INVASION Volume 1, Part 2: The Pink-Headed Ponce.
DISCLAIMER: Tenchi Muyo! is copyright AIC/Pioneer, LDC. I claim no rights to the characters or story. I'm only doing this because I love the whole series and enjoy writing stories about the characters. I only ask that no changes be made to this story, as it took me a great deal of time to write it.
FOREWARD
Welcome back! I have discovered I made a minor error on the ages of the characters. At the time of Ryoko's attack on Jurai, Yosho was 22, Aeka 14, and Sasami 3. Nothing major. It just means they stuck around on Jurai longer than I thought, waiting for Yosho to return.
I briefly considered adding a small segment describing the sights and sounds of Jurai when the characters landed. However, since I really don't know enough about Jurai to do something like that, and because it would have been really boring filler just to make this part longer, I decided not to.
So, what you read here picks up after they have landed on Jurai. I probably didn't need to say anything, but I wanted to make sure there was no confusion.
The character of Seto was created by Masaki Kajishima and is not someone I made up. She really is Misaki's mother and is discussed at great length in the True Tenchi Muyo novels, as is Azusa. I couldn't find a reference for Seto's hair-color, so I had to make an educated guess. Gee, let me think... light blue, perhaps?
If you're not British, you probably don't know what a "ponce" is. First I have to thank the British fans that post at the AIC BBS for educating me on the use of that word. Basically, a "ponce" is an upper-class idiot who is totally oblivious to the plight of the common person. I suppose the words "fop" or "dandy" would work, as well. But they don't sound as good as "ponce".
You may notice Tenchi doesn't get to see Ryoko's dress in this part. Don't worry! He'll get to see her in it someday.
AUTHOR: Dreamr
LAST REVISION: 06 February, 2003
EMAIL: TrueDreamr@Hotmail.com
BEGIN.
Ryo-o-ki found Ryoko lounging in the guestroom she had been assigned within the palace. Or rather, just outside of her room, stomach down on the balcony railing, soaking up some of the bright sunlight. She wore her yellow and blue striped dress. The long, brown tail, which always accompanied that dress, hung down almost to the floor, the tip twitching slowly back and forth.
Carefully, Ryo-o-ki crept closer, stalking her prey. When she got close enough, she settled herself against the floor, then pounced. Her small teeth sunk into the end of Ryoko's tail.
"AAAAAAAH!!!" Ryoko leapt off the railing onto the balcony floor and whipped her tail back and forth, trying to shake off the new attachment.
"Damn it, Ryo-o-ki! What the hell are you doing?" She reached behind herself to grab the fuzzy creature. Between her own tail lashing around and Ryo-o-ki actively trying to avoid her grasp, she was having major difficulty freeing herself. Ryoko started spinning around as she tried to get a grip on Ryo-o-ki. She looked just like a cat chasing her tail, which was exactly what Sasami was aiming for. The little girl laughed uproariously from her hiding place behind the couch.
Ryoko was starting to get dizzy from all the spinning. She tried to stop, but it was too late for that. She fell over. Ryo-o-ki finally let go of Ryoko's tail. Her balance was also off, making her lean to one side as she wobbled happily back towards Sasami.
"What the hell?" Ryoko tried to focus on the impish child. The spinning in her head rapidly slowed when she realized she was being laughed at by a little girl with a fuzzy creature on her head.
"You promised to go shopping with me, today." Sasami reminded Ryoko of the promise she had made earlier at breakfast.
Ryoko sat indian-style and looked away.
"I don't feel like it, anymore."
"But I don't want to go alone." Sasami implored.
"You won't be alone." Ryoko tried to wriggle out of going. "Ryo-o-ki will be with you, along with Aeka's guardians."
"Yeah, but I want to pick out something nice like you wear."
"Like I wear?" Ryoko redirected her narrow gaze at Sasami to inspect her. Especially her chest size.
"Hmm... I don't know. I don't think you're big enough to wear the kind of clothes I like."
Sasami pouted.
"I want to look pretty, too." Her impish smile returned. "Besides, it'll make Aeka really mad."
Ryoko brightened.
"Ohh, so it will! Let's go."
Sasami's eyes went wide when Ryoko emerged from the changing cubicle.
"Ryoko, I don't think I can wear that."
"I know. But I need one for the reception." Ryoko explained why she was trying on dresses first. After trying on a variety of dresses, this one included, Ryoko was growing dissatisfied with the selection.
"Nope. This won't do it. Hey, lady!" She called to the woman assisting them. "I want something that'll set a man's soul on fire."
The blonde-haired, pie-eyed, slim young woman examined Ryoko's figure for a moment.
"I think I have something that you'll like in the back. If you don't mind waiting for a moment, I'll go get it."
"Yeah, sure." Ryoko excused the girl.
"Come on, Ryoko. Let me try one." Sasami begged.
"Just a minute. If I don't like the next one then you can go."
Sasami smiled in satisfaction.
The attendant returned a minute later holding a hanger from which hung a black dress made of what looked like only vertical pieces of cloth. Ryoko made a cursory examination of the dress. Once she determined it's basic appearance, her eyes started to gleam in anticipation.
"I'll try it." She snatched the hanger and dress away, then withdrew back into the curtained changing vestibule.
Sasami could hear the sounds of clothes being removed and replaced from within, followed a moment later by Ryoko's visceral laughter.
"Heh, heh, heh, heh. Oh, yeah. There is no way Tenchi will be able to resist this."
All was silent while she admired herself in the full-length mirror. Still waiting outside, Sasami was getting impatient.
"Come on, Ryoko! Let's see!"
Ryoko shoved the curtain aside, revealing herself. Sasami gasped, putting both hands over her mouth. She could see why Ryoko liked the dress. It was slit up both legs, all the way to her hips, revealing a generous portion of her well-toned thighs. Somewhere she had found a matching black ribbon to tie her hair up with. With her hair out of the way, one could see the dress held itself up by wrapping around the back of her neck. The weight of the dress around her neck kept it hanging vertically over Ryoko's prodigious breasts, leaving very little of her cleavage to imagination. The two sides came together well below her navel, while expanding around the outside of her hips.
Ryoko turned around once so her observers could give a full evaluation of her new look. The dress covered absolutely nothing of her back until it reached her waist, at which point it wrapped loosely around her hips and rear-end.
"Ryoko," Sasami finally managed, "I don't think you should wear that."
Both Ryoko and the saleswoman spoke at the same time.
"It's perfect!"
The woman continued by herself.
"But there's more!" She reached out to show Ryoko the small button located just below her breasts. She snapped it closed, pulling the material closer together over her customer's chest. She then went around to the back and, using the two strings that were concealed just underneath the cloth, pulled it taught around Ryoko's chest. She quickly tied them together in a bow.
"There." The woman announced. "How's that?"
Ryoko stepped in front of the mirror again to examine the changes. The effect was subtle, yet significant.
The dress now looked a bit more like the outfits she normally wore, only sexier. The strings had pulled the material further apart, covering Ryoko's sides, but showing more cleavage. The button kept the two sides from coming too far apart, while accentuating her curves. She noticed the increased tension across her chest made her breasts appear to stick out further.
"Lady, you've got good taste."
"You'll take it then?"
Ryoko spoke to Sasami while continuing to admire herself.
"You'll buy it for me, won't you, Sasami?"
"I don't know..." Her diminutive friend teased.
Ryoko turned and gave Sasami her best puppy-eyed impression.
"Please?"
Sasami giggled.
"Okay."
The sales woman was starting to look a little concerned. She looked at Sasami.
"I'm afraid it is rather expensive. Can you afford to buy this dress for your sister, dear?"
Sasami giggled again.
"Ryoko's not my sister! We're just friends. And yes. I can definitely afford it."
Sasami pulled a small card out one of her dress pockets and handed it to the saleswoman, who went bug-eyed when she saw it.
"Your Highness!" The woman promptly fell to her hands and knees, abasing herself before the Royal Family.
"My most humble and profound apologies for not recognizing you sooner! Please forgive me!"
Ryoko rolled her eyes. Sasami tried to make the woman feel better.
"That's okay." She smiled, patting the woman on her shoulder. "Could you wrap it up for us?"
The woman leapt to her feet, ready to serve.
"Immediately, Highness!" She turned to Ryoko.
"If My Lady could...?" She was staring at Ryoko again; who started looking back and forth between her and Sasami in confusion.
Sasami started giggling yet again.
"You'd better take that dress off or you'll get wrapped-up along with it!"
"Oh, yeah. Right." Ryoko immediately pulled the top of the dress over her head and, lowering it to knee level, stepped out of it. She tossed the dress to the blushing saleswoman who hurried away to wrap it. Sasami stared at Ryoko, who now stood in the middle of a high-class fashion store in nothing but a blank expression and her panties.
"Something wrong?" Ryoko asked her.
Sasami pushed Ryoko back into the changing vestibule and pulled the curtain closed.
"Put your clothes on, silly!" She quickly looked around to see if anyone had noticed. Several people were very carefully not looking in her direction.
Tenchi wandered around the Jurai Royal Palace, taking in the sights. The place was huge! He had never seen a building inside a tree before. In Tokyo there were very tall buildings. But this building was not so much tall as it was labyrinthine. It just went on and on. Almost everything was made of wood. Even large support columns that must hold up tons of weight. Tenchi thought it made sense. He knew through his Shinto background that a society that venerated something often took great pains to model their homes and buildings around their beliefs. If the Jurai people believed in the Royal Trees, then it made sense to build the palace inside the biggest tree on the planet.
The palace bustled with activity. There was no chance of getting lost. Everywhere Tenchi went there was always somebody nearby from whom he could ask directions. Though he was enjoying his self-guided tour, Tenchi had many things on his mind.
When he had met Aeka's father on Earth, Tenchi had thought well of him. He was a king, and acted as Tenchi thought a king should. Although the duel he had insisted on did seem a little harsh, Azusa had relented after the wave caused by Mihoshi's crash-landing washed his opponent into the lake. It did not make much sense that Aeka's father would force her to marry someone she did not even like.
Tenchi knew about duty and responsibilities. It was a fact of Japanese society that some children's parents arranged marriages for them years in advance. But this just seemed so out of the blue. Something seemed suspicious. Maybe if he talked to Aeka's father, he could convince him not to do this. Or at least, he might gain a better understanding of what was really happening.
As Tenchi wandered the halls of the Royal Palace, he asked various people where the king was. The answers he received were as varied as the people he asked. Their reactions were also equally varied. Eventually, Tenchi noticed a very stately woman of indeterminate age with thick, wavy, light-green hair, speaking with a small group of people. Unnoticed Tenchi joined them and waited for an opportunity to speak.
"So you see, My Lady, this matter requires your personal attention." One of the male persons finished his pitch. The lady apparently disagreed.
"You know this is a matter for my son to handle. You can't possibly think I have the same authority he has."
"Well, no, My Lady. But..."
"But, you wish to circumnavigate the normal process in hopes of a settlement more beneficial to your cause. Shame on you, Councilman."
The person, a councilman apparently, scraped and bowed in apology.
"Ah, I apologize if I've offended you, My Lady! I meant no offense."
The stern-looking lady stared at the councilman with both displeasure and, if Tenchi were interpreting her expression correctly, mirth.
"Apology accepted. You may go."
The councilman and his attendants rapidly departed, bowing all the way. The woman turned to address Tenchi.
"Now, then. Can I help you?"
Feeling rather intimidated by the woman's strong presence, Tenchi swallowed away the dryness in his throat before stating his business.
"I don't mean to interrupt, but, could you tell me where to find the King of Jurai?"
"Oh, no trouble at all! Finally, a problem I can solve without having to change the orbits of planets. How refreshing! But perhaps I should know your name before I introduce you to the King." The woman's gaze became sterner.
"I'm sorry!" Tenchi felt compelled to bow and scrape as the councilman had a moment ago. "I am Tenchi Masaki."
"Pleased to meet you, Tenchi Masaki. I am Seto Kamiki. I've heard a lot about you."
Tenchi became embarrassed to find his name was known on Jurai. His cheeks blushed slightly red.
"Ah, heh. I didn't realize I was famous." Tenchi scratched the back of his head.
"Oh, a sense of humor, too!" Seto suddenly grabbed Tenchi about the shoulders and hugged him fiercely while throwing his weight around like a rag doll.
"She reminds me of somebody..."
Tenchi couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something very familiar about Seto.
Releasing him, Seto put one arm over his shoulder and began leading Tenchi away.
"This is so wonderful! It's about time the two of you had a nice little chat. Don't worry if my boy seems a little gruff. He's been under a lot of stress, lately." She shared the family particulars with him as if they were old friends.
"Uhh..." Tenchi was also getting the feeling that this woman was very, VERY, important. He wondered who was so important they could call the King of Jurai "my boy" and get away with it.
They chatted amicably as Seto led Tenchi through the depths of the royal palace. Every time someone approached, Seto gave him or her an ice-cold look that sent even the most pompous or serious-looking bureaucrat scrambling for cover while muttering the phrase "devil-princess" as they escaped. Though Seto seemed to be ignoring them, Tenchi was sure she must have heard.
"Ah! Here we are." Seto gestured at an open door that led to a very small and empty room. Tenchi looked around as they entered and realized it was an elevator. Sure enough, just to the right of the door, there was a panel with more buttons than any he had ever seen before.
"Hit the top button, would you?" Seto asked.
Tenchi reached forward and press his thumb against the button highest on the panel. It blinked a couple times then remained lit. The gravity suddenly doubled as the elevator took off at an amazing rate of acceleration.
"So, it's true." Seto enigmatically stated. Unlike Tenchi's grandfather, she actually explained what she meant. "Only family members of the ruling royal house can make this elevator go to the top of Heaven's Tree." She paused for a minute, letting the importance of her observation sink in.
"If you don't mind my asking, what are you going to say to the king?"
Tenchi realized he had no idea what he was going to say. Other than expressing his disagreement with the planned proceedings, there was nothing for him to say to Aeka's father.
"I'm... not sure. But something's not right. I met the King when he came to Okayama. He seemed like a decent person. I can't understand why he would do something like this. I need to know more. And maybe I can convince him that this is wrong."
Seto watched as Tenchi's resolve stiffened. She could not help thinking how he reminded her of Azusa at that age. He was even surrounded by beautiful women.
"Hey, Tenchi, I understand you're living with several very attractive young women. Got a girlfriend?"
Tenchi looked at Seto in shock.
"No! I mean... um, well, it's... not like that. We're just friends. Yeah."
"That's not what I hear." She intoned into Tenchi's ear, making his face turn red. "My sources tell me both Aeka and Ryoko have really got something going on for you."
"I can't help that!" Tenchi blurted out. "I don't even do anything to encourage them. In fact, I try to discourage them! But they don't listen."
"Ah, well. Girls are like that at that age. You'll get used to it."
Considering both Aeka and Ryoko's ages, that did not make Tenchi feel any better.
The elevator slowed to a stop, having finally reached the top of the immense tree. The doors slid open, revealing a very well appointed sitting room. It was generally shaped like a cross-section of a bullet; flat at one end and round at the opposite end. Ahead was a large bay window which, when opened as it was now, allowed a great deal of air and light to flow in. There were doors on either side of the room. The one on the right was closed, while the one on the left was ajar, allowing the sounds of women's voices to escape. Just ahead, both Tenchi's grandfather and the King of Jurai sat. They turned to see who had come up by the elevator.
"Tenchi!" Katsuhito scolded, "why are you..." He then noticed who was escorting his grandson. "Ah, Lady Seto." He spoke as he and his father both stood.
To Tenchi, the King of Jurai, Azusa, did not look a day older than when he had visited Okayama months ago.
"What is this boy doing here?"
Seto led a very nervous Tenchi into the sitting room.
"This boy has a name. It's Tenchi, and he is your great-grandson. Or have you forgotten that already, little Azusa?"
Azusa did a double take at Seto's insistence he treat Tenchi as family.
"But..."
"'But's are like excuses, we all have one. As I understand it, little Tenchi has something he wishes to say to you." Seto turned to Tenchi and gave him a push towards Azusa.
"Go on."
Just as Tenchi was gathering his courage to speak, a very excited Misaki entered the room through the door on the left.
"Mommy!" She cried, clasping her hands together at chest level when she saw Seto.
Tenchi's jaw dropped when he heard Misaki call Seto "Mommy". Now he knew who it was the smiling Seto reminded him of.
Misaki and Seto met halfway and embraced in a huge bear hug. Tenchi tried not to stare, while Azusa rested his face in his upraised hand. Tenchi's grandfather was careful to hide his amusement at Tenchi's confusion.
Then Misaki noticed Tenchi.
"Tenchi!" She broke away from her mother and rushed to give Tenchi one of her patented bear hugs, as well.
"Oh, it's so nice of you to come up and see us! We were all so worried you wouldn't come see your poor family the entire time you were here!" Misaki hugged Tenchi until he thought he would die of suffocation.
Seto approached Tenchi's grandfather. "Ah, darling, little Yosho. Since Tenchi is your grandson, there must have been a grandmother." Yosho's face turned red.
"Ah, well, that's a long story."
"Then it's a good thing we live so long, hmm?"
Misaki released Tenchi so she could pay more attention to his grandfather. She went around to Yosho's other side, effectively boxing him in.
"Oh, yes, Yosho. Won't you tell us all about it? You sly dog."
Tenchi watched as the two ladies teased his grandfather.
"Great. My whole family's screwy."
"Brother Tenchi!" Sasami came rushing out of the same room Misaki had emerged from a few moments ago. She ran up to him and gave him a big hug.
"Sasami, are they always like this?" Tenchi quietly asked when Sasami released her hold on him.
"Hee hee. Nope. Just when we're alone together. Everyone's always running around doing official stuff. So we don't get to spend much time as a family." Sasami smiled up at him.
"Hey, Tenchi, would you like to see Aeka in her wedding dress? Hee hee. She's really pretty."
Tenchi looked around to see if anybody was watching. Seto, Misaki and Yosho were still gossiping, and Azusa was wallowing in his hand.
"All right. Maybe Aeka can tell me what's going on."
As he and Sasami approached the open door, Azusa suddenly appeared directly in front of them, barring their way.
"I absolutely forbid it." He reached behind himself and slid the door shut. "Aeka will see no one until after the wedding." The king stood resolute before Tenchi.
"But, Daddy..."
"Hush, Sasami. Tenchi, state your business."
Tenchi screwed-up his confidence and began his speech.
"Great-Grandfather, I understand that Princess Aeka has a duty to the people of Jurai. But she doesn't love the person she is supposed to marry. I think it's wrong to make her do this."
"It is our way. To ensure the future of Jurai, Aeka must marry and produce an heir."
"But, isn't my Grandfather next in line?"
"When the Holy Council learned Yosho refused to return to Jurai and that his tree had taken root, he was declared Outcast. Neither he nor any of his descendants may ever return to Jurai without the approval of at least two of the other three houses. It caused great difficulty for us just to get permission for all of you to attend the wedding."
Tenchi thought for a moment before trying once more.
"Aeka spoke of her father as a kind and wise ruler who always listened to the needs of his people. I don't know what's so important that you have to force this on Aeka, but there has to be another way. Please, Aeka's my friend. Let her choose for herself."
Azusa gazed down at Tenchi as he absorbed his words. For a moment, he found his own resolve wavering. However, knowledge of what would happen if the wedding did not take place strengthened him.
"Your plea has been heard. However, the wedding will go on."
"Can I see her?"
"No."
"Is she all right, at least?" Tenchi was beginning to grow frustrated. He was worried for Aeka and her father would not even confirm her health. Azusa's temper flared.
"You think I would harm my own daughter?" His eyes flashed with anger. "This audience is over. Leave at once!"
"Not until I've seen Aeka." Tenchi stubbornly refused.
"You dare!" Azusa raised his hand to cuff the insolent boy.
"Hey!" Ryoko called from her place on the windowsill where she had been watching. "Little, Azusa! Why don't you pick on somebody who's willing to fight you?"
The King of Jurai spun around when he heard the terrible voice from his past. His hand went to his sword.
"Demon! Be gone!"
Ryoko stepped down onto the floor and casually walked to Tenchi's side.
"I'll go if Tenchi goes with me."
Azusa addressed Tenchi again.
"Boy, take this devil-woman and leave!"
Tenchi knew refusing would cause an incident. He looked around to see if there was anyone sympathetic to him, but the others were just sitting by, watching emotionlessly. He looked back at Azusa's angry continence and decided to hold his ground.
"No. I want to see Aeka."
"So be it." Azusa drew his sword, revealing it to be only a handle. A blazing, blue blade appeared, just like the one Tenchi carried in his belt.
Ryoko summoned her own orange energy blade, holding it at the ready.
"Ready for a rematch, little Azusa?"
"I will defeat you, demon-beast!"
The door behind Azusa slammed open, causing everyone to stop and look.
"Stop it, Father!" Aeka cried. "Lord Tenchi is our guest! I want him treated with respect and kindness. Ryoko! Put your sword away."
"Him first." Ryoko indicated Azusa by pointing with her chin.
"PUT IT AWAY!" Aeka screeched at Ryoko, making her hair flutter in the air.
"All right, all right! What the hell's your problem?" Ryoko's sword disappeared. "It's not like he could hurt me, anyway."
"Father, please put your sword away."
Azusa growled, but complied with his daughter's wish.
Coming around from behind her father, Aeka revealed herself completely. She was in her wedding dress, as Sasami had told Tenchi. He could not help noticing she did indeed look very pretty. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Lord Tenchi, as you can see I'm fine." She kindly informed him. "You should not worry about me any further."
"But Aeka..."
"Lord Tenchi, there's... something I wish to tell you."
"Aeka," Azusa interrupted, "this is not appropriate."
"Oh, put a cork in it, Azusa!" Seto yelled at him from her place on a couch next to Yosho. "Let the poor girl speak."
"I may never have another chance to tell you how I feel, so... um..." Aeka tried to continue as her face blushed. "I... had hoped... that someday I would wear this... um, dress..." Aeka took a deep breath and was about to complete her confession when the elevator opened again.
"Oh, for Heaven's sake!" Aeka complained. "Now what?"
Everyone fell to the floor when Mihoshi walked out into the room.
"Oh, hi, everybody!" She took a quick look around and saw Tenchi getting back to his feet.
"Tenchi! I've been looking for you! Would you listen to this!"
Seto leaned close to Yosho.
"How did she do that?"
"It's a mystery, even to Washu." He answered.
Mihoshi went on, unaware of the questions surrounding her existence.
"I was down in the library. Oh, it's such a big library, too. Anyway, I was looking for that law about getting married on Jurai. I thought it was pret-ty weird that such a lawful society would let people marry-off their daughters without so much as a word. Anyway, the law really does exist!"
"No kidding." Aeka complained of her plight.
"No, really. But it turns out there's a way out!"
"What?!" Tenchi, Aeka, and Ryoko all exclaimed at the same time.
"Uh-huh. It's, uh... Oh! Here, I wrote it down." Mihoshi reached into a pocket and pulled out a small spiral notepad. She flipped a couple of pages and began to recite.
"In the event --" The notepad suddenly burst into flames. Mihoshi dropped it with a screech.
"Eek!"
Tenchi whirled around to face Ryoko.
"Ryoko! How could you!"
"I didn't do it!" Ryoko adamantly proclaimed her innocence.
"Well, who else could have done it?"
Ryoko pointed to her right.
"How about everybody in the room?"
Tenchi looked around and realized she was right. Everyone present had a reason to deny him the means to save Aeka from her fate. Tenchi looked down and watched Aeka's salvation go up in smoke.
"Wait a minute!" Tenchi looked to Mihoshi. "Mihoshi, you said you found that in the library, right?"
"Well, yeah."
"Can you show me?"
"Uh, yes. If I can find it again. This place is pretty big."
"All right! Let's go." He turned back to Aeka.
"Aeka, don't worry! We'll find it, and get you out of this." Tenchi grabbed Mihoshi by the hand and pulled her back into the elevator.
"Hey, Tenchi!" Ryoko called to them. "Where are you going with her?" She phased through the closing doors just in time to join them in their descent.
"But, I..." Aeka stuttered as Tenchi left on his mission. "I didn't get to tell you."
Azusa finally put away his sword.
"Misaki, continue to assist Aeka in preparing for the wedding. Seto, have the library closed."
"Father!" Aeka loudly objected.
"Silence! I'll have no more insolence from anyone! I am the King of Jurai and my orders are absolute! You will marry Seiryuu and that is final!"
Aeka ran back into the room that she had come out of, her white dress flailing about her. Misaki got up and followed without so much as glancing at her husband. Sasami went next. She stopped at her father's side.
"You're mean!" She ran to join her sister and mother.
"Azusa," Seto called to her son-in-law, "what excuse should I give for closing the library?"
"There's an improvement plan in the works. It is hereby approved."
"The money for that plan hasn't been allocated yet." she pointed out, allowing the King to make the decisions.
"Erg! Then pay for it out of the family coffers. It will be a gift from the Masaki family to the people of Jurai for their great patience with my stubborn children."
"Very well, Azusa. But I hope your children don't grow to hate you for your dedication to eliminating their stubbornness."
Seto disappeared into thin air.
Azusa turned to the remaining family member in the room.
"Yosho. You understand what I'm trying to do, don't you?"
The crown prince slowly stood.
"I feel the need for some clean air." He walked to the other door and went through it. The door shut behind him, leaving the King alone. Azusa stared blankly at the closed door.
"But, I just want to protect my family."
Ryoko patiently sat in the Great Hall of the Jurai Royal Palace, waiting for the wedding ceremony to begin. She had never been to a wedding before, and was curious. There was more royalty running around than the last time she had been in the palace. At the time they had been running for their lives, terrified. Ryoko almost laughed at the remembered image of all those royal-types running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Those days were long past. She stuck her hands behind her head and leaned back as far as she could. When her right elbow almost smacked Tenchi in the head he reminded her of his presence.
"Hey! Try to be more careful!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Tenchi." She put her arm around Tenchi's shoulders. "Did the big bad demon almost get you?" Ryoko slapped her other hand against Tenchi's chest. "Relax! Nothing's gonna happen."
Ryoko did not bother to remove her arm from its place on Tenchi's shoulders. There was no one around that would dare try to tell her to move it, except for Aeka. But now that she was getting married, she would no longer be able to get between her and Tenchi.
Tenchi sat quietly in the next seat further from the aisle. He had been very crabby since the King of Jurai had insisted on enforcing the little known and seldom invoked law from antiquity which allowed him to choose his daughter's husband if she had not chosen of her own accord by her 21st birthday. Aeka was a princess and had her duty to the people of Jurai. At least, that's the way her father saw it.
Tenchi had not been as understanding. After his confrontation with the King, he had arrived at the library, after much searching, only to find it closed for renovations. Ryoko had marveled when her Tenchi had actually slugged the closed doors and then tried throwing around his royal authority. Unfortunately, the custodial staff apologetically explained the order to close had come from the King himself. At that, Tenchi had stalked back to his rooms and insisted on privacy until the ceremony.
A crier announced the arrival of the King and his wives, Misaki and Funaho. They sat in the seats provided for the Royal Family. In every major room or chamber in the palace, there were empty seats located in a prominent place, should any member of the family wish to sit in and participate. This chamber was no exception.
The ceremony went as could be expected; with a great deal of pomp and circumstance. The groom, Seiryuu, looked very confident, as he waiting for the ceremony to play itself out. Aeka appeared shortly after him, escorted by her sister. Sasami wore the dress she had picked-out with Ryoko's help. It tastefully showed how much she had grown since she and Aeka had last been home. Aeka's wedding gown was a very traditional Juraian style. She was covered from head to toe in pure white. It differed from Earth gowns in that there was no veil. The lack of a veil was made up for with a hood.
The ceremony progressed slowly. Ryoko tried to assuage her boredom at one point by rubbing Tenchi's neck with the hand already on his shoulders. He seemed to like it, and actually closed his eyes. But after only a minute, he reached up and pulled her arm over his head then gently placed it at her side.
Ryoko idly wondered what would happen if someone objected to the wedding. There would probably be a huge blow-up. The idea entertained her for a moment.
The priest, or whatever version of official they used here on Jurai, finally asked aloud of the attendees.
"If there would be any who challenge the legitimacy of this marriage, speak now."
Tenchi nearly leapt from his seat.
"I would!" He boldly announced.
"Tenchi!" Katsuhito commanded his grandson's attention. "You must not interfere!"
But Tenchi had his own ideas. He turned to his grandfather.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa, but I can't let this happen."
Tenchi turned to his left to get to the aisle. He steeled himself to deal with Ryoko's molten fury. To his surprise, she only yawned tiredly and waved him on. Relieved, Tenchi slipped by into the aisle. He walked determinedly towards the altar to make his case.
Washu, on Ryoko's other side, leaned towards her daughter.
"Ryoko, dear, aren't you concerned about what's going on?"
"Nope." Ryoko replied. "I figured Tenchi would do something like this. It's not like he's going to marry her himself. Besides, I was getting bored."
Washu leaned back into her seat.
"It's funny you should say that." she said with an omniscient look.
As Tenchi advanced along the aisle, he could make out the look of pure joy on Aeka's face. To her, Tenchi was a knight in shining armor, coming to her rescue.
Tenchi reached the altar.
Seiryuu, Azusa's chosen groom, looked completely taken aback. He couldn't believe someone had actually objected to his marriage to Princess Aeka.
The wide-eyed priest addressed Tenchi.
"Your name, sir?"
"Tenchi Masaki." The young prince answered.
"You contest this marriage?" He asked.
"Yes, I do." Tenchi confirmed.
The priest turned to Jurai's King, Azusa. All eyes also turned to the King. Azusa sat upon his throne, eyeing his great-grandson. Strangely, though, he was grinning from ear to ear. Next to him, his second wife, Misaki, smiled and waved to Tenchi as if in thanks. The King loudly cleared his throat.
"Tenchi has challenged Seiryuu for the hand of my daughter, Princess Aeka. Once given, a challenge may not be rescinded. Let it stand."
Katsuhito seemed deep in contemplation.
Nobuyuki stood up, shouting. "Atta boy, Tenchi!" Tears of pride streamed down his face.
"This is so romantic!" Mihoshi blubbered into a handkerchief.
Aeka still seemed to be seeing white knights on horses.
Sasami, the maid of honor, giggled playfully.
Tenchi's eyes crossed, losing focus. "Uhh..."
"Told you so." Washu whispered to Ryoko.
"THE HELL IT WILL!" Ryoko shouted across the hall. The look of molten fury Tenchi had been expecting a moment ago exploded in full force. Ryoko literally flew from her seat. Flying up the aisle, she nearly bowled over Sasami in her haste to get between Tenchi and his unintended bride. She landed directly in front of Tenchi, facing Aeka and her father with her arms outstretched, defiance incarnate.
"There's no way Tenchi can go along with this stupid challenge! He's already promised to spend the rest of his life with me." Ryoko turned to Tenchi and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Tell them, Tenchi." she demanded of him. But Ryoko's overly protective grasp on Tenchi's neck cut off his air supply. Tenchi struggled to break the unbreakable strength in Ryoko's superhuman arms. She did not seem to notice his difficulty breathing.
The voice of Aeka's most prominent rival finally broke through her delusions of heroic chivalry.
"Miss Ryoko! How dare you interfere!" Striking a haughty pose, Aeka continued. "Why would Lord Tenchi spend his remaining days with a monster, when he could have a beautiful princess like me? Ahh, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!"
Ryoko bristled at Aeka's use of the word "monster". She turned back to Aeka, releasing her grip on Tenchi, who fell to his hands and knees, sucking in air by the lungful.
"There's a saying on Earth. 'Beauty is only skin deep.' I guess Tenchi sees you for what you really are."
Aeka froze in mid-laugh. She tensed for a moment, fuming.
"At least my skin doesn't have wrinkles big enough for a truck to drive through."
Ryoko walked right up to Aeka.
"You should talk. You're wearing so much cover-up, you look like a mime."
"A... A mime!?" Aeka stuttered. "I have had it with your insolence! Azaka! Kamidake! Ryoko, you really are a fool if you think you can get the best of me here. In this palace, my every whim is reality! Ahh, ho, ho, ho, ho!" The princess confidently laughed again.
"Is that so?" Ryoko challenged. "Let's see how you like this reality, Princess." Energy began to crackle in the air around the rivals.
Seiryuu ran and hid. Finally catching his breath, Tenchi jumped between them.
"Would you two try to be serious about this?"
"I am serious." The girls answered him simultaneously.
"Yeah, right." Tenchi mumbled to himself. "Look, I don't know anything about this challenge. But I do know making Aeka get married against her will is wrong."
"But, Tenchi," Ryoko forgot about whatever destructive assault she had been planning. "If you go through with this you'll have to marry Aeka!"
Tenchi put his hands on Ryoko's arms.
"Ryoko, I have to do something." He tried to explain. "Everything will work out. You'll see." Ryoko was not comforted by his words.
"How will it be all right?" She pleaded. "Don't you understand what I'm saying?" Tears began to brim in Ryoko's feline-like eyes.
"Ryoko..." Tenchi asked. "What do you mean?"
"I..." Ryoko took a step back as panic seemed to take hold of her. She shut her eyes tight and shot straight into the air, disappearing just before hitting the chapel's vaulted ceiling.
"Ryoko..." Tenchi looked up, worried.
There was a collective sigh of relief as Ryoko left the building. Before anyone could react further, Azusa called to Tenchi.
"Tenchi, as the challenger, you may choose a champion first."
"Your Highness," Tenchi turned to the King. "What exactly is this challenge?"
Exercising great patience, Azusa answered Tenchi.
"The challenge is a duel. You, or a champion of your choosing, must fight until there is a clear victor. The winner will marry Aeka. The duel will take place tomorrow at noon. Therefore, you must choose a champion immediately so that the combatants may prepare."
Tenchi thought for a moment.
"Now I've done it. Not only is Aeka in a tight spot, but so am I. Even worse, Ryoko's upset. No choice, I guess."
"I will fight for myself." Tenchi announced. The guests murmured their approval.
As if by magic, Seiryuu reappeared next to Aeka. She started, and almost smacked him for it.
"My turn to choose, I suppose. Let's see... Tenchi is a very skilled adversary so I should pick someone even more skilled. Oh, dear, that will be difficult. Hmm... Let's see. Who to pick? Who to pick? Ah!" Seiryuu's face lit up as he came to an answer. "I should pick the strongest, most skilled warrior in attendance. And who better to represent the future King of Jurai than", he paused dramatically, "the Crown Prince Yosho!"
Even this did not seem to phase Katsuhito. His only reaction was a single phrase.
"I see."
Azusa's grin became a face-splitting smile.
END.
AFTERWORD: nai.