Happiness, Tears and War
Chapter 9
by Geor-sama
January 5,2003
AN: Sorry for the wait, but my hard drive got fried and I had to re-write the last few pages of this chapter. Oh well, enjoy.
Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply to this chapter as well
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""I can't believe I said that....""
The girl turned her head, her hair fanning out behind her almost hitting the owner of the voice in the face.
""Relax, Lord Chijiro is a man of his word. Unlike some I could mention.""
The man blinked and looked slightly bothered by her statement and he held his arms out palms extended in a sign of loss. ""Hey, I'm doing my best....I promise, I'll convince my ol' man to let me move into to my own place.""
The girl turned and shook her head. ""Your the only Jurain I know at your age that still lives at home.""
The man sighed and shook his head. ""I know, I know.""
A hover car flashed by and the girl leaned up giving him a goodnight kiss and smiled as she settled back. ""I love you.""
He nodded and smiled leaning down kissing her rubbing her cheek with his thumb. ""I love you to...I'll see you tomorrow.""
She smiled brightly and glanced at the building, it was a large one, made exclusive for females out on their own for the first time. She looked back at him and winked. ""You better get home before I drag you home with me.""
The man nodded and smiled impishly. ""Drag away.... ""
She was about to say something, but the door opened and a very severe looking older lady appeared. She scowled at the two of them killing whatever mood their had been. She kissed him once more and then hurried inside the building. The severe looking woman cast one more dark scowl at him and then turned closing the door behind her.
The man sighed and started the walk home, kicking a rock in front of him as he did. His eyes downcast as he drifted away from the building. He was in his own little private world, he had an offer for a job from a lord no less. It wouldn't take care of his problem of living at home still but at least it would get him money.
***
Tenchi Masaki, arguable the most powerful mortal in existent, future husband to the most powerful and deadly of space pirates (Even if she was retired), had just thoroughly had his head handed to him. Not by an enemy or anything like that....no it was by the two weeks worth of missed homework.
His head throbbed almost as much as his side did as he dropped his pencil to the desk and slumped back into the chair. He groaned placing the palms of his hands to his eyes, wondering what insane god he had pissed off recently and not really wanting to know.
He had picked a most in opportune time to wake up, it was a Sunday night, he had woke up on Friday. He had been for the lack of a better phrase, up shits creek without a paddle. Ryoko had been skipping school as well, Nobuyuki had to stop by and retrieve both their homework and bring it in. Natural Ryoko, in her rare moments of maturity, settled down in the room with him and done her work.
Thus that was why, as odd as it may sound, Ryoko was fast asleep in their bed and he was still up at four in the morning hard at work on his assignments. He had effectively caught himself up, all he had to do was answer one last question and then he could crawl into bed with his fiancée and get all of an hour or twos worth of sleep.
He sat forward picking his pencil back up and looked down bleary eyed at the last question before him. Several eraser marks showed that he had tried for the last several minutes to answer this problem already. He sighed and re-read the question slowly, almost knowing it by heart by now.
In the laboratory frame, two events occur at the same place and are separated in time by 3 seconds.
(a) What is the spatial distance between the two events in a rocket frame in
which the events are separated in time by 5 seconds?
(b) What is the magnitude of the relative speed of the rocket and lab frames?
Tenchi sighed, a relativity review question. He was terrible at those, if he had the time he would just ask Washu, but his yawn convinced him that despite his efforts he wouldn't be able to. He groaned and stretched as he stood, one of his hands immediately went to his side regretting stretching. He looked about the room it still looked like a disaster area, he shook his head and quietly made his way out of the room, pausing to listen to the night time noises of the house settling.
He sighed and started down the hallway, slowly. The floorboards creaked as he walked He would have to take care of that soon. He would hate to fall through the floor into the space below. something told him that would make his already wounded side even worse. He stopped and rubbed his eyes looking at the door. He reached out and slid it open, he looked about the room seeing Ukyo's gaze locked on the bed with Sasami. He sat crossed legged on the floor his arms crossed just under his chest , his face grim. Tenchi moved quietly into the room sliding the door closed behind him.
Since he came to, Ukyo and the young lord hadn't said a word to each other. Tenchi made his way to the bed and looked down, She looked so pitiful and weak. He began to reach forward to touch her but caught himself his hand inches away from the blue field surrounding the bed.
"Washu said there hasn't been change." Tenchi looked over and saw Ukyo standing, he looked somewhat pained as he did but Tenchi didn't say nothing.
"I see..."
Ukyo stifled a wince as he crossed over and stood next to the young lord. Tenchi turned his attention back to Sasami, studying her face. He wished he could do something for her, but he couldn't do anything, hell he could barely get Tenchi-kens blade to form.
There was a quick nose of moving cloth and Tenchi looked around to find Ukyo kneeling next to the young lord his head bowed and eyes downcast. Tenchi was about to say something when Ukyo spoke.
"Prince Tenchi, I failed to protect Princess Sasami."
Tenchi frowned as Ukyo continued. "I beg you to do what is right."
Tenchi looked at the knight, anger and dislike for this man making themselves evident to Tenchi. He was fighting a battle of wills, this was the knight that had insulted Ryoko, he had let Sasami get hurt....Tenchi knew that despite how angry those thoughts made him they were stupid and petty. He should be above them, Ukyo silently produced his own energy sword offering it to the lord.
Tenchi stared hard and reached a hand out and took it. It felt different than Tenchi-ken, this was a weapon pure and simple. Tenchi-ken was a key, that could become a weapon when needed. Tenchi felt the power that comes from the knowledge of holding a weapon, a true weapon.
He had felt it before when he had fought Kagato using his swords and when he fought The demon Yuzuha and the swordsman and father of Minagi, Yakage. But those had been against enemy's this was an ally, a friend...
The blade ignited of it's own accord, it's silver energy blade cast odd shadows over the room. Tenchi could feel the call of power, all it would take is one up and down motion. That was what Ukyo deserved wasn't it? He had failed to protect Sasami, failed in his mission. He deserved to have his life taken, to be punished.
Silently Tenchi lifted the sword up and twirled it in his hand as if it was the most natural act in the world. Tenchi's face hardened staring at the top of the knight head, the sword urged him to do this. His arm dropped with lighting proficiency his eyes never leaving his target.
Ukyo looked up at the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground. He looked to his right and saw his sword blade gone it laid there, he deserved to die, he had failed. It made no sense why hadn't Lord Tenchi killed him? He had the reasons and this was his opportunity to do just what he wanted.
He turned his gaze to the lord and locked eyes. Tenchi's face was solid and impassive, his eyes were hard He began to speak when Tenchi interrupted him.
"You told me to what is right."
Ukyo looked at him confused and Tenchi turned taking one last look at Sasami before he started for the door, he slid it open and frowned turning back to speak with the still kneeling knight. "I owe you my life, you failed once, but everyone's entitled to a second chance."
Tenchi didn't wait for a reply instead he continued out the door sliding it closed behind him. He silently made his way back to the room and groaning in pain as he crawled into bed with his lovely girlfriend. He closed his eyes and smiled as Ryoko rolled over slinging an arm and leg across him. He slipped his arms around her and drifted off to sleep.
***
Ukyo remained knelt were he was at, lost and confused. His lord had refused to kill him, it was Jurain custom to die when you shamed your lord. He looked longingly at his sword, he could do the job himself, no, Lord Tenchi had spared his life, told him he had a second chance. He rose and gathered the sword up. He looked about the room and frowned. A second chance...he needed to prove he was worthy of such an act.
He silently moved to the wall where he had been resting and sat back down wincing as he did. He closed his eyes and crossed his legs, he slowed his breathing drastically. He would meditate, center himself and decide how to make himself worthy of his second chance.
His mind drifted slowly, stray thoughts would trample through his mind and he would ignore them. Soon his mind was blank, and a faint smell reached his nose. It cast his mind back to a time when he was younger, when he was just a child.
He had been relatively happy, his family poor but they were happy. They lived in an outer colony of Jurai, it was scarcely populated and remote but it was home. He remembered waking up to the smell of his favorite breakfast, his father banging the side of the table view and cursing the rather dim screen as it showed grainy text of the local news net.
He remembered his mothers wonderful smile, her giggle as his father kissed and tickled her as she served him breakfast.
The dull light of early morning found Ukyo still lost in his memories, although now they weren't so happy or so joyful. Indeed the small tears forming in the corner of his eyes were more than enough evidence to this fact.
***
Washu exited her lab quietly, a small data pad in hand. She was absently typing something as she walked through the house. She would pause occasionally to cast a glance around herself and then mumbling continue on. She had a small frown on her face and her emerald eyes held a note of anxiousness, something was off.
She stopped at the doorway to the living room and found a rather perky Mihoshi sitting in front of the TV. She wasn't watching it for once, instead she had a book in front of her. Washu blinked several times, at first she hadn't been sure but then as she fully entered the room and started towards the couch she had seen the unmistakable movement of one turning pages.
Washu leaned over the couch and ran her eyes over the first sentence. She blinked used one of her hands and rubbed her eyes, either she was seeing things or Mihoshi was reading one of Kiyone's law books. Washu opened her mouth to say something when the pad in her hand beeped. She looked down quickly it was flashing big time and she looked back up to see Mihoshi looking about trying to find the beeping.
Washu looked back down and then back up at her and then back down she repeated the process several times before she cursed under her breath. Of course it was going off, how could she forget, she had finally ran an Full Body Electromagnetic scan on each member of the family only last week. Mihoshi's F.B.E was way higher than normal and slightly off in the normal wave pattern. Then again Ryoko, Washu herself and Tenchi's had been erratic as well...but Mihoshi's had been unusual in the way of it produced enough that it would interfere with any scans involving energy, no matter what type.
Washu cursing under her breath turned and stormed out of the room, angry. Leaving Mihoshi to continue looking about the room, not bothering to turn around and look behind her.
***
The tree ship was large and grand looking, it was also being loaded with all sorts of medical supplies and crew. Oddly extra security had been added, there were check points to enter the ship, check points to approach the ship and check points to enter the hanger that held the ship.
The supplies themselves were checked and double checked at each checkpoint and admits it all knights roamed all over the place checking everywhere. There was practically no way anything was going to happen to jeopardize this situation.
The doors hissed open amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded cargo bay, allowing a tall man to enter. His green hair was short and combed back. He wore a pair of small framed glasses, the lenses tinted a slight blue. His face was handsome, but slightly aristocratic. He wore a long white lab coat and cast an air of authority. He passed through the various check points without so much as a side ways glance. For the last week the ship had been loaded with every conceivable medical piece of equipment and supply in all of Jurai's territory.
He strode over a two other men in lab coats they seemed to be rather heatedly discussing something on a data pad. They both paused as the man stood next to them he listened silently and then with a rare confidence that only a king or an expert could have he reached out and took the data pad from one of them and looked down speaking slowly his voice quiet. ""We are thirteen hours behind, because you two imbeciles can't decided if we need an Infrared Bio-germ Imaging System?""
He pursed his lips and narrows his eyes before he turned his head and waved over a rather young boy of maybe seventeen. His lab coat looked new and he, himself looked surprised. The man handed him the data pad and spoke. ""Name?""
The boy swallowed and spoke. ""Laurynas.""
The name looked at him. ""Well Laurynas, maybe you would care to help me answer a problem""
Laurynas nodded slightly, looking like he would much rather jump out an open air lock and have his lungs collapse.
""Well then, if you were the head Med loading an urgent medical ship with supply's headed to a royal resort planet were the second princess of Jurai was laying wounded in a rather unstable condition what would you do with what's on that pad?""
Laurynas gulped as he looked down at the pad and then back up at the three people watching. His palms were sweaty he was only an intern. He steeled himself and spoke rather nervously. ""Well, I would...The I.B.I.S would be loaded last since we already know the cause. It's not an important enough piece of equipment to load immediately but we can't leave it behind because it may be of some use.""
The man raised and eyebrow and smirked slightly as he spoke. ""I see...then for the remainder of this trip gentleman, Laurynas shall be in charge of all medical supplies and personnel.""
Laurynas paled severely at that statement, the two men looked rather angry there cheeks going a dark red.
The man looked at the two and frowned. ""Or should I tell his majesty and his wives that you two have held us up an extra thirteen hours longer than need?""
The man that had until a few moments ago been in charge shook his head and spoke. ""As you wish Taliesin.""
Taliesin nodded slightly and turned on his heel his lab coat billowing out a little and he marched away quickly, Laurynas quickly followed his example and hurried off nervous and confused trying to figure out why and how luck and put him into this position.
***
Darkness, that was all she knew her. She had laid there on the ground like a broken rag doll her blood pooling around her and then after what seemed like hours she stood and found herself in the living room of the house on earth.
It was empty, she quietly made her way through the house, each room empty and lonely, and cold. It seemed that as she moved from room to room they grew darker, more sinister. A soft whispering was beginning to fill the air, calling her. She shook her head not wanting to do as it told her to but she did anyway. Under protest she made her way up the stairs, down the hallway and then to stand before Tenchi and Ryoko's rooms.
The whisper was gone now, replaced by a new noise. Groaning and moaning made themselves known to her, she not of her own accord reached a small hand out and slid the room open. For split second she saw Tenchi and Ryoko, then Ryoko flickered momentarily to be replaced by another woman. She was beautiful herself, her long brown hair cascaded down her back her neck and cheeks held green markings. She turned her head and locked her bluish purple eyes with her Sasami. An evil smile spread across her face and suddenly it was Ryoko once more and then the house shattered like a window pane.
A loud wail of a baby being born could be heard in the distance as she fell. Sasami slammed to the ground and laid there, feeling her blood flowing again. She rolled her eyes up and saw the woman from before holding a bloody form of a baby like a mother would any child, it suckled at her only instead of milk it received blood.
***
Chijiro frowned slightly, looking up from his writing. Before him stood a short balding man, with thick glasses. Chijiro stared up at him and spoke slowly. ""Would you mind telling me that again?""
The bald man nodded and did as he had been asked. ""There is a mentioning of a deal made by Lord Fraustous. ""
Chijiro sat his pen down and looked at the man. ""Fraustous, my ancestor, the one that led the army and put down the civil war?""
The man nodded and Chijiro frowned. ""What sort of deal did he make?""
The man shrugged as he explained. ""I do not know Lord Chijiro; it is only a passing reference.""
Chijiro suddenly shifted gears and spoke. ""Well then, no worries.""
The man licked his lips nervously, then nodded and bowed as he turned and hurriedly left the private study.
Chijiro looked thoughtful, considering and then shrugged slightly going back to his writing. Still Fraustous making a deal was something he would check into later. Right now he was more concerned about the recently announced trip that Aekea, her mother and himself would be making to the Earth. He was rather anxious to met Lord Tenchi, but he was doubtful about Lady Ryoko. He knew from what little he had gotten from Aekea she was not as bad as she had been when she had attacked Jurai. But he was doubtful that she could be that different.
Truth be told he was more worried about the effect the return to Earth would have on Aekea. She was just now putting some of her inner demons to rest, would this return stir them up once more? He shook his head, he wouldn't know until they were there.
***
The huge hanger was empty of all personnel save for the skeleton crew of knights. Three knights at the hanger door, then three knights at entrance of the medical ship. The other knights and crew were off saying their goodbyes. The sublight bandwidth used by Jurai ships was reserved for Military or Emergency use. It was a secret bandwidth and only a Jurain ship could transmit on it's wave length. The rest of the wave lengths were reserved for ship to ship communication. So all personal actions had to be taken care of before they left Jurai.
That was why it was so easy for the three knights currently on duty in front of the ships entrance. They were the Holy Councils Shadows. They looked like any other knight, and they fit the role perfectly. It had been easy for them to take this spot. They had merely waited for the shift change, and slipped in replacing the old knights.
There mission was simple enough, help the one known as Tralu in whatever way they could. It was also no accident that these, the most trusted of shadows were assigned her. Their families had died at the hands of the Space Pirate Ryoko. They thirsted for justice, for vengeance.
They would wait, they would serve as proper knights, but when the time was right and Tralu gave them the sign she would be dead. They were not sadistic, they just wanted her dead.
The hanger door hissed open ushering in the medical crew, they came in threes and four. The lowest ranking of them first, knights trickled back in as well.
It wasn't long before the last three men of the crew appeared. One was dressed and acting like an intern, the other they knew as Taliesin, and the last one was Tralu . The knights checked and double checked items and identification, when at last the three came to board. They went slowly with them, these three were obviously important. Well, actually they really they needed to check to see who the intern was. they took the offered identification card swiped it through the hand held unit pushed a button and a short beep indicated the out put of information. His name was Laurynas, in his early years, recently appointed chief of medical personnel and supplies for this trip. Full clearance.
The Knight handed him the card back and without blinking took Taliesin's and swiped it through the machine not paying much attention to the read out. Taliesin, a thousand years past the age stop and the head of the Royal Jurain Hospital. Full clearance.
They took Tralu's card swiped it and handed it back making a comment not even looking up from the unit. ""Unusually that a Minister of the Holy Council would be making the journey.""
Tralu took the offered card and nodded his blue and white robes flawless as he put it in the inside pocket of his vest. ""Indeed, but matters have forced me to go. Tell me, are shadows present?""
The knight nodded in confirmation as the other two did one last final sweep of the area ushering the minister into the ship. Then quiet suddenly they disappeared into the woodwork of the crew on board the ship.
***
The school day had not been going well, teachers seemed to be extra cruel, his side to seemed to be throbbing far more than it should. That was why he had been so grateful for lunch. The young prince, sat quietly at a lunch table, his food before him. But he wasn't eating, he was looking around. Ryoko, the center of his universe, was missing.
He scanned the crowed of students each separated into their own cliques. He had at first thought she was merely visiting with her friends, but no their they were at their table minus Ryoko. It was amazing Tenchi that those girls, who prior to being friends with Ryoko had been glossed over by everyone, were now competing with Emi's group for popularity.
He saw Emi's group missing Emi, everything seemed to come to a stop. Then he realized that it was just a coincidence, Emi wasn't stupid enough to go after Ryoko and Ryoko wanted nothing to do with Emi.
He twisted around in his seat, looking behind him down the hallway his side sending shooting pains up his side. He turned back not seeing her and sighed and picked up his sandwich resigning himself to the fact that Ryoko would show up in her own good time.
He looked up as his friend Kazuhiko, on break from the office set his tray down across from him and have a seat. Tenchi started to eat once more when Kazukhiko spoke causing Tenchi to lose all his hunger.
"Tenchi, word has it that Emi's going to teach Ryoko a lesson."
Tenchi, with a dead calm on his features looked up and didn't blink. Everything was coming into focus, Ryoko was missing, Emi was after her, and the only place for a fight right now would be the roof. He dropped his sandwich and stood quickly, causing a few students to look up at him in surprise.
"Excuse me."
Kazuhiko nodded slowly as his friend stood there, of course Tenchi would go to save Ryoko. What chance did his girl have against Emi? She was popular, beautiful and had been trained for several years in the martial arts. "Going to save Ryoko?"
Tenchi shook his head as he turned and took off down the hallway calling back over his shoulder as he rounded a corner.
"No, I'm going to save Emi."
Kazuhiko blinked and was lost as his friend ran off.
***
Ryoko stood on the empty roof looking around wondering why Tenchi would want to met her up here. It was rather chilly and he would be hungry. She shifted from foot to foot loose gravel making noise beneath her feet. Now that she thought about it, the handwriting in the note didn't really resemble Tenchi's. She growled low and dangerously as he mind putting things together. So she wasn't that surprised when the door to roof closed and clicked locking. The perfume wafted over to her, oranges, Emi's perfume.
Ryoko turned and found the other girl standing there, looking serious, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and a rather smug look on her face. She started forward slowly as she spoke.
"Ryoko, Ryoko, simple, naive Ryoko."
Ryoko growled watching her. Emi continued to look smug as she spoke. "You know, I do feel sorry for Tenchi, in just a few minutes his girlfriends going to be groveling for my soft touch."
Ryoko smiled rather dangerously at that responding for the first time. "Why Emi, I didn't know you swung that way."
Emi blushed slightly pausing. "I don't, but you do need to learn a lesson. You might think your bad where you come from, and maybe you are, but your in my school now. Her I'm on top."
Ryoko chuckled. "Well, I suppose if you can actually manage to beat me you can be on top."
Emi didn't respond to that, instead she started forward in a run gather speed. She planted her left foot and jumped rotating her hips her legs tucking up when she was air borne she extended her leg in a picture perfect jump side kick. The only problem, when she landed her foot had hit thin air.
She didn't have long to contemplate this, as Ryoko's hand came out of nowhere and grabbed her leg in the air and squeezed hard. Emi cried out, she would have a bruise there. Ryoko chuckled, Emi was fast, but that didn't cut it with her.
Suddenly Emi found herself air borne, sailing several feet up over the fence around the schools roof. She let out a ear piercing scream her eyes squeezed tightly. Her scream only grew louder as she suddenly came to a stop and found Ryoko in front of her holding her by the wrist floating in mid air about a mile above the school.
Emi pulled back to throw a punch, Ryoko's hand came up and caught it and grinning like a predator squeezed.
***
It didn't take long for Tenchi to reach the stairwell leading up to the roof. His side was killing him, he was worried and he had one problem between him and the roof. Emi's brother, Arata and a friend of his.
Emi's brother was on the large side, not in the fat way but in the height and muscle way. His friend was about average in height but he was definitely more muscular than normal.
Arata stepped forward smiling slightly. "Well, well we have a rodent."
Tenchi ignored the jab and the snicker from the other boy, he had more pressing matters. He started towards them in a dead run like he was going to tackle them head on. They blinked and watched unable to believe that he would do something so stupid.
They were wrong, Arata's friend seemed to realize this and started to move to stop him. Tenchi shifted his weight to his back leg and shoved him to the left into Arata.
He winced his hand going to his ribs as he continued on past them up the steps. He heard the noise of them rushing up the stairs behind him.
He winced a little, slowing just enough for Arata's friend to close in and grab his shoulder. Tenchi reacted without thinking and pivoted on the ball of his foot, pulling his shoulder free. The man was over extended and Tenchi plowed an elbow into his back.
The boy let out a yelp of pain as he slammed forward against the wall from Tenchi's action. With out a second glance Tenchi continued up the stairs.
He saw the door and extended his hand out slamming into it trying to push is open. It remained shut and he blinked trying again. It wasn't budging. He turned in time to see Arata's kick to his head, obviously it had been aimed at the back of his head.
Tenchi leaned back quickly dodging the blow, he started forward but ducked as the kick was rechambered and thrown as a round kick, he no sooner stood than he twisted his upper body to the right the round kick turned side kicked sailed harmlessly by and slammed into the door busting it open.
Tenchi acting out of self preservation reached out and shoved Arata back, the boy's balance was thrown off and he tumbled down the steps getting knocked out cold.
Tenchi rushed outside and looked around worriedly, but didn't find Ryoko and did take some comfort in the fact that Emi's body was no were to be seen.
Then he looked up. He had to strain his eyes, but he could see the figures in mid air I looked like one was being slapped and the other was doing the slapping. He jumped flailed his hands and arms trying to get their attention.
That proved useless they were to far out of ear shot. He cupped his hands and shouted at Ryoko, screaming at the top of his lungs. But they had been drifting steadily higher out of ear shot. He stopped everything he was doing watching them helplessly. Ryoko was now shaking Emi like a rag doll obviously berating her.
Tenchi growled and started jumping once more, only this time he got stuck in mid-jump. He blinked look down realized what had happened and then looked back up, confused and anxious to use this to his advantage. He did every conceivable thing he could to rise higher, including jumping but it served no purpose. In frustration, he stood there in mid-air every once of him wanting to get up there to Ryoko.
The sudden acceleration caught him off guard, he yelled as he bolted upwards through the air. Wildly, as he hurtled through the air at roughly fifty miles an hour, he thought that he was definitely going to talk to Washu and found out what they hell was going.
The sudden decrease in speed and the feeling of weightlessness surprised him. when gravity suddenly reclaimed it's hold on him he flipped as he fell like a rock.
He clenched his eyes, a two mile fall not going to be pleasant. He felt Gravity disappear once more and then he just felt like he hung there. He opened his eyes slowly, stuck in the air just above the fence. His arms and a legs in the spread eagled. He slowly brought his hand in and acting like air was solid ground he pushed himself up.
Amazed and confused he looked back up, he only had the faintest clue as to how use this power now. With a slow deliberate breath he closed his eyes and rose shakily into the air at a stead pace.
When he opened his eyes he was three miles above the school and directly behind Ryoko. She seemed to be just floating there now, Emi had passed out for some reason. He reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. She spun quickly letting Emi go, the unconscious girl fell like a rock. Ryoko blinked and watched as Tenchi dropped as well in a controlled dive.
She was confused and scared and oddly a little bit delighted. He rose back up cradling Emi in his arms like a child. They looked into each others eyes, a silent conversation taking place.
Slowly at the same speed they descended neither breaking eye contact with the other. They touched down lightly and Tenchi knelt wincing just slightly as he laid Emi out on the roof. He stood and looked at Ryoko she looked back and spoke softly. "Ai..."
Tenchi held a finger up to her lips and spoke quietly. "I don't know how or why, but we have classes now."
Ryoko nodded and kissed his finger. He smiled dropping his hand and took one of hers. He squeezed it as they left the roof stepping over the bodies in the stairwell as needed.
Tenchi lost in thought about why and how and Ryoko as to what was going on.
________________________________________________________________________
TrueBeliever: Wow, I've counted your reviews. There's six of them. I hope you take your time with this chapter, and I hate to disappoint but the chapters are now going to be self adjusting. That means that they're only as long as feels natural. Glad to hear that you find it funny that Ryoko and Tenchi and switch roles so quickly, it just seemed how they would be.
Ya, it's going to be fun, I have plans for Ukyo and Mihoshi. *smiles* I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. I'm glad to hear that the parts with Aekea bring tears to your eyes. I do my best, to provoke strong emotions. I'm also glad to hear that I am your favorite fanfic author now, glad to hear that I can make the reader feel the emotion in my writing.
Spike: Well, here's chapter 9 enjoy.
Lil Washu: Ahh...everything you want to know I can't tell you, because it's part of the plot. Your not being mean, I've been told that before. But as I have said before, I'm spelling it from an official list I once saw, it's the only other way to spell it besides Ayeka that I remember. I just happen to prefer the Aekea spelling.
Jerrod E'Raziel: I will keep them coming, they won't be as long as they used to be, but there not going to be to short. Just depends on what I feel like writing into the chapters from now on.
Well you've read what happened next to our beloved dirt farmer prince and His overenthusiastic space pirate love what do you think?
I3ittersweet: I am keep it up, thanks for the compliment. I do my best, but prepare for more I'm going to be getting really evil from now on.
Alighthawk: Thanks, Truths Revealed. Sounds good, so what about this one? 'Mysterious plots'? *smiles*
Alright, as for what I have going to happen between Kiyone and her partner, I know what so far appears has been passed around the Tenchi fics for god knows how long. What I have planned should be, hopefully, original. That's a very hard concept to think about in Tenchi fanfics since everything's been done to death.
I'm going with your opinion on chapter length. I know it must work, I've read your stuff...it's been a while but I have and there good. At times long but good.
Blue Roses: I'm glad to hear that my notes helped you understand my story. Welcome to the Tenchi universe, I'm going to be your personal tour guide. Any questions you just ask me. *grins*As for why I have so much talent, it's because I made a deal with Tokimi and the Devil. kidding, or am I? If I remember correctly, Ruskbyte was right in front of me in line for signing the deal. *chuckles* kidding, I'll talk to you later.
Necrovore: Sorry to disappoint but the chapters will be self adjusting from now on.
BurningEmber: Well wait no more, here's the next chapter.
AN: I will see you next chapter. Leave Reviews, I need them. There my only form of payment.
Sincerely,
Geor-sama
A Nekoshipper
Chapter 9
by Geor-sama
January 5,2003
AN: Sorry for the wait, but my hard drive got fried and I had to re-write the last few pages of this chapter. Oh well, enjoy.
Disclaimer: All previous disclaimers apply to this chapter as well
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""I can't believe I said that....""
The girl turned her head, her hair fanning out behind her almost hitting the owner of the voice in the face.
""Relax, Lord Chijiro is a man of his word. Unlike some I could mention.""
The man blinked and looked slightly bothered by her statement and he held his arms out palms extended in a sign of loss. ""Hey, I'm doing my best....I promise, I'll convince my ol' man to let me move into to my own place.""
The girl turned and shook her head. ""Your the only Jurain I know at your age that still lives at home.""
The man sighed and shook his head. ""I know, I know.""
A hover car flashed by and the girl leaned up giving him a goodnight kiss and smiled as she settled back. ""I love you.""
He nodded and smiled leaning down kissing her rubbing her cheek with his thumb. ""I love you to...I'll see you tomorrow.""
She smiled brightly and glanced at the building, it was a large one, made exclusive for females out on their own for the first time. She looked back at him and winked. ""You better get home before I drag you home with me.""
The man nodded and smiled impishly. ""Drag away.... ""
She was about to say something, but the door opened and a very severe looking older lady appeared. She scowled at the two of them killing whatever mood their had been. She kissed him once more and then hurried inside the building. The severe looking woman cast one more dark scowl at him and then turned closing the door behind her.
The man sighed and started the walk home, kicking a rock in front of him as he did. His eyes downcast as he drifted away from the building. He was in his own little private world, he had an offer for a job from a lord no less. It wouldn't take care of his problem of living at home still but at least it would get him money.
***
Tenchi Masaki, arguable the most powerful mortal in existent, future husband to the most powerful and deadly of space pirates (Even if she was retired), had just thoroughly had his head handed to him. Not by an enemy or anything like that....no it was by the two weeks worth of missed homework.
His head throbbed almost as much as his side did as he dropped his pencil to the desk and slumped back into the chair. He groaned placing the palms of his hands to his eyes, wondering what insane god he had pissed off recently and not really wanting to know.
He had picked a most in opportune time to wake up, it was a Sunday night, he had woke up on Friday. He had been for the lack of a better phrase, up shits creek without a paddle. Ryoko had been skipping school as well, Nobuyuki had to stop by and retrieve both their homework and bring it in. Natural Ryoko, in her rare moments of maturity, settled down in the room with him and done her work.
Thus that was why, as odd as it may sound, Ryoko was fast asleep in their bed and he was still up at four in the morning hard at work on his assignments. He had effectively caught himself up, all he had to do was answer one last question and then he could crawl into bed with his fiancée and get all of an hour or twos worth of sleep.
He sat forward picking his pencil back up and looked down bleary eyed at the last question before him. Several eraser marks showed that he had tried for the last several minutes to answer this problem already. He sighed and re-read the question slowly, almost knowing it by heart by now.
In the laboratory frame, two events occur at the same place and are separated in time by 3 seconds.
(a) What is the spatial distance between the two events in a rocket frame in
which the events are separated in time by 5 seconds?
(b) What is the magnitude of the relative speed of the rocket and lab frames?
Tenchi sighed, a relativity review question. He was terrible at those, if he had the time he would just ask Washu, but his yawn convinced him that despite his efforts he wouldn't be able to. He groaned and stretched as he stood, one of his hands immediately went to his side regretting stretching. He looked about the room it still looked like a disaster area, he shook his head and quietly made his way out of the room, pausing to listen to the night time noises of the house settling.
He sighed and started down the hallway, slowly. The floorboards creaked as he walked He would have to take care of that soon. He would hate to fall through the floor into the space below. something told him that would make his already wounded side even worse. He stopped and rubbed his eyes looking at the door. He reached out and slid it open, he looked about the room seeing Ukyo's gaze locked on the bed with Sasami. He sat crossed legged on the floor his arms crossed just under his chest , his face grim. Tenchi moved quietly into the room sliding the door closed behind him.
Since he came to, Ukyo and the young lord hadn't said a word to each other. Tenchi made his way to the bed and looked down, She looked so pitiful and weak. He began to reach forward to touch her but caught himself his hand inches away from the blue field surrounding the bed.
"Washu said there hasn't been change." Tenchi looked over and saw Ukyo standing, he looked somewhat pained as he did but Tenchi didn't say nothing.
"I see..."
Ukyo stifled a wince as he crossed over and stood next to the young lord. Tenchi turned his attention back to Sasami, studying her face. He wished he could do something for her, but he couldn't do anything, hell he could barely get Tenchi-kens blade to form.
There was a quick nose of moving cloth and Tenchi looked around to find Ukyo kneeling next to the young lord his head bowed and eyes downcast. Tenchi was about to say something when Ukyo spoke.
"Prince Tenchi, I failed to protect Princess Sasami."
Tenchi frowned as Ukyo continued. "I beg you to do what is right."
Tenchi looked at the knight, anger and dislike for this man making themselves evident to Tenchi. He was fighting a battle of wills, this was the knight that had insulted Ryoko, he had let Sasami get hurt....Tenchi knew that despite how angry those thoughts made him they were stupid and petty. He should be above them, Ukyo silently produced his own energy sword offering it to the lord.
Tenchi stared hard and reached a hand out and took it. It felt different than Tenchi-ken, this was a weapon pure and simple. Tenchi-ken was a key, that could become a weapon when needed. Tenchi felt the power that comes from the knowledge of holding a weapon, a true weapon.
He had felt it before when he had fought Kagato using his swords and when he fought The demon Yuzuha and the swordsman and father of Minagi, Yakage. But those had been against enemy's this was an ally, a friend...
The blade ignited of it's own accord, it's silver energy blade cast odd shadows over the room. Tenchi could feel the call of power, all it would take is one up and down motion. That was what Ukyo deserved wasn't it? He had failed to protect Sasami, failed in his mission. He deserved to have his life taken, to be punished.
Silently Tenchi lifted the sword up and twirled it in his hand as if it was the most natural act in the world. Tenchi's face hardened staring at the top of the knight head, the sword urged him to do this. His arm dropped with lighting proficiency his eyes never leaving his target.
Ukyo looked up at the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground. He looked to his right and saw his sword blade gone it laid there, he deserved to die, he had failed. It made no sense why hadn't Lord Tenchi killed him? He had the reasons and this was his opportunity to do just what he wanted.
He turned his gaze to the lord and locked eyes. Tenchi's face was solid and impassive, his eyes were hard He began to speak when Tenchi interrupted him.
"You told me to what is right."
Ukyo looked at him confused and Tenchi turned taking one last look at Sasami before he started for the door, he slid it open and frowned turning back to speak with the still kneeling knight. "I owe you my life, you failed once, but everyone's entitled to a second chance."
Tenchi didn't wait for a reply instead he continued out the door sliding it closed behind him. He silently made his way back to the room and groaning in pain as he crawled into bed with his lovely girlfriend. He closed his eyes and smiled as Ryoko rolled over slinging an arm and leg across him. He slipped his arms around her and drifted off to sleep.
***
Ukyo remained knelt were he was at, lost and confused. His lord had refused to kill him, it was Jurain custom to die when you shamed your lord. He looked longingly at his sword, he could do the job himself, no, Lord Tenchi had spared his life, told him he had a second chance. He rose and gathered the sword up. He looked about the room and frowned. A second chance...he needed to prove he was worthy of such an act.
He silently moved to the wall where he had been resting and sat back down wincing as he did. He closed his eyes and crossed his legs, he slowed his breathing drastically. He would meditate, center himself and decide how to make himself worthy of his second chance.
His mind drifted slowly, stray thoughts would trample through his mind and he would ignore them. Soon his mind was blank, and a faint smell reached his nose. It cast his mind back to a time when he was younger, when he was just a child.
He had been relatively happy, his family poor but they were happy. They lived in an outer colony of Jurai, it was scarcely populated and remote but it was home. He remembered waking up to the smell of his favorite breakfast, his father banging the side of the table view and cursing the rather dim screen as it showed grainy text of the local news net.
He remembered his mothers wonderful smile, her giggle as his father kissed and tickled her as she served him breakfast.
The dull light of early morning found Ukyo still lost in his memories, although now they weren't so happy or so joyful. Indeed the small tears forming in the corner of his eyes were more than enough evidence to this fact.
***
Washu exited her lab quietly, a small data pad in hand. She was absently typing something as she walked through the house. She would pause occasionally to cast a glance around herself and then mumbling continue on. She had a small frown on her face and her emerald eyes held a note of anxiousness, something was off.
She stopped at the doorway to the living room and found a rather perky Mihoshi sitting in front of the TV. She wasn't watching it for once, instead she had a book in front of her. Washu blinked several times, at first she hadn't been sure but then as she fully entered the room and started towards the couch she had seen the unmistakable movement of one turning pages.
Washu leaned over the couch and ran her eyes over the first sentence. She blinked used one of her hands and rubbed her eyes, either she was seeing things or Mihoshi was reading one of Kiyone's law books. Washu opened her mouth to say something when the pad in her hand beeped. She looked down quickly it was flashing big time and she looked back up to see Mihoshi looking about trying to find the beeping.
Washu looked back down and then back up at her and then back down she repeated the process several times before she cursed under her breath. Of course it was going off, how could she forget, she had finally ran an Full Body Electromagnetic scan on each member of the family only last week. Mihoshi's F.B.E was way higher than normal and slightly off in the normal wave pattern. Then again Ryoko, Washu herself and Tenchi's had been erratic as well...but Mihoshi's had been unusual in the way of it produced enough that it would interfere with any scans involving energy, no matter what type.
Washu cursing under her breath turned and stormed out of the room, angry. Leaving Mihoshi to continue looking about the room, not bothering to turn around and look behind her.
***
The tree ship was large and grand looking, it was also being loaded with all sorts of medical supplies and crew. Oddly extra security had been added, there were check points to enter the ship, check points to approach the ship and check points to enter the hanger that held the ship.
The supplies themselves were checked and double checked at each checkpoint and admits it all knights roamed all over the place checking everywhere. There was practically no way anything was going to happen to jeopardize this situation.
The doors hissed open amidst the hustle and bustle of the crowded cargo bay, allowing a tall man to enter. His green hair was short and combed back. He wore a pair of small framed glasses, the lenses tinted a slight blue. His face was handsome, but slightly aristocratic. He wore a long white lab coat and cast an air of authority. He passed through the various check points without so much as a side ways glance. For the last week the ship had been loaded with every conceivable medical piece of equipment and supply in all of Jurai's territory.
He strode over a two other men in lab coats they seemed to be rather heatedly discussing something on a data pad. They both paused as the man stood next to them he listened silently and then with a rare confidence that only a king or an expert could have he reached out and took the data pad from one of them and looked down speaking slowly his voice quiet. ""We are thirteen hours behind, because you two imbeciles can't decided if we need an Infrared Bio-germ Imaging System?""
He pursed his lips and narrows his eyes before he turned his head and waved over a rather young boy of maybe seventeen. His lab coat looked new and he, himself looked surprised. The man handed him the data pad and spoke. ""Name?""
The boy swallowed and spoke. ""Laurynas.""
The name looked at him. ""Well Laurynas, maybe you would care to help me answer a problem""
Laurynas nodded slightly, looking like he would much rather jump out an open air lock and have his lungs collapse.
""Well then, if you were the head Med loading an urgent medical ship with supply's headed to a royal resort planet were the second princess of Jurai was laying wounded in a rather unstable condition what would you do with what's on that pad?""
Laurynas gulped as he looked down at the pad and then back up at the three people watching. His palms were sweaty he was only an intern. He steeled himself and spoke rather nervously. ""Well, I would...The I.B.I.S would be loaded last since we already know the cause. It's not an important enough piece of equipment to load immediately but we can't leave it behind because it may be of some use.""
The man raised and eyebrow and smirked slightly as he spoke. ""I see...then for the remainder of this trip gentleman, Laurynas shall be in charge of all medical supplies and personnel.""
Laurynas paled severely at that statement, the two men looked rather angry there cheeks going a dark red.
The man looked at the two and frowned. ""Or should I tell his majesty and his wives that you two have held us up an extra thirteen hours longer than need?""
The man that had until a few moments ago been in charge shook his head and spoke. ""As you wish Taliesin.""
Taliesin nodded slightly and turned on his heel his lab coat billowing out a little and he marched away quickly, Laurynas quickly followed his example and hurried off nervous and confused trying to figure out why and how luck and put him into this position.
***
Darkness, that was all she knew her. She had laid there on the ground like a broken rag doll her blood pooling around her and then after what seemed like hours she stood and found herself in the living room of the house on earth.
It was empty, she quietly made her way through the house, each room empty and lonely, and cold. It seemed that as she moved from room to room they grew darker, more sinister. A soft whispering was beginning to fill the air, calling her. She shook her head not wanting to do as it told her to but she did anyway. Under protest she made her way up the stairs, down the hallway and then to stand before Tenchi and Ryoko's rooms.
The whisper was gone now, replaced by a new noise. Groaning and moaning made themselves known to her, she not of her own accord reached a small hand out and slid the room open. For split second she saw Tenchi and Ryoko, then Ryoko flickered momentarily to be replaced by another woman. She was beautiful herself, her long brown hair cascaded down her back her neck and cheeks held green markings. She turned her head and locked her bluish purple eyes with her Sasami. An evil smile spread across her face and suddenly it was Ryoko once more and then the house shattered like a window pane.
A loud wail of a baby being born could be heard in the distance as she fell. Sasami slammed to the ground and laid there, feeling her blood flowing again. She rolled her eyes up and saw the woman from before holding a bloody form of a baby like a mother would any child, it suckled at her only instead of milk it received blood.
***
Chijiro frowned slightly, looking up from his writing. Before him stood a short balding man, with thick glasses. Chijiro stared up at him and spoke slowly. ""Would you mind telling me that again?""
The bald man nodded and did as he had been asked. ""There is a mentioning of a deal made by Lord Fraustous. ""
Chijiro sat his pen down and looked at the man. ""Fraustous, my ancestor, the one that led the army and put down the civil war?""
The man nodded and Chijiro frowned. ""What sort of deal did he make?""
The man shrugged as he explained. ""I do not know Lord Chijiro; it is only a passing reference.""
Chijiro suddenly shifted gears and spoke. ""Well then, no worries.""
The man licked his lips nervously, then nodded and bowed as he turned and hurriedly left the private study.
Chijiro looked thoughtful, considering and then shrugged slightly going back to his writing. Still Fraustous making a deal was something he would check into later. Right now he was more concerned about the recently announced trip that Aekea, her mother and himself would be making to the Earth. He was rather anxious to met Lord Tenchi, but he was doubtful about Lady Ryoko. He knew from what little he had gotten from Aekea she was not as bad as she had been when she had attacked Jurai. But he was doubtful that she could be that different.
Truth be told he was more worried about the effect the return to Earth would have on Aekea. She was just now putting some of her inner demons to rest, would this return stir them up once more? He shook his head, he wouldn't know until they were there.
***
The huge hanger was empty of all personnel save for the skeleton crew of knights. Three knights at the hanger door, then three knights at entrance of the medical ship. The other knights and crew were off saying their goodbyes. The sublight bandwidth used by Jurai ships was reserved for Military or Emergency use. It was a secret bandwidth and only a Jurain ship could transmit on it's wave length. The rest of the wave lengths were reserved for ship to ship communication. So all personal actions had to be taken care of before they left Jurai.
That was why it was so easy for the three knights currently on duty in front of the ships entrance. They were the Holy Councils Shadows. They looked like any other knight, and they fit the role perfectly. It had been easy for them to take this spot. They had merely waited for the shift change, and slipped in replacing the old knights.
There mission was simple enough, help the one known as Tralu in whatever way they could. It was also no accident that these, the most trusted of shadows were assigned her. Their families had died at the hands of the Space Pirate Ryoko. They thirsted for justice, for vengeance.
They would wait, they would serve as proper knights, but when the time was right and Tralu gave them the sign she would be dead. They were not sadistic, they just wanted her dead.
The hanger door hissed open ushering in the medical crew, they came in threes and four. The lowest ranking of them first, knights trickled back in as well.
It wasn't long before the last three men of the crew appeared. One was dressed and acting like an intern, the other they knew as Taliesin, and the last one was Tralu . The knights checked and double checked items and identification, when at last the three came to board. They went slowly with them, these three were obviously important. Well, actually they really they needed to check to see who the intern was. they took the offered identification card swiped it through the hand held unit pushed a button and a short beep indicated the out put of information. His name was Laurynas, in his early years, recently appointed chief of medical personnel and supplies for this trip. Full clearance.
The Knight handed him the card back and without blinking took Taliesin's and swiped it through the machine not paying much attention to the read out. Taliesin, a thousand years past the age stop and the head of the Royal Jurain Hospital. Full clearance.
They took Tralu's card swiped it and handed it back making a comment not even looking up from the unit. ""Unusually that a Minister of the Holy Council would be making the journey.""
Tralu took the offered card and nodded his blue and white robes flawless as he put it in the inside pocket of his vest. ""Indeed, but matters have forced me to go. Tell me, are shadows present?""
The knight nodded in confirmation as the other two did one last final sweep of the area ushering the minister into the ship. Then quiet suddenly they disappeared into the woodwork of the crew on board the ship.
***
The school day had not been going well, teachers seemed to be extra cruel, his side to seemed to be throbbing far more than it should. That was why he had been so grateful for lunch. The young prince, sat quietly at a lunch table, his food before him. But he wasn't eating, he was looking around. Ryoko, the center of his universe, was missing.
He scanned the crowed of students each separated into their own cliques. He had at first thought she was merely visiting with her friends, but no their they were at their table minus Ryoko. It was amazing Tenchi that those girls, who prior to being friends with Ryoko had been glossed over by everyone, were now competing with Emi's group for popularity.
He saw Emi's group missing Emi, everything seemed to come to a stop. Then he realized that it was just a coincidence, Emi wasn't stupid enough to go after Ryoko and Ryoko wanted nothing to do with Emi.
He twisted around in his seat, looking behind him down the hallway his side sending shooting pains up his side. He turned back not seeing her and sighed and picked up his sandwich resigning himself to the fact that Ryoko would show up in her own good time.
He looked up as his friend Kazuhiko, on break from the office set his tray down across from him and have a seat. Tenchi started to eat once more when Kazukhiko spoke causing Tenchi to lose all his hunger.
"Tenchi, word has it that Emi's going to teach Ryoko a lesson."
Tenchi, with a dead calm on his features looked up and didn't blink. Everything was coming into focus, Ryoko was missing, Emi was after her, and the only place for a fight right now would be the roof. He dropped his sandwich and stood quickly, causing a few students to look up at him in surprise.
"Excuse me."
Kazuhiko nodded slowly as his friend stood there, of course Tenchi would go to save Ryoko. What chance did his girl have against Emi? She was popular, beautiful and had been trained for several years in the martial arts. "Going to save Ryoko?"
Tenchi shook his head as he turned and took off down the hallway calling back over his shoulder as he rounded a corner.
"No, I'm going to save Emi."
Kazuhiko blinked and was lost as his friend ran off.
***
Ryoko stood on the empty roof looking around wondering why Tenchi would want to met her up here. It was rather chilly and he would be hungry. She shifted from foot to foot loose gravel making noise beneath her feet. Now that she thought about it, the handwriting in the note didn't really resemble Tenchi's. She growled low and dangerously as he mind putting things together. So she wasn't that surprised when the door to roof closed and clicked locking. The perfume wafted over to her, oranges, Emi's perfume.
Ryoko turned and found the other girl standing there, looking serious, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and a rather smug look on her face. She started forward slowly as she spoke.
"Ryoko, Ryoko, simple, naive Ryoko."
Ryoko growled watching her. Emi continued to look smug as she spoke. "You know, I do feel sorry for Tenchi, in just a few minutes his girlfriends going to be groveling for my soft touch."
Ryoko smiled rather dangerously at that responding for the first time. "Why Emi, I didn't know you swung that way."
Emi blushed slightly pausing. "I don't, but you do need to learn a lesson. You might think your bad where you come from, and maybe you are, but your in my school now. Her I'm on top."
Ryoko chuckled. "Well, I suppose if you can actually manage to beat me you can be on top."
Emi didn't respond to that, instead she started forward in a run gather speed. She planted her left foot and jumped rotating her hips her legs tucking up when she was air borne she extended her leg in a picture perfect jump side kick. The only problem, when she landed her foot had hit thin air.
She didn't have long to contemplate this, as Ryoko's hand came out of nowhere and grabbed her leg in the air and squeezed hard. Emi cried out, she would have a bruise there. Ryoko chuckled, Emi was fast, but that didn't cut it with her.
Suddenly Emi found herself air borne, sailing several feet up over the fence around the schools roof. She let out a ear piercing scream her eyes squeezed tightly. Her scream only grew louder as she suddenly came to a stop and found Ryoko in front of her holding her by the wrist floating in mid air about a mile above the school.
Emi pulled back to throw a punch, Ryoko's hand came up and caught it and grinning like a predator squeezed.
***
It didn't take long for Tenchi to reach the stairwell leading up to the roof. His side was killing him, he was worried and he had one problem between him and the roof. Emi's brother, Arata and a friend of his.
Emi's brother was on the large side, not in the fat way but in the height and muscle way. His friend was about average in height but he was definitely more muscular than normal.
Arata stepped forward smiling slightly. "Well, well we have a rodent."
Tenchi ignored the jab and the snicker from the other boy, he had more pressing matters. He started towards them in a dead run like he was going to tackle them head on. They blinked and watched unable to believe that he would do something so stupid.
They were wrong, Arata's friend seemed to realize this and started to move to stop him. Tenchi shifted his weight to his back leg and shoved him to the left into Arata.
He winced his hand going to his ribs as he continued on past them up the steps. He heard the noise of them rushing up the stairs behind him.
He winced a little, slowing just enough for Arata's friend to close in and grab his shoulder. Tenchi reacted without thinking and pivoted on the ball of his foot, pulling his shoulder free. The man was over extended and Tenchi plowed an elbow into his back.
The boy let out a yelp of pain as he slammed forward against the wall from Tenchi's action. With out a second glance Tenchi continued up the stairs.
He saw the door and extended his hand out slamming into it trying to push is open. It remained shut and he blinked trying again. It wasn't budging. He turned in time to see Arata's kick to his head, obviously it had been aimed at the back of his head.
Tenchi leaned back quickly dodging the blow, he started forward but ducked as the kick was rechambered and thrown as a round kick, he no sooner stood than he twisted his upper body to the right the round kick turned side kicked sailed harmlessly by and slammed into the door busting it open.
Tenchi acting out of self preservation reached out and shoved Arata back, the boy's balance was thrown off and he tumbled down the steps getting knocked out cold.
Tenchi rushed outside and looked around worriedly, but didn't find Ryoko and did take some comfort in the fact that Emi's body was no were to be seen.
Then he looked up. He had to strain his eyes, but he could see the figures in mid air I looked like one was being slapped and the other was doing the slapping. He jumped flailed his hands and arms trying to get their attention.
That proved useless they were to far out of ear shot. He cupped his hands and shouted at Ryoko, screaming at the top of his lungs. But they had been drifting steadily higher out of ear shot. He stopped everything he was doing watching them helplessly. Ryoko was now shaking Emi like a rag doll obviously berating her.
Tenchi growled and started jumping once more, only this time he got stuck in mid-jump. He blinked look down realized what had happened and then looked back up, confused and anxious to use this to his advantage. He did every conceivable thing he could to rise higher, including jumping but it served no purpose. In frustration, he stood there in mid-air every once of him wanting to get up there to Ryoko.
The sudden acceleration caught him off guard, he yelled as he bolted upwards through the air. Wildly, as he hurtled through the air at roughly fifty miles an hour, he thought that he was definitely going to talk to Washu and found out what they hell was going.
The sudden decrease in speed and the feeling of weightlessness surprised him. when gravity suddenly reclaimed it's hold on him he flipped as he fell like a rock.
He clenched his eyes, a two mile fall not going to be pleasant. He felt Gravity disappear once more and then he just felt like he hung there. He opened his eyes slowly, stuck in the air just above the fence. His arms and a legs in the spread eagled. He slowly brought his hand in and acting like air was solid ground he pushed himself up.
Amazed and confused he looked back up, he only had the faintest clue as to how use this power now. With a slow deliberate breath he closed his eyes and rose shakily into the air at a stead pace.
When he opened his eyes he was three miles above the school and directly behind Ryoko. She seemed to be just floating there now, Emi had passed out for some reason. He reached out and laid a hand on her shoulder. She spun quickly letting Emi go, the unconscious girl fell like a rock. Ryoko blinked and watched as Tenchi dropped as well in a controlled dive.
She was confused and scared and oddly a little bit delighted. He rose back up cradling Emi in his arms like a child. They looked into each others eyes, a silent conversation taking place.
Slowly at the same speed they descended neither breaking eye contact with the other. They touched down lightly and Tenchi knelt wincing just slightly as he laid Emi out on the roof. He stood and looked at Ryoko she looked back and spoke softly. "Ai..."
Tenchi held a finger up to her lips and spoke quietly. "I don't know how or why, but we have classes now."
Ryoko nodded and kissed his finger. He smiled dropping his hand and took one of hers. He squeezed it as they left the roof stepping over the bodies in the stairwell as needed.
Tenchi lost in thought about why and how and Ryoko as to what was going on.
________________________________________________________________________
TrueBeliever: Wow, I've counted your reviews. There's six of them. I hope you take your time with this chapter, and I hate to disappoint but the chapters are now going to be self adjusting. That means that they're only as long as feels natural. Glad to hear that you find it funny that Ryoko and Tenchi and switch roles so quickly, it just seemed how they would be.
Ya, it's going to be fun, I have plans for Ukyo and Mihoshi. *smiles* I'm a hopeless romantic at heart. I'm glad to hear that the parts with Aekea bring tears to your eyes. I do my best, to provoke strong emotions. I'm also glad to hear that I am your favorite fanfic author now, glad to hear that I can make the reader feel the emotion in my writing.
Spike: Well, here's chapter 9 enjoy.
Lil Washu: Ahh...everything you want to know I can't tell you, because it's part of the plot. Your not being mean, I've been told that before. But as I have said before, I'm spelling it from an official list I once saw, it's the only other way to spell it besides Ayeka that I remember. I just happen to prefer the Aekea spelling.
Jerrod E'Raziel: I will keep them coming, they won't be as long as they used to be, but there not going to be to short. Just depends on what I feel like writing into the chapters from now on.
Well you've read what happened next to our beloved dirt farmer prince and His overenthusiastic space pirate love what do you think?
I3ittersweet: I am keep it up, thanks for the compliment. I do my best, but prepare for more I'm going to be getting really evil from now on.
Alighthawk: Thanks, Truths Revealed. Sounds good, so what about this one? 'Mysterious plots'? *smiles*
Alright, as for what I have going to happen between Kiyone and her partner, I know what so far appears has been passed around the Tenchi fics for god knows how long. What I have planned should be, hopefully, original. That's a very hard concept to think about in Tenchi fanfics since everything's been done to death.
I'm going with your opinion on chapter length. I know it must work, I've read your stuff...it's been a while but I have and there good. At times long but good.
Blue Roses: I'm glad to hear that my notes helped you understand my story. Welcome to the Tenchi universe, I'm going to be your personal tour guide. Any questions you just ask me. *grins*As for why I have so much talent, it's because I made a deal with Tokimi and the Devil. kidding, or am I? If I remember correctly, Ruskbyte was right in front of me in line for signing the deal. *chuckles* kidding, I'll talk to you later.
Necrovore: Sorry to disappoint but the chapters will be self adjusting from now on.
BurningEmber: Well wait no more, here's the next chapter.
AN: I will see you next chapter. Leave Reviews, I need them. There my only form of payment.
Sincerely,
Geor-sama
A Nekoshipper