The Powers That Be (OVA IV) by K'thardin Standard Disclaimer: Hey AIC! Get a clue would ya?! Make another OVA series. If you want I'll write it for you! And if you don't want me to do it there are others who would gladly take the assignment. Anyway I don't own Tenchi Muyo! However I do own my characters and some of their histories. If you can't tell the difference I suggest you watch the OVA's, so you don't confuse yourself. Authors Forward: Well here it is folks. The sequel I've been threatening to write. It takes place a couple of months after Aftermath. This one is going to be...rather different for me. Has a lot more intrigue. I hope I'm able to pull it off. In any case it's going to be fun! And now it's time for... Conspiracies "No it isn't that Nixon was a crook, all presidents are like that. It's that he got caught." -Barf ("You Can't Do That On Television") Space is a really big place. Take, for example, the nearest star from Earth; Alpha Centauri. Alpha Centauri is somewhere around four light-years away from Earth. That means traveling at the speed of light it would take 4 years to get there. That translates out to approximately 5,869,713,600,000 miles. That is a lot of miles. Now, with other stars similar distances away this means there is even more space. Now take into account there are approximately 100 million stars in a given galaxy; and galaxies themselves being quite a few million light-years from each other. As for the exact number of galaxies...who knows. This doesn't even begin to count the quite possibly infinite number of other realms in the universe. As you can see there is a lot of space to get lost in. There is also a lot of space in which certain... mishaps can occur. This did not overly concern the Juraian supply convoy as it came out of hyper space near one of it's empire's planets, located on one of the remote outer rims of the Milky Way galaxy. After all they among the most technologically advanced civilizations in known space. They had the tree-form ships that had an almost instinctive knowledge of how to navigate in hyperspace to all destinations in the universe. Individual ships had power enough to destroy entire worlds. Nothing could match them for power or maneuverability. And if something did come along that could out do them in those areas...they had something only one other empire in the universe (and that one was recently destroyed) had. Their ships could call upon the nearly indestructible shield of the Light Hawk Wings. This would normally be true; except in this case it was a supply convoy. Which meant quite simply these ships were standard ships of metal and circuitry, tweaked a little by Juraian bio- technology. Still they were a Juraian convoy, and therefore, under the protection of that empire. All this amounted to absolutely nothing as a group of completely unmarked ships with the appearance of small bats; blacker than the space they flew in appeared from behind this worlds moon and destroyed the supply ships and their escorts, before anyone knew they were there. The man known only as X laughed. He had watched the destruction of the supply convoy from a vantage point on the Juraian outpost's moon. And it had gone exactly as he knew it would. Without a hitch. Gone before they even had time to detect their presence. So far that's over 20, X thought. People are going to be without their normal amenities all over the galaxy. Nothing too major, just a big pain in the ass. Which is even worse than depriving them totally. No, if I did that the nobility would unite under a common cause; to find and obliterate the menace. So it is best to be simply...irritating. He shifted a little in his cloak and tapped a few buttons on the terminal in front of him. A holoscreen appeared in front of him to reveal a humanoid looking figure, garbed similarly to him. Cloaked in black all over; even the eyes hidden by some kind of visor. The clothing itself was made of materials that would absorb most thermal and x-ray scans, also it set up a weak subspace distortion field, effectively screwing up other types of scanners. To overcome it would fry the person inside before you discovered his identity. The visor was really an electronic connection to a small video input system on the top of the visor itself. So in essence what the person saw was a small TV picture. Again if you wanted to scan him through that; you would fry him before you found out his identity. It accomplished the purpose for which it was intended. Keep your identity secret, until death. "What is the next mission?" The man on the screens voice was cold raspy. Not a trace of light could be found in the darkness it projected. X smiled to himself. These guys are easily manipulated. They hate Jurai so much they'll do anything to hurt it. They don't even realize they are being used. He tapped another set of buttons on the control console next to him. On the other side of the screen a crystal materialized in front of the man. It hovered there momentarily as the man studied it. Reaching up he took it. Pulling it down, he plugged it into his own computer terminal, causing a secondary holoscreen to appear above the one he was using to converse with X. Scanning the contents, it almost appeared he started...frowning. "Very well. This had better accomplish what you say it will." "But of course it will. Irritate the different factions of Jurai a little...play on their hatred of each other...place a few tidbits of false info in the right places, stage a few miscellaneous pirate raids for further pains, mix well and serve! Instant discord in the empire. That's what you want right? You want them hurt! You want them suffering." X's voice was turning into something even the man on the screen was becoming afraid of. "You'll get it." The man took a moment to collect himself. Is this man a person or evil personified? Finally recovering, he spoke. "That is exactly what we want. Out." The connection between the two ship was cut. X laughed. Yes, so very easy to use. Your new cloaked ships are perfect for the job. Only a tree ship could see through them. And we're not stupid enough to challenge one of them. Even if we did manage to destroy it; we'd bring the wrath of the empire and that means Tsunami down on us. No, this must be done carefully. We must turn the senate itself against each other, and most importantly, make sure that the emperor can't do anything about it. And he won't be able to. I will make sure that he doesn't get any information fast enough to react in time to it. If that doesn't work, I might have to take a chance and attempt his assassination. It doesn't need to be death, only incapacitation. As long as it can't be traced back to me...heh, heh. Yet how to keep both you and Funahou distracted. Funahou is a grand master of the game of intrigue. She has proven a worthy adversary over the years, but now that I've finally infiltrated her near impenetrable spy network there is nothing she can do that I won't know about. He leaned back heavily and began drumming his fingers on the console as he considered his options. Hmmm...I've been hearing some things from a few of my spies on Terra. If what they tell me is true...the princess Sasami will be the key to all this. I will have to confirm it, but if it is true, THEY will have no mercy on her. I will have the leverage I will need to make him abdicate. Yoshou will never come back, and Tenchi will never be accepted as heir. A vote will occur. And I know just how that'll turn out. I'm just too damn good! The resulting laugh would have chilled Satan's beard. On the planet of Earth, in a large home on the isle of Japan; others were engaged in their own conspiracies; unknowing of the future threat they would be facing. All these plans in the forming having to do with a young cosmic being just here recently come to his full power. Almost just as recently, he had been forced to use this power in the preservation of the life of the universe, as we know it. Now however, the situation as it was before was back. And just as the way it was; he was clueless as to what was going to happen to him. Presently, two of those closely involved with the conspiracy in question were conversing in private room of one of the previously mentioned conspirators. Both were sitting down in a kneeling position, facing each other across a makeshift coffee table; drinking tea. A few months ago this would have been prelude to a battle; though while not serious enough to result in death, would have resulted in some serious destruction of the surrounding area. This was not the case this time. There was a strange anticipation in the room. It was so thick you couldn't cut it with a chainsaw. The purple-headed one clothed in a simple Juraian Kimono, glanced at her companion, a buxom woman of very long spiked cyan hair and golden cat like eyes, and decided that now would be the perfect time. Because if she didn't do this now, she wasn't sure if she would get up the guts later. Setting her tea down demurely, everything she did was demure and refined, betraying her training as a member of royalty, she began. "There have been many changes in this household, have there not?" Setting down her own tea roughly almost in counter to the princesses gentile, the other woman spoke. "Yes. Is this what you wanted to talk about Ayeka?" "Sort of." Answered the one named Ayeka. "As you may have noticed Ryouko almost all problems concerning a certain someone have either been redirected, destroyed, or just outright vanished." Ryouko snorted. "I assume you are talking about Tenchi." Ayeka nodded. "Yes, having my brother's family come live with us has taken away most of the rivals to his affections; if that is what you are saying." Still feel really sorry for my brother though. His problems are a little more complex than simple love interests. She laughed a little when she thought of that. I don't think you are going to be able to keep one of your beliefs for very much longer as pissed off as I saw Sasami yesterday. That's going to be fun to watch. Damn, wish I had some sake with this Tea. Wait a sec...I'll just grab some from my stash in subspace. Gotta admit, this new power of mine comes in real handy at times. On that thought, she reached through reality causing an almost water-like rippling distortion in the air, and pulled back a bottle labeled 'Demon Dance' in Kanji. Uncorking it she downed a swig in one smooth motion, and passed the bottle to her purple trussed companion. "And with his power under his complete control, not to mention that business with Tokimi out of the way...yep, that pretty much wraps things up." Finishing her drink, Ayeka passed the bottle back to Ryouko. "Yes. Except one thing." Ryouko looked at her expectantly as she downed the rest of the liquor. "Us." Ryouko nodded as she lowered the bottle. "Us." she agreed. She passed the bottle, and put her hands under chin. Sitting back slightly she began considering all the ramifications of what they were discussing here. THIS was the where the future between them would be decided. At least how they would go about their part. Tenchi would have to decided his. 'Course Tenchi and decision... not exactly true. Not anymore anyway. Still he would not hurt that which he loved if he could help it. And that was the real kicker here, as much as she hated to admit it he loved both of the women in this room. She had seen the looks in his eyes too many times to deceive herself into thinking otherwise. Yet he would not hurt either by choosing one above the other. So they were stuck at an impasse. "So I guess the first thing we need to ask is where do you want to start this conversation?" Ayeka nodded thoughtfully. "Yes. That would be best." Ryouko pulled another bottle of Sake out from her subspace pocket, taking a swig she passed it to the princess. "How about we start with what we think about each other?" Ryouko started slightly. Our feelings for...she doesn't mean...no she decided upon further study of the princess. She's asking this question honestly. What do I feel about her? Bitch at times. Stuck up, unfeeling, ice cold...no. That's just the part of me that is competing with her for Tenchi. She is stuck up, but she has learned over the years how much that hurts the others she cares about. Ice cold? No. She loves this family, she's risked her life time and again for it. Even for me. As I have for her. Bitch? Aren't we all? Ryouko thought in amusement. "Sure." She said finally. Ayeka drank a few swallows of the Sake, and passed it back. "Then I'll go first." What? And here I had all my thoughts set up too. Well if you must. "Ryouko do you know how much I hated you when I first saw you?" Can you imagine? "You attacked my world! You killed my people! You nearly killed me and my family! And as for Sasami..." Ryouko's face became a storm cloud. She nearly blew up if not for what Ayeka said next. "Let me finish! But you know what? I found out later you were under the control of Kagato. And I didn't hate you for any of that any longer." Ryouko nodded. "But what I did hate you for was taking my...fiancé from me!" Ayeka damn near cracked up laughing. Ryouko was confused. She figured Ayeka would still be pissed off over that one. Whatever relationship she had with Yoshou now must have changed those feelings too. "But you gave me the chance to meet Tenchi. And for that, I'm in your debt." She finished softly. "For everything you have done since then, for being there for all of us, for being my...yes being my friend even..." Ryouko's eyes widened at the pronouncement. Her friend? She looked the princess in her scarlet eyes, and saw the truth of what Ayeka just said. "I have never really had one before." Ayeka explained answering Ryouko's unspoken question. "I really needed one. Thank you." She said simply. Mihoshi says it best when she says, 'I'm so moved!' Ryouko thought. Because yes she was moved. More than words...no. She could do the same. "I suppose I could say when I first met you, the word Bitch came to mind, among other things." Ayeka kept a straight face and nodded. Ryouko ran her fingers through her wealth of long cyan hair shifting it into a more comfortable position as she downed some of the sake. Going to have to talk to mom about her definition of more powerful. I look like Goku at SSJ Level 3! "And when I saw Tenchi getting attached to you, I can say I felt more than a little resentment. I had watched him all his life, I had known him longer than any of you...I had loved him...and then all you came...even mom fell for him..." Her lips began to tighten and tears began trickling down her cheeks. Ayeka reached over to, "NO!" Ryouko yelled. "I let you finish, now you let me!" Ayeka nodded, and sat down. "I can say I haven't felt more alone in my life, yet you were all still here. You were all still my family, you came for me when Octopus head took me, and you came for me when...Kagato took me." Ryouko had grown quiet at the last. Ayeka knew Kagato had left her a message and something about what he had said, had changed her views on Kagato. Whatever it was had troubled Ryouko a great deal, yet she wouldn't talk about it. Well all in good time, we have that now. "Well I hadn't had a family in a very long time, so long that only now have I begun to remember the first time. It feels good. And I must say..." She wiped her tears with her sleeve, "That you, that all of you, I love you all. And I wouldn't trade anything for what I have now." Ayeka reached over and put a comforting hand on Ryouko. "I suppose now we have to figure out what to do about Tenchi." "I don't want to go back to fighting for him like we were before." She began finally. "He...really doesn't like it when we do that. I don't want to hurt him like that anymore." Ayeka nodded her head in acceptance. No hurting him like that was not an option. And it shamed her that she had many times done just that. That they had both done just that. "I really like what we have now." Ryouko glanced down, almost shyly really, then glanced back up looking her companion straight in her crimson eyes. "You drink pretty well, and I've taught you to swear with the best of them. You are all right princess. I consider you my sister, just like Sasami." Ayeka barely refrained from laughing. Sister huh? You have no idea how true I hope that becomes one day. "Ryouko...I feel the same. More than I have said. More than I can say even now. " They both shared a single moment of total warm and fuzzy before the princess pressed on. This needed taken care of. "Now I feel comfortable in telling you this." Something about Ayeka's demeanor changed. Ryouko had seen it before. It was that of a merchant or even a spy or government employee when a proposal was about to be given, or a deal made. Something was up. Ryouko shifted her legs to indian style, and crossed her arms before her ample bosom and waited for this with a smirk on her face. Whatever this was something told her this was going to be good. "Tenchi is a man of Jurai..." She looked at Ryouko, attempting to discern what she was thinking. All she felt was a begging to continue. "and as such there are certain laws of which I feel could be beneficial to rectifying our situation. Assuming you have no objections." Ayeka finished smiling. "Well," Ryouko snapped impatiently, "Tell me!" she commanded as she handed back the nearly finished bottle of Sake. Ayeka's finished the bottle and smiled a smile that almost mirrored her sister Sasami's. One of total deviousness. Waking up is a chore of epic proportions. First, your body begins to speed up, drawing in more fuel to allow for mobility and the systems that support mobility. Second, your eyes open and most of the time light comes blaring in, assaulting your mind with images that the conscious mind is not yet prepared to deal with yet. In fact, the general statement is: "Ugghhh. Make it stop." Ugh is a useful word. A lot can be done with it. It can be used for any tense, and for almost any verb and noun. The sentence 'Make it stop.' is actually a semi-prayer to whoever it is that listens to these things to please quit making me think this early in the morning. Needless to say, this is rarely a prayer that is answered. So, as the mind begins to warm up, the body is put on automatic to take care of certain...early morning duties. Most of which the person in question had no need for anymore. Yes, it is sometimes good being what I am, Tenchi Masaki thought as he arose from bed. Almost immediately his mind finally registered something his nose had been sending impulses to the brain for. Someone was cooking something wonderful. His mouth began to water, however his stomach did not rumble. For he needed food about as much as he needed to piss. Which was to say he did not. However he could eat, if he wanted. And that was one pleasure he would not deny himself. That and his morning shower. So, it was off to the bathroom anyway. Almost immediately, he felt a twinge in his left shoulder. Damn. That battle with Tokimi did a number on me. For the most part his physical body was healed within hours of the fight's finish. However, a few of the other ways he existed would take longer to put itself back together. At least he wasn't in as bad a shape as Cyraqs. There were days that man looked like life itself was total hell. And with us beating the hell out of each other last night, I'm sure that didn't help matters either. He reached the bathroom door and paused before opening it. Tokimi. The greatest threat I have ever faced, but not even close to being the last. His thoughts returned to that fight. So much was destroyed. Those people weren't really alive, they had no souls, but now they're dead. I killed so many that day. Unbidden his thoughts went back to what became a rescue mission with Cyraqs when he went to get his family. Those people did have souls, lives, maybe even families. I killed them as coldly as I killed Kagato (well, sort of in his case), Yakage, and; his brow furrowed in anger momentarily, Tetran. Bastard killed father. Then he chuckled, course with who I have for a mother that didn't last very long. Sighing, he entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Within moments the sounds of a shower were heard to be on, and steam began pouring out of the cracks in the door. A youngish looking woman with raven black hair and brown eyes smiled as she continued chopping carrots. She shifted her kimono a little and spoke. "Tenchi's awake." she stated to her companions. Another young woman, who appeared to be around 16 or so with waist length long bright blue hair, pink within pink eyes, and a simple blue dress and apron looked up from the stove and returned the smile of her companion. "Yep." She brushed her long bangs out of her eyes revealing the double inverted triangles on her forehead. "Sure is Achika." She clenched her eyes as a wave of pain suddenly washed over her. The third of her four companions turned from washing the dishes and looked at her in motherly concern. "You alright little Sasami? Do you need me to get Washuu?" This one looked almost identical to the young woman. If you didn't know who the woman was you might mistake her for being the younger woman's older sister. While there was a family relationship, it was not what most would take it to be. Sasami gave her a negative nod. "No mommy. We'll be fine for a while. We're trying to control it ourselves without the drugs." There was a slight change in the young woman's mannerisms, nothing overly noticeable unless you knew the girl. Then you might ask what happened to her. The answer would be simply you are talking to someone else, and at the same time not someone else now. "You sure about that Tsunami?" The fourth one asked. This one was the strangest looking of them all. She, you could definitely tell it was a she, was covered all over her body by a brown coat of fur, her eyes and face were cat like in appearance, and her fangs flashed as they talked. Also, her massive amount of head hair was spiked up almost wire like. It was probably the only way it would stay out her eyes otherwise. Then again with the fur covering one would wonder why she bothered to wear the simple white dress that she had on. This was to keep the young cosmic being in question from collapsing in nose bleeds every time he encountered her. No tolerance, she concluded. "We are Ryo-ohki. Don't worry if it gets too bad we'll go ahead and talk to Washuu." Ryo-ohki nodded her head and went back to getting down plates for everyone, keeping a concerned eye on the girl as she worked. "I wonder if Cyraqs is getting up?" The older blue headed woman mused to herself. Or perhaps not, if one were to notice the slight smile that crossed her lips as she watched her daughter's reaction. Sasami gripped her spatula tighter, her eyes teared slightly, and her lips tightened. She was pissed. Achika looked at Sasami's mother in worry, she asked telepathically. Misaki smiled slightly. she replied. Misaki countered. Achika looked at Sasami, and she did wonder about that. One part of you is my younger sister, older than the stars themselves. The other is a girl, no more than maybe 11 years old, with the soul of someone much older. Are his reasons really that valid? she wondered. I don't know. Even after all this we still can't seem to get things right, can we great father? "Well he might be. Then again, who knows? Neither he nor my son have slept for a couple of months. I wish they wouldn't push themselves so hard." Sasami's attacked her stir fry with a vengeance as they continued to talk about the other cosmic being in residence. Sasami does not attack things with a vengeance. "Ugh." There is the Ugh word again. "Anyone get the number of the quasar that ran me over last night?" he quipped to himself. Cyraqs K'thardin awoke. A task much more grueling than even Tenchi's. As badly hurt as he was, he really shouldn't have done what he did last night. 'Course he needed to test out his new limits, and Tenchi was the only one of them presently available for the purpose. That hurt. But it was something that everyone needs occasionally. To be reminded they have limits. To be reminded there is something to strive to overcome. Still even now he wasn't completely recovered from his ordeal with Tokimi. Even the Djinn didn't hurt this bad, he groaned to himself as he swung off his couch. He flexed a little as he stood. A little stiff, not too bad. Concentrating, his clothes settled around him as he pulled them from subspace. A simple set of denim jeans, and a black mono-color pocket T-shirt complete with his knee length leather boots. Might as well go and see what's up. With that thought in mind he pulled a smoke from nothing. Flicking it with his other finger's he lit it. Pausing for a moment to take a puff, he considered what kind of day it would most likely be. Hmmm...Achika might be a little angry, but I doubt that. Mom's going to be pissed, that means so will dad. Ryuken will be laughing his ass off. I'll get him later. Tenchi'll probably want to do that again. See him at 11. Tsu..Sas...DAMNIT! They've been pissed at me all week. This is just another excuse. Why are they pissed at me again? I have got to figure that out. The rest I'll take as it comes. It's going to be a fun day, he concluded. Humming a little to himself he walked out of his cabin; prepared to face whatever life had to throw at him. And if you believe that, the going rate on ocean front property in Arizona is fantastic too. Tenchi walked down the stairs in slow silence, to be greeted by the sight of his two year old cousin Taro having affection lavished upon him by various members of the female populous of the household. He grinned, as he watched them play with the young boy. Poor kid is going to be spoiled rotten before he goes back to aunt's. One of the foursome finally noticed him "Hello Tenchi!" He turned his attention to the red headed one who spoke. Damn, but she is getting bigger. He mentally slapped himself for that thought. Seven months of being pregnant does that. At least she wasn't irritable like I've heard some women get in this condition. He. Still got the cravings though. He began to remember a certain incident where he, her husband Hayes, his grandfather Yoshou, and her son Cyraqs had to track down some kind of weird Earth fish dish that was so rare it was served only in certain parts of the world, and then, only to the higher nobility. That was highly uncool as he had put it. "Ohayo, Washuu-chan." She beamed happily at him. 's funny. Here these past few months she hasn't really been hanging out in her lab. In fact, she's been spending most of her time with us. Well she needs it. Does her some good to get out and be with the family. I suppose that's what they all really needed. "Good morning Tenchi!" "Hello Mihoshi!" He replied happily to the very tannish very beautiful looking blond haired one. She smiled up at him causing her slight fangs to flash for a second. What are you really, he wondered. A ditz? No, not that anymore. Not that ever really. A fantastic special agent? Not completely. I guess we'll all just have to wait and see. Though I wonder if it is just us that will be waiting, and not you as well. Oh God! Now I'm sounding just like grandfather! Someone save me, he chuckled to himself. "I take it Ryuken and Hayes are with grandfather?" Tenchi asked. The dark green haired one rolled the ball back to Taro and looked up at Tenchi. "Yeah. Azaka and Kamidaki showed up, and they're beating the daylights out of each other this morning." "Figure's, huh Kiyone?" She nodded wryly. "Yeah." Tenchi turned an amused smile to the final woman sitting on the floor, playing with the child. She was so engrossed in the activity, he wasn't sure if she had even noticed his presence. He laughed. Speaking of doing some good for some people, getting those two out of the royal palace has been a blessing like I've never seen before. Had to build on another room, but that's no problem. He frowned a little, 'course with the amount of noise they make occasionally it's a good thing we sound-proofed the room. I suppose it's a good thing that Misaki sleeps with her daughters most of the time, the way those two carry on when they are together it's lucky they get any sleep at all. Heh, heh, heh. Still I find it kind of weird, though Ayeka tells me it's very common on her world, where most men have two wives instead of just one. Then again with the male to female birth ratio being 1 to 4 (have to ask Tsunami about that one of these days), I suppose it's logical. Guess I'll just live with it. Not that it really matters much to me. "Good morning, Funahou-chan." He had been asked very nicely by her not to call her grandma. It made her sound old, she had said. Which was kind of a misnomer. She was, in fact, thousands of years old, yet she looked only thirty. The woman in question started. "Good morning Tenchi!" she waved at him. Now she's getting almost as bad as Misaki, he thought. It's good to see them like this, all happy...I've got to make an appointment with Washuu to get my teeth checked. Heh. He watched Taro get up on his legs and run over to Funahou in an emphatic hug. Now I know what your weakness is grandma, he thought as she enfolded the child in her arms. BWAHAHAHAHAH! "Look g'ma! It's Tenchi!" Taro pointed. How come he gets away with it? "Yes little one." she said to him gently. "It is. Maybe if you ask him nicely he'll come and play with you." Taro looked at him hopefully. Great, now I'm being volunteered for things again. He knew that his little cousin loved him dearly, still, sometimes it was almost akin to hero worship. He knew some considered him a hero. However he certainly didn't feel heroic. Grimacing slightly, he descended down the final few stairs. And I really wanted to get some of what they were cooking in the kitchen too. He idly checked the sun's position. Damn. Noon. So It's lunch they are cooking. I have got to quit going months at a time without sleep. The front door opened and a rather short man walked in on them. His short white hair was spiked up almost identically to his mother's, and his short beard was as white as the rest of his hair. Tenchi also noticed he had his glasses off again revealing eyes that spun with the stars. So did he now that he thought about it. Neither of them had been wearing them much around the house recently. It just wasn't needed. Cyraqs took in the sight, and grinned. "He's definitely a relation of yours Tenchi. Just look at all the attention he receives from drop dead gorgeous women." They all laughed, though Funahou blushed slightly. The little nuclear reactor that was Taro jumped off his grandma's lap and ran towards the smaller man shouting battle cries and the like. This elicited more than a few disapproving frowns from the lady's, a few of them directed at him. C'mon, we were just playing with the kid. Geez! Cyraqs smiled and grabbed the running powerconverter by the ankles and hoisted him up by one leg in one smooth motion, causing Taro to squirm and shout in enthusiasm. Enthusiasm for Taro was measured in decibels. At this moment, his were almost shattering glass. "Gotcha." Cyraqs grinned. "NO FAIR!" Taro yelled at him trying to hit him at the same time. Cyraqs raised his arm, lifting the boy so he could talk face to face. "Sure it is. Gotta get better than that if you're going to get me." He chuckled as Taro shouted he was going to get both him and Tenchi and no one was going to be better than he was. "Well then we'll have to work on that." Taro turned hopeful. "Can we this afternoon?" The room got real chilly all of the sudden. "I'm not sure that your relations over there will let us." He gave Taro a conspiratory wink. "But if you are really good today I'll teach you how to Kame Hame Ha someone." "ALRIGHT! KAME HAME HA! KAME HAME HA!" Tenchi laughed. The kid watched more Z and GT than he ever did. He might just hold you to that Cyraqs. "Don't you dare!" Funahou commanded. "He has Juraian blood in him. He could conceivably do some damage if you start teaching him things like that." Cyraqs turned his smile to her. It almost made him hansom if Tenchi were a good judge of things. He was at one time referred to as hansom, he didn't see it. Washuu always commented on what a squeazable butt he had. He'd have to take her word, and the occasional feel, on that one. 'Course, even Sasami said he had better looks than Cyraqs. A few choice jokes which he quickly suppressed, sprang to mind. Probably a good thing too. "Don't worry. It'll be awhile before I start with that." He set the boy down, who promptly ran into the kitchen to bug those in there. He turned totally serious. "That boy has some amazing potential. It would not be a good thing to see it wasted." "He should really just lead a normal life." Funahou pressed. "Sometimes, that's not what fate has in store for us." Tenchi said. Funahou looked at him in surprise. It wasn't surprise at the statement, more, the tone of his voice. A slight bitterness, tinged with regret. He smiled again, "But I wouldn't trade it for anything." Not anything. She smiled warmly at him, with a devastating effect. Thousands of years old or not, she was one hot lady. Most would never see this many goddess-like beautiful, both inside and out, women in their lifetime. For him it was just a wondrous fact of life. "Sasami's in the kitchen, I take it?" Cyraqs asked suddenly. The lady's looked away from him for a moment sharing a grin. Well, I knew I was dead; I didn't know I was that dead. Cyraqs thought. Tenchi snickered. Cyraqs gave him a look that said Oh yeah, you will be next! Tenchi said in all seriousness. Cyraqs shook his head in agreement. "Alrighty then. I suppose I shall go, and try to get back on her good side." "Gee, that sounds awfully familiar don't it?" Tenchi grinned. Cyraqs didn't bother showing him a reaction. Taro came running out of the kitchen. "She was just worried about you, you know." she said as she scooped the little lightning bolt in her arms. "I know. But she wanted to stay with me all night!" He threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "Geez!" Funahou smiled to herself. You worry too much about such things. Both Tenchi and Cyraqs suddenly focused their attention on her. Shit, forgot about that. They both smiled tolerantly. Cyraqs raised one hand dramatically. "Well then, off I go." "...and so, our hero faces his death bravely..." Tenchi joked. "Shut up!" Cyraqs turned and walked toward the kitchen, only pausing momentarily before entering. He still heard the collective laugh that followed him. Now as he walked in he took in a sight that would have made the bravest man run screaming like a little girl. For you see, Tsunami and Sasami had heard everything that had gone on in the living room. And they had begun manifesting what has become known (and feared) as Akane KI! Oh she was still cooking in her perfect and methodical way, if stirring her stirfry a little more violently than normal. A lot more violently than normal. O.K. a hell of a lot more violently than is really necessary. "Uh...what's up?" he ventured. The other three ladies had finished whatever they were doing and passing him as they walked out of the kitchen. All had very sympathetic looks on their faces. It was probably a good thing he was not exactly sane. Otherwise he might not have done what he did next. He walked up and began kneading her shoulders. "Don't touch me. I'm mad at you." she said quietly. Very half heartedly. "I know." He dug his fingers into her back. Lot's of tension here. "Why?" "Like you don't know!" She flared. Yep, right here in the small of her back. Despite herself, she began to loosen up under his ministrations. "I know. I was fine. You don't need to be doing things like that." She knew what he meant. It wasn't that they would have done anything, it was that he wanted it known he would never take advantage of her. Despite a lot of things about their relationship, he still considered part of her a young girl, and until she grew up...he didn't even want to give the appearance. Yet, the other part of her was older than he was by far. It was that part that spoke. "But I want to." she said quietly. He turned the stove off and turned her around to look him in the eyes. There was quite a bit communicated in this gaze. He knew she was worried about what was going to happen in the future, about what Sasami and she were going to become later. To her, to both of them, it would be kind of like death. The becoming of someone that was both her, and at the same time not. She wanted to spend as much time with her loved ones as she was now, before that happened. Sasami had no knowledge, but she was beginning to get a clue. She was beginning to believe she was the real Sasami, but if that were true than what did Tsunami really do? Could she have done what I think she did? Until Sasami could believe it, nothing would happen. That time was fast approaching. Right now, what she did know was that because of her, Cyraqs was hurting Tsunami. He wasn't meaning too, but he was doing it all the same. He was trying not to confuse a little girl. At the same time not being with the older woman. This didn't even begin to count the effects of her hormones on her thought processes. For some reason he made himself very scarce during the times when it got real bad. It was high time he found out that she was no longer a little girl. In either body, and never she was in spirit. After all, knowing it is one thing, he knew she was always older than her body's age, but believing it, that was something else. Sasami was going to make him believe. Not here though. Not now. Sensing her apparent acceptance, he left her alone, in deference to her request. He did; however, promise he'd be back in a few minutes. He didn't see the very determined gleam that came in her eyes as he left. "Ohayo Tenchi." came the voices in perfect chorus. Oh no. That did not sound good, he worried to himself. He turned himself, to see Ryouko and Ayeka standing at the top of the stairs staring down at him; smiling very brightly. He wasn't sure if it was for him, or for something else, and he really wasn't sure he wanted to know. Ryouko glided down from her perch and glomped him in a way that she hadn't in a very long while. He found he actually missed that. Ayeka, in her demure little steps, came down and grabbed one of his hands, flashing a disapproving glance at Ryouko as she did so. Ryouko's reaction was to stick her tongue out at her. Ayeka's glance got worse. Ryouko's tongue started wagging back and fourth. Tenchi gave them both a very hard look. They gave him back one that feigned innocence. This puzzled him to no end. "Lunch is ready!" Sasami called from the kitchen. For some reason he found himself being led by the two girls toward the kitchen. Why is, he wondered, that I feel like something is going on that I don't know about. Three women looked at each other. Washuu, Funahou, and Misaki. All coming to a silent agreement. This has gone on long enough. It is time to end this. Earlier this morning; in space a young looking woman sat on the bridge of her ship and chewed her nails thoughtfully. "Mimasaka?" she called. A crystal descended from somewhere above, and hovered behind her. "Yes Asahi?" it asked. "How long until we reach Earth?" She had asked this question at least a dozen times this hour. "At least a couple more hours." "Oh." She sat back heavily and continued chewing her nails. She almost expected the gentle rap across her hands that Goghei would give her when she was little. Goghei, she remembered sadly. I miss you. You and father died to save me. Her brow furrowed and her eye's teared, just like they always did when they returned to those memories. Damn bastard. He killed you both. I hope he's rotting in the furthest reaches of hell now. Heh. You'd be happy though, I found another, like I know you would have wanted me to. He'll take some convincing, but I'm sure he wouldn't be too adverse to the idea. And he's not as old as he puts out to be. She idly reached over and tapped a button on her console to bring up a holoscreen. A picture of a ship sprang up on the screen. Well Ayeka, I can't wait to see your face when I show you Ryu-oh's new body. It's my finest work. I'm going to be so sorry when it goes. "We are being hailed." she started out of her reverie. I wonder who this is. "Who is it?" she asked. The ship grew...happy. "It's the Yakage!" She brightened considerably, that means...a holoscreen appeared to show a woman with bright gold spiked hair and crystal blue eyes. "Heya Asahi!" Who? That voice is the same, but...? How? "Just changed a little. C'mon it's still me, you know Minagi? The girl you thought was Ryouko?" she prodded. Asahi shook her head. That's weird. "What happened to you?" "Long story. I'll tell you later. I take it you are headed to Earth?" "Yeah." She pointed behind her. "Gotta give this to Ayeka. Oh, she's going to be so happy." Asahi jumped up and started prancing about in total bliss. "Uh...yeah. Anyway, we figured we'd check up on them too, since we were in this sector of the galaxy." "We?" Who is she talking about? A man entered the view screen. About medium build, obviously well muscled that was easily seen beneath the near totally black cloths he wore, short black hair and purple within purple within purple eyes. "Just me." He added. Wow! "Didn't know Y'mir was with you. What does he do for you?" Minagi's smile was totally naughty. "Just the occasional service in bed being my husband and all." Asahi got the warning. Also, it kind of pissed her off that her friend had gotten married and not invited her. "*Sniff* You didn't invite me? I could have done the decorating!" Minagi and Y'mir looked at each other sheepishly. "Well actually..." Y'mir began. "We eloped." Minagi finished. They..."Why?" "With the people WE are related to?" Y'mir asked exasperated. What, like Washuu, Ryouko...yes, I see what you mean. "I understand then. Congratulations!" she beamed at the two on the screen. "Thank you." They replied. "Well how 'bout I follow you there. What do you think?" Minagi shook her head. "Sounds reasonable." "K. Talk to you later. I'm going to go take a nap." Their viewscreen shutdown. Y'mir leaned down and whispered in his mate's ear, "Should we tell her about Kiyone?" "Much as I'm tempted to I think we should let them take care of it themselves." She turned her head to look at him wryly. "Besides I would rather her blow up on Earth than out here with us in space." He nodded in understanding. Then started nibbling on her ear. "Insatiable man." she smiled. He picked her up easily, and started carrying her to their own personal quarters. "You're one to talk." Two warriors bowed to each other across the Misaki shrine yard. Both brought their swords to the ready. They rushed each other at the same time passing each other, their two bokens strike in precise motions. Neither gaining the advantage over the other. "Getting slow Ryuken!" The young man in the uniforms of a Shinto Priest yelled to his sparing partner. "Think so Yoshou?" countered the tall one, clothed in greyish loose fitting clothes. "We'll see who's the one going to be screaming for mercy after this is done." Yoshou smiled. "Then why don't you save yourself the time, and start now?" "Ha! You think that'll get me off guard?" Ryuken struck with his sword, a downward swipe followed by a double cross cut combo. Yoshou parried and launched an attack of his own, an upwards slice, followed by a diagonal arc. The four others; Nobiyuki, Hayes, Azaka, and Kamidake, were watching this display making the occasional comments as the two warriors sparred. Kamidake cocked his head toward his companions and spoke. "Does Ryuken seem a little off to you?" Azaka nodded, scratching his beard in thought. "Yes, he does. Yoshou and he are as evenly matched as I've ever seen anyone, yet Yoshou..." Yoshou countered a double back cross and with a simple thrust scored a light tap on Ryuken shoulder. "...seems to be getting the better of him. Too easily in fact." "I'm no expert, but I've seen enough to agree." Nobiyuki said. He turned toward Hayes in question. "Something going on?" Hayes didn't bother to turn his attention from the fight as he answered. "Yes. I just wonder if he knows it yet." He unfolded his arms and shifted himself slightly to a ready stance. "Azaka, Kamidake." The two saw what he was referring to and were readying themselves. In every sparring match those who fight risk the chance of it becoming something serious. No matter how controlled and battle hardened those people were. And just now, this battle for some reason, had become just that. The strikes were now aimed to incapacitate and even possibly kill. They were not holding back. Either of them. Hayes blurred. Grabbing Yoshou he pulled him away from the fight. Azaka and Kamidake had done the same, between the two of them they had Ryuken restrained. "That's more than enough I think." Hayes said in a monotone. Yoshou looked at him worriedly. "What just happened?" he asked as Hayes let him go and he straightened himself out. "Something I was afraid of." He shifted himself slightly as Ryuken finally got control of himself and assured the two ex-guardians he was fine. Walking towards Hayes and Yoshou shook his head a little, almost as if to clear something from his mind. He bowed once he reached them. "Forgive my lack of control. I don't know..." "Yes you do." Hayes admonished him. "If you felt this happening now why did you come out here this morning?" Ryuken looked away. "I can handle it." Hayes gave him a mildly disapproving look. Which for him was indicating major disappointment. "You haven't, as you put it, HANDLED it for over a decade." Ryuken bowed his head. "I won't train for the rest of the week. I should be able to control the worst of it." For some reason he didn't sound too convinced. Nor was Hayes. The others were looking at the two of them wondering what the hell they were talking about. This was going to be a fun explanation. Ryuken noticed his father's disbelief, and he still hadn't lost his disapproval. "Fine! If it gets too bad I'll hole up in Cyraqs' cabin." Hayes nodded his acceptance. Ryuken suddenly straightened and reverently passed the boken to Yoshou. Without another word he walked past them to the stairs of the shrine, where he descended them and disappeared from site. "What was that about?" Nobiyuki asked. "It was the Rage, wasn't it?" Yoshou asked. Hayes nodded grimly. Rage the other three mouthed. "It is a quirky little piece of our biology." Hayes explained, "Mine has come and gone this year. It wasn't too bad, and I had...help with mine." He and Yoshou chuckled. "Cyraqs had his from what I understand." I don't want to know the details. "And his was somehow taken care of." He saw something in Yoshou's eyes flash momentarily. Almost like a click one hears when they put two and two together. His face did an "Oh is that what happened!" momentarily before it returned to it's more stoic state. I REALLY don't want to know the details. "Y'mir I don't know about, but I'm not too worried about him. As for Ryuken..." he sighed and shook his head, "He hasn't taken care of his Rage for about 10 years. It has built up. So it's going to be very tough on him. Especially because he has identified one of the women in this house as being his mate." "Mihoshi." Hayes nodded in agreement of Yoshou's pronouncement. "Yes. Her." He chuckled suddenly. "A fine choice if I must say so." His expression turned grim again. "Ummm...call me dense, but could you explain this Rage thing?" Nobiyuki asked. "Ah yes. Forgive me." Hayes' tone suddenly took on a lecturing quality. Almost identical to someone else they knew quite well. "The Rage is a rather interesting biological..." They waited patiently as Hayes explained the facts of life when applied to a Tetranian. At the end, they all laughed. "Poor guy!" Nobiyuki shouted in half pity. "You know she rather likes him." "Yeah well, let's just say he wants to be sure about her. He's had to endure the 'company' of women he didn't love before. And for us, that's something that's almost worse than death." He snorted bitterly. "They get that from me." The perturbed tone of his voice suggested to them they didn't want to pursue this line of questioning. In any case a beam of light began to descend on the shrine grounds cannexing any further discussion. "Well they are already here." What the? They turned to see Washuu already there. How the..? Then again this is Washuu we're talking about. The beams coalesced to form the figures of Minagi, Y'mir, and Asahi. Yoshou went ghost white. "Hey you didn't actually do anything with her did you dad?" Nobiyuki asked. Yoshou damn near fainted. Nobiyuki watched the totally stricken look on his face get even worse. "O.K. Well nice knowing you then." He patted the Shinto Priests shoulder, and proceeded to welcome his guests. And it had been such a nice day too, Yoshou thought. Tenchi was scared. Never in his life had he seen something scarier. There was nothing in the universe he had ever seen that could compare to it. He would have almost preferred to have Ayeka and Ryouko going all out again than to see the sight before him. It was horrifying! It was terrifying! It was petrifying! It was Minagi and Kiyone. Chatting. Just that. Chatting. Not about their mutual love interest. Just chatting. Cyraqs had walked out of the kitchen where he had been helping Tsunami clean up after lunch. Without skipping a beat he had turned around and went back the way he had come. Strangely enough Sasami had come out here to talk with them. Then again she was always immune to these type of conflicts. Actually he would have preferred a conflict than this. This was eerie! His mind returned to the scene an hour ago when they had first met. The seven of them had walked into the house. This wasn't surprising since Minagi and Y'mir dropped by all the time. What was surprising was the person hanging off Yoshou's arm. What was weirder was the fact she really wasn't all that mad at him for the 'disguise.' If anything she was actually...happy about it. Yoshou looked like a man about to shake hands with death. Kiyone had looked up at them as they had entered. So had the rest of those in the living room. And for some strange reason it got deathly quiet. Asahi and Kiyone looked at each other for the longest time. Suddenly they walked toward each other. They circled each other for a moment...looking nothing more than like cats sizing each other up. Then the most frightening thing of all happened. They grinned at each other and shook hands. This was not good. This was not good at all. RIP Yoshou. Your time has come. After dinner Ryo-ohki walked out to the mountain, as she had for the past month. There was a pile of stones there, the same pile that Drakhenn had crushed before the Tokimi incident. And there nestled in the pile was what appeared to be the sculpture of a small dragon. She reached out and caressed it lovingly. How much longer will you be like this Drakhenn? How much longer? You look funny like that you know. She giggled. Like a little gargoyle. Her eyes misted. You weren't grown I know. And yet at the same time you were. So now you undergo your final metamorphosis. I wonder what you will look like after this? Tsunami tells me that you will be stronger, faster, bigger even. More intelligent too. Will you still love me after all these changes? Tsunami and Cyraqs say yes. Ryouko even says you will. I believe you will. Hurry up! I don't like being without you for very long. She quirked up a grin. Besides who will I have to pounce on occasionally? "Hey, Hey, ow! Cut it out!" "Yes mother...ow! I find this highly unnecessary...ow!" Misaki entered Ayeka and Sasami's (and most of the time her) room, dragging Ryouko and Ayeka by the ear. Behind them came Funahou and Washuu bearing very disapproving expressions on their faces. Misaki tossed them both to one side of the room. Imagine if you will a woman who is nothing more than love and affection personified, who does nothing but smile and laugh share her love with others. Also has the Elmira cute complex, but that is easily ignored in the face of the rest of it. Now imagine all that overflowing good feeling turned to rage. Then you would have what the two girls were looking at now. "SIT!" They sat. The two other women entered the room and closed the door. The click as it slid shut sounded too much like the sound a coffin makes when it closes. And they weren't even sure what they had done. "Now I'm going to try to be calm here..." Misaki started, Then lost it. "What the hell do you girls think you are doing?! I have outright had it with this...whatever you two were doing! First you two fight over his affections without regards to his feelings, then he blows up and you quit for awhile..." Her eyes roved them with an angry glare, "AND NOW YOU ARE STARTING IT UP AGAIN!!!" "Uhh...Misaki-chan if I might interrupt..." The gaze Misaki gave Ryouko was more than enough to answer her question. She shut up. "Why can't you two get along! Can't you both see that he cares for both of you! In the way you want him too!" "Uhh...mommy..?" "Shut up! I'm not through yet!" For the next half hour they two of them lost many inches off their backsides. Or they would have, had they not been glancing at each other with small grins on their faces as Misaki continued her ass chewing. Both Funahou and Washuu noticed and started passing questioning glances between themselves and the two girls. Unable to get a word in edgewise Washuu queried her daughter directly. In moments Washuu was nearly laughing her ass off. She bent over and whispered her knowledge on to Funahou, who within seconds was grinning as much as Washuu. Finally Misaki seemed to run out of breath. "Well what do you have to say for yourselves?!" she puffed. "Only that we were both going to attempt to get him used to the idea of being with both of us for the rest of our lives. That's why we were both playing with him and each other this morning." Ryouko said just a hair offhandedly. Misaki sat there dumbfounded for a moment. She blinked, four times. And just as suddenly as it left then her sunny disposition returned again. "Oh that's o.k. then. C'mere!" she reached over and crushed the two girls. Ayeka endured it as best she was able, having lived with the woman for most of her life. Ryouko on the other hand...for some reason Misaki had a very calming effect on her. She couldn't understand it. So whenever she found herself on the receiving end of one of these embraces, she almost nodded off to sleep. At least now when Misaki let go she had managed to keep from dropping to the ground. "My girls I'm so proud of you." "Still I think that there is a flaw in your reasoning." Funahou stated. The two looked at her in question. "What I mean is he is still a man of Earth and it will take him a little convincing to set aside a few of his concepts of morality to enable him to marry both of you." She smiled at their crestfallen looks. "However I know he loves both of you enough to do just that. Still I wonder how to do it?" "I say we just present him the idea and see how he handles it." Washuu piped up. "Hey this is OUR future we are talking about here!" Ryouko interjected. "So when were you going to figure this out on your own? Or were you just going to let things go for a little while longer yet?" Washuu asked. Ryouko looked down. "Do you see what I mean?" The two girls reluctantly nodded their heads. "You are right however. It is your future. The question now is...what do you want to do about it?" Washuu's hands began to rub her large stomach almost as if she were thinking of something herself. "Let me tell you, opportunities come when they will, and what is here today may not be tomorrow. Take it while you still can." Ryouko met her mother's eyes and nodded her understanding. It may all be gone tomorrow. Like Hayes, like Cyraqs. Like me. The three women left leaving the two girls alone. They looked at each other for a moment. "How do you want to do this?" Ayeka asked. Ryouko looked at her strangely. "I was going to ask you the same thing." Tenchi found himself back at the lake that evening, as he had many times these past few months. And just as many times a familiar presence walked up behind him. "Cyraqs." "Tenchi." The older being sat down next to him, watching the sun as it continued it's lazy trek to the horizon. "So what's going on?" "I wish I knew." He humphed. They sat in silence for a while. "Still getting to you?" Cyraqs asked finally. "Yeah." "Good." Cyraqs said. Tenchi looked at him almost enviously. "How do you do it?" "hmm?" "How do you keep from screaming at night? How do you keep from killing yourself in guilt?" Cyraqs returned the gaze of his younger friend, and thought about it for a moment. "Who says don't?" Cyraqs asked. One of Tenchi's eyebrows shot up. "I pay for what I do." He grinned suddenly. "After all this time my sanity has suffered." And Suddenly he lost his grin, "No I'm not alright, I don't 'get over it.' Take for example my empire. I am responsible for their current civil war. I am responsible for every innocent death that happens during it. And there will be a lot. Some more horrible than you have seen yet Tenchi. I just go on, until the day my family will never be threatened again." They stayed silent for a moment. "Or until I'm dead." He finally finished. "With great power comes great responsibility." Tenchi quoted. "But the burden is not ours to bear alone. I'm just now relearning that fact. I hope you never forget it." They watched as the sun set casting it's colors of pink and gold over the sky. Sharing one brief moment of perfection, before it disappeared entirely. "Mihoshi and Kiyone taking off in a couple of days?" Tenchi asked. "Yeah. They've got to report personally to the central command concerning what they know of the recent events concerning Tokimi. I've told them to keep it discreet." Tenchi nodded. "Your parents leaving in a week?" Tenchi smiled, "Yeah. Finally convinced them they needed some time alone together." They both laughed. "Forgot to ask. How's your father taking his new change in status?" "Well he still goes to work and stuff. He found being immortal kind of cool. Still needs to eat and breath and sleep. That's kind of funny, I thought he would have become something like us. The only thing he can really do is go anywhere he wants in the universe. Any when too. I wonder why that is?" Cyraqs shrugged and lit a cigarette that he pulled from nowhere. "Don't know. Maybe the universe didn't need another Tokimi. Hell, I don't want another Tokimi." Tenchi looked away for a moment smiling. Almost at the same time Cyraqs remembered just where Tokimi was right now. And cringed. "Well just think...she'll definitely keep you on your toes." Tenchi grinned. "Don't remind me. On that subject, think I can borrow the keys to your car?" Tenchi looked at him strangely. As if to ask why the hell do you need a car? "Sasami wants to go to the mall tomorrow and I said I'd take her." Trying to get back on her good side? That will only go so far, Cyraqs. Heh. "Figured that would be better than just showing up there." "Yeah sure." Cyraqs finished his smoke and threw it into atomic particles. "Well shall we head back?" Cyraqs shrugged. The two rose and went back to the house that was the center of life for both of them. O.K. Everything is fine. I can do this. I really wish my wives were here more often, he thought for the 10,987th time that day. It was only the equivalent of 9 am on Jurai now. Emperor Asuza of Jurai scanned the report on his desk, for about the tenth time. Damnit. Why is it that these things always happen when they are away? The report in question was one that said two families of the imperial senate were about to go to war with each other. Over a few supply convoys that one supposedly stole, but they never reported this to me. Uh uh. Just try to take care of it themselves and blame their neighbors. He shook his head in disgust. He looked up at the messenger who had personally brought this report. "I want you to find the lords of these two families. They are here, right?" "Yes." He was worried. The Emperor was pissed. "Their presence is required at tonight's audience. They will attend. Make sure they understand that. Report to me after you are finished." He told the messenger bluntly. "Yes your majesty." he saluted before departing. I have babies for lords. I should just fire them all, if I could get away with it. He sighed again, and picked up another report. This one detailed the increased pirate raids all over the Juraian systems. This makes no sense. We are the pirate guild. A new one has sprung up, I wish Funahou were here so her lines of communication could be used with the guild and perhaps a few of her spies might know. Damnit! I guess I'll have to wait a couple of days when they both come back for their two days a week. He looked at the usual mountain of paper work on one corner of his desk. Many projects and requests awaiting his approval and authorization. He sighed for a third time and set his head down on the desk. "I need a vacation." Asuza said to himself. X smiled as he heard the transmission from the office, via the bug he had managed to disguise from the palace sensors. You need that more than you know. His laugh would have made Megatron envious. Afterward: Not much to say about this one. Send C&C to Kthardin@geocities.com.