Hello. Welcome to the next chapter of Shogun Muyo. If you haven't read any of the other chapters yet, I suggest you read them first, if not please continue.

I do not own any of the Tenchi Muyo characters and I am in no way making a profit off of writing this story. I am writing purely for the enjoyment of it. Now I bring to you:

Shogun Muyo: Chapter 8- The Demon and the Dragon

The warmth of the water was caressing and nurturing. The mist from the heat of the water gave an otherworldly effect on the surrounding objects in the room. It appeared to be a junction between life and the afterlife. The individual taking in the sites of this otherworldly place was cleansing herself of the filth she collected onto her body during her hard journey. She could not however, seem to cleanse her soul of the filth. All she could seem to do was let her muscles relax and enjoy the quiet serenity of the onsen.
Ayeka was so caught up in enjoying the water; she failed to notice the company that came into the room until she entered the water. Startled, she quickly turned her head and inhaled a sharp gasp. Her muscles no longer relaxed tensed all over, in preparation for whatever was going to happen to her next. Seeing who it was, she allowed her body to relax itself. Releasing the breath she took in, breathing returning to normal and allowed her body to sink back into place.

"My aren't we tense."

"You startled me Ryoko."

"I'm sorry."

Ayeka turned her head to Ryoko quickly, her face displayed amazement and disbelieve at Ryoko. That had to have been the first time she had ever heard Ryoko apologize to her. She saw Ryoko had her back to Ayeka reaching for something. Knowing she didn't see the expression on her face, she returned her face to its normal expression. Ryoko turned back around with a tray that held a couple of bottles of sake.

"Sake?"

"That would be nice."

Each of them poured their amounts of sake into their drinking bowls and sipped the drink. Ayeka enjoyed the warm feeling the sake had on the back of her throat. The liquid warmed its way down her throat and headed toward her stomach.

"So I guess your enjoying the extra attention from everyone." Ryoko said resting her head against the side of the pool.

"It's comforting. Tell me, this Daimyo, he's from Draka?"

"Ah, yeah he appeared in the spot where you disappeared. He's a stuck up jerk sometimes, but he has some moments when you can like him. I think everyone likes him, Sasami seems to have taken to him a little."

"Has he ever. . . been alone with her?" Ayeka asked with a hint of fear and concern in her voice.

"I guess, everyone kind of does their own thing in the days, you know that Ayeka. Why do you ask?"

"Is he. . .decent?"

Ryoko felt a little shocked at her question. "Like I said he's full of himself, but I wouldn't believe he'd try to take advantage of Sasami. What made you ask a question like that?"

The sudden sound of the screen door sliding open gathered the two's attention away from the conversation between each other. Ayeka covers herself with her hands, fearing that it was Tenchi walking in on the two. Looking to the door in fear, she saw a figure that was a comfort to her now. The figure had gentle eyes and had shoulder length white hair.

"Oh. .There you are my love. I'm sorry to disturb you during your bath. I shall leave you to your privacy."

Sliding the door shut, Mireya caught a glimpse of someone else in the bath with her. Stopping the door from shutting completely she looked toward the other person in the room with Ayeka with question and concern. She slid the door back open to regain their attention.

"Who are you? Ae, who is this?!" She asked with demand in her tone of voice.

"It's alright Mireya, this is. . ." Ayeka paused in her answer.

Suddenly her mind raced through her memories of her and Ryoko's time they spent together. Their fights, their peaceful moments in each other's company all seemed to merge into one moment in her head. Her mind searched for the right words to tell Mireya. This is what, her friend, rival, foe, unwelcomed piece of space trash?
Ayeka had paused for a few seconds, Ryoko looked at Ayeka wondering what it was she was doing. She saw that Ayeka was looking back and trying to say something, but her voice didn't seem to want to work. Ryoko raised her sake bowl in a salutary manner to Ayeka. Urging her on to her answer. Finally Ayeka was able to refocus on her voice.

"I'm sorry, Mireya this is a friend."

"Oh. . .I'm sorry my love. I was just concerned that's all. I'll await your presence when you're finished." She finished giving Ryoko a stern look before letting the door shut.

Ryoko turned her head back at Ayeka. "What was that all about?"

Ayeka raised her hand to gently rub on the left side of her head. "I'm sorry, for a second there memories just came into my mind all at once. I. .I had to pause in spite of it all."

Ryoko looked confused. "Huh? Oh. .not that. . .I meant the. . . My love?" Ryoko looked questionably at Ayeka.

"Oh." Ayeka replied looking embarrassed. "Well Mireya is different from most girls, her ideal mate is someone more. . .feminine." Ayeka finished thinking she chose the right word to end her response.

Ryoko appeared she was about to ask "What do you mean", then her eye's widened in understanding of what Ayeka was meaning. A devious grin formed on her lips, her eyes closed closer to each other signaling that she was going to reply in a manner that Ayeka wouldn't like.

"Oooohhh. Now I get it. You were off experiencing new things weren't you Ayeka? Here we were worried that something terrible could have been happening to you and you were off becoming a muff diver."

"E. .Excuse Me?!"

"So is she supposed to be the male and you're the little woman? That would explain why she looked at me like she wanted to kill me."

"Don't be absurd! I already explained to her that the love she wants cannot be. I explained to her that I'm in love with Lord Tenchi and it takes more than a pretty face to replace my love for him."

"So does that mean that you weren't that good in bed with her then?" Ryoko asked, twisting the knife a little more.

"RYOKO!"

Waving her hands in front of her. "Hey calm down Ayeka. I was merely joking, you need to loosen up and get a sense of humor."

"Her concern for me is more of a body guard than anything else."

"A body guard? I thought there had to be a huge ceremony in order for someone to become a body guard for the royalty of Jurai?"

"Well. .we'll have to have the ceremony at a later time, but for now it'll work."

"So how did you and her meet?"

Ayeka cringed at the thought of remembering what occurred on Draka. "I. .I would rather not talk about that."

"Oh, it sounds like something embarrassing happened while you were away, common spill it. What happened?"

"I. . .I."

"Common what happened? Did you walk into a shower room and see her bathing and fell in love with her or what? Common tell me?" Ryoko verbally attacked, grabbing onto Ayeka's shoulder and began to shake her a little.

The memories of the prison cell came back to Ayeka. The dampness of the prison, she could still feel it on her skin. She could smell the fear of the inhabitants of the prison block when. . .he walked down the hall. She could feel his eyes on her still. The coldness of his eyes, the haunting presence that he gave off, she could still feel him near her.

Ryoko continued to ask questions, making the memories surface, they had to stop coming back to her.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!!! I SAID I DON"T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!!" She screamed, ripping Ryoko's hands off of her shoulders. Ayeka flung her arms out to rip away from her touch, knocking over the sake tray and bottles.

Ryoko looked in shock at Ayeka's reaction to her questions. She has never seen Ayeka explode like that before. She usually seemed to scream with pride and some grace, but now it seemed so. . frightening.

"I. . .I wish to be alone."

At a loss of words from her outburst, Ryoko nods her head in compliance with Ayeka's wish. As Ryoko lifts herself out of the water, Ayeka holds herself in her arms, still feeling the coldness of Voogs presence near her.

*Tsunami, will I feel his presence even here? That monster! What has he done to me? I must punish him for what he has done! *

"Ayeka."

Hearing her name calls her attention back to Ryoko.

"I just wanted to say congratulations on your victory with love."

Ryoko phases into her clothing and quietly exits the onsen, Ayeka watching her departure. * What was that supposed to mean? *

Thinking nothing much of what Ryoko last commented on, Ayeka began to ponder about another problem that she had that just didn't want to go away.

* I have to confront Voog, that's the only way these feelings of hatred will go away. But how can I face him, he was too powerful for me. There has to be a way for me to exceed my power further. There just has to be. *

************************************

Two large doors swing open, inside the room is a large room. Guards are posted outside the doors, as well as inside. The two warriors who are making their return enter into the throne room. Both walking at brisk pace, in fear of upsetting the emperor. Both warriors kneel before him.

"Both of you have returned sooner than expected. Did you find Daimyo's body?"

Voog swallowed hard fearing the emperor's rage upon hearing his answer. "We were attacked before we could follow through the gate my lord."

The emperor slammed his fist down onto his throne emitting an echo throughout the castle. "You What?! By whom?"

"Mireya my lord." Botaro replied.

"Damn that witch! Will she never die! Are you telling me that you, one of my best generals and my own son were unable to take care of one WOMAN!?"

Voog raised his head to answer. "She was not alone my lord. After I opened the portal she attacked and was able to make it through the portal."

"Silence!"

A moment of silence passes, both warriors have their heads downcast, unable to see the emperor. The chilling sound of the emperor's fingers tapping on the armrest of his throne was the only sound being made. The two facing the emperor were both sure that any second they would be dead.

"Under normal circumstances you two would be taken into the dungeon and tortured to death for your failure. But if Mireya went through the gate, she is now in company with the brothers of legend."

Both warriors raise their heads to face the emperor at the mention of the legend.

"The Hawk of Legend is with Daimyo?" Botaro asked his father.

"I was informed by one of the gods of this. So, I'm allowing both of you to live, I need all my strongest warriors. But fail me again and you won't live long enough to regret it. Now get out of my sight."

The two warriors rise and turn to exit the throne room. The emperor rests his chin on his left hand, appearing to be in deep thought.

* Their both together now, the legend is coming to pass. So how will I fight both of them off? *

***********************************

A yawn escaped from the mouth of a small loving child of the house of Masaki. Another day had passed of cooking and cleaning to show the appreciation to the rest of the house of how happy she was to be there. For now the chores had been done and the meals eaten for the day, now it was time to get some rest to be prepared for tomorrow's activities.
Ryo-ohki, who was being carried by Sasami, gently meowed as if to ask if it was time to go to bed. Sasami looked down to Ryo-ohki, smiling at the cabbit who seemed to adore being with her, nodded her head.

"Ok Ryo-ohki we're going to go to bed now."

The small cabbit nudged her head into Sasami's stomach pressing her head gently to give the girl a cabbit version of a hug.

"Are you calling it a night Sasami?" A familiar voice came from nowhere.

Hearing the voice come from above her, Sasami's gaze drifted up to the ceiling and saw a few spots of a blue and yellow striped dress hanging over the edge of the beam. The figure on the beam rolls onto her side to see Sasami better. Sasami saw that it was Ryoko on her favorite perching spot in the living room, resting her head onto the palm of her hand.

"There you are Ryoko, I didn't see you up there. Yes, I'm going to go to bed now, starting to get tired."

"Would you mind if I tucked you in tonight?"

"Uh. . . .If you want to, I guess."

Ryoko disappears from the beam and phases into existence on the ground in front of Sasami. She places her hand on the child's head and gently rubs her hair.

"You know Sasami, you are a special kid, don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise."

"I think you're a special person too Ryoko. Ryoko . . . .is there anything wrong?" The small princess asked unsure of Ryoko's present behavior.

"No Sasami, everything is going to be the way it should be."

Ryoko extends her hand out for Sasami to take hold of hers. Which Sasami took hold of and together they began the walk to Sasami and Ayeka's bedroom. During the walk up the stairs they both look at each other and smile. But there was a question in Sasami's mind that needed to be asked.

"Ryoko?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you want to tuck me in tonight? I'm not saying that I don't want you to, it's just that. .you've never wanted to before."

"I guess I just thought that I don't appreciate you enough as I should. And to be honest I've sort of thought of you as a little sister. I mean if I had a little sister, I'd want it to be you."

Sasami looked at her with wondering eyes. "Well we could be sisters."

"We could?" Ryoko asked a little confused.

Sasami nodded in reply. "Yes, we could just pretend that we're sisters, who says we can't think of each other as sisters."

"I think Ayeka may have some trouble with us pretending to be sisters."

"I'll talk to Ayeka if you want, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

They stop when they reach the front door to Sasami's room. Ryoko kneels down to Sasami's level and hugs her.

"Sasami your too nice to me."

"Are you going to come in?"

"I don't think I will, I think your sister is already in there, so I'll say goodnight here. Goodnight my little sister."

Sasami giggles. "Goodnight my big sister Ryoko." She said hugging the former space pirate.

After they separate from the huge, Sasami notices a tear falling down Ryoko's left cheek.

"Ryoko, what's wrong?" Sasami's voice filled with concern.

"It's just so good to hear someone accepts me as family, even though I'm not by blood. Sweet dreams Sasami."

"Goodnight Ryoko."

************************************************

It started as a rumble, reminiscent of the shifting of the earth's crust in preparation of a major disaster. It grew louder as it rose to the surface, gaining in intensity, in volume. When it finally burst forth the rumble had become a roar, the roar of ultimate despair.

NO!!!!!...

He held her closely, staring into her face, the perfect face that he had watched and longed after for so long. The moonlight traced out the features that had been so lovingly carved into his soul. It was this night, the night that he had waited for, for so long, the night that he was going to say it, he was going to tell her something, that he loved her. He found her like this, lying alone in the middle of the fields, her blood pouring from the wound in her chest, staining her clothing, staining the shirt that he had picked out especially for this night, this night of nights.

This couldn't have happened, how could it have happened, it couldn't be true. He held her closely, cradling her head, trying to staunch the life- blood that was spilling onto the verdant grass, on this beautiful, horrible night.

"I'll go get..." He said, starting to stand.

"No," came the weak voice from the woman he held protectively in his arms,

"Don't leave me, please. It is already too late."

He sank back down, unbelieving, unable to believe that this was happening.

"What can I do?" he demanded of the uncaring stars overhead, "What can I do?" He asked the dying woman, the woman he loved, lying in his arms. Her face was calm, almost serene, and she had accepted what he still denied.

"Sing to me," she smiled weakly, "Sing the song that your mother sang to you when you were little."

His eyes filled with anguished tears, another woman that he loved, dying, and he couldn't save her. He cleared his throat, several times, and then began to sing in a soft, mellow baritone. His eyes locked with those of his love as he recreated the words his mother had taught him so long ago.

Sleep sweetly, my darling, may the wind bring you away...

To fields unending of flowers so sweet.

Rest gently, my angel, may the trees cradle you...

And sing to you softly of unending days.

Of love and laughter and there will I be...

To carry you back from the arms of the trees.

To bring the wind round to carry you home.

Home now, my love, forever will stay...

Where I can hold you and take you away.

To fields unending of flowers so sweet.

He came to a ragged ending, the words torn from his throat with a sob and a gasp.

And the dying woman, his love, his all, reached up her hand to gently touch his face. Then she stopped and looked confused, her serenity was gone.

"What...what happened?" she coughed weakly. "How did this happen?"

"I don't know," he told her brokenly, "I don't know."

"Tenchi," she grabbed blindly at his hands, "Tenchi, I'm frightened."

"I'm here, don't be frightened." Tenchi said. "Oh god, how could this happen!" He again cried at the uncaring stars. He looked back down at the woman in his arms, "I was going to tell you... I was going to tell you tonight."

"I love you, too." She whispered, "Oh, it hurts, it hurts, Tenchi."

He started to rock her back and forth gently.

And we'll play in the wind as it whips cross our feet... He continued the lullaby, and her eyes fastened to his face as he gave all the comfort he could to her last moments.

Forever together, forever my dear...

I'll be here for you, I will always be near...

To carry you back from the arms of the trees.

To bring the wind round to carry you home.

He finished the lullaby and looked down at the woman lying still in his arms, her eyes fastened to his face. "My love?" He shook her gently. "My angel!"

He cried. She didn't move; her flame, her soul, had been taken on the wind. He mechanically laid her gently on the ground and folded her arms across her chest, no longer to rise with the breath of life. He kissed her gently on the lips. "I will love you forever." Then reached out one hand and gently closed her eyes.

It was too little...too late....

It started as a rumble, reminiscent of the shifting of the earth's crust in preparation of a major disaster. It grew louder as it rose to the surface, gaining in intensity, in volume. When it finally burst forth the rumble had become a roar, the roar of ultimate despair.

NO!!!!!

"Wake up wimp."

Tenchi awoke in his bed, sweating from the nightmare he was having. Daimyo stood next to his bed clothed and ready to go start training. Tenchi looked out his window and saw the stars were still out, another early day.

"You're going to have to take training more seriously Tenchi. If I was an enemy I would have been able to kill you. Then who would have protected the women of the house?"

"Daimyo there aren't any enemies here, so we don't have to constantly be on guard." Tenchi replied groggily.

"That may or may not be true, but as long as I'm here, you're going to be on your guard. So get dressed and met me up at the training ground."

As Daimyo leaves his room, Tenchi rubs his face to wake up better. * Why am I blessed with finding the best people from other planets? * He wondered to himself getting up to get to his clothing drawer.

Tenchi paused when he began to reflect back upon the dream that Daimyo woke him from. * What a weird dream. I don't even know who it was I was holding. I wonder what's with the weird dreams lately. It feels like I'm loosing the girls, somehow. The other day it was a weird dream with everyone in it, even scarier with the parts with Ryoko. Oh, that reminds me, I'm going to be nice to Ryoko today, she looked like something was troubling her the other day. *

Tenchi cleared his mind of the thoughts of the events from the past couple of days. Seeing that the sun's light was making it's way up over the mountain, he knew he needed to hurry to the training ground. Knowing how strict his grandfather was about his practice, he figured Daimyo would be twice as bad.

***************************************

The room was massively enormous, even though it had an overwhelming size, it was well lit. There was also very little sound, the only sources of sound was the bubbles from the aquatic life contained in some tanks and the keying of fingers hitting a transparent keypad.
The scientist of the household was working early to what most people perceive. But to this genius, it was a normal hour to work. She was busy working on calculating the precise mass of a planet revolving around two suns and a black hole near that planets space. She was so drawn into her research; she failed to hear someone materializing in the doorway to the lab. It wasn't until a voice distracting her that she realized that someone else was with her.

"Don't you ever sleep?"

The scientist stopped typing and turned, shocked that she had failed to notice another presence in her lab. She looked to see that it was. . .

"Ryoko. I didn't hear you come in. Isn't it a little early for you to be up, you usually sleep in late."

"I couldn't sleep. Don't you ever sleep?" She asked, repeating her question.

"A genius who wants to stay ahead of everyone else never sleeps. Well, that much anyway."

Washu turns back to her computer and types some more. "So what do you need?" Knowing that Ryoko was most likely going to ask her for another favor. That's the only reason anyone ever comes to see her.

"I don't need anything. I just wanted to see you."

Washu immediately stopped her typing and let the computer vanish from sight. She turned around to face her daughter and try to understand this new turn of events. "You just wanted to see me?" She restated in disbelief.

"Yeah, there isn't a crime in that is there?" Ryoko asked sarcastically.

"So what did you want to talk about?" The scientist asked.

"I didn't have anything in particular to talk about. I guess I came down there to say thank you."

"Thank me? For what?"

"Well. . .everything. I know I never really showed it, but I appreciate everything you've done for me. You've done your best to be a good mother and I wanted to thank you."

Washu felt as though she was made of stone. She felt like she couldn't move from the shock that was being rubbed into her face all at once. Had she fallen asleep and she would wake up any moment to find that sadly it was only a dream.

* Whatever gods there are in this universe, this had better not be a dream. *

"Y. .you think I'm a good. . .mother."

Ryoko slightly tilted her head to her right. "I understand that it wasn't your fault for what happened to us early on. I just want you to know that I don't blame you for anything that happened. And I just want to say that I love you mom."

Washu covered her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. So long, she has waited to hear those words from her daughter, to know she finally acknowledged her as her mother. Joy was now overwhelming her sensations. Washu changed out of her child form into a more adult Washu. She stood and with teary eyes, walked over to Ryoko and embraced her.
Washu placed her head down onto Ryoko's shoulder and let the tears of joy flow. For the first time in ages, Washu's heart beat feeling complete. . .whole. She felt Ryoko place a comforting hand on her back, returning her hug. She had no clue as to why Ryoko suddenly was poring her heart out to her, but she wasn't about to ruin their chances by asking. Washu wiped her tears from her face, taking a couple of steps back to look at her daughter.

"Ryoko, I want you to know that I'm proud of you. No matter whatever happens between us, I will always love you."

"Thanks mom." She returned smiling to her mother. "I'm going to go back to the house now, I'll let you get back to work."

"You could stay if you want. I wouldn't mind." Washu said, wanting to continue the moment a little longer.

"No, I have something I have to do right now. I'll see you later, I promise."

"Alright."

Washu took her seat and called up her computer once more. Ryoko floated over to the exit of the lab. Hearing the typing of her creator's fingers, Ryoko turns around and looks at Washu for another second, then dematerializes from the lab.
After Ryoko leaves, Washu begins to wonder again why suddenly she seemed to act differently. She could have searched through her head, but she wanted to trust Ryoko. Or maybe, she thought, she was afraid that Ryoko was after something and just didn't want to risk seeing that.

*************************************
It was a clear blue morning sky, the sun had peaked out from behind the mountains thirty minutes ago. It appeared that it was going to be another beautiful spring season in Okayama Japan, the leaves of the trees were growing out in full bloom. Tenchi was able to register this into his head from his current view. He had the perfect position to see all of this from lying on the ground on his back, where Daimyo had just sent him crashing down to.

"I thought there was actually some hope for you. But apparently, my expectations over exceeded reality." Daimyo mocked standing over his fallen pupil.

"I actually thought I saw some hidden power deep within you a couple of days ago. But maybe it was just the sun in my eyes." He explained, while Tenchi stood back up.

"I can see that the couple of days we took a break from have seriously depleted your fighting ability. So were going to be out here for a few more hours and try to play catch up. Now pick up your little flash light and try to attack me again." He ordered, referring to the Tenchi-ken.

Tenchi bent over and picked up the Tenchi-ken that was lying on the ground beside him from where he landed. He grasped the master key with both hands and brought it out in front of him. He let the Jurai energy in his blood flow through him and into the master key, igniting the blade.
Daimyo stood firmly where he was at, like the battle-hardened warrior he was forged into during his life. Showing now sign of fear or doubt in his face he stood awaiting Tenchi's move.

* Now, how's the best way to attack him? * Tenchi pondered to himself.

Tenchi began a charge heading straight toward Daimyo. The Tenchi-ken carried beside Tenchi's running body, at striking position.

* How foolish, a head on charge. Might as well walk up to me with his arms tied behind his back. *

To Daimyo's surprise Tenchi leapt into the air, looking to land behind Daimyo.

* Ah. So he is a little creative after all. * He thought turning to catch Tenchi during his landing.

But Tenchi had a different plan in mind. After turning over from the flip, his legs found the branch he was aiming for. Pushing off the branch he launched himself in the opposite direction that he was going to land.
Seeing that Tenchi wasn't coming into his sight when he had turned his head, Daimyo glanced back up and saw Tenchi about to land in front of him.

* Very clever. *

Tenchi landed in front of Daimyo and saw his counter attack coming. He flipped into the air avoiding, Daimyo's leg sweep, and landed back behind Daimyo. Daimyo followed completely through with his leg sweep and caught Tenchi's landing behind him.
Tenchi saw the earth stop when he landed, but almost immediately after landing the view went sideways. Then Tenchi was seeing the sky from a different location on his back again. Then he saw Daimyo come into view above him, he looked down at him.

"That was stupid, creative, but very stupid. Easily countered, as you so clearly demonstrated."

"Why don't you fight someone stronger than you?" A voice rang out.

Both Tenchi and Daimyo looked to see Ryoko a few feet away from the two of them. To both their surprises Ryoko was dressed in her black and red battle suit. A slight breeze passed, causing the cyan haired beauty's hair to wave slightly in the wind. The sun glistening her yellow feline- like eyes to the fullest brightness her eyes seemed to be able to obtain.

"Well I would if I could Ryoko, but I still have yet to find someone that was my equal."

"I'm your equal and more."

Daimyo's response was a laugh. "You. My equal and more, huh? Funny, you didn't seem to be anywhere near being my equal when I first arrived here."

"That was five weeks ago, I've gotten stronger. Or. . . you've just gotten weaker."

"If you're implying that you want to fight me, just say it."

"Alright then." Ryoko extends her arm, pointing to Daimyo. "Daimyo, I challenge you to a fight, the winner is the strongest fighter."

"I accept your challenge. Only on one condition."

"That is?"

"During the fight, you stay on the ground. I can't fly."

"It's asking a lot, but fine, I won't need to fly in order to defeat you."

"So did you just want to fight me now, or wait until later?"

"I don't really have anything to do now."

"Very well then, but don't expect me to go easy on you because you're a woman."

Ryoko just grins. * Good, he's overconfident. That will be his downfall. *

*What is she thinking? What gives her the idea that she's capable of beating me? * Daimyo shakes the thoughts out of his head and concentrates on the duel that's about to unfold.
Tenchi was standing off to the side of the two that were about to begin fighting each other, wondering what Ryoko was trying to prove.

* What is she doing? She knows perfectly well how strong Daimyo is. When he first came here, Ryoko went down onto her knees in one punch. He even withstood holding the Tenchi-ken and didn't show any sign of pain in his face. I hope she doesn't end up getting herself hurt. *

Both fighters are within a respectful distance of one another. Both refrain from taking any traditional fighting stances, they stand looking like they were about to draw their guns in an old western showdown. A slight breeze rustled up some dried leaves that were on the ground adding to the showdown atmosphere that had descended upon the training area. Tenchi was unsure whether he should be hiding behind something to shield himself from an energy blast or just stay in the spot he was at to witness the fight. Tenchi wasn't sure if she wanted to make the first move or just got tired of waiting, but Ryoko flew toward Daimyo, speeding a couple of inches off of the ground.

* I guess Ryoko is going to keep the fight as fair as she can. * Tenchi thought to himself.

Ryoko ignites her sword and swings a wild swipe at Daimyo. He grabs the blade, like he did the day Ryoko picked a fight when he first arrived. A sudden sharp pain registering into Daimyo's brain causes him to release the sword. A slight cut trailed across his palm, a little blood appearing from the tear.

"What the. . ." Daimyo said to himself in confusion.

* How can she have cut me? She couldn't cut me when I first arrived here. I had better keep her sword away from me. *

Before he could continue on with his thoughts, he concentrated on the fight at hand. Ryoko smiled at him, seeing that she was able to inflict a little pain on him.

"Is there something wrong Daimyo?" She taunted, knowing that she was able to hurt him.

Looking at the marks that Ryoko was able to scratch onto his hands, he felt a determination to defeat her grow. He realized that this wasn't going to be just a slight pushover, but he was actually going to have to try hard to beat her. He didn't know how she had done this, but he was going to prove that he had no equal.

"No Ryoko. Nothing's wrong at all."

Feeling that it was her que, Ryoko rushed toward Daimyo to initiate their symphony of struggle once again. With sword burning it's brilliant red Ryoko swiped at Daimyo, who ducked and countered with a rising upper cut that connected to her chin. Such a hit would have knocked out the strongest boxer on earth, but Ryoko was far more powerful. With her body flying to land on her back, she used the position to throw an over the head kick that connected with Daimyo's face.
Having her feet reconnect to the earth, Ryoko sees that Daimyo is still standing. Seeing Ryoko land back onto the ground so gracefully, Daimyo wonders if she is more feline than he though. After all he had heard the expression of cats always land on their feet.

* I shouldn't have swung at him so aimlessly, that move left me wide open for his counter. * Ryoko mentally scorned herself.

"Your definitely a skilled fighter Ryoko, a worthy opponent. But I have fought better warriors and emerged victorious."

"You know what I'm going to enjoy most about beating you? After I defeat you, maybe you'll stop gloating over yourself and finally shut up." She taunted with a grin that barred her fangs.

"So do you want to stand here and talk all morning, or are you going to back up your threats?"

Ryoko charged her blade to live again, positioning her arm to the side, allowing Daimyo to see the length of her blade. Pushing off from her spot with great strength launched her straight toward Daimyo. Her charging cry, was encouraging to make anyone want to fight to their last breath.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

Ryoko completes her charge with a decapitating swing at Daimyo once again. He ducks down to avoid her swing.

* How disappointing, I figured she would have learned from her mistakes. Leaving herself wide open again. * The thoughts quickly entered Daimyo's mind.
Daimyo pushes from his crotched position to put Ryoko down onto her back. But Ryoko apparently does learn from mistakes, she completes the swing, looping it back up over her head and bringing it down into Daimyo's charging face.
Daimyo grabs Ryoko's sword with both hands, preventing it from connecting with his head. However with Ryoko's training, her blade brings pain to Daimyo's hands with her heightened power. Both push into current stalemate attempting to overpower the other.

"Give it up Daimyo. I've gotten a lot stronger since we last fought."

"Really. . .I didn't notice." He retorted.

Daimyo trip kicks Ryoko with his right leg, catching the pirate off guard. Ryoko let's out a gasp of surprise as her legs give way from beneath her. Then Daimyo finishes his counter attack with a superhuman punch to Ryoko's side, deflecting her body from hitting the ground, sending her slamming into a nearby tree.
When Ryoko reassesses her situation in the battle, she notices Daimyo isn't giving her any slack, seeing as how he was rushing her to finish what he was starting. Quickly getting back up, she backed herself up against the tree. Daimyo runs as quickly as he can, knowing that he couldn't give Ryoko any foothold in the battle. Judging the distance perfectly, Daimyo jumps to deliver a flying kick to the pirate's midsection.
Ryoko phases though the tree before Daimyo connects. Daimyo's foot leaves an imprint in the tree, shaking the foundation of the strong sycamore. Leaves fall from the tree, due to the sudden impact that injured the tree.
Quickly scanning his surroundings to find his disappeared opponent, Daimyo listens closely to any noise that he can pick up to determine where she was. Hearing the leaves of the tree suddenly stirring above him, he immediately jump rolled to the side. Avoiding a death strike from the pouncing Ryoko's energy saber. Seeing as the sword only connected with the earth, Ryoko throws the blade at Daimyo. Watching the energy flying toward him, he smacks it away, allowing it to destroy a nearby tree.

******************************

With an echo of an explosion from the training ground broke Sasami's concentration of preparing breakfast. She was in the process of preparing another squid for Daimyo. Seeing as how she had gotten revenge on him for treating her badly, she was sorry for tricking him like that. At the time it was definitely called for, but she liked him and wanted him to like her.

The thoughts in her mind that she was perhaps too young to understand love were still there. But from what she did understand about what love feels like, she felt she was in love.
Pulling the squid off of the burner of the stove, so as not to overcook, she figured that she could leave everything as it is now for a few moments to see what was going on at the training ground. Sensing that Sasami was going somewhere, Ryo-ohki, who had just finished eating a carrot that the kind princess let her eat, hopped and meowed after her.

"I hope those two aren't going to get themselves hurt."

"Miya." Ryo-ohki responded.

**************************

The morning was turning out to be more challenging than Daimyo thought it was going to be. After regaining himself after a knee to the stomach and a well-placed right hook to the face from Ryoko, it was more challenging than expected.

* How has she become so much stronger in just a few weeks? Just when I thought I had these people figured for weaklings, something comes along and surprises me. *

"I'd give you a chance to give up now Daimyo, but I want to beat you in a fight, to prove who is the stronger." Ryoko taunted.

"I don't give up Ryoko, you'd have to kill me in order to beat me."

"Have it your way then."

Ryoko launches another laser assault at Daimyo, who dodges the blasts by leaping out of the way. With all his combat training, Daimyo makes his way closer to Ryoko. A smile came to her face as she thought that would have been what she would do. Each shot she fired, brought him closer to her. He was still steadily making his way in toward her.
Seeing that she wasn't getting anywhere by shooting at him, she charged her sword to life once again. She charged toward him, meeting his speed, not letting herself have any disadvantage.
The seconds seemed to slow for both fighters, the final few steps toward the other played in slow motion for the two. Ryoko bringing her sword ready for a swipe, Daimyo's fists balled up and turned upright at his sides, ready to deliver the final blow.
A swipe and punch are thrown. Ryoko rips Daimyo's shirt with her sword, while Daimyo's fist connects to Ryoko's jaw. Both fighters hit the ground, the last attacks was enough to bring pause to the fight. Ryoko, who had stumbled a little before falling onto her left side, began rubbing her jaw.

* Wow, he can really connect a punch. I had better get back up, don't want to give him the advantage. *

Daimyo, who had crouched down from the burning pain in his side from Ryoko's cut into his shirt, noticed that her strike had drawn some blood.

* How is she able to cut me now? It doesn't make any sense, how can this be?! *

Daimyo's thoughts seemed to be consumed with wonder on how this woman had progressed so far in such little time. Upon getting back to his feet, he notices that Ryoko is nowhere in sight. Instinctively taking a defensive position he waited for Ryoko to make whatever move she had planned. A pair of golden feline-like eyes watched Daimyo from the tree line that was giving the observer safety for the time being. When Daimyo wasn't looking she teleported herself into the brush in the woods around the training area. Ryoko was watching and developing a plan of attack that would end the fight.

* It'll be a dirty cheap shot, but it'll end the fight sometime today. *

Ryoko's form fades for an instant, as she splits into two beings. The two Ryoko's check past the tree they had taken refuge from Daimyo to see if he knew where they were. He was still at the ready for an attack from Ryoko.

"What's the matter Ryoko, are you giving up? If not, then come out so we can finish our fight, don't be a coward."

Both Ryoko's seemed to be slightly agitated by his comment. "You know what to do." One Ryoko said quietly to the other. The others reply was a simple nod.

"Alright here we go."

The Ryoko on the left side of the tree teleported out of sight, preparing to make her move. Daimyo, sensing a disturbance in the air around him, turned to see Ryoko coming into existence just a foot away from him with sword burning. Ryoko was on the attack making slash attacks at Daimyo, who was jumping back and to the side to avoid her swings.
Daimyo watched as Ryoko attempted to try to scratch him with her sword strikes, but he had had more than enough battles in his existence to be able to dodge strikes from well-trained fighters. Ryoko wasn't turning out to be the average fighter, even though he made it look like he was toying with her, she was really good. He was having to put his total concentration onto her every move.
Daimyo caught her sword hand as she was making another swipe at him, then immediately having to block and hold the other hand when she tried to punch him. Having her hands out of his way, he pulled her toward him and connected a hard-hitting head butt to Ryoko. Who in return gave a knee into his crotch, causing him to bend down from the sudden pain, in turn he used his position to tackle Ryoko to the ground.

Having pinned Ryoko on the ground Daimyo attempted to claim victory. "Yield Ryoko."

"Not just yet." She replied with a sarcastic look on her face.

"Your pinned down, you. .Uuhh!" Was all he could get out before feeling a kick to the back of the head.

The force of the blow was enough to throw him a couple of feet from where Ryoko was. Coming to a landing face down into the dirt made him wonder who interfered with the fight.
A foot forcibly turned him over on the ground, he was able to look up at his assailant who snuck up from behind. But he was puzzled to see Ryoko standing above him, raising her sword over her head preparing to bring it down upon him.

* If that thing can cut me know, this is going to kill me! * He thought nervously.

Ryoko thrusts the sword down, Daimyo closes his eyes, awaiting to see what lies beyond this life. A second passes and there is still no pain, but he can still feel his body, so he knew she didn't kill him. Opening his eyes, he sees Ryoko stopped her sword a foot from his face. She was standing there smiling down at him, allowing him to know that he was defeated.

"How did you kick me off of you with such force when I had you pinned down?!" He demanded.

Suddenly another Ryoko walks over with dirt on her red and black battle suit. Seeing the second one covered in dirt, Daimyo looks at the one with the sword stuck at his face to see there wasn't as much dirt on her as the other.

"What the. . .This is cheating, that wasn't fair."

"What's wrong Daimyo were two inferior women fighters to much for you? I figured you being so good at battle could take on two women at once." She gloated.

"But I didn't know you could duplicate yourself like this, so I wasn't prepared for it."

"I've watched Tenchi's grandfather training him long enough to know what he would say to reply to that. I believe he would most likely would say "A warrior should always be prepared for the enemy sneaking up behind him."

Batting Ryoko's foot off of his chest, signaling that he was going to get up, Daimyo stood up looking like he was going to pop. With a look of mixed emotions plastered on his face, mainly hatred, looking at Ryoko, one could see he was gritting his teeth and fists balled up to his sides. Suddenly looking toward Tenchi who had watched the fight from the side the whole time.

"Masaki!" He said seriously enough to snap Tenchi's head up to attention. "Your training is done for today." Finishing his pupil's dismissal order, without saying or doing anything else, Daimyo walks off down the stairs from the training area.
Walking down the stair well Daimyo's world felt like it was turned upside down. Never in his life has he ever been beaten in a fight, he couldn't understand what has happened. Thoughts tore through his mind on what he did wrong to lose the fight, but he couldn't think of any excuse. Then he concentrated on one thing that had found it's way into his train of thought.

* I've gotten stronger, or maybe you've just gotten weaker. *

The taunt Ryoko made at the beginning of the fight seemed to offer the answer to the question that was currently burning his mind. Ryoko had indeed become more powerful since when he first arrived. It was the second part of her taunt that sent chills down his spine, could he have gotten weaker. On Draka every day was a struggle to survive, one had to constantly be on guard in order to live as long as he has. Maybe he could have possibly could have lost a little bit of his edge, but not this much.
Walking up the stairs with Ryo-ohki perched on top of her head, Sasami saw Daimyo walking down the stair toward her.

* I guess this means Daimyo and Tenchi are finishing early to have breakfast, it's better than them eating around lunchtime. * Sasami thought to herself.

"Hey Daimyo I was just coming up to tell you all that. . ."

Sasami paused in her sentence when she noticed he had a couple of scratches on his body. There were slight traces of blood visible through the ripped clothing but it didn't look serious. When he walked by he had his eye's closed and head turned away from her. She noticed that when she started talking to him his face was full of shame before he turned away from her view.

"Daimyo what's wrong? What happened?" She asked.

Daimyo's only response was to keep walking. He didn't flinch or make any change in his walk when she tried to see what was wrong. Watching him continue down the stairs, concern seemed to wash upon her.

* What's wrong? *

********************************************

"Ryoko what made you want to fight him?" Tenchi asked.

"I just wanted to see if I could beat that loudmouthed jerk."

"How did you manage to defeat him? I remember how things went the last time you tried to fight him when he first came here. I've fought him and found him really formidable."

"I guess I've just been working out more." She answered with a sly smile.

"Hahahaha, well whatever it is you did it seems to have helped you become stronger. I don't know about you, but I'm famished. I think Sasami should be finished with breakfast soon, you know how she gets when we miss a meal."

"Mm, yeah I know how she gets, a warm meal sounds good right now. I'll see you down there then." She finished fading from sight.

Tenchi was a little surprised that she didn't want to walk back to the house with him. To at least talk to him about whatever would be on her mind. It was completely unlike her not to want to be around him. A feeling in his stomach other than hunger seemed to be making its presence known. It felt like concern, maybe fear.

* Why do I feel like I'm beginning to loose them. * Tenchi thought to himself as he started the journey down the stairwell.

*********************************************

Back at the house in Ayeka and Sasami's room, Ayeka sat alone in the room trying to figure out how to get rid of her demons. From the horrible sights she took in on Draka, the experiences there plagued her soul. The horrible sight of the bodies that were mutilated from the old battlefield she saw on her first night there. To killing the soldiers that tried to attack her, she didn't like killing the soldiers, but in a way it was good. Killing the soldiers made her feel good, she wasn't the helpless princess during those moments, she was a person to be feared. But the one person who didn't fear her in those moments is the one that plagued her soul the most, the one demon she feared she would never forget.

"Voog. . . . ." She said quietly to herself.

She would have to face her demon to get rid of him from her being. But how could she, she was completely powerless to stand against him. Remembering how he was able to hold her down with his magic while he. . .
Ayeka changed her train of thought, not wanting to recall any of those moments in that cell hall. She would need to have greater power than her own to even be able to move against Voog, more or less punish him. But how was she to. . .

An idea entered Ayeka's mind, she could be able to receive more power. * Of course, why didn't I think of this sooner? I will have to leave immediately. *

"I will be able to get my revenge onto you Voog, you will pay dearly for what you have done to me." She said to herself with a smile appearing on her face.

***********************************************

"Daimyo what's wrong? Please tell me."

Sasami had been asking him what was troubling him since she returned back to the house. He still couldn't admit it to himself that he was defeated in a fight, more or less tell anyone else about it.

"I'm just having a bad day Sasami, that's all."

"Well maybe I could cook up something special for you for lunch. Anything you want. I fixed you some squid for breakfast, I promise I didn't burn it this time."

Sasami's joke managed to bring a slight smile to his face. "Thank you for thinking about feeding me well Sasami, you really are too kind."

"It would be no trouble at all Daimyo, I'd do anything for you."

Sasami rose from the couch beside him and headed for the kitchen, trying to hide the blush that was covering her face. She didn't like seeing people sad, especially people she believed she was in love with. The thought of her cheering Daimyo up was making the blush stay longer onto her face.
As Sasami left the room, Daimyo couldn't help but smile a little. Sasami seemed to want to go out of the way to help him feel better, but it seemed the only way for him to feel better was to travel back in time to the fight so he could change the outcome of the fight. It still seemed to be impossible for him to have been defeated in a fight.

* At least it can't get any worse. * He thought to himself.

"Hey Daimyo, I heard you got beaten by that girl." Mireya said entering the room.

Daimyo face vaults onto the living room floor. "Oh, I hate today." He says from the floor.

Just then Ayeka comes walking down the stairs. Mireya, noticing Ayeka coming, walks over to greet her at the bottom of the stairwell.

"Good morning my love, did you sleep well?" She asked running her hand around Ayeka's head to clear any stray hairs off of her face.

"Yes, I slept well and you?"

Mireya nods. "Yes it's very comfortable here. There seems to be no danger here, which is a little different for me." She grabs Ayeka's hands and holds them in her's. "But as long as I'm here with you Ae, I can't have any complaints."

Ayeka smiles at her friend's affection for her well-being. Mireya seems to be the one true friend she has ever had that wasn't family. There was something about the woman's presence that gave her comfort.

"Good morning Ayeka." Tenchi greeted walking into the room.

"Good morning Lord Tenchi." Ayeka replied pulling her hands away from Mireya quickly so Tenchi would not see.

Mireya felt heartbroken, she wanted to be with her, but Ayeka had told her about Tenchi on their travel to the gate to get her back home. The description of her home that didn't settle well with Mireya was the fact that Tenchi held her heart, when Mireya wanted to share her heart with Ayeka's.

"I'll. . .I'll go see if Sasami needs help with anything in the kitchen."

Saying a good enough excuse to leave her and Tenchi alone, Mireya walked away keeping her face from looking into Tenchi's direction. In fear that she may hit him if she saw him at the moment, she took Daimyo's hand and dragged him into the kitchen.

"So how are you today Ayeka?" Tenchi inquired.

"I'm feeling fine Tenchi, I slept well last night."

"I'm glad you're feeling alright, we were so worried about you when you weren't here." He said placing his hand on her shoulder.

She moved her shoulder from his grasp suddenly. "I'm sorry that I worried everyone, but as you can see I'm fine." She said faking a smile.

"Uh, yes you're fine." He said unsure if she was being honest or not.

"Tenchi I think you should know first that I've decided to leave today."

Tenchi seemed to stop entirely and almost turn white. "Leave. . . ." He said in disbelief.

"Yes, there's something that I have to do back on Jurai, something I have to do myself."

"But you can't leave you just got back." He said trying to get her to stay.

"I'm sorry Lord Tenchi, but I must go to Jurai. You can simply wait."

"So you will be coming back?" He questioned.

"Yes, of course I'll return Tenchi. I like staying here, I should be gone for a few days."

"Well. . ok, so when were you going to leave?"

"I though I could leave in a couple of hours. I was going to ask Miss Mihoshi to take me back home, since I cannot use Ryo-oh for some time now."

"Alright." He replied. He thought that since she said she would return that it would be ok for her to go. At least none of the others were leaving; he at least still had them.

"Now if you'll excuse me Lord Tenchi." She finished walking toward the kitchen.

In the kitchen, Mihoshi was at the table telling everyone that the food Sasami cooked here was so much better than the junk food she had to eat in her patrol ship. Another guest at the table that seemed to hardly attend most of the time was Washu, who looked ready to dart back into her lab from hearing one of Mihoshi's rants.

"Sasami."

Hearing her name she turned her head to face Ayeka. "Oh good morning Ayeka, I'll have your plate prepared in a couple of seconds."

"No, that's not what I was wanting. I was coming to tell you that I will be leaving. I'm returning to Jurai."

Thank you for reading this chapter of the Shogun Muyo series. The dream Tenchi has in this chapter is a short story written by the author Kyokki titled "Too Little, Too Late". She has other good works too if you would like to read more. The next chapter: The Sorrow of Doubt