Chapter 8: Sasami Jurai, the Princess

"We do apologize. Let me be the introduer. My name is Ash." Ash turns and points to the group. "Over there's Alphonse, Asuka, Junpei, Kari, Koga, and Rin."

"Please to meet you. I'm Tenchi...Tenchi Misaki." The two shook hands, as Rin and Kari approached the two. "So about these keys, what are the purposes of them?"

"Right now, all we know is who the key chooses as a team traveler," Kari replied.

"When we get more information, we'll try to tell you, Misaki," Rin acknowledged. Ash was feeling a little creeped out by having two of the girls stand side-by-side like they were.

"Why don't we talk about it in the house," Tenchi studdered. "I'm sure Grampa would know more about this than I do." Everyone nodded and followed Tenchi up the staircase, except for Koga and Junpei, who were feeling something suspicious.

"His girls he says," Junpei whispered. "Does he run a brothel up there?"

"Who knows," Koga shrugged. "Maybe they're pretty hot."

"You want hot, try Miss Airi."

"Who?" That's when Asuka stepped back downstairs and saw the two talking.

"Hey, Koager, Jerk Pain, come on." Both men shot a mean look at Asuka, who ran back up the staircase.

"I tell ya, that girl has such an attitude." They followed their friends up the staircase. "Although, a brothel might not sound so bad right about now." Then, a woman with bleached light blue hair and in a blue robe appeared.

"Yay, Tenchi's home," she cheered as she hugged the guy in uniform, which startled Tenchi.

"G-Good afternoon, Ryoko," he said.

"How was your day? I bet your exhausted."

"I'm fine, but was surprised by the exsistence of these people." Ryoko looked over to Ash and the others.

"I bet Washu would have fun with the blonde."

"Me?" Al wondered as he pointed to himself.

"Let's just get everyone together in the living room, alright?" Tenchi asked. With a nod from Ryoko, she flew up the stairs as the others climbed. A little while later, the group, as well as Tenchi and Ryoko, sat patiently for the rest. Then, a gray cat/rabbit hybrid with large yellow eyes, leaped from behind the couch and on to Asuka's lap, which scared her. "Hey, Ryo-oki." The hybrid scampered over to Tenchi.

"What's was that all about?" Asuka whined.

"Relax. Ryo-oki's a little playful sometimes," Ryoko smugged. Junpei appeared annoyed.

"May I ask who these other girls are, before I lose my nerve," he groaned. That's when two more girls: one a tall, young woman with dimmed violet hair, and the other half the first's size with wild aqua, pigtailed hair and freckles decorated around her little nose.

"Oh, Lord Tenchi," the violet-haired girl started. "I had no idea you had more guests. Forgive me, I am Ayeka, princess and future heir to the throne of Jurai." Ayeka bowed to the group, in which Ash, Rin and Al bowed back to be polite. Asuka noticed the little aqua-haired.

"Is that your sister?" she asked.

"She is. This is Sasami."

"Hello, everyone," Sasami said as she bowed as well.

"It's nice to make your aquaintence," Kari happily said.

"Not like a certain someone who jumped out from before," Rin moaned, mentioning Ryoko.

"Hey, I was anxiously waiting for Tenchi to get home," Ryoko growled. Sasami, then, walked up to Ash, in which he saw.

"So, Sasami is your name," Ash said with a smile. "It's pretty cute."

"Speak for yourself, you handsome knight, you," Sasami grinned, causing Ash to blush, and sheepishly chuckle. "Especally with that princess in the corner." Ash looked over to Kari, who happened to be chatting with Ayeka.

"You mean Kari?"

"I hate to admit it, but I believe her name is cuter than mine. What is it, fully?"

"Hikari Kamiya." This saddened Sasami

"Okay."

"Don't let it get to you, since a name is a name. It's who you are that makes you." That brightened her mood. That's when two more women make their appearance: One was a blonde, tanned girl who didn't appear to be intelligent, from the look in Rin's eyes. The other was a tall, forest green haired woman with a red headband, and a serious look.

"Tenchi, didn't your grandpa say no more people could stay here?" the blonde questioned.

"Mihoshi, let me explain," Tenchi pleaded. "This group are searching for a key that'll get them to some sort of trip somewhere." Mihoshi didn't believe it.

"A likely story."

"Mihoshi!" the green-haired shouted.

"Kiyone, they don't have any reason to be here in the first place." That's when Koga brought out his key.

"Well, then, why don't you take a look at this," he said. Tenchi's girls, who were in the room, peered at his key in awe, because of the luster. Rin was rather disgusted at the site, and decided to walk out. A little while later, she located some sort of exercise site, with lake-like set of wooden steps, and a piece of wood, tied to a rope, barely reachable.

"This'll get my mind off the situation," Rin moaned. Then, she unsheathed her sword and started to strike the wood. Every strike, she leaped to another step, and swung. Then, an elderly man with gray hair stepped out and saw Rin.

"It seems that my grandson's workout sessions have gotten your interests, young lady," he bellowed. Rin stopped moving when his voice was heard. Rin walked over to the man.

"I do apologize. I was trying to get my mind off what was going on back with Misaki and his girls."

"Makes sense. I am Yosho, Tenchi's grandfather and runner of the Misaki Shrine."

"I am Rin Kamishiro, a student of Aoi Academy and Key Quest traveler. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here."

"I actually know what Misaki's situation is like, since the same thing is occuring with Shikimori and Ketchum right now."

"Who are Shikimori and Ketchum?"

"Shikimori is a schoolmate of mine, and good friend, and Ketchum is a partner with me in a quest to find the Queen's keys and it's members." Yosho walked over to the practice ground and had an idea.

"Washu, can you call Tenchi over here?" That's when a short woman with large pink hair, stepped forward.

"Who is this?"

"Well, my name is Washu," Washu spoke softly. Then, she yelled, "the greatest scientist in the entire galaxy!" A small Washu-like doll appeared on her left shoulder, with an 'A' on her belt.

"You are Washu, you are the greatest," the doll said. Another doll, with a 'B' on her belt, popped up on her right shoulder.

"You are Washu, you are the best," that doll cheered. Then, in unison, with Washu laughing, cheered, "Washu, Washu, you're number 1. Horray for Washu!" Rin was cluching her head from the cheering prep, like it was a headache.

"This is so mortifying," she groaned.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'll get Tenchi," Washu grinned, and walked off. Back at the household, Sasami and Kari were both preparing dinner for the whole bunch, when the phone rang, but Tenchi happened to be next to it, and picked it up.

"This is the Misaki residence," he said. An older male voice came on the other line.

"Tenchi, it's me," he sounded.

"Oh, hi Dad."

"Tenchi, I'm going to home late again so can you have Sasami make some extra food? I'll be starving when I get back."

"Sure thing, Dad. Later." Tenchi hung the phone back up, then entered the kitchen, seeing the girls and becoming overwhelmed by the smell of something good. "Whatever you ladies are cooking, smells quite sweet."

"Well, at least you won't be disapointed when it's ready," Sasami smirked. She, then, turned to Kari. "I'll take care of the rest. You can go to see Ash. I'll have someone tell you when it's ready." Kari nodded, and exited the house just as Washu entered.

"Tenchi," she called over.

"What is it Washu?" Tenchi asked as he walked over. The pink haired shot a pseudo-mean look. "I'm sorry." He bowed his head. "What is it, lil' Washu?"

"That's better. Grandpa wants you over to the training grounds. It has to do something with that Rin girl."

"I'm on my way." With that, Tenchi exited as Al was writing formulas on a notebook that he picked up in NYC. Washu noticed and walked over to him. By the notebook was a stack of his alchemy slips, and a bunch of bananas.

"What'cha working on?"

"A formula on some of the equations that I've performed in our journey," Al said.

"Can I take a look at what you have down?" Al was surprised that someone would be interested in his work. "Well, scientists have to look out for each other."

"You're a scientist?"

"That's right. Want to see my lab?" Both head to the closet door and entered it, with Al closing the door. Meanwhile, Asuka was sleeping on a hammock while Koga, Kiyone, Junpei, and Mihoshi, as well as Pikachu and Gatomon were working on the yard: Junpei was handchopping firewood, Koga and Kiyone were gardening some carrots, and Mihoshi was peeling potatoes. Pikachu and Gatomon helped stack the chopped firewood.

"Hey Asuka, we could use a little assistance," Koga called out. Asuka woke up, and looked over to the working bunch.

"What we should be doing is looking for that key," Asuka bellowed. Gatomon peered at Asuka, then, over to Koga.

"I know Asuka's got a point, but why can't we just put that thing aside?" the Digicat said. "Besides, we might need sometime to do this when we get back home, whenever that happens." Gatomon, then peeked over to Mihoshi, and saw the potatoes cleanly peeled. "Awsome job, Mihoshi."

"Thanks," she replied. "Say, what happened to Ash?"

"Well, when he left, he told me he was going to pay a visit to the shrine," Junpei answered. "I think Kari might have something to do with that kind of behavior."

"Nah, I think it was that tragedy," Asuka corrected. "Though, I think he's overdoing it."

"What's so wrong about that, praying to the shrine?" Kiyone questioned as she put the hoe down. "He has a totally different personality than both Ryoko and Mihoshi combined."

"He sorta does remind me of Tenchi, doesn't he?" Mihoshi wondered.

"As a matter of fact, he does."

"Oh, please, like a young man that has barely been in our exsistence in such a short time has look alikes," Asuka moaned.

"Well, don't you have any interests in him?"

"Absolutley not! He has no distinct features that would catch my attention. Rinny and Kari might have."

"Well, does anyone in the group have your interests?" Junpei asked. Asuka shook her head. Meantime, Ash was sitting at a beautiful scene on a hilltop, seeing a sea of multi-colored trees with the leaves swaying at the gentle breeze. Then, Ayeka saw the trainer and walked over to his side.

"Beautiful sight, isn't it?" she asked as she sat down next to him.

"It is," Ash softly spoke.

"This was the place Lord Tenchi had taken me, when I first arrived here on Earth. The trees that autumn had a feeling of healing and calm as the winds drifted the leaves far and wide."

"Does the same thing happen on Jurai, too?"

"Yes. Both Earth and Jurai are somewhat different, but the beauty of both are quite remarkable."

"Y'know, as a trainer, I hardly have any time to check out the sights that have this kind of trainquility that an artist would grab his easil and start painting. Not that I detest these sites, I just don't get the time to look. I guess this gives me a whole new perspetive on what living out in the beauty of nature means." That's when Kari arrived.

"Ah, dear Kari, you're just in time."

"What do you mean?" she asked. Ayeka stood up, as to say something important.

"Miss Kari, sir Ash, come with me." Both Ash and Kari shot a confused look at each other as Ayeka started to walk away. Meanwhile, Rin and Tenchi were swatting the hung log back and forth with wooden swords while jumping from log step to log step. Yosho appeared to be happy as he had never scene anyone with eqivilent skills compared to his grandson when Ryoko appeared.

"What is Lord Tenchi doing with that woman?" she asked with a little steam.

"I asked him to train Rin with this," Yosho grunted. "...And from what I'm seeing, they have this thing on the spot."

"The way they're doing it is like tennis. I've seen this stuff on TV." During this, Ash, Ayeka and Kari had arrived at a small lake, surrounding a large tree. Ayeka walked to the stone steps and hopped to the tree, followed by Ash and Kari.

"So what's with this tree, miss Ayeka?" Kari asked.

"This tree was once a Juraian spaceship that crashed into Earth almost 700 years ago," Ayeka explained. "They say that the Juraian who survived had lived on earth for that long, although I find that difficult to believe. Lord Tenchi was told this story of a war in the galactic surroundings across Jurai by his grandfather, before he told me about it. Of course, this is where I started to fall in love with Lord Tenchi. I think this tree has a special ability for a couple who happened to be coming around here and embrace the tree. Whether or not these things are true, only matters upon what your hearts tell you, and your friends. Why don't you two give it a try?"

"Alright," Ash said, unconvinced. He approached the tree, and touched it with his palm. Kari did the same, but placed her palm on Ash's. "Kari..."

"Ash, maybe this can tell if we were meant to be together," Kari said with a smile. "If not, then, my best guess would be with T.K."

"Who knows, maybe mine would be Misty. However..." Then, the spot where Ash's hand was, started to glow brightly. The three were in awe as the glow radiated into the lake, causing it to glow. 20 seconds later, the glow dissapated. "What just happened?" Then, Ryo-oki and Kilala arrived and sounded to the three by the tree. "Hey, Kilala."

"Ryo-oki, is dinner ready?" Ayeka wondered. Ryo-oki meowed in saying "yes." "Thank you. Tell Lord Tenchi, right away." Ryo-oki scampered off to find Tenchi as Ayeka turned to the other two. "Shall we?" After Ash and Kari nodded, they headed back to the house, to eat and to sleep. The next morning, Tenchi and Kiyone were heading out the door when their footsteps woke Rin up.

"It's 6:00 in the morning," she groaned. "What are you two doing up this morning?"

"Sorry, Rin," Kiyone whispered. "I've got duty to go to. A Galaxy Police officer should always be on duty."

"Unlike, someone else," Tenchi quietly snorted. "Besides, I've got school. I have a tutoring session to attend." With that, they both exited the house. Then, a knocking at the closet door catches Rin's attention, followed by the door opening.

"Hey Sasami," Al said as Sasami presented a tray with a pot of fresh brewed coffee, along with two white coffee cups, a small cartons of coffee creamer and sugar, and a basket full of doughnut holes. "A little pick-me-up?"

"Yeah, what are you guys doing down there?" she asked.

"Well, Washu wants to combine a little chemistry with my alchemy. She wants to know how the 'first law of equivilent exchange' functions."

"What's the first law?"

"'Humankind cannot gain anything without sacrifice. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.' I don't know if I can say you bringing this to us for your happiness is considered equivilent exchange." Sasami giggled at the comment, like he was kidding.

"I don't know. I think otherwise." Al started to giggle, since it was funny and cute at the same time. Then, footsteps were heard from the staircase. Rin had a better angle at the person walking to the front door.

"Ketchum?" Rin whispered in concern. Ash walked over to the door, opened it and walked outside like he was in a trance. He continued to walk, zombie-like, as he was moving to an unknown destination. Rin decided to follow Ash, worried that whatever he was doing might hurt him in what she belived was him sleepwalking. Sasami handed the tray to Al and followed Rin. Later, Ash arrived at the tree Ayeka mentioned, and proceeded to the stonesteps up to the tree. Rin and Sasami entered the scene afterwards. For a few tense seconds, no one moved as neither girl knew what Ash's intentions were. Then, he lifted his head and looked up to the branches, thinking that he might have seen something up there. He grabbed his key, and pointed to the branches. The key started to glow as the sun was rising, making the key look like the rays were bouncing of the key. Spotting the sun, he covered the key from it with his hand, but the glow still shone. "I see, he's found the key up there on the tree."

"The key is in the branches?" Sasami ran up to Ash, still worried. "Ash, are you okay?" Ash looked at the blue-haired individual, confused.

"How long have you been up?" he worryingly wondered, when he saw tired eyes on Sasami.

"An hour, trying to make breakfast," she weakly croaked.

"Poor thing." He quickly hugged the little Juraian. Rin strolled to the two and put a hand on both shoulders as a sign of comfort. Ash looked over at the swordswoman, and gave her a half-hearted smile. "Thanks, Rin."

"Ketchum, what about the key?" Rin pointed out. Ash had an idea, that would involve all three. Ash climbed a branch and reached down to get Sasami, who got a lift on Rin's shoulders. Sasami stretched her little arms out and clung onto Ash, who pulled her up into the tree, and started to search branch from branch. Then...

"Ash, Rin, I found it!" she cheered. Ash shimmied over to Sasami and saw...

"Queen's key, number eight," he said. Then, the branch she was on snapped, causing her to fall, but Ash was quick and caught her hand, stopping her desent into the lake. That's when he felt the key in Sasami's hand. "Rin, she's the eighth chosen."

"She's what?" Rin shrieked.

"Can you get her? I'm losing my grip." Rin and Sasami reached for each other, but Sasami's arms weren't long enough, making them both panicked.

"I can't. Ketchum, I can't."

"Hold on, I'll swing her to you, all right?" Rin nodded, accepting the plan. "Sammy, listen. I'm gonna swing you over to Rin. Hold on to that key." Sasami nodded, even accepting him calling her 'Sammy.' Using the arm strength that's quickly depleteing, he started to sway Sasami back and forth, until he threw her, where Rin caught the child with open arms. A moment passed when everyone took a comforting sigh. "You girls alright?" Both looked up and nodded with a smile. Ryoko and Ayeka, then, arrived at the tree, and was wondering what had occured.

"Sasami?" Ayeka screamed in worriness as she ran up to her younger sister, and hugged her. Ryoko saw Ash on the tree.

"You need a hand, monkey man?" she jokingly asked. Ash was starting to get angry but let it subside when she knew he needed to get down, and sighed.

"Please?" he moaned. Ryoko teleported up to Ash and turned her back to him.

"Hop on, Ash." When he acknowledged a smile, he jumped on her back, which she teleported to the ground. Ayeka expressed how upset she was with Sasami being up the tree.

"Sasami, what were you thinking, climbing onto the tree like that?" Ayeka whimpered. "You could've been hurt. You know how worried sick I am."

"Ayeka, I have to go, soon," Sasami bellowed as she flashed the key. Ayeka tried to grab the key out of Sasami's hand, when her hand phased through the key. Ayeka tried and tried again, but the key kept denying her.

"It's pointless, Ayeka," Rin muttered. "Sasami is coming with us. It's her destiny."

"I refused to belive it," Ayeka roared in defense. Ryoko, then, approached Ayeka to comfort her.

"Let it go, Ayeka," she said in an understanding tone.

"Why don't we all talk about it over breakfast," Ash said. Later, at the house, everyone was awake and had gathered in the living room, where the eight keys were laid on the table.

"Eight keys," Asuka said.

"Ash, Alphonse, Asuka, Rin, Junpei, Kari, me, and now lil' Sasami," Koga recalled.

"How many more keys must we find?" Junpei growled.

"Maybe several more, maybe a couple," Kari guessed.

"I guess our next question is based on our next destination," Al pondered. "The ninth key should be around there somewhere."

"...But where?" Ash questioned.

"I guess we find that portal," Rin moaned.

"Well, then what are we waiting for?" Sasami said. "Let's go." Just then, an arguement is heard outside, and after the eight get thier keys, stepped out. It was Ryoko and Ayeka, fighting at each other, over plans for Tenchi. "Typical." That's when the portal arrived to the side, when an energy shot from Ryoko missed Ayeka, but exploded on the ground, and forced the eight into the portal, unconcious...

ASH'S P.O.V.

The explosion knocked us all out as we entered the portal. Was I dead? No, I can't be. I'm still able to think, but was it all a dream? Did I actually meet all those people? Did I actually get my hand held by...her? Even...that kiss? Just then I heard a voice call out for me. "Ash? Ash are you okay?" I slowly opened my eyes, and in front of me was a tall redhead wearing her hair in a normal, everyday ponytail. The pink shirt was the real wakeup call.

"Mom? What are you-" My words were cut short when she hugged me in relief and started to cry.

"Oh, son. Thank goodness, you're okay." I was in an entire state of confusion, because I was not aware of my surroundings. Then, a ghost popped out in front of my eyes.

"Ash, what just happened and where are we?" It was Elizabeth. Elizabeth! How on Earth did she find herself here?

"If you're here," I started. "Then, that means..." That's when I felt a lot of weight on my arm and found Kari clucthing on, tightly. By her was Pikachu, Gatomon, Kilala, and Ryo-oki, also KO'ed. It was too much for me, and I succumbed to the stress and confusioned, and passed out again. Why me? I'm home, but so are the others. Prof. Oak won't believe it, even if the truth was told.

TO BE CONTINUED...
Ash and Co. are now back in Pallet Town, but they have no idea what had happened or why the keys selected them. Several pieces will be uncovered as a prophecy will be dug up, Asuka will learn the truth of Ash's laughter back in Tokyo-3, Rin will confess a little something to Ash, and what was Gary's surprise to Brock? Won't it be an interesting next chapter.