Hahahahaha! I'm still alive! Sorry for lack of updates folks! Vacation and writer's block does that to ya! I promise I'll try to get more out much faster in the future. Believe me, I won't try to take a few months like last time. Anyhow, please read and review and tell me what you think! And also pardon my sucky grammar.
A Dose of Chaos Book II
Nightmare of the Baboon
Illusions and Betrayals, Pursuit into the Forest
A few weeks have passed since the youkai attack, yet strangely enough everything has returned back to a normal state at the Masaki residence. The Masaki family has settled down to dinner, and enjoyed the meal to the fullest. A few idle conversations were exchanged, and all in all the feast was a peaceful one. That's when all hell broke loose.
"Oh no, I'm all done with my meal! Looks like it's time for another Operation: Steal Ayeka's Food!" Ryoko grew a mischievous grin as her chopsticks flew towards Ayeka's food, until they were abruptly stopped by another pair of chopsticks. Ryoko glanced up cockily at Ayeka, who in turn was giving both a glare and a confident smirk. "Hm, looks like your reflexes are getting better Princess."
Ayeka continued to glare back. "I'm not going to allow you to steal my food every night!"
Ryoko returned the glare in intensity. "How about we settle this outside?" Ayeka answered the challenge with a confident smirk. "Fine. You're on!"
Both of the ladies walked silently outside, none of the table's other occupants even batted an eyelid at the exchange. As explosions raged outside, Sasami sighed and slowly rose up and walked out the door.
Ryoko and Ayeka were floating over the edge of the lake, grappling with each other. Ayeka had her Jurian battle armor on, while Ryoko still wore her normal clothing. Both had a lock of hair in one hand, while the other held the woman's fist. Sasami took a deep breath and shouted towards the two. "Hey! What are you two doing? Stop this and get back down here before dinner gets cold!" Both of the women stopped cold and put on their most friendliest faces.
"Oh don't worry Sasami, we're just doing some girl bonding, that's all!" Ayeka said this with a straining face while Ryoko copied it. "Yeah Sasami, bonding! That's all!"
Then of course came the customary landing of a certain spacecraft. Thus causing a tidal wave to erupt from the lake. A drenched Mihoshi was standing on the edge bawling an apology about her little mistake. This was then followed by a few insults hurled at her for her "bumbling". Yup, all was pretty much normal at the Masaki residence.
A lone figure watched from the forest's edge, ice blue eyes staring in deep boredom. Shigure was shocked at the actions of the house's inhabitants when she first began her spying, but then after a month and a half of watching, she began to become bored at the common activities. Apparently, Naraku had given her specific orders to watch the space pirate Ryoko and the Jurian princess Ayeka, yet the reason why was not spoken. She would watch at how the two would bicker, and even go into all out brawling matches without either getting a definite winner. Where as some of the fights were over trivial things, most had been over the young boy known as Tenchi Masaki.
Tenchi Masaki. A strange enigma, one that Shigure couldn't help but be fascinated with. Here, this one boy was able to gain the affections of five women and even a small animal. The boy had puzzled her so much that she actually was spending more time watching him rather than the two women. She had carefully studied him when he was training with his grandfather, to when he was working in the fields, to even when was just eating a meal at the house. She couldn't explain her fascination with the boy, but she usually surmised it with the strange events that center around him.
She was interrupted from her musings by a series of clicks and flaps of insect-like wings. Her eyes shifted over the Saimyoushou that hovered in front of her, its irritation present at being ignored. "What is it that you want?" She gave curt and cold reply at the overgrown wasp. After giving a few more clicks, she nodded and slowly got up from her perch. "Fine! Fine! I'll go to Naraku now." She summoned one of her cold mists, and floated away while following the wasp.
***
Naraku sat in deep contemplation at the events he was planning to unfold, and then a smirk formed on his face. He then heard a child's giggling while a spinning top came into view. A small child like hand came down and picked up the old fashioned toy, and slipped it back into his kimono shirt. A young boy that looked around the age of nine came into view.
He had black hair pulled into a high short ponytail on his head. His eyes were green and held a glint of mischief, but deep in the green pools one could see a disturbing presence within him. His kimono was a dark shade of forest green, while his pants were brown. He wore a mischievous grin, and his fangs could be clearly seen.
"Well, Master Naraku, why have I been called here?" Naraku noted the hint of arrogance in his voice, but shoved it aside as it was his very nature that showed this. "Be patient, Kitsu, for your sister has not yet arrived." Kitsu simply looked away in disgust. "Keh, that cold fish? Why the hell do we need her? She's just simply no fun at all to play with." Naraku went back to his musings, going over the evaluation of his two "children".
Due to the power granted by Lady Tokimi, Naraku was able to create offspring from clumps of demons that was a part of himself. It was very much similar to the powers that the Shikon no Tama gave him, at least before he was killed by Inuyasha and his petty group. Naraku's eyes narrowed in hatred of the hanyou, and vowed that some way he would get his revenge on the miserable wretch. He brooded over his past a little while longer, until he sensed Shigure approach the room.
"Well, well, sis. It's about damn time you showed up, I was getting bored." Shigure ignored her "brother" and proceeded towards Naraku. Naraku regarded her and began his inquiries. "Have you been monitoring the space pirate and princess just as I've instructed you to?" Shigure gave a curt nod as her answer. "So then you are familiar with their daily activities and interactions? Not to mention their very attitudes and demeanors?" Shigure gave another nod, although a bit hesitantly this time. Naraku smirked at her response. "Excellent. Then we can begin the second phase of the plan. Kukukuku."
*********
"Tenchi, focus!" Tenchi became distracted and got himself a lump on his forehead as a reward. Tenchi could have sworn that he heard his grandfather chuckle at that one. Ever since the appearance of Sesshoumaru, Tenchi's grandfather has been turning up the training regime a few notches. Due to the training, Tenchi's speed has increased dramatically, and he has even toned some of his muscles. Unfortunately for him, the girls have taken notice of this, and Ryoko and Ayeka's conflicts have escalated even more. Tenchi just sighed and turned his attention back to the task at hand. A beating at the hands of grandpa.
Katsuhito smirked at his grandson's look of dread, and decided to have mercy on the boy today. "Tenchi, I believe that is all for today," Tenchi perked up at this, "We'll just double the efforts tomorrow." Tenchi face faulted while his grandfather inwardly smirked at Tenchi's predicament. After Tenchi removed himself from the ground, he decided to ask his grandfather about what has been bugging him.
"Grandpa, I have a question to ask you." Katsuhito stopped and turned around and looked at Tenchi expectantly. "Hmm, yes Tenchi?"
Tenchi cleared his throat. "I was wondering, just how did you know about that Sesshoumaru guy? I know that this training is for fighting something like him." Katsuhito took the question in stride and had the look of contemplation on his face. "Well Tenchi, the story behind it is…"
Tenchi looked wide-eyed, ready to soak any details his grandfather would divulge. "Is..?"
Katsuhito gave him a fierce look, and the sun reflected of his glasses, giving him an imposing appearance. "Is a secret."
Tenchi face-faulted hard at the revelation.
*******
Morning had already come and gone, and now it was nearing noon. Sasami was in the kitchen making lunch, while Ryoko was sleeping on the rafters. Ayeka entered the kitchen, smiling lightly at how much at peace Sasami was whenever she was cooking. Sasami had explained one time that she was doing so she could at least contribute something in the household, especially since she was not old enough to get a job. Ayeka wiped a tear at how thoughtful Sasami was when she said that with the deepest sincerity.
Ayeka then noticed a lunch bento all prepared and sitting on the counter. "Sasami, is that for Lord Tenchi?" Sasami looked up startled at first, but then replaced it with a look of joy. "Oh Ayeka! Maybe you could help me with this. I can't turn away from what I'm making right now, so could you take this to Tenchi?" Ayeka smiled and gave a kind reply. "Sure, I can do it right now. I've really got nothing better to do." After receiving the bento from Sasami, Ayeka walked out the door.
Ryoko, who was trying to take a nap at the time, heard the exchange between the sisters. "Hmm, I better keep an eye on that Princess. She might try and make a move on Tenchi." Ryoko then phased through the roof and flew towards the carrot field.
Tenchi Masaki continued to work on the carrot field, much to his chagrin. "I can't believe I'm still doing this on a weekend. I didn't even know a cabbit could get drunk. Then again she is linked to Ryoko…" Apparently, last night Ryoko was on another of her drinking binges, and Ryo-Ohki had somehow gotten roped into it. Despite the fact that the cabbit was linked to Ryoko, she still couldn't hold her liquor. So not only was she still passed out this morning, but later in the day she was suffering from a hangover. Ryoko, unsurprisingly, quickly recovered from hers and began to drink some.
Shigure was nearby in the forest, watching Tenchi from afar. An anxious look was on her face, and one could tell she was as nervous as hell. "Ryoko is the one coming Shigure, change into your disguise." Shigure nodded towards Kitsu and took a deep breath. As she exhaled, a mist surrounded and began to change her appearance. Her blue eyes turned red, and her kimono took a different shape. Her hair grew longer and slowly changed from ice blue to a dark purple. As the mist cleared, Shigure was no longer standing in her spot, for she now took the form of The First Crowned Princess of Jurai, Ayeka.
"Ayeka" now walked out of the forest and onto the field, where Tenchi was presently pulling out carrots. Shigure cleared her throat and announced her presence. Tenchi stopped and cleared the sweat off his forehead and turned towards her.
"Oh, hello Ayeka, is there something I can do for you?" Tenchi was now staring at the now fidgeting "Ayeka".
Shigure cleared her throat again and began to speak. "Yes, there is something I wish to tell you that I have been holding inside myself for a very long time." Tenchi sweat dropped and laughed a little nervously. "Crap!" He thought.
Shigure was trying her best to carry out her orders, but for some strange reason she was hesitating. She felt a little warm and, embarrassed? Right now she was confused, for here was the boy that was an enemy of her master, yet she could not bring herself to find glee in toying with his emotions. She had never felt this feeling before, and was downright baffled by it. Nevertheless, she had to continue to carry out her orders, less she wanted to be punished for her disobedience.
Shigure took another deep breath, and began to slowly walk towards her. "Lord Tenchi, I, have things to say that cannot be described in words, so I will just have to settle with this instead, and hope that my feelings come through in the end." Tenchi, a nervous wreck, was frozen in his spot and couldn't resist what happened next. Shigure slowly took his face into her hands, and was starting to close the distance.
Kitsu was in the trees watching the whole exchange, surprise evident on his face. "Huh, who knew that someone as socially challenged as her could actually act?" Kitsu then glanced up and saw a certain space pirate come into view, and he then gave a smirk. "Heh, time for the good part."
Tenchi was struggling out of the lock "Ayeka" had placed on him, and was slowly heading towards her lips. He couldn't believe this, Ayeka was the last person he would expect to do. This was more like Ryoko's plan rather than hers. Tenchi tried to struggle more, until Ayeka jumped back from him and landed a few feet away.
Tenchi glanced over and saw an irate Ryoko giving Ayeka a death glare. Ryoko in question was wondering how the hell Ayeka got there before her, and even had the gall to steal her plan. "You snotty bitch Ayeka! That was my plan and you damn well knew it!"
Shigure cursed herself on how she messed up the plan. Naraku's plot was for Ryoko or Ayeka to catch one or the other kissing Tenchi, and then become heartbroken at the prospect that he had chosen her over him. Then whoever saw them would use her heartbroken rage and fight the real one to the death. Once the two had been eliminated, the threat margin would be considerably lowered. Too bad she didn't see what Ryoko and Ayeka did to the hotspring inn when they first met.
Kitsu saw Ayeka coming along the path, slowly approaching the three. The young boy had to act fast and save this mess. He gave off signals that only his sister recognized, and basically told her to disappear. Shigure caught the signals, and started a mad dash towards the forest that ran along the path.
Ryoko, pissed beyond reason, followed suit and threw a few energy blasts in "Ayeka's" direction. She swiftly dodged all of them with little effort. "Damn, Ayeka must be secretly training or something. Especially dodging at this rate. Why the hell would she run away anyway?"
***
Washu sat in her lab and typed away on her holo-computer, working on an experiment that most sane people would rather not know about. She was currently going over the research data on this Sesshoumaru person, until one of her little Washu dolls popped up from literally out of nowhere.
"INTRUDER! INTRUDER! SOMEONE HAS BEEN DETECTED ALONG THE PERIMETER! CURRENTLY THEY ARE ENGAGING RYOKO!"
An image popped and showed what appeared to be Ayeka running from Ryoko. The said princess was dodging and weaving through the space pirate's energy barrages with very little effort. Washu was sort of puzzled by the image. She thought that the monitoring equipment she installed would be able to track any more threats like Sesshoumaru and those street punks, but instead it appeared to be nothing more than a failure. She hung her head and sighed. "Just when I though that I finally put in a superior security system too…" She then looked back at the monitor and watched the progressing fight. Well, chase would be more of a better term for it. Washu then noticed that Ayeka wasn't even fighting back at all. "Interesting developments. It appears Ayeka has been deploying different tactics than from the usual."
Washu was starting to lose interest in the whole thing, until she saw the next thing show up on the monitors. Her eyes widened at what she perceived before her. "Well, what have we here?" Her interest was least to say, spiked. For in front of her was not one, but two Ayeka's. "Well , well, well, things seem to be more interesting now." Washu continued to monitor the events before her, carefully analyzing these new findings.
***
Ayeka was strolling along the path to the carrot patch, ever content in the delivery of her package, and the compliments Tenchi would give her. She blushed slightly at this, and then giggled with glee at the mere thought of her success. She continued walking along, enjoying the scenery before her. She kind of understood now why her brother Yosho came to this planet, the birthplace of her Auntie Funaho. It had much beauty that Jurai didn't have, even though that it lacked some of beauty that her own planet had. She smiled as some of the leaves of spring flew by on the winds, while she heard the chirping of the birds in the trees. The clear blue skies above her, the scurrying of woodland creatures on the floor, the explosions in the air… "Wait a minute. Explosions?!" Ayeka screeched out.
Ayeka's eyes then widened at what she saw next, it was Ryoko chasing what appeared to be…herself? The said doppelganger landed abruptly in front of her, surprise evident on her features. Ryoko appeared behind her, about to throw another blast, until it dissipated due to the shock at what she saw. All three stood before each other in deadly silence, not moving nor making any sudden movements.
"Alright, which one is the real one? God, like this act hasn't been done before." Ryoko rolled her eyes at the predictable situation. On cue both Ayeka's replied simultaneously. "I am!" Then the two Ayeka's glared at one another, before starting the argument between the two. Ryoko examined both of their movements, until she saw the bento in one of the Ayeka's hands. Ryoko then ignited her saber and pointed towards the bentoless Ayeka. "Okay, shows over hussy." The fake smirked at being found out.
Her voice changed to an icy cold tone, and started to give off a strange aura. "Well, time for this charade to end." With that, she gave a bow and the illusion disappeared, revealing Shigure before them. "I am Shigure of the Ice."
Ayeka began to shift into a defensive stance, not really knowing what exactly is going on. "Ryoko, what did she do? Why is she here?" Ryoko gave a deep chuckle, and smirked rather viciously at the new girl. "Shigure huh? Well bitch, I think it's time to teach you the reason why you don't try to steal Tenchi!" Ayeka's eyes narrowed at this revealed fact. "Just what did she do to Lord Tenchi?" Ryoko decided to answer for her. It doesn't hurt to have a hand in kicking someone's ass, now does it? "Well Princess, the hussy tried to seduce Tenchi." Ayeka's cold demeanor went frigid, and her rage began to manifest itself in logs.
"I see." She then turned towards the newcomer. "And you say your name is Shigure, is it?" The woman gave a cold smirk and a curt nod at Ayeka's question. Ayeka continued to glare at the girl, and kept a calm demeanor about her. "Azaka! Kamidake!" The two logs appeared behind her. "What is your command, your highness?" The blue log asked. "I want you to restrain this, this, trollop!" The red log responded with a yes'mam and both floated towards the said girl. Shigure smirked at the comical looking pair. I mean really, you see two giant logs fly towards trying to sound scaring and see how you react.
She then pulled out her glaive and held it in a defensive stance.
***
Washu was in her lab watching the events unfold, typing furiously at her keyboard to analyze the power signatures and sources. "Fascinating! Not only could she disguise her outer appearance, but she could also hide her bio-signatures as well!" Washu continued to analyze the situation until she heard a familiar voice and mewing come up from behind her.
"Miss Washu? Lunch will be ready soon…" She trailed as she looked at the battle on the screen. "Hey! Is that Azaka and Kamidake?" Washu was startled by the young girl's question, mostly because she didn't hear either one of the two come up behind her. "Gaahh! Sasami! Don't scare me like that!" Sasami gave a sheepish expression. "Sorry Miss Washu." Washu waved off her apology. "Don't worry about Sasami, and yes, that is Azaka and Kamidake fighting someone. Your sister and Ryoko are there as well."
Sasami's eyes widened in worry at her fellow housemate's predicament. "Are they in trouble? Shouldn't we help them?" Washu comforted her with an easy explanation. "Don't worry, there's nothing for us to worry about. Whoever this girl is, seems to be no problem for them. We would probably just get in the way." Sasami nodded at the scientist's answer.
A bright light filled the monitor as they heard an unfamiliar voice yell out "Soul Shattering Ice Barrage!" from the speaker. All three(can't forget Ryo-Ohki!) looked towards the monitor and saw a barrage of giant and very sharp icicles hit the two logs head on. The said logs flew through a few trees and imbedded themselves into the forest floor. Washu analyzed the power readings from Shigure's ice attack. "Fantastic! Pure manipulation of ice! To have that much focus and control over bio-energy is just simply outstanding! Looks like I'm getting myself another guinea pig!" Sasami and Ryo-Ohki slightly sweat dropped at her comments.
Sasami then pointed at the monitor as Washu was cackling away. "Oh look! Tenchi's coming!" Washu stopped in her cackling as she saw the young prince approach the group. Washu then turned towards Sasami and her passenger. "Well you two, I believe that our assistance may be needed for this." Sasami looked at her quizzically as Washu typed a few more commands on her computer. "Let's move it people! I need my new specimen!"
***
Shigure inwardly smiled to herself as the princess visibly fumed at the fact that her logs were literally blown away. "You foolish girl! Do you not realize that mere logs cannot contain me?" Ryoko chuckled at Ayeka's rage and then turned to face the girl. "Well, I guess if the Princess can't do anything, then I'll have to interfere." She shot another blast at Shigure, knowing that she would easily avoid it. The said girl leapt to a local tree limb, and held her guard stance in it.
Shigure was about to make her move, until something interrupted her thought. "Halt your advance Shigure. I have other plans for them." "Master Naraku…?" "Although you have failed the original plan, I still have an alternate plan for them. The others will be arriving shortly to assist these two, so everything will work out fine." Just as she was about to carry out her orders, another message interrupted her. "Oh yes, you will also be punished for your failure later." She visibly gulped at the said punishment. "Yes Master Naraku." She sighed bitterly as she felt the link be cut off. Having her heart wrenched was not a pleasurable experience. "Fucking bastard." She then put up her front at the two women and gave an irritating smirk. "Come and follow me if you can little girls!" She then leapt from tree branch to tree branch, leaving the two women very irate.
They were about to follow suit, until they heard a familiar
voice call out to them. "Ryoko! Ayeka!" They saw Tenchi approach them and
rushed to him, making sure that he was alright. After they were assured the
"evil temptress" didn't corrupt him or do anything to him, they explained to
him what happened.
"I thought Ayeka was acting rather strangely. And she said that her name was
Shigure?" Ryoko nodded at Tenchi's query. "Uh-huh. She's bad news Tenchi! You
aren't thinking anything about her, are you?" She said in a whining tone.
Tenchi looked at her a little exasperatedly. "Of course not!" Ryoko eyed him
suspiciously. "Uh-huh. Then how come you almost let her kiss you huh?" Tenchi
began to fidget nervously at the accusation.
"Oh quit teasing him Ryoko dear! Can't you see you're making him fidget?" They all turned to the sight of Washu, Sasami, and Ryo-Ohki coming down the path. "Well, where did she go?" Ryoko punched her open palm with her fist and began to crack her knuckles. "Yeah! That's right! She gave us an invitation! Let's follow up on it!" Washu rolled her eyes at her daughter's foolish tactics. "Well, come on everyone! Let's get going if we want to capture her for my experim-er, I mean for an inquiry!" The rest sweat dropped at her "slip up".
With a sigh, Tenchi took charge and began to ask which direction Shigure went. After getting directions from Ryoko and Ayeka, they all set off towards the deep end of the forested area. All of them were unaware of the baboon-pelted man watching them from afar.
***
Naraku sat in his castle, viewing events through the kugutso. "Yes, follow her into the forest. Soon you'll face your worse fears, and soon I shall gain the upper hand. Kukukukuku."
To be continued…
Uh-oh! Just what dangers will the Tenchi crew be facing? I'm sure not going tell you. You'll just have to stay tuned for the next chapter. Don't worry though, I'm already halfway done with it. So don't fear, okay? I'm sorry once again for lack of updates. I promise I'll try my best at keeping them up. Remember to Read and Review!
