Chapter One
(Two years later)
They remained on the outskirts of Juraian space, as Ryoko wanted nothing to do with the Empire. True, the Statute of Limitations protected her, true, she had helped save them all from Kagato, but she had also destroyed most of Jurai's defense system in the process, and some crimes could never be forgiven. Of, course, this all meant that news was scarce; the system net surrounding the empire made it difficult to send of receive messages, and the vid screen was always on the fritz. Ryoko also stayed away from newspapers; reading about her former friends and seeing the press photos of their happy faces only made her sad.
Huh. Just as well, I suppose. Ryoko tried to add the normal vigor to her voice. Like I really wanna know what Miss High-and-Mighty is up to. Judging by the last time I saw Asuza, he was about ready to step down. She's probably Empress by now, which means she have to find a mate and get an heir. Wonder if she still misses Tenchi. He wouldn't have stayed with her. He cared, and felt duty-bound to rescue her, but he didn't love her. She sighed. Of course, I'm one to talk. He didn't love me, either.
Mindmate, you're wandering again. Come back and listen to me. Ryo-okhi punctuated her order with a loud miah. The last two hits have left us very well off. We should probably lie low for a while anyway, and I miss our friends.
"Your friends, Furball. The lot of them didn't like me most of the time."
Please, Ryoko?
The woman sighed again. "All right, all right. You want to visit Terra? We'll visit Terra. Just … I'm not going near Japan." Near Tenchi.
Thank you, Mindmate. We can go to Hawaii. You'll like that. The cabbit's voice turned sly. Fastest way to Terra passes near the Imperial Center …
Ryoko finally laughed. "Missing Sasami? Sure. We'll sneak in, infuriate Ayeka, say hi to Sasami, and sneak out again. Sounds good to me. Well," with a thought, she morphed the pilot's seat into a recliner and lay back, "set the course, Ryo-okhi. I'm gonna catch a cat nap.
* * *
Night on Jurai was even more beautiful then day, Ryoko thought as she and Ryo-okhi crept through moon lilies that stood twice as high as a man, the soft, opalescent glow for which they were named bringing out traces of deep blue and green in the pirate woman's cyan mane. I'm guessing it's safe to teleport now, Furball. With subjects so diversely talented, the palace had an extensive array of defenses. Many of these had, in fact, been built with Ryoko in mind. I really trashed the place, all those millennia ago. But they've rebuilt, and they've made sure that another 'Ryoko' can't destroy it all over again.
We've managed to get in, Ryo-okhi pointed out.
Yeah, but I'm an original. Ain't no one that can beat me. Except Kagato, her conscience whispered.
It wasn't your fault, Mindmate. Even Washu was no match for Kagato.
Never mind. Let's go. Using the cabbit's bond of friendship with the Juraian princess, they planned to 'port directly to Sasami's room. Hopefully, she'd be happy enough to see Ryo-okhi that she wouldn't call the guards down upon Ryoko.
She concentrated, and between one breath and the next, a large room decorated in rose and sea foam replaced the gardens. The two conspirators stood in the shadows behind a circular bed, and so could look out at the rest of the room. No sign of the blue-haired princess. Guards probably escort her everywhere else, so we'll wait until she's in bed before revealing ourselves. If I shield my powers, no one should be able to detect me. Ryo-okhi needs to dampen her excitement, though; it'll be noticeable to any empath worth his pay.
After warning her partner, the two settled down to wait. It wasn't difficult though, for Sasami's carpet was as thick and soft as many substances Ryoko had slept on. Softer, in fact. The room smelled of sunflowers. The girl must have found a supplier to get her Terrain scents. Ryoko could feel Ryo-okhi's approval joining hers at that observation.
Two hours later, the cabbit woke Ryoko in time to watch the door open and the small princess enter her room. Yawning, Sasami removed her outer garments and slipped into bed. After waiting for her breath to settle, Ryo-okhi looked up pleadingly at her partner.
All right, Furball. Go to her.
The cabbit leapt joyfully onto the bed and nuzzled her friend's cheek, miyahing softly.
"Mmm." Sasami turned her head away and bunched her shoulder. "Ryo-okhi…"
"Miyah! Miyah, myrow!"
The girl opened her eyes. "I thought I heard- Ryo-okhi?!" At the sight of the small animal, Sasami bolted upright to wrap her arms around her. "Ryo-okhi! I've missed you! Where were you?" She stopped and peered around the room. Ryoko sank deeper into the shadows. "Did Ryoko come with you? Where is she?"
Ignoring her partner's frantic mental warnings to the negative, Ryo-okhi bounded off the large bed and leapt to where the pirate was hiding. "Miyah!" Mindmate, I have no intention of quieting, so you may as well come out. "Myrow, miyah, miyah!"
"Hush! Keep it down." Ryoko reluctantly left her shadows. "Do you want the guards in here?"
"Ryoko!" Sasami rolled off of her bed and ran to the older woman, an enormous smile on her pretty face. "We were really worried!"
"Worried? About me? Why?"
"Azaka and Kamidake told us about your wound when we couldn't find you." The princess reached out and gently touched her side. The sweet, caring gesture nearly brought tears to Ryoko's eyes. "Does it still hurt?"
Ryoko took a step back. "Nah, it's fine."
Sasami led the two to a round table and sat down. "Why did you decide to come back?"
"Ryo-okhi missed everyone, so we thought to stop by on a short trip to Terra."
"Terra? But everyone's here. Why go there?"
"Well, Furball did want to see Tenchi-" Ryoko broke off at the look of surprise and near horror that crossed Sasami's face. "What's wrong?"
"Then you didn't hear."
A chill swept through Ryoko's soul at the words. Somehow, she knew she wouldn't like hearing what was about to be said. But she had to know. "Hear what? Tell me, Sasami."
The princess looked away, tracing invisible patterns on the table. "Ryoko, Tenchi didn't go back to Terra."
* * *
Emperor-Consort Tenchi closed the door behind him with a sigh. Here, away from the prying eyes and gossiping lips, he touched the clasps that held his royal robes and left the elaborate clothes behind him on the floor as he stepped into the adjoining bath. Some thoughtful servant had added oils scented with Terrain pine to the water. If he closed his eyes and concentrated, Tenchi could almost imagine himself soaking in one of the natural hot springs dotted . Plush carpets became cool, green grass, ornate hangings turned to ancient pine trees in which myriad birds and animals lived. If he had cared to, the suite could be programmed to play recordings of Terrain bird song.
Home. I really miss it. Ayeka keeps telling me that there is no time for a vacation, but I feel as if I will go crazy if stuck here for much longer. I suppose I could go by myself; I'm more of a figurehead then anything else. Ayeka is the real ruler. I'll have to suggest that. Until then, he would need to be content with artificial scents and sounds, and his own more-then-excellent imagination. In his mind's eye, Tenchi added specific rock structures and flowers to his imagined hot spring, transforming it into one nearby his old home, one that the group had visited often. Just like the old days. All I need now to make it perfect is Ryoko glomping me from behind. Naked, of course. Among the freeness of Juraian society, Tenchi had gradually abandoned the intense body-shyness that had plagued his adolescent mind.
As if called, the beautiful demoness rose before him, water glistening on her perfect body and dripping from her untamable mane, golden eyes glowing with joy, delicate hands reaching out to him…
"Ah!" Tenchi tore himself from the daydream, opening his eyes and splashing up from the tub. Ryoko and the hot spring were replaced by the now-familiar bath room. Snap out of it, Masaki. Ryoko's gone, and you're married to Ayeka. Not that that relationship was anywhere near ideal. I should never have convinced myself that I could come to love Ayeka. I don't. She's a friend, almost a sister, but not a life-partner. And I know she's come to realize that as well. But… there's nothing we can do. Divorce is all but unheard of on Jurai, especially for the royal pair.
In fact, the latest batch of diplomatic and Council meetings focused on Ayeka's lack of an heir. Sasami was the heir-apparent, but as she grew and her assimilation with Tsunami approached, people were becoming increasingly unhappy with that idea. Not to mention that Sasami would be miserable in such a position. Although Ayeka and I still share a room, we haven't shared a bed, much less made love, since the first five months. Council members are blaming me and my 'soiled, quarter-blood' heritage. I don't know how Ayeka and I have managed to stay friends. It's probably because we've been truthful with each other about our feelings.
"Tenchi?" At that moment, the Empress entered the bathing room. Appearance-wise, the past two years had been very good to her. Authority had added to her confidence while gradually wearing away the fits of temper and prudery. Her hair now hung free of the two pigtails, waving gently to the floor. Her pampered skin was pale, with a tinge of pink still blushing her cheeks. There was a new level of maturity evident in the deep garnet eyes. "Tenchi, are you all right? That last meeting-"
"-Was another bunch of xenophobic, snobby blue-blooded idiots." The two smiled at each other briefly. "Don't worry; I won't let them get to me."
"If only …" Ayeka sank gracefully to her knees beside the onsen. She didn't need to finish her sentence, for they had said it to each other often over the past few months. If only we hadn't married.
* * *