THE JOB, Chapter 10: An Investment in The Future.

DISCLAIMER: Tenchi Muyou! is copyright AIC/Pioneer, LDC. I claim no rights to it. However, all events in this story are entirely of my own imagination. Please don't change them. Feel free to distribute this story as widely as desired.

FOREWORD: The party seems to be slowing. Why is everybody so serious all of a sudden?

AUTHOR: Dreamr

LAST REVISION: 08 January 2003

EMAIL: TrueDreamr@Hotmail.com

BEGIN.

With his pants already on, Tenchi walked out of the bathroom in the hotel room Ryoko had arranged for their week-long stay on Caladan. How she had managed to set it all up was a mystery to him. But, he had to admit, it was a nice place. One of his favorite aspects of this room was the commanding view of the ocean-front. All one had to do to get a fabulous view was slide aside the curtain in the morning and watch the sun rise. Of course, the view was fabulous at any time of day or night. With a swing, Tenchi swept the curtain aside. Ryoko was standing on the left side of the balcony, watching the ocean. The off-shore breeze, although mostly blocked by the hotel, was still sufficiently strong enough to gently rustle her hair as she stared at the rolling waves. Daylight was rapidly fading as the afternoon changed into evening. The sun would soon set. Already, the clouds were a golden hue that would match Ryoko's eyes.

Tenchi shook his head. How had it come to pass that this woman loved him. Of all the people in the universe, the infamous Space Pirate Ryoko, wanted across the galaxy for more acts of crime than he could count, had fallen for him, Tenchi Masaki; High School student, and unwitting descendant of a Prince of Jurai.

The young man shook his head as he wondered why he had consented to this solo outing with Ryoko. But one look at the lady on the balcony told him the answer. When she stood silent and calm, she held an incredible beauty that could not be overlooked. Her looks had always somehow made him feel unworthy. Like the upper-class girls in his high school, she made him feel out of his league. But still, that did not stop him from looking.

As Ryoko stood out on the balcony enjoying the early evening breeze, she found herself mentally begging Tenchi to open the sliding glass door and join her. She had heard the curtain open, even as deep in thought as she had been. His presence would be a warm buffer against the chill brought on by her memories.

The past was what bothered her, now. That trip to her old school had reawakened old memories she would rather have forgotten. Other than the time she had spent with Tenchi, that one year of a normal life had been the best time of her life. She had belonged to a successful baseball team. She had had friends and even a family. With a bit of a grin, she remembered the cute guy who had asked her to the eight-grade dance. That had been fun. All those people had treated her like a normal person, just like Tenchi wanted.

She cursed herself for not sticking around to find out the truth behind her foster-father's job. She had really had it made with them. If he truly had not lost his job, then she had thrown away her one chance for no reason. Then again, if she had not run away, she would never have met Tenchi. The troubled young woman set her forehead on her upraised palm and closed her eyes, forcing the tears that had begun accumulating within to spill out. They dribbled down her cheeks and combined on the point of her nose.

Tenchi turned back to the glass door to look at Ryoko while he put his shirt on. They were supposed to go out to dinner tonight at a sea-food restaurant. When he looked out to the balcony again, he saw Ryoko had her head down. His fingers faltered at their assigned task of buttoning his shirt when he recognized the body language of someone who was deeply upset about something. Unlike before, Tenchi now had an excuse to open the door and join Ryoko. As her friend, it was incumbent upon him to comfort her when she was feeling down. At least, that was the rational explanation. He stepped up to the door and pulled on the handle, sliding the glass pane open. The room was immediately filled with the scent of the salty ocean air.

Ryoko's breath caught as she heard the door slide open. Not wanting Tenchi to see her in her moment of weakness, she hastily wiped her tears as he joined her in staring across the rolling waves.

"Now he comes out."

Tenchi looked out across the ocean for a moment before speaking.

"Is something wrong?"

Although she did not really want to talk about her past, Ryoko found herself strangely compelled to relate her misgivings.

"I was... thinking."

"About what?"

"I... had people who cared about me, and then... I ran away."

"If they cared about you, why did you run away?"

"I was scared. I thought I was going to be sent back where I came from."

Tenchi looked at her for a moment before returning his gaze to the breaking waves far below.

"It must have been a horrible place. Where you came from, I mean."

Ryoko just sighed. There was no way in Hell she was going to tell Tenchi about that place.

"Ryoko, we don't have to go out, tonight, if you don't feel like it."

Ryoko glanced to her right to sneak a peek at Tenchi. He was standing there like the Rock of Gibraltar; strong and steady, like the way she always pretended to be. She carefully slid a little bit closer to him, hoping to borrow a little of his strength.

"Miss Ayumi said Kagusa didn't lose his job. And I keep thinking, what if I hadn't run away?"

For once, Tenchi did not move away when he felt Ryoko leaning against him.

"Then... I guess you would have grown up like everyone else."

Ryoko finally found the courage to look at Tenchi's face.

"I never would have met you."

When Tenchi turned his head to look at Ryoko, he found her staring back at him. Suddenly embarrassed, they both looked away, fearing what each other's gaze meant. They both silently cursed themselves for their lack of courage. For a minute they looked around, wondering what to say. Then Tenchi came up with something.

"You know, I don't really feel like going someplace fancy, tonight, either. Why don't we go someplace casual?"

Ryoko just stared at the ocean.

"If that's what you want."

"I think that would be better. But, I still don't know what's around. Is there someplace you'd like to go?"

"Yes. But... I don't think you'll want to go there."

"It's all right. Any place you want to go tonight, I'll go, too."

Ryoko looked at Tenchi with a smile.

"Any place?"

"Uh... Well, any place where it's legal."

Ryoko closed her eyes as her smile grew brighter.

"That's no problem. I just know Kagusa and Futsuki will love you."

Tenchi leaned well back with a look of ghastly shock on his face.

"Oh, God. What have I gotten myself into?"

Aeka glumly stared along the brightly polished length of a large oak conference table as the empire's ministers flung accusations at each other. Her only purpose to the meeting, so far, was to get an update on the state of affairs within the empire. The meeting had quickly degenerated to a verbal jousting match with her favor being the prize. The guardians, Azaka and Kamidake were standing by at her insistence. As she blithely listened to the ministers' arguments, Azaka finally leaned close to remind the princess that it was time for the mid-day break.

"Highness, it's time."

Aeka stood up, signaling that the meeting would adjourn. The ministers grew silent and promptly followed suit.

"I have heard your reports, and I can see that my extended absence was... ill-advised. Ministers Sakahara and Fujiyama, will you please stay for a moment? The rest of you are dismissed."

The ministers who Aeka had no important business with for the time being respectfully bowed, prompting Aeka to nod her head in acknowledgement before they could leave. As they filed out of the conference chamber, Aeka quietly conversed with Azaka, ignoring for the moment, her ministers of justice and social services.

"Has the gentleman been brought?"

"Yes, Highness. He awaits your convenience."

"Have him brought in."

"Yes, Highness." Azaka followed the leaving ministers to retrieve the individual in question. Aeka sat again as she waited.

"You may sit. There is an issue of significance that involves both of your offices. This aspect of the solution will only take a moment of your time. However, there will likely be more intensive efforts required later."

The two ministers sat as they had been instructed, nervously awaiting whatever the First Princess had in store for them. Soon, Azaka returned, leading a well-groomed nobleman in an officer's Royal Navy uniform. His insignia indicated he held the rank of Captain, a fairly high rank, and only a step away from the admiralty. More importantly, this person was a well-known member of the nobility, Ieyasu Tatsuki, first-born son of the powerful Tatsuki family, and a descendant of the Jurai Royal Family. Azaka led Captain Tatsuki to his seat, where the officer sat and awaited the princess' leisure.

"Captain Tatsuki. I took some time this morning to examine your service record. It seems you've had a long and distinguished career."

"Thank you, Highness." Tatsuki kept his eyes on Aeka, ignoring the ministers at either side of the table. His low voice easily boomed across the room, letting everyone within its range that he was not afraid to speak.

Aeka stared at the Captain for several seconds, looking for any sign of fear or nervousness. As she expected, there was none. Personally, she hated back-alley politics. An up-front meeting between two people was much more her style. Unfortunately, due to the nature of this meeting, that was not possible. With a gesture of her hand, Aeka let Azaka know to set the small file of hard-copied information he was carrying in front of the officer.

"Captain, have you ever been to a planet called Mekina?"

The question seemed to take the Captain aback a little. Although, he answered quickly enough.

"Yes, Highness. When I was a new Lieutenant."

"I see. Within that folder you will find a picture. Do you recognize the woman in it?"

Tatsuki opened the folder and examined the picture which was lying on the other information.

"Mmm. I believe I do."

"I thought so. I have only one more question, Captain. What is the nature of your relationship with that woman?"

One corner of the Captain's mouth quirked upwards just a bit.

"She is simply a woman I met on vacation, Highness."

"I understand, Captain. I certainly don't begrudge my officers their relationships. However, I do expect them to be responsible for their actions."

Ieyasu Tatsuki sighed as he began to realize where this meeting was going.

"I see. May I ask what the family is asking for compensation?"

"I'm afraid that is a matter of law, only. The woman passed away several years ago. There is still a daughter, whom I believe is due eighteen years of child support. The supporting evidence is enclosed within that folder, with one exception. Her identity. No one can know who that child is. She must never know who she is. It would be a grave embarrassment to the entire empire. Therefore, this meeting is to remain unofficial, and classified at the highest levels. The only people that know her identity are the people in this room."

A soft cough from behind her, reminded Aeka of the science technician who had performed the analysis. She leaned over to ask about him.

"You took care of that one, right?"

"He's on vacation, Princess."

"A permanent one, I hope." Aeka sat normally again, and coughed to clear her throat. "I am only interested in justice, Captain. I hope you are prepared to accept responsibility for your behavior."

Captain Tatsuki looked his Princess directly in the eyes.

"I am always ready to take full and complete responsibility for anything I do."

Aeka actually smiled at that. It was the sort of talk she liked to hear from people in a position of authority.

"Excellent! Then I'll expect to receive your payment at the appointed place and time. You have my word it will be received by the young lady it belongs to. You may go, now."

Captain Tatsuki stood up and then bowed. Aeka nodded in return. She waited until the Captain was gone from the room before addressing her ministers.

"Gentlemen, you have work to do. Trace that woman's past. I want to know every stone and pebble she has ever set foot or hand on. If the accounts I have provided you with are accurate, I expect the persons in question will be brought to justice, swiftly. Now move!"

"Yes, Highness!" The ministers jumped at her command to move. They scurried to the doors and left with all due haste.

"Oh, boy..." Aeka let all the air and authority out of her rigid posture. Her thin frame promptly slumped back into the high-backed chair.

"Highness, shall I send for lunch?"

"Yes, Kamidake. Please do."

Staring up at the vaulted wooden ceiling of the council chamber, Aeka wondered if this was such a good idea. But one thing kept coming back to her. The laws of Jurai applied to everyone. If the horrifying tale Ryoko had told in the onsen was true, there was no way the First Princess of Jurai was going to let those people get away with what they had done.

"I wonder what Lord Tenchi and that woman are doing right now?"

END.

AFTERWORD: The wheels of change are beginning to turn. Ryoko's mysterious past haunts more than just her, now. But what could move Aeka to such acts? And what is the deal with two home-planets, Mekina and Caladan?