Disclaimer: I do not the Tenchi Muyo in any way, shape, and/or form. They are the property of Pioneer, and although I don't have permission to use them, I hope that is anyone from there reads this, likes the story and doesn't sue me. I have however tried to develop an original story, so please don't plagarise, or at least ask me first! Enjoy! Trails and Errors Chapter 2: Friends and Families Isamu sat bolt upright in bed. He was covered in sweat, and breathing heavily. He looked around him, he was in his room, in the Kyonai dojo in Fukukoa. It was his room alright. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and stood up. He needed some fresh air to clear his head. He headed out of the dojo, onto the outdoor training ground. It was a beautiful summer night, and the air was a great for Isamu's body. he started to feel more relaxed after a few minutes, and was considering heading back to his room when someone caught his eye at the edge of the ground. He looked at the stranger intently for a second, unable to make out any features of the person stood there. "Who are you?" He demanded of the stranger in the shadows. "The one who will aid you. I come to deliver a message to you. Seek the one named Masaki. A southern Island will lead you to him. To banish your dreams you will need his help. He will need your help too. I leave now." The echoey reply drifted towards Isamu. He looked around, still wondering if was he was caught in his dream. He looked back at the shadowy form. It was no longer there. A cooling breeze came across the training ground, making Isamu shiver. He felt sure that this was no dream. He wandered around the training ground, trying to clear his head. He had been plagued by nightmares for about a week, it was starting to affect his training. He no longer had the concentration he needed to wield his sword with the finesse. He was a very good swordsman as well. The best in southern Japan. He was the only person under twenty to be known as a master in Japan. He had been training since he could walk. He needed to be able to focus on his training to maintain his edge. That person, if it even was one, had offered him a solution. He would consult his Sensei in the morning. "You want to travel to where?!" The ancient man in the Dojo asked Isamu" "A small island on the south coast of Japan. There is a shrine there for the Masaki clan. I was told to seek this to end my nightmares, Sensei." Isamu replied, kneeling before him. "Hmmm, I noticed that your skills have been faltering recently, Isamu. I almost beat you yesterday!" The old man replied, a smile breaking on his face. Isamu grinned at him. "I will return when I have beaten my nightmares, Sensei. I should not be too long." He said, bowing deeply to the old man. He turned to leave, and was stopped by his Sensei's voice. "Isamu, I would like you to take the schools sword." Isamu froze. the schools sword, it was 400 years old! It had been kept in the school since the times of feudal Japan. The last time it had left the dojo was during the Tokogawa shogunate. Isamu turned and bowed deeply to his master, acknowledging the honour which had been placed on him. "I will do our school well, Sensei." "I know Isamu, I would not have asked you to take the sword if you weren't as good as I know you are. Now, prepare yourself for your journey. I will see you when you return." Isamu bowed deeply once more, and turned around. As he was walking past an ornate table, the sword caught his eye. He lifted it gently from it's stand. He held the sword carefully in his hands, and left the dojo. As he walked across the yard he looked to the spot where he had encountered the shadowy form earlier that morning. He got back to his room on the grounds, packed some clothes, and his formal samurai clothing, he was sure that he would need it at some point on his journey. He carefully wrapped up the sword, and changed into his casual clothes, and opened a small box on his table. Inside was a small amulet. His Sensei had given it to him four years ago. He had told him that his mother had left the amulet with him when he had enrolled in the School. It wasn't anything special, but Isamu treasured it, it was the only link he had to the family that he had lost. The amulet was a small intricately made pendant. It had three sides, and looked like a leaf, or possibly wings. He wasn't sure of it's origin, but he had been told that it would bring him fortune. Isamu put on the pendant. It felt strange around his neck, but he would need some fortune on this journey. He quickly made his way across the training yard towards the large entrance to the dojo. He stopped at the entrance, and looked around. He had been there as long as he remembered, and he was reluctant to leave. It was his home. He had always been here, or at least it felt like it. As he was looking around, he saw his Sensei stood at the doorway of the main hall. The old man bowed deeply to Isamu. Isamu returned the bow, and left the place he had called home. Ryoko was bored. She always got bored when it was raining. It meant that she had to spend all of her time in the house. She wasn't too hot on that idea. Ayeka was always around to cause her problems, and Mihoshi tended to cause some disaster, usually involving lots of breakable things. Ryoko looked out of the window and sighed. It had been three days since Tenchi had almost drowned in the onsen. Everyone had been pretty quiet since then. Tenchi hadn't appeared downstairs since then. The atmosphere was getting slowly more tense in the house. Everyone was worried, but no-one had heard a noise from that room. Ryoko was starting to get really worried. What if her, well, kiss hadn't been enough. She had been dwelling on that thought for the last 3 days now. She scanned the room, looking for something to take her mind off her gloomy thoughts. Everyone was having the same idea. Ayeka and Samami, Kiyone, Mihoshi and Washu were all sat around. The only one talking was Washu. "Why will he not let me take him to my lab? I could have had him cured by now!" She was muttering almost under her breath. Ryoko was about to go and hit Washu, she might be her mother, but she wasn't helping the situation a great deal. Just as she got up, they all heard a sound from upstairs. Everyone froze and looked expectantly at the staircase. They saw a set of feet at the top of the staircase. There was silence as the feet made their way down the stairs. Everyone saw Tenchi arrive at the bottom of the stair. He looked at everyone in the room. "Uh, hi everyone," he said looking around the room a bit sheepishly "Sorry to have made you worry." It was about as far as he got before he was jumped on by everyone in the room. "Tenchi!!! You're okay!!" Ryoko, Mihoshi, Kiyone and Washu all shouted whilst grabbing various arms, legs and any other body part they could reach. Tenchi was soon swarmed under by his friends. Ayeka and Sasami were stood beside the sofa looking expectantly. "Girls, could you let me get up" Tenchi's muffled exclamation came from under the piles of female bodies all trying to hug him at the same time. Grudgingly, the ladies all let go of the body parts that they had claimed. Tenchi stood up, and headed towards the sofa. He got about halfway before he was jumped on by Ayeka and Sasami. "Lord Tenchi, I'm so happy that you are safe." Ayeka said whilst hugging him. Sasami's statement was much simpler "TENCHI!!!!" She shouted, grabbing him by the waist and hugging him. It was accompanied by the small "Meow!" from Ryoh-ohki. Tenchi smiled at everyone and sat down on the sofa. Ryoko and Ayeka took their customary places to either side of him. Tenchi looked round the room. Everyone was smiling, but it looked like the smiles would disappear if he so much as sneezed. "Everyone, I'm okay, honestly. My grandfather took good care of me. I'm really sorry that I made you all worry like this. I think I'd better explain what's going on." He looked around the room again. The looks he was getting this time were more inquisitive. "What I'm about to tell you is quite worrying for two reasons. The first is that it's something that I haven't got any control over, and the second is that it involves all of you." He stopped for a moment, trying to think of a way of explaining what his nightmares contained. He looked at all of his extended family. then he finally spoke. "I've been having nightmares. Really bad nightmares. I thought that it was something that I had dreamed up. But for the last 3 days, I've almost been stuck in them. It's always the same. I'm in a room, a really large one. It's like the throne room of the Jurian palace, but it's darker, more cruel. There is a person who is covered in shadow, all I can see is his eyes. They burn green, and I can feel the hatred radiating from them," again Tenchi paused, not sure how to convey the most disturbing part of his nightmare. He sighed, and looked around the room. Everyone was looking worried. Tenchi hadn't seen his friends looked like this for a long time. He held his breath for a second and then continued. "and I can see other things in this room. I can see you all. but....." He stopped again. How could he tell them. Tell them that when he looked around the room all he could see were their dead bodies. He couldn't tell them, he wouldn't allow this to happen. Ryoko broke the silence in the room. "But what Tenchi?" She asked in a small voice. "But I was told by a voice that by this time, I would be dead." Tenchi finished. He heard everyone gasp. Ayeka stood up, and looked at him. "I will not allow this to happen Lord Tenchi!! I will not allow you to die!" Ryoko stood up at that point. "I agree Tenchi dear. What sort of a friend would I be if I let you get killed?!" Tenchi looked around the room. All of his friends were standing up, all sharing the look that Ayeka and Ryoko had taken up. Tenchi groaned inwardly. This wasn't how he wanted things to turn out. He was trying to think of something to say when Ayeka looked at him and said "You said a voice told you something. Other than that lie about your death, was there anything else it said.?" Tenchi looked at the floor. "There was two more things. It kept calling me the 'hope of Jurai', and it only asked me one question." He didn't lift his eyes from the floor, dreading the next question. It was Ryoko. "What was the question Tenchi?" She asked in the same small voice. Tenchi looked at her, looked into her bright yellow eyes. He could see fear there, but not for herself. Fear for Tenchi, fear that something would happen to him again. He could see it so clearly. A tear ran down his cheek. "It asked me if I was ready. It said it would return when it thought I was." Tenchi could see the emotion in Ryokos eyes shift. He could see her comprehending his reaction when she had said something very similar in the cherry grove. He looked around, and finally spoke. "I need to take a walk, guys. I've been cooped up in this house for the last three days. I'll only be a short while. I'd like to go and thank grandfather for helping me like he did. I'm going to go up to the temple. I'll be back soon, okay?" He stood up to leave, and Kiyone spoke up. "Tenchi, I think that everyone would feel a lot better if you had someone looking out for you for a little while. I'd like to go for a walk, although the weather isn't great, I'll come with you if you don't mind. I promise I'll behave, unlike certain other who would love to get you alone in the dark!!" She finished with a little smile. Tenchi smiled back, and then began to laugh. Lady Ayeka, and Ryoko were both blushing slightly, but soon started giggling. Tenchi went upstairs to get his jacket, and Kiyone went to get an umbrella. Tenchi said goodbye to everyone, again promising that he would be back soon, and he and Kiyone left the house. The rain had let up somewhat, and although the umbrella wasn't really needed too badly, Kiyone still insisted that he walk under it, to wad off the small shower around them. They had been walking for about two minutes when Kiyone spoke, "Tenchi, was it really that bad? I mean, it must have been pretty horrible to make you pass out in the onsen. Everyone was so worried about you. The really strange thing is that there was no fighting. Ryoko wasn't her normal aggressive self. Did you know that she gave you the kiss of life?" Tenchi stopped, and looked at Kiyone. "She did what?" Tenchi suddenly flushed. Kiyone looked at him and smiled. "It's okay Tenchi, she saved your life! I think had the circumstance been different, she would have enjoyed the kiss a lot, but she was so worried that she hadn't done enough, that she was almost in tears for three days. She didn't even drink any Sake!" "I'll have to apologise for worrying her so much. I had no idea, Kiyone. How did Ayeka react?" Tenchi replied after a moment. "not too badly considering that Ryoko had effectively kissed you. But when it was pointed out that it saved your life, she apologised right away. I think she felt bad still competing with Ryoko when you were ill." Tenchi considered his eternal dilemma again briefly. He was going to do something about that. Soon. He had to prepare himself, body and mind, and part of that was growing up mentally. Grown ups don't spend forever floundering about on decisions. Tenchi realised this, and knew what had to be done. He had to choose. He had to clear his mind and focus on keeping his friends alive. Tenchi suddenly realised that he had been silent for a while. "He looked at Kiyone, and smiled. "Thanks for coming out here with me Kiyone. It's nice being able to talk to someone without having them try to advance on you!" Kiyone grinned back at him. "Hey, what are friends for Tenchi? You're cute, but still a little young for me!" She smiled back, and then they both started to laugh. They reached the shrine shortly after. As they walked up towards the door, Tenchi could hear people talking inside. "I'm sorry to have troubled you, Sir. I know this may sound crazy, but I was told to seek this place out by someone." Tenchi did not recognise this voice, and stopped just before the doorway. He heard his grandfather answer. "Really? Why would someone tell you to seek out this shrine?" Tenchi looked at Kiyone, and placed a finger over his lips. She nodded, and stood there listening. Tenchi's heart skipped a beat when he heard the reply. "Well Sir, I know this is going to sound crazy, but I've been having some nightmares recently. They have been effecting me. I was told to seek one named Masaki, and told that I would be able to stop the nightmares if I did. So, I'm here, at the Masaki shrine. Do you know anything about this?" Tenchi looked at Kiyone, she had a slightly worried frown on her face. Tenchi braced himself and slid open the door. The person talking to his grandfather was a young man, around the same age as Tenchi, but there were subtle differences. This man had had sharper features, more defined. His face was serious, and he had very well defined muscle tone. Tenchi would not have noticed if the mans T-shirt had not been soaking wet. He heard a small gasp from Kiyone, and he turned to face her. She was blushing! Tenchi looked back, and quickly said. "Grandfather, I'm sorry to have disturbed you. I wanted to thank you for taking care of me with my recent illness. I never got a chance to thank you at the house. I'm sorry to have interrupted you." He turned to leave. Tenchi's Grandfather replied. "Tenchi, you were not raised to be rude to strangers. This young man is Isamu, Isamu Satonaka. He has come here to seek answers to a problem he has been having. It's a bit late to help him seek his answers now, but why don't you take him to the house, and you can both come back tomorrow. We can start seeking answers then." Tenchi looked at his grandfather, and nodded. "Mr Satonaka, please excuse my rudeness. I can offer you a warm bath, and some fresh clothes for you to change into. Sasami might be cooking dinner, so you could stay for a meal if you'd like. I've got a spare bed in one of the rooms if you'd like to spend the night." Isamu looked at Tenchi and smiled. "Mr Masaki, thank you for your kind hospitality. I would be honoured if I could stay at your house. I would like to find the answers to my questions. I thank you." as Isamu bowed, Tenchi looked at his grandfather again. The old man smiled and nodded. The three people left the temple and made their way back to the house. As they were walking back, Isamu looked around him and said. "Mr Masaki, this is a beautiful area for a shrine. It's so quiet and peaceful." he took a deep breath and seemed to relax somewhat. Tenchi wasn't sure if he was relaxing, though. It seemed that the muscles just shifted around his body. He was almost certain Kiyone was noticing this also. She hadn't stopped blushing. Tenchi smiled at Isamu. "Please Mr Satonaka, call me Tenchi. Mr Masaki sounds too formal for me. But yes, this is a beautiful place for a shrine. I hope to be able to take it over from my grandfather one day." "Well, I hope that you can fulfil that dream Tenchi. Please call me Isamu, I must admit I'm not too good with formalities either. So does your grandfather teach you the way of the sword?" Isamu asked, Tenchi looked at him curiously, "How were you able tell that my grandfather is a swordsman?" He asked, curious. "I can see it in the way he holds himself, in the way he walks, in the way that he moves. All of the small things that separate a master from a bumbling amateur." Isamu looked at Tenchi for a moment. "I can see that he has been teaching you, you hold yourself in the same manner. This little problem I've been having recently may take some time to correct. Would you like to arrange a friendly sparring match to help pass some of the time." Tenchi looked at Isamu. It took him a moment to answer. "Isamu, you seem like you have been training a long, long time. I'm afraid that I might not be a match for you. But if you would like a friendly sparring session, then I'm sure that we can come up with something." Tenchi looked over at his fast approaching house. He was still going to have to explain the peculiar inhabitants to his new friends. "Um, Isamu, this house has some very special people in there." Isamu looked and Tenchi and smiled. "It's okay Tenchi, this is the first house the I have been to outside my dojo. It wouldn't bother me if it was full of crazy people. I'm looking forward to meeting your family." Isamu looked over to Kiyone, who had been holding the umbrella above Tenchi (Isamu had decided to walk in the rain as he was already wet.) "Um, miss. I'm sorry if it looks like I'm ignoring you, it was not my intention. I'm Isamu Satonaka. Are you Tenchi's fiancée?" Kiyone looked up at Isamu, blushing a bit brighter as she did. "Uh, no Mr Satonaka. I'm one of Tenchi's friends. There are some more of us who live in the house, we're more like an extended family to be honest. I'm Kiyone. Pleased to meet you!" She said, smiling at the end. "Well, I'm sure Tenchi must be happy to have such a nice sister! And please, call me Isamu." Isamu stated, taking the reference of family seriously. Kiyone blushed a little bit, and Tenchi looked at her and smiled. they were at the front door. Tenchi looked at Isamu a bit awkwardly "Uh, Isamu, would you mind waiting here for a moment? I just need to make sure everything is in order inside. I won't keep you waiting for more than a moment." He stated slipping inside the house. Isamu smiled and nodded as Tenchi went inside. He turned around to Kiyone and looked at her for a moment. Isamu had never seen anyone with Green hair before, it was more emerald though, and it was very pretty. He looked at her eyes for a second, they were exactly the same colour. Isamu realised that he was staring at Kiyone, and with an embarrassed cough he looked away quickly and then turned back. "Um, what's Tenchi like as a brother?" He asked. Kiyone looked up at him, "Well, we're not really family, more like a group of very close friends, but we've all been here so long it's starting to feel like a family these days. We all just seem to have gotten caught up with him. He's one of the nicest guys I know. It's probably why he has half the household trying to get him into bed!" Isamu looked at her eyes as she smiled. They were really nice, and very shiny. Isamu could feel his ears getting red, and he knew that he would be blushing within seconds. It was just at that moment that Tenchi came out onto the front porch "Isamu!! Sorry to keep you waiting out here. Please come in!" Isamu walked into the house, removing his wet shoes at the front door. A small girl with bright pink eyes, and blue hair came up to him and handed him a towel. She had a small creature on her shoulder. She was looking at Isamu as he took the towel. Isamu gave her a smile "Thank you Miss. This is very kind of you. That is a wonderful little animal you have there! What is it?" "That's Ryoh-Ohki Mr. Satonaka!! He's very pleased to meet you. My name is Sasami, and I'm very pleased to meet you also." The little girl answered, blushing slightly. "Please, call me Isamu, Sasami. Thank you very much for the towel, I wouldn't want to get the floor wet!" He said grinning. Sasami grinned back. Isamu then looked at Ryoh-Ohki. It was a very cute creature. It looked like a cat rabbit hybrid. As he looked at it, Isamu was sure he could se it smile. He smiled at it and said "Hi Ryoh-Ohki, I'm Isamu!" He was answered with a friendly "Meow!" Isamu started to dry his hair a little bit, and wrapped the towel round his shoulders. As he walked into the living room with Tenchi and Masami, he was startled. There were four women sat on the Sofa, all of them looking at him. Tenchi started the introductions with a blonde haired woman with a large nice smile. "Isamu, this is Mihoshi. She is a police officer." Tenchi said a little vaguely. He looked at Mihoshi and smiled at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Mihoshi." He said, bowing to her. Mihoshi blushed and started to giggle. "You don't have to bow Mr Satonaka, it's a pleasure to meet you too." She said holding out her hand. Isamu shook her hand. He then moved onto a woman with a beautiful Kimono, and long purple hair. She was very pretty, and looked like a porcelain doll. She had 'handle with care' stamped all over her. "This is Ayeka, Isamu." Isamu bowed deeply. "It is an honour to meet you, Lady Ayeka." Isamu had realised that she was some sort of nobility as soon as Tenchi hadn't said what she did. That and the fact that she was wearing a very intricate Kimono. Ayeka returned the bow and smiled at him. "A pleasure Mr. Satonaka." she replied. She sounded very formal. She was definitely some sort of nobility. Her voice was clear and concise. Isamu bowed again, and Tenchi moved onto another woman. Isamu looked at her. She was quite small, but she had the bearing of someone very wise. "and this is...." Tenchi began, but was interrupted. "I'm Washu, Isamu! I'm the greatest scientist in all of the known universe, and I'm pleased to meet you!" "The pleasure is all mine Miss Washu! What area of science do you study?" Isamu asked, curious about her profession because of the overwhelming confidence in her voice. "All of them, of course. I'm currently looking into bio-engineering, but I haven't found a test subject yet." She said, and then stopped. She looked at him in a serious way. "I've just had an idea! Isamu, would you like to...." She was halfway through her sentence when Tenchi interrupted her. "Please Isamu, try not to become little Washu's test subject. Her experiments are a bit, um, well, hit and miss?" Washu shot Tenchi a glare, and he moved quickly on. "And last, but not least, this is Ryoko." Isamu looked at the woman, who stood there in an imposing kind of manner. She had the look of someone who could handle herself in a fight. She returned his stare with a smile and a nod, almost like she knew what he was thinking. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Ryoko." Isamu said simply. He was suddenly very aware that all of his clothes were soaking wet. He looked around at the gathered faces. "Well, I would like to sit down and chat, but seeing as I would only make the sofa wet, do you think I could change somewhere?" He asked, looking at Tenchi. "Sure, there is a bathroom on the left down the hallway." He replied. "Thanks, I'll be back soon." Isamu replied, and went off to find the bathroom. Tenchi sat down on the sofa. This Isamu guy had been having nightmares too? He wondered why he would have been sent here. Or, at least he was starting to wonder. He was interrupted very quickly by the whole household. "Where did you find him Tenchi?" Ryoko asked first. "He was up at the shrine." Tenchi said. "He said that he was sent here by someone, apparently he's been having trouble dreaming." Ayeka looked at Tenchi very suddenly. "You don't think that this man could mean you any harm, do you Lord Tenchi?" She looked like she was trying to reassure herself. Kiyone came walking in, a little smile on her face. Tenchi placed a hand over his mouth to conceal his grin. It looked like Kiyone was deep in thought. Mihoshi looked at her partner. "Hey Kiyone!! Have you met the new guy. He's cute!!" She said in her typical bubbly manner. Kiyone looked over at Mihoshi. "Yeah Mihoshi, I did meet him. I walked back from the temple with him and Tenchi! Remember?" Kiyone replied, looking a little exasperated. "Oh yeah!!! So did you get to talk to him? What's he like?" All of the females in the house suddenly started aiming their questions at Kiyone. Tenchi could hear them. What music, what food, what's his hobbies, is he single. Tenchi quietly walked up to his room to prepare a bed for Isamu. He was about three quarters of the way up when he heard someone behind him. "Hi Tenchi." The voice said. Tenchi knew without turning around that it was Ryoko. "Hi Ryoko, how are you feeling?" He asked, still walking up the stairs. "I'm fine Tenchi, but I just wanted to say that I'm really glad that you are okay. I was so worried...." She tried to continue, but had to look away. Tenchi could see the pain in her eyes when she thought about what could've happened. "I heard," He said soothingly "I understand that you saved me Ryoko. I'm in your debt. How can I repay you?" He said. Ryoko looked up at him, a little gleam in her eye. Tenchi was expecting something rude. "How about a date Tenchi? We could go for a walk, have dinner, just the two of us?" She looked into his eyes, smiling. Tenchi was kinda shocked, but touched also. Ryoko really did care about him. Not as something to fight over, but as a person too. He smiled deeply and said. "I think that I would really like that Ryoko. It'll give us a chance to talk freely. I'll get us a table at a restaurant, and we could go for a walk on the beach if the weather is nice, what do you say?" Ryoko squealed and threw her arms around him. "That would be wonderful Tenchi, just tell me when!" She phased away. Tenchi considered her sudden departure, and figured out that it was probably so she didn't cause Ayeka to react in a violent manner. Tenchi suddenly thought about this. he had just agreed to a date with Ryoko, and that was going to upset Ayeka, no matter what reason he gave her. Tenchi sighed, he would probably have to take Ayeka on a date as well, for the sake of the building, if nothing else. Tenchi quickly went upstairs and prepared the spare bed for Isamu. As he was walking downstairs, he heard the bathroom door unlock. Isamu came out, dry and with new clothes on. He looked up at Tenchi. "Um, sorry to keep pestering you Tenchi," He said "But is there anywhere that I can hang my wet clothes?" Tenchi was about to suggest in the kitchen when Washu interrupted. "Isamu, give me your clothes!" She ordered "I will dry them in my lab!" Isamu gave her the bundle of dripping clothes and sat down on the floor around the sofa. Everyone was looking at the clothes he wore. It looked like Tenchi's training clothes, but they were different colours. Isamu had also brought out a package, it was quite long and thin, and wrapped up well. Isamu sat down and said to everyone. "Please don't think I'm ignoring you, but I have to check this. A very important person gave this to me for safekeeping." He started to unwrap the package. He pulled out two bokken from the top, and then very carefully slid out a longsword. It was beautifully made, very intricate, and looked like it had been a very prized weapon for many years. Tenchi looked at it in wonder, and sat down beside Isamu. "It's beautiful." was all he could say. He looked up and noticed everyone looking at the sword too. Isamu looked over it quickly, never actually drawing the blade, but checking that it was dry. He looked satisfied that it was and placed it on the floor in front of him. It was Sasami that broke the silence in the room. "Mr Isamu, why did you bring a sword here?" Isamu looked up at the girl "Don't worry Sasami, I don't mean anyone any harm, it's just that I study bushido, and I have to carry my swords with me wherever I go. This isn't normally a problem, because I rarely leave my school, but since my nightmares began, I was told to come here to seek the answers. So I brought this." he said, pointing at the sword when he spoke of it. "I would never offend any of you by drawing it against you." He finished, smiling at Sasami. Sasami relaxed at that point. Isamu stood up putting the swords back in their packing and tying up the end of the strings. tenchi came over "I've mad you a bed Isamu, and there is a cupboard where you can put your things. I'll show you if you are feeling tired." He said. Isamu nodded and followed him up the stairs, stopping long enough to wish everyone goodnight. Tenchi took him into the spare room, and said goodnight. As he left Tenchi started thinking about the situation which had brought Isamu to their house. He was being plagued by nightmares too. Tenchi thought back to his dream, the voice which had spoken to him had told him to wear the sign until he was ready. Tenchi went back into his room, and had a look around for the pouch. His grandfather had moved it from his trousers. He opened the pouch and shook the pendant into his hand. He slowly put the pendant on, hearing it fasten with a click behind his neck. It felt strange, but comforting against his skin. Tenchi decided that it was probably time to go to bed himself. He had a day of training ahead of him tomorrow. He would train until he was ready. He could not easily discount the haunting memory of his dream. Tenchi awoke just before sunrise the next day. His nightmare had not re-occurred. Maybe the amulet had played some part in this. He had been told to wear it by, well, whatever it was. He got and got dressed quickly, and went downstairs as quietly as he could. Silently, he went into the kitchen and made himself breakfast. It was no where as good as Sasami's cooking, but it was breakfast. Tenchi walked out of his house just as the sun appeared over the eastern horizon. He was amazed by the reflection from the lake. It sparkled in front of his eyes, playing a ballet on top of the water. As Tenchi stood there, enjoying the amazing scene in front of him. Something caught his eye. In amidst the water ballet of the sunrise, he saw a figure stood perfectly still on top of the lake. Tenchi rubbed his eyes, to make sure that it wasn't a trick of the reflection, but it was still there. Tenchi walked towards the lake. Ryoko couldn't be awake this early, she was rarely awake before eleven. As tenchi approached, he could make out the figure more clearly. It was definitely human, and looked to be a male. Tenchi couldn't make out any more details, the sun's reflection on the surface was too bright. He saw the figure raise a sword, and hold a stance. Tenchi didn't recognise the stance, but it looked like he was taking an offensive position against an imaginary opponent. The figure put one foot forward, and the lake rippled, but the foot stayed above water. Tenchi was dumbfounded at this. The person should have sank. Surely any human would have sank. Tenchi watched the person move gracefully through a series of stances with the sword. The light played off the ripples as they made their way towards the shore, making the pool seem to glimmer around the figure, and the light reflected off the sword and shone around the edge of the lake, casting a faintly blueish hue as it almost glowed The only other light that shone was a small gleam from something around the figures neck. The figure stopped, seemingly halfway through a stance, perfectly still. The ripples seemed to stop beneath his feet. Tenchi watched in open amazement as the figure proceeded to move through an entirely new set of stances, gathering pace with each step, the ripples on the lake began to increase, coming out towards the surface as the figure continued to increase his rate of movement. Quite soon all that Tenchi could see was the swords path, reflected by the sun, and the lake rippling like someone had dropped a series of stones in the centre of it. The figure move with an inhuman grace, each step flowing forward from the next, not hesitating at a single point between each fluid step that he took, moving the blade in careful, precise arcs that would mean death if anyone was silly enough to cross the path of this person. Tenchi saw the figure take two quick steps, each time a slightly larger ripple growing across the lakes, then the figure leapt up in the air. tenchi saw the man go up, and followed his swords light blue trail as it went up. Tenchi didn't know how high that guy had jumped, but he guessed it had been about three metres, at least. As the swordsman's jump apexed in the morning sky, Tenchi saw the blade flash once, and then point down. The figures speed increased vastly as he dropped out of the sky, and as he stabbed into the water, Tenchi could see the air gather around the outline of the person. There was a shockwave that came rippling out from the point of the sword that had touched the water. It rushed past Tenchi, but there was no sound. No rushing of wind, no blast. nothing. It felt so strange that Tenchi wasn't sure that it had happened. He was certain that it had when the two foot wave came rushing outwards from the figure, still stood on top of the lake, a split second later. tenchi moved backwards, but his feet and legs still got very wet from the wave that had been sent in all directions. Tenchi looked up to see the figure moving towards the edge of the lake. It was definitely male, that was for certain. The shape was wrong for it to be a girl. As the figure moved closer, Tenchi could start to make him out better. He couldn't believe it when the figure finally reached the shore. As Isamu stepped off the lake and onto the lakeside, he saw the look on Tenchi's face. This wasn't going to be easy. Isamu had never tried to explain his gift to anyone before. He was kind of glad it was Tenchi though. He seemed a genuine person, and judging by his housemates, he might be able to accept this. Isamu sheathed his sword, and walked up towards Tenchi, who was stood in open mouthed astonishment at Isamu's morning ritual. He was the only one in his school who ever rose before dawn, and he practised this since he had found out about his ability to walk on, well, pretty much anything really. He had always practised on lakes though. The quiet peaceful water allowed him concentrate on moving the blade. He didn't realise that Tenchi wasn't the only one who had seen the display on the lake. Beneath the water, Kiyone and Mihoshi were both stood on the bridge of their ship, looking up at the surface of the lake. Mihoshi looked over to Kiyone "have you ever seen anything like that before?" she asked her partner. Kiyone could only shake her head in disbelief. "Wow," Mihoshi continued "that was pretty cool. I wonder if he does it every day? Well anyway, I'm going back to bed. That was very cool Kiyone, but I'm tired. Let me know if he does anything else like that!!" Mihoshi turned and left her partner stood on the bridge, watching the quietly dispersing ripples on the surface of the lake. "Um, I guess I should really try to explain this Tenchi." Isamu started as he walked up beside Tenchi and looked back over the surface of the lake. "I've been able to do this for about the last six years. I found out by accident. I fell into a lake, and the water was very deep. I don't really know how to swim, so I was just floundering around in the water, and I tried to grab the surface of the water with my hands. I don't know how, but I started to lift myself above the surface of the water, and ended up stood on top of the water. I can't explain how I can do this, but I'll try. I imagine that I weigh nothing. I think about the whole surface of the water accepting me on top of it. I don't know why, but it actually works. I later found out that I could concentrate better whilst I was practising my sword techniques on the water." He looked at Tenchi, who was now looking at him. he could see a slightly wild look in his eyes. Isamu turned around and sighed. "I understand if this worries you. I understand if you prefer me not to be in the house, I will gather my things, and will find somewhere quiet to stay whilst I seek my answers. But I must stay here whilst I find the solution to my problems." He took a step towards the house, intent on gathering his things, and making a small camp near the shrine. "Wait." Tenchi said as Isamu took that first step. "I'm not worried. Believe me Isamu, I'm not. I'm surprised to see someone be able to do that, but I think that it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen." Isamu turned to face him, and bowed to him. "Thank you Tenchi, I am glad that you can accept this. I hope that your housemates will share your trust." As Isamu straightened, Tenchi saw what else had gleamed out on the lake. Around Isamu's neck, there was a delicate silver chain, with a small silver and golden three pointed medallion. It took Tenchi a second to realise what it was. The lighthawk wings. He looked at the pendant and then at Isamu. "Is something wrong Tenchi?" Isamu asked. Tenchi wordlessly took his necklace out from under his shirt and showed it to Isamu. "This was sent to me three days ago. It is exactly the same as yours. If I may ask, where did you get this from?" Isamu looked at the medallion in Tenchi's hand, and then to the one around his neck. "My parents left it at the dojo when I was enrolled there. My Sensei told me to keep it safe, because it could one day re-unite me with my family." Isamu took off his chain, and placed in next to Tenchi's, to examine it closer. They were identical, exact to the last detail. Isamu moved his pendant over the top of Tenchi's. They were exact, even down to size. Tenchi looked at Isamu "I think that we should go and talk to my grandfather about this." Isamu looked at him, and nodded. They both began walking up towards the Masaki shrine. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. Tenchi was looking forward to a good days training. He might even be able to get Isamu to teach him some of his techniques. Tenchi's Grandfather was sat outside the door to the shrine on a cushion. He appeared deep in meditation as tenchi and Isamu approached the holy place. Both of them stopped just before the step of the shrine, and they both bowed in unison towards Katzuhiro. The old man opened his eyes, and nodded to them. "Good morning, boys. How did you sleep last night?" Isamu and Tenchi looked at each other, and then back at Tenchi's Grandfather. "Fine." they answered in unison. Katzuhiro looked at them both, and then at the pendants that the two boys now wore outside of their tunics. He looked away for a moment, and then spoke. "Would you boys please sit down. I have some news that I must share with you." He paused as the two boys sat down in the grass and then continued. "Those pendants that you wear are the two keys to a great power. Isamu, I know that you are in contact with the part of the power that your 'key' allows you to use freely. You have control over the power of water. You have not touched it to deeply however." He looked at their faces, both slightly in shock. He turned his attention towards his grandson. "Tenchi, you have also been in contact with your half of the power, although to a lesser degree. You have the power to control the air. these are the two parts that make up the power we call the lighthawk wings. They are the powers of air and water. They are part of the founding principal of the Juraian teachings." He stopped and looked at Isamu, who now looked very confused. "Isamu, what do you know of your parents?" He asked the young man sat before him. Isamu looked to the ground. "Nothing at all, Sir. This pendant is all that I have of my family. I was enrolled in a bushido school about the same time as I was able to walk. I can't even remember what they look like." He looked at the floor the whole time he said this. It wasn't that not having a family had bothered him, because in a sense, he had always had a family. His Sensei had taught him about honour, and proper manners and etiquette, and generally how to act in front of others. He had been like a father, and Isamu was grateful to the old man. Katzuhito looked closely at Isamu. "I see." He said finally. "Well, maybe you should know. But before you can understand, you must believe." He looked carefully at Isamu, then at Tenchi. "Tenchi, why don't you, Isamu, and the rest of the family go on a trip. I'm sure that Ayeka and Sasami would like to see their mother. It has been a while after all. Whilst your at their house, why don't you ask about the pendants too. They might be able to answer your questions slightly better than I can." Tenchi looked at his grandfather, slightly confused by his slightly mystical suggestion. He didn't mind going back to Jurai, and he saw his grandfathers logic, there should be more information about the source of the Lighthawk wings in the royal Jurian Library, but why could his Grandfather not explain it? He knew almost everything about Jurai! Tenchi nodded to his Grandfather. "Would it be okay if we waited a while till we go Grandfather. Ayeka won't mind waiting too long, and I have a few promises I have to keep." His grandfather looked at him and smiled. "Of course Tenchi, but don't wait too long. Now, some training perhaps. Let's see if we can open your minds a little." Katzuhito stood up and walked to the training yard. Tenchi and Isamu followed him out to the grounds. Tenchi and Isamu spent the morning training, running through drills and practising with their bokken. Tenchi could see that Isamu had been in training most of his life. Although Tenchi was very capable with the sword, he could tell that Isamu was a master. His strokes were immaculately fluid, and the wooden sword seemed to blur around him at times. katzuhito stopped them at about mid day. "That's enough for today boys. Why don't you go and see if Sasami can make you some lunch." He suggested. Tenchi felt his stomach, realising that he was indeed very hungry. Isamu looked at Tenchi "I know how you feel Tenchi, I could really do with something to eat!" They bid Katzuhito farewell for the day and started their walk down the hill. Tenchi was thinking about what his Grandfather had said earlier that day. Air and Water. Tenchi had never been able to control the air. Maybe, in time, and with careful training, he would be able to find out more. Maybe that's what the voice had meant by training his body and soul. Tenchi would find out more when he could. He looked around when Isamu spoke to him. "Tenchi, how long has your Grandfather been teaching you bushido?" He asked. "Quite some time," Tenchi replied, thinking about it. "Probably since I was about 9 years old. Why do you ask?" Isamu looked at him. "I'm impressed Tenchi, you are a very good swordsman." He said. "I've been training all day, every day for most of my life. Your Grandfather is a very good teacher." Tenchi smiled. "Yes, he is. he is a very wise person, also. I've been able to go to him whenever I've had a problem, and he has always been able to help me through anything." Isamu looked up at the sky. "You know what he said, about you being able to control the air, and me being able to control water? Do you think that it is really true? I gotta admit, I'm very curious to find out more." He looked back over to Tenchi "But where on Earth is Jurai?!" He asked. Tenchi looked at him, "That one will have to wait for a week or two Isamu. There are some thing we need to do before we start on that journey. But I have a question for you. Would you be willing to train me over the next few weeks?" Isamu looked over at him, slightly shocked. "Well, I guess so Tenchi, but your Grandfather is a very good Teacher, and I wouldn't want to offend him by taking away his student! No matter how good I am with a sword, I do not think that I would be able to match him in combat!" Tenchi looked over at him. "I think that my grandfather wouldn't mind Isamu, and besides, your new to our little group. I wouldn't mind getting to know a bit more about you, and training together will help me get to your level a little quicker." Isamu reasoned that there was nothing wrong with that. they decided that they would spend time in the afternoon training. They wandered down to the house and went in through the door. Everyone was sat at the table, well, not everyone. Ayeka and Ryoko were standing near the door. Tenchi looked at them as he and Isamu came wandering up to the front porch. Ryoko was smiling, but Ayeka was not. She had quite a stormy look on her face. Tenchi realised that Ryoko had probably told them about their upcoming date. Tenchi was going to have to think fast here. Ryoko smiled at tenchi as they stepped onto the porch. "Hi Tenchi! Have you reserved our table yet?" She asked with a smile. Tenchi saw Ayeka's face take on a bleak look, and groaned inwardly. He was going to have to think really fast. "Ah, just the two that I have been looking for!" He said, his smile echoing Ryoko's. Ayeka was caught off guard, and looked a little confused. Tenchi continued to smile "I want to talk to both of you, now, if neither of you mind." Now Ryoko was looking a bit confused as well. Tenchi looked at Isamu, who was grinning slightly. "Isamu, Sasami should be able to put you some lunch together, I think she's in the kitchen." Isamu nodded, and walked into the kitchen, continuing to grin. Tenchi looked at the two confused looking ladies on the porch. "I could really do with a walk, would you like to go to the cherry groves?" Both women nodded, still not sure of what was going on. Tenchi silently started to walk up to the cherry groves. Ayeka walked to his left, whilst Ryoko hovered slightly to his right. Tenchi walked silently, trying to think how he was going to do this. He couldn't cancel his date with Ryoko, she had saved his life after all, but if he was going to decide, he had to treat both women equally. This couldn't be resolved easily, but Tenchi would have to pick. He figured if he was honest, both women would accept his decision. He was going to have to assert himself here, something he didn't often do, but he needed to do this so he could concentrate on his training. He was probably going to hurt both of their feeling quite a lot by what he was going to do next, but he had to do this. They would understand soon enough. As they reached the cherry grove, Tenchi sat down and looked at the ladies, who sat down facing him. "Well, Ayeka, I should start with you, as you're looking very put out with me right now." Ayeka looked at him, her lavender eyes conveyed a lot of pain. "Lord Tenchi, are you taking Ryoko out on a date?" She asked simply. Tenchi looked into her eyes "Yes, Ayeka, I am. But, I will be taking you out on a date soon also, if you wouldn't mind coming out with me?" "WHAT?!" He heard Ryoko shout. "Please, Ryoko, let me finish. Ayeka, I would have asked both you and Ryoko out on dates in the next few days. I have learned a few things recently. I cannot have this insane banter between you and Ryoko over who deserves to be with me." Both of the girls were looking really shocked now. "I need to be able to focus on a task, and if I have you both fighting over me, I'll be too busy re-building the house to concentrate on it! I will make my decision soon. I promise both of you this now. But I must do something first. I must decide who I want to be with, not let you decide for me. I'm sorry if I'm upsetting you by saying these things, but they had to be said eventually. You have both been as bad as each other in this matter, constantly bickering over who has the right to be with me, and I have been worse. I have been too busy trying to avoid this situation to do anything about it. It has resulted in some chaotic times, and a few home 'improvements'. I'm sorry to both of you that I haven't said this up until now but please stop fighting over me. I may be the object of your affections, but you've been too busy waging your own personal war that you haven't noticed that I've changed." They both looked at him, utterly shocked. Tenchi hated himself at that moment, as he looked into their eyes, he realised the things that he had said had stung both of them harder than one hundred slaps. He had to continue, he had to stop the madness, lest they all end up dead. Now it was Ryoko's turn. "Ryoko." he said, looking at her yellow eyes. they were also filled with pain at this time. "I want you to know that I am eternally grateful to you for saving my life. I really am. I'm looking forward to our date, if you still want to go with me. I can understand if you don't right now. I'm not saying this to hurt either of you, just to make you realise that I am not a prize to be fought over. I would like to date both of you for a while, and, well, get to know you better. I know that you are both important people, and I know your backgrounds, but I don't know all that much about either of you. You've been to busy fighting over me to open up to me. I want to know the people inside the princess and inside the pirate! I want to see the thing that you like, know the things that you hate, know what your favourite colour is, what your childhood was like, things like that. I don't know any of this about either of you. but I have to find out if I am to make my choice." Tenchi finished. He looked at them both. They didn't look as hurt now, but Tenchi still wanted to find a quiet place and throw up a couple of times. He had never wanted to hurt either of these women. They had been a fundamental part of his life for a long time, and he loved both of them. he really did. Seeing them like this tore at his heart, but he had to. His resolve won out over his nausea. Both women looked at each other, and then at Tenchi. "Ryoko, would you like the first date with Lord Tenchi?" Ayeka asked. Ryoko looked over at her. "Yes please, Ayeka. I did have to ask him, after all!" She said, even managing an impish grin. Tenchi looked at them both, his face shocked. "So does this mean that you aren't earth shatteringly mad at me then?" He asked dubiously "Tenchi, you've just made me realise what a waste of time it has been to fight over you, because neither of us had taken your feelings into account. I was just taken aback by the way that it had all spilled out then. I'm not angry at you, I'm quite glad you said it. I was beginning to get tired of fighting all the time!" Ayeka replied, starting to smile also. Ryoko looked over to Tenchi "I was going to say about the same thing!" She said, and started to laugh. Tenchi felt relieved to the core of his being. He never wanted either of these women to hate him, and he was so afraid that he had just done that. He started to laugh himself, out of sheer relief if nothing else. He looked at them smiling. "Well, I just want to thank you both. You have been really understanding. I'm afraid that I have to go now. I have to train with Isamu now. I'll start making plans!" He smiled and he waved to them as he left the cherry grove. Ayeka and Ryoko looked at each other. "You know, I think that he's starting to really grow up now." Ryoko said to Ayeka. "I would never have expected him to say that a year ago, or now even. It just shows how much people change." "Truly," Ayeka agreed. "Well, I guess that Lord Tenchi has just effectively ended our little war over him. I think he's made it clear that he will choose who he wants to be with." She laughed a little laugh. Ryoko looked over at her. "What's so funny Ayeka?" She asked, looking at the princess a little suspiciously. "Oh nothing much," Ayeka answered between giggles. "I just had a crazy thought, that's all. What would happen if he still couldn't make his mind up, now that we are not allowed to fight? You couldn't really call a tie on this could you?" Ryoko thought about this, and started to giggle also. Although the matter was serious to her, the most serious thing in her life, she could still share a giggle whilst she imagined the pained look of indecision on Tenchi's face after a series of dates. "I don't know what would happen then, maybe we could share him?" They both looked at each other for a moment. "Nahhh!" the reply came shortly before both girls started to laugh some more. Once they had got over their fit of giggles, Ryoko stood up, and held her hand out to Ayeka. "No more malice Ayeka, we haven't gotten on in the past, but for the sake of keeping the peace, let's shake and call it a day." Ayeka looked up at her. "Thanks Ryoko." She said, taking her hand and standing up. " You know, for a pirate, you're quite a nice person, when we aren't arguing." She commented. Ryoko grinned "And for a princess, you're okay too, when you get past all that formality." She said, even as she vanished. Ayeka started to walk back to the house with a small grin. By being civil, they had managed to end a war. The ball was in Tenchi's court now. Tenchi went to meet Isamu down by the lake. He saw Isamu stood talking with Kiyone, and heard their words as they approached. ".... I think that Tenchi is a very good swordsman. he will be one of the greatest the more he practices." Isamu was saying. Tenchi felt a small surge of pride at hearing Isamu say that. He liked Isamu, he was a fairly simple, seemingly carefree guy. They shared a common goal, and they had some common ground for a good friendship. Tenchi really hoped that Isamu liked him too, although it was a bit silly to assume so, as this was only the second day that he had known him. Kiyone looked at Isamu. "Is he as good as you though Isamu?" she asked. Tenchi had to smile. Kiyone seemed to take a special interest in Isamu. Maybe it was when she saw him that first night in the temple, and he was a fairly well built guy. Not really muscular, as toned. It was visible in everything he did. It looked like his body was sculpted, and he seemed very sure of himself. Isamu looked back at Kiyone "Not yet Kiyone, but once he's been practising for the same amount of time that I have, I'm certain that he'll be better, For someone with the practice he's had, he is very good. I think Tenchi fits the sword naturally, whereas I really have to practice every day. I'm serious, he's going to be one of the greats!" Isamu smiled at Kiyone, and she started to blush slightly. Kiyone looked away for moment to try and hide the blush. Get a grip Kiyone! He's only a guy, the silent thought echoed around her head. Although he was tall, had nice hair and good manners, was well built, and had a very cute smile, it added, almost as an afterthought. Her blush increased. "Um, is everything okay miss Kiyone?" Isamu asked, looking at her "You've gone a little bit red." Kiyone looked at him, and gave him a nervous smile. "Um, everything is fine, Isamu. Ah, here's Tenchi!" She exclaimed as he approached the spot where they were stood. "Well, I better leave you two to your practice!" She said quickly, and wandered off into the house. Isamu looked at her as she left, smiling to himself. He turned to Tenchi, "Hi Tenchi! Sasami told me to give this to you, I think it's your lunch. She is a very good cook!" He exclaimed as Tenchi approached. "Thanks, Isamu!" Tenchi said, taking the carefully wrapped package from Isamu. It was indeed his lunch. Tenchi and Isamu talked of unimportant things as he sat by the lake, eating his lunch. When Tenchi had finished, Isamu stood up, and went over to where he had set up a striking post. He picked up the two bokken from where they had been set against the post, and handed one to Tenchi. "Well, we might as well get things started then." Isamu said, "Are you sure that this won't bother your Grandfather Tenchi? I really don't want to cause any hassle in the family!" Tenchi thought about it for a second. "Nope, he won't mind, as long as I still do the chores around the shrine, there shouldn't be any problems, he'd probably be quite happy that I'm learning more about the sword." Isamu nodded. "Right then," He said. "Take an attacking stance, and attack me." Isamu took up a defensive stance to match Tenchi's offensive. Tenchi was eager to learn, and started to attack all out on Isamu. He was amazed at the speed Isamu possessed, he seemed to have countered the blows before Tenchi had thrown half of them, but he never attacked back. Tenchi attacked Isamu for about fifteen minutes before Isamu signalled for a stop. "Tenchi, you have very good attacks, but your speed needs some improvement. I sort of noticed that earlier today. Your Technique is good, but I've not really seen it before, so I think we'll work on your speed first. I think it might be better if I tried to learn your technique from you and your Grandfather. If I could combine them, the resulting style could be very interesting." He pointed out four places on the post. "I want you to hit these four spots, exactly, two hundred times. Your speed will develop as you go along." Tenchi looked over at Tenchi. Tenchi nodded and took his stance facing the post. End chapter 2