Disclaimer: The Tenchi Muyo characters belong to AIC and Pioneer LDC. They are used without permission.
Part IX:Shades of Gray
Previous chapters:
Planet Rades was annexed to the Jurai Empire through the victory of the Family of Bushi over the local populace five thousands years ago. The once proud planet now served as nothing more than the Bushi Family vacation home and summer residence. Located in the center of an immense forest that occupied ninety percent of the land on the largest of the world's continents, a palatial estate was weaved seamlessly into its surroundings. The structure consisted of several concentric circles at the middle of which was a beautiful garden. The Radesians were renowned artisans and it showed.
Servants bustled about the large mansion, readying the house to receive some very special guests. It was going to be here that the future of Jurai would be decided and there was not a soul in the house that could not feel the tension in the air. It permeated everything, but it was most palatable in the garden where a row of servants stood perfectly still on each side of a deep red carpet that led into the mansion. Behind them, stood an honor guard of knights from the House of Bushi; one side armed with the staff, the other with the sword. At the end of the columns, the lord of the house waited with a bright smile, his personal attendant at his side. Today would be his first true step to the throne.
The first of the two to arrive was High Priest Bodan, wearing a frock of pure white with a design of golden leaves encircling the neck and cuffs. His demeanor was that of refined rage, distilled and bottled, merely waiting for the right occasion to be uncorked. His motions were rigid and his walk slow and determined. His eyes held such conviction and purpose that even the elite veteran warriors of House of Bushi could not meet those eyes. He reached the end of the long honor guard and stood before the lord of the house. "Lord Bushi," he began.
Lord Seiryo Bushi lowered himself to one knee and bowed his head to the believed purveyor of the word of the goddess Tsunami on the mortal plane. "The House of Bushi welcomes, you Priest Bodan, as we welcome the light and will of Tsunami into our lives, honor upon you."
"The light is but the reward for diligence and steadfastness against the dark, a darkness that spreads even through the heart of the kingdom of Tsunami and has corrupted even its king." The priest of tsunami placed his hand on the prostrated man's shoulder. "The light is the reward… first you must you must fight the shadows birthed of the dark tree."
Seiryo smiled. "Is that not the reason we have gathered?" The holy man only nodded in answer. "The time has come to bring the light of Tsunami to the fore and her humble, noble, handsome and intelligent servant Seiryo, future emperor of the holy kingdom of Jurai will see to it that the entire system… no the universe knows her benevolence." Seiryo finished with his hands raised to the heavens.
Not to be out done in religious pontifications of subservience to the goddess, Bodan mentally rolled up his sleeves. "Yes, only through total dedication of yourself will the road…"
"Enough!"
Both Bodan and Seiryo jumped at the angered interruption. The second guest had arrived and was in no mood for the grandstanding and posturing that paralyzed the council. It was a stance that the guards and servants present were thankful for. If left to their own judgment, the high priest and the lord of the house would have speechified forever.
"Ah! Lord Leeber of the House Kyogou, my house welcomes you," Seiryo enthused despite Leeber's harsh tone. There was little that could anger him today. Today was his first true step toward the throne. "Come my friends, together our allegiance will strengthen Jurai and return the reins of power to the true children of Tsunami."
Leeber Kygou sighed and quietly followed several steps behind his two more vocal allies. Their plan was obvious and heavy handed, but circumstance left him with little choice now. The House of Kygou was not to be the royal house. A fate decided many, many years ago with the disappearance of his eldest daughter, Mariko. He was only now able to accept that fact.
So this is what he was reduced to, a conduit for the Bushi. This is what Azusa and his whore had reduced his house to. He would be letting the same thing happen to Jurai, if he stood by and did nothing. His house and his own pride be damned. The Masaki's rule had to end… if only because he was being forced to listen to these two.
'What is going on?' Noboyuki thought watching the standoff between the two beautiful strangers. There was no escape from the small bathroom and no means to defend himself or his granddaughter anywhere in sight. In his arms, little Mayuka began to stir from her sleep. Her honeyed eyes opened and took in the scene of the two queens of Jurai.
Unlike her grandfather, Noboyuki, Mayuka knew who the two women were, though she had never met them in the flesh before. How she knew them was a mystery to her. Being in a baby's body, unfortunately limited the number of responses to the events she was witnessing. Although, even if she wasn't as an infant, Mayuka wasn't quite sure what her response would have been. 'Why are you fighting?' were the words she would have liked to have said, but they came out more like, "Why gu fwute?"
Her baby's voice drew both women's attention. For the shortest of moments Funaho, without turning her head, moved her eyes from her sister toward the direction of the voice. It was all the distraction that Misaki needed. When Funaho's eyes turned back to her sister, her sister wasn't there. Immediately, Funaho turned around to find Noboyuki looking confusedly at his empty hands and Misaki gushing over baby Mayuka. How she had gotten past her or snatched the baby from Noboyuki in what amounted to little more than a blink of an eye, Funaho just didn't know.
Funaho sighed in defeat and extinguished her energy sword. With a smile on her face she went over to get a look at little Mayuka herself. The First Queen of one the universe's most powerful empires bowed her head to the humble architect. "I must ask for your forgiveness for our forceful intrusion into your home, Mr. Masaki. My name is Funaho Jurai Masaki. I am Yosho's mother and this…" Funaho pointed to Misaki, whose total attention was on the child in her arms. "…Is my sister, Misaki. She is the mother of Aeka and Sasami."
Noboyuki visibly sighed with relief, not knowing how he would have retrieved Mayuka if they had been disreputable people. His forgiving nature soon asserted itself and he smiled at the queen. "No real need to apologize. Living in this house, you kind of get used to this kind of thing." He returned the queen's bow and raised his head to see that she had turned away from him abruptly. A confused expression crossed his face.
"While I am sure you have questions as to why we are here, Mr. Masaki. I am equally sure you would like to get dressed first. I will try to retrieve the child from my sister while you do so." Funaho then retreated from the room, contemplating how to do the impossible... "rescuing" a baby from Misaki.
A rare blush colored Noboyuki's cheeks as he quickly reached for a towel.
A short time later, a fully dressed Noboyuki walked down the steps to find the two queens of Jurai still locked in combat over baby Mayuka.
With her hands balled into fists, Funaho was uncharacteristically throwing a minor tantrum. "I just want to hold her for a second." She reached out her arms expectantly.
"Get your own," Misaki suggested, twisting to shield Mayuka from Funaho's grasp. "You want to stay with Mommy Misaki, don't you? Yes, you do… Yes, you do!" Misaki gushed to the little girl.
Mayuka giggled at their antics. At the very least, they would help to pass the time until her daddy returned. With her small hands she pulled hard at Misaki's cheek and lips. Babies could get away with anything.
"Ow… you're such a cutie, little one." Misaki took a seat with baby Mayuka secure in her arms.
"Are you ever going let me hold her?" Funaho asked plaintively.
Misaki spared a moment to narrow her eyes at her sister, before continuing to play with Mayuka.
"Hahaha, I guess she has a thing for babies. I had an aunt who was like that," Noboyuki related, coming fully into the room. "Whenever she saw one she just had to hold it. We would have a hell of a time getting the child back to the mother."
Funaho gave Noboyuki a very serious look. "It might be easier to retrieve a child from hell than from Misaki's grasp." Funaho took a seat across from Misaki, a pout clear on her face. She turned and smiled at Noboyuki. "Our entrance was a bit unorthodox, which I apologize for, Mr. Masaki…"
Noboyuki interrupted, shaking his head. "Please, we're all family here. Noboyuki is fine."
Funaho nodded in agreement. "Indeed, and feel free to refer to us by our first names. By the way, where is everyone? Did they leave you to baby sit all alone?" Funaho's eyes drifted over to the blue haired, amber-eyed Mayuka. 'And whose child is she?'
Noboyuki missed the analytical glint to Funaho's eyes. "Well, I imagine you know the situation even with out me telling you. Wherever Tenchi goes, everyone is bound to follow. I guess you could say they're on a group date." His face practically glowed with pride.
Funaho chuckled, "Yes, I could easily see that happening. It must be hard taking care of such a young child all by your lonesome. Whose child is she? Are you taking care of her for a friend? What's her name?" It was quite obvious to Funaho that with Mayuka's eye and hair color that she was no earth child, at least not completely.
"Ah… Aeka hasn't told you about little Mayuka?" Noboyuki asked, confused.
"So, Mayuka is her name?" Funaho queried, pouncing on her first clue. "No, Aeka hasn't mentioned her at all."
Noboyuki nodded. Mayuka becoming part of the Masaki family was one of the few events that he had been present for. During the aftermath, Noboyuki and the rest of the family learned of Yuzuha's motives and of Jurai's hate for Mayuka's mother. Of course, Mayuka was not her mother, still Noboyuki was hesitant to explain Mayuka's lineage. Even though the two women sitting across from him were family, he didn't know them or how that would react. Would they precondemn her or was it he who was prejudging them. They were after all the two women who had raised not only Aeka and Sasami, but his father-in-law. If anything, he could trust in that fact. His eyes moved to stare at his granddaughter in the arms of Misaki, while he tried to come to a decision.
Unfortunately for Noboyuki, while he debated telling the queens about Mayuka's past, Misaki was making her own mental deliberations. "She's family… I can tell you that much just by looking at her," Misaki said out of the blue.
Funaho left her seat across from Noboyuki and took a position behind her sister. Misaki had a knack for a great many things. One of her more eccentric talents was guessing someone's lineage. "Yes, you are definitely family, little one," Misaki repeated.
Funaho looked at her sister and then examined the baby's face a little closer. If Misaki said the child was related to them, Funaho believed it. Now that begged the question of exactly how she was related. The child had many distinctive features, most notably her head of beautiful deep blue hair and her warm amber eyes. "Family, you say?" Funaho inquired, kneeling down next to where her sister sat and placing a hand on her arm. "How so?"
A part of Noboyuki wanted to intercede at this point, remembering the arguments this particular subject had spawned in the past. Another part of him, however, was curious to see if these two would be able to figure out a mystery that had even confused Washu and all her science. "Um… About Mayuka's parents…"
Funaho turned eager eyes toward Noboyuki, but Misaki would have none of it. "No! Don't say another word!" demanded Misaki. "Sis, who do we know with such dark blue hair?"
"Hmm… I can't think of anyone… at least not an immediate relation of ours." Funaho's expression became a degree more serious. 'A better question is who do we know with golden eyes?' While blue hair was not common on Jurai, it was not unheard of, much like red hair on earth. Misaki and her daughters were proof enough of that. And Funaho wasn't versed enough in genetics to venture a guess at what a mix of black would do to the family's light blue hair. Mayuka's dark blue was probably a fair possibility though.
Golden eyes on the other hand were a different story. In fact, in all her years Funaho could only recall one person who fit the description. She even had blue hair to a degree. An evil thought was starting to form in Funaho's mind concerning who at least one of the child's parents could be.
"Tenchi!"
"What?!" Funaho exclaimed, surprised at Misaki's proclamation.
"I'm sure of it," Misaki pressed. She faced baby Mayuka around so she could explain and her sister queen could see what she was talking about. "See, she looks just like him." The little girl in her arms practically began to glow at those words. "You're definitely related to Tenchi. In fact… If I didn't think it so incredibly impossible, I would say…"
"Tenchi?" Funaho interrupted. "What about her resembles Tenchi?" Funaho asked with a note of incredulity in her voice. Little Mayuka glared at the woman. Of course she resembled her father! It was obvious for all to see! Funaho had made an enemy this day.
The balls of fire that were once a flotilla of Galaxy Police patrol ships faded into the surrounding black of space leaving nothing but debris, the pulsating tone of a few scattered life pods and a stunned Ryo Ohki. Not since Kagato had a Galaxy Police fleet been defeated so handedly.
Once again, Sana was abhorred by the ease and callous efficiency of the Megami, but what disgusted her most of all was the feeling of excitement that was radiating from the young ship. "Are you hunting us for kicks now? Pirates weren't enough of a challenge so you've moved on to the GP?" Sana's voice was cold and emotionless, her tears had dried out long ago and her heart was numb.
Megami was the total opposite. The girl was so brimming with enthusiasm that she couldn't stand still. "Look! Look!" the happy entity shouted to her captive. When all Sana did was sit there, a frown darkened Megami's face for the briefest of moments. No one had a right to be sad now that Megami was this close. 'She must not understand,' Megami thought as a way of explaining Sana's sullen mood. She skipped over to the brooding women and grabbing her by the arm, tried to gain her attention. "Look! Look! See that!" Megami pointed excitedly at the lone ship that stood between the Megami and the station.
Sedately, Sana looked up. When she saw the familiar shaped ship her eyes widened in surprise. There probably wasn't a pirate alive who could not recognize the Ryo Ohki, ship of the dread space pirate Ryoko. Even her seven hundred year absence had not diminished her reputation. Sana allowed herself the hope that the pirate who had penetrated and crippled the heart of Jurai all those years ago could defeat the Megami. Feeling the eagerness coming off her captor in waves, Sana could only guess that the Megami's professed Master was nearby, but what did he have to do with Ryoko. "What are you planning now?" Sana asked with all dispassion she could manage.
Megami's eyes literally glowed and her smile nearly bisected her face. "What I was built for! Finally, the Master and I will be…" Suddenly, Megami paused, her attention returning to the task at hand by the fire she was receiving from the only ship left before her. Out of phase with her surroundings as a precaution against the Galaxy Police, Ryo Ohki's attack passed harmlessly through the ghost like ship. A second later Ryoko's image appeared before Sana on a communications screen.
"You just made a big mistake," Ryoko threatened.
Sana blinked and pointed a startled finger at herself. "Ah… Do you mean me?" Sana began to look about herself for the young teenage girl that represented the Megami aboard the ship.
"I don't see anyone else blowin' the hell out the GP!" While reformed, Ryoko wasn't shedding tears over the loss of the fleet of officers, but not due to callousness, rather out of concern for who was still on the station. Ryoko doubted the target was Tenchi, who few people in space knew existed and with so many other dignitaries likely in attendance. In the end it didn't matter. After such a display of coldness, the attacker was likely to destroy the whole station to achieve its goal.
"Me? I didn't… it was…" Sana looked around more frantically for Megami but she was nowhere in sight. "'Why that little…' I know that you're still here! I can sense you!"
"What are you doing here? Who are you after!" Ryoko demanded.
Frustrated beyond measure, Sana was about to shout back, but the picture of Ryoko quickly faded into the interior of the Galaxy Police station. "Huh?" Sana rubbed her eyes still unbelieving. When Sana's eyes cleared a second time she found herself staring at the cold sterile walls of a storage bay deep inside the station. "Wha?" gasped Sana. She turned quickly to find Megami standing behind her.
Instead of the generic pants and shirt the ship turned human had been wearing before, Megami now wore the garb of a captain in the Galaxy Police, her dark black hair tied in a thick braid that hung over her shoulder. Out of curiosity, Sana looked down at her own clothing to find she too was dressed as a member of the police… a trainee. Despite the shock and confusion Sana was feeling at her situation, she couldn't help but smile at Megami's choices. While Sana could more than understand the need for disguises, especially with herself being a wanted space pirate, the fact that Megami's age appeared to be that of girl just entering her teen years ruined whatever illusion she was trying to create. As powerful as Megami appeared to be, Sana could take some solace in that the same could not be said concerning its tactical prowess.
Still studying Megami, Sana wondered what the entity was planning next. The GP station was the last place Sana expected Megami to go. Did this mean that her master was a member of the galaxy police? Somehow that didn't ease Sana of her worries. She had met too many of its members to think that an officer wouldn't abuse such power. "Why were you hiding back there? Finally met your match in the Ryo Ohki?"
Megami shook her head, still grinning like a child on their birthday. "Hardly, I have strict instructions," Megami explained wagging her finger. "Ryoko is not to be harmed by me…" Megami began to run down the hall towards the innards of the station. "…Unless necessary," she called back before disappearing around a corner.
Sana didn't know whether to be happy that she was finally free or fearful of what would happen when Megami finally met up with her Master. Still unsure of what to do or feel, Sana followed albeit slowly in Megami's wake.
Mere moments before, Lady Sakuya Bushi had been so bored she was sure she would fall into a coma, but oh how a minute or two could change things. Recent events had her so excited with intrigue and curiosity that she could no longer sit still. She leapt from her seat drawing the attention of everyone at the table with her.
Lord Nephrus, who had been engrossed in a conversation with a high-ranking member of the Galaxy Police, was so shocked by Sakuya's action that he made a startled jump himself. Sakuya was not one to be surprised easily; it was even rarer for her to visibly show astonishment. It must be something grand to garner such a reaction from her. It was then that he and the others at the table noticed the commotion at the room's entrance. Though there was a large crowd forming around her, the First Princess was unmistakable.
There was stunned silence at the table of VIP's, before the Grand Marshal broke it with the unspoken question that was on everyone's mind. "Isn't that First Princess Aeka?"
Recovering from his initial shock, Nephrus began to reply. "Indeed… indeed, it is. What could she be doing here… of all places?" He turned to address Sakuya. "What do you think of the princess's surprise visit, La-". He cut himself off as he saw Sakuya gather the few things she had brought with her. "Sakuya?" he asked at her actions.
Her gaze briefly met his before she willed a blush to her cheeks. "Oh, I must apologize," she told them with a voice tainted with awkwardness. "I somehow find myself sitting at the wrong table." Her face grew even redder. "This is quite embarrassing. Forgive my interruption," she bowed her head slightly, left the table and soon disappeared into the crowd.
While Sakuya's actions further confused those at the table who were still trying to understand why the first princess was at such a function, Nephrus was confident he understood her motives. "Quite so," he said in seeming agreement to Sakuya's statement. "I was lead to believe this was the table for the Juraian nobility and yet I see no place for the First Princess." He followed Sakuya's example and stood, waving his goodbyes to the confused gentlemen at the table and turned to join Sakuya. He very much wanted to hear the conversation between her and Princess Aeka, but he hadn't taken more than two steps before he lost sight of her. His eyes only spent a moment searching before he headed off in the direction he was sure Sakuya had gone: toward Princess Aeka. He was mistaken in his guess, but he was not the only one to have their assumptions proven wrong this day.
The others at the table moved to follow, but the Grand Marshal abruptly came to a halt as an urgent message came through his ear piece.
///Sir, there has been an incident///
Tenchi could not remember the last time he had been a room with so many people, and he had never been in a room with so many aliens. Most looked human enough, but it was taking all of his discipline not to stare openly at some of the more exotic species. It was also the first time he had come into space without his life or that of his friends on the line. Without the heavy weight of possible death or the fate of the galaxy riding on his shoulders, Tenchi could let his curiosity reign free.
Mihoshi stepped closer to Tenchi. "The first part of the evening is the social hour. We're supposed to mingle and greet people until the announcement for dinner is made," Mihoshi said, her nearness to Tenchi causing her cheeks to redden.
Tenchi was too engrossed in the wonders of this new adventure for his shyness to take hold. Where not so many nights ago when he had been invited by his old school friends to a popular club in the city, Tenchi had felt out of place, an outsider among strangers. Today was different. Not that he felt he was among friends or any less out of place here on this space station millions of miles from home. It was just… many times more interesting. For Tenchi, curiosity could trump most other emotions when allowed to blossom. Ryoko's freedom from the cave was a prime example of such a time. Luckily, for Tenchi none of the ladies pursuing him knew how to take advantage, though Mihoshi was the benefactor today.
"Well," Tenchi began with his bright eyes scanning the room. "Let's find our table first, and then you can introduce me to your coworkers."
Mihoshi took strength from seeing Tenchi so relaxed. Maybe he was enjoying himself? "Okay," she agreed, her natural enthusiasm returning. "After we find our table, I have to introduce you to my Grandfather. He's very eager to a meet you. Um… not that there is any meaning or significance or anything… um, yeah, that's it!" she finished with an excited but nervous giggle. Quickly she snatched up his hand and led him off in the direction of their numbered table.
Internally, Tenchi frowned… She was a little too eager.
Although Susan had been on the other side of the room when a startled gasp was let out near the entrance, it didn't take her very long to center herself. Obviously, the prince had arrived or so she believed and wonder of wonders, *she* was the only reporter around.
However the road to Aeka was not an easy one and no one knew that better than the princess herself.
Love was a very blinding thing was the revelation Aeka came up with as she stood surrounded by what had to be at least forty to fifty people. So intent was she in following Tenchi and being at his side at what was surely to be his first introduction to the Jurai people, she completely forgot about her own notoriety. After all, the last anyone had seen of her was her made dash in pursuit of Yosho. While Aeka was aware of the excuse concocted by her family to explain her absence, her presence here would be difficult to explain away….
But an explanation was what was needed now. This was not a situation that she could afford to make any mistakes or faux pas. Though she was inwardly frustrated at the current situation, her mask of royal stoicism with a touch of pleasantness was in place. Now what to say…
Of course, she could quite easily say that she was escorting her consort, Crowned Prince Tenchi, who was here at the behest of a good friend and confidant. Wouldn't that put that mummy woman in her place! She knew that Ryoko would have no problem whatsoever in claiming him in a similar situation. Aeka's eyes searched for Tenchi in the crowd as surreptitiously as she could without success. Maybe 'easily' was not quite the word for it. If she could admit her feelings to Tenchi, maybe things would be different now. In addition, she was confident Tenchi would not appreciate being trapped like that. 'Can these people do nothing but stare at me?' Aeka wondered in derision as her mind continued to race for a solution to her dilemma. 'And what is keeping Ryoko?'
Finally the fires consumed themselves into nothingness and all that was left was the burned out husk of dozens of ships. The scene of destruction was an after thought to Ryoko. Only one thing occupied her mind: get Tenchi to safety.
Her attempts to teleport onto the station failed as the station's shields were at maximum strength following the destruction of the guard fleet. While this was a problem, Ryoko was not about to let Tenchi stay in danger a second longer.
"Ryo Ohki," Ryoko began, her tone even but deadly serious. "We *need* to get on that station.
Though she was fervently dodging the incoming fire from the station, which had assumed the Ryo Ohki the source of the attack, the cabbit responded in the same collected manner as her mistress. Maneuvering through the fire, Ryo Ohki increased her speed and pointed the crown of the ship at the station. Both ship and pilot ignored the jolts, noise and pain caused by the incoming fire as they closed in on the perimeter shield.
'You GP bastards aren't gonna keep me from Tenchi!' Ryoko gritted her teeth. "Now!" Ryoko sent the command through the link she shared with Ryo Ohki and the cabbit nimbly twisted so that one of her hardened crystalline protrusions penetrated the shield with great force. The second it did so, Ryoko used the opportunity to teleport onto the station, using her two gems still in the pommel of tenchiken as her guiding beacon. Ryo Ohki followed in her wake.
"Excuse me," Susan said as politely as her excitement and impatience allowed her. Very few people moved for her though. After all, it was First Princess Aeka standing before them dressed in the entire splendor of her rank. Many of the officers and midlevel dignitaries had watched the rare news conference held by the Jurai Royal Family and had seen the princess in the video shown there, but the pictures did not do her beauty justice… not in the least. They were stunned into immobility to see her in the flesh; an occurrence none of them could imagine happening in their lifetime.
Susan's elbows to their ribcages helped cure their paralysis though.
Suddenly, the crowd before Aeka split and hope shown in Aeka's eyes. '…Tenchi?'
"Princess Aeka, How you honor us with your presence," Lord Nephrus greeted with an elegant bow. He was surprised not to see Sakuya at her side. 'Where has that woman gone this time?'
"It truly is an honor, your Highness," Grand Marshall Kiramitsu agreed. The guard force outside the station had just been wiped out by an unknown enemy and now the absent first princess shows up. 'Perhaps whoever it was who attacked was after her and she escaped here? If so we are still in danger…'
Oh she wanted to cry, where were Tenchi and Mihoshi! "Lord Nephrus, Grand Marshall, I hope my appearance here uninvited has not been too disruptive. If it has, I would like to apologize."
So the three dignitaries danced around the subjects that preoccupied their minds with practiced ease, while around them the crowd stood mesmerized. What history were they witnessed to?
"One side, PLEASE!"
Tenchi rubbed his arm where the rude woman had just elbowed him out of the way. Whatever was happening near the door way must have been significant as the crowd around the entrance seemed to double in size every minute. What was aggravating matters was he had lost track of Mihoshi earlier in the confusion when they were trying to locate her grandfather. Now the situation was going beyond his comfort levels. It appeared matters were once again spinning beyond his limited ability to control them. How he wished he could control them…
Gradually, he pushed his way back through the crowd. Very few people took notice of the young terran man dressed in regal black and gold. Soon Tenchi found himself on the opposite side of the large room among the now abandon rows of tables, away from the spotlight and attention that hung like a heavy fog around Aeka. With a sigh, Tenchi plopped himself down in the nearest seat to wait out the remainder of the night. His hand propping up his head, Tenchi began to nod off when he felt a hand tap his shoulder. A smile began to form on his face as he thought that Mihoshi had finally tracked him down. Quite frankly, he was ready to go back home. He stood up as a gentleman should and turned to face Mihoshi, only it wasn't Mihoshi.
"We must be connected by fate to keep meeting like this."
"Sakuya?!" Tenchi questioned. He wasn't quite sure that was her name that evening was still hazy. "What are you doing here?"
Sakuya's eyes narrowed suggestively. "I'll answer that if you will," she answered, moving to stand beside him and entwine her arm with his.
"Me?" Tenchi paused momentarily. 'Well, it's not a secret… at least… I don't think it is," he thought to himself. "A friend of mine invited me."
"Wow! The same thing happened to me!" She led him toward a group of people standing near the back of the crowd. "We must be cosmically linked, you and me. We have so much in common."
Tenchi politely laughed; more than vaguely aware she was flirting with him. "Haha, maybe, but what I mean is… I guess what I mean is who *are* you? Are you am alien?"
"Alien?" she parroted. "I am no more alien than you are," she replied a bit more angrily than she would have liked. She bit her lip. She was sounding like her brother. "I am sure there are some who have referred to me in a variety of ways, but I don't think alien is one of them.
If Tenchi noticed her tone, he gave no indication of it. "The last time we met was on Earth, wasn't it? You were wearing jeans and a t-shirt, now…" he indicated her fine robes and then it hit him. He had seen Sakuya's manner of dress before.
Sakuya saw Tenchi's eyes alight in understanding and her smile broadened. She was quite pleased with the young prince's astonished stare. His eyes should be on her. "Again, I can ask the same to you, Dear Tenchi. Who exactly are *you*?"
Tenchi honestly didn't have an answer for that particular question. He just didn't know.
The ever observant Sakuya saw the subtle change in Tenchi's demeanor. He seemed to be withdrawing into himself. She decided to try a different tact. "Perhaps we should introduce ourselves again." She relinquished her place at his side and stepped in front of him. Across the room all eyes continued to bore down on Princess Aeka, but none had the intensity of the green orbs delving into the burnt brown of the unknown Prince Tenchi.
'This woman wanted something,' Tenchi concluded.
Insurance…
Whether Nephrus was to be her emperor or the young Tenchi was a matter left to them to decide. Right now, she found the prospect of sharing a bed with either man quite pleasing. In either case, one way or the other she would be Jurai's next First Queen. She thanked Tsunami for whatever compulsion convinced her to stay at this dry function.
Continuing with her game, Sakuya introduced herself anew. "Good evening, Milord," Sakuya began most formally. "I am the daughter of Lord Aoshi, Sister of Lord Seiryo, the Lady Sakuya of House Bushi," she finished with a bow, before looking at him expectantly.
"Ah…" Tenchi stuttered. He took a deep breath and spoke again. "My name is Tenchi Masaki. I am the son of Noboyuki and Kiyone Masaki. I doubt you recognize them. My grandfather is Katsu… I mean Yosho Masaki." He looked at her when he finished, wondering if that was acceptable.
Sakuya canted her head and her expression was reproachful but amused. "That maybe who you are on Earth, but that is not who you really are." Again she took her place at his side and intertwined her arms with his. Tenchi looked at her confused, a state that only grew when she began to lead him toward a tall dark couple who were on the outskirts of the large crowd surrounding Aeka.
"Excuse me, Minister Secre," Sakuya interrupted the stiffly dressed gentleman who was trying to glimpse over the crowd at the princess. Reluctantly, he turned around. "Minister Secre, have you met my good friend?" she asked, indicating Tenchi.
The man spent a moment studying Tenchi's face, before glancing at Sakuya as if asking for a hint. Though he was not from Jurai himself, but of a member planet to the galactic federation, Secre knew enough about their politics to recognize two things. The first was that his manner of dress placed him a very high position, the ornate sword hilt at his side was no doubt a key to a tree-ship. In relative terms, very few nobles were gifted with a tree-ship. The second and more telling was that Lady Sakuya was with him. Lady Sakuya Bushi was not one to dally with someone beneath her for very long. She was of course polite to everyone she met, but the way she was standing next to the young noble in front of him spoke of a more intimate understanding between the two. Both these things together meant that he _should have_ know who this was! It wasn't like such important people popped out of nowhere. "Of course, I do! How have you been?"
Tenchi raised an eyebrow. "Ah… I've been well," Tenchi answered somewhat bewildered.
Sakuya laughed out loud causing Secre to redden lightly, but he wasn't prepared to concede to a social faux pas yet. "Dear," he began and gently grasped his wife's arm. "Look who's here."
His wife turned around and spared but a second searching her memory for the identity of the young man she was looking at. This wasn't her first social gathering and she knew the game well enough not to admit to ignorance. "Why, I haven't seen you for some time. How's your family?"
"My family is well. Thank you for asking," Tenchi replied somewhat amazed at the sincerity and familiarity the two were manufacturing out of thin air. It was almost funny.
Sakuya apparently thought so as her laughter grew. The evening had gone from terminally boring to hilariously entertaining… not to mention highly advantageous. She captured Tenchi's attention by capturing his hand, preparing to lead him away again. "Minister Secre, Mrs. Secre, I am afraid Lord Tenchi and I have other matters to attend to, if you will excuse us."
The two couples bowed to each other and went their separate ways. Tenchi could here his name whispered amongst the two.
"That was amusing, I must say!" Sakuya exclaimed once they were no longer with in earshot of the couple. 'Even if it did not go the way I had forseen.'
"I've never met those people in my life," Tenchi said amazed at how easy the two had lied.
Sakuya's eyes wandered the room looking for something. "Well, you didn't really expect them to admit to not knowing the scion of the House of Masaki, did you?" Sakuya continued to search the crowd while not letting go of her captive.
"Huh?" Tenchi startled. Was his relationship to the House of Masaki public knowledge? Tenchi didn't think that was something they would want to get out. "They don't know about my Grandfather naming me Crown Prince…"
'Crowned Prince?!' Sakuya thought with surprise. She had always thought the Masaki's planned on backing Yosho and Aeka as heirs to the thrown! Although it was wide spread rumor that Yosho did not desire the throne, no one had suspected he would name Tenchi as his successor. The council did not know this. Not even her brother knew this! Sakuya spun on Tenchi and before the boy could react… kissed him, leaving a flabbergasted prince in her wake.
Ryoko materialized in a room two floors down from the hall she knew Tenchi to be in. While she was able to penetrate the outer perimeter shield she would have to circumvent several more if she were going to reach Tenchi. Phasing directly through the floor was out; they were shielded too.
'I can't afford to go wandering around. I need to find Tenchi and make sure he's okay.' This left her with a choice. Seven hundred years ago, when Kagato had given her a directive, she would take the most direct route to her goal. If something got in the way she would merely destroy it and usually enjoy doing so. Now was different. Now there was a voice in her head saying that wasn't the right… that there was more than one way of doing things. Seven hundreds had given her a conscious and with it moral dilemma.
'What should I do, Ryo Ohki?' Ryoko wondered to her friend. 'I could blast my way to Tenchi… killing any galaxy police officer who got in the way.' Ryoko leaned against the wall and hugged the cabbit to her chest. 'I doubt Tenchi would like that… I don't think *I* would like that.' Ryo Ohki nuzzled her mistress's chest and mewed in response. 'Or I could walk out, find someone and explain what happened. But what if they don't believe me? What if they try to lock me up again? I would just end up fighting them anyway and the delay might cost Tenchi his life.' She straightened and flew to the door. She could hear the alarms blaring and people scrambling to and fro on the other side. She had to make a decision, time was short.
She looked down at Ryo Ohki in her arms. "What do you think?" she asked her companion. Ryoko had made up her mind, but wanted Ryo Ohki's input.
"Mreow!" the cabbit advised matter a factly.
Ryoko nodded; glad that Ryo Ohki agreed with the plan. She would give the Galaxy Police one chance. Signaling Ryo Ohki through their mental link, Ryoko ordered the small cabbit to reconnoiter the long hallway outside their door. With no time for error or delay, Ryo Ohki phased through the door on the first try and looked about the long corridor. Officers were running quickly to their duty stations and none took notice of the inconspicuous creature. There was one officer who seemed to be taking events in a far more reserved manner than her colleagues. Maybe she could be reasoned with.
"INTRUDERS DETECTED: LEVEL SEVEN, SECTION GAMMA; SECURITY REPORT TO LOCATION IMMEDIATELY. INTRUDERS DETECTED: LEVEL SEVEN, SECTION GAMA; SECURITY REPORT TO LOCATION IMMEDIATELY."
The young captian paused to listen to the broadcast, a smirk maligning her otherwise cherubic features. Because of her inattention, the police woman failed to notice an arm phase through the solid door.
Ryoko grabbed the much smaller girl and pulled her through the still closed door. Ryo- Ohki remained in the corridor to see if anyone had noticed and guard the door.
Ryoko kept one hand over the young woman's mouth while she held the girl from behind with the other. The small woman's feet didn't even reach the ground. In a calm but stern voice, Ryoko spoke quietly next to the woman's ear. "I am not going to hurt you. Do you believe me?"
The woman quickly nodded, but not out of fear.
Ryoko continued. "I wasn't the one who attacked your guard fleet. Do you understand?"
Again the woman nodded. She really didn't have time for this.
Cautiously, Ryoko removed her hand from the woman's mouth, ready at a moments notice to replace it if necessary. Judging from the young officer's demeanor, it looked to Ryoko that Ryo-Ohki had chosen well. "You believe me?" Ryoko asked almost disbelieving it herself.
The woman smiled brightly in return, tilting her head so her braid brushed the floor. "Of course, I do. I know perfectly well it was not you who eliminated the guard force."
The dread that Ryoko had felt concerning the situation faded. "Then you know who attacked?" Is the station safe? Are the guest at the ball safe?" Ryoko asked in rapid succession.
The woman blanched for a second, but recovered. "I know who attacked the station, a *very* powerful ship of an unknown yet stunning design. We are trying to determine its goal, but I believe it's beyond our intelligence to know. As to the guests at the ball, they are located two floors above. They are heavily guarded and their current location is one of the most secure areas of the station." The young woman looked up at the ceiling above them. "Intruders *are* on the station, but I am not sure how they would get to the guests without making a spectacle. Maybe a distraction of sorts…"
"A spectacle!" Ryoko nearly shouted. "You don't think blowing up a fleet of ships isn't a spectacle!"
The captain cringed as if she had been scolded. "Well, I don't think the guests know about it, so if no one knows…"
"You can't really think that matters to those creeps! They killed those officers and they'll do whatever it takes to reach Tenchi and the others. We have to get everyone to safety. We have to get to Tenchi and make sure he's safe!"
The captain began to chew on her thumb nail and diverted her eyes from Ryoko. "Alright, I'll see what I can do, but I can't guarantee anything."
'How did this person ever get to the rank of captain,' Ryoko wondered to herself. She was worse than Mihoshi. It was up to her to protect Tenchi, the GP were not up to the task as the destruction of their fleet showed. Still she needed this woman to reach Tenchi without incident. Not that she thought she needed to but, Ryoko decided to introduce herself if only to learn the captain's name. "I'm Ryoko, but you probably knew that."
"I did, but not for the reason you think. My name is Megami."
"Okay Megumi…"
"Me-GA-mi"
Ryoko looked at the small "goddess". "Yeah, whatever, let's get out of here and to Tenchi. I don't want to have to waste time explaining things to that security patrol on its way here."
"Right," Megami agreed. "Although you're going to attract a lot of attention in that dress, maybe we should find you a uniform or something."
Ryoko sighed, she really liked her dress, but the time for it had passed. In a blink it was gone replaced with a nondescript beige jumpsuit; similar to that a member of the cleaning crew might wear. She wasn't about to put on a GP uniform.
Megami nodded and the two made their way out of the room. As they turned a corner heading to a lift that would take them to the next floor, Sana watched from a discrete distance. Ryoko would likely blast her before she got a chance to explain that she wasn't the one who destroyed those GP ships, so her only choice now was to follow them and see who this Master of the Megami was.
Funaho was sipping her cup of tea and keeping a wary eye on her sister queen who still hadn't once placed little Mayuka down. Noboyuki had just finished relating the tale about how the newest member of the House of Masaki had come into being. If she previously had any doubts on the need to bring the wayward Masaki children home or at the very least under some measure of supervision, they were gone now.
'Ryoko will be hard enough to explain to the Juraian people. The church has done an excellent job of demonizing her to their own ends,' Funaho thought looking at the beautiful baby girl in her sister's arm. 'Priest Bodan has already throne a fit over Minagi in the throne room. Imagine his conniption at finding out the origin of little Mayuka.' Funaho herself didn't know what to think or feel about the whole Yuzuha incident. 'She ate children! What kind of response did Yuzuha expect?' No, Funaho couldn't work up any sympathies for her. Funaho's eyes again settled on Mayuka, whose amber eyes almost glared back at her. 'I wonder… how much of her mother is in her?'
"How would you like to go with Auntie Misaki? I know! Would you like to see a spaceship?"
Funaho was startled out her thoughts by Masaki's question. "Wait now, Sister. You can not do that!"
Misaki stood, little Mayuka clutched possessively to her chest. "And why not? I am practically her grandmother and when little Aeka marries Tenchi, I will be."
"Eh?"
Almost forgotten, Noboyuki's interruption brought the two queen's focus back to the reason they had come to the Masaki home.
Funaho narrowed her eyes reproachfully at her sister.
"Oops," Misaki apologized. "Perhaps we should get back to the matter at hand."
"What matter is this?" Noboyuki asked. "What did you mean by Tenchi marrying Aeka?" Not that Noboyuki had anything against the idea, he just didn't seeing happening anytime soon.
"Well," Funaho began before she was interrupted by a signal from her ship. The expression on her face went from one of calm to one of disbelief. Both Misaki and Noboyuki noticed the change immediately.
"Sister, what is it?"
Funaho looked at her sister with wide eyes and open mouth. "Apparently, Aeka and Mihoshi are on the news…"
"And you are?" Aeka asked the rather insistent woman in front of her. The night was quickly becoming a complete disaster. Still where was Tenchi? Surely he must know she was here by now… half the galaxy probably knew by now. Why hadn't he come to her?
Susan spent a fraction of a moment to check the live feed on her hovering holo-camera before answering the princess. Everything has to be perfect. "I am from the Juraian Enquirer news service. My name is…"
"Aeka! Have you seen Tenchi? I seemed to have lost him."
Anger graced Susan's face for a second before what the woman said sank in.
"MIHOSHI!" Aeka and Susan chorused.
"Yes?" Mihoshi asked and came forward to stand next to Aeka.
"Where's…" Aeka and Susan again parroted.
"AHHH! It's HER!" a shout rang out. All eyes in the crowd turned in direction of the closed door that Aeka and Mihoshi were still standing in front of. Slowly they opened and an amused Sasami walked in looking back at the passed out officer who had been manning the door.
Sasami finally noticed everyone looking at her. "Hi," she said with a bright smile and went to stand next to her sister and Mihoshi. "Where's Tenchi?" she asked as if it were an everyday question.
The man in question stood dumbstruck at the rear of the crowd. He didn't hear the chatter or even the shouts concerning the arrival of the two Juraian princesses. His attentions were completely on the young woman in front of him. Despite being the object of affection of a number of women, Tenchi, either through his own efforts or someone else's, up to this point had avoided being kissed (his daughter being an exception). As such Sakuya's had him in unknown territory. Discounting the delusional kiss he had shared with Mayuka, this was his first kiss. He was quite speechless.
So was the young noble standing just behind him.
When he had discovered that Lady Sakuya had not left the table to speak to Princess Aeka, Nephrus had become curious as to where she had gone. If Sakuya had not found the arrival of the hereto now reclusive Princess Aeka interesting than she must have discovered something truly extra ordinary. Despite his rank few people made way for him as he tried to move the crowd to locate his date. It didn't help his mood much, but the sight that greeted him when he finally managed to force his way out.
"Sakuya?" he asked looking now not so much the commander of the most powerful fleet in the galaxy but a lost child.
At least that was the thought that ran through Sakuya's mind as she looked at him. Well, it wasn't as if he owned her and if he thought such then now was a good time to educate him. Eying the two of them together like this Sakuya could not help but think how romantic it would be if they came to blows. The look on Nephrus's face said that it was well within the realm of possibility. Sakuya knew when to be demure and when not to be. This was one of those times. 'I wonder how this will play out?'
Nephrus knew Sakuya long enough to know that when she decided to play coy, there was very little he could do to coax information out of her. Instead, he turned his attention to the well dressed, even by his own standards, young man next to him. Though a flirt by Juraian mores, Sakuya did not kiss strange men at parties, in fact, he could count the number of times he had kissed her on one hand and he had known her for over seven hundred years. Maintaining eye contact with the man, Nephrus stepped over to Sakuya and placed his arm around her waste. His statement clear: this is mine. "I do not believe we've met, but you do seem to know my Sakuya here…" He spared an affectionate glance in her direction and placed a hand beneath her cheek. Gently he drew his lips to hers to claim a kiss of his own.
"Really, Lord Nephrus," Sakuya chastised as she broke away from his hold and moved to stand between him and Tenchi. "You sit through hours upon hours of reports and testimony on the Council and you mean to say that you don't know who this is?"
Nephrus crossed his arms across his chest, becoming upset at Sakuya's standoffishness with him. "Perhaps you could introduce us?"
Sakuya enjoyed the tone of jealousy in his voice. "Perhaps I will?" She smiled at Tenchi who wondered what it was he had gotten in the middle of. "My Lord," she began taking Tenchi's hand in her own causing Nephrus to frown. "May I have the pleasure of introducing to you, Lord Nephrus of the House Rikimu, the only child of Lord Hitoshi, member of the High Council and presently Commanding General of Jurai's military, serving at the Emperor's leisure."
Bowing at the end of Sakuya's introduction, Nephrus nonetheless maintained eye contact with the man before him. There were those at court who could guess the familial affiliation of someone just by their style of dress, but Nephrus was not one of them. Still this man's attire of black, gray and gold said much, but not as much as the wooden sword hilt attached to his waist belt. Why hadn't he noticed it before now? He had spared with Yosho once many years ago when he was just an aspiring officer and Yosho was his personal role model. How could not recognize the master key to Funaho immediately? 'But this is not Yosho,' Nephrus thought quickly to himself. 'But now that I look at you… you do bear his resemblance… by the Holy Tree!' "You!" Nephrus said with such force that many near the rear of the crowd turned away from the two princesses.
"You?" Sakuya looked at Nephrus as if he had just used the most derogatory term imaginable. "Is that any way to speak to a young prince?" She shook her head in dismay. "I thought you were raised better than that, Lord Nephrus." Sakuya then turned her back to the man she had escorted to the ball and with a calm air about her, took up Tenchi's arm again. "These introductions aren't going very well," she directed at Tenchi who was still confused. "I know!" She enthused, clutching his arm tighter. 'Let's greet Aeka.' As Sakuya began to lead Tenchi toward the room's entrance, a hand grabbed her and jerked her back.
"Where are you going?" The look on his face was not that of the jovial playboy. While he had been able to maintain his decorum in other situations, this was the first time he had confronted the idea that Sakuya could be interested in someone else. He didn't like it.
Looking down at the hand that was ruffling the sleeve of her Juraian kimono, Sakuya then raised her eyes to those of Nephrus. This was side of her long time companion that she never seen before. It excited her. 'The unflappable Nephrus…' She moved to break free of his grip. "Wherever I want, now unhand me."
He tightened his grip and captured her other arm as well. "Talk to me. I think I deserve a little bit of an explanation as to what is going on in that pretty little head." Sakuya continued to struggle, but could not free herself.
"Let me go, Lord Nephrus."
"Let her go."
Both Nephrus and Sakuya turned to a voice they were not expecting. Tenchi stood there looking at Nephrus with hard eyes. Sakuya's eyes widened at Tenchi's angered expression. 'Could this get any better?' she thought in wonder. "Has Tenchi fallen for me so quickly?'
Tenchi took a step forward. "I don't know what this is about or what the relationship is between you, but I do know that she asked you to let her go. Whatever it is you want to discuss with her, you don't have to do it holding her like that."
"Is that an order, Milord Prince?" Nephrus asked in a mockingly respectful tone.
Now a great deal of the crowd had turned to watch the confrontation between the two Jurai nobles. Everyone in the crowd recognized Lord Nephrus, but who was the other.
Aeka, Sasami and Mihoshi did not notice the growing disturbance in the back of the room. They couldn't get past the reporter in front of them. "You are Detective First Class Mihoshi Kiramitsu?"
"Yes," Mihoshi answered simply. Aeka looked at Susan warily, while Sasami slipped away into the crowd, sensing where Tenchi was in the room. Few knew it, but Sasami could sense Tenchi's location just as easily as Ryoko could sense Ryo Ohki.
Susan was nearly shaking with excitement. Finally!
"What is the current situation?" the Marshal asked as he entered the main control room of the station at his side was Lord Remus. Inside the room, a number of officers rushed about and a large view screen showed the surrounding space outside the station. There was nothing but floating debris.
The current duty officer, Capt. Stryst stood and saluted. "About forty-five minutes ago our guard force picked up the Ryo Ohki approaching the station."
"I just met Princess Aeka downstairs, so Ryoko's presence does not surprise me. Do you think there's a connection?" Kiramtitsu asked the Juraian Liason Remus, who nodded. "Continue," the Marshal Kiramitsu ordered.
"Yes, Sir," The captain signaled to the attendant at the operations station. The large view screen began to replay the incident. "Soon after they intercepted Ryoko, the entire fleet was destroyed. The resulting energy discharged was so great that our exterior sensors were knocked offline for nearly a hundred and forty seconds." The display they were watching went erractic, but after a short time became clear once again. The Ryo Ohki was the only ship visible."
"Are you saying the Ryo Ohki destroyed the guard force?" the marshal asked in a harsh tone. He folded his arms across his chest and glared at his subordinate. Lord Remus's expression was neutral.
The captain wasn't sure if the marshal was mad at what had happened to his officers or the captain's analysis. "We did detect an energy surge before the ships were destroyed that didn't appear in to be emanating from the Ryo Ohki, but we could not trace it. With so many dignitaries on board I thought it best to err on the side of caution." The captain took a deep breath before continuing. "Deciding to question Ryoko, I had the station's batteries try to disable the Ryo Ohki. We were unsuccessful. Ryo Ohki then penetrated the perimeter shields and disappeared. This was soon followed by reports of intruders on
Level seven, whom we haven't identified yet. Though I believe it is Ryoko."
Both Lord Remus and the marshal pondered the information that had just heard.
"What do you make of all this, Lord Remus?" the marshal asked, turning to his colleague. "First, Princess Aeka shows up out of the blue. Then Ryoko and now I have got over three hundred dead officers. Is there something going on in the Jurai empire that the Galaxy Federation should be aware of?"
Remus looked at the marshal coolly. "I have no more idea than you as to why Princess Aeka or Ryoko are here, but I assure you nothing is occurring within the empire that is not the norm. As to who or what destroyed your ships, I doubt it was Ryoko. Seven hundred years ago, you would be correct, but not now. What reason would she have?" With his position under Funaho in the intelligence bureau, Remus was in a better position than most to know of Ryoko's change in demeanor.
"With what my granddaughter tells her mother, I am inclined to agree," the marshal affirmed. "At least as far as Ryoko's involvement with the death of my officers."
"Excuse me, there is one more thing you need to consider," the duty officer interrupted. Both men turned to listen. "Chief Hiro Swyte was found dead in his office."
The marshal's eyes widened in shock. "Chief Swyte? Mihoshi's superior? HOW?"
"He was murdered."