Invasion

by Dreamr

An epic length continuation of the OAV manga storyline, after part 2.

24. Just Desserts

INVASION, Volume 3, Part 8: Just Desserts.

DISCLAIMER: Tenchi Muyo! is copyright AIC/Pioneer, LDC, inc. I claim no rights to it. However, the events in this story are entirely of my own imagination.

FOREWORD: I put this chapter together from a group of very short stories describing the characters thoughts and feelings right before the wedding. I didn't want to cut those stories out, but in order to keep the plot flowing, I did have to cut one scene with Mihoshi that required her to be in the same place as the rest of the group well before the wedding. Perhaps I'll post it as a short story.

After posting the last chapter, I received a well-written review that I wish to respond to. Unfortunately, the review was submitted anonymously. So I must respond here, rather than privately.

Regarding Airi, this story (Invasion) is written with no regard to Tenchi Muyo GXP. I began writing this long before GXP came out, and trying to fit that continuity into this story-arc would prove problematic at best. Therefore, I will not attempt to merge that story with this one. However, I have used some of that material for reference purposes.

In GXP Airi appears to be a part of the GP academy staff. Her place in the academy upper echelon is certain, but her exact position is never really specified. One might also note that Tenchi Muyo GXP deals solely with the Galaxy Police Academy, foregoing any mention of the rest of the Galaxy Academy, where Washu, Doctor Clay, Airi, and Yosho all attended at various times. In GXP, only two things tie the two academies together: the presence of Airi, and the mention of Washu's Pore, a hole in the crust of the planet created by Washu during one of her experiments. At the least, we can be certain that the GP Academy and the Galaxy Academy are co-located on the same planet. However, the lack of significant Galaxy Academy personnel presence might indicate that the two are administered at least semi-independently, if not totally separately.

Having established the background reference material that I have chosen to use, I can say that Airi's inclusion in this story was an after-thought to add more flavor and credibility. Since my story deals more with the scholarly aspects of the Galaxy Academy, rather than the Galaxy Police Academy, I intentionally chose to alter her position from a GP-related position to Galaxy Academy Director/Headmaster.

The review also covered some older material, focusing on Interlude One, Christmas Eve. I believe the question was how could the robotic terrorists have known Tenchi was in the hotel, and why did I continue to write the story from his point of view after he was replaced?

I think this is a good example of the evolution of a writer. In retrospect, I think I should have ceased giving the story from Tenchi's point of view and kept it so until the real Tenchi was recovered.

As for the terrorists' knowledge of Tenchi's presence beforehand, I really had not given it enough thought at the time. Being able to replace him with a robotic version implies a level of planning that requires foreknowledge of Ryoko's plan to take him to that specific location. Looking back, I probably could have included mention of a shady person tailing them unnoticed as they went around town, and that would have made the event more believable. Or, perhaps the robots were using a form of holographic projection that only made them appear human. We've seen this sort of thing before in GXP and or other sci-fi stories. Such a disguise could easily be altered to imitate Tenchi, or any other person.

I think that as I write more, mistakes like this have become fewer and farther between. I look forward to more well thought and helpful reviews, anonymous or otherwise. Although, without a return email address, I can't send a reply!

AUTHOR: Dreamr

LAST REVISION: 01 April 2005

EMAIL: stood before a full-length mirror in the room assigned to him for preparations before the wedding ceremony, checking his appearance for what seemed like the umpteen-millionth time. His bowtie was straight. His cummerbund was tight. His jacket was buttoned. His stomach was turning cart-wheels. Everything was exactly as he had envisioned it, except for his bride.

Today he would marry not one, but two beautiful young women. Only circumstances beyond his control enabled this. In a way, he was glad. Both women had come to him literally out of the blue. Although Tenchi had not expected choosing a life's mate would be easy, neither had he expected it to turn out like this.

Looking into the mirror, Tenchi wondered what his mother would think of it.

Alone in a side hallway, Mihoshi peeked through a side door keyhole into the reception hall at the assembling guests. The most powerful royalty, politicians, and government officials from across the galaxy were beginning to crowd into the huge enclosure. Most of her own family were among them. She knew she should go say hello. She hadn't seen them in years. But her heart just was not in it.

Mihoshi was happy for her friends, of course. It was only natural that they should be married. It had always seemed to her that Ryoko and Aeka's feelings for Tenchi always far outstripped her own. She had held back for fear of hurting them or Tenchi. Those two girls were women enough for any two men. Tenchi was truly brave to marry both of them; brave and gallant. But that still did not change how she felt for him.

Just back from patrol, Mihoshi took out her pen to write yet another maintenance repair request for her shuttle. Without Washu around she had to use the normal maintenance request channels for repairs. But as she entered the house still dripping wet from her usual bad-piloting-induced dunking, she noticed that Nobuyuki and Katsuhito were both in the main room with several open bottles of sake and various expended party poppers (those noisy little devices that sprayed paper confetti everywhere when you pulled the string) strewn all over the room. Mihoshi looked about in wonder at the festive scene.

"Are we having a party?"

Nobuyuki rushed up to Mihoshi and clapped her on the shoulders.

"Yes! We're having a giant party! He's finally done it! My boy..." The man clamped down on his lower lip to keep his tears of joy from falling too freely. "My boy's getting married!"

Mihoshi smiled with delight at the news.

"That's wonderful, Mister Masaki! Um..." Then she remembered that Nobuyuki's boy was Tenchi. The meaning of this announcement slowly sank in. Tenchi was getting married. Since this was the first she knew of it, that meant he had chosen someone else. Mihoshi's private little dream of a happy life as Tenchi's wife came to an abrupt end.

"That's... wonderful news. I'm very happy for you and your family. Please excuse me while I get cleaned-up." Mihoshi bowed politely then hurried out of the room before the overwhelming sense of loss took complete control of her. Dropping her pen and paper as she ascended the hallway stairs, Mihoshi took out her cube. She twisted it one way and then another, unsure of exactly what she was trying to do. This cube had lots and lots of functions. Surely there was some function built in to it that would make her feel better.

"Why won't it work?" She whispered under her breath. "Why can't I make it work?"

Nobuyuki peeked around the corner to see after Mihoshi, who had quite quickly left at hearing the good news.

"Eh, Miss Mihoshi?"

Mihoshi ignored the messenger of bad fate in favor of finding some answers from her cube, which unfortunately, was not cooperating.

"Why doesn't it work?"

A pot of hot coffee materialized in mid-air, only to come crashing down to the floor in a massive explosion of hot liquid and shattering ceramic.

"No, that's not it."

"Miss Mihoshi?"

With a dissatisfied growl, Mihoshi gave the cube a particularly savage twist. This time, she got a pot of tea to materialize with the same resultant explosion.

"That's not what I want!"

"Miss Mihoshi."

Mihoshi suddenly realized that she was being addressed. Not wanting to be rude, she turned around revealing her unshed tears.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm supposed to be happy, but... well, I was kind of hoping..." Mihoshi couldn't finish. She didn't want to say out loud how she felt. It was such an embarrassing matter for public conversation.

Seeing that he had upset Mihoshi with such a forward proclamation of Tenchi's impending marriage, Nobuyuki climbed the two stairs separating them and took her hands in his, causing Mihoshi to blush.

"Sorry. I, eh, didn't mean to throw it in your face like that. But, he's my boy, you know? I can't help being happy for him."

"I understand."

"Ahem." Katsuhito came around the corner with sake in hand, clearing his throat. "Miss Mihoshi, if marriage is something you are considering, I could arrange for you to meet some eligible bachelors. Of course, you already know Nobuyuki."

Mihoshi's face turned beet-red as she pulled her hands from Nobuyuki's in order to cover her face.

"Oh, no! You don't have to do that!"

Scratching at the back of his head, Nobuyuki laughed out loud. But as he did, Mihoshi noticed how much alike he and Tenchi acted. It didn't take a GP Detective First-Class to see from where Tenchi got his mannerisms.

Peering into the immense room, Mihoshi decided to wait until after the private ceremony to join the guests. The reception was scheduled to happen afterwards so that the drinking wouldn't interfere with the ceremony. Ryoko and Aeka would probably try to sing karaoke again. For the time being, no one would question her absence since she and Sasami were supposed to be preparing for the ceremony. She would just sit in the anter-room with Sasami and Ryo-oh-ki waiting for the ceremony to begin. She said a silent prayer in hopes that she wouldn't pull an Aeka and run out of the room crying.

Sasami was fussing over Ryo-chan's dress when Mihoshi returned from her walk. The normally bubbly blonde sat quietly in a chair to wait for the ceremony. She said nothing of going to see her family. In fact, she said nothing at all.

Sasami felt certain that Mihoshi was feeling blue because she was not marrying Tenchi along with Ryoko and Aeka. Sasami herself sometimes felt a twinge of similar regret. But marriage was still years away for her. What was more, she had met someone her own age that she felt close to. It was so odd. Sometimes Sasami felt like she was watching her own growth through another set of eyes. She attributed it to Tsunami's influence and presence.

Sometimes, when her mind drifted, Sasami found herself seeing things that she could not possibly be seeing. Places very distant came to mind, or people who didn't even exist as far as she knew. It was worse at night when she slept. Sasami almost always kept her dreams to herself. She didn't put much faith in random images. But when the subject of her dream or vision happened to be her friends or herself, it was difficult to pull her attention away. Once, she had even dreamed of her wedding night with Tenchi. She still couldn't decide if that had been a true Tsunami-granted vision or just a hormone induced fantasy dream.

When her dreams or visions were about adult subjects of any kind, it always made Sasami feel like she was in too much of a hurry to grow-up. She felt like someone was rushing her. It was silly of course. She would grow into an adult at whatever pace her body decided and no sooner. But sometimes she just felt like things were moving at the wrong pace.

In two months time, Sasami would have her thirteenth birthday. Although she and Aeka had been born over seven hundred years ago, they had both been in suspended animation for most of that time while Ryu-o cruised the galaxy searching for their brother Yosho. A special dispensation had been granted them both regarding the legalities of a seven hundred year-old princess with the body of an eight-year-old, or in Aeka's case, a nineteen-year-old.

In two months time, on her birthday, Sasami would be granted the right to take her hair down an wear it as a noblewoman of the royal family. Although it was only a traditional gesture nowadays, the gesture still held a great deal of symbolic significance. It would indicate that she was of sufficient age to be courted. But courtship brought its own difficulties.

Grudgingly, Sasami had stopped objecting when Ryoko teased her about her relationship with Shuzan, which was public knowledge. They went out frequently and were often seen together in public. Rumors were beginning to circulate about them. Jurai nobles abounded at the Galaxy Academy. Rich and powerful families from across the galaxy sent their progeny here to get a proper education. With her hair up, signifying that she was not yet of sufficient age, those nobles often frowned or made faces of disgust when they saw her and Shuzan out together. While it wasn't illegal, it was regarded as somewhat perverse for a young man of high standing to be taking such a strong interest in a girl, as she currently appeared.

However, once Sasami appeared in public as an eligible young lady of the court, suitors of sufficient standing would have the right to challenge Shuzan to a duel for her favor. He could refuse, but it would make him appear as a coward and weakling, thereby embarrassing his family and hurting his chances to actually be selected by her father to one day become her husband. Even worse, the duels, although not to the death, could sometimes get ugly, especially if the combatants held a particularly strong dislike for one another. Sasami hated to think what would happen if Shuzan were to be defeated in a duel. He was still relatively young compared to some of the young men whom she had seen looking at her with more than just casual interest.

With a sigh, Sasami stood up straight. With increased age came increased height. She had to squat now in order to straighten up Ryo-chan's dress. Her growing height and lengthening limbs sometimes made her feel like an strange weed that had suddenly sprouted up in Aeka's garden. She was getting so tall now that she had to look almost straight down at Ryo-chan if she stood too close. Of course, every time she looked straight down, Sasami was also reminded of the significant growth of her chest area. Growing up seemed to include growing out. Sasami idly wondered if Shuzan liked how she was filling out.

"Mya?"

Sasami's eyes refocused on Ryo-chan. She blushed when she realized that she had been caught staring at her own breasts, as insignificant as they still were.

"Sorry. Where were we, hm?"

Ryo-chan held up both of her hands, palms out, indicating that she wanted to play patty-cake. Sasami smiled as she knelt on the floor, careful to lift her dress so as not to damage it. She wanted it to be in perfect shape for when she saw Shuzan during the reception. Maybe he would even ask her to dance again.

Even though there was no external force in the universe that could make her vomit, the soon-to-be second wife of Prince Tenchi Masaki Jurai felt like she was going to hurl. It was not due to pregnancy, either. Washu had assured her that that would not happen unless she absolutely decided she wanted it. Even then, it took the cooperation of a healthy male. The cause was obvious. She was nervous.

Never had Ryoko imagined she would do such a thing. It was more suited to Aeka's temperament. In fact, the whole thing had been her idea to begin with. Aeka had even asked her for her permission. In the process, she had given Ryoko the power to control their destinies.

In the end, it was the baby that had swayed her. She could have held out for anything she wanted; money, power, all was within her reach. Aeka would probably have given her anything she asked. But all she could think of was how a baby deserved to have both its parents. So she had said yes.

Tenchi had shocked her into silence by insisting that he would marry Aeka only if she would marry him as well. He had asked, so she said yes again. The thought of it never failed to send a chill up her spine and a blush to her face.

"Would you like something to warm your feet?"

The sound of Seto Kamiki's voice sent a chill of a different kind up Ryoko's backbone. Something about that woman always gave her the creeps.

"Nope. I just don't see why I have to go through with this when everybody already knows Tenchi and I love each other."

"Ohh. I see." Seto's grin grew wider as she peered over Ryoko's shoulder. "That's quite the dress."

Ryoko took a look at herself to confirm what she already knew. If she were to become a member of the Royal Family of Jurai, she was as sure as Hell going to look the part.

At first, Ryoko felt reluctant to get involved in having her wedding dress made. She looked through hundreds of magazines and catalogs, hoping to find a dress that matched her tastes. Being the unique person that she was, nothing looked right. After some prodding from Aeka and the other girls, she finally agreed to have a dress made from scratch.

The first step was to select a material, which, coincidentally, was the step that sold her on the project. After looking at roll after roll of the exotic materials available at various tailors and cloth suppliers, Ryoko's eyes were caught by a particularly beautiful roll of white with a rare opalescent quality that caused it to iridesce depending on what angle the light struck it. Ryoko walked all around the lone bolt, quietly admiring its opalescent qualities. She ran a finger along the length of the material. It was incredibly smooth.

"This one."

Aeka joined her by the bolt.

"My isn't this --" Aeka's eyes bulged when she saw the price tag.

Ryoko flashed a toothy grin as she completed the flabbergasted princess's sentence. "Perfect?"

"Expensive." Aeka whispered under her breath. However, seeing Ryoko standing behind the bolt, she had to agree. Just the sight of the two in the same place nearly took her breath away. But the price was astronomical even for royalty.

"Well?" Ryoko prompted her.

"Can't you just pick an appropriate wedding kimono like the rest of us?"

"I could." Ryoko mused with a finger on her chin in a thoughtful pose. "But then I would look just like everyone else."

Grimacing as she checked the price again just to be certain she hadn't misread it, Aeka spoke to Ryoko under her breath so that the merchant wouldn't hear.

"People have paid less for entire planets!"

Ryoko nodded in approval at the ego boost she was experiencing.

"Really? Well, then. Only the best for a future queen."

Aeka sighed aloud as the image of Ryoko with a crown came to mind.

"Tsunami protect us."

Ryoko looked out across the landscape, surveying all that was in sight in an attempt to keep the king-sized butterflies that were fluttering around in her stomach from affecting her voice.

"Of course it's fancy. I'm getting married. A girl doesn't do that every day, you know."

"I suppose not."

The sound of an explosion suddenly drew their attention to one of the nearby circular landing pads. A boiling cloud of smoke and fire rose upwards from a hail of metal, plastic, and wood. The guards, having military training, hit the deck avoiding most of the deadly projectiles. Those without the benefit of training, such as the little girl and her parents that had just disembarked from the ruined craft, were not so lucky. The parents had the presence of mind to shield their daughter from the flying debris, thus protecting her from direct harm. However, the force of the explosion was strong enough to blow them off the platform. The ground was not far, but it was far enough that their survival was in doubt.

A slight pop sound told Seto that Ryoko had just disappeared. A fraction of a second later, she reappeared directly underneath the falling people.

Ryoko reached out with both hands for the falling parents as the girl thudded onto her shoulder. She promptly latched on to Ryoko and started screaming bloody murder. Her savior grasped at the adults' clothes as they fell. Her hands entangled themselves in cloth. For a moment, she had them. Then buttons popped and cloth tore. The two people fell away, leaving Ryoko with a white Jurai Royal Navy coat in one hand and a matching white blouse in the other. Dropping the clothes and silently cursing her partial failure, Ryoko put her arms around the little girl and slowly floated up to the landing pad, where survivors were just beginning to take stock of the situation. As she stepped down onto the pad, the child's screaming slowed to crying. But she refused to let go, even when Ryoko tried prying her arms off. Now she knew how Tenchi felt.

"Come on, kid, leggo."

Armed soldiers began streaming from the landing pad doors. These were not the usual staff carrying honor guards, but heavily armed and armored foot soldiers. Most of them took positions around the perimeter of the pad, while those with medical training began to offer assistance to the injured. About a quarter of the guards, including the one apparently in charge, surrounded Ryoko and leveled energy weapons at her. An angry growl began to rattle in her throat. She had just saved this girl's life and this was the thanks she was getting?

"Let the girl go, demon!"

Ryoko was just about to tell the man exactly where he could go, when all the soldiers weapons suddenly leapt out of their hands and flew over the side of the platform. The explanation appeared in front of Ryoko in the form of Lady Seto.

"The next person who levels so much as a frown at this woman will answer to me."

The platoon sergeant had something to say about that.

"M'Lady..."

"SILENCE!" Seto strode directly in front of the soldier and gave him her iciest stare. "You have disgraced all of Jurai by threatening a guest of the Royal Family. You will report yourself to the Captain of the Guard for disciplinary action, at once!"

Seto was so close she could hear the man's teeth gnashing with frustration. He apparently did not appreciate his new assignment. He stepped back and made his salute before turning away to report to the afore mentioned official.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Who's next in command?"

Another sergeant stepped forward.

"Ma'am!"

"Assist your comrades in the rescue effort."

"Yes, ma'am!" The newly promoted platoon sergeant began barking out orders, sending his charges running across the platform.

"You gonna have him executed?"

"Hmm?" Seto returned her attention to Ryoko. "Oh, goodness, no. I don't have that kind of authority. They only think I do."

Ryoko's jaw dropped.

"I want my mommy and daddy."

"Huh?" Ryoko's eyes glanced towards the little girl she was holding. "Oh. Um... Uh... Nnn... This sucks!"

She quickly closed the distance to Seto and, finally prying the girl's arms from around her neck, she held her out.

"You tell her."

Seto and the girl stared at each other for a moment.

"Tell her what?"

"About her parents!"

"What about them?"

"Hello! They just got blown off the platform! Unless they can fly, they're splattered all over the ground."

The little girl promptly began crying again when she heard Ryoko say that her parents were dead. With a very cross expression, Seto reached out and took the child away from Ryoko.

"How can you say such a thing! Every raised platform around the port is protected by an energy net. They're perfectly fine." Turning away from Ryoko, Seto tried to comfort the child. "There, there. Don't listen to the silly girl. Your parents are fine, I promise."

Ryoko stood there gaping.

"No one told me..." Taking advantage of not having to tend to the girl's plight, Ryoko meekly floated away, hoping no one would notice.

"Miss Ryoko?"

Ryoko paused at Seto's call.

"It's the thought that counts."

Without response, Ryoko resumed her course, but with a little more zip to her flight.

"I want my mommy and daddy!" The girl in Seto's arms cried again.

"Of course you do, dear."

Seto sighed wistfully at the thought of holding a baby again. Hopefully, there would be no further incidents. Certain precautions had been taken in preparation for having so many of the royal family in one place at the same time. One of those precautions was to change the shuttle arrangements at the last minute. The shuttle that had exploded was supposed to have been carrying Aeka. However, even that information was a closely guarded secret. Anyone who had discovered the arrangements could also have discovered the change, or at least anticipate it. Considering the implications, Seto decided it might be prudent to check on the First Princess.

Despite her short stature, The number one genius scientist in the universe was walking tall. She had truly done it. Her grand experiment was a success; well, mostly. Even through Kagato's physical and psychological torture, Ryoko's basic behavior algorithms had remained intact. Once freed of his twisted influence, she had reverted to the kind of behavior one would expect of a class C3 super-powered being.

Ryoko was unconcerned with the mundane aspects of normal life simply due to the fact that she had no such needs. Hence her lack of interest in such things as housework. Her health and welfare had nothing to do with her environment, with only the exceptions of physical danger and the need to interact with others. Therein lay her only true weakness. Because Ryoko had no other needs, her drive to fulfill that one singular need was paramount in her psyche. Unfortunately, the additional programming Kagato had introduced into her had caused her to interact in a very violent way. Washu had learned from rummaging around in Ryoko's memories that she had taken every opportunity to interact with people and learn about their behavior patterns. As cruel as it sounded, Washu was glad Yosho had stuck Ryoko in that cave for seven hundred years. Separated from Kagato's control and influence, she slowly reverted back to her natural patterns. Of course, it was not easy setting aside thousands of years of learned behavior.

Then came Tenchi. A young boy with few friends, he had spent an inordinate amount of time around Ryoko's cave, simply being a boy. Discorporate, and unable to truly interact, Ryoko had observed him. For sixteen years, Tenchi was all she had. His comings and goings began to evoke powerful feelings from within her. After years of silent observation, he finally freed her. They got off to a rocky start. But things had worked out in the end.

Washu walked around with the biggest, proudest smile anyone had ever seen. Her Ryoko, the labor of love she had created with full intent and desire, rather than by the accident of hopeful timing, was getting married. Unable to contain herself, she broke out in another fit of joyful giggles.

Cheerfully winding her way through the growing throng of well-wishers, Washu noticed a sudden increase in volume from the entryway. Unfortunately, her short stature prevented her from seeing what was going on. Without a second thought, she jumped up on a large table so that she could see what was going on. The two young ladies talking at the table looked up at her in shock.

Looking around the spacious room, Washu noticed that the number of Royal Guards in the room was now twice what it had been earlier. Very suspicious. She also saw Airi leaving with one of the guards. Airi's daughter, Minaho, was also there, quietly trying to calm everyone. Something was definitely amiss. Washu decided that she should go check on her often troublesome daughter.

The First Princess of the Jurai stood up on a pedestal while her Chief Seamstress fawned over her wedding kimono. She would rather have been sitting in a comfortable chair, napping. Although her unborn child gave her great pride, it also gave her a sore back, swollen feet, and made her feel as if there was a lit furnace in her guts.

"Have you finished, yet?"

"A moment longer, Highness."

Aeka bore the last minute adjustments with outward stoicism. Inside, her mind was awhirl with details. Every aspect of her wedding had been attended to, she knew. The women of the Royal Family had seen to that. Still, something still felt odd. Perhaps it was due to the fact that her husband-to-be was marrying another woman simultaneously with her. Even in Jurai society, it was a little odd for a prince to marry more than one wife at a time. There was no law that forbade it, but it was odd, just the same.

What was even more odd, was that the wedding was taking place only five months after the engagement. Aeka's mind settled a bit. That was what was bothering her. Arranging a royal wedding in only five months could be a daunting task. The politicians had thrown a fit at the short notice. But, at least they had gotten more notice than the last time. A fit of laughter began to bubble up from deep within.

"Oh, ho-ho-h-OH!" A sudden crick in Aeka's back reminded her not to laugh quite so fully. "Have you finished, yet?"

"Nearly done, Highness."

After a moment of silence, Aeka realized she was needlessly pestering the poor seamstress.

"I apologize for being such a pain."

"It's an honor to have the opportunity to work on the princess's wedding kimono."

Ah, yes. Her wedding kimono. Aeka had lamented her situation when she had realized she would be unable to wear one of the beautiful kimonos that she had imagined getting married in. Fortunately, Jurai history and tradition always provided. As it turned out, Aeka was not the first princess to carry an unborn child into matrimony. There were several varieties and styles of kimono she could choose from that would conceal her condition from prying eyes. It was not that she was embarrassed, far from it. But as First Princess, she was obliged to keep up the appearance of purity, even if it was not the truth.

As it was, her brightly colored and patterned kimono hung more loosely than a normal kimono, obscuring her body from sight with many folds and layers. Frankly, she was thankful for the extra insulation. The date was very late in the year, which meant winter was upon them. The extra layers would ward off the cold. Of course, she always felt warm in Tenchi's tender embrace. Her face warmed a bit at the thought. A warm dress was nothing compared to the heat of their passion.

A sudden explosion outside rattled the balcony doors, startling the princess out of her reverie.

"What was that?"

The seamstress stood up. "A diversion."

"Excuse me?"

The seamstress thrust out a hand. Aeka gaped in complete surprise. Her own seamstress was attacking her for no discernable reason! If not for Aeka's poor position on the pedestal, she might have avoided the assault. But caught off-guard with limited foot-room she found it difficult to properly defend herself.

All it took was a small graze to activate the small black device the woman held in her hand. Aeka uttered a very brief squeak of pain as an electrical pulse surged through her body, then she fell unconscious into the woman's arms. The woman caught Aeka's limp body, bearing her weight with glee. She wanted the princess unharmed for what she had in mind. The woman set Aeka on the floor in an upright position with her knee in the princess's back. She then reached up and ripped away the annoying obscuring veil from her head.

Kassandura reached into one of the many pockets of the stolen seamstress's outfit and withdrew the pre-made letter she had drafted that would hopefully give the inevitable pursuers long enough of a pause for her to work her nefarious revenge. Kassandura dropped the note on the very pedestal the princess had occupied until a moment ago. Once this was accomplished, she slipped her arms around Aeka's chest and dragged her behind a changing screen into a corner. Pressing her toe on a very specific spot along the floor-boards caused the normal-looking wall to recede and roll back, revealing a secret passage. One good thing about the academy, as long as one had the right friends and enough money, one could always find the secrets. Procuring a copy of this building's construction blueprints had been worth the fee.

Kassandura cackled to herself as she hauled Aeka through the dark portal into the labyrinthine under-tunnels of the academy. A few dozen pictures of pregnant Princess Aeka on the StarNet would be very embarrassing for the Jurai Royal Family. It would be a cold day in Hell when someone publicly embarrassed Killer Kassandura and got away with it.

Washu made her way quickly through the long curving hallways of the rented venue to the rear of the building where the members of the wedding party were making their preparations for the ceremony. It was a simple enough layout to remember. She had taken the time earlier to evaluate the building for security before giving the building her approval.

As Headmaster of the Galaxy Academy, Washu frequently received information that the general public was not made aware. Unofficial reports and the occasional unsubstantiated account indicated that the Jurai Empire was having difficulty maintaining its borders. However, as far as she was aware, Jurai had not done anything recently that one of its neighbors might take issue with. Even if that were so, anyone who felt their grievance was sufficient to warrant military action against the Jurai Empire would quickly learn to regret it. Jurai's military power was paramount in the galaxy.

On the other hand, that did not rule out an assassination attempt on one or more of the Royal Family. Having so many of Jurai's ruling family assembled together in one place at the same time made an inviting target for foreign powers with an ax to grind.

With whatever had happened outside, everyone's attention was focused outside and away from all the really important targets within. While Washu certainly held faith in her friends' abilities, it couldn't hurt to pay them a visit. She had been planning it anyway. Washu soon came to a closed vine-door. Aeka's guardians, Azaka and Kamidake were standing guard by the door.

"Good morning." Washu smiled and waved as if nothing were amiss.

"Good morning, Professor Washu."

"It's Little Washu." The red-head's smile twisting into something a little more sinister than before.

"Please forgive us, Little Washu."

"That's better!" Washu's expression reverted back to its normal cheery fashion. "You haven't heard anything about a disturbance, have you?"

"Indeed I have." Azaka admitted. "From local transmission that I have intercepted, it seems a shuttle exploded on the spaceport shortly after arrival."

"No kidding. I don't suppose you can tell me if everyone's favorite troublemaker was on the scene?"

Although Azaka had no way to tell exactly who Washu meant by "everyone's favorite troublemaker", he calculated an eighty-seven percent probability that she meant Ryoko. However, not wanting to give the impression that he agreed with Washu's label for her daughter, correct or otherwise, he simply related what information he had available.

"The only persons of note present were Ryoko and Lady Seto."

The first name was expected to Washu. But the second caught her by surprise.

"Lady Seto?"

"And Ryoko." Kamidake clarified.

"Huh. I'd better look in on this. Thanks."

"It is a pleasure to be of assistance, Little Washu."

The vine-door parted, allowing Washu entry into the back of the building. The corridor ahead made an immediate right and then continued straight for some way. All the walls, floor, and ceiling were entirely made of wood, or at least they appeared to be made of wood. Along the center of the floor, a thin band of water could be seen flowing underneath a transparent cover that kept people from slipping or tripping as they walked over it. Curious since she could not recall this design feature in her preliminary security investigation, Washu knelt down to touch the band. As her fingers passed over it, her fingertips tingled a little, telling her it was simply a hologram designed to give the venue an appearance more aesthetically pleasing to Juraians. Satisfied, Washu stood up and went on her way.

There were a number of doors on either side of the hallway at regular intervals, all of them closed. About half-way down the corridor, Washu arrived at a large square chamber. It was basically just a square depression to each side of the hall that was big enough for a pair of doors to stand facing each other. The blank wall between each of the doors was adorned with a running fountain of water that cascaded gently along a steep, though not quite vertical, notch in the wall and into a natural-looking wood basin that appeared to have been carved into the wall. There was also a lip to the basin that allowed water to flow over the top and down the front of the basin along another notch and to the covered floor channels. The channels came together at the center of the chamber and split apart, forming a four-way intersection with two of the channels flowing away down each end of the hallway. Of course, it only appeared to be so, since it was all an illusion created by micro-gravity fields and photons. Still, it created a nice ambience that Washu thought Aeka would probably appreciate.

Of the four doors, two were shut tight, one was slightly ajar, and the other stood wide open. Through the open door Washu could see Sasami and Ryo-oh-ki playing a game of patty-cake. Sasami looked a little bored with the simple child's game, although her hands were moving very quickly.

Sasami happened to glance out the door and saw Washu watching her. Surprised, she missed the next hand movement, resulting in a loss. Ryo-chan raised her arms up in victory.

"Mya!"

"Little Washu!" Sasami stood up from her seat. "Is it time?"

Washu walked through the door to get a better view of the room. "Not just yet." Now that she was inside, Washu noticed that Mihoshi was also present, sitting quietly (much to Washu's surprise) on a small bench against the near wall. She looked rather morose, but she seemed to be holding herself together.

Before Washu could say anything more, Ryo-chan began babbling like crazy and ran over to greet her creator.

"What?" Washu asked, wondering what had Ryo-oh-oki in such a tizzy. "You want to show me something? Okay."

"No, wait!" Sasami exclaimed. But it was too late. Ryo-chan metamorphosed from a child's body to that of a teen-ager in the blink of an eye forgetting entirely about her clothes, as she often did when changing forms. While she could accommodate the extra mass of her clothing by incorporating it into her body when she changed from a larger form into a smaller one, Ryo-o-ki could not add extra mass and volume to her clothes when changing into a larger form. Thus, she usually tore the cute little dresses to tatters, or nearly suffocated within the super-tight outfit.

Washu laughed when she saw Ryo-oh-ki standing upright before her in a micro-mini-skirt and tank-top. Mihoshi giggled and the sight, while Sasami sighed.

"Ryo-chan! What if your dress gets all stretched out?"

Ryo-oh-ki turned around with a worried look on her furry face.

"Myao?"

As the girl turned, Washu noticed that she did so without so much as a wobble. Grinning knowingly, Washu decided to move things along.

"Nothing to worry about. I've got the specs on hand and I can synthesize another dress at any time. So, what do you want to show me?"

Ryo-oh-ki mewed happily, then proceeded to walk around the room unassisted, carefully avoiding any obstacles such as chairs and tables with no difficulty. When she reached Sasami, she embraced the girl in a big hug. Smiling appreciatively, both Washu and Mihoshi clapped their approval.

Excited beyond compare at all the praise, Ryo-oh-ki released Sasami and tried to spin around in a cute little pirouette. She failed spectacularly, falling hard and reverting back to a small fuzzy animal. She sat up, meowing in embarrassment as the others laughed.

Beyond the other open door, Ryoko heard the laughter coming from across the hall. She was still feeling a little shaken by the earlier events and thought some cheerful company would be nice. As she went out from her room to go see what was so funny, she nearly ran smack in Seto, who seemed to have divested herself of the child from earlier.

"You again?"

Seto ignored Ryoko in favor of checking on Aeka. But when she tried the door opposite Ryoko's, she found it to be locked. With a scowl of disapproval, she addressed herself to those within.

"Aeka, its your grandmother. Please open the door."

Lady Seto's loud announcement brought the others out from across the hall. They peeked out of the room, heads one on top of the other, to see what all the hubbub was about. When Aeka, or anyone else for that matter, failed to answer, Seto's scowl deepened.

"This won't do at all."

"Something wrong?" Ryoko asked.

For a moment, Seto just stared at the locked door. Then she put a friendly arm around Ryoko's shoulders.

"Dearest grand-daughter."

"Who?"

"Go check it out." Seto gave Ryoko a shove sending her directly at the door.

Only Ryoko's quick reflexes saved her from making a microscopic examination of the door's molecular structure. She phased through the door and entered into Aeka's preparation room. Seeing that no one was home, she decided to take a look around. Everything seemed as it should, right down to the pedestal that Aeka no doubt stood on while her servants fawned over her. Everything appeared normal except for the note on that pedestal and the large cloth veil on the floor.

Although Ryoko could not care less about the clothing, she found the note, well, noteworthy. Taking the note, she unfolded it and read what was within.

"Everyone,

"I can no longer abide the presence of the devil-woman, Ryoko. Since she refuses to leave Lord Tenchi and I alone, I have decided to leave. Make no effort to find me, for I shall never return.

"Aeka Masaki Jurai"

For a fleeting moment, Ryoko felt a horrible sense of loss and confusion. But the feeling quickly passed as common sense reasserted itself. Only a few months ago Aeka had been willing to fight to the death to have Tenchi for her husband. If Ryoko knew one thing, it was that Aeka would never just give-up like this. What Ryoko needed was someone with more intuitive power to help figure this out. Taking the note with her, Ryoko went and unlocked the door so the others could come in.

The other girls surged into the room to see for themselves what was going on. As one they all called for their missing friend.

"Aeka?"

Seto strode through the room, looking back and forth as a sense of dread grew within her.

"This is not encouraging."

"Excuse me, Lady Seto?" Mihoshi held out the veil that she had just found on the floor. "What's this?"

Seto looked at the silken cover, recognizing it as part of a servant's outfit.

"Hmm... I do believe that Aeka has been kidnapped."

Mihoshi's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?" Suspicious disappearances and evidence on hand meant that she still had a part to play. Smiling with glee, Mihoshi snapped to attention and saluted.

"Galaxy Police Detective First Class Mihoshi Kuramitsu is on the case!"

Everyone groaned as Mihoshi went off on one of her fantasy detective adventures.

"What we have here," Mihoshi began pacing the floor back and forth with a look of intense concentration on her face, "is a missing person case. Aeka Masaki, soon-to-be wife of Tenchi Masaki has disappeared from her room with only this veil as evidence. What could it mean?"

Ryoko jumped in, eager to participate in finding Aeka, despite Mihoshi's predilection towards the melodramatic.

"I found this note."

Mihoshi turned on Ryoko, eyeing her warily.

"And just where did you find this note, Miss Ryoko?"

Seto snatched the note from Ryoko before Mihoshi could get her hands on it. As she perused the contents, Washu wiggled her way into the circle of women.

"If you don't mind, Miss Mihoshi, I'd like to perform an analysis on that that. I might be able to find some DNA or other hard evidence."

Mihoshi happily handed the veil over for examination.

"A first-rate forensic analysis is absolutely a must in suspicious cases like this."

Washu looked at Mihoshi wondering if her condition was contagious.

"Hog-wash!" Seto exclaimed, wadding the note up and tossing it over her shoulder. "This note is clearly a forgery."

"It took you that long to figure it out?" Ryoko wheedled the older woman just for fun. Seto's icy stare raised goose bumps on Ryoko's skin bigger than Mount Fuji.

"Detective Mihoshi," Seto directed her gaze on the GP officer, "the Jurai Royal Family would welcome your assistance on this case."

"Of course they would." Mihoshi answered around her wooden pipe. Somehow, while no one was looking, she had changed from her bride's-maid's dress to that of a Victorian era detective. "Our first order of business is to identify possible motives for kidnapping the Princess."

Those assembled thought hard, trying to think of someone who might benefit from Aeka's abduction. Seto spoke first.

"Nearly any foreign power might benefit from this. They could impose favorable trade agreements in exchange for her continued survival. However, that would, more likely than not, invite a military response on our part. With that in mind, Azusa must not learn of this if it can be solved quickly. He would... be very upset."

Nods and rumblings from the others indicated their agreement.

"Oh." Sasami lifted her head as she recalled something. "A couple of months ago, there was this lady, a senior high-school student in my school that got into an argument with Aeka."

"And that student's name?" Mihoshi inquired with notepad in hand.

"I..." Sasami thought hard. But it had been months ago and nothing had happened since. She couldn't quite recall the student's name, although she could clearly see the person's face in her mind. "I can't remember her name."

The others groaned with disappointment.

"Sorry."

"Was it Kassandura Donhower?" Washu asked when her holographic computer display finally gave her the results of the forensic analysis.

"Yes!" Sasami exclaimed at hearing the name. "That was it! I'll bet she hates Aeka."

"Oh?" Seto gazed at her younger granddaughter, expecting a full and complete explanation. "And just what happened the make you think that?"

"Um..." Sasami carefully considered how to explain Aeka's involvement with Kassandura without revealing too many details about her own personal involvement with Shuzan. "I was at an ice-cream parlor with a friend from school."

"Your boyfriend, you mean." Ryoko grinned at her.

"Ryoko!"

Fortunately, Seto knew all about Sasami's relationship with Shuzan, since she had had a hand in forging it. "You must be referring to young Lord Shuzan. Please continue."

Sasami breathed a sigh of relief. She wasn't embarrassed by Shuzan, far from it. She just didn't want to have to divulge every detail of her personal affairs.

"Anyway, we were at an ice-cream parlor when this lady came in, claiming to be his student sponsor. She was upset that Shuzan had ditched her and tried to force him to leave. We got into an argument, and then she slapped me."

"Excuse me?" Seto looked at Sasami in surprise. "She struck a Jurai Princess?"

"Yes. But, as it turns out, Aeka was following us dressed as a clown."

"A clown?" The others asked as one.

Sasami sighed aloud with embarrassment at her sister's behavior. "Yes, a clown. She came running in and scared Kassandura so badly with her guardians that she ran away in terror."

Ryoko started laughing. She recalled that day and now felt glad that she hadn't gone along.

"Serves her right." Seto smugly approved of the result.

"I agree." Sasami nodded as she remembered the event. "Although, I've been wondering where Azaka and Kamidake got all those machine guns."

"Oh, you didn't know?" Washu answered. "They're closet mafia freaks. Kamidake has a massive collection of primitive Earth chemical projectile weapons, and Azaka actually published a paper comparing the Italian mafia with Jurai's royal family. It was really quite interesting."

Washu expose on the guardians' interest in mafia garnered a very intense stare from Seto.

"And who tainted them with that knowledge?"

Everyone pointed to Ryoko.

"What? We were watching The Godfather and all of a sudden they just went off into a corner and started whispering to each other. The next morning they wearing dark suits and sunglasses."

"So, there's also a mafia connection." Mihoshi nodded thoughtfully as she considered the implication of this new development. "This could get complicated."

"Not to mention dangerous." Ryoko added folding her arms over her chest.

"Oh, you guys!" Sasami started giggling at the ridiculous conclusions they were entertaining.

"Enough of this." Seto's cold and focused demeanor put an end to the fantastically incorrect conclusions. "That girl was here, and she had motive to do harm to Aeka. More importantly, Aeka is missing, and we must find her. Need I remind you she is scheduled to get married today?"

"Hey!" Ryoko exclaimed. "So am I! We'd batter find her quick. Tenchi said he wouldn't marry either one of us if he couldn't have both!"

"Excuse me." A older man's voice from the open door interrupting the girls' investigative session. They turned to see who had come in.

"I believe I'm supposed to give away a young lady today." Katsuhito regarded those assembled with calm fondness.

"Please, come in, Yosho." Seto invited the man in. "Make sure to close and lock the door behind you."

Katsuhito raised an eyebrow at the suspicious request. He was quite familiar with Seto's sense of humor and found himself wondering if she had some nefarious plan for him. However, disobedience would incur a much more severe response, playful or otherwise. He pulled the door shut behind him and pressed the privacy button, locking the door.

"Is something wrong?"

"Aeka's gone missing." Seto informed him.

Katsuhito's voice rumbled in his throat as he considered this development.

"This is trouble. Father is already grumbling about how long this is taking. He's just anxious to see his daughter married, of course. Tenchi is also wondering what the delay is about. At the moment, he's just chalking it up to a woman's right to be late while preparing for an engagement."

"As Ryoko said, we had best solve this mystery quickly." Seto agreed with the bride. "Everyone look around. Perhaps we'll find more clues."

The group broke apart to search the room for further evidence. Mihoshi examined several desktop items with her magnifying glass, a thin curl of smoke issuing from her pipe. Washu began deploying a sophisticated array of sensors to sweep the room in no time flat. Ryoko went out the French doors to check the balcony. Sasami retrieved the note that her grandmother had tossed aside so that she could read it and perhaps glean some information from it that the others had not. Katsuhito stood by Seto's side, as he was used to watching others with an approving grin. This garnered a look from Seto that sent him hurrying to find something to do to help with the investigation.

Ryo-oh-ki was also eager to help. She scurried off into the nearest corner and began sniffing along the floor boards, hoping to detect Aeka's scent. She was no bloodhound, but she could pick up recent chemical traces of a person's passage. She already knew Aeka's scent, so finding some trace of her shouldn't be too hard. She followed the walls, going under tables and behind rice-paper screens. It didn't take her too long to find what she was looking for. But Aeka's scent was also intermingled with an unfamiliar scent. Someone else had gone with her. Eager to share her find with the others, Ryo-oh-ki ran for the center of the floor and started yowling as loud as she could to get someone's attention.

Seto was already there in the middle of the room supervising, when Ryo-o-ki emerged from behind a changing screen in the corner and began making an awful racket. She knelt down on one knee and tried to pick-up the noisy creature.

"Well, now, little one. What's all the fuss?"

Ryo-oh-ki evaded Seto's hands and ran a few steps towards the wall, still meowing like mad.

"Over here?" Seto stood up and followed the little brown cabbit behind the changing screen. Ryo-oh-ki stood up on her hind legs and began scratching at the wall. Grinning with satisfaction, Seto called for assistance.

"Little Washu! Would you come over here, please?"

Washu abandoned her sensors when Seto called for her technical expertise. When she saw Ryo-oh-ki scratching at the base boards of the wall, she knew the little creature had found something important. Either that, or she had found a hidden stash of carrots.

"Find something interesting?"

"I believe so." Seto answered, not realizing that Washu was speaking to Ryo-oh-ki.

"Let's see what you've found, shall we?" Washu called up her holo-computer and tapped a few commands in, causing a small black hole to appear just at shoulder level. She stuck a hand through it and pulled out a hand-held scanner of some type. The hole and her computer then disappeared. Pointing the device she had retrieved in the general direction of the wall, she hit a couple buttons and stared at the miniature screen.

"Ah, ha!"

"'Ah, ha!' What?" Ryoko came floating back in when she heard Washu's exclamation. Sasami and Katsuhito also came to investigate, while Mihoshi gave particular attention to a tea pot.

"This seems suspicious. This tea pot has no top. It should have a top. What could this mean? I'd better dust for fingerprints." Breaking out her dusting kit, Mihoshi proceeded to coat the pot with white powder.

Behind the changing screen, Washu set her hand flat against the wall. A jolt of kinetic energy leapt from her hand and blasted the false wall to pieces, scattering them along the dark tunnel floor.

"My, wasn't that sophisticated?" Seto took the opportunity to tease Washu about her lack of finesse in handling the concealed door.

"It seemed the most expedient method." Washu explained. "If you like I can reconstruct the door and then take my time with a very thorough and scientific analysis of the door's molecular structure in order to find the weakest point, any hidden latches, hinges, or traps, and then devise --"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure." Seto waved a head at the diminutive red-head demonstrating her lack of patience regarding this issue. "Who wants to go?"

"I'll go." Ryoko instantly volunteered.

"Not in that dress, you won't." Seto insisted, looking at the very beautiful and extraordinarily expensive wedding dress that Ryoko still wore. The girl looked herself over once and then commenced to stripping.

"Someone gimme a hand with this?"

Wide-eyed at Ryoko's lack of modesty, Sasami grabbed the changing screen that had been partially concealing the hidden doorway and pulled it between Ryoko and her elder brother.

"Ryoko! Wait a minute!"

Seto and Washu both sighed aloud. Teaming up, they each grabbed one of the old man's arms and pulled him across the room where he could not so easily spy on the bride while she disrobed.

"Do you think so little of me?"

"Yes!"

Aeka awoke on her side on a cold floor. She tried to stretch her numb and tingling limbs, but her feet hit a solid barrier. Opening her eyes, she saw that she was in some sort of isolation chamber. There was a shimmering wall of force surrounding her, holding her prisoner. She sat up a little too quickly, causing her head to spin for a few seconds.

"Oh, my..." As the dizziness passed, Aeka looked down and realized that she was completely naked. "Eyaaah!" She curled up into a ball as best she could while covering her chest with her arms.

"I see you're awake."

Aeka looked out of her energy cell to see Kassandura standing nearby with a camera. Aeka immediately realized what the woman had in mind for her. By taking pictures of her like this, she could cause the royal family immense discomfort and embarrassment, just as she had once caused this person.

"Kassandura! For Gods' sake! Do you have any idea what you've done! My family will have you executed for this! You should have at least kept your face hidden."

Kassandura leered at Aeka through the shimmering field.

"Oh? What good would that be if you didn't know who it was that embarrassed you to the galaxy? Princess Aeka..." Kassandura approached the cell, grinning maniacally. "I just won't be satisfied with less." She raised the camera and aimed. "Smile, you pregnant little whore."

Aeka glared at the woman with the utmost contempt as the camera clicked away, taking the damning pictures. "You fool. Do you think me helpless to escape?" Aeka concentrated to bring the little icons of power into existence. Kassandura backed away at the sight of them.

"I thought you said she wouldn't be able to do that in there."

"Interesting." A cultured male voice spoke from a dark corner of the dim room.

Aeka's icons disappeared like soap bubbles at the sound of that voice. She could never forget the experience of having a madman invade her mind. But that man was dead. She had personally witnessed his death. Aeka assured herself that whoever this person was, he was not Kagato. Peering through the shimmering barrier, Aeka tried to get a better look at the dark figure standing behind some sort of control panel. But the interference of the shield and the lack of light gave her little to work with.

"Whoever you are, I demand you release me at once."

"I think not, dear Princess. I have much to learn from the Jurai Royal Family." The figure's head turned slightly to the side. "Kassandura, I have thus far exercised great patience. However, my patience is not infinite. Take your pictures and be gone."

"As you say." Kassandura sniffed at the rather pushy man, then closed again to resume her photography.

"I think not." Aeka fixed her glare on Kassandura as she began summoning the small wooden icons again. But this time she received no spoken warning from the man behind the console. Only a slight humming sound heralded Aeka's punishment for her continued disobedience. A bolt of electricity arced from the edge of the energy field to Aeka's shoulder, giving her a good shock. Aeka jumped with fright.

"Ow! You fiend! That hurt!"

The man behind the console smiled at her.

"Do I have you attention? That little jolt was the merest fraction of the power available to me here. The cables you see along the floor are the main supply lines for this entire block of the academy. Do you have any idea how much power an entire block consumes in a single hour? I doubt even a Jurai princess could resist that kind of power for more than a few minutes."

"I can resist for as long as it requires for my friends to arrive!"

"Such confidence is admirable, princess." The man's white-toothed smile grew wider. "What do you say we find out if you speak the truth?"

"Hey, hold a minute." Kassandura interrupted. "You didn't say anything about torture."

The man's smile quickly disappeared.

"I grow weary of your useless prattle. Silence yourself, or I shall do it for you."

Kassandura wisely remained silent.

"Now, then." As the man's hands played across the console before him, Aeka made the choice to switch from offense to defense. She normally would have gone on the offensive. But she had another life to worry about other than her own. She exerted her will-power towards creating a defensive energy shield just in time to protect herself from the next electrical attack. Electricity arced and crackled across her shield like one of the plasma balls she had once seen in a novelty store. Only she was at the center of the ball.

"Excellent!" Aeka's torturer crowed as he cranked up the power. "You are indeed as powerful as reports have led me to believe. This shall be... educational."

Aeka grimaced as she tried to compensate. She could hold out for a while. But at some point, she would need to rest. Unlike a human being, her tormentor's machinery would never tire. There was only one thing she could do; call for help.

"Ryu-o..."

There were many Jurai battleships within the confines of the Galaxy Academy solar system for the occasion of the royal wedding. All of the most powerful ships were arrayed in a protective formation around one planet in particular. As everyone knew, at the center of each Jurai ship, there was a tree. That tree carried the same name as the ship. Within the ship Ryu-o, the sapling tree that maintained control of the ship rustled as if a gust of wind had just blown through the bridge of the ship. But there was no wind to speak of. Suddenly, a rainbow of light burst from the tree's leaves, playing across the water surrounding it. The tree spoke.

Back in Aeka's preparation room, Seto had found a chair to sit in while Sasami paced around and Katsuhito knelt on the floor in quiet contemplation. As one, they all suddenly looked up. Ryu-o was speaking.

"Aeka!" Sasami gasped aloud.

With a groan, Katsuhito rose to his feet.

"I'd best go speak to Father."

"Indeed." Seto quietly agreed. If she knew Azusa, he would not spare the firepower.

"Grandma Seto?" Sasami meekly inquired.

"Yes?"

"I... I want to help."

"I'm sure you do. What exactly did you have in mind?"

Sasami's shoulders slumped as quickly as her resolve.

"I don't know."

Seto folded her fan and stuck it into her sash.

"Why don't you come sit with your grandmother, hm?"

"I'm too old for that now."

"Sasami, you are NEVER too old to sit on your grandmother's lap, understand?"

When Sasami saw the look in her grandmother's eye, she scrambled to comply.

"There, now." Seto smiled as Sasami sat across her legs. "Isn't that better?"

"Yes, much."

"So tell me. What would you do if you went with your friends into battle?"

Sasami's silence confirmed for Seto what she already knew. Sasami was just too sweet and peaceful for real combat.

"I have an idea. Why don't we pray to Tsunami?"

Sasami looked at her grandmother, her eyes all watery.

"If anyone has Tsunami's ear, its you, right?"

"All right." Sasami held her hands together and prayed, just as her grandmother suggested.

Deep within the dim labyrinth of tunnels under the academy, Ryoko, Mihoshi, and Washu were following Ryo-oh-ki as she sniffed her way along the floor like a first-class bloodhound. Washu felt in a rather foul mood, as her normal array of life sensors were behaving rather badly due to some form of interference from all the power lines and other assorted energy transference equipment down in the guts of the academy that kept things running smoothly for those above ground. She was mentally working on a method to pierce the interference when Mihoshi spoke up.

"This place gives me the creeps."

"We heard you the first three times, Mihoshi."

The tunnels were lit only by the occasional weak lamp every fifty meters or so. The rare light source made shadows that stretched and leapt as the travelers passed by. Every time one of the shadows leapt, so did Mihoshi.

"Eek! What was that?" Mihoshi whirled to point a shaky blaster at whatever she thought she had seen.

"It's your own shadow, you --" Ryoko suddenly stopped in mid-sentence as she heard a familiar voice in her head. The effort of concentrating on two things at once nearly sent her on her face. Although she had finally come to terms with those voices once she had learned that they were actually the whisperings of the royal trees, it was still disconcerting when one of them suddenly broke in on her thoughts with an important message. She could block them out, just as with Washu. But it seemed to hurt their feelings if she gave them the silent treatment.

"Hello! Crazy girl!"

Ryoko spun around with a growl.

"I ain't crazy!"

"You are for just standing there and holding up the works!" Washu countered.

With a start, Ryoko realized Washu was right. They needed to keep going. But luckily, Ryu-o had sent along an important piece of information in it's broadcast. It knew Aeka's general location.

"Follow me." Ryoko took off on a head-long flight down the dim tunnels. She called back as the other girls quickly fell behind. "This way!"

"Mya!" Ryo-o-ki eagerly followed as fast as she could.

"Hmm..." Mihoshi scratched her chin as she contemplated this development. "Since only the kidnapper knows Aeka's location, then Ryoko must be the kidnapper!" Realizing what she had just said, Mihoshi began to sniffle with regret. "But, I don't want Ryoko to be a criminal again!"

With a groan of disgust, Washu grabbed Mihoshi by her over-sized ear and dragged her along the path that Ryoko had just traveled.

"Come on, Mihoshi. I'm sure you're wrong, but we should follow along anyway. Aeka might need some help."

"Of course!" Mihoshi quickly brightened as she made a wrong turn. "Our first priority should be the victim's well-being."

"This way, Detective."

Aeka's breath came heavily as she tried to wipe the sweat from her brow. She felt exhausted from the continuous exertion of maintaining her shield for so long. The electrical impulses had been occurring at a slow pace at first. But then the orchestrator of her torture had upped the frequency to a near continuous rate. Now miniature bolts of lightning were dancing across her shield, each seeking a way through her weakening defense.

Aeka knew that she must have been missed by now. Someone would have gone looking for her and noticed that she was missing from her room. But why were they taking so long? Though she would not normally have let herself get angry at her friends for the delay, the anger buoyed her sagging endurance, strengthening her shield for a little while longer. That and the leering grin on her tormentor's face.

"Is that the best you can do?" Aeka challenged through clenched teeth.

The man chuckled with mirth.

"Your taunts shan't change the situation, Princess."

"Oh, really?" Having lived with a certain very disrespectful space-pirate for several years, Aeka knew a few choice taunts that just might get his goat. But to what end? What would that do except increase her chances of injury or death? The ding of an egg-timer sounded from the control console on the other side of the room.

"Ah!" The man rubbed his white-gloved hands together in anticipation. "Time to increase the power."

Aeka's jaw dropped at the news. She was having a hard enough time as it was, and this man seemed to think it was funny.

"You can't be serious!"

"Of course I'm serious. What purpose would there be in lying?"

As the man slowly turned a dial on his control panel, Aeka felt the increase of power as a pressure building upon her shield. If she had been fresh, she could have held back for some time even against this power level. But in her current depleted state, Aeka felt as if she were being crushed to death. Her muscles began to quiver as she rapidly approached her physical limit.

"Why are you doing this!" Aeka shouted. "Can't you see that I'm with child? Have you no compassion!"

The man's smile visibly widened. Then, finally, he leaned forward across his control panel and into the light, revealing his face. Aeka gasped in terror. It was him! The face of Kagato leered at her from his place behind the controls.

"None what-so-ever."

Kagato's response left no doubt in Aeka's mind that he would kill her when he was done with her. She had no choice but to escape immediately. Summoning everything she had left, Aeka focused all her power into explosively expanding her shield in an attempt to burst her prison. The effort tore a scream of defiance from the First Princess.

"Yes!" Kagato crowed as Aeka expended the last of her energy. "Give it everything! Show me what you're made of!"

Thus far, Kassandura had remained quiet and inconspicuous, watching from a dark corner. Honestly, she was impressed that the princess had held out for so long. Although she wanted revenge for the embarrassment this woman had caused her months ago, she was not murderer at heart. She had had no foreknowledge of this man's planned torture of Princess Aeka. If the princess died, then the pictures that she had taken would only implicate her. However, there was perhaps one thing she could do to lessen the punishment she was likely to receive for her part in the princess' death. She could summon help. Anonymously, of course.

"I've no stomach for such things." Kassandura stated as she unlocked the sealed door to leave. Her one-time associate ignored her, much to her relief. Kassandura stepped over the lower lip of the hatch-like door and closed it behind her. Breathing a sigh of relief, she turned to get out of these dank and dark tunnels as fast as possible.

Kassandura walked briskly back up the tunnel. She had only a short way to go before coming to the fork that would lead her away from the convention center and towards a seedier part of the city, thus concealing her escape. As she made the final turn before the fork, Kassandura thought she heard the whistle of high-speed air movement coming from up the tunnel. She paused, not sure what the sound could mean. Staring into the dim light, she noticed a shadow approaching.

"Um..." As the shadow grew, Kassandura began to make out some details. She saw greenish hair and glowing yellow eyes. The being looked like a demon from Hell come to punish her for her evil deeds. She turned back and ran for the door. But she couldn't outrun the demon from Hell. An angry female's voice yelled from down the tunnel.

"Get out of my way!"

The demonic girl plowed Kassandura over with the force of a dump-truck, planting her face-first in the floor. Kassandura groaned with pain as one of the demon's servants pranced across her back with a plaintive meow sound.

Aeka was almost in tears when the door to the sealed chamber suddenly exploded in a smoking cloud of molten metal and burning plastics, showering the room with reddish sparks.

"What!" Kagato slapped a single large button on the console, initiating an emergency memory dump of all data to his personal holo-computer. He had the information he needed. There was no reason to fight now. However, he had expected to have at least a few moments notice when someone finally arrived at the door. He had fashioned this chamber's exterior from dark matter, some of the densest material in the universe. It should have held against any normal being.

Ryoko waved the smoke away from her face to better clear her vision. As the smoke wafted away, she saw a ghost. Kagato stood on the far side of the room glaring in her direction. Ryoko could never forget that face. His stupid little spectacles and confident grin turned her stomach. But more importantly, his very existence should not be. She had watched Tenchi cut him in half. Kagato should be dead!

"You!" Although Ryoko wanted very much to attack and kill Kagato once and for all, she had more important things to think about. Across the room, she could see Aeka being electrocuted within some sort of torture chamber.

"Damn!" Ryoko rushed the chamber and slammed a fist into the mechanics of it above Aeka smashing it. She got a strong jolt of electrical energy for her effort. But the bolts of power that clawed at Aeka's weakening shield immediately stopped. The princess fell to her hands, breathing heavily.

While Ryoko was distracted, Kagato summoned his powers, willing a dimensional door to appear. The fabric of space-time broke down into it's constituent elements right by his side forming a large green rift in space. Smiling with anticipation at what was to come in the near future, he stepped through the door making a clean escape.

Once the power to the chamber was disrupted, the containing shield collapsed, allowing Aeka to flee if she so desired. But she felt so exhausted and weak that she made no attempt to move. She just hung her head, trembling with fatigue as Ryoko bothered her with petty details.

"Come on, Aeka. Let's get the Hell out of here."

"Just..." Aeka gasped, trying to catch her breath, "Just let me be."

Not sure what else she could do, Ryoko just stood there watching as Aeka caught her breath. Soon, Aeka sat up, covered her bare chest with her arms, and proceeded to yell.

"Well, you certainly took your sweet time getting here!"

Indignant at the treatment she was receiving in return for her concern, Ryoko yelled right back.

"Hey, quit your complainin'! I got here, didn't I?"

"Just barely! And you let that... that villain escape!"

"Well it looked to me like you were getting electrocuted! Since Tenchi won't marry me without you, I had to rescue you first!"

"Bah! I was doing quite well without your assistance, thank you very much! Wait a moment." Aeka made a show of looking around the room. "Where is Lord Tenchi? I wouldn't be surprised if you tied him up just so you could show off."

"Liar!"

"Hello in there!"

The girls turned to look as Mihoshi and Washu entered the room dragging a barely conscious Kassandura Donhower between them. Aeka raised an accusing finger at the girl.

"That's her! She's the one who knocked me out and dragged me here! That pompous, inhuman..." Aeka's face turned red with anger. "Mihoshi! I demand you arrest her at once!"

Mihoshi raised a hand and smartly saluted.

"Right away, your Royal Highness!"

Choosing to ignore the argument that was going on, Washu stepped up to Aeka's side and snapped her fingers. A bath-robe appeared directly over Aeka's head and fell on her, giving her at least a little bit of her modesty back. Aeka eagerly took the robe and draped it over her bare frame.

"Thank God. At least someone here" she looked pointedly up at Ryoko, "has remembered their manners."

Ryoko growled briefly and waved a hand at Aeka as she walked away, tired of the faux argument. In the brief pause in the argument, she had recalled the other person involved in this matter. Walking over to the instrument console where Kagato, or at least the person who appeared as Kagato, had been standing, Ryoko could still feel the remnants of his dimensional rift in the space where it had appeared. Little ripples and micro-tears in space-time where dimensions still hadn't quite mended properly still floated around in the area, invisible to the naked eye, but detectable to someone who herself could work similar miracles. Ryoko snorted with derisive humor as she realized that her time in the academy had taught her how space-time could theoretically be broken apart. She recalled that it had something to do with quantum mechanics, but she hadn't yet gotten that far in her studies.

"How do you feel?" Washu asked Aeka on the other side of the room.

"Tired." Aeka replied. "But that isn't important. I saw him!"

"Who?"

"Kagato!"

Washu looked at Aeka in shock. She of all people should know that what Aeka was saying was completely impossible. No one could survive being cut in half by Tenchi's sword. Washu laughed it off.

"Ha! No way. Even he couldn't have survived Tenchi's sword-strike. It was probably just a hologram or something."

Ryoko shook her head. "I saw him, too. He disappeared through one of his green portals."

Again, Washu laughed.

"Forget it. Teleportation isn't all that uncommon. You can do it. I can do it. The entire Jurai Royal Family can do it, with the trees to help. It's probably just like Lady Seto said. Someone wanted to get back at the royal family. Hey! Speaking of the royal family, don't you two have a wedding to attend to?"

Everything came to a dead stop. Both Ryoko and Aeka stared at Washu as if she had just revealed the secret of the universe, and it was a peach.

"Let's go."

"Well," Washu waved the girls on as Aeka got rather unsteadily to her feet, "have fun getting married. I'm just going to secure the crime scene while Detective Mihoshi takes the suspect in." Washu redirected her attention to Mihoshi. "Isn't that right, Mihoshi?"

"Huh? Well, I suppose. But, I'm really not supposed to incarcerate anyone until they've been read their rights. And she's still unconscious."

"Really? Hmm. Then I guess you should take her to the hospital for medical attention, first."

"Oh!" Mihoshi brightened considerably as the idea took hold in her mind. "That's a very good idea, Washu! Thank you very much! I think I'll do just that."

The blonde detective pulled her cube out of it's hidden pocket and gave it a twist or two. She disappeared along with her captive. Washu watched as the other two girls went off out the door, arguing over who was going to say their vows first. Now that she was alone, Washu could investigate the things that really needed investigation.

Moving to the blasted door, Washu conjured a simple matter analyzer. She held the long needle-like probe to the door-frame. On her way in, she had taken special note of the complete blackness of the material. Very few forms of matter could produce a total lack of reflectivity. The device seemed to take forever to perform it's analysis. When it finished, Washu was not terribly surprised to find that the device refused to acknowledge that there was any matter present at all.

It might take a few more minutes, but Washu resolved to determine for certain if this stuff was actually Dark Matter. Nearly undetectable, but not so hard to produce, she often created the stuff in her lab for various reasons. In solid form, dark matter was incredibly durable and almost indestructible. Since it took incredible amounts of energy to even bend it, it was excellent as armor, or for other high-energy applications such as radiation shielding. It absorbed most forms of energy, dissipating most of the energy into the fifth dimension, which also made it perfect for a sensor screen. However, because of these properties, it was notoriously difficult to mold into a useful form. Ryoko had shattered the door like a simple brick wall. Washu shivered at the thought of how much power was needed to do such a thing. This was far beyond what she had created.

Moving over to the console that Ryoko had seemed so interested in, she traded the matter analyzer for a spatial anomaly scanner and took a quick scan of the area. The tell-tale signs of inter-spatial travel immediately showed up. A more in-depth analysis of the anomalies revealed that the disturbances were of the exact same type that were created when Kagato's particular brand of teleportation had been used.

Sighing heavily, Washu tried to think of how Kagato could possible be alive. But no matter how she looked at it, it just wasn't possible. That left on one conclusion: this Kagato was either a clone or a new creation.

Cloning was simple enough. Kagato himself could have done it. But recalling how damn full of himself he had been, Washu didn't think he would have bothered with those kinds of precautions. The other option was less than satisfactory. If he were anew creation, that meant there was somebody out there with not only the right equipment, but the technical knowledge to actually create a living being. As far as she knew, the only other person alive who had the brain power was Yume. Washu shook her head. Yume prefered cold technology to warm living beings. It wasn't her style. Washu growled her frustration.

"Dammit, who?"

Outside Aeka's preparation room, Lady Seto Kamiki was holding a very worried Azusa at bay while the king's son bowed and scraped apologetically. Without warning, the door that she was blocking suddenly opened from the inside, allowing Azusa to see both his daughters, along with the other bride and her maid of honor.

"Aeka! What is going on here?"

Seto took the change in stride.

"Well! It seems that everything has been satisfactorily resolved. Isn't that right, Aeka?"

"Quite right, Lady Seto." Aeka quickly responded before anyone else could get a word in. Lengthy explanations could come later. "Father, I apologize for delaying the ceremony. May we proceed?"

Azusa just stared at all the beautiful ladies wondering about the delay and the very worrisome request for assistance from Aeka's tree, Ryu-o. Royal trees did not call for help for just any old reason.

"Daddy." Sasami smiled brightly at her father. "You're in the way!"

Azusa lowered his intense gaze and sighed. Apparently he was not going to get any answers today. At least he now knew that Aeka was safe and unharmed. Azusa stood aside to allow the women to file out.

Aeka took his elbow on her way past. Next came Ryoko. She stopped in front of Katsuhito, who seemed to be having some trouble with his glasses fogging.

"Well?"

"Flashy as always."

Ryoko propped her fists on her hips.

"Problem with that?"

Katsuhito held up an open palm as if in self-defense.

"No, not at all."

"So what's the hold-up?"

Giving up on the glasses, Katsuhito stuck them into his kimono.

"If you find my performance unsatisfactory..."

"Forget it." Ryoko snatched the old man's elbow. "Better you than a glob of goo."

"Pardon?" Katsuhito's eyebrows rose significantly.

"Private joke. Let's go." Ryoko dragged the confused old man down the hall with Mihoshi following closely behind. The young lady seemed a little more jovial now that she had gotten a part to play.

When no one else exited the room, Seto peered in to see if Washu would be forthcoming. But the red-head was no where to be seen. Shrugging, she decided it was about time to let the groom and his father know that the ceremony was ready to begin.

Tenchi sat on a hard wooden chair frowning at the delay while his father snored away with great zeal on the only cushioned chair in the room. Tenchi tapped his fingers on the chair's armrest while impatiently waiting for someone to come let him know that it was time to begin. He felt nervous enough as it was. An unexpected delay was the last thing he needed. Squirming uncomfortably in the hard wooden chair did little to restore circulation to his numb posterior.

"This woman's prerogative thing stinks."

Without warning, the door to Tenchi's preparation room swung open and in strode Seto Kamiki. Tenchi leapt to his feet like a grade-school student.

"Tenchi-dono?" The emerald-haired woman's eyes locked on to Tenchi. "Oh, there you are."

Tenchi gave his still snoring father a not-too-subtle kick to the shin.

"Aiyee!" Nobuyuki leapt up in shock. Seto continued on without so much as acknowledging his presence.

"I'm so sorry for the delay. But you know how it is on a woman's wedding day. Everything has to be perfect. I remember my wedding day..." Seto sighed wistfully as she raised a hand and snapped open a small fan in front of her face.

Tenchi inwardly groaned at the confirmation of his expectations while his father jumped up and down on one leg rubbing his shin with a look of pain. Tenchi noticed that Seto's eyes were locked in on him again. Sweat immediately popped out on his forehead.

"Feeling impatient?"

"Uh... Yeah."

"Why are men always so anxious to get the wedding day over with, hmm?"

"Wedding night." Nobuyuki muttered under his breath, leaning up against his son for balance while rubbing the shin Tenchi had so unceremoniously kicked.

Tenchi's face blanched at hearing such a coarse suggestion uttered in the presence of the Kamiki matriarch, even under one's breath. Although, he did feel a bit of relief to see Seto's soul-piercing gaze move to someone other than himself.

"Ah. I guess that explains Aeka's... condition."

Tenchi's face went from white to red in the space of a heart-beat.

"Oh, geez..."

"Well... what's done is done." Seto snapped her fan closed and stuffed it into her sash. Watching Tenchi squirm so reminded her very much of Azusa at that age. "Shall we?"

Tenchi sighed a breath of relief. He suddenly felt that marrying two women simultaneously would be a lot easier than trying to converse with a person of such powerful presence like Lady Seto Kamiki.

"Yes, please."

Sasami decided she rather liked wedding receptions. Any excuse for having a party was always welcome in her mind. But with these kinds of events, she was free to enjoy herself rather than cooking for hours and hours. That wasn't to say she didn't still enjoy making food for others, but with an event of this size there was no way she could have managed it herself. Besides, it was nice to be on the receiving end once in a while.

Looking around, Sasami truly felt that she was lucky not to be cooking for this wedding. There was literally hundreds of guests. In addition to the four great houses of the Jurai Royal Family, most of the major houses of royalty from throughout the Galaxy Union were present to some degree. Sasami had been very surprised to learn that Mihoshi was descended from the ruling family of Seniwa, a prominent and powerful member of the Galaxy Union. Although it was to be expected that members of a single family would look alike, Sasami though that perhaps they had been intermarrying a little too frequently. They all had blonde hair and blue eyes, and Mihoshi's mother, Mitoto, seemed just as loopy as her daughter. That wasn't to say they weren't nice people. In fact, they were ever so polite, even inviting Washu to sit and talk, once she deigned to show herself. That was the last time Washu had been seen at the head table all night.

Besides Washu and Mihoshi, there were a couple others that Sasami had not yet seen. Although her brother Yosho was present at the ceremony, she hadn't seen him since then. His wife, Airi, had been rather perturbed to find him missing, especially since she had intended him to finally meet their daughter, Minaho. She'd stalked off to look for him with the most angry and stormy expression Sasami had ever seen.

Also absent were Shusan and Seiryu Amaki. Although the two older of the three members of House Amaki were not present, it seemed they were unwilling to insult House Masaki by completely ignoring this momentous occasion and had sent young Shuzan to represent the house, much to Sasami's pleasure. When she had seen him sitting at a big old table all by himself looking very bored and lonely, she had gone right over and invited him to sit with her at her family's table. She felt a lot better for it, too. Now she had someone her own age to talk to. However, Shuzan, shy boy that he was, had hardly said a word to her the entire time. Hopefully he wouldn't take too long to work up the courage to ask her to dance.

Katsuhito Masaki thought it somewhat beneath a Shinto priest to skulk about a large public venue such as the site of his grandson's wedding like a common thief. But in order to avoid those searching for him, one sometimes had to swallow one's pride and do what was required. Personally, he thought he was doing quite well for an aging priest. Peering around the corner of a darkened hallway, Katsuhito grinned. One more stretch and he was home-free.

"Leaving so soon?"

Oh, that voice of bitter-sweet memories from his childhood. Even seven hundred years couldn't erase her voice from his memory. Turning slowly around to face the speaker, Katsuhito came face-to-face with Airi.

"How... very good to see you again, Airi-dono."

Airi's eyebrows went up in surprise.

"Is that all you have to say?"

"Ah... well..."

"And what is up with that pathetic disguise? You're not fooling anybody so drop it."

Katsuhito sighed as he requested of his tree, Funaho, that it cease maintaining the disguise which served him so well on Earth. In a moment, he became Yosho, Crown Prince of Jurai, once more.

"Is this what you had in mind?"

Airi stared at he long-lost husband as she recalled the last time she had seem him in the flesh. All her frustration seemed to be vaporizing like morning dew on grass when the sun rises. She just felt so relieved to see him again.

Yosho could see that seven hundred years had not altered Airi's feelings any more than his. She seemed quite taken with his appearance.

"Do the robes of a Shinto priest suit me?"

Startled out of her reverie, Airi suddenly recalled her other purpose for tracking her missing spouse.

"Well, I wouldn't want our daughter to think I was married to an old fart."

Yosho's jaw dropped as a pretty young lady of somewhat slight build with hair as dark as his own and reddish-colored eyes stepped out of the shadows and in to view.

"Daughter?"

"That is so. This is your daughter, Minaho. Minaho, say hello to your father."

Minaho bowed with due courtesy and greeted her father.

"Hello, Father. I'm very honored to finally meet you."

Yosho observed Minaho's polite bow and greeting with astonishment. He had had no idea. He struggled to recall if he and Airi had been together more than the once he could recall. That wasn't to say he had not loved her dearly. But still... it had only been just the once!

"Yosho, dear."

"Eh?"

Airi's voice pulled Yosho's attention back to the present, where he saw the lady scowling deeply.

"Aren't you going to even say hello?"

"Yes! I'm... happy that we could meet, Minaho. Forgive me if I seem a bit... out of sorts. I'm afraid this is all something of a surprise to me."

Yosho finally focused on Airi, wanting to have a few choice words the her now that the initial meeting was out of the way.

"Oh, if it's a surprise to you, how do you thing your parents and Lady Seto felt?"

"Put out, I'm sure."

"It nearly started a war when I insisted on being married to you." Airi put a hand to her forehead as if she were going to swoon. "How could you leave me so? And with child!"

"Airi..." Yosho reached out and put a hand on Airi's shoulder, "it wasn't your fault. I was under so much pressure..."

"That's no excuse to abandon us."

"But I didn't know!"

"And I hear you have grand-children, now. What kind of an example is that to your daughter?"

Yosho held out on a response for a moment. Airi had always been the last person to say anything about what was proper and correct. She also always enjoyed teasing him to no end. Anything to get a rise out of him. But now, he was a little better prepared to deal with it.

"Well, if my performance as your husband has been unsatisfactory..." Yosho turned partially away, hiding his humor behind centuries of practice.

Airi looked at Yosho with a growing sense of alarm.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What do you think it means?"

Airi stared at the side of Yosho's head for several seconds as she tried to discern if he was joking or not. Either he had grown exceptionally skilled at hiding his emotions, or he really meant what he was implying. She couldn't make out anything from his stony expression.

"Don't play games with me, young prince." Airi stepped right in front of Yosho and stared him in the face. "What do you mean?"

Yosho took one look at Airi's determined expression and grinned.

"What? Can't take a joke?"

It was Airi's turn to drop her jaw. Yosho didn't play jokes. He was the uptight and always concerned First Prince of Jurai! He had no sense of humor that she could remember. She had teased him because she thought he needed to lighten up. Now he was the one playing jokes on her.

Perhaps it was frustration at waiting for her man to return after seven hundred years that drove her to it. Or perhaps she was simply so shocked at the sudden turn of event that she couldn't think of anything else to do to get him back. But for whatever reason, Airi reached up and, grabbing Yosho by the neck of his kimono, she pulled him down and kissed him. He didn't seem to mind.

Momentarily forgotten by her parents, Minaho sighed aloud.

"My, my, my. It seems I am no longer required here."

It isn't often that the Lady Seto got a chance to spend time with her husband. She always seemed to be off somewhere blowing away pirates. As much as she enjoyed doing so, there was much to be said about taking a break once in a while to be with one's beloved. It was an especially rare event when she had the opportunity to dance with him. The big bearded man was actually a very good dancer.

"I am constantly amazed at your dancing skills, dear."

"I expected it would be required in order to court a lady of high standing such as yourself."

Utsutsumi gave his wife a spin as the end of the song approached. His performance managed to gain a grin a approval from his spouse as he pulled her back in.

"Flattery will get you nowhere."

"Is that so?"

Sasami was still sitting at the table, quietly waiting for Shuzan to ask her to dance when her grandparents, Seto and Utsutsumi returned from the dance floor. Seto took one look at the awkward young couple and decided to help things along.

"Shuzan!"

"Yes!" The young man practically jumped to his feet when the Kamiki family matriarch called his name.

"Ask Sasami to dance."

"Grandma!" Sasami complained, her face turning very pink from embarrassment. However, Seto's imperious command had the desired effect. Shuzan stiffly held out a hand to her.

"Sasami, would you like to dance?"

Despite how the situation had come about, Sasami had every intention of accepting.

"Yes."

Seto watched with approval as Shuzan led Sasami out to the dance floor.

"Much better."

Utsutsumi chuckled quietly to himself. What a lady.

Although Sasami didn't exactly approve of how she had gotten the dance, she was happy it was finally happening. Still, she felt she should apologize for her grandmother's imperious behavior.

"Sorry about that."

"It's all right." Shuzan accepted the apology easily.

"No, it isn't. Grandma Seto is always bossing people around like that."

"Well... she is one of the oldest members of the royal family. I'm sure she knows what's best."

"I guess. But, she doesn't have to be an ogre about it."

"Sasami!" Shuzan looked over his shoulder to see if Seto or her husband had heard. The emerald haired lady waved at him with a large smile. "You shouldn't say that about Lady Seto!"

"But everyone else calls her Oni-hime."

"Well that doesn't mean you should, too." Shuzan raised his eyes in unconscious thought as he recalled words of wisdom. "Tradition teaches us to respect and revere our elders for their knowledge, wisdom, and dedication. They brought us into this world and raised us. Therefore we should be grateful to them."

"Wow. That's really impressive." Sasami stared at Shuzan with new-found respect.

"Well, that's what uncle taught me."

Sasami looked around to see if anyone important was watching. When she saw no one that she recognized as politically influential, she leaned a little bit closer to tell Shuzan a bit of juicy gossip.

"Lord Shusan doesn't sound like such a bad person to me. It would be nice if he and my father got along a little better."

Shuzan sighed at the thought of a peaceful royal family.

"Yes, it would."

"Well, then." Sasami thought out loud, "I guess it's up to us to show them a good example."

Shuzan looked at her for a moment, then he chuckled a bit.

"Ah!" Sasami smiled at Shuzan's laughter. "I got you to laugh!"

"That's silly. Us showing them how to behave."

"We'll teach 'em a thing or two about how to get along!"

"Well, sort of."

"Just sort of?"

"Yes. I'm a guy and you're a girl. So..."

Sasami blushed for a second as she made the connection that Shuzan intended. But then she took it one step further and thought of her father and Lord Shusan getting along a little too well. Sasami burst out laughing.

"What?" Shuzan wanted to share in Sasami's humor, but he wasn't sure what was so funny.

"I just thought of my dad and your uncle getting along like this!"

"Oh, that's not right." Shuzan's face turned a vile shade of green. "Whatever made you think of something disgusting like that?"

Sasami shook her head, happy just to be so entertained. As she regained control of her laughter, she looked fondly at Shuzan, who also seemed to be looking at her in the same fashion.

"Sorry. You're right. It's gross. I don't know what came over me."

Shuzan shook his head. "It's okay. I like it when you laugh."

"Really?"

Shuzan nodded, bring a faint blush to Sasami's face. "You have a cute smile."

This time Sasami felt a warm flush not just over her face, but throughout her entire body. She couldn't recall if Shuzan had ever said such a thing about her before today. She couldn't think of what to say in response. But she liked the compliment so much that she couldn't help smiling broadly and thinking that Shuzan was a really, really, nice boy. She moved a little bit closer, and tightened her arms just a little bit tighter around Shuzan's shoulders. She felt pleased to feel his arms tighten around her waist.

Ryoko carefully elbowed her way through the folks standing and dancing about the floor area on her way to get herself and Tenchi some drinks. Now that the actually wedding was over, she felt that Lady Seto was right. She felt no different than before she was married. Although now she could make a very legitimate claim to Tenchi, rather than just an informal one. It was almost something of a relief. But really, she didn't want this day to be over. This was the ultimate party and it was all for her.

Snickering merrily as she made her way through the crown, Ryoko happened to notice Sasami and Shuzan dancing. She could tell by the way they were looking at each other that they were starting to have real feelings for one another. In fact, they were so engrossed in one another that they were completely ignoring everyone else. Seeing this obvious display of affection caused Ryoko's darker side to prompt her to do something somewhat devilish. Smiling broadly, she casually approached them on her way to the bar. Perhaps a little push in the right direction might be in order. However, it would look suspicious if she gave them that nudge without a dance partner. Taking quick stock of those who were just standing around, she spied King Azusa Masaki Jurai just a short distance away. Without thinking twice, Ryoko pushed her way past an anonymous couple and snagged his sleeve.

"Hey, you! Dance with me."

"Eh?" Azusa nearly fell flat on his face at the utterly absurd request. He had no interest in dancing with that woman, especially when he was having a perfectly good conversation with his own wife, Funaho. He looked over his shoulder, hoping for some help with the situation. But Funaho merely smiled and waved him on.

Grumbling pitifully, Azusa reluctantly went along with it. He supposed there was a certain duty to it. He could recall an etiquette lecture sometime in his past about dancing with the bride once just to be polite. But still, this was very distasteful for him.

"Was there some reason for this?" He grumbled to his dance partner.

Ryoko really hadn't been paying proper attention to Azusa until he spoke. In fact, she had been planning on just ignoring him until then. She looked up at him in surprise.

"Huh? What, aren't I a good enough dancer?"

"Let's just get this over with."

"Tsk." Ryoko hissed at Azusa's obvious reluctance. She had more interesting plans than dancing with someone who hated her more than anyone else she could think of. "Don't get you beard in a twist, Highness. It'll be over soon."

Azusa bristled at the sarcasm in Ryoko's voice. But he could grin and bear it as well as anybody. He had tolerated much worse in the name of duty.

All was well until Ryoko suddenly gave him a good push backwards. Arms pin-wheeling for balance, Azusa took a quick step back and slammed into someone behind him.

Sasami and Shuzan were still gazing fondly at each other when someone suddenly crashed into them. They came together so quickly, neither of them could avoid it. Sasami and Shuzan found themselves lip-to-lip. Shocked and embarrassed, they both took a giant step away, blushing furiously.

Azusa intended to give the despicable woman a solid tongue-lashing for her affront to his impeccable stature. He had spent years learning the detestable dance steps and etiquette required to be king. He didn't need help looking like a fool. Of course, it was difficult to berate a person when she wasn't even paying attention to him. In fact, Ryoko was peering past him at whoever he had barged into. He hoped it wasn't anyone politically important. One thing at a time. Turning around to offer an appropriate apology, Azusa was just in time to see Sasami barge through the crowd and head out the door. In fact, he didn't even get to offer an apology before Shuzan, whom she had apparently been dancing with, went chasing after her.

"Sasami, wait!"

Seeing that he wasn't going to have to debase himself in front of so many people, the King turned back around, intending to give that demon-woman to verbal lashing she deserved. But Ryoko was already gone. Fortunately, being one of the taller persons here, he had no difficulty locating her shock of crazy bluish hair over the heads of the others. He wasn't surprised to see her going for the bar. No, she wouldn't escape so easily.

Pushing his way through the crowd, Azusa followed as quickly as he could. How Ryoko could have gotten there so quickly was beyond him. He barely made it there before she was turning to return to whence she came. Azusa stopped right in front of Ryoko, blocking her path.

Ryoko looked up at Azusa in annoyance.

"Do you mind?"

"Yes, in fact I do. I believe you owe me an apology."

"For what?"

"You pushed me!"

"So?"

"It was rude."

"In case you didn't notice, I was trying to help your little girl get it on with her boyfriend. He's terminally shy."

Azusa's face turned red at what he was hearing.

"Get... it.. on!"

Seeing that she had gotten the king's goat once more, Ryoko smiled brightly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Did I offend you? Well, I wouldn't want to make a scene so I'll just be leaving." Ryoko tried to squeeze past the king, but he wouldn't have anything to do with that. He reached out and grabbed her by the arm, causing her to drop one of the two drinks she was carrying.

The sound of a glass shattering on the wooden floor attracted the attention of everyone around. Everyone who looked saw the King of Jurai and Ryoko face-to-face growling menacingly at each another. Luckily, someone was watching out.

Washu stepped in between the two angry persons, separating them.

"Now, now. No need for fighting. I'm sure my little Ryoko meant nothing by it. Isn't that right, Ryoko?"

"Tsk." With a hiss of distaste, Ryoko merely folded her arms across her chest and looked away.

"Isn't that right?" Washu directed a menacing look at her daughter, prompting the young lady to perhaps rethink her rudeness.

"Yeah, well, I was just having a little fun."

"There. See?"

Azusa also folded his arms across his chest.

"That was not a proper apology."

Washu's eyes flashed green.

"Well, it's the best your gonna get after man-handling my little girl. So take it or leave it!"

"Bah!" Azusa finally decided to let it go. Besides, he had heard stories about this short little redhead that could scare the white out of sheets. He turned and went looking for better company.

Once the king was on his way, Ryoko stuck her tongue out and gave him the raspberry. Instantly Washu had her tongue in a pair of forceps and gave it a good yank.

"Aah!"

"And you! You should know better than to pick a fight with someone like that!"

"uht ah idn!"

"Go dance with your husband!"

Sasami ran all the way out the front door before she stopped. Frankly, she wasn't quite sure why she was running away. She knew that it had been her father's fault for bumping into them. But still, she just hadn't been prepared for what had happened. She had imagined her first kiss as being something sweet and romantic, not accidental. But now she had made a fool of herself and she could never take it back. Sasami was just getting herself back together when Shuzan came outside.

"Sasami!"

Sasami turned to look at him. She suddenly felt ashamed for running away. She didn't want Shuzan to think that she disliked him.

"Shuzan! I..."

"I'm sorry for what happened. I wasn't trying anything, I swear!"

"I know. I just... I don't know why I ran away. I... just got scared."

"But... why?"

"I just... I always imagined my first kiss would be romantic and sweet. But... but... Oh, please, Shuzan! Don't hate me!" Feeling tears coming on, Sasami threw herself against Shuzan's chest, hoping that he wasn't embarrassed or hurt by what she had done.

"Sasami..." Shuzan put his arms around the girl, holding her tenderly. "Of course I don't hate you. In fact, I really like you."

Sasami lifted her face from Shuzan's chest and looked tearfully up at him.

"You do?"

"Yes."

"I... I like you, too."

This time, as Sasami looked into Shuzan's eyes, she felt something stronger than before. She wanted so much for him to like her, and to feel the same as she did. When she saw Shuzan move just that little bit closer, she closed her eyes, hoping.

Shuzan saw in Sasami the friendship and acceptance that he had never had from his family. She always seemed happy to see him, and even sought him out at times. Seeing cute little Sasami with tears in her beautiful eyes, he wanted nothing more than to make those tears go away. He leaned closer, hoping that she would let him make things better. When she closed her eyes, he knew she felt the same as he. Shuzan closed the gap and tenderly pressed his lips to Sasami's.

When Sasami felt Shuzan's lips, she felt such closeness as she had never felt before. She had never imagined that a kiss could be so wonderful. Sasami raised her arms up around Shuzan's neck and held him tightly. This was the way a romance was supposed to be.

END.

AFTERWORD: Kagato's back? Well, something like that. Don't think that I've misportrayed him. He more cruel and less of a gentleman for a reason. There is an entirely logical and reasonable explanation for this. But you will have to wait until the end of volume 4 before it is completely revealed.

No, I'm not going to do another wedding scene. Besides, how often do you see a wedding scene in a manga or anime? I hope the reception scene makes-up for that.