Aikan Muyo
Chapter 11 - No Need For Two Swords, Part 3

Story by Happosai (happosai@jps.net)
Pre-reading by Ryan Anderson, Michael "Brazil" Borgwardt
Special thanks to the folks in #Fanfics on DALnet
Web: http://ucsu.colorado.edu/~andersor/fanfic/fanfic.html

Imaginary seiyuu
Kintarou: Seki Toshihiko (Mousse, Tezuka Shinobu, Karu Su, Tieh)
Torakami: Genda Tessho (Ninja Master Gara, Spy-D, Captain Jebra)
Kurotsu Chisato: Yamadera Kouichi (Ryouga, Kaji Ryouji, Juubei, Chiryuu)
Kizakan stripper: Sakuma Rei (Shampoo, Arshes Ney, Morrigan)
Onodera Tatsuhiro: Yara Yuusaku (Captain Brenten, Boice)

Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo and its characters are the property of AIC and
Pioneer. If any of their lawyers are reading this, please don't sue me.
Instead, pass my humble work on to the creative geniuses behind this my
favorite series, in the hope that they might actually like it. The term
"Kizakan" for Mihoshi's race is the creation of Ryan Matthews, and used
with his permission.


     "A waking world of innocence,
      So grave those first born cries.
      When life begins with needles and pins
      It ends with swords and knives.

      Oh dangerman, oh dangerman,
      Your blade fits like a glove.
      When forged in steel
      Time cannot heal
      That blood red bond of love."
        -- "Swords and Knives", Tears For Fears


A score or so parsecs beyond the outer marches of the Empire of Jurai,
one of that empire's ships sped through the silent dark. The ship bore
the name Maki-oh, and on her bridge a male youth with long, loose blond
hair and garish blue and green robes paced impatiently back and forth
across the wooden deck. He stopped and stared ahead for a moment at the
star directly before Maki-oh's bow.

"Gensao, is that it? Are we there yet?" he asked for the several dozenth
time, turning his pale green eyes towards one of the guardians as he
pointed at the star with his finger.

"Hai, Kintarou-dono, that is our destination," replied Gensao, luckily by
his nature incapable of becoming annoyed at his master's repeated
queries. "We'll be there shortly."

Kintarou glanced at the other guardian. "Be alert, Nabasu. This is a den
of thieves we enter, after all."

"The ship is ready for combat at a moment's notice, Kintarou-dono," the
guardian assured him.

The star rapidly grew in apparent size as Maki-oh rushed towards it.
Other points of light also glowed brighter and larger. The ship adjusted
course towards a brilliant speck approximately six light-hours from the
system's primary, and very soon the Juraian vessel floated above a
barren, frozen planet, the star's radiance dazzlingly reflected off the
inhospitable world's outer crust of crater-scared ice.

High above the planet's surface a space station many times the size of
Maki-oh hung in synchronous orbit, surrounded by numerous spacecraft of
various sizes, origins, and apparent states of repair. Kintarou shook his
head in disgust.

Scum. All of them, scum. If it weren't for the rendezvous he planned with
*her*, he knew he could not restrain himself from cleaning out this nest
of vipers. It would be so easy, he knew, eying the many ships docked
helplessly to the station. So sure of their safety, so complacent in
their evil. So simple it would be for Maki-oh's fire to burn them to
cinders as a reminder of the price of wrongdoing. Kintarou smiled,
imagining it, proud of the power at his command and confident of the
skill with which he would wield it if it were necessary to...

"A ship, aft and above, Kintarou-dono," Nabasu said calmly as a
holographic tactical display appeared in the air.

Kintarou froze for a moment, bewildered and shocked, before frowning
angrily at the screen. "I told you to be attentive! How could you allow
it to get that close?!"

"I'm sorry, Kintarou-dono, but it appears to be equipped with some sort
of sensor-masking system," replied the guardian.

"It's out of the arc of our weapons. Shall I maneuver to bring them to
bear?" asked Gensao.

"Incoming communication from the vessel," announced Nabasu, before his
master could speak.

"On screen," snapped Kintarou. It wasn't sufficient to be caught off-
guard by filthy criminals. Now he would have to be soiled by deigning to
converse with them as well. "And get me data on that ship," he added.

The holo-screen flashed as the picture switched to the interior of the
other vessel, the view centered on grey eyes set in a lean, tan-
complected face framed by shoulder-length black hair. A gold ring with a
single blue gem in it flashed as he reached up, idly stroked his neatly-
trimmed beard, and regarded Kintarou with great amusement.

"You wished to speak to me?" the young Juraian asked testily.

"I couldn't help but notice that that's a Juraian warship you've got
there," the man replied casually. "You don't usually see those around
here. Any particular reason why you're here, kid?"

Kintarou gritted his teeth. "And who are you that I should tell you
anything?"

The man smiled. "I'm the one who'll send you straight to hell if I don't
get an answer I like."

With effort, Kintarou dominated his pride, promising himself that
vengeance for this insult would merely be postponed, not forgone. "I have
business to conduct, aboard Hyouzou Station."

An eyebrow arched. "Don't tell me your empress has gone through her
entire supply already?"

Kintarou's face reddened and his hands balled into fists. "You *DARE*
insinuate that Her Majesty would...!!!" he began, his voice shaking as he
fought to control his desire to turn his ship and attack to avenge the
insult. He caught himself and took several deep breaths. "I am not here
on Her Majesty's behalf. And that is all I will tell you," he said icily.

"Just curious. Now, drop to docking speed and go ahead with your
approach. I'll be right behind you, so don't do anything stupid, kid."

Angrily, Kintarou waved his hand to cut the signal. "Nabasu! The data?"
he demanded.

"Vessel is a standard Galaxy Police patrol cruiser, Kintarou-dono,"
replied the guardian. "However, numerous modifications to the drive and
weapons systems are apparent, as well as alterations of the outer hull."

Kintarou's eyes widened. "Galaxy Police?"

"Hai, Kintarou-dono. I also have a 99.99%-probability identification of
the person you conversed with."

"And?"

Images of what looked like the same man flashed onto the holographic
screen, along with a long list of text data. "Facial features and vocal
characteristics match those of ex-Detective First Class Chisato Kurotsu.
Wanted for three-hundred thirty-four counts of murder, including his
partner, Detective First Class Hitoshi Muratana. Other warrants for theft
of Galaxy Police ship 'Hogosha' and associated equipment, impersonating a
Galaxy Police official, breach of Galaxy Police primitive world contact
protocols, tampering with Galaxy Police records, smuggling, kidnaping,
piracy, organ running..."

Kintarou's eyes narrowed as he listened to Nabasu recite the lengthy list
of charges. If it wasn't for meeting he had planned, which he looked
forward to for reasons beyond duty...

He shook his head. Punishment could be meted out another day. He waited,
trying to ignore the shame as the stolen Galaxy Police ship escorted
Maki-oh towards the station. 

As it did, untold light years away a ship of identical design floated in
a much more peaceful region of space.

"Remember, that whole box has got to last until payday," warned Kiyone,
looking over at her partner before taking a sip from her can of coffee.

Blissfully unaware of Kiyone's remark, Mihoshi continued munching on her
stick of banana-chocolate giant Pocky. She finished it, brushed the
crumbs from her uniform blouse onto Yagami's deck, got another one out of
the box, and starting eating it.

Kiyone shook her head and returned her attention to the computer display
on the console in front of her. A few taps on the screen completed the
information necessary for the file and sent it on its way. Another day,
another patrol report to transmit. She sighed and closed her eyes for a
moment as she tried her best to suppress the boredom she felt. At least
this one had something in it, even if it was nothing more than a traffic
citation. She wondered how much longer it would take for word to get out
that the Sol system was no longer a convenient place for teenagers to
take their parent's ships, get drunk, and play "chicken" with their
navigation beacons shut down.

Mihoshi polished off the Pocky stick and checked her wrist unit. "Uh,
Kiyone... shouldn't we be getting home soon? We've got to wake up so
early tomorrow, and I'm getting sleepy already." As if to emphasize her
last point, Mihoshi yawned and slumped slightly in her chair, her eyelids
starting to droop down over her eyes.

"Yeah, you're right," replied Kiyone. She glanced over at Mihoshi and
smiled for a moment. "You can get some sleep. I'll pilot us back."

"Thanks, Kiyone," said Mihoshi, yawning again. She closed her eyes and
had just reached the threshold of sleep when the buzzing of the comm
system jolted her awake.

Kiyone pressed the console screen and activated the holo display, which
materialized in the air in front of the officers' seats.

"Well, Kiyone and Mihoshi. Long time no see!" said red-haired woman who
appeared on the display.

"Hi, Mitsuki!" said Mihoshi cheerfully. "It's so good to see you again!"

Kiyone nodded in agreement. "It's been a while." Her eyes caught one of
the text notations on the screen. "I take it this isn't a social call.
Not if you're running the shadow program."

"No, this is official. It's my first communique as Junior Director of the
Jurai Liaison Office."

"You're moving up in the world, aren't you?" said Kiyone in a rather
quiet voice.

Mitsuki's lips curled into a smile that stopped just short of becoming a
sneer. "How about you? I'll bet patrolling the Sol System is an exciting
assignment."

Mihoshi nodded enthusiastically. "We wrote someone a speeding ticket
about half an hour ago," she said proudly. "Kiyone just sent in the
report. That's our fifth one this month!"

"Wow, that's great!" said Mitsuki, as if congratulating a child for
having successfully tied their shoes. "At that rate, you'll both be
getting promotions in no time."

"See? I *told* you," said Mihoshi, beaming, looking at Kiyone before
turning to Mitsuki again. "Kiyone keeps saying that this is a dead-end
assignment, and that her career's doomed, and that kind of stuff. I wish
she wouldn't worry so much over nothing."

Kiyone gritted her teeth. "What was this 'official business' you
mentioned?"

"I'm relaying a transmission to you from Jurai. Something about
contacting Princess Aeka and Princess Sasami."

"Not this again," grumbled Kiyone. "What are they going through you for,
though? They usually just contact us directly."

"I guess they're not satisfied with the answers they're getting, and
wanted to go through official channels to make sure that got noticed.
Plus its somebody fairly important this time. Lord Torakami. He's the
Juraian Empress' younger brother and one of their senior fleet
commanders." 

Sweat beaded on Kiyone's forehead. "What do you mean, 'not satisfied.'"

"I don't know exactly, but they've lodged a formal complaint. I wish I
could bury it or something, since we're classmates and all, but," Mitsuki
smiled and shrugged as if utterly helpless, "there's really nothing I can
do but file it. Sorry."

"Thanks anyway," said Kiyone, glaring at the screen.

"Well, I'll put him through now. It's been nice talking to you two."

Kiyone frowned. "Yeah."

"Bye-bye, Mitsuki!" said Mihoshi.

As Mitsuki moved her hand to cut the channel, Kiyone's eyes narrowed and
a smile formed on her lips. "By the way, Mitsuki..."

"Yes?"

"How are things with you and Chisato-kun?" Kiyone asked in a friendly
tone of voice.

The color instantly drained from Mitsuki's face. Her fists clenched at
her sides, trembling with suppressed rage, as a vein protruded
prominently on her forehead. After a few moments, she calmed down enough
to cut the channel.

Mihoshi giggled. "It's really not nice to tease her about that, Kiyone."

Kiyone didn't answer, instead coming to attention as a blue-green haired,
stern-faced, middle-aged Juraian in ornate robes appeared on the screen.

"Officer Kiyone Makibi, at your service, sir. How may I be of
assistance?"

"You may assist me by permitting me to speak with Aeka-hime," Torakami
said gruffly.

"I'm sorry, sir, but she's given me specific instructions that she
doesn't wish to speak directly to anyone off-planet unless her mother
deems it an emergency," replied Kiyone. "I realize you may not have been
informed of this but..."

Torakami abruptly cut her off. "I have been so informed. Nonetheless you
will put me in touch with her." His eyes narrowed. "At once!"

Out of the corner of her eye, Kiyone noticed Mihoshi sitting in
uncharacteristic silence, watching the holo-screen just a little
fearfully. "I can't do that, sir. I apologize, but her request was quite
explicit. No direct communication from home, except from Her Majesty the
Empress."

The frown on Torakami's face deepened. "I find it difficult to believe
that she would refuse all communication from her loved ones."

"I'm not privy to all of her reasons, sir. But she has told me that she's
enjoying her vacation very much and that's she's needed to take one for
some time now. And she doesn't want her stay interrupted by, as she put
it, 'weighty matters.' I'll relay a message to her if you like, but
that's all I can do."

"I trust you realize the potential consequences of such a refusal,"
warned Torakami.

Kiyone straightened her back and fought the urge to wipe away the sweat
gathering on her brow. Hoping that what she was about to say wouldn't
completely destroy her career, she swallowed hard before fixed the
Juraian's gaze as resolutely as she could. "Sir, Aeka-hime has given me
her personal trust to handle this for her, and I will not violate that
trust. And may I say that I resent your attempt to pressure me into doing
so."

Torakami bridled at her remark for a moment, before calming down and
nodding. "Very well."

Kiyone tried not to let her sigh of relief show too much. "Do you have a
message you would like me to pass on?" she asked.

"Please tell her and Sasami-hime that her Uncle Torakami and her cousin
Amaiko send their love, that we hope they're enjoying their vacation, and
that we look forward to seeing them very soon." He paused for a moment,
about to end the transmission, before he remember something else. "Also,
please ask Aeka-hime from me to procure some of the native handicrafts.
Her cousin has recently taken up collecting primitive folk art." He
raised an eyebrow. "I trust that the regulations regarding such items may
be relaxed in this case?"

Kiyone nodded rapidly. "Hai, Torakami-dono. That won't be a problem."

"Good. We're expecting Aeka-hime on Jurai in time to officiate over the
Startika festival, and I don't want to cause her any delays."

"No, of course not," said Kiyone, becoming even more nervous.

"Thank you for your time," said Torakami, before breaking communications.

Kiyone wiped her forehead and sat down in her chair. "Well, it sounds
like he's convinced, for the moment," she said. "I hope he doesn't start
making waves for us at headquarters."

"What was he being so mean for?" asked Mihoshi worriedly.

"I think Aeka's family is getting a little nervous about her being gone
so long," answered Kiyone. She sighed wearily. "I sure hope she
appreciates this."

"But she does!" insisted Mihoshi. "Remember how happy she was the other
day, about Tenchi? And how she said she'd cover for you if you wanted to
get a boyfriend on Earth?"

Kiyone nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said. She paused in
thought for a moment, then looked over at her partner. "Um, speaking of
Tenchi... you're OK about him now, right?"

For the briefest instant, Mihoshi hesitated, before smiling her usual
cheerful smile. "Sure! Fighting for justice and being the partner of the
best detective in the whole Galaxy Police force is enough for me, any
day. You're the one I'm worried about. You should listen to Aeka, and
find somebody nice. If all you think about is your career, you're going
to wind up an old maid."

"Gee, thanks," muttered Kiyone in annoyance. Telling herself that Mihoshi
only meant it well, she wiped the frown from her face and turned her
attention to the navigation controls. "I'm taking us back to Earth, so
you can go back to sleep."

"Thanks, Kiyone," replied Mihoshi, yawning instantly at the mention of
the word "sleep." She sank back into her seat, closed her eyes, and began
quietly snoring in a matter of seconds.

A few minutes later, as Yagami passed the orbit of Jupiter inbound
towards Terra, Mihoshi turned in her sleep. "Kiyone..." she murmured
softly.

Kiyone smiled. Mihoshi was probably dreaming of yet another trip to the
karaoke bar. Somehow, they'd have to scrape together the cash to go again
soon.

Mihoshi shifted again slightly. "Tenchi..." she said sweetly.

Kiyone looked over at her, then sighed and shook her head as she
continued to pilot the ship.

"Kiyone..."

Kiyone's eyes widened as she nervously stared at her sleeping partner, a
really bizarre suspicion entering her mind regarding what Mihoshi might
be dreaming about. With another shake of her head, she focused her
attention totally on the helm as Yagami sped towards its parking orbit
above Earth.

Back on Hyouzou Station, Kintarou wound his way between the patrons of
the station's most popular bar, feeling more and more... *soiled*... with
each and every step. He'd given up holding his breath to avoid inhaling
any of the thick, noxious haze that hung in the air. Hopefully the
effects of whatever narcotics produced the fumes would not be permanent.
Or instantly incapacitating, for that matter. He coughed and did his best
to ignore it, just as he ignored the almost-deafening music thundering
out a rapid beat for the dancers strutting on the stages.

A sudden surge in the chaotic motion of the crowd drove in from behind
him. Out of panicked reflex he spun around and reached for his sword. No
attacker presented themselves but the press of bodies forced him
backwards, off-balance, and shoved him on his back halfway onto one of
the stages. Smooth, dusky skin entered his peripheral vision on both
sides. Then the face of Crown Princess Aeka loomed before his eyes. The
shock of the sight passed in a moment when he realized that it was Her
Majesty's likeness on a bill of Juraian currency, gripped in a rather
hairy hand reaching a foot or so above him.

Kintarou slid to the side and managed to sit up on one of the low stools.
He glanced around to find out where he was, fighting down the fear that
at any moment a blade might be thrust into his back or slashed across his
throat. Catching motion out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at the
spot he'd been a moment before.

Caramel skin. Slightly-pointed ears. Small fangs that glinted in the
light of the flashing strobes. A Kizakan, he realized. A long mane of
thick sable hair cascaded down her back all the way to her waist. In
front of her sat a burly Juraian in rich, traditional robes, shoving bill
after bill into the stripper's g-string while she hugged his head and
pressed his face between her bare breasts.

Kintarou's eyes widened in horror at the sight, as his fellow Juraian
took several more banknotes of the currency of the realm, each bearing
the image of the First Princess, and rubbed them against the Kizakan's
crotch.

Presently the man decided he'd had enough stimulation for the time being,
and turned to speak to the person seated next to him. For a few moments,
Kintarou directed a withering look of pure malice at him. The man didn't
seem to notice. Then, once again, Kintarou reminded himself that he had
other reasons to be here than to enforce decency, as if such a thing were
possibly in a place like *that*.

"Hi," said a voice in his ear.

Startled, he turned and looked directly into a pair of large green eyes
set amidst light brown skin and black hair.

"That was my last number on-stage," said the stripper. "Wanna have a
private dance?"

Kintarou blinked. "A... what???"

The Kizakan giggled, and moved closer. "A private dance," she repeated.
"You're cute. I'll only charge you half price," the woman offered,
licking Kintarou's neck.

Kintarou stood up in a furious rush, wiped away the blood from his nose,
and shoved her aside in utter disgust. Quickly he resumed his search for
the one he was to meet with. He elbowed several rather tipsy patrons out
of his way and pushed through and out of the throng gathered around the
stages until he reached the less-crowded space near the rows of dimly-lit
booths. His eyes began to dart from booth to booth amidst the smokey
gloom.

Some of them contained people huddled together in discussion, sometimes
in the midst of handing objects across the table. More than once
Kintarou's gaze met with a suspicious, threatening return stare. Here and
there a customer busily indulged in one of the "private dances" the
Kizakan had tried to tempt him with. In one of the booths, a figure lay
slumped over on the table. Dead or drunk, preferably the former, thought
Kintarou, but in the poor lighting it was impossible to tell.

Red eyes glinted at him from within the concealing folds of a hooded
cloak. Kintarou's footsteps stopped, and his heart nearly did as well.

It was her!

In the shadows of the hood, lips curled into a cool, sardonic smile.
Kintarou rushed forward for a moment before catching himself and trying
to look more dignified. Slowly now he walked towards the booth and bowed
his head slightly. Receiving a nod, he sat down.

"I came as quickly as I could, Nagi-sama," Kintarou said in a low,
worshipful voice.

The bounty hunter idly swirled the iridescent green liquid in the fluted
glass in front of her, then took a sip and set it down again. "Did you
bring the files?"

Kintarou nodded and pulled a data disk out of his robes. "All of the
unauthorized frontier crossings for the last quarter-year. Times,
trajectories, energy profiles, silhouettes, particle discharge
signatures, everything." A twinge of conscience nagged him for a moment.
This was classified information. There was no way he could see that it
could be used to harm Jurai, but still, technically what he was about to
do was treason.

"Will it be of use to you?" he asked.

She nodded. "It'll show me just the right spots to ambush them," said
Nagi. "If it's accurate."

"I assure you that it is," replied Kintarou. It was worth it, he decided.
Giving Nagi this information would help Jurai. And it would help her. The
insolent smugglers and thieves foolish enough to operate near Jurai's
frontier would pay in blood for their crimes and disrespect. Nagi would
reap everlasting glory with each head she took, each evildoer she
consigned to the depths of Hell. And with each victory he would rejoice
at having helped bring it about, in a small way. His only regret was that
he wouldn't be there to watch the battles, to see her cut through the
scum like an unstoppable scourge of beautiful, righteous, searing fire.

He set the disk on the table and pushed it towards her. "Smash them,
Nagi-sama," he said reverently.

Nagi smiled as she took the disk and sipped her drink again. "I'm going
to be making a trip out to the Sol system pretty soon. Still interested
in the goings on there?"

Kintarou nodded. "Yes. The information you gave me before sparked a great
deal of concern. I would be very grateful for whatever you can tell me."
His eyes widened with sudden realization. "You're going there to slay
Ryoko, aren't you?" He remembered some of the things he'd heard about the
Galaxy's most-wanted criminal. In particular he recalled the torment
she'd inflicted on Princess Aeka. Though he only knew of them third or
fourth hand, there were at least three separate occasions when the pirate
had attacked or insulted Jurai's future empress.

Nagi's eyes narrowed as she frowned. "Not yet," she replied, managing to
keep the frustration out of her voice. "I need to scout around a bit
first. Then it's 'Sayonara, Ryoko.'"

Kintarou reached over and grasped her weapon hand. Nagi watched, amused,
as he bent down and tenderly kissed it. "May that day be soon, Nagi-
sama."

"It won't be long now. Not since she's hooked up with that guy." Nagi
shook her head in disgust. "Until I actually saw it, I couldn't believe
it. Ryoko's never been *that* stupid before." She downed her drink. "It's
too bad she's gone soft. It takes a little of the fun out of it."

"I see," replied Kintarou thoughtfully, scanning the crowd now and again
for any threats. "May I ask a question?"

"Sure."

"Was it really necessary for us to meet," he sneered in revulsion,
"*here*?"

Nagi motioned for a waitress as she watched the crowd as well. "There's
some other business I need to take care of here. It doesn't have anything
to do with you, though. You can leave if you want."

Kintarou looked over at her. "You're going to take someone's head?" he
asked in a low, conspiratorial voice.

"Mmm-hmm. I'm expecting him to show up here some time tonight," answered
Nagi, just before the white-bikini-clad waitress arrived at the table. 

"Anything I can get you?" the waitress asked.

Nagi handed over her empty glass. "Another refill. And a bowl of carrot
juice."

The waitress blinked. "Carrot juice?"

"Carrot juice," repeated Nagi.

"O... K..." said the waitress, shaking her head as she jotted down the
order. "And anything for the gentleman?"

"A glass of kajitsushu," said Kintarou, making sure his eyes didn't stray
below the waitress' neck.

Once the woman had left, he turned to Nagi again. "I would consider it an
honor if you would allow me to stay and watch," he said. "It's something
I've longed to see for quite some time now."

Nagi shrugged. "Just make sure you don't get in my way when it's time for
me to take him down."

"I would never dream of such a thing."

"Alright. It could be a while before he gets here, though. You might want
to have a lap dance or something, to pass the time."

Kintarou stared at her in total shock. "But, Nagi-sama," he protested,
deep hurt evident in his voice, "They're... they're nothing but filth.
The lowest kind." He nodded towards another booth, in which a dancer
ground her body against an unsavory-looking customer. "Not merely
harlots, but the playthings of... of *lawbreakers*. I would never permit
one of them to touch me, much less pay them to do so. Some men follow the
urging of their loins and seek nothing but pleasingly-shaped flesh. I
desire higher things." He glanced over at Nagi for a moment, then looked
away. "And there are those whose beauty far outshines theirs, in any
case," he continued quietly. "I would much prefer to pass the time
talking to you."

Nagi briefly looked at him out of the corner of her eye, then smiled.
This could be interesting, she decided. After all, she too needed a way
to entertain herself during the potentially-long wait. Noting the
approach of the returning waitress, Nagi sat in silence.

"One house special, one plum wine, and one..." the waitress snickered,
setting the glasses and bowl down on the table "... carrot juice. Enjoy!"
she added, before turning and heading off to another booth.

Flashing a brief hint of a grin, Nagi scooted up right next to Kintarou
before picking up the bowl of carrot juice and setting it down on spot
where she'd previously been sitting. She pretended to ignore the young
man's sudden tenseness, instead snapping her fingers twice. Out from
under the table hopped a white cabbit wearing a blue collar, who began
immediately lapping at the contents of the bowl.

"So, how are things on Jurai these days?" Nagi asked idly in a deep,
sultry voice as she stretched sinuously across the table to reach for her
drink. Her cloak flowed off her arms and gathered behind her as she did,
giving Kintarou an unobstructed view of her lush curves. The dim ambient
glow alternated with the harsh flashes of the strobes, vividly
highlighting the blue and black bodysuit that clung tenaciously to the
bounty hunter's full chest and smooth, flat stomach.

Almost as tenaciously as Kintarou's eyes, before he somehow managed to
tear them away.

"V-v-very well," he stammered. "Startika will be wonderful, if the
weather holds. From what I've heard, it will be quite a celebration this
year."

Slowly Nagi eased back into her seat and set her drink down in front of
her. Her thigh touched Kintarou's ever-so-slightly. Noticing how dry his
mouth felt, he reached for his glass, now very glad that he'd ordered
something to drink. He raised it for a toast.

"Justice," he said, looking over at Nagi. She raised her glass and
clinked it against his, then drank. Kintarou took a deep gulp of his pale
yellow-green wine before setting it down again and glancing over at the
cabbit, who was busy licking the last traces of carrot juice from the
inside of the bowl. "That's Ken-ohki? Your ship?" the youth asked.

"That's him," said Nagi. "Ken-ohki, say 'hi.'"

The cabbit looked up at Kintarou. "Shaow! Shaow!" he said. His eyes went
from the empty bowl to Nagi's face, back to the bowl, then to her face
again. "Shaow?" he asked expectantly.

A momentary look of concentration flashed across Nagi's face.

Ken-ohki hopped onto the table, then down again on the other side of
Kintarou from Nagi.

"Shaow!"

Nagi shook her head. "Not right now. You'll have to wait."

"Shaow!" insisted Ken-ohki.

"I said 'no.' Now get back over here," ordered Nagi.

"Shaow!"

Kintarou smiled. "I'll get him for you," he offered, reaching for the
cabbit.

Ken-ohki backed up, hissing menacingly and baring his fangs as his fur
bristled. Kintarou turned to Nagi and looked at her, puzzled. "Did I...
do something wrong?"

Nagi let out a very heavy sigh that made her breasts jounce a bit,
mirthfully noting Kintarou's momentary downward stare. "When he gets like
this, he usually won't let anyone but me handle him," she explained. She
got up onto her knees on the seat, then leaned over across Kintarou to
fetch Ken-ohki. The Juraian's eyes widened as Nagi put her hand down onto
the seat to steady herself -- right between his legs. She extended
herself further, reached out with her free hand, and grabbed Ken-ohki.
Once sure of her hold on him, she started leaning back. The back of her
hand pressed briefly against Kintarou's crotch, and he gulped nervously.
An amused smile formed on Nagi's lips. She withdrew the hand and used it
to hold her cabbit as she sat back down. Kintarou swallowed again, harder
this time, as her posterior slid across his lap before finding its place
next to him on the seat.

"Sorry about that," she said. "He can be pretty stubborn sometimes."

"N-n-no apology is necessary, Nagi-sama," replied Kintarou, blushing
furiously.

Nagi set Ken-ohki down on Kintarou's thigh and began to pet the cabbit.
At the end of each stroke down along Ken-ohki's back, Nagi's hand brushed
along Kintarou's leg for just an instant. After a minute or so, he tried
to shift his legs, a look of intense discomfort on his face.

"I'd rather you didn't move around," said Nagi. "If he gets upset again,
he may run off, and I'll have a hell of a time finding him."

Kintarou froze, perspiration beading on his brow. "Of... of course, Nagi-
sama. I... quite understand."

"Is something wrong?" asked Nagi.

"N-n-no, nothing... nothing at all," answered Kintarou, swallowing again.

Nagi's hand stroked down along Ken-ohki's fur and momentarily slid across
Kintarou's thigh again.

Sweat drenched the young Juraian's forehead. "Nagi-sama, I... I have a
confession to make."

"What's that?" she asked.

"I've been having... impure thoughts about you," said Kintarou.

"Oh, really?" said Nagi, arching an eyebrow.

"Y-y-yes."

The motion of Nagi's hand didn't break its stride. "When was this,
exactly?"

"W-w-well, among other times... *now*."

Before Kintarou had finished his sentence, Nagi's eyes focused suddenly
on something in the distance. Her hand stopped in mid-stroke and reached
down towards her belt.

Immensely grateful for his momentary respite and not as yet having noted
the direction of Nagi's gaze, Kintarou picked up his glass with a
trembling hand and downed the entire remaining contents.

"If my thoughts offend you, I will endure any punishment you see fit to
mete out, Nagi-sama," he said. "Humbly, and with joy."

Nagi gathered her legs under her, crouched on the balls of her feet on
top of the seat while holding her as-yet-inactive energy whip in her
hand. Noticing this, Kintarou turned and looked at her.

"Nagi-sama?"

The bounty hunter's eyes narrowed. "Shhhh!" she hissed angrily.

Realizing that he was about to witness what he'd waited to see, Kintarou
eased away to give her room. Nagi flipped her cloak behind her to make
sure it didn't get in her way. She stood poised and motionless, the
promise of sudden violence contained in her graceful, patient form as if
graven by a master sculptor. Her whole body tensed, like a taut bow drawn
almost to the breaking point in readiness to unleash an arrow in swift
flight towards its target. Kintarou watched in awe, hardly daring to
blink or even breathe. He did his best to follow the direction of her
gaze so he could see the criminal she was about to bring down.

A mustached and heavily-muscled man, decked out in white furs and black
leather, wound his way through the crowd. Pulsing strobelight glistened
on the leather and the man's bald head. He stopped here and there to talk 
momentarily with some of the other patrons. They seemed to be exchanging
greetings, but it was impossible for Kintarou to hear anything that far
away amidst the thumping music from the sound systems and raucous cheers
and whistles from all over the bar. With a parting wave to the last
person he'd spoken to, the man headed into the thick of the crowd again.

Nagi's eyes never left him, and Kintaro's eyes switched rapidly back and
forth between her and the man he knew was already as good as dead.

The man stopped near a stage on which two tall and shapely cat girls
gyrated to the music, their long blonde hair reaching nearly down to
their ankles. They began slowly removing their tops in perfect
synchronization, drawing enthusiastic shouts from her onlookers. The
crowd around the stage shifted, drawing closer. The man skirted the outer
edge of the circle of patrons, looking for a seat. Only two or three
other people now stood between him and the blood-red eyes that watched
him.

Kintarou looked over at Nagi again. The bounty hunter's knuckles whitened
as she tightened her grip on the handle of her energy whip. The intensity
of her concentration sharpened further, and Kintarou could see her
nipples stiffening through her tight body suit. A droplet of perspiration
trickled unnoticed down her temple.

The crowd thickened, then thinned again, and for a moment the line of
sight was completely unobstructed.

With a hum and a loud crack, Nagi's whip blazed to life and flashed
outward. Glowing tendrils closed around the man's neck and jerked him off
his feet, the burning line of magenta light connecting him to Nagi's
outstretched arm as she stood on the table. She jumped down onto the
floor and started walking towards him. Matching her pace, the whip line
withdrew into the handle to maintain tension.

All conversation stopped. A hundred eyes locked on the striding bounty
hunter. Hands fumbled for weapons.

Nagi halted and threw back her hood. Her gaze swept across the crowd,
promising death to any who intervened.

Nervous recognition rippled through the onlookers. One by one they backed
off and turned their faces away from the hunter and her snared prey. Most
of the patrons at the stage nearest the fallen man started frantically
thrusting handfuls of bills to the flustered strippers, who did their
best to resume their dances. Others gawked at the fallen man, watching in
morbid curiosity.

Nagi reached the man and hauled him up with her whip while pulling out a
holographic wanted poster with her free hand. Her eyes scanned the face
in the poster photo and the face of her captive. They were identical --
except for the minor difference that the wanted poster showed a look of
manly bravado while the as-yet-living man's expression was one of abject
terror.

"My, my," said Nagi, eying the long list of charges on the wanted poster.
"We *have* been a naughty boy lately, haven't we?"

"Please... no..." he begged, his face contorted in agony as he struggled
for speech. "Please...!"

Nagi looked down at him, her whole body still tensed.

"What...ever... you want... anything... tell you..." the man offered in a
tortured voice. "Anything... just don't... please... don't..."

"You should have thought of this before you killed the crew of the
'Gingitsune,'" chided Nagi. "I'd be going after someone else if the
multiple homicide charges hadn't increased the bounty on you."

Suddenly the man's eyes widened and his voice rasped louder as he put
every last bit of strength into his plea for mercy. "PLEASE!!!"

Nagi smiled a bemused smile. "Sayonara, Tatsuhiro."

Full power surged through the whip. With a bright flash and a crackling
zap, the energy line constricted and bloodlessly severed head from body.

Nagi stood for there for a few moments, perspiration streaming down her
body as she panted rapidly, her chest heaving but not from any physical
exertion. The excitement of the kill hadn't relieved her pent-up tension,
and her body craved release. Promising herself that she'd deal with that
problem as soon as she was safely aboard her ship, she pulled a sack out
of a pouch at her belt, bent down, picked up the slain man's head, and
put it in the sack. Then she straightened up and turned back towards her
booth.

Kintarou stared at her in unrestrained wide-eyed awe, two paces away.

Nagi drew the back of her hand across her sweat-drenched forehead. A pink
flush still colored her cheeks, and her breathing continued to come in
labored gasps.

"Nagi-sama... domo arigato gozaimasu," said Kintarou, bowing his head.
"That... that was a sight I will always cherish. Always. I swear it."

The bounty hunter wiped more perspiration from her brow. Another hot rush
of breath hissed out between her teeth.

"Nagi-sama... are you alright?" asked Kintarou.

Nagi's eyes narrowed slightly. "Your ship... what bay is it docked at?"

Kintarou blinked. "Bay seven. Why?"

Nagi grabbed Kintarou's arm almost hard enough to dislocate his shoulder
and dragged him after her towards the exit. Ken-ohki took a few quick
bounds and followed them out into the main promenade. She half-led, half-
dragged the young Juraian towards the corridor marked "Docking Bay 7",
and even those who didn't recognize the galaxy's most notorious bounty
hunter on sight immediately gave way on seeing the fierce look of grim
determination on her face. A trio of pirates in powered armor scrambled
frantically out of her path as she rounded the corner and strode down the
ramp into the bay. Moments later a pale-skinned, rail-thin man in a grey
jumpsuit stepped off his ship and froze in terror.

"Oh, shit!" he gasped. "It's Nagi!"

The man got back aboard his vessel as quickly as he could, and just about
everyone else in the bay followed his example. The crowd parted in front
of the bounty hunter like water being pushed aside by a ship's prow. In
moments the entire bay was deserted.

Kintarou's eyes lit up with immense pride on Nagi's behalf, though she
hardly seemed to have noticed the criminals' departure. Having realized
that she intended to go aboard his ship, and barely daring to hope about
what might happen after that, he managed to pull her to a stop. Now that
they were in the docking bay, they were clear of the field that prevented
energy transport to and from the main body of the station.

"Gensao, Nabasu -- bring us aboard!" he ordered hurriedly. He and Nagi
shimmered and dissolved in a flash of emerald light, then reformed on the
lush green lawn that carpeted most of Maki-oh's deck.

They were barely solid again when Nagi spun around and kissed him.

Kintarou put his arms around her, scarcely able to believe that the lips
pressed against his own were those of the goddess whom he worshiped. He
slid a hand onto her rear and started caressing it. Moments later the
other hand slipped down to join it. Nagi moaned slightly. Kintarou
started kissing along her jaw and down onto her neck. Then, not wanting
their lovemaking to be interrupted by the lawbreaking denizens of Hyouzou
Station, nor for the act to take place in the shadow of the lair of
criminals, he broke the kiss for a moment.

"Gensao! Take us back into Juraian space," he ordered, knowing the
guardian could hear him no matter where in the ship he spoke.

"Hai, Kintarou-dono," came the reply from the vicinity of the bridge. "Do
you have any further orders?"

Nagi's hand began urgently rubbing Kintarou's erection through his robes.

"Do you have any further orders, Kintarou-dono?" repeated the guardian.

"Yes! Be silent and leave me in peace until I call for you!" snapped
Kintarou angrily. As Maki-oh disengaged from the station, he resumed his
kisses, now headed towards Nagi's ear. "Nagi-sama... do you wish to... go
to my bedchamber?"

"Never mind that... just... get your... damn clothes off...!" she gasped
in reply. She pulled herself away and looked at him, her eyes burning.

Kintarou bowed. "Hai, Nagi-sama. Command me. I will obey. With all my
heart." Multiple layers of rich fabrics, colored in multiple hues of
bright blue and green, started piling around him as he disrobed.

Nagi tossed aside the bag containing her recent quarry's severed head.
She'd retrieve it afterwards. She pulled off one boot, then the other.
Her cloak landed on the grass at her feet. Her bodysuit joined it moments
later, along with a small arsenal of weaponry. On top of it all she set a
pair of glistening-wet black panties.

Dropping on all fours, Kintarou began affectionately kissing the tops of
her feet. He lifted one foot, then the other, pressing his lips against
the soles. Slowly he worked his way up her calves. He passed her knees.
The kisses proceeded higher and higher, the slick, salty layer of sweat
on Nagi's skin growing progressively stickier as Kintarou's lips neared
the apex of her thighs.

Kintarou's tongue slid through a neatly-trimmed thatch of azure hair.

A slight hiss of breath escaped between Nagi's teeth.

Kintarou slipped a pair of fingers inside her while gently sucking on her
clit.

Crooning wordless encouragement, Nagi placed her hands against the back
of his head.

No further prompting was needed. Kintarou pressed his face into Nagi's
crotch, licking, sucking, kissing, stroking, passionately devoting every
fiber of his being to giving her the pleasure that was her due.

Nagi moaned and squeezed her thighs together around Kintarou's head. The
boy's skill was only average, but enthusiasm counted for a lot. And after
the excitement of the kill, she desperately needed release. Besides, she
found a certain thrill at having a member of mighty Jurai's proud royal
family kneeling in abject devotion at her feet, burying his face between
her legs, and worshiping her with his tongue. Even if the kid *was* only
three-hundred-and-something in the line of succession.

Untold light years across space, another member of Jurai's royal house,
this one only a heartbeat away from the throne, began to dry her tears.

Tenchi stared at her, for a minute or so struck speechless in shock.
"You're leaving?" he asked slowly, once he managed to find words again.

Aeka nodded.

"But... *WHY*???"

Shivering, Aeka closed her eyes and clung to Tenchi again. In return he
squeezed her tightly against him, his own eyes wide as he tried to figure
out what had brought about her decision. He desperately needed an answer,
but first he needed to let Aeka calm down. As patiently as he could,
Tenchi continued to hold her, the question still ringing in his head.

Why?

Something had happened while she was in the room, before he'd come in.
But what? He couldn't think of anything that could have made her make
such a decision in so short a time. His first thought was of Aeka's
parents, and what she'd said before about the possibility that she'd be
forced to leave, eventually. But neither Kiyone nor Mihoshi had relayed
any sort of message that he knew of. The phone hadn't rung, and besides,
he couldn't picture either of them handling it so impersonally, anyway.

Maybe it was *his* fault, Tenchi considered. Something he'd done, or
said. But that didn't make any sense, either. Aeka had been in a good
mood when she'd headed upstairs. Playfully seductive, in fact, alluding
to something "special" she had planned. She hadn't been upset with him,
then. Yet he'd arrived to find her grief-stricken. Whatever had happened,
he hadn't been there. How could he have caused her sorrow and driven her
to such a decision without being present to say or do anything?

*Something* had happened. Aeka had gone from cheerful to shattered in
mere minutes. But for what *reason*? It didn't make any sense at *all*.

Tenchi continued to wrack his brain for the sought-for answer but found
none. He noticed the trembling of Aeka's body. "It'll be OK, Ae-chan," he
whispered to her. "I'm here. It'll be OK." He repeated it several times,
wondering if it were really true. "Everything will be OK."

Aeka said nothing, savoring the feeling of Tenchi's protective embrace,
knowing this was the last time she would have his arms around her.  The
thought of that, the thought of leaving him, was almost more than she
could bear. He obviously still loved her, even if not as much as Ryoko.
But Aeka had seen what lay ahead of her. Tenchi had chosen, and his love
for her would wane until it dwindled to nothing. It would be best to
leave him now, she had decided. Now, while he still *did* love her. While
she still had a little dignity. Before the knowledge of his vanishing
feelings for her reduced her to even more of a shattered emotional wreck
than she already was.

"Ae-chan, *why*?"

"Please, Ten-chan..."

"I'm not going to let you just leave, without even telling me *why*,"
said Tenchi as he looked at her, bewilderment written all over his face.
"Is it something I did? Something I said?" He shook his head. "If you
don't love me anymore, at least tell me why."

Aeka's voice shook as she looked Tenchi unflinchingly in the eyes. "I
*do* love you, Ten-chan." She sniffled. "More than anything, and with all
my heart. I love you. Never doubt that, *never*, not for a single
moment."

Tenchi nodded. "Then why?"

The princess closed her eyes and lowered her head. "Because... because
you no longer love *me*," she said quietly, trying and failing to keep
accusation out of her voice. 

Tenchi's eyes widened as he stared at Aeka. "Ae-chan, what are you
*talking* about?!"

"You've chosen her. I can see that, even if you can't."

"But I haven't! I love both of you!"

"You delude yourself, Ten-chan. As I did," Aeka sniffled. "You've made
your decision. You... you simply haven't realized it, yet. I don't think
she has, either. Yet it is clear to me, and I," she shook her head, "I
cannot deny it." She wiped away some of her tears. "Much though part of
me wishes that I could."

Tenchi moved his face to hers. "I'm *not* deluding myself, Ae-chan," he
said, kissing her. "I love you."

Aeka flinched. "Ten-chan, you may say that, and think that... but your
actions speak otherwise."

"What actions?"

"I don't... I don't wish to seem bitter, Ten-chan, but..." began Aeka.

"Tell me," he said, kissing her again.

With painful effort, Aeka turned her face away. "Please, Ten-chan.
Don't... don't do such a thing. Not without meaning it."

"I *do* mean it. What have I done to make you think I don't love you?"

"Ten-chan, please..."

"What did I *DO*???"

Aeka put out her arm and pointed a trembling finger. Tenchi followed it's
direction, then frowned and shook his head, as confused as ever.

"Ae-chan, it's just a picture."

But even as he spoke the words, he realized they were wrong.

"Is it?"

Tenchi stared at her, unable to answer.

"You see? When I saw that, I knew. I *knew*. You were hers, even then."
Aeka sniffled and wiped away a tear that ran down her cheek. "Even then.
I could never win your heart."

"Will you stop talking about it like its some kind of contest?"

Aeka laughed bitterly as more tears flowed. "That's just it, Ten-chan. It
wasn't. I never had the slightest chance. I fought with her, all that
time, trying to keep her away from you until the day would come that you
would love me. I waited and waited for you to tell me that you'd given me
your heart. But you never did, because is was already taken." She looked
away again, the pain so intense it seemed to tear her heart open. "I
never had any hope of winning. I'd lost before I'd even begun."

"It's not like that, Ae-chan. I love you. Believe me. *Please*!"

"I wish more than anything that I could believe you. Even if it were
false, even if it was just so that I could be struck down and die
thinking that you loved me, happy and unaware that it wasn't so."

Tenchi shuddered in horror. Tears welled in his eyes. For the slimmest
fraction of a second he felt shame at the unmanliness of them. Then he
shoved those thoughts violently aside. Pulling Aeka close, he gazed down
at her and brushed away some of her tears. "Ae-chan," he said, he voice
choking, "never say anything like that, ever again."

More tears ran out of the princesses eyes and streamed, hot, past
Tenchi's fingers as they tried vainly to stem the flow. "Why not? It's
the truth. I would give my life just to be able to *believe* that you
love me." Her eyes took on a faraway look for a moment. "These last few
days, when I thought you really did... that was the most beautiful
feeling I have ever known."

"I *do* love you," said Tenchi, one of his own tears trickled down his
face. He bent down to kiss her. "Stop talking like this, Ae-chan."

As he had for her, Aeka brushed away Tenchi's tear. "You pity me, Ten-
chan. Pity, not love. You don't wish to hurt me, and both of us mistook
that feeling for love. Look deep into your heart. Am I really there? Or
are you simply pretending that I am, to spare me pain?"

Tenchi searched his feelings, wondering how he could manage to convince
her. Hearing Aeka insist so earnestly that he didn't love her was almost
more than he could bear. A pained expression filled his face as he sifted
the contents of his heart, trying to find something, anything he could
say to make her see.

Aeka nodded, still weeping slightly. "Be truthful with yourself. I know
I've hurt you by saying these things, and that's the last thing I wish to
do. I wish there was some other way. But you must see." She kissed him
gently. "I love you far too much to wish your heart bound to an
illusion."

"But it's *NOT* an illusion!" he countered, hurt and almost angry. "It's
not! How can you say that?"

Aeka's only answer was a quiet sob. The two sat there, not speaking a
word, for what seemed like an eternity, while Aeka's tears slowly ceased.
A few more moments of still silence passed while she gathered her
resolve. Then she started to get up. Tenchi immediately grasped her wrist
to keep her from going, fear starting to stir in his widened eyes as he
stared at her.

Aeka looked down at his hand and his face, puzzled. Then she sighed,
reminding herself that even if Tenchi no longer loved her, the thought of
her suffering pain would still hurt him. "I'm not leaving yet, Ten-chan,"
she assured him. "Not until you understand."

"OK," he replied quietly, letting go of her with reluctance.

Walking over to the wall opposite the bed, Aeka took the picture down,
all the while trying her best not to look at it. Then she sat down next
to Tenchi once more, holding the picture in her lap.

"Do you see what is written on your face, here, Ten-chan?" the princess
asked tremulously.

Tenchi nodded, the emotion of the moment depicted in the picture coming
back to him. It was the first time he'd glimpsed the vulnerability under
the brash, carefree exterior that Ryoko wore like a suit of emotional
armor. His gaze wandered to their hands. It was the first time Ryoko's
affection hadn't terrified him, and the first time he had ever returned
it. He still remembered the warmth of her hand as he had squeezed it
reassuringly, having seen the look in her eyes. He stared, transfixed, at
those eyes again, and at the face that framed them, thinking of that
instant and what Ryoko's expression seemed to say -- that, for once, she
wasn't going to push him or force him, and that she was waiting. Waiting
to see what he'd do, now that she'd fearfully placed her heart in his
hands. Showing him that she trusted him and would let him decide what to
do, despite knowing how easily Tenchi could choose to callously tear her
heart to pieces...

A shimmering drop of clear liquid splashed on the picture. Then another,
and another. Tenchi looked up.

Aeka's eyes, full of tears, pain, and fear, met his. The tears streamed
down her cheeks and landed on the glass frame of the picture, watering
the scene with her sorrows. Tenchi realized that he'd been staring at it,
ignoring Aeka's presence in favor of the memory of Ryoko -- precisely as
she said he did.

"Now do you see, Ten-chan?" Aeka asked, her voice shaking almost
uncontrollably. "You were hers, from that moment. The only reason you
didn't show it more openly was that I was here, and you didn't want to
hurt me. And it's only because... because Ryoko felt it would help *her*
that anything happened between us at all." Aeka closed her eyes and bowed
her head. "Because I had always stopped her, and she knew that if she
forced me to do what I hadn't the courage to try..." She stopped,
wringing her hands for a moment, "I would have to stand aside and... and
at least let her attempt to win you herself. Were it not for that,
nothing would have happened between us, despite all my naive hopes." Then
she raised her head to look at him again. "And that's what hurts the
most, Ten-chan. That all my hopes were in vain. That I was foolish enough
to actually believe you might... might love me."

And then her will snapped and she burst into uncontrollable tears again,
her whole body shaking with the force of her sorrow, her voice bespeaking
the unbearable torment of a shattered soul. His heart outracing his mind,
Tenchi tried to put his arms around her, but found that he couldn't. The
picture, still lying in Aeka's lap, was in the way.

He took the picture away from her and set it down on the floor, leaning
it against the side of the bed. Then he pulled Aeka to him, holding her
close and rocking her gently back and forth. At first she shook her head
and feebly tried to push him away. But her heart just wasn't in it.
Gradually her struggles grew weaker, then ceased altogether. Finally Aeka
lay in Tenchi's arms, sobbing on his shoulder.

As he tried to comfort her, inwardly Tenchi cursed at himself, awash in a
horrible flood of guilt. How could he have done this to her? Aeka
deserved much more than to live in Ryoko's shadow. He clutched her
tighter, holding the warm bundle of sobbing princess pressed tightly
against his chest. Every shudder, every tear, every sound of her grief
reminded him that he had caused it. Instead of returning her love and
devotion in full measure, he had repaid her with pain, instead. He still
wasn't sure of all the things he had done to hurt her, but if his staring
at Ryoko's picture was any indication...

But wasn't this just pity again, as she had said? Pity, not love?

The two were hard to separate, sometimes, when it came to Aeka. Sorrow
seemed intertwined with everything about her. Even the day she'd arrived
she'd been melancholy, except when fighting Ryoko. Tenchi still
remembered how sad she'd looked, sitting at the table while Katsuhito
told her to "forget all of your worries, just for today." He recalled as
well how she'd slowly brightened as he'd taken her on a tour of the hills
and woods, and the warmth in his heart when he'd seen her finally smile.

And yet now, she would be gone, and he'd never see her again. Just as
he'd dreamt, two days before. He'd never been able to overcome his own
timidity until Ryoko had forced him to, and now, he knew, he would pay
the price for his cowardice. As he listened to the gradually-ebbing sound
of Aeka's pain, words his grandfather had spoken flashed unbidden into
his head.

"A woman is to a man as a sword is to a samurai. If you handle them
clumsily, you will break them. And if this were the old days, you'd be
lucky to be committing seppuku right now!"

"Clumsy" didn't even begin to describe the way he'd acted, he decided. As
the princess stopped sobbing and sniffled a few times, Tenchi closed his
eyes and sighed. "I should have known something like this would happen,"
he said quietly.

Silently, Aeka raised her head from Tenchi's shoulder and faced him.

"I took you for granted, all that time. I... I just figured you'd always
be here. I guess it's true, sometimes you don't realize just how
important someone is to you, until it's too late."

Aeka did her best to put aside her own pain for a moment. Leaning forward
a little, she kissed him. "I'm sorry, Ten-chan. I told you, I didn't do
this to cause you pain. I don't wish to hurt you."

Tenchi opened his eyes. "Ae-chan, I haven't hurt this bad since my mom
died. That's what it feels like. I'm losing someone I love, and I'm never
going to see them again," he said. "Only this time, it's my fault."

The princess stared at him, not knowing what to say or even think. She
knew that the death of his mother was the single greatest loss Tenchi had
ever suffered. If losing Aeka made him feel at all the same way, what did
that mean?

For a moment, Tenchi sat in silent thought, once more contemplating the
first time he and the princess had met. "Ae-chan?" he said, after a
minute or so.

"Yes?"

"What would you have done, if I'd kissed you, that day?"

Aeka blinked. "That day?"

"The day you arrived. On the stepping stones, by the tree."

"You... you were going to kiss me?"

"I wanted to. I almost did. What would you have done, if I had?"

Aeka considered it for a moment. "I don't really know, Ten-chan. I would
have been surprised, certainly. Why?"

"You wouldn't have been offended? Thought I was a jerk, and slapped me,
or something?"

"No, of course not. Why would I have been offended by what I felt like
doing, myself?"

"Why didn't you, then?"

"Ten-chan, we'd only just met. I feared that you'd consider it... too
forward. Brazen. I could tell right away that you were special, and I
didn't want you to think of me as that kind of woman."

Tenchi smiled. "I could never have thought of you that way, Ae-chan."

Aeka gave him a quizzical look. "You truly thought I'd slap you?"

"Something like that," he replied. "What else should I have expected? A
beautiful girl comes to visit, and practically the first thing I do is
lure her out into the woods and try to take advantage of her?"

"That's not how I would have seen it. As I said, it would have come as a
surprise. But a very pleasant one."

Tenchi nodded. He held Aeka's chin in his hand as he leaned forward and
pressed his lips against hers in a gentle yet passionate kiss. For the
moment the princess managed to shut out her grief, savoring the warm,
tender feeling of closeness as Tenchi held the kiss for what seemed like
a very long while. Their lips parted finally, and he looked into her eyes
as he brushed a few strands of her hair out of her face.

"That's what I should have done, that first day. What I *would* have
done, if I'd had the guts. And Ae-chan, don't you *dare* tell me that I
didn't mean it."

Aeka looked into Tenchi's face, seeing nothing but sincerity. "Ten-
chan... I..." she said, "I've never once known you to lie, to me, or to
anyone. But... I don't know what to think anymore. It sounds as if you're
trying to tell me that you fell in love with me at first sight, and I...
I'm not sure I can believe that."

Tenchi shook his head. "That's not what I'm saying. I'm not really
talking about that moment, except that I did feel like kissing you. What
I mean is, that's the way I act most of the time, in general. I'm just...
a little timid." He frowned. "OK, very timid. I don't know when I fell in
love with you, but it was a long time before I was brave enough to show
it."

Tenchi sighed, wishing he was a lot more eloquent, because his words
didn't even come near to expressing his feelings. He moved to sit on the
edge of the bed, then gently pulled Aeka over to sit beside him. He put
his arm around her. After a few moment's hesitation, Aeka lay her head on
his shoulder, and he decided to try again.

"What I said goes for a lot of things," Tenchi said. "Remember what you
said about Ryoko making you do what you wanted to do, but were too scared
to?"

"Yes."

"That's how it was for me, too. I told you, remember?"

Aeka nodded, thinking back to the conversation they'd had, in the dark
closet, six nights before.

"If you really thought I didn't mean it, why didn't you say so, then?" he
asked.

"I... I don't know, Ten-chan. I wasn't thinking of such things at the
time. I was afraid, and then you were there, and we made love... and
after that there was no room for worrisome thoughts." She closed her
eyes. "Not after I'd spent such a long time imagining it and wanting it
to happen," she said quietly.

Tenchi nodded, then sighed again. "I've thought a lot about that, these
past few days, Ae-chan," he said. "Believe me, I have. Even before, I
used to wonder sometimes if I was weird or something, the way I was
acting. Then everything happened, and I guess I expected it all to be OK
after that." He slowly hung his head, and continued, shame lacing his
voice. "But it keeps coming back to me. All the things I did." He looked
over at her again. "And all the things I *didn't* do. All the things I
felt, and didn't let anyone see, not even myself. Everything I could have
had, if only I hadn't been too chicken to realize that I wanted it. Like
hearing you say that you love me. And being able to say that I love you,
and know that you'll believe me."

Aeka turned to face him. "I love you, Ae-chan," he said. "It's true now.
And if I'd had the guts to say it before, it would have been true then,
too." He leaned a little closer. "All Ryoko did was make me stop running
away from my feelings. But she didn't make me have those feelings. And
even if she did put us in the closet together, everything that happened
after that was up to us. If it happened all over again, the only thing
that would be different is that she wouldn't have had to push me." 

Tenchi hung his head for just a moment, then faced her again as a new
thought occurred to him. "Do you really think I'm the kind of guy who
would take you to bed if I didn't love you?" A hint of anger entered his
voice. "Is that what you think of me? That I just want you to stay so I
can sleep with you?"

"No, Ten-chan," said Aeka, shaking her head rapidly. "That's one thing of
which I'm certain. You could never be that sort of person."

"Then listen to me," he said as firmly as he could. "I know how I feel
about you. *I* know. Maybe I haven't shown you the way I should. Maybe
I've done things, or not done things, or... or whatever, to make you
think I don't love you. But I do. I *KNOW* I do." The anger in his voice
rose a notch or two. "Somehow, I've convinced you that I don't love you,
and I'm sorry." His voice shook. "But you'll never convince me."

Aeka stared at him, wide-eyed, as he let out his breath and calmed
himself down. Once he had, he reached over and once more gently cupped
her chin in his hand. He bent down and kissed her, then looked into her
eyes. "I love you," he said softly. "Do you believe me?"

Tears welled in the princess' eyes. One by one, they began to trickle
down her cheeks as she stared up into Tenchi's face. 

Tenchi face went slack. It felt as if his heart had frozen in his chest.
He let go of Aeka's chin and lowered his arm to hang limp at his side. A
tremor went through his body, then another, then another.

"Hai," said the princess, as the faintest trace of a warm smile showed
itself.

Tenchi blinked.

Aeka reached out and put her arms around him. Tenchi recovered his senses
just in time to embrace her in return, before their lips met. They held
each other tight, basking in the warmth that seemed to radiate outward
from their kiss. With a heavy sigh of intense relief, Tenchi let out his
breath and closed his eyes.

Outside, a momentary spark flashed through the speckled blackness
overhead, dying as it descended east.

Ryoko lay on the torii, frowning up at the heavens, her mood and
expression much darker than the sky. She was angry. Angry at Tenchi, for
ordering her around and being so ridiculous about her sparring with his
grandfather. Furious at herself, for being angry with Tenchi. And filled
with hatred for Nagi, for refusing to leave her in peace.

It had been working. Given a chance to train against Katsuhito, she'd be
able to keep in form. He was the most skilled opponent she'd ever faced,
Nagi included. If she could train against Katsuhito until she was able to
hold her own against him, when Nagi showed up again Ryoko could defend
herself. Perhaps she could even end the problem once and for all. Kill
Nagi, or at least hurt her badly enough to make her leave Ryoko in peace.
Otherwise... 

Ryoko sighed.

Otherwise, the odds were not good.

Frowning deeper, Ryoko shook her head. She could handle the whole
"dutiful wife" routine just fine, as long as all it entailed was acting
on her own initiative to try to please Tenchi. She could even go along
with doing her share of the chores when he asked her to -- if he noticed
that she'd done so. But to just back down, meekly hang her head, and
*obey* when Tenchi commanded her to do or not do something... that was
different. That was how most of the Earthling women seemed to act. Was
that what Tenchi expected of her? It wasn't something she would enjoy
doing, even for him. She wasn't sure she'd be able to do it at all.

Tenchi was just trying to protect her, she knew. He thought he was doing
the right thing. Ryoko still remembered, vividly, waking up in his arms
after the crash, looking up at his concerned face and feeling safe. She'd
never dreamed that Tenchi's protectiveness would feel the way it did now,
strangling her like the tendrils of Nagi's whip tightening around her
throat.

"Bye, bye, Ryoko," said Nagi's voice.

A shiver of fear shot through her as memories of chase after chase across
dozens of worlds rose in Ryoko's mind. Nagi always at her heels, just
behind her every second of very day, whether physically present or not.
Going to sleep wondering if she'd wake up to see red eyes staring down at
her before her head became Nagi's greatest trophy. And worse than that...

"I've got your man. If you want him, come to Venus."

Ryoko shivered again. She'd faced the threat of painful death before,
many times, but the prospect of losing not only her own life but Tenchi's
as well was easily the most terrifying experience she'd ever been
through. No matter what, she never wanted to go through anything like
that, ever again.

"Bye, bye, Ryoko."

As she continued to stare up at the sky, a tinge of despair crept across
Ryoko's face. Why couldn't Nagi just forget about her and leave her in
peace? Even after the argument she'd had with Tenchi, Ryoko was happier
than she'd ever dreamed she'd be before. And now that life held such
promise for her, the thought of dying frightened Ryoko like it never had
in the past. The only thing worse would be Tenchi dying, as he easily
might if Nagi came back.

"I've got your man."

She had to be able to fight off Nagi. She *had* to. To protect herself,
and to protect Tenchi. Why did he have to be so thick-headed? Even if
Ryoko didn't rub his nose in his relative weakness by coming out and
saying she was practicing to defend herself against Nagi, wasn't it
obvious that a most-wanted criminal would be used to a little danger now
and again?

"Bye, bye, Ryoko."

Couldn't Tenchi see that he was being completely ridiculous? Ryoko was
overjoyed that he didn't feel threatened by her anymore, but did the
pendulum have to swing entirely the other way, until he acted as if she
were a frail, sickly little girl or something?

"I've got your man."

Didn't he realize that by forbidding Ryoko to keep in form, he was as
good as sentencing her to death? And maybe himself as well?

"Bye, bye, Ryoko."

There just had to be some way to make him understand how important it
was. Somehow!

"I've got your man."

Ryoko catapulted to her feet, standing on the torii with her hands
clenched trembling at her sides as she stared up into the black-vaulted
sky. "Tenchi, you *BAKA*!!!" she shouted in frustration. Once more upset
with herself for getting angry with him, but feeling much relieved for
having voiced her thoughts, she sighed and shook her head. "I love you,
but sometimes... sometimes..." She started to sit back down again when
she noticed Katsuhito standing nearby with his back to her, looking up
into the heavens.

An idea swiftly began to form in Ryoko's head. She floated down off the
torii and landed on her feet next to him. "Ojiisama?" she asked.

"Yes?" replied Katsuhito, still gazing up at the stars.

Ryoko hesitated for a moment before speaking. "About sword practice..."

Katsuhito nodded.

"Can we... you know, do that when Tenchi isn't around? When he's at
school, or something?" asked Ryoko.

"Hmm... sneaking around behind his back already, I see," said the old
man, smiling at the star-lit sky.

Ryoko hung her head slightly. "It's... it's for his own good. There are
things he doesn't understand." She closed her eyes and continued in a
quieter voice. "Things I don't want him to have to understand." She
opened her eyes again. "It's too important, ojiisama. I have to do it,
even if Tenchi doesn't want me to."

Katsuhito held his chin contemplatively. "You know, perhaps it's
different in outer space, but around here, the husband decides and the
wife obeys. Even if he *is* being a baka."

Ryoko reddened with embarrassment. "I... I didn't really mean that."

"Perhaps. But it's expected that the woman doesn't argue when the man has
made a decision. He's the lord of the household. He knows best, and his
word is final. That's the traditional way. Far better to make a wrong
decision and die because of it, than to be seen being ordered around by
one's wife!"

Instantly Ryoko scowled at him. She stood there in silence, brooding, the
absurdity of Katsuhito's statement having brought back her anger at
Tenchi's foolish, stubborn insistence that she not practice against his
grandfather.

"You don't agree?" asked Katsuhito, after a while.

Ryoko continued to stand, unmoving, fists clenched at her sides. She knew
she couldn't afford to offend the old man by arguing with him, but she
could never agree with what he'd said. She didn't answer.

"I'm only telling you this to be helpful. You won't have many arguments
with Tenchi at all, if you do what's expected of you and be obedient. But
if you insist on being so headstrong, this won't be the last time he'll
be angry with you."

The pirate thought about it for just a moment. "I don't care," she said.

Katsuhito raised an eyebrow. "You don't?"

"No. I don't care how mad he gets at me, just as long as he's safe."

Unseen by Ryoko, an impish grin formed on Katsuhito's face. "I see." He
stepped onto the path towards the shrine.

"Umm, ojiisama...?" asked Ryoko.

"We can discuss this tomorrow," he said, walking up the weathered stone
steps.

Ryoko watched him make his way up the hillside, wondering if he meant
they'd discuss sword practice, or her being "headstrong." With a weary
sigh, she decided it would probably be better to sleep on it. Her wary
eyes swept the heavens one more time. Then she vanished.

Meanwhile, in his bedroom, Tenchi pulled back the covers of his bed and
held them up while Aeka slid under them. Once she had lain down he kissed
her. He noticed the slight stickiness on Aeka's face, the drying remnants
of tears, and thought again about just how many he must have made her
shed that evening. He smoothed the covers over her and kissed her again,
deciding on some small things he wanted to do for her.

"I'm going to the kitchen for a couple minutes, Ae-chan," he said. "I'll
be right back."

Aeka instantly tensed up, and Tenchi realized that he'd said precisely
the wrong thing. Again.

"I was going to go get you a washcloth for your face, and make you some
herb tea. It'll calm your nerves," he explained. "Never mind. I should
have known it was a stupid idea."

The princess reached over and held Tenchi's hand. She looked up at him,
managing a slight smile. "No, you were trying to be helpful, and I was
being foolish." She squeezed his hand. "Some honey and just a little
lemon with the tea, if you please, Ten-chan."

"Are you sure you'll be OK while I'm gone?" asked Tenchi worriedly.

Aeka nodded. "Yes, yes. I'll be fine."

"I'll be right back," he said, kissing her again. "I promise."

"I'll be right here when you return," she replied. "*I* promise."

Tenchi nodded, kissed her once more, and headed towards the door. As he
opened it, he glanced back at Aeka lying on the bed. She looked... frail,
somehow. It almost seemed as if, were he to lift her up, she'd weigh less
than the down quilt that covered her. He blinked, then stared, frozen in
the middle of the doorway.

Aeka sighed. "Please don't look at me like that, Ten-chan," she said
quietly. "I... I know it must be difficult to respect me, like this, but
please... please don't look on me with pity in your eyes."

Tenchi focused on Aeka's face and saw the humiliation that filled it.
There had always been a certain shyness and timidity about her, but even
when, last Saturday, she'd bowed and offered to renounce her throne and
crawl in the dirt at his feet to gain his forgiveness, she'd still
maintained her air of pride. Now all that was gone.

Slowly she lowered her head and closed her eyes. "I'm still worthy of at
least *some* respect," she asked, in an even fainter voice. "Aren't I?"

Hearing the pleading tone in her voice spurred Tenchi to action. He
walked back over to the bed and knelt beside it. "I'll always respect
you, Ae-chan. And I always have. Like I said, I can't really say for sure
when I first fell in love with you. It's too tough to draw a line with
something like that. But I've known you were a person worthy of being
honored, from the moment I first saw you." He smiled and bowed his head.
"You will always be my oujo-sama. No matter what."

Aeka's face brightened. She reached over, brushed Tenchi's cheek, and put
her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Ten-chan."

"I'll stay if you want. Or I'll go get the things, and be back as fast as
I can. Which do you want me to do?" he asked.

The princess considered it for a second or so, then decided. If she was
so broken that she wasn't strong enough to endure Tenchi being out of the
room for five minutes, she would never be able to respect herself, even
if he did. "Bring me my tea, please, Ten-chan. And some for yourself as
well. I must have given you a rather awful fright."

Tenchi nodded and sighed. "Yeah. You sure did."

Aeka sniffled, which reminded her of something. "Oh. And a box of
tissues, if you wouldn't mind terribly."

"Hai," answered Tenchi, nodding again as he got up. "Anything else?"

"No, thank you, Ten-chan," Aeka responded.

Tenchi stood and smiled at her, then turned and headed out the door,
quietly shutting it behind him. Aeka's hand gripped the covers tightly as
he vanished from sight, the shaft of light from the hallway narrowing
until the door clacked softly against the frame, leaving the room in
darkness. Trying to ignore the sinking feeling inside her, she smoothed
the quilt over herself and stared up through the skylight at the stars,
all the while fighting off the doubts that assailed her.

Aeka focused her thoughts on Tenchi's reassurances about his feelings for
her. The doubts retreated but did not vanish altogether. Tenuous images
remained, fleeting imagined glimpses of what Tenchi and Ryoko were doing
at that very moment. Once again Aeka tried to drive out thoughts of
anything but Tenchi's love. Knowledge of that love blazed in her heart
like an enormous bonfire, enfolding her with comforting warmth and bright
light. But beyond the flickering edges of that light lay darkness, and in
that darkness Aeka's doubts lurked and watched and waited, like
terrifying, demonic predators with fangs and yellow feline eyes.

She closed her eyes and began slowly repeating Tenchi's words in her
mind. "I love you, Ae-chan. I love you, Ae-chan..." Weariness crept over
her, a fatigue born of the long and painful journey her heart had taken
from belief in Tenchi's love, to disbelief, and back again.

In the kitchen, Tenchi poured hot water into two cups containing bags of
chamomile tea. He sniffed at the fragrant steam rising in the air before
he opened the refrigerator and fished out a lemon. Hearing a yawn from
the doorway, he turned around and saw Sasami, dressed in her sleeping
kimono, walking into the kitchen. "Oh, hi, Tenchi," she said, sounding a
little sleepy.

"Hi, Sasami-chan," he replied. He sliced the lemon into quarters and was
about to squeeze one of them into one of the cups of tea before he
stopped and looked thoughtful. "Um, Sasami-chan, when Aeka says she wants
'just a little lemon' in her tea... exactly how much is that?"

Sasami took one of the slices and squeezed a few drops into the tea.
"That much," the princess said, smiling and reaching sideways for the jar
of honey on the counter without looking. She drizzled a small amount into
the cup. "And that's how much honey she wants," Sasami added.

"Thanks," said Tenchi, looking at princess as a memory came back to him
of sitting with her having tea on Saturday afternoon while she did her
best to explain Jurai's weird courtship rituals.

Then he angrily but silently scolded himself. No matter how strange
Jurai's customs might seem to him, to Aeka they were sacred traditions,
and they meant a lot to her. He remembered the words she'd spoken, out
under Ryuu-oh.

"If a man that she feels strongly for dishonors himself, a woman of Jurai
is expected to correct him, to make him see his error. It's a sign of
affection. If she doesn't, it means that his honor doesn't matter to her
because she doesn't intend to be with him in the future." 

The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he *had*
dishonored himself. He'd plunged Aeka into despair so deep that she'd
very nearly drowned in it. If that wasn't cause for shame, nothing could
be. He wasn't sure exactly what he'd done. Somehow, a picture didn't seem
enough, no matter what it depicted. There was something else, and he
would ask her. But regardless of what it was, there was something he knew
he needed to do to show her that he was truly sorry for what he'd done to
her.

"Um, Sasami-chan?" he asked in a rather timid voice.

Sasami took a drink from the glass of water she'd gotten for herself.
"Yes, Tenchi?"

Thinking of what might be in store for him, Tenchi balked. "Um..."

"What is it?"

Tenchi swallowed and began to twiddle his fingers nervously. "Sasami-
chan... do you know where your sister keeps her... uh... her whip?"

Sasami eyes widened. She giggled and smiled impishly. "You've been
naughty, haven't you, Tenchi?"

Tenchi sighed and hung his head, then nodded. "I guess you could call it
that."

"Didn't she tell you where it was when she sent you to get it?" asked
Sasami. She giggled again. "If she told you and you forgot, I'll bet
you'll be in even *bigger* trouble!"

"Sasami-chan, this isn't funny, OK?" said Tenchi wearily, closing his
downcast eyes. "And she didn't send me for it. It's my idea. I've... I've
done something to make her feel hurt," he said in a quiet voice. "I'm not
sure what, exactly. But I want her to know that I'm sorry."

The young princess put her arms around his waist and hugged him almost as
tightly as Ryoko usually did. After a few seconds Sasami let go and
looked up at him, her face beaming.

"I'm glad you love oneesama so much, Tenchi," she said. "I really am.
None of the men that daddy sent her to see could ever make her as happy
as you do. Not ever."

All of the tears Aeka had shed while sobbing in his arms came back to
Tenchi. "Yeah, but did any of them ever make her cry?" he asked guiltily.

Sasami stared at him. "You made oneesama cry?"

Tenchi nodded. "Yes. A lot, Sasami-chan. A whole lot."

A hint of a frown formed on the princess' sweet face. For a few moments
she looked at Tenchi in total silence.

"Wait here. I'll go get her whip for you," said Sasami evenly. She turned
and headed out the door.

Minutes later, he closed his bedroom door behind him, walked over to the
nightstand, and set down the tea tray, a box of tissues, and Aeka's
coiled whip. He sat down on the bed and picked up her cup of tea. "Ae-
chan?"

Silence.

"Ae-chan?"

His ears caught the faint, shallow sound of the princess' breathing.
Realizing that, drained from her emotional ordeal, she must have dozed
off waiting for him, Tenchi set the cup down again and sighed. He'd been
looking forward to letting her fall asleep in his arms.

As his eyes adjusted to the dark he looked down at the whip. He'd planned
to kneel and hand it to her, telling her that he'd accept whatever she
chose to do. But apparently that would have to wait until morning.

Well, at least there was one thing he could do.

Tenchi reached onto the tray and picked up the damp washcloth he'd
brought. Then he leaned over and began to gently clean the dried tears
from Aeka's face. The faint starlight cast a pale glow on her soft
alabaster skin as she lay there, peacefully asleep, while Tenchi did his
best to wipe away the physical reminder of the pain he'd caused her.

Once he was done, he kissed her, then picked up his tea and started
sipping. Ripples danced across the surface of the liquid in the cup.
Noticing this, Tenchi stared at his hands and realized that they were
trembling.

He took a quick look over his shoulder to see if Aeka was still there.

She was.

He gulped down the rest of his tea before getting under the covers.
Unconsciously, Aeka snuggled up to him, and Tenchi eased her head onto
his shoulder. He bent down and kissed her.

"Oyasumi, Ae-chan," he whispered.

As if in answer, the princess shifted slightly in her sleep. Her hand
slid across Tenchi's chest to embrace him. He brushed his fingers across
her cheek and kissed her again, then pulled the quilt up to cover the two
of them more completely. Gradually he drifted off to sleep.

Aeka pulled herself closer. The quilt shifted, knocking over the picture
Tenchi had left leaning against the side of the bed. With a faint slap
that disturbed neither of the sleepers' repose, the picture landed on the
floor, face-down.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Ryoko stood in front of the open refrigerator
as she rummaged through the leftovers for a before-bed snack. She'd been
in such a black mood during dinner that she'd barely eaten anything, a
fact which her stomach now felt compelled to remind her of. She placed a
couple of riceballs on the plate she was holding, along with a stick of
yakitori chicken and a few korokke. She hurriedly searched around some
more, hungry but not wanting to spend any more time than necessary
standing there shivering while the box spewed cold air all over her.
Eventually she gave up looking for the tempura. All of it must have
gotten eaten.

Ryoko had just shut the refrigerator door and set her plate down on the
counter when she suddenly jerked her gaze in the direction of the nearest
window. A moment later a warbling cry from outside cut through the night.
The cry went up and down in pitch and volume, then died out after a few
seconds, only to be taken up again.

The pirate slowly put her hand over her face and let out her breath in
exasperation. "Damn it, the little furball's in heat again," she groaned.

Ryo-ohki gazed longingly up at the stars and let out another lonely wail.
In the midst of the call, the sky above her shimmered and vanished as the
cabbit's mistress materialized over her and glowered at her in unbridled
wrath. Ryo-ohki abruptly silenced herself and cowered down against the
ground in response to Ryoko's harsh telepathic reprimand.

"Now let's get things straight," the pirate said out loud, picking up the
cabbit by the ears. "You're going to stop that *RIGHT* *NOW*.
Understand?"

"Miyaaaaaa!" protested Ryo-ohki plaintively.

Ryoko's eyes narrowed. "I... DON'T... CARE!" she snarled.

Ryo-ohki's face drooped and tears formed in her eyes. "Miyyyaaa..."

"I said 'no' and I mean 'no'! What's going to happen if he answers you
and shows up, and I can't beat Nagi? Did you even think about that?!
Huh?!"

"Miya," replied the cabbit, hanging her head.

"Alright, then."

"Miiyaaaa," said Ryo-ohki sadly.

Ryoko shut her eyes and made a visible effort to restrain her temper
before opening them again. "Once Nagi's out of the picture," she
insisted. "Not before."

"Miyaa," whimpered the cabbit.

Ryoko looked away and pretended not to hear.

"Miyaa," repeated Ryo-ohki.

"Yeah, yeah," answered Ryoko.

"Miyaa."

"I heard you the first two times."

"Miyaa."

"Will you stop saying that?" sighed Ryoko, holding Ryo-ohki in her arms
and gently petting her. "I'm sorry I got mad at you. OK?"

Ryo-ohki put her head on Ryoko's chest. "Miyaa."

"I know you do. But I can't let you be with him, not until I beat Nagi
somehow." She stroked Ryo-ohki's soft fur some more. "I'm sorry. I know
how you feel. But it's way too dangerous. So will you please control
yourself? Please?"

"Miya," said the cabbit reluctantly.

Ryoko petted her spaceship's head. "Thanks. Let's go inside now,
alright?" She smiled. "Want me to get you some nice, juicy carrots while
we're in the kitchen?"

Ryo-ohki shook her head, and her ears drooped.

"Yeah, I know. Just trying to cheer you up, OK?"

Phasing into the kitchen, Ryoko quickly finished her snack, then
teleported upstairs to the bedroom. She touched down on the floor
quietly, but not quietly enough. Sasami opened her eyes and looked up at
her.

"Hi, Ryoko."

"Hi, Sasami-chan. Sorry if I woke you up," said Ryoko. She placed the
cabbit down on the pillow next to Sasami's head. "Here. I brought Ryo-
ohki for you."

"Thank you. But I wasn't asleep. I wanted to stay awake a little longer,
until you got here."

Ryoko snapped her fingers. "Oh. Yeah. Bedtime story, huh?" 

Sasami smiled and nodded. 

"I don't think I'm going to be able to think of any happy stories
tonight, Sasami-chan," said the pirate quietly. "I'm just not in the
right mood for it."

"But why not?"

Ryoko slipped under the covers on her futon and looked up at the ceiling.
"I'm just upset about some things, that's all."

"Oh," said Sasami, sounding quite disappointed.

Ryoko turned onto her side and looked across at Sasami. "I'll make it up
to you next time, OK?"

"That's alright, Ryoko. Is it because you and Tenchi were mad at each
other?"

At the reminder of her argument and the reasons surrounding it, Ryoko
frowned and drew the covers tighter around her. She nodded.

"Were you fighting with oneesama again?" asked the princess worriedly.
"Was that what it was about?"

Ryoko shook her head. "No, for once, that's not what happened, Sasami-
chan. Don't worry about it."

Sasami looked down at the Tenchi doll in her arms, and thought for a
moment. She picked it up and held it out to Ryoko. "Would you like to
have this for tonight?" she asked. "Maybe it would make you feel better."

The pirate smiled, reached over, and patted Sasami's head. "Thank you,
Sasami-chan. But I'm fine." Then she frowned slightly. "Besides, you
won't like sharing him. Trust me on that."

"I don't mind. Really." She leaned over and slid the doll under the
covers with Ryoko. "There. Now it's just like you're in Tenchi's room
tonight."

Ryoko chuckled. "Not exactly," she said under her breath, as she rolled
over on her side and closed her eyes. "Thanks, though. I feel better
already. Oyasumi."

Sasami yawned. "You're welcome, Ryoko. Oyasumi." 

Sleep rapidly overtook both girls. Soon the room was silent except for
the quiet sound of their breathing and the nearly-inaudible hiss of quilt
brushing against futon when one or the other shifted in her sleep. The
hours ticked by until, sometime around 4:00am, Sasami began to toss and
turn fitfully. She shook her head rapidly from side to side every few
moments, the movement accompanied by a soft whimpers of fear that almost,
but not quite, formed words.

Sasami cowers next to Tenchi's grandfather as the pool of blood around
Katsuhito's fallen body slowly spreads. Sinister, self-satisfied laughter
ripples through the air. The princess shivers in terror. Then she
dominates her fear and stands in front of Katsuhito, her arms spread
wide, as a shadow falls over her.

"I won't let you take Achika!" she says. "I won't *let* you!"

Her fear mounts higher and higher, threatening to spiral out of control.

*I mustn't be afraid! I MUSTN'T be afraid! I'm the only one left, and
they're COUNTING on me!*

Sasami stands her ground, small and alone but unflinchingly defiant. She
hears Ryoko's voice cry out weakly to her.

"No, Sasami! Run! RUN!!"

Sasami screams in sudden pain and crumples, Ryoko's anguished shriek of
"NOOOO!!!!" echoing in her ears as everything turns black.

"Sasami-chan?" asks Ryoko's voice.

Sasami huddled into a ball and clutched her quilt tightly against her.
Ryoko shook her again. "Sasami-chan, wake up."

The princess opened her eyes and saw Ryoko and Ryo-ohki looking down at
her, concern on both their faces.