Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo and the characters of that show are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC. This fanfic is in no way a challenge to the copyrights and/or trademarks owned by those companies. The only thing the author has any claim to is the characters and writing which he himself composes. I am not making any money off this so please don't sue me. This story takes place in the OVA universe, shortly after episode 13. Italics denote a character's thoughts, while flashbacks will be (hopefully) clearly noted. Line breaks signify a scene change. Comments, critiques, and praise are all much appreciated as I then know people actually read this. This is my first real fanfic so don't be too harsh. All comments can all be sent to Majingotenks0@hotmail.com Warnings: As always read at your own discretion. Possible OOC although I try to be as true as I can. Shadow Of The Kutan: Prologue He wiped the sweat from his purple bangs which fell darkly across his forehead like spikes as he struggled to maintain control of the severely damaged starship. Through the smoke spreading from the flames of a nearby console, a small beeping noise caught his attention. "Looks like I'm here," his soft voice echoed throughout the cockpit as he set the ship on autopilot for the primitive planet known as Earth. _______________ End Prologue _______________ Shadow Of The Kutan Part 1: Reunion "RYYYYOOOKOOO!" Aeka's displeasure was heard throughout the Masaki residence as the princess of Jurai stood in front of her adversary, "There is absolutely no way that I will allow an uncivilized monster such as yourself to accompany Lord Tenchi to Tokyo alone!" Tenchi sweatdropped, thinking that maybe announcing that he was going to Tokyo to get his grandfather a present for his birthday wasn't such a great idea. The former space pirate floated over to Tenchi, pulling him into a loving embrace, "Well I think that Tenchi would love the idea of going to Tokyo with me on a date." "D..d..date?" Tenchi nervously replied, although no one paid attention to him. "WHAT?!" Aeka's face turned bright red as she glared at the beaming Ryoko. A small whistling noise was heard as the two girls argued, followed by a large explosion which could be both seen and heard in the distance. "What was that?" Tenchi, glad to have gotten off the subject remarked. Ryoko looked up, wondering what the explosion was, "Sounded like a spaceship crashing, but Mihoshi isn't due back from assignment for another month." Aeka and Sasami quickly looked towards Tenchi who was running off towards the crash- site. "You're not going to go there are you Tenchi?" Sasami chased after him. "Let's go check it out! Someone might need our help!" Tenchi called back as the others chased after him. "Or a good thrashing," Ryoko growled under her breath, hoping it wasn't a bounty hunter after her head. _______________ In her sub-space laboratory, Washu continued to rework the methods and procedure on an experiment which had, for some reason, been giving her unexpected results. "Hmmm, now if I could just isolate this frequency from the others...." As she worked, one of her monitors began to flash with a warning light, signaling a temporary disturbance in the Earth's stratosphere. The red haired scientist glanced over and noted that a ship had crashed, "Oh. Mihoshi is probably back early." She was so engrossed with her work, that she didn't notice the small note at the bottom of the readout, "Ship configuration: Unknown". _______________ Tenchi reached the valley with Ryoko and Aeka following. Sasami and Ryo-Oki had been sent back to tell Tenchi's grandfather where they were headed. Upon reaching the still smoldering site, a small crater with some rubble of what used to be a ship could be seen from their vantage point. Tenchi took out Tenchi-ken and said, "I'm going down to take a look around." "Oh do be careful Tenchi," Aeka eyed him worried. "Forget that I'm going down there with him," Ryoko said as she began to follow Tenchi down the cliff. Tenchi ignored them both and began to climb down as both girls argued over who would go down first. Upon reaching the bottom of the ravine, Aeka spotted an intact cylindrical escape pod which had been separated from the rest of the scrap metal. The trio stood in front of the entrance and waited. The door to the pod began to hum and open slowly, startling everyone. Ryoko's outfit shifted into her familiar red and black combat uniform as Tenchi took a step back, readying Tenchi-ken. Aeka moved a little farther off, ready to shield Tenchi with her force- field if need be. The door opened and a figure, slightly shorter than Tenchi stepped out. His midnight blue eyes surveyed the three beings in front of him from the shadows of the pod. Assessing a minimal threat, he stepped completely out of the remains of the vehicle and unsuccessfully attempted to sweep his dark purple bangs backwards off his forehead to keep with the rest of his shorter hair. Tenchi looked over the young man, deciding that he couldn't be more than a few years older than himself, although given the ages of Ryoko, Aeka, and Washu, the assessment didn't mean very much. The next thing he noted was the newcomer's clothing. Although he wore mostly black, including his pants and button shirt, there was something oddly familiar about the style of the green and white design on the lapels of his jacket. Starting suddenly, he realized that it was almost exactly the same as Washu's, the one she wore as a professor at the Galaxy Science Academy she spoke about occasionally. The smaller man looked up at Tenchi, eyeing him curiously, his voice filled with amusement and a hint of sarcasm, "So let me guess, you are the new guinea pig?" A large sweatdrop began to form on Tenchi's forehead as the others jaws hit the ground. He walked around Tenchi as he said calmly, "Shield your eyes please," and without further warning he pointed his palm towards the pod and released a violet colored energy projectile, blowing up the last intact portion of his ship. The newcomer straightened his jacket, "There. That takes care of being tracked." "What the hell? Who are you?" Ryoko formed an energy blade, drawing the young man's attention. He turned to her, "I apologize. Where are my manners? I am Sareno Kadreth, professor at the Graduate School Of The Galaxy Academy Of Science." He bowed slightly, turning towards the others. Aeka recovered first, "I am Aeka, first princess of Jurai and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Mr. Kadreth." Sareno waved her off, "Please, either just Sareno, or if you insist on being formal, Professor Kadreth. A princess of Jurai huh? Interesting. So why are you here on this rather primitive planet. You are a little far from home are you not?" Aeka stammered, "Well, I'm really just here visiting some friends on extended leave from my duties." "Oh really? I suppose I am as well then," Sareno smiled. Tenchi introduced himself next, "I'm Tenchi Masaki and that's Ryoko," as he pointed to Ryoko. Sareno nodded, thinking for a second, turning to Ryoko and started to say something, but said nothing, smiling proudly, muttering "I knew it would work. You really are a genius." Ryoko's sensitive ears picked up the comment, looking at Sareno curiously, but Tenchi interrupted her, smiling "So Sasami should be making lunch by now. You should come back with us." Aeka tugged at Tenchi's sleeve, whispering, "Umm Lord Tenchi do you believe that it's wise to invite someone who just came here back to the house?" Tenchi turned to her smiling, "Well that's what I did for you and Ryoko, and he really hasn't shown any hostility." Aeka sighed, "I suppose that's true." Ryoko laughed, elbowing the princess, "Tenchi's just a nice guy, I suppose that's why he puts up with a spoiled brat like you." Aeka glared at her, "I think he's kind because he allows a monster to live near his property." Sareno, who had been following Tenchi, half-turned to look at the electricity sparking between the two girls' angry stares. Tenchi sighed, "Don't mind them. At least they're not near the house so they can't blow it up or anything." Sareno laughed softly as he followed his new host. _______________ Lunch turned into an afternoon as Tenchi's father introduced himself before leaving on a business trip. As Noboyuki left, he patted Tenchi on the shoulder, "It';s good to see that you are making more friends your age at school to share your woman troubles with." Tenchi looked at his father, realizing that the man failed to realize exactly how old Sareno must be. Noboyuki called back to his son as he walked out the door, "And remember what you need to do because I won't be here!" Tenchi nodded, thinking Yeah I still need to get grandfather's birthday present. Yosho and Sasami also introduced themselves and listened as they asked Sareno what the academy was like. At the end of the day, Tenchi asked, "Since Dad is gone on business for the week, so why don't you stay here for awhile?" Sareno shifted in his seat before standing up, "Well, actually I'm looking for a woman, about this tall," placing his hand at about the level of his nose, "Green eyes, long spiky red hair, claims to be the greatest genius and scientist of the universe," Sareno paused for effect, "ever heard of her or know where she might be? I heard that she was on the planet somewhere." As Ryoko and Aeka's jaws nearly hit the ground, as Yosho perceptively noted, "You must be looking for Washu, a former professor of the university I believe." Sareno nodded, smiling smugly, "Yes, she used to be my mentor." Tenchi nodded and pointed to the closet door down the hall, "Her lab is connected to that doorway. You should find her in there. I think she's conducting another experiment." "Only one?" Sareno smiled, amused at the thought of Professor Washu being as inefficient as a first year student at the undergraduate level. "Well she runs a bunch at once, but I think there's one she mentioned that she was spending more time on." Sareno nodded, "Thanks Tenchi, and Sasami you are a fabulous cook." Sasami beamed as he phased out of sight and reappeared by the door." Ryoko smirked, "Well at least Washu taught some talented students for once," shuddering slightly at the thought of Kagato, another of Washu's pupils. Sareno took a deep breath and slowly opened the door. _______________ Sareno slowly opened the door to the sub-space lab. Washu didn't even look up, "Who is it? Go away. I'm busy right now. Come back later." Sareno smirked to himself and sarcastically replied, "Hi Professor Washu. It's good to see you too. You know you wouldn't be so busy if you didn't keep scaring away or driving insane all the assistants." Washu's incessant typing paused as she bowed her head, fighting back tears, millions of thoughts racing through her mind. It couldn't be. But that voice....the insolence in the tone. It could only be him. She slowly turned her head to face the figure in the doorway, emerald eyes glittering, but her voice playful as always, "Kadreth..." Sareno smiled proudly, holding up a finger "That's Professor Kadreth now." Shaking his head, "But no need for formalities considering how long I've known you right?" Washu frowned for a minute before leaping off her cushion and embracing her former pupil "It's good to see you." Sareno returned the hug, burying his face in her hair. After a moment had passed she looked up slightly at him "You know you were right after all." "I know. I don't make mistakes like that in data, despite whatever the academy thought at the time. Thank you for later publishing the paper under my name for me." "You could have...you should have stayed anyway. You know I would have let you stay and help me anyway." "At the time I wasn't sure how I felt about the academy. I was going to come back after I heard that they let you publish my data and my theory..." Sareno smiled, but his expression quickly darkened, "but by the time I was able to get back to the academy, you were gone and no one knew where you had gone to. I stayed at the academy for awhile, They gave me my own lab and even tenure as a professor," his expression brightened again looking at Washu and then placing his hands on his hips,looking up slightly as he had seen his former mentor do so many times in the past, "I mean after all, I am the best student of the greatest scientific mind in the universe". /////flashback////// Professor Washu looked at the young man who stood in front of her as she read his recommendations and resume from behind her desk. "Impressive. As an undergraduate student at the academy you graduated in a quarter of the time it normally takes....valedictorian of the class with a perfect score in everything....even published numerous paper on sub-space theories in graduate level scientific compendiums." Washu raised an eyebrow, "Ok so you want to skip the normal graduate program and try to get into an advanced honors-type class?" "Yes, I have examined the program here and feel that the normal curriculum would be redundant for me as I have studied all of it already, mostly on my own." Placing the papers down in front of her, "Well, tell you what. I'll make a deal with you then" Washu snickered and thought to herself let's show him how good a real genius is....heh heh. "Last night, I was composing a special organic molecule for an ongoing, personal experiment of mine. I formed it from scratch as it is not found in nature and I didn't want any impurity in it. I then needed to react it with these compounds and solvents," she handed him a large folder and continued, "to produce this." Sareno examined it quickly, "It appears to be....," he looked up at the professor incredulously, "It looks like you are attempting to create a zygote of a life-form from base organic molecules." Washu smiled proudly, "Very good Sareno. Why don't you try to replicate the molecule I needed and compose a set of methods and a procedure that I could use to react it with the materials I have given you to produce this," she handed him the picture of the final product. "This task will allow me to see what you really know and how well you implement it in a laboratory. If you can successfully solve the problem, then I will consider recommending your request to the board". "What are my resources and how long do I have?" "A good question. Here." Washu pulled out a small packet out of a sub-space hole, "These are your reagents, initial starting compounds, and equipment". Looking at her watch she continued, "It is 16 koras right now (approximately 7:00 pm earth time) you have until 3 koras tomorrow (approximately 7:00 am the next day). So you have tonight to work on it. It is a lengthy problem so I suggest you start immediately. In case you're wondering, this will also tell me how well you can function clearly when tired. That will be all." Washu shook her head as she left the room There's no way he's going to get this. I used almost every conventional method to get the starting molecule and had to use eighteen reverse substitution reactions just to get the first elimination right to add the 4-carbon alkyl chain to the right area of the eighth aromatic ring sequence. Maybe I should give him an easier problem, but I have to be sure if I take on a private student. She read over his impressive resume for one who was only about eighteen years of age. According to his race he was barely a teenager. He would be the youngest in the graduate class, never mind the fact that he was trying to pass out of it. He had already passed the exams in the advanced physical sciences and biological sciences. This was his last one, advanced synthetic organic engineering, called S.O.E. by the students of her's as in a "Supremely obnoxious evil". _______________ Washu returned, noting the student asleep on a desk, a well worn pencil in his hand and eight beside him. His computer had turned off some time ago, and a stack of discarded scrap paper stood in a pile on the desk he was sleeping on. Poor kid, she thought, I heard he was dedicated but he probably worked all night and didn't get a result. She nudged him as he opened his eyes and quickly sat up, surprising Washu. The young student pulled out a neatly stapled packet from under the scrap paper and handed it to her, "I finished this about half-way into the night and checked it over. I went back to the dorm afterwards and came back about half a kora ago." Washu stood, dumbfounded. There's no way he finished that in that short a period of time. He must have made an error and skipped a step. She put on a pair of glasses and mechanically said, "I will return with your results shortly." As she walked out the boy asked, `Uh excuse me. Professor?" She half-turned, looking at him "Yes?" "After I pass this, can I work in your lab? I've read many of your papers and as you can see on my resume, it corresponds to my interests. I really liked your work on sub-space as a link to a reverse dimension from ours and the biological synthetic life-form theories were interesting, although I think that creating a life-form with intelligence comparable to people would require some basis other than the simple organic molecules you were using at this stage." Washu was impressed with his fascination with her work. Most, even at the academy didn't understand half her theories. But what irked her was the assumption that he had already passed. "I will consider it IF you pass, and this procedure is just for an early experiment in the field to see if it can be done at all. What was your name again?" "Sareno....Sareno Kadreth, Ms. Washu" "Very well Sareno...and please, call me Professor Washu. If you pass and are actually working in my lab, you can call me Little-Washu then." Sareno smiled, "Then it would be `of course Little-Washu'" Washu noted the impudent assumptions again and sighed, smiling as she walked out. Normally such an attitude would not be tolerated, but due to his intellect, position, and the fact that despite the remarks in jest, he was rather likable. For a second she actually hoped he passed, but then adjusted her glasses and critically read his paper. _______________ About half a kora later. Professor Washu returned, "Well, you were right Sareno. Congratulations." "Thank you Professor. I don't usually make careless errors." Washu noted the shift in address and wondered if he used her nickname just to be arrogant in an assumption that he had passed. She then remembered his recommendation, where his old mentors had mentioned that his arrogance developed as a necessity to challenge the authority in the undergraduate level to test him, giving him the chance he needed to prove himself initially, despite his young age. She still couldn't believe that he had figured out to use a sulfination that would be necessary in a step over twenty pages later and then resubstitute it by a reverse reaction, followed by a reduction........ _______________ ......"It's been over a thirty years Mr. Kadreth," Washu stood in front of him as he set aside his computer, "and you have published enough work with me to not only graduate this program with honors, but the board has thought about giving you a tenure status." Washu eyed his reaction carefully as she continued, "This would mean that not only would you be able to continue with your own personal projects with a greater latitude of freedom, but you also would receive the privilege of teaching your own classes on theories you would prefer to illustrate." Sareno looked up, slightly shocked, "You're kidding right?" Washu raised an eyebrow at the remark, "Actually I wasn't. All you have to do is submit a paper on a new theory. Preferably something that's not an articulation of something already thought of." Sareno sat back, thinking, This could be my chance. Not only would this give me an opportunity to really test my theories on sub-space, and help me achieve my goals, but maybe Washu wouldn't see me as a student as much... He looked up at his mentor, "Tell them I accept their challenge. My paper will be on their desk by next week." Washu almost laughed, "Sareno this isn't something to be taken lightly. The board will review you work critically, more so than any publication. This is the most prestigious institution in the galaxy which accepts only the best of the best, and of that only a valedictorian of a class even has a remote chance of becoming..." Sareno stood and waved his hand in front of her, "You worry too much Ms. Washu. I've been working on this for some time now. It will be ready." Sareno turned, but paused before facing his mentor once again, his voice unusually subdued "Washu I need to ask you something." Wondering what Sareno was thinking, the professor replied, "Of course. What is it?" Sareno nervously ran a hand through his hair before asking, "Washu....we're....we're friends right?" Washu almost laughed, "Of course. We've known each other for thirty years. Do you think I'd let some incompetent student work here if I didn't like him?" Sareno smiled slightly at the sarcastic remark, but inwardly flinched at the title of "student", "What I wanted to know is......I...." Washu, quite amused by this point, smiled teasingly, "Why Sareno you've never been tongue tied before. This isn't like you at all," her expression suddenly became concerned, "Are you nervous about this opportunity? If you are...." Sareno interrupted her, "No it's not that. It's...well....Washu I wanted to know if there ever could be anything else between us." Washu was more than a little taken aback by her protege's confession. She was unsure as to where the relationship was headed herself, but suddenly the puzzle appeared to take shape within her mind, as if a crucial piece was suddenly placed right before her. The seemingly innocent affection and discussions over lunch in her memory quickly took a different shape. Washu was something she always feared to be, unsure. A relationship with a student, even a former one was not exactly smiled upon. Remembering her past marriage ages ago, she recalled how even when things seemed on equal ground professionally, other factors could come into play, "Sareno I...I don't know. This isn't exactly the best situation for something like this. Perhaps in another time or place....." Sareno didn't wait for her to finish her explanation. Simply nodding, a slightly sorrowful smile on his face, he turned an walked away, "Sorry Washu. I don't know what came over me. I should have realized. Anyway, I had better get to work on that presentation." Washu started to call after him as the door quietly shut behind her student as he left, but he was out of earshot. She whispered to herself as she stood alone in the dark lab, "What I meant was `another time or place maybe there could have been something'" _______________ Sareno stood confidently in front of the academic board of the Galaxy Academy Of Science. Washu noted that his new theory on sub-space was truly revolutionary, as it would basically throw out half the current ideas at the time and replace it with something more complex. As a rule, Washu was not allowed to help Sareno in any way and thus she had only a mere kora to digest the knowledge before the meeting. She watched as Sareno easily defended his theory as the board questioned both his methods and procedure. After nearly three days of deliberation, they claimed to have reached a verdict. "Sareno Kadreth, graduate of the Galaxy Academy Of Science, currently working under Chairman-Director Washu who has abdicated her position for the purposes of the consideration of your application for tenure due to personal bias, we have reviewed your work and find it faulty. Despite your declarations, we do not see how....." As the speaker droned on, Sareno felt as if his chest had just been blown out by the explosion of a photon core of a starship. My results faulty? The bastard probably could not even understand the first principle of my theory, never mind his ability to judge my work. The board must have made an error. Washu watched helplessly as her student attempted to reason with the board. Sareno tried to explain the results, but it was clear that the board saw it as a futile attempt to save his research from a major flaw. She looked over the paper again and later decided to reason with the board herself. She clearly saw that their judgement was incorrect as the review omitted the effects of sub-space travel on certain theoretical constants. Washu realized quickly that due to the complexity of the theory, the few who actually understood most of it, did not remember, or never even read her earlier papers on the subject, that because of the duality between the sub space and real-space, the constants canceled, thus accounting for the data Sareno presented. She wrote a dissertation condemning the review and submitted it to the panel. A few days later, realizing their mistake they reversed their decision, submitting an apology to Sareno and offered the status of professor in the academy. Washu decided to tell her student the news in person, however, when she returned to her lab, she found a note on her active computer. Dear Professor Washu, I am sorry that I could not wait to tell you this in person, but I feel that the academy, in blindness and ignorance, has betrayed me. Thus, I feel that I can no longer stay here. I want to thank you for all that you have done for me this past thirty years and hope that one day I can return to you in a greater capacity than I am now. All I can hope now is that we meet again in another time and another place. -Sareno /////End flashback//////// Sareno continued, "I thought you'd come back eventually, but you didn't. Then I heard of Kagato's exploits and thought that something must have happened. I....umm...broke into your records that you kept on database before you disappeared and put two and two together. Then when I detected that the sub-space frequency of your personal lab changed, I figured you must have escaped. When the Galaxy Police released a report on the incident with your former student, I was able to trace you here." Washu listened to all of this, not quite happy of Sareno's admitting to hacking into her private files, even though they were the ones she kept on the database at the university as opposed to her own system, but was astonished nonetheless, smiling, "Well I suppose I have a few minutes to spare so why don't we catch up on times?" They talked well into the night of Sareno's career at the university, Washu joking that the only time Sareno was serious was when he was either working on a personal project or teaching. Washu then explained all that had happened after he left, including Kagato's insanity and her final arrival on earth. "Well I'm glad that the theories surrounding Ryoko were correct. I knew that it would be possible to synthetically create a life-form if it were based on actual organic material from an ...intelligent life-form as opposed to starting completely from scratch," he smirked. Washu smiled proudly, but then paused, "Sareno why are you here really? I know you aren't here to run a theory by me because you would have already asked about it. Are you in trouble? I know you can take care of yourself but..." Sareno shook his head, interrupting her, "Maybe I just wanted to drop in to see if you needed any help investigating a new phenomenon....or maybe I wanted to come by to say hello finally." He paused, lowering his head slightly, which hid his midnight blue eyes behind the spiky purple bangs, "I missed you Washu." Washu closed her own eyes, and tried to make light of the subject "Well I doubt that I can offer you an assistant role considering your new credentials. Having read your scientific papers published over the last few centuries, I'd have to offer a joint partnership. We can connect the sub-space labs. That would be helpful to me since I'm sure you already have some of the latest equipment installed which I normally would have to construct for my own work." Sareno, smiled softly "I think that would work out well and we could...discuss matters in depth at some point." Washu, sensing that he wasn't just talking about work, simply nodded in a business like fashion in agreement. As Sareno turned to walk out, he stopped and spun around abruptly, astonished, "You read ALL my papers in a few years?" Washu blushed slightly, "Well I just skimmed some of them.." Sareno, fought both the laughter and embarrassment down and managed to smile, "Thank you Washu. I hope you liked them. Any comments, critiques or possible future experiments based on them would be appreciated" He smirked, "I've missed your red pen marking up my work, although that didn't occur very often." He turned and walked out wondering how she managed to get through thousands of publications based on state of the art techniques. Washu smiled softly as he left, "I have missed it too". _______________ END EPISODE 1 Author's Notes: I originally composed a side-story to explain the history behind flashback a little more thoroughly, but have not posted it as it deals with mostly original characters as opposed to the normal crew. If you want me to submit it (it is completed) email me at Majingotenks0@hotmail.com. Hope you enjoy the next part. -Calico Zero