Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo is the creative and distributive property of Masaki Kajishima, AIC and Pioneer. This is my story, but I own absolutely nothing of the franchise. If anyone connected to the above reads this, HIRE DON'T SUE!!!
Author Note: Well here we are folks - the LAST chapter! I hope you've all enjoyed yourselves. If you have any comments you'd like to make, you can send them via Fanfiction.net as usual, or drop me a line at mccpcorn@hotmail.com
On with the show!
Tenchi Muyo: Changing Faces
---------------------------
By Mccpcorn
EPILOGUE
========
The first thing Tenchi noticed when he opened the door to Washu's lab was the music.
At first he couldn't understand why he felt so surprised. Then he realised this was the first time he had heard anything other than quiet, insistant hum of efficient machinery in Washu's lab. It was a light, melodious piece by piano.
It was Washu.
She sat at the head of a full grand piano, almost dwarfed by its immense size. Yet she clearly had no difficulty mastering its music. Her fingers danced lightly, confidently over the keys. Her eyes mere slits as she allowed her ears to do the work, Washu's head rocked slightly from side to side as she absorbed the beautiful notes. The sound was weighted perfectly; rich, almost golden. The most incredible sound Tenchi had ever heard.
All of a sudden, the piece stuttered to an ungraceful stop. Washu's eyes snapped open as if awakening from a dream, suddenly aware that she wasn't alone. As she caught sight of Tenchi watching her, she went bright red. 'Don't Stop!' Tenchi urged.
Washu beamed and her face coloured further with embarassment. 'It's okay, I was just passing the time'
'I'm sorry I disturbed you,' Tenchi said, and meant it. 'I've never heard anything quite like that, Washu. It was beautiful. I had no idea you could play.'
Washu giggled. 'Well, I learned a LONG time ago, Tenchi. Been awhile since I played though. I'm still a little rusty, but after the past week I figured it was a good way to clear my head.'
'Well if THAT'S rusty, you've no complaints coming,' Tenchi assured her. 'You should pipe that through to the rest of the house; it would go a long way to calming everyone down.' Tenchi looked over Washu's shoulder at the piano. 'There can't be many people with so many varying talents as you; I guess you really ARE a genius. I mean, I didn't even know you HAD a piano.'
Washu giggled even more; her eyes shone with Tenchi's compliment. 'My computer can replicate virtually ANYTHING with the correct parameters. Of course, an electronic synth producer can do the job just as well, but sometimes ya just need a little soul.' Washu sighed contentedly.
Tenchi nodded his agreement. 'Yeah. So - Um... how's the nose?'
Washu laughed again, gingerly touching her bandaged nose. 'Nothing the first aid kit couldn't handle,' she assured him. 'And I suppose I DID have it coming.'
'I hope that means you have no more unexpected surprises for me?'
Washu grinned and shook her head. 'Not this time. None at all!' She laughed again at Tenchi's relieved expression. 'And I guess YOU'RE here to let me know dinner's ready, right?'
Tenchi nodded. 'Yeah. And seeing how this is Sasami's first full meal in awhile we ought not to be late.' His eyes fell on the Personality Transference Transceiver. 'You'll be glad to get this thing dismantled.'
Washu nodded agreement. 'As soon as Ayeka and Ryoko finish their plan, yes.'
'The idea the girls' came up with is crazy,' Tenchi said flatly, but with an air of resignation.
'Come on!' Washu said playfully. 'They've learned a lot about each other this past week, and they're going to learn a lot more. I take it as a good sign - might mean they stop tearing into each other.'
'And the house,' Tenchi griped.
'Ah, come on, ya killjoy!' Washu's eyes sparkled.
Tenchi gave her a lopsided grin. 'Okay, okay. I surrender.'
Together they headed for the door.
* * *
Lunch was over. It was largely agreed by everyone in the house that it had been one of the best meals they could remember in a long time. The plates and bowls had been duly washed and put away, and Sasami had shooed everyone out so she could prepare dessert.
Kiyone sighed and looked up at the warm sun of a fading summer. It's beautiful, isn't it?' she asked her partner.
Behind her, Mihoshe let out an equally contented sigh. 'Yes.'
Kiyone lay on the ground at the foot of the steps to the Masaki household's patio doors. Mihoshe sat on the step above her, her legs either side of Kiyone's shoulders, her arms draped loosely around Kiyone's neck. Between her knees, a sake bottle nestled securely.
Mihoshe didn't react as she heard the patio door slide open behind her. She simply continued to look into a deep blue, late summer sky, feeling the warmth on her skin as she once again thanked whoever ran things for another wonderful day.
Tenchi sat on the step directly above and behind Mihoshe, placing his legs either side of hers and gently wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Mihoshe turned to him and smiled. Tenchi grinned back and nodded towards the sake bottle. 'Are you going to drink ALL of that before we make a start on dessert?' he teased playfully.
Mihoshe giggled. 'I've only had one bowl,' she responded, mock serious. 'This is good weather for sake, but not TOO much.'
'I agree,' Kiyone chimed in, turning a dazzling smile towards Tenchi.
Tenchi sighed and rested his chin on Mihoshe's right shoulder. 'Y'know, after everything we've been through...'
'I know,' Mihoshe chuckled ruefully. 'We never seem to get a break, do we? But we have to be positive, Tenchi. We learned a lot about each other this past week.'
'You and me?'
'And everyone else in between,' Kiyone broke in with a pointed smile.
Mihoshe giggled again at that, and Tenchi made a mental note to find out just what this private joke was that they'd been sharing with each other lately.
Mihoshe gently pulled away from Tenchi's light embrace and stood, stooping to grab the sake bottle. 'I guess it's time for - Waaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!' Mihoshe wailed as she tripped on the top step, fortunatley landing straight into the now standing Tenchi's arms. 'Mmph!!' he exclaimed as he got a facefull of blonde hair.
With obvious embarrassment, Mihoshe quickly pulled away from Tenchi, so fast that she did one of her now famous back trips over a squealing Kiyone's shoulders to land them both in an undignified heap.
'Damn it, MI-HO-SHE!!' Kiyone hissed.
'Owwww.....' Mihoshe whined.
Tenchi burst out laughing and reached down to help both women up. 'Are you two alright?' he asked Mihoshe, holding her steadily by her shoulders.
Mihoshe could feel his warm hands on the bare skin of her upper arms as she straightened herself out. She felt like smiling, but decided the situation was awkward enough. 'Tell ANYONE about that and I wont speak to you for a week,' she warned.
'Ditto,' Kiyone growled, throwing her partner an unfriendly look before shaking her head. 'Mihoshe Kuramitsu, you are HOPELESS!'
Tenchi laughed again. 'Well don't worry, I wont tell - promise. I like living too much.'
'Good,' now Mihoshe smiled again as she took the extended arm Tenchi offered her. 'I guess it's time for dessert.'
'Glad to her it,' Kiyone said, taking Tenchi's other arm.
* * *
At that moment, there was a tremendous crash. 'WHAT the-!?' Tenchi exclaimed.
'Sounded like it came from the other side of the house,' Kiyone snapped. Disentangling herself from Tenchi, she sprinted powerfully away.
'Dammit, what's going on NOW??' Tenchi demanded as he and Mihoshe followed Kiyone around the side of the house.
'I don't know,' Kiyone called back as she angled athletically around the corner of the house. 'But I have a bad feeling about it-'
The words were barely out of her mouth when the side of the house seemed to blow up.
Coughing and spluttering, the three friends found themselves peering through a thick haze of smoke and debris. A gaping hole in the side of the house was visible, and from within a pair of raised voices bellowed at each other.
Female voices. Familar voices.
Tenchi sighed pathetically. I knew it! I just KNEW it!!
As they watched, a cyan-haired woman tumbled through the hole, closely followed by violet haired princess.
'DAMN you, Ayeka!' the princess hissed. 'How did I EVER let you talk me into this!?'
'Why did I even BOTHER trying to redeem you!' Ryoko snapped back. 'HONESTLY!! And in my OWN bedroom too!!'
Ayeka smirked. 'I'm only human, princess.'
'NOT in THAT body you're not! Keep your smut to yourself!'
Ayeka was about to make a forceful retort when she suddenly spotted Tenchi. Her eyes shone madly, and she stumbled quickly through the ruined wall. 'TENCHIIIIII!!!!!!'
Ryoko's eyes went wide in alarm. 'Oh no you DON'T!!' she exclaimed as she grabbed hold of Ayeka's hair. With a sudden, choked off 'GLURK!' Ayeka almost fell flat on her face.
'You can't FLY in that body, remember Ryoko?' Ayeka/Ryoko smiled evily.
'Nice, move, princess,' Ryoko/Ayeka winced. 'Hafta remember that one.'
Ayeka/Ryoko gave Ryoko/Ayeka's hair another good yank. 'Back, Demon!' she ordered.
'DEMON!?' Ryoko snarled viciously. 'Why you FUCKING cow! You promised you wouldn't call me that anymore!'
Ayeka went beet red. 'And YOU promised you wouldn't use that word in my body!' she hollered back.
'You SEE what she's like, Tenchi?' Ryoko demanded, sliding over to the flabagastered young man. 'You SEE what I have to put up with??' Ryoko threw Ayeka a smug look as she wrapped her arms tightly around Tenchi and pressed her - or rather Ayeka's - body closely to his.
Ayeka thrust her - Ryoko's - arms stiffly out at her sides, fists tightly clenched. 'How DARE you persist in coming between myself and Lord Tenchi!?' Ayeka demanded in Ryoko's powerful voice. She marched over with forceful determination.
'Keep ya prissy nose out of OUR love, princess!' Ryoko/Ayeka, the latters silken voice sounding mischevious. 'Or I'll eat NOTHING but chocolate fudge cake for a month! I'll leave your body so fat and gloopy the only thing that'll make a pass at you will be a warthog! Not to mention what all that rich food will do to your skin.' She grinned evily.
Ayeka/Ryoko's eyes flamed a burning green. 'How - how DARE you!!' she demanded. 'If you do that I'll - I'll stick chopsticks in your ears! I'll impale myself on your sword! I'll - I'll pour all your sake away!!'
Ryoko/Ayeka's eyes saucered. 'You wouldn't DARE!!!!'
'And I'll break plates over my head!!' Ayeka/Ryoko continued. 'Lots and lots of plates!!' She scurried off to the kitchen.
'Now WAIT a minute, PRINCESS!' Ryoko/Ayeka's voice was a brittle shriek. Tenchi grunted as he found himself shoved into Mihoshe's arms as the pirate leaped in hot pursuit of the Jurian. 'You get BACK here!! I'll tear up all your clothes!! I MEAN it, Ayeka!!'
'Lots of bottles!' Ayeka shouted.
'I'll shave your head BALD!!'
'I'll set FIRE to your head!'
'I'll break your fingernails!! I'll ruin your manicure! I'll - HEY! GET THAT KNIFE AWAY FROM MY THROAT!!'
'Oh no! PLEASE!' Mihoshe exclaimed jumping up, throwing Tenchi aside into Kiyone's arms this time. 'Please no! Let's not fight! We only just got back to normal Please stop!!'
'Oh brother!' Tenchi moaned to himself. 'What IS it with those two!?'
'Who knows?' Kiyone asked. She gave Tenchi a smile. 'Fancy some dessert?'
* * *
Across the way, Kamadake eyed the proceedings ruefully. 'You know what this is, don't you?' Azaka commented to his counterpart.
'I do indeed,' Kamadake reported. 'It's another glorious day, on planet Earth.'
-----
CHANGING FACES: THE END.
Well that's it - FINALLY!! From March 2001 to March 2003, this story has taken me almost exactly 2 years to write - which is at least a year longer than I was planning. Next time I have one of this 'brilliant' ideas for a story, someone please sit on me until the urge passes...
Later! ^_^
mccpcorn.
Author Note: Well here we are folks - the LAST chapter! I hope you've all enjoyed yourselves. If you have any comments you'd like to make, you can send them via Fanfiction.net as usual, or drop me a line at mccpcorn@hotmail.com
On with the show!
Tenchi Muyo: Changing Faces
---------------------------
By Mccpcorn
EPILOGUE
========
The first thing Tenchi noticed when he opened the door to Washu's lab was the music.
At first he couldn't understand why he felt so surprised. Then he realised this was the first time he had heard anything other than quiet, insistant hum of efficient machinery in Washu's lab. It was a light, melodious piece by piano.
It was Washu.
She sat at the head of a full grand piano, almost dwarfed by its immense size. Yet she clearly had no difficulty mastering its music. Her fingers danced lightly, confidently over the keys. Her eyes mere slits as she allowed her ears to do the work, Washu's head rocked slightly from side to side as she absorbed the beautiful notes. The sound was weighted perfectly; rich, almost golden. The most incredible sound Tenchi had ever heard.
All of a sudden, the piece stuttered to an ungraceful stop. Washu's eyes snapped open as if awakening from a dream, suddenly aware that she wasn't alone. As she caught sight of Tenchi watching her, she went bright red. 'Don't Stop!' Tenchi urged.
Washu beamed and her face coloured further with embarassment. 'It's okay, I was just passing the time'
'I'm sorry I disturbed you,' Tenchi said, and meant it. 'I've never heard anything quite like that, Washu. It was beautiful. I had no idea you could play.'
Washu giggled. 'Well, I learned a LONG time ago, Tenchi. Been awhile since I played though. I'm still a little rusty, but after the past week I figured it was a good way to clear my head.'
'Well if THAT'S rusty, you've no complaints coming,' Tenchi assured her. 'You should pipe that through to the rest of the house; it would go a long way to calming everyone down.' Tenchi looked over Washu's shoulder at the piano. 'There can't be many people with so many varying talents as you; I guess you really ARE a genius. I mean, I didn't even know you HAD a piano.'
Washu giggled even more; her eyes shone with Tenchi's compliment. 'My computer can replicate virtually ANYTHING with the correct parameters. Of course, an electronic synth producer can do the job just as well, but sometimes ya just need a little soul.' Washu sighed contentedly.
Tenchi nodded his agreement. 'Yeah. So - Um... how's the nose?'
Washu laughed again, gingerly touching her bandaged nose. 'Nothing the first aid kit couldn't handle,' she assured him. 'And I suppose I DID have it coming.'
'I hope that means you have no more unexpected surprises for me?'
Washu grinned and shook her head. 'Not this time. None at all!' She laughed again at Tenchi's relieved expression. 'And I guess YOU'RE here to let me know dinner's ready, right?'
Tenchi nodded. 'Yeah. And seeing how this is Sasami's first full meal in awhile we ought not to be late.' His eyes fell on the Personality Transference Transceiver. 'You'll be glad to get this thing dismantled.'
Washu nodded agreement. 'As soon as Ayeka and Ryoko finish their plan, yes.'
'The idea the girls' came up with is crazy,' Tenchi said flatly, but with an air of resignation.
'Come on!' Washu said playfully. 'They've learned a lot about each other this past week, and they're going to learn a lot more. I take it as a good sign - might mean they stop tearing into each other.'
'And the house,' Tenchi griped.
'Ah, come on, ya killjoy!' Washu's eyes sparkled.
Tenchi gave her a lopsided grin. 'Okay, okay. I surrender.'
Together they headed for the door.
* * *
Lunch was over. It was largely agreed by everyone in the house that it had been one of the best meals they could remember in a long time. The plates and bowls had been duly washed and put away, and Sasami had shooed everyone out so she could prepare dessert.
Kiyone sighed and looked up at the warm sun of a fading summer. It's beautiful, isn't it?' she asked her partner.
Behind her, Mihoshe let out an equally contented sigh. 'Yes.'
Kiyone lay on the ground at the foot of the steps to the Masaki household's patio doors. Mihoshe sat on the step above her, her legs either side of Kiyone's shoulders, her arms draped loosely around Kiyone's neck. Between her knees, a sake bottle nestled securely.
Mihoshe didn't react as she heard the patio door slide open behind her. She simply continued to look into a deep blue, late summer sky, feeling the warmth on her skin as she once again thanked whoever ran things for another wonderful day.
Tenchi sat on the step directly above and behind Mihoshe, placing his legs either side of hers and gently wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Mihoshe turned to him and smiled. Tenchi grinned back and nodded towards the sake bottle. 'Are you going to drink ALL of that before we make a start on dessert?' he teased playfully.
Mihoshe giggled. 'I've only had one bowl,' she responded, mock serious. 'This is good weather for sake, but not TOO much.'
'I agree,' Kiyone chimed in, turning a dazzling smile towards Tenchi.
Tenchi sighed and rested his chin on Mihoshe's right shoulder. 'Y'know, after everything we've been through...'
'I know,' Mihoshe chuckled ruefully. 'We never seem to get a break, do we? But we have to be positive, Tenchi. We learned a lot about each other this past week.'
'You and me?'
'And everyone else in between,' Kiyone broke in with a pointed smile.
Mihoshe giggled again at that, and Tenchi made a mental note to find out just what this private joke was that they'd been sharing with each other lately.
Mihoshe gently pulled away from Tenchi's light embrace and stood, stooping to grab the sake bottle. 'I guess it's time for - Waaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!' Mihoshe wailed as she tripped on the top step, fortunatley landing straight into the now standing Tenchi's arms. 'Mmph!!' he exclaimed as he got a facefull of blonde hair.
With obvious embarrassment, Mihoshe quickly pulled away from Tenchi, so fast that she did one of her now famous back trips over a squealing Kiyone's shoulders to land them both in an undignified heap.
'Damn it, MI-HO-SHE!!' Kiyone hissed.
'Owwww.....' Mihoshe whined.
Tenchi burst out laughing and reached down to help both women up. 'Are you two alright?' he asked Mihoshe, holding her steadily by her shoulders.
Mihoshe could feel his warm hands on the bare skin of her upper arms as she straightened herself out. She felt like smiling, but decided the situation was awkward enough. 'Tell ANYONE about that and I wont speak to you for a week,' she warned.
'Ditto,' Kiyone growled, throwing her partner an unfriendly look before shaking her head. 'Mihoshe Kuramitsu, you are HOPELESS!'
Tenchi laughed again. 'Well don't worry, I wont tell - promise. I like living too much.'
'Good,' now Mihoshe smiled again as she took the extended arm Tenchi offered her. 'I guess it's time for dessert.'
'Glad to her it,' Kiyone said, taking Tenchi's other arm.
* * *
At that moment, there was a tremendous crash. 'WHAT the-!?' Tenchi exclaimed.
'Sounded like it came from the other side of the house,' Kiyone snapped. Disentangling herself from Tenchi, she sprinted powerfully away.
'Dammit, what's going on NOW??' Tenchi demanded as he and Mihoshe followed Kiyone around the side of the house.
'I don't know,' Kiyone called back as she angled athletically around the corner of the house. 'But I have a bad feeling about it-'
The words were barely out of her mouth when the side of the house seemed to blow up.
Coughing and spluttering, the three friends found themselves peering through a thick haze of smoke and debris. A gaping hole in the side of the house was visible, and from within a pair of raised voices bellowed at each other.
Female voices. Familar voices.
Tenchi sighed pathetically. I knew it! I just KNEW it!!
As they watched, a cyan-haired woman tumbled through the hole, closely followed by violet haired princess.
'DAMN you, Ayeka!' the princess hissed. 'How did I EVER let you talk me into this!?'
'Why did I even BOTHER trying to redeem you!' Ryoko snapped back. 'HONESTLY!! And in my OWN bedroom too!!'
Ayeka smirked. 'I'm only human, princess.'
'NOT in THAT body you're not! Keep your smut to yourself!'
Ayeka was about to make a forceful retort when she suddenly spotted Tenchi. Her eyes shone madly, and she stumbled quickly through the ruined wall. 'TENCHIIIIII!!!!!!'
Ryoko's eyes went wide in alarm. 'Oh no you DON'T!!' she exclaimed as she grabbed hold of Ayeka's hair. With a sudden, choked off 'GLURK!' Ayeka almost fell flat on her face.
'You can't FLY in that body, remember Ryoko?' Ayeka/Ryoko smiled evily.
'Nice, move, princess,' Ryoko/Ayeka winced. 'Hafta remember that one.'
Ayeka/Ryoko gave Ryoko/Ayeka's hair another good yank. 'Back, Demon!' she ordered.
'DEMON!?' Ryoko snarled viciously. 'Why you FUCKING cow! You promised you wouldn't call me that anymore!'
Ayeka went beet red. 'And YOU promised you wouldn't use that word in my body!' she hollered back.
'You SEE what she's like, Tenchi?' Ryoko demanded, sliding over to the flabagastered young man. 'You SEE what I have to put up with??' Ryoko threw Ayeka a smug look as she wrapped her arms tightly around Tenchi and pressed her - or rather Ayeka's - body closely to his.
Ayeka thrust her - Ryoko's - arms stiffly out at her sides, fists tightly clenched. 'How DARE you persist in coming between myself and Lord Tenchi!?' Ayeka demanded in Ryoko's powerful voice. She marched over with forceful determination.
'Keep ya prissy nose out of OUR love, princess!' Ryoko/Ayeka, the latters silken voice sounding mischevious. 'Or I'll eat NOTHING but chocolate fudge cake for a month! I'll leave your body so fat and gloopy the only thing that'll make a pass at you will be a warthog! Not to mention what all that rich food will do to your skin.' She grinned evily.
Ayeka/Ryoko's eyes flamed a burning green. 'How - how DARE you!!' she demanded. 'If you do that I'll - I'll stick chopsticks in your ears! I'll impale myself on your sword! I'll - I'll pour all your sake away!!'
Ryoko/Ayeka's eyes saucered. 'You wouldn't DARE!!!!'
'And I'll break plates over my head!!' Ayeka/Ryoko continued. 'Lots and lots of plates!!' She scurried off to the kitchen.
'Now WAIT a minute, PRINCESS!' Ryoko/Ayeka's voice was a brittle shriek. Tenchi grunted as he found himself shoved into Mihoshe's arms as the pirate leaped in hot pursuit of the Jurian. 'You get BACK here!! I'll tear up all your clothes!! I MEAN it, Ayeka!!'
'Lots of bottles!' Ayeka shouted.
'I'll shave your head BALD!!'
'I'll set FIRE to your head!'
'I'll break your fingernails!! I'll ruin your manicure! I'll - HEY! GET THAT KNIFE AWAY FROM MY THROAT!!'
'Oh no! PLEASE!' Mihoshe exclaimed jumping up, throwing Tenchi aside into Kiyone's arms this time. 'Please no! Let's not fight! We only just got back to normal Please stop!!'
'Oh brother!' Tenchi moaned to himself. 'What IS it with those two!?'
'Who knows?' Kiyone asked. She gave Tenchi a smile. 'Fancy some dessert?'
* * *
Across the way, Kamadake eyed the proceedings ruefully. 'You know what this is, don't you?' Azaka commented to his counterpart.
'I do indeed,' Kamadake reported. 'It's another glorious day, on planet Earth.'
-----
CHANGING FACES: THE END.
Well that's it - FINALLY!! From March 2001 to March 2003, this story has taken me almost exactly 2 years to write - which is at least a year longer than I was planning. Next time I have one of this 'brilliant' ideas for a story, someone please sit on me until the urge passes...
Later! ^_^
mccpcorn.
