Chapter 12
November 14, 2003
--Crescendo--
It is said there is nothing quite as beautiful or awe inspiring as witnessing Jurai's sunrise. The hues and colors that accompany that golden dawn inspire the soul to love. But it is not just the hues and colors that move the soul; it is the song of the morning birds, the rustling of the leaves in the morning breeze, which move the soul as well.
All of this spilled through the windows of the Royal family's palace, its golden light dancing along its floors, its bedrooms, its corridors and hallways. There was nowhere this grand sight was more prominent than the First Crowned Princess of Jurai's room.
Even the dust motes that drifted through the suns gentle rays looked heavenly, seemingly magical. The light fell upon the curtains surrounding the bed of the princess causing the lavender and violet curtains to alight in a sort of dance across the bed and across the slumbering, yet delightful, form of Princess Aekea.
She stirred slowly, opening her eyes to half slits, yawning as she sat with up her silk sheets falling away as she did. Her shadowy form was backlit by the sun and visible through the curtains of her bed. With graceful movements she slid out of bed and eased her curtains apart stepping out into the sunlight and the serene quiet that filled her bedchamber.
She seemed to glide across the floor, the trappings of her station filling the room not allowing her to pretend she was anything else. Her lavender eyes were distant as she pulled on her dressing robe. Today she was to leave Jurai and return to Earth, return to those she considered family, to the man she had and still did love, with her mother and her future husband at her side.
She sighed; shaking her head as she pulled the robe tighter around her despite that fact the belt was already tied as tightly as possible. She walked regally to the balcony adjoining her room to watch the sunrise over Jurai, her home that was not her home.
She had tried so very hard to make herself think and feel that this was her home, but it was not. Earth was her home and it called to her. She could hear its song through the vast expanse of space, for the Earth still held a part of her heart and soul.
Sighing once more she turned, hearing the door to her chambers open and preceded the servants who were making their way through her sitting room towards her bath. She could only hope that the love she still felt for Tenchi did not cause disquiet among her family or interfere with what she felt for Chijiro.
***
Tenchi opened his eyes slightly, staring up at the dark ceiling of his and Ryoko's room. Sleep fell away from his mind slowly; his first realization was he was alone in bed. Not something he was used to since having admitted his love for Ryoko.
He sat up slowly and looked around, glancing out his window. The sky was a dull gray, the sun over cast and cloudy. He yawned and muttered to himself. "Where is she?"
He heard a sudden movement and turned as his years of training kicking in. His eyes narrowed, his hand grasping for Tenchi-ken when he found nothing there and an alarm went off in his head. He stood ready for anything, he hoped it was just Ryoko playing or maybe he'd misplaced it.
There was another noise; this time he pinpointed it coming from the closet. He eased his way towards the closed door and carefully eased it open, then as a loud meow filled the air stumbled backwards as Ryo-ohki came jumping up towards him.
He grabbed the cabbit and looked at it more closely; it was miyaing pitifully as it kicked its legs while Tenchi held it by the scruff of its neck.
The cabbit was wearing a large bow left over from Christmas on its head. Tenchi chuckled and removed it, which elicited a hiss and scratch on his hand causing him to drop the cabbit. He looked around stifling the curses that wanted to escape his mouth.
The cabbit gone he sighed and relaxed a tad, starting to get dressed as well as search for Tenchi-ken. He was pulling on a gray sweatshirt, his side doing much better, when the door to his room opened and the sweet smell of Sakura Blossoms filled the air.
He turned feeling a lately rare smile tuck at his lips, his eyes lighting up as he saw Ryoko standing there dressed in her new dress, it was bluish white with light blue strips, her tail swayed behind her in an enticing manner.
Her face held disappointment though and she cocked a hip holding a tray up in one hand, her other resting on her hip, her tail lowering. "Well mister bright and early, thanks for ruining my surprise for you."
Tenchi smiled ruefully and shrugged, "I'm sorry, I missed you so I got up and then Ryo-ohki had a bow on her head from Christmas. I yanked it off and she scratched me."
Ryoko pouted slightly and lifted off the floor, fading out to reappear in front of him slightly bent and took his hand lifting it up. She studied it for a moment and then kissed it. "So that was why she was so upset."
Tenchi smiled and eyed the tray of food, as well what he could see of Ryoko down her new dress. She smiled catching his stare and seemed to sway for him as she was bent over, then let his hand go and smacked him upside the head playfully. "Hey now! We're going to be late if you don't concentrate on other things besides me."
Tenchi laughed, taking the tray and planting a kiss on her cheek lightly, responding in a light banter. "This is the first time you've ever told me not to."
She smiled and pushed him towards the bed taking the tray back as she forced him to sit. She knelt next to him and began to feed him. "You behave. Besides, you'll need all your energy for later tonight. I have wicked, wicked plans for you."
He looked at her and smiled, watching as she scooped up a small amount of the white miso soup onto the tip of her finger then proceeded to lick it off, her eyes burning with an all too familiar fire. She smiled wickedly at him for a long moment before seemingly stopping herself, returning to her job of feeding him.
***
Kiyone yawned as she considered at her bowel of red miso soup and her cup of green tea. She didn't know who had fixed breakfast, but they had made both white and red miso. She preferred the white but oddly it had been made in a pot only big enough for one serving.
She shifted her eyes up and over to look at the surprising guest she had for breakfast. Laurynas was sitting at the table carefully eating his portion of miso soup; he was being quiet and acting as if he didn't know if he really should be eating the prince's food.
Kiyone smiled and cleared her throat. "Don't worry. Tenchi won't have you beheaded for eating his food."
He looked at her and gave a small smile. "Why won't lord...I mean Tenchi, mind?"
Kiyone glanced at the empty pot that had been used for the white miso soup and then looked back at him. "Let's just say he'll be too distracted to think straight. Besides he's a very giving man."
The young intern nodded slightly and then shifted slightly putting his utensils down carefully and looked at her "So...Lady Ryoko..."
Kiyone blanched and lifted her finger up in the sign of quiet and tensed, her eyes darting around then settling back on him. "Don't let her hear that, if she does she won't shut up about it."
Laurynas nodded slightly and continued carefully. "So Ryoko, is she...well you know, like the reports say?"
Kiyone shook her head. "Thankfully, no. She can be pesky and bothersome, at times violent and annoying, even cold. But she is not like anything in the reports; she's just like you or me, only more...aloof and reckless."
Laurynas studied her for a moment and then asked a very quiet question. "Between you and me do you trust her?"
Kiyone paused and looked up at him. "Honestly? I trust her as long as Tenchi does. I mean, I trust her, but still some part of me is hesitant."
Laurynas nodded slightly and went back to eating. He had a lot to adjust and think about, not the least of which was Ryoko. He was Juraian, his entire generation, along with those that preceded them and even those coming up, were raised to hate and loathe the very name Ryoko.
But it appeared that soon, the very demon that they feared and hated was to become royalty. But it was not his job to say anything, Juraians above all else, were loyal to the royal family, so if she was with Prince Tenchi then he would treat her with the almost respect.
He looked up hearing the footsteps and saw the object of his thoughts, Tenchi and Ryoko descending the stairs. Tenchi seemed to be asking her a question as they drifted into the kitchen with the former pirate smiling as she fixed herself a drink of green tea. Her Sake consumption had shifted so that she didn't drink until after school.
"Not until you tell me how you liked breakfast." Ryoko's voice was a sing song tone. Their two audience members were watching in a bemused manner.
Tenchi in mock frustration threw his arms up. "I liked it, especially the part where you dribbled the miso soup on your..." He suddenly stopped and blinked, turning and blushed ever so slightly having realized that they weren't alone.
Ryoko saw his blushed and cackled. "My my, I haven't seen you blush since around Christmas."
Tenchi turned away and grabbed his books, speaking as if nothing was wrong. "Come on, tell me who fixed breakfast?"
Ryoko grabbed her books and started ahead of him with her new dress, minus her tail, fluttering around her ankles. She had put on a tight red sweater underneath it so as not to give anyone any inadvertent peeks. "Alright, I give. I fixed breakfast today."
Tenchi laughed, slipping his arm around her waist saying, 'you actually managed to cook and not give anyone food poisoning.' as they went out the door. Kiyone meanwhile was busy gulping down her green tea, praying that she wouldn't get sick. Laurynas just looked at her with a blank stare, entirely confused about what was going on.
***
Chijiro looked at the royal ship. He found it amazing that as luxurious and grand as this ship was it packed more power than five of Jurai's most powerful warships. Somehow he thought that sending the best warship in all of Jurai was a little much, but he didn't really have a say in it. He smoothed out the silk like material of his robes and looked around him, waiting for Princess Aekea and Queen Misaki.
He wondered what Earth was like; Aekea was mum about it, which he understood. After all, Earth had been her home for a long time and her first love had been there, but still he couldn't help but wonder. It was probably like Jurai just on a smaller scale since it was the Royal Family's resort planet after all.
He turned as Bakio entered, preceding a few knights, followed by Princess Aekea and Queen Misaki. He displayed his charming smile and walked towards them. He bowed and took Princess Aekea's hand, kissing it lightly in a courtly manner, speaking in his smooth voice. ""My dear Princess Aekea, you're a most beautiful sight to behold.""
She smiled, blushing slightly; he was able to charm her more and more than ever. ""Lord Chijiro, please!""
The lord smiled and turned to her mother and bowed again. ""And it is a double pleasure to see you this fine morning My Queen.""
Misaki nodded her eyes distant. "Thank you." there was a slight tremble in her voice and Aekea was holding her around her waist, making soft noises. She was an emotional wreck; the reports from Earth on Sasami's condition did not help at all.
The doors opened again as this time even more knights filled in, followed by the Emperor and Queen Funaho. They both looked regal, although Azusa's face looked more serious than it had been in seven hundred years. Funaho, beautiful as always, looked just as serious. Chijiro bowed as the Emperor and Queen approached, but they ignored him. Misaki swept first one, then the other into one of her bone crushing hugs.
She was openly crying, her daughter Aekea trying to get her to leave them alone. Chijiro, taking the cue from Aekea's eye contact with him, approached and gently tried to help her. Together they finally separated the two, with the crying queen now settled down to soft sobs.
Azusa cleared his throat and spoke. "Chijiro I am counting on you and you alone, to keep my wife and daughter safe."
The young lord nodded as Aekea spoke quietly. "Mother, Father, we will be fine. But we must go now."
Funaho stepped forward and lowered her voice so that only Aekea could hear her. "Watch out for shadows, not everything is as it seems."
Aekea nodded and Funaho returned to her husband's side and smiled a little, her arm entwining with Azusa's. Azusa's face remained emotionless; he merely looked around and spoke one more time. "May Tsunami be with you and keep you safe."
Chijiro and Aekea responded in unison. "And may Tsunami watch over you and bring happiness to us all." This was an ancient blessing said upon departure.
Aekea, without Chijiro's help, turned and guided her sobbing mother onboard the ship. Chijiro looked at the two other matriarchs of the Royal family and bowed his head and then with a rustling of his silk like robes started towards the ship with Bakio at his side. Once they were aboard the remaining knights moved in and boarded behind him.
Azusa and Funaho watched as the ships came to life and slowly lifted off with the grace and majesty of Jurai's greatest of treeships. They rose up through the clouds and clear sky of the majestic planet and then disappeared from view.
Azusa, his arm around Funaho's shoulder, turned and lead her back inside. The accompanying knights fell into step around them as all their prayers were with their daughters and Misaki. So lost in thought were the royal family and the knights that none noticed one of the knights stop, turn lift a small box and push a button.
On board the royal ship a clock started ticking.
***
Tenchi glanced over at his lab partner. He wasn't sure how, but Emi had gotten assigned to him. Ryoko unfortunately was assigned to her brother Arata on the other side of the room.
Advanced Physics was by far Tenchi's most difficult class and Emi as doing everything in her power to get his attention and keep it. Like today she wore a low cut shirt and was sitting across from him resting on her elbows.
Arata however did a far better job; he was constantly hitting on Ryoko. This resulted in loud verbal rebuffs and a few extremely toned down physical altercations from her.
Tenchi saw Ryoko glaring at Arata and he sensed trouble on the horizon. He dropped his pen and started across the room to cut it off. The other students went quiet looking up from their work realizing what was about to happen.
With the teacher out of the room for a moment Arata was taking the opportunity to try and hit on her, and he was beginning to try her patience. In her attempt at fitting into Tenchi's world, she had learned and tried to follow the rules, even if they did go against her nature.
Tenchi heard Ryoko in her unflappable way threatened him with bodily harm when he was close enough. When she saw him she went quiet and Arata took this to mean he had worn her down and moved as if to grab her but found himself in a wristlock and his face slammed down against the solid metal desk with painful force.
There was a loud crack as the wrist gave way to Tenchi's sudden increase in pressure as he dislocated it. The young prince let Arata's wrist go and watched as the young man remained face down on the metal table.
Arata groaned and rose slowly, his nose and lip bloody. He grabbed his wrist tightly and looked at Tenchi with pure vehemence. With a grimace he forced his dislocated wrist back into place.
There was a deafening moment to Tenchi as his blood raced and the lust of battle welled up inside him. He locked eyes with his enemy and refused to back down.
Their eyes were locked in a battle of wills as Arata spoke, his voice unaffected by any pain he was feeling. "You are a worthless excuse for a man. Your woman can't resist a real man, so you jump him from behind."
Tenchi took a deep breath, his body relaxing. He forced his anger down along with the battle lust he had felt. With his inner peace restored he spoke, his voice calm and cool, "If that is what you need to think."
Tenchi would have willingly left it at that, and indeed he had turned to walk away when Arata continued. "Where's your family honor? I bet your pathetic father and his dead uwakionna of a wife are proud of the their weak willed son whose woman can't even stay true to him."
If there had been silence before, the entire room went deathly quiet. Emi was staring at her brother with something akin to awe and fear.
Ryoko on the other hand was focused entirely on Tenchi. His form seemed to be trembling; she knew it was not from tears, but something much worse; anger and hatred.
When he spoke he did so without turning and his voice was deadly, causing Ryoko to shiver ever so slightly. "What would you know about honor?"
"More than you." came the immediate and cocky response.
Ryoko tensed but couldn't interfere, even though she wanted to eviscerate the bastard, for Tenchi's honor sake. She cursed herself, knowing there would have been a time she wouldn't have cared about the rules, but to be with Tenchi she had to fit in.
Tenchi finally turned but slowly, his face was a mask of blankness, save for his eyes that were burning. Ryoko knew those flames. The last time she had seen them was in his fight with Kagato.
"Do you?" When he spoke, his voice had not lost its deadly tone. If anything it seemed to grow even more deadly.
Arata stepped towards him' his height towering over the young prince by at least a foot or more. He glared down at Tenchi, seeming to challenge him. Tenchi looked up unblinking and unintimidated by him.
Arata's voice seemed to be getting even cockier each time he spoke, though it seemed to fall upon deaf ears. "You have no honor, your family has no honor and your woman has no honor. She is a bigger uwakionna than your mother and she couldn't even keep her legs together."
Tenchi moved with blinding speed driving his fist into Arata's solar plex forcing the air out of him and possibly causing some internal damage. Arata folded up, with specs of blood flying out of his mouth as he sank to his knees.
Tenchi stood there, looking as if he hadn't moved all, his gaze fixed on the kneeling boy who was holding the upper part of his stomach. The only ones that had seen the punch had been Ryoko and possibly Emi.
Tenchi spoke, his voice as cold as humanly possible. "I will defend her honor and my mother's honor against such as you."
Emi strode forward quickly, her brother still seeming to be struggling to regain his breath and control.
She seemed to draw herself up as she spoke. "After the sixth period bell then, Arata will face you with bokkens on the roof. If you are honorable enough."
Tenchi didn't even look at her; when he looked up he stared into Ryoko's eyes. She gave him a reassuring nod, trying to tell him without words that she was behind him all the way.
He dropped his eyes, seeing that somehow, she had in the matter of seconds it took to drop Arata, retrieved his books. He started towards her and spoke. "I'll be there."
He paused and took his books as she offered them to him and then with Ryoko at his side, he walked out of the class.
Arata was still gasping as he knelt on the floor.
***
Ukyo looked around at the shrine forest, it was a deathly quiet. Almost eerie really as he closed his eyes and slowed his breathing. His mind was racing; his time here had not been that relaxing.
Within twenty minutes he was perfectly calm and centered. His breathing in time with the rustling of the breeze, his mind completely blank. He had picked the most secluded part of the forest possible for his meditation. Katsuhito had mentioned it to him once when he had first arrived.
Just as he was beginning to feel his connection to the matron goddess of Jurai, his mind became jumbled and confused with thoughts of Mihoshi. How her hair smelled and moved in the breeze, how her crystal blue eyes sparkled and how her laughter brought a smile to his face while her lips and touch caused his blood to boil.
He snapped his eyes open, picturing her perfectly in his mind. He shook his head and sighed, meditation was becoming more difficult since he had met her. He tensed his muscles and then relaxed them.
He was about to close his eyes and try again when a noise caught his attention. It was such a small noise that he almost ignored as an animal or rustling leaves then he heard it again. It sounded like a soft whispering of voices. He rose quietly and holding the hilt of his energy sword he started forward, moving on the balls of his feet with all the grace and years of countless battles had granted him.
As he grew closer, the whispering voices grew louder by fractions of a tone. At first he had thought it was one or two voices but now he could tell it was three distinct voices. He frowned; what were three people doing out here in this secluded spot?
He hid behind a tree and peeked between the branches spotting three knights, they were dressed like the average knight, their hair hidden from view. The one on the far left was wearing a mouth and nose mask, his slate colored eyes looking shadowed. The other two he couldn't really see but one he thought had blue eyes. They moved and acted more like an elite group however than average knights. It was their conversation that he was focused on however.
""Tralu said that he would arrange to distract Lord Tenchi when he returned from his education.""
The one closest to Ukyo, who had the blue eyes spoke up. ""Chuugi, is Tralu sure that he can keep the prince occupied long enough?""
The one called Chuugi nodded slightly as he responded. ""Yes. That will not be a problem Suzume. The Prince is visiting the young Doctor Laurynas when he returns. Tralu will intercept him afterwards giving us plenty of time.""
Ukyo tensed up, his senses were telling him to leave, to warn Ryoko and Prince Tenchi. But he couldn't, not yet. Something was keeping him there.
""Iwa, do you have the dampeners? I do not relish facing Ryoko without them.""
The third knight nodded curtly. ""Yes Chuugi and I would not either.""
They felt silent as Ukyo held his breath. He may have been a first class knight in battle, but he suddenly knew that he was outclassed here, by these shadows. They were spoken of in hushed whispers even among the greatest of the knights, their skill and abilities equal to the knights guarding the emperor himself.
Suzume began to speak and Ukyo let out his breath quietly. The knight stopped in mid-speech and spun, pulling his intricately carved energy weapon igniting its dark double green blades, and sliced through the tree Ukyo had been hiding behind in a fraction of a second.
If Ukyo hadn't managed to perform his back flip in time, he too would have been sliced in half. When he landed he was in a crouch holding his own energy blade ignited and ready for battle.
His eyes darted from one shadow to another taking in their weapons, a double bladed energy sword and a three section energy staff. His eyes lingered briefly on the three section staff with its ugly brown energy, then darted to the last one who oddly didn't seem to have a weapon at all. Still, there was no doubt about it now, only they could handle such weapons.
"I am First Knight Ukyo to Prince Tenchi and Lady Ryoko and the royal family." Ukyo found himself saying clearly and confidently. The shadows stood there unimpressed.
He shifted into the classic first stance of the Juraian fighting style, the energy sword held parallel to the ground in front of him. Suzume's incredible speed enabled him to reach Ukyo in a fraction of the time it would normally take. His double bladed sword slashed at the knight's stomach.
Ukyo dropped his blade down blocking the first slash and raised his sword in a half circle deflection. Suzume followed with a sudden flick of the wrist sending the other blade of his sword forward causing Ukyo to disengage, drop and roll backwards. He was up in a flash, energy sword held before him ready.
Suzume was at him again with blinding speed and it was all that Ukyo to do to block each strike and thrust. Their blades were moving so fast that an after image of their movements could be seen.
He seemed to stand a chance, until with equaling blinding speed Iwa's weapon whipped out and scored a blow across his leg. Ukyo lost his concentration long enough for Suzume's double sword to slash in a twirling motion, leaving deep gashes along his arm. Ukyo stifled his scream and gave up all hopes of crossing blades with them, instead settling to dodge the best he could.
Their speeds were too great however and all too soon Ukyo was outmatched. In the scant minutes it took for the fight to begin he was worn down, bleeding, but he would not give up. Tenchi had given him a second chance and he would be damned if he would fail.
With a roar of frustration he lunched himself forward like a wild man. He slashed, stabbed and attacked with all of the speed and power that he had. The change caused the two shadows to pause for a minute.
Then acting as if in concert, Suzume hooked his blade against Ukyo's and twisted as Iwa deactivated his and with a drop spin took out Ukyo's legs. The result was Ukyo collapsing forward and his sword went flying away into the forest.
Ukyo laid unmoving, face down on the forest floor, bruised and bloody for several minutes. Iwa and Suzume took a step back as he started to move, pushing himself up. He would not fail his lord again. It was that promise that was attempting to make him continue.
A sudden hard strike from a boot to his ribs caused him to flip over and land heavily on his back. He lay there and blinked as Chuugi moved to stand over him, he started to move when he found a dark purple energy sword a fraction of an inch above his throat.
"Don't move another inch." Was the harsh command. Ukyo remained motionless and watched as Chuugi spoke to the other two. "This one has changed things. Suzume you and Iwa take care of Ryoko, I will keep this one company."
The other two knights sheathed their weapons, nodding mutely and took off into the forest. Chuugi looked back down to him and spoke. "I cannot in good conscious kill a knight of your skill. At least not yet."
Chuugi deactivated his weapon and stepped back issuing orders. Ukyo painfully manage to stand and then move over to the tree his captor had indicated. His mind was racing; if he had a weapon he could escape, he was sure.
Chuugi directed him to stand beneath a rather thick branch and lift his arms. Once he was in position Chuugi activated his energy sword and approached, keeping the blade a fraction of an inch from his stomach and carefully put a pair of cuffs on Ukyo's wrist. In this position the captured knight was forced to stand on his toes.
Chuugi deactivated his weapon with a smile and walked over to a small clearing and had a seat. He crossed his arms and looked up at his captured prize.
"Now then, we shall have a nice, personal talk while things are set in motion." There was a confident and rather sadistic tone in his voice.
Ukyo looked at him with vehemence clearly in his features and spat at him. His voice hid none of his hatred or anger. "May Tsunami send a pox upon you and your families!"
The shadow knight just smiled and produced a set of regular daggers and took aim. "Maybe she will. Until then, let's test your agility." With a hissing sound Chuugi launched the first dagger.
***
Ryoko stared a hole through Emi as they stood there on the roof. There were about half a dozen other students there in a semi-circle most of which were Arata's friends. Ryoko had expected more students to show up, but then again they were probably keeping it quiet so the teachers didn't interfere.
The wind was strong, rustling papers, clothes and hair. The chill in the air from the previous rain was being driven home, although it did not affect Tenchi. He stood there impassively holding the bokken Arata had provided.
Arata was standing across from him, his face grinning stupidly as he held his bokken. The larger boy spoke loudly to be heard over the howling wind, "Are you ready Masaki?"
Tenchi didn't respond as he watched his opponent shift into a fighting stance, sword held shoulder high at his side. Tenchi spun his bokken with an absent thought and then adopted a stance his grandfather always did.
Arata smiled like a predator as he they stood across from each other, then as if a pre-decided amount of time had passed, he charged. He roared as he took a zigzag path the sword shifting sides each time he changed directions then he rocketed himself up into the air.
Tenchi watched him unmoving and then at the last minute, he sidestepped the attack as his opponent twisted in the air and preformed a downward slash. Using his bokken's dull edge, Tenchi took out Arata's legs as he landed and with his hand shoved his opponent's face first into the roof top.
Arata roared and stood up quickly as he spun to find his opponent in a causal, at ease stance; his sword held limply at his side. Tenchi's anger might have ruled him at the beginning, but now he realized that Arata was not worth his anger or hatred and that this battle had no honor in it.
His opponent charged again and Tenchi, reacting without really thinking dodged, ducked, and avoided all of Arata's lunges, slashes and thrusts. To Tenchi, the man seemed to be moving in slow motion and he couldn't help but wonder if this was how he looked to his grandfather when they had trained.
The students who had been cheering suddenly went quiet as a sense of awe hung thickly in the air as they watched Tenchi avoid and dodge each and every attack from Arata with ease. There was no concentration in his movements, which only served to drive the young locally acknowledged sword master to increase his speed and slowly lose his cool.
Tenchi smiled to himself as Arata preformed a side slash, then twist the blade, hooking it back and aiming for his legs. Tenchi nimbly leapt upwards and landed on the bokken driving it into the ground. Arata stared at him in amazement and then growled when he felt Tenchi's bokken tapping his shoulder.
"A warrior should never lose himself to his anger." Tenchi stated in the best imitation of his grandfather's voice he could do. His statement fell upon deaf ears however as Arata yanked hard on his bokken, pulling it free. Tenchi flipped backwards and landed gracefully in his at ease stance and smiled.
Ryoko narrowed her eyes and then grinned slightly, Tenchi was having fun. It was so obvious when she had noticed the change in his body language at the beginning. By now there was no hiding it; Arata was out of his league by untold amounts.
She watched the restarted match and began to laugh to herself at Arata's frustration; Tenchi was doing exactly as his grandfather had done to him. She cast a glance at Emi who was growing furious. Looking and laughed openly, a few other students following suit.
It was truly funny to see Arata, who towered at least two feet over Tenchi, was unable to touch the younger man. His strikes whistled through the air harmlessly as Tenchi continued to trip him and make off hand comments.
Tenchi watched the incoming strike from Arata and waited until the last possible second before bringing his bokken up, stopping the strike without any effort. He grinned at Arata who pulled his bokken back and struck again only to have Tenchi's block his.
Suddenly, in a flurry of movement Arata was attacking a stationary Tenchi who used only one hand to block his strikes. Tenchi admitted to himself if his grandfather hadn't taught him Arata would have been able to overtake him.
Arata was wearing himself down and after nearly twenty minutes; Tenchi grew tired of this game. Tenchi waited until he made another thrust then brought his bokken in, catching the thrust with the back of his blade and dropped it down, forcing Arata's bokken downwards. With his free hand he reached down and twisted the bokken free of Arata's grasp and stepping forward, planted both blades against his opponent's throat in a scissor like set up.
The total time it took was barely a minute and Tenchi had to fight back the statement his grandfather told him once. 'The end of a fight happens in less than a minute.' Instead he stood there in that total silence and finally spoke in a hushed whisper. "Honor does not come from a battle; it comes from the reason for that battle."
With that he released the bokkens, letting them drop to the ground and stepped away. He turned and walked towards Ryoko as she met him halfway and took his hand, leading him towards the door. Keeping her voice low she whispered to him. "Where did you hear that?"
Tenchi answered, almost too quietly to be heard. "I didn't. It was just the sudden realization I had during the fight."
Emi watched them as the students began to leave and in a trembling rage she stalked towards her brother, who was looking as angry as ever. His fists were clenched tightly as she stepped up to him and loudly hissed at him. "Are you going to just let him go?"
He shook his head as his eyes narrowed and she slapped him hard. "Take the family sword, get our honor back. No Masaki dishonors our family."
He looked down at her, the slap barely having an effect on him; he merely held his hand out. She lowered the duffle back she was carrying and unzipped it, producing the family sword. It was an ancient blade, perfectly balanced and deadly. She had brought it as part of a history project, but now it was going to grant her family honor once more.
He unsheathed the blade with the wind carrying the sound out across the roof.
Tenchi stopped and turned ever so slightly staring at Arata, Emi standing behind him confident. "He wouldn't." Was Tenchi's only statement as he watched Arata handled the ancient sword.
"Masaki Tenchi, you have dishonored my family's honor. No Masaki dishonors my family. With this blade I shall reclaim my honor."
The students around Tenchi scattered, but Ryoko remained by his side holding his hand. Tenchi shook his head, knowing this was foolish.
Arata started towards them in a dead run as Tenchi shoved Ryoko out of the way, dodging to his right at the same time, the katana's blade slicing through only air.
Arata pivoted and launched after Tenchi, who was moving backwards in controlled jumps from side to side. His mind was racing; Arata had apparently gone over the deep end on him. He stopped realizing that he had backed himself into a corner.
Arata unswervingly came towards him; Tenchi had to make a quick choice: use Tenchi-ken or try to reach a bokken. With Tenchi-ken there would be no problem except he would destroy an ancestral sword, with a bokken he would be risking his life. His answer came when he ducked a slicing motion at his head and rolled forward; when he completed the roll he jumped up and continued his run, Arata hot on his heels.
He was beginning to worry that he would have to use Tenchi-ken after another ten minutes of ducking and dodging when he heard Ryoko yelling his name; he glanced over and saw Emi lying on the ground, obviously knocked out.
Ryoko had apparently realized his dilemma and retrieved a bokken for him. He held his hand out and she tossed it at him. Tenchi caught it and brought it around in time to strike the katana from the side sending it away from its target: his head.
He couldn't go blade to blade with it; instead he had to strike it from the sides. Thankfully Arata was still moving in slow motion to Tenchi, if albeit more fiercely.
Tenchi was reminded of one of the first lessons his grandfather had taught him as Arata continued his attack. A man cannot use a sword if he can't hold it. His face suddenly grim, Tenchi waited for a slash that would open his opponent up.
When it came Tenchi ducked and moved forward, his bokken hitting a nerve in Arata's wrist, causing the hand holding the sword to go numb and let go. He turned his sword and struck the haymaker arm with the butt of the hilt, striking another nerve and making it go limp.
As Arata moved back in surprise and pain, Tenchi didn't hesitate. He flipped upwards, planting a foot to Arata's chin, sending him back stumbling. Tenchi then grabbed the katana when he landed in his crouch and when he was once more standing upright, he thrust his bokken out, driving the tip into a pressure point just above Arata's solar plex and dropping him like a stone as the boy came rushing back in.
Tenchi took a deep breath and looked around finding that it was only Emi, Ryoko, Arata and himself on the roof; the other students apparently having fled early in the second fight.
Tenchi dropped his bokken and walked over to where the sheath laid and knelt down, picking it up. With great reverence he re-sheathed it and set it next to Emi. "It is a shame that such an honorable blade was used in such a dishonorable way."
He stood and turned making his way to Ryoko; with a tired sounding sigh he stepped up to her and stroked her cheek softly. She smiled at him and whispered. "The teachers will be here soon."
Tenchi nodded and took her cheeks into his hands and kissed her very softly then enveloped her into a hug as he whispered. "Just take us home."
She nodded and as she hugged him back they faded from view.
The wind finally died down as the first teacher appeared in the doorway to the roof.
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Frost: Whew, the longest review I think. Now then lets set down to business. I'm glad you like the detail, as for Tenchi's mothers name. It just depends on which version of the series your writing in. I'm working the OVA, and in it her name is officially Kiyone. This is known from the family tree of the True Tenchi novels, which rare though they are, are the direct continuation of the OVA series (its all complicated.) But in the Universe her name is Achika, I used to call her that in my works to, till I found out everything I did.
Well, the story isn't just the Tenchi and Ryoko show. The others are more than cardboard cut outs, so they deserve focusing on. In my head I can just close my eyes and see them. Almost like I'm just describing an episode.
As for Tenchi's powers fluctuating...there's a rhyme behind my reasoning. Your guess may be right, or it could be wrong, because as I write this I don't have any clue what's going to happen next.
Thank you again, I try my best to make things fit how they're suppose to. Well I'm glad you got caught up, now it'd be easier if you stayed caught up uh? lol (I understand perfectly)
So what did you think of this chapter? A let down I'm sure.
As for the plot, it's just evolving as I write. Now For Sasami's dream that was more of a prediction really, because I'm setting things up for the sequel I have planned. And write as much as you want I don't care.
Burning Ember: Thanks, I will try.
Alighthawk: You have great timing, I'm glad that the last chapter was worth waiting for. Wish this one was. Well, you know those in power, they operate under the assumption that they have more power. As for Mihoshi, I've got plans for her, unfortunately, if I do my sequel they will not be good plans. I'm still considering the side story but not sure what type it should be or anything.
Icemaster1431: Thank you, your reviews are greatly appreciated as well.
Unholy Dragoon: I am sorry, but since a) I don't have a proofreader and that b) my spelling and grammar checks are not up to your standard. It is unfortunate that you could not read the chapter, but I will be moving on to other matters, thanks for the review however.
David S: I'm glad that you enjoyed it. This is going to be one long story, if I made them short stories I'd over load FF.net. Well, email me at Georsama@operamail.com or Georsama@aol.com and well talk if your still interested in being my beta.
M.Hakubi: It is nice to have you reading us again. I'm glad I provided you with entertainment over the holiday.
Shelcobra: Thanks, I'm glad you loved it. I am going to continue it, although it might be a while after this. I'm impressed that so far you don't have one criticism to make, I don't know about the ending cause well, that is a while off.
Black-dragon: First off Congratulations your my 80th reviewer. Sorry no prize this time around, but maybe the 100th review will get one. Yup, he died and he ain't comin back. I'm aiming for a thousand chapters. lol, no seriously I have no clue about the length of chapters. Just as soon as I figure out how to bring her out of it.
Spike: Well, I'm sorry I have stopped amazing you, but I guess it was bound to happen. To rip off a highly profitable franchise 'Everything that has an beginning has an end.' If I had to hazard a guess I'd say were reaching the beginning of the middle of the story.
AN:
Well, not sure how long this one was in the waiting. Lots of action, especially towards the end. For those of you that are wondering I am guessing were just about to the end of Act 1 (an old English writing class term the beginning was Act 1, the middle Act 2, and then End Act 3)
Now, if anything seems stilted (ESPICALLY) the fight scenes, or extremely short (ESPCIALLY) the fighting scenes that was because I have been under the weather and unable to concentrate that well.
With the holidays coming up, expect a break from this story, but not until after chapter 13 (My lucky number) Now if only it was published on Friday the 13th, that would be really lucky (its my luckiest day of the year, well besides my birthday.)
If you see anything that sucks let me know, if you think I should take it down and rewrite everything let me know, if you loved it or even liked it a little let me know as well.
The final fight scene with the real katana, many of you are probably going to think it's contrived and implausible, maybe it is, but then again to continue the story I had to have it (besides this is fiction, and it adds just a hint of danger and excitement.) I would like to extend my thanks to Alighthawk for pointing out my mistake in spelling Queen Misaki's name as Masaki.
On a final note: I've seen the first episode of the Third OVA (Un-subtitled) and all I can say is once I can understand everything there saying the 3rd OVA is going to be awesome.
Sincerely,
Geor-sama
A Nekoshipper