Chapter Two
20,000 Years Later.
Everything seemed so quiet.
Pausing to draw breath, the lone figure hurried through the hallways and corridors of the great complex, pausing only to ascertain that he had taken the right direction. Being late was not an option...he valued his existance too much to put it at risk from the Lady's temper tantrums. She would be awaiting his report, he knew that. And this time he had struck gold. She might even consider rewarding him...if she was in a good mood.
He ran his hand over the digital scanner on the last door, drawing a heavy breath of air into his lungs as it creaked and slid back, revealing a pitch black control room. For a moment he faltered, the object in his hand almost slipping to the floor as he realised that the chamber was deserted. Confusion flooded his senses as he entered, squinting through the gloom as he tried to make out any familiar shadows.
Where was she?
His heart pounded in his chest as he took another step and then another, drawing closer to the vast living computer system that made up a good half of the room's area. The secrets of the universe were rumoured to be locked into the memories of this computer, all knowledge and power developed and stored by life since the first heart had begun to beat, deep in the orbit of a long dead star. He had often longed to play with this system, the allure of its knowledge and power almost worse than death for one as inquisitive as himself.
He reached out a hesitant hand, moving it towards the keys. For a moment, his errand was forgotten as he stood there, taking in the magnitude of the invention. He did not know whose scientific skill had constructed it, nor did he know how old it was. That it had been here as long as he had been coming to this place was all he cared about, and that, despite how quickly modern technology grew outdated and old, this contraption had never yet been bested in all the milennia of scientific research. A scientific impossibility, or a digital encyclopaedia of everything from A to Z – he wasn't sure. His fingers itched to start playing with it, to unlock the secrets of existence for what they were.
"Well."
The control panel lit up across the board, a flicker of reds and greens as life returned to the computer's many organic circuits. He drew his hand back as if stung, turning in fear as he heard the soft echo of her laughter ring out around the chamber.
"Oh, did I scare you? Naughty boy. You shouldn't be playing with something that isn't yours."
An unseen hand pushed him away from the console, knocking him back onto the floor and sending the disks he had carried so carefully clattering across the smooth stone floor. There was a soft tut-tut, as an invisible force scooped them up, her form hazing and then blurring into view before him as she examined them. With every second her ghostly appearance became more and more solid, until she was as he was, human from head to toe. But he knew that she was not human. Whatever she was, it was closer to both demon and divine than anything he had ever seen...and of all the things he feared, he feared her the most.
"I trust your mission was a successful one, Dr Clay."
Her words rang out crisp and clear, no longer the disembodied whisper but the firm, strident tones of a woman in complete control. He gathered himself, bowing his head to her as he struggled to his feet, standing respectfully at a distance as she ran her gaze over the disks.
"Yes. I see you have done well." She agreed. "This is everything you could find?"
"Not quite, My Lady." Clay raised his head, a pair of greedy, glinting eyes sparkling with hope as he imagined the reward she might bestow on him for his information. "Those are the disks you asked for - the research papers of Kichi Itokawa and her work on the Jurai Power. Just as you asked...it was no mean feat to ransack the private quarters of an old Academy colleague in order to get them for you...but nothing is too much for your Ladyship's pleasure."
The Lady's eyes narrowed, and she smiled.
"Good." She said approvingly. "I trust that Washu gave you no trouble?"
"No." Clay shook his head, his curled hair trembling as he did so. "No, my Lady. She's become careless about her security procedures, and far too wrapped up in the interests of the planet whose secrets you seek. Of late, she's made the mistake of leaving keyholes across space, doorways into her laboratory in various locations, none of which she can keep harnessed shut at all times. Her power is nothing compared to yours, Lady. I was able to infiltrate subspace and retrieve the files you sought."
"And this one, Dr Clay?" The Lady raised an eyebrow, glancing at the final disk, marked as it was with the distinctive red crab, the patent logo of the distinguished Professor Washu Hakubi. "What of this?"
"Washu-san's data on Lord Kagato and her project to develop and clone his DNA into a daughter, Lady." Clay explained eagerly. "The daughter you expressed interest in - Ryoko Hakubi. The Space Pirate. And there is more, my Lady. Much more."
"I should hope there is." The Lady dropped the disks down onto a nearby unit, folding her arms across her chest. "Research is pointless, Clay, unless it brings me results. I know already that Washu has a daughter, developed from the cells of that Juraian prince. This was a passing fancy - it does not interest me so much as the other information I seek. Tell me about this other Prince. This blood of Jurai...the one who shares life with the Sword."
For a moment Clay's heart sank into his boots, and he stared at his mistress, dumfounded. An amused smile curled at her lips, humour sparkling in the depths of her blue eyes.
"Come now. You should know that your research into the power of Jurai was going to reach Tsunami sooner or later, didn't you?" She murmured. "After all, Clay, you have worked for me long enough in this field. You know where my true interest lies."
In an instant she was at his side, touching his shoulder with her hand and a shiver ran through him, causing him to draw away. The Lady laughed.
"I see." She spoke gently, but there was something else in her tone that warned the scientist to be wary. "So you have nothing more for me than that, Dr Clay?"
"Tenchi Masaki." Clay blurted out the name, hastily gathering his composure as he offered the Lady another bow of deference. "The Earthborn prince...the man who manifested the Light Hawk against Kagato. He is the one you now seek?"
"Yes, Clay. I wish to learn more of his special link with the Goddess of Jurai. How it is that he of all the beings in this universe has learnt to master her magic, and wield it at will."
The Lady looked thoughtful, pursing her lips as if remembering something from long ago. "It has been a long time since Tsunami and I were last within touching distance of each other. Once I would see her face everywhere, but no longer. Even her people begin to forget her...and she must be weakened after her battle with the traitor prince. Jurai may seem peaceful now, but I haven't forgotten...I haven't forgotten anything. I knew one day Tsunami would weaken herself further by taking human form once more. And I have waited so very long for this - to find this one among many."
She tilted her head, considering.
"I know little of this planet, Earth. But if this Masaki boy is from there, then it interests me to know more about it and why it is that one born on this strange planet should be Tsunami's chosen one. Her...vessel."
Clay hesitated for a moment, then,
"Do you want him brought to you, Lady?"
"No..." The Lady shook her head. "It is never wise to go into any kind of situation unarmed and unprepared, Clay. As a scientist, you know the benefit of heavy and detailed study. Tsunami's magic must be understood before it can be dealt with, and we must learn how this prince is able to do that without having even been born on that miserable planet Jurai. Tsunami works in strange ways, it's true. I confess I do not understand all of them, and I am closer to the divine than most."
Her eyes sparkled with amusement and derision, though there was a haunted flicker deep in their depths..
"Is this the end of your report to me, Clay?"
"Not quite." Clay drew himself to his full height, calling on the last shreds of his courage and composure. "Washu Hakubi and her daughter Ryoko - Tenchi Masaki is known to them. More, their paths intertwine in more ways than one. The pirate girl is the one he defended with the Light Hawk Wings. Washu has a file on her computer about it, but it is incomplete and inconclusive. As if she has given up working on Tsunami's magic altogether...and has let the whole matter drop."
"Now, why would she do a thing like that?" The Lady's expression reflected surprise. "That is not like Washu at all, to leave something so undone! Perhaps you are right, Clay. Perhaps she has become careless. What a pity. Her one use in the universe, and she's already worn it out."
She sighed heavily.
"And to think, I've let her alone this long in the hope that some of her research into that godforsaken planet might one day be of use to me. I hope I haven't wasted my time."
Her lip curled in distaste.
"I would almost want to destroy her, if it wasn't for the fact that she seems so closely intertwined with all of this." She added, reaching out to touch the pile of disks. She glanced at Clay, then nodded her head.
"All right. I accept your report as complete." She said briskly.
"Thank you, Lady." Clay bowed low, his hat sliding off his head as he did so and he grasped at it hurriedly, drawing a peal of laughter from the woman's lips.
"Oh, you make a pitiful sight." She said, amused. "But you do keep me entertained, and that's something nobody should be without. Find out what you can about the Light Hawk Wings and the battle against Kagato. And find out more about the prince. I must discover more before I can make my move."
"Yes, my Lady. I understand." Clay babbled. "I will do as you ask."
"Good boy." the Lady chuckled, glancing down at her hands. "And one more thing?"
"Yes, Lady Tokimi?"
"Do not fail me, Clay." The Lady's eyes glinted thoughtfully. "I have waited too long to let Tsunami and her miserable planet slip through my grasp once again."
-------------------
"Osaka?"
Ryoko stared at her companion with a mixture of confusion and disbelief, dropping down onto the grassy hillside beside him as she did so.
"Tenchi, are you kidding? Why do you want to go to Osaka? Everything's been good here, hasn't it? I mean, since we came back to the Earth. We've been back here nearly a month now and nothing extreme has happened. Why do you want to leave? I don't understand."
"If you'll calm down for a moment, I'll tell you." Amusement twinkled in Tenchi's eyes and he grasped her by the hand, squeezing it tightly. "Listen. Yes, we've had a fun time, since we came back from Jurai. And I'm glad we have. After everything that we went through against Kagato, it's been nice to just kick back here and relax as if nothing outside this planet really mattered at all."
"Well, I agree with you." Ryoko frowned, seating herself on the soft green grass and pulling him down next to her. "So why do you want to go away? It doesn't make any sense. Did I do something to upset you?"
She frowned.
"I know that the hole in the attic roof was my fault, and I did say I'd help to fix the tiles if Noboyuke-san would find me something to seal them with." She added. "And I didn't mean to give those two old biddies a heart attack by materialising in the middle of the shrine steps yesterday afternoon…I didn't know they'd be there and it was all sorted out in the end."
She glanced at her hands, looking pensive.
"In fact, I haven't blown up half as many things since we've been back here as I usually do." She reflected. "I think I've done pretty good, all in all. It's not easy trying to blend in and be just like everyone else, you know. I'm an original model. It's just the way I am."
Tenchi laughed.
"I never said it wasn't." He told her. "Ryoko, this isn't even about you. Really, it isn't. It's nothing you've done and I'm not trying to put space between us. But it's the autumn now. You know that I'm still in college – and classes start in just under two weeks. It's too far for me to commute to Osaka every day – that would just be crazy."
"I see." Ryoko fell silent for a moment, running her fingers idly through the blades of grass as she did so. "I'd forgotten about that. Do you really want to still be in school, Tenchi? You've saved the universe. Why do you want to go back to doing assignments and meeting deadlines?"
"Because it's part of my life." Tenchi said lightly. "And a part I enjoy, as well."
Ryoko did not answer straight away. Instead she leant back on her elbows, gazing up at the clouded sky.
"So you're going to leave me here with your Dad and your Grandpa to keep house in your absence?" She asked softly. "I don't think that's going to work out for either of us, you know. I'm not exactly the keep house kind of girl."
"Don't worry." Tenchi's eyes twinkled. "I don't think that either Dad or Grandpa would ask you to keep house for them. I think they value their property too much to risk it."
"You're so nice to me sometimes, you know that?" Ryoko poked out her tongue, and Tenchi laughed, stretching out on his back and bringing his hands up behind his head.
"I'm sorry." He said good-naturedly. "I'm only teasing. And besides, we're both agreed by now that you have other gifts than domestic ones."
"I have some you haven't even seen yet, you know." Ryoko sent him a sidelong glance, and a reddish tint touched Tenchi's cheeks.
"If Grandpa hears you..." He warned. Ryoko looked unrepentant.
"Let him. You're a big boy and he's heard me say worse." She said frankly. "Besides, chance would be a fine thing. That's the trouble about living under this roof. You're never really alone...and you throw a fit if I even suggest taking a bath together, in case someone happens to see us. It's not like random strangers are going to walk into an interdimensional onsen, you know."
"With the way Washu's science works, you never know." Tenchi responded darkly. "I still don't think it was a good idea, asking her to reset the coordinates on that room. Last time it had a blip, Dad ended up in the kitchen sink."
"And you ended up in the bath. With me." Ryoko's eyes twinkled. "I don't mind that kind of technical flaw. I'd rather take a bath with you than your father any day of the week."
"Ryoko!"
"What?" Ryoko put her hands on her hips. "I speak as I find. You should be flattered that I want to take a bath with you, Tenchi."
She cast him a sidelong glance.
"Unless you don't find me attractive that way." She added. "Is that it? Is there a pretty girl in Osaka who you'd rather go bathing with? Because if there is, I'd like to know her name."
She flexed her fingers, sparks glittering at their tips.
"I'm sure we could have a chat."
"Ryoko!" Tenchi exclaimed, alarm and embarrassment flooding his expression.
"Well, it's a valid question." Ryoko spread her hands. "Is that what this is about, Tenchi? Some cute little Earth girl who's dragging you back to college in the city?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"I think you should let her know, by the way, that I'm a pretty bad enemy to have." She added.
"Ryoko, there is no other girl in Osaka!" Annoyance tinged Tenchi's expression, and he grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Listen to me, and listen once and for all, else this is never going to work between us. I made my decision on Jurai, about who I wanted to spend time with. But I can't deal with you being jealous. You can't assume that everything I decide revolves around you or some other girl, you know. That's not the case at all. I'm not the kind to play around like that. I just wouldn't do that to you - but I'm not going to deal with you jumping to conclusions. Do you trust me at all? I would have thought that, after all we've been through, you'd know how I felt about you!"
Ryoko stared at him, startled by his uncharacteristic show of temper. Then she bit her lip, letting out a heavy sigh.
"All right." She said at length. "I'm sorry. Is that what you want me to say?"
"No. I just want you to have a little faith in my fidelity." Tenchi reached a hand out to touch her cheek. "I'm in love with you. I shouldn't need to tell you that. It's not the kind of conversation we generally go in for. But there wasn't any Earth girl in Osaka before we fought Haki and there won't be now, either. If we end up drifting apart it'll be because you can't trust me, not because I'm looking for someone else."
Ryoko's eyes narrowed as she digested his words.
"I trust you." She said reluctantly. "It's the other women I don't trust."
"Well, I'm not looking for any other women right at the moment." Tenchi said pragmatically. "And noone is going to force me into something I don't want to do. Including you, for that matter. I thought we'd got past this when we left Ayeka on planet Jurai and you girls made up your feuding. Am I wrong?"
"No..." Ryoko sighed heavily. "No, you're not. All right, I get it. You're not going to let any other woman steal you away."
"Of course not. But if you drive me crazy with your paranoia, it's going to make it difficult for us to live together like we are." Tenchi looked troubled.
"I guess." Ryoko scooped up his hand, turning it over and running her finger across his palm. "I'm sorry. I'm used to losing things...or throwing them away. I don't want you to be one of them. That's all."
"Well, school or no school, I'm not reneging on anything just yet." Tenchi said softly. "Because crazy as you can be, I do love you. And I want to see where that leads us. Don't you?"
"Yes." Ryoko raised her gaze to his. "More than anything. You know that. Tenchi, I gave up being a pirate for you. I've stopped using my magic anywhere that could be deemed a public place and I'm trying to fit in on this planet as much as I can. I even stopped sleeping on the roof beams, in case you had an early morning visitor and they thought it was odd."
"Are you happy, Ryoko?" Tenchi asked softly. Ryoko looked startled.
"I'm sorry?"
"Here, on the Earth. Aren't you bored?"
"No, I'm not bored." Ryoko looked thoughtful. "I like being here with you and the Earth is beautiful and peaceful. Nobody treats me like the scum of the universe here, and that makes a nice change. Just because I've pillaged and looted and burned places to the ground doesn't mean I shouldn't be treated with some respect, after all."
"If you say so." Tenchi raised an eyebrow, and Ryoko grimaced.
"Well, I think so." She defended herself. "I was only having fun, anyway. It's not like I killed anyone. It was just a bit of random vandalism and a few financial top ups. Nothing to write home about. They make such a fuss over little things at the Galaxy Police."
She shrugged her shoulders.
"I just want to know that you're interested in me in more than just a battle situation." She added. "I know we make a great fighting team, Tenchi. I know that's why we beat Kagato, although without your Light whatever they are Wings we probably wouldn't have done. But I want us to make a great team in all ways. And you just don't seem to want to. It's hard for a girl when she's getting mixed signals."
"I thought you said you could be patient."
"Yeah, but I'm losing my patience with being patient." Ryoko sighed. "How fast is too fast for an Earthling, anyway? Considering the average lifespan of people on this planet, I'm surprised that they spend so much time fussing about."
"Ryoko!" Tenchi's tones were reproachful, but there was a glimmer of a smile at the corner of his lips, and Ryoko offered him a grin, tilting her head on one side as she looked at him.
"I'm sorry, I know." She acknowledged. "You don't want to rush into anything and you want to let things take their course. I'm too impatient, I want too much right away, we've had this conversation before. But now you're going away, and I'm going to be stuck here without you. I came to the Earth to be near you, Tenchi. Now what am I supposed to expect? Your Pa and Grandpa and the occasional visit from my mad mother dimension hopping, with the desire to do random experiments on me and my magic if I happen to 'have a moment free'."
"Well, Washu will be Washu." Tenchi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "She has paid us two or three visits since we came here, hasn't she? Considering she's usually such a recluse and all - I guess it is a bit strange."
"Everything Washu does is strange. My conception aside." Ryoko pulled a graphic face, rolling onto her stomach and resting her chin in her hands. "Besides, I didn't come here to be her lab rat again. I knew we should have changed the locks on the store-cupboard door. That place in town is supposed to be able to secure anything - and I'd like to see her stick her dimension coordinates through one of those babies."
"Maybe she's doing some covert mother-daughter bonding." Tenchi suggested. Ryoko snorted.
"My mother? Give me a break. I'm a science report to her. A wealth of data for her to feed into her stupid computer systems."
She sent him a mournful look.
"Are you really going to take off and leave me here alone? After everything we've done together? Tenchi!"
"Well, there is another option." Tenchi suggested slowly. Ryoko raised a quizzical gaze to his.
"Yes?"
"You...could come with me."
"Come with…?" Ryoko's eyes widened, then, "Isn't that banned? I mean, you'll be at school, and well, I know what tutors are like." She wrinkled up her nose. "Nasty, stuffy people with no life to call their own."
Tenchi laughed.
"But I'm not staying in student housing, so they really haven't any say over who I see or what I do." He said gently. "Dad has a friend who has an apartment in the city, and he's let me use it since I started to study there. It's within easy reach of everything and I come home on weekends most weeks. Grandpa needs me to help out with various chores then anyhow, you know that. Of course I'm going to work hard at my studies. I'm enjoying this course and I love to paint and draw – you know that I do. But it doesn't mean it's all of my life, Ryoko. Believe me."
Ryoko cocked her head on one side, eying him thoughtfully.
"Do you really want me to come with you?" She asked at length. "I mean, really truly? Or are you only suggesting it because I'm moaning? I know you, Tenchi Masaki. You don't always say what you mean."
"Well, this time I mean it." Tenchi responded. "I'd like you to come to Osaka with me. Honestly, it'll be a new experience for both of us in some respects, but we do live together here. It wouldn't be that different."
"Here we have a chaperone." Ryoko reflected. "In fact, we have two."
"Three, if you count Ryo Ohki." Tenchi reminded her. Ryoko grimaced.
"I was counting Ryo Ohki." She said dryly. "It was Noboyuke-san that I wasn't including. He doesn't seem to care that his only son is shacked up under his roof with a former space pirate."
"Well, Father has his own unique qualities of understanding." Tenchi agreed ruefully. "I take your point. But if you came to Osaka, we'd still have one of those chaperones. I mean, I assume Ryo Ohki would come with you too."
He raised his gaze as a loud rustle through the branches of a nearby tree gave away the fact they were not alone. A sudden cascade of brown-gold leaves fluttered to the ground, followed by a bundle of chocolate coloured fur, as Ryo Ohki made a beeline for her mistress, curling herself up on the pirate's shoulder. Ryoko cast her an enquiring look.
"Have you been eavesdropping again?" She scolded. "Really, Ryo Ohki. Some things are private, you know."
Ryo Ohki mewed unrepentantly, settling herself down to clean the shreds of bark from her thick fur, and Ryoko shrugged, reaching up a hand to tickle the small creature under the chin.
"Oh well. I guess you're right, Tenchi. I couldn't leave her on her own here with just Noboyuke-san and Yosho-dono for company." She agreed. "She'd get bored and lonely, and I'd miss her."
"Sounds like you're considering the idea."
"Well, I don't know." Ryoko looked pensive. "I've not been to Osaka. Is it as big a city as Kurashiki? Or bigger? And if I do come with you, am I going to have to do something annoying like work for my keep? Because I really don't like holding down a job. It doesn't suit my particular lifestyle choices, to be donning some stupid uniform and taking orders from God knows who. Taking orders just isn't something I do - I like to be my own boss."
"Translated as, you're lazy." Tenchi chuckled, amused. "No, you don't have to get a job there. Actually, it might be safer for everyone in Osaka if you didn't try. If you can cause chaos just by living here, I hate to think what you'd do if there was money involved."
"Thanks." Ryoko pulled a face at him. "In other places, my talents would be sought after, you know. If you miss a bus…teleport to your destination. Lock yourself out of your house? Phase through the door. People on this planet are backwards, that's all. My gifts might improve the job situation for them, if they weren't so narrow-minded."
"I believe you."
"Tenchi." Ryoko pouted. "You have so little faith sometimes."
"If I had that little faith, I wouldn't have invited you to come with me." Tenchi pointed out. "Would I?"
"Guess not." Ryoko owned. "All right. Though I'm sensing there are stipulations attached to my coming. If Osaka is bigger than Kurashiki, and if I have to keep a lid on everything whenever we leave the mountains – Osaka is going to be the same way, isn't it?"
"I'm afraid so." Tenchi looked apologetic. "At least when you're out in public. Most folk aren't used to seeing a woman fly or disappear at will – it might scare them and well, I don't think we need that attention. Not to mention…"
He paused, eying her meaningfully.
"The property I stay in doesn't belong to me." He said quietly. "Accidents with the attic tiles or the oven units or any other kind of mishap here is one thing. Dad and Grandpa might not like it, but they are used to it. In Osaka, those things just can't happen. I'm serious. No matter how frustrated you get…you mustn't use the flat as a firing range."
Ryoko sighed.
"Guess that's a given." She admitted. "All right. What else?"
"I have to go to class when my schedule says I do." Tenchi responded. "That means that you're going to have to fend for yourself when I'm not there – and it also means I'm not going to be bunking off to spend time with you on a whim, because this course is important to me. You've also got to accept that I'm not just ditching on you, if I choose to go to a lesson. I don't want you going on a paranoid rampage because you found out there are girls in some of my classes as well as boys."
"Well, I'm sure I can find plenty to do in a big city." Ryoko's eyes flickered thoughtfully. "There's gotta be some life going on somewhere, and I might not know this planet too well in all respects, but I'm pretty sure I'm over the legal drinking age."
"That brings me to point number three." Tenchi raised an eyebrow. Ryoko rolled her eyes skywards.
"This is turning into a shopping list of don't's." She objected. "Don't you trust me at all?"
"I trust you with my life, Ryoko." Tenchi said frankly. "If I'm fighting against some powerful foe, you're the one I want fighting beside me. But when it comes to normal, everyday Earth life?"
"I'm not completely naïve."
"No, but I can't afford to pay for you to go on wild shopping sprees or for you to drink yourself into oblivion every night we're there." Tenchi said simply. "My budget is tight. If you want to do that, you will have to find a job. It's the only way to make ends meet."
"Well, I suppose it could be worse." Ryoko eyed him thoughtfully. "There are other things to do, after all. Alone in the city, well away from Dad and Grandpa...it could be interesting, don't you think, Ryo Ohki?"
She cast a glance up at Ryo Ohki, who flicked her ears with a mew of agreement. Ryoko grinned.
"Guess we're coming to Osaka." She said finally. "Trust me, Tenchi - this is going to be a semestre you'll never forget!"