"Tenchi Saga 4: Visions of the Future" by: frogboy@tokyo-3.com (c)2001 Metal objects waited in long lines stretching thousands of miles. Several dull flames flowed like water in all directions from a deep gash in one of the metallic titans. In the distance, flashing white lights ignited. The lights came on in a quick, wave-like pattern. Small white orbs were drawn toward a glowing, metal cone on the front piece of one of the large, shiny beasts. The legion of others followed suit. All the action came to an abrupt stop. Far deeper into the blackness of space were many unorganized, small, red ships. The ships were very similar to Kiyone's police vessel. The red metal titans progressed toward the line of ships affront the Earth. The silence ended with millions on white lines streaking across the dark abyss. Perfectly round, orange, spheres illuminated the darkness. "Why won't they accept our peace treaty?" a man yelled at his console. His face was of a strange, unearthly texture and a brownish-cream color. Two deep brown stripes stretched from both sides of his odd façade. His image was that of a wolf and a lion mixed into a gentle beast. "Please!" he yelled into a phone on his desk, "I want no more bloodshed profaning the stillness of space." "Look, we want the same thing as you, but the current battle will never end!" a strong, female voice emoted calmly from the phone, "If our men retreat, then yours have time to attack them, and vice-versa." "We must retreat both troops at once, then!" the man yelled into his receiver. "But, the troopers always fire many shots in response to others' attacks. The battle is not between us any more, but among the individual soldiers." "I can't stand it any longer! My army will retreat, now, regardless of your consent. If you have any honor, you will order your men away from killing any innocent soldiers." "I see. This is your choice. I will act in accordance with your decision." "Soldiers!" the weary man called into another receiver, "Retreat at once, that is an order." "But sir," an oriental man entered the room, "My legion has expertise in space combat, sir, I am confident in their skills. Let them fight longer. If we give up now, our rations will never improve. People will die either way. One way is with honor, the other, without." "Get out of my office, Taolin, you were the start of most of the previous problems." "...but, sir!" "Out! We can't take any chances with two princesses on the battlefield!" "Yes, sire." The air was laden with dust, slowly settling. Nobuyuki's eyes were locked onto the ceiling vacantly. Ryoko picked herself up from the soiled ground. Her eyes remained focused on the figure in the dust. Her body was in an attack stance, always vigilant. Aeka was overwhelmed with confusion. The dust started spiraling around on the floor, as if possessed by an unknown force. The princess of Jurai rolled over onto her exposed abdomen and pushed upward with her hands. She stood up beside her demonic counterpart. Nobuyuki climbed to his feet and glanced over from the freckle-faced girl to his father-in-law. Yosho watched her with a smile upon his face. Mihoshi rolled up into a seated position and gazed at the figure intently. Kiyone arose from the ground holding the side of her shirt. Kai panned around the area searching for Washu, who was nowhere to be found. Father offered his hand to Tenchi, who gladly accepted it and took to his feet. And, Toshimi jumped up from the ground with great energy and looked over at Mihoshi and Kiyone. "Doctor, do you hear me?" a distant voice was floating through Sasami's mind. "Yes, ma'am, I can hear you," a male voice called back from within the young Juraian's psyche. "Good," the voice from afar responded, "I want you to get me Washu and Tenchi. It is necessary for my survival! If I don't get them within the next week, you will undergo the most horrible of my tortures." "Lady, please..." "I want to hear no more of your voice, get in there and find her." "But, milady, Washu is probably dead. Our ships landed on her. She was trapped in by Koshima." "Oh, I understand, but godlike entities do not die. She can be revived. You must find the right person to save her." "Is this person here?" "Yes, he is." "Thank you, Lady, I will serve you." More airborne dust settled on the broken furniture. The smiling sister of Aeka stepped completely from the crashed vehicle. Ryoko's legendary cabbit sat patiently on Tenchi's head. "...Sasami!" Aeka yelled before starting toward her sister. A hand reached out and grabbed the back of Aeka's dress. The princess's eyes turned to see who had grabbed her and saw the face of Ryoko. She didn't look like she did so many years ago. Her face revealed weakness, a face that Aeka had seldom seen. Tenchi glanced over at the two girls. He knew that they weren't complete enemies. After all they had been through, how could they possibly be against one another. Tenchi, then, turned his head toward Mihoshi, who was leaning up against Kiyone's arm. "Aeka... I've found you!" Sasami called while running toward Aeka. Aeka pulled her dress from Ryoko's grip and fell to her knees. Sasami ran into her extended arms. "Oh, Sasami, why have you come? I ran away from Jurai. Have you come to return me?" Aeka's eyes shimmered with tears. "No, I ran from home to be with you..." Sasami clenched tighter around Aeka's neck. "I am sorry I left. I couldn't take any more of Mother's ordinance. I had to leave before I was forced to do anything against my will." "Well, I found you, that is all that matters. We are all back together again." Ryo-ohki leapt from Tenchi's head onto the ground beside the princesses. "Meow, meow," the fuzzy creature called with a sullen tone. Sasami crawled out of Aeka's arms to massage the fluffy cat-ship. The elder sister still stayed in her position staring blankly at the opposite wall. She was puzzled as to why Sasami would just leave her here like this. Ryoko turned her head to look at Tenchi. He no longer had the image of the demon's husband; he now appeared to be a bachelor as he had been several years ago. She couldn't understand her feelings. Tenchi no longer had the appeal he once had, but instead merely possessed a boyish charm. Aeka turned to observe Ryoko's gaze. She, then, crawled toward Sasami and whispered something to her that was inaudible to those around. Her eyes were still intent upon Ryoko. Ryoko was looking at Tenchi's odd expression toward Aeka. The space pirate's eyes turned toward Aeka. A common vision locked them both together. Several seconds of silence passed. "Aeka, I am confused!" Mihoshi interjected. "That isn't unusual," Kiyone thought while emitting a laugh. "Well, anyway, I was wondering why you didn't just marry Yosho, doesn't he like life on that planet with you?" Mihoshi continued ignoring Kiyone's small laugh. Aeka looked down at the ground as her face changed a deep red. Yosho averted his eyes toward the ceiling. "...," Aeka stared at the floor trembling. "Why, I bet if Yosho was here right now, he would be dying to have you." "...I don't know..." Aeka mumbled awkwardly. "What don't you know?" "Just shut up, Mihoshi," Kiyone clenched her teeth as she whispered to Mihoshi. Kiyone's hands covered Mihoshi's mouth. "Look, Aeka, I know I haven't told you the whole story, but..." Yosho waited several seconds before saying this. "Tell me, Yosho!" three spots appeared on the floor beneath Aeka's eyes. "...yes, of course... but I'd rather wait for..." "No! Please, I must know!" "Well, Aeka, here is the story. Sad, but true. You see, when I was back on Jurai, I spent many hours studying theology with Funaho. I came back every night and while we studied, I thought of what our marriage was going to be like. One day, I told Mother that I wasn't going to be able to study that day. She accepted this and allowed me to go meet my friend at the GP center. My friend worked for the GP base and was the first and only placement from Earth to Jurai. We went out onto the bridge so that I could show him all that I would soon own. I pointed toward the stars from the inside of the airlock. He smiled at me and said, 'I want to rule along side you.' I knew he could not, and he probably did as well. Despite this, I invited him as the 'guest of honor' to Startica that summer. Unbeknownst to us, the Earth federation had been leading an embargo on Jurai and was amidst a heated war. The GP squad was therefore on the lookout for any Earthlings that could be spies. They found this friend of mine and beat him with their metal posts. I couldn't understand this action. It was so odd that they would start attacking all of the sudden. I couldn't stand it. I had to watch them slowly beat the life out of Rikima. I had to seek vengeance on his killers, so I attacked them. I killed four of them before being restrained. Then, I ran to the airlock. The men were chasing me until I detached the main corridor from the Embassy. With an awesome explosion, thousands of Juraians died. Due to the damage I had caused, I was exiled from Jurai. I was told to head to any location in the universe that was at least two parsecs from Jurai, so I chose Earth. My mind told me to come here. I expect to find Rikima's brother, Koshima. I didn't expect to find any of you... not that it isn't a pleasure reuniting us again." "I understand, Yosho, but now I have no desire to wed you..." Aeka started, still crying, "...no offense." Aeka said the last part in a deeper, more confident tone. She wiped the tears from her face and stood up. Ryoko and Yosho smiled at her newfound optimism. "Well, everyone, you must've had a hard day," Sasami smiled happily, "I think I'll start dinner." Everyone turned toward her and smiled with utmost glee. One large plate in the ceiling collapsed onto the floor. "Hey, Kiyone, would you like a job?" Nobuyuki eyes glistened, "I'll pay good cash if you pick up this mess." The members of the house dissipated to separate rooms. Most traveled to the kitchen to talk. Kai remained in the living room. His feet guided him toward the pile of rubble. Frantically, he began tearing away pieces of stone from the immense mound. Only a few stones gave way to the glasses-wearing scientist's frail hands. Eventually, however, he managed to reveal a thick lock of pink hair. "Hmmmm... I wonder who that could be?" Kai thought to himself. His inner- sarcasm wasn't enough to appease his humor at this point. The kitchen was slowly becoming more and more clean due to the assistance of Kiyone. No one occupying the room seemed to notice her help, though. Aeka sat at the far end of the table, shivering with her towel clenched tightly around her. At the opposite end was Tenchi, whose eyes were closed and head pointed toward the ceiling. He ran through his hair. Yosho and Nobuyuki sat across from one another, playing a game of Shogi. Toshimi was staring from across the table at Tenchi. His eyes were shining oddly. Mihoshi was siting at the table, fast asleep. Her mouth moved to form different words while she slept. Teal eyes twinkled while viewing the blonde's childish methods. "Never surrender a Dragon," Yosho glanced up from the board to see Nobuyuki's sweaty face. "Yeah, but it left your pawn in check... heh, heh," Nobuyuki replied sarcastically, trying to avoid the tense game. The stairs creaked only twice, while soft feet touched them. A noise that was familiar to the crew at the Masaki house sounded. Ryoko appeared behind Tenchi. Aeka's eyes moved from the ground to watch Ryoko. She clenched her dress around herself tighter with her arms crossed in front of her. A finger tapped gently on Tenchi's shoulder. He knew it was Ryoko's, but found it odd that she no longer leaped violently onto his back and swung him around like before. He seemed to miss those days. He returned from his state of nostalgia to realize that she must've been tapping for some reason. Reluctantly, he climbed up from his seat. Ryoko grabbed his arm and squeezed it firmly. He followed her out of the kitchen. Puzzlement was about Aeka's mind. Her chair slid away from the table. She hunched over within her towel and used her hands to lift herself from the seat. Aeka walked to the corner of the kitchen and seized a broom. She held it with one hand and her dress with the other. Slowly, she swept some of the debris on the floor into a pile of Kiyone's. The jade-haired Galaxy Policewoman smiled as she saw the princess's helpfulness. She noticed Aeka's ineptness to manual labor, but she was glad that she was trying. Kiyone felt compassion overtake her as she saw Aeka's awkward working. A satin belt around Kiyone's waist untied. She walked up to Aeka from behind and pulled the belt taut. Pushing both hands forward, Kiyone managed to get the rope around the Juraian. Aeka was startled by Kiyone. Her eyes widened, but she did not make any abnormal breaths. Kiyone secured the belt in front of Aeka's stomach and released. Slowly, the princess's frail hand moved from her dress to get a better grip on the broom. They both paused several seconds. Kiyone then recommenced her work. "Thank you," Aeka said slowly and hesitantly as Kiyone was walking away. A darkened room illuminated with a brightly contrasting light. The demon entered, holding Tenchi by the arm. The door to the room closed, restoring the darkness. "Tenchi..." a slowly mumbling voice called, "...why? I don't understand?" The room became lit instantly. Tenchi's free hand was on the light switch. "Ok, now... what don't you understand?" Tenchi swallowed the saliva built up in his throat. "Why, Tenchi? You loved me, didn't you? I loved you, too. I wanted to be with you," Ryoko ranted wildly, overcome with sadness. "I didn't mean to make you sad. I needed time to think. I only intended to leave for a little bit. With all the things that happened, I couldn't return home. Then you came to see me. I was overjoyed that I could see you again, but with all the other girls around, I want to spend some time catching up. Do you understand?" "Tenchi..." "We are still married in our minds. We can still be together." "What do you mean, 'in our minds'? We aren't married?" "Well, Ryoko, when I left, I could have returned to still be yours, but since we both fled from Tokyo, we would be classified as escapees, potential Juraian spies." "So, this is all caused by Jurai's war with Earth?" "Yes, so much has been caused by that war." "Well," Ryoko's tears were opposed by a smirk, "I suppose that stupid princess has caused yet another disaster." Tenchi realized that Ryoko was back to her good old self. She was still able to fly around and tease Tenchi. There was still a downside. Now that Ryoko had what she wanted, there was no reason to fight over him any more. Ryoko missed spiking volleyballs into Aeka's face and conjuring demons to destroy her. Though the battles seemed to only lead to the ultimate reward before, now, they seemed to have been the reward. Ryoko had to try to make Aeka normal again. It isn't any fun beating up people who have already injured themselves. But how would she make Aeka happy again? "Tenchi," Ryoko spoke softly, "I understand what you want. You want things to be the way they were a year ago." "Yes. That is exactly what I want. You were always so active and jumpy. We had all sorts of fun together." "So, Tenchi, you liked the adventures?" "It was so difficult to accept. I only realized how great the journeys were when they ended. I loved those times." "Yes, I knew you did! We need to find trouble." "No, wait a minute. Just because I said I liked them, doesn't mean that we should look for them. I'm sure we can wait a while." "Yeah, I guess," Ryoko raised her eyebrow at Tenchi, "but for now, we need to find out what is bugging Aeka." "What do you mean?" "She came to Earth to flee from marriage. We need to make her feel at home." "Well, just act nice around her. I'll bother her a bit. Her frustration usually gets her mind off of her pain." Ryoko thought back at times when she used this method to make Aeka happier. "Well, Ryoko! Let's bring back the good times!" "Dinner!" a voice called. "What did you say Tenchi?" Ryoko asked. "What?" Tenchi opened the door to the room, "Oh, that wasn't me, it was Father." "Hmmmm..." Ryoko thought as she emanated a dull noise, "Odd." Footsteps could be heard roaring in from every direction. A small, effeminate hand placed alabaster dishes onto a wooden table. The spike-haired demon flew from within the wall above the living room and landed mellifluously aside the table in a formal eating position. Tenchi rushed downstairs and seated himself beside the demon. Yosho was already seated at the head of the table. An overwhelmingly pungent potpourri of scents filled the air of the household. Next to arrive were Nobuyuki and Toshimi, who quickly seated themselves. The blonde Galaxy Policewoman followed after in a blue leisure shirt. She sat to the left of Toshimi, who was wearing a shirt displaying the exact same pop singer. Sheepishly, Kiyone left a room upstairs in a heavy satin cloak. It was amazingly comfortable and made it appear as if she were floating down the stairs. Aeka stared at her from the kitchen as Kiyone threw back her gown and took a seat. "Aeka, come sit down," Ryoko called in her unmistakable voice, "you'll miss out on all the miso soup." Aeka sat in the kitchen and stared down at the table across the carpet. "No thanks, I'm not hungry," Aeka's voice then lightened up by a tone, "but I will accompany you at the table." Few people watched as she moved toward the table in her shortened, violet frock. She took a formal position next to Ryoko. "Kai, come on, dinner!" Sasami called in an optimistic voice toward the ship. A distant voice returned saying, "No, I'm not hungry now, but same me a little for later." "Suit yourself," Sasami giggled and took her seat between Aeka and Nobuyuki. Aeka looked over into her eyes. No one else was noticing. A flash of red pierced the younger princess's pupils. It was so vivid and obvious to Aeka that she knew it wasn't an illusion. Sasami's eyes were now vigilantly surveying the area as a sniper or a spy would. "Let's eat!" called Yosho with a smile. A pair of perfectly cylindrical chopsticks poked into a dish amidst the many others on the table. It pulled a piece of fried tofu upward and into a widely opening mouth. "Desh-lish-ioush," Yosho's loaded mouth made an utterance of the food's quality. Sasami accepted this barely audible complement and sample some of her own victuals. Ryoko acknowledge the commencement of the meal and quickly dove her utensils into the decorative tableware. She ate ludicrously, as would anyone rendered with such a comical expression. "Boy, she is just attacking that food," Tenchi commented in the low, sardonic tone he occasionally uses. "Yeah," Sasami looked childishly angry, "leave some for the rest of us!" "...Mmmmm, but it is so good. Sasami, you make the best," Ryoko's defined teeth were coated with an assortment of colors due to the miscellany of culinary delights, "Why aren't you having any, Aeka?" Aeka was still staring oddly at Sasami before realizing that she had been asked a question. "Oh, me?" Aeka trembled, "Well, I'm not really hungry." "Nonsense," Nobuyuki interjected, "I haven't seen you eat one bite since you've been here." "I'm fine," Aeka said trying to rationalize her choice. "But, seriously Aeka, you should try this miso soup. It's really good," Ryoko said with a mouth full of food. "Please, just leave me alone, I'm fine," Aeka called angrily initiating a short period of silence. "This is really good, Sasami," Mihoshi smiled an enormous, optimistic smile, "It has been so long since we actually got to sit down and talk with other people, since Kiyone and I got this job. You see we have to work all day for barely enough money to pay the rent on the house, so we might have to do some more part-time jobs if we want to eat something other than cafeteria food. Kiyone won't let me go down to the public bath and talk to people because she thinks we won't have the money, but I am pretty sure we do. But anyway, this is really good food. I think it's the best food I have had in a long time. So, Aeka, why don't you want this food. It's delicious. I'm sure you'd like it. I don't understand. You haven't eaten since you got here. Are you trying to starve yourself? Oh, I understand! You're fasting, aren't you, for some Juraian religious thing? Ok, well, I hope you don't get hungry just seeing this delicious food..." Aeka's face turned red, but not with embarrassment, with fear. She tipped her body sideways to allow her crossed feet to touch the ground. Her arms pressed to the floor to try to hoist her up, but to no avail. Tenchi's arm was around Aeka, keeping her at the table. Ryoko gave a puzzled look at this action, but remembered that they had to help her. "Mihoshi," Kiyone grumbled at the table's side, but it was not her ordinary groan. This time, it was had a weak vibration to it, as would a voice of regret. "Aeka," Tenchi spoke softly while Toshimi watched it like a good sitcom, "It's ok, you will be fine." Tenchi's voice pierced into her mind. It was not his words, but merely the sound of his gentle reassurance. Memories flashed through her mind. She trembled immensely while the members of the dinner surveyed her. Her eyes opened to see a plate of rice affront her. The white, adhesive pieces of grain formed small orbs. Two wooden sticks were placed at either side of one of these clumps. The sticks lifted slowly from the container and toward a slightly opened mouth. Rice was placed onto a soft pink tongue. Aeka chewed and swallowed this bite. It was her first taste of food in quite some time and it made her feel angry with herself for not eating sooner. The bland rice seemed to have an overpowering flavor, now, unlike any she'd ever tasted. The members of the house returned to eating as if nothing had happened, despite how crucial an act this was for Aeka. Tenchi smiled and continued eating. Aeka again sampled a meager, but at least existent, amount of food. Toshimi panned his vision across the table, as if he were suspicious of a murder in progress. His eyes collided with Tenchi's in such a manner that a spark of lightning would have struck the ground if it were a television show. Tenchi's brown eyes contracted to focus upon Toshimi's blue ones. They were void of emotion or feeling. Impassively, Tenchi stared deeper into Toshimi's persona. The surface of his body was the only vision that met Tenchi. Toshimi's eyes looked oddly like Mihoshi's, except his pupils were a little different. Tenchi could not put his finger on it, but he knew that there was something inhuman about them. The pupils did not have an ordinary vertical ovular shape, but instead came to a point at both the top and bottom. Toshimi was no longer looking at Tenchi, who still remained deep in thought. Nobuyuki smiled as he saw Toshimi looking at him. A smile was returned to Nobuyuki, setting Tenchi into reality, once again. "I sense something strange in the winds," a voice met Tenchi's newly awakened ears, "I feel something grave is living in this house." It was Grandpa, Tenchi turned to him, "What is it, Grandpa?" "It is a force, revived from the dead. It is trying to bring us together." "So what is so bad about it?" "Well, Tenchi, she wants to take our lives." Ryoko continued eating, smirking at the nonsense that Grandfather was telling to Tenchi. "She?" Tenchi sported a bewildered face, "...how do you know?" "I see her face, it is strangely familiar." "Huh? Who is it Grandpa, who?" "Her hair is tied into two strands flowing from her face, and her eyes are as black as the midnight sky." "How do you know? Where can you see her? What is she here for?" "Look at the picture on the wall to see her face." Tenchi turned his head slowly, simply to reveal a piece of conceptual art on the back wall, composed of various colored dots and lines, forming an assortment of sea creatures. "Tenchi!!" Yosho yelled aghast, "Turn around!!" In the brown-eyed grandson's vision was a solid red surface with many curves and oddly flowing lines. It had two sunken eye socket which were ornamented with black, needle-like eyes, bulging from within the crevice. Two long red strands of odd textured flesh extended to the left and right of the horribly vile figure. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!" Tenchi let out a blood-curdling scream. Instantly, he leaped back from the table only to find that what was previously in his face was in actuality a crayfish. A breath of air returned to his lungs in time enough for him to yell, "GRANDPA!!" A horrendous laugh bellowed from within the Masaki household, shaking every object in the building. Tenchi fell to the floor and joined in the laughter. The meal continued as would be expected, this meal seemed like an ordinary meal like the ones they used to have. Leave it to Grandpa to lighten the mood. Eventually, the meal came to an end. Empty bowls and plates decorated the surface of the table, which Sasami was putting away, quite efficiently. The group slowly diverged into several different parties and went to watch television, read, and do other things to keep themselves occupied. "We'll have to get going, now. It is past eleven," a voice called from the doorway before Kiyone and Mihoshi gathered their items to leave. "Have a restful night," Nobuyuki called from another room. "You too," Kiyone and Mihoshi left the Masaki house with those words. "What now, Grandpa?" Tenchi stroked a hand through his hair, "What is going to happen to us?" "Tenchi," Grandfather spoke, "you are confused, but this is not the beginning nor the end. You must make sure all of the people of this house are safe. Look after Aeka, Ryoko, Sasami, Mihoshi, Kiyone... and Washu." "Grandfather," Tenchi was puzzled, "do you think Washu-chan needs my help?" "She is trapped somewhere in her lab, I'd guess," Grandfather averted his eyes toward the floor beneath him, "Perhaps, you should assist Kai in searching for her." "Good idea," Tenchi smiled. The nimble boy leapt toward the wreckage and began sorting through the rubble. Ryoko phased into existence a few inches behind his back and tapped incessantly upon his shoulder. As Tenchi turned, he was greeted by Ryoko's bright smile, "What are you doing?" Tenchi associated the voice Ryoko was using with the first time he'd ever met her, "Trying to find your mom." "Who? Washu?" Ryoko raised a brow, "I'm sure she'll fare well by herself." "Ryoko, you should be helping, too," Tenchi tossed a fragment of mangled metal into a large pile a few feet beyond the end of the stairs, which was already quite step. Aeka, meanwhile, stared intently upon a dramatic television program, which involved a semi-spherical blue woman falling in love with an orb- shaped, green-colored man. The two blobs of unknown substance locked one another in a deep, romantic, blissful kiss. "It's... so... beautiful," Aeka cried, already over what had happened to her earlier. Sasami sat to her right. "Lady Tokimi," Dr. Clay's voice projected mentally through space, "Washu... is not giving off life signals." "Clay! Lady Washu, as you 'should' call her, can not die at any cost. She knows not how to ascend. We must keep her weak form in existence for now, do not forfeit my task," an ominous, yet beautiful, female voice bellowed from the heavens, as Dr. Clay felt a sharp pain seize his mind and stop a moment later. "Yes, Lady Tokimi," Dr. Clay's mind returned to his true focus. "Sasami," Aeka looked down at her rose-eyed sister, "I thought you loved this show. You haven't been watching it at all." "I don't know how much more of this I can stand," Dr. Clay voice impelled mentally. "Aeka, I've just been too worried about Washu. I think I'm gonna go help her out," Sasami smiled and rose from the couch. The location above where Sasami rose was intersected by Oakiaru, Toshimi's ship, which hung a mere five feet from the floor. As Sasami met with Kai, Ryoko and Tenchi, she began pulling away at the pile as well. The young Juraian glanced at the demon, Ryoko. "Zero," Dr. Clay reflected, "you were my greatest mistake. I should've known that a perfect duplicate would've become this. I suppose the body you're in is... rather... nice, though." "Sasami," Ryoko called to Sasami who was staring blankly at the demon's body, "What are you doing?" "Oh," Sasami shook her head from its locked position upon Ryoko's form and regained composure, "just helping Tenchi." Ryoko squinted her eyes as though she suspected something, but made no actions upon this theory "I... I..." Kai stuttered, "I've found her." Tenchi hurried over to Kai's location. Ryoko simply extended her neck to see. Sasami sped toward Kai along with Tenchi. Washu's face emerged from the rubble. Coated with a partially solid sheath of blood, her body rolled from the debris. Kai quickly formed a floating, incorporeal computer affront himself and typed hysterically. Small meters and pie charts filled to different levels as he scanned over her body. "She's lost all life functions," Kai sighed and formed a bluish film over Washu's body to preserve her. "Can you save her?" Sasami asked in a worried tone. "I can try." Toshimi stared from his seat on the couch and peered at the incident. "Lady Washu," he whispered to himself before pausing a few moments and closing his eyes to fall asleep on the couch. The noisy bullet train passed for the last time that night, allowing silence to seize the cozy, little apartments. Two tatami mats were set at the center of the main room's floor. The aroma of sweetened green tea flowed through the stagnant airs of the apartment as the noise of slowly trickling water calmed the residents thereof. Deep teal hair poured down the soft, smooth back of a well-built woman standing before the gentle waters of the shower. With her last ounce of strength, the tender woman pulled the curtains open, stepped beneath the shower's waters, and closed the curtain behind her. As the warmth from the water collided with her flesh, she felt her body become even weaker, but the frailty was a trusting submission to the tranquilizing water. The woman's head began to feel light. Her legs gave way, dropping her body to the shower's floor. Her turquoise, glistening eyes closed to allow the rhythmic sensation of the shower head to take its effect on her body. The massaging pleasure drifted across her body, up and down, crossing each tender location on her body. Gradually, her body became enraptured by the unremitting downpour. The jade-haired lady's face flushed with a crimson bliss, as she let out a sigh of ecstasy. An involuntary high-pitched moan tapered out as the water upon her body slowly died away. Her emerald eyes hesitantly opened. As her eyes met reality once more, they were greeted by a pair of glowing sapphire eyes looking passionately back at her. Blonde hair flowed down onto her body as the blue- eyed girl neared her. "Kiyone," the azure-eyed girl sighed with joy while her hand slid downward. "Mi... Mihoshi," Kiyone felt Mihoshi's hand stroke her body. Instantly, she was taken away by an ultimate pleasure-an explosion of fervor concentrated into a single moment. Suddenly, Kiyone awakened. Across from her vision slept her assistant in Galaxy Police, who was drooling on her pillow and positioned awkwardly across her sheets. Kiyone feebly lifted herself from her mat and walked to Mihoshi. Kiyone knelt at her side and tucked Mihoshi securely into her sheets. Groggily, Kiyone headed back toward her tatami mat. "Kiyone?" a voice met her ears. "Yes?" she responded, standing still at her mat's edge. "I can't sleep..." Mihoshi's voice sounded much more serious than usual. "Do... do... you need something?" "There is something bothering me." "What is it?" "I don't know, Kiyone, but I feel it within me." "I know what that's like." "Sometimes I just..." a buzzing noise interrupted Mihoshi. She reached blindly behind her and tapped a button. "Kiyone, Mihoshi!" a voice roared from Mihoshi's transceiver, "I couldn't get a hold of Toshimi, so I called you. I'm glad you finally answered." "Sure, what do you need?" Mihoshi responded firmly. "Yes, what is it?" Kiyone replied. "Well, I finally got a patch through. It was impossible before, due to the battle in space. I need you two and Toshimi to scout a new sector of space to see if it is yet inhabited." "We'll be right on it," Kiyone said, "first thing in the morning." "Ok, you both do that, and don't forget to bring Toshimi... it is about time the lazy guy actually did something with his time." Kiyone did not identify the voice of the man across the receiver, "This isn't Taolin, is it?" "No, he was demoted recently. The poor guy was shocked... and... if you don't want the same, than I suggest you complete this task, post haste." "Ok, I'll take care of it. By the way, what is your name?" "Oh, Tye Brendan. Just remember to get that job done. I trust that you'll do that. I gotta go, take care." His voice faded away. Mihoshi dropped a salute that she had previously sported and sat back down onto her sheets. Kiyone walked toward the kitchen for some rice. She passed a small digital clock reading, "3:14." "I should be asleep," Kiyone thought, "if I expect to wake up that early." "Well, I guess I can't get back to sleep, now," Mihoshi pouted. Kiyone opened the refrigerator and took out a sealed box of rice. Lifting the plastic covering, she tossed it into the microwave. She pressed a few buttons and the rice began to heat, "Why can't you sleep?" "You know me, after I wake up," Mihoshi's voice was rather groggy, "I just can't get back to..." The blonde-haired private's voice seemed to drift away and soon merged with the gentle hum of nighttime city life. Kiyone took her rice from the microwave and released a sigh. She opened a drawer and seized a pair of chopsticks. Weakly, she pushed bites of food into her mouth, "That girl... she's so hopeless." Kiyone giggled to herself and then thought of her dream. Her face tightened with anger. She wondered how she could've had such thoughts about Mihoshi. Without giving it further thought, she stared out of her apartment window toward the great city of Tokyo. Thanks to Washu's teleportation capabilities, it wasn't hard for Kiyone and Mihoshi to rejoin the group, when in need. Washu, however, seemed to bear odd feelings toward Mihoshi. Kiyone thought that Washu didn't like Mihoshi for some reason. Suddenly, Kiyone visualized Mihoshi grandfather, the marshal. The teal-eyed woman slowly closed her eyes to recall how she first met the Masaki house. It was after Mihoshi decided to stay with Tenchi permanently. Kiyone recalled being demoted to Mihoshi's status and forced to join her and the Masaki house: "Kiyone," a voice called to her in her mind. It was the judge at her hearing so many weeks ago, "are you aware that you caused thousands of Juraians to meet their deaths without a chance in hell of survival?!" "Sir, I was just doing what I thought would be..." Kiyone remembered how weakly she spoke, always fearing those of higher social status than her. She wished she could've been a bit stronger. "What you thought," the judge interrupted Kiyone's voice, "caused the death of many of Jurai's nobles. Why would you deliberately defy one of the council's direct orders? Did you feel that your decision would be better for Jurai?" "Your honor, I just..." Kiyone recollected the sheer confusion in that room. It often caused her to stutter, "I... I... I thought that I could make it without damaging... the... the..." "Never mind," the judge called sternly, "nonetheless, your decision to purposefully betray our orders has forced me to demote you to First Class private, and exile you to the remote planet, Earth. I'm afraid your records will have to be destroyed along with this action of yours." Kiyone saw herself weeping at her table before the judge. "Be gone," the mighty voice boomed in her head as she envisioned her transport to Earth and realized that she'd never be able to see her parents or siblings again. She wished she'd said a formal "goodbye." All she recalled was a simple, "See you later," which never happened. Kiyone looked down at her bowl. She had eaten the rest of her rice while visualizing her life events that brought her to this planet. "Why me...?" Kiyone collapsed to the floor and cried herself into a sorrowful rest. The crickets chirping from outside of the Masaki house were barely audible through the confines of Kai's paraspace lab, which was not nearly as sophisticated as Washu's subspace lab. The image of a human heart hovered barely above a metal panel covered with an electronic green grid. Half of the heart was a dull green color. The other half was a bright green tone, which was slowly covering more and more of the heart as small, holographic pixels drifted onto the scanner. Three yellow bars fluctuated, periodically, marking the procedures many variables. "Fifty-eight percent," a voice drowsily droned on as Kai's face came into focus, lying on a hovering computer panel. Tenchi lay at the opposite side of the small lab, half-asleep on a small set of levitating pillows, "How many more?" "Liver, a lung, a kidney, and then I'll try to recover Washu's missing memory," Kai slowly spoke. "How long will that take?" Tenchi's voice seemed to slowly fade. "Another seven hours," Kai noticed a clock displaying the time: "3:27" "I'll stay with you, until Washu is back," Tenchi said, "I was wondering." "What?" "Well, will Washu be back to her full form?" "I'm sure she'll have a few inconsistencies, but she will be pretty much back to normal." "That's good," Tenchi didn't know when, but he fell asleep on near Washu's body, suspended gently in a glass chamber. Kai continued monitoring Washu's progress until six in the morning, when he decided to archive Washu's memory. "Here goes nothin'," Kai spoke to himself as he hooked small receptacles to his temples and set himself into stasis in a chamber adjacent to Washu. A large monitor displayed the progress of the memory binding from Kai to Washu. Apparently, the procedure involved transmitting neurons to Washu's brain and then using Kai's memories of Washu to reconfigure the axons and the dendrites in her mind. It would take less time to accomplish this task with someone who knew Washu better, such as Tenchi, but since he was sleeping, Kai decided to do it himself. The task would have the same consequence regardless of the occupants. Slowly, a pair of rose-colored eyes peered through the ethereal door to Kai's lair. Following the eyes, were a set of long, blue masses of hair. Sasami leapt into the chamber and looked examined the surroundings. She noticed the procedure. "Dr. Clay?" Tokimi's voice called, "I didn't break you out of Galaxy Police jail to sit there, complete your job." "I'm not quite sure of what to do," Dr. Clay's voice floated toward the heavens. "What do you mean? I told you time and time again. If our 'Frank' creation goes to waste, you'll be the one repaying for him with your life." "Lady Tokimi, Sasami's memory is interfering with mine. Frank's memory was interfering with him, as well." "But he pulled through, right? All I want you to do, is get those gems, and reinsert them into Washu's memory." "I don't understand. Why?" "Don't you see, Dr. Clay? Washu left her thoughts in those gems. Why do you think she let her powers to..." Tokimi stopped herself, "I cannot tell you this. You are a mere scientist. Complete your task, and your debt to me will be repaid." "Yes, Lady Tokimi." Dr. Clay returned himself to Sasami's mind. He looked over the room again and spotted Tenchi. Sasami remembered that Tenchi liked to hold onto his sword, Tenchi. She walked toward the sleeping body of her half-brother's grandson. The blue-haired girl moved flawlessly into a position over Tenchi. Gradually, she pushed her hand into Tenchi's pocket. Tenchi rolled onto his opposite side, pulling along Sasami's arm. She winced, but managed to seize the sword. Two of its gems were in place, but the other gem was missing. She knew that Ryoko would have to have the gem. Suddenly, the sword began to glow. The blade cast Sasami across the room and into the wall. Dr. Clay cried into the sky, "Lady Tokimi..." "What is it this time you groveling, worthless, mass of moronic, mortal scum?" she spoke in a cynical voice. "I can't touch Tenchi," Dr. Clay whined. "Hmmm... it must sense you within the form," Lady Tokimi began considering the possibilities, "Well, you are in the form of a mighty goddess, just pray that the gems be cast upon Kai." "I can do that?" "I said it was possible, so it must be." "Ok, then, Lady Tokimi, I'll take your word for it." Dr. Clay again returned to his form. Sasami rose to her feet and rubbed the back of her bruised head. She walked toward the sword on the floor and stared down at it. Concentrating deeply, she forced the sword to appear in the chamber, floating aside Kai. "Good enough," Dr. Clay thought as the sword's memory slowly was sent across the channel along with Kai's. "Now," Dr. Clay searched through Sasami's memory, "where is that last gem." He scanned for a few seconds before discovering its possessor, "I see." Sasami leapt from the paraspace laboratory and walked into the main hall. She noticed that her sister had fallen asleep on the couch, leaving the television on a music channel. Sasami took time to marvel over the lovely, popular music being sung on the television, before walking toward the entrance hallway of the house. Toshimi was resting on the opposite end of the couch. He slowly opened an eye, just enough to see through his eyelashes, but not make it obvious that the eye was open. "Heh, heh," Toshimi thought to himself, "when will she ever learn?" Sasami walked out into the entrance hall and ascended the staircase therein to prevent herself from awakening others with her noise. She mellifluously climbed the stairs and walked across the causeway toward Ryoko's room on the second floor. Gently, she pushed the door that was already cracked, open enough to squeeze through. Inside Ryoko's room, Sasami could not find Ryoko. Puzzled, she pondered over what other places Ryoko might be in. "I know," Dr. Clay recollected the fact that Ryoko liked to spend a lot of time in one of her greatest creations. Sasami descended the staircase in the main room again, caring little about the noise that it was producing. "Sa-" Aeka's eyes opened, "Sasami?" Sasami stopped in her footsteps walking down the staircase. "What are you doing?" Aeka whispered politely. "I was just going to find Ryoko," Sasami realized she'd said too much. "Why would you want to be with her?" Aeka tried to sober herself up after that long rest. "I just wondered why she was up," Sasami giggled, "maybe we can spy on her." "Ok, let's," Aeka grinned as she pulled herself from the couch, "I'll never be able to get back to sleep after that dream, anyway." The two sisters met up and walked toward the front door. The violet-haired princess gracefully opened the door for Sasami and herself. They walked out into the foggy morning, which was dimly lit by the sun beneath a hill on the horizon. The grass beneath their feet was soft and dew-covered. Its dampness tickled between the bare-foot princess' toes. Giddily, the two bounced forth toward the onsen. Aeka was a tad confused by the position of the onsen. If Ryoko didn't want people to be able to get in and out of the onsen, she could easily raise it into the air, above everyone's reach. Now, however, Ryoko's onsen was at ground level, easily boarded. Aeka and Sasami stepped into the main room of the barely-floating, hot springs building, where they were greeted by two doors. The girls went through the "girl's" door where they prepared for the bath. Sasami wrapped a towel around herself, unlike Aeka, who walked out into the dimly lit onsen's bath chamber. A diffused gray color coated the glass in the onsen, prevent much light from seeping through. The breaks in the ceiling were mended since the crash. The warmth of the chamber almost made Aeka and Sasami forget why they were there. While Aeka slipped down into the soothing, pleasant waters, Ryoko phased into existence before her. "Ryoko!" Aeka leapt back, surprised, "how did you...?" "I saw you coming," Ryoko shook her head and smiled, "but it's ok, stay here." Sasami dropped into the pool's waters, wearing her towel tightly around her body. "I think Washu is going to be ok," Aeka sparked conversation after a few seconds. Ryoko slid down into a portion of the pool opposite Aeka, "It doesn't concern me." "Well, Washu 'is' your mom," Aeka offered. Sasami sat back, relaxing in the pool. "Yeah, well she doesn't act like a good one," Ryoko defied her. Suddenly, the demon was greeted with an odd sensation. It felt as though she had a 'master', and that this master was nearby. She looked around, before gazing upon Sasami. A strong force permeated from Sasami. Ryoko's mind recalled Zero, her alter ego. The mental force detected a force within Sasami. "Dr. Clay?" Ryoko shouted at Sasami. "What?!" Aeka shot, puzzled, "Where?" Sasami forgot that she was actually on a mission. Dr. Clay had gotten lost within Sasami's memories and had forgotten his reasoning for finding Ryoko. Abruptly, this returned to him. "Ryoko," Sasami leapt to her feet, "I remember." Aeka still sat in the water, with her jaw dropped and her eyes panning back and forth over the two of them. "What do you want, Clay?" Ryoko produced an orb of energy over her hand. "Washu needs your gem, so I've come to deliver it. I just needed a body," Sasami spoke with the voice of Dr. Clay. Aeka realized that Sasami was not herself. Ryoko swung toward Sasami with her newly-created energy blade. Sasami generated a wooden cylinder to protect herself, which Ryoko split with relative ease. A mere split-second before Ryoko's power came into contact with the small princess's flesh, Aeka dove from the left and tackled Ryoko into the water. "Ryoko!" Aeka yelled, "It is just Sasami. If you destroy her body, then Dr. Clay won't die, only my sister!" "Aeka, Dr. Clay is here to take my mother away. I know it. He still works for Tokimi!" Ryoko yelled. "You cannot kill my sister. I will not allow it," Aeka screamed back to her, disregarding her comment. With a swift kick, Sasami pushed Aeka's body off of Ryoko. "Lady Tokimi," Sasami yelled into the sky, loudly, "I need the power." A blast of black energy shot down into Sasami's hands. She squeezed lightly on the sphere of power, forming a black, energy sword. The blade glistened in the air for a moment before colliding with the water, inches away from Ryoko's skin. The energy from the weapon seemed to absorb the water from the small space where it hit. The flux from the attack caused a wave of energy to blast Ryoko backward. The body of Ryoko landed at Aeka's feet. The body appeared to be weak, only a few minutes from death. Aeka could tell how powerful Lady Tokimi's weapon was by how much it hurt Ryoko. Sasami floated several feet above the rippling surface of the water. She slowly waved her hand in a small circle, which generated a long spear in her left hand. The small girl brought back the jet-black spear of raw power and tossed it toward Ryoko's wounded, and motionless body. Acting quickly, Aeka generate a sphere of force to block the attack. The spear was about a meter from Ryoko before it was stopped in its place by Aeka's mental resistance. The black javelin pushed with an unworldly force into Aeka's shield. Frantic memories spun around in Aeka's mind to fuel the mental energy needed by the defensive globe. She pictured Tenchi, and all that they'd ever been through. The image of her moment with him in the woodshed appeared. The time her body was revealed to him flashed into her mind. Now, these thoughts seemed to be laughable, to her. Her mind continued to conjure images of Tenchi. The force began to fade away. Her mind was not strong enough for this type of power. The black energy grew into a greater form that appeared to form a large and mighty beast. Its mouth opened like that of a dragon and shot toward the two girls. Sasami was unable to be seen behind this wall of pure energy. Aeka's mind slowly forgot of Tenchi and began thinking of her experiences with Ryoko, how they all seemed so trivial. She wondered why she'd always been so much against Ryoko, but was now killing herself to save her. She saw the battle with Kagato playing back in her mind. Aeka saw how Ryoko was trying to protect her the entire time. "I knew..." Aeka felt Ryoko's hand grab her own as Ryoko's voice came to the princess's ears, "...that you were... weak." Aeka remained silent, quivering from the psychological energy striking against her. They were now encompassed entirely by the black form, which sparked inward with red streams of power, where Aeka's mind failed in protecting the field of cerebral intensity. Ryoko tightened her hold onto Aeka's hand, "Why wouldn't you be weak? You were a princess..." Ryoko's hold fed more strength to Aeka's mind, "I envied you for being so... wonderful... so... beautiful..." Their essences blended, empowering the resistance against Tokimi's power, but the black entity strengthened even more. Aeka opened her mouth to speak, but instead felt a message leave her mind and travel into Ryoko's, "You make me complete... you deserve Tenchi... so you must live." Ryoko shuddered as she pushed all her strength into Aeka, "Don't you see?" Ryoko's question eluded Aeka, who still pictured all the times that Aeka and Ryoko fought. "I couldn't stand it. I wanted everything you had..." a tear ran down Ryoko's bare chest, which began to illuminate with a divine power, "...and now I know that I just wanted to be with you." "Ryoko," Aeka trembled, and continued to cry tears that poured down her body, "I... need... you." Their energies increased, and their power seemed to match that of the mighty, dark weapon. Both Ryoko and Aeka began to glow even brighter until all that was flesh were their faces. Aeka spoke again, "Do you need... me, as much... as I need... you?" Tears became energy, adding to the absolute immensity of their combined mental strength. Ryoko spoke softly, breaking through the many flashing memories to face Aeka, "There is no need for Tenchi. I need you." Weakly, Aeka penetrated her unceasing remembrances to see Ryoko's face. Her yellow eyes glistened with a white light, gleaming from within the sphere of protection. Her powdery blue hair floated upward with a stream of blissful essence. Her lips were opened a small amount and sparkling with light. Ryoko stared back at Aeka with tears clouding her vision. Aeka's amethyst hair was blown back by their collective force. The princess's eyes were a dull rose color. As Ryoko gazed deep into her Juraian eyes, a tear ran down Aeka's face. Aeka closed her eyes gently, and placed her arms around Ryoko's radiant body. Ryoko felt the princess's touch and embraced her as well. "Aeka?" a voice came to her in her mind as she felt Ryoko's body against hers. "Yosho," she heard herself, but did not speak, "I picked this for you." Aeka saw herself hand Yosho the royal teardrop flower while standing in a large field. "I'm sorry, Aeka, but this is only to be used for sad occasions," Yosho's voice returned to her. An image of a falling tear shot through Aeka's mind. It hit the water and formed a royal teardrop flower floating upon the waves. Aeka saw herself holding the sword, Tenchi, in a black, endless field. The black void felt like the energy that came from Tokimi. The sword of Tenchi rested in her hands, as she saw Tenchi wave goodbye to her and fade backward. Aeka stood in the empty void, staring at the sword. Gradually, the blade released a yellow, foggy color. The odd mist rose into the darkness. Aeka chose not to cry. She had lived this dream before. This was no reason to cry. "My teardrops are only for joyous occasions," Aeka smiled as she saw the yellow energy flow from the sword, "This... is useless." She tossed the sword forward into the forever void. It drifted away from her gracefully and gently. Suddenly, she saw Tenchi grab the sword from the air before her. The sword's blue blade flickered into being. "Join me," Tenchi said as he held the sword out for Aeka to hold onto. Across from Aeka appeared Ryoko. The three of them stood around in a triangular alignment to one another while reaching toward the sword. The blade of Tenchi floated elegantly upward above the three of them, still releasing a yellow energy. "You two finally see, don't you?" Tenchi smiled, still peering up toward the sword, "We are all so weak alone." The blade of Tenchi released three white strands of energy that spiraled around Tenchi, Ryoko, and Aeka, below. "But together," Tenchi smiled as the sword above him dissolved into the yellow fog, leaving only the three white beams of power, "we are so strong." Finally, all three of them could understand. The three gems that were once within Ryoko and the sword, Tenchi, floated into the center of the group and sparked out of existence. The image of Washu flashed quickly before them. The three strands of energy above them formed into the Lighthawk Wings, in a single sweep of godly intensity. After this occurred, the image of Tsunami passed quickly before them. Finally, their hands joined in a circle, as a flash of light blinded them. The form of Lady Tokimi floated into their presence, "Knowledge is luck. Power is by chance..." Ryoko could see nothing nor hear anything. Aeka was under the same effluence. Tenchi felt the same impediments burdening him. The voice they heard was not of a physical presence, but existed only within their minds, "Love is the only true gift." Sasami handed out platters of food among the members of the Masaki household at around nine in the morning. The entire crew felt well rested, as they feasted upon Sasami's delicious meal. "Well, anyway, Yosho," Washu's mouth was loaded with Sasami's great breakfast, "the sword of Tenchi and its three gems vanished in the process of restoring me." "Where do you think they went?" Tenchi continued eating as he inquired about the gems. "I don't know," Washu smiled. "Yes, you do," a voice mentally called to Washu. "I know Sis," Washu responded telepathically, "but I can't give away Tenchi's future." "True," the voice returned to Washu before fading away. "Hey, Washu," Ryoko grinned, munching on her food, "Your old friend Dr. Clay was making Sasami do all that junk. I took care of him, though." "*You* took care of him?" Aeka challenged in a stern voice, "It was my power that defeated him in the first place." "Yeah, but if I hadn't given all my strength to help you, you would've died," Ryoko fought back, with a simple smile. Aeka and Ryoko both knew what they were doing, but didn't really care anymore. "You would've died, too. You just did it to save yourself," Aeka yelled back. "I knew I could withstand the power. That's why I decided to use my extra strength to protect you, too." "Oh, you two," Tenchi smiled and started laughing. Toshimi, Yosho, Washu, and Sasami laughed along. "Oh, thanks for letting me use your lab, Washu," Kai poked his head from the door concealing Washu's subspace lab, "I got Akira back to full health." "That's good," Washu nodded, "tell her she's gonna have a baby." "What?" Tenchi asked in a jovial manner. "Oh, nothing," Washu giggled in a childish tone, as the front door swung open, vehemently. Two sets of stamping feet trailed into the house as Kiyone and Mihoshi popped their heads into the main hall. The Masaki household's members all peered over from their seats at the dining mat. "Toshimi," Mihoshi said with a forced, stern look on her face, trying to remain professional, "we have an assignment to do." Toshimi stood up, weakly, speaking with an exasperated tone, "An assignment..." "C'mon," Kiyone cocked her gun and motioned for Toshimi to follow them away. Toshimi reluctantly followed them, "See you later, everyone." "Bye," the crew called in unison as Ryoko and Aeka bickered incessantly behind them. "Hello, everyone," Akira said sheepishly as she limped out of the subspace laboratory and into the room to join the rest of the crew. "It truly 'is' a shame that Dr. Clay had to die," Washu put on a sarcastic face, "I was starting to actually like the guy." Tenchi and the group continued talking and passing time, making jokes, and watching shows far into the evening. Space-an endless void of darkness, pain, fear, and pestilence-was lit only by the odd colors of nebulae and cosmic objects. The tones drifting around were the strangest shapes and forms that could be seen in the universe. A Galaxy Police ship floated into a cloud of astral dust. "I'm pickin' up something freaky, guys," Toshimi stared at a brown pulse on the radar, which a smaller, red pulse was approaching. As the celestial haze parted, a large, torn-down vessel could be seen. "Derelict in sector four-eighteen," Kiyone shouted into a police transceiver, "Repeat... derelict detected at locale seven in sector four-eighteen." She was greeted by a murky signal, within which a few random voices could be heard, but not interpreted. "Do you hear?" she called louder as their ship approached the abandoned craft, "A derelict in sector four-eighteen." "The bank of foggy stuff is clouding us out," Mihoshi bit a fingernail on her left hand, "I think." "Probably," Kiyone stared out the front glass, unmoving while she spoke, "so I guess we'll have to investigate for ourselves." "Investigate?" Toshimi sipped on a can of cola, "The ship is too weird. I am turning this thing into 'anchored' mode." "No, Toshimi, as your superior, I demand you take us in," Mihoshi smiled at Kiyone as she gave an order that made her sound experienced. Toshimi sighed and caused the ship to drift slowly into the derelict's direction. "I've lost control," Toshimi took his hands from the ship's controls and placed a hand on his head. "Toshimi, you'll be fine. Life throws you a few fast balls from time to time, you just gotta be there to catch them," Kiyone tried to cheer him up. "What? What are you talking about?" Toshimi stared back at her, "I meant that I've lost control of the ship!" The three Galaxy Policepersons gazed at the sight of the dilapidated vehicle's port widening and pulling them in. "What the hell?" Kiyone tried to use a Tachyon device for breaking leeching beams, but it was to no avail. Slowly, their ship docked and the port closed behind them. The area around them appeared to be made of stone and had archaic text scribed across the walls. Their spacecraft was pulled further inward, into a large chamber, in which the gravity seemed to stabilize, as well as the pressure. Unwillingly, Kiyone proceeded to open the gate to her scouting vehicle. As the door slid open, a large gust of air swept in. The air seemed to be breathable, so Kiyone stepped out onto the stone and marble floor. The center of the room had a deep pool that produced a warmth, which the group could feel permeating toward them. A waterfall from a higher level seemed to be pouring down into this pool, keeping it ever full. Toshimi and Mihoshi stepped completely out of their ship and began to survey the area. Toshimi walked toward the large, warm pool and peered downward. Beneath the pool was a five foot wide hole, about twenty feet down, which contrasted from the edges of the pool, which appeared to be easy to wade through and perhaps, relax in. The hole at the center was opening up directly into space. The warm waters looked as though they were pouring into the void of space itself, infinitely falling. It was the strangest sight, and to be peering down into it was far more amazing than words could explain. "Cool," Toshimi spoke one single word that dragged for about ten seconds, alarming his companions. Mihoshi turned around from examining large, abstract murals spanning a wall to the left. She and Kiyone stepped toward the large central pool, beneath the brilliantly shimmering falls. Mihoshi placed her hand into the pool and felt its warm water, "Oh, God, this is nice." As she said the word "nice," she prolonged it for a few extra seconds. Toshimi dropped his hand into the water as well, "You're right, this feels great." "Well, then," Mihoshi rotated an unrecognizable portion of a pink, translucent cube, which converted her uniform into casual attire, "Let's not waste time." Mihoshi merrily walked toward the ship to change into a towel. "Mihoshi," Kiyone addressed her in a characteristically "Kiyone" voice, "we're not here to relax and have fun, we're here to search this area and get back to Earth." "C'mon, Kiyone," Mihoshi's voice echoed throughout the ship and the large, stone room, in which they were positioned, "you've got to enjoy life." "Yeah, Kiyone," Toshimi twisted his cube in such a manner that caused a pornographic magazine to teleport from his room at Galaxy Police HQ and drop into the pool of water below him, "Whoops!" He continued twisting the cube, trying not to make any more errors, but inevitably caused various items from his dormitory to rain down upon him. Finally, he converted his outfit into a pair of cargo pants and a T-shirt. He dropped his legs into the water and began kicking them about. "Kiyone, it's all yours," Mihoshi had her towel wrapped tightly around her as she advanced toward the water. "All mine?" Kiyone shook her head, "No, not now, Mihoshi. I need to check out the rest of the..." Kiyone, crouching beside the water, allowed her hand to fall onto its surface. This caused her to stop in mid-sentence. "Well," Kiyone smiled, "maybe for a while." Kiyone strolled toward the ship to get changed into more formidable bathing attire. Mihoshi dropped herself into the water. As the warmth overtook her body, her mind began to blur. "Wow, this is great," Mihoshi smiled and closed her eyes. Oddly, she didn't feel the water pulling her down toward the hole at the base of the pool, "It's been so long since Kiyone and I have been able to get out to a bath." "Yeah, I know how it is," Toshimi replied, "there are so very few baths out in space. They all feel so... 'artificial'." "True," Mihoshi agreed mindlessly, lost in the clear, flowing passion of a breathtakingly sinuous bath. Kiyone walked toward the pulsing heat of the water in a green towel. Gracefully, she dropped into the water. When the water struck her flesh, she felt a surge of fervor shoot through her veins. The water itself was like a fine wine-teasing to watch, sedate to touch, but wild with passion to experience. Kiyone floated for a few seconds before noticing the water pouring down from above. The flowing waterfall just looked like a gushing pillar of heavenly bliss. "Oh... yeah..." Kiyone's voice leisurely emoted a dull tone that seemed to form those words as she drifted toward the column of water. As she placed her teal hair beneath the flow, she couldn't help but look glamorous, stroking through her hair. The powerful waters were too much for Kiyone, causing her to let out an ardent sigh. "Look, umm, I am gonna go look over the area, I think I heard something that sounded like fire coming from over there," Toshimi was heard by no one. Disregarding this fact, he took to his feet and walked toward a large, jade- stone door to his right. The door was crafted with several arcane markings in a language that Toshimi couldn't interpret, despite the countless times that he was forced to take his cryptography class over. He looked over the door, searching for a way to unlock it. Unfortunately for him, the door found a way of unlocking itself. The jade door opened inward, toward the room at the opposite side. Suddenly, a fog rolled out of the room, and it revealed a smaller room, with several thongs and other footwear accompanied by towels with which to dress. Toshimi realized that too many things were calling him into that pool, so he decided to place his shoes in the side room and change into a towel, to relax in the bath. He slowly walked en route for the pristine zone of water. Dipping his feet into the pool, he was taken away by bliss, enthralling him so entirely that the remainder of his body fell into the pool by itself. Kiyone and Mihoshi floated aimlessly and blindly through the water, cleansing themselves periodically with the falls above, as if they were caught in a continual, involuntary cycle. Toshimi unwound in the water for a few second before losing control of his body to the immense sensuality of the plunge. The three were mesmerized by the water for what seemed to be hours. Suddenly, their enchantment was intersected by a loud voice. Kiyone opened her emerald eyes weakly to see a familiar face. It was out of focus, and her mind was captivated by the bath liquids so intensely that she could not recall his face. "How weak," his voice also stuck quite clearly to Kiyone and Mihoshi, who had just awakened from her entranced state, "you have fallen into the oldest trick. I've promised pleasure, have I not? So I suppose you'll be here with me for some time." Kiyone and Mihoshi could not interpret his words, but didn't seem to care, due to their current state of ecstasy. Toshimi was still engrossed by the surrounding paradise. "You will be my toys," he spoke one final time, allowing Mihoshi to decipher his true identity. Mihoshi whispered quietly, only to herself, "Kagato?" (What happens to the Tenchi crew? Find out in the next installment of this series. Keep addicted and I will allow you to discover what lies beyond the exteriors of these intriguing characters, what pasts have these enticing individuals repressed and concealed, what will the Juraian war bring, and what has the author of this story been drinking. Well, maybe not the last one, but definitely the first two. I'd like your input, so e-mail me at frogboy@tokyo- 3.com) (Disclaimer: All characters from the Tenchi Muyo series and movies are copyrighted to their respective companies, if not Pioneer™ than whomever they belong to. My story's plot, new characters, etc. that are new and/or different than usual belong to me, David Boutwell. It would be unlawful and pretty mean if you were to steal any of this story and claim it as your own. I would like to hear the comments of anyone reading this story. I probably won't make more until I find my potential readers. I would also like your input on how to make the next episodes of the series. I hope you enjoyed it. If you think it sucked, then yell at me via my e-mail address, frogboy@tokyo-3.com. Be prepared for many continuations of this series. Thank you for taking time to read this.)