A/N: Don’t own Tenchi nor the rights to the characters, though I wish I did.

A doorway from the heart

The room was darkened, a single cone of light drifting down from within the deep recesses of the ceiling. Faces were barely recognizable, distorted from the shadows that fell across them.

From within the darkness a lone figure leaned forwards into the light, his scarred face intent as he began to speak. “This is the time to strike, while he is unaware. If we are to succeed, it must be quickly or we all will pay the price for this indiscretion,” he told the assembled group, head turning to eye each one in turn.

There was a low murmur of discussion at his words, heads leaning towards each other in conference. Another figure only a few seats down from the speaker slowly got to it’s feet, hands resting on the table.

“You would have us do this, but what of the consequences? You were not there when the boy laid waste to the greatest fleet this universe had ever seen, I was. He is power beyond imagining, vengeance without end to those he considers foes, and you want to take a member of his family?” the man asked, his voice tired and quiet.

The room drew silent at the statement, curious to see what the response would be. They didn’t have to wait long, “He is weak in this area, he will do anything to protect his family. So long as we control someone he cares for, he will be forced to do our bidding,” the first man replied, sounding infinitely confident.

Shaking his head, the second man slowly sank back into his seat, his face downcast at the response. “And what happens when he’s done as we asked? Do you honestly believe that he will simply forget what we’ve done? No, he will hunt us down to the ends of the universe. This is a fool’s errand you’d have us do, and I will not place my people at such a risk,” he told the man in disgust.

Snorting at the older man, he walked around the table to where he sat, placing a hand on his shoulder. “You worry too much Cain, and think too little of my plans. Trust me old friend, by the time Masaki gets his child back in pieces he’ll be looking to destroy the ones that did this. All we have to do is give him a convenient outlet for that rage, and what better place then our long time rivals?” he chuckled darkly.

Cain looked at the man behind him, his expression inscrutable. “Be that as it may Keln, I still want no part of this. I’ve seen first hand what he’s capable of, even Zee underestimated him. I will not suffer the same fate,” he said with finality.

Keln nodded sympathetically, motioning for the man to leave unmolested. “I cannot hold you, all here are free to come and go as they wish. Know this however, once you leave you will NEVER be allowed to rejoin this council,” he said darkly.

With a heavy sigh, the oldest pirate that still lived retook his feet and met the eyes of the ambitious and charismatic man that sought to take the mantle that Zee once held. “Mark well my words Keln, mark them well. This will be the death of you and those that follow. Our best hope for the future is to make as many people forget we’re out here as possible. It’s in our anonymity that our greatest strength lies. Don’t put a face onto the operations unless you’re willing to fight the galaxy at large,” he warned the man, then sweeping past him and from the meeting chamber.

“Anyone else feel the same as Cain? No? Good, then let’s get down to business,” he said with a wolfish smile, motioning for his underlings to bring forth his plans.

Galaxy Police Headquarters…

“Sir, we’re receiving reports of several ships heading towards the Terra system,” the man called over his shoulder, listening to the report of the officer in the field as he did.

Frowning slightly, the commander of the watch crossed to the console, eyeing the disturbance with a thought sound. “That’s Mihoshi’s sector isn’t it?” he asked absently, tapping several commands into the panel to enlarge the display.

“Yes sir, though she’s currently out of system at the moment. She’d been called back to HQ to receive an upgrade to her ship and a promotion for her actions during the war,” answered the young man, pulling up a secondary display to show the last known location of Yukinojo.

“Do we have any assets in the sector that could check this out until she gets back?” he asked, eyeing the distances between the unknown contact and the ship that was the only Galaxy Police presence in the area.

Shaking his head, “I don’t think so sir, though we do have several of our inactive officers from the war on the planet Earth. I could alert them to the possibility of visitors, that way we at least have someone to run damage control until Mihoshi gets back,” offered the man.

Groaning slightly at the words damage control and Mihoshi in the same sentence, he none the less nodded his approval. “Do it, I don’t want to have another Seta Bridge incident,” the officer told his subordinate, clapping him on the shoulder.

He paused before walking back to his station, fingering his mustache thoughtfully. “Send a patrol to Terra as well, just in case. That system is far too back water to attract smugglers or pirates, there’s nothing out there. I don’t like surprises,” he muttered, watching as his orders were complied with.

As he walked back to his station, he opened the secure channel to the Jurian Planetary Forces, waiting only a moment before he was greeted by a knight of Jurai.

“This is Lieutenant Commander Rumiki of the Galaxy Police, I have a message for her royal majesty Ayeka,” he said formally, reporting the odd occurrence to the palace.

Throne Room, Royal Palace, Planet Jurai…

Veld stood and crossed his arms over his muscled chest, looking more than mildly annoyed by the words of the dignitary that was addressing the Queen.

“Be that as it may, I will not have you dictate terms to my empire or my people. I think you will find it in your best interests to rethink your demands, and while you do so I’m sure that you’ll find my response to your ‘suggestions’ most interesting,” Ayeka told the man icily, her eyes flashing in anger though her tone was cool.

The man blanched at her implied threat, knowing well what her response would be. A direct incursion into their territory by the full might of the Jurain Naval forces. “I…I will ensure to let my lord know of your displeasure my Lady Ayeka,” he said haltingly, bowing hastily at the woman and attempting to back away from the dais.

With a subtle motion of her hand, she signaled Veld to have her warriors intercept and detain the man. “I’ve a better idea, why don’t you stay here and enjoy the hospitality of my planet and we’ll simply retrieve your master and discuss this with him when he arrives?” she told him with a sunny smile.

Veld nodded to his elite warriors, smiling softly as they reached him before he’d taken more than a half dozen steps. Gripping him firmly by the upper arms, they hefted him from the ground and carried him away, ignoring his protests and pleas to listen.

“Well, that makes…what? Four? No, Five bandit kings now that think they’ll dictate terms to us,” Veld said to his lady and love.

Ayeka sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead with a well manicured hand. “They must think us stupid. As if we would agree to such asinine demands on the basis that we’re stretched too thin,” she said darkly.

The past weeks had been trying for not only the people of the Jurian Empire, but especially for the Queen and her Consort. Since the end of the war, and the subsequent destruction of Tokimi’s pirate force, the remnants had been trying to carve out homes for themselves within the boundaries of the empire.

Between idle threats or out right attempts to usurp systems from Jurian control, Ayeka had been forced to send a vast majority of her forces out to quell the turmoil caused. Added to the fact that she’d only recently discovered her pregnancy and the end result was a VERY cranky Queen that was tired of being diplomatic.

Holding out her hand to the handsome leader of the Vaagard, she gave him a brave smile. “Isn’t it time for lunch yet?” she asked him with an eager expression. Yet another of the burdens of her pregnancy, her appetite had tripled.

He chuckled as he accepted her hand into his, nodding at her. “Your wish is my command,” he told her formally, bowing his head slightly.

As Ayeka rose from the throne, a silence fell over those assembled in the throne room. “I am going to take lunch now, please go about your business,” she said regally, then allowed herself to be led from the room.

“Little Ayeka!” gushed a jubilant Misaki, latching onto her daughter and giving her a hug that almost stifled her oldest daughter. “I’m so PROUD of you and the way you handled that matter,” she told her, tears in her bright red eyes.

Funaho rolled her eyes at her co-wife’s actions, but smiled supportively as well. “You did well, your actions will cause more of the outlying system to think twice before allying themselves with so called ‘Pirate Lords’,” she told her.

Finally able to wrench herself free from the near death experience that was her mother, Ayeka gasped for breath. “Thank you mommy,” she said with a slight smile, knowing how much her mother loved to hear the nickname, even if she was going to be a grandmother soon.

Looking around, she frowned slightly as she realized her father wasn’t present. “Where’s father?” she asked, unsure if his absence was good or bad. His shame had been profound after the war and his daughter’s coronation, to the point where the once haughty king had become more of a recluse.

Misaki smiled at her, “There was a message from the Galaxy Police about the planet you lived on and he went to retrieve it personally,” she told her.

Veld frowned at the mention of the planet where the boy known as Tenchi had returned to. The specter of what he’d done still haunted Ayeka, though she’d admit it to no one. He alone knew of her hidden pain and worry, having held her close many a night as she sobbed the loss of both her friend and the one she used to love.

“Is everything well?” he asked quietly, pouring glasses of nectar for the ladies, knowing that Ayeka couldn’t have the wine favored by the royal house.

Accepting the glass from the dragon rider graciously, Funaho was thoughtful before answering. “I don’t believe they’d have contacted us unless they suspected something. I placed a directive with them to alert us should anything untoward happen in or around that system. Given the importance of Tenchi and what he represents, I thought it was prudent to do so,” she explained, taking a drink of the sweet juice.

Ayeka’s face was a study in control, betraying no emotion at the news, though her heart pounded with the thought of having contact with Tenchi once more. She’d spent many weeks trying to deal with what had happened, both to herself and to him. It had taken the unshakable resolve and devotion of Veld, the love of her family and the weight of her responsibility to her people to pull her from the jaws of despair. Though she’d moved past much of the pain, she still bore the scars of that time.

Her hand strayed absently down to her swelling abdomen, and the growing life within. It was a child created from violence and betrayal most vile, yet it was innocent to any crime. She had been terrified at first, unsure of how to react to the fact that she’d gotten pregnant from a rape. Not knowing whether to accept the child or to terminate it and any thoughts that it would carry for her. It had been a dark time for her, scared of carrying the child, scared of killing it, scared of what her people would say or think of her for being pregnant outside of wedlock. Sasami, in all her innocence, had been the unknowing deciding factor for her sister when she expressed her joy at the thought of Ayeka carrying a child. To the little princess, it didn’t matter HOW the child was created, only that it was her sisters and therefore something to be cherished and adored.

Before any further conversation could continue, the former King of Jurai walked into the room looking like a thunder cloud. His face was set with a cross of determination and outrage as he made his way to his wives. “They’ve gone too far this time,” he growled darkly.

Placing a hand on his arm, Misaki tried to calm her husband. “What is the problem Azusa?” she asked, fixing him with a firm stare. Misaki, for all her emotional responses, was still one of the finest warriors on Jurai, a fact that was often overlooked given her beauty and devotion to her family. She’d been made Head of the Royal Bodyguards for a distinct reason, one that she still prided herself on to this day.

Taking a deep breath, he nodded to his younger wife, giving her an appreciative smile. After his rescue from the dungeons, he’d made a serious attempt to change the way he thought and acted around people. He’d made many mistakes in his rule of the empire, stepped on many people and looked down on those he considered to be lesser than himself, a view point that had literally come back to haunt him.

“The Galaxy Police have detected a group of unknown ships moving towards Earth. When they tried to get a more definitive identification on them, they quickly evaded the pursuers. It would seem that Tenchi is going to have some company soon,” he told the group as calmly as he could.

Funaho set her glass down on the table, “Where is Katsuhito? He should be informed immediately,” she said quickly.

Veld shook his head, holding up a hand. “He’s been dispatched to quell the disturbance on Revin, it’s much too far for him to make it there in time,” he told the woman, looking over to Ayeka.

“I could send a wing of my fastest riders along with Ryo-Oh. They could be there within a couple of days at most, and would give him some added support.” He offered Ayeka, unsure of how she’d want to proceed.

Holding a hand over her lips, she paced almost silently for a few moments, weighing what her response should be. Nodding slowly, she brought her eyes up to his. “Yes, do so now. I don’t know what these strangers want with Earth but I will not allow them to think they can so easily ignore our quarantine without dire repercussions,” she said, drawing a smile from the man she’d grown to love.

“Mother, Aunty Funaho…would you both please accompany my ship to Earth and ensure Lord Tenchi and his family is safe as well? I would feel better if family were to take a personal hand in this matter,” she asked her mothers.

Azusa glanced at his wives, then to his daughter in confusion. “I should accompany them as well Ayeka, we don’t know…” he started to complain, only to have his daughter silence him.

“FATHER! Please. I know you desire to make amends to Tenchi but you have to remember the last time you saw him and what an impact that had. It would be best if Mother and Aunty went as he trusts them. He is more apt to listen to their advice if you are not present. This way, if we have to ask him to rejoin us here on Jurai, he won’t feel threatened or pressured to do so,” she reasoned, showing everyone just how much thought she’d given this matter.

Veld smiled proudly at his future wife, knowing the weeks and tears it had taken her to get to this point. She was finally coming into her own, able to stand behind her decisions even in the face of her own flesh and blood.

Azusa’s jaw clicked shut, muscles tensing on either side of his jaw. He bowed to his daughter, under the fierce and watchful eye’s of his two wives. “I understand,” he said tightly, not liking the situation but understanding it.

Ayeka could see the pain her mandate had caused her father, making her cross the room to his side. “I know father, I truly do, but you have to trust me in this matter. When Tenchi left here it wasn’t under the best of circumstances and there has been no contact between us since that time. Mother and Aunty Funaho are the best choices here, even you would think so given different circumstances,” she offered to him, preying on his pride.

He eyed his daughter with something to akin to surprise and chagrin. “You learned many lessons at my knee, didn’t you little Ayeka?” he asked her with a grin, shaking his head.

Sighing he nodded his approval of her thoughts. “Thank you, for showing an old man his folly,” he said to her quietly, placing firm hands on her shoulders, drawing tears to her eyes by the words.

Throwing her arms around her father, she buried her face into his shoulder, clutching him tightly.

There was a sharp cry followed by a gagging sound that brought them from the emotional moment. All eyes turned to see Misaki clutching at her robes by her throat, her feet kicking uselessly from her backward reclining position.

Funaho smiled innocently, as innocently as possible given that she had a firm grasp on the collar of Misaki’s robe, preventing her from interfering with them. “I think I will take my wife and see to the preparation of Ryo-Oh,” she said, dragging the emotional woman behind her.

Veld chuckled at the sight, turning to look at the father and daughter remaining. “I’m glad to see even royalty has it’s quirks,” he teased them with a wink.

Masaki household…

The sun beat down mercilessly on the back and head of the young man as he hoed the dirt, pausing only to wipe the sweat from his brow. Straightening up, he placed a hand in the small of his back, arching backwards to alleviate the tense pressure that had built up. A thoughtful expression came over his face as leaned on the handle of the tool and idly watched the clouds above making their way across the sky.

A rustling sound finally roused him from his thoughts, a stern expression as he did. “You know better than that Ryo-Ohki, if you take ONE carrot you won’t get ANY with dinner tonight, understand?” he said in a chastising voice.

A pair of golden eyes appeared within the leaves of the carrot patch, looking at him with a forlorn expression. “Miyah,” she called to him plaintively, pushing her long eared head from it’s hiding spot.

“Don’t look at me like that, remember how sick you got yesterday for overeating? I’m just looking out for you,” he said, unable to help the smile at her antics. She had taken begging to a whole new level, making it almost an art form now.

Shaking his head, he forced himself to turn from her gaze. “Looks like we’re about done here anyways…just one! Okay?” he gave in, like he always did. She’d become his almost constant companion, both of them seeking solace and comfort from the other since their return.

As the duo walked from the fields, Tenchi thought of his life and it’s abrupt changes in the past year. A sad, distant expression came over him as he shifted the large basket on his back, Ryo-Ohki riding atop the mound of carrots within. They both shared the loss of Ryoko, the special closeness that only they shared with her, the intimate nature creating a gaping hole within both of them. It had left a jagged rift inside them, as if reminding them everyday of what was lost…never to be found again.

He sighed and pushed the morose thoughts from his head, knowing that it served little useful purpose in his life other than to bring him pain. The road before them rose and fell in tune with the topography of the land, the sun still continuing it’s constant punishment on them.

Tenchi smiled to himself, feeling the power at his command coursing within him. He’d not used the unbridled and limitless powers since the death of Zee and Tokimi, choosing instead to take a more mundane approach to his life. Rather then use them to make his life easier, he toiled daily in both chores and swordsmanship. He cleaned the house, took care of the grounds around the shrine and house, did the cooking, shopping and all the common place events of life without complaint.

A passing car blew a mini-storm of dust around him, forcing him to cover his eyes and shield his face. The seemingly random action gave him the only warning that something was wrong, a glint in the skies above the lake by his home.

His hand slowly lowered as he focused on the sight, a chill filling his stomach as he behind a ship he’d not seen since the last days of the Goddess Wars. “Oh no…MAYUKA!” he cried, power exploding from within him, transforming his outfit to that of the Light Hawk.

Ryo-Ohki, stunned at the sudden waves of power he was giving off, clutched desperately to his back, the bushel of carrots falling forgotten to the earth below them. Her eyes finally saw the ship as well, causing the normally good natured Cabbit to hiss in anger and outrage.

The pair didn’t just take flight, they disappeared from the side of the paved road, moving at speeds beyond the visual range to arrive at the house. Smoke was rising angrily from the upper levels, the sounds of a firefight coming from within.

A large group of armored men stood before the house, armed with large, ugly looking weapons. The sudden appearance of Tenchi dressed in the armor of the Light Hawk Wings, startled them for but a moment, before they unleashed the waves of superheated plasma at the boy.

Rage boiled up within him, long buried but always present, giving him power and focus. Time seemed to slow for him until it took on a surreal nature. He could see the blobs of gelled energy moving towards him, the brilliant flashes from the muzzles, the way muscles tensed and moved as the men tried to flank him.

Hearing a shout of pain and then a string of curses that could only be attributed to the former soldier living with him, Tenchi acted. Moving with perfect grace he twirled and spun past the plasma, a shield on one arm, the Light Hawk sword held tightly in the other hand.

The men, having been fully briefed on the capabilities of the boy, were still wholly unprepared to face the real thing. Seeing him move in holovids of the battles, watching his motions slowed until they were memorized was nothing when faced with the horrible expression and skill he now bore against them.

His left arm shield smashed into one of the men as he spun nimbly past him, shattering the arm and right side of his torso with a negligible thought. Even as the man flew forwards from the momentum of the hit, Tenchi was leveling the sword as he twirled into the next man, cleaving him in two without an effort. He was amidst them, a constant motion of death, never pausing or hesitating as he dispatched the seven men.

Before the last body hit the ground he was already inside the house, racing up the stairs in search of his daughter and friend. A man tried to meet and delay him on the stairs, only to be blown backwards with such force from the shield that leapt from Tenchi’s arm that he created a sizable hole out the backside of the house. His trajectory took him into a duo of men enroute to help their comrade, only hastening their own deaths from the horrific impact. Bonelessly they slid down the broken walls, bodies shattered beyond repair.

The floor shook beneath his feet as he reached the top, causing him to extend a hand to the wall to avoid falling from the movements. As the movements stopped, an eerie silence fell over the household, as if something was holding it’s breath waiting for the other shoe to drop. Even as Tenchi moved quickly to where Mayuka’s room was, the fire fight erupted once more, a body thrown from the room and rolling into the wall across the hall.

Halting his sword in mid-swing, Tenchi felt relief push past the anger and outrage as he realized that Bravo was struggling to his feet, a wiggling crying bundle wrapped protectively in his arms.

Starting at the sight of Tenchi holding a sword over his head the man curled around the baby girl. “HEY! It’s me ya moron!” he shouted at him, flinching as if waiting for the blow to fall.

He was wounded several times, though by the looks of them it was only lightly. His once white tee shirt was torn, bloodied and burnt in more than one area. Jeans were ragged on his legs, though there was little in the way of injury readily apparent.

“YOU!” came a surprised shout from Mayuka’s room, a man standing there with a wicked looking curved sword. His expression was shock and fear at the sight of Tenchi, his eyes drifting down to where Bravo lay with the object of his raid.

His momentary distraction cost the man his head as the Light Hawk Sword transmuted from the solid into pure energy and struck down the man. His body collapsed to the ground, his head rolling down the hallway before bouncing with a noisy thudding down the stairs.

“Are you alright?” asked a now tensed Tenchi to his friend, standing protectively before them and the room.

“Yeah, we’re fine but these assholes are determined,” groaned Jay, using the wall to support his weight as he got back to his feet, pointing towards the room with the pistol he’d been given at the end of his service to the Galaxy Police.

“They hit the outside wall and the stairs at the same time, had me pinned down pretty good. Seems like they want Little May here otherwise we’d both be toast,” he told his friend, swallowing hard to clear some of the smoke and debris from his throat.

The smoke was thickening from the fire that was now raging uncontrolled on the side and roof of the house, forcing the men to crouch slightly to keep sight on their surroundings.

They both could hear the deep pounding of feet running along the roof, the house shaking once more. “Uh oh, that can’t be good,” muttered Jay, eyes going to the ceiling above as he tracked the movements.

“Go to my room, it’s warded by Washu and should be safe for the moment, I’ll take care of the rest of them,” ordered Tenchi, pointing to where his door was.

Bravo nodded and moved quickly to the room, slamming the door shut behind him. As the man disappeared, Tenchi called the Wings around him and flooded himself with power. He felt his humanity starting to slip away in face of the awesome power of three goddesses, giving him a cold, rational demeanor, and a need to utterly destroy those that had come for his family.

The orb that now surrounded him lifted upwards, disintegrating the ceiling and roof above, surprising the 12 men that were in the process of anchoring lines to the roof to assault below them.

Six of them immediately went to a knee and began to fire indiscriminately at the boy, their shot either dissipating harmlessly off the wings or deflecting wide into the surrounding country side. The outside six, not bothering to get secondary anchors for their lines, jumped from the roof of the house and into the window below them.

Tenchi moved towards the men, noticing the departure of the other six, but having to deal with this more stubborn group of interlopers first.

Seeing their shots having no effect on him, the group pulled edged weapons from sheaths and rushed him enmasse, trying to overwhelm him with numbers. They stood no chance against him.

Taking a two handed grip on his sword, Tenchi met them head on. He deflected one sword with the blade, turning it aside and into another incoming knife, knocking them both back and almost from the roof. With a spin, he brought up his knee into the shocked face of a man that had thought to bury his blade into the boy’s seemingly unprotected side, his head snapping backwards with a sickening crunch.

Landing and falling flat, the two swords whistled harmlessly over him as he rolled to his back kicked one man’s legs from beneath him, sending him crashing to the roof tiles heavily, breath exploding from his chest.

Sudden movement from the corner of his eye alerted him to the attack that was aimed at his head, getting his sword up to stop it a few inches short of it’s intended target. The man stared with wide disbelieving eyes into Tenchi’s, mind not accepting that he could have gotten the sword up in time.

Pushing upwards, he threw the man off him and kipped up to his feet. Seeing one of the remaining men struggling to get to his feet, he thrust kicked forwards and sent him flying from the roof.

Spinning low and leading once more with the sword, he succeeded in taking down one of the men at the knee’s, separating them from his body. The other man also in strike range was unfortunate enough to have a furrow carved deeply into his chest, slowly killing him as he struggled to fill now blown lungs with oxygen.

Completing the deadly whirl, Tenchi ended with his sword overhead in the perfect position to bring it down with deadly accuracy onto the head of the man attempting to gain his feet once more. He didn’t even have time to scream before he was split asunder.

Two men were all that remained now, each looking warily around them for an escape from the boy turned death incarnate, and finding none. Steeling themselves, they rushed him, screaming incoherently as they did in a vane effort to die with some semblance of honor.

Blocking one attack, he ducked under the other, moving more quickly then either of the men. He reversed directions of his block as he knelt, and slashed wickedly across the exposed back of the men, cutting him in two at the waist. He followed through with the strike and still his blade moving in deadly precision as he twirled it around back into striking position.

The remaining man’s sword found nothing but the blade of the Light Hawk Sword, and the irate face of a man turned god. Throwing off the sword and opening the man’s guard wide, he ran him through, sinking the energy blade to the hilt into his chest.

Tenchi stood before the man, face to face as the light left his eyes, twisting the blade painfully to ensure the man’s hastened meeting with the afterlife was anything but pleasant. As the sword fell from nerveless hands and clattered to the roof, Tenchi kicked him from the blade and turned to deal with the last of the interlopers.

The ropes were still attached but were now waving in the heat-laden winds that fanned the blazes on the Masaki home. He stepped from the side of the roof, and hovered before the hole they’d opened, eyes searching for any signs of them and finding nothing but ruined furniture and battle scarred rooms.

“Yoohoo! Tenchi! You done playing with those guys upstairs?” came the lilting voice of Washu from the ground floor.

Moving with incredible speeds, he found the diminutive scientist with her arms folded across her chest and a smug expression on her face. Behind her, encased in the metal tentacles that rose from the floor, were the six remaining men. Without a word to the woman, Tenchi moved to dispatch them, his sword glowing with an almost eager light.

“Can’t let you do that Tenchi, I need to ask them some questions first,” Washu told him gently, standing before her champion.

He glared down at her, at first unable to truly comprehend why she would interfere, but realization dawned over him as the placid demeanor once more asserted itself over him. With a physical effort he nodded, licking lips and swallowing back his blood thirsty desire to slay them.

“Are you sure they’ll talk Little Washu?” he asked, his voice sounding strange and alien to him in the absence of his powers.

She gave him a look that was both disturbing and humorous. “Oh, I don’t know…but I can be persuasive when I wanna be,” she assured him with a wink. Snapping her fingers, one set of the tentacles energized and electrocuted the man held within.

“That’s what’s going to happen to anyone that doesn’t want to cooperate,” she said in a dark tone, ensuring that each man met her eyes. As the man slumped unconscious from the electricity coursing through his body, Washu stopped the torture. “Let’s get going shall we? It’s going to be a long day for you,” she informed them, summoning her holographic terminal and sending both tentacles and men into her sub-dimensional lab.

“How’d you know about the attack Little Washu?” asked Tenchi as the men disappeared.

Looking over at him, she gave him a sad smile. “I felt you pull on my powers and knew you wouldn’t do so unless something horrible had happened. I got here just in time to find them trying to breaking into your room,” Washu told him.

“Ohmygosh!” Tenchi cried, remembering his friend and daughter upstairs, along with the burning of his house.

Waving at his panicked expression, Washu pointed to where Bravo and Mayuka were walking from the lab. “Don’t worry about it Tenchi, I got them out in time AND I used my robots to fight the fires on the house. Can’t let you go homeless now can we? Besides, I wouldn’t be the greatest scientific genius in the universe if I couldn’t make a robot to fight a simple little house fire now would I?” she asked, cackling happily at her own mad genius.

“You REALLY creep me out when you do that Little Washu,” Bravo told the woman with a warm smile. They’d developed a friendship since their return, but loved to egg each other on at every given opportunity.

“Shaddup you! Just be glad I got to you before they did or you’d be breathing out a new hole,” she glowered at him good naturedly. Eyeing his state of undress from his battle, she smiled devilishly. “Nice chest there, I see why Mihoshi get’s all goo-goo eyed about you,” she teased the man.

Looking down at his chest, he shrugged. “Yeah, I’m a stud, whaddya gonna do?” he smiled back at her.

Mayuka took the moment to pull a swath of the cotton shirt from his body and proceed to gnaw upon it, finding comfort in the presence of the people she loved.

Tenchi laughed lightly as he crossed and pulled the cloth from her jaws, having to tug it more than once to get it from between her little teeth. “Thanks guys, I don’t know what I’d of done if…” he started to say, only to have Jay stop him by handing him his daughter.

“It ain’t nothing kid, we’re all family here,” he assured him with an easy going smile.

Washu was now eyeing the ship that hovered a few feet over the surface of the lake, appraising it with a calculating eye. “Looks like someone doesn’t like what you did to Zee, huh Tenchi?” she asked, confirming his suspicions.

He nodded as Mayuka played with the fringes of his armor, knowing that she could neither harm it or herself by doing so. “I thought so too, I never expected this though,” he agreed, finding Bravo nodding in agreement.

A high pitched whistling sound was heard, a twinkling point that was rapidly growing larger by the moment appearing directly overhead. “Aw crap…” moaned Jay, knowing well the only one insane enough to come in on a trajectory like that.

Tenchi and Washu didn’t waste a moment and headed back closer to the house, hoping the blonde wouldn’t be too injured by the impending collision and crash.

Standing closer to the house, they watched with rapt attention as Yukinojo made it’s suicide dive towards the lake, seemingly oblivious to the danger it was headed into.

Bridge of the Yukinojo…

“Mihoshi! We’re coming in much too fast again…are you listening to me? MIHOSHI!” shouted her long suffering AI, trying to pull her attention from the book she was reading.

“Hmm? What? I’m sorry, what was that again Yukinojo?” she asked sweetly, intense blue eyes looking at the computer’s sensor module that was extended from the ceiling of the ship’s bridge.

If the computer had eyes to roll, it would have done so. “I said, Mihoshi, that we’re coming in too fast again and that there is another ship in the way of our entry point into subspace,” it explained again, it’s main monitor displaying the graphic scenario about to play out.

“That’s funny, I don’t remember anyone asking clearance to come here. Are you SURE someone is parked there?” the detective asked, wondering if someone was coming by to surprise her.

“Yes Mihoshi, quite sure and in 12 seconds we’re going to collide with them,” he said in an exasperated tone.

“Really, well then I guess I’d better change directions then huh?” she said brightly, dropping her romance novel and taking control of her ship.

With a skill that few outside of the Galaxy Police and her friends knew of, she activated the lateral thrusters without altering their downward velocity. The ship cocked to the side and began a crab walk like maneuver as it knifed it’s way towards home.

The move would have easily taken the ship to the side of the intruders, and while still splashing into the lake, would not have collided with anything else. Instead, just as she leveled out her side crawl, proximity alarms blared throughout the ship, scaring the young officer as her AI called out the location of another ship that had been hidden from their sensors.

As Yukinojo changed course, a cloaked ship scrambled to get out of the path of the faster ship, unable to fully do so. Before either pilot could truly get a grasp of the situation, the two hulls seemed to meet with the screaming of metal and supports, with the smaller Yukinojo careening sideways directly into the ship it had originally attempted to avoid.

The onlookers could only gasp as the unlucky sequence of events played out before them. Yukinojo bounced like a pinball from one ship to the other then splashing down into the lake, sending a geyser of water hundreds of meters into the air.

The other two ships bore the brunt of having the fast ship acting as a cannonball, buckling and folding at the point of impact. With muffled explosions, venting of power subsystems and venting of air from within, they fell as well into the waters by the back of the Masaki home. The banks of the lake couldn’t contain the extra mass of the ships and were soon over flowed, flooding the well manicured grounds and all but washing away the docks.

Sighing heavily, Tenchi could only shake his head in shock and dismay. “Oh man, I hope she’s alright,” he said quietly, looking at the lake with trepidation.

“Mihoshi,” whispered Jay, eyes never leaving the roiling waters where she’d disappeared with her ship.

Washu was more practical, and far more used to her landings then either of the men, given the number of times she’d had to fix Yukinojo. Pinching the bridge of her nose with her forefinger and thumb, she only shook her head sadly, holding up a hand with three fingers extended.

One by one, she folded the fingers into the fist, until there were none. As if on cue, one very wet and thoroughly miserable Mihoshi appeared before them, completely uninjured.

“I’m wet…” she whined, holding her hands out in a disgusted manner to her sides as she looked at the small group of her friends.

Jay was the first to react, closing the distance between them and crushing the surprised woman into a hug, soaking himself but bringing a huge smile to her face.

“Wow, if this is how you react to me getting wet, I’ll have to do it more often,” she told him, returning the hug with enthusiasm, oblivious to the blush her words gave him.

It was all Tenchi and Washu could do to maintain their composure at her innocent yet dirty sounding exclamation, knowing it wasn’t worth the hassle to explain it to the big hearted woman.

“I love you, you know that?” asked Bravo, his voice muffled from burying his face into the side of her neck, giving her chills.

She almost purred her pleasure at his actions and words, “Yep, and I love you too…wanna help me change and take a bath?” she asked him shyly, suddenly VERY aware of their close proximity as well as company.

A high pitched shrieking giggle startled the friends, Mayuka expressing her joy at not only having Mihoshi home but the exciting events around her. Her little legs kicking as she rocked in her father’s arms, drew smiles from everyone, the tension lessening with the sound.

“It’s good to have you home Mihoshi, looks like you got here just in time too,” Washu said, eyeing the floating wreckage of the second hidden ship.

Mihoshi nodded and smiled at her, “Thanks Washu, it’s good to be home. I’m just glad I got those reactive shields installed on Yukinojo before I left headquarters. They sure helped when I bounced off those other two ships. Say, what were they doing here anyways?” she asked, remembering the series of events that had led to her crashing yet again.

Tenchi looked serious, lips drawn into a fine line. “I’m not sure, but a bunch of pirates just attacked us from the first ship…we didn’t even know about the second one until you hit it,” he told his friend.

Looking back at the house with a sadistic smile, Washu started to head back. “I know someone who will though and it’s time I had a little discussion with them,” she said darkly. The redheaded beauty opened her subspace door and stepped through, retreating to the depths of her lab.

“Hmm, I bet this has something to do with that report I got from headquarters a little while ago. They said that there was some unknown ships in the area and I should keep an eye out for them,” Mihoshi told Bravo and Tenchi, looking back at the lake.

Jay couldn’t help but chuckle, “Looks like you found’m. Don’t think they enjoyed the meeting much though,” he said sarcastically.

“C’mon you guys, let’s get inside and changed where it’s safer. We still don’t know if there’s anymore of those guys running around,” advised Tenchi, wondering if the other ship had landed men as well.

Bravo’s hand went to his pistol at the thought, eyeing the treeline around them quickly, as if expecting them to magically appear with the words. “Good point,” he agreed, knowing that Washu would have the house locked down now. ‘God help anyone dumb enough to test her defenses,’ he thought with a shudder, suddenly feeling slightly sorry for the men now in her lab.

Mihoshi felt the man shudder in her arms and tightened her grip around him, misinterpreting his shudder for being cold. “A nice hot bath is going to feel great. Hey, why’s your cloths all torn up?” she asked, realizing that he was already three quarters the way naked before she showed up.

Groaning slightly, they walked into the house, knowing it was going to be a long time explaining the situation to her.

Later that evening…

“So, I got the message and hurried home as quick as I could,” explained Mihoshi, sipping gracefully from the tea she was drinking.

Jay was leaning back on the couch, arms outstretched on the back, one hand idly playing with the long blonde tresses of Mihoshi as she explained her whole trip.

“It’s good to see that my inventions are being taken seriously over at Galaxy Police Headquarters. Those reactive shields I developed for them really came in handy huh?” smiled Washu, eye gleaming with pride about yet another of her inventions.

Tenchi managed to chuckle at the woman, knowing full well that her inventions were either exceedingly useful or extraordinarily dangerous…sometimes both. “They sure saved Yukinojo Little Washu,” he complimented her, earning him a warm smile.

“Why thank you Tenchi, it’s good to be appreciated,” she agreed.

“So, what do we do now? From what those guys told you, there’s more coming for Little May. We just gonna sit on our hands and wait for them? Seems kinda dumb to do that if you ask me,” Bravo chimed in, addressing the situation that no one seemed willing to discuss.

Tenchi’s face fell at the reminder of the danger they now faced. Though they had dispatched them, the cost could have been much worse. Even though they were now forewarned, they still had little information on who or how many would be coming next. “I dunno Bravo, I don’t like the idea of finding trouble,” he told his friend, not mentioning the fact that he didn’t like using the awesome powers at his command unless he had to.

What Tenchi hadn’t told anyone was the shocking feelings that came with the powers, or rather the lack of them. When he pulled on the powers of the goddesses, it was like he gave up a portion of what made him Tenchi, as if he was giving up being human to utilize the powers. It was an uncomfortable feeling for him, for he was used to being kind, warm and generous, not a cold calculating killer.

“Trouble already found us kid, we just gotta make sure they pay the price for bringing it,” countered Bravo, catching sight of his friends expression.

“Well, we could go to Galaxy Police with what we’ve found and see if they’d send some more ships to help patrol the sector. I’m sure they’d be willing to do that after what you did for everyone,” chimed in Mihoshi, leaning into Jay’s body.

Washu shook her head, a thoughtful expression. “No, that won’t be helpful. From what I was able to pull from their minds they’ve got people placed within the Galaxy Police and to some extent the Jurian forces as well. At least they believe they do. If they do or not remains to be seen but we can’t take that chance,” she told everyone, her mind working on the issue.

Tenchi frowned at the thought, worry for his daughter’s safety spiking a bit more. “Can’t you find out where they’re coming from? That way we can go and stop them from trying again without having to endanger anyone else,” he asked, not wanting to wait for the next strike, but not wanting to take risks with other’s lives either.

“I can try Tenchi, but they seem to be compartmentalized. A cell that doesn’t know the full extent of the operation. They simply may have no idea of who’s really in charge, just answering to the one that gives them orders,” Washu told him bluntly, knowing that the men wouldn’t give her much more then they had already.

“Tell you guys what, I’ll get in touch with my team and get them here. They’re damn good and know how to be quiet about stuff. Besides, they’re chomping at the bit to see some action again. They’d love the chance to do something besides sitting around. I’ll go give’m a call, okay?” Bravo offered, levering himself from the couch and Mihoshi’s warmth.

Tenchi smiled at his friend, nodding his approval. “Thanks Bravo, I’d appreciate that. We’ve got enough room here for them to stay and I’d feel better if we had a few more people to help out,” he thanked his friend.

Jay smiled crookedly at Tenchi, pulling his cell phone from it’s belt holster. “No problem kid,” he assured the younger man, walking out the front door to make the call.

The rest of the group was silent as he left, each in their own thoughts. It was Mihoshi that finally broke the silence, her blue eyes finding the green of Washu. “So, is it okay if I take in those guys now? They haven’t got anything else to tell us and they ARE criminals,” she told the scientist.

Washu nodded after thinking about it for a moment. “That’d be fine Mihoshi, just make sure you personally explain the situation to your grandfather. I don’t want them getting loose to warn their buddies,” she stipulated to her.

“No problem, I’ll sure grandfather will be more than happy to keep them for a while. They DID try to kidnap Mayuka and kill Tenchi, so he’s sure to be pretty angry about it,” the officer replied happily, grateful to get the pirates away from her extended family. She may not be super powered, but she did take her job very seriously and used whatever means necessary to protect the innocent and those she cared for.

Flexing her knuckles, the semi-transparent console she used to control her lab and experiments appeared before her. With a flourish of typing, the diminutive redhead transferred the prisoners from her lab to the cells aboard the Yukinojo. “There you go, all set. I’ve even sedated them for the trip so they don’t cause any problems for you,”

Mihoshi smiled happily at the woman, “Thanks Little Washu,” she replied.

A shout from outside silenced any further conversation, Bravo’s deep voicing booming. “Kid, get out here! We got company,” he told them, anger in his tone.

Meanwhile, Outside…

Cursing at his phone, Jay shook his head. “Global coverage my ass…shoulda switched carriers when I had the chance,” he muttered, looking in disgust at the display and it’s out of service area message.

Taking a deep breath, he started walking towards the front gates, hoping that a small change in location would get him some reception. As he moved to check his phone once more, his sharp eyes caught sight of a figure moving slowly through the shadows near the house.

Holstering his phone quietly, he pulled the sidearm he now carried with him all the time, and began to stalk his prey. They seemed intent on staying quiet and hidden from those in the house, not expecting someone to be coming up from the outside.

Using his skill and years of practice at it, he closed the distance to the figure with almost pure silence, weapon held in both hands down by his side. When the figure paused by a noise from within the house, Jay capitalized on the delay and finished closing the gap to the figures back.

The figure had a long ponytail and was wearing something that resembled light body armor, but no visible signs of a weapon. Not given to taking chances, Bravo struck before his could verify that it was hostile or friendly. ‘A buddy ain’t gonna be pulling a peeping tom,’ he thought as a way to justify his actions.

His left hand released it’s supporting grasp on the pistol and jerked the ponytail backwards as his right hand brought the pistol up to the back of the person’s head. In a split second he’d caught the person off guard and now had them off balanced and a weapon pressed against the base of the figure’s neck.

“You so much as twitch and you’re a headless freak,” he growled, taking a step back and almost stumbling the unknown person, their body held by the hair in an awkward angle backwards.

“Kid, get out here! We got company” he shouted to his friends inside, needing assistance to properly secure his new prisoner.

He could hear the stomping of running feet coming towards him as a woman’s voice came from the figure. “You’ve no idea what you’re doing,” she told him calmly.

He smiled crookedly, “I think I do, after all I got you didn’t I?” he goaded her, kicking the back of her knee and shoving forwards with his left hand. She grunted in pain and surprise at the harsh action, her hair being pulled roughly by his movements.

With his right knee now in the center of her back, he pulled his left arm out so that he could see her face, frowning slightly as he did. “I know you,” he muttered, struggling to place her face.

She tried to capitalize on his distraction by moving with his left arm and sending her right elbow back into his thigh. A rewarding grunt of pain was heard as she struck true, causing her to briefly smile, though it was short lived.

She’d expected him to maintain the hold on the gun, not her hair. Using her movements to his advantage, he continued her momentum and sent them both crashing to the moist grass, her head slamming hard into the earth.

A crushing weight was sudden slammed onto her upper torso, cruelly crushing her breasts beneath the body armor, leaving her gasping for breath. As she opened her eyes again, she found herself looking up into the cold eyes of the man that had captured her, now covering her body with his.

Moving his right arm up to the side of her jaw, he forced her head to the side and leaned into the hold, once more jerking her hair. “Try that again and I’m gonna enjoy hurtin’ you,” he warned her, pressing her jaw a bit harder with his right forearm.

“Bravo! You okay?” asked Tenchi, seeing the man pinning someone to the ground. He held the Tenchi-ken in his right hand, the bright blue blade casting dim illumination on the struggle.

“Yeah, caught her checking out the house and decided to talk to her about. Why the hell was she able to get past Washu’s defenses?” he asked harshly, though he loosened his hold as Mihoshi started to bind the woman’s hands.

The woman didn’t fight the action, but sat in silence as they talked, her body going almost limp as the two officers worked to bind her.

“I don’t know, they’re programmed to only let us, the Galaxy Police and the Jurian’s through,” growled Washu, checking her defenses and finding that they were still active and untripped.

There was a rushing of wind that sudden beat down on everyone, and a roaring of an outraged dragon echoed throughout the hills.

“That’s because we were SENT by Jurai,” Sheia calmly told them, sending her dragon a calming thought before it tried to eat the one’s she was sent to protect.

Tenchi slowly turned and looked up into the glittering and intelligent eyes of a very annoyed Star Dragon perched on the roof of his house. “Oh boy,” he swallowed, smiling at the creature and giving it a timid wave.

“It’s good to see you again Lord Tenchi,” the vaagard warrior told him as Bravo released the hold on her and helped her to her feet.

Realization clicked in Jay’s mind, finally remembering where he’d seen her before. “You’re the one from the palace back when we were there, protecting Ayeka,” he said with a snap of his fingers.

Washu groaned slightly, fingers rubbing her temples in a vain attempt to stave off a tension headache. “You should have let us know you were coming, it would have saved a lot of trouble,” she said in a tired tone.

Sheia nodded, but shrugged. “We did send messages to Yukinojo, but got no response. We thought that something might have happened and decided to send in a couple of riders to find out the situation before we brought in Ryo-Oh,” she explained to them, looking meaningfully down at her cuffs then back to Mihoshi.

Holding them up, “Do you mind? We ARE on the same side,” she told the blonde.

“Huh? Oh, I’m so sorry…but you really shouldn’t sneak up on us like that. You could have really gotten hurt,” she told the woman, unlocking her wrists and replacing the manacles within her interdimensional space where all her equipment was stored.

Rubbing her wrists, she smiled ruefully at Bravo and nodded in respect to him. “It’s not everyday I’m bested like that, I look forward to seeing what you’re capable of when I’m prepared,” she complimented him.

“Yeah, maybe another time, but we’ll see. Right now, I just wanna know what you guys are doing here,” he asked her, picking back up his weapon and returning it to the holster.

Sheia nodded at him, “One moment, I’ll let Ryo-Oh know it’s safe to land now. All will be explained then, if that’s alright with Lord Tenchi,” she said deferentially.

He blinked at the woman for a moment, not used to people asking his permission to do anything. “Oh, I don’t mind at all. Why don’t you come in and get something to drink?” he asked, hanging his sword back on his belt.

She smiled at him almost shyly, but nodded her acceptance. “I would appreciate that. If you will excuse me a moment,” the woman said, bringing her fist to her heart before taking a few steps from the group and signaling the ship that it was now cleared for docking within Washu’s portal.

Washu almost glared at the woman, but changed her expression before anyone could notice her hostility. “Looks like something bigger than we know is happening Tenchi,” she told him.

“Why do you say that Little Washu?” he asked, watching as Ayeka’s ship slowly descended from the heavens before entering into the subspace garage Washu had built for visitor such as this.

Pointing to the approaching figures, she shook her head and smiled. “Because they wouldn’t send both Funaho and Misaki if it wasn’t something significant,” she chuckled, taking a couple of steps backwards for safety.

Tenchi never knew what hit him, only that he felt a crushing warmth that sent him hurtling into the ground, tightly encased in a pair of loving but overly strong arms.

“TENCHI!” cried the happy former Queen of Jurai, crushing the young man affectionately.

It was all Bravo could do not to laugh or attract attention to himself at his predicament. Sidling up next to Washu, he shook his head. “I’m thinking a vacation is in order,” he whispered.

Washu nodded, tugging on his arm and pointing to where Mihoshi had gotten too close to the pair for her own good in an attempt to help Tenchi. With a muffled cry, she too was shown the love from Misaki, turning her a lovely shade of blue.

Funaho walked with Sheia towards them, a gentle smile on her face. “It’s been too long since we’ve last talked Little Washu,” she said.

“It’s good to see you too Little Funaho, let’s get inside and leave your guards to save Tenchi and Mihoshi,” she offered, beginning to walk backwards after seeing that Misaki had released a now unconscious Mihoshi and was looking around for someone else to hug.

Sheia glared at the woman as if in betrayal but said nothing. ‘I’d rather be fighting pirates with a spoon,’ she thought, steeling herself for the rescue attempt on the two unfortunate people.

Inside the house, a little while later…

Tenchi had brought Mayuka down to visit with the Queen’s, both because they wished to see her as well as that it would keep the energetic Misaki from crushing him from consciousness once more.

“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” Tenchi told them, his brow furrowed at the thought of leaving his home once more for space.

“It’s not that we wish to force you to decide to do so Tenchi, just that it would be safer if you were behind Jurian forces should these pirates choose to attack again,” Funaho explained to him, smiling at the little girl in Misaki’s arms.

“Exactly. I know you are more than capable of protecting your family as well as yourself, we just want to help by assisting in what ways we can,” seconded Misaki, cooing at Mayuka.

Mayuka was having a joyous time with all the attention being lavished on her by the two ladies. She was singing in a nonsensical voice and giggling as Misaki echoed her sounds.

Tenchi smiled at the scene, an ache splitting his heart as an unfounded anger surprised him. ‘That should be Ryoko there and not Misaki,’ his mind told him petulantly, an irrational thought to accompany the irrational feeling.

Shaking his head, he gave them a sad smile. “I just don’t think going back into space right now is what we need. It’s…it hasn’t been that long since, well…I just don’t want to go right now,” he told them, finding that the pain of her loss was still too close to the surface.

Funaho looked at the young man as he quietly endured his pain, a sympathetic expression on her face. “I cannot begin to understand the loss you must be going through Tenchi, but I wish that you would allow us to help you. There are still many people that care so much for you, all you have to do is let them help,” she told him softly.

Without meaning to, he found tears coming unbidden to his eyes, but he was unable to speak past the burning lump in his throat. Looking away from the concern in her face, he swallowed several times to get past his choked up emotions.

A firm hand on his shoulder let him know that Bravo had crossed the room to his side. “They may have a point kid, it ain’t like this place is easiest to defend, even when we know that they’re coming. You gotta remember that Sasami and your grandpa are still out there too, they’d be thrilled to see you,” he offered, knowing how reclusive he’d become since returning to Earth.

Looking up at the man, he searched his face, as if expecting answers to be forth coming. “Maybe you’re right, I mean Dad can’t really defend himself and if I left he wouldn’t have to worry about stuff like that,” he allowed, beginning to show cracks in his resolve to stay isolated.

Mihoshi looked torn as to what to say or do. She’d grown quite accustomed to the unique family unit that had formed since they’d returned, and though she didn’t want it to end she did understand that it wasn’t healthy for Tenchi to continue on the way he’d been doing.

“I could ask Headquarters if I could be assigned to you while you’re gone Tenchi, that way we don’t have to be separated. I’m sure they won’t mind,” she offered to him, smiling helpfully.

He returned the expression, finding a warmth inside him from her offer. For all her clumsiness and the amount of accidents that occurred to her, he’d come to depend on her sunny disposition and unquestioning acceptance of them all. “Thanks Mihoshi, that’d be great,” he told her, enjoying the smile of importance his words had given her.

Sheia watched the interaction carefully, still amazed that this boy was the one that had not only destroyed Zee, but had killed her goddess. He showed such weakness and indecision, it amazed the warrior the difference she’d witnessed in him from then to now. ‘It’s as if he’s two separate people,’ she thought, her eyes finding his face once more.

“Well, I’ve still got to deliver those prisoners to the transport, but it won’t be here until tomorrow evening. You want to leave then?” asked Mihoshi, eager to get underway once more. It wasn’t everyday that she got to get back together with her other friends since they’d all drifted apart at the end of the war.

Tenchi caught the woman that Bravo had fought with staring at him again, making him feel more than a bit uncomfortable. He recognized her armor but her wasn’t sure he’d seen her before. As she looked quickly away, he wondered about her for a moment before turning and answering the question. “That sounds good Mihoshi, I’ve got a couple of things to take care of here before we go anyways. I can’t just leave the shrine unattended, and with Grandpa gone I’m going to need to call one of the other shrines to have someone come down here for us,” he agreed, finding that it didn’t hurt like he’d thought it would to be leaving once more.

Ryo-Ohki jumped onto his head, a happy expression on her little face at the thought of taking to space once more. She loved flying around with both him and Ryoko, and even though she missed her long time companion, she still looked forwards to traveling with Tenchi again.

Petting the cabbit affectionately, Tenchi chuckled at her enthusiasm. “I’ll make sure to bring in the early harvest for you as well Ryo-Ohki, can’t have you making that long trip without your carrots, now can we?” he teased her.

Misaki smiled happily at the thought of having them join them back on Jurai, it had been too long since the palace had children running around it. ‘Although Ayeka is getting closer to the birth of her child,’ she thought dreamily, headily anticipating the blessed event. “Did you hear that? You’re coming to stay with your Aunt Misaki…oh yes you are,” she said in a sing-song voice to the little girl.

Funaho groaned slightly at her words, knowing that she was apt to spoil the child beyond redemption given half the chance, but relieved nonetheless that Tenchi was going to accompany them home. She’d feel better if both he and Mayuka were better protected, given how much was riding on the man’s capable shoulders.

“You don’t mind if an old man tagged along would ya? It’d get a mite too quiet around here without you guys,” Bravo asked with a crooked smile, looking at Mihoshi from the corner of his eye.

She blinked in surprise at the man, having fully expected him to come with her no matter what. They’d hardly spent any time apart unless her duty with Galaxy Police demanded it and even then he’d managed to sneak along with her more than once. “I thought you’d be coming with me,” she said in a disappointed tone, shocked sadness in her eyes.

Jay walked over to the woman, finding that he just couldn’t help himself when she looked so vulnerable. Giving her a crooked smile, he took her hands in his. “Just making sure you ain’t getting tired of me yet,” he assured her.

Narrowing her beautiful blue eyes at him, she smiled mischievously. “We’ll see who’s tired later,” she promised him, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly, her tongue finding it’s way into his mouth.

Tenchi looked away from the affectionate couple, used to their displays but not wanting to torture himself with watching their happiness. Once more he caught the Vaagard woman eyeing him, a slight blush on her face at being caught this time. ‘Why does she keep staring at me?’ he asked himself, wondering if she held some type of grudge against him for his actions during the war.

Sheia had found it hard to watch the couple as well, and turned to find out what Tenchi was thinking. She hadn’t meant for their eyes to meet and cursed herself for both getting caught as well as turning hastily away. ‘Why am I acting like a child before him?’ she growled to herself, a frown settling on her face at the thought.

“We’ll let you take care of your affairs then. It’s time we retired for the night Misaki,” Funaho told her co-wife, rising to her feet gracefully

Looking dejected by the thought of having to give up Mayuka, Misaki also rose before handing Tenchi his daughter. “Would you like to have breakfast with us in the morning?” she asked him.

Mayuka’s little arms reached for her father, fingers grasping anxiously to be in his arms. As he cuddled her close, she leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed happily, a little smile on her cute face.

The picture brought smiles to everyone in the room, seeing a father and daughter so ingrained with one another. “Sure, you want me to cook for you?” asked Tenchi quietly, bouncing lightly to lull Mayuka further into the sleep that was beckoning her.

“That would be wonderful! Thank you,” Misaki told him, eyes sparkling at the thought of a home cooked breakfast.

“It’d be my pleasure,” Tenchi told her, blushing slightly at how happy she was at the thought of his cooking. ‘I’m no Sasami but I’ll do my best,’ he thought, knowing his skills in the kitchen had greatly increased.

The next day…

“Well, take care of yourself Tenchi,” Nobiyuki told his son, first shaking his hand then giving him a hug.

“I will Dad, you too. Try not to annoy your secretary too much,” he teased his father, knowing how close they were.

Smiling crookedly, his father nodded and stepped back from the young man. He watched in silence as Tenchi, Bravo and Mihoshi walked to where the ruins of the dock were.

“They’ll be fine,” said Washu quietly, slightly startling the man with her sudden appearance.

He looked down at the woman, unsure of why she was here and not travelling with the others. “Why aren’t you going with them?” he asked.

She smiled slightly, her eyes going distant as they went from the departing trio to the blue skies above them. “There’s an experiment that I have to double check before I go, a very important one,” she answered absently.

The man nodded, knowing better than to inquire about the nature of any of her experiments lest he become the focus for one.

With a shimmering, the three people disappeared from sight, safely aboard the Yukinojo and on the way back to the confines of the Empire of Jurai.

“Yukinojo, make sure you stay with Ryo-Oh,” admonished Mihoshi, taking her seat at the controls but letting the ship deal with the mundane tasks of exiting the Terra system.

“Affirmative Detective Mihoshi. Should I contact Headquarters as well and give them our ETA?” asked the ship, engaging the overpowered engines to match the speed of the treeship.

“Hmmm, I guess so. I let them know I was leaving last night and why, so they should be up to date, but go ahead just in case,” she answered thoughtfully.

Tenchi leaned back into the comfortable seats that had been installed on the small bridge of the police ship. “Wow Yukinojo, they sure made some improvements on you since the last time. They’re really nice,” complimented the young man, smiling at the AI’s appendage on the bridge.

Several lights lit up at the man’s compliments, the voice sounding pleased with itself as well. “Why thank you Tenchi, I thought so as well,” it answered.

Bravo entered onto the bridge from the rear of the ship, carrying a tray with cups and a few plates of snacks. “Any one hungry? They sure decked out this place. Don’t worry Yukinojo, I’ll make sure Mihoshi cleans up after herself this time,” he nodded to the AI, knowing how sensitive he was about the mess Mihoshi usually left in her wake.

“Not to worry, I was also updated with a state of the art housekeeping system after Mihoshi succeeded in clogging then disintegrating the last one. I am now fully capable and automated in my sanitary functions, though your concern is appreciated,” the ship answered, everyone giving a chuckle at the memory of the ‘Cupcake Incident’ as it had come to be known.

Taking his seat next to Mihoshi, Jay turned and looked to where Tenchi was sitting, absently petting Ryo-Ohki in his lap. “So, what’s the story with that chick with the dragon? She’s been cutting eyes at you since yesterday,” he asked bluntly, smiling at the younger man’s slight blush.

Mihoshi looked over at her friend as well, having wondered about Sheia but unable to find out much about her beyond her background with the Vaagard and actions during the goddess war.

“I dunno to the tell you the truth, she just keeps staring at me. I thought I might have done something to her during…well, you remember, but it’s not that. She was the one assigned to Tokimi when she was on Jurai, other than that I can’t tell you,” he said with a shrug, looking slightly troubled by the woman’s actions as well.

Bravo handed Mihoshi a cup of tea, getting a smile of gratitude in response, before he spoke his thoughts. “She may be looking at you as a man…you know, like someone she might be interested in. Face it kid, you ARE the single most powerful warrior out here, and with her being a part of that clan of warriors…well, she may be thinking about settling down with you,” he told him, taking a sip of his own tea.

Tenchi could only look at the man incredulously, “Come on! Why would she think that? She don’t even know me,” he said defensively, his voice rising slightly.

Holding up a hand, Bravo shook his head. “Hey, just giving you my two cents on it. I’ve been around the block a couple of times and I’m telling you that she’s interested. I guess the question for you is, what’re you gonna do about?” he asked his friend seriously.

For long moments there was no answer, Tenchi’s face distant as his mind strayed as it always did to a beautiful woman with amber eyes and cyan hair. “I don’t think I’m ready to do anything about it. I’m just not interested,” he said quietly, his heart still aching from the loss.

Nodding sympathetically, Jay leaned forwards. “I ain’t saying ya gotta kid, just that you might want to think about it in case she decides to make a play for you. She’s a looker and right now she’s looking at you. You’ve been torturing yourself for months, it ain’t healthy for you…or Mayuka. We all gotta move on sometime Tenchi,” he told him softly, voice full of concern.

Mihoshi leaned against the man, watching Tenchi wrestle with his sorrow and grief, still as prevalent as it had been those months ago. “He’s kinda right Tenchi, Ryoko loved you so much, but she wouldn’t have wanted you to waste away because of her. Maybe you should think about going out and having fun or something. You haven’t done anything but work and train since we got back, I’m getting kinda worried about you,” added the big hearted woman, wanting to see the happy, smiling Tenchi she’d adored for so long.

Tenchi’s eyes became misty at their words, feelings of guilt washing over him at the thought of spending time with another woman. “I just…I just can’t…not right now. It’s too hard to explain, but it just doesn’t feel right,” he said thickly, his voice choking up with emotions.

The blonde woman was up and next to him almost immediately, arms encircling him and holding him close as the dam broke and he began to quietly cry into her shoulder. With sad eyes she looked back at the man she loved and found him with a guilt stricken expression at the reaction Tenchi was having. Giving him a reassuring smile, she soothed the heartbroken man in her arms, motioning for Jay to come closer as well.

“I’m sorry kid, I’ve been exactly where you’re at and didn’t want you to suffer like I did, that’s all. You ain’t gotta do nothing you ain’t ready for,” he told his friend, memories of his dead wife and child coming back to him as well. It’d taken over a year for him to get past the loss of the woman he loved, a rather dark time for him as he struggled to find meaning in life without the person that had given it meaning.

Onboard Ryo-Oh…

Funaho sat before the console, her hand idly playing with one of her long tails of hair that cascaded down the side of her face as she read the intelligence reports from her office on Jurai. “Misaki, please come here a moment,” she called, looking over her shoulder to where the other woman was admiring the sleeping Mayuka in her crib.

Walking with an uncommon grace, the woman reached Funaho’s side with a questioning look. “What is it?” she asked, taking a seat next to her co-wife.

Pointing to the display before her, she waited for the woman to finish reading it in it’s entirety before discussing it with her. Seeing Misaki’s eyes widen and a hand covering her mouth, she nodded sagely. “It would appear that these pirate remnants are going to extreme’s to try and wrest some control from us, including using Tenchi,” she said quietly, anger an under current in her tone.

Misaki’s eyes flashed as she reread the message, committing passages to memory. “I’ll kill them personally. I will hunt them to the ends of the galaxy, killing everyone that ever loved them,” she spat, her anger spilling over her control.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, Funaho tried to calm her. “They’re only planning Misaki, and they don’t know we have both Tenchi and Mayuka with us now. I suggest that we bring this to his attention as soon as possible. I have an idea, but it needs to undertaken with finesse, not brute force and I can think of none more capable then him,” she told her.

Taking a deep breath, Misaki looked over her shoulder to the sleeping child, oblivious to the fact that a group of people wished to kill her for no other reason then who her father was. “Tenchi needs to know,” she agreed quietly, patting the hand on her shoulder affectionately, then turning her gaze back to the woman.

“I will speak with him about leaving Mayuka with us until this is dealt with. There is no place safer for her to be then with us at the moment. I will use EVERY asset at my disposal to ensure her safety,” she vowed, clenching her fist protectively.

Funaho smiled grimly, understanding the sentiment completely. “I would pity them had they not deserved what Tenchi will do to them for even attempting this madness. No Misaki, I eagerly anticipate his punishment upon them,” she said darkly, memories of what he’d done outside the palace still looming large in her mind’s eye.

The next day, on the border of Jurain space…

“Ryo-Oh, this is Royal Treeship Kurasawa, welcome home,” said a formal voice over the communications.

Misaki smiled widely as she looked with surprise over to Funaho. “Admiral Watanabe? Is that you?” she asked happily.

The man chuckled from his command chair, shaking his head at having been recognized, though in truth it didn’t surprise him. “That’s affirmative your highness, good to hear your voice again,” he answered looking over to his wife, Nicci Watanabe, who was seated nearby.

“What are you doing aboard a Tree Ship Admiral? I thought you retired after the war,” asked Funaho, ever the calm presence.

“That, my lady, is a long story, one that would best be told in the presence of our esteemed guest, for it directly concerns him,” he answered, his face losing some of it’s light as he thought again of what had brought him from retirement.

The two women looked at one another curiously for a moment, wondering what else had transpired in the few days they’d been gone. “Very well, we will rendezvous with you at the forward base on Malik,” answered Funaho, motioning for Misaki to raise Yukinojo and inform them of the change in plans.

Hideki smiled at her voice, seeing that Nicci had already laid in the course and signaled the other ships to take up convoy positions along with them. He watched the 30 ship contingent move lumberously through space, surrounding Ryo-Oh and Yukinojo in a veritable shield of ships and firepower. ‘If they try anything here, they’re in for a rude awakening,’ he thought with pride, resting back into his chair.

A few hours later, in orbit around Malik…

Tenchi and his friends materialized within the Jurain base, looking troubled at the sudden change of course with little explanation. Seeing that Admiral Watanabe was there only strengthened the uncomfortable feelings he’d been having.

“It’s good to see you again, how have you been?” Tenchi asked the man with a smile, bowing slightly to the older man.

Hideki returned the bow, going lower than Tenchi did out of respect for him and all he’d done during the war. Though his power troubled him, he couldn’t deny that it had been that very power that had helped save many lives of his fleet those horrible days of the war. “Very well, thank you for asking. Please, I know you must be troubled by the sudden turn of events. If you would please follow me, I’ll dispense with the formalities and get to the heart of the matter,” he said, motioning towards a large briefing room.

With Bravo and Mihoshi taking up the spots next to him, he felt slightly better, though unable to meet the violet eyes of Sheia. ‘She can’t really be interested in me,’ he thought, finding the Admiral and locking his eyes there.

Sheia had escorted the former Queen’s into the room along with 12 of her fellow warriors, remaining standing behind them as everyone took seats. It left her in a position directly across the table from Tenchi and his friends, a fact that she used to truly study him, watch his movements. A strange sensation echoed within her at the sight of him, something powerful and dangerous resonating deep inside her. The fact that he was obviously avoiding her eyes made her smile, making her feel somewhat superior to the man. ‘For all his power, I make him uncomfortable, how intriguing,’ she thought.

Seeing that everyone had been seated and was now looking at him expectantly, he nodded and the lights dimmed. “Yesterday morning Jurain intelligence in conjunction with Galaxy Police intercepted a ship and crew coming from the Terra system. Upon capture of the ship and interrogation of it’s crew it was discovered that they were the remains of a small force sent to kidnap Mayuka Masaki. From what we were able to make of their plans, they intended to use her to force Tenchi Masaki to fight the Royal forces in several outlying systems. By doing so, they hoped to break the control Jurai had over the systems and install themselves as the ruling body, thereby creating a ‘Pirate Kingdom’, if you will,” he stated bluntly, pointing to several blinking systems on the outskirts of a map of the Empire of Jurai.

Nodding slightly, Tenchi’s face was dark at the mention of the plans for his daughter, though he said nothing. Bravo whistled low through his teeth at the thought, leaning closer to Tenchi as he did.

“At least now we know WHY they were coming after Little May, huh?” he said quietly, drawing a nod from the young man.

Closing down the map, Hideki opened another display that showed several diagrams of the newest generation of Treeships and their weaknesses. “This was also taken from their computer systems. It seems that during the war they were able to gather this intelligence on our most recent designs and how to effectively destroy them. A fact that was never put into play, thank Tsunami,” he said quietly, wondering how many of the new ships would’ve been destroyed had the chance arisen.

Sheia looked at the screen in shock, knowing all to well where that information had come from, though not how they’d gotten a hold of it. Stepping forwards, she tapped Funaho on the shoulder, whispering quickly into her ear, explaining her personal knowledge of the information.

The woman’s face showed slight annoyance and anger at the news, though she didn’t lose her temper over it. “Excuse me, Admiral, I’ve just been informed of something interesting,” she said, glancing back at a stone faced Sheia.

Standing, the woman walked to the front of the room before continuing. “It would seem that the Vaagard were hired by agents within the council on behalf of Tokimi some time BEFORE the arrival of the pirates, in anticipation of the start of hostilities. Once events began to unfold, the Vaagard were able to pull the information from the lead of development through…forceful means,” she told everyone, her eyes locking with Sheia’s.

Not looking away from the woman, Funaho shook her head. “However, Tokimi was unaware of the sudden change in allegiance by her dragon riders, and thus was unable to truly use this information to the greatest benefit…or perhaps that was her scheme all along. We may never know the full extent of her plans, what we do know is this. These pirates are going to use whatever means necessary to achieve what they desire, no matter the cost to those around them. They must be stopped, and stopped for good,” she finished in an even tone.

Watanabe stepped closer to the woman, nodding his agreement. “Indeed, in fact it seems that we are once more allied with the Galaxy Police in this matter. In light of this information they have agreed to supply us with a small force of ships that would render any advantage held by the pirates over our ships null. They should be arriving within the next 24 hours or so, along with what information they were able to garner from what Detective Mihoshi and the goddess Washu also sent from the attack on Tenchi at his home,” he furthered, nodding in thanks to the blonde woman.

Mihoshi waved, “It wasn’t really anything…Washu got them to talk, I just delivered them into custody,” she said with a happy shrug.

Watanabe looked over at Tenchi, giving him a friendly smile. “Is your family being looked after on Earth?” he asked directly, making sure they’d covered all possible targets from the pirates.

Tenchi nodded, looking over to Bravo. “Yes, I have some friends staying with my father while we take care of this matter. With Mayuka with Funaho and Misaki, that just left my father. The pirates haven’t seen him to the best of our knowledge, but we had to make sure just in case,” he told the man.

“If anything happens my boys’ll give your people in system a shout, don’t worry,” Bravo said.

Watanabe took a deep breath and released it, placing both hands on the table. “What we’re going to do isn’t going to be public knowledge. In fact, if we can eliminate the leaders of this upstart group and get out with no one being the wiser, well…let’s just say I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it,” he told everyone.

Jay looked around the table at the gathered people before speaking, making sure he wasn’t going to be stepping on anyone’s figurative toes. “I’ve got a question for you then. If you want this done quiet and behind the scenes, I’m guessing that you aren’t going to stage a massive invasion force, right? You’ve got the intel on the general locations and such, but not the specifics. Wouldn’t it make more sense to send in a small force to do the recon before you try to hit them where they live?” he asked, his hands moving as he spoke.

Watanabe smiled at the former soldier from Earth, nodding his approval of his thoughts. “My thoughts exactly, which is why I included you in this discussion. Given your actions behind enemy lines during the war and the successes you had, I had hoped to utilize you once more. I’ve been assembling a team already from both Jurain and Galaxy Police forces, but I’d like you to take control of this aspect of the mission,” he told the man.

Smiling, Bravo shook his head. “Shoulda known you didn’t want me along for my looks, but you got your man. How long do we have to get prepped?” he answered, feeling the subtle undercurrent of excitement in his veins once more.

“Two weeks after the rest of your new team shows up. I’ll be sure that you have all our latest intelligence as you get used to working with one another. Will that be long enough?” asked Hideki.

Closing his eyes, his mind did some quick calculations on what he did and didn’t know, both about the mission and the men he’d be going with. Nodding slowly, he opened his eyes once more. “Yeah, should be…your guys were pretty well trained from what I saw last time out. My concern has to do with how much time we’re giving the other guys to figure out what we’re up to. The quicker we move, the better off we’re going to be. We’ve got the upper hand at the moment, but we don’t know for sure how much longer that’s going to be true. It may have to be moved up whether we like it or not,” he advised, used to working with unreasonable deadlines.

“Agreed, I’ll leave the operational side to you. If you feel that you’re ready, then you launch when you say so. We don’t want this to be a public spectacle or a media circus, we’ve suffered enough from the war as it is. We just want the snake beheaded, everything else will fall into line should we accomplish that,” Watanabe said darkly, slowly retaking his seat.

Funaho looked at everyone before speaking once more. “I suggest we retire until the others arrive. Take the time to reflect on what is at stake and go over any other possible needs before they get here. Once they’ve arrived, things will be hectic and details could get over looked in the face of getting the mission accomplished. I’m sure all of you understand that nothing that was discussed can leave this room. There are many lives in the balance here, lives that are very precious to all of us,” she told them all.

Hideki Watanabe stood and bowed to the woman in respect. “You are correct my lady, though I have both the utmost faith and trust in those here. They will not let us down,” he responded.

“Very well then, let us adjourn this meeting until the rest of the recon and assault team get here. In the mean time I’ll ensure that everyone gets the intelligence to review so that we can put our collective efforts in unison. Thank you,” Funaho said, also taking her feet as she dismissed the meeting.

As everyone filed from the room, Tenchi was stopped by a gentle touch on his arm. Turning, he met the dark eyes of his great grandmother. “Hmm, yes?” he asked politely, feeling vaguely uncomfortable with the woman. Though they’d mended the strained relationship, he was still unsure of where he stood with the royal family.

Waiting until they were alone before speaking, she gave the young man a warm smile. “I know this hasn’t been easy for you Tenchi, especially given what you went through for everyone the last time. I just wanted to personally tell you that I would give my life before anyone is allowed to lay a finger upon your daughter. My husband my not have been understanding about her heritage, but that isn’t something that carries weight with Misaki or I. You have been and will always family to us Tenchi, we will not leave you to the fates again,” she promised him sincerely.

Tenchi stood there in stunned silence for long moments, unsure of what to say in light of such a declaration from the woman. He’d never expected to be welcomed within the family again, especially given how Azusa had reacted to both his grandfathers and his stances before the war. To have the woman not only declare him to be a member in good standing but that she would personally oversee Mayuka’s protection overwhelmed him.

A warmth seeped into him as he could only nod at her, feeling it eat away at the cold emptiness that had gripped his soul so deeply. “Thank you Lady Funaho, I can’t tell you how much that means to me,” he said quietly.

She smiled at him, then surprised him with a gentle hug. “You don’t have to Tenchi,” Funaho told him softly, releasing him and walking to where she and Misaki were quartered.

Later that night…

Darkness swallowed him, pulling him downward into it’s unfathomable depths. He struggled to scream, clawing at his throat as the darkness poured in his mouth like water. Cold, unrelenting and bone deep crept into him, stealing his will to fight and numbing him to the danger.

He could feel his life ebbing away from him even as his mind screamed at him to fight back, to call on his powers to end this and banish the darkness back into it’s foul recesses. Anger, thick and hot, clouded his already dim vision, spurring his weakening body to action.

With a primal scream of rage and defiance he flared his powerful aura outwards, shredding the darkness that had engulfed him and revealing the horrors of the world around him.

His eyes were wide, jaw slack as he gazed around the blasted and destroyed landscape, a world of his own creation. Bodies, both intact and blasted apart, littered the ground around him for as far as his eyes could see. The ground he stood upon was scorched and blackened with the exception of large pools of rapidly congealing blood that seeped from beneath the hundreds of thousands of bodies.

A foul wind blew across the hellish land, bringing the stink of death and mad whispers that chewed at the edges of his sanity. He struggled to close his eyes, hands covering his ears from the maddening whispers that called to him, accusing him, blaming him…damning him.

Turning, he began to run, pushing his legs hard though they felt as if encased in molten lead. His mind tried to rationalize the horrific sights and sounds, telling him that this surely must be a dream, yet his emotions carried him. With painful slowness he moved, each step seeming to take an eternity and not taking him near far enough away.

A hand reached up, bursting through the ground and grasping for his ankle. He once more struggled to scream at the sight of the burned and decayed hand, trying in vain to jump over it, only to find a small forest of hands reaching for him. Tripping, stumbling and in some cases crawling, he tried to escape them, finding more and more of them appearing around him.

As they bore him to the ground, a lone hand appeared above him, reaching for him. With a lunge that bore with it all of his terrified strength and power, he clutched to it, pulling it to him and by proxy allowing him to pull from the hands that sought to bring him down.

A crushing weight pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe, a physical pain that superceded the emotion turmoil he was experiencing.

With a gasping breath, he sat bolt upright in bed, the weight shifting from his chest to his lap as he gave a strangled sounding cry. His eyes were wide and staring, though for a moment he could only see the hell of his dream, reality taking it’s time reasserting itself for him.

As the weight began to move on his lap, Tenchi managed not to jump up from the bed, but he still managed to scoot enough to almost throw them both from his bunk.

“Wha?” he asked, his voice scratching and hoarse from screaming, looking down at the person that was struggling to sit up in his lap.

“You’re stronger than you look, but that’s to be expected I suppose,” said Sheia, rubbing her cheek tenderly.

He blinked at her several times, before his eyes narrowed as he realized where she was. “What are you doing here?” he asked quietly, corralling his anger tightly.

Moving from her position on his, she got back to her feet and resheathed a wicked looking blade to loose scabbard on her hip. Giving him a stern look, she placed her hands on her hips. “You were screaming in your sleep, I came in to make sure you were okay. When I reached out to wake you up, you grabbed my arm and pulled me into bed with you. Your other hand caught me on the cheek as I was falling, made me see stars you hit me so hard,” Sheia told him bluntly, her hand once more touching her bruised cheek.

Tenchi had the good grace to blush as he looked at her, fleeting memories of his nightmare coming to him, showing him that her story wasn’t just plausible, but entirely too credible for his liking. “I’m, uh…sorry. I was having a nightmare,” he said quietly, unable to meet her eyes.

There was a thudding of many feet from the corridor only moments before the door burst open and Bravo threw himself into the room, his sidearm already out as his eyes swept the room. Behind him were 2 other men dressed in Galaxy Police uniforms, also in similar stances.

Seeing Sheia in her sleeping clothes standing before a very sweaty Tenchi gave the man pause. “Something you wanna tell us kid?” he asked neutrally, not lowering the weapon.

Sheia glared at the man but said nothing, fighting the urge to pull her blade and show the man some manners.

Shaking his head, Tenchi’s blush deepened. “No! I had a nightmare and must’ve screamed or something, she just came in to make sure everything was alright,” he clarified for them, looking embarrassed by the whole situation.

Slowly the men relaxed, lowering weapons and giving one another knowing smiles and nods before disappearing back into the hallway. Jay paused at the door frame and gave them a smile. “Next time, you two might wanna find a more discreet place to have nightmares…okay?” he said with a wink, shutting the door before either of them could respond.

Her face went crimson at the insinuation, hand twitching on the hilt of her knife as if preparing to throw it through the door at the man. “That insufferable…” she ground out through clenched teeth.

Tenchi swung the covers off him and got to his feet, tapping the small lamp next to his bed. “He just likes to tease, he knows nothing happened,” Tenchi told her, giving her an embarrassed smile.

Turning her face back to his, she looked at him with an incredulous expression. “You mean he’s ALWAYS like this?” she asked.

“Well, not always, but most of the time. He’s a good guy once you get to know him,” defended Tenchi, remembering all the times they’d teased or harassed one another. “Besides, he knew that nothing happened,” he added quickly, not sure of why she was offended but not wanting to provoke her sense of honor.

Snorting at him, Sheia smiled tightly. “If I wanted to bed you I would have asked. I wouldn’t creep to you in the middle of the night, trying to seduce you while you slept,” she said with dark humor, her eyes trailing down his finely toned body thoughtfully.

Her sudden change in demeanor along with the direction the conversation had taken served to further unnerve the young man, making him cross his arms over his chest self-consciously.

Sheia smiled sweetly at him, cocking her hip out to the side as she watched him. “You ARE attractive and pleasing to look at. Maybe when this business is done we can celebrate by sharing a bed?” she asked him coyly.

Tenchi blinked at her forward nature, not having heard anything like this since Ryoko. He found himself lost at the thought of what to do or say, a pair of golden eyes haunting his memory and temporarily robbing him of the ability to speak.

Taking advantage of the moment, Sheia crossed to Tenchi, standing only inches before him, her violet eyes meeting his brown ones. “I don’t take just anyone to bed Tenchi Masaki, nor do I do so frivolously. I want to know you, both as a man and a warrior. Do not answer now, I am patient and more than worth the wait, of that I can assure you,” she whispered to him, bringing her lips close to his as she spoke.

The young man had years of instinct ingrained into him at the hands of Ayeka, Ryoko and even Mihoshi, allowing his body to override his mind and react accordingly. With a muted yelp, he leapt backwards, as if expecting an attack or angry response from somewhere within the room. He held his hands wardingly before him, looking somewhat terrified at her overtures.

Blinking at him in surprise, Sheia felt a twinge of rejection at his actions, unused to having men treat her like this. “You certainly know how to make a woman feel attractive don't you?” she asked in a hurt tone, her body tense.

“No! It’s not like that at all…it’s not that I don’t think you’re attractive or anything, it’s just that…” he paused, swallowing hard as he faced his heartache.

Taking a deep breath, he slowly lowered his hands. “It’s just that I lost someone I love very much not too long ago…I don’t know if I’m ready to think about anyone else like that,” he told her quietly, pain easily heard in his voice.

Sheia knew who he was referring to, having heard about Ryoko’s death and witnessed his reaction to it. She nodded slowly, sympathy coming over her pretty face. She took a step a closer to him, holding up her hands to show no ulterior motives this time. “I understand that, and I am sorry for coming onto you so strongly. Among my people it’s not uncommon to lose someone you love either, so we’re very forward in our desires. I’m not looking to replace her within your heart, I only ask to share comfort with you…and perhaps something more, that’s all. I will not pressure you Tenchi, but do know that I am interested in you,” she said, giving him a soft smile once more.

Rather than take anymore actions that might make him any more uncomfortable, she turned and walked from his room. She, like Bravo before her, paused in the doorframe, turning to look at him. “If you have any more nightmares, don’t hesitate to come and talk with me. I always find it easier to share my fears than to silently bear them, and I don’t mind listening,” she told him, then she was gone.

Tenchi looked at the closed door for a long time before sitting back down on his bed and burying his face in his hands. “Oh boy…how do I get myself into messes like this?” he asked the quiet room around him.

Sheia closed the door to her room and leaned against it, eyes going to the ceiling as she thought about her actions…and her reaction to Tenchi.

“It’s as I told you, is it not?” asked the smug voice of Tokimi, her ethereal form appearing across the room from her new chosen.

The warrior woman’s eyes locked on her mistresses, a reproachful glance dancing across her face for a moment. Sighing as she relaxed her shoulders, Sheia shook her head. “He looked so…TERRIFIED, I wonder what he was dreaming about?” she wondered aloud.

Tokimi floated towards the woman, her blue and purple eyes shining faintly in the dim lighting. “I cannot tell you that Sheia, only that he still draws upon my powers…even while he sleeps. What ever bothers him, it is more than just a passing event. I am beginning to wonder if my father doesn’t have a hand in this. I am amazed that he was able to turn away your offer so easily. It has been sometime since the death of Ryoko, I had thought he would have sought comfort in your arms,” she mused, head turning in the general direction of his room.

“He loved her deeply Tokimi, perhaps more than you realize,” Sheia told her, remembering the promise made to her by the goddess, and wondering if perhaps it wasn’t going to come to pass after all.

Turning her attention back to Sheia, Tokimi looked like she was about to rebuke the woman, then slowly closed her mouth and nodded. “You may be right about that, very right indeed. That is…troubling,” she muttered softly, her face showing a look of contemplation.

Finally looking back up at Sheia, Tokimi once more looked driven and purposeful. “You must get him to open his heart to you Sheia or all will be lost. He must be able to pull his strength from you and not….a memory,” she said after a moment’s hesitation.

Sheia regarded the apparition of the goddess for a moment, wondering what she wasn’t being told. “Why should it matter? So long as he finds the strength to do what must be done?” she asked.

Tokimi shook her head forcefully, “No! There is more at stake here that you realize Sheia. If you wish to truly have a love that transcends the stars, then you MUST find a way through his grief and give him the love you hold, there is no other way,” she told her chosen firmly.

Bowing her head in obedience, Sheia pondered the strange reaction of Tokimi. Since the goddess had taken on flesh, she’d been more and more prone to emotional outbursts. When she brought her head back up, the apparition was gone, leaving her alone with her thoughts once more. Wandering back to her own bed, her mind was filled with images of Tenchi and his smiling face.

Ten days later…

Bravo watched intently as the three groups swarmed into the compound, each moving with a separate purpose but in unison with their sister teams. A series of explosions preceded an overwhelming volley of plasma fire as the breach team entered into the main building. At almost the same time, the second team assaulted the main living quarters, demolishing it with ruthless efficiency. Holographic simulations of pirates attempted to flee or to stage some resistance, both were met with the same fate, eradication.

The third team pulled overwatch on the first two, pinning down the perimeter guards and defenses while adding heavy fire support where needed. They laid down covering fire as the two initial teams started to pull out of the compound, dropping a series of explosives onto the remaining defenders, thoroughly discouraging pursuit in the face of self preservation.

“Cease fire! All teams, cease-fire. AAR in 10 minutes, get something to drink before you get there,” ordered Bravo, a grim smile on his face at the sight of the smoking and burning ruins the teams left behind them.

“Looks like we’re as ready as we’re going to get. What about you? You sure you don’t want to take hand in this part?” the older man asked Tenchi, catching the distant look on his friends face.

Shaking off the distant thoughts, Tenchi smiled at him. “It’s okay, I know that you can take care of it. Besides, I’d be of more use above in case they do get some reinforcements to the planet, I’m sure they remember the last time I found their fleet,” he said, the smile fleeing from his face at the thought.

Jay turned his face from Tenchi, watching the small figures of his team walking towards the briefing hall, collecting his thoughts before speaking. “Still bothers you, all that killing?” he asked him quietly.

Tenchi nodded, the cold feeling intensifying for a moment at the unspoken admission. “All my life, I never expected to have to take another life…then,” he said, looking profoundly sad as he spoke.

Putting a comforting hand on the young man’s shoulder, Jay forced him to look at his eyes. “It ain’t your fault, I know that it don’t help much, but it’s the god’s honest truth kid. It don’t get no easier, I won’t lie to you about that, but I can tell you that you didn’t have a choice. They pulled you into that, forced your hand…you did what you had to do, nothing else,” he said slowly, making sure that he completely understood the implications of his words.

Giving the older man a tired looking smile, he nodded. “You’re right, it doesn’t make it any easier, knowing all that. Tell me, does it get better? Get numb or something with time?” he asked his friend.

Jay spent a long moment thinking about his answer, weighing his response. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, he gave Tenchi a distant smile. “Somedays it does kid, others…well, that’s why they made alcohol and friends. I would recommend friends before booze though, that way you don’t wake up with a hangover or worse. You just take it day by day, appreciate everything you have. Can’t do more than that, just take strength from your friends and family,” he said honestly, knowing exactly what he was going through.

Tenchi nodded at his friend, touched by the painful honesty of his words, knowing that he’d been through all this before and lived to tell the tale. “Thanks,” he said, walking with the man back towards the hall and where the teams waited for them.

Inside the hall…

“Okay, that was some good work out there people, way to go. Unfortunately I got some bad news. Looks like the bad guys have decided to make a move while we were getting ready. They’ve reinforced their primary and secondary defenses, including a small fleet that is orbiting the planet. It’s going to make our getting close a bit more difficult,” he added dryly, drawing more than a few chuckles at the understatement.

He waited for everyone to settle back in, then continued. “That being said, we’ve made plans in case something like this happened. The floor is yours Admiral,” he told Hideki with an extending motion of his hand.

The man walked briskly to the front of the hall, speaking as he walked. “I’m going to lead a small group of capitol ships into position in the neighboring system. That should pull most if not all of their fleet from orbit and into defensive positions at the rim of the system you will be hitting. I can only hold for a limited amount of time as I will not have a true force, but only enough to get their attention while the rest of you do your magic,” he said, taking a spot next to Bravo.

A soft murmuring crept through the room, people frowning slightly at the newest development and what it would mean to the chance of a successful mission. A sturdy man slowly got to his feet, the marks of Jurai military on his face in the form of three small black triangles. “I know this has probably been covered, but wouldn’t it just be easier for Tenchi to blast into the place and kill the whole lot of them?” he asked bluntly, cutting eyes over to the man in question.

“That’s enough.” Growled Bravo, glaring at the man as he took a step forwards, angered at the man’s audacity.

Hideki held up a hand that forestalled any further escalation, his eyes meeting and holding the soldiers. “While that would be an easy solution to the situation, consider the ramifications of that action. He could easily dispatch not just the leadership of this rebellion, but EVERY member of it. Then, while he was at it, why not simply continue in that vein and nip any dissenters in our ranks before they too get out of hand. Oh yes, and that troublesome government that refuses to work with us? He’ll snip them on the way home before supper,” he told the man in a neutrally sarcastic tone.

Taking a few steps forwards, he leaned his impressive frame forwards and leaned on the table, bringing his face closer to everyone. “No, that is out of the question. His purpose is something higher than you can understand, but take this assurance of one that has personally seen it. He is the sole hope of this galaxy, universe…this very dimension. He cannot and will not be seen as a conqueror, he is a savior and is the only being with the power to stop a god. Do you REALLY believe it prudent for him to be tossing around his weight like this, causing the very people he’s supposed to protect doubts as to his true intentions?” he asked darkly, his stare so intense the soldier took an involuntary step backwards.

“No, I didn’t think so,” he said with a dry smile. “If there are no OTHER objections or thoughts? Good, please continue if you would,” he said to Bravo, drawing a quiet laugh and shake of the man’s head.

“Remind me NOT to get on your bad side,” he told him softly as he passed.

Clearing his throat, he watched the man retake his seat. “We’re going to bring our teams into position using the moon as cover. Once in place, we’ll have some of the Vaagard dragons shuttle 2 six man teams to the surface. They’re going to act as a distraction for the rest of us as we move in. Figure the firepower we can carry and the sight of a large and pissed off dragon should be enough to keep some heads down while the rest of us set up for the one-two punch,” Jay told his people.

A tall, raven haired woman stood, looking concerned for a moment. “What if the ruse doesn’t work and the majority of the fleet is still in orbit?” she asked, pointing to the display.

“Well, that’s what you and your friends are here for. If they’re still there, you and the remainder of the dragons get to see how fast you can scrap a pirate fleet,” answered the man, earning him a smile from the woman.

“Raven just so happened to bring up my next contingency. If and only IF the fleet is there are we to engage them in orbit. We are going to be pulled thin here people, and the dragons are not invulnerable…no matter mean they might look,” he added with a smile.

Motioning at the trio of pilots from the Galaxy Police, “Their job is going to be covering our collective ass while we do what we do best…blow stuff up. When they say it’s time to go, we go. They’ll give us enough time to get to the target, neutralize them and get out, understood?” he asked.

Seeing everyone nod, he paused briefly. “I’ve got every confidence in you, or you wouldn’t be here right now. We launch in 5 hours. Get your gear stowed and I’ll see you on the ships,” he finished, releasing his force to get prepared.

As they filed out of the room, Tenchi sidled up to where Bravo and Hideki were quietly talking. “Thanks, I knew it was going to come up sooner or later,” he thanked the admiral, shaking his hand.

“Think nothing of it. He was stationed on Jurai during your last visit and got to witness the aftermath first hand, which is why he brought it up. I simply have to remind him that there is a larger picture than just what he’s aware of,” Watanabe said with an easy smile.

Mihoshi walked up as the man finished speaking, fingers finding Bravo’s hand as she reached his side. “Yukinojo is all set and ready,” she informed him happily.

Looking at the walking blonde disaster, Watanabe smiled warily. “She is going to be accompanying you?” he asked calmly.

Bravo gave the man a crooked smile. “You kidding me? I ain’t going nowhere without her, besides; she’s one hellova pilot in her own right. She’s going to be landing my team personally,” he told the man.

“I’ll be following with Ryo-Ohki making sure everything is covered, that way if something bad happens we’ll be in position to pull everyone out,” added Tenchi, smiling at his two friends.

“May Tsunami have mercy…on second thought, I hope she sends them all to hell,” Hideki said, nodding to the officer and her lover.

“Me too big man, me too,” seconded Jay, being led towards his waiting ship.

Meanwhile…

Washu frowned as she looked at her displays, leaning back on her velvet cushion as she contemplated the data before her.

“Sister, you cannot be seriously considering this course of action,” said a quiet Tsunami, her spectral apparition materializing behind the woman. They were soon joined by the image of Tokimi, looking annoyed as well.

“I have to agree, there is too much at stake to allow such feelings to interfere with everything that has been accomplished,” she added.

Turning, Washu took her adult form and got to her feet. “So, you both have been keeping an eye on my research?” she asked casually, folding her arms across her chest.

Seeing that neither of the other goddesses was going to answer, the woman continued. “Have either of you considered what’s going to happen if he ever finds out, hmmm? Tokimi, you of all should realize that he won’t be reasoned with when he gets upset, or have you forgotten how easily he killed you the first time?” she asked her sister.

Frowning at her, Tokimi shook her head. “I did what needed to be done, and my results speak for themselves. I would do so again if it meant the defeat of father once and for all,” she said defensively.

Tsunami looked thoughtful at the statement. “He loved Ryoko, and would have done anything for her, but Tenchi would not jeopardize every living thing just to bring her back,” she said, pulling on Sasami’s impression of him.

“Don’t be so sure of that, love can do strange things to you,” Washu said, pacing as she thought. “Besides, it wouldn’t be his decision, would it? It’s mine,” she said with a stern tone that earned her the glare of the other two.

“Don’t be foolish Washu, even if she is your daughter, would you damn everyone by taking this insane course of action?” asked Tokimi, frustration beginning to bleed into her tone.

“She is right Washu, though I find no joy in telling you this. Tenchi cannot find out that Ryoko lives, for he would do EVERYTHING in his vast powers to rescue her…even sacrifice himself. With father so close, we just can’t risk it…even for her,” she said quietly, hanging her head to avoid the woman’s eyes.

A derisive laugh came from the red head, mocking them in it’s tone and volume. “You two don’t get it do you? HE’S the reason she’s there! There was NO WAY Zee could have been able to banish her like that…only another god could have done that. We’re being tested in our resolve, and we played right into his hands. The only thing I can’t figure out is HOW he knew about that dimension in the first place. The only living being that had a connection to it was Little Mayuka and we all know she can’t talk,” she said, once more slipping into scientist mode.

Tokimi held her chin up, a defiant look on her face. “Maybe it is YOU that does not get it Washu. Father had been searching for us, did you honestly believe that for all your attempts at hiding that you could forever go unnoticed? While the two of you were here, setting up your petty empires and experiments, I was being forced to endure isolation and to watch the slow inevitable destruction of our former home. No, sister dear, he’s known for some time where you’ve been. His only question was HOW to get to you. It would seem that Yahuza was a link he was able to utilize for his own ends. He’s been following us from the beginning, unable to actively take a hand against us until now,” she added, ignoring the looks of hatred and betrayal by her two sisters.

Washu’s expression was irate as she glared at her sister. “Didn’t you think it was IMPORTANT enough to tell us about this before?” she almost yelled at the apparition.

“You mean you’ve KNOWN this all along Tokimi? Why didn’t you tell us about this? We could have taken measures to prevent some of the death and destruction you caused,” added Tsunami, hands clenched so tightly her knuckles were white.

“The both of you seem to have forgotten what he’s capable of, not to mention that you are far too attached to the creatures of this realm. No, I do not need nor will I seek your counsel for my actions. My methods, while detestable to you, have proven effective. The ONLY one being that is important here has evolved BECAUSE of my influence,” Tokimi replied coldly, not backing down from the anger of the other two goddesses.

Covering her eyes with a tired hand, Washu forced her anger down, relying on her intellect and reasoning to see her through. “I’m not going to argue with you about this Tokimi, you either Tsunami. I’m not even sure that I can get Ryoko out of there before the whole dimension collapses,” the woman said in a tired tone, feeling an unseen weight pressing down on her shoulders.

Taking her seat on the cushion once more, she cocked her head to the side. “I do know this though,” she added darkly, an expression of determination on her face.

“One way or the other, Tenchi HAS to know about this. I won’t be the one that faces his anger when he finds out that Ryoko is alive and we didn’t do anything to help her,” Washu told them.

Tokimi glared at Washu, “And how pray tell is he ever going to find out?” she asked haughtily.

“Simple. I’m going to tell him. Let HIM make the decision,” Washu replied.

Tsunami’s eyes widened at the words, scarcely able to believe that Washu would jeopardize everything in such a manner. “How can you be certain that he will not take matters into his own hands Washu? His is loyal and caring to his family and loved ones, when he finds out about Ryoko being trapped in the dimension of darkness he could very well destroy himself in a vain attempt to rescue her. Where would that leave us then?” she asked, struggling to come to terms with her knowledge and Sasami’s unending faith in Tenchi.

Washu frowned at them again, not losing her determined expression or resolve. “I don’t, but I’ll do everything I can to give him that chance to save her…even if it costs us dearly. I trust him, he’s proven resilient beyond anything I could have expected more times then I can count. I’d rather be working with him when he finds out than having him against us. How do you think he’s going to react if he finds out we did NOTHING to help him, hmm? We’ve already put him through too much, we OWE him this,” she said, expressing her feelings on the matter.

“You place too much weight on his feelings, feelings that can be replicated or even replaced. For all our efforts, he is still just human. There is another that can capture his interests, and should that fail I’m sure that either of you would gladly take Ryoko’s place at his side. Tell me truthfully sisters, isn’t that why you both have stayed so close to him?” asked a reproachful Tokimi.

Narrowing her eyes at the insinuation, Washu pointed a slender finger at her. “Don’t. Don’t play this game Tokimi, it’s not fair to him OR to Sheia. Yes, I know about her…we’re SISTERS, remember? If you honestly think that Tenchi is just going to roll over and jump at Sheia, than you’ve got a lot to learn about both him and love,” the woman said.

Tsunami blushed, but didn’t look away. “I admit a fondness for him that is unseemly, but I would never push myself upon him like that. You have yet to truly understand love Tokimi, it isn’t as simplistic or easy as you believe. It is a part of his soul, his very make up and it’s something he doesn’t take lightly. For all your watching of him, you still do not understand him,” she chastised her sister.

Smiling at them, Tokimi wore a superior expression. “Perhaps it is the both of YOU that is mistaken. We shall see sisters, we shall see,” she told them, fading from sight and leaving them alone once more.

Tsunami looked over at Washu with a worried expression. “Washu, please think carefully before you take this course of action. There is too much at stake to place personal feelings before the good of everything we’ve both worked for,” she asked her.

Hands outstretched before her, the shadow console appeared beneath them. With a flurry of typing she called up a running countdown timer, looking at Tsunami through the semi-transparent screen. “In 87 hours or so, it’s not going to matter what I do or think because the dimension will have collapsed, taking Ryoko with it. If that happens, and he either knows or finds out about it…what he did to Zee could seem like a pleasant dream,” she said ominously.

Frowning at the dire warning, “What do you mean by that? You’re acting as if he’ll turn into some type of monster, that isn’t like him at all and you know it,” Tsunami told her firmly.

Washu looked sad, distant as she thought about everything she’d observed about Tenchi since his ascendance. “I would have agreed with you before, but not now. I think that having our powers combined within him has altered him some how, distancing him from what made him so special in the first place. No one has EVER held so much power, not and stayed sane. He could save us all, only to destroy us on a whim later. What if our greatest hope becomes our greatest threat?” she asked quietly, her face showing her deep concern over the matter.

The two goddesses looked at one another, each lost in thoughts of consequence, neither sure of what the right course of action was. Both women stiffened in surprise, feeling a strong and steady drain on their powers.

Closing her eyes, Washu let out a deep breath. “Well, looks like he’s found the pirates,” she told Tsunami, a tremor of worry and doubt flowing through her.

Licking her lips nervously, Tsunami nodded, fearful of what an angry and vengeful Tenchi would be capable of. “I will send him my ship, perhaps with it’s presence he will not forget that people still love and care for him…even in the face of such power,” she said.

Washu didn’t say anything to the woman’s idea, instead she focused on the power that Tenchi was drawing, analyzing it to try and find a way to help him before he became his own worst enemy.

On the border of the Jurian space…

“Sir, we’ve engaged the ships within the sector but resistance is light and sporadic at best. I don’t think they went for it,” called out the tactical officer, frustration in his voice and body language.

Watanabe frowned deeply, rising from his command seat and walking down to the holodisplay of the battle outside the hull. Pointing to several small planetoids and moons, he called out a change in course and tactics. “Bring fighters to bear on these targets immediately. Disengage from the battle and retreat from the system, I want the Jurai Prime to pick up the fighters once we’re clear. Get out ships into position in the Concretta system to prevent anyone from escaping. I have a feeling things are about to get ugly,” he said, then turned to his communications console.

“Send word to both the strike fleet and the Queen that they didn’t take the bait and we’re moving to engage them now,” he ordered tersely, walking back to his seat and regaling lowering himself to it.

Nicci was by his side, turning her chair to face his. “Do you think we’ve been compromised?” she asked quietly, not understanding why the plan hadn’t worked.

He nodded slowly, finally admitting what he feared. “I believe we have been, though I wonder if they truly realize the tiger they’ve now grabbed by the tail,” he said to his wife, both sharing a look as the interdiction fleet left the system and headed towards the strike teams.

Malik Two, almost the same time…

Misaki frowned at the console, the news disturbing her. “I see, we shall prepare here then. Thank you for informing us,” she said in cool tones, closing the link without looking at the screen.

She moved with a purposeful stride towards the living quarters, directing her guards to remain in strategic locations as she moved. Misaki was many things, including a strategist, and right now her instincts were telling her that they’d been compromised, the prey had become the predators.

Funaho met the woman as the door opened, her serene slightly marred by a look of worry. “It would seem that we have a leak some where,” she told her co-wife, nodding to the screen that showed a flashing silent alarm.

Misaki took note of the alert and location of both ships and raiding parties that had landed with a grim smile. “No one hurts my family,” she said darkly, gone was the cheerful and pleasant disposition. In it’s place was a dangerous and fully capable warrior and mother looking to defend that which she loved.

Taking the hilt of the sword that hung on her belt, she ignited her own ships key, the pink blade springing to life. “Have you alerted our surprise yet?” she asked, with a smile.

Returning the dark smile, Funaho nodded. “Yes, though I doubt our uninvited guests are going to enjoy it very much,”

A deep rumbling sounded throughout the compound, the floor softly vibrating with the sound. “They’re here. If I’ve guessed correctly, they should be coming here straight away. I’ve left our most seasoned veterans at key intersections to harry and harass them. By the time they get here they should be rather distracted,” Misaki told Funaho as the woman moved to the sheltered room within their quarters.

“Be well and safe Misaki. No mercy for the foes of Jurai,” said Funaho as she stepped into the safe room and activated the protocols that would ensure both hers and Mayuka’s well being.

Misaki waited only long enough for the doors to seal and charge before she moved back into the hallway, looking determined as she did. “None at all for anyone that would think about hurting a child,” she agreed, joining her three personal guards as they waited for the attackers to make their move.

The strike fleet…

Tenchi gasped as he saw the sheer number of ships not only in orbit around the planet but patrolling the direct corridors of approach. “Oh boy…that isn’t good,” he muttered darkly, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Bravo was a bit more colorful in his phrasing, bringing a bright blush of embarrassment to the cheeks of Mihoshi as he compared the pirates lineage to that of a dog and a garden slug…in graphic detail.

“Sorry about that,” he apologized off handedly to them before opening a channel to his forces. “Listen up everyone, they know we’re coming and got a party planned for us. Get those interceptors out and let’s get some covering fire while we try to maneuver in. Dragons do your thing as well, but NO heroics outta any of you guys. We all go home after this, understood?” he barked, pushing back the worry and doubts, focusing on getting the mission accomplished.

Tenchi turned and looked at the man with a serious expression. “They don’t stand a chance against that kind of firepower Bravo, you know it. Call them off, I don’t want anyone else dying over this. We’ll figure out another way later, when they aren’t expecting us,” he said, the cold feeling growing larger in his gut.

Jay couldn’t meet Tenchi’s eyes, knowing that he was going to take any losses hard. “I’d love to Tenchi, I really would, but they’re faster then we are. We can’t run away without taking heavy losses, and you know the only way out of an ambush right?” he asked, pointing to the screen as he asked, his finger stabbing directly onto their target.

When Tenchi didn’t immediately answer, Jay gave him a weak smile. “By fighting your way out of it and shoving it right down the throats of the ambushers. They’ll expect us to withdraw, not to take the fight back at them. Hopefully we’ll cause enough of a ruckus that we can slip away with just a bloody nose,” he told his friend.

Mihoshi was moving Yukinojo to the fore of the fleet, increasing the speed of the nimble ship as it began to roll and weave it’s way through the hell fire of the anti-ship batteries of both the fleet and the hardened emplacements.

“Hang on everyone, this is going to be really, really dangerous,” she said with a worried tone, sounding apologetic about having to take such drastic maneuvers.

Knowing Mihoshi as well as they did, neither of them hesitated a moment before strapping themselves down and holding on for dear life. Ryo-Ohki had wiggled her way into Tenchi’s top and was clutching herself to his toned stomach, giving a mewling sound of displeasure at the tactics being used.

“You and me both Ryo-Ohki,” agreed Tenchi, swallowing hard as Yukinojo did another series of seemingly random and insane evasive maneuvers, the world outside the view screen twirling and rolling.

Aboard the Goddesses Grace…

Raven held the ship true to course, swinging down below the main guns of the much larger capitol ship she’d chosen as her primary target. “Coming into range, let’s get their boarding shields down this time so the dragons can rake this thing,” she called back to her gunner.

“Roger, keep it as steady as you can,” called back Jill, focusing her attentions on the minor details of the superstructure, looking for the generators that powered the shielding to the massive ship.

“Bingo, target locked, gimme 5 seconds on target,” she called up to the pilots, knowing it was asking a lot given the amount of fire from both the capitol ship itself as well as the fighters it had launched.

Looking over to her co-pilot, “Reinforce secondary hulls with negative energy, that should give a few more seconds from that plasma,” she told Kelli, gritting her teeth as the ship shuddered violently from a near miss that scorched the armor plating on the nimble fighter/bomber.

Kelli’s hand flew over the console before her, diverting power from subsystems and redundants to boost the ships shielding power, giving Jill the extra time she needed to lock onto and destroy the power generators.

“Direct hit!” came the triumphant shout from the rear gunner’s seat, Jill giving a loud whoop.

Raven grinned darkly as she struggled to bring the ship up and out of the firing arcs of the now shieldless ship. A mighty blow threw the ship into an out of control tumble, bouncing it off of the armored hull of the capitol ship they’d just hit. While catastrophic to the littler ship, it did have the added bonus of creating a rather large breech in the weapons control power room for the port side. As the fighter tumbled out of control towards the planet’s surface, a venting explosion claimed all firing batteries on the side of the ship, leaving it vulnerable to the incoming dragons.

With ruthless efficiency and accuracy, they raked the side of the ship with their breath and claws, searing and corroding away the armor and vital systems beneath. Within a matter of moments, a once fearsome ship was reduced to powerless collection of scrap that was trapped in a rapidly decaying orbit above the planet. A course that would soon claim it as a casualty as it would burn up on reentry into the atmosphere.

The gravitational buffers were offline, causing the three women to be pressed painfully against the safety harnesses they were strapped into. With painfully shaking fingers, Raven struggled to reach her emergency transponder, centrifugal force clawing at the limb.

Kelli’s hand reached up and grasped Raven’s by the wrist, adding her strength against the forces acting against them, giving her the needed power to reach the flashing button.

Her finger smashed it down, triggering the homing beacon as well as the open mike to her tactical channel. “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! This is Raven One. We are crippled and out of control on course with the planet. I say again, we are crippled and losing altitude rapidly, need immediate extraction upon landing,” she called out, her voice strained.

As she began to repeat the message, Jill used both hands to lever herself up from the weapons control panel she was being crushed into. Wincing with the effort, she forced her head to turn and look at the emergency release button that would allow them to survive a crash from orbit.

Tears sprang to her eyes at the pain of forcing her muscles well beyond what they were used to, red hot pain flaring in her neck, back and shoulders. Stifling back a sob of agony, she forced her now considerable gravity increased weight onto her left arm, her wrist screaming at her in agony. With a mighty lunge, she forced her right hand onto the activator, smashing through the plastic covering, sharp shards piercing her palm as she slammed it.

The ship shuddered with the deployment of the emergency boosters and sail, slowing their descent and arresting their tumbling within seconds, increasing their chances for survival of the crash by over a thousand.

Her arm collapsing from the pressure, her wrist bending into an angle that should have been physically impossible, Jill smashed back into her console, head striking the panel hard and chasing consciousness from her.

“JILL!” cried Kelli, having witnessed the silent heroics of her friend, but unable to assist. Turning to Raven, she forced down her panic and worry, knowing it wouldn’t serve any useful purpose in their current situation. “Jill’s out cold, but she got the planetfall systems up,” she said, her voice strained.

Raven was having a hell of a time trying to control the dying craft and could barely afford the nod of acknowledgment. Muscles bunched on the sides of her jaws, teeth tightly clenched as she fought with the near unresponding controls. Arms shaking with effort and fatigue, she forced the ship into an approach attitude that protected the crew from the heat of the reentry. Gasping for breath, Raven gave a rueful smile. “Did I ever tell you how much I HATED the crash landing sims?” she asked, her voice scratching with fear and exertion.

Kelli laughed sickly at the joke, bracing her self as turbulence from their powerful entry into the atmosphere began. “I’m just glad it’s you on the stick and not me,” she replied, “Otherwise we’d be modern art on someone’s lawn in about 2 minutes,”

Neither woman could afford the energy to laugh at the morbid humor of the situation as they focused on saving themselves from the impending crash.

Aboard the Yukinojo…

Bravo was having a hard time tracking the battle as multiple reports and messages kept streaming in. “Dammit to hell,” he growled, struggling to force himself not to pound the console in frustration.

“Excuse me, but I think I can be of some help in prioritizing the messages for you. With Detective Mihoshi currently controlling our flight I have extra processing capability that isn’t be used,” offered the AI, both to keep himself busy and to stop the man from bashing his new parts. He was quite proud of them after all.

“Yeah, if you would. I need to know about distress calls, information from Jurai, and any new movement on the planet below…in that order. Route everything else into a single place so I can get too them when I’ve got 2 seconds to spare,” the man told Yukinojo gratefully.

“It would be my pleasure,” and with a delay of only a second or two the ship had configured the incoming information into something more manageable. “It would seem that the leader of the fighters has been shot down and is currently in crash mode enroute to the surface. Also, we’re receiving reports from Admiral Watanabe that they’ve not encountered anything close to the resistance they’d been expecting and are enroute here to support us,” he told him, having flagged those two message as the most vital for him to know.

“Crap…I was afraid of that,” muttered Jay, opening a channel to Sheia. “Raven’s crippled and on her way down to the surface. I’m going to need you to pull and her crew out, can you do that?” he called to her on the tactical comms.

“Affirmative, I’ll finish up this pass and proceed down to the site. I’ll need supporting fire to get past the blockades,” she responded tersely, riding her dragon in a weaving pattern between several pirate ships.

“Gimme a second and I’ll get you some help. Any word on the assault teams?” he asked as he started signaling several of his interceptors to prepare the route for them to reach the surface.

There was a moment’s pause, a rushing roar coming from the comms, followed by a the dark cursing of the Vaagard warrior. “Blasted vents,” she said, then answered his question.

“Affirmative, they were able to slip past the blockade when the command ship was crippled. They should be ready for retrieval within 10 minutes, I’ll await their signal from the surface. We’re going to need all the dragons to get them out though since our shuttles are no match for their cruisers,” she advised, wheeling her dragon into a steep dive that took it through the blockade.

A volley of fire erupted from the attacking ships, driving away most of the defenders from the path of the diving dragon, giving it a narrow but safe corridor of entry. Sheia leaned forwards as they raced to the atmosphere, anticipating the dragons movements as they once more entered into an oxygen environment.

Bravo watched her descent with a cautious expression, realizing that they were in far over their collective heads at the moment. Even with the extensive damage they’d caused the pirate ships, they were still outnumbered by greater than 5 to 1, and the surprise ferocity of their initial attack was wearing off.

Tenchi patted Ryo-Ohki affectionately on the head as she sat on his shoulder. “I think it’s time we got involved, don’t you?” he asked the cabbit, earning him a stern little nod of her cute face.

Watching the young man face for traces of what he was thinking, Jay waited only a few moments before nodding his agreement of his statement. “You don’t have to do this, help’s on the way,” he said quietly, knowing how much it bothered him to have to use the powers at his fingertips.

“I can’t let anyone else sacrifice themselves Bravo, I just can’t,” was all he said as he walked past the man, heading for the small bay on the ship.

Mihoshi pulled the ship into a steep climb, barely avoiding a string of ship to ship missiles that had been targeting them. Just as they cleared the aft of Yukinojo, a large pirate ship moved into firing position on them, unfortunately for them it also placed them directly into the path of the oncoming missiles. The half dozen missiles slammed into the hull of the ship with dull concussive thuds, each detonating deeper into the doomed vessel.

As Yukinojo spiraled out of the climb, Bravo whistled softly at the destruction that had been inadvertently inflicted on the ship. “I don’t know how you do that, but I love it when you do,” he complimented Mihoshi, kissing the back of her neck affectionately.

The woman giggled and scrunched up under the kiss, accidentally pulling Yukinojo into a climb once more, and yet again avoiding a series of carefully aimed and timed shot from three different ships. Amid a set of crashing explosions, she piloted her ship out of danger and back into the relative safety of her own forces.

Tenchi closed his eyes and the Light Hawk Armor appeared on him, the wings encasing him in their protective embrace. “We need to stop them from reaching our people on the ground, so do your best to knock them out,” he told the cabbit as she jumped into the void of space, already transforming into a ship before she’d left the shields of Yukinojo.

The young man turned god walked from the bay, his powers taking over his flight as he moved towards the greatest concentration of ships that were putting up the most resistance. One moment he hovered in a glowing orb of the wings, then with a sudden brilliant flash, it was as if he’d become light itself as he flew through the heart of the largest ship. There was a gouting of light and fire from the far side of the ship, the comet of light exploding from within and back into the void of space.

The ship, once moving proudly around and firing it’s weapons at the attackers, shuddered and slowed, then finally began to roll as the internal damage overtook it’s operational capacity. The armor on the ship actually buckled on either side of the impact point, though the superstructure held it the now ruined ship in one relative piece.

Not looking at the results of his handiwork, Tenchi soared off after the now panicking ships in the area as they scrambled to flee the system. Loosing the restraints he held on his powers, he bathed himself within it, allowing it to flow through him to heighten his senses and abilities, even as it slowly ebbed his tight grip on his morality.

Ryo-Ohki, used to fighting multiple ships from her long time with Ryoko, was easily spinning and weaving through the ships, using both her weapons and herself as a force against the ships. With each destruction, she miyah’d at them happily, as if congratulating herself on a job well done, chasing down smaller fighters that were left adrift from the destruction of their carrier and either slamming right through them or knocking them onto a collision course with others.

Moving in conjunction with Tenchi, they slowly but methodically made their way through the heart of the fleet, breaking it in two and giving the beleaguered attacks some much needed breathing room. The skies above the planet were soon alight with the awful destruction being waged by both sides, and the fiery trails of the remains that were sent to their doom below.

Raven slowly and painfully brought her head up from the console it was lying on, groaning deeply at the pain. Opening her eyes, she realized that she must be alive because couldn’t hurt this much. Seeing a motionless Kelli still strapped into her seat, she forced the pain back and moved to release herself from her own seat.

“Easy, you could still have some internal injuries,” advised a groggy Jill, already free and kneeling next to the woman.

Meeting her eyes, Raven smiled in relief that her friend wasn’t mortally wounded or worse. “You okay? You look like hell,” she said in a rough voice, throat raw from exertion and the smoke that was growing thicker from the destroyed components of their wrecked ship.

Her left arm was held tightly to her chest, the wrist twisted into a nasty position that screamed broken to even an untrained eye. “Thank the goddess for drugs,” she said with a weary and pain filled smile. Pressing a small canister against Raven’s neck, she administered a series of painkillers and endorphins that would help them extricate themselves from the ship.

Perking up almost immediately, the black haired woman took the next one from Jill’s hand. “Let me, you’re in enough pain,” she told her, giving Kelli a dose of the cocktail as well.

As the woman began to stir, they could hear a series of explosions from nearby, causing the ship to almost shiver under the shock waves. “That was close, we’d better get out of here,” thought Raven aloud, helping a still stunned Kelli with the harness that restrained her.

With each other’s help, they successfully pulled themselves from the wreckage and into the bright sunshine of the planet. All three women brandished the utility sidearm they normally carried as officers of the Galaxy Police, with Jill and Raven also strapping vibroswords on their hips.

As they walked from the smoking hulk that had crippled a capitol ship, they all could make out the rushing figures of people heading for them. “The welcoming committee is on the way,” said Jill through clenched teeth, her wrist throbbing through the haze of her painkillers.

The trio knelt, both to lower their profile as well as to take a moment to find a defensible position. They’d crashed down into a large field that was bordered on three sides by large stands of dense trees and brush. Pointing to the closest copse of trees, “Let’s make our stand there, at least we’ll have some concealabilty,” advised Alice. Glancing over her shoulder, she couldn’t see the people moving in their direction, which also meant there was a good chance they couldn’t see them either.

“Go, I’ll take rear,” Kelli said, pulling her side arm and arming it with a grim expression. Watching the other two begin to hastily move off, she rose up to a half crouch and was immediately forced back down by a volley of fire from the pursuers. “Crap, closer than I thought,” she muttered darkly.

Setting her teeth, she took a knee and carefully sighted in the direction she’d briefly seen her opponents. Closing one eye, her patience was rewarded by the bobbing head of a running man, too interested in pursuit then safety. “Good night,” she whispered, gently squeezing the trigger.

The man had been in almost a full run, confident that they had the pilots pinned down and vulnerable. The shot was straight and true, taking him in the forehead, just off from center, and jerked his head backwards and off his feet. His body thudded to the ground still twitching from the now severed nervous impulses. His comrades, seeing their point man dropped by a single well placed shot, immediately threw themselves to the ground and opened fire.

Kelli, having seen the man drop, turned and crawled as rapidly as her battered body would allow, muscles protesting loudly at the strain. The shots were wild and high, but a few managed to get close enough to her to give her pause as she covered up. Not stopping her forward movement, she began to high crawl towards the relative safety of the trees where Raven and Jill were waiting for her.

Raven swore softly as she watched the drama unfold in almost slow motion, her friend frantically trying to evade the men and their fire. “C’mon, c’mon…you can make it,” she urged, as if her words would help drive the woman’s flight.

Slowly, she pulled her own sidearm and cleared her mind, focusing on the distant figures that were beginning to silhouette themselves on a small rise. As they presented themselves, her hands snapped the weapon up to the ready and she squeezed off three shots in rapid succession.

Once more the men found themselves under direct and highly accurate fire, two of their numbers taking shots into the torso, pounding them to the ground where they writhed in agony. Swearing and cursing the pilots, they stayed down and started to crawl towards the woodline, eyes giving murderous glances to the hidden shooters.

Having heard the shot snapping through the air above her, Kelli smiled as she scrambled to her feet and rushed the last almost 25 yards to the edge of the woods. Just as she made it to the dense brush, one of the men sighted in on her back and took a shot.

His aim was true, though he missed a critical hit, and he caught the woman on the lower left side of her back near her kidney. Almost biting her tongue to stifle the cry of pain, she tumbled into the brush, her back afire and legs no longer wanting to carry her weight.

“KELLI!” exclaimed a horrified Jill, rushing forwards to her wounded companion’s side, throwing the woman’s arm over her shoulder and pulling her to her feet. “COVER US!” shouted Jill, fighting her own pain, the unforgiving brush and time as she tried to get them both back to cover.

Alice frowned in concentration, not having an open or clear target to hit, and put as many shots down range as she could in their general direction. Aiming low knowing that they’d drop to the ground the moment the shots starting coming in, she hoped to at least wound or scare as many as she could. Mentally counting off the one’s she could see, she swore as she was finally forced to take cover as well, the return fire becoming overwhelming.

“I count 10 left…maybe more,” she called out, rounding a tree and throwing her back against it in a crouch, resting on the balls of her feet.

Jill had gently set down the wounded woman, pulling her knife and slicing open the uniform on Kelli’s back. Seeing that she was wearing the light weight pilot’s armor, she breathed a sigh of relief as she worked the straps that held it in place. Peeling the sectional armor off a piece at a time to avoid further aggravating the injury, she found the wound and winced. While it wasn’t a fatal wound, it was going to be painful until they found some proper medical care for the woman.

“She’s wounded but okay, it didn’t hit anything major that I can tell,” she said to Raven, tossing the woman a weary smile with the news.

Raven nodded in relief, twisting slightly around the large tree trunk she was using as cover, assessing how close the men were. “Let’s hope the good guys get here soon,” she replied, gauging the distance and not like the estimates she was coming up with. “Can she fight?” she asked, looking back at them.

Kelli was pale with pain, tears silently steaming from the corners of her eyes, but she nodded grimly, lips pulled back in agony. “Yeah, they’re gonna pay for that,” she said through grit teeth, blinking rapidly to clear her eyes.

“They’ll be on top of us in under 2 minutes if we keep their heads down, maybe a minute if we don’t. I say we pull them in and use swords, take away the numbers advantage by going close combat,” the lead pilot advised quickly, free hand straying to the hilt of her sword.

Kelli shook her head, “No can do, I can’t stand much less fight. I’ll pull cover for you guys,” she told them, tightening her grasp on the sidearm.

“You fire at them as they hit the brush, me and Raven will do what we can to the ones that get through,” Jill agreed, her left arm still holding tightly to her chest. She’d be giving up some of the offensive fighting forms without the use of her left hand, but it was better then sitting and waiting for them to simply come and get them.

“No matter what happens, they bleed,” Raven said with a dark smile, reholstering her weapon and pulling her sword, nodding in approval as Jill did the same.

They could hear the men’s shouts and taunts as they reached the edge of the woodline, trying to pull them out. The men only waited for a few moments before coming on line and cautiously entering the woods, crouching slightly as they did.

As the breaking and snapping of branches and plants could be easily heard, Kelli leveled her weapon and began firing in the general direction of the men. Her shots were aimed by hearing alone and not intended to be accurate, succeeding in causing the men to rush forwards to reach the cover of the trees.

Just as they were about to stumble into the woods, they found themselves face to face with two stern faced swordswomen that were intent on skewering them. Neither of the women said anything, instead worked into the men nearest them with brutal attacks that cleaved hands and weapons alike before delivering the death blow.

Cutting down 3 of the men before they could even respond, they tried to disappear back into the trees before the others could bring their weapons to bear on them. Shots from the men were panicked and inaccurate, fired as much at moving branches as at the women themselves. They did succeed in forcing the women back deeper into the woods with the volley, pausing to collect themselves before pursuing once more.

“You have one chance to surrender or I will kill you all,” came a clear and confident woman’s voice, surprising everyone with it’s appearance.

Raven looked over to both Jill and Kelli, mouthing her question to them and finding them to be just as confused. The three women looked around for the source of the voice and finally found it in a woman dressed in the riding leathers of the Vaagard, her smile cold and confident.

“You’re chasing some of my friends and I don’t happen to like that, now leave before you get hurt,” she taunted them walking between trees to blur her silhouette from direct fire.

“What are you doing?” hissed Kelli, the closest to the woman, motioning for her to get down frantically.

Sheia smiled at her as she passed, walking up to the tree Raven was using as cover and leaning against it so that only a portion of her profile could be seen. “Last warning,” she called.

One of the man snarled at the arrogant woman, “You’re surrounded and have got no way outta this, it’s YOU that should surrender,” he replied to her, then turned to his men.

“C’mon you apes, get’m! It’s only a buncha women!” the man shouted to them, taking a knee and preparing to fire.

As he lined up the sights on his weapon, his closed eye slowly opened, joining it’s mate as they both widened in horror. His mouth opened and closed several times, teeth clicking together so loud that the four women could easily make it out.

“What’s wrong…why’re…you……acting……” another man asked, his voice trailing off to a whisper.

Sheia turned on the tree to show the men a wide smile, “Only women huh? Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she told them in a cheerful tone.

Raven caught sight of the men’s expression and turned to find out what they were looking at, and found herself sitting directly under the maw of a massive Star Dragon.

Both Jill and Kelli slowly rose their own gazes upwards to the giant beast that was currently protecting them by towering above everyone.

“Get’m,” was all Sheia had to say as she flicked her wrist at the men, and the dragon snapped forwards, jaws closing on the big mouthed leader of the group, crushing then swallowing him.

Raven winced at the sound of the man’s body being chewed and swallowed, before involuntarily ducking as the dragon lunged forwards to finish off the rest of the men. She turned to find the woman kneeling next to the wounded Kelli, assisting her to her feet. “Where’d you come from? Are you the search and rescue?” she asked, replacing her sword at her side, trying to ignore the screams of panic and terror from the men that were now trying to escape death by dragon.

Sheia nodded but didn’t look away from the wound as she tightly bound the injury with a length of cloth from her hip pack. Handing the lightly groaning woman a small bottle, “Drink this all at once or you’ll regret it. It’ll burn on the way down and tastes like…well, it IS dragon venom, but it’ll help with the pain,” she told her.

Kelli looked at the bottle than back to Sheia dubiously, but saw the stern expression on her face. With a sigh, she closed her eyes, held her breath and tipped the bottle back and drained it in one large gulp. Luckily Sheia had both hands on the woman’s shoulders, for as soon as the concoction hit her throat, her eyes popped open and she almost choked as she tried to gasp for breath.

“SWALLOW!” she barked into her face, holding her in place even as her body tried to fight it’s way up.

Reaching over, Raven grabbed the woman in a panic, unsure of what she’d done but not liking the reaction Kelli was having to the drink. “What are you doing? What was that stuff?” she asked harshly, looking on with worry as Kelli clawed at her throat.

Before Sheia could answer, Kelli finished swallowing and coughed thickly for a couple of seconds, taking hacking and wheezing gulps of air. Shuddering from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet, she stuck out her tongue and made a sick sounding noise. “Oh my goddess that was the NASTIEST thing I’ve ever tasted in my life,” she managed to say finally, her skin taking on a slightly greenish gray pallor.

Sheia laughed at the comment, “We drink that in celebration of a battle well fought and won,” she told the woman, finally directing her attention back to Raven.

“That was a special brew of my people made from the distilled venom of our dragons, it’s one of the most potent liquors known. Once her endorphins wear off, she’s going to be in a massive amount of pain from that wound, this way it’ll take almost all the edge off and keep her with us…if not slightly drunk,” Sheia explained to her, helping Kelli to her feet.

Jill shook her head as she approached, “You could have warned her,” she admonished, assisting with the wounded woman.

“We don’t have much time and I didn’t want to waste it with lengthy explanations. I was the only one available to come, the rest of the assault force is in dire jeopardy. We have to move to a more secure location, await the signal from the teams hitting the compound then wait for someone to come get us,” the Vaagard explained, motioning back in the direction she’d come from.

Raven looked over at her with a tight expression, tension easily read on her face. “You mean we might be stuck here for a while?” she asked neutrally.

Sheia turned and looked at the pilot, biting back a sarcastic remark. “Yes, I can only carry the three of you on my dragon…there are 24 others that are going to need evac as well. Unless they get our escape corridors cleared, we’re going to have to hold out down here until they do,”

“Or we’re caught,” added Jill quietly, voicing the unspoken second thought.

Nodding at the woman, Sheia noticed her broken wrist and reached for another bottle of the liquor.

Shaking her head violently from side to side, Jill’s eyes went wide. “NO! Thanks, but no. I’d just as soon not, I’m better when I can think straight and the drugs are still running through my system. If it gets too bad I’ll let you know, alright?” she asked, remembering the look of disgust on Kelli’s face.

Smiling, Sheia shrugged and replaced the bottle, then began the long walk to the small location she’d sighted on her flight down.

Raven brought up the rear, noticing how quiet the woods were, until a mighty roar shook the very trees around them. Turning quickly she saw the dragon plodding it’s way towards them, it’s long tongue cleaning it’s horned snout.

Shivering slightly at the thought of why it was doing that, she was very grateful that it was on her side.

In orbit…

Tenchi watched with cold dispassion at the retreating ships, waves of power pulsing off him as he hung motionless in space. Ryo-Ohki was harassing them mercilessly as they tried to escape, firing indiscriminately into their midst, doing damage and sending more careening into one another.

As he watched the ships fleeing, a glimmer caught his eye, pulling his attention from the destruction at hand. A large group of ships had given up trying to escape the system and were making their way down to the surface of the planet. Frowning at the sight of motioned for Ryo-Ohki to rejoin him, transporting himself to her bridge.

“Yukinojo, they’re trying to head down to the planet. Did we get our teams off the surface yet?” he asked, opening a channel to the other ship after he’d arrived.

Mihoshi’s face appeared on a screen before, looking perplexed. “No, and we haven’t heard from any of them either. I’ve had Yukinojo scanning the planet and the facilities are still there…I don’t think they succeeded,” she told him.

“We’ve got to go down there and get them, we can’t just leave them to the mercy of the pirates,” Tenchi told her, struggling with his emotions.

Bravo appeared on the screen, looking grim. “I’ve got word from Sheia down on the planet and they’re facing massive resistance around the main compounds. They even got her dragon pinned down, we’re gonna have to pull a rabbit outta this hat in a hurry,” he told him, routing the live transmissions from the teams to Ryo-Ohki.

A flurry of sounds came from the speakers, voices yelling and crying out, explosions and weapons fire drowning out the voices for a moment, then more voices. Finally, Sheia’s voice cut above the din, “I say again, we are cut off just outside main extraction site, heavy enemy activity in the area including air units. My dragon is wounded and unable to fly, need immediate assistance…” her voice was abruptly cut off by another explosion that killed the feed.

Looking at the young man, Bravo and Mihoshi could see him wrestling with his conscious, fighting to find his balance between his power and his morality. When he turned his eyes to his friends, they were cold and hard, his face was set with a determined look. “I have to go, I won’t let them die like this…I can’t,” he said softly, taking a deep breath.

“The cavalry is on the way kid, just get down there and help ours guys out, you don’t have to kill them,” Bravo told him, trying to reach the sensible and sensitive man he knew was still struggling in there.

Tenchi shook his head, “And if they don’t get here in time? No, I have to do this…like you said, it wasn’t my choice in the matter. Now it’s time they found out how big of a mistake they made by coming after my family,” he told the man, though his words didn’t help the dark feelings swelling within him.

Another little screen appeared the furry face of Ryo-Ohki miyahing desperately at him. “Huh? Slow down Ryo-Ohki, I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Tenchi said, his hands out trying to slow the little cabbit down a bit.

Rather then launching into another series of cries, she opened up a third screen to show what she’d found.

“Tsunami!” said Tenchi breathlessly, feeling his powers swell exponentially with the appearance of the ship of the goddess. A slow smile crept onto his face, a plan forming in his mind that would serve to save the teams and allow him to avoid killing anyone else.

“I’ve got a plan, just keep them busy up here,” he told Bravo, tapping a panel and disappearing from sight in a red glow.

Seeing the young man leave, Bravo turned and looked at Mihoshi, then they both looked out to the mostly ruined pirate fleet that was too intent on fleeing to fight. “Right, we’ll babysit,” he said with crooked smile, thanking whoever it was that sent that ship.

On the surface…

Sheia growled as another volley of explosives landed just short of their position, forcing down the heads of everyone present. She’d lead the downed pilots to a point just shy of the extraction point only to find it was occupied by the two assault teams as well, hastily setting up a defensive position.

They joined forces and soon found themselves surrounded by pirate attackers from the compound they’d been tasked to destroy. While outnumbered and outgunned, they did have the benefit of superior training and the fiery plasma from the dragon. Her mount had taken several shots from a heavy weapon in her wing, rendering her flightless but highly agitated and aggressive, much to the painful displeasure of the attackers.

Throwing down the ruined communicator, she shook her head at the questioning look from Raven. “I think I got through, but they better hurry,” she said darkly, shouldering her weapon once more and scanning for targets.

Firing in rapid succession at a group of people rushing closer, she fought back the feelings of futility that threatened to take her will to fight. Her sights were suddenly and absolutely obscured by a huge ship that just appeared between her and her targets. “What the hell?” she asked, jerking her head up from the weapon to gaze fully on the ship.

It was the largest treeship she’d ever seen, shields that sparkled and glowed in the bright sun, refracting light down on the defenders. A cheer went up from the Jurian soldiers, knowing very well what the ship was and who it belonged to. The shields extended downwards, covering the defenders completely from any fire or explosions coming their way.

“It’s Tsunami!” came the collective shouts amid relieved laughter and cheering.

Sheia frowned, not quite understanding how they could think a ship was a goddess. Looking over to Raven, she found the woman smiling and nodding. Pointing to the ship, “That’s the ship of the goddess, it only appears when she’s taken a personal interest, though I would guess someone else is here instead of her,” she told Sheia.

True to her words, a lone figure appeared between the ship and the pirates, covered in an orb of glowing power that blossomed outwards like a flower. Each petal of the energy flower attached itself to Tenchi at various locations on his body, giving him a kind of armor. As the last two petals formed his classic shield and sword, he began his slow march towards the now frightened attackers.

With a glowing red aura, every one of the defenders to include the dragon were transported aboard Tsunami, safe from any harm within her mighty hull. Sheia was breathless at the sheer majesty and power that seemed to emanate from the ship, calming frayed nerves.

Sitting down next to her dragon, she crooned to it softly, running her gloved hand over it’s hardened scales affectionately. “Never a dull moment,” she said quietly, wondering what other secrets Tenchi harbored, and found herself looking forward to finding out the answers.

Soldiers immediately started looking after the wounded, administering what they could to make them comfortable and coordinating care with one another. Watching as the pilots she’d rescued were led to a triage area, Sheia felt a pressure release from her shoulders, allowing her to finally relax.

Looking around, the Vaagard wondered about what was transpiring outside the ship and if there would be any survivors from the wrath of Tenchi Masaki.

Outside Tsunami…

The incoming fire had ceased almost immediately following the appearance of the ship, with only a sporadic shot here and there marring the stunned silence. After Tenchi had appeared and garnered himself into the full battle armor of his wings, the pirates had began to break, men and women fleeing back to the compound as fast as they could.

When he began his slow, silent march towards them, the remaining pirates threw down their weapons and prostrated themselves on the ground, some of them crying and begging him for mercy. Those he passed by looked up at his passing figure and shivered with the cold intense expression he wore, not concerned by them at all. They ran, fast and hard, getting as far from the compound as they could before he unleashed his horrible power upon it and them.

Two men walked towards the approaching young man, holding between them a man with his hands tied behind his back, his once white hair streaked with blood, his head lolling about bonelessly on his shoulders.

As they reached a point just before Tenchi, they threw the man down, pointing accusing fingers at the now prone and unmoving figure. “This is the man that started this madness, it was his insane plan and we want nothing more to do with him,” the taller of the two said, spitting onto the man’s back.

The other could only nod, looking fearful and white as he stood face to face with the man that had single-handedly destroyed the pirate fleet around Jurai.

Tenchi’s eyes narrowed at the accusation, his intense gaze going from man to man, making both fidget uncomfortably. As the older man began to stir, the smaller man moved forward to kick at him, only to be halted by the irate expression of Tenchi as he moved before him so fast that it seemed as if he simply appeared there.

“Don’t,” was all the man said, almost causing the pirate to lose control of his bladder as he saw power incarnate within the eyes of Tenchi. As Tenchi slowly knelt down by the man’s side, the two pirates looked at one another with uncertain expressions, as they both tried to sidle back towards the compound that they’d emerged from.

Lifting the man’s beaten and bloodied face, Tenchi watched the eyelids flutter then open slightly. It took the man a few moments to gather his wits about him, his now coherent eyes settling onto the face of the man that had helped him to a sitting position. “So, you’ve come to finish me then?” asked the old man, his voice cracking as he spoke.

Cocking his head to the side, Tenchi found the man’s reaction to be startlingly calm and collected for someone that had orchestrated such heinous acts. “Aren’t you going to plead for mercy?” he asked him bluntly, destroying the restraints on the man’s wrists as he asked.

Rubbing at his skinned and bloodied wrists, he nodded his thanks to Tenchi. “Why? Would it matter? Would it change what you’re going to do? Would you even listen?” he asked him in a tired voice, as if resigned to his fate.

The man’s demeanor had definitely sparked a nagging feeling within his mind, every instinct telling him that something wasn’t right about this situation. “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on and I’ll be judge of that?” he asked the man, suddenly very interested in hearing what the man had to say.

Taking a deep breath, his eyes drifted to the majestic sight of Tsunami hovering behind Tenchi, bringing a smile to his face. “So it’s true then, that you’re the living embodiment of her powers? Along with the other two?” he asked, pulling his knees up before him and resting his forearms on them.

Glancing over his shoulder at the ship, Tenchi smiled softly as well, memories of his family and friends coming to mind. “Something like that I guess, it’s a bit more complicated than that. So, if you knew that, why would you come after my daughter? Didn’t you think I’d do everything in my power to get her back?” he asked the man, an edge to his voice one more as he thought of what they’d plotted against Mayuka.

Shaking his head, the man looked very tired and old all of a sudden. “You may not believe what I’ve got to say, but I ask you to listen before you make any decision, it’s all I can ask,” he started, waiting only long enough for Tenchi to nod before beginning his story.

“My name is Cain and I used to have control of the remaining pirates after the death of Zee,” he began, speaking in a calm monotone. “One of the younger pirate lords decided that he knew better then I on how to take us into an uncertain future. His name is Keln and he’s the one that started this lunacy. I told him I wanted nothing to do with it and I thought he’d just let me walk away if I let him be. Turned out I guessed wrong,” he said with a strong measure of embarrassment, his head hanging slightly as he recounted his last few weeks.

Looking at Tenchi from under his brow, “He turned some of my own men against me, setting this up to look like I’d orchestrated the whole thing…while he’s busy hitting that planet where you left your daughter,” he admitted, watching the boy’s face whiten at the admission.

“If you don’t believe me, send them a message, I’m sure they’re under attack by now. With all your attention turned here, he figured to have a clear shot at taking your daughter from right under your nose,” Cain told him, bracing himself for the death blow he was sure was coming.

Tenchi stood suddenly, his anger flaring around him, cold rage waiting and wanting to be released upon anyone that had something to do with this. “Why’re you telling me this now?” he growled, the Light Hawk Sword touching the man on the side of his neck.

Looking up at the irate young man, Cain didn’t flinch. “I’ve spent my whole life as a pirate, robbing and hijacking my way around the universe, but even I know the insanity of this. I was part of that fleet you took on when you made your way to Jurai. No, I know that you’re not someone to be taken lightly and I refuse to be used like a puppet. I’m telling you because I’ve got nothing left to lose. If you decide to kill me, it’s probably more than an old pirate like me deserves, but I also remember stories of how you saved that race of people from destruction before those bugs destroyed their planet. I’m not asking for mercy or anything like that, I just want the honor to die like a man, not a dog. I’m going to die, but I’m not going to die for someone else’s sins…especially not for that lying cheating dog Keln,” he said with venom.

Worry and anger warred within him, twisting his face as he fought to find truth in the man’s words. “Come with me, tell all the pirates to stand aside or I’ll personally destroy all of them. If what you’re saying is true, then I’ll let you live… but if you’ve lied to me,” he threatened, his face seeming to darken with fury.

Cain got painfully to his feet, “Agreed. I’ll do what I can for the others, but they may not listen to me anymore if Keln now owns their loyalty,” he said, walking with him towards the ship.

On Yukinojo…

Bravo’s face showed betrayal and shock as he listened to the Galactic News report of the incident they’d had a part of. “You’ve GOT to be freakin’ kidding me,” he muttered, unable to believe the story that was being spread throughout the galaxy.

The screen showed a handsome young man and woman standing on the bridge of a ship somewhere within the system that the assault force was in. They were discussing the horrible and unprovoked attack by not only the forces of Jurai and the Galaxy Police, but of Tenchi Masaki as well.

“As you can see, the ships were trying to flee and Tenchi Masaki ordered Ryo-Ohki to attack the helpless ships, sending thousands of innocent men and women to their deaths,” said the breathless man, looking properly horrified by the events though his eyes were smug.

“Indeed, as you’ve just seen they were posing no threat to anyone yet he still had them destroyed,” agreed the woman, pausing and holding a hand to her ear, her face lighting up slightly with unheard news. “I’ve just been told we have video proof that the Maniac of Jurai had indeed taken a personal hand once more in the death and destruction of innocent lives. Take a look at this,” she said, motioning the newly appeared screen.

The screen showed Tenchi and Ryo-Ohki destroying a capitol ship with ease, blasting apart it’s hull with impunity, turning aside the sides defenses as if they were nothing more than a minor annoyance. The camera’s followed him as he worked his way through several more ships, a running tally at the bottom of the screen showing the number of ships destroyed and possible casualties inflicted with each destruction.

The woman made a show of brushing away a tear, as if the entire event was too painful to watch or consider. Turning away from the camera’s, she milked the moment for everything it was worth before seeming to pull herself together as her co-host put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I apologize for my lack of professionalism there, but I had no idea the extent of his cruelty or lack of mercy,” she said brokenly, turning a tearful gaze to the man next to her.

Bravo rolled his eyes in disbelief at the display, “Gimme a damn break!” he practically shouted at the screen, extending his hand to the screen and looking at Mihoshi to see if she was buying into this line of falsehoods.

She was wide eyed, pointing to the screen, where he could just make out the faint form of the Yukinojo. He smiled evilly for a moment, spinning in his chair and calling up the weapons for the ship.

“Um, Jay…what are you doing?” she asked him tentatively, looking over his shoulder.

“I’m going to have an accidental discharge in the course of defending ourselves, pity they just happened to be in the way,” he growled back, stopping only when her slender arms wrapped around his neck, her body pressing into his.

“Please don’t do that, I know they’re lying but that’s just not right and you know it,” she told him softly, smiling sadly as he sagged in her embrace.

“I know, I know…it’s just that it pisses me off. I mean, where in the hell do they get off reporting shit like that, huh? It ain’t even the truth of what happened, but the way they’re telling the story it’s gonna look like we went and attacked them without cause,” he said to her, waving a dejected hand at the screen as the two talking heads continued their false reporting.

The communications signaled, Bravo opening the channel without thinking. “I’ve got some disturbing news and I need you guys to find out how Funaho and Misaki are doing with Mayuka,” Tenchi asked without preamble, his facial expression dark and foreboding.

“Um, sure…just a second,” said Mihoshi, sliding into her command seat and sending a message to Malik. It was several seconds before it was answered, though not in the way any of them were expecting. “All incoming transmissions to the Royal Outpost on Malik are being rerouted due to technical difficulties at this time. If it is an emergency, please leave a recording and it will be returned in the order it was received,” said recording of a Royal Knight.

“That’s strange, all I’m getting is a recording about technical difficulties. What do you think…HEY! Where’d he go?” she asked as Tenchi simply vanished from sight.

Bravo looked a bit shaken as well, not used to Tenchi acting quite so strangely. “Don’t know, but it can’t be good. Keep trying to get a hold of them,” he said, closing the link and trying to raise Ryo-Ohki, and not finding the cabbit ship anywhere in the system.

“Not again,” he muttered, feeling a miserable sense of déjà vu, then opened a link to Admiral Watanabe.

“This is Angel with a priority message for Anvil,” he said, using the code names for the ships, knowing that they would bring the man immediately.

“What’s going on? We’re receiving reports of wide spread destruction throughout that system,” Hideki asked the man, looking concerned over the latest development.

“It’s worse then you know, any chance you guys spoke with Malik in the past while?”

Hideki looked surprised, “Yes, actually I did not so long ago. Seems they were under some sort of attack, but that they were handling it. Why do you ask?”

Rubbing his forehead, Bravo groaned. “I’ve got a REALLY bad feeling about this Admiral, I think we’ve been played for fools here. I take it you’ve seen the reports from the Galactic News?”

Frowning the man nodded, “Yes, I have but they are complete rubbish, though we will be hard pressed to refute them at this point and time. I usually leave such delicate matters to the royal family, they are more adept are handling the masses. Now what do you mean that we’ve been played for fools?” he asked, leaning closer to the screen.

“Something stinks is all, like the fact they seemed to know we were coming and with what…INCLUDING your little ruse. No, I’m telling you we’ve been ratted out here and that the real strike was heading back at Malik,” he answered, getting a sinking feeling once more.

Watanabe smiled darkly at his words. “Then I will take great pleasure in questioning some of the personnel that were privy to this operation. I can be most persuasive when I want to be,” he promised.

Bravo nodded his approval of the thoughts, “I had that feeling about you. Anyways, we’ve got the strike teams collected and aboard Tsunami right now, they’re just waiting on you folks to get here to escort them home. Oh, by the way…seems like we’ve got an unauthorized ship in the direct line of fire. I’ll send you the specs on it, seems like it’s broadcasting without permission as well. Just thought you’d like to know,” he told the man, matching his dark smile.

Raising an eyebrow at the mention of the goddess ship, Hideki gave him crooked grin. “Could be a spy vessel from the pirates, we’ll simply HAVE to detain it to make sure that everything is in order. Truly unfortunate that we’ll be unable to deal with them until we’ve arrived back on Jurai,” he chuckled.

Mihoshi giggled at the men’s interaction, shaking her head. “I’ll also let Headquarters know that they hadn’t cleared entry with our officers either. They could have been seriously injured or worse, they’ll have to relinquish their broadcasting permits until we FULLY investigate the matter,” she added, having already sent the message.

Hooking a thumb at the beautiful blonde, Jay smiled at the Admiral. “See why I love her? She’s as devious as we are,” he joked.

Laughing lightly, “But the question still remains as to WHY she loves you. See you on Jurai,” he joked, closing the transmission and leaving a slack jawed Bravo.

Blinking slowly, he turned to face a laughing Mihoshi. “But…but…but…” he stammered, unable to believe the man had gotten the best of him.

Kissing his nose, Mihoshi giggled again. “Don’t worry, I know why I love you and that’s all that matters. Now then, Yukinojo, take us to Malik as fast as you can! We need to help Tenchi,” she ordered her ship.

The ship leapt from the system, taking the most direct path to the forward outpost, both occupants hoping that they weren’t going to see a replay of those terrible moments from Jurai not so long ago.

Malik…

Misaki moved through the rushing men like the wind, hair and cloak twirling around her as she wove death into the men with her sword. She smiled darkly at them as she cut them down, giving no mercy to any she found. Standing at the head of the hallway, she turned to find no other attackers within her sight, causing the woman to frown slightly.

Stepping to the communications panel, she entered in the secure code for the safe room. “Is everything still okay there?” she asked.

Funaho’s calm voice immediately replied. “Yes, though they woke up Mayuka a little while ago with one of their attempts to gain access to our wing. Would you be so kind as to show them some manners for me?” she asked.

Smiling brightly, Misaki couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you think it’s time to let our surprise out yet or should we wait for them to actually breach the doors?” she asked.

There was a pause, followed by a sigh. “I suppose we must let him out sometime or he will be impossible to deal with. Have you kept one of them alive so that we might question them as to how they knew about our operations?” she asked.

Misaki looked sheepish for a moment, until one of her guards signaled that one of the pirates still lived. “Yes, barely,” she said in a relieved tone.

“Very well, I’ll give the signal. Coming back now?” asked Funaho, bouncing Mayuka lightly as she asked.

“Of course, we’ll see you soon,” she answered, hanging the hilt of her sword on her belt once more. Walking over to where her guards were trussing up the survivor, she stood before him, motioning them to bring him up to her level.

“Your very life depends upon your answers. Should they displease me or make me feel that you are lying I will personally hand you over to Tenchi when he arrives and let him know of your complicity,” she said in a cold tone.

Seeing the fear in the man’s eyes, Misaki smiled without humor at him. “I take you know of his history with those that have harmed his family, good. Keep that in mind and perhaps you’ll live to see your grandchildren,” she told him, slapping him roughly back into unconsciousness and striding confidently down the corridors.

The guards carried the limp man with stoic expressions, knowing no matter what he answered, his life was going to be very painful and most likely…very short.

On the opposite side of the base…

Keln growled at his men, “Get moving, we’re almost there. They couldn’t possibly have any more traps or guards this far into the complex. If we don’t get that child we’re as good as dead,” he said to them, shoving one of them forward roughly.

The man trembled as he stumbled forwards, having seen over a dozen of his friends and comrades die unspeakably painful deaths from clever traps that seemed to have been made a part of the very structure.

Reaching out a timid hand, swallowing past the dryness in his throat, he closed his eyes and gingerly touched the panel that would open the door. His whole body cringed with the chiming of the door as it cycled open under his touch. Opening a lone eye, it darted back and forth, confirming that he was still indeed alive. Letting out a breath of relief, his shoulders slumping as he turned and gave Keln and the others a thumbs up. It would be the last motion and thought that went through his mind.

As he turned, the door opened to reveal a very anger and dangerous looking Azusa Jurai, former king and pinnacle warrior of the empire. Even as the man’s hand and thumb came up, the dark purple blade in Azusa’s hand swept down, cleaving the man almost in two from top to bottom.

Keln’s eyes widened, hand bringing up the plasma bolter in his hand and unleashing a flurry of fire at the former king. All his shots were easily deflected by the energy sword he carried, and the lone shot that he didn’t bother to block was absorbed by the almost totally transparent shield of the Light Hawk on his off hand.

Smiling cruelly at the man, Azusa strode towards him with slow measured steps. “I suffered indignities beyond imagining at the hands of you and your ilk, and when I was finally freed to unleash my righteous fury upon you, I found that you’d skulked away into the shadows,” he told Keln, and with a backhanded swing of his sword decapitated on of the pirates cowering along the corridor.

The head fell to the floor with a dull sounding thud, blood splashing onto the wall and floor as it continued to furiously pump from the still beating heart.

The remainder of the pirates witnessed the cold calculated murder of their comrade and looked on with horror to the approaching man. They found no mercy, no quarter and no sympathy there…only the cold finality of death he had brought to them.

Throwing down their weapons, they fell to corridor floor on their knees, hands clasped tightly behind their heads and not moving any further.

Azusa looked at the men with a cold smile, then back to the rapidly growing terror on the face of the man that had tried to play games with some of the most powerful creatures in the universe. “Looks like they’re not as dumb as you are,” he said quietly, his voice devoid of any type of feeling.

Keln’s backing away started to pick up speed, his mind taking over the motor functions in the interests of self-preservation. A fine idea, but many weeks too late for it to be of any help for the man now.

Pulling his own sword, he held it before him eyes darting wildly around to find a way to escape. The corridor that they’d used to reach this inner sanctum was behind him to the left, though it was still some 6 meters away from where he was standing. Weighing chances of his getting to the corridor and outrunning the king or standing and hoping to win a battle against one of the finest swordsmen Jurai had even seen, he decided on a course of action.

“GET HIM!” bellowed Keln, raising his sword above his head as he did. The distraction had the desired effect as it caused Azusa to pause and glance over his shoulder for a split second, allowing Keln turn bolt to the corridor.

Hearing the pounding of retreating footsteps, Azusa smiled grimly as he watched the man running from him. “I so enjoy the hunt,” he said quietly, taking up chase of the man.

In near orbit around Malik…

Tenchi moved with the sheer power of thought, achieving speeds well beyond what should have been possible. When he’d received confirmation that there was indeed a strike at Mayuka, he’d grasped Cain and immediately left in an explosion of light, Ryo-Ohki getting pulled along.

Cain sat calmly next to the boy, resigned to his fate, no matter what it may be. He looked at the concern and rage on the young man’s face, seeing the dicotomy of youth and experience there. ‘He has the weight of the universe upon his shoulders, yet he only wields his powers to help, how many others could claim something like that?’ he thought to himself.

Looking down at the man, “Is something wrong?” he asked Cain, his voice controlled and neutral.

Shaking his head, “No, I was just thinking about the load you must bear with all the power you have. How is it you are able to resist the temptation to use them for your own gains? Not many in all the universe could make such a claim,” he told the boy.

“I was raised mostly by my grandfather, a shinto priest as well as a crown prince of Jurai. I was taught responsibility, respect and duty from an early age,” the young man said matter-of-fact as he turned his expression back to the view screen.

Cain smiled and chuckled at the simple yet honest answer. “Maybe you should speak with my own son’s, they might learn something,” he told him.

Smiling lightly at the off-handed compliment, Tenchi nodded. Ryo-Ohki alerted them that they were close by popping open two screens, one showing the pirate ships in orbit around the planet and the other showing her concerned face.

“It’s okay Ryo-Ohki, I’ll get Mayuka before they do. You just make sure not one of them gets away,” he told her, then looked down at Cain.

“I’m going to drop you off with the soldiers here, they’ll decide what to do with you. You told me the truth so far and I won’t let any harm come to you, but you have to answer for your crimes,” he told him simply, extending a hand down to him, pulling him to his feet.

“I told you before, I’m ready to accept my fate for my actions, I just wanted to make sure I was answering for MY actions and not some lunacy I had no part of,” he answered firmly, holding the boy’s hand and shaking it firmly before releasing it.

Tenchi put his hand on the older man’s shoulder and with a brilliant flash, they both vanished from the bridge of Ryo-Ohki. The cabbit ship gave a sad cry as they left, her worry evident over the young man she loved as much as she did her mistress. As the pirate ships that temporarily controlled the orbit over Malik opened fire, she took her worry and frustration out on them, unleashing her impressive firepower upon.

Inside the Forward Base…

“You can’t run forever, sooner or later I WILL catch you,” called Azusa, jogging through the corridors with a smile. He’d caught sight of Keln a few times, but each time the man had increased his speed and dodged him by taking a random corridor. They’d criss-crossed the same paths multiple times, all the while Azusa taunting the scared man in a calm and almost friendly tone.

The ground beneath him shuddered violently, followed a few seconds later by a deafening explosion and wailing of klaxons, alerting that the base had suffered a direct hit by something very large. “What in the hells?” muttered the King, bracing himself on a wall.

Lights flickered wildly for a moment, then failed completely, leaving the man in pitch blackness for a moment before emergency lighting snapped on. It wasn’t designed to illuminate to the extent that main power was and shadows now covered many areas, giving the corridors a surreal appearance.

“This is going to make the hunt all the more interesting,” Azusa said, once more stalking his prey. A scream of terror came from the maze of corridors before him, followed by the sounds of a man running with everything he had, as well as the tumbling sounds of said man falling due to his haste and fear.

Moving forwards towards the sounds, he stopped dead in his tracks at what he saw before him. Keln was on the ground, his back towards him on his butt, struggling to crab crawl away from the approaching figure of light and power.

Tenchi’s Light Hawk Armor glowed brilliantly in the darkness, giving him the appearance of an avenging angel, complete with glowing sword and stern expression.

“Tenchi Masaki, I will deal with him,” called Azusa to the young man, though he felt a twinge of fear at coming face to face with the sheer magnitude of the boy’s power. He almost regretted calling out to him as he found himself under the harsh scrutiny of him.

“No. He’s tried to kill my daughter and that is something that I cannot forgive,” said Tenchi quietly, no leeway in his words or tone as to what his chosen course of action was going to be.

Azusa swallowed hard but stood firm, walking closer to the growing drama. “I know this and support your feelings, but it must be dealt with properly. He can give us details to all of their operations and locations, with that we will be able to help countless innocent lives that could be lost should he die,” he tried to reason with him.

The corner of Tenchi’s lip curled up in disgust. “So, you would let him live so that you could save the lives of your people? What of my daughter Azusa, or have you forgotten how much she disgusted you? You play games with lives that are worth more than yours,” he growled out, eyes flashing with outrage and pain.

The boy’s words cut into the man, it was a shame he’d have to live with for the rest of his days, how his arrogance had almost cost him everything. Shaking his head, “No, I was wrong then Tenchi, about both you and Mayuka. She is a beautiful and loving child that I consider a privilege to have in my family. I cannot take back what was said, but I can stop myself from making such stupid mistakes in the future. Please Tenchi, let me help you…I will deal with him, getting the information we need and delivering just punishment for his actions. Let me do this for you as a start for all the wrong I have done to you and your family,” he asked quietly, voice taking almost a pleading quality.

Keln sat in terrified silence listening to them as they negotiated his fate, realizing that no matter which route they took, he was going to die painfully either way. Gritting his teeth, he knew that to attack Tenchi was suicide in the purest sense of the word and that Azusa wasn’t much better of a choice. ‘At least I stand a chance of wounding Azusa,’ his fear addled mind reasoned, springing his body to action.

Rolling to his side and almost leaping to his feet, he brought his sword up in a double handed over head swing in an attempt to kill the former King of Jurai.

The blow never landed, Azusa’s sword exploding from the man’s back even as Keln’s head rolled from his shoulders, the Light Hawk Sword having turned to energy as Tenchi closed the distance in the span between thoughts and slashed at the man.

The two men looked at one another over the body of the dead pirate lord, neither sure of what to say or do. “I’m sorry Tenchi, for all that I put you through. You never deserved such from me, I have wronged you and owe you a debt of honor that I will spend the rest of my days trying to repay,” Azusa finally said, bowing to the man before him.

Tenchi blinked at the man’s words and actions, having never expected this from him. He fought past the rage and cold isolation he harbored within, finding the warmth of love for his family and the quiet strength it gave him. Lowering the sword, Tenchi gave the man a tired smile. “It’s okay Azusa, a lot has happened since then, I’m just glad that you’re able to finally see Mayuka as something other than a demon child,” he told the man, finding forgiveness for him coming easily to him once more.

As he rose back up, he gave Tenchi a relieved smile as well. “Come, I’m sure your daughter has missed you and I would not keep you from your family,” he said, as the two men moved down the corridors towards the safe room.

On the Galactic News Network…

“Our reporters have been illegally detained under the flimsy excuse of public safety and are unable to bring you the truth of what is happening. We do however have several reports of an execution of a so called Pirate Lord by the name of Keln. It seems he tried to negotiate a peace with Jurai so that they might govern their people without the interference of the Empire. His fleet was attacked and many lost their lives in the ensuing fighting. What’s interesting about this development is that King Azusa and his Queen’s were in residence of the facility when this occurred. According to official reports from the throne, Keln attempted to attack a royal outpost and was killed during the attack. Given the sudden appearance of the Maniac of Jurai along with the presence of the former rulers of the Empire, it is hard to believe this, though we will continue to investigate this matter until the entire truth is brought to light, more after this…” said the well dressed and manicured man with a smarmy smile to the screen.

A thrown remote smashed into the screen, turning off the report amid a flurry of colorful adjectives. “5 minutes, that’s all I ask, just 5 minutes alone with the idiot that’s coming up with that crap,” growled Bravo, cracking his knuckles ominously.

Mihoshi rested her head on his shoulder, her arm draped across him as they sat on the couch of the Masaki home. “It’s only been a couple of days, you know they’re like vultures when they find a story,” she said dreamily, her eyelids drowsing.

Reaching up he absently stroked her hand, “Yeah, I know…still don’t mean I gotta like it. Even with all the information they’ve been given they still insist on reporting some kind of conspiracy, ain’t they got anything better to do?” he grumbled.

They’d returned only a few days prior from the botched mission, as much to avoid the media circus that had ensued as to return to a normal life once more. Mihoshi had been given a few weeks vacation from the Galaxy Police and was making up for lost time with Bravo.

Bravo had spent the trip home going over all the intelligence from before and after, trying to find out where the leak had come from and why they’d been so easily duped. Giving up in frustration, he left it in the capable hands of the Galaxy Police and Jurai Intelligence, knowing they were much better equipped to discover it. Once they’d returned home, he and Mihoshi had made some plans to spend a couple of days travelling to relieve the battle stress and discover each other once more.

Tenchi had spent almost a full 24 hours not letting Mayuka out of his sight, only allowing Bravo or Mihoshi to help him when he was too exhausted to think straight. Mayuka had thrived on the attention from her daddy, thrilled to no end that she got to do everything he was. This excitement lasted about an hour, then she was looking for something else to distract her. Unfortunately, it turned out to be Ryo-Ohki and her long fluffy ears. They’d finally come to an agreement of sorts, with Ryo-Ohki taking on her little girl form and playing with the baby for hours on end, singing and making childish noises to delight each other.

Sheia, much to everyone’s surprise, had asked to accompany them back to earth, claiming to need some distance from the turmoil that was brewing in the galaxy and the need to let her dragon heal from it’s wounds. Tenchi had agreed to let her stay with them at the house, though he wondered about her real motives, especially given her offer to him to take him to bed with her. Neither mentioned it, and she soon became just another of the eclectic guests that stayed at the Masaki residence.

Every morning Tenchi and Sheia would practice the sword arts together, using the time to work through frustrations and thoughts without having to give voice to them. They began a quiet and respectful friendship, a release for both of them that was mutually beneficial.

It was almost a week later, and the Galactic News was still claiming Tenchi to be a villain on par with Kagato for sheer death and destruction. They even linked his relationship with Ryoko as a possible cause of his murderous way, given her extensive history and notoriety. The day Tenchi had discovered that out, he’d went on a walk by himself for most of the day, taking only his practice boken with him. When he’d returned several hours later, the boken showed the wear and abuse of that outrage fueled training session, though he was once more centered.

“I’m going to the onsen, call me for dinner okay?” Tenchi called out, climbing the steps to his room.

Bravo and Mihoshi looked up from the couch and nodded at him. “Sure, we’re having eel tonight remember?” said Bravo, giving his friend a smile.

Rolling his eyes at the sight of Mihoshi almost drooling at the thought, he chuckled. “Alright, make sure that Mihoshi doesn’t eat it all again,” he teased them, no hard feelings in the joking amongst friends.

Sheia was walking down the stairs and gave him a warm smile as she passed, “Don’t worry, I’m cooking tonight so I’ll simply make extra. Had I of known of her fondness for it I would have done so the first time,” she assured him.

Tenchi grabbed his towel and bath kit from his room and walked into the bathroom, making sure to twist the handle to the left so that he accessed the floating hot springs bath Washu had created for them some time ago.

He disrobed without much in the way of thought, his mind taking pleasure in the simple motions and enjoyment of sinking into the steaming waters of the onsen.

He groaned deeply and closed his eyes as the water immediately started to ease the tension and strain he’d been putting on his body recently. He’d filled out more doing more and more physical labor and training, his already lean body taking on a cut and defined appearance. The down side was that he was almost constantly sore and was in the bath almost nightly now.

A tickling at the back of his mind, a kind of pulling sensation drew him from his thoughts. As he tried to focus on it he found that it wasn’t something he could define or explain. ‘I miss her,’ he thought, having had this feeling in some form since the death of Ryoko.

The rest of his bath was spent on remembering her body, her smell, her eyes and especially her smile. He found himself torn between laughter and tears, loving and missing in equal power and intensity. Joining the rest of his houseguests for dinner, the conversation was light and fun, each having become more comfortable with the Vaagard warrior that had joined them until she was simply accepted.

He sat quietly on the rebuilt dock later that evening, Washu’s robots having outdone themselves while they were gone. Looking up at the moon, he smiled as he remembered all the times Ryoko had spent outside looking up and toasting the moon as she drank her sake.

“Mind if I join you?” asked a timid Sheia, standing there in a beautifully detailed silken kimono.

Tenchi was speechless for a moment at the sight of her, unused to seeing her in anything other then her usual wear or training gear they wore. “Sure, have a seat,” he said, gesturing with his hand next to him.

Slipping her feet from the sandals, she put her feet into the water as well, wincing slightly at the temperature adjustment. “You’ve been quiet recently, is everything well?” she asked him, watching the moonlight playing on the waves before them.

Sighing, he considered how to answer the question. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her, but rather it was a personal thing for him to reveal his feelings to someone. ‘Like she’s gonna understand the guilt I have about what I’ve done or that I can’t let go of Ryoko…nor do I ever want to. I kept the girls on a string for too long and it hurt them too much to ever do that again,’ he thought, kicking his legs slowly in the chilly waters of the lake.

“I’ve had a lot on my mind is all. I know you’ve been a warrior your whole life and think that battle is the ultimate expression of honor and glory…but I wasn’t raised like that,” he began, hoping she’d understand.

“Not everything about battle is honorable Tenchi, some of it is disgusting and vile, but it has to be done no matter how distasteful. I’m not proud of all that I’ve done, only that I take responsibility for my actions and don’t shirk from them. That is what I’m most proud of,” she told her, mimicking his actions.

Her response brought a wistful smile to his face. “I’m the same way, I always try to own up to my responsibilities, even if it’s not popular,” he told her, his shoulders sagging. Turning his head to her, he considered her profile for a long moment. Her normally hardened face was soft, almost gentle in the blue light of the moon, giving her an ethereal appearance.

“I know that you want me to sleep with you and more,” he said quietly, legs going still as he broached the subject he’d been avoiding for some time. “I just don’t think I’m ready for anything like that yet,” he told her.

Sheia nodded, taking on a thoughtful expression as she pursed her lips lightly. “I told you then that I wouldn’t pressure or pester you about it Tenchi, just that I find you attractive and interesting. I would like to get to know more of you and your body, but I will not force you to do so,” the woman told him softly, a gentle smile coming to her face.

Turning her head to look at him, she met his eyes, finding the warmth there reassuring. “I’m a realist Tenchi, I don’t delude myself into thinking I could ever replace your Ryoko. She was one of a kind and a phenomenal woman and warrior, that she owns your heart doesn’t surprise me. However, no matter how much you may wish it not to be, she is gone and I am here. I am asking you to give me a chance, a chance to show you that you can still be loved and cherished. I have played too many games in the past and don’t wish to play them anymore. So I came to you and expressed my interests, knowing that you may not desire them nor me,” Sheia continued, revealing how much she’d thought about him recently, more so then even Tokimi had ordered her to do so.

“It’s not that! I DO find you attractive and I’m flattered by your attentions…it’s just that,” he trailed off, still feeling the cold emptiness inside that Ryoko used to occupy.

“She still holds sway in your heart and you’re afraid of dishonoring her memory by moving on,” she finished for him. Reaching up, she cupped his chin and gently turned his face to hers.

“Would she want you to waste away alone for the rest of your days? What about Mayuka? If she loved you as much as you loved her, wouldn’t she of wanted you BOTH to be happy?” the woman asked, leaning closer to his face.

Tenchi’s eyes were wide as their lips neared, his heart thundering his chest. At the last moment, he turned his face and she kissed his cheek. Closing his eyes, he felt a blush of shame creeping up on him over his actions.

Sheia’s eyes also had closed, disappointment written on her face at his gentle rejection of her affections. Letting out a deep sigh, she slowly pulled her feet from the water and got to her feet. “I understand Tenchi, I truly do, but I meant what I said. If you decide that you’ve been alone long enough, I’ll be waiting for you…eagerly,” she said, touching him lightly on the shoulder as she passed him on the way back to the house.

Hanging his head, Tenchi couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal at how he’d come to kissing the provocative woman. ‘Way to go genius, you try to let her down gently and instead you give her false hope,’ he berated himself.

It was a long time before he moved from the docks, lost in his thoughts and memories…wishing he had the power to change history and bring Ryoko back to his side.

In Washu’s lab…

Shaking her head, she waved a distracted hand at the screen causing it to disappear. “I’ll make sure the Galactic News has trouble broadcasting for the next century or so for being stupid,” she muttered, wondering when exactly the collective intelligence of the news organization didn’t total the sum of a colony of lemmings.

Taking a troubled breath, she eyed her calculations closely, knowing how much was riding on them. “It’s just not enough, even with all his powers, I don’t think he can do it…at least not without dying in the attempt,” she said in quiet defeat, now openly questioning her chosen course of action.

The door to her inter-dimensional lab was hurled open and Tenchi’s excited voice could be heard echoing for her. “What in the hell?” she muttered, looking at the time and finding it to be too early for him to be up.

Turning around from her work, she just barely had time to get to her feet before Tenchi almost bowled her over as he grabbed at her shoulders, his face wide and excited, eyes bright. “SHE’S ALIVE!” he cried to her, almost twirling her in his joy.

‘Oh no,’ she thought with a sinking feeling, her rational mind realizing the decision was now out of her hands on what to tell him. “What are you talking about Tenchi?” she asked carefully, making sure he knew what he was talking about.

“Ryoko! I FELT her Washu, on our link! Just like before, she’s scared and lonely…but she’s ALIVE!” he said, setting the smaller woman down and throwing his arms out to his sides.

“I’ve GOT to find her and go get her, no matter what,” he said, licking his lips as he could see that the goddess wasn’t anywhere near as excited as she should be over the news. “You know something don’t you?” he asked her, curbing his exuberance.

“Take a seat Tenchi, I’ve got to have a serious talk with you,” she said, creating a floating cushion for him that matched hers. When he’d taken an apprehensive seat, she sat down on the edge of her cushion and looked deeply into his eyes.

“Yes, I know she’s alive and I actually know WHERE she’s at, and that’s the problem,” she began, trying to stop his questions but failing as he looked outraged and shocked at her admission.

“YOU KNEW? All this time you’ve known she’s alive and you didn’t TELL ME?” he shouted at her, feeling betrayed by her words.

“SHUT UP A SECOND AND LISTEN!” she yelled back at him, her own feelings slipping their tight control. As his mouth clicked shut, she glared at him, the beginnings of tears in her eyes as she continued.

“You think it’s been EASY for me? To know that my DAUGHTER is trapped somewhere with everyone thinking she’s dead and worse yet to NOT have any clue on how to get her back?” she asked, her red eyes finally filling with unshed tears as the frustrations and disappointments of the last few months spilled over. She hadn’t been able to tell anyone of her discovery except for her sisters and they’d been less then thrilled about the news, or her attempts to get Ryoko back.

Tenchi’s face screwed up at her pain, looking ashamed of himself for both his outburst as well as her newly revealed pain. “I’m sorry Little Washu, I’ve just…” he started to say, his voice choking up with the surging emotion of the moment.

“I know Tenchi, and you know that I wouldn’t have kept it from you if I didn’t have to. I didn’t want to tell you she’s alive and not have a plan on how to get her back, that’s why I didn’t say anything,” she said, hastily wiping the moisture from her eyes.

“You mean, you can’t get her back? Where is she?” he asked quietly, beginning to realize just how bad it was by the sight of her tears.

Washu looked at him with a bleak expression, “She’s stuck in the dimension of darkness, the same place Mayuka was made,” she said dully.

His eyes widened at the news, remembering how much trouble they’d had getting there even with a portal device, not to mention the fact that his powers weren’t carried over with him. Only through the branch off of a Royal Tree was he even able to touch his powers enough to fight Yahuza. “That means…” he said quietly, mind trying to grasp the situation.

Nodding, she reached out and touched his hand with hers. “That’s right, that it may not be possible to get to her. Here’s the worst part Tenchi, the dimension wasn’t stable to begin with, and now that she’s been there for so long, it’s on the verge of collapsing. If that happens, I don’t know if she can EVER be saved,” she told him, voice cracking at she watched the hope die in his eyes, replaced by a fire she knew all too well. It was the same when he’d charged off to fight Kagato, rushed to the dimension to fight Yahuza and even joined into the fight to stop her father.

“Is there ANY way we can get her Little Washu, I can’t…I WON’T believe that it’s hopeless, not after all this time,” he asked, practically begging her for an answer.

The spectral form of Tsunami glimmered into existence behind Washu, “Think carefully about your actions Tenchi, there is much more at stake then just her life,” she said gently.

He glared at the goddess, “You knew too?” he asked in an accusing tone, brow furrowing at the thought.

Washu stood up held out her hands at the rapidly angering Tenchi. “Just a moment, yes she knew ONLY because I told her. She knew because I had to try and determine if there was anyway my sisters and I could get Ryoko before it was too late,” she defended Tsunami, not wanting this situation to escalate any further then it already had.

He turned his icy anger back to Washu’s placations, “Tokimi?” he asked darkly, eyes narrowing once more.

Tsunami’s hands fell back to her sides, looking with concern to Washu. “Yes, she survived Tenchi, well, kind of anyways. You killed her divine body, but not before she’d transferred her essence into a mortal, just like Tsunami did with Sasami,” admitted Washu, knowing that this wasn’t going to be as simple as she’d of liked it to be.

Taking a step closer to the goddess, he folded his arms across his chest. “Who? Who did she bond with?” he asked, his voice seeming to drop the temperature of the lab by ten degrees.

“With an unborn child Tenchi Masaki, Ayeka’s to be exact,” came the similarly cold voice of Tokimi from behind the man.

He whirled on the apparition of the goddess, Light Hawk Sword exploding into existence in his hand, causing all three goddesses to gasp at the sudden action. Leveling the blade at her face, “You did this, didn’t you? You planned this all along, even now you’re STILL playing games with lives like they’re nothing more than pawns,” he accused the ghostly woman.

Tokimi’s blue and purple eyes flashed at his accusatory tone, “I did what I HAD to do Tenchi Masaki, you faced our father and know the power he wields! Had I not done as I had, EVERYTHING would have been lost by now…including your precious Ryoko,” she spat back at the young man.

Tenchi bared his teeth at her in outrage, struggling to maintain control of his anger, though he desperately wished to once more rip life from this arrogant woman. “And I told you before, you didn’t even CONSIDER another possibility so we’ll never KNOW if your way was the only one or not!” he challenged, taking a step closer to the goddess.

Throwing an arm out, he looked back at both Washu and Tsunami, “You three were the most powerful beings in the universe, and yet you didn’t even ATTEMPT to ask for their help, instead you started a war that killed millions of innocent people because of your arrogance. I told you that I could NEVER forgive you for what you’ve done, and now I find out that it’s not even OVER yet,” he growled darkly, feeling the edges of his control starting to slip, something all three goddesses felt as well.

“Tenchi, calm down, please,” asked Tsunami, stepping forwards to his side.

“No Tsunami, this has been long overdue and Tokimi needs to hear it…after all, SHE created him,” Washu told her sister darkly, raising an eyebrow at Tokimi as she folded her arms across her chest.

Holding up her chin, Tokimi didn’t back down from the look of loathing and disgust on Tenchi’s face. “I did what had to be to ENSURE we would have the chance against father. Another way might not have worked and would have taken much needed time from us. Look within yourself Tenchi Masaki, ask yourself this. Could you have wielded this power before without my interference and influence? Would it have been enough, now knowing what you face?” she asked him challengingly.

Tenchi narrowed his eyes at the woman as he moved to stand before her image. “You’ve no IDEA of what I was capable of before this, nor what Ryoko and I could have done together,” he hissed, bringing up his hand.

“You tricked me into believing you were destroyed on Jurai Tokimi, tricked everyone. One day, you will find yourself amongst the rest of us, just like your sisters. Your games won’t be tolerated once your powers diminish, and you could easily find yourself at the mercy of someone that doesn’t have any,” he told her darkly. Summoned power began to form in his hand, the brighter it shined the fainter her apparition grew.

She smiled knowingly at him, “That is why I have a champion, to protect me when that time comes,” she said.

He shook his head, “I’m NOT your champion Tokimi, I simply wield your power,” the man said, beginning to banish the link from their presence.

As the astral form of the goddess disappeared, her laughter was faint. “I wasn’t referring to you,” it whispered softly.

Tenchi turned on the remaining two goddesses, his look accusing. “What did she mean by that?” he asked, anger still surging through his veins.

Tsunami shook her head, looking confused by the exchange as well. As both of them looked at Washu, the red head sighed and nodded. “She’s chosen another champion, though her new champion doesn’t carry the bulk of her powers like Zee did,” the woman told him.

“Sheia,” he said finally, his mind taking the logical leap and finding the pieces fitting.

“Yes, though I doubt even she realizes how important she is at the moment. She spent a lot of time with Tokimi before you killed her on Jurai, it was the natural choice once you’d dispatched Zee,” Washu said.

Looking at his feet, his hands balled into fists, thinking of the woman’s offer and actions. “So, they BOTH thought they could use me?” he growled, feeling used and mocked.

Washu was at his side in a heartbeat, forcing him to look into her eyes as she spoke. “No, Sheia has been used from the beginning, just like you were. Tokimi may have influenced her, but she doesn’t even realize the depths that Tokimi has used her…yet. I know what she offered you Tenchi, you can see it all over your face, but most of that is her own feelings and actions, NOT Tokimi’s. Trust me on this one kiddo,” she said earnestly, not needing Tenchi to take vengeance into his hands once more.

Struggling to maintain his control, he felt an ache within his heart at the thought of being used once more for someone else’s gain. Swallowing hard, he nodded to Washu, forcing a weak smile to his face. “What about Ryoko Washu? Can you find a way to get her back?” he asked once more.

“I’m working on it Tenchi, you’ve got to believe me on that one, I love her too. I just don’t know, and what’s worse,” she paused, waving her hand to call up her timer. "She doesn’t have much time left before the last of the dimension implodes, taking her with it for good this time,” she added quietly.

His face went from horrified, to sick…then finally settled onto a blind determination. “Washu, you’re the greatest scientific genius in the universe, I know you can figure out a way. I’ll do ANYTHING to get her back, even if I have to rip the universe apart to do so,” he swore to the woman, causing Tsunami to hand her head.

“What about our father Tenchi? Would you sacrifice everything just for a CHANCE to save her, even if it fails and costs you your life?” she asked quietly.

He looked up at the beautiful face of Tsunami, once more struck at how Sasami would look when she was older. He missed the cheerful little princess and her boundless optimism, especially now. “You, of all people ask me this Tsunami? Knowing everything I’ve done for them? That they’ve done for me?” he asked the goddess.

Tsunami nodded in resignation, knowing full well that he had risked and virtually LOST his life in defense of the girls before, without thought to his own well being. That he loved Ryoko now would only strengthen his resolve to rescue the woman, no matter the cost. “I only ask this of you Tenchi, if it seems like too much, that you will not survive the attempt, remember those of us here counting on you…that love you,” she whispered to him as she walked closer to her Knight, and the object of Sasami’s crush.

Her translucent hand touched his face softly, her forehead touching his, the marks of power on his face springing into existence with a glow at the touch. Memories of his life with the girls powered past his anger and sorrow, reminding him of happy times past. She heard him gasp as they flashed through his mind, easing him past the cold emptiness that had threatened to claim his soul and morality.

They met one another’s eyes, each lost in thoughts and memories as she started to fade back to rejoin Sasami. “You will NEVER be alone Tenchi, I will always be with you,” she whispered to him as she vanished, leaving him with that solemn vow.

He turned to Washu with tears swimming in his eyes, blinking rapidly. “I’ve got to try Little Washu, she’d die trying to save me…even if I didn’t love her,” he said brokenly, hoping she at least would understand his determination.

Washu wrapped the boy into a firm embrace, letting him know by the action that she believed in both him and his course of action. “I’m going to do everything I can to get you that chance Tenchi, I promise,” she said to him, feeling his arms tighten at her words.

Pulling back from him, she gave him a confident smile. “Now get lost, I’ve got work to do,” she pushed on his chest affectionately, moving him towards the door.

Wiping his eyes, he gave her a grateful smile. “Thanks Little Washu, I know you can do it,” he answered, walking from the lab.

As the door shut, she lost her confident expression and eyed the countdown apprehensively. “I just hope I can live up to your expectations Tenchi,” she whispered, hating to hear the doubt in her own voice.

Outside, near Ryoko’s cave…

The rock overhang deepened the shadows of the night, adding to the bleakness of his mood as he wondered the grounds of the shrine. He gazed into it’s depths, sitting heavily on the rock out side as he pondered what would happen, and how far he’d have to go.

Hanging his head, he played idly with his fingers, truly considering his course of action and if he could follow through with it. His mind wandered back to Ryoko and that brief flash he’d felt of her on their bond, and in that instant how he’d felt whole once again. ‘I’d give anything to have her back with me, but what if it does cost the rest of the universe?’ he asked himself, finally asking himself the question he’d all but refused to consider before.

Tenchi’s head snapped up, a feeling of pressure building around him along with an unshakable feeling that there was something amiss. He frowned, slowly getting to his feet and looking around the clearing, ears straining to hear anything from the ordinary.

The night sounds he was accustomed to slowly quieted, then ceased entirely, adding to his feeling of foreboding. Without thinking about his actions, he slipped into a modified fighting stance that left open as many options as possible, including flight from the area.

His eyes moved rapidly, still scanning for whatever could be hiding within the darkness, while his body stood motionless. The pressure built to an almost physical sensation, making the teeth in the back of his mouth throb in time with his heart. The feeling simply exploded without noise, a concussive wave that could only be felt by the spirit and not the body.

“Do you mind if I join you?” asked a formal voice, causing the young man to whirl and extend a hand at the source. His eyes widened as he found himself once more face to face with the dark god that was the father of the goddess.

“YOU!” he said quietly, stunned for a moment before his power flared up within him, preparing for the attack that was sure to follow. His ten Light Hawk Wings blossomed around him, protecting him from any and all harm as well as giving him a dangerous and wholly deadly array of weapons to use. The Light Hawk Armor glowed brilliantly in the darkness, lighting up the shadows around Ryoko’s Cave and chasing the shadows from the clearing.

The man held up both hands in a placating manner, “Just a moment, I’ve no wish to fight you, otherwise I’d of brought my children with me. I simply wish to speak with you, if you’re willing to listen,” he told him calmly, careful not to make any sudden motions around the boy.

“Why should I believe you? All you want to do is eliminate anything in this dimension that doesn’t fit within your grand scheme,” Tenchi accused him, grasping one of the Light Hawk wings and transforming it into a sword.

“That may be true, but it still doesn’t change the fact that I’ve taken a lot of time, effort and considerable risk to come here like this to speak with you. There are some things you need to know, things that you haven’t been told. If you’ll hear me out, I’m sure that it will be worth your while,” he offered, still not moving.

Looking at the distinguished man standing before him, Tenchi weighed his choices against the risk. “If you try anything,” he threatened ominously.

The man gave a small smile of relief, “Nothing, I swear,” he assured Tenchi, motioning towards the rock. “Do you want to have a seat while I explain or would you rather stand?” he asked, shrugging when Tenchi simply shook his head to the offer.

“How are you here? I thought you needed your beacon?” asked Tenchi, not waiting for the man to start his explanation.

“Good, right to the point and with an intelligent question. I like that,” the dark god said with an approving smile. “When you gathered the powers of my daughters, you became the single most powerful entity within this dimension, a side effect of that is that I am able to find you even though I am not. In short,” the man paused, adjusting the glasses on his nose. “YOU are my beacon. I can home in on you, but without a conduit, I’m still unable to force my way here. Think of it like a telecommunication of sorts, with you as the receiver. With enough power, I can transmit myself in a way that you are able to hear and understand,” he explained.

Furrowing his brow, “But why? Why do you want to talk to me?” asked the young man, the sword released back into the wings.

Holding up a finger, the man began to pace. “It’s actually a long story, most of which I’m sure you don’t wish to hear. You see, I’ve spent along time observing my daughters, and yourself as well as a result, trying to understand and determine the worth of this dimension. For all of the complexities that the creatures have here, they are still flawed. Driven by greed, lust, pride, love, hate…all of which is simply a useless waste of energy in the grand scope. Something that you have pointed out to me with your actions, even with all the power at your disposal you still cling to these weaknesses rather than using your powers to unify this dimension against me,” speaking clearly as he moved, hand moving to in with his points.

“You could easily force every single living entity here to join together and stop my greater plan, but you don’t. Instead,” he stopped pacing and looked back at Tenchi, pointing a finger at the man. “You sit and wait, knowing that I’m coming and trusting in your powers to stop me. I admit it freely, even if I were to arrive here with every one of my children, you’d not only stop me but destroy me utterly. There is no shame in admitting that someone or something is your better,” he said, seeing the incredulous look on his face.

“Then why are you coming, if you know I’ll destroy you? Why not pass us by and not bother us. It would save countless lives on both sides, there’s no need for the violence,” Tenchi asked him earnestly, wondering if he could talk the dark one out of his plans of destruction.

“Ahh, you see, THAT is why I’m here. These…emotions, that drive you, puzzle me. I simply cannot comprehend them past what I’ve seen, and no amount of experimenting or study will ever get me any closer to them. You on other hand, base your whole existence on them, letting them govern your thoughts and actions. You do use reason of a sort, but in the end any thing resembling reason is STILL dictated to by your emotions. So, I arranged a test of sorts, to not only observe first hand how they influence you but to give you an opportunity to walk me through your thoughts as you MAKE a momentous decision,” he exclaimed, a self satisfied smirk on his face.

Tenchi looked troubled at the man’s statements, feeling more than a bit apprehensive as he thought about the implications. “Why would I help you?” he asked quietly, arms crossing over his chest.

“Because I have something none of my daughters can offer you, no matter how hard they try. I can give you back the one you miss, I can show you how to bring back Ryoko from where I put here,” he said, matching Tenchi’s pose.

Moving faster then the eye could see, Tenchi had the man up off the ground by his lapels, “What? You told me Tokimi killed Ryoko,” he asked dangerously.

The dark god looked down at the young man, blinking in curiosity at the action. “In effect, she did, or rather allowed her champion to attempt to do so. I simply stepped in and pulled her from that situation and placed her elsewhere. Now, if you would explain to me why you feel the need to show your anger here when I mention her. Is your anger driven from the love you feel or something else?” he asked intently, seemingly oblivious to the mortal danger he was in.

Bringing the questioning god down to eye level, Tenchi leveled a fierce gaze at him. “I’m doing this because I love her and you just admitted you had something to do with her disappearing,” he told him.

“Fascinating, you would actually HARM me to get me to tell what I would willingly give? It doesn’t make much sense, but here we are. Do these emotions always manifest themselves in such a contradicting manner and if so, how is it that you are able to find a suitable or even REASONABLE path to choose?” the god asked, glasses slipping down his nose.

Tenchi forced himself to remain calm, though he could feel his anger threatening to break through the restraints. Swallowing hard before answering, he tried to clear his head from the pounding of his blood that demanded he inflict pain and suffering on this creature that was toying with his life. “I do what I have to do to try and save others, even if I have to hurt or kill those that would stand in my way. I trust myself to know what is right and wrong, that’s how. Now, tell me, HOW DO I GET RYOKO BACK?” he shouted at the man.

The god looked confused by the answer he got from Tenchi. “That doesn’t make for very reasonable decisions, telling yourself what is right or wrong then following through with it. What if you’re flawed or happen to have gotten the WRONG information? What then? Wouldn’t by taking action that was wrong, even if it was done so with the RIGHT intentions, be wrong, thereby placing you on the other side of what you’d wanted to do in the first place?” he asked pointedly.

Grinding his teeth, Tenchi’s mind struggled to try and explain instincts and beliefs, to trust in yourself enough to know that what you’re doing is right. Setting the god back to his feet, he gave him an exasperated look. “Ryoko’s life is in danger, the longer we wait, the less time she has left. I was taught how to trust my feelings, to know when something is right or wrong, and do what has to be done. The only way to truly understand this would be to experience it for yourself…just like your daughters have,” he told him, pushing him back as he released him.

Stumbling slightly at the rough treatment, the dark god made a show of straightening his clothing. “So, what you are suggesting to me is that I simply give up my essence and become one with someone from this dimension? Are you even LISTENING to yourself? Why would I ever want to do that? I simply wish to understand these things, not sacrifice everything to experience them. No, that is the purpose of this little experiment I’ve set up. YOU will give me the answers I seek as you struggle to do, in your own words, what is right. THAT is what is going to happen Tenchi Masaki,” he said darkly, glaring at the young man.

“So, let’s get on with it then. I’m tired of trying to explain what makes us stronger then you,” Tenchi shot back, hands on his hips.

Nodding slightly, the dark god pointed to the cave. “There, within the cave, is a doorway of sorts. Should you choose to open this doorway, you’ll find the dimension where I’ve placed your Ryoko. However, in order to open the door, you’ll have to exert yourself as you’ve never done before, using up the very essence that makes you so powerful. If you do this, you’ll lose all of the power you hold and wield, giving up the certainty of being able to stop me when I come…all for the chance to live with the one you love,” he explained clinically.

As Tenchi moved towards the opening, the god stopped him. “There is no guarantee that you’ll be able to get back, much less survive this Tenchi. It would only give you a CHANCE to bring back Ryoko, but it may very well cost you your own life to do so. Ask yourself this before you go. Is she worth everything, not only your life, but the lives of every living thing in this dimension? Are you willing to gamble all that for something unknown, trusting your feelings to guide you on what is right and wrong?” he asked, holding up his index finger as if to illustrate the singularity of the moment.

Tenchi looked at the man with hard eyes, and nodded. “Yes, if it means she’ll have a chance to live…if it means that WE have a chance to not only live, but to stop you. I trust my family, I trust my love and above all I believe in them. Even if I don’t have any of the powers I do now, I know that together, there’s NOTHING we can’t do…including stop you,” he told the man confidently, wearing his heart on his sleeve.

“You honestly believe that don’t you? Having experienced my children first hand and the power they have, you still believe you can win without what you’ve become? How is it that you would believe this, it makes absolutely no sense, no matter how you look at it. Giving up a certainty for an unknown variable,” he shook his head in wonder at the irrational state of mind of these creatures.

Tenchi finally smiled at the man, “That is why you’ll never beat us. You can’t beat what you don’t understand. Our power, our strength lies in each other. We are stronger together, and able to do so much more when we rely on that rather than what makes sense. That is how I’m able to make this choice,” he told the man, once more walking towards the darkness of the cave.

The dark god looked at the young man as he disappeared into the depths of the cave, considering what he’d been told. He nodded slowly, not truly accepting the truth of the words but rather the conviction in which they were spoken. “I look forward to the day we can test which of our hypothesis’s is correct Tenchi Masaki, perhaps my daughters DID chose wisely in you, but we shall see. Good luck,” he whispered, closing his eyes and releasing his energies back to his home dimension.

The cave was still luminous, fed from the waters that kept the tree Funaho alive. The watery crypt that had held Ryoko for centuries still as he remembered it, the water barely rippling with his presence. “I’m coming Ryoko, please hold on,” he said, stepping into the icy water.

The closer he got to the center of the pool, the more the faint tingling at the back of his mind grew, until at last the bond with Ryoko was once more faintly reestablished. He gasped with the feelings, almost falling to his knee’s with their intensity, having not truly realized how much a part of him they were until they crashed back into him.

:Ryoko: he called out along the bond, and found that he couldn’t reach her, only sense her and her feelings. “Okay, this is it,” he said with determination, concentrating on the bond, summoning all of his powers into the link to strengthen and empower it.

As he felt his hold on morality and humanity slipping, he submerged himself into the bond, using it to bind himself to that which made him unique so that he wouldn’t lose himself within the power ever again. Pushing past the point that he’d thought his limits existed, he screamed in power, pain and rage, focusing solely on reaching out to touch Ryoko, no matter the lengths he had to go to.

Washu’s head slowly rose, her eyes wide as she felt the tremor that seemed to reverberate throughout the universe as her father entered, then left. Before she could even stand, Tenchi began to summon everything he could to him, pumping more and more power into the bond between him and Ryoko. “Oh no,” she whispered, fleeing from her lab through the dimension portal she used so often, rushing to Tenchi’s side.

Tsunami gasped at the sudden weakness that gripped her, the very trees on the planet Jurai seeming to fade slightly from the immense drain upon them. “Tenchi,” she said quietly.

‘What is it Tsunami?’ asked a scared Sasami, feeling the weakness and the faint presence of Tenchi, but not understanding the overall connection.

‘Little one, I fear that Tenchi is trying something very foolish. I need you to allow me control for a little while as I seek him out, do you mind taking a nap?’ the goddess asked her.

‘Um, sure thing Tsunami, just make sure Tenchi is okay, alright?’ she agreed hesitantly, having become somewhat used to the goddesses coming and going. It was unusual for her to ask her to take a nap, but she trusted Tsunami.

‘I will do that Sasami, thank you,’ the goddess replied, focusing her thoughts on Tenchi as the girl relinquished control to her.

Sheia snapped awake at the mental cry from Tokimi, eyes darting around the room to find the danger. “What is it?” she asked, hand on her knife.

Tokimi’s translucent form was faint and dim, “The boy…he is trying to force his way to Ryoko, you must stop him!” she told her champion, her voice was hollow.

Frowning at the goddess, “You mean that she ISN’T a memory? You KNEW she was alive all this time?” hissed the warrior, the feeling of being used once more boiling within her. “And you kept it from him? Are you INSANE?” she asked, anger surging in her tone.

Looking at the stubborn and proud woman, Tokimi fixed her with a glare. “It was done to protect everything in this dimension, though it seems he cares not for anything but her. If he succeeds in doing this, everything will fail and my father will destroy this dimension without hesitation. You must reach him and talk sense into him, stop this madness before it’s too late,” she ordered the woman.

Sheia barked a laugh at the apparition, “In case you’ve forgotten what he did to both you and Zee, let me remind you. He decimated you both with barely a thought because he believed you kill Ryoko, what makes you think he won’t do the same to me for trying to stop him from returning her to his side?” she asked sarcastically, not wishing to see the afterlife just yet. ‘Besides, the love he feels for her…they are meant to be,’ she thought.

The astral form of Tokimi faded once more, almost disappearing as Tenchi increased his pull from the goddesses. “Please, you must try…or all will be lost,” she whispered, fear in her eyes as she felt the ripping between the dimensions, knowing that Tenchi had almost succeeded.

“I won’t stop him, but I will try to talk to him,” she grudgingly agreed, shaking her head at the lunacy of the situation. Rushing from the room, she pounded on the door of Mihoshi and Bravo. “Wake up! Tenchi’s in trouble!” she shouted, moving quickly to the stairs.

Listening to the weak voice of Tokimi in her mind, Sheia couldn’t help but smile at the irony of where the boy was at. “Back where it all began,” she said with a wry smile, breaking into a run to reach the cave.

Jay almost fell out of the bed he shared with Mihoshi at the sudden disturbance. The words shouted at them though banished sleep from his mind as he pulled his holster from the back of the chair and raced after the woman, clad only in a pair of boxers. “Wait up! What’s going on?” he shouted to her, tone of his voice sounding more angry then he felt.

“I don’t know for sure just that Tenchi’s about to try something stupid,” she called back over her shoulder, amazed the bare footed man was keeping pace with her.

Grumbling darkly, Bravo pushed himself to move faster, moving alongside the woman as they headed for Ryoko’s cave.

Mihoshi blinked tiredly as she watched Jay rush from the room, swinging her legs off the bed. “I hope he’s okay,” she said, her sleep addled mind still trying to comprehend what was transpiring. Moving into the hallway, she almost tripped down the stairs, barely catching herself on the railing in time. “That was close,” she breathed, stepping into the cold night air, and listening to find out where everyone went.

Sweat beaded on Tenchi’s face, the strain of focus and trying to contain the massive influx of power starting to overwhelm him. ‘NO! Must…keep…trying,’ he thought, gritting his teeth and forcing his mind and body deeper into the bond. Another scream of pain and determination ripped from his throat, focusing on the moment and that one thin strand that attached him to Ryoko.

He could feel his soul burning away in the sheer power he was holding and channeling, his feeling of self starting to slip until he was no longer sure where he ended and the power began. It was only the bond that defined him now, showing him who and what he was, what he was trying to do and all that he was fighting for.

All his pain and effort was finally rewarded as he heard a timid and fearful voice within his mind, melded perfectly with emotions he’d long missed and craved. :Tenchi, is that you: asked Ryoko, disbelief and longing in her tone, love and devotion in her thoughts.

Tears in his eyes as they sprang open, he sobbed in relief at feeling her fully once more. The cavern was lit brighter then any sun could have, cracks appearing in the rough hewn walls, the water that once flowed into the cairn in the center now being pushed up those same walls by the waves of power emanating from him. :I’m coming Ryoko, just hold on a few more minutes, I won’t leave you: he assured her, sending the depth and power of his love along the bond, accidently fueling her own powers with his.

Ryoko gasped at the influx, shocked and awed by the magnitude of what Tenchi was wielding. The little bear that had comforted her, looked up at her face, feeling the power of the young man as well. “The portal will be open in a moment, once it is, you must keep us safe as the last of my powers will fade when exposed to the one you love. Please, return me to Mayuka, I would like to be with her,” it asked the woman.

Tears flowing down her face as she once more felt Tenchi and how much he loved her, the pain he’d felt when he thought she was dead and the joy and relief upon finding out she was alive. “Don’t worry, I ain’t leaving you here,” she promised the bear of her daughter, smiling at it through her tears.

Any further thoughts and conversation were halted as the fabric of reality that kept the integrity of the dimension of darkness intact was torn asunder, revealing a glowing nimbus of godly might around Tenchi Masaki. For the first time in months, the two lovers finally looked upon one another, a hole in reality the only thing separating them.

Washu opened the portal door to reveal Ryoko’s cistern awash in light and power, forcing her to shield her eyes. Her mouth fell open at the sight of Tenchi ripping apart the barriers between the two dimensions, something that should have been impossible. ‘Unless you’re dealing with Tenchi that is,’ her mind said in disbelief, having long since been able to suspend said disbelief at the capabilities of the young man.

“TENCHI! What are you doing? You’re going to kill yourself doing this!” she shouted, stepping with difficulty into the room from the immense power rolling off the boy.

He glanced over his shoulder at the woman, showing her a face filled with pain, determination and love. “I can see her Washu, I’m going to get her,” he said, his voice, suprisingly soft, heard easily over the roaring of the efforts he’d put forth.

As she stepped into sight of the rift between dimension, she gasped at the sensation of Ryoko suddenly flooding back into her own mind and emotions. Covering her mouth with her hand, tears sprang into her eyes as well, realizing that his love for her daughter would drive him anywhere he needed to go to return to her side. :Ryoko: she called down her own link, scarcely believing it was true.

:Washu? You there too? Heh, shoulda figured that one: returned Ryoko, her feelings of relief washing over her mother.

Washu’s face set into a mask of determination, joining with Tenchi as he struggled to hold the impromptu portal open and in place. :Don’t worry Little Ryoko, we’re going to get you out, I swear it: she vowed to her daughter, channeling her powers into both the bond with Ryoko as well as Tenchi, bolstering his flagging reserves.

Tenchi looked at the goddess in gratitude, his body beginning to shake with the efforts he was maintaining. “I’ve got to go in and get her, can you hold the portal while I do? I don’t think it’ll stay once I cross over,” he asked her, his voice weakening, though still heard crystal clear over the ruckus of noise in the cave.

Nodding, Washu concentrated on the link that she held with Ryoko through the rip Tenchi had created. She could almost physically feel the power he was exerting on the opening to maintain it, especially once he began to move towards the opening and the weight of maintaining it shifted to her.

Wincing with the strain, Washu felt as if the weight of the entire dimension was suddenly thrust upon her slender shoulders. “Tenchi…I don’t…think…I can…hold it…very long,” she struggled to get her words out without breaking concentration.

‘Do not worry sister, I will help you,’ came the calm voice of Tsunami within her mind, the power of the Jurian goddess adding to her own, relieving some but not all of the strain. Both goddesses struggled beneath the task, solely focused on keeping the precious doorway open long enough for Tenchi to finish this task he’d set out to do.

Seeing the glowing apparition of Tsunami appear behind Washu, her hands on the red heads shoulders in support, Tenchi once more began to force his way through the maelstrom of his own creation. For all his powers and strength, every step was a battle, his weary and battered muscles protesting for every foot gained.

Lunging forwards, his right hand crashed through the portal and into the dimension of darkness. Setting his jaw, he threw the rest of his body forwards, bit by bit until he fell to his face before the relieved yet worried looking Ryoko.

Setting the little bear down, she hurried helped Tenchi to his back, his chest heaving with the exertion he’d gone through. “Tenchi,” she whispered brokenly to him, tears falling freely down her cheeks to patter gently on his face and chest. Long cyan hair fell around her face, framing it for him in a memory he would carry for the rest of his life. The woman’s long fingers tentatively caressed his face, as if fearful that this was yet another dream and that she would wake if she moved too fast.

When he didn’t vanish beneath her touch, she pulled his face to hers and crushed her lips to his, kissing him passionately, reveling in the both the physical sensation as well as the emotional, amplified by his own mutual feelings as they cycled through the bond between them.

He smiled at her in exhaustion as they broke, “I love you so much Ryoko,” he whispered to her, gently thumbing away the tears that flowed from her loving golden eyes.

She laughed brokenly at his simple yet powerful words spoken from his heart, her smile wide enough to almost split her face. “Let’s get out of here Tenchi, I wanna go home,” she said, helping his shaking body back to it’s feet.

He couldn’t believe how weak he felt, having to lean heavily on the woman he loved to even get back to his feet. “You’ve gotta go through Ryoko, I don’t think Washu and Tsunami can hold it open much longer,” he said to her as they hobbled closer to the rift.

“The portal is failing, the only thing keeping this pocket open is your continued existence here father,” said the little bear as it waddled up to them.

Looking down in surprise, he smiled, happy to see this time it didn’t have a knife, spikes or other implements of destruction sticking out of it.

Ryoko scooped up the bear affectionately, knowing it’s significance and importance to Mayuka, as well as her promise to it as well. “We’re going through together, get ready my Tenchi, it’s my turn to save you,” she said, cinching her arm tight around his waist.

“NO! I can’t hold it while I’m moving, you’ve GOT to go through now and help the others. I’ll be right behind you,” he said firmly, trying to wiggle ineffectually from her grasp.

Forcing him to meet her eyes, “I’m not going to lose you again Tenchi, not ever! If you don’t go with me, neither of us go. I’d rather die then live without you,” she said, her emotions almost crushing him. The power and conviction in which she felt about the situation showing just how serious she was about the statement.

Ryoko could feel the loss and emptiness within him, and though only a matter of hours seemed to have passed for her, months had gone by with him. Months in which he mourned more deeply than anyone around him truly knew, only living from day to day for the love of his daughter. She could feel his powers fading, taking his very life force with it. ‘If I leave him, he’s ready to die right here and now…and I won’t let him,’ she thought, swallowing hard past her own spiking emotions.

The portal shimmered and faltered for a moment, Washu’s voice crashing into her mind from the other side. :RYOKO! Hurry! We can’t hold it much longer: the scientist mentally screamed to her, panic and exhaustion coloring her thoughts and emotions.

“Please Tenchi, don’t leave me…not now, I need you. I can’t live without you,” she pleaded with him, pressing her forehead against his, her amber eyes meeting his rich brown ones.

The sorrowful and agonizing look she gave him almost broke his heart, though he barely had the power to stand. Nodding, he gave her what he hoped was a brave smile. “Okay, we do this together,” he said firmly, struggling to stand upright as they stepped closer to the rift once more.

Washu could almost make them out through the scintillating colors that covered the rip, two figures drawing closer, but not fast enough. She could feel her powers failing, even with the added boost from a similarly tired Tsunami. ‘Please, just a few more moments, that’s all I ask,’ she thought, biting her lower lip in concentration as she struggled to hold on.

Sheia and Bravo stumbled into the scene, aghast at what they saw and felt. Never had they witnessed such power, even during the twilight of the Goddess Wars. Covering their eyes, they pushed forwards into the waves of power rolling across the cavern trying to force them back.

“WASHU!” called out Jay, barely able to make out the slender form of the woman near the glowing and shifting rift that seemed to hover above the ground. “What the hell is going on?” he shouted, not seeing Tenchi anywhere and hoping the kid wasn’t dumb enough to step into the vortex. ‘Then again, we ARE talking about Tenchi here,’ he thought darkly.

Sheia could feel the powers of the two goddesses struggling against the dimension rift, fighting desperately but still steadily losing their control over it. She felt surprisingly calm as she pushed her way through to their side, her eyes glued to the rift and the two shadowy figures within. “Tenchi,” she whispered, smiling at the boy’s determination and drive.

Tokimi appeared at the entrance to the cavern, “Quickly, before it’s too late, pull him from the rift,” she ordered the woman, pointing a finger to them.

Looking over her shoulder, Sheia gave the goddess a dark look. “NO! I won’t desert her, not when he’s gone so far to bring her back! Help them Tokimi! With your help they can hold the rift long enough for me to help them BOTH through,” she shouted at her goddess, not moving from her position before the rift.

“Foolish girl! You don’t know what you’re risking, if you don’t take action now they both will be lost to us forever and with them any chance we have to defeat my father. Do NOT dictate terms to me, OBEY ME!” she practically screamed at her champion.

Tsunami glared at her sister, “Tokimi, they’re almost through, lend us your power! It’s their only chance!” she urged the darkest sister.

“Get a move on it Tokimi or so help me I’ll rip the life right out of your physical form without a second thought and make a clone that looks just like you so that no one will notice the damned difference!” growled Washu, her legs shaking with the strain she was under, her body quaking almost violently.

“If I do so then he’ll be forever altered and no longer able to defeat father! He’s our only chance, I will NOT risk defeat and destruction at his hands just to save an insignificant woman!” Tokimi yelled back stubbornly.

Sheia glared at the goddess defiantly, “Then I’m not going to save either of them. Is she dies, so do you. A warrior NEVER leaves a fallen comrade behind…no matter the cost,” she told her, shoulders squaring off as she met the blue purple eyes of Tokimi. Sheia had done many things she’d come to regret, though it was through the simple acceptance of Tenchi and his friends that she’d come to gain her self respect back…and the spirit of the warrior she was raised to be. She’d not desert him now, even if it cost her her life.

Washu stumbled forwards, barely catching herself. “I can’t hold it any more!” she cried out, hands reaching out to the rift in a vain attempt to pull them through it.

Sheia glared daggers into Tokimi, raising an eyebrow at the woman. “Well, live or die Tokimi?” she asked the goddess.

With a look of disgust, the goddess extended her hand to the back of Tsunami, her power combining with her sisters, stabilizing the rift for a precious few moments. “You’ll pay for this Sheia, I swear it to you,” she threatened her champion, clenching her teeth at the power it took to maintain the rift.

Giving her a smug smile, Sheia shrugged and forced herself closer to the rift. Biting the inside of her cheek, her fingers clawed their way through the rip, grasping desperately for the two directly before her.

“Huh? Hold on Tenchi, someone’s trying to help…Tenchi? TENCHI?” screamed Ryoko, the man she loved hanging limply in her grasp. Grabbing the hand by the wrist, she pulled herself up to and finally into the rip, gritting her teeth at the sensation of being pulled back into the real world once more. For a fleeting moment she felt as if she was being torn in two as the dimension collapsed behind her and tried to suck her back in. With a primal scream, Ryoko felt her powers return with a vengeance, allowing her to force her way back to the world she knew and loved.

Bowling over the Vaagard warrior that was helping her, she clutched tightly to Tenchi, protecting his motionless body with hers as they tumbled across the stone floor of her one time tomb. Before she could catch her breath the rift slammed closed behind them, creating a backlash explosion of power and wind, throwing those physically there to the ground violently and plunging them all into darkness.

Ryoko cradled the lifeless form of Tenchi to her ample chest, sobs wracking her body as she pleaded with him. “Don’t die on me Tenchi, not now. I can’t live without you…I don’t know what I’d do without you,” her words were barely recognizable through her near hysterical crying.

The translucent and luminescent form of Tsunami knelt next to her, a sorrowful look upon her face as she rested a ghostly hand on his forehead. The marks of the goddess on his forehead didn’t react to the source of their creation, drawing a gasp from the goddess. “He’s not responding,” she said, placing both hands on his chest and closing her eyes in concentration. Her whole body glowed more strongly as she sought more of her immense power in an attempt to reach the boy’s soul, only to find an empty void where it should have been. Shaking her head, Tsunami frowned, tears beginning to form in the corners of her tightly closed eyes. “No, this cannot be,” she muttered.

Bravo helped Washu closer to the crying Ryoko, mother and daughter sharing a look before the red head joined her sister’s hands on Tenchi’s chest. “Don’t give up yet,” she urged, swallowing past the lump growing in her throat.

Sheia joined them opposite from Ryoko, her eyes only upon the pale countenance of Tenchi. “Why is he not breathing? What happened?” she whispered, looking up to the faces around her.

Tokimi appeared behind her champion, looking annoyed and saddened. “He expended everything he had to open the portal and help maintain it, it was too much for his body to take. For all of his powers, he never fully accepted the mantle thrust upon him,” she said distantly, emotionlessly.

She craned her neck to look at Tokimi, “Why don’t you help them? Are you content to let him die?” she asked the goddess in frustration.

Ryoko’s face came up from where it had been pressed into the side of Tenchi’s. Hatred was clear on the woman’s face, “Tokimi! This is YOUR fault!” she spat, her own powers flaring up in rage at the goddess.

Washu opened her eyes, “Ryoko! Now’s not the time, I can’t do this alone, I need your help. We can still save him but it’ll take all of us, now concentrate!” she said to her daughter, before shooting a vile glance at Tokimi.

“You too sister, if we’re going to have a chance to save him, he’s going to need your help too. Now either help us or leave…but so help me,” she threatened, only to be cut off.

“This is madness, you’re all mad. Without him being a conduit for all of our powers, he is useless, he stands no chance against father! Why are you bothering to salvage him now?” she asked them darkly.

“USELESS? Listen you arrogant bitch! Tenchi would risk his life for all of us, no matter what the cost. You may think he’s useless but I’m telling you now that there’s almost nothing he can’t do, even without all the powers he had before,” Ryoko growled, wanting to rip the throat out of the goddess.

Sheia nodded to Tokimi, “I believe in him Tokimi, and with the help of both me and Ryoko, I think we CAN stop this dark god, no matter how powerful. It’s the only chance we have now,” she pleaded with the goddess, knowing that she had nothing left to lose.

The two women met each other’s eyes, neither knowing what to truly make of the other, only knowing that they both were arguing for the life a very special young man. Ryoko nodded grudgingly at her, giving her a slight smile of appreciation for the support.

“Tokimi, you must remember that you are now physically part of the house of Jurai now, and that if you combine your powers with mine, we can save him. If we fail, then all hope will forever be lost,” Tsunami informed her, giving the woman a cold stare.

Stepping directly behind Sheia, Tokimi gave all of them a dark look. “I will help you on this lunacy, though I doubt it will make much difference in the end,” she said, resting her hands on the shoulders of Sheia and closing her eyes.

With the addition of the third goddess and her champion, they once more concentrated on the still young man before them. They couldn’t sense him at first, only the dark void where his warmth used to reside. Then, slowly and inexplicably, a faint spark could be felt, growing stronger by the moment until the light that once made up the very essence of who and what Tenchi was glowed brilliantly once again, bathing them all in the warmth of his being.

With a sharp and sudden inhale, his chest almost leapt from the floor, his eyes flew open while his arms went wide from his body. Ryoko was there to stop him from crashing back into the floor, holding him tightly to her chest in an embrace that would have put any of Misaki’s to shame, once more burying her face into his neck.

Bravo barely caught Washu before she collapsed with exhaustion onto the stone, unconscious from the expenditure of power she’d gone through in such a short amount of time.

Tsunami and Tokimi, both slowly faded from sight, though they held greatly different expressions as they did. Tsunami wore one of relief and love as she gazed upon her Knight, breathing a sigh of relief that he’d returned to them once more.

Tokimi had an expression of doubt as she regarded him, lost in her thoughts over what he would now be able to do against the dark god that now stood poised to destroy them all.

Sheia got to her shaky feet, feeling suddenly uncomfortable at witnessing such a tender and private moment between the two lovers, giving Bravo a hand as he struggled to his feet with Washu. “Will they be okay here?” she asked him quietly, slinging an arm across her shoulders to help support the redheaded scientist.

He gave them a happy grin but nodded. “You ain’t got no idea how okay they’re BOTH gonna be now,” he told her.

“Even if they don’t tell you, thanks…for what you said and did back there. I know the kid’ll appreciate it, it just might take him a while to tell you himself. I’ve got a funny feeling Ryoko’s gonna keep him kinda preoccupied for a while,” he said as they slowly made their way back to the surface.

She smiled at the man’s words, looking over her shoulder at them with an expression of longing at what they shared. “It was worth it,” she whispered quietly, only Bravo hearing her words.

The man kept his own counsel on the matter, instead focusing on the climb, knowing that the coming days would prove interesting, but that he wouldn’t miss them for the world.

“Ouch…I feel like I got hit by a truck,” groaned Tenchi, slowly setting up with Ryoko’s help, unable to take his eyes off her beautiful face. He brought his hand up to cup her cheek, caress her chin and delicately brush her cyan hair back from her face.

“Am I dreaming?” he whispered, eyes wide as he looked into the golden cat eyes he’d missed so very much.

She gave him a teary smile, “No Tenchi, you’re not. You saved me, I knew you would,” she replied matching his touching with her own. She leaned forwards, not taking her eyes off his until their lips met once as she moaned with pleasure at his touch.

The kiss, starting gentle and soft, deepened quickly, tongues finding the other as they moved closer, until their bodies were pressing against one another. “Ryoko, I…” he started to say, trying to push back from his love, needing to express his doubts, fears and guilt to her, only to find her smiling at him.

“I know Tenchi, I know. You showed me everything already through out link,” her whispered assurance came to him, as did her own feelings of love and desire, making their bond almost glow. She grasped his hand and slowly brought it down to her belly, opening herself totally to him, showing him that their child still grew within her womb.

The cave, once cold and forbidding, bore an unnatural warmth now, a by-product of the tremendous energy and struggle that had taken place within. Pulling him down a top her, Ryoko teleported from her clothes with an impish smile and wink, the sound of her doing so filling Tenchi with a sense of completion.

“I want you Tenchi, I need you to make love to me. Love me, forever, my Tenchi,” she whispered huskily to him, pulling him from his shirt before kissing him once more deeply. Her gems glowed brightly in response to her desires, bathing them in a faint reddish glow.

She trembled beneath his touch, her skin aflame with the contact, feeling his desire palpably with her own, a moan escaping her lips.

Tenchi’s heart raced as they moved, slowly and gently, extending their pleasure beyond the physical, until they once more were perfectly insync with the other, the rest of the universe disappearing for them as they existed solely for each other.

The next day…

Tenchi’s face was drenched in sweat as he tried to sit bolt upright in bed, only to find a restraining arm across his torso. Looking wildly about, he blinked a few times, slowly differentiating between nightmare and reality. “Ryoko?” he managed to croak out finally past the dryness of his throat.

The woman in question, never one to be an early riser, simply groaned lightly and winced her face. “Sleepin’, c’back later,” she said burying her face into the pillow.

Relief flooded the young man, replaced quickly by the love and admiration he felt for the woman lying naked next to him. They’d spent the night talking and making love, until they’d slowly drifted off to sleep in one another’s arms. The nightmares still came to him, terrifying him back awake, unhindered by the return of Ryoko.

She felt the inner turmoil that came from him, forcing her to open a bleary eye at him. “If it was anyone BUT you, they’d be falling from a very high point right now,” she said in a playful tone, gracing him with a smile as she sat up, resting on her elbows.

His eyes drifted down to her full breasts, prominently on display for him. Tenchi blushed as he caught the self-satisfied smile on her face from his attention.

“See anything you like? Pervert,” she teased him, leaning forward to kiss the young man deeply, almost curling his toes in the process.

Ryoko felt his tension slowly ease and fade, “It’ll be okay Tenchi, really,” she said to him resting her head on his shoulder as she turned to her side to look at him. She shivered in pleasure as his hand idly traced the down her body, thrilling in the attention she so craved and needed.

“It’s just that, well…” he trailed off, knowing what he wanted to say, but unable to find the proper words. He felt her gentle prodding in his mind, asking him to show her. He opened himself to her, revealing his guilt and pain over the actions he’d taken, unable to equate his actions with his set of morals.

Reaching up, she touched the side of his face affectionately. “Tenchi, no matter what’s happened, you can’t change it. Wasn’t it you that told me that it was who I am now and not who I was that means everything? Isn’t that advice you should use for yourself?” she asked, searching his face as she spoke.

He nodded, giving her a sheepish smile, remembering the conversation that had set him on the path to where he was currently at. “Yeah, I suppose so. It’s just that, with everything that’s happened, I still wonder…” he trailed off slowly.

Ryoko took a deep breath and sighed as she released it. “I don’t know much about this dark god Tenchi, and to tell you the truth, I don’t care. I DO know that as long as we’re together, there’s nothing we can’t do…including beat a god at his own game. With you, Tenchi Masaki, I feel like I can take on the universe and win,” she admitted with a smile.

He answered her statement with a kiss that quickly turned from playful to sensual to erotic, as they both sought comfort in the arms of the other, truly pulling strength from each other.

Hand in hand they walked to the living room, finding Mihoshi and Bravo playing with Mayuka on the floor, all three of them looking up at the couple as they descended.

Mihoshi was up and running at Ryoko before either of them could move, almost tackling the woman in a fierce embrace. “RYOKO! I missed you so much,” she said happily, trying her best to squeeze the life from her.

Ryoko found herself returning the embrace rather than being annoyed by it, finding it comforting to be back with her family once more, even if the blonde usually did end up causing her excruciating pain. “You too Mihoshi, thanks,” she said quietly, patting the woman on the back as she returned the hug.

The happy squealing of Mayuka drew the women apart, the little girl smiling broadly at the arrival of the cyan haired woman she considered her mommy. Her pudgy little hands were extended and grasping towards Ryoko eagerly, little legs kicking in Jay’s arms as he brought her close.

She found herself getting emotional at the reaction of her little May, reaching for the girl with one arm as Tenchi handed her the important little traveler from the dark dimension. “I’ve got someone here that missed you very much Little May, someone that saved my life,” she whispered to her daughter, even as the little girl hugged her neck.

The trio watched the touching and bonding moment of the two in reverent silence, none wanting to ruin this moment that was so long in coming. As Mayuka pulled back, she giggled and clutched the bear to her, chewing happily on the ear of the teddy bear. Ryoko could have swore she saw the stuffed animal smile in response, but in a blink the expression was gone.

“Ain’t you a sight for sore eyes,” said Bravo, touching her on the shoulder as she led them back into the living room.

“You too old man, glad to see she ain’t killed you yet,” teased back Ryoko as Mihoshi wrapped an arm around his waist, his arm across her shoulders.

Tenchi looked around the room for a moment, then back at Bravo. “Where’s Sheia, I wanted to introduce her to Ryoko,” he said.

Ryoko’s face went neutral at the mention of the woman’s name. Though she’d helped save Tenchi, a pang of jealousy still flared within her at the thought of her blatant attempt to seduce her Tenchi. ‘Not that she stood a chance with my guy, but still…it’s the principal of the matter,’ she thought defensively.

:Really Little Ryoko? You’d better get used to working with her because despite how pissed Tokimi is at her, she’s still my sister’s champion: her mother informed her in a smarmy mental voice, though the link showed her love and affection for her.

:Shaddup MOM: she replied via the link, though she too returned the sentiments to the woman.

The diminutive scientist’s laughter echoed in her mind, but she left her alone to be with her friends and love, knowing she needed them more then her mother at the moment.

“She left early this morning, said something about having to check out someplace for Tokimi,” Bravo told him with a shrug, used to the strange coming’s and going’s around the Masaki household.

There was a happy cry and a weight hit Ryoko’s legs in glee. Ryo-Ohki, in her child form, glomped onto her best friend, crying happy tears at having her back once more.

Sitting down on the couch, she pulled the cabbit girl onto the opposite knee from Mayuka, smiling tenderly at them both. “I’ve missed you too little one,” she said, kissing the top of the girl’s head affectionately.

“I don’t know how I would’ve survived without either of them,” admitted Tenchi, taking a seat next to the three girls.

Jay and Mihoshi nodded in agreement, remembering all too well how badly he’d suffered from depression after the supposed death of Ryoko, and how deeply he’d thrown himself into raising his family without her.

The eclectic family sat and simply enjoyed each other’s company, once more feeling a sense of wholeness to them that had been missing. It was Mihoshi’s watch that alerted them to the impending arrival of another guest. “Uh oh, someone’s coming and using the landing beacons,” she said, getting to her feet and moving towards the door, Jay at her side, his hand already on his side arm.

Tenchi looked at Ryoko with a concerned expression, only to find her smiling eagerly. Handing Mayuka to him, she cracked her knuckles. “I hope they want trouble, I haven’t beat anything senseless in too long and I’ve got to make up for some time,” she said, kissing him as she left the couch.

He shook his head at the woman but walked with her from the house, his daughter in his arms as they waited for the arrival of their unexpected guests.

They watched the skies until the tiny speck finally grew bigger, revealing not one but two treeships approaching. “Isn’t that Azusa’s ship?” asked Ryoko, shading her eyes with her hand.

Tenchi nodded, “Yes, and that’s the Misaki’s as well. I wonder what they’re doing here,” he said, confirming her thoughts.

The small group walked down to the docks, waiting for the royal family of Jurai to appear. Ryoko, remembering all too well how affectionate Misaki could be, wisely hid behind Tenchi and Mayuka, knowing the cuteness factor of her daughter easily outweighed her own. Shrugging and smiling at Tenchi when he looked questioningly at her, “Just playing it safe,” she said.

It turned out to be a wise move, for as soon as the emotional queen arrived, she was moving towards Tenchi and Mayuka, hands extended for the young girl. “Aunty Misaki is here now,” she said in a playful voice, the little girl giggling happily at her, tugging on her long hair as it went into her mouth.

Funaho smiled at her great grandson and his love. “It’s a privilege and an honor to see you again Lady Ryoko,” she said formally, bowing low as she did.

Azusa, joined by Katsuhito, stepped next to her, mimicking her pose. “I humbly offer my deepest and most sincere apologies for my boorish behaviour the last we met Lady Ryoko. Please forgive an old man his indiscretions,” he asked.

“Grandpa, what’s going on?” he asked, looking at them with slight confusion.

“Why Tenchi, it should be obvious. Father is apologizing for offending both you and Ryoko for his last visit as well as welcoming her into the royal family,” he said with a knowing smile.

Both Tenchi and Ryoko stood slack jawed at the comment, neither able to form words to answer the statement.

“Oh, I guess I forgot to mention that little detail to them, silly me,” said a gleeful Washu, walking up behind them.

When they turned to regard her, she smiled at them innocently. “Surely you two don’t want to hold off on your wedding any longer. Given that Tenchi is a member of the Jurai royal family, his wife would also be accepted as royalty. So, Lord Tenchi and Lady Ryoko, what do you think?” she asked them.

Turning back to the former King and his wives, they both blinked dumbly at them, nodding woodenly. “Imagine, from a pirate to a princess, surely not even in YOUR wildest schemes Little Washu,” teased Funaho as she hugged both Tenchi and Ryoko.

Katsuhito was next to congratulate them, “I will be performing a simple shinto ceremony later at the shrine for you both, to formally recognize the union. With my father and mothers in attendance, it will be official in the eyes of the Empire as well,” he told them, hugging Ryoko.

“But grandpa, how…when…” asked Tenchi, still struggling to come to grips with the sudden turn of events.

“Now Tenchi, not everything must be planned, life is full of surprises…enjoy them as they happen,” advised the prince and priest, resting his hands on the young man’s shoulders. “I’m very proud of you Tenchi, there is nothing more I can teach you,” he said quietly, his tone sincere and heartfelt.

Ryoko leaned into Tenchi’s shoulder, smiling softly as she fully grasped what was occurring and going with the moment. “You realize what this means?” she asked her soon to be husband.

He looked over at her with a curious expression, thinking of a thousand things it could mean, wondering which she was thinking of.

“That me and Ms. Prissy Pants are equal now,” she replied with a devilish grin, drawing a good natured groan from Tenchi, while Washu simply rolled her eyes and shook her head at the comment.

“Some things will never change,” she said with a light laugh as the group headed towards the house.

“What? It’s true isn’t it?” asked a smiling Ryoko, hooking her arm into Tenchi’s.

Azusa fell into step with his wives, his expression going serious. “There is one other matter that brings us here my son,” he said to Tenchi with affection, obviously enjoying using the term with him.

“It seems that someone within the Galactic News organization has seen fit to try and assassinate your character by painting your actions in a very negative light,” he said, holding up a hand as both he and Ryoko started to protest about it.

“Ayeka is handling that situation quite admirably at the moment, it is something that needed to be brought to the attention of you both. None of us think that way of you, in fact everyone that matters know without the sacrifice and gallantry of you both, none of us would be here today. For that you will always have the gratitude and support of Jurai as well as the Galaxy Police,” he said sincerely.

Tenchi gave the man a grateful smile, “Thank you Azusa, it means a lot to hear that from you,” he told the man.

Ryoko face showed how touched she was by the words as well. After having lived on the opposite side of the law and the Empire for so long, it was something of a novelty for her to be actually supported by them in the face of public opinion.

“But WHY is someone doing this? Don’t they realize everything Tenchi has done for all of them?” she asked him, not liking the information.

Funaho was the one that answered the question. “We’re still unsure of the full story, but I have a vast intelligent network working to discern that information. I will not rest until I’ve discovered the truth behind this matter,” she assured them.

“And once we do, I will take great pleasure in visiting justice upon them for slandering my family as well as a great man and his wife,” added Misaki, her usual happy expression momentarily displaced by one of angry determination.

The couple could only nod at her, watching in surprise as the expression disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, once more playing with the child in her arms. “SHE, scares me,” whispered Ryoko to Tenchi, looking at the happy woman from the corner of her eye.

Tenchi nodded to her, thankful yet again that she was on their side. “Just a moment Ryoko, there’s something I need to talk to Grandpa about,” he said, pulling her with him to the older man’s side.

“Yes Tenchi?” asked the man, not looking at him as they subtly slowed their pace to give them privacy to talk.

Looking at Ryoko for a moment, he drew strength from her supporting smile and the feelings of love that flowed on their bond, assuring him that she believed in him and his decisions. “Grandpa, I’ve got a question…about the shrine, and our beliefs,” he said finally.

Katsuhito paused and regarded his grandson with a kind smile. “I’ve been expecting this conversation for sometime Tenchi,” he said, his arms behind his back as he waited.

“I know now that you’ve been raising me as both a prince of Jurai and a shinto priest for a long time, but I’m having problems equating the two. I know that I’m supposed to walk the path of the warrior, but how do I justify my acts of violence? It’s so hard to deal with the guilt every day, and the nightmares…” he said with an involuntary shudder.

“Tenchi, listen to me very carefully. It should NEVER become easy to use violence, much less take another life. A warrior knows his skills may be called into use at a moments notice, using them to defend and possibly kill. It is the HEART of a warrior that tells him what is the proper use of force and violence, for he is at peace with himself and his actions,” explained the older man, giving Tenchi a gentle smile.

Looking troubled at the man’s words, Tenchi considered what he’d just been told as compared to what he currently felt. Ryoko’s arms wrapped around him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder as he wrestled with his thoughts.

Finally he looked up at the man, something akin to shame in his eyes. “Maybe I’m not a true warrior then, because I feel guilty about what I’ve done,” he told the man softly.

The former prince of Jurai shook his head at the exclamation by his grandson, “No Tenchi, you are one of the finest, bravest warrior’s I’ve ever met and your heart is true. Many times you’ve risked all to save someone you cared for, never wielding a weapon unless you were forced to do so. Even with all that transpired during the war, you still were hesitant to fight, looking instead to find a peaceful solution first, refusing to accept that violence was the only way. THAT is why you are the epitome of a warrior, one that many generations will strive to emulate,” he told the troubled face of Tenchi.

“But,” he started to protest, only to be silenced by a hand from his grandfather.

“No, Tenchi…there is no but. You are troubled because you wonder if perhaps all your actions were in vain, due to the schemes you were placed in. No matter the outcome, you still did as you had to as the situation dictated. The lives both spared and taken were a necessary part of the road we travel. You feel guilty because you will always wonder if you could have done more, fought harder to save lives rather than take them. I cannot help you with that burden Tenchi, only you can shoulder that weight. I can, however, give you a path that some monks take to allieviate these feelings,” offered the man, smiling at the suddenly hopeful and eager expression on his face.

“Um, monk?” asked Ryoko, raising an eyebrow and cutting her eyes at Tenchi, not liking the insinuations of the word.

Katsuhito laughed at her expression, “Yes, though not in the sense you have Ryoko. The monk’s I’m referring to are called Sohei, a traveling shinto that helps out where ever and when ever it’s needed. From helping villages watch their children as they tend fields to stopping bandits from harming innocent lives. They seek to atone for actions committed in the name of justice by sowing good works in their paths. They are revered and honored throughout time for their selfless acts and wisdom. Perhaps this is the path laid before you Tenchi,” he told them, smiling once more.

He’d heard stories of the Sohei before, the monk’s that tended no shrine, instead travelling freely to help where they could, without asking for reward or compensation. Tenchi smiled as he nodded, the thought of travelling and simply helping people that needed it appealing to him.

“What about us, me and Mayuka? Don’t WE have a say in this?” asked a defensive Ryoko, feeling Tenchi’s decision without the words.

Shrugging, Katsuhito smiled at her. “That is his decision Ryoko, though I doubt highly you will be allowed very far from his side no matter where he goes,” answered the old shinto priest, walking past them with a chuckle, leaving them to discuss the idea he’d given.

Turning in her arms, he held her close to him, faces only inches apart. “Ryoko, I’m not going to go anywhere without you or Little Mayuka, ever,” he told her sincerely, holding her eyes with his.

She blinked at the man she loved more than life itself, thinking back to all that they’d done together and for each other. The thought of doing good deeds without getting paid didn’t exactly appeal to her materialistic side, though she did understand why it did with Tenchi. “Is this something you need to do?” she asked him finally, knowing the answer, but needing to hear it.

As he nodded, she gave him a brilliant, heart-warming smile. “Then count me in. I love you my Tenchi, and would follow you to the ends of the universe to make you happy,” she said, his answering smile thrilling her.

The kiss they shared sealed their mutual decision, enjoying the moment and looking forward to their shared life.

“TENCHI! There will plenty of time for that AFTER your wedding,” called his grandfather in a teasing tone, drawing a blush from them both, though neither let go.

“Will you marry me Ryoko?” asked Tenchi, holding her hands in his, the thumb on his right hand playing with the ring on her left hand.

“Anyplace, anytime my Tenchi. I’m yours and yours alone,” she whispered back to him, her heart racing at the thought of finally becoming his one and only for the rest of time.

They entwined their fingers, walking towards the shrine and their witnesses, preparing for the next step of their lives, together at last.

Hall of the Goddess…

Sheia glanced around the deserted structure with a curious eye. Patting the neck of her dragon affectionately, “Stay here, I’ll be back shortly,” she told her mount, walking deeper into the halls of Tokimi.

As she reached the throne of the goddess, she paused, feeling the presence of her mistress flowing into her realm once more. Crossing her arms over her chest, she fixed the astral form of Tokimi with her violet eyes. “I’m here, now what?” she asked.

Tokimi gave her a tight smile. “You are proud Sheia, yet you are not hungry for power any longer. Your actions with the boy could have cost us any chance of defeating my father,” she said, floating closer to her champion.

“You believe in him as the others that fawned over him have, trusting you fate in his. I should destroy you for disobeying and defying me as you did,” the goddess said, cocking her head to the side, finding no fear within Sheia’s eyes.

“I’ve paid a high price for you Tokimi, some of which was at the hands of your former champion. I’ve been disgraced, dishonored and abandoned…but still I survive. No Tokimi, there is nothing more you can do to me that frightens me,” she said, her tone showing how tired she was.

The goddess smiled at her champion fondly, “I promised you a love that would transcend the stars Sheia, something I fully intend to give you. You risked everything to save his love, and by doing so earned yourself a place in his heart, for he will never forget what you’ve done for him. It is the cornerstone that will eventually give you a chance to join his side, alongside Ryoko. There is still much to be done my champion, the game isn’t finished yet,” she told Sheia, walking with the woman through the myriad of paths that made up her realm.

Galactic News Network…

“The disappearance of Tenchi Masaki has sparked a series of conspiracy rumors about his true mission and whereabouts, with sightings ranging from the edge of known space to the backwater moons of Gavin 4. He’s been noted as having saved a single family from a pirate gang, to stopping a comet on a collision course with a heavily populated world. To make the stories even more incredible and far fetched, he’s been seen in the company of not only the infamous ship Ryo-Ohki, but a woman matching the description of the former space pirate Ryoko, who was confirmed as being killed during the Goddess Wars not so long ago. All interviews were refused by those he had supposedly helped, only adding to the mystery surrounding these rumors and events. With no official word from either the Galaxy Police or the Empire of Jurai on the sightings, there is only speculation and intrigue as to the questions of if this is indeed Tenchi Masaki and what his intentions are now. We will be following this story as it continues to unravel, as always, seeking the truth of the matter for our loyal and intelligent viewers,” the man said, smiling confidently as the screen faded to black.

End of Book notes:

It’s finally done, almost 60 pages longer than I’d thought, but a good story if I do say so myself. Thank you to all my readers and reviewers, friends and family that have had to listen to my rants and explanations as I wrote this. I feel a sense of both completion and loss as I wrap this up, unsure if or when I’ll take up the second book that will tell the story of the dark god’s invasion. It will get told eventually, I just know that I need a break for a while from the fanfic world to recharge my batteries so to speak. I added three new characters this chapter that are closely based on three women I have the privilege to correspond with and wanted to immortalize them in a way to thank them for providing me with a smile even when I didn’t want to. You three know who you are, and such now know how much I respect and admire the ‘Graces’ :D Also, I’d like to thank Aldea for his encouragement and support during this journey as well, there are times I reread some of his reviews simply to inspire my writing when it bogged down. Everyone that has reviewed and encouraged me, I thank you. I am truly, truly humbled to know that my story has enthralled and entertained you. I write to tell a story, mostly for my own entertainment and amusement, to know that others not only find enjoyment of it, but crave to know more…well, I now understand why authors write so much. I hope that I’ve done justice to this story with this final chapter, as well as matched the expectations of the long wait for this. I have the final chapters for my Love Hina and Ranma stories started, as well as a follow up to the Teen Titans chapter I wrote before my surgery, then I’ll probably go lurking for a bit as I relax and recharge. Thank you everyone for your interest and support once again, without you, I wouldn’t have been able to finish this story as I have, needing to pay homage to my favorite characters and do justice by them.