From: "Vincent Bashaw" Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 18:02:36 -0700 Subject: Fanfiction submission Source: direct ********** 11:38 a.m. Masaki Residence Ayeka stands at her room's window, sees the two policemen come out of a light green vehicle while Ryoko, Katsuhito and Sasami come forward to meet them. 'Are they here to arrest the bakemono onna?' she gleefully thinks before anger at her own weakness quickly suppresses that unworthy emotion. 'I can't let them, I owe that oni for opening my eyes.' Ayeka turns away from the window to change her clothes. As the two agents go to meet the trio, they see Ryoko is in a light green full-length dress, Katsuhito is in his priestly grab and Sasami is in a green-black-pink child's kimono. The three from the house notes the two-foot oblong box in Scully's hands and the smiles on the Americans' faces, which causes Katsuhito to comment in English, "Since you don't have a horde of deka here, I assume you're not here to arrest us." "Correct, sir," replies Scully, both Americans note an earphone covers Sasami's left ear with the wire going down to a black Walkman in her left hand. "The NZK has decided to release a report telling the destruction of the middle section of the Seto-ohashi Bridge was caused by the mechanical failure of an experimental aircraft being tested by the JSDF for the United States." "So we're in the clear?" asks Ryoko in English. "As long as you keep a low profile," answers Mulder, he returns the conversation to the elder, "Mr. Masaki that was a nice demonstration of muscle when the Jurai Holding Company made the huge pledge." "Please call me Katsuhito," counters the priest. "It was meant to remove shame from the honor of the Royal Jurai Family and as a reminder to the government to tread lightly on our friends." "Well, I think it produced one unforeseen result, Katsuhito," adds Scully with a small grin. "We are now liaison officers assigned to the NZK, to help form their own X-Flies." Ryoko's eyes bulge slightly and asks, "We're not loosing you guys?" Mulder's smile evolves into a lopsided grin as he replies, "Looks like you're stuck with us, Hakubi." "Call me Ryoko," frowns the uchu kaizoku but becomes curious. "What's in the box?" "Masaki Sasami Jurai," utters Scully in Nihongo as she takes a step forward. Sasami pulls the earphone out of her pink ears and turns the Walkman off before she asks formally, "Yes, Scully-sama?" "As the representative of the governments of the United States of America and Nihon, we return to you the body of your deceased pet," pronounces the redhead. Sasami takes a step forward as tears appear in her pink eyes while the others hold back their own. Both give a proper bow before the formal lady passes the little coffin to the sad girl. Then Scully reaches into her right coat pocket and places the white-metal collar on top of the polished wood before she asserts, "and I would feel very sad if you didn't call me Ninjin-chan, Oke?" "Oke," Sasami voice full of sorrow. "Can the rest of us call you Ninjin-chan?" asks Katsuhito lightly in English. "Yes, except you, Mulder," Scully answers in English just as Mulder parts his lips. "If I can call you Kitsune-chan, you can call me Ninjin-chan." "Eh . . . isn't it time for MacClean's noontime program, Scully?" Mulder changes the subject. Scully looks at her watch, replies, "In about ten minutes." "Let's go in to listen to it," suggests Katsuhito. "Sounds like a good idea," confirms Mulder. Sasami gently carries the little coffin while the group heads to the front door. When Ryoko opens the door, the little one asks respectfully, "In a little bit I'm going to say my goodbye to my petto. Could all of you come, please?" Mulder gives Scully a puzzled look. "She wants us to participate in some kind of funeral for her pet," Scully tells him. Mulder crouches before the blue-haired girl, places his right hand on her left shoulder and says, "I would be honor to accompany you." Sasami looks up at Scully who says, "Mulder-san said Hai as I will." "I shall be with you, Sasami-chan," adds Ryoko, Katsuhito hears reverence in the cyan-haired woman's voice. "I will come as your ojiisan," says Katsuhito. "So will I," adds an elegant voice from the open doorway. Everyone looks up to see a wondrous sight for in front of him or her stands not a plain Ayeka. A silvery spiderweb scarf covers her head and shoulders, which makes her violet hair, red eyes and pink face glisten like raindrops. Instead of her normal purple kimono Ayeka wears a pale blue one with a shower of silver buttons, gold trim and the family mon (crest) in purple thread on her left breast. The obi, around her stomach, is a rich black with white images of the Trees on it. "Oneesama!" cries Sasami as she runs to her sister while the rest give her a respectful bow for they recognize before them stands Princess Ayeka, representative of the most powerful empire within the Galactic Union. Ayeka places her hands on her sister's head and shoulder to comfort the grieving child. Then Ayeka looks straight ahead at the others, takes on the proper pose and declares strongly, "I, Masaki Ayeka Jurai, Saishono Oujosama Jurai, have done some shameful wrongs to Ryoko-san. I have attacked her without legal warrant for the Oken Iinkai Jurai (Royal Council of Jurai) erased her past crimes. When she was my prisoner, I tortured her without guilt. As events turned against me, I gave illegal orders to these okeibu (police inspectors) to cause more harm to Ryoko-san even after she gave back my sanity to me." Ayeka looks down to see pride in Sasami's pink eyes, gives her sister a tiny smile, then pulls her head back up and continues, "From this point onward, I hold no legal animosity to Ryoko-san and ask only for her forgiveness for my dishonorable behavior." "It is given," Katsuhito hears not only surprise in Ryoko's reply but also the same pride he sees in Sasami's face. "Then we are even," only in Ayeka's last words does a hint of distaste creep in but she quickly stifles it before she continues, "Sasami and I are going to our room to prepare. When we come back down, Wakare Ni Shindeiru (Farewell to the Dead) will begin." Ripples of violet and blue ponytails swirl around the two princesses as Ayeka makes a tight formal turn to her right with Sasami in her protective embrace and the two go up the entrance staircase together. "What just happened?" confusion in Mulder's tone. "The first step on a long road," replies Katsuhito in English. "Eh . . . " Katsuhito's words bewilder Mulder. "Mulder, Princess Ayeka has just confess to illegal use of her royal powers and asked Ryoko's forgiveness for her actions," informs Scully. "And I gave it with pleasure," adds Ryoko. "Because of the restrictions placed upon a shinshoku, I will need to change my garments before the ritual," Katsuhito changes the subject. The elder turns to head for the shrine. "Katsuhito-dono, may I come with you?" Scully tentatively asks. "You may, Ninjin-chan," the priest replies over his shoulder. Mulder and Ryoko watch the shorter redhead join the elder and the two walks toward the red torii. "Well, what do we do until the rest return?" wonders Mulder. "Hmm . . . how about we listen to that radio program?" suggests Ryoko in English. "Sounds like a plan," returns a curious Mulder. Both slip off their shoes, walk side-by-side into the living room while Mulder continues, "So, what did you do with the tape?" "The tape you gave us wasn't the same one," answers Ryoko, then quickly adds, "It wasn't your fault, Mulder. When the man dumped you at the bar, he switched tapes with you and I didn't catch it." "So is the deal is off," concern in the brown-haired man's tone. "No," answers Ryoko as she turns on the radio and adjusts the tuner. "You gave the tape in good faith so the deal is still good." Mulder sags in relief as his ears hear the Weirdo MacClean's voice, "This is American Karaoke, where you try to sing Rock-n'-Roll in Nihongo. As your first manager, I'll decide if you are the equal to Western singers. My first selection, 'Ogon Hokori Onna', is from a disk given to me by a neighbor in my boarding house. But before we listen to Naomi's voice, we have 'Strange Days'." The intro music comes from the speakers before the DJ continues, "The mystery of the Seto-ohashi Bridge comes to a conclusion with the government declaring the damage was done by a prototype craft being tested by the Jieitai for the Beigun. Both governments have promised to rebuild the bridge and private pledges are already coming in to help this reconstruction. Strangely enough not all accept this statement. An American-based newsletter, 'The Lone Gunmen', printed a front-page article asserting a UFO driven by gorgeous women did the deed. What is my view on these two statements, Well . . . maybe they're both correct? I mean the test pilot could've been a woman and we all know how bad women drivers are. "Now on a personal note I have a message to Kitsune-san and Neko-onna (Catwoman). Your baby is safe in its cradle and no shadows shall ever fall upon it. Now let's listen to that Fleetwood Mac classic. I hope Fuu-chan has a good pair of lungs." Ryoko turns off the radio, turns to Mulder and says with certainty, "Now we know who has the tape." "Or at least where it's at," adds the pale green-eyed man. "I'm tempted to go get it or at least rattle his cage," amusement in Ryoko's words. "Well . . . I know the Lone Gunmen, the organization MacClean belongs to," Mulder tells Ryoko. "While I can't vouch for the whole body, the ones I know I would consider being moral. If MacClean says the tape is safe from the Shadow Men, then he is probably right." "What about blackmail?" a worry tone matches the emotion in Ryoko's amber eyes. "Not part of their MO," replies a calm Mulder. "The Lone Gunmen fear the aliens are corrupting our governments, turning them into puppets for their own goals. Only by gathering, preserving and preventing the loss of evidence can this conspiracy be revealed and destroyed." "What about me, I'm an alien?" Ryoko asks lightly, both of them sit on the overstuff sofa. "But you've been on the Earth for the past seven hundred years. In most countries, you would be considered a citizen," answers Mulder with a smile on his lips. "Besides who would consider such a beautiful lady as anything but a friend." "You tease," Ryoko softly accuses with a hand to her lips, a blush on her cheeks. "I wouldn't mind if we were more than friends," adds Mulder but his smile doesn't match the sadness in his eyes. "But I know your heart was captured long ago by another." "Tenchi," acknowledges the ample lady but guilt enters her spirit. "Mulder, I've got . . . " "It's okay," Mulder interrupts her. "I know about the drug." "How?" surprise in Ryoko's words and amber eyes. "It's happened before," answers Mulder. "Certain drugs cause contrary emotional responses in me, like the one you used." "I'm sorry, I didn't know if you would give up the tape," confesses Ryoko. "Don't be," counters Mulder with a knowing look on his face. "You broke the dam around my soul, cleansing it of all my pain. For that reason, I will always remember last night for the comfort you gave a stranger and our spirits touched." "As I will," adds Ryoko warmly. Both sit silently next to each other but draw solace from the others' presence. ********** Nagai High School Tenchi lets out a sigh of relief as he hears Weirdo MacClean's broadcast. He adds this bit of fact to Ryoko's information and concludes his family and friends are now safe from arrest. "Is something wrong, Tenchi-kun?" Robert O'Neill's brogue makes his words roll off his tongue. "Mo!" answers Tenchi with a startle laugh. "Just happy about my kazoku." "Gu," returns the blond-haired youth while he bites into the pouch sushi at the end of his fork. "I was kind of worried about you." "Oi . . . " the brown-eyed young man wonders. "Hai, it was almost a replay of yesterday," but the happy relief in his words disappear into sadness. "I'm glad someone's kazoku is safe." "Is something wrong with your kazoku?" concern in Tenchi's voice. "Nothing anyone can fix now," informs a glum Robert. "There's always hope," encourages Tenchi. "The dead can never come back," misery in Robert's words. "Forgive my ignorance, Robert-kun!" shock in Tenchi's tone. "I didn't know." It's Oke, Tenchi-kun," sadness in Robert's blue eyes to match his words. "It wasn't your fault. It was ours that caused the most precious treasure to be taken from me and my brother." "What hap . . . " the school tower clock interrupts Tenchi's words as it calls the student body back to their homerooms. "I'll tell you some other time, Tenchi-kun," Robert answers while he stands up from the shady tree the two are under, walks toward the white building with a curious Tenchi a few steps behind him. ********** WHOSHI, Kurashiki Anthony MacClean hits the play button to start the disk and leans back in his chair as his mind fills with silent words. He knows, from the electric bug-in-stuff-olive-in-the-drink trick and the one in the VHS tape, the two groups were now one. His own research into Scully's past gave him the knowledge about her connection with the Masaki family but now with his own eyes and ears he could sense the bonding between Mulder and Ryoko. Furthermore both bugs gave him information making his choice to alter his broadcast and his story to the Lone Gunmen easy. "Two princesses of Jurai, a space pirate and an influential Shinto priest," MacClean mumbles in English. "Such allies could help me against the conspiracy. Well, I hope the father's van is there so I can deliver part two." ********** Masaki Shinto Shrine Scully sits on the shrine office's steps. While she stares into the flat courtyard around the Hall of Haiden (Hall of Worship), her eyes show an empty area but her mind sees the images of a young Achika and a young Nobuyuki at play with a little redheaded girl. She does not hear Katsuhito slide the office's door open nor detect his tranquil red gaze upon her and it's not until he sits next to her does her spirit return from the past. For a few minutes, both sit next to each other in silence before Scully says, "Maybe we should get back?" "Oke," replies the elder. He wears a dark green kimono with the Masaki mon in red on his left shoulder. The priest offers his hand to the emerald-eyed lady and Scully takes the offered hand. She wonders at how firm his grip is, and the priest asks, "Ninjin-chan, was there something you wanted to ask me?" Both take steps to the sandy courtyard's entrance before the redhead demands, "What happened to Achika-san?" "Ara . . . how much have you figured out?" a mix of worry and curiosity in Katsuhito voice. "Only the little secrets friends share with each other and then I saw what Tenchi did last night," a touch of flint in Scully's answer. "So you know about our family secrets?" the red-eyed man's words more of an acknowledgment than a question. "Just a few, Katsuhito-dono," seriousness in Scully's reply. "Like the connection between you and the Sacred Tree of the Masaki Shrine." "Ara . . . so you know about . . . " the elder voice trails off. "Hai, I know about Funaho-Ki," adds Scully as she starts down the granite stairs. "But you didn't believe it, Ninjin-chan?" comments the old priest as he follows her down the steps. "At the time I did but later I saw it as a kodomo's fantasy," Scully's words strong to Katsuhito's ears. "It wasn't until I saw Tenchi-san use his namesake did yours and Achika-san's words return to me." "My words?" puzzles the elder. "Your stories about Yosho-sama and his magical sword, Tenchiken," Scully's words match the knowing look in her face. "When I saw the rod of blue light coming from the hilt in Tenchi-san's hand, saw it slice up those men's guns, I knew it must be the legendary sword." "So you remember my stories?" Katsuhito's words fill with realization of how careless he had been around the redheaded child. "You're a great storyteller, Katsuhito-dono," comments the woman next to him. "Combine your stories with Achika's statement I was able to see how a wandering alien from Jurai came to live in Nihon seven hundred years ago." "What did Achika tell you?" Katsuhito cautiously asks. "Two weeks before I returned to my native country, she told me about her bonding with Funaho-Ki," answers Scully as they reach the first rest stop on the granite steps. "Her eyes were electrified over how it opened her mind, allowed her ki to hear Funaho-Ki's voice, making it possible for her to shape the power of the Tree and feel Tsunami-megami's presence. She asked me never to tell anyone about it and I've kept that promise." "Mostly because you forgot about it," the elder adds dryly. "When a child grows into an adult, it gives up childish things for maturity," a drop of shame in Scully's voice. "I just gave up too much." "So what else have you figured out?" the old priest probes. "Ryoko-san is probably the mythical akuma freed from her imprisonment, you and Tenchi are descendants from an alien prince and the two sisters are princesses from Jurai, although the part about them being Yosho's siblings is a little hard to swallow," the emerald-eyed lady replies with an uneasy frown on her lips. Minutes flow by while they finish the descent of the stone staircase in silence. When they reach the path to the house Katsuhito asks, "Your feelings for Nobuyuki-san recalled these childhood memories." "Hai, I'm attracted to Inkushimi," a blush to Scully cheeks matches the feelings in her words. "Even Sasami-chan noticed how our affections for each brought our eyes together." "How long have you daisuki (really like) Nobuyuki-san?" prods the elder. "Since I was little," the redhead confesses softly. "At first I loved him like a niichan but it quickly became a crush yet I knew him and Achika ai suru (to love) each another." Scully held up both her hands, made a fist with both, then raises the little finger on the right while she brings the little finger up on the left, with the nail facing forward. She links the two fingers together as her words continue, "I couldn't force my way between them, they are my friends and I was just a kochan." "But now it's different," stated Katsuhito with a knowing look in his tan face. Scully stops in her tracks. Katsuhito continues for a few steps before he also pauses and turns slowly around to look at the redhead. He sees fear and guilt within those emerald eyes before she utters, "Is it? Do I have a right to walk on Inkushimi's ai (love) for your musume, to take her place in his heart?" "We both know this is impossible, Ninjin-chan," Katsuhito calmly reassures. "For twelve years I watched him grieve for my musume, with all his mind, with all his heart. Now he has a chance to go beyond his sorrow and Achika would want him to find happiness again but not with any ordinary woman. She would want a person she knew, someone she was close to." "What if it does happen?" guilt no longer in her eyes but fear still in her voice. "If we do fall in ai, what about Tenchi-san?" "Tenchi knows his otousan's ai for his okasan will never change," a touch of warmth in the elder's words. "But he wants the pain it causes to be replaced with happiness. Tenchi wants Nobuyuki to remember Achika with warm fondness." "Tenchi-san would accept me?" hope in Scully's tone. "Hai," the priest replies firmly. Scully continues her walk toward the house as Katsuhito stays next to her; the elder notes her measured steps reflex the silence turmoil within her heart. The priest opens the door for them, both step inside and take off their shoes. When the two enter the living room Mulder and Ryoko stand up from the couch and go to join the others in the middle of the room. "So we're ready," comments Mulder but then wonders, "I wonder how much longer before the rite starts?" "I think right now," Ryoko calmly answers in English as her sharp ears pick up the opening and closing of a door in the still house. The cyan-haired woman adjusts her head to get the best resonance before she finishes, "They heading for the entrance staircase." "Let's meet them," recommends Katsuhito. The small group goes into the hallway, forms a line parallel with the stairway and wait. The first thing they sense is two humming voices in harmony drifts down to them. First Sasami then Ayeka slowly appears at the top of the stairs. Katsuhito matches the startle looks in an attempt to hide his knowledge of the ritual. The two princesses wear a white kimono top with long loose sleeves, a light red obi and dark red baggy pants, all notice a dark green two-foot long bag under Ayeka's obi. White ashes cover their faces with a single black tear on each cheek. The little princess' arms reach out with her pink hands face up and flat in front of her, with the small coffin perfectly balance upon them. Ayeka carries two earthen bowls in front of her, a cloud of heavy smoke pours from the right one. Mulder notes how the hazy cloud makes the two princesses look as if they descend from the heavens. Scully puzzles over similarity of the two's outfits to the traditional chihaya and hibakama of a Shinto miko, she also knows miko like Shinto priests cannot handle the dead. Ryoko smiles as the fragrance of the incense's smoke touches her sensitive nose and gives her the reason for the slightly glazed look in the two princesses' eyes. When the two figures reach the hard wood floor, Ayeka goes to the first person in line, Katsuhito, while Sasami waits at the door and continues to hum. All notes the other bowl in the violet-haired lady's hand is halfway full of clear rice oil. "Drip two fingers in the oil, then into the ashes and place the mark on your forehead," instructs Ayeka. "By this sign you may come as guests of Tsunami-megami." Katsuhito shows just enough hesitation to make it appear he is being careful about doing the ritual right as his two old fingers go into the oil, lightly touches the white ashes, impresses them onto his forehead which leaves two round dotes just above his gray eyebrows. Ryoko, Scully and Mulder follow the elder's example as Ayeka says, "You have shown respect to Tsunami-megami and may come to the threshold, of the Yomotsu no Kuni (land of shadows)." Ayeka returns to her position behind Sasami. As they move forward Ayeka's tiara glows briefly and the front door opens without aid. The priest, the uchu kaizoku and the two Americans follow them. The pink-eyed child leads them down the path while the low hum and incense's smoke penetrates their souls, with every breath they take all worries, all doubts and all negativity evaporates from his or her consciousness. Sasami brings the procession to a stop five feet from the lakeshore and turns slowly to her sister. Ayeka places the bowls on the ground to her right as the rest form a line parallel with the shore behind her except for Ryoko. She continues to walk forward until she is next to the ruby-eyed princess. Just as Ayeka realizes she didn't bring a small tripod for the coffin, Ryoko comes into her view with her hands in the same position as Sasami's. Ayeka sees no malice in those amber eyes and gives a nod of gratitude to the ample woman. The ruby-eyed princess takes the wooden object from Sasami's little hands and passes it to the radiant Ryoko. As Sasami turns to face the lake, Ayeka lifts her arms, her palms face forward and prays in a clear voice, "In reverence and awe we ask Tsunami-megami, the Tree of the Beginning, and all of her offspring to accept my sister's fallen companion and to guide her to Yomotsu no Kuni where she may dwell in peace and happiness. Thus we say reverently these words and perform the sacred dance to gain your aid." Ayeka reaches under her silk obi to retrieve the soft bag while Sasami's little pink feet take seven steps forward, crosses the right leg behind the left, slowly lifts her arms, positions her right hand parallel with her eyes with her left fingers under her petite chin, lifts her blue-haired head up and closes her dreamy pink eyes. The purple-haired lady unknots the red, green and white string, opens it and reaches in to pull out a light brown flute. Ryoko notes the flute is made of the same material as Tenchiken and Ayeka's tiara, with images of tree leaves interlock from the mouthpiece to the bell and eight holes in between. Ayeka brings the flute to her plain lips as she positions her fingers to match the holes and blows lightly into the mouthpiece. A rich sound comes out of the bell as the slim lady's fingers slowly play over the holes as Sasami starts to dance. The little one's feet match the pattern of the notes as she moves parallel to the shoreline but stays in front of the participants as each movement of legs, arms, hands and head forms intricate patterns even through her eyes remain close. As the song progresses, the purple-haired princess' fingers increases the music's tempo with her sister's body in balance with each note until both musician and dancer is lost in the fiery rhythmic beat, unaware of a brilliant bluish-white glow appears from the watery depth and encompass the whole lake. Then Ayeka's tiara blazes into the same bluish-white glow which matches the light from Sasami's key on her forehead and the gentle radiance of the perfect dotes on each of the participants' brows. Even through their bodies remain calmly still Ryoko, Katsuhito, Scully and Mulder feel their souls are no longer within their fleshy prisons but are with Sasami, their spirit feet dance with the nimble girl. Time has no meaning to those at the lake until Sasami goes to the tip of her right foot and spins with her arms above her head until she stops. Sasami opens her pink eyes but those youthful eyes contain not the child's innocence but the eternal wisdom of Tsunami. Ayeka continues to play but the music changes to a sad tune of farewell. The body of Sasami walks up to Ryoko, who calmly gives the little coffin to her. When the girl takes the wooden object the youngster speaks but it's a mature voice they hear, "I will guide Sasami-chan's friend on its journey as I will all my children and their bondmates when the time comes." She looks into Ryoko amber eyes and warmly expresses, "Do not blame yourself for the wrongs you have done to my children, you have paid for it even though you were a tool used by another." Then she faces Katsuhito, the two Americans and says, "Priest of the Masaki clan I approval of your family's new friends. The protectorate has been broken, the world polluted by evil creatures and we must help to cleanse it." Sasami's body turns to the left, walks to the shoreline and lifts the oblong box above her head. Unseen hands levitate the wooden object from the child's grasp and moves it to the lake's center, where the box disintegrates into a glittering mass of colorful fireflies that plunges into the lake of light. Ayeka ends the song with a sad sigh as the lake returns to its normal state. The others blink to clear their eyes except for Katsuhito, who springs forward to catch a collapsing Sasami before she falls into the lake. The others move forward to comfort the child but Ayeka holds up her hands to stop them and proudly says, "Give her some air. This is the first time for Sasami. She . . . did . . . the . . . sacred . . . dance . . . perfectly." The last words falter from the violet-haired princess' sad lips before she quickly turns away from the others' gaze and runs to the house. "What happened to Ayeka-san?" asks Ryoko. "She was trying to say goodbye to Yosho-oneesama," Sasami's small voice comes from Katsuhito's protective arms. The others turn to behold the tire but clear pink eyes of Sasami but Katsuhito detects even more from the child. The elder's mind flashes over the child's dance. He remembers how his Shinto senses see Sasami's aura grow stronger with each note and step, how the bluish-white glow didn't change when Tsunami enters the girl's body and how, even now, the texture of Sasami's subsiding aura was the same as Tsunami's. "I'm oke, jiichan," Sasami tells the priest. "You can put me down." "You're sure?" asks Katsuhito. "Hai," reassures the child's as her blue ponytails bounce with her nod. The elder carefully places the child on her bare feet. Her freckled face takes on a serious look as she banishes away her body's fatigue, looks up into their faces and informs them, "We have one more obligation to do. After Wakare Ni Shindeiru, Jurains hold a party to celebrate the memories of our fallen companion and those we have lost before." "A party! Ne! Ne!" Ryoko eyes light up with Sasami's words. "I don't see why we can't have a little party," the red-eyed elder comments supportively as he tries to reign in his own inner turmoil. "Suge gu (Totally awesome)!" shouts the spiky-haired woman as she leaps up into the air, does a lope in the air to bring her body just above the green grass. Her cyan head goes between Sasami's legs as she sweeps the child onto her strong shoulders with two firm hands on each of the little one's legs. The cats-eyed lady takes the child high in the blue sky and does lopes, high-speed banks and tight corkscrews with the child's long blue ponytails streaming behind them, bursts of joyful squeals and whoops of laughter leave the two airborne females' lips. "What happened?" asks an awestruck Mulder. "We've just been invited to the Jurain form of an Irish wake," answers the grinning Scully. "Good," returns Mulder. "I could use a drink. There must've been something in the smoke because I feel really lightheaded." "Yet blissful at the same time," adds Scully. "Like you would accept anything with joy," comments Mulder with a silly smile. "Like the visitation of an otherworldly goddess," Scully points out. "Well, standing here won't help get us to the wake," amusement in Mulder's words. The Americans walk to the house while the apparently calm priest brings up the rear. 'Is Sasami the bondmate of Tsunami or is she more than that?' Katsuhito thinks silently, his gray brain fills with more questions but he is not sure he wants the answers. ********** 'So the girl child is more than she seems,' thinks the redheaded child within the crystal monolith. 'Obviously, she is the bondmate of Tsunami-megami but the strength of her electromagnetic field tells me it could be something more than that.' Then an idea crosses the ocean of her mind, 'This could explain the changes in Tsunami-megami's personality. By bonding with the child in a special way, Tsunami-megami might take on human emotions, human attachments and human needs.' Then a bolt of comprehension strikes her intellect, 'OF COURSE! RYOKO-CHAN'S ATTACK ON JURAI! I felt Tsunami-megami gather her remaining goddess power to remove Ryoko-chan's existence from this dimension but suddenly all that cosmic energy was channeled to some other purpose. When Ryoko-chan entered the Royal Tree Room, Tsunami-megami simply forced her will on my musume and sent her away, with a vengeful Yosho after her. Could this be the answer? Ara . . . I wish I wasn't so BLIND to everything happening around me! If only I had my lab, my instruments to dissect, to analyze and to compute all the possibilities so I could find the correct interpretation. Instead I'm depending on others' sight and intelligence to give me data and conclusions. ME! The GREATEST genius of the universe depended upon lesser minds! If only I had saved Ryoko-chan for she has a flawless mind. But no, I couldn't BELIEVE Kagato-san wasn't PERFECT, Kagato-san couldn't be DEFECTIVE. Because of my EGO, I sentenced my poor daughter to 5,000 years in HELL!' More unshed tears fill the little scientist's soul as the ship she is within moves closer to its destination. ********** Epilogue: We've Only Just Begin Nagai High School Tenchi sits on the cement corner with his back against a light pole, his brown eyes close while he remembers Robert's words. He realizes how lucky he is to have something some don't have, a family. A small smile appears on his lips as his mind's eye pictures the two new additions, the eternally cute Sasami and the fiery Ayeka. Then his thoughts touch upon the one person who brings such confusion to him, Ryoko. Tenchi's logical brain tells him he is foolish to take her words at face value since he has only known her for the last few days. According to Ayeka, Ryoko is an uchu kaizoku. Yet, his earliest memories are his adventures At her prison, the cave. He barely recalls the ghostly images of a tall lady at the entrance watching him with his mother. After his mother's death her father, grandfather Katsuhito, takes care of him until his father could do it. When he wasn't training at the shrine or going to school, he would be at the cave. Katsuhito sternly tells him not to go there yet punishes him not for doing it, even when he would camp at the entrance during the weekends. Although he could no longer see the tall lady, his spirit could feel her presence and the sensation of care and love it gave to him. Now he realizes Ryoko could very well be this presence, his ghostly playmate. It would explain why the cyan-haired woman could touch his heart so easily with her passionate words "I just wish she didn't tease me so much because it makes it so hard to tell when she's serious," the brown-eyed youth softly mumbles. "I know I've hurt her already because of my uncertainty but I can't help it. I wouldn't mind if Ryoko was my garufurendo yet I know she wants to be my esu efu (sex friend) but Ryoko is so aggressive she doesn't give me a chance to decide if I'm ready for something like that." Tenchi's brown eyes open when his ears hear his father's van. He pushes himself up the side of the pole, takes a few steps and opens the door to the shotgun seat. "How was school, musuko?" asks a cheerful Nobuyuki. "It was fine, otousan, especially at lunchtime," Tenchi answers with the small smile still on his lips. "So you also heard Kawatta-san's broadcast?" inquires the older man. "Hai, especially the message to Ryoko and Ninjin-chan's partner," the youth adds. "I think the message was just the first part of an address to our little group," informs Nobuyuki as he holds up a huge envelope when the van halts at a stop sign, then hands it to Tenchi. "What's inside?" asks the black-haired youth as he takes it from his father's tan hand. "Why don't you open it and find out?" counters the man at the wheel. Tenchi opens the envelope, looks in to see several sheets of typed paper and an audiocassette. He takes the papers out and sees some are in English while others are in Nihongo. Tenchi reads the Nihongo words first and finds it's a story about the destruction of the middle section of the Seto-ohashi Bridge by Ryoko's and Ayeka's battleships. A quick glance at the English papers shows it to be the same story. Going back to the Nihongo version Tenchi reads the story carefully but when he reaches the middle of the second paragraph he can't stop the laughter from erupting from his lips. "Read me the English version, musuko," asks Nobuyuki with a grin. Tenchi groans as his humor dissipates for his father knows his English isn't very good but does it anyway, only stumbling over the occasional word, "The central governments of Nihon and the United States of America would have you believed the destruction of the Seto-ohashi Bridge was caused by experimental military aircraft being tested for both countries' armed forces but this story, no matter how sweet it tastes to us seekers of secrets, is just some fabricated tale to cover the truth. The real truth is alien females are responsible for the early morning devastation. "Why do these heavenly bodies come to our planet? Simply they seek mates from our male population to revive their depleted genes. How can Earth males be kidnapped without first resisting such evil intent? By wrapping these hideous creatures into such seductive shells that no man with any manhood could resist them. Beauties with cyan hair and amber eyes or with light blue hair and pink eyes is just the right bait for the young bulls this world keeps on producing. Even perverts are not safe from these monsters if his DNA is perfect, they'll make little rose buds to draw them out. "But you think your government will prevent these space babes from sucking out your bodily fluids, think again. Testosterone heavy young males cause most of the chaos in the world, thus a few thousands less would save our world some major headaches. So those perfect genes carried by the sons of this world are put to a good use while our world leaders get better relations with our galactic neighbors, even if they might be space pirates or spoiled alien royalty out to relieve their monotony. "What about the loss of the bridge. It can be rebuilt but relationships with these strange beings might not be so easy to maintain if the truth of their schemes is brought to the light of day. Already pledges of wealth rush in from numerous sources to undo the momentary obstacle of this broken toy so the missing school bully or the disappearance of a serial killer or the vanishment of the hunter of cute victims is treated with indifference. Sure these spacey chicks might scoop an innocent shrine keeper's grandson up but our leaders won't lose any sleep over him. For forty-four years our world leaders were very willing to allow ruthless dictators to crush supporters of democracy as long as their lips screamed anti-Communists slogans, how many innocent dead are at our feet, how many of their ghosts seek justice. "So guys, the next time you go on a date look closely at that heavenly beauty hanging on your arm, are those eyes really brown or are their amber, is the hair really black or is it blue and are those fangs you see barely hidden by her full red lips. Lips so perfectly alluring, breasts so firm and round, with long legs and arms so willing to embrace you and never let you go." When Tenchi finishes, cold anger replaces the story's humor in his mind. He looks at his father and snaps, "He makes the girls sound like KAIBUTSU!" "Hai, he does, musuko," Nobuyuki coolly replies. "But what is missing from the story?" It takes seconds for Tenchi to shout an answer, "He keeps the story vague!" "Correct," his smiling father adds. "No names for people to search for, no details to guide them to our door and the only information he gave were designed to be recognized by those already involved in our little drama." "But why write it this way?" puzzles the youth. "I thought such people like him were only interested in exposing the existence of extraterriestials here on Earth." "Kawatta-san's reasons are hidden from me too," Nobuyuki wonders. "Maybe we should ask a kitsune to figure out another kitsune." "Well, how will the wakai josei (young women) react to this story?" ponders Tenchi. "Sasami-chan will shyly giggle but Ryoko-san might like the idea of getting some bitamin esu (vitamin S) from you," amusement in his father's voice as Tenchi's eyes go wide. ********** 3:46 p.m. Masaki Residence The happy sound of Louie Armstrong's horn plays in the background as cheerful voices touch every corner of the living room. Katsuhito refills the others' red ceramic cups with sake, then refills Sasami's ornate glass with orange juice. The elder sits in the brown overstuff chair opposite the sofa with a small Western table between them. A grinning Ryoko sits on the far right of the sofa with a happy Sasami next to her, the little one in a child's green-light blue stripped kimono. Scully is on the other side of the little princess with Mulder at the other end. The priest notes the depiction on the glass as he hands it to the little princess and asks, "That is an unusual design on your glass, Akaruime. Is there something special about it?" "This was given to me by Funaho-okachan," answers the pink-eyed child as she shows the transparent glass to the others. "It's my Seijinkaku gift from her." "Seijinkaku?" the sake's effect brings pleasure to Ryoko question while she takes her cup from the elder. "It's a wonderful ceremony!" her words reflex the excitement in her freckled face. "When I was five, I got to dress up like my okachans and we visited their Tree, Nijumi-Ki! I walked up to Nijumi-Ki by myself, bowed and greeted them!" "Them?" Scully words barely show the effects of the sake. "Hai," nods the little one and continues, "Nijumi-Ki is a twin Tree, one of them is Mizu-ho and the other is Kar-in. Both Trees are from the same roots and they bonded with both of my okachans." "What else happened during the ceremony?" Scully asks as the implications of what Sasami just told them sinks in. "I was bathed in rainbow light from Nijumi-Ki's leaves," Katsuhito senses a mischievous tone in Sasami's words. "I could hear her kind voice within me, calling me a worthy oujosama." "Is there a reason for the ceremony?" the sake makes light Mulder's words, Katsuhito is acting as translator for Mulder during the conversations between him and the others. "This is the way bondmates are found for the Trees. When the rainbow lights touch the kochan, her ki is revealed to Tsunami-megami. In ancient times if a kochan was found unworthy, she was cast out from her kazoku in shame but Tsunami-megami stopped that a long time ago. If a kochan wants to serve Jurai when she grows up, she can become a Kishi no Jurai (Knight of Jurai)." "How old is Juraijin's culture?" Scully carefully asks. "My tutors say 30,000 years old," replies the smiling child. "This includes the Jida no Densetsu (Time of Legends)." "Jida no Densetsu?" Katsuhito notes an echo in Ryoko's voice. "Hai, it is a time of heroes, monsters and Tsunami-megami walked amongst her Trees and Jurains," her voice takes on a more serious tone. Ryoko looks closely at the glass and says, "It shows a woman standing over a sleeping man, with a katana in her hands, trying to defend him against a huge bakemono." "The cup depicts the meeting between Masaki Washi and Horosha, Saishono Kishi Jurai." "Funaho-sama knew the story was important to you," a gentle tone to Scully's voice. "Why don't you tell us about it, Sasami-chan?" "Oke," a grin on her pink face. The little princess straightens up then starts to speak in a storyteller's voice, "A long time ago Tsunami-megami summoned a man from beyond Jurai, his name was Horosha. Tsunami-megami asked him to help her teach the people of Jurai how to use the world she created for them and the Trees. Horosha-sama agreed to help but only if he was allowed to stay on Jurai afterwards, to have a kazoku and live out his life in peace. Tsunami-megami said yes. "The first thing Horosha-sama did for Tsunami-megami was to find people to be bondmates for her Trees for she wanted an unbreakable tie between the Juraijin and her Trees. Horosha-sama went about the land as a wandering ongakukashu (musician-singer), helping the people to learn about the proper way to use the gifts Tsunami-megami gave them. He showed how to heal the sick with the world's herbs, how to find water where none could be seen and how to find the hidden talents even the cripple have. At each town, village or hovel he sought out youths whose ki could make them bondmates for the Trees. Horosha would tell them of how much Tsunami-megami needed their help to create friendship between the two races of Jurai. With each journey, he would bring back young men and women, who gave up their old lives to bond with the Space Trees and start new lives. To show their gratitude for giving them this chance, the youths titled Horosha, Saishono Kishi Jurai. "At a village by a glassy lake a peasant girl named Washi watched Horosha breath life back into a drowned boy. That night she listened to his song of celebration but within the words she could hear great loneliness in his kokoro (heart)." Sasami words continue as her mind sees what Tsunami remembers, "Days later Washi saw the dark-skinned Horosha come out of the village leader's home, his wood-framed backpack on his shoulders and a quiet smile on his plain lips." "Must you go, Kishi-tono?" asks the village elder as he follows the blond-haired man out the doorway. "I serve Tsunami-megami and please call me Horosha-san," his words match the uneven smile on his lips. "I'm just an ongakukashu who communicates the kind words and knowledge of Tsunami-megami to the Juraijin." "Will we see you again, Horosha-sama?" asks the elder's son as he looks into the older man's gray eyes. "Maybe, if Tsunami-megami wills it or chance brings my feet here," the tall man answers while he gives the other two a short bow which the others return before he turns around to his right and walks up the gravel path. As Horosha passes by Washi, he gives the blue-haired girl a polite smile but again she sees the sad forlorn look in his face. While Washi watches Horosha, as his steady pace carries him into the mountain forest above the village, she hears not her brother come up behind her and say, "He does not offer you a better life, Washi-chan." His words burn into Washi's soul and she turns to say to him, "This one is better, Taka-niichan? To plant rice until my back breaks like our otousama's did, to die in childbirth like our okasama did and to marry someone I don't love like you did." "And what does he offer you, imoto?" Taka's words fill with worry. "A life where I can stand straight, where I can see the world beyond this village and where I can take the hand of the man I want," the young woman passionately replies. Taka sees the burning fire in his sister's eyes and carefully remarks, "I saw the way you hover around Horosha-sama during his stay in our home. How you personally served him his meal at our chabudai, poured his sake for him and was always the first to laugh at his jokes but are you sure he wants you?" "I don't know," Washi says in a small voice. "I never asked him." "But you are determined to find out?" his tender smile on chapped lips. "Hai," Washi tries to put all her resolve into that one word. Taka places his right hand on her right shoulder and he says, "You will find a cache of food and water by the white stump we played on as children." "Arigato, Taka-niichan," the young woman says. "Just promise to come back if you don't gain the place you want," an urgent tone in his words matches the one in his heart. "I erect a vow to you, Taka-niichan," Washi promises, she gives her brother a short bow before she turns around to head for the stump. Washi disappears behind a hut before her father joins his son to watch her leave. Taka asks, "Otousan, did we do the right thing?" "Musuko, you saw the way Horosha-sama acted since living in our village these past weeks," admonishes the elder. "Whenever Washi-chan stood next to him, he was as still as the lake, whenever she talked to him, his replies were like those of a drunk and whenever he asked about her, his words would come out like an avalanche. Washi-chan held his kokoro in her little hands but didn't know it. They are two parts waiting to be joined." Washi follows Horosha from a distance to make sure he didn't see her. In the past two days, she hides in overhanging tree limbs and thick bushes to keep her presence a secret. When he is by himself, she found him a man of simple habits. He catches fishes, fowls and animals enough to sustain him and adds the fruits of tree and bush to keep him healthy. He walks with purpose but always stops to enjoy a beautiful landscape or laugh at nature's clowns. The more Washi watches Horosha, the more she wants him yet her brother's words keep her at bay, "what if he doesn't want you." In a deep forest Horosha takes an afternoon nap in a clearing next to the trail, he places his sword within easy reach of his right hand. Washi guards him from her hiding place in a tree above his head. Her eyelids almost close over her red eyes when a hissing noise alerts her. Washi looks up to see a huge dragon appear in the sky above the sleeper. The hot sun reflects off the creature's bronze scales as it twists above the slumbering man. She sees the lust of death in the monster's yellow eyes and acts without fear. Washi jumps from the tree to land beside the man and picks up the blade. In an overhead swing she cleaves the beast's heart in two but in its death throes the dragon's clawed hand strikes its killer. The beast's death roar awakens Horosha, who runs to his savor but what he finds fills him with fear. Washi's left face and shoulder has gashes running down them left to right with the ground red with her blood. Horosha distressfully shouts as he gathers her in his arms, "Washi!" Her dazed ruby eyes open to his words and answers, "Don't worry itoshii (beloved), you won't be alone ever again." "Was my attraction to you that obvious?" surprise in his words. "Mo," her words choke on the blood in her lungs. "It was . . . your cry . . . of despair . . . I just heard . . . which told me . . . your feelings." "Then let me heal you with my kokoro," Horosha tells her as he places his right hand on her blooded face. Horosha closes his gray eyes and prays, "Tsunami-megami, give me the knowledge so I may heal my koibito's wounds that she received in saving your unworthy partner's life." As those last words leave his trembled lips, warmth radiates from his fingertips, spreads across her face, into her shoulder and deep within her. A presence suppresses the agony of her wounds and says to her, "I give to you, Masaki Washi, my blessing for helping my ally." "For the next several days, Horosha-sama tended Washi so the healing of her ki equals her body," Sasami words matches the care in her pink eyes. "Until her strength returned he would use his backpack to carry her, when she needed to eat he would feed her like a baby and when she needed to drink he would tenderly lift her head to his waterbag. No burden was she to bear for her happiness blended with his harmony, which can be found in their children. The end." "A beautiful story, Sasami-chan," Tenchi's compliment startles the pink-eyed girl as she realizes both Nobuyuki and the youth are there, the smiling boy sits next to Mulder while his father slides in next to Ryoko, the cyan-haired woman gives the older man an amused look. "So they lived happily ever after," states the young man. The little one only sighs. The redhead senses a shade of sadness in the child's face but its Katsuhito's mind that is in greater agitation. While he translates Sasami's words for Mulder's benefit, he barely keeps the surprise from his own voice for the story, she tells them, is not the same most Jurains know. In that tale, Washi kills the dragon without suffering any injuries and claims Horosha as her husband in return for saving his life. The blue-haired child's narrative agrees with those knowledgeable in the Secrets of Jurai. Like Katsuhito, they know about a secret door in the Hall of Trees. The door takes you to a room with various items in glass cases and a plain wood table near the far wall where incense sticks burn in a wide holder. A huge picture of a dark-skinned man and a blue-haired woman, a woman with a scar running from her left ear to her little chin, covers the far wall. 'Sasami is too young to be an initiate in the Secrets of Jurai,' Yosho tries to organize his brain. 'So how does she know the truth about Horosha and Washi?' "Jiichan, is something wrong?" concern in Tenchi's words. "Ara . . . just engraving something on my heart," Katsuhito replies as he becomes aware of everyone staring at him. "What were you saying, Tenchi?" "We were asking Ninjin-chan and Mulder-san their opinion about the article left in otousan's van," informs Tenchi in halting English. "You're a trained profiler, Mulder," remarks Scully. "What do you make of these writings?" "The Three Kings are the only ones I know really well amongst the Lone Gunmen," Mulder thoughtfully answers. "They survive by keeping knowledge about each other crouched in code names and e-mail, very little face-to-face contact. Nobuyuki how long has MacClean been a DJ in Japan?" "He's been a DJ in Nihon for the past twenty years, mostly at WHOSHI," Nobuyuki answers slowly as he tries not to stubble over the English words. "What did Kitsune-san say?" confusion in Sasami's words as she holds the Nihongo version of the article. "I'll translate for you, Akaruime," offers Katsuhito. "Arigato," Sasami accepts the offer. "Do you know anything personal about him?" probes Mulder. "Just what the radio station gave out," adds the brown-suited man. "Most listeners have nicknamed him Kawatta-san, Mr. Weird, because of his noontime program, the stunts he's pulled around town and for living in a boardinghouse for manga artists." "Manga?" wonders Mulder. "Nihon comic books," informs Scully. "Oh. Anyway, So he's a man who doesn't hide in the crowd," comments Mulder. "The tall nail that gets hammered down," calmly adds Katsuhito. "Which could be a smokescreen to cover his true self, the Single Bullet," Mulder politely retorts. "This paper suggests he's covering all his bases. It not designed to convince nonbelievers but to inform believers yet keep the men in the black suits from knocking on his door late at night." "The kidnapping angle," Ryoko's amber eyes have a knowing look to match her words. "Common alien conspiracy jargon," Mulder tells them. "I don't know about that, Mulder," counters Ryoko as she fades from Sasami's side to appear sideways on Tenchi's lap, her soft hands caress his face and hair while her words shift from English to Nihongo, "I would kidnap Tenchi for his rabujusu (love juice)." "So that's what the word means in the article!" says Sasami while the rest nervously laugh. "Ryoko-dono, remember we have a kochan with us," admonishes the elder while he tries to hide his own smile with his left hand. "Hai, guji," her shameful tone made false by the lustful gleam her cat eyes gives the youth. Although he didn't understand the words, Mulder observes the youth's tenseness with the heavenly body press against him but also notes Tenchi has made no effort to push Ryoko away. The green-eyed man decides to distract the uchu kaizoku when he asks, "Hakubi, you got real close to MacClean. What was he like?" "He has a smart mouth but his body is hot," answers Ryoko as she leans toward Mulder, her breasts rub across the boy's chest as her words shift again from English to Nihongo. "The way he acted I thought he was a puny thing but he has steel cables for muscles and a nice pair of hojus (precious gems) but I'll take Tenchi's kawaii ketsu (ass) any day." "Ryoko-san!" a stern tone comes from Scully's lips as she covers Sasami ears. "Oi . . . what did Ryoko-neechan mean?" asks a confused Sasami. "I'll tell you when you're older," confides the redhead to the pink-eyed wonder. "Kuso (shit), I'm missing all the juicy parts," pouts the blue-haired girl as everyone's jaws go slack and Ryoko lets out a short laugh. Only Mulder wonders about the child's comment. Tenchi is the first to recover and says to the lady on his lap, "I think you're having a bad influence on Sasami-chan." "Is she the only one, my anata?" asks Ryoko in a false whisper as her nose nuzzles his right earlobe. Sweat beads on Tenchi's forehead while words tumble from his pale lips, "Please . . . Ryoko." Mulder pale green eyes look into Tenchi's shining face but couldn't tell if the black-haired youth pleads for the passionate lady to stop or to fulfill. "If you ever want me, Tenchi, just give me a whistle, like this," her words come from a sake flush face as she brings it close to his, a sliver of air between their mouths as Ryoko blows lightly over Tenchi's lips. Scully could see within Ryoko's amber eyes a desperate hunger to make complete her love for Tenchi. "Just whistle," Ryoko says again those two words as she spins up off his lap to hover just above his head, the skirt of her dress billows out to show only the youth all that could be his. Nobuyuki could also see the same desire in Ryoko's face as did Scully but he senses a resolve there too, a resolve not to seduce his son but to offer her love to him. With Ryoko off his lap Tenchi feels a new pressure coming from his crotch. Scully eyes go wide and she speedily shifts her hands from Sasami's little ears to the child's big pink eyes as the young man's body answers the spirit caller's summon. "Kya, what did I miss this time," annoyance in Sasami's words. "At least he's not dead from the waist down," comments Mulder with a devilish grin. Was that a trickle of blood from Tenchi's nose the brown-haired American sees? "I'm . . . off to the benjo," Tenchi words come over his shoulder as he jumps up from the sofa and makes a fast exit to the hallway's benjo, his ears could hear Ryoko say, "Oi . . . I wanted to put your dekachin (large sex organ) to bed." "Ryoko-neechan!" the words match the pink blaze that comes from Sasami's eyes as the redhead uncovers them. "You don't need to slangy talk! I'm not a nyuji (baby) ne!" "Of course you're not an akachan, Sasami-chan," Sasami's eyes narrow when Ryoko uses the affectionate word for baby. "Maybe I shouldn't cook dinner tonight," Sasami's puts teeth into her words. Ryoko drops from the air as if the blue-haired girl's words shot her down. Her body passes through the table to land at the little one's feet where her hands take hold of the girl's dainty ankles. "Please forgive such as me for I'm an akurei in heaven," whimper words come from underneath a mass of cyan hair covering the child's feet. Fearful her words are too sharp, Sasami leans forward, embraces the cyan-haired head in her petite arms and she cries, "Ryoko-neechan! I didn't mean it!" "Honto ni wa (Truly)?" a muffle question raises from the downturned head. "Hai!" Sasami puts all her heart into the word. "Gu," asserts Ryoko as her head comes up to peer into those pink pools, a grin on the lady's face. "Jodan ja nai wa yo (It's not funny)!" pouts Sasami with her arms across her chest but laughter in her eyes. "Ara . . . " utters Ryoko as her smile grows to Cheshire Cat's size. A burst of giggles erupts from the little one's lips as her small hands embrace Ryoko's neck as she softly whispers, "Neechan." "Imoto," returns Ryoko to the little princess while happy grins appear on the others' faces. When Sasami pulls back, she says, "I better get dinner ready, everyone must be hungry." "Are you sure, Sasami-chan? You've had a long day," concern in Nobuyuki's words as Ryoko floats cross-legged up into the air just above the table. "Just watch me burn rubber," replies Sasami as she springs from the sofa and skips to the kitchen door, her blue ponytails dance behind her. "I think I've created a oni," comments Nobuyuki as he changes from Nihongo to English in mid-sentence while the others stare at the swinging kitchen door. "I let her have my Walkman and now she speaks Nihongo-Amerika slang." "Speaking of things American," states Mulder. "I wonder what's on the tape?" "There's only one way to find out," Nobuyuki answers as he gets up, takes the tape to the stereo, turns on the power, pops the tape in and hits the play button. The words are Nihongo but the music instantly tells Mulder what those words mean: What do you think if I sang out of tune? Would you stand up and walk out on me? Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song, And I try not to sing out of key. Oh I get by with a little help from my friends. Oh I get high with a little help from my friends. Oh I gonna to try a little help from my friends. What do you feel when your love is away? Are you sad because you're all alone? What do you feel at the end of the day? Are you sad to be on your own? No, I get by with a little help from my friends. Oh I get high with a little help from my friends. Oh I gonna to try a little help from my friends. Do you need anybody? I need somebody to love. Could it be anybody? I need somebody to love. Do you believe in love at first sight? Yes, I'm certain it happens all the time. What do you see when you turn out the lights? I don't know but I know its mine. Oh I get by with a little help from my friends. Oh I get high with a little help from my friends. Oh I gonna to try a little help from my friends. Do you need anybody? I need somebody to love. Could it be anybody? I need somebody to love. Oh I get by with a little help from my friends. Oh I get high with a little help from my friends Oh I gonna to try a little help from my friends. A little help, a little help from my f..r..i..e..n..d..s. While the music plays, Ryoko starts to weave with the tune, her soul lost in song. Tenchi walks in to see her dancing on air and a pleasant smile lights up his tanned face. Scully emerald eyes catch the youth at the hallway doorway and the look she sees on his face tells her how much the youth likes this side of Ryoko, a free spirit full of innocence. Then the redhead notes a cloud falls upon those happy features but the young man shakes his head to dispel those negative feelings and the smile returns. When the song ends, Ryoko lands on in the middle of the room and asks, "Is there more of that wonderful music. It makes me feel like I'm free amongst the stars." "I noticed the tape is 120 minutes long, Ryoko-san," informs Nobuyuki as he sits next to Scully. "Although I would recommend you changing your dress, Ryoko-dono," lightly adds Katsuhito as Tenchi comes to stand on the right side of the sofa. "Kya . . . " utters Ryoko in shock, impulsively her right hand goes to her lips. Ryoko snaps her fingers on her left hand which causes her clothes to transform into her low-cut red-black-white seducer dress with red spandex pants. "Was my equipment alright?" Ryoko asks in English, her brazen words try to hide the scarlet on her cheeks. "Your beaver is fine," Mulder's answer causes Ryoko's blush to deepen, chuckles from Nobuyuki and frowns of annoyance from the others except Tenchi. Because he didn't understand the meaning of the English slang, his mind locks on the fact of this being the first time he has ever seen Ryoko embarrass about anything. Again Tenchi thinks, 'Which is the real Ryoko, the one full of bravo and grit or the one full of innocence and vulnerability. Could it be both?' "This is Kawatta-san here to give you a little party music to welcome all to this little blue marble," a voice comes from the stereo and attracts the attention of all in the room. "That Beatles' classic was sung by that ageless aidoru (idol singer), Yokoyama Chisa. The next one is dedicated to the girl with Bette Davis' Eyes. This is Orikasa Ai's rendition of the Rolling Stone's 'Ruby Tuesday'." Suddenly a hand on his ass shoves Tenchi forward and the young man stumbles to within a few feet from Ryoko. This draws Ryoko's attention away from the music box and she asks him, "Nani wa?" Tenchi shoots a puzzled look at his grinning father, then returns his attention to the cyan-haired lady. He sees the mix of curiosity and anticipation in Ryoko's cat eyes. The youth quickly realizes giving the uchu kaizoku the wrong answer would again hurt her feelings. Then his mind finds the answer in the music his ears hear. He looks into the beautiful pink face and asks, "Ryoko . . . would . . . you . . . eh . . . dance with me?" "Hai," surprise makes Ryoko's word soft as the amber-eyed lady dreamily walks to the youth. Tenchi tenderly takes hold of Ryoko left hand with his right and shows Ryoko where to place her right hand on his waist while his own left hand comes to rest on her firm body. Ryoko submissively allows Tenchi to lead as both slowly move to the song's rhythm. As the couple dances the outside world seems no longer to exist for them as their amber and brown eyes look into each other's windows to the soul. Katsuhito watches the slow dance with approval in his heart. 'Ryoko will be at Tenchi's side no matter where the youth must go to complete his destiny,' the priest thinks but then his cheer changes to worry, 'But what about Ayeka. What is her destiny? Will she also be next to Tenchi or is her path different from his?' Mulder turns his attention from the two dancers to those sitting next to him. He remembers Nobuyuki didn't try to sneak a peak under Ryoko's skirt during her dance on the sun's sitting rays and now his pale green eyes could see a bare molecule of air separates Nobuyuki's left hand and Scully's right hand. 'Well, it looks like Scully will find her happiness here,' Mulder thinks. 'But maybe they need a little help.' As the agent's gaze moves away from this couple, it meets Katsuhito's red eyes. The elder gives a knowing nod to the agent which Mulder returns. Mulder leans so his mouth is next to Scully's left ear and he whispers, "Don't you want to ask your childhood friend to dance." Scully green gaze lock on her partner's face and Mulder sees fear and gratitude in them. The redhead turns to face Nobuyuki and asks, "Inkushimi, do you remember the last time we'd danced." A warm smile touches his lips at the mention of his nickname and replies, "Hai, it was your tenth birthday. You had to stand on my feet so I wouldn't step on them." "Would you like to try it again?" hope mixes with the other emotions in her heart. Nobuyuki's eyes light up and he replies, "I'd be honor to." The older version of his son stands up and offers his left tan hand to her. In almost the same dreamy state as Ryoko, Scully takes it with her right pink hand. Both walk to a clear spot on the floor and make sure to give the other dancers enough space. As the two older couple starts to dance the music switches seamlessly to the same singer giving her version of 'Nights in White Satin.' Ryoko notices Tenchi's brown eyes catch a movement and looks in same direction. She sees the other two dancers and the unsuppressed joy in their faces. The slim lady turns her eyes back to Tenchi and sees gladness in his face. "You're happy he found someone to replace your okasama?" she asks. "Not replace, Ryoko, but to join her," informs Tenchi with deep understanding in those brown eyes. "No one can replace my okasan in his kokoro but I want his memories of her to be ones of fondness not pain. I hope his new love will dim his memory of her death." As each song comes to an end a new one begins without pause. Soon Mulder starts to see a pattern, the music's rhythm is for slow dance while the Nihongo words, which the American understands because of the tune, are about friendship, love, hope and truth. The brown-haired agent turns his attention to Katsuhito and says in a low voice, "I think someone is sending us a message." "Indeed," the elder agrees in English, also keeping his voice down so not to disturb the magic the music has on the other occupants of the room. "But there's something puzzling me. What does MacClean look like?" "A young man with blond hair, steel gray eyes and in his late twenties," as the words leave his lips Murder's eyes go wide. "But according to Nobuyuki, he's been working in Japan for the last twenty years." "Furthermore, his words in the article reflexes an old soul," adds the priest. "One full of righteous anger and determination, who will use any method his own code of honor will allow him." "I think I'll call the Three Kings tomorrow to find out more about him," curiosity in Mulder's words but this feeling makes him wonder about other things. "So how long has the Jurai Holding Company existed?" "I formed the company during the occupation of Nihon by the victors," Katsuhito calmly replies. "I used the shrine's treasury and the family's heirlooms to create a company to help rebuild my country. The original investment was in buying American liberty ships to transport goods to this country. Mostly by luck the company is now a minority stockholder in several high-tech businesses here and in your home country." "So why I'm-a-simple-priest demeanor?" a playful tone in Mulder's voice. "I've not participated in the day-to-day operation of the company since my daughter's death," Mulder senses the pain in Katsuhito's voice. "What I did two days ago was my first order to the company in twelve years." Revelation hits Mulder between the eyes and he asks, "You feel responsible for your daughter's death. Why?" Frown graces Katsuhito's lips as he realizes his mistake, then shakes his head and answers, "I might as well show the legs of my horse. You saw Tenchi use an ornate weapon in your battle with the OIK, Correct?" "Yes, it produced a bluish-white rod of light that sliced through metal like butter," informs Mulder as he leans forward to catch every word from the priest. "The weapon is one of several abilities he will inherit from our ancestor, Lord Yosho," Katsuhito continues. "From everything I've been able to figure out these powers are genetic in origin. When the right time comes, his full capabilities will manifest themselves." "But something happened when your daughter's powers crystallized," guesses Mulder. "I rushed her. I believed her fate would come before she was ready," grief creeps in the red-eyed man's voice. "I was right but in activating her powers early, it caused her to die while she was still young." "Did it have to happen like that?" wonders Mulder. "Over the past eighteen years I've looked at the events surrounding those days and I realized the mistake I made because I didn't trust Tsunami or the true nature of others," harsh words come from the priest's lips. "I wanted to control everyone and everything. In the end, I lost my most precious treasure." "You still try to influence things around you," states the American. "I've helped raise Tenchi, trained him to be a good grandson," counters Katsuhito. "I've only interfered when necessary, mostly as the family's conscious." While the two couples move in their own worlds and the two men converse with each other, Sasami's small hands create the masterpieces for tonight's dinner as her feet keeps time with the music's beat. Like Mulder, she catches the hints MacClean drops in the song selections and the lyrics cause her love, for the freedom this culture gives her, to grow. As always, she could sense Tsunami's gentle presence just on the edge of her own being, trying not to intrude on the little one's happiness. As she finishes the last touches on tonight's dessert, the girl closes her pink eyes and says soundlessly, 'Tsunami-megami, what do you think about Kawatta-san. Another friend?' The key on Sasami's forehead glows as Tsunami moves into contact with the child's spirit and says cautiously, 'It's possible but he could be very tricky. We don't know that much about him except for the article and the music.' 'Did Kitsune-san say anything important about him while I was cooking?' Sasami thinks to the goddess. 'They both wonder why he seems older than he looks,' replies Tsunami. 'Like me?' surprise in Sasami's mind. 'Hai, in a certain way but I can't be sure,' answers the goddess. 'My powers are restricted to Jurai, my Trees, the Jurains and those of Jurain descent,' Sasami feels fear enter the goddess's being. 'If I were to use my abilities outside my zone of influence, we could lose all that we hold dear to us.' 'I understand, Tsunami-megami,' Sasami replies. Over the past seven hundred years her relationship with the goddess keeps changing. At first her awe of Tsunami restrains the little princess from going beyond master-assistant relationship but then she senses loneliness in the Tsunami's being. The goddess has the Trees to talk to and the people of Jurai to listen to yet has no one she could call a friend. Sasami knows Tsunami once had a friend and a family but later that friend turns into an enemy and the family breaks apart over an argument. It's then Sasami starts to talk to Tsunami. At first, the goddess doesn't respond but Sasami keeps it up. Then one clear morning within the imperial Tree, Sasami accidentally cuts her hand badly with a pruning knife, secretively practicing her cooking skills. Before she knows it, Tsunami is kneeling beside the tearful child and says, "There, there, Sasami-chan. I'll make it all better." The wound sparkles with a bluish-white light then vanish. The child reaches out to embrace the goddess but her little arms passes through the image. The goddess smiles at the child's attempt and she gently tells the four-year-old child, "I will appear to you in your dreams where we can embrace and have fun. If you need my help or want a friend to talk to, just to call my name, I'm always there at your side." During the cold sleeps of space travel, while Sasami is with Ayeka in her search for Yosho, Sasami converses and play games with Tsunami and notes changes in the goddess. The image Tsunami uses become like an adult form of the child's body and the goddess' personality, even her giggles, reflect the little one's spirit. Sasami knows this must mean something but she can't figure it out. 'Am I not just a copy of the real Sasami, a creation of Tsunami-megami?' the little one thinks. 'But if this is true then why can I effect her?' 'Sasami-chan, are you going to give Kitsune-san the gift you mentioned to me,' amusement in Tsunami's words. 'Yip,' the Amerika-Nihongo word matches the mischievous smile on the child's little lips. Sasami walks to the living room entrance, opens the door during a break between songs and says, "Everyone, Gohan desu (Meal is ready)." "What did she say?" asks Mulder. "She said dinner is ready," replies Katsuhito as he stands. "More sushi," Mulder groans. Katsuhito hits the stop button on the stereo. The magical hold the music has on the two couples ends but it aftereffects continue. Tenchi and Ryoko continue to hold hands as they stare at each other, the youth sees the naked desire in those amber pools while the lady sees uncertainty in his brown eyes. It is Tenchi who blushes as he breaks eye contact with Ryoko and says, "Let's eat." In another part of the room, Scully and Nobuyuki also stare at each other as each tries to put into words the emotions they are feeling. Scully is the first one to talk, "You dance very well, Inkushimi." "As does you, Ninjin-chan," replies Nobuyuki. Both struggles to go beyond these simple words but neither one can call up the courage to say those hard but simple three words. Instead Nobuyuki utters, "Let's eat." Tenchi and Nobuyuki help Sasami bring in the meal to the chabudai where Katsuhito takes up his normal position at the head of the table. To his right kneels Nobuyuki and Scully while to his left kneels Tenchi and Ryoko, each person almost touching their partner. At the end of the table, Mulder sits cross-legged while Sasami looks shyly at him, places a hand to her lips and giggles. "I'm sorry but the last time I tried that kind of sitting, my legs turned into jelly," Mulder apologizes. "It's alright," informs Katsuhito in English. "Most of our own youth can't either, the introduction of Western furniture has spoiled them." Ryoko quickly translates Mulder's and Katsuhito's words for Sasami's benefit when she notices the annoyance on the little one's freckled face. Sasami's annoyance gives way to happiness as she says, "For our new friends, I've prepared something special." The blue-haired child points at each entree and informs them, "We will start with sake-seasoned clear soup, then seitan bourgignonne, follow by cranberry sauce kanten, pumpkin flowers and parboiled green salad. Lastly the dessert will be amazake creme puff." Mulder couldn't understand any of the girl's words but her gestures and the others' reactions tell him the pink-eyed wonder is presenting them an excellent meal. As he eats, the pleasurable flavor of each food tickles his tongue, especially the beefy taste of the seitan bourgignonne. It was only when Sasami sees the touch of sadness on Ryoko's face, while the cyan-haired lady eats, does a cloud descend on her spirit and she asks, "What's wrong, Ryoko-neechan. Don't you like it?" Ryoko turns her face to the confused child and says kindly, "Ara . . . It's fine, Sasami-chan." "Mo, uso tsuku, Ryoko-neechan (No, you're fibbing, Big Sister Ryoko)!" accuses the stern child. "Why do you say that, Sasami-chan?" asks Scully. "I've watched Ryoko-neechan at our meals," replies the hurt child. "Her expression doesn't change while she samples different foods and only complements my cooking after the others have." "Gomen nasai, Sasami-chan. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," the cyan-haired woman apologizes. "Then why did you lie, Ryoko?" Tenchi sympathizes. "I . . . I just want to be accepted as a . . . human being," a touch of anguish in Ryoko's words. "Not feared as an uchu kaizoku." "But Ryoko-neechan why fib about my cooking," probes the girl. "It's not that I like or dislike I just can't tell the difference," Ryoko confesses. "Why?" wonders Sasami. "You have to remember that I'm not a normal humanoid," her voice takes on a painful tone. "For seven hundred years, I was imprisoned for being an uchu kaizoku. During that time my senses deteriorated until my mind became foamless but then the day came when Funaho-Ki allowed my astral body to venture out into the world surrounding my cave. For seventeen years all my senses learned how to function again except one. I could see colors, smell the yellow flowers, hear speckled birds sing, feel the gentle breeze but I couldn't taste any of them." The cyan-haired lady sees Sasami's lower lip tremble with emotion, so she softens her voice, "It wasn't your fault, imoto." This only makes the little princess eyes glisten with tears. Ryoko looks at the others and sees the same concern in their faces as her own except Mulder whose own face fills with curiosity as Scully translates the words for him. Each knows, from their own experiences, how much other people's pain could upset the child. Quickly Ryoko continues, "I brought this upon myself and I paid for my crimes but cheer up, Sasami-chan. I'm free with a chance to make a new life for myself." Sasami tries to pull back the tears when a white handkerchief appears before her watery eyes. She looks into Mulder's pale green eyes, sees a mirror of her own pain in his eyes and notes it is his callus hand that offers her the square cloth. She takes it from him and says while drying her eyes, "Domo arigato." "She thanks you, Mulder, as do I," Ryoko replies to Mulder's questioning look. After a few minutes of quiet eating, Scully asks, "Sasami-chan, I was wondering about the ritual you and Ayeka preformed this afternoon. Is it normal for the young to take part in it?" Sasami's freckled face blooms in eagerness as she answers, "Hai, the children of each clan are trained from an early age to perform the sacred songs and dances used to please Tsunami-megami at the time of birth, death and rebirth. Ayeka-oneesama has done the ritual before but this was my first time." "If I'm any judge of skill, you were wonderful," compliments Ryoko. "As did you, Ryoko-neechan," Sasami returns the praise. "But I didn't know you knew our ways so well?" "Oi . . . I don't, Sasami-chan," stutters Ryoko. "Then how did you know about Ayeka-oneesama's mistake?" asks the little one. "I just knew," confusion in Ryoko's voice. "This happened before with Ayeka-san," a share look of knowing exists between Ryoko, Katsuhito and Sasami. "It was like my mind had access to the necessary knowledge for me to reach my goal." "Did we miss something?" asks a slightly perplexed Tenchi as Scully translates for Mulder the words of Ryoko, Sasami and Tenchi. "Or just a visit from a goddess," lightly answers Mulder. Tenchi eyes go wide while Nobuyuki chokes on his tea. Sasami shoots a hot glare at the grinning Mulder and thinks, 'just wait until I give you my gift.' "I brought the body of Sasami-chan's petto to her this morning," annoyance in Scully's voice at Mulder's statement. "She and Ayeka-sama performed a ritual of goodbye for it, isn't that correct Sasami-chan?" "Hai, Ninjin-chan," responds the blue-haired girl. "So Ayeka-san is better?" hope in Tenchi's tone. "Mo, Ayeka-sama lost it after the ceremony," Scully sadly shakes her head. "Her sorrow has torn asunder her intestines." Scully's words hit Tenchi's spirit and make him wonder what could be done to lighten Ayeka's heart. Then an idea forms in his mind. After dinner Nobuyuki turns the music back on and hears MacClean say, "Hello again to our guests from out-of-town. Here's a number made famous by Judy Collins. This is Kobayashi Yuko's rendition of 'Suzanne'." Tenchi carries the dirty dishes into the kitchen for Sasami where he sees the tray of food for Ayeka. "Sasami-chan, can I take the food up to Ayeka-san?" "Oke," mischief in Sasami's face. Tenchi uses the backstairs from Nobuyuki's library so no one would notice his journey. When the brown-eyed youth reaches the third floor, he first enters his own room and retrieves Tenchiken. At the princess' door he knocks lightly. "Hai?" cautiously asks Ayeka. "It's me, Tenchi," answers the young man. "Sasami-chan let me bring your food for her." "Just give me a moment," hurries Ayeka. Tenchi hears the bang of drawers and the rustle of cloth before the big princess properly slides the door open. Tenchi sees the princess in a purple kimono with a violet obi around her waist but it's the hasty attempt to hide her blush with face powder which brings curiosity into his mind. "You can put the tray over there on the table, Tenchi-sama," she gives in a voice of command. Tenchi enters the room, places the tray on the low table, then turns to face Ayeka and says, "There is one more thing I brought for you." His tan hand reaches underneath his obi and holds Tenchiken out to her. "Ayeka-san, I hope this will help you remember your oniisama." Ayeka quickly moves forward, takes the hilt with both hands and says, "Domo arigato gozaimasu (thank you very, very much), Tenchi-sama." Fresh tears glitter in her red eyes while a suppressed sob causes her words to sound harsh as she tells him, "Now, please leave." "Oke," Tenchi steps out into the hallway as Ayeka closes the door. As he starts back to the kitchen the youth mumbles, "Did I do the right thing? She appreciated the return of Tenchiken to her but her mood only seemed to get worse, not better. I wish she wouldn't hide from me all the time, she is kirei na (pretty)." Suddenly his eyes go wide as he stops on the stairs to look around to make sure no one heard him, then sighs, "Kya . . . if Ryoko ever hears me say that, she'll really want my kintama." When he enters the kitchen, he hears the clinking of dishes, cups and the tinkle of metal chopsticks as Sasami cleans them. He watches the happy child and thinks, 'Well, maybe she'll be better in the morning.' Then out loud he asks the little one, "Can I help you?" "That's oke, Tenchi-niichan," Sasami a tone of contentment in her words. "I'm almost finish here. Why don't you go back to our guests, I'll be there in a moment?" Tenchi approaches the door and hears MacClean's voice say, "This next number is dedicated to the little blue girl with rabbit's eyes. Here's Mizutani Yuko's version of 'Puff, the Magic Dragon'." When he enters the room, his brown eyes see the others have returned to the sofa and chair as Sasami's creations and the music continue to bring pleasure to their thoughts. After only a fleeting hesitation Tenchi sits next to Ryoko, the cyan-haired lady smiles at him and places her hand on his lower left arm but doesn't try anything else. Again Tenchi notes the closeness between Nobuyuki and Scully as they sit between Ryoko and Mulder who has a glass of clear liquid in his right hand. A few minutes pass before Sasami skips into the room, but instead of going to a place beside Mulder, she stops in front of Katsuhito and good-naturedly asks, "May I sit with you, jiichan?" Sasami request catches the elder by surprise but he hides it well by saying, "You may, Akaruime." Sasami smiles as she scrambles into the priest's lap and faces the others. It is then Mulder and Scully notices the resemblance between the two. While Katsuhito's face has stronger Asian features than Sasami's, certain points on their faces match each other perfectly. For Scully this information only confirms the family connection between the two but for Mulder it triggers his expertise as a profiler and he thinks, 'How long is a Jurain life span? Since Ryoko survived seven hundred years in a cave, could the same have occurred for Yosho?' Then the brown-haired man asks his partner, "Scully, could you ask Sasami if they have a picture of Yosho?" Scully puzzles over Mulder's request but finding no reason not to forward it, she repeats it unaware of how still Katsuhito has become, "Sasami-chan, Mulder-san wants to know it you have a picture of Yosho-sama?" "Hai, Ayeka-oneesama has a holographic image of Yosho-oniisama but she never lets it out of her sight," replies the blue-haired child with a frown. "Why does Kitsune-san want to know?" "She said Ayeka does but won't let it leave her room," amusement in Scully's tone because of what Sasami calls Mulder. "Sasami wants to know why you asked?" "Oh, just curious," answers Mulder with a smudge look on his face. "Mulder was just curious," translates Scully. "A kitsune answer from a kitsune," comments Sasami as she thinks, 'Just you wait, smarty.' "What did she say?" wonders Mulder to Scully. "She just called you foxy," informs Scully while her smile becomes a broad grin. "In fact, she's been calling you Mr. Fox all night." "Tell her my parents called me Mulder at home," annoyance in Mulder's words. "You tell her," counters Scully. Mulder looks into those young pink eyes yet also sees the eyes of another child, the only one he ever allowed to call him Fox. He drops his gaze and grumbles, "Looks like I'm stuck with it." "Indeed," Scully comments, then she asks in Nihongo, "Katsuhito-dono, I noticed Ayeka-san's and Sasami-san's costumes for the ritual were exactly like those worn by Shinto miko. What do you think?" "It suggests some kind of contact between Jurai and Nihon before the introduction of Buddhism to this land," suggests the priest as Ryoko translates for Mulder. "At a time when Shinto priests still took care of the dead." "Was the ritual the same?" asks the redhead. "The invocation was similar to the Shinto prayer to the Kami and use of a sacred dance to gain the Kami's favor suggests maybe some influence yet there are differences," answers the elder, then he asks the little one, "Sasami-chan, does Tsunami-megami have one face or many faces?" "Just the two everyone knows about," Sasami innocently answers. "The Tree of the Beginning as we see her today and the likeness of a beautiful woman from the stories about the Jida no Densetsu." "So the prayers were tailored to worship a single entity," guesses Scully. "But the dance is much more energetic that the ones I remember." "But so was the original dance before the austere influence of Buddhism purified it of its more revealing demeanor," the priest's words match his small smile. "Remember the story the sacred dance is based on." Realizing there was someone here who might know, Scully turns to the amber-eyed lady and asks, "Ryoko-san, do you know anything about the connections between Jurai and Earth?" "My memories only go back two thousand years, Scully-dono," replies Ryoko as Katsuhito translates for Mulder. "Ryoko-san, its Ninjin-chan," corrects Scully lightly. "Oke, Ninjin-chan," a fleeting smile matches the cyan-haired woman's tone. "Anyway, most of my career as an uchu kaizoku was spent outside of Jurai territory, the incident which led to my imprisonment here on this planet was my first operation in the Jurai Empire." "What do you know of this Jurai Empire?" probes the emerald-eyed agent. "Only what the average uchu kaizoku knows," Ryoko's eyes close as she concentrates on her words. "The Jurai Empire is a member of the Galactic Union, an organization most of your galaxy is part of. The Empire has existed for twenty-five thousand years through periods of expansion and contract. The common belief is that Jurai was founded by exiles from other planets who allied themselves to Tsunami-megami but that is not completely true." "You mean the story about Jurai uchu kaizokus isn't true," asks a disappointed Sasami. Ara . . . the first Tree ships were used as merchant raiders by the exiles but their quick success brought an urge for legitimacy in most of them, thus the birth of the House of Jurai," replies Ryoko as she sees a hint of pride in Sasami's face. "There are still contacts between the lawful House of Jurai and the illegal Kaizoku's Guild, even rumors of a Royal Jurain always hold a seat on the guild's council." "But you're saying there's a hidden history to the Jurai Empire," asks Mulder after he hears Katsuhito's translation. "Hai, Mulder-dono," confirms Ryoko with a knowing look. "Because I was a member of the guild for two thousand years, I gained access to its deepest secrets," Ryoko tries to keep pride from entering her words, knowing the horrors she'd done as Kagato's tool. "The guild's own records show the exiles learned of the uniqueness of Tsunami-megami Trees and came to take possession of them through conquest. They were stopped by the goddess, her Trees, the bondmates and Kuraichi." "Kya . . . Kuroi Kotei (the Black Emperor)!" grasps Sasami. "But the history my tutors taught me was he came after the exiles." "Who is Kuraichi?" Scully asks the little one. "Kuraichi is the greatest shame the people of Jurai bear," guilt in Sasami's voice. "The Royal Family of Jurai is made up of four branches from the offspring of the Saishono Kokuo Jurai (First King of Jurai): Tatsuki, Masaki, Kamiki and Amaki, the Emperor is selected from one of these four branches. The official history is he was Tatsuki Kuraichi, a minor noble with immense ambition. He exploited my people's nature and successful overthrew the Kokuo Jurai. He created the office of the Kotei Jurai (Emperor of Jurai) and built an Empire on the power of Tsunami-megami's Trees." "The part about him founding the Jurai Empire is true, Sasami-chan," Ryoko amber eyes reflex sympathy for the child's shame. "But the rest is a lie?" asks Sasami as Katsuhito's right hand touches her right shoulder. "Hai, Sasami-chan," verifies the cyan-haired woman. "According to the records, there were people already on Jurai. They had formed a monarchy and Kuraichi was the Saishono Kokuo Jurai. He made the alliance with the exiles for their knowledge of ship design. Once the Tree ships were built, he killed the exile's leaders and declared himself the Saishono Kotei Jurai." "So the Royal House of Jurai is descended from this kaibutsu," the little one's voice quivers. "What happened to him?" asks Katsuhito, he knows the answer but wants all the family's dirty linen out in the open. "He . . . He disappeared one day never to return," utters Sasami. "Is that true, Ryoko-neechan?" "Mo, Sasami-chan," Ryoko replies as she leans forward to place her hand on the child's knee. "The guild records say a palace revolt led by his wife, his offspring and Tsunami-megami ended his evil rule." "Do the records say why Tsunami didn't stop him earlier?" wonders Mulder. "From what Ryoko-san found at the guild, Sasami-chan's story about Horosha-sama finding bondmates for the megami, the rule of Kuraichi-san, the alliance with the exiles and the creation of the Empire seems to suggest Tsunami-megami's obsession with protecting Jurai and her Trees," concludes Scully. "Most likely Kuraichi-san became a threat to what he'd created," adds Katsuhito as he translates the conversation for Mulder's benefit. "Hai, guji," nods the ample lady as she continues, "His overthrow legitimized the rule of his chakunan (eldest son, heir), Iwami. For most of his reign, Iwami solidified the gains of the Empire, tied it to the rule of law and expended much of his time trying to wash away the blood from Jurai's hands." "So his death brought permanency to the Jurai Empire," remarks Tenchi. "I don't know about Kuraichi-san's death," counters Ryoko as she shakes her head. "The records reported his overthrow but not his death." "You mean he could still be alive?" questions Tenchi while his and the other's eyes go wide, only the priest doesn't react. "I don't know, Tenchi," Ryoko bites back the reply she was going to give. "I didn't run into anyone like him during my two-thousand-year career but anything is possible." Suddenly the auto-reverse on the stereo kicks in and MacClean's voice enters the room, "Now that we've had some slow dancing, its time for Rock N' Roll. Here are Priss and the Replicants' version of Fleetwood Mac's 'Don't Stop'." ********** Up in the princess' room, Ayeka takes dainty bites of the creme puff in her right hand while her left is under her mouth to catch any crumbs when the lyrics of the song touch her ears. The other songs echoing up from the living room speak to her about love, friendship and freedom but this one tells her about living: If you hurt, just smile, If it takes just a little while, Open eyes, look at the day, You're see things in a different way. Don't stop thinking about tomorrow, Don't stop it will soon be here, It'll be here better than before. Yesterday's gone. Yesterday's gone. Try to think about times to come, Not about the things you're done. If you life was bad to you, Just think what tomorrow will do. Don't stop thinking about tomorrow, Don't stop it will soon be here. It'll be here better than before. Yesterday's gone. Yesterday's gone. All I want is to see you smile, If it takes just a little while. Know you don't believe it's true, I didn't mean any harm to you. Don't stop thinking about tomorrow, Don't stop it soon be here. It'll be here better than before. Yesterday's gone. Yesterday's gone. The refrain resonates in Ayeka's spirit but she softly says, "If only it was that easy." Sasami claps her hand to the beat of the music while Ryoko's body shakes to the song's charm and Tenchi mouths the words. Katsuhito, Scully and Nobuyuki feel the warmth from the young spirits next them but a sad smile appears on Mulder's face. As the last beat of the drums ends, MacClean voice shouts, "Now Asagiri Priss will do The Who's 'Squeeze Box'." When the accordion starts, Ryoko flies off the sofa, catches the child underneath the arms and lifts her up into the air. The two levitate vertical in the room as Ryoko says, "Let's cut the air, Sasami-chan." Delight touches her pink eyes as her young body imitates the ample lady's own dance. The landlubbers down below look up fearfully but then smile as they note the bluish-white glow of the Gem on Ryoko's left hand. As vibration of the bass guitar stretches out the last cord of the song, the two floating females alight back on the ground. "That was fun!" Sasami words jumps from her lips as she bounces around Ryoko. "Can we do it again?" "Later, my oil is a little low," Ryoko whooshes as she heads toward the sofa. "I'm not a fireball like you, Sasami-chan." "You promise ne ne?" pleads the little one. "Hai, I promise," returns the cyan-haired lady while she places her hands against her mouth. Sasami hears a happy sigh come from Ryoko lips as she sits next to Tenchi which makes the pink-eyed child smile for she is sure the only reason for Ryoko's fatigue is her need to be near the apple of her eye. "Well, I need to be up early tomorrow morning for some shrine work," says Katsuhito as he stands up. "So oyasumi, everyone." "Oyasumi, jiichan," answers Tenchi. "Oyasumi, otousan," adds Nobuyuki. "Oyasumi, Katsuhito-dono," chins in Scully and then tells Mulder, "Katsuhito is turning in for the night." "Goodnight, sir," Mulder adds his two cents. "Jiichan, can I come with you part of the way?" asks the little princess. "Your company would be welcome, Akaruime," returns the smiling priest. The two walks to the front entrance, put on their shoes and the elder opens the door for them. The last rays of the setting sun allow nature's hippie to paint the clouds in tints of red, yellow and blue. It is the beginning and the end of days like these that give Katsuhito's spirit a lift for an unchained world can only produce this kind of beauty yet his thoughts return to the girl next to him. Just after they pass under the red torii, Sasami quietly asks, "Do you have something to ask me, jiichan?" Katsuhito clears his throat and says, "Is the pain in my chest that obvious?" "Not really, jiichan," replies the still smiling child but her words are serious. "You became very stiff when I was in your lap, like you were trying to keep your thoughts from betraying you." "Very well, I was wondering about your story, Akaruime," the elder tries to remain calm as they pause at the granite staircase. "The legend that surround the Masaki kazoku contains a very similar story about two people named Horosha and Washi but the encounter with the ryu is much different. I always assume the tale came from Yosho's own lips but now I wonder." "Oi . . . is that all," amusement returns to Sasami words as she continues, "I was three-years-old when Ryoko-neechan attacked Jurai. At the time I didn't know about the attack because I was exploring deep in the Palace Tree, Tenjyu, near the Hall of the Trees, where Tsunami-megami and her earthbound offspring reside. I was at the great doors to Tsunami's home when I saw a tall woman flying down the hallway toward me. It was Ryoko-neechan but I didn't know her and fled into the left corner of the hall to hide behind a pedestal with a small wooden statue on it. When I tried to get behind it, I brushed against the statue causing it to move off-center. A door opened behind me. At first I was scared to go in but the green glow from Ryoko-neechan's eyes convinced me to flee into it. "Inside was a large room with several glass cases, a desk, a wooden altar and a huge picture on a wall. I looked into the cases and found a huge metal sword, a locket with two rings of blue and blond hair, a very old book and an odd looking musical string instrument, like the ones I've seen played on your television. When I reached the desk, it contained memory crystals with a player. My nanny showed me how to use my own player, so I popped one of the clear crystals into the machine and waited. A small figure of an old man with white hair was projected from it and he told me the story about Horosha and Washi, the same one I repeated today. "By the time the story was completed, I heard my nanny calling my name and I went to her but I would sneak back to the room every so often to listen to the crystals and stare at the picture of the kind man and the happy lady." When Sasami reaches the part about finding the room, Katsuhito's body relaxes as he realizes the source of the girl's stories. 'Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions,' he thinks. 'I have to remember I found the room the same way and it was one of my favorite hiding places.' "So there was an official version of the story for the public and a true one kept in that room," concludes the elder. "Do you know why?" "Mo, is there anything else I can help you with, jiichan?" sweetness in Sasami's voice. "Not now but could you help me with the shrine tomorrow morning?" Katsuhito asks calmly. "We could trade and compare stories." "Hai, jiichan, that would be fun," Sasami words match the light of anticipation in her pink eyes. "Oyasumi, Akaruime," the priest gives her a short bow. "Oyasumi, jiichan," the child returns the proper bow. Sasami watches the back of the priest ascend the cut stone until he disappears before her shoulder sags and she sighs, "I didn't want to lie to him, Tsunami-megami." A bluish glow comes from Sasami's forehead as Tsunami replies soundlessly, 'You will have to decide when to tell them, Sasami-chan. The longer you delay the harder it will become for those words to leave your lips.' 'I'm so afraid,' Tsunami can taste the fear in the little one's mind. 'I just gained Ayeka-oneesama back, I don't want to lose her forever.' 'I know you love her as much as I love you,' warmth floods into the girl's spirit with the goddess' words. 'I love you too,' Sasami's smile matches her thought. 'When are you going to give Kitsune-san his surprise?' Tsunami changes the subject. 'Oi . . . I better give it to him before they leave,' Sasami eyes open wide as she turns to run back to the house but then stops midway and asks, 'But won't my gift get us in trouble, Tsunami-megami?' 'Mo, others have broken the rules surrounding Mulder, Scully and those poor people whose lives are forever scared by hate, fear and indifference,' replies Tsunami. Again Sasami becomes light of feet only to pull up short when she sees Mulder coming out the front door with a glass in his hand. Mulder slow steps take him toward the rental car but his spirit battles the feelings of isolation that are trying again to claim him. The sight of Scully and Nobuyuki share their common bond while Ryoko and Tenchi sit close together, listening to Nihonjin voices sing Western Rock, made the brown-haired man recognize how costly his crusade is yet both couple gives him hope for the future. The love affair, with his first partner, dies because of his longings but he sees in them love reborn. His comradeship with fellow agents goes asunder by his obsession but he sees in them fellowship made whole. A normal career will never grace his life but he sees in them how little normalcy means. He pushes away the doubts of his decision to stay in this foreign land as he drops down to the dirt road and leans against the left front tire. His pale green eyes see the light of tonight's first stars reflect off the lake's black waters and whispers to himself, "I stand at the window looking in, searching for your face, Samantha." "Dekiru watashi tasuke (Can I help you)?" a child's voice comes from above him. Mulder yanks his head up to stare at the small form, the dimming light makes him see the brown curls and dark eyes of his long lost sister but when she leans a little closer the shadow that wanders his dreams fades before Sasami's features. "Ga kowarete iru, Kitsune-san (Something wrong, Mr. Fox)?" Mulder hears the concern in Sasami's tone. "I'm sorry Miss Masaki but I can't understand your questions," Mulder tries to keep his longing out of his words, he notes how the moonlight shines off her face, especially the little mark above her eyebrows. Sasami takes up a formal stance before Mulder and says, "Watashi, Masaki Sasami Jurai, kubaru hoho tame ni koeru anata no mimi (I, Masaki Sasami Jurai, gives means in order to enrich your ears)." When the last word leaves the little one's lips, she bends down and touches the puzzled man's forehead with hers. Mulder's eyes go wide with shock as bluish light drowns out everything in his sight except for those two pink quartzes, then all thought vanishes as the neural circuitry within his brain fires all at once. Sasami carefully sits on Mulder's lap as his head falls back against the side of the car and his eyes close. She places her small arms around to hold him so he wouldn't hurt himself while his body jerks uncontrollably, lets her blue-haired head rests against his quivering chest and says, "I just want to help you, Kitsune-san. So many have hurt you." Soon the day's events causes the child's body to fall fast asleep as more of her spirit channels Tsunami's power into Mulder. The starry lion rises above the trees by the time Mulder's pale green eyes open. He looks down to see the tranquil child press against his body, her small body deep in sleep's realm. Unshed tears glisten in Mulder's eyes as he sees the same innocence in the child's upturned freckled face as his memory holds of his sister. His right hand touches the girl's blue hair while his left hand surrounds her waist as he says tearfully, "I won't let anyone hurt you like they did Samantha." Time slips by while he stares at the two fields of stars until Mulder hears a throat clear. He tilts his head back to see Scully looking down at him and she asks with mirthful words, "Starting kind of young aren't you, Mulder?" But Mulder takes her words seriously and strongly retorts, "Ruin is the fate for any that harms this child." Scully frowns then turns to her left, takes a few steps forward and says, "Tenchi-san, they're over here." The redhead can hear Mulder push himself up the side of the car to an upright position as her emerald eyes see Tenchi coming toward them. Tenchi smiles at them as he walks pass Scully, tenderly take Sasami from the American's gentle embrace and say, "It looks like bedtime for all of us. Oyasumi, Mulder-san, Ninjin-chan." "Good . . . " Mulder's words stop cold as his mind freezes at a sudden insight. "Oyasumi, Tenchi-san," replies Scully, unaware her partner's mouth hangs open. Tenchi walks a few steps forward before he remembers Mulder's limits. He then turns back around and says in halting English, "Goodnight, Mulder." "Goodnight, Mr. Masaki," Mulder's tongue finally comes untied. "Just Tenchi," the youth's smile matches his words. "Okay, Tenchi," Mulder agrees. Mulder comes to stand next to Scully and inquires, "When Tenchi took Miss Masaki from my arms, did he speak English to me?" "No, it was Nihongo," Scully replies with a frown. "Why?" "Oh . . . just curious, Scully," answers Mulder with a foxy grin on his lips. "Well, it's almost ten p.m., so we better get going so we get enough sleep to meet our new co-workers," Scully recommends as she opens the car and gets behind the wheel. "But tomorrows Saturday?" appeals Mulder. "For most in Nihon that's a half-work day, Mulder," informs the redhead. As Mulder belts into the shotgun seat, he says, "As to your question about me and Sasami, I have to start before they all fall in love with the boy." Scully puts the key into the ignition lock and starts the car before she counters, "What about the older princess?" Mulder gets a disgusting look on his face and shoots back, "Please, you know how I am with authority figures. Besides, with her temper I would end up looking like a bruised banana." With smiles on their faces and pleasant memories in their minds, the two Americans start on their way back to Okayama. ********** Notes: 1. What got me interested in writing this series was how much the OAV first episode would make an excellent X-Flies episode. I originally wanted to do a SI series as my first fanfic (I even wrote out an outline for it) but my creative juices just started to flow over this crossover idea. Originally it was only suppose to be forty pages but one thing led to another and it became a this monster, most of this caused by me adding more to the story as I went along and I kept changing the ending. 2. Strange Days will be my crossover series for Tenchi Muyo. I found it hard to find other writers stories because of the continuous title changes between squeals. This story and the next six will be X-Flies crossovers while some later ones are going to involve other characters from different sources (Buffy, Oh My Goddess, Gunsmith Cats, Cardcaptor Sakura and even Sailor Moon). The stories will be progressive so you will need to read the early ones to understand what is happening in the later stories. 2. I used these books as sources for my stories. You don't need them to write a Tenchi Muyo story but they do help in many ways: 1) Japanese Street Slang, Peter Constantine, Tengu Books, New York, Tokyo, 1992 ISBN 0-8348-0250-3, 190pgs. An excellent source on helping you to understand just what that anime character just said. 2) Japanese Slang: Uncensored, Peter Constantine, Yenbooks, 2-6 Suido 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112, Japan, 1994, ISBN 4-9007-3703-8, 208pgs. This covers in greater detail those naughty words some earthy anime characters use all the time. 3) Random House Japanese-English/English-Japanese Dictionary, Seigo Nakao, Ballantine Book, New York, 1995, ISBN 0-345-40548, 666pgs. A cheap little book but its not that well organized and doesn't include many slang words. 4) Barron's Japanese Idioms, Nobuo Akiyama and Carol Akiyama, Barron's Educational Series Inc, Hauppauge, New York, 11788, 1996, ISBN 0-8120-9045-4, 389pgs. An excellent source to help spice up your characters' dialogue and help you understand what that anime character meant about still having legs. 5) The Anime Companion: What's Japanese In Japanese Animation, Gilles Poitras, Stone Bridge Press, P. O. Box 8208, Berkeley, California, 1999, ISBN 1-880656-32-9, 163pgs. This book made me realize just how much of Nihonjin culture anime fans are exposed to and how it added to its attraction. 6) Japan-A Travel Survival Kit, Chris Taylor, Lonely Planet Publications, 1997, ISBN 0864424930, 600pgs. I looked at over dozen travel guides and found this one had the most information about Nihon outside of Tokyo. It has an excellent map to downtown Kurashiki, major and minor sites near and around the city, hotels, local bus routes, rail net and restaurants. 7) A Year In The Life Of A Shinto Shrine, John K. Nelson, University of Washington Press, Seattle, Wash., 1996. ISBN 0295975008, 330pgs. John Nelson teaches at a Catholic girl school in Nagasaki. His interest in other religions led him to investigate the Shinto community in this city and the great Shinto Shrine there. This book gives you a very detailed look at the continuous evolution of Shinto in Nihon, the traditional rituals and the mix of priests involved in this religion. This book gave me a better understanding of Shinto and influenced the way I developed the mystical/religious life for Jurai. 8) A Look Into Japan, John Howard Loftus and William Harland, Japan Travel Bureau, Inc., Japan, 1997, ISBN 4-533-01381-3, 191pgs. Meant to help those traveling and living in Nihon, its illustrations and simple descriptions give you an excellent birdeye's view of Nihon and its culture. 9) Martial Arts & Sports In Japan, Nathan Mathews, Japan Travel Bureau, Inc., Japan, 1993, ISBN 4-533-01995-1, 191pgs. An excellent starting point to understanding both ancient and modern sports in Nihon. 10) Cooking With Japanese Foods: A Guide To The Traditional Natural Foods OF Japan, John Belleme and Jan Belleme, Avery Publishing Group Inc., Garden City Park, New York, 1993, ISBN 0-89529-583-0, 220pgs. An excellent source on traditional Nihon foods, recipes, history and cooking techniques. 11) Japan: A Bilingual Atlas, Atsushi Umeda, 1991, Kodansha International Ltd., 17-14, Otowa 1-chome, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 112-8652, ISBN 4-7700-1536-4, 128pgs. The best atlas I could find on Nihon. 12) Dreamland Japan: Writings On Modern Manga, Frederik L. Schodt, 1996, Stone Bridge Press, P.O.Box 8208, Berkeley, Calif., 94707, ISBN 1-880656-23-X, 360pgs. A friend and interpreter of the late Osamu Tezuka, Schodt's book gives you an insider view of the manga industry and its offspring: anime. 13) Guadalcanal: Island Ordeal, Graeme Kent, Ballantine Books Inc., 101 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 1971, ISBN 345-02268-8, 160pgs. Out-of-print, this book gives you some of the best pictures of the campaign. 14) Tenchi Muyo!: RPG And Resource Book, David L. Pulver, Karen A. McLarney, Mark C. MacKinnon and Jeff Mackintosh, Guardian Of Order, Inc., P.O.Box 25016, 370 Stone Road, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, NIG 4T4, 2000, ISBN 1-894525-08-6, 200pgs. For those who don't have access to Tenchi 101 or the Tenchi DVD, this book contains all the information from these sources as well as an excellent description of the characters and the OAV universe but only hints at some of the mysteries, it doesn't solve them. 15) The Truth Is Out There: The Official Guide To The X-Flies, Volume 1, Created by Chris Carter, Written by Brian Lowry, HarperCollinsPublishers, 10 East 53rd Street, New York, NY, 10022, 1995, ISBN 0-06-105330-9, 277pgs. I used this as my bible on Mulder, Scully and their universe. It covers the first, second and parts of the third season. 4.The one thing making a tremendous difference for me was the people who sacrificed their time as prereaders for me. Lita Eagle, BGlanders, Achariyth, Kuuta Kutani, Sasami-chan and Fuzzy bunny has helped me recognize my strengths and flaws. As a poet and songwriter for the past fifteen years, I worried only about the structure and content that would make an excellent poem or song. I didn't need to be concern about dialogue, sentence structure or most grammar rules. Imagery, emotions and catchy phases were my bread and butter. Then I started to watch anime again after being away from it for the past twenty years and I saw Tenchi Universe. I enjoyed it a lot but then I found Tenchi Muyo: Ryo-ohki. The OVA had an immediate impact on me. The complex characters, adult plotline and sci-fi/comedy/romance mix made me fall in love with the series and angry with AIC for not continuing it. In my anger I started to write my own continuation of the OAV which I planned to send to AIC in a vain attempt to convince them how good the series was. It was in an Animerca article that I discovered fanfiction and how egotistically was my ambition. The first fanfic story I read was Michael McAvoy's "No Need For Sasami". If discovering that others had written Tenchi stories didn't slow me, the high quality of McAvoy's series burst my bubble completely. After reading other Tenchi stories by Lita Eagle, BGlanders, Happosai and others, I became even more convinced that I couldn't equal any of these writers' ability. It wasn't until I started to read some of the really poorly written stories that some of the old fire returned to me, if I couldn't equal the best at least I could do better than the worst. I read both McAvoy's article, "A Small List Of Things Best Left Out Of Your Story", and K'thardin's article, "How To Write A Fanfic" to help me start out in the right direction. The one thing I took to heart immediately was K'thardin's recommendation for prereaders. I wanted my first fanfic to be as good as it could be and I know an author is usually blind to his flaws. In fact, except for the skills I had developed as a poet and songwriter, I didn't even know my strengths. These people took the time to show both to me and without their aid, this story would be a real mess. DOMO ARIGATO GOZAIMASU. 5. Background: Since this is a crossover series, I would be adding something to the Tenchi OVA canon when I included the X-Flies universe to the mix yet I also decided to use the canon as a foundation for my own version of it. I used information from the "Tenchi Muyo RPG and Resource Book" to tell me what was in the "Tenchi Encyclopedia (Tenchi 101)", added information from Masaki Kajishima's and Yosuke Kuroda's "True Tenchi Novels" and from the first movie, "Tenchi In Love" but I made changes in places where I didn't agree with either source (Space pirates being the only source of the original human Jurains, Nobuyuki being a descendant of Yosho and Nobuyuki knowing Achika since they were children). I expanded it even further than I originally planned by including a religious/mystical aspect to Jurains' relationship with Tsunami-megami but I made sure what I added wouldn't contradict anything from the OAV episodes. As Kuuta Kutani pointed out, I have in some places gone WAY off-canon. 6.Timeline: I will be using a modified time line for this series. Besides blending the OAV and the X-Flies time line together, I going to change the episodic lineup for the OAV from the one presented to us by AIC and the Resource Book. A recent debate on TML was how the characters seem to digress in episode thirteen, "Here Comes Jurai." A possible solution offered was episode thirteen was done out-of-sequence with the rest of the Second Season. Its beginning with Mihoshi's report suggested it was originally meant to be the opener for the Second Season but something happened and it was used as a link for the possible Third Season. For me this solution works because it preserves the progressive development of the OAV characters. Here's the time line I'm using: 1992 X-Flies Pilot (March 6, 1992) Deep Throat Squeeze Conduit Jersey Devil The beginning of the Resurrection of Ryoko (Tenchi releasing Ryoko from the cave). Shadows Ghost in The Machine Ice Space Cont. of the Resurrection of Ryoko (starting with the high school incident). Here Comes Ayeka! WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS (X-Flies) Hello Ryo-Ohki! Mihoshi Falls To The Land Of Stars FIRE AND RAIN (X-Flies) Kagato Attacks! We Need Tenchi! The Night Before The Carnival MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION (X-Flies) 1993 Fallen Angel Eve Fire Here Comes Jurai Beyond the Sea MY FATHER (X-Flies) Hello Baby! A HARD RAIN'S A-GONNA FALL (X-Flies) MAD DOGS AND ENGLISHMEN (X-Flies) SIMPLE TWIST OF FATE (X-Flies) Sasami and Tsunami I'M A PIONEER (El-Hazard) I Love Tenchi MACK THE KNIFE (Gunsmith Cats) The Advent of the Goddess Zero Ryoko VETERAN COSMIC ROCKER (X-Flies) STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN (X-Flies) DAZED AND CONFUSED (Night Stalker) TEEN ANGEL (Oh My Goddess) THE BATTLE FOR EVERMORE (Speed Racer) 1994 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL (Buffy, the Vampire Slayer: TV series) CHILD OF LIGHT (Cardcaptor Sakura) JUST A SINGER IN A ROCK & ROLL BAND (Sailor Moon) More to come. 7.Characters: Most comments that come from prereaders are about OOC. While most of the prereaders thought the characterizations were good to very good, both Kuuta Kutani and BGlanders believed them to be a little over the top, too emotional. There is a danger for the writer to stray from the OAV personalities, which is one of the reasons why most Tenchi OAV stories take place after the second season. I started mine just after the second episode because of time (the investigation into the destruction of the Seto-obashi Bridge would have to start immediately) and I wanted some restraints placed on myself as to how far I could take the characters yet remain within the boundaries of acceptable behavior. There are distinct differences between the OAV Tenchi gang and the TU Tenchi gang. As was pointed out by Tomas 009Doscher, in "The Sum of All Memories", a person's personality is created by the sum of all of his or her memories. As such, both groups are different because their memories are different and this will be true of the OAV gang in my series in light of their interaction with Scully, Mulder and others. This doesn't mean I'm going to change the OAV personalities since my stories are happening at the same time as the OAV episodes but I will try to show each character is a complex person. Remember that these characters are total strangers to at least some of the other members. As such they are groping in the dark, trying to establish lines of friendship with the others, sometimes accidentally hurting the others and exposing themselves to emotional pain. McAvoy is also right about one other thing, as writers we do project some of our own experiences and those of our friends into the characters we write about. Tenchi: Of all the characters in the series, Tenchi gets a lot of bad press. Indecisive, naive, gullible and a blockhead are some of the words I've seen used by others. What some keep forgetting is Tenchi is the only 'normal' Nihonjin in the series, all the others are either abnormal (Nobuyuki) or space aliens (this includes Katsuhito). Most Nihonjin people have introverted personalities with a public face seen by most and a private face usually seen by his/her mate. Tenchi's public face is one of politeness, easygoing, agreeable and very quiet but his private face is one with a fiery temper, stubborn determination and heartbreak sadness. Most of Tenchi's indecisiveness comes from the fact he doesn't want to hurt other peoples' feelings. He loves every member of his new 'family' and will do anything to keep it together. If this means a loss of dignity or privacy due to Ryoko's advances, Ayeka's maneuvers, Sasami's mischievous nature, Washu's teasing, Mihoshi's hero worship, Katsuhito's smartass treatment or Nobuyuki's hentai nature, he will endure it. In some ways I see something of myself in Tenchi. I was like this when I was seventeen. I was raised by my paternal grandparents and my paternal great-grandmother. I was introverted, very naive about girls and grieving over the death of my grandmother who was more of a mother to me than my mother was. Will Tenchi choose one of the girls as a mate? I don't know but the girls could be in for a long wait. Most Nihonjin men marry between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-five and to someone they have known since childhood (this is why Nobuyuki-Achika's marriage in their teens is considered to be so unusual). Tenchi is like his name: as solid as the earth and forever like the heavens. Ryoko: Of all the characters in the series Ryoko bear the greatest burdens (only Katsuhito might come close to her). Even though she was under Kagato's control during her rampage across the universe (the first 3,000 years as Kagato's soulless weapon and the last 2,000 years with the warped personality placed in her by her master), she was proud of being a space pirate and took pleasure in what she destroyed and killed. It's not until she is defeated by Yosho and sealed in the cave does she began to change. Over the next seven hundred years she is reformed by her prison's isolation and then exposed to the goodness of Nobuyuki, Achika, Katsuhito and Tenchi. If any person is responsible for the changes in her personality, it's Tenchi. His childhood was hers, his joys and tears were hers and a bond developed between them (conscious on Ryoko's part and unconscious on Tenchi's part). Her problem is while she has been in love with Tenchi for years Tenchi can only feel the warm comfort her presence gave to him at the cave. Is it love or friendship Tenchi feels for Ryoko? Ryoko would want it to be love but Tenchi isn't sure. The next person close to her is Sasami because the little princess accepted her without reservation and was the first to treat Ryoko like a human being; the love between the two is sisterly. I'm using the ancient spelling for Ryoko's name because this is how it would've looked five-thousand-years ago. In seeing how normal people interact with each other, Ryoko has developed guilt over what she did as a space pirate. The old pride is still there but it's tempered by the knowledge of the pain she brought to people no different from Tenchi or Sasami. To find this part of Ryoko's persona I used the experiences of friends who served in Vietnam. Like Ryoko these friends were ordered in to burn villages and kill men, women and children. It doesn't matter if those people were VC or not, it doesn't matter if they were just following orders, the bodies and the ghosts still haunt their dreams. For friends like Lee Blood, each time they close their eyes, they are back in NAM. Ayeka: The most restraint placed on my writing was Ayeka's isolation during this time. At every opportunity I tried to find a reason to draw her out of her room and her grief. In some ways she is the twin to Ryoko for in her odyssey to find Yosho, she lost everything. Ayeka had built her whole life around her marriage to Yosho since she was five-year-old, even changing her hair color to make herself more pleasing to her brother. With her brother's 'death' the foundation of her life was turned into rubble, these five days are the darkest in Ayeka's life. It is the reason for my portrayal of Ayeka as suicidal. If a normal person's world were destroyed like Ayeka was, an attempt at suicide would be usual. In placing Ayeka in that position I had to find reasons for her to live on. Those were Sasami's unconditional love for her sister, Ayeka's duty to Tenchi and her hostility to Ryoko. I'm using the ancient spelling for Ayeka's name because this is how it would've been when she was born, seven-hundred-years ago. Remember that the name Ayeka is delicate in Nihongo but it can also mean ever changing or metamorphosis. If one person's personality changes in the OAV, it is Ayeka's. She started out as a caterpillar and became a beautiful butterfly. Sasami: If there is one person I feel the closest to, the little child goddess. Like her, I suffered as a child with physically trauma, which almost killed me. For three months I was at the Children's Hospital in San Fran with a disease that produced puss bags around my spin and spinal cord, slowly squeezing me to death. The doctors saved my life but gave little hope for me being able to walk again. At the end of three months I walked out of the hospital with my body's trunk encased in a metal brace. For the next six months I went through rehabilitation wearing that brace and I succeeded. I didn't have to choose this road, I could have just accepted my fate but I didn't and neither did Sasami. Like me she wanted to live and was willing to accept the merging with Tsunami as the price to be paid. Right now Sasami wrongly believes she is a construct of Tsunami and it's the main reason for her desperation for everyone to accept and love her as Sasami for she fears rejection should her secret be revealed. While her spirit, her soul is Sasami's, her body is not. Sasami's body is a construct of Tsunami's, which can be biological, energy or both at the same time. While her body sleeps, her spirit wanders about the universe. One of the things I added was the fact that while with Ayeka, during her sister's search for Yosho, the time her body spent in stasis sleeps her spirit talked and played with Tsunami-megami. Sasami's body might be eight-year-old and her spirit is that of a child yet her mind is seven-hundred-year-old. Nobuyuki: One of the reasons I devoted so much time to Nobuyuki is that once the other ladies (Mihoshi, Ryo-ohki and Washu) join the cast, some of the other members will lose time to them. It is the reason I started the romance between Nobuyuki and Scully, to create enough of a reason for him to get as much airtime as possible. I reasoned that most of the OAV episodes must have taken place on Saturdays because Tenchi was home from school but Nobuyuki was not (in Nihon, Saturday is a half-workday for most). As such, most of my stories will cover the in between days. You will get to see Nobuyuki at work or with Scully, Tenchi at school with his fellow friends and the ladies interacting with each other or with Katsuhito without Tenchi being there. For me, Nobuyuki's hentai nature was originally only a part of a more balanced personality but when Achika died he used it as a shield to keep women from looking at him as husband material. Now with Scully brought back into his life we will see Nobuyuki in a new light. Katsuhito/Yosho: If any person is responsible for the situation the characters are in, it's Katsuhito/Yosho. It was his choose to chase after Ryoko even through her mission had failed. Although he covered his mission with self-sacrifice, his main purpose was selfish, to avoid his responsibility for not telling his family that he didn't want to marry Ayeka, he loved the purple-haired princess like a sister not as a wife. It wasn't until he defeated Ryoko on earth and became aware of the nature of the Gems did his choice to remain on Earth was easy for him. He also made a hard decision to protect Ryoko from Jurai's interest in her but at the same time he started to prepare for the inevitable battle with Ryoko's master, Kagato. What I was looking for in his story was how the nature of the Gems could effect the relationship between Katsuhito/Yosho, Funaho-Ki, Ryoko and Washu. I reasoned if the Gems are the link between Ryoko's and Washu's minds then because they were supplying energy to Funaho-Ki and Katsuhito/Yosho they could mentally link Washu with both of them. I also wanted to show how complex plans like those being used by Katsuhito/Yosho and Tsunami is a mixture of manipulation, free will and blind luck. Mulder: He is haunted by the kidnapping of his sister by aliens. Although he disguised his search for her as his crusade to reveal the truth about aliens here on Earth, his main purpose in life is to rescue her. He used the X-Flies originally as his excuse for using government resources for his search but so he became intrigued by the supernatural nature of the cases. The X-Flies also feed his outsider nature, his feelings of paranoia, while leading him to others whom felt the same way as he did. Originally he saw Scully as a spy, meant to hinder his crusade, but this changes after her kidnapping by Duane Berry in 1994. Mulder like Nobuyuki has a hentai nature to his character. Scully has found him reading 'Adult Movies Review' at his office and has had numerous affairs with women. David Duchovny stated that Mulder is Jewish but how religious he is has never been defined. Like the other characters I have to be careful not to leak in emotional changes that Mulder suffered through later in the series. The development of friendship between Ryoko and Mulder was never planned by me, it just happened. Scully: She is a person in crisis. Her love for her father has always been stronger than he feelings for her mother to a point of her being a daddy's girl. An affair with an older, married man and her loss of faith in her religion has brought her to a point where her father and her job at the FBI kelp her saneness. Her exposure to the X-Flies and Mulder's crusade has in some ways revived her connections to her mother and her faith in God. Of all the characters from the X-Flies, it is Scully I've added the most information to. Her family living in Nihon for four years and her friendship with the Masaki family was something I had planned from the beginning, as was the possible romance between Scully and Nobuyuki. I'm going to allow the romance to develop naturally. Washu: Because of her connection with Ryoko, Katsuhito and Funaho-Ki, keeping this little redhead out of the picture until Book Three would be illogical, besides I don't like the idea of being her lab rat. Trying to construct a personality for someone over at least twenty-thousand-years-old was a real challenge. To build her biography I borrowed heavily from the True Tenchi Novels, Tenchi 101 and the hints dropped in the OAV. For me Washu is one of three goddesses who for some reason decided to live in the lower dimensions. To do this she had to give up her godhead, her memories as a goddess and be reborn as a child. On the planet Kanematsu (remember Mihoshi's last name), a floating child appeared in front of an abbey with three red gems beside her. Named Washu (trans. God of Harmony) by the female rector the child's genius was immediately recognized by the authorities on Kanematsu. By the age of fifteen, Washu had already mastered the basic courses at the Royal Academy before even going there (minimum age for students is eighteen) and tests had shown her power level to be class C. Even with her memory blocked, Washu was able to figure out that the three Gems were very powerful but not their potential or how to use them until she created Ryoko. To make a long story short most of the theories about Washu are confirmed in the True Tenchi Novels. Is this canon? For me it is but for others? I'll leave that up to them. I will also be added some of my own ideas about Washu's past as I go along. Achika: I know the original name for Tenchi's mother was Kiyone but I didn't want to confuse readers and I wasn't up to the task of creating a likely story for Mihoshi's partner being Tenchi's mother. So I used the name given in Tenchi in Love for his mother but changed her background to fit the OAV and to add some mystery to her. I have never read Naoko Hasegawa's novel version of TIL (I hope some day they would translate it and her other novels into English) but I picked up a few fragments from the different fans. I used some of it but the idea that Achika and Nobuyuki knew each since childhood was mine. Achika's importance to this series cannot be overstated, just as her presence in the OAV is everywhere. Kagato: BGlanders pointed out to me that according to Tenchi 101 vol.2 Kagato is a male clone of one of Washu's female friends. This statement is confirmed in the True Tenchi Novels with Kagato being the male version of Akara Naja, the second greatest genius in the universe. But who created the clone? According to the True Tenchi Novels, pirates killed Akara Naja while she and Washu were doing research on planet K1190. The True Tenchi Novels place this event at about the same time Washu created Ryoko, about five thousand years ago. I'm going with the idea that Washu was in great grief over her friend's death and over the loss of her son fifteen thousand years earlier and so created Kagato in an attempt to bring her friend back to life and to replace her son. Why do I say both because all clones would naturally be female due to the fact that all embryos start as female before some change into male during the early development of the fetus (what triggers the change is unknown and it is the reason why all of the sheep clones done so far are female), to change the clone's gender showed a conscious decision on Washu's part. Since True Tenchi Novels place this event so close to Washu's creating Ryoko, it is possible Washu was creating a son and a daughter she would never lose. Skinner: I know, I know. Skinner does not appear in the X-Flies until the second season. There are two reasons for him being in the series: 1. He is my favorite of the minor characters in the X-Flies. 3. It was easier to write the first chapter with him as Mulder's superior to than anyone else. MacClean: Of the remaining major characters to appear in the first book (don't worry, both Ryo-Ohki and Mihoshi will be in the next story), I can only give a little information about his background. He is a composite character based on my brother Antony (he could pass as my twin) another person. I brought him into the series to add some mystery to it since everyone knows the other characters. You will need to read the other books in this series to find out more about him. Horosha and Washi: I will let you guess about them. Right now their importance is as a link to Tsunami and Jurai's past. Later both will have different roles with the main characters. Minor characters: The other characters to appear were used as window dressing with a few details to give them color. Their importance will vary according to what happens to them in the series. 8.Plot: The only plot hang-up was over the bath scene with Ryoko and Ayeka, Kuuta Kutani thought it was eye candy for the fans. The reasons for this occurring were three folds: 1. Ryoko wanted revenge on Ayeka for using Tenchiken on her without upsetting Sasami and Tenchi too much (I could hear Ryoko whispering in my ear, "Let me at her, just once."). 2. Ryoko wanted to disguise her reasons for helping Ayeka; Ryoko has a reputation to uphold and didn't want Ayeka to think she was going soft. 3. Ryoko knows reinforcing Ayeka's hostility to her will give the princess one more reason to want to live. 4. What's a Tenchi fan fiction story without a sexy bath scene (I mean we are dealing with an OAV series that has six steamy bath scenes in just 13 episodes). Most of the plotline for this story kept on changing as I wrote it, only the beginning, Scully's connection to the Masaki family, Sasami's pet, the meeting between the main characters at the Masaki home, the battle with the OIK men and the first ending (originally Ryoko was supposed to seduce Mulder) was planned. Sasami-chan thought the story and dialogues appeared rushed at certain points (especially at the beginning) and Achariyth believed a better reason was needed to explain the FBI intervention in a Nihon investigation and not the CIA. This gave me one of several reasons to do the first of four major rewrites (minor rewrites were done at the end of each chapter). I increased the interaction between the characters and added more details to the story's background to give it a steady flowing pace. 9.Dialogue: What scared me when I started this story was dialogue. As a poet and songwriter, you don't have to deal with dialogue. I knew I could handle description and the projection of emotions into the narrative but my greatest fear was I couldn't create passable dialogue for the characters. I was very, very surprised when Lita Eagle, Achariyth and Kuuta Kutani told me my dialogue was very good. Lita Eagle said the characters? Dialogue was natural and others like the interaction between different characters. Because these positive comments came so early in the story development, I began to add more dialogue to the story and was another reason for my first major rewrite. But I will have to say that sometimes I wasn't responsible for the dialogue, there were times when I felt like my voice was being used by the characters. The two best examples I can think of are the confrontation between Ayeka and Ryoko and the one between Ryoko and Mulder. I didn't really know for sure how Ryoko would convince Ayeka not to kill herself until the words flowed from Ryoko's lips. Up to the point where Ryoko sits at the bar with Mulder, I was still going to have Ryoko seduce Mulder but then, as I wrote the scene I felt a sudden change within you and me see the result. There were times when I didn't know what the characters would say until I heard the words within my mind. I think the reason for this inner voice or voices is the fact I spent three and a half months in a hospital, mostly in a private room. For the first twenty days of my stay, I had no television and only a few comic books to keep me occupied but soon I was creating stories in my mind with characters from movies, television and comics. During the rest of my childhood I would make my own paper cutouts and paper props to make my own stories, with the characters conversing in my mind. I always considered this a childhood thing but now I realized how in my dreams characters would talk to me in an independent voice. Does this make me a nut case? Maybe but some consider insanity a plus for a writer. 10. Nihongo Words and Idioms: The only big argument I had with some of my prereaders was over the use of Nihongo words in the dialogue. Lita Eagle made a few comments about it and I had some long e-mail letters with Achariyth over this part of my style. Lita Eagle thought the usage would distract the reader from the storytelling and would make some readers just hit the 'back' button while Achariyth believed it is a quick way to lose a reader's interest. I trimmed down the Nihongo words in the narration but stayed firm on it in the dialogue for several reasons: Atmosphere: I wanted the story to feel like a subtitled version of the OAV. I wanted Nihongo and Jurain culture to flow out of the story. You should know I'm not just an otaku of anime, I'm also otaku of Nihonjin. It doesn't mean I don't recognize the flaws in the culture but I have an admiration for the people. As Gilles Poitras pointed out in his/her book, Nihongo culture penetrates all anime to vary degrees and many times the only way you can understand a character's actions is to remember that anime is first made for the Nihon market (although American tastes have started to influence anime marketed for Nihon TV). I also wanted to show how similar and different Juraijin is from Nihonjin and how different the two are from Western culture and other space faring races. Dialogue: I wanted to increase the individuality of the different character's voices. I have talked to other otakus here in Sacramento, anthropology professors and e-mail contacts and many agreed on how important language is in the Tenchi OAV, especially slang. Each characters talks differently in Nihongo and I wanted to carry it over into my story and the only way to do this is to use Nihongo words with a translation next to it. Furthermore female characters talk differently from male characters and I wanted to reflex this in my dialogue too. These examples are: Katsuhito/Yosho talked in a very slangy Kyushu dialect. Ayeka talked in a very formal Royal Court dialect (Hensian I think) most of the time with a very dainty feminine voice (but when she loses her temper, watch out!). Sasami speeches varied from the formal Royal Court dialect to the affectionate Nihongo child speak depending on whom she is talking to and the situation. Tsunami talked the formal Royal Court dialect. Ryoko talked in a Southern Honshu dialect with lots of rural slang with a very forward famine voice (almost American in directness). Tenchi talked in a Southern Honshu dialect with a mix of traditional, school and Nihongo-Amerika slang. Nobuyuki talked in an Osaka dialect with lots of urban and rural sexual slang. Washu talked in a very rough, masculine voice (use of na, ze and da particles instead of the feminine no, ne, wa and wa yo) used by most university professors and included slang from various origins but shifts into a very feminine voice when she teases someone. I had Scully and MacClean talk in a gender-neutral voice reflecting their foreign origins and her being out of Nihon for the last twenty years. MacClean speaks in a Tokyo dialect with a lot of street slang and Nihongo-Amerika words. As the series progress, she will slip back into her old speech pattern. Impact of Western culture: Nihon is the land of tradition and change, which can be found in her language. Those who listen only to dubs will miss this mix of the old and the new and I wanted to show this influence in my stories. If you listen to subtitle anime and songs sung in the anime, you would find a lot of Nihongo-Amerika words and slang. Just as American English is a bastard language with words going back to ancient Greek and Latin, the street Nihongo contains a lot of Chinese, Korean, European and American words, idioms and slang (especially the Tokyo dialect). Censorship: Anime contains layers of censorship in an attempt to produce a product saleable in both Nihon and the United States. The pure form is the original Nihongo version (either anime or manga) with minimum censorship (mostly due to the target audience the producers are aiming at). The first layer of censorship is the subtitled. This censorship varied from company to company (USManga doing the least amount of subtitled censorship to Pioneer doing a lot of subtitled censorship) but it is there. Dubbed anime is heavy with censorship so it will not offend certain groups in the United States and England. By using Nihongo words and idioms I am attempting to strip away the layers of censorship to present Tenchi in the raw. Enjoyment: My stories are attempts to convince the reader he/she is missing a very magical world by not knowing some Nihongo words and idioms. By just using either Happosai's or my glossary a new level of entertainment and understanding of anime will reach you. You don't need to understand that many Nihongo words for the key to unlock the door to this new world. 11.Present Tense: This will be the only time I will do a story in a present tense style, the rest of my stories will be in past tense. The reasons for doing this story in present tense were many: 1. The majority of my poems and songs I have done in present tense and I was hoping to use the same style for my stories. 2. My English professors have always stated that present tense writing is superior to past tense writing. 3. I noticed that some reviewers would get on a soapbox about people using present tense and I decided to let them know how much this bothered me. To be against something because it's different is not a good thing. 12. There are a lot of good to excellent Tenchi fan fiction stories out there. If you want to get hooked on reading Tenchi fan fiction, start with the stories I listed below, these are some of the best: "Tenchi Muyo! H Adventures" by Warpzone32@hotmail.com this is one of the funniest lemons I've ever read. "Homecomings: A Tenchi Muyo/El Hazard Crossover" by Andrew Graham & Deunan. A great crossover story. "Tenchi Muyo: Unfinished Business" by Dennis 'Dewey Neko' Carr & Karmin 'Trakal' St. Jean. Come on guys, get the next chapter out, I love this series. "Tenchi Muyo: Darkest Hell" by ruby@pa.net I couldn't read this series all at once. I had to space other Tenchi stories in between chapters to keep myself from being consumed by this fic. A great story. "Breakfast In Bed" by Steven Laird. This is a new story and I recommend it for everyone. I liked it a lot. "The Mihoshi Incident" by Doppelganger. This Tenchi Muyo/Star Trek NG crossover is very good. "Tenchi Muyo: Ryoko's Love" by Long T. Tran. Please, please Tran, write some more chapters in this series. I really, really like it. "The Gentle Sound of Thunder" by BGlanders. All of the stories by BGlanders are great and this is an excellent example. A very sad story and it influenced me a lot in my depiction of Ayeka. "Tenchi Muyo: Mother's Day" by Ryan Mathews. A very good writer, this story is one of my favorite Washu tales. "Kongo no Tenchi Muyo" by Hakubi Ryouko. An excellent story. "Surprises All Around" by Jamie Jeans. Will you please write another chapter Jamie? I like your SI character. "A Change of State" by Matthew Smith. I'm currently rereading this story. It's one of my favorites because of his portrayal of Sasami. "Darkness & Light" by Zyrean. The best Kiyone/tall dark stranger series out there. "Heaven and Eternity" by K'thardin. You don't need to do a rewrite K'thardin, I love the original. I just wish you continued the squeal. "Aikan Muyo" by Happosai. The best Tenchi lemon out there. It had a huge influence on my writing style. "Confess To You" by Literary Eagle. Everything that comes out of this lovely lady's pen is great but Confess to You is a prime example of her skill. I add my voice to K'thardin and say Please finish it! "No Need For Sasami" by Michael McAvoy. A part of Long T. Tran's Ryoko Love's universe, it was this series that got me hooked on reading Tenchi fan fiction. Keep up the good work McAvoy. "Blood Red Moon" by Platinum Dragon. This series and its squeals are great. "Two Guys, A Girl, And A Giant Lizard" and "Destiny's Balance" by Tomas "009"Doscher. This is probably Doscher's best work. All of these stories can be found at GenSao's Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction Archive at http://tmffa.com.