The Fantaria Legend

     Disclaimers:  Tenchi Muyo belongs to AIC/Pioneer, not me, and
I do not own the characters used in this story.  I am simply
borrowing them for the time being - don�t sue me.  This is based on
the TV Continuity - that is to say, post TMiL, but before Shin.
Some knowledge of the Tales of Nagi Series could be helpful to
understanding the events here, but is not required. Comments,
quips, flames, and death threats should be sent to
Platinum_Dragon@usinternet.com
    This is the first half of the fic - the second half should be posted
within the week.
*****

     �That�s it!  The next time either one of you even look like
you�re about to start fighting, I�ll throw you out!� roared Tenchi,
as the smoke from Ryoko and Ayeka�s latest fight began to clear.  Why
had it started?  He�d made the simple mistake of saying good
morning to both of them at the same time, instead of to each
individually!  They had decided to argue over who he had said it
to.  Of course, if he had of said good morning to them separately,
they would have argued over who he had said it to first, the fact
of which only served to make him angrier.  The two girls in
question were staring at him in open-mouthed shock.
     Tenchi tried unsuccessfully to reign in his temper.  In
unison, they turned to him, and began to bow, starting to
apologize.  He slammed his fist down on the table so hard that
there was a sharp snap, and a small crack appeared from under his
hand, cutting them off in mid-sentence.  Drawing in a deep breath,
and forcing himself to cool down - he was literally quaking with
anger, he abruptly realized - he looked at them.
     �No.  No apologies that won�t last past noon, if that.  I�ve
had it, and I meant what I said.  Either one of you, one crackle of
energy, one smart-alec remark, one smirk in the other�s direction,
and you will be gone.  Period!  I don�t care how you solve your
problems, just find a way to do it!�  With that, Tenchi had stood
up, and left the living room, leaving the girls to stare after him
in stunned amazement, and walked  to the cliffs over looking the
forest to calm down.  He still couldn�t believe how angry he had
been, and that had been nearly a month ago.  They had been walking
on eggshells around him since then, but at least there hadn�t been
any fights.  An entire month of peace and quiet.  Tenchi just
couldn�t remember the last time he had been as relaxed as he was
now.
     Adding some to the tentative peace and quiet had been Washu.
Tenchi�s father had brought home a computer from work for them;
foreseeing problems, Washu had made copies for each of them, so
nobody fought over who�s turn it was to use the things.  He shook
his head, and wondered if he hadn�t been a little too harsh with
them.  He knew they didn�t mean any harm, but it was so maddening
when they fought like that, especially when they used him as their
excuse.
     Sighing again, Tenchi rolled over in bed and flipped the tape
that he had been listening to over.  It had been mailed to him a
year before by a friend in America;  in third grade his class had
been involved in a pen pal assignment, and he�d kept in touch with
the boy over the years.  The tape had songs by half a dozen
American artists; thanks to Washu and a small earpiece that he
almost never took out anymore, he could understand the songs with
no trouble.  He had thought about asking his friend to send him
more of the music; Tenchi had acquired a taste for one of the bands
named Aerosmith.
     The house abruptly began to shake; a couple of pictures fell
off the wall, and Tenchi rolled aside as the glass of his skylight
shattered and rained down on the bed.  Slowly, the shaking stopped,
and Tenchi groaned.  A whole month... so much for peace and quiet.
His expression firmed.  He had warned them, and they had stopped
fighting for almost an entire month.  Now it seemed it was time to
put up or shut up.  Standing from the bed, and brushing away a few
shards of glass that had landed on him, Tenchi sighed, and went
down the stairs.  He found Sasami at the side of an out cold Ayeka,
and Mihoshi and Kiyone helping Ryoko up.  She was bleeding from a
nasty looking cut in her forehead.
     �Who started it?� he asked softly.  They looked at him in
surprise.  He noticed that the damage to the house seemed worse
than usual - or was it just because it had been a month since their
last fight?  The living room was a shambles, pictures fallen from
the walls, books and other things knocked off of shelves.  The
couch had been overturned completely, and the TV was laying on its
side, the glass smashed.
     �It wasn�t us, Tenchi - really!� said Ryoko, gingerly feeling
at the cut.  He scowled.
     �You really expect me to believe that?  Who are the only two
here with the ability to shake the entire house like that?� he
asked, pushing down a wave of anger.
     �Ryoko, and Ayeka.  And the earthquake set off by Mt. Fuji
erupting.�  He blinked and looked at Washu as she came into the
living room holding a medical bag.  She walked over to Ryoko and
pulled out an odd-looking tool; turning it on, she held it over the
cut on Ryoko�s head.  It slowly began to close.
     �What earthquake?�  Washu summoned her keyboard and typed at
it with her free hand; a screen appeared with a shaken-looking
anchorwoman.  She was giving details on the blast that had taken
off the top one hundred feet of Mt. Fuji, and set off a major earthquake
that
had partly leveled Tokyo.  Tenchi�s frown turned to one of concern
as the damage reports started coming in.  �I hope dad is alright.�
He looked back at Ryoko as Washu took away the tool, the cut having
vanished, leaving only a trail of quickly drying blood to mark its
existence.  Tenchi winced as he saw the likely culprit, a large
crystal duck that usually sat on the shelf behind her.
     �I�m sorry.  I should have known you wouldn�t start fighting
again.�  She shook her head, and grinned weakly.
     �Who could blame you?�  Tenchi blinked at the surprising show
of humility, but before he could wonder at it, Ayeka groaned, and
slowly sat up, looking around, and rubbing at the back of her head.
     �Are you alright, Ayeka?� asked Sasami.  She looked at her,
and blinked.
     �I�m sorry little girl... Do I know you?�

*****

     �It�s a total wipe.  She�s lucky to even be able to speak.�
Two hours later, Tenchi, Ryoko, and Kiyone stood before Washu in
her subspace lab.  On the other side of a partition, Sasami was
sitting beside her sister, with Ryo-Ohki napping nearby, talking to
Ayeka.  She was doing her best to tell Ayeka what had happened, and
who she was.
     �But I don�t understand.  How could she have lost her entire
memory from just a simple bump on the head?� asked Ryoko.  Washu
sighed.
     �It wasn�t so simple a bump.  As near as I can figure, when
the earthquake hit, it knocked the duck off the shelf.  You partly
blocked it, but not before it cut you.  By reflex, you threw it
away with a shield - accidentally, it hit Ayeka in the back of her
head.�  Ryoko paled, and Washu sighed.  �It gets worse.  The duck
just scrambled her up a bit.  But when she fell, she must have hit
the table too.  There were hairs and a little blood on one of the
edges.  When she did, it erased parts of her mind entirely - there
is no way to get them back.�  Tenchi frowned.
     �What about the pieces still there?  Don�t you have some way
to bring them back?�  Washu shook her head and sighed.
     �There are ways, yes, but only at the extreme risk of erasing
more than what has already been lost.�  Kiyone frowned.
     �So the only thing to do is wait and see what, if anything,
comes back.�  Washu nodded, and they looked through the glass, as
Ayeka paled and looked at Sasami in shock.
     �Is there any way to help her get her memory back faster?�
asked Ryoko.  Washu shrugged.
     �Familiar sights, actions - there�s really no telling what
might trigger a memory.  For each person it�s different.�  She
nodded thoughtfully.  Washu looked like she was about to say
something more, but before she could, an alarm started going off.
She blinked, and summoned her keypad.
     �What�s that?� asked Kiyone.  Washu grinned at her.
     �After the visit by Kain, I installed an early warning system
in the asteroid belt.  Let�s see...  Uh-oh.�  Tenchi, Ryoko, and
Kiyone all looked at each other, and sighed.
     �Who�s coming after us this time?� they asked in unison.
     �Well, Ken-Ohki is inbound from one direction, and a Juraian
royalty ship with three battleships as escort is coming from the
other.�  Ryoko sighed.
     �Great.  Nagi again.  I thought she was a little late showing
up this month.�  Tenchi frowned.
     �Who is coming on the Juraian ship?�
     �I don�t - wait a sec, there�s an inbound call.�  A moment
later, a screen appeared with Azaka and Kamadake on it.  The two
ancient knights smiled warmly.
     �Lord Tenchi, Ryoko, Washu, Detective Kiyone.  It is good to
see you again.  I only wish that we brought better news,� said
Azaka.  Tenchi sighed.
     �Somehow, I think you two are only going to be the icing on
the cake.  What brings you all the way out here?� They sighed.
     �Emperor of Jurai Azusa is deathly ill.  It appears to be
only a matter of time before he will pass on.  He has requested the
presence of his daughters immediately.�  Tenchi sighed.
     �When it rains...  There�s a problem.  Ayeka was injured
today - no, she�s not hurt badly, at least, not physically.  She�s
lost her memory.�  The two knights stared at him in shock.
     �How... how did this happen?�
     �It�s a long story.  We�ll come up and fill you in.�  Kiyone
frowned.
     �Aren�t we forgetting about Nagi?�  Tenchi blinked, and
started to rub his temples.
     �We can handle her once we reach the ship.  Probably better
to meet her in space anyway.�  Ryoko nodded.
     �Right.  With three Juraian battleships?  Not even Nagi is
that crazy.�  Tenchi looked through the window, and saw Ayeka
laughing at something.  He sighed, and wondered if he had time to
go grab a bottle of aspirin.
     �I should have stayed in bed.�

*****

     Ryoko scowled as they appeared on the bridge of the Shukuen,
the ship Azaka and Kamadake had arrived on.  Ayeka looked around
herself in amazement, as though she had never been on a spaceship
before - Ryoko caught herself.  Technically, she hadn�t, having
lost her memory.  Sighing, she turned to Tenchi.
     �But why do I have to be the one to tell Nagi we�re busy?�
she asked.  He sighed, looking at her.
     �Because you�re the one that she�s after.  She at least
listens to you - the rest of us she acts like she can�t see, unless
we get in her way.  What are you worried about, anyway?  It�s not
like I�m asking you to do it alone.  I�m going to be here too,
remember?�  She scowled again.
     �How about Sasami?  She seemed to like Sasami well enough.�
     �Sasami has to stay with Ayeka,� he countered.  Ryoko sighed.
     �I know, I know...  Can you blame me for not being too happy
about seeing Nagi?�  Tenchi grinned.
     �No.  But then again, this time at least you don�t have a
hole in your side the size of your fist.�  Ryoko winced.
     �Don�t remind me.  That makes me fair game in Nagi�s book.�
Tenchi looked at her, and smirked.
     �The mighty space pirate Ryoko, afraid.  There�s something I
never thought I�d see.�  Ryoko frowned at him.
     �Are you trying to get me angry, Tenchi?� she asked.  He
grinned slightly.
     �It would be easier to handle than the depressed girl I�ve
been watching for the past two and a half hours.  It was an
accident, Ryoko.  Lighten up a little,� he said.  She looked at
him, and sighed.
     �That obvious, huh?�
     �I saw your face when Washu said what had happened.  It could
have been any one of us in either place.�  She looked at him,
sadly.
     �No, it couldn�t have.  Only Ayeka and I can make shields
like that.�  Tenchi winced.
     �You know what I mean, Ryoko.�  She sighed, and then smiled
at him.
     �Yeah, I do.  Thanks, Tenchi.�  He smiled, and then looked
over as Azaka and Kamadake appeared.  The two knights of Jurai
bowed; Sasami tugged Ayeka�s sleeve and pointed, naming them and
explaining who they were.
     �We have sent the message to Nagi, as you requested, Lord
Tenchi.  She accepts, and is coming to join us now.�  Ryoko sighed,
as Tenchi nodded.  Azaka looked at Ayeka; she was studying the two
knights in curiosity.
     �How bad is the memory loss?� asked Kamadake softly.  Tenchi
sighed, and spoke in the same hushed tone.
     �According to Washu, total.  Some may come back with time,
but parts have been erased completely.  She didn�t even remember
who Sasami is, much less any of us.�  Ryoko sighed as Tenchi
finished, and Kamadake nodded.
     �It will not help the Emperor to hear this.�  He glanced to
Tenchi�s side as a floating orb came toward them.
     �Bounty Hunter Nagi has arrived, and is awaiting permission
to board.�  Kamadake frowned, as Azaka looked at them.
     �We shall wait for you in the lounge.�  Tenchi nodded; they
turned, and led everybody save herself and Tenchi away.  Ryoko sighed,
as she looked up at the orb.
     �Tell her she may board,� she said.  The orb flew away; a
moment later, the bounty hunter appeared with Ken-Ohki at her side.
She was wearing her usual thick black cloak, though the hood was
thrown back.  Smirking, she coolly looked at them, her red eyes
hiding any hint of her intent.  For a moment, they stood there,
staring at each other; Ryoko felt the hair on the back of her neck
stand on end in the tension.  Only Ken-Ohki moved, looking around
for Ryo-Ohki, likely.
     �Thank you for coming, Nagi,� said Tenchi quietly.  She
looked at him, that smirk never leaving her face.
     �Save your thanks for somebody who cares.  I�m here because
it�s less trouble than trailing you all the way to Jurai.  Where
are Ayeka and Sasami?�  They blinked, and looked at each other.
     �You aren�t after me this time?  That�s a first,� said Ryoko.
Nagi glanced at her.
     �I am always after you.  But I have other business which
takes precedence for now.�
     �What business?� asked Tenchi.
     �It is none of your concern!� she snapped.  Ryoko frowned.
     �If you intend to try hurting either of them, that makes it
our concern.�  Nagi looked at Tenchi, scowling.
     �I have no wish to harm them.  They have information that I
need.  Stop wasting my time and tell me where they are.�  They
looked at each other again.
     �They�re both here, but I doubt they could help.  What
information?  Maybe we�ve heard something,� he said cautiously.
She scowled again, but slowly nodded.
     �Emperor Azusa lays ill.  This, I�m sure you know, or you
wouldn�t be here.  There is a legend of a plant which heals all
illness, great or small, but the legend is incomplete.  It is said
that the whole is passed down in the royal family.�
     �You�re trying to find this plant?  Somehow, you�ve never
quite struck me as a good Samaritan, Nagi,� said Ryoko.  Nagi
looked at her, and Ryoko blinked.  For a moment, there had been
something...
     �Let�s just say that I owe Azusa a favor.  Where are they?�
Tenchi sighed.
     �A moment, please?�  Nagi scowled, but looked away, as Tenchi
stepped close to Ryoko.  He spoke quietly.  �A plant that cures all
illness?  I wonder if we could use that on Ayeka?�  She blinked,
and looked at him.
      �You can�t seriously be considering believing her!� Tenchi
sighed.
      �She did help us before...  I suppose we at least owe her
that.�  Ryoko frowned, but finally nodded, and looked back at Nagi.
     �We�ll take you to them - but there�s a catch.  Ayeka was
hurt, and lost her memory.  You�ll have to make do with just
Sasami�s help.�  Nagi frowned, but agreed.

*****

     �The Fantaria legend?  I�ve heard it a few times, but it was
when I was a really little child, and Nanny hadn�t taught it to me
yet when I left to find Ayeka.�  Nagi frowned, as Sasami shook her
head, and took a sip of tea in order to give herself a moment to
recompose.  Tenchi and Ryoko were watching circumspectly from a
short distance away; Kiyone had made no effort to hide the fact she
was watching, taking out her blaster and cleaning it with a rag.
     Farther off, Mihoshi and Washu were talking to Ayeka; as soon
as she had seen the elder princess, Nagi had known that Tenchi and
Ryoko had not been lying to her.  There had been no light of
recognition when she had seen her.  Nagi had seen Ken-Ohki
disappear away with Ryo-Ohki; she knew that she would have to find
a way to rein him in on that.
     �You don�t remember any of it at all?� she asked quietly.
Sasami frowned in thought, and Nagi sighed inwardly.  It was
impossible to not like the child.  She had noticed that the first
time they had actually met.  Poor girl... she depended heavily on
Ayeka, but now that she had lost her memory...  Nagi shook her
head.  Just what did she think she was doing?  These were Ryoko�s
friends, and thus, her enemies.  True, she had helped them regain
Jurai, but only because otherwise she wouldn�t have had another
chance to take Ryoko�s head.
     �There was... a poem.  I think I remember a part of it...
umm...  �Twice and twice round the weeping moons, and halfway to
the golden rose...��  Sasami sighed.  �I know that there is more,
but that�s all I can remember.�  Nagi frowned again, and opened her
mouth to speak, when Ayeka suddenly came over to them.
     �Could... you repeat that, please?� she asked, frowning.  To
the side, Tenchi and Ryoko looked at each other.  Sasami nodded.
     �Sure...  �Twice and twice round the weeping moons, and
halfway to the-�
     � -to the golden rose, a giant�s fist clears the way, and a
shining heart shall light the path to the temple of Fantaria.��
Ayeka stopped, and then blinked, looking at them.  �Is that right?�
she asked.  Sasami nodded, smiling.
     �Can you remember anything else, Ayeka?� asked Tenchi gently.
Ayeka sighed.
     �No...  When Sasami spoke, that just sprang into my mind.�
Nagi nodded.
     �Twice and twice round the weeping moons, and halfway to the
golden rose, a giant�s fist clears the way, and a shining heart
shall light to path to the temple of Fantaria,� she repeated,
committing it to memory, and then frowning.  �Weeping moons?  Just
what are those?� she asked half under her breath.
     �Oh, that�s easy!  Canon and Alania, the moons above my
homeworld.  They�re so close to each other that they share an
atmosphere.  Clouds go between the two, and look like tears from
the surface,� said Mihoshi cheerfully.  Nagi blinked and stared at
her, as did everybody else.
     �Was it just my imagination, or did Mihoshi just actually do
something useful?� asked Ryoko.  Nagi stood, and looked at the GP
Detective.
     �What is your homeworld?�
     �Fantasia Prime.� Nagi frowned, but Ryoko beat her to the
punch.
     �Fantasia, and Fantaria?  Sounds like that�s where we�re
going.�  Nagi blinked, and looked at her, raising her eyebrow.
     �We?� Ryoko smirked.
     �If this plant of yours heals all, it might help heal Ayeka.
So we�re going to get some too.�  Nagi scowled at her.
     �Not a chance.�  Tenchi looked at her, frowning.
     �I don�t remember asking if we could.  You�re welcome to ride
with us, or fly by yourself, but we are going.�  Nagi frowned, but
reluctantly agreed.  Tenchi had the same look in his eyes as he had
had when he had gone to save Ayeka.  She hadn�t been particularly
interested in getting in his way then; seeing that look now only
reminded her of that fact.  It was a determined, unstoppable
expression...  He�d had that look when he had gone to kill Kagato,
and Kagato was dead now.
     �Since it�s Mihoshi�s world, would you take us there in the
Yagami, Kiyone?  Washu can stay with Ayeka and Sasami.�  The
officer nodded, tucking away her blaster after wiping away one last
spot.
     �Yeah, Tenchi.  Just give me enough time to signal for
somebody to watch the area while we�re gone.�

*****

     �But it will take-�
     �Don�t argue with me!  This is a direct order, and it has the
backing of the Juraian government, Mitzuki!  Get somebody here,
now!  I don�t have the time to wait while you cut through the red
tape!�  The red head sighed, and nodded as Kiyone cut the
communication.  She looked at Tenchi, and sighed herself.  �You�d
think it would kill them to send someone to cover for Mihoshi and I
for a little while.�  He nodded.
     �Thanks for taking us, Kiyone.  We owe you.�  She smiled.
     �I�ll add it to your tab.  But are you sure it�s wise to
bring Nagi with?  Especially in close quarters with Ryoko?�  Tenchi
sighed.
     �No.  But would you rather have her flying out there?  At
least in the Yagami, we can keep an eye on her; she did promise not
to bother Ryoko, and Ryoko is just trying to stay out of her way.�
Kiyone frowned.
     �She agreed to that pretty fast.�
     �I know.  But no sense asking why, as long as they aren�t
trying to kill each other.�  Kiyone nodded, and then sighed.
     �What scares me is that I actually feel more sorry for Ryoko
than I do for Ayeka and Sasami...  She�s taking this harder than I
thought she would.  Sasami seemed to be handling the accident
pretty well.�  Tenchi smiled sadly.
     �I think we both know that neither one of them would ever
admit they�d be lonely without the other.�  She nodded.
     �That�s an understatement.�  They sat a moment in silence,
and then Tenchi looked at her.
     �So do you know anything about Fantasia Prime?�  Kiyone
frowned.  Until Mihoshi had spoken up earlier, she hadn�t even
known that the blonde had come from Fantasia.  She hadn�t even
known where she had come from at all.
     �Oddly enough, no.  Now that I think about it, Mihoshi has
never really said anything about her home.  I didn�t even know that
was where she was from.�  Tenchi raised his eyebrows.
     �Hmm...  I guess we�ll have to ask her later.�  He stood up
from the co-pilot�s chair.  �I�m going to go check on Ryoko and
Nagi.�
     �You want to borrow my blaster?� she asked, smiling.  Tenchi
shook his head.
     �I don�t think I�d live long enough to use it if either of
them went after me,� he answered, grinning.  Kiyone nodded, and
waved him off.  The cockpit doors closed behind him, and she sighed
again.  She abruptly realized that not only hadn�t she known where
Mihoshi came from, she really didn�t know anything about her before
meeting her in the academy at all.  Frowning, Kiyone punched up the
bio of her partner.
     �Family background...  Birthplace...  Homeworld...  All
unknown?  How did she even get into the academy without all this
information?�  Frowning again, and sitting forward a little, she
scrolled down, and abruptly blinked.  �Sponsored by Detective
Shirow?�  She brought up his bio.
     �Detective Special Class Aarin Shirow, born GFY 2008...
Officer for twelve years, Detective for eleven of them...  Whoa,
this guy ranked up fast...  Hmmm...  Left in GFY 2044 to become a
bounty hunter.�  She scanned his record, and it was an impressive
one.  Over a thousand criminals captured or killed in his twelve
year tour of duty, and that didn�t include his record as a bounty
hunter.  Abruptly she blinked, and stopped the scroll.  �Half-
brother of Jurai Emperor Azusa?�  Frowning, she scrolled back up,
and requested any photos.  The computer came up with one.
 As it opened, Kiyone�s eyes widened.  Three people stood in
the picture; in the middle was Detective Aarin.  To his left stood
a Lionel, one of the highly treasured race of catpeople that made
such excellent commanders.  This particular one she recognized
well; his name was Raghat, and he had commanded the station that
she and Mihoshi had gone through academy on.  But to Aarin�s
right...
     �Nagi...� she breathed.  The bounty hunter was younger, and
there was something much more human to her features, her eyes, than
the woman that they knew now...  Still, there was no mistaking the
strength in her red eyes, and Ken-Ohki sat on her shoulder.
Frowning, Kiyone locked in their course, and then stood up.
     �Mihoshi to the bridge on the double,� she called over the
intercom.  A moment later, the blonde came into the cockpit.
     �What�s the matter, Kiyone?�  She smiled slightly.
     �Nothing.  I need you to watch the bridge for a bit - and
don�t go to sleep, ok?�  Mihoshi nodded, grinning.
     �Ok!�  Kiyone nodded, and then hurried down the hall.

*****

     Nagi frowned, as she idly scratched Ken-Ohki behind his ears.
The entire situation had her in a bad mood.  That she had been
forced to ask them for help was bad enough; now she had been all
but beaten into a truce with her worst enemy.  Scowling, she
considered for the umpteenth time taking off in Ken-Ohki, but
dismissed it yet again.  She knew she had strained him getting to
Earth so fast; better to take the ride and let him regain energy in
the event she was forced to make a quick departure.
     �Ciao?�  She looked down at her companion, and her scowl
softened slightly.
     �I�ll bet you�re just loving this, aren�t you?  An entire
week to spend with Ryo-Ohki.�  Ken-Ohki looked at her, and she
sighed.  �Get going.  But be ready to leave on short notice.�
     �Ciao!�  The cabbit scampered away, phasing through the door.
Damn.  Of all the cabbits in the universe, why did he have to get
his eyes on Ryo-Ohki?  She blinked as the chime on her cabin door
rang.
     �Go away.�
     �Open the door, or I�ll open it myself, Nagi,� came the
reply.  She recognized the voice of Kiyone, and frowned.  She had
no choice, she supposed; all that Kiyone had to do to get in was
enter the master over-ride code.
     �Fine.  Enter.�  Responding to her voice, the computer slid
open the doors.  Kiyone stepped in, frowning.
     �What do you know about a former Detective named Aarin
Shirow?� she asked, after the doors closed.  Nagi blinked, caught
completely off guard.  It took her a moment to recover.
     �Why should you care?  He�s been dead almost twenty-five
years.�  Kiyone frowned.
     �Because I�d like to know why he sponsored Mihoshi into and
through the Academy.�  Nagi blinked again, but shook her head.
     �You�re asking the wrong person.  He trained me to be a
bounty hunter; beyond that, I don�t know.  He never said much about
his past.�  Kiyone scowled.
     �Bull.  He�s Emperor Azusa�s half-brother, and now you�re out
looking for this cure?  Too much of a coincidence, Nagi.�  Nagi
frowned.  Kiyone was too sharp a detective for her to convince with
a simple story.  Her frown deepened into a scowl.
     �Aarin and I were lovers.  After he was killed, I found out
that I was with child.  When he was born, Azusa offered to see that
he was taken well care of, in memory of his half-brother.  Bounty
hunting isn�t the best of ways to raise a child, I think that
you�ll agree.  I named him Sagami, and left him with Azusa.  Beyond
that, I don�t really know what happened to him, save that he was
raised by one of the nobles.�  Kiyone blinked.
     �Sagami?  He would be twenty-four now...  I wonder if he�s
the one that helped us off the checkpoint station.�  Nagi frowned.
     �Is there anything else you want?�  Kiyone shook her head.
     �If you really don�t know why he might have sponsored
Mihoshi, then no,� she answered.  Nagi shook her head.
     �I never even knew that he had.�  Kiyone nodded, and then
left.  Nagi sighed as the doors closed.  Damn.  As though she
didn�t have enough to worry about already.  Nagi sighed again.
Having told Kiyone was as good as having told Tenchi, and thus,
Ryoko.  Something the pirate could use to try and control her.  She
already had a tie on Ken-Ohki with Ryo-Ohki... Damn!

*****

     �Nagi, with a kid.  I always thought she was too cold to have
one.  Probably lucky that he didn�t freeze solid in the womb,� said
Ryoko, grinning.  She glanced at Tenchi, and winked seductively.
�You don�t want to be the last one we know to have a child, do you,
Tenchi?� she purred, snuggling up to him.  Tenchi sighed.
     �So, at least now we know why she�s after the plant.� Ryoko
frowned.
     �Do you really think that we can trust her?� asked Kiyone.
Tenchi sighed again.
     �She�s never lied to us, has she?  Threatened, kidnapped, and
attacked us, but never lied.  And we owe her for helping us reach
Jurai.  I don�t see how we can�t trust her.�  Ryoko sighed, and
nodded.
     �As much as I hate to admit it, I�d trust her with my life -
that is, if she wasn�t trying to kill me.  I can think of worse
people to trust...�
     �I think that we may be asking for trouble, but alright.  If
you two think that it�s safe.  We should reach Fantasia Prime in a
couple of days.�  Ryoko grinned.
     �It�ll fun to stop there again.  I haven�t been by there in a
couple of years.�  Kiyone blinked, and looked at her.
     �You�ve been there?  Why didn�t you tell us?�
     �You never asked.  I�ve been a lot of places as a pirate.
Fantasia is sort of a resort planet.  One thing though - nothing
there is ever what it appears to be.�  Kiyone nodded.
     �We have just enough fuel to get there, so there will be
about a day of lay-over while we refuel.�  Tenchi looked at her.
     �Why so long?�
     �Fantasia Prime is pretty close to the edge of the known
universe.  I�m going to pick up some extra fuel cells and supplies
just in case this Temple of Fantaria is in the unknown area.�
Tenchi nodded, as Kiyone stood up.  �By now Mihoshi is probably out
cold, so I had better go and make sure everything is alright.�  She
left, and Ryoko looked at Tenchi.
     �A whole day on what amounts to one big amusement park.
Sounds fun, doesn�t it?� she asked, smiling slightly.  Tenchi
blinked, and looked at her.
     �Ryoko, we�re out here for a reason, you know.�  She sighed.
     �I know...  But if we�re going to be there anyway, why not
take the time and enjoy ourselves a little?  We don�t often get a
chance like this.  What could it hurt?� she asked.  Tenchi frowned
a moment, but slowly he smiled slightly.
     �I... suppose it couldn�t hurt to at least look around a
little.  The last time we were doing something like this, we didn�t
really have the chance to look around, did we?  I guess I would
kinda like to see another planet, and if we have to stop, why not
this one?�  Ryoko grinned, although she was a little surprised he
had agreed so quickly.
     �It�ll be fun, Tenchi.  Trust me.�  He looked like he was
about to say something, but before he could, the doors swished
open, and a scowling Nagi stepped through into the room.  Ryoko
automatically shifted, ready to move if she had to.  Beside her,
Tenchi sighed softly.  Nagi looked at her.
     �By now Kiyone has passed on what I told her, I�m sure.�
Ryoko smirked, and shrugged.
     �Yeah? So?� she asked coyly, though she watched to bounty
hunter closely.  Nagi scowled a little more.
     �Don�t get any ideas about trying to get to me through him,
Ryoko.�  Ryoko stood up, and frowned at her.
     �Come on Nagi.  You should know me better than that by now.
You�re the one that stooped to kidnapping, not me.  I don�t
blackmail.�  Nagi frowned, and Ryoko grinned slightly.  �You could
at least give me fair billing, if you�re going to keep coming after
me.�
     �I don�t think there�s anything you wouldn�t do to save
yourself, Ryoko.�  Ryoko opened her mouth to reply, but abruptly
Tenchi was between them.
     �Enough, both of you.�  He looked at Nagi.  �You don�t have
to be here, and if you�re going to try picking fights, then leave,
because we don�t have the time to waste.  She said that she
wouldn�t go after him; that will have to do.�  Nagi frowned at him.
     �Ryoko has you blinded.  You can�t even see what she is.�
Ryoko scowled, but Tenchi shot back and answer before she could
speak.
     �Why don�t you enlighten me, then, Nagi?�  She blinked and
stared at him, caught off guard for a moment.  For that matter, it
caught Ryoko off guard too.
     �Enlighten you?  Why should I bother?  You wouldn�t listen
anyway.�  Nagi turned to leave.
     �You won�t tell me because you don�t think I�ll listen, or
because you can�t remember?  Maybe you�re the one blinded, because
the Ryoko that I know could never be the person you�re after,� said
Tenchi softly.  Nagi spun, snarling, her fist flying out.  Ryoko
gasped; Tenchi never even flinched as it stopped only just short of
connecting.  Nagi�s eyes were hard, rage burning in them, but...
there was something else, something deeper.
     �Who are you to tell me I�m the one blinded?�
     �I�m the one who saw her decide to spare your life even
though she knew it meant you coming after her again.�  Nagi
blinked, and then scowled.  She turned, and left the room.  Tenchi
sighed, and sank back down to the couch.
     �If I ever look like I�m about to do something like that
again, promise me you�ll hit me.  Maybe you�ll knock some sense
in.�  Ryoko stared at him, and then laughed.  She sat down in his
lap, draping her arms around his neck.
     �My hero.� Tenchi sighed.
     �This is going to be a long, long trip.�  She suddenly
noticed, though, that he wasn�t making his usual effort to push her
off.

*****

     "Explain to me again just how we came to be living in such an
odd arrangement.  I�m afraid that I�m still not entirely clear on
that point.�  Sasami sighed, and smiled, starting back at the
beginning.
     �Detective Mihoshi was chasing Ryoko, who was a space pirate,
and they accidentally collided.  They crash landed on earth, near
Tenchi�s home, and wound up stranded there.  Mihoshi activated her
emergency beacon, and you were close enough to pick it up, so you
decided to go and check it out.  When you got there, though, you
recognized Ryoko, and you ended up fighting each other.  You crash-
landed onto earth, and ended up stranded there again.�  Sasami
paused, and grinned.
     �I came looking for you.  Ryoko was giving us an escort
partway to Jurai, except that I found a carrot that Ryo-Ohki had
been eating.  She saw it, and kinda forgot that she was in ship
form, and crashed into us.  Once again, we all ended up on earth.
Then, you and Ryoko released Washu when you got into another fight,
and then Kiyone came looking for Mihoshi, her partner.  After she
found her, they were assigned as resident officers.�  Ayeka nodded
slowly.
     �But why didn�t we ask them to take us back to... Jurai, I
think you called it?�  Sasami nodded.
     �Yep.  Well, the thing is, by the time Kiyone came to join
us, you had fallen for Tenchi, and had decided to take a vacation
from being First Princess of Jurai.  So you asked her to relay a
message that we wouldn�t be returning for awhile.�  Ayeka frowned.
     �I fell for Tenchi... but I thought that Ryoko loved him.  I
can�t believe that I would fall for one already taken.�  Sasami
giggled.
     �Well, you�re both in love with him - and vice versa.�  Ayeka
blinked.
     �Is that why Ryoko and I fight so much?� Sasami laughed
again.
     �Yes and no.  At first, it was.  Now it�s just because you�re
both too stubborn to admit that you�re friends.�  Ayeka sighed.
     �This is so confusing...�  Sasami smiled encouragingly; she
wished that she felt half as sure of herself as she was acting.
She knew that her sister was in there somewhere; all of Ayeka�s
formal training and mannerisms were apparent.  She wished that she
knew how to draw her out.
     �I know, Ayeka.  I can�t imagine what it would be like to
just lose everything like that...  But the sister I know would
never give up.  I know that Washu said that some... would never
come back.  But I know you!  You won�t stop until you get it all
back!� Ayeka smiled.
     �Thank you, two-tail.�  She blinked, even as the long unused
nickname came out, and Sasami smiled even wider then before.
     �See!  You are starting to remember, just like Washu said.�
Ayeka slowly nodded.
     �So it would seem.�  Sasami suddenly thought of something.
     �Hey, I bet Washu would have some recordings to watch.  Maybe
seeing things would help!  Wait here, I�ll go see.�  Ayeka nodded,
as Sasami stood up, and went to find Washu.

*****

     �This is Galaxy Police Cruiser Yagami.  We are here on
special orders, and are required to land in order to refuel and
pick up supplies.  Please give us a pad to land on immediately.�
     �I�m sorry Detective Kiyone, but Fantasia Prime has been
temporarily closed off to all off-worlders for a planet-wide
private festival.  You may not land here.�  Kiyone sighed.  It was
irritating talking over an audio-only connection, and more so
because her fuel indicator was flashing.
     �I�m sorry, but we have no-�
     �Fantasia Prime is temporarily closed.  Go to Fantasia Gamma
for your supplies.�
     �We don�t have enough fuel to make it there!  This is a
direct order from the Galaxy Police.  Give us a landing pad, or we
won�t be landing, we�ll be crashing!� shouted Kiyone.  Behind her,
Tenchi groaned.
     �The Galaxy Police does not have the power to circumvent the
government of a planet.  Break out of your landing pattern now, or
I will be forced to send planetary defense.�
    �Standby.�  Kiyone scowled, and looked at Tenchi.  �We�re too
low on fuel to reach Gamma, but she�s right; technically, I don�t
have the jurisdiction to make them let us land." He frowned,
thinking; behind him, the cockpit doors swished open as Mihoshi
came in.
     �Hi Kiyone!  Are we there already?�  Kiyone sighed.
     �It doesn�t look like we�ll be stopping, Mihoshi.  They won�t
let us land because of some festival.�
     �Oh!  I forgot about that!  It�s the Festival of Lights, when
Canon and Alania are at their closest to Prime.  It only happens
once every ten thousand years.�  Kiyone blinked.
     �Once ever ten thousand years?  Of course with my luck we
just happen to come when it�s happening,� she sighed.  Mihoshi sat
down in her chair, and opened the communication back up.
     �Hi!  Who am I talking to, please?�  Kiyone frowned, but
watched.
     �This is Lieutenant McClane.�  Mihoshi smiled.
     �Oh!  Of the second Trivata, right?  Open up visual, please.�
There was a pause, and then a video screen appeared.  Kiyone
gasped; the woman that appeared looked exactly like Mihoshi!  The
only difference was that her hair was a flame red, even redder then
Mitzuki�s.  She started, and stared at Mihoshi a moment.  Then she
blinked, paled to a shade whiter than her shimmering uniform, and
touched her wrists to first her temples and then her neck.
     �First Mihoshi.  I did not know that it was you, Mother.�
Kiyone felt her jaw drop.  Mother???  She glanced at Tenchi; he
seemed similarly stunned.  She turned back to Mihoshi as the blonde
giggled.
     �Oh, don�t worry!  Listen, I want you to clear...  Umm... Pad
eighteen.  We really need to land soon!�  The red-haired look alike
winced.
     �But Mother, we can not-� Mihoshi lost her smile, and
Lieutenant McClane stopped speaking abruptly.
     �Pad eighteen, Daughter.  Now,� said Mihoshi very softly, a
dangerous edge to her voice.  Kiyone stared at Mihoshi in surprise,
and noticed that the blonde�s normally baby blue eyes had darkened,
almost to black.  The redhead swallowed hard, and then bowed in her
seat.
     �Yes, First Mihoshi.  It will be done immediately.�  Mihoshi
smiled again, and her eyes went back to normal.
     �Ok, thanks!  Oh, and meet us out there with a couple people;
we�ll need some help getting the things we need.�  Mihoshi closed
off the communication as she bowed again, and sat in her chair for
a moment before standing up, and turning toward the door.
     �What was that, Mihoshi?  Why did she call you mother?� asked
Kiyone.  The blonde paused, and looked at her.  Kiyone blinked;
Mihoshi�s usual, slightly blank look had vanished, to be replaced
by...  what?  Kiyone just couldn�t quite put her finger on it.  It
was almost... longing, but something more.
     �Please, Kiyone, Tenchi.  Don�t ask me that.  Please,� she
asked softly.  Then she vanished out the doorway, leaving a stunned
Kiyone and Tenchi to stare after her.  Kiyone looked at Tenchi.
     �Yagami will land itself - would you watch here for a moment?
I have to find out what that was.�  Tenchi nodded; Kiyone stood up,
and went after her.

*****

    Mihoshi sighed as the cockpit doors slid shut, and started
walking toward her cabin.  It had been a long, long time since she
had been home, since she had been close enough to touch the Union.
She had refused to, when she had first sensed it, but when she had
gone up to the bridge, and seen how low on fuel they were...  She
had had no choice but to accept it once again.
     �Mihoshi!  Mihoshi, stop!�  She slowed as she heard Kiyone
call her, and sighed again.  She had known that there would be a
price.  Kiyone came up beside her, and stopped her.  �What�s the
matter, Mihoshi?  What do you know that you aren�t telling us?� she
asked.  Mihoshi looked away.
     �Kiyone, please...  I don�t...  I don�t want to say.  I
can�t.�
     �We have to know.  What if it�s something that could help us
find the temple, Mihoshi?� asked Kiyone gently.  Mihoshi blinked,
and sighed.
     �Fine.  You asked me why she called me Mother?  It�s because
I am.  Literally.  Her, and about seventy five thousand other
people on the planet.�  Kiyone repeated the number with an
incredulous look on her face.
     �How?  And why didn�t you ever tell me?�
     �My kind don�t give birth, at least, not in the way that most
races do.  We are capable of it, of course... but the bulk of our
race is born of the Planet�s will, with a very few exceptions.  We
are... its caretakers.  It made us, in order to protect it, and
keep it alive.�  Kiyone frowned.
     �You were made by the planet?�
     �Partly.  But there are... exceptions to the rule.  The
Festival of Lights is one of those exceptions.  Once every ten
thousand years, one male, and one female join, and a... crystalis
of sorts is born.  It matures, and when it opens, a First is born.
The First then aides the Planet in creating a new generation of the
peoples.  Like an sculptor would shape clay into, say, a pot, or a
figure.  It is much the same for a First.�  Kiyone slowly nodded.
     �She called you a First.�  Abruptly, a shocked look came to
her eyes.  �But if a First is born once every ten thousand years,
during the Festival...�  Mihoshi slowly nodded.
     �There are also other events.  On the whole, one is born
every two thousand five hundred years.�  Kiyone stared at her.
     �Then... how old... are you?�  Mihoshi sighed.
     �In a way, my title is truer than for the others.  I was the
original First... Over forty thousand years ago.  You see, the
Firsts are linked to Fantasia Prime.  It is known as the Union.  So
long as the Planet lives, so do we.  But there is more to it than
just that.  We... share a conscious with the Planet is the only way
I can put it.  Think of the way that one computer works when slaved
to another.  It can work on its own, but it also can use the
information from the master computer.  The closer that I am, the
stronger the link.  The farther... well, you�ve seen what I
become.�  She paused, and smirked a little.  �Away from Prime, I
can see, I just can�t... react as well.  In a way, it�s like an
addiction.  I don�t know what would happen if I were to stay away
for a long, long time.  I might die, or I might become something
between what I am now, and what I usually am.�  Kiyone started, as
she understood what Mihoshi had just said.
     �I... don�t understand.  Why leave, then?�  Mihoshi sighed.
     �There was... a change.  The Planet was forced to send
myself, and the rest of the Firsts away.  A force had come, and it
feared that if they were to capture one of us, they might find a
way to control the Planet itself.  The Union goes both ways - it
can act through us, or we can make it act.  After a time, they
left, and it called us back, but I was too far away, had been gone
too long - I had left a number of years before on another mission.
I heard the call, but didn�t want to return.  I had found something
that I liked too much to simply leave.�  Kiyone slowly nodded.
     �The Galaxy Police.�  Mihoshi nodded.
     �You remember when I requested a week�s leave, and wouldn�t
tell you where I was going, four years ago?�  Kiyone nodded.  It
had surprised her - Mihoshi told her everything, often to Kiyone�s
displeasure, but that one time, she had absolutely refused to talk
about it.  �I did come back, but only to ask to be released from my
duties here.  The Planet was... unhappy, but it let me go back,
telling me that it was sure I would eventually return.�  Kiyone
stared at her.  She remembered that when she had come back from
that trip, she had been far more coherent than the Mihoshi she had
gotten used to, but it had only lasted a couple of weeks.  After
that, the incident had slipped from her mind.
     �Ok...  Then how does Detective Aarin fit into all this?�
Mihoshi smiled.
     �He was one of my Sons.  As I said, I was sent out on a
mission before the rest of the Firsts had to be sent away.  Nearly
two decades before, it sent me to... negotiate with the Emperor of
Jurai before Azusa.  He was advancing on the Planet; my mission was
to create a connection that would prevent him from attacking.
Aarin was that connection.  The result of a union between myself,
and the Emperor.  When the Planet sent the rest of the Firsts away,
I went to him.  He was in the Galaxy Police; he arranged my
identity, and convinced the Marshal to say that he was my
grandfather.�  Kiyone sighed, and started to rub her temples.
     �Ok... This definitely ranks among the most strangest twists
in this partnership there has ever been.�  She paused, and then
looked at Mihoshi.  �I�m sorry...  I won�t tell the others, if that
is what you want.  I shouldn�t have pressed you.�  Mihoshi looked
at her, and smiled slightly.
     �No.  I would have told you eventually...  You�re my
partner.�  She sighed.  �And I suppose that I�ll have to tell
Tenchi too, at the least.�  Kiyone shook her head, and smiled,
though her eyes were troubled.

*****

    As said before, the second half should be posted within a week, barring
any problems.
---
The Platinum Dragon
Dragon's Masaki Shrine of Tenchi Muyo - http://dragonsanime.com
"The rising sun will eventually set,
  A newborn's life will fade.
  From sun to moon, moon to sun,
  give peacefull rest to the living dead." - Zelda64
Proud Member of the Ryoko Forever Fan Club