TENCHI'S COUSIN - Chapter 5 Fade in to a set of interlude scenes covering the next few months - typical Masaki residence craziness, with KENJI added. Individual scenes include, but are not limited to: -KENJI and YOUSHO training with bokken and studying old books, and also talking to AYEKA's Guardians, AZAKA and KAMIDAKE, from time to time... -KENJI and AYEKA arguing, while RYOKO looks on, not sure whether to join the fun, laugh, or complain... -TENCHI and KENJI reminiscing about old times in the onsen, and KENJI showing his cousin some martial arts moves he's seen, describing them with much waving of arms. RYOKO is watching from the upper pool (Where TENCHI was in OAV 8), with a beatific smile on her face. AYEKA walks in, KENJI notices RYOKO, and a battle erupts as soon as the Masaki boys find their towels... -RYOKO and KENJI sparring again, with AYEKA looking on, rooting for KENJI - except when she accidentally cheers for RYOKO. Both fighters stop and stare at her, and she turns red and runs off. KENJI and RYOKO sweatdrop... -YOUSHO and KENJI again, this time with blades of Jurai Power, fencing. KENJI gets bopped again, and backs off for a second, then closes his hands around the ends of his blade and concentrates. The blade doubles in length, and KENJI attacks, holding it like a staff. YOUSHO is so taken aback that *he* gets bopped for once, and KENJI immediately cheers in triumph and runs off with his grandfather in pursuit... -RYOKO and KENJI, seated on the edge of the roof, talking quietly... -KENJI 'getting aquainted' with MIHOSHI (i.e. falling victim to various calamities...) -TENCHI trying to escape RYOKO's advances, while KENJI watches with a - jealous?- look on his face... -Baby Taro's second visit, and KENJI sweatdropping as he watches WASHU-CHAN tend the baby... -WASHU enticing a wary KENJI into her lab, and the door closing behind them. Shortly thereafter, there are assorted crashings and booms from the lab, and everyone gathers by the door to see what the fuss is. The next scene is a smoldering KENJI diving out the door followed by explosions and reaching metal tendrils. He storms off, and WASHU sticks her head out the door - she's singed, too - and sweatdropping at the looks she gets... -KENJI helping TENCHI in the fields, and slicing vegetables for SASAMI in the kitchen while laughing as she strikes a Sailor Moon (Pretty Sammi?) pose... -KENJI, RYOKO, and RYO-OHKI (in humanoid form) playing on the hillside... Finally, the flashes segue into a scene in the living room of the Masaki house. TENCHI and KENJI are on the 'indoors' side of the room, SASAMI is standing by the door to the kitchen, and by the (window door) to the outside, AYEKA and RYOKO are glaring at each other. AYEKA FURIOUS How dare you, Ryoko! You know very well that Tenchi-sama is not well suited to your advances! How many times must I tell you to leave him in peace! RYOKO ANNOYED That's not _your_ decision to make, little princess! I'll stay near Tenchi as long as I bloody well feel like it! Besides, he may turn that cute shade of red, but I haven't heard *him* complain... TENCHI RESIGNED (sighs) Oh well... I hope Washu's in a better mood than she was after you trashed her machines, because we're gonna need her to fix up the house later. KENJI FLAT VOICE Oh look, now they're in the 'glare of sparks' stage. MORE NORMAL Don't they ever get tired of this? I mean, this _has_ to get old sometime... NOBIYUKI ENTERING ROOM Oh, hello girls- Both AYEKA and RYOKO glare at him, firey auras appearing to backlight them. NOBIYUKI SWEATDROPS Nevermind... Sasami, how's lunch coming? NOBIYUKI, back to the wall, edges around the two girls, who have gone back to giving each other the 'Stare of Death.' SASAMI wrings her hands. SASAMI Oneesan, Ryoko-neechan, _please_ don't fight - lunch is almost ready... Her voice trails off as she realizes that neither one is paying her any attention. TENCHI groans. TENCHI Here goes the house... KENJI suddenly looks from his position, to RYOKO, to the outside door, and nods. KENJI Sasami, could you open the outside door, please? TO TENCHI, SOFT When I get Ryoko, you talk to Ayeka, okay? TENCHI What?!? What am I supposed to tell her? What do you- KENJI cuts him off. KENJI Just keep her from chasing Ryoko and me outside, alright? TENCHI TOTALLY CONFUSED Outside!? What are you going to- SASAMI has quietly opened the outside door, and KENJI springs into action. He leaps at RYOKO, catching her totally offguard and grabbing her around the waist. KENJI WILD EXCITEMENT *TAG!* *You're* it!! His leap carries RYOKO out the door before she quite knows what's going on, and he 'tags' her by smacking her on her bottom. Her anger turns to outrage and - a hint of a playful expression? - before she lunges at Kenji, who races away toward the shrine hill as fast as he can run. TENCHI recovers from the collective shock first. TENCHI MURMURS Ayeka. Talk to Ayeka. Right! TO AYEKA, ALOUD Uh.. nice weather we're having, isn't it? I mean, the trees are so pretty in autumn. AYEKA suddenly realizes both that she is being addressed and also *who* is addressing her, and spins around to face TENCHI. AYEKA Oh! Pardon my inattention! I.. I suppose you're right, Tenchi. SLY GLANCE Oh my... whatever could possess you to bring up this subject now? TENCHI, realizing he's wandered into a minefield by getting even the least bit romantic, begins to sweat heavily. WASHU comes out of her lab at this point, getting everyone's attention (much to TENCHI's relief.) WASHU All over already? No mass destruction, no torn-down walls? My, what a quiet argument. PAUSES Well, I suppose it's for the best. I've picked up a Juraian ship headed insystem, so we'd better be ready for guests. AYEKA A *Juraian* ship? But Father forbade most access to the Earth system, to prevent me being sought out. Has the ship been challenged? Is it the Royal craft? WASHU No, to both your questions. The Yagami has appeared to let it pass, and it's a vessel of the same class as your Ryu-Oh. AYEKA SOFTLY Oh no. The only ship it can be is Ryu-Kii. TENCHI Ryu-Kii? AYEKA Seiryuu's ship. TENCHI Seiryuu? Oh, right, that guy your dad wanted you.. to... Um, Ayeka? Does this mean he's here to challenge me for your 'hand in marriage' again? AYEKA Not precisely. If that were the case, the Royal ship would be coming as well, for such duels must be witnessed by the royal family, and Father would never trust me to report that Seiryuu defeated you. It's more likely that he's coming to... ah... TENCHI WORRIED FOR HER To what?!? AYEKA HANGS HEAD To take revenge for his prior defeat. This is frowned upon in Juraian society, but it is done from time to time. If his family were sufficiently ashamed of his defeat - technically, at your hands, since he was in combat with you at the time - they could have disowned him until he atones for that sin. It's both better and worse than a formal duel, since I'm not obliged to stand by and watch unless you ask me to, but he's not obliged to leave his servants out of it either. We should prepare for the worst! TENCHI Oh, no! Kenji and Ryoko! Everyone turns to look out the window. KENJI and RYOKO are nowhere in sight. The scene shifts to the bridge of a Juraian ship (Ryu-Kii) where SEIRYUU is addressing two servants in black versions of Juraian 'knight' outfits (that look vaguely similar to black versions of TENCHI's Light Hawk Armour getup) and two Guardians, like AYEKA's but slimmer and of a darker wood. SEIRYUU Do you have it yet? GUARDIAN 1 There are two sources of high-energy emissions in the forested area behind the hill. One life-form occupies the mountaintop. All others are concentrated in the household. SEIRYUU Ah! Good work, Shikino! The energy sources must be Princess Ayeka and Ryoko having one of their interminable arguments. The one in the mountaintop will be Lord Yousho, and the others are in the house. Excellent! CALLS TO SHIP Ryu-Kii! Isolate the shrine with a forcefield and transport Tetta and Tessei down to occupy the princess and the pirate. TO BLACK KNIGHTS Tetta, Tessei, I don't care if the pirate lives or dies, but you will bring Princess Ayeka to the Ryu-Kii and prevent anyone else you find there from interfering with my revenge on that young barbarian. Shikino, Kudano, come with me and hold the others at bay. Let's go! The two Black Knights, TETTA and TESSEI, heft their somewhat twisted Juraian staffs and smile in a predatory fashion. Their skin tone is darker than most Juraians', and TETTA is of average build with a black beard, while TESSEI is vaguely elfin, with slanted eyes and a slim build. (Yes, they're Kagato's Knights from the TV series.) SHIKINO (Guardian 1) and KUDANO (Guardian 2) move to flank SEIRYUU and they all disappear in beams of light. The scene fades from here to the forested hillside where RYOKO and KENJI had their first fight. RYOKO and KENJI are there, sitting on the grass panting, quite close together. RYOKO I can't believe you did that! Yanking me right out from in front of Ayeka and smacking me on the bottom like that! What in the world brought that on?! KENJI GRINS Hey, you would've trashed the house! And since my- ahem- 'dispute' with Washu put her in a snit, who knows how long it would've taken to fix it! This way, you got to relieve your stress, I got a workout, and the house is intact. Everybody wins! RYOKO You gotta be kidding! I- As RYOKO cuts off her speech, she begins darting her gaze around, finally noticing two beams of light as they appear, and shadows grow within them, resolving into TETTA and TESSEI. KENJI Nice entrance. Somebody who likes 'Star Trek?' RYOKO ANGRY, ALARMED Kenji, they're renegade Juraians! Ones who experimented with forbidden aspects of Jurai Power! RYOKO and KENJI flip to their feet and take combat stances. RYOKO morphs into her fighting gear, KENJI manifests his Jurai Power staff, and TETTA and TESSEI take up guard positions. TESSEI looks around for a moment, then turns back to RYOKO and KENJI. TESSEI Where is Ayeka-hime? KENJI If you'll tell me why you're here, you'd have more chance of getting that information... TESSEI looks at TETTA, who shrugs. TESSEI We are serving one Seiryuu, at present. He wishes us to conduct Ayeka-hime to his ship. RYOKO Let me guess. Her wishes aren't exactly a problem? TESSEI Not in the least. Any others who stand in our way, well... TETTA Tessei, she ain't here. Let's just git to the house. KENJI You gotta go through *us* to do that. Iku-yo, (Let's go,) Ryoko! KENJI and RYOKO square off against TETTA and TESSEI, respectively. RYOKO begins the battle with a rapid volley of energy bolts that TESSEI either dodges or swats away with his staff, and the two of them move off quickly toward the forest. TETTA spins his staff, the orb in the end beginning to glow, and fires a shockwave at KENJI. Kenji avoids it by going airborne, and grins. KENJI Missed! Take this! ROKU-REPPA! (note: Six Waves) KENJI swings his staff crosswise, and six bolts of blue energy streak out from it toward TETTA, who smirks. TETTA Piece o' cake! SPINS HIS STAFF As KENJI's energy bolts reach the circle marked by TETTA's spinning staff, they are whirled onto it and spin in circles. As they spin, they turn from bright blue to dark gray (almost black) and double in size before spiralling off TETTA's staff back toward KENJI, who has just landed. KENJI WHISPERED Holy shit!.. SHIN-KI-KO-SHO! KENJI's massive counterblast stops (and destroys) the black bolts, but he's let his staff dissipate to do it, and gets slammed across the hillside and into a tree trunk when TETTA follows up his attack by leaping in and smahing his staff into KENJI in a crosswise blow. KENJI rolls to his feet and takes up a guard stance as TETTA charges in. TETTA tries an overhand swing of his staff, and KENJI grabs it with both hands, grinning. KENJI Gotcha! Now- AAAAA!! TETTA has just run dark lightning across his staff, shocking KENJI, who writhes for a moment before being thrown off and flying down the hill. He hits, tumbles, rolls, and finally comes to a stop at the base of the hill. He spits blood and dirt as TETTA bounds downhill at him. KENJI UNDERTONE Ok, Juraian fighting arts are getting me nowhere fast. Time to go back to basics - and on that note... TETTA arrives, leaping down at KENJI with another overhand swing, but gets stopped in his tracks by about twenty blows from the Lightning Kick. KENJI finishes his combo with a roundhouse kick that sends TETTA into a tree trunk. TETTA GETTING UP Ok, that's not bad- GASPS KENJI is airborne and inbound, hands cupped to one side as he flies in at TETTA. KENJI SHIN-KI-KO-SHO!!!! TETTA throws up a forcefield in desperation, and growls in effort as the blue energy pounds at it from all sides. He grins tightly at KENJI as the globe dies down, then gets a puzzled look on his face as KENJI retreats around the tree. TETTA Huh? Come on, kid, y' can't hide forever! KENJI SMUG Who says I'm hiding? HYAA!! TETTA's face shows pure terror as KENJI's leaping roundhouse kick hits the tree just above the area weakened by the Kikosho, and the three-foot-wide trunk topples towards the Juraian renegade. Instinctively he leaps back, but only gets caught in the foliage. The fallen branches thrash for a few moments, then TETTA's head emerges from the leaves. TETTA Trashed by a tree - and I ain't even on Jurai! This is so- KENJI cuts him off midsentence by mimicking TETTA's earlier leap-in-from-overhead attack, gripping his remanifested staff by one end to add more force to the blow. TETTA, nailed in the back of the head, shuts up and passes out. KENJI picks up TETTA's staff gingerly, and when nothing shocks him, he snaps it in half over his knee. KENJI Huh. Jerk. You gotta keep the battlefield in mind, or it'll come back and bite you! RYOKO (O.S.) Ahhhh! KENJI *RYOKO!* Hang on! KENJI bolts into the woods, in the direction of RYOKO's scream. In a few seconds, he's reached the scene of the battle between RYOKO and TESSEI. RYOKO is lying on the ground several yards away from TESSEI, bleeding from a large number of narrow cuts and thin punctures. KENJI runs in between RYOKO and the Juraian renegade, bringing a swordblade into being in one hand. KENJI GRIM VOICE You hurt her. I'm going to give you one chance to leave with your health intact. If you don't take it... GROWLS *It's* *your* *funeral.* Go! TESSEI QUIET, AMUSED So far, I see no reason I should leave. So why don't you give me one? KENJI doesn't waste his breath on another warning: he attacks. Grasping the sword in bothe hands and turning it into his staff, he dashes in and swings it in much the same way as he knocked out TETTA. TESSEI extends one rigid arm, holding his staff in a horizontal block, and KENJI is stopped cold. KENJI's expression shows mild interest. KENJI Huh! Tetsu-Shisei! TESSEI PUZZLED I don't believe I'm familiar with that term... KENJI It's the Earth name for your defensive technique. You stand rigid and don't yield to force: the name means "Iron Stance." TESSEI Ah. GRINS We call it Unyielding Branch, for the trees of Jurai. It is good to fight a *warrior* instead of (LOOKS AT RYOKO) a flailing savage. KENJI SEETHING Kono.. (You..) KENJI rebounds away from TESSEI's block and comes around with a roundhouse swing of his staff, but TESSEI is waiting with a vertical block - again, using the Unyielding Branch to stop KENJI's swing one-handed. TESSEI's grin becomes superior, and KENJI bounds away to try an energy blast. TESSEI, who's evidently been waiting for this, spins his staff in a circle once before slamming its pointed end into the ground. KENJI sees the resulting shockwave heading his way, and tries one of YOUSHO's defensive techniques: he throws one arm out with the hand cocked as if to say 'stop', creating a forcefield between him and TESSEI. RYOKO, who has looked up from the ground to watch, cries out in alarm. RYOKO Kenji, *NO!* Not a forcefield, it won't- KENJI braces as if to face a strong wind, and the shockwave pounds against his field without penetrating. However, he cries out in pain a second later as several narrow cuts open up in his clothes and skin. The cuts are a lot like the ones RYOKO currently sports. KENJI *Ahh!* What the- KENJI is cut off as TESSEI begins the swinging motion once again. The action goes into slow motion as KENJI frantically tries to figure out this attack. KENJI (V.O.) Okay, somehow that attack drives pinpoint blasts through forcefields. Total defense isn't an option: let's try counterattack. (END V.O., ACTION SPEEDS UP TO NORMAL) SHIN-KI-KO-SHO! KENJI's signature blast roars out once again: this time, however, it's less than successful. As the shockwave hits it, the fifteen-foot energy globe *ripples* along its front up to a height of about six feet, and small streaks are visible penetrating the blast and going past - or through - KENJI in his attack stance. As the Kikosho fades, KENJI slumps to his knees. Several new cuts have opened up, and one small hole is visible in KENJI's left thigh. It begins to bleed. KENJI (V.O.) Owww... oh, I get it now. That's a nice trick. The shockwave weakens whatever defense it's sent against, and the little force-bolts can go right in through it. The wave probably speeds up the little bolts, too, but they're probably randomly placed, or he'd have done more damage on the first attack. ALOUD Th.. (COUGHS) That's a good technique. TESSEI VERY SMUG It's Jurai's Needle. It was forbidden centuries ago on Jurai because it's a technique that kills your foe slowly. It's obviously beyond your skills, so I'll finish this battle now. KENJI, thinking frantically, replays the two uses of Jurai's Needle he's seen in his mind, trying to find a way to win. TESSEI begins to laugh as he slowly winds up for a third attack. Suddenly, KENJI's head snaps up. KENJI *THAT'S IT!* TESSEI throws another Jurai's Needle, laughing, but it's KENJI who has the smirk on his face now. At the last second, KENJI leaps up, going airborne and evading the attack entirely as it passes beneath him. His staff is already in his hands, and he swings it in a vicious arc. KENJI *ROKU-REPPA!* TESSEI is caught flatfooted by the six energy bolts arcing in at him and is blown several yards, bouncing off two trees in the process. KENJI lands, but drops to one knee in anguish as he clutches his injured leg. Glancing back, he notices he's directly in line between TESSEI and RYOKO again. TESSEI climbs to his feet with a look of rage on his face, and aims his staff at KENJI (and beyond him, RYOKO.) The orb at the end of the staff begins to seethe with energy. TESSEI NOW - YOU - DIE!! RYOKO Kenji, run! Jump! Get away! KENJI I *won't!* I won't leave you to die! TESSEI releases a storm of energy from his staff, and KENJI throws out his hand in YOUSHO's forcefield defence again. When the storm of black lightning fades, KENJI is flat on his back. TESSEI's staff begins to seethe with energy again. RYOKO is trying to get up, and KENJI struggles to a kneeling position facing TESSEI. TESSEI QUIET ANGER This is the end. RYOKO tries to charge an energy blast, but it fizzles. KENJI struggles to his feet, with an odd look on his face - equal parts dignity and determination. TESSEI unleashes another energy blast, which engulfs KENJI. Oddly, it grinds to a halt before reaching RYOKO, as if there is an obstacle in the middle of it. RYOKO screams as the dust begins to settle. RYOKO *NOOOOO!!* KENJI (V.O.) CALM It's all right, Ryoko. I'm fine. TESSEI Impossible! My first attack broke through your forcefield, why would the second fail- TESSEI stops almost midword as the dust begins to clear enough to see. There is a humanoid figure flanked by two Light Hawk Wings standing in the dust cloud. RYOKO, seeing this, is elated. RYOKO TENCHI! You saved him, thank you, thank you - STOPS IN AMAZEMENT KENJI I may not be my cousin, but will I do? The dust has cleared. KENJI is standing there, flanked by the two Wings of the Light Hawk. His outfit is a mess, but his skin shows none of the wounds inflicted earlier. RYOKO gawks unashamedly, as the ripped shirt and pants give her the best view she's had of KENJI since the onsen incident. Realizing this, KENJI blushes. Then TESSEI snarls, and KENJI's face darkens. KENJI Are you *still* there? I warned you once, now I'm _telling_ you; Go. Now. Or I *will* cripple you. TURNS TO RYOKO Hey, Ryoko, you okay? TESSEI brings his staff to bear as KENJI turns his back. KENJI whirls and lunges, the Light Hawk Wings becoming swords as he goes. There is a flash as TESSEI tries to block with his staff. When the light clears, TESSEI's staff is on the ground in three neatly chopped pieces, and KENJI has buried the Light Hawk Swords into TESSEI's shoulders. TESSEI's arms go limp as the joints are ruined by the double thrust. KENJI coolly pulls the swords out and spins, chopping one sword into TESSEI's hip. TESSEI collapses, and KENJI turns back to RYOKO again, the Light Hawk Wings fading out. KENJI CONCERNED Ryoko? You didn't answer - you all right? You're not badly hurt, are you? RYOKO GRINS Nah, I'm just exhausted. Give me a few minutes to rest, and I'll be as healed as you are. GRIN WIDENS KENJI Huh? As I am- NOTICES -oh. That's a neat trick! I'll have to remember that one. Why the grin, though? RYOKO Well, you know how Mom is about Tenchi and that 'sample...' KENJI Yeah, I know. She tried to truss *me* up that one time, remember? But she's after Tenchi more than me- PAUSES -uh oh. RYOKO You got it! It's the Wings of the Light Hawk she's interested in, and now that you've shown you can access them too... KENJI GROANS Aw, *man*... RYOKO laughs. KENJI hangs his head in despair for a few seconds, then snaps it back up to look at RYOKO. KENJI ALARMED Hold it! Ryoko, how likely is it that those two were here alone!? RYOKO Uh... not very likely at all, come to think of it. SUDDEN ALARM *TENCHI!* Oh no, we've got to get back to the house! RYOKO teleports, and KENJI begins leaping from tree to tree to get around the mountain faster. END CHAPTER 5 Hee Hee! Sorry about the cliffhanger, folks, but this part was long enough already! See you next Chapter!