Ep 17 – Forbidden Love

 

Thank you for reading as far as you have, and for becoming loyal

fans of No Need for Dragonballs.  I'd like to present to you, the

final chapter of the story, titled Forbidden Love.  This will

complete the fanfiction and wrap up most of the loose ends.  At the

time of me writing this header, I'm still unsure as to how I want to

end it, but we'll see what happens when I get to that point. ;) 

Funimation copyrights Dragonball Z and Pioneer copyrights

Tenchi Muyo.  Don't sue me, as I didn't make any money off of

this (even though I've been encouraged up the yin-yang to get this

published).  Remember to send me your thoughts on the story to

russael@tmia.net.  Thank you to everybody who has supported me

through the story and have encouraged me to keep it going, and

who have sent me email regarding the fanfic.  I appreciate the time

everybody has taken to let me know what he or she thought of my

creation.  Again, a big THANK YOU to my fans!  Also, another

HUGE thank you to the real Zorpheus for helping me with his

dialog once again.

 

Feel free to come visit my website @ http://russael.cjb.net or

http://www.tmia.net:81.  It's a massive Tenchi website consisting

of MP3s, video clips, over 19,000 screenshots, character

descriptions, and much more, including additional fanfics by other

authors.

 

                "I wish you'd wake up, Russ, because you have no idea

how much I miss you.  You've been the highlight of my life ever

since I met you.  You're not like anybody else I've ever known. 

You're kind, gentle, and very forgiving.  You're easygoing and

almost impossible to make upset.  You listen to my problems

without complaining and have always been there to comfort me. 

You've been my friend since I've known you and you've been my

protector for that time as well.  When we went to the Startica

Festival, you stopped Nagi from attacking Tenchi and Ryoko, and I

found that very brave.  But after you fought against Zorpheus and

saved my life, you sealed your fate with me.  You revived me

without giving a second thought to your own well-being, and you

knew what would probably happen to you.  But it still didn't

matter.  You did it anyway, and you were happy about it.  You

smiled at me, and cried too, because you knew in your heart that

you loved me, and I loved you.  I know now that you would do

anything for me, or for our family that you've become a part of. 

And you know that we'd do anything for you as well.  Since you

collapsed on the battlefield, I've never left your side.  I never want

to leave your side, Russ."

                Princess Aeka, sitting by Russ's hospital bed, lay her head

down on Russ's chest, hearing his heartbeat.  It has been seven

days since the climax of the battle, and Russ has been comatose

after his collapse.  They were both in Washu's laboratory in a

special medical wing, where they hoped Russ would make his

recovery.  He had many instruments connected to him that

measured his vital signs, including his heart rate, metabolism, and

his brain activity.  His arm had an IV in it, which was now his only

source of nutrients.  Aeka had not left his side since that dreadful

day, and she was now becoming worn out and tired, unable to

sleep well, hardly eating anything, with her heart filled with worry

and concern.

                "I wish I knew what to do to make you wake up, Russ. 

Both Tom and Nagi are here, waiting for you to come around. 

They're very worried about you, you know.  Nagi told me that she

was monitoring the battle between you and Zorpheus, and she

knew something bad was going to happen, so she came here to see

you.  She still remembers that day you took her away from the

Startica Festival and listened to her, even though she thought you

were going to kill her.  Even though that was your only meeting,

she felt the need to come here to make sure you were okay.  My

parents and Aunt Funaho are all on their way as well, but they

won't arrive for another two or three days.  I hope you wake up

before they get here, because I know what father is going to do,"

she said, her voice wavering as she continued to rest on Russ's

chest, feeling the slow rise and fall from his rhythmic breathing. 

"He's going to try to take me back home again, and I don't want to

go.  I want to stay here, with you and Sasami.  I want to be with

you more than anything.  I will tell father to go home, but he won't

listen.  I need you by my side to make him see how much we love

each other.  Seeing it in person is much different than watching it

over a communications channel.  They saw how you brought me

back from death and how you sacrificed yourself to save me.  I

can't think of anything nobler than what you did, and you're the

kind of man that I could've only dreamed about, until now.  You're

here, with me.  And I will do anything to make it stay that way."

                Feeling a lump get caught in her throat, Aeka hesitated,

until the tears started flowing once again, dripping onto Russ's

tattered blue undershirt that he still had on since the battle.

                "I've cried myself to sleep every night since you did what

you did, Russ.  You're very mean to make me worry like this.  Just

look at me.  I'm a total mess.  I'm supposed to be the most

beautiful princess that ever walked the face of Earth and Jurai, and

I look like you," she said, trying to laugh at her own humor.  "I've

only left your side to take a bath, but I still feel messy.  Tenchi and

Ryoko both tried to force me out, but I took care of them.  They

realized that arguing with me was futile, as you well know.  I

always love it when you play with me, especially when you try to

argue with me.  Sometimes you're right, sometimes you're wrong. 

But you're never insulting unless you're making fun of yourself. 

You're so handsome and loveable, and it's hard to believe that

you're as strong as you are.  You're so gentle and careful around

me, even when we spar.  You never seem to want to hit me or hurt

me, so you do other things to fight against me.  Your favorite thing

to do is compare me to Akane from Ranma, and you know how

much that drives me crazy.  You think I can't cook and you believe

that I have an explosive temper like she does, but I don't see how. 

But ever since you tried to teach me how to cook, I have gotten

better.  I love how you take the time to explain everything, and the

way you do it is so simple and easy.  You're not like Washu who

goes off on tangents and explains things that only you or her would

understand.  Even Sasami says so."

                Sitting back up in her chair, she looked at the heart

monitor and yawned, his pulse remaining at a slow and steady

sixty beats a minute.

                "Everybody has been trying to get me out of this room,

but I don't really want to leave.  I want to be the first thing you see

when you wake up, and I want to see you smile again.  Just

watching you here, being so lifeless and still, is making me crazy. 

I know you're alive, but I wish you'd give me some sort of sign

that you're still with us," she said, grasping his hand and holding it

to her cheek.  "Washu still isn't sure if you're going to recover or

not, but I believe that she has done everything humanly possible to

make sure you do.  The problem is you're different than the rest of

us.  You're a Saiyan warrior, and aside from Zorpheus, you're the

only one we've ever seen.  Washu has done her best to deal with

the setbacks, bless her soul.  I still feel ashamed from hitting her

when she was trying to stop me from helping you, but if I had to do

it all over again, I would.  Being next to you is what makes me

happy, and there isn't another person alive who can take that away

from me or keep me from it.  But still, I am worried about when

you do wake up.  I know things didn't go as well as you had

hoped, but we're both still alive somehow.  I guess I owe Zorpheus

a little thanks for what he did after the battle.  I never expected him

to do what he did."

 

One week earlier…

 

                "AEKA!!"  Sasami yelled, pulling free of Tenchi and

running up to her sister.  She dropped to her knees and looked into

her sister's eyes with the tears pouring out of her own.  "You're

alive!"  Throwing her arms around Aeka, she buried her face in

Aeka's chest, squeezing with all her might.  "You're alive!"

                Still stunned, unable to come up with an explanation,

Aeka looked down at her sister, then back at the family.  Slowly

reaching up, she touched Sasami, as if she were a ghost, but she

then hugged her, pulling her close, letting a smile creep onto her

lips and letting the tears flow from her eyes.

                Washu stood by, completely awestruck and baffled over

what she just witnessed.  No modern miracle could've done that

and it still seemed almost surreal that it did happen.  Tears welling

up in her eyes again, she continued to look at Aeka, and then at the

hole in her clothes, which was now bare, clean skin. 

"Unbelievable."

                Both Tenchi and Ryoko smiled warmly, holding each

other close, very, very happy that Aeka was back with them. 

"Welcome back," they both said in unison.

                Aeka took each of their expressions and set those

memories in stone within her mind.  She smiled, tears streaming

down her cheeks, as she continued to hold her crying sister. 

Finally looking to her other side, she saw Russ standing there,

breathing heavily, and looking like an absolute mess, but he was

smiling.  Nevertheless, she sensed something was very wrong with

him as she watched him.  "Are you okay?" she asked, hearing the

sound of her voice once again.

                "Welcome back, Aeka," he said, quietly, his voice

somewhat garbled from the fluid gathering in his throat.

                Looking up from her sister, Sasami watched Russ, a mix

of worry and concern on her face.  "Russ?  What's wrong?"

                Glancing down at Sasami, Russ smiled, a happy,

contented, and fulfilled smile.  "I'm sorry, Sasami, but I have to

break a promise that I made to you," he said, lowering his arms to

his sides.

                "What do you mean?" she asked, the tears still streaming

from her eyes from being overjoyed.  "You brought my sister back

to life!"

                Shaking his head slowly, Russ continued to smile.  "Not

that one, Sasami.  To bring Aeka back, I had to use up all of my

energy, and my life force.  I gave her everything I had left to let

her live," he said.  "I gave up my life to let your sister live."

                "What are you saying?" Aeka asked, concerned.  "You're

here, I'm here.  It'll all work out!"

                Again shaking his head, Russ still smiled.  "I'm sorry,

Aeka.  I never meant for any of this to happen, especially letting

you die.  But I feel strangely at peace with myself, and fulfilled.  I

don't know what it is about you, but there was something in my

mind that insisted that you had to live.  As I always said, you're far

more important than myself, and I guess that is what gives you the

right to live."

                "Stop talking nonsense," she said, her voice skipping like

she was laughing.  "You're going to be just fine, aren't you?" she

asked, but gasped as she saw a couple of tears at the corners of

Russ's eyes.  It was the first time she had seen a man like him cry,

and it was then that she knew what he had done.

                His black pupils slowly began to fade, lightening to a

gray, and then nearly disappearing altogether, Russ raised his right

hand, giving her a thumb up.  "I'm sorry, Aeka.  I wish I could've

been your lover," he said, his voice shaking, but he still maintained

that warm, fulfilled smile.  "No need for Dragonballs."  Feeling the

wind over his battered skin, he felt himself falling onto his side,

but he never felt the impact of when he hit the ground.  The wind

continued to stir his hair, his face still smiling, his thumb still

pointed upward, as he let himself go, his entire life playing before

his eyes, but the most tender moments of it playing again and

again, and that being the final year of his life.  Russ, one of the

most powerful warriors the family had ever had the pleasure of

meeting, knowing, and loving, passed away.

                Again, the entire family watched him fall and thud against

the ground, their jaws hanging open, completely blown away that

one of his caliper was now lying dead in front of them.  Their

emotions were thrown into absolute turmoil again, as they

witnessed the death and rebirth of one of their most loved ones,

and now, witnessed the death of another.

                "Russ?" Aeka said, still not able to believe that he could

be dead.  "Russ?!  RUSS!?  RUUUUUSSSS!!!" she screamed,

throwing her sister off of her and crawling over to him, putting her

hands on him and shaking him.  Screaming to the heavens, she

covered his body with hers and wept like she never had before, all

of her frustration pouring out of her like an uncontrolled river of

rage.  The rest of the family all stood by, feeling the lump in their

throats, thinking of all the happiness he had give them since

coming to live with them.  But as he said, "But when the time

comes, I may have to leave."  They never imagined that he'd be

leaving in this way.

                "You can't be dead!  You JUST CAN'T BE!" Aeka

screamed, holding him tightly, looking into his battered face,

which was still filled with contentedness.  "Wake up!  PLEASE

WAKE UP!"

                "Aeka," Tenchi said, choking back his tears.  "Please

stop.  There's nothing we can do.  He sacrificed himself to let you

live."

                "IT'S NOT FAIR!" she screamed, crying hysterically. 

"I'm supposed to be dead, not him!  If he didn't bring me back,

he'd still be alive!"

                "But then you'd be dead, Aeka.  He knows how important

you are to us, and he felt that you were more important than he

was.  He was happy to give you his life, Aeka," Tenchi said,

resting his hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently.  Aeka had

Russ's head in her lap, stroking it, letting her tears splash onto his

face.  "I believe he loved you more than anybody, and he proved it

through his actions.  The pain he felt when he saw you collapse

was enough to give him the strength to defeat Zorpheus.  He wants

you to live, Aeka.  He made sure you would live."

                "Washu?  Can't you do anything?" Aeka asked, looking

at the scientist.

                Washu looked back at Aeka, her eyes filled with tears as

she looked away, letting the water fall to the ground.

                Again, feeling an unparalleled sadness, Aeka began to cry

once again, murmuring Russ's name over and over.

                "We should get out of here," Ryoko said, looking at the

darkening sky.  "I don't think this planet will exist much longer.  It

feels like it's about to fall apart and explode."

                Kiyone and Mihoshi both approached Aeka, gently taking

her in their arms, pulling her away from Russ.

                "Come on, Aeka," Kiyone said, gently.  "We should go."

                Mihoshi didn't say anything, but tears were streaming

down her face as well, as Russ had touched the lives of the entire

family.

                Pulling away from Kiyone, Aeka collapsed back to her

knees, her face blank and devoid of life.  "I can't believe he's

gone," she whispered, the tears no longer flowing.  "He can't be

gone."

                Sasami was holding onto Washu, keeping her face buried

in her clothes, but something made her pull away and look toward

the battlefield, where the dust was finally settling.  "What's that?"

                "What's what, Sasami?" Washu asked, looking off into

the direction Sasami was.

                "There's something there," she said, growing scared.

                Straining her eyes, Washu tried to see through the dust

cloud, but couldn't see inside it.  "I don't see anything, Sasami."

                "Wait.  Something is there.  I can feel it," she said, her

gaze not faltering.

                Tenchi, Ryoko, Sasami, Washu, Kiyone, and Mihoshi all

looked at the battleground, watching, and waiting.  Aeka sat on the

dirt in shock, unable to feel or do anything.  It was just too

unbelievable that Russ was lying dead in front of her.

                "LOOK!" Sasami yelled, pointing a finger at a silhouette

that seemed to form in the dust.  "Look there!"

                "No… it can't be.  He's dead.  He has to be," Tenchi said,

his eyes widening.

                Very slowly, the shadow took a more human form, as

someone came out of the dust cloud.  He was clutching his

shoulder, which was now missing an arm.  Slowly making his way

over to the group, he stopped about a dozen feet away from them,

his artificial eye swollen shut, sparks arcing from his missing arm,

and his skin badly burned from almost top to bottom.  He was still

smoking, but somehow, he was still standing and was still

conscious.  The only bit of clothing that remained on him was

around his crotch, and it looked like a set of Speedos.  His hair was

already turned back to black, and his eye had become red once

again.  He could've passed for hamburger.

                "I came, I saw, I got blown up," Zorpheus coughed,

spitting up a mouthful of blood.

                Tenchi and Ryoko both immediately jumped in between

Aeka and Russ, their eyes consumed in fear, but they were ready to

fight.  Ryoko's sword glowed orange, and Tenchi's sword was a

brilliant shade of blue, both of them humming quietly.

                Shaking his head, Zorpheus put up a hand.  "I'm not here

for that.  Not anymore."

                "Like Hell you are!" Ryoko snarled, ready to lunge at

him.  "I don't know how you survived, but you're not going to be

alive much longer!"

                "Wait!" Sasami said, running up to Ryoko and Tenchi. 

"He's different somehow."

                "Get back!" Tenchi said, putting his arm out to stop the

little princess from getting in front of him.  "Stay away from him!"

                Sasami slowly walked around Tenchi, looking at the

horror on his face.  "Please, wait," she asked again, turning away

from them and toward Zorpheus.  Slowly walking over to him, she

stopped a few feet in front of him and looked into his red eye.

                Several moments passed as both Sasami and Zorpheus

gazed into each other's faces, both of them judging the other. 

Zorpheus continued to breathe heavily, blood dripping from

several parts of his body, staining the dirt red.  Sasami watched

him, sensing a difference in his mind.

                "Are you okay?" Sasami asked.

                Shaking his head, Zorpheus almost collapsed to the

ground.  "No.  But Russ is in worse shape than I am.  But we can

still save him."

                "I don't believe you!" Ryoko shouted, her hands shaking

with anticipation.  "You killed Aeka and made Russ destroy

himself!  How can I believe you!?"

                Looking up from Russ's corpse, Aeka's gaze locked on

Zorpheus, the hurt and pain written all over her visage.

                Again, several more moments of silence passed between

the group, but it was Sasami who smiled and nodded her head.  "I

believe you," she finally said.  "What do we need to do?"

                "Sasami!" Washu shouted, not really sure why.

                Zorpheus visibly relaxed, letting out a sigh.  "I know Russ

always has a backup plan.  Do you guys have a regeneration tank

somewhere?  I think I remember seeing one when we went through

the lab."

                "Yes we do," Sasami answered, taking Zorpheus by the

hand.  "It's okay, everybody.  Zorpheus is back to normal, and he's

going to help Russ."

                "What are you talking about, Sasami?!  How is he

normal?" Ryoko yelled, her face full of shock and surprise.  "What

he did to Russ and Aeka wasn't normal?"

                Sasami shook her head.  "No.  I sensed a change in him

just before Russ blasted him.  It was like someone was controlling

him, like how a puppet master controls his puppet by pulling

strings.  I don't know how to explain it, but Zorpheus is completely

calm and at peace right now, where he wasn't when he first

arrived."

                "I don't understand this anymore," Tenchi murmured,

letting his sword disappear.  "Lets just do what he says."

                "Are you out of your mind?!" Washu yelled, clearly

flustered.  "Russ is dead!  How the hell will letting his body heal

bring him back?!"

                "Yes, he's dead, but if we get him into the regeneration

tank immediately, we can save him," Zorpheus said, drawing a

hopeful look from Aeka.  "He's capable of being revived, but

barely.  If we do not get his body healed soon, he will definitely

stay dead."

                "Idiot!  He isn't breathing, he has no pulse, and his energy

level is zero!  Are you telling me that you can bring back the dead

too?!" Washu argued.

                Aeka stood up and moved over to Zorpheus, looking him

directly into his eye.  "Save him," she said, her face serious.  "If

you can do it, save him."

                "Aeka!?" Washu shouted, her mind succumbing to the

enormous amount of mental trauma she has endured through the

battle.

                Slowly making his way over to Russ, Zorpheus knelt

down, getting his arm around Russ's waist and lifting him like a

piece of baggage off of the ground.  "Where is the regeneration

tank?  We don't have much time."

                "This way," Aeka said, reaching out into the air, causing

the hidden door to appear, opening it and standing aside.

                "Let's go," Zorpheus said, walking through it, followed

by Aeka and the rest of the family.

                Everybody kept his or her distance from the saiyan, still

very concerned that he was going to do something drastic or crazy. 

Even though he was severely weakened, they still didn't want to

tangle with him.  But if he could save Russ and if he was being

serious, then the risk was worth the reward.

                Slowly making their way to the regeneration tank,

Zorpheus stumbled several times, barely able to support Russ and

himself.  He felt weak and he could feel faint, but he kept moving,

until they reached the huge dome.  Setting Russ's body down on

the floor, he moved over to the control panel and keyed several

commands, hearing the door hiss open.

                He looked back toward the group, giving them his best

pitiful look.  "Could someone give me a hand getting him into the

chamber?  Seems I'm short one at the moment."

                Without question, Aeka leaned down and lifted Russ by

herself, and very gently set him in the chamber.  Reaching over to

the air mask, she secured it to Russ's face.  Backing out of the

chamber slowly, leaving Russ slumped over, she felt hope again.

                "Sealing the chamber and filling it with synthetic Saiyan

DNA," Zorpheus said, keying the necessary commands on the

console to let the light blue liquid fill the tank, and then he turned

toward the group.  "These machines are miracle workers.  They

can revive a person like him and bring him back to like-new

condition in only a half-hour, and they can revive people who have

been dead for as long as twenty minutes," he explained, feeling his

body become sick.  "Thank you for believing me.  Now, if you'll

excuse me, passing out sounds really good at the moment.  I'd like

to be set somewhere nice, but if you just leave me bleedin' on the

floor, I can't blame ya.  Thank you, and goodnight," he said,

letting a small grin creep onto his lips, as his eyes became a steel

gray, and he fell over, in almost the same condition Russ was in

moments ago.

                Aeka watched him fall, feeling a mix of rage, fear, hope,

and sympathy.  For a few moments, she debated with herself on

what she should do with him.  Should she kill him so he couldn't

do anything like he did ever again?  Or should she let him live? 

Thinking back to how Russ felt about him, it wasn't a tough

decision.

                "Tenchi?  Will you help me put Zorpheus on a hospital

bed?" she asked, still looking at Zorpheus's fallen form.  "Russ

will be upset if he dies."

                "He should die," Ryoko snapped, her eyes burning. 

"After what he did to both you and Russ, that bastard deserves

nothing less.  And even that would be too good for him."

                "Shut up, Ryoko," Aeka growled, glaring at her.  "I will

do anything to make Russ happy, and I know he'd be upset of we

let Zorpheus die."

                "And it wasn't his fault that he was doing what he was

doing," Sasami said, stepping over to her sister, taking Aeka's arm

in her hands, resting her cheek against it.  "Zorpheus was being

manipulated, so it wasn't the real him that Russ was fighting

against."

                "He deserves to die!  He killed Aeka and he made Russ

die because of what he did!" Ryoko argued, still infuriated at what

had transpired.

                "Should you die for the sins you committed while Kagato

was controlling you?" Aeka returned, her expression as cold as

steel.  "I don't believe you should, because that wasn't the real

you, and it isn't fair that we do that to Zorpheus."

                Ryoko looked taken aback and she looked away, ashamed

at what she proposed.  Tenchi wrapped his arm around her,

shooting a glare into Aeka's direction, still holding her gently.

                "It's okay, Ryoko.  We forgive you for what you've done,

and you should find it in your heart to forgive Zorpheus as well."

                "I'm… sorry, Aeka."  Ryoko hung her head, her

expression unhappy and defeated.

                Tenchi released his fiancée and moved over to Zorpheus,

lifting his heavy body and wrapping Zorpheus's arm over his

shoulders, grunting and straining under the tremendous weight. 

"Damn, I wonder if he weighs as much as Russ," he grunted. 

"Washu, where is the nearest hospital bed?  We will let him rest

there, and then we'll let him into the regeneration tank."

                "We can put him into a chair for now if we're going to

put him into the tank later," Washu said, keying a few commands

on her suddenly-present laptop.  A chair popped out of the floor

and scooped up Zorpheus, letting him lay back in the soft velvet. 

His blood began to stain the red fabric, making it darker in some

spots.  "If you'll excuse me, I'll stop his bleeding, and when Russ

is finished in the regeneration tank, I'll put Zorpheus in it."

                "Thank you, Washu," Aeka said, bowing respectfully. 

"But I want to stay here.  I want to see Russ the moment he gets

out of the tank."

                The tank beeped several times, showing that Russ was

now bearing life signs.  His body went through several spasms and

he threw up a mouthful of fluid into the air mask, but it quickly

sucked it away, continuing to supply him with enriched oxygen. 

Aeka watched him, breathing a sigh of relief.

                "I'll be perfectly honest with you, Aeka," Washu began. 

"I'm not sure what state of mind he will be in when he gets out of

the tank.  He just went through one of the most traumatic things he

could've ever bared witness to, and on top of that, he's more or

less been dead for the last ten minutes.  That is quite a while for the

brain to be without oxygen.  He may never wake up, Aeka," she

said, switching her gaze to the capsule, seeing Russ's visage

through the fluid.  He looked so helpless, like an unborn baby still

in the womb.

                Several moments of silence passed by, as Aeka didn't

seem to hear what Washu had to say, or decided to ignore it. 

Gazing into the tank, she hung her head and let out a soft sigh. 

Stepping over to the tank and placing the palm of her hand against

the glass door, she closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to

herself, and then she sat down in front of it, leaning against the

door, looking up at the rest of the family.

                "What are you doing, Aeka?" Sasami asked, watching her

sister.

                "I'm staying here," she answered, simply.

                Sasami watched her for a moment, stunned at how her

sister was behaving, but she smiled a moment later.  Moving over

to her sister and sitting down next to her, she took her sisters hand

in her own and relaxed.  "I'll stay here too."

                Looking over to the little princess, Aeka smiled

contentedly and nodded her head.  "Okay."

                Tenchi, Ryoko, Mihoshi, and Kiyone looked at each

other, and then smiled.  Turning away from her, all four of them

made their way out of the lab, heading back to the house and the

bright sunlight, leaving Aeka, Sasami, Washu, Zorpheus, and Russ

to their own devices.  Ryo-Ohki bounded in when Tenchi opened

the door and ran up to Sasami, meowing up a storm, wondering

what had happened.

                "It's okay, Ryo-Ohki.  Russ is being healed and Zorpheus

will be too.  I'll tell you all about it a little later.  But right now, I

just feel very sleepy."

                Both sisters leaned against each other, patiently waiting

for the tank to finish with Russ.  Washu stood nearby, watching the

two sisters hold each other close, and she could see the devotion

both of them had toward Russ.  There was no sense in trying to

make her go back to the house.  She knew what the end result of an

argument would be.

                However, Washu had her own demons to chase away.  It

was one of the few times that she could remember becoming upset

over the death of someone close to her.  Being alive for over

twenty thousand years and living far longer than most of her

friends and colleagues had hardened her, and almost made her used

to death and loneliness.  When she saw Aeka fall to the ground, it

set something off within her… a feeling that she hadn't felt in

thousands of years.  Despair had set into her heart, as she had

become attached to Aeka and Sasami like they were her own

children.  Even though they really didn't know about it, she had

kept an eye on the entire family, watching over them like a

guardian angel.  Not only was it a good learning experience for her

to record the behaviors of the family, it was also wonderful to be

able to interact with them and see how her knowledge would

change the outcome of one thing to another.  Being alive for so

long had told her not to become attached to anything because she

already knew she was probably going to outlive them, but still, this

group of people, who she had moved in with after being rescued

from Kagato, had captured her heart like no other.  Perhaps it was

when Tenchi had told her that she was a part of the family.  That

was something she didn't have for a very long time, and had a

longing for.  However, she didn't realize she had that feeling until

it was presented to her.

                Looking back at Russ in the regeneration tank, her mind

wandered further.  Even though she only lived with him for one

year, that single year was unforgettable.  He was radically different

than anybody she had ever met in her entire life.  He had strength,

power, and a wonderful personality, and those were traits that

never seemed to fall in with a person who was built like he was. 

From the stories that he had told her of his conflicts while she

examined him, he described what she had expected: arrogant,

pompous asses who only got pleasure out of belittling others or

causing others pain and suffering.  She admired him for his morals

and ethics, as they were set much higher than her own.  After a

short while, she knew that she began to idolize him, as he was the

embodiment of an almost perfect person.  Kind, compassionate,

caring, and very noble, he was everything that she was looking for

in a man.  Of course, his dashing good looks didn't hurt either.  For

some reason, she felt very comfortable talking to him, as he

seemed similar to her late husband.  Even though he wasn't built

anything like Russ, her husband was kind, caring, compassionate,

and could hold his own in a discussion with her.  She had fallen in

love with him, married him, and then had a child with him.  But all

that was taken away when the men came and said that he could no

longer stay with her, and that the child would go with them.  They

told her that she was to have no contact with them.  However, she

could see her husband in Russ, and it made her feel lonely and

depressed, as she thought about her lost love.  Nevertheless, Russ

did the impossible and reunited her son with herself, and that was

something that she had deemed impossible.  Even though she knew

she treated him harshly at times, even though she didn't speak to

him that much before Christmas, and even though she knew how to

push all the right buttons with him, he still came through for her

and had performed a miracle.  Like she had said, if Aeka wasn't

chasing Russ, she would've been.

                Stepping over to Zorpheus, she looked at his broken form. 

She couldn't feel any sympathy toward him, or anger for that

matter.  He was just another man who needed help.  Setting to

work to stop his bleeding, she sighed to herself, contenting her

mind to the task at hand.

 

Present Day…

 

                "Hey Tenchi?"

                "What is it, Ryoko?"

                "I'm worried about Aeka."

                "I know.  Same here.  I'm worried about both Russ and

Aeka, actually," Tenchi responded, rubbing his temples with his

hand, sitting on the couch, trying to take his mind off the mental

pressure by watching a little television.  Martian Successor

Nadesico was currently playing, and they were watching Akito

take a drink of a special stamina beverage that Megumi had

prepared.  He wound up screaming so loudly from the bad taste

that the Nadesico started rocking and rolling, being followed up by

bickering from Yurika.

                Ryoko was sitting next to him, one of her hands clasped

by Tenchi.  "Aeka has been in that lab for nearly a week now.  She

hardly eats and she's becoming a mess.  I've never seen her like

this before, Tenchi, and it's really worrying me."

                "Oh man," he sighed, looking at the ceiling and letting his

hand flop back to his side, ignoring Akito's outburst from the TV. 

"I don't know what to do."

                "Me neither.  But I think we should get her out of the

house for a while.  She really needs to take her mind off of Russ

for a little while and get some fresh air.  I've gone down there

every day to check up on her and she just seems to be wasting

away, waiting for Russ to re-awaken."

                Tenchi looked at her, seeing the concern and worry in her

face.  "How are we going to get her out of there?  Every time

we've even suggested it, she's bit our heads off.  I know she

doesn't mean it, but I've never seen someone as devoted as she is."

                Snuggling a little closer to her lover, she laid her head on

his shoulder.  "If it were you in that hospital bed, I'd be there by

your side as well."

                Releasing her hand and wrapping his arm around Ryoko,

he gave her a tender squeeze.  "Yeah.  I know you would.  Both

you and Aeka are the two most devoted people I've ever known."

                "Does that bother you?"

                "No, not at all.  Actually, I admire it.  It makes me feel

very good to know that you'll be by my side no matter what,"

Tenchi said, gently rubbing her arm.

                "I love you, Tenchi.  You're the only one I love and

you're the only one I will stick by no matter what," she said,

gazing into his eyes.

                Smiling, Tenchi bent over and kissed her gently, letting it

linger for a few moments.  "I love you too, Ryoko."

                "Oops, bad timing."

                Glancing over his shoulder, Tenchi looked at Zorpheus,

who had just come out of the kitchen.  Feeling a bit of anxiety, he

forced a smile onto his face.

                "It's okay.  How's it going?" he asked.

                "I ate everything in the refrigerator," Zorpheus said,

picking his teeth with his fingernail, making his way over to the

couch and drawing a look of shock from Ryoko and Tenchi. 

"Mind if I join you?"

                "You ate everything?" Ryoko asked, stunned.

                "Including the fridge.  You might want to consider

replacing it."  Zorpheus snickered quietly and shook his head,

taking a seat on the sofa.  "I'm just messin with ya.  I just had

myself a couple sandwiches to tide me over for now.  I heard you

two talking about Aeka and I started eavesdropping.  Sorry about

that," he said, looking at the TV.  For the third time, Akito

screamed so loudly because of both girls dumping hot soup on

him, that the ship almost fell into the ocean.  "I love this episode,"

Zorpheus said, laughing.

                Ryoko and Tenchi glanced at each other, silencing

themselves to watch the rest of the show.

                "Listen," Zorpheus began, turning away from the TV.  "I

know I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it until I'm sure I've

earned your trust.  I'm very sorry for everything that has happened. 

I'm sorry I did what I did to Aeka.  I'm sorry that I fought against

Russ and caused him to go into a coma.  I'm sorry that I basically

ruined your lives in a little more than an hour.  It seems almost

surreal to me, because I remember doing everything, but I don't

know why.  I could feel the anger, hate, and rage within my mind,

but it just seemed to be…" he said, trailing off.  "It was almost like

it was amplified in a way.  I would've never gotten mad enough to

kill someone over something like that.  True, I probably would've

taken some frustration out on Russ, but I never would've gone as

far as I did.  And when I shot Aeka, something inside of me, kinda,

turned off, and it was at that moment that I was able to take a good

look at what I did and ask myself, 'What the hell is wrong with

me?'  The instant that happened, I got a massive headache, like my

head was being crushed in a vice.  It was one of the weirdest things

that have ever happened to me, and I don't have an explanation for

it.  But I must apologize for everything that has happened, because

it was me.  Chasing after immortality was my own stupid idea, and

I should've listened to Russ and given up on it, but nooooo, I was

in my own little dream world about being the only invincible

warrior in the universe.  A man named Jordan on planet Xnafu had

described the thrill of battle and how unattractive it would become

if death weren't a factor in it.  It would be similar to playing a

videogame with the cheat codes.  Sure, it may be fun for a little

while, but it usually doesn't last long before it just turns stupid.  He

almost changed my mind, but I still felt inclined to give

immortality a test drive.  Not the smartest line of thinking I've had,

I admit," Zorpheus said, looking straight at Tenchi and Ryoko,

both of his red eyes flashing between the two.  "I don't know if I

could ever apologize enough, but I'm sorry."

                Tenchi and Ryoko listened to him, holding each other

close and listening carefully to everything that Zorpheus had to

say.

                "I am worried about Aeka as well," Zorpheus continued. 

"I have kept my distance from her as I'm certain she would not

welcome my company, especially after what had happened.  I

could tell what she felt just by looking into her eyes," he said,

shaking his head, letting out a deep sigh.  "I think she'll forgive me

in the time it takes for Hell to freeze solid.  Her sister is being

really sweet to me, but it hasn't been long enough to figure out if

it's for real.  I don't believe anybody trusts me yet, and it doesn't

take a genius to figure out why.  Needless to say, I'd really like to

know what made me flip out.  It just didn't feel right.  It was like

someone else was messing with my head.  I'd tear them apart if I

knew who or what it was."

                "Give Aeka a little time, but I'm sure she'll forgive you,"

Tenchi said, causing Zorpheus to glance up at him.  "Have you

apologized to her yet?"

                Zorpheus shook his head.  "Are you insane?  She'd

probably try to kill me or something.  Granted, it probably

wouldn't work, but I think it would be better if I just steer clear of

her for a while longer."

                Ryoko shifted positions, scooting slightly closer to

Tenchi.  "You should give her a chance, Zorph.  She is really a

kindhearted person, and I'm certain that she'd find it in her heart to

forgive you.  I know she would, because she has forgiven me for

some of the bad things that I've done in the past."

                After looking at her curiously, he shifted his gaze to the

floor.  "I won't pry, but do you really think she'll forgive me? 

What I mean is, have you done anything that even remotely comes

close to what I've done?  I highly doubt you've killed her and

made her lover bring her back to life, costing him his own."

                Ryoko shook her head.  "No, but I had taken her brother

from her, and she searched for him for a very long time.  I nearly

destroyed her home, among other bad things.  I think it's pretty

close to what you've done, but it had taken her a long time to get

over it all, and to find it in her heart to forgive me."

                Zorpheus didn't lift his gaze from the floor.  "How much

do you want to bet that she'll never forgive me, especially if Russ

never snaps out of this?  Man, I never saw him explode like that in

my life.  It was like looking at an entirely different person.  His

energy, strength, and the fire in his heart was nothing like I've ever

seen, and it scared the hell out of me.  During the fight, I did sense

something different about Russ.  I know he swore up and down

that he'd never become involved with another woman, but I think

that, just maybe, he was about to give it another chance.  When

Aeka came into the separate dimension, it blew away almost all of

my doubts.  She was so much in love with him that she attacked

someone that she knew she couldn't defeat, and I had to admire

that.  I've heard stories about how a man and woman would fight

side by side against impossible odds, but they were only stories

you'd expect to read in some sappy teenage romance novel.  I

never thought that I'd actually SEE something like that, let alone

cause it myself.  Once Aeka was down, I could feel Russ's anger

boil over and reach a breaking point, making him become more

powerful than the highest level I could even begin to guess he

would have.  Truth to be told, I was much stronger than him when

we last parted ways, and I always had a definite edge on Russ

when it came to fighting technique.  But when I took out Aeka, he

just flat out blew his top and tapped into the sheer power of

vengeance.  I half expected him to explode into a level two super

saiyan.  Also, he used that new attack… Violent Heart, if my

memory serves me right, and I NEVER thought he had the strength

to pull that one off.  It was a sheer miracle he held himself together

while summoning all that energy.  That single, solitary blast had

enough power to even blow away someone twice my power, no

sweat… even if the guy was using something like a Kamehameha

wave.  Not even a super Kaioken power boost wasn't enough to

overtake that monster of a blast," Zorpheus said, his hands

trembling as he remembered the beam racing at him like his own

beam wasn't even there.  "Afterward, he did something I never

thought he had the guts or the know-how to do.  Once he was sure

I was gone, he went and gave every last bit of juice he had left to

Aeka.  I guess since his sweetheart, Laurie, was brutally snatched

away from life, he decided to make one final use for his energy to

bring one person back from death.  Even someone of my own

fighting genius can't figure out how that's done, so he must've

figured that something like that would happen again, and he

prepared for the worst.  I don't know how long he has known about

that use for ki, but it must've been after Laurie perished.  We did

have some battles afterward, but Russ didn't show much emotion

to the people who were victimized.  He'd just close his eyes, say a

silent prayer to those who had fallen, and we'd leave.  I do

remember him saying after Laurie had passed away, 'I'll never let

something like that happen again.'  I kind of figured that he might

find a way, but I never thought he'd actually succeed, let alone find

another instance like Laurie's in which to use the thing.  I never

thought he'd fall in love again, and I nearly took that away from

him.  I deserved the smacking around I received from him, and

when he wakes up, I'll apologize, then take my leave."

                "It's okay," Tenchi said, listening to his story.  "You're

welcome to stay here for a while so you can decide what you'd like

to do."

                "Thanks a lot, Tenchi.  I very much appreciate the offer,

but there's too much bad blood floating around here to make me

feel welcome or comfortable.  You all didn't deserve the trial-by-

fire that I put you through, and I'm sorry for it.  Once Russ comes

out of his coma, I'll be out of here," Zorpheus said, looking out the

window at the rain that fell outside.  "I feel so bad for Aeka, as

I've never seen someone as devoted to another as she is to him. 

I've seen women pursue Russ before, okay, but they'd give up

after they realized that the man just wasn't looking.  However,

because Russ had spent so much time here and had gotten involved

in activities with her, I think she developed the hots for him quite a

while ago.  Even though Russ probably never returned feelings of

love, she still held on, waiting for him.  She's very devoted to him. 

Hell, she's been in that lab watching over him ever since he came

out of the regeneration tank.  I wish I could find a girl like that for

myself," he said, sitting back in the couch, folding his hands

together, his new bionic arm complete.  "Actually, I'm just a tad

jealous because I never had a love-love relationship.  Being such a

ladies man that I am, it often means you see a lot of beautiful

women, but not for very long, you know?  In the end it's always,

'You go that way and I'll go this way.  Thank you for a good time. 

Buh-bye.'  Sure, it's a hell of a lot of fun at times, but I miss out on

any real relationships.  Even as I sit here looking at you two, I

can't help feeling a little envious.  But anyway, I wonder if Russ

really will return her feelings.  How long has he been here

anyway?"

                "About a year, actually," Ryoko responded.

                Zorpheus widened his eyes slightly, and then looked out

the window again.  "An entire year to live with you guys.  Wow.  I

wouldn't want to get stuck with YOUR food bill," he snickered. 

"I'm joking.  Has she been after him since day one?"

                Both Tenchi and Ryoko nodded.

                "I see.  So it took an entire year from the same girl to

open him back up again.  It's nice to see him back with it, but

actually, but I'm worried at the same time.  I really don't know

how he will take having been that close to losing it all again.  He's

extremely sensitive about that kind of thing and is very hard on

himself over things that don't go well," Zorpheus said, letting out a

sigh.  "He kicks himself in the butt for anything that goes wrong,

and it really grinds at him."

                "I sensed that about him as well," Ryoko said, quietly. 

"He hates making mistakes that hurt other people.  I could see that

when he brought Aeka back and before you two fought."

                Running his fingers through his hair, he brought his hands

to rest on the back of his neck, resting his elbows on his legs as he

hunched over, worried.  "Her sister seems to have forgiven me

easily enough.  I wonder what made her trust me when I walked up

to you guys after the battle.  You two were ready to slaughter me,

but for some reason, she could see the real me."

                "Sasami has always been a very trusting and forgiving

person," Tenchi said, squeezing Ryoko's hand tenderly.  "She can

judge a person far better than anyone I've ever seen.  I believe it's

her innocence that drives her and lets her see things that we

cannot."

                Glancing over at the organ, Zorpheus smiled, sitting back

into the couch again.  "Who plays the organ here?" he asked,

changing the subject.

                "Russ does," Tenchi answered, also looking at the organ. 

"Dad originally bought it to learn how to play.  But when Russ

went crazy on it, it just blew us all away with how well he could

make that thing sound.  I'd like to learn how to play, but I don't

have the patience for it and I'm just too busy."

                "He knows a lot of music too," Ryoko added.  "Nearly

everything that he has played, I have enjoyed.  He loves to have

fun and loves to entertain us."

                Zorpheus grinned.  "Yeah, he's a master at the organ and

making music.  Most of the time he's pretty shy about that ability. 

It's funny, because he's a pureblooded Saiyan warrior, yet, still

behaves more human than saiyan.  Me, on the other hand, have a

greater lust for battle than he does, and I'm a saiyan-human hybrid. 

It's strange, but it has always been that way.  He'd rather spend

time on trying to resolve something peacefully rather than just

using his insane strength to beat it into the guy."

                "Russ is a lot of fun to be around," Ryoko said, looking at

the rain that fell, instilling a sense of peace.  "He's not like most

other people I've known."

                Tenchi nodded.  "Yeah, Russ is fun.  He's usually very

happy and loves to do things with us, aside from shopping," he

said, laughing.  "He dreads going to the mall."

                Grinning, Zorpheus tried to keep himself from laughing. 

"He loves to have a good time, that's for sure."

                "Yeah," Tenchi sighed, still clasping Ryoko's hand.  "It's

been too quiet around here without him."

                Grunting quietly, Zorpheus got up from the couch.  "If

you'll excuse me, I'm going to go apologize to Aeka now," he

said, looking nervous.

                Ryoko and Tenchi both looked at him, smiling.  "Invite

her to go to the mall or something.  She won't do it for us, but

maybe if it comes from you, it would work.  We have to get her

out of that lab before she wastes away completely," Tenchi said,

watching Zorpheus slowly move around the couch, making his

way to the lab door.

                "Okay.  All of us can go if she's willing."

                Tenchi nodded.  "Dad will probably go with us as well. 

So there will be you, Ryoko, Aeka, Sasami, Ryo-Ohki, Washu, and

me.  Kiyone and Mihoshi have just started their patrol mission, so

they'll be doing that for a while still."

                "Good luck with Aeka, Zorph.  Just give a little time and

be patient with her, and I'm sure everything will work out okay,"

Ryoko added, smiling in his direction.

                "Thanks guys.  I hope Sasami is down there too, to maybe

take some of the heat off of me," he said, disappearing behind the

portal door.

                Seeing him enter the lab, both Ryoko and Tenchi looked

at each other and shook their heads.  "Russ was right about one

thing.  He is a nice guy.  It's going to be very hard for Aeka to

accept the real him over what we saw on the first day," Tenchi

said, looking at the TV.

                "I know.  I really hope Aeka finds it in her heart to

forgive him."

                Suddenly, the lab door reopened and Zorpheus stepped

out, glancing at Ryoko and Tenchi.  "Err… I should bring her

something to eat and drink.  Hopefully that will soften her up a

little," he said, heading to the kitchen.

                "And I'll give him credit for one other thing too.  He's

quite smart when it comes to people's feelings," Tenchi whispered. 

"I wouldn't have thought of that."

                Ryoko nodded, hearing a plate and a glass being set down

on the counter in the kitchen, and a moment later, hearing the

sound of cracking ice.  "She must be starving."

                "Well, keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best,"

Tenchi said, looking at Ryoko.  "I wonder what Tom and Nagi are

up to," he said, changing the subject.

                "Well, Tom is probably checking over his ship again,

making sure that the parts that went bad won't do it again.  He said

he made it from his planet to her in a little over an hour.  He told

me that he pushed his ship to near maximum speed, and that it was

the first time he has done that, so understandably, some parts were

unable to withstand the stress.  I think he's got it all sorted out

now."

                Standing up, Tenchi walked over to the door, seeing that

the rain was finally stopping.  "Even though he's right above us,

nobody would ever know it.  That cloaking device is a really neat

piece of work.  Nagi is onboard up there, isn't she?"

                Ryoko nodded.  "Yes.  She wanted to tour the ship we all

rode on when we went to the Startica Festival.  She told me that

she was very surprised when she saw all of us get onboard that

thing and leave the system.  What surprised her more is that the

ship was so fast that she couldn't detect it after we entered

hyperspace," Ryoko explained.  "It intrigued her."

                "Well, at least it looks like it's clearing up a bit.  What

time is it?" Tenchi muttered, looking over at the VCR, which read

two thirty in the afternoon.  "If Zorpheus does manage to get Aeka

out of there, we should make an entire day out of it.  Maybe go to

the park, go to the mall, head on over to get ice cream and other

nice little things.  I know she probably will be very distracted, but

at least she'll be out of there."

                "I agree.  Your dad won't have a problem spending the

day with us, will he?"

                Tenchi shook his head.  "He likes to get out every once in

a while too.  The thing is that he's usually so darn busy at work

that he's completely worn out when he comes home.  He would

love to do a lot of things, but he's usually too tired.  He was

actually asleep last week when I bugged him to borrow the van.  I

feel sorry for him sometimes."

                "Yeah.  He works so hard to provide for all of us and

doesn't ask for anything in return.  It's too bad he's still such a

lecher," she said, smiling.

                The kitchen door reopened, letting Zorpheus through.  He

had a glass of lemonade in one hand, and a plate with two ham

sandwiches in the other.  His new bionic arm looked almost real,

unlike his older one that had several cables running alongside the

frame.

                Smiling and nodding his head, he carefully set the glass of

lemonade in between his forearm and his chest, and he opened the

door with his free hand, stepping through it and letting it close

behind him.  The door clicked shut a moment later.

                "I hope it all goes well," Tenchi said, looking worried.

                "I believe Aeka will forgive him," Ryoko said.  "I believe

she is the kind of person who can forgive anybody for almost

anything, and that is why she is the princess of Jurai."

                Sighing quietly, Tenchi nodded his head.  "Yeah, you're

right."

 

                Cruising slowly past Jupiter, the galaxy police patrol ship,

Yagami, continued on its seemingly never-ending mission of

patrolling the solar system.  Traffic through this area was at a

standstill, as the Yagami was waiting for an asteroid to move out

of its flight path.  The problem was, the asteroid was moving at

about the same speed as a wet snail.  The other problem was that

the Yagami was the only traffic in the entire system. 

                "I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  Patrolling this

system SUCKS!" Kiyone yelled, backhanding all the litter that was

on top of the computer consoles, scattering it onto the already

messy floor.  "I can't believe it's this dead around here!"

                "Well, you know that most traffic is now routed around

this area because the people of Earth haven't developed an

interplanetary ship yet," Mihoshi said, stuffing her face with

cookies.  Crumbs started flying out of her mouth as she spoke. 

"Ifff it weren't ffffo Tom an hifff croo," she mumbled,

swallowing, "We'd have even less to do."

                Glaring at her partner, she reached over and grabbed her

partner's clothes, hauling her to her feet, and got in Mihoshi's face. 

"Stop talking with your mouth full!  How can you entertain

yourself like this day after day?!  I'm going stir crazy here!"

Kiyone shouted.  "There hasn't been a major incident in or around

this system for weeks!"

                "Well, that's good, isn't it?" Mihoshi said, innocently.

                Her anger melting away, she released her partner and

sunk into her chair, holding her head with her right hand.  "Yeah,

that's true," she muttered, not enthused.  "But still, we haven't

been called for duty for the galaxy police or anything.  I'm sure

there are SOME crimes around here that might deserve our

attention.  What I mean is this system really doesn't even need to

have officers here anymore.  We've basically just become guards

for Princess Aeka and the space pirate, Ryoko.  But Ryoko has

since been reformed and there has been no word that Aeka was in

any danger, so what are we doing here?"

                "We are patrolling the solar system!  Bad guys stay away

from us because we're so awesome!" Mihoshi said, smiling

widely, then giggling.  "We're the best this system has ever had!"

                Kiyone ground her teeth.  "We're the ONLY patrol

officers this system has ever had, and they won't assign it to

anybody else either.  How did we get caught up in this mess?"

                "You worry too much, Kiyone," Mihoshi said, eating

another cookie and washing it down with a glass of milk.  "I like

having time to watch my TV program, Space Police Policeman!"

                "That show is so stupid!  You ARE the police!  Would

you please act like it?!" Kiyone shouted, flustered more than usual.

                "Are you okay, Kiyone?  You seem stressed out," she

said, looking concerned.

                Her face going to surprise, her anger and frustration

seemed to melt away again.  "Maybe that's it.  Ever since

Zorpheus arrived, I've been far more worried than usual.  I can't

believe he's staying in the same house as everybody else!  And

what makes it worse is if he snaps again, there's nobody to stop

him!  Russ is still in a coma so he's out of commission, and I don't

believe Tenchi or even Yosho could handle Zorpheus.  They'll be

in a lot of trouble if he decides to take advantage of them or

something," she said, looking at the console.  The radar screen

showed no ships or fighters, even though she knew Tom was in

orbit around Earth.

                "Kiyone, Zorpheus isn't going to do anything.  Ever since

Russ blasted him, he changed.  He's a lot nicer and more like what

Russ described to us than when he first arrived," Mihoshi said,

thinking back to before and after the fight.  "He won't do

anything."

                "How can you be so sure?!  It's not like you can trust the

guy or anything!" Kiyone shot back.

                "Well, no, but it doesn't do us any good to worry about it

constantly," Mihoshi said, eating the last cookie out of the package

and throwing it onto the floor, adding to the mess.  "Honestly, I

like Zorpheus.  He's funny, charming, and very nice, not to

mention handsome like Russ."

                Kiyone slowly turned her head toward her partner, her

face locked into a look of shock and surprise.  "What.  Did.  You. 

Say?"

                Now blushing, Mihoshi put her hands on her cheeks and

giggled.

                "You CAN'T be serious," Kiyone said, almost in shock. 

"Do you remember what he DID?"

                "Of course, but like I said, he's changed now.  He's so

nice to everybody and he's very worried about Russ.  We're seeing

the real him now.  It's just like Sasami said," Mihoshi explained,

looking out the window at the huge red spot on the surface of

Jupiter.

                "I don't believe this," Kiyone said, still staring at her

partner.  "Don't tell me you're thinking…"

                Mihoshi giggled harder, turning from side to side, clearly

embarrassed.  "Well…"

                "Forget about it, Mihoshi.  I'm sorry, but I'm telling you

this for your own good.  Don't even THINK about doing anything

with him.  As far as I know, he's leaving anyway after Russ

awakens out of his coma.  I don't even think he apologized to Aeka

yet.  He said he was sorry to everybody else except for the one

who needed it the most!" Kiyone said, calming down.  "I'm

worried about you, and not only that, according to Russ, he's

nothing but a playboy!"

                Continuing to look out the window, Mihoshi sighed

quietly, dreaming of what could be her first real boyfriend and the

fun she could have, much in the same way Russ and Aeka enjoy

each other.  When she arrived on Earth and after saying with the

family for a while, Lord Katsuhito had asked her if she had a

boyfriend.  Then, to her surprise, he asked her if she'd be Tenchi's

girlfriend.  She remembered acting all embarrassed, surprised, and

nervous, but Katsuhito seemed to approve of her over both Aeka

and Ryoko.  She was the only one who was asked by Katsuhito,

and it felt somewhat strange.  Still unable to determine why, she

always pondered that question in her mind.  Was it her innocence? 

Maybe it was her happy, carefree demeanor?  Or could it have

been something that she didn't think of that Katsuhito was able to

see?  Would Zorpheus see the same thing, or was he looking for

just another one night fling?

                Thinking back on herself, Mihoshi wondered if maybe

she should have just one night with Zorpheus.  Would he move on

like he had with the others, or would he keep her for life?  Was

Zorpheus even looking for a relationship?  Granted, he was very

strong, very powerful, but he also seemed to have a certain

gentleness about him that both Tenchi and Russ possessed.  Was it

that, which attracted her to Tenchi, Zorpheus, and even Russ?  If

Aeka weren't so protective over Russ the day that they met, she

felt that she would've fallen for him.  However, watching him

reject Aeka again and again, she wasn't sure if she could take the

same thing and endure it as long as Aeka had.

                Aeka seemed to be desperate for someone to love, to hold,

and to be with the rest of her life.  However, she didn't want just

anyone.  If that were the case, she would've taken that jerk Serio

and had been happy.  She was looking for someone who would

genuinely love her in return and to be with her the rest of her life. 

Mihoshi felt the same way, to a point.  She wanted someone to

have and to hold, and to be told that she was loved, but it couldn't

be just anyone.  Now, she had known three people who had the

traits she was looking for, and she hoped that the last one,

Zorpheus, might be available for her.

                But, then there was Kiyone.  She was the equivalent of a

big sister to her, and she couldn't stand it when she'd leave without

her or do something without her.  It wasn't like she had someone

else to be with.  Kiyone was always the person she had run to for

the longest time, and she was the only one capable of consoling her

erratic emotions.  But there was something else about her that drew

her to Kiyone, again and again.  What could it be…?

                "MIHOSHI!" Kiyone shouted, her face in front of her

partners.

                "Kiyaaaaaaa!" she screamed, falling out of her chair in

surprise, knocking Kiyone into the console.  Fortunately, she

avoided bumping any of the controls.

                "What are you doing, you airhead?" Kiyone yelled,

folding her arms over her chest.  "You're supposed to be paying

attention to the radio!"

                "Do we have an incoming call?" Mihoshi asked, picking

herself up off of the floor, brushing off crumbs in the process.

                Kiyone pointed to the blinking indicator on the helm and

glared at her partner.  "What do you think this little light and the

buzzer means?"

                "That we have an incoming call?" Mihoshi answered,

worried.

                "That's right.  Now answer it," her partner snapped,

stepping over to her chair and sitting down again, folding her arms

over her chest.

                Mihoshi returned to her seat and opened the

communications frequency.  "Yes?  Hello?  This is the galaxy

police patrol ship, Yagami," she said, watching a visual of their

commanding officer flicker onto the viewscreen.

                "It took you long enough," he muttered.  "What is your

report for today?"

                "Nothing to report, sir," Kiyone answered.  "Same as

usual."

                "Excellent.  You two do good work," he encouraged,

seeing Kiyone's look of disgust.  "I'm also contacting you to

remind you that the Emperor of Jurai and the two queens will be

arriving in a couple days.  Be ready to receive them."

                "Aren't they coming with a fleet of ships?  What could

we possibly do to help them?" Kiyone asked, surprised.

                Frowning, he looked directly into Kiyone's eyes.  "We

must stay on good terms with Jurai," he returned.  "You will

provide any service that the Emperor or Empress wants.  Is that

understood?"

                "Yes, sir," Kiyone answered, looking nervous.  "Galaxy

police patrol ship Yagami, out."  Quickly cutting the channel, she

sat back in her seat and sighed, reaching up with both of her hands

to cradle her oncoming migraine.  "This just isn't my week," she

whined.

                "Cheer up, Kiyone.  What could possibly go wrong?"

Mihoshi said, cheerily, looking for another snack to munch on.

 

                Keeping quiet as she moved around the various

computers, lab equipment, and other items blocking her path,

Sasami made her way over to the hospital bed, where she knew

she'd find both Aeka and Russ, both keeping each other company,

up to a point.  Stepping over a box that had various test tubes,

beakers, Erlenmeyer flasks, and other glassware, she finally had

gotten close enough to see her sister, laying her head on Russ. 

Stopping her advance, she watched her, waiting to see if she was

asleep.

                This past week was one of the worst weeks she could ever

remember having, here at the Masaki home.  Looking at Russ, she

did nothing but worry about him since the instant she saw him fall

to the ground, seemingly dead.  Well, actually, he was dead. 

Zorpheus explained to her that the regeneration tank was able to

restore him and get him going again, much to her surprise and

amazement.  However, it wasn't able to heal his mind.  On several

occasions, she had done what her sister was doing, resting her head

on his chest, and other times, talked to him as if he were still

awake.  She'd give him daily reports on what was happening in the

house with Zorpheus and the rest of the family, and it made her

feel a little better, knowing that Russ just might be able to hear her. 

Unfortunately, he never gave her any sign that he was even still

with the family.  Several times, she grasped his hand, almost in

tears, begging him to squeeze her hand if he could hear her, but

alas, it never happened.  And this was day number seven, and it

killed her to wonder if and when he'd ever wake up.

                Continuing to watch her sister, she felt very worried and

concerned for her as well, as she seemed to stop taking care of

herself.  She only took a bath twice, she almost never ate or drank

anything, always claiming that she was fine, and she seemed to

become more irritable than before, snapping at anybody who tried

to get her to leave Russ's side.  She'd always apologize afterwards,

but it was becoming more and more apparent that her devotion to

Russ was starting to hurt her, both mentally and physically. 

Fortunately, she felt almost the same way so it was easy for her to

understand what her sister was going through, but she knew

enough to continue life, even though Russ was currently not a part

of it.  She missed both Russ and her sister, hoping and praying for

a speedy recovery for both Russ and Aeka.  The sooner Russ

would recover, the sooner her sister would get back to normal.

                "Hi, Sasami," Aeka said, keeping her voice low, but she

never turned toward her, still laying on Russ, looking comfortable

and almost at peace.

                "Hi," she answered, coming out of the shadows, making

her way to her sister.  "Any change?"

                Letting out a sigh, she shook her head, squeezing Russ a

little tighter.  "No."

                Approaching the bed from the opposite side, she moved

up to Russ and looked into his face, which was blank, but at peace. 

His rhythmic breathing could just barely be heard, as his allergies

weren't bothering him in the sterile section of the lab.  His massive

arms lay at his sides, some of which had a couple tubes running

into them, feeding him.  Reaching over and taking his hand in hers,

she brought it up and pressed it against her cheek, feeling his

warmth.  Aeka didn't move from her position.

                "Hi Russ," Sasami began.  "Things are pretty depressing

and boring back at the house without you there," she said.  "Tenchi

and Ryoko haven't really done anything except clean the house

and watch TV.  They've been watching Nadesico since they heard

about it from you, and they seem to be enjoying it.  It is very

funny, and I can see why you like it.  Zorpheus watches it with

them, and he seems to be exactly the way you described him

before he came here.  But anyway, I finally beat Tekken 3 against

the computer on the hardest difficulty.  I wish you were there to

see it.  It felt really good, but I just couldn't get into it without you

there encouraging me.  Grandpa had come down from the shrine a

couple times, checking on everybody and making sure we were all

okay.  He doesn't seem to mind Zorpheus."

                Sasami stopped, seeing her sister's face pull into a

disgusted frown.  Deciding to change the subject, she continued. 

"But anyway, Tenchi, Ryoko, and myself all went to the mall the

other day, looking for something to do.  We rented the Starwars

movies and watched those, and that was really cool and neat.  That

Darth Vader guy scared me the first time I saw him, but it was

really awesome to see Luke and him duel with the lightsabers.  I

can see why you liked that as well.  Tom just went a little

overboard when he built that crazy ship of his, and after I saw what

that thing could do in the movies, it made me a little nervous.  But

because Tom is such a nice guy, I don't worry about it too much. 

Nagi and Tom are still up there, visiting each other.  Tom had told

me that he was telling Nagi of some of the crazy stuff you used to

do while you visited him, knowing that you'd be all embarrassed if

you ever found out what he was doing.  Hopefully, you wake up

soon so you can tease him back," she said, smiling.  "Kiyone and

Mihoshi are still patrolling the solar system, but she told me that

most of the interstellar traffic has been sent on a different route to

avoid contact with the people of Earth.  They say that they're not

ready to join the Jurai alliance yet.  Ryo-Ohki has been worried

about you as well.  She asks me how you're doing each time I

come out of here, but I have to keep telling her the same thing

again and again.  It's really making her start to worry.  Maybe

putting her on your face again would make you wake up," she said,

giggling.  "But anyway, that's really all I have to tell you for today. 

Nothing new has really happened.  But you get better soon. 

You're making my sister a wreck."

                Cracking a slight smile, Aeka slowly rubbed her hand

over Russ's chest, feeling his abdominal muscles.  "I miss him,"

she said, quietly.

                "I do too, Aeka," Sasami answered, setting his arm back

down on the table and returning to her full height.  "I have to go do

the laundry now.  If anything changes with Russ, come and get

us," she said, smiling, and with a twist, she turned to head back to

the house.  After walking two steps, she stopped and froze with

surprise, but she quickly recovered, then smiled.

                Zorpheus slowly made his way out of the shadows,

holding both a plate of food and a glass of lemonade, his face

downcast and worried.

                Sitting up and leaning back into her chair, Aeka sighed,

and looked over at Sasami.  However, she saw someone standing

in front of her, and within an instant, her amethyst eyes locked on

Zorpheus's ruby ones, and she instantly felt a turmoil of emotions

churning inside of her.  For a moment, she wasn't sure how to

react, but before she said something she knew she shouldn't have,

she noticed the plate of food and the lemonade that Zorpheus had

with him.  Keeping a straight face, she watched him nod to Sasami,

then continue toward her and Russ, his expression growing more

and more worried by the minute.

                He came to a stop in front of her, his eyes never leaving

hers, not even for an instant.  She could see the intenseness in his

eyes, and even though she felt nervous, she remained silent and

waited for him to make the first move.

                Glancing off to the side, Zorpheus carefully set the plate

and glass on a shelf that was nearby, taking care not to spill any of

the drink.  After doing so, he took several steps back, trying to read

Aeka's expression, but he couldn't figure her out.  He was

expecting her to attack him or at the very least, belittle him for

even making his presence known.  But he knew that he'd

eventually have come to her on his own accord, however, he

wished now that he didn't wait so long.

                Dropping down to one knee, and then to the other, he

placed both of his hands out in front of him, then rested his

forehead on the back of his hands.  "I might be screwing this up,

but I was told that this is the proper way to apologize, or beg

forgiveness," he began.  Aeka remained quiet, but her expression

was that of stone cold steel.  "Aeka… I mean… Princess Aeka. 

I'm sorry it took me eons to come to you to apologize, but I wasn't

sure if there ever would be a good time to do so.  I know you've

heard what happened to me again and again, and I know everybody

has told you that it wasn't my fault that I did what I did, but I still

must apologize to you, because it WAS me.  I am the same man

who wasted you, and beat up Russ to the point where he's now

lying here in this hospital bed.  I don't quite know how to

apologize for this, because this is the biggest screw-up I've ever

made.  For most of my life, I've done things without regret, but

this… this I regret.  I regret it more than anything else in this

universe, and I don't know how to undo what has been done.  If I

could just wave a magic wand to make everything right again, I

would," he said, his body visibly shaking.  Aeka's expression

remained unchanged.  "Princess Aeka, I had never meant for any

of this to happen to you or Russ.  I don't know what happened to

me to push me over the edge, but I'm trying to find out why and

who changed me.  I'd never do something like I just did… I'm

thinking someone else was behind it, but there's no proof of that. 

Not yet, anyway.  The whole thing just doesn't make any sense to

me, but I've tried again and again to figure it out, and I keep

coming up empty.  I don't know what I can say that will alleviate

the pain you're currently feeling, as I probably can't do it with

words or actions alone.  Aeka, I'm truly sorry for everything that

has happened, and I can only hope that you can find it in your heart

to forgive this monster of a man," he said, keeping his head and

face down.

                Aeka looked at him, hatred seething through every fiber

of her being, but she remained quiet.  Yes, she had heard again and

again that everything that had happened wasn't Zorpheus's fault,

but through the fault of another.  But, as the man himself said,

there was really no proof.  After he got blasted, he just became

another person, like if someone turned off a light switch.  But the

person she was looking at now was the person that Russ had

described, before he became obsessed with the Dragonballs. 

Deciding to keep herself quiet, she continued to glare at him.

                Feeling the uncharacteristic silence from her, Zorpheus

swallowed a growing lump in his throat.  The silence was killing

him, but he didn't move.  "Aeka," he began again, hoping that he

could break the ice with her.  "I'm sorry.  I had no idea you and

Russ were actually in love.  I've been with Russ for a long time,

and after the incident with his first girlfriend, he basically closed

himself off and refused any kind of relationship with anybody, no

matter how beautiful the girl or her disposition was.  It really made

me worry about my friend, as I believe that all men and women

should have a shot at loving and being loved, as it is one of the

most wonderful feelings that a person could ever have.  Russ

almost had that feeling with Laurie, but it was ripped away from

him prematurely.  He felt the love and he knew he probably

could've been intimate with her, but he never got the chance. 

Because he's so sensitive, he blamed himself for everything that

went wrong and has since then closed himself off from all women. 

I tried to get him to become involved again and again, but it was

the same thing every time.  He'd act like I offered to give him a

head cold or something.  Needless to say, when you told me that

you were in love with him, I could believe it.  He is a very easy

guy to like and become attached to, but when you told me that he

told you that he loved you, I wrote it off as wishful thinking.  He's

been without a woman for something like three or four years now,

and for a while, I thought he had it as far as love is concerned.  But

he proved me wrong once I did what I did.  I've never seen him

become so enraged over something in my entire life.  I had heard

stories about what Russ had done to the pirate gang that attacked

Laurie's home world, but I never thought I'd see that kind of rage

or feel it myself.  But, man, Russ became the devil himself.  He

sacrificed himself to finish me off and to bring you back.  I

couldn't believe I was still looking at the same guy and I can't

believe I almost blew it for him, after all the hell I went through

trying to get him back into a relationship," Zorpheus described,

still hunched over.

                "We're not a couple," Aeka said, her voice icy.  "We

never were, and if Russ never wakes up, we never will be."

                Holding his breath for a moment, Zorpheus racked his

mind for something to say that would help open her up a little

more.  "I know.  It's my fault for everything that has happened. 

I'm sorry for it, and I regret it."

                After a few more moments of silence, Aeka thought of

something else.  "How did you survive?" she asked, wondering

why he wasn't vaporized.

                Keeping his head down, he answered her.  "Once I knew

that anything I did would be overcome by that attack, I put up a

shield around myself, and used the instantaneous movement ability

to get out of the way.  I did get caught in the biggest part of the

beam, but my shield held back just enough energy for me to get out

of the way.  Once I was clear, I collapsed to the ground, and I

knew I couldn't continue the fight anymore.  My mind felt like it

went through a blender, but at least I wasn't angry anymore.  I saw

Russ move back over to you and drain the last of his energy into

you, and that is when I knew that he was in love with you.  I never

thought I'd see anything like that, and it made me feel regret for

the first time in my life.  He was my best friend and I would do

anything to help him in a situation like the one he was in, but

something was wrong with me.  I wish I knew what it was."

                "I see," Aeka answered.  "You may stand up now.  I

accept your apology."

                Slowly raising his head, he looked into her eyes, which

still had a tremendous amount of hatred pouring from them. 

Returning to his feet, he shook his head.  "You're a lousy liar, you

know.  I can see it in your face and your eyes that you don't mean

it.  There isn't anything that I can do to make you forgive me.  I'll

have to earn it somehow, but I don't know what to do."

                Grinding her teeth, she clenched her fists, trying to

restrain the anger she felt toward him.  "I know it wasn't your

fault, but it is so hard for me to accept it," she finally said. 

"Forgive me for being…"

                "No.  No.  You have every right to be as mad as you want

toward me," Zorpheus interrupted, holding up his hand, causing a

look of surprise from the princess.  "I could never apologize

enough, but just maybe, we can be friends someday.  Here," he

said, reaching over to the plate, presenting it to Aeka.  "Please eat

something.  Sasami is very worried about you, so I made you this

to help you regain your own strength.  I put you through way too

much and this is literally peanuts compared to what I need to make

up for thing, but please, don't make everybody else worry about

you too.  They're already nervous enough about me and they're

very concerned about Russ."

                Her jaw hanging open slightly, she sat in stunned silence,

completely at a loss at what to say or do.  But something in her

mind told her to forgive him, as she knew that he couldn't change

what he had done.  What's done is done.  Reaching out to the plate,

she accepted it from him, keeping her expression unreadable. 

"Um… thank you," she answered.  Lifting up one of the sandwich

halves, she took a bite out of it, chewed it slowly, and swallowed.

                "Hopefully, you'll find it at least edible," Zorpheus said,

moving over to the hospital bed, getting his first look at Russ in

over a week.  "I'm sorry to you too, Russ.  I wish I never did what

I did.  Once you reawaken, I will apologize to you, and then I'm

gone for good, never to interfere in your life again."

                "I don't think you'll have to go that far," Aeka said,

watching him.  "Like you said, that wasn't the real you who fought

against him.  I think even Russ could sense that."

                "It's so weird," Zorpheus said, shaking his head.  "I could

see it too, but I couldn't control it.  I can remember doing

everything, seeing everything, and feeling the anger, but I couldn't

figure out why.  During the fight, I hated Russ.  What I mean is, I

just plain hated his guts.  I've never hated him in my life, but he

did know how to push some buttons with me to make me mad at

him at times.  It was just all screwed up for me.  I don't know what

to do or say to Russ when he wakes up again.  I'm really worried

about him."

                Aeka ate another bite out of the sandwich, and then

washed it down with a little lemonade, the cold droplets of

condensation dripping off of the glass onto her lap.  "If it's one

thing I learned about him," she said, looking at Zorpheus and then

at Russ, "is that he's one of the most forgiving, easy going people

I've ever known.  There isn't much that can make him upset, and

whatever does make him upset, he works it out on his own and

keeps his cool."

                Nodding, Zorpheus sighed.  "That is true, but there was

only one other person who had done what I had done, and that was

the guy who killed Laurie.  That may be just too much for him to

overcome again, especially after he told me again and again that he

never wanted to become involved anymore because something like

that could happen.  And it did.  I've never experienced any kind of

mental anguish like that before, so I don't know how to deal with

it.  I can't apologize enough to either him or you, and I'm sure the

last thing he'll ever want to see is me again."

                "Maybe," Aeka said.  "We won't know until he comes

back to us."

                "True," he responded.  "Anyway, why don't you tell me

about how Russ and you managed to get as far as you did?  It's a

freakin' miracle that Russ even reopened his heart, and I'm

honored to be standing next to the woman who has done it."

                Looking up at him, she could see the happiness in his

face.  Shifting positions in her chair, she sighed.  "Well, actually,

he only said that he'd go out with me after he had his battle with

you," she began.  "He's been living with us for around a year, and

he has been one of the most fun people to ever enter my life.  I

almost fell in love with him at first sight, as I had never seen

someone as built as he was.  I still remember watching him

stumble over to me, and then kneeling down to kiss my hand.  I

think he felt something toward me on the first day, but he shot

down any expectation I had when I approached him while he was

training.  He told me flat out that he wasn't interested, and it came

as such a shock to me that I became upset in front of him.  I've

never been rejected so suddenly before, and I guess he felt sorry

for me, because he comforted me from that day forward.  It was

just so easy to become attached to him," she described,

remembering the first day he arrived.

                "I know," Zorpheus said, resting against the hospital bed,

facing Aeka.  "He is a very nice guy, and it's that which makes

him so attractive.  He's the kind of guy who could probably get a

rock to be his friend if he tried hard enough.  He aims to please."

                Aeka smiled.  "He actually doesn't get along with Washu

very well," she said, remembering various arguments that erupted

between the two.  "She is the smartest person I've ever known, but

even she winds up being wrong at times.  She really can't stand it

when someone else corrects her, and that resulted in several

arguments between the two.  She has really accurate and complex

ways of explaining things, but Russ will sometimes interject and

say, 'It's much easier just to do this,' and then he'd go off and

show her how.  Surprisingly, Sasami and Tenchi both go to Russ

now whenever they have a question, as they can understand him

more easily than if it came from Washu.  I think she's a little

jealous."

                Zorpheus smiled.  "You know, Russ is very good at

certain things, but when it comes to Science, I am the man.  I

wonder if she could benefit from a lab assistant," he said, looking

thoughtful. 

                "Well, that's up to her, but it may be worth asking her."

                "Anyway, we got off track," he said, looking for a place

to sit down.  Unfortunately, there were no chairs nearby, so he just

sat down on the floor, yoga style.  "When did you really start to

become attached to Russ?  And him to you?"

                "That's really none of your business," she responded,

haughtily, turning up her nose at him.

                "Aww, come on," Zorpheus pried.  "You know you want

to."

                Glancing down at him again, she let a small smile creep

onto her lips.  "Guilty as charged," she said.  "I think it was around

either Startica or Christmas when I really started becoming

obsessive over him.  He had done things that nobody ever

would've done for me, like bringing my ship back from

destruction.  He always smiled and always had a happy demeanor

around me.  I could see that he enjoyed my company, and it really

showed when I'd train with him.  He's incredibly gentle and

caring, and he's also the only other person to treat me as a normal

person rather than a figurehead.  As you know, I am the Princess of

Jurai, and because of that, I have a reputation to uphold.  There is a

façade about me that he was able to see through, and find the real

me under it all.  Tenchi was the only other person to do that, but

Russ just had something about him that drew me more to him than

I ever had been toward Tenchi.  I don't know if it was the lack of

competition or the fact that he was hard to get.  For a while, I

thought he was playing hard to get, and it took almost six months

of prying to finally get him to reveal why he was holding back.  It

hurt me again and again to keep hearing him say, 'I'm sorry,' to

me.  I lost count of how many times I had asked him and how

many times he turned me down.  I just hoped and prayed that one

day he'd say, 'Yes, Aeka.  I do love you, and I want to be with you

for the rest of my life.'  That was the only line I had ever wanted to

hear from him since Christmas, and I got him so close to it last

week that it's killing me to wait for him to wake up again.  I want

to hear him say he loves me, and I want him to hold me and care

for me forever.  He's the man I want, and there isn't another one

alive that will keep me from him," she said, looking dead serious. 

"But he could see the problems with becoming involved with me. 

Yes, it is true that I am royalty, and because of that, a relationship

becomes far more complex.  The fact of the matter is that my

Father is the one who chooses a fiancée for me, and expects me to

marry him, despite what I want."

                "Well that sucks," Zorpheus commented, concerned. 

"You mean you don't get to choose?"

                "Yes and no," she answered.  "My father chooses a group

of others for me to choose from.  Each person can benefit the

empire equally, and I can pick the one I like the most.  But the

problem was that all of them had a face, or a disposition that

seemed entirely not real.  They'd present me with gifts that were

literally quite priceless and tell me that I'm the most beautiful girl

in the universe, but I just got the feeling that none of them meant it,

or that they were reading from a script.  I never got the feeling

from any of them that they were telling me that, straight from their

heart."

                Looking over at another part of the lab for a moment,

Zorpheus's face was a mask of thought.  "But Russ was the one

who didn't seem to care about power and glory, right?"

                Aeka nodded.  "Yes.  He didn't care about wealth or

power, and neither did Tenchi.  I think that is what attracted me to

both of them so strongly.  They said everything from their own

minds and their own hearts, and it was real.  It didn't feel scripted,

and it didn't feel false.  They treated me like a normal person, and

not one who was up on a pedestal, not to be touched or tainted.  It

feels as if I was brought down to their level, or they came up to

mine.  Tenchi and Russ both enjoy my company, but Tenchi was

caught in between Ryoko and myself.  As you can tell, Ryoko won

that competition, but after a time, Russ came to live with us.  And

the wonderful thing was is that he also treated me normally.  He

was kind, compassionate, and he listened to my troubles without

ever complaining.  He'd hold me when I was feeling down, and

he'd always do something to make me smile again.  Yet, again and

again, he said that we were only friends and nothing more.  But I

wanted something more.  I still want more.  I want him.  I have to

have him.  And there is almost nothing in this universe that could

stop me."

                "Sounds like you're stuck to him worse than chewing

gum in a carpet," Zorpheus said, admiring her.  "But what are you

going to do when your father shows up?"

                Aeka's face became downcast, and she clasped her hands

in front of her, worried.  "He will insist on taking me home.  He

will tell me that Russ is a failure as a protector, and do nothing

except badger and beleaguer him as he always had done.  He

thinks that Russ has nothing to offer the empire, but what he

doesn't realize is that Russ DOES have something to offer.  If Russ

were on our side, there wouldn't be another empire that would dare

to challenge us.  His presence alone is more than enough to benefit

the empire, but my father doesn't look for that.  He looks for

material possessions, such as ships, weapons, and money.  My

father always insisted that I have the best, but not in the terms of

the man himself."

                Sitting in silence, Zorpheus continued to listen, concerned

about what could happen when the King arrived.

                "Still, I shall resist my father and remain here.  My

mother approves of Russ, but my father is vehemently against him. 

My father's word is final.  My mother can only try to influence his

decision, but if he never agrees, it will never happen.  There is only

one person alive who could stop him, and he's laying here

unconscious in front of me," she said, looking depressed.  "If he

doesn't wake up, there won't be anybody around to stop my father

from carrying out his wishes.  He will force me to return home,

whether I want to go or not."

                "You do love Russ, don't you?" Zorpheus said, quietly.

                Looking surprised at him, she began to blush.  "Yes."

                "And do you believe that he loves you just as much if not

more?"

                "Yes."

                Sighing to himself, Zorpheus clenched his fist, looking

into Aeka's eyes with that same intenseness she had seen before. 

"I will stop him if Russ cannot.  I will do it to make both him and

you happy, and to begin to redeem myself in your eyes," he

decreed, smacking his fist in the palm of his hand.  "I care about

Russ like a brother, and I will not let anything happen to him or

you."

                Sitting there in shock, Aeka's jaw dropped for the second

time, stunned at such a radical offer.  This guy was such a total one

eighty from when she first saw him that she almost expected the

entire thing to be nothing more than a charade.  But there was

something completely sincere that she could see in his face, which

was one of pure honesty.  As he sat there, she could see that he

definitely was a changed man, and it amazed her that someone,

aside from Russ or Tenchi, would do something like that for her.

                "Aeka?" Zorpheus asked, seeing her look of surprise.

                "Are you serious?" she finally said, her face full of hope.

                "Completely," he answered, his gaze never faltering.  "If

it is what you want, I will defend you and Russ from your father."

                "You shouldn't meddle in our affairs," she said, her face

becoming downcast again.  "I don't need someone else making an

enemy of my father."

                "I already did that when I murdered you," Zorpheus

responded.  "I'm probably on your father's shit list if anything. 

Probably your mother's too."

                "No.  If what you say is true, then my mother would

forgive you without a second thought."

                "But your father will want my head on a platter, no

doubt."

                Aeka hung her head, ashamed of her father.  "Possibly. 

He's coming here with an entire fleet of ships for protection.  Once

I'm onboard, he'll take me back home."

                "Not if I stop him," Zorpheus answered.  "I will protect

you in Russ's absence.  I will do anything to set myself straight for

you, and to help you in any way I can.  I can only apologize to you

through words and my actions, and I will do what I think is right."

                "I've already accepted your apology," the princess

returned.  "There is no need for you to get involved anymore. 

You've done your part, and because of what you've done, you

made Russ confess himself to me, and I owe you some thanks for

that."

                "But you have to… Whoa, back the truck up.  There's no

way you could be serious about what you just said," Zorpheus

exclaimed, appalled and completely taken off guard.

                "It's true.  If you hadn't killed me, I might not have ever

known Russ's true feelings toward me.  I know he said he'd go out

with me if everything went okay after the fight, and I had a strong

feeling that Russ held an attraction to me, but after so many

refusals, after so much hurt and heartbreak, I almost didn't believe

it.  I didn't believe it, actually, until Russ brought me back.  He

sacrificed himself to me, and that is what told me that he loved me

like no other."

                "I will do my best to keep you two together," Zorpheus

said, gently taking her hand and clasping it, feeling her warmth.  "I

promise."  He then gave a short laugh.  "Your father thinks Russ is

bad news… Just wait until he gets a load of me."

                "I…" she began.  "Thank you.  That means a lot to me,"

she finally said, after a moment of silence.  "I had no idea that you

and Russ were so close."

                Zorpheus grinned.  "When we were a team, we were

unstoppable.  There wasn't a foe around that could defeat us.  And

I'll be damned if there is one that exists who can.  He is my

partner, and I'm glad to be back by his side, and I will make sure

both you and him remain happy.  I know how Russ was hurt after

the death of Laurie, but I'm so happy to find that he found another

that is so much in love with him.  There just isn't another way

about it."

                Tears formed at the edges of her eyes as she smiled,

feeling a tremendous amount of fear, worry, and depression be

lifted from her mind.  "I thank you, Zorpheus."

                Smiling happily, Zorpheus rose to his feet.  "There is

something you can do that can thank me a whole lot more," he

said, letting a sly grin creep onto his lips, letting out a sinister

chuckle.

                Aeka's eyes widened, as the fear and terror returned to

her in an instant, feeling her heart start racing with a huge

adrenaline rush.  However, Zorpheus started laughing, which

confused her further.

                "Psyche!" he said with a smirk.  "But seriously, if you

want to thank me, come with me to the house.  Ryoko, Tenchi,

Sasami, Ryo-Ohki, Nobuyuki, Washu, and myself would like to

take you out of here to relax.  You've been here for so long,

wasting away, and you remind me of a gorgeous bird in a cage,

unable to escape.  Would you please join us in going to the mall, to

the park, and later, for ice cream?  You'll have to put up with me

for quite a while, but eh, I'm sure you'll survive.  Plus the rest of

the family would like to see you back to normal."

                Looking hurt, Aeka shook her head.  "I can't leave Russ's

side," she said, brushing the tears from her eyes.  "I must…"

                "Russ ain't going anywhere.  He'll be fine," Zorpheus

encouraged.  "It isn't doing you or him any good for you to keep

sitting here," he argued.  "Please come with us.  It'll do you good."

                "I… shouldn't," she returned, still hesitating.

                Kneeling down in front of her, he put his face directly in

front of hers.  "No use arguing with me about it, princess," he said,

grinning.  "If you think Russ was stubborn, you haven't seen

anything yet," he said, taking her hand.  "Let's go.  Your sister and

everybody else are waiting for you.  It'd be embarrassing for them

to see you being dragged out there, but if you don't come

peacefully, I might have to bring myself to do it.  I can see it now

in the Jurian newspapers!  First Princess Dragged Kicking and

Screaming out of Lab like Small Child!  Friends and Family

Stunned!"

                "Stop it," she mumbled, but her heart wasn't in resisting

anymore, and she couldn't help but smile at the joke.  "I want to

stay here."

                Zorpheus just chuckled as he gently led her out of the lab

by her hand.  Turning around once more, she took one more look

at Russ, still unconscious on the table.

                "I'll be back soon, Russ," she called, as she disappeared

into the shadows.

 

                "Aeka!" Sasami shouted, running up to her sister, who

just emerged from the lab.  "It's so wonderful to see you out here

again!"

                Sasami, Nobuyuki, Tenchi, Ryoko, Washu, and Ryo-Ohki

were all seated in the living room, awaiting her arrival.  They all

had a funny feeling that Zorpheus would be the one to lead her out

of the lab, and their faith wasn't misplaced.  Everybody smiled at

her, giving her a warm welcome, checking to make sure she was

still okay.  Zorpheus just stood to the side, grinning triumphantly.

                "It's about time you came out of there, your royal

lowness," Ryoko taunted, approaching her.  "But I'm glad to see

you're doing much better."

                "Thank you," Aeka said, looking shy and embarrassed. 

"Thank you all for being so supportive to me and Russ.  I'm sorry I

made you all worry."

                "Forget about it," Tenchi said, grinning.  "Are you ready

to go?  We have several hours of things planned out for us to do."

                "Where are Kiyone and Mihoshi?" Aeka asked, noticing

their absence.

                "They're still on patrol," Washu said, standing up from

the couch, dressed in casual earth clothes.  Zorpheus did his best to

keep from ogling her, but he couldn't help but eye her from top to

bottom, feeling himself become a little flushed.  She looked

absolutely fantastic in the t-shirt and shorts she was wearing.

                "At least the rain finally stopped," Nobuyuki said,

standing up and moving over to Aeka.  "I'm very happy to see that

you've come out of the lab and have joined us again.  I hope you

have a good time today," he said, smiling.

                Checking the time, which was now three in the afternoon,

she sighed quietly, deciding to finally take her mind off of her

troubles for just a little while.  Everybody was trying to be so nice

to her, and she knew she couldn't be rude to everyone, especially

after everything that they all went through.  Reluctantly following

the family out of the house and into the van, she sincerely hoped

that Russ would be okay without anybody there.  Looking back at

the house once more, she barely heard anyone trying to talk to her.

                "Aeka?  Are you okay?" Tenchi asked, noticing how

distracted she was.

                "Huh?  Oh.  I'm sorry, Tenchi.  What was it that you were

saying?" Aeka asked, looking down into her lap.

                "We were thinking of going to see a movie.  Is there

anything you'd like to see?  It's your day today, so we'd like to

make the most of it," he told her, smiling.

                "I don't know what's playing.  I haven't been paying

much attention to things like that lately."

                Ryoko elbowed her in the arm, gently.  "Come on.  There

has to be something you want to see," she encouraged, smiling,

hoping that Aeka would forget about Russ for just five minutes at

the very least.

                "You choose, Ryoko.  You and I like pretty much the

same stuff.  Is there anything you want to see?  I'm sure I'd like it

too," she answered.

                "Well, there is this new movie that was just released a few

days ago…" Ryoko started to say, but she heard Tenchi's groan. 

Turning around, she saw him frowning, but that only made her

laugh.  "What's wrong, Tenchi?" she teased.

                Glaring at her for a moment, he shook his head.  "I can

deal with it," he mumbled.

                "What does Tenchi want to see?" Aeka asked, looking at

him.

                "It's what he doesn't want to see," Ryoko returned,

grinning.  "It's right up our alley, but he hates the stuff we love. 

He wants to see this new action movie that came out a little while

back, but it's still playing."

                "Oh.  Well, maybe we should go see that instead?" Aeka

suggested, watching Tenchi become surprised.

                "Forget it," Ryoko argued.  "This is our day out, and

we're going to see what we want to see.  Not some beat'em up,

shoot'em up action flick that has no plot."

                "HEY!" Tenchi growled.  "That movie is awesome.  My

schoolmates were talking about that one for months before it came

out."

                "Oh please.  Boys have no taste when it comes to

movies," Ryoko said, swooning and clasping her hands together. 

"Us women know what is good.  Isn't that right, Aeka?"

                "Oh yes.  I love watching movies that try to make you

unhappy and cry," Tenchi muttered, sarcastically.  "It's an hour

and a half long soap opera!  I'd rather have a happy ending where

the bad guys are defeated in the most colorful way possible,

usually involving huge explosions or cool effects!"

                "Yeah!" Nobuyuki said from the driver seat, looking in

the rear view mirror.  "That's that new Matrix Reloaded movie,

isn't it?  I can't wait to see that one!"

                Sasami sat next to Nobuyuki in the front of the van,

looking out of the window, only paying attention to about half of

the argument.

                "Ahhh!  That's finally out?" Zorpheus said, making

himself known for the first time.  "I'll be damned before I miss

that."

                Ryoko shot him the look of death, causing him to grin

widely.  "We're going to see Dawning of the Day, and that's

final!"

                "We're going to see The Matrix Reloaded!" Tenchi

argued back.

                Washu sat quietly in her seat, trying to keep her

expression blank, but on the inside, she couldn't help but find the

entire spectacle hilarious.

                "Dawning of the Day!" Ryoko said, raising her voice,

staring down at Tenchi.

                "The Matrix Reloaded!" Tenchi shot back, clenching his

fist.  "There's no way I'm going to sit through another chick flick! 

All they do is put me to sleep!"

                "Preach it, Brotha!" Zorpheus encouraged, giving Tenchi

a thumb up.  "I've had more fun watching snail races."

                Ryoko looked about ready to explode, but she calmed

down a moment later.  Turning toward the princess, she gave her

the best pitiful look she could muster.  "What do YOU want to see,

Aeka?"

                All eyes turned to her as she became shy and withdrawn,

looking down in her lap.  "I… um…"

                "Come on, Aeka.  You know you want to see lots of

things get blown up," Zorpheus said, grinning.  "How better to take

out your aggressions in a passive way?"

                "Shut up!" Ryoko snarled.  "Nobody asked you." 

Turning back toward Aeka, she resumed her pitiful look.  "You

want to see Dawning of the Day, don't you?"

                "Well… yes… but…" she said, but she was silenced by

Ryoko.

                "She said yes, so we're going to go see our movie,"

Ryoko said, triumphantly, folding her arms over her chest,

grinning.

                "Aeka was about to say something else, weren't you,

princess?" Zorpheus said, smiling.

                "NO SHE WASN'T!" Ryoko yelled, not about to

relinquish her victory.

                Zorpheus grinned.  "Yeah she was.  Would you mind if

Nobuyuki, Tenchi, and myself went to see The Matrix, and you,

Washu, and Ryoko go see your movie?  It would work out fine if

the movies start and end at the same time," he suggested.

                "No!  I don't want to see any movie without my Tenchi!"

Ryoko yelled, clutching his arm.

                "You just went and signed yourself up with The Matrix,"

Zorpheus said, grinning.

                "Hell no!  We're all going to go see Dawning of the Day,

and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it!" she argued.

                "It's okay," Aeka said, finally finding her voice.  "They

can go see their movie and we can see ours.  It's no big deal,

really."

                "But…" Ryoko said, her tone defeated.

                Now Zorpheus was grinning widely.  "You heard the

lady!  She said that it was okay, so that's the way it's going to be!"

he said, clapping his hands together.  "I've been waiting for a long

time to see this."

                "You guys are impossible!" Ryoko snapped, turning her

nose up at everybody.  "I guess I can see that stupid movie.  We

seem to be outnumbered anyway, Aeka."

                Letting a small smile creep onto her lips, she shook her

head.  "It's okay.  I don't mind seeing an action movie.  It might be

good."

                "It's great!" Zorpheus said, excited.  "I saw previews of

that a year or two ago and couldn't WAIT to see it.  The original

Matrix was awesome too.  It had huge gunfights, lots of

explosions, and ever since, I've been waiting for this day."

                "How can watching something explode be so fun?"

Ryoko argued, flustered.  "I don't get it!"

                "Knowing you, Ryoko, I'm surprised that you don't want

to see it," Zorpheus said, grinning at her.  "You probably like

porno more, don't you?"

                Instantly Nobuyuki turned red, but Ryoko became

infuriated.  "WHAT?!  How dare you!  I don't watch any porn!"

                Zorpheus started laughing, pointing his finger at her.  "I

knew it.  She, at the very least, used to be a porn freak," he teased.

                "Come on, stop it," Tenchi said, trying to head off the

carnage.  "This isn't the time for a fistfight."

                "But I don't watch any porn, Tenchi!" Ryoko whined,

looking embarrassed.

                "Of course you don't.  You make your own, right?"

Zorpheus interjected, trying to keep himself from laughing.

                "I'LL KILL YOU!" Ryoko yelled, lunging at him, her

arms outstretched as she tried to put her hands around his throat,

but Tenchi was restraining her.

                "You better stop it, Zorpheus," Tenchi warned.  "She'll

tear you apart."

                "She could try," he answered, smiling.  "She's quite a

wildcat, isn't she?  Reeewowr!"

                "No I'm not!" Ryoko nearly shouted, finally sitting back

down, her eyes burning with rage and embarrassment.

                "Oh, chill out.  I'm only teasing you," Zorpheus said,

eyeing Aeka, who was looking out of the window.  "But anyway,

this movie has enough fun, action, romance, and other stuff to keep

you girls occupied," he said, relaxing.  The van hit a bump in the

road, causing Zorpheus's pointy hair to hit the ceiling.  "Besides,

with your body, you'd make a killing!"

                Ryoko sat in her seat, shooting daggers from her eyes at

Zorpheus.  "I'm trying to decide whether or not that was a

compliment or an insult," she growled.

                Aeka wasn't paying too much attention to the ongoing

feud between Ryoko and Zorpheus, but she couldn't help but feel

relieved that they were making such an effort to make her feel

better.  The sunlight felt good on her skin, and the temperature was

very pleasant.  She had her window open and she could feel the

wind blowing through her long, silky hair, and it felt almost as if

she were flying.  She could still feel the moisture in the air from

the rain, and it just felt wonderful.

                "I hope Russ is okay," Aeka said aloud, barely audible.

                "He'll be fine, Aeka," Washu assured her.  "He's just

sleeping like a baby.  I'm not surprised that he hasn't woken up

yet.  He used one heck of a lot of energy that day."

                "You're not kidding," Zorpheus said, looking over at

Washu.  "To be honest, I'm surprised he didn't self-destruct from

that buildup of ki."

                "Well anyway," Washu said, changing the subject.  "After

the movies, we'll do a little shopping, then go get some ice cream

and eat it at the park.  The temperature is supposed to remain

pleasant throughout the remainder of the day, so everything should

be great.  Just enjoy yourself, Aeka.  You deserve it."

                Aeka remained silent, waiting for the moment when she'd

return home.

 

                Beep…  Beep… Beep…

                It was the only sound that could be heard in Washu's lab

aside from the steady hum of her computers.  Still beating at a

steady sixty beats a minute, it continued to measure Russ's

heartbeat, logging it into its internal memory, as it had done for the

past week.  The green dot on the screen, scrolling to the side,

jumped with each heartbeat, giving a visual representation of it.

                Beep… Beep… Beep…

                Still lying motionless on his hospital bed, he had

remained in the same position for the entire time.  His body never

moved, as if it were tied to the bed by some invisible force.

                Beep… Beep… Beep…

                Aeka had wondered if he ever dreamed while he was

lying there.  Maybe, dreaming of her, at the very least.  It was

torture to wait for him to reawaken, but Washu couldn't tell her

when he would.

                Beep… Beeeeeeep… Beep…

                The sound of the cardiac monitor continued to echo

around the vastness of Washu's laboratory, as if to tell all the

inanimate objects there that Russ's heart was still beating, even

though it appeared that he was dead.

                Beep.. Beep.. Beep.

                Oddly enough, his heart rate began to rise, and the amount

of air he was taking in with each breath was increasing in volume. 

                Beep.  Beep.  Beep.

                With a huge gasp of air, Russ's eyes opened to the

dimness of his surroundings, the heart monitor beeping faster than

it had since being connected to him.  Barely able to move, Russ

slowly focused his eyes on his surroundings, unable to figure out

where he was.  The incessant beeping was starting to get on his

nerves as well.

                Beep.  Beep.  Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….

                According to the monitor, Russ's heartbeat had stopped,

even though he was sitting upright in his bed, finally having moved

after lying still for so long.  Holding the dangling cords in his

hand, he looked at them curiously, wondering why they were

attached to him.  Wasn't he supposed to be dead?

                Reaching over to the monitor, he turned it off, silencing it

instantly.  Sliding off of the bed, he landed gently on his feet,

feeling a tinge of pain in most of his joints because of atrophy. 

Also feeling a tugging sensation on his left arm, he looked down to

see a tube embedded in his vein.  Peeling back the tape that held it

in place, he carefully pulled it out of his arm, drawing in a breath

between his clenched teeth from the weird, but painless sensation. 

Drops of blood dripped from the wound, but Russ replaced the

tape, using it as a temporary bandage.

                "Am I still alive?" he questioned, his voice echoing from

every direction, reverberating many times before silencing itself. 

"I couldn't be, but this place sure doesn't look like Heaven."

                Moving away from the bed slowly, he carefully made his

way into the darkness, hearing the quiet hum of a power coupling

nearby.  Using it to get his bearings, he strained his eyes, trying to

peer into the blackness, which was only broken by the small

number of nightlights placed sparsely throughout the gigantic lab.

                Working a kink out of his neck, Russ moved his head

from side to side, feeling several cracks in his neck release some of

his stiffness.  Groaning quietly from the relief, he knelt down,

feeling his knees, ankles, toes, and hips crack and pop with release. 

Bringing his hands together, he pressed his palms outward with his

fingers intertwined with each other, feeling most of the joints in his

fingers crackle in a strange medley of noise, as he groaned with

satisfaction and pleasure.

                Slowly moving forward, he put his hand out in front of

him, letting a soft glow emanate from a ball of energy he formed in

his palm, illuminating his path.

                "This is a big lab," he said to himself, still hearing his

voice and feet echo around him.  "I guess this could be Heaven,

but more so for Washu than for me."

                Making his way across the floor, taking extra time to keep

his balance, he made his way to the doorway of the lab.  With a

gentle twist, he opened the door and stepped through it, never

looking back.

                Bright light greeted his eyes as he pushed his way into the

Masaki home, causing him to groan and shield his eyes.  Standing

in the doorway for a few moments, he waited for his eyes to adjust

to the intenseness of the sunlight pouring in through the living

room windows.  Pulling his arm away, he looked into the house,

not having set foot within those hollowed walls for quite some

time.

                "I'm still alive," he whispered.  "Why?"

                Moving over to the couch, he gently placed his hand on

the soft material, as he looked at the living room, as if it were his

first time there in his life.  He could see the trees outside of the

windows, swaying gently in the breeze that was blowing.  The

temperature was very pleasant as he felt the wind move over his

skin, which was clean and unscathed.  No scars existed, and it

looked almost brand new.  Noticing that he was still in tattered

clothes, he scratched his head in wonder.  Raising his energy a

little, a bright white light flashed around him, creating a fresh and

new, blue colored gi.  Listening to the sound of the light breeze

blowing in through the screens, he realized that nobody else was

home.  Trying to sense them, he couldn't find them.

                "So I'm alone," he said out loud.  Sighing quietly, only

one thing entered his mind.  Moving over to the karaoke machine,

he set up the microphone on the organ, preparing to play a song

that he thought he'd never get around to playing.  A song dedicated

to Aeka.  Catching a glimpse of the time on the VCR, it had read

only three fifteen in the afternoon.

                Sitting down on the organ, making sure the karaoke

machine was recording, he began to play, singing the lyrics in

English, as they were meant to be.

 

                "Kiiiiiiyoneeeeee!  I'm hungry!"

                "NOT AGAIN!"

                Mihoshi, giving Kiyone her best 'feed me' look, appeared

to be wasting away, even though she had only eaten two hours ago.

                "Please can we eat?  I'm starving," she begged, teary-

eyed.

                "You just ate a few hours ago!  How can you be hungry

again!?" Kiyone shouted, grinding her teeth in rage.

                Mihoshi's stomach groaned, telling her that it wanted

food and it wanted it now.  "I'm so hungry," she whined.

                "You've eaten more than Russ does in one sitting today! 

How can you possibly be hungry again?" she returned, shaking her

head.

                "I don't know!  I just felt so hungry all of the sudden.  I

have to eat something or I'll starve!"

                "Argh!  You won't starve for not eating for a few hours! 

Did you already eat all the junk food we brought onboard?"

Kiyone asked, eyeing the mess on the floor.  "What a disaster."

                Mihoshi got up and went into the back, trying to find

something edible.

                "I can't believe her," Kiyone mumbled, talking to herself. 

"She's so irritating!  Why oh why did I have to get stuck with her

as a partner?  We've had promotion after promotion pass us by

because of her!  That's all she does is hold me back with her

clumsiness and stupidity!  How in the world could someone even

conceive someone like her?!  She almost doesn't seem human!"

she growled, shaking her head.  "Mihoshi has the body of a

twenty-four year old supermodel but the brain of a whiny five year

old!"

                "What's wrong, Kiyone?" Mihoshi asked, poking her

head out of the back, having heard Kiyone mumble her name.

                Turning around in surprise, she quickly shook her head. 

"N… Nothing.  You find anything to eat?"

                The look of desperation on Mihoshi's face was all Kiyone

needed to see to deduce the correct answer.  "Come on.  We'll be

home in a couple hours.  We'll have dinner about eight, and it's

five thirty now.  Can't you just wait?"

                Hearing Mihoshi's stomach croak again, Kiyone slammed

her head on the console in frustration, half hoping that she hit it

hard enough to knock her out for a few hours.  Sitting back up, she

felt a throbbing pain on her forehead, accompanied by a huge red

welt.  "WHY ME?!"

 

                "That was such a cool movie!" Sasami said for the third

time, making her way over to the dessert shop.  "It was a lot of fun

to see!"

                Zorpheus, Tenchi, and Nobuyuki all grinned, as they

greatly enjoyed the movie.  Ryoko, Washu, and Aeka also enjoyed

it, but not quite as much as the guys.

                "It was okay," Ryoko mumbled, folding her arms over her

chest, glaring at Tenchi.  "I still would've rather seen my movie."

                "Hey, you were getting into it as much as we were,

Ryoko," Tenchi returned, smiling at her.  "I saw your jaw hanging

open at some of the really cool gunfight scenes."

                "I still think Aeka would've enjoyed Dawning of the Day

more," she argued back.

                Aeka turned toward her and smiled.  "We'll see it another

day.  It's a brand new movie, so it should be in theaters for a while

longer, right?"

                "As far as I know," Ryoko answered, reaching over and

taking Tenchi's hand in hers.  "Tenchi is going to come see it with

us, since we saw his movie."

                "I never agreed to that," he said, looking surprised.

                Ryoko turned toward him with one of the most hurt

expressions she ever mustered.  "You won't see it with me, even

after I saw your movie with you?" she whimpered.

                Tenchi looked shocked at her expression, but he smiled

and shook his head.  "I'm teasing you, Ryoko.  Yes, I will go see

Dawning of the Day with you."

                "I knew you were teasing, Tenchi," Ryoko said, grinning.

                "Hi.  What can I get you guys for today?" the cashier

asked, smiling happily.  She was a young girl, about eighteen, with

long orange hair tied behind her head with a blue ribbon.  She had

deep, penetrating red eyes and freckles around her cheeks, and she

was very cute.

                Zorpheus looked at her and noticed that she had a

stunning resemblance to Ritsuko from Those Who Hunt Elves. 

For a moment, he debated on asking her for something that wasn't

on the menu.

                "So, what do you guys want for desert?" Nobuyuki asked,

fishing out his wallet.  "Everything is on me, so get what you

want."

                "I want a vanilla cone, dipped in chocolate!" Sasami

asked, giving a big smile.

                "Small, medium, or large?"

                "Medium, please.  I had a lot of popcorn at the theater."

                Nodding her head, she moved to the soft-serve machine. 

"What did you guys go see?"

                "The Matrix Reloaded," Sasami answered.

                "Awesome.  I wanted to see that too.  How was it?" she

asked, filling the cone with a heaping portion of ice cream.  It

almost looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

                "It was great!  I wouldn't mind seeing that one again."

                "Cool.  Well, here you go," she said, handing over the

cone.  "Next?"

                "I'll have a peanut buster parfait," Tenchi requested,

noticing that Ryoko was still looking at the menu.  "She'll have an

Oreo flurry."

                "Coming right up," she said, rushing to get the desserts.

                "What's an Oreo flurry?" Ryoko asked, confused.  "I've

never really been to many dessert shops.  You never take me

anywhere."

                "That's not true!  We went out to eat two weeks ago!"

Tenchi argued.

                "Yeah.  Two weeks ago.  It'd be nice to do stuff more

often!"

                Tenchi groaned, shaking his head.  "I'm sorry Ryoko, but

you know I have a million responsibilities around the house.  If

you girls weren't there to help out, I'd probably die from

exhaustion.  At least summer vacation is here, so I'll have more

time to spend with you, Ryoko."

                The demoness smiled warmly, her face full of love and

happiness.  "I can't wait, Tenchi."

                "Here are your desserts," the girl said, handing over the

two cups.  "Who's next?"

                Ryoko and Tenchi bowed respectfully, and stepped aside

to allow everybody else a turn.

                Zorpheus approached the counter, a crooked grin on his

face.  The girl on the other side of the counter blushed, as she

looked him up and down, getting an eyeful.  Folding her hands in

front of her, she turned up her cuteness factor, causing Zorpheus to

grin a little wider.

                "Can I help you?" she asked, quietly, not looking him in

the eyes.

                "Can you just give me one of those tubs of chocolate ice

cream?" he asked, pointing to the five-gallon bucket that held the

dessert.

                "I beg your pardon?" she asked, her eyes wide.

                Again, Zorpheus pointed to the tub.  "Can I have that with

a spoon, please?" he asked again, looking half serious and half

joking.

                "Um… I don't know if my manager will let us do that,"

she said, looking concerned.  "If you like, I can ask."

                "How much would that cost, anyway?" Zorpheus asked,

fishing out a wallet.  Opening it, he revealed a bunch of Japanese

currency inside, which was worth no less than forty thousand yen. 

Turning back toward Nobuyuki, who looked quite pale, he grinned. 

"It's okay.  I'll pay for myself."

                "Where'd you get all that money?" Tenchi asked, noticing

the numbers on the bills.

                "From Russ," he answered, simply.

                "You know what?  I'm not even going to ask how,"

Tenchi said, moving over to a table.  "Come on, Ryoko."

                Turning back toward the girl, Zorpheus fished out a five

thousand yen bill.  "Is this enough?" he asked, looking at her.

                "I really should ask my manager.  Hold on a moment,"

she said, running to the back room.  Several other people who were

at the counter looked at him strangely, but continued eating, trying

to ignore him.

                Aeka glared at him.  "Why did you have to do that?" she

asked.

                "Do what?"

                "Nobody gets a five gallon bucket of ice cream for

dessert!" she argued, keeping her voice level.  "People come here

to get a simple dessert like a sundae or whatever, but not enough

ice cream to feed an army!"

                Zorpheus cleared his throat.  "Um, you have seen Russ

eat, haven't you?"

                "Of course!"

                "I am just like him."

                Aeka's glare melted into a frown.  "Oh…"

                "Yeah."

                The girl came back out of the office, and she smiled. 

"The bossman says you can have the bucket for four thousand, five

hundred yen."

                "I'll take it," Zorpheus answered, handing over the bill. 

She quickly produced his change and went into the back to get a

fresh tub of ice cream.  Returning momentarily, she set it up on the

counter with a look that basically said, "You're nuts."

                "Here you go, sir," she said, sliding it toward him.  "Have

a nice day."

                "Can I get a spoon please?"

                "Sure."  Reaching behind her, she handed over several

pink colored, plastic spoons.

                Zorpheus bowed respectfully and lifted his rather absurd

treat.  "Thank you kindly."

                "May I help the next customer please?" she recited,

eyeing Zorpheus one last time, and then watched Aeka approach

the counter.

                "I'd like a small hot fudge sundae with butter pecan and

jamoca almond fudge, with nuts and cherries," she requested,

smiling.  "It's Russ's favorite."

                "Whipped cream too?"

                "Yes please."

                Turning away, the girl quickly made haste to prepare the

dessert.

                "I wish Russ was here with me," Aeka said, looking

depressed.  "He absolutely loves that combination of ice cream.  I

still remember the first time he introduced me to it."

                Zorpheus smiled at her.  "I know.  He's been getting that

same combination of ice cream for as long as I can remember.  I

think he told me he got started on that when his dad introduced it

to him back when he was only about six years old."

                Nodding her head, Aeka continued to have a distant look

on her face.  "Yes, he told me that too.  He treated Sasami and I to

ice cream a long time ago back when Tenchi and Ryoko went to

the beach, and that's when I tasted it for the first time.  It's really

good, and I've been hooked on it ever since."

                "I've always been a chocolate freak," Zorpheus said,

grinning.  "Chocolate milk, chocolate ice cream with chocolate

syrup, or chocolate cake or chocolate pudding, you name it, I'll eat

it."

                "I'm just going to go over here now," Aeka muttered,

heading toward Ryoko, Tenchi, and Sasami.

                "What…?  Is it something I said?" he asked, confused. 

"Oh well.  Your turn, Washu."

                "Nothing for me, thanks," she said, smiling.  "Go ahead,

Nobuyuki."

                "Go on, Washu.  Treat yourself," Zorpheus encouraged,

still holding his barrel of ice cream.

                A glint of evil presented itself in Washu's eye as she

looked at him.  "Go away and eat your chocolate," she said.

                "Meh, whatever.  Suit yourself," he said, turning tail and

heading toward the group, who were seated at a picnic table in the

middle of the park.  The table was under a willow tree, and it

looked particularly nice and cozy there.

                "He's a nice guy, but a little pushy," Washu muttered to

herself.  Catching notice of the girl behind the counter, she smiled

once again.  "Do you have anything carrot flavored for this little

girl here?" she asked, gesturing to Ryo-Ohki.

                The cabbit meowed enthusiastically, hopping up and

down lightly on her feet.

                "Oh, how adorable!" she said, smiling.  "I think I might

have something around here that may taste a little bit like carrot." 

Hurrying away, she began preparing a cone for Ryo-Ohki.

                "What about you, Nobuyuki?  What do you think of

Zorph?" Washu asked, turning toward him.

                Looking surprised, he shrugged his shoulders.  "He's a

nice guy and similar to Russ.  I still find it hard to believe that they

almost killed each other.  Granted, I never saw the fight and I

never knew what he was like beforehand, but I think he's pretty

much normal."

                Washu nodded her head.  "Yeah, I can see why you'd see

it that way."

                The Ritsuko look-a-like returned with a cone of carrot-

flavored ice cream.  "Here you go, sweetie," she said, handing it

over.  "I'm surprised we even had something like this."

                Ryo-Ohki meowed several times and bowed, then ran off

to join the family.

                "Can I help you, sir?" she asked.

                "I'd like a sundae with parlines 'n cream and baseball nut

crunch," he requested.

                "Coming right up, sir," she said, leaving the counter

again.

                Looking at him curiously, she let a crooked grin slip onto

her lips.  "That's a rather interesting combination of ice cream,"

she said.

                "You think so?" he returned, smiling.  "I don't know.  It's

always been one of my favorites."

                "Russ said that his dad loved Parlines 'n Cream.  Frankly,

I don't know how any of you can eat the stuff, with all the fat that

is in it," Washu said, glancing at the frozen treat.

                "As long as it is eaten in moderation, there isn't a

problem," Nobuyuki said, smiling, as he accepted the sundae from

the girl.

                "Your total comes to two thousand, three hundred,

seventy three yen," she said, reading the cost off of the cash

register.

                Setting the sundae back on the counter, he fished out his

wallet and withdrew a five thousand yen bill.  "Here you go."

                Quickly making change, she handed it back to Nobuyuki,

bowing respectfully.  "Thank you very much and enjoy your

desserts."

                "Thank you," he said, also bowing.  Taking his sundae, he

walked alongside Washu as they made their way to the picnic

table.

                "So how has work been treating you?" Washu asked,

making casual conversation.

                "It's been murderous," he responded, taking a spoonful of

ice cream and eating it, feeling the coolness of the dessert slide

down his throat.  "They're talking about making our day even

longer, and possibly not giving us a day off for a month straight.  I

don't know if I can keep up this level of work for much longer. 

I'm already super tired when I come home, so all I do is eat and go

to bed.  I even doze off while reading the newspaper in the

morning or when I come home.  I don't ever get to relax."

                "You've been handling it admirably," Washu said,

smiling.  "There aren't very many people like you.  You're very

hard working and you're a wonderful father."

                "Thanks Washu," he said, sighing.  "I do it all for Tenchi. 

Ever since his mother died, I've lived only for him.  I think he

turned out well, despite my shortcomings."

                "Very well," Washu said, her face becoming downcast. 

"I wish I was a part of my son's life as he grew up, but fortunately

he had a loving, caring stepmother who brought him up as I would

have.  I still feel depressed when I think about it, even though

we've been reunited.  My son also has a girlfriend, who I think he

plans to marry.  He's already grown up, and it just kills me to

know that I wasn't a part of the majority of his life."

                "Be happy that you can be there for him now.  Live for

the present, not the past," Nobuyuki said, gently patting her on the

shoulder.

                Washu looked up at him, her face full of awe and

admiration.  "For someone who has lived on a backwater planet for

the entirety of his life, you sure are a smart man," she said, now

smiling.  "Thank you, Nobuyuki.  I feel a little better now."

                "You're welcome.  It still hurts me that Tenchi's mother

was not a part of his upbringing.  I've done the best I could, but

sometimes I wonder if I could've done better," Nobuyuki said,

looking into his ice cream while keeping his mind on not tripping

over something.  "It was very difficult to have him brought up

without a motherly impression left on him, and I was very afraid

that he'd be too shy around girls, but I must've made a correct turn

somewhere along the line, because Tenchi is getting married."

                Washu nodded.  "It must be the porn," she said, catching

Nobuyuki's bewildered expression.  "Just kidding."

                Shaking his head, he grinned.  "None of those girls that

I've looked at in my mountains of magazines could hold a candle

to Achika.  I miss her deeply.  It was so incredible to see her once

again at Christmas.  I still can't get over that Russ was able to do

what he did for us, and he's given me a debt that I could never

hope or dream of repaying.  The least I can do is allow him to stay

at our house."

                "You don't owe him anything," Washu said, keeping pace

with Nobuyuki.  "He did it because he knew it would make you

and everybody else happy.  He's a very giving person, and I

admire that about him.  I know I'm selfish at times, but I don't

think I could ever match the level of generosity that Russ has

shown.  I'm almost envious of him because of that.  He reunited

me with my son, which is something I had finally labeled

impossible.  I went over data records with a fine-toothed comb and

I still couldn't solve the mystery.  But somehow, he did, and he

won't tell me how he did it either, the little weasel.  I feel like I

owe him a mountain of gratitude that I could never repay, but I'll

do anything for that man now."

                "He has had that effect on us all, hasn't he?"

                Washu nodded.  "Yes.  I've been so worried about him

that I haven't slept for more than four hours in the last week.  I'm

so tired right now that I could pass out.  While you guys were

watching the movie, I dozed off several times, catching up on a

little sleep.  Not because the movie was boring or anything, but I

just had to take my mind off of him for a while."

                Now it was Nobuyuki's turn to nod.  "Yes.  I could feel a

drastic change in everybody the day after the fight.  Even though

everybody tried to go about his or her normal business, it was

obvious that everyone's mind was elsewhere."

                "Aeka hadn't left Russ's side the entire time, poor girl. 

She's so hopelessly in love with him, but Russ continually tries to

turn her away.  But I've had a feeling for a while now that his heart

really wasn't in it, and he really did want to be with her.  Aeka

melted that ice cage that imprisoned his heart and his feelings, and

made them surface once again."

                "Look at her now," Nobuyuki said, looking across the

field at the family.  "She's smiling, but I can tell that she's only

doing it for us.  Her mind is back home."

                Washu became unusually silent for a moment.  "Don't tell

anybody else this, but I have a funny feeling about Russ.  I know

that Aeka was able to reach him, but after Zorpheus killed her,

Russ went flat out insane.  I don't know what frame of mind he's

going to be in once he wakes up, but to be honest, I think he's

going to seal his heart again, and this time for good.  I think he

might blame himself for everything that had happened."

                Looking worried, Nobuyuki ate another spoonful of ice

cream, getting some hot fudge on his spoon.  Taking a moment to

swallow it, he glanced nervously at Washu.  "That would just

break Aeka's heart.  Do you really think so?"

                Shrugging her shoulders, she shook her head.  "I'm not

entirely sure, but I've been around for over twenty thousand years,

so I've had a lot of time to study the behavior of people.  I've seen

some situations go one way, and I've seen them go the other way. 

But each and every person is different.  Some take it to the

extreme, but some don't even seem to care.  Predicting emotions of

people is very difficult.  It is more possible to predict the actions of

a person, as that is how wars are won, but dealing with emotions is

something on a level by itself.  Even I can't do it at a reasonable

percent."

                "But you think Russ might close off his heart forever?"

                Closing her eyes, she nodded.  "Yes.  I do.  Whatever you

do, do not tell Aeka I said it."

                "I won't."

                "Good.  Keep quiet about it now, as they are probably

able to hear us by now," Washu said, about thirty paces away from

the jabbering family.

                Sasami had already finished her dessert, as had Zorpheus. 

The cardboard tub sat in front of him, scraped clean of every trace

of chocolate ice cream that was inside.  He had a ring of chocolate

around his mouth, and he grinned.

                "Pig," Washu sneered, sitting down next to him.

                Letting out a belch that shook the bench Washu sat on, he

let out a deep breath.  "And proud of it," he said, snickering.

                "Oh yes, that's REAL attractive," Ryoko said, glaring at

him.

                "Like you've never done it," Zorpheus shot back,

narrowing his eyes to slits.  "I'm sure Russ and Tenchi have done

it too."

                "Oh man, not again," Tenchi muttered under his breath. 

"Don't you two do anything but fight?  You're worse than the old

rivalry between you and Aeka!" he said, looking at Ryoko.

                Frowning, Ryoko thrust a finger in Zorpheus's direction. 

"Well HE started it by being so rude!"

                Zorpheus stuck out his tongue at her, pulled down an eye

with his index finger, and gave her a raspberry.  "If you didn't say

anything, we wouldn't have started arguing!"

                "Oh, both of you shut up," Aeka growled, glaring at the

both of them.  "I'm not interested in hearing such childish

bickering."

                "Well excuuuuuuuuuse me," both Ryoko and Zorpheus

said at the same time, causing Aeka to recoil in surprise.  She

frowned a moment later and turned her nose up at the both of them.

                Sasami giggled at her sister, but kept quiet.

                "Well, once we finish this, what shall we do next?"

Tenchi said, using a napkin to clean the ice cream off of his face.

                "It's almost seven thirty.  Kiyone and Mihoshi will both

be home a little after eight," Aeka said, looking skyward.  "We

should head home."

                "They can fend for themselves," Zorpheus said, looking

across the table at her.

                Glaring at him, Aeka shook her head.  "I want to go home

now."

                Everybody at the table became quiet and withdrawn, as

they looked at the empty containers in front of them.

                "If you want to go home, we'll go," Tenchi said, standing

up.  "I know you're worried about Russ, so we'll go home."

                Aeka breathed a sigh of relief.  "Thank you, Tenchi."

                Nobuyuki stood up and tossed his container in a nearby

trashcan.  "Let's go."

                Everybody else followed suit, and after disposing of their

garbage, they all jumped into the van to head back to the house.

 

                Scribbling on a piece of paper and then tossing the pencil

aside after finishing, Russ breathed a sigh of despair,

disappointment, and unhappiness.

                "I'm sorry, everybody, for ruining your lives and failing

to do what I said I was going to do," he said to himself, looking at

the cassette tape and the letter that he arranged on the table.  "By

the time you read this, I should be long gone, never to return.  I

will never ruin another person's life if it is the last thing I do.  I

shouldn't even be alive right now.  I don't know how they saved

me, but I didn't deserve it.  I didn't deserve any kindness they gave

to me after Aeka died, and I'll be damned if I'll set them up for

another disappointment or heartbreak.  I'll never forget the look on

their faces as they saw Aeka fall, covered in her own blood,

because I failed to stop Zorpheus from killing her.  I said I'd

protect her, and I failed.  I said I'd defeat Zorpheus, and I probably

failed.  I failed in so many ways…" he said, hesitating.  Shaking

his head to clear the cobwebs, he continued, his voice wavering

slightly.  "I'm sorry, Aeka, but I don't deserve someone like you.  I

never did, and I never will.  I hope you find happiness with

someone else, because I'm not worthy of being your number one."

                Turning toward the clock, it read seven forty five. 

Quickly ascending the stairs, he went into his room, and stopped. 

Standing there in the middle of the floor, he could feel himself

losing his self-control, as a tear squeezed its way out of the corner

of his eye.  Quickly brushing it away, he shook his head, slapped

his temples with his hands, and made his way over to the desk and

packed up his stereo system.  Afterward, he grabbed his duffel bag

and packed it with all of his underclothes and the Earth garments

that he had brought with him originally, and he managed to stuff

his desk fan into the bag too.  Leaving all the stuff that was bought

for him in the closet, he closed the door, breathing a sigh of relief.

                "I do not want to be reminded of his folly, ever again.  I

will never love, and I will never date.  I'm nothing but a loser, a

disappointment, and a failure.  I totally screwed up.  I completely

screwed up.  I felt that rage once again as I saw Aeka fall, and I

swore up and down that I never wanted to feel that again, but I did

because I allowed myself to open my heart again.  But I'll never do

it anymore.  Never.  I've disappointed two people now.  Three, if I

included myself."

                Lifting his stereo and slinging his duffel bag over his

shoulder, he slid open the door, turned around to look at his room

one last time, and allowed the door to shut, almost as if he were

shutting himself off from his life at the Masaki home.

                After descending the stairs once again, he stopped in the

living room, taking one final look around the home that he had

lived in for the past year, and smiled.

                "Thank you, everybody, for everything," he said, opening

the glass door and stepping outside.  Listening it to it click shut

behind him, he let out another sigh, closed his eyes, tilted his head

skyward, and took the final step off of the porch and onto the lawn. 

Fishing out the remote in his pocket, he hit the button, causing a

black hole to open near the lake, ejecting his fighter from

subspace.

                Sighing to himself once again, he looked at his fighter,

admiring the four laser cannons and dual ion cannons.  Moving

back toward the fighter, he looked at the signal strobes, and lastly

checked the engine exhaust port.

                "All seems in order," he said, listening to the birds

chirping in the nearby forest.  He could feel the breeze over his

renewed skin and could feel it stir the spikes of hair on his head,

and he felt like a brand new man.  However, his mind was still

messed up, and he knew it too.

                Opening the hatch, listening to the hiss of the hydraulics,

he climbed into his fighter, and then set his stereo and duffel bag

down on the back seat.  Seeing a ghostlike image of Sasami there

for a moment, he blinked, and then shook his head.  Sitting down

in the pilot's seat, he closed the hatch and looked at the house one

final time, feeling his insides squeeze from the turmoil of emotions

coursing throughout his mind.

                Closing his eyes one final time, resting his hand on the

start switch, he argued with himself for a few more moments,

convincing himself that he was doing the right thing.  "Goodbye,

everyone," he said, pressing the button and firing up the engines.

 

                Pulling up in the driveway, Nobuyuki barely had time to

turn off the van before Aeka opened the door and jumped out,

running toward the house.  Everybody else piled out of the van

rather quickly as well, following Aeka to the side door.

                "Hurry up and open it.  I want to check on Russ," Aeka

said, looking very determined.  But she was also dancing from side

to side, almost looking like she had to go to the bathroom.

                "Hold your horses, Aeka.  We'll all go check on him,

okay?" Tenchi said, looking worried.

                Nobuyuki put his key into the lock and pushed the door

open, but Aeka cut him off and raced inside the house, heading

straight for Washu's lab.

                "Aeka!  Quit being so rude!" Sasami yelled after her,

following Nobuyuki inside.

                Stopping, she turned around and looked at the many

glares directed at her, and she hung her head.  "I'm sorry, but I'm

very anxious to see Russ again.  Please forgive me."

                "Just take it easy, alright?" Ryoko said, approaching her. 

"Lets go see him together."

                Sasami walked past the two girls and made her way into

the living room, noting that the blinds toward the lake were closed,

but in such a way that was still allowing light to enter.  "That's

odd."

                "What's odd, Sasami?" Washu said, approaching her

from behind.

                "I didn't close those blinds.  And what's this?" she said,

noticing two pieces of paper on the table, along with a cassette

tape.  Reading the first line of the letter, she let out an ear-piercing

scream.

                Everybody came crashing into the living room, wondering

what caused her to yell.  "What's wrong?!" they chorused.

                "This letter is from Russ!" she said, her hands shaking. 

"He left us!  HE'S GONE!"

                "WHAT?!" Aeka yelled, snatching the letter out of her

sister's hands.  "This has got to be a sick joke or something." 

Taking a look at it for a moment, her face became more and more

contorted into a look of utter shock, surprise, and horror, as she

read further and further into the letter.  "No."

                Ryoko snatched it out of Aeka's hands and began to read

it out loud.  "To the family that has cared for me for so long," she

began, reading it word for word.  "Hi.  I'm happy to say that I've

fully recovered, and I'm perfectly fine.  I must've woken up while

you guys were out, but it's no big deal.  I'm sure I'm the last guy

you guys want to see.  I know this is probably not going to be

disappointing to you, but I've decided to leave.  I'm not worthy of

staying with you any longer.  All I've done is turn your lives into a

living hell, and I don't know what to do or say to you to make it

up.  So therefore, I've decided to leave, and never disappoint

another person again as long as I live.  I apologize and I'm sorry

for everything that has happened, as I'm sure you all must be very

disappointed with me.  I failed as a warrior.  I failed as a protector. 

And I failed as a lover.  Twice."

                "My god, how can he feel that way about himself?"

Tenchi said, his eyes wide.

                "Hah.  Like clockwork," Zorpheus muttered, his arms

folded over his chest, glaring at the letter.

                "What?" Aeka said, running up to him.  "What did you

know?"

                Zorpheus closed his eyes for a moment, trying to choose

the right words.  "He blames himself for everything that has

happened.  He believes that everything that went wrong was his

fault, and not the fault of another.  He is a man who will not lay

blame with anybody else, but will take the burden on alone.  He'd

blame himself for the sky being blue if he felt he had any part in it. 

He feels that Aeka's death was his fault and not mine."

                "That's not fair!" Aeka yelled, panic set firmly within her

voice.

                "Quiet!  There's more," Ryoko said, beginning to read the

letter again.  "I've decided to pack my bags and leave.  If one of

you gets this letter before Aeka does, please do not let her see it. 

She probably hates me from the pit of her stomach because I failed

to do what I said I'd do, and I regret putting her through so much

heartbreak.  Please tell Aeka that I'm sorry.  I'll never see any of

you again, only because I feel that it is better this way.  Please do

not try to find or follow me.  I do not want to live with the thought

that I failed someone else.  I will never love again, because I'm

nothing but a failure and a loser.  I think I'm becoming

professional at being a failure, since my track record is now zero

and two.  But I'll be perfectly honest.  I loved Aeka, more than

anybody else that has ever existed, and even more than Laurie.  I

did a song, dedicated just to her, and you'll be able to listen to it on

the cassette tape I made of the song.  It's called, 'Damn, I Wish I

was Your Lover,' by Sophie B. Hawkins.  The lyrics are sung in

English, but because not many of you know that language, I put the

lyrics on the back of this letter.  Listen to it if you wish, but I

wanted more than anything to be with Aeka, but it's not meant to

be."

                Aeka's face was awestruck, as the tears flowed freely out

of the corners of her eyes.  "I love you too, Russ," she cried. 

"Why did you leave!?"

                Ryoko continued to read as Tenchi held Aeka in his firm

grasp, trying to calm her down.  Everybody else just stood by

quietly, their jaws hanging open, as they could scarcely believe

that Russ felt that way about himself.  Sasami was the worst out of

the group, crying uncontrollably.

                "I've left you a small token of my gratitude," Ryoko said,

continuing to read.  "I know it isn't much, but I hope it will help

you out some."

                Sasami looked at the paper and found that it was actually

a check, made out to Nobuyuki.  She brushed the tears out of her

widening eyes, and she almost couldn't believe what was written

on it.  "I don't believe it.  He wrote a check worth fifty million

yen!  That's almost four hundred forty thousand American

dollars!"

                "I don't care!" Aeka yelled, shaking her head viciously. 

"I don't care about money!  I WANT RUSS BACK!"

                "Hey, do you hear that?" Zorpheus said, looking toward

the lake.  "That sounds like a Tie Fighter."

                Quickly making their way to the door, Zorpheus slid it

open and looked toward the lake, seeing the Tie Defender lift off

of its landing struts, pitch upward, and shoot off into the sky.

                "Where did he get THAT?!" Zorpheus yelled, watching

the fighter speed away.

                Running past him and leaping into the air, Aeka began

flying at top speed, trying to catch up with Russ, but she already

knew she was going to be too slow.

                "Ryo-Ohki!" Ryoko yelled, grabbing the cabbit.  "Get us

up there, NOW!"

                Hurtling through the air from the force of Ryoko's throw,

Ryo-Ohki transformed herself into her crystalline spaceship and

quickly transported everyone onboard.

                "Hurry up, Ryo-Ohki!  Catch up to Aeka and bring her

onboard!  We have to catch up to Russ before he leaves the solar

system!" Washu commanded, feeling the ship lurch forward,

zipping skyward.

                "What will happen if he leaves the solar system?" Sasami

cried, still horribly surprised and shocked.  She never expected this

in a million years.

                "He'll probably enter hyperspace, and we'll have no

chance of catching up to him," Washu explained, looking very

determined.  "Hurry, Ryo-Ohki!"

                The ship meowed loudly as she poured all of her energy

into flying.  Quickly catching up to Aeka, she beamed the princess

aboard.

                "This ship is WEIRD," Zorpheus muttered under his

breath.

                Aeka was breathing heavily, the tears were still flowing,

and her face was filled with despair.  "We have to catch up to

him!"

                "We will, Aeka," Zorpheus said, looking out of the

viewscreen, seeing the blue light from the Tie Defender's exhaust

port.  "He's right there, and we'll catch him."

                "Can't you teleport yourself inside?" Ryoko asked,

looking at him.  "You have the same abilities as Russ, don't you?"

                Zorpheus shook his head.  "I can't do it in a space as

small as that.  I need to do it in something bigger."

                "Open the communications channel," Ryoko said,

watching the blue atmosphere of Earth fade to the black of space. 

"Russ!  I know you can hear me," she yelled.  "Come on!  Answer

me!"

                Nothing happened, but Russ's fighter seemed to speed up

a little, and they weren't gaining any ground on him.

                "Come on!  Talk to us!" she yelled, pushing Ryo-Ohki to

her limit.  "GOD DAMMIT, GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!"

                "This is Kiyone," came a response.  A visual of the

interior of the Yagami flickered onto a display that formed in mid-

air.  "What's the problem?"

                "Russ is running away!" Aeka yelled, pointing at the

fighter.  "We have to stop him!"

                "He's awake?!" Kiyone said, shock on her face.  "Where

are you now?"

                "We've just left the Earth's atmosphere and we're right

behind him.  Hurry up, because we can't catch up to him!" Washu

directed.

                "Do you ladies need some extra assistance?" came a

second reply, as they watched a visual of Tom appear on a screen

next to Kiyone.  "Russ is finally awake?"

                "Yes, but he's trying to run away.  Can you help us?"

Ryoko begged, looking desperate.

                "Will do," he said, disappearing.  After a moment, a large

chunk of space to the right seemed to bend and fold in on itself

ahead of the chase, and the Star Destroyer appeared in the rift.  It

began to move to intercept Russ's fighter, but he saw it coming. 

Veering off in another direction, Russ tried to avoid him.

                A few seconds later, hundreds of blue bolts of energy

began lancing from the Star Destroyer's hull, lighting up the

surrounding space and reflecting off of the Tie Defender's hull. 

None of the bolts hit, as Russ began using evasive action, dodging

up, down, and all around.  One bolt of blue energy slammed into

the fighter, and was absorbed by the shields.

                "Those shields are powerful," Washu commented.  "They

only dropped by like six percent, and he just shunted them back up

to two hundred percent.  He has his craft double shielded, so we're

going to have to help lower them.  Ryo-Ohki, aim your laser

cannon at Russ and fire."

                "DON'T YOU DARE!" Aeka shouted, looking

completely horrorstruck.  "How can you even think about shooting

at him!?"

                "Aeka, we have to help Tom lower Russ's shields, or the

ion cannons won't work!  They're trying to disable his fighter so

they can board it."

                "I can't believe any of this," Ryoko growled.  "Do as she

says, Ryo-Ohki.  Aim the laser at him and blast at him until his

shields are gone.  It shouldn't take much."

                Ryo-Ohki tilted herself until her bottom pointed at Russ,

with orange energy glowing around her weapon.  A second later,

an orange beam burst out of the bottom of the spaceship, right on

target.  It hit the fighter directly in the back, but the shields

absorbed the blast, doing no damage.

                "What the hell?" Washu growled.  "Ryo-Ohki only

lowered them by fifty percent?!  Make it more powerful!  Those

shields are stronger than you think, Ryo-Ohki!"

                "I wish there was something I could do!" Tenchi growled,

looking very upset, but determined.

                "Incoming communication from Tom," Ryoko indicated,

watching his image come up on the screen again.

                "Hey, is Zorpheus there with you?" he asked.

                "Yeah," he answered, stepping forward.

                "Get over here.  Your fighter is ready.  Use it to help us

disable Russ's fighter.  I'll be joining you out there as well.  Every

fighter and transport that has an ion cannon onboard is being

readied for combat, and we could use your help," Tom said,

dressed in a flight suit.

                "What fighter?  I never asked for a fighter," he said. 

Putting two fingers to his forehead, Zorpheus vanished a moment

later.  On the monitor, Zorpheus appeared to Tom's left at the same

instant he disappeared.

                "Keep firing at him to help lower his shields," Tom

requested.  "We can use all the help we can get.  That fighter has

been heavily enhanced, and it is very, very maneuverable.  We're

trying to get in tractor beam range, but we have to be pretty close

for that."

                "We'll do our best," Ryoko said, watching Tom

disappear.  "Aeka?  I'm going to re-open the communication

frequency.  Try talking to him.  You might be able to turn him

around."

                Aeka, who was collapsed on the floor, crying almost

uncontrollably, looked up at her friend, tears pouring from her

amethyst eyes.  "I'll try," she said.

                The Yagami sped around the moon, heading straight at

Russ and Ryo-Ohki, on a perfect intercept course.  However,

again, Russ's fighter turned abruptly, setting a new heading, trying

to get away from the growing swarm of ships that were chasing

him.

                They had finally made their way out of Earth's gravity

well, and were now making extremely fast headway toward the

edge of the Solar System.  It wasn't five minutes before they

passed Mars, and were heading toward the asteroid belt.

                "Russ… please stop this.  Turn around and come back to

us," Aeka said, trying to keep her voice steady, watching the

fighter on the viewscreen.  Bolts of blue energy continued to get

very close to the fighter, but Russ was avoiding them all skillfully. 

Ryo-Ohki fired once again, but missed.  "Come on, Russ.  It's not

your fault!  It was never your fault.  How can you think that of

yourself?  Please, come back to me and talk to me!"

                She waited a few moments for a response, which never

came.

                "Here come the fighters," Tenchi said, noticing almost a

dozen fighters and a half dozen transports launch from the hanger

bay of the Star Destroyer.  Assault Gunboats, Assault Transports,

and two Escort Transports were all making their way toward Ryo-

Ohki and Russ, as they were still a little distance behind them.  The

Star Destroyer itself continued to chase Russ as well, never ceasing

with the ion cannon fire.

                "I'm receiving a transmission from Russ!" Ryoko

shouted, excited.  "Audio only, though."

                "Do not follow me, do not chase me, and do not shoot at

me anymore.  If you continue to do so, I WILL return fire.  Get

away from me and leave me alone," came Russ's voice.  A

moment later, the communication channel was cut off.

                "RUSS!" Aeka shouted, but it was too late.  He continued

to make a beeline for the asteroid field.

                "Damn him," Tenchi growled, flustered.  "Keep shooting

at him.  Get his shields down if you can.  Just do your best.  We'll

catch him."

                The Yagami opened fire with its laser cannons, but all of

the orange blasts that lanced forth from its guns missed, as Russ

continued to dodge the onslaught of energy that poured forth from

the many ships chasing him.

                "You have to stop this, Russ!" Aeka cried, distressed. 

"Please stop this!  I don't blame you for anything that went wrong

and it isn't fair that you blame yourself!  Please come back and

talk to us!"

                Finally reaching the edge of the asteroid field, Russ flew

into it at maximum speed, now dodging the many asteroids that

hurtled around him along with the incessant ion cannon fire from

the vessels behind him.

                "I'll follow you to the end of the universe and beyond,

Russ.  I love you too much just to let you go," Aeka cried,

collapsing to the floor once again.

                "We're going in after him," came Tom's voice over the

communication system.  A visual of him appeared on the screen

once again, but this time he was inside of a gunboat.  "Everybody,

stay on your toes, keep your shields as high as they'll go, and be

careful.  The Gray Wolf will continue pursuit as well."

                The gunboats, now ahead of the Yagami and Ryo-Ohki,

followed Russ into the asteroid field, now opening fire with their

own ion cannons.  The transports were right behind them, and they

too began pouring additional blue ion cannon fire toward Russ, but

nobody was having much luck hitting him.  Each time they did,

he'd dump his laser energy into his shields, keeping them at near

maximum.

                Aeka started crying again.  "STOP IT!  You're going to

kill yourself!" Aeka yelled, trying to reach Russ.  "Please!"

                Several of the gunboats had finally gotten close enough to

Russ to actually start hitting him, but still, their hits were very

sporadic.  Russ continued to dodge all the blue bolts of energy, and

he started using the asteroids themselves as cover.  Flying directly

toward one, green plasma fired from his four laser cannons,

slamming into the asteroid, breaking it apart and causing shards of

it go to everywhere.  Flying along the outer edge of the cloud, he

forced the pursuing gunboats behind him to lose some ground.

                The Gray Wolf plowed into the asteroid field, now firing

at everything near it with green plasma, vaporizing the smaller

asteroids and blowing apart the larger ones.  Several chunks of the

devastated meteors slammed into the shields of the capital ship, but

doing no damage.

                Out of nowhere, Russ's fighter turned around, heading

straight at two of the gunboats.  "I've had enough," came his voice

once again, as blue ion fire erupted from his top mounted cannons,

slamming into the shields of one of the gunboats.  It broke off its

attack, taking evasive action, but Russ got behind it and stuck to it

like glue.  Draining almost all of the stored energy that was in the

ion cannons, and after nearly forty consecutive shots, he brought

the shields down on the gunboat, disabling it.  Its engines died,

causing it to slowly drift in space.  Immediately, Russ targeted the

other one and began firing at it.

                "Hurry up!" Tom yelled, nearly up to Russ now.  "We

have to get him now while he's distracted!"

                Ryo-Ohki fired with her laser cannon again but missed,

hitting a nearby asteroid, causing it to explode in a brilliant

fireball.  The shrapnel from it pelted the gunboat and Russ's

fighter, but it didn't do any damage.  Draining some of his shield

energy back into his cannons, Russ opened fire, blasting the second

gunboat with his ion cannons.  It quickly turned around, heading

back toward Tom and his group, hoping that Russ would follow

him and get himself closer to the other pursing ships.  One of the

assault transports broke off from the main group, heading toward

the stranded gunboat, continuing to fire at Russ with its turret

mounted ion cannons.

                Turning with the gunboat, Russ fired his ion cannons,

hitting the ship nearly fifty times, but he finally brought down its

shields, disabling it, causing it to drift in space.  Immediately, he

turned around again, making his way deeper into the asteroid field,

using the asteroids themselves for cover as he recharged both his

shields and cannons.

 

                The Yagami continued pursuit as well, taking pot shots at

Russ whenever an opportunity presented itself, but they were very

unsuccessful at hitting his ship, as it was far too maneuverable and

too small to get a clear shot at it.

                "Kiyone, why don't we use that one weapon we used on

the Jurai fleet that froze them in place?" Mihoshi suggested.

                "There are too many other ships around, and if we did

that, they'd be stuck too.  Besides, he's too fast and those missiles

are too slow," she explained, continuing to target and fire at the Tie

Defender.

                After a moment, Russ circled around one of the asteroids,

heading directly at the Yagami.  Within seconds, he was in range,

and he opened fire with his ion cannons, pelting the patrol ship

with blue energy.

                "Kiiiiiiyoneeeeee!" Mihoshi wailed, feeling the ship lurch

with each impact.

                "Dammit!  Our shields are gone!" Kiyone yelled, as she

saw several more blue beams of energy slam directly into the hull. 

The lights onboard her ship began to flicker and die, her navigation

system started to go haywire, and the engines began to die.  It only

lasted a few seconds, but after Russ made his flyby, they were dead

in the water.  The other ten gunboats were right behind him,

continuing to fire at his fighter.

                "Um, Kiyone?" Mihoshi said, looking nervously at her

partner.

                "Yes, Mihoshi.  We're disabled, and dead in the water.  I

can't believe that those fighters are as powerful as they are,"

Kiyone said, slouching in her seat.  "But it's no excuse!"

                "What's no excuse?  Kiyone, we fired on a ship without

authorization!  We're going to get in trouble for this!" Mihoshi

cried, looking stressed out as they sat in the dark.

                Kiyone's face went to surprise, and then to her usual

stressed out look.  "We'll worry about that when the time comes. 

Right now, we have to get our ship going again.  The air in here

won't last forever and it'll get very, very cold too."

                Pointing at one of the ETRs, she stood up from her seat. 

"They're coming this way.  I think they're going to help us," she

said, watching it continue to use its turret-mounted cannons to

shoot at Russ.

                Pulling up alongside the Yagami, the transport latched its

docking ring to the Yagami, pressurizing it.  Surprisingly, the

transport was about half the size of the patrol ship.  Hearing a

banging on the door, Kiyone and Mihoshi quickly ran down to the

docking area, and slid open the door.

                "Hi.  We'll get you going in a few minutes," one of the

technicians said, holding a toolkit.  "Excuse me, please," he said,

getting around Kiyone and heading into the ship, using a flashlight

to see.  A dozen other technicians and mechanics followed him,

heading toward the engineering section of the ship.

                "Wait!  You don't know the systems!" Kiyone called after

him.

                "Don't worry!  We know what to do!" one of the other

techs called back.

                "Maybe I should go with them," Mihoshi said, looking

useless.

                Kiyone turned toward her, a look of shock on her face. 

"If I did that, I'd deserve a Darwin Award," she growled, glaring at

her partner.

                "Oh wow!  What's a Darwin Award?" Mihoshi asked,

looking embarrassed, but very happy.

                Shaking her head, Kiyone sighed.  "Never mind.  Lets just

go back to the bridge.  Hopefully they can get our ship going

quickly so we can rejoin the fight.  I hope everybody else is okay."

                "Why is Russ trying to run away?" Mihoshi asked,

looking at Kiyone as they made their way through the dark

hallways, illuminated only by emergency lights.

                Sighing quietly, Kiyone hung her head.  "Knowing Russ,

he's probably blaming himself for everything that went wrong

during the fight between himself and Zorpheus, and he feels very

disappointed in himself.  He is far too caring and far too hard on

himself to see it any other way."

                "That's awful!  But what can we do?" Mihoshi asked,

looking nervous.

                "About the only thing we can do is stop him from leaving. 

It's up to Aeka to make him see everything in a different light.  I

just hope she can.  She deserves him more than anybody else in

this universe, and I'll do anything to help her get him."

                Looking at her partner with awe and admiration, she

giggled.  "I didn't know you cared so much about Princess Aeka,"

she said.

                Letting her face turn a little red, she smiled.  "She's been

a part of our family for years now, and I'd feel like a complete

bitch if I didn't do something to help her.  Heh.  A lot of good

we're doing right now," she muttered, glaring at her ship.  "The

Yagami did very well in getting us to Jurai to battle that fake

Kagato, but it just got trounced by one measly fighter!"

                Finally reaching the bridge again, they both sat down in

their chairs, patiently waiting for the technicians to get the ship

running again.

 

                "Come on, people!" Tom yelled into the radio,

encouraging his pilots.  "Keep trying to get him!  I know that

fighter is powerful, but we can do it!"

                Five gunboats were floating in space, disabled by Russ,

and he was busily trying to disable a sixth.  His shields were down

to ninety-six percent, but he was doing a good job of keeping it

there, raising it up a little with each transfer of laser energy to his

shields.

                Tom's own gunboat had about a hundred forty-five

percent in shields, having taken a few pot shots by Russ as he

hurtled around like a madman who was desperate for escape.

                "Sir!  The Gray Wolf's shields are down to one hundred,

seventy three percent from asteroid impacts.  Estimated time to

shield failure is about an hour.  It'll take at least six to recharge

them to full strength," Larry said, his image coming up on a

communication panel inside Tom's gunboat.

                "That's okay.  Do not stop pursuing Russ until he's

disabled.  That's an order.  Shoot down any asteroid that gets too

close to the ship," Tom ordered, watching Russ finally disable the

sixth gunboat.  All the transports were busily trying to repair the

fighters that had already been disabled.  "And send out additional

transports with repair crews.  Use the Escort Shuttles if you have

to," he added.

                "Yes sir!" he said, disappearing.

                "Dammit Russ!" Tom yelled, banking his fighter toward

Russ once again, getting his fighter in the targeting reticule.  "I

know you can hear me.  Answer me, you ass!"

                Waiting for a moment for a reply, Tom pulled his trigger

again, nailing Russ twice with his ion cannons.  The rest of the

bolts of energy missed as Russ instantly pitched his fighter

upward, staying on his seventh target.  Checking his status readout

of the fighter, he saw Russ's shields drop to seventy eight percent,

but instantly they went back up to ninety.

                Another orange beam lanced out from behind him,

illuminating his cockpit interior orange, narrowly missing Russ

once again.  However, Russ turned his fighter toward the source,

heading directly at Ryo-Ohki.

                "Oh no you don't," Tom growled, squeezing his trigger

once again, trying to hit Russ as he sailed by.  However, all of his

shots missed, since the Gunboat couldn't turn as quickly as the Tie

Defender could.  Tom watched as Russ opened fire, pelting the

cabbit-ship with blue ion cannon fire.  In a matter of seconds, their

shields dropped, and the energy output of the ship dropped to near

zero.  "DAMMIT!  Russ, you're REALLY pissing me off!"

                A moment later, Russ's fighter circled Ryo-Ohki and

headed straight for the half dozen Gunboats that were still trying to

disable Russ.  The Star Destroyer was nearby, continuing to

surround him in ion cannon fire, but they were being unsuccessful

in getting many hits.

                "Come on!" Tom yelled, challenging Russ.  "I'll kick

your ass!"  He squeezed his triggers again, causing blue bolts of

energy to burn out of the gun ports over top of his cockpit, and he

centered Russ's fighter in his reticule and kept it there.  Russ also

opened fire with his ion cannons, and they both blasted each other,

lowering each other's shields to almost nothing, but Russ veered

off, shunting up his shields once again.  Tom did the same, but he

didn't have the same amount of energy that Russ did, having two

less cannons.  Plus the power output of his shields wasn't as heavy

as the ones on the Tie Defender.

                Doing his best to keep Russ targeted and to keep him

from getting him from behind, he continued to follow Russ,

dodging asteroid debris at every turn.  However, Russ's fighter was

just too fast, and he found himself centered in Russ's guns again as

he opened fire, finally dropping his shields to zero.  The computer

systems onboard began to shut down due to overload, and the

power supply quit working, causing him to go adrift, disabled.

                Sitting there in his darkened cockpit, he glared at the Tie

Defender as it sailed over his cockpit, claiming victory.  Slamming

his fist down on his control panel, he ground his teeth.  "Shit." 

Fortunately, the radio continued to work, as he took precautionary

measures just in case of emergencies like this one.  "Someone

come and get me," he mumbled.

                "I'LL save you!" Zorpheus yelled in his best cheesy

superhero voice, as his brand new fighter flew over top of Tom,

heading directly at Russ.  It had the cockpit of a Y-Wing, but had a

set of wings like a stealth fighter.  "Hey Tom, having fun over

there?"

                "Oh Yeah, I'm having a party," he growled, with his arms

folded over his chest.  "Get him for me, would ya?"

                "It shouldn't be too difficult in this thing," he responded. 

"How'd you know that the Toscan fighter was my favorite?"

                "Russ told me a while ago.  I decided to give each of you

your own customized fighter.  The Tie Defender was pretty easy to

build, but your fighter was a pain in the behind because of its odd

shape.  Either way, it's just as powerful as Russ's ship and just as

maneuverable, so you two are on equal ground.  You have two ion

cannons and four rebel type lasers, and Russ has two ion cannons

with four imperial type lasers.  Whatever you do, don't get

disabled," Tom added.

                "I'll get Russ.  No problem," he answered, targeting Russ

and firing.

 

                "Who is that?" Ryoko asked, noticing the new fighter.

                "That's Zorpheus," Washu replied, listening to the radio

traffic.

                "Do you think he'll be able to stop Russ?  Right now, he

seems pretty invincible," Tenchi muttered, sitting in one of the

plush chairs in the dark.  "Here comes one of the Assault

Transports that finished with that gunboat over there.  I hope they

can help us."

                "Assault Transport Gamma to crystalline ship.  Do you

require any assistance?" the pilot asked.

                Ryoko sighed.  "Just pull us over to the Star Destroyer. 

Ryo-Ohki is just out of energy.  She'll recharge on her own," she

responded.

                "Roger that," he said, stopping his advance, turning

around, and locking his tractor beam on the ship.  Everybody felt

the lurch of the beam taking hold and could feel the inertia of the

ship moving.  "We'll be there in a few minutes."

                Continuing to watch the furball unfold, seeing the

asteroids continually change the battlefield, Sasami started looking

more and more desperate.  "I don't understand why he wants to run

away!"

                Aeka grabbed her sister and held her tightly, trying to

keep from crying.  "I don't know either, but once we catch him, we

can ask him."

                "Wait!  Look!" Tenchi shouted, pointing at Russ.

                Unfortunately for Russ, he had made an attack run on the

Star Destroyer, pelting it with all the firepower his fighter had, but

he got too close to it and was now caught in several tractor beams,

holding him steady.  The other gunboats and Zorpheus surrounded

Russ, ready to take him in.

                "They caught him!  I don't believe it!" Aeka yelled,

leaping right out of her seat, nearly throwing Sasami onto the floor. 

"They finally caught him!"

                "We're receiving another transmission from Russ,"

Ryoko indicated, looking at the radio.

                "Release my ship now," he said, his voice low, toneless,

and dead.  "If you do not, I will engage my hyperdrive and destroy

this fighter, and myself."

                Dead silence.

                After nearly a minute to comprehend what he just

threatened to do to himself, everybody onboard Ryo-Ohki turned

as pale and as white as a ghost.

                "He wouldn't," Aeka said, her eyes wide.

                Washu's eyes narrowed to slits, judging him by the sound

of his voice.  "I'm afraid he would, in his current state of mind.  I

know the stress over what had happened has affected him, but I

never thought that he'd go this far."

                "Aeka," Ryoko said, looking defeated.  "Talk to him."

                "Everything that I've said, he's ignored," she returned,

looking like a shell of her former self.  "What can I say that will

make him change his mind?"

                "Anything.  Just talk to him," Tenchi agreed.

                "Please, Aeka?" Sasami chimed in, begging her sister.

                "You're the only one who can," Washu added.

                Looking at each of them in turn, her cheeks still wet with

tears, she sniffled, stood tall, and approached the pilot's chair. 

Ryoko stood up, allowing her to sit down.

                "Russ?  Are you there?" she asked, looking out of the

viewscreen at his trapped fighter.  "Please answer me."

                Nothing.

                "If you don't want to talk, that's fine, you can just listen,"

she began.  "I don't know… no…" she said, closing her eyes,

trying to find the right words.  "I still don't understand why you're

trying to get away from us, but you must have a really good

reason, and I've been trying to figure it out again and again, but I

can't.  I wish you'd talk to us and let us know about your

problems.  We've used you so many times to talk to you about

what has been troubling us, but you won't let us know about your

problems.  You never did.  You've worked so hard to make us

happy and carefree without giving a care to yourself, but it's

obvious that you have problems of your own to work out.  Why

won't you talk to us?"

                Dead silence.

                Watching his ship grow larger in the viewer as they got

closer, she shook her head.  "I wish you'd open yourself up to us. 

Are you afraid to do it?  Is that it?" she questioned, thinking she

might've solved it for a moment.  "Russ, there is nothing to be

afraid of or embarrassed about.  We're here for you.  We always

have been.  That's what friends, and family, are for.  Since coming

to live with us, you became a part of our family.  We welcomed

you with open arms and have cared for you.  We never expected

anything in return, but you gave back far more than we ever gave

to you.  We're here for you, Russ."

                Again, nothing happened.

                Taking a deep breath, she choked back her tears as she

looked at his fighter, pinned down by three tractor beams and the

other fighters that surrounded him.  "I don't know how else to say

it, so I'll just do it.  I love you, Russ.  I loved you soon after we

met, I loved you during the entire time you lived with us, and I

love you now, even after I died and you brought me back.  Nobody

is perfect, Russ.  When we fall in love, we accept not only the

good of someone, but the bad as well.  Mistakes happen, and even

if it was your fault, I would still love you, still stand by your side,

and still hold onto you and never let you go.  And I know you want

the same.  I could see it in your eyes for the longest time, and even

though you said you didn't love me, even though you said you

couldn't love me, and even though you refused me more times than

I could count, I know you love me too.  I stayed by your bedside

ever since you collapsed.  I refused to leave you then, and I refuse

to leave you now."

                Patiently waiting for a response, Aeka continued to watch

his fighter, as the assault transport who was towing them stopped

in front of Russ, so he could see their ship.  However, she couldn't

see inside, as the glass was tinted in such a way that it almost

looked black.

                "Will you please just talk to us?  If you want, we can do it

somewhere private, so you only have to talk to me.  And Russ,

there is something else that I'm afraid about too, and I haven't told

anyone else yet," she said, glancing over shoulder, seeing the

skeptical looks from her friends and her sister.  "My parents are

coming here, with a fleet of three hundred ships, not including

their personal cruisers.  They're coming here to take me back, and

I don't want to go.  I need your help to stop them, and you're the

only one I know who can.  You promised me that you'd help me,

and I expect you to keep that promise."

                Sasami, Tenchi, and Ryoko all looked at her, pity on all of

their faces.

                "Please, don't look at me like that," Aeka said, turning

away.  "I want to stay here, because this is my home, and I want to

stay here with Russ, and with you guys."

                Washu's eyes grew wider as she watched a display,

giving readouts of Russ's fighter.

                "Aeka!" she whispered.  "His shields just dropped and his

power output just dropped to less than half.  I think he's giving

up."

                "Thank you, Russ.  Please, just talk to me," she said,

feeling Ryo-Ohki lurch forward again, being taken into the hanger

bay by the surrounding tractor beams.  They watched his fighter

decrease in size as they were pulled away from him, and guided

under the massive warship.  Once again, the hanger bay became

visible, flashing red, as the ship was still at red alert status.  After

passing through the forcefield, Ryo-Ohki meowed a couple of

times, dumped everybody out of herself unceremoniously onto the

floor, and transformed back into a cabbit, laying motionless in the

middle of the landing deck.  Sasami quickly ran over and scooped

her up, cradling the poor creature in her arms.

                Turning back toward the entrance, they could see Russ's

fighter being towed into the ship by the invisible beams, and

following close behind was Zorpheus, keeping his guns hot and

ready to fire if Russ tried something stupid.

                Passing through the forcefield, the energy crackling and

snapping around his fighter, his landing gear extended, and they

put him down some distance away, letting his fighter down with a

soft rumble onto the steel hangar bay.  Zorpheus took a spot behind

him, extending his own landing gear, and setting his Toscan fighter

down gently.

                The other transports and fighters slowly filed into the bay,

some landing on the floor, and others taking positions in rack

mounted holders that hung from the ceiling.  The Yagami could be

seen taking a position just under the launch bay, and Kiyone and

Mihoshi transported themselves onboard, joining the rest of the

family.

                Zorpheus jumped out of his fighter and landed on the

floor, watching Tenchi, Ryoko, Aeka, Sasami, Kiyone, and

Mihoshi run over to Russ's fighter, forming a semi-circle.  Tom

also hopped out of his gunboat, and he looked extremely pissed

off.  He stormed over to Russ fighter and slammed his fist on the

hatch door several times.

                "Get your ass out of that fighter, NOW!" he yelled. 

"How dare you fight against us!"

                Hearing the hiss of the pressure being released from

inside the fighter, the hatch door swung open, revealing Russ in his

seat, looking straight ahead.  However, he didn't look like himself

at all.  His face was completely expressionless and cold, and his

eyes showed no emotion at all.  Looking more like a robot than a

human, he slowly got up and stepped out of his fighter, staring

directly into Tom's eyes.

                "You fired on me first, asshole," he said, his voice deep,

but cold.

                "You still don't get it, do you?" Tom growled back. 

"That woman over there would do anything for you, and you just

think you can walk away from it all, don't you?"  Thrusting his

finger over to Aeka, he took a step closer to Russ, his nose now

almost touching Russ's.  "Think again."

                "Back up, or I'll knock you for a loop.  I'm not in the

mood to be lectured by you, or anybody else," Russ returned, not

quite looking into Tom's eyes.  Glancing to his left, he saw

Zorpheus standing there, his expression of complete shock and

surprise.  "So he IS still alive."

                Narrowing his eyes and clenching his fist, Tom took

several paces back, knowing full well that Russ would live up to

any threat he made at the moment.  Looking over at Aeka, Tom

motioned for her to approach him.

                "Russ?" she said, slowly making her way toward him, her

face pale and streaked with tears.  "Lets go somewhere private

where we can talk, alone."

                "Hold out your hand," Russ said, looking straight ahead.

                Slowly raising her arm, she put her hand out in front of

her, waiting to see what he'd do.

                Gently taking her hand in his, Russ used his other hand

and put two fingers to his forehead, and vanished from sight.

                "Where'd he go?" Tenchi yelled, surprised.

                Zorpheus stood by for a moment, trying to sense him.  He

could feel Russ's energy, but not very close.  Concentrating for a

few more moments, he smiled.  "They're back on Earth, near the

ol' homestead," he said at last.

                "Lets hurry and get back there then.  I really hope Russ

doesn't do anything that he'll regret," Tenchi said, looking at Tom.

                Zorpheus grinned.  "Everybody, come over here," he said. 

"I'll get us back there instantly.  But whatever you do, steer clear

of them.  It's already a very touchy subject and I want you guys to

keep away from them.  I'll deal with Russ if something goes

wrong."

                "Thank you," Tenchi said, walking over to him.  "Lets

go."

                "Come on, everybody," Zorpheus said, noticing the

nervousness from the group.  Frowning, Zorpheus shook his head

and motioned for them to come over.  "I'm not going to leave you

out in space or anything like that, now get over here and I'll take

everybody back to Earth."

                "We'll take our ship and put it into orbit," Kiyone said,

edging away.

                "Don't worry about that.  We'll tow it back to Earth and

use our cloak around it, so it can't be seen," Tom offered, looking

distracted.  "Damn that Russ.  I really feel for him, but I don't

know what to do to make him feel better!"

                "I believe the only one who can make him see the light at

this point is Aeka," Zorpheus said, looking over at Tom.  "If only

my mind didn't get a brainwash.  I'm still trying to figure out who

or what did that to me."

                "Come on, everyone," Tenchi called, ready to go.  "Let's

go home."

                Kiyone, Mihoshi, Washu, Tenchi, Ryo-Ohki, Sasami, and

Ryoko all made their way over to Zorpheus, and grabbed onto his

arms and hands.

                "Here we go," Zorpheus said, closing his eyes.  A

moment later, everyone vanished from Tom's sight.

                "Good luck, you guys.  I hope Russ finds happiness with

Aeka."

                "Sir!  Most of the gunboats that were disabled have been

repaired.  We're currently moving out of the asteroid belt and

making headway back to Earth.  We should be in standard orbit in

fifteen minutes.  Shields are recharging and there was no damage

during the battle," the flight officer informed Tom.

                "Good.  It's a good thing that Russ made that attack run

on the ship," Tom said, making his way over to one of the

computer consoles.  He keyed in a few commands and put himself

on the intercom system.  "To all hands, this is the captain. 

Excellent work, people.  I commend you on a superb performance

in catching Russ.  However, we have another threat making their

way here, so we're not out of the woods yet.  Please make

arrangements to spend extra time in the holodeck and flight

simulators to brush up on your combat skills.  The enemy isn't that

powerful, but they're numerous.  But again, excellent work in

capturing Russ and bringing him in.  Tom out."

                "Thank you, captain," one of the pilots said, getting out of

his gunboat.  He hit the floor and saluted, then went into the

corridor.

                "What is this other threat?" the flight officer asked,

looking curious.

                "A Jurian military fleet is on its way here, and according

to Aeka, there will be about three hundred ships along with the

emperor's personal cruiser.  We went up against a handful of them

and easily pasted them, but this time, there will be far more to deal

with.  We need all the help we can get if we're going to succeed,"

Tom said, concerned.

                "I will help you," came a voice from behind him.

                Turning toward the voice, Tom smiled.  "I appreciate the

offer.  But you don't have to help and put yourself at risk."

                "Ken-Ohki and myself have been in battle with the

Jurians before.  We don't have a problem helping out the princess

and Russ.  I have too much respect for the two of them to just let it

go," she said.

                "Thank you.  I'll have some additional reinforcements

come here from my home as well, so we should be well prepared

to face the Jurian fleet."

                Nagi grinned, an evil gleam sparkling off of her eye. 

"Indeed," she answered, turning around on her heel, letting her

cape billow out behind her.  Quietly walking out of the hanger bay,

she glanced over her shoulder at Tom and smiled.

                "Damn, what a woman," he said, glancing at the flight

officer.

                "Yes, sir," he replied, grinning.

 

                Standing face to face, feeling the wind blow gently over

their skin, both Russ and Aeka stood in Tenchi's training grounds,

waiting for the other to make the first move.  They looked into

each other's eyes, trying read the other's emotions and feelings,

but they both remained silent for what seemed like hours.  Aeka

looked visibly upset and worried, but Russ was cold, hard, and

emotionless, almost as if he were trying to be a Vulcan.

                "I'm sorry," they both said at the same time, drawing a

look of moderate surprise from the princess, but nothing from

Russ.

                Taking a step closer, Aeka started to reach out to touch

him, but she hesitated, and after a moment, withdrew her hand. 

"Why?" she finally asked.

                "You know why."

                "No I don't," she responded, shaking her head.  "Why did

you leave us?  Why did you try to run away, and why did you fight

against us?"

                "I left because it was the right thing to do.  I do not want

to be reminded of my failure yet again, and I don't want that kind

of grief in my life, ever, ever again," he responded, coldly.  "It's

my life, my choice, and my decision."

                "Did you ever stop to think about how we would've felt?"

Aeka asked, growing angry.  "Are you really that selfish?  Me this,

and me that?  Have you ever given consideration to another

person?"

                "Yes.  Usually, that's all I ever do, without giving a single

thought to myself," he returned, keeping his face, eyes, and voice

blank.  "When I finally do think of myself, it's selfish."

                Aeka stopped, looking at him with hurt and emotional

pain in her eyes.  "Is this what you do?  You make everybody like

you, and in some cases, fall in love with you, and then you just up

and leave?"

                "You know why I'm leaving."

                "NO I DON'T!" she yelled, clenching her fists, trying to

fight back her tears.  "I don't understand why you're trying to

leave.  Why don't you take a minute and explain it to me?"

                "It's because I'm a failure," he answered, still not

showing any emotions.  "I said I was going to protect you, your

sister, and the family, and I failed.  I got your hopes up, and I

crushed them in the blink of an eye.  Everything that has happened

has been my fault, even back when Zorpheus and I split up.  If I

had stuck with him and talked him out of that stupid obsession,

then none of this would've happened.  I would've never came back

home, met you, and then ruined all of your lives."

                "Stop it, Russ," Aeka said, shaking her head.

                "I failed twice now," he continued, ignoring her

interruption.  "I failed with Laurie, and I failed with you.  But I

swear that I will never fail again, because I will never love again.  I

swear it by every god that is in existence, from holy heaven down

to the burning hells."

                "You're not making any sense at all," Aeka returned,

trying to frown.  "Why do you think you failed?  Am I not standing

here at this moment?  Are you here with me too?"

                Russ shook his head.  "Zorpheus killed you, and I gave

you my entire life force to bring you back.  But the point is, you

were harmed, and I swore that nobody would come to any harm

because of my actions.  And it happened again.  I never wanted to

feel that pain and anguish again, and it happened."

                "You still don't understand that I wanted to be there with

you, and I wanted to put myself in harms way.  That was my

choice, and mine alone.  You had nothing to do with it."

                "That's what makes it worse," he countered, looking her

in the eyes.  "You were very foolish to do that, after I told you

what would happen."

                "If I didn't do it, you would've died," Aeka argued back.

                "Then I should've died.  At least you would've come to

no harm."

                "Not in the physical sense," Aeka retorted, narrowing her

eyes.  "Do you have any idea how it felt to watch Zorpheus hit you

again and again?  It was tearing me apart to just stand there and do

nothing.  I HAD to do something."

                Several moments of silence passed between them, as Russ

looked over to his right, looking down across the valley below.  He

could still feel the breeze and hear the wind through the leaves, but

it wasn't calming him down at the very least.

                "Aeka, I'm sorry.  I'm sorry I got your hopes up and I'm

sorry things did not go the way I planned it.  I'm sorry I never said

a proper goodbye, but I've never been good at them.  So I will do it

now," he said, turning toward her once again.

                "I will not hear it," she said, turning away from him.

                Russ's breath caught in his throat for a moment, until he

let it out in a soft sigh.  "I can never apologize enough for what

happened, and by all rights, I should be dead."

                "Zorpheus saved you," Aeka said, her back to him still.

                "I kind of thought so.  And I'm surprised he's still alive as

well.  I have no idea how it happened, but it must've been

something miraculous.  It just goes to show how inadequate I am."

                Aeka spun around, letting her right hand go straight

across Russ's face.  The sound of the slap echoed around the trees,

causing several birds to fly away.  Her hand left a red mark on his

cheek.  A moment later, Aeka started crying once again, angry

because of Russ and angry over how he blamed himself for

everything that had gone wrong.

                "You are NOT a failure!  You've done so much for us

that I couldn't even begin to even THINK of you as a failure.  I

love you, Russ, and nobody else.  And I want you to be mine,

forever.  I don't care about anything, except you."

                Russ stood there for a few moments, his black eyes

glossing over as they filled with their own tears.  He clenched his

fists at his sides and took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. 

Choosing his words carefully, he told them to Aeka.

                "I'm sorry, but I do not deserve your love, and you

deserve someone better than me," he said, causing her expression

to go to complete bewilderment.  "Please forgive this failure of a

man.  Goodbye, Aeka.  I hope you find happiness with someone

else."  Turning away from her, he began to walk away, leaving

Aeka to cry, all alone.

                Out of nowhere, Russ started hurtling to the side and

crashed into a boulder, shattering it into a million pieces, then

sailed into the mountainside where he impacted, making a small

crater.  Aeka blinked, because now standing in Russ's place was

Zorpheus, with his fist outstretched.  He glanced over at her,

nodded his head, and grinned.

                "You tried.  Now it's my turn.  Sometimes, you just have

to show him a little Saiyan love."

                Aeka was just about to object when Zorpheus

disappeared.  A moment later, Russ was sent flying through the air,

with Zorpheus right behind him.  She watched him grab hold of

Russ, swing him around, and throw him back toward the princess,

where he impacted into the ground once again.

                "How dare you do this to a woman, you asshole,"

Zorpheus snarled, grabbing Russ's gi in his hands, hauling the

saiyan to his feet.  "What do you have to say for yourself?"

                Russ looked to be in another world, as his head just

looked off to the side, his face expressionless.  He didn't even try

to put up any resistance.

                "What the hell are you so afraid of?!" Zorpheus yelled,

putting his face directly in front of Russ's.

                "I'm… I'm not afraid," Russ answered, his body very

limp.

                "QUIT SHOVELING BULLSHIT!  Now I asked you a

question!  What are you so afraid of?!" Zorpheus yelled, shaking

Russ like a rag doll.

                "I'm…" he said, hesitating.  "I don't know."

                "Like Hell you don't.  You're the only one who does,"

Zorpheus said, throwing Russ back to the ground.  "Spit it out and

tell us what it is."

                Aeka stood by quietly, watching Russ, still very upset and

concerned.  She began to wonder if he'd ever open himself up to

anybody.  He was worse than Fort Knox.

                Slowly pulling himself to his feet, not bothering to brush

the dirt off of his clothes, he wiped his mouth, revealing a trace of

crimson on the back of his hand from a cut on his lip.  Closing his

eyes, he shook his head and stood there, not knowing what to do.

                Zorpheus was quickly losing his patience though.  "Well? 

What's it going to be?  Are you going to tell us or should I play

hardball with you until you're ready to spill it?  I'm so tired of

watching you capture the hearts of so many people, and brushing

them aside as if their feelings don't matter.  You've lived with

Aeka for what… an entire year?  And you just want to walk away,

especially after she's become obsessed with you?  Hah!  You're

not being fair to her OR yourself, and you know it," Zorpheus

growled, glaring hard at Russ.  "I'm so sick of hearing, 'I'm not

worthy of anybody since I failed with Laurie,' he said, holding his

nose and sounding incredibly sarcastic.  "If that is your only

reason, stick it up your ass and DEAL with it, dammit!  She loves

you, and I can SEE you like her too, so what the hell is the

problem?!"

                "I guess… I think I'm afraid of failing her too.  I've

already caused her so much pain and suffering, and I don't want to

do it anymore.  I just want to leave here and go somewhere else. 

Somewhere far away, and somewhere where I can be alone," Russ

answered, softly, hanging his head.

                "You're causing her grief BY leaving, you dimwit.  What

is it going to take to make you see that?  She doesn't CARE that

she got hurt.  She did it because she loves you and wants to be with

you.  She will stand by your side no matter WHAT happens.  I've

never, in my entire life, seen someone as devoted as she is.  It

makes me want to PUKE that you want to leave her, all because

she got hurt.  BIG FRICKIN DEAL!  She's alive and well, and so

are you," Zorpheus yelled, flustered.  "Look at her, dammit!" 

Reaching over to Russ, he grabbed his head and turned it toward

the princess, who looked so pitiful and depressed that it crushed

Russ's heart even further, and made him want to reach out to her

and hold her in his arms, to comfort her.  "Does she look like

someone who wants someone else?  No!  She has eyes only for

you, and nobody else.  Go to her, dammit, and hold her like you

used to.  She needs someone like you, and you two are a match

made in heaven," he said, shoving Russ toward her.

                Russ stumbled forward, but kept his balance.  Stopping a

couple of paces in front of Aeka, he raised his head, but couldn't

look her in the eye.  His shame and embarrassment were second to

none, and he couldn't bear to have her look at him as he was.  It

was almost too much for his mind to handle.

                Calming down, Aeka slowly made her way to Russ, and

she stopped in front of him.  Carefully reaching out with her hands,

she gently rested her hands on his cheeks and tilted his head so she

could look him in the eyes.  After a moment, their eyes locked, and

Russ nearly went to pieces at that point, as his body started shaking

like a leaf in the wind.

                "I love you, Russ," Aeka whispered, trying to keep from

crying, but failing, as the tears dripped from the bottom of her

chin.  "I'll always love you."

                "I'm… I'm sorry, Aeka," he said, starting to cry himself. 

"I'm so sorry."

                Forcing a smile, Aeka held out her arms to him.  "It's

okay."

                Slowly reaching out, he gently took Aeka in his arms and

brought her to him, accepting her at last.  He could feel her warmth

and her trembling body, as he finally unlocked his heart and let out

every bit of heartbreak, frustration, and self-doubt, letting it fade

away into oblivion.  It was as if a tremendous burden was lifted

from his soul, and for the first time in over five years, he felt free

and at true peace once again.  Everything that had happened didn't

seem to matter anymore as he stood there holding Aeka, finally

shattering the barriers that hid his heart and allowing the hole that

was there to be filled with her love and devotion.  It was such a

rush of emotion that Russ could barely stand there and keep

himself under control, feeling her squeeze his body tightly, never

letting go.  It felt so good to hold her again, and because of it, the

entire universe could dry up and die if it objected.

                Zorpheus stood by quietly, his jaw hanging open, but he

realized that Russ had finally found happiness in another woman. 

It made him feel good, almost as if he had a girlfriend of his own. 

He knew all the hardships that Russ had gone through, and it was

such a radical change to see him standing there, holding a woman

in his arms for the first time in so many years.  And it was not just

to comfort someone, but because he was in love with someone. 

Slowly backing away, being discrete as possible, he faded back

into the forest, leaving both Russ and Aeka alone.  He felt such a

rush of relief and happiness for his friend that he almost didn't

notice the blue hair on the other side of the tree.  Looking further

down, he could see Sasami, Nobuyuki, Kiyone, Mihoshi, Washu,

Tenchi, and even Katsuhito eavesdropping.  Every single one of

them had a smile on their face that a grinder couldn't remove.

                Quietly approaching Ryoko, he tapped her on the

shoulder.  "And just want do you think you're doing?" he said,

grinning.

                "Shhh," she said, glancing at him, but she quickly turned

her attention back to Russ and Aeka.  "I can't believe it.  I never

thought I'd see this day for Aeka, and I feel so happy for her that I

just want to run over and congratulate her."

                "I feel the same way for Russ.  It's been so long since I've

seen him hold a woman like that, and it makes me feel damn good

to see him happy.  He's going to be an entirely new person after

this," Zorpheus whispered.

                Spying silently on both Russ and Aeka for a few more

moments, he saw them pull away from each other for a moment,

looking into each other's eyes.  They were both smiling, and they

both looked to be overwhelmed with each other.  Straining himself,

Zorpheus tried to listen in to the two of them

 

                "I can't believe this is real," Aeka said, feeling the breeze

gently ruffle her clothes and her hair.  "I've wanted this for so

long."

                "I know," he answered, holding Aeka's hands in his. 

"I'm so sorry that it has taken me this long to come around and

realize what I've been missing.  I've wasted so much time and

energy running away, that I never gave myself a chance.  Even

before Laurie, I was very hard to get, but she was the only one who

had the qualities I was looking for.  But now, there is another."

                Continuing to smile, letting her tears of happiness stream

down her cheeks, she pulled herself toward Russ, feeling his arms

wrap around her once again.  She felt so safe in his arms that she

felt invulnerable.  But it felt even better to know that she was loved

as a person.  For a moment, she looked back on the past year and

all the heartbreak that he had unintentionally put her through, and

she asked herself if it was all worth it.  Her answer came instantly,

and it didn't even matter.  She was standing with the man she

loved, and it didn't matter what anyone else thought about it.  For

once in her life, she listened to her heart and herself, and not to

what someone else had told her.

                Gently pulling away from him once again, she gazed into

his eyes, lovingly.  "Russ?"

                "Yes?" he replied, quietly, his voice deep and filled with

emotion, and very gentle.

                "You… never kissed anyone before, have you?" she

whispered, smiling.

                Appearing a little surprised, he shook his head.  "Never."

                "Me neither."

                Still looking into each other's eyes, they both hesitated for

a moment, feeling their hearts beating harder than they ever had

before.

                "Is your heart racing?" Aeka whispered, her voice barely

audible.

                Nodding his head ever so slightly, he continued to smile. 

"Yes."

                "So is mine."

                Feeling the breeze kick up once again, blowing each

other's clothes and hair about, they both looked like they belonged

in a painting, to be immortalized forever.  For each of them, this

was their first, true, consummated love.  Once again they stepped

forward, pulling toward one another, and holding the other

tenderly.  Slowly tilting their heads and bringing their faces toward

one another, closing their eyes, their lips met for the very first

time, gently, and seemingly lasting forever.

 

                Zorpheus nearly fell over, his eyes bulging out of their

sockets.  "Oh HELL yeah," he whispered.

                "It's so beautiful," Ryoko said, tears beginning to stream

out of her eyes, as she watched both Russ and Aeka hold each

other, their lips gently pressed together in a passionate embrace.  It

was the most awe inspiring, most beautiful thing she had ever

witnessed.

                Tenchi, Katsuhito and Nobuyuki looked about ready to

fall over and die, but they looked utterly pleased with the outcome.

                Mihoshi had started to bawl, but Kiyone clamped her

hand over her mouth, keeping her silent.  However, Kiyone didn't

even look at her partner, as her gaze was locked on the couple that

stood in the clearing, as the sun disappeared behind the mountain,

causing the sky to change into gorgeous shades of orange, red,

violet, and blue, as if the Earth itself approved of their coupling. 

She felt such a rush of happiness for Aeka, but a tinge of envy as

well.

                Trying to keep her delight silent, Sasami was smiling,

trying to wipe the tears out of her eyes, as she felt an unparalleled

happiness for her sister that she had never felt before, and it was

overwhelming for the little princess.  It was something that she

wanted for her sister more than anything, and it finally came to

fruition.

                Washu had her hand over her mouth, but she too was

crying tears of joy.  Even after twenty thousand years she had, only

once, felt an emotion like that spark within her, and it felt

wondrous.  It helped her realize that indeed, she was still human,

and more so, a woman at heart.

 

                Gently pulling away from each other, Russ and Aeka both

reopened their eyes, gazing into each other's faces with nothing

but devotion, love, and happiness.

                Russ was breathing heavily, and he looked completely

spent.  "Wow," he whispered.  "I think… no… we have to do that

again."

                Aeka giggled quietly, her head feeling like it was up in

the clouds, where nothing else mattered.  "That was wonderful,

Russ."

                "I think everybody else enjoyed that too," Russ

whispered, drawing a look of confusion from the princess.  Moving

his eyes off to the trees, he allowed a grin to slip on his face.

                A moment later, Aeka understood, and started laughing. 

"Shall we give them another one?" she whispered back, winking.

                "Nah.  We'll let them imagine it for the time being," he

answered, turning completely toward the trees.  Raising his hand,

he waved it back and forth, signaling that he knew the group was

there.

                Watching the forest for a few moments, everybody slowly

came out from behind their hiding places and made their way to

the clearing, coming to congratulate the two on confessing their

love for one another.

                "To the victor, go the spoils, right, Russ?" Zorpheus said,

slapping him on the back.  "It's about time, you butthead."

                Russ just grinned and blushed, but he was very happy that

everybody around him approved.  "Thank you… all of you for

putting up with me, and stopping me from making a big mistake."

                "It's okay, Russ.  We'd do anything to see you and Aeka

happy," Ryoko said, smiling.  "It's the very least we could do."

                Tenchi came up to Russ as well and started poking him in

the side.  "So how was it?" he said, putting on an amused smirk.

                "How was… what?" Russ answered, looking confused,

but playing dumb.

                "You know…"

                Giving Tenchi a blank look, he stood there, trying to keep

himself from showing his amusement.  Everybody else watched

him curiously, waiting to see what he'd do.  However Aeka knew

what he was doing, and she too played along.

                "Well, what about you, Aeka?" Tenchi asked, shaking his

head.

                "What about me?" she responded, looking confused.

                Tenchi stopped and stared at the two of them as they

stared back, and he began to wonder if they were being serious. 

"Your kiss!  That was your first one, wasn't it?"

                Russ and Aeka grinned and nodded their heads.  "For the

both of us," Russ answered.  "It was very… breathtaking."

                Latching onto his arm, Aeka leaned against him and

smiled.  "Very much so," she added.

                "So this means you're going to stay with us?" Sasami

asked, moving in front of Russ, looking happy and full of hope.

                "Yes, Sasami.  I will stay with you guys," he answered.

                "Really?"

                Now laughing, Russ rested his free hand on her shoulder,

drawing her in for a hug.  "Yes."

                "Can I stay too?" Zorpheus asked, looking serious.  "I

was originally going to take my leave after Russ came out of his

coma, but I've got nowhere else to go, and I'd like Washu to help

me find out what happened to me.  I think I'll find the answers to

my questions here."

                "Well, you DID help Russ and Aeka get together," Washu

said, glaring at him.  "But what makes you think that I'll help

you?"

                "Because you're Washu!" Zorpheus returned, grinning. 

"C'mon, it's another mystery for you to solve, and someone like

you must find a solution for everything, right?"

                "Not really," she answered, folding her arms over her

chest.

                Cocking his eyebrow curiously, he grinned even wider. 

"Oh yeah?  What will I have to do to change your mind?"

                Becoming thoughtful for a moment, a gleam reflected off

of her emerald eyes as she focused on the saiyan.  "I know how

you can repay me for services rendered," she said, grabbing him by

the arm and leading him away.

                Zorpheus looked over his shoulder with one of the

biggest, goofiest, and sinister grins he could pull off.  He winked in

the group's direction, and then followed Washu back to the house.

                "We have to celebrate!" Sasami said, also running off

toward the house.  "I'll prepare us a huge feast, fit for a king!"

                "It's getting dark too," Kiyone said, looking lost in

thought for a moment.  "But anyway, congratulations to the both of

you.  I know you two will be very happy together."  Grabbing her

partner by the arm, she began to lead her away.

                Mihoshi was smiling, laughing, and waving as she was

pushed further toward the house.  "Don't do anything I wouldn't

do, Russ!" she called.  An instant later, she found herself in a

headlock.

                His face suddenly feeling like he set it on fire, Russ

swallowed loudly, suddenly feeling very, very nervous and

awkward.  "Uh, right!" he finally called back.

                Aeka started laughing again.  "You're so cute when

you're nervous or embarrassed," she giggled, holding onto Russ's

arm.  "But let's eat now.  Sasami is going to make us something

huge."

                "I know.  Man, what a day," he said, looking toward the

clear sky, as the first star of the night poked its way through the

atmosphere.  Looking at it for a moment, watching it twinkle its

everlasting light, he smiled, feeling that somehow everything was

going to be okay.

 

                Hearing the crickets chirp outside of the windows,

signaling that it was getting late at night, Russ sat on the couch,

watching an episode of Serial Experiments Lain.  He was by

himself at the moment, as Aeka had gotten up to go into the

kitchen, looking for a midnight snack.  Everybody else was around

the house, doing various activities.  Nobuyuki was upstairs,

watching TV in his room.  Tenchi and Ryoko were both in his

room, also watching TV, cuddling with each other.  Sasami was

helping her sister in the kitchen, and Zorpheus was with Washu in

her lab, as they began their investigation on Zorpheus's

brainwashing.  Kiyone and Mihoshi had gone back home a little

while ago.

                Watching a man commit suicide, spraying Lain with his

blood, the man crumpled to the ground as one of Lain's friends

tried to get her out of the dance hall.  Shaking his head, Russ

closed his eyes and let out a sigh.  "I still don't get it."

                "Still don't get what?" Aeka asked, coming out of the

kitchen, holding a tray of Ritz crackers topped with cream cheese.

                "This anime.  I've seen it a couple of times, but it's

nothing but one big brain bender.  It's too abstract for my tastes,

but it has some amazing visuals.  It's just like the last two episodes

of Neon Genesis Evangelion, but stretched out into thirteen

episodes," he explained, frowning.  "I don't mind it, but it isn't one

of my favorites.  I love ones that have at least a little comedy in it

and Lain doesn't have any."

                Sitting down next to him, Aeka set the tray down on the

coffee table, and picked up one of the crackers.  "I like things that

bring a smile to my face, but I don't mind ones that make me think. 

Open wide," she said, waving the cracker in front of Russ's lips.

                Grinning, he opened his mouth and allowed Aeka to slide

the cracker in.  Crunching nosily for a moment, he swallowed,

feeling the coolness of the cream cheese and tasting the buttery

little crackers.  "Yum.  But very fattening," he said, glancing at

her.

                "Who cares?  Both of us exercise like no tomorrow, so we

can afford to eat a little junk now and then," she said, eating a

cracker.  Sighing quietly to herself, she gazed longingly into Russ

face.  "I'm so happy that you decided to stay."

                "That's the tenth time you've said that," Russ responded,

looking ashamed.  "And I'm still concerned over what's going to

happen next.  What about your parents?  What about your stature? 

How will the people of your planet accept this?  What about…" he

said, but Aeka put a finger over his lips, shaking her head.

                "None of that matters, Russ," she said, looking very

confident.  "We will make it work, no matter what it takes.  I'm

finally happy, and nothing else matters to me at the moment.  If I

must renounce my throne when my father gets here, then so be it."

                Russ looked away from her, appearing to be lost in

thought.  "I still find it almost completely unreal that the crown

princess of a planet that I've been to only once, wants to be with

me for the rest of my life, and that she's willing to give up

everything to be with me."

                Laying her head against him, she took his arm in her

hands, caressing it gently.  "It's real.  It's very real," she quietly

responded, feeling his warmth, and his tension.  "Just relax.  Don't

worry about it until the time comes.  Just be here with me, as I

want to be here with you."

                Russ let out a contented murmur as he pulled his arm

away from her, and then wrapped it around her, pulling her close. 

She scooted over a little, allowing him to cradle her.  He was so

warm and gentle, and it just made her at peace to be so close to

him.

                Feeling her snuggle against him, Russ let a contented

smile back onto his visage, as he felt that now that this happened,

anything was possible.  The feelings that he felt couldn't be

described in a dictionary or a textbook, and it couldn't be simply

put into words.  It was a feeling of love, and it was a feeling that he

almost forgotten, and forced himself to never feel again.  But as he

felt her against him, safe, contented, and happy, he almost couldn't

figure out why.

                "Russ?"

                Glancing down at her, he waited for her to respond.

                "What was that song that you made, just before you left?"

she asked.

                "It… was an appropriate song," he answered, turning his

attention to the organ.  "Appropriate at the time, anyway."

                "Would you play it for me?  Please?" she asked.

                "But, you look so comfortable," Russ objected, half

joking.

                "We can get comfortable again," she said.  "Please play

the song you did.  I'd love to hear it."

                Sighing quietly, he nodded his head.  "If you want.  I have

to get the lyrics sheet for you, because you don't understand

English," he said, getting up, releasing Aeka in the process. 

Quickly heading to the table, he picked up the letter, which hadn't

moved since he came back.  After handing it over to the princess,

he made his way over to the organ and turned it on, taking a seat

on the bench and recalling the song from the midi database he was

developing.

                "What was it called again?"

                Russ turned toward her, just as he was about to begin

playing.  "It's called Damn, I wish I was Your Lover, and it was

done by an artist named Sophie B. Hawkins.  It's an older song,

but it seemed to fit the feelings in my heart at the time.  I slightly

modified the lyrics to fit me, but it turned out rather well."

                Aeka smiled, and nodded her head.  "Please, play it for

me."

                "Yes, your highness," he said, hitting the rhythm, rocking

back and forth and singing, putting his entire heart and soul into

every word that left his body.

 

                That old dog has chained you up alright.

                Give you everything you need

                to live inside a twisted cage.

                Sleep beside an empty rage.

                I had a dream I was your hero!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

                I'll rock you till the daylight comes,

                make sure you are smiling and warm.

                I am everything!

                Tonight I'll be your lover.

                I'll do such things to ease your pain,

                free your mind and you won't feel ashamed!

 

                Open up on the inside,

                gonna fill you up,

                gonna make you cry.

 

                This monkey can't stand to see you black and blue.

                I give you something sweet each time you

                come inside my jungle book.

                What, is it just too good?

                Don't say you'll stay,

                'Cause then you go away!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

                I'll rock you till the daylight comes,

                make sure you are smiling and warm.

                I am everything!

                Tonight I'll be your lover.

                I'll do such things to ease your pain,

                free your mind and you won't feel ashamed!

 

                Shucks, for me there is no other!

                You're the only shoe that fits!

                I can't imagine I'll grow out of it.

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                If I was your guy believe me,

                I'd turn on the Rolling Stones,

                we could groove along and feel much better.

                You won't let me in!

                I could do it forever and ever and ever and ever!

                Give me an hour to kiss you!

                Walk through heaven's door I'm sure,

                we don't need no doctor to feel much better!

                You won't let me in!

                Forever and ever and ever and ever!

 

                I sat on a mountainside with peace of mind.

                And I lay by the ocean,

                making love to her with visions clear.

                Walked for days with no one near.

                And I return as chained and bound to you!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

                I'll rock you till the daylight comes,

                make sure you are smiling and warm.

                I am everything!

                Tonight I'll be your lover!

                I'll do such things to ease your pain,

                free your mind and you won't feel ashamed!

 

                Shucks!  For me there is no other!

                You're the only shoe that fits!

                I can't imagine I'll grow out of it.

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Just open up,

                I'm gonna come inside,

                I wanna fill you up,

                I wanna make you cry!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Gettin' on the subway and I'm comin' uptown!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Standing on a street corner,

                waiting for my love to change!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Feelin' like a schoolboy,

                too shy and too young!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Open up,

                I wanna come inside,

                I wanna fill you up,

                I wanna make you cry!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Gettin' on my camel and I'll ride it uptown!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Hanging around this jungle,

                wishing that this fate will change!

 

                Damn, I wish I was your lover!

 

                Sitting quietly at the bench, looking at the keyboard, Russ

let out a deep breath, feeling relaxed that everything that he sang

was actually going to come into fruition.  Looking out of the

window, he remained silent, as he felt that the song fit his mood,

and himself, absolutely perfectly.  At least, at the time he did it.  A

moment later, he heard someone sniffling behind him, and he

turned to look at Aeka.  She was still seated at the couch, letting

the tears roll out of her eyes once again.  Feeling ashamed for a

moment, Russ hung his head apologetically.

                "That was one of the most beautiful songs I've ever

heard," she cried, trying to keep herself under control.  "And you

did it for me, to tell me how you felt."

                Slowly bobbing his head up and down, he still didn't look

at her.  "Yes."

                Getting up, she moved around the coffee table and

approached Russ, trembling, and trying to calm down.  "Thank

you," she whispered, bringing her lips to his, giving him a deep,

passionate kiss.  Letting it linger for a moment, she backed off a

minute later, and smiled.

                "After all I put you through, I'm still not sure I deserve

any of this," he said, hanging his head, looking depressed.

                "Shut up," she said, kissing him again.  "You deserve

everything you have, and more.  And you deserve me too, as I

deserve you.  I believe that we were fated to fall in love and be

together for the remainder of our lives."

                Finally smiling, feeling contented, and wanted, Russ let

out another soft sigh.  "Thank you, Aeka.  That means the world to

me," he said, standing up, taking her in his arms, and holding her

tightly against himself.  "I love you, Aeka."

                "I love you too, Russ," she whispered, feeling so safe and

secure in his grasp.  "I've always loved you, from the day we met."

                "It feels so good to be alive right now," he whispered,

feeling his emotions become a little misty.

                "Yes, it does.  I love you so much," she said, starting to

cry once again.

                "What's wrong, Aeka?  Why are you crying?" he said,

keeping his voice very low.

                Sniffling, Aeka smiled, looking into Russ's eyes.  "I'm

just so happy right now that I can't stop it," she answered,

squeezing him again.

                Russ's breath caught in his throat for a moment, as he felt

her trembling body against his, as he held her close, feeling loved,

and in love, for the first time in a very long time.

 

                Creeping back to their room quietly, Tenchi and Ryoko

slid the door shut behind them, sighing softly.

                "That is just so romantic," Ryoko said, wistfully.  "I feel

so happy for Aeka."

                "I do too," Tenchi added, looking at his TV, which he left

on.  The Matrix was currently playing from a VCR tape he had,

and they were at the point where Neo and Trinity were shooting up

the office building, dropping guard after guard in a hailstorm of

bullets.  He couldn't hear any of it, because he turned his sound off

when Russ started playing.

                "The song he played was so nice too," she said, looking at

Tenchi.  "I'm glad you were able to translate it for me."

                "I learn a lot of English in school," Tenchi said, moving

back to his bed and sitting down at the foot of it.  Ryoko sat down

next to him, and began to cuddle again.  "It's a very hard language

to learn."

                "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to make

heads or tails of it."

                Tenchi smiled, feeling very proud of the fact that he knew

more than one language.  "I'm sure there are other languages that

you know that I don't," Tenchi said, feeling Ryoko wrap her arms

around him once again.

                Pressing her lips to his, she held the kiss for a few

moments, feeling his warmth.  "Shall we go to bed, Tenchi?  I'm

sure Russ and Aeka will be going soon as well.  It's late, and I'm

tired.  It's been a long day," she said, resting her head on Tenchi's

shoulder.

                "Yes it has.  I'm very happy for both Aeka and Russ, but I

still wish I knew why he is so hard on himself.  It was really hard

to watch him try to get away from us, thinking that we were going

to reject and shun him.  I hope he never tries that again."

                Ryoko smiled, giving Tenchi a gentle squeeze.  "He

won't.  I know he won't.  There isn't a thing in this universe that

can take Aeka away from him now.  He'd destroy anything that

tried to come in between them.  I'm almost going to feel sorry for

Aeka's father for when he gets here.  He's going to have one hell

of a rude surprise in store."

                "I'm still worried about that too.  Even though both Russ

and Zorpheus are now on the same side once again, they are going

to have to deal with an entire fleet of ships that are on their way

here.  I know their fighters are the most powerful that I've ever

seen, but even they probably won't be able to handle the sheer

number of ships that's coming," Tenchi said, looking distressed.

                Ryoko smiled wider, and shook her head.  "Tenchi.  Have

a little faith in Russ.  If it's one thing that I believe about him, it is

that he can do anything.  And I will help him with Ryo-Ohki, as

I'm sure Aeka will help him with Ryu-Oh."

                "What about Kiyone and Mihoshi?"

                Becoming thoughtful, Ryoko let out a deep sigh. 

"They're a wildcard.  They do not want to get the Galaxy Police

involved in a skirmish against the Jurian Military, so they most

likely will not participate.  Still, knowing those two, they might

surprise us."

                "How far off are they?"

                "Washu says they're about two days away.  They'll arrive

the day after tomorrow, so they have one day to relax and enjoy

each other before the storm comes."

                Nodding his head, Tenchi flopped back onto his bed,

feeling the remote to his TV dig into his back.  Reaching behind

him, he fished it out from under him and turned his TV off, and

then slid the remote to his pillow.  "I wish I wasn't such a worrier. 

It's going to make my hair fall out."

                Looking at him curiously, Ryoko grinned.  "I wonder

what you'd look like bald," she teased.

                "Hah.  No way.  Uh-uh.  Not a chance.  Just forget about

THAT, Ryoko," he responded, taking in a deep breath and letting it

out in a tired yawn.  His clock now said midnight, and he could

feel it in his body as well.  "It's time for bed."

                "Want to make a bet?" Ryoko whispered, grinning.

                "What kind of bet?"

                "A fun one, but you'll probably find it offensive."

                Sitting up on his elbows, Tenchi raised his eyebrow at

her.  "Well, what is it?"

                "What do you want to bet that Russ and Aeka sleep with

each other tonight?" she asked.

                "They've already slept together before, so that's no big

deal."

                Ryoko shook her head.  "You're not listening, Tenchi. 

What do you want to bet that Russ and Aeka SLEEP WITH EACH

OTHER, tonight?"

                Looking confused, Tenchi didn't answer.

                Facefaulting straight to the floor, Ryoko crawled up over

the bedside, glaring at her fiancée.  "Sometimes you're really

dense, Tenchi, so I'll put it in words that you'll understand.  What

do you want to bet Aeka and Russ have sex with each other

tonight?"

                His eyes widening, Tenchi looked to the ceiling, trying to

avoid an answer.

                "Well?  I'm waiting," Ryoko whispered, lying down next

to her beloved.

                "I'm not really a betting man," Tenchi finally said, raising

a giggle from Ryoko.

                "Did you know that Aeka has been so hot and horny for

the last few months that she could barely stand it?" she said, seeing

Tenchi grow very cross.

                "And what business of that is yours?" he returned, glaring

at her.  "Did you have to ask her to find that out or something?"

                Ryoko shook her head, taking the whole thing in stride. 

"It wasn't difficult to figure out, since she was giving nearly every

sign imaginable that she wanted him.  There are signs that we give

when we want something, especially with body language."

                "I never noticed."

                "That's my Tenchi," she cooed, giggling.  "Dense as a

rock.  I bet they won't even get five feet in Russ's room before she

tackles him and rips his clothes off."

                "She's not like you, Ryoko," Tenchi said, yawning again.

                "Since when have I ripped your clothes off?  I think I've

been pretty much normal, if you compare me to Earth standards, if

there is such a thing."

                Tenchi sat up on his bed, being careful to remove his

shirt, exposing his muscular body.  "You wait for me to take my

clothes off and then you tackle me, Ryoko.  Not that I mind or

anything."

                The passionate fire in Ryoko's eyes began to burn, as the

sight of him without his shirt was almost always enough to turn her

on.  "Time for bed," she said, floating up off of the bed, heading to

the light switch and turning it off, letting the soft moonlight

illuminate Tenchi's room by itself.  Floating back over to him, she

pressed her lips to his, running her fingers down his back, feeling

more and more in love with him with each passing moment.

                "Is there something bothering you, Ryoko?" Tenchi

asked, looking concerned.

                "You haven't made love to me for over a week.  I'm

tensed up!" she whined, setting down on the bed.  Pressing her lips

to his again, she could feel him become flushed, and she knew that

she was simulating him in just the right way.

                Feeling their lips separate, Tenchi smiled.  "So you want

to make up for lost time, is that it?"

                Nodding enthusiastically, Ryoko pushed Tenchi down

onto the bed, preparing for a long, strenuous, but very pleasurable

night with her love.

 

                Down in the dungeon of Washu's Laboratory, many

things were happening, all at once.  A weeklong experiment of

Washu's was still cultivating on one of her shelves, and it was

almost complete.  Calculations of a new gene splice were almost

finished, and a new type of weapon that she was working on was

just about done.  Every now and then, a lightning bolt would flash

between two of the weapons' electrodes, producing the strong

scent of ozone.

                Sitting across from the red-haired scientific genius,

Zorpheus was busily researching the symptoms he had in her

database, trying to find a match.  Washu had insisted that he

wouldn't find anything like that there, but he wanted to try

anyway.  He was already an hour into his search, and she could see

he was starting to become frustrated.

                "DAMMIT!  Five items that matched my search pattern

have come up, but none of them were what I wanted!  Argh!  This

is pissing me off," Zorpheus growled, glaring at his computer

screen.

                "I told you that you wouldn't find anything in there,"

Washu responded, looking up from her latest experiment, which

consisted of replicating the cortosis ore from a fragment of

Zorpheus's sword.

                "Come on!  Even Earthlings have heard of things like this

happening before.  Take Fushigi Yugi for example.  Tamahome

had swallowed something called Kodoku, which is a poison that

alters the mind.  In the right dosage, it could bring out specific

traits in someone to make them side with you, rather than with his

or her own allies."

                Washu glared at him.  "You're comparing fantasy to

reality.  That has no basis in science."

                "Like hell it doesn't," Zorpheus argued.  "I'm certain that

you could develop a drug that could do that to someone, if you had

the time to do so.  The sky is the limit and science can help you get

there."

                Waving her hand and brushing Zorpheus off, Washu

returned to her work.  "Whatever."

                "Why not help me out rather than work on that cortosis

ore," he growled, flustered.  "I could use your help, and I thought

you'd help me out after I let you examine me."

                "You wouldn't let me get my sample.  You're just like

Russ."

                Zorpheus blushed for a moment, and then hid it behind a

façade of pride.  "I just wasn't ready for that, okay?  Give me a bit

to find the mood, and we can have all the adult fun we want, but

right now, I'm more in the mood for finding out what happened to

me."

                Glaring at him from across the table, Washu stood up and

moved over to his side, sliding his computer away from him.

                "Hey, I'm not done yet!" Zorpheus complained.

                "You are now," she said, sitting down on the bench in

front of Zorpheus.  "I've been thinking about your incident too, but

I can only figure on a couple of things.  Needless to say, there was

only one other incident where someone was altered, but not in the

same way as you.  A man named Doctor Clay had kidnapped

Ryoko, but we managed to stop him.  But when we sent him off to

the Galaxy Police, he had forgotten all about one particular person

that he mentioned to me, and that person's name was Lady Tokimi. 

I have no idea who or what she is, but I had a feeling that she was

behind his altering.  The same thing happened with a robot named

Zero, which I merged with Ryoko.  Their memories were

combined, however, after a day or so, Ryoko had forgotten all

about Tokimi as well, so I believe the incidents were related,"

Washu explained.  "I have no records of this Lady Tokimi

anywhere, nor can I find anything about this person anywhere else. 

All I have is a name."

                Zorpheus frowned, disappointed.  "Dammit.  I wonder

why I was modified, if she was the one behind it all.  I've never

even heard of her before you mentioned her name, so it doesn't

really fit the 'why' it happened.  Ugh, this is giving me a

headache," he complained, holding his head.

                Sighing softly, Washu patted him on his shoulder.  "But

anyway, how is the new arm working out for you?" she asked,

changing the subject.

                "Great, thanks.  It looks a lot better than my old one and it

actually feels more natural.  If it wasn't for this little access door

you have here," he said, pointing to the little square on the

underside of his wrist, "this thing could pass off as completely

natural.  It even feels natural, with the warmth and the texture of

the skin on it.  The other arm probably belonged to a Borg Drone

before I got it attached."

                Grinning, Washu slid off of the tabletop and landed softly

on the floor, and then leaned against it.  "What is this Borg stuff

you keep talking about?"

                Zorpheus looked at her strangely, and then shrugged his

shoulders.  "It's a race of cyborg people in Startrek.  They are in

every single Startrek except for the Original Series and Enterprise. 

They are the most powerful, most feared race in the entire series. 

Their ships were giant cubes, about three square kilometers in size

for the big ones, and they'd assimilate other cultures into their

being, fitting them with robotic parts and the like to 'improve'

them.  Their entire purpose was to achieve the highest level of

perfection, but for some reason, they were never able to assimilate

anything in the alpha quadrant.  What I mean is, they were never

able to assimilate an entire race.  They did it constantly in the Delta

Quadrant, because that is where their home area was," he

explained, watching Washu's blank expression.  "But anyway,

they were really dumbed down in Startrek Voyager.  They really

butchered them in that series.  In the Next Generation, they were

nearly unstoppable.  I'd really hate to see them for real, if there is a

race like them in our universe."

                "Amazing story," Washu said, smiling.  "Cyborg people

who are nearly unstoppable.  Crazy stuff, these Earthlings come up

with."

                "Crazy stuff is our bag.  But I'm sure you never dreamt of

someone like me or Russ coming along, did you?"

                "I have to admit, no.  I always figured on the Jurians

being the most powerful.  The emperor of Jurai was supposed to be

the strongest in the universe, but you guys make him look

insignificant," Washu said, grinning.

                "Who is this Jurai emperor that Aeka had told me about? 

Do you know anything about him?  And why is she so upset that

he's coming here?" Zorpheus asked, concerned.

                Closing her eyes and drawing a breath through her teeth

in a hiss, she released it in a deep sigh, and looked down at

Zorpheus.  "The emperor's name is Asuza.  He is Aeka's father,

and the most powerful, influential man in this galaxy.  The Jurai

Empire is the most powerful civilization in existence, as they have

the most people, the most number of ships, and the most colonized

planets out of any other race," she explained, frowning.  "King

Asuza has been vehemently against the coupling of Aeka and Russ

from the moment he learned about him.  But before that, Aeka

used to be attracted to Tenchi, and again, Asuza didn't like that one

bit.  He's a very material man, who looks for a person who has

money, has power and influence, and has an empire of his own that

he's willing to integrate in with the Jurian military.  If a man has

any less than those three, he doesn't want anything to do with

him."

                "Sounds like the regular royal pain-in-the-ass," Zorpheus

said, listening to her.

                "Pretty much.  He's been the ruler of the Empire for

many, many years, and he has become a cold, almost heartless

man.  At least, that's all we're allowed to see.  On occasion, he will

show generosity to the Galaxy Police or another ally of theirs to

help them out in some form or another, but when it comes to his

daughter, he's steadfast and unwilling to bend his ways.  He has

this image that Aeka will fall in love with a handsome prince,

solely for the purpose of acquiring their possessions, and to have

Aeka bear an heir to the throne.  However, Aeka's feelings are not

supposed to get in the way of what he decides.  She wants someone

to love her as a woman, and not as the princess of a vast empire."

                "Who wouldn't?" Zorpheus interjected.

                "I know, but the king doesn't see it that way.  He had set

up many marriage meetings between Aeka and many

prospective… clients, we'll say.  Aeka didn't like a single one of

them, as she told me that all of them seemed so false.  They

showered her in priceless gifts, showed her the utmost courtesy,

and gave her only the very best of everything they could offer, but

Aeka could see through it all to the truth underneath.  Most of them

were braggarts and very arrogant, and Aeka didn't like that quality

about any of them.  They didn't really love her, but they wanted

the throne and to be a part of the Jurian empire."

                "That kind of life sucks!  It's no wonder Aeka chose to

live here," Zorpheus said, frowning.

                "That's part of the reason.  She had fallen in love with

Tenchi several years ago.  They met each other while Aeka was

searching for her missing brother, and she wound up getting into a

firefight with Ryoko.  Both of their ships were destroyed, leaving

both Aeka and Ryoko stranded here for the time being.  Sasami

came looking for her sister a while later, but because of an incident

with a carrot, Sasami's ship was also destroyed, leaving the two of

them here.  During that time, Aeka had gotten to know Tenchi, and

gradually over time, fell in love with him.  However, Ryoko loved

him too, and because of that, the two of them fought over him

constantly.  There were many times when our enemies captured

both Ryoko and Aeka, and it was Tenchi who rescued them time

and time again.  He even rescued me from Kagato," she said,

remembering his heroic effort.  "Aeka found that to be so noble

and so brave, but besides that, she found him to be completely

honest with her, about everything, and that's what made her fall in

love with him."

                "So what happened after that?" Zorpheus asked, curious.

                "Anyway, Asuza took great exception to that, and had

confronted both Aeka and Sasami about it.  Both girls refused to

leave, even after he insisted that they come home with him to rule

the empire, as they were meant to do.  After they both refused

again and again, the king seemingly gave up, and left.  However, I

could sense that he was being deceptive, but he never got a chance

to do anything.  Two years later, an incident involving a person

named Haruna, turned the whole thing inside out, and it forced

Aeka to give up on Tenchi, to save his life.  It was very tragic for

her, but she knew, in her heart, Tenchi responded more to Ryoko

than her, and it was then that she knew that she lost the race."

                "Oh man, that must've done a number on her," Zorpheus

said, looking sympathetic.

                "Yes it did.  She stopped eating properly and she

distanced herself from all of us.  She took many walks by herself,

and really didn't discuss what was bothering her with anybody. 

She continued to live here for a while after the incident, and I

believe she was preparing to go back home, but that's when Russ

arrived at our doorstep."

                Letting a smile creep onto his lips, he relaxed himself a

little more.  "Perfect timing, eh?"

                Washu smiled.  "You have no idea how perfect.  It was

exactly what the doctor ordered.  Almost immediately, Aeka

perked up and started coming around, as Russ was unlike anybody

she had ever seen before.  But poor girl, she was becoming

desperate for someone to have and to hold, and when she asked

Russ about it, he turned her down flat on the first day."

                "Typical," Zorpheus growled.  "But I can sort-of

understand why."

                "Still, she continued to pursue him, never giving up. 

Since she didn't have any competition against him, she was able to

focus all of her effort on only getting him to fall in love with her. 

After only a week of living with us, Russ turned her around

completely.  She seemed to be happier, even though he told her

that he wasn't interested.  I guess it was because she had someone

to talk with, and the fact that he was very easy going and a very

nice person.  Of course, his dashing good looks didn't hurt any,"

Washu sighed, grinning.

                "Of course, he has nothing on me," Zorpheus said,

smiling.  "It's the scar that sets off the ladies."

                Staring at him funny, Washu just brushed it off. 

"Whatever.  But anyway, soon after he arrived, we all went to

something called the Startica Festival on Jurai.  It's a lot like

Christmas is here on Earth, but it takes place in summertime there. 

Russ suggested that we go, and he's the one who made it possible. 

That's when we met Tom, and we were all introduced to that crazy

ship of his.  I almost didn't believe that a ship could travel at that

speed without breaking apart, but somehow, Tom and his crew

figured it out.  They literally pioneered a lot of technology onboard

that vessel.  But he graciously took us all to Jurai and stayed with

us there, and then took us home afterward.  During that time on

Jurai, King Asuza had met Russ, and things didn't go well at ALL,

right from the get-go.  The king was incredibly rude to Russ, as he

either glared at him, ignored him, or said rotten stuff about him,

even in front of Russ's face."

                "He's lucky it wasn't me standing in front of him.  I

would've given him free cosmetic surgery.  I cannot stand people

like that who judge someone even before they said a word,"

Zorpheus said, his eyebrows furrowed together.  His fists were also

clenched in his lap.

                "Well, it did eventually come around to bite him in the

rear, as Russ showed him his awesome power.  He never even

went super saiyan, but it was more than enough to make the king

think twice about tangling with him.  I think that's why he's

bringing such a big fleet with him.  Still, Russ had done many

things there at the Startica Festival, including giving us all of the

prizes that he won and saving the lives of the crew of a disabled

ship that almost crashed into the palace.  Both Misaki and Funaho,

Misaki being Aeka's mom and Funaho being her aunt, approved of

Russ almost immediately.  They could see how respectful he was

and they could also sense how powerful he was, and they both

learned that Aeka was very much attracted to him, and they could

see why.  They gave her their blessing, but Aeka's father didn't

want any part of it.  The major difference between Misaki and

Asuza is that Misaki wants to see her daughter happy, but Asuza

wants someone who can benefit the empire.  Love is only a trifle

and shouldn't interfere with the duty of a princess," Washu

explained.

                "That's a bunch of crap," Zorpheus sneered.  "Aeka

would've been miserable there."

                "Yes, she would have, but that didn't matter much to the

king… at least, as far as we could see.  There were a few times

where he talked to Aeka, as he tried to convince her to see it his

way, but to no avail.  She's as stubborn as they come.  After a big

fight, Aeka and Sasami both came back home with us, free of their

ties for the time being.  I guess Asuza figured that he could wait.  It

was at this point that Russ figured that a relationship with her was

completely out of the question, and he continued to turn her

down."

                Looking down at the floor for a moment, deep in thought,

Zorpheus shook his head.  "I'd hate to have him for a father-in-

law."

                "Even though he is a creep at times, he can be a good

father too.  For the most part, he allows his girls to do as they

please, despite what he wants.  However, he's very, very much

against Russ, for obvious reasons.  He was against Tenchi too, but

because Tenchi is actually a Jurian prince and has the noble

bloodline, not to mention the lighthawk wings, he was more

accepting toward him.  But Russ has nothing to offer and he's of a

race that's supposed to be extinct, so it was pretty easy to see why

the king was so against him."

                "But Aeka is happy with him.  How come he couldn't see

that?" Zorpheus said, confused.

                "Like I said before, it's because it's the duty of a princess

to marry the one who will best benefit the empire, and as far as the

king could see, Russ had nothing to offer.  At least Tenchi was of

noble bloodline," Washu explained, shifting positions, as the table

was starting to bite into her backside.

                "Duty this, duty that.  She IS still a woman," Zorpheus

growled, glaring at Washu.

                "I understand that, but if you try to see it from Asuza's

perspective, it becomes a little more rational, but not much.  He is

looking for material benefits more than the actual man behind it

all.  If he had taken a second look at Russ, he probably would've

realized that their empire would've been invincible.  As it stands,

I'm sure Russ could annihilate the entire empire… by himself."

                Zorpheus nodded.  "Yes he can.  He could easy turn the

entire Jurai system and its colonized planets into shredded Swiss

cheese.  It would take him a while, but he'd be able to do it."

                "That's just scary," Washu said, gazing down to the floor. 

"But anyway, as far as Russ and Aeka went, Aeka continued to try

to get him to come around, but he's very stubborn and unwavering. 

But each and every time Russ would do something amazing, she'd

fall deeper and deeper in love with him.  There was a time a while

back where one of the most powerful villains had gone back in

time to kill Tenchi's mother.  His name was Kain, and he was, by

far, the most powerful being anybody had encountered.  He had

destroyed worlds, killed billions of people, and just wrecked havoc

throughout the galaxy.  We had managed to stop him, or so we

thought.  About eight or nine months ago, he returned and tried to

kill Tenchi.  But this time, Tenchi was better prepared and he

fought Kain, but still, it wasn't enough.  That was when Russ

stepped in.  For the very first time, he turned himself into a super

saiyan and completely blew away Kain as if it were nothing.  It

was so radical and scary that we really didn't know what to think. 

I still think of him as a god of sorts, because he's so powerful," she

said, looking back at Zorpheus.

                Grinning, Zorpheus started snickering.  "A god, eh? 

Well, if I had become immortal, I would've been a god.  But eh,

that's not what I'm after anymore."

                "Glad to hear it," Washu responded, letting a gleam

reflect off of her emerald eyes.  "Russ continued to show us

amazing feats of strength and power throughout the year.  But the

neat thing was when Aeka decided to train with him.  She started

doing that a few weeks after he arrived, because she was starting to

go stir-crazy from doing nothing.  She wanted someone to talk to

and to be with, so she decided to train with him, and after a bit of

it, she found that she really enjoyed it.  They sparred with each

other frequently, but Russ was always very careful with her, as he

knew he could easily hurt her.  He taught her how to fly in her

current form, and he also got Sasami to do it too.  He was always

very welcoming and very happy to have a partner to train with, and

they hit it right off.  They trained up until two weeks ago, when

Russ started a weeklong meditation.  It was then that we knew

something was wrong, and we figured that it had to do with your

impending arrival."

                "I see.  Russ usually will concentrate hard if he knows

he's up against something very powerful, or more powerful than

him," Zorpheus interjected, nodding his head.  "I do the same thing

from time to time, but mainly to dream up new ways to use my ki."

                Nodding her head in understanding, Washu leapt back

onto the table, taking a seat once again, letting out a little grunt in

the process.  "I noticed that you had quite a broad selection of

attacks that you were using on Russ.  But anyway, we're getting

off-track," she said, continuing her story.  "A while after the Kain

incident, Christmas rolled around.  Now, I've never been much for

holidays and the like, but when Christmas came around, he totally

blew me away with everything that he had done for us.  He had

given each of us a radical gift, some of which seemed impossible. 

But what set Aeka off is that he brought her ship back from

destruction, using the power of the Dragonballs.  It was at that

point, when he showed her the ship, that she cemented her love for

him, right then and there.  It was at that point that she committed

herself to getting Russ, no matter what it took, and it didn't matter

what anybody else said or did.  But she did change her tactics.  Up

until that day, she continued to pressure Russ and continually ask

him about dating her, or becoming involved.  It usually wound up

in having Russ take off, or somehow getting away from her.  It

broke her heart each and every time he ran away, but she never

gave up.  Her mother gave her a bit of advice, mainly to stop

chasing him and allow him to come to her instead.  The advice

seemed to work, as Russ never ran away after that, and he seemed

to be much more relaxed around her when she stopped bringing it

up."

                "Interesting.  Most of the time while we were out and

about, girls would approach him, but he'd brush them off and

leave.  The thing was, he'd never see them again.  I guess since he

lived here, he couldn't escape her for very long," Zorpheus said,

looking thoughtful.

                "I agree.  Needless to say, most of us could see that he

was becoming more and more attached to him as each day went

by, but he always, always turned her down for a date or a

relationship.  Even her sister kept mentioning it to him, but he'd

still refuse.  Sasami is so pure-hearted and innocent, but still so

young, so she couldn't understand why Russ kept doing what he

did.  But even she never gave up.  She kept insisting that he be her

big brother.  It was so sweet."

                "Aww.  She is very nice, sweet, and adorable.  I bet Russ

kept going to pieces whenever she'd get upset over his refusals."

                "Sometimes.  But he was very adamant about not having

a relationship.  Even I was starting to wonder about him, as I've

never seen another man hold out as long as he did, aside from

Tenchi.  But the circumstances between Tenchi and Russ were

different, which makes it even more amazing that Russ continued

to refuse Aeka for as long as he did.  Finally, on the night before

your arrival, Russ confessed that he was indeed in love with her,

and was willing to try it with her if things went good the day after. 

Well, you know what happened on that day and you saw the end

result today, so I guess all's well that ends well," Washu said,

shrugging her shoulders.

                Zorpheus shook his head.  "Even though I wish the end

result was the same, they didn't deserve that trial-by-fire. 

However, it might've served to strengthen their bond even further. 

But now I can see that they're both hopelessly in love with each

other, and there is no way in hell that those two can be separated. 

For one, I'll make sure that they don't.  I owe Russ a lot, and this is

one way I can help to repay that debt."

                "Well, you will probably have that chance a day after

tomorrow… or rather, tomorrow.  Its after midnight now," Washu

said, looking at the time on the computer display.

                Sighing quietly, Zorpheus rubbed his eyes and yawned. 

"I'm still wired.  I need to do something.  Is there anything you

need help with?"

                "Well, actually, there is.  Come with me," Washu said,

sliding off of the table again.

                "Lead the way, babe," Zorpheus said, grinning.

                Turning around with a look of total fury in her eyes, she

balled up her fist and let it fly at Zorpheus's head, but hit nothing

but air.  "Nice swing," he taunted.

                "Do not call me babe, mister," she growled.  "I'm NOT

available, and definitely not to a child like you."

                Zorpheus shrugged, still grinning.  "But I thought chicks

dig younger men?"

                Washu growled again.  "You know, I might not be much

of a fighter, but there are plenty of OTHER ways I can get back at

you."

                "Okay, okay.  Point taken," he said, putting up his hands

submissively, but keeping a sly grin on his face.

                Turning away, Washu headed deeper into her lab.

                "Oh yeah.  That's a lot of woman," he quietly said to

himself, as he fell into step behind her.

 

                Yawning loudly, stretching his arms over his head, Russ

was finding it increasingly difficult to stay awake anymore.  Sitting

on the couch, staring at the TV that unfortunately didn't have

anything of interest playing, which made him even more sleepy, he

glanced over at Aeka, who also looked about ready to doze off. 

Sasami and Ryo-Ohki had already gone upstairs and gone to bed,

as it was nearing one in the morning.  Letting out another yawn,

Aeka snuggled a little closer to him, causing him to become

uncomfortable from all the excess heat.

                "Aw man, I've GOT to go to bed," Russ mumbled.  "I'm

starting to see things now."

                Aeka smiled.  "What do you see?"

                "Well, everything is starting to glow, and for some

reason, a beautiful girl is laying against me," he said, letting a grin

slide onto his lips.

                "Mmmm, and why would you be hallucinating that?" she

asked, closing her eyes.

                "Well, I've never had anything like that happen before,"

he explained.  "But it seems so real.  I can see it, and I can feel it.  I

actually feel quite hot right now."

                "Am I turning you on?" she teased.

                "I mean I'm overheating.  It's too hot in here," he

complained, yawning yet again.  Shifting positions, he forced Aeka

to sit up.  "I have to go to bed."  Turning toward her, he smiled. 

"Goodnight, Aeka.  Sleep well.  I'm headed to the bathroom to

take a quick shower, and then I'm going to bed."

                "Alright, you win," she sighed, getting up.  Holding onto

the couch for support, she stumbled a few steps, almost looking

like she was drunk.  After stretching her legs a moment, she made

her way to the stairs and started making her way up, eyeing Russ

the whole time.  "Good night, Russ."

                Looking up at her, he smiled and nodded his head. 

Making his way to the bathroom, he slid the door open, which

miraculously went to the men's bathroom on the first try.  Not

having a reaction to it, he stepped inside, dropped his pants, and sat

down on the porcelain throne.

                "What a day," he mumbled to himself.  Thinking about all

that had happened, he still wasn't sure why things turned out the

way they did.  It was just all such a strange set of circumstances

that happened all in a row, and it worked out perfectly.  He now

had a girlfriend, lived in a home with a big family who loved and

cared for him, and further still, he got Zorpheus back as his best

friend once again.  Yes indeed, today was the best day to be alive.

                Relaxing for a moment, he closed his eyes, feeling the dry

stickiness from being overtired.  Immediately, his mind jumped to

Aeka once again.  Ever since he had come back, she had not left

his side, except for a few moments ago.  She never let him out of

her sight, and he found it cute, and it made him feel very good. 

But a moment later, his mind shifted back to Laurie.  She was his

first love, but nothing was ever allowed to come of it.  But now, he

looked at the incident in a different light.  Even though he still felt

horrible over the entire tragedy, he realized that indeed, there was

nothing that he could've done, but he wished with all of his heart

that he could have.  Saying a silent prayer to himself, he let out a

deep sigh, and cleared his mind.  Feeling better, he figured that

getting himself involved once more is something that Laurie

would've wanted, especially with someone like Aeka.

                Standing up, he kicked his pants off completely and took

off his shirt, tossing them onto the cold floor.  Stepping over to the

shower, he turned on the water, stepped inside, and cleaned

himself quickly, being careful to scrub a little longer around his

stinky areas.

                "No matter how much I wash, I still stink," Russ

muttered, sniffing under his arm after he scrubbed under there. 

Twice.  "Ugh.  I'm glad deodorant was invented, or I'd be in deep

trouble."

                After another few moments in the shower, he turned the

water off, snapped his energy around him once, drying him

instantly, and generated yet another fresh, clean gi around himself,

coloring it the same colors as Aeka's favorite kimono, which was

blue and purple.  Admiring himself in the mirror for a moment, he

frowned, and then grinned.  "Not bad, but the colors look better on

Aeka."

                Stepping out of the bathroom into a dark living room,

illuminated only by the moonlight that filtered through the

windows, Russ lifted off of the floor and glided up the stairs,

setting down on the landing, as the stairs made a considerable

amount of noise when he walked on them.  Tip-toeing over to his

room, he reached out to the door, and stopped for a second.

                Cocking his eyebrow for a moment, he thought he sensed

something inside, but he shook his head, brushing it off, thinking it

was a result of being too tired.  Sliding back his door and moving

inside, he closed the door behind him and slowly moved to his bed,

removing his shirt in the process.  Tossing it onto the floor, he

threw back the covers to his bed, reached over to turn on his desk

fan, but grabbed nothing but air.  Glancing at the empty space

where his fan used to occupy, he remembered that he packed it into

his fighter, and his fighter was still onboard the Gray Wolf. 

Sighing in disappointment, he sat down on the bed, looking out of

the window.

                Getting a feeling that he was being watched, Russ glanced

over to the door, and saw a shadow of someone standing there. 

Looking harder, and watching the figure approach, Aeka's face

became visible as she stepped into the moonlight, dressed in her

nightgown.

                "I thought you were in here, but I wasn't sure," Russ said,

keeping his deep voice low.

                Aeka just smiled, and sat down on the bed next to him,

looking shy, embarrassed, and very beautiful.  Glancing up at him,

she continued to smile, as she looked into Russ's eyes.

                "What?" Russ asked, confused.  "Am I forgetting

something?"

                "You didn't kiss me goodnight," she answered, grinning.

                Feeling his breath get caught in his throat, he could feel

his face heat up, and if it weren't for the moonlight, Aeka

would've seen him blush.  "Oh."

                "Close your eyes," she whispered, bringing herself closer

to Russ.

                He did as he was told, feeling the mattress tilt a little more

toward Aeka, as she leaned over and gently rested her lips on

Russ's.  He could feel her warmth, her touch, and her gentleness. 

It felt good.  Actually, it felt really, really good.  Holding that pose

for nearly a minute, Aeka broke the kiss, but kept her face only

inches from Russ's.

                Reopening his eyes, he looked into Aeka's, and could see

she was waiting for something.  "Is there something else?" he

asked, confused.

                "Maybe you don't get it yet," she answered, giggling. 

Again, pressing her lips to his, she scooted closer to him, wrapping

her arms around him and pressing her body to his, rubbing her

hands down his back, feeling the mountain of muscles that

presented themselves everywhere she touched.  Kissing him

harder, she pushed herself even closer, now holding onto his arm,

caressing it forcefully, but gently.  Breaking the kiss again, she

looked into his eyes, and waited.

                Again, Russ looked at her, but he started getting a feeling

of what she wanted.  "Um, Aeka," he began.  "I don't think this is

the right time to do something like that."

                "How come?" she asked, sounding disappointed, but

hiding her expression well.

                "Well, we're not married, and we haven't even

technically dated yet, and… um… well… it just seems too soon,"

he mumbled, looking away.

                Giggling softly, she smiled.  "You do realize that we've

been together for over a year, and even though we said we weren't

dating, you still took me out and showed me a good time.  I think

that's close enough for me, and to tell you the truth, I've been

waiting for a long time to give myself to you."

                Feeling his eyes widen considerably, he glanced up at her,

seeing the warm, soft smile, her gorgeous eyes, and her beautiful

hair, which she let flow freely down her back.  She looked

absolutely perfect in the moonlight, and even though he tried

willing it away, he could feel himself becoming flushed.  "Um, I

still think we should wait, at least for a little while," Russ objected.

                Again, Aeka smiled.  "You're nervous.  I can tell.  I bet

you've never even seen a girl naked before, have you?" she teased,

leaning against him.

                Looking away shyly, Russ shook his head.  "Zorpheus

was always the one to go to the topless bars, but I've never been to

one, and I don't like looking at porn," he admitted.  "No, I've

never seen a girl naked in my life."

                "I knew it," she whispered, undoing her gown.

                Grasping her hands in his, Russ shook his head.  "Please,

don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not ready yet, if you know

what I mean," he said, looking concerned.  "I'm… just not ready."

                Her smile slowly melted off of her face, until it settled

into a look of unhappiness and disappointment.  "Oh.  I… see.  I'm

sorry, Russ.  I shouldn't have tried to force myself on you like

that."

                Shaking his head, Russ smiled.  "I'm sure I would enjoy

it," he whispered into her ear.  "But we should wait to see the

outcome of you and your parents."

                "Screw my parents," she retorted, grinning again.  "Do

you have any idea how long I've wanted you?  Do you?" she said,

pushing him down on top of the sheets, getting on top of him and

sitting on his massive chest.  "Months.  There were times where I

just wanted to rip your clothes off and force you to make love to

me, and there were other times where I almost thought you were

going to make the first move.  But it's been months, Russ.  I've

loved you so deeply and for so long, that I just can't stand it

anymore.  If you're worried about getting me pregnant, don't

worry.  I've actually been on contraceptives for at least six months,

and now at this point, I absolutely have to have you," she said, a

ravenous fire burning in her eyes and her breath.  She leaned closer

to Russ, pinning his arms to the mattress, so he could feel her body

against his and feel the energy in her breath as she spoke.  "Make

love to me, Russ.  I demand it," she said, looking dead serious, but

looking so beautiful and hopeful at the same time.

                "I already told you, Aeka, that we should wait, and

that…"

                "Shut up," she said, pressing her lips to his, silencing him. 

Grasping his hand, she brought it to her chest, letting him feel her

body for the first time.  Breaking the kiss again, she smiled.  "Do

you feel me, Russ?  Does that feel good?" she asked.

                "Now stop it, Aeka," Russ said, his tone becoming very

serious.  "I can obviously see that you want me, but I'm not ready

to give myself to you.  Not yet, anyway.  Just wait a few more

days, and we'll see, okay?" he said, noting the surprise written all

over Aeka's face.

                "You… don't want me?" she said, her face in shock and

disbelief.  Sitting up, she brought both her hands in front of her,

placing them both over her heart.  "You really don't want me?" she

asked again.

                Russ grimaced, knowing he was between a rock and a

hard place.  "Dammit," he whispered under his breath.  "I do want

you, very much.  Yes, I do want to make love to you.  But not right

now.  I'm very excited, yes, but I can't help but feel that it's too

sudden, and it just feels weird."

                Continuing to look very disappointed, Aeka let out a soft

sigh, letting a tear fall out of the corner of her eye, its presence

reflecting the moonlight as it traveled down her cheek.  Aeka

brushed it away before it got to her chin, and she looked down at

Russ, not knowing what to do.

                Closing his eyes and reopening them a few moments later,

Russ let out a deep sigh, feeling disappointed in himself for

making her upset again.  He realized that he had a long way to go

before he understood women.  "Would you please spend the night

in here with me, Aeka?" he asked, feeling guilty and looking for a

way to make it up to her.  "I'd very much appreciate the

company."

                "But, you don't want to make love?" she asked again,

looking desperate.  Closing her eyes and letting out another sigh,

she shook her head.  "Tenchi was the same way with Ryoko for a

long time as well.  I think it was because he had never done it

before, but once he started, he enjoyed it.  Very much," she

explained.  "There were many times when I desired him too, but

never as strongly as I do with you.  I feel like I'm going to

explode," she whined.  "I've never had it before, but I heard

Tenchi and Ryoko talking about it many times and how much

pleasure they both got from it.  I want to feel it too, but I only

wanted to feel it with the man I fell in love with, and that's you,

Russ."

                Sitting up, letting Aeka remain in his lap, Russ gently

grasped both of her shoulders and looked into her eyes, seeing the

desire there, as if it were a tangible thing.  He could feel it in her

shoulders and see it in her face, and it made him wonder why he

really wanted to wait.  Here was a gorgeous woman who was his

age that loved him, and wanted to be with him for the rest of her

life.  Wondering for a moment as to why he was trying to turn her

away, he realized that it was one of the dumbest things he could've

come up with.  Maybe he was just nervous.

                Wrapping his powerful arms around her, bringing her to

him, he squeezed her gently in a warm hug, as he rubbed her back

with his hand.  "I'm sorry, Aeka.  I think I am nervous, because it

too would be my first time.  I'm not sure what to do, and I'm very

nervous.  Please forgive me, Aeka.  I still have a lot to learn about

women."

                Feeling his hands gently rub her back, she also felt the

nervousness within her own mind.  For a moment, she felt that she

was far too forceful, as she had never behaved that way in front of

anybody in her life.  She compared herself to Ryoko for an instant,

but brushed it off, as she knew that she waited far longer than

Ryoko ever did.

                "I'm sorry I ruined the mood," Russ whispered.  "But we

can try again sometime."

                Aeka nodded, still feeling disappointed.  "I guess so."

                "But for a little preview," Russ said, gently bringing her

to him, resting his lips on hers, letting his hands gently glide up

and down her arms, he let his hands roam up to her face, gently

caressing her cheeks.  Breaking the kiss a few moments later, he

smiled, and he could see that Aeka was smiling too.  "Hold that

thought for when we do this for real," he whispered.

                Holding herself back with all the restraint she could

muster, she gazed into his eyes, and lost it.  Shoving him back to

the bed and pinning him there, she mashed her lips onto his,

despite his muffled objections.  Breaking the kiss for a moment, so

utterly consumed by the maddening tenseness she felt within her,

she held her face directly over Russ's, letting her hair fall down

beside her, she smiled, rubbing her thighs together.  "I'm sorry, but

I can't wait anymore," she said, undoing her nightgown and letting

it fall down, past her shoulders, revealing her body in the

moonlight.

                Finding himself become utterly surprised, overwhelmed,

and completely flushed, Russ found himself unable to resist any

longer.  He desired her as well, and the sight of her in her natural

state was more than enough to set him through the roof.  Quickly

reaching up and gasping her hands, he gazed into her eyes once

more.  "Are you sure?"

                "Is my father an ass?" she countered, laying down on top

of him, rubbing her hands over him, and feeling his body become

warmer as she touched him.

                Closing his eyes and silencing any objection he had, he

allowed her to do what she wanted, and frankly, what he wanted

too.  For the first time in either one of their lives, they felt what it

was like to be in love, and finally, to make love.

                "I love you, Aeka," Russ whispered, as she lay on top of

him, feeling his hands roam her skin.

                Aeka smiled, then descended to him once more, resting

her lips on his.  "I love you too, Russ," she whispered, letting a tear

of joy escape her eye.

                Keeping themselves very, very quiet, they looked at each

other with love and passion, and it was the best thing that could've

ever been experienced.  Letting themselves succumb to their

primal desires, they spent the better part of the night enjoying each

other's company.

 

                Punching and kicking rapidly in the air, Russ stood by the

lake, training like he always had for the past year.  The sun was

high in the sky, on a cloudless new day.  His fists and feet were

moving at such an incredible rate that it looked like he had five

arms and five legs, but they were all blurred together.

                Leaping into the air, he continued to exercise at his

gravity machine's maximum level, but he barely felt the crushing

weight at all.  He could feel an incredible amount of extra strength,

power, and energy since he had his fight with Zorpheus.  Each time

he came near death after a fight, it substantially increased his

fighting strength, power, and speed.  Two thousand times Earth

gravity felt like a mere ten.

                "Hey Russ!"

                Stopping his exercise, he looked toward the source of the

voice, and saw Zorpheus standing nearby.  Landing on the ground,

Russ looked at him expectantly.

                "How do you feel?" he asked.

                "Stronger than before.  Why?"

                Looking at him seriously, Zorpheus backed up several

steps.  "Power up to your maximum.  I bet you can transform into a

level two super saiyan because of our fight," he said.

                Cocking his eyebrow, Russ shrugged his shoulders. 

"Maybe, maybe not.  It doesn't really matter at this point, does it?"

                Zorpheus grinned.  "Just do it."

                Russ rolled his eyes and shook his head.  "Whatever."

                Watching him clench his fists at his sides and close his

eyes, Zorpheus watched, and waited.  After nearly a minute of

concentrating, Russ's hair stood on end, and instantly turned

golden, as he transformed himself into a super saiyan, effortlessly. 

He could feel Russ's energy pulsing around him, and already, it

was much stronger than before.

                "Keep going," Zorpheus encouraged.

                "Hold your horses," Russ mumbled, not having opened

his eyes yet.

                Becoming thoughtful for a moment, Zorpheus came up

with an idea.  "I know.  Think of me killing Aeka while you power

up.  That ought to be more than enough to push you over the

edge."

                Opening his eyes, he shot a chilling look at Zorpheus, and

he clenched his fists even tighter at his sides.  Growling quietly,

the ground started to rumble and the wind picked up, blowing the

dust about.  The sky darkened overhead as several yellow bolts of

lightning arced through the sky, even though there wasn't a cloud

overhead.

                "Come on, Russ," Zorpheus growled.  "I'm about to kill

Aeka.  Get pissed!"

                Shaking with barely restrained control, Russ continued to

push his energy higher and higher, until he reached a ceiling that

he couldn't pass.  Grunting and straining, he just couldn't push it

up any further.  However, his mind went to a flashback of

Zorpheus pointing his finger directly at Aeka, with the most

sinister grins Zorpheus had on his face.  Watching the purple blast

just squeeze past his fingertips, he watched it break Tenchi's

lighthawk wing, and then pass straight through Aeka's chest,

without showing a hint of stopping or slowing down.  Blood

spurted from her wound as she crumpled to the ground, mortally

wounded.

                As he watched, Zorpheus could feel Russ's energy start

jumping around erratically, as his hair stood up even more than it

had already.  Blue bolts of energy started dancing around his aura,

snaking around his arms and legs.  Suddenly, Russ screamed at the

top of his voice, as his power exploded around him, completely

engulfing him in golden light.

                "So… much… power!" Zorpheus stammered, as Russ's

muscles expanded further, and every spike of hair on Russ's head

stood straight up.  It seemed to get a little longer as well.  But the

blue bolts of lightning increased in intensity, and for a moment,

Zorpheus thought he was turning into Raiden, the God of

Lightning.

                After a few moments of blinding light, the shaking

subsided, the wind died down, and Russ stood in his place. 

Raising one of his arms and admiring the awesome, radical rush of

energy he just acquired, Russ glanced over at Zorpheus, and

grinned.

                Standing there with his jaw hanging open, Zorpheus

found the whole thing to be almost unbelievable.  "Amazing.  I

knew you would made it," he said, looking at him in awe.

                Sasami, Aeka, Ryoko, and Tenchi all came out of the

house, but they stopped when they looked at Russ.  All four of

them could see that he was different, and for a moment, they

hesitated a moment before approaching them.

                "What's going on here?" Aeka asked, very concerned. 

"Are you two going to fight again?"

                Zorpheus shook his head.  "No.  I wanted to see if Russ

could make it to level two, and he did," he said, gesturing to Russ.

                "Level two?" Sasami asked, inquisitively  "What's that?"

                Glancing down at her, Russ smiled.  "There are four

stages of the super saiyan.  Level one is what you saw while I was

fighting this loser over here," he said, gesturing to Zorpheus,

drawing a grin from his direction, "and level two is what you're

looking at now.  Level three is a radical change, as we get even

bigger and our hair is supposed to become very, very long.  Level

four is only a myth, but some say that Goku had made it there

several times.  I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what was

written in the old legends," he explained.

                "Give me a demonstration of your newfound power,

Russ," Zorpheus said, becoming a super saiyan.  His artificial eye

stubbornly remained red, but his other eye became green, and his

hair became yellow and stood up straighter.  "If I'm right, I

probably won't even be able to touch you."

                "Frankly, you should be able to make it to this too.  It

wasn't hard," Russ said, looking at him.

                Zorpheus shook his head.  "I lack a motivating factor

right now.  Maybe if I had a real girlfriend who loved me, then

maybe I'd be able to make it to where you are.  But, I don't need it,

really.  You're still no match for my mad skills," he said, balling

up his fist and hurling it at Russ face.  But to his utter amazement,

Russ didn't even appear to move, yet, his fist past straight through

where he was standing.

                "Strike one," Russ taunted.

                The rest of the family backed up about twenty feet, as

Zorpheus went all out, trying to land a punch on Russ.  Every

single punch, kick, knee, or any other offensive move went straight

through Russ, as if he were a ghost.

                "I'm… just warming up… really!" Zorpheus panted,

pushing himself to his limit in speed, but each blow continued to

miss, and Russ wasn't even trying.  He just stood there with a

goofy grin on his face, and it didn't even look like he moved.

                "C'mon, Zorph.  Hit me," Russ said, folding his arms

over his chest.

                Leaping back several paces, Zorpheus powered up his

energy and started flinging many small ki blasts at Russ, but every

one of them were sent skyward by some invisible force.  As the

last blast was sent into orbit, Russ held his pose, with his hand

outstretched, smiling widely.

                "Incredible," Zorpheus said, breathing heavily.  "That's

absolutely astounding."

                Hearing a soft beeping, Russ looked down at the gravity

enhancer.  "Oh, look at that.  I forgot to turn the gravity machine

off, so I was doing all of that at two thousand times Earth gravity,"

he said, smiling even wider.

                Dropping his jaw, Zorpheus was about to say something,

but he saw everybody coming over.

                "You guys are insane," Tenchi said, approaching them.  "I

couldn't even see it."

                "Me neither," added Sasami.  "How come you guys are so

strong?"

                Zorpheus and Russ looked at each other, powered down,

and shrugged their shoulders.

                "I guess it's just the way we're made," Zorpheus said,

folding his hands behind his back.  "This is what we're meant to

do, I guess."

                Aeka approached Russ and took a hold of his arm, leaning

against it.  "You were really amazing," she whispered.  "I'm so

proud of you."

                Feeling his face turn red, Russ glanced at everybody, as

they were all grinning at him.  "Aeka, everybody is looking," he

hissed, feeling embarrassed.

                Giggling softly, she snuggled closer to Russ.  "I know."

                "Well, I'm going to leave you two lovebirds alone,"

Zorpheus said, lifting off into the air.  "I have my own training that

I need to do, and on top of that, I'm going to go visit Tom.  I

haven't seen him in a long time before yesterday."

                "Have a good time," Sasami called, watching him take

off.

                "So Aeka," Ryoko began, looking slyly at the princess. 

"You seem much more bold and different today.  The same goes

for Russ too.  Did something happen last night?"

                Looking at each other knowingly, Russ and Aeka both

just smiled and stood next to each other, hand in hand.

                Ryoko smiled and nodded her head.  "Congratulations,"

she said, grabbing a hold of Tenchi.  "So Russ, how long did it

take for Aeka to rip off your clothes and make you screw her?"

                "RYOKO!" Tenchi roared, horrified.  "Have you no

morals?!"

                Laughing, Ryoko gave Tenchi a tender squeeze, letting

herself calm down.  "I'm kidding.  It's none of my business, but I

know what happened last night.  It was pretty easy to tell."

                "And how would you know that, Ryoko?" Aeka sneered,

holding onto Russ's arm tighter.

                "How could I NOT know," she retorted, letting an

amused smirk onto her face.  "You two were letting out so much

energy that it was almost overwhelming.  When I got up to see

what was going on, I could hear you two in your room.  I knew

what was going on, but I'm very happy for the both of you."

                "Immoral woman!" Aeka shouted, balling up her fists. 

"How dare you spy on an intimate moment between Russ and

myself!"

                "What's the big deal?" Ryoko said, turning her nose up at

Aeka.

                Hearing someone clear her throat, Russ, Aeka, Tenchi,

and Ryoko all looked at Sasami, who was standing there with her

arms folded, as she glared at both Aeka and Ryoko.  "Have you

forgotten that I'm still here?"

                "Oops," Russ muttered under his breath, making Aeka

start laughing.

                "Come on, everybody.  Lunch is on the table, and there is

plenty for everybody," she said, turning toward the house.

                "I'll be there in a few.  I'm going to go get my fighter and

I'll join you shortly," Russ said, putting two fingers to his forehead

and vanishing.

                Aeka looked at the vacant spot next to her, and shook her

head.  "I've got to learn how to do that."

                Quietly following Ryoko, Tenchi, and Sasami to the

house, Aeka looked skyward, hoping that for once in her life, her

father would listen to her.

 

                "You see?  I told you what would probably happen last

night."

                Glaring at Ryoko, Tenchi kept quiet, heading out toward

the shrine for his sword practice.  His grandfather had been a lot

harder on him than usual, as if there was some urgency about the

whole thing.  It made Tenchi wonder, but he knew better than to

question Katsuhito.  It usually got nowhere, and left him with more

questions.  And his stomach hurt from overeating.  Marching

slowly up the steps, Ryoko floated beside him, grinning widely.

                "Aww, come on, Tenchi.  Admit it.  You didn't think

Aeka would be as aggressive as I usually am," Ryoko said,

proudly.

                "Do you think of me as a sex toy or something?" Tenchi

asked, frowning at her.  "Ever since Aeka allowed you to have me

all to yourself, that's really all that has been on your mind, every

single night."

                Ryoko stopped, her face completely full of shock while

her jaw hung open in complete surprise.  Unable to come up with

an immediate response, she stood there, dumbfounded, feeling a

cascade of emotions roaring through her mind.

                "Not that I don't enjoy it, but EVERY NIGHT?  Nobody

does that.  And you continually fondle me in front of everybody. 

Why do you keep doing that?  I don't want a relationship based

solely on sex!" Tenchi said, glaring at her.  "I do love you, very

much, but I'm getting a very irritating feeling that you enjoy the

sex more than being with me."

                "That's not true!" Ryoko said, looking very hurt and

upset.  "How could you even think that?"

                Sighing to himself, he continued to look at Ryoko, not

showing any sign of weakness or second thought.  "Think about it,

Ryoko.  I'm the very first guy who loved you as a woman, and not

as a plaything.  Remember what Kagato used to do to you?" he

asked, looking at her wince in emotional pain.  "You didn't enjoy

that because there was no love in it.  But I'm starting to feel like

I'm Kagato, to a point.  Every single night, you've done something

to get me to make love to you, and I've never been able to figure

out why.  I always felt that being in a relationship meant more than

just having sex.  I want it to be more along the lines of making

love, and I'm not feeling that."

                Backing off several paces, she looked absolutely horrified

at his revelation.  Shaking her head viciously, she tried to keep

herself from becoming too upset.  "No, Tenchi.  You are someone

I've fallen in love with, and will always love until the day I die.  I

told you, so many times, why I love you, and why I want to stay

with you forever.  Why do you feel the way you do now?"

                "That's what I'm asking you," Tenchi retorted.  "Why do

you insist on making love every night?"

                "I…" she began, looking into his eyes, but after she saw

only anger in them, she hung her head.  "I'm afraid, Tenchi."

                Looking surprised, Tenchi let his guard down for a few

moments.  "What?  Why?"

                "I'm… so afraid that one day, all of this will come to an

end," she began, but hesitated.

                "Huh?" Tenchi said, confused.  "Why do you think this

will come to an end?"

                "I've had a bad feeling for a very long time, Tenchi.  It's

one that I've felt since the Doctor Clay incident.  I never said

anything about it because I didn't want to worry anyone, but the

feeling has been getting stronger, and it became really

overwhelming when Zorpheus arrived.  But after the fight, the

feeling sort of went away.  It doesn't make any sense, but I felt that

I was very close to losing you, and I'd just die if I did," she

explained, keeping herself calm and under control.  "I make love to

you every night to cherish every waking moment I have with you,

Tenchi.  Because one day, I feel that it will all be taken away, but I

don't know when, and I don't know how."

                "I don't understand, Ryoko.  Why do you feel like that?"

Tenchi asked, coming over and trying to take a hold of her arm. 

However, she shied away from him, shaking her head.

                "Tenchi, I'm serious.  Something is just not right, and I

think your grandfather knows about it too," she said, looking very

frightened.  "Haven't you noticed how he has made you train so

much harder over the past week?"

                "Yes, I know, but I don't ask questions.  Grandpa always

has some hidden agenda that he usually doesn't tell me."

                Ryoko shook her head, very concerned.  "There is

something coming, Tenchi.  I don't know what it is, but I know it

has an evilness about it that I've never felt before.  I don't know

what it is or how to explain it, but it's scaring the hell out of me."

                "You're just being paranoid," Tenchi said, now smiling. 

"Just relax.  I'm sorry I got upset at you.  I love you, and I mean

it."

                She looked at him with her eyes full of hope and

admiration, but it didn't last and it faded back into the

overwhelming fear that had been plaguing her for a couple years

now.

                Tenchi looked at her, and for some reason, he saw that

look on her before, but he couldn't place it.  Studying her

expression, it came to him.  "I know that look," he said, quietly. 

"You had that same look on your face when Doctor Clay arrived. 

Is he connected to this in some way?" he asked, looking into her

eyes.

                "I… don't know," she said, looking away.  "It wasn't him

that gave me the feeling, but I think it started when Zero was

merged with me.  I acquired all of her memories, except for one."

                "Which one?" Tenchi asked, concerned.

                "All I know is a name.  Lady Tokimi."

                "Tenchi!  Boy!" came a voice from on top of the hill. 

"Hurry up!  You're late!"

                Tenchi smiled warmly, and gently hugged Ryoko,

rubbing her back.  "It's okay.  It's probably nothing, so don't

worry about it," he said, giving her a tender squeeze.  "Let's go

practice.  That'll help take your mind off of it," he added, trying to

pull away, but he found that Ryoko was holding onto him more

tightly than usual, as if it were the last time she'd hold him,

forever.  "Ryoko?"

                "Just let me hold you for another minute," she whispered,

feeling a little better, but unable to shake that nagging feeling.

                Tenchi sighed and looked toward the top of the hill,

seeing the wizened man standing there, waiting for him.  He put up

his hand to signal that he knew he was there, and that he'd be there

in a few moments.  Watching his grandfather walk off into the

forest, he continued to hold his fiancée, and feeling the love

emanating from her like a radiant blaze of fire.

                "I love you, Tenchi," Ryoko whispered, turning her head

to kiss him on the cheek.  "I will always love you and I will always

be with you, no matter what."

                Tenchi chuckled quietly, and turned his head to face her,

gently resting his lips on hers.  Breaking the kiss a moment later,

he smiled.  "I love you too, Ryoko.  Now, and forever."

                Silently, they separated, and slowly made their way up the

hill to the training grounds.

                Glancing at her curiously, Tenchi scratched the back of

his head.  "I'm… sorry about what I said earlier," he admitted,

sheepishly.  "I had no idea you felt like that, and I have to admit, it

was starting to feel weird."

                Ryoko looked at him and smiled.  "It's okay, Tenchi.  But

now you know how I feel, so it shouldn't feel so weird anymore,

right?"

                "Well, if you wouldn't mind, why don't we try to cut

back on it a little?  It would give it more meaning in that case."

                "More meaning?" she asked, confused.

                "We'll cherish the moment even more when we don't do

it as frequently," Tenchi explained.  "The last thing I want to do is

wear it out."

                Looking forward, as she floated beside Tenchi, ascending

the mountain together, she shrugged her shoulders.  "If that's what

you want, Tenchi."

                "Hey, come on.  It's not like we won't be doing it ever

again," Tenchi said, looking down the pathway to his training

ground, but he stopped moving forward.  "It's just that we won't

be doing it as often.  It wears me out at night."

                "Not me," Ryoko said, looking dejected.

                Tenchi chuckled.  "I know.  But anyway, I'm surprised

Aeka got her way with Russ," he said, starting down the pathway

to where his grandfather was waiting for him.

                Ryoko grinned.  "I knew she would.  I could almost smell

it from her whenever I got near her."

                Looking at her curiously, Tenchi shrugged his shoulders. 

"I never smelled anything.  Must be something that you can

sense."

                "Maybe, but Aeka and Russ sure did seem a lot different

today, didn't they?"

                "Now that you mention it, yes," Tenchi agreed.  "They

seemed more comfortable with each other and showing signs of

affection between each other."

                "It's about time," Katsuhito growled, watching both

Tenchi and Ryoko emerge from the forest.  "You're very late. 

What's your excuse?"

                "Sorry, grandpa.  I have no excuses," Tenchi said, looking

straight into his grandfather's amethyst eyes.

                Looking at him intensely, Katsuhito produced two bokken

from behind his back, and he tossed one to Tenchi, watching him

catch the blade easily.  Tenchi swung the blade around him a few

times, getting used to the feel again, and he took up his favorite

stance, ready to begin the training.

                "Do good, Tenchi!" Ryoko called, as she sat down on

Katsuhito's boulder.

                Not even flinching, Tenchi's gaze remained locked on his

grandpa's visage, patiently waiting for him to make the first move.

                Continuing to look at him, Katsuhito did something

completely unexpected.

                "Tenchi?" he began.

                His eyes widening for a moment, he remained still,

waiting for a sneak attack.  "Hmmm?"

                "You… know something," he muttered, lowering his

sword.

                Now completely baffled as to the wild change in behavior

toward his grandfather, Tenchi responded by lowering his sword as

well.  "What do I know?"

                "Tenchi, have you ever wondered why you train with a

sword?" he asked, looking dead serious, and very intimidating.

                "Sometimes.  I just take it as a way of life," Tenchi

responded, confused.  "Why?"

                "There is a reason you train, Tenchi," he told him, letting

the sunlight reflect off of his glasses.  "I will soon reveal the entire

reason of your training, and even your existence."

                "Stop talking in riddles, grandpa," Tenchi growled,

raising his sword again.  "What are you getting at?"

                "You will find out soon enough," he said, raising his own

bokken, ready to fight.  "Defend yourself!"

                Watching Katsuhito come at him with an intenseness

Tenchi had never seen before, except when he fought Kagato,

Tenchi put up his sword and prepared to go all out against his

grandfather.  Somehow, today, he knew that he was going to be in

for a major beating.

 

                "So, what was the outcome of everything, Zorph?"

                Standing on the bridge with Tom, Zorpheus looked out

beyond the hull of the Star Destroyer at the blue planet below him,

a large grin on his lips.

                "It couldn't have been better.  It was awesome," he

answered.

                "Seriously?  Russ and Aeka are now a thing?"

                Nodding his head, Zorpheus stood up proudly.  "After I

beat it into him," he chuckled.

                "No doubt," Tom replied, shaking his head.  "That's

wonderful.  I'm sure Russ is going to be a lot happier now with

someone like her at his side."

                "Yeah.  So, how have things been with ya, man?  I

haven't been around in a long time and I can see that you finally

got this behemoth operational.  It's pretty cool to cruise around in

something out of Starwars," Zorpheus said, glancing at Tom.  "I'm

surprised you went this far.  Russ and I are fanboys of a lot of

things, but this one takes the taco."

                Letting an amused smirk onto his lips, Tom chuckled

quietly.  "Things have been very well, thanks.  And yes, this ship

finally has most of the bugs worked out of it.  The people onboard

are very good at what they do, and they do the work without a

second thought.  It's almost like a dreamscape in comparison to

what we're used to on other planets.  No money and all that is

expected of you is a thirty-hour workweek, unless something needs

to be crunched.  Everybody is happy and satisfied onboard, at least,

as far as I can tell.  Nobody really complains about too much work

and nobody complains about boredom, plus we get to cruise the

galaxy and see a variety of new things.  Everything is provided for

the crew, and it's almost like paradise."

                Zorpheus shook his head, grinning.  "You're nuts.  I still

can't believe all of this, but it's cool.  I'm very happy that

everything has worked out for you and your crew.  So, how about

giving me a tour of this thing?" he asked, turning completely

toward Tom, who was still seated in the captain's chair.

                Shrugging his shoulders, Tom got up and stretched a

moment, letting out a contented groan.  "Sure, why not.  I usually

go around the whole ship several times a day to make sure

everything is progressing smoothly.  I really don't have a lot to do

since most everybody knows what to do, and they do it without

question," he explained, stepping into the lift, followed by

Zorpheus.  "When we arrived, there was a little bit of damage from

components overloading from the added stress of traveling so fast,

but the crew took care of the problem and made sure that these

particular mishaps wouldn't reoccur."

                "Sounds like you've got a great crew," Zorpheus said,

watching Tom press a button on the wall.

                "Deck two," he commanded, and then grinned.

                "Voice activation.  Sweet.  So tell me, where have you

been to lately?  Me, I've been all over the place, mainly

researching the Dragonballs.  I've been in stasis sleep for too long

and it gets irritating to travel from one end of the galaxy to the

other in such a cramped little pod.  Not to mention all the times

I've wanted to kill the onboard computer," he complained.  "But

the fighter you gave me will be much nicer, and I can get from one

end of the galaxy to the other in no time.  I really appreciate you

going to all the trouble to create the thing."

                "No problem," he answered, grinning, feeling the lift

come to a halt and watching the doors open.  "Come on, I'll show

you the holodeck and the game room."  Stepping out of the lift, he

made his way into a busy corridor, surrounded in computer

consoles.  Up on the ceiling, several warning lights hung down,

looking remarkably like railroad lights.  Several feet further, two

turrets were mounted to the ceiling, currently powered down. 

Several aliens were hustling about, taking care of whatever

business they had going for themselves, but each of them stopped,

saluted Tom, acknowledged Zorpheus, and then hurried on their

way.

                "This is freaking COOL!  You have turbolasers on the

inside of the ship too?" he asked, pointing at the turrets.

                Tom nodded.  "Yes.  They're fully automated and will

target anyone who isn't registered onboard this ship if I set the

alarm to red alert status.  They arm themselves and remain silent

until it's too late.  Then they open fire and paste whatever was in

its sights.  I figured that someone might try to board this ship at

some point in time, so I took the necessary precautions.  There is

also a turbolaser in every room, just in case they figure they can

avoid them by crawling into someone's quarters," he explained. 

"They also have a stun setting, so if a spy gets onboard, I can have

the turrets stun him so we can collect him later, for interrogation."

                "You went overboard, dude," Zorpheus said, admiring all

the computer systems.  "I'm curious though, what levels of alert

status do you have, anyway?"

                "Three levels, actually," Tom said, pointing to the

hanging lights.  "Those flash back and forth in either red, yellow,

or blue, depending on what status I set the ship to.  Red alert is

obvious, which usually occurs when we're under attack, or

preparing for an attack, and we need everybody at the exterior

turrets.  Yellow alert is a precautionary measure, usually when we

go in somewhere, but want everybody to be prepared in case

something does happen.  Blue alert was really intended for landing

on a planet."

                "Sounds like you took the alarm system straight out of

Startrek," Zorpheus said, grinning.  "You did, didn't you?"

                "Guilty as charged," Tom answered, stopping in front of

the holodeck doors.  "Come on in here.  I think you'll like this

place."

                "Ahhh!  You have a holodeck?!  Oh my god, this is

radical!  What can I do in here?" he said, looking at the yellow

gridlines on the floor, walls, and ceiling.

                "Nearly anything.  Russ has used it once or twice to train

against anime characters," Tom said, trying to keep from laughing. 

"He put himself up against Lina Inverse and Gourry from The

Slayers, Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry from Saber Marionette J,

Ryoko from Real Bout High School, Vaughn from Escaflowne,

Ranma, Ryoga, Akane, Moose, Shampoo, Cologne and Happosai

from Ranma ½, and many others.  He usually goes against the

main character while everybody else watches, drawing oooh's and

ahhh's from everyone who watches him.  He finds it fun to just

stomp a mudhole into each of them without putting in any effort. 

It's funny to watch sometimes."

                Zorpheus smiled and shook his head.  "That's Russ,

alright.  He loves playing the hero, but sometimes he likes playing

the bad guy too.  Can we test this out?"

                "Sure.  What would you like to do?" Tom asked, folding

his arms over his massive chest.

                Closing his eyes a moment, Zorpheus considered his

options.  After a moment, his eyes opened slowly while a sinister

grin crept onto his lips.  "I want to meet Belldandy," he requested,

watching Tom raise his eyebrow.

                "From Oh My Goddess, right?  Sure, we can do that.  Is

there any special circumstance that you'd like to have set up for

them?" he said.

                "Well, lets see," Zorpheus mumbled, rubbing his chin

thoughtfully.  "I'd like to be a hero in this one.  Make Belldandy

and her sisters' fight against a very powerful enemy.  I know

Belldandy has enough power to destroy a planet, but I don't

believe she has much more power than that.  Frankly, in

comparison to both Russ and myself, she's a pushover."

                "Anybody, in comparison to you two, is a pushover,"

Tom sneered, glaring at Zorpheus.  "I assume you want Keiichi in

it too?"

                Zorpheus nodded, satisfied.  "Yeah, put him in it

somewhere.  He won't be doing anything, though.  Anyway, I'll

jump in when I think they've given up, or after they've been

beaten down.  I can't wait to see the looks on their faces when I

step in front of them and totally blow away their enemy."

                "That's exactly what Russ looks for.  I guess it fuels his

ego or something," Tom mumbled, shaking his head.  Moving over

to a control panel, he keyed in all the parameters of the

battleground, the characters, and the enemy.

                "So how is this going to work?"

                Tom looked up from the controls at Zorpheus.  "Well, the

safety will be on, but I can turn it off if you want.  The thing that

worries me is having you accidentally blow a hole in the wall with

a beam of yours," he said, concerned.

                "If the actual attacks are nothing more than a lightshow,

then there will be no problem.  My attack will simply disburse

once it hits the exterior wall," Zorpheus explained, starting to

loosen up for a round of exercise.

                "Well, try to keep from firing beams.  Are you ready?"

                Nodding, Zorpheus stepped off toward one of the walls,

and then turned.  "I don't want them seeing me yet, so I'll stand

over here."

                "The cool thing about the holodeck is that you can

literally walk a mile and never touch any of the walls.  The scene

moves with you, so you can be as close or as far away from the

battle as you like."

                "Sweet!" Zorpheus said, looking very excited.  "C'mon, I

want to try this thing."

                "Switching unit on!!!" Tom roared, disappearing from

view.

                Instantly, Zorpheus stood next to a massive school

building, labeled Nikomi Technical Institute.  It was mid-day, and

there were many people hustling about, but there were many of

them running in terror away from the parking lot, where a man was

floating in mid-air, unleashing fireballs at the hysterical people. 

Explosions rocked the ground as Zorpheus placed his hand against

the building to steady himself, looking at everything in awe. 

Everything looked perfectly realistic and it felt real as well.  The

shockwaves from the explosions swept his hair back, and it made

Zorpheus grin in amazement and thrill.

                The detail of the man was incredible.  He almost looked

like the devil himself.  Horns protruded from his skull and pointed

skyward, and they were pitch black, but textured like scales.  His

blue cape billowed out behind him, and he had a goatee for facial

hair.  Muscles were apparent on him, but they were rather small. 

However, the demon appeared to be very powerful, as he

effortlessly trashed the area around him.  But, in Zorpheus's eyes,

he was a pushover.  He knew that if he released a ball of the same

size, the entire city block would've been nothing more than a

crater.

                "This is just too frickin cool," he said to himself, seeing

Belldandy run out of the school, followed closely by Keiichi. 

Feeling his jaw drop, he quickly shook his head, trying to

concentrate on something else, but failing.  "Aw man, she looks

even better here than in the anime.  I wonder if Tom can set up

something more intimate with her."

                A few moments later, both Skuld and Urd joined her,

racing in on Urd's broomstick.  They both landed next to

Belldandy, and a moment later, all three of them changed into their

combat clothing.

                Wiping the drool from the bottom of his chin, Zorpheus

continued to spy at them from the corner of the building. 

However, one pedestrian who was running away from the parking

lot stopped and yelled at him to get away from the scene, but

Zorpheus just glared at him and motioned for him to get away. 

Turning his attention back to the three girls, he saw them argue

with the demon for a few moments, until the battle started.

                Urd recited one of her famous spells, as the sky darkened

and thunder rumbled in the forefront.  A second later, a massive

lightning bolt shot out of the clouds overhead, directly on target,

but the bolt was stopped just inches above the demon's head, as he

had put a shield up around himself.  Her eyes widening in

disbelief, she clenched her fists and prepared to go all out.

                Belldandy summoned a large ball of energy in between

her hands, and once it was ready, she flung it at the demon, who

simply deflected the ball away, letting it fizzle out.  Looking

completely stunned and taken aback, she backpedaled toward

Keiichi, who was cheering her on.

                Skuld released nearly a dozen of her little bombs, all of

which exploded on or near the demon, but once the smoke cleared,

he remained unscathed, and he started laughing, taunting the

goddesses further.

                Continuing to watch the goddesses' futile attempts to

harm the beast, Zorpheus began shaking with anticipation.  "It is

no wonder Russ loves this.  The detail and everything else in here

is so awesome."

                The demon summoned up a large amount of power and

released it at the three goddesses, but all three of them put up a

massive barrier around themselves and strained to hold back the

power of the beast.  However, they wavered slightly, as they all

concentrated on keeping themselves, and Keiichi, alive.

                In the sky above, the clouds parted and began swirling

around an opening, as a huge, white ball of energy exploded from

the heavens, heading directly toward the demon.  However, he saw

it coming, and he discontinued his fight against the sisters,

redirecting all of his power toward the ball, launched by Peorth

back in Heaven.  The ball stopped just above him, and everybody

could see him straining against the awesome energy of the blast,

but his face contorted into an incredible amount of rage as the ball

changed direction and headed back out into space.

                Belldandy, Urd, and Skuld all watched the spectacle in

horror, as they slowly backed away from the demon, who looked

worn out, but ready to continue.

                Zorpheus watched Belldandy grab a hold of Keiichi,

squeezing him tightly, and beginning to cry.  Urd and Skuld looked

very distraught, holding their staffs at the ready, but unsure as to

what they were going to do.

                Running out from behind the building and zanzokening in

front of the group, Zorpheus looked up at the demon, who regarded

him with a look of mixed contempt and surprise.

                "And now it's my turn," he growled.

                "Get away!" Belldandy yelled, surprised that a man had

appeared in front of her.  "You'll be killed!"

                Turning around and getting a close-up of her, Zorpheus

did his best to keep from ogling her and drooling.  Recovering a

moment later, he shook his head and grinned, flexing his arms

around his t-shirt.  "Not to worry, sweetie.  I've got this one

covered."

                "Are you nuts!?" Urd yelled, amazed that someone didn't

even seem to care that they, the goddesses of light and good,

seemed to be defeated.  "Who do you think you are?!  Muscles or

no muscles, you don't have the power needed to beat him!"

                Grinning, Zorpheus raised his power to the point where

his blue aura began to burn around him, and the looks on the three

faces of the goddesses was more than enough to give him a

tremendous ego boost.  "My grandma could beat this guy.  Just sit

back and let the pro handle it."

                "But, you're not a god!" Skuld yelled, as she started

freaking out.

                Zorpheus shook his head.  "No, I'm not a god.  I'm

mortal, just like Keiichi there," he said, pointing his finger at the

young man.

                "How did you know my name?!" Keichi yelled,

bewildered.  "I've never seen you before in my life!"

                "I know all four of you," Zorpheus said, grinning. 

"Belldandy, Urd, Skuld, and you, Keiichi.  Let's just say I'm a fan. 

A very powerful, very sexy fan who's about to cook himself some

Devil Ham."  Turning around, he looked up at the demon, who was

in the process of summoning a massive amount of energy.

                "I don't know who you are or what you're doing here, but

you're in my way.  NOW DIE!" he yelled, releasing a huge,

extremely powerful ball of energy toward the group, causing the

ground to tremble in its wake.

                Belldandy, Skuld, and Keiichi all screamed in terror, as

Belldandy and Keichi latched onto each other and closed their

eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

                "I love you, Kei!" she screamed, letting the tears pour out

of her eyes.

                Zorpheus could hear the girls and Keiichi screaming

behind him as he put his hand out in front, letting the blast slam

into it.  Surprisingly, it took quite a bit of strength to hold back the

hologram, and Zorpheus slid back about a foot.

                Wondering what had happened, Belldandy, Skuld, and

Keiichi all opened their eyes and stared at the saiyan in

astonishment, as he held the ball back with only one hand.  Urd's

eyes were wider than they had ever been.

                "Impossible," Belldandy whispered, watching Zorpheus

send the ball straight back at the demon, as if it were nothing. 

"That's impossible!"

                "I don't believe it," Urd whispered, dumbfounded.  "How

can a mortal have that much power?"

                Zorpheus disappeared from where he was standing, in the

blink of an eye.  All three girls and Keichi looked around for him,

but heard the demon shout in surprise.  As they looked up, they

saw Zorpheus only a mere inch away from the beast, with a huge

grin on his face.  Clapping his hands together, he brought his fists

over his head and swung them down on the top of the devil's head,

sending him careening down to the ground, where he impacted,

shaking the Earth and making a large crater.

                "How…" Belldandy said, her face showing nothing but

total astonishment, bewilderment, and surprise.  "I don't

understand this at all!"

                "I don't either, sis, but at least he appears to be on our

side.  Almighty help us if he isn't," Urd said, never taking her eyes

off of Zorpheus, who remained in the sky.

                "What's going on here?" said a voice off to their side.

                All three goddesses and Keiichi snapped their heads in the

voices direction, and again, gasped in surprise.  Standing there,

dressed in a purple karate gi, was Russ.  He had his arms folded

over his chest while he watched what Zorpheus was doing.

                "Who are you?" Belldandy asked, dumbfounded.

                Turning his attention toward her, Russ smiled and nodded

his head.  "I'm Russ.  It's a pleasure to meet you, Bell," he greeted.

                "You know me too?" she asked, worried.  "How is this

possible?"

                Russ continued to smile as he looked at her, Keiichi,

Skuld, and Urd.  "I'm sorry, but it's difficult to explain, so don't be

concerned about it," he said, looking skyward.  "Hey Zorph!  What

ARE you doing up there?"

                Glancing downward, Zorpheus's face instantly turned red,

as he returned to the ground, landing several feet in front of Russ. 

He scratched the back of his head and laughed, clearly

embarrassed.  "I'm hanging my laundry up to dry.  What does it

look like?" he answered.

                "So I see.  I take it Tom is giving you the grand tour, and

your first stop was the holodeck, eh?"

                "What's a holodeck?" Belldandy asked, listening in on

their conversation.  Skuld and Urd kept quiet, but couldn't help but

admire their incredibly huge muscles.  They didn't look anything

like Tamiya or Otaki, as they were far more handsome and

defined.

                "It's a room where…" Zorpheus began to say, but Russ

cupped his hand over his mouth, turned toward the girls, and then

laughed.

                "Just watch Startrek, and you'll know," Russ explained.

                "What's Startrek?" she asked.

                Zorpheus glared at Russ.  "We all bow to you, Russ, god

of the clueless, for voicing an answer the audience can all clearly

understand," he proclaimed in a mock-fanfare.

                "Oh, shut up," Russ returned, getting irritated.  "Go finish

your fight and then let's get out of here."

                "YOU can go, but Tom has to finish giving me the tour,"

Zorpheus shot back, annoyed.

                Russ shook his head.  "Whatever.  But that… whatever it

is over there is getting back to his feet," Russ indicated, pointing at

the devil.

                "Ooops, forgot about him," Zorpheus said, placing his

palm outward, getting ready to charge up a blast.

                "Don't do that!  You'll put a hole in the wall!" Russ

hissed, watching the glow disappear.

                Rolling his eyes, Zorpheus squatted down in a sprinting

position, just as the monster got back to his feet.  "Fine.  I'll do it

the boring way," he said, vanishing from sight.  He reappeared in

front of the demon and brought his glowing fist up straight into the

demon's body, causing a huge explosion, which rocked the floor

and rattled the walls.  After the noise quieted down, he approached

the group with a smug look on his face.

                "Piece of cake," Zorpheus said, grinning at Belldandy.  "I

have to go, ladies, but I hope to see you again soon."

                "Hey wait!  Just who are you guys?" she asked, but it was

too late.  The entire area became wavy for a moment, and then

faded back to the yellow gridlines.

                "That was so god damned cool, Tom," Zorpheus said,

smiling.  "Is there a way for you to set up something rather…

intimate with any character I want?"

                "Oh gross," Russ said, rolling his eyes.  "You want to

screw a hologram now?"

                "Why not?" he returned, letting a sly grin remain on his

face.  "She looks real, she's hot as hell, and it could be a hell of a

lot of fun!"

                "But… it's a hologram!" Russ objected, flustered.

                "So what?  Beats masturbating.  Don't tell me you never

thought about doing it."

                "Uh, guys?" Tom said, standing nearby, looking annoyed. 

"Enough already.  So, what brings you back, Russ?"

                "I just came back up here to retrieve my fighter.  That's

all," he replied, watching Tom move over to them.

                "Ahhh, okay.  No problem, as long as you don't try

running off again," Tom growled, glaring at Russ.  "You caused a

lot of…"

                "I don't want to hear it, and I'm not going to run off,"

Russ interrupted.  "I'm sorry all of that happened, but you did

attack me first."

                "And you KNOW why we attacked you," Tom replied.

                Russ rolled his eyes, annoyed.  "Whatever.  I'm getting

my fighter and going home.  I'm probably going to have a long day

tomorrow, especially when Aeka's father arrives.  Ugh."

                Tom watched Russ for a moment, and grinned.  "Yeah. 

That guy is one of the most arrogant people I've ever seen.  He

barely paid any attention to either you or I while we were there that

time for dinner.  It's so hard to believe that HE's Aeka and

Sasami's father."

                "Tell me about it," Russ muttered, making his way toward

the door.  "And if I become more involved with Aeka, he's going

to be my father in law!"

                Both Zorpheus and Tom shuddered, as they followed him

out of the holodeck, making their way to the hanger bay.

                "I'll slap him around a little for ya, Russ," Zorpheus

invited.  "If he thinks he can separate you two, he's got another

thing coming."

                "It's better if you don't get involved, but thanks for the

offer," Russ replied, looking straight ahead.  "No need for you to

make enemies out of one of mine."

                "I already did that when I promised Aeka that I'd get rid

of him for her," Zorpheus replied, quietly.  "She seemed very upset

that her father was coming, and being the nice guy that I am, I

promised her that I'd help keep you two together."

                Russ glanced over at Zorpheus, his face blank, but it

slowly morphed into a happy smile.  "Thanks man.  That must've

surprised her."

                "I owe you a lot, especially after what I did last week,"

Zorpheus responded, shaking his head.  "So don't worry about it. 

Besides, I want a chance to scare the crap out of him."

                "And Tom, don't get involved either.  At the moment,

you're on pretty good terms with Jurai, and the last thing I'd want

to see is for you to start a fight with them," Russ said, glancing

back at Tom, who kept pace behind the two saiyans.

                Tom kept himself quiet, crossed his fingers behind his

back, and nodded his head, knowing full well that no matter what

happened, he'd never abandon his friends in their time of need.

 

                Aeka, sitting quietly outside of the Misaki home, rested

comfortably on the porch, feeling the warm air wash over her skin,

listening to the crickets chirp their nightly chorus, and breathing

the fresh, mountain air, all of which filled her with a sense of

peace.  The moon shone down, illuminating the landscape in its

pale radiance, outlining the tops of the trees that swayed gently in

the breeze, rustling quietly.  There wasn't a cloud in the sky,

letting all the stars shine down upon her, captivating Aeka with

their beauty.  It was very quiet, aside from the rustling trees, and

very serene.

                Sighing softly to herself, Aeka let a small grin creep onto

her lips as she wrapped her arms around her body, awaiting Russ's

return.  Allowing her mind to drift, she thought back to the night

before, and almost instantly began to blush, completely

overwhelmed by all the sensations she had felt, and wanted to feel

again.  Strangely enough, it was a little painful for her, but Russ

was very careful and gentle, and it just made the whole experience

wonderful.  Smiling a little wider, she considered telling her father

just so she could see the look on his face.  She knew she was

protected from him, as her trust in Russ was total, absolute, and

unwavering.  He was the only man for her, and she was one

hundred percent certain of it.

                Feeling another light gust of wind, she raised her face into

it, taking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, feeling perfectly

relaxed and carefree.  The one thing she wished for, the one thing

she wanted more than anything, and the one thing that almost

seemed impossible, had finally come true, and it felt good.  Bliss

could only describe how she felt.

                However, even though everything that had happened

occurred in her favor, the one final obstacle would take place

tomorrow, and she knew something bad was probably going to

happen.  Even though her father insisted he knew what was best

for his daughter, she had a mind of her own as well, and she

decided that it was time to do what she wanted.  And she was

bound and determined to let her father know that as well.  Already

knowing he was probably going to fly off the hook, she knew that

both Russ and Zorpheus wouldn't let anything happen.  There is no

way that her father could tear her away from him.  There was just

absolutely, positively, no way in hell that he could take her away

from him.  But there was still that nagging feeling in the back of

her mind.

                Thinking back to Tenchi, she remembered how tired and

worn out he looked over the past couple of days when he had come

down to visit Russ and herself.  There were a lot of times when he

looked that way, but something was different about it during the

past few days.  He actually came in with a lot of bumps and bruises

from his sword practice, and it made her wonder what her brother

was doing to his grandson.  She had asked him on one particular

occasion when Tenchi looked really tired, but he just smiled and

said not to worry about it, and to only worry about Russ.  He then

told her that his grandfather had really been hard on him during his

last training session, and because of that, Ryoko, and the chores

around the house, he just felt completely worn out and tired.  But it

was strange.  He almost never came back with as many welts on

him as he had been for the last couple of days.  Was her brother

training him for something?

                Resting back on her hands, she debated on having a talk

with her brother, but it was already late at night, and she just felt

too comfortable to get up and go see him.  Deciding to talk to him

tomorrow about it, she closed her eyes, sighed softly, and looked

up at the moon, thinking it looked like a ball of cheese.  Giggling

quietly to herself, she shook her head and took in another deep

breath, letting it out in a tired, but contented yawn.

                Hearing the door slide open behind her, Aeka didn't turn

around, and a moment later, heard the door click shut again. 

Feeling the porch vibrate with each footstep, she turned her head to

look at the intruder.

                "Mind if I join you?" Ryoko asked, smiling down at her,

her golden, feral eyes glistening brightly in the moonlight.  She

was dressed in a casual summer t-shirt, leaving her stomach

exposed, with a pair of cut-off shorts.  She looked extremely

enticing and beautiful, not to mention sexy.  Closing her eyes and

smiling, she patiently waited for Aeka's response.

                "I don't mind," she answered softly, looking away and

toward the lake.  Feeling the vibration of Ryoko sitting down next

to her, she heard the pirate yawn and stretch herself, getting

comfortable.

                "Thanks.  It was getting a little stuffy in there," Ryoko

said, keeping her voice low, trying to keep the sense of tranquility

and pureness around her.

                "Mmmm…" Aeka moaned softly, not really interested. 

All that she wanted at the moment was to see Russ come swooping

down from the clouds to take her in his arms again.

                "Are you thinking about tomorrow?" Ryoko asked,

noticing that Aeka was off in her own little world.

                Aeka shook her head and smiled.  "No, not really.  I'm

not worried about anything that could happen.  Russ and Zorph

will take care of everything."

                "You're putting a lot of trust in Zorpheus, especially after

what he did to you," Ryoko responded, looking toward the lake.  "I

don't think I'd ever trust him.  I don't trust him now."

                "I don't really trust him, but I believe in my little sisters

judgment.  That's why I kind of believe Zorpheus.  He seems nice

enough, anyway."

                "He's arrogant and a jerk at times," Ryoko returned,

narrowing her eyes at the moon.  "But he's considerably different

from Russ.  They're like oil and water, but they get along very

well.  It's weird."

                "Yeah," Aeka sighed.  "They argue a lot over their

opinions, but they always manage to agree on something.  It's kind

of like you and I."

                "Well, they haven't blown the house up yet," Ryoko

giggled, glancing over at the princess to see if she found it funny

too.

                "Maybe later."  Again looking to the stars, she could feel

her eyes getting heavy as she let out another yawn.  "I should go in

soon.  I'm really tired tonight."

                "The first time always wears you out," Ryoko said,

grinning.  "So how was it?"

                Aeka glared at Ryoko and shook her head.  "That's none

of your business," she said, haughtily.

                "Come on!  You know you want to talk about it.  And I

also know you're waiting for him to come home so you can do it

again."

                "Ryokooooo!" Aeka growled, getting angry.  "I'm not

about to tell YOU or anybody else anything.  It's none of your

business."

                Still grinning, Ryoko put up her hands submissively. 

"Okay, okay.  Could you at least tell me if you enjoyed it or not?"

                "What do YOU think?" she shot back, turning away just

as her face began to blush.

                "I bet it hurt a lot," Ryoko said, looking at the moon,

admiring the tens of thousands of craters on the surface.

                "No, not that much," she responded quietly, embarrassed.

                "Really?  My first time hurt like hell.  I bled everywhere

and it stung for a couple of days afterwards," Ryoko said,

remembering the first time Kagato raped her.  "Of course, that

didn't stop him at all."

                "I'm sorry for everything you went through, Ryoko, but

that's your business."

                "I don't mind talking about it now.  At least I have

someone to share it with," Ryoko said, smiling at Aeka.

                Looking at her rival for a moment, she allowed herself to

relax, and she too began to smile.  "Thanks, Ryoko.  I never

imagined that we'd ever become friends."

                "It had to happen sometime.  Tenchi wouldn't have it any

other way."

                Letting her smile melt into a frown, Aeka thought about

that for a moment.  "So you're saying you're only nice to me to

please Tenchi?"

                Looking surprised, Ryoko shook her head.  "Maybe at

first, but once we got used to each other, it became a lot easier to

like you.  We both enjoy a lot of the same things and we have

some stuff in common, so it's no surprise.  I'd like to think of you

as my one and only true friend, Aeka.  You've been there for me

during the last few years, even though we rarely saw eye to eye.  I

really cherish that."

                "I… understand now," Aeka said, surprised at yet another

revelation that Ryoko kept to herself.  "Even though I still disagree

with some of the ways you handle situations, I too enjoy your

company, and I think of you as my friend."

                "Same here."

                Sitting quietly, both girls listened to the rustling of the

leaves from the forest as the light breeze moved the air around

them.  It was almost eleven o'clock at night, and Russ had been

gone for quite a while already.  Patiently awaiting his return, Aeka

sighed to herself, feeling lonely and apart from him.

                "Russ must've been pretty good," Ryoko began, grinning. 

"You can't wait to go at it again, can't you?"

                "Would you cut that out?" Aeka said, mildly annoyed. 

"What I do with him is none…"

                "Of my business," Ryoko finished for Aeka.  "Yeah,

yeah, I know.  But you've been sitting out here for the past half

hour looking at the sky and sighing to yourself every minute. 

You'd think he was gone for a week," Ryoko teased.

                "Look who's talking.  You barely left Tenchi alone for

five minutes a day for a very long time," Aeka retorted.  "You

couldn't stand to be apart from him, and I'm no different."

                Ryoko smiled.  "I know.  I'm happy for you, Aeka.  He's

a perfect match for you."

                Now smiling herself, Aeka looked over at Ryoko, and

nodded her head.  "Yes.  He's absolutely perfect.  If he weren't, I

would've never fallen for him.  And he didn't even have to try.  I

was his almost at first sight.  Originally, it was because I was alone

and desperate, but now, it's because I sincerely love him.  I'm glad

he came into our lives."

                "Do you think you would ever be unhappy, Aeka?  Do

you ever worry about him?"

                "I really haven't thought about that.  Why should I,

really?  I do expect there to be bumps in our lives, but I believe

we'll work it out together.  That's part of being in a relationship. 

When you accept someone, you accept both their good and their

bad.  And I'm willing to spend the rest of my life with him, and

that's all that matters to me.  And as far as worrying about him…

why would I worry about the universe's strongest man?  He can

take care of himself and me.  I don't question it, and I never will."

                Looking at her in amazement, Ryoko smiled and shook

her head.  "I almost envy you, Aeka.  Almost.  Tenchi is someone

who I've obsessed over ever since I laid eyes on him, and I too

expect there to be rough weather ahead for the two of us, but I

believe we'll stick it out together.  I will stay with him until I die,

and I mean that."

                "Same here."

                Both girls fell silent and turned their attention to their

surroundings once again, feeling at peace with themselves. 

Yawning in tandem, they turned toward each other and giggled,

feeling very happy and contented.

                "Life is good," Ryoko said, quietly, taking in a deep

breath and letting it out slowly, relishing the excellent weather.

                "Yes," Aeka said, glancing over at her once rival.  "Yes."

                Both girls looked skyward at the millions of stars that

twinkled before them, and admiring the sheer vastness of the

universe.

                "Hey, look there," Ryoko said, pointing at two stars that

appeared to be moving slightly.

                "That must be Russ and Zorpheus," Aeka said, leaning

back to get a better view.  "It's about time.  He kept me waiting far

too long."

                "Down, Aeka.  He'll be here very soon, and then you can

do this and that up in his room," Ryoko teased again, watching

Aeka's face go to pure shock, until she started laughing in good

humor.

                "Enough, Ryoko.  I'm not a little girl anymore.  Frankly, I

can't wait to tell my father what I did.  He's going to explode."

                "I don't think your mom or Aunt Funaho would approve

very much either," Ryoko reminded her.

                "Actually, I think they'll be thrilled.  According to Jurai

Tradition, once we've selected whom we want to be with, we are

free to do as we please with them, even if we haven't officially

been married yet.  The marriage thing is just a formality."

                "Seriously?" Ryoko said, stunned.

                Letting a sly grin on her face, she shook her head.  "No. 

In reality, the Princess is supposed to remain untainted and

untouched until the day after she has been married.  I just broke

sacred law and if my parents ever found out, especially my father,

I'd probably be exiled.  But you know what?  I couldn't care less at

this point.  I'm happy here and frankly, I don't want to rule the

empire my parents have built.  I want to live a simple life with

Russ, as I love the way my life has been for the past several years

that I've been here.  I don't want to have to deal with the stress that

my parents do.  I want to live a carefree life with the man I love."

                Ryoko sat in amazement, completely blown away.  "You

really surprise me, Aeka.  When you first arrived, you held onto

your Jurian traditions as if nothing else mattered.  And now you

just threw it out the window last night.  What made you do that?"

                "A combination of things, but mainly Russ.  He's

incredibly handsome, kind, and gentle, and I wanted to make love

to him since Christmas, especially after he had done what he did

for all of us.  Tradition kept telling me that I was making a huge

mistake, but after the way my father disapproved over my two

personal choices, I decided that I was going to do what I wanted

for once.  I'm young and I look at what other people have done

because of their freedom of choice, and most of them are very

happy, but while I was on Jurai, I wasn't happy.  I was tired and

depressed because of all the rubbish my father was putting me

through, like sending me to those marriage meetings.  I hated those

things.  It was going door to door and shopping for a husband, and

picking the one I liked.  But the thing was, I never expected

someone to actually find me.  But the strangest thing was neither

person wanted to become involved.  I guess that is what intrigued

me."

                "Those guys you saw during the marriage meetings all

wanted to become your bride, and they could've offered you so

much more.  Did you ever believe that any one of them was being

sincere with their offerings?" Ryoko asked, curious.

                "No.  They all felt fake and scripted, as if they planned

out everything they were going to say and do.  It was boring and

irritating.  None of them presented any kind of challenge.  But

when Russ arrived and said he wasn't interested, I couldn't help

but feel surprised.  I was almost used to people lusting after me,

and when he didn't do that, it piqued my interest in him, and the

same thing had happened with Tenchi.  But everything that they

did had come from their own hearts and their own minds, and they

didn't put up any kind of front to fool me, and that's what made

me interested in the both of them."

                "It was Tenchi's kindness that lured me to him, hook,

line, and sinker.  It was something that I had almost never

experienced, and he was the first to show me true friendship.  It

was all that I needed.  It sounds so simple, but it was the only

quality I had looked for.  Plus he isn't all that bad looking.  I'm

kind of surprised you went for such a beefcake," Ryoko added,

snickering.

                Smiling contentedly, Aeka looked up at the stars again,

seeing two extremely bright ones directly overhead.  "Looks like

they're almost home," Aeka said, pointing skyward.

                "Yeah.  I can't hear them yet, but we will soon enough. 

But seriously, Aeka, I really hope everything works out tomorrow

for you.  I'm there for you if anything should go wrong."

                "I know.  Thank you, Ryoko.  Zorpheus had said the same

thing, and it makes me feel very good to know I have the best of

friends," Aeka said, softly.

                "Anytime, Aeka," Ryoko said, faintly hearing the roar of

both fighters hurtling through the atmosphere.  "I can hear them

now.  I think it's going to get quite loud down here in a couple

minutes.  But anyway," she said, standing up and stretching.  "I'm

glad we talked.  I'm going to go in and flirt with my Tenchi.  See

you tomorrow, Aeka."

                "Goodnight, Ryoko," Aeka said, nodding, and giving her

a warm smile.  "See you tomorrow."

                Ryoko nodded her head, slid the door back, and after she

walked through it, let the door close behind her.  Aeka could just

barely make out the thumping of her feet as she walked inside,

until it faded away altogether.

                Sitting back on her hands, she patiently waited for Russ

and Zorpheus to make their landing.

 

                "Whew.  It sure feels hot in here," Russ mumbled to

himself, awake after a very restful night of peaceful slumber. 

Somehow, he had managed to talk Aeka into staying in her room

with Sasami for the night, as he complained he felt very tired and

just wanted to do nothing except sleep.  The sun was now shining

in his face as he squinted at the brightness, feeling extraordinarily

warm.  Trying to sit up, he felt a weight pressing down on his

chest, preventing him from moving.

                "What the heck?" he muttered incoherently, rubbing the

sleep from his eyes.  Looking down on himself, focusing his eyes,

he couldn't help but stare in amazement.  Lying on his chest,

looking very comfortable and curled up into a ball next to him,

Aeka was sleeping soundly, her hair draped over the side of the

bed, dressed in her nightgown.

                Looking at her for another minute, a slow smile crept onto

his face as he lay back down on his pillow, shaking his head. 

"Well, that explains why I'm boiling over," he whispered to

himself.  Reaching down, he rested his hand on her back and

gently rubbed around her shoulders, caressing her awake.  After a

few minutes, she finally stirred and stretched herself out, groaning

quietly, letting her amethyst eyes open slowly, and allowing a

smile onto her lips.

                "Good morning, sleepyhead," she said, scooting up

toward the pillow and resting her head on his shoulder.  Leaning

over a little further, she kissed him on his cheek.  "How are you

feeling this morning?"

                "Hot," he answered, grinning.  "In more ways than one."

                "Oh?" she said, feeling satisfied.  "Is that so?"

                "Oh yeahhhhh."

                Giggling quietly, she gently rubbed her hand over his

broad chest, feeling the bumps of the many muscles that protruded

from his abs and chest, and feeling the intense heat radiating from

him.  "You really are hot."

                "Yeah.  I'm almost starting to sweat under here.  I'm

going to get up and take a shower.  That should cool me off a bit,"

Russ said, hoping that she'd get up, but to his dismay, she

remained where she was, watching him with her beautiful eyes and

smiling that gorgeous smile of hers.  "Um… Aeka?"

                "Hmmm?" she answered, pretending not to take the hint.

                "Well… ya know… I kind of have to get up to take a

shower," he said uneasily, feeling hotter by the minute.

                "So?"

                "Um, well, you're laying on me, and I can't get up with

you laying on me," he whined, looking desperate.  "I'm frying

here."

                Aeka started moving, but she crawled on top of him

instead, putting her face directly in front of Russ's, as she grinned

even wider.  "Why do you want to get up?"

                Feeling a rush of excitement, Russ tired his best to tone

himself down, but he was having a hard time doing so with a

woman as wonderful as her laying on him.  But remembering his

main mission, he grinned.  "I want to take a shower so I don't stink

for my lady," he answered, smiling slyly.

                "You don't stink," Aeka answered, working herself in

between Russ's legs, squirming from side to side, doing her best to

get him in the mood.  "But I think I know what else you'd like to

do."

                Feeling his jaw drop, Russ looked at her, flabbergasted,

unsure of what he should do.  Of course, he knew what he wanted

to do, but it was so early and it was so soon and it was just so…

so… exciting.  "We should really hold off on this for a while

longer," Russ objected, watching Aeka's face become riddled with

disappointment.  Grimacing a moment later, he reopened his eyes

and kissed her.  "It's not that we won't do it again, but it just

feels…"

                "Oh, shut up," Aeka said, pressing his arms to the bed and

kissing him forcefully.  "We'll have something that the Earthlings

call, 'a quickie,' okay?"

                "Oh good grief," Russ said, trying to keep himself from

laughing.  "I've created a monster."

                "Who's a monster?" she returned, lifting her body off of

Russ, kissing him on his neck, taking his skin within her teeth, then

biting down gently, feeling Russ's breath quicken for a moment. 

"Oooh, I think you liked that," she whispered.

                Feeling his body shudder for a moment, he caught his

breath, and then began worrying once again.  "With my luck, what

will happen now is someone will either knock on the door, or drop

from the roof to peep, or we'll just have Ryoko or Ryo-Ohki phase

through the door to catch us in the act," Russ said, looking

worried.

                "Makes it more exciting, don't you think?" Aeka said,

grinning, the fires of passion burning within her eyes and her heart.

                "You're bad," Russ teased, wrapping his arms around her

and pulling her close.  "Alright, but then I have to take a shower."

                "I knew you'd see it my way," Aeka said, descending

toward him.  "After this, we'll take a bath."

                "Oh no you don't," Russ said, looking extremely

concerned.  "I'm not setting foot…"

                "Yes you are," she interrupted, taking it in stride.  "You

don't want to make me upset now, do you?  Especially with my

parents arriving today?"

                "You're so manipulative," he said, grinning, and sighing

in defeat.  "You win."

                "Of course."

 

                The low rumble of the Emperor's personal cruiser

resonated throughout the main hall, on its final approach to Earth. 

Having already passed Mars, it was only a matter of time before

he'd arrive to retrieve his two daughters.  An entire fleet of tree

ships accompanied his cruiser, flying in perfect, geometric

formation.  Each warship was ready for battle if necessary, but for

the most part, they were there just for intimidation only.

                Asuza sat on his throne, flanked on either side by his

wives, as he overlooked the massive grounds below him. The

enormous spaceship tree stretched hundreds of meters over his

head, rooted into the base of the ship, which was also surrounded

by clear, pure Jurian water.  The babbling of the miniature river

sounded very relaxing, but unfortunately, Asuza had become used

to it, and had it since then lost its effect.

                "Now on final approach to Planet Earth," a voice echoed,

reverberating around the entire ship.  Nearly every person onboard

had stopped to look out the huge windows at the immense, blue

sphere of Terra.  Clouds could be seen everywhere in the

atmosphere, and somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean, they could see

a hurricane approaching Florida.  But for those who lived on a

beautiful planet such as Jurai, the people stood still for a moment,

watching the Earth in awe since it had a beauty all its own, tinted

in hundreds of thousands of hues of green, blue, white, gray, and

other colors.  The line of darkness and light was barely visible, as

it was in the distant East of the planet.

                Standing up silently, the Emperor slowly began making

his way down the pedestal steps, heading toward the front of the

ship.  Both of his wives looked at each other nervously, but they

too, got to their feet and followed the emperor, keeping silent. 

Misaki was having a hard time containing her excitement, as it was

time to see her two daughters once again.  Funaho was much more

calm, but concerned over what may transpire down on the surface.

                Stepping over to the transporter room, the three of them

were engulfed in brilliant, emerald light as they vanished from

within the ship and were transported to the surface of Earth.

                Sitting in the shadows, Tom and his crew kept a close eye

on the hundreds of vessels, watching, and waiting for when, and if,

they'd be needed.

 

                "NOT AGAIN!" Zorpheus roared, crushing something his

hands.  "Ahhh sh… uh… I can't believe this!"

                Sitting next to him and giggling uncontrollably, Sasami

watched Zorpheus take out his frustrations on the playstation

controller.

                Glaring at her, Zorpheus stuck out his tongue.  "You're so

darn cheap."

                Again, Sasami burst out in a fit of the giggles, tickled to

death that she beat Zorpheus for the tenth time in a row at Capcom

vs SNK.  "I'm sorry, Zorph.  I just play this game a lot is all."

                "Well, I do too, and I usually don't get wasted this badly. 

Usually I only get my butt kicked by Russ at Mortal Kombat!"

Zorpheus complained, still flustered.  "ONE MORE TIME!"

                "You want to lose again?" Sasami taunted.

                "I won't lose this time.  Gimme another playstation

controller and I'll show you cheap!"

                Sitting across the room, Tenchi and Ryoko watched the

two play their game on the TV, smiling that Sasami had found

another friend in Zorpheus.  However, be that as it may, they

wished that there were someone Sasami's age to play with aside

from Ryo-Ohki.

                Sighing quietly, Ryoko looked over at Tenchi and smiled,

contented to be near him.  For what seemed like the first time in

their lives, Tenchi didn't have anything to do for today, and

basically had the entire day off, and was willing to spend it with

her.  Leaning against him gently and taking his hand in hers, she

closed her eyes and laid her head on his shoulder, feeling safe and

sound.

                Glancing down at her, Tenchi chuckled quietly, watching

her smile grow from his own amusement.  He had a few things

planned out for today, but the thought of Aeka and Sasami's

parents arriving was enough to make him worry.  Feeling really

bad for Aeka, Tenchi shook his head, wondering why she had to

have it so rough.  Even though he was of noble blood like her, he

had absolutely no responsibility to the Jurian Empire, but he

remembered everything that Aeka told him. She explained what

was supposed to be done as the first princess, and what would've

been expected of him had he been the prince.  Shuddering at the

thought, Ryoko lifted her head and looked him in the eyes, a

worried expression on her visage.

                "Tenchi?" Ryoko whispered.  "Please don't worry. 

Aeka's parents have nothing to do with you this time."

                "I know," he sighed.  "But I just can't help but feel sorry

for Aeka.  She's been though so much and it still isn't over for her. 

She'd had a rough life, but the public would never know that. 

They have a façade that they hide behind and it keeps their private

lives to themselves.  But Aeka's life has been drug through hell

and high water."

                Ryoko looked away and toward the stairs, trying to

control the building anger that she felt toward Aeka's parents, but

in particular, her father.  Her mother and Funaho were casual and

calm enough, even though they were a little weird, but they paid

more attention to their daughter's feelings more so than he ever

did.  Living a live as she has, she never had any obligations, and

never had to take heed of anybody's advice if she didn't want to. 

There was never anybody around to tell her what was best for her

or guide her in the right direction, and the thought of being bossed

around sickened her.  The only person she vowed she'd ever listen

to, without a second thought, was Tenchi.

                The sound of a door opening nearby caught Ryoko and

Tenchi's attention as Washu stepped out of her lab, a frown on her

face.  Closing the door behind her, she looked at the couple at the

table and nodded once.

                "Good morning, Washu," Tenchi said, trying to smile. 

"How are you doing?"

                Shrugging her shoulders, Washu just had kind of a

nonchalant appearance about her.  "I'm kind of in a blah mood. 

I'm in one of those weird moods where I'm bored, but I have

things to do, but I don't want to do them.  I'm hungry, but I'm not

at the same time.  I guess I'm kind of annoyed too."

                "How come?" Tenchi asked, curious.  This was the first

time he had ever seen her agitated in such a way.

                "Frankly, I've had enough stress in the past week to last a

lifetime, and now Aeka's parents will be here in about ten seconds

to add to it all," she complained.  "I've had enough of this crap."

                "Are you serious?" Ryoko asked.  "Aeka's parents are

already here?"

                Washu nodded.  "The fleet is parked behind the moon to

avoid detection by the people.  They should be teleporting down

here in a few minutes."

                "Wonderful.  I'm in the mood to break someone's nose,"

Zorpheus muttered, eavesdropping from his position in front of the

TV.  "If I'm not mistaken, I can sense them approaching the front

door.  Heh.  I wonder what kind of reaction they'd get if I were the

one to answer it."

                A few moments later, the doorbell rang, causing silence to

fall over the group in the living room.  Everybody stayed in place

for a moment, unsure as to who was going to volunteer to answer

the door.

                Finally gathering up the nerve, Sasami got to her feet. 

"I'll go answer it.  Zorpheus, I'd go hide yourself for a little bit.  I

think a huge fight would break out if they saw you sitting in here."

                "Good idea," Zorpheus muttered, getting to his feet.  "I'll

go stash myself in Russ's room or something and come out with

him."

                Tenchi, Ryoko, and Washu remained silent as they

watched Sasami head toward the door and saw Zorpheus head up

the steps to Russ's room, all the while feeling their anxiety build.

                "Keep your fingers crossed that nothing happens," Tenchi

said, concerned.

                "How come you say that, Tenchi?  How does crossing

your fingers keep things from going bad?" Ryoko asked, confused. 

"You've said that a couple of times but I never knew what it

meant."

                "It's just an expression that symbolizes a hope for

everything to go the way you're hoping for," Tenchi explained,

trying to smile.

                "Oh.  I still don't get it, but…" she said, crossing her

fingers on both hands.  "I hope this works."

                Tenchi could help but chuckle at her innocence, as he

heard Sasami open the door and get glomped by her mother.  A

moment later, he heard the door slide open above him as Zorpheus

went to go into Russ's room, but it slammed shut a nanosecond

later, followed up by a muffled obscenity, and quickly amended by

an 'I'm sorry' about fifteen times

                "What the heck just happened up there?" Ryoko muttered,

hearing Zorpheus groan, then start laughing.

                "I have no idea," Tenchi said, looking up at the landing.

                A moment later, Zorpheus's head appeared over the

ledge, a large grin on his face.  "Well, that was REALLY bad

timing.  Russ and Aeka are screwing each other's brains out."

                Nobuyuki, who was seated on the couch, practically

invisible up to this point, perked up.  "I'll go get my camera!"

                "DAD!  That is a VERY bad idea, especially considering

who's on the other side of that door!" Tenchi hissed, fear and

annoyance flooding his eyes.

                "As long as they don't see me, it'll be fine," Nobuyuki

said, heading upstairs.  However, Tenchi leapt up from the table

and grabbed his father halfway up the staircase.

                "You're NOT taking pictures, and that's final!"

                "Let go of me, Tenchi," Nobuyuki growled, trying to

muscle his way up the steps.  "It's a beautiful thing and they'd

probably want me to take pictures, especially if it's their first

time."

                "It's NOT their first time, so forget about it!" Tenchi shot

back.

                "Actually, I wouldn't go in there if I were you," Zorpheus

said, his face contorted into a look of amusement.  "It was kinda

nasty in there, actually.  Who would've thought Russ had it in

him?  I would've sworn he was castrated."

                "Would've sworn who was castrated?" a voice asked

from below him.

                Zorpheus stepped back from the ledge, concern on his

face as he mouthed, "Distract them!" as he quickly and quietly

went into Aeka's room.  Tenchi, his father, and everybody else

froze as Misaki walked in, a huge smile on her face.  Sasami was

right behind her, a large sweatdrop on the side of her head. 

Funaho was right behind her, but she looked a little miffed at

something.

                "Uh…" Tenchi began, sweat beading on his forehead. 

"Um, nobody.  Hi, Misaki.  How are you doing on this fine day?"

he said, hoping she'd buy into it.

                "I'm very happy and excited!  Where is my Aeka?  I want

to see her."

                Instantly everybody cringed, now extremely worried

about what they were going to do to stall her.

                "She's still sleeping.  She wasn't feeling very well and I

gave her some strong medicine last night.  She should be waking

up refreshed, rested, and feeling like a million bucks in a little

while," Washu said, calmly, sipping a cup of tea.  "Nothing to

worry about."

                "Oh my," Misaki said, disappointed.  But she perked up

almost instantly.  "Well, no matter."  Glomping Sasami once again,

she took her daughter over to the couch and sat down, hugging the

life out of the little princess, who was turning about as blue as her

hair.

                Funaho smiled and just shook her head.  "How is

everyone?  You're all looking well."

                Nobuyuki turned around and headed back to the floor. 

"I'll go and get grandfather.  I'll be back in a few minutes," he

said, heading out the door.

                "Wonderful.  Thank you," she said, smiling.  She always

had such a calm demeanor about her.

                "Can I get you some tea?" Tenchi offered, relieved that

Washu saved their skins.

                "That would be nice," she said, kneeling down at the table

near Ryoko, who hadn't moved nor said a word since their arrival. 

Taking notice, Funaho smiled and nodded her head.  "It's nice to

see you too, Ryoko."

                "Thanks," she said, looking at the ceiling.

                Sliding a cup of tea in front of the empress, Tenchi smiled

and sat down next to her.  "It's not the greatest, but please enjoy

it," he said.  "How are things with you?"

                Funaho sighed, looking toward the TV, which had the

game on pause, but she didn't pay it any mind.  "It's been pretty

dead around the palace.  But we were very worried about Aeka, so

we immediately came here once we saw what happened to her."

                "Aeka is just fine.  Russ somehow saved her," Tenchi

described, remembering the miracle he performed.  "It was

amazing."

                "Only the power of Tsunami is supposed to be able to

revive the dead.  No mere mortal is supposed to have that ability,"

Funaho said, looking concerned.  "I just don't understand Russ. 

It's almost like he doesn't belong in this universe."

                "It doesn't matter, Auntie," Sasami said, turning off her

playstation, somehow managing to worm her way out of Misaki's

grasp.  "Russ is my big brother and I don't care about anything

else.  He's very sweet and kind and I love him."

                Both Funaho and Misaki smiled, satisfied with that

answer.  "Where is Russ anyway?  I thought he'd be around here

somewhere?" Misaki asked, looking around.  "And I thought I

heard someone else in here too."

                Thinking fast, Tenchi scratched his head, and then

grinned.  "Well, Russ sleeps late, sometimes.  He'll probably be

getting up soon."

                Misaki smiled.  "Has Aeka and him gotten involved yet?"

                "Now, now.  We mustn't keep pressuring them," Funaho

said, grinning.  "They'll let us know when they are."

                "Way more than you realize," Ryoko mumbled under her

breath, trying to keep from giggling.

                "What is it, Ryoko?" Funaho asked, hearing Ryoko

talking to herself.

                "Ack…" she stuttered.  "Uh, it's nothing.  Nothing at all,"

she said, laughing, giving her best innocent look.

                Looking at her strangely, Funaho shrugged her shoulders. 

"Oh well.  Must not be important."

                "By the way, where is the Emperor?" Washu asked,

noticing his absence.

                "He's waiting for us outside.  Or rather, he's waiting for

Russ," Funaho said, frowning.  "He's obsessed in taking Aeka

home.  I'm afraid there isn't much we can do to stop him."

                "No!" Sasami shouted.  "I don't want to go home!  I AM

home!"

                Misaki looked hurt at hearing her daughter's outburst. 

"But, don't you want to come back to Jurai with me?" she said,

huge tears at the edges of her eyes.

                "Not without Russ," she answered, sternly.  "I won't go

anywhere without him, and neither will Aeka."  Standing defiant,

she folded her arms over her chest and glared at both her mother

and aunt.

                "I'm afraid, little Sasami, that you do not have a choice in

the matter," Funaho said, gently.  "You are the princess…"

                "I don't care!" she interrupted.  "I wasn't happy there.  It

was boring!  I hate acting all proper all the time and there is never

anything for me to do!  Nobody will let me cook or clean because

we have maids to do all that.  It's stupid!  And why can't Russ go? 

He's the nicest person I know next to Tenchi, and I want him to

come with us!"

                Misaki let out a deep sigh, and then knelt down in front of

her daughter, taking Sasami's shoulders in her hands.  "Listen,

Sasami.  This is something that the Royal Family has done for

many millennia, and it's impossible to break tradition.  You were

born to lead our empire to greatness, as we have done.  You will

one day sit on the throne next to a husband of your choice, as long

as he is of noble blood himself.  You see, Sasami," Misaki

explained, calmly and collectively, "It's up to us to do what's right,

and it's up to you and your sister to carry on our traditions.  You

will be a great leader, but you need to learn how first, and that's

why you need to come home with us.  It would be very hard for

you to take over the empire without any schooling or training. 

That's why we're taking you, and your sister, home."

                "But I don't want any of that!" the princess objected,

causing Misaki to recoil in surprise.  "I don't want to sit on a

throne all day long and be waited on hand and foot.  That's boring! 

I want to play like I have ever since I've been here.  I've never felt

so happy until I stayed here with Tenchi and grandfather.  And

when Russ came here, he made it even more fun.  He always plays

with me and shows me how to do a lot of things.  He's taught me a

lot, and I like what he teaches me," Sasami explained, on the verge

of breaking into tears.  "He's like a brother to me, and I don't want

to leave him.  I'd feel so sad if I did."

                "I'm sorry, Sasami, but your father has already decided,"

Funaho said, standing up.  "It's necessary to train you to carry on

our traditions, and that cannot be done here.  Unfortunately, the

Emperor has decided that Russ will not be coming with us, as he is

not of noble blood.  Even though he is a gentleman, he is neither a

scholar nor of nobility, and you know very well why father feels

the way he does.  He's always told you that you deserve the very

best."

                "Russ IS the best!" Sasami shouted, letting the tears begin

to flow.

                "We both agree with you," Misaki said, grabbing Sasami

and crushing her in a motherly embrace.  "He can learn the ways of

nobility, but your father is too stubborn to see it that way.  You

know that I like Russ and want him to be a part of your lives, but

it's impossible to make your father see it that way."

                "Then I'll make him," Sasami said, clenching her fists.  "I

will not go home unless Russ can come with us.  I can be just as

stubborn as father!"

                Hearing a door slide open above their heads, the family

became silent as they saw both Russ and Aeka exit his bedroom,

both of them fully clothed in their training gi's, poker faces on, and

looking very determined.

                "I am staying, and that's final," Aeka said, her voice cold

and hard.  "Father can kiss my ass."

                Both Funaho and Misaki's jaws dropped upon hearing

what Aeka had to say and how she was dressed.  She looked

stunningly good in her clothing, and she had the attitude to

accompany it too.  After overcoming their initial shock, Misaki and

Funaho looked at each other, a slight grin on their lips.

                "The Emperor is outside and waiting to speak to you,

Russ," Misaki said, gesturing toward the lake.  "Please be careful."

                "I'm not the one who's going to get hurt out there," Russ

growled.  "Let's go."

                Silently, the entire family followed Russ out the door and

into the yard, letting the sunlight fall onto their shoulders on such a

fine, beautiful day.

 

                "Any change?"

                "None, sir."

                "Keep an eye on that fleet.  We're greatly outnumbered,

so we're going to have to be at our very best to defeat them if

something goes wrong."

                "Yes, sir."

                Sitting back in the captains' chair, unable to calm down,

Tom stared out of the window at the massive treeship fleet that hid

on the other side of the moon.  The Star Destroyer was currently

under cloak, and so far, they had remained completely undetected. 

The Yagami was in orbit nearby, but it was currently unmanned. 

For a moment, Tom wondered how come the Earthlings had never

seen it up there since it was always visible, plain as day.

                "The Emperor and his wives are now on the Earth, right?"

Tom asked, now looking toward the planet surface.  "Man, I hope

everything goes okay."

                Standing next to him, Sakuya smiled and rested her pale

hand on his shoulder.  "Do not worry so much, sir.  You have the

finest crew in the universe up here with you, who are all willing to

fight for you and follow your orders to the letter.  We'll be fine."

                Letting out a deep breath and trying to calm down, Tom

looked up into her eyes and smiled.  "Thanks.  That helped a little. 

But I do have a feeling that we're still going to get into a massive

firefight with the Jurians.  I hope we don't wind up going to war

over something like this."

                "I highly doubt that," Nagi said, approaching him from

the lift.  "After watching the simulations that your crew has been

performing, the Emperor is probably going to go home

embarrassed and not want to talk about this incident for all time. 

Besides, even though he IS the emperor, this is a secret mission of

his.  Only him and his personal fleet are here, and have nothing to

do with the true Jurian military.  As far as Jurai is concerned, this

mission isn't even happening."

                "Maybe so, but that still don't mean that he won't go

home and declare war on the Earth, or us," Tom fretted.

                Nagi shook her head.  "I've fought against them many

times and can go visit their planet whenever I please," she said.  "I

annihilated many of their ships while an imposter Yosho was

sitting on the throne, whereas the Yagami didn't even destroy one. 

Generally, they're a peaceful people, so they'll most likely

overrule any rash decision the Emperor may make.  He was very

angry with me for destroying so many ships and killing thousands

of his people, but in the end, he shut his mouth because he had no

support."

                "I suppose.  Still, you're just one person with only one

ship.  It would sound quite silly to declare war on just one person,"

Tom said, turning his attention away from his passenger and

toward the fleet again.  "There are just so many of those ships.  I

wonder how many fighters are onboard them?"

                Nagi sighed, standing next to him.  Sakuya watched the

two of them, but turned and headed back to her station to resume

her work, feeling out of place.  "As far as I know, each Jurian

warship has ten tree fighters onboard, but I have no idea how many

are on his personal cruiser."

                "So we have a potential of over three thousand enemy

fighters to do battle against.  That's more than five times my entire

compliment!" Tom whined, now extremely concerned.  "I've got

around forty fighters onboard my Star Destroyer, but I have many

more back home.  Most of them should be around here by now,

sitting under cloak.  Sakuya?"

                "Yes sir?" she said, looking up at him.

                "Is the rest of the fleet here?"

                "Yes sir.  They're all in formation and awaiting your

orders," she indicated, smiling.

                Tom smiled.  "Excellent.  Have them remain under cloak

until I give the order."

                "Aye, captain," she said, keying in an encoded

transmission and sending it out to the other vessels.

                "Your fleet?" Nagi questioned, looking serious.

                Nodding, Tom's grin increased in size.  "Yeah.  I called in

reinforcements from my home just before the Emperor arrived."

                "How many ships?"

                "It's not impressive.  Only twenty ships, each fully loaded

with various fighters.  There are still a handful back at my home

planet, guarding my top secret project, but since they're here, we

should stand a very good chance of defeating them, or scaring

them off before this gets completely out of hand."

                "Good to know," Nagi said, turning around and heading

back to the lift.  "I'm going to feed Ken-Ohki.  When the time

comes, we will lend our assistance."  Stepping into the lift and

keying in the floor to her quarters, she smiled as the doors closed,

sealing her off from the bridge.

                "Damn, she's one hell of a woman.  I wonder if she's

available."

                Looking on, a look of disappointment written on her face,

Sakuya turned her attention back to her console, resuming her

analysis of the tree ships.

 

                Quietly standing about twenty feet from each other, Russ

and Asuza bored into each other's eyes, judging each other and

trying to determine who would break first.  Aeka stood off to

Russ's left and Sasami stood on his right, but Tenchi and the rest

of the family stood behind him, however, they remained in view. 

Katsuhito remained silent, a blank look on his wizened visage.

                Misaki and Funaho had returned to their husband's side,

concerned over the intenseness that they could feel from both Russ

and Asuza.  It was so thick with emotion that they could've cut it

with a knife, had it been a tangible thing.

                Finally, after staring at each other for nearly three

minutes, Asuza looked at both of his daughters, reading the cross,

but determined expression in their eyes.  Instantly, he knew that his

plan was not going to be easy.  Fortunately, he did have his

contingency plan.

                "Aeka.  Sasami.  You are both looking well," he rumbled,

his deep voice penetrating the air and cutting the silence. 

"Greetings, Yosho."

                The only motion that could be seen from Katsuhito was

the shift of his eyes, as he looked at the ground in front of him.  He

remained silent, unwilling to say anything that could provoke his

father.

                Clearing his throat, Asuza once again looked at his two

daughters.  "I have come to take you home, my children," he

boomed.  "It is time for you to…"

                "I'm not going anywhere," Aeka interrupted, clenching

her fists.

                Asuza's eyes widened considerably.  "Huh?"

                "Dear, perhaps we should talk about this over a nice cup

of tea," Misaki suggested.

                Her plea went ignored.  "You have no say in the matter,

Aeka!" he growled.  "You and Sasami will come home with us and

resume your duties as the Princesses of Jurai!"

                "I will not," she returned, trying to keep herself under

control.

                "Aeka!  Show your father some respect," Misaki bit out,

surprised and almost overwhelmed at her sternness and rudeness.

                "No.  I will not respect someone who will not respect

me," Aeka said, coldly.  "I want to stay here.  That is my

decision."

                Asuza growled an obscenity, quietly enough so only his

wives could hear.  Bringing himself up to his full height, he

furrowed his eyebrows together, thrust out his finger on his right

hand, and boomed his orders.  "You will come home with us, now. 

Your stay here on this miserable little planet is OVER."

                "This isn't fair!" Sasami yelled, grabbing onto Russ's

arm.  "We ARE home!"

                "YOU ARE NOT HOME!" the Emperor roared,

infuriated that his daughters had forsaken Jurai for such a little,

dirty, backwater planet.  "Your home is with us!"

                "Leave," Russ growled, staring directly at Asuza, his eyes

ablaze with rage and hate.

                "You have no right…" Asuza began.

                Russ put up his right hand, signaling him to stop.  "Your

daughters want to stay here.  If that is what they want, then I will

make sure that is what they get," he said, his tone as cold as steel. 

Reaching out with his arms, he gently took Aeka into his arm and

pulled Sasami closer to him with his other arm, drawing a

complete look of shock and surprise from Misaki and Funaho.  "I

will do anything for Aeka and Sasami, and there isn't another man

alive who can take them from me."

                "Does this mean…?" Misaki stuttered, her face full of

awe and hope.  "Are you two finally together?"

                Russ and Aeka looked at each other, and then smiled. 

"Yes," they both answered.

                "Oh my god, that's WONDERFUL!" she shrieked,

smiling.  "My daughter finally has a boyfriend!  I'm so happy for

you, Aeka!"

                "This is an outrage!" Asuza yelled in barely controlled

rage.  "How dare you touch my daughter in such a way, you

barbarian!"

                Russ glared at him, trying with all of his will to keep from

blowing him away right then and there.  "I don't know where you

get off insulting me at every turn, especially when you don't know

a damn thing about me," Russ spat, trying to keep his fists from

shaking.  "I highly recommend you leave.  Now.  Before I get

really pissed off."

                "I don't care how much power you think you have, you

ruffian.  There is no way you could touch the Jurian Royal

Family."

                "Yes, I can."

                "You and what army?" Asuza shot back.

                "This one," another voice said, coming out from behind

Russ and making himself known to them for the first time.

                Misaki and Funaho both gasped, as they instantly

recognized who now stood alongside Russ, Aeka, and Sasami.  He

was a tad shorter than Russ, but he was just as built.  But now, he

had a different aura about him in comparison to when they saw

him fight against Russ.  He had a different appearance about him,

even though they couldn't really see what it was.  However, they

could definitely feel it.

                Asuza's face became a mask of terror, as he took a step

back, now very concerned that Zorpheus, Russ's enemy, was now

standing with him.  "You're supposed to be dead!  I saw Russ kill

you!"

                Zorpheus grinned.  "Can a dead guy do this, jackass?" he

said, pointing his palm at the Emperor, but slightly over his head. 

Releasing a small, blue beam, it screamed over Asuza's head,

singeing some of his hairs.

                Asuza ducked, now almost on the verge of panic. 

"THAT'S IT!  Aeka, if you and Sasami do not come home, I will

give you a reason to!  This entire planet is going to go up in a

Startica Fireball unlike one you've ever seen before, but only if

you refuse to come home!"

                "If that's the way you want to play, I'll just kill you now,"

Zorpheus growled, slowly approaching Asuza, his footsteps

treading heavily on the soft ground.  "Nobody threatens my home

or my friends.  I don't care who they are.  Maybe the next Emperor

won't be so quick to piss me off."

                "STOP RIGHT THERE," Asuza bellowed, taking another

step back, both of his wives looking in fear at Zorpheus, unsure

what he was going to do.  "Aeka, Sasami!  What's it going to be?!"

                Russ glanced down at his beloved, and took in a deep

breath.  "It's up to you, Aeka.  If you want, you may go, and I

won't stop you.  Or, you can stay, and I will fight to keep you

here."

                "That is the dumbest offer you've ever made," Aeka said,

smiling.  "You know what I'd say to that.  You didn't even have to

ask."

                "As you wish, your highness," Russ said, releasing her

and Sasami, taking several paces forward and standing next to

Zorpheus, who stood only about ten feet away from the Royal

Family.

                "This is treason!" Asuza yelled, his eyes on fire from the

building anger he felt within his mind.  "Come home, my

daughters.  I will forget this whole incident if you do."

                "Perhaps this will give you my final answer," Aeka said,

reaching up to the tiara that she kept on her forehead, that she had

worn since she was a child.  Carefully lifting it off, she shook her

hair around, letting it fall in its natural state on the sides of her

face.  Taking the circlet, she tossed it to the ground.  "I hereby

renounce my throne to Jurai.  I will no longer be the Princess of the

Royal Family."

                "YOU WHAT!?  WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU

DOING, AEKA?!" Asuza screamed, about to have a heart attack. 

"YOU CANNOT DO THAT!"

                "I've got news for you, you old fart.  She just did,"

Zorpheus said, clenching his fists, a blue glow emanating around

his whole body as he began to slowly charge up.

                "Aeka!  You cannot be serious!" Misaki yelled, unable to

understand why her daughter was behaving in such a way.  "You

just can't forsake us and turn your back on us!  Look at all we have

done for you!"

                "All that I've had for most of my life is grief from father,"

she answered, glaring at the Emperor.  "He has despised everybody

that I've liked instead of supporting me in my decisions.  I will not

deal with this any more. I'm happy here, and this is where I wish to

stay.  The same goes for Sasami."

                Funaho looked at both of the disobedient daughters, tears

on the edges of her eyes.  "I beg you to reconsider, Aeka and

Sasami.  You don't realize what you're throwing away."

                "If I go home with you, I'd throw away my happiness,"

Aeka responded, trying to keep herself from crying.  "Russ is what

makes me happy, and you're telling me I have to leave him behind. 

I will not do that."

                "And I won't let you take her from me, either," Russ

added.

                "Neither will I," Zorpheus said, still glowing from the

buildup of energy.

                Silence filled the area, as everybody stood in shock,

unsure of what to do to overcome everything that has just

transpired.  It was one of those days where everybody should've

just stayed in bed.

                "I will come home with you, on one condition," Aeka

said, breaking the awkward silence.

                Misaki and Funaho both looked up at her, hope in each of

their hearts.  Turning toward Asuza, they gave him their best

pleading looks, begging him to change his mind.  No words needed

to be spoken, as he knew what her demand was going to be.

                Asuza shook his head.  "I'm sorry, Aeka, but he cannot

come with us.  You are supposed to marry someone of noble

blood, and he is not."

                "What does it matter?" Misaki shot back, clenching her

fists, infuriated at her husband's stubbornness.  "He can learn the

ways of nobility!"

                "I will not have a man like him sitting on our throne!"

Asuza shot back, silencing his wife.  "He doesn't deserve it!"

                "Unlike you, who probably had it handed to him?"

Zorpheus interjected, glowing more intensely now, as his anger

continued to build.  "I knew before you arrived that you were a

jackass, but after hearing all of your senseless blubber, I think

that'd be an insult to the rest of the Jackasses.  The only person

here who doesn't deserve the throne is you, you spoiled little shit."

                Closing his eyes for a moment, he reopened them and

looked at everybody in turn, reading the incredibly hateful,

aggressive looks on each of their faces, and he knew he was

outnumbered.  "Why can't you see?" he muttered.  "Traitors. 

Every last one of you is a damned traitor.  If you will not come

home peacefully, I will force you to come.  I am transporting back

to my ship, and I will order my fleet to annihilate this hellhole of a

planet.  That should be a good enough reason to come back to your

real home, especially if I destroy this one."

                "You're bluffing," Russ growled, seeing the blaze in

Asuza's violet eyes.

                "Originally, I was.  Now, I'm not.  You, and your home,

will go up in one of the most brilliant planetary explosions ever

recorded by Jurai."

                "I will kill you," Russ snarled, stepping forward.  "If I

have to fight against you up there, I will destroy your ship and you. 

I don't care how many ships you brought with you.  I will not stop

fighting until I off every last one of you."

                "You're making a huge mistake, Asuza," Funaho said, her

hands shaking from her frayed nerves.  "Please stop this nonsense

before somebody gets hurt."

                "I've made my decision.  Anything bad that happens is on

Aeka's hands," he returned softly, looking at his daughter, disgust

written all over his face.  "This is all your fault, you ungrateful

bitch."

                Becoming surrounded in emerald light, the Emperor of

Jurai disappeared from view, leaving behind a completely stunned

crowd of people.

                "Aw, son of a…" Russ shouted, running back to his

fighter.  Zorpheus was right behind him.

                "Azaka!  Kamidake!" Aeka called, watching her two

guardians fade into view alongside her.

                "Yes, your highness?" They chimed, ready to serve.

                "I am no longer royalty," she said, looking sternly at the

two wooden logs.  "I do not deserve that title."

                "You can't be serious," Azaka said, his blue eye flashing

as he spoke.

                "Why would you do that?  You know we cannot serve

someone not of the Royal Family!" Kamidake added.

                "Which is why I've called you here.  You are free to

return with my father, or you may serve me one last time.  I need

your help with Ryu-Oh," she said, watching Russ and Zorpheus

jump into their fighters, powering them up.  "I'm begging you for

your help."

                "Go with her, Guardians of Old," Funaho ordered.  "I am

still of the Royal Family, and I give you permission to aid Aeka in

her endeavor."

                "Yes, your highness," they said together.

                "I'm coming too," Misaki said, marching over to her

daughter.  "I will help you in any way that I can."  Looking down

at her, she smiled, choking back the emotions that swam

throughout her mind.

                Sighing softly, Aeka looked at her mother, reached out,

and hugged her.  "Thank you, mommy."

                "That's my little Aeka," she said, squeezing her tightly. 

"Lets go."

                "I want to come too," Sasami said, standing defiant.

                Misaki shook her head.  "No.  You stay here with Washu,

Funaho, and your grandfather.  It's too dangerous up there with

us."

                "Quit treating me like a little kid, mom," Sasami retorted,

becoming cross.  "I want to fight alongside Russ and Aeka.  I want

to…"

                "Sasami," Misaki said, kneeling down to her height. 

"Fighting is not your thing.  You're a kind and gentle soul, far

more than Aeka and myself.  You will better serve your purpose

here, where it is safe.  Do not worry.  We will come home safely."

                "But…" Sasami began to say, but suddenly, her eyes

rolled into the back of her head as she collapsed into her mother's

arms.

                Misaki gently laid her down on the ground, and sighed. 

"Please take care of her, Yosho," Misaki pleaded.  "I cannot afford

to risk her life for anybody."

                "Yes, Auntie," he said, leaning over and scooping up the

little princess in his arms.

                "Come on, Ryo-Ohki!" Ryoko yelled, grabbing the cabbit

who sat by her leg, tossing her into the air once again.  After a

moment, she morphed into her crystalline form, and hovered

overhead.

                A loud rumble exploded from both the Tie Defender and

Toscan Fighter as they lifted off of the ground, pitched upward,

and began their ascent into space.  Emerald light engulfed Aeka,

Misaki, and her two guardians as they transported onboard the

Royal Treeship, Ryu-oh, and a moment later, Tenchi and Ryoko

both transported onboard Ryo-Ohki, ready to do battle.

                "Good luck to all of you," Funaho whispered, watching

the four ships rocket off into the atmosphere.

                "Everything should be fine, mother," Katsuhito said,

watching his sister ascend into the heavens.  "They will do

anything for each other, and I believe that it's enough to hold them

together forever."

                "Come," Washu said, making herself known for the first

time.  "We can watch the battle from my lab."

                Making their way back toward the house, they felt

strangely calm and at ease, even though all hell was about to break

loose right over their heads.

 

                "Red Alert!" Tom barked, seeing the four ships racing out

of the atmosphere.  "It's time!"

                Red warning lights began flashing as the siren wailed it's

familiar alert, causing the crew of the Gray Wolf to hurry to their

designated battle stations.  Pilots were dressing in their flight suits

while the gunners made their way to the turbolaser turrets.  Power

output from the engines was re-routed to the shields and turrets,

setting the guns to maximum firepower and keeping the shields at

a steady two hundred percent.

                Tom watched with pride, as his ship became battle ready

in less than thirty seconds.  Remaining under cloak, he pulled up

behind Russ, Zorpheus, Ryoko, and Aeka, and waited for the right

moment to reveal his ship and fleet.

                "You just love making the dramatic entrance, don't you?"

Sakuya said, causing Tom to smile.

                "Contact Kiyone and Mihoshi.  Let them know the battle

is about to begin."

                "Yes, sir," the communications officer responded,

opening a channel to the resident Galaxy Police, sending their alert

status to them.

 

                "Kiyone!" Mihoshi wailed, nearly knocking over her

partner.  "We've got an emergency!"

                "You better not have to go to the bathroom again,"

Kiyone growled, glaring at her.  "We have another hour to go for

this shift and then we can go to Tenchi's house."

                "No!  Tom just sent us a message that they're about to

begin fighting!" she whined.

                Kiyone's eyes widened considerably.  "Oh, no.  They're

here already!?  Let's go!"

                "HEY!  Back to work!" the manager barked.

                "I'm sorry sir, but we must leave.  A major emergency

has just come up," Kiyone yelled, running out the door, followed

closely behind by Mihoshi.

                "THAT'S IT!  YOU'RE FIRED!" he hollered after them.

                "Well, there goes another job," Kiyone groaned, shaking

her head.

                The two girls became engulfed in ruby light as they were

transported onboard the Yagami.  Quickly running to the cockpit,

they stopped and stared at the huge Jurai fleet parked behind the

moon.  Looking around for a moment, they spotted Ryo-Ohki,

Ryu-Oh, the Toscan Fighter and Russ's Tie Defender.  They

looked so small and insignificant against the incredible mass of

opposing ships.

                "What should we do, Kiyone?" Mihoshi wailed.  "We

can't let anything happen to Aeka and Russ, but we can't fight

against the Emperor of Jurai either!"

                "I know that!  But the Jurians aren't even supposed to be

here.  Frankly, if I'm not mistaken, this mission isn't even taking

place right now, at least from the viewpoint of the Jurai people…

Mihoshi, power up the main guns."

                "Are we going to fight?" she asked nervously, but she had

a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

                Kiyone nodded.  "We're supposed to keep the peace, and

they're about to start a war.  In this case, it's Jurai that is in the

wrong, and we have to help Russ and them to make it right."

                Mihoshi pulled herself up and stood tall, determination on

her face.  "Detective First Class Mihoshi is ready to serve and

protect!"

                Pulling out of orbit, they swung their ship around, and

after a moment, pulled up alongside Ryu-Oh, facing the Jurian

fleet head-on.

                "Incoming communication," Mihoshi indicated, seeing

the flashing light on the console.

                "Put it on the main viewer."

                The screen crackled to life as Aeka appeared in the

middle of it.  "I'm glad to see you decided to get involved.  We can

use all the help we can get.  I don't know if Tom is still around, but

we are really in a bind."

                "I can see that.  How many ships?" Kiyone inquired, still

trying to figure out how they were going to overcome such odds

with the miniscule fleet that they mustered.

                "Ten fighters onboard each warship, and my father's

personal cruiser has nearly a hundred onboard.  He will probably

split the flight groups into thirty groups of a hundred ships," Aeka

reported, looking very concerned.  "Those fighters are pretty

maneuverable, and they're about the same size as Russ's fighter. 

They're shielded and have three or four laser cannons on each,

depending on the configuration.  No warheads."

                "I see.  Well, we fought against them before, so we know

what to do," Kiyone said, squirming uncomfortably in her seat.

                "These aren't your ordinary pilots.  These are the elite of

the elite.  They are my father's personal army.  They go where he

sends them, no questions asked, and they consist of the most

highly skilled pilots in the imperial navy.  We're really going to

have to work hard to beat them, but I believe we can do it."

                "Yes, ma'am.  We'll do our best."

                "Yes!  We'll beat them and send them home, crying to

their mommies!" Mihoshi yelled, looking very excited.

                Kiyone and Aeka both looked at her strangely, but they

shook it off a moment later.

                "Good luck to you," Aeka said, as her mother came up

beside her.

                "Same to you," Kiyone said, turning off the

communications channel.

 

                Russ, sitting in his fighter, continued to look at the

massive fleet before him, wondering what it was going to take to

beat him and send him home.  He already knew that groups that

were a part of personal fleets were usually top ace pilots, but he

knew that he had a superior fighter to theirs in every way.  It was

faster, heavily shielded, and could outmaneuver all of their fighters

quite easily, as he remembered how easy it was to get behind one

of them during the Startica furball that he participated in.  Not only

that, but the output of his weapons were far beyond their own.

                "I hope that if we destroy a few of their ships, they'll stop

this crap and go home.  But I really wonder if Asuza was serious

about destroying the planet.  I still think he's bluffing."

                "It was hard to tell," Zorpheus acknowledged through the

comm link.  "I can't believe that he's Aeka's and Sasami's father! 

He's so different from them."

                "I agree with you a hundred and ten percent on that one.  I

never liked him from the minute I laid eyes on him back at the

Startica festival, and I could tell he didn't like me either.  At first, I

thought he was being overprotective, but man, he was such a jerk

about doing it," Russ complained, getting worked up again.  "I've

never been insulted so many times in my entire life!  Not even

when I was in a fight with someone!  In a way, I'm glad I'm about

to stomp a mudhole in this guy.  He deserves it."

                "Yeah.  Well, it looks like he's about to make his final

announcement, and then we dance," Zorpheus said, watching

Asuza's face appear on one of his video monitors.

                "Aeka, I'm going to give you one more chance to come

home with us, because you're my daughter and I love you.  You

deserve the very best this universe has to offer, and I will not have

you accepting anything less," he demanded, his voice booming

over the communications channel.

                Patiently waiting a moment, Aeka's visage appeared on

another channel, and the monitor showed the both of them in split-

screen mode.

                "I told you, father, that I want to remain here.  Since you

will not allow Russ to come home with me, I will remain here with

him, or wherever else he decides to go," she replied, looking

incredibly regal, tall, and proud.

                "Aeka," Asuza began again, letting out a sigh.  "You do

not understand the significance of your decision.  I cannot believe

that you've forsaken your Jurian heritage like you have."

                "You made me do it, father," Aeka retorted, glaring at

him through the monitors.

                A small vein began protruding from Asuza's forehead as

he struggled to maintain control over himself, seething with barely

concealed rage.  "I allowed you to remain on Earth because Tenchi

is of noble blood, and would've been more suited to take your

hand in marriage.  Even though I was against it, I would've been

more lenient toward him.  But Russ… where in the hell did he

come from?  He shows up at the house, moves in uninvited, and

has since then brainwashed my daughter to his own ideals?  How

could you let him do this to you, Aeka?"

                "He didn't do a thing," Aeka responded, calmly.  "I fell in

love with him on my own.  He loves me for who I am.  He loves

me as a person, and not a princess.  That is what I wanted, and that

is why I loved Tenchi and why I love Russ."

                "I don't believe it," Asuza said, shaking his head.  "Out of

all the men I had lined up for you to choose from, you fell in love

with someone like THAT?"

                "Yes.  And what makes me hate you is the fact that you

do not support me at all.  So therefore, I have broken all ties with

Jurai.  I am now, and forever will be, an Earthling, and further still,

Russ's bride," she said, proudly.  "I want to be in love and to be

loved.  That is what makes me happy."

                Asuza's face became so contorted with disgust that he

looked about ready to send a blast straight into the video monitor. 

Clenching his teeth, he made one last plea with his daughter. 

"Come home with me, now, Aeka.  You are the first Princess of

the Jurai Royal Family.  Tradition, and myself, demand it.  If you

do not, I will destroy the sole reason for you being here," he added.

 

                Cocking his eyebrow, Russ glanced over at Zorpheus's

fighter, and it was then that he realized Asuza's empty threat.  His

entire plan revolved around getting him into his fighter and

bringing him out into space, where hopefully he'd be defeated

easily, and he'd die of suffocation.

                "Oh, wise move, oh great assmaster," Russ growled.

                Zorpheus chuckled.  "Too bad that bringing us out here

isn't going to be any easier than fighting us on the ground."

                "That's not entirely true.  There isn't a Jurian alive that

could do anything to us, but our fighters are a little more

vulnerable.  I will have to be careful.  I don't doubt that Asuza will

send over those fighters, with their sole orders being to target me,

and only me."

                "You don't need to worry.  You're a better pilot than all

of them combined, and you've bested me many times.  You've got

this one licked, on the ground or up here."

                "Don't feed my ego," Russ said, grinning.  "Well, lets see

where this goes, and then we get to play with our cannon fodder."

 

                "How dare you threaten him like that?  What did he ever

do to you?" Aeka shrilled, extremely upset.

                "He's done enough.  He's turned my own daughter

against me and he threatened to kill me.  That, in itself, is

punishable by death.  Frankly, death is too easy of a release for

him, but I will grant him a swift one," he said, raising his hand.

                "Don't you dare give that order," Misaki growled,

standing next to her daughter.  "You are way out of line, Emperor. 

This is not the way the Emperor of Jurai should comport himself."

                "Misaki.  Has he bewitched you too?" Asuza growled,

glaring at her.  "She's our daughter and the Princess, and she

refuses to come home.  She has left me with no other alternative."

                "Only because you refuse to allow Russ to learn the ways

of nobility.  He has a kind and gentle demeanor to rule with.  He

could very easily learn Jurian tradition.  He would be a great asset

to us by himself, as well."

                "How could HE be an asset?" Asuza shot back, annoyed. 

"He's dead weight and stupid.  He's nothing but a playboy and a

waste of flesh."

                "Enough!" Misaki yelled, growing impatient with his

utterly impenetrable stubbornness.  "There wouldn't be an empire

stupid enough to challenge someone like Russ if he were on the

throne.  Why can't you see that?  He's the most powerful being in

existence!  He's godlike, even.  Our empire would be invincible

with him on our side!"

                "Feh.  He isn't worth the cloth the throne is made from,"

Asuza returned, causing Misaki to grind her teeth.  "What is it

going to be, Aeka?  Will you come home, or will I destroy the only

thing keeping you here?" he demanded, unwilling to argue with his

daughter and his wife anymore.

                "You leave me no choice, father," Aeka said, hanging her

head in shame.  "I will fight you and anybody else who dares try to

separate me from my one true love."  Standing defiant, alongside

her mother, she closed her eyes, and then glared at her father. 

"Activate the Lighthawk Wings and all lasers.  We are going to

fight," she ordered, glancing back at Azaka and Kamidake.

                "Yes ma'am," they chimed, as three white blades of

energy formed in front of her ship.  Dozens of laser ports popped

out of the wooden hull, ready to open fire with deadly, blue

energy.

                "So be it, Aeka," he said, disappearing into a mass of

static as his ship ceased its transmission.

 

                Asuza looked out of the windows at the blue planet, and

the five little tickmarks that represented the fleet that he was about

to face.  A tear came to his eye, as he never dreamed that he'd have

to fight his daughter in deadly combat.  This was almost too unreal

to be true.

                "WHY COULDN'T SHE SEE?!" he roared, stomping his

foot in frustration.  His crew stood idly by, trying not to look at

him.  They knew it wasn't their place to say a word to him.

                Sighing in frustration, Asuza raised his hand once again. 

"Launch all fighters and prepare to do combat.  Red Alert, stage

one."

                Red lights began flashing on the bridge of his ship as an

alarm screeched several times, then fell silent.  Everybody was

already at combat readiness, so it wasn't long before all three

thousand fighters were launched from the surrounding ships.  The

space around the vessels became a virtual cloud of fighters.  After

a few moments of chaos from the launch, each fighter reached its

flight group and took on the proper formation, awaiting further

orders.

                "Flight group one, report in," Asuza ordered, sitting down

on his throne, ready to direct the upcoming battle.

                "Flight group one leader reporting in," came the response

as a man suited in Jurian robes appeared on a monitor.

                "To all ships!  Your primary orders are to target and

destroy Russ's fighter.  Secondary targets include Ryo-Ohki, the

Yagami, and Zorpheus's fighter.  Do not destroy Ryu-Oh.  Disable

it if you can, but do not destroy it," Asuza ordered.

                "Acknowledged, sir," came the response.  "Flight group

one commencing attack run."

                One hundred fighters broke formation from the cloud of

ships and began to make their way over to Russ and his measly

fleet.

 

                Watching nervously, Russ saw a small, but large swarm

of fighters break off from the main group and begin their attack run

on him.  Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath, calming

himself down a little.

                "It's time, Russ.  What will you have us do?" came

Aeka's voice.

                "I will take on the flight group alone," came Russ's

response.  "I want to send a message to your father to let him know

that I'm not one to mess with."

                "That's nuts," Zorpheus interjected, appearing next to

Aeka on the computer screen.  "At least let me help!"

                Out of nowhere, an incredibly huge section of space

began to bend and fold in on itself, as a massive, white ship

appeared directly behind the group.

                "Tom's still here?" Russ said in amazement.

                "Gray Wolf to incoming vessels.  Cease your advance or

we will use force," came the transmission.

                "I thought you left!" Russ yelled, confused.  "What are

you still doing here?"

                "You're so dense sometimes, Russ," Tom said, grinning. 

"Not only am I still here, but I brought friends too."

                "Huh?"

                A moment later, twenty zones of space became wavy, as a

ship appeared in each singularity, all of them a ship out of

Starwars.  A Victory class Star Destroyer, a Dreadnaught, a

Calamari Cruiser, two Strike Cruisers, two Carrack Cruisers, two

Nebulon B Escort Frigates, two Nebulon Modified Frigates, two

Nebulon G class Frigates, four Modified Blockade Runners, an

Escort Carrier, and lastly, two standard Blockade Runners

appeared, all of them in perfect formation, powered up, and ready

to fight for him.

                Seconds later, fighters of all types began pouring out of

the hanger bays of each of the capital ships, from both Rebel and

Imperial sides.  Tie Fighters, Tie Interceptors, Tie Bombers, Tie

Advanced, V-38 Ties, Assault Gunboats, Missile Boats, X-Wings,

A-Wings, Y-Wings, B-Wings, T-Wings, E-Wings, K-Wings, Z-95

Headhunters, R-41 Starchasers, Skipray Blastboats, Planetary

Fighters, Pinook Fighters, Supa Fighters, and many others

launched from the hangers.

                Transports and shuttles of various types began to launch

as well, including Tyderian Shuttles, Escort Shuttles, Assault

Transports, Stormtrooper Transports, Escort Transports, YT-1300

Transports, YT-2000 Transports, and many more.

                Sitting there in shock, Russ couldn't help but marvel at

how much his fleet had grown in the past minute.  Unable to stop

the growing grin and the feeling of satisfaction, he shook his head.

                "Where in the hell did you get all of this stuff?" he asked,

watching as all the fighters took up formations right behind him.

                "You thought that this was the only ship I had?" Tom

snickered.  "No.  Work was preceding on these others as well, and

now I'm glad I had it done.  One ship isn't enough to defend itself,

especially against opposition like this.  But we should do fairly

well."

                "Tom!" Russ yelled, sitting back in his seat.  "I owe you a

debt that I'll never be able to repay."

                "Everybody onboard this ship is willing to fight for you,

Russ.  You have way more friends than even you realize."

                Russ shook his head, overwhelmed at the sense of unity

that came from everybody who surrounded him.  "Thank you.  All

of you," Russ finally said.

                "Tom to all ships.  Dying is not an option.  If you are

having trouble, come back to one of the capital ships to recharge

your shields or get a reload of warheads.  Do NOT press your luck. 

Reckless flying will be dealt with harshly and swiftly, as a price

cannot be put on a life," he said, standing tall.

 

                Asuza stood in shock at seeing the many ships appear out

of nowhere, wondering how they hid from view so easily.  It

seemed impossible to have a fleet appear instantly like that, but

then again, that Imperial Star Destroyer had shown several traits of

technology that went far beyond Jurai's.

                "Sir, flight leader from group one is sending a

transmission," said his first officer.

                "Emperor?  What shall we do?  Do we engage?" he asked,

nervously.

                "You have your orders," came Asuza's chilling response. 

"I will send flight group two through five to assist you."

                "Yes, sir."  Vanishing from view, they continued

advancing toward the enemy, but slowed down to wait for the

additional reinforcements.

                "It's time to see what we're up against," Asuza muttered,

curious as to how his superior Jurian forces would fare against an

unknown enemy.

 

                "They're still advancing, and now with reinforcements,"

Russ muttered, watching five hundred fighters make way toward

their position.  "Do your best, everyone."

                "Hold your fire until I give the order," Tom said,

watching the mass grow ever closer.  "I want them to be in for a

big surprise."

                After less than a minute, the enemy fighters were almost

within range.  They had no engine exhaust to speak of, which Tom

hadn't noticed before.

                "Russ?  Move your fighter behind us.  We want to get

them caught in the crossfire.  We'll annihilate this group in one

swift blaze of glory," Tom ordered.

                "Okay.  Good idea.  Zorph?  You, Aeka, Kiyone, and

Ryoko, follow me.  Stay out of the line of fire as long as you can. 

It would be wise to let Tom and his crew assist us in every way

they can.  They do have the superior craft here."

                "You got it," Ryoko responded, moving behind the Star

Destroyer, but staying close to Russ.

                "Roger that," Kiyone answered, keeping formation.

                "You're the boss," Zorpheus drawled, getting in position.

                Aeka didn't answer as her ship moved slowly from the

front of the line to the back, keeping the front of her ship facing the

rushing enemy force.

 

                Waiting anxiously, the Jurian fighters came ever closer,

and now could be seen in full detail.  Now less than a half-mile

away, both sides had yet to fire a single shot.

                "Wait for it…" Tom said, grabbing onto the armrest of his

chair, tighter and tighter with each passing second, watching them

approach at a high rate of speed.  The mass of allied fighters began

moving, putting some distance between where the fleet would

intersect and where the capital ships were.  They didn't want to be

caught in their own crossfire.

                In less than ten seconds, the first fighter reached the front

of the Star Destroyer, and began firing at Russ, who was at the

very edge of the fighter's maximum range.  Blue energy poured

forth from three front mounted laser cannons, however, all of his

shots missed, as Russ began taking evasive action.

                "NOW!" Tom yelled, causing the entire area around his

ship became illuminated in green and red plasma, as fighters began

exploding like popcorn.  Hundreds of turbolaser shots blanketed

the area, causing the Jurian fleet to break formation and scatter, but

most were getting caught in the hailstorm of turbolaser blasts,

making explosion after explosion.  Parts flew every which way,

pelting every ship with debris and causing visibility to decrease

slightly.  Piercing screams filled the airwaves as the Jurian fighters

were vaporized or completely decimated, as the pilots were thrown

out into the vacuum of space.

                With the first wave of fighters scattered, Tom's fighters

engaged the confused and panicked Jurians, causing an incredible

number of explosions, making more debris fly in every direction. 

Red plasma fired from the rebel type ships as green lanced forth

from the imperial style ships, causing bright flashes from the

explosions as the unfortunate enemy was destroyed in the time it

took to realize it was too late to turn back.

                Russ flew after several stray fighters, firing his laser

cannons and destroying each of them in a single volley of quad

laser bursts.  Blue energy brightened his cockpit as some of the

Jurian fighters managed to remember their mission to attack his

ship, however, Russ's fighter was far too maneuverable, and none

of them landed a single shot.  But they hardly had a chance

anyway.  Aeka's ship was nearby, firing at any enemy ship that

came within range of her vessel.  A handful of fighters took several

pot shots at her, but her lighthawk wings rotated to block the

deadly energy, doing no harm.  Ryo-Ohki fired several blasts,

destroying multiple fighters in one shot.  The Yagami had gotten

involved as well, annihilating several of the opposing craft.

 

                In less than five minutes, the first skirmish was over. 

Wood and parts from the cockpits littered the surrounding space,

as the junk bounced off of the fighters and capital ships.  Some

chunks of debris began to fall toward the Earth, but they wound up

being incinerated before they got even halfway to the ground.

                Sitting there in utter shock, Asuza just hung his mouth

open, as his crew turned to look at him, horror written all over their

faces.  Several tried calling his name, but he didn't hear them at all. 

Never, in his entire life, had he seen a Jurian battlegroup get

destroyed so quickly, and by such a small number of ships.  Wasn't

he supposed to have the most technologically advanced fleet in the

entire universe?

                "What the hell just happened?" Asuza said, flabbergasted. 

Zooming in on the enemy fleet, he could see the remains of what

was left of the brave men who just sacrificed their lives for him. 

Burnt, wood chunks drifted lazily around the Star Destroyer,

bumping off of the shielding that protected its hull.  Checking the

battle statistic log, he gasped in horror.  Every single one of the

fighters he sent over there was destroyed, and not one of the

opposing vessels was killed.  It seemed almost too unreal to be

true.

                "Your highness, we have an incoming transmission from

the enemy," said a robed man about fifteen feet away from where

he was sitting.

                Almost not hearing him, Asuza somehow managed to nod

his head, as an image of Tom appeared on his screen.

                "I highly recommend you stop this foolishness," he

warned.  "We will not be defeated.  Turn around and go home.  I

do not want to kill any more of your people."

                "Murderer," Asuza spat, seething with rage.  "You killed

five hundred loyal Jurai soldiers and for WHAT?  To protect that

useless trash that has bewitched my daughter?  What kind of

people ARE you?"

                "You seem to forget that you ordered them to attack us. 

Did you think that we were just going to sit here and let you KILL

US?  You're pretty stupid.  Do the smart thing and turn around. 

Go home," Tom ordered, keeping a cool, calm demeanor about

him.  Every one of his bridge crewmembers also glared at the

screen, but Asuza ignored it.

                "I will destroy Russ if it is the last thing I do, and I will

destroy you too if you continue to get in my way," the emperor

snarled.  "You are still greatly outnumbered."

                "Does it not matter that we just destroyed five hundred

fighters out of your fleet and didn't even earn a scratch?  Just go

home.  Aeka will come home on her own.  You cannot force her to

do something she does not want to do.  She's not a little girl

anymore," he said.

                "She is MY DAUGHTER, and she WILL obey my

wishes," Asuza returned, glaring at Tom.  "You and her both have

no right to challenge one of my decisions."

                Tom shook his head.  "We can do as we please.  Unless

you've forgotten, we're not on Jurai, nowhere near a Jurian

outpost, and not in Jurian space.  You're out of line, and you're

going to regret this if you pursue your madness to its final

stupidity."

                "The Earth is a part of Jurian space," Asuza returned.

                "Stop this, father," Aeka said, appearing on a screen next

to Tom.  "I don't want to fight you!"

                Glancing at his daughter, he shook his head.  "The only

way I'm going to stop this fight is if you come home with me," he

answered.

                "I've heard enough," Misaki interjected, stepping in front

of Aeka.  "This battle is over.  To all Jurai ships, prepare to leave

for Jurai immediately.  That's an order."

                Asuza stood idly by and watched his crew, but none of

them made a move to leave, pack up, or call it quits.  Letting a

creepy smile on his face, he glanced at the screen once again,

eyeing his wife.

                "What are you people doing?" Misaki yelled.  "I ordered

you to leave!"

                "It's useless, Lady Misaki," Asuza said, quietly.  "The

soldiers on every one of these ships are loyal to me, and me only. 

They will not accept orders from anyone else."

                "What have you done?" Misaki said, her tone low and

threatening.

                "I will have my daughter come home with me.  That is

my desire, and that is what shall happen," Asuza returned. 

"Anybody who gets in my way will meet their end."

                "This isn't you at all, husband," Misaki replied, looking at

him.  "What happened to the man I know and love?  What father

attacks his own daughter?  What father doesn't care about his

daughter's happiness?  If anybody has been bewitched here, it's

you."

                Asuza shook his head.  "No.  I see everything clearly. 

Our daughter left our home several years ago as she dutifully

attended the marriage meetings that were arranged, but a distress

call brought her to this miserable little planet.  Once here, she lived

with Tenchi for quite some time, and had begun to fall in love with

him.  However, Tenchi was of noble blood, and even though I was

against their relationship, I allowed it to continue because, and

only because, Tenchi is one of us.  However, Russ is not and never

will be.  He is an extinct man, somehow living in this day and age. 

How my daughter found him attractive, I'll never know, but

because he is NOT of Jurai and does NOT have the noble blood

within him, he is unacceptable to us as a husband or a suitor."

                "No.  He's doesn't have noble blood," Misaki admitted. 

"But he has so much more to offer than that.  He doesn't need to

have Jurian blood to sit on the throne…."

                "Yes, he does," Asuza interrupted.  "It is impossible to

allow an outsider to rule the most powerful empire in the galaxy. 

It would result in civil war!  Is that what you want?" Asuza yelled,

frustrated.  "For the good of Jurai and the rest of the universe, I

cannot allow Aeka to marry that… that… man!"

                "You're being…" Misaki began, but Aeka put a hand on

her shoulder, stopping the argument instantly.  Looking up at her

mother with tear filled eyes, she took in a deep breath, and sighed.

                "Father?" Aeka said, letting the tears flow.

                Standing tall, proud, and regal, Asuza remained quiet,

waiting for what his daughter was going to say.  Would she stay, or

would she go, or would she think of a compromise?

                "I'm sorry for all of this, and I'm sorry for what I'm about

to say," she began, looking like she was about to break down and

start bawling.  "I refuse to come home, and I refuse the throne that

has been held for me.  I refuse to be the Princess of Jurai any

longer, and I refuse to be your daughter," she stated, growing more

and more angry and frustrated.  "If you will not leave, then I will

make you."  Turning toward her two guardians, tears in her eyes,

she smiled, a strangely satisfied and contented smile.  "Attack my

father's ship.  Power up the guns to maximum, and destroy his

ship."

                Asuza, upon hearing his daughters words, almost fell to

his knees in despair, as he was still unable to figure out why his

daughter refused a life of ecstasy, pleasure, and comfort, and to

spend it with a man who, for all that he knew, could fight like no

other.  What made his daughter choose this path?

                Misaki, still standing by her daughter's side, looked at

her, a frown on her face.  Letting out a deep sigh, she shook her

head.  "I cannot endorse what you're trying to do, Aeka.  Family

shouldn't be fighting like this.  But I will say one thing.  Your

father is wrong, and because of that, can be exiled for his actions

against the family you have adopted.  You may do with him as you

please, because he is now no longer the Emperor of Jurai."

                "WHAT?!" Asuza screamed, scarcely able to believe

what he just heard.  "You cannot exile me!  You cannot overthrow

the most politically powerful man in the universe!  I'll die before I

give up the throne to that monster!"

                "If that is the path you choose," Aeka said, causing her

ship to move forward, accelerating toward the enemy fleet.  "I will

help you on your way."

                Russ, Ryo-Ohki, Zorpheus, the Yagami, and the entirety

of Tom's fleet began to follow Aeka's ship, keeping a loose

formation, with her ship in the lead.  Her lighthawk wings shone

brightly against the blackness of space, as they swiftly made their

way to the far side of the moon.

                "Aeka!  What are you doing?!" Asuza yelled, looking

horrified as the enemy fleet approached him.  "Stop this madness! 

You are my daughter!"

                "Oh, shut up, Asuza," Russ yelled, having heard enough. 

"Take your ideals and shove 'em!  All you've done is cause Aeka

to be upset, and I've had enough of it.  I don't want to hear another

word of your idealistic shit, because frankly, it makes me and

everybody else want to puke.  Get the hell away from my home,

and my girlfriend!"

                Coming ever closer, Russ watched as five lighthawk

wings appeared around Asuza's personal cruiser, protecting him

from the upcoming bombardment.  The surrounding warships

moved forward, putting him at the back of the line and defending

him further.

                Asuza could do nothing more as he watched all of his

vessels and the remaining two thousand, five hundred fighters open

fire on the enemy, pummeling them with deadly, blue energy.  But

they continued to advance, with Aeka's ship in the lead.  Her

lighthawk wings spun and moved around her ship, blocking nearly

all of the laser fire directed at her.  In an instant, every single

vessel was firing at each other, lighting up the area in brilliant

light, as Jurai vessels began exploding at a nearly constant rate.

                "ALRIGHT!  TIME TO ROCK AND ROLL!" Zorpheus

yelled, hitting the stereo system in his cockpit, putting on White

Reflection from Gundam Wing.

                Russ couldn't help but grin, but he too followed suit and

loaded up Keep Hope Alive by The Crystal Method.

 

                Launching from the underside of the Star Destroyer, a

white cabbit ship joined the fray, causing the warships and fighters

to explode in awe-inspiring purple colored laser bombardments.

                "Need some help?" Nagi asked, grinning.

                "Nagi?  When did you get here?" Ryoko asked, stunned.

                "I never left," she answered, turning her nose up at once-

prey.  "Besides, who says you get to have all the fun?"

                Ryoko grinned.  "I bet I can destroy more ships than you

can!"

                "Oh?  And what do I get when I win?" Nagi responded,

grinning even more widely.

                Letting an amused smirk on her face, Ryoko thought for a

moment, as Ryo-Ohki annihilated a nearby warship.  "How 'bout

the loser has to be the winner's slave for a week?"

                "Works for me," came the answer.  "I could use a nice,

relaxed vacation and be waited on hand and foot."

                "Ready?" Ryoko asked, preparing to keep totals.

                "Let's do this," she said, making Ken-Ohki open fire from

all sides, watching over a dozen fighters explode from the

firespray.

                Ryo-Ohki responded by sweeping her laser over a broad

section of space, creating a line of explosions as the unfortunate

fighters got caught in the deadly beam.

 

                "Flight Group 10, Pilots 1 through 20, follow me!  We're

going to make an attack run on their smallest capital ship!" the

leader of Flight Group 10 yelled, rallying his people.  "Pilots 21

through 40, keep us covered.  The rest of you pick your targets and

destroy them!"

                After a few moments, the leaders of the pack responded

and took up their positions.  Circling around, they hit the throttle,

accelerating to attack velocity.  Within a minute, they reached the

Blockade Runner Avalanche and opened fire, burying it in blue

laser beams.

                Almost immediately, the top mounted laser turret spun

around and targeted the closest attacking ship and fired, destroying

it in one shot, causing a large fireball and making debris spread

everywhere.

                "Keep firing!  We have to take out at least one of these

ships!" the leader yelled, flying by the Corellian Corvette, putting

some distance between himself and the ship to make a second

attack run.  "Don't give up hope!  We are of the most illustrious

empire in the universe!  We cannot be defeated by rogues like

these!"

                "Sir!  That ship's laser turret is extremely powerful!  If

everybody concentrates their firepower on it, we might be able to

punch through their shields and destroy it!" Pilot 15 suggested,

following his leader close behind.

                "It's a small target, but I'm willing to try anything!" he

responded.  "Everyone, concentrate your firepower on the dorsal

turbolaser turret!  We're going to try to knock out its weapons!"

                Two more fighters exploded as they were tracked,

targeted, and destroyed by the gunner of the turret.  Tracking a

third fighter, the corvette fired several times at it, but missed due to

the fighter's size and its distance.

                "Everybody, fire!" the leader of Group 10 yelled,

shooting at the small, but most dangerous part of the ship.  "We'll

take out the ventral turret next, and then the ship will be easy

pickings!"

                Within nanoseconds, the turbolaser was bathed in blue

energy, slamming it from all sides, weakening the shields around

the turret substantially.  However, the gunner of the turret was very

fast and good at his job, and he managed to destroy another five

fighters before they completed their attack run.

                "C'mon… c'mon…" the leader mumbled, holding down

his trigger and keeping the turret in his gunsights, still pelting it

with deadly laser energy.  Amazingly, the shields around the turret

weakened enough to allow several shots through, scorching the

armored metal.  Continuing to fire for another moment, and with

the combined effort of his wing mates and with the assistance of

another flight group that saw what he was trying to do, the

turbolaser went up in a big explosion, rocking the corvette and

cutting off half of its firepower.  Fortunately for the gunner, he

survived, as Tom had taken the necessary precautions against an

offense such as that.

                A massive cheer went up throughout the Jurian flight

group, giving the battling group hope and the motivation to

continue.  "We're not out of the woods yet!  We'll do the ventral

turret now, and then… AAAAAAHHHHH!!" he screamed, being

blown apart by a large barrage of green lasers from the Victory

Star Destroyer Precursor, as it moved to protect the Avalanche.

                Scattering and trying to evade the dozens of lasers, the

remaining attacking ships found themselves washed in green

energy, causing explosion after explosion.  In less time that it takes

to tell, the remaining offensive ships were destroyed.

                Moving away from the battle to begin repairs, the

Avalanche took up a position just under the rear of the Precursor,

and continued to fire from its ventral turret, assisted by the Star

Destroyer.

 

                Holding escort position next to the Gray Wolf, the Strike

Cruiser Pestilence continued to fire at everything that got within

range of its turbolasers.  Having destroyed almost fifty fighters at

this point, the captain of the vessel was pleased with how well his

crew was performing.

                Feeling his ship get rocked from the combined firepower

of three Jurai warships, he sat back in his chair and watched as his

crew combined the firepower of all the available turbolasers onto

one warship, bombard it in red plasma, and within twenty seconds,

destroy it, and then move on to the next vessel.

                "Sir, our shields are at one hundred, twenty three percent

and falling slowly.  We're taking a lot of shots from the opposition,

and we're taking a small amount of friendly fire from the Gray

Wolf and surrounding ships as well.  At this rate, we may have to

retreat within a half hour," Saratome, the first officer, informed the

captain.

                Grinning, Gene shook his head.  "We'll be fine,

Saratome.  We, in combination with the rest of the fleet, will

annihilate these wretched people."

                "Yes, sir.  However, we're fighting alongside one of those

people."

                "She is an exception.  I like her way of thinking.  It's very

ambitious, cunning, and highly intelligent.  I've always hated

certain traditions, as I've felt that a lot of them could use some

refining.  She is the type of person to exact change, always trying

to make something better.  Do you understand, Saratome?" Gene

asked, stroking his goatee.

                Saratome nodded his head, grinning.  "I understand

perfectly.  We will do our very best to defeat our enemy. 

However, I hope they don't get ambitious themselves and try to

track us back home.  That could be disastrous, especially if they

have as many ships as I think they do."

                "No need to worry about that.  Our new Super Star

Destroyer is a floating fortress of firepower.  Even though we're

only supposed to defend ourselves, there isn't another civilization

alive that could touch it.  We're safe from just about everybody,"

he explained.

                "It's not finished yet, sir," Saratome reminded him.

                "No, but our leader, Tom, is way ahead of schedule for

the completion of it.  There will be no problems.  We'll make sure

of that."

                Grinning widely, Saratome turned away from his captain

and stood tall, feeling proud to be a part of his crew.  "Yes sir.  We

are the best this universe has to offer.  Our way of life is paradise,

and I will not give it up for anyone or anything."

                "Neither will anybody else who has joined Tom and his

way of thinking.  Fight on, my men.  Do your best.  We will win,

no matter what."

                A huge "Yes Sir!" erupted from everybody who was

seated around the bridge, causing both Saratome and Gene to grin,

and fill with pride.  Feeling their ship get rocked once again from a

group of fighters, it didn't last long as each of the top ace gunners

tracked the fighters and destroyed them quickly, adding to the

floating mass of debris.

 

                "They're everywhere!  How are their ships so powerful!?"

the pilot of Flight Group 7 Pilot 2 yelled, overwhelmed at how

impossible the opposition was.

                "Calm down!  We still have them outnumbered!  Keep

firing at the ship you're after!  Don't let any get behind you or it's

over!  Our shields are nothing compared to theirs!" FG7P1

responded, trying to keep from panicking.

                "We have to warn Jurai about this threat!" FG7P3

screamed, trying to evade an X-Wing that had just gotten behind

him.  "They're just too…  AHHHHHHHHH!"  In an instant, his

transmission was cut off as his ship exploded from the deadly, red

energy that lanced forth from Tom's forces.

                Flight Group Seven's leader, at this point, had almost

succumbed to a nervous breakdown, as another one of his best

pilots bit the dust.  Starting to wonder about the Emperor's

decision, he debated on what would've been better.  He could

either turn tail and run, and probably be killed for cowardice, or

surrender, and probably be killed by Misaki, Aeka, or worse, Russ

or Zorpheus.  Caught between a rock and a hard place, he had no

more time to think about it, because a Tie Advanced had spotted

him and began shooting at him.

                "I must destroy at least one of their fighters before I die,"

he muttered.  Slowing down, the pilot of the Tie Advanced shot

past him, but quickly banked away as he fired his laser cannons,

pelting him several times before the Tie outmaneuvered his ship. 

"Damn."

                Coming around for another pass, the pilot of the Tie

Advanced locked the Jurian fighter in his sights and opened fire,

but the opposing fighter was situated in such a way that all the

lasers went around his fighter.

                "For the emperor, I give my life…" he said, closing his

eyes, firing all of his laser cannons and pushing his throttle to

maximum, plowing his ship straight into the Tie Advanced,

exploding in a mess of wood and other debris.  However, his

sacrifice was in vain, as the Tie only lost about a third of his

shielding.

 

                Flying toward one of the Jurian warships, Gunboat

Gamma 2 locked her lasers on one of the supports that held the

control center in place and opened fire, causing the wooden

support to shatter from the multiple impacts of the green plasma,

and making the ship open fire on her fighter.  Shaking around from

the blasts and keeping a close eye on her shield indicator, she

skillfully flew very close to the vessel, and opened fire at another

support that was nearby, causing burnt wood splinters to go

everywhere, as the support disintegrated.

                "These ships have got to be made out of balsa wood or

something," she muttered.  "Where's the challenge in beating an

inferior enemy?"

                "Hey, there are still thousands more where these came

from," Gamma 1 responded, taking up a position on her right wing. 

"They probably have ships that are many times more powerful than

these cheesy things.  Look at the Emperor's cruiser.  It doesn't

even have a scratch on it yet!"

                Glaring out of her cockpit at her wingman, she shook her

head.  "That's because we haven't been shooting at it, dipshit."

                "Well excuuuuuuuuuse me for living!" he shot back,

veering off to attack a group of fighters that were firing at Gamma

3.  "Why do you have to be so mean?"

                "Because I like to be mean!" she yelled, firing her lasers

at the last support that held the control unit in place.  The laser fire

from the ship ceased, as all of its functions were cut off.  Swinging

around one more time, she switched to her advanced proton

torpedo launchers and fired one directly in the center of the unit,

causing it to explode into a million pieces, killing everybody

inside.

                "Damn, you're nuts, Gamma 2," Gamma 1 said, shaking

his head.  "That's the third warship you've destroyed now."

                "That's what I'm out here to do, stupid!  And so are you! 

Get back to work and destroy these ships!" she yelled, frustrated.

                "Yes, mother," he answered snidely, firing a torpedo of

his own directly into the side of another warship, watching the

impact create a massive yellow fireball that broke the ship in half. 

However, the half that still had the control center continued to fire,

unwilling to give up the fight.  However, it only lasted a moment

as the Frigate Decimator turned its turbolasers onto the crippled

vessel and finished it off.

                "Thanks for taking all the credit, asshole!" she yelled,

gripping her flight stick even tighter.  "Ugh!  Men!  They're so

impossible!"

                "Oh, shut up already!  Cut the chatter," Gamma 4 yelled,

chasing around a stray fighter.  "We have to force them to turn

back or we'll never get out of this!"

                "Yes sir," Gamma 1, Gamma 2, and Gamma 3 responded

in turn, resuming their various skirmishes.

 

                "Jugio, we still have them outnumbered five to one!  If we

focus on one fighter at a time, we might have a chance!" the pilot

of FG15P3 suggested, firing on a Y-Wing that was currently

focused on another warship.  His lasers continued to be absorbed

by the shields of the bomber, and he realized that he was barely

making a dent.  Every single time he managed to bring the shields

down thirty or forty percent, they'd immediately jump back to

where they were in a matter of moments.  "Damn that ability to

transfer laser energy to shields!  These ships are tough!"

                "I agree with you, but they're destroying us like we're

flying some archaic fighter!" FG15P4 answered, pulling up

alongside FG15P3 and firing at the Y-Wing with him.  "They have

the most advanced craft I've ever seen, but THEY'RE the ones that

look archaic!  Why do they have computer screens instead of

holographic technology?  Give me a break!"

                "So what!  Their ships are simplistic and easy to operate,

unlike ours!  Our controls are nowhere near as responsive as theirs

and there are too many damn options.  Who needs twenty levels of

laser output?  Theirs only have two and it works for them!  They

can do anything they want right on the fly!" FG15P3 complained. 

"I don't want to die in this crate!  I have my wife and child back at

home!"

                "You were told not to get involved with her!  You knew

what you were getting into especially when you became a part of

this group!" came the response, sounding completely

unsympathetic.  "But your wife will probably be very proud of

you, even though she'll miss you."

                "Thanks, man," he said, following the Y-Wing as it

pitched up and away from the warship, preparing for another attack

run.  "I'm glad I have a friend… AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" he

screamed, as a pursuing Skipray Blastboat blew his ship to pieces.

                "Oh my god, Anki!" he yelled, watching the fireball in

horror and veering off his attack run on the Y-Wing.  "Anki!  Are

you okay?!  ANKI!!!!  YOU BASTARDS!  I'LL DESTROY….

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" he screamed, as the Skipray Blastboat

behind him quickly centered his targeting reticule on his ship and

fired, destroying him in a matter of seconds.  Static filled the

airwaves as the pilot of the Skipray searched for another target.

 

                Sitting quietly in Washu's lab, Funaho, Sasami, Washu,

and Katsuhito all watched the battle unfold on a massive, fifty-foot

screen that Washu had set up.  She had launched orbital satellites

around both the Earth and the moon quite some time ago, and it

allowed her to get some of the best perspective shots that had ever

been recorded.  It was better than any action movie any of them

had seen before.

                They could see Russ dart from fighter to fighter,

destroying them very quickly, but he was being blasted a

considerable amount, and on more than one occasion, he ducked

under the Star Destroyer to recharge his shields.  Dozens of Tom's

forces had to retreat to a capital ship due to heavy damage, but

thousands of Jurian fighters were being destroyed, as if it were a

shooting gallery.

                The Yagami had destroyed over a hundred fighters, but

for the most part, it was pretty much left alone.  Tom's Imperial

Star Destroyer had taken the brunt of most of the offense, but his

ship was still going strong.  Washu had calculated his shield

energy at seventy three percent and holding, but it still seemed

amazing that a ship like that was able to take on the Jurai forces so

easily.  Ryo-Ohki and Ken-Ohki were dead even at two hundred,

thirty eight fighters a piece, and Ryu-Oh was still going strong, but

Aeka had only managed to destroy around one hundred, seventy

nine fighters.  Tom's Star Destroyer had eaten the biggest number

of fighters, coming close to seven hundred, and on top of that, he

had taken out over thirty warships.  But the battle was only about

half way finished.

                Funaho continued to stare at the atrocity that was being

committed by her husband, unable to say anything.  She was barely

breathing as she held her breath on many occasions, since the

excitement level of the battle was staggering.  Fighters were

swarming everywhere, with green, red, and blue lasers brightening

up the sky, and on many occasions, a flood of yellow and red

would flash, as a fighter or warship exploded.  She couldn't help

but feel pity on all of those who sacrificed their lives over

something so foolish, but they were only loyal to her husband, and

she knew that there was nothing that she could do about it.

                "There goes another one," Washu muttered, seeing the

Modified Frigate Freelance destroy another warship as if it were a

sitting duck.  "The wise choice would be to give up.  There is no

way that the Jurians can face an attack force like Tom's and win. 

They couldn't even take on Ryo-Ohki or the Yagami."

                "Why is father doing this?" Sasami asked, continuing to

watch the battle unfold.  "Why is he making our people die like

this?"

                Katsuhito sighed, wondering how to answer his sister's

question.  "I do not know, Sasami.  Your father has always been a

proud man, and he has yet to name a successor to the throne.  I

believe that is why he is so determined to force your sister into

finding a, what he would call, a proper suitor."

                "But WHY?" Sasami asked, shaking her head.  "What is

wrong with Russ?  How come he can't become the Emperor of

Jurai?"

                "It's because he was never a part of Jurai, Sasami.  Unlike

Tenchi, he does not have the Royal Bloodline within him.  To us,

he is an outsider.  Unfortunately, your father discriminates against

all those who are not of Jurai, and he does not have an enlightened

attitude toward the situation," Katsuhito explained, gently resting

his hand on Sasami's shoulder.  "Because of this, very few

outsiders are welcomed to Jurai, who are not a part of their empire. 

When we went to the Startica festival, over ninety nine percent of

the people who attended came from either colonized worlds, or

worlds that were absorbed into the Empire.  Those who came who

were not a part of that empire, such as Tom and his crew, were

treated as outcasts, or people who weren't up to the same level as

they feel they are, even though Tom's crew couldn't tell that they

were being treated rudely.  This is something you'll eventually

learn one day, Sasami.  Even the people of Earth have feelings of

hatred toward those of another country.  This entire planet isn't

unified.  Not in the very least.  If you're not of their country or

their race, they don't want you around.  It's the same way with

your father and his treatment of Russ."

                "But why do people have to be like that?  Why can't

everybody love each other for who they are?  Why do people have

to be so mean and try to kill each other like this?!  I don't get it!"

she cried, her face glistening with free flowing tears.  Her face

brightened up with the yellow color of an explosion that took place

on the screen, but it quickly faded back to near darkness.

                "I… don't know.  This is one reason why I never wanted

the throne for myself, Sasami," Katsuhito responded, closing his

amethyst eyes, reflecting on the way his father had treated Tenchi

when he first arrived.  'Yosho got married to that…Earthling…

despite my wishes.  I don't need his grandson.'  Letting out a sigh

of disappointment, Katsuhito wrapped his arm around his little

sister and held her tightly.  "I can only hope that our father can

eventually learn the error of his ways."

                "I don't think that'll ever come to pass, my son," Funaho

said, softly.  "Your father has set his ways in stone and he will not

even remotely consider someone not of Jurai to take the throne. 

He was even against Tenchi in the beginning."

                "Yes… he was.  And he was still against Tenchi up until

the end of Aeka and Tenchi's relationship.  I don't know if father

will ever accept a more enlightened view of those who are not of

Jurai," Katsuhito replied, lowering his head, as another yellow

burst of light erupted from the screen, signaling the destruction of

yet another warship.

                "You do realize that it has been Jurai's tradition to hand

down the throne to those of Royalty," Washu interjected.  "It has

been done this way since the beginning of the empire.  It is not

difficult to understand his viewpoint, but most of us have grown

beyond tradition and now embrace change, even if it isn't always

for the better."

                Funaho and Katsuhito both fell silent, wondering what

they could do to make Asuza see and understand their view of the

empire as it stood.  Things that don't change… die.  Just as a

business comes out with new products to better benefit the public,

if they do not change with the times, their business fails.  And they

all knew that if the empire didn't change, it was going to die.

                "What can we do, auntie?" Sasami asked, looking up into

Funaho's forlorn face.  "How can we change father's mind?"

                Sitting there quietly for a moment, she raised her face at

the screen, watching several more Jurian fighters become nothing

more than space debris.  "Look there, Sasami," she said, pointing

at the screen.  "Change is taking place right at this very moment."

                Looking toward the screen, it took her only a moment to

understand the full meaning of what her aunt meant, and she sat

back, growing more and more determined to see her father beaten. 

It was time for a change, and the time for change is now.

 

                "Green five, watch your six!" the pilot of Green two

yelled, seeing four Jurai fighters group together and begin pursing

his wingman.

                "I see 'em!" she responded, pitching her A-Wing upward

and toward the Nebulon G Frigate Thundershock.  "Help me out if

you can!  I'll try and outrun them and make them get closer to the

frigate!"

                "You might not have to," he responded, centering his

guns on two of the ships, as they were flying very close to each

other.  "Eat this, you bastards!" he yelled, squeezing the trigger,

causing red plasma to fire from his dual laser cannons.  One blast

from each gun hit each fighter, but they didn't break off their

attack run.  Continuing to fire, he watched as they finally broke

off, now leaving only two fighters chasing his wingman. 

Following one of them closely, he opened fire once again,

destroying the ship.  "One down, three to go!"

                "Thank you!  Now it's my turn!" she announced, quickly

pitching her fighter away from the frigate and causing the two

pursing fighters to follow her.  However, they were too slow, and

in a matter of moments, they found themselves in her line of fire. 

Switching to her advanced concussion missile launcher, her

targeting reticule turned yellow as a beeping sound emitted from

the targeting scanner, and after a moment, turned red, indicating a

lock.  Pulling the trigger, a missile fired from her launcher and

streaked directly for the fighter, but it pulled up and tried to evade

the missile.  Nevertheless, the missile was too fast and too

maneuverable and it tracked the enemy's fightpath easily, and then

slammed into the rear of the fighter, utterly annihilating it. 

Switching back to lasers, she began following the second fighter,

and after a barrage of lasers, eventually destroyed it.

                "Good shot, Green five," he congratulated.  "That was

some nice flying."

                "Thank you sir," she responded, sounding embarrassed. 

                Both pilots searched for another target, and there were

still plenty to choose from.

 

                "We're going to lose this battle, sir," the pilot of

FG27P36 said to his flight leader.  "We don't stand a chance

against these guys."

                "Keep quiet!  You will keep fighting until the Emperor

says not to!  He is not to be disobeyed!" his leader returned,

angrily.

                "What's the point if we're going to lose, sir?  We've

already lost well over sixty percent of our forces.  We're nothing

but cannon fodder to them.  If we surrender or give up, at least we

might have a chance to live," he said, trying to get a lock on a B-

Wing that was making an attack run on a warship.

                "Are you a coward?!" Russo yelled, becoming flustered. 

"No surrender, no retreat!  We will give our lives to the Emperor

as we were meant to do!"

                "No, I'm not a coward.  But I think I'm making more

sense than the Emperor."

                "TRAITOR!  If you do not continue fighting, I'll destroy

you myself!"

                "Dammit, listen to me!  We CAN'T WIN!  We're going

to die if we keep fighting… we're going… 

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!" he screamed, as his flight leader got

behind him and fired, destroying his own wingman.

                "Let this be a lesson to you all," Russo said, broadcasting

to everybody in his flight group.  "You will keep on fighting, as

you have already given your lives to Jurai and the Emperor.  You

will die in glory, not cowardice.  If you turn tail and run, I'll hunt

you down and kill you myself.  Is that understood?"

                Silence greeted his ears over the radio until another

scream filled the cockpit as another one of his wingmen just in

front of him blew apart from red laser fire.  On the

communications system, audio only, an obnoxious male voice

crowed, "GAZE IN AWE UPON THE AMAZING KUTARO

NANBARA!"

                A vein bulged out of Russo's forehead.  "Just who ARE

these idiots?!"

 

                Flying toward another fighter, the pilot of one of the YT-

1300 Corellian transports opened fire, destroying it messily, as the

two other gunners in the quad laser turrets fired at two pursing

fighters, destroying them quickly.

                "Yeeee haaaw!" Gordon shouted, watching his kill count

climb.  "Ain't this some great shootin, muh friends?!"

                "Yessir!  I haven't had this much fun in years!" Rich

yelled back, as he swung his turret around to shoot at a fighter

above the transport.

                "This is too easy," Nanbara complained.  "I need a

challenge!  These fighters explode in one volley!  Good grief, I'm

surprised they can even fly through space without falling apart! 

What kind of joke are these things?"

                "Qwit yer complain 'in, son!" Gordon returned, grinning. 

"We gots ourselves these here job tuh do, and we gonna do it until

it's done!"

                Getting another unfortunate victim in his sights, Rich

swiftly opened fire as the fighter passed by, pelting it continually

until it exploded in another fireball.  "Yeah!  I got another one!"

                "Duh," Nanbara taunted.  "The stupid fighters are so big

and bulky, not to mention slow, that it'd be an embarrassment if

you missed one."

                "Aw, c'mon!  Have a little fun here!  Youse guys are doin

great!  We still have ourselves lots more targets tuh choose from. 

How 'bout we go take on one of them there warships?" Gordon

invited, looking at one of the vessels looming overhead, as it

started to fire off blue lasers in their direction.

                Nanbara grinned.  "Now that should be fun.  Fly behind it

so we can cut off its control center!  It should be easy pickings

after that!"

                "Man, you guys are nuts.  Tom told us that we shouldn't

be taking any kind of stupid risks, remember?" Rich reminded

them.

                "Give me a break.  These paper ships won't stand a

chance against a Corellian transport equivalent to the Millennium

Falcon!" Nanbara said, getting motivated.  "Let's do this!"

                "Youse got it!" Gordon yelled, as the three of them felt

the transport pick up speed and pitch directly toward the warship.

                Firing his laser cannons, Gordon blasted the middle of the

ship, while Nanbara and Rich fired at other parts, trying to blow

off the support structures that held the control unit in place.  It

didn't take long, and soon, the supports disintegrated from the

combined fire of Nanbara, Rich, and Gordon.

                "One support down, three to go!" Rich yelled, still firing

at the much larger vessel.  Finally getting a clear view of the

second support, he rotated his turret and squeezed his trigger,

causing red plasma to fire from his quad laser turret.  Just below

him, more red erupted from Nanbara's turret, hammering on the

support beam.  In a few moments, another support exploded,

severing more connections with the main hull of the ship.

                "Hey!  The thang qwit shootin at us!" Gordon said,

finishing the flyby.  Getting about a kilometer away, he swung

around to make one final pass at the disabled warship, and began

firing at it from his front mounted laser cannon.  That, in

combination with the dual quad laser turrets, the control unit

quickly had a hole blown in its side, and as a result, the entire unit

exploded, taking over half of the ship with it.

                "Aw yeah!  That 'ought to earn us some bonus points

with Tom!" Nanbara yelled, gleefully.

                "I'm buyin da beer when we gets back!" Gordon yelled

                "YEAH!" both Nanbara and Rich yelled, extremely

pleased with their performance.

                Quickly finding a group of fighters, the Comet flew

toward them, guns blazing.

               

                Watching another one of their proud warships become

nothing more than space debris, the cause of the Carrack Cruiser

Dragons Teeth's red laser blasts, the captain of the Nagaru-oh

drummed her fingers on the armrest of her chair, growing more

and more concerned at their inability to inflict any kind of damage

on the opposing fleet.  Tom's fighters were able to take on their

capital ships and not get a scratch, but their forces almost couldn't

get near their warships without being destroyed.  Even their own

capital ships were succumbing to the thousands of laser blasts from

the enemy.  It just seemed like something out of a bad dream.

                "Ma'am, we've lost our sister ship, the Nagari-oh.  We're

the only one left in our battle group.  What are your orders,

ma'am?" First Officer Hibiki informed his captain.

                Sitting there in silence, currently out of range of the

battle, she closed her eyes, and thought long and hard about what

she should do.  The rest of the bridge crew stopped and watched

her, worried and concerned for their lives and the outcome of the

battle.

                "Ma'am?" Hibiki asked again.  "We are in your hands

now.  What will you have us do?"

                "Hibiki.  Do you have a family back home?" Amaro

asked, looking serious, but depressed.

                "Uh… no, ma'am.  I'm single," he answered, surprised.

                "I see.  Why did you come onboard my ship?  Why are all

of you here?" she asked, looking around at her bridge crew.

                Feeling extremely nervous now, Hibiki looked down at

the floor, unsure of what she was getting at.  "I joined the Royal

Imperial Navy because I had nothing else to do and nowhere to go. 

I don't know if I joined for all the wrong reasons, but it seemed to

be the only alternative left to my life.  I wanted to be the best there

was, and that is why I'm a part of this ship and its crew."

                The helmswoman stood up, looking stern and proud.  "I

joined because I love my home and I want to protect it from our

enemies.  I feel that it is a very proud and prestigious job to have,

and I too, wanted to be the best.  That is why I'm here."

                Next, the science officer took a step toward the captain,

feeling tall and proud.  "I joined this ship because I heard it was

the best in the fleet.  I had already made a career in the military,

and after rising through the ranks, I had a choice of which ship I

wanted to go to, and I picked this one.  I want to defend our home

from our enemies.  That is what makes me feel good, and that is

what makes me happy and proud, ma'am."

                Lastly, her communications officer got to his feet.  "I'm

here for almost the same reasons Hibiki is here for.  I have no

family and I have no life outside of the military, so I wanted to be

the best-damned officer the Jurian forces ever had.  I'm here

because I want to be here.  I have no desire to be anywhere else,

and I'm ready to give my life for my home.  This is why I'm here

with everybody."

                Amaro closed her eyes once again, and after taking in a

deep breath, she held it for a moment, and then released it all at

once.  Reopening her eyes, she looked at each of her bridge crew

in turn, taking in their profound, determined, and respectful faces,

imprinting those in stone within her mind.

                "Are you all prepared to give your lives for our home of

Jurai?" she asked, quietly.  "Are you all willing to do whatever it

takes to bring victory to our people?"

                "Yes ma'am!" everybody shouted, awaiting her order.

                Letting a smile on her lips, and letting a tear escape from

her eye, she let out a deep sigh.  "Abandon ship.  I am going to ram

the Imperial Star Destroyer Gray Wolf with the Nagaru-oh.  I pray

that our sacrifice will help bring us victory."

                Nobody moved as they looked at her with unchanging

expressions.

                Cocking her eyebrow suspiciously, she became

concerned.  "What are you doing?  I said to abandon ship.  There is

no sense in having all of you parish with me.  It only takes one to

ram this ship into theirs.  You will all live to fight on some other

time.  My time is over.  I will do whatever it takes to bring us

victory."

                "No, ma'am.  We will not leave," Hibiki stated, a look of

sheer determination on his face.  "One person is not enough to run

this ship.  We will stay with you until the bitter end.  We knew

when we came onboard one of the most elite ships in the fleet that

there would be risks.  We're not afraid to die at your side.  We will

ram the Nagaru-oh into the Gray Wolf.  We are willing to die at

your side in glorious battle."

                "This is insubordination," she said, her voice wavering. 

"I could have you stripped of rank for this atrocity."

                Hibiki grinned.  "No you won't," he countered, softly. 

"We're all in this together.  We have one final job to do, and we

will do it."

                "Yes Sir!" the remaining bridge crew resounded, taking

their seats.

                "Just give us the order, ma'am," Hibiki said, standing tall.

                Looking around her bridge at the most awesome crew she

ever had command over, her expression became that of pure

determination.  "Accelerate to maximum velocity.  Target the Gray

Wolf's bridge.  Open fire once we get in range, and don't stop for

anything.  If you have prayers to say, say them now.  We're going

to ram them."

                The bridge fell silent for a moment as the ship rumbled to

life, accelerating as it flew on a crash-course with the Gray Wolf. 

In a minute, it opened fire with its many gunports, slamming the

bridge of the ISD with deadly, blue energy.  The capital ship began

to return fire, as their ship shuddered massively with each impact

of their turbolasers.  In a few seconds, holes were being blown

through nearly every surface of the ship, but they continued to

press onward.  Watching the size of the bridge become larger and

larger in their viewer, their proud warship, the Nagaru-oh, made its

final attack run on the enemy, and smashed itself straight into the

bridge of the opposing ship, exploding in a huge fireball, causing

wood splinters and other debris to go everywhere, as the ship

destroyed itself from the impact, causing the whole crew to

sacrifice their lives for something they believed in.  It was the most

proud and noble moment for their entire crew, and their ship, the

Nagaru-oh.

 

                "How are you doing, Zorph!?" Russ yelled, destroying yet

another fighter as his Tie Defender shook from all the impacts of

the surrounding fleet.  "I just killed my hundred, fifty sixth

fighter!"

                "I'm on a hundred, forty one!" Zorpheus yelled back,

targeting another fighter and pulling the trigger, watching deadly,

red energy spew forth from his gunports, annihilating yet another

enemy vessel.  "They just keep right on coming!"

                "Mow 'em down!" Russ responded, centering his

targeting reticule on one of the fighters that was pursuing him and

firing, watching the green plasma slam into the opposing ship,

blowing off several chunks as it flew by, and then exploded. 

"Remember doing this in X-Wing Alliance?"

                Zorpheus laughed.  "Yeah!  Except this is much more

fun!  I'm not dying like crazy like I always did in that game!"

                "Keep it up, Zorph!  We're over seventy percent done

with their forces and we have yet to lose a fighter or capital ship!"

Russ crowed, looking for another target.

                "Yeah, but the corvettes had to move to the back of the

line because they were getting hammered too much.  Their shields

are pretty low!"

                "I know.  I wonder why these people are not surrendering. 

It's so obvious that they can't beat us!" Russ said, watching

another warship explode from the Dreadnaught Odyssey's

turbolasers.  "There is going to be nothing left!  Do you realize

how many people we've killed?"

                "Not as many you or I did in one time.  Remember how

many you killed when Laurie died?  You practically destroyed the

planet!" Zorpheus said, feeling his ship lurch from multiple

impacts from behind.  Swinging around, in a mere five seconds he

had the pursuing ship in his gunsight as he pulled the trigger and

began blasting it, causing it to explode in less than three seconds. 

"Of course, I've nearly destroyed planets too because of some

things that were done to me."

                "Huh?  Like what?" Russ asked, pulling up alongside

Zorpheus's Toscan Fighter.

                Zorpheus fell silent for a moment, but he chuckled.  "I

can't tell you that.  It's a personal secret."

                Finding his response surprising, Russ scratched the back

of his head for a moment, until his ship wound up spinning out of

control from a massive impact.  "What the hell was that?!" Russ

yelled, quickly regaining control and dumping all of his laser

energy into his shields, bringing them up to a hundred, thirteen

percent.  "Where did that blast come from?"

                "Shit.  That blast came from the Emperor's ship.  He's

firing these weird orange balls at you, and that thing didn't even hit

you directly.  It just clipped you and exploded!" Zorpheus

described, looking at the massive cruiser, as it fired another volley

at them.

                Quickly splitting up, Russ turned around and headed back

toward Tom's ship, as the massive, orange ball exploded where he

was a moment ago.  The shockwave rocked his fighter around a

bit, but his shields didn't lose any strength.  "We're going to have

to disable that thing!"

                "Why don't we just annihilate it?" Zorpheus said,

grinning.  "I think killing him would do the universe a favor."

                "No.  We can't kill Aeka's father!  God, I'd feel horrible

if I killed him and then went back to her, even if she ASKED me to

do it," Russ answered, shuddering.

                "Hmmm… no, I guess not," Zorpheus answered.  "But

I'VE got no problem doing it!" he yelled, and then started laughing

like crazy.

                "No, you won't," Tom's voice announced, as his visage

popped up on one of the internal monitors of both Russ and

Zorpheus's fighters.  "We're going to disable them, but at the

moment, we're waiting for him to just give it up.  We'll keep

destroying his fleet until he finally realizes that he's not going to

get his way.  He reminds me a friggin spoiled brat."

                "He's just an ass," Zorpheus muttered, glaring at the

screen.  "He deserves to have his teeth kicked down his throat."

                "You'll get no argument from me on that sentiment,"

Tom responded, grinning.  "But we cannot kill Aeka's father.  It

would cause a massive uproar on Jurai to have the emperor of their

planet killed in a skirmish here at Earth.  I don't have the resources

to defend this planet and I don't want to involve the people of

Earth in an interstellar war, especially when they barely have the

means to explore their own solar system."

                "I guess you're right.  But that's not going to stop me

from walking onboard that ship and knocking him out," Zorpheus

growled, looking up at the massive cruiser.  Orange balls continued

to fire at a slow and steady rate, but fortunately, everybody's

fighters were too small, fast, and maneuverable and were able to

avoid the blasts easily enough.  "This guy is a real piece of work."

                "The only one who is going to slap my father around is

me," Aeka announced, appearing next to Tom in split screen mode. 

"Once I slap him silly, then it'll be your turn," she said, smiling.

                Zorpheus grinned widely and started laughing.  "You're

so perfect," he said.  "Russ found such a perfect match… I'm

jealous."

                Aeka stuck her tongue out at Zorpheus and give him a

little raspberry, but smiled afterward.  "I'm Russ's and only

Russ's.  Don't you dare try hitting on me or I'll kick you where the

sun doesn't shine."

                "I know, I know.  I'm just playing, sheesh," Zorph

answered, rolling his eyes.  "Everybody is so serious nowadays."

                "Says who?  I'm having fun here," Russ interjected,

blowing apart another fighter.  "But this shouldn't last too much

longer."

                "I hope not.  I do not like killing my own people, but I'm

going to have my way for a change.  I'm sick of listening to my

father's traditions and ideals, and I can't stand being ordered

around like a little kid anymore.  I want my own life, not the life he

wants for me."

                Russ smiled, feeling very proud to have such a strong

woman with him at his side.  "I don't blame you one bit, Aeka. 

Let's finish this.  It shouldn't take much more.  Over seventy five

percent of his fleet has been destroyed.  If he's not too stubborn,

he'll stop this fight and save the lives of the people who are

fighting for him."

                "I don't believe he will.  He'll fight until the last ship is

destroyed, even though none of your forces have been killed," she

said, looking at Russ, Tom, and Zorpheus.  "You've trained your

crew well, Tom.  If I were the Princess of Jurai, I would reward

you handsomely.  I'm in debited to you forever."

                Tom smiled.  "Seeing you and Russ together is more than

enough to make me happy, and the rest of the crew happy.  I'm

proud to be your friends, and friends help each other in their time

of need."

                "But this is above and beyond what friendship would

normally do," Aeka said in response.  "Over fifty of your fighters

were heavily damaged and your corvette class ships are about to

lose their shields.  And you didn't have to do this for me."

                "You didn't even have to ask, Aeka," Russ said, smiling. 

"These are the kinds of friends that people would kill to have, and

I'm very proud to be friends with Tom and his crew.  They're the

best."

                "Quit fueling my ego, Russ," Tom muttered, snickering. 

Another explosion erupted in front of Tom, as his ship blew apart

another one of the opposing forces vessels.  "You and I go way

back and frankly, there is no way in hell that I would've missed a

chance to test out my fleet in battle like this.  I'm really happy with

the performance of my ships and the crew that pilots them."

                "Okay, enough of this mushy stuff," Zorpheus

complained, zipping under the Star Destroyer, chasing down

another fighter, however, his target was blown apart by one of the

YT-2000 transports just before he acquired a target lock.  "Hey! 

That was MY kill!"

                "Heh, heh, and I take all the credit!" the pilot crowed,

chasing down a small group of enemy fighters.  The gunners of the

two quad turbolaser turrets locked their targeting scopes on the

nearest ones and fired, blowing them to pieces easily.  "And there

goes two more!"

                Zorpheus growled an obscenity to himself as he cycled

through his targeting scanner, trying to find the closest target.  "I

wish I had some missiles or torpedoes onboard," he complained

again.

                "You want a reload?" Tom asked.

                Sighing to himself, Zorpheus shook his head.  "Nah.  I

can finish the rest of these losers with lasers.  Even the capital

ships don't stand much of a chance against one of our fighters."

                "Suit yourself," Tom stated, checking a statistical readout

of the battle.  "Over ninety percent of their fleet has now been

destroyed.  Only twenty nine warships and three hundred thirty

fighters remain!"

                "Tom, cease fire," Aeka asked, having an idea.

                "Excuse me?  Why?" came the concerned response.

                "If I'm not mistaken, they'll probably cease fire as well.  I

think it's time to try to negotiate with my father again."  Standing

tall, Aeka glared at her father's cruiser, which was still trying to

blast the surrounding ships.

                "Okay.  We'll do it for a few minutes.  If they continue to

fire, we'll just disable the rest of their fleet.  I think there has been

enough death today," Tom replied, keying a command to broadcast

to every single ship in the vicinity, both allied and enemy.  "This is

Tom to all ships.  Cease fire.  Repeat.  Cease fire.  All fighters,

return to your designated capital ship, but hold an escort position

around it.  Repeat.  All hands cease fire."

                In a matter of moments, all green and red lasers that

lanced forth from the various ships and fighters disappeared, as

they all continued to take evasive action, avoiding the blue lasers

from Jurai.  But that only lasted a few additional moments, as the

enemy too, ceased firing.  For a moment, a deathly calm settled

across the battlefield, as all vessels kept their guns trained on each

other, ready to resume the battle if an order was given.

 

                "What are you all doing?!" Asuza yelled, watching as all

of his ships stopped fighting.  "I never ordered you to stop!  Keep

firing!  Destroy them all!"

                "Your highness?  It is obvious that we do not stand a

chance against their fleet.  We've lost two hundred, seventy-one

warships and thousands of fighters.  I believe they want to

negotiate now.  I don't doubt that they'll ask an unconditional

surrender, or we'll be destroyed.  Even our Royal ship doesn't

stand a chance against a force like that," Sentaro, Asuza's first

officer, informed him.

                "COWARDS!" Asuza roared, clenching his fists at his

sides.  "How dare you disobey your Emperor and King!  I demand

that you open fire on their ships!  Destroy them all!"

                "We will not," came Sentaro's response.  "We've lost far

too much, and at the moment, we have a chance that we will be

spared."

                "Naurice!  Take Sentaro to the brig immediately!  He is a

traitor!" Asuza bellowed, thrusting his finger at his first officer.

                She didn't move as she looked worriedly at both her

Emperor and his first officer.  Unable to decide what she should

do, she remained in place, with sweat beading on her forehead as

her stress level skyrocketed.

                Watching her angrily, he quickly lost his patience.  "I told

you to arrest this man," came Asuza's order.  "Are you a traitor

too?  Do you want to join him in the brig?"

                "Your highness, we have an incoming transmission from

Aeka's ship," Sentaro stated flatly, turning away from his King. 

"Putting it on screen."

                "It's time to stop this foolishness, father," came Aeka's

chilling voice, as the entire bridge stopped and watched the

negotiation begin.  "You're sacrificing our people in a battle that

they cannot win.  I never thought you'd do something like this to

them.  I pity you, father."

                "Save your pity for someone who cares," Asuza spat, his

face turning beet red.  "I will come out of this victorious!  To all

ships, resume fighting!  Destroy them!"

                "I'm afraid that they've finally come to their senses,

father," Aeka responded, looking at him with disgust written all

over her face.  "I do not want to destroy any more of our people,

and they do not want to die for an old and outdated tradition."

                "I told you, I will not have that man touching you in any

way, and you will come home to resume your duties as the crown

princess!" Asuza bellowed, stubbornly.

                "I will not," she stated flatly, tired of her father's charade. 

"I've already taken off my crown and thrown it at your feet.  The

only way I will come home with you is if Russ comes too.  I will

not leave his side for any reason, no matter what anybody may say. 

The only one who could tell me to go would be Russ himself, and

even then, I wouldn't listen to him.  He's mine, forever."

                "This cannot be…  Aeka, why?" he asked, completely

unable to comprehend what has been going on.

                "Because I love him," she responded, smiling.  "I love

him more than life itself.  And I know you know that too, father."

                Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath, and let it out

slowly.  Reopening his eyes and surveying the incredible amount

of wreckage from his once proud fleet, for the first time in his life,

he knew he was beaten.  However, he continued to deny himself,

and told himself that he could still win.

                "Aeka," he began.  "I've already explained to you why

you must come home with me.  Your brother already failed me as

my son, and I will not have my daughter do the same.  You will be

the leader of the most powerful empire in the known universe.  Do

you really want to just throw it all away?  Does it not matter to

you?  Do your mother and I not matter to you?" he asked,

frustrated and beaten.  "You hurt your father's feelings, Aeka.  I do

not see what you find so attractive about Russ.  He is nothing

compared to you.  Tenchi was nothing compared to you.  Nobody

can hold a candle to you, but the men I chose for your marriage

meetings could at least benefit us in some form or another.  I love

you, Aeka, and I want only the best for you.  Second best isn't

good enough for you, your mother, or the Empire of Jurai."

                "I know.  But you still don't take my feelings into

account.  I'm a person, just like you are, and I have my own

feelings and emotions that I have to deal with.  I'm not a doll and

I'm not a thing to be given to someone else.  I have the freedom to

make my own choices, and that is what I'm going to do from now

on," she said, proudly.  "I choose Russ, and he chooses me, and

that's what I want.  Nothing else matters to me.  Not the Empire,

not the material things you find so attractive, not a fleet of ships,

and not how many planets we can add to our overabundant

collection.  All I want is happiness with a man that I love, and that

is what I've found."

                "Do you know what will happen if I return to Jurai

without you?" Asuza asked, looking his daughter right in the eye.

                "No, but I have a pretty good guess," Aeka stated, looking

away.  "I would be exiled for not doing my duty to Jurai.  And if I

came home with Russ, there would most likely be civil war.  There

are still people stuck in the past like you, father, but then there are

those of us who are ready to embrace change, no matter how it

benefits or hurts the empire.  You still do not realize what kind of

an asset Russ would pose to us by himself.  He doesn't need

material things to bring with him.  He's the most powerful warrior

in this universe, and there wouldn't be another who could touch

him," she said, reiterating that fact once again.  "And he loves me. 

He would never allow me to come to any harm, and he will always

stand by my side, even if we disagree with each other.  He is a find

like no other.  He's perfection."

                Again, Asuza closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax. 

Reopening them once again, he looked at his daughter, who looked

so proud, regal, and strangely enough, happy.  It had been a while

since he saw her smile like that, and he forgotten what it was like

to feel the same way.  The stress of running his empire was bearing

down on his soul and mind, and it was ruining him.

                What his daughter had said did make a lot of sense, even

though he knew he didn't want to admit it.  He has upheld the

traditions of Jurai since the beginning of his reign, and those

traditions have served the empire well since the beginning. 

However, the ideals did seem outdated, but he never questioned

them, even when he felt they were silly.  He was always told what

his place was, and that he was in no position to challenge it in any

way, shape, or form.  He was raised with an ironclad set of rules

that were never meant to be broken, and that idealism was instilled

in him at a very young age… much younger than Aeka was at the

time.  But now, his daughter was fully-grown and mature, and

because of his lax attempt to instill those same ideals into her, she

now stood at opposition to him.  It was his own fault that she

turned out the way she did.  He had nobody to blame but himself,

however, what she had said were questions that he had raised, but

never voiced, as a child.  Now confronted with the same situation,

he wondered how he should respond to it.

                "Aeka… I had raised the same questions when I was

much younger than you," he began, taking on a calm, cool

demeanor.  "I never asked them, but I followed the rules of our

tradition without ever voicing my own opinion of them.  That was

the way I was raised.  That is the only way I know what is right

and wrong.  I was taught it was wrong to question the ways of

tradition, so I followed them obediently.  When I broke one of

those rules, I was severely punished, so I never even considered

breaking those rules."  Taking another deep breath, he looked at

his daughter, and smiled.  "You were such a good little girl while

you were growing up.  You always did as you were told and you

never objected to anything that we taught you, so I never instilled

the repercussions of you breaking the rules.  That is my own fault. 

But at the time, it never was needed because you were so perfect. 

That is why I cannot figure out why, after all these years, you just

suddenly changed your mind about everything that you were

taught.  Why, Aeka?  Why have you forsaken Jurai Tradition, your

home, and me?  What made you decide that our way was old,

outdated, and archaic?"

                Standing there in silence for a moment, Aeka looked up at

her father on the viewscreen, and chose her words carefully.  "I

was never subjected to another person outside of Royalty, father.  I

was always treated as a princess, to be untouched, and unspoiled.  I

almost never went out among the common people, as I was kept

away from them for most of my life.  I had very little freedom in

whatever I did, so I didn't question anything," she explained,

looking downcast.  "I was never, ever treated as a person in my life

until I met Tenchi.  He was the first one who ever smiled at me

from his heart, and who didn't care that I was the princess of the

most powerful empire in the universe.  He wasn't interested in a

throne or in treating me like I was untouchable, but instead, he

showed me friendship and kindness unlike anything that I had ever

experienced back at home.  It had made me very happy, and that is

what made me want to stay with him.  That, and the fact that he

wasn't interested in me, intrigued me.  I was accustomed to being

sought after, as I was always showered in gifts and the like, but

Tenchi didn't do any of that.  Not only that, but I never had any

competition, like I did with Ryoko.  It was a challenge and it was

fun.  I fell in love with this small, backwater planet and its people. 

It was the first time I had lived as a person, and not a princess. 

That is something that gave me true happiness, and I don't want to

give it up for anything.  Not for a throne, not for any amount of

ships or jewelry, and not for any person, including you, father."

                Letting a low growl escape his throat, Asuza closed his

eyes, taking in his daughter's explanation and trying to make sense

out of the whole thing.  "So you're saying you like being a mere

human, who has to work for a living, who has to do everything on

her own, and who has to perform the tasks meant for slaves, rather

than live in the lap of luxury that your family could provide you

with?  I don't understand it," he muttered, shaking his head.  "I

don't understand it at all.  I wouldn't be caught dead performing

the work of maids or slaves.  That is what they're meant to do, and

we're meant to lead our empire to greatness.  Why you want to

give that up, I'll never know, and even though you have explained

it all to me, it still makes no sense.  I'm not convinced you'll be

happy here.  You won't get to see or do anything that a princess of

our home would see or do, and you won't be able to affect the

decisions that guide our empire.  You want to be a commoner, and

I cannot understand why.  You're just giving everything up to stay

with a man who can only offer you himself and nothing more. 

Aeka, there are thousands of men out there who are willing to do

the same thing, and provide us with so much more.  Why haven't

you taken one of them?"

                "Because it's all a lie," Aeka returned, sourly.  "Did you

ever stop to think that the princes or princesses who stoop and kiss

your hand actually admire you, or want to kill you?  Do you think

you EVER see their true feelings?  You're living a lie, father.  I do

not want that for myself, no matter what I get in return as an

offering.  I want someone who is completely honest with me, and

Russ does that for me.  I never have to guess what he's feeling

because he lets it show, or tells me.  I can sense his feelings too,

where I couldn't with any one of those wretched suitors.  They'd

bend down and kiss my hand and tell me I'm the most beautiful

girl in the universe.  Father, do you know how many times I've had

that line said to me?  Out of fifty suitors, I believe forty-seven had

said it.  Do you know how fake that line is?  Even if I weren't

pretty or beautiful, do you think they'd say something else? 

Probably not.  I'd be living a lie, and I want no part of it.  At least

when Russ tells me I'm beautiful, I can SEE that he means it.  He

has opened himself up to me and it's the most wonderful feeling

I've ever had in my entire life, and I'm not about to give it up."

                Tapping his foot and listening to her, he considered all the

meetings he had with the other royal family members from other

divisions within his empire.  On occasion, he could recall where an

introduction or two felt entirely false, especially with what they

had originally come to dispute with him.  It didn't matter how mad

they were, they always hid it behind a mask of friendliness and

humility.

                "You know, Aeka, I believe you.  Yes, I too have sensed

when an introduction was false or when the other person was

hiding something.  But I was always able to sense it.  That's one of

the abilities you gain from being a leader of an empire.  You get to

be an excellent judge of character," he explained, calmly.  "I have

seen Russ, and I have judged him as well, and I do not like the

impression he has provided me with.  I tried…"

                "You've only met with Royals.  You wouldn't even let a

commoner into the palace, father," Aeka snapped, interrupting

him.  "You never gave any of them a chance.  There are a lot of

good people who you turn your nose up at, and you hurt them.  The

only reason you don't like Russ is because he isn't filthy rich.  But

you know what?  Money isn't everything.  Money cannot buy

happiness!  I'm happier than I have ever been here, and we hardly

spend anything.  I'm happy without the money!  This is what I

want, and this is where I'm going to stay, whether you like it or

not.  Go home to your empire, father.  You and I will never see

eye-to-eye."

                Clenching his fist at his side, Asuza hung his head in

shame.  "You're right," he answered, quietly.  "You're absolutely

right.  I never dealt with the petty commoner before I had met

Russ.  They disgust me.  They're not in the same class as

ourselves, and further still, he's not of Jurai."

                "Stop right there!" Aeka yelled, flustered.  "That's the

entire problem right there!  You look down on others rather than

help them!  Do you realize that over ninety percent of our planet

falls into the commoner class!?  Do you?!  You rule over so many

people and deal with only a small handful of them.  Why?  Is it

because they have money?  Father, you make me ill just thinking

about it.  Go home.  I don't want to speak to you anymore until

you change your ways.  Tradition?  Hah!  It's so old, outdated, and

archaic that it shouldn't even be renovated.  It needs to be

discarded and started fresh and new.  You need to learn to deal

with EVERYBODY before being a great leader.  Just go home!"

she shouted, turning away from the monitor, infuriated.

                Gazing at his daughter in silence, he finally turned his

eyes away from the monitors and looked at the rest of his bridge

crew, taking in each of their expressions.  Some looked apathetic,

some looked angry, and others didn't look at him at all.  Never, in

his entire illustrious reign over Jurai, had he ever received distain

or disgust from any of the people he ruled over… or was it because

they didn't allow him to see it?  Now that he thought about it, he

really never associated with the military either.  They were just

there for him whenever he needed them.  They submitted their

loyalty to him without question, and he never took their feelings or

ideals into account.  And now, thinking about it a little more, he

realized that he WAS standing with commoners.  They weren't

royalty.  They weren't a part of the Royal Family.  However, they

were of Jurai.  But still, he really never dealt with them directly

before.  Could it be that Aeka was right?  Was she really able to

see through all of the facades that she was presented with?  And

further still, was she a better judge of character than he was?

                "Aeka?" he said, hanging his head in defeat.  "Forgive

me, Aeka."  Turning his attention to the rest of the fleet, he let out

a heavy sigh, and for once in his life, admitted defeat.  "All ships,

stand down from red alert.  We're going home.  As soon as Misaki

and Funaho come onboard, we shall depart for Jurai," he said,

informing the remaining scraps of his once proud fleet.

 

                Upon hearing the announcement, an enormous cheer went

up throughout all of Tom's forces, the Yagami, Ryo-Ohki, and

Ryu-Oh.  The airwaves were flooded with massive cheers and yells

of enthusiasm and pride, as they had fought and won their first

battle ever.  It was utterly amazing at how well their forces

performed, as they didn't lose a single ship, even though some

were heavily damaged.  Not one person lost their life fighting for

Russ and Tom.  It was truly a miraculous outcome.  The gods

must've been on their side for a result like this one, and they felt

very proud and happy.

                "WE WON!" Tom shouted, grabbing a nearby

Champaign bottle.  "Break out the booze!  We're partying late

tonight!"  Shaking the Champaign and popping the cork, the liquor

sprayed everywhere as everybody onboard succumbed to the

celebration.

                "Congratulations to everybody!" Tom shouted,

broadcasting to the entire allied fleet.  "Congratulations on a

completely radical and amazing performance.  I'm proud of each

and every one of you.  Stand down from red alert, and go get

drunk!  We're going to have a big party at Tenchi's house!"

                "What?!" Tenchi yelled, suddenly flustered.  "I can't

handle this many people at my house!"

                Tom laughed.  "We'll manage somehow!  All ships, take

up a stationary orbit above Tenchi's home and cloak your ships. 

Feel free to join the festivities down on the surface or enjoy

yourselves in the mess halls or observation decks.  We'll leave

tomorrow as soon as everybody overcomes his or her hangovers,"

he said with a laugh.

                "Ahhh, this is GREAT!" Larry said, standing next to

Tom.  "I can't believe we didn't lose any ships at all!"

                "I didn't expect to lose any, Larry," Tom returned,

grinning.  "We have the best crew anybody could ever ask for, but

granted, this was our very first battle and we did awesome in

comparison to the opposition.  I mean is all of this debris is from

THEIR ships!  What a mess."

                "Yeah.  Still, this is a great step forward for us.  I'm proud

to be a part of your crew.  Thank you."

                "Yeah, yeah," Tom mumbled, tossing him a beer.  "Go

enjoy yourself.  I'm going down to the surface to congratulate

Russ, Zorpheus, and their extended family.  I leave the ship in your

care, Larry.  I better not see any puke in my chair when I get back

either," he teased, standing up and making his way to the lift.

                "Yes sir!  Enjoy yourself!" Larry called after him,

watching Tom disappear behind the doors.

 

                "This is wonderful," Ryoko said, sitting back in her chair,

breathing a sigh of relief.  "I wasn't sure we were going to pull it

off, but we did it."

                Tenchi stood next to his fiancée, resting his hand on her

shoulder.  "Yes, we did it.  I can't believe all the people that rallied

behind Russ and Aeka in their show of support.  This was truly

amazing.  I'm so happy for the two of them."

                "Me too, Tenchi," she said, pulling him down and kissing

Tenchi tenderly on the lips.  "What do you say we go down and

enjoy ourselves, hmmm?"

                Grinning, he nodded his head.  "Yeah.  I'm sure we're

going to be partying for the rest of the day and all through the

night.  I don't know what we're going to do about food and booze

though."

                Ryoko laughed.  "I'm sure Tom has a plan for that.  Ryo-

Ohki!  Let's go home!"

                Meowing enthusiastically, the crystalline vessel began to

make its way back to the Earth, following the mass of other

fighters that were making their way to the planet.  The Jurian fleet

remained stationary behind the moon, taking a headcount and

tallying up the deaths of their people.

 

                Collapsing down onto the wooden floor of her ship, her

body wrought with exhaustion from the tension and stress of the

battle, Aeka looked out of her viewer at the fleet, and sighed in

happiness.  For once in her life, she was allowed to do what she

pleased, where tradition and rules no longer mattered.  It was a

wonderful feeling, almost as if she were set free from her bindings. 

She knew that possibly one day she'd return home, but that

particular day was in the distant future.  There was too much to do

and too much to see with Russ, and because of that, she decided

that she didn't want to return home until Russ was ready to go with

her.  Even though he didn't want a throne, there always was the

potential that he might change his mind.  Maybe if she worked on

him for a little while…

                "Aeka dear?" Misaki asked, coming up to her, a smile on

her face.

                Turning toward her and smiling, Aeka grabbed her

mother in a tight hug, letting the tears stream happily down her

cheeks.  "Thank you, mommy.  I couldn't have done it without

you."

                Misaki smiled, looking down on her daughter's head. 

"You're welcome, Princess of Jurai," she responded, squeezing her

tightly.  "I love you more than anything Aeka, and I'd do anything

for you.  You are my daughter and I'm proud of you for what

you've accomplished today."

                "I'm so happy that you stood by my side.  I was so

worried that you wouldn't see my point of view and would take

father's side.  What made you come to me instead?" she asked,

holding her mother.

                "Aeka," she responded, softly.  "I could never understand

why your father behaved the way he did toward both Tenchi and

Russ.  It's almost as if your feelings didn't matter, and I really

didn't like that.  We've been fighting over you and Russ ever since

you brought him to the Startica Festival.  We kept trying to make

him see it your way, but he was stubborn.  I guess this slap to the

face was more than enough to make him realize the error of his

ways.  I hope he becomes a better man because of this."

                "I hope so too.  I just wish we didn't kill so many of our

people.  They were the most loyal soldiers in our entire regiment,

and now over ninety percent of them are dead.  Tsunami, bless

their souls," Aeka said, taking a step back from her mother as she

wiped the tears from her eyes.  "I hope we never have another

battle like this one.  This was just too hard on all of us."

                "Aeka, battles bring about change.  Not only do they

bring tragedy, but they also bring forth a new beginning, usually

for the better.  This is one of those times.  Because of this atrocity

your father committed, he now sees things in a different light, and I

believe he'll be more lenient with certain things.  Funaho and

myself will do our best to make him see things your way from now

on."

                "Thank you, mommy," Aeka said again, smiling.  "Let's

go home, shall we?"

                Misaki smiled and nodded her head.  "I think we should

invite the remaining people of our fleet to the party.  I'd like them

to meet Tom and his crew, and I'd like to show your father how

kind those people can be."

                "If you think it's a good idea," Aeka said, unsure if this

was the smart thing to do.  "If you think they can get along with

each other."

                "I do.  They're good people, Aeka.  I think everything

will work out just fine."

                "Okay," she responded, turning toward the viewscreen. 

"Azaka, please find Russ's fighter and display for me."

                "Yes, ma'am," he chimed, as the viewer flipped through

several ships, and then focused on the Tie Defender.

                "There's my love," she said, proudly.  "I can't wait to see

him again."

                Misaki smiled as Ryu-oh made her way over to his

fighter, and took up a position next to it as they entered Earth's

atmosphere, heading home.

 

                "We did it, Mihoshi," Kiyone said, closing her eyes and

cradling her head with her hand, as she sat back in her seat.  "I

can't believe we won."

                Mihoshi was all smiles and giggles, looking completely

overwhelmed and happy.  After an hour of fast and furious action,

the battle had finally drawn to a close.  It was quite amazing that

they survived so easily.  Their ship did take a beating, but it was

still in one piece.

                "I'll have to admit, this old bird is tough," Kiyone

mumbled, patting the armrest.  "We lost our shields a couple times,

but we always managed to get them back up."

                "Yay!" Mihoshi shouted, jumping up and down like a

little kid.  "That was so much fun!  I blew up over fifty ships by

myself!"

                "This wasn't a shooting gallery, Mihoshi," Kiyone

reminded her, becoming cross.  "You not only blew up their ships,

but killed fifty people today as well.  That isn't something to be

proud of or brag about," she said, hanging her head.

                Stopping her enthusiasm, Mihoshi became quiet and

solemn for a moment.  "Yes, it's true.  I wonder what our

commanding officer is going to say about this.  He's going to be

asking for our report in fifteen minutes," she whined.

                "IS IT THAT TIME ALREADY?!" Kiyone said, freaking

out.  "How in the hell am I going to fill out a report like this in

fifteen minutes?!  I'm so dead!"  Taking on her typical demeanor,

she sank into her chair, defeated.

                "Don't worry, Kiyone.  We'll just send them the recorded

data on the battle and tell him what happened.  They'll make a

report themselves.  Besides, this will probably be top security as

well."

                "Oh Mihoshi!" Kiyone wailed, crying.  "We're going to

be fired for doing battle against the Jurians, especially the Emperor

himself!  Not only are we jobless on Earth, we're going to be

jobless with the Galaxy Police!  Or worse, we'll be thrown into

prison!"

                "Stop it, Kiyone!" Mihoshi said, becoming stern. 

"Nothing is going to happen to us.  There probably won't ever be a

public report about this battle, and the Emperor was in the wrong,

so they're not going to do a thing to us.  And if they do, Misaki or

Funaho will set the record straight."

                "Maybe, but with our luck, I doubt it.  We'll probably be

facing a firing squad," she whined, pulling her green hair.  "How

do I get caught up in these messes?!"

                Mihoshi giggled.  "Once we fill out our report, we'll go

down to Tenchi's house and join the party.  That should take your

mind off of everything."

                Kiyone moaned to herself as she massaged her temples,

feeling the onset of another headache.  However, a flashing on her

control panel and a quiet buzzer caught her attention, as her stress

level somehow went higher than it was a moment ago.

                "We have an incoming contact from Galaxy Police

Headquarters!" Mihoshi informed her partner, flipping the switch

and watching their commanding officer appear on the viewscreen.

                "Greetings, ladies.  You're looking spazzed as usual. 

What is your report for today?"

                "I'm glad to see you're sitting down, because we have a

lulu for you today.  It is to be classified top secret," Mihoshi said,

sitting down and preparing to explain the radical amount of action

and destruction that had gone on for the day.

 

                Zorpheus was standing near Tom, but apart from the rest

of the party, eyeing the organ for the first time in his entire visit. 

Checking out the triple tier keyboard and the mass of buttons to

mess with, he grinned.

                "So Russ thinks he's hot stuff with this organ, eh?  Not a

bad looking one, but I think it's about time I show everyone who

good I can play this baby.  What do you think, Sasami?" he asked,

looking down at the little princess.

                Sasami gave him her usual, ultra cute smile and nodded

her head.  "Go for it!"

                Turning around to face the rest of the party animals and

cleared his voice, picking up the microphone to the karaoke

machine, using it as an amplifier.  "May I have everyone's

attention, please?"

                Within a few moments, everybody pretty much stopped

what they were doing and eyed him expectantly, wondering what

he was doing.

                "For tonight's special treat, you all will have the pleasure

of witnessing the wildly talented Zorpheus perform on this very

organ!  Feast your eyes and focus your ears on the beautiful sounds

produced from these magnificent fingers!"

                "Oh crap, here we go again," Russ muttered, rolling his

eyes, causing Aeka to giggle happily.

                Complete silence was granted as Zorpheus sat down on

the bench and cracked his knuckles.  Glancing back at the people,

he made one more announcement.  "This is just a little something

that I heard a while ago, but it's something that I like to do for a

warm-up."

                Raising his hands over his head, he brought his fingers

down on the keys, playing several loud pipe organ chords.  Very

familiar chords that caused Aeka, Mihoshi, and Washu's hearts to

skip a beat, as they remembered that song all too well.  But Ryoko,

on the other hand, slowly approached Zorpheus from behind, a

look of the devil in her eyes.  A lightsword formed in her hand as

she clenched it, grinding her teeth in rage from the sound.  Slowly

raising it over her head, her gaze bore down on top of Zorpheus's

head, ready to hit a home run.

                Sensing a surge of energy from behind him, Zorpheus

stopped playing and looked at Ryoko, noticing that she was about

to give him, quite literally, a splitting headache.  "What…?  It's

only a warm-up!  What's with the demonic look all of a sudden?"

he asked, wondering why she had gotten so infuriated all of the

sudden.

                "You…  YOU IDIOT!" she screamed, bringing her sword

down in one, powerful, overhead strike.

                Zorpheus disappeared from view as the orange sword

came down and cleaved the organ bench in half, including

everything that was stored inside of it.  Off to the side, Zorpheus

blinked his eyes, confused.  "Hey, what's going on?  Why the

psychotic bitch act?"

                "Uhm, Mr. Zorpheus?" Mihoshi said, finding her voice. 

"That song you started playing was something that this one bad

man named Kagato played a lot.  It reminds us of a lot of really

bad memories, but it's the worst for Ryoko."

                Staring at Mihoshi blankly, Zorpheus looked back at the

enraged Ryoko as realization dawned on him.  "Ho boy… Hey,

don't take it out on me!  How the hell was I supposed to know?!"

                Within a second, Zorpheus began doing a teleporting

dance all over the field, trying to avoid Ryoko's blade.  Most of the

partygoers pointed their fingers at the two and laughed, but

returned to whatever it was they were doing afterwards.

 

                "Russ!  Get your butt over here and sing some Karaoke

for us!" Tom bellowed, holding up his beer with one hand, and a

microphone in the other.  "You're the only one who hasn't sang

yet, so it's your turn!"

                "Ugh, you're drunk again," Russ growled, glaring at Tom. 

"I don't want to sing.  I'm too embarrassed."

                "Oh, for pity's sake, get over here and sing!" Aeka said,

grabbing Russ by the arm and doing her best to pull him over to

the machine.  The organ was moved outside, as several people had

played various tunes on it.  Tom had brought down a set of

amplifiers, replicators, and other equipment for the party, as he

knew they'd be needed.

                There were currently between five thousand and seven

thousand people milling around Tenchi's household, and their yard

was completely taken over.  Everybody was partying and having a

great time, even the defeated Jurians.  King Asuza was seated over

by his two wives, a beer in his hand.  It was the first time he had a

drink like that, and it was funny because he wound up liking it

considerably.  He was already on his fifth can and he looked a little

flushed.  Both Misaki and Funaho had a can of beer in their hands,

but they were being a little more casual about consuming it.

                After Ryoko calmed down a bit, Zorpheus decided to

keep the fun going by teasing her like crazy.  There was more than

one occasion where she tried to cut his head off with her

lightsword again, but Zorpheus kept ducking and dodging, as he

continued to get her riled up.  Tenchi was laid out on the porch,

passed out from too much sake, so there was nobody there to stop

him.

                Kiyone and Mihoshi were both talking to a handful of the

pilots from Alpha group, but they looked to be pretty drunk

themselves.  Kiyone was bawling about how rough her life had

been ever since she came to know Mihoshi, and Mihoshi was just

giggling away and having a blast.  The men they were talking to

simply enjoyed their company, not trying to hit on them or

anything.

                Katsuhito sat near Washu, a cup of sake in his hand.  He

looked a little flushed, but he was smiling and looked to be having

a nice time.  Washu, on the other hand, looked completely out of it,

which was quite uncharacteristic of her.  Within five minutes, she

was snoring soundly, resting her head on Katsuhito's shoulder. 

Nobuyuki was nearby, but he was too busy videotaping everything

to really take notice.  He was having a great time.

                Nagi was over by Tom, talking with him quite a bit. 

Maybe there was something brewing over there…

                Sasami was by the Karaoke machine, waiting for Russ to

come over and sing.  "Come on, Russ!  You're such a great singer. 

You have to sing for us!"

                Looking like he was being marched to his death, Russ

tried resisting Aeka's grip, but Tom had come over and pushed

him toward the machine, not about to let him get away with not

singing or making a fool of himself this evening.

                "You're not being fair!" Russ whined, skidding along the

ground.  "Come on!  Stop it!"

                "Not a chance, loverboy.  Hell, this should be your

wedding!  You and Aeka are so meant for each other that it makes

me jealous!  Do you know how long it's been since I've been

jealous over anybody?!"

                "Don't know, don't care," Russ snapped, shaking his

head, still skidding along the ground from the force of Aeka

pulling him and Tom pushing him.  "Cut it out, you guys!  I don't

want to sing, especially in front of a group this blasted large!"

                "Eat me!" Tom yelled, still pushing.  "You had no

problem playing the organ in front of half my ship that one time

we went to the Startica Festival!  This is no different!"

                "Yes it is!  I was playing the organ, not singing!" Russ

retorted, now standing in front of the karaoke machine.  He folded

his arms over his chest and stood there stubbornly, not willing to

make a fool of himself on this night.

                "Please, Russ?" Aeka begged, her face completely red

from a massive dose of sake.  "Please sing for me."

                "You're so drunk right now you probably wouldn't even

remember it," Russ said, frowning.  "Why should I do something

that you're going to forget about later?"

                "Stop stalling and start singing!" Tom bellowed, thrusting

the microphone in Russ's face.

                "WOULD YOU CUT THAT OUT!?" Russ shouted,

backing away from the microphone.  "I don't want to sing!"

                Suddenly, the area around him got relatively quiet, as they

all turned their attention toward Russ.  Grinning, Tom turned on

the microphone and began his announcement to the masses.

                "Russ is going to sing something to his girlfriend!  Let's

all give him a big round of applause!" Tom said, his voice echoing

around the far reaches of the yard.

                The crowd began chanting the word "Sing" over and over,

and after a moment, Russ hung his head in defeat.

                "Tom, you're a dead man once I'm done here," he

snarled, grabbing the microphone out of Tom's hand and sitting

down at the organ.  "You and Zorpheus get to be my backup

singers.  Got it?"

                "Why am I being dragged into this?" Zorpheus

complained, glaring at Russ.

                "Because I'll tear you apart if you don't," Russ returned,

frowning.

                The crowd became hushed after a moment, waiting to see

what Russ was going to do.

                Sighing to himself, Russ tried to smile as he turned on the

organ, preparing to play the song he wanted to sing.  Both Tom

and Zorpheus picked up the extra microphones, preparing to sing

along with him.

                "You both know this song, so fill in where you're

supposed to," Russ mumbled, looking at the two men who grinned

at him.

                Turning on his microphone, Russ tapped it a few times,

testing it to make sure it was on.  The thumping resonated

throughout the yard.  "This is something I was planning on playing

for Aeka if we had ever gotten together.  I guess now is as good of

time as any.  It's called 'I'll Be There – Ballade Version' originally

sung by Megumi Hayashibara, in a Japanese Anime called Saber

Marionette J.  I felt that it was a very appropriate song, and I think

it fits her and I very well.  Well, here goes nothing…"

 

Happy things, fun things,

let's do a lot of them together.

Connected hand to hand...

exchanging promises.

 

When you're sad, when you're blue...

don't go off to be alone.

I'll always be by your side,

just think of me.

 

Strength is a very important thing...

but tears are important, too.

With a dried-up heart,

you can't do anything at all,

you can't feel a thing.

 

Tell my why do people hide...

what they really feel inside?

Take what you can do,

what you want to do,

one step at a time.

 

I love the way you don't care...

how you have been programmed to live.

I would follow you anywhere.

I'll never, ever let your hand go.

 

These wonderful things are making me excited,

lets make them happen more often,

I can believe in this power...

honestly.

 

Let's kiss and hold each other,

and feel the warmth.

Words are unnecessary,

I can feel the passion.

 

We were born to encounter each other,

crossing over a long, long time.

The excitement has started,

it's racing through my heart,

nobody can stop it.

 

Tell me why aren't people...

aware of their true feelings.

Things you like, people you care about,

it's as simple as that.

 

Even if we try to deceive or pretend not to see,

nothing will ever change,

so let's live honestly.

With our eyes...

looking forward.

 

Tell me why do people hide...

what they feel inside?

Take what you can do,

what you want to do...

one step at a time.

 

I love the way you don't care...

how you have been programmed to live.

I would follow you anywhere.

I'll never, ever let your hand go.

 

                Once Russ finished, a huge cheer exploded from the

crowd, causing Russ and Aeka to blush.  However, that didn't stop

Aeka from walking up to Russ, taking his face in her hands, and

kissing him passionately on his lips.  Another roar went up from

the crowd and afterwards, was drowned out by applause.  It made

Aeka feel that special something, and Russ was able to feel it too. 

It felt wonderful.

                Glancing back toward her father, she could see him

watching the two of them, and to her utter amazement, Asuza

raised his beer to her and nodded his head.  Feeling the tears rush

from her eyes, she turned toward Russ and squeezed him tightly,

feeling happy and at peace.  It was something she always wanted,

and finally, it was something she had within her grasp.

                Misaki was crying tears of happiness and Funaho was

smiling happily, as they finally saw the true happiness radiate from

her for what seemed like the very first time.

 

                After partying the remaining day and the entire night,

most of the people who had come down to the surface had passed

out or dozed off under one of the several dozen fighters parked

around the area.  Everybody was contented and happy, even the

Jurians.  Everybody mingled well and enjoyed himself or herself,

and it was one of the best victory parties that could've ever been

held.  Asuza was sleeping soundly on the living room couch, with

Misaki in the loveseat and Funaho in the lazyboy recliner.

                Russ and Aeka were sleeping soundly up in his room,

Zorpheus and Sasami were still out cold in Aeka's room, Tenchi

and Ryoko were still sawing logs in his room, and Washu was

asleep on the porch, next to about five Jurian men who were also

fell asleep, drunk.  Nobuyuki was the only one awake at this early

hour of nine in the morning, and he was holding his head, feeling

the aftereffects of the sake from the night before.  Trying to sit up,

he set his room spinning as he somehow got himself into an

upright position.  Resting like that for a few moments, he got to his

feet and headed toward the bathroom, being careful to avoid a

handful of people who had fallen asleep in his hallway.

                "Oh man, I'm wasted.  I'm going to have to call into work

and tell them I won't be in for today," he muttered, clutching his

head.  Nearly stumbling over one of the pilots from gold group, he

managed to regain his footing and step over top of him.  "That was

one hell of a party."

                Ryo-Ohki bounded up to him and watched him curiously,

but she looked happy and contented.

                "Well, hello there, Ryo-Ohki.  What are you doing up so

early?" he asked, smiling.

                Ryo-Ohki meowed a few times, but Nobuyuki could

never figure out what she wanted.  "I still don't understand you,

but do you want something to eat or drink?"

                The cabbit nodded her head, and then ran downstairs.

                "Cute little thing," he muttered.  "I'll feed her then take a

cold shower.  That might get me going this morning.  That, and a

lot of coffee."

                Trudging off toward the kitchen, he looked at Asuza, who

had a little drool coming from a corner of his mouth.  He looked so

utterly ridiculous that he debated on getting his camera to take a

picture so he could give it to Aeka later.  Spying his bag on the

table, he withdrew his camera, and after getting Funaho, Misaki,

and Asuza in the shot, he took their picture.  Fortunately for him,

the flash didn't awaken them, and he grinned.

                After putting his camera away, he went into the kitchen,

got something for Ryo-Ohki to eat, and after that, went into the

bathroom and took his shower.  He knew it wouldn't be long

before everybody woke up and the cleanup effort would begin.

                "It's so incredible to have so many different people here,"

he said to himself, feeling the cold water run over his body. 

"Before Tenchi had met Ryoko and Aeka, I would've never

thought that there were other races like us living in space.  Now

that I think about it, we're completely surrounded by aliens.  The

Jurians are aliens and all of Tom's crew are aliens.  Who would've

thought most of them would've turned out almost human?"

                Turning off the water and feeling a little more

invigorated, Nobuyuki dressed himself and left the bathroom,

taking care to clean up after himself for the next person.  However,

upon exiting the bathroom, Katsuhito was seated at the table,

nursing a cup of coffee.

                Moving toward his step dad, Katsuhito looked up at him,

a smile on his face, as he slid a fresh cup of coffee toward his

stepson.

                "Good morning," Katsuhito said, looking cheerful.

                "Hi, dad.  I'm surprised to see you up so bright and

early," he answered, taking a seat next to his father, then filling his

mouth with coffee.

                "Being a Shinto priest makes you strong and immune to a

lot of things," Katsuhito responded, grinning.  "How are you

feeling?"

                "I feel like there is an army of little men doing roadwork

in my head," Nobuyuki complained, trying to smile.

                Chuckling, Katsuhito gently patted his stepson on the

back.  "It'll pass."

                "Yeah."

                Both of them sat in silence, looking at the mass of people

around them.  The entire yard was littered with people who had

passed out or fell asleep right on the ground, but just about

everyone had a smile on their face, even in their sleep.  It looked

like some unseen force mowed down an army of men.

                "I'm so happy that Aeka and Russ have finally gotten

together," Nobuyuki said, breaking the quietness.  "I was getting

very worried about the two of them, but they finally hit it off."

                Katsuhito nodded, letting a smile onto his lips.  "Yes.  My

little sister has finally found true happiness, and my parents finally

approve of it.  I can't believe everything that she has gone through. 

She is a strong woman.  Much stronger than me," he said.

                "She has gone though a lot," Nobuyuki agreed.  "But it

makes the taste of victory all the more sweeter, right dad?"

                "Yes.  Aeka has won her first great victory.  But this

battle has made her even stronger as a woman, and further still, as

a leader.  She'll go very far in life.  Much further than myself."

                Looking up at his stepfather, Nobuyuki saw the concern

in his eyes.  "Are you disappointed in yourself, dad?"

                Glancing at Nobuyuki, he closed his eyes and sighed.  "If

you're asking if I have any regrets, no.  But if you're asking if I am

disappointed in things that I could've done, then yes.  I was too

afraid to stand up to father back then, and I'm still afraid to do it

now."

                "I see," he answered, looking down into his cup of coffee. 

"That reminds me.  I wanted to ask you about something."

                "What is it?"

                "How come you've been training Tenchi so much harder

over this past week?  He usually only comes back with one or two

bruises, but now he's coming back looking like he was turned into

a punching bag.  How come?"

                "I will reveal that to Tenchi soon.  There is something

else out there… a great evil.  It's coming.  When it is coming, I do

not know, but I do feel that something is going to happen."

                "And you're trying to prepare Tenchi for it?"

                "Yes.  He is one of our greatest hopes.  But now, we have

two others."

                Thinking for a moment, he came to a realization.  "Russ

and Zorpheus, right?"

                Katsuhito nodded.  "If they help us, our chances of

victory become far, far greater."

                Nobuyuki looked out of the window at the cloudless, blue

sky, wondering what was waiting for them out there.  What was

waiting for his son, Tenchi?  "What is going to happen, dad?"

                "I do not know.  I felt it for the second time when

Zorpheus arrived, and the first time I felt it was when Clay

kidnapped Ryoko.  I don't know how to explain it, but I can feel

something is amiss."

                "You don't feel it now, do you?" Nobuyuki asked,

looking concerned.

                Katsuhito shook his head.  "No.  I don't feel anything

right now.  But both times that I did, something just didn't feel

fight.  I know what it is, and I will reveal it to Tenchi in time. 

There is a reason he was born, and there is a destiny that awaits

him."

                "Well, what?  Stop talking in riddles, dad.  You know I

have a hard time following you when you do this," Nobuyuki

complained, glaring at Katsuhito.

                Looking over at his stepson, Katsuhito took in a deep

breath and released it slowly.  "All I know is a name.  Lady

Tokimi."

 

                Waving to Tom as he climbed onboard his Tyderian

Shuttle, everybody said his or her goodbyes as the ramp closed

tight against the bottom of the shuttle with a hiss, and a few

moments later, the vessel lifted off of the ground and began its

journey back to the Star Destroyer.

                The grounds were clean, but the grass was pressed flat in

a lot of places, mainly where the people had fallen asleep or where

a ship was situated.  The only two fighters that remained on the

ground were Russ's Tie Defender, Zorpheus's Toscan Fighter, and

Aeka's ship, Ryu-Oh, which was seated in the lake.

                It was calm and peaceful now, as everybody had gone

home, leaving a trail of fireworks in the sky as they lifted off and

returned to their ships.  All of the Jurians had transported back to

their vessels, except for Misaki, Funaho, and Asuza.  They were

preparing to leave as well, as they stood out on the dock, smiling

warmly.

                "Please come visit us again," Tenchi invited, holding

Ryoko close.

                "Thank you.  We're terribly sorry for causing all of you

so much trouble," Misaki apologized.  "I sincerely hope that the

next time we meet can be on much more enjoyable terms."

                "I'm sure it will be," Tenchi returned, letting a relaxed

smile on his face.

                "Aeka?"

                Looking at her father, she stood tall, wondering what he

had to say.  "Yes?"

                "I'm… sorry… for everything that has happened

yesterday.  I've learned a valuable lesson, and I'm deeply sorry

toward you, your family, and Russ.  I will endeavor to become a

better man because of all of this," he said, trying to smile.  "I love

you, Aeka, and I hope you'll come home soon.  Until you do,

please enjoy yourself.  And Russ," he added, getting the saiyan's

attention.  "Please take care of Aeka and Sasami for me.  I entrust

them to your care."

                "No need to worry about that, Emperor," Russ returned,

feeling a little more relaxed around him than he had ever been.  It

was about time that the man started showing some respect.

                "Sasami!!  Be good!" Misaki called, waving her arms

wildly.

                The little princess stood next to Russ, taking his arm in

her grasp and leaning against it, feeling warm and contented.  "I

will, mommy!" she called back.

                Funaho waved to everybody, a smile on her face.  "Please

come by and see us once in a while," she invited.  "We'll miss

you!"

                "Goodbye, mommy!" Aeka called, feeling completely

embarrassed at having to call her mother that.  Russ just stood by

quietly, snickering to himself.  Aeka heard him and slammed her

foot down on Russ's, catching him by surprise.

                "Oww!  I'm sorry!" Russ yelped, trying to stop laughing.

                Zorpheus was nearby, now chuckling to himself over

Russ's misfortune.  Turning his attention to the Royal Family, he

waved his hand.  "Take care of yourselves, ya hear?" he said,

watching all of them become enveloped in an emerald ball of

energy, as they were whisked away to their fleet, still parked

behind the moon.

                Aeka let out a deep breath and shook her head.  "I'm glad

THAT's over," she muttered, blushing.

                "Oh man, I feel like I could sleep for a week," Russ

complained, slumping over.

                "Finally, peace and quiet," Ryoko mumbled, rubbing her

body against Tenchi. 

                Katsuhito, Nobuyuki, Washu, Sasami, Ryoko, Tenchi,

Zorpheus, and Ryo-Ohki, all went back inside the house, leaving

Russ and Aeka out by the dock, feeling the cool, summer breeze

move around their bodies.  Sitting down and removing his boots,

Russ stuck his feet into the warm water, feeling relaxed and finally

almost stress free.

                Aeka sat down next to him and removed her shoes,

sticking her feet into the waters along with Russ, leaning up

against him, feeling sleep tug at her from the back of her mind. 

Letting out a contented sigh, she gazed up into Russ's face, and

without another word, he bent down and kissed her gently, then

held her tenderly.

                "It's been one hell of a week for us, hasn't it?" he said,

quietly, feeling the tranquility around him.

                "Yes.  I'm so happy that its over, and I'm even happier

that I can spend it with you."

                Blushing slightly, Russ turned toward her and saw the

genuine smile on her lips and the sparkle in her eyes.  "Thank you,

Aeka.  I've never known another person like you before.  I'm very

happy that you wanted me of all people."

                "That's a silly thing to say," Aeka returned, giggling. 

"You're a perfect man in my eyes, and I love you with all my

heart.  For the longest time I've wanted this, and I've wanted it

almost since I laid eyes on you.  I don't know why you wanted to

push me away, but I'm glad you finally opened your eyes to see

what you would've been missing."

                "I am too, Aeka.  And I feel a lot better now that your dad

has seemingly accepted me for who I am.  I never thought it

would've come to what it did, but I'm happy the outcome of it was

acceptable," Russ said, swishing his feet around, listening to the

water gurgle around his ankles.  "But I don't want a throne.  I'm

not a leader, and I don't want to be.  You, on the other hand, are

the embodiment of a perfect leader.  One day, I want you to return

to your home, so you can put that leadership to good use."

                "Only if you'll go with me," Aeka returned, closing her

eyes and resting her head on his shoulder.

                Russ smiled.  "I'd be honored to go with you, Aeka.  But I

can't sit next to you up on the throne."

                Now it was Aeka's turn to grin.  "I'll change your mind

one of these days," she mumbled out, getting very, very

comfortable.  Feeling sleep wrap its warm tendrils around her, she

began to succumb to its effects, feeling safe, warm, and happy. 

"You and I will rule the Empire, side by side."

                Deciding not to argue with her and ruin the mood, Russ

continued to cradle his beloved, as she drifted off into a peaceful

doze.  "I love you Aeka, and I will do anything I can to make you

smile and be happy.  That is what I want, and that is what I will

do," he whispered, kissing her on the top of her head.

                Remaining like that until the sun passed behind the

mountain, they looked like what should be in a painting, to be kept

forever and ever.

 

                "Kienzen Disc!" Zorpheus shouted, throwing the yellow

Frisbee at Russ, who dodged it effortlessly.  It sailed into the

atmosphere and vanished as it ran out of energy.

                Pulling down his right eye with his middle finger, he did a

combination of flipping Zorpheus the bird and giving him a

raspberry.  "You suck," he returned, taunting him further.

                "I'm going to tear you a new one!" Zorpheus snarled,

zanzokening toward Russ and swinging his foot at his opponent's

head.  Unfortunately, he didn't hit anything as his foot hit nothing

but air.

                "Too slow," Russ teased, grinning.  "Thank you, come

again."

                "Dammit, shut up and stand still so I can pound you!"

Zorpheus shot back, punching and kicking rapidly at Russ, who

dodged, parried, and countered all of his blows.

                "Come on, man!  We're not super saiyans, so this should

be a piece of cake for you!" Russ returned, watching Zorpheus

breathe harder and harder.

                "That's easy for you to say!  You're used to practicing at

two thousand times gravity!  I'm not!" he complained, stopping his

offense and collapsing to his knees next to the lake.

                The moonlight shone down brightly, illuminating the area

in pale light, but it was plenty bright enough to see clearly.  There

was no wind, and the lake looked like a sheet of perfectly flat

glass.  It was quiet, aside from the racket Zorpheus and Russ were

causing.  It was getting late, and they were about ready to wrap it

up for the night.

                "Quit your complaining, Zorphy," Russ said, landing on

the ground in front of him.  "You did good for today.  Lets take a

bath and call it quits, what do you say?"

                "I was just getting warmed up too," Zorpheus muttered,

getting back to his feet, but he collapsed back onto his bottom. 

"Oh man, what a day.  Yesterday we went through hell fighting the

Jurians, and today, you're putting me through hell with this gravity

enhancer.  I need a break."

                "You really don't DO anything, Zorph," Russ reminded

him.  "You don't help out with chores or anything.  You just pull

all-nighters with Washu in her lab.  What are you guys doing in

there, anyway?"

                Grinning evilly, the moonlight reflected off his eyes as he

raised his index finger.  "Now that… is a secret," he said, trying to

keep from laughing.

                "Bite me!" Russ returned, hauling Zorpheus to his feet. 

"Come on, let's go inside and… huh?" Russ said, glancing at the

lake.  "Do you feel that?"

                "Yeah," he returned, looking in the same exact spot. 

"What is it?"

                "I've felt that before, but I always felt it from Sasami. 

Why am I feeling it out here?" Russ wondered, as he watched a

sakura petal drift down from a nearby tree and land in the water,

sending ripples out from its landing place.

                "What the hell?!" Zorpheus and Russ said, seeing a

ghostlike image of someone appear at the water's edge, where the

petal had fallen into the water.

                Standing there in silence, they both stared at a beautiful

girl, seemingly in her late teens or early twenties, with gorgeous

pink eyes, hair the color of the sky, and robes that flowed like the

sands of a desert.  She smiled as she folded her hands in front of

her, trying to keep from blushing.

                "Uhhh…" Russ muttered, trying to figure out what the

heck was going on.  "Excuse me?  Who are you?"

                "My name is Tsunami," she said, her voice light, soft, and

incredibly pleasant.

                Zorpheus's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets, but he

recovered a nanosecond later.  "Hey babe!  Do you have a

boyfriend?" he asked, being incredibly blunt.

                "What?" she asked, stunned.

                Clubbing Zorph over his head, Russ put him in a

headlock.  "Just ignore him," he said, trying to laugh.

                "Get me out of his headlock or I'll break your arms,"

Zorpheus growled.

                "Only if you behave," Russ returned.

                "Come on man!  That girl is HOT!" he whined, struggling

to get out of Russ's vice-like grip.  "Let go, already!"

                As the two saiyans wrestled with each other, Tsunami

stood by silently, a look of amusement creasing her lips.  "Um,

excuse me?" she asked, trying to get their attention.

                Stopping their tirade, Russ released Zorpheus and moved

toward the waters edge, noticing that he could see right through

her.  "Are you a ghost?"

                "Forget that.  I want to know if she thinks I'm studly!"

Zorpheus said, pressing Russ's head down between his legs.  "How

'bout it, sweetie?  You and me go get ourselves a bite to eat or

something?"

                "Zorpheus!!" Russ snarled, throwing him about fifteen

feet into the air.  "Knock it off already!  Stop trying to flirt with

every pretty face you see!"

                "Says the guy who has a girlfriend.  I can flirt with

whomever I want," he said, returning to the ground, taking care to

plant an elbow straight in the middle of Russ's head.  "Well? 

Would you like to go out sometime, good lookin?"

                Cringing from the blow, Russ grabbed Zorpheus's arm

and twisted it over his head, dropping Zorpheus to one of his

knees, and by pressing down on his back, caused his face to go

straight into the grass.  Jumping on top of him and holding him

there, Russ looked up at Tsunami and smiled.

                With her forehead covered in sweatdrops, she cleared her

throat and prepared to explain herself.  "You two are Russ and

Zorpheus, are you not?" she asked.

                "I'm Russ," he said, introducing himself.  "This person

with his face in the dirt is Zorpheus.  How do you do?"  Feeling his

body elevate several feet off of the ground, Zorpheus picked his

face up out of the dirt and rested it in the palm of his hand, looking

dreamily at Tsunami.

                "Damn, you're pretty," he said, ogling her.

                "If you don't stop that…" Russ warned, keeping his voice

low.

                "Stop what?  Go bugger off and go screw Aeka or

something.  I've got things covered here JUST fine," he said,

continuing to stare lustfully at her.

                Tsunami couldn't help but start giggling at his antics, but

she shook her head.  "I'm sorry, but I'm not here for that," she

said.

                "Aww!  Come on!" Zorpheus encouraged.  "Just one

dinner!  It's on me!"

                "Turned down flatter than a pancake once again I see,"

Russ said, still sitting on Zorpheus's back.

                "Doesn't help that you put me through a freakin' pro

wrestling match while I'm trying!" Zorpheus sneered, glaring over

his shoulder.

                Again, Tsunami started giggling, completely amused. 

"Listen.  I'm not a human.  I am from Jurai, but my name is

Tsunami.  If you know anything about Jurian history, you would

know that I am one of the three goddesses of legend."

                "OOOOOOHHH!  She's a goddess too?!  Come on, Russ! 

Let me up!" Zorpheus complained, starting to struggle again.

                "Just lay there and shut up," Russ said, pushing his face

back into the grass.  "Sorry about that.  Please continue."

                "Are you two really the strongest people alive?" she

asked, doubt written all over her face.

                "That's us," Russ answered, proudly.  "Although we

aren't the strongest alive, we're the strongest that most people have

ever known."

                "I see," she responded, watching the two of them.

                "Before you explain whatever it is that you came here to

tell us, can you tell me why I can sense your energy from Sasami

every once in a while?"

                "I had merged with Sasami a long time ago," she said,

recalling the instance where Sasami had fallen from the catwalk

and landed on a rock, splitting her head open.  "She was near

death, so I merged myself with her to save her life.  We currently

have separate minds right now, but in time, we will fully merge. 

What you are seeing right now is what Sasami will grow up to be

in the future."

                "GOD DAMN, she's going to be a little hottie!" Zorpheus

said, somehow resisting Russ's iron grip on the back of his head,

resuming his stare-fest.

                "If you don't stop this crap, Zorph, I'm going to really

hurt you," Russ warned, reaching the maximum limit of his

annoyance level and patience.

                "FINE!  Geez," he growled, tossing Russ off of his back

and getting to his feet.  "But please, take everything that I have

said as a compliment, and if you ever want to go out sometime,

feel free to look me up," Zorpheus invited.

                "I'll… keep that in mind," she said, clearing her throat.  "I

have come to tell you about a great evil that I will be facing.  I

really don't have many details to describe to you all, but the reason

I'm here is to ask for your help."

                "What kind of great evil?" Russ asked, curious.

                "As you know, there are three goddesses that rule this

universe, who are linked with Jurai.  Only one of the goddesses

remains a true goddess, and she is the one who I must face.  I

cannot do it alone.  I already have help, but I still worry that it

won't be enough."

                "Whoa… wait a minute.  You want us to fight a

goddess?" Russ said, concerned.  "Uhhh… that's not quite my cup

of tea, if you know what I mean.  I've fought radically powerful

beings, but never a god or a goddess.  Who is this help that you

have to fight against her anyway?"

                Falling silent for a moment, she looked off toward the

house, and looked straight at Tenchi through the windows.

                "You've got to be kidding," Zorpheus said, looking in the

same direction.  "Tenchi is the only help you've got?"

                Nodding her head slowly, she turned her gaze back onto

the two super saiyans.  "Yes.  You see, he is not fully human.  His

creation, or his birth, was destined to happen."

                "You made it happen?" Russ said, eyeing her.

                "Yes," she answered.  "Tenchi is special in comparison

with other Jurians.  It is true that he is the child of both Achika and

Nobuyuki, but I had a hand in his creation as well.  That is one

reason why he is so much more powerful than everybody else is. 

He was born for this single, solitary purpose.  That is why he is

surrounded by the most powerful warriors this universe has ever

known."

                "Wait, wait, wait," Russ said, becoming slightly irritated. 

"You created a life to help you fight at your side against a

goddess?"

                "Yes," she answered again.  "This was his destiny even

before he was created.  He is infused with the blood of a goddess. 

My blood," she said, looking down at the water.  "I cannot fight

my sister alone.  The reason I have appeared here in front of you is

to ask you for your help.  I did not foresee either of your arrivals,

but you two are like a blessing in disguise.  Both of you far surpass

even my wildest dreams in terms of fighting prowess and raw

energy.  I need all the help I can get."

                Russ and Zorpheus both looked at each other, growing

concerned.

                "Okay, so, you need our help to fight a goddess,"

Zorpheus said, counting one of the points on his finger.  "You want

us to destroy or kill this goddess?  What exactly is it that you want

us to do?"

                "You cannot kill an immortal being," Tsunami reminded

him.  "Even if you destroy their body, they will be reborn as

something else."

                "Dammit, so how are we supposed to stop this person?"

Zorpheus asked, growing flustered.

                "Hey, hold on a minute!  Who said anything about

fighting a goddess?  Isn't this something that you're supposed to

do alone, Tsunami?" Russ objected, worried.

                "It is, but I cannot do it alone," she admitted, hanging her

head.  "I have fallen from my pedestal in the goddess realm, and I

was reborn as a tree before I merged with Sasami.  I do not have

the power necessary to defeat my sister."

                Again, Zorpheus and Russ looked at each other.

                Looking at her silently, Russ looked into her eyes, and

could see the desperation there.  He could see that she really

needed help, and apparently that this great evil that was looming

over their heads was really bad… or something.

                "Zorpheus?" she called, glancing at him.

                "Change your mind about that date, sweetie?" he asked,

watching her recoil in shock.  "I'm kidding!" he said, laughing.

                Recovering a moment later, a smile crept onto her lips. 

"Do you know who altered your mind to make you fight against

Russ?" she asked.

                Suddenly becoming dead serious, he looked straight at

her, almost causing her to recoil in surprise again.  "Are you telling

me you know who did it?"

                Nodding her head, she gazed into Zorpheus's red eyes. 

"Yes.  It is the same goddess whom I will be facing."

                "Are you serious?!" he asked, clenching his fist.  "The

same person who altered me is this evil that you'll be facing?"

                "Yes."

                "Oh, you just recruited yourself your first mercenary," he

snarled, smacking his fist into his open palm.  "Whoever messed

with my head is in for a major beating."

                Russ stood by, wondering what all this was about.  "What

is this evil goddess planning on doing?  Why must we face her, and

why did she alter Zorpheus to fight me?"

                Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, folding her

arms in front of her.  "She is planning the complete and utter

annihilation of this entire universe and everything in it," she said,

watching their stone cold reactions.  "She altered Zorpheus to keep

you two from becoming allies again and fighting against her.  She

had hopes that you two would've destroyed yourselves."

                "So she's afraid of us," Zorpheus muttered, looking over

at Russ.  "We're in this, right?"

                Closing his eyes and wondering what he was about to get

himself into, Russ nodded his head.  "Yeah.  I'm in.  I will help

you fight this great evil."

                "Thank you," she answered, breathing a huge sigh of

relief.  "With your help, victory is almost assured."

                "Almost?" Zorpheus said, grinning.  "How many other

hunks of beef do you know besides us?"

                Giggling harder, Tsunami couldn't help but smile at all of

his advances.  "It'll just be you, Russ, and Tenchi at my side.  That

is why he has been training with a sword for so long.  Lord Yosho

knows of the impending danger, and has taken it upon himself to

train Tenchi in the ways of light.  He has done admirably well, and

I must thank him for that."

                "I see," Russ answered, looking thoughtful.  "So THAT's

why he always trains with his grandfather.  I had asked Tenchi

once or twice as to why he does that but he never had a definite

answer.  I guess he never knew either."

                "That's correct.  He will be told everything in the near

future.  The point of his existence, the future that lies ahead for

him, and everything else that needs to be told will be revealed to

him very, very soon.  As of right now, we never wanted to burden

him with those thoughts, so we've kept it a secret and allowed him

to live a full and happy life."

                "I understand, but I don't like it," Russ said, glaring at

Tsunami.  "To you, he's nothing more than a tool to help you fight

this goddess, right?"

                Looking at him in shock, Tsunami shook her head.  "No. 

That's not entirely true.  I blessed him with the power of Jurai. 

That is all I have done.  However, once he helps me defeat my

sister, then he will be free to return to his normal life.  With you

two on my side, it should be a lot easier."

                "Feh," Russ muttered, shaking his head.  "You're using

him to your own ends.  I always hated things like that."

                Tsunami lowered her head in shame.  "I'm sorry that you

feel that way, but I had to do something to stop my sister."

                "So you created a life as a tool to help you defeat her?"

Russ replied, getting angry.

                "Russ, stop it," Zorpheus said, looking concerned. 

"Everybody and everything has a destiny or a purpose in life.  It's

just that Tenchi's purpose is far greater than most.  He will fulfill

his purpose in life alongside Tsunami, and us.  We'll do fine."

                "I guess, but I still don't like the idea of pre-destiny.  It

just pisses me off," Russ growled, looking toward the house at

Tenchi, who was seated on the couch next to Ryoko, Aeka, and

Sasami.

                "Please, forgive me," Tsunami said, looking unhappy.

                Russ sighed.  "Forget about it.  I know it happens, but it

isn't your fault."

                "Thank you," she responded, feeling better.

                "I have just one last question before you go," Russ said,

glancing at her.

                "What is it?" she asked, looking concerned.

                "Whom shall we be fighting against?"

                "You will be facing my sister, Lady Tokimi."

                Zorpheus's eyes widened considerably.  "Washu had said

the same thing," he said, bewildered.

                Russ glanced at him, and then at Tsunami.  "What will

you have us do?"

                "I do not know yet.  Unless she makes a move, I have no

way of knowing where she is," she answered, seemingly ashamed

and powerless.  Looking up at Zorpheus and Russ, she smiled.  "I

will call upon you when I need your help.  Until that time, please

enjoy life and do not worry about the coming of the storm.  I will

tell you when the time is right."

                "If you say so," Zorpheus said, shrugging his shoulders. 

"Now, about that dinner date…" he added, grinning slyly.

                Russ fell to the ground, embarrassed to be Zorpheus's

comrade.  "How in the world did I get stuck with such a playboy as

my best friend anyway?" he muttered.

 

                Zorpheus, Russ, and Tsunami talked for a while longer,

asking her questions about herself, Tenchi, and their purpose.  The

storm of Tokimi was coming, but that is a story for another time.

 

 

WELL!  THIS IS IT!  I hope you all have greatly enjoyed the story

as much as I had writing it.  I hope you enjoyed the ending, as that

is what I had swimming around inside my head for the past six

months.  Originally, I was just going to have the battle between

Russ and Zorpheus with a chapter after it, but I was unsure as to

how to end this one.  It took some thinking, but I think this was the

best way to leave the door open for a sequel.  Whether or not I

produce one is up to how much free time I wind up with, but

honestly, I wouldn't count on it.  I'm just overwhelmed and happy

that I was able to finish this story.  There are so many good ones

out there, but a lot of them unfinished.  It's always disappointing,

so I did not want to do the same thing here.

 

This story has taken me the better part of a year to complete…

probably a little longer, but I'm VERY pleased with the outcome

and how much my writing skills have improved.  I'm still debating

on re-doing the first chapters to update the continuity and feel, but

we'll see.  I may just leave them the way they are, as they do the

job pretty well already (even though I think they're terrible. ?)

 

This story will not be published, as it contains copyrighted

characters and attacks from various other series, such as Tenchi

Muyo, Dragonball Z, and various others.  This story is completed

on September 20, 2002.  I've only been able to see DBZ on

cartoon network, so any irregularities that may crop up after this

date are the result of ignorance.  I did visit a website known as

Planet Namek, but it has since shut down.  They had a LOT of

information on DBZ, and that is where my primary source of

information has come from.  Whether or not you agree with it or

not is none of my business, but please don't tell me that I'm

wrong.  I don't find that very fair.  Who's to say that you're

correct? ?

 

But anyway, if you wish to contact me in regard to the story and or

the website, feel free to email me at russael@tmia.net, or visit the

website at http://russael.cjb.net or http://www.tmia.net:81  I hope

to get back to work on the website since this monster of a story is

now finished.

 

Once again, I wish to give a huge, monstrous, enormous, THANK

YOU! To everybody who has supported me while I've been

writing this sucker, sending me emails of encouragement and

compliments.  I appreciate it all, and I've always taken care to

respond to nearly everything.  If you have a question about the

story, feel free to email me about it.  I tried to cover most of the

plot holes within the story, but I may have still missed a few. 

Nevertheless, if you've read it this far, I really hope you enjoyed it

all and felt that it was a fantastic read.

 

A big Thank You goes out to Zorpheus, who shall remain

anonymous in your eyes. ?  He helped me out considerably with

the last two chapters and I appreciate all the effort he put forth for

me.

 

Thank you, all of you, for your support, compliments, and even

criticism.

 

*Takes a bow, imagining the audience screaming, Encore!!! * 

Heheheh.  My fantasies. ?

 

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