Pegasus: Wings of the Heavens and Horse of the Earth *thoughts* [Signs] ^emphasis^ SHOUTS Chinese Morning in the Misaki house hold. "Leave Lord Tenchi alone!" yelled Ayeka as she pulled on Tenchi's left arm. "No Tenchi's mine," responded Ryoko. She started pulling on Tenchi's right arm. "Hey Tenchi can I get that sample now?" asked Washu. Ayeka and Ryoko let go of Tenchi to go after Washu. Tenchi used this brief respite to sneak out of the house and out to his friend. said Tenchi as he sat down on the roots in the middle of the lake with a sigh. responded the spaceship turned tree. Tenchi's thoughts were pulled back over the last thirteen months. The fights had kept going on and on. One morning Tenchi had run out of the house to find some peace and quiet. Arriving at the lake he had sat down on the roots of his grandfathers spacetree and started considering a new problem that had come up. He could feel a pressure inside that was building. Sometimes when he practiced alone he could feel some of that pressure spreading though his system making him stronger and faster. That was when the strangest thing happened, Funaho had started talking to him! The tree had explained that the pressure was his power trying to escape. After briefly using it to stop Kagato he had been so horrified at having killed someone that he had locked his own power away so it couldn't be used, until the incident with Dr. Clay. He had broken his own locks with the fear that the girls would be hurt if he couldn't stop the black hole. After that he had locked it away again, but not as tight and it was desperately trying to get out. Funaho had been lonely because there were no other trees that she could talk to and few people had the ability to talk to the spacetrees anymore. She had offered to be a friend and teacher. A tree in search of a friend and a young man who needed a friend he could talk to. They were soon friends and sharing details that they had hidden from other people. After a short time she made him an offer, she would teach Tenchi everything she knew if he would try hard to learn it. She had been around long enough to know the jurian martial arts, and as a first generation tree also had the power to summon the Wings of the Light Hawk. Tenchi asked Funaho, snapping back to the present. *** Tsunami watched the training session the same as she had almost all of the others. After Funaho had offered the tree realized that while she had the knowledge of how most of the Jurian martial art went she was missing some pieces, and her knowledge of the Light Hawk Wings began and ended with the ability to summon them to guard her ship form. So Funaho had called on the one being she could for help. *I have the rarest commodity involved in the chase for Tenchi's heart, patience. He feels cornered by the others, but I started out with an twelve year old's body and friendship. If he chooses to wait I have all the time I need.* The goddess of Jurai knew that the changes made in Tenchi by the energy of the Light Hawk Wings would make him near-immortal. He could be killed, if someone got that lucky, but otherwise would live forever, Tsunami had plenty of time. *** The next day. Tenchi sneaked out of the house and down to the lake. "Hello Tenchi, glad you could make it," said Tsunami from where she was sitting at the foot of the tree. "Uh hello Tsunami," said Tenchi a little nervously. replied Funaho. said Tsunami mischievously. "Uh what did you have in mind when you said graduation?" asked Tenchi. "I heard that you might want to get out on your own for a while. So I managed to get an apartment for you in Tokyo. It has two bedrooms and a bathroom. It also has a full kitchen so I don't think you need to worry about being crowded. It has been paid for and an account to hold you over until you can find a job to pay for food," said Tsunami with a smile. "Well I got you something too," piped up little Washu from the edge of the lake. "How did you know about this," demanded Tsunami. *If she tells the girls this could get ugly.* "Well I usually keep track of everything in the area, particularly Tenchi. Also, I've noticed that his power is growing and is now under better control. And the fact that he has started getting tutoring from me without school even being in session help me through also," replied a calm Washu then turning to Tenchi said. "I got you your very own ohki. The only problem is that I hadn't counted on you also getting a spacetree so now you have two ships." "Well lets link him to the ships before we get much further," said Tsunami. As the sapling and the egg were brought in close to Tenchi and as the links were forming he felt his power rush out into the tree and egg. They started fusing into one and their mentality merged! Suddenly the tree disappeared into the egg and the egg started to crack. Out popped a silver ohki, with a teal gem, in the shape of a leaf, in his forehead, which Tenchi caught. "WOW, what happened?" asked a confused Tenchi with the ohki in his hands. "It would seams that your power combined the ohki and tree into a single entity," commented Washu. "Well I think he's adorable and I'll name him Ten-ohki," said Tenchi. "Well then Happy graduation!" yelled the three beings present. Two days later as the end of the summer break neared Tenchi prepared to sneak out. He hadn't told his family that he was going to transfer to another school in Tokyo, because he intended to get away clean. The new school he was transferring to, Furinkan High, had a reputation for strange happenings, but Tenchi was sure that most of that had to be exaggeration. He had gotten Washu to take care of the transfer, and she would help him move everything to Tokyo with ease. The day before he had left he told his grandfather that he intended to move out and sent a letter to his father, but carefully left the girls in the dark. Except of course for Sasami, she made all his favorites the night before he left. *** Tendo dojo the day that Tenchi moved into his new apartment. "Well son its time for you to go back to school and this time you need to do better, how can you carry on the school if you can't graduate high school," Genma said to Ranma. "Hey I always get by," countered Ranma. "You have to do better or else." "Yes you must get a good education. The future of the Tendo Dojo depends on it," insisted Soun. *** "WHAT DO YOU MEAN TENCHI'S GONE!" yelled Ryoko as she grabbed Yosho by the collar. The girls except for Sasami and Washu had surrounded him as soon as he mentioned Tenchi wouldn't be down for breakfast since he wasn't here. "I mean he has left the house and will probably be gone for the whole school year," stated Yosho calmly as he deftly knocked Ryoko's hands lose. "What Ryoko is trying to ask you is where did he go," said Ayeka sweetly from off to the side. "Oh well in that case he has left to attend a school closer to Tokyo University." "Why did he leave us behind," wailed Mihoshi. "Well he probably didn't want to cause problems with the fact that there wasn't enough room for everyone." "Well then he should have just taken me," replied Ryoko promptly. "What do you mean you?" demanded the others. Yosho took the opportunity to escape to the table. After breakfast he decided to take a long meditation in the shrine. Sasami walked into Washu's lab under the stairs and brought a breakfast tray with her. "Little Washu were are you?" "Over here Sasami," called Washu from behind a large stack of boxes. "I take it the girls are just discovering that Tenchi is gone." "Yeah their kinda upset." "Well I just want you to know that I'm no longer in your way." "What do you mean?" "Tenchi is yours if you can catch him. I'm old enough to know that I'll meet someone again, but Tenchi is spoken for." *** First day of school at Furinkan high school. "Good morning class," called the Teacher. "Good morning," called back the class. "This morning I'm going to give a test that will tell how well you understand your math studies. There has been concern that student aren't getting a proper education. So lets get started. You should know that there will be problems that you are not supposed to know which means that no one will do perfectly." The students including the new young man all grumbled about taking a test the first day of school. Everyone handed the test in and the teacher graded two of them first thing, the new kid and Ranma. He had a feeling that Ranma would be behind and wanted to see how the new student was doing. Ranma did about what he expected, but after he graded the new guys test he had to do it again. Both times it had turned up one hundred percent, all that studying with Washu. As the class was leaving he called out "Ranma, Tenchi would you please stay a moment." "What cha need?" asked Ranma. "How did I do?" asked Tenchi. "Well, Ranma your going to have to find a tutor and given how you life usually goes I think you should look for someone that isn't connected to any of your fiancees. Tenchi, I don't know how you did it but you completely aced the test." "Well I was a little behind do to some problems at home at the end of last year so I got some tutoring. The person who helped me is something of a genius." "I should say so," commented the Teacher, who was boggled that this kid said he was behind three months ago and now would be hard pressed to slow down for a university level class. "Your new in town, right" "Yeah moved in just in time to start this year." "Ranma, this looks like just what you need. In fact, I'll make you a deal. If you study with Tenchi, with his permission of course, I'll give you all the slack I can because I've heard how hard it is to study at your house." "You mean all I have to do is study with this guy and you'll do all you can to help me pass?" asked Ranma. "Yes, but you actually have to work at it. You can work out payment with him," cautioned the Teacher. "Lets discuss it at lunch I'm late for my next class," said Tenchi to Ranma. "See ya then," he responded. *** Tenchi strolled out into the lunch yard with a feeling of accomplishment. *Man with the girls around I thought I'd fallen way behind but apparently those few months with the 'greatest number one genius scientist in the universe' paid off. I already know all of the stuff that the teachers outlined for the year.* The training had paid off too, because Funaho had showed him how to sharpen his memory and attention to detail. *Washu's machine opening up my memory helped a great deal. I can remember things now that I was sure I had forgotten, like times with my mother.* "Hey ya Tenchi," called Ranma as he walked over. "Hey Ranma. Do you really want to study with me or are you doing it because the Teacher thinks you should?" "Well, he is right I need to find a place to study that is away from the girls, so I don't have a problem if you don't." "No sure don't and I know what you mean about girls interfering with your studies. Lets meet after school so I can show you where I live." "I'll be here," promised Ranma as some girl with short hair and a mallet came running after him and smacked him into orbit with the mallet. "Sorry if that baka was bothering you, my names Akane," said the girl in a cheerful voice, obviously she had no problem with hitting Ranma. "He wasn't bothering me, actually he was making arraignments to get tutoring from me when you interrupted," commented Tenchi with a frown. "You really shouldn't attack someone without finding out whats going on first, its unladylike and rude." "ARE YOU CALLING ME A TOMBOY!" yelled Akane as she swung the super mallet at Tenchi. A single Light Hawk Wing flickered into existence to shatter the mallet and was gone again before anyone could notice it. "No I wasn't, but if you don't want to talk you could have just said so," commented Tenchi in an everyday voice as he walked back to class. The whole school yard including Akane and Nabiki were standing there with their mouths hanging open staring at the splintered mallet. This guy just stopped an Akane mallet strike with no visible effort and was acting like he was discussing the weather. *I have got to find out about this guy,* thought Nabiki. *I could sell that trick for a large fortune to Ranma in particular and everyone else in general.* *** Tenchi was standing in front of the school gate waiting for Ranma, who was late. "Sorry I'm late. I had a little problem with the showers in the gym," apologized a dripping Ranma as he ran up. *I'm not going to let this guy find out about my curse he'll be just like all the other guys. He'll forget I'm a guy and start trying to ask me out, or make up stories to tell the guys at school about our studying.* "No problem I've had clogged showers too. Shall we go?" "Lead on." On the way to Tenchi's apartment Tenchi asked about Akane and got the whole, violent story. Ranma asked whether it was true that Tenchi had stopped a mallet strike and asked how it was done. "Well it's something of a family secret," commented Tenchi as he unlocked the door. "Miya," came the call from inside the apartment as Ten-ohki realized that Tenchi was at the door. As soon as the door was opened the little cabbit jumped into Tenchi's hand and up on his head. "YEEOOW!" yelled Ranma as he jumped up and clung to the ceiling. "What's the matter? It's just Ten-ohki." "C-c-cat!" stammered Ranma. "No this is a cabbit. He's friendly." Ten-ohki dropped to Tenchi's hand. "A-are you sure?" "Yeah real sure." "Miya," called Ten-ohki. Ranma dropped off of the ceiling and stuck his hand out, tentatively, to Ten-ohki, who nuzzled it. "He really is friendly isn't he." "Yeah he is, but if he bothers you he can stay in the other room." "No no, I just thought that he was a cat, due to a training accident I have a small fear of cats. Uh a thought just accrued to me. The teacher mentioned payment and I've ^almost^ got enough money to qualify as broke." "Don't worry about it. You can show me around and keep me from putting my foot in my mouth." "Hehe, you'd probably want a refund after a day or so. Thats to much like charity. There has got to be something that I can do for you." "I heard you practiced martial arts and were pretty good." "Yeah I'm the best." "I was trained in a family style, but it relies mostly on the sword and I need to expand. So how about it, I tutor you and you tutor me in martial arts" "We have a deal." As they shook on it Ranma, who had been looking around the place, said "You know this is a pretty nice place you've got here." "Actually this apartment was provided by a friend of mine. All I have to provide is food and such." "Your kidding. A friend of your just gave you this apartment." "Yeah this friend thought that I needed to get out of the house and on my own for a while." "Your not the only one," whispered Ranma. "Huh." "Nothing, when did you what to start?" "What are you doing this afternoon?" *** "Where have you been all day!" demanded Akane as Ranma walked in the door well after dark. "You had better not have been with Shampoo." "Ranma, how dare you cheat on your fiancee?" yelled Soun. "For your information I've been talking to a tutor since you guys want me to do better in school. He was willing to ^give^ me the lessons rather than charge for it. At least he was, once he finds out that I live with the uncute tomboy that tried to hit him with a mallet when he tried to set up a meeting, I'll probably never find anyone to help me." yelled Ranma. As soon as he was done he stormed up to his and even skipped supper. Akane was to stunned to mallet him and the other could only stare after him. *** Over the next two days the two teenagers settled in to a schedule and got to know each other. Tenchi learned of the mess of fiancées and rivals but not about the weirder stuff like Chinese curses. Ranma learned about the six girls that were after Tenchi, though Ranma thought they were human. The teachers, who were overjoyed, started moving Tenchi to sit beside Ranma in class, because Ranma actually started paying attention when Tenchi was around. After school they would go to Tenchi's place and would both outline the days study plan. Then Tenchi would practice the Anything Goes School and Ranma would practice school work. In a few short days they were friends. Ranma taught unarmed combat and learned Math, English, history, and science. Tenchi taught Math, English, history, and science and learned unarmed combat. Every once in a while Tenchi would take pity on Ranma and show him some sword techniques instead. Ranma didn't realize at first that he had finally found a friend that would listen to him and that he could listen too without worrying about his family or fiancees. Tenchi found that he enjoyed spending time with Ranma and that for the first time since he had met the girls that he could spend time with a friend without worrying about the galaxy coming apart. One day after school, about a week later as Ranma was starting to unpack his books Tenchi said "Hey how about we take the day off and go do something fun?" "Now that sound like and idea. Where did you have in mind?" "I da know. Lets go get some ice cream and decide after that." "OK!" The two headed out for ice cream and made it without encountering anyone they knew. After that they decided to go and see a movie since this would be the only way they could watch it in peace. "Wow I had fun tonight," said Tenchi as they left the theater they had taken turns commenting about the parts of the movie. Tenchi complaining about the lack of realism in the sword fight scenes and Ranma criticizing the hand-to-hand scenes. "Yeah we're going to have to do this again sometime," responded Ranma who had enjoyed going out for the first time in a long time. He didn't have to hide from his mother and no one had a good reason to ambush him tonight. "See ya tomorrow." "Later." Ranma felt stab of disappointment for some reason when Tenchi just walking away. Tenchi walked on home buoyed by good feelings. *Now if only Ranma had a twin sister just like him, I might, scratch that I would definitely, try and get a date.* Ranma was also in a very good mood as he walked home, but he kept trying to figure out the brief stab of disappointment. *There is something wrong here. WAIT I was disappointed because I wanted him to ^kiss^ me. What's wrong with me!* *But you just had the best time you've had in along time with him and they say 'best friend make best loves',* countered his own voice in the back of his mind. *But I'm a guy,* he complained. *Who spends half the time as a girl, a girl who just discovered that she knows a handsome young man who is funny, polite, and charming.* *AHHH!* He was so caught up in his internal argument with himself that he didn't realize he was home, or the time. "Where have you been?" demanded Nabiki as soon as he walked through the door. "You had better not been with Ukyo or Shampoo," threatened Akane. "Thats it you have cheated on your fiancee for the last time," yelled Soun and Genma. "Go and don't come back to this house until you are ready to accept your engagement," said Genma in a very serious tone of voice. *** Tenchi answered the door in a bathrobe with his hair still plastered down from the shower, "Ranma, is something wrong?" "Uh, what makes you think something is wrong?" responded Ranma. *Gee to bad it wasn't a towel. AHHH, what am I thinking I'm a guy!* "Ranma, Ranma." "Huh," asked a dumbfounded and blushing Ranma. As he realized that Tenchi had been talking to him, but Ranma had been staring. "Why don't you come in and I'll fix us some tea." "You can go ahead and finish your shower, I don't mind." "If your sure." At his nod Tenchi headed back to the bathroom. *Now what do I do,* thought Ranma as Tenchi walked back to the shower. *I came here because this is the only place I can go.* *Don't lie to yourself. You came here because Tenchi is here and he makes you feel safe and warm,* said that little voice from earlier. *No that can't be, I'm a guy. I just knew that he would help me because we're friends.* *Just how good of ^friends^ do you want to be with him?* "Is everything okay?" asked Tenchi from the door when he saw Ranma standing in the kitchen blushing. *He almost seamed to be arguing with himself.* "Well to tell you the truth I've been kicked out of the Tendo house." "Why would they do that?" "Well you see I haven't been coming home after school and tonight I was out late and Akane jumped to conclusions and said that I'd been cheating on her and our dads threw me out." "Well since its partially my fault you can stay here if you want. I can take the sleeping bag on the floor and you can have the bed tonight and then tomorrow we can clean out the other bedroom and you can use it." "It's not you fault, honest. Besides I can take the couch. Also I have to tell you that I haven't been entirely honest with you. I've hid some things from you for starters my fear of cats is a little more serious than I lead you to believe." Ranma explained the whole nekoken thing to Tenchi, then he explained some of his encounters with magic. "And thats not all. Have a seat." Ranma pushed Tenchi into a chair and grabbed a glass of cold water. "When I'm splashed with cold water I turn into a girl." With that he splashed himself in the face with the water, closing his eyes, and instantly felt the transformation. Then he peek out hoping that his friend would still be his friend after this. What he say was a combination of longing and want that was pushed aside, with extreme difficulty Ranma-chan noted with surge of happiness, to be replaced by concern for a friend. *Why am I happy that he seams to be just like the boys at school, except they wouldn't have bothered to hid the first reaction to seeing a dripping Ranma-chan with a wet shirt in their kitchen.* "Well if you get the kind of reactions that I think you do I see why you didn't want to share the room, but since you are the guest I'll take the couch and you can still have the bed. Ranma was floored by this offer. *He really is a friend that doesn't want more than friendship even though I turn into a girl sometime. Though his was defiantly interested.* They settled themselves in for the night, Ranma without even bothering to change back into a guy, and went to sleep. *** *What is that smell,* thought Ranma-chan as she drifted back up from the depths of sleep. After a look around. *Better yet where am I.* Then Ranma remembered the events of the last day. The fun she had had with Tenchi, her father not even listening to her side of the story when he had thrown her out, and finally talking with Tenchi. *Oh yeah I'm sleeping in the house of a cute boy that didn't try and take advantage of knowing about my girl side last night. WAITAMINUTE, DID I JUST SAY ^CUTE BOY^ AND I'M THINKING OF MYSELF AS SHE! AHHH!* "Oh your awake now would you like some breakfast?" asked Tenchi from the door way. "Uh what time is it? Do we have time before school?" *I hope I have time to pull myself together.* "Well actually it's about ten o'clock." "WHAT, we're like really late for school." *So much for time.* "Well I just called in today and let you dad take care of the school when they call you last known residence. You seamed pretty torn up about some things last night so I just let you sleep it off. Now back to breakfast." *Well I don't have any objections to taking a day off.* Ranma got up and took a nice ^hot^ shower and borrowed some of Tenchi's clothes. Then he headed into the kitchen for the promised breakfast. "This is good," said Ranma as he started in on the food. "Well I knew I was going to be on my own for a while so I had the local chef teach me some of the tricks of the trade. Since we're going to be living together and you told me your secrets last night it's my turn this morning. You see I'm not entirely human. It started in a cave ..." Tenchi told his whole story this time including the girl's origins, the adventures, and his own powers. They spent the rest of the morning moving the extra stuff out of the spare bedroom. As they worked Ranma kept thinking back to what he had been thinking when he woke up. Tenchi was thinking that he really liked Ranma as a friend and he would like Ranma-chan to possibly be more than a friend but that wouldn't be possible. *Ranma obviously still thinks of himself as a he even in his other form,* thought Tenchi with a sigh. *** "Akane," called the teacher. "Yes?" responded Akane. "Where is Ranma this morning?" "I really don't know where he is. I haven't seen him all morning." *I don't know because a yelled at him and our fathers kicked him out of the house.* "Hmm, well I'll allow him the benefit of the doubt because he has been working hard with his tutor." "You mean he really has been seeing a tutor!" exclaimed Akane as she suddenly realized Ranma really had been trying to better himself and she had gotten him thrown out. "Of course, he started the first day of school." *** "I'll get it," called Ranma as the door bell rang again. "Hello can I help you ladies?" There was a young woman, about eighteen with blue hair, and a young girl, about twelve with pinkish red hair. "Sorry we were looking for Tenchi Misaki's apartment." "Well you've found it. Tenchi, you've got company," said Ranma raising his voice slightly. "Hello," said Tenchi walking into the room. "Ranma this is Tsunami and little Washu, remember ^little^ Washu or she'll turn you into something that gets squashed. Girls this is Ranma Saotome, my roommate and teacher." "Hello." "Hello." "Hello." "Girls make yourselves at home. How are the others taking my disappearance?" "Well the house didn't have to much structural damage to it and most of Yosho's injures were minor," said Washu. "Injures?" "Yes the girls were very upset that he knew you were leaving and didn't tell anyone," elaborated Tsunami. They started talking and everyone was getting aquatinted. Tutoring was covered as was getting the boot. When Tsunami suddenly asked if she could talk to Ranma in the other room. "What did you want to talk about?" asked Ranma. "Uh well. How much has Tenchi told you about us?" "Everything up to and including your older sister and the Jurian Empire." "Well in that case you know who I am. Well I can see things that are out of the ordinary. So with that in mind is there anything you would like to talk about. I give you my word that I can keep a secret." "Well I have a curse that changes me into a girl when splashed with cold water. Also recently I've started having feelings for Tenchi. It started out being a friend but sometime, particularly when I'm in girl form I start thinking that he's pretty cute. How can this be I'm supposed to be a 'man among men' and now I'm starting to think that another guy is ^cute^?!" "Well I didn't expect the curse part but the rest is pretty much what I thought. Would you like some advice." "Yes if you have any to offer." "The best I can do is tell you to follow your heart. Don't worry about what others think. They don't have to live with your choices. Even the others that you might be rejecting don't have to live with it they can get over it and find someone else." "Do you really think so," Ranma asked hopefully. "Talk to Tenchi, if it makes the two of you happy the rest of the Universe can like it or not. It's none of their business. On the other hand there are at least five other girls that are after Tenchi's heart and I'm one of them." "Umm then why are you helping me?" "The same energy that Tenchi uses to power his Wings will keep him going for a long time to come. Humans only live so long, I can afford to be patient." "Thank you for your help then. Now I know how Akane feels when she knows she can go to her older sister." "Well if you choose to do something about this remember that any friend of Tenchi's is a friend of mine and I have no problem being a big sister for once. Also remember I'm willing to do a lot for Tenchi and I don't want to see him hurt." Later after the two girls had left Ranma and Tenchi were sitting in the living room and just idly talking before getting ready for bed. "Tenchi I was talking some of my problems over with Tsunami and she proposed and elegant solution to one of my most agonizing problems." Ranma got up and went into the kitchen. "Really that must be your curse, right. What did she have to say?" "Actually it wasn't my curse. It was another problem that she suggested that I talk it out with the person that is causing it," said Ranma in a slightly higher voice. The reason became obvious as Ranma-chan walked out of the kitchen. "And that cause is you." "Y-you don't have to worry about me. You can trust me honest! I won't try anything." "That's not what I meant. The problem is that I have been having feelings that I have never had for another guy. I-I think I love you." "Huh." Tenchi just sat there staring, stunned. "If it really bothers you that much I'll just leave." Ranma-chan turned to walk out the door with tears in her eyes and got it open only to have Tenchi materialize on the other side. "Don't leave! I was stunned. I had thought that I would never have a chance with you. If your willing to give it a try then I'll gladly go along." "You mean it, you don't think I'm weird or nothin?" Tenchi leaned over and kissed her on the lips, just once. "Lets go back in side before people start lining up to watch," suggested Tenchi. They went back inside and locked the door. Tenchi sat on one end of the couch and Ranma-chan snuggled up against him as he put an arm around her. "The reply that I was trying to think of when you so rudely walked out on me was I think I love you too," said Tenchi, starting out in a teasing voice and ending with deep feeling. "Do you really believe that this can work?" asked Ranma-chan. "Well I tend to be something of a coward, I couldn't make a difficult choice if my life depended on it, and my life comes with a lot of problems attached. So if you can over look my faults then we can make it work." "Well I tend to be arrogant, insensitive, and have just as many problems as you do. Still want to give it a try?" "Your worth it," Tenchi said simply. "Now we have to solve something. Are you a gay guy, a straight girl, or neither?" "What does neither mean?" "You could just be you." "I still don't understand the choices." "Well one you could try and stay a guy all of the time. Two you could try and stay a girl. Or three you could decide as you go, sometimes a guy sometimes a girl, but this needs to be your choice. If you decide to be a guy you'll have to give me a little time to get used to it, but don't rush and don't make your decision based on me. This is your life only you can decide how to live it!" "Thank you for understanding and for now I'll decide as I go, but I'll think about it some. You don't think I'm weird for not being able to decide what gender I am?" "I have a pet that doesn't know whether it's a cat, rabbit, tree, or battleship, you ain't that weird." "Speaking of which where is Ten-ohki, I haven't seen him since the first day." "Well he decided that he bothered you so he wouldn't be around you." "Well get him out here I wanna say hi." "Ten-ohki come here please." Ten-ohki bounded out of Tenchi's bedroom and jumped up on the two on the couch. The three of them sat and talked until very late. They finally split up for bed, deciding that this relationship was to new to jeopardize. Ranma and Ten-ohki in one room and Tenchi in the room without a bed. *** The next morning at school. "Ah Ranma back with us I see," said the teacher. "Yes, well I had a family problem I had to deal with, but it's solved now," responded Ranma cheerfully. "Okay like I told the rest of these people yesterday the only time when I have a problem with emergencies that require absences is when it's the same people who don't work. Your making exceptional progress so I'll cut you some slack, but don't get carried away," he explained. "We're going to work on a group project today. So everyone get into groups of four. Tenchi and Ranma stayed together to be joined by Akane and Ukyo with a suddenness that almost made Tenchi suspect teleportation. "Where were you yesterday?" asked Ukyo in an urgent whisper. "Well since I got kicked out late at night without even my camping gear I had to find a place to live," responded Ranma, who was more interested in the conversation last night than the day itself. He explained what had happened and was surprised that Akane didn't yell at him for claiming she overreacted. He also just mentioned that he had been with his tutor not where. "You could have stayed at my place Ranchan," whispered Ukyo, at which Akane scowled. "Oh also before we get started let me say that some of your need to put some more work into your work. I have made up some progress reports that already show a trend," said the Teacher, snapping them back to school. The teacher passed out the cards to the students and suggested that they look at them and take them to heart. The gang looked at each other and finally Tenchi decided to go first. He got a perfect score. Ukyo was holding a high C and Akane was doing the same. Then Ranma handed his to Tenchi to open. "Ranma you've got the second highest grade in the class," said Tenchi. "Are you serious?" demanded Ranma. "See for yourself." "All right!" "Uh would you two mind two more study partners?" asked Akane and Ukyo. "Well if were going to add two more we're going to need more room than what we've got now," commented Tenchi. "We can use the Dojo," spoke up Akane. "Will I be welcome there?" asked Ranma. "Of course, I'm going to clear that misunderstanding up just as soon as I get home." *** At lunch Ranma and Tenchi were sitting on top of the school plotting. "Last night we worked out a tentative plan, but I think I just figured out how to get rid of Kuno very easily," said Tenchi. "Really tell me more," demanded Ranma. "What if I challenged him?" "Won't work he'll just claim you used sorcery." "What if I challenged him officially with the pig-tailed goddess as witness that I didn't use sorcery. Then when I win he'll have to give up all claim on you and if he still claims sorcery then announce that you could never love a man that openly questions your word of honor." "That just might work, but where will you get a sword?" "Well I could use the Light Hawk Sword, it produces a solid sword, or I can barrow one. On second thought Funaho was telling me to try out my power, let me try something." Tenchi concentrates and draws on his power to create a katana made of steel giving the image as much detail as he could. Ranma stared as a bar of light formed in Tenchi's hand and when the light died Tenchi was holding a beautifully crafted katana with a strange species of hawks worked into the blade and guard in silver and gold inlay, but appeared to have been part of the original blade. "Neat, now what are you going to do with it?" "Well I just put it away," said Tenchi as he used his power to open a hole to subspace and placed the sword in it. "Just like the hidden weapons technique." "The what?" Ranma explained as they went looking for Kuno to deliver their challenge. After doing so, they sat down as Ranma explained Kuno's usual tactics and techniques. *** "What are you in such a good mood for?" asked Akane as she caught up with Ranma-chan, who was on her way to the soccer field after school. "I've finally found a way to get Kuno off of my back, possibly permanently. Is that good enough?" responded Ranma-chan. "How?" demanded Akane. "And how do I make it work for me?" "Well first you need to find a guy that can use a sword good enough to defeat Kuno and then you need some acting skills." "Where did you find a guy that can beat Kuno with a sword. I don't know for sure that I can and he won't except you." "Well I said a guy, because someone just challenged Kuno for my hand." *And all other parts of me, I hope.* They had made it out to the field only to find everyone waiting, including the teachers. "Well since your here we can get this show on the road," said Tenchi from where he was leaning up against on of the goal posts with his sword laying on his backpack beside him." "Okay the rules are simple. No killing, no maiming, no unarmed strikes, single combat only, other than that anything goes. I'll be the judge and I'll be very upset if one of you questions my word of honor concerning this fight!" announced Ranma-chan. "I'll soon free you my love," called Kuno. "Prepare. Begin," called Ranma-chan after both sides had retrieved real steel katanas. *Be careful my love.* The two combatants closed in on each other. Kuno using a very formal, almost a ritual, motion and Tenchi used one of the looser stances that Funaho had taught him. They came together with a shriek of steel on steel the blades moving in to close and to fast for most people to fallow them. When they broke away Kuno was bleeding slightly on one arm. Kuno charged again only to have Tenchi to spin on one foot slightly out of the way and smacking Kuno's blade away before deftly slicing Kuno's belt. Kuno stumbled away from the attack trying to hold his pants up with one hand. "How dare you?" demanded Kuno in a loud voice. "Well the judge didn't say we couldn't humiliate our opponent before we were done," countered Tenchi to the vast amusement of the student body. Kuno lost his temper and started building up for his multi-strike. The air pressure was starting to push at Tenchi. "Strike, strike, strike," called Kuno as he unleashed a dozen blow at high speed, each one pushing the air in a way that could cut rocks. Tenchi almost lazily flicked his sword out some how causing each of the pressure strikes to collapse with sharp cracks. "Good night," said Tenchi as he pushed his energy into speed and closed the gape and smashed his sword, flat first, into the side of Kuno's head at a speed that even Ranma found hard to fallow. "And the winner by knock out is Tenchi Misaki," announced Ranma-chan, only a little stunned at the display. After someone woke Kuno up he started to protest that it couldn't have been a fair fight, before Ranma-chan denounced him as a man that couldn't admit that he was beaten fairly even though the woman that he claimed to love had sworn on her honor that the duel was fair. Oh the shame. Kuno left the field, after renouncing all claim on the pig-tailed goddess now and forever on his honor, with everyone laughing at him. Ranma enjoyed it immensely. As the four walked home Akane was planing how to talk the two fathers into letting Ranma back in without admitting she had made a very big mistake. Ukyo was plotting to get Ranma to move in with her while he was thrown out. Tenchi was planning a little trip for himself and Ranma, and Ranma was thinking about how much his life had changed for the better since Tenchi. So no one noticed anything was wrong until the wall next to Ranma blew apart and slammed him into the opposite building. Tenchi looked at the wall and noted the guy in the bandanna that Ranma had told him about with one finger pointed at where the wall used to be and summoned his power at near human fatal levels and lowered it just a little, then threw it Ryoko style. The bolt lifted Ryoga off his feet and smashed him through the wall behind him. "You two see to Ranma," ordered Tenchi. *I know he'll be fine I can feel his life energy strong within him, but he must have had no defenses up to get knocked out like that.* "Who are you?" demanded Ryoga as he pulled himself out of the wall, a Ryoga who was hefting his umbrella. "Tenchi Misaki, any fight you have with Ranma you can take up with me now." Tenchi remembered what Ranma had said about that umbrella discarded his sword and pack, while summoning the Tenchi-ken from subspace, off but ready. "Well then DIE!" shouted Ryoga as he hurled the umbrella at Tenchi. Tenchi ignited the blade and with a combination of his own speed and the chestnut fist sliced and diced the umbrella into extra heavy toothpicks. "Well that was fun," commented Tenchi. He gathered another burst but more powerful. Just before he launched it he twisted it in a way he wasn't quite sure why. When it hit it went bang just like it was supposed to, but instead of exploding it imploded. Expanding its full force in a space the size of a large barrel, it reduced Ryoga to unconsciousness without reducing the wall count any more. Tenchi dropped the Tenchi-ken back into subspace as he walked over to Ranma and the girls. "He'll be okay." Tenchi expended a little energy to wake Ranma back up. "It's time to study," Tenchi said with a grin as Ranma woke up. Ten minutes later they were standing in the Tendo Dojo with Tenchi meeting people and Ranma greeting his mom. "Hello Ms. Saotome," greeted Tenchi politely. "Hey mom. This is Tenchi Misaki, my tutor," added Ranma. "Hello young man, I see you carry a sword do you study it." "Actually I have been training in my family style for quite some time now." "Ha, a weapon just limits you attacks," scoffed Genma. "You wouldn't say that if you had seen what happened to Ryoga," commented Ukyo. "What did happen to Ryoga?" asked Ranma. "Your friend here tossed his sword and pack to the ground and used some kinda glowing thingy to slice Ryoga's umbrella into toothpicks." "The Tenchi-ken?" asked Ranma. "Yeah it was probably overboard but I remembered what you said about his umbrella so I went ahead and used it." "Rats my first chance to see the Tenchi-ken in battle and I didn't see it because I had my face in the wall." "May I see your sword young man?" asked Nodoka. "Of course," responded Tenchi as he pulled the sword loose and handed it over. "This is magnificent work. Where did you get it?" "Well actually I made it this afterno-," Tenchi closed his mouth with a snap as he realized he had said too much. "You made this sword?" asked Nodoka incredulously. "Yeah, I did." "In a single afternoon?" "Well, yes." "Do you have any idea how much a sword like this is worth?" "Not really. I just needed a sword so I made one." "This sword would easily be worth several thousand dollars." "Well I want to hear about this Tenchi-ken," said Akane. "The Tenchi-ken is a family heirloom passed down to me, by focusing my energy into the hilt it produces a blade made of pure energy that will cut through about anything. I can't say more," explained Tenchi. "But-," started Akane. "You shouldn't press questions that a fellow practitioner of the martial arts doesn't want to answer about his school's secrets unless your prepared to face those secrets in battle," cautioned Nodoka. "Yes, aunt Nodoka. I'm sorry Tenchi." "No problem. Now I believe we have some studying to do." With a resounding explosion the side wall blew in leaving Shampoo, Cologne, and Moose standing in the hole. "Shampoo come to see husband," announced Shampoo cheerfully. "Son-in-law we have come to talk. Shampoo says that you have been teaching this outsider the chestnut fist. Is that true?" asked Cologne in a level tone. Turning to Tenchi. Ranma asks "Did I show you the chestnut fist?" "Well no not exactly," returned Tenchi. "What do you mean not exactly?" demanded Cologne. "Shampoo said that she saw you use the chestnut fist and she knows it well enough to know it when she sees it." "It wasn't the chestnut fist." Looking at Ranma, Tenchi said "Remember a couple of days ago you decided to beat the hell out of my punching bag instead of finishing your math. You slipped into what I'm assuming to be the lowest levels of the chestnut fist. So when I needed speed against Ryoga I copied what you did. It's not as refined as the chestnut fist but it works for me." "You saw Ranma using the barest part of the chestnut fist and managed to duplicate it?" asked Cologne with apparent skepticism. "Not really. I have a pale imitation at best, besides I already had something similar anyway." called Tsunami. "Well I would like to see some of these techniques, if you don't mind," said Cologne in a voice that suggested that they didn't exist. asked Tenchi. "Normally I would love to but I seam to have a prior arrangement." replied Tsunami in a serious tone. "Hah, like what?" scoffed Cologne. "Well I promised that I would join their study group," said Tenchi pointing at Akane and Ukyo. Someone knocked on the door and Kasumi got up and answered it. "Tenchi, there is someone here to see you," she called. "No one should know I'm here," muttered Tenchi as he pulled the Tenchi-ken to his hand. "Your highness," said a man dressed in a jurian guard uniform as he knelt to Tenchi on the living room floor. "Do I know you?" asked Tenchi. "No your highness, I have a message for you from her holiness Tsunami." "Really, what does she have to say?" "It is here in her message, your highness." The man handed a rolled scroll to Tenchi. "How is it that you have it?" "I was summoned to the tree garden and it was laying there addressed to you." "Well take a few days off before you head back to Jurai. I'll mention it when I get there." "Thank you your highness," said the man as he turned and left. "What was that all about?" Ranma asked Tenchi. "Our blue haired friend wants me to run to Jurai and take care of a few things for her." "Do you have to go now?" asked Akane. "Well I probably should," answered Tenchi. "If you don't mind my asking why was that man calling you a prince?" asked Nabiki from off to the side. "Its another one of those secrets. Well I should be going." Tenchi stuck the Tenchi-ken in the waist band of his pants and gathered his books. "Well in that case I guess we're not going to study so I'll head home too," said Ranma as he gathered his books. "But son you ^are^ home," said Nodoka. "Oh they haven't gotten around to telling you yet." "Telling me what?" asked a confused Nodoka. "Have you decided to move out and live with one of the girls?" "Maybe you should asked dad and Mr. Tendo. They can probably explain it best." As everyone turned to look at the fathers Tenchi and Ranma snuck out the back door, up on the roof and home. "Well husband what does Ranma mean?" asked Nodoka. "Uh you see, well he was cheating on Akane sowethrewhimout," explained Genma in a rush. "What?" demanded Nodoka, Cologne, and Shampoo. "Husband can come live with Shampoo now," Shampoo said and then realized that Ranma was gone. "Actually the way I heard it was that Ranma was with his tutor after you two said he had to do better in school. Then when he got home Akane jumped to conclusions, does that really startle anyone, and without giving Ranchan a chance to defend himself threw him out without even his camping gear," Ukyo said to the two fathers. "Let me get this straight, the two of you took Akane's word about something that she couldn't have possibly known, and without listening to the person involved, kicked my son out on the street." Without waiting for a reply she asked "Does anyone actually know where Ranma is living now?" Nodoka looked around, but even Nabiki came up without an answer. "I'll try and find out for you," promised Nabiki. *** "Home sweet home," said Ranma as he walked in the door to his and Tenchi's apartment. "Are you going to move back in with the Tendos?" asked Tenchi. "Are you crazy, I didn't get any peace when I was there last time, besides unless your moving in with them I'm not going anywhere." Ranma was in the kitchen and with a splash of water Ranma-chan came out to sit with Tenchi. "Did you have any plans for the rest of the night?" "No but we can probably be expecting at least Tsunami to show up. What do you suppose the others are going to when they realize that you have no intention of moving back in?" "Probably have Nabiki try and find out where I'm living or failing that they will try and find out where you're living to talk to me during my tutor session." "Well maybe we should do something about that." With that Tenchi picked up the phone and called the number that Washu had given him in case of emergencies. "Hello Tenchi, what's wrong?" asked Washu. "Did the girls find you already?" "No nothing like that. It seams that there is a complication with Ranma's family." "Oh you boy-girlfriend is getting you both into trouble. Do you need a doctor for the delivery?" "What delivery?" "The baby of course." "Huh?" "Never mind," said an exasperated Washu. "What's the trouble?" "Well they just invited him back home and he wants to stay with me so we need a way to keep them from finding us. Apparently Nabiki, Akane's older sister, has a habit of getting into the school computers and getting information. My address is listed in there and we were wondering if you could keep her from getting into it?" "Oh a hacker huh. Well I'll fix her hard drive, just leave everything to me. And I'm going to bring you some presents." "Presents?" "Lets just say that I have it from a reliable source that your going to be in the line of session for the throne if Tsunami has to clear the rest of the line out herself and having the Emperor of Jurai as a friend never hurt anyone. I'll be over tomorrow to install them, or maybe you should move out into a real house that you can raise a family in since your getting pretty serious with Ranma." "Tsunami wants me to take care of something on Jurai for her so I might not be here tomorrow." "No problem I'll just talk to Ranma. Bye." "Well how did it go?" asked Ranma as Tenchi hung up the phone. "It seams that Tsunami is getting insistent that I'm in line for the throne. We're going to have to talk about that and Washu will take care of Nabiki. Also you mentioned that you would move back into the Tendo's if I was. Does that mean that you defiantly want to stay with me?" "I-I think that I finally have to admit that what I feel really is l-love you and I want to stay with you forever, no matter who or what gets in the way." *** Nabiki turned on her computer and decided that the first place to check for an address for Ranma would be the school computer system. *Lets see here. That ought to do it.* As she slipped into the school computer system. She quickly found that Ranma had no listed address on his records other than the Tendos. So for the next best thing she decided to find Tenchi's address and talk there or follow him home. When she brought up the entry for Tenchi Misaki the screen flashed 'You do not have access to this file Nabiki Tendo.' *What is going on the computer shouldn't know who I am.* Her next surprise was when the school computer downloaded something into her computer. The next message on the screen was 'Stay away from Tenchi Misaki, signed CutieCrab.' Then another program started running on her computer, a virus. It quickly and efficiently erased all of her blackmail records and book keeping programs. Then formatted the hard drive, leaving a little happy red crab dancing around the screen, somehow running without an operating system. *Who is this CutieCrab, who ever he or she is is going to pay, and where can I get the same computer lessons?* *** "Am I interrupting?" asked Tsunami with just a hint of jealousy as she arrived in Tenchi's apartment to find Ranma laying on top of Tenchi, on the couch kissing. "Ahh! Don't do that," yelled Ranma-chan as she leapt up off of Tenchi. Tenchi just grabbed her arm and guided her back down onto his lap as he sat up. "Hello Tsunami," said Tenchi. "What exactly do you want me to do on Jurai?" "Well I want you to go and either kill or imprison the members of my church who are trying to upstart the Emperor. I have no intention of letting his line be removed from the throne. Now personally I don't like some of his decisions but he is my father, sort of," responded Tsunami. "Why is it so important for the Misaki family to stay on the throne? Besides I thought that me and Grandpa were the only male heirs left." "You are, and the reason that it is so important to me that the Misaki line holds the thrown is because I want ^you^ on it. Oh and if you get the chance would you please tell Sasami's parents what happened with us." "Okay, but why?" "Can I interrupt here?" asked Ranma-chan. "Well I don't usually allow it but I might make an exception if you could do me just one little favor," replied Tsunami quickly. "What's the favor?" asked Ranma-chan in a casual tone. "Please get off of Tenchi's lap!" promptly answered Tsunami. "Oh sorry," blushed Ranma-chan as she moved over to the seat next to Tenchi. "Is this better." "Much, what did you want to know?" "What did happen between you and Sasami?" "Well you see some time ago Princess Sasami, fell and would have died except that I interfered and merged with Sasami. Which means that I gained a physical body and Sasami will combine mentally with me after a certain age." "Thanks for clearing that up, I think." "Tenchi, one other thing you should know is that my people on Jurai are aware that I have acquired a physical body but not how." Tsunami suddenly looked up at the ceiling and then shook her head. "Tenchi, the rebels are ready to make their move. You have to get to Jurai." "How can I do that? The fastest ship in the galaxy couldn't make it to Jurai in time." "I can move between Jurai trees because I'm part of the network that powers them. The Light Hawk Wings are the same power. You can move between trees at will." "That still doesn't help us. I don't have a tree here." "I can send you to my tree form on Jurai from here, but you have to teleport the rest of the way into the throne room yourself." Tenchi reached down inside to the little place in his core were the power of the Light Hawk Wings slept and with a flare of power he held the three wings in front of him. Two pulled back over him to form the Light Hawk Armor and the third faded away. "Okay I'm ready." With a flash of light Ranma-chan and Tsunami were standing alone in the living room. *** Several minutes ago in the Jurian throne room. "Emperor Azusa the delegation from the church is here," announced a guard at the door to the thrown room. "Very well send them in," ordered the Emperor. The delegation was made up of various members of the church hierarchy, including the head of the Church of Tsunami. "Your majesty we have come on an errand of faith. Tsunami has broken her silence for the first time in seven hundred years. It appears that she has taken a physical body and appointed a champion. An Avatar who wields the Wings of the Light Hawk and is marked by a symbol of three light hawk blades," announced the High Priest in a loud majestic voice. The court started to stir as they realized the implications. There was a new power center in the Empire the likes of which had never been imagined. The goddess that they preyed to could now walk among them and had a representative with unimagined power. The news media was immediately shouting questions at the church and royal family alike. "Do you have the identity of this avatar?" questioned the Emperor. "Yes, Tsunami has announced him to us and told us one other important detail." "What is that?" asked the General of Informaion, Empress Funaho. "That Tenchi Misaki is her avatar and will sit upon the thrown. DIE FALSE EMPEROR!" with that shout the High Priest as he pulled an energy weapon and fired a blast that would easily penetrate the force field protecting the royal family. People started running and screaming. "ENOUGH!" shouted Tenchi as he materialized in front of the throne with three Light Hawk Wings extended, which was more than enough to stop the blast. He was wearing his light hawk armor and the symbols glowed on his forehead. "Your majesty," proclaimed the church delegation as they knelt before Tenchi. "QUIET!" bellowed Tenchi. After quiet had been reestablished he said "I have an announcement to make on behalf of Tsunami. Would the media please come forward." After everyone had reshuffled he continued "It is true that Tsunami has put forth my name as future Emperor of Jurai, but that will be after the death or retirement of Emperor Azusa and possibly Prince Yosho. Until that time I will defend the rightful Emperor. Questions will be answered later. Thank you for your attention." The court, church and media were stunned. Those among the court with marriageable daughters immediately started making plans for a wedding, featuring their daughters and Tenchi. "May I please see the delegation from the church right here?" asked Tenchi pointing to the spot right in front of the thrown. "How may we help you Your highness?" asked the High Priest. "Tsunami is very upset with you just now. She gives you a chance to prepare for the future and you try and rebel against your emperor. After a little twisting of Tsunami's instructions on my part the choice remaining to you is very simple. I'll allow you to surrender to Emperor Azusa, while promising nothing I will ask that he be lenient for you thought you were moving to protect the Empire, or you can fight me." He didn't get any takers for a fight. The church delegation raised their hand in defeat as one. The court was stunned, again. Tsunami's champion smashed a rebellion and then offered them mercy and openly admitted to altering his instructions from Tsunami. More important to the media the royal family had yet to deny that this Tenchi Misaki had a place in the royal family. "Your majesties may I have a word with you in private?" asked Tenchi as the three light hawk wings faded away. "Of course we are always willing to listen to the advice of the church," announced Azusa. "We shall return at a later time to finish this audience." The four, with a large group of the royal guard, made their way to Azusa's office. "Hello Tenchi," said Funaho as she wrapped him in a hug. "Hello Grandmother," responded Tenchi as he hugged her back and released the light hawk armor. "Oh my nephew," cried Misaki as she started squeezing him. After a minute Funaho helped Tenchi pry her off. "Maybe I took off my armor to soon," commented Tenchi as he started remembering how to breath. "The main reason that I asked to speak with you in private was that I have a message for you from Tsunami. You have no doubt heard that she has a physical body, but probably not how." Tenchi explained the story that Tsunami had told him and the other at the hot springs. "So you see when Sasami turns eighteen at the latest her and Tsunami will be completely fused. Which is why I was sent. Tsunami doesn't want her parents disposed from the throne." "You know, you have grown a great deal since we last met," said Funaho. "Yes then I was a young man that had by some fluke managed to kill the most wanted criminal in the galaxy. Now I have learned to harness my power, so it is no longer a danger to those around me. Last time it was by accident and I had no idea what was happening. If that power is needed again I know that I at least have the power to kill Kagato and slice the Souja in half, this time from the outside. Without getting killed first." "I would like to know your intentions toward my throne," interrupted Azusa. "I don't have any," Tenchi responded bluntly. "I would just a soon stay on Earth. I've just met a nice uh, girl and was pulled away to come here." "This nice girl wouldn't happen to be my little Ayeka would it?" asked Misaki with wedding bells in her eyes. "Actually its not. Ayeka is a dear friend but for some reasons that I'd rather not go into at the moment is not the one I'm with." "WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU FOUND SOMEONE OTHER THAN MY LITTLE AYEKA?" shouted Misaki "Not to change the subject but you said at least enough power. Just how powerful are you?" said Funaho. Misaki was cut off and sat fuming in the corner. "Uh well I don't really know for sure you see I have never tested the limits of my power. Funaho said I should but after seeing what it did on the Souja and the black hole I have no real interest in trying it out in a populated area." "I don't recall ever telling you to try out your power," said a confused Funaho. "No, no, not you. Grandpa's spacetree." "The spacetrees actually talk to you?" asked Azusa. "Young man I may have misjudged you. At first I was sure you were after my throne by way of my daughters. Now I see that you really don't want the throne and you saved my daughters because you're their friend, not so they would owe you a favor. When we go back out I will announce you to the Empire as Tenchi Misaki, heir to the throne, because we both know that Yosho will never except it." "Speaking of spacetrees where did you park your ship?" asked Funaho. "I'll have it sent over to the royal hanger immediately." "I didn't bring a ship. The truth is that I was sitting in my living room when Tsunami came in and told me that the rebels were making their move, so I didn't even have time to pack." "Then how did you get here?" asked Azusa. "Apparently the fact that I can use the light hawk wings means I'm part of the spacetree network so I can move from one tree to another at will. So I moved from Tsunami's human form to her tree form, which is still in the garden. Incidentally there is a guard that managed to bring me a message and I told him to take a day or so off." "We really need to talk about privileges and responsibility," commented Azusa. "And my little girl," added Misaki in a dangerous voice. *** Ranma-chan and Tsunami were left sitting in the living room as Tenchi departed. "Is something wrong?" Tsunami asked Ranma-chan. "You said that you would be willing to be my big sister if I needed one?" "I sure did. Now why don't you tell me what's wrong." Tsunami started getting concerned. "Well you see I don't want Tenchi to get hurt and some of the people that my decision is going to hurt are pretty dangerous." "Is that all? Tenchi is in no danger from anyone one on this planet, except for you that is." "What do you mean me?" "You've already captured his heart and could probably finish you conquest at any time, or have you already?" "W-w-we haven't yet, because I haven't decided who I am yet," stammered Ranma-chan with a deep blush. "Well I'll just have to help you with that. Tomorrow we're going shopping. Now go and get some sleep." The next morning Ranma woke to the smell of breakfast. "Good morning Tsunami," called Ranma as he walked into the kitchen. "Good morning Ranma," said Tsunami as she placed breakfast on the table. "Are you ready for school?" "Not at all. I don't have Tenchi and most of the people that could complicate things will be at school. How do you suggest I deal with them?" "Well you could just ignore them or you could tell them everything. However I suspect that you wanted something a little more neutral." At his nod she continued "The obvious answer would be that you have gotten used to living elsewhere and are reluctant to go back, you could even give a reason if you like." "Thanks I'll try it." With that he headed off to school taking a round about rout that let him hide his starting point. "Good morning class," said the Teacher as he walked into the room. Ranma was rather quickly uninterested in class choosing instead to sit there staring at the board pretending to pay attention while he thought about Tenchi. It quickly turned into an argument against himself. *What am I going to do. I'm sure I love Tenchi, but what if I mess up his life as bad as mine has been.* *Maybe you should just ask him what he thinks,* that little voice countered. *And what about Tsunami, she loves him and would be able to give him a much safer life than I would.* *She agreed to step aside for you.* "Ranma!" the teacher had called Ranma several times already. "Huh, what was the question?" "I wanted to know if you were paying attention, but I don't think I have to ask anymore." "I have a lot on my mind just now." "Well pay attention anyway." *** "Well how was school?" asked Tsunami when Ranma walked into the apartment. She was dressed in a sun dress and looked like she had been waiting for him. "I got in trouble several times for not paying attention, everyone wants to know where I'm staying, and some girls wanted to know where Tenchi is and have an interest in becoming his girlfriend, other than that just peachy. How 'bout you?" responded Ranma in a dull voice. "Oh I had a fine day. You had better change before we go shopping." "Yeah sure." Ranma headed in to the kitchen and splashed himself with cold water. Then she went into her room and picked out a dress. Where are we going?" "Well the first stop is the local ice cream shop. Then I thought that since you don't have a lot of wardrobe in this form we might go over to the mall and look around a bit." She got up and grabbed Ranma-chan by the arm and hauled her out the door. Two large bowls of ice cream apiece later, Tsunami had acquired Sasami's love of ice cream, Tsunami and a much happier Ranma-chan were looking through several clothing stores when they all but ran over a lady coming out of the store. "Oh, excuse me," Tsunami said blushing as she helped the lady steady her large stack of packages. "No problem," responded the lady. "I'm Nodoka Saotome. How do you do?" "My name is Tsunami Jurai and this is -," began Tsunami. "Ranma?" Nodoka asked while getting a good look around her packages for the first time. "You two know each other?" asked Tsunami. "Yeah this is my mom," explained Ranma-chan. "Oh of course Saotome how silly of me. I hope we didn't interrupt your shopping," said Tsunami. "No not at all. If you don't mind my asking what is your relationship with my son?" "I've been playing older sister, since she doesn't have anyone else to take those problems that you don't want to discuss with your parents." "Of course, everyone needs someone to talk to that will listen," said Nodoka understandingly, she spent years living alone after Ranma and Genma left. "Though I would have thought that Kasumi would have been his first choice." By this time they had maneuvered over to a couple of benches. "Not really because if I talked to Kasumi in the Tendo house Nabiki would be selling the contents of whatever I said before I got done and if I tried to meet her somewhere else everyone would think it was a date and that would only cause her trouble. I don't want to do that," commented Ranma-chan. "If you don't mind my asking why are you here like that, you usually try to get out of that form just as fast as possible?" asked Nodoka. "Because I think I've fallen in love," was the quiet answer from a blushing Ranma-chan. "How marvelous. Who is the lucky girl? Is it this young lady?" asked an ecstatic Nodoka. "No not me," said Tsunami hurriedly. "I have just been helping Ranma along." "Uh, well, you see it kinda -," started Ranma but let it go. "Is something the matter?" asked a concerned Nodoka. "I think she's just concerned over your opinion of her choice," interrupted Tsunami. "Oh I see," said Nodoka as several pieces started falling into place. *He has a new friend that he spends all his time with now and this young lady keeps referring to him as a girl. While appropriate at the moment everyone that knows about him refers to him as a guy anyway. Also he's not objecting to being called a girl. So obviously he has chosen to be a girl and has found a young man to love and is worried that I won't consider that manly.* "My little girl has met a handsome young man and is worried about her mothers opinion. Is that it?" "H-how did you know that?" asked a startled Ranma-chan. "I didn't for sure until you admitted it but the facts were all there. You have a new guy friend, after being invited you don't come home, sneaking off with the guy and now your shopping in your girl form. That sounds like a good start to me. Does anyone else know?" "Who would I tell? Akane would mallet me ^and^ Tenchi, Nabiki would sell us out to everyone, Pop and Mr. Tendo would flip, Ukyo would try and kill Tenchi, and I don't even want to consider what Shampoo and Cologne would try." "Good point." "Ranma, you have to remember that Tenchi is more than capable of taking care of himself," interrupted Tsunami. "Really, how much training has he had?" asked Nodoka. "He has trained in the Jurian sword forms for years, but he has only been training his real abilities in the last year." "A ^year^ and you expect him to stand against some of the people that fight my so-daughter around here?" asked Nodoka incredulously. "Before he received the last year of training he used his power to collapse a black hole," Tsunami said calmly. "Where would he encounter a black hole?" asked Ranma. "He was trying to rescue a friend and her captor triggered his ship to implode. Thus creating a black hole. Tenchi used his power to collapse it in on itself, destroying it." "I'm sure I should have heard of this. Where did it happen?" asked Nodoka. "Somewhere around Jupiter I believe," commented Tsunami with a thoughtful look on her face. Nodoka fainted dead away only to be caught by Ranma-chan. "We had better take her home," said Tsunami. *** Nodoka woke up in a strange room with a young lady with blue hair sitting on a nearby chair. "Where am I?" Then memory crashed back into place. The conversation with Ranma. Talking about Tenchi, then Tsunami's calm statement about Jupiter. "Your at Tenchi's apartment," said Tsunami as she got up and walked over to the bed. "Do you remember?" "Yes you caught me by surprise with that statement about Jupiter. Is Ranma around?" Nodoka got up out of bed and started for the door. "Yes, she's out here. Ranma your mother's awake," Tsunami called. "Great she can taste this soup," called Ranma-chan from the kitchen. "Hey mom glad your feeling better. Would you try this soup? I promise it's better than Akane's last try." "This is excellent Ranma," Nodoka said as she sampled the soup. "Your cooking has always been very good, so I guess I was right." "Huh?" asked Ranma. "When I still thought that you were Ranko Tendo, I said that you would make a very good wife one day," said Nodoka. "You know I always missed Ranko. It was like she was my daughter filling in while you were away. Now I have both. I have my son back and my little girl is going to get married." "Ranma really isn't going to have to cook if she doesn't want to, you know," commented Tsunami from the sidelines. "Why ever not?" asked Nodoka. "It is a wife's duty to give her family a good meal." "Yes but the thing Ranma is over looking is that when she marries Tenchi she'll be the crown princess of the Jurian Empire. Future co-ruler of the known galaxy." "WHAT?" demanded Nodoka. "Sorry I forgot you didn't know yet. Let me explain." Tsunami told Nodoka the story of how Tenchi ended up on Earth, her bonding to Sasami, the wings, and the other girls. "So you see this is going to be a problem." "Yes I can imagine what this is going to be like when they announce this. Wait a minute you said that there were six girls after Tenchi, who is the sixth?" asked Nodoka "Well actually I am," commented Tsunami with a deep blush. "Then why did you help these two get together?" "Because I have all the time I need. I can be patient. Me and Tenchi will live a long time, even with ki maintaining her body Ranma will only live so long." *Besides, me and Ranma are close and getting closer to being sisters. Tenchi will be pushed to have a second wife and who better than his first wife's acting older sister.* "What do you mean Tenchi will be around a long time? He'll be relaying on the same ki techniques that Ranma will right?" "Nope, the light hawk wings will sustain Tenchi pretty much forever." They talked late into the night with Ranma gradually felling better about her and Tenchi now that her mother had given her approval. Eventually they started discussing wedding plans. *** "Now you can explain what you meant about my Ayeka not being the one you have chosen. You couldn't have chosen that pirate over my sweet little girl!" said Misaki, starting out normal but rising almost to a shout. "Now sister he didn't say that he won't marry Ayeka. He just said that he has found a nice girl thats all," said Funaho soothingly. The four royals were sitting in Azusa's sitting room after the chaos that had been their return to the thrown room. "Actually I have decided to marry Ranma if she'll have me," said Tenchi with a little glow at the mention of Ranma's name. "So?" asked the other three. "So I won't be able to marry Ayeka, even if I wanted to." "What do you mean 'even if you wanted to'?" demanded Misaki. "Are you saying that my daughter isn't good enough?" "No I'm just saying that I'm tired of being treated like a prize. The five older girls are always fighting, mostly over me. Thats why I moved out in the first place. Then I met Ranma and didn't care about going back. Now what did you mean by 'so'?" Tenchi asked Azusa. "What you don't seem to know is that as crown prince you can have several wives if you so choose," Azusa informed him. "Most people will keep pushing if you only have one, but once you have two pretty much everyone will go away. No one has had more than two in the last eight hundred years." "More than one wife," was the stunned comment from Tenchi. "Yes and everyone that was in court today with a marriageable daughter will be planning a wedding, with you as the groom," laughed Funaho. "Your going to get more offers to parties than you thought possible. Your the new crown prince and don't have any wives as yet, so your going to be surrounded by every girl that can claim being passing acquaintances with pretty and marriageable. Do you realize that the five older girls weren't the only ones after you?" "What do you mean?" asked a confused Tenchi. "Sasami has a rather obvious crush on you and from what I understand she has access to Tsunami's knowledge and will grow up to be quit a beauty. She may be more of a problem than the other girls, because you are supposed do what Tsunami tells you," teased Funaho. "Are you serious?" asked Tenchi who was rather nervous at the idea that Tsunami, who knew Ranma and where he lived, might have a problem with Ranma. Then his brain resumed normal function and he realized that Tsunami had helped bring them together, so she didn't have anything against Ranma. "Now about that full power test," said Azusa. *** The next several days passed Ranma by as he dutifully went to school, but then he would go out somewhere with his mother or Tsunami. On the weekend they would go out and go shopping, two young ladies and their mother. Nodoka had decided that Ranma having an older sister was a good idea and completed the adoption by acting as Tsunami's mother. Tsunami having never had a mother, other than what she remembered from Sasami, thoroughly enjoyed this. At night Tsunami and Ranma would sit and talk sometimes about little things like makeup, hair style, clothing, and sometimes about Tenchi. Ranma-chan quickly took advantage of the fact that Tsunami was her acting older sister and asked some questions that she still didn't feel she could ask her mother. *** Friday night Tsunami and Ranma-chan were sitting on the couch talking when Ranma-chan surprised Tsunami with a question. "Why did you give up on Tenchi and having time to spare isn't an excuse?" "Well you two have and obvious connection. I didn't want to try and make Tenchi choose between us, because I was sure I would lose." "It's too bad we can't both win. Your my big sister and have done a lot for me in the short time we've known each other. I don't want you to be unhappy." Ranma-chan sounded so sincere that Tsunami felt she just had to take her chances. "Ranma, we ^can^ both win." "What do you mean?" asked Ranma-chan with a sudden hope. "You see a prince can have as many wives as he chooses and it's unusual for an Emperor to have only one. The usual number is two. Which means that as long as you are his only one the other houses of Jurai will try to get him to marry into their houses, by taking one of their daughters as a second wife." "Well I guess all that leaves is who is first and will Tenchi agree to it," said Ranma-chan in a relieved voice.(A. Note: Relieved, she just discovered that she can have her man without hurting her 'sister', who had prior claim.) "Well thats already decided. See these two dots?" asked Tsunami pointing to the twin dots on her forehead. "Yeah." "These are the symbol for the second Empress of Juri. When you get married you'll have a single dot. Though whether it will show on your male form I don't know. As for Tenchi, we'll just have to make him understand." *** Tenchi was on his way back to Earth. He wasn't even close to alone this trip, Azusa had ordered a battle cruiser to take him back. *I still can't believe they gave us all this stuff,* thought Tenchi as he stood on the observation deck looking out at the stars. The three royals had insisted on giving Tenchi some 'essentials for surviving as a prince on a little backwater planet'. Traditional clothing for himself, Ranma, Ranma-chan, and Tsunami. Some technological advances that wouldn't be available on earth for a few centuries at least, some jewelry, information on etiquette and laws of the Jurian Empire, a meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan that had resulted in almost instant friendship and his private cell phone number, several other items, and almost a dozen engagement earrings. *Just in case indeed. Ranma is going to kill me. Especially after I tell Tsunami that I have feelings for her,* thought Tenchi as he stared at the rapidly approaching planet. *** Tsunami and Ranma-chan were equally startled when Tenchi materialized in the middle of the living room. *To busy plotting to realize the focus of those plots was arriving in the room,* thought Tsunami. Tenchi had arrived on one knee right in front of Ranma-chan. "Ranma Saotome would you marry me?" asked Tenchi with a tremble in his voice and an earring in his outstretched hand. "I-I-I-, of course I'll marry you," responded an at first hesitant Ranma-chan. She then took the earring and carefully put it in her right ear, signifying a first wife. *Those talks with Tsunami paid off. Now how do we get to having a second wife.* "I have been informed that it is customary for the prince and certainly the Emperor to have a second wife, but the final decision will have to be yours," said Tenchi as he pulled the box of earrings out of subspace and gave it to Ranma-chan, who could only stare at it. "I'm sorry if I have ever hurt you Tsunami. I do have feelings for you and if I hadn't met Ranma you would have been my first choice because you thought to be my friend first. I hope you still are." "How did you know of my feelings?" "Your mother, told me that Sasami had a crush on me. I didn't take much to realize that that might affect you and you did take the chance when I was wrapped up on your ship to kiss me." "Well this solves all of our problems, doesn't it," said a happy Ranma-chan as she opened the box and pulled out a second earring. She then handed it to Tenchi. "Huh?" "We were thinking that we would have to drug you or get you drunk so you would propose to Ranma let alone both of us!" said an ecstatic Tsunami. The earring was already snatched out of Tenchi's hand and in her left ear, second wife. "Well we have some decisions to make then," said Tenchi. "Your parents sent some thing back for us," Tenchi said to Tsunami. "They knew what was going to happen so they were prepared. Now we need to make plans." "And I have a question about these other earrings," said Ranma-chan with a sharp look. "How many?" asked Tsunami. "A dozen," responded Ranma-chan. "^Really^?" asked Tsunami with a matching look at Tenchi. "Just save one more and then you can burn the rest for all I care, I have all I need and more than I deserve right here!" "Why one more?" demanded Ranma-chan with a glow starting to surround her. "Sasami still needs one," said Tenchi simply. *** Back at the Misaki house everyone was a little startled when Sasami suddenly ran into Washu's lab. They were even more surprised when they couldn't open the door. "Washu, Washu," called Sasami as she raced through the lab. "Thats little Washu," corrected Washu in a teasing voice. "What the emergency?" "Tenchi just proposed to Ranma and then me, well sort of," exclaimed a delighted Sasami. "What do you mean sort of?" "Well he said he had feelings for us, but he had already given the box of earrings to Ranma, but her and Tsunami had been plotting so she gave one back to Tenchi and Tsunami didn't exactly wait for him to give it to her before she put it in. So I'm going to be Tenchi's second wife. Yippee." "Us?" "Well mother told him that I had a crush on him and he figured Tsunami out on his own, but since we're the same person we'll both be marrying him." Sasami was still acting like a kid on a sugar high. "I want to go to see him. Can you help me?" "Yeah, I'll help," responded Washu with a wicked grin as she and Sasami appeared in the middle of Tenchi's living room where Tenchi was completely trapped between Ranma-chan and Tsunami. They were taking turns kissing him thoroughly, until Washu coughed and Sasami jumped up in Tenchi's lap. "Hey what are you guys doing here?" asked Ranma-chan as she looked up. "I brought Tenchi's second wife over," said Washu with a perfectly straight face, for about ten seconds then she started laughing at the look on Ranma-chan's face. Then it hit. "Oh you must be Sasami," Ranma-chan said turning to the little girl. "Yep." "Wow just a few short weeks ago I was just about all alone, now I have a new fiancee, an older sister, a younger sister, my mom back, and a pink haired chaperone that looks to be about twelve," the last was added with just a hint of warily humor. "Very funny. Now what did you three plan to do now?" asked Washu. "Well Azusa sent enough money that we can get a house instead of the apartment. Thats going to be necessary if Sasami and or Tsunami choose to stay with us now," said Tenchi. "You mean it I can stay with you now?" asked and excited Sasami. "Well you were living with me before we were engaged so I don't think its going to be a problem. Although I don't know how this will work with you being so young." "Usually you just put off consummating the marriage for a time," commented Tsunami. "However you have to remember that at the moment you have three wives not just two." "Also we have to figure a way for Sasami to live with you without bringing the girls down on us," said Washu. "Maybe its time for someone to hint to the girls that I've chosen someone else," said Tenchi looking at Washu. "Not a chance, but I had better get Sasami back before anyone starts to worry." "Bye," called Sasami. "Bye, nice to meet you," seconded Ranma-chan. "See you later," said Tenchi. "Good bye and give me all the details," snickered Washu as she left causing all three to blush a deep red. "Gee I guess we don't have to worry about that second bed," commented Tsunami with a wicked grin. "Uh, well, I..." started a blushing Tenchi. "I think we had better take over don't you?" Ranma-chan asked Tsunami as she grabbed one arm. After Tsunami had taken his other arm they lead him in to the bedroom with the bed in it and found a way to help him over his shyness. (Sorry this is not a lemon.) *** "Hello is anyone home?" called Nodoka as she walked into the apartment. No one had used the door since the afternoon so no one thought to lock it. "Miya," called Ten-ohki as he bounded into the living room. "Well hello little one. Is anyone else home?" "Miya." Ten-ohki lead the way into the bedroom that was currently in use. "OH MY!" cried Nodoka as she saw the clothing scattered everywhere. On the bed were two girls one a red head and one with blue hair, one on each side, facing the young man in the middle. "Huh?" asked the three as they started waking up. "Ahhh! Mom," cried Ranma-chan as she glanced at the door and saw her mother. "Uh Ms. Saotome," managed Tenchi trying to sit up but was held down by a girl on either side. "Oh hi," said Tsunami happily as she rolled over to see Nodoka in the doorway. "What happened here?" demanded Nodoka. "Well last night Tenchi came home from his business trip and proposed so we decided to celebrate," commented Tsunami. "Come on Ranma we have to go make breakfast." Tsunami and Ranma-chan got up and grabbed two robes and headed out to the kitchen with Nodoka in tow. "So who did he propose to and I assume someone can explain why you were all three in bed!" said Nodoka. "Actually he proposed to both of us," idly commented Ranma-chan, the soul of calm. "WHAT?" "Oh, I guess your mother missed the part about the two wives," laughed Tsunami as she started one of Tenchi's favorite breakfasts. "Yes I must have missed... Two wives?" asked Nodoka as what Tsunami had said sunk in. "Yeah as the Crown Prince of Jurai Tenchi is entitled to more than one wife." "Oh is that it. How many did he plan on?" asked Nodoka, who was still in shock. "Well he had just planned on one, but we kinda changed his mind," said Ranma-chan. Then she told her mother the story from last night. "Why did you do that?" asked Nodoka. "You could have had him all to yourself?" "Because Tsunami had a prior claim and I just couldn't hurt my big sister. Besides there are other advantages," Ranma-chan said with a smirk. *** "Good morning Sasami. What were you and Washu up to last night?" asked Ayeka as she wandered into the kitchen the next morning. The girls were still upset because after two weeks nobody could find any trace of Tenchi anywhere. "Oh not much," said Sasami as she put breakfast on the table. Everyone came to the table for breakfast including Nobiuki who had dropped by. Washu nearly had a heart attack when she sat down. *We forgot to take the earring out last night! We're gonna die!* Washu started making little motions to indicate the earring when she thought no one would notice. Unfortunately fate was holding a full house against her two pair this morning. "Hey Sasami nice earring," commented Mihoshi. "What earring?" asked Ayeka looking up. She saw the engagement earring swinging in her little sister's ear. "WHAT?" "What's the matter princess, having a bad hair day? Not that that's unnatural," snipped Ryoko. "Unless I'm mistaken ^that's^ a Royal Jurian engagement earring," commented Kyone in a low voice. "WHAT?" yelled Ryoko as she jumped towards Sasami, only to be smacked down by Washu. "Think before you act," suggested Washu. "The earring is in the left ear, she will be the second wife. Do you think you think that Tenchi would choose anyone for first wife that would harm Sasami?" "No of course not," said Yosho. "Sasami, I think you should take the day off after this," commented Washu. "Go ahead to my lab and use the other door." *Good thing I showed her the door that leads to Tenchi's apartment and its even locked against anyone but us using it!* After Sasami went though the door and closed it behind her Washu continued "Tenchi has chosen both of his brides." She tensed for the explosion. She wasn't disappointed. "My little boy is finally becoming a man," beamed Nobiuki. "Who stole my Tenchi?" demanded the girls in a thunderous shout. Everyone turned to Washu. "See no earring," said Washu pointing to her right ear quickly to head off any unpleasantness. "Then who is the lucky lady?" asked Yosho, who was as calm as ever. "How can you be that calm when someone has stolen my place in Tenchi's heart, brother?" demanded Ayeka. "Your place?" shouted Ryoko. "ENOUGH! This is still my house and I would like to have quiet for this if you please," said Nobiuki, who tried very hard to ignore the dagger stares of the girls. "It all started when your possessiveness drove him outside one day...," began Washu. She told that story that he had met a young lady and fallen in love, then had to go to Jurai and then the proposal. Leaving out the name of the first girl, the extra training, any mention of Tsunami, the curse and the address. Then she told the girls that if they had grown up a little then they might have had a chance against a twelve year old. She entered her lab and when everyone tried to follow her they just found the closet. *** "Good morning everyone," said Sasami a little depressed as she appeared in the living room and followed the sound of conversation into the kitchen. "Good morning Sasami. How has your morning been?" asked Ranma-chan. "Just awful." "Whats wrong?" asked a concerned Tenchi as he came into the room just in time to here Sasami's words. "We forgot the earring," said Washu as she appeared. "Oh man. How did the girls take it?" asked Tenchi. "About how you'd expect, but the house was still standing when I left. Speaking of which I think we need to go house shopping today. Me and Sasami are going to have to move in." "Washu, you can change the dimensional aspects of the inside without altering the outside of something can't you?" asked Tsunami. "Of course I can," said Washu proudly. "Then we don't have to find a big place in convenient distance we can just get us a small place and change it to suit us right?" asked Tenchi. "Of course and if we decide to move we can just shrink the house and take it with us. It saves a fortune in transportation cost." Washu added aside to Nodoka. "Then lets have breakfast and head out," said Tenchi. *** They started in the Nerima area and went looking for a house that would suit their needs. It didn't find long before they found the perfect place. It was a two story town house set inside a one and a half story rock wall. It had its own garden and the lot behind it belonged to the same company and didn't have a house on it yet, but was walled in. A little extra added on to the end of the mortgage let them take possession immediately. The salesman got dollar signs in his eyes when Tenchi asked about the lot behind them. The salesman even offered to have the wall removed at the company's expense. "Well what do you think Washu?" asked Tenchi. "I can rearrange everything and unless your really attached to the furniture in your apartment I'll just add furniture as I go and it'll be ready by this afternoon. It didn't take Washu long to take care of the house. The living room was huge. It had several couches and chair groups and then on a level about three steps down there was a half circle couch that opened toward the TV. Washu insisted on the bar. The TV itself received every channel known to human, Jurian, or mad scientist, and was hooked up to a surround sound system that would make a rock concert turn green with envy. Onward was a family room that had tables and chairs set up for a smaller gathering. Next was the Kitchen that had been designed with Sasami in mind. All of the utensils, pans, and elbow room that they would ever need. Then Washu had cross-referenced every recipe she could find and filed it on the computer. The large dinning room was attached to the kitchen. Once again the under the stairs closet became the door to Washu's lab. Down stairs, which would have bothered the salesman to no end since when he sold it it didn't have a basement, was the Olympic sized swimming pool, the jacuzzi, exercise equipment, and finally a traditional dojo that had untraditional strength in everything, to stand up to Ranma and Tenchi playing. The second floor was the library, several multipurpose rooms and several guest rooms. On the third floor, again the nice salesman didn't know that this was a three story house, everyone had a room of their own. Not necessarily a bedroom but a room that was decorated and used by just one person. Then Washu and Sasami had bedrooms followed by the master bedroom. Each of the third floor rooms had their own bathrooms attached and the master bedroom had a tub that would qualify as a small pool. "Well what do you think?" asked Washu after she gave everyone the tour. "This is fantastic!" exclaimed Nodoka as she looked around. Tenchi motioned everyone else off to the side and whispered "Ranma, your mother has been living alone for a long time now. It must be lonely. If you want to she can stay here with us." The others nodded in agreement. "Really?" asked Ranma-chan also in a whisper. "Is something the matter?" asked Nodoka with concern. *I have overstayed my welcome they want to get on with their life now.* "Well it seams that Washu has forgotten a bedroom. That is if you'd be willing to stay with us," said Ranma-chan. "I told Sasami your a great cook and she just had to have you show her some of your recipes, besides after the wedding she'll be your daughter-in-law." "Are you sure it wouldn't be a problem?" asked Nodoka. *Oh it will be so nice to have someone around the house again. I never could just stand by in the Tendo house because it had been so long since I had something to do. Now I will have family in the house again.* After their confirmation she said "Then I would love to stay and help with the house." "Oh and I made sure the rooms were sound proof since some of us have to sleep occasionally," snickered Washu with a sharp glance at Ranma-chan, Tsunami, and Tenchi, all of which promptly blush a bright shade of red. "Now lets move everything in and then we can celebrate." *** Ranma-chan slowly woke up and chased the last of the fog out of her head. *What happened? Oh yeah.* She remembered the celebration that they had had after moving in. Sasami had been the only one that could think coherently by the end of the night. They had spent most of the day Sunday recovering. *Sunday? That means that today is Monday and its time to go to school.* The three of them got moving and headed out to the kitchen only to find that Sasami had beaten them to the kitchen and had breakfast waiting. "Good morning guys," chirped Sasami happily. "Good morning Sasami," called Tenchi. *Man she is a really happy now that we're engaged.* "Morning Sasami," said Ranma-chan. "Good morning everyone," said Nodoka from where she was coming into the kitchen. "You two had better get moving if you want to make it to school on time." "Not a problem," said Tenchi. "I can get us there in plenty of time." "How's that?" asked Tsunami. "The same way I arrived when I proposed, Teleport. I figured that if Ryoko could do it I should be able to too. So I did it after the little test range thing that I did with Azusa." "So thats what happened!" said Tsunami. "I'd just about forgotten that surge of power that I felt while you were gone." "Yeah, Azusa offered to loan me some area that I could try my power without endangering anyone." "So how did it go?" asked Ranma-chan. "Hehe, I kinda blew up the planet," admitted Tenchi who was rubbing the back of his head. Ranma-chan looked stunned and Nodoka just kept poring the tea until the cup ran over into the floor. "Mom are you okay?" asked Ranma-chan. "Uh, yeah just a little startled," said Nodoka as she snapped out of it. After breakfast Ranma-chan asked her mother to sign a permission slip. Her and Tenchi's Government class as well as Nabiki's class had gotten a field trip to the palace and a chance to see some of the government. *Glad that it really worked,* thought Ranma as he looked at himself in the mirror. The earring had disappeared when he had changed into a guy, just like Tsunami had said after her and Washu had worked with it. He put his hand up and felt where the earring should be. All he felt was a slight tingling. "Okay lets go," said Ranma as he walked back into the living room. "Bye," called Tenchi as he grabbed Ranma in a hug and carefully pulled up the invisibility spell then teleported. They arrived on the school roof and let go of each other before Tenchi dropped the spell. Then they dropped to the ground and walked over to the Government teacher. Where Ranma handed over his paper and Tenchi signed that he was giving himself permission to go. The Tendos, Genma, and the amazons had signed up to join with the trip. The bus ride proved to be interesting when it was discovered that Ten-ohki had stowed away in Ranma's backpack. When they arrived at the palace the Prime Minister himself was there to greet the groups of students from the different schools that would be looking through the government buildings. "Good morning everyone. You are here today to learn how the government of this country works. I hope you have a fun and educational time," said the Prime Minister. Then he walked over to the guide that was leading the group from Furinkan. "I'll be joining you for this trip." "Sir?" asked the guide. "Hey Bubbles," Tenchi called to the Prime Minister. The teachers and parent chaperones immediately turned purple with embarrassment. "Hey Tenchi, how's every little thing?" asked the Prime Minister A.K.A. Bubbles. "Bubbles?" asked Ranma with a smile. "Don't you dare tell," Bubbles said to Tenchi. "Who me, wouldn't dare," laughed Tenchi. "Miya," said Ten-ohki from Ranma's pack. "Hi, Ten-ohki." "Are you giving the tour sir?" asked Ranma. "Call me Bubbles and no I'm just along for the stroll." "Uh Bubbles?" asked a tentative Soun from behind. "Can I ask you about some Chinese visitors?" "You can call me Minister or sir," said Bubbles as he turned to Soun and Genma. "Now what is your problem?" "Uh you see there are a couple of Chinese visitors to Japan that are causing some difficulty. They are using herbs and potions on people and attacking innocent people on the street." "Meow," called a cat as it jumped into the middle of the group. "AHH!" yelled Ranma as he tried to jump away his battle aura flaring. Five guards immediately grabbed him and were trying to hold him still. As the young princess ran into the court yard after her cat. Other guards were grabbing their guns. "Stop them I'm going to try and help Ranma!" Tenchi yelled to Bubbles. "PUT THOSE GUNS AWAY AND GET THAT CAT OUT OF HERE!" shouted Bubbles. Tenchi sank down inside of himself to that place that his love for Ranma and Tsunami gathered that he had felt that first night and reached out to Ranma along that line. Fear, abandonment, and flashing eyes and claws. *What is this?* thought Tenchi. *No daddy don't do this to me, don't throw me in there. Stay with me. Don't leave me alone in the dark with them,* thought Ranma. *This is what Ranma is thinking. I'm in his head. He was all alone in the dark with the cats after his father tossed him in. He really isn't afraid of cats. He's afraid of being left alone, afraid that even his own family doesn't want him anymore,* realized Tenchi. said Tenchi along the link that they seamed to share. yelled a six year old Ranma, who was locked into a cross between his old Nekoken memories, the fact that his father was a good for nothing, and his fiancee problems. Tenchi urged, pulling Ranma back into himself to that place were they were joined and calling out asked Tsunami appearing within Tenchi with the other two. called Tenchi and Tsunami. asked Ranma as the fear and mental blocks that had held him in terror for so long were blasted away with the power of their love for him. *They lived through the Nekoken training for me!,* thought Ranma. said Tenchi. Ranma blinked and realized that he was being held by five guards, and that only a few seconds had passed. Also he noticed that there was a cat sitting in a little girls arms not five feet away as Bubbles tried to lead her away. "Its okay now." *I'm not afraid of cats anymore, but then I never was,* thought Ranma as he remembered what Tenchi had discovered. "What the-?" asked Bubbles as the little girl turned and ran back to the door that she had come out of. "He's cured," whispered Tenchi as he came up behind Bubbles. "But I think we should get him somewhere away from here." "Right. Ranma lets go to my office. You need to lay down for a minute." "Uh excuse me but what just happened?" asked a very confused Ukyo. "Son-in-law went into the Nekoken and something snapped him out of it and I don't know what it was, yet," spoke up Cologne. "And I would really like to know." Cologne stared off toward the three walking away. *** "Well I guess you don't have to worry about the nekoken anymore," said Bubbles. "Its almost a pity, all that potential gone." "I doubt that Ranma will miss it all that much," said Tenchi as Ranma started to speak. "How very true," said Bubbles. "So I take it that since you both are still alive you've been getting along." "Rather well actually," blushed Ranma. "Well, that must have been interesting. Did you and Tsunami flip for to see who got him first or what?" Bubbles gestured for them to help themselves to the snack counter. "Do you mind?" asked a red faced Tenchi. "Embarrassing you, not at all," shot back Ranma. "How ever the answer to that question is classified." Ranma winked at Bubbles as he finished. They spent several hours talking about this and that and then. "I think that we had better go back and join the others now. Oh and don't let me forget to tell your teachers that I changed your hotel reservations." "To what?" asked Tenchi who had grabbed a soda off of the counter. "The Hilton was oh so happy to get the free advertisement of hosting students who are studying the government. Especially after I mentioned that one of the guest was a friend of mine. Hahaha." *** "You got us reservations here?" asked the stunned teacher looking up at the impressive building in front of him. "I doubt that we have enough money." "Not to worry. They are giving you the same price the other hotel did. The only thing is that we, as in all of us together, have to pose for a picture," responded Bubbles. "A picture?" asked the teacher. "Yeah they agreed that in exchange for the advertisement value they would give your group a big discount." After the photo was taken with all of the students and the PM they moved on inside and got their keys. Several offers and arguments raged as to who Ranma was staying with, but he overruled them and he and Tenchi got their room key from the desk. *** "Are you sure this is the right room?" asked Ranma as he stepped out of Tenchi's way. "Yeah this is..., wow," said Tenchi as he walked into the room. It was a rather large room with two large beds and floor to ceiling windows overlooking Tokyo. There were also several comfortable chairs and a big screen TV. "This wasn't quit what I pictured," remarked Ranma. "Me nether, but what the heck." Tenchi moved over to one of the beds and dumped his bags beside it. "Which one do you want?" I'll take the one by the window if you don't mind. Tenchi pulled a little device out of his pocket and looked at it. "Thats okay with me." "You know, there is plenty of room in here to practice if we're careful." "You know I think your right." "Lets get started." After a thorough workout they both took showers and said good night early. When they were in their beds and the lights out. asked Tenchi. responded Ranma. *** The next morning Ranma and Tenchi combed through their room and found all of the bugs that had somehow gotten into their room. Including the one that had somehow managed to get into the vents from Nabiki's room. They had confiscated all of them but Nabiki's and had gotten a Polaroid of that one. Ten-ohki crawled out from under the covers where he had spent the night. "Bubbles, not that we don't appreciate the room but you really must speak to the management about the pest problem," said Tenchi as he sat down at the small dinning tables set out for the breakfast buffet, just load enough for the eavesdropping manager to hear. "Good sir I assure you that this hotel has no bugs in it at all," protested the manager. "Actually he was talking about these kinds of bugs," smiled Ranma pouring the handful of listening devises and the photo onto the table in front of the PM. "If you knew these were there why didn't you say something last night?" asked Bubbles. "We didn't feel like getting anyone out of bed and its not like we have anything to hide from the government," said Tenchi with a smile. Later after the group had toured the Palace they had some free time to wander around Tokyo. Predictably enough the Tendos, amazons, Genma, and Ukyo all wanted to go with Ranma, while Ranma wanted to go with Tenchi. So they were all walking down the street together when with a shout of "DIE RANMA," Ryoga jumped out at them. "What da you want, Pigboy?" demanded Ranma. "This time I'm going to get you," shouted Ryoga. "Shi Shi Houkdan," he laughed hurling an Ki blast at Ranma. "AHHH." Ranma backpedaled but ran into Tenchi. Shrugging he stepped forward and held out his hands. *What is this?* thought Cologne. She could feel massive energy gathering in Ranma, enough to make her afraid for the first time in years. The Shi Shi Houkdan hit and exploded against three light hawk wings, hanging in front of Ranma. "Huh?" asked a dumbfounded Ranma while staring at the wings in front of him. Then with a smile he grabbed one of the wings and formed it into a long sword. "You've bothered me for the last time, pigboy," yelled a charging Ranma. "NO!" with a flash of light Tenchi appeared, in armor, and caught the sword in mid swing. "What is going on here?" asked a stupefied Soun. *Ryoga appeared and threw a Ki blast then Ranma stopped it somehow and produced a sword, and now that young man has changed clothes and is grabbing the sword. "Why did you stop me?" asked Ranma backing the pressure off of the blade. "Do you really want to kill him? While using that sword, his death is the only outcome that is possible." Tenchi was talking softly to Ranma, but the others were listening also. "What do you mean death is the only option?" demanded Genma. "I'll have you know that I have trained Ranma to the point were he could just scratch him a little with it." Understanding dawned in Ranma's eyes as he remembered Tenchi's stories and realized that one scratch would be all that would be needed to vaporize Ryoga. "No, you're right I don't want to kill him. I just don't want him to bother me anymore." Ranma pulled the wings back over him to form armor and looked at Ryoga. "Give me your best punch then I'll give you mine. Who ever is left standing wins and this ends, agreed?" "Just one punch? You don't have a chance," laughed Ryoga. "Go ahead." Ranma held his arms out to the side so that Ryoga could throw his punch. "Gee, I guess I'll have to light a candle-AHHH," Ryoga cut off his taunt as he started yelling, waving his hand like it had been burned. "My turn," stated Ranma flatly as he let one of the wings gather around his hand. "Remember this stuff is worse than Ki for doing what you feel rather than want," warned Tenchi, still in his armor, from off to one side. "Yeah, yeah." Ranma waited until Ryoga had settled down and then punched him hard enough to send him right through the fountain at the next intersection. "RANMA, quit picking on poor Ryoga," shouted Akane. "QUIET!" thundered Cologne obviously upset. "We need to go somewhere and sit down." "How about the park," suggested Kasumi. "How 'bout we drop it," commented Ranma. Ranma and Tenchi both let go of the wings. The wings pulled lose and faded away. "Husband is differently strongest fighter," cooed Shampoo. After they had moved over to the park everyone sat down around Ranma and Tenchi. "Now suppose you tell us what that was all about, Son-in-law," said Cologne. "What was what all about?" asked a Ranma who was the soul of innocence. "Don't play games with me. That was a very powerful technique you just used and I want to know where you learned it." "I showed it to him originally," admitted Tenchi with a very casual attitude. "You? Hah sword-boy no warrior," laughed Shampoo. "Oh well. Ranma did you still want to go look for that video?" asked Tenchi. "Yeah, lets go." Ranma and Tenchi got up and walked away from those on the ground. *** "I know they're around here somewhere," said Akane. She was leading the search for Ranma and Tenchi. The two had gotten away after not explaining the technique that they had used against Ryoga. "Do you think that Tenchi really did show that technique to Ranma?" asked Ukyo. "I mean Tenchi did takeout Ryoga with a warning shot and then a single blast." "That boy defeated Ryoga in single combat?" asked Cologne incredulously. "When?" "Shampoo forgot. Sword-boy use chestnut fist on lost boy in fight," muttered Shampoo. "You didn't mention that he was fighting when you saw him use the chestnut fist. If he can beat Ryoga then we must take him more seriously in the future." "What do you think made him run off?" asked Kasumi innocently. "The coward has run from me again!" shouted Ryoga walking up from the direction of a public bathhouse. "Ranma you will pay!" *** "Do you think they'll find us?" asked Tenchi from where he was standing at the corner of the roof of the hotel. "Probably not right away, but they'll have questions on the bus home you can be sure," responded Ranma, sitting on one of the boxes. "Speaking of which do we have any answers?" "Well the first part is for you to call up the wings. Just reach down inside to the well of energy and use it." As Tenchi talked Ranma concentrated and with a rush of power that could probably be felt for miles three wings of the light hawk formed. "Just like that." "This is incredible, even the rush of battle doesn't feel like this. Can I see yours?" Ranma was obviously enjoying the sensation of having the power to destroy a starship rushing through him. "Sure I do the same thing you do-," Tenchi cut off suddenly as he looked at the air in front of him. "Do you see what I do?" he asked in a stunned voice. Ranma looked over to see seven light hawk wings hanging in front of Tenchi. "If you see seven wings hanging in front of you than yes I do." "Seven. Up until now I have only been able to create three. Now I have seven and you have three." "Myia," called Ten-ohki from Ranma's pack. "Myia miya miya." "Sorry Ten-ohki. Have we been neglecting you?" asked Ranma picking up the cabbit after letting the wings fade. "You know we're far from Nerima and seam to have the rest of the day to ourselves." "So what did you have in mind?" "Well first ...," *** "Is that everyone?" asked the teacher taking a quick head count of those on the bus. The sun was starting to go down in the back ground. "No Ranma still isn't here yet," called out Ukyo from the back of the bus. "Who cares. If that baka wants to run off and get lost that's his fault," interrupted Akane. "Wait a minute that's them now," yelled out one of the other students. Two figures were running across the rooftops towards them. They both seamed to be carrying packages. Also there was a smaller figure almost like a rabbit that seamed to be flying along side them. Both figures jumped off of a five-story building. One figure fell feet first toward the ground, but the other did a swan dive and rolled just before impact to put his feet down. "You lose," Tenchi said to Ranma as he climbed onto the bus with a bag in each hand. He was breathing hard and looked winded. "Yeah and a bet's a bet," sighed Ranma as he climbed aboard with two bags of his own plus his pack. There was a tip of a bushy tail disappearing into the pack as Ukyo watched. "What took you two so long?" asked the teacher curiously after he told the driver he could proceed. "We were a little farther than we thought when we started the run back," said Ranma taking his pack off and carefully putting it in the seat between himself and Tenchi. "Oh ok just try and be a little more careful next time." "Hey Ranma, what was that thing that was flying along with you guys up there?" asked Ukyo, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What husband buy?" asked Shampoo leaning over the back of her seat to see. "Why did you run off boy?" demanded Genma. "Told you," sighed Ranma turning to answer the questions. "First off I didn't 'run off', I went looking for something. Second I'm not your husband Shampoo. And third what are you talking about Ukyo?" "I saw something keeping pace with you two in the air, and then I saw something getting into your pack when you got on the bus." "Uh that was uh," stammered Ranma, but he was cut off as a bright light suddenly blinded them. When the light cleared the bus was in a large, circular metal room. "Where are we?" demanded Akane. The question was repeated throughout the bus as everyone stared at the walls. Ranma looked at Tenchi and said "I have a bad feeling about this." "You and me both," was the quick response. asked Ranma. "What are you two talking about?" asked Cologne. "Do you believe in aliens?" asked Tenchi. "Not yet but this could be the start." Suddenly a picture appeared across from the front of the bus. It was a tall man dressed in what looked like a uniform of some kind and a lot of computers behind him. They could also see some plaques and emblems behind him. "Attention earthlings you have been captured by the great Blackstar pirates and if you don't resist you won't be harmed. Cause trouble and we will have not choice but to space you and the person sanding next to you. Have a nice day," said the man. The screen switched to show a picture of Earth receding in the distance, then it went dark. "Okay now I believe in aliens. What do we do now?" was the response from Cologne. "First thing I'm going to do is get off the bus," said Tenchi with a look at Ranma. "Ten-ohki you can come on out." With a miya, Ten-ohki hopped out of Ranma's pack and onto Tenchi's head. "AHH. What is that?" asked one of the girls sitting near Ranma. "Thats just Ten-ohki. Don't worry he's friendly," replied Ranma. "What do we know about these people?" "Did you see that design on the wall behind the pirate? That's the flag of the Galaxy Police. Which means that this is a stolen GP ship and we're in big trouble," said Tenchi sitting in a meditation pose on the deck outside the bus. Ten-ohki was sitting on his head. "Who are the Galaxy Police and how do you know all of this?" demanded Akane. "The GP are a force of law and order in this galaxy. I know two of their officers, which is where I got my information. Now please be quiet I have to concentrate." Tenchi plucked the Tenchi-ken out of midair and relaxed into his mediation with the sword in his lap. "Don't ignore me," shouted Akane. She started towards him and ran into Ranma. "Get out of my way pervert." "If you ever intend to see Earth again I suggest that you leave him alone and let him get something done. That is unless you have a complete a and foolproof plan to get out of here?" said Ranma without budging an inch from where he was standing. "Son-in-law, does this boy have any idea what he's doing?" asked Cologne. "Ranma, your not going to believe this, but you remember that ride I caught home?" asked Tenchi suddenly from the floor. "The cruiser?" responded Ranma. "Yeah it's still here. Under heavy stealth just beyond Jupiter, I made contact with the central tree and asked it to send a message to Tsunami." "That means we don't have anything to worry about right?" "Not quite. You see while I know where the ship is, I don't know where in the ship we are so if they start shooting they might just kill us." "What is he talking about Ranma?" asked Nabiki from the bus window. "We're in a spaceship leaving Earth. There is another ship out there that would help us but if they fire on this ship they might just hit the area where we are right now and that would kill us," explained Ranma with exaggerated patience. "How would Tenchi contact another spaceship?" she yelled. "That you would-," Ranma was interrupted. "Aha," shouted Tenchi gleefully as a ball of light formed in front of him and showed Tsunami. "I can't leave you two alone for a minute can I?" asked Tsunami in a playful tone. "Not really, but that's beside the point. What can you tell us about the situation?" responded Tenchi. "Not a lot. These pirates have apparently stolen one of the GP's new Misaki class battleships, and they must have had inside help on this one. Which explains why half of the GP is worried about an ambush and the other half wants to go in guns blazing and see who is left alive to answer questions. On the other hand I'm following you and Azusa has dispatched the entire fifth battle fleet and the closest six Marine Divisions that he could lay his hands on. Which means once you guys stop unless they have a very large standing army their going to lose, badly. For those of you who don't know a division is 10,000 men." "You mean this guy sent 60,000 men out to rescue us?" asked Genma in disbelief. "Of course not. He dispatched 60,000 men to rescue Tenchi and Ranma," was Tsunami's quick reply. "Why would anyone waste that many men on these two bakas?" asked Akane. "Tsunami, we had better close this link before someone finds it. Good bye and take care," said Tenchi. "Good bye and keep safe you two. Tsunami out," said Tsunmai. "Well it looks like we have more than enough fire power trailing along behind us. The cruiser was enough but now we have the Tsunami and the fifth battle fleet," said Tenchi. "What do you suggest we do next?" asked Cologne. She was showing a level of respect that most amazons don't show to males. "Why grandmother relying on sword-boy?" asked Shampoo. "Because he obviously has the backing of considerable military might, which will be handy when it is time to break out. Do you think we can hold out against these people until help can arrive?" "Actually I'm wondering why he hasn't stormed the bridge yet," commented Ranma from where he was standing leaning on the bus. "Because he would get killed you baka," said an exasperated Akane. Ranma started laughing so hard he fell over. "These people don't have the skills to kill Tenchi. Now if they have a boss that has any skill that could change but for the most part these people don't have any clue what they've captured." "Is that true? You could beat these people without any real danger?" asked Soun in disbelief. "Yeah but I don't want to right now," responded a very calm Tenchi. "Why not, these people have threatened us and are taking us to some unknown place and you don't want to do anything about it?" was the incredulous response. "Your daughter attacked me. Does that mean that I should fight her?" "But but that's different." "I fail to see the difference. If one person attacks me you want me to ignore it but if this other group threatens me I should kill them. That doesn't make any sense even by Mihoshi's standards. Ranma did you want to spare while we have time?" "Sure, but what did you want to spare with fists or swords?" "Since when do you use a sword son-in-law?" asked Cologne. "I've been training. How 'bout it?" Ranma asked Tenchi. "Swords, but first their is something I want to do. Kneel down." Tenchi had stood up and then he twisted the ring on his finger transforming him into his Jurian battle armor. Ranma moved over and knelt before Tenchi. "Ranma Saotome, do you pledge to protect the weak, defend the realm, and uphold justice?" "I do so pledge," replied Ranma. "Then I by my authority as Crown Prince of Jurai I name you Sir Ranma Saotome, Knight of Jurai. Arise sir knight and take your place as defender of the realm." Tenchi relaxed after Ranma got up and shed his armor. "Here you'll need a sword to go with title." Tenchi handed a sword hilt that looked like Tenchi-ken to Ranma. "This isn't the Tenchi-ken is it?" asked Ranma holding the sword. "No, this is a key made for you by me and Tsunami. It can still be overridden by the master key but other than that it is the most powerful key on Jurai. Oh here this is for you also." Tenchi concentrated and tossed something to Ranma in a flash of gold. It was a gold pin with a Pegasus on it. "Are you ready?" asked Ranma as he pined the pin on and ignited his sword. "When ever you are," replied Tenchi as he summoned the Tenchi-ken and ignited it. They fought back and forth for several minutes until Tenchi got a good hit on Ranma's sword and sent it spinning across the room. Tenchi then lowered his sword, deactivated it and stuck it in his waist band. Then they clashed in a fury of fist and feet. For fifteen minute they battled across the room, neither side giving an inch. They were back in the middle when one of Ranma's punches slipped through and started to smash Tenchi away, but Tenchi's snap kick was already being delivered. They both flew toward opposite walls and slid to the floor. "Tie game," said Ranma as he got up off of the floor. "Yeah I guess we'll have to go another round when we get out of here," commented Tenchi. "Speaking of which I wonder where the pirate base is?" The door snapped open and everyone looked over at it. "I told you there were some pretty girls on board," the first man called back over his shoulder. "Yeah and I mean to have me one," called the second. "And I don't mean to share with the other half the crew," said one of the others said as thirty men piled into the room. Ranma and Tenchi looked at each other and Ranma called his sword back. "Good evening gentlemen I don't suppose we can persuade you to go find another hobby could we?" asked Tenchi. "No little boy you can't," answered the leader. "Then I guess we have no choice. Ranma, LETS GO!" Tenchi ended in a shout as Tenchi-ken ignited and he leapt forward. Ranma followed Tenchi's first rush and it quickly carried them into the middle of the disorganized mob. Using broad sweeping strokes they quickly felled all thirty startled attackers. Only one got a shot off and that one was deflected by Ranma, unfortunately Tenchi had stepped into the path while taking out another person. But his skills were up to the challenge and the Tenchi-ken flipped over his shoulder and deflected it into one of the attackers. "Well that was easy enough," commented Ranma looking around at the crumpled forms. "Yeah we only killed one," was Tenchi's reply. "You do realize that they left the door open and told us that their is only about another thirty people left on board." the return call sounded very faint. "So they did what do you plan to do about it?" asked Nabiki. Tenchi without thinking used Tenchi-ken as a lens and focused his next call. "Hold on he's calling long distance," interrupted Ranma before she could ask again. was the now sharp and clear voice of Tsunami. Turning to Nabiki. "I intend to sneak out of here and take control of the boat bay and us that to allow the marines to board this ship. Interested Ranma?" "Sword-boy think that he can beat thirty fighters by himself," laughed Shampoo. "He probably could take out the rest of the people on this ship by himself. They wouldn't all be in a group and he'll have the advantage of surprise," commented Ranma. He then turned to Tenchi. "Why don't you want anyone else to come along?" "Because if they get away from us they could open the bay to vacuum and we're the only two that would survive that. The other reason being that they wouldn't have a chance against some of the heavy artillery that the GP stocks." "Well then lets go!" *** Ten minutes later they were crouched outside the bay entrance. The bay was a large metal rectangle with the individual ship spots marked and surrounded by maintenance equipment. There were four guards standing around the hanger. "What do you think?" whispered Ranma turning to look at Tenchi. "I think I'll do just fine, after all I'm a martial artist too," said Akane loudly. "What was that?" demanded one of the guards inside. "DAMN!" shouted Tenchi. "Get them quick!" Tenchi and Ranma rushed the four guards. Ranma got the first one with a sword slash then turned toward the second only to find him well out of reach. Out of reach of normal attacks anyway. Ranma let the Nekoken come bubbling up to the surface and slashed at the man, slamming him into the wall with enough force to dent it. Tenchi had been forced to throw the Tenchi-ken to take out the first opponent to keep him from sounding the alarm. The second was seconds from sounding it when he formed a desperate plan. "MOUKO TAKABISHI." Tenchi unleashed the blast and it hit the man and carried him beyond the force field protecting the boat bay. Explosive decompression killed him instantly. "What are you doing here?" demanded Ranma turning to face Akane. called Tenchi. "I was coming to help you, you arrogant baka," shouted Akane. The others rushed in. "What happened? We realized that Akane was missing and we came to see if you guys could find her," explained Nabiki as the other looked around. "She forced me to kill a man with her reckless behavior," said Tenchi from the force field. "What do you mean?" asked Hiroshi with a puzzled look. "You two took out thirty people back there with those swords and now your worried about one guy?" "The swords just stunned them boy and I told you I heard someone shouting. That someone was Akane and that gave away the element of surprise, which meant that Tenchi had to use drastic action to prevent the alarm from being sounded, right?" said Cologne. "Yeah pretty much," agreed Ranma. "AHHH," yelled one of the girls. Everyone turned quickly to look at the bay door to see lots of people in strange looking armor with guns running out of nowhere. Then a young lady with long blue hair dressed in scale mail, the scales were cut to look like leaves, and white clothing underneath walked into the bay. "Tsunami," called Tenchi. She hurried over and gave Tenchi a big hug and then did the same for Ranma. "Who are you?" asked Ukyo in a voice about one degree above absolute zero. "Ranma and Tenchi's friend. Who are you?" responded Tsunmai. "Enough with the introductions for now. First things first, how many marines do we have onboard?" interrupted Tenchi. "There are two hundred fully armed and armored marines onboard, your highness," said one of the marines who was wearing Colonel's eagle insignia. (A. Note: I'm using US rank insignia and tables.) "Do you think that we can secure a landing area with those two hundred marines, Colonel?" "Against what opposition, your highness?" "I don't have the foggiest idea," answered Tenchi truthfully. "Now boy tell me why you have such a problem with my daughter," insisted Soun as he advanced on Tenchi. Then stopped cold as a large gun was inserted in his face. "I'm only going to ask you nicely once mister. Please don't bother Prince Tenchi to the point were I'll be forced to kill you," instructed the marine sergeant holding the gun in his face. "What do you mean he's a prince?" asked Nabiki who had perked up considerably as the marines landed and her estimation of Tenchi's net worth shot up. "Can't you people shut up for a minute?" snapped Tenchi. "Colonel, how do you feel about storming the bridge at this point?" "I don't know that that would be practical. The design specs for this class included weapon emplacements to protect the bridge from attack." "How about if I offered to take out the guns?" "I would have to protest that it is our duty to protect you and insist that you reconsider," the Colonel was obviously worried about Tenchi's continued good health. "Noted, and overruled. Tsunami could you by any chance make a note of the Colonel's objection. Ranma would you care to lead the assault with me?" Tenchi called a single wing and formed armor. "I'd be delighted," smiled Ranma as he pulled up his three wings and pulled them back to form a white gi and loose pants. The gi was decorated with a design of a species of hawk that most of them had never seen before. "Colonel, Ranma and I will lead the assault and take out the guns, after that I'm going to need you to take control of the bridge with as little lose of life as possible before they can get off a transmission. Everyone clear?" At the wave of nods he continued. "I don't expect to find more than thirty people left, so I'd like to leave half of the detachment here to guard everyone and keep these people out from under foot." The colonel split the group into two groups. Then his group moved out with Ranma and Tenchi in the lead. *** "Who were those people?" asked on of the girls. "They were Marines from Jurai's Royal Marine Corp. They had been stationed on a remote planet until the Emperor needed marines fast and then they were called in to rescue Tenchi and Ranma," answered Tsunami. "Though it looks like it was the pirates that needed rescuing." "Is Sword boy really a prince?" asked Shampoo. "Tenchi, yes his is the Crown Prince of Juri and I wouldn't recommend calling him sword boy in front of the marines they tend to take such things personally." *** asked Ranma as he and Tenchi raced toward the bridge ahead of the marines. Tenchi assured him. They reached the final corridor to the bridge and two big laser guns opened up on them from the end of the corridor. Tenchi and Ranma both brought up a single wing to protect themselves. They cut down the two gunners seconds after they started firing. The marines stormed past them and took the bridge in under a minute with no casualties on either side. "That worked out well," commented Ranma as he walked on to the bridge. "Sure did. Do we have a hacker on board?" asked Tenchi looking around. "That would be me," spoke up one of the marines with a lieutenant's bar. "Can you find me, using the computer or the prisoners, a list of the remaining ships that the pirates have," asked Tenchi. "At once your highness." *** Everyone, save for the group handling the ship, had gathered in the briefing room. "Thank you for coming. I have decided that we're going to try and take out the Blackstar pirates. We have their numbers and location, and the fact that they stole this ship proves that they are more dangerous than we thought," began Tenchi. "However I think that we can defeat them if we do this right. We can't wait for the fleet because if this ship doesn't return on time they're going to get spooked. Any hope for surprise would be out of the question. For all practical combat purposes we only have two ships, the Tsunami and Ten-ohki. This ship would need a full crew before it could enter combat." "Excuse me but why were we included in this if we're not going into combat?" asked Nabiki. "Because I didn't want you people wandering around getting into things while we were busy here," replied Tenchi with and edge to his tone. "If there are no other questions then lets be about it." *** They were all standing in the landing bay with Ranma, Tsunami, and Tenchi arguing. "What do you mean your going in Ten-ohki?" demanded Tusnami. "We're going up against heavily armed pirates. Your going to go with me and Tsunami," said Ranma with a glare. "We need two ships. You and Tsunami can go in Tsunami, and I'll take Ten-ohki," insisted Tenchi picking up Ten-ohki and throwing him out the door. "How could you do that to such a dear animal-," began Akane as Ten-ohki transformed into battleship form. He had a central silver spike with a teal stone on top. Then out of the stone and down jutted four evenly spaced spikes, (Think Ken-ohki from the TV episodes in silver and teal.) it looked to be made of wood. "He ^is^ part first generation treeship remember. Between his three wings and my seven we ought to be as safe as you are. Besides being prince has its advantages, one of which is getting your way." "All right you win," admitted Ranma. "If the rest of you people want to watch you can go on up to the bridge." The people surged out of the bay and toward the bridge. They arrived just in time for Tsunami and Ten-ohki to call in. The first screen showed a room that had a crystal floor with streams running through channels in the tile under it. There also seamed to be a flower garden, complete with paths and a fountain or two, growing out of the crystal floor. In the middle of the room was a large tree with silver bark. Tenchi was standing under the tree. The second screen showed Ranma and Tsunami standing under a more normal tree, but they were also surrounded by trees and bushes. "Are those ships or flying parks?" asked Cologne with a snort of laughter. "They are Jurian treeships," answered the colonel. "They are much more in tune with nature than your ships." "Can we save the lecture for study hall?" asked Ranma who was obviously nervous. "You doin ok out there Tenchi?" "Just fine. We may not have the legendary abilities of the Ten Wing of the Light Hawk, but we can manage." "Then why haven't you deployed your wings yet?" asked Tsunami. "Don't worry mommy, I'll get them up in time," laughed Tenchi. "Here they come." The pirate ships had suddenly realized that they were no longer alone around their planet and moved to intercept the lone ship coming in at them. (Remember from OAV 6 Tsunami is usually cloaked.) Ten-ohki held fire until the pirates where right on top of them. Then a ball of energy formed between two of the downward spikes, then it exploded into a dozen different bolts of energy streaking toward the pirates. Pieces of ships were blasted into twisted shards of metal by the impact and atmosphere boiled off into space. The marks all showed that Tenchi and Ten-ohki were trying to disable rather than destroy. When the pirates fired back, their blasts were harmlessly absorbed by three light hawk wings that formed in front of Ten-ohki. Ten-ohki wove his way through the mess of ships almost effortlessly, with the wings flickering into place just before a strike would do damage. They were thoroughly trouncing the smaller ships that had out ran the bigger ships on the intercept, but the bigger ships were starting to close in for the kill. "Well my nerves are shot so why don't we close in," suggested Ranma to Tsunami. "Now that sounds like a good idea," responded Tsunami with a nasty grin. The heavier ships were suddenly blasted by bolts of energy that seamed to be coming from no where. Then Tsunami made her appearance in real space and the pirates realizing what they were up against quickly surrendered. "Well that seams to be that," commented Ranma from Tsunami. "I'd say so," returned Tsunami. There was a beeping sound from the bridge of the GP ship. "Prince Misaki," called one of the marines. "Yes?" "The fleet has arrived and the GP has dispatched two resident officers out this way." "Well I guess I'd better be going then. Ranma, Tsunami if you want to come aboard we can pick up the others and be on our way," replied Tenchi with a little nervousness evident in his voice. After they had picked up the field trip off of the GP cruiser they headed back to Earth at top speed. Since Washu had upgraded Ten-ohki from his cousin Ryo-ohki that was pretty fast. "Ranma, remember when you and Tenchi got on the bus?" asked Nabiki. "Yeah, why?" "You mentioned that Tenchi won a bet with you, what were the stakes?" "Yeah what did you bet?" asked Daisuke. "Well if he won he would get a date with my girl half." Half of the boys in the ship promptly fell over. "You mean if I wanted a date with you all I had to do was beat you in a bet?" asked Daisuke in a strangled voice. "Possibly but I don't know that I'll be dumb enough to make that kinda wager again." "Why did we leave so fast all of a sudden and where can I get a ship like this?" asked Ukyo. "Nowhere, its one of a kind and the process that was used was really an accident. As for why we left, thats a little personal. However we're home. Damn we forgot the bus!" exploded Tenchi. "Forget it," suggested the teacher. A bright flash of light left all of the people on the ship standing in the middle of a garden pathway behind Tenchi's new house. "I almost don't recognize the place," whispered Tenchi. "Well everyone come on in." They walked into the house to see a large spacious living room that was furnished with all of the latest in entertainment goodies. Tsunami walked on into the kitchen. Nabiki had immediately started calculating as soon as she walked it the door. *Someone has a lot of money to spend.* She turned around to look at the whole room noting the big screen TV, stereo, DVD player, and Ranma flopping down on one of the chairs on the upper level like he owned the place. The table next to the chair was pilled with martial arts magazines. "Is this were you've been hiding?" Nabiki asked Ranma. "Ranma, Tenchi your home," called Nodoka as she walked downstairs. "My dearest wife," cooed Genma as he tried to slide up to Nodoka. "Perhaps I should move back in to our house," he said eyeing the place. "You've never been one to live alone before, why would you want to start now?" "But you and Ranma would be here." "Don't be ridiculous this isn't our house." "This is Tenchi's place," said Sasami from the kitchen doorway. "Catch," she called as she threw a soda at Tenchi from across the room. After looking around Soun walked over to Tenchi. "You know I have two unattached daughters, has you father made arrangements for you yet?" As Tenchi deftly hopped back out of range a ball of blue energy shot out of the kitchen and unerringly blasted Soun. "I'd say that means he's spoken for," noted Nabiki from a safe distance off to the side. "Safe bet," said Washu walking out from the door under the stairs. "You two could have mentioned that your were bringing home guests." "Sorry it was kinda spur of the moment. Next time we'll be sure to make sure all kidnappings are convenient with you first," promised Ranma. "You do that. Don't you all have school tomorrow?" asked Washu looking around. "Yes we had all best get home," suggested the teacher. Everyone headed for the door. The Fiancees and Nabiki taking care to note the way home from Ranma's house. As the Tendo family and Genma walked home Kasumi stopped and turned to the others. "I forgot to talk to Tsunami. I'm going to go back for a moment. You don't have to wait up, because we might decide to talk cooking." Kasumi walked back to the Misaki home and knocked on the door. When it swung open she went ahead and stepped, but stopped dead in the middle of the doorway staring at what she had interrupted, or not interrupted as the case maybe. Ranma-chan and Tenchi were standing in the middle of the living room locked in a deep kiss. "Oh my," said Kasumi and then jerked as Ranma-chan and Tenchi both whirled with light swords appearing in their hands. "I'm sorry, I was going to talk to Tsunami and the door was open," she stammered. "Sorry about that," apologized Tenchi. "Uh, Kasumi is there any chance at all that you could avoid mentioning this to anyone?" asked Ranma-chan. "First you have to tell me why," insisted Kasumi. "Your going to hurt my little sister you know." "I think that she'll be ecstatic that she won't have to marry me and this'll prove that I'm a pervert. As for why, Shampoo tries to use potions, Ukyo is my friend and Akane just hits me all the time. Tenchi was my friend and then he discovered my girl side and wanted to be more than friends. However he didn't try anything because he thought that I thought of myself as 100% guy. After a while I noticed that I had a polite, good looking guy on the hook and all I had to do was reel him in and that was that." "So you mean that on your date tomorrow while everyone thinks that you just doing this because of a bet you'll be loving every minute of it?" "Yes she will," Nodoka assured her. Nodoka was walking into the room from the kitchen. "Tsunami says that dinner is ready. Will you be staying?" Nodoka asked Kasumi. "Well I really should get home and make dinner for my family," insisted Kasumi. "Nonsense you've been working hard since your mother died and you need to take a break," countered Nodoka. "Yeah come on and stay for dinner, then you can compare notes with Tsunami later," tempted Ranma-chan. *** "I can't believe that that baka is really going to go through with this," Akane almost shouted for the fifth time since she had gotten home from school that day. "Well he does keep his promises," Kasumi reminded her absent-mindedly. She was remembering the conversation that she had had at the Misaki house last night. After watching Tsunami and Ranma-chan feed Tenchi, sometimes with disastrous results, they had moved into the family room and Kasumi had seen for herself how much the three of them were in love. They had almost seamed to be talking on a level that defied the norm. Kasumi had gotten a wistful look on her face and wished that she could find someone for herself before she became an old maid. When she had voiced these thoughts the others reminded her that Tofu was still out there and Ranma-chan and Tenchi promised that they would give any help that they could to get him to behave in a sensible manner when she was around. "Thats no reason for him to act like he was actually going to go out on a real date!" instated Akane. "Well I think that the wager demanded that he treat this as a real date," Kasumi informed her. *You know I think that Ranma might just be right, Akane really is just the brat of the family. If anything happens around here it was immediately decreed to be Ranma's fault and no one got around to noticing if there might be another explanation after Akane treated a guest of this family in a manner that you would normally show to a blood enemy.* "Everyone is going to be watching this date just to see how it goes and then some of the boys at school are going to try and set up a date with that pervert afterwards." *** "Are you sure that the GP tracked the ship to that area of Tokyo?" Ryoko asked Kyone again. "Yes, a ship that looked like it could be a sister ship to Ryo-ohki was last seen piloted by Tenchi and headed down to that area," Kyone assured the girls that were all gathering to track the first lead anyone had got on Tenchi so far. "Then lets go!" shouted Ayeka. *** *Just about show time,* thought Ranma-chan as she was getting ready for her big date with Tenchi. *It's really a pity that Tsunami can't go with us but that would ruin the idea of the bet. Besides she can go out with Tenchi anytime she wants to.* Ranma-chan's thoughts were turning darker as she realized that she was tired of hiding the fact that she loved Tenchi Misaki and was going to marry him no matter what anyone had to say about it, with the possible exception of Tsunami she admitted. "You know I feel like I'm leading a parade here," said Ranma-chan who was dressed in nice dress, makeup and had her hair tied with a big pink ribbon. Her and Tenchi were walking toward the movie theater and most of the rest of Nerima was trailing alone behind. "Yeah I know what you mean," answered Tenchi who was wearing a nice button down shirt and slacks. "I was thinking that I don't want to wait till we graduate before we get married. I'm already tired of hiding. I think we should just tell everyone whats what and if they cause to much trouble we could always just offer a formal challenge." In the theater they selected a nice long movie and spent more time cuddling with each other then watching it. After that they went to a nice restaurant for dinner. *** "What are they doing over there?" asked Nabiki for the third time in the last two minutes. "I don't know I can't see over there there isn't enough light," complained Ukyo. The most of the girls of Furinkan along with most of the boys, the Fiancees, and a little black pig were trailing along behind Ranma-chan and Tenchi. *I can't believe that he seams to be enjoying this. Even if it was a bet to do it he was acting like this was going to be the most fun that he'd had since he got to Nerima.* *** asked Tenchi in a teasing voice. "I think that your-," Tenchi was suddenly cut off as the front wall of the restaurant blew in. "TENCHI!" yelled a voice that Tenchi really wasn't expecting. *** "This is it," Ryoko told everyone. "Ryo-ohki start scanning for Jurian, human life signs." "Do you really think that we'll be able to find Lord Tenchi?" asked Ayeka. "Yeah we'll find him and then we'll ask him whether it's true that he choose someone else," Kyone assured them. Just then Ryo-ohki signaled that she had found him. They all jumped down to the street and looked in the building to see that Tenchi was having dinner with a strange girl and just looking into her eyes. "TENCHI!" yelled Ayeka as she threw a large ball of Jurian energy at the restaurant. The whole front exploded inward. *** "What was that?" asked Ranma-chan as they stumbled out into the street with everyone else. "Thats what I'd like to know," responded Cologne from the roof top. "Who are you?" demanded Ryoko looking up at her from the street. "I'm the matriarch of the amazons, Who are you?" "Ryoko the space pirate," shot back Ryoko. By this time the rest of the Nerima gang had spilled out till Ranma-chan and Tenchi were standing in an arc of girls with their back to the restaurant. "Son-in-law, I finally figured out what that change in your aura was," Cologne informed Ranma-chan. "Your no longer a virgin are you?" "I really don't see where that's any of your business," responded Ranma-chan. "Ha, yes it is because all of the girls still are so it must be someone I've yet to meet." suggested Ranma-chan to Tenchi. "Do you really want to know what happened?" asked Ranma-chan, looking at the whole arc of girls. "Yes!" was the collective shout from the Nerima crew. "Fine, I'm tired of hiding anyway. Tenchi Misaki proposed to me and I've accepted!" "WHAT?" was the collective sentiment from all of the people present, including the people that had hung back to see how this would turn out. Then several of the cries turn slightly uglier and with a cry of "DIE!" four energy blast, two blaster shots, a hammer, and a spatula flew toward the one member or the other of the couple standing in front of the restaurant. The explosion covered everything of a cloud of dust and smoke. As it cleared they realized that everything that they'd thrown hadn't done a thing. The Tenchi cast realized that nothing they had could hope to hurt Ranma-chan now. The two of them were standing inside a dome made of ten Wings of the Light Hawk. Both were dressed in armor. Tenchi was wearing his normal set and Ranma had the same white gi with light hawks on it that he had on the battleship, but this time it was more form fitting. "H-h-how did you do that?" asked a stunned Kyone. "What is that?" asked Cologne. She was staring hard at the dome that separated her Granddaughter from the man she must marry. "That is a shield made from wings of the light hawk," explained Tsunami from behind as she walked up. She was dressed in her armor instead of her usual robes. "If any of you have problems with how we have decided to live our lives then you are free to make a formal challenge," suggested Tenchi after having consulted with Ranma-chan. "Shampoo challenge sword boy to fight to see who get husband," Shampoo said quickly. "I'll challenge too," spoke up Akane and Ukyo at the same time. "Well then I guess your going to challenge me?" asked Tenchi. "Amazon way is to kill obstacles, now sword boy is obstacle," announced Shampoo almost in a pleasant tone. "Very well I'll fight you all at the same time. I want to get back to my date," said Tenchi. "You are a foolish boy," Cologne told him from off to one side. "Well Ranma said that one of us would have to deal with you sooner or later, why don't you get involved with this fight too and save some time," offered Tenchi. "I think I will." The three girls and Cologne took position on front of the arc of girls and Tenchi stepped forward slightly. "Any rules?" asked Tenchi. "No out side interference," suggested Cologne. "Deal. Who calls fight?" "Last one standing is fairly obvious, I don't think we need a ref." With that Cologne lunged forward in the chestnut fist, staff leading. Tenchi snapped the Tenchi-ken into position and sliced her staff into sawdust and planted one of his feet in her face, sending her flying back toward the others. They all gaped at him like he had grown an extra head. Sasami stepped out of a Washu portal and walked over, standing away from both groups. Then Cologne was back up and forming an energy ball with a smile. "Shi Shi Houkdan!" she snarled letting the huge, it expanded to six feet accost fueled by despair at losing to a mere male, ball of green energy fly. "Amazon law says that any target is lawful," she continued with a nasty look as the chi attack curved toward Sasami. It hit and exploded on contact. When it cleared Tenchi was standing in front of Sasami with seven wings of the light hawk shining in front of him and looked pissed. "You should have just let this be between us," announced Tenchi in a voice that was without emotion. He gathered one of the wings into a ball and launched it toward Cologne. "Hah," she laughed as she jumped over it. Then the look on her face turned to horror as it curved around and hit her. The explosion forced everyone to cover their eyes and when it was done Cologne, best of her generation, was laying on the ground broken and bleeding. "What happened?" asked Shampoo. Tenchi didn't answer. Instead he turned one of the, now seven again, wings in front of him into a sword and walked over to Cologne. He laid his other hand on her and healed the most grieves of her wounds. "If you ever try to harm anyone around me ever again you will die," promised Tenchi. Then with one blurring offensive he left Akane, Ukyo, and Shampoo unconsious, before they were in the air, as they spun out of the ring. "Anyone else?" he asked glaring around the ring of people. Nobody so much as coughed. "Well I guess that leaves anyone wanting to challenge me," said Ranma-chan. "But first I want to talk to Ryoko," interrupted Tenchi. He led her off to the side so that no one would over hear them, until Nabiki pulled out a listening device from her pocket. Tenchi caught her eye and gathered another energy bolt. *I'll just listen in on what ever this conversation is,* thought Nabiki until Tenchi gathered the energy bolt. *Uh I don't think that this guy has any problem with hitting girls and I don't have any blackmail material on him.* With a audible gulp she put it away. "Ryoko, why are you doing this?" asked Tenchi. "Because I love you," she responded almost in tears. "I have a question for you. Has anyone ever stood up for you before?" "Well no." "I don't think that you love me. I think that you think of me as a friend then you got caught up with me saving you from Kagato and your competition with Ayeka and you thought that you were in love. Can you honestly look down inside and tell me that I'm wrong?" "I-I-I, no I can't. What do I do now. I'm just a demon that can't love anyone," she whispered as she started crying. "Now, now. I said I'm your friend didn't I? Also your mother would help you, as will Sasami and Tsunmai. You can come live with us until you decide what to do, and you can take my word for it your not a demon. A demon wouldn't have cared that I was dead, or worry about hurting Ayeka during the attack on Kagato." "Are you sure?" she asked sniffing and wiping up tears. "Yes I'm sure." They walked back over to the others and Ryoko looked at Ranma-chan and said "You've got a good one keep him and you'll never have to be alone again." "You'd give up on Lord Tenchi so easily?" demanded Ayeka. "Ranma did you want to use the sword?" asked Tenchi. "Sure," responded Ranma-chan. Tenchi tossed the Tenchi-ken to her and Ayeka gasped as the sword fell short, but spun up to Ranma-chan's waiting hand. "How did you do that? That sword can only be used by the royal family of Juri," insisted Ayeka. "Lets fight," suggested Ranma-chan. The fight that followed was short and nasty. Ranma-chan attacked at a speed that the three remaining fighters never expected from an earthling and what few shots they did get off at her were absorbed by the wings of the light hawk. Ryoko moved into the lab with her mother and quickly became part of the new Misaki house hold. *** The day had dawned clear and bright. The sky was blue enough that you could swear that it was liquid sapphires. Tenchi Misaki was pacing in the dojo of his house desperately trying to gather his composure. His grandfather was sitting to one side chuckling to himself occasionally, while his father was sitting in the corner whispering to his wife's spirit that their son was going to become a man. It had been a week from that disastrous date with Ranma-chan and most of their friends had stayed friends with the exception of Akane and Soun Tendo. After Ranma had tried to explain to the Tendo household what he was doing his father had tried to use some artifact or another that Happosai had told him about and been thoroughly demolished by a fed up Ranma Saotome using the Nekoken. As a result Genma Saotome was not invited to today's party. Ranma Saotome was also feeling nervous because he was a she at the moment and would became Ranma Misaki today along with Tsunami. "Are you sure that this looks ok," she asked for the thousandth time in the last hour. She was standing in a wedding gown that was white with pearls running down each sleeve and her red hair done up in a work of art that she would have never dared try on her own. Her vale looked like it was a bit of mist that had forgotten to clear off this morning. "You look fabulous dear," her mother and the Empresses Funaho and Misaki assured her. "You all do," continued Misaki. She was also looking over at Tsunami and Sasami who were dressed exactly as Ranma-chan. "Tenchi is going to be speechless." Later Tenchi was standing with his best men, his father and the Emperor of Juri, in front of his grandfather who was presiding. They had decided to do a western style wedding in the garden that Tsunami and Sasami had spent so much time on. The cherry trees somehow had blossoms on them at this time of the year, but no one really minded that nature had turned on its head for the day. Then the wedding march began and the three brides walked down the isle behind Ryo-ohki who was acting as flower girl. The ceremony ended with the traditional permission to kiss the brides, but before Tenchi could his brides seized onto him and kissed him long enough apiece to get calls from the audience. The Emperor signaled for attention and when he had it he announced in ringing tones "I present Crown Prince Tenchi Misaki and the Princesses Ranma, Tsunami, and Sasami Misaki." The cheer shook the blossoms out of the trees. The four walked back down the isle where they were showered with rice and the royal guard unit came to attention and formed a bridge of swords, since they were energy swords it looked impressive. Then Sasami moved back into the house with Washu and Ryoko as Tenchi, Ranma, and Tsunami boarded Ten-ohki for the honeymoon. *** "What did I ever do to deserve the two of you?" asked Tenchi as Ten-ohki accelerated away from Earth. "You had the kind of heart that made you proclaim to Kagato that you would die before forsaking any of the girls with you. After that your cute and didn't runaway fast enough," finished Tsunami impishly. "You showed me that just because someone loved me that didn't mean that they couldn't be my friend too. You showed me that same big heart that captured Tsunami and for the first time in my life I was deliriously happy about losing a fight. The one against the upbringing that my father put me thought to recognize true love when it was offered to me. Now we're together for ever more!" *** THE END First, thanks for reading. You must have incredible patience to sit through this with me. Second, tell me what you thought of it. Third, do you think that I should write another one set when Ranma and Tenchi are in collage? Maybe the problems with being the Prince of the know galaxy and trying to keep you grades up at the same time. Sjiriki@aol.com