The Next Step Forward
Disclaimer: I do not own any portion of Tenchi Muyo. "Tenchi Muyo!" And "Tenchi Muyo! GXP " And all related characters, names, etc. Are ©1992-2004 AIC Inc. And Pioneer LDC. All rights reserved.Chapter 2 The Road To Jurai
A couple of days have passed in the Masaki household after Katsuhito had announced that Tenchi was to enter the Galactic Martial Arts Contest held on Jurai. Most of Tenchi's time had been spent training, Even harder than normal. In fact he had not attend to the fields in the last couple of days. Noike had been taking care of fields for him.
Katsuhito watched as his grandson practise his flighting stands. He eye each movement, Watching out for any imperfections in his movements.
He soon ordered Tenchi to stop.
"Very good Tenchi, Not one mistake that time" Said Katsuhito as he tossed Tenchi a water bottle. Tenchi catches the bottle and took a quick mouth full of water before replying.
"Thanks Grandpa, I have a good Teacher" He gave the older Masaki a small smile.
"I think i am ready for the tournament"
"So you think your ready?" Tenchi gave a slow nod in reply.
Katsuhito looked at him over his glasses.
"Your be lucky to have any strength left before the Contest" With that he walked away leaving a confused Tenchi behind.
(What did he mean by that?) Was Tenchi's last thought before giving chase after his Grandfather.
Seto Kamiki Jurai, Better known as the 'Devil Princess Of Jurai' sat a board her tree ship 'Mikagami'
Next to her stood Minaho Masaki daughter to Yosho and Airi and also Seto's intelligence officer.
On her other side stands Hirata Kanemitsu, One of Yosho's oldest friend and a commander of the 7th Juraian fleet.
In front of them is a large screen, On it was Airi.
"So have you found a ship for transporting the boy to Jurai yet?" Asked Seto as she flick her fan in front of her face.
"Yes, Lady Seto. I have choosing 'That' ship and its crew for the job, They are on there way now as we speak to pick him up" Replied Airi from the video screen.
"Good, I have made the preparations for his arrival." Seto flicked her fan back to show one of her devilish smiles.
"How did Azusa react when you informed him that Tenchi would be staying with them?" Airi was also smiling by this time.
"You know little Azusa, He was not happy at all. He even said that if that 'boy' sat foot on Jurai he would personally dell with him"
"What did Misaki and Funaho say about this?" Asked Airi who was leaning closer to the screen.
"Both Funaho and Misaki said that they were going to leave him and go live with Ayeka and Sasami on Earth, If he ever laid a hand on him. Poor little Azusa, You should of seen his face it was priceless!"
Seto then broke out in to a devilish laugh as did Airi. Minaho couldn't help but break in to giggles at the thought of her Grandfather's face after hearing that his wife's were going to leave him if he did anything to her nephew.
Hirata meantime was wondering how one most powerful men became so weak when it came to women.
"Speaking of Azusa i have a message from my Husband to his Father, Could be so kind to pass it on to him"
"Very well, Send it when ready" Said Seto as she sat upright.
"Sending now" called Airi as she pressed a button on her desk.
A small screen pop up next to Seto. She watched as text as it appeared on the screen.
"Oh my how Interesting" Seto said as she read what was on the screen.
"May i inquirer as to what is so interesting Lady Seto?" Ask Hirata as he tried to look at what was on the screen.
"The Galactic Martial Arts Contest just got even more Interesting" Seto then broke out into a high pitch laugh.
A week soon passed on Earth, And it was the day before Tenchi was schedule to leave for Jurai. He had spent most of his time training but today the girls had insisted that he spent time with them. Both Ryoko and Ayeka wanted to spend time alone with Tenchi but Washu Mihoshi as well as Sasami and Noike also wanted to spend time with him. Tenchi could see that there was trouble brewing so he stepped in and suggested a picnic.
So we find Tenchi and the girls sitting on top of a hillside over looking the Lake. Sitting down on a large rug. Tenchi was flaked as always by Ayeka and Ryoko who were taking turns to feed him. Normally when they tried to do this they would fight each other as to who feed him but this time they were not. Tenchi hated to admit it, But being waited on by two beautiful women was a very nice feeling indeed.
"So Tenchi are you looking forward to your trip to Jurai?" Asked Noike as she severed out food from a basket.
"To be honest i haven't really thought about it much." replied Tenchi
"Don't worry Tenchi! You will love Jurai, There's so much to see and do!"
"Sasami is right Lord Tenchi, I believe you will find your visited will help you learn more about what it means to be a member of the Royal house of Jurai" Said Ayeka as she offed him a bit of fish.
"That's right Tenchi you will see what a bunch of stuck-up Royal stiffs Ayeka's Family really is!"
"Miss Ryoko! How dare you speak about my Family that way!"
"Oh your just angry cos you know it to be true, Ayeka." Replied Ryoko.
"Put a stock in it Ryoko, Or i might just tell Seto about what you said" Washu gave Ryoko a look that said that she meant it. Ryoko got the message and found that the Saki bottle she had was much more interesting than fighting with Ayeka.
"Well, Ladies Misaki & Funaho will make you welcome, But as for Lord Azusa that is a different matter, We know that Tenchi is not this favourite person in the Galaxy" Commented Washu.
"I am afraid Miss Washu is right Lord Tenchi. My Father may not be too please to see you" Said Ayeka.
Washu shot Ayeka dirty look but didn't say anything about Ayeka not calling her 'Little' Washu. It seemed that Ayeka was the only one who could get away with not calling her by that name. Maybe it was because Ayeka reminded her of Lady Seto in some way.
"Daddy's just upset that we wanted to stay here with Tenchi then go home with him" Came Sasami's reply to what Ayeka said.
Everybody thought back to that day when Azusa had come for his daughters.
"Do you think he's mad at Tenchi because of me? I didn't mean to knock Seiryo in to the lake" Asked Mihoshi who was chewing on a piece of meat.
"I don't think that's the reason Mihoshi" Said Tenchi.
"Well lets hurry up and eat this food before it goes cold" Said Noike.
Everybody agreed and carried on enjoying the meal.
A couple of hours later the sun had started to set behind the hills. Sasami Mihoshi and Ryo-ohki were all sitting round the rug playing cards. While Washu and Noike were chanting about this and that.
A little way away from them sat Tenchi with both Ryoko and Ayeka sitting ether side of him. They were all watching the sun setting over the valley. The last rays of sunlight danced between the tree's and combined with the early evening mist that was now rising from the lake's surface give the valley a magical eeriness.
"It's hard to think that tomorrow i will be leaving all this behind" said Tenchi as he took in the view in front of him for the last time.
Never girl said anything both were lost in there own thought's.
"I know this will be a waist of time, but will you two promise me that will behave your selfs. And not get into trouble while i am away" Tenchi gave the both of them a quick look as he spoke.
"Yes, Tenchi we promise" They both Ryoko and Ayeka replied at the same time. They the both looked over to each over and nodded.
For some reason Tenchi couldn't help but think they were not going to keep there promise.
Next Day..............
Everybody standing by the lake waiting for the ship to arrive to take Tenchi to Jurai.
All the girls had giving him a leaving presents.
Sasami made him a packed lunch. Washu give him a data pad with info on different types of Martial Arts he may come across at the Contest. Mihoshi give him one of her stuff toys for luck. As for Ayeka she give him a hand knitted sweater for the evenings on Jurai as it could get chilly at this time of year on Jurai. And Ryoko gave him a bottle of Saki which she said to be drunk when he wins the Contest.
"It's gone way pass noon they are late" Said Noike to Katsuhito. He nodded in reply.
"Tenchi i expect you to with hold your family's honour while you are away, Don't disappoint me."
"You have my word Grandpa"
"I wouldn't worry Yosho, I am shore Mother, and Funaho will keep a good eye on him, But as for Daddy...." Said Ayeka with a hint of worry when she mention her Father.
"Don't worry Ayeka, Daddy wouldn't hurt Tenchi Mother would not allow it" Said Sasami.
Before Ayeka could reply Ryo-ohki who was sitting on top of Sasami's head jumped off and ran to the end of the pier and started to meow up towards the sky.
"What's wrong Ryo-ohki?" Ask Sasami.
Ayeka notice Ryoko also had her eyes fix on the sky.
There was a rumble like thunder came from the sky that echoed around the valley. Everybody looked up to see a subspace rift open and a ship descend from it. All eyes were on the ship which they all knew very well.
"That's........ Seina's ship! The Kamidake II!" Said a surprised Tenchi.
"So you could feel your sister Fuku couldn't you Ryo-ohki" Said Sasami as she ruffled Ryo's hair.
The ship came to a stop over the lake. Minutes later there standing on the pier in front of them was Seina and 4 of his 8 wife's and of course Fuku who had jumped from Neiju's arms to greet Ryo-ohki. While this was going on everybody else was greeting each other.
Amane had to deal with Mihoshi crying all over her.
"Get of me Mihoshi!" Said Amane as she tried to wiggle out of Mihoshi's gasp.
"But i miss you Amane!!" Cried Mihoshi.
"Hey Noike! get her off me!" Called Amane.
While this was going on Ayeka asking Kiriko how she was getting on with Mizuki her second genataion Tree.
Neiju and Sasami were giggling at Ryo-ohki and Fuku playing as Washu took readings from the par of cabbits.
As for the Two Ryoko's well they just stood back and watched as Noike was telling off poor Mihoshi.
"I hate to break up everybody's fun, But i do believe it is time you departed"
"Yes Lord Katsuhito is right, It's time we left" Said Kiriko
At this news there was sad faces on the Masaki house hold girls.
Tenchi was about to pick up his bags when Seina offered to help.
"Please let me get that for you Tenchi" Said Seina as he pick up one of Tenchi's bags and started to walk towards the ship. Unlucky for him he faild to notice one of the planks on the walkway had come lose. With in seconds he tripped and fell head first in to the lake.
"Seina!!" Came the cry from his wife's as they watched him fall in.
He surface moments later.
"Same old Seina" commented Tenchi. Which made everybody giggle.
Soon Tenchi was the only one who hand not boarded yet.
"Well, I guest this is it. Wish me luck"
"Tenchi you don't need any luck, Your going to kick there asses from one side of Jurai to the other and back again!" Said Ryoko who had he fist waving in the air .
"I don't think he was talking about the contest Ryoko" Ayeka said in a neutral tone.
Ryoko looked back with a blank expression.
"I think he means are Father" whispered Sasami.
"Oh" Replied Ryoko
(Yup he needs all the luck he can get when it comes to old Azusa ) Thought Ryoko.
"Good bye everybody see you when i come back" Waved Tenchi as he started to teleport on board the ship. Soon started to take off from the lake. The girls ran to the end of the pier.
"Good bye Lord Tenchi" Wave Ayeka
"Kick Ass Tenchi Daring" Called Ryoko
"Say hi to Mommy for me Tenchi!" shouted Sasami as Ryo-ohki meowed.
" Amane!! come back soon!!" said a crying Mihoshi.
On board the Kamidake II Tenchi watched as the house and the girls disappeared slowly from view from the screen in front of him. He was in the main flight deck with Seina and his wife's, Kiriko Amane Ryoko Neiju and the other four who had stayed aboard who's names are Hakuren Karen Suiren and Gyokuren, working at there assigned control stations.
( How can one person with so much bad luck be blest with eight wife's? Seina you have more luck then any other man on Earth!)
He's thought's return to the screen as he watched Earth disappeared in to a blue dot.
(Well, Tenchi your on your way, I wonder what's going to happen to me now!)
Hope you enjoyed that chapter, Next one will deal with Tenchi arriving on Jurai and what are Ryoko and Ayeka up to? And what plans does both Seto and Azusa have for the young prince?
Please Please review thank you!