The Job

by Dreamr

Ryoko takes advantage of a job offer for Mihoshi and Kiyone. After burning the place down, she goes on a trip with Tenchi and gets arrested.

24. An Empty Throne

THE JOB, Chapter 24: An Empty Throne.

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: Here we are at last, the final chapter of The Job. In celebration of this momentous occasion, I present a special DOUBLE-SIZED ISSUE! No more waiting, folks

AUTHOR: Dreamr

LAST REVISION: 08 September 2005

BEGIN.

Aeka was holding informal court in the Main Hall of the royal palace (as opposed to the Great Hall where formal events were held) when news arrived of the decision in Ryoko's trial. To tell the truth, she was not at all surprised. If the jury had followed the letter of the law, they should have found Ryoko guilty no matter what the circumstances. It was all cut-and-dry, and very clear. So, why did she feel so uneasy about the probable outcome? Was it the circumstances? Or perhaps it could be knowing how Tenchi felt about Ryoko. Aeka felt a stab of jealousy lance through her breast. The last thing she wanted was to be reminded of that. But now that the verdict was decided, Tenchi would act to protect Ryoko. He would fight if it came down to it. Of that, Aeka was certain. But how would he choose to fight? Would he rush in and break Ryoko out with force? Or would he enlist the aid of Washu and sneak Ryoko out without anyone realizing it? Trying to think like Tenchi was not as easy as she thought it should be.

As Aeka was trying to anticipate Tenchi's move, hand-held communicators began ringing throughout the Main Hall. Aeka watched the people in the hall to see how they reacted to the news. Her own distaste and vehement dislike for pirates was a matter of public record. But how did everyone else really feel about Ryoko? She assumed that they wanted the threat that Ryoko and all pirates posed to normal society eliminated just as much as she did.

Officials and courtiers began breaking out in smiles and congratulations as news of the guilty verdict filtered through the small crowd. Almost as one, the government officials began to crowd around Aeka, asking her opinion and congratulating her on a job well done. Aeka knew that she should be reveling in their praise, or at least make like she was. But she had had nothing to do with it.

"Actually, it was Lord Tenchi who convinced Ryoko to turn herself in."

Those who heard her statement paused for a moment before breaking out into even more effluent praise.

"The princess is so modest!" One woman explained for the benefit of all present, even though it was perfectly obvious she was only trying to ingratiate herself with the ruler of their nation. All around, heads bobbed and nodded in agreement while they smiled their standard political smiles. Looking around, Aeka thought that their smiles didn't look so friendly as they once had. Knowing the truth, Aeka suddenly realized that these people didn't care one whit if she had had no real role in Ryoko's arrest. They only seemed to care about praising her.

Off to the right, Aeka overheard a group of three who men were discussing Ryoko's conviction without concern for who might be listening.

"So how do you think they'll execute her?"

"An immoral monster like Ryoko? It should be something painful."

"Teach her a lesson before she dies."

"Something painful... I understand lethal injection is pretty painful."

"No, I heard she's resistant to poisons."

"Hmm. Electrocution, then."

"Oh, please. She farts lightning bolts. Guess again."

"Yeah, yeah. Uh... I know! Let's go old school. They should have her drawn and quartered."

"No. She's too strong for horses to pull apart."

"Who says they'll use horses?"

Smiles and chuckles broke out as the men contemplated what devices could be used to tear a person asunder.

Aeka's stomach turned at the blood-thirsty remarks. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Were Juraians as violent and hateful as Tenchi thought? Aeka looked around again at all the faces that were watching her. No longer did they look like friendly politicians. They seemed more like expectant vultures waiting for an opportunity to tear away her flesh when she wasn't watching. They encircled her, barring her escape. All the while they spoke in her ear, trying to distract her with empty promises and false platitudes.

"You've done a great service, Princess."

"The people's faith in the Royal family has been restored, Princess."

"Your father would be proud, Princess."

"Princess Aeka, have you met my son?"

Aeka's eyes focused on the young man standing to the woman's side. He had freckles, curly blonde hair, and seemed intensely fascinated with his right nostril. A mommy's boy if Aeka ever saw one.

"Um, no. I don't believe I have."

"Oh! Well, let me introduce Alehanduro. He's of age and single."

Aeka's stomach turned over again. If this particular vulture had her way, her son would have more than just a piece of royal flesh. By the looks of him, he was probably quite literally of age and not a day older. The last thing Aeka wanted in a husband was a younger man with little maturity and even less manhood. All around her, the others made polite observations about how she was still unbetrothed. Aeka quickly thought up an excuse to leave.

"Excuse me. I... feel ill." Without another word, the First Princess turned and walked away to find some peace and solitude. The small group parted just like a flock of vultures that wished to avoid being trampled by a larger animal..

Leaving the Main Hall in favor of some other less populated area of the palace, Aeka went in search of one of the few places within the palace that a person of Aeka's station could be absolutely alone. One was the bath, though she could summon attendants for assistance. Another was the royal garden, though gardeners could sometimes be found in unexpected places. The only place were she could truly be alone was the throne room. The trees and other flora there were allowed to grow wild, although the trees themselves had been planted many generations ago. No one but direct members of Jurai's royal family were allowed unattended access to the throne room. But it was not Aeka's room. She had never felt that it was her place. It had always been her father's place. It was her father's throne that stood at the top of the raised dais.

As she approached the large double-doors the sealed the throne room, Aeka addressed the two mechanical guardians that floated quietly behind and to each side of her.

"I'm not to be disturbed unless it's the end of the universe, or Lord Tenchi. Understand?"

"Understood." The two guardians confirmed as Aeka held up a hand to the immense portal doors. A soft blue glow surrounded the princess' hand, confirming her identity before allowing her access. The glow soon faded, and then the doors began to swing open of their own accord. She waited only long enough for the doors to open wide enough for her to squeeze through, then she entered without further comment, hoping to hide her disturbed feelings from her guardians. Once through, Aeka waited for the doors to close behind her before going further. When the doors finally closed with a resounding thud, Aeka allowed her shoulders to slump. She heaved a deep sigh of relief. For the moment, the vultures could not peck and pull at her.

This was the room where Tenchi had fought Kagato seven months ago. Back then Aeka had fought back with all of her abilities, revealing the true extent of the power granted to the Jurai royal family. For all her effort, Kagato had swatted her aside like an insect, shattering her confidence. Then Tenchi had saved her. He had swept in and defeated her captor like a true hero. Tenchi had protected her when no one else could. If that wasn't destiny, then what was?

"Tenchi..." Aeka slowly walked to the raised dais at the far end of the room. The trees were quiet today. There was never any wind here. But sometimes, like on that fateful day, the trees would lean and sway as if talking to one another. That day, they had spoken clearly. Even Kagato had heard and understood them. Just like in the stories of olden days, when the trees would choose a new ruler, they had chosen Tenchi. But he was not here. He had declined the throne, choosing instead to return to his native home and continue as he always had.

Of course, Aeka wasn't one to ignore such an obvious sign. She felt in her soul that Tenchi was the one she was meant to be with. So why then would he choose Ryoko? What had she done to win his everlasting devotion? Ryoko had always claimed that she was strong enough that she didn't need anyone to protect her. She didn't need him. So why did she have to be so damn selfish and take Tenchi for herself?

As Aeka crested the top of the dais, the throne itself came into view. This had been her father's chair. In her mind, it always would be. When she thought of King Azusa, this is where she most often envisioned him, with his dark brooding eyes and thick beard. But beneath his gruff and somtimes pompous exterior, he held back a little of himself for his family. Even if he had to send his sometimes demanding little daughter away for a time while he dealt with official business, he always came back later and made up for it with a smile and deep chuckles of affection. But one day, he went out on his ship and never came back.

Since then, the throne has sat cold and empty. Aeka couldn't bring herself to sit in it. She had tried it once. But it was too big for her. It was built to a man's proportions and size, not a woman's. This was a king's throne, and she was no king. Whomever she married would likely take that position. Aeka had hoped to one day see Tenchi sit in this throne. Not only was he the perfect candidate, but she cared deeply for him. No one could possibly fill the duel roles of king and husband as well as Tenchi.

Aeka stared at the empty throne of Jurai for a while longer. Tenchi had made his choice. Now, what choices were left to her? Now that she was thinking about it, Aeka realized she probably should not return to Tenchi's home in Okayama. Tenchi probably detested her now for refusing to pardon Ryoko. As well, she had no desire to see the two of them snuggling up close, or going off to who-knows-where to do who-knows-what. She had no choice but to remain on Jurai and continue as ruler. That meant seeing to the needs of the people. It was the least she could do.

As always, looking on her father's throne gave Aeka reassurance and a sense of purpose. But the throne was still empty. Someday, she would have to choose a husband. But no matter how hard she tried, she could only see her father or Tenchi in that seat. There was no one else who deserved to sit there. Perhaps if she tried it again, it might feel different this time. Perhaps it would fit better now than the last time. Tentatively, Aeka turned and sat on the throne.

It was no good. She still felt like a small and insignificant little girl in this seat. It just wasn't meant for her. Apparently, neither was Tenchi. Pulling her legs up beneath her, Aeka curled into a ball on the massive chair and tried to think of better times.

The doors to the Main Hall were normally open while the Jurai Empire's reigning soveirgn held public court. This was supposed to ensure that anyone who had business or wished to observe the proceedings could simply walk in and do so. This of course meant that no one really paid any attention to who came and went. So, when Tenchi entered the Main Hall with two Knights of Jurai, no one really paid him any attention. This was unfortunate as he had some rather pressing business to attend to with the First Princess.

Not wanting to offend anyone, Tenchi cautiously tried to pardon his way through the throng of attendees. The people were not very accomodating unless they happened to turn around and see that he was dressed in the regalia of a prince of Jurai.

"Azaka?" Kamidake asked of his partner.

"Yes?"

"I believe a Staff Call may be in order here."

Azaka looked out over the crowd and grinned.

"I believe you are right."

"Pardon?" Tenchi asked looked from one knight to the other as they raised their staffs vertically up over the heads of the crowd. Bright light burts forth from the jewel held in the head of each staff, one red and the other blue. The beams played across the walls and ceiling of the hall giving a visual announcement as well as warning of the auditory call that was soon to follow.

As people looked aroud in confusion and wonder at the play of lights, the knights suddenly thrust the butt of their respective staves against the floor, and a thunderous boom rang out through the palace. Heads snapped around and people turned to find out what was going on. Again the knights raised their staves and again they slammed them down. Another peal of thunder burst out. And once more, this time two-handed, the knights raised and lowered their staves. The third boom shook Tenchi's insides and he could swear he felt the palace shake from the thunderous, but somehow painless, sonic call. Looking from left to right, he saw that both Kamidake and Azaka seemed quite pleased with themselves.

"You two seem to be enjoying yourselves."

Kamidake broke out in a grin.

"I... admit to a certain amount of job satisfaction."

"Indeed." Azaka agreed before taking a deep breath to announce his charge.

"All Hail, his Royal Highness, the Crown Prince of Jurai, Lord Tenchi Masaki!"

Tenchi's jaw dropped as every person in the room (there had to be at least two hundred people assembled) bowed to him. Although it made him feel completely unworthy and totally self-conscious, he had to admit that at least he had everyone's attention.

In a far off room in the royal family's quarters, Sasami was playing a video game while Ryo-oh-ki watched on. It was okay, if a little lonely. When she felt a sub-sonic boom roll through her chambers, she put the game on hold.

"What was that?"

"Mya?"

Another boom rolled through the room, and then a third. As the third call came, Sasami felt a great deal of excitement. From stories of old she knew what rolling thunder in the palace meant. It was a Staff Call. Only Knights of Jurai could do that, and even then they only did it at the behest of the Royal Family. It was a call to attention for the entire palace, and in some ways for the entire empire. Something momentous and incredibly important was about to occur, and here she was sitting in her room playing video games. Sasami jumped to her feet and ran for the door.

"Come on, Ryo-oh-ki!"

The little brown cabbit came running after Sasami. There was no way this little girl was going to let the first Staff Call in centuries go without seeing it for herself.

"The floor is yours, Lord Tenchi." Azaka quietly intoned.

"Thank you, Azaka." Taking a deep breath, Tenchi called for the First Princess.

"Aeka!"

A rustle went through the crowd. But no one responded. Tenchi looked around. He didn't think Aeka would ignore him. But still...

"Aeka, please answer!"

Again, all was relatively quiet. Leaning over to Azaka, Tenchi inquired about what he was doing.

"She is supposed to be here, right?"

"Yes, Highness. Thursday mornings are reserved for holding court. The princess should be here."

"Has anyone seen Princess Aeka?"

For the third time, there was no response. Tenchi's patience was beginning to wear thin. Then he heard footsteps thumping on the floor down the hall. Hoping it was Aeka come running to investigate, Tenchi looked to see who it was just as Sasami came to a screeching halt right beside him, her chest heaving with the exertion of running all the way from her rooms.

"Sasami! Thank goodness. Have you seen your sister?"

"She's not here?" Sasami asked, gasping.

"No, and no one seems to know where she went."

Sasami took a particularly deep breath as Ryo-oh-ki came bounding behind her and leapt up to her shoulder.

"Mya-a!"

Having finally caught her breath, Sasami reached up and gave Ryo-oh-ki a pat. "Well... if she were sick, then I think some one would have heard about it."

"Indeed." Azaka agreed. "The Royal Physician would be the first to know. Then either Kamidake or myself would be next."

The men grumbled to themselves as they tried to think where the princess might have gone.

"You know..." Sasami spoke up again as something came to mind, "Sometimes, when my sister gets upset or depressed and wants to be alone, she goes to the Throne Room. Maybe she's there."

"The throne room? Where's that?"

"That's the big long room with all the trees where you beat Kagato and rescued Aeka."

"Oh!" Tenchi suddenly perked up. "I know where that is! Come on!"

Tenchi took off at a dead run without waiting for any of the formalities usually associated with the passing of a Crown Prince. Sasami giggled as Azaka and Kamidake ran after their charge.

"Let's go watch!" Sasami urged Ryo-oh-ki, bringing-up the rear.

"Myan!" Ryo-oh-ki agreed as she struggled to keep her perch on the running girl.

When Tenchi arrived at his destination, he found Aeka's guardians doing what they do best: guarding. The were situated to either side of the Throne Room's closed portal doors.

"Ah-ha! Sasami was right! Guys, is Aeka in there?"

"Indeed she is." Azaka replied as the two knights he and his partner were based on caught up with Tenchi.

"Greetings, Knights Azaka and Kamidake." The other guardian said as the knights arrived.

"Greetings to you, Guardians Azaka and Kamidake." Kamidake the knight answered with a chuckle as he caught his breath from all the running. It was a bit of a running joke amungst the four of them regarding having the same names and personalities.

"Uh, yeah. Anyway," Tenchi urged in a hurry, "I need to talk to Aeka."

"Very well." The guardians' optical lenses flashed once and the doors to the throne room swung inward.

"However," Azaka explained, "Princess Aeka has given strict orders that only Lord Tenchi may enter unless it is the end of the world."

The others chuckled at another one of Aeka's often melodramatic pronouncements.

"I guess you guys will have to wait here." Tenchi suggested.

"Then that is what we shall do." Kamidake replied as he moved to the far side of his counterpart.

"As will I." Azaka also replied as he did the same.

Tenchi went inside, and then the doors closed behind him.

It took about thirty seconds before Sasami caught up with everyone. But when she did, she couldn't help but notice the two pair. Of course, being of the same personality, both Kamidakes spoke their greetings first.

"Good Morning, Princess Sasami."

Again, being of the same personality, both Azakas sighed at exactly the same time in the exact same manner while Sasami giggled and chuckled.

Tenchi looked around briefly, seeing if anything were different than what he remembered. As far as he could tell, nothing had changed. The only difference was seeing Aeka curled up in the throne, sound asleep. Tenchi sighed at the sight. What a time to be taking a nap. Tenchi ran down the long approach and up the stairs to the throne. He put a hand on Aeka's shoulder and gave her a good shake.

"Aeka!"

"Eh? Wha..." Aeka groggily began to respond. When she realized that she was being shaken rather vigorously, she began to object. "Stop that! I'm quite awake, now... oh! Lord Tenchi!" Realizing that she had fallen asleep, Aeka suddenly jumped to her feet, nearly knocking Tenchi down the steps.

"Oh my God! I fell asleep!"

"Yes, you did." Tenchi needlessly verified. "But that's not important right now."

"It most certainly is!" Aeka disagreed as she quickly went down the steps and started for the door. "I should be in the Main Hall holding court!"

"Aeka, wait!" Tenchi quickly ran after Aeka and caught up to her. "We have to talk."

"I'm very sorry, Lord Tenchi, but it will have to wait."

A sudden surge of impatience lanced through Tenchi and he grabbed Aeka by the elbow.

"No! We have to talk now!"

Aeka looked at Tenchi in surprise. He was never this insistant or rough.Then she recalled the situation with Ryoko.

"Oh, no, please." Aeka begged. "We've been through this already. Please let me go."

Tenchi took a deep breath to steel himself for what he knew he had to do.

"No, Aeka. Ryoko will be pardoned today, one way or another."

The tenor of Tenchi's words made Aeka pause. Curious as to what he meant by 'one way or another', she turned to look at him. Tenchi had such a serious look to him. Looking him over, she noticed that he was dressed as a prince of Jurai. Recalling Tenchi's lineage, Aeka suddenly realized what he intended if she did not pardon Ryoko herself. Her heart froze and she took a frightened step away, yanking her elbow from Tenchi's grip.

"No! You... you can't meant it! I don't believe you would ever harm another person without cause, least of all me!"

"You're right, Aeka." Tenchi calmly addressed the frightened princess. "But neither am I going to let Ryoko die."

"But I can't do what you want!" Aeka shook her head back and forth hard as she tried to deny Tenchi's wish. "I can't! I can't! I can't!"

"I know." Tenchi said with a rueful smile. "But, I wanted to ask you again, anyway, just in case you might change your mind."

"But..." Aeka stared at Tenchi as he turned and took a few steps away. "But... I thought you wanted to live on Earth! Don't you understand what this means?"

"Yes. It means I will become King of Jurai." Tenchi turned around with a laugh. "Well, if I win, that is."

Something about Tenchi's almost light-hearted talk sent a bolt of anger through Aeka. She felt appalled that he would even consider something so drastic as challenging her for the throne. But hearing him laughing about it as if it were some joke made her blood boil.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" Aeka screamed her objection with such force of spirit that she inadvertantly released a burst of energy that rippled along the ground in rolling waves of bluish-white energy.

Tenchi stared wide-eyed at Aeka's display of power. But her words rang true. Life and death were no laughing matter. Besides that, time was short. If he wanted to free Ryoko before her sentence was carried out, he had to act quickly.

"I'm sorry. I guess there's nothing left then except to fight."

Aeka stared at the floor as a tear rolled down along the bridge of her nose and then fell to the stone walkway. This whole affair was so wrong. She had felt so certain for so long that Tenchi was the one for her. But here he was threatening to kill her for the love of a woman that she despised. It was just too damn selfish of him!

"Fine." Aeka spat the word out as if it had an extremely bad taste. Taking a long breath, she raised her face. "I'll fight."

Tenchi's eyes went wide. He had not at all expected Aeka to actually fight. His plan was to just threaten Aeka with combat. She wasn't supposed to actually accept the challenge. She was supposed to tearfully concede like the demure First Princess of Jurai. But Tenchi had forgotten about Aeka's temper. He watched with growing trepidation as Aeka started to shake.

"I'll..." Aeka ground her teeth as she tried to think of something suitably wrathful to say. "I'll..." Still nothing. "I'll beat some sense into you!"

Suitably enraged, Aeka flew forward at Tenchi intending to punish him properly for breaking a young maiden's heart.

Surprised by the anger displayed on Aeka's face, Tenchi merely stepped aside without any thought to retaliation. Quickly reaching into a pocket, Tenchi withdrew the sword his grandfather had given him on their last trip to Jurai. But he had no desire to use it on Aeka. In fact, as he dodged another wild swing, he realized that Aeka was unarmed.

"Wait, Aeka."

"No!" The furious princess shouted as she lunged out for him, nearly catching a hold of his royal robes as they fluttered just out of reach. "I will not wait!"

"Aeka, you don't even have a weapon!" Tenchi shouted as he barely evaded another crazed swing.

"I don't need one!" Finally, Aeka found enough rage and anger to call forth her powers. She had to prove her point. She had to make Tenchi understand, one way or another, how she felt.

Tenchi's eyes widened as Aeka's attack suddenly quickened. One, two, three strikes he barely avoided. Only his grandfather's training kept him from taking a painful blow to the ribs or neck. But as twisted to slap aside a kick he though was aimed at his head, Aeka pulled it back and spun around, catching him square in the lower back with a spinning-heel kick.

Aeka felt a surge of elation when she felt the kick connect. Tenchi was an opponent she did not for a second believe that she could really beat. Simply scoring a hit on him was a feat to be recognized.

The spinning motion of her kick brought Aeka around so that she could see Tenchi tumbling across the walkway and into the shrubs along the side of the main walk. With hardly a thought she took two steps and leapt into the air, intending to drop a massive strike of some kind down from above while her opponent was blinded by pain and the shrubbery. But as she ascended to the maximum height of her intended trajectory and saw Tenchi sprawled out on the ground below, Aeka suddenly came to hersenses. Realizing that she was actually tryingto hurt Tenchi, Aeka felt a sudden surge of guilt and self-loathing.

Below, Tenchi was already pushing himself up from where he had fallen face-fown. Relief flooded through Aeka's heart at seeing him shake off the attack. Quickly altering her plan, Aeka came down right next to Tenchi, driving her right fist into the earth right next to him.

When something suddenly slammed down against the ground right next to him hard enough to make the ground shake, Tenchi's head snapped around to see what had happened. Aeka was planted right next to him, so close that she was very nearly on top of him. She was looking at him. There was not a hint of anger left in her eyes, only concern. She seemed frozen in time; unmoving. However, he could definitely feel one hand in the middle of his back. After several seconds of dumbfoundedly staring at each other, Tenchi suddenly realized he still had the sword hilt in his hand. Carefully pointing up a bit, he willed the blade to form just under Aeka's chin.

"Aeka, please. Conceed."

For several long seconds, they continued to stare into each others' eyes. Around them, the leaves of the trees rustled in an impossible breeze. The sound reminded Aeka that Jurai itself had chosen its next ruler. Who was she to contradict such a profound sign? But what of her oath to her deceased parents? Besides being responsible for protecting the people from the danger posed by interstellar piracy, vengeance was hers by right. How could she continue her vendetta without the power of Jurai's military at her back-and-call? It was a terrible choice that she had to make.

Normally, the only honorable alternative would be ritual suicide. Glancing down, Aeka realized that she could simply throw herself on Tenchi's sword and end the entire affair. But, the idea seemed rather unappealing, especially considering how that would effect poor Sasami. It just seemed too cowardly a tactic for Aeka.

"I... don't seem to have much choice."

"Look, Aeka. We're kind of short on time here. I don't want to be pushy, but I need an answer now."

Aeka looked from Tenchi to his sword, and back again. There was only one possible outcome.

"Very well. You win."

Tenchi heaved a tremendous sigh of relief as he let the energy blade go out.

"Thank you, Aeka."

"Don't thank me, Lord Tenchi. I think that before long, you will be cursing me, instead. You have no idea what you're in for."

"You're probably right."

Sitting up, Aeka folded her legs underneath her so that she could sit properly.

"Now go rescue your stupid pirate girl."

"Right!" Tenchi jumped up, his earlier injury forgotten in his excitement. He ran to the big double door and pulled on one immense handle. The door came open easily despite its imposing size, revealing a worried-looking Sasami and two pair of guardians.

"Tenchi?" Sasami peered past Tenchi to look for her sister. "What's going on?"

"I need a ship!" Tenchi explained, looking around. His eyes alighted on Ryo-oh-ki, who was sitting attentively on Sasami's shoulder. "Ryo-oh-ki! Perfect!"

"Myan!" the furry little cabbit meowed happily at the recognition of her presence.

Reaching out, Tenchi lifted her from Sasami's shoulder and held her up at eye level.

"How would you like to help me rescue Ryoko?"

Ryo-oh-ki promptly began squirming and yeowling with excitement.

"Okay. Let's go!" Tenchi threw Ryo-oh-ki up in the air so that she could transform into her space-ship form.

"Wait!" Sasami cried. But it was too late. Massive spires of black crystal smashed through the ceiling of the palace, bringing the arched wooden panels crashing down around them. Fortunately, with four watchful guardians present, they were well protected from the falling debris, which bounced harmlessly off of their combined energy shields.

Hearing the destruction outside the big portal doors, Aeka leapt to her feet and sprinted for the door. She had heard her sister's voice a moment ago. For the moment, she could care less about Tenchi.

"Sasami!" When she arrived and saw the damage, as well as her sister's well-being, Aeka felt both relieved, as well as a little perturbed.

"For Heaven's sake, Lord Tenchi! You're getting just as bad as..." Aeka trailed off as she realized where she was going with her objection.

"Sorry about that." Tenchi meekly apologized. "I guess I kind of forgot where I was."

Aeka sighed her exacerbation at the scene before telling Tenchi to get a move on.

"Will you please just go?"

Tenchi could sense the feelings of disappointment and betrayal in Aeka's voice. He wanted to apologize, but he had something he had to do that couldn't wait. Besides that, he felt that Aeka probably simply didn't want to hear it right now. Looking Aeka's way for a moment, he nodded, then turned to Ryo-oh-ki, who was now hovering overhead; a giant dark crystal against the background of white puffy clouds.

"Ryo-oh-ki!"

A golden glow surrounded Tenchi, pulling him up and into the waiting cabbit-ship, which then shot-off into the sky.

"Tenchi!" Sasami took a step forward with one had raised expectantly. She watched the ship disappear into the distance. For a moment she just stood starting into the sky through the torn palace ceiling. Then she turn a confused look on her sister.

"Aeka, what is going on? And why did you speak so rudely to Tenchi?" Sasami cocked her head for a seconds as an idea came to mind. "Did you two have a lovers' quarrel?"

Aeka's jaw dropped as Azaka coughed.

"Certainly not! I am not in love with that man!"

"Really?" Sasami looked doubtfully at her sister.

"Really."

Sasami's eyes narrowed even further. She knew her sister sometimes told fibs to conceal personal information.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure!" Aeka finally snapped at her sister. "Now let it be!"

Sasami recoiled in shock at the vehemence of Aeka's denial of interest in Tenchi. Even if she was being a little intrusive -- Aeka is her sister after all -- she didn't deserve to be yelled at. Her eyes grew moist and her lips began to quiver.

Seeing that she had frightened her sister, Aeka quickly tried to make things right by reaching out to Sasami and apologizing.

"I'm sorry, Sasami. I didn't mean to yell."

Trying hard to stifle her sniffles, Sasami threw herself into her sister's embrace.

"But, let's not talk about Tenchi for a while, okay?"

"All right." Sasami meekly agreed without revealing her face.

Ryoko sullenly sat in the back of a dim prisoner transport ship. With her conviction secured, Jurai Security Forces were transfering her to the appointed place of execution, where ever that may be. The interior of the transport was dull drab gray metal. No wood facade in here, where a super-powerful convict could smash her way out. In fact, Ryoko couldn't even sit up if she wanted to. It looked and felt to her as if she was wearing a full-body straight-jacket. She wondered if a crazy person felt like this when they put them in a straight-jacket. The shackles around her ankles kept her from moving her feet more than a few inches in any direction. The waist restraint was literally bonded to the wall. Her hands were still in those damnable feed-back mittens. She didn't dare to test those again. Getting knocked senseless for several hours was not something she enjoyed. Ryoko gave a small measure of thanks that she could move her head and look around, not that there was anything worth looking at. The restraints at least gave her that small freedom.

Being able to move her head seemed a laughable definition of freedom to Ryoko. She had traveled the land, sea, and stars with impunity, relying only on Ryo-oh-ki's seemingly unlimited willingness to assist her at any task, and her own strength and cunning to stay one step ahead of the bounty-hunters and police. Now, the legend that was The Space-Pirate Ryoko was coming to an end.

Somehow, Ryoko had always known it would be a guy that would bring her down. She just hadn't been able to resist the faint hope that she might someday find something significant with someone. She had always just kind of laughed at herself when ever that particular thought crossed her mind. But deep down, that small seed of a dream had stayed dormant until the day she had literally fallen right into Tenchi's back yard.

Ryoko was used to men either attacking her on sight, or attempting to sweep her off her feet and into their beds. At first, when she had awoken at the bottom of a crater to see Tenchi offering assistance, she had thought he was trying something like the latter. It had quickly become obvious that Tenchi was actually a nice guy and only wanted to help. Taking advantage of his well-meant generousity had been all too easy, and his father sure hadn't minded. But Tenchi hadn't taken advantage of the situation. Instead, he refused her time and again without resorting to put-downs or insults. She had relished the challenge of a man whom she couldn't seduce just by flashing a pretty smile or rubbing up against. Tenchi was not ruled by his libido, like so many other men, but by his heart.

Absent a physical relationship, Tenchi had shown her trust and friendship; attributes that were few and far between amungst space-pirates. Those feelings she treasured far more than any other mere physical gratification. Even more, Ryoko had felt the small seed of hope for more begin to grow into something more. But she couldn't leave well enough alone. She had to push, and push, and push some more until the whole thing exploded in her face. Now she was locked up alone in a police transport on her way to her doom.

Seeing Tenchi's concerned reaction at the trial had given her a much needed boost of faith. But would he come? Back on Caladan he had told her he couldn't be with her. She knew that careening around the galaxy without regard for law and reason was not what he desired. Tenchi was above all, a good-guy. He didn't break laws just to satisfy his own desires. But Ryoko didn't believe that Tenchi would abandon her if there was any legitimate way for him to effect her release.

The possibility that Tenchi might let her go simply because he was too much of a good-guy began to eat away at the meager supply of faith that Ryoko kept hidden deep inside where no one could steal it away. Hope and faith were in even shorter supply than friends.

Staring at her encased hands, she felt her eyes begin to burn with doubt. It was such a tiresome burden; trying to figure out what Tenchi would do. Tired of thinking about the odds of a rescue because thinking made her doubt, Ryoko started talking to herself for company.

"Dammit, what's taking so long?"

There was, of course, no response. Ryoko tried to force out the idea that Tenchi would abandon her by shaking her head.

"I don't believe it. You're the good-guy. You're supposed to rescue me, like last time."

Only the soft hum of anti-grav engines could be heard within the confines of the transport. Just like her last visit to Jurai, Ryoko was leaving with the expectation of dying alone. If Tenchi was going to rescue her, it would have to be soon. Doubt gnawed at her insides like a parasite sucking out all the good things and leaving only the unwanted bad things. Before long, there was almost nothing left except frustration, disappointment, and anger.

"No!" Ryoko shook her head as hard as she could trying to shake off the melancholy and defeatist attitude. "I don't believe it."

Or did she? There was one consolation. Even if Tenchi had abandoned her, Ryo-oh-ki would not. No one would be able to hold her back if she finally got it into her furry little mind to mount a jail-break. But if Ryo-oh-ki came to rescue her, Ryoko would have no choice but to continue on as a space-pirate. Somehow that just didn't seem so appealing anymore. Primarily, she felt concerned over how Tenchi might think of her if she went back to piracy. No doubt he would be disappointed. So what other choice was there? Trapped in a maze of her own making, Ryoko ground her teeth as the frustration mounted.

"Dammit, Tenchi!"

The small vessel suddenly lurched left, and then right, throwing Ryoko sharply against her immovable bonds. A moment later she heard the voice of the driver.

"Keep it quiet back there."

Ryoko's barely restrained anger boiled quickly to the surface.

"Go fuck yourself!"

The driver chose not to respond, robbing Ryoko of the satisfaction of hearing his startled voice.

"Sorry son of a bitch..." Ryoko grumbled to herself. But who was the sorry one here?

The flight went on without further event for some minutes until Ryoko suddenly received a mental communique from her best little friend in the galaxy, Ryo-oh-ki. It was gratifying to know that somebody out there still cared about her. But that brought her right back to Tenchi. How would he feel about her breaking out? Considering his reaction still made her hesitate. The only thing Ryoko could think of that would allow her to go on with life was to forget about him. It seemed that part of her life was over.

"I guess this is it, then." Ryoko sighed with regret. "So much for happily ever after."

The ship suddenly lurched to one side, throwing Ryoko against her chains again. She didn't complain this time. Thuds of sound came through the hull of the ship as it took a couple of close weapon strikes. The ship swung violently to one side, then Ryoko suddenly began to feel a little light-headed. She quickly realized that she was in free-fall.

"Crap. This might hurt." Ryoko braced herself for the inevitable impact. "If you kill me during this rescue, I will be pissed!"

As much as she tried to anticipate the crash-landing, it still took Ryoko by surprise. The ship lurched hard as it struck, throwing Ryoko around in her restraints like a rag-doll in a dog's jaws. Definitely not a pleasant experience.

After entirely too many joint-ripping shocks and jolts, the ship stopped moving. Ryoko lifted her throbbing head to take stock of her situation. The box-shaped interior of her transport was almost totally dark. A small mote of light seemed to be entering from what had once been the sealed door. Other than that, she could see nothing. For the moment, she was alone in the dark. Then there was a scratching at the door and a sound normally associated with a cat.

"Mya-mya!"

Ryoko was about to answer when a second voice came through the door.

"Ryoko, can you hear me?"

Ryoko's head snapped up at the sound of Tenchi's voice.

"Tenchi!"

"Hold on! I'll get you out of there!"

Ryoko couldn't believe her ears. It was the sweetest sound she had ever heard. Tenchi was here! He was the one breaking her out. She had never imagined that he would do such a thing. She cursed herself for ever doubting him.

Suddenly, the compartment was filled with light as Tenchi's sword sliced the doors to ribbons. The metal fell apart, flooding the ship with the bright light of Jurai's sun. Ryoko squinted in the bright sunshine, hoping to get a better look at her savior as he rushed in to free her.

"Ryoko!" Tenchi dropped the sword as he went to his knees in front of Ryoko to take stock of her condition.

Ryoko finally got a better look at Tenchi now that he wasn't standing framed in the bright sunlight. She hardly cared that he was dressed as a Jurai nobleman. It was him, and that was all that mattered. Not wanting to appear totally pathetic to Tenchi, Ryoko put on the bravest front that she could.

"What took you so long?"

Now that he was here, with Ryoko right before him, Tenchi found himself at a loss of what to say or do. He'd never before been in this situation. He wanted to say everything at once, and yet he couldn't say anything at all. All he could do was to just look at Ryoko and see that she was all right. Tenchi tried to take Ryoko's hands, but he found that she was still wearing those feed-back mittens. He scowled hatefully at the devices.

"Were's the keys to these things?"

"Probably up front with the driver."

"Hold on. I'll be right back." Tenchi retrieved his sword and then walked out the back to liberate those keys from their current owner.

Ryoko waited, impatiently tapping her toes on the bare metal floor. As she sat waiting, Ryo-oh-ki came bounding in and hopped up on her lap.

"Mya?" She looked up at Ryoko apparently inquiring as to her condition.

"Better now, thanks." Ryoko actually smiled at the concern being shown her. "I'll pet you as soon Tenchi gets the keys."

"Mya!"

"Hey, you can't -- oof!" The objections of the driver were cut short. Ryoko didn't try to imagine what Tenchi had done to stop the objections. He obviously wasn't in any mood for it. She loved it when his protective instincts came through. A moment later, the young man came back inside bearing a short wooden rod.

"Is this it?"

"Yeah, that's it."

Tenchi turned his attention first to Ryoko's manacles and chains, then to the feed-back mittens. As he worked on the unwanted decorations, Ryoko sat quietly, waiting for the right moment to really express how she felt.

"So... what's this all about?"

"I'm setting you free." Tenchi answered quickly.

"Yeah, but... I thought you didn't want to have anything to do with this sort of thing."

"What sort of thing?" Tenchi examined the feedback mittens, looking for some place where he was meant to place the key in order to remove them.

Ryoko turned her hands over, exposing the proper place for the key.

"Jail-breaks."

Tenchi shook his head. "This isn't a jail-break."

"Could have fooled me."

"Nope. This is all totally legal." Matching the key to the gloves finally caused the accursed device to fall away from Ryoko's hands.

As Ryoko lifted her hands to scratch at Ryo-oh-ki's ears as she had promised, Tenchi took them and held her hands tightly.

"Ryoko, you're free. You've been pardoned."

Ryoko's eyes went wide as saucers.

"How the hell did you get Aeka to do that?"

Tenchi's confidence seemed to falter and he looked away for a second.

"Well... it's kind of a long story. But..." Tenchi returned his gaze to Ryoko. "But what's important is that you're still alive."

Ryoko could sense that something was different with Tenchi. Something had changed since they had last spoken. The way he was looking at her, the way he was holding her hands, and the way he was talking to her, it all seemed different, more tender.

"Why are you doing this?" Looking down at Tenchi's hands in her own, she couldn't figure out what had happened to change his opinion of her so radically. "What's... what's going on?"

"Ryoko, I... I'm not really sure how to say this. I just know how I feel. When I heard they wanted to execute you, I just couldn't allow that to happen. I'm sorry it took so long to get you out. But, I wanted to make sure I'd tried all the legal options first."

Ryoko grinned. That was so like Tenchi.

"Are you saying that you were thinking of illegal options?"

"Yes, I was." Tenchi nodded. "I'd have broken you out if I had to."

Ryoko's grin began to grow. She glanced down for a second out of embarrassment. She was beginning to see the pattern in what Tenchi was saying.

"But I thought you couldn't live the life of a pirate."

Tenchi hesitated to answer. He had known this would come up, and he still wasn't sure how to respond. He was going on gut feelings now. Sometimes gut feelings led one along a strange and twisted path. But this path wasn't so twisted. He just had to tell Ryoko how he felt. Easier said than done.

"I'm sorry for hurting your feelings, Ryoko. That's the last thing I want. But its also true that I don't want to live my life as a criminal. Now, we don't have to. You have a second chance! You don't have to be a pirate anymore."

"Really?"

"Really." Tenchi nodded firmly.

Ryoko sighed with relief. She could feel all the concerns and worries of a rough life sloughing away. She would no longer be hunted. Now she could concentrate on the things that made life worth living, like expressing her profound appreciation to Tenchi not just for saving her life, but also for finally understanding how she felt about him.

"Well," Carefully, Ryoko picked up Ryo-oh-ki and set her aside, despite the creature's sad sounding objection. "I guess that just leaves one thing."

"Huh?" Tenchi looked quizically into her eyes. "What?"

"This." Laughing with delight, Ryoko leapt into his arms, knocking him flat on his back. "You are the coolest!"

"Whoa!" Tenchi laughed at Ryoko's overwhelming enthusiasm. "So, am I forgiven?"

"Hell, yeah!" Ryoko agreed as she dug her fingers into Tenchi shoulders. "Hell, yeah."

Seeing that all was as it should be, Tenchi put his arms around Ryoko. "I'm sorry for being such a fool."

"Forget it." Ryoko mumbled into his neck as the sound of police sirens began to wail nearby. "Just..." Unable to find words to express how she felt, Ryoko just held Tenchi tighter. "Just hold me."

Tenchi did exactly that as more and more sirens came closer and closer. Though he ached to just lay here like this for as long as he pleased, Tenchi couldn't ignore when someone suddenly jumped into the ruined transport and started yelling at them.

"Freeze!" Kiyone Makibi screeched at the top of her lungs while pointing a GP-issue blaster at the couple on the floor of the transport. "Space-Pirate Ryoko, Tenchi Masaki, this is the Galaxy Police! Give yourselves up!"

"Yeah!" Mihoshi agreed just as loudly though she seemed to be giggling as if something were funny. "Or you'll be sorry!"

Tenchi nearly jumped out of his skin at getting caught snuggling with a girl. Scrambling to his feet he tried unsuccessfully to explain the incriminating situation.

"Kiyone! Mihoshi! I.. well... that is... uh..."

Ryo-oh-ki started growling and hissing at the police officers, while Ryoko voiced her displeasure at being interrupted.

"Scram! Or I'll sick her on ya!""

"Give yourselves up to us," Kiyone went on in a firm but quieter voice, "before the proper authorities get here."

Mihoshi smiled and flashed them a victory sign.

"Oh, thank God." Tenchi sighed a breath of relief. "But..."

"Come on, come on!" Kiyone grabbed him by the arm and hauled him out of the vehicle to reveal the red-colored GP cruiser floating overhead. "We haven't got all day! I even brought Yagami itself into the atmosphere. We're forbidden from doing that, you know."

Seeing that these two officers of the law were on her side for once, Ryoko went along. But there were some things that apparently needed explaining.

"Hey, Kiyone. I appreciate the assist and all, but Tenchi says this is legit."

"I don't want to hear about it." Kiyone just shook her head and sighed. "I'm probably ending my career helping you two out like this."

"But, Kiyone." Tnchi also explained. "It's true. Aeka wouldn't pardon Ryoko so I challenged her for the Jurai throne so that I could do it."

"You did what!" Both Kiyone and Ryoko exclaimed in open astonishment.

"Really? Wow!" Mihoshi applauded his initiative. "That's so sweet! You must really love Ryoko a lot!"

Tenchi's face went beet-red as Ryoko looked on him with admiration and respect. She knew that he prefered his quiet life in Okayama. If what he was saying was true, then he was giving up everything he valued so that she could live on in freedom.

"Did you win?" Kiyone asked.

"Well, Aeka conceeded. So... yeah. I guess I did." Tenchi replied, unsure why Kiyone was so concerned.

"Holy shit." Kiyone swore in total disblief.

"Kiyone." Mihoshi mildly admonished her partner with a grin. "You're not supposed to swear in uniform."

"Put a cork in it, airhead. If Tenchi really did beat Aeka in a duel of succession, then he can pardon anyone he wants."

"Is that so?" Mihoshi asked as if she had never heard of the concept of a pardon before today. "So Ryoko doesn't have to be executed or go to jail or anything?"

"No, Mihoshi." Kiyone's head drooped with disgust at her partner. "She doesn't."

"Oh, that's so wonderful! Congratulation, Ryoko!" Mihoshi charged over and gave Ryoko a big hug.

"Thanks." Ryoko reluctantly accepted the congratulations in the manner it was intended.

"Sorry. Just one more question." Kiyone waved a hand while rubbing at her temple with the other. "Has anyone bothered to announce all this to the public? Or... I don't know... maybe... the police!"

"Uh..."

"Damn!" Ryoko swore, thinking of the princess Tenchi had left back in the palace. "That girl just can't let stand losing!"

"Right." Kiyone proclaimed. "Everybody on board!" Raising her left hand, the officer pressed a botton on some sort of control unit at her wrist, and the pale yellow light of a GP-issue transporter beam engulfed the group. Just before the beam took them, Ryoko took Tenchi's arm with both hands. He looked at her and smiled.

END.

AFTERWORD: While I look forward to reading all the reviews for the conclusion of this story, I regret that I may not be able to reply promptly. The source of my monthly pay-check (the US Army) has decided that I will be sent to a very hot and dry place. I will endeavor to keep my head attached to my neck until I return late in 2007. My sincere thanks to all those who have written to me with opinions, critiques, and suggestions on my story.