Tenchi Muyo All Good Things Chapter 119 Concubine
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"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 leading up to Funaho's monolithic trunk.
"I've heard stories about this tree!" Tony whispered enraptured. "I can't believe how far off the mark they were! It's freaking huge!"
"And, it's giving off heat." Michele murmured, breaking her interval of silence, standing a few feet abreast peering through an extended hand. "How is that possible?" She added quietly, sparing the photographer a sidelong glance.
Tony's response was to kneel at paths end, brushing fingertips through the pools calm surface as Mihoshi looked on curiously.
"Huh." He grunted, withdrawing. "This water is warm!" Turning, regarding his companions. "Probably sitting atop a hot spring!"
"Just enough to turn this valley into a natural green house." Michele nodded wonderingly.
"I thought as much when I first stood here." Across from them listening, Mihoshi smiled thinking to her self. "Of course that was before I knew this was a tree from planet Juri!"
"I gotta get closer!" Tony told them, suddenly animate. Leaping to his feet contemplating the three some odd foot gap for a second before surging across. "Banzai!" He elated his manner reminding Mihoshi of a child on Christmas morning.
"Be careful!" she warned. "The stones toward the base are slick!"
With her warning still dancing in the air Tony's descending foot managed to dislodge one of the smaller fragments towards the tree side edge. It, landing in the pool with a respectable baritone, ker-plop!
"And the water is deeper than it looks!" She concluded, as Tony stared at ever widening ripples where the stone had vanished, enough to temper his approach with additional caution.
"Just like a big kid!" Michele called after him restraining a giggle, taking then another moment regarding the cathedral like beauty surrounding them.
"Wild!" Tony gasped, now touching, gazing up at the base. "You'd think a big ol' tree like this would be covered with graffiti! Local boys, carving their girl friends name and such?" He then glanced their way with what seemed to approach reverent awe. "But there's no sign of anything like that!"
"The people here respect this place and regard it as sacred!" Mihoshi told him urgently, now standing at the nearest of the stepping stones helping Michele across. She realized she was probably babbling but the thought, of anyone doing such a thing to Funaho offended her deeply!
"The local people respect the sanctity of the tree and the shire it honors!" She continued. All the while making doubly sure Michele was safely across.
"You're wasting your breath Miho!" Michele said smiling, nodding Tony's direction. "Look at him! Off in ga, ga, land!"
"Oh hush!" Tony grumbled, really only mildly annoyed. "Looking at this beauty just makes me wish I had brought more film!"
"But I thought you were using Digital cameras?" Mihoshi asked puzzled.
"Only for the close in shots honey pie!" He glanced her way.
"Digital's may be the wave of the future but there are still some things better done on good old film backs!"
"More like someone's too old fashion to up grade" Michele smiled.
"Also I don't have any high powered lens that will adapt over to my digital rigs!" He added sourly, giving Michele a single glance.
"Plus honey." Michele continued. "Digital cameras are lighter. But if we tried to bring all the equipment plus the film we'd need a wagon!"
"Oh." Mihoshi answered. Clearly some aspects of all this were a little weird, at least to her. Especially in the realm of 'quaint' archaic earth technologies such as photography.
A steady beeping right then drew attention to the camera in Tony's hands. Mihoshi knew from today's experiences at least, that meant it needed a new disk.
"Speak of the devil!" the old photographer sighed, reaching semi-automatically into his side pocket when a look of panic suddenly crossed his face. "Did you bring any more Cdr.'s?" He asked.
"What do I look like here?" Michele applying blush to Mihoshi drawled disapprovingly over her right shoulder. "Your damn servant?"
"You two be nice!" Mihoshi grumped. Wagging a finger as Tony proceeded, digging in one after another of Michele's many satchels. The make up artist manage to ignore the sounds of 'rummaging' less than a minute before she turned.
"Alright! I'll help you look!" She swore, kneeling and diving in. "Just stop pawing my stuff!"
Leaning against Funaho's massive trunk, Mihoshi sighed, closing her eyes, letting the eternal calm of the surroundings wash over her.
"What am I going to do?" she thought sadly.
She hadn't given much thought to the chain of events recently, the ones leading to this curious circus of strangers living together. At least not lately. Much less what she was going to do now that it seemed it was all about to end.
"Well," She found herself musing. "That's not precisely true."
She had giving the matter a great deal of thought back when everything had almost flown apart before.
Perhaps the oddest thing occurring out of Tenchi disappearance, for almost a year, everyone had pulled together. Uniting in ways none could have ever imagined. Finding ties created during crisis, binding them together as never before.
Mihoshi blinked at the thought. However it was true! They were a family! One needs look no further than how each and everyone in the household took turns caring for Mayuka.
"What if I'm right?" Her thoughts spun in turmoil. "And if it's finally happened?"
Only one thing seemed clear, they were all so precious to her and she didn't want to lose any of them!
While there had been a time, early on she'd believed Tenchi just might be her destiny, Mihoshi had long since abandoned the idea in light of the circumstances.
Oh, there'd been the occasional 'relapse' but current events had put what seemed a definite nail in the coffin.
"What if he at last has chosen?" She thought sadly staring at the ground feeling simply horrible the way she'd spoken to Ayeka, it just seemed so obvious!
"Ryoko." Mihoshi murmured tears springing to her eyes, finally putting the name to the feeling. "Good for you!" She sniffed proudly.
Whether or not she was happy about the prospect she couldn't really say. It was all so confusing. Putting that aside for the moment, the question hanging in the air at least for her was simple. What now?
"Miho?" Tony asked gently. He been watching since inserting a new disk. Catching her leaning against the tree base looking downcast. He'd starred in silence until seeing Mihoshi starting to quietly cry. Shocked his finger had strayed, snapping a single picture purely by accident, then feeling like an absolute rat even so.
Later Tony would discover, the shot had framed almost perfectly, an image still later to hang in his office for many years under the title a 'Goddess weeps.'
"Uh huh?" she sniffed, trying to put on a brave face. "It's ok!" Mihoshi then smiled tearfully after noting his look of concern. "I just caught some dust!"
"Liar." Tony whispered, watching her try to hide her emotions was supremely sad yet somehow poignantly beautiful. "Miho?" He asked softly a moment later. "Anything I can do?" Nodding then over his shoulder the general direction of the makeup artist. "Would you like to talk to Michele?"
Mihoshi caught her breath, holding her smile, about to tell him everything was fine! No problems! Life was just peachy! Except...
"Oh Tony!" She suddenly blurted, then stopped unable to go on. The old photographer stood rock still. Uncertain what he should do, if anything. Perhaps, yet again he didn't know Mihoshi all that well, it really wasn't his concern he half supposed. But looking into those huge soft blue eyes just melted his soul!
Letting raw emotion guild him, Tony stepped forward and pulled Mihoshi to him letting her cry her eyes out on his shoulder.
"It's just my life looks like it's about to come apart on me!" She bawled, uncaring. "Every thing's going to c-change!"
Tony of course didn't have so much as a clue, but at times like these had the good sense to just hold on tight and let the fury pass.
"That's it honey." He whispered feeling perverse. "You just let it all out!"
Wanting to help certainly but a part of him enjoyed feeling her in his arms, needing him. It was more than just a bit intoxicating.
"Things change Miho." Michele's voice told her, obviously just behind. "Now, I don't pretend to know what's going on." The older woman added. "But I will tell you this. The harder you resist what ever is changing, the more likely it is for you to get torn apart!"
Mihoshi nodded, the gentle words seeming to reach her. Enough at least, she was able to regain a measure of control, to straighten, giving Tony a squeeze.
"I'm sorry!" She told them, still unable to keep the passions from her voice. "I shouldn't toss my baggage onto your shoulders!"
"What other use is there for and old Jackass like him?" Michele snorted with a nod Tony's direction.
"Look who's talking!" He snapped wryly. "Id rather be a jackass than some ancient mule!"
"Both of you, stop it!!" Mihoshi commanded, unzipping and pulling her jacket open. Allowing it to slide down her arms as the two watched.
"So, you two want to pack it in?" She asked after standing that way for a moment, her weight balanced on one foot. "Or did you want to snap a few more pictures of little ol' Me?"
"Only if you feel like it." Tony told her gently, he wasn't 'buying it'. Mihoshi had asked coyly, wanting to sound sexy, however he could see her lips were still trembling. Again perversely it made her more beautiful.
"Yeah." Mihoshi shrugged, a little desperately. "I guess, I just need something to distract me right now."
"I'm not sure." Tony told her eager yet reluctant, chewing his lip. "Doesn't sit with me doing any of this if you're upset."
Part of his motivation was at least semi professional. If for no other reason it would show in the photos. But under all of it, closer to the truth, he simply 'liked' Mihoshi. It was damn hard not to. Some part of him feeling it would be taking advantage when she was vulnerable. Just to get a great shot? It was simply out of the question.
"Please?" She added quietly smiling, leaning back against the trunk. Providing a frame to the taunt swelling of her breasts beneath the bight pink one piece. Presenting a picture erotic as it was bittersweet. "I think somehow I really need this!"
"Y-you need it?" Tony stammered, becoming even more concerned.
"You guys, you just make me feel so special!" She suddenly admitted with a laugh. "Its funny, you know?"
She seemed to stop herself. "Thinking about it now. I guess I've lived a big portion of my life in the shadows." Mihoshi shrugged perhaps slightly embarrassed. "Of someone or something else."
"Miho..." Tony murmured, tying his best to understand.
"Now I find that hard to believe!" Michele smiled, attempting to cover her own growing concerns.
"I guess it just feels so wonderful to be the center of attention for a change!" Mihoshi laughed.
"Ok, Miho. " Tony finally said, after a long glance towards Michele. "I would just love to get some shots of you and this magnificent tree!" He added. "Just make sure you tell me when you want to stop."
Mihoshi did her own glance, behind her at a sudden thought. Wondering if this would be somehow disrespectful?
Certainly tourists had snapped enough photos of Funaho, but none of them featured girls in a swimsuit!
Obeying whim, she placed a hand against the black gnarled trunk.
"Would it be ok?" She wondered softly aloud, feeling only slightly foolish. Hey, talking to the dead was another thing entirely. Imagine her utter surprise when she promptly got an answer!
Light, soft and iridescent yet undeniable, glowed between her fingers. It was impossible for her not to jump with surprise.
"Miho?" Michele's voice asked concerned, obviously she'd been observing. Looking up from where he had been adjusting his camera's filters Tony seemed a little miffed.
"Who what where?" He asked.
"Nothing!" Mihoshi gasped. Facing them fully, placing her back against the softly glowing outline of where her left hand had been, now plainly visible behind her on the tree. Enlisting both Photographer and Make up artist to stare.
"I thought I saw a spider!" She forced a giggle, smiling a little too elaborately.
"You sure?" Tony asked perplexed. Both he and Michele took several turns glancing at each other.
"Absotively, posilutely!" She grinned, hoping it didn't appear forced as it was.
"Well ok then." Tony said slowly, obviously perplex. "Let start by losing the outfit down to just the swimsuit." He gestured at his companion. Wishing for perhaps the hundredth time they'd access to a complete wardrobe. "And Mich?" He added, "Ditch those decals." Smiling as Michele hurried to comply. "I want Miho the whole Miho and nothing but the Miho for this one."
"Dirty old dog!" Michele said smiling stopping long enough to remove a small pump-spray and towel from her bag.
"Oh no..." Mihoshi breathed. Shooting a single glance down and behind, still catching a faint glow. Unable to keep something like a panicked grimace from her face as Michele made her way forwards.
"You ok hun?" Michele eyed her curiously.
"I got this little cramp!" Mihoshi attempted to cover. "Can I just lean here?"
"I could try 'n massage it out for you?" The older woman offered sincerely.
"No!" Miho smiled, visibly sliding down a little. "It'll be fine in a minute."
More puzzled than ever Michele began. Despite warmth generated by Funaho the kiss of isopropyl hitting bare skin made holding her back against the trunk difficult.
"Sweetness, I'll scratch your back if it itches that bad!" Michele offered, becoming a touch exasperated after a moment or two watching her antics.
"Oh, I'm fine!" Mihoshi gasped, "Thanks for the offer!"
"Please!" She prayed. "Let it be gone!"
The rough bark was digging into her back, She knew there was no way she could keep blocking the view for much longer! However, it seemed the mild tingling sensation she had felt while actually 'touching the glow had disappeared? It would be about the level where her now shoulder rested. Hopefully the visible display had also vanished.
"Ok honey." Michele told her. "Now I need you to turn around!"
"Why?!" Mihoshi exclaimed, so quickly Michele jumped.
"I still got'ta scrub that little decal off'a your bum!" The older woman told her gruffly, clearly confused.
"Oh! Well, tee, hee, hee!" Mihoshi supplied, "I just plain forgot!" Apparently unconvincingly because Michele suddenly sat back on her heels and looked up at her sternly.
"Miho! If you've got to run along to the little girls room!" She suddenly rasped. "You need to just take the time! No sense in being a silly goose about it!"
"No!" Mihoshi waved in response. "No. That's ok! I'm fine really thanks!" She smiled.
"Are you sure?" Michele asked, unconvinced. "Cause your sure doing a good rendition of a pee, pee dance!"
"No, I swear! I'm ok!" Mihoshi repeated emphatically, thinking. "Pretty please Funaho?!" Finally out of time and excuses, taking a deep breath, she slowly turned, giving a sigh of deep relief seeing the mark was gone. The feeling of relief terminated the second alcohol hit her right cheek causing her lungs to drag back to full capacity.
"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...
"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!"...
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...
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...
"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...
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 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,...
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 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...
"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...
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...
"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...
"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....
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...
"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...
To her credit Ryo-ohki didn't jump or lose grip on the tray, though her eyes did widen slightly. The ambient light catching the crimson jewel at her brow. Looking her over, Tenchi was in a mild state of shock. Ryo-chan looked nice. Really nice! It was plainly obvious there was feminine skullduggery a foot. Noting instantly not only was there only one glass on the tray but two straws. "I know Ayeka and Ryoko had a hand in the clothes and make up but the juice and straws," He paused...
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...
"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...
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...
"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...
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...
"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...
"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...
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...
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...
At a gesture from Ena, Ryoko glanced to her left as yet another scene began its revelation. "I awoke,..." Ena explained quietly. "How much later I do not know, to find Azusa tending me." Ryoko raised an eyebrow at the vision revealed. The younger version of Ena now lay naked, starkly sprawled on a raised platform in some darkened chamber. The effect of her nudity heightened by a single source of overhead illumination and the ebony material upon which she lay. Rendering sight of the...