The Jurain sun had finally set and now only the moon lit the dark landscape of the royal palace. However the gloom of night did not phase two figures that stood a few feet away looking at each other stoically. "Ryoko," Tenchi said with a smile. He had been sleeping when she arrived, and with the same youthful exuberance he had when she had known him years ago he met her on his balcony. "I'm glad you came back."
In a vain attempt to hide her joy, the golden-eyed space pirate hmphed loudly, and looked away from him. "Really? Why did you want to yell at me some more?"
With a sigh, Tenchi closed the gap between them and took on of her slender hands in his. "No, of course not. I felt terrible after I yelled at you. I can't say it enough, but I am sorry."
Turning to look into his eyes, the slender woman blushed at his touch. "Well, I only came to find Mayuka," she whispered timidly her emotions leaking through. "I have no intention of staying."
Now it was the prince's turn to wince as he regarded her painfully. "Please, Ryoko don't say that. Please stay. I want you to."
"You want me to?" She echoed with confusion.
'"Yes," he confirmed. "Stay and marry me. Then we can be together forever."
Ryoko's heart skipped a beat as her mouth dropped open in shock. "What about Ayeka? She is your wife after all."
"Don't
worry about her," Tenchi smiled, putting his free hand on her cheek. "All that
matters to me is us…."
With slow deliberate motions their mouths edged forward and their lips prepared to experience the truest form of ecstasy. Ryoko's heart, mind, and soul sang as the moment came ever closer. In all her five thousand plus years she had wanted this, and now it was finally about to happen. For the first time in her entire life Ryoko Hakubi would know pure bliss. As the warm flesh of Tenchi's young lips were scant molecules away from rubbing hers something dreadful occurred; Ryoko awoke.
On Board Ryo-Ohki:
As the dream ended, the infamous space pirate's eyes shot open before turning into a groggy glare. Damn, Ryoko snarled sitting up in her chair uneasily. The same stupid nightmare I always have. I hate that! Like something like that would ever happen. Maybe I really am a masochist. It would explain why I'm beating myself up with this damn depressing dreams. Pondering this for a moment, the silver-haired woman shook her head side to side in defeat. No, I'm not like the little princess. I prefer pleasure to pain.
Calling up a few screens via a nearby Ryo-Ohki crystal the golden-eyed woman's brow deepen. Odd, we should be over Jurai by now. Ryo-Ohki, where are we? She demanded instantly going from inner monologue to communication with her cabbit starship.
"Mya," the ship replied in a stammer.
"I know this is where Jurai is supposed to be, but where is it? How could we lose a whole planet?" Studying the images on her screen, the former space pirate could only see the darkness of space. What in the hell is going on? Where is Jurai? I know it was…wait. At that moment the confused woman saw something strange, and leaned closer to allow her cunning eyes a better look. "Ryo-Ohki… full speed ahead. Slow down when you feel atmosphere."
"Mya?" the transformed cabbit confusedly asked.
Sitting in her captain's chair, Ryoko merely grinned. "The planet is there. A comet passing by went behind it, so either it's cloaked, or someone turned out the lights on Jurai. Either way, I want some answers. I just don't think I'm going to like them…."
Earth:
As Ryoko Hakubi soared to the mysteriously black Planet, two youths were about to awaken to have a rather disturbing morning.
Kanji Masaki, heir to the throne of Jurai, after his father finally takes the throne that is, moaned as warm sunlight glistened in the window and shone in his weary eyes. Having spent most of the night crying, due to his homesickness, his cheeks only recently lost their rosy sorrow. Now the rest he had found was to be lost, as he stirred and began to wake. With a grunt and a loud sniff, the red-haired youth's eyes fluttered open and he started. Loosely wrapped around his throat was a slender set of arms. Can it be? He gasped with joy, one hand rose to gently caress the silky appendage holding him in place. Ryoko and I… we… that's right! Last night she heard me crying, and she came in to comfort me. I wonder how far she went when I fell asleep…?
Wincing, the young prince wished he had better maneuverability in the tight arms so he could gaze on his seductress. He wiggled frantically in her arms thoughts of how Ryoko had awoken his father swimming in his young mind. For a moment he paused, disappointed to note he was still fully clothed in his strange pirate costume. Damn, so I didn't go all the way. I bet I didn't even get a kiss. Well, he smugly grinned as he finally wiggled lower in the sleeping woman's arms to allow himself room to roll over. I'll change all that.
The tumbling motion made the situation all the more magical, as Kanji and his night lover now lay with their faces only a fraction of an inch apart. It was enough of a shock to force the hormonally super-charged boy to pause. Silver hair flowed on the space pirates face, covering her cheeks and their telltale scars. His movement caused Minagi to grunt sadly, as if in protest, but had thus far not been enough to rouse the slumbering double. Ryoko… he said a tear in his eyes. I've waited my whole life for this. Licking his lips, the red-haired Jurain wondered which of the kissing techniques he had practiced alone in his room he should use. After all, he noted scholarly, a first kiss is important.
Yet this mental debate was not destined to conclude anytime soon as Kanji's wandering eyes traveled south, resting on the more ample regions on his companion's figure. I wonder if they are as soft as they look, he asked himself, reaching one forward; Kanji cupped her breast gently in awe of the sensation. "Wow," he muttered more to himself than to anyone else.
But now Kanji Masaki had a problem, Minagi was awake. Sadly for him, Minagi was also furious.
As he flew through the wooden wall, rolling off the slanted roof to fall in the yard, the red-haired pervert realized his last idea was not a good one. "You pervert! I can't believe I was starting to like you!" Minagi yelled from the window, looking at the dusty and muddy youth laying dizzily on the ground, massaging a large red fist shaped mark on his lower jaw.
When the world stopped spinning Tenchi's son found his legs and gazed upward. First he saw the hole in his father's old room, and then he noted the woman yelling at him. Fortune seemed to smile upon the love struck youth, as he found his legs just in time to dodge an energy blast that exploded the soft dirt where he had been moments prior. Running about, Kanji used every tactic he had learned from his martial arts teachers on Jurai to stay one step ahead of his assassin's shots.
"What's all the racket," Washu grumbled, standing at the ground floor with her reading glasses balanced precariously on her nose, a daily newspaper under one arm, and a cup of tea with saucer in her hands. "Oh," she smiled at the display. "I was wondering when they'd get up, and I see Minagi's helping Kanji with his morning exercises. That girl is so thoughtful, quiet unlike her greedy, self-centered, obnoxious, and lazy sister." Chuckling to herself the great genius watched as her second daughter purposely aimed a fraction of an inch behind the frightened man. To the casual observer it would seem as if the silver-haired daughter was going to kill the sick-minded prince, but Washu knew her children far too well to be so easily fooled. In a true fight she knew neither one would yield any ground and could kill anyone with a few well placed shots, although Tenchi's Lighthawk wings would present a problem for Ryoko to say the least. So in the end it was obvious the youngest Hakubi was merely blowing off steam as her sister had twenty years ago when she first met Tenchi.*1
Watching the show with a bemused smile a few minutes longer the diminutive genius finally stopped sipping her tea, and called to her erratic daughter. "Minagi that's enough. Time for breakfast."
Immediately the shooting ceased, and Kanji froze. Did she say Minagi? Looking at his offending and in mock belief, the young man quickly looked up into the window, seeing the lithe woman's scarred cheeks. It was Minagi last night? But I… Ryoko… that means…why?
"Mom!" the young woman whined down to her mother. "I have to blast him. He touched me in the… the…" gathering her strength the golden-eyed woman quickly finished her words blurring together. "He touched my breasts!"
"Actually it was only one," Kanji interjected sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head with one hand, while producing his touchy-feely palm to the two women. "But it was soft and-" The phrase didn't finish as Tenchi's alarm clock found itself hurled into his forehead, returning the rambling youth to unconsciousness.
"I better get some ice," Washu sighed. Looking at the front of her newspaper. "Wait a minute," she gasped. "this is awesome." Leaning out of the house, she called to her daughter. "Minagi, Chicken Hut is having a sale on Kiddie meals! Now you can get a meal, and not waste it or worry about it going to your waist."
"Mom," the silver-haired daughter whined. "Please don't mention my weight in front of our guest."
"You mean the guest you just clocked," stopping Washu chuckled again it had been a long time since she had laughed this much early in the morning. "And I mean that literally."
Blushing as she realized how mean she had been, Minagi disappeared from the window taking off into the house. It wasn't long afterward when she reappeared, an ice bag in her hands, as she gently propped up the damaged youth.
Such a sweet girl, the red-haired former goddess nodded heading in to formulate what to prepare for breakfast.
Later:
The Staircase to the Shrine:
Many romantic scenes have transpired upon the staircase to the Masaki house. It is said to be a magical place. The long route up is symbolic to many young lovers as the path they must take to find true happiness, and the stages where the staircase changes direction are perhaps the most romantic spots at night, when the moon can be seen clearly, and nature surrounds a couple completely. There have even been stories about strange happenings occurring on the path, some happy, others sad. These occurrences range from disappearances, to strange almost alien women floating through the air, to demons and angels roaming seeking lost loves.
On this particular warm morning the scenario playing out was anything but romantic as a lithe woman carried a bucket of cleaning supplies in one hand and a new broom in the other. A few feet behind her a young man followed whining about everything as if it were her fault that everything in reality happened. "And did you have to shoot at me so close, you nearly blew me into pieces. Ryoko never-"
Hearing her sister's name, Minagi stopped a hurt and furious look coming over her face as she fought back tears. For the last two hours she had heard Kanji Masaki whine about everything; the food she had made, her cleaning prowess, her appearance, the weather, and the level of technology available in the house. He was a prince, and definitely his mother's son. After all this time it had become too much, and she felt compelled to quietly voice her opinion. "I'm not Ryoko," she screamed, slamming the bucket down as she whirled. "My name is Minagi! Min-a-gi! Can't you remember that?"
Feeling the sorrow too much to bear she stopped her screaming and quickly scrambled to pick up her mess before launching herself into the air, where she could cry in peace and still retain some dignity.
As he watched her leave, Kanji felt his heart sink. What was that all about? He thought, in his excitement to talk about all the wonderful new things he was experiencing the young prince didn't seem to realize how else his behavior might be seen. Sighing, he kicked a pebble from the steps as he looked into the woodlands around him. Minagi sure acts weird. Looking down at the shrubbery, the red-haired prince suddenly realized he was alone. Fear gripped his young heart as he nervously paced on that step. I'm alone… he echoed. No one knows I'm here, Washu says Ryoko left for something, Minagi's gone insane, and no one on this planet but me knows anything about Jurai… I could be attacked or kidnapped. Panicking the young prince decided to hasten his climb to the old shrine, when his eyes caught sight of the one familiar thing he had seen since arriving on Earth yesterday.
Bending down slowly he plucked a small flower that had grown near the stony path. Is this…? He mused examining the purple flower curiously. It is! A royal teardrop, this is mom's favorite! But she always told me her brother, Uncle Yosho, said this was only for sad times. *2 Looking up the stairs reality set in on the young man like a ton of bricks. Mom also said to be a gracious guest. That's kind of funny since I never got to be a guest anywhere except in Mayuka's room. Still… I suppose I have been a little rude to everyone here. It's just I'm so excited and happy to be here. To be anywhere! Closing his eyes the slow-witted, a trait he gained from his dad, youth shook his head sadly. No, that's no excuse. Well it is, but it's not good enough. I better apologize to Minagi for whatever it was I did to upset her. Of course, I wouldn't have to if she weren't so mental all the time…. As he prepared to throw the amethyst flower to the ground, Kanji paused. I wonder if Minagi would like some flowers? Dad always gives them to mom… Turning the young man began to casually climb the path, all the while watching for more treasures off to the side.
The Masaki Shrine:
Kneeling on the steps leading from the grounds to the shrine, Minagi sobbed lightly as she busied herself with her one pleasure in life keeping the ancient temple looking its best. "Stupid Kanji," she whimpered. "Being so mean. I was trying to be nice, but all he does is make fun of me. My scars, my clothes, how I wear them, its not fair! Maybe I should give up on guys like sis did after Tenchi. I could be like Kiyone and Mihoshi and just hang out with my friend for the rest of my life…." Sighing she propped herself up on her knees. "The only problem is I don't have any friends. All my friends are Ryoko's family. Being a good space pirate doesn't let me meet many nice people." Feeling another wave of sorrow come over her, Minagi put her hands over her face as tears streamed down her cheeks. "It's not fair. I didn't want to hurt anybody. Why am I getting treated so meanly?" Soon words could not be heard over her sobs as the second daughter of Washu cried her golden eyes nearly out of her skull.
For nearly five minutes she wept, until her keen ears heard a scarping sound coming from across the courtyard. Sniffing loudly Minagi slowly lifted her head. Standing at the top of the nearly eternal staircase was Kanji, one hand behind his back. He looked at her with studious eyes as if she were some strange new creature. "What?" the slivery-haired girl growled wiping her teary eyes on her long sleeve. "Are you here to make fun of me some more? Is the way I cry stupid like everything else I am or do?"
Her words hit the young man hard, and he actually took a step back after hearing them. Did I really act that cruelly? Yet after a moment he began to advance, his head swiveling side to side as he tried to avoid eye contact. "No…" he whispered. Realizing he spoke too quietly to be heard, the current first prince raised his voice. "No," he yelled loud enough to nearly be heard back at the Masaki home, finally he found his pitch. "I never meant to insult you Minagi, I just got so excited to be here, y'know?" Bringing his hidden hand forward, Kanji produced a bouquet of beautiful flowers, which he had collected during his walk. Taking the offered flowers, the golden-eyed woman's crying mask cracked into a glowing smile. Seeing her pleased caused the red-haired youth's heart to sing. "I hope we can be friends again," he grinned. "I never had a friend before. I mean there was mom, dad, Mayuka... and I guess you could count some of the servants, but I never really knew anyone I could just… just be me with and talk to you know."
Nodding and adding in an agreeing moan the delighted daughter continued to smile as she clutched her gift to her chest absorbing the smell and sight as quickly as her senses could. A friend, she winced wishing it could be more. I guess it's a start, and I should forgive him for being such a jerk….
"So what do you say," Kanji asked holding out his hand trying to look away as if he were too cool to fall for a romantic setup like this. "Still friends?" Instead of replying Minagi stood up swiftly and bowed deeply. "Good. You know you're pretty cool for someone my dad never mentioned much. So…" grabbing her hand the red-haired Jurain tugged his new friend behind him. "Come on, you have to show me Ryoko's cave! You promised we'd go see it today!"
"But my chores," the silver-haired woman whined.
"I'll help you do that later, come on!" He complained pulling her arm as he pleaded.
Looking at her flower bouquet, Minagi finally caved, and allowed herself to be drug along. "Fine, but don't pull me! And don't pick any more flowers from the path! Those are there to cheer up people coming to the shrine. Not for you to play with. Kanji! Are you listening to me? I'm talking to you, come on…"
As the second daughter of Washu whined and the first son of Tenchi critically commented on everything, they hurried along youth, free, and without a care in the world enjoying what the day had to offer.
Jurai:
Standing one what had once been a beautiful city near the castle, Ryoko shook her head. As far as her superior eyes could see nothing existed only darkness. It was like looking out over an ocean of ink. Each and every corner of the verdant planet now blended with the space that it dwelt in. Shaking her head the lithe woman hovered a few inches from where she assumed the ground would be. Kanji said it best; this place is a dive! Looking above at Ryo-Ohki she sent out a mental command. Ryo-Ohki, stay there until I get back. I don't think you want to land on this junk. It doesn't look healthy. I'm going to find Mayuka. I'll try the castle first.
With her telltale hiss of dissipating matter, Ryoko Hakubi vanished from that spot seeking her former charge in the castle of her former love.
The Castle: Tenchi's Room:
With another hiss, the golden-eyed woman appeared in her cherished Tenchi's room, where much to her dismay he slept side by side with her rival, and his half-sister, Ayeka. In this room the darkness felt less oppressive, as if there were some form of light that could actually pierce its ominous power. For a moment, the slender woman studied her surroundings. Tenchi… she sighed. Where are you?
As she floated by the area where Tenchi's dresser had been, her eyes noticed something strange in the darkness. What's this? Cautiously Ryoko reached in and, seeing the darkness did not harm her to touch, removed a strange tube from the young man's clothing drawer. Looks like a scroll case. It probably has something important in it, she noted turning it over in her seeking something interesting upon it. I should probably put it away, she commented as she pried the ends off.
"Oops it looks like it fell open. Oh, and what's this?" the cunning woman innocently said as if she might be caught at any moment. Unfolding the paper inside she gasped, seeing a picture of her holding Mayuka back during the days when the terror of Jurai had still been an infant. This is beautiful, how long has he had this?
The startled woman drifted, floating around the room as she battle the tears in her eyes. I didn't think he ever thought of me as Mayuka's caretaker…at least not after the wedding. I mean, I considered me her real mommy, at least as close as she had to one after Yazuha died. Of course just because you're related to someone by blood doesn't really mean you're the best to take care of them. Look at Washu, Minagi and me…. But I never realized Tenchi- suddenly something slammed into Ryoko, something solid and bearing inner warmth. "Hey watch where you're going buddy," she screamed looking up. It was then she gasped.
"Tenchi!" Standing before the startled woman was the young prince. His entire body even his clothes were covered in the inky substance. It seemed as if the bearded prince had been frozen while he was taking a step forward, a look of terror twinkled in his now black eyes. Rising to her feet, Ryoko rubbed his face lightly above his beard. "Oh Tenchi… I'm so sorry. If I had of been a little quicker…" saying nothing more she leaned forward to kiss his forehead sweetly. As her tender lips touched his skin, the gems imbedded in her body glowed with a radiant brilliance. Startled by the reaction, Ryoko stepped back seeing her lip marks burning with a white light on Tenchi's forehead. "What's going on," she gasped, as the light began to grow like wildfire, until in barely a moment it consumed the bearded prince's entire being. As suddenly as it began, the light faded in an explosion that created a loud popping noise.
Allowing her keen eyes a moment to adjust the former space pirate soon opened
her eyes and gasped. Standing before
her was her beloved farm boy, Tenchi Masaki.
But how? She wondered
looking with confusion at her gems. I've
never done anything like that before… A soft groan from the awakened youth brought Ryoko out of her
pondering. "Are you okay, Tenchi?" she
asked, seeing him start at her voice.
"Ryoko?" he inquired shocked by her presence. "What happened? One minute I saw it was getting dark early, the next I'm on the ground looking at you."
"Darkness happened," she answered coolly. "It looks like Yazuha covered everything on this planet in darkness. I'd bet everyone here is frozen like you were. But it seems my kiss, and my gems were able to break the spell. So I figure killing the source will end all this." Turning, Ryoko headed for the window. "Don't worry, Tenchi. I'll be back soon enough. That little troll has to have Mayuka captive around here somewhere. I'll find her and be back for my reward soon enough." Looking across the void below, the golden-eyed woman pondered where to go, as she had no clue where to start looking for the evil demon. Floating into the air she sighed. I suppose I'll have to do this the old fashioned way. Arial searches can be so tedious, but they are better than getting blindsided. That and they're fast….
"Ryoko wait," Tenchi managed to stammer out in a pitiful tone, stretching out a hand at her as struggled to his knees. "Don't leave!"
Amusing the flying woman paused. "Why…? Are you afraid of the dark?"
"No," the bearded youth said with an embarrassed motion to scratch the back of his head. "I have something important to ask you." Reaching into his robe, the brown-haired prince fumbled for a moment, his hands nervously clutching for some mysterious item. Finally after a search that nearly stopped his heart Tenchi found what he was looking for. Pulling out a small velvet box he swallowed hard. "Ryoko," he said in a hushed mutter, his courage faltering for a second. "Ryoko, would you do me the honor of being my wife?" To accent his point the former earthling opened the box with his free hand, holding forth the golden band with its intricate ruby inlays
Hearing those words made her heart stop. Slowly she turned, still floating in the air, to gaze at his concerned face. She saw intense emotion, the likes of which she hadn't seen in his eyes since he proposed to Ayeka, in his eyes. Yet the past didn't matter to her at then, all that mattered was this instance, which she had dreamed of for the last twenty years. "Your wife," she whispered small tears welling in her golden eyes, threatening to flow forth any time now. Reaching forward Ryoko accepted the velvet present with the same tenderness a mother would lift her cherished newborn. Closing her eyelids tightly a tear managed to escape its golden prison.
Huffing hard she nodded her head. This is it… the moment I've dreamed of. Now all I have to do is remember what to say and do. Looking up, Ryoko caught her breath and focused on the waiting youth. "What about Ayeka?"
Smiling victoriously Tenchi edged closer to her, remaining on his knees as he met her gaze. "I'm the prince of Jurai, Ryoko." Pausing a moment he chuckled under his breath as if the answer to all her questions were all too obvious. "I can have two wives."
"I see," she said with a frailty he had not seen in her in a long time. Calmly she closed her right hand over the ring, and exhaled a long breath. "Well then, all I can say is…"
SMACK
Tenchi had leaned forward eagerly to hear the words that would make his life a living bliss. What he received literally sent him reeling. Lying on his back, the bearded prince propped himself on one elbow, while massaging a hand shaped mark on his cheek with his free hand. "Ryoko! Why did you do that? Don't you know who I am? I'm the prince of Jurai, you can't just…"
"Shut up," she screamed, towering over him like a hungry predator. "I know exactly who you are, Tenchi Masaki. I've known who and what you are since you were a little baby. Hell, probably even before that. You seem to be the one with the problem. You've let your life here on Jurai change you. So let me set you straight. First of all, I will not play second to anyone. Especially not some prissy little princess whose too stuck up to do anything, including her own husband! Second you have some nerve pulling that Jurai prince stuff on me, why would I care about that? I never did before!"
"But Ryoko," Tenchi interjected preparing to stand in a vain attempt to equalize the situation. "I was just-"
"I said quiet," the lithe woman snapped quickly ending Tenchi's rebellion, leaning forward to accent her fury. "I've been waiting to tell you off for twenty years, and I have the perfect phrase all worked out. So get ready." Clearing her throat, she watched him sink back to the floor, still rubbing his face under his beard. "Ahem… Tenchi, you and Ayeka have been together for twenty years now. You both claim to love each other, but if two people who lover each other aren't able to show that love by loving each other," at this point Ryoko's eyes darted around the room as she tried to regain her train of thought. Damn, who knew twenty years of heavy drinking might have an affect on my ability to remember important… uh… what's the word? Oh yeah, stuff. Okay, he's looking at me with that puppy dog look of his. Better keep talking. I gotta stay smooth, cool, and in charge. "And so, in conclusion you and Ayeka are…. Ah screw it," she roared throwing her previously clenched hand upward. Time for the big finish. With her smacking hand she formed her crimson energy blade and glared mischievously at her former love. *3
Closing his eyes Tenchi looked away as the sword came down, realizing he had turned Ryoko into an emotional wreck, and now she was seeking her revenge. So it came to him as a great surprise when instead of being cleaved in half, he heard the twin sound of clinging metal, one from each of his sides, followed by a light hearted giggle. With a timid fear he had not used since youth, the Jurain prince opened his eyes slowly and saw a strange sight.
On either side of him were the halves of the ring he had offered Ryoko, severed in half by her energy sword, but stranger still was the woman before him. The silver-haired woman merely smiled at him warmly, her hand stretched out in a helpful manner. "Come on, I won't bite… this time. Unless of course you like sitting on the floor like a dummy." As he took her hand, the strong daughter of a goddess hefted him to his feet quickly busying herself with dusting her old flame off. Of course she paid close attention to certain areas, which require more petting than others.
As she 'worked' the golden-eyed woman suddenly babbled like their old friend Mihoshi. "Boy I feel a lot better now. I mean I've wanted to tell you off for twenty years now, do you know what kind of pressure that puts on a girl? I mean really, there hasn't been a day when I haven't thought of you… well I guess there was that week that I can't remember. But other than that, and the time I spent thinking about Mayuka, you were always on my mind. Wait… no there was that really cute guy I saw on television once, some kind of writer guy, but it would never work. He was just a moment's fling."
Through the whole 'cleaning' Tenchi stood rock still, until he finally found his strength to speak. "Ryoko," he said with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry." It was all he could say before he began to sob uncontrollably.
Looking up from his groin Ryoko frowned as she stood before him. "It's okay kid," she smiled sadly while rubbing his hair playfully. "You did what you had to, and I can always respect that. It's what I love about you. You just need a little more confidence. I was hoping Ayeka would have given you that by now. But I see she's not that kind of woman. She's just a girl."
Saying nothing the young man merely replied by hugging her tightly, crying into her chest. Sighing Ryoko returned his hug and allowed him to vent his sorrow. Finally she looked down at him and patted his back gently, "Tenchi honey, I have to go. Mayuka needs me to find her." Leaning away the bearded youth sniffed like a six year old who lost a beloved pet. "I know, I know," she sighed, placing her hands on each side of his face. "But your fair maiden needs her knight to ride to her rescue." Pressing her lips against his cheek, she pulled away with a coo. "Oh, and if I were you, I'd shave that thing off. You look like Azusa, and no girl wants to sleep with her father. Well maybe in Ayeka's case… they do have a strange love in this family…. "
Sniffing
once more Tenchi muttered the word, 'okay,' as best as he could before she
disappeared with a hiss.
Ryoko's right, he swallowed, reigning in his heart as best he could. I've got to see how Ayeka is first. Then I'll go help save Mayuka. It's time I started owning up to things. Recalling where he had last seen his wife, the young man began to run from his room, stopping only briefly as he looked passed his mirror. Tenchi suddenly realized it was time for a change.
The Gardens:
While all Jurai suffered in eternal night a young woman danced merrily in one of the far corners of the courtyard's gardens. Her skin was covered in purple fur, and her eyes vacant as if she were merely a marionette. Yet the joy in her laugh showed that she was in complete control of her actions. "Everything is perfect now," she said as she danced. "No one can hurt me now, since the darkness got them. Daddy and mommy are statues now, so they'll never leave me."
Suddenly she paused, a strange sensation in her stomach. "Daddy's not where he's supposed to be…" scowling Mayuka looked towards the castle. "That's not fair, he's 'posed to be frozen solid in dark. Why is he free?" Grinding her fists the chilling image of Tenchi's daughter turned and stormed further into the brush until she stopped at a small lake. "Why does daddy always ruin everything?" She asked apparently to no one in particular. Plopping herself down by the black lake the purple clawed girl pouted, her cheeks bulging as she held air in her mouth. For long moments she glared at the surface of the lake as if it were its fault things had happened this way.
In the end, she exhaled loudly falling onto her back. Stretching to her limit, Mayuka soon began to flail her arms and kick loudly. "It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair!" she screeched towards the heavens. "This isn't supposed to happen! That's it! I'm calling my old mommy. MOMMY! Daddy's cheating!"
Instantly the darkness around her converged slowly rising as it took a humanoid form. Long slender arms protruded from its side, and its legs, which were fused together, seemed to be draped in a sleek black dress that would have been striped had it any other colors besides black. Wild spiky hair jutted from the forming creatures head, yet the face bore no features. Smiling at her companion, Mayuka Masaki rested her head gently on the creature's lap. "Mommy, daddy cheated." Saying nothing the darkness abomination merely rubbed her dark blue-hair soothingly, seeming to look down at her. "I know you love me," she sighed. "But why did you have to go? It's been so lonely since you went away. But now that I got rid of daddy, I can be with you again. We can stay like this forever now, favorite mommy."
As she rolled her head to look at her creation an energy blast tore through the dark beings head, sending bits of inky night everywhere. With a gasp of terror the angry girl shot up. "Who did that? Who killed my mommy?"
"So, it was you," a seductive voice called from behind. " I thought it was Yazuha behind all this, but I see now I was wrong."
Whirling Mayuka gritted her teeth at her attacker. "Ryoko!" she snarled seeing the lithe woman floating downward with an energy ball in her hand.
"That's right young lady. I'm back." Holding out one hand, the golden-eyed woman shook her head sadly. "You've been naughty, and you know what that means… it's time for you to get your spanking."
Instinctively the clawed darkness summmoner moved her hands behind her bottom, shielding it from assault. "Noooo…" she whined. "I don't wanna be spanked. You can't do that."
"You're only making this harder on yourself, now scoot over her now missy." Ryoko growled back as she landed on the ground.
"No!" Mayuka exclaimed. "First daddy turns on me, now you! Well you won't stop me. I'm gonna be happy, Ryoko! I will!" Holding up her claws the vacant eyed warrior glared daggers at her foe for only a moment, before she charged and the battle for Jurai, indeed perhaps everything, began.
Next Time: Those Masaki men, they really know how to deal with the Hakubi girls, don't they? Well like father like son I suppose. The wings of the Lighthawk maybe the only hope for Jurai, but in this darkness will they bring only death? Be here as Ryoko battles Mayuka, Tenchi tries to save Ayeka, Tsunami takes a life, and Kanji continues to be a pervert! Chapter 05: Grant me my Wings
1: Tenchi Muyo OVA episode 01
2: Tenchi Muyo OVA episode 03
3: This 'perfect' answer by Ryoko was suggested to me by Ledzepfan, who lost his train of thought midway through. Thanks for the help.