Homecomings
By William Benjamin Grilliette (evilpii@juno.com)

All material of or relating to *Tenchi Muyo!* are copyrighted by Pioneer LD and AIC.
All material of or relating to "Will and Nerti Pii" is property of William Benjamin Grilliette.
More information about cast, plot, and story is available at http://evilpii.dorm4.org/.

Perspective 1:  Masaki

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Act 4

Scene 1

{The vibrating hum of a beam-based weapon swipes through the falling snow around within the
Masaki forests.  The hum softens when the strokes stop, a stillness filling the grove.  The thin
rapier-style blade of Nagi Jurai's sword of brilliant morning gold rests in both her hands, her
posture once more in the Juraian kendo stance.  Dressed in her chosen hunter garb of a violet
Ryoan fire uniform and a cape of Juraian exile, Nagi has pushed the cape over her shoulders to
free her arms for their task.}

{Her arms curl and twist the blade from the ready posture into a rising block, her feminine arms
showing their tone and tension.  Her face remains cold as the snow around her when the huntress
immediately cuts across the air directly before her, stepping into the strike.  The warrior's
left hand releases the hilt of the sword when she cuts upward with her blade.  The free hand
quickly grabs the energy whip at her left thigh before flicking her wrist into the distance.}

{Her gaze spins to follow the violet beam of light that snaps out from her whip, wrapping around
a nearby dead tree trunk.  The skilled woman changes her sword grip to underhanded when her left
bicep flexes, causing the whip to cut into the log and fling it toward the huntress.  The log
halts when her sword plunges into the plant matter, she having spun away from its path.}

{Nagi flicks her wrist again for the regal whip to snake away from her deceased implement of
training, the beam fading away soon afterward.  She places her foot on the scarred deadwood to
aid her when she pulls the undamaged sword from its flesh.  The former exile twirls the blade
back to traditional overhanded grip and depresses a hidden toggle within her sword hilt to cause
the threatening hum of the weapon to cease, a slight glow fading from the blade side.  She nods
with a confident grin while raising the sword before her face.}

Nagi:  Still as sharp as ever...

{Nagi spins the sword before her a couple rotations before slipping its slim blade beneath her
cape, attaching its hand guard to her belt.  Likewise, her left hand replaces the beam whip to
its holding place on her thigh, somewhat of an garter belt.  With a rotary motion of her
shoulders, the cape falls back around her before closing her eyes, a slow and deep breath
entering her lungs.  She exhales, a smirk curling across her lips while she comments.}

Nagi:  Actually, it seems sharper after three months...  Perhaps this time with Lord Yosho will
	bring fear anew to the bounty heads...

{A dark laugh escapes the huntress's lips as she turns about her location, fanning her cape
before she takes its edge in hand and draws it close again.  Her shoes  trudge through the fallen
snow while more of the minute crystals descend around her.  Retaining a slight grin, she leaves
the sleeping forest around her for the stone path of the Masaki Shrine.  Her crimson eyes watch
the snow around her with a few thoughts.}

Nagi:  It has been some time since I watched a gentle snowfall...

{Her grin fades some when she comments on the weather.}

Nagi:  Though this is far too solemn for my taste...  A good lightning storm is far more
	graceful...

{As she descends the steps, her cat-like ears note the distant crack of wood against wood and the
labored breathing of a young woman.  A cautious curiosity streaks across Nagi's face as she turns
in the direction of the sounds.  Silently, she paces once again into the frosted trees
surrounding the Masaki estate, approaching the youth in question.  When she closes on her target,
Nagi's expression replaces the caution with confusion the moment her eyes sight the girl before
her.}

{Before her, a bokken swings, cutting through the air audibly within the hands of its wielder,
teenage Sasami Jurai.  The young princess stands in a proper kendo stance, her weapon
outstretched in a defensive manner.  Around her tender skin, she wears a layer of modern winter
clothing, not Juraian in origin from the distinctly Terran design of the jacket and pants.}

{However, it is Sasami's facial expression that pushes aside her other thoughts, leaving only
surprise and concern.  The typically gentle rosy pink of Sasami's eyes are set into a focused
glare forward, her brows furrowed.  Her lips are tense, almost to the point that her teeth become
bared.  In addition, the Mark of Power upon her forehead flickers a brilliant emerald when
Sasami's yell comes again, forceful and angered.}

{She pushes forward and swipes down with her first stroke, spinning into a side kick from her
back leg.  This shifts her stance, but her sword returns to position at her side, quickly
imitating a block before striking again.  Nagi watches her techniques, which are somewhat
rudimentary, though the actual execution of each is excellent and near flawless.}

{While the azure hair of the young princess falls around her once again, the huntress's gaze
grows solemn watching the teen release her emotions and tension within the falling snow.  After a
few frustrated breaths, Sasami reengages into another set of techniques, her fury unchanged.
Nagi muses silently within her own mind watching this display of skilled anger.}

Nagi:  Sasami...  You're fighting it, aren't you...?  The frustration... the loss... the
	helplessness... all you've felt since Ayeka left...

{Sasami stops again, her breath coming difficultly with the cold and exhaustion starting to bite
into her youthful strength.  Her shoulders slump some, and her sword tip lowers before she hears
footsteps behind her.  The teenage princess tenses once more when she forces the bokken into a
whirling strike to the approaching party.  However, the wooden sword is halted by impacting
metal.}

{The azure-haired girl blinks, her expression's fury passing away to an open-jawed surprise and
the blush of embarrassment at the metal weapon blocking her.  Nagi's crimson eyes gaze straight
back from behind her blocking stance into Sasami's gentle rose irises.  The huntress seems cool
and silent as opposed to the labored anger of her young counterpart.}

{Then, a short scoff and small smirk cause Nagi to close her eyes before she speaks.}

Nagi:  Not bad for an amateur.  You have a definite talent with the blade, Sasami, as well as
	your kicks.

{Her eyes open narrowly, a gleam within them for a challenge.}

Nagi:  Defend yourself, princess of Jurai.

{With this, Nagi parries Sasami's false blade to the side and spins her back leg forward, aiming
the toe of her shoe for Sasami's head.  The younger combatant pulls her head back and away while
recovering herself from the suddenness of this challenge.  Yet, Nagi gives her youth little time
to settle herself before the calculating woman takes the aggressive, swiping and thrusting her
sword at the princess.}

{Sasami reacts by continuing to back away until she backs into a tree, forcing her to raise the
bokken to block the sword of the huntress.  Nagi watches as Sasami's eyes turn up to herself, an
anger and fury being withheld within the young woman.  The elder of the two nods.}

Nagi:  Let it go, Sasami...

{At this, the girl's arms tense, holding Nagi at bay when Sasami takes a knee to the left and
rolls away from the huntress's strike.  As Nagi falls forward, Sasami recovers her footing and
swipes downward at the purple-haired woman.  Nagi ducks her shoulder and rolls to the side,
causing Sasami's first strike to miss.  Now, Sasami does not relent as she rushes Nagi, who
blocks the first swipe and then parries the second, allowing her to step next to Sasami with a
shake of her head.}

Nagi:  Your anger's just making you slower and more predictable.

{Sasami spins back to Nagi and immediately swipes close to the huntress's cloak before striking
the woman's golden blade, blocking her kidneys.  Nagi nods with a slight grin.}

Nagi:  Nice form...

{Her words are cut short as Sasami scrapes her blade against Nagi's, the teen spinning forward
and raising her foot to arc toward the huntress's head before the blade comes again.  Nagi ducks
the foot and rolls away from the blade back to her feet.  She smiles softly, impressed by the
girl.}

Nagi:  Very good.  Your sister would be honored at seeing her great passion in her own blood
	relative, though you both share the same lack of control.

{Sasami shuts her eyes tightly, splashing soft tears from her gentle eyes.  She shakes her head
and then looks up to Nagi before raising her wooden sword again.  The huntress mimics this,
commenting to her opponent with her now sober expression.}

Nagi:  Do not be helpless, Sasami...  You have the strength and desire... and you are not
	alone...

{The girl rushes Nagi now, but the elder holds her ground awaiting the coming assault.  The
huntress blocks the first downward strike when Sasami's foot strikes heel-first.  Nagi sidesteps
this when she then blocks the incoming second swipe.  However, Sasami falls to one knee,
attempting to catch the breath that had escaped her.}

{When Sasami's bokken hits the soft snow below them, Nagi also kneels with the azure-haired
princess.  The child of Light and Darkness gazes quietly at the young woman's face, examining the
unfading lines of fury and rage, as well as the dimming glow of the Mark of Tsunami upon her
head.  A moment passes as the snow collects within their hair and on their shoulders before Nagi
questions the youth.}

Nagi:  You blame her for leaving, don't you...?

{Sasami's eyes close as she winces from the question.  She exhales heavily, preparing her
answer.}

Sasami:  No, I don't blame her...  I know why she did...

Nagi:  But, you can't accept it...

{The princess shakes her head slowly.}

Sasami:  No, I couldn't...  She was the only family I really knew...  I didn't want to lose
	her... after everything that's happened...

{Sasami gazes up pleadingly to Nagi's cool, and sympathetic, gaze.}

Sasami:  How could I accept that, Nagi?!  I mean, she and I could have gotten our own place here
	on Earth... or...!!

{The huntress shakes her head.}

Nagi:  No, she couldn't have done that, Sasami.  Even I know that your sister was in love with a
	man she couldn't have.  Being so close and yet so unattainable is no way to live.  You
	could have gone with her to Jurai...

{Sasami shakes her head and rebuts this passionately.}

Sasami:  No!  I chose to come to Earth because I loved this world as my new home!  I didn't want
	to go back to being the princess again!  Besides...

{She slows her speech and looks down at her clothed body with a sullen gaze.}

Sasami:  The first thing those people on Jurai would want would be to marry me off to someone I
don't love..

{Nagi nods and places a firm hand on Sasami's shoulder, directing the princess's attention back
to her crimson eyes, a hidden flame of compassion within them.}

Nagi:  Sasami, I was truthful when I said you weren't alone...  I was no older than you were in
	Manhattan when I was taken away from my father...  Masaki lost his mother when he was even
	younger...  All of us have tasted helplessness and loss before... even your sister before
	you....

{Sasami blinks her tears away while Nagi aids the young woman back to her feet, continuing her
words.}

Nagi:  Know that you aren't alone... nor will you ever be...  Your sister will come back to you,
	but until then, you must learn to stand on your own feet, as we all have.

{The princess's eyes turn toward the ground as she nods slowly, accepting Nagi's words.}

Sasami:  I... understand, Nagi...

{She smiles weakly and turns her gaze back to the huntress's.}

Sasami:  Thank you...

{Nagi smiles gently and nods before directing the girl toward the house down the mountain.  The
huntress forces the chill and apathy back into her expression, though false.}

Nagi:  Hurry back to the house before you become ill...  Yosho will have my head if you do.

{Sasami acknowledges this with a nod and then starts her way back to the Masaki home while Nagi
remains, watching the imperial daughter leave.  A distant gaze enters Nagi's eyes when conflict
twists into her soul.}

Nagi:  I should not have done that...  It was not my place to...  She is Ayeka's sister, not
	mine...

{Nagi takes a slow breath and sighs hard, her breath becoming a white stream before her, but not
sending the uneasiness within her away.  The noble of Jurai and Ryua sheathes her sword and
kneels to take the bokken from the snow when she blinks in surprise at the hilt of the wooden
practice implement.}

{The false sword's grip bears scorched grooves from Sasami's fingers but also a symbol imprinted
in the center of where Sasami's right palm once laid.  This symbol burned into the wood is the
same Mark of Power that adorns Sasami's forehead, and which glowed in her expression of anger.
Nagi's brows furrow at these markings.}

End Scene 1

Scene 2

{Unique, delicate snowflakes fall from the sky toward the grounds surrounding the Masaki estate.
The lake has since frozen over, but heavy construction machines and tools are scattered around
the house itself, some panels and siding missing.  However, those machines stand still and
unused, a layer of snow building upon some of them.  A couple birds huddle near the engine block
of a bulldozer, the fading heat from the great earthmover warming their frosted feathers.}

{Then, loud voices spook the avians to fly away from their convenient heater, one of those
belonging to Nobuyuki Masaki.  The architect's voice seems tense and frustrated in his argument
with his vocal opponent.}

Nobuyuki:  The weather service hasn't confirmed that all those front systems are coming this way,
	and I can't let the schedule of this project get too far behind!  As a contractor, it is
	your responsibility to not drop behind schedule.

{Not far from the exposed sections of the house, Tenchi's father faces a burly man about twice
his size in muscular mass.  While the learned Masaki is dressed in his dress clothes and
overcoat, the working gentleman before him wears thick overalls and heavy boots, his name
embroidered on the left side of his chest, "Daisuke".  Nobuyuki's face reflects the emphasis in
his words, but the contractor before him is unmoved and rigidly set in his response.}

Daisuke:  Look, Mr Masaki.  I know this renovation is a wedding present for your son and
	daughter-in-law, but it's not in my best interest to have my crew freezing for just a
	house.

{The contractor sighs and drops his hands to rest on his hips with some of his own frustration.}

Daisuke:  Besides, you've heard about the terrorist bombings in Tokyo and Yokohama.  My men are
	already strung out across Japan repairing those disasters, let alone getting scared.

{Nobuyuki sighs and lowers his head while the other man nods and rests a hand on his shoulder,
his voice becoming more kind and friendly.}

Daisuke:  Nobuyuki, I've worked with you for five years, and I'm sorry to let you down now, but
	business is bad all over these days.

{The learned man nods, his tone apologetic for this worker.}

Nobuyuki:  I know, Daisuke...  I'm sorry about that outburst...  It was uncalled for.

{Daisuke laughs to himself and pats Nobuyuki's shoulder, raising the architect's eyes to his.}

Daisuke:  It's alright, man!  I'm glad you didn't hit me!  The wife wouldn't let me hear the end
	of it if I came home with a rearranged face.

{Nobuyuki grins wryly and reciprocates the gesture by lightly slapping Daisuke's bulky shoulder.}

Nobuyuki:  I think I have more to worry about in than you do, Mr Tsune.

Daisuke:  I'm also sorry I missed Tenchi's wedding.  It must have been a sudden thing.

{Sweat beads in the educated designer's black hair at this.}

Nobuyuki:  Yeah... It kinda was...

{Nobuyuki shakes his head and folds his arms in thought.}

Nobuyuki:  I had hoped to get this place done for when Tenchi and Ryoko got back from their
	voyage.

Daisuke:  When're they getting back?

Nobuyuki:  Well... first week in March, give or take.  You have any ideas on how we could
	arrange getting this complete by then?

{Daisuke shakes his head, his lips pursed together, his own distaste for this situation showing.}

Daisuke:  Nope.  You'll have to hope the weather...

{The contractor trails off when he hears a hum high above the two men, gradually becoming louder
with each moment.  Confusion wipes across Daisuke's face while he and Nobuyuki both look up to
the sky, Nobuyuki rather unaffected by this noise.}

Daisuke:  What's that noise?

Nobuyuki:  Nothing too unusual around here.

{The door to the Masaki home opens when Sasami and Nagi both walk toward Nobuyuki and Daisuke,
Ken-Ohki huddled on Nagi's shoulder.  The huntress has her cape and cowl pulled warmly around her
while Sasami is dressed in Terran insulated clothing, her azure hair falling behind her.
Daisuke, however, does not notice them as he notices a gleam in the sky that soon becomes a
clearer sight.  The two girls stop and turn their eyes to the heavens as Nobuyuki smiles at them
both.}

Nobuyuki:  Guess Washu's coming home.

{Sasami nods, her expression quiet and somber.}

Sasami:  Yeah, Ken-Ohki's been really happy about Ryo-Ohki coming home today.

{Ken-Ohki purrs watching the aerial gleam become the onyx-edged crystalline form of Ryo-Ohki
approaching the ground.  Nagi watches the vessel's approach with a warm gaze, sensing her little
partner's feelings for the female cabbit.  Sasami smiles for her little friend's return, though
the expression seems mixed, while the Terran contractor staggers back a couple steps at seeing
the Ryoan ship approaching the ground before him.  His words sputter from his lips while Ryo-
Ohki's lower-most spine stops in the air short of the lake's waters.}

Daisuke:  Wha... wha... what the hell is that, Nobuyuki...?!

{Nobuyuki turns to see the amazement and confusion running through Daisuke as Sasami and Nagi are
drawn to the shocked man.  The teenage princess grins wryly at the large man's stupefaction while
the huntress curls the edge of her mouth and narrows her eyes in irritation at the man's
presence.  Nobuyuki raises his hands and motions toward his friend in a placating manner, a kind
and sympathetic expression.}

Nobuyuki:  Now, Daisuke...  Don't get too worked up...  Uh... Daisuke...?

{The architect blinks at his friend who has frozen in place as a statue on the Masaki lawn.  Both
Sasami and Nobuyuki have sweat bead in their hair while little strands of hair spring out of
place.  Nagi shakes her head with a mild insult under her breath when Ken-Ohki hops from her
shoulder.}

Nagi:  Weak-hearted oaf...

{Nobuyuki waves his hand before Daisuke's vacant gaze as Nagi returns her attention to Ryo-Ohki,
where a crimson orb appears outside the ship's hull.  This sphere floats away from the
crystalline starship and touches ground before the Ryo-Jurai woman.  The glow fades away to show
Dr Washu Hakubi standing in a black, erudite cloak.}

{Her cloak is actually designed as a jacket of sorts.  The blouse drapes loosely around her young
body and reaches to her ankles while it comes to a wide and stiff green collar around her neck.
A white guard encircles her neck from the edge of the collar.  The sleeves are open and
connected, far more like a cape unto itself.  To her preference, the black cape has snow white
designs extending from her shoulders like wings or feathers.  Washu's hair is worn up, some
probably hidden upon her head within her hat, black crested with a pair of golden wings.  A
braided tassel falls behind her along with two streamers from her hairtie.}

{The Ryoan professor stretches her arms and yawns, probably from the trip fatigue, letting the
cape glide down her burgundy blouse to her shoulders.  Behind her, a ruby shimmer envelops the
black ship before the cabbit Ryo-Ohki drifts down next to Ken-Ohki.  The two cabbits greet each
other with soft mews as they nuzzle one another.  Within moments, the two scamper away back
toward the Masaki house, leaving Washu with the others.  Nagi watches the two cabbits leave with
a soft smile before Washu notices and grins with her own comment.}

Washu:  Never thought I'd see a smile on that face.

{The warmth leaves Nagi's face as she glances back toward Washu with a narrow glare.  The minute
scientist, however,  does not lose her humored expression.}

Washu:  Of course, you are still the fiery queen of ice, it seems.

{Sasami turns her attention back to Washu as well with a curious question.}

Sasami:  It's great to have you home, Washu, but didn't you say you were going to be gone for
	several months?

{The professor nods.}

Washu:  Well, yes.  That was the original plan, but I do have other projects and need my lab for
	them.

{The young princess's brows furrow.}

Sasami:  So, how did you get out of your work with the Science Academy?

{Washu smiles wider while she closes her eyes and explains, her arrogance quite obvious.}

Washu:  Oh, that wasn't hard.  I simply did a couple interviews of the proposed faculty and went
	to a couple meetings...

{The genius raises her arm and rests a few fingers against her cheek while she angles her head to
the side in a musing fashion.}

Washu:  Actually... not that many...  That doll seemed to fool them pretty well...

{Sasami smiles wryly at this while Washu giggles to herself and lets her arm return to its place
beneath the cape.}

Washu:  Anyway...  While I was being bored to death with Clay's endless drivel, I setup an uplink
	into their systems, cleverly hidden out of sight.

{The teen Juraian blinks with some confusion.}

Sasami:  "Into their systems"...?  What are you planning to do with that?

{Washu smiles gently and raises a hand to placate the girl.}

Washu:  Don't worry, Sasami.  I'm not going to do anything illegal with it...

{The minute woman purses her lips and glances to the side.}

Washu:  At least not too illegal...

{She refocuses on Sasami, Nagi also coldly picking up the genius's words.}

Washu:  It's just so I can access their communications and teleconference from here.  That way, I
	can continue my work and still screw with the bureaucracy of getting this new branch
	established.  Actually, it'd probably help if I was here.

{The azure-haired young woman nods, her smile returning with some of her old gentleness visible.}

Sasami:  Ah, okay.  It's still good to have you home, Washu.  I'll have to cook something special
	for you and Ryo-Ohki tonight.

{Washu nods with a genuine expression of appreciation.}

Washu:  Sounds excellent.  I'll have to put my experiments aside for that then.  It's been too
	long since I've tasted gourmet cuisine.

{The princess blushes and glances at the snow-covered ground with some mild embarrassment.}

Sasami:  Well...  I'll make sure to do my best to make it worth coming home to...

{The scientist's face reflects a soft appreciation for the familiar insecurity within this older,
changed Sasami.  However, the brooding green eyes soon change their subject to the icy gaze of
the huntress Nagi.  With this, the legendary Ryoan mind approaches Nagi in particular, those
gleaming eyes of emerald narrowing inversely to the scientist's pleased smile.}

Washu:  How's the one and only Ryo-Jurai hybrid doing today?

{The woman of two worlds eyes Washu with distaste at her words, though this does not faze the
genius in the least in her confident smile.}

Washu:  I look forward to working with you, Nagi.

{One of Nagi's brows raises ever so slightly with her coming question while Sasami blinks in
surprise at Washu's assertion.}

Nagi:  "Working with" me?  Since I doubt you would join me in combat, Hakubi, I do not see how
	you and I would be working together in any sense.

Washu:  Oh, I mean your help in my research with your generous contribution of energy and samples
	of... your body and fluids... possibly an examination of your reproductive tract...

{The bounty hunter scowls at the scientist as shock races across Sasami's face along with a
glowing blush.  Nobuyuki looks up curiously from trying to rouse Daisuke from his dumbfounded
state.}

Nagi:  No...!

{With an angry gaze and a soft rose tint to her cheeks, Nagi turns away and starts to walk away,
Washu following her at a distance.  A pout forms on the red-head's lips as Sasami watches them
with concern.  Nobuyuki goes to Sasami's side and also watches this.}

Washu:  Aw... That's not nice, Nagi...

{The fallen royal closes her eyes and answers quietly and firmly.}

Nagi:  It was not meant to be.

{The scientist just grins playfully.}

Washu:  You're no fun!  I was hoping to maybe help you understand who you are... what you're
	capable of... all the nice things that come from the unity you represent... and seem to
	shroud in ignorance.

Nagi:  Perhaps the professor has not learned yet... that some things are better left lost and
	hidden away...

{Washu scowls at this, stopping to place her hands on her hips while Nagi continues onto the
house.}

Washu:  Now, that's just close-mindedness!  How are you to progress if you don't understand what
	you see happen around you?

{Nagi also stops and glances coldly over her shoulder at Washu, the two exchanging a moment of
mutual dislike.}

Nagi:  Mr Masaki, you did mention that the Terran governments were having troubles with
	terrorists and the like, correct?

{Nobuyuki blinks and then nods, somewhat surprised by her knowledge of his words with Daisuke.}

Nagi:  Are there bounties on their heads?

Nobuyuki:  Yeah... some go up into the billions of yen...

{The huntress nods and then turns back to the house.}

Nagi:  Then, they will be my concern.  In that case, Hakubi, I will not be present for you to
	sample any part of my body.

{She then enters the Masaki home while Washu just folds her arms and calls after Nagi.}

Washu:  You have to sleep some time!

{Behind her, Sasami and Nobuyuki both have sweat bead in their hair as they grin wryly at the
scientist, who enters the house herself.  Softly, the Terran and Juraian exchange words from this
encounter.}

Nobuyuki:  It seems like things are getting back to normal...

Sasami:  I worry about what it'll be like when Tenchi and Ryoko come home...

Nobuyuki:  Oh, God help us...

{The girls shakes her head.}

Sasami:  Us and whoever Nagi goes to chase in the next few days...

{The scene fades out with Daisuke standing in awe at the sky, stuck in that pose from seeing Ryo-
Ohki, though with some snow settling on his form.}

End Scene 2

Scene 3

{A layer of snow has settled around the Masaki estate while the sun hangs overhead this quiet
afternoon in Okayama.  Over the resting place of the tree ship Ryu-Oh's first hull, a wall of ice
has grown from the waters of the lake, entombing the once glorious vessel for another winter.
The winds add motion to the limbs of the dormant flora of the surrounding forests.  Periodically,
a gust sends a white cloud of fallen snow into a waltz of shimmering shards while they descend
closer to the planet's surface.}

{Hopping through the snowfalls is the cabbit Ryo-Ohki, her brown fur fluffed and dense for this
cold season.  Cheerfully, she mews to a simple song, keeping the beat with her minute leaps from
patch to patch of icy precipitation.  Close behind her, teenage Sasami walks watching the
cuteness below, a soft grin on her face.  The younger princess of Jurai has dressed warmly in a
pink and white ski suit and gloves while her hair remains unbound as a train to her waist.}

{The two pass along the fence near the front gate when Ryo-Ohki stops and sniffs the air near the
gate.  Sasami halts with her and kneels down at the furry creature's side, curiously watching
her.}

Sasami:  What is it, Ryo-Ohki...?

{Then, a shadow descends over the young princess's eyes as her hair falls around her face, the
Mark of Power on her forehead dimly flickering.  Her gaze fills with apprehension as a chill
freezes her blood.  She slowly turns her head to face the gate while the wind dies around her
alongside the sounds of the small fauna.  Within her head, she recognizes this feeling and calls
its name.}

Sasami:  That dark power...?!  Kain's energies...?!

{Images from her waking dream of the battle between the goddesses of Light and Darkness scream
through her mind, seeing again Tokimi's face scorched by the Jurai Power and Tsunami's chest cut
open by the NVO Energy.  A soft rapping at the gate startles her in the silence of her thoughts.
Below her, Ryo-Ohki's concerned calls draw her rosy eyes back to the cabbit, who looks up to her
with an innocent worry.  The teenage Juraian forces a weak smile while she answers the questions
of Ryoko's little partner.}

Sasami:  I guess we have a guest...

{However, the cute Ryoan sentient is not pacified by the young woman's false sentiment when
Sasami stands slowly turning to face the Masaki gate.  Her body grows tense standing before what
she senses unconsciously behind that doorway, thoughts of its identity racing through her mind.}

Sasami:  It's the same feeling as the dark woman from my dream...!!  But, that's not...!!  She
	couldn't...!!

{That chill in her veins now shifts to an emotional response, an apprehension and fear expressed
in her gentle eyes.  Her hand extends toward the door, opening her fingers while her left fist
grips tightly like her furrowed brow.  Her knees bend slightly while she hesitantly steps into a
combative posture, her hand now touching the door's handle.  The fingers wrap around the grip of
the door as her body coils to strike at the being behind the sliding blockage before her.}

{The door slams to the side when Sasami punches forward with her left fist, aimed directly for
the woman who was once behind the sliding wall but now finds herself in danger.  On instinct,
this visitor leans and turns to her left, raising her hands to meet Sasami's punch at the wrist
and elbow.  Her fingers grip the Juraian's arm and hold her while the princess prepares another
strike.}

{Then, Sasami gazes into the face of her opponent, this woman of feline features hidden beneath
sheets of golden blonde hair.  This female, Sasami's senior only by apparently three years,
blinks her confused grey eyes while the Juraian princess stops her second attack, her visage
filling with shock in realization.  A sweatdrop forms in the blonde's hair as she gazes back at
the young teen about to strike her.}

Woman:  Sasami...?!

{The tension in Sasami slowly passes while the golden-haired guest gently releases her arm.
Greatly guilty, Sasami bows deeply and apologizes for her actions.}

Sasami:  I'm so sorry, Mrs Pii...  I thought...

{Mrs Pii kneels next to Sasami and rests a hand on the girl's shoulder, speaking softly and
kindly.}

Nerti:  Just call me "Nerti", Sasami...  And, it's alright...  Don't worry...

{Nerti lowers her eyes some with a solemn concern.}

Nerti:  I know why it happened...

{Sasami raises her head, showing her conflicted expression, before she glances to the ground and
seats herself in the snow.  The flaxen woman looks up at the younger girl, a kind smile crossing
Nerti's lips.}

Nerti:  That's partly why I'm here... to talk to Washu about all this.

{The royal glances up with a little curiosity in her eyes while her guest nods.}

Nerti:  Maybe she can do something so when Will or I visit, it won't be like this.

{Sasami nods and forces a minute, hopeful grin when the two females stand together.  Not unlike
Sasami, Nerti Pii is dressed for the winter weather in a long sleeve pure white shirt and fire
red jeans.  Over her blouse, she wears a soft blue jacket, possibly a few shades lighter than
Sasami's hair.  Ryo-Ohki glances over Nerti and sniffs her foot before rubbing her head against
the guest's shoe.  Nerti directs her attention to the furry creature below.  She smiles warmly
and regards the cabbit in her thoughts.}

Nerti:  Nice to meet you again too...

{The young princess turns slightly toward the house and shies away from Nerti some as she
speaks.}

Sasami:  Washu is here... but I don't know if she's free or not...

{The blonde accepts this with a head motion to the affirmative, understanding Washu, and Sasami's
feelings.}

Nerti:  That's alright.  I know she's really busy.

Sasami:  But... she could be available, I guess...  We should go in and see.

{Nerti smiles.}

Nerti:  That sounds great.  I haven't had a chance to see your house.  I've heard it's fantastic.

{Sasami blushes as the two start walking toward the Masaki house.}

Sasami:  Well... we're having some renovations done so...

{Sweat beads in the flaxen hair of the visitor.}

Nerti:  I see...  Alright then...

{As they walk, Nerti glances toward the ice-covered lake quietly, the chirping of the birds heard
once more in the distance.  She grins and idly chats with Sasami while Ryo-Ohki hops along at
their side.}

Nerti:  This lake must be very pretty in the spring and summer.  Looks deep enough to swim in.

{Sasami nods and affirms this.}

Sasami:  It is...

{The guest regards the quietness of her guide quietly, noting the somberness of her expression.
A soft smile crosses Nerti's lips when a thought comes to her mind, and she opens her mouth to
speak.  Yet, she stops herself, thinking to herself.}

Nerti:  No...  I'm not really close to Sasami...  but... she's so sad...

{The young wife blinks into a playful smile and rethinks her approach.}

Nerti:  I should lighten her spirits some... if I can...

{Now, she speaks to Sasami, questioning her on her last statement.}

Nerti:  Very pretty or deep enough to swim in?

Sasami:  Both really...

{The blonde grins.}

Nerti:  Maybe Will and I should come over some time in the warmer months and go swimming.  I love
	to, though he...

{She grimaces.}

Nerti:  He still hasn't learned....

{Sasami raises her head and glances back at Nerti with a confused look.}

Sasami:  Mr Pii, the bounty hunter... doesn't know how to swim?

Nerti:  Yeah... it's kinda strange if you think about it.  He just never has had a thing for the
	water.  He never could get over his fear of immersion.  Apparently, his brother Ben hasn't
	been able to either.

{The teen princess nods, understanding to some degree.}

Sasami:  Yeah... I guess it's just an innate fear...

{She trails off, her gaze drifting away from Nerti as she considers her situation and her own
words.  Her guest concurs.}

Nerti:  Yeah, Dad always said that fear could be controlled and overcome, and he tried several
	times to help Will over the whole water thing.

Sasami:  Your dad tried to help him?

Nerti:  Yeah, he was Will's mentor in all the fighting arts, but really... I think dad just
	thought of him as the son he never had in many ways.

{She scoffs and chuckles to herself.}

Nerti:  Not that either would openly admit it, of course.

{Sasami watches her feet trudge through the snow as she comments in a minute tone.}

Sasami:  He sounds like a great man...

{Nerti's gaze becomes distant, recalling her father.}

Nerti:  He was... 

{She folds her arms, her hands gripping her elbows.}

Nerti:  I miss him a lot...

{The young royal looks back at Nerti apologetically.}

Sasami:  I... didn't mean to pry...

{The flaxen woman shakes her head with a gentle expression.}

Nerti:  No, no...  You weren't prying.  Sasami, I want to be your friend as much as I can.

{She glances down and then back to Sasami with a more solemn gaze.}

Nerti:  I know you probably don't remember... and I don't really remember it all either... but
	you...

{Nerti's arms unfold as her grey eyes watch her fingers.  Around the ring finger of her left
hand, she naturally wears a golden wedding band, but she now fidgets some with a regally ornate
silver ring around her right ring finger.  Her eyes waiver some regarding this beautiful piece of
jewelry, holding a single, spherical gemstone of pure blood crimson.}

Nerti:  In Manhattan, you... I remember your words gave me hope when... when Will and I...

{The visitor in red stops, closing her hands within one another over her chest.  Sasami turns
back to her, confusion but also sympathy flowing through her expression.  The royal girl speaks
calmly and consolingly.}

Sasami:  I'd like to be friends too, Nerti.

{Nerti looks up to see a kind smile on Sasami's lips as she nods.}

Sasami:  I don't want to hate anyone or be hated just because of stuff we were born with.  One of
	my teachers said that you can be outstanding without standing out.  Of course, on Jurai,
	it's hard to do that...

{She glances at the ground and then back to Nerti.}

Sasami:  I... think that's part of why... Ayeka and I left Jurai... to not be different like that
	anymore.

{Nerti lowers her hands and smiles back at Sasami with a subtle nod.}

Nerti:  Thank you, Sasami... for everything...

{At her ankle, the blonde wife feels a warmth rubbing her clothes.  Glancing down, she notices
Ryo-Ohki nuzzling her before turning her little head upward with a soft mew coupled with a small
cabbity smile.  Nerti reciprocates this while Sasami also affirms the sentiment.}

Sasami:  You're welcome...

{The teenage princess blushes as she turns back toward the house.}

Sasami:  I... do hope Washu can help you... feel more normal...

{Nerti takes a breath and agrees.}

Nerti:  So do I...

{The three continue and shortly step along the cobblestones to the door of the Masaki home, which
is partially covered with some plastic to keep the cold winds partitioned from the heated warmth
within.  Nerti's eyes reflect a pleasure at viewing this home, regardless of its current state of
reconstruction.}

Nerti:  It's a very pretty home.  I bet you all have plenty of fond memories from this place.

{Sasami nods and glances at the floor with some memory.}

Sasami:  Yeah... we do...

{The teen opens the door and bows gently.}

Sasami:  Welcome to Okayama, Nerti Pii.

{The guest bows shallowly as she accepts this invitation.}

Nerti:  Thank you, Jurai Sasami.

{The two enter the house while they remove their shoes and jackets and don the slippers of the
house.  New to the estate, Nerti's eyes wander about the environs, absorbing the beauty around
her.  She questions Sasami about it.}

Nerti:  This place is gorgeous!  Who designed it?

{The young hostess answers truthfully and pleasantly while the two remove their jackets, Ryo-Ohki
quickly perching atop Sasami's shoulder.}

Sasami:  Actually, Tenchi's dad did.

{Nerti blinks and regards Sasami with some surprise.}

Nerti:  He did?

Sasami:  Yeah, he's actually pretty great at it.  He also redesigned the house for the
	renovation.

Nerti:  I have to admit... I never really placed him as an architect.

{The princess blushes and nods, Ryo-Ohki sharing her comment.}

Sasami:  Yeah, sometimes we wonder...

{Sasami steps onto the floor of the house proper and motions for Nerti to follow.}

Sasami:  Washu's lab is this way.

{The guest follows Sasami to the stairs of the house where the closet door linked to Washu's lab
resides.  Nerti considers this door curiously, peering through the circular window of glass.
Confused, she prepares to question this location when the princess shakes her head with a slight
wry grin.  Sasami knocks on the door, and with a moment, the glass darkens before it is filled
with an image of Washu's face.  She greets them.}

Washu:  Who is it?  Oh, hi Sasami.

{The great scientist then notices their guest, bringing a distinct glimmer to her green eyes.}

Washu:  Nerti Pii!  Finally decide to join in my research?

{Sasami and Nerti both sweat wryly at this question while the blonde woman replies.}

Nerti:  Not exactly...  I was wondering if I could talk with you.

{The great genius scoffs and folds her arms with a disinterested glance away.}

Washu:  Well, I am busy with getting the planning done for the new SA building under
	construction.

{Sasami narrows her eyes and shakes her head, denying this excuse.}

Sasami:  No, you're not!  You're still going over all the readings you took in September, when
	everything happened in Manhattan.

{The Ryoan girl is caught without a retort as she has a sweatdrop beads in her hair.  However,
she soon clears her throat and then answers the princess's question in a quite and matter-of-fact
manner.}

Washu:  That's important work to understand the nature of Jurai and NVO energies at their very
	core.

{Her eyes narrow while her lips curl into a deviant smirk at the two standing outside her door.}

Washu:  Now, if some people who control those energies were to help me...

{Nerti's gaze turns toward the ground while she folds her arms, sensing a chill within herself
as she considers this.}

Nerti:  That... is partly why I have come to see you, professor...

{Her grey eyes return to the image of the Ryoan intellect, conflict seen within her uneasy gaze.}

Nerti:  Would it be alright if we spoke in person?

{Washu blinks and traces the edge of her jaw with her fingers, regarding the troubles on the
young woman's mind.  The genius's visage fades from the small window with a few parting words.}

Washu:  Alright, come on in.  Sasami knows the way.

{Sasami goes to the door and opens it while Nerti begins to enter.  The Juraian princess softly
questions her guest.}

Sasami:  If I might... could I ask why...?

{The visitor glances down and thoughtfully rests a hand on her abdomen while Sasami follows,
closing the door behind her.}

Nerti:  Just worried about the future...

{The royal teen nods.}

Sasami:  Yeah... I worry about it myself...

{The flaxen wife laughs to herself and smiles back at Sasami.}

Nerti:  If my impressions of Nagi are right, I doubt she'd allow you to end up worrying about
	what I do.

{Sasami raises an eyebrow to this while they walk into Washu's domain.  Idly, Nerti glances
around the environs:  a grand chamber concealed in shadows, bearing points of light in various
distant locales from tracks of floodlights over various small gardens and arboreta.  As they
walk, she notes the catwalks and interweaving network of transparent pipes in which aquatic
specimen swim, their own microcosm.  In each arboretum, several species of animal and plant
interact in their small ecosystems, not unlike the fluid-bound creatures.}

{Nerti knowingly comments on this laboratory.}

Nerti:  A pseudo-space causeway to an extra-dimensional pocket...  Dr Hakubi really does have an
	elegance about this...  I didn't even notice the homeomorph gate at the door.

{Sasami blinks and questions curiously, Ryo-Ohki mirroring her academic confusion.}

Sasami:  Homeomorph door?

{An interest piques in the blonde guest as she explains herself.}

Nerti:  Yeah, the gateway between homeomorphic spaces.  That's the element she has added to the
	door so we can go into another universe like this.  This universe has the same properties
	and mechanics as our original universe, but is completely separate and isolated.  That's
	what we call "homeomorphic".

{The princess listens as the young wife continues, passing by more artificial structures.  Many
of these structures, though rather angular and stoic, have a modern artistic quality in their
placement and polygonal assembly.}

Nerti:  To go here, we have to convert our matter and energy to comply with this universe's
	similar structure.  That's the purpose of the homeomorphism used by the gate.  It does the
	conversion.  However, I've never come across one that smooth in-transit.  Most make you a
	little queasy or even hurt a bit.  Hers is... well... perfect.

{Sasami nods and adds frankly.}

Sasami:  She is the "greatest scientific genius in the universe" as she always says.

Nerti:  I'd expect nothing less.

Sasami:  How did you know about all that in just the door?  I haven't seen anyone who could talk
	like that about Washu's inventions before.

Nerti:  Well, before everything, Will and I were going to graduate from the Science Academy
	ourselves.  Though I was going for my primary degree in robotics, energy kinetics and
	dimensional theory were things I dabbled in.  You kinda have to know some energy kinetics
	to design power cells for robots, and dimensional theory has roots in energy kinetics and
	higher mathematics...   It was just fun to read about.

{The regal teen smiles softly to herself, watching the joy in Nerti's face as she tells of her
background.  More of the younger girl's tension fades in the presence of this possessor of
darkness.}

Sasami:  Sounds like you love to learn.

{Nerti grins to herself and bears a minor blush.  Ryo-Ohki mews and smiles, adding to the
princess's kind appearance.}

Nerti:  I guess...  I once thought about being a teacher, but... I don't know about these days.

Sasami:  You might still get that chance.

Nerti:  Maybe...

{Soon, they arrive at another door hanging in space without support, defying the apparent laws of
gravity.  Sasami goes to take the handle of this door.}

Sasami:  This is the door to Washu's current project room.  She should be in here.

{Nerti nods as the two enter the door along with the cabbit upon Sasami's shoulder.  Within, they
find Washu sitting upon a flying cushion before an excessively large computer terminal, complete
with five monitors displaying figures of wavelength decompositions and DNA analyses.  The glow
from these screens highlights Washu's hands typing in and manipulating data and her eyes
interpreting it as she proceeds.  The remainder of the room is shrouded in shadows, hidden from
both Sasami and Nerti's eyes.  The genius at the terminal does not turn as she speaks to them.}

Washu:  There you are.

{She spins around and faces these two visitors to her domain before she slides off the floating
pillow.  Her emerald eyes scan over Nerti as the former student slightly bows to the professor
before her.}

Nerti:  I do thank you for seeing me, doctor.  I also noticed you had a superbly implemented
	homeomorph gate.  It's very elegant.

{Washu smirks to herself, her famed pride evident.}

Washu:  Well, of course it is!  Though, it's not a homeomorph doorway.

{Confused, the blonde woman raises an eyebrow.}

Nerti:  It's not?  I thought you needed a homeomorphic function to go between two identical
	spaces bijectively...

{Washu nods and concurs.}

Washu:  True, you do, but this space isn't homeomorphic to our original.  It's conjugate.

{Nerti thinks about this carefully, considering the implications.}

Nerti:  But, doesn't that mean...?

{The genius points her finger upward to emphasize her point.}

Washu:  Right, this is a folded space, but the conjugacy map clears that up.

{Nodding, the ex-student regards the meaning.}

Nerti:  What about extraneous preimages when we go back?

{Washu waves at this question.}

Washu:  Oh that?  I put an injection filter to compensate.  Frankly, I like the uses of folded
	space and the extra energy I get from the compression.

{Nerti blinks, some amazement in her eyes.}

Nerti:  I see...  Why didn't anyone else...?

{The doctorate holder folds her arms and scoffs haughtily.}

Washu:  Genius, remember?

{The guest smiles wryly with the tale-tell sweat beading in her hair while the genius blinks and
musingly angles her head to the side.  Sasami has listened to the entire exchange but grins idly
as a spectator of this intellectual intercourse.  Now, the princess becomes interested with the
Ryoan theorist's words.}

Washu:  Now, what brings you here anyway, Nerti?  You said it had to do with my research into the
	powers, but not so directly.

{Nerti nods and blushes some as she starts to explain.}

Nerti:  Yes, Dr..

{Washu clears her throat, interrupting the young wife.}

Washu:  Just Washu will do.

{The professor leers at her.}

Washu:  Or maybe... "Little Washu"?

{Nerti anxiously puts her hands up defensively while Sasami snickers to herself.}

Nerti:  No... I think "Washu" will be fine...

{She straightens herself and resumes her rosy-cheeked thought.}

Nerti:  Well... I came here to talk to you... about.... well...

{Her hands fold together while her eyes meander to her fidgeting digits.}

Nerti:  You know Will and I are married... so...  We're expecting... our first...

{Sasami's face brightens at this news when she praises Nerti on her the future arrival of her
first child.}

Sasami:  You're pregnant?!  Congratulations!

{Shyly, the blonde bows to the Juraian princess.}

Nerti:  Thank you, Sasami...

{However, when she regards the Ryoan professor, the fiery-haired professional's eyes are wide and
beaming with computing plots and schemes using this miracle of creation.  Sasami and Nerti both
sweat anxiously at this and the words which Washu uses to communicate these burning ideas.}

Washu:  Another humanoid hybrid...!!

{With surprising speed, the minute researcher is flitting around Nerti's legs, examining her
physique while questioning the confused young woman.}

Washu:  How along are you?  Past the morning sickness?  Do you feel any pain that you can't
	explain or is atypical of birthing in your race?  Have you noticed a change in your body's
	production of your ethereal energies?

{The blonde blushes brightly and steps out from the ring that the classroom instructor was
forming by her rather random cursory examination.  Sasami smiles wryly while Washu raises an
eyebrow at Nerti.}

Nerti:  A lot of that I don't know.  I'm already a mix of Pentinian and Proran DNA, which means I
	can't really go by my education on Pentinian biology.  However, I can say that I haven't
	felt anything out of the ordinary there.

{Her folds her hands over her womb while her words become a bit more distant.}

Nerti:  I guess I'm about two months along...  I really don't know for sure... beyond that it
	couldn't be before Will and I were married...

{At this, Washu's face becomes analytical.}

Washu:  What about your powers?

{Nerti closes her eyes and answers softly.}

Nerti:  I have not used them... not since then...

{Sasami mirrors their guest as she nods.}

Sasami:  I can't blame you...  I haven't used my Jurai Power either...

{The teenager holds her arms and shivers a bit with the thought.}

Sasami:  It's... kinda frightening...

{The holder of the dark energies turns her grey eyes to Sasami with a deal of sympathy showing in
a still moment between the group.  Washu ponders this for a moment before she speaks on the
subject.}

Washu:  Well, it's pretty obvious, Nerti, that you want a prenatal workup on you and your baby.

{The former student confirms.}

Nerti:  Yes... and I wanted to know if... the powers Will and I were given... if they will have
	any affect on our baby...

{Rubbing her chin again, the genius of the universe nods.}

Washu:  As would I.

{Taking a breath, Washu states her proposal for this young mother-to-be.}

Washu:  Well, here's what I'll offer.  I'll do the workup on you and your baby with all the
	potential effects of the dark energy...

{Nerti's sullen visage brightens some at this before the fiery-haired Ryoan continues.}

Washu:  ... if I can also do a study on your husband and make use of all that data for my own
	research as well.  After all, as the father, his genes need to be considered as well.

{This stipulation sends the youthful wife into consideration before she answers with a nod.}

Nerti:  I understand.  It's probably for the best so that Will and I will have a better idea what
	was done to us.

{Sasami smiles before the short scientist snaps her fingers with a deviantly happy smile on her
face.  The princess's eyes widen when a couple robots appear around Nerti.}

Washu:  Well, let's get to it, shall we?

{The blonde has sweat bead in her hair when she notices these.}

Nerti:  Aren't we going to wait and get my husband?

Washu:  Nah, we can get him later.

{The lights rise around them, showing various analysis equipment, medical scanners, and other
unknown devices even to Nerti's knowledge of the Science Academy technology.  She sweats more at
this, her expression becoming worried more and more.}

End Scene 3

Scene 4

{Among the twinkling starlight of the night sky, the silver Ken-Ohki descends from on high and
approaches the seemingly endless seas as a gracefully falling celestial body.  Within, Nagi
stands firm, her eyes focused upon the floating displays before her.  Dressed in her hunter's
garb, her weapons await their mistress's touch to enter into combat.}

{Each translucent screen displays vital information on particular objectives:  military
installations, political figures, and other targets of opportunity, each with a price tag below.
The physical and political maps are superimposed, giving a dual representation for this Ryo-Jurai
huntress.  However, her thoughts are mingled between her business and the life behind her at the
Masaki house.}

{Against her will, images of Sasami from that mock duel they performed still haunt the once
exiled royal.  She closes her eyes and shakes these away, reminding herself of their place.}

Nagi:  I do not require these thoughts in my waking hours...  They are none of my concern...  I
	am not her kin...

{Ken-Ohki mews to draw her attention away from those images, questioning her.  She sighs
forcefully and frowns to herself.}

Nagi:  It is not a matter of whether I care for Sasami or not, Ken-Ohki.  I am not her blood.
	Those demons she faces are hers to conquer.  That is a private matter and none of my
	affair.

{The ship around her mewrs back quietly, a tone of knowing disbelief evident.  Nagi shakes her
head and returns her gaze to the displays around her.}

Nagi:  That is enough discussing those matters.  We have enemies to combat this day.

{Ken-Ohki concurs, but his tone is lingering, knowing more than she would want him to.  The
huntress scans across the maps:  all focusing on the Middle East region of Asia.  Several of the
local nations are grouped together and highlighted in a glowing green, labeled "GLA".  Of those
nations, their leaders are shown, and the alliances analyzed in line graphs.  She scoffs.}

Nagi:  This should be no problem at all.  They are poorly armed, let alone barely organized.

{Then, she notices on her primary monitor that there is another high-speed vessel in front of
Ken-Ohki.  This metal craft of mechanical, extraterrestrial origin causes Nagi to narrow her
gaze.  On its sleek exterior is written in white upon the dull blue finish:  "Rente Ro, Major"
and "Caroki".}

Nagi:  Seems we have some competition.  Let us speaks with him.

{Before her, a new window appears displaying the darkened cockpit of the other craft and its
occupant:  a young man with brown eyes and short hair.  He wears a custom style combat armor,
modified from a more generic design from the same world as the ship he pilots.  However, he is
quiet obviously a native of Earth.  Much like Nagi, he has the black claws of the Mark of Rage
across his cheek, but they are false by the light's reflection, kevlar or some similar armored
cloth.  Yet, his gaze is direct and piercing, unafraid of her.  Nagi speaks firmly, but some
irritation ekes out at his presence.}

Nagi:  I did not expect to see you again, Pii.  I had thought your departure was permanent.

{Pii smirks with a slight scowl to his own eyes.}

Pii:  Heh, I was getting used to not being around you too, Lady Jurai Nagi.

{Without much effort, her demeanor becomes more stern as she denounces that title acutely and
decisively.}

Nagi:  If you value your ability to impregnate your wife, do not use that title in my presence
	again.

{Pii scoffs into a mild grin, some respect exposed in this expression and words.}

Pii:  Knowing you, Nagi, you're not here to wish me good luck on getting back into the bounty
	hunting business.

{Nagi shakes her head and confirms his statement.}

Nagi:  No, I have little doubt that you and I have the same objective.

{Outside, Ken-Ohki booms over the sandy beaches, the wake of the hypersonic craft ripping into
the sands much as it did the water.  Now careening above the Terran deserts of the Arab regions,
the Ryoan ship is joined by this blue metal Caroki, the two keeping pace with one another.}

Pii:  Exactly what objective would that be?

{Nagi shifts her weight to her left foot when she turns slightly toward the left, annoyance now
clear on her face.}

Nagi:  You know well already:  to kill or capture the leaders of this arrogant Terran uprising.
	Each is worth near one-hundred million Jurai.

{The male hunter nods, a gravity seeping into his expression as well now.}

Pii:  Yeah, that's my job as well.  You do know that there'll be friendly troops on the ground
	too, right?

{Her annoyance fades some as her sense of professionalism takes its place.}

Nagi:  Ken-Ohki and I are aware of that.  However, we should not have to worry about them since
	we are going directly for the projected location of their stronghold, bypassing the primary
	fronts.

Pii:  Same here, but it'd be good to keep it in mind anyway.

{Her eyes close, considering this before she answers.}

Nagi:  I will be more cautious, for the sake of future assignments by the Terran Provisional
	System.

{The young father-to-be smirks with an unsurprised visage while he shakes his head.}

Pii:  Just in the interest of your career, as always?

{Nagi opens her gaze, sly and rather heated in her words.}

Nagi:  I have other reasons.  Since I have come to live on Earth, I would prefer a home free from
	threats to my way of life.  There is also the matter that this particular organization has
	claimed responsibility for the destruction in Manhattan from the dark goddess's appearance.
	I believe they should know a glimpse of what truly happened then.

Pii:  Ah, so it's a matter of pride as well as security.

Nagi:  Quite.  They should know that neither their haughty lies nor their empty threats will be
	tolerated.

Pii:  Well, the rest of the planet agrees with you since a coalition of nations have their armies
	around the GLA's borders to keep them boxed in.

{She narrows her eyes, some distaste for these native nations evident.}

Nagi:  Yes, and they hire hunters to cut off the head of this serpent.

{While they talk, the white crystalline ship Ken-Ohki and the Pentinian-origin Caroki approach a
front of barricades, tanks, and men stretching across the horizon.  Both Nagi and Pii glance
ahead to see this, each commanding their respective vehicle to lift upward enough to prevent
their hypersonic wakes from tearing through the ranks of men and armor below.  Aboard Caroki, Pii
reaches to his headgear and quickly dons it, the head's up display (HUD) for his vessel's weapons
glowing to life upon his visor as he takes his ship's controls from the automatic system.  Nagi
grins to herself and speaks quickly before her image winks away.}

Nagi:  So, it begins.  I hope you have not been lax over your honeymoon.

{Pii scowls at this and grips his right hand tightly around Caroki's controls, popping his
knuckles as he does so.}

Pii:  I didn't have time to get "lax".

{As Ken-Ohki and Caroki pass over the front, a volley of projectiles are launched from behind the
barricades.  Pii clenches his teeth as he pulls on his controls, arcing his ship's trajectory
away from the intended impact zone of the missiles.  Ken-Ohki does not alter his course when the
shots targeting him smash into a transparent sphere around the craft.  The vapors from the
explosions pass around the white ship, slowing him some.  Aboard Ken-Ohki's bridge, a feline
hiss is heard before Nagi speaks to her partner and companion glaring ahead.}

Nagi:  They certainly are bold.  An Ohki is not some flimsy metal fighter craft.

{On the primary display before her, the vapors pass from the frame to show a rank of modified
trucks.  With a silent mental command, Ken-Ohki magnifies this image to show each truck holding a
turret of quad anti-aircraft guns, each actively firing at and ricocheting off Ken-Ohki's
defenses.  Next to those are a set of off-road buggies loaded down with rocket launchers
haphazardly attached.  While Nagi watches, said machines launch another salvo toward her
location.  In response, the white vessel of blades jerks away from their trajectory, allowing the
shots to miss.  Meanwhile, the soldiers on the ground watch with confusion written across their
faces.  The huntress shakes her head as she folds her arms, her eyes narrow with irritation.}

Nagi:  Pathetic, solely depending on archaic thermal tracking methods...

{Outside, a violet sphere of light appears before Ken-Ohki a moment before that ball breaks into
several streams of dark light aimed at the rank of enemy.  Some of the enemy stare in awe and
shock while others turn press hard on their trucks' accelerators and dig into the sand with their
tires, unable to move away quickly.  Each beam from the extraterrestrial craft arc down toward
and  through a vehicle in the makeshift battery, exploding it and usually igniting those nearby.
Meanwhile, Caroki returns to Ken-Ohki's side with its forward weapons coming to bear toward the
crystal vessel's port side.  Over the carrier waves, Nagi coldly questions her colleague.}

Nagi:  Are you meaning to fire those at me?

{The Pentinian ship does release a pair of small beams of coherent light, but the shots miss the
field around Ken-Ohki, but rather cut through a pair of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) aimed at
the lady hunter's craft.  Nagi glances at her displays and sees this happen before her
colleague's vessel floats around the crystalline battleship and targets a cemented installation
of SAM launchers.  Wider and brighter, the same streams of luminous energy race forward while the
men within the site exit and start to hasten away when the impact comes.  The cement and steel
erupt in a rain of sand, debris, and the flesh of those unfortunate to not have escaped.  Beneath
Caroki's canopy, Pii grins to himself.}

Pii:  How about that?

{Within Ken-Ohki, Nagi frowns and sends her crimson glare into the distance toward the cities.
Behind the two aerial craft, the front of coalition forces starts to advance past its own
barricades.}

Nagi:  I did not come here to fight their war for them.

{The white crystalline starship then shoots into the distance toward the ancient Arab cities,
leaving Caroki to turn and follow closely behind.  As the two ships fly toward the stone palaces,
Pii shifts a toggle on the maneuvering controls of Caroki, setting it on automatic pilot once
more.  He rotates his attention to a transparent panel that appears before him.  Through this
layer of light, the distant structures are zoomed, showing people standing on the roofs, holding
weapons ranging from old six-shot pistol to rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) launchers.  The hunter
smirks to himself.}

Pii:  I was right.  This will be quick.

{Shortly after he utters these words,  Caroki is rocked by a nearby concussion within the air.
He glances toward a side display showing small nests of machine-gunners and rocketeers sending
their munitions up toward the two extraterrestrial craft.  The young freelance enforcer retakes
his controls and turns the ship hard starboard.  At this motion, the nimble fighter spins out
when shards of metal are expelled from its sides.  Immediately, the engines flare out before
suddenly reigniting far brighter, sending Pii ahead of Ken-Ohki.  The shards, however, burst into
small puffs of smoke and flame, causing the incoming weapons to home into the burning cloud and
impact either nothing or one another.}

{Aboard Ken-Ohki, Nagi watches Caroki pass, but she disregards it, centering her attentions on a
screen her partner is showing her.  Upon this window, an aerial view of the city before them is
shown with several colored patterns illuminating the deep blue shaded buildings.  Many of these
small figures scurry about the ground, obviously human.  A cursor floats over each systematically
from a central point, spawning a smaller window holding that individual's thermal aura as a body
diagram.  Mildly impatient, Nagi folds her arms.}

Nagi:  They should be in this city...

{Then, she notices to auras highlighted in white, Ken-Ohki meowing to his mistress in this
regard.  She nods and grins to herself.}

Nagi:  There they are...

{However, the huntress notices some motion in her peripheral vision.  Glancing up, she sees
Caroki descend toward that same location.  A competitive scowl wipes across her brows when shots
ignite around Ken-Ohki, not even shaking the crystalline vessel.  Nagi  orders her partner.}

Nagi:  Ken-Ohki, drop me off and pull away until the job is done.  I will not be long.

{A concerned meow comes from the ship before the strong woman emphasizes her choice.}

Nagi:  Do not argue!

{With a disheartened mew, a violet aura envelops Nagi and then flashes into nothing, sending her
away.  Outside amongst the weapons fire impacting Ken-Ohki's defensive shields, the purple sphere
appears and darts downward toward a particular stone palace, graced with gold and silver.}

{On the ground, Caroki rests with its canopy open between two old, sand-smoothed buildings.  Ruby
beams of coherent light swipe past and into the distance.  Machinegun fire follows from the
opposite direction as the orb of energy lands next to Pii's fighter.  The light fades, revealing
Nagi before she quickly rolls behind Caroki and draws her rapier from beneath her cape.  A
warrior's gravity and tension flows through the firm lines of her body when Pii calls to her.}

Pii:  They're holed-up pretty well, Nagi.

{A second volley of scorching rays fires when Nagi notices Pii's right hand wave past, the light
shooting from the apparatus on his gauntlet.  Screams come from those unfortunate enough to find
themselves in the line of fire while the female warrior hefts herself into a crouch and takes a
jutting glance into the fray.  Pii drops back behind a partially demolished wall as Nagi
replies.}

Nagi:  It seems so.

{Across the street, bullets sail again over Nagi and Pii's heads from armed men huddled behind
barricades of rock.  High above on the eaves of the structure, riflemen try to take aim at the
two hunters, but their views are obstructed.  The royal woman considers their situation coolly
while the gunfire becomes more intermittent, some soldiers reloading while their comrades
continue.}

Nagi:  I counted close to fifty foot soldiers inside other than the marks.

{Somewhat more tense, Pii nods and concurs.}

Pii:  So did I.  Their stockpiles weren't great either.  They weren't expecting anything this
	soon.

{She smirks confidently.}

Nagi:  They were more pompous than I gave them credit.

{Her left hand takes the whip handle from its strap across her thigh.  She raises it to her head
as she slides out from behind her hiding place before the device is swung downward.  An iris-
colored stream of light flows out from it, cracking across the stone barricade in front of the
Arabs.  The flexible beam cuts through the stone as the whip's light retracts into the handle.
Nagi rolls back behind cover when the sliced stone slab falls toward the enemy.  Defensively,
they jump back and quickly find other cover before Pii's crimson laser fires toward them again.
Like a hill of ants, the soldiers attack with blazing weapons, screaming local obscenities at
them.}

Pii:  You said you didn't want to fight their war.  Looks we're kinda stuck doing that.

Nagi:  I will not be for much longer.

{Pii scoffs.}

Pii:  Didn't think you would be.

{Nagi grins and grips her weapons.}

Nagi:  Now, to earn my reward.

{The enemy stop firing suddenly when a pair of rotund, metal objects are lobbed toward the
hunters.  Adrenaline pours into their blood as mortal caution shoots through their consciousness
at the sight of two grenades awaiting the reaction to explode.  Nagi stands and jumps atop Caroki
and runs over its dorsal side while Pii runs out into the no-man's land of the alleyway, the
snipers high above targeting him.  Then, the twin explosions rock the surrounding area, tossing
plumes of sand and charred fragments of stone into the air.  The shockwave knocks Pii from his
feet and forces Nagi into the air over Caroki's canopy.  Unable to see through the dust, the
riflemen lower their arms as Nagi lands behind the enemy barricades, hard but on her feet with
weapons drawn.}

{The troops raise their line of sight to see her through the clouds of dust but are cut short of
attacking as she steps forward and engages them with her sword.  Slicing through their armor and
firearms, she artfully dances through their ranks, letting their weapons and equipment fall off
from where she cut them.  Nagi smiles when many collapse along with the debris, wide-eyed at her
skill though others stand, enraged at this woman for besting their compatriots.  She lowers her
head, keeping her eyes on them as they start to circle her.  Together, these few brave ones rush
her, yet find their fate quickly.  Decisively, Nagi shifts her weight and lands a sidekick
squarely on the chin of their first man coming at her side before pushing off and embedding her
elbow into the second to her back.}

{Meanwhile, Pii shakes off the concussion of the grenade and pushes up to a crouch, lost in the
dust near the explosion sites.  His hard expression glares ahead as he stands, his visor shifting
between spectrum settings until it reaches thermal, allowing him to see through the cloud around
him.  The Terran hunter reaches across to his left forearm to take his sword's hilt, pulling the
handle free while he stands.  The weapon opens to extend a sharp blade for Pii to brandish as he
cautiously crosses the road.}

{While Nagi continues to defend herself against her attackers, Pii attempts to go around the
fray, but the scrape of his boots along the ground draws some of their attention.  By now, the
dust has settled to where the naked eye could make out his silhouette.  These few turn and
direct their aggression on him as well as the female hunter.}

{Nagi grins when she notices a gap in her opponents' line.  She breaks into a run through this
gap while her enemies attempt to close on her.  However, she slides into a ducking crouch,
spinning her leg to sweep them to the floor.  Standing again, she glances to Pii as he too fights
off his enemy with swinging crescent kicks, the blade in his right hand, and his free hand.  Pii
catches a glimpse of her grinning at him before laughing darkly to herself, hurrying toward a
stairwell.}

{A few follow Nagi while the rest turn on Pii, causing his brows to furrow at Nagi's abandonment
of the fight.  He curses under his breath as his foot swings up in a wide arc, hooking his heel
near, and in some cases, into the faces of his attackers.  When they back away, he lands his foot
and takes a jump into the air.  With a swift motion, he depresses a key on his gauntlet, spawning
wings from his pack.  Jets ignite and propel him upward while he flips his sword easily into an
underhanded grip.  As he rises, the snipers around immediately sight him and begin to calm
themselves for their shots.  However, he turns his trajectory toward a minute window before
darting forward in that direction.  His wings close as he glides through, the snipers shots
ringing out and ricocheting off the armor of his boots.}

{Inside, he quickly gets to his feet, but retains the sword in the underhanded position as he
hurries to a nearby door.  He bursts it open, knocking down a man who was standing behind it when
he finds an opponent running towards him with a scimitar sword high above his head.  Pii focuses
on him and raises his sword to match the Arabian blade and sweep it aside as he steps out of the
hurrying man's path.}

{The Arab man stands and turns back to Pii, swinging that broad blade wildly and with some
talent.  The Terran bounty hunter considers him carefully while he changes his grip on his sword
back to a more normalized posture.  Again, the man  charges and then swings at Pii.  The young
hunter meets the vehement strike with his blade, supported by his left hand, but he angles the
block to the left, allowing the soldier's sword to slide to the side.  Pii's left foot rises and
pushes down to and through the man's knee, tearing the ligaments in the joint to shreds.}

{The enemy falls down in a heap, screaming out in untold pain while clutching the destroyed knee.
Shortly, Nagi comes down the hallway, men following closely behind her.  Pii joins her side in
the run as the two paid warriors race through the corridors.  The two converse shortly on their
way.}

Nagi:  I see you made it this far...

Pii:  What...?  You think I was going to let you get the money...?

Nagi:  I considered that you might...

Pii:  Heh...  Well, you really need to get out more...

{On Pii's visor, the heat signatures of those within the rooms ahead of them are superimposed
over the actual scene.  However, like Ken-Ohki's scans, a few particular ones are highlighted,
causing the young man to grin to himself, even though doors open as they pass, bringing more
soldiers to join the ranks behind them.}

Pii:  On that note, I think I'll get paid now, Nagi.

{With this, Pii reaches with his left hand to his pack, drawing a long firearm.  He takes an off-
hand aim at the wall they are approaching and pulls the trigger, unleashing a blast of intensely
cold gases.  When the mass of vapors hits the wall, the stone freezes on contact to the same
dramatically low temperature, weakening its strength considerably.  He runs faster and steels
himself to shoulder tackle through the frozen wall, shattering it like glass.  Nagi follows as
the two hunters stop surrounded by armed troops, their weapons trained on the two sword-wielding
warriors.}

{The two back into one another such that they are truly back to back with their swords raised,
surrounded by the enemy.  A soft clapping comes from the corner of the room, drawing their
attention.  The hunters turn to see an elderly Arab stand, his beard long and white while his
clothes are a sagging military olive drab.  Alongside him, a younger general sits clapping his
hands, sporting a short black mustache and similar clothes, though ornamented with a general's
honors.  With them are a group of older men, each applauding the two hunters and their endurance
thus far.}

{Both Nagi and Pii glare over at their bounty heads as the Arab men stop their applause and lower
their hands.  With a few words in their native tongue, both primary leaders of this sect turn
away from the two hunters, their colleagues following toward the stairs.  Meanwhile, the soldiers
bear their poorly maintained teeth when several men in pure black commando garb step forward,
each with an assault rifle in hand, a sidearm at their belt, and a machete strapped to their
thigh.  By their gait, these men maintain a stronger discipline than their fellow enlisted.  They
heft their weapons to a prepared posture while the others back away to simply watch.}

{Nagi tenses herself, awaiting the incoming battle, yet Pii still holds his ice weapon aimed at
the floor.  He grins as he pulls the trigger, freezing the floor beneath the two.  He stomps his 
foot, shattering it and sending them both falling to the lower floor.  Surprise shoots through
the enemy ranks when they open fire on the two, the bullets darting over the newly formed hole
and Pii and Nagi's heads.  Both land on their feet and quickly dash away before the men can
close on their location to take aim again.  The two hurry back to the stairwell where they both
raise their blades for their prey, the leaders who had attempted to flee.}

{These officers start to turn around when Pii raises his freezing weapon, and Nagi cracks her
glowing whip at her side.  They stop, but the soldiers can be heard coming.  Pii glances to Nagi
who nods.}

Nagi:  He is already above us.

{With that, the two hunters and their marks are enveloped in violet light and vanish from the
Arabic palace.  High above Ken-Ohki shoots away while firearms try in vain to reach his hull
through his shields.  Aboard, Nagi and Pii glance at each other while they hold their weapons on
their goal, including the two leaders with the mustache and the beard.}

Pii:  Well... this is interesting...  We both kinda caught them...

Nagi:  Quite...

Pii:  How're we going to split this?

{Her eyes narrow.}

Nagi:  Split?  We are carrying them home in my Ken-Ohki.

{Pii chimes.}

Pii:  Escorted by my Caroki.

{Nagi raises a brow.}

Nagi:  How so?

{Pii smirks as he motions to his gauntlet.  Outside, Caroki floats up next to Ken-Ohki, once more
on automatic.  Nagi scowls while Pii shakes his head.}

Pii:  Looks like a negotiation is in order.

{With their payload in tow, the two ships fly back toward the barricades and out of the GLA
territory, separating its leaders from its soldiers, though the two warriors themselves haggle 
over their pay.}

End Scene 4

Scene 5

{Over the snow-covered front lawn of the Masaki estate, the crystalline ship Ken-Ohki and the
more common Pentinian fighter Caroki descend from the clear, winter sky.  The metal vessel lands
gently against the earth while the Ryoan craft stops two meters from the surface.  From Ken-Ohki,
a violet sphere appears and drifts to the ground, fading to release its occupant, the huntress
Nagi Jurai in her occupational attire.  The inorganic machine opens its canopy, revealing Will
Pii in his custom armor.}

{The male bounty hunter bears a mild scowl as he climbs from his craft and glances to his
competitor.  She, likewise, sends an irritated gaze back at him while her silvery companion
reverts to his furry cabbit form upon her shoulder.  She scoffs and starts to approach the Masaki
house itself while Pii follows, his ship closing itself behind him.}

{As they walk, Pii raises his left gauntlet before him to enter some key commands with his right
hand.  The panels shift configuration to have a command line display listing "J 25,536,206", to
which he curses under his breath.}

Pii:  Damn it...  Not enough yet...

{His contemporary hunter glances to him idly and comments.}

Nagi:  You expected this provisional government to pay you in full immediately?  You should be
	lucky that they had the Jurai to pay as much as they did.

{With a tap, the gauntlet reverts to its former configuration as he glares at her from behind his
black visor.}

Pii:  I'll grant that, but this sets my plans back.  I'll have to go after another big bounty
	head before Nerti and I can get our own place here.

{Nagi blinks before she questions him curiously.}

Nagi:  You want to reside on this world as well?

{He eyes the huntress quietly and rather impatiently.}

Pii:  I could ask you the same question.

{At this, Nagi curls her lip, though her words do not respond to his retort.  He shakes his head
and regards the Masaki home before him.}

Pii:  Earth is a decent world, even if it is in chaos right now, but like they say, this too will
	pass.  Besides, I guess I'd rather be around Terrans since I've been rejected enough by the
	galactic community.

{The sneer fades from Nagi's face as the two reach the door to the Masaki house in silence.  As
the half-blood royal opens the front door, her eyes drift back to Pii with a question for him.}

Nagi:  So, your wife came here to seek Washu's medical counsel on your first born?  She is braver
	than I had thought.

{He nods, a solemn and loving smile on his face as he regards his beloved's courage.}

Pii:  Yes, very brave...

{Both enter, and Nagi immediately removes her shoes though Pii takes a moment to watch her
ceremony in the act.  He then reaches to the top of his boots and clicks open a clasp on each,
loosening their grip on his legs.  In turn, the royal huntress with him witnesses him removing
his combat boots, revealing the blue armored cloth extending to his toes, not unlike a Ryoan fire
uniform.  Also, Pii reaches to his cap and visor, the dark lenses folding up and away from his
Terran brown eyes.  After they retract, he removes the headgear, allowing his short hair to spike
some from its prolonged time compressed by the equipment.  He, following Nagi's example, sets his
boots and headgear next to the door in an orderly fashion.}

{The two exchange narrow gazes, though Nagi grins to herself and nods to him before they step
into the house proper.  Soon, Ken-Ohki hops down from Nagi's shoulder and mews at her
respectfully.  She nods as he disappears into the house while Pii watches oddly at the unspoken
communication.  The huntress looks back at her guest, but he keeps his questions to himself as
the two continue into the home.  Then, Nagi raises her head and stops her ingress when her nose
detects a scent on the air of cooking food.  Pii also smells this and follows the Ryo-Jurai woman
as she traces the aroma back into the Masaki kitchen.}

{Upon their arrival, both see the azure hair of Sasami fall around her like a sea of blue while
she scuttles about the equipment in the kitchen:  a boiling kettle, a wok with meat and
vegetables, a deep fryer bubbling with its contents, various tools for her artistry in cuisine.
As she spins about between the different devices, she feels a familiar chill strike through her
vertebrae, causing her startled gaze to turn toward the two hunters who watch her in silence.  A
sharp gasp and sigh of relief pass her lips when her eyes settle on Nagi's face.  However, the
chill does not fade when her eyes regard Pii behind the other royal.}

Sasami:  Oh, Nagi...  I... didn't see you there... and we have another guest...

{The crimson gaze of the huntress scans Sasami quickly, noting her apprehension.  Internally, she
quickly determines the root of this caution and blinks into a soft smile.}

Nagi:  We do.  He is here to retrieve his wife.

{The teenage princess nods and calms some at Nagi's words and voice.}

Sasami:  I see...  Then, I should get some more food out...

{Pii raises his hand and shakes his head.}

Pii:  I don't think that'll be necessary.  Nerti and I should be going soon.

{Sasami is surprised at this and moves her gaze to Nagi for confirmation, which is given in her
nod.}

Nagi:  Yes, maybe they can taste your cooking some other time when it is not as sudden.

{The girl acknowledges his slowly, noting the kindness from Nagi as well as a friendly grin from
her companion.}

Sasami:  Alright...  I'll make sure to make something great for when you two come then, Mr Pii.

{He nods to her.}

Pii:  Look forward to it.

Nagi:  I will be back to help you some in a moment, Sasami.

Sasami:  Alright.

Pii:  Nice to see you.

{He waves to her, and she hesitantly waves back as the two hunters turn and head further into the
house.  As Pii leaves her vicinity, Sasami takes another slow breath, her tension easing with his
distance.  She rests the finger tips of her right hand against her forehead and face while she
frowns at herself, again tormented by what she senses in allies.}

{Nagi and Pii continue to the door to Washu's lab, where the male hunter somberly questions his
female counterpart in a low voice, out of Sasami's earshot.}

Pii:  How has she been?

{She replies in an equally low tone, once more in her stern nature.}

Nagi:  Better than this.  She probably senses the dark power you and your wife were given.  She
	probably reacted the same to her earlier today.

{The woman of two worlds opens the closet door and steps into the compressed dimension of Washu's
laboratory.  Pii follows, and the two walk through the machinery and endless void of the realm.
Their words become louder but still with a heavy air between them.}

Pii:  I didn't think she would react like that.  She didn't in Manhattan.

Nagi:  No, but she was also far more mature and aware of her abilities then.

{He nods to this.}

Pii:  I see...  You think she'll be able to cope with her new senses one day?

Nagi:  ... I hope she does...

{The two continue in silence until they stop before the floating door behind which Washu
currently resides for her undergoing efforts.  Nagi opens the passage into another pocket
dimension with a minimum of sound, allowing the two professional warriors into the research area.
Before them, Washu and Nerti stand talking amongst themselves, the display behind them glowing
with DNA sequences and frequency breakdowns of ethereal energies.  The Ryoan scientist considers
her words carefully while the blonde with her is in her own thoughts.}

Washu:  It's very strange, I'll agree.  It's like your energy is... incomplete in some way.

Nerti:  ... What do you mean?

Washu:  It's like with magnetic energy.  When there is a north pole of a field, there is always a
	south pole.  The two have to exist together, or there is no field.  My current theories on
	Jurai and NVO energies have them behaving in a similar manner.  Part of the energy has a
	repulsive or reflective quality.  That's what makes shields like say, Ayeka's.  The other
	part deals in attraction or gathering properties.  Ryoko's been known to use a lot of that
	with those bolts she used to toss around all the time.

Nerti:  But, what's so odd about me?

{Washu's green eyes raise to Nerti's grey as her words are quite serious.}

Washu:  You've got the ability to deflect, but not to gather.  You're the "magnetic monopole"
	that shouldn't be possible.

{At this, Pii and Nerti both blink, somewhat confused and amazed at her statement while the
genius herself smirks to herself and folds her arms.}

Washu:  Not that that's a problem.  I'll adjust my theories accordingly.  Science and knowledge
	tend to change after more time and research, making more clear ideas of what really happens
	in nature.

{Worries fill the young wife's eyes as she questions the minute researcher.}

Nerti:  This is all well and good, Washu, but what about our baby?  Is there anything...?  I mean
	will any of this...?

{The redhead shakes her head and smiles warmly.}

Washu:  No, no.  Your baby's fine.  All that training Liaens's people put you through made you
	very healthy, and that carries over to your little one.  As long as you keep eating right
	and all that healthy stuff, the baby'll be fine.

{Nerti sighs in relief while Washu closes her eyes and becomes more serious in her discussion.}

Washu:  Now, I have also done similar tests on your unborn child that I did on you.  It seems
	that the little one doesn't share your "monopole" trait.

Nerti:  That's good.  I'd hoped the power wouldn't be inherited.

{The short scientist sighs and shakes her head.}

Washu:  That's not what I meant, Nerti.

{A cold spike rams through her side at this when she questions her genius companion.}

Nerti:  What do you mean then?

Washu:  The child's powers are whole, complete, just like Ryoko's, Ayeka's, anyone who normally
	possesses those energies.

{In both Pii and Nerti, the temperature of the room seems to drop significantly, air seeming to
become strangely scarce.  Washu turns back to her monitors and motions to them, causing Nerti to
look herself.}

Washu:  See the frequency breakdown on the left?  That's yours.  The one on the right is your
	child's.

{Before them, the two bar charts display similar but significantly different patterns.  For the
first half of their frequencies, the two are similar, with peaks within a standard deviation from
one another.  However, the lower half are blank on Nerti's side.  The lower half for her child
with her husband are filled out and peaking in places not unlike the first set of bars.  The
blonde, and her husband in the distance, read these with interest when Washu regards the woman
with her.}

Washu:  As you can see, it's highly unusual.  Potential is usually passed down inherently pretty
	easily, but this is rather odd.  Though, I have yet to investigate your husband's
	contribution.  That might clear this up.

{She spins around and faces Pii with a smile.}

Washu:  And luckily, the proud daddy has heard most of this.

{The male hunter blinks when she announces his presence while Nerti also turns to see her husband
there.}

Nerti:  Will...!

Pii:  Yes, I'm here, and so is...

{He glances to his side and becomes confused when he notes that Nagi is no longer beside him.}

Pii:  Nagi...?

{Washu smirks to herself and answers.}

Washu:  Oh, she left pretty soon after you two got here.  She has this thing about staying away
	from my labs.

{Nerti sweats nervously as she comments.}

Nerti:  I have no idea why...

{The redhead smirks at this when her capture robots appear and ensnare Pii in their metal arms
and claws.  He tugs at the restraints, noting the immobility before he turns his glare to Washu,
who continues her playful, if sadistic, smile.}

Washu:  Now, to get those samples.

Pii:  Samples?

Washu:  Oh, just a little study into the affect of NVO energy on Terrans, their mates, and
	offspring.

Pii:  Why does that sound bad to me?

Washu:  I have no idea.

{While Washu cackles to herself, Nerti sighs and shakes her head.}

Nerti:  She has far too much fun doing this...

{Back in the kitchen, Sasami continues to go between the cooking foods when Nagi steps to the
door.  The young princess turns to the huntress and welcomes her.}

Sasami:  Hi again, Nagi.

{Nagi bows gently.}

Nagi:  Sasami.  Are you feeling better?

{The teen lowers her eyes and speaks softly.}

Sasami:  Yes... but I really wish I didn't feel like that when Nerti or her husband are around...
	She's really nice, but...

{The purple-haired woman nods.}

Nagi:  I understand.  It takes time to get used to new senses like yours.

{The younger royal looks back to the elder exile of royalty.}

Sasami:  You do?

Nagi:  Yes, any with Jurai blood know what you feel to some degree.  Though many of my senses as
	a Juraian are dulled by my Ryoan heritage, I can still feel the dark power within someone.

Sasami:  How do you... you know... keep from freaking out like I do...?

{Nagi closes her eyes.}

Nagi:  Time and discipline... like so many other things.

{The youthful princess sighs hard and replies.}

Sasami:  ... I wish I could be like you...  You're always so calm and in control...

{At this, Nagi turns away, regret seen in her eyes.}

Nagi:  No... you don't...  You should be more like your sister...

{Sasami then turns to question her, but the huntress has left the princess alone.  More
questioning thoughts drift through her mind as she considers Nagi's few words, turning back to
the stoves and pots.}

End Scene 5

Scene 6

{Galaxy Police personnel and Science Academy faculty pass one another in the corridors of this
branch office of the GP, many discussing amongst themselves or reviewing files in regard to the
problems and advancement upon Earth.  However, those people widen their eyes and split their
ranks when they catch sight of the figure approaching them slowly and broodingly.}

{Beneath the cowl of her cape, Nagi's eyes are closed in thought, disregarding the people who
fearfully shrink away from her ingress.  After she passes, the population seems to calm and turn
back to their own business.  However, one young man is running hurriedly through the same hallway
from behind Nagi.  Dressed in a blue and white GP cadet's uniform, this boy in his late teens
frets as he dashes past people, slipping and catching himself several times.  Those near him are
knocked to the side and given a hurried apology, causing a bit of a commotion while he nears
Nagi.}

{Her crimson eyes open hearing his shoes impact closer.  When he reaches her, she steps to the
side, but the boy's foot incidently lands directly on a recessed area of the floor, which has a
degree of condensation due to less insulation, a mistake made in the station's construction.  The
result is that his sole slips out from beneath him, incidently sending him falling toward Nagi.}

{She spins toward him before stepping away again, catching a glimpse of him.  He looks not unlike
Tenchi, Asian with short black hair and deep brown eyes.  However, while he extends his arms to
break his fall, she notes the small bandage next to his hairline.  One of his hands lands on
Nagi's shoulder and grips her cloak, threatening to pull at her neck.  With a deft motion of her
hand, she opens the clasp of her cape and cowl, allowing it to fall be taken from her while she
rotates out of it, her hands instinctively going to her sword and whip.}

{The boy crashes to the floor in a heap, Nagi's cape fallen over him like a death shroud atop a
misshapen corpse.  The huntress takes a crouching stance but soon rouses herself to stand and
consider the young man laying beneath her mantle.  Her features twist into a mild, regal scowl at
this youth while she mentally analyzes his fate.}

Nagi:  Clumsy cretin...  To fall over himself twice in such an unlikely and almost purposeful
	manner...

{Under the cape, the cadet groans a little, already voicing listless apologies while trying to
uncover himself.}

Nagi:  God Himself had no hand in this fool...  He would have more creativity than to make a
	dumbass clone of Masaki Tenchi...

{Her hands release her weapons while her arms fold across her chest, her gaze set on the youth
who finally finds a way to stand.  He blushes while draping her cape across his arms for her.  He
bows and apologizes openly to her.}

Boy:  Sorry...  I... well... I'm...

{Nagi is short in her reply for this foolish whelp, her hand snatching the cape from him
swiftly.}

Nagi:  Save your apology.  I do not require your incoherent response any more than I needed you
	crossing my path.

{The half-blood royal wraps the cape around her shoulders and secures it anew before turning away
from him.  She questions him in her typical, icy tone.}

Nagi:  Your name and rank?

{Nervously, he answers.}

Seina:  Cadet Yamada Seina... I'm under Lt Makibi...

{She nods and starts to leave him.}

Nagi:  Very well.  I will be sure you are dealt demerits for this little scene of your creation.

{Shocked, he takes a moment to recover from his wide eyes and gaping mouth.  He then dashes after
her, pleading to her.}

Seina:  No!  I'm sorry!  You don't understand!

{Again, his foot finds that same exact place on the floor where he stumbled before, causing him
to lose balance and stagger forward at Nagi.  She frowns to herself as she spins around to see
him fall across her, even though she catches herself to prevent going to the ground.  Their
position is quiet awkward:  Nagi standing with this boy's arms draped over her shoulders, his
form and weight bearing down upon her.  At this, she bears her teeth and growls fiercely, causing
him to recoil and whimper in fear.}

{With her trained strength, the rogue exile grabs his arms and pushes him away before suddenly
sending her right fist directly into his solar plexus.  The wind is forced from his lungs,
forcing him to crumple to the floor in pain and nausea, his body seeming to shut down from the
impact.  She spits at him and pivots away from him, her cape snapping with her definitive force.
As she leaves this decimated cadet, she can hear a soft applause arise from the staff around
her.}

{Pulling her cowl over her purple mane, Nagi sighs softly and continues down the corridor she had
before being stopped by the fool Seina.  Soon, the rooms around her transition to the offices of
the ranking personnel of the station.  Specifically, she halts and examines the door assigned by
its nameplate to one "Makibi, Kiyone".  However, a paper notice is attached to the portal,
written in Kiyone's hand.  The huntress reads this silently:  "I am training in the gym and will
return soon.  Makibi Kiyone, Lt GP Terra".  She grins to herself.}

Nagi:  Admirable for a GP, Makibi...

{She turns away from the door and starts to head away while sweat drips from Kiyone's teal
tresses.  She rolls to the side into a kneeling posture and cross-draws a service blaster from
her holster.  Quickly, she aims and fires into the black distance, the shots ringing as they make
contact with their targets, ranging from 400 to 600 meters away.  Each shot shatters into light
filaments against humanoid fashioned dummies.  From behind a crimson visor, Kiyone's blue eyes
narrow as one shot veers to the left of the fictional enemy.  She curses under her breath.}

Kiyone:  Damn...

{Her athletic build fits the orange combat uniform she wears as she rolls back to her feet and
holsters her weapon.  Breaking into a dash, she runs forward toward the false enemies.  When she
has crossed roughly 100 meters of the distance, new practice facades rise from the floor, each
fully articulate combat androids.  Her eyes catch the first before her foot swiftly kicks the
nearest in its fake jaw with a stiff sidekick.  The dummy's eyes flash red before falling to the
ground when she turns to the next pair.  She ducks to the right, away from their focused gaze
before lunging toward the closest, planting the heel of her palm into its neck.  The machine's
eyes turn green while its legs quiver, giving way under its weight.}

{The two remaining hover at a distance from the lieutenant, circling her on opposite sides, as
she lifts from her heels and sets her body into a combatant's rhythm, her stance leading with her
left side.  One stops behind her and rushes, but she crouches and kicks her foot through its knee
joint, breaking the assembly.  Its eyes shift to yellow before it becomes silent, yet the last
sparring assistant swings its metal foot into Kiyone's left shoulder.  She yells out, the pain
cresting over her thoughts, and kicks herself away from her opponent, holding that shoulder while
keeping her eyes on the enemy.}

{The lieutenant draws her weapon and aims when a gleaming flash crosses the automaton's chest.
Its eyes burn red but soon flicker to nothing as it slides in half into a heap of circuitry on
the floor.  Kiyone blinks in surprise until she notices the golden color of Nagi's sword in her
hand.  She pushes back her cowl and smirks to herself while Kiyone lowers her pistol to her
side.}

Nagi:  A fighter as well as a sleuth, it seems.

{The lights in the room brighten to show the large expanse of this combination practice range and
hand-to-hand arena.  Kiyone holsters her weapon and regards Nagi while still favoring her left
arm.}

Kiyone:  Nagi?  What're you doing here?

{Nagi sheathes her blade and stands with the officer, the huntress commenting on her
performance.}

Nagi:  Viewing how a true police officer readies herself.  You have skill, though a few more
	years would do you much good, as well as letting that injury heal.

{She motions to the teal-haired woman's shoulder, Kiyone closing her eyes with a heavy sigh.  The
officer regards this quietly.}

Kiyone:  It's healed, but no medical procedure can give back everything that I had before.
	Doctors say there might be some residual pain for months afterward.  They didn't see any
	apparent nerve damage post-op.

{Then, she turns her gaze to Nagi, a thoughtful comment coming to her lips.}

Kiyone:  But, you're not here to talk about my tactics or health.  You and Pii both made plenty
	of money off the last assignment so why are you here?

{The half-blood royal narrows her eyes at this insinuation.}

Nagi:  You find this a pretense?

{The officer nods, her gaze also unshaken.}

Kiyone:  Even though you have changed some, you are still a lone wolf, Nagi.  Just idly watching
	someone train is unlike you, unless it played into your own goals.

{Nagi closes her eyes and folds her arms at this answer.}

Nagi:  Have you been studying profiling as well?

{The GP pushes a few of her teal tresses to the side with a slight grin to herself.}

Kiyone:  I had to, not only to go up in rank, but to handle the newbs.

{The huntress smirks and scoffs under her breath.}

Nagi:  I made the acquaintance of one of your underlings, one Yamada Seina.

{A groan exits the commanding woman's lips at that name.}

Kiyone:  Oh God...  you had a run-in with Seina?

{Nagi's crimson eyes gleam, amused with this for the moment.}

Nagi:  Indeed.  There was a scene in the corridor as he struggled to remain on his own feet.  I
	thought you might want to know that I quickly dealt with him and intended to let you know
	so you could choose his fate.

{The officer sighs hard and folds her own arms.}

Kiyone:  I don't know what to do with him, honestly.  He seems so inept at any task I assign him.
	It really messes with my head that he looks so much like Tenchi as well.

{The royal laughs to herself.}

Nagi:  At least we will not have to depend on such a child for our lives as we have Masaki.

{Her companion concurs.}

Kiyone:  Agreed.

{The mood lightened some, Kiyone questions her guest.}

Kiyone:  So, what really brings you here, Nagi, another bounty, or is this really some
	uncharacteristic social call?

{Now, the regal huntress's eyes close in a quiet resolve before she speaks.}

Nagi:  I have heard that despite living with your partner away from Masaki's family, you were
	very much a reliable friend and compatriot to those living with him.

{The officer's brows furrow with confusion at this as she acknowledges this.}

Kiyone:  Yes, I was...  What are you getting at?  This is really not like you to be so round-
	about, Nagi.  What's...?

{Nagi glances down at the floor a short distance to her side for a moment before she answers.}

Nagi:  You were particularly close to young Sasami... before the events in Manhattan...

{Kiyone then blinks as some realization filters into her blue eyes at the root of this issue
while Nagi turns her gaze back.  The blood crimson eyes of the huntress seem not to burn so much
as smolder with her next breath.}

Nagi:  She has been distant and troubled, far unlike the young girl she was.  Is there a way
	to... resurrect those feelings within her, to restore the youthful princess?

{The lieutenant considers this situation, as well as Nagi's attitude towards it, for a moment.  A
thought comes to her mind, causing her to glance at her wristband.  The device projects a small
hologram of a chronometer, listing hours, minutes, seconds, as well as the current date.  Nagi's
expression then gains a hint of irritation at this gesture which is reflected far more in her
voice.}

Nagi:  If I am wasting your time, do be kind enough to state it plainly.

{Kiyone shakes her head and corrects the misinterpretation.}

Kiyone:  No, no.  I was checking the date.  It is the winter season on Earth now, right?

{Nagi nods, her patience wearing thin before the detective smiles softly.}

Kiyone:  Have you heard of the holiday "Christmas" on Earth?

{The huntress blinks with furrowed brows.}

Nagi:  "Kuri-su-masu"?  No, I have not.  What of it?

{Kiyone nods, approaching the black cloaked woman with a warmth expressed in her face.}

Kiyone:  It's a very festive holiday that celebrates the birth of a Savior for the Terran people,
	a God born in the flesh to cleanse their sins.  Oddly enough, many of their ceremonies on
	that day are a lot like a Juraian Startica from what Sasami's told me.

{The royal eyes her companion oddly, watching her stop at her side.}

Nagi:  A "Terran Startica"...?

Kiyone:  Yeah, it's similar.  Of course, it's not the same purpose, but I'm sure you'll get the
	idea soon enough.  Christmas was one of Sasami's favorite holidays because it was a time of
	peace in the world.  She also loved to decorate the house and cook the specialties for the
	season.  Then, there were the presents.

{Nagi moves her eyes away, carefully considering the holiday in question when a problem comes to
her mind.}

Nagi:  She is no longer the child she was, which is a major part of this dilemma.  I do not know
	if she would enjoy turning to some puerile "holiday cheer" to lift her spirits.

{Kiyone simply grins and shakes her head with a knowing expression.}

Kiyone:  I think she will, Nagi.  Didn't you feel far better when you were reunited with your
	father?

{Nagi does not answer, though an edge is seen within her eyes at this topic's direction.}

Kiyone:  Everyone wants to have some stable part in their lives.  Giving Sasami that little bit
	of normalcy again might help her a great deal, especially coming from someone she respects.

{The woman of jaded past turns back to this paragon of detectives while she continues.}

Kiyone:  Let's have a private Christmas party on Earth, and arrange a special surprise for Sasami
	herself.

{A moment passes while the conversation that has passed is replayed through Nagi's mind, her
thoughts of Sasami's current state and progress racing through her consciousness.  She sighs and
blinks her hesitation away as she responds.}

Nagi:  Explain what you require.

{Kiyone nods when she notices that another person is standing at the entry to the range.  Both
turn to see that it is Will Pii standing resolutely, causing the kind smile on Kiyone's face to
change into a slightly more sly smirk to one side.  Already, the GP lieutenant begins her plans
for the proposed party in her mind.}

Kiyone:  And, what would a party be without guests...?

End Scene 6

Scene 7

{The green orb that is the planet Jurai drifts through space silently, surrounded by its
defensive satellites as well as the currently recalled fleet vessels.  While the normal traffic
of Jurai proceeds uninterrupted, a rather unique ship appears in the distance, approaching the
throneworld of the Jurai Empire.  This grand transport and warrior craft proudly displays its
elegant tan hull, edged by an oaken red at its tips.  Behind its great cross-shaped fuselage, the
main unit of the ship is sturdily secured, carrying its occupants.}

{At the sight of this magnificent organic machine, the lesser treeships begin to fall into ranks,
forming an honored corridor for this singular vessel to navigate.  Aboard the special ship's
bridge, a young man stands watching the Juraians form a welcome for his arrival.  Dressed regally
in black, gold, and other earthen shades, this Japanese individual has raven hair tied behind his
cloaks, falling just beyond his shoulders.  With him, the central tree of this craft majestically
rises from the sculpted terrace that feeds it and the other flora their nurturing waters.}

{A communication window opens before this ship's master, a junior officer of comparable age
nervously appearing and following procedure.}

Jr Officer:  Treeship Funaho, t-this is Palace Control.  W-we hope your... trip was enjoyable...
	Lord Masaki Tenchi.

{This slightly matured Tenchi nods and smiles genially for the youth.}

Tenchi:  It was, but we're very eager to stretch our legs.

{A drop of sweat beads some in his hair as he comments on this welcome.}

Tenchi:  Though, I didn't really expect all this...  You didn't have to do all this.

{The officer blinks at this warrior hero's ease and commonality, his lack of arrogance and
forcefulness.  The youth checks his other screens and replies honestly to Tenchi.}

Jr Officer:  Well, this is the order of his highness Emperor Azusa II.  It is our hope here that
	you are welcomed warmly and...

{Tenchi grins wryly, the sweat beading more.}

Tenchi:  It's okay... It's far more than we expected...

{He then sighs and offers a friendly expression for the nervous navigator.}

Tenchi:  On behalf of my wife and myself, I thank you.

{The officer nods, relaxing some as he finishes his assigned duties.}

Jr Officer:  You are welcome, Lord Tenchi.  You are expected at Gate Fifteen.  Welcome back to
	Planet Jurai.

{At this, Tenchi bows, the window collapsing into nothing before him.  From the shadows, a woman
steps to his side, her hand gently taking his.  Dressed in a simple, pale violet kimono, this
woman's flaring cyan mane seems to contradict her proposed image.}

Woman:  Seems they're happy to see us, huh?

{He nods and glances back to her amber eyes with a quiet love.}

Tenchi:  Looks like, Ryoko.  Seems Mom's old kimono fits you fine.

{She nods and raises her opposite arm to show the fit of the draped fabric, appearing almost like
a great wing.}

Ryoko:  Yeah, she had some class.  Sorry I didn't have any more "formal" clothes.

{He shakes his head.}

Tenchi:  No, don't worry about it.  This is just until we get through the palace anyway.

{She nods, her eyes drifting away toward the Jurai honor guard of ships outside.  A worried
concern enters her mind, drawing Tenchi's own.}

Tenchi:  What's wrong?

{She shakes her head, a fake smile on her lips.}

Ryoko:  Nah, it's nothing, Tenchi.  Just thinking of if these stuffed shirts're really going to
	throw us a welcoming party.

{The young prince smiles for her, though his is as false as hers, his true feelings hidden.}

Tenchi:  Probably not.  It'd probably break some rule.

{She chuckles to herself and turns her eyes toward him, a genuine smile for him.}

Ryoko:  You're right.

{Around their left ring fingers, golden bands of holy marriage rest while Ryoko has a very
beautiful sliver bracelet around her wrist, designed to be like three intertwined vines that
blossom together and hold a pure crimson gem, a flawless sphere.  Yet, behind them, the core tree
of Funaho is scarred with a blacked crevice from a blade of some type.  Outside, Funaho descends
toward Jurai betwixt the ranks of the royal fleet, entering the atmosphere and breaking the
vaporous white clouds.}

{Beneath the wisps of clouds, the lush forests of Jurai spread across the world in an unending
carpet of green.  From this landscape of life, a single, colossal trunk rises and spreads its
limbs grandly, its dense foliage casting a solid shadow upon the far lesser trees below.  This is
the Jurai Palace, the planet's seat of power and home to its royalty.}

{The clouds part above as Funaho descends, the vapors adorning its hull as a veil or gown of
white.  Within moments, the treeship approaches the Palace, coasting alongside its limbs and
trunk.  Tenchi and Ryoko's vessel slows when it nears a platform jutting from the surface of the
Palace's core.  Upon this flattened area, a starburst of bracing panels arc toward the sky,
welcoming Funaho as she lands amongst them.  Carefully, the ventral apex of the ship's hull comes
to rest in the soft material of the landing pad while the panels fold inward and support her
weight.  Thus braced, the hum of power allowing Funaho to fly ceases.}

{Away from the landing structure itself, an entire entourage of nobles have gathered, yet they
seem to be somewhat divided into smaller sects.  About two or three noticeable subgroups can be
seen gazing up at the recent arrival to their world.  From Funaho's hull an emerald sphere
shimmers into existence and floats down to a ramp leading from the primary platform to the
gathered welcome.  The light fades to reveal Tenchi and Ryoko standing arm in arm.  Overtly, both
seem proud, but there seems to be a hesitance in Ryoko's feline eyes sweeping over the people
before them, an apprehension.  Tenchi sees all the people and grins wryly, embarrassed at the
excessive greeting.}

{As they egress from their ship, a noble steps forward his black hair now edged with grey and
white, the man dressed in an officer's uniform.  Atop his shoulder, he wears the bars of a
captain while his face wears a kind and paternal expression for the two before him.  Tenchi
brightens at his appearance as does Ryoko.  They meet at the end of the ramp, bowing to one
another in greeting.}

Tenchi:  Captain Tensho, it's great to see you again.

{Tensho nods and turns his eyes to Ryoko, his paternal smile warm for her.}

Tensho:  You look lovely, Ryoko.  Your mother would be very proud of you now.

{The cyan-haired woman smiles and thanks him.}

Ryoko:  I think she does, Step-dad.

{At this, he smirks and shakes his head a little.}

Tensho:  I'm still not completely comfortable with that title.

{Ryoko scoffs and retorts.}

Ryoko:  Hey, you wanted the job.  Just because you didn't get a chance doesn't mean I can't call
	you that.

{He just continues to half-grin.}

Tensho:  Heh, I think you just want to because it'll irritate Nagi.

{Ryoko considers this, touching her chin with her index finger before Tenchi answers for her, a
knowing and playful expression for her.}

Tenchi:  That's part of it, of course.

{Ryoko shoots him a mild glare but soon sighs at his expression.  The captain smiles for them.}

Tensho:  You two are probably tired.  Maybe we should go on inside.

{Ryoko agrees with some weariness appearing in her eyes.}

Ryoko:  Yeah, that'd be good.

{To his elder eyes, Tensho smiles softly, recognizing that expression on her face quite well.  He
motions toward the Palace proper and leads the way toward the gathered people.  Several clap for
them.  Tenchi comments to Tensho quietly.}

Tenchi:  This was a bit much...

Tensho:  I know... but it was the Emperor's intent to welcome back two of the Six Warriors of
	prophecy...

Tenchi:  Well, it's all nice... but we're really tired...

Tensho:  I understand...  We'll hurry as best we can...

{When they reach the group, a few familiar faces welcome Tenchi and Ryoko back to Jurai.  The
first is also dressed in a captain's uniform with a white cape draped across his shoulders.  His
brown hair falls behind him in a ponytail to the middle of his spine as well as framing his kind
face.  Tenchi recognizes him and greets him.}

Tenchi:  Hi, Sagami.

{He bows.}

Sagami:  Lord Tenchi, Lady Ryoko.  Nice to see you again.

{Around Sagami, other officers and soldiers bow, some welcoming them warmly and others a bit
hesitant.  Ryoko notices this and quietly resigns it, already knowing the reason for it.  Tenchi
does also, as well as Ryoko's reaction.  He holds her arm slightly closer, gaining her attention
to his supportive attitude for her.  She grins and nods before the two bow to the assemblage.}

{However, one group does not bow, but rather withhold a grudging acceptance of these two.  As the
couple pass, a Juraian woman of black hair who curses them under her breath.}

Woman:  Damned Ryoan whore...

{Ryoko easily hears this and stops, turning to this woman and her snow-haired man of grey eyes.
The cyan-haired wife questions this lesser royal, inciting Tenchi and Tensho to also stop.  The
elder man quickly recognizes these two, a frustrated and helpless breath escaping him.}

Ryoko:  Wait.  What was that?

{The woman glares with sincere, pure spite.}

Woman:  You are not welcome here, Ryoan witch.  You belong with the other thieves and murderers
	who bore you.

{The former pirate's eyes harden at this insult to her while Tenchi is taken aback by this
Juraian's contempt.}

Ryoko:  Who the hell are you to talk like that?  I fought to save your planet and damned royal
	crap.

{The man at her side answers for her, his own animosity obvious even in his sightless eyes.}

Man:  Her name is Nori Makoto, my fiancee, and her views are not unique, regardless of your
	deeds.

{Tensho steps forward and denounce this.}

Tensho:  That is enough, Juryu Mujuro.  Neither you nor your future wife have any right to talk
	to her of murderers.

Mujuro:  Nor do you, who joined with that very demon's mother and allowed her to conceive a child
	of mixed blood.

{A red flush races across Ryoko's visage as these words strike her as well.  Tenchi places his
arm around her in support, but she moves away and chides her verbal attackers.}

Ryoko:  I didn't see either of you doing anything when everything went to hell and back.

{Tenchi remains at her side and places his hands on her shoulders, whispering to her for
consolation.}

Tenchi:  Ryoko, you're still not feeling well...  Don't let those bigots get to you...

{Taking a cleansing breath, the greying captain turns to the young couple and motions to the
Palace, his speech forced toward quiet control.}

Tensho:  Take her inside and away from this, Tenchi.

{The husband nods and starts to lead her away when more damning calls come from those around
Mujuro and Makoto.  Ryoko closes her eyes and grips Tenchi's hand tightly, emotions of hate,
rage, and shame melding together within her while Tenchi keeps an arm around her shoulder,
keeping her close while they move.  Counters come from the other side, those with Sagami, to
support the two who fought for them while Sagami himself joins their side, aiding in their
hurried pace.}

{However, their way becomes blocked by those tossing criticism and abuse among themselves.
Sagami steps forward and gives an order due to his military rank.}

Sagami:  Step aside and let these two pass.

{However, his words are suffocated by the dense air of conflict around them.  Then, a single
voice calls out above the others and silences them with firm words, a feminine intonation of
strength and pride.}

Royal Woman:  Be silent and let them pass!

{All turn to see three people standing in the doorway, a woman flanked by two impressively
dressed soldiers.  By their staff Keys and white gi and hakama, the two men are the knights of
the Emperor.  Azaka sternly deplores this disgraceful uproar with his cool demeanor behind his
black hair and beard as well as his blue eyes.  Kamidake narrows his passionate glare of violet,
his more youthful desire to act restrained beneath his crimson locks.}

{Between them stands a young woman in her early twenties with a grace and beauty that surpasses
the regal lavender kimono around her.  Her violet hair falls behind her in a unique style, a
bowl-style with a single ponytail reaching her waist.  However she has changed, her amethyst eyes
have not lost their fire as Ayeka Jurai commands the people once again.}

Ayeka:  I said to let them pass.

{Tenchi blinks in amazement at her, seeming so much more grand than when he last set his eyes
upon her.  Ryoko is also at a loss for words while Sagami and Tensho both move forward, the
people now silently stepping aside to provide a path for the newly arrived couple.  Tenchi and
Ryoko soon continue their egress amongst the masses while Ayeka closes her eyes and turns away,
leaving with her two attaches.  Sagami and Tensho escort the couple into the Palace while the
people begin to break to return to their business, some burning glances exchanged among them.}

{High above, an apparently Juraian man gazes down at this incident with his ice blue eyes, brown
hair short save around his eyes.  He comments on this incident.}

Young Man:  She's regaining her strength sooner than we'd thought.

{A woman comes to his side and folders her arms, joining in his observations with her narrowed
onyx eyes.  Her soft, raven hair flows around her head and shoulders but does not hide the triple
claws painted by her energies upon her face.}

Young Woman:  She was once the crown princess of Jurai, Tsugaru.  She can't be under-estimated.

{Tsugaru nods.}

Tsugaru:  I know, Matori, but we were hoping the Masakis' arrival would hurt her more, not help
	her regain a standing with the people.

{Matori grins deviously, a plot forming in her mind.}

Matori:  That may still happen.

{He scoffs and grins with her.}

Tsugaru:  Do tell.

End Scene 7

Scene 8

{The white walls of Juraian stand firm, carved cabinets and drawers harboring the instruments of
a private medical clinician.  Upon a futon close to an array of monitoring equipment, Ryoko
clenches her fist tightly, her lovely visage twisted with the emotions of shame, anger, and hate.
At the edges of her eyes, tears ready themselves to cascade down her cheeks, but the woman
herself denies them this release.  Around her shoulders, Tenchi's arm rests while he speaks
calming words to her, yet the effect is minute.}

Tenchi:  Don't think about what they said, Ryoko.  You know... we both know you aren't a monster
	like they make you out to be.

Ryoko:  It doesn't matter, Tenchi!  I should've showed them what kinda monster they're talking
	about!

{He shakes his head, his concern for her growing.}

Tenchi:  You have to let it go, Ryoko.  You've been ill off and on for the past few weeks, and
	getting angry isn't going to help you any.

{She closes her eyes, crushing the forming tears into a pair of saline streams that roll down her
cheeks, burning red with the anger within.  Tenchi's brown eyes focus on hers as she speaks, the
consuming set of feelings coming into her voice.}

Ryoko:  You know...  I've been cursed and damned a lot in my life, which goes with the territory
	of being a pirate... but it never hurt like that...!  Never...!!

{Lightly, the young husband kisses his wife's cheek to open her eyes upon him again.  With this,
he carefully catches those tears and wipes away their trails as he answers her inferred pleas.}

Tenchi:  Because then... you were proud of being someone worth all that...

{Their gazes meet, Ryoko listening to his words while the wounds of hate slowly soothed by the
salve of his words.}

Tenchi:  But, you're not anymore.  Ryoko, I didn't marry the great space pirate or the Ryoan
	traitor.  I married Ryua Ryoko, the woman behind all that, the one with an unbreakable will
	who stood with me against a goddess.

{At this, she smiles at him from beneath the cloud of sensations.  He smiles as well, genuinely
pleased with her smile before he wraps his arms around her and holds her close.  She hugs him as
well, a sob escaping her proud form.  He pats her back and nods, whispering more comfort for her.
Then, she eases away and straightens herself, a wry grin crossing her face with a humorless
laugh.}

Ryoko:  Some indomitable space pirate, huh?  Brought to tears with a round of mocking on the
	playground...

{Seeing her put on this facade of pride, he shakes his head and denies it with a serious tone.}

Tenchi:  You don't have to fake it for me, Ryoko.  I know you're hurting, and I'm sorry I didn't
	do anything to keep it from happening.

{She takes a breath and closes her eyes.}

Ryoko:  There's nothing you could have done, Tenchi, so don't blame yourself for something else
	you didn't cause.

{He glances over to her, surprised by this.  She nods and turns her soft, serious expression to
him.  He is taken aback by her gravity, recognizing it quickly in his thoughts.}

Tenchi:  ... Like when we went against the Jurai Fleet... and the dark energy...

{She explains herself plainly.}

Ryoko:  It's something I've been thinking about the whole way here, dealing with the three of us.

{The realization comes to his visage when she affirms this.}

Ryoko:  Yeah, you, me, and Ayeka.  You say I can't hide behind my pride.  Well, you can't hide
	behind your courtesy either.  Tell me that the past few weeks, you haven't been anxious
	about finally getting here.

{Tenchi turns his eyes away, providing evidence to the truth she speaks.  She sighs and
continues.}

Ryoko:  You said that part of how marriage works was helping and supporting each other.  I can
	see something in you that's hurting probably as much or more than me.

{She pauses, taking a breath of self-frustration.}

Ryoko:  ... It hurts me, Tenchi.  It hurts to see you in pain and not being able to do anything
	about it, even if the hurt's on the inside.

{She blinks to a consoling expression of her own, pleading to be at his side.}

Ryoko:  Let me help, Tenchi...  Let me carry part of it...

{A moment passes, his eyes blinking with conflict warring behind this contemplative stare into
nothing.  He presses his lips together and nods, turning back to her apologetically.}

Tenchi:  I'm... I'm sorry...  I... We...

{He closes his eyes and faces to the side with some disgrace.}

Tenchi:  When I'd heard that Ayeka went back to Jurai... broken-hearted as well as hurt...
	Ryoko, I've never wanted to hurt anyone, and to think... to think that I hurt someone who
	cared for me...  And, then there's Sasami...  I felt responsible... responsible for all of
	it...

{Ryoko nods, understanding well his feelings on the subject.}

Ryoko:  Ayeka and I... we had become like friends.  Sure, we fought over your attentions, but
	hey, that's rivalry for you.  She and I watched some of the same shows, talked in the
	onsen... fought together...  Tenchi, she... probably was my best friend... before all this.

Tenchi:  Yes, and I'm sorry that...

{Ryoko interrupts him gently.}

Ryoko:  Let me finish, please.

{He stops and agrees silently.}

Ryoko:  Before the wedding, before Ayeka went home, she and I talked... about everything:
	Sasami, Nagi... you...

{She glances to the side for a moment and then back to him, trouble still weighing on her brow.}

Ryoko:  She said she wanted the best for you, and herself... even for me.  It was her call, not
	yours.  She made her own choice.  Did your choice between us have a hand in it?  I'm sure
	it did, but you remember what happened to her with Tokimi?

{The young man acknowledges.}

Ryoko:  After that, she had to sort herself out.  Honestly, that's probably more of why she left
	than you and me getting hitched.

{Tenchi takes his wife's rhetoric and considers it, the self-imposed guilt still evident in his
face.  Ryoko touches his cheek to gain his attention before she concludes.}

Ryoko:  It's your turn to let it go, Tenchi.  You can help me if I help you.  Deal?

{With a deep, hard sigh, the married hero nods and acknowledges this.  With a soft smile, Ryoko
leans into a kiss upon his lips, where Tenchi replies to her with his own.  A sharp hiss is heard
from a nearby wall as a segment of it pops forward and slides aside, a doorway to the hallway
outside.  The sound spurs the breaking of the spouses joined lips, turning them to the two men
entering the door.}

{One is Captain Tensho Jurai, Nagi's father, still in his dress uniform, but the other is a
Juraian medical professional dressed with his white jacket over his Science Academy garb, his age
comparable to Tensho's.  Tenchi and Ryoko nod to them as Tensho takes a seat in a chair nearby
the couple.  The doctor turns toward them holding a data tablet displaying the results of various
tests and also vital statistics for "Masaki, Ryoko" by the screen heading.  Also printed there is
the consulting physician's name, "Naga, Kyo".  The pair and Tensho exchange unspoken greetings
before turning to Kyo.}

Kyo:  Alright, Lady Ryoko.  I've finished our preliminary screenings of your condition and
	frankly am pleased to say you're in the best of health for a young woman of your age.

{At this, Tensho begins to grin to himself watching the pair, his musing thoughts considering
them.  Tenchi and Ryoko both grow suspicious at Kyo's words, as well as the distant expression of
Ryoko's implicated father-in-law.  The young husband questions the physician.}

Tenchi:  If she's alright, then why's she been sick the past few weeks?  Symptoms like hers are
	bad signs aren't they?

{Kyo can no longer help from smiling himself as he sets the tablet aside and shakes his head,
ready to substantiate his insinuations.}

Kyo:  Lord Tenchi, when were you two married?

{A slight confusion wipes across Tenchi's face at this, but he answers.}

Tenchi:  A little over two months...

{Slowly, Ryoko grasps the implication with a blush glowing along her features while Kyo nods and
continues.}

Kyo:  And, you, of course, consummated that holy union.

{Tenchi reddens some, but nods.}

Tenchi:  We... did...  But, what...?

{Tensho stands and interrupts his question by bowing and joyfully speaking to the young hero.}

Tensho:  Then, we should bid you happy congratulations on this occasion.

{Ryoko closes her eyes and smiles, tears starting their journey down her face when Tenchi
gradually processes the evidence, particularly when Kyo takes the tablet from the counter and
bows, extending the data to him.  He skims the medical jargon, meaningless to his background, but
a cold shock hits him hard when he reads the diagnosis.  The grandson of the Legendary Warrior
Yosho, the victor against the usurper Kagato and so much more, stutters and stumbles upon his
words when he acknowledges the plain facts before him.}

Tenchi:  P-pregnant...?!  We're going to have a baby...?!

{Tensho and Kyo rise and nod to the young man while he turns to his weeping partner in life, one
of her hands already upon her womb within which new life has formed.  He kneels before her to
gain her attention with his worried brow, but she continues her weakened smile.  She continues to
smile and blinks her amber eyes.}

Ryoko:  A baby...  Tenchi...

{Her smile gradually carries over to him, where he replies to her with a nod and a quiet
expression of his own.  He rests a hand over hers upon their unborn child and then eases her
hands into his with a supportive grip to them as she reciprocates, affection exchanged in their
eyes.  Kyo speaks carefully, trying not to interrupt their moment too badly.}

Kyo:  The other samples I took confirmed the health of your child.  The little one is as healthy
	as you are, Lady Ryoko.  Would you... like to know the baby's sex?

{She looks up at him from beneath her locks of cyan and shakes her head.}

Ryoko:  Nah, that's okay.

{She glances down at Tenchi again, seeing his understanding.}

Ryoko:  It's more fun this way.

{Tenchi then turns to Kyo and questions him with a stirring concern.}

Tenchi:  Is there any problem... because we're from different planets?

{Tensho closes his eyes with a thoughtful expression while the physician answers.}

Kyo:  My area of doctoral research was comparative genetics and crossbreeding, Lord Tenchi.
	There will be no ill effects to your child.  This I swear.  If Lady Nagi is any
	indication, your offspring will be hardy... and probably stubborn as well.

{He grins wryly while the others have sweat beading on their brows.  To this, he bows before
turning to the open door with a few words.}

Kyo:  Well, I do have other patients to consider.  I wish you both well, and if you need my
	assistance, Lord Tensho knows how to page me.

{Tenchi stands and bows to him before the man stops and addresses Ryoko one last time.}

Kyo:  You've grown into a beautiful woman, Lady Ryoko.  It was nice seeing you again.

{He exits, the door closing behind him while Ryoko stands, somewhat lost by his words.  However,
Tensho places at hand on her shoulder and explains.}

Tensho:  Kyo has been a good friend of mine for a long time.  When your mother was pregnant with
	Nagi, we came to him.  He got to see you when you were a toddler at your mother's side.

{Ryoko narrows her gaze a bit, understanding quickly.}

Ryoko:  You suspected, didn't you?

{He feigns innocence.}

Tensho:  No, I was just concerned for my step-daughter's health.  That was all.

{At this, Ryoko lowers her head with a sigh, resting her fingertips along her brow as Tenchi has
become lost in his own thoughts as the initial shock and joy fades.  The officer regards Tenchi
for a moment and then speaks to him.}

Tensho:  Don't worry, Tenchi.  You'll be a good father.  I'm certain.

{Ryoko nods with a confident grin of her own.}

Ryoko:  Yeah, he will.

{Tenchi takes a slow breath and answers with far less certainty.}

Tenchi:  I don't know...

{The captain nods and pats the hero's shoulder.}

Tensho:  I understand...  I think I should leave you two alone for now.  Tenchi, could you meet
	me in my office this afternoon?  I have something on which I'd like your opinion.

{The newly discovered father nods and agrees while Tensho turns away and opens the door to leave.
He takes another glance at the wedded pair before he exits, watching Ryoko lay her hands atop her
husband's shoulders and lean against him gently, sensing his waning conviction.  To Tensho's
eyes, he can see himself in Tenchi's place nearly nineteen years ago, the tan haired Ryoshu in
her daughter Ryoko's place.  Gravely, he muses in his thoughts.}

Tensho:  So familiar, my love...  However, they seem stronger than we were...  Help me watch over
	them... to keep Tenchi strong for his wife, and their child...

{He then exits, leaving them to their privacy.  Alone, Ryoko rests her head against Tenchi's
back, whispering softly her supportive words.}

Ryoko:  I'm... we're here, Tenchi... me and the baby...

{A breath passes his lips as he lowers his head towards her.}

Tenchi:  I know... and I'm happy...  It's just that...

Ryoko:  You're worried...

Tenchi:  Yeah... about a lot of things...

{Her hands squeeze him lightly as she nods.}

Ryoko:  So am I...

{She blinks when she notices his hand atop hers along with his words for her.}

Tenchi:  But, we're in this together, right...?

{She smiles, those tears from before glistening at the edges of her eyes.}

Ryoko:  Yes... we are... all of us...

End Scene 8

Scene 9

{A crystal wine glass tips back, letting its rosy contents flow past the boldly red lips of the
female connoisseur who enjoys the taste.  Her tresses of teal fall around her face and drape
across her onyx evening gown, which compliments her figure affectionately.  She sets her glass
down while her blue eyes regard the window to her left, the stars and galaxies swirling freely on
the other side of the transparent adamantine polymer.}

{Kiyone Makibi smiles at this calming image of the natural order while across the table, a man
also in his mid-twenties is seated, dressed in a proper black suit and tie with a white shirt.
Before him, he also has a glass of wine mostly full while his eyes are set on the lady sitting
with him.  His gaze seems to quickly examine her and consume her strengths, similar to a predator
but he does this without vile intent towards her.  He smiles and shakes his head, seeming very
humanoid and nearly Terran, much like Kiyone herself.}

Man:  You're drifting off again, Kiyone.

{She scoffs and glances over at him, a little embarrassed from being lost in her own thoughts.
Around them, soft music plays as well as quiet conversations from other tables within this fine
restaurant.  The dim lights hide many faces and shapes, illuminating only the patrons of the
establishment.}

Kiyone:  Sorry about that, Takeshi.  I've just been thinking a lot these days.

{She sets her glass down and turns to face Takeshi directly as he rests his chin in his hand, his
motions and attitude respectful and smooth.}

Takeshi:  I've noticed.  Having trouble with those two bounty hunters?

{The lieutenant shakes her head and laughs lightly at this possibility.}

Kiyone:  No, of course not.  Nagi and Pii aren't usually the troublemaking type.

Takeshi:  Well, they did come in and interrupt you while you were training.

{The female officer nods and accepts this criticism.}

Kiyone:  Yes, they did, but with good reason.  Nagi's was personal; Pii's was an advisory
	question.

{Her wrists cross as she sets them in her lap, gazing across the table in the low light of the
restaurant at her companion.  His dark eyes, a deep grey or black, watch her carefully, his red
hair nearly straight in its short, military cut.  She smiles with a gentle expression for him.}

Kiyone:  Of course, you'd know, Captain Kitahoshi Takeshi.  Considering internal affairs'
	purpose...

{He raises his head at this and lowers the arm it had been resting on back to the table when he
corrects her, seeming a bit hurt by those words.}

Takeshi:  Now, it's not like that.  IA has no reason to even look at your record, especially
	since you were a hero three years ago with the Jurai coup and then again when Kain
	escaped.

{She laughs to herself and nods, a soft rosy tint to her cheeks at his misunderstanding.}

Kiyone:  No, I didn't mean it like that.  I just meant that you've been... looking up on me.

{At this, he raises his brows and reaches behind his head to scratch his short hair, uneasy at
this.}

Takeshi:  I have..  I'm sorry if I...

{She smiles and shakes her head while she raises the glass to her lips again.}

Kiyone:  All you should worry about is if your superiors find out that you're using your
	connections for personal reasons.

{The captain sighs at the lieutenant's observation while she sips the elegant beverage as it was
meant to be taken.  He then regards her curiously.}

Takeshi:  Then, could I ask what had them so eager to talk with you?  Bounty hunters usually
	don't hunt you down unless they have some particular reason or motivation to do so.

{She lowers her glass and rolls her wrist, swirling the fluid within in a ballet of motion while
she counters him.}

Kiyone:  It was personal business, Takeshi.

{He grins and weaves his fingers before him, patiently offering his retort for her.}

Takeshi:  True, but then again, we're rather personal as well.

{She closes her eyes and nods, acknowledging this, but she opens her eyes narrowly in her reply.}

Kiyone:  We might be dating, but there are degrees of intimacy, my dear Takeshi.

{The higher officer grins and nods.}

Takeshi:  That's true.  I'm still surprised that you asked me out after your ordeal on Earth.

{Kiyone gazes at her wine, a distant and thoughtful look in her blue eyes.  Takeshi observes her
carefully, seeing a soft melancholy creep around her hardened and fragile beauty.}

Kiyone:  A lot has happened to me on Earth.  I've found friends... fought battles... lost
	battles... lost friends...

{She pauses, closing her eyes at this and feeling the dark memories of Mitsuki's death and her
own pain crest over her soul.  Her hand stops and places the glass on the table with a quiet
sigh, turning her gaze back upon her guest.}

Kiyone:  I thought about everything... those I cared about... those I might care about...

{She smiles gently and tilts her head slightly.}

Kiyone:  I decided to take a chance.  Living on Earth taught me a solid lesson that no GP academy
	ever presented.  Sometimes, you have to go outside the rules to beat the odds.

{Takeshi slowly grins and accepts her explanation.}

Takeshi:  Those are some strong life lessons, Kiyone.

Kiyone:  Yes, and I've been lucky to have been given a chance to go there.  God bless Mihoshi for
	that.

{The captain chuckles some at this.}

Takeshi:  You have talked a lot of Mihoshi since she got married.

{The lieutenant closes her eyes and angles her face away slightly, a slight blush seen.}

Kiyone:  I guess a part of me is envious.

{He raises a brow, curiously and playfully.}

Takeshi:  Envious?

Kiyone:  Mihoshi might be ditz sometimes, but she's not stupid.  She chose a good life,
	definitely not an easy life by any means.  However, I know she'll work hard to make it
	work, but it'll be a more peaceful life, away from the dangers we saw together in the
	Galaxy Police.

{Her eyes open and turn to Takeshi from the corners of their sockets, a narrowed look.}

Kiyone:  Part of me wants to have a peace like that... a family...

{The man is dumbfounded by his female companion's words, but she laughs and shakes her head.}

Kiyone:  One day, one day!  I'm really not ready to settle down quite yet.

{He blushes and nods while she continues to smile at him, meticulously regarding each of his
reactions.  She considers this to herself within her thoughts.}

Kiyone:  He's fun to play with... taking some things so serious like that...  Not unlike me in
	some ways... like when we met...

{In memory, the teal officer recalls the day she met this young captain in the break room aboard
the reconstructed GP Headquarters station.  Dressed in her uniform, Kiyone sits at a table
drinking a cup of coffee, momentarily separated from Mihoshi.  Though other GP officers and staff
transit through, getting their own beverages or talking amongst themselves, Takeshi stands alone
pondering to himself.}

Kiyone:  I always noticed him... the guy from IA standing around the corner, alone...  Never
	really thought much of him...  Of course, who would...?  He's considered a "paid rat"
	among many departments...

{Later, Kiyone is searching her pockets for change at an automatic coffee machine, finding some
Jurai coins in her various pockets across her uniform.  With these coins in her hand, she adds
the sum and sighs with a slight scowl on her face.}

Kiyone:  He was a gentleman...

{Then, a hand extends to her a coin, enough to purchase her coffee.  The then first class
detective turns her gaze up to see the captain Takeshi attached to that arm.  At first, she
denies this offer, but he kindly insists.  She continues to deny more firmly, but he matches her
by insisting more strongly himself.}

Kiyone:  Though, he was almost too nice really...

{Eventually, both sigh with frustration before Kiyone looks back at him and accepts his gift.
She thanks him and buys her coffee, but he soon starts to leave.  The female officer watches him
go quietly, regarding him silently in the corridor.}

Kiyone:  But, he was a nice guy, and I thought I should be nice too...  It was only fair...

{The next day, Takeshi is standing alone as usual, but Kiyone joins his side and offers him a
seat.  He is surprised at her offer, but this is her turn to insist to where he cannot deny her.
Together, they sit and chat idly as colleagues in the GP from different departments.}

{In the present restaurant, she smiles back across at him while he grin wryly back at her.}

Takeshi:  You're in a good mood for sure.  I guess whatever those bounty hunters asked you about
	lifted your spirits.

{She laughs softly and nods.}

Kiyone:  Yeah, that had something to do with it.  With Pii, it was a good deed.  He and his wife
	needed money to finance a new home on Earth.  All he needed was a high ranked bounty to get
	the last money he needed.

{Takeshi nods.}

Takeshi:  That was nice.

Kiyone:  With Nagi... again that's kinda personal, but the summation isn't as much.  There's a
	party soon on Earth at the Masaki home for a particular Terran holiday, one I particularly
	liked.  Pii got invited, and Nagi's making several arrangements at the Masaki house
	herself.  I was planning on going myself, and well...

{Her blue eyes blink and gaze directly at his.}

Kiyone:  I was wondering if you'd like to come with me.

{The captain's wry grin stretches to a proud smile as he nods.}

Takeshi:  I'd love to, Kiyone.

{Pleased, she shifts her gaze slightly before returning it to his with a soft question.}

Kiyone:  Just "Kiyo" is alright, if you like.

{Again, surprise overtakes him, but she is serious with her kind expression.  He considers this
for a moment and agrees in the dim light of the restaurant.}

End Scene 9

Scene 10

{In various forms of dress, Juraian women browse among rows of clothing, ranging from simple
athletic gis to the most formal and decorative kimonos.  Several admire themselves in the tall
mirrors to witness their appearance in their newly acquired clothing.  As with such social
consumer gatherings, the ladies speak amongst themselves, commenting on the styles, fit, and
quality of each garment.  In their browsings, the women gaze up at the mannequins carved from the
oaken wood of the tree in which they stand, an offshoot of the Palace.  Those false figures stand
in various modest poses, modeling their particular design for the customers.  Nearby, some
garments, kimonos in particular, hang with wooden struts within to extend them to their full
glory, exhibiting all the details of the fabric.}

{Among these females, one with long red hair is noticeably different from her peers by her white
armor carrying the symbolism of the knightly bloodlines and military rank which covers her regal
kimono.  She handles the fabrics carefully, examining their texture and relative beauty when she
hears a small commotion near the entrances to the store.  She spins around and her saffron eyes
are greeted with the ingress of two men into this women's department.  Further to her surprise,
she recognizes them as Lord Tenchi Masaki and Captain Tensho Jurai.  A store attendant at her
side blinks in confusion, questioning the red-haired officer.}

Attendant:  Lady Ramia, are those two... colleagues of yours?

{Ramia sets down the fabric she was admiring and slowly moves closer to the two men, occasionally
turning away or toward a clothing display to seem like she is simply browsing like the others.
With the males, Tenchi wryly glances around, a bit of blush eking into his cheeks while Tensho
seems mostly unaffected by their environs.}

Tenchi:  Uh... I don't think they're too comfortable with us here.  Most of them seem to be
	watching us.

{Nagi's father smirks to himself.}

Tensho:  Of course.  This is a formal women's clothing store.  It's rather unusual for a man to
	come through the doors without his spouse or lover on his arm, let alone two men.

{Tenchi turns redder at this when sweat beads in his hair.}

Tenchi:  That doesn't make me feel much better...

{The captain just shakes his head and leads the young hero and husband farther into the store,
toward the kimonos with far higher expenses attached to them.  As the officer starts to browse
through the fabrics, Tenchi questions their purpose in this place.}

Tenchi:  So... what is it that you wanted my opinion on exactly?  I mean, I really don't know
	much about commanding a ship or complex strategy.

Tensho:  I know, Tenchi.  That's not why I asked to talk with you.

{While they speak, Ramia listens and glances at them from over a rack of fabrics and completed
kimonos.  Yet, her eyes widen in shock when her peer in the Fleet's ranking holds a kimono in
front of himself toward Tenchi.  The crown prince himself takes a step back with a faulted face,
aghast at the question his wife's "step-father" asks.}

Tensho:  What do you think?  Are the designs and color slimming and elegant?

{Ramia blinks a few times before she topples over, losing her balance from a mental overload
caused by the scene before her.  Tensho blinks at Tenchi's response, but then turns toward
Ramia's location from the thud of her collapse.  The male captain ponders for a moment as he sets
the kimono down.}

Tensho:  Seems we're not alone.

{This breaks Tenchi's stupefaction while he watches the elder man step around the display of
cloth to find Ramia rubbing her head.  She glances up to him as he folds his arms with a smirk on
his lips.}

Tensho:  Hello, Ramia.

{The redhead turns her eyes up to Tensho before she regains her feet and bows slightly in
greeting, yet still with some mild redness on her face.}

Ramia:  Tensho.

{He bows in return and motions Tenchi toward Ramia.}

Tensho:  Lord Masaki Tenchi, I'd like to introduce my colleague, Captain Juraihelm Ramia,
	commander of the treeship Saya.

{The young husband bows to the lady commander, as she does in return for respect.  The two
officers circle back around to the kimonos when Tenchi asks Tensho about his actions, the blush
still burning on his face.}

Tenchi:  What... do you want with a lady's kimono anyway...?

{Tensho folds his arms and angles his head to the side slightly, a bit of impatience seen in his
expression.}

Tensho:  I've been trying to pick out a kimono to buy my daughter.  Since she lives in your house
	and you're married to her sister, I thought you might be able to help me.

{Ramia slightly scowls at this explanation while Tenchi blinks and grins wryly, embarrassed at
the misunderstanding.}

Tenchi:  Sorry, I... well... I wasn't thinking...

Ramia:  I do not believe that you were either, Tensho.  If you are going to shop for a woman, you
	should have a woman with you.

{He smirks at her and scans down her figure and then back to her eyes.}

Tensho:  We have you.

{She widens her eyes at first before she then folds her arms with her hardened gaze.}

Ramia:  Wait a moment.  I did not come here with the intention of helping you choose a kimono for
	your daughter.

Tensho:  Then, why did you come over here?

{The red-haired woman lowers her eyes before she answers by glancing over to Tenchi, who listens
quietly.}

Ramia:  I wanted to see him.  Both of you fell in love with a Ryoan woman, but while you, Tensho
	are cursed...

{Her yellow eyes focus directly on Tenchi's intently.}

Ramia:  ...  There are many here on Jurai who would stand behind this young man.  I wanted to see
	for myself someone who could cause such a commotion seen on the landing platform.

{The young husband takes a slow breath for a deep sigh as he shakes his head to Ramia.}

Tenchi:  I'm not what you're talking about.  I'm just a guy from Earth.  I fell in love with
	Ryoko because of who she is, not what planet she's from.  All we want is to live our lives
	without any trouble.

{She considers this, remembering Ayeka's words in her thoughts.}

Ayeka:  He was a kind and gentle man... simple and honest...

{The lady captain nods at her memory and questions Tenchi.}

Ramia:  Tell me about your wife, Lord Tenchi.

{His brows furrow.}

Tenchi:  What's this all about, Captain Ramia?  Did we...?

{She shakes her head and answers softly.}

Ramia:  No.  Just humor me if you would.  I am very curious about this woman Ryoko, and I would
	like to know more about her.  And, you need not call me "captain" here.

{The young hero glances from Ramia to Tensho, who has been listening to her carefully.  To
Tenchi, he nods, and the crown prince turns his eyes back to Ramia.}

Tenchi:  Alright...  Well, Ryoko's always been a free spirit.  She's real impulsive and strong-
	headed.  When I first met her, she was really bad about it.

{He smiles softly to himself in memory.}

Tenchi:  In retrospect, a lot of it was funny.  She'd find some way to shock everyone or draw
	attention to herself, good or bad.  Her favorite was to pawn over me in front of everybody,
	and that always set Ayeka off.  The two of them would go at it for a few minutes, usually
	scorching a room, before they'd calm down and drink tea on the sofa.

{Ramia listens, becoming somewhat interested by the interaction of Juraian and Ryoan while Tensho
smiles to himself, watching Ramia's reactions.}

Tenchi:  Things got better, especially after the go-round we had with Washu's spacetime tuner.
	Ryoko and Ayeka would have their little tiffs, but eventually didn't come to blows anymore
	like when we were on Concor.  The two of them got into an argument over an incident that
	happened to both of them as kids.  They raised their voices and got into each other's face,
	but they didn't ignite a brawl or blow up the bar.

{He grins wryly.}

Tenchi:  Then again, most of us were tired that day...  But anyway, the same day, the two of them
	worked very well together to scam the customers so we could keep going to Jurai.  Same
	thing when we went back to face Kain.  Both of them faced him, but they did kinda damage
	that rail car...

{He shakes his head, scratching the back of his head nervously.}

Tenchi:  Maybe those weren't good examples after all...

{The lady captain smiles to herself and shakes her head.}

Ramia:  No, no.  I am glad that your wife has calmed herself.  From what I heard of the recent
	incident here on Jurai, she did not act unlike most women I know.

{She turns her eyes to Tensho.}

Ramia:  Perhaps she follows her mother's example.

{The elder officer grins at this while Ramia considers the fabric around her, laying her eyes on
a soft, rosy cloth.  She touches the material and lifts a sheet gently to show the two men.}

Ramia:  A woman of softened flames should be robed in something of this sort.

{Tensho nods and agrees.}

Tensho:  A hot passion with a gentle texture...  It's not unlike Ryoko's temperament.

{Tenchi steps forward and rubs his fingers along the material, feeling its softness while his
imagination considers a kimono of this flowing over his wife's features.  He notes the contrast
and blend of the quiet magenta alongside her cyan lock, both soft and yet from opposite sides of
the color spectrum.  He agrees with a thoughtful smile.}

Tenchi:  I think she'd like it.

{He turns to Tensho and questions him.}

Tenchi:  Could I coax you into getting one made for Ryoko as well?

{The greying officer scoffs and smirks.}

Tensho:  Now, you're starting to see why I really brought you here, my boy.

{The hero narrows his eyes, understanding.}

Tenchi:  You had that planned all along...

{Ramia sighs and shakes his head.}

Ramia:  Deception is definitely not in this boy's nature.

{Tenchi ignores this and returns his attentions to the fabric when a thought comes to mind.}

Tenchi:  I just remembered.  It's probably December back home.  A new kimono would be a great
	Christmas gift for Ryoko, and probably Nagi as well.

{These words take Tensho aback as he recalls a conversation.}

Tensho:  Christmas!  Ah yes!  Tenchi, I was in communication with a friend of yours about that
	particular holiday recently.

Tenchi:  Oh?

{Nagi's father grins and nods.}

Tensho:  Oh yes.  We have a grand surprise for everyone.

{Ramia thoughtfully considers them before she starts to turn away, but Tensho places a hand on
her shoulder to stop her.}

Tensho:  Leaving?

Ramia:  Yes, this is none of my concern.

Tensho:  As one of Lady Ayeka's friends, it is.  I assure you.

{Ramia blinks in surprise at this, as does Tenchi.  While Tensho begins to explain the details of
this "present" to them, the black eyes of Matori can be seen watching them from a distance, her
narrow gaze slowly and analytically dissecting their conversation.}

End Scene 10

Scene 11

{Forearms clash, and shins collide as two combatants exchange skilled techniques at a steady
pace.  A swift backfist strike breaks through the air only to hit nothing but the air itself
while the opponent executes a proper standing sidekick.  However, this attack misses as well
while the two separate and ready themselves for another set.}

{The two are quickly recognized as Ayeka Jurai in her red and black gi and zubon.  The other is
Kamidake Juraiko guarded by his samurai regalia, yet he fights without his trademark staff.
Watching the two are Kamidake's partner Azaka Juraiko and Ryoko Masaki, the latter watching the
princess with great interest.  Next to the elder samurai, their two staves rest against the
ornate bench upon which the two sit.}

{Azaka glances to his Ryoan guest and smiles at her interest in her friend's progress in the
fighting arts.  While Ayeka and Kamidake enter into another round of technique competition, the
blue knight comments to the former pirate.}

Azaka:  She has become strong, has she not?

{Ryoko nods.}

Ryoko:  Yeah, she has.

{She scoffs and grins, turning to face the man next to her.}

Ryoko:  We were alwasys matched for power.  After all, if we weren't, she or I would have blown
	the other away by now.

{She looks back to Ayeka with a distant gaze.}

Ryoko:  I'd like to try her now.  Tenchi's been showing me a thing or two too.

{He raises a brow and questions her.}

Azaka:  Why can you not?

{At this, the cyan-haired woman glances at the grass beneath her feet, considering how to
approach this question.  Azaka waits for her answer when she shakes her head.}

Ryoko:  No, I'll explain it when Tenchi decides.  It'd probably be better that way.

{Already, the azure knight has formulated the truth for himself and nods in silence, respecting
her decision.  In their sparring match, Ayeka extends her leg toward Kamidake's head, him
blocking with his forearm and returning with a ridgehand strike towards her torso.  Quickly, she
pulls her leg back from the air and slides away from him, causing his attack to contact air.
However, he follows, closing his fist and arcing his knuckles toward her head.  She slaps this
hand away and kicks at his abdomen, but he uses his forearms to deflect it.  He goes into a spin
away from her leg as her body follows with an arm extended.  His foot raises and contacts with
the instep against her shoulder.}

{The princess winces some at the slightly stiff impact, but he pulls away and stands before her.
She turns back to face him and bows without comment of the impact.  Yet, he voices his concerns.}

Kamidake:  I am sorry, princess.  I believe that was harder than I had intended for this
	competition.

{Ayeka rises and nods.}

Ayeka:  I understand.  It was not serious, and I am alright.

{He bows again in acknowledgement of her forgiveness while Ayeka turns at a clapping, Ryoko's
hands.  The young wife grins at her with a nod.}

Ryoko:  Not bad, princess.  You're starting to look like a fighter.

{Azaka nods.}

Azaka:  She is.  Again, your progress has been very impressive, princess.

{She bows, trying to withhold a blush beneath her perspiration that threatens her cheeks.}

Ayeka:  Thank you, Sensei... Ryoko...

{The elder knight stands and glances to the false sky above seeing that the hours have passed.
He smiles and returns his attention to his pupil.}

Azaka:  Princess, I do believe you have learned a great deal from Kamidake about technique and
	combat.  However, battling only with the same person will breed stagnation in your skills.

{Ayeka blinks at this, glancing slightly to the side to see Ryoko agree.}

Ryoko:  Yeah, different people fight different ways.  I'm sure Kamidake's really good, but I
	don't think he knows it all either.

Azaka:  Indeed, and for that reason, we have made arrangements for another sparring partner for
	you.

{The violet-haired Juraian lowers her eyes and shakes her head.}

Ayeka:  No, I understand your intentions are good, but I do not want anyone else involved in
	this.  This is a personal journey, and I believe I can only have those close to me
	involved.

{He smiles.}

Azaka:  I am glad you have said this, princess.

{The bearded man motions to the corridor back into Ryu-Oh's primary interior.  Upon looking,
Ayeka's breath leaves her when her crimson eyes fall upon Tenchi Masaki with Tensho Jurai at his
side.  The young hero bows deeply and respectfully to Ayeka, as does the man at his side.  The
two knights return this greeting while Ryoko turns to her husband's entranceand is taken aback by
his presence here.}

Ryoko:  Tenchi...?

{The men rise, Tensho taking his place by Ryoko and Azaka while Tenchi slowly approaches Ayeka
and Kamidake.  Azaka and Tensho greet each other with a few quick sentences.}

Azaka:  Seems he has chosen.

Tensho:  He wishes to help her however he can.

{Tenchi comes to stand with Ayeka and Kamidake, his eyes gazing directly toward hers.  To the
princess, his eyes seem disturbed and restrained as if he were difficultly willing part of
himself to remain silent as he speaks with her.}

Tenchi:  Hi, Ayeka...  You're looking well...

{She nods, tension gradually seizing her form in her reply.}

Ayeka:  As do you...

{The crimson samurai bows to Tenchi and Ayeka, issuing his saluations from the green arena.}

Kamidake:  It is once again good to see you again, Lord Tenchi.  I look forward to a future
	conversation.

{He leaves the two alone and stands with the others aside the pair before them.  Tenchi takes a
breath and sighs with a quiet grin on his face while he reaches to scratch his head.}

Tenchi:  I didn't know you had an interest in the martial arts, Ayeka.

{She closes her eyes and replies.}

Ayeka:  It is a recently acquired passion.

{He nods, a somberness crossing his face again.}

Tenchi:  Yeah... considering...

{Turning his gaze back to her, he questions her.}

Tenchi:  Lord Tensho did tell me about this.  I hope you're not...

{She shakes her head.}

Ayeka:  No, I am not angry...  You and Ryoko probably would know about this soon enough...

Tenchi:  Yeah...  I'm sure Azaka and Kamidake are great teachers...

Ayeka:  They are.  I am very honored they decided to guide me in this way.

{Tenchi's eyes lower toward the ground.}

Tenchi:  I'd like to help...but, only if you're alright with it.  I don't want to make you...

{Her gentle hand rises to cease his words, her amethyst eyes returning to his as their gazes meet
again.  Uneasy, he watches as she smiles softly and nods.}

Ayeka:  I know you do not, Tenchi.  That is your nature.  I would welcome your wisdom openly as
	well, so long as you are willing.

{The young hero agrees.}

Tenchi:  I am.

Ayeka:  Then, let us begin.

{Ryoko watches as Ayeka steps away sliding back into a combative posture taught to her by
Kamidake:  guarded by her forward arm down, her back arm up near her head, keeping her knees
slightly bent.  Closing his eyes, a wave of light shines into existance from upon Tenchi's
forehead, the triple-bladed sign of the knight paladin, the Mark of Power, appearing in its wake.
As that aura of energy shoots across the young man, his Juraian regalia is replaced with the
armor not only of a knight-samurai of the royal court, but of their warrior prince.  Over the gi
and hakama, layers of pastel protection appear at his command.}

{While Tenchi steps back slightly to his right and raises his hands to positions similar to
Ayeka's, Ryoko steps forward and starts to call his name.  However, the firm hand of Azaka is
laid upon her shoulder, stopping her.  She whispers back to him, a trouble in her voice.}

Ryoko:  I don't like this...  They shouldn't be...

{The loyal man of the sapphire staff shakes his head, explaining.}

Azaka:  They should.  This is as much for Lord Tenchi as for Princess Ayeka.

{Tenchi's brown eyes, compassionate but edged by focus, scan over Ayeka as the two begin their
dance of war.  Carefully, they circle one another, adjusting to the other's presence.  Azaka
continues.}

Azaka:  Just as she needs to adjust to the new young man who stands before her, he needs to see
	and accept the new woman who has arisen, as do you, Lady Ryoko.

{The Ryoan wife turns back to face her husband's contest with her friend, the discomfort far from
quieted by the noble samurai's words.  Then, Ayeka slides forward and swings her fist toward
Tenchi's head, to which he steps and leans away, his hand blocking the hand.  With celerity, her
foot arcs upward at his ribs, but again his arm is there to deflect her shot.  Seeing his hand
lowered, the princess's hand whips the ridge around before her while he slips away from her
offense.}

{Though his eyes are focused on his opponent, Tenchi's gaze seems apprehensive, and Ayeka
contemplates this in her thoughts when she again attempts to breach his defense.}

Ayeka:  Overly careful...  Anxious...

{Her hand narrowly misses his head after the wind wake of her kick ruffles his uniform.  Her
momentum swings her around to attempt a second kick, which hooks toward her competition.
However, this spin has left her open, but she notices Tenchi's inaction to capitalize from her
mistake.  After they open the gap between them, Ayeka rushes Tenchi, unleashing a fierce backfist
followed by a straight punch.  He blocks the first and catches the second, his bones rattling
some from the catch, yet the regal-haired woman does not cease.  She continues to push forward
against his superior strength, even though he does take a step back to hold her away.  Her words
float to his ears in this proximity.}

Ayeka:  Don't hold back for me...

{Their eyes meet, and the young prince's hesitance is obvious to her.  Ayeka's crimson eyes blink
to a knowing expression with a nod.}

Ayeka:  It's alright...  You don't have to protect me anymore...

{He lowers his eyes and nods before the two split apart again.  Once a moment had been taken to
reset themselves, the two combatants clash again when Tenchi aims his heel for Ayeka's ribs.  She
sidesteps, but he follows her with a strike aimed at her head.  She deflects it and spins around
to attempt the same to him, but he steps away from her.  The princess does not even see the foot
that he plants in her side when her startled cry escapes her lips.  She staggers to regain her
balance holding the impact site.}

{Tenchi starts for her to offer assistance, but she raises a hand and shakes her head, denying
him.  She takes a breath and glides back into her stance once more, a determination written in
her eyes.  Understanding, he too prepares for the next conflict, which is upon him unexpectly as
the violet-haired student assaults him with a flurry of bladed-hand techniques.  Tenchi swiftly
blocks or dodges the the left-right-left combination, but he fails to notice her foot placement
at this close range.  As he deflects her left hand and readies for a simple backfist to her head,
he loses his wind and takes a step back, feeling Ayeka's heel hooked into his side.}

{Unsure of her contact, a drill of dark guilt penetrates Ayeka's intestines watching Tenchi pause
from her actions.  Ryoko also tenses seeing her husband regain himself, but as he does recover,
he grins softly at his competitor, nodding slightly.  Some of his wife's concern leaves her as
the prince shakes the effects aside and prepares once more.  Relief washing away the shadow,
Ayeka joins Tenchi and readies to engage once more for the last clash.}

{Once again, the two circle and examine one another, each having found faults in the other's
defense.  As previous, Ayeka glides forward and releases a distracting series of hand techniques,
but her hidden kick is also blocked by his hands.  He steps to the side and defensively throws a
sidekick at the princess, yet she has already moved out of his effective range.  As his foot is
retracted and lowered, Ayeka slides at him with her own foot arcing at his head.  Tenchi's
forearm connects to push her leg away before her hand whips at the same target.  Crouching lower,
his lead hand cuts through the air and meets  her side beneath her arm.}

{At this, Azaka calls out to them officially, ending their match.}

Azaka:  Cease!

{Tenchi and Ayeka step away from one another, each facing the other as Azaka stands at their
side.  Sweat rolls down Ayeka's features while some moisture has accumulated on Tenchi's skin as
well.  Azaka motions toward them, the signal for the two of them to bow.  Then, they turn to him
and bow again in thanks for this opportunity.  The sapphire samurai nods to Tenchi.}

Azaka:  Thank you, Lord Tenchi.  I am sure that Princess Ayeka saw many nuiances in this match
	that she did not against Kamidake.

Ayeka:  I did, Sensei.

{Tenchi bows slightly again, his modesty presenting itself.}

Tenchi:  My pleasure.

{He turns to Ayeka and speaks with his honest expression.}

Tenchi:  I'd be happy to...

{She lowers her eyes and answers quietly.}

Ayeka:  Lord Tenchi... you and I...

{As Ryoko and Kamidake come to their side, the regal princess turns her sullen gaze to Tenchi.}

Ayeka:  I would like to speak with you... alone if you or Lady Ryoko would not mind...

{She glances to Ryoko as well when Tenchi starts to reply, his eyes straying from Ayeka with
uncertainty.}

Tenchi:  I... well...

{Answering for him, Ryoko is resolute and serious herself.}

Ryoko:  Go, Tenchi.

{He looks back at her, confused at her response, but she turns to him, revealing her thoughtful
and somewhat more clear expression.  Ayeka also spins to the Ryoan woman when Ryoko nods.}

Ryoko:  You two should talk and sort everything out, like we did.

{Tenchi considers this for a confliced moment before he sighs heavily, the white cloth armor
fading away alongside the mark on his forehead.  He nods to Ryoko.}

Tenchi:  You're right...

{To Ayeka, he slowly faces, still hesitant in many ways.}

Tenchi:  Alright, Ayeka.

{She too allows her Juraian combat attire to fade away while she quietly turns and motions for
him to follow.  Her soft pink kimono makes her seem much the regal princess she was on Earth,
seemingly far apart from the warrior with whom Tenchi just competed.  As he does, Ryoko and the
two knights watch them leave the arboretum.  While Ryoko seems to hide it, there is some conflict
in her eyes mixed with a measure of relief.  Though it is not jealousy, part of her is restless
seeing them walk away.}

{Azaka nods watching the two royals leave civilly, but Kamidake notices Ryoko's unease and
visibly sympathetizes with her situation.  Once Tenchi and Ayeka are away from sight, Ryoko
releases her tense breath and seats herself again.  Both samurai turn to her and note her
situation, a somber silence among them for now.}

End Scene 11

Scene 12

{The starlight shines down upon the grand gardens of the Jurai Royal Family, the pristine silence
of the environment only broken by the rustle of nearby nesting birds or the chirp of insect
calls.  Eternal water babbles as it flows by, setting the pace for the humming sounds
orchestrated by the native fauna.  Into this quiet melody of night, the steps of two people pass,
altering the tapestry of resonance.}

{Next to one another, Tenchi and Ayeka walk through the passages of cultivation.  Ayeka's eyes
are lowered, watching the cobblestones along the path come and leave beneath her feet.  Tenchi
gazes around the area idly, disconcert shown even through the smile of admiration for the garden.
However, the appreciation for the garden fades, and the young man turns his attention to the
smooth stones and soft lawn below his feet.  While his words rise from his lips, the smile fades,
turning his attentions to his companion.}

Tenchi:  It's still beautiful here...

{She nods and agrees.}

Ayeka:  It always has been this way... even when I was girl...

{His eyes close, a hesitation heard in his speech.}

Tenchi:  I wish all good things didn't change...

{She raises her head and glances to Tenchi, somber thoughts and memories running through her
mind.  The regal princess recalls her first afternoon on Earth, when she came to know this simple
young man, Tenchi Masaki.  Then, he was only a boy of sixteen, three years her junior.  Under
orders from Tenchi's grandfather, he escorted her about the meadows and forests of their home.
Although Ayeka had seen autumn on other worlds before, these Terran groves seemed so peaceful.
However, the scenery was only that to her time with this boy.  His natural speech and lack of
pretense seemed so kind and charming.  When she slipped at Funaho's resting place, he caught her,
but in his eyes, she could see his concern, his kind-heartedness.  Those qualities were so
foreign to her then, as royals sought so valiantly to see her married.}

{Yet, he also had a naive mystique about him.  In the falling snow, Tenchi would train with his
grandfather, the bokkens cracking in the winter silence of the Japanese highlands.  Once, Ayeka
stumbled across their practice, but her shock was in the style of swordplay.  She had seen men
perform kata and compete in tournaments on numerous worlds, but this style was a secret that only
her kin knew, unique to Jurai's royal family.  However, Tenchi had simply practiced under his
grandfather's instruction as a loyal grandson would.  In speaking with him, the princess's ears
could hear no deception in his words, at least no form that she knew.  She laughed, that only
such a pure young man could be found in such a remote and virgin world.}

{She loved him.  Her affections grew while they were on Earth and seemed to give her some
strength when the coup d'etat lead by Kagato came.  When his true lineage and purpose came to
pass on Jurai, she saw his courage, both when Tenchi took a simple stick to challenge the
corrupted Juraian as well as when he came armed with the lost Tenchiken Key and defeated Kagato
the usurper.  Again and again, she has seen his courage tested and proven, alongside his strength
of character and quiet kindness.  All through these three years from their first meeting, her
love was directed at this young man, so much so that she left permanently to live within his home
and denied her right of succession.}

{Now in this garden alongside him, she shakes her head.}

Ayeka:  Nothing is truly forever, Tenchi.

{His eyes close while a conflicted frown crosses his lips.}

Tenchi:  I know that, Ayeka, but that doesn't make what happened right.

{He turns his face away from her, a shame heard in his words.}

Tenchi:  I really... thought you wouldn't want to see either of us...

{Ayeka's crimson eyes take a glance at the ground before she sighs with her answer.}

Ayeka:  Part of me doesn't... but avoiding the issue will solve nothing...

{He nods while she starts to speak, emotion welling in her voice, but still controlled.}

Ayeka:  I did love you, Tenchi.  When you chose to marry Ryoko...

{She pauses, closing her eyes to continue her calm state though a hurt does filter into her
words.}

Ayeka:  Part of me did break.  I can't deny that I felt ignored, betrayed on some level.

{Tenchi tenses hearing her feelings flow true.}

Tenchi:  I'm sorry, Ayeka.  I never wanted to hurt you... and neither did Ryoko...

{The princess nods.}

Ayeka:  I know.

{He sighs hard, his troubled gaze turning back to her.}

Tenchi:  What'd we do wrong, Ayeka?  What broke up the family we had on Earth?

{The two walk in silence before she closes her eyes and stops with her answer for him, her left
hand gripping tightly at her side.}

Ayeka:  Before, I would have blamed Fate for this... but no.

{He stops with her looks back into her eyes, which dance with the true feelings within her:
regret, anger, and above all, love.  A longing gaze goes back to him as she steps forward and
speaks to him.}

Ayeka:  Your kindness... your loyalty... your courage...  Tenchi, you embodied so many aspects of
	life I never really knew before coming to Earth.

{She lowers her head now, her own self-guilt shown.}

Ayeka:  I am shamed to say that I envied your life.  I wanted to be a part of your life, but I
	also remembered that I had responsibilities from my birth to Jurai... and I was silent...

{Tenchi listens, hearing the pain that slips into her voice and expression.}

Ayeka:  I never spoke directly of my affections for you.  I had these romantic hopes of the
	perfect moment to express my feelings toward you... but it never came... and I was
	silent...  Before the coup and during the Reunion, I tried to force myself... but I could
	only speak of thrones and the past...  I never could say what I should have...

{He turns away, shame still burdening him.}

Tenchi:  I'm sorry, Ayeka...

{The violet-haired woman turns to him and shakes her head.}

Ayeka:  No, Tenchi.  If blame is to be weighed, it should be equal.

{He turns to her, and she reaches and touches his cheek gently with her hand.  The princess's
gentle gaze seems stronger than before, more at peace as she speaks to him.}

Ayeka:  I had opportunities to tell you of my love for you... but I didn't...

{He nods slightly.}

Tenchi:  I didn't do anything about what I did see...

{She smiles softly for him.}

Ayeka:  Tenchi, part of me will always love you... and it's in that love that I say this...

{Eyes locked in the stillness around them, the weight carried by Tenchi lifts slightly with the
wind of her voice.}

Ayeka:  I forgive you for any part you might have played in the breaking of my heart.

{Still concerned, Tenchi questions her.}

Tenchi:  What can I do to make up for this...?

{Leaning into him, she whispers while he becomes uneasy at her proximity, the wedding band
seeming to burn on his hand.}

Ayeka:  Live a good life with Ryoko... and raise your child well... as I'm sure you will, true
	prince of Jurai...

{She closes her eyes and angles her head when her silken lips touch his.  Firm and passionate,
Ayeka boldly expresses herself while Tenchi is taken aback.  Easing away, the violet princess
takes a breath and gazes back at him, the smile gone but amiable nonetheless.  Dumbfounded,
Tenchi's eyes seek an answer which she gives openly, without regret.}

Ayeka:  Here ends my longing for you, Masaki Tenchi.

{Bowing, she turns away and leaves him alone in the gardens, considering what happened here this
night.  Yet, in the shadows, a tear rolls down Ayeka's cheek, but no more follow it as she steels
herself with a calming breath.}

End Scene 12

Scene 13

{Trudging through the snow, Sasami and Nagi walk in silence toward the Masaki home.  Sasami
glances at the ground, her mind on other matters while Nagi keeps her stoic expression fixed on
the house ahead of them.  However, the young girl speaks softly, questioning her companion.}

Sasami:  It was nice for you to walk with me to the grocery store, Nagi, but... I can do it
	myself.  Why'd you want to come?

{Without missing a step, the huntress answers.}

Nagi:  I wanted to see what you do outside of this house.  It becomes rather mundane here.

{Sasami blushes and grins wryly.}

Sasami:  I guess you could put it that way...  Though going out and getting into arguments with
	people isn't really a good way to find somthing to do...

{The woman at her side shakes her head while they continue to the door.  The young princess
sighs.}

Sasami:  Too bad they were out of the holiday candies...  They would be nice...

{Nagi seems to grin slightly but force it aside quickly while Sasami opens the door, revealing
the darkened house.  Casually, she steps inside, but then the teenager stops suddenly, feeling a
familiar chill climb her spine.  In the darkness, she can start to see vague figures lined in a
path before her.  Fear fills her when the lights shine on above her and startle the girl at the
sight before her.}

Group:  Merry Christmas!!

{Before her stand two ranks of familiar faces, smiling at her and cheering.  Blinking her crimson
eyes, she takes note of the faces around her:  Washu, Nobuyuki, Kiyone, Takeshi, Pii, Nerti, and
even the two cabbits Ryo-Ohki and Ken-Ohki mewing from atop Washu's shoulders.  These people are
festively dressed, just like the home around them.  All around the house, red and green streamers
cross the struts of the Masaki house.  Wrapped in various places are holly garland with shining,
ruby berries.  Behind them all, a tree stands, fully decorated for the occasion, a Savior's
birth.}

{Sasami's eyes brighten as she slowly steps forward, a smile appearing on her lips when Kiyone
approaches her with a great smile of her own.}

Kiyone:  Merry Christmas, Sasami.

Sasami:  You guys did all this?  So, Nagi...!

Kiyone:  Yes, to keep you busy.

{While Kiyone and the others stay with Sasami and bring her cheer, Nagi watches from a distance,
a joyful expression in her eyes.  Yosho stands at her side and comments with a grin.}

Yosho:  Most of the decorating and work was yours, Nagi.  Why don't you join them?

Nagi:  No, Sensei.  This is her time to be young.  More importantly, it is their time.

{He nods while Washu motions to the television in the den.}

Washu:  Alright, people!  Without further ado, we have Sasami's most important present, brought
	to you by the collective bandwidth of the Pentinian SA.

{Pii narrows his eyes at her and comments.}

Pii:  Hijacked the signal?

Washu:  They aren't using it right now anyway.

{Kiyone and Nerti grin wryly when the genius adjusts the tuning on the screen before a clear
image appears of Tenchi and Ryoko on Jurai.  Sasami blinks as she sees them smile and speak to
her in real time.}

Tenchi:  Hey, Sasami, everyone.  It's great to see all of you there.

Ryoko:  We're calling home to let you know we made it to Jurai alright, and to drop some holiday
	wishes for you guys.

Tenchi:  Especially you, Sasami.

{She blinks at this when the monitor's view rotates to show another woman with them, a somber and
quietly happy gaze for the young princess.  There stands the woman of regal tresses, Ayeka Jurai
smiling gently back at her younger sister from on Jurai.  Sasami takes a slow, amazed breath.}

Ayeka:  Hello, Sasami.  Merry Christmas.

End Scene 13

End Act 4

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