Here's the second half

	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	
     Aeka wept uncontrollably as her sister tried to comfort her.  "I 
feel just terrible about what happened.  If it 
hadn't been for that dirty rat, Ryoko, this would never have happened.  
I do hope Mihoshi recovers quickly," 
said Aeka.  "Oh, so its all my fault?  I'm not the one that fired that 
blast.  You're the one that lost your 
temper," retorted Ryoko.  "You provoked me, demon," answered Aeka.  
"Would you two shut up.  All you 
care about is your little squabble.  I don't care if you love Tenchi or 
not.  What you did was inexcusable.  
You both should be ashamed of yourselves," said Kiyone, glaring at both 
of them.  Ryoko returned her glare 
with stony silence while Aeka continued to meditate on her feet.  Sasami 
said nothing but sat down beside 
Aeka while Ryo-Ohki "miya"ed softly.  Katsuhito came down, followed by 
Tenchi.  Immediately, all four 
girls asked the same question,"How's she doing?"  "Mihoshi will be fine.  
She's still more than a little scared 
but there is no permanent damage.  She's going to rest for a couple of 
hours though and she doesn't need any 
disturbances," said Katsuhito.  When he was finished, he left and headed 
for the shrine.  Tenchi quickly 
glanced around the room and then followed his replace.  "Tenchi..." said 
Sasami.  He looked at her, his eyes 
betraying the emotions raging through his soul, and then continued on.

     Tenchi wandered aimlessly through the woods.  His mind was in 
turmoil.  Aeka and Ryoko had done 
exactly what he feared most.  They had hurt some one he loved while they 
were fighting over him.  Now, 
Mihoshi was in a state of shock, shivering in her room and crying.  She 
was scared out of her mind by 
something she didn't understand.  Now, what was he going to do about 
Aeka and Ryoko.  He knew that they 
hadn't meant any harm by their antics but some one else had been hurt.  
That brought a new factor into the 
original equation.  Now, Tenchi would have to worry about Mihoshi as 
much as he did about himself.  Ryoko 
and Aeka would not be happy to hear that he was in love with another 
girl besides them.  Tenchi eventually 
found himself at the shrine where his replace was slowly going through a 
Tai Chi.  When he saw Tenchi, he 
stopped.  "Ah, Tenchi.  Something bothering you?" asked Katsuhito.  
"Yes, replace.  I'm sure you know what 
it is, too," answered Tenchi.  "Perhaps, why don't you tell me," 
suggested Katsuhito.  "Well, it all started 
earlier when I got mad at Ryoko and Aeka for fighting all the time.  I 
thought I had convinced them to stop 
until this afternoon.  Even though it was Aeka who delivered the final 
bolt, both her and Ryoko started fighting 
again.  When I saw what happened to Mihoshi, it scared me.  I didn't 
really mind their fighting all that much, 
at least when it didn't affect other people.  But now, someone else has 
been hurt and it isn't all fun and games 
anymore.  I don't know what to do about it," explained Tenchi.  "Hmmm.  
You're not telling me everything," 
said Katsuhito.  Tenchi looked up.  "Tenchi, what else is going on?  
Mihoshi will be fine.  So you can't be 
worried about that," he continued.  "Well, replace.  Mihoshi and I are, 
well, in love," said Tenchi.  "I see, 
and?" asked Katsuhito.  "I'm afraid for Mihoshi.  Between Ryoko and 
Aeka, they have the power to destroy a 
world.  If I give my affections to someone besides them, I'm afraid of 
what will happen.  Their tempers are 
so violent.  It scares me," said Tenchi.  "Mihoshi will make a good 
granddaughter-in-law.  I'm proud of your 
choice and your wisdom, Tenchi.  However, you need to have faith in your 
friends, Tenchi," Katsuhito.  He 
then returned to his Tai Chi.  

     Tenchi returned to the house soon thereafter.  Sasami greeted him 
at the door.  "Tenchi, Mihoshi's been 
asking for you.  Kiyone's with her now," she said.  "Thanks, Sasami.  
Where's your sister and Ryoko?" asked 
Tenchi.  "Aeka's helping me in the kitchen and Ryoko disappeared 
somewhere," replied Sasami.  "Thanks," 
said Tenchi has he rubbed Ryo-Ohki's head.  "Miyaaaa," purred Ryo-Ohki.  
Tenchi smiled and passed on into 
the house.  Sasami watched him go.

     There was a knock at the door.  "Who is it?" asked Kiyone.  "Me," 
answered Tenchi.  "Okay, come on in," 
said Kiyone.  The door cracked open and Tenchi walked in quietly.  
"How're you doing?" asked Tenchi.  
Mihoshi smiled up from the bed where she was lying.  "I'm still a little 
jittery but okay, I guess.  I'm just glad 
you're here," she said.  Kiyone stood.  "I guess I might ought to leave 
you two alone for a while," she said as 
she left, a smile on her face.  "So, how are you really doing?" asked 
Tenchi.  "Well, like I said.  I'm still 
jittery but I think I'll be okay.  I'm just gonna avoid Ryoko and Aeka 
for a while.  How are you?" asked 
Mihoshi.  "It's been hard, trying not to get too angry at Ryoko and 
Aeka.  I mean, I don't know what I would 
have done if you had been hurt any worse.  Today, I really felt like I 
could love some one again.  Ever since 
my mother died, I've been afraid to get to close to anyone.  When you 
guys showed up, I started to loosen 
up a little but when Ryoko and Aeka started fighting over me.  It scared 
me again.  I didn't want to get to 
close to either of them because I was afraid of what would happen if I 
did.  But then, I found you.  You 
cracked my shell, if only for a moment.  I was just starting to, well, 
become alive again when[pause] it 
happened.  The shock put me right back where I started," said Tenchi.  
Mihoshi's eyes began to brim over 
with tears when she heard this.  "Oh Tenchi, no-one's ever said that to 
me before.  I've always felt like some 
sort of loser because I couldn't ever do anything right.  I was always 
screwing up and that scared other 
people.  I thought no one would ever love me.  Even my grandfather 
seemed a little wary of me," she burst 
into tears.  Tenchi embraced her and let her cry on his shoulder while 
he waged a war within himself to 
control his own emotions.  He lost.
	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
     A week passed.  Tenchi and Mihoshi's engagement party had made a 
mess of the house and the whole 
crew(even Ryoko) set to work cleaning the house under the direction of 
Sasami.  "Okay, Mihoshi.  See those 
boxes?  They go back in the closet.  Aeka, would you sweep the porch?  
Tenchi, you could take down the 
streamers from the ceiling," she said.  The general atmosphere literally 
hummed with the friendship 
between the busy workers.  At the party, Aeka had declared "she would no 
longer seek the hand of Tenchi in 
marriage" and Ryoko "acquiesced" under condition that Mihoshi should 
take good care of Tenchi.  The 
highlight of the night was when Mihoshi went to get something to drink.  
In typical Mihoshi fashion, she 
managed to make a mess of everything.  When she had reached for the 
ladle of the punch bowl, it slipped 
from her hand and fell onto a serving knife that was wedged precariously 
under the cake.  When the heavy 
iron ladle slammed into the knife, it formed a seesaw which launched the 
cake into a high arc and ended up 
in the middle of Washu's plate.  When Washu dropped her plate in 
surprise, the contents of it fell all over her 
party dress and onto Ryo-Ohki's head.  The cabbit, scared by the pieces 
of food that suddenly appeared all 
around and on top of her, "miya"ed and launched herself into the air.  
She landed in the punch bowl which 
then sent a giant tidal wave of red punch across everyone in the room.  
The only person who came out of it 
unscathed was Mihoshi who had ducked under the table when she saw the 
cake go flying.  "I'M SORRY," she 
wailed as everybody burst into laughter.  Now, all that mess had to be 
cleaned up.  While Sasami carefully 
kept Mihoshi busy with little jobs in which she could do no more damage, 
the rest of the gang mopped, swept, 
rubbed, put away, and generally straightened the Masaki house.  Once 
they were finished, Tenchi and 
Mihoshi gathered them into the living room.  "I'd like to thank all of 
you for accepting us and for being the 
greatest family and friends I could ever hope for," said Tenchi.  "The 
same for me," said a teary-eyed 
Mihoshi.  "I'd also like to announce that we have set the date for the 
wedding in exactly two weeks from 
today," said Tenchi.  "Aren't you moving a little bit fast?" asked 
Nobiyuki.  "I still have to figure out where 
we're going to put Kiyone."  "Kiyone?" exclaimed everyone except 
Katsuhito and Tenchi.  "That's right, with 
Mihoshi moving in, Tenchi and I decided to invite Kiyone to live with us 
as long as she stays on Earth.  That 
invitation is extended to each of you and I hope you will decide to take 
us up on that offer," continued 
Nobiyuki.  Mihoshi let out a squeal of delight and hugged and kissed 
Tenchi, all at the same time.  Kiyone 
bowed deeply to Nobiyuki and thanked him while Sasami danced around.  
"Yea, now we can see Kiyone all 
the time!" she said, happily.  Even Aeka and Ryoko smiled a little bit.  

     The two weeks passed quickly with the wedding preparations put 
ahead of everything else.  The dishes 
piled up and were only washed when Sasami could spare a moment.  It was 
decided that Katsuhito would 
marry the two at the shrine under the Torii Gate.  Kiyone would be the 
maid of honor and Sasami would 
serve as ring bearer.  Aeka and Ryoko were both also bridesmaids and 
Nobiyuki was Tenchi's best man with 
Kamidake and Azaka as his other groomsmen.  Ryo-Ohki would be the 
audience.  When the big day finally 
arrived, Tenchi refused to get out of bed.  "Come on, son.  Today's your 
big day," urged Nobiyuki as he 
shook his son by the shoulders.  Tenchi feigned sleep and Nobiyuki 
eventually gave up and left.  A moment 
later, Mihoshi sneaked in.  On tip-toes, she walked up to the bed.  
Tenchi was lying, belly-up with a pillow 
covering the top-half of his face.  Mihoshi leaned over and laid a kiss 
on his uncovered lips.  He returned it 
with all the enthusiasm of a man about to be married and he grabbed her 
by the shoulders and pulled her 
down as they continued to kiss.  Just then, Sasami walked in.  She 
giggled and then began to laugh.  Mihoshi 
looked up sheepishly as Aeka and Ryoko appeared in the doorway.  "Come 
on, you two.  There's plenty of 
time for that later.  Now get up, Tenchi," ordered Sasami.  He grinned 
at her and then grabbed a pillow and 
threw it at her.   As it knocked her over, she giggled again.  Mihoshi 
grabbed another pillow and whacked 
Tenchi over the head with it.  "Pillow fight!!!" yelled Ryoko as she 
charged into the fray.  Before long, 
Tenchi's room was a mass of laughing bodies and white fluffy pillows.  
All the while, Washu sat and smiled 
as she watched the tussle.  Eventually, the combatants' fighting spirits 
gave out and they trooped downstairs 
for breakfast.  Katsuhito greeted them and said a prayer and then they 
all ate.  

     Two hours later, Tenchi was nervously going over himself in the 
mirror.  He was wearing a black tuxedo 
which felt like it had little bit too much starch in it.  "You look 
fine, son.  I promise.  Boy, I remember this day 
with me and Achika.  I had more jitters than a junebug in May," 
reminisced Nobiyuki.  "Thanks for the 
encouragement," remarked Tenchi.  They both cast a quick glance at the 
framed picture of Achika Masaki 
that was hanging on the wall.  "Mom, today's the day.  I sure hope 
you're proud of me," said Tenchi.  A tear 
raced down Nobiyuki's cheek before he turned.  "She is, son.  I know it.  
Now let's go meet my daughter-in-
law," said Nobiyuki.  Tenchi followed.  Outside, Kiyone was waiting for 
them.  When she saw Tenchi, she let 
out a whistle.  "Mihoshi sure is one lucky girl," she commented before 
taking Nobiyuki's arm and escorting 
him down the stairs.  

     Katsuhito greeted Tenchi at the gate.  Nobiyuki and Kiyone, arms 
linked, were the first pair the path.  
They parted at the bottom of the steps and turned to face the oncoming 
people.  Aeka and Azaka were next, 
Azaka in humanoid form and another black tuxedo.  They were followed by 
Ryoko and Kamidake, also in 
humanoid form and black tuxedo.  Aeka was wearing a long, purple dress 
that matched her hair and just 
trailed the ground.  Ryoko, dressed somewhat more demurely than usual, 
had on a fiery red dress with a 
high neck and also trailed the ground.  Next in line was Sasami, 
carrying the rings in her cupped hands.  She 
was wearing a traditional Juraian wedding gown.  Last was Mihoshi.  She 
came down, unescorted, in her 
pure white wedding gown which trailed out behind her.  Her hair was down 
and free, billowing gently in the 
slight breeze that blew through the woods surrounding them.  She walked 
slowly up the stairs and stood across 
from Tenchi, smiling beneath her veil.  Then, a loud MIYAAAA echoed 
across the forest and everybody 
smiled.  Ryo-Ohki, "miya"ing at the top of her voice, was racing up the 
path, wearing a red bow that if 
possible, made her look cuter than ever.  Sasami giggled as Ryo-Ohki 
slid to a stop at the bottom of the steps 
and "miya"ed once more to express her apologies at being late.  "May I 
continue?" asked Katsuhito with a 
smile.  Ryo-Ohki "miya"ed in assent and sat down to watch the wedding.  
"We are gathered here today to 
unite Tenchi Masaki and Mihoshi Kuramitsu in marriage.  If any have any 
reason why this union should not 
be made, speak now or forever hold your peace," he paused.  Tenchi 
looked at Ryoko and Aeka and saw the 
smiles on their faces.  He returned the smile before returning his eyes 
to Katsuhito.  "As there are no 
objections, we shall continue.  Tenchi Masaki, do you take Mihoshi 
Kuramitsu to be your lawfully wedded 
wife?" he paused.  "I do," said Tenchi, having eyes only for Mihoshi.  
"Do you, Mihoshi Kuramitsu, take 
Tenchi Masaki to be your lawfully wedded husband?" he paused again.  "I 
do," said Mihoshi, returning 
Tenchi's gaze.  "Tenchi Masaki, repeat after me.  I, Tenchi Masaki, do 
promise and pledge to love and 
protect my wife, Mihoshi Kuramitsu, in sickness and in health, in good 
and in bad, from now until death do us 
part," said Katsuhito with Tenchi echoing his words, smiling.  "Mihoshi 
Kuramitsu, repeat after me.  I, 
Mihoshi Kuramitsu, do promise and pledge to love and serve my husband, 
Tenchi Masaki, in sickness and in 
health, in good and in bad, from now until death do us part," said 
Katsuhito with Mihoshi echoing his every 
words and Tenchi hanging onto every one that exited her mouth.  "The 
rings?" paused Katsuhito.  Sasami 
shyly held them up for Tenchi and Mihoshi.  Mihoshi placed her's on 
Tenchi's ring finger.  Tenchi then took 
the other and slipped it slowly on to Mihoshi's.  "Tenchi, you may kiss 
the bride," said Katsuhito, a grand 
smile on his face.  Tenchi smiled yet again and pushed back the veil and 
kissed Mihoshi for all he was worth.  
She returned it with the same fervor.  Only then did the cherry blossoms 
begin to fall.

There you have it.  Hopefully you enjoyed this.  I would like to thank 
BGlanders for writing "A Momentary 
attack of Thought" as that gave me several of the ideas for this.  Also 
thanks to my pre-reader: Proto-Culture 
Child who helped me edit this.  Any comments or critiques would be 
appreciated at kun.tow@juno.com or 
kun_tow@hotmail.com

da drew-meista



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