Cruelty of Fate: Future's Spite

Chapter 04: Misadventures in Love

In a distant corner of the Quentin System, an area on the outskirts of the uncivilized areas, where we live, there exists a space station called Sapphire Haven.  The great outpost on this wild frontier is named this, due to the beautiful cool blue color of then nebula in which it resides, and were it not for the uncothe savage cultures that still reign in that area, then it would probably be one of the universe's premier tourist traps.  However, such is not the case.  Upon this frontier outpost races from all over give pause to gain information, supplies, or perhaps some much-needed rest, before venturing into the wilderness near Earth.  Sadly, this floating rest stop is also a hive from the dregs of space, and notorious villains are known to frequent its halls.  It is also a place where those who wish to slip out of existence unnoticed can go, and it is for that reason alone why we have come to a lonely tavern, The Genki-Sake, on this day. 

Inside the dank bar, two unique travelers enjoy its creature comforts in their own way.  One, a beautiful woman with long silvery hair, which hints cyan in the proper lighting, downed enough fifths to make anyone completely wasted, while her companion, a young man with red hair and a truly awful costume, gaped at everything like a child on its first day of understanding. 

"Wow this place is disgusting," he gasped, leaning on his elbows as he peered around the room with his left eye, which was not covered with an eye-patch with a red star upon it.  "But it's cool in its own way.  I've never been in a dive before.  Oh sure, I've seen them on TV before, but never in person.  You know I always wondered…" he continued talking to the groaning woman as if she cared what he thought, said, or did. 

Kame, doesn't the kid ever shut up?  She sighed, looking at him with one cheek pressed against the musty bar.  I was kind of hoping to seduce my way out of the bill, but old Captain Tack here won't shut up, and now that everyone knows I'm with him slipping out will be impossible.  With a painful motion she turned her golden eyes from the babbling youth to a small cabbit who nervously watched the red-haired man make a fool of himself.  This is all your damn fault, Ryoko moaned mentally to her companion.  If it wasn't for your lack of self-control, we could have left Jurai a lot easier…  Bringing her head down hard on the table she allowed herself a moment to reflect back to that time, when her perfect departure from Jurai had been marred.

Yesterday: Jurain Space:

With a hiss of dissipating matter Ryoko appeared inside her vessel, Ryo-Ohki, and smiled.  "Good-bye Tenchi," she heavily moaned feeling joy at his life with Ayeka, yet pain in the thought of losing him once again.    It took all her strength, but the golden-eyed woman managed to suppress a tear of pain. 

Her happy mourning of peace was soon shattered as a figure stepped up beside her and clasped an arm around her shoulders.  The privacy intruder's hand draped dangerously close to her chest, and thus dangerously close to being lost.  With a smirk on his face, the young man proudly made a boast as his reaction to the beauty of Jurai was made with different emotions.  "Good-bye rules, parents, boredom, bedtimes, and prison life!  Hello fun, adventure, and living!"

With a quick motion Ryoko knocked Kanji's arm off her, noticing he was still dressed in that stupid space pirate getup he had been wearing earlier, prior to Mayuka's appearance.  "What the hell are you doing here?  And why are you dressed like that?"

Appearing shocked for a moment, the over hormonal youth blinked slowly as if he was not expecting the question.  "Well I'm going with you!  We're going to be partners, and see the universe, just like dad said you and he would have if you had of ended up together."

For a second, his words struck the lithe woman's heart, as they echoed in her mind.  Tenchi actually told his kids about us?  Or I guess I should have said how there could have been an us?  Why?  Wouldn't that just confuse things?   Feeling her heart flutter, Ryoko smiled, but quickly banished the thought as she regarded him.  "Well I appreciate the thought, but I have to hunt down your sister.  So you'll have to go home now."

"Mayuka? Why?" he whined.

"Seems your parents can't raise little girls, and now she's trying to resurrect a powerful demon." Shrugging Ryoko cast him a carefree smile, "should be fun looking for her. But like I said you have to go now."

Exhaling in a puff, Kanji pouted. "What! No fair!  I wanna go," he whined, stomping one foot. "I've been planning this my whole life, waiting for you to come so you could take me with you.   You'll need me, after all no one knows Mayuka better than me!"

"You barely know anything," she answered.  "Your place is at home, not-"

"My place is here," he shouted pointing downward, showing a side of him that reminded Ryoko of Tenchi when he had had enough of her shenanigans.  For a moment she felt as if her heart would beat with love once again, but unfortunately the Jurain prince soon showed his hereditary perverse side.  "You see, we're supposed to go on some cool journey where we'll fall in love after saving the universe and then have lot of kids, or at least try to have them.  I mean if you don't want to have kids, I'm sure Washu can fix that, but…" For a time he paused, drool running from his mouth as a perverse fantasy, the likes of which Noboyuki would create, came to mind.  Soon he shook his head, and took on a more romantic glare at her.  "I've been dreaming of it since I can remember.  You were even my first word; at least that's what dad tells me.  I can't go back."  Neither look appealed to the universe's most feared space pirate.

"Kid," she said sadly putting a hand on his shoulder. "You don't want my life, trust me.  Besides, I think you've read too many fan-fictions; the only one for me is your dad.  So there's no chance of there ever being an us.  Besides, why would I save the universe?  I'm a space pirate, not some stupid super hero or a GP officer, you'd be better off talking to Mihoshi or Kiyone for that."

"No, I couldn't stand being an officer, they're too annoying.  Besides, you really have no choice," he laughed knowingly, coming out of another of his lustful trances to open his vest and show her a hidden object. "I've got the winning card."

"Now I see how you got here," Ryoko snarled. "All right fine! You can come with us, but we do everything my way."  With a furious scowl she made her way to the control seat, just as one of the Ryo-Ohki crystals floated before her, the cabbit's face, with a huge sweat drop, peering from inside it. 

Oh don't think I'll forget about this.  The demoness of the Misaki shrine growled in warning.  So you better not try to butter me up.  I can't believe you sold me out for a few lousy carrots!

Mya... Mya! Ryo-Ohki replied.

I know he's Tenchi's son, but the carrots can't be that good. Ryoko said trying to calm herself.  Instantly her cohort resounded with continuous meowing, and the golden-eyed woman's eyes expanded several sizes to appear like saucers at the news.  They taste that good, Tenchi's carrots? And Kanji's are almost the same… scratching her chin, the lithe woman regarded her stowaway, who did one of the stupidest dances she had ever seen involving pelvic thrusts and something she had heard was called "the cabbage patch" repeatedly, with an interested eye.  Fine, well I'll let this slide for now.  But you better not be trying to lie to me.  She threatened holding one finger in warning to her ship; looking at Kanji she added one more item.  For right now, set a course for Sapphire Haven, I feel the sudden urge to get plastered.

"Kid, we're going to a bar," she groaned.  "So when we get there, try to act natural."

"You got it, Ryoko," he shouted. "Adventure here we come!" Throwing his arms in the air, he quickly assumed a dramatic pose as he pointed to the great beyond.  "Full speed, Ryo-Ohki!"

"The bar's the other way," Ryoko sighed rubbing her head. "Just leave the flying and everything important to me, okay?"

"Sure," Kanji smiled, "by the way, Ryoko. I think I thought up a new name for myself."

Here comes a winner… the golden-eyed seductress swallowed, holding her head in anticipation.

"Blackshire! What do you think?" he smiled.

"I think you better try harder. That name is not only over used, but it's not very intimidating."

"But I even wrote a poem to go with it!"

"No one wants to hear a poem, especially me. Now just sit there quietly, okay?"  Rubbing her temples, Ryoko mentally cursed not only her luck, but also Ayeka for raising such an annoying son.  She would do this to me, wouldn't she…?  What did I ever do to that little princess?  Damn it all… I can tell this is gonna be a long trip….

The Bar: Present:

It sure as hell was, Ryoko sighed as she slammed down her empty glass. 

"Hey doll," a large muscle bound man said stepping up beside the drunken woman.  "Why don't you dump this dork, and go out with a real man?"

"Excuse me," Kanji interrupted, stepping between the two of them.  "The lady's with me."

Lady? The golden-eyed woman asked, once again seeing a side of his father for a brief moment.  I thought the kid said he knew about me.

"You talk pretty good," the man in the brown leathers chuckled.  "But why don't you go find a freak show, cause no idiot dressed like that is telling me to back off."

Pulling out the Tenchi-ken, Kanji chuckled, as he assumed a battle stance.  "I may not have the best costume, but rest assured my friend, I am the greatest space pirate you'll ever meet." Straightening up for a moment he put a hand to his lip.  "Well I guess next to Ryoko that is, but then again she does have more experience than I do right now, and-" it was a comment that was never finished, as the large thug slammed a fist into the unexpecting youth's face and introduced him unceremoniously to the floor. 

Shouts of encouragement rang from the bar, as everyone enjoyed seeing the loud mouth kid get what he had coming to him.  "You should know better than to go off like that in a fight punk."

Leaping to his feet, the Jurain prince showed remarkable agility as he made a quick jab into his assailants face.  "I wasn't finished with my story," he scowled wiping a trail of blood from his nose.    Seeing their friend struck, several more figures, each wearing various weapons approached.  "Well, let's see, seven on one, huh?"  Smiling the young man allowed the blade to appear from his father's blade.  "Fine then, bring it on."

Ryoko groaned, looking at the young man with disdain.  What a show off.  I guess I better help him out; Tenchi would kill me if his son died in a barroom brawl.   Rising to her feet, the groggy woman was a second too late, as the battle began without her.  Oh… she winced, that'll hurt.  Wow… I hope there a doctor around here to set that… Mmm that'll need some ice…. In a matter of seconds the fight was over, a few tables and chairs were broken, as were bones, and Kanji stood none the worse for ware among the bodies breathing heavily.  I guess the kid did pay attention to some of his training, still he is sloppy, and these guys were wasted….  Looking to at Kanji's back, she saw one man raising a gun to blast him.  Casually she moved over and stepped on his wrist.   "Uh-Uh-Uh, that gentleman is with me, Lady Ryoko, so don't go shooting him."

Turning her attention to the barkeeper she cast him a winning smile.  "These nice boys have offered to cover the damages and would kindly like to pay my bill."

"Fine," the fat man shrugged, having heard this line many times before. 

Smiling at Ryoko, the red-haired prince moved over to throw one arm around her shoulders once again.  Yelling like some rodeo clown, he threw one arm into the air.  "Yahoo!  We did it, Team Blackshire rules!"

The next instant the excited prince was knocked unconscious with a large fist shaped bump on his head, as the slender seductress drug him out of the bar, berating his lack of creativity as she went.  "Team Blackshire?  Didn't I tell you I hate that name?  Plus, what's this Team stuff?  I told you I work alone.  If I hear one more…"

"Yes, ma'am," the oddly dressed 'space-pirate' repeated to all her comments, like a broken record, as his eyes spun about in his head. 

Earth: The Masaki House:

Beside the two-story house with its green house, various windows, and a woman with silver hair, golden-eyes, and a cute pair of cuts under her eyes fought a terrible battle.  Minagi grunted under the strain, as she kicked with all her might downward, hoping it would be enough to defeat her current adversary, yet in her heart, she knew it would never be enough. 

I should just blast it, she thought morbidly as she breathed heavily.  But then I'd have an even bigger mess. Losing her to a moment's anger she punched at her feet hard, stupid sis, why'd she have to make such a mess out of Tenchi's old room!   Flying up several feet into the air, Minagi soon came down hard into the dumpster and compacted all the saki bottles and trash her and her mother had accumulated from Ryoko's quarters. 

Sweat poured down her face as she wiped it away in a futile effort to clean herself.  "There," she sighed wearily.  "I hope Ryoko appreciates all the stuff I do around here.  I never get to have any fun, all I do is take care of her."  Sniffing loudly, Minagi winced.  "Oh yuck, now I need a bath… gross."

Just as the filthy daughter of Washu began her journey across the bridge to the Onsen, Ryo-Ohki meowed in triumph as she appeared above the red-roofed home, and Minagi paused.  Just when I was about to relax… she groaned.  More work…  Looking to the house, tears welled in her eyes.  "After all my work to clean up… Ryoko will probably trash the house in five minutes…." Clenching her fists a look of grim determination appeared in her eyes.  "Not this time, I'm gonna do it!  I'm gonna tell Ryoko to quit picking on me, and to start helping out around the house."

Lifting off from the ground Minagi rocketed to where she saw her sister beaming down.  Landing swiftly behind her twin she shouted at the top of her lungs, "Ryoko I wanna talk to you.  I'm tired…" Suddenly she stopped as her silver-haired double stepped to the side casually regarding her to reveal a young man with flaming red hair behind her.  Gasping the younger sister fell silent.  Wow… he's dreamy… if it wasn't for that stupid outfit…  "Hi," the golden-eyed woman sheepishly said, delicately holding one hand on her face as she stretched out her other arm daintily like a southern bell.  "I'm Minagi," she giggled while looking away, blushing at the thought of him taking her hand.


However the response she received was not what she expected.  Kanji's words seemed less than impressed; in fact he sounded downright bored by her presence.  "Wow, really, that's great.  Say, do you know you have two cuts on your face," he asked. "You should really get those looked at."

Laughing obnoxiously, Ryoko pointed at her sister through eyes laced with tears from hard mirth.  "Good one Kanji," she chuckled, as her lungs felt ready to burst.

Whirling, Minagi's eyes went from dreaming to furious as she whacked Kanji in the head, once again marring his head with a large lump.  Mom, Minagi mentally whined.  Ryoko brought some guy to the house, and he's being mean to me!

"What did I tell you about whining, young lady?" Washu commented as she stepped out of the two-story home, wiping her hands off with a rag as she studied her daughters and their guest.  "Ryoko I told you not to pick on Minagi, she's not like you.  Now then," she paused looking at the weird dressed youth.  "Who might you be? Is the circus in town?"

"W-W-Washu!" he shouted, pointing at her as if she were a great archeological find. "This is so cool!   I can't believe I'm standing her, at my dad's old house, on Earth, talking to Washu with Ryoko!"

"Hey, what about me?" Minagi fumed motioning to herself. 

"Sure, sure," he said waving off the golden-eyed youth's comments.  "This is so cool, I can't wait to see everything."  Grabbing Ryoko's wrist, he tugged her behind him hard as he rushed towards the house. "Come on, let's see my dad's bed, just like you guys used to in the old days," sadly the lithe seductress had other things on her mind and didn't budge an inch. 

"I don't think so." She yawned as the young man fell onto his back.   "I have something more important to do.  Minagi," Ryoko nodded, "show this kid around."

"But I was gonna take a bath!"

"So take him with you.  I know you don't make much of a show, but he probably would like to see the Onsen."  Blushing, the scarred sister huffed at her sibling's remark. 

"Ryoko, leave your sister alone," Washu warned playfully.  "But if the kid wants a tour, I could show him the lab."  Maybe then I'd get that sample I never got from Tenchi?

Don't even think about it, Ryoko warned.  We've got something to do first, before you go fulfilling your weird fetishes.  And you wonder where I get my strange urges…. 

You should be more respectful to your mother, Ryoko, the green-eyed genius declared simply with a grin. 

Why…?

"Because we found something cleaning your room," the mother of two chuckled.  "This!" she shouted in triumph holding out a large busted bra.  "I knew you were wearing one of these!"

"Mom," Minagi complained shielding her eyes from the sight, "you promised you wouldn't show that thing to anyone outside."

"Amazing," Kanji said suddenly appearing to rub the fine silky material, "to think this was actually touching Ryoko's breasts, why if only I could trade places with it for a-" Once again a lump was raised on the young man's head as the woman in question intervened. 

"I'm only going to say this once," Ryoko snarled, "I never wore this thing, I bought it to tease Tenchi with about 14 years ago.  I was going to show up just wearing this to his house one day.  As you all know, I was drunk at the time."

Various calls of understanding came from the four gathered, as even Ryo-Ohki added her thoughts, however very few comments sounding believing.

Throwing the lacy bra to the ground, she snarled.  "Come on, Washu let's go to your dumb lab.  Kanji go find something to do.  Bathe with Minagi if you want…."

Washu's Lab:

Having sent the Jurain prince into the house to explore his ancestral home for the first time in his life, the mother and daughter duo made their way through the broom closer door into the super lab.  Knowing the red-haired man wouldn't be amused forever, they quickly walked to Washu's main computer terminal. 

Opening a few files, the diminutive genius began to browse for something.  Pressing a button, she turned to her daughter while a file unlocked from its security features.   So, was everything as bad as you thought? Washu asked as she retuned to typing in various commands in her ethereal keyboard.   

Smiling to herself, she shook her head to disagree with the thought.   No, he really did seem happy.  I mean he was mad at me when he found out his dad and grandpa was dead, but that's fine.  It was actually kind of fun to have Tenchi yell at me again.

Laughing, Washu bobbed her head.  So has my little girl finally got over being dumped? With the press of a final button, an object floated out of subspace.  It appeared to be little more than a bottle with a large funnel on the top, yet the writing on the side indicated it was something very special, and rather old. 

Sighing painfully, Ryoko moved her head side to side, causing her silvery hair to ripple ever so slightly as she took the bottle in her hand.  No, I don't think the hurt will ever go away.  I'll always miss him, but I am happy now.  Happy that he's happy, and for me that's all that matters.  I got to see Tenchi happy mommy.  Without another word she closed her eyes and a tear fell from them.  But it was not a tear of sorrow, which she had shed many of over the past years, instead it was a passionate tear of joy; one born from seeing a friend, indeed a soul mate, succeed in life and find ultimate bliss.

Swiftly Washu reacted making sure the tear found it's way down the funnel into the bizarre mixture that was brewing inside the bottle.  Painfully she grinned at her daughter, realizing what this final tear meant.  Twenty years we worked on this, the red-haired mom reminded her.  In a way this is like our child, she added, corking the top delicately.  Casting her parent a disgusted look, both women enjoyed a chuckle at the comment. 

"I can't wait to see Tenchi again," Ryoko said with a heavy sigh, feeling as though a weight was lifting off of her, but was still there.  "I told him I'd be having his kids."

"I know," Washu giggled looking very impish, "remember I can read your thoughts.  I doubt he really knows what you meant.  So when are you going to make good on your word?"

"First I need you to find Mayuka for me.  Then I'll deal with Tenchi." She coolly stated, as she watched as her mother placed the bottle back in a subspace refrigeration unit.  "For now, he'll have to think that having his kids meant I was abducting Kanji."

"Yeah," the green-eyed genius agreed.  "Well don't worry, it shouldn't take me long to locate Mayuka.  From what you've been thinking, I can see things haven't been all fun and games with Tenchi and Ayeka."

"Actually it has been," Ryoko groaned, rubbing her forehead sadly. "That's the problem, too much fun and dreaming and not enough reality. "

Wincing a hurt smile the short mom nodded, knowing how much Tenchi's plight killed her daughter inside.  "Don't worry, I'm sure everything will work out.  We'll find Mayuka."

Turning casually, the lithe woman began to drift out of the laboratory.  "I know you will that should be easy.  What worries me is how do I stop Mayuka without hurting her?  She's already been through more than any kid should be exposed to.  I understand that first hand…." Casting a glance back at her mom, she saw the red-haired genius wincing at the comment.  Stopping, Ryoko whirled and soared back to kiss her mom on the forehead.  "Sorry, mom... I know what happened to us seems like the same thing as Tenchi and Mayuka, but remember, it wasn't your fault Kagato tricked us.  Tenchi brought this on himself when he decided to live in a dream instead of a perfect reality with a goddess like me." 

Hugging each other for a few seconds, Washu wiped a tear from her eyes.  My little girl really has grown up.  She happily thought as the golden-eyed woman flew from the lab, seeking to get some much-deserved rest after her long emotionally draining trip.

That Night: Tenchi's Room:

After a full afternoon of putting up with Kanji's annoying come-on's Ryoko finally found a perfect way to get some time to herself, she sent him to bed. 


"But Ryoko," the red-haired youth whined loudly.  "I wanna sleep with you!"

"Really," she asked, her eyes brightening for a moment. "That's too bad.  I sleep in the rafters, or didn't your dad tell you?"

"But…"

"Good-night Kanji," she proclaimed holding up one hand to signify the end of the conversation.  Without another word, the golden-eyed woman shut off the lights, closed the door to her beloved's room, and turned to leave.  It was then she heard a horrible sound, one she was rather intimate with.  The heart-rending noise began as the sigh of a dying man, and soon broke into a sob.  Damn… I should have seen this coming, Ryoko growled, oh well, I guess was meant to happen one day.  Can't stay a baby forever….  Moving a few feet away, the sound of Kanji's sorrow amplified, and the silvery-haired woman stopped dead in her tracks, closing her eyes tightly as she tried to block his remorse.  Curse my kind heart… Ryoko noted, her head turning with a rusty motion.  I guess there's no choice.  I'll have to…

"Hey, Ryoko, what's up?" Minagi said coming up the stairs with a stack of fresh sheets in her arms.  "Is something wrong?  You usually are in Tenchi's bed by now."

Minagi, the seductive woman smiled. "Well, just who I was looking for.  Kanji was just telling me he wanted to talk to you."

"Really?" the golden-eyed clone of Ryoko gasped, dropping the blankets as she slapped her blushing cheeks with excitement. "He really asked for me?  Instead of you?"


"Uh… sure," Ryoko nodded, thinking her sister was a bit too excited.  "He's in there.  Go talk to him. I think he's waiting for you."

"He doesn't want to…" Minagi nervously began, tenting her pointer fingers.  "You know… have… have…."

"Sex," the golden-eyed woman finished, as her sister slapped a hand over her mouth, shushing her loudly.  Don't worry sis, if you want to sleep with him, I'll tell you what to do. 

Don't be gross! 

Well, you'd better get in there; men don't like to wait forever, Ryoko answered getting angry as her sister cupped her mouth.  By the way, do you hear that?

Putting a hand to her ear Minagi strained for a moment before her eyes grew wide.  It sounds like crying!  Ryoko what did you do to Kanji?

Relax, the older sister replied holding up her hand to show she was currently not a threat.  I didn't do any thing to him.  He's not my type.  He's probably just homesick.   Why don't you go calm the kid down?  It sounds like he could really use a shoulder right now.

But you're the one he likes… the young daughter sighed, not me.  Why don't you go?

It should be obvious, sister dear.  I'm leaving because I'm not the one who fell for the kid.  You'd better get going.  Saying nothing more, the lithe seductress drifted past her sibling towards the stairs, leaving Minagi to ponder her new fate. 

With legs that felt like they were made of iron the scar bearing beauty trudged to Tenchi's old room, and slowly opened the door.

Staircase:

"Ryoko," Washu smiled meeting her daughter on the stairs. "That was a very nice thing you did for your sister."

"Don't mention it," she replied floating up to the rafters, "ever."   Beaming with pride, the red-haired woman looked at her child with a warm grin, which greatly unnerved the golden-eyed woman.  "So is it ready," she asked briskly as she rested her back on one of the house supports.   Nodding the diminutive genius said nothing simply looking at Ryoko in wonder as if for the first time.  "What!"  Ryoko growled feeling her mom's eyes on her.

Nothing, it's just I haven't felt you like this in a long time.  I've missed seeing this side of you little Ryoko, the happy side.

Oh no… not this crap again…

Smirking, Washu shook her hand to ward off her child's anger.  Don't worry, I won't tell you that story again.  But you were so cute, wearing that little diaper.  You were my baby angel…

Is there a point to all this?

Shaking her head frantically, Washu came out of her trance.  Yes, I've found Mayuka.

"Where is she?" Ryoko said sitting up instantly, as her mom glared ice sickles at her.  In that instant the lithe woman knew the answer, and with a curse she called out to her cabbit, prepping it for immediate departure.

Tenchi's Room:

As the door to the quaint room opened, the sliding noise echoed with a grating sound.  Kanji, who lay sobbing on his bed, instantly stiffened, trying to look as if he were merely sleeping.   "I'm not crying," he sniffed upon realizing his ruse had failed. 

"Um hmm," the nervous woman answered, setting down the fresh sheets she had brought on Tenchi's desk as she sat beside the newcomer to their home's bed.  Gently she placed a hand on his arm, and as his back was to her, he couldn't see who it was. 

"I just got over excited that's all.  It's been a big day and all, Ryoko.  I mean I left home, went to a bar, and met some really cool people."

Feeling her heart drop a moment, Minagi inwardly sighed.  He thinks I'm Ryoko…

"It'll be alright," she said in her best Ryoko, which wasn't that hard to mimic, as their voices were nearly identical.  "I'll always be here for you."

With tears in his eyes, the young man rolled over, and clamped onto Minagi, hugging her tightly.  "Thank you…" he smiled. "I knew you'd say that.  I love you." 

Blushing, Minagi merely enjoyed the hug, despite the fact it was meant for her sister. 

Jurai:

Tenchi Masaki looked out at his kingdom with a bitter joy.  For over twenty years now his soul had known true happiness.   True there had been some times when he missed the old ways, and the situation with Mayuka always tugged at his heart, but for the most part he had everything he ever wanted.  However, now in the wake of the greatest tragedy of his life, the young man felt as if he hadn't been living as he should have.

With a heartfelt sigh, he looked down to the gardens below where his wife sat alone looking at the roses and other flowers which their daughter had helped care for up until today.  Ayeka… he whispered in his head.  You've always been there for me, always cared for my feelings. When I was scared you were there, telling me it would be alright, promising me tomorrow would spread new light on the things that darkened my heart, and when I was brave you would stand behind me backing any decision I made no matter how poor it might have seemed at the time.  You listened to everything I said, and I did my best to understand what you meant when you spoke to me of royal matters.  We're both too soft hearted to ever snap back at the other, but it seems in the end what we both needed was for one of us to take command of the situation and force the other forward.  Maybe that's why we let things go so far… maybe that's why….

Reaching into his robes, Tenchi pulled out something cold and hard from his pocket, squeezing it tightly in his palm.   I knew you were gentle and meek, but I never thought…  I guess this is what we should have tried from the start.  Maybe it's all for the best…  "I should talk to Ryoko," he nodded as he glanced at his wife, not noticing he had spoken the wrong name.    Walking into his room slowly Tenchi approached his dresser, and opened the top drawer carefully.  Inside he found an old scroll case with strange markings.

Only I could open this, he thought touching his fingers to a few key areas on the old ivory case.  As if it were made of eggshells, the long tube popped open, spilling the item within into his waiting hands.  Holding his possession for a moment, Tenchi readied himself.  Ayeka knows I have this, or at least she knows I have this scroll case, but I don't thinks she knows what's on this.  Swallowing the brown haired prince opened his possession and smiled bitterly.    

Upon the aging page was an image of a woman with a child.  Anyone who viewed it would think the two related, a mother with her daughter, yet Tenchi knew the two figures intimately.  Ryoko and Mayuka he mused.  They always looked so good together.  Even thought she was my daughter, I hated when Ryoko left Mayuka, it was like I was stealing someone's child.  I wish I could have made my choice all those years ago without hurting Ryoko.  But maybe if I…  Stopping himself the proud prince shook his head.  I have to be strong, I can't doubt what I say and do.    With a final look at the drawing he created the night after marrying Ayeka, Tenchi replaced it in its case and waltzed casually back outside. 

Looking up at the sky, the former shrine caretaker's burrow deepened.  Ryoko… did I really cause you so much pain?  I never meant to….  I was only following my heart, like I thought you would have wanted.  Why did you take Kanji?  Are you really planning on sleeping with him to get back at me?  That's crazy I…  that's weird, he noted curiously checking a dial nearby for the time.  It doesn't normally get dark for at least another hour, and…  The instant Tenchi saw the shadows growing in the gardens, and figured out what had happened, it was too late.  Darkness had returned to exact a terrible price.

The Database:

Once again, Tsunami stood among the endless wonders of the celestial database, overlooking the glorious creations from a majestic temple located at the core of this perfect order.  Her pink eyes seemed lined with sorrow as she held a hand mirror that showed her beloved planet Jurai.  I wish I could have saved them, but I had to let this happen.  If I didn't then the life I must take would never end. 

Turning just in time, the blue-haired goddess saw her sister, Lady Tokimi, appear from the temple.  "Are you sure you can still go through with this?"  The high-ranking goddess asked in her typical straightforward manner.  "I realize it isn't really your forte."

"I know," Tsunami swallowed, lowering her scrying mirror.  "But don't worry, I'll do this.  It has to be done."

Next Time:  Tsunami takes a life, Tenchi and Ryoko meet once again with a shocking twist, Kanji and Minagi have a fun time, and Mayuka returns to the scene!