Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Aurora of Rainbow Fire ❯ The People's Coalition Against Capitalist Exploitation. ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

The story arc Aurora of Rainbow Fire is part two of an
ongoing series called The Odd Man Out.

This story is archived at
http://www.tmffa.com/member.html?id=420

Visit http://www.livejournal.com/users/nugarwrites/ for
updates and new fics.



Aurora of Rainbow Fire chapter three: The People's
Coalition Against Capitalist Exploitation.

A Tenchi Muyo TV series lemon comedy by Nugar.
Email the author at nugarthebarbarian@yahoo.com with any
comments.
All characters and situations copyright their creators,
Hiroki Hayashi and Masaki Kajishima, and AiC and Pioneer and are
used without permission. This is a nonprofit work only.






Tenchi awoke from a highly erotic dream with a violent
sneeze and a somewhat more pleasurable shudder to find himself
sleeping on the wet spot.

More specifically, he _was_ the wet spot. Cold, clammy,
sticky moisture now made his boxers cling to his body in an
entirely new and unusual way as he sat up in bed, twisting his t-
shirt around so that it no longer choked him.

Not being completely sheltered, Tenchi quickly figured out
just what that meant. Three nanoseconds later, he blushed so
brightly red he practically glowed in the predawn gloom.

HE had done THAT.

In his SHORTS.

Masturbation was one thing. He wasn't proud of it,
wouldn't admit to it, and sure didn't think about it, but it was
within his experience. Hell, it was all he was getting lately.

But apparently, it just didn't cut it, and the backflow had
finally managed to burst forth. This had never happened to him
before.

He thought furiously, trying to recapture the errant dream.

Let's see... Patiently explaining the earth custom of
stabbing people with carrots to Mihoshi? ...No, probably not.
Tenchi couldn't figure out where that one had come from.

Tied up and trapped in a laboratory with Washu, who was
desperately trying to extract some sort of fluid sample from him
but kept getting pulled away by her experiments? He got an
erection just from the thought. Close... But still probably not
it. Washu really just wasn't his type, something to do with the
childlike body.

Hmm, maybe that dream of what Kiyone was going to do to
Mihoshi with the vibrator, the rubber hose, and the length of
rope? His breathing went a little shallow at the thought. Oooh.
He didn't think Kiyone had meant she was going to do _that_,
really, especially considering how incredibly pissed she had been
at the time. The Great Sextoy Hunt had not gone well. But
really, in that sort of context, what was a young, horny,
frustrated guy going to think when she'd said that?

No, that still wasn't it. Think, boy, think. What was
that last dream...? He lay back again, laying one arm over his
eyes to think better.


Tenchi was in the living room. Why was he there? He
didn't know. But Ryoko was there, and Ayeka was there, and he
really really really wanted to have sex with them. Really
really.

Ayeka was kissing Ryoko, and Ryoko was kissing Ayeka, and
both of their arms and legs... And where were their clothes?
Doesn't matter. Their hands were here and there and there and it
was really starting to give him a woody and then he was in the
middle and oooOOOHH! UG! UG! UGGH! UUGGGG! UUUuuuuhhhh...
Ahha...

Ah, that was the one.


Tenchi ruefully considered the fresh addition to his
shorts, then decided that maybe he should clean himself up and do
his level best to avoid thinking about anything sexual for the
rest of the day.

With a slight grimace of effort, he levered himself out of
bed and walked over to get some clean shorts. It was sort of
funny; his muscles felt so much like quivering jelly that he
nearly fell.

Hmm, should he try to sneak to the bathroom and get a bath
first, maybe risking being seen with wet shorts? Or should he
bite the bullet and change now?

Deciding to change his shorts then, Tenchi stripped them
off, leaving himself clad in nothing but his shirt.

(What a mess,) he thought ruefully, looking down at
himself. (I hope spring vacation gets here soon.)

And thus it was that Ryoko found him when she phased
through the wall behind him.

Tenchi didn't notice.

Ryoko had been intending to wake him up gently if she found
him asleep, so hadn't called out a cheery 'Good morning!' as she
entered. Suddenly seeing Tenchi awake, standing up, and with his
bare rear end peeking out from under his shirt had the immediate
effect of changing her plans.

Flying was infinitely more silent than walking, so Ryoko
simply hung in mid-aid, floating gently to right behind the
clueless boy, then, as he bent over, she grabbed a cheek in each
hand and squeezed.

"YAAAH!" he yelled in surprise, straightening, jumping, and
grabbing his butt in what was essentially the same movement. His
head jerked around so quickly it nearly gave him whiplash, and
when he saw who it was, he glared furiously. "Ryoko! Don't do
that!"

"Good morning to you too, Tenchi!" she chirped brightly.
Then, bending at the waist, she gave another bright "And to you
too!" a little lower.

Blushing furiously, he covered himself with both forearms
as he tried to get his shorts on quick enough to spare further
embarrassment. "Good morning to you, too, Ryoko," he replied as
he jerked the drawstrings tight and tried to unobtrusively nudge
his soiled other pair under the bed.

She grabbed him into a hug, wrapping herself around him and
french kissing him into a good mood.

Surprised at first, Tenchi responded quickly, thrusting his
tongue at hers and sighing as she gently bit and tugged at his
lip.

When she finally let go, Tenchi staggered back lightheaded
and sat down heavily on the bed.

Ryoko followed suit in her own special way, wrapping her
legs around his waist and sitting in his lap facing him. "Well,
I'd ask why you were _up_ so early, but I have a _deep_ feeling
that the reason is me," she purred seductively into his ear.

"Huh?" Tenchi replied cleverly.

"Good boy!" Ryoko said, laughing, and gave him another
quick peck before leaning in to whisper in his ear. "Now, here's
what I want you to do..."

As she had cleverly planned, at that moment Tenchi would
have agreed to anything.


****************


Ayeka was asleep.

This is in fact something of an understatement. To say
'Ayeka was asleep.' is like saying 'The sun was hot.' or 'Washu
was a genius.' The stress of a highly pleasurable but interrupted
dream, nearly getting killed by Ryoko over an innocent prank,
sleeping in the same bed with the same, and waking up several
times in a short period to prevent their completely platonic
relationship from being jeopardized had taken its toll on Ayeka's
much needed rest.

So, when she finally had gotten back to sleep, it had been
the deep sleep of the exhausted. She lay on her stomach; face
sideways on her pillow, both hands protectively covering her
head. So, as it stood, Ayeka was asleep.

And then those wandering, naughty hands just _had_ to run
up and down her body, exploring every nook and cranny. It wasn't
unpleasant, just unasked for.

Gentle fingers brushed her hair back from her ear, stroking
the fine dark mass and directing the braid to the side. Light
fingertips traced the delicate shell of her ear, then trailed
down to her back and firmly rubbed the muscles there.

Her smooth breathing broke several times to sigh in
pleasure, and then shifted slightly as her buttocks were caressed
and kneaded. A certain stimuli woke a response buried deeply in
her subconscious, and at a light cupping touch along her side she
obediently rolled over onto the opposite side, comfortably
pressing her behind into the person sharing the futon with her.

Encouraged by the response, a tongue lapped at her ear,
drawing the lobe in to where it could be nibbled on easily. The
only hand now free wrapped around and trailed lightly up her
stomach, sending ripples of muscle contractions along its path
until it cupped her breast. Diligent fingers found the telltale
bump of a nipple through the cloth, teasing it and tweaking it
until it stood out firmly enough to be fondled with ease.

Her breathing changed, becoming more and more shallow and
irregular. She was on the verge of waking up.

Responding to unseen commands, the hand went lower,
gingerly picking through the layers of cloth until it could
finally pick at the waistband of her panties.

And that was when Ayeka was no longer awake, her eyes open
and staring straight ahead.

The radical change in breathing was noticed immediately,
and the hand froze.

After a few long seconds, Ayeka realized that she was
holding her breath and let it out, consciously returning to her
earlier steady pattern.

"Whew. I thought she woke up like last time. Can't have
that," came Ryoko's voice, very, very, very quietly.

The hand restarted, gently pulling away the elastic and
slipping in, slowly getting closer until it rested firmly over
her mound.

Ayeka's breathing faltered several times, and thoughts
raced through her head. (Ryoko! She wasn't asleep! She was
just faking! And now she's... She's... Am I just going to
_let_ her?)

Firm pressure from one fingertip parted the outer labia and
barely touched the sensitive nub of her clitoris. The effect was
electric.

"Ryoko! Don't do that!" Ayeka yelled as she jerked the
hand out and used the arm as leverage to roll over and face the
trespasser.

"Good morning to you too, Ayeka!" Tenchi chirped brightly
and kissed her on the end of the nose.

Ryoko floated gently to the ground on his other side,
laughing.

"Tenchi! What?!" she exclaimed in confusion, sitting up on
her futon and staring about wildly.

Struggling up herself, Ryoko choked out, "Wakey wakey,
_Ayeka-chan_! Wake up before the big bad pirate ravishes you!"
before collapsing in a fresh fit of giggles.

Tenchi smiled in amusement as well, but privately didn't
think it was quite _that_ funny.

Ayeka didn't think it was funny at all, but was left
glaring in impotent fury.

Finally, her mirth subsided for a time, Ryoko stood up and
smirked at the princess. "Really now, it was just as joke. But
I was surprised, you were actually going to let me!" Seeing
Ayeka's look, she cut her off before she could say anything.
"Oh, no, don't give me that 'I was asleep' crap. You were awake
long before that."

"B-"

"AND," Ryoko continued, "I know you didn't know it was
Tenchi because your shoulders were so stiff."

Ayeka finally just extended her glare rather than creating
a new one.

"Oh, no! Is my lover mad at me?" Ryoko asked worriedly,
the light tone offsetting the mocking words. "Is widdle Ayeka-
chan going to kick me out of our bed? No more nookie? Oh, no!
Anything but that!" She got on her hands and knees, groveling at
Ayeka's feet.

Ayeka's jaw clenched and her hands balled into fists as she
gradually got angrier and angrier, then, suddenly, she relaxed,
the power that had been charging the air vanishing like morning
dew. She laughed.

Ryoko stared in horror. That wasn't how it was supposed to
go.

Tenchi, who had been edging away from the probable battle,
relaxed. It had just been a little prank, after all.

"Good one, good one," Ayeka applauded, even going so far as
to clap several times, loudly and distinctly. "You really had me
going. Ha ha ha, I'm being fondled by Ryoko in my own bed. Oh,
the horror. And I fell for it big time. That's very good,
nicely planned out, perfect execution. In fact, that's such a
good prank that it completely outweighs the little cold water
incident last night and any further revenge you seek would just
be petty and cruel. Right Tenchi?" she finished, fixing him with
a Look that said 'Agree with me NOW and I'll conveniently forget
this transgression.'

Needless to say, it was a very succinct look.

Tenchi gulped and nodded. "Uh, yeah! Petty and cruel..."
he trailed off, giving Ayeka a pleading look.

"There, you see?" Ayeka continued to Ryoko. "Petty and
cruel. And no, I'm not worried about you doing something you're
not supposed to do to me in bed. In fact, I had a good night's
sleep. We should do that again tonight." She gave Ryoko a
slightly modified version of the Look, and the pirate wilted
accordingly. "Good," she continued, much more slowly and a good
bit mock-lecherously, much to Ryoko's consternation. "Now, let's
get a bath. We're going shopping today and I for one don't wish
to smell like one of the unwashed mass."


****************


"Ahh..."

"Ahhh..."

The water steamed around them as Ryoko and Ayeka soaked up
the heat in the furo. Ayeka was right, they did have a shopping
trip planned for later, and it was good to be clean.

"I've been thinking."

"You?! Think? No!" Ayeka exclaimed in mock astonishment.

"Hah hah." Ryoko gave her a level stare. "But I've been
thinking about the Tenchi situation.

"And?"

"What would it take to get Tenchi appointed as a noble?"

"A good idea. Unfortunately, rather a lot, I'm afraid."
Ayeka pursed her lips pensively. "It's been done before, raising
a commoner to the status of noble, usually the entire family.
But only in the case of the person developing power like that of
the Jurian royal family, both political and personal. And unless
Tenchi suddenly gets real popular with the Jurian empire and then
wields an energy sword that he created without artificial means,
we're out of luck."

Ryoko frowned. "But what about heroic deeds and stuff?"

"Well... That's happened before as well, although much
less common. He would have to perform some great deed for the
empire, and the great deeds the empire needs performed are
usually so great that only someone who has already fulfilled the
first two conditions could actually do it." She paused to let
that sink in. "Which pretty much puts us back where we started."

"That's not really true," Ryoko countered. "With both of
our powers combined, I'm sure we could back Tenchi up enough for
him to perform some great service to the empire."

Ayeka shook her head. "It has to be Tenchi's doing, and
his alone."

"Damn." Ryoko shook her long cyan hair out and leaned back
into the water, soaking it more.

"Still, that was a good idea," Ayeka continued by way of
encouragement. "Maybe we could modify it. I know! He could
capture and turn in the dread space pirate Ryoko! And then he
could be appointed as a noble and we could marry, and don't
worry, we would visit you in prison..." Ayeka ducked the splash
of water Ryoko sent her way, but didn't react fast enough to
prevent being dunked.


****************


Ah, the mall. Nowhere else is capitalism found in quite so
undiluted a form. In many ways malls are like shrines to
capitalism, and all the throngs of customers are simply devoted
worshipers.

And so it was among these throngs that Tenchi, Ryoko,
Ayeka, and Sasami strolled.

"Been a while, ain't it," Ryoko commented.

"Quite," agreed Ayeka.

"If you two hadn't spent so much money on those silly
clothes we could have done this more," Sasami chided. "Although
that is a nice whip."

Tenchi glanced at Sasami in horror.

Seeing his expression, Ayeka shrugged to him sheepishly.
"Bridal training," she said, as if that explained all.

Ryoko snickered and wrapped her arms around Tenchi, pulling
him around a group of people going the other direction. "Don't
worry, Tenchi," she purred into his ear. "I'll keep you safe
from the perverted ways of those crazy Jurians."

Tenchi smiled at her. "Oh? You'd rather I be subjected to
your perverted ways?"

"Damn straight!"

"Hmph!" Ayeka and Sasami walked closer now that the group
had passed, and Ayeka latched onto his arm and pulled him away,
although she let go as soon as he was clear of Ryoko. "Ryoko may
have some good ideas," she began, smirking at her former rival,
"but she hasn't shown much creativity yet."

"Hey, just a minute!" Ryoko complained.

"I know you get most of your ideas from Jurian literature.
I've read 'Mutineer of the Kempian Moon' too, you know," Ayeka
jabbed, grinning.

Tenchi looked on, startled, as Ryoko actually blushed.
"What? Mutineer of the what?"

"Never mind," grumbled Ryoko.

"'Mutineer of the Kempian Moon', it's a series of Jurian
romance novels," Sasami explained. Then, seeing their collective
looks, she asked, "What? Ayeka had the collector's set, signed
by the author. I only read them once, really!"

"Sasami! You're much too young to have read those!"

"Yeah, as much as a stick in the mud Ayeka is, she's right
this time," Ryoko seconded. "Those are a little too adult for
you."

"And be the only girl I know that hadn't read them? That's
a little unfair." She pouted slightly, looking away, which was
good as they all had to swerve around a large tinkling fountain.

"Just how 'adult' were these books?" Tenchi asked.

Ryoko shrugged. "Hard to say. I've got two of them, I'll
let you read them when we get back."

"I dunno," Tenchi replied doubtfully.

"You might as well, Tenchi-chan," Ayeka interjected.
"Perhaps a look into my home culture will help you in the days
ahead."

"Well, maybe. Are they the first two?" Tenchi hated to
start reading in the middle of a series.

Ryoko snorted. "No, but it won't matter."

Ayeka nodded.

Tenchi shrugged. "Well, alright. I seem to have found
some time on my hands lately."

Both girls grimaced. "Don't remind me," Ryoko grumbled.
Something else involving the words 'old man' was said too faintly
for Tenchi to catch, which was probably just as well.

"Hey look!" Tenchi exclaimed, looking farther ahead of the
shops the girls were looking into. "Cookies! Who wants some?"

All window-shopping ceased by mutual agreement and they
made a beeline for the cookie stand. A startling number of bills
later, they were all richer in chocolate.

"Just the thing to tide us over until lunch," Tenchi
commented.

"Speaking of lunch," Ayeka began, "do you remember where
the café is that Mihoshi and Kiyone are supposed to meet us at?"

Tenchi nodded. "Yeah, I've been there several times. It's
on the lower floor on the other end of the mall," he said,
gesturing behind them. "It's a little after nine now, and they
said that they would have lunch with us at noon, so we've got a
few hours. What does everyone want to do?"

It is supposed that Tenchi can be forgiven for asking such
a question of three young girls in a large mall.

"SHOP!" chorused three voices.


Ryoko held a pose. The sky-blue sundress she wore accented
her hair nicely, and the little hat she had added made her look
years younger, almost like a little schoolgirl.

Tenchi, being the only audience at this time, studied it
with a critical eye. But not with a critical tongue. "You look
really good, Ryoko," he said honestly. "You should try different
dresses more often. It does make you look much younger,
however." Then a mischievous look came into his eyes. "Hey,
Sasami!" he called. "Come look at your new little sister!"

"Ha ha," Ryoko deadpanned, smiling despite herself.

Sasami emerged from the changing room in a yellow sundress
of her own, also wearing a hat. She looked at Ryoko for a minute
before breaking into giggles. "I see what you mean." She struck
a rather forceful pose and declared firmly, "Ryoko! From now on
I insist you call me Oneesan!"

Ryoko laughed. "Alright, Oneesan. But you've got to call
me Imoutochan!"

"Well _Imoutochan_," Ayeka interjected as she stepped out
of the changing room, "If you're going to be a part of the
family, you've got to show respect to your older sisters."

"Well, then, 'neechan, because I'm giving you respect, I
won't tell you that you look like a little girl wearing her
mother's dress."

The flower print dress Ayeka had picked out to try on was
just a little large for her, and the deeply cut neck flapped
openly, not being strained to the limits of its containment like
it had been designed to.

Tenchi snickered. "Yeah, I'm sorry, but I think that dress
was made for someone much bigger."

Ayeka frowned at them. "Are you saying something about the
fullness of my figure?"

"Nonono!" Tenchi said hurriedly. "That's not what I'm
saying at all!" he protested as Ryoko and Sasami grinned at his
discomfort.

"Well then, what _are_ you saying?" Ayeka asked
dangerously.

Tenchi nervously tapped two fingers together as he
carefully thought of his reply. "Ah, I'm just saying that you
might have picked the wrong dress off the rack, one that had been
made for a larger woman."

"So," Ayeka said distinctly. "You're saying that this
dress was made for someone... _bigger_."

Maybe if Tenchi had been paying closer attention to the
emphasis she put on the last word instead of being relieved that
a misunderstanding had been averted, he might not have sealed his
fate.

"Yes! That's it exactly," he replied, relieved.

Had this been a comedic Italian sketch, Ayeka would have
cried 'That's it!' and proceeded to beat the tar out of him. But
its not, and she had her own way of dealing with Tenchi's
transgressions.

Deliberately invading his personal space, she looked deep
into his eyes and said, "Bad Tenchi," in a low, throaty voice.

He immediately froze. "Bad Tenchi?"

"Bad Tenchi," she agreed, nodding. "When we get back,
newspaper."

He hung his head even as Ryoko and Sasami merrily chanted,
"Tenchi got in trou~ble, Tenchi got in trou~ble," in a singsong
voice.

"Now," Ayeka continued, "since you seem to know so much
about dress sizes, why don't you go pick something out?"

Tenchi scrambled in his haste to do her bidding, drawing
stares from across the department store. Drawing on his own
personal knowledge of what he liked to see her in, he soon picked
out a nice long skirt and blouse combination, both decorated with
falling cherry blossom petals. Truth be told, he _didn't_ know
her size, but it certainly looked like it would fit.

He grabbed it and hastened back to where the girls were
standing around discussing his predicament. They fell silent at
his approach, making him even more nervous as he gingerly handed
the dress to Ayeka.

"Well, it's certainly pretty. But then, I already knew you
had good taste," Ayeka said, smiling as she turned the cloth over
in her hands, feeling of it's texture.

Tenchi blushed and studied his hands, even as Ryoko laughed
and Sasami giggled.

"Now," she began, looking at the size tag, "to check the...
What? An eight?!" She looked up again and fixed him with a cold
look. "Are you trying to say I've gained weight?"

"Here we go again," Sasami commented.

Ryoko nodded and went back into the changing room to try on
another dress, unconsciously rubbing her posterior. There was no
stopping the princess when she got in one of those moods, a fact
Ryoko knew all too well.


Several hours and many stores later, everyone met in the
aforementioned cafe.

"There they are, Kiyone!" Mihoshi said excitedly to her
partner, shifting her bag from one hand to another.

"I see them, let's go on over," Kiyone replied casually,
carrying her own large bag.

Tenchi and the girls waved when they saw the two, and
quickly invited them to sit down. Everyone already had a drink
sitting before them. "Hello, Mihoshi, Kiyone," he said, nodding
to each in turn. "How are you doing?"

"Good, and you?" Kiyone asked politely. "How are you
holding up?" There was no need for her to specify his problem.

"I've been worse," Tenchi answered honestly. He turned and
signaled one of the waitresses.

"Are you all having fun?" Mihoshi asked brightly.

"Yep! I bought some new manga, and Ayeka and Ryoko got
some new clothes, and Ryoko got a fancy collar for Ryo-Ohki, and
I got this really nice dress for this summer, and oh, I got this
really neat video game!" Sasami paused, thinking. "And there
was something else. None of us knew, but maybe one of you have
heard of it. Tenchi found something in a gag gift store called
soap-on-a-rope. What's it for?"

Kiyone shrugged. "I don't know. I've never heard of it
before."

"But why would you want something like that?" she wondered.
"No one else knew either."

"I know!" answered Mihoshi. "It's for people who are tired
of having soap slip out of their hands and having to chase it."

Everyone raised an eyebrow.

"Didn't you ask the clerk?" Kiyone asked finally.

Sasami nodded. "He wouldn't say for sure, just that it was
a gift for anyone that was going to jail."

Ayeka shrugged elaborately, drawing attention to herself.
"Probably another one of those useless inventions these Earth
people make. It's a wonder Washu left, she fit right in. Have
you seen the hardhat with the suction cup on the back? It's
supposed to keep your head from falling forward when you fall
asleep on the subway."

Sasami perked up, but didn't say anything.

Mihoshi nodded seriously. "It really works, too! Although
since we've been working here I haven't ridden on the subway."

Kiyone winced, then looked up at their waitress as she
arrived. "Hey, Sayuri. About ready to get off your shift?"

"Oh, hey, Kiyone. And you too, Mihoshi. Yeah, only a
little while left now. What'll it be?" she asked, pulling out a
notepad and a pen.

After taking their orders, she hurried off. "I'll be right
back with your drinks," she called as she left.

"Hey, we need you to send a message to Washu. And a
favor."

"What kind of message, Ryoko?" Kiyone asked, looking over
at her. Up until now she'd been strangely silent.

"You know we're going to go visit Ayeka's parents in a few
weeks, right?" Ryoko explained.

Both Kiyone and Mihoshi nodded.

"Well, since it's on the way, and Ryo-Ohki gets tired on
long flights, we figured we'd stop by at Washu's-"

"Chan's new home," finished Ayeka before mouthing 'You owe
me' at Ryoko.

Predictably, Sasami giggled, despite the mild glare Ryoko
directed at her.

"Anyway," continued Ayeka, "We need you to send her a
message saying we're coming. It wouldn't do to drop by
unannounced."

"We wouldn't want to be rude," agreed Tenchi.

"Of course, no problem," Mihoshi said, nodding. "We can do
that, easy."

"Just a patch through the GP headquarters," seconded
Kiyone. "And the favor?"

"Well," Ayeka replied, hesitating as the waitress set out
their drinks, then continuing. "We think that it would be a good
idea for Sasami to have a little more time here on earth before
visiting home. She could enjoy a brief summer vacation while we
get through the preliminary negotiations with Mother and Father."

"Oh," Kiyone replied, nodding in understanding. "You don't
want her to catch any fallout."

"That and my father and Grandfather have plans to take her
to the beach. I'm sure the two of you would be welcome as well,"
supplied Tenchi.

"And after a while we'd like for you to bring her home in
Yagami. I'm sure matters will be resolved by then." (One way or
the other,) Ayeka didn't add.

"Oh, we'd get to take the trip with Sasami?" Mihoshi asked,
excited. "That'd be fun. We could show you what it's like to be
a Galaxy Police officer!"

Sasami nodded. "I'd like that. But we can still have fun
on Earth, too."

"You may even like it so much that you join someday,"
Mihoshi continued, lost in her own imagination. "I'm sure you'd
pass the tests easily; you'd be a great officer, Sasami. Of
course, you'd have to grow up a bit first, you're a little too
short to pass the physical right now..."

"Mihoshi. Hey, Mihoshi," Kiyone said patiently, grabbing
her partner's arm to get her attention. "Sasami is a princess.
Prin-cess. When she grows up she'll be ruling over an empire
that controls the Galaxy Police in all but name."

"Ohhh... I see. And if you joined the Galaxy Police
people would accuse you of having only gotten there thanks to
your family. I get that all the time, but it's just not true. I
got here own my own." Mihoshi paused. "Well, with Kiyone's help
too," she amended.

"Yes, we would be glad to give Sasami a ride. I'm sure
there won't be any problems arranging it with headquarters,
either," Kiyone said patiently, ignoring her partner.

"Thank you."


The rest of lunch passed quickly, and soon the two GP
officers had to go back to work. Their bags had turned out to
contain waitress uniforms, and soon they were waiting tables and
waving goodbye.

Tenchi and the girls were soon wandering the mall again,
this time looking for a little fun. And of course, being the
only male in the group, not to mention the boyfriend of two of
the girls present, Tenchi found himself carrying the entire load
of goods.

"Not that I mind or anything," he began, once the thought
occurred to him. "but since I'm being nice and obedient and
carrying all of your packages, Oujo-sama, shouldn't that mean
that I get out of the punishment?"

Tenchi had a fear of the newspaper even beyond that of the
whip. Of course, they each had their antithesis. Ryoko went
nicely submissive whenever either of the other two brought out
the handcuffs, and Ayeka could be knocked over with a feather.
Strangely enough, the very next day after Ryoko discovered that,
every feather pillow in the house was mysteriously replaced by
those filled with polyester stuffing.

"No, no, no," she chided. "Reward and punishment. Two
separate things. If we allowed one to cancel out the other, why,
you wouldn't have learned a thing. You'll get your reward, but
that simply comes after."

Sasami nodded. "Reward and punishment."

"Don't worry, Tenchi," Ryoko cooed into his ear. "I'll
make sure it's not _too_ bad." She giggled, then kissed his
cheek.

Not to be outdone, Ayeka leaned over and kissed his other
cheek. That wasn't so bad, but when she grabbed his rear and
squeezed he nearly dropped his load of packages. "Yes, you
shouldn't fret so much. The reward will be extra sweet."

A slow, stupid smile crawled across his face, and he had to
be steered around obstacles.

"Tenchi!" boomed a rough, nasal voice. "Hey, how are you
doing?"

He shook his head sharply, snapping himself out of it as
everyone looked at the owner of the voice. His classmate
Amagasaki loomed large in his vision. Very large. "Amagasaki?
What?"

"And hello to you three," he continued without pause.
"Tenchi, I saw these two girls kiss you back there, is one of
them your girlfriend?" This time he paused, silent, actually
waiting for an answer.

Tenchi sheepishly nodded and grinned, blushing. "Umm,
yeah, actually. Both of them."

The three girls looked at the large boy with an appraising
eye.

His classmate's eyes got real big. "Wow, hey, Tenchi, you
never told us you had a girlfriend! Much less two! Wait till
the guys back at school hear this!"

Tenchi groaned. (Not this, anything but this...)

"No wonder you never paid any attention to those girls, and
they were real cute too!" heedless of the two very nasty glares
he had caused to be directed at Tenchi, he continued digging a
hole for his friend. "We all kinda thought you were gay or
something. Oh, well, I lost that betting pool. Saichiro's gonna
be happy though. Hmm, I wonder if it counts? I mean, you are
dating two of them, maybe we can call it off. Anyway, I'll see
you at school tomorrow. Later, Tenchi!" Amagasaki roughly
patted his friend on the shoulder, nearly causing him to drop
everything, and continued his own trek through the mall.

"Yeah..." replied Tenchi weakly. "If there is a later..."

"Oh, there's going to be a later all right," promised
Ayeka.

"And you're going to tell us everything," vowed Ryoko.
"Why you felt the need to keep us a secret, and most importantly,
who are these girls and whether or not I need to kill them."

"Look," began Tenchi desperately, "I can explain. I didn't
tell the guys because none of them would believe me and I don't
like to brag, plus I didn't want to accidentally say anything
about Jurai. And you don't have to worry about the girls, there
were only three of them that wanted to go out with me."

Sasami raised an eyebrow at him. "Wow, Tenchi. You're in
for it, aren't you?"

His head sagged between his shoulders.


Shopping continued, and eventually Sasami dragged them off
to the arcade to play the latest video games.

That fun lasted a while, until the various drinks they had
consumed since that morning caught up with them and by mutual
agreement they all sought the restrooms.

Now, when the architects sit down and plan a mall, one of
the first things they ask themselves is 'Where do we put the
restrooms?' And the answer, invariably, is 'In the most out of
the way place possible.'

Why this is no one really knows, although it is thought
that perhaps the sight of a restroom will somehow distract
shoppers and make them buy less. Or perhaps they don't want
valuable walkway-front space taken up by something as mundane as
a restroom. Or maybe it's that no store wants to be positioned
right beside a restroom, never mind that it's the one place in a
mall people are guaranteed to walk by if they stay in there long
enough.

The Shinjuku-ko mall had several restrooms in fact, and
every one of them was down a narrow, dimly lit corridor leading
off one of the main areas. Tenchi and the girls were lucky,
there just happened to be a little-used one branching off the
arcade. Several right angle turns later, past locked doors,
humming machinery, and the back way into many different stores,
the narrow corridor suddenly doubled in width, providing a little
cubbyhole for two pay phones, a water fountain, and two
restrooms.

Tenchi considered for a moment, then spoke up. "You three
go on, I'll stay out here and guard our bags. I don't want to
set them down and turn my back."

The girls nodded assent without argument, being in no
little hurry. They disappeared.

Tenchi stood against the wall idly, watching people come
and go and listening to oddly soothing music playing over bad
speakers. Most of the traffic seemed to be young boys from the
arcade. Three of them hurried down the hall towards him, quickly
ducking into the bathroom. Two more emerged from within, also in
a hurry to get back to the games.

Tenchi whistled an aimless tune to himself, looking around.
The walls and floor were made of the same smooth brown tile,
which had a slightly greasy feel that made it uncomfortable to
walk on. A rolling mop bucket sat beside him, and the handle to
the mop lay propped against the wall beside him. The head
appeared to have been removed, and judging by appearances the
janitor was inside a barely open door a little further on,
probably getting more cleaning supplies. That little mystery
soon wore thin, and Tenchi sighed and squirmed. Just what was
taking the girls so long, anyway? He needed to go, too.

He started, standing straighter as the door to the women's
restroom opened, disgorging a loose group of women, most of which
quickly disappeared down the hall. He leaned back, disappointed.
There must have been a line in there.

Two of the girls, both about his own age and dressed in
similar blouse/skirt combinations, didn't follow the rest of the
group. One quickly picked up the pay phone and started putting
yen in the slot while the other copied Tenchi against the wall.
She smiled and nodded to him, which he returned.

Lacking anything else to do, he glanced over at the
newcomer. She was a bit shorter than him, with dark hair cut
short of her shoulders. She shifted her own shopping bag and
noticed his look, giving him an appraising look of her own.
Apparently liking what she saw, she continued her earlier
greeting. "Hello, I'm Sayuka."

"Hello," he replied. "I'm Tenchi. Nice to meet you."
Then, all too aware of what would be the result if Ayeka or Ryoko
walked out and found him talking to a strange girl, he kind of
coughed and turned away.

The girl wasn't to be put off so easily.

Rather boldly, she pressed on. "Are you waiting for
someone?"

"Umm, yeah," he replied, leaving it at that.

"Well, of course you are. You wouldn't be standing out
here for fun, would you?"

Her friend glanced up from the phone, then returned to her
own conversation without comment.

"Umm, no," Tenchi replied again.

Sayuka stepped closer. "Don't talk much, do you? Come on,
don't be shy. You're too cute to be shy."

(Ohboy. I hope the girls don't walk in on this,) thought
Tenchi. "Oh, you know, just... waiting." Thankfully, the
opening of the janitorial door diverted their attention. They
both looked up at the quartet of men who emerged, all wearing
dark trenchcoats over their equally dark clothes and large,
bulging backpacks over that.

"Hey, kids," one of them began, as another one trotted down
the hall away from the entrance. "You need to get out of here.
We're going to be moving machinery through here and we don't need
you in the way."

"Okay, can you give us a minute? I'm waiting for someone
in the bathroom," replied Tenchi as he gathered up his bags. He
sighed mentally. It looked like it would be a while before he
got to use the facilities.

Sayuka tapped her friend on the shoulder and gestured to
the man, motioning for the conversation to be ended quickly.

"That's fine," the man replied. "Just make it quick." He
turned to one of the others. "You, go down the hall and stop
other people from coming back here. We'll handle this end.
Remember, ten minutes."

The man nodded abruptly before trotting down the hall to do
his job.

Sayuka couldn't help but notice the way his trenchcoat,
hurriedly tied and more loose than the others, flapped as he
moved. Although not noticeable from any other angle, she was
provided with a brief but clear view of the inside of the
trenchcoat. Involuntarily, she dropped her bag and gaped in
surprise, her hands going to her throat. "Was that a gun?" she
asked aloud, far, far too loudly.

"Shit!" The man stopped immediately, turning and drawing
his weapon to point at her. The other two had already drawn
theirs to cover Tenchi and the other girl.

"Why, yes, it is," replied the leader in a deceptively
conversational voice, pointing a cheap .38 revolver at her torso.
"Why do you ask?"

(This isn't happening,) Tenchi thought, dropping his bags
and slowly raising his hands into the air at the gunman's
command. (This can't be real. No one has a gun here. This kind
of thing just doesn't happen.)

Despite the surreal feeling the situation created in the
three shoppers, the men remained very much there and pointing
guns at them.

"Alright!" exulted the last man. "I knew I was going to
kill some consumers today!" He said 'consumers' in the same tone
of voice someone else might say 'blood-sucking parasites'.

"Calmly, calmly, and no one gets hurt. You, hang up the
phone, now." To the first man he said, "Put that away and go
guard the entrance. We've got this covered."

"I know who you are," said Sayuka's friend, placing the
phone back on the hook. "You're those crazy commies who keep
bombing malls!"

"Hey," hissed Tenchi. "Don't call the nice man with the
gun a crazy commie!"

"A very good policy that is. Such a smart boy. We need
people that smart in this movement. Maybe..." he said
appraisingly, looking Tenchi over. Seeing him standing there
with his arms raised amid the bags and boxes of consumer goods he
had been carrying caused the gunman to reluctantly shake his
head. "No, you're far to indoctrinated into the capitalist
mentality. Just look at all those bags, purchased no doubt by
the sweat of the workers. Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Tenchi reluctantly concluded that protesting that he was
just carrying them for his girlfriends was probably a bad idea.

The squeaking of a laden cart started coming closer from
behind him. He paid it no mind. "In fact, you have it wrong.
We've never bombed anything. We usually just release nerve
toxins or biological agents into the ventilation system, usually
with good results. I think we even made the news once or twice,
kind of unusual considering the lockdown the government has on
it." He paused to let that sink in before continuing.

"We've got a lovely variety of anthrax for you today,
acquired rather cheaply from the Russians. They're practically
giving the stuff away." He halted once again, studying their
horrified expressions, and keeping them under guard as the cart
trundled up and into the open janitor door.

The three men pushing it glanced at the hostage scene, but
continued about their assigned task. Various hard to identify
sounds started coming from the open door as they presumably
started hooking the long flexible tubes the cart had been
festooned with to the big tank in the center.

"Ah, but why am I telling you this? You'll experience it
soon enough. And so will everyone else in the area. Really,
they need to have tighter security in these places if they expect
to keep us from doing this. Not cost effective, I suppose, and
the people suffer as they always do."

Just then, Sasami, Ayeka, and Ryoko stepped out of the
women's restroom. The gun was already pointed at them.

Ayeka, quickly recognizing the weapon from Earth television
shows, pushed Sasami behind her and instinctually activated her
defenses. They were all safe, but Tenchi was on his own.

"Ah, girls, so glad you could join us. Please put your
hands up, by the way." He gestured with his gun as they did so,
motioning for them to move completely out of the restroom door.
"We're going to be releasing deadly anthrax bacteria into the
mall in roughly..." he checked his watch. "three and a half
minutes." He nodded at them. "I suggest you say your tearful
goodbyes to each other now, and start begging for you lives. It
won't do any good, but hey, no one ever accused consumers of
having any dignity."

"Sheesh, who is this moron and why won't he shut up?" Ryoko
complained from behind Ayeka's invisible, impenetrable shield.

Tenchi had an idea. "He's a member of a terrorist group,"
he replied as the man started getting angry. "Some of his men
just took a big tank full of bacteria into that room over there,"
he nodded in the direction, mindful of the other man's gun still
pointed at him, "and if they open it we all die." Hopefully,
Ryoko would get the idea.

"Oh, maybe I should talk to them?" she replied, all sugar
and sweetness. "I'm sure I could talk them out of it."

"I doubt it," replied the man easily, setting down his bag
and covering them as his companion did likewise. "We're on a
mission for the people. We're going to overthrow this corrupt
government and make some changes to free the oppressed working
class. And there's nothing you can do about it," he said,
grinning as he pulled out a mask with one hand. Several tubes
ran back to the backpack, dragging the ground where he knelt.
Again, the other man did so as well.

Ayeka studied him with interest. "Oh, so you're one of
those crazy communists I've heard about on the news? Fancy
meeting you here. I've always wondered about that funny idea you
people have, as every truly _civilized_ being knows that an
enlightened monarchy with a powerful and well-educated ruling
class is the most stable and inherently desirable form of
government."

Of course, Ayeka was biased.

"Die bitch!" yelled the other man, apparently rather
sensitive to slights on his ideals of government. He swung his
gun to shoot, coincidently leaving Tenchi and the other two girls
unguarded.

Just then the leader's wristwatch started beeping,
indicating time to put on their oxygen masks. "Damn! Masks!" he
yelled, putting his over his head with one hand.

But the other man paid him no heed. He had time, and he
was going to kill the stuck-up bitch first. Given his angle, and
the haste with which he seemed to be aiming, he could have hit
any of the three.

The mop handle that thwacked across the top of his hand,
broke his thumb, aimed the gun at the ground, knocked it from his
hand, and was directed with considerable force into the throat of
the briefly blind leader prevented any of that. Another quick,
well-practiced kendo move disarmed the leader as well, even as he
gagged and squirmed on the floor, and the handle was broken
across the back of the other man's head, sending him sprawling,
unconscious on the floor.

Later, Tenchi belatedly realized that he had been the one
to swing the mop handle. And he had been highly pissed.

Ryoko had disappeared almost instantly, and a small but
intense explosion shook the ground beneath them.

The other two girls fainted.

"Ryoko!" Tenchi called, grabbing her with one hand as she
materialized in front of her. "Another one is just up the hall!"

Ryoko disappeared even as Ayeka stepped into the hall in
the other direction, the expanded sphere of her power forcing the
cramped and narrow corridor into a new shape. Almost casually,
she slammed the two men into the wall and pressed them there. No
bullets would be coming by her, and any reinforcements had better
run while they could. Ryoko could handle the other direction.

Tenchi's first instinct was to run to her, hug her, and ask
if she was alright. After rebounding painfully from her shield
and being sent to the floor, he settled for grabbing Sasami into
a tight hug, soothing the now trembling girl.

Ryoko returned quickly, dumping another unconscious body on
the floor. "I didn't have time to do anything but vaporize the
tank," she explained. "But we're safe."

"Good," replied Tenchi. "If they had any reinforcements,
I'm sure they ran after the explosion. Maybe the cops will think
that they had a bomb attached and it went off. What about the
other men?"

Ryoko shrugged. "I was in a hurry." That was all the
explanation she would give.

"Thanks, Ryoko," Tenchi replied, grabbing her into a hug
with Sasami. "Ayeka, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm quite alright," she replied, returning to them
and joining the group hug. "Sasami? Are you okay?"

"I-I-'m fine. Just a little scared, I guess," she replied,
sniffling.

"That's okay, we're fine now," soothed Tenchi. "I was
scared, too. I still am, really. But we'll be okay. The police
will be here soon." He stood back from the three and ran over to
the other two girls, propping them against the wall.

He was moving Sayuka when he saw her eyelids flutter. "Are
you okay? Did you hit your head?" he asked, concerned.

She blinked rapidly and sat up, holding one hand to her
head. "What?" she asked, looking around and spying the
unconscious men. "You..." she started, unable to believe her
eyes. "You saved me." Then her eyes focused in on his. "My
hero!" she cried, clutching at him and pursing her lips for a
kiss.

The tender moment was ruined almost instantly as she was
ripped from him and all but flung bodily down the hall.

"No, he's OUR hero!" Ayeka corrected loudly, grabbing
Tenchi.

"Yeah," Ryoko growled, also grabbing onto him. "So back
off!"

Sayuka stared in a mixture of anger, disappointment, and
astonishment as the two girls proceeded to shower him with praise
and kisses.

"You were really amazing, Tenchi!" Ryoko told him. "After
all that practice with your grandfather, you're really good!"

"Yes, that was so brave, Tenchi! You saved us!"

He rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "I just,
you know, couldn't let him _shoot_ at you!"

"Thank you, Tenchi," Sasami said, taking his hand with her
small one. "You were a real hero."

He struggled to keep the goofy smile off his face. "Yes,
well, I couldn't have done it without you two. Thank you, Ryoko,
Ayeka."

"Yes, thank you very much, Ryoko," Ayeka agreed, but Tenchi
continued.

"And not that I don't enjoy this, but could you please let
me go?" Tenchi asked plaintively. "I really do need to use the
bathroom."

They all laughed and let go, allowing him to stand.

"NOBODY MOVE!"

And, of course, that's when the police arrived and the
questioning started.


The police took statements from everyone. Apparently, the
terrorists had attached a thermite bomb to their tank of bacteria
in case they suddenly needed to ditch the evidence and it had
accidentally went off, killing several of them while fortunately
vaporizing the bacteria.

Ryoko looked oddly proud. And while Tenchi wasn't happy
about the loss of life, he certainly wasn't about to complain.

That had distracted the two holding them hostage, allowing
Tenchi to do a very brave and very stupid thing like knocking
them all unconscious with a mop handle. Then, when their guard
had come running back, he had been so surprised that Tenchi had
managed to knock him unconscious as well. Their interrogator
spent much of his time chewing Tenchi out for being a 'damned
hero wannabe', until Ayeka and Ryoko were forced to step forward
and he was forced to step back.

The news media soon arrived and interviewed them all once
the police were through, until they were stopped by the police
and made to vacate the premises. The Shinjuku-ko mall was closed
until a thorough sweep was made to make sure there were no other
nasty surprises, and all of the remaining men were taken away.

And yes, Tenchi was eventually allowed to use the restroom.


****************


"Ahh, it's so great to be home," Tenchi enthused as the
group of very tired people finally trooped through the front door
with all their packages.

"I wonder if we're going to be on the news?" wondered
Ryoko. "I've been on the news before, but usually while they
said 'Have you seen this person? If so, call the Galaxy Police
at...'" She paused and called for Ryo-Ohki to show her the
present.

Ayeka smiled wanly. "Well, I for one simply look forward
to a bath and some sleep. Who knew that terrorists could be so
exhausting?" She turned to see Ryo-Ohki scamper in and jump into
Ryoko's arms.

Everyone took the time to pet and say hello to Ryo-Ohki,
who miyahed happily at the attention. She liked her present,
too, but Ryoko told her that it was only to wear on a special
occasion and that she should put it up. Ryo-Ohki took it in her
mouth and ran off.

"I think that was the police," Tenchi reminded as they all
entered the living room and plopped down on the couch.

"Ah, yes. That's true," she agreed ruefully.

Ryoko turned the TV on and started channel surfing. "Well,
I'm still impressed, Tenchi. You really kept your cool out
there. I'd be glad to have you in my raiding party any day."

He blushed. "Aww, thanks. I just did what I had to do."

"Much more than you had to, my love." Ayeka patted his
leg. "And we're all thankful for it."

Tenchi brightened.

"But that doesn't mean you're getting out of your
punishment."

He drooped.

"Hey, hey! We're on!" exclaimed Ryoko excitedly, gesturing
for them to turn their attention to the TV.

"Earlier today, police caught several members of the
'People's Coalition Against Capitalist Exploitation' as they were
attempting to release deadly bacteria into the air of a local
mall. Officials say that they expect to capture the rest of the
organization shortly, and that there is little threat from them
in the future." The announcer smiled warmly. "And in other
news, the Tokyo Zoo is buzzing with excitement today over its
latest acquisition. Ping-Ping, an endangered giant panda from
China, arrived earlier today and was put in her new home, where
she's now resting comfortably. Let's hear from Miko at the zoo."

"What?! They cut us out in favor of some dumb bear?"
Ryoko growled and clenched her hands into fists. "The whole
world should hear of Tenchi's bravery!"

Ayeka just sighed philosophically. "I'd imagine that it
would hurt the mall's reputation to be associated with a
terrorist attack and they had the news hush it up. It's not
unknown."

"But... But they interviewed us and everything!"

"There there, Ryoko," Tenchi consoled, wrapping one arm
around her. "I'm sorry you didn't get on the news like you
wanted. But I'm kind of relieved. I'll have enough rumors
flying around at school as it is."

"Oh, yeah!" Sasami exclaimed suddenly, snapping her
fingers. "You didn't say Washu-chan earlier today, Ayeka!"

"Whppa?! Kappa!"

Tenchi and Ryoko stared, mouths agape, at the short
greenish creature now sharing the couch with them.

"You remember," Sasami said patiently. "When we were in
the cafe and you were talking about the weird inventions, like
the hat."

The kappa frowned and shook its head.

Sasami nodded. "Yep, you did. I heard it. And then you
caught Ryoko when she was about to forget right after that."

The kappa turned and fixed Ryoko with a steely glare.

She couldn't help it. Ryoko giggled.

Judging by Ayeka's expression, at least, that which those
not used to the expressions of kappa creatures could read, she
didn't think it was funny at all.

In fact, she jumped down off the couch and ran from the
room.

Ryoko, Tenchi, and Sasami exchanged a look.

Ayeka-kappa ran back into the room on her short little
legs, now brandishing a large rolled-up newspaper. She shook it
furiously at both Tenchi and Ryoko, who paled.

Everyone stopped, considering their options. Tenchi eyed
the door, Ryoko eyed the ceiling, Ayeka eyed them both, and
Sasami just watched it all, giggling silently.

And then, everything happened at once.


A little later...

"WHERE WERE YOU ON THAT ONE, HUH RYOKO? HUH?!"

*THWAP*

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Hahhah, I'll pay more attention
next time!" It was just newspaper, after all.

"But you weren't that time, were you?! You thought it was
funny! You _laughed_!"

*THWAP*

"I'm sorry! Really I am! Hahaheh, really! I didn't mean
it! NO! Not the creAAAGH!"

"Who's laughing now?! Who's laughing now?!"

As a matter of fact, Sasami was.


"Looks like Princess Ayeka is disciplining Miss Ryoko
again," commented Azaka to his fellow giant floating log as they
listened to the faint screams the night air carried to them where
they stood guard at the gate.

"Certainly sounds that way," Kamidake agreed. "I thought I
heard Lord Tenchi run from the house a little earlier, although
it was a little late for a jog. Perhaps this is the reason?"

"Quite possibly. Although Princess Ayeka is likely to take
a dim view of anyone skipping out on their punishment."

"Indeed."

They both paused.

Then...

"Lord Tenchi is in trou~ble. Lord Tenchi is in trou~ble,"
they both chorused in a singsong voice.


****************

"Hmm, hmmm hmmm hmmmhmmhmm hmnmhmmhmmhmmnnhmmmm..." Washu
hummed cheerily to herself, tinkering idly with a nameless wafer-
thin board.

"Washu-chan! You've got an incoming message!" chirped the
Washu-bot that appeared on her left shoulder.

"A message? From the outside?" Washu wondered, setting the
circuit board aside. She flexed her hands in a subtle command,
bringing up a holographic screen to display the prerecorded
message.

Kiyone and Mihoshi's faces appeared before her.

"Hello, Washu-chan!" Mihoshi chirped brightly, having been
thouroughly coached beforehand.

Washu smiled. It was so thoughtful of them to call her
that.

"Yes, hello, Washu-chan," started Kiyone. "How are you?
We'd all love to hear from you."

Mihoshi interrupted her. "How is your work going? Do you
like your new planet? Did you really get sucked into a black
hole for three weeks like Ryoko says?"

Washu reflexively made a warding sign and fervently hoped
not. Mihoshi always threw her plans out of whack.

"Aha, ahah ha, she's just kidding," Kiyone hastily assured
her. "Anyway, Tenchi, Ayeka, and Ryoko asked us to send you this
message." She carefully unfolded a piece of paper and began to
read from it.

"Most cordial greetings, Washu-chan," Kiyone began.

Despite listening to Kiyone's voice as she heard it, Washu
could very easily picture the prim princess saying those very
words.

"As you know, Tenchi, Ryoko, and myself wish to join
together in most holy matrimony. Tenchi's father and grandfather
have already given their blessings, and Ryoko's family cannot be
found, but to proceed any further we must consult with my own
father and mother."


Kagato's hands clenched together at this new relevation as
it appeared on his own screen, convienently tapped into Washu's
as it was. He took several deep breaths and forced himself to
watch more.


"In about ten days Tenchi will be given a vacation from
school and we will be leaving in Ryo-Ohki to visit my parents.
Ryoko says that Ryo-Ohki doesn't like long trips, and is not
really sutiable for them either, so we will be making short jumps
from system to system. As your planet, Washu-chan Prime is
within our flight path, we would very much enjoy the opportunity
to stop by and visit for a short while."


"Tenchi Masaki? Here?! It's PERFECT!" Kagato exclaimed
excitedly. "Oh, the comparisons and final tuning I could make!
Current brain scans! Current metabolism maps! Oh, and the
conversations we could have," Kagato paused, lost in some private
daydream. He shook himself back to reality. "But I'm not
ready..." he trailed off, then halted, plan after plan racing
through his head. "Actually, I think I am. Hmmm..." He smiled.
"Oh Washuuu-CHAN, I've got something for you..." He rose from
his floating seat and left his quarters with great purpose.


"Please respond quickly. The Galaxy Police will be more
than happy to forward your message to Yagami, and we can receive
it from there. Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you once
again." Kiyone bowed deeply, folding the message and tucking it
back in a pocket.

"Visitors! Oh, I'd love to show them around," exclaimed
Washu to herself, mentally composing a reply.

"Thank you, Washu-chan, we look forward to your reply,"
Kiyone finished for herself, bowing again.

"Bye, Washu-chan! See you later!" chirped Mihoshi,
bouncing slightly and waving.

The message ended.


Katsuhito: In the next chapter of Aurora of Rainbow Fire,
Tenchi is called upon to pay for his behavior, as is Ryoko.

Ayeka: This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you.

Mihoshi: That's true!

Kiyone: Also, Mihoshi and I are actually called on to do
some police work. But then everything goes wrong!

Mihoshi: Don't blame me!

Katsuhito: So stay tuned for the next chapter of Aurora of
Rainbow Fire, Reward and Punishment.

Kiyone: It's quite kinky.