INVASION, Volume 4, Part 1: Only the Young
DISCLAIMER: Tenchi Muyou! Ryo-ohki is copyright AIC. I claim no rights to it.
FOREWORD: Due to the amount of time between the last volume and this volume, I think it's important that the reader should at least be familiar with the events of volume three, specifically the relationship between Sasami and Shuzan. If you don't want to go back and read that, then suffice to say Sasami has found someone she loves, and it isn't Tenchi.
To very briefly recap, while the gang was at at the Galaxy Academy, Tenchi married Ryoko and Aeka. He has a young son with Aeka named Hiroshi. Sasami met and fell in love with Shusan Amaki. With things going on in the universe, Azusa brought the family back to Jurai for safe-keeping.
Mihoshi is still doing her job around Earth. We will see more of her in a couple chapters.
AUTHOR: Dreamr
LAST REVISION: 22 February 2022. It's Twosday! (2/22/22)
BEGIN.
Why Misaki had insisted that Sasami should be present to greet a simple passenger ship was beyond Sasami's comprehension. But, like Lady Seto, Misaki also had ways of getting what she wanted.
Perhaps Sasami's presence would show the people that Jurai Royal Family was watching out for them. But, if that were the case, then why had no one from the royal family greeted any of the other similar ships that had arrived in the last few months?
Sasami did not want to think of the ships as refugee ships. But a lot of people were coming to Jurai Prime. As a child she had cared little for politics. But to her now teen-aged eyes, she could see that something was going on. People looked worried, and the spaceport was busier than ever.
Jurai was known for its martial strength. Everyone knew that if you wanted peace and stability, there was no better place than Jurai. Prior to Ryoko's attack, no one had even tried to attack Jurai Prime for over two thousand years. So from what were they fleeing? Pirates? Or something worse?
Before she could come up with an explanation that satisfied her curiosity, the luxury liner's metal reinforced door irised open, revealing Seiryu Amaki at the head of the column.
"Lord Seiryu!"
The prince's jade eyes settled on the surprised princess. He smiled politely as he walked off the transport and into the spaceport. When he arrived in front of Sasami, he bowed deeply.
"Princess Sasami, what a pleasant sight after all that dinginess. Your beauty could brighten even the darkest hold."
Sasami blushed at his effluent praise.
"Why... thank you."
The elder Amaki nephew raised a contemplative hand to his chin.
"This would explain why Uncle's communiqué insisted we should leave the Academy on this particular ship."
"Lord Shusan?" Sasami asked in surprise regarding Seiryu's austere and often over-pretentious uncle.
"Quite. I received instructions from him urging my brother and I to vacate the academy at once and return to Jurai aboard this ship, specifically."
"Shuzan?! Is he here?" Sasami eagerly looked past Seiryu, hoping to see the young man that she had set her heart on.
Seiryu could not help a small smile at Sasami's obvious excitement.
"Yes, he should be along at any moment." Seeing that the princess was completely ignoring him in favor of searching for his younger brother, Seiryu excused himself.
"Well, I had best be off. I must report to Uncle about our return. Please give my regards to the King."
Ignoring the prince, Sasami started walking forward through the crowd in her haste to be reunited with her beloved.
"Shuzan!"
Most of the dirty people just ignored her. But a few stared at her in surprise or even awe. When there was no response, Sasami began to get desperate.
"Shuzan!"
Again, no one responded. Sasami refused to accept the possibility that he was not on this ship. Seiryu would not have lied to her about that. But the lack of a response was truly upsetting. As tears began to gather in her eyes from some irrational fear that she could not name, Sasami bellowed as loudly as she could.
"Shuzan!"
Everything stopped. The people, the birds, even the single sheet of paper that slowly tumbled along the landing platform ceased to move. All was still, except for one pink-haired person in the back.
"Sasami?"
Sasami's heart skipped a beat at the sound of Shuzan's voice. Running forward, Sasami danced between the frozen people to find him. The girl slammed into Shuzan like a runaway train. Shuzan wrapped his arms tightly around Sasami, holding her close.
"I missed you so much." He whispered to Sasami as she sobbed into his neck.
The people suddenly lurched back to life. A few narrowly avoided colliding with the young couple that had unexpectedly come to a halt without anyone noticing.
"Welcome home." Sasami tearfully greeted him.
The Masaki family consisting of Azusa, Funaho, Misaki, Aeka, Tenchi, Ryoko, and Hiroshi, were enjoying a family day together in the house gardens when a person not of House Masaki approached them escorted by a pair of the house guards. Ryoko poked Aeka and lifted her chin in the direction of the stranger.
"Hey. Who's that?"
Aeka 's eyes widened a bit.
"It's Lord Shusan Amaki, head of House Amaki. He is Shuzan and Seiryu's uncle."
Noting Aeka and Ryoko's discussion, Azusa stood up, drawing all attention to him.
"This had better be good, Lord Shusan. I don't appreciate having my day-off spoiled."
Shusan Amaki looked down on the Masaki family with disdain. It was public knowledge that the two families did not get along. The few people who had been around when Azusa had been chosen as the next king knew that the reason was because Shusan had been passed over as the next king by the High Council in favor of an eight-year-old Azusa. Needless to say, he had not been pleased. However, they still had to work together on occasion for the good of all Jurai.
"My apologies for disturbing your… quiet time. However, my younger nephew has gone missing. I thought perhaps one of you had seen him."
Azusa glared at the older man.
"Just what are you insinuating about my daughter?"
"Guilty conscience?" Shusan countered, all smiles.
Azusa ground his teeth.
"Excuse me." Aeka spoke up from her seat on the large blanket they had spread out on the grass. "Now that you mention it, I haven't seen Sasami since she went to the spaceport yesterday."
Everyone stared at Aeka, thinking the same thing. Only Misaki had the temerity to voice what everyone else was hesitant to say.
"You don't suppose they eloped, do you?"
"Eloped?" The two men incredulously repeated. After a momentary suspicious glance directed towards one another, they both turned around and began walking quickly back towards the palace proper, flinging veiled accusations at each other while the ladies giggled mischievously. Reclining back onto the blanket, Misaki sighed, apparently lost in thought.
"I remember when I was Sasami's age."
"Goodness, Misaki." Funaho quietly commented. "I thought you were over that."
"Ah, well." Misaki said, rolling over on to her stomach. "What's a girl to do?"
"I shall have to speak with Azusa again. Perhaps this time you will give him a son."
"Oh, no!" Misaki laughed. "No, no, no! Not me! Besides, I don't think poor Azusa could take another son. The last one caused so much trouble."
"Mother, please!" Aeka objected. "How can you say such things about my brother?"
"And my son." Funaho added with a look of displeasure.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Do forgive me."
"I don't think I should." Funaho refused to look at her sister-wife.
Misaki stared at Funaho for a moment, trying to decipher her lack of expression. It did not take her long to figure out she was being toyed with.
"You!" The middle wife of the three lunged forward, tackling Funaho to the ground. Aeka tried very hard not to laugh as she watched her elders playfully wrestling around on the ground. Misaki, being of greater skill in physical contests, managed to secure a position straddling Funaho. However, she was quickly assailed from behind by her three-year-old grandson. Hiroshi ran over and grabbed two big fistfuls of Misaki's long pony-tail and pulled.
"Ee!" Misaki squeaked as she twirled around, ending up face-to-face with him. The little boy's smile began to waver as Misaki stared him right in the eye. But then she smiled widely, restoring his faith. The woman grabbed him up and intentionally fell over onto her back, placing Hiroshi neatly on top of her chest.
"Ah! You got me!"
Funaho sat up, calmly straightening her kimono while little Hiroshi laughed and held his arms up in victory.
Sasami groggily rolled over in her big, comfy, bed. This would not have been unusual except that when she rolled over, she found someone else in bed with her. A moment of exploration confirmed that the person was a man. Her heart skipped a beat. But just as quickly she recalled who that man was and why he was in bed with her. Sasami happily snuggled up to Shuzan.
"Good morning, Sasami." He quietly greeted her.
"Yes, it is." She giggled.
They lay quietly together for a while, until Shuzan's stomach suddenly growled.
"I guess I shouldn't have skipped dinner."
"It was worth it."
"You were worth it."
"Shuzan…"
"You still are." Shuzan said rolling over on top of Sasami. The young lady eagerly wrapped her arms and legs around him, fully expecting she was about to be reminded just how much Shuzan was worth. But the outer door to her rooms unexpectedlysuddenly creaked loudly, announcing that someone was entering.
"Sasami?" Lady Funaho's voice called out. "Are you here?"
The two lovers leapt out of bed, mortally terrified that the world would surely come to an end if someone were to see them together like this.
"Just a minute!" Sasami answered as she flung open a wardrobe and began rifling through the contents for a nightgown.
Shuzan, on the other hand, looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming hover car. He searched desperately for his clothes. Getting caught alone in Sasami's bedroom was bad enough. Getting caught in Sasami's bedroom with her naked was worse. Getting caught in Sasami's bedroom with both of them naked was grounds for execution. Consequently, Shuzan was nearly frantic.
"Where's my shirt?" He hissed.
Sasami turned to him and held a finger to her lips.
"Shh!"
Finding something appropriate, Sasami quickly threw her nightgown on, then went to help Shuzan so that he would not freak out and give them away.
"Go stand behind the door and be quiet while I see what Mother Funaho wants."
"Okay." Shuzan acknowledged as he grabbed his clothes. Sasami went to the door and opened it, blocking Funaho from seeing him.
"Where were you, Sasami? We were all very worried when you didn't come home for dinner."
At this point, Sasami decided honesty was the best policy. She knew that Funaho was probably aware the she had gone to meet the refugee ship, thereby meeting Shuzan. Of course she would have spent some time with him.
"Actually, I spent the evening with Shuzan."
"Ah, so he did arrive with his brother. Good. Lord Shusan hasn't seen his younger nephew yet. It seems the young man has gone missing. I don't suppose you know anything about that, do you?"
"No, I didn't know he was missing. Everything seemed fine when I last saw him."
Every word of it was true.
"Hmm…" Funaho looked about the room, carefully examining every detail. "I see."
The head of house Masaki stepped past Sasami and into the room.
"Oh, my. It's..." Funaho sniffed the air, "it's so stuffy in here. Let's open some windows, shall we?"
Funaho went right to the balcony door and flung it open, causing the drapes to flutter merrily in the breeze. She stuck her head outside for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Much better. You shouldn't keep yourself cooped up like that. You'll get sick."
"Yes, of course. I'll remember that from now on."
Trying hard not to smile, Funaho turned from the open balcony and walked calmly back to the bedroom door.
"Anyway, if you should see the young Lord Shuzan, please inform him that he is summoned to the throne room before the Jurai King at 9 AM, sharp, as are you. Dress formally, and don't be late. It would be… unfortunate, if you were."
"Y… yes, Lady Funaho." Sasami stuttered, fearing that the deception had been uncovered.
Funaho turned to exit the room. But, as she made her way to the far door, she looked over her shoulder at Sasami.
"Oh, and Sasami, if I were you, I would make an appointment with the Royal Physician. We wouldn't want any... misconceptions, yes?"
Sasami's face turned beet-red. There was no longer any doubt in her mind that Funaho knew that she had spent the night with Shuzan.
"Yes."
As soon as the door closed behind Funaho, Shuzan fell out from behind the door with a whimper.
"I'm dead."
"No, you're not." Sasami tried to assure him. But truthfully, she was just as scared as he was.
"Then why would the King summon me? He's gonna have me executed!"
"No, he's not!" Sasami exclaimed. "I won't let him."
"It doesn't matter, anyway. Look!" He pointed to the elaborate wooden clock hanging on the wall. "It's already ten after eight. I can hardly even get to the Amaki house grounds before nine. He's gonna kill me!"
"No, he won't." Sasami went to Shuzan's side and knelt next to him. She put her arms around his shoulders and held him close.
"Daddy isn't going to kill anybody, and you're not going to be late, either."
With only a quick mental request for assistance from the almighty, Sasami and Shuzan disappeared, teleported away by the kind of power that only one who was bonded to a ship of Jurai could command.
Outside of Sasami's rooms, Misaki and Funaho had their ears pressed to her door, listening to what was going on inside. When they heard a young man's voice getting rather distressed, they both grinned.
"Didn't I say he was in there?" Misaki said pulling her ear away from the door.
"You were right, after all." Funaho agreed, following suit.
"Was she cute?" Misaki asked.
"Oh, yes. I took a quick look around, making sure not to check behind the door. You should have seen Sasami's face when I told her to make an appointment with the Royal Physician."
"You didn't?!" Misaki exclaimed feigning shock.
"I most certainly did. If she's going to be spending the night with that young man, then she had best be responsible about it."
"True." Misaki agreed again. "It would look really bad if she had to follow after her brother."
"My. That old tale again." Funaho glared at Misaki out of the corner of her eye. Misaki just smiled as they went to meet their husband.
At precisely 9AM, Jurai Capitol Time, the huge portal doors to the throne room swung open. Sasami and Shuzan looked in and nearly fainted. The entire royal court was assembled, as well as all four heads of household: Funaho Masaki, Utsutsumi Kamiki, Shusan Amaki, and even Kotono Tatsuki. There was obviously going to be a very important political announcement that would likely affect the entire empire.
As Sasami and Shuzan approached the throne and the man sitting upon it, Sasami noticed Tenchi, Ryoko, Aeka, and her mother standing to one side at the foot of the steps leading to the King and the four heads of families. She wondered what business they had here. More surprising was seeing Ryoko in the formal dress of a Jurai noblewoman. Sasami thought she looked quite stunning in red. There were also several other members of the royal families.
Someone suddenly pulled her kimono from behind. Coming to a quick stop, Sasami looked to her right. It was Shuzan.
"Going somewhere?"
Sasami looked around, and realized she had nearly walked right past where she was supposed to stop and bow. She meekly shook her head. Then, turning to the King, she bowed as protocol demanded for such an occasion.
"Very well." The king intoned from his place on high. "Shuzan, Sasami, you may stand aside for the moment. We'll get to you two in a minute."
The young couple quickly moved aside and out of Azusa's stern stare.
"Tenchi! Come."
Curious, Tenchi slowly walked out into the middle of the floor and bowed.
"Do you recall the promise you made in exchange for my permission to marry my daughter, Aeka?"
Hearing the King remind him of his promise that he would have to perform some service to Jurai in exchange for permission to marry Aeka, Tenchi knew the time to keep his word had come.
"Yes, Highness."
Ryoko looked from Azusa to Tenchi and back again.
"Promise? What promise?"
Aeka promptly elbowed her in the ribs. Ryoko glared at her sister-in-law. Why was it Aeka always seemed to know about these things before her? Ryoko returned her attention to the king as he continued.
"Kneel." Azusa commanded Tenchi.
Tenchi did as he was instructed. The king rose from his throne and descended the steps to the floor. Azusa reached into his robe and drew his sword; the Master Key fashioned from the bark and sap of the first generation tree, Kirito. As soon as the blue blade extended, Ryoko lurched forward, intending to intercept what looked to her like an attack. But someone was keeping an eye on her. Quickly grabbing her from behind, Aeka tossed Ryoko to the floor and tied her up in a flash. She then sat on the violence-prone woman for good measure.
"Pipe down!" She instructed. "Any sword-play here is purely ceremonial."
Ryoko's muffled objections quickly subsided as she realized that Azusa meant no harm to her husband. The King, being big on pomp and circumstance, waved the blade of his sword over Tenchi's head as he intoned his pronouncement.
"As King of the Holy Empire of Jurai and commander of all its military might, I hereby commission Tenchi Masaki as a Junior Lieutenant in the Jurai Royal Navy with all the duties and responsibilities of that rank."
This brought a few murmurs of surprise from some of the royals gathered in the room. Most everyone knew Tenchi was from a back-water planet and had little experience with a martial way of life or politics, with the exception of his not unimpressive swordsmanship.
Aeka suddenly stood up, shocked that her father would command such a thing. Knowing that the empire needed every capable leader it could muster, she said nothing. But that did little to ease the worry in her heart. However, the young woman that she had been sitting on was not so understanding. Ryoko burst her bonds, and, in the blink of an eye, she was standing between the king and Tenchi.
"Over my dead body!"
"Ryoko." Tenchi started with impressive patience.
"No way, Tenchi! You're not leaving me behind! I won't let it happen."
Azusa lightly tapped the blazing blade of his sword over his shoulder as he contemplated this development. Ryoko's involvement was not entirely unexpected. As such, he had planned for this. But that did not mean he had to like it.
"Hmph. Since you seem steadfast in your desire to stay with Tenchi, it seems I have no choice. Kneel."
"Kiss my ass."
Gasps of astonishment rippled through the throne room. Azusa gritted his teeth at the insult. Here he was, about to bestow a great honor on someone he felt was totally undeserving, and she threw insults in his face.
"Get down on your knees, or you will NOT be allowed to go with Tenchi."
That got Ryoko's attention. Unfortunately, the wording of Azusa's command got the attention of her darker side.
"Well, I'd do just about anything to stay by Tenchi's side. But I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I'm married, after all."
Azusa's face turned red, then purple, then blue as he tried very very hard to control himself. His cheeks puffed out, and the blade of his sword began to spit and crackle with barely restrained energy. On the sidelines, Aeka slapped a hand over her face in disgust. Only Ryoko would have the gall to insinuate such a thing of her father. At times like these, there was only one way to get through to that headstrong woman.
"Ryoko, get down on your knees or I'll cut your legs off, myself!" Aeka shouted at her.
Ryoko smiled with amusement.
"Well, I suppose I can do you a favor. But just this once." She wagged a finger at the King.
"Just get down!"
"Be gentle." Ryoko meekly requested as if she were a young maiden on her marriage bed.
Azusa only barely managed to restrain the urge to take at swing at Ryoko's neck. The only thing that kept him from doing so was the knowledge that cutting her head off would likely do nothing more than provoke her. At worst, both pieces might regenerate into two Ryokos, thereby doubling his problems.
"Ryoko Masaki," The king announced, waving his sword over her head, "you are hereby initiated into the Order of Holy Knights. Let none but the King of Jurai, your sworn charge, and..." the next part he mumbled to himself, "Tsunami help us," the rest he raised his voice up again, "your good judgement… hold dominion over your actions. You are charged with a sacred trust: the protection of the life of your husband, the Crown Prince Tenchi Masaki. No other duties or responsibilities can come before that. Do you accept this sacred trust?"
"I do." Ryoko answered quickly and for once politely. There was no hint of reluctance or hesitation in her voice.
"Then rise. Tenchi, you are to report back to me at 7AM seven days and nights from today. In the meantime…"
With renewed vigor and humor, Azusa sheathed his sword and climbed back up the steps to his throne. He sat down with a flourish of his cloak.
"Sasami! Shuzan! Come forth!"
The young couple nearly ran for the center of the floor. They both bowed to show their obedience to the king's will.
"It has come to my attention that the two of you have become rather close over the last few years. Is this true?"
"Your Highness, I can explain." Shuzan started. But the king interrupted him with a raised hand before he could say what he wanted.
"No excuses!" the king barked, "I have my own sources of information, and I know perfectly well what's going on. Prince Shuzan must take responsibility for his actions. Therefore," the king paused dramatically, letting the moment linger as the two young royals worried over their fate, "it is my opinion and that of the other heads of family that Princess Sasami and Prince Shuzan are to be wed on the occasion of Sasami's twentieth birthday."
Shuzan's head snapped up and his jaw dropped. He had been expecting an execution or at least banishment. This was a surprise of the best kind. Suddenly, Sasami dashed up the steps and threw her arms around her father's neck.
"Thank you, Daddy!"
Azusa was momentarily taken aback at Sasami's sudden display. But it was all for the best. If there was anything that could crack his stony façade, it was the heartfelt words of his youngest daughter.
"Sasami…"
"I love you so much!" Sasami gave her father a quick kiss on the cheek, causing the normally stalwart king to blush and even chuckle. Barely suppressing a roll of his eyes, Shusan Amaki cleared his throat.
"Ahem!"
Misaki stepped forward and gently peeled her younger daughter away from the blushing king.
"Sasami..."
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Realizing her gaffe, Sasami released her father and allowed herself to be led back down the dais by her mother.
Misaki stood with her daughter as she addressed the king formally.
"Your Highness, I believe there is another issue that requires attention."
"Indeed." the king agreed. "Lord Amaki?"
Shusan Amaki stood before the assembly.
"There is one requirement that must be fulfilled before this union of houses can go forward. As Protector-General, and as the head of House Amaki, I declare that my nephew, Shuzan Amaki, will undergo the Tree Choosing Ceremony forthwith."
Shuzan stared dumbfounded at his uncle and house lord for several long seconds. He had not even begun to think about becoming bonded to a royal tree. All his thoughts had been focused on Sasami. He bowed deeply.
"I'm... honored."
Funaho watched the little display with her usual quiet approval. However, there was one other matter to attend to, especially now that the young couple's union was officially blessed.
"Sasami, dear..."
"Yes?"
"Don't you have an appointment to keep?"
Sasami blushed at the reminder of her earlier conversation with Funaho.
"Yes! I'll take care of that right away."
Wiping away a tear of happy pride, Misaki looked up at her husband expectantly.
"Can I please say it now?"
Unable to suppress a big smile of his own, Azusa graciously gestured towards the chamber floor. Misaki turned and pumped a fist in the air.
"Let's party!"
END.
AFTERWORD: Sorry, this one is short. Nothing wrong with short episodes though. It just means that the next episode will come out sooner.