No Need for an Ominous Presence Chapter 4: No Need for Reassignment By: Misanthrope All characters are property of AIC/Pioneer. Across the far reaches of space, well beyond the scope of even the most learned scholars of the small blue planet called earth, a promising young Galaxy Police detective sat within her ship, waiting behind the dark side of a small moon. The confident young detective gazed down assiduously upon the monitor mounted in the control panel in front of her. This had been the third week of the young detective's stakeout of a nefarious intergalactic drug cartel. despite the isolation and the monotony of constant vigilance in anticipation of a moment that seemed like it would never come, the young detective was steadfast and committed. Kiyone allowed her vigilant gaze upon the monitor to relax for a moment as she arched her back and raised her arms over her head to stretch languidly. Kiyone bent one arm behind her head and beneath her long teal hair to remove a few locks that had gotten caught in the collar of her GP officer's uniform. Once relaxed and settled once more, Kiyone leaned back into her seat and rubbed her eyes with a groan. "How do these tyrants stay in business, I've been staking out their warehouse for three weeksnow and I haven't seen so much as a passenger vessel, let alone a shipping barge." Kiyone said with agitation. In interruption of her musing, the image of the drug cartel's warehouse on screen, was replaced with the image of the Galaxy Police Commander with a loud "blip." Kiyone blinked several times as she scrutinized the image before her, wondering if she wasn't hallucinating as a result of her weeks of isolation. "Detective First Class Kiyone!?" the commander barked stringently. "Uh, yes sir!" Kiyone barked back in a militant, yet off guard tone, as she assumed a respectful posture and regarded her commander. "Glad to see you're sharp and vigilant Detective Kiyone, I would have expected nothing less from GP's finest rookie on the force!" The commander said flatteringly. "I'm doing my best out here sir." Kiyone said respectfully as she tried to fight back a blush. "Have you had any luck in witnessing criminal activity around the cartel's warehouse Detective Kiyone?" The commander asked in all seriousness. "Uh. . .well. . .I've been keeping a sharp eye on all the expected traffic areas and even a few of the unlikely spots, but I've seen no activity of any kind commander." Kiyone responded nervously. "Hmmmmm. . .that's a real shame Kiyone, we really need something substantial to pin on that scum, I'm getting a lot of heat from several planets in that system who are eager to have something done about the organized crime element, it's threatening a great deal of businesses in this sector." The commander said in a disappointed voice. "Yes sir, I'm aware of that and I'm. . ." Kiyone began urgently before being cut off. "Don't you waist a shred of you're energy explaining yourself to me Detective, if there had been any activity in or around that warehouse I'm confident that a member of the force of your caliber would have picked up on it immediately. "Well, sir, you know that you can always count on me. I'll wait here as long as is necessary, it's only a matter of time before they make a mistake, and I'll be here for it." Kiyone said confidently. "I wouldn't doubt that for a second Kiyone. . .were I not taking you off this case, you're being reassigned." "What!?!?" Kiyone yelled in disbelief, losing all semblance of her dignified composure. "You can't do that commander, there is not one other officer on the force better suited for this case! And I need this collar, I was counting on it, I've invested so much time and energy already! You can't possibly believe that there is someone else better. . ." Kiyone yelled with horrified indignation before being cut off by her equable commander. "Kiyone!" the commander stated with authority. "Kiyone" forced herself to desist her fervid argument, but remained visibly shaken. "I expect a more professional attitude in response to unfavorable circumstances detective, you're respected by many members of the force and I expect you to set an example, understood?" The Commander said with a veneer of seriousness. "Yes commander." Kiyone responded dejectedly as she slumped back in her chair. "Now compose yourself while I address you with your new assignment, I won't allow any detective on my force to show any sign of self pity." The commander said in a scolding tone. "Yes sir!" Kiyone stated militantly as she sat up in her chair and regarded the monitor. "You're being reassigned Kiyone, not because of you're performance on you're current case, we both know that there is no other officer better suited." The commander stated reassuringly. Kiyone relaxed somewhat in response to her chief's professed confidence in her. "You're being reassigned Detective Kiyone, because there has been a major development that needs to be attended to. A new development that will require the attention of my best and brightest." The commander said emphatically. Kiyone sat up even straighter as she swelled with pride in response to the commander's flattery. "Just give me the assignment chief, I'm always ready!" Kiyone said confidently. "Well brace yourself Detective, because this is the kind of assignment that not even the most seasoned GP officer could ever prepare oneself for." The commander said in a grave tone. "I've proven myself to you far too many times for you to hold back like this on me captain, just lay it on the line." Kiyone stated impatiently. "Very well detective, I trust that you hit the books just as hard as you hit your training during your time in the academy, would that be a fair assumption?" The captain asked presumptuously. "You know it sir. . ." Kiyone began confidently, ". . .despite that bubblehead for a roommate of mine constantly interrupting me every five minutes while I was trying to read." Kiyone finished under her breath. "I think there may be a problem with our connection detective, I missed that last part." "Oh, it's nothing of any consequence sir, please continue with the briefing." Kiyone responded nervously, a large sweat drop forming on her brow. "Very well detective, how much do you know of the lost crown Prince of Jurai?" "I understand that Prince Yosho left Jurai in pursuit of the space pirate Ryoko seven-hundred years ago after she had laid waist to much of Jurai." Kiyone responded without hesitation. "Very well, are you aware of what became of the Prince and the Pirate after their confrontation, or of where it took place?" "I understand that Yosho pursued the pirate to a primitive planet called 'earth' and imprisoned her there. The prince was never heard from again after that." "Very good Kiyone, I'm glad you're so well informed regarding events of historical importance to the GP." The commander said in a reassured tone. "I'm glad my historical knowledge pleases you commander, what does all of this have to do with my new assignment?" Kiyone asked in a puzzled voice. "As it turns out Detective, these past events have everything to do with your new assignment." The captain said evasively. "It has recently come to GP's attention, that Yosho is alive and well, and living on earth." "That is quite a development." Kiyone retorted, quite impressed at such unexpected news. The commander continued to regard Kiyone with a serious look, but remained silent. Kiyone held her composure, "Is the Prince doing well on earth?" she asked to break the silence. "Quite well as it turns out," the captain began, "better than anyone would have ever expected. He lives on earth with his grandson and son in law." The commander said with a chuckle. "Really." Kiyone said pensively, her eyes widening. "Yes, it was quite a shock to everyone at GP and in the academy who are familiar with Yosho's history. "I would imagine so." Kiyone stated earnestly. "As it turns out, his grandson has a great deal to do with this assignment." "How so?" Kiyone asked inquisitively. "Yosho never strayed far from the cave where he imprisoned the space pirate Ryoko, it's where he made his home." The chief began. "Evidently, he made it his life's work to insure that Ryoko could never again become a threat to his home world again. But recently, Ryoko was freed from her prison." The captain finished gravely. "What!?" Kiyone began aghast, "How!?" "Yosho's grandson, curious as all boys are, was responsible, I shouldn't have to explain the specifics." "No. . .no. . .of course not, I can imagine." Kiyone said, taken aback by the knowledge of the space pirate's freedom and reeling from the possible doors an assignment like this could open for her. "As it turned out. . .at first. . .the pirate's seven-hundred years of imprisonment within the cave served to greatly soften her disposition, she has even been living as a guest at Yosho's home on earth." The captain said, a grave look upon his face. "You're kidding!?" Kiyone responded in shocked disbelief. "You know very well that I don't make it a habit to joke about matters this pressing Detective." The commander said in a strict tone. "Further developments that you can review in the report that we are sending you now, lead to Princess Ayeka's arrival on planet earth." Kiyone's eyes widened even further in response to such a bombshell. Kiyone's mind was spinning with all of the acclaim she would receive for successfully completing an assignment that brought her into contact with two reputable members of the Jurai royal family, not to mention the most infamous space pirate in the universe. "Since Princess Ayeka's arrival on planet earth, she has been living as a guest of Prince Yosho's." The commander said in a matter of fact tone. "Princess Ayeka has been staying under the same roof with the space pirate Ryoko!?!" Kiyone cried in shock. "Yes, that would be correct, and as I understand it, a tenuous peace has existed between them for some time now." The commander responded. Kiyone simply shook her head in disbelief, "How did GP manage to acquire this information, that is if you don't mind me asking sir." Kiyone asked, still in state of shock. "The report that I am sending to you is a summarization of a much larger and in depth report written by an old friend of yours." "An old friend of mine?" Kiyone stammered in confusion. "That's right Detective, your former roommate at the academy and your former partner, Detective Mihoshi, has also been a resident at Yosho's home on earth for quite some time, the report summarization being sent to you will explain the circumstances that lead to her residency on the planet earth." The commander said happily. Kiyone stared at the monitor in front of her in dumb shock as her left eyebrow began to twitch involuntarily, a nervous habit she had developed from her time at the academy. . .living with Mihoshi. "I'm sure you'll be eager to catch up on old times with you're former roommate and partner, but there will much more pressing matters to attend to after your reunion as partners." The commander said in all seriousness. "After our WHAT!?!?" Kiyone exclaimed aghast, her head nearly colliding with the monitor as she bent down to regard the captain vengefully. "At ease detective, I realize you're excited, but I expect you to maintain your professional disposition." The commander said with a chuckle. "But. . .!" Kiyone began before being cut off by the commander. "The report summary that I have sent you will give you an idea of what to expect to find at Yosho's residence when you arrive on earth. Mihoshi will meet you outside the earth's atmosphere and further brief you before you tackle this assignment." "But sir, this is impossible. . .!" "I know I can count on you Kiyone, I expect you to make your way to the rendezvous coordinates immediately, Mihoshi has expressed great enthusiasm over having the chance to work with you once more." "Sir! This simply can't be. . .!" "That will be all Kiyone, make us proud!" The commander's face disappeared with a "blip" and was replaced with the image of the desolate drug cartel warehouse once more. Kiyone slumped back in her chair in dumb shock, her left eyebrow twitching sporadically as she mumbled over and over under her breath, "can't be. . .just can't be. . . can't be. . ." Hours earlier, across the far reaches of space on the small blue planet called earth, it was dinner time at the Masaki household. Carefully folded napkins sat aside immaculate place settings at the Masaki dinner table. A plate stacked high with vegetables and seafood deep fried in Tempura batter sat steaming in the middle of the table. A large pot of hot rice sat aside the main course along with a steaming pot of freshly brewed tea. The only thing missing from this typical Masaki family dinner, was the Masaki family. Sasami sat at the head of the table with her chin resting in her hands and her elbows resting on the table. "I wish they'd let me go downstairs and sit with Ryoko." Sasami said glumly. "I hope she's ok." Sasami finished with a long sigh. Ryo-ohki, perched in her usual spot atop Sasami's head replied with a worried "Miya!" It had only been thirty minutes since Sasami had walked outside to gaze at the stars while the oil for cooking the Tempura heated up. Sasami had gone for a slight walk, knowing that it would be a good ten-minutes before the oil was fully heated. On her way back towards the house, Sasami heard a tremendous crash and ran the rest of the way back toward the house. When she arrived back inside, she saw her sister standing over a huge hole in the living room floor with a horrified look on her face. As Sasami began to slowly make her way towards her sister, Tenchi bound down the stairs and ran to the door that lead to the basement stairs without even taking any notice of her. As she continued to tremulously step toward the hole, terrified of what she would see at the bottom, Ayeka turned on her heel and made her way toward Washu's lab in a huff. Seeing Sasami, Ayeka stopped to regard her younger sister, "Please Sasami, just wait in the kitchen, you needn't see any of this." Sasami just nodded dumbly as her sister made her way into Washu's lab. Disregarding her sister's wishes, Sasami continued to step gingerly towards the hole in the floor. By the time she reached the giant hole in the floor, Sasami saw Tenchi on his knees with his legs bent and Ryoko's head resting on his lap. Ryoko's face was riddled with tiny bleeding cuts and her clothes were all blood stains and tatters. Sasami just shook her head in terrified dismay. Tenchi turned his head up to regard Sasami with a defeated look upon his face. "Go down to Washu's lab and find your sister, I want you with her right now." Tenchi said evenly. "But Ryoko needs. . ." Sasami began with concern. "Ryoko needs Washu's help now, and she will get just that, now go find your sister and stay with her." Tenchi ordered sternly." Sasami backed away from the hole slowly without taking her wide eyes off of Tenchi, that was sternest manner in which Sasami had ever heard Tenchi address her. "Yes Tenchi." Sasami responded quietly as she spun around and ran for the door to Washu's lab. Just as Sasami was about to reach the door to the lab, it swung open and a gurney with a body bag on top rolled out with Washu, dressed in full nurses regalia, pushing it. Right on Washu's heels was a vexed princess Ayeka. "Washu! I insist that you take this matter seriously! This is no time for playing games! That witch tried to kill Tenchi and I! She must be detained!" Ayeka snapped indignantly. "Hey! You watch how you go talking about my flesh and blood little missy!" Washu retorted. "Excuse me!" Washu said pleasantly as she wheeled the gurney around the curious younger princess. Ayeka stopped in front of her bewildered little sister as Washu continued rolling the gurney into the living room. Ayeka stood regarding her sister looking for the right words to explain the chaos unfolding around them. Before Ayeka could find the words, her little sister spoke, "Tenchi told me to stay with you Sasami said quietly as she looked into her older sister's eyes. "Yes, I would prefer that you did just that." Ayeka said with an affirming nod. Ayeka took her little sister's hand and began to walk toward the living room, but was stopped by her sister who anchored her from moving any further. Ayeka turned to regard her sister cursiously, "What is it Sasami?" Ayeka asked with concern. "What happened to Ryoko?" Sasami asked hesitantly. "I'll explain that later, right now I would like for you to stay quiet and remain by my side, now come." Meanwhile, Washu stood at the edge of the large hole that had been punched in the living room floor by Ryoko. Washu looked down at the weary Tenchi. "Hi!" Washu chimed in her exuberant childlike voice. Tenchi snapped his head up in surprise to see Washu standing above him in her nurses uniform and holding what looked like an unrolled sleeping bag over the edge of the hole. "What's tha. . ." Tenchi began, but was cut off as the body bag was dropped over his head to cover him and Ryoko. "Washu!" Tenchi snapped in annoyance as he pulled the body bag off his head. "What the heck is this thing for anyway!?" Tenchi asked as he regarded the body bag in puzzlement. "It's a body bag!" Washu exclaimed enthusiastically. "Just stuff her in there and bring her on up, I'll take it from there!" Washu said confidently. "Now wait justaminnit!!!!" Tenchi cried with indignation. "Ryoko isn't dead!!!" "Oh. . ." Washu replied, her face drooping, ". . .well, that isn't going to make my job any easier, bring her on up then, and I'll see what I can do with her." Washu said with agitation. "Go ahead and omit the use of the body bag I suppose. . .if you're sure she's still breathing that is." "YES I'M SURE!!!" Tenchi yelled with consternation as he scooped Ryoko off of the floor and headed for the stairs. Ayeka and Sasami stood shaking their heads with a mixture of shock and contempt at Washu's complete lack of concern. "What are the two of you staring at huh?" The two princesses of Jurai turned their heads innocently, not wanting to incur any of the diminutive mad professor's vengeful wrath. Tenchi reached the top of the stairs that lead down to the basement and stood before Washu with a helpless look on his face as Ryoko lay limp and bloody in his arms. "What do you want me to do?" Tenchi asked tremulously as he regarded Washu. "The doctor will see her now, just bring her on in." Washu said nonchalantly as she lead the way to her lab. When they reached the med-bay in the heart of Washu's Lab- that ironically looked more like a torture chamber with it's myriads of strange contraptions, robots and mechanical arms hanging above the table- than it did a med-bay, Tenchi was instructed to lay her down on the table. "Just what do you think you're going to do to her?" Tenchi asked with skeptical concern. "Come on Tenchi, you know me better than that!" Washu said innocently, her childish green eyes beaming up at him. "Well. . ." Tenchi began skeptically. "So Washu, you must tell me. . ." Ayeka interjected, a still bewildered Sasami at her side, ". . .how many unsuspecting saps have you tricked into laying on this table, just to be dissected and placed in a jar?" Ayeka asked derisively. Tenchi gave Washu an accusing glare and took a step back as he pulled Ryoko close. Washu spun around and gave Ayeka a vengeful glare, and then looked down thoughtfully at the worried younger princess of Jurai. "Don't let your sister scare you, she's just kidding, come stand with you're little aunty Washu!" Washu prompted with a reassuring smile and sparkling green eyes. "Now wait one minute. . ." Ayeka began before Sasami tore her hand loose from her older sister's and ran over to embrace Washu. "Sasami!" Ayeka scolded in a surprised tone. Washu grinned at Ayeka childishly and raised her index finger up as if about to punch a button, her holo-computer appeared in front of her finger and Washu pressed a button, her bright smile twisting into one of vengeance as a giant dunce cap fell from pseudo space to entrap the insubordinate princess. Muffled cries and pounding could be heard from inside the cap, but no intelligible speech. Sasami giggled as she regarded the giant dunce cap and relinquished her tight grip on "aunty" Washu. Washu snapped her fingers, and her nurses uniform was replaced with a doctor's lab coat, a white pair of pants, and to complete the ensemble, a stethoscope. Tenchi's expression softened in response to Washu's seemingly genuine desire to help her daughter and he placed her on the table. "I'm surprised with all these terrific inventions you have around this place that you still have need for one of those Tenchi said, pointing out the stethoscope. "What, this?" Washu asked disgustedly. "I chose this ensemble because I thought it would be something you could relate to, I don't know why the primates who try to pass themselves off as doctors on this planet still use these things." Washu said as she yanked the stethoscope off her neck and threw it behind her. "Oh, I see" Tenchi responded with an uneasy chuckle, a large sweat drop forming on his head as he considered Washu's disdain for the competence of earth's medical practitioners. There was a conspicuous lack of a clang from the stethoscope hitting the floor as a result of a hole opening up to a pocket in pseudo-space sucking it in before it could land. On the table, Ryoko's eyes winced tight and she tensed, her body shaking. Tenchi reached forward to offer her some solace but was abruptly smacked on the back of his hand by a switch held by one of the robotic arms. "Ah ah ah!" Washu admonished, wiggling her index finger at Tenchi as her green eyes sparkled playfully. "Nobody touches the patient before the doctor." Tenchi stared up at the robotic arm with irritation and then cast his gaze back down to regard Ryoko's affecting condition.. Ryoko lay tense and quivering atop the sterile metal table, dried streams of blood originating from a multitude of tiny cuts stained her ivory features. Tenchi allowed his eyes to wander down the rest of Ryoko's body, the explosion had torn her blue kimono to nothing but tattered rags. Most of Ryoko's smooth and pale figure was visible through the tears in her kimono. Tenchi could see that there were bloody abrasions covering her entire body, from head to toe. Tenchi cast his eyes down in embarrassment and shame as a large piece of Ryoko's torn kimono shifted in response to her stirring movements, exposing her breasts. "No need to be embarrassed Tenchi. . ." Washu began, a playful gleam in her large green eyes, ". . .this is a clinical environment, seeing Ryoko's body is nothing you should feel ashamed of." "Unless of course that is. . ." Washu began slyly, ". . .you're not mature enough to handle yourself responsibly under these circumstances" Tenchi jerked his head back up and steeled himself as he regarded Ryoko in her helpless condition upon the table. Tenchi looked to Washu with a look of indignation, "I'll be fine." He responded, trying in vein to sound confident through the nervous quiver in his voice. "Good!" Washu exclaimed with an enthusiastic grin. "Now, let's see what kind of trouble my little girl has gotten herself into this time!" Tenchi shook his head and sighed in response to Washu's reference to the powerful and unpredictable pirate as her "little girl." Washu summoned her holo-computer out of pseudo-space once more and began tapping keys deftly with her small nimble fingers. One of the robotic arms hanging above the table holding a strange device, descended to within a foot above Ryoko and began to scan back and forth over her body. Washu yawned loudly, clicking one last key before raising her arms over her head and stretching leisurely. "Well?" Tenchi asked in eager anticipation, "What did you find?" "Be patient and I'll show you!" Washu scolded. Four large rods began to rise from each corner of the med-table as Tenchi watched with uneasy concern. Tenchi flinched nervously as the four rods began to buzz monotonously. Tenchi could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up in response to the activation of the strange machine. Tenchi watched with consternation as Ryoko's skin seemed to crawl under the effects of the strange device. Ripples no different than those one would see on a still pond after a pebble has been thrown in formed on the surface of Ryoko's skin. Tenchi stared in disbelief and dismay as what must have been hundreds of tiny fragments of wood dislodged themselves from Ryoko's wounds and floated up to hover above Ryoko's body, trapped in a stasis field. Washu clicked another key on her holo-computer before dismissing it and all the splinters of wood gathered in the middle of the stasis field into a consolidated bunch. Washu reached her hand out and collected a small jar for holding specimens out of a hole that spontaneously originated from pseudo-space. Washu held the jar beneath the mass of wood splinters and snapped her fingers with her free hand. The monotonous buzzing seized and the lump of wooden splinters dropped into the jar. With the cease of the buzz of Washu's machinery, the only sound to be heard in the room was Ayeka's dogged pounding and imperceptible hollering from beneath the giant dunce cap. "Can she breathe under there?" Sasami asked with concern as she regarded her sister's makeshift prison. "Hmmm. . . hadn't thought of that!" Washu replied with a grin. "Why don't you ask her yourself!" Washu said childishly as she once again summoned her holo-computer and clicked a single key. The dunce cap dissipated to nothingness leaving a wheezing, gasping and viciously scowling Ayeka on her knees upon the floor. Ayeka's face was a light purple color as she struggled to regain her breath. "Were you having trouble breathing under there?" Sasami asked curiously. Without even acknowledging the younger princess of Jurai with a glance, Ayeka jumped to her feet and charged vengefully toward Washu. "Ah, ah, ah!" Washu scolded as she clicked a second key on her holo-computer. Before Ayeka could get her hands on the little scientist, a robotic arm descended from the ceiling, grabbing Ayeka by the collar of her Kimono and lifting her off the floor. Ayeka hung dejectedly from her collar, without any intention of making any moves to further provoke the seemingly perpetually prepared scientist. "If I let you down, you gonna behave. . .hmmmmm?" Washu asked with childish enthusiasm. "If I must. . ." Ayeka muttered. "Good!" Washu chimed ebulliently, clicking yet another key on her holo-computer. The arm from which Ayeka was suspended from lowered her down slowly until Ayeka was a foot from the ground at which point the mechanical arm simply relinquished it's grip, leaving Ayeka to fall the rest of the way down onto her rump. "WASHU!!! I must express my disapproval of such disrespectful. . ." Ayeka began indignantly. "Hey, can't you see my little girl is trying to sleep, how would you like to spend the rest of the evening as a water sprite?" Washu asked with a menacing grin as she extended her index finger and leveled it at the keyboard of her holo-computer. Understanding all too well the power that Washu could summon with that one finger, Ayeka held her tongue. After a few moments of silence, Ayeka spoke once more, "Sasami, go upstairs and finish preparing dinner, we have private matters to discuss." Ayeka said firmly, not taking her eyes off Washu. "But I want to be here when Ryoko wakes up." Sasami said with disappointment. "No buts, do as you're told" Ayeka said sternly. Sasami stared down at her feet dejectedly. "Nothing ever keeps Ryoko down for long Sasami. . ." Tenchi began with reassuring smile, ". . .what if she wakes up hungry and there's no dinner to eat?" "Sasami lifted her head excitedly in response to Tenchi's confidence in Ryoko's full recovery, "Right!" She chimed exuberantly, spinning on her heel and running out the door of Washu's lab. "Washu! I must dissent your lack of regard for the gravity of this situation, Ryoko nearly killed Tenchi and I." Tenchi winced at Ayeka's blunt way of phrasing their earlier encounter with Ryoko, but knew he couldn't justifiably disagree. "So what, wouldn't be the first time." Washu responded, sounding unimpressed. "She tried to steal the gems! She knows full well that she has no business wielding such power. Her actions were in blatant disregard to Tenchi's role as custodian to those gems!" Ayeka accused contemptuously. "She's a naughty girl all right!" Washu proclaimed proudly, her chin resting on her clasped hands and her green eyes shining brightly. "Little Washu, I simply cannot allow you to disregard this as a trite matter, Ryoko's reprehensible actions must be punished." "Alright, I'll tell you what Princess, since you called me "Little" Washu, I'll have something done!" "Very well Washu. . ." Ayeka began, her demeanor softening, ". . .I appreciate your willingness to compromise and handle this situation responsibly." "I'll tell you what. . ." Washu began with an ear to ear grin as she turned to Tenchi, ". . .how would you like to be in charge of punishing Ryoko?" "Uhhhh. . .well. . .I'm really not sure I'm in any position to. . .well. . .that is" Tenchi stammered nervously under the pressure of Washu's scrutinizing gaze. "Come on Tenchi!" Washu goaded, "I'll even leave the two of you in private!" Washu offered enthusiastically. "Uh. . .well. . ." Tenchi stuttered nervously. Ayeka's brow furrowed with suspicion and irritation, "Just what kind of punishment did you have in mind Little Washu?" Ayeka asked skeptically. "Not that it's any of your business. . .but I think a thorough spanking from Tenchi would straighten Ryoko right out! Whadda ya say Tenchi?" Washu pleaded hopefully. "WHAT!?" Tenchi cried in shock and dismay. Ayeka's expression twisted into one of unchecked rage as she marched over to stand next to Tenchi. "Tenchi would never allow himself to be party to such debauchery!" Ayeka spat with disgust. "All right! I've had enough of this clowning around!" Tenchi yelled with frustration. Both Ayeka and Washu stopped their bickering to regard Tenchi with wide eyes and jaws hanging low. For a moment, as tension hung heavy in the lab, the only perceptible sound was a bewildered and high pitched "Huh!?" From the wide eyed little scientist. .Rarely did either of the two women hear Tenchi address them so assertively. "There's something wrong with Ryoko, I don't know what it is, but we had better figure it out before she tries to pull another stunt like the one from earlier!" Tenchi exclaimed with frustration. "Tenchi, please. . ." Ayeka began. "No I won't calm down!" Tenchi yelled in defiance, anticipating Ayeka's intentions. "Ryoko didn't get herself killed, this time, but she may well get herself, or someone else killed the next time she tries to pull a stunt like this! Now Washu! You're her mother, I expect you to. . ." "Tenchi! Don't you think you're being a little hard on the girls?" Katsuhito grunted in a scolding tone. "Wha-!?!?" Tenchi, Washu, and Ayeka chimed in unison. Katsuhito stepped out from the shadows to regard Tenchi sternly. "You clearly didn't learn much from the lesson I taught you this morning, did you?" Katsuhito berated accusingly. "Grandfather. . .I. . ." Tenchi began. "I don't want excuses Tenchi, I want you to behave in a manner befitting the circumstances. You're blaming of everyone else around you and dumping responsibility for this incident on everyone else is unacceptable. "Yes Grandfather." Tenchi conceded as he dropped his head in shame. Washu and Ayeka still stood in dumb shock as they regarded the equable old man. "If anyone is to blame for this Tenchi, it's you!" Katsuhito said evenly. "Me!?!?" Tenchi cried with indignation, "How am I to blame for any of this, Ryoko is the one who caused all this!!" "Hmmmm. . .Do you think I'm blind boy!?" Katsuhito asked cryptically. "Wha-!?!? I don't know what you're talking about grandpa." Tenchi said in agitation. "Much has happened here in the past few months Tenchi, and a true warrior is always prepared to defend his family and his home, always." Katsuhito said sternly, his eyes bearing down on Tenchi accusingly. "I don't see what you're getting at. . ." Tenchi began uneasily. "Uhhhhh. . ." Katsuhito groaned in frustration ". . .you can be so stubborn boy." Katsuhito sighed, clearly losing his patients. "What did I tell you shortly after entrusting the Tenchi-ken to your care?" Katsuhito asked knowingly. Tenchi's face seemed to droop as the reason for his grandfather's anger dawned on him, "Keep it with you always." Tenchi said in shame. Tenchi's glare twisted back into one of defiance, "I have no need for that thing at school, or when I'm taking a bath! I didn't ask for any of these troubles, I'm not responsible. . ." Tenchi droned on before Katsuhito interjected. "What you are responsible for is the safety of your family and your guests and the security of your home. NONE of us asks for responsibility boy, but it is something we are born with, do you believe that simply because you did not ask for any of these responsibilities that you are precluded from tending to them?" Katsuhito grunted in anger. "No." Tenchi admitted in defeat, his head dropping in shame once more. "Could not this entire mess have been avoided had you kept the Tenchi-ken with you like I instructed?" "Have you become so insolent in your adolescence that you feel you no longer have a responsibility to the wishes of your elders?" Katsuhito asked accusingly. "No grandfather." Tenchi responded in shame, his gaze still cast down towards his feet. Tenchi's face lit up as something dawned on him and he lifted his head to address his grandfather once more, "Even if I slept with that thing, if Ryoko wanted it, she could have come in and taken it in my sleep." Tenchi said in his defense. "That may be so. . ." Katsuhito began with equanimity, ". . .but if that had been the case, at least we would have been sure that this was a circumstance beyond your ability to prevent, I expect you to take your responsibilities much more seriously in the future." Katsuhito said sternly. "Yes grandfather." Tenchi said with a resolute nod and a quick bow. "Now, all this senseless bickering is getting us nowhere, I don't know about all of you, but I think this is a problem best discussed on a full stomach. Sasami has prepared a wonderful meal, I'll see you all upstairs." Katsuhito said with a polite bow. "Wait just one minute mister!" Washu said with agitation. "Just how the heck did you get in here without my sensors picking up on you, huh? And just how long have you been standing in here?" Katsuhito let out one of his pensive grunts as he nodded with his eyes closed, "Perhaps Little Washu, it would be best if you were to give your security system a full diagnostic check." With that said, Katsuhito began walking toward the door. "Now waitaminnit!" Washu called after Katsuhito, still clearly agitated, "You didn't answer my second question!" "Ohhhh. . .I suppose I was standing around long enough to get a good understanding of what your idea of proper "disciplinary procedures" are Little Washu" Katsuhito said with profundity as he walked out the door. Washu stood in place, a dumbfounded look on her face and her jaw hanging open before suddenly bursting into laughter. Tenchi rubbed the back of his head nervously as a large bead of sweat formed on his forehead. Ayeka simply scowled, not finding any of it the least bit amusing. Upstairs, Sasami sat alone at an immaculately set dinner table, her chin resting in her hands and her elbows resting on the table. "I hope Ryoko's ok." Sasami said with concern. "Miya!" The cabbit sitting on her head replied. Sasami stared at the steaming plate of Tempura fried seafood and vegetables, she had made a point to fry a lot of extra food in case Ryoko woke up and needed to get her strength back. Suddenly, she was roused from her thoughts as she heard the door to Washu's lab open. Katsuhito walked out and addressed her with a pleasant smile, "The other's will be up momentarily, we've all been looking forward to this meal, we appreciate you waiting so patiently Sasami" Katsuhito said thoughtfully. Sasami's face brightened in response to the presence of the wise old man, Sasami always felt secure in his presence. Sasami's face straightened once more as she regarded the old man seriously, "Is Ryoko going to be okay?" Sasami asked hesitantly. "Miya!" Ryo-ohki prompted. "Ryoko has not yet awaken, but she's in the best possible hands, there is nothing to worry about where Ryoko's health is concerned. Now, stop making yourself sick with worry, drink some of your wonderful tea before it starts to get cold, it will help you relax." Katsuhito said with a reassuring smile as he kneeled down at the other end of the table." "Right!" Sasami responded enthusiastically as she grabbed a cup for both she and Katsuhito. Back down in Washu's lab, Tenchi regarded Ryoko uneasily as she lay atop the med-table. "Lord Tenchi, you must not allow yourself to lose time or sleep over this demon's dishonorable behavior. If there is anything Ryoko was seeking to gain in pulling this stunt, other than her gems, it is undeserved attention from you." Tenchi gave a resigned sigh and turned to regard Ayeka. "Tenchi, I can't bear the idea of this demoness getting any satisfaction from her careless misconduct, I know you have better things to do with your time than baby-sit, now let us join Yosho and Sasami upstairs. Ayeka leveled a stern gaze at Washu who had been listening intently as Ayeka addressed Tenchi. "Washu, I insist that you take strides to insure that Ryoko is incapable of instigating anymore disasters after she wakes up." "Well, stirring up trouble is just a natural talent for my little girl, so I won't make any promises, but I can insure that she doesn't have the means to try and kill anyone or level the house!" Washu said with a grin. "Very well then, thank you Washu." Ayeka said humbly. Ayeka turned back around to regard Tenchi who was still regarding Ryoko with a look of grave concern. "Please Tenchi, I hate to see you this way, leave Ryoko be, she has brought these circumstances on herself." Ayeka said with understanding as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Tenchi winced in frustration as he struggled to sort through conflicting feelings. Tenchi was angry at Ryoko for her audacious actions and her reckless endangerment of everyone in the house. On the other hand, Tenchi couldn't help but feel that there was something terribly wrong with Ryoko that was causing her to act out so recklessly. And Tenchi was still horrified at how badly Ryoko had managed to injure herself, even for the unpredictable pirate, such carelessness was odd. "Tell me what it is you are thinking Tenchi." Ayeka prompted. "I just wish that there was something that I could have done to prevent all of this." Tenchi said with frustration. "Tenchi, please do not do this to yourself, you must understand, the only person with any control over the way that Ryoko behaves, is Ryoko." Tenchi nodded in agreement as Ayeka squeezed his shoulder to bolster his confidence. Tenchi looked up to regard Washu who was still watching them thoughtfully. "Washu, are you sure you can prevent her from becoming a danger to us and herself when she wakes up?" Tenchi asked with concern. "Well Tenchi, it's like I said before, no promises, but I can assure you that she won't level the house. And it won't be within her means to kill anyone either, at least not easily!" Washu said with an innocent smile. "Very well then." Ayeka replied. "Come Tenchi, you've dealt with more than your fair share of stress today, let us unwind at the dinner table." Ayeka offered thoughtfully as she took Tenchi's hand. Tenchi nodded absently, his eyes not leaving Ryoko's affecting form. Ayeka gently tugged on Tenchi's hand and they made their way out of Washu's lab. After Tenchi and Ayeka were safely out of the lab, Washu replaced her carefree veneer with a look of uneasy concern. "On any other day, I would have been able to tell right away what was going through Ryoko's mind, and I might have even been able to prevent all of this, but something is very wrong here." Washu said with frustration. Washu summoned her holo-computer and began conducting a myriad of scans. "Because of our special maternal connection, I should be able to read my little Ryoko's thoughts as easily as the data on this screen, but when I reach out to her mind, I find nothing but darkness." Washu shivered with malaise as she continued to run scans. "For Ryoko to be reckless in pursuit of something she wants is not so unusual at all, but to take any action that might risk Tenchi's well-being is very uncharacteristic of her." Washu said under her breath, trying to understand her daughters erratic behavior. Washu ran one last scan to insure that Ryoko was still comatose, and then walked over and grabbed Ryoko's wrist. Washu lifted Ryoko's hand up to regard her gem apprehensively. Washu didn't like the idea of removing her daughter's only source of power, but under such dire circumstances, she had no choice. Washu reached out with her free hand to pluck the gem free with her thumb and forefinger. As Washu's fingers came into contact with the gem, it began to glow fiercely and Washu began to convulse violently as searing energy surged from the gem into her body. Washu tried to scream in pain, put her entire body was so tense that she couldn't even move her jaw. After a series of violent convulsions, Washu collapsed onto the floor in a smoking heap. misanthrope32@hotmail.com (help me out here folks)