After a week and a half I'm finally back! Sorry about the delays, first I was busy with school and then I caught a nasty flu bug. But I'm okay now and ready to write. Some of you may find the fic's ending to match the title, but that's how I wanted it to end. As usual, my grammar sucks, so bear with it. And please don't forget to read and review.
The Anticlimactic Finale
Before Mihoshi's "landing"…
The two titanic beasts continued exchanging blows, not letting up one bit in their struggle for dominance. The water demon slashed at the oni's chest, while it in turn socked the white spirit in the face. Both were in bad shape from each other's repeated blows, yet neither gave up. The oni had bloody gashes all over its gargantuan form, while the water demon had ghost-like black blood flowing from its wounds. Both grappled again in a contest of strength. But then they both instantly stopped, instincts warning them of an impending doom. They both looked skywards and saw a fast approaching object heading towards the lake. When it made impact, the largest tsunami came towards the behemoths and engulfed them both.
Even earlier than that…Tenchi desperately tried to break free of the guardians hold, but he failed in the process. The logs made their way up to the shrine grounds with Sasami, Ryo-Ohki, and a disgruntled Tenchi in tow, following the orders of their princess. Tenchi griped the whole way to the shrine, and made several attempts to break free of the energy bubble they were encased in. He would either ram, punch, or push the bubble but was only rewarded with a shock from the annoyed logs.
Katsuhito was already standing outside of his shrine, already aware of the threat that was happening below. Katsuhito had his chin resting on his hand while holding his elbow, his eyes showed a glint of amusement at the comical sight before him. Tenchi's attempts on breaking the shield bubble were downright hilarious to the old priest. Katsuhito casually walked up to the group so that he could find out exactly why his son was fighting the threat down below.
Azaka saw the old man approach and turned to inform the Jurian prince of the situation. "Lord Yosho, I have very urgent information that I must give to you." Yosho raised an eyebrow at the blue crested log and awaited the explanation.
One explanation later…
Katsuhito nodded his head with his eyes closed after ingesting the information. "Hm, I see what the problem is now. Very well, here are my orders. You two," Katsuhito suggested towards the guardians, "will come with me to help Ryoko and my sister against this threat." Tenchi was ready to object until his grandfather cut him off. "Tenchi, you will stay here and make sure Sasami and Ryo-Ohki stay safe. The last thing we need is for these two to get involved."
It was safe to say that Tenchi was a little miffed at the fact that his "family" were fighting for their very lives and all he was told to do was just say put. Tenchi decided to make his intentions clear. "Grandpa! Why do I have to stay while you go out there? I'm the one the guy is after! It's not right that you are all being put in danger for my sake! You shou-!" Tenchi's grandfather gave him a stern look that told Tenchi to shut up and listen. "Tenchi, I know that you feel a little anxiety at the fact that you are not allowed to help, but I have my reasons for you not entering the battle. So just listen to my orders and stay here." Tenchi was a little downcast at what his grandfather just said, until reaffirming hands gripped his shoulders. "Tenchi, trust me on this one, alright? Because if you don't, then I'll make sure you have plenty of grueling practice sessions." His grandfather added the last bit with a mischievous smirk. Tenchi looked up at his grandfather, and then decided to give in. "Alright Grandpa, I'll stay here." After Katsuhito gave a relieved sigh, he then turned towards the two floating logs.
"Alright you two, let's be on our way. I'll catch up with you, so just go now." With that said, the logs barked (heh, log joke)an enthusiastic "yes sir" and flew towards the battleground. Tenchi's grandfather walked down the steps in his usual style. Tenchi watched on with a yearning for help, but then quickly reprimanded himself. Sasami, who has been silent the whole time, looked on with worry. "I hope they'll be alright." Tenchi looked on and replied to the young girl's statement. "Yeah, I hope so too Sasami." Ryo-Ohki gave a concerned "meow" as the old warrior continued out of view.
Katsuhito continued to walk down the steps, all the while in deep thought. "I'm sorry for not allowing to battle Tenchi, but you are not quite ready to face this person or his kind yet. Especially if it is him." The old priest silently continued down the steps.
CurrentlyAs the waters settled, one could make out four figures on the shore. One was crying over her sunken ship, while the other three were currently unconscious. Ayeka and Ryoko began to stir, coughing out water as they slowly got up. Sesshoumaru on the other hand, was still out cold. If only he knew that he mirrored his half-brother's position after one of his many "sits".
Ryoko was starting to get annoyed as Mihoshi continued her bawling, crying about her spaceship and if Washu would be able to pull it out this time. Ryoko turned her head to Ayeka and saw a similar look of annoyance. "I'm starting to wonder whether I'll thank her or kill her." Ayeka glanced at Mihoshi after Ryoko's statement. "I share my sentiments with you, Ryoko." Mihoshi continued to bawl more as the two girls yelled at her to shut up.
All the girls then turned towards the sudden sound as they heard someone else cough up water. Sesshoumaru slowly stood in an undignified manner as he continued to cough up water, taking in the third combatant as she stood there staring at him. Mihoshi turned towards Ayeka and Ryoko and pointed at Sesshoumaru. "So, who is this guy? A friend of yours?" Ryoko and Ayeka sweat dropped at that statement. "Yes Mihoshi, he's one of our best friends even though he tried to kill Tenchi and take our heads in the process." Mihoshi looked over at Sesshoumaru after Ryoko's answer and then turned back towards her two friends. "Well, he's not really a good friend, now is he?" Ayeka and Ryoko both face-faulted after that. Both got up with murder in their eyes and started to scream at Mihoshi.
While the yelling was going on, Sesshoumaru slowly squeezed any water that was still soaking his garments. He then picked up the wet Toukijin and shook any water he could off of the powerful blade. Afterwards, he looked over towards the new individual who wishes to intrude on his quarry. "Hmm, it appears another one of the boy's harem has entered the fray. I must use caution with the three of them attacking at once." Sesshoumaru began to slowly walk towards the three women with the Toukijin at his side.
Ayeka looked over towards their opponent and noticed that he was on the move again. "Ryoko, he's beginning to approach." Ryoko looked over towards the problem in question and went into a battle stance. "Hey Mihoshi, you better change into your battle costume, were about to have a fight on our hands." Mihoshi looked over to the slowly approaching Sesshoumaru and back at her friends. "But, isn't he your friend?" Ryoko rolled her eyes while Ayeka sweat dropped.
Sesshoumaru walked towards the group, noticing along the way the blonde girl pulling
out a pink cube. She began to turn the edges in certain directions, with items popping out after a certain pattern. A coffee canister, magazine, gun, wallet, and even a food packet all popped out of nowhere as she transformed the cube. Eventually, the woman's blue outfit transformed into a orange, black, and white battle outfit with a strange bunny tale. Sesshoumaru decided to take this opportunity to rush the group and finish the battle in one stroke. As he sped towards the trio, the blonde was yelling something about stopping in the name of some police, the whole time she was holding a pistol in her hand. Sesshoumaru noted the nervousness in her voice and continued onwards, confident that she would not shoot. He underestimated her.
As Mihoshi began to shoot blindly at the moving blur, Sesshoumaru barely dodged one of the shots in time. The shot grazed his cheek, perfectly matching the gash on his other cheek. He was shocked that she actually pulled the trigger, and wiped away the blood that was trailing down his cheek. "Hmph. Twice you have humiliated me, woman. For that, you will die." As Sesshoumaru began to move forward, he was caught in a blue energy bubble. He looked from side to side and saw two floating logs attempting to contain him.
Meanwhile…The two behemoths lay prone on the ground, evidence that a large tidal wave had knocked the wind out of both of them. True, they could easily withstand the wave, but keep in mind that both were exhausted and injured from their battle. The first to stir was Ryoko's water demon. It slowly rose, and then looked over at the unconscious oni. It then gave a wicked grin as it stabbed the oni through the chest, blood spewing out of the dead hulk and wetting the triumphant demon. The water demon then began to absorb the dead oni's body and blood, rejuvenating its health with the oni's remains. With a clean bill of health, the monster then turned towards the lake and grinned. It knew there were people at the lake, the type of people that would become its next meal. The monster slowly stomped towards the direction of girls and youkai.
Back at the lake…Sesshoumaru was extremely pissed at being contained in a ball, let alone the fact that two logs were responsible for it. Sesshoumaru then used the Toukijin and stabbed the surface, but all he got was a shock from both his sword and the barrier. He then stopped as he detected another scent. But this time the scent was one he knew. "Yosho." Sesshoumru stated coolly.
"Hmm, it is good that you haven't forgotten me. It has almost been five hundred years, has it not?" Katsuhito stood and stared at the familiar youkai he met long ago. "So, what brings you to my humble abode?" Sesshoumaru continued to stare impassively at the old human, well aware that he knew why he was here. "So, Yosho, why do you hide behind that mask, I can tell that you are still of youth." Katsuhito returned the stare with a glare of determination. "Why do you hunt my grandson, Sesshoumaru?"
Sesshoumaru's eyes widened in understanding at the revealed secret. "The boy's scent carried a hint of familiarity, I should have known that he is one of your offspring." Yosho kept his glare, and continued unabated. "Will you answer my question, or will we be staying here all night?" Sesshoumaru contemplated the question, and then decided to answer it. "I have my own reasons as to why I have taken the ordeal. Despite the fact that he is your grandson, he must die so she can be revived." Yosho's eyes widened in surprise at that response, and then he was just about to ask another question until he noticed Sesshoumaru's eyes turn blood red.
As the youkai lord's eyes turned red, one could see his youki begin to escalate
and blow the dust around the area. The waters in the lake rippled violently in
response to the wind currents, then one could see Sesshoumaru's face begin to
morph into a strange shape, with his nose and mouth growing longer, and his
skin growing fur. The barrier began to crackle and buckle under the pressure,
until it eventually collapsed from the white light of energy that began to
encase the youkai lord. The small sphere shot up towards the sky, and then
crashed into the ground, the whole time causing the entire earth to shake at
the tremendous force.
Ryoko, Ayeka, and Mihoshi all fell to the ground as the violent tremors rocked the very earth. Yosho leapt out of range of danger, while Azaka and Kamidake were flung in opposite directions when the barrier broke. As the girls recovered, the looked up and saw one of the largest and nastiest looking creatures they have ever seen.
The said creature had a white coat all over its body, with it also had a huge mane over its shoulders and chest. The monster had a black crescent moon on its forehead, with two stripes parallel on each of its cheeks. It had a long snout, with rose of sharp teeth cover its mouth. The bushy tail wagged back and forth as the four-legged creature reared its head back and howled a loud roar. This was the true form of Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western Lands.
The girls all stared in absolute shock, until the gargantuan dog turned its head towards them. Ryoko and Ayeka gulped, while Mihoshi grew huge puppy dog eyes. "Aw, it's so cute! It's just like a huge puppy dog!" Ryoko and Ayeka glared at the GXP officer. "Yeah Mihoshi, let's play fetch with it and use you as the stick!" Ryoko said menacingly as Ayeka sweat dropped. "Hmm. So he's in his true form now, eh? You girls must have really annoyed him." The group turned over to Yosho who was standing behind him with his hand on his chin. Ryoko, Ayeka, and Mihoshi were all wide eyed at that statement. "What!? You mean that's the guy we've been fighting?!" Katsuhito continued to look on. "Yup. Oh, be careful, he may have lost speed, but he gained tremendous power in the process." Yosho threw that fact casually in the conversation as if it was nothing. The girls all sweat dropped and then turned towards another object on the lakeshore. Ayeka gasped in astonishment as she recognized the being. "Ryoko! Isn't that your monster?" Ryoko looked over towards where Ayeka was indicating and saw that it was indeed her water demon. "Alright! We might just make it!"
The water monster in question looked at the huge dog, and then roared a challenge towards it. Sesshoumaru looked over at it, and roared a threat of his own. The irritated water demon ran towards the giant dog, intent on making it pay for its insult. As it charged towards it, the colossal canine swipe one paw at the creature and quickly disposed of it. The demon then dissipated and was wiped away from its short existence. The large dog then cocked its head towards the group, preparing to finish his task, until he caught a scent. The dog then gave strange looking evil smirk, and then bounded towards the shrine.
The girls and priest all gaped in horror as the realization hit them, for they knew why the dog rushed towards the shrine. He was after Tenchi.
To be continued… Heh, fooled you, didn't I?
Tenchi, Sasami, and Ryo-Ohki were all sitting at the shrine's door, waiting for Katsuhito and the girls to return. That is, until they felt a huge tremble shake the entire shrine grounds. The occupants rushed outside the shrine doors and saw one of the most strangest sites in the world. Before them was one of the largest dogs ever known to man. Tenchi stood protectively in front of Sasami and Ryo-Ohki and drew the Tenchi-ken. A blue blade of pure Jurian energy sprung forth, illuminating the dark setting. The dog looked down at the boy, and contemplated its next move. It then took a few steps backward so as to gain more room.
The next thing the canine did surprised the three individuals, for the dog was then encased in a large sphere of light. The sphere then shrunk the size of the three spectators, and eventually dissipated. After it dissipated, it then revealed it to be the man that tried to kill Tenchi earlier. Sesshoumaru stared on impassively at Tenchi as the boy stood there with his sword poised and ready. Seshoumaru then glanced over at the young girl and cabbit, and turned back to Tenchi.
"If you wish to spare the girl's life, you will tell her and her companion to leave at once." Tenchi gaped surprisingly at the assassin's chivalry, and decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Sasami, you heard him. Take Ryo-Ohki and go somewhere away from here. I don't want you involved because of me." Sasami was a little reluctant to go, but then she was slowly pulled away by Ryo-Ohki. Sasami turned to her companion, and then nodded in response to Tenchi. "Be careful, okay Tenchi?" Tenchi lightly smiled at her concerned, and then turned back towards Sesshoumaru. Ryo-Ohki cupped her hands at her mouth and began to yell at the young prince. "Good luck Tenchi! And kick his ass!" Tenchi sweat dropped at Ryo-Ohki's cheer. "Must've gotten her mouth from Ryoko…"
Tenchi then twisted the ring on his finger and transformed into his battle armor, and
Sesshoumaru watched with interest as the boy was then dressed in the garb of a warrior.
Tenchi then summoned the blade again and readied himself for the incoming assault.
Sesshoumaru appeared to be hesitating for a moment, and then recalled a memory of his meeting with Tokimi.
*FLASHBACK*The goddess towered over the youkai lord, and then waved her hand. Appearing before Sesshoumaru was a strange blue vial containing some sort of golden liquid. "And what is this strange object for?" Tokimi smirked lightly at the youkai.
"This vial is best used when the time is correct. The boy you face is no normal one. For when you battle him, he will seem like a normal human at first. But when the time comes, he will call upon his true power. The vial is there to give you an opportunity to battle the boy fairly. It will give you a ten second window of opportunity, for that is how long the effects will last." Sesshoumaru stared at the vile, and then place it securely in his sash.
*END OF FLASHBACK *Sesshoumaru drew out the Toukijin, and lunged towards Tenchi at a rapid pace. The two swords clashed and crackled with power. Seshoumaru jumped back a few paces and studied the boy a little more, intent on noting any change in his aura. Sesshoumaru charged again, and repeated the strategy a few more times, trying to draw out the boy's true power. Since Tenchi's power refused to surface, a disappointed Sesshoumaru stood several feet back and extended his hand.
The hand glowed a familiar green, with steam coming from it. "Dokkasou!" A toxic mist shot forth and engulfed Tenchi, where as Tenchi frantically tried to block the blast. A huge green cloud engulfed Tenchi and ensured his death.
Sasami and Ryo-Ohki screamed in horror as Tenchi killed in front of their very eyes. Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes as he saw what happened next. In front of Tenchi stood the three wings of the Lighthawk, with symbol glowing on his forehead. As the gas cleared, the three wings encompassed Tenchi and tuned his battle outfit into the ancient white Jurian armor he used to defeat Kagato. Sasami and Ryo-Ohki cheered for joy, while Sesshoumaru remained calm.
Ryoko, Ayeka, Mihoshi, and Katsuhito all arrived at the top of the shrine steps and saw the sight before them. Ryoko cheered Tenchi on, while the rest sighed in relief. "You're so screwed buddy! Hope you had a good life!" Sesshoumaru was still unnerved by the space pirate's comment and continued to stare down the glowing warrior before him.
He then reached into his kimono and slowly pulled out the vial that contained a gold liquid. Sesshoumaru silently stared at it and then looked back towards Tenchi. "I suppose this is as good as a time as any…" He then quickly hurled the potion at Tenchi, and it shattered upon impact of his Lighthawk barrier.
What happened next surprised everyone, for as the vial shattered, the gold liquid encompassed Tenchi. As the liquid covered him, the power of the Lighthawk wings dissipated. Tenchi, and the rest of his family, were all shocked at the implausibility of the extinguishing of the power of Jurai, not to mention the power of Tsunami. Sesshoumaru, who continued to display no emotion at the passing of all of this, quickly lunged at the now defenseless Tenchi. He grabbed Tenchi by the neck, and lifted him into the air.
Fear could be seen in the boy's eyes, not to mention the need for the air that was being lost. Sesshoumaru continued to stare at him impassively, his left arm in position and his knuckles cracking. "This is where you die, boy." His hand began to glow a faint green, and Sesshoumaru's claw slowly crept towards Tenchi's torso.
"Stop it, Sesshoumaru!" Katsuhito's loud voice boomed over the deafening silence. Ryoko and Ayeka were tensed and ready to jump the youkai lord, but stopped when the old priest held his hand up. "Sesshoumaru, do you really think it will all work out in the end? Do you will think she will be happy?" Sesshoumaru continued to stare his assassin's stare. "Do you think that she will take comfort in the fact that it took the life of an innocent boy to revive her own? Do you really think that she will accept you after that?" Sesshoumaru's eyes widened in sudden realization, but quickly narrowed in determination. "It is the only way, Yosho." He stated this in the coldest tone any of the people had ever heard. He was about to finish his task, until he heard a footstep come near him. He looked up and saw a girl with the look of sorrow.
Ayeka began to shriek in horror at the person who bravely stood near Sesshoumaru. "Sasa-!" Katsuhito stopped Ayeka in the middle of her shriek, staring on at the scene. "This may be the chance we have been looking for." Ryoko, Ayeka, and Mihoshi all stared at Katsuhito as if he was insane. "Just trust me on this, Ayeka. She may be able to end this battle." The girls and one priest stared on at the site before them.
Sasami was a little fear-stricken by the man's look, but she wouldn't lose her ground. Sesshoumaru continued to stare coldly at her. "What is it girl?" Sasami continued her determined front. "S-sir, could you please spare Tenchi? Please, he, he means so much to me, my sister, Ryoko, and Mihoshi. We would be lost without him, and, well, we don't want to see him hurt." Sesshoumaru stared at the girls determined face, and saw that she was on the verge of tears. Seeing this began to stir memories of long ago, ones that started bring warmth to his cold heart.
The youkai lord's eyes widened as he continued to stare at the girl, for in her place instead was young girl with raven black hair pulled into one ponytail on the side, wearing a checkered kimono. He blinked once and the image was replaced with Sasami again. Sesshoumaru thought back to the sudden image and then to the girl that stands before him now. "That girl, why does she remind me of Rin? Why do those eyes of innocence affect me? Could it be what Yosho said is true?" He thought back to what Katsuhito said. "Would she accept me if she were brought back under these circumstances?" The inuyoukai was in deep thought over the developments, and came to a decision.
His glowing claws shimmered down, and then he threw Tenchi towards the ground. Needless to say, everyone was surprised at the developments. Sesshoumaru then turned slowly walked off. "Yosho, I will heed to your request and spare the boy's life. It is time I leave this accursed plot of land." Katsuhito merely bowed his head in thanks as Sesshoumaru continued to walk off. Ryoko and Ayeka were about to pursue him, but Katsuhito stopped them both. He understood their anger, but he also knew not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Sesshoumaru began to form a strange looking mist that formed into a cloud, and it slowly rose with him on it. Everyone watched as the trailing cloud lifted off and continued on into the night.
The girls all ran towards Tenchi as he slowly got up, all the while coughing at the lack of air he had. They all surrounded Tenchi and asked various questions of concern. After Ayeka made sure Tenchi was okay, she turned to Sasami and hugged her. "Sasami, I don't know what you did, but thank you for saving Lord Tenchi. But don't ever do that again, I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you." Ryoko came over to Sasami, wanting to know why exactly Sasami risked her life like that. "Sasami, just what made you want to ask him to spare Tenchi anyway? I mean, how did you know it would work?" Sasami looked down thoughtfully, and then replied. "I don't really know Ryoko, it was as if something deep down inside told me it would work. It's all very strange really." Everyone looked surprised, but then laughed joyfully that it worked. Katsuhito stared at Sasami while she was making sure Tenchi was fine. "Hmm, it appears Tsunami was behind Sasami's little maneuver. But I wonder how she found out about Sesshoumaru's past." He then stared on into the night, pondering the strange developments.
Everyone of the makeshift family settled into the house, all exhausted from the night's ordeal. Katsuhito spoke up to Tenchi. " Tenchi, tonight was a very close one for you. So, I have decided that now is the time to begin intensifying training sessions. For I am sure you will be needing them very soon." Tenchi groaned at his grandfather's command, and then hung his head in frustration.
Ayeka then looked up at her brother. "Yosho, you appeared to have known that man, how may I ask?" Katsuhito stopped dead in his tracks, for he knew that he had been caught. "Um, well, oh look! I have to clean up the mess at the shrine! Time to go!" Katsuhito practically ran out the house as an enraged Ayeka yelled for him to come back. Ayeka sat down in a huff. "Oooh, I can't believe that he's still immature after all these years!"
Just then the door to Washu's lab opened and everyone's favorite red-headed mad scientist appeared. "Hey everybody! Sorry I've been cooped up for so long, but the I, Washu, the greatest scientific genius in the universe, have completed all my experiments with great success!" Behind the diminutive confetti could be seen with party whistles going off in the background. Then two little Washu dolls popped up on each side of her shoulders.
Mini Washu A: Yes Washu! You're the greatest!
Mini Washu B: Yes Washu! You're the genius!
Washu continued to cackle maniacally as her dolls continued to praise her. She then looked down and saw everyone was practically wiped out. "So, uh, did I miss something important?" Everyone else just sighed at Washu's question.
Tokimi continued to stare at the events before, replaying the battle that was fought and its results. She waved the image away and then gave a light smirk at the results. "It appears that your plan failed. I would have thought that you could do better." She looked down at the figure covered in a silhouette. The figure appeared to be hunched down, taking in the events that have transpired.
"My apologies, my Lady. It appeared that Sesshoumaru was far weaker than I thought. What will be done with him, my Lady?" Tokimi looked on at the figure, and then smirked at him. "Sesshoumaru is of no threat to me or my plans. So I will let him go."
The figure's silhouette shifted, one could see a smirk if one examined close enough. "It appears that I will have to go down there and take care of the boy myself, my Lady. That is, if you'll allow it." Tokimi smirked lightly as she continued to stare at the silhouette. "That is why I revived you, Naraku." The figure stepped forward in the light to reveal a man wearing the pelt of a white baboon. The face under the mask continued to smirk. "Very well then, I will have to give young Masaki a visit. Kukukukuku."
END OF BOOK I
So there it is. The end of book one. Sorry if the battle was anticlimactic and cheap, but that is the way I want it. Send me reviews, I want to know what you think. Oh, if you have any questions, I will post a fifth chapter to answer them and to explain when I'll exactly start with book two.