Tenchi Muyo: Honor and Glory

Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo.  I do own the characters I created,
and if you don't know who they are by now…  Anyway don't sue me.  I have
no money, and it would be a complete waste of time to sue me anyway.  So
do something productive and read this fanfic.  Who knows, you might like
it.

Part 9: Love and Conflict

My life was fine until I got stuck with Mihoshi, but when I learned of
my heritage, it was torn to shreds.  All my life, I was Kiyone Makibi,
now I'm Shara ei Ki'Tarel el Kilar.  I don't know what is up, but I'm
still good old me.  Teran told me that names are like clothes.  You wear
them, and eventually, you may discard them.  So Kiyone, or Shara, it
matters not.  Call me whatever name suits you.
Kiyone

Teran stared at the stars as he stood in front of Tethan's grave.  He
once asked his adoptive mother how many stars there were.  She smiled
and told him that she didn't know, but that the person who did know,
would be the wisest man on Earth.  He tried for several months afterward
to count them, but never succeeded.
He smiled at the fond memory of his childhood, realizing that those days
will never return to him.  Still, other children will have those days,
but only if he stopped Tokimi.  
Tokimi, she was an enigma to him.  The more he thought about her
actions, the more he thought that she was being manipulated.  His real
mother once told him that she, Tsunami, and Tokimi were once
inseparable.  The worked together on many things, as they guided the
galaxy they called their home.  Tsunami created life, Tokimi gave it the
needed ability to evolve, and his mother gave it the drive to progress. 
Then, they fought a being formed from the chaos of the beginning.  The
chaos entity, Kain.  They fought and banished him to the dark edge of
the universe, but Tokimi was stricken down in the process.
When she recovered, she had changed, and not for the better.  She was
obsessed with power and control.  Finally, she attacked her sisters, who
by then had gotten wind that something was wrong.  This led to a
devastating war that lasted thousands of years.  In the end, Tokimi was
stripped of her power and banished to the farthest reaches of the
universe.  That was when Kain broke free from his prison.
He immediately attacked the remaining sisters.  They fought him with
everything they had, and banished him a second time.  The battle greatly
weakened them.  Washu was stripped of her power and memories, while
Tsunami lost her higher level form.  Both sisters separated and walked
their own paths.
That was all his mother could tell him.  Her memories were gradually
coming back, but some may never return.  He then considered his next
problem.  That being what Shi'kal told him.  He didn't fully believe the
man, but his fear that what Shi'kal said was the truth was driving him
mad.
"Teran!" came a shout.
He brought himself out of his thoughts and turned to see Sasami and
Kiyone walking toward him.  The moonlight reflected off a fine sheen of
sweat that was covering both women.  He grinned as they neared, seeing a
chance to poke a little fun at their expense.
"Ladies, were you running to find me?  Or were you up to something
else?" he broadened his grin at their indignant expressions.
"Teran," Sasami said in a level voice. "how can you say something like
that at a time like this?"
"I needed something to lighten my mood." He explained. "Poking fun at
people is an easy way to do it."
"Still," Kiyone shot in. "you didn't have say it like that."
"So, what brings you two here?" he asked, letting the subject drop.
"Teran," Sasami said. "we both know you are going to Kiral in search of
answers.  Kiyone wants to go with you."
"I see.  Kiyone, are you sure about this?"
"Yes Teran I am.  I have my own reasons, so you might as well hear
them." She took  a deep breath. "I am going, because I want am
explanation.  I have gone by the name Kiyone all my life, and now I find
that I  am known by another name.  I'd like to know why."
"Kiyone, names are like clothes.  You wear them, and eventually, you may
discard them.  I am known by the name John Carlen along with Teran.  I
am the same person, just the name's different.  A name is irrelevant to
the person.  It identifies him or her, but changes nothing about them."
"Well, there's my explanation." Kiyone stated. "But I'm still going with
you."
"Then it's settled.  We will leave as soon as I can arrange for
transport."
"Teran?" Sasami asked.
"Yes?"
"If things turn out the way I suspect they might, you may be torn
between two loves."
Teran's face was unreadable as he said "Go on."
"I will not let that happen.  If it comes to pass that way, you will
marry both of us." She laughed at his surprised look. "Listen, you can
marry as many women as you want.  Two seems to be the norm, but that's
beside the point.  I don't mind sharing, and it solves a potential
problem.  Besides, Kiyone will make things easy on you as my pregnancy
advances."
"The main reason for an extra wife, no doubt."
"Yes, Juraians admire vitality, besides, you need plenty of children to
keep the line going."
Teran gave the look of consideration and burst out laughing.  Kiyone and
Sasami looked at him as if he lost his mind.
"Teran, are you okay?" Sasami asked.
"Yes I'm fine.  I'm just laughing at my situation.  Now I know how
Tenchi feels, but you two saved me the trouble of having to live through
the hell he had to.  Besides, even if things didn't turn out that way,
I'd still marry Kiyone.  With her consent of course." Kiyone smiled.
"Teran," she commented. "you and Tenchi seem to have a way around you
that attracts women.  You in particular, also seem to have a brooding
sense of menace that keeps women at a distance as well.  That is an
interesting combination."
"If you knew how my life was, you'd understand.  That's why Sasami does
not fear me.  She knows everything about me.  You should as well."
"How can that be possible?"
"When Tsunami wants to do something, she doesn't worry about the
possible and the impossible, she just does it." Sasami stated.
"Precisely." Teran agreed.
"The thing is," Kiyone commented. "I don't fear you.  And that
attraction is pulling me in." she took an unconscious step forward,
before she realized what she said.  Her eyes widened in shock and she
stepped back.
"Oh hell, it's happening." Teran muttered. "Sasami, head back to the
house, Kiyone and I will be there shortly."
Sasami looked a little miffed, but nodded and asked. "What's going on?"
"Her body is adapting to the changes placed on it.  This is only a
hormonal imbalance, unlike the Calling which she will go through later. 
This one causes emotional stress at times, but it also increases a
person's sex drive.  I started to go through it, but the training your
mother put me through muted it.  When I used my powers, it returned full
force and we got drunk that night.  You and I woke up with a hangover
and you injected that damn chemical Washu made into me.  You know the
rest."
Sasami did know the rest.  In fact, Teran could see her face turn
scarlet, even in the moonlight.  He also saw the look of understanding
shine in her eyes.  She knew what was going to happen.
"Something I should know about?" Kiyone asked archly.
"Sasami will tell you, since she is the one responsible." He shot his
fiancé a mischievous look.
"I think I'll be going now." Sasami said hurriedly, and fled.

Kiyone watched Sasami run as if the wrath of God was behind her.  She
turned to look Teran in the eye.  She was having a hard time controlling
her thoughts, and her body.
"I know what you're going through." Teran said. "You are having a hard
time thinking coherently, and your body is wracked by sensations that
are making things difficult."
"That's an understatement of the grossest sort." Kiyone said through
gritted teeth. "It's more like sheer lust."
"That too.  Trust me, you can fight it all you want.  It will have you
in the end."
Kiyone was losing her control fast, and her will to resist her body was
nearly gone. "How do you stop it then?" she asked.
"Like this." Before she could do anything, he turned and kissed her.
She felt her will to resist vanish, as she wrapped her arms around him. 
She reached into her mind and fed him her desires.  Her breath quickened
as he pulled off her vest and shirt, exposing her flesh to the night
air.
She gripped his shirt and pulled, ripping it off.  She ran her fingers
over the muscles of his back, feeling the ridges.  She shivered in
pleasure as he lightly brushed his fingers up and down her spine.  She
backed away from him and slowly took off her remaining clothes.  She
stood there, naked, and looked at what she currently saw.
Teran was well muscled.  He wasn't covered with them, but each one was
well defined and formed.  In her case, they were perfect.
He removed his pants and underclothes and walked to her.  He put one
hand on her thigh, while the other resumed its light brushing of her
spine.  He brought his lips to hers and kissed her.  She put her hands
on each buttock and squeezed in pleasure.
He broke the kiss, much to Kiyone's disappointment.  He looked over the
area, and finding a spot that looked just right, teleported there.

Sasami watched in mute fascination as Teran brought Kiyone closer to the
edge of sanity, and they haven't even started the love making.  As soon
as she was out of sight, she hid herself in the trees.  She knew what
was going to happen, but she wanted to make sure.  She was not
disappointed.
She watched as Teran teleported Kiyone and himself to a grassy spot that
was directly in the moonlight.  Satisfied with the way things were
turning out, she surreptitiously walked away grinning.

Teran looked at Kiyone, the moonlight reflecting off her blue eyes.  He
had the hand on her thigh, sweep her legs from under her.  She gave a
small cry of fright as he caught her, and gently placed her on the
ground.  He looked over her body, from her perfectly formed breasts, to
her finely shaped legs.  The only one he could think of as a match in
beauty, was Sasami.
He placed his hands on her hips.  She looked up at him expectantly,
knowing what was to come.  He laid down next to her, and put his arm
around her.  He pulled her close, and said. "It's your decision."
She nodded in understanding and got up on her knees.  She placed her
hands on his chest and slid them down it.  She could feel the muscle
beneath the skin.  She stopped, when they reached his stomach.  She bent
down and whispered into his ear. "My body cries for release, and I will
release it."
She put one leg over him and set herself.  For his part, Teran placed
his hands on her hips, and squeezed.  She gently lowered herself,
feeling him enter her.  She flexed her hips, and began to sway.  She
placed a hand on his chest to balance herself, but that was all.  Her
body cried for release, and she let it go.
She swayed as if she were in the wind.  When their bodies were touching,
she rose and fell like waves on the sea.  She let her passions loose,
and felt her senses scream at the sensation.  As she continued, her
passions began to cry out.  She felt them get stronger and stronger.  It
was like a caged animal inside of her.  Wild and untamed.  It wanted and
cried for release of its own.
It came with stunning, ridged shivers.  Her body slammed itself against
Teran with wild, inundated lust.  The sensation caused every fiber in
her body to explode with pleasure.  She buckled under it, but she
continued.  She screamed from the sensation, but it was not pain.  It
was rapture.
As quickly as it began, it was over.  She was laying on his chest,
breathing heavily.  She could feel the energy leave her body, as
exhaustion took over.  She lay her head against his chest and listened
to his breathing.  She was amazed at how regular it was, but she assumed
that it was from the fact that he recovers quickly.  She felt his hand
touch her back.  She looked into his eyes with anticipation.
"Kiyone," he said. "we should probably head back now." He saw her
disappointed look. "We must return, before they begin to worry." He
looked at the moon. "Besides, it's past midnight."
They got up and dressed.  Teran was picking up the tattered remains of
his shirt when he felt it.  He immediately scanned the area, but could
not detect anything out of the ordinary.  He felt for it and found it. 
It was some type of link.  He felt it along its length and reached the
source.  He smiled as he realized that Tokimi was spying on him.  He
could actually sense her awareness.
"Well, Tokimi, did you enjoy what you saw?" he asked the awareness.  The
link broke and the feeling dissipated.
"What was that about?" Kiyone asked.
"It was Tokimi." He said. "She was trying to establish a link, so that
she can watch me.  I sensed it and gave her a few things to think
about."
"Oh."
They walked back to the house, idly discussing their coming voyage.

Tokimi, stared at the globe in shock.  She was watching Teran and that
woman, Kiyone make love.  She was so enraptured by the spectacle, that
she forgot to be circumspect and establish the link.  She was curious on
how Teran could sense her.  She knew that he was on a power level near
that of her, but she was not prepared for this.
Anyone who could sense her from that distance, was powerful indeed.  She
knew that he was spying, but if he was this powerful, he could easily
destroy half of her forces.
She pondered this, while she considered what Althair was likely to do on
Kiral.
"My lady," came Terak's voice. "D3 has returned to report.
"Send him in, Terak." she replied.
"At once, my lady." he shifted out of the room.  A second later, D3
appeared before her.
"My lady, the plans for the staging area are going as planned.  We
encountered five Juraian battleships, but we dispatched them with only
ten ships."
"How many were lost?" she asked him, not caring what he gave.
"Only six, my lady.  One Juraian ship escaped with serious damage, but
by the time they come back, we will have a foothold in the Sol System."
"Good.  Anything else?"
"Yes, while we fought the Juraians, I sent a group of men to try and
capture Tenchi and his wives.  During the fighting, there was a new
player.  A woman who claims to be the boy's mother."
"What was her name?"
"Achika." He looked at Tokimi's wide-eyed expression. "You know her?"
"Indeed I do, D3, indeed I do."
"By your leave then." He teleported out of the room.
Tokimi stared out into space, giving in to her memories.

She lived on Earth for a time, about forty-five years ago.  She was in
an isolated area near Kurashiki, but far enough out as not to attract
unwelcome visitors.  She used the time there to learn about the
Earthlings, since they would probably be the ones to be taken first.  It
was then that she met him.
He was young, there was no doubt about it.  But she sensed something in
him that was not quite visible, but tangible nonetheless.  She began to
feel things inside of her that she never felt, so she walked up to him
and asked him a few unimportant questions.  She learned that his name
was Katsuhito, and she gave him the name she went by, Sakura.  They
talked and began to meet each other over a period of time.
It was only after a year, that she accepted the fact that she was in
love with him.  Three months later, he asked her to marry him.  She
accepted, and they were married two months later in a private ceremony. 
They spent their first months together wildly in passion.  Therefore,
Katsuhito was not surprised to see that she was pregnant.  She was.
The child was born nine months later, after a difficult pregnancy.  It
was a little girl.  She named the child Achika.  It was ten years later,
that she had to leave.  Not wishing to reveal the truth as of yet, she
let the mortal body die from illness.  It was with a sad farewell, that
she left Earth and returned to her ship, which was outside the galaxy. 
She remained there, watching.

She let her memories fade.  She realized that things were getting out of
hand, and that something was not right.  She looked into the globe in
front of her and willed it to show her a picture of her daughter.  It
came up with stark clarity, and she realized that this was the same
woman she felt die fifteen years ago.  If she was right, then Tenchi is…
Her eyes went wide.  She began to smile.  It seems that a war will be
unnecessary at the moment.  She will be able to bring them to her.  She
began to consider going to Earth and talking to them.  A civil occasion
to meet them.  They may still be enemies afterward, but this will give
her a personal account of them.

Sasami watched as Mihoshi was playing Achika in a game of chess.  She
was surprised at the ingenious methods Mihoshi used to counter Achika's
moves.  It finally ended in a stalemate around midnight.
"Good game, Mihoshi." Achika congratulated. "No one has done that to me
in over twenty years."
"Achika," Mihoshi giggled. "this is embarrassing!"
Achika looked at the woman in confusion.  She could not understand how
Mihoshi could have flashes of near brilliance, and be so airheaded at
the at the same time.
"Mihoshi," Sasami said. "it's past midnight, so why don't you head to
bed."
"Good idea!  Thanks, Sasami." She ran off to the room that is used by
the women.  The unmarried ones, anyway.
Achika?" Sasami asked.
"What is it, Sasami?"
"I sense a familiar power from you.  It reminds me of Tsunami, so I
wonder if you can offer an explanation."
"Sure." Achika took a deep breath. "I met Tsunami as soon as she came to
the realm of the dead.  She was stunned by my resemblance to my father. 
She asked me who I was, and I told her." She laughed. "You should have
seen the look on her face.  Anyway, we got around to talking, and
decided to watch you all.  Don't get me wrong.  The dead can't interfere
with the living under normal circumstances.  And since time has no
meaning to them, it passes as slowly or as quickly as they want it."
"Achika,  Did you ever see Mayuka?"
Achika smiled at Sasami. "Yes, I met my granddaughter.  She came there
and stayed for awhile.  I know she was only dead for a short time before
Washu brought her back, but years passed to her in that time."
"How can that be?" Sasami was clearly confused.
"Sasami, I told you that time has no meaning to the dead.  It passes as
one wants it to.  I even met Teran and Shara there.  The original ones,
anyhow." She smiled at Sasami's wide-eyed expression. "Yes, they talked
to me for a time.  They seemed to know a lot about events that will
happen.  They even knew that I would leave the realm of the dead.  But
that is another story.
"Tsunami and I watched you all, and after the incident at the Galaxy
Police station five weeks ago, she started teaching me how to leave the
realm of the dead.  I learned, and it was only today, that I was able to
leave, and return to life.  And I know that it wasn't without
assistance."
"I see."
"And I see things as well," came Teran's voice. "I see that while Kiyone
and I are clones, those two know that we will go to Kiral for answers."
He laughed. "If they had a rudimentary knowledge of future events, they
will have something waiting for us."
"Teran," Kiyone interrupted. "first we have to arrange for transport to
Kiral.  Then we worry about what's waiting for us."
"Right, now I have something to take care of."
"What?" both Sasami and Kiyone asked.
"I have to sever all ties here.  I'm going back to the states for a few
days."
"Teran, you came from another reality." Sasami said.
"No, I don't believe that anymore.  Shi'kal knew who I was on this
world.  If I'm right, then I have to go."
"Then we're going with you." Kiyone said.
"What?"
"Listen, Sasami and I promised not to let you out of our sight.  So
we're going with you.  Besides, there are contacts in America.  They may
be able to get word to the Galaxy Police about what's going on."
"I see.  So the GP have been planning to make contact with this world. 
In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they did."
"Then let's go."
"Sasami?"
"Coming." Came the reply.
Teran looked the two women in the eye and concentrated for a moment. 
Teleporting was easy when you knew where you were going, and that you
were familiar with the area.  He had to concentrate, so that he could be
sure that he didn't screw up.  In an instant, they vanished.
Achika looked at the area where the three people stood. "I don't know if
I will ever get used to this." She said.
"You will." Came a voice in her mind.
"Yes, Tsunami, but still, I will have to tell them sooner or later."
"All in due time, Achika, all in due time."

They materialized in a grassy field, surrounded by trees.  Teran looked
around and saw the path, obscured by undergrowth.  It had been five
months since he was last here.  He remembered that day all too well.  It
was they day he killed Tethan.
He looked at the two women who accompanied him and smiled at their
expressions.
"Where are we?" Kiyone asked.
"Northern Minnesota.  Not much has changed, but be careful." He replied.
"It's beautiful." Sasami commented.
"Yes, the fall colors are coming out early.  The coming winter is going
to be a hellish one."
"So, where are we going?" Kiyone asked.
"There's a town a mile to the east, I used to live near there."
"Oh."
"Let's get going." With that said, he uncovered the path and started
walking.
Kiyone and Sasami looked at each other and started walking.  They caught
up to Teran after a few minutes, due to his brisk pace.  They walked and
looked at the scenery.  Before long, they emerged from the wood, to see
a road.  Teran followed the road for a hundred yards, and turned left. 
They followed the dirt road that emerged from nowhere and reached a
beautiful house.  No sooner than they started walking towards it, when a
young girl ran out.
"Uncle John is back!  Uncle John is back!" she shouted happily.
Teran picked up the ecstatic young girl and placed her on his
shoulders.  Kiyone saw three other people walk out.  One male, and two
females.  She also noticed a middle aged woman at the door.  She was
obviously the woman who raised Teran.
"John, you son of a bitch!" shouted the man. "Where the hell have you
been?"
"James, watch your language." Teran admonished. "Mary, Lisa, how are you
two?"
"We're fine, John." Mary stated. "But you have been gone for five
months."
"Yeah," commented Lisa. "where the hell have you been?"
"I'll explain when we get in the house.  But let me introduce you to my
friends: Sasami Jurai, and Kiyone Makibi.  Sasami, Kiyone, this is my
brother James, and my sisters, Mary and Lisa.  And this little runt," he
said, lifting the girl off his shoulders. "is my niece, Jennifer." He
looked at James. "so, is Rachel here?"
"Yes, she's cooking dinner." James said.
"God save us all." Teran said in mock fright.
Laughter echoed around the yard as they all walked into the house.
The inside of the house was well decorated.  There were paintings on
some of the walls, while flowers were spaced in a seemingly haphazard
order.  The living room was furnished with a large leather couch,
several recliners, a big screen TV with a football game on, and a coffee
table in the middle.  Sasami was impressed by the kitchen, with its
array of cooking utensils and state of the art stove.  Kiyone saw who
was doing the cooking, and grinned from ear to ear.
"Well, well." She said. "Mitsuki, I'm surprised.  I would have thought
that you would have shot yourself by now."
The woman started, but kept her composure. "I see you're still alive,
Kiyone.  What did you do, kill Mihoshi?"
"No, I haven't gotten around to doing that, yet.  But then again, she
will probably shoot herself."
Both women laughed.  James had a confused look on his face, while Teran
stared at the woman he called his sister-in-law.
"Kiyone," he said. "I know that you have looked for a sound reason to
shoot your partner, but if she does shoot herself, be as far away as
possible.  She will probably shoot you in the process." He smiled and
turned to Mitsuki. "Well, 'Rachel' I didn't know that you worked with
the Galaxy Police."
Mitsuki took a long look at Teran before speaking. "Well, 'John' you
aren't the only one who was born with another name, let alone on another
world."
"Touché."
"Hold it!" James shouted. "John, what are you two talking about.  Aside
from Mitsuki, of course."
"We'll talk about that later, James.  Right now I will  have to talk to
mom." He made his point by nodding to the middle aged woman watching the
discussion.
"Go ahead."

Teran walked with the woman to the house's small library.  She took a
seat near the window, while he sat across from her.  They stayed there,
looking at each other, before the woman spoke.
"So, what do you want to know, Teran?" she asked.
"So, you knew." He said.
"Yes."
"Then why don't you start from the beginning."
She took a deep breath. "Teran, you were found by me and Gerard eighteen
years ago.  You were in some sort of stasis module.  We deactivated it
purely by mistake, but you were alive.  We saw a data pad with you,
along with an ornate sword.  We activated the data pad and the image of
you in the present appeared."
"The adult version of me." Teran stated.
"Yes. It told us who you were, and to raise you as our own.  We took you
home with us, and James became very happy at having a little brother. 
You two got along so well, that I didn't give it a second thought. 
Gerard, on the other hand, knew about the Ki'Tarel family, and took a
gene sample from you to verify it."
"How did he do that?" Teran asked.
"Gerard was one of the agents for the Galaxy Police stationed on Earth. 
We met, fell in love, and got married.  Our honeymoon was off planet. 
Jurai to be precise, but that's another story." She looked at Teran's
expression. "What?"
"Mom, Gina, or whatever you want to be called, I have spent the last
four-and-a-half months on Jurai.  The imperial palace to be precise,
but, as you said, that's another story." He smiled.
"Then don't interrupt me." She admonished. "Now then, we raised you as
our own son.  The sword, we placed in the display room until you moved
it to the room you hold your collections in.  You were stronger, faster,
and smarter than most Terrans, but you considered yourself one.  You
took to the Martial Arts, like a child takes to games.  You read
literature, played video games, and enjoyed yourself."
"Thanks." He looked around. "Mom, where's the data pad.  The programmer
must have known that I would have found out sooner or later.  Besides, I
want to know."
"It's on the bookcase, near the picture of you as a child."
"Thanks." He walked over to the bookcase and found the pad with ease. 
He activated it and listened to the info.  He then saw something he
didn't notice earlier.  There was a thumbprint scanner on the side.  He
pressed his left thumb against it and the screen went dark.
When it came on again, there was the same face, but it had a smile on
it. "Well done, Teran." It said. "You know the truth, and have come
searching for answers.  I cannot give them here, but find Shara's clone
and come to Kiral.  You will find answers there." It then went silent
and the screen went blank.
"Well, it seems that I will have to go to Kiral after all." he said.
"Mom, I have found Shara's clone, and since I am one myself, she and I
are going.  Thanks."
"You're welcome, my son." She smiled.
"You should meet my real mother sometime.  She's in Japan, but I can get
us there." He looked at her. "You do know Japanese, right?"
She smiled. "Teran, we all do.  That is the only language on Earth that
is similar to the basic language that is used in interstellar trade. 
You know several if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes, I can understand Juraian, Todainian, Kirallian, several languages
here, and it all sounds like English to me.  Then again, there are
genetic upgrades in the races off of Earth that allow the languages to
be understood without translators."
"Precisely.  James, Mary, Lisa, and Jennifer have the genes in them. 
While I had mine altered so that I can travel off world."
"Well, I might as well introduce you to my companions." He smiled.
"Let's go."

Kiyone looked at the woman who she went to the academy with.  To see a
woman who was called the least likely to settle down and married, was
unsettling.  To see her a mother, was impossible.
"Kiyone, you look a little troubled." She commented.
"Well, Mitsuki, I have had my life turned upside down, and I am
beginning to fall in love." Sasami laughed.  She shot the young woman a
glare. "What?"
"Well, you are not the only one who loves him.  I am getting married to
him." she said smugly.
"Yes, but remember, if this pulls out like you fear, I will have been
married to him for twenty thousand years." She smiled at Sasami's
indignant expression.
"Excuse me," Mitsuki interrupted. "what are you two talking about?"
"You'll see." Kiyone said. "He's standing right there."
They all turned to see Teran standing next to Gina.  He had an amused
look on his face. "Mom, I'd like to introduce you to Kiyone Makibi and
Sasami Jurai.  Considering the information I have gotten, and present
circumstances, one is my fiancé, and the other has been married to me
for twenty thousand years.  And I met her only five months ago." His
look went from amused, to evil. "And you two can't escape my clutches."
He said in a dark, menacing voice.
They all burst out laughing.  All except for James, Mary, and Lisa.
"John," James said. "what the hell is going on?"
"Well, James," he replied. "First, my name is not John.  I learned this
five months ago, and it has been confirmed by a gene test.  My real name
is Teran ai Ki'Tarel en Habuki, son of Althair ai Ki'Tarel en Orlain and
Washu Habuki.  Now, I came here to tell you all that I'm okay, but it
seems that things are not quite meets the eye.  I find out that Father
was a Galaxy Police officer, and that this family in not entirely
Terran." He smiled. "It's a good thing that the feds don't know.  Since
I'm not Terran at all, I don't care about that.  Now, I want you guys to
know that all Hell's about to break loose off planet."
"What do you mean?" Mary asked.
"What I mean is, that there is going to be one hell of a war out there. 
I'll give you three guesses where the first battlefield is."
"This system." Kiyone replied.
"What?"
"There has already been a battle.  Five Juraian battlecruisers took on
ten unknown ships.  The Juraians were not faring so well against those
ships."
Teran looked at her. "So those ships are Tokimi's.  Apparently, she took
a page out of Tsunami's book and made them as powerful as they can be."
	"What do you mean?" Sasami asked.
"Tokimi isn't stupid.  She knows that she doesn't stand a chance in hell
against the Juraians without a power that can equal theirs.  What I'm
thinking, is that Tokimi was able to create ships with the lighthawk
energy.  They may not be like the Juraian ships, but they are as
powerful as them."
"I see."
"So, the war has begun?" James asked.
"No, this is just a skirmish." Kiyone explained.
All of a sudden Jennifer burst in carrying an animal that looked
suspiciously like a cat-rabbit crossover.  She ran straight for Mitsuki,
shouting. "Mommy, mommy, mommy, can I keep it?"
Mitsuki smiled at her daughter and said. "Well, let's have a look at it
first."
Jessica put the animal on the floor.  Teran, Sasami, and Kiyone saw what
it was and burst out laughing.  It was Ryo-ohki.
"What do you find so funny?" Jennifer asked.
Teran looked at the girl. "Nothing really." He teleported away, leaving
a startled Jennifer to look at where he was.

Ryoko was outside, holding several carrots.  She was looking for
Ryo-ohki, whom she had not seen for some time.  She was not particularly
worried, since the cabbit shared a mental link with her.  She new that
the animal/ship was somewhere, but no matter how she called, she
couldn't get a response.
She felt a presence suddenly come near.  She turned to see Teran with a
mischievous smile on his face.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I'm just here to tell you, that I know where Ryo-ohki is." he told her.
"Where?"
"I'll teleport you there."
"Then do it." she was starting to get annoyed.
"I have already done so, sis."
Ryoko stopped.  As far she knew, he had never acknowledged her as his
sister.  She also looked around, and saw that he did teleport them
somewhere.
"Well, are you ready to meet the family?" he asked.
"What?"
"Ryo-ohki has managed to come here.  She is inside the house." He
smiled. "The family I grew up with happens to live here as well."
Ryoko couldn't help it, so she smiled. "Then let's go meet this family."
She said.
"Then come on!" he shouted before entering the house.
"I am going to figure out how he does that." She muttered to herself. 
She started walking to the door, and entered the house.
She stared at the group of people waiting for her inside.  She looked
around, and saw eight people.  She picked out Sasami and Kiyone, and she
saw Ryo-ohki in the arms of a small child.
"Ryoko," came her brother's voice from behind. "something wrong?"
She jumped at his voice.  She turned to glare at him, and saw her mother
looking at her and smiling.  She felt her brother's presence to her
right, and she could feel the mirth coming from him.
"I am not going to ask." She said evenly.

That night, the Masaki household was awash in light.  Teran, with the
aid of his mother, teleported the entire Carlen family to the courtyard
outside the shrine.  They were met by a very surprised Yosho.
"Let me guess," he said to Teran. "they are the ones you grew up with."
Teran just nodded and smiled.
"Well, we might as well head down to the house." He told them.
"Who's he?" James asked.
"My future brother-in-law." Teran replied. "But we'll get to the
introductions at the house."
They all arrived at the house, and began the introductions.  It all went
well, until Misaki gave Mitsuki one of her trademark hugs.  Teran saw
this, and decided to prevent her from doing anything permanent.
"Misaki," he said. "please don't hurt them too much.  They may not be
genetically related to me, but they are the only family I have."
Misaki smiled and released her grip enough to allow the recipients to
breathe.
Teran was about to introduce them to Funaho, when Gina stepped up.
"Lady Funaho," she said warmly. "it has been a while."
"Only eighteen years, Gina." Funaho replied.
"Gina!" Misaki shouted.  She ran over to the woman and warmly gave her a
hug.
"Lady Misaki, I need my ribs more or less intact." She said through
gritted teeth.
Misaki looked sheepish and released her grip. "Sorry." She said.
Teran looked at the three women.  He then looked at Gina in particular.
"You know them?" he asked.
"Yes, I do.  I met them after I got married twenty-seven years ago.  We
maintained contact until Gerard and I found you.  We met one more time,
and I showed you around."
Misaki and Funaho were stunned.  They both looked at Teran. 
"You," Misaki asked. "are little John?"
"Makes sense." Funaho muttered. "Well, Teran, if I had paid more
attention, I would have remembered what Shi'kal said." She smiled. "It's
nice to see you again, 'John'."
Teran smiled at the woman.  He had always gotten along with her and
Misaki.  They made him feel at home among them.  Misaki with her
motherly, or grandmotherly in Teran's case, affections; and Funaho with
her wisdom that comes from experience.
"Who's this little girl?" Misaki asked, picking Jennifer up.
"My daughter." James said.  He regretted speaking when Misaki saw him.
"And you are?" she asked.
"He," Gina interrupted "is my oldest child, James."
"This is James?" Funaho asked. "Why, it's been nineteen years since we
saw you.  My you have grown." She noticed that he wasn't listening due
to the fact that Misaki was hugging him, and speaking praises at the
same time.
"Oh you have grown!  Look at you, you handsome devil, you!  Why if I
wasn't married…" and so on.  James was looking very desperate after a
few minutes.
Mitsuki stepped up and came to her husband's rescue. "Excuse me, my
lady.  I am Mitsuki Carlen, his wife.  I am pleased to- ugh!" she was
cut off when Misaki pulled her into a hug.  James, noticing that he was
free, bolted out of range.  He stopped next to Teran.
"I remember seeing her, but I seem to have forgotten her strength." He
said.
"James, that was nineteen years ago." Teran replied. "You would have
forgotten many things since then."
They looked at Mitsuki, who was busy catching her breath.  Misaki was
standing nearby, hugging Jennifer.  She was being more gentle to the
little girl than the others.
"At least, she is being gentle to my daughter." James commented.

That night, Teran was back at the graves.  James had accompanied him. 
They were looking at the stars and drinking sake.
"So, the man who killed dad is buried here." James commented.
"Yeah, he rests here." Teran replied. "I don't know his reasons for
killing him, since I was the one he was after, but it did goad me into
fighting him.  I stabbed him in the stomach.  He told me the names of
all those who were responsible for destroying my family.  He died as he
spoke the last name."
"Frankly, I can't feel sorry for him." James said.
"Yes, but he was insane when he died." He was about to say more, when he
suddenly turned.
James, wondering what was up, turned to see the ghostly image of a man. 
He wondered who the man was, but Teran knew very well who this was.
"Tethan." He said.
The shape nodded and stepped forward.
"Teran," it said. "you must go to Kiral.  Take Shara with you, but don't
forget the sword you came to this world with.  It is the key to all your
answers." It began to fade.
"Tethan, wait!"
"Go to Kiral.  All your answers lie there.  Go to the palace and reveal
your heritage.  You are the true…" they did not hear the rest, as the
image was gone.
"Shit." was all James had to say.
"You said it." Teran replied.

Kiyone was sitting next to Mitsuki on the couch, watching Mihoshi and
Achika play chess.  Sasami, Ayeka, and Ryoko were serving drinks to
everyone.  The main drink was Althani, a Juraian liqueur that was almost
like a spiced wine, but stronger.  Gina was talking with Misaki and
Funaho about what happened in the eighteen years since they last met. 
And Jennifer was playing with Ryo-ohki off in the background.
As she watched the game, Kiyone saw an aspect of her partner that she
didn't often see anymore.  The cold, calculating, intelligence that
earned her a reputation for getting the criminal she was after.  Both
she and Kiyone graduated from the top of their class in the academy, and
both of them were promoted to Detective First Class in less than a
year.  Two years later, the were well on their way to being Lieutenants
in Special Investigations.  Their careers were set.
Then came the Zentra incident.  What seemed like a routine investigation
and arrest became a horrendous endeavor.  Somehow, the man they were
after, became aware of them, and captured them.  For two months, they
were beaten, tortured, raped, and worse.  Mihoshi, since she was the
Marshal's granddaughter, received the worst of it.
After they were rescued, Mihoshi went into shock.  It took her three
weeks to recover, but her mind had reverted to that of childlike
innocence.  With the aid of psychological treatment, Mihoshi was able to
recover her memory, but her personality remained that of a child.  To
prevent a relapse, there was a powerful mental block on certain
memories.  They prevented her from dwelling on certain aspects of the
incident.  
They were discharged from Special Investigations, but were reinstated as
detectives.  The change in Mihoshi became apparent in the fact that
their successes were becoming fewer and farther between.  There were
several occasions where a simple mistake would nearly cost them their
lives.
Kiyone frowned at the memory.  She had suffered unspeakable acts at the
hands of those animals, but she was able to recover, and was quick to
put the incident behind her.  She still had nightmares about it, but the
psychological aid she had received kept those at a minimum.  She delved
further into her thoughts and began to recall things that were out of
place.  Staying in a palace; the happiness after giving birth to a fine
son; training with her stepfather in the arts of combat alongside her
stepbrother; a marriage; loyal retainers in the family garb; a phoenix
over a tree; she recalled many things.  It was with a jolt that she
realized that she was remembering the life of Shara ei Ki'Tarel el
Kilar.
The sound of the door sliding open brought her out of her thoughts.  She
looked to see James entering, but Teran was not with him.
"Where is he?" she asked him.
"He went back home to get a few things." he replied.
"I see."
"Kiyone, what's going on?  I know that I'm only half Terran, but I need
to know what's going on.  This war that is about to break out, why now
and here?"
"James, I honestly don't know.  Ask Sasami or Washu, but Teran knows
more than all of us on what's going on.  He wants to get this over with
as little bloodshed as possible, but there are things that need to be
done beforehand."
"He has always hated war.  He hated it even more after he went through
one, but for different reasons."
"What do you mean?"
"The war showed him a side of himself that frightened him.  In battle,
he killed without emotion, without feeling.  He was toughened to
violence.  I saw this change myself, since I fought alongside him.  He
left the army as soon as the war was over, even though he was a war
hero.  He was ashamed that the people would treat him as such after what
happened."
"How did he become a hero?" she asked, changing the subject.
James laughed. "During the siege of Baghdad, He came up with a plan that
would allow us to distract several fronts while we made a concerted
attack on one.  It kept the loss of life down, and solved the problem of
sanitation."
"What happened?"
"Let's just say it was a shitty day for the enemy troops." Came Teran's
voice.
Everyone looked at him.  They were all listening to James's telling of
the story, so they didn't notice his entry.  He looked around and walked
up to Kiyone.
"We need to talk." He told her.  He then looked at Sasami. "Sasami, you
come with Kiyone." He walked outside and waited.  They followed.

Sasami looked at her fiancé and saw nothing out of the ordinary.  She
waited for him to speak.  She didn't wait long.
"There are a few things that I have just learned." He pulled out a data
pad and tossed it to Kiyone. "Kiyone, put your thumb on the scanner,
there are things you need to know."
Kiyone did as was told and put her thumb on the scanner.  Immediately,
the image of a woman appeared.  She had dark blue hair, and light blue
eyes.  It didn't take Kiyone long to identify the woman.  Indeed, she
saw her face whenever she looked in the mirror.
"I see that he has found you." the woman said. "Listen, I know that you
go by a different name, but you and I are the same.  Go with him to
Kiral.  There, your answers wait." The woman took a deep breath. "I know
that this is difficult.  Your life has been torn apart by this
revelation, but you will be strengthened by it.  I am always with you
Shara, my daughter." The image faded off the screen.
Kiyone stood there, holding the pad.  As she recalled what she heard,
the more she hardened to the ordeal ahead.  She will go to Kiral, and
find her answers.
"Kiyone," Teran asked. "are you ready for this?"
She looked at him. "Yes." She said.
He gave a brief nod and turned to Sasami. "Sasami, go tell your father
to make preparations for the wedding, and tell him that there will be
one more participating.  I want to get this over with as soon as Kiyone
and I return to Jurai.  Tokimi will not wait for us to get ready, so
tell him to prepare for war, and warn him about the strengths of those
ships.  I will give you more details after I return."
"Teran," Sasami said. "I want to give you this." She walked over and
gave him a circlet.  It was gold in color with two sapphires with a
diamond between them. "This circlet was given to my family by a member
of yours over thirty thousand years ago.  It symbolized the unity that
Kiral and Jurai exhibited during the Goddess War.  The sapphires
represent the worlds, while the diamond symbolizes the tear of Tsunami. 
My father wanted you to have it, since it is your birthright.  Wear it
with pride."
Teran looked at the circlet, realizing the symbolism behind it.  He then
looked at Sasami and put it on.  Immediately he felt his mind expand as
power and knowledge filled his mind.  He heard voices talk to him and
the first words were those of welcome.
"Teran?" Sasami asked.
Teran was startled out of his discovery. "Yes?"
"What happened?"
"Sasami, you will not believe it!" his voice was full of wonder. "All
the knowledge of the previous wearers is imbedded in the circlet.  I
can't believe it." He shook his head, clearing the images from his
mind.  He realized that the circlet stored the knowledge of others, so
that it could be used later.  He sensed something else, but decided to
look into it later, he had more important things to take care of.

Azaka watched his opponent.  To the side he could hear Kamidake fighting
Tessei, but he paid it no mind.  He concentrated on the man in front of
him.  He saw the man watching him.  There were no secrets.
"Give up and surrender, Tetta." He shouted. "You cannot win."
"Maybe not, Guardian Azaka, but I will never surrender." Tetta replied.
Azaka knew that the man meant business so her materialized a sword.
"Then let's go." He said.
Tetta materialized his own blade and nodded.

Kamidake parried the slash aimed at his chest and countered with an
attack of his own.  He saw that his opponent, Tessei, was beginning to
tire.  Finally, Tessei overbalanced himself and couldn't block the
attack in time.
He gazed at the ragged wound on his chest, not believing what he saw. 
He smiled and looked up at Kamidake. "Well done, Guardian.  Today is a
good day for me to die.  May your honor bring you peace." He kept the
smile as the spark of life left his eyes.
"May your peace be what you seek." Kamidake replied, finishing the
ancient farewell.  He walked over and closed the dead man's eyes.  He
looked up and turned in the direction that he heard Azaka and Tetta
fighting.
"That idiot!" he said to himself and ran in the general direction of the
house.

Achika was on the steps, talking to her father, when she heard the
sounds of fighting.  She noticed her father look in the general
direction of the woods above them.  She took one look and felt the hairs
on the back of her neck rise.  She could feel the power coming from that
direction.  Suddenly, two men burst into view.  One was cloaked in
black, obviously a soldier of Tokimi's.  The other, was obviously a
Juraian.  Both were fighting with swords and the Juraian was winning.
"You won't defeat me, Guardian Azaka!" the cloaked one shouted.
"I have already defeated you, Tetta." Azaka countered. "You just don't
realize it."
Tetta roared and charged the man.  Azaka ducked the poorly aimed blow
and stabbed.  He looked into Tetta's eyes.
"You were right." The man said weakly. "I am defeated.  May your honor
bring you peace."
"May your peace be what you seek." Azaka replied solemnly.
Achika watched as Azaka ran Tetta through the heart, killing the man
instantly.  She took a step forward, not realizing it, but doing so
anyway.  She looked at the man standing on the steps, not fully
comprehending what just happened.  She turned her head when she heard a
rustle to her right.  She saw a man burst through the bushes and
confront the other.
"Azaka," the man said. "you idiot!  We are not supposed to reveal our
true forms to the others until the time is right.  Besides, we are lucky
that leaving the shells didn't kill us.  If we hadn't healed enough,
Tsunami's attempts to save our lives would have been wasted."
"Calm down." Azaka replied. "Kamidake, you worry too much.  We were
placed in those shells after the Goddess War.  We were probably able to
leave them a long time ago."
Achika watched as the two men argued.  The more she heard, the angrier
she became.  All she would have to do is hit them smartly across the
head, with a club.
"Don't Achika." Tsunami said in her mind.
"Spoilsport." She replied.  She looked at them and shouted. "Both of
you, cut it out!  You are acting like children who need a good
spanking.  Why don't you do us a favor and grow up?"
Azaka and Kamidake looked at her.  They both stared at the black haired,
brown-eyed woman who had the nerve to shout orders at them.  Kamidake
broke the silence with a laugh, ignoring the glare he received from
Achika.  The only thing Azaka did, was back away from Kamidake, slowly.
Yosho looked as if he were about to suffer a heart attack.  He was one
of the few people of Juraian blood who knew about the nature of the
Juraian Guardians, but he never expected this.  Azaka and Kamidake were
of a group of warriors not seen since the Goddess War, the Knights of
Jurai.
The Knights of Jurai, a group of warriors chosen for their skills in
combat, their loyalty to Jurai, and their devotion to the protection of
Tsunami's charges.  They were also the closest the Juraians had to a
definitive clergy, acting as spiritual advisors.  They were nearly wiped
out during the war with Tokimi thirty thousand years ago, but those that
remained were seriously wounded.  To save the lives of those that were
left, Tsunami encased them in shells, letting their bodies gradually
heal over the millennia since.
"Hey Yosho," Azaka remarked. "It seems that you have found the fountain
of youth.  I haven't seen you look like that since you left Jurai.  So,
what's your secret?" he smiled.
"Azaka," Yosho said levelly  "You are acting like the guardian I knew as
a child.  In fact, you were personally assigned to guard me.  You always
had a sense of humor, but I would have thought that it would have gotten
better.  I guess I was wrong, you are still as inept as you were seven
hundred years ago."
"You noticed as well, huh?" Kamidake remarked dryly. "Unlike you, I have
had to put up with it for thirty thousand years." He sighed.
"Shut up, Kamidake." Azaka said sourly.
"I'm surrounded by little boys." Achika commented, amusement clearly
evident. "When are you guys going to grow up?"
They all looked at her with injured expressions.  She only smiled at
them and turned around.  She began to walk to the house, planning to
spend some time with Noboyuki.
"Hey Achika, where are you going?" Kamidake asked.
"I'm going home, to spend time with Noboyuki." She continued to walk on,
hearing a few comments given by Azaka, followed by gales of laughter.
"Men!" she sighed to herself.
"Yes they tend to be a problem, don't they?" came a woman's voice.
"Especially when their sense of humor comes in.  Right my daughter?"
Achika stopped when she heard the voice.  She turned to look a
blonde-haired woman in the eye.  She saw the blue surrounding the purple
irises, but she knew that voice, and that face. "Mother." She said.
The woman smiled at her daughter. "It is interesting to meet you again,
considering that you died fifteen years ago."
Achika smiled. "And it's interesting to meet you, Tokimi.  Besides, I
thought you died thirty-some years ago."
"A necessary time, my daughter.  I was on Earth trying to learn about
the people." She laughed. "It is ironic that I fell in love with one who
would become my enemy.  Now I realize what Kagato felt when he began to
help those who once fought against him."
"Why are you here anyway?"
"To talk to you all, nothing more."
"Then let's head to the house." She turned and started walking.
Tokimi nodded and followed her daughter.  She could feel her ambitions
begin to wane as she strolled down the familiar countryside.  For some
reason, she didn't care.

Teran walked down the steps, running into Yosho and the guardians. 
Sasami and Kiyone were a few feet behind him, talking about female
things. I'll never understand them, he thought to himself.  He looked at
Yosho, who was still leaving the illusion off.  He listened as Azaka
made some snide comment about Achika and Noboyuki spending time
together, which sent the other two into gales of laughter.  He smiled
and waked down to the chortling men.
"Hey Teran," Yosho shouted. "What are you doing here?  I would have
thought that Sasami and Kiyone would be keeping you busy for a while
yet."
Teran shot his future brother-in-law a cold stare. "Well, Yosho, we
talked about the marriage arrangements and what's going to happen on
Kiral.  I do believe that you know about Sasami's pregnancy."
"Yes, I do." Yosho commented.
"Congratulations." Azaka said, slapping Teran on the back.
"So, what were you guys laughing at earlier?" Teran asked. "I caught a
few words, but not everything."
He listened patiently while Azaka retold what he said.  Teran looked at
the man and said. "Azaka, that is sick." He laughed. "Probably true, but
sick."
"I'm glad that you appreciate it." Azaka replied. "A good sense of humor
is hard to find these days.  I often have to make up jokes and other
things that are not funny, before others begin to laugh."
"It's probably because your jokes aren't funny in the first place,
Azaka." Kamidake replied.  He smiled when Azaka shot him an annoyed
look.
"What isn't funny?" came Sasami's voice.
"Azaka's jokes, princess." Kamidake commented.
"I see.  Teran, Kiyone and I have a few things to say to you." she shot
him a mischievous look. "Maybe more than say."
Teran smiled, and glared at Azaka, Kamidake, and Yosho. "Don't even go
there." He said coldly when Azaka opened his mouth, which was promptly
shut.  He turned and walked to Sasami and Kiyone.  They turned and began
to walk when he reached them.
They walked up the stairs for a few minutes, turning off a side path. 
Teran stopped and waited while Sasami and Kiyone turned and faced him. 
He could clearly see their eye due to the moonlight, but their faces
seemed to be lost in shadow.
"All right, what's up?" he asked.
Kiyone smiled, but Teran immediately saw that something was amiss.  His
eyes narrowed, and he sent his mind out.  He made contact, and
immediately saw through the illusion.  A smile played it's way across
his face as he began to speak to them.  The range of languages he used
was impressive.
"Enough of this charade, you two." He spoke. "Where are Sasami and
Kiyone."
"They are safe Teran." The fake Sasami replied. "I have to say, I'm
impressed.  You know several languages."
"Learning a second language is mandatory in American education, but I
decided to learn several.  It is a very useful skill."
"I see.  Now, the two you are concerned about have not been harmed. 
They are waiting for you in a world we have created.  We are going to
test you three in combat, as will we test the others."
"So, God and Lucifer have reached an agreement.  They will test us for
the battle against Tokimi and see if we are ready.  Otherwise, there
will be war."
"Yes."
"Then let's go, but realize this, Tokimi is already here." He smiled at
their reactions. "She just wants to talk, but I already know how things
will turn out.  Either Kain will control her, or her ambitions will
control her.  Time will tell."
The fake Kiyone nodded. "Then let's be off." she said in Japanese.
Teran nodded and noticed the world change about him.  Everything
vanished, until there was nothing but a void surrounding them and a
platform that they were on.  He looked toward the two beings, seeing
that they had already shed their disguises.  In his mind they resembled
angels from the paintings he had seen, but there were subtle
differences.  One was garbed in black, while the other was in white, but
both were female.
"I am Valkyrie." The one in white said.
 "I am Arai." The one in black said.
"Where are Sasami and Kiyone?" he asked them.
Valkyrie looked at him. "Behind you."
He turned and saw that she was right.  They were standing not ten feet
from his position.  Sasami was in her respective armor, with her two
swords.  He idly noted that they changed to suit the situation.  She was
holding two katanas, instead of a katana and a scimitar.  He then looked
at Kiyone.  She was in a blue colored armor suit.  In her hands was a
spear.  The shaft was about five feet long, culminating with a foot long
blade.  Two smaller blades jutted from the base; both of them curved
back to run six inches down the shaft.  It was obviously designed for
stabbing and slashing, but the shaft could easily stun an opponent.
He looked at the two women a second time, seeing ornate circlets around
their heads.  Sasami's was explainable, since she uses Tsunami's
powers.  Kiyone's looked like a platinum band with three sapphires
forming a triangle in the center.  Her blue eyes shined like the jewels.
"How are you two?" he asked them.
"We're fine, Teran." Sasami replied.
"Kiyone?"
"Ditto."
"Good."
"Well now," came a voice from behind. "I see that everyone's here."
"Father." Teran said coldly.  He turned to look Althair in the eye. "Let
me guess, you are the one who will test me?"
Althair smiled at his son. "Yes, I will fight you, Valkyrie will fight
Sasami, and Arai will fight Shara.  There will be no losers here.  As of
now, we are all equal in power and strength."
"It figures, each fighter specializes in a different form of combat.  I
specialize in heavy hand weapons; Sasami fights with two blades; and
Kiyone fights with  weapons of the lance variety.  An even match, but
not a winning combination."
"You know how to win?" Valkyrie scoffed. "How?"
"Give me a second." He replied to the now impatient woman paying her no
heed as he walked to Sasami and Kiyone.
"What is it?" Sasami asked.
Teran took out the circlet that he received less than an hour ago.  He
looked at the circlet, then at Sasami. "We cannot fight them at the same
time.  If we do, they will know our tactics and defeat us.  I will start
it off with my father, then I will move on to Valkyrie, and then Arai. 
Sasami, when I move to Valkyrie, you will move in and take my father on,
and then move to Valkyrie when I  move.  Kiyone, that will be your cue
to come in.  We will keep moving from one fighter to another until they
yield, or we do."
"Teran," Kiyone said. "you said that we can't fight them and win."
He sighed. "Kiyone," he said calmly. "what I meant, was that we can't
fight them in the order they are set up for a protracted period of
time..  If we change from one to the other, they will have to adapt to
out fighting styles.  The only problem is, we have to change our weapons
to theirs for it to work.  Broadsword, katanas, spear.  They will not
have one fighting style to deal with, but several.  Just as we have to."
"I see," she replied. "We take them in order, but they have to deal with
us in order.  Althair gets three fresh opponents to deal with the first
wave, so he will be the first to tire.  Arai will have the advantage
though.  We will be tired from the other two, but with the switching,
she will become confused by the tactic.  It is a winning combo, but only
if we pull it off, right?."
Teran smiled at her and nodded.  He materialized his armor, but didn't
summon the lighthawk wings to reinforce it.  He opened his palm and a
ball of energy formed.  He closed it, and a blade materialized.  He
turned to his father.
"Let's begin." He said and charged.
Althair barely managed to get his sword up in time.  As it was, he was
pushed back by the force of the blow.  He swung his sword, but found it
blocked by a different sword.  He looked up to see pink eyes set in
determination.  They quickly vanished and were replaced by blue eyes. 
The attack delivered by her tore the sword from his grip.  He leapt back
and smiled as dark energy began to form around him.

Valkyrie was caught unprepared by the sudden attack.  She saw Althair
block the poorly aimed strike and then had to suddenly evade two katanas
that went through a series of slashes that ended in a low thrust by both
blades.  She barely had time to think before she had to defend herself
again.  This time it was Sasami that delivered the attack.  She quickly
saw the pattern and attacked.  As she expected, Kiyone blocked it with
two blades.  She retreated and took up a defensive position.

Arai saw Teran's tactic and easily blocked the thrust to her gut.  She
smiled as her attack was blocked by Sasami and Kiyone took her place.  A
series attack.  Hit and run, only to attack another and return.  She had
often used it to confuse her opponents, and it always worked.  She kept
that smile as Teran attacked her again.  She did notice that they always
attacked their opponent with the same weapon the person used.  Good.

Teran dodged the spear as it came.  He thrust his spear in and headed
for his father.  He stopped as he saw the dark energy gathering nearby. 
He saw that the present tactic will not work for another pass.  He
gathered his energy and let it flow through him.  He felt it flare
around him, but he didn't stop there.  Seven lighthawk wings began to
circle him.  As he gathered more, he felt something in him change.  Not
considering the implications, he pulled it into himself.

Sasami watched as light engulfed Teran.  When it faded, he was no longer
wearing the same armor.  Instead, he wore a different type.  It was the
armor of light that he wore in the fight against Tetrel and D3.  The
sword was pure light.  She knew what this meant.  There were truly no
limits.  She gathered her power and concentrated.  She let it loose and
let it pass through her.  The lighthawk wings surrounded her and began
to pulsate.

Kiyone saw what Teran and Sasami were doing and began to gather vast
amounts of energy.  She felt her mind open as the last of the barriers
vanished.  She began to glow an iridescent blue.  She closed her eyes
and let the growing power loose.  She felt her body burn as it left her.
She opened her eyes and saw a blue field surround her.  She pulled it in
and a new armor formed.  It was still colored blue, but it now resembled
plate mail.  The platinum band was still there, but the sapphires glowed
with power.  She opened her hand and materialized a sword of pure
energy.  She concentrated and it changed into a bluish metal with a
silver inlaid crossguard and hilt.  She looked at Teran and Sasami.
"Ready?" she asked them.
They nodded in unison.
"Then let's go." She then charged at Arai, who had modified her spear to
fit the new circumstances.

Althair watched the three warriors change as their powers neared their
fullest.  He began to reassess the situation at hand.  Teran was now
twice as powerful as he was when the fight began.  Sasami practically
glowed with power.  Kiyone, although he still thought of her as Shara,
equaled him, and she was not even near her full potential.
"Yuzuha." He called mentally.
"What?" came the acid reply.
"Prepare to combine our powers.  If we lose this battle, we will be
independent of each other, but that is not the full reason.  We will
need all the power at our disposal to even equal Teran.  He is nearing
his peak, so he is very dangerous."
"Got you on that one." She replied. "Ready?"
Althair hardened his face. "Go."
Dark energy began to coalesce around him as several shapes that looked
like the lighthawk wings, but darker, appeared.  Althair himself changed
as the energy flowed through him.  He no longer appeared as the
dark-haired man that was Teran's father, but he became like a constantly
shifting shadow.  Where the eyes were, twin blood-red orbs appeared. 
Finally the dark wings closed around the shape.  When they closed,
Althair appeared, but his form was overlaid by an ethereal, vaguely
humanoid shape.  The armor formed was similar to Teran's, except that it
seemed to draw in light.
"Come then, my son.  Let us finish this fight." he said, his voice
echoing as though two had spoken. 
Teran saw all of this and recognized what had happened.  He had long
suspected that his father had to have had another consciousness inside
his mind, but wasn't sure.  Now he was, and he knew who it was.
"Then let's begin father," he said. "Yuzuha, prepare for battle."
Althair grinned, but the ethereal shape began to solidify.  When the
reply came, it was not his father's voice. "Come then, Teran, lord of
the Tarel family." One dark wing came away from the armor and formed a
black sword.  The dual being saluted as it gripped the sword and took a
ready stance.
Teran raised his sword and saluted in reply.  He took a modified stance
that he used to attack with.  Before a second could even pass, he
charged in, his form blurring as the distance closed.  However, as he
swung the sword, he found nothing but air.  He had missed his father,
but not by much.  Their speeds were matched.  Letting his instincts
guide him, he leaped into the air.  He felt the air move as his father's
sword passed where he was.  He turned to counterattack, but was instead
thrown back by a bolt of energy.  He got to his feet and readied
himself.  Althair charged in and gave a series of slashes and thrusts. 
Each attack was parried and Teran began his run.  He charged in with his
sword blazing and the lighthawk wings extended.

Sasami dodged the power blast that Valkyrie sent her way.  With Teran,
Kiyone, and her using this much energy, Valkyrie and Arai let their
visages fade.  When the light subsided, Valkyrie was covered in golden
armor and her two blades reflected the light the came from the direction
of Teran and his father.  Sasami immediately noted that Valkyrie was
much faster and stronger than before, but so was she.
She charged up any available energy and threw a Valkyrie.  She went in
behind the glowing mass and struck Valkyrie as she moved to dodge the
blast.  It was a glancing blow, but it served its purpose.  
Valkyrie was infuriated.  She had a nasty cut across her face and that
upstart princess was unharmed.  She gathered in her energy and began to
smile.

Kiyone and Arai were licked in combat.  Both were moving at speeds close
to the speed of light, but neither were able to score a hit.  As they
fought, they became more and more powerful.  Finally, Kiyone let loose
the pent up power in her.
It left her as a wave of pure energy.  Arai saw it coming and put her
shield up, hoping that it would hold.  It didn't.
Pain lanced through her body as the uncontrolled fury of Kiyone's attack
went through her.  As quickly as the attack came, it subsided.  Arai was
laying on the ground, breathing heavily.  She could feel a wet and
sticky spot on her side as blood flowed from a wound created in the
blast..
She tried to rise, but she immediately collapsed from the pain.  She saw
a shadow cover her.  Bearing the pain, she looked into Kiyone's eyes.
"Finish it." she said through gritted teeth.
Kiyone looked at the wounded woman, not letting any emotion play across
her face.
"What are you waiting for?" Arai asked.
"For you to get some sense into your head." Kiyone replied coldly.
"Where is your honor, Shara?"
"Shara died twenty thousand years ago, Arai.  I am just her clone.  I
was raised on a different world, with different codes of honor." She
turned her head in Teran's direction. "Look at Teran.  He is also a
clone, but he took the original name because he wanted to restore it. 
He has fought Kirallians for the last five months, and he was appalled
by their concepts of honor.  He fought them for the sake of their honor,
but he refused to kill one of them, she killed herself."
"Shara, I am Kirallian." Arai interrupted. "I am of the Tarma family. 
We were once allies of the Tarel's, but when the family was destroyed,
we did not come to their aid.  If you have to kill me, kill me for
that."  Tears began to stream down her face.
Kiyone looked at the woman.  She understood what honor meant to these
people, but she also knew that loyalty was at the heart of that honor. 
She hardened her face as she prepared to do what was necessary.  She
resolutely raised her sword.  With a savage downward strike, she buried
the sword next to Arai's head.
"Arai," she said evenly. "it is not my position to take your life.  The
decision to kill you will be up to Teran, he is the one you must talk
to."
"I see, then I wish him luck.  Althair is more powerful than before."
There was a hint of doubt in her voice.
"I have no doubts on who will win." Kiyone replied confidently.
"Neither do I, but if they don't hurry, I'll be dead."
Kiyone then noticed the ragged wound on the woman's side.  She knelt
down and pressed her hand over the wound, ignoring the groans of pain
coming from Arai.

The lighthawk wings clashed against their counterparts as Teran
charged.  The backlash of the conflicting energies lanced out in every
direction.  Realizing that this was a futile effort, he broke off the
attack.  He moved back a distance and began to gather in all the energy
he could handle.  Since a direct attack would not work, he decided to
focus the full extent of his powers at one point and barrel through the
shields that were in place.  He let the lighthawk wings appear and his
armor vanished.  Merging his Kirallian powers with those of his Juraian
ancestry and the powers he inherited from his mother, he formed an
iridescent ball of energy.
As he gathered more energy, the lighthawk wings began to circle around
his hand.  Finally, he gathered in all the power he could.  He raised
the hand over his head and froze the lighthawk wings in place.  His face
was a mask of determination as he lowered his arm to shoulder height. 
It was pointed straight at Althair.
"Go!" he shouted as he let the energy loose.
The ball of light flew out from his hand with the lighthawk wings
spiraling around it.  About halfway they converged and sped toward the
dual being that made up Teran's father.  The raised shield was battered
by the onslaught and quickly dissolved.  As it connected to the body,
two voices screamed in pain as the body vanished in the light.
When the light cleared, two forms were laying on the ground and
breathing heavily.  One was blonde-haired with blue eyes; while the
other had silver hair, blue skin, and red eyes.  The attack delivered by
Teran separated the two beings.  Both looked up at Teran.
"Well, my son," congratulated Althair. "you have indeed grown strong. 
Maybe you will be victorious after all."
"You are more powerful than I had thought possible." Yuzuha remarked.
"That doesn't matter to me now though.  I have a royal family to
destroy." With that, she vanished.
Althair looked at the spot where Yuzuha stood. "Well," he grumbled.
"she's off to Jurai.  I doubt that she will have much luck though."
Teran was about to reply, but the sounds of fighting drew near.  He
turned to see Sasami and Valkyrie fighting each other like hornets.

Sasami blocked the dual bladed attack and swung her blades at Valkyrie's
head.  As they were blocked she placed her left leg between Valkyrie's
legs and quickly circled.  Not to be bested, Valkyrie swept Sasami's
legs as she fell.  Both women landed with an unceremonious thump.
Sasami immediately rose and leapt away.  Valkyrie was about to give
pursuit when she had to block Sasami's blades from behind.  She turned
and delivered a series of slashes at Sasami.  Sasami kept falling back,
but not because she was being pushed back.  She saw how Teran and Kiyone
defeated their opponents.  She was busy gathering all of her available
energy and putting it into her swords.  Finally, she leapt back and
dissolved her armor and pulled the lighthawk wings in.  Like Teran and
Kiyone, her body was taking in forces that no true mortal could safely
handle.  She was hardly a true mortal.
She pointed her swords at Valkyrie and let the energy loose.  It left as
twin bolts of power that sped for Valkyrie, who had raised a shield to
ward off the attack.  The bolts arced in and struck the shield with the
force of a dying star.  Valkyrie gritted her teeth and held the shield
up as long as she could.  When it finally collapsed, the bolts struck
her with far less power that what Althair and Arai had to deal with.  As
it was, her body froze in place as every fiber in her body felt as if it
were being torn apart.  She screamed as the pain intensified and then
subsided.
She looked up to see that her head was between Sasami's blades.  She saw
the expression on the woman's face and prepared for death.  Thus she was
taken aback by Sasami's question.
"Do you yield?"
She looked up, her face a blank mask.   She stared into Sasami's pink
eyes and gave her reply. "I do."
Sasami lowered her blades, but didn't let her gaze wander.  She knew
that many warriors were killed because they believed that their opponent
yielded.  She kept that gaze there until Valkyrie made her weapons
disappear.
"You, princess Sasami are a great warrior." She congratulated. "May we
meet again someday."  She turned and began to walk away.
"Live and fight strong, Valkyrie" Sasami replied.
Valkyrie stopped and turned her head to Sasami. "You too.  Remember, we
will meet again." She turned around again and vanished.
Sasami remained there, staring at where Valkyrie disappeared.  Finally,
she closed her eyes and turned away.

Althair looked at his son.  He could not believe the amount of power
that boy possessed.  He could feel Teran's scrutiny, as they looked into
each others eyes.  Finally, he smiled and teleported back to Tokimi's
ship.  He did not want to explain his actions to his son.  Besides, he
has chosen his path, and he will stick to it.

Kiyone watched as Teran and his father shared one last look.  Teran
turned and walked toward her, with Sasami falling in step with him when
he passed her position.  They stopped about five feet from her and
stayed there.
"Teran," she said. "she needs help." She knelt down next to the wounded
Arai and pressed her hand on the wound.
Teran and Sasami came and knelt down beside her.  Teran gave a low
whistle when he saw the wound.  He checked Arai for life signs and
whistled again.  He saw Kiyone look at him in response.
"This is bad, Kiyone." He offered as an explanation. "I have seen enough
wounds like this to know that she should have been dead long before I
got here.  As it is, she will need heavy regenerative treatment to
survive.  I will heal what I can, but this is beyond my skills.  If we
can get her to Funaho, she might recover.  Now move aside."
He gently pushed Kiyone out of the way and laid his hand on the wound.
"Arai," he told the woman. "this is going to hurt like a son of a
bitch.  Sasami, Kiyone, hold her down."
He gathered his powers, but changed the matrix from one of fighting, to
one of healing.  He let the energies enter the wound.  Arai screamed in
pain as her body tried to convulse and lash out.  Sasami and Kiyone held
on until the shock rendered the woman unconscious.  Teran let the
energies flow for a little more time and stopped.  The wound, although
still open, was not as ragged and the bleeding slowed to a trickle.
He stood up and wiped his hands off on his shirt.  He looked at Sasami
and Kiyone and nodded.  They gathered near and he concentrated on the
location he wanted and teleported.  The only mark left, was a small pool
of blood.

They appeared in front of the house, startling Yosho and Noboyuki. 
Sasami ran past them as soon as she got her bearings.  Shortly after
Funaho came running out and was standing next to Teran.  She gasped at
the severity of the wound.
"Teran," she said. "I have not seen many wounds this bad.  If you hadn't
done your best at healing her, the shock of teleportation would have
been fatal.  As it is, my healing may not be able to help her."
"I understand." he replied.
Funaho nodded and knelt down next to Arai.  She checked for signs of
life and began the healing process.  She silently thanked any god who
would listen that the woman was unconscious.  The pain form healing
alone could have killed her.
She kept on transferring the healing energies, being careful not to
drain herself.  It took about three minutes, but it was complete.  The
wound had closed, and there was not much of a scar to say that the wound
was fresh.
She cut the flow of energy and put her hands on the ground.  She was
covered with a fine sheen of sweat and breathing heavily, but otherwise
fine.  She looked at Teran and nodded.
"That," she said proudly. "shows how much stronger than men we women
are."
Teran chuckled. "And what does our mighty woman want to do?"
"Return home and get some sleep.  It may not look like it, but healing
someone is tiring work."
"Amen to that." He was about to say more when he felt something.  He
turned around and saw that Kiyone's balance was a little askew.  She
looked up at him and then collapsed.  Teran ran up to her and scanned
her body.  He gave a sigh of relief that she was alive.  He then began
to spit out one vile oath after another.
"Teran!" came Funaho's shocked voice.
He quickly stopped his eloquent tirade and turned to Funaho. "Sorry, I
didn't expect this, although I should have.  She has used more power
than her body can handle.  She has gone into hibernation so that she can
adapt.  It will be a few weeks before she wakes up."
"I see."
Teran began to walk into the house.  He will have to gather everybody
and tell them what's going on.  Then he will take them all to Jurai,
whether they want to, or not.  A feral smile began to appear on his face
as he considered what their reactions are going to be.

Author's Note: Damn!  That was a long one wasn't it?  Now I plan to tie
up the last of the loose ends in the next part.  Teran and Kiyone go to
Kiral, with Arai's aid.  The rest begin to make plans for the coming
war, while Tokimi explains a few things to Achika, before returning to
her ship.  Not a bad haul.  You do realize that I plan to have Mayuka
and Yuzuha fight, right?  Good.