Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Tenchi Muyo characters. They belong to AIC and Pioneer and other stuff, although this series is of my making and I did make up my own character. Don't sue me! I like money. My Rant: This character, in my mind, is supposed to be in the series from the beginning to the end. My story takes place during the Tenchi Universe series, except some elements may be carried over from Shin Tenchi Muyo and Tenchi OVA. This takes place about ten years before the Tenchi series actually started. Tenchi's Brother- Chap. 1-Ruki and Tenchi A young boy is seen looking at the stars, lost in thought. He is out in a clearing, lying on his back. The cool spring breeze feels good after his training. Ruki had just finished an extra long lesson with his grandfather and the cool wind felt good against the small open wounds on his body. He is very proud to have landed a hit of the bokken on his grandfather and a smirk appears on his face as he thinks about it. He then realized that he should go back to the house before his father got to worried. Tenchi sat in his bed. He found it hard to sleep without his big brother there. He hated that Ruki always talked about how much he would love to go to the Science Academy. "Doesn't he realize how much I need him here," Tenchi said aloud. "I'm not old enough to take care of all the work by myself," the young 8 year old once again said to no one. Just then, he heard the door open downstairs and someone running up stairs to Tenchi's room. Tenchi decided that he would pretend to be asleep so Ruki wouldn't scold him for staying up. Ruki opened the door violently, but crept in when he saw Tenchi asleep. He took his usual spot on the floor next to Tenchi's bed. Ruki cared deeply for his brother and Tenchi knew it. Sometimes Ruki just had to go ahead of Tenchi. Ruki was very smart and very skillful and sometimes Tenchi couldn't keep up. After a while of sitting in bed Tenchi spoke up. "Are you really going to the Space School?" Tenchi asked. "It's Science Academy," Ruki corrected, "and I'm going if I get the opportunity. I've dreamed my whole life of going into space, so I can't pass up an opportunity. Don't worry kid, it's not very likely that they will except a 14 year old into the Science Academy." Ruki said. "Ok," Tenchi sighed and closed his eyes. The next day was bright and sunny; Tenchi was up very early to start his chores before school. He always looked forward to coming home and playing with Ruki, but lately it seemed that Ruki was always too busy with something else. He, being so young, really didn't understand why. Still he hoped everyday that Ruki would play after school. As he groggily walked to the bathroom, he tripped over Ruki's sleeping form. He gasped. Silence. He was lucky. Ruki was a very heavy sleeper and hated when he was awakened abruptly. Tenchi slowly got up and walked to the door to start his chores. After he finished his chores he went to the bathroom, took a quick shower, and got dressed. It was when he got dressed that Ruki finally got up. Ruki quickly got dressed, knowing he may be late again. Somehow he got ready on time and he and Tenchi got on the bus for school. When they got off the bus, Ruki immediately met up with some of his friends, leaving Tenchi to walk to class by himself. Around ten o'clock Tenchi was deep in thought, he was staring out the window during his Math class when the he heard, "Tenchi Masaki." The teacher and the other kids were staring at him. He was totally lost and some people snickered. "Maybe next time you'll try to pay attention," the teacher snapped. Of course Tenchi was so lost in thought right after his lecture, he went back to staring out the window. The teacher dropped his book when he noticed again. "Tenchi, how 'bout you stay in my class after school and look out the window," the teacher threatened. "Oh man," Tenchi thought. After school Tenchi explained to Ruki that he had to stay over. Ruki just glared at him and got on the bus. As the bus rode off Tenchi stuck his tongue out. "You don't know what it's like since you're always sucking up to your teachers," Tenchi yelled knowing he couldn't hear him. Tenchi was very tired from walking all the way home since he missed the bus. His detention went by very slowly and Tenchi was hungry. Tenchi still was hoping that Ruki would be waiting at the front of the house like he used to before he became so busy. Tenchi was overjoyed when he saw Ruki standing in front of the house. It was better when he saw that he had a smirk on his face. He had some sort of letter in his hand "Tenchi, guess what!" he exclaimed. "I'm going to the Science Academy! Isn't it great! Some alien carrier ship dropped off a letter here. I'm leaving in a week. Tenchi's heart sank. "No, no it can't be," he thought. Tenchi had a strange look on his face. The only way to explain it was shock and hurt. "What's wrong?" Ruki said, "aren't you happy for me?" "No," he blurted out. "How could you do this?" "Do what, I told you if I got excepted that I would go." Ruki reminded him. "Yeah, you also said that it wouldn't happen!" Tenchi shouted. "I said it probably wouldn't happen." "But, but, but.." Tenchi was totally at a loss for words. He started crying and ran past Ruki up to his room. When Nobiyuki saw Tenchi, he realized that he probably had heard the news from Ruki. He couldn't say he was at all surprised. The one person Tenchi looked up to and admired was leaving and of course his first reaction would be what Tenchi just did. He then saw Ruki running for the house and after Tenchi, but he stopped him. "Let him be, son," Nobiyuki said calmly. Ruki just looked up the stairs and then walked back outside. He decided that he would take a walk to think of a good thing to say that would calm Tenchi down. "Tenchi.um.uh." he struggled for words. He couldn't think of anything to say. "Look, I know your mad but this is rare opportunity," he started, " and..well.. um, you see..uh, you just can't pass up this kind of thing, so don't be mad, er, oh man, I already said that!" he sighed and plopped down on the ground. "I guess it's not doing me any good just sitting here," he sighed again, and then got up. He walked very slowly back to the house. He was going over and over of things that would be good to say. Tenchi's tears had somehow managed to stop. His pillow was damp from tears and sweat. It was unseasonably hot for this time of the year. "Come on Tenchi, be strong," a voice said inside him, "you ought to be able to handle this. You knew he wasn't gonna stay forever. He would laugh if he saw you like this. All broken down by something you knew was coming. It's not his fault it's yours. You have been preparing for something like this. "I know," Tenchi said, talking to his conscience, "but I guess it's a lot harder because of Mom. That's it! That's why I'm so mad over this! I thought that I was strong enough to handle this. Ruki taught me that, to always be strong. I just haven't fully gotten over that, even though I thought I was. Or maybe I knew I wasn't over it all along, I just didn't except it, ur," Tenchi grunted. "I shouldn't be worrying so much." Satisfied that he was ready to talk to Ruki, he went outside to talk to him. Of course, he wasn't there. He was about to leave when he saw him walking back. Ruki had what he was going to say memorized. "Look Tenchi, sometimes things happen that probably won't ever happen again. And when those things come you gotta take them, or they will leave and you will regret it for the rest of your life," he was happy with his speech. Before he had a time to look up to see where he was, Tenchi was running up to him. Ruki looked up just in time to see Tenchi run at him. Ruki's first reaction was that Tenchi was gonna try to tackle him, but Tenchi gave him a hug that was even bigger than a Ryoko hug. (If that's possible.) Ruki just gave out a little chuckle and hugged Tenchi back. The next week went by too quickly for Tenchi. Nobiyuki aloud Tenchi and Ruki to skip school so they could spend the rest of their time together. They did many things like camping, fishing, hiking, talking, walking, and so many other things that brothers do. On their last day, they were out camping in the forest. Tenchi and Ruki were talking about various things. They got onto the conversation of their mother. "She was so gentle. I really miss her." Tenchi remarked. "Yeah, I miss her too. You have done a good job cooping with it." Ruki replied. Both of them were just sitting and thinking of the memories of their mother. "You can manage without me, right? Well, you have to. I mean you don't have a choice. You've had a rough life so far kid. I'm sure one day you will meet a nice girl and settle down. Your life won't get that much weirder." Ruki told Tenchi. "You think?" Tenchi thought aloud. "I know, kid." Ruki replied. They left it at that. The moon came out and they fell asleep. For the briefest of moments, Tenchi's sadness went away. But in the back of his mind he knew that it would last only one more day. In the morning, Ruki actually woke up first. Something about nature woke him up early. Add that he was leaving the planet and not coming back for a long time. He took a deep breath. "I'm really gonna miss this place," he said. He looked back at his sleeping brother. He loved him and his whole family. He had his fair share of tragedy in the family in his life. He took a walk in the forest. He walked past the trees and got to a clearing. He loved this clearing. He did a lot of studying the stars there. He went to the cliff that hangs over a ledge. He also went there many times. Memories flashed before his eyes. He saw himself as a younger boy, discovering new things, and getting interested in different sciences. "It all paid off," he said to himself. "I am going to be the youngest ever in the Space Academy." He decided that he would see if Tenchi was up yet. He walked back to the campground. He really enjoyed the scenery here. He was taking it all in when someone appeared out of the trees. "Hey kid," the raspy voice said. "You shouldn't be out here by yourself. You should run home to your mommy," he said in a baby-like voice. "I'm serious, you should run. I might just have to kill you," he taunted. Ruki stood fearless. He always remembered his grandfather telling him, "Always act calm. If you act confidently, then you will prevail." "What's the matter, kid? Cat got your tongue?" He taunted. Ruki kept looking for the campsite. He was trying to also keep eye contact with this forest robber. He spotted the site. Luckily, or unluckily, Tenchi was still asleep. The robber caught his gaze and smiled. "You know that kid, huh?" He ran toward Tenchi. Ruki smacked himself inside for his mistake. He ran after him. The robber made it first and grabbed Tenchi. The robber kept running through the crisp morning air. Tenchi woke up. "Huh..what?" He sleepily rubbed his eyes. He looked up at the man that was carrying him and started yelling. "Hey, who are you? Where's Ruki? When he gets to you, you'll be sorry." Tenchi threatened. Ruki kept running. He ran faster and faster. He had to catch up with him. All of the sudden, out of nowhere, BOOM! A loud thump, and then the man fell down flat on his back. Katsuhito appeared next to him. "Grandpa!" Tenchi exclaimed. His grandfather picked him up and set him on his shoulder. Ruki sighed a big sigh of relief. "I must commend you on your bravery Ruki. I believe I have taught you well. "Yeah, Ruki!" Tenchi added. "Thanks, but I really didn't do anything." Ruki humbly replied. "You didn't back down, and that is worth congratulating," Katsuhito said. They all headed back home. Around noon, Ruki was getting all of his things prepared for his trip. Ever since they came back form the forest, he didn't quite feel right. How could blame him? "My last day of my life on earth. My last day as a normal kid," he reflected on all the things of his past. "I will leave some bad memories too, but I sure am gonna miss those great ones." As he put his things together, he found old toys and pictures of from when he was a very small boy. He found pictures of Tenchi as a baby. He saw himself playing with Tenchi. "Those were the days," Ruki said to himself. He got the rest of his stuff together and ready. He hated leaving, yet he couldn't wait to get into space. Finally, it was time. Ruki waited patiently at the door. They said they would pick him up right at his house. It was out in the middle of nowhere so it wasn't really a problem. His father, grandfather, and brother waited with him. A low hum could be heard in the distance. The hum became a roar, and the carrier ship came into sight. As it landed Nobiyuki's eyes filled with tears "Well, this is it son. I sure am gonna miss you," his father hugged him tightly. "Remember what you have learned and apply it to your life," Katsuhito gave another very good piece of advice. He also hugged Ruki. Ruki then faced Tenchi. Tenchi had so far held back his tears. "You are very strong kid. You're gonna make it. Just listen to Dad and Grandpa and you'll be fine," Ruki gave some advice of his own. Tenchi's eyes started to become moist. Tenchi latched onto his leg. "I will think of you everyday," Tenchi spoke through his tears. And with that, Ruki took his luggage and headed toward the ship. It was pretty junky, but it was an average size. A platform lowered to the ground from the ship. Ruki walked onto it. He turned to face his family. He waved as the platform rose. That was the last Tenchi saw of Ruki for quite some time. The ship lifted off the ground. Tenchi ran under where the ship was and just kept waving until the ship was out of sight. "Goodbye," Tenchi said softly and went back inside. Well there it was. It did take a long, long time to get this chapter done. I tried getting some action in there with the robber, but it still was rather boring. Fear not! There will be plenty of that later as long as you just stick tight. Please, please send comments and criticism. The next chapter will be out soon. Thanks for reading. I hope I entertained you.