Washu types into her console and soon she receives a message from the mainframe. Mainframe: Receiving transmission. Source is confirmed as Daniel. Washu: Initiate up link. Mainframe: Affirmative. Daniel appears on the screen. He smiles happily. Washu: What has you in a good mood? Daniel: I got a new toy to test! Check this out. A white door teleports by Washu and Daniel steps out. Daniel: Tada! Washu: Why am I not surprised? Sasami walks in. Sasami: Hi Dan! Daniel: Hi there, Sasami. Where is Feng? Sasami: Eating breakfast. Daniel: Well, I’ll catch him later. I got to start writing soon. Later! Sasami: Bye Daniel. Washu: Sayonara. Daniel fades away and starts to think up some ideas for this episode. Washu: I still don’t trust that guy. Sasami: Why? He hasn’t done anything bad. Washu: Not yet . . . Washu is turned into a kappa. Daniel: I heard that! ^_^ ^_* >_< @_@ ^_^; =_= *_* -_- (Emoticons…. rrriiiggghhhhtttt….) #*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*# The morning sun raises and awakens Ryoko and Ayeka who had been watching Tenchi restore his diminished power and spirit. Ayeka rubs the sleep out of her eyes while Ryoko stretched. Ayeka: Tenchi . . . Ryoko: Let him rest a bit longer. Ayeka: Then let’s get something to eat. Ten-chan, I shall return. Ayeka quietly walk out but Ryoko stays floating above Tenchi. Carefully she sits on the edge of the trying her best not to disturb him. She speaks softly into Tenchi’s’ ear. Ryoko: Tenchi dear, you were so brave and strong. I love you. Tenchi {while asleep}: Ryoko . . . I love you to. Ryoko leaned over and kissed Tenchi lightly on the forehead. Ryoko left the bedroom reluctantly. Down in Feng’s room a large arthropod crawled on his chest. He slowly wakes up as it gets closer. Feng: And just what do you want Gladius? Gladius: Skee, crick hiss. Feng: You need a snack before you go in your cocoon? Gladius: [nods] Feng: I better go with you then. Somebody might mistake you for a tarantion and squish ya’. Gladius sweats. Feng gets up and out of bed; Gladius hops on his shoulder. Feng changes into some nice clothes then heads out the door. On the way out Washu stops him. Washu: Feng is that insect your pet now? Feng: Yeah, I just got to feed this guy something before it wraps up his cocoon. Washu: How long will be the metamorphosis last? Feng: Well, since the metabolism and adaptation factors have been increased . . . about two hours. Washu: Impressive. Then its new functions will be available. Feng: Right. Gladius will be able to support the space ship form like Ryo-Ohki. Washu: How? I see you took a sample from her. Feng: Right, I took a hair sample from the brush Sasami uses to groom Ryo-Ohki’s fur. Washu: You broke the DNA down into a solution then you fed it to Gladius here. Feng: I can’t hide anything from the ‘Universes greatest genius scientist’, can I? Washu: [Smiles] Nope, you can’t. Feng: Well got to go now. Oh. By the way, will you help me with getting the party together? I can’t trust Noboyuki. He is an ecchi old man. Washu: Ha, ha, ha! Sure you can count on me to help. Feng: Thanks little Washu. Washu smiles and gives Feng a peace sign before she walks away to start her experiments. Feng turns to the door and crosses sub-space to the Masaki house. Sasami is in the kitchen cooking culinary delights. The smell permeates throughout the rooms. Instinctively Feng wipes the imaginary drool of his mouth. Feng: Oh, man I love what I smell! Sasami, what are you cooking? Sasami: Okonomiyaki, smoked fish, rice, and miso soup . . . Ayeka and Ryoko stare each other down in the living room. The usual fight was about to ensue but something had stopped them. They hear a scream from the kitchen. Sasami: FENG! Get that THING out of My kitchen NOW! AHHH! Ryoko and Ayeka arrive instantly to see Sasami on the counter frightened and Ryo-Ohki hissing at Gladius. Feng: Gladius! Stop it! Ayeka: What is that dirty insect doing in the kitchen?! Ryoko: That bug better not have laid eggs in anything or it’s going to be a grease spot on the sports page! Feng: That is so typical of you two, always jumping to conclusions! Sasami: Just get what you need and get out! Feng was not happy to say the least. He found some bamboo shoots, which should be enough for poor Gladius. He then got a glass of water and poured a fair amount of sugar in it. Feng turned to Sasami and bowed deeply. Feng: Gomen nasai, Sasami-chan. I should have warned you about Gladius. Sasami: (sighs) I’m sorry Feng, but I am afraid of bugs that are as big as a frying pan. Gladius: {sad} Cree . . . Feng: She knows you’re very sorry. Let’s go feed you this and then you’ll go in that cocoon to change into your new form. Feng walks out with Gladius on top of his head. Gladius turned around and waved goodbye to Sasami. Sasami let out a relieved sigh and got back to making breakfast. Ayeka remained in the kitchen to make sure that Feng didn’t come back with Gladius. Ryoko teleported away to parts unknown. In Tenchi’s bedroom Tenchi wakes up slowly to the sound of the birds outside. Tenchi: (Yawn) The morning after . . . Ryoko: Tenchi . . . I’m glad you are awake now. The space pirate teleported right by Tenchi. She looks expectantly in Tenchi’s eyes. Ryoko: Just you, Tenchi dear and me. (Sultry laughter) Tenchi: [Sweats] Now Ryoko . . . Before Tenchi could sat another syllable Ryoko kissed him full on the lips. Tenchi didn’t pull away or try to run. He sat their lips intertwined with Ryoko. Ryoko would give and do anything for this moment and now, it finally has come. There are no words to describe let alone even come close to how the sheer rhapsodic joy she felt now. They broke the kiss and reintroduced themselves to good friend called air. Tenchi looked at Ryoko completely blown away. Tenchi: Wow. Ryoko: Yeah, I enjoyed it to. Tenchi smiled as he took in the full realization of what just happened. A long silence fell in the room. Soon Tenchi’s rumbling stomach would break it. Tenchi: Heh! I guess I’m hungry. Ryoko: I think so to. In the onsen Feng sits luxuriating the warm water. Gladius is not too far away in it’s cocoon developing into it’s new form. Feng starts to clean up. Oddly Kiyone had just walked into the onsen but instead of going to the women’s bath she arrived at the men’s bath. Feng: Someone there? Kiyone remained silent. Feng: Hey, don’t make me get out of the water. I’m too comfortable to move! At the same moment Tenchi came in to take his bath. Tenchi: [Blinks] KIYONE? Kiyone: Hey guys, I got here by accident . . . (nervous laughter) 3 hours later Feng stands by the pond with a newly morphed Gladius is cradled in Feng’s arms. Gladius has taken the shape on the lines of a horse shoe crab with large pinchers and a scorpion like tail. Feng throws Gladius up in the air and it greatly increases it’s size. Now Gladius has turned into a spaceship. Feng: Bring me aboard Gladius! Feng disappears in a green glow and is now aboard Gladius. It takes off then streaks across space. In Washu’s lab, Washu and Ryoko sit down as they talk about Ryoko’s SPECIAL gift. Ryoko: Are you sure that it’ll work? Washu: . . . Ryoko: (sighs) Washu-chan, will this work? Washu: Sure! Just remember that you need to concentrate or your gift be all for nothing. Ryoko: Don’t worry, Tenchi will love this! Ryoko teleports out of the lab, she materializes in the living room where everyone is wrapping their gifts. Kiyone finishes wrapping a CD from Ai Orikasa titled "Room Service". Ayeka put her book that she made for Tenchi about Jurai and it’s traditions. Mihoshi fell face first into the room, apparently she was in a rush. Mihoshi: He’s coming! Everyone hide your gifts! All the girls hurried to find a good hiding place for the gifts. Tenchi walks in lightly dirty from training and working in the carrot patches. Tenchi: Don’t mind me, I’m just getting my things to take a bath. Tenchi happily trots upstairs humming a song he heard. The girls let out a relaxed sigh and resumed taking care of gifts and preparations. Inside Gladius Feng paces around pondering how is he going to find some good entertainment on such short notice? Feng stops having a great idea. Feng: Gladius head for Ishan's Star! Gladius goes full speed and soon arrive to the destination. A signal pages them. Man: Welcome to Ishan’s Star. We have openings in docks 73, 91, 1007, and 961. How long will you be docking? Feng: Give me special dock number 5. Tell Ishan that Feng is back. Man: {Scared} Ye-yes sir! Gladius docks and shrinks back down to original size. Ishan, a tall, muscular humanoid with flat gray hair and lifeless black eyes approaches Feng. Ishan: It’s nice to see you gracing my establishment with your presence. May I ask you what business you have here? Feng: Straight to the point that’s what I like. I came here to relax for a while. Don’t worry, I’ll behave while I stay here. Ishan: Thank you Feng. Why isn’t your clone and Sheera with you? I know that they went with you on a job . . . Feng: Killed them for my failed contract job. I can’t have those two tarnish my record. Ishan: I see. Well enjoy your stay; call me if you need anything. Feng: Thanks friend. Ishan walked away. Feng started out for the “White Collar” a bar for the elite criminals. Gladius crawls up on Feng’s shoulder and rubbed its head against his cheek. Feng: I know, I know. We’ll get some food at the bar. Feng turns at a corner and arrives at the bar. At the entrance stands a scary looking bouncer. Something near the lizard bouncer caught his attention, a poster. “Live one night only!” Kathryn “Come and listen to the best singer in Ishan’s Star!” Feng walked up to the door. The bouncer instantly recognized Feng and smiled. Bouncer: Come to make my job easier as well as wild? Feng: Ah, come on Theo, you know I throw out those gutter trash punks out to keep you hands clean. Theo: (Chuckles) Have fun. Theo steps aside to let Feng in. Inside the bar all sorts of well-known criminals, mercenaries, and pirates sit together having friendly drinks. Feng smiled and laughed inwardly at thinking that Ryoko would feel at home here. A band plays music keeping the customers entertained. Feng sits at a table and a waitress comes to him. Waitress: Can I help you? Feng: I would like a sirloin steak with fries, a Samuel Adams lager to drink, then a bowl of sugar water for my pet. Waitress: Anything else? Feng: No that’s it. The waitress leaves to give the order to the cook. Feng turns around so he could watch the band. Instantly he recognizes the leader singer and bass guitarist. She was a close friend, very close friend from Antioch. Feng: {Amazed} Kathryn . . Kathryn finishes singing “Defeat you” by Smash Mouth. Her sapphire eyes meet Feng’s own eyes. She walked uncertainly to him. Kathryn: Feng? Feng: Kat? Is that you? Kathryn: FENG! Oh, god, I thought you died in the war. Kathryn holds Feng in tight hug as she sobbed lightly. Feng rubs her back cooing the poor woman. Feng: I guess that wishing stone worked, eh? Kat: I didn’t have to wish I knew that we were going to find each other one day. Kat pulls out a large topaz from a pocket in her carpenter jeans and looks at it. Feng gently knocks on her head. Feng: Anybody home? Kat: Stop it, you’re messing my hair up! Feng: There we go. Tell me, what have you been doing all this time? Kat: Ever since I was evacuated from the palace it was mainly hiding from the Viragos. After the warfare was over with I returned home. I waited for you there about three years to come back. I heard about some guy going by the same name as yours was contracting murders and such. I had a feeling that it was you. I renounced my title of princess to look for you. Then I wound up here playing gigs to pay my bills and fill the fridge. Then today I finally ran into you! Feng: You know you didn’t HAVE to give up your title just to find me. Kat: Don’t you say that! Feng, you have been my BEST friend since I was five. Bonds that come with that are very deep, you’re like my big brother. Feng: Thanks Kathryn. I needed to realize how important I was to my friends. It’s not been easy for me the last 1700 years. I seen so many things that I shouldn’t have. But it warms my heart that I am seeing you right before my eyes. Kathryn- hime! Kathryn sweats. Gladius not wanting to miss out on this happy reunion hops on the tabletop. Kat smiles at the insect. Kat: Looks like you’ve been busy. Tell me what you have been up to lately. Feng: Well, there’s nothing to say. Kat: Come-on, I wanna know! Feng sighs and tells Kat everything that he went through up to now. Half an hour later the waitress comes with the food Feng ordered. Feng: Thanks, how much do I owe you? Waitress: Nothing. It’s on table seven. Feng glances at table seven to only see the most horrifying sight ever, Nagi. She smiles and waves at Feng. Deciding to play it calm for now he smiles back. Feng turns his attention to more important things (Kat). Feng: Do you want me to order you something, I hate to eat in front of you. Kat: I ate before I came here. By the way, since when did you start drinking? Kat glares at Feng. He sits there sweating and scratching the back of his head. Feng: Just one of those things that I did while we were apart. Kat: Never mind I was just playing around. Hey Feng do you want to go sing a song with me? Feng: I don’t know . . . Kat: Please? Feng: I’m not that good! Kat: PPLLEEAASSEE?? [Makes puppy dog eyes] Do it for me. Feng: Ok, ok, ok just don’t do that! I can’t help but feel guilty when I try to say no. Kat: Yay! [Hugs Feng] Feng and Kat step up on the stage and take their places. Back to back with guitars, everyone in the bar pays close attention. Feng: This is a favorite song of mine from earth. It’s “Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz. Feng and Kat play the song having tons of fun. When it finishes the crowd goes wild with cheers. Feng smiles as he bows. Feng and Kat step off the stage. They walk out of the bar laughing. Kat: I thought you were pretty good. Feng, you may think this silly but, I really missed you. Feng: There were times where I needed you around pretty badly. Now here you are and we can start again as the best friends we are. Feng wraps an arm around Kat and gives her a tight hug. Kat sighs happily, she knew things were finally back to normal for her. Voice: Err-hem! Kat and Feng turn around to see Nagi. Kat: Who are you? Feng: {coldly} Nagi! Nagi: Well, Feng Tiannai. I should fetch a fair amount of money for your head. [Smirks] Feng: I’ve changed Nagi, and I will not let you scare me anymore. It would be simple enough for you to just turn around and leave me be! Nagi: You know I like to play rough. Feng: So I have heard! [Stands ready to fight] Nagi blitzes Feng and delivers a powerful uppercut to him. Feng falls backwards, Kat rushes to him. Kat: Who the hell do you think you are by striking my bro! Nagi: Step aside or die with him. Kat stands up and her brushes green/blonde hair out of her eyes. Feng: Kathryn, I will take care of this! Feng jumps to his feet and charges at Nagi. Nagi dodges then coils her energy whip around Feng’s neck. Kat knocks Nagi to the ground. Nagi: So the little kitten wants to play. Kat: I’m not here to play, I’m here for the catfight! Kat let out an animalistic growl as she morphed into a cheetah. She bared her claws and advanced against Nagi. Feng passed out from the lack of oxygen due to Nagi's whip. Kat moved at an alarming pace that Nagi could not keep up and was eventually overwhelmed. Kat sat by Feng and brought the back of his head on her lap. Kat slapped Feng once, hard. He woke instantly. Feng: I suppose you whomped her good? Kat: Out like a light. Feng: Before anything else happens can I ask you a favor? Kat: Sure Feng. Name it. Feng: Come with me to Earth. I was up here looking for somebody to play at a good friend’s birthday party. Kat: [Smiles] All I heard was something about me being at a party. Sure Feng, I’ll tag along. Feng: Thanks Kat. They get up and head for the docking bay to leave. Mean while at the Masaki home! Washu sits in the living room typing into her console. Washu gasps at the recorded footage from the spy camera showing Feng with another woman and fighting Nagi. Ayeka, who was sitting beside her looks at the screen and turns white. Ayeka: Is he “involved” with that woman? Washu: I don’t have enough data but I won’t that theory. Ayeka: Then if he is then Feng might be doing the same thing as before. This does not bode well. Washu: Let’s not jump to conclusions. Ryoko teleports in then looks at Ayeka and Washu staring at the holographic console screen. Ryoko floats over and knocks on Ayeka's head. Ryoko: Anybody home, Aeka-hime? Ayeka: Ouch! Ryoko, if you please! I was watching footage of Feng with another woman. Ryoko: Kinky little thing aren’t, you. Ayeka falls over but quickly gets back up. Ayeka: That is not what I meant! Washu will you show Ryoko what we saw? Washu: Yeah. Ryoko watches the video clip and gets wide-eyed. Ryoko: Just who is this girl? Ryoko sees the Kathryn fight Nagi; she bites on her thumb deep in thought. Ryoko: Who ever she is, that girl has some strength. Look, she took down Nagi and that’s not easy. Ayeka: Yes I agree, but what is most pressing is that both “Her” and Feng are coming back here. I worry for Ten-chan. Ryoko: Nobody but us can know about this. We’ll act normally and step in if things go bad. Agreed? Ayeka: Yes, a brilliant plan. Washu: I don’t know this is something that we have to see through. Ryoko: Just keep working on the party, Ayeka and I will take care of those two. Ayeka and Ryoko leave Washu, she grumbles something about regretting that she let Ayeka see that recording. Feng and Kathryn land by the lake, they get out then walk to the house. Washu is nowhere to be found Ryoko sits in the rafters watching Feng and Kat vigilantly. Sasami walks out of the kitchen happily she stops instantly seeing Feng. Sasami: Feng! You’re home! The youth runs to Feng and hugs him. Feng: Hey Sasami. How’s that cake coming along? Sasami: Great! Uh, Feng who’s that young lady? Feng: This is a very, very close friend since childhood. Her name is Kathryn. Sasami: Hello Kathryn, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Kat: Awe! She’s so kawai, you can call me Kat if you want. Sasami: Ok Kat. Feng . . . [looks around] is Gladius with you? Feng: (laughs) Don’t worry, he is in the woods trying to get a few crickets to eat. Sasami lets a grateful sigh out. Feng chuckles as he tousles her hair. Kat follows Feng into Washu’s’ lab, Feng looks around for Washu. Washu: Whoever you are, I’m busy. Oh, Feng you’re here. Feng: And why wouldn’t I be here? Washu: Well I see that other girl is in your company. Feng blushed deeply at the implied fact. Kat stood there just smiling, she walked up to Feng and put her arms around Feng’s neck. This only worsened his crimson hue. Kat: I would love to go out with Feng but he sees me as his little sister than a girlfriend. Feng: Let me go Kate. Washu just smiled at all the ways to tease Feng right now but the genius decided just to enjoy how red he got when Kate glomps onto him. Washu: Well if you two are done goofing around then let me go get Kiyone. Feng: I’ll go get Kiyone. Washu can you get the instrument database up when I get back? Washu: It’s already done. Feng: Now to get Kiyone. Kate: * Pouts * Now Feng you didn’t girlfriend did you? Feng: I’m sorry Kate, I thought that . . . Never mind. Feng runs out of the lab to find Kiyone. Washu starts to analyze Kate while Feng is gone. As Feng stepped out the door Ryoko and Ayeka stop him in his tracks with an icy glare. Feng: What’s wrong Ryoko-chan? Ryoko: Don’t you “Ryoko-chan” me Feng! Ayeka: Quiet, you come back with another woman and you expect things to be normal? Really, you think us to be that naïve! Feng: I don’t think anything but highly of you two. Now as for Kathryn, she is a VERY close friend from childhood. So I don’t think why either one of you is raising such fuss! Ryoko: Bullshit! I know you are messing around with Kathryn! Unfortunately Kiyone entered the living room as Ryoko said that. Kiyone looked like if someone just shot her. Feng: Kiyone, wait! Let me explain this! Kiyone: Just don’t talk to me, I hate you! Feng: Please just listen to me. We have started this relationship, are you going to let it end over what Ayeka and Ryoko think they know? Kiyone walked out of the living room, Feng lost the strength in his legs and fell to his knees. Feng: Ryoko, why? Why did you do this to me? Ryoko: I just saved Kiyone the heartbreak. After Washu finished her scans Kate walked into the living room to see Feng on his knees in front of Ryoko. Kate: What’s going on here? Ayeka: So, the harlot comes out. I’ll assure you that Tenchi is not available to the likes of you! Kate: You listen up little girl! Keep talking like and I’ll show you the meaning of “cat got your tongue”! Ryoko: That’s right, Tenchi is mine and I’ll fight for him if I have to. Feng: Shut up! Ayeka: Not until you explain yourself! Why were you late coming home? Were you spending that time in bed with this woman? Feng: NO! I was getting Tenchi’s gift! I just spent all my money on it! Ayeka: I see, you should have gotten a more appropriate gift. Kate: You’re pushing it princess! Tenchi and Sasami walk into the room wondering why there is screaming coming from here. Sasami: Is everything ok? Ryoko: Barely, Feng brought this woman with him. Tenchi: Who is she? Feng: It’s Kate, remember the friend I thought I lost. Well I found her. Ayeka: That does not explain why you were so late! Feng reaches into his pockets and pulls out four ring boxes. Feng: Washu told me about what “gift” Ryoko had in store for Tenchi. Since Ryoko can create a doppelganger I went to get four rings. One for Ryoko, you, and both of the Tenchi’s. I thought since that there would be two of them maybe Tenchi would break down and finally marry you two. Feng handed Tenchi’s rings to him He tossed the others at Ryoko and Ayeka. They all marveled at the craftsmanship. Thus making the two women feel severely guilty. Feng: I’ll be going now. Since I’m not even respected let alone trusted. Kat: They should apologize! Ryoko: And who is going to make us? Kat: I will . . . [Glares at Ryoko] @#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@#@# Daniel: This won’t end well! Kat: Thanks Dan, I wanted to be in the series! Daniel: No problem, I’ll just call it a friend insertion episode! Kat: [Falls over] Daaannnn! Daniel: What? Sasami: Next episode is “New friends and old enemies!” Daniel: So, you better read it! (Daniel would love to get feed back good/bad/or just anything. He’s at evldan@hotmail.com)