Official Pre-chapter Rant: Okay so I'm sorry in advance for this one people. Please forgive me for the action sequence it was so very hard for me to write. Thanks to all my betas for suggestions and help. I love you guys. So no one throw anything at me until after you've managed to drag your entire brain through the trough on this one. I'm sorry about the title but I couldn't think of anything better. Enjoy or at least try.
A Form of Reconciliation
High on the hilltop at the solitary shrine, a young man sat within the plain, yet well-crafted building, meditating over recent events. Tenchi's powers had been a surprise, a rather startling surprise. Admitting to himself that he had underestimated his grandson's capabilities and potential, Yosho sighed as he waited for the inevitable. Soon, once Washu and Ryoko awoke, Tenchi would come to confront him. Unsure as to how their next meeting would go, he waited patiently for either the return of his student or the retribution of his superior.
Yosho closed his eyes and focused his attention on other matters. What would Jurai do? The Holy Council would not simply ignore the kind of power that had come from the pair. How long would it take before the entire Juraian Empire appeared to address the mother and daughter? Questions circled his thoughts and answers evaded him. Finally, hearing the quiet shuffle of feet on the steps to the shrine, Yosho gathered his thoughts and prepared for the coming conflict.
Tenchi felt better about leaving Ryoko and Washu in Sasami's care since they had awakened. Now, before he braved Ayeka, he had to settle matters with his grandfather. Grandfather… It will be awkward calling him that now. But, oh well. Tenchi began his day anew. Finishing his morning routine of household duties, he squared his shoulders as he stood at the bottom of the stairs. Heaving a great sigh and looking up to the long winding staircase before him, Tenchi tried to summon his thoughts.
I will be humble before my sensei. I will be grateful for my instruction. I will accept unanswered questions. I will control my emotions and restrain my anger. I will fight with honor and pride. With each step, Tenchi's thoughts focused down to a mental chant. Refrain after refrain repeated in a continuous cycle. I will be humble. I will be grateful. I will accept. I will maintain control. I will fight.
Around and around the words enveloped his mind. Their original purpose lost. I will be humble. I will be grateful. I will accept. I will maintain control. I will fight. I will protect. The chant continued, driven by an inner voice.
I will be humble. I will be grateful. I will accept. I will maintain control. I will fight. I will protect. I will defend.
I will be humble. I will be grateful. I will accept. I will maintain control. I will fight. I will protect. I will defend.
Tenchi reached the last few steps leading to the shrine. Each step echoed the mantra through his mind. Then, upon reaching the last step, Tenchi added two more words to his mantra, as if to answer a question. I will be humble. I will be grateful. I will accept. I will maintain control. I will fight. I will protect. I will defend...for love.
Crossing the courtyard to stand before the shrine, Tenchi finished the mental refrain one last time. I will be humble. I will be grateful. I will accept. I will maintain control. I will fight. I will protect. I will defend, for love. Protect...Defend…Fight...Family, friends...for love.
Yosho rose to address the young man standing outside the shrine. Doubt momentarily froze him. What had Tenchi decided? Calming rationality came swiftly on the heels of doubt and mobilized the now youthful-appearing man. The boy's decisions and pending actions would be revealed shortly. No amount of worry could influence the choice now. Inhaling deeply and relaxing his facial features into his patented "Sphinx's riddle" poker face, Yosho emerged from the building.
Looking up from the steps to his grandfather's face, Tenchi had to smirk. The man standing before him was still his grandfather. Only Grandfather could pull of that look. Not even Washu can pull off the all-knowing, all-seeing look. And she's really is a goddess! Knowing that he would have to be the first to speak, Tenchi bowed deeply and remained in that position while speaking.
"I have shown you disrespect and have insulted your honor. I have destroyed the sacredness of the relationship between sensei and student. I have attacked you without cause or provocation. I have falsely used skills, powers and abilities with wrongful intent. I have allowed my anger and petty emotions to rule my actions."
Yosho cut-off the repentant youth's litany. "What is it you want from me? I am no longer your sensei. I have nothing left to teach you. I am a deceiver and a manipulator. I am the stem of all your problems and the root of all your anger. What should honor matter to me?" Yosho's unwavering voice held no warmth as he uttered the words. His face remained stony and unchanged, but imperceptibly, he waited with baited breath for Tenchi's reply.
"My previous words and actions were those of an ignorant child. It is not you who is without honor; rather, it is I who is shamed by his words and deeds. I humbly ask for your forgiveness and beg you to accept me, once more, as your student." Not once did Tenchi's head rise.
Yosho's secretly held breath escaped in a silent stream. "Tenchi, you must prove to me that you are worthy of my instruction. If your performance is adequate, without the additional assistance of your latent powers, then your position as my student will be restored. You must first learn mastery of technique, form and strategy before you can add complexity. Your powers add a level of complexity that you are not prepared for so, should you once again, under any circumstances use those abilities, then you shall remain as you are now: without a sensei and without further training. Now, if you agree to these terms, please go to the training grounds and wait for me there."
"Yes, Sensei." Tenchi rose to look at his grandfather as he spoke.
"You forget already boy? You are not my student...yet." Yosho walked away from Tenchi and returned to the building.
Releasing a heavy sigh and feeling only slightly better, Tenchi thanked all that was holy that he hadn't destroyed all hope of returning to his training. If his chant up the stairs had taught him nothing else, it at least taught him that through his training would be the path to protecting his family.
Yosho watched Tenchi's retreating back. It would be disconcerting to train Tenchi in this new, old form. Yosho still moved with practiced slowness and the feigned, slight twinges of age. Closing his eyes and concentrating on his movements, Yosho began to train his body back into its youthful capabilities. With motions graceful and fluid, Yosho stepped into each position with accomplished ease and perfection of form. Slicing through the air with the quiet "whoosh" that trailed his movements, the man swept through his routine. Motions gradually becoming increasingly faster, Yosho's concentration tunneled to the focus on only the perfect execution of each ancient move.
Cresting the steps to the shrine on silent feet, Ayeka watched in muted awe as Yosho continued his practicing. The young man before her was the Yosho that she had loved and believed lost so long ago. Not the old man she had learned to accept as Tenchi's grandfather, but instead the strong and handsome Yosho that she had known she would one day marry. Conflicting emotions raced through her heart and mind. Was she betraying her love for Tenchi by loving this new version of Yosho...or was she betraying her love for Yosho by loving Tenchi?
Ayeka had always known that her love for Tenchi was more than a simple switch for Yosho. Her heart was not that fickle, nor that easily given. Tenchi was everything that Yosho had never been and vice versa. The things that attracted her to Tenchi repelled her from Yosho, and, again, vice versa. Yosho was strong, trained, cool and collected, almost calculating. Whereas Tenchi was impetuous, allowing his emotions to control his actions. Yosho was formal and proper. Tenchi was casual and relaxed.
Yosho was so...so...so...Juraian? Was that true? Blinking with realization Ayeka looked back at Yosho with wonder. Yes, it seems so obvious now, how could I have missed it? The young man before her moving with blinding speed and lethal accuracy suddenly held little mystery. The match that had seemed so perfect in previous years now held little of the magic or charm that had attracted her for so many years.
This Yosho was nothing more than another Juraian aristocrat. Yes, he would always be her beloved brother and cherished friend, but more importantly he would always be Tenchi's grandfather. A man that had learned to live his life without her, and now, she could continue living her life without him becoming such a crucial part of it.
Looking at Yosho with newly opened eyes, Ayeka smiled. The direction of her life seemed a little more focused. Turning on her heels to leave, having resolved her own questions, Ayeka whispered her thanks to Yosho over her shoulder. She knew he had been observing her the entire time. Though he seemed completely engrossed in his practice, she knew she had been the focus of his attention from the moment she had arrived within earshot.
Finally allowing his eyes to slip to Ayeka as she left, he continued his movements. His little sister would be fine. Not only had she addressed her unresolved emotions towards him, but also, she had just crystallized her emotions concerning the entire family. He just hoped that she would come out of her relationship with Tenchi as well. Tenchi... The boy would be waiting for him. Yosho looked up at the sun and surmised that nearly and hour had past since he had sent Tenchi ahead. Time to address the boy. Yosho slowed his motions until he finally stood still, facing the shrine, breathing controlled and heart rate steady and calm. Yosho gave a short mental prayer for a favorable outcome, bowed his head to the shrine and then turned to meet Tenchi.
At the training grounds, Tenchi stood nervously awaiting the arrival of his grandfather. Appearances aside, the younger man was still his grandfather. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Tenchi sat and tried to set aside his concerns for his family. Closing his mind to the outside world and concentrating on his heartbeat, Tenchi slowly slipped into a meditative trance.
As Tenchi slipped further and further into the trance, the world around him faded. Quietly, almost imperceptibly, a voice that wasn't his floated ephemerally at the edge of his consciousness. Distant and faint, Tenchi ignored it deciding that the voice was from outside, rather than within. Then, what was once a single voice, quiet and unnoticed, swelled to thousands…millions…billions. More voices than Tenchi could comprehend all mixed together in a mind-splitting, thunderous, dissonant clamor.
Trapped within his own mind, Tenchi floundered within the sea of voices. Unable to concentrate or focus, Tenchi's soul was carried further away from the tangible reality of his body by the inundating force. Unable to form coherent thought or even distinguish himself from the encroaching press, Tenchi wondered if how he felt at that moment was what Ryoko had felt.
::SILENCE!! Would you destroy him before he is given the opportunity to save you!?!::
With the single-word command, Tenchi's mind returned to the stillness of meditation. Slowly, within his mind's eye, Tenchi saw a faint, spectral form appear. The ghostly figure drew his soul and guided him back to reality. Opening his eyes and breathing hard, Tenchi looked around wildly. Then, just as slowly as in his mind, the apparition appeared before his eyes.
"Wha...wha...what are you?" Tenchi questioned as he tried to scoot away from it.
"I am the guardian of that which protects creation. I shall not harm you."
Tenchi dumbly nodded as the figure's form solidified.
"I am called Haruna Hoshitoku. Now, you must collect yourself, young sir, for your master arrives shortly." And with a faint smile and a brush of her hand across his cheek, she vanished as mysteriously as she had appeared.
Tenchi shook his head. As far as he was concerned his day had just reached its pinnacle of weirdness. Great! Just what I need another girl in my life! As if the six I have now aren't crazy enough. Tenchi sighed, well at least now he was back where he was before that whole weird episode started. Brushing the dust from his pants and rising to stand, Tenchi again waited for his grandfather.
And as Tenchi began wrestling with his impatience, Yosho entered the clearing that served as the training ground. Tenchi bowed deeply and tried to prepare himself for the coming battle. Calming his breathing and watching his grandfather with guarded eyes Tenchi suddenly felt wary.
Yosho watched as Tenchi focused solely on him. At least the boy has learned to concentrate. Yosho returned the bow, not nearly as deep as his grandson's but still enough to signify respect. Yosho walked to Tenchi and held out a bokken for his possible student. Tenchi took the practice weapon with respectful reverence. Yosho walked away from Tenchi to return to his original position. Tenchi simply stood silently, waiting patiently with his practice bokken in hand for the instruction to begin.
"Tenchi, I will not restrain myself any longer. Your skills are far enough along that further restraint will only hinder your learning. Now, we shall see how much you need my instruction. The test begins now!"
Tenchi quickly slipped into a defensive position, bokken crossing his body and defending his weaker side. Yosho slowly shifted positions from pensively defensive to guarded offensive. Yosho swiftly approached in a tentative thrust to Tenchi's left. Tenchi easily parried and warily backed away from his grandfather. Yosho again advanced to attack Tenchi's left. Again, Tenchi prepared to parry the blow to his weak side, and, as swiftly as a sparrow in flight, Yosho's bokken shifted direction and attacked to unguarded right.
Tenchi's calculated parry became a clumsy dodge as he moved his body from the path of the weapon. Tenchi mentally chided himself for such an obvious blunder. Never assume your opponent's actions. Anticipate, but remain uncommitted until they are committed. Tenchi reminded himself and the thought nearly cost him a bruise. Returning his focus to his grandfather, Tenchi watched the graceful moves. Recognizing the movement pattern, Tenchi blocked each blow dealt to him, until the opening in the constant offensive arrived.
Yosho was deliberately moving slowly. Testing and antagonizing Tenchi with moves that telegraphed future actions. Yosho followed his practiced routines with graceful perfection while he waited for Tenchi to lose patience and attack. As Yosho swung on the return from the final lunge of the routine, he watched Tenchi's movements. Did the boy finally notice the hole to the right in the routine's defenses? Yosho mentally smiled to himself as Tenchi answered his question, leaving Yosho no time for thought outside of the fight. Now, it truly begins.
When Yosho swung for the completion of the final motions of the routine, Tenchi attacked. The hole in the defense was easy to spot. Tenchi dove for it. Yosho easily sidestepped the action, but was unprepared for the waiting thrust to his left and was forced back and away from the weapon. Tenchi pressed the offensive. Moving at the same pace as Yosho across the ground, Tenchi swung a low swipe to the torso. Yosho easily parried, slightly unsettled by the still slow pace of the fight.
Tenchi remained controlled. Rather than accelerating the pace of the fight, he restrained himself to the slow pace of a training session. The constant clatter of bokken meeting bokken gave little indication of the upcoming clash. Tenchi's concentration again began to focus down to the pinpoint of reality that was the battle. Everything outside was superfluous information.
Yosho again watched as Tenchi's concentration narrowed and focused on nothing but the fight. Yosho remained calm and continued with the pace he had set. Eventually, Tenchi would strike.
The exact moment Yosho's focus diminished and retreated to thought, Tenchi struck. Bokken held low and moving to the perimeter of the training ground, Tenchi raced towards Yosho from the left. The shuffle of Tenchi's feet was the only warning that Yosho received for the boy's next actions. As Yosho recoiled into a defensive stance, Tenchi swung his bokken up, and when the answering block arrived Tenchi slid his bokken's blade over Yosho's.
Tenchi rolled the blade of his bokken under Yosho's while he slid behind his grandfather. With a swift snap of his wrists, Tenchi's blade pulled Yosho's blade from his hands, launching the bokken forward, across and into the bramble at the other end of the training grounds.
Quickly assessing the situation, Yosho's right arm shot around and grabbed Tenchi's wrist. Pulling the boy around and turning himself, Yosho thrust his full weight back to counterbalance Tenchi's body as it swung in nearly a full circle around Yosho.
Tenchi stumbled with the sudden grab on his wrist; his eyes widening with surprise as his grandfather's hands closed on his wrist and the momentum of the swing launched him into the air. He landed heavily, several feet behind his previous position.
With Tenchi no longer a threat, Yosho raced to grab his bokken rather than press his advantage. Wrapping his hands around the grip of the practice sword, Yosho quickly returned to a defensive position. Scanning the surrounding area, he quickly assessed Tenchi's situation. Unarmed, Tenchi was defenseless against Yosho's weapon. Will the boy concede or will he fight? No, he will not concede. To concede is to admit failure, as well as to lose faith, and despite his stupidity, if there's one thing Tenchi has always had, it is faith.
Tenchi quickly lifted himself off the ground and swung around to face his grandfather. Casting an appraising glance around the area, he quickly noted where his bokken had landed and where his grandfather waited. The bokken had been flung across the training area and had slid to rest against the outer circle of wooden pegs. It was too close to his grandfather for Tenchi to try and race to it. But maybe if I…. Tenchi's eyes narrowed with concentration again as he planned the next course of action. Nodding to himself and as a warning to his grandfather, Tenchi made his decision.
Yosho registered the nod and refused to allow his ego to disregard the warning. I must stop calling him 'Boy,' he is a man. True, he still holds onto the protection that adolescence affords him, but he is no longer the indecisive child that I trained last summer.
Yosho remained guarded as an unarmed Tenchi circled the ring in the opposite direction from the fallen bokken. The sound of Tenchi's shoes grinding into the ground drew the entirety of Yosho's attention back to the young man. As Yosho's eyes rested on the young man, Tenchi began to crouch. Movements slow and deliberate Tenchi continued to circle towards the older man.
Yosho was unsure how to interpret Tenchi's current stance. The boy seemed like a cat preparing to pounce on an unsuspecting prey. Yosho's eyes widened slightly he realized that Tenchi intended to attack unarmed. Bold, reckless even. An unarmed frontal attack? Ryoko's influence is affecting him, but he has few of her abilities. Not her speed, not her strength, not her agility nor her powers. How will he survive my defenses? Yosho's eyes returned to their usual controlled, all encompassing gaze observing Tenchi's actions with a combined sense of anticipation and curiosity.
Tenchi continued to crouch, waiting for the moment to pounce. Watching his grandfather's face, Tenchi waited for acknowledgement to gleam in the wise man's eyes.
Eyes flashing open, Tenchi attacked. Racing directly at Yosho willing the older man to commit to a defense. As Tenchi closed the distance between the pair, Yosho was amazed by the sheer speed of his grandson.
Faster than he had ever seen the young man move, Tenchi streaked through the air that separated them. Mere steps away from impact, Tenchi stooped down and thrust his right hand out to stay his forward momentum as his left leg kicked out in low swinging arc as if to sweep Yosho's legs. The older man, anticipating the move, jumped to avoid the attack. Using the momentum of the swing, Tenchi finished the turn. Placing both feet beneath him, he raced for the discarded bokken.
Hand closing on the bokken, Tenchi awkwardly swung around to defend himself from the forceful blow he knew was coming. Meeting with a resounding crack, Yosho pressed further into the assault, knowing his grandson had few manners of escape. Still intensely focused, Tenchi felt his heel scuff up against one of the pegs imbedded in the ground. At the painful angle he was bent back and the lack of mobility caused by the position, Tenchi pondered surrender. Mentally shaking himself from the thought, Tenchi held his body rigid against the strength being forced onto him.
Yosho pressed the attack further, hoping to bend his grandson backward into submission. From beneath the weight of Yosho's force, Tenchi could feel his strength waning. Finally yielding under Yosho's forceful press, Tenchi allowed his back to slacken as he fell to the ground. Quickly discarding the bokken again, Tenchi placed his hands behind his head firmly grasping two pegs, and kicked out at Yosho with all his might. Using Yosho's body as a launch, Tenchi easily completed a flip landing solidly with feet firmly on the pegs his hands had been.
Quickly gathering his bokken again Tenchi raced to press his advantage. Yosho had been thoroughly surprised by his grandson's move. While the move could have been anticipated, Yosho had not been expecting Tenchi to resist. Another surprise had been the strength of Tenchi's kick. Where had the strength come from? The time for thought is over, the boy fights in earnest, so shall I.
Despite his crouched position, Yosho quickly and easily blocked the blow that was dealt to him. The force of the blow easily pushed him back. Using the ground that had gathered beneath his feet as a foothold, Yosho pushed off the ground and straight into Tenchi, his left knee rising for Tenchi's abdomen. Tenchi easily backed away from the hurried move. Rolling his grip so that the flat of the blade was parallel to his chest Tenchi turned the bokken so that the tip of the blade pointed down. The move had been slightly mystifying but nothing so disconcerting as to cause Yosho to lose his focus.
Again Tenchi attacked, his blade still pointed down. The young man raced across the short distance that separated student and teacher. Yosho lifted his bokken to a defensive stance, uncertain as to Tenchi's next move. Pulling the sword to his chest and moving his bokken in what appeared to be a low swinging arc, Tenchi's awkward grip of the weapon remained. Yosho easily parried away the weak attack, only to be caught off guard when, instead of his weapon meeting the flat of Tenchi's blade as he had expected, his grandson rolled one blade across the other and now Tenchi's blade was against the flat of his. Realizing the weakness of the position, Yosho quickly retreated. Refusing to lose the advantage, Tenchi followed.
Yosho quickly swung for Tenchi's legs as the young man advanced. Tenchi easily parried the low swing and quickly swung his blade to the undefended left arm of his opponent. Again bokken clacked as the wooden weapons met. The battle continued, both adversaries uncertain as to why the duel remained at such a slow tempo.
Backing away from his grandfather for the space of a few seconds, Tenchi slowly took in a last calming breath and while closing his eyes, Tenchi waited for the sound of his heartbeat. Shutting out everything but the quiet lub-dub sound, Tenchi focused inward. Within himself he heard the continuous solitary rhythm of his heart's echo. Reaching out through his bond, Tenchi faintly heard the comforting sound of Ryoko's heartbeat keeping time to his own. Three heartbeats, she would never be more than three heartbeats away. Solidifying his resolve and stilling his inner turmoil, Tenchi withdrew from his bond.
And like matches to a powder keg, the pace changed from slow to blisteringly fast. Tenchi blazed at Yosho with moves near invisibly fast. The steady staccato cracks of bokken meeting bokken were no longer distinguishable as separate sounds, but rather they came as one long pulsing noise. Tenchi pushed Yosho back further into the training ground. Now they were again poised at the edge of the pegs. With a raised eyebrow, Yosho silently challenged his grandson. And with a faint nod of his head, Tenchi quickly accepted.
The pair continued the repeated thrust and parry, neither gaining an advantage over the other. Perched on a single peg Yosho gracefully waited for his grandson to attack. And again Yosho was silently stunned by Tenchi's speed. Skillfully hopping from peg to peg, Tenchi continued his onslaught on his grandfather's defense. Advance and retreat; Tenchi continued to dance around his grandfather searching for his opportunity to strike. Yosho diligently watched his grandson as the young man continued to lunge and recoil with the speed of a viper.
Yosho suddenly took the offensive. Hopping from peg to peg, the pair moved swiftly across the ground. Movements nearly indiscernible, the pair continued on with the fight. Finally, Yosho saw his moment. Reaching the edge of the pegs, Tenchi's left foot had slipped and his guard had suffered from the momentary lapse of balance.
Racing across the pegs with a silent speed and agility that Tenchi was not prepared for, Yosho attacked the defenseless flailing body. Before Tenchi had time to raise his defense, Yosho swung. The wooden blade slashed low through the air and the wind hissed as it parted for the flying bokken. Tenchi quickly threw his bokken to the edge of the training grounds behind him then flipped off the pegs and away from the low swing. Yosho followed, rapidly stabbing at Tenchi's fleeing body. Momentarily seeing his bokken, Tenchi completed his last flip and spun violently around, then lurched forward as he began running for his discarded bokken.
Briefly confused by the apparently drunken movements of this grandson, Yosho hesitated for an instant. Quickly regaining his composure, Yosho continued his offensive charge. Chasing after Tenchi, Yosho calculatingly swung at Tenchi's undefended left side. Tenchi veered drastically to avoid the superbly aimed jab, bowing his body to execute a nearly perfect backbend.
Once Tenchi's hands touched the ground behind him he pushed off with first his right foot and then his left, kicking out at Yosho. Tenchi's right foot landed with painful force in the elder man's solar plexus; while his left rose to kick Yosho in the chin. Stunned by the blow and winded, Yosho barely managed to escape the follow-up kick from the left leg. Weaving dizzily away from the second blow, Yosho winced as the tip of Tenchi's shoe grazed his chin. A moment later and this match would have been over.
As Yosho retreated to collect himself, Tenchi lunged for his bokken. Once the wooden blade was firmly in his grasp, Tenchi turned his full concentration back to his grandfather. Whirling around and arching his blade so it protectively crossed his body, Tenchi moved to press his advantage. Dashing across the short distance, Tenchi charged at Yosho. His blade unmoved from its defensive position, Tenchi was nearly directly in front of Yosho before he moved it to attack. Again using a move he had seen Ryoko perform, Tenchi swung the sword high, then waited for his grandfather to attack his grossly unprotected midsection.
In the matter of seconds it took for Yosho to lunge for the weakness, Tenchi rolled on the balls of his feet and turned away from the winning blow. And for a split second, Tenchi disappeared. Confused and stunned, Yosho's forward momentum carried him easily through space. Momentarily stumbling, Yosho quickly regained his balance only to feel Tenchi's blade at his neck.
Yosho momentarily stiffened. Had the boy just won? Surely he had to have cheated?
::Tennnnnnnchiiiiii…I'm getting boooorrrred…… Tennnnnnnchiiiiiiii………I'm getting really, really bored.::
And just as Yosho's questioning doubts began to feel like reality, Tenchi's sudden talent and grace left him. Startled by the mental whining, Tenchi stumbled for a moment. He flailed his arms and then landed face first on the ground next to his grandfather. Smirking, Yosho slowly lowered his bokken to the back of Tenchi's neck. Moaning with pain Tenchi realized that victory was not his for the taking any longer.
"My boy you fought well and with honor. Your worthiness has been proven. Now, go to Ryoko. I'm sure she has much she wishes to tell you." Yosho said as he helped his grandson from his prone position. Still smirking, Yosho silently chuckled at the confused look on Tenchi's face.
"My boy, your concentration was perfect, flawless even, throughout the entire fight. It only stands to reason that the only woman capable of completely distracting you, would have been able to cause such a simple loss of balance. That and you failed to notice the presence of Mihoshi, Sasami and Ryo-ohki when they came to inform us about lunch." Tenchi's confused expression quickly turned to shock. To which, Yosho could no longer hold in his laughter. Chuckling quietly, Yosho patted Tenchi on the back. "Let us go have lunch. We have both earned it."
Ryoko lay around the lab, unbelievably bored. Here I am, Tenchi loves me, I love Tenchi and I'm stuck lying in bed! Alone, when all I really want to do is spend some serious quality time with my Tenchi. With a sly grin Ryoko mentally added, Oh, can't forget little Tenchi too. Although, maybe I shouldn't call it Little Tenchi. I mean, its not like it's really all that little, not that I've looked or anything? As a nasty grin curled the corners of her lips further across her face, Ryoko's thoughts continued. Well, not that I've been caught looking. I mean; I just love the idea of treating Tenchi like I'm blind and he's my favorite book written in brail. Oh, yeah it's all about the finger action baby…
::OH, way more information about your sex life, or lack thereof than a mother ever wants to know!::
::Well, who told you to wander around my head in the first place? Don't you ever knock?::
::Knock? Knock on what? It's called telepathy for a reason you know? What am I supposed to do? Rap on your skull every time I want to talk to you and your not physically near me?::
::What do you want, Mom!?!:: Ryoko emphasized the word with more sarcasm that ever.
::Well, I just thought you might want to be up here when Tenchi arrives for lunch. But then again, maybe I should just send him down there with your meal. Which do you prefer? HUH?!::
Thinking dirty thoughts that made Washu blush, Ryoko pondered her options. ::Hell yeah, send him down here!! Oh, and Mom?::
::Yes, little Ryoko?::
::No cameras, no audio recording, no thermal imaging, no telepathic eavesdropping, and definitely no hiding behind the machinery! You got that?::
::Yeah, yeah, I know. God, you kids take all a parent's fun away.::
::Oh, and Mom?::
::Those stipulations aren't just restricted to you. They apply to Noboyuki too. Don't try getting him to do your dirty work as a loophole around our agreement. Understood?::
::Sheesh! One would suspect that you don't trust your mother. Anything else your highness requires while I am still of service?::
::Yeah, one more thing. STOP TRYING TO TAKE X-RATED SAMPLES FROM MY TENCHI!!!:: Ryoko immediately shut off her end of the link and began primping and fluffing for Tenchi's arrival.
Grasping her head between her hands, Washu rocked on the balls of her feet with the force of Ryoko's telepathic shout. "Geez, you'd think the girl would have inherited a sense of humor or something." Shaking her head, Washu continued on her way to lunch. Light-heartedness aside, Washu was worried about the ramifications that the awakening would have. What would the Juraians do? What would others do? And why had a single name rose from the wave of knowledge and now kept repeating monotonously through her head. Tokimi… Who was Tokimi? What was Tokimi? Afraid to say the name out loud, Washu tried to turn her thoughts away from the constant droning of the name.
Pushing the name to the back of her mind, Washu diligently set about helping Sasami prepare the last courses of lunch. Concerns would have to wait for a more appropriate time. Right now, the family needed time to rest, relax and heal from the exertion and strain of the last few days. One last worry floated through Washu's mind before her will clamped down and pushed all other concerns to the background. What's going to happen when Tenchi's goes away for college?
Official End of Chapter Rant: Well you still here? Glad to hear it. Well I was wondering after the lack of response on my last submission. "Have you ever needed someone so bad" (insert shameless self-promotion here. It's a heart-warming story, beautiful and romantic. I laughed. I cried. I bled. I wrote the blinking thing. Please, please, please, read it and review it my ego is starving after such brutal lack of nutrition) was missed by a few people I was wondering did anyone want me to email them when I post updates? Well I hope you enjoyed it and I'm working on more one-shots.