No Need for a Dual Mission by Mitch wells17@gte.net NO NEED FOR TENCHI is owned by AIC/Pioneer LDC, INC. Created by Masaki Kajishima and Hiroki Hayashi. Used without permission. It was not a bad afternoon. The weather was nice and Kiyone had the day off. Mihoshi was spending her time off in the city, so Kiyone was spending the day fishing. She hadn't caught anything yet, but that was okay. She was just glad to get some R 'N' R. This was what she needed: no Mihoshi, no cosmic emergencies, and no insanity. There was just her, the fishing spot, the fishing rod... "BEEP BEEP BEEP..." And her Galaxy Police wristwatch. She groaned and activated it. She prayed that it wasn't a major emergency, but somehow, she doubted it. Her luck was running true to form today. ----- Tenchi was working in the fields. As hard work as it was, he was glad to actually expect some quiet for once. Washu was doing scientific research in another dimension she found the night before. The other girls had gone into town, believing that they were going stir crazy. It was a good thing that Tenchi told Ayeka and Ryoko separately that the other was going to be gone that day. Otherwise, one would stay to watch out for the other. He was heading back to the house when he noticed Kiyone at the door. "Konnichi-wa, Kiyone." She turned to face him. "Oh, Tenchi. Thought you were inside. Where are the others?" "Oh, they're out for the day," explained Tenchi, "what do you need, Kiyone?" "Backup," Kiyone explained, "I got a call from GP headquarters. There's a criminal loose in the solar system and it's Mihoshi's day off. I was hoping one of the others could come with me instead, although I might have trouble controlling them." "Well," said Tenchi, "I could go." "You? Well, you've faced worse, but I'd hate to endanger you. I was thinking of bringing Ryoko or Ayeka since they would have the type of power to help out, but okay." "Well," said Tenchi, "I was hoping for a quiet day, but I don't want you go after this guy without a partner." "Sometimes," said Kiyone quietly, "I think a quiet day is unlikely for either of us." ----- Later, the two were aboard Yagami, flying toward Jupiter. "Um, excuse me Kiyone," started Tenchi, "but I always thought Jupiter was a gaseous planet." "No offense, Tenchi, but your Earth teachers are a little off," explained Kiyone. "It has gas, sure, but there's a surface under it all that your scientists haven't discovered yet." It would take about a half hour until they would reach theplanet. Tenchi decided to break the ice. After all, he didn't get to talk with Kiyone much. "Uh, sorry you had to miss your day off, Kiyone." "-sigh- It's okay, Tenchi. I guess it's part of my luck. I was taught that hard work leads to rewards and I guess I get frustrated that those rewards haven't come yet." "Well, forgive me so sounding philosophical Kiyone, but some people say you don't get the same awards you expected at first." "I guess." She was quiet until she asked, "How are things on the home front, Tenchi?" "Same old, same old. Ryoko/Ayeka fights. Washu experiments. The occasional super villain. You?" "Odd jobs. Mihoshi snoring. Quiet space patrols. Same as usual." "Don't say I said so," said Tenchi, almost nervously, "but I've always admired how you chose to rent an apartment when you had the option of staying at my house." "Well," said Kiyone, "I prefer relying on myself. Also, I think the last thing you need is another moocher. I don't mind visiting, though." "You're always welcome." Tenchi smacked his own head. "Oh, yeah. Could you brief me on the guy we're after?" "Oh, sure. His name's Henshin. He's an ex-GP officer who was put off because of brutality. Since then, he's been wanted for acts of armed robbery and plunder, mostly small stuff. He may be armed though." "I've had to face enemies who -weren't- armed but still dangerous. Their powers made up for it. Still, I wish this was easier. Think he'll just surrender at the sight of the two of us?" "A First-Class detective and a crown prince of Jurai? Sorry, he's not into authority." "Man. Well, at least he's just a crook and not a warlord or anything." ----- After scanning the planet to find Henshin, Tenchi and Kiyone used a small pod to get to the cave he was hiding in. "Rather...cozy, isn't it?" asked Tenchi. "It's a one-man pod. They didn't think to give us two." Kiyone took out two small pills. "Here," she explained, "they're oxygen pills. You should be able to breath for about an hour." ----- Later, the two were in a cave beneath Jupiter. They hid behind the various stalagmites. In the distance, Tenchi noticed a large man in a disheveled uniform by a fire, trying to work a small radio. "He may be trying to call his underworld buddies," said Kiyone, "let's disconnect his call." "Freeze!" Kiyone declared as she stood out of hiding and presented he gun. Tenchi similarly introduced himself and his Tenchi-ken sword. Henshin turned around, not looking too surprised. "I'm GP detective First-Class Kiyone Makabi and this is Lord Tenchi Masaki of the Royal House of Jurai. We are placing you under arrest for charges of armed robbery and...!" Henshin shot at them. Tenchi and Kiyone dodged the blast. "All right," said Kiyone, "so much for his right to remain silent." This started a shootout between Kiyone and Henshin. Tenchi motioned to Kiyone that he would try to disarm him when there was a safe chance. When there was a chance, Tenchi leaped from his hiding place, aimed his sword at the criminal's gun...and was quickly floored by his other arm which had suddenly grown larger and longer. Tenchi stared in disbelief. So did Kiyone. Henshin just glared at them. "You're a...shapeshifter?" stammered Kiyone, "that...that wasn't mentioned in your files..." "I know," said Henshin proudly, "It was kept even from the med guys at GP headquarters. It gives me an edge." "Well," declared Tenchi, "you'll be without your other edge soon enough!" He aimed at Henshin's gun again, but his other arm became a sword and lunged at Tenchi. "Look out!" shouted Kiyone as she leapt into the fray, trying to aim her gun to wing Henshin. Henshin heard Kiyone's warning to Tenchi, turned from him...and shot Kiyone in the side. "KIYONE!!!" Time seemed to slow down as Tenchi saw Kiyone fall limp as he rushed to her side. He picked her up, almost in disbelief of the situation. All the time, Henshin simply laughed. Kiyone slowly opened her eyes. "Tenchi? Don't...fight him...on your own. Keep...track of him. Tell Mihoshi...not to...fret. I wish we...had a chance...to talk more, Tenchi..." With those words, Kiyone passed out. Tenchi's eyes were in tears, but he picked up her emergency transporter in her uniform. Kiyone and Mihoshi had taught him how to us it for emergencies. This was one. He activated it and the two disappeared. ----- They appeared on Yagami in the newly built healing chamber. The pod they took to the planet was already on it's way back by remote. "Computer," started Tenchi, "this is Lord Tenchi Masaki of the House of Jurai. This is a Class-C emergency. Prepare the rejuvenation center for officer Kiyone Makabi." He really hated the protocols. He also hated how this was considered a "Class-C" emergency. Wounded officers were seen as a secondary type of emergency by GP standards, with citizens at "Class-B" and Jurians at "Class-A". Also, he had to use his standing in the House of Jurai to override the ship's computers. He hated that. Tenchi didn't like being graded above other people just because he was a young prince. Still, if that was the language the computers listened to and if that would help Kiyone... Tenchi took a minute to look at Kiyone. He laid her down and did some impromptu first aid. It amazed him of how someone so strong and resourceful would be so pale and lifeless right now. He hoped what he was doing would be enough to keep the blood in. He thought of how she was the only woman in his life besides Mihoshi, not to have any special powers. Yet, she had been risking her life for others for a long time. She's very courageous, he thought, of course, all police officers are. Sometimes, Tenchi wondered if he was considering himself too much as the girls' defender. It wasn't as if any of them were helpless. Of course, like right now, they would need help sometimes. "Kiyone?" he whispered, "I don't know if you can hear me, but you're going to get help and I'm going trace that man like you wanted." Two small robots took the female officer to a conveyer belt that led into the enormous healing chamber. It was a new addition to Yagami that Kiyone and Mihoshi taught Tenchi to use one day in case there was no time to get Washu. It would slide Kiyone in via conveyor belt, a rebreather would be placed on her, and a blue liquid would heal her. "Lord Tenchi?" asked the robots, "should officer Kiyone's clothing be removed?" "WHAT?" "It would be easier for the rejuvenation process," they answered. "Do I...have to look?" "If the wound is not serious enough for guidance, no." "-sigh- Okay. Remove it, please. Wait! Keep the headband and her bathing suit on, but remove the rest and slide her in." Tenchi didn't know what the headband was for, but since Kiyone was never without it, he figured it might be a religious practice from her home planet or something. Since he was unsure, he decided for the robots to keep it on her. "Tell me when you're done," he told the robots as he left to the main controls. In the cockpit, Tenchi used the training Kiyone and Mihoshi sometimes gave him on weekends to track down Henshin. He was still in his cave. Either he still hadn't made his call or was waiting for his ride. Either way, Tenchi would keep his promise and watch him. In all honesty, he would bring Henshin to justice himself for what he did to Kiyone but he was warned not to go alone. He figured that he owed it to Kiyone to honor that warning. ----- Everything they ever told her was true. On her home planet, Kiyone was taught that in the afterlife of her people, one would be picked up by an angle, the angle would whisper to the departed, the departed would be carried and removed of most of their material clothing, be kissed by the breath of the cosmos, and be soothed by the liquid of life itself. It was relaxing, but she had many regrets. She never got the promotion she wanted, got to say goodbye to anyone but Tenchi, and never...thanked Mihoshi for accepting her for what she was. She always yelled at Mihoshi, but she never -really- hated her. Mihoshi screwed up a lot, but she wasn't a bad person, far from it. In fact, Mihoshi was one of the nicest people she knew...with Tenchi on the same list. She hoped neither of them would take her loss too harshly, it could happen to anyone in her line of work. ----- Kiyone awoke, but not in the afterlife she expected. Instead, she awoke in a bed in a small room, wearing a hospital gown. She recognized it as the ship's new recovery room. She tried to piece everything together. She fell asleep in Tenchi's arms, then there was the dream about the liquid and the breath... Liquid? Breath? The healing chamber. Tenchi must have used it on her. She should thank him for that, but she hoped he didn't try stopping Henshin alone. As she pondered this, Tenchi entered. "Kiyone, how are you?" "Better. Uh, Tenchi? I know that the circumstances might have called for it, but...did you...?" "Hmmm? No, the robots did that. The wound wasn't serious enough to require me to look. By the way, I've been looking at Henshin from the cockpit. He's still in the cave." Kiyone smiled. "You're the best, Tenchi. Uh, don't tell Mihoshi I said that." Tenchi chuckled. "I won't. By the way, what's with the headband? I let the robots keep it on you. Is it religious or..." "Hmmm? No, I just like the color." "Oh." Tenchi chuckled to himself. Kiyone joined him. ----- They went back to the planet hoping to catch Henshin off- guard. Maybe he wouldn't be expecting both of them this time. "How about I try distracting Henshin?" suggested Tenchi. "We tried that last time." "Yeah, but he may only be expecting one of us." "Okay," agreed Kiyone "but this time, we disarm him first." "All right, but tell me Kiyone, what's this shape-shifting business?" "Well," explained Kiyone, "some citizens in the galaxy have evolved from their supposed restraints and can change their physical forms. Sometimes, it's limited to just one or two body parts. I'm guessing that Henshin controlled his ability so well that the doctors at the academy couldn't tell. I...may not have asked you to come if I knew..." "I would have come anyway. By the way, did you notice that it's only his left arm that changes?" "That's probably why he has the gun. Okay, Tenchi, go in. Whatever happens, destroy his gun. Then, we only have to worry about the rest of him. ----- Later, from her vantage point, Kiyone was admiring Tenchi's act. "YOU'LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO KIYONE!" Tenchi shouted as he charged at Henshin. Kiyone knew he was angry, but he was making it look like an act of revenge. He was only making it sound as if she had died. Henshin was kicked off the force long before the healing chambers were added, so he wouldn't have thought of them. During Tenchi's act, he cut Henshin's gun in half. Now, it was Kiyone's turn. "Henshin, FREEZE!" Henshin turned around and saw Kiyone. He seemed slightly surprised, but smirked at her anyway. "You wouldn't dare fire in here," he declared, "it may cause an avalanche." "Well," said Kiyone, "there's still Lord Tenchi's sword." "Oh," said Henshin, "in that case..." Henshin's left arm became flat and pointy, the carbon-based version of a sword. He lunged it at Kiyone, who dodged that time. "Kiyone!" Tenchi jumped in front of Henshin. "Want a fair fight?" he declared. "Ummm..., no." He lunged at Kiyone again. She was backed in a corner this time, there was no time to move... "NO!" Tenchi jumped into the path of Henshin's makeshift sword. It stabbed him clear through his side. "Tenchi!" This time, Kiyone shot at Henshin, winging his sword-arm. He fell. "Okay," the criminal muttered, "I'll go quietly." Kiyone looked after Tenchi. He was bleeding like crazy and was gasping for air. "Tell...Dad and Grampa...I'm sorry...and tell the girls...I like them all..." He went unconscious. Kiyone held him with a shocked look on her face. ----- On Yagmai, Kiyone quickly put Henshin in a detention cell and took Tenchi to the healing chamber. She gave the robots the protocol and they responded quickly. "How are his wounds?" she asked the robots. "Very severe. Near critical." "All right. Remove clothing." As Tenchi was placed in the tank, Kiyone cursed herself for two things: one was letting Tenchi get hurt and the other was for how she was about to see Tenchi in his boxers. The other girls would run over themselves for this moment, but she wouldn't have put him in this position otherwise. Tenchi's condition was so bad that it was safer for her to watch him case anything changed. Forgive me Tenchi, she thought. He was placed into the tank. Wow, she thought, he's cute. She snapped out of that, thinking of what Ryoko and Ayeka would do to her if they knew about this. Kiyone put her hand on the glass and felt her concern for Tenchi rise. She didn't quite have the same feelings for him as the others, but she had concern for him as a friend and...something else. She couldn't tell what it was, but it was a feeling she had for him for a while. They weren't romantic feelings or maternal feelings. They were almost...the feelings of an aunt or maybe....a sister? Never thought of it like that, thought Kiyone. Her and Tenchi...brother and sister? Well, maybe in a surrogate way. She wondered if he thought the same about her. She lost track of time while watching him. She didn't want his blood on her hands. Not only would the others never forgive her, but it would be too big a burden on her. It's always painful to lose a friend, especially a close one. Just get better Tenchi, she thought. ----- Tenchi awoke in a strange, but familiar looking bed. It was the same one he had Kiyone placed in earlier. He remembered passing out in Kiyone's arms. For a while, Tenchi thought he was going to join his mother. Tenchi looked at himself. He was healed all right. Kiyone entered the room. "Feeling better, Tenchi?" "Pretty much. Thanks?" Kiyone looked down. "Kiyone, is something...wrong?" Kiyone now almost looked embarrassed. "Tenchi, when you were in the healing chamber..." "Yes?" "Well, your wounds were more sever than mine so..." "'So'...?" "Ihadtoseeyouinyourunderwear," Kiyone said quickly, "It was to make sure there was no change. I'm sorry. You know I wouldn't have if it wasn't necessary.. Please don't be mad at me..." ----- Tenchi looked more surprised than angry. In fact, he seemed nervous. Then, he began to smile. "Hey, you saved my life," he explained, "why should I get mad?" "Well, you said you looked away from me when I was in there and..." "You had less choice than I did. Besides, I trust you." "Wow. Thanks." Tenchi didn't seem to have much trust in the girls sometimes. Gaining it somehow seemed important to Kiyone. They reached Earth that evening. Tenchi explained what happened without the...extra details. Ryoko and Ayeka took Tenchi's word and that was good for Kiyone considering the looks they had on the two of them since she and Tenchi got home. Mihoshi seemed disappointed that she missed out on this mission, but Kiyone assured her that it wasn't something she'd enjoy. "I don't know," Mihoshi said softly, "I think I'd like a solo mission with Tenchi." "Why?" "Er, uh, nothing," Mihoshi quickly covered up, "It's just that he'd...make a good partner I guess." Kiyone felt puzzled by Mihoshi's statement. The way she said that...it was almost as if... As the family started dinner, Kiyone glanced at Mihoshi, then at Tenchi, and finally at Ryoko and Ayeka. She began to fear for Mihoshi. END?