Tenchi Muyo!: Ying to Yang Episode 1, "Kagami no Sugata Muyo." ("No need for Mirror Images.") The Masaki Shrine has existed for a little over seven hundred years. And Yosho, once crown prince of Jurai, has been her constant keeper. Even now, after such turmoil of the near past, he continues to watch it carefully. An upstanding figure head for the Masaki household. Yosho, currently, was methodically using the hand made broom to gently push the vivid colored Fall leaves from the stone walkway and stairs of the temple. He found it a good way to contemplate, and was fairly glad his grandson Tenchi's school was rebuilt, so he was allowed more often to do such chores. The Fall was when times changed, and life came to a close. A proper time for thinking about the past. Most things now, seemed long ago to him, as he grew older. His thoughts turned to his past love, as any mind seems drawn to falling leaves, even as they are to the romance of the cherry blossoms. He still missed her, but everyone comes to terms with such things. After all, Achika had come of the union, a reminder of his wife, and then Tenchi, a grandson he took great pride in. But, his mind had fallen into the rail of the past, and his thoughts moved farther back, until he became so engrossed, in whatever he was thinking, he stopped to simply lean on the broom. He wasn't drawn out of his contemplation until he heard footsteps on the Shrine's stone stairway. "Tenchi. They say hind-sight is twenty-twenty. What do you think?" Tenchi, used to his Grandfather's quick reactions to him, simply scratched his head, and replied to Yosho's question. "Well, I guess it is. I mean, you can look back and correct your mistakes." "Indeed. Well, Tenchi. Is dinner ready yet?" "Yeah, Grandpa. That's what I came up here to tell you," Tenchi faltered at the sudden change of subject, then the heart slap on his back. "Good, Sasami is a wonderful cook. I'm glad we don't have to live with Noboyuki's anymore." And with that stated, he took off down the temple stairs at a brisk pace, leaving Tenchi behind him in the dust. *** Inter-space travel is very frequent out side of The Solar System, so another vessel sliding through space, toward it was a bit unusual, but not a large problem. Perhaps, as it entered the section, it might have been checked by the Galaxy Police officer on duty, but the post was empty. As always. Their was only one occupant of the small vessel brooded at the screen, as the ship moved closer to the planet on the view screen. The planet's clear mixtures of greens, browns, whites and blues, clearly marked it apart from the other giant of the system. Earth. "Well, I finally made it out here. Now, I will have the truth, and her allow her spirit the rest it deserves!" The figure's fist clenched, it's anger showing the devotion in the cause of the words. *** Supper at the house was it's usual affair, Ryoko sitting on one side of the unfortunate Tenchi, alternatively inhaling her food, glomping Tenchi's arm, and glaring daggers at Aeka, who one the other side, was doing much the same thing, minus the bad manners. Her's were smug instead, if eating habits can be. Sasami ran around retrieving bowls, and asking if the food was all right in her usually cheerful manner. Nobuyuki was trying to come on to the ditz Mihoshi, or as he would put it, "having a conversation." And Washuu, power-hungry as always, manned the remote control. Everything was perfectly normal, peaceful. Nothing seemed to be happening at all. However, if Washuu had been down in her sub-space lab, she might have noticed her scanners picking up yet another space craft, landing near the Masaki home. *** Last night's meal had ended with a long round of drinks, including Ryoko, Aeka, Yosho and Nobuyuki. So, as to be expected, when Tenchi rose to get ready for school, a practice he wasn't happy to be doing, the only other people in the house were his father, who had to get up to leave for work regardless of whether he had a hangover or not. And, Ryo-ohki of course, since she is always up begging for a carrot, if someone is in the kitchen. When Tenchi entered, he noticed his father groggily poking a zucchini at Ryo-ohki, in the mistaken attempt to give her a carrot. "Miyaaa!" the cabbit whined at Tenchi, turning her tear-stained face, which seemed to beg him to get rid of Nobuyuki, at least until he was wide awake. "Oi, Pop. Haven't had tea yet have you?" Tenchi remarked, picking up Ryo-ohki moving her away from the sleepy man, and dropping carrot by her. Ryo-ohki snapped back into her congenial self right off, as soon as she got what she wanted. Sighing, Tenchi quickly whipped up some instant tea for his father, and gave it to him, with the fleeting urge to just dump the hot liquid on his head. "Jeez, Pop. Drink the tea and drop the Zucchini." "Eh, Tenchi?" Nobuyuki answered sleepily. "You want to do what? My little boy is finally growing up!" Surging to his feet, the middle-aged architect hugged Tenchi tightly. "But, you shouldn't you be asking on of the girls that?" He looked at Tenchi curiously. Even sleep shrouded, this man's mind was on one thing. "Pop! No! Can't you think of something else?! Jeez." He grabbed the bento* Sasami had thoughtfully left out for him, and stalked toward the front door. Tenchi hastily gathered up his school materials, and shoves his feet into his shoes. And made it out the door, before he could win any attentions from the other residents in the household, who were either sleeping, or laid out from the rounds of sake on the floor or couch. Which, were Aeka and Ryoko, two people he didn't need fighting early in the morning. "Phew." The day passed quickly for Tenchi, who had the special ability to adapt to any new situation with ease, an ability he learned he had over the time in which he gained so many house guests. Even if it and taken him a week or so to feel comfortable with the normal routine, and not being around the girls all day. He might have considered it a vacation, if not for the recent troubles they had all gone through together. But at the last bell, he was still eager to get home. So, lugging his books, he headed off for the bus stop, and his ride home. Just as he was about to board the newly arrived bus, someone else slammed into him, obviously in a huge hurry. "Oooh! Damnit! This is it either!" the sounds of an annoyed young woman floated down to the ground, where he happened to be laying, and greeted his ear. "Ergh," was about the only reply to that Tenchi could make at the moment, and it looked as though he would be stepped on again, when the girl turned around to get back on the bus. And she almost did too, stopping with her foot inches away from his face. "Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't see you. Sumimasen!" She looked horribly stricken at the fact she just ran Tenchi over. "You really have to forgive me! I'm so so sorry!" offering Tenchi a hand. "Err.. It's all right." Tenchi muttered, rubbing the back of his head. He gave the girl one more of those indecisive looks, and boarded the bus. The girl followed right after Tenchi, literally, all the way to his seat and say down next to him. "I suppose the next drop off is the Masaki Shrine? Right?" she asked, hopefully. "Yeah, it is. Why do you want to know anyway?" Tenchi seldom saw anyone come to visit the Shrine, let alone did he expect to find someone so eager ro view it. "Oh! How silly of me," she giggled, "I'm Kagami Hino. I want to visit the Shrine, because if I live near here, I need to know where the local shrine is! It's my spiritual duty. Besides, if you live somewhere of the beaten path as this, you just have to bet it has some interesting stories to tell. In fact, I heard that one of the ancestor's of the Masaki's, the people who built the Shrine, sealed away a demon, and it's been there for almost seven hundred years! Until another Masaki released it. Isn't that neat? I don't think it is true though." she laughed. "What do you think?" "Eh..." Tenchi just stared at Kagami. How had she known these things? The demon legend was common enough, but to know he had let it out? "Well, um.. That's a pretty interesting story. You'd have to ask the Shrine's keeper, about that." Regardless of how cheerful, and Mihoshi like this Kagami Hino was, he felt edgy about letting her know who he was. His opinion was returned with a sincere smile, and thankfully, Kagami didn't harass him further. The bus eventfully returned Tenchi to the stop near his home, and Kagami to the Masaki Shrine area. Tenchi was almost rid of the girl when she decided more firm directions were to be in order. "Oh! Hey! Can you please tell me where to go, for the Shrine? Onegai!" She clung to Tenchi's arm effectively as Ryoko or Aeka, and turned the most demonic of all female weapons on him, the puppy eyes. "Onegai! I can tell you know where it is! Can you take me there?" Her request expand from directions, to an escort. "Oi, you're almost as bad as Ryoko and Aeka." Tenchi muttered to himself, but caved in and nodded to Kagami, after being physically shaken around by the seemingly fragile girl. "I'll do it!! Ah!! Stop shaking me!!" "Hai!" So, Tenchi ended up dragging Kagami, who refused to let go of his arm, for "fear of being lost" all they way to the entrance to the Shrine. "Here you go Kagami, can you please let go now?!" "Of course I can." She gave him a sweet smile. "Don't be so demanding though. Some people would think you're rude." "Why, Tenchi, who do we have here? Don't tell me you and Nobuyuki have been hiding her away from me all this time." "Eh?" Tenchi gaped at his grandfather. "I've never seen this girl in my life!" "Remarkable resemblance though," Yosho concluded, stroking his chin. It was also the case too. Kagami, did indeed, look remarkably like Tenchi, with his same black hair, and light frame. She even kept her hair back in a thin tail, like Tenchi did. They could have passed for twins, except for Kagami's wine colored eyes, and bangs that covered her forehead, and one eye. Yosho smiled gently at Kagami, and bowed. "I am Yosho Masaki. How may I help you?" Kagami grinned, and bowed back, just the right amount, with an air of trained respect. "I'm Kagami Hino! I asked, Tenchi?" she paused, questioning his name. "Tenchi Masaki. He would be my grandson." "Oh. Well, I asked Tenchi, to show me up here, because I so dearly wanted to see the Shrine, and ask some questions!" "Well, Kagami-san, it would be my pleasure to show you around the grounds, and while I do, you can ask me whatever questions you like." He took Kagami's arm, and began walking her toward the main shrine. "Tenchi, why don't you go back home and get some of that homework done. It's important to stay on top of whatever you do." Tenchi nodded, glanced at Kagami and retreated down the hill. He'd have liked to discuss the strange feeling he had about the girl with someone, but Grandpa was currently busy, and mentioning another girl at home would cause something to be blown to pieces. "I'd very much like that Masaki-sama!" Kagami told Yosho with a general enthusiasm akin to a "blonde". "Well, I've heard so much about this local shrine, that I just had to some and see it," she began, repeating herself, "and so many stories. Like the for instance, seven hundred years ago, a Masaki family resident," she broke off to give Yosho a sidelong glance, "built this shrine to entomb a demon, and they have watched it ever since. Also, that the demon recently escaped, and tried to sell fake "cure-alls" at one festival that was held here. Some people just dismissed it as three triplets, but, I'm not sure. Now, more then ever. After all, you are a Masaki, and so was your grandson, that boy who brought me up here." Yosho smiled politely, "Yes, the Shrine was built some seven hundred years ago, around a tomb of what people thought was a restless spirit. But, not a demon. And yes, the Masaki's still are it's keepers." He gently pulled Kagami over to the stone tied with the ceremonial warding and blessing ropes and papers. "As you can see, the tomb is still here. And closed." Kagami nodded. "Yes, it seems that way. Thank you." Yosho continued with the tour, Kagami asking more random questions, but both the talk and the paths eventfully brought them both back around to where they started. Kagami began fidgeting nervously, toward the end of the walk. "Masaki-sama?" She glanced at Yosho, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "I have a question. Is it.. Possible you could do me a favor?" "Kagami-san, feel free to ask. I'll certainly try." Kagami looked hesitant, but launched quickly into her question, and explanation, speaking quite quickly, and nervously, so it was some what hard for Yosho to understand her. "I, came here so I could get a place to live and work! I really need one. I know I told Tenchi that, I lived around here, and was just interested, but I knew he could take me here, I asked around and someone pointed him out, to me!" She took a quick intake of breath, and rattled on. "Really. They did. But, I'll be happy to work around the Shrine for room and board, and food of course. But I don't eat a lot. And, well. This shrine did have so many interesting tales. And you're such a nice man!" she finished breathlessly. It is true, that flattery will get you where you need to go. Yosho patted the girl's arm. "Of course you can Kagami-san. I'm glad you offered. Now that Tenchi is back in school, I need some help around the Shrine. I'm getting old. You can stay up here with me in the Shrine. The residence, is quite full, as of late. Drop your bag off in the living area over there, and I'll meet you down at the house for supper." He offered her a grin. "Sasami makes great food." "Hai Masaki-sama!" Kagami bowed, and ran off in the direction indicated. "Strange girl," Yosho mused as he began his descent. "However, there is something about her that goes deeper then normal quirks, or personality." Kagami dropped her bag down in the living area of the Shrine, smiling to herself. "Well, I didn't think he'd be that naive. Maybe he's gotten old like he said. Or, maybe I'm wrong again. But somehow I don't think so." Humming quiet tune, Kagami felt around in her bag, and dropped a small shiny object in the futon closet. "Always make some tests first, I suppose." Sighing, she folded her arms behind her head and made for the Masaki's home. "I wished I didn't have to play such an air head, but no one ever suspects they know anything." Kagami chuckled to herself. "Really, they're all quite foolish. It was much to easy to just show up here." ~Fin`~