Disclaimer: Tenchi Masaki and the Tenchi crew are property of Pioneer. Nathan Grant and all things Ronin are spawned from the chaotic abyss that is the mind of Yamabushi. Hehehe Hahahaha HAAHAAAHAAA BWAAAHAHAHAHAHA-(stagehand slaps writer) (cough) Eh, sorry about that. Read on and enjoy. Oh, and be sure to read the fan fiction written by my brother Umaro. It's not bad, but it fails to match my evil genius.MWAHAHAHA-(slap) Tenchi Muyo! Blade of the Jimmu Chapter 9: Old Comrades ".And this is the engine room. Under my careful lead, only six workers were accidentally incinerated in the furnaces down here. That's a standard I'm pretty damn proud of." Ayeka felt a little uneasy. "Um, exactly how did they, uh." "Get incinerated? Oh, there was some kind of random fireball that tore out of the furnace.Well, a couple fireballs, actually.on.several occasions so anyway how do you like the ship?" "Well, it's certainly impressive, I'll give you that." Ayeka forced a polite smile. "Well, Nathan, I think we should check and see if Daranus is awake." "Oh." Nathan made a whining sound. "Don't you want to see the mess hall? There was once a bloody brawl that broke out between my troops. It lasted for DAYS! We actually decided to keep the bloodstains on the walls to commemorate the event!" Ayeka sweat-dropped. No wonder he has trouble with Kiyone. A mysterious warrior, a hopeless romantic, a respected general, and now a hyperactive child. This man seems to have about four different personalities, each one completely romantically inept. She smiled inwardly. Nathan raised an eyebrow. He crossed his arms and cleared his throat deliberately. Ayeka looked up questioningly. Realizing her mistake, she blushed and tried to cover. "I was only joking, Nathan. You know I know nothing about the problems you are having trying to convey your feelings to Kiyone. No, Ryoko didn't tell me anything about it, honest." She laughed nervously and sweat-dropped again. "I see." The blue-haired swordsman replied. "Anything else you don't have an opinion about?" Lowering her eyes to the floor, Ayeka let out a small sigh. "Let's head back to the captain's quarters. We can talk on the way." "All right." Ronin replied. The two exited the engine room and began to walk down the corridor. "We're walking, so start talking." Ayeka locked eyes with Nathan. "Well, I normally wouldn't say this, but I truly believe you should.let's see, how did Ryoko phrase it..grow a pair." Nathan's mouth hung open in shock. "Well, I don't want to offend you or anything. It's just that Ryoko and I think you should stop stalling and tell her." Nathan looked away. "I'm trying, but whenever I'm about to say it, something happens." "Of course. Just like something urgent interrupted you on the mountain." "Ok, that was uncalled for." "I'm sorry, Nathan, but we're trying to help you. From what I understand, you've been leading a very difficult life. Don't give up when you have a chance at real happiness." Nathan's eyes rolled. "This happened last night, too. I'm sensing a pattern here." "Well, it's your decision. We can only assist you so much. There will be a point when you have to take the initiative, you know." An uncomfortable silence followed. At last, the two came upon the captain's room. The mage Sarlone was waiting at the door for them. He bowed graciously. "Lord Ronin, we've been expecting you. The captain is inside." "Thank you, Sarlone." Ronin answered. He turned to Ayeka. "Do you wish to come in?" Sarlone spoke up. "Or, if you prefer, you may retire to the mess hall while Lord Ronin meets with Captain Daranus." Ayeka didn't even need to think about it. She and Ronin walked in to see Daranus. Jurai's crown princess was shocked at the sight before her. The man that sat at the table was dressed in battered red armor, complete with a ragged cape. His face was covered with stubble, his dark brown hair was shoulder-length and tied into an attempt-ponytail, and there was a large, ugly scar on his right arm. This relatively bear-like man stood up, extended his arms and charged straight at Nathan. Ayeka let out a startled cry. "Look out!" She closed her eyes and put a force field around herself. She paused a moment, waiting for the sounds of battle. To her surprise, Ayeka heard laughing. She opened her eyes and stood in astonishment. The larger man had glomped onto Nathan. Tears were streaming down his face as he laughed. Nathan had an odd expression on. He patted Daranus's back neutrally with one hand. "Ok, Daranus, I'm all right, just let it all out buddy..ok ok get off me." Daranus composed himself and sat down at the table. "I'm so sorry," he said in a growling voice. "All of us thought you were dead. Please, Nathan, sit. Let's catch up." His eyes shifted to Ayeka. "Hello there. Say, aren't you." Ayeka bowed her head. "I am Princess Ayeka of the planet Jurai. It is an honor to meet a friend of Nathan's." The armored man laughed heartily. "Nathan, you dog! You snagged yourself a princess!" "No, actually, I didn't. She's helping m-." "That'll get the whole crew laughin' like hell! You know, back when you were captain, we used to make bets like that." "Like what?" Nathan asked, slightly embarrassed. "Whenever we went to loot a planet, me and the boys used to make bets on whether or not you'd actually get down with some of the female natives." He burst out laughing again. "I always bet you wouldn't. I gotta tell ya, those bets made me a rich man. I mean, who'd have thought the most feared general in the damned army is a vir." "Gaah!" Nathan shoved a hand over Daranus's mouth. "That's enough of that!" He glared at Ayeka, who was openly trying not to crack up. "Listen, Daranus," Nathan said. "I didn't come here to shoot the breeze. We need your help." "Help? With what?" Nathan proceeded to explain his plan to Daranus. The bearish man stood up and slammed his hands down on the table. "You're out of your goddamn mind!" he yelled. "Even you can't take out Kel'Doran! What kind of firepower are you planning to use?" "I'm going to tap into the Mana Stream." "WHAT?!? You're tapping into the Stream? That's more power than any of us can take!" "Quite frankly, I don't give a damn. We have to stop Kel'Doran. He's going after the power of Jurai. You and I both know what will happen if he gets it." Daranus's eyes widened. "Jurai's power? No way. If he adds that to the power he's already got." ".He'll become a living god." Nathan finished. "Daranus, your division of troops would be invaluable to our mission. Can I rely on you?" Daranus looked down at the table. Shaking his head, he replied, "You know, Nate, if you hadn't saved my ass back on Lorian, I would never agree to this." "Is that a yes?" Looking up at his closest friend, Daranus grudgingly nodded and answered, "For you, General, anything. My-your ship is having some trouble at the moment. Our reactor is out of power. Do you have anyone on that Yagami or Ryo-ohki that can fix things?" Ayeka's eyes widened. Mouthing the word 'no', she glanced at Nathan. To her horror, he was smiling. "I know just the woman." He said. Nathan rushed into the cockpit of the Yagami. "Hey Washu! We have a job for you!" He stopped short when he saw it. Kiyone walked over to Nathan and followed his gaze. We found her about a half an hour ago. It seems we have a bit of a stowaway." "Apparently." Nathan answered. He locked eyes with the new passenger. "What are you doing here?" Defiantly, the young princess replied, "You were wrong! I'm not too young! I can help too! Please, let me come!" TO BE CONTINUED.