Tenchi Muyo All Good Things Chapter 64 Five Wings Of the Light hawk
- 2 years ago
- 43
- 0
Ryoko stared expectantly, find herself squinting. unable to make out any real details, everything was so dark! She was about to ask when Ena's 'voice over' resumed.
"Understand please, the old queen certainly wasn't a fool!" Her ethereal assured.
"Knowing her son as any mother should, The lady Ayeka made doubly certain in le of Azusa's outburst, all treeships were ordered well out of his reach!
All that is save one...
And it was for precisely that reason, I found myself later being led by the hand through the grand floral maze behind the palace!"
The vague sense of 'moving' while at the same time at rest was very disconcerting. Ryoko wondered as well is the shifting tangible darkness flowing about them was A contrivance of Ena's. Or was it simply how the woman remembered these event? She wasn't all that inclined to ask. Choosing instead to concentrate as the narration resumed.
"Of all the treeships only Tsunami herself was older!
It is my understanding 'Odan' was the first defecated imperial dreadnought, now reduced to a mammoth black gnarled shadow at the very heart of the palace maze. Used in the original settling of Jurai, Odan played a key role in establishing the orders that later evolved into the commonwealth.
It was also around that time the magnificent ship had crashed, I'm given to know. Suffering such grievous wounds it was forced to take root! Never again to fly between the stars! Even as with Yosho's Funaho and still later Ayeka's Reyo.
It was at the threshold of the primary hull, we found our way suddenly barred!"
"I won't allow this!" Misaki's voice rang suddenly out. As the young warrior woman stepped into visibility at the very top of a long earthen ramp. Framed in a gnarled doorway, backed by its ebony interior.
"Misaki..." Azusa said evenly once recovering from his surprise.
Holding battlestaff at ready, across her body, Misaki glared down at Azusa and Ena with eyes brimming of tears and fury!
"Move aside " Azusa added slowly, drawing Ena behind Almost reflexively, into his shadow.
"You can't throw away your life!" Misaki spat venomously.
"Your crown! All for the love of that little whore!"
"A 'whore' whom you very well know saved my life!" Azusa returned firmly. Glancing then to Ena, using just slightly more than his peripheral view. Observing her reaction, obviously concerned at the impact of the words flying through the night air. Ryoko, witnessing it all a few feet away was surprised herself that the younger version of Ena chose to remain silent.
"Then grant her a boon!" Misaki scoffed harshly. "Bestow some lofty title!" She paused grimacing.
"Tsunami! Give her some entire sotted little planet for all I care! But do not renounce your crown!"
"I must follow, the course my heart beckons!" Azusa told her emphatically.
"She almost gave her own life to save mine!"
He turned then and gazed full into Ena's eyes, his own shining softly.
"I'm not certain I yet believe it was 'fate' which brought us together..." Azusa continued, his word only faltering slightly for the moment required to draw breath and gently squeeze Ena's hand.
"Yet one thing is certain," He added adamantly again turning to gaze at the young Jurian woman.
"I could not love her more!"
Misaki seemed to deflate upon hearing. Almost stumbling backwards as a tiny gasp exited.
Ryoko noted right then she could see breath each time one of the participants exhaled. Giving a clear indication the air hanging darkly about them was brisk.
"But ... I..." Misaki at last spoke again. Her words coming slowly and with obvious pain.
"Our people," She corrected, eyes down cast, swallowing hard. "Need you!"
Ryoko felt her own eyes moisten, feeling the emotions of the young Tanzuru washing over her.
Even as Azusa, no less moved released Ena's hand and strolled forward. Pausing only when Masaki glared harshly at his approach, raising her staff.
She was able to hold the facade but an instant, before lips trembling she sank slowly, miserably to her knees before him.
"And what of you?" Azusa asked softly after observing for a moment, reaching down to finding and lifting her chin. Pausing slightly as the sight of her tear streaked face was upturned, causing him to falter.
"My little Misaki?"
"I..." She sobbed, closing her eyes finally having reached her limit unable to contain the tide welling from within. Azusa's feature softened even further as he gently knelt, bringing his lips to hers.
At the point of contact, Misaki's eyes flashed open before closing tightly again in sweet ecstasy as her battle staff clattered to the ground between them. When she threw her arms about his broad shoulders and clung tightly.
"WHOA!" Ryoko mouthed. "This almost makes up for missing my afternoon soaps!"
"Eh?" The adult version of Ena queried blankly. To which Ryoko glanced around casually.
"Cause this is stee-hee-me!" She smirked darkly delighted.
"Don't suppose you could think us up some popcorn?" Ryoko then added hopefully.
"Uhhhn!" Ena grimaced in dismay, to the point of slumping and rubbing her face with one hand.
"Come with us then?" Ryoko heard Azusa say. Pulling her attention back to the scene before them as Misaki, still kneeling was gazing longingly into his eyes.
"Azusa!" Misaki gasped. "I!" she managed to barely stammer before a sob forced its way past.
"We could be together!" He smiled, gently urging. "Just like always!"
The sullen gasp which escaped in reply spoke volumes as the young Tanzuru shied agonizingly away.
"I..." Misaki softly moaned. "Can't!"
She then paused, seeming to gather a measure of precious strength from some deep hidden resource. Enough to just meet his gaze.
"Azusa! I will not renounce my vow to the thrown!" The pronouncement leaving her lips as she seemed in turn to draw further strength from it, causing both Azusa and Ena, still behind him to visibly recoil.
"And I simply won't stand idly while you destroy your honor!" She continued, rising to her feet eyes now almost literally blazing as Azusa continued to give ground in abject amazement.
Executing a curt gesture with a 'snapping' of the wrist of both hands Misaki prompted her battlestaff rocket from the floor between them, impacting into her grip with a sharp whap!
"Misaki..." Azusa hissed warningly as she yet a gain assumed on-guard stance.
"If being with her is what you truly wish!" She spat, adding an angry nod the direction of Ena.
"They you will have to go through me!"
The look of astonishment retained its hold upon Azusa's face for some moments. He continued to regard her for a time before yet again his continence softened.
"If that is how it must be." He told her softly, starting deliberately forward.
Pausing only as the butt of her raised staff lingered inches from his exposed throat. Gazing with deliberate calm into her eyes.
Eyes which appeared flash as Misaki drew a sharp breath, her features contorting in rage. Ryoko could see steam rising. Issuing subtly but visible from the cured Jurian stave as Misaki drew it back preliminary to executing a killing stroke. The moment protracted, then held.
No one, even the two retrospective observers seeming to breathe before, eyes suddenly awash Misaki faltered.
The end of her stave lowering slightly even as the arms holding it began to visibly tremble. Finally allowing the staff to drop, impacting the top of the ramp with a loud thump.
"YAZUHA TAKE YOU!" A cry wretched miserably from the young woman.
"Misaki..." Azusa sighed, continuing to regard her the faintest tinge of a sad little smile coloring his features.
"GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!" She snapped, wresting her gaze from him.
Azusa lingered a moment longer, regarding Misaki sadly before extending his hand behind towards Ena.
Needing no further encouragement she clasped the offered hand as the two of them made their way past the seething young woman.
Misaki waited long enough to hear the portal on the inner hull close before making her way down and away from the heart of the palace maze. Tears flowing freely every step of the way, never once looking back.
"Wow!" Ryoko gasped, now totally enthralled with the unfolding drama. "So Misaki didn't stop you guys from eloping?"
"I wouldn't call what we did exactly eloping Ryoko!" Ena corrected impatiently. "Marriage certainly had no prominence within our current plan!"
"Meaning you two were intent on shacking up?" Ryoko grinned.
The smile widening further as Ena drew herself up indignantly. Going so far as to extending a finger, intending some rebuttal. Upon taking the full measure of Ryoko's current expression however it died in her throat.
"You make it sound like something bad." She sniffed.
"Ok!" Ryoko prompted, with a chuckle. "So what happened next?"
"Well..." Ena began after a moment to collect her thoughts.
"As I've said, no one believed the old dreadnought could still fly..."
"At least that was the theory.
No one apparently having taking into account the remote possibility, That one of imperial power level would ever be pissed enough to give such an order. I assure you, my sweet Azusa was both!I watched in utter astonishment as He reached in his way, deep within the core of the ancient tree and bid it, Arise!
The entirety of the city of Jurihelm was shaken as Odan after centuries of rest, tore free of its ancient roots and rose slowly into the evening sky!
Triggering in its wake one of the worse seismic events in the capital cities history! It was by no means a graceful accent, the broken blacken remains of the main hull resemble a gigantic ebony stump as it rose tumbling slightly along its long axis. By the time we had arrived at the ionosphere Azusa's bond with the ancient tree had become strong enough for him to stabilize our flight. All of which meant nothing to me at the time!
I was too enthralled watching Azusa wield his power to care!
When we had entered the hull, all bout what I was to find out had been the ships bridge was almost lifeless. A few well manicure floral appointments here and there. Yet as the corps of the colossal tree soared spaceward all about the ancient hull exploded into life!
All manner of leaf and vine spouted and entwined! I confess I was amidst a schoolgirl swoon watching this young god flex his muscles! One which lasted all the way to high orbit insertion.
It was at that point several Jurian warships had managed to return from Lagrange point to 'Joto' where the queen had ordered them to park beyond the closest of Jurai's three outer moons. Presumable to place them out of her sons expected range of influence.
Odan in its heyday might have been the fiercest of warships but the tiger had long lost its teeth.
In short the old stump was unarmed!
Not that Azusa wanted to harm anyone anyway. Ill admit however I had a few moments of doubt when we were the undivided center of attention to no less than fifteen of Jurai's finest battle cruisers!
I soon found my fears were groundless when my Azusa glanced at me and winked just before harnessing enough power that Odan shot away from the armada at speeds they were incapable of matching! Gliding away into the eternal night on three wings of the lighthawk!"
"Tenchi can do five you know." Ryoko interrupted the narration softly.
"Eh?" Ena gaped blankly. The two of them now floating in a starry void, the gnarled stump of the old warship suspended between them in apparent miniature.
"He can?"
"Sure shoot'n!" Ryoko nodded. "Saw it with my own eyes just a few days ago! Though ... that wasn't the first time."
"Uh..." Ena kind of muttered. Seeming mildly distressed.
"What?" Ryoko pried.
"Most second generation trees can manifest three wings at best. Though a technique has been perfected that allows multiple trees to combine their strengths and project as many as ten."
"Like Tsunami?" Ryoko asked appearing only mildly interested.
"Yes..." Ena murmured. "But only the first tree is known capable of such a feet alone."
She paused then looking at Ryoko poignantly.
"No single mortal being ... I have ever encountered can manifest five wings of the lighthawk!"
"Minus one ... I guess... ?" Ryoko kind of snorted with a shrug.
"Yes..." Ena breathed. Looking visibly pained. "Quite."
"So..." Ryoko prompted. Eager to just change from a subject which clearly was making Ena uncomfortable.
"You guys managed to slip past the Jurian space navy..." She leaned forward, indicating the image of the ancient ship still between them.
"What happened then?"
"We must have wandered for days." Ena resumed. "Watching our backs the entire time we were fleeing any possible pursuit."
"But Ryoko?" Ena paused to queried.
"Just for purpose of clarity, there was no space navy back then. That elite force was formed after the time of your cataclysm." Ena felt herself wince as Ryoko visibly bristled.
"Must you keep bringing that up?" Ryoko angrily snapped.
"It's a point of our history my dear girl!" Ena told her shrugging defensively.
"I swear I'm not trying to badger!"
"We soon learned that in our haste for departure," Ena's purely mental narration resumed. Obviously eager to 'press on' past this recent rough spot.
"We had neglected certain essentials..."
"Like food for instance?" Ryoko laughed, the smile and blush materializing even as Ena's face was fading from sight were more than enough to acknowledge her assertion.
"Uh huh..." she continued, chuckling. "Just a couple 'o dumb ass kids!"
"Ahem." Ena's voice coughed.
"We were force to depend upon the resources of Odan to sustain us."
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...
"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...
"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...
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...
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...