Tenchi Muyo All Good Things Chapter 96 Visions And Plans
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"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 really. Some portion of him wanting to lead Ayeka away as well ... and now? With the immediate worry of Mayuka dealt with, at least for the moment. His mind had turned at once to the princess, for whose sanity he feared.
Ayeka glanced up, smiling perhaps a little sadly at his words. Her tears had since stopped, having gained some equilibrium. Though it was more likely, she herself reasoned that the total reality of the situation simply had not taken hold.
"No, I mean it!" He continued emphatically, "You look really good that way!"
Gesturing at the garb in which she had been dressed against her consent. Tenchi considered briefly that Ryoko had spoiled him for bare midriffs. It only occurred to him at that moment, He hadn't the occasion to see Ayeka's bare abdomen that often. She' always favored more concealing conservative styles due mostly to her upbringing he supposed. It was abundantly clear now that he was at last allowing him self to notice, the princess had nothing remotely to be ashamed of!
"I wish I could say that makes me happy Lord Tenchi." Ayeka told him sadly. "But given the circumstances under which I am receiving the complement..." She paused, realizing she was being 'as dear Ryoko put it' terribly long-winded! Actually, she had called her a windbag! However...
"But thank you." Ayeka finished simply, letting her eyes then drift over him appraisingly.
"You look rather nice yourself by the way." She added nodding at the loose fitting blouse and 'oh, so tight pants'! She couldn't help but consider the styles of Jurian noblemen would suit Tenchi most handsomely.
"I look like a wuss!" He grumbled, laughingly, gesturing down at himself.
The Princess regarded him wonderingly, for a moment. Before her face quirked when what was most certainly a snort escaped the slender hand rising reflexively to stifle it.
"Oh!" Ayeka gasped. "Lord Tenchi please!" She tittered, suddenly realizing how good if felt to laugh. Understanding how precious it was to her just now!
"Guess, I'm going to be dressing like this a lot more often." He noted glumly.
"Not necessarily!" Ayeka smiled. "As emperor, you can set any fashion you like!" She paused seeing he was eying around speculatively.
"How about Blue Jeans cut offs and tee-shirts?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
"And, as empress," Ayeka volleyed, not missing a beat. "It will be my duty to inform you when you've gone too far!" She favored him with smile, which also seemed so precious in that moment. To both of them. It lasted, perhaps a few additional seconds before almost immediately Ayeka's mouth contorted into a frown.
"Lord Tenchi?" She asked, as his eyes darted to meet hers. "I swear, that I will make you an excellent wife."
Again, she smiled, so distinctly different from before. An expression tinged with sadness, conveying longing, regret and love all as one. It rendered the princess almost painfully beautiful in his eyes.
"I," He muttered uncomfortably in response to that gaze, almost like he were clearing his throat.
"Even though I know..." Ayeka added sadly as her eyes found the ground between them. "That you don't really love me..."
She lapsed in to silence then, considering the past behind and the path before them. It had been no act! The rapidly unfolding events of the last few days leading to her decision. Ayeka had been prepared, honestly ready finally to put this chapter behind her. To at last move on. And now? What was there more to say? How long the stillness between them lasted, Ayeka certainly had no clue. The moment ended abruptly, when to her utter surprise she heard him chuckle.
Her eyes flew wide with astonishment, instantly locking her gaze upon him. Tenchi was sadly shaking his head, his upper body vaguely trembling in suppressed mirth.
"You stupid, silly ass girl!" He swore wryly under his breath. "Don't you get it yet?"
"Stupid?" Ayeka gasped. "I..." She openly stared at him, beginning to taste the first hint of a swelling of what felt like anger! How could he dare?
"Ayeka." Tenchi straightened then took the last few steps required to gently take possession of her shoulders. "I LOVE YOU TOO!" He told her emphatically.
Ayeka stared and stared, almost as if not comprehending. A tiny inhalation followed by a rapid series of blinks then, as her large burgundy eyes began swelling with astonished tears.
"You, You ... do?" She asked stupidly, not able to believe what she was hearing.
"Yes!" He told her passionately, almost sounding like a laugh. "As much as I love Ryoko!"
Tenchi then paused, blushing in his moment of ultimate admission, unable to believe he was finally saying what he should have said, years ago! Musing as well, what it had taken him to finally admit his feelings. "Does that make any sense to you?" He asked.
"Yes!" Ayeka gasped, nodding delightedly.
"Trouble is." He told her, wanting to keep his momentum. "I knew I had to choose!" He stared deep into her eyes.
"How does a man choose between the sun and the moon?" He asked earnestly, letting the words and his feelings pour from him in a rush. "You both rule my sky!" He added, pausing only long enough to swallow, not certain if he even completely understood what he was saying. Only knowing in that moment that it had to be said.
"And I can't imagine living without either of you!" Tenchi concluded passionately. Ayeka only nodded again, finding no words. Not wishing to speak, hoping only that he would say more.
"But you've always had your family!" He told her. "Your life in the empire! If push came to shove, you could always go back to that!" The corners of his mouth faltered slightly. "What has Ryoko got?" Tenchi asked.
The princess sat for a moment, mulling the question about. Almost realizing just in that instant that she should say something.
"I never thought of it that way." Ayeka told him meekly, glancing about, considering. "This house, and the people in it," She again looked his way. "We are her only family!"
"And that," He told her slowly. "More than any other reason, Is why I decided to marry Ryoko."
Tenchi paused, his ultimate admission made. Having at last said his piece slowly turned away. Ayeka studied the broad back of the man before her fondly. It seemed a lifetime ago, she had awoken with a start. Gazing in utter astonishment up into a boy's equalyy amazed face. She had seen him before of course when her guardians had brought him aboard Reh-yo.
However, it had been in that instant, as she had looked back many, many times since that she had fallen. The reasoning portions of her mind had always argued that was utter nonsense. Love at first sight was a fairy tale. Moreover, at the time of that encounter she, 'Ayeka' had been firmly fixated upon finding her brother and betrothed. The connection was formed however, fear giving way to fascination. Fascination begetting admiration as Tenchi acquitted him self time and time again. His nobility and honor all made him shine like a star on her horizon. And yet...
"Now, who's being stupid?" Ayeka snorted, rolling her eyes, as it was his turn to suddenly gaze startled back at her. "Tenchi!" Ayeka laughed. "Who ever said you have to choose?"
"Other than 'me' through my actions on several occasions." The princess added to herself glumly. Those matters however were 'water under the bridge' far as she was now concerned.
"What?" He gasped.
"It is quite commonplace for Jurian males to practice polygamy." Ayeka shrugged, lightly. "We actually consider it healthy."
"That is ... when one of the perspective partners doesn't let themselves become so jealous it borders on psychotic!" The princess amended privately. Perhaps she was being a trifle hard on herself. Over the last few days however she had given a great deal of thought to the matter. Several times in fact.
"Healthy?!" Tenchi gaped, as if just discovering a new word.
"Why not?" Ayeka sighed, leaning forward. "And for that matter, your own culture has embraced it."
"M-My culture?" He stammered, still reeling from the shock.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but we are in Japan?" She asked evenly.
"Well..."
"And you're a 'Shinto' and not a 'Catholic' priest?" She smiled. "Am I right?" He rolled his eyes mildly before fixing her with a dubious stare.
"You know the answer to that!"
"Then what is the problem?" The princess inquired softly. Only then wondering upon that very matter herself.
Had it been the shock of losing Yosho? Not once but every single time a new portion of the puzzle of his whereabouts had unravelled. The final blow coming when finding that he was alive and yet ... Forever beyond her grasp. Ayeka only now reasoned that she had 'latched on'. It certainly wasn't like Tenchi wasn't desirable? The added friction of Ryoko, the utter outrage resulting from the possibility of someone whom she saw at the time only as a monster suddenly being considered as a rival? All of it had ... contributed. Not that it was any kind of an excuse for some of the antics ... But these were affairs of the heart. Perhaps it was simply a matter of time. She had traded one type of sheltered existence, her life in the empire for another. Perhaps the time had simply come to grow up.
Tenchi had fallen silent, seeming to see Ayeka anew. She wasn't the haughty princess that had interrogated him when she'd brought him aboard Reh-yo! Her smile was warm, open and inviting. A peace seemed to have settled about her and the universe almost appeared to draw strength for the simple fact that she was in it. It made her even more beautiful. Tenchi found that he could be content to just stand there drinking her in. Except for the single dark cloud which refused to disperse, surrounding everything like a shroud.
"Where the hell is she Ayeka?" He asked her after a few moments. "Why isn't she here?" Tenchi continued despondently. "I can't stop thinking about it!" Her only response was to look about helplessly, feeling his pain.
"Up till now," He continued emphatically. "I just assumed she was just waiting to make one of her grand save the day entrances! You know how she is!"
"She so loves playing the role of the bad penny!" The princess smiled. "Showing up when you least expect!" Both of them paused. Feeling that same nameless dread.
"Yes," Ayeka sighed speculatively. "Her absence is quite, troubling. She was acting strangely yesterday." She paused, suddenly self-conscious of the remark, glancing away.
"More so than usual, I mean. Ever since ... I figured out about..." she trailed off.
"I'm sorry you had to find out about it like that." Tenchi told her quietly, not at all certain what he was supposed to say.
"That wasn't very fair of me." He finally said.
"You're not the only one around here who's thick headed!" She closed her eyes, smiling crookedly. "It's most likely a genetic trait!" she added sighing.
"Yeah." He agreed. "She was ... upset last night." Ayeka caught her breath, some of the old rivalry still nagging at her. Not much, but enough to prompt her to say.
"Did you enjoy your little rendezvous?" She ventured, adding a knowing smile.
"Well..." Tenchi grumbled uncomfortably. "It didn't go very well."
"Small wonder in a damp cave like that." The princess mused softly.
"But it was the only..." Tenchi took a moment to shrug, before his eyes shot upward.
"HOW THE HELL?" He gasped in astonishment. Ayeka had to slap a hand over her mouth to keep from bawling like a hyena.
"Oh my!" She tittered. "Lord Tenchi! You are so predictable!" Tenchi glowered at her for a moment, his expression dark.
"Women!" He snorted quietly befuddled. "The scourge of mankind!"
As the princess slowly gained control over her mirth, however Tenchi found it was impossible to be angry with her. Possibly, it was the situation. More honestly though, he found himself more and more please with the way Ayeka was attired. The exquisite line of her stomach. The way her dress, or the lack there of, accentuated her curves. He was hoping she would dress like this more often. When she was his queen.
"How odd." He mused. "It's almost like I've accepted it already!"
"I can't believe you actually took her there!" Ayeka gasped delightedly. "What were you thinking?" Tenchi heaved a sigh, hindsight is after all twenty-twenty.
"It wasn't THAT bad!" He said defensively.
"So..." Ayeka concentrated, continuing to smile. "How did she fend off your subterranean advances?"
"Well..." Tenchi muttered.
"Did she, demand? You take her to more respectable surroundings?" Ayeka paused in her amusement. Tenchi was noticeably fidgeting. More than, she than she warranted for reasonable embarrassment.
"Did ... Did something happen?" She asked carefully.
"I'm not sure I should say." He shrugged, a little miserably
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...
"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...
"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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
"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...
"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...
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...
"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...