Chapter Two
Married.
Married. The word echoed mockingly through Ryoko's head.
Tenchi and Ayeka.
"Ryoko, they're married!"
"No …" The word slipped past her quivering lips and hung in the air like a shroud. "Tenchi … I know he didn't love her. I know it! That couldn't have changed in only little over a year! What happened?! Ayeka … no. I also know she is too honorable to have forced him or manipulated him. Maybe I was always wrong then." Sasami opened her mouth, but Ryoko rushed on. "That must be it. Tenchi would never marry without love-"
"I'm sorry, Ryoko. I thought you knew. Sasami's eyes were filled with tears to match the pirate's. "I … I have to agree with you, but …"
"What? But then why-"
"I don't know why they did it, but they're together. Maybe they do love each other; I see them so rarely nowadays. But… I know Tenchi's unhappy, and he's in trouble. Oh, Ryoko, I'm so glad you're here. There are nobles who seek to use Tenchi's Terrain blood against him. There's something wrong, and I think we're all in very serious danger."
Ryoko looked sharply at the young girl, no. Despite her small stature, Sasami was a young woman, several centuries old, raised in the Juraian Court. The youthful demeanor she had assumed while on Earth must have been a huge relief to her. But that also meant that those who knew her considered her too young to know what was really going on, and they were wrong. "All right, Sasami, tell me exactly what's going on."
"There have been death threats against Tenchi for some time now. I don't think anyone knows just who's responsible, but Tsunami sends me dreams sometimes. I don't understand them, but I think you're supposed to be here. Tenchi's in danger, Ryoko, and much of the Empire is either incapable or disinclined to protect him. We have to tell Tenchi and my sister that you're-"
"That's where you're wrong, kid." Sasami opened her mouth to protest, but the demoness continued. "I mean it, Sasami. I can't, I just can't face them. And besides," here she grinned. It was a very hard smile. "What better protection then one that no one knows exists?"
The princess thought for a moment before nodding. "I guess you may be right."
"Okay, now here's where it gets tricky. I need you to get me floor plans, the most detailed you have access to, for the entire palace complex, as well as for anywhere else Tenchi goes. And-" Shoot. The palace defenses. How was Ryoko expected to get around those? "Sasami, I need to talk to Tsunami about keeping me hidden."
Sasami nodded again. "I think she wants to tell you something as well." She closed her eyes, then looked across the room. There, hanging on the wall, was an enormous mirror. As Ryoko watched their reflection, the princess's reflection lengthened, grew, and became the goddess of life. When Ryoko looked back, Tsunami smiled at her from across the table.
"Ryoko. I'm glad to see that you have returned to us at last."
"I-"
"You have an important role to play in the coming events."
"What? Tsunami-"
"Listen. I don't have much time. I will protect you against the Juraian defense systems. You may now use your powers to their full extent. Ryoko," here, the goddess stood up, and gestured for Ryoko to join her, "I do mean 'full extent'." She held out her hands, and a rosy glow burst into existence. When the light dimmed, the demoness gasped to see two small red gems cupped in the other's hands.
"My gems? But how-?"
"I am a goddess, Ryoko. I created the Tenchiken, and I can control it even better then the one you love."
"Tenchi."
"Love him, Ryoko. That love is the strongest defense he will have. Love him." With that, the goddess grimaced. "I have to leave Sasami's body now. She's not yet able to wield what I offer. Goodbye, my dear. Good luck." Tsunami looked back into the mirror, and the reflection shrank back to that of Sasami, followed by the actual body.
The girl shook her head before peering closely at her friend. "I wish I could hear what she says. Did she help?"
Ryoko closed her fist around the two gems and concentrated. She could feel the power joining their mate in her body. It had been so long since she had felt so whole. She opened her eyes and smiled weakly. "I think so. I'd better get going. Oh, Sasami?" She turned to Ryo-okhi, who had until this moment remained silent on a small footstool beside the table. The cabbit nodded her head at the question her partner sent.
Are you sure, Mindmate? I fear that you will be lonely. You are already too alone as it is.
Sasami's also lonely, Furball. I don't think she has many real friends here. And I know you've missed her.
Very well.
"Sasami, would you keep Ryo-okhi with you?" The princess squealed and swooped up her small friend to hug her. "I don't think she'll like hiding out with me. Just-" They needed some sort of explanation as to the cabbit's appearance. "Just tell them she showed up tonight. Everyone will just assume I got killed somewhere. No big loss."
"Ryoko-"
"Well, I'll see you around, kid."
Sasami gave the pirate one last hug, then stepped back. Ryoko shot her a cocky grin before fading away.
* * *
"No!" Washu threw herself out of the dream. So real… She flung back the blankets and rolled out of bed, crossing to one of the many machines that filled her walls.
"Got to get it recorded," she muttered. "Need to find out what it means." The diminutive scientist attached several wires to her skull before throwing a switch. Having done so, she summoned her cushion and sat back with a sigh.
For the past several months, a reoccurring dream, one that terrified her, but one that she promptly forgot upon waking had plagued Washu. Only vague images remained, of Tsunami looking at her pleadingly, with tears falling from her luminous eyes. Of another powerful woman laughing harshly as she reached for her, hatred and regret battling in her eyes. Of Ryoko, Tenchi, and … Kagato.
The machine bleeped, signifying its completion, but the redhead ignored it. Something's going to happen soon, I know it.
Out of nowhere, a mental pathway that had remained closed for over two years flared open, searing Washu's mind with waves of anger/hurt/denial/loss/pain/
Married!
Just as suddenly as it had opened, the mind link snapped shut.
Knocked to the floor by the sheer force of the sending, the small woman clutched her head between her hands. Ryoko? I'd know my daughter's mind voice anywhere. She's alive! But why would she reopen our link now? I have to know. Moving to rub her temples, her hand brushed one of the electrodes still attached to her skull. The Subconscious Extractor was still on! That meant that any images included through the link, while not perceived by Washu's unprepared mind, would have been recorded!
A quick code saved the dream sequence and stored it, while another created a search for information received within the past few minutes. When found, the images flashed by too quickly to see, but that could be remedied. After ten minutes of editing, the scientist sat back to study the screen. A shot of Sasami was followed by Ayeka and Tenchi, standing together and looking radiant, as only true lovers can.
"Huh. Ryoko must have found out about the marriage. From the image, I can guess Sasami told her. How in hell did my wayward daughter manage to get into the palace? I only wish I knew how she blocks our link."
Should she notify Ayeka and Tenchi? Not to mention Kiyone and Mihoshi. No. If Ryoko didn't contact anyone openly before coming here, she obviously wanted this visit to remain a secret. Still, that's no excuse for not telling her loving mother. I guess I've got a new project to work on. Washu glanced up at the Subconscious Extractor. That dream would just have to wait. She needed to find her daughter and hold a long-needed talk.
* * *
In a very different section of the Imperial Palace, several figures waited around a table. All were eerily similar in their silence, black cloaks masking all but their basic shapes; the only difference lay in the colored mask each wore. All showed signs of impatience, muttering to each other, tapping fingers and toes, and glaring every so often at the one unoccupied chair at the table. So everyone saw the light that flared without warning above the seat. When it diminished, a tall figure stood before them. His ebony mask made the bright colors of the others' seem garish and foolish.
"You're late, Black," snapped the Green mask, revealing a sharp feminine voice.
'Black' sat, studiously arranging his robes before answering her. "Unavoidable. Our Lady required an update, and she's not one to keep waiting." The implication in his smooth voice made 'Green' stiffen with affront.
"How dare you!" She clenched her fists.
"Green-" Yellow reached over in warning, but the masked woman furiously cut him off.
"No! How dare you insult me! I am a noblewoman of the Juraian Empire, and you are nothing but-" She was cut off, clutching at her throat.
Everyone looked over to Black, who was holding one gloved thumb and forefinger together. He relaxed them, and Green gasped for breath. (AN: I know, I know, helloooo, Darth Vader. So sue me!) "Nothing but what? Someone who can destroy you, and everyone else in this room, with a thought? The one who will bring down the phony Emperor Consort and restore you pathetic nobles to your former power? That's quite a nothing."
The others were silent.
Black sat back in his chair. "Now if you infants are quite finished, I bring a message from the Lady. We needn't worry about any little heirs coming along, for there will be none."
"You mean …"
He smiled. "Our Lady is very powerful. No one suspects, not even the so-smart Washu." A glass appeared by his elbow, and he raised it. "My cohorts, a toast; to the fall of Tenchi Masaki."
* * *