... has he ever displayed Juraian qualities?"
"Has he? HA! 'Course he has... countless times... he's pretty hot stuff, y'know."
"Oh... I was just wondering... is he very strong?"
"Oh yeah... considering he's only a quarter Juraian, he's really strong, compared to that of an average Juraian... why..."
Washuu paused. Minaka's eyes seemed to burn with an intensity she had not witnessed in her young friend before. Then she realized... Minaka was a warrior.
"No way... you shouldn't challenge Lord Tenchi, not in your condition... you'd get yourself hurt! When I say Tenchi isn't your average earthling, I mean it!"
"I know... but I have to find out... I want to challenge him... just to see how strong he really is... I can handle myself, really I can... I'll be okay... but I want to see how strong he is."
Washuu threw up her hands. "Alright... I know I can't change yer mind... or any warrior's mind, once its set. Just... be careful. If he lets into you too hard, tell him to stop... he's tough, but he's not without compassion... he'll let up."
Minaka shook her head. "That won't be necessary. I want to find out how strong he is... if I asked him to let up, I'd probably never find out."
Grunting, Minaka got off of the sofa, and padded quietly into Washuu's lab. She pulled out a satchel from the corner where her bed was located, and dug around inside. Finally, she found what she was seeking, an energy sword, much like that of Tenchi's, minus the shimmering gems in its hilt. Clasping it firmly, she exited Washuu's lab.
"Where would he be right now?"
Washuu looked at a clock on the wall. "Hmm... he's probably training in the forest with his grandfather. Oh, and by the way, call him Katsuhito... he prefers that name, anyways..."
Minaka grinned. "Right... maybe I'll watch Tenchi train a little before I challenge him."
And with that, she left, heading to the grove where Tenchi trained. Washuu remained behind, a bleak look on her face. She really hadn't been kidding when she said Tenchi was tough...
"Be careful, Minaka..."
"Hmm? Washuu, what are you talking about?"
Startled by the voice, Washuu turned. In the doorway stood Aeka, a dust broom in hand.
"Oh... nothing really..."
But Aeka couldn't be fooled. "Minaka left with a sword in her hand, I could see it. What is going on, Miss Washuu?"
A curious Sasami poked her head in. "What's going on?"
"Augh... looks like I'm going to have to 'fess up..." Washuu grumbled. Reluctantly, she told the two of Minaka's plans.
"WHAT?! No, she mustn't! Lord Tenchi, his power... who knows what could happen? Oh, Miss Washuu, how could you let this happen?"
"She's a warrior, Aeka. I could have locked her away in my lab, but she would have found a way out. Once a warrior's blood is stirred, nothing can stop them, not even the strongest prison chamber. I could have told her a million times not to do it, and she'd still go out and challenge him. It's in her blood. She lives for just one more battle, one more chance to prove herself. Right now, in her condition, she feels weak and useless. She believes that if she challenges Tenchi to a swordfight, it'll prove that she's strong, and can do things on her own. She's having a hard time doing the simplest of maneuvers, she can't even bend over to pick things up off the floor anymore. Wouldn't that make you feel useless, too?"
"Hmm.. I suppose so... oh, but I hope she doesn't get herself hurt..."
"Well, that's one thing I'm not gonna let happen. I may let her go off to satisfy her blood wrath, but I'm most certainly not gonna let her get hurt. C'mon... we can hide in the bushes where Tenchi trains. If it starts to look bad, we'll go out and break it up, okay?"
This seemed to calm Aeka's fears. "Oh, alright... I suppose it's okay to let Minaka fight against Lord Tenchi... I just hope she doesn't get too hurt."
Quickly, the threesome left the house, and ran off after Minaka.
*****
Panting, Minaka trudged along a wooded path. She knew of the grove where Tenchi trained, but had no idea it was so far off. Wondering just how much farther it was to the grove, Minaka was suddenly rewarded with the sounds of bamboo sword hitting targets. Quietly, she peered through a brush...
It was a marvelous sight. Lord Katsuhito, perched upon a rock, watched sternly as Tenchi leapt and soared through the air, his bamboo sword striking out and hitting a target, affixed to a tree by a rope. The target swung about, sometimes near to Tenchi, sometimes far away, but he managed to strike it every time it swung out. Maybe Washuu was right... maybe he was too powerful...
Minaka's grip on the sword hilt tightened. No... she couldn't be afraid, not now... she had to challenge him... her talents with swordsmanship were excellent... she could beat him, if she applied herself...
She stepped into the clearing. Tenchi, startled, dropped his sword.
"Minaka? What the- OW!"
The target, still swinging about crazily, had swung back, and struck Tenchi in the back of the head. Lord Katsuhito laughed.
"Ah, Tenchi, you still have much to learn. Do not let anything distract you, no matter how noisy, or pretty..."
Minaka grinned. "Flattery will get you nowhere, old man."
Katsuhito laughed. "Yes, I see that... hmm... impressive... you own a sword of the lighthawk. I take it you are here to challenge Tenchi?"
Minaka nodded her head. "Yes..."
Tenchi looked alarmed. But... but Minaka... I can't fight you, I mean-..."
Katsuhito silenced him with a glance. "Tenchi... you know that no matter who the opponent, male or female, handicapped or not, you must accept a challenge. Minaka is a warrior, born and bred, I can see it in her eyes. She will not back down, even if you choose to dismiss her challenge."
Tenchi looked helplessly back at Minaka. "Are you sure you want to fight? I mean..."
Minaka simply stared at him, her eyes unclouded, her mind clear, her voice true. "I wish to challenge you, Tenchi. I may be female, and I may be hampered, but I will take all that you give me. Please, I beg of you, accept my challenge, and hold nothing back."
Tenchi nodded. "Alright... I accept your challenge." Reaching down, he dislodged his real sword, the sword Tenchiken, from its sling on his belt, and activated it. A shimmering blade of energy manifested itself, and hummed with power.
"Good... this is what I wanted to see." Holding her own sword in front of her, Minaka activated its powers, and held her ground but for a moment. "Hold nothing back!"
And she disappeared. Tenchi whirled around. "She's fast!"
Katsuhito merely watched the proceedings. This girl was brave, and he could sense her power, but he could also sense a weak link in her chain. If she wasn't careful, Tenchi would find that weak spot, and strike. She was a seasoned warrior, but she was capable of mistakes, just as any warrior is often predisposed to.
Tenchi was mystified. Where had Minaka gotten off to? Then he realized what she was doing. She was testing his mental reflexes... he had to sense where she would be when she would strike. Standing still, he closed his eyes and concentrated... he had to find her before she struck...
THERE!
With all speed, Tenchi wielded his sword and turned. Minaka's sword clashed with his in a terrific burst of light.
"Ha! Not bad... you are good! Try this!" Quickly wrenching down, Minaka thrust her sword and slashed.
Shards of Tenchi's pant leg fluttered to the ground.
"W-whoa! N-now, now, hold on, Minaka, I- YIPE!" Tenchi had barely the time to recover his wits when Minaka struck again, this time sweeping over his head and slashing down to shred Tenchi's other pant leg. She wasn't kidding at all.
Composing himself, Tenchi focused his mind. He couldn't let her beat him... she had asked him to give it his all, hadn't she? Quickly maneuvering, he countered Minaka's slashes and undercuts with his own moves. She had essentially no holes in her defense, and was doing a good job of keeping it that way... when he noticed it. Of all the places she wasn't defending...
"Oh God... he saw it too..."
Washuu, perched on her haunches, looked out from the surrounding underbrush, Aeka and Sasami behind her. Aeka struggled to gain a better view.
"Saw what? Miss Washuu, what's going on out there?"
Washuu turned, quietly letting the branches of the shrubs snap back into place. "Well, Minaka's doing pretty well, and Tenchi's actually getting a workout. She's more of a fighter than I expected... but there's one weakness in her defense. She isn't protecting her midsection... where the baby is."
Aeka gasped. "She's going to get herself killed!"
"Well, if Lord Tenchi doesn't do anything, she'll be fine. But she did tell him to give it his all... she's leaving the weak spot in her defense to test him. If she realizes that he knows of the opening and isn't doing anything about it, she might get violent. I don't know... she seems awfully determined to prove her worth. If she doesn't get hurt, Lord Tenchi will."
A loud clang brought Washuu and Aeka to attention.
Minaka and Tenchi stood, their swords crossed, Minaka panting, as well as Tenchi.
"Why won't you strike?"
Tenchi gulped. "But Minaka... you..."
Minaka growled loudly and swung her sword in a vicious arc. It clanged as it roughly hit the ground, earth spraying in all directions. She glared angrily at Tenchi.
"I thought I told you to give it all you've got. Are you afraid of hurting me? Don't be. I don't care if I do get hurt... damn it, fight!"
With an agility born of anger, Minaka hopped back a few steps, brought her sword up to her face, pointed it straight, and charged.
/This girl is going through great mental pain/... the thought flashed in Katsuhito's mind. /Something must be bothering her greatly to cause her to charge so blindly into battle.../
Tenchi swung out desperately. Either Minaka had been taking battle lessons from Ryoko, or she was really crazy. No matter how fast he countered her slashes, she only came at him faster, until her sword moved in a dizzying spectacle of undercuts, uppercuts, thrusts, and slashes. Finally, he saw what she was trying to do. She was purposely leaving a hole in her defense at her midsection... she got angry at him when he'd tried to avoid striking her there... she /wanted/ him to strike her there.
Finally, he could take the strain no longer. Her lighting fast moves had finally agitated him enough... yelling at the top of his lungs, Tenchi swung out...
The blade disappeared, and Tenchi's fist, still clenching Tenchiken, hit Minaka squarely in the ribcage. She gave a cough, blood spattering to the ground, and curled over upon herself, finally falling to the ground.
"Oh... oh my God, Minaka!" Tenchi kneeled down, and shook the girl gently. She was out cold.
Washuu leapt out the brush into the clearing, roughly shoving Tenchi aside. She gathered Minaka up in her arms, and examined her.
"Hmm... KO'D, but she's alright. She'll wake up shortly."
Tenchi sat on his backside, befuddled. "Washuu... you were hiding in the brush all that time? But why... why didn't you do anything?"
"I think you did what I would have done if the situation turned bad anyway, Tenchi... you did a good job... she's a pretty tough fighter. Don't worry about hitting her like that... she was acting irrationally... if you hadn't knocked her out, she might still be letting into you right now."
Tenchi nodded his head. "I know... but still, I feel so guilty about all of it... she was really determined to win..."
A gentle cough brought them to attention. Minaka's eyes fluttered open, to rest upon Tenchi. She gave a gentle smile, and reached out to touch his hand.
"You... truly are a magnificent fighter... thank you for showing me how much power you possess... I'm sorry I pushed you so hard, but I had to find out..."
A flicker of light glinted on Minaka's forehead. She cried out loudly in pain, and began to convulse wretchedly on the ground.
"Oh God," Washuu breathed. "The patch just failed."
"What? What patch?..." Tenchi asked.
Ignoring him, Washuu grabbed Minaka in a restraint hold and held her tightly. Her body was immensely hot, but regardless, Washuu held her close to keep her from flailing about.
"Everybody, back to the house. Minaka's in danger."
"But... what danger? Miss Washuu, what's going on?"
"I'll explain later. It's a long story anyway, but..."
A loud cry from Minaka signaled them all that something was gravely wrong.
"Is she having her baby?" Sasami asked as they dashed headlong back to the house through the forest.
"No... it's not as simple as that, Sasami... I wish it was... Minaka's dying."
"WHAT?!"
Washuu whirled upon the straggling group angrily. "I don't have time to explain! I'll tell you all later but right now I have to stabilize her system or she'll die right now! Now COME ON!"
Sensing that she was close enough to teleport herself back to her lab, she did so, her spectral energy flashing about her as she disappeared before the others' eyes. In shock, the group followed Washuu numbly back to the house.
Rushing Minaka into her lab and immediately hooking her up to sensors, Washuu found what she'd feared the most. The patch, although a quick pain fix, had been unable to completely isolate the virus. It had spread rapidly, and now was in it's final throes. Minaka would die by that night. And, consequently, Washuu realized that she had failed. She had promised this girl that she would find a cure...
NO! No... I won't give up. Not yet...
Setting up her keyboard and data, Washuu began to type away more furiously than she had ever typed in her life. The explanation to the others would have to wait. This girl's life was much more important.
*****
Hours passed. Washuu's head lowered dejectedly. All testing came up negative. A weak cough from the corner woke Washuu from her disillusioned stupor, and led her to the corner of the room.
Minaka's form was much paler than it had been earlier that day. She lay, weak and limp, like a rag doll. Her eyes, usually so bright and filled with energy, looked blankly at Washuu, and pierced her soul.
"I'm sorry Minaka. I tried... I truly did... now I know I don't deserve to be called the most brilliant mind in the universe."
Minaka simply stared at Washuu, past her, as if Washuu were transparent. Finally, she spoke.
"I know you tried... Thank you for doing all those wonderful things for me... but... I thank you mostly... for the time you gave me... I got to live, I got to live as I never had. Sasami taught me how to cook... I won Ryoko over... I got to ... see... the rise of a truly strong warrior..."
She coughed, even more weak this time. Washuu clasped Minaka's tiny hand, and held it to her face.
"Miss Washuu... there is one more thing... before I die... I want to see Funaho again."
Washuu blinked. "Are you sure you could make it?"
Minaka grinned softly. "I can try."
Nodding, Washuu lifted Minaka into her arms, and teleported out of her lab. Seconds later, she appeared at the edge of Funaho Pond, and rested Minaka down. Neku-oh sat, as regal as ever, next to the beautiful Funaho. Minaka placed her eyes on the tree, and smiled.
"Thank you Washuu..."
Washuu nodded. "Don't worry... you just rest now, okay Minaka?... Minaka?"
Washuu looked down. Minaka's eyes no longer held the shine of life. They were now empty, devoid of life and spirit. Minaka had died.
"Oh no..." Washuu held Minaka's body, cradling it in her arms. "Minaka, please, don't go yet... Sasami..."
Washuu felt a hot lump rise in her throat. "Oh my God... Sasami... what am I going to tell her?..."
And then, Washuu did something she hadn't done in eons.
Holding Minaka's body, she screamed, one long, mournful wail, into the night sky. Sobbing, she rocked Minaka's body in her arms, feeling the warmth of her life drain away.
"Minaka... Minaka... oh God, please no, not this girl... she's just barely begun to live... why not me, huh?... Oh, Minaka..."
It had been like this only one other time, one other time that Washuu could remember... a strange girl named Hiwa had come on an unexpected visit to Tenchi, only to reveal herself as being a sort of spirit... her real body was in a hospital in Osaka, dying of severe damage in a car accident. Washuu had pressed herself to save this girl, only to have all her attempts fail, sometimes downright miserably. It burned her, having to tell Tenchi and the others- especially little Sasami- that Hiwa was going to die, and that there was nothing that she could do, nothing that she could have done, because she had done all she could. Only then did Tenchi remember Tsunami-
TSUNAMI! That was it! If anyone or anything could save Minaka, it was Tsunami! Sure, she'd have to tell Sasami and Tenchi and the others what had happened, and it would hurt, but then Sasami would be able to activate Tsunami's spirit, and everything would be okay! She just had to leave Minaka here, and-
Suddenly, Funaho began to glow. An eerie light set the entire lake aglow, casting its pale light over Washuu and Minaka. Curiously, Washuu looked up...
A beautiful woman floated at the center of the lake. She looked upon Washuu, and smiled gently.
"Oh... Tsu... Tsunami..." Washuu breathed.
*****
Sasami wandered into the middle of the living room, having suddenly abandoned her cooking in the kitchen. She seemed in a trance, and Ryo-Ohki, perched upon her head, seemed just as unaware as Sasami did. Curious, Tenchi called to her.
"Sasami? Sasami, where are you going? Ryo-Ohki?..."
Heedless, Sasami walked to the door. Pausing momentarily, she turned to Tenchi and spoke in a quiet, monotone voice.
"Tenchi-san, get the others. I must get to Funaho Pond... something is happening..."
With that, she slowly turned back to the door, and padded out quietly.
*****
Tsunami smiled at Washuu. "Yes... how are you, older sister?..."
Washuu blinked. "What... are you talking about?... Older sister?..." She shook her head. "No, you must be joking... Tsunami, please, you have to save this girl. She's good, pure and strong, she can't die now, she can't-..."
Tsunami placed a finger to her lips, hushing Washuu. She slowly shook her head, and remained still, instead of tending to Minaka.
"I can't..."
Washuu blinked again. "What do you mean you can't? Of course you can, you are an omniscient being! She's a good girl, I swear..."
Tsunami merely closed her eyes, and shook her head again. "I am sorry, but I cannot save this girl."
Fury took hold in Washuu's eyes. "Yes, yes you can... you just won't... Minaka's a good girl, she doesn't deserve to die... and she's having a baby! Why won't you save her?!"
Tsunami only regarded Washuu with silence. Finally, she spoke.
"I cannot save her, for there is someone here who can, who will have more meaning in saving her than I ever will. You really don't remember anything, do you?"
Washuu sat quietly, holding Minaka less tightly. "Remember?... What should I remember?..."
Tsunami moved. She floated across the surface of the pond, and hovered next to Washuu. Placing her transparent hands around Washuu's face, she leaned close, until her forehead touched with Washuu's.
A blinding light flashed directly into Washuu's eyes. For what seemed like an eternity, lasting only a few minutes, hundreds of images blinked and flashed in Washuu's memory.
She remembered.
Three red, rounded gems appeared, flying in from all directions. Faintly, Washuu's mortal brain recalled that Ryoko had one such gem embedded on her wrist.
*****
"AAGH!"
Ryoko clamped her right hand down on what remained of a bloodied stump of a left hand. A red flash of light, accompanied by yet another small explosion and two other points of red light, took off into the night sky.
"Ryoko! Ryoko, what happened?" Tenchi ran into the clearing where Ryoko sat holding her wrist, holding Tenchiken in his hand. Its base, usually fitted with two red gems, was now gem-less.
"Looks like the same thing happened to you, only you didn't lose a hand," she grumbled, looking in the direction of the departing points of light. "Just what the hell do you suppose is going on, anyway?"
Tenchi shook his head. "I don't know, but it just keeps getting stranger and stranger. Sasami is acting weird, Washuu ran off, and now we've both lost our gems."
Tenchi looked at the night sky, sighing quietly. "Just what is going on?..."
*****
The three gems circled Washuu's body, and formed themselves into a triangle formation just over her forehead. Another blinding flash of light, and Washuu was acutely aware of a throbbing pain in her forehead. It didn't seem so bad, though...
She knew what she was now. She knew what she had been, and what she was now, what powers she possessed...
"Younger sister... I thank you for enlightening me..."
Tsunami nodded, smiling, and beckoned Washuu to the middle of Funaho Pond. Obliging, Washuu floated spectrally to the center of the pond, and joined her sister.
Tenchi and the others arrived at the pond. Sasami stood, tears trickling from her eyes. She turned to the group, and looked sorrowfully upon them.
Tenchi gasped. "Tsunami? And... Washuu?..."
Sasami nodded. "Tsunami-sama and Washuu-sama..."
This threw the group completely off guard. "Washuu-sama?!"
Washuu was faintly aware of the groups' presence, but could not speak to them. Instead, she did what she had remembered to do. The little mortal girl, Minaka...
Quietly, Washuu floated back to the dead girl. Looking down upon her body, she smiled. Leaning close, she placed her hands on Minaka's face, and touched foreheads with the girl. The three gems on Washuu's forehead glowed, brighter and brighter, until even the others at the edge of the pond could not see. Shielding his eyes, Tenchi chanced a look...
Washuu's body floated into the air, her form carrying with her that of a naked Minaka. He could see hundreds of dark marks covering Minaka's exposed features. The dark marks began to glow, more brightly than the light that surrounded the goddess and her charge, and faded. Suddenly, two large white wings appeared, angel wings that enveloped Minaka's body. Washuu's eyes snapped open, the usual glitter replaced by a dull sheen. Smiling, she gestured with a hand down to the edge of the lake. Minaka's body, still enfolded in wings, floated down to the area where the goddess pointed, and made contact with the ground. As soon as wings touched earth, they phased out, and phased into clothing. Minaka began breathing again, but remained unconscious.
Washuu returned to Tsunami, who smiled at her gently.
Tenchi, still utterly confused, ran to the edge of the pond, and shouted to Tsunami.
"Tsunami-sama! What is this all about?"
Tsunami turned her attention from her sister to Tenchi, and smiled warmly at him.
"Do not be alarmed, Tenchi. Washuu is indeed a goddess, you are not being fooled. She didn't remember her past, and wished to grant Minaka life again. Yes, I could have saved Minaka, but Minaka means more to Washuu than to anybody else. I would have saved her if I had known Washuu was a simple mortal, but you see, I know her deeper than that. I am a goddess of the light, and my elder sister, Lady Tokimi, is a goddess of the dark. But Washuu is a goddess of both the dark and the light. She possesses a power that is greater than either I or Lady Tokimi's, and that is why I did not save Minaka. I knew that she is capable of doing much more than I could have. Now, her job is done."
Tenchi merely stood, trying to absorb all this information. "So... now what? Will Washuu-chan remain a goddess with you?"
Tsunami chuckled softly. "Oh, no. I could not be that cruel to her. She loves all of you more than anything in her life. Would it be fair to her to have her remain a goddess, never being able to live normally with all of you? No, it wouldn't."
"So... what will happen?"
Tsunami put a finger to her lips, and thought. "I... do not know... I make all these assumptions, and yet I do not even ask my own sister if she agrees. How rude of me."
Quietly, Tsunami turned to Washuu, and looked her directly in the eyes. "Which do you prefer, my sister? Remaining a goddess, or returning to your mortal ways, to remain in the Masaki household as you were, a scientist living under the stairs?"
Washuu seemed to think this over. She looked from Tsunami, to Tenchi and the gang... Minaka... and then back to Tsunami. She smiled...
"Actually, Tsunami, I'll have you know that I don't live under the stairs, I set up my lab in a hyper dimension. The warp point is under the stairs, but my lab is in another dimension. Even a goddess like yerself should know that one!"
Everyone, including Tsunami, face-faulted.
"Yep, that's our Washuu. Goddess and yet still the charming little scientist we all know and love," Tenchi groaned. Washuu winked at Tenchi. "I heard that. Being omniscient does that to your senses. How would you like me to get that sample again, honey?"
Tenchi spluttered. "I, uh... oh boy..."
Tsunami grinned and touched Washuu on the shoulder. "Just as I would have predicted. I know you are happier being mortal than you would ever be as a goddess. So..."
A blinding light enveloped the pair. Three red points of light appeared, even brighter than the energy of the goddesses, and shot out into the night. Two of them embedded themselves into Tenchiken, while one shot towards Ryoko. She caught it in a fist, and absorbed the gem. She finally grew back her left hand, and the gem appeared in its rightful place on her left wrist. The light phased out, and Washuu remained in the center of it, although Tsunami phased out completely, leaving Washuu hanging in midair. A large clap of energy, much like a thunder crash, broke the calm of the night. Washuu's lax form snapped at this sound, and began to fall from its position in midair. She landed with a 'plash' in the center of the pond.
Sasami collapsed, exhausted after having controlled Tsunami's essence for so long. Tenchi leapt into the pond, and swam out to where Washuu had fallen. He hooked his arm around her waist and began to pull her back to shore, a difficult task as her long, red hair almost swamped Tenchi in his heroic task. Finally, he dragged her out onto shore, and rested her next to the fallen Sasami.
Meanwhile, Aeka had gone to where Minaka lay. She took Minaka's pulse, and Minaka awoke with a start.
"Oh... oh my... what happened? I..." Minaka muttered, shaking her head to clear it. Blinking, she looked about at the astonished group, and then realized...
"I was dead! I died... and... but what happened? Why am I alive?..." Curiously, Minaka felt around her body, and pulled back her sleeve. There were no more burn marks, and all pain had left her.
"I'm okay... but... who... oh, Miss Washuu!!" With an unexpected agility for her size, Minaka leapt to her feet and rushed to Washuu, who remained unconscious. She shook her gently, calling her name softly.
"Miss Washuu? Washuu-chan? Please wake up... wake up now!" Frustrated with her friend's silence, she gave Washuu a gentle slap to the face. This woke the KO'D red head instantly.
"Oww... oh, I have such a headache..." Blinking, she looked about, and saw a teary-eyed Minaka kneeling before her.
"Minaka?... You're ALIVE! Oh... Tsunami did save you! Oh, Minaka..." Exhibiting a peculiar show of emotion, Washuu latched onto Minaka's waist and cried happily.
Tenchi sat, mouth agape. "But Washuu-chan... Tsunami didn't-.."
A gentle tug on his shirtsleeve alerted Tenchi to the fact that Sasami had awakened. She smiled up at him, and shook her head. In Tsunami's voice, she whispered, "No. It was necessary to wipe all the memories of Washuu's actions from her mind in order for her to function normally. If she knew she was a goddess, she would not be as you know her. It's better for her to not know of her past life. What she knows of her mortal life is much more important to her, anyway."
Tenchi nodded. "I see..."
Washuu finally disengaged herself from Minaka, stood, and brushed herself off. "Why am I wet? Goodness, I must have fallen asleep and fallen in the pond or something... oh well, unexplained phenomena, happens all the time. So, who's up for a little nighttime snack, eh? I'm starved..."
Completely disregarding the fact that the entire group had coalesced on the pond, Washuu skipped happily back to the Masaki residence, Minaka in tow. One by one, Tenchi hitching Sasami on his back (much to the disappointment of Aeka and Ryoko), the gang followed her back to the house, leaving the pond, and the mysterious Funaho.
*****
Five days had passed since Minaka's recovery. Washuu remained as she always was, a busybody of a scientist, always pestering Tenchi when she had an open moment to get that "one last sample", and she never recalled her past actions. Kiyone and Mihoshi were as they were, and still thankfully had their jobs at Burger Hut, even after several slight mishaps from Mihoshi. Aeka and Ryoko fought, as usual, over Tenchi, and Sasami remained her bright, sunny self, cooking and cleaning, while Ryo-Ohki perched upon her head and waited for Sasami to hopefully drop a carrot on the floor.
It couldn't be any more normal.
*****
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Okay, just a note. I'm pretty in tune to the whole Tenchi universe ("pretty" meaning most, not all, OAV, TV, and perhaps even Shin), but I sorta shlepped the whole "Washuu-goddess" thing together from several sources on the 'Net. Don't quote me on any of the statements made, even I don't know the validity of it all, but... I thought it came out pretty okiday. At least, that's to my way of thinking... and I know, "sending a pregnant woman into a fight? Are you nuts?!" Well, it takes a degree of nuttiness, yes. ;) It gets a bit sappy next chapter, but that's the way I operate. It'll get more intriguing (and even nuttier) later on, I promise. ;)