Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of Tenchi Muyo! They are owned by AIC and Pioneer North America. I did not create them, and their use here is strictly for the enjoyment of myself and anyone who gets bored enough to read this. In other words: Please don't sue my poor ass. Tenchi Muyo! From the Blood of the Gods-- Part 8: Innocence's End (or No Need for Grudges) by the Loneshark Kiyone closed the door of the onsen behind her, running a hand through her hair. "Uhg. I really need a morning bath." She was happy enough to be alone this morning. She hadn't had a moment's peace since the Emperor had attacked them. Even her dreams were giving her trouble. She sighed, throwing off her bath towel, and sank into the warm water. Finally, after two days of royalty and headaches, she could just relax. Kiyone raised an eyebrow, hearing someone climb out of the water. She turned her head, and saw Shadow climbing out of the water on the other side of the bath. Kiyone yelled in suprise, "What are you doing in here?" She startled him. Shadow lost his balance, and fell backwards into the water. His head rose up a second later, coughing out water. "Wha... what do you mean? I'm taking a bath!" He picked himself up out of the bath, and sat with his back to her. He laid his towel across his lap, and began to wash his shoulders. Kiyone fumed. "I came here to take a bath and relax!" Shadow shrugged. "So? Go ahead, I'm not looking." He mumbled, "Besides, it's not my fault you're so inhibited." He looked over his shoulder at her. "Wait, you're not still embarrased about what you did when you were drunk, are you?" Kiyone turned red, and sank back into the water. "Please don't bring that up." Shadow smiled. "What's the big deal? So you were drunk and... well, amorous might not be the right word, but it's probably more polite. It just means that you're completely normal." "You call losing control of yourself normal? And I shouldn't be embarrassed about it?" Kiyone restrained herself from jumping out and strangling him. "No, you shouldn't!" He yelled at her. Kiyone was taken aback. "You're a sweet kid, Kiyone. Try not taking so much responsibility for everything." He sighed. "Shadow?" Kiyone rose out of the water, and put her towel back on. "Well, what makes you think you're right?" "Seven hundred years of experience. It's not like you're the first person to put me in handcuffs." There was a long moment of silence between them. "Um, Kiyone?" "Yes?" "Could you do me a favor?" She looked over at him. He held up a bar of soap. "Could you get my back?" Kiyone sighed, making sure her gun was snug in her towel, and walked over and sat down behind him. She tentatively took the bar from his hand, and scrubbed his back. "I have my gun, if you try anything." "Fair enough. I'm just saying that you shouldn't be so embarrassed about it, that's all." Kiyone smiled slightly, considering his words. "Besides, I heard your gun when you took your towel off. You make a lot of noise, for a detective." Shadow turned his head, and flashed a smile. Kiyone stood, and kicked him into the water. He came back up, rubbing his head, and rested his arms on the edge of the bath. "What's with the women of this house beating me, lately?" He looked up, and saw a clear view up Kiyone's bath towel, right before getting a close up of the bottom of her foot. Kiyone sat back down in the other side of the bath, and smiled, hearing Shadow moan and rub his face in slight pain. This was beginning to relax her. *** At breakfast, Tenchi wondered for a moment how Shadow had managed to get two bruises on his face, after it had been two days since the fight with Azusa. He thought it probably better not to ask right now. Maybe during practice. "Oh, I'm so hungry," Mihoshi exclaimed, coming to the table late. "Mihoshi, how do you find enough time in the day to sleep so long?" Washu rubbed the back of her neck. Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka all knew that there was something wrong with her, and they'd probably told Katsuhito and Nobuyuki, also. They'd taped the door to her lab shut, forcing her to sleep on the couch. At least she was sleeping, now. Tenchi poked at his fish, not really hungry. "Don't be so crabby, Little Washu." The feeling of something coming had grown stronger. He'd just wish he knew what it was, and if they'd get a little better warning this time. Mihoshi's whatch started beeping. Kiyone stared at her partner for a moment, wondering if the ditz would ever realize it. "Mihoshi." The blond continued to eat. "Mihoshi!" Mihoshi jumped, "Ah! Oh, what is it, Kiyone?" Mihoshi's partner pointed to her wrist. "Uh?" Mihoshi looked down at her whatch. "Oh! A signal! We've got to go!" She stood and ran to the door. "Come on, Kiyone! It could be an emergency!" Kiyone shook her head. "Exuse us, everybody. I don't think it will take too long." "Can I have your soup?" Shadow asked as she left. Ryoko yelled out, "I call her fish and rice!" Nobuyuki smiled. "Hehe. Back to normal." *** "Why can't we ever have just a normal day, for once?" Kiyone muttered to herself. An unidentified ship had approached the solar system at illegal speeds. Kiyone and Mihoshi were only allowed near Earth because Tenchi and Ayeka had given the Galaxy Police their permission. Who the hell was this who thought they could just intrude? "Mihoshi, are you having any luck getting that thing to work?" Mihoshi sat in her seat next to Kiyone, busying herself with her control cube. "Oh, I don't think this thing's working. Is it broken, or something, I mean, really, they can't be this difficult..." Mihoshi continued to ramble. Kiyone shook her head. "Never mind." Kiyone tried to contact the other ship. "Come in. This is the Galaxy Police. This is a restricted area. Halt your ship and indentify yourself." Mitsuki's face appeared on a view screen. "Hello, Kiyone." Her tone was curt, and ice cold. "Mitsuki? What are you doing here? This is Jurai territory, and you shouldn't be here without--" "Stow it, Kiyone. I'm here to bring in a suspect. He's on Earth, and I'm going to bring him in." "A suspect? What are you talking about? I haven't seen anything about a criminal in this area." "Maybe that's because you're too busy laying around instead of doing your job. I'm in this sector to bring in Tenchi Masaki. He's suspected to have connections to several dissappearances in this area." Kiyone felt her last restraint snap. This time, Mitsuki had gone too far. Mihoshi looked at her partner, nervously. She'd never seen Kiyone this mad. "Mitsuki, what do you think you are doing? Mihoshi and I patrol this system. If there was anything happening, I would be the first to know." Mitsuki shrugged. "The reports are at headquarters. Why don't you go over there and get the data yourself? I've got a job to do, so get out of my way." The screen went black again. Kiyone growled. "Mihoshi, can you track her ship?" Mihoshi nodded, and began to work at the controls. "I found her. She's using a Cruiser Eilite Class model." "Cruiser Elite? But's that's not a capture ship." The screen was suddenly alive with a flashing yellow and black warning. "Ah! She's coming straight at us!" Mihoshi grabbed the controls, and veered the Yagami away. Mitsuki's ship speed past, the force slightly rocking Yagami. "She's breaking the speed limit!" "And she's after Tenchi! Quick, Mihoshi, we can't let her reach Earth." Mihoshi had sped up the ship before her partner had even finished speaking. *** Washu fidgited with her holocomputer. She couldn't get to her real work cut off from the lab like this. Ayeka must have put a forcefield at the door, scrambling the signals. Washu muttered several curses to herself. Why wouldn't they let her get in? She had to finish this. Whatever was out there, happening, was affecting her. She needed to get in there and get the data. "So you can work like a machine?" Washu jumped at the sound of her daughter's voice. Ryoko hovered over the couch, staring down at her. Washu looked away, never before feeling so... scrutinized. "How are you getting into my head, Ryoko?" "You let your guard down. That's not like you, Washu. Tenchi told us that he saw you working in your sleep. He said your hands were moving on their own. Is that true?" Now who was the mother? "It's none of your damn business, Ryoko. None of you could understand what's going on inside me. There's something happening to me, something that even I can't get a grasp on." Ryoko settled down on the couch. She'd never heard fear in her mother's voice. "Try me, Washu. I was Kagato's slave for five thousand years. I know what it's like to not have control of yourself." Washu glared at her, inexplicibly. "When did you become the understanding type?" Ryoko looked away. "Fine. If that's how you want it, Washu." She teleported away. Washu sighed, and slumped into the couch. What was happening to her. She would never have said something like that to Ryoko. Not normally, anyway. How the hell could she have done that? Washu kocked herself on the head. "Stupid!" She sat there, trying to just not think, when her computer flashed a warning. Washu jumped up, her fingers flying across the translucent keyboard. A ship was approaching, being chased by the Yagami. "What? It looks like it's happening again." *** The Bane of Dragons slunk through the forest, being careful to avoid the shrine, or any of the other inhabitants of the valley. If it could manage to get passed them, and sneak in to an opening to the house, then it could get the goddess-child, Sasami. Then maybe Tokimi would grant it's freedom, again. Then it would go after Funaho's child. The demon stayed low, the house coming within sight. It was a small thing, compared to what it had seen in ages of antiquity. It had witnessed great emperors rise and fall with their castles, challenged gods and demons, burned their castles to the ground. It suddenly missed those days. "It is time, goddess-child." *** Shadow Dog blocked the sword with his arm. He gritted his teeth, trying to cut off the pain. Tenchi's skill was definitely improving. There was a sensation, a feeling in the back of his mind. It raced to his consciousness, sparking into a brilliant flare. Shadow's gem flashed brightly, and he looked away. "What the!?" Tenchi's sword stoppd directly in front of his face. "Shadow?" Tenchi lowered his sword. Yohso walked over to them. "Seayo, what is it?" Shadow raised his hand, "Sh! Quiet. Don't you feel it?" The occult sense struck Tenci's mind like a flash. "Something's here?" Shadow nodded. "Let's go!" Both men ran down the hill toward the house. Yosho shook his head, and followed them. Now, it had truly begin. *** Washu typed furiously, trying to bring up the approaching ship on her computer. She couldn't do anything cut off from her lab like this! She tried to hit the computer, her fist only passing through it. "Damn it! Why is this happening?" "Still looking for the answers, Washu?" She froze, and looked up. Tsunami's face looked down at her, but she seemed... sad. Washu stared back at her. "What are you doing here, Tsunami? Where's Sasami?" "Please calm yourself, Washu. Sasami is fine. When I leave, she will be awake again." The goddess looked away from Washu's angry face. "Do you really want to know the truth?" Washu nodded. "I have to know, Tsunami. Tell me what is happening." "I can't tell you, but I can show you the way," she looked back at Washu. The scientist didn't think she could ever see a more serious expression. "You have to be willing to do anything, Washu. Even give up your life for the truth. Do you think you are prepared for that?" Washu nodded. She wanted to scream, and she didn't even know why. "Just do whatever it is you're going to do. Now, before I change my mind." Tsunami smiled, slightly. "You always were willing." The goddess fadded away. Washu felt >something< happen. It was like she had been moved out of reality. Everything was merely a picture, and she had been pulled from it. Washu's body was surrounded in a silver light, and she felt her own form begin to fade. Sasami pulled herself up from the kitchen floor. Ryo-ohki miyaed worriedly at her feet. Sasami looked down at her friend, and gave her a reassuring pat on the head. "It's okay, Ryo-ohki. I'm fine. Tsunami needed me to..." What had just happened? Lunch was still on the stove, so she hadn't been asleep for long, but what did Tsunami do? There was something in the air that didn't feel right. Sasami turned the stove off, and stood still, trying to let her senses tell her what was wrong. Tsunami had asked her to go into a trance for a short while, just long enough to manifest. But, why did she have to do that? Ryo-ohki raised her hackles, and began to howl at the kitchen door. Sasami frowned down at her. "Ryo-ohki! What are you do... huh?" Sasami looked at the door. There was something coming from the other side. She could... feel it. "Washu!" Sasami and Ryo-ohki ran to the door, the girl throwing it open. Sasami gasped, stopping cold in her tracks. Light emenated from Washu's body, brilliant white light. "Washu!" The light grew, forcing Sasami to shield her eyes. Something was happening to Washu. Finally, the light died. Sasami looked up, and saw only Washu's holocomputer. There was only an empty spot on the couch where Washu once was. "Washu!" *** Tenchi stopped in front of the house. Something in the sky had caught his attention. "Stop!" Shadow and Yosho skidded to a halt next to him. Tenchi pointed upward, into the sky. "Is that... the Yagami?" The shape of the Yagami came hurtling towards them, closely following another ship. It looked like they were only going faster. Tenchi pulled out his sword, the hilt igniting into a blue blade in his hands. Shadow raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you plan to stop them with that?" Tenchi ignored the bad joke. "Tenchi!" Ryoko teleported next to him, looking up at the two ships in a dog fight over the Masaki house. "What the hell is that?" "Yagami," Shadow answered. The mysterious ship fighting Yagami broke off, and speed towards the ground. The entire valley was filled with heat and wind as it landed. Shadow, Tenchi, and Ryoko jumped back towards the house. Yosho stood unmoved, carefully examinging the ship. It was a Galaxy Police cruiser. Yagami hovered over the cruiser. Kiyone materialized on the ground in front of the others, a large rifle in her hands. Tenchi approached her. "Kiyone? What's going on?" She held up her hand. "Stay back, Tenchi. This one is mine." The hatch of the cruiser opened, and Kiyone lowered her rifle. A tall, attractive red-headed woman stumbled out of the ship, cursing and coughing through the dust. She stopped, and looked over the group in front of her. Ayeka ran out of the house. "Tenchi? Yosho? What is this?" Ryoko looked over her shoulder at the princess. "That's what we're trying to figure out." Kiyone set the red-head in her sights. "Mitsuki! You've got exactly two minutes to get back into that cruiser and get the hell out of here. This is my jurisdiction, and you have no right to be here." Mitsuki appeared to ignore her, instead looking at the dark- haired young man holding a blue sword. "Tenchi Masaki?" He nodded. "You are wanted--" "Yea, yea! We know the line, already," Ryoko yelled. Mitsuki was taken aback for a second, and then regained her composuer. "Fine. Just come with me, and there won't be any trouble." Kiyone pumped the rifle. It let out a long, high squeal. "I'm warning you, Mitsuki. Get out of here, right now." No one had ever heard Kiyone's voice so cold. She was speaking through pure hate. "Kiyone, don't shoot her," Shadow placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think I know why she's really here. Don't you, Lord Yosho?" Shadow looked back at the Jurai prince, who nodded in agreement. "Mitsuki's your name, right? You're a servant of Lady Tokimi, aren't you? You're here to take Tenchi to your mistress." Mitsuki smiled, and raised a gloved hand. She took the glove off, showing the sigil of Lady Tokimi. "You know about her, then? Good. Then you also know to do what I say. If you don't, there will be real trouble." "Okay," Ryoko and Ayeka yelled, together, "Shoot her!" Kiyone let loose with a barrage of energy blasts from her rifle. Dust and smoke filled the air as the beams traveled to Mitsuki. When it cleared, Mitsuki stood unharmed, a forcefield shimmering around her. The sigil on her hand glowed. "Are you done, yet? I've really got to get going." The Bane of Dragons looked on in fascination. Funaho's child and his allies stood in front of the house, in confrontation with another of Tokimi's servants. The one who'd emerged from the metal dragon. It felt the call to the goddess-child, but Funaho's offspring... Maybe there was another way it could get back it's freedom. If only it could get around, and get into that metal dragon... Ryoko screamed, and flew at Mitsuki, her sword forming in her hands. "Enough talking, bitch!" Mitsuki threw a small ball into the air. It exploded into a metal net, wrapping around Ryoko and knocking her to the ground. Electricity sugred through Ryoko's body. Her muscles froze, and all she could do was scream in pain. "Ryoko!" Tenchi ran to her side as the electricity died. Shadow changed to his hound form, and he and Kiyone charged Mitsuki. The renegade GP waved her hand, and a wave of force sent both of them backwards through the air. Mitsuki's eyes glowed a fierce red as she approached Tenchi. "You've wasted enough of my time, Masaki." Ayeka yelled as she flew at her. Mitsuki barely had enough time to put up her own forcefield, before colliding with Ayeka's. Their powers flashed, and pushed against each other. Niether woman moved. Mitsuki screamed, and Ayeka was thrown back into Yosho. She turned back to Tenchi. "Now, just come with me." Tenchi rose, and three triangles on his forehead began to glow. Mitsuki stepped back. What the hell was happening? The report didn't say anything about this. Three glowing blades appeaered in front of Tenchi. "Leave, right now. You won't be harmed." Despite the warning, it sounded more like a threat. Mitsuki cursed, and changed her plan. She turned, and walked back to her ship. If she couldn't get to the boy... She raised her left hand, and Ryoko's body flew in to the open hatch of the ship. Mitsuki stepped in, and the hatch closed behind her. It had all happened too fast for Tenchi to react. He ran at the ship, but was thrown back as it lifted off the ground. The cruiser flew out from under Yagami, and away from Earth. *** "Tsunami?" Sasami reached inside herself, trying to contact her friend. "Yes?" Tsunami's voice was always smooth and calm. It made Sasami think of blue water. "What happened to Washu?" "She went to find out the truth. She is learning what she needs to know." "I... I don't understand." "You will, Sasami. In time. Please don't worry about Washu, Sasami. It is the others who need your help, right now." "If I help them, will you help Washu?" She could feel Tsunami smile, "Yes." Sasami opened her yes. "Miya?" Ryo-ohk sat at her feet. Sasami giggled at her friend. "It's okay, Ryo-ohki. I think Washu will be fine. She can take care of herself. Come on, the other's need our help." They ran outside to the front yard. Everyone was picking themselves up off of the ground, sore and bruised. Everyone, except Ryoko. "Tenchi!" Sasami ran over to the young man, who knelt on the ground. Sasami slowed, and walked up beside him. "Tenchi, what happened? Where's Ryoko?" "She was taken, Mistress," Shadow said to her through their link, still helping Kiyone to her feet. "One of Lady Tokimi's servants came, trying to get Tenchi. She got Ryoko instead." Tenchi rose, his hands shaking in anger. He didn't know what he was angry at. Was it Tokimi, for bringing him this grief, or was it himself, for breaking his promise to Ryoko? The sword Tenchiken's blade flared to life, it's energy crackling in the air around it. Ayeka and Yosho stood next to Sasami. "Tenchi? Please, let me go with you. I know you're going after her." Tenchi turned around, and nodded. "Thank you, Lady Ayeka." "Shadow and I are coming, too!" Sasami yelled. "Ryoko's my friend. You can't make us stay, Tenchi." Tenchi looked down at her. "Sasami, it will be dangerous." "It's already dangerous here, Tenchi," Shadow said. "There's a demon here on Earth, and a goddess out there in space. Niether one seems like a great choice to fight. If you want to face Tokimi's servants, then let us come with you. We're as much a part of this as you are, anyway." Tenchi stood silent, thinking. "All right. Guard Sasami, Shadow. I need you to do that." He turned to Kiyone. "Kiyone, do you know who that woman was?" She nodded. "Her name is Mitsuki. She's a Galaxy Police officer, but she's also the only person I can say I truly hate. I'm going to get her back for this, Tenchi. I swear it." She pumped her rifle. "It looks like we're all going, Tenchi. Are you ready?" Yosho looked at his grandson. He had to be there, for him. Even if it was all he could do. Tenchi nodded, and bent down to Ryo-ohki. "You wanna go get Ryoko back, Ryo-ohki?" The cabbit miyaed, and leapt into the air, changing shape into a large, spiked spaceship. Tenchi looked at everyone gathered, and smiled, even though it hurt. "Thank you. All of you." Ryo-ohki beamed them all onto her, and took off into space. Mihoshi followed in Yagami, her face appearing on a screen inside Ryo-ohki. "Kiyone? What's going on? Where are we going?" Shadow answered, "We're going to get Ryoko back, Mihoshi. Just try and keep us with Ryo-ohki, okay?" Mihoshi smiled. "Okay! Um... what happened to Mitsuki?" "She kidnapped Ryoko. We have to fight her." "What?! But... but what about lunch?" "Mihoshi, please, don't start--" "WHHAAAHHH! I don't wanna fight Mitsuki!" Shadow and Kiyone both resisted the urge to order Ryo-ohki to fire at Mihoshi. *** Ryoko sat up, her head throbbing in time with her heartbeat. It hurt to breathe, but she sucked in air anyway. She had to get up, to force the pain to die. She needed to kill that red-headed bitch. It was almost too dark for anyone to see, the only light coming in from under the door, but that'd never stopped Ryoko. She could easily see in the dark. The room around her was small, just a minor holding cell. The net she'd been trapped in lay around her in pieces. She picked up a scrap of it, and gasped. It had been torn apart. Who ever this lady was, she wouldn't be so stupid as to take the net off. Ryoko's energy blade appeared in her hands, and she stood and walked over to the door. There were large, deep claw marks along the edges. It had been pried open, and then closed again. Something else was on the ship. Whatever it was, Ryoko silently thanked it, and pushed the door open. Light flooded her senses for a moment, and faded as her eyes adjusted. First, this bitch had tried to take Tenchi away from her, and now she was trying to kidnapp her. Ryoko clenched her left hand tightly, and her red and black battle suit formed around her, replacing the dress she had been wearing. This bitch had crossed the line, twice. Ryoko wished for a moment that she possessed her other two gems, and stepped out of the cell. One end led to a closed door. Probably the bathroom. A bed was set in the wall across form her, and the other direction led up, to the cockpit. Ryoko smiled, her sword humming with energy. She'd get that bitch in one good swipe. Then she'd take care of whoever else was on the ship. Ryoko floated up the corridor. The pilot's seat came insight, with red hair poking over the top. Ryoko sped up, and then stopped, slamming into a forcefield. "Damn!" Ryoko picked herself up, rubbing her face. "You're awake?" Mitsuki turned around in her chair, frowning. "I don't know how you got out of that net, but you can bet that you won't get past the forcefield. I may not have been able to prepare for the boy's powers, but I was at least prepared for that." Ryoko growled at her. "What do you want with Tenchi?" She slashed at the field with her sword, energy flashing briefly. "Tell me, dammit." "How come Mihoshi's report doesn't mention the boy having any power?" Ryoko replied with an energy blast at the forcefield. Mitsuki shrugged. "Have it your way. He'll be here soon enough, I'm sure. So will my partners." Mitsuki turned back around, looking out at the blackness. She could barely keep her food down after calling Hikage and his lackies her "partners," but she didn't really have a choice. She would need whatever help Hikage decided to send. "Mitsuki Hashitari?" Speak of the devil. "Come in. This is Ito Gasam, servant of Lord Hikage Unihasa and Lady Tokimi. Please respond." Mitsuki pressed her control console, and handsome man's face appeared, his long blue hair tied back behind his head. "This is Mitsuki. You're Hikage's scum?" The cruiser's montiers showed the ship. "You don't look like much." The man's jaw tensed, noticibly. "Do you have the boy, or did you fail?" Mitsuki stammered, "Well... I...it's not that simple. I don't have the boy, but I have someone important to him. He'll follow me here, so your ship had better be able to handle him." "Then just what do you have?" "The space pirate Ryoko." Another's man's face appeared onscreen, his orange and yellow hair widly unkept. "You caught who?! Are you crazy, lady? He'll kill you! Put her back right now, before he--" "Asanon, knock it off." Ryoko sneered. She thought the first man's voice was familiar, but she couldn't see the screens to see his face. She recognized the second's name, though. Asanon. The bounty hunters had come back. Ito cleared his throat. "Forgive my associate. We had some trouble before with this group. This time, however, we are prepared for an attack from the Ryo-ohki. We will dock with you in one half hour. After that, leave Tenchi and Ryoko to us." Mitsuki squeezed her fist, trying to keep her anger under control. "Fine. Just don't screw up." *** Tenchi felt the comforting grip of the sword in has hands. It hurt him to look at the faces of his friends, his family gathered around him on Ryo-ohki. He'd broken his promise to one of the most important people in his entire life. "Ryoko." "Tenchi," Shadow gripped his wrist, "Tenchi, unclench your hand, please." Tenchi lifted his left hand, and opened it. His nails had dug deep into his own flesh, leaving four red marks. A small drop of blood trickled down his palm, falling to the floor. "You can't expet to rescue her if you cut your own hand off, can you?" Tenchi looked down at the spot of blood. "I made a promise to her, Shadow. I made a promise I wasn't able to keep." "Tenchi, you can't blame yourself," Kiyone said. It sounded almost like an order. "Don't blame yourself. I'm the one who should have stopped Mitsuki before she even reached Earth. If it wasn't for me, she wouldn't have Ryoko right now." Tenchi shook his head, "But I..." Shadow looked at Yosho, silently begging him to smack some sense into the group. "Please, stop it with your angst." Everyone but Shadow gasped, and looked at Yosho. "Mitsuki was given great power by Lady Tokimi, like my father was. Miss Kiyone, there is nothing you could have done to stop her. She is a more powerful opponent than yourself. You shouldn't blame yourself." Yosho looked at his grandson. "And niether should you, Tenchi. I'm actually ashamed of you." Tenchi looked at him in shock. "It's not like you to give up so easily, and think of Ryoko as gone already. You're still standing, you stupid boy! As long as you can fight, you can still protect the ones you love." Tenchi nodded, and smiled. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry." Yosho smiled. Maybe his grandson is ready. Ryo-ohki meowed, and a large screen came up, showing two ships ahead of them. "Is it Ryoko, Ryo-ohki?" The ship meowed. Ayeka gasped. "Lord Tenchi, that second ship, isn't that...?" Shadow cursed. "The bounty hunter! That bastard." "Mihoshi," Kiyone said to the image of her partner on the other screen. "Mihoshi, I need you to keep Mitsuki's ship distracted for as long as you can, okay?" Mihoshi didn't look up, apparently messing with something in her lap. "Mihoshi? Mihoshi!" "Wha! Oh, Kiyone! Did you want me to do something?" Kiyone grimaced. "Mihoshi, what are you... uh?" Mayuka's head peered over the bottom of the screen, standing up in Mihoshi's lap. Tenchi looked at his daughter in shock. "Mihoshi? Wha... what is Mayuka doing with you?" Mihoshi frowned at the group. "You all were in such a hurry to go rescue Ryoko, that you forgot about Mayuka. Who do you think's going to whatch her while all of you go running around space?" No one could move for a few seconds. Mihoshi was making sense. "Well, Mihoshi," Ayeka said, "What about Miss Washu?" Mihoshi looked to the side, thinking. "Washu? I... I don't know where she is. I thought she was with you." Mayuka giggled, and pinched Mihoshi's cheek. "Huh? Ow, Mayuka! Please, don't pull on my face!" "Washu's fine, Ayeka," Sasami answered her sister, "She's... going to be all right." "Mistress? What do you mean?" Shadow asked her through their link. Sasami smiled at him. "Trust me. Tsunami's taking care of it." Shadow nodded. "Well, Lord Tenchi, what do you suppose we do about the bounty hunter?" Tenchi looked at the sword in his hands. He felt very foolish for ever thinking that he'd let Ryoko down. Especially after he wasn't beaten. "We go get Ryoko." *** Ito Gasam looked over the renegade Galaxy Police officer one more time, just to make sure he was actually seeing it. The Lady definitely picked some strange servants. He jumped, slightly, at the sound of Ryoko growling and thrashing against the bars of her prison. "Asanon, are you sure those bars will hold, this time?" Asanon's voice came through over the speaker, just barely louder than Ryoko's raging. "As long as you don't get the ship crashed, this time, it should be no problem." The com shut off. "Having difficulties with your crew, Gasam?" Mitsuki asked. Her tone was almost as annoyingly condescending as Asanon's. The sigil on the back of his hand glowed. "Yes, Officer Mitsuki. You have to trust me when I say that the boy and his allies will have no chance of breaking into the ship, this time. Tenchi Masaki will be ours." The ship rocked to the side. Ito and Mitsuki fell to the floor of the bridge. The bounty hunter slammed his fist. "Karasawa, what was that?" "It was the ship with the Ryo-ohki, sir. I can't find any record of it in our archives, but it appears to have just blown up Officer Mitsuki's cruiser." Mitsuki screamed, "What!" She grabbed Ito by the collar of his suit. "You call this 'no difficulties,' Gasam? They just blew up my ship!" Ito pushed the woman off of him. "This is my ship, bitch. Sit down and keep your mouth shut." He turned to the pilot. "Karasawa, what are you doing? Fire back!" "We only have enough weaponry on the ship to fire at one of the targets. Which target should I fire at, sir?" Ito ground his teeth. "It doesn't matter, you idiot! Fire at Ryo-ohki, if you like. She's the one who did the damage to our ship last time, after all!" Karasawa nodded. "Yes, sir." The air filled with the sounds of energy fire. Karasawa yelled in pain. "Karasawa! What is it, are we hit?" The pilot shook his head. "No sir, there's... there is something else on the ship. Asanon was attacked, and I think he's dead. I had the signature for a second, but I lost it." *** Ryoko waited for several seconds before leaving the cell. The guard, Asanon, had turned the corner, and screamed. Then the bars turned off. Ryoko held a ball of energy in her hand, ready to release it if anything tried to attack her. She looked around the corner Asanon had turned, and gasped. Something had torn his throat out. Pools of blood colored the floor around his body, large claw marks carving his flesh. His windpipe lay on the floor next to him. Ryoko didn't stop to examine the scene any further, instead looking around for his murderer. There was no blood trail, no marks left on the walls or floor. It was as if the man's body had simply revolted against itself. Ryoko involuntarily shivered, and looked down the corridor. The lights flickered on and off. Somehow, Ryoko felt that whoever had helped her back on Mitsuki's ship had also helped her here. Who... whatever it was, was not someone Ryoko wanted to meet. She smiled. There was only one way she could think of to get off this ship, and it was going to be a lot of fun. Ryoko's gem glowed in her left wrist, drawing in power. An aura of energy surrounded Ryoko's arm, and traveled up across her shoulders, and her chest. It covered her body, growing with intensity. Small pieces broke off, flying into the ship, and going strait through it. Ryoko aimed at the floor beneath her feet, and let her energies go. The bounty hunter's ship was covered in a brilliant flash of light. Everyone on the Ryo-ohki covered their eyes, cringing at the light. When it faded, there was several gasps of suprise as part of the bounty hunter's ship was missing. "Ryo-ohki, what was that?" Tenchi looked closely at the image of the ship. There seemed to be something floating next to it, drifting away from the hole in the ship's side. Ryo-ohki meowed, and an image of Ryoko appeared. She floated in the middle of space, her eyes closed. "Quick, Ryo-ohki, let's get her!" The spaceship meowed again, and sped towards her friend. Ryoko's unconcious body phased through Ryo-ohki's hull, settling to the floor. Tenchi, Ayeka and Sasami rushed over to her. Tenchi picked up her head. "Ryoko? Ryoko, wake up, please." Kiyone looked at the space pirate over his shoulder. "She's breathing, Tenchi. I think she'll be fine. Ryoko's too tough." An image of the bounty hunter appeared, his face a portrait of distress. "Tenchi Masaki? Are you there? This is the bounty hunter Ito Gasam. You do remember me, don't you?" Shadow's eyes narrowed at the image. "We remember you, dog. Is the GP there?" Ito looked nervously to the side, and nodded. "Yes, Officer Mitsuki is here. I believe you know who my new master is, so I'll skip any explanations. We will get Tenchi Masaki. It is only a matter of time." "I seriously doubt that... Ito, you said your name was?" Yosho asked. "If this is your best attempt to capture my grandson, by drawing him into conflict in order to save Ryoko, then you have seriously underestimated all of us. Tell Lady Tokimi that we will meet her on her own terms, if need be." Ito nodded. "Of course. Until we meet again, Masaki." The bounty hunter's battered ship disappeared in a flash of light, just like Azusa. Ryoko moaned, rubbing her head. "Damn, I have a headache," she complained. "Ryoko, you're okay!" Sasami hugged her around her waist as Tenchi helped her to her feet. "Of course I'm okay, kid. Don't tell me you doubted me?" Ryoko laughed, weakly, and patted her on the head. Tenchi looked at her yellow, feline eyes. "Ryoko, I..." She put a finger to his lips. "Relax, Tenchi. Do you honestly think some stupid hunter was going to keep me held prisoner?" Shadow cleared his throat. "As a former bounty hunter, I resent that remark." "Resent this," Ryoko stuck her tongue out at him. "Are you sure you're okay, Ryoko? You're not hurt, are you?" Tenchi steadied her as she walked forward. Ryoko wrapped her arms around his neck, and jumped up, forcing Tenchi to hold her in his arms. "Well, you don't have to let go, if you don't want to," she laughed. "Did you cause that blast, Ryoko? I didn't think you were capable of discharging that much energy with only one gem?" Ayeka asked her. "Yea, well, it took most of my pow... er...," Ryoko's head sunk into her chest. "Ryoko?" Tenchi smiled. "You didn't have to exhaust yourself." He set her down in her chair. He turned to Yosho. "Grandpa, what are we going to do? I can't just sit around waiting for Tokimi to come for me. It's not fair to any of you." Yosho looked down in thought. "There is a place we can go, Yosho. You know that," Shadow commented. "We can always go home." "You mean back to Earth? Why would we do that when there's only a demon waiting there for Sasami?" Ayeka's voice rose slightly. Shadow shook his head. "No, Princess Ayeka. I mean home. Our home." "Jurai," Yosho added. "Why should we go there, Seayo? We already know that Tokimi can influence people there. She probably has someone besides my father already there and in her grasp." Shadow Dog shook his head. "No, she can't reach beneath Jurai. In the city of the Twilight People, there is a place where we can make sure Mistress Sasami and Mistress Tsunami will be safe. It's called the Chrysalis Obscura." "Is it safe?" Kiyone asked. "Not even Tokimi will be able to reach her there. She damn well knows it, too." Shadow looked at Sasami. "Mistress, would you be willing to go there?" "What about the rest of you? What are you going to do, while I...," her voice trailed off. She knew what they would do. "No! You can't go after Tokimi, Shadow! I won't let you." "Mistress..." "You can't beat her, Shadow! I saw it in my dream. If you try to fight her, and I'm not there, she'll... all of you will..." She ran to Tenchi, hugging him, and buried her face in his chest. "Tenchi, please, don't go after her. I'll never see you again." "Sasami," she looked up at him. "Sasami, I can't just stand here and let Tokimi come after me. She's hurting all of you, and I can't let that happen. If Shadow Dog can help us put you where you'll be safe from her, then I promise we'll come back to you, okay Sasami?" She looked from Tenchi to Shadow, and nodded. "All right. I'll go." Shadow bowed, and spoke to her through their link, "Thank you, Mistress." His gem flashed, and he spoke to Ryo-ohki. "You heard the Mistress, Ryo-ohki. To Jurai, and step on it." Mihoshi's image appeared on the screen. "Wait for me! You guys can't leave me here! I'm coming with you, too!" "Mihoshi, I think you should--" Kiyone began. "WAAAAAHHHH! I don't wanna stay on Earth! I wanna go with!" "All right! Just stop crying, already!" Ayeka shook her head. "I'm beginning to have doubts about this." *** Washu opened her eyes, only to see darkness again. She didn't know if she was looking up or down, until she felt the ground beneath her feet. She wasn't even layng down. She was standing. She tried to use her voice, but it was weak. "Whe... where am I? Is there anyone here?" A light appeared in frong of her, a lamp carried by a robed figure. Washu couldn't see the figure's face, as the hood of the cape was pulled down over it. "Who are you? Did Tsunami send you?" "You always did ask too many questions, Lady Washu." The figure raised her head. Washu gasped. She never expected to see this person here. "Lady Achika? What are you doing here? Wait, does this mean I'm dead?!" Washu could feel panic rising in her chest. Lady Achika shook her head. "No, Lady Washu. You are far from it. Tsunami wanted me to help you see the truth. Do you think you are prepared to do so?" Washu could feel the panic start to die at the sound of Achika's voice. Washu nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes. I have to know, for their sake, and my own." She paused for a second. "Should you... be in Heaven, or something?" Achika smiled. "Yes, but my son is facing his greatest trial, yet. I need to help him, in anyway I can." "Well, so what's the truth you wanted to show me? What's happening to me?" "Stop asking questions, and open your eyes." Before Washu could say anything, she was blinded by another great light. In the light, she could see the course of her life, going in reverse. "What is this? I already now all of this." "It is so you understand events as they occured. You see the consequences of your actions after you did them." Washu could see her past time with Tenchi, adn the others. It passed, like flowing water. Her time with Kagato. She was trapped in a crystal, only able see outside through her daughter, forced to whatch as her greatest creation, and the most important thing to her, was treated like a machine, and forced to act like a monster. "Stop it." The images didn't stop. She saw Ryoko's birth, a memory Washu had thought almost completely destroyed by time. The experiment that drove Kagato insane. He used Washu's machines to dive in to the mind of an alien who's thought processess were totally different from his own. His mind shattered, and he became the monster she saw Tenchi kill. Before that, when she was a teacher, and Kagato was her favorite, brilliant assistant. He was so talented, it was a great shame to her now that he had become a monster. That was her fault. "Stop it, please." She saw herself become Washu-chan, and the day that Washu-san left her life almost entirely. Her baby and husband were taken from her. She saw herself cry, only to go on and relive the happy times she spent with them before they were taken, and then before the baby was born. Before she met the man, as she went through school. "I said I don't want to see this. Why won't you stop it?" The memories were going too swiftly for Washu to cry, even though the whole of her life made her want to. She saw herself as a child. Her loving parents, people of science, raised her and protected her. She saw herself revert back to a child, and then a baby. Washu wanted to scream, but her voice couldn't build the strength. She saw herself become an infant, a newborn. Then she saw the truth. Her parents found her, in a forest on some planet that she couldn't name, but it looked familiar. "What is this? Is this what really happened?" She lay as a babe in a basket, with three red gems laying next to her. The gems she had given her daughter. Then, there was a greater light, one she couldn't look at. "What's going on, now?" "Now, Washu, you learn what happened over twenty thousand years ago. You learn the truth of yourself before you were born." Author's notes: Yeeha! Now I'm picking up steam! This thing is getting more and more fun to write. I'll get started on part nine as soon as possible (which, as of this writing, will probably be about ten minutes from now), so don't worry. I'm just glad I finally got off of Earth. I thought they'd never get out of the house. All questions, commentary, compliments, flames, and spell check programs should go to killersquid@ticnet.com. Thank you for reading, I truly appreciate it.