DISCLAIMER: Tenchi Muyo! and all original characters therein are copyright AIC and Pioneer Entertainment. Additional characters copyright Ian Sagat 2001. This story copyright Ian Sagat 2001. INTRODUCTION: With the coming of the third OAV (finally), I was a little discouraged about writing my own third OAV speculatory fic. But I then realized that one of the main appeals of Tenchi fic writing is the infinite possibilities that it allows. So yes, I am going to use a character name from the third OAV, and yes, the story will involve Tokimi, but everything else will be of my design. If anything in the third OAV ends up resembling what I have written it is purely coincidental. I guess I just thought along the same lines as Masaki Kajishima. I will also refrain from using Japanese terms and words unless they are obviously known, because while some of us know them, others do not, and they must be considered. And I know Kiyone shouldn't technically be in the OAV timeline, but I'm using her anyway. OK, without further ado, here is my epic. I hope you enjoy it. -Ian Sagat, May 2002 (Oh yeah, if you only know Tenchi Muyo! from watching it on Cartoon Network, watch the unedited versions and the movie, you are missing a lot!) TENCHI MUYO!: WAR AND PEACE A FANFIC BY IAN SAGAT "Every generation has a legend, every journey has a first step, every saga has a beginning..." -STAR WARS: EPISODE I CHAPTER 1: REUNIONS (Part I) Tenchi barely brought up his sword in time, the blue shaft of light emanating from the Master Key stopping Ryoko's red energy blade only a few inches from his head. Sweat beaded from his brow and the light from the swords danced in his eyes. Ryoko's eyes, however, glowed a fierce red, a grimace of rage snarled across her face. He mustered his strength and pushed her back with a grunt. She was hovering a few inches from the ground, and readied her sword for the counterattack she knew was coming. Tenchi lunged forward and slashed, finding only air. He swung to his left and slashed again, this time finding Ryoko's blade in a parry. He slashed and thrusted several more times, Ryoko dodging or parrying each blow with increasing difficulty, her face furrowed with anger. He let one more hard slash go at waist level, but Ryoko took off straight into the air. Tenchi looked up at her. "Not this time!" he yelled as he leapt an insane distance straight up, catching up to Ryoko high above the ground. He brought his blade down, and this time Ryoko was the one to barely stop Tenchi's sword from cleaving her head in two. He let loose a war cry and pushed her back down towards the ground at blinding speed. Just then, Ayeka entered the courtyard. She looked up in terror. "Lord Tenchi!" Tenchi looked up at her, and Ryoko, seeing his distraction, took advantage. At the last second she teleported, and Tenchi slashed hard into the ground, sending up debris and dust. He looked up but was nearly blind from the cloud. Out of his peripheral vision he caught movement, but it was too late. He felt Ryoko's shoulder bury itself into his ribs, knocking him to the ground and the sword from his hand. He landed hard on his back, winded. His vision cleared and he saw Ryoko leap into the air, sword back and pointed down, eyes on fire and screaming a banshee wail. He looked over; the sword was out of reach. Summoning his Jurai Power, he willed to the sword to his hand, and it flew to him. Tenchi activated the sword and brought it up, palm of his other hand in the hilt's back, just as Ryoko landed and thrusted down. Ayeka screamed and looked away. But then there was silence. She slowly looked up at them. Tenchi was on his back, leaning up, with the sword blade held so it was an inch from Ryoko's neck. Ryoko leaned over him, energy blade held an inch from piercing his heart. All that could be heard was the humming of the blades. Tenchi's brow was furrowed and sweaty as he glared at his opponent. Then his face softened and a smirk formed. "I had you that time, Ryoko." he said. Ryoko's face formed a smirk of it's own, feral yellow eyes looking down at him. "Looks like another stalemate, lover." The blades extinguished and Ryoko held out her hand. Tenchi took it and rose up. The two embraced, noses touching. "Did I hurt you?" Ryoko asked, nuzzling him. "Not really. You must be getting old." he teased back. "What? Well, your no spring chicken either, tough guy." She retorted. Suddenly there was a third party present next to them. "One of these days you two are going to hurt each other. You scared the life out of me just now." Ayeka said, as the two pulled back from each other. "I'm sorry Ayeka, but Ryoko's the only sparring partner that can give me any challenge anymore, you know that." He said as he holstered his sword, took her hands and kissed her lightly on the lips. "Yeah, Princess, I gotta thank you for the assist. He almost had me." Ryoko added. Ayeka eyed her for a second, then smiled and moved next to her, taking her arm. "Yes, we do have to keep him on his toes, don't we? The King of Jurai must be able to vanquish all enemies, foreign AND domestic." she said, as they both looked at him sarcastically and smiled. Tenchi looked at them and smiled back. "And what better teacher than The Captain of the Royal Guard?" Ryoko added. "You two are always teaming up on me, aren't you? Just like women to stick together." He snorted. He walked in between them and took each one by the arm. "Shall we?" he asked as they began to walk. "I know another event we can team up on..." Ryoko said evilly, a lustful smile on he face as she looked at Tenchi. Ayeka "hmphed". "Twenty years of marriage and you still can't get enough, can you? Well, it'll have to wait; Shen is back from The Galactic University, along with your mother. They're waiting in the Throne Room." Tenchi and Ryoko looked at each other and beamed. It had been nearly 6 months since they'd seen their son in person, and nearly a year since Washu had paid a visit. Their schedules were hellacious, Shen studying Diplomacy, Washu teaching all manner of advanced classes as well as heading up the faculty. Running an empire didn't leave a lot of time on their side either. "Kirei is already heading there. Let's hurry." Ayeka said, happiness in her voice. The trio passed through the entrance to the sparring yard, a palace guard on each side. They snapped to attention. "How long that time, Ashitaka?" Tenchi asked one of the guards. "Seven minutes, 13 seconds, your highness. A fine fight. I'll have the groundskeepers repair the damage." the guard, a burly man, replied. "Thank you." all three of them replied as they walked by. Shen stood at the foot of the mammoth painting of his parents, sitting on their thrones. He was a lean, tall, handsome man of 18 years, with pale skin, sharp features, and long, straight black hair. He also had his mother's pronounced ears, not to mention canines. His yellow eyes traced the ornate frame. His outfit was also completely black, save for a red belt. "Brother! I missed you!" a voice called from behind. He turned and smiled at his half-sister. Kirei was beautiful by any standards, thin, tall, and fair. Her shoulder-length purple hair fell loosely, her crimson eyes shone. She was very voluptuous up top, pronounced even more by her slender build and tight white dress she wore. The siblings embraced. "It's been far too long." he said with a voice deeper and smoother than one would expect. "You cut your hair." "And you've grown yours." she replied, looking up at her slightly taller brother. "How's school?" Shen sighed. "A little too much, sometimes. There are so many different cultures and laws in our empire; it seems impossible to learn them all. But I'm doing well." "With a little help from The Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe!" a very familiar voice called from behind them. Kirei spun around and smiled widely. "Grandma Washu!" she left her brother to embrace the much shorter, child-like Washu. Washu smiled and kissed her cheek. "So how's life treatin' ya? Ready for the Galaxy Police yet?" "Yeah! Palace life is so boring! One more month and I'll be eighteen, and then it's off to the academy! I can't wait to meet all the cute boys there!" "Well, anyone who wants to court my sister will have to go through ME first, of course." replied her brother, now standing next to them. "Not to mention me! I gotta make sure he's handsome enough!" added Washu. "Oh, knock it off you two, I'm a big girl." she said as they all shared a laugh. "You know, being a Princess of Jurai could have probably gotten you in earlier." Shen said. "I know, but I don't want any special treatment while I'm there, not even for this. I want to earn my way just like everyone else." she asserted. "Very admirable sis, but what is the point of being royalty if you can't be treated special?" he added. "That's your mother talking. Speaking of which, where is my little girl?" **"Right here."** a voice echoed in Washu's mind. She turned to see her daughter walking with her husband and the other Queen of Jurai. They were a lovely sight in their Royal Juraian garb. Tenchi had grown some in the past 20 years since being on Earth, but not a lot. The Juraian blood in him, plus the close proximity to the Juraian Space Trees had slowed his aging to a snail's pace. He only looked two or three years older, but now wore his hair in a longer, thicker ponytail. He had worn a goatee or beard in the past, but lost it after constant badgering from his wives. Ryoko looked exactly the same as always, as she never ages, and Ayeka was the same as well, being pure long-lived Jurain Royalty. All three were much more regal in the way the styled and composed themselves, however. Ayeka also had a single green dot on her forehead, symbolizing her as the "First Queen" of Jurai, while Ryoko had two dots next to each other for "Second Queen". "Well, well, long time no see guys!" Washu exclaimed as she walked up the trio. She poked Ryoko's breasts. "Still sagging, I see." "Still annoying I see." Ryoko answered, hugging her mom. Tenchi and Ayeka giggled, then hugged her in turn. Washu sneaked a pinch on Tenchi's butt. "Hey you! Hands off my husband! Get your own!" Ryoko yelled, smacking Washu's hand. Ayeka laughed, Tenchi just looked embarrassed. "Father, mother." greeted Shen, standing ten feet away. He bowed his head. They stood silent for several seconds. "Well, don't just stand there, give us a hug!" Ryoko finally yelled. He walked up and hugged his mother, and they kissed each other on the cheek. Ayeka then did the same, and then he stood before his father. Tenchi put his hands on his son's shoulders. "I missed you. And I'm proud. I'm glad you came." "I couldn't very well miss my parents' 20 year anniversary, now could I?" he replied. Then they hugged forcefully, Tenchi patting his back. They all sat in the enormous throne room, catching up on what everyone had been doing, plans for the future, trading stories and jokes, for what seemed like hours. Every once in a while, Ryoko and Washu would have a mental conversation, probably about Ryoko's sex life by the looks on their faces, Tenchi thought. Tenchi and Shen talked a long time about sparring techniques as well. Eventually, Washu asked the obvious question. "So, when's the rest of 'em getting here?" "Kiyone and Mihoshi should be here later today, their patrol fleet was pretty far out. I sent a ship for grandpa, dad, and Mayuka, and they should be here tomorrow. Sasami is tied up in a trade dispute in the outer sector, she doesn't know if she and Ryo-Ohki can make it. Funaho and Misaki were on the other side of the planet hosting a Royal Marriage ceremony, and are on their way back now." Tecnhi explained. "That's too bad, I haven't seen Sasami in ages." Washu said. "Yes, I miss Aunt Sasami as well." Kirei added. Just then a female servant entered. "My lord, dinner is ready." she said as she bowed. "Thank you. Alright, let's eat!" Tenchi exclaimed. The group then left for the banquet hall. Unbeknownst to them, a pair of figures watched from a parapet on the opposite side of the throne room. "Soon they will all be together again." one of them spoke. "They are quite powerful together. The King alone is formidable in his own right. You recall last time?" the other answered. "Of course. But this time Her Majesty herself has sent an envoy. With our help, he cannot fail." "We have waited so long. Soon, things will be right again." The banquet hall, like almost every other room in the Jurai Royal Palace, was an enormous, with wooden walls and high ceiling ornately designed and crafted from the dried sap of the Royal Space Trees. The table could seat 50, but held only the small group clustered at one end, Tenchi sitting at the head and Ryoko and Ayeka on either side. Juraian and Japanese dishes, as well as a few foreign cuisines covered the table around the happily chattering family. Tenchi changed the subject from the anniversary celebration preparations to his son's well being. "So Little Washu, has Shen been behaving at school?" asked Tenchi. "Oh yeah, he's a model student, too bad he avoids my classes like the Versonion Plague." Washu replied, nudging Shen with her elbow. "I'm sorry grandmother, but Physics, Xeno-Biology and Temporal Dynamics have very little to do with diplomacy. It's nothing personal." He answered. "Yeah, well, the instructors he does have love him, and I see him around the grounds a lot, and he always has a couple of gorgeous gals on his arm!" Washu exclaimed with a mouthful of rice. Shen blushed noticeably. "He takes after his old man." Ryoko said proudly, shooting a look and smirk at Tenchi. Now Tenchi blushed. "Oh come on now, I never had gorgeous girls on my arm everywhere I went. I mean, no girls paid me any attention until you and Ayeka came along." Tenchi explained. "Well that explains why you were so hard to get. You were so clueless back then Tenchi, it was very frustrating.", Ayeka added. "Yeah, ya big fat-head. We were practically throwing ourselves at you and you were like, DUH!" Ryoko said, emphasizing the "DUH!" by pointing her finger at her head and sticking out her tongue. Now Tenchi felt he had to defend himself. "Well, it's not like I could pay attention to that while you and Ayeka blew up my house fighting over me all the time." He said with a smirk. Kirei looked up with anticipation. "Alright! Mom and Ryoko fight stories! These are always good!" she giggled. The Juraian Queens laughed. "Yes, we were quite the rivals back then, right Ryoko?" Ayeka asked her now-best friend. "Oh yeah. We had some good fights. Remember the time I summoned that demon at the onsen and forgot I couldn't control it?" Ryoko said with a smile as she ate a piece of Sushi. Ayeka smiled back. "One of our first. How could I forget. It took us two weeks to fix that place up." Ayeka answered. Everyone shared a laugh, except Shen. "But as I recall, I heard you cared for each other, even back then. Kagato, Clay, Yuzuha, Heigl, you helped each other many times even as you both fought for father's affections. As I see it, the outcome you eventually came to was inevitable." Shen said, looking up, with just a hint of a smile on his face. This prompted silence from the rest of the table. Ayeka and Ryoko looked at each other, with looks of caring on their faces. Tenchi laid each of his hands on one of theirs, and they all looked longingly at each other. Washu broke the silence. "To old friendships, and old rivalries. They both shape our lives. Kempai!" she shouted, as she stood and raised a glass of Juraian Wine. "Kempai!" the rest of the group shouted in unison as they all raised their glasses and drank. "And another toast! Here's to stayin' single, drinkin' double, and sleepin' triple! Kempai!" Washu shouted as she took another drink before the rest could respond. "Well, the last two I'll drink to, but I kinda like this married thing. Kempai!" Ryoko answered with a drink of her own. The rest sighed and drank out of politeness, although Tenchi secretly enjoyed drinking to the last part of Washu's toast. **"Your worse than me sometimes."** Ryoko thought to her mother. **"Hey, just 'cause I'm old, don't mean I'm dead!"** Washu sent back. "I hope you have some toasts left for us to drink to." A gentle voice from behind them said. They all turned and saw a welcome sight. Kirei was the first to voice it. "Aunt Funaho! Auntie Misaki!" she said as she leapt to her feet and ran to embrace them. The rest of the group stood up as well. Ayeka walked up to her mom and hugged her. A day of separation didn't constitute a teary- eyed "mommy" ordeal...that took a whole THREE days now. Besides, Kirei thankfully gave her a share of kawaii over-affection. The group exchanged greetings and Tenchi pulled out a chair for Funaho while Shen pulled out one for Misaki. Soon the table was alive again with conversation. "It's good to be back, God I hate those ceremonies...so boring!" Misaki said as she began to fill her plate. Funaho and Misaki both still wore the green dots on their foreheads as a symbol of being the former Queens of Jurai, even though Ayeka and Ryoko now held that position. The two former queens still lived at the palace, however, and performed all matter of official business, such as the aforementioned ceremony. They were also as young looking and full of life as ever. "I'm starving!" Misaki said eying her now full plate. Tenchi poured his great-grand mother a cup of Green Tea, a brownie-move taught to him by his grandfather. He had told him Funaho was NOT to be left sitting at table without a full cup of tea in front of her. "Thank you, Tenchi.", she said in her soothing yet firm voice. "It is so good to see the family coming back together after so long. I swear Shen gets bigger every time I see him. And Little Washu, you look as cute as ever." "Why thank you, kind Lady, you are quite stunning yourself. By the way, did you get that "package" I sent you a few months back?" Washu asked. Funaho placed a knowing smile across her face. "Yes, I did. The contents have been VERY useful, thank you." she answered conspiratorially. This left everyone at the table looking at them. "What package?" asked Ryoko. Washu quickly changed the subject. "So, looking forward to seeing your son tomorrow?" she asked Funaho. "Yes, very much so. It's been nearly 15 years, but after not seeing him for 700 years before, it hasn't seemed like all that long. Nonetheless, his presence always delights me." "And I can't wait to see cute little Mayuka! It's been ages! I'm gonna give her the biggest hug ever!" Misaki interrupted. "Mother, that may kill her! I remember a few of your hugs that nearly made me pass out from lack of air!" Ayeka teased. Everyone chuckled. "Yeah, it's been so long since I saw dad and grandpa and Mayuka. She must be as big as you now, Kirei." Tenchi said to his daughter. "I can't wait to see her. How 'bout you, bro? Ready to see your other sis again?" Kirei asked Shen. In his entire life, Shen had met Mayuka only twice, once when he was five, and once at his parents fifteenth anniversary. She was a year older than himself and Kirei, and had struck him as a little na‹ve. He hardly knew her, since his parents had decided that living on Earth with his grandfather and great-grandfather would be best for her because of her...background. It would be hard on the girl to live on a world that despised and killed her mother, even though she was a demon. In fact, he always thought, some people considered HIS mother to be a demon. It never came up in open conversation, but he could sense it, the way some of the servants and guards and especially other members of the royal families who had lived through her attack on the planet looked at her with a mixture of fear and disdain, and him as well for being her child. He handled the looks and whispers throughout the years just fine, he thought, and woe be to anyone who would dare speak of mother in any way other than respect. "Yes." he answered simply. The meal/conversation went on for another three hours, at which time the servants had finished clearing the table and set up dessert, which consisted of simple crumb cakes and tea. About ten minutes into dessert, the group heard a loud crash as pans and dishes landed on the floor. They all looked up, but they knew what they would see before they even got there. "Oh my, I'm so sorry! Here let me help you clean it up!" said the familiar perky voice. "Mihoshi, I swear! You never watch where you're going!" said the familiar irritated voice. "No, it was totally my fault, Captain. Please, I'll clean it myself." said the servant as he began to wipe up the spilled tea. The two related and walked to the table. The same scene repeated itself again as the entire party exchanged hugs and greetings. The two Galaxy Police Officers had changed over the years, but not very much. Kiyone now had even longer teal hair, and wore the dress uniform of a GP Fleet Captain. Her face showed the hard life of patrolling and battles she had gone through, and exuded her confidence and authority, but she was still very young looking and attractive for being nearly 40 years old. Mihoshi had also shown the signs of aging, but only ten years to the twenty-plus the group had been together, as the average lifespan of her race was around 200. She was, well, Mihoshi. Blonde hair tied up in her purple bow, dark bronze skin, innocent smile and sparkling eyes. She too wore the Captain's uniform, different from Kiyone's only in the fact that her top button was undone to allow for her...ample bust, and the little rabbit-tail on her rear that was her control cube. Both had their own ships now, and both (even Mihoshi) had proven to be good captains. They were the best of friends now more than ever, and still saw much of each other as their ships were both part of the same patrol fleet. Mihoshi dominated most of the talking for the next hour with stories of her adventures with Kiyone both on and off duty, and with the fact that Kiyone hadn't had any luck with men for almost a year. Kiyone tried her best to explain the gaps in Mihoshi's train of thought, while also giving Kirei advice on how to be a good GP Officer. Many funny anecdotes came up as well, mostly from Washu and Ryoko, who remembered surviving the early "Mihoshi Years". Tenchi just sat and enjoyed being with so many friends, as well as Ayeka. Shen on the other hand tried his best to keep from staring at Kiyone, who, though she was twenty years his senior, he had developed a crush on since the last few times meeting her. He even kept a picture of her in his dorm room at the Academy. More hours passed, and everyone began to feel the time in their bones. "It's past 1 in the morning, I think it's time we hit the sack, and it's been a long day." Tenchi finally said. Washu let out a big, arm-stretching yawn to confirm she was as well. Mihoshi was sitting up in her chair...out cold. "Then we shall all see each other again in the morning. I want you all to see the preparations for the anniversary ceremony." Funaho said, standing up. A half-asleep Misaki followed. "Yes, see you all tomorrow." She said sleepily. The group then said goodnight to each other and exchanged more hugs before departing. Kiyone woke Mihoshi up and took her to their room, but not before a blushing Shen gave her a special goodnight by kissing the back of her hand. Kiyone smiled uncomfortably at this, and looked at Tecnhi and Ryoko, who just shrugged and smiled. Soon, the party had gone their separate ways and the room was quiet and empty for the first time in many hours. The royal trio's bedroom was immense, with three separate washrooms, a large Jacuzzi, walk in closets, and surrounded by a garden on both sides, complete with several trees. The center of the room was filled with a giant four-post bed of ornate design, covered in gorgeous Juraian silk sheets. The entrance was a pair of twenty-foot tall double-doors decorated with a Jurain Royal Crest in the middle that split as the doors opened. Ryoko stood in the doorway, talking with Mayan, the second-in-command of the Royal Palace Guard under herself. "I want security doubled on everyone's rooms tonight, as well as at the arrival of my family from Earth. This is a prime opportunity for an enemy to strike, having us all in one place like this." she said to the large man that stood nearly a foot taller than her. "Yes, Your Highness. I've already put the Elite Guard on standby. No one will harm anyone you care for, I personally guarantee it." he said, chest out. He was flanked on either side by two other guards. "Good. I trust you, Mayan. Good night." she said. "Good night, Your Highness." he answered, more relaxed now. He turned to leave. "Mayan, we've known each other for a long time now, and I consider you my friend. It's okay to call me Ryoko, I've told you that." she said. "Of course, Your Highness." he answered with a smile. Ryoko sighed and smiled back. He then left down the great hallway. Ryoko entered the bedroom as the massive doors closed behind her. Tenchi was standing in front of a full- length mirror, in a pair of sleep bottoms, looking at the scar that ran diagonally across his chest. Ryoko walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. He closed his eyes and felt the warmth of her breasts against his back, her breath on his neck. She ran a finger across his chest, tracing the scar. He opened his eyes and took her hand in his own. "Ryoko." He said quietly. "I know. We're never completely safe. Ever since that attempt on you, I've had security on this place tighter than the GP's armory. But that was seven years ago, Tenchi, and there hasn't been a threat or attempt since." "That's exactly what I'm worried about Ryoko. It's been too quiet for far too long. And now with our anniversary, and the entire family being here together, it's just asking for trouble." The two stared into mirror at their reflections. Ayeka exited the shower just then, and saw Tenchi and Ryoko embraced in front of the mirror. She walked over to them in her towel, noticing their worried expressions. She wrapped her arms around him as well, and laid her head against his chest. "What's wrong, my love?" she asked tenderly. "He's worried about an attack on us during the next few days." Ryoko answered for him. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Tenchi." she assured him. "I can't not worry, Ayeka, if anything should happen to any of you..." he said, cutting himself off, not wanting to think of something like that. Ayeka began to kiss his chest lightly. "I know something that will take your mind off that, my dear." she said seductively between kisses. "So do I." Ryoko added, kissing his neck tenderly. Tenchi quickly began to forget his worries, and by the time they moved over to the bed, security was the furthest thing from his mind. Half a mile away, in a secret chamber under the palace, a meeting was taking place. Two men were sitting across from each other in a dark room at an old wooden table. "The preparations are complete. Her Majesty's envoy will have no trouble landing on planet or entering the palace. This anniversary will be their last." said the raspy voice. "The last for a great many things. I shudder with anticipation, Tarkin." the second older, but clearer voice replied. Both men were silhouetted, but the man with the raspy voice leaned forward, revealing his old, tattered features, and the fact that one eye was completely white and burn scars covered half his face. A scar also ran across his neck. "As do I, my old friend. As do I." Several thousand light-years away, a lone ship rocketed through the cosmos. Inside the small, dark, oddly shaped craft sat a lone occupant. His eyes were closed and his arms crossed, as if meditating. He eventually opened his eyes to glance at the small screen in front of him. On the screen was a picture of Ryoko and Ayeka, then, a picture of Tenchi. A sinister grin curved up one side of the dark figures mouth. The ship continued on its course...Planet Jurai. End Chapter One Please send comments and queries to eraser1976@hotmail.com The adventure has just begun!