Hi I am Benji Himura this is my new fanfic. I apologize for any spell or grammar error English is not my first language so try to understand.

I don’t own any one of the Tenchi muyo cast, I will be using then. I don’t own any characters or songs of any other series that might show up here. Any character that you don’t know I own.

I hope that you enjoy reading this story.

Signed: Benji Himura

Author anti-flame notes:

Everything said in the previous first chapter still counts.

“Text” Talked sentences.

‘Text’ Thoughts.

-Text- Sounds effects.

(Text) Talked sentences in a foreign language as English when everyone else speaks Japanese.

: Text: Messages show in an electronic screen or written.

Text: something important being recalled, flashbacks, scenes being replayed.

Text: a detail found in a location, scene, person, recording and images that originally wasn’t there.

Tenchi Muyo Universe: The Dawn of the Queen

Chapter minus one: Adaptation

Aeka glares at Benji. “If you want some all that you have to do is ask.” Benji said to Aeka in a casual tone. “From where I came ugly faces like that means hunger. You can have this one.” Benji offers to Aeka a cereal bar. “I am not hungry!” Aeka exclaimed fuming even more.

“Then why you are staring princess?” Yuko asked after swallowing a piece of her chocolate bar. “We haven’t done anything to offend you.” “You killed Juraian soldiers!” Aeka exclaimed pointing at Benji. A little less than one day had passed since the group had fled of the Juraian ship and Tenchi told to Aeka how they met Benji and Yuko, and what happened until the arrived on the cell.

“It wasn’t a situation that I could just do nothing.” Benji replied in a flat tone. “As far as I care I haven’t done anything wrong or broke any law, after all homicide is only inflicted when a human kills another human and those men are aliens, there forth not human and not a crime under the laws of Earth, where those deaths took place.”

“He got you there princess.” Ryoko teased. “We were after all in Earth’s space, by his laws he is as free as a bird.” “And Lady Aeka he did what he felt that was necessary to ensure the safety of his friend and his own safety.” Tenchi said in a polite tone. “While is a horrible thing to be done Sasami, Ryoko and you would be facing the capital penalty for treason, they would also face that same penalty even not being involved.”

Aeka tries to recompose herself and leaves the Ryu-oki’s bridge. “I guess that I am not on her good side.” Benji commented eating another piece of his cereal bar. “Honestly speaking Benji-san not in mine’s either.” Tenchi said moving away from Benji and Yuko who are sitting next to his bike.

Ryoko smiles sympathetically and holds her hands together in a silent apology bowing lightly before hovering after Tenchi. “Please do not take offence on their words and actions.” Katsuhito said to Benji in an apologetic tone. “Tenchi was trained following a very strict code of conduct and honor, his own personality also affects his actions since he prefers being hurt than hurting others. Ryoko can understand as I do that you followed the only course of action that was provided for you and acted as righteously as you could.”

“I don’t really care old man.” Benji replied with a small smile. “I am not here to be loved, but to survive. That was my goal then and is my goal now.” Benji wraps the remains of the bar and shoves it on his trousers’ pocket while standing up. “Your grandson isn’t living in the real world with the real rules of battle and war. People get hurt, suffer and get killed, that is the truth of conflict and war, it doesn’t matter how pretty are the words that you use or justify, in the end the result is the very same, death.”

“There is wisdom on yours words.” Katsuhito replied with a smile. “However you are only looking at the darker side of that wisdom.” “I kill some to protect others; I kill one to protect many.” Benji said throwing his coat over his bike’s seat. “It is the truth, death isn’t something beautiful or honored; it is just the end. Blessed are the animals with their ignorance about this fact of death, for them death is just something needed to live.”

Katsuhito looks at Benji for few moments. “You saw your share of conflict haven’t you?” he asked seriously. “More than I wanted to.” Benji answered. “I protected those that I hold dear by giving pain and suffering in those who threatened them, my name is a synonym of evil and suffering.”

Benji walks away from the bridge. “He was named guardian of two girls back in our school.” Yuko said breaking a small piece of her chocolate bar. “He had to make sure that nothing bad would happen to them and the school’s name wouldn’t be involved in a scandal, you know having students raped or something worse; because those two students are beautiful girls of foreign background they are targeted by others because their hair and eye color, so he had to fight hard to keep them safe. He fought so much that he doesn’t have many friends, actually counting me he has only four friends on our school.”

Katsuhito nods understanding. “I understand, he is already used to be treated like this.” He mused looking at the door that Benji used to leave. “He is.” Yuko replied. “He doesn’t feel as free or blameless as he said that he was, those men are human enough for him feel bad for killing them, he did what he did so we could have a chance of escaping.”

“And you feel bad for being the reason that got him involved on this.” Katsuhito said to Yuko. “That is right, if we haven’t gone to Okayama we wouldn’t be dragged on this or I would be take alone by those soldiers and he wouldn’t be mixed on this.” Yuko replied. “Maybe yes, maybe not.” Katsuhito commented. “But young lady you are very lucky for having a friend like him and we are lucky in having a reliable companion like him, even if some of us still can’t see it.”

“Jou-sama I didn’t mean to sound as cold as I did.” Benji said finding Aeka in a small observation room rather far from the bridge. “Just leave me alone you beast.” Aeka spat not even looking at him, even his tone being honest and the way of speaking jou-sama was polite Aeka hated being called like that, remembered her of how Ryoko teases her and how the servants of the palace called her.

Benji sighs and stays by the door. “I just came to say that I am sorry, I didn’t meant to call you and everyone else of not human, but I am trying to cope with the fact that I killed sixty three men in that ship.” Benji said in a serious tone. “I feel bad about it but I don’t regret it, I did what I had to do. I am just apologizing for offending you in our previous conversation; I didn’t mean to say that. As you I am also under a lot of stress maybe even more since I didn’t had any kind of contact with alien races before.”

Aeka sees Benji leaving and starts to regret her actions, Benji was right if thing was bad for her was even worse for him that didn’t had anything to do with Jurai or space races. “I am sorry for insulting you too.” Aeka said turning to him and looking at his back. “I am confused and troubled with everything that happened, I just took my anger and frustration on you.”

“Apologies accepted jou-sama.” Benji said looking over his left shoulder. “Mind in…” Aeka blushes madly as her stomach growls cutting her sentence; she covers her stomach and looks away embarrassed. Benji smiled and walks to her. “I think that haven’t eaten something like this before but is quite good.” Benji said offering to Aeka the cereal bar that he offered before.

“Thank you.” Aeka replied in an embarrassed tone while looking to the floor, taking the offered bar. “You are welcome.” Benji said with a smile. “You don’t have to leave.” Aeka said while opening the bar preventing Benji from turning and leaving the room. “If you don’t mind I guess that I could use the company.”

“I don’t mind.” Benji replied, he smiled seeing Aeka demurely parting a small morsel of a corner of the bar and taking to her mouth, he can tell that Aeka liked the flavor observing the subtle changed on her expression. “It is good.” Aeka said after swallowing. “Different from what I have tasted before. “I do not recognize the flavor, but is very appetizing.”

“Strawberry and chocolate.” Benji said in a light tone. “In the middle of the cereal those dry red spots are dried bits of strawberry and the bottom is covered in chocolate.” “It is very good.” Aeka praised eating another small piece of the bar. “You were right; I have never tasted anything like this before. The flavor of this strawberry is lightly similar to a small fruit of my home planet.”

………………Two days later…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“We so need more clothes.” Benji commented sniffing his shirt. “Even washing in that shower the clothes are starting to smell.” Yuko nodded agreeing, everyone or at least most of them are suffering with that. “Tell me about it I am using the same pair of panties for three days in a row.” Yuko muttered annoyed.

“When we meet our friends we will at least be able to wash our clothes properly.” Tenchi said in his usual tone. “With their ship we can at least stop on a planet or space station so you two can buy more clothes.”

“Why Washu-chan can’t make us more?” Yuko asked pointing to the red head. “The access to my laboratory is limited with the house shrunk on the side that is, I can’t produce anything right now.” Washu answered. “The pills that I gave to him was something that I always carry around, they also help with migraines and headaches.”

“You aren’t carrying a pair of clean panties in your inventory are you Benji?” Yuko asked to the assassin clad brunette. “No.” Benji answered. “Come on check even if is just to appease me.” Yuko pleaded. Benji sighs and pulls his backpack and the bike’s saddle bags and starts rummaging on them.

“What are these doing here?!” Benji exclaimed pulling a small bundle of dark colored fabric. “PANTIES!” Yuko exclaimed grabbing the black lacy string panties. Benji finds a small folded note on his backpack and reads it. “Figures.” He muttered recognizing the handwriting.

“What?” Yuko asked checking if those will fit on her. “Those are Hina’s.” Benji answered pointing at the panties that Yuko is holding against her hip, checking the size. Yuko tucks the panties on her panties’ waistband and takes the note. “A little something for you to remember me.” Yuko said reading on loud. “They were warm when I tucked them here.” Yuko nodded cupping her chin in a thoughtful way. “Yup is Hina’s. Her handwriting and boldness, and clearly her taste of seduction undies. I knew that she had hots for you.”

Tenchi blushes looking away while Aeka is mad at the lack of shame of the duo. “Hey there is more.” Yuko commented opening the note all the way. “Check the other bag.” Benji does so. “Tessa’s.” Yuko and Benji said as one as Benji pulls a dark blue colored panties from the bag, it has a simpler design and much more fabric than the black one covering much more just having a hint of lace on the edges and on the front, with the panties another note followed.

“What Tessa-chan wrote?” Yuko asked curiously while Benji reads the note. “Nothing that I will show you.” Benji answered pocking both the blue panties and the note. “Unlike Hina Tessa wrote something more personal.” Yuko nods understanding and don’t ask more about it. “I knew that Tessa-chan had a huge crush on you, she is the frail princess type and as much you deny and others don’t see you are the guardian knight type of guy, no wonder that Tessa-chan is so attracted to you.” Yuko teased nudging Benji’s side. “But I never expected to Tessa-chan do something this bold. Hina-chan? Well it isn’t surprising because her behavior but Tessa-chan? That is shocking, and those panties definitely show her taste and that she is rather bold under her meek surface and she even picked you favorite color too.”

“Stop that.” Benji said in a flat tone, snatching Hina’s note from Yuko’s hands and the panties from her waistband. “AH! At least let me wear Hina’s! I need clean panties!” Yuko exclaimed while Benji pockets the two too. “She said that was warm when she placed them on my backpack so you think that they are clean?” Benji replied. “Much cleaner than mine they are!” Yuko shot back.

“Ahhh the youth! Such a wonderful thing.” Nobuyuki said with a sigh. “Such lucky young man being presented by the panties of two fair maidens in love. All the…!” Benji smashes the head of Yuko’s staff on Nobuyuki’s gut shutting the older man. “Just shut up! It is embarrassing enough to be with two panties on my pocket!” Benji exclaimed angrily.

“You deserved that one.” Tenchi said with a disapproving scowl on his face, while Benji walks out of the bridge with the staff on his hand, Aeka, Ryoko, Sasami and even Washu nod agreeing with Tenchi’s words.

“I knew that you would be here.” Aeka said entering on the same observation room that they first had a normal conversation; she could only see the outline of Benji’s body against the space outside, the staff now looking as a spear and his figure made Aeka think of Benji as Yuko said of a knight.

“Looking that the sea of stars makes me think that my problems are very small against the vastness of the space.” Benji replied turning to Aeka, she blushes lightly at his words; they were romantic on his description of space. “I kind of guessed that the two sisters liked me more than a friend, it was rather clear when Yuko tried to get me as a member of the cosplay club.”

Aeka walks and looks out of the ‘window’. “But you haven’t thought of them like that.” Aeka said glancing at Benji from the corner of her eyes. “I can’t deny that once and a while that kind of thought crossed my mind, but I never serious considered dating one of them.” Benji replied putting his hand on his pocket and pulling his MP4 player and turning it on.

“Here is a picture of us.” Benji said handing the small device to Aeka, she can see a picture of Benji wearing a worn black leather jacket, blue t-shirt and denim pants while riding on his BMW, Hina is wearing a very figure hugging jeans pants, a short emerald green top and a light jacket, she is clinging on Benji’s back riding behind him on the bike; Tessa is wearing similar clothes as her sister but instead of the top being green it is sapphire blue, she is sited over the fuel tank with her arms around Benji’s neck while they face the camera, the blue eyed girl is blushing at her position but seems happy, so it Hina, Benji looks embarrassed but doesn’t seem to mind.

“They are attractive.” Aeka said handing the player back to Benji, Benji nodded agreeing and turns off the device and pockets it. “They are but I haven’t thought of them as more than friends.” Benji commented. “I did get in fights for them and we hang together a lot but I haven’t thought on them as possible girlfriends, but girl friends.”

Aeka nods understanding, at least she is trying to understand; it isn’t all that odd a male having female friends without looking for anything else than friendship. “They will be alright without you being there?” Aeka asked seriously. “I don’t know.” Benji answered in an honest tone. “I really don’t know, I am praying that they will.” Aeka nodded again; there wasn’t anything that they could do for the two sisters.

“How you met him?” Washu asked to Yuko, she was curious about them and they weren’t really talking much about themselves. “We go to the same school.” Yuko answered rummaging on her backpack. “We are in the same year but in different classes.”

“You two know each other for long?” Sasami asked curiously. “Well I knew Benji by his reputation.” Yuko answered pulling a digital camera from her backpack. “I never spoke much to him until few months ago.”

“Why that?” Tenchi asked, the story was picking up his interest. “You see Benji isn’t what you could call a good student.” Yuko explained. “He didn’t get in trouble or anything but in physics and other math related subjects he doesn’t do well and actually ignores the teacher and reads in class, anyway he was teamed with two girls, the school placed him in charge of their safety using his actions to blackmail him, they said if the two girls weren’t harmed by anyone; which would stain the school’s reputation they would overlook his behavior and give him passing grades on his bad subjects.”

“That isn’t fair for the hardworking students who study hard to pass.” Tenchi protested at such arrangement. “Life isn’t fair.” Katsuhito said in a serious tone. “Tenchi you have to understand that there are times and places that honor don’t hold much value, for the school losing face means losing money from parents and losing students, it also lessens the government support. In the end it is just politics to keep a good image to attract more people. Sadly education it also a business; a cutthroat one in Japan.”

“That is right, for the school the negative publicity of having two female students assaulted would ruin the reputation, so they used Benji who other than his bad habits in class is a good student, he respects the teachers and doesn’t look out for problems as delinquents.” Yuko added. “The two girls, the two sisters as Benji call them have foreign blood, they are blonde and very attractive so the school were right in fear them being attacked, the result is that Benji often had to fight off people trying to take advantage of them.”

“That is horrible.” Sasami gasped. “Sadly Sasami-chan there are men who do whatever they want without caring about the others or consequences.” Yuko said looking for something on the camera, Katsuhito nodded at her words, he saw his share of those kinds of men. “Benji became the bodyguard for those two sisters, even when not in school Benji is near them, they became friends and isolated themselves from most of the students, they saw no need for them, Benji didn’t had many friends since the others avoided him for his habits, afterwards his reputation as a fighter scared the others, in the end the trio isolated themselves, eating lunch, working in projects and hanging together. But that also made people jealous.”

“How?” Ryoko asked curious. “Benji is fairly handsome, the two sisters are beautiful.” Yuko answered showing a picture of the trip for the others. “The males began to gossip that Benji was keeping the two girls for himself, the females did the same in the other way around so it only made them more distant from the others, but some were aggressive and started to pick fights with them. Outside the school Benji’s fame as fighter only made delinquents seek to defeat him, the violence escalated on each conflict.”

“More he fought and more people he defeated more people would try to take him down and take the prizes, being then fame or the two sisters.” Katsuhito nodded understanding. “It is a vicious circle, more famous delinquents were defeated by him more famous he got and because of that more delinquents would seek to defeat him.”

“I realized this a while ago.” Yuko said pointing to Benji’s chain mail over his coat. “Benji wears that everyday under his uniform. The fights which started only as fist fights escalated to armed ones, now Benji is forced to wear that mail to avoid being stabbed.”

“Well it explains why he fought well but not how you two met.” Washu pointed out handing the camera to Katsuhito. “I needed more people for my school club, the cosplay club.” Yuko answered. “So after watching him and the sisters for a while I decided to make one of them join knowing that the other two would forcefully join since they always stay together for safety reasons. Those were my initial reasons; after I got to know them I saw that they were normal students in an unnatural situation.”

“I guess that I can identify myself with it.” Tenchi commented. “But why the school didn’t take other measures to protect those girls? Why using a student?” “Because Benji are easily disposable.” Yuko answered in a flat tone. “If things get too bad the school expels him claiming that they can’t fix his problematic behavior and in that way they save face.”

Tenchi stared in shock they were using Benji as a disposable tool. “Politics is an ugly game.” Katsuhito said in a somber tone. “The life of a man there only has value when useful and can be easily throw away if becomes troublesome. That is pretty heavy burden for a student.”

“Yeah, the worse is that Benji has feelings for the two sisters and those feelings are reciprocated.” Yuko said pointing at his saddle bags. “Benji is worried about their safety, after almost two years guarding them nonstop he can’t help on worrying now that he is there for them.”

“At least we know that he will be very helpful unlike a certain some else.” Ryoko commented looking at Nobuyuki. “If he is used to fight then I know that I can count on him, and from what I heard I know that I can rely more on him than on the princess. I will chat with him later.”

………………Three days later……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“God I so need a new set of clothes.” Benji exclaimed as they leave Ryu-oki after nearly one week inside the small ship, Benji’s BMW was once again shrunk and Benji stored it carefully on his backpack. “Mine don’t smell nice either.” Yuko commented holding the chest of her dress and looking at the dirty fabric. “Don’t even get me started about my panties.”

“No one is better than you two.” Tenchi said to the duo. “Other than Ryoko that had some clean sets of clothes there.” “After all Ryu-oki is my ship, I travel on her so I have to have clothes there.” Ryoko commented with a sympathetic smile. “How much money we have anyway?” Yuko asked to Tenchi.

“One hundred credits.” Tenchi answered. “It isn’t much but is all that Aeka and Ryoko had on them.” “Borrow me ten credits.” Benji said to the shorter boy. “Sure but why you need them?” Tenchi asked handing to Benji two bills of five credits. “Let’s go Yuko I know where we can get make this grow.” Benji said to the priestess clad girl. “I need someone to hold on the cash while I am busy.” Yuko nodded and moved near Benji.

“I want to see that one.” Ryoko commented with a grin. “I don’t have anything else to do.” Aeka commented looking at the duo. “Kiyone should be arriving in the next hours so we have some time to kill anyway.” Washu added signaling that everyone would follow.

Benji shrugs and walks around looking for something, the given universal translator program that Washu gave to him and Yuko helped a lot, entering on a bar Benji ask few questions to the odd looking alien acting as bartender; the gang as to give credit to Benji on having guts in acting so naturally on his first not humanoid alien contact.

Benji walks to a back door and the group follows, Benji speak to what seems to be a man with several cybernetic implants. After a short while he walks to Yuko and hands her his backpack, knives, sword and coat. “As soon I enter on that door bet on me.” Benji instructed while Yuko adjusts the backpack and his belongings on her back.

Yuko nods agreeing and holds on the money, the others watch shocked but stay in silence. Benji moves to the door and Yuko makes her bet, she quickly returns to the group holding her ticket. “I really hope that he know what he is doing.” Tenchi said in a worried tone.

“He knows what he is doing.” Yuko replied. “I am not sure if he knows how insane it is to do what he is doing.” “Well was nice meeting him.” Ryoko said to Yuko. “Is he aware that the other guy is the undefeated champion of this place?” “I believe that he does.” Yuko replied noticing the shock in everyone else’s faces. “When he wins we will get a huge load of money.”

“He is insane!” Tenchi exclaimed. Benji is closing his right hand on a fist and tensing his arm muscles while walking towards the even taller alien with four cybernetic arms and several others visible implants. The alien starts sneering Benji with his usual line, Benji cuts the line short smashing his right fist on the alien’s left temple.

The bigger alien spins on the air flailing limbs before hitting the ground hard. Benji as silently as he entered on the arena leaves while Yuko moves to collect their prize. “What just happened there?!” Aeka asked in horror, she can’t understand how that just happened and she witnessed everything. “He focused his reiryouku on his right arm and fist, and then he released it all in the punch.” Katsuhito said with an amused smile. “In terms of sheer power it must be the same as being hit by a shotgun at point blank range.”

“!!!!!!!!!” Yuko purred counting one of the very thick wads of money that she was given. “Our puny bet gave us five thousand credits.” “Fifty five thousand.” Benji corrected showing her a money card. “I got the prize for defeating that champion guy too. Violence is always profitable.”

“Sad but true.” Katsuhito commented. “Here is your share of the profits.” Benji said to Tenchi handing to him one of the five wads of money. “Ryoko.” Benji said turning to the pirate and handing her two of the remaining three. “Jou-sama.” Benji added handing her the remaining two wads.

“I told you to stop calling me like that.” Aeka said taking the money. “But thank you.” “Now I am going to drag Yuko to a quick shopping and a hotel.” Benji said to the group. “And before you say anything perverted old man we will just take a bath and change to clean clothes.”

Nobuyuki lets his words die on his mouth and they leave the bar. “How you knew that it would have a fighting arena on this bar?” Ryoko asked to Benji. “I didn’t. I would have moved to another one until I found one with an arena or another fighting place.” Benji answered. “I knew that eventually I would come across a bar with a fight club, and they are good ways to make money when you know how to fight.”

Ryoko nodded agreeing; from penniless they jumped for having a reasonable amount of money for supplies. “But why you are going to stay with fifty thousand credits and we just get five thousand split between us?” Nobuyuki protested. “I fought, Yuko betted and lastly we need to buy everything needed for a daily live.” Benji answered seriously. “Unlike everyone else Yuko and I just have one set of clothes, we need buy toothbrushes, shampoo, clothes, shoes and everything else. So it is fair that we need more starting money than everyone else, right?”

“Very right.” Aeka nodded agreeing, if wasn’t his idea they wouldn’t have the amount that they have; it was fair that Benji and Yuko had a bigger cut of the money because they truly needed. “And dad we don’t need anything other than food right now.” Tenchi added seriously. “Five thousand credits must be more than enough for us to eat and buy some food to stock.”

“Actually Tenchi-niichan is enough for us make six months worth of grocery shopping.” Sasami said with a smile. “See it is a good amount.” Tenchi added seriously. “Actually is a very large amount if can buy that much food.”

“We are off to the shopping district.” Benji said to the group. “I am going too, I am bored and I think that you two could use some company.” Aeka said to raven haired man. “I am going too.” Sasami exclaimed running to them. “I will make sure that Ryoko doesn’t waste the money.” Tenchi said. “We will be waiting for Kiyone in the designed place.” Washu added. “I told to Benji and Aeka where it is and when she should be there.” Tenchi nodded and they moved to do what they needed to do.

“I so hate this sci-fi look.” Benji commented looking at the racks of clothing. “No jeans, no cotton...nothing really familiar or comfortable.” “What exactly you are looking for?” Aeka asked to Benji, Yuko was enjoying the experience and eagerly checking the clothes.

“I want something simple, practical and comfortable.” Benji answered looking at the princess. “Something that doesn’t call attention.” “Resuming clothes from Earth, right?” Aeka asked with a smile. “Right.” Benji replied. “Then follow me.” Aeka said. “Yuko-san we are leaving.” “What?!” But I want to try some clothes!” Yuko exclaimed running after the couple that is leaving the store, Sasami follows them curious.

“This store specializes in making the clothes after the wishes of the consumer.” Aeka explained when they enter in another shop, there isn’t a clerk available but some computers like machines are not being used by other clients. Aeka moves to one of the empty machines.

“This machine takes the image of a piece of clothing and makes a similar outfit from a certain selection of fabrics available.” Aeka explained showing to them a one inch thick booklet filled with fabric samples. “The machine will also scan your body taking the needed measurements; you can also alter the fit of the clothes using the computer.”

“So handy!” Yuko exclaimed clapping her hands in joy, it was something that appeared to came out from her dreams. “How much it charges?” “Actually is rather cheap.” Sasami answered. “Ten credits for an entire set, and are of good quality too.”

“All that I have to do is use a picture or draw the clothes?” Yuko asked with her eyes shinning. “Yes, you also need to input the color of the clothes if you want to make different from the image or from a drawing.” Aeka answered. “I so love this machine.” Yuko said pulling from be backpack a scrapbook.

“I will use the one over there.” Benji said pointing to another empty machine. “Sasami you aid Yuko-san and I will help Benji-san with that machine.” Aeka said to her sister. “Hai!” Sasami exclaimed. “Thank you jou-…!” Aeka places her right index finger over his lips cutting him. “Don’t okay?” Aeka said in a level tone. “I told you that I don’t like to be called like that. Aeka will do or Lady Aeka if you want to be formal, you can use sama or even dono but don’t call be jou-sama.”

Benji nodded. “Sorry, I was trying to be polite.” He replied. “I know and that is why I am not angry, I just dislike being called like that.” Aeka said while they walk to the other machine. Benji pulls his MP4 player from his pocket and searches on the pictures there uploading the images to the computer, Aeka gives him explanations and advices when needed.

Benji starts to select the fabrics of the display. “You know which one is stronger?” Benji asked to the purple haired princess. “Why that?” Aeka asked curious. “Wanting or not we are being hunted princess.” Benji replied. “I don’t magically change into a robotic suit of armor to fight when I have to, so I have to rely on my daily clothing giving me at least the most basic protection against certain kinds of attacks.”

Aeka frowns a little at his wording but understands his worry and the fact that he didn’t meant to sound aggressive or insult her, he had valid points on his line of thought, her own kimonos are made of a special fabric that could easily take a handful of blasts of a heavy Galaxy Police blaster.

“Let’s see if they have a display of the fabrics’ uses and resistances.” Aeka said typing something on the computer. Her serious actions with Benji contrasts with the cheerful and excited actions of Yuko and Sasami.

“I narrowed the selection to four different kind of fabric.” Aeka announced after a couple of minutes, her cooperation with Benji was oddly working very well, while she checked the fabric Benji was feeding the machine with data of several articles of clothing.

“The first one is a rather simple fabric, it is somewhere between silk and cotton, it doesn’t have an exceptional resilience but is stronger than the average cotton.” Aeka explained showing to Benji a square of the fabric. “This can be used to make undergarments and inner articles of clothing as undershirts.”

Benji nodded agreeing, the fabric felt very soft and comfortable. “The second is more resilient and stretchable.” Aeka said showing the second square of fabric. “One of the properties is that it doesn’t get soaked when wet, if you wear a shirt of this swim and then leave the water around ninety seven percent of the water will run down of the fabric and will be only slightly wet.”

“Very good for swimming clothes.” Benji commented, Aeka nodded and showed another piece of fabric. “This one is similar in texture as soft denim.” Aeka explained. “It is very resilient, light, and cool and is water proof too.” “Sounds good.” Benji said feeling the fabric.

“The last one feels like silk but is the stronger one of the selection, in terms that you can understand is like micro-threaded crystal. It feels just like silk but is made of a crystalline substance; it is an equivalent to your chain mail but is also can take few shots or medium grade energy weapons and is also water proof.” Aeka said handing him the last sample. “It is the lining of any jackets that you might make.”

“Sounds promising.” Benji commented feeling the fabric. “This machine can make one piece of clothing with several layers of fabric?” “Yes it can, but is more expensive.” Aeka answered. “It is worth.” Benji replied. “Any fabric that you personally advise?” Aeka nodded and scans the sample book. “This one.” Aeka said letting him feel the fabric. “It feels like silk, is very comfortable and cool, I have clothes of that same fabric.”

Benji nodded understanding and writes down the number of the fabric as he did with the others. He begins to make the needed changes and other adjustments on the designs of the clothes placing the desired fabric and the layers. Aeka moves to check on Yuko and Sasami, she smiled seeing the rather large pile of clothes that was next to the duo. “How it scans?” Benji asked to the princess. “You said that it scanned the body for the measurements.”

“Like this.” Aeka said standing in front of a camera like device and pressing a button, the machine stands a thin arm that holds the camera and thin beams of silver light run over Aeka’s body while a small window on the computer screen shows a white image of her body being constructed. Soon the process is done and Aeka explains how to feed that information to the machine and alter the fit of the clothes.

“I am going to see how much those two expend.” Aeka announced pointing to Yuko and Sasami. “Thank you for your help Aeka.” Benji said to the princess with a smile. “You are welcome.” She replied smiling back; she moves to Yuko’s machine and sees the large amount of multicolored clothes next to the girl.

“Having fun?” Aeka asked. “Lots of it.” Yuko exclaimed excitedly. “It is better than shopping for all the needed parts for a costume! I can make the entire thing here!” Aeka chuckled seeing the girl’s enthusiasm it was a good thing, it calmed them from the tension of being hunted. Aeka checks on the total of that machine, seeing that is a little over three thousand credits Aeka advises them to not go overboard.

After one hour the group leaves the store, Aeka had to leave the store and buy three large duffel bags and a very large suitcase. Benji packed his clothes in two of the duffel bags while Yuko took the suitcase and the other duffel bag; she even needed a third duffel bag to carry what was left.

A stop to another store like the one that they just left where they made shoes and other pieces of clothes and products made of leather like material and other harder and thicker materials.

“That was fun.” Yuko commented sipping some juice that she bough in a machine, she didn’t know of what was made but tasted like persimmon. “I love the space.” The brown haired girl is holding on a space carrier that allowed her to carry all the bags in what appears to a small shopping bag, it was cheap and handy for massive shoppers.

“I say that was amusing.” Benji said sipping a juice recommended by Aeka, it tasted like a mixture of lime and orange juice, but with a honey like consistency. “So spoke the man that expended half an hour browsing melee and short range weapons.” Yuko teased. “You purchased some too.”

“I have my hobbies.” Benji commented. “Now we need to find a hotel and get cleaned up.” Yuko nodded agreeing, Aeka and Sasami chuckled amused they were having fun too. Benji on the weapon store was almost like a kid on a candy store; Yuko was even more excited than that.

Benji is also carrying his own bags inside the space carrier, unlike Yuko that bought a expendable one that could only be used three times Benji decided to expend some more money and get one that looks like a belt pack, Benji had to admit that the technology was great and nearly made up for the whole hunting issue.

One hour later Benji is sited on the bed of the hotel room that he had rented, he had finished his long bath and is wearing one of the brand new sets of clothes, a pair of black shoes, dark blue trousers, a leather belt, a white t-shirt and a dark blue light jacket over it, his hair is still lightly damp from the shower; Yuko is taking her own bath eagerly trying the new products that she purchased.

Sasami is watching TV and Aeka is also sited on the bed and is having some tea absent minded looking at the TV. “Worried about something princess?” Benji asked in a in a soft tone to not disturb Sasami. “When Sasami turned on the TV I saw one of the warnings about us.” Aeka replied in a depressed tone. “I had fun shopping with Yuko-san, Sasami and you, and I forgot that we are being hunted.”

“It isn’t all that bad forgetting it for a little while.” Benji commented. “We can’t obsess ourselves with the why of the hunt and all the other questions that we don’t know the answer, we will find out what happened when we reach your home world.”

Aeka nodded still downcast. “I was saving this for when we had a moment of privacy but since you could use a good cheer.” Benji said pulling the small touch screen of his carrier he selects few of the items there. Two boxes appeared in front of him, one is a shoe box and the other is a rather thin but large box that Aeka recognized as the kind that hold an article of clothing on it.

Benji picks the two boxes and give them to Aeka. “I know that isn’t much but is a token of my appreciation for helping me today.” He said with a smile. “You didn’t have to bother!” Aeka exclaimed blushing, she wasn’t expecting something like that; embarrassed she takes the two boxes.

Aeka places the shoe box next to her and open the other box. “It is beautiful!” Aeka gasped seeing a Chinese styled dress made of a not too dark purple fabric with golden details, she carefully holds the dress taking it out of the box and she sees a pair of long white gloves.

She carefully takes each detail of the intricate flower drawings made of golden lines on the dress. Aeka stands up holding the dress against her seeing her reflection on a mirror, it was the first time seeing that particular design, while unusual was a pleasant change and she felt that she could use easily get used to that dress.

“I loved it.” Aeka said bowing at Benji. “I really appreciated this present.” “You are welcome.” Benji replied with a smile. “I am glad that you liked, I wasn’t sure if you would enjoy that design and color.” “I loved both, thank you very much.” Aeka said bowing again. “You don’t have to bow to me princess.” Benji said standing and straightening Aeka. “I am content that the gift appeased you. I also added a pair of shoes that should match the dress.”

Aeka smiled at him and opened the second box and sees a pair of rather simple purple high heels of the same color of the dress. Aeka sits on the bed again, placing the dress back in the box; she removes her sandals and tabis, and tries the shoes. “They fit perfectly.” Aeka said standing up with the new shoes. “Thought I am unused to this kind of shoes.”

She walks a little on the room ignoring Sasami’s eyes on her as she tries the new shoes, Aeka’s cry of excitement over the dress got Sasami’s attention. Benji stay near Aeka in case she loses her balance with the shoes. “I need to practice more.” Aeka commented nearly falling, thanks to Benji she never fell. Aeka holds on his shoulders before recovering her balance and walking to the bed.

She carefully stores the shoes back in the box and places the dress on its own box; she places the two boxes on her shopping bag and thanked Benji for them once again. Yuko leaves the bathroom wearing a gothic styled black dress. “So what you think?” Yuko asked to the trio. “You look like a French doll.” Benji answered in a flat tone.

“I think that you are looking good.” Sasami praised. “I think that you are showing too much skin.” Aeka said looking at Yuko’s bare shoulders; the dress left exposed Yuko’s shoulders and the top of her bust and back. Yuko’s hair is tied with a black ribbon tied on a large bow, another bow is covering part of the chest of the dress, a third and large bow is on her back. Yuko is also wearing a black chocker and long black gloves, unlike common gloves Yuko’s gloves are covering only the back of her hand with a ring on her middle finger and running all the way above her elbows with a hint of lace on the hem.

“I really think that, that dress isn’t fit to our current situation.” Benji added. “How you are supposed to run or mingle in a crowd dressed as a gothloli anime girl.” “Cut me some slack mister ‘I dress with plain clothes’.” Yuko replied with her hands on her hips in an aggressive posture. “Is my way with coping with this and the layers also help, you know?!” Yuko added lifting her skirt and showed a handful of small weapons held on holsters on the petticoat and on her stocking clad legs.

“Yuko-san I do understand your point of view.” Aeka said in a serious tone. “But you clothes call too much attention, it is a very lovely dress and I am sure that in a party it would be perfect, but Benji-san is right; we are being hunted and in any moment we might need to run and that dress is everything but practical to run, it might get ruined if you started to run and it got caught on something.”

Yuko sighed but understood. “I will change.” Yuko said moving back to the bathroom. “I liked this one so much…” she whined while slumping her shoulders, and closing the door. “I never said that was bad but unfit for this moment.” Benji muttered sitting on the bed. Aeka smiled and sited on the bed they continue to wait for Yuko leave the bathroom with a less eye catching dress.

In the park where the group was supposed to meet Tenchi sees Aeka, Benji, Sasami and Yuko moving at their direction, Kiyone was already informed of the events that took place on the ship. The group noticed the new outfits of Benji and Yuko, while Benji clothes are rather normal Yuki is wearing a pair of tight black trousers, black shoes, and a black corset with white strings tying it and a black blazer over it.

“We finished our shopping.” Benji said to the group. “Why those two horizontal straps across your chest?” Kiyone asked pointing at Benji’s chest where two black straps are running on his chest partially covered by his jacket. “Holding my knives in place.” Benji answered. “They are sheathed on my back.”

Kiyone nodded understanding. “We should leave now that we are together.” Kiyone said to the group. “We are too close of the Galaxy Police. I don’t trust Mihoshi alone in the Yagami and bigger are the chances of being identified on each passing minute on this planet.”

The whole group agrees and they leave for the space port where Kiyone docked the Yagami. It was a tranquil trip there and they left the planet without problems; just when they left the busier area around that solar system they let out a relieved sigh. “For a while we should be fine.” Kiyone announced to the slightly relaxed group. “I will show for you a compartment where the Masaki house can be fit.”

“Thank you Kiyone!” Nobuyuki exclaimed happily, he was longing for his hentai collection on his library. “You have any quarters that we could use?” Benji asked to the policewoman, after all neither him nor Yuko had rooms on the Masaki house. “Of course I have.” Kiyone answered with a smile. “The Yagami is a very large ship; it has individual quarters for a crew of one hundred people.”

“Thank you.” Yuko said with a smile, she longed for privacy after nearly a week cramped with the others inside the small cabbit ship. Leaving Mihoshi observing the sensors Kiyone guides the group to the area for the Masaki house; in the path from the bridge to that particular compartment she shows two rooms for Benji and Yuko so they could easily reach the bridge or the Masaki house.

……………Four hours later………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Benji sits on the rather comfortable bed on his given room on the Yagami; the room was spacious and even had its own bathroom. It took a while for him to organize his new belongings on his room, the closet was big enough to fit all the clothes and still have some space, some of the drawers there were still empty.

His knives are resting on the top of the desk of the room, his sword resting next to it against a wall; next to his knives are his MP4 player, a small and slim digital camera, a pocket knife and the key chain with the keys of his apartment and BMW.

“It is still a bit bland but it will warm up with time.” Benji commented looking around, his shoes are near the door and his jacket hanging on the back of his chair; the room lacked more personal objects and decoration touches, considering that less than five hours earlier only had the furniture there is was a good advancement.

A pleasant chime comes from the entrance and Benji looks at the door. “Benji-san it is me, Aeka.” Aeka voice came from the speaker neatly disguised above the door. Benji stands up and walks to the door. “Can I come in…?” Aeka question died while the door slid open while she was speaking lightly surprising her.

In the other hand Benji was shocked, Aeka was wearing the purple and golden dress that he had given to her, he expected it to look good on her but she was absolutely stunning with it.; the silk like fabric molding perfectly her body following every curve of her sinuous slim body, the high heels making her looks slightly taller and much sexier as the slit on the leg showed a lot of her shapely thigh.

“I feel underdressed.” Benji whispered looking at the princess. Aeka blushed even more feeling his gaze on her body, she wasn’t used in wear a single layer of clothing; she always worn a kimono with at least three layers of kimonos and more of sashes covering her body. “Does it look good?” Aeka asked embarrassed.

“Breathtaking.” Benji answered honestly causing Aeka to blush even more, diverting her eyes from him, looking at the floor embarrassed at the compliment and his tone; she could feel that he was telling the truth. “I thought that it would look good on you but I never expected to look this beautiful. A beautiful woman makes the clothing even more beautiful.”

Aeka thought that she would faint with the increase blow flow on her face, she is unable to come up with anything to say; she was used to receive compliments but they were mostly fake, formal or polite ones, honest compliments were very rare and she wasn’t used to them.

“Jou-chan!” Ryoko’s voice echoed on the hall. Aeka suddenly tenses and looks around nervously, she had gone great lengths to sneak out of the house unnoticed in that dress so just Benji would see her like that, she wouldn’t stand anyone else seeing her in that revealing dress.

Noticing her panic Benji gently holds her wrist and pulls her inside his room, surprised with the movement Aeka loses her balance and finds herself against his chest, with her palms pressed against his flat chest while his arm is holding her slim waist; his free hand is pressing the closing button of the door. Aeka sighs relieved and rests her forehead on his chest.

It takes few moments to realize how close she is of Benji, his left arm is gently but strongly pressing her against his body while his right arm is besides her head with his hand pressed flat against the close button of the door; they are in silence waiting for Ryoko to move away, fearing that any noise will attract the pirate to the room and discovering them.

Because the thin layer of fabric Aeka can easily feel Benji’s body warmth and how his chest moves with his slow breathing; blushing even more Aeka looks at her hands hoping that he won’t notice her embarrassment.

After a while they are sure that Ryoko is gone. “Sorry.” Benji said noticing how close he was of the princess. “I didn’t notice.” He releases her and takes a couple of steps back, Aeka did her best to not show the disappointment at the abrupt end of their closeness. “It is okay.” Aeka replied with a smile looking at her glove clad hands, still with a blush tinting her cheek. “You prevented that woman from seeing me on this dress.”

In the next morning Kiyone calls Benji to the bridge, arriving there Benji finds himself alone with the policewoman. “You must be asking why I called you here.” Kiyone said when the doors close behind him. “Yes.” Benji replied looking at her. Gesturing to Benji sit on Mihoshi’s chair Kiyone said. “I heard what happened on the Juraian ship and in that bar before we met.”

“So I take that as a law officer you are going to have to do something about it?” Benji asked sitting down. “In normal situations yes.” Kiyone replied. “However our situation isn’t normal, honestly neither you sound normal, your actions since your arrival aren’t consistent with a normal teenager.”

Benji nodded agreeing at her words, she was right about that. “From what Katsuhito-dono said you are skilled in martial arts, well trained and skilled in killing, you didn’t show hesitation when you fought alongside them.” Kiyone continued. “So Benji Himura who are you?”

Benji sighed at that question. Benji stands up and opens his shirt exposing his chest to Kiyone, revealing many scars on his body, moving to Kiyone Benji takes her hand and makes her touch his neck at the base of his neck. Kiyone felt old scar tissue where Benji’s fingers guided hers.

“Four years ago according to the doctors I was involved in a car accident.” Benji said sitting back on the chair. “According to the doctors?” Kiyone asked. “You mean that you…?”

“Yes.” Benji answered seriously. “I lost my memories; they say that I lost everything even my sense of self. However I have memories that they claim that are fabrication of my mind. People that called themselves my family, helped me on my painful recovering, people that I could tell that loved me.” Benji smiled bitterly. “I have no recollection of any of them, not the woman who called herself my mother, not the girl that said that was my sister, or anyone else. But I have memories of a different family, one that everyone says that doesn’t exist, dates that I think that are birthdays even my own doesn’t match the documents that I have, even my face is different from the ones in my memories.”

“So you don’t know how you knew how to fight like that?” Kiyone asked shocked, she doesn’t know what kind of condition that could be, but she knows that the brain; any brain of any species are still an unknown area of science. “Yes.” Benji answered. “I could have been a trained child killer or even a martial arts maniac, I have no idea. My body just moves without much of a command, before I realize I am already moving, what I know is that reflexes like that aren’t normal.”

Kiyone nodded agreeing. “So you can’t tell us why you do it so well.” Kiyone commented. “I am a trained policewoman, if I detected that you were lying to me I would have reacted, but I can see that you aren’t lying. But I have to ask you to not behave like that here, we are in a bad situation already killing soldiers and policemen would only make things worse.”

“I wasn’t exactly thinking in such long term back then.” Benji said. “I was trapped in a situation that I felt that Yuko and I would have died, I just reacted, and well the bar was just an idea to make some money.”

“That is another thing that I wanted to speak with you.” Kiyone said now that he brought that up. “How you did that? How you knocked a guy that is a trained and professional fighter, a hardened criminal that lives doing that?”

“I don’t really know.” Benji replied. “Sometimes, I mean in certain critical moments I can do certain things, I mean push my limits, strike harder than I ever could taking down people that I knew that normally I couldn’t defeat. Just happens I don’t know how it works.”

Kiyone sighed; talking to Benji wasn’t giving her any answers for her questions. “Anyway don’t do insane things like that anymore.” Kiyone advised seriously. “While is an undeniable good thing that you managed to get us money to travel and buy food and fuel we can’t endanger ourselves like that. You have any idea of the kind of galactic scum that goes to that kind of places? Killers, rapists, drug dealers, the worst kind of criminal and people of the know galaxy.”

“That explains why the guy paid so fast.” Benji commented. “Of course!” Kiyone exclaimed. “Anyone able to knock a champion like that with one hit will become feared. You got lucky that in this part of the sector the criminals aren’t the worst of the worst. Most of the ones of this area are small fish that just look big.”

“I am getting on your nerves right?” Benji asked. Kiyone nodded taking a deep breath. “Look I am not scolding you for trying to help us with money, it was a big help.” Kiyone said seriously. “With the little money that we had it wouldn’t be enough to fly to a different sector; we would run out of fuel. But what would you done if you lost that fight?”

“I didn’t consider that possibility.” Benji answered honestly. “Exactly.” Kiyone replied. “Reckless actions might get us all caught if not get you or someone else hurt.” Benji nodded. “Look so far you helped a lot and I really appreciate it.” Kiyone continued. “You look more reliable than Ryoko and Aeka in certain aspects I won’t even bring up Tenchi’s family. I know that I can rely on Tenchi in certain subjects but not in others. If you come with an idea bring it up to me and we discuss the viability of it.”

“Okay.” Benji said to the policewoman. “The last thing that I want in my mind is know that someone else unrelated to all this craziness was killed.” Kiyone added seriously. “I am not really comfortable to with any of this, especially you and Yuko being dragged to this matter, but there isn’t a way to change this now. Don’t act like a superman and get killed, no one here needs that.”

“Okay.” Benji replied seriously, it wasn’t like he wanted to die either or fight again. “Anything else ma’am?” “Just don’t call me ma’am and we are done.” Kiyone replied relaxing. “Look we barely know each other and I know that getting a earful from a stranger isn’t nice but I am telling you this for your and everyone else’s sake, we all would like to get out of this in one piece.”

Benji nodded again. “And if is possible don’t tell this to anyone.” Benji said to the policewoman. “Why?” Kiyone asked confused. “It isn’t a subject that I like to talk about.” Benji answered. “I only told to you since you are the one who appears to be leading this circus, so you deserved to know.” Kiyone nodded agreeing, if was a personal secret then she would keep it.

End of the chapter

Author notes:

I am trying a different style of storytelling here, instead of starting the story and showing the characters, building the events and adding the plot devices and changes I started showing the results of everything and then starting to show what happened to lead to that end.

While the number of reviews is rather large and some are criticizing several things of the story I am taking them all in consideration and thinking of them as signals that there are people reading the story. As result of some of the reviews I decided to disclose things that I wanted to hold for later chapters, I won’t tell more about Benji’s past unless I think that is fit to the story.

I am still starting to put the story in motion and I want to hold some secrets about the original characters, especially Benji and keeps secrets of my plot. I am also trying to follow the rush of events show in the series not giving much time to explore the characters; they will come in the future when I reach gaps in the original plot to work in and add my own devices.

It was mentioned before about how I spell Aeka, I am following the original spelling of her name that is Aeka and not Ayeka, Ayeka was the spelling use to make her name sound like it is in Japanese. Tessa and Hina aren’t foreigners, they are of foreign heritance they are born and raised in Japan they just moved to another city and enrolled in another school.

Now changing from story and characters explanation to explain a particular sentence, ‘…ugly faces like that means hunger…’ this sentence is common one in Brazil when someone glares, stares or look at someone with anger and other similar expressions. It is a way to make the person realize that he or she is being noticed, normally it embarrass and provoke the subject (person glaring) and make her stop doing it.