Tenchi Muyo All Good Things Chapter 73 Cats And Dogs
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"WHA?!" A just arriving Ryoko yelped, suddenly finding her self standing at finger point, while Tenchi, among others blinked in surprise.
He however was the only one suddenly very aware of the pressure Ayeka was exerting on his arm as just to the other side of the Princess, certain galactic law officials where sizing up the pending predicament.
"And now it gets really interesting!" Kiyone thought glumly. Not, without an appropriate amount of sympathy for Tenchi to be sure.
"OH!" Andarka startled, smiling then at the new arrival. "And who might you be?"
"Button your lip sister, that's my line!" Ryoko snapped, covering she had just had the living shit scared out of her by turning belligerent.
"Tenchi! Who the hell are these people?" She added angrily.
"Well." Tenchi began, clearing his throat.
"They're a team of exorcists!" Kiyone suddenly blurted. "Here to rid the shrine of the demonic influence that has plagued the good people of these lands!"
The statement echoed through the air, leaving everyone startled, confused and dumbfounded. Well, that is except...
"T-THE HELL YOU SAY!!" Ryoko stammered loudly, angrily rolling up her sleeves. "WELL, I'M NOT GOING WITHOUT A FIGHT!"
"DAMN IT KIYONE!" Tenchi swore rising from his seat. "SHUT YOUR FLAPPING HOLE!! RYOKO! JUST CALM DOWN!!"
"BUT SHE JUST SAID!" Ryoko stormed, angry and confused.
"THEY'RE A FILM CREW!!" Tenchi bellowed. "HERE TO DO A DOCUMENTARY ON THE DAMN SHRINE!!"
"Daddy's gotta potty mouth!" Mayuka observed, getting up from the table.
"Gezzz!" Tenchi swore, siting back down in a huff.
"What the hell was all that about?" Wataru wondered aloud, watching Ben Ofer shrug as little girl was running over to the just arrived woman, squealing with undisguised joy.
"YOKO!" The child shouted and leaped, her arms opened for her infamous 'hug attack'. Over where she was still standing framed by the lake, Ryoko looked confused perhaps a little embarrassed. More than anything however she was ticked off! About to toss some choice words Kiyone's direction when Mayuka's charge melted it all away in an instant.
"OH HO!" Ryoko spouted playfully sidestepping, catching the child by back of her bibs and hoisted. Mayuka suddenly found herself inverted, with Ryoko starring pensively up at her.
"And just what kind of an attack was that sugarplum?" Ryoko teased sweetly.
"No Fair!" the little girl pouted.
"Ya left yourself wide open kid!" Ryoko finished with a rasp.
"Damnation!" Todd muttered quietly. His initial thoughts of "Another hottie?" All but canceled watching Ryoko hoisting the toddler over head effortlessly in a one handed grip? The girls sure were 'healthily' here about!
"Ryoko!" Tenchi complained, from the table. "She's not a sack of potatoes!"
"Take a chill-pill daddy dearest!" The ex-space pirate sneered, gently flipping Mayuka upwards, plucking the giggling child out of free-fall in an instant, cradling her in an undeniably a playful hug.
"So how's my favorite student?" She whispered as Mayuka wrapped arms about the ex-space pirate's neck and squeezed.
"Yoko!" She sighed. Ryoko took a moment, flashing Tenchi a 'See? Told you so!' look, shooting then a suitably more scathing one Kiyone's direction.
"Daddy?" Yuba mouthed wonderingly, then rolling her eyes speculatively at Sara. Who like each of the girls on the crew were rapidly re-evaluating the situation here abouts?
"Oh, me and you are gonna party later flatfoot!" Ryoko added as she approached the table. Nodding succinctly at a seemingly unperturbed Kiyone.
"Que Sera!" The detective shrugged, making a cocking motion with her left hand. "I'll bring the party favors!"
"No fight!" Mayuka complained, just as Ryoko was setting her down. Clearly deciding enough was enough! Taking hold, the little girl started pulling her towards the table.
"Yoko, come sit with daddy!"
"Now you're in trouble!" Kiyone softly sang, smiling staring apparently into thin air across the table. Refusing to see the harsh looks, both Ayeka and Tenchi shot her direction. Knowing most likely they could have felled an ox.
"Remind me to kill you later!" Tenchi muttered glancing toward impending doom.
"Scoot your ass down one click princess!" Ryoko suddenly gruffed, having only just noticed the seating arrangements. "You're in my spot!"
She had apparently been looking around somewhat confused at all the unfamiliar faces.
"I beg your pardon?" Ayeka returned sweetly, not even bothering to look. "Obviously preparing Raman all morning has scorched what little brain you have!" Ryoko responded by shrugging, then stepping back, sliding her left foot into launch position.
"I SAY NO FIGHT!" Mayuka suddenly yelled. Immediately forestalling pending posterior assault and commanding everyone's full attention as the little girl gestured at her side of the table.
"ALL YOU!" She said, pantomiming the required motion. "SCOOT DOWN!"
While mouths were busy dropping open, Mayuka reestablished her hold on Ryoko's hand.
"YOKO! SIT HERE!" She said, urging the stunned woman toward where she had been siting when Ryoko had first appeared.
"YES MA'AM!" Tenchi, Ayeka and Ryoko said in unison as everybody that side hurried to comply.
"She's Smart as a whip!" Ben said, clearly impressed. "How old is that little girl?"
"Better than halfway to three years old." Washu supplied, between bites. Seeming to take little interest in the almost brawl just averted.
"Uh huh!" Mayuka said, taking immediate interest whenever she was the topic of conversation.
"I this much!" she added as if her next words were the most important thing she would ever say, holding up two chubby fingers. "And a big smidge!" She finished flashing five then three fingers with her left hand.
"Holy Hirohito!" Ben gasped, a family man himself almost falling over with shock. "THAT is amazing!"
"Not so..." Ayeka cooed. "If you consider her lineage."
"Let's just thank god your mutation skipped her generation." Ryoko said quietly.
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Ayeka asked hotly.
"And she didn't crawl out of your shallow end of the gene pool either." Kiyone sighed softly.
"I'll kick YOUR ass!" Ryoko shot back.
"Yes! I'm very proud!" Tenchi laughed elaborately.
"And I'll just bet!" Ben agreed gazing at Mayuka, attempting to assist ignoring the crossfire. "You can say the name of everyone in your family!"
The little girl paused, she had been avidly watching the on going exchange. Now she turned, scrutinizing the older man.
"Why should?" Mayuka squinted up at him, instantly dubious. "You stranger!"
Ryo-Ohki stopped where she was still assisting Sasami in serving their guests. Her eyes narrowing as she too regarded the engineer from across the table.
"So, that's what one looks like!" She nodded firmly to herself.
"Well that's right of course!" Ben told Mayuka smiling. "You shouldn't talk to strangers!" He added sternly.
"But, your Daddy's right there!" He then nodded at Tenchi. "And if he says its ok?"
"Hmmm." Mayuka frowned, hands on hips glancing at Tenchi her self, brows furrowing.
"It ok to tell?" She asked, then waited while Tenchi considered.
Most of the people of the surrounding areas knew about Mayuka's little ho ho, 'play pretend'. It certainly made it easier than trying to explain all the dynamics of what not to say to a two and a big smidge little girl.
"And..." Ben added grinning, after seeing Tenchi slowly nod, enchanted with the intensity of her stare, reaching into his pocket. "What if I give you this?"
"WHOA!" Mayuka's ruby eyes almost popped out of her head as the midday sun flashed on the surface of a five hundred yen coin.
"But!" Ben continued, making the coin vanish from small fingers already reaching. Simultaneously dotting the precocious toddler's button nose. "Only if you can say everyone's name!"
"Well." Mayuka began, rubbing her nose slightly cross, wishing adults would leave it be! That, and the cheek pinching. Glanced around for a second then back. "I already said, you stranger!" She then pointed over at Wataru. "But I hear him call you Ben!"
The director just about lost it right then and there along with most the table as Ben's face froze in shock.
"I meant, just you're family sweetness." He added slightly red with surprise.
"Serves you right!" Wataru gasped cheerfully.
"Hey!" Mayuka interrupted, pointing again. "Who you?"
It took the director a moment realizing the child was indeed addressing him specifically. Surprised he glanced around the assembled group then back, never losing his grin.
"Oh! Well, I'm Wataru Higomi!" He told the child. Making a show of extending his hand, which after another glance toward a nodding Tenchi, Mayuka grasped.
"I make movies!" he added buoyantly.
"Good!" She answered. "You shut up now! I talking!"
"Mayuka!" Tenchi gasped, amid the resulting blast of laughter erupting almost drowning his admonishment.
"Would you care to comment again about her social development?" Ayeka glared as Tenchi grimaced, scratching back of his head, amid the dying snickers and wheezing.
"I Mayuka Masaki," the little girl indicated herself, having waited out the storm of laughter. "I ninja!" She continued, bowing at the waist to Ben.
"She my Auntie Yoko!" Mayuka then said pointing to Ryoko.
"That's me alright!" Ryoko smiled and waved.
"She wanted on twenty-six planets," Mayuka continued. "That cause she space pirate!"
"Wah?" Wataru mouthed, looking at the child strangely.
"Space pirate?" Todd muttered, glancing briefly from where Andarka sat positively beaming at the little girl.
"Lots of kids build little fantasies up and around their family members!" Ben whispered quickly, leaning close. "Nothing wrong with it."
Wataru shrugged, as the cameraman nodded, sparing a glance Kiyone's direction. Thinking this was starting to sound strangely familiar.
"She also..." Mayuka continued, pausing to concentrate on an unfamiliar word.
"An all-key-hall-lick." She finished with a definite nod.
"WHAH?!" Ryoko gasped as the table again erupted.
"Mayuka!" Tenchi snorted, unable to keep completely from laughing.
"Oo-boy..." Ben muttered, suddenly wondering if this had been such a good idea?
"And he, my daddy!" Mayuka continued after another moment. Indicating Tenchi with a chubby extended digit. From the continued cross expression, it was clear she didn't like waiting for the bursts of hilarity to subside. After all her fortune was at stake!
"Him Tenchi Masaki!" She then paused, at a sudden additional thought.
"But me just call him daddy for short." She added as Tenchi positively beamed with renewed pride, while Ryoko sat, muttering.
"Dang mouthy munchkin!"
"Out of the mouths of babes." Ayeka tittered uncharitably.
"Bite me!" Ryoko snapped.
"Daddy love to draw." Mayuka continued brightly. "That why he think he might be arc-key-tech someday like papa Yuki his daddy."
"How nice." Ben told her.
"But he also study to be pest." Mayuka added with a nod. "Jus like grampa."
"P-pest?" Ben blinked, glancing first at Tenchi then over at Katsuhito.
"Oh!" he suddenly reasoned. "I think you mean 'priest' honey."
"Sounded right the first time!" Washu laughed as Katsuhito's eyes darted her way.
"Hey! Kick your own damn leg!" She added angrily.
"Yeah but he think he might also be farmer." Mayuka told him, ignoring the mild 'tiff'. "He not sure, auntie Aka say that because he Indian.'
Ben again paused, just about to urge the little girl to continue, taking a moment to glance again the direction of her Father. Noting Tenchi well as Ayeka were studying the child curiously. The engineer reasoned Tenchi had the healthy if slightly darker completion common to the region. His mind did stray for a second, wondering how much time Ayeka spent indoors to vary that much.
"Now sweetie, I think you're confused." He then told Mayuka. "Both you, your daddy and grampa are definitely Japanese!" He didn't add, he had no clue as to Ryoko or the Bronze skinned babe that was hanging with Tony and Michele! The odd 'snicker' heard mysteriously in the air just then also eluded authoring.
"But auntie Aka say daddy Indian-sigh-sieve!" Mayuka complained, while Tenchi's 'beam' swung angrily over, threatening to burn a hole in the princess's face.
"Out of the mouth of babes!" Ayeka repeated, grinning with embarrassment
"Would you know what a mutton head is Mr. Ben?" Mayuka suddenly asked.
"Uh..." The engineer coughed his response. "Why don't you tell me about the rest of you family first honey?"
"Oh? Well, that there, my auntie Aka!" The child continued oblivious while Ayeka waved weakly. Smiling with equal enthusiasm.
"And she first..." Mayuka paused, looking suddenly worried, glancing again at her father. "You sure?"
"Long as you know what's pretend honey." Tenchi told her, wording it carefully. Wondering now if he was making a mistake but seeing no way to stop this without appearing out rightly rude.
"She first princess." Mayuka continued, glancing again Ayeka's direction.
"Oh?" Ben asked the child, believing he understood, grand visions aside. "So, she's the Woman of the house?"
"Ho!" Ryoko snorted suddenly. "As if..."
"Not know." Mayuka told him, genuinely scratching her head as Ayeka shot a glare Ryoko's direction.
"But Auntie Yoko call her miss bossy boots." She added.
"Among other things..." Kiyone muttered as Ryoko snickered totally unrepentant.
"Silence cretins." The princess growled under her breath, turning then to the child.
"Now Mayuka?" She then continued in tones dripping with honey. "Little Ladies aren't supposed to gossip."
"Yeah honey," Ryoko laughed. "Leave that to the resident wind bag!"
"To whom are you referring?" Ayeka demanded, glaring as Ryoko elaborately shrugged.
"So your Auntie is a real princess huh?" Ben interceded, hoping to 'move the situation along' before fatalities started to occur. "Well, I must say she certainly looks the part."
"Uh huh." Mayuka nodded. "She most beautiful woman in whole Jeri-Ryan Empire."
(Resistance is futile!)
Again the child paused, seeming to concentrate even as Ayeka smiled and shyly blushed.
"At least that what she told me." Mayuka added.
"Oh lord!" Kiyone gasped, burying face in the cradle of her arms, shoulders quivering as she laughed into the tabletop while beside her the princess stared blankly into space.
Night had fallen at last. Still feeling the effects of Washu's minor surgeries, Tenchi made his way cautiously up the long darkened stairway. Pausing every now and again glancing around, It was only when he was most certain his accent had gone unobserved, he finally climbed the last few steps. Making doubly sure to 'skirt' the actually open plaza area of the shrine however. With everyone understandably up in arms over what happened to his father and having a stranger in the house to...
"You look good." Tenchi told the Princess as she stood leaning against the side of the porch. It had been several minutes now, the two of them standing there, alone. The air in the living room before had seemed, stifling. Beyond his ability finally to bear. There hadn't been anything so much as a plan in coming outside, rather than the sudden, almost overwhelming need to just get out of there! Tenchi had taken her hand almost without realizing he had done so. More of ... an after thought...
"What I would like to know!" Misaki conferred angrily as she fairly stalked along besides Azusa. "Is how they always seemed to know our comings and goings!" They were moving towards 'the boardwalk' that spanned the small section lake almost touching the house. Now surrounded by a healthy selection of the imperial guard. "Come now good wife." Azusa soothed, seeming far less concerned. "They most certainly have their sources as indeed do we." Misaki seemed to consider, digesting...
Lady Funaho had changed little since Mihoshi had last seen her. But then, she had 'changed' little in the last thousand years if the truth were told. One did not bring such matters up around the queen of Jurai However, if one wished to remain in good health. "I would say that this is an unexpected pleasure." The queen politely intoned. "But of course we know that would be untrue." Kiyone stood staring, uncharacteristically mute. Mihoshi however, having met the queen on more than one...
The next hour or so was blessedly uneventful, for the most part. Beginning with the Grand marshal being sent on his merriest of ways, 'sarcasm intended', with a surprising minimum of fuss. Azusa's bemusement at having so efficiently defused the situation however suddenly melted upon his return to the vicinity of the front yard. The very moment his dark brooding eyes had set upon where Ayeka stood. Something poignant seemed to have passed briefly between father and daughter. Enough...
"I'm surprised they're allowing us so much time together really." Tenchi huffed. Sparing only a few glances the direction of the massive tent the Jurian's had set up in the vicinity. Noting with some amazement something which had been absent only yesterday now towered over and almost completely engulfed most of the old rest stop. "Don't they have some traditions about, you know? 'Seeing' the bride before the wedding or some such?" He finished. Deliberately ignoring the now...
Sasami had been waiting patiently as she might. Attempting to hold a sense of what she believed was termed 'cultivated composer'. That managed to last until the first few bars of the all too familiar 'Wedding March' began. For the way that her heart leaped in her chest it might well have been 'Toccata en Fugue'. She quickly reminded herself that she was not about to greet some mad doctor or even a disfigured deranged organ playing actor for that mater. This was her wedding day and...
Several minutes, and as many buckets of soapy water later. The female contingent of Wataru's crew had almost restored the mini to showroom condition. While Sara, Mikito and Yoshi worked, the interval also witnessed Yuba's final tentative re-emergence from the caravan. "Now, Yuba dearest." Michele attempted to console. "Everyone has a moment or two of dementia now and then." "My god!" Yuba wailed, as Michele steered her sullenly towards a rest stop bench. "I really showed my...
Tenchi dragged more than walked himself up the darkened entry hall. Even by his standards, this had been one exhausting day. Thoughts of food, bath and bed circled his mind while trudging past entry into the living room, wondering who would be still up at this hour? Seated across from the doorway from him, Katsuhito sat holding a sleeping Mayuka while providing Ayeka a shoulder against which to slumber. It would have been an idyllic scene, if not for how pissed he currently were at his...
Turning to regard the new speaker even as the others, Tenchi felt something in the location he normally associated as his brain simply freeze. In his twenty-one years he'd done and believed he had 'seen', many a great thing. Some of which could even be termed 'miraculous' Perhaps even godly. This however was the first time he could specifically remember seeing someone who actually looked ... Well, like one always expected an alien to look. She was blue! His mind instantly shooting...
'Tenchi the magnificent', glanced under at the first hold down's release mechanism, then again at the rectangular shape muted under the bright green tarp on top. Realizing he'd barley noticed it on the stage/bed behind Yuba. "Well, She had nice legs." He admitted privately, among other distractions at the time. "You go round." He started, pausing when noting Todd staring into the distance with a look of undisguised wonder. Just then on the ground, in front of him ... a moving shadow,...
"Ow." Kiyone moaned softly. Fidgeting when gently as possible, Tenchi laid her down. "Lie still." He commanded, equally soft, before turning purposefully to a squat cupboard at one side of the Olsen's entryway. "Hold on." He told her soothingly. "I'll be just a moment." He would rather have taken her to the shrine however she'd insisted her injuries were not severe and the Olsen with its supply of healing herbs was closer. Once certain his back was to her Kiyone allowed her...
Day 3: (Faster than the speeding bullet.) The steady rhythmic hum of the passenger car nestled about him. The dull regular 'clackity-clack' as the train's bogies made their way across countless trestles beneath. So oddly soothing in its way as one came to terms and accepted. That after a time, it had almost Lulled Tenchi in to a kind of daze. Last night had been complete and utter hell, his thoughts wandered briefly backwards. The events of the previous day insuring a state of total...
"Tenchi?" Kiyone whispered urgently. "Uh?" he attempted, then embarrassed at the slight lapse, swallowed the portion in his mouth. He'd been concentrating on his meal, desperately avoiding eye contact with Sasami while ignoring Ayeka's periodic flinging of visual daggers at her sister. "What's on your mind Key?" He whispering at diminished volume. "Is, they're something wrong with your Grandfather?" She asked. "Huh?" "Would you mind?" Ayeka muttered, annoyed as Kiyone...
"Daaaaaadeeee." Tenchi seemed to hear from a great distance. "You gonna wake up?" The darkness shrouding his senses seemed to be lifting gradually, though the room about him remained fuzzy. "Key?" The child's voice came again. "Why don't he open he eyes?" Tenchi tried to concentrate, certain that he recognized the voices. Not an easy feat, feeling like he was swimming in Jell-O. "Give him a moment sugar bear," He seemed to hear distinctly. "You're daddy's been through a...
Smiling, his mind in a whirl Tenchi was yet again, wondering ... He was still uncertain exactly what had made that moment any different from countless others, but having no real regrets. What was more, it had all come so natural, instinctively. like he had done it before ... Had he? It was after all just a kiss. Mechanically it wasn't 'brain science' or even 'rocket surgery', but at the end of any day, is a kiss just as kiss? He'd always wondered also ... Well, what Ryoko would taste...
Hero had been sitting at the base of the entry hall stairs staring despondently at his shoes for several minutes. He been siting there far longer he supposed, lost in thought uncertain of his next move. His conversation with the queen had raised far more questions than it had answered. To say nothing of the considerable inner turmoil it had stirred up! The same questions had been rolling through his mind, over and over again since the Queen had made it her business to be elsewhere and no...
Elsewhere at roughly the same time, Tenchi was making his way along the house sun porch. Briefly he paused, taking the majestic view of the placid lake offered from this angle. Then, taking a deep breath, he smiled. "The coast is clear Mr. Sheagame." He addressed the empty air. "You can come out now." There followed a long pause during which nothing happened. Then suddenly, sounds of shuffling from underneath prompted seconds later a slight squeak. Signaling in turn loose boards being...
"I tell you Tenchi it was Achika!" Kiyone swore. "Right in front of me plain as day!" Having cleaned and washed, no longer looked like a victim of a food riot, Tenchi stopped. Turning slightly, holding the ends of a towel around his neck in both hands, staring at her evenly. "Why don't you believe me?" Kiyone challenged. "First of all," He told her slowly. "I never said that I didn't, Key." "Well what do you think..." She began. "What I said, was 'let's not talk about...
"Excellent!" Funaho breathed decisively, as Kiyone continued to glare holes in her. More than anything, Key thought the Queen seemed ... Relieved? Almost like she was expecting another answer? She wasn't certain, and didn't know that moment if she gave a damn anyway! "Not like this!" Ayeka openly wept, still kneeling on the floor leaning forward to bury her face into hands. "Please eternal Tsunami! Not like this!" She whispered, almost inaudibly. It was difficult to watch and almost...
Their arrival at stair's end was not at all disappointing. As usual, Sasami had pulled out all stops preparing lunch. The largest permanent table in the rest stops area covered with bright linen. Even from where they stood, the aroma was sheer heaven. "You know Sasami," Kiyone was saying, while Katsuhito and Washu looked on. "You're going to a lot of trouble for just a lunch!" Watching as the second princess was finishing a few last touches with Kiyone holding a box, on which Sasami...
"Dear mother and father," Ayeka wrote. Now siting in her side of the divided room she shared with Sasami. "I hope this writing finds you in the best of heath. I must confess I have been remiss in my correspondence with you, but with father's quite verbal abatements as to my 'living in shameful denial of my family duties' Nothing I could offer would have done more than simply aggravate the situation. To that end, I hope this pronouncement will gladden father's heart, as I wish to...
Ayeka stood, slightly stooped over eyes closed, totally out of breath. Slowly, methodically the princess began taking deep 'lung-fulls' of air. Sara, at that moment being the closest to the stairs stood blinking at the young woman's sudden appearance. Glancing then back along the ancient flight to a curious a trail of dust still spiraling, linking the front of the distant house to the top step of the shrine. "Who is that?" Yoshi asked voice brimming with awe, still standing over where...
"You are now Husband and wife," A voice coaxed softly behind them. With every thing going on it took Tenchi some seconds realizing it was Masaki addressing them. "There is no longer a need to restrain yourselves!" Ayeka's mother smiled. Responding to the gentle urging Tenchi opened his hand shifting his grip. Only just aware of the last of the vines still entwining their fore arms falling away. Noting in its passing the delicate patterns now indelibly there understandable more livid...
There was music in the air. The shrine and its grounds had been meticulously cleaned, not that Katsuhito had EVER allowed them to fade into disrepair. Tenchi had more than his share of calluses attesting to the fact. It was never the less a point of amusement for him to note several of the flagstones he was going to replace this week had been hastily dealt with. Obviously to his eye by someone new to using a trowel. Whatever they had 'stuck' them down with didn't even appear to be...
"Ah Mr. Masaki!" The man behind the counter said in surprisingly fluent Japanese. Tenchi had never considered himself racist, but hearing his native tongue from an someone of such obvious Jewish origin, without a trace of accent was ... Well, just plain odd. Not that 'it' coming from what appeared to be a floating wooden log was any less strange. "Or a bronzed, elf eared, blue eyed blond bomb shell for that matter!" He thought with a smile. "I understand you need some custom sizing...
"It's Beautiful." Mihoshi breathed. Looking over at her, Tony had to agree, enjoying the soulful perhaps 'mesmerized' look that had come over Miho. He could sympathize really, he was sort'a fixated himself, on Mihoshi. "You really like it?" He baited. "IT'S SO CUTE!!!!" She squealed. Clasping her gloved hands together and bouncing in place staring at the mini. "Well, I'm pleased to hear that Miho," He told her. "Cause were gonna take pictures of you and the car...
In spite of her being closer at start of their sprint, Tenchi easily beat Kiyone to roadside. Not that she was really going 'flat out' mind you. When coming finally a breast to him however, it seemed to her that most of his sense of urgency was lost. Obviously reading her next question with a glance, Tenchi simply pointed. Allowing her to follow the line of his gesture. Before Kiyone suddenly felt a groan rising from within. "Kiyone!" Came a weak and distant wail. Staggering up the...
"Grandpa's right." Tenchi thought bitterly, forcing the memory to subside with difficulty, taking its place among a multitude of lingering regrets. "I'm being selfish and it's just plain wrong!" He silently added. Having finished stowing all the tools, he then made his way towards the front entry. Of course, that was not precisely true ether, he continued to consider. Oh, he had tried to make amens with how he had unintentionally stabbed Ayeka in the heart. He had given her the...
With attention focused on the small screen, Ryoko absently reached into the box and after a moment of two of groping managed to procure the intended prize. "Quit hogging the crackers!" She hissed in a low voice. Sparing the princess only the smallest of sideways glances. "You know perfectly well you're the one shoveling them into you trap!" Ayeka whispered, fiercely indignant. "Shhhhh!" Ryoko snapped "They'll hear your big mouth!" grimacing while gesturing at the small device...
"Did you enjoy your meal sir?" The stunning brunette behind the lunch counter asked. "Not really," Tenchi thought, smiling politely, wondering if he should just come right out and say... "I'm accustom to larger portions and the sauce you use for your teriyaki eel is substandard at best!" Instead he simply nodded and smiled. After all Washu's seafood supply plus Sasami's cooking no doubt had him spoiled rotten! "And here's your change!" She intoned, pleasantly if mechanically,...
"Here we are again." Tenchi thought dryly. Though the observation was largely untrue. The ubiquitous rhythms beneath the earlier car were all but absent. Replace with a lulling 'throb' barely hinting at the power and speeds they were currently traveling. He'd also been spared the the indignations of being forced to stand, hanging on to a ceiling strap for dear life. More over and perhaps most importantly, Sasami was no longer stalking him. Like grandpa, she was dead to the world....
"Lucky son of a bitch!" Todd said wonderingly as Tenchi was dragging Ayeka away. "Come again?" Kiyone asked, in the act of taking a step forward to follow almost involuntarily, When Todd's remark brought her up short. "I mean some guys have all the luck!" He said quickly. Having seen what had just 'gone down' Todd was reevaluating his chances. 'Clearly, Masaki and that 'Ayeka' chick were an 'item'. "So." He ventured now that he seemed to have Kiyone's attention. "What's...
"One can't help but wonder," Petra intoned solemnly. "How many times have feet of countless multitudes traversed these stones?" He paused, gesturing at the step on which he stood. "Wearing them away as worshipers and acolytes tended to the needs of the spirits which bind these mountains together." Petra descended the flight of ancient stairs slowly as he continued his narrative. "Listen!" He said, stopping. "One can almost hear them whispering!" He looked toward the other side of...
It was only as the door behind them slid suddenly shut that Tenchi realized they simply weren't where they were suppose to be. No amount of redressing could have 'added' the extra space opening up before them supposedly inside of the priest quarters. That in of itself wasn't too disconcerting, he'd been telliported, translocated, dimensionally shifted and phased through solid matter once too often to go willy-nilly over such things anymore. For a good solid second or so the...
Kiyone had lain for more than several additional moments. Allowing her over taxed mind to simply 'idle' while just listening to the muffled exchanges from somewhere in the house below. The exact interval she lay there likewise went unnoticed when she suddenly started. Making out what was clearly Azusa amid the others she could hear. Perhaps she was still 'off balance' to put her current state into the mildest of terms but hearing the emperor's voice served to crystallize the...
"One hundred fifty seven!" Kiyone grimaced, chinning herself on a bar suspended between two of the older trees on the training ground. "Going to kill her!" She gasped upon lowering to full extension, before exerting, rising again. "One hundred fifty eight!" She rasped upon returning chin to the bar. "Finally lost what little brain she had!" She then growled, then lowered. Then, in spite of working off a serious 'mad on' since she had arrived, Kiyone executed her one hundred and...
Ryoko carefully slid the door open, glanced left, right, then just for good measure leaned impossibly backward. Defying gravity just shy of bringing both feet off the floor as she surveyed the darkened corridor behind to either side. "The coast is clear!" She whispered gleefully, having no real idea what that saying had to do with someone lurking about but when in Rome... Thinking 'that' in turn set her to 'thinking' which made her pause. "Whoo boy!" She grumbled shaking her head,...
"Soon." The thought drifted, as the presence unseen bided its time. Watching quietly as Sasami turned and left for the kitchen from the eves above of the entry hall, "Just a little longer" A silent promise was made from the shadows which clung there. "And he'll be all mine!" Patiently observing as the chosen quarry returned just below, watching as Tenchi set to stowing his heavy work boots. Waiting pensively for the right moment to strike! The instant Sasami hurriedly disappeared...
"Meyow..." Ryo-chan moaned. Watching darkness slowly fade as the shadows about her assembled themselves, taking on the familiar shapes of Sasami and Kiyone looking down at her. "Meyow?" she asked faintly, hoping, somehow she had imagined the whole business. "That's a big aye-firmitive Ryo-honey." Kiyone told her seriously. "You plum fainted." "Mooooooh." Ryo-ohki whispered, totally mortified suddenly identifying the new location she was in as the sun porch or patio. Smiling...
"Sis?" Sasami called quietly, knocking softly at the door. "You still awake?" In the darkness beyond Ayeka turned, in a way grateful for the intrusion. Try as she may, sleep simply would not come. She had lain for what seemed like hours, wrestling with her conscience. Listening to the sounds of house surrounding her. It had taken every ounce of will she could muster not to rise and follow, when she'd heard Tenchi's soft foot steps. Growing fainter and fainter as she noted his leaving...
In her room, Ayeka paused regarding herself in her full-length mirror. With the original destruction of Reyo, she had gone for the longest time unable to stand the sight of any artifacts, which they had managed to reclaim from the wreckage. So when Misaki's mirror had been recovered, seeing it broken covered in muck, only seemed to vigorously salt an open wound. She had no idea at the time it could be restored in such a fashion! She was a princess, not an artisan after all! So when Tenchi...
Night had at last fallen. "Time flies." Tenchi mused to himself quietly. "As the saying goes." He was uncertain of how long he had been laying there, the wedding seemed only a few hours ago. Not precisely tired from his exertions, though he supposed the word 'fun' was a raggedly deficient descriptor of the last few hours. It was curious that he found himself speculating as to the current location of the massive Ryeo unit in relation to his house. Was it floating? perhaps even...
"One should always remember, my princess." Shalla nodded pleasantly, her wizened features almost seeming to bob upon her neck. "Virtue is mostly for the masses! Nothing is inherently sinful in the bed chamber after all!" In the sun-room at the houses West End Ayeka, now dressed only in a light robe, surveyed her options without much enthusiasm. Gone where the carrot shaped throw pillows and cushions, replaced by row after row of garment racks holding the finest livery. Except for the...
"Roll up! Roll up! Roll up!" Ryoko called across the field. "You boys hungry? I got the cure! Plain, mild or spicy? It's great I'll insure! Step up quick, Jump up real fast! I got the beef but it sure won't last! Pork so juicy you'll yell for more! The pigs in heaven and the taste'll take you there for shore! Noodles so tasty slippery and hot! Come one, come all my Ramen will hit the spot! Roll up! Roll up! Roll up!" Ayeka found herself smiling, Ryoko seemed to be in her element. It...
"My god!" Tony gasped, standing finally at foot of the path gazing up, taking in the awesome glory that was Funaho. He'd been walking, taking picture and muttering since arriving at valley rim. So much so both Mihoshi and Michele trailing behind were beginning to think the camera was geared to his legs and larynx. Step, Click! Step, Click! "Good lord!" Step, Click! Step, Click! "Incredible!" On and on with only minor variations. Until finally standing at start of the modest path...
Suddenly within her minds eye Ryoko was aware of being lowered, feeling bare shoulders touch a smooth soft surface that yielded under her. Experiencing a brief but pleasant friction as her body was eased downward. All but suspended by a pair of wonderfully muscular arms. In the dark above her, enough light was present to reveal a pair of dark morocco eyes silently regarding her. "So ... beautiful," A man's voice sighed. "You have been haunting me all day!" In turn Ryoko simply stared,...
"Groggily I tried to reassure the panicky young gaggle of women, rapidly finding myself at spear point!" Ena's words continued contritely. The beach Ryoko now found herself standing upon had that curious blend of the familiar and the unknown. After all, she had trod the surface of many worlds and after a certain point, one beach front is much like another. The tidal pool in which the current drama was playing itself out, lacked the same overall serenity of a calm coastal day. Yet it was...
"The nerve!" Todd muttered sympathetically, having witnessed the entire scene. "Pardon me?" Ayeka started still stunned, turning to look uncomprehendingly at him. "Sounds like sour grapes if you ask me!" He added brightly, adjusting the strap holding the cam he was carrying. "I-I'm afraid I don't..." Ayeka stammered, still in a kind of shock. "Well, its kind'a obvious!" Todd continued smoothly, really wanting to cheer her up. "I think the girls around here should just 'wake...
"Ok," Kiyone was saying evenly, halting as she was passing through and under the Torii. "Now repeat it back to me." "No touching, no button pressing, no lever throwing." Mihoshi sighed, taking the final step up. "No cable disconnecting, no tying or untying for that matter." She continued after pausing beneath the Torii's arch, reciting in a sing song voice complete with rocking her head back and forth in time with the meter of her words. "And if I see anything in my way higher than...
"Tell me," Kagito addressed The girl pleasantly. "Why dose a 'weapon' need an education hmm?" The younger incarnation of Ryoko simply looked at him curiously as he approached. Continuing to study him when he stopped only a few feet away regarding her intently. "Power down." He commanded firmly. In response the girl closed her eyes, flipping a mental switch causing the colors of her battle skin to fade, ebony and crimson lightening, its protective epidermis thinning until she stood...
"MAYUKA!" A voice suddenly called. Ryo-oki came running into the room at almost a dead run. Before Washu and Ayeka's startled gaze, Ryo-chan slid to a halt then fell to her knees throwing her arms about the child. It was obvious to anyone Ohki had been crying her eyes out. "Hi dad ya hondar of lik dat?" She sobbed, squeezing the child tightly. "I sorry!" Mayuka sniffed. Petting Ryochan's fur. "Wanted see what wrong wit Papa yuki!" Ryo-ohki looked up. Glanced at where Nobuyuki now...
The Noise of the celebration cascaded all about the palace, as it had done for the past three days. Her ability to endure more unbridled adulation of her fawning subjects long since exhausted, Ayeka finally sought relative peace and sanctity in her chambers. She bore no ill will, did not fault the common folk their desire to see, to speak and even attempt touching her! After all, they were her subjects and she, their new queen. Still clad in her flowing gown, Ayeka found the relative quiet...
Ryo-Ohki was happy. Of course that was her usual state, being one of the most 'up beat' creatures in creation. Having left Sasami at last sleeping soundly, she was off on her nightly hunt, searching relentlessly for the perfect bed. She didn't sleep so much as 'catnapped' for want of a better term. With three solid hours being the longest interval Ryo-chan had ever slept in one go in her entire current existence, over seven hundred years of hibernation not withstanding. Carefully...
Ryoko floated to the street in a huff. "Look's like my flight privileges have just been revoked!" She remarked touching down. Sure it was late but She had to live around these people and couldn't risk someone seeing her darting about in the air! Though she'd wondered a lot lately how many here about knew more than they were letting on? Its not like she'd been the most discriminating when it came to using her abilities. That and some legendary boo boos over the years! Maybe someday she...
Only a few hours later, inside the more mundane portions of the Misaki home, Hero looked up expectantly from where he knelt at table side. Waiting patiently within the small dining area, he nodded respectfully to the queen as Funaho was first to arrive fresh from the bath. Noting Misaki trailing less than a step behind. Taking the moment also of delighting privately as any man would upon the arrival of so many healthy females, attending Tanzuru aside. "And where have you been all this...
"To recap; Just under and hour ago the entire entourage finally arrived here at the United nations." Andarka solemnly addresses her audience. "Consisting of the Japanese Prime Minister and several notable cabinet officials as well." With a well-lighted hallway serving as 'backdrop' Andarka Moi looks attractive and markedly different from the last time we saw her. Favoring a more tightly conservative cut and style. The majority of her hair is wound in a tight braid, coiled and...
"Good evening ladies." Arin sneered, halting a short distance away. Bowing before them in a sarcastic mockery of polite formality, before turning to face a stunned Ryoko directly. "Did you really think to be rid of me so easily Ryoko?" "You can't be here!" She murmured thickly. "It's impossible!" Ryoko wailed, now in the grips of a rising hysteria. "HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU HAVE TO DIE?!" She screamed as she leaped igniting her sword. As she descended upon the sight of her own...