Masaki Residence, That Evening, Living Room
"What do you think this place is Princess? Your own personal summer home?" Ryoko exclaimed once Ayeka had finished explaining what she had done.
"Of course not! I am just concerned that with all the explosions and battles we've been involved in recently we might have attracted the wrong sort of attention." Ayeka shot back at the ex-space pirate with the cyan hair.
"Are you sure that you're not overreacting a little?" Grandpa Yosho asked while looking at her speculatively, "While it might be true that this Xander fellow might be hiding something it does not necessarily mean others are aware of the unusual goings on around here."
Tenchi had to agree with that but at the same time Princess Ayeka had made a valid point about the things that had been going on around here. Between Mihoshi's less than subtle departures and arrivals along with Ryoko's lack of foresight when using her powers it was possible that they had been seen by the wrong sort of people. He knew that the world really wasn't how it looked in the movies with government or corporate spies covering up alien landings and conducting experiments on extra-terrestrials. Still as the saying goes 'every lie holds a grain of truth' and it was feasible that there were certain people with the job of monitoring unusual occurrences out there. With that in mind he decided he'd talk to little Washu later and see if she could invent something to make them all a little less noticeable to the rest of the world.
"Perhaps but we cannot take the chance that we may have been discovered. This is a protected planet and thus we are all bound by law to prevent contamination caused by our presence." Ayeka replied as though she was taking part in some kind of debate, "Also as members of the royal family of Jurai it is our responsibility to set an example for others to follow."
To this Ryoko and Mr. Masaki seemed less than enthusiastic about but the rest nodded in agreement with her position. Much like in that show from America, Star Trek, it was a rule of the peoples of the Juraian Empire not to interfere with the natural development of a primitive species. While he considered himself a part of that primitive species he could understand how things must be from Ayeka's point of view.
"Well if it's okay with you Dad I think we should let this Xander stay with us for awhile." Tenchi said supportively as he looked to his father, "After all he did risk his life to help Ayeka so giving him a place to recover is the least we can do for him."
"Well given how many people we have staying with us right now I guess one more wouldn't hurt." Mr. Masaki said giving his okay on the idea, "Besides its only going to be for a week or two so it shouldn't be to much trouble."
While Ryoko wasn't exactly happy that he had put his support behind Ayeka he could see that she wasn't going to put up much of a fight over the idea. Probably because she was trying to figure out how much fun she could have with someone new in the house. It was no secret that the former space pirate was willing to go to some pretty strange lengths to amuse herself and having someone new around would probably be tempting fate where she was concerned.
"Well if we're all agreed on this we're going to have to come up with some rules so we don't wind up giving this guy exactly what he's after." Little Washu said in a take charge tone of voice, "That means you have to try and act like a normal human Ryoko and Mihoshi is going to have to park her ship someplace other than the lake. Ryo-ohki will probably have to stay up at the shrine while he's here since I doubt we could explain her believably. Still nothing we can't manage of course."
Ryoko looked rather annoyed that she'd have to spend the next week or two without flying, ghosting through solid objects or anything she normally did on a regular basis. With a sly look on her face though it looked like she had thought up a way to spread the misery around.
"Well then I guess you won't be able to go into your lab either." Ryoko said trying and failing to sound sympathetic and reasonable, "In fact you'll probably have to get rid of the door entirely just to make sure he doesn't stumble in there by accident."
This of course put a sour 'I had not thought of that' look on Little Washu's face but she wasn't the sort to take back her words once she said them. Besides he bet that before the day was out she'd already have come up with an alternate way into her inter-dimensional laboratory besides the door under the stairs. After all while he wouldn't exactly say he believed her when she said she was 'the greatest genius in the entire universe' she was definitely smart enough to solve this problem.
"In that case Ryoko I think I should get your yearly physical out of the way before Xander arrives." Washu said as she walked over and grabbed the ex-space pirate by the ear, "After all I want to see if I can fix some of the degradation you've let happen over the years. Was it too much to hope that you'd at least try to stay in peak physical shape?"
"Wha-! Hey! Stop!" Ryoko said as she was forcibly dragged by the ear towards the door to Little Washu's lab, "Let go!"
Just about everyone, himself included, sighed at this knowing that Ryoko would be in an irritable mood for the rest of the next twenty-four hours after this. Ayeka though was definitely trying to hold in a chuckle at her rival's situation since despite what some might think he wasn't completely oblivious about what was going on between them. While a smart person might try and sneak clear of the danger zone he knew that if he didn't stay in between them to play diplomat things might get real ugly.
"Well then it is settled." Ayeka said in her normal regal way, "According to the doctor in charge of Xander at the hospital he should be discharged in two days."
"Well then we had better start getting things ready for him." Grandpa Yosho stated.
With that the group dispersed and went about making the place ready for their new guest. Any signs of advanced technology would have to be removed and some re-arranging of certain structures such as the floating hot bath dome. That would be the easy part as far as he was concerned. The hard part would be keeping everyone from slipping up when Xander was here.
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The Front Of Osaka Central Hospital, Two Days Later, Morning
Ah it's good to be back in normal clothes! Xander thought as he relished the feeling of jeans and a T-shirt on him rather than that drafty hospital gown, Though it was kind of funny seeing all those young nurses come up with 'feasible' reasons to scope out my butt.
While it was true that it was also kind of embarrassing he definitely enjoyed the fact that the ladies still considered him to be look worthy. In the months immediately following the destruction of Sunnydale the only time women he didn't know looked at him was to stare at his eye patch and give him pitying looks. Needless to say being seen as a charity case or someone pitiful did nothing for his ego and irritated him to the point where he would take it out on his friends when his self-control slipped. That had been a pretty good reason as far as he was concerned at the time to get away and try to work out his issues rather than risk hurting his friends by accident. So he had signed up for the 'find the Slayer' service and had been at it every since. So to find out that some women still found him attractive even with the eye patch definitely made him feel all manly.
Looking about he tried to find Miss Ayeka and the car she said would be waiting for him upon his discharge from the hospital. It took a few moments but eventually he spotted the woman with the purple hair and she wasn't alone. Standing next to her was Sasami and a guy who looked like he was still in high school but at the same time looked like he could pass for a university student. Curious as to who he might be he walked briskly towards the group looking as casual as possible.
"Good to see you again Miss Ayeka and thanks again for offering me a place to stay." He said once he had reached the car.
"You are quite welcome Xander." Ayeka said politely before turning to her two companions, "As you know this is my younger sister Sasami and this is Tenchi."
"Nice to meet you." Tenchi said as the two of them shook hands.
"Likewise." Xander said in return before looking back at Ayeka, "So shall we get going?"
With a nod they all entered the car and pulled out of the parking lot into traffic to begin their trip to the house he'd be staying at. It was then that he realized that he hadn't really been given any details on exactly where it was or even who he'd be sharing the place with. Deciding it would probably be a good idea to get the four-one-one sooner rather then later he decided it was Q & A time for these three.
"So who exactly lives with you guys?" he asked in a perfectly conversational tone of voice, "Anybody interesting?"
He had wanted to ask if there was anyone he should watch out for but that would have sounded pretty rude and might have gotten them angry with him so he substituted 'interesting' in since it sounded more neutral.
"Well aside from Tenchi there is his father and grandfather. Then there is Mihoshi who works for a private security firm." Ayeka replied obviously having anticipated this question, "Then there is Dr. Washu who is that doctor I told you about the last time we spoke. Lastly there is that scoundrel Ryoko who I'd advise you to be careful around. She was involved in some rather shady dealings until recently."
He could tell with that last person that Ayeka just might be a little biased so he'd have to take anything the regal young woman said about Ryoko with the understanding it might not be completely true.
"Ayeka's just kidding Xander. Ryoko is actually not that bad." Tenchi said apparently trying to give a more honest opinion of the woman, "The only thing you might want to keep an eye out for where Ryoko is concerned is that she tends to get bored every once and awhile so don't take it personally if she decides to mess with you a little."
Xander only raised an eyebrow at that as he wondered what the guy meant exactly when he said Ryoko might decide to 'mess with him' a little. After all those three words could be interpreted any one of a number of ways from mind games to chasing him around the property with a battle axe and near misses. Hopefully she'd be more like him when it came to boredom and just resort to pranks or annoying conversation to amuse herself with in order to pass the time.
"So Xander were there any specific instructions the doctor gave you to help in your recovery?" Ayeka asked from the front passenger seat.
"Well no lifting anything heavier than a dinner plate of course or anything else that might put a strain on my stomach." He replied as he went over what the doctor had told him, "Plenty of rest which seems to be an automatic thing for recovery of any type and taking my medicine twice a day. Aside from that it'll be business as usual."
"Sounds like a standard two week vacation to me." Tenchi said from the driver's seat.
"Yeah except if I have too much fun I'll wind up popping my stitches and that'll mean going back to the hospital." Xander said with a mix of joy at the time off and disappointment at the boredom of essentially just sitting around doing nothing.
"Don't worry. We'll make sure your bored enough that that won't happen." Sasami said with a smirk on her face.
This earned the blue haired girl a sidelong look of surprise from both Tenchi and Ayeka, as if it was unusual for the young teen to talk like that, but apparently they chose to let it slide until later. If this was an indication of how things went in the house where he'd be staying he was in for a mix of relaxation and surprise that would be definitely memorable.
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An Abandoned Old Style Japanese Mansion, Same Time
"Have you completed your investigation in Kr'Ton's death?" boomed a powerful voice from the raised dais at the back of the audience chamber.
"Indeed my Lord. It appears that the young one's… impulsive tendencies… caused him to attempt a robbery in broad daylight." Replied the cloaked and armoured figure kneeling before the dais, "He was intercepted and killed by a young human male believed to be an agent of the newly restored Watcher's Council."
This caused the being on the dais to growl in anger at the possibility that his enemies might have received advance warning of his army's presence. For years he and his people had managed to remain beneath the notice of all others in preparation for the action that was to take place in just a week and a half. If they succeeded in their plans the world would belong to them and all their foes would know suffering unheard of since the time of the Old Ones. If there existed a chance that one of their enemies might have gained advance knowledge of their movements then action would have to be taken.
"Dispatch a surveillance team to where this human male is located." Mr. Powerful Voice ordered with authority, "They are ordered to monitor his actions for signs that we have been discovered and to take all necessary precautions to conceal their presence there."
"As you have said, so shall it be done." Said the kneeling figure and in a flash of movement he vanished as though he had never been there in the first place.
The being on the dais remained, contemplating the new twist that had been introduced into his carefully constructed timeline, never forgetting the glory that awaited him upon his victory. It was one of the most ambitious plans ever conceived by demonkind and most would consider him mad for even attempting it. In all the centuries that had passed since the temple had been buried none had dared risk awakening that which lay within for fear of its power destroying them all. He however would succeed where the others before him had failed. Using a combination of modern human science and the most potent of arcane powers he would claim the temple's treasure for his own and lead his people to glorious victory.
Still it will be at least a week before the entrance to the temple has been excavated and at least three days to safely reach the central chamber. He thought as he considered the potential damage early discovery could cause, If there is a threat to the plan in that human male then it must be determined and dealt with immediately.
He would succeed and pity the pathetic fools who dared to stand in his way.
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The Masaki Home, Near the Masaki Shrine, One Hour Later
"Whoa! Big house." Xander said in amazement as he took in the size of the home he'd be living in.
It wasn't exactly mansion size but at the same time it was most definitely not your typical family home. With two levels that he could perceive plus a deck that stretched right into the lake it looked like one of those luxury cottages he had seen on TV. Apparently Ayeka hadn't been kidding when he woke up in the hospital and said that there'd be no problem with him staying here for a time. This place looked like it could be converted into a branch of the new Slayer and Watcher's Council with minimal effort. All in all it was better than he had expected when they had pulled out of the hospital parking lot.
"Glad you like it. We've had to do some remodelling and expanding since it was moved here but it's still pretty much the same as it's always been." Tenchi said as he carried Xander's bag down the white walkway.
"Moved? You mean this place used to be somewhere else?" Xander asked as he tried to figure out how they got such a big house out here on those narrow roads.
"Ah, yeah, my Dad's an architect so he just called in an old favour from a friend to have it moved here." Tenchi replied as he took a moment to consider his response, "My grandfather's the caretaker of the Masaki shrine so we wanted to be closer to him to help with the workload."
Makes sense. Xander thought as he considered the connections a good architect probably had and the need to be near to an elderly family member was normal.
As they approached the sliding doors that led into the living room a small welcoming party trotted out to greet them. The first was a blonde woman with bronze tanned skin and an athletic figure that made it clear she either exercised regularly or was just incapable of gaining any weight. She also had a look in her eyes that reminded him of Anya in that there was good chance that she rarely took the time to think things through before speaking her mind. He had a feeling he'd have to be pretty patient with her and try not to let anything she said bother him.
Next to appear was a tall man that looked like he was a year or two away from being in his late fifties to being in his early sixties. Dressed in traditional clothes Xander knew this had to be Tenchi's grandfather and the caretaker of the Masaki shrine. He looked to be in pretty good health and that made him wonder if he was in error in assuming that the older man's health was in trouble. There was also an air of wisdom about him that made the former Zeppo think he was actually older than he appeared.
After the grandfather came a tall woman with cyan hair and a loose blue dress with long sleeves. She had a look on her face that said she was here to greet him more because she had been told to rather than actually wanting to be here. When she caught sight of him though he could see the light of interest and speculation in her eyes that made him think that he might be able to get her to warm up to him eventually. Given the hostile glare she gave Ayeka for a moment he knew she could only be Ryoko.
The last person for him to look at was something of an oddity because she looked to be about the same age as Sasami and was certainly the right height for a kid. With pink spiky hair and a weird outfit that looked like a cross between a business suit and a Halloween outfit she almost looked like a young teenager exploring her newfound status. Until he looked her in the eyes though because once he did that all the other evidence concerning her discernable age was meaningless. What he saw in those green eyes was not the innocence of youth or the mischief-loving twinkle of a teenager but something much different but for the life of him he couldn't figure out what. Given the process of elimination and the young teen's size he decided she must be Washu but that seemed odd considering Ayeka had called her a doctor.
I guess she's a midget or something. He thought as he finally reached the welcoming committee, She and Buffy would probably get along great.
"Xander I'd like you to meet Mihoshi, my grandfather Katsuhito, Ryoko and Dr. Washu." Tenchi said making the introductions, "Guys this is Xander."
"Pleased to meet you." Xander said doing his best to do a passable Japanese bow.
"No need to be so formal around us Xander." Katsuhito said informally, "We keep things pretty laid back here and besides I doubt bowing all the time would be good for your injuries."
"True." Xander said as there was a bit of discomfort and pain in bowing at the moment.
"Well let's get you set up in the guest room and then I'll show you around the place." Tenchi said as he indicated Xander should follow him into the house.
"Sounds good to me." Xander said and with one final hello nod to the welcoming committee he followed Tenchi inside.
Once the two guys were out of sight those still outside began to chat about the newcomer and their respective first impressions about him. However one of them was unusually silent and seemed to be quite distracted for some reason. When the others took notice of this though she just brushed them off by saying 'she was just thinking' and that was enough to placate the others. If they only knew what was really going on inside her head.
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