Chapter 25: The Dawn of Endless Spring

The Masaki residential staff sat around a table in the Tenju's eastern food court - the preferred venue for their daily afternoon lunch breaks.

"The last two weeks have certainly been interesting, haven't they?" Shoga remarked. "I don't think a day has gone by where I haven't been surprised by some development surrounding the Princesses or their odd companions."

"I know, right?" Mori agreed, delightfully. "Sasami's popularity has been on the rise, ever since her engagement to Lord Tsubaki went public. The galactic web is calling the couple 'Tsusami'... or was it 'Sabaki'?" she pondered, before shrugging it off. "Whichever it is, I still can't get over the idea that I'm in the personal service of an interplanetary idol. It almost makes me feel famous by association!"

"Oh great, are you gonna rub it in our faces again?" Banira groaned, idly twirling a blue noodle around the edge of her utensil. "We get it already - you, Niwa, and Kumo lucked out and got the best assignments. The rest of us got the leftovers."

"It's not a competition, Banira," Kumo chided. "Besides, from what I can tell, Tenchi must be related to House Masaki in some manner. Isn't that enough to satisfy you?"

"The Emperor looks at him as if he wants to smite him with lightning. He can't be all that important."

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Koyo disputed, without breaking his gaze away from the holo-screened device in his hands. "None of the current guests strike me as particularly normal. D-did you know the redhead who rarely leaves her quarters is Washu Hakubi?"

"Surely you don't mean the legendary scientist who went missing more than five-thousand years ago," Kumo replied, skeptically. "You think that little girl is the same person?"

"Now that you mention it, they refer to her as 'Lil' Washu', don't they?" Shoga recalled, "but, that's a bit on the nose, wouldn't you say?"

"People name their children after famous figures in history all the time," Banira argued. "For instance, one of Seina Yamada's wives is named 'Ryoko'. Next thing you know, Koyo will try to convince us that she's the same space pirate who attacked the Tenju seven-hundred years ago."

"D-don't be ridiculous!" Koyo defended. "Why would I say something like that when the Ryoko you're referring to is the turquoise-haired woman in Guest Sector suite thirteen?"

Everyone looked at him as if he'd just sprouted a second head.

"Oh, shut up," Banira dismissed. "Now you're just making shit up so the people you're serving sound more impressive!"

Kumo reluctantly concurred. "Sorry, Koyo, but you should've stopped at Washu. You got a little too ambitious."

"Huh? I-I swear I'm not making it up! They're both the spitting images of the people I say they are. Back me up here, Inaba," he beseeched, glancing back over his shoulder to his Guest Sector counterpart. "Tell them about Ryoko."

"Banira, I better not hear you bad-mouthing my woman over there," Inaba warned. He was leaning back against the guardrail of the food court's perimeter with his open tunic fluttering in the breeze. A lit cigarette dangled casually from his lips.

"Your woman?" she repeated, dubiously. "Well, that just confirms she's imaginary."

"Oh, she's a real woman alright, believe me," he murmured, dreamily.

"Um, why do Inaba's nipples look erect right now?" Mori complained.

"Gross." Niwa hissed, giving him the side eye.

"It's probably because we're talking about his crush," Koyo groaned in embarrassment.

"Relax, it's just the cool air against my chest, alright?"

"Maybe you'd feel a bit more comfortable if you closed your shirt," Kumo suggested. "I know I would. How many times must Miss Miko thrash you for improper attire and smoking on palace grounds?"

"My wild spirit can't be tamed by petty rules."

"Here we go again," Koyo sighed.

"Damn, you're all so boring," Inaba complained. "Do you plan on doing this for the rest of your miserable lives? Quit worshipping other people, get out there, and claim your own legacy in this goddamned galaxy! It makes me sick just listening to you."

"Poor Inaba," Banira taunted. "Such an unfortunate life you lead, residing in the royal palace and living in luxury by association. Oh, please! The only thing greater than being born into a family that serves the Jurai Royals is being born a Royal yourself. You could do far worse!"

"Agreed," said Shoga. "We may be humble servants, but it's still a lifestyle to be envied. We work hard, but live comfortably. I personally wouldn't trade it for anything else. You should take pride in your noble profession."

"Noble profession…" he scoffed, "You mean wiping the Emperor's ass?"

"Eww, that's one of your duties?!" Mori questioned, aghast.

"I was speaking figuratively! I wouldn't expect people like you to understand. You were right about one thing, though - the Princesses' companions are damn interesting. In fact, being in their presence has inspired me to live my best life. It won't be long now..."

"Do tell," Shoga replied, genuinely intrigued. "I'd love to know what career path you intend to transition into."

"Well, if you must know…" he began as a proud grin graced his lips, "I plan on becoming a space pirate!"

The group collectively burst into raucous laughter.

"Come now, Inaba, I was actually asking you a serious question," Shoga clarified as he thumbed a tear out of the corner of his eye.

"And I gave you a serious answer! When the time comes, I'm leaving the planet with Ryoko. I'll become her apprentice… and eventually her lover."

"You really are some special kind of stupid," Banira denounced. "Haven't you been paying attention to the news lately? What happens when you're hanging out on some pirate planet and Lady Seto swoops by in the Mikagami and Genocide Dances your sorry ass to Kingdom Come, just because she's in a mood?"

"Shut up," he blurted out in horror. "Damn it, leave it to you to shit on my dreams. I told you my plans in confidence, you hear me? You better not repeat this within earshot of Lady Seto!"

"Pirate bastard," muttered Niwa in disgust.

"You little…" Inaba suddenly regretted the decision to reveal his plans. He attempted to alter his statement. "I get it now; you all obviously misheard me. You thought I said 'space pirate'. What I actually said is I want to be an ace pilot."

"Bullshit."

"Listen to me, you pint-sized—"

"W-woah!" Koyo suddenly gasped, peering into the screen of his handheld device. "This is unbelievable!"

"What is it, Koyo?" questioned Shoga.

"Someone posted a video this morning on the galactic web. It's footage from the Plorth Massacre. Y-you've gotta see this!"

He tapped a button on the device, prompting it to project an expanded image between them. It was hard to make out what was happening at first, as the visuals rocked and tumbled to the soundtrack of panicked cries and explosion. Finally, the scene settled upon the horrifying form of a gigantic, horned insect with clattering jaws. It loomed forebodingly over an incapacitated figure.

"What the heck is that?!" Mori recoiled in revulsion. "It's hideous!"

"So, that's a Ginbakku," uttered Kumo, cringing at the monstrosity. "They're a lot larger than I imagined."

The creature belted out an abhorrent wail, which made the group collectively balk with dread. In the next instant, someone dropped into the scene, landing upon the fiend's back. The stranger proceeded to eviscerate the Ginbakku, ending its life with a fiery plunging blow, which reduced it to a pile of cinders. The clip ended there, abruptly.

"Wait a minute," Inaba voiced in puzzlement. "Don't I know that guy? It's…"

"C-cupid," Koyo finished, equally bewildered.

"Yes, I believe he runs with Lady Seto's Secret Service now," Kumo said. "I suppose you were right about one thing, Koyo - none of our guests are what they seem."

"You said his name is Cupid?" Banira asked in an uncharacteristically vulnerable tone, as her cheeks turned pink.

"It's not fair!" Inaba protested. "Aren't Earthlings supposed to be weaklings? This video has to be doctored, right? He's literally a nobody!"

"Not for long," noted Mori as she gestured to a counter on the holo-screen. "The views are already over ten-billion and counting. According to the timestamp, it's only been live for three hours."

"This is Cupid?" Koyo pondered aloud, still coming to grips with what he'd just witnessed. "I was just starting to feel comfortable interacting with him." His shoulders slunk with insecurity as he switched his device into sleep mode and slipped it into the pouch of his tunic. "After watching that, I'm not so sure I'll have the nerve to look at him again."

When he raised his head once more, he noticed a large figure walking toward them. "Oh," he chimed in recognition. "Niwa, it looks like your dad came to have lunch with us again."

"He never misses an opportunity to do so when he's not away," Shoga observed. "You're obviously his pride and joy."

As Iwa came to their table, Niwa peered up at him, their stoic expressions syncing with one another.

"Hello, Father."

The Mikagami-fune's sub-dimension bustled with life, as all seven-million-plus survivors of the Plorth Massacre were temporarily residing in its village and outskirts. Yumeji remained amongst them, committed to helping the Hashimu people in whatever capacity he could as penance for his father's role in the destruction of their planet. As for Koeda & Lukren, they were intent with following Yumeji for however long it took to capture the perfect conclusion to their documentary.

On this particular afternoon, Cupid was in the downtown area, visiting the trio's shared apartment, seeking answers to a matter he was none too pleased about.

"It wasn't me," Koeda swore, as Cupid interrogated him in the living room area. "You've got it all wrong!"

"You expect me to believe that? Who else could it have been? Unless..." Cupid glanced over at Lukren, suspiciously, who was lounging on the sofa.

"What?" He looked back with a muddled expression. "Do I strike you as someone who fiddles around on the damn interwebs?"

"Not when you refer to it like that," Cupid digressed.

"Come on, Koeda," Yumeji coaxed, attempting to mediate. His injuries from the Plorth incident had already fully healed, thanks to the wonders of Juraian medical technology. "You might as well just 'fess up. You're the only one who had footage of the incident."

"I didn't say it wasn't my footage. I'm just saying I didn't post it."

"You're really testing my patience, you bastard," Cupid growled.

"Look, I can't say anything more, alright? They'd probably kill me if I did."

"Then, I guess you'll have to decide whether you wanna die now, or later."

"Damn dude, take it easy! Alright…" Koeda let out a long, dreadful sigh before speaking his next words. "It must have been Lady Seto. She offered me a lot of money for a three-minute snippet of footage. Specifically, she wanted a clip of you. I thought it was an odd request, but I figured she was just gonna use it for her own private purposes, you know? I'm not one to judge."

"What do you mean 'private purposes'?'" Cupid asked, disturbed by his insinuation.

"I-I don't know, man, whatever!" He changed the subject. "What's the big deal, anyhow? It's not as if it wasn't going to come out once the film was released."

"Did you see anyone else in that clip? It makes it look like I single-handedly defeated the Ginbakku!"

"Actually, there was someone else in the clip," Yumeji groaned with embarrassment.

"Well, I'm definitely not complaining," Koeda shrugged, beaming irrepressibly. "Releasing that teaser was one hell of a publicity stunt! People are really amped up online over this. I almost feel like I should be paying her."

"There must be a logical reason behind putting you in the spotlight," Yumeji mused.

"To screw with me - that's the reason," Cupid accused, indignantly.

"You think it's some sort of prank? I don't know… seems a bit childish for someone of her stature."

"Clearly, you don't know her very well. She may look like a lady on the outside, but deep down she's like… some sort of demonic hellcat that likes to play with its food."

"Now that you know who did it, you should probably just go ask her," Lukren suggested. "A bunch of men standing around trying to figure out the whims of a woman is pointless."

"I guess you're right about that," he conceded. "It's time to get some answers from the source."

He started for the door.

"Hey, wait," Koeda called after him. "Don't you wanna check out the new equipment I purchased with the money she paid me?"

He stopped in his tracks and sighed. "Sure. Might as well see what you sold me out for."

"Come on, don't be like that."

Koeda went to a nearby closet and retrieved a large black box. "Take a look at this beauty!"

He laid the container on a table and unlatched it. Inside was a silver orb about the size of a beach ball, with a lens embedded in its axis.

"Is that supposed to be a camera?" Cupid questioned, gazing at it in puzzlement.

"That's right - state of the art! Watch me fire it up."

Koeda picked up the device resting beside it and double-tapped the screen, bringing it to life. A vague whirr resounded from the orb as it levitated into the air before them.

"I can operate it from a hundred kilometers away, viewing everything in real time. I can even switch it into autopilot and just let it do its thing. It's even got a built-in directional microphone."

"Not bad," Cupid complimented, genuinely impressed. "I guess you'll be retiring the old equipment you guys were lugging around on Plorth, then."

"Hell no, that's still our main rig," he replied, almost offendedly. "This is just another tool in the toolbox. People may laugh whenever they see us filming with antiquated equipment, but there's something about the unpolished look and sound of it that you just can't duplicate with the modern stuff. You Earthlings should be proud of the products being manufactured on your planet. Me and Lukren want it to be our signature - it sets us apart from other filmmakers who let their gear do all the work."

"You're really passionate about this filmmaking stuff, huh?"

"We followed this guy into a cave full of giant, man-eating insects," he said, gesturing to Yumeji, "Is that not enough proof of our passion?"

Cupid laughed. "All three of you are crazy, if you ask me. Anyways, I'm off to give the ol' Devil Princess a piece of my mind."

"Cupid..." Yumeji had one last thing to say. "I don't think I ever properly thanked you… for what you did on Plorth. We wouldn't have made it out of that cave alive that day, if not for you."

"Yeah, no shit," he grinned. "Don't mention it."

He left the apartment and took the elevator to the ground floor. Stepping out into the town square, he made a beeline toward the teleportation circle that would take him back to the bridge of the ship.

As he walked across the plaza, someone called to him from nearby. Turning to acknowledge the familiar voice, he found Panji prancing toward him, excitedly. Without warning, she lepted into his arms and embraced him tightly, locking her legs around his waist. Her miniature, yet shapely figure pressed flush against his torso.

"Panji," he yelped in surprise.

He gently pried her off and set her down onto the pavement. She gazed up at him, beaming with adoration.

"What's gotten into you?" he questioned, flustered. "You're lively today."

"I've decided I'm done mourning," she answered. "I have to demonstrate to my people there's still room for joy, despite our misfortune. Keeping our spirits up is the only way we'll make it through these trying times."

"I'm just happy to see you stepping into your new role as Chieftain with enthusiasm," he replied with a smile. "Minaho said she's been keeping you up to date on the status of your people's relocation."

"She has," Panji confirmed. "Though, with a ship as magnificent as the Mikagami, I don't think anyone's in a rush to leave. I doubt, however, that Lady Seto would be keen on the idea of letting us make it our permanent home." She chuckled.

"I'll have to agree with you on that."

"I was told it might take some time to find a suitable planet to sustain us. The Galactic Union is still working out the minutiae of our temporary placement. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we'll all end up together on a single planet. In any case, I'm grateful they're willing to help."

"Good to know you're staying optimistic about it," said Cupid.

"I have to," she replied, her cheerful expression almost wavering for the slightest of moments. "By the way, I'm supposed to attend a meeting with the GU tomorrow morning to discuss the whole process. If all goes well, we might even be able to leave the ship as soon as next week."

"That's great! You and your people might be able to get back to some sort of normality, once you've settled in somewhere a bit more permanent."

"I think so too," she agreed. "Um…" She looked away bashfully as she lingered in his presence, unsure of her next question she so desperately wanted to ask. "Do you…" She took a deep breath and finally just let it out. "Do you think that maybe you and I could remain friends, even after I leave here?"

"Huh?" Cupid wondered why that was so hard for her to ask. "Of course. We've been through a lot together in a really short time. I'm sure we'll always be friends because of that."

"Then... you'll come see me occasionally… and perhaps we could spend time together?" She cast her eyes self-consciously to the cobblestone road, her fingers tinkering with the bracelets dangling from her wrist.

Cupid's nerves spiked as he suddenly realized the nature of her request.

"Well, I…"

A translucent image materialized between them, causing them both to flinch.

"I need you," Seto stated, from the other end of the transmission.

"What a coincidence - I was just on my way to see you," Cupid grumbled. "I know what you did and I want some answers."

"I'm sure I have no idea what you're complaining about this time," she replied, dismissively. "In any case, I require your escort, immediately. Come to me."

Her last three words were less a request, and more of an invocation that whisked him away from the square without hesitation. He was now standing before Seto, who rested idly in the captain's chair of the ship. Minaho stood dutifully by her side, as if to represent the physical manifestation of her conscience.

"We need to talk!"

"I'm scheduled for a television interview this afternoon, here at the palace," she said, intentionally ignoring him. "It's quite rare that I grant one of these bothersome events, but it was a term I had to agree with in order to appease the Galactic Union. They want me to reaffirm to the galaxy that I have their best interests in mind."

"So, what do you need me for? You're not in any danger inside the Tenju."

"It's more of a formality," she admitted, "but, even the most mundane task can serve as a learning experience for an outsider such as yourself. Besides, I get the sense that there's something you want to talk to me about."

"How perceptive of you," he droned, sarcastically.

"We can discuss it on my downtime. Otherwise, it'll have to wait another day. I have quite a bit on my plate at the moment."

"Fine," he sighed. "I'll come along."

That settled, Seto transported them to a veranda on the ground floor of the Tenju, where a film crew was already busily preparing. The interviewer was a flamboyantly-attired woman with colorful makeup and intricately styled hair that transitioned from purple to pink. Upon noticing Seto's arrival, her face lit up and she rushed forth to greet her, thanking her profusely for the honor.

According to Minaho, she was an extraordinarily famous talk show host, and the program was expected to break ratings records. As the woman briefed Seto on the various topics she intended to discuss, Cupid and Minaho stood offstage, patiently waiting.

"Why do I always have to come along for stuff like this?" he griped. "I'm sure Akanagi would be more than happy to follow her around, looking useless - he gets off on being her bootlicker."

"You mean, you really haven't figured it out?" Minaho questioned, a bit surprised.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, how should I put this?" She tapped a finger against her bottom lip, contemplatively. "I believe the closest term you have for it on Earth is 'arm candy'."

"The hell I am!"

"Sometimes the truth is simpler than you'd like it to be, huh?," she teased in amusement. "You might as well just accept it."

After several more minutes, Seto and the host took their places on set, seated face-to-face in levitating chairs. The director called for silence from everyone before finally signaling for the interview to begin. On cue, the host rattled off her introduction with vivacious energy.

"Hello and welcome to a very special edition of 'Haruko' coming to you live from the Jurai Royal Palace. I'm Haruko Kurikoma, and today it is my great honor to be in the presence of Jurai's very own Royal matriarch, Lady Seto Kamiki Jurai! Thank you so very much for joining me."

"It's my pleasure, Haruko," said Seto, graciously. "Thank you for having me."

"As I understand it, you haven't granted a public interview in over forty-five years. What made you decide to do so now?"

"As I'm sure your viewers are aware, a number of unfortunate events have transpired over the past couple weeks. I felt it necessary to speak directly to the people about what occurred on Plorth. I'd also like to update everyone on the current status of the Hashimu people, and talk about how the Galactic Union intends to move forward in helping them recover from their trauma."

Haruko's brow furrowed with deep sympathy. "I think I speak for everyone when I say our hearts go out to the Hashimu who've lost their home planet in the tragic event now known as the 'Plorth Massacre'. If I may ask, are you also willing to speak with us this hour about the destruction of the pirate planet Xonalis?"

"But, of course," Seto replied. "It's important that people understand the heinous actions of their leader, Vander Jintara, and how the collapse of Xonalis served the greater good of the galaxy. We were all at risk of suffering the same fate as Plorth, had nothing been done."

As the interview proceeded, Cupid listened in on a series of half-truths. It was factual that Xonalis was a scourge, guilty of every atrocity mentioned, and then some. However, it was within the details Seto left out, as well as the questions the interviewer conveniently neglected to ask, that the devil was hidden in plain sight.

After forty-five minutes of softball questions pitched to Seto by the perpetually buoyant Haruko Kurikoma, it seemed that the interview was beginning to wind down. Cupid breathed a sigh of relief as the topic of Plorth and Xonalis came to a close and the host expressed her gratitude to Seto for sharing. However, instead of segueing into an outro, Haruko decided to surprise her viewers with an unexpected bonus.

"Is that a familiar face I see?" she asked, craning her neck to take a gander at Cupid.

The director motioned for the cameras to pan in his direction.

"What... the hell is going on?" he inquired to Minaho with unease.

"I… honestly don't know," she replied, equally perplexed.

"Why, I believe it's the mysterious stranger featured in the viral clip that exploded onto the Galactic Web this morning! Last we checked, the video had already exceeded an astounding fifty-billion views. It's quite clear that everyone is interested in knowing who this extraordinary hero is. Lady Seto, I assume he's an acquaintance of yours. Well, don't keep him a secret from the galaxy any longer!"

"I thought you'd never ask," Seto replied, without missing a beat. "As you've witnessed, he's quickly proven to be a worthy addition to my personal Secret Service. There are many things I could tell you about this handsome young man, but perhaps the detail your viewers would find most interesting is the fact that he's still single!"

"How is that relevant?!" Cupid shouted in embarrassment. He stared daggers in Seto's direction as she grinned back at him, knowingly.

"That's right ladies," she continued, unfazed by his expression of obvious disapproval. "His name is Cupid... and he just might be the most eligible bachelor in the galaxy!"

Inside the Tenju's royal discussion hall, Yugi sat patiently upon a white cabriole sofa, nestled between First Empress Funaho, Sasami, and Ryo-Ohki in her catgirl form. The room was full of ivory furniture, arranged circumferentially along a wine-colored floor. Each of the white walls around her featured a different family crest.

Yugi was only familiar with the one corresponding to House Masaki. She'd seen it in several locations of the residential area. As for which ones were for Houses Amaki ,Kamiki, or Tatsuki, she had no idea, but she supposed she would find out soon enough.

She wore the raiments of a Juraian noblewoman, which were red, white, and navy blue with gold tassels. She wasn't comfortable dressing so ornately, and it showed as she wrung at the hem of her robe, nervously.

"It'll be fine," Sasami reassured. "They're your family. From here on out, you don't have to wonder about where you came from ever again."

"I don't even care about that anymore," Yugi replied. "You're my family. I just want to go back home to Earth… with you, and Tenchi, and everyone else."

"I understand more than you know, my dear," Funaho sympathized. "I still remember when I first arrived here from Earth, as a new Royal. I know the feeling of wanting to return to a simpler time and place, before suddenly being cast into a lifestyle of regality, and all the responsibility that comes with it.

"However, it isn't something you can simply run away from. It has a way of following you wherever you go - even Yosho can attest to that. In any case, this is simply an introduction. You can decide afterwards how you want to live your life. Either way, you have our support."

Sasami took Yugi's hand and held it firmly. "We're right here with you, no matter what, okay?"

"Miya!" Ryo-Ohki agreed.

"Alright," Yugi groaned, "Let's just get it over with."

Several more minutes passed before the double doors of the room finally parted. Eight individuals filed silently into the discussion hall, taking seats on the opposing side of the room.

Yugi only recognized a single person among them: Syuuzen Amaki, her father. A slender woman with black hair pinned behind her head with a comb adorned with purple flowers took her place beside him in a row of chairs. Her ice-blue eyes scrutinized Yugi with contempt. As for Syuuzen himself, he seemed to be doing everything he could not to look at her at all.

Seated furthest to the left was a corpulent gentleman with red hair, surrounded by what seemed to be his immediate family. A brunette woman adjoined arms with him, her body language taut and rigid. To each side of them was a young adult - a male with sandy-colored hair and hazel eyes sat at their left, and a crimson-haired female with fiery eyes to their right. Their expressions varied between disdain and indifference.

To the far right, separated from the others by several chairs, rested a woman with plum-colored hair and magenta eyes. To her left was a young boy just short of his teens, based on Yugi's assessment. He possessed wavy steel-blue locks, with eyes the same shape and color as the woman beside him. From these two, Yugi sensed no animosity; just different degrees of curiosity.

"We're here, as Your Majesty demanded of us," Syuuzen stated, brusquely.

"Hello, Syuuzen," she greeted, her politeness failing to fully conceal a hidden animosity. "I can see that you have little interest in prolonging this, so I'll get right to the point." She gestured toward Yugi. "The child's lineage has been irrefutably confirmed by genetic analysis. She is most definitely the offspring of Dr. Hinase Tsurumi, and yourself. As such, she will hereby be known officially as Yugi Amaki, with all the rights and privileges entitled to those of the Royal House of Amaki."

"This is preposterous," Syuuzen objected. "This… lab experiment was created by a mad woman without my consent. Clearly, Dr. Tsurumi stole my DNA. That's the only explanation for this!"

"You and Hinase were involved in a romantic relationship for a time, weren't you?" Funaho questioned. "Unless you were woefully inadequate, I can imagine a far less convoluted explanation for Yugi's conception."

"That monster is no child of mine!" he shouted, furiously.

Yugi grit her teeth, both hurt and angered by his words. She strained against the urge to lunge forward and knock him clean out of his chair. As she nearly decided to do just that, Sasami stood up beside her.

"There's no greater monster than a father who denies his own child," she castigated. "Yugi is my best friend. She's the strongest and most genuine person I've ever met. If you insult her that way in my presence again, I don't know that I'll be able to restrain myself."

Yugi grinned appreciatively at her overprotective companion.

"Princess Sasami," Syuuzen addressed, "It's been a long time since I've last seen you within these walls. I heard you were taking an extended vacation on the primitive planet Earth. It seems as though the experience may have dulled your graces."

She visibly took offense to his words, balling her fists beside her.

"Sasami," Funaho prompted, "please, dear... compose yourself."

"I'm sorry," she replied, suddenly conscious of her indecorum. She slunk back into her seat, slightly embarrassed by the outburst.

"The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, does it?" he commented, snidely.

"You don't truly believe yourself qualified to critique someone else's parenting skills, do you, Syuuzen?" Funaho questioned.

He sneered, changing the subject. "This is just another in a series of actions by your family to humiliate House Amaki. I assume it doesn't matter whether or not I accept this."

"Your acceptance isn't required, but you will acknowledge her as a member of your house. That is the decision handed down by the Supreme Council. It isn't in your best interest to make a scene about this."

After glowering at Funaho in resentment for several moments, Syuuzen finally answered. "As you wish... your Majesty."

"Thank you for your cooperation."

"May we be excused?" he asked, disgruntledly.

"You may."

"Let's go," he instructed, pushing out of his seat. All members of his house followed suit as he skulked out of the room, with the exception of the plum-haired woman and the boy next to her.

"Hi Funaho, sweetie," she greeted, sunnily.

"Hey there, Nori," Funaho replied with equal familiarity.

"So, when are we going to get together for another round of cards? It's been far too long!"

"Are you so anxious to relieve me of my worldly possessions again?"

"Oh, we don't have to play for money. I just enjoy having one activity I can actually beat you in. Victory is it's own reward."

"Modest, as always," Funaho sighed. "We'll get together soon, I promise."

"I'll hold you to that, Your Majesty."

She stood from her seat and crossed the room, stopping before Yugi.

"Hello, young lady," she addressed, "I'm Noriko Amaki Jurai. It's very nice to meet you!"

"Hello," Yugi greeted back, warily.

"I can certainly see the resemblance," Noriko claimed, appraising her features. "Your eyes hold the same sadness I remember in Mitsuki's."

The invocation of her sister's name garnered curiosity. "Did you know her well?"

"I'd hope so. She was my dear niece, after all. As for that charming lad over there," she added, pointing back at the young man still sitting in the background, "that's my son, Shido."

He raised his hand lazily, in salute to Yugi.

"Don't mind him," said Noriko, "he's just trying to look cool. Kids these days."

He rolled his eyes in response.

"So, listen… not everyone feels the same as Syuuzen - you have allies here. If you'd like, I can give you a tour of the Amaki House sector."

"I don't know..." Yugi looked to Sasami for an excuse to decline.

"Go on, Yugi," Sasami encouraged, "I think it would be good for you."

"Wow, thanks a lot," she muttered under her breath.

"We'll be waiting for you whenever you're ready to return," Funaho promised. "Remember, you always have a place with us."

Yugi nodded in gratitude to the Empress.

"Well, okay then," Noriko chirped. "Shall we start?"

Yugi reluctantly complied, "I suppose so, just for a little while."

Noriko traded best wishes with Funaho before escorting Yugi out of the room. Outside the doorway, they stepped into a transportation circle, which ferried them into the main hall of the Amaki House Sector.

Yugi gazed about a voluminous atrium paved with red and black checkerboard marble flooring. Its alabaster, gold-trimmed walls were bordered by cascading staircases leading to several adjacent hallways. The architecture of the sector was a stark departure from House Masaki's organic composition, but she felt this was actually more suited to her liking.

Noriko was quite knowledgeable about the history of the sector as she led Yugi on an energetic tour. A number of staff members stole curious glances at the new Royal as they strolled through the capacious halls. During Noriko's exhaustive exposition, Shido broke his silence but once to ask Yugi a question.

"I heard you can summon demons. Is that true?"

"Something like that," she replied, casually. A wicked grin formed at the corners of her mouth. "I can show you sometime."

"Sounds cool," he replied, unrattled.

This kid is definitely cut from a different cloth than Kenshi, she thought, slightly disappointed by his lack of fear.

As they continued on, they came to an intersection in the hallway where they unexpectedly crossed paths with the brunette from the meeting hall who was coupled with the auburn-haired fellow. As she took notice of Yugi, she frowned with disapproval.

"Did you decide to adopt the blacksheep, Noriko?" she questioned. "Just be sure to keep it on a tight leash."

"Excuse me?" Yugi objected.

"You do realize that due to her lineage, she holds superiority over you, right Ohari?" Noriko retorted. "It might be wise of you to watch your tone. She could end up leading House Amaki one day."

"Don't spout drivel," she flouted, though the notion clearly evoked a hint of concern in her expression. "In any case, if you intend to go against Syuuzen's wishes, don't expect any of us to help you. You can dig your own grave. Now, if you'll excuse me."

Ohari continued on past them before disappearing around a nearby corner.

"Do you mind not giving these people any ideas," Yugi requested in annoyance. "This is hard enough without them thinking I'm here to disrupt their household."

"You're right," Noriko apologized. "I was only attempting to defend you, not put a target on your back. I'll try to be more tactful."

They resumed the tour, eventually coming to a residence at the end of one of the sector's multiple corridors.

"...and this is our home," Noriko announced proudly. She opened the door, inviting Yugi in.

"I don't know," she replied, reticently. "I wasn't planning on spending much more time here."

"But you're already here," Noriko insisted. "You might as well come inside for a few moments. Think of it as part of the tour."

Yugi sighed "As long as it's the end of the tour," she said, following her in.

Inside, the entryway was as grand as a hotel lobby. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling above an exquisite arrangement of furniture. A stairwell led to a second floor and beneath it was a large mantle, adorned with family heirlooms and portraits.

"Well, it's been fun," bid Shido as he started his way upstairs.

"Couldn't wait to get away from your family, huh?" Noriko complained.

"I just spent a whole hour listening to you ramble about rooms and hallways. What else do you want from me, old lady?"

"Didn't I tell you to stop calling me that, you little punk? I haven't physically aged since my early thirties!"

"Thirty's not old?" he muttered.

"Shut up and go to your room!"

"That's what I said I was gonna do in the first place."

"Then, hurry up and do it before I punch your face so hard, you'll wake up an old man."

He snickered. "Okay, that was a good one… I'll see you at dinner." He bounded up the stairs, leaving Noriko and Yugi to their own devices.

"I love that obnoxious brat," Noriko sighed.

"You have a nice place," Yugi complimented as she peered about.

"Thank you. Please, make yourself at home."

Yugi slowly gravitated toward the mantle. Something resting upon it captured her attention.

"Mitsuki," she uttered, gazing at a portrait of a little girl smiling in a garden.

"So, you recognize her," Noriko spoke in surprise.

"I've… seen an image before."

"I see. It's good that someone showed you."

"How…" Yugi wasn't sure she should ask, but she needed to know. "How did she pass away?"

"She was terminally ill, but her bond to a first generation Royal Tree sustained her lifeforce. Sometime after meeting Azuza Masaki, she made the decision to transfer ownership of the tree over to him. Upon doing so, she forfeited her life. I suppose she died as selflessly as she lived."

"She sacrificed her life for Sasami's dad?" Yugi questioned, taken aback. "They were that close?"

"Indeed they were. He'd likely not become Emperor, if not for her actions. Mitsuki was a flower too delicate for this world. How I wish you two could have met. It would have brought her great joy to discover she had a little sister."

Noriko nodded to another portrait near the edge of the mantle. "That's what she looked like the year before she perished."

Yugi followed her gaze to a photo of a woman who appeared to be in her early twenties. She wore violet finery, complimentary of her eyes. She was classically beautiful with all the poise and grace of a true princess. A gold coronet adorned her brow.

"She died so young," Yugi murmured in a mixture of sorrow and fascination.

"As did her mother before her."

"Is her mom somewhere in these photos?"

"That one there." Noriko pointed to the portrait of a woman lovingly embracing a blue-haired infant.

Yugi seemed confused. "But, that's you... isn't it?"

"Asahi and I were twins," she explained. "People would often say we were like two sides of the same coin. She was the amiable one who people tended to get along with right away. As for me, well… I guess I was more of the scrappy, tomboy type. Despite that, we really did get along well. I miss her so much."

Yugi didn't know how to respond, so she didn't. They stood in silence for several more moments, examining the images before them.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Noriko offered, interrupting their quiet. "I would love to hear about everything you've been through. In exchange, I'll tell you stories about Mitsuki… I even know a few about Hinase, if you're interested."

"Sure," Yugi replied, "I guess I could stay a while longer."

Tenchi knelt upon the wood-grained deck of a platform carved into a branch of the Tenju, deep in meditation. After several minutes in this position, he opened his eyes and stood up, slowly reaching forth his right hand as if to grasp for something in the air before him.

He concentrated, channeling his inner ki into the palm of his hand. His brow furrowed as his focus intensified. He could almost feel what he was seeking out, just beyond the edges of his fingertips. Soon, he found himself trembling - this was his limit. Depleted, he let his arm fall limp at his side as he panted with exhaustion.

He reflected on the times in the past in which he successfully harnessed his hidden power. It was nearly autonomous, never requiring his will to manifest itself. That had always been good enough for him… until the day he met someone who could turn off his powers like a light switch. From that day, Tenchi began to worry over relying on a fluke to defend the people he cared for. He was developing an interest in learning how it actually worked, and possibly, how to master it.

He reached for his waistband, retrieving the sword that shared his name before activating its blade of light. He figured at the very least he could focus on keeping his kenjutsu sharp while he mulled over what he was doing wrong. He imagined an opponent standing before him and began to strike at the air as he rehearsed combat scenarios.

Daigo, one of the Royal Guardians chaperoning him, came over from his post, intrigued by what he saw.

"Those moves… they're derived from a Juraian sword art, aren't they? I see some foreign elements mixed in, but the bones are there for sure. Who is your teacher?"

"My grandfather," Tenchi replied, still thrusting his sword at an invisible foe. "Ever since I was a little kid he'd make me practice every day in the fields. I used to think of it as cruel and unusual punishment, but I've actually grown to enjoy it. It's sure come in handy through the years."

"Your grandfather?" Daigo repeated, visibly puzzled. "What is his…?" He chastened himself, remembering he wasn't allowed to question Tenchi's lineage. Instead, he requested an exchange in which there was no need for words. "You look like you know how to swing a sword, but how are you against a real opponent? Care to take me on?"

Tenchi was hesitant to oblige. "Right now?" He deactivated his blade and looked at Daigo, uncertainly. "I didn't bring a bokken with me."

Daigo laughed. "You're worried about my safety? I'm offering some valuable experience here. You'll get a lot more out of it than swinging at nothingness."

"Well, I can't argue with that," Tenchi admitted. "I suppose I can stop short whenever it seems like I might actually hit you."

"I'll break you in half if you're foolish enough to not follow through."

The Guardian's sharp rebuttal unnerved him. "On second thought, I'm not sure your idea of training is what I had in mind."

Ignoring his concern, the Royal Guardian whipped his staff around his body, unleashing a vicious torrent of swipes and thrusts. Tenchi bobbed and weaved, managing to evade his blitz. Daigo finished the combination with a mighty swing.

Unable to clear the reach of his weapon, Tenchi threw up his guard, feeling the crack of its shaft against his forearms. The impact was so heavy, it sent him skidding back several meters.

"Hey, take it easy with that thing," Tenchi protested, shaking the pain out of his wrists.

"No one told you to fight me bare-handed," Daigo hinted.

"Fine! Just remember you asked for it." Tenchi reignited the blade of his weapon.

"Now, that's more like it. Show me what your grandfather taught you!"

Tenchi rushed forward, bringing his sword down in a fierce arch. As their weapons clashed, he was surprised to be met with so much resistance.

Daigo chuckled at the look on his face. "This staff is carved from the branch of a second-generation Royal Tree. It won't be so easily broken!"

He knocked his blade aside and launched into another barrage.

Tenchi jousted and parried as the two engaged in a feverish battle dance. With uncanny agility, he maneuvered through Daigo's whirlwind dervish with an array of pivots and winding somersaults. Finding a break in Daigo's assault, he initiated a counter-attack, causing his opponent to switch into defensive mode as Tenchi unfurled a relentless onslaught. Stumbling back on his heels, Daigo's defense wavered just enough for Tenchi to slip a haymaker through.

Catching a face full of knuckles, the Royal Guardian fell on his ass.

"Damn it," he shouted before kicking onto his feet and charging back into the fight. His staff became a blur as he wielded it with extraordinary speed. Tenchi met him with equal finesse, shirking and twirling as their weapons collided repeatedly. Whenever there was an opening to strike, Tenchi did so without the use of his blade.

After suffering one too many such blows, Daigo backed away from the melee, gasping raggedly.

"You impudent bastard," he groused, glaring at Tenchi with eyes full of resentment. "I told you to fight me for real. Stop toying with me!" He straightened is posture, raising the spire of his staff in Tenchi's direction. It's embedded jewel adopted an angry glow as energy swelled within it, agitating the air between them.

"Perhaps you'd like me to show you the true power of a Royal Guardian."

"Not really," Tenchi replied, uneasily. "How about we just call this a draw?"

"Go to hell!"

"That's enough, Daigo," declared the second Guardian, approaching from the sidelines. "He's bested you."

Daigo sighed in resignation before resting his staff, the light in its spire dissipating.

Tenchi felt relieved for the intervention. "I meant no offense by holding back - it's only a sparring match. I was just trying not to seriously injure you, or worse."

"It would have been better than this dishonor," he said. He spat the blood out of his mouth before turning to walk away.

"What the hell is his problem?" Tenchi griped. "Did I do something wrong?"

"I don't know what your connection is to the Royal Family," Ujo stated, "but you walk around here with such an air of ignorance and naivety about everything around you... and yet you dealt him that kind of defeat. It's enough to shatter the pride of any Royal Guardian of Jurai."

With that, he made his way back to his post by the entrance.

As Ujo walked away, Tenchi thought deeply about his words. Had he been neglecting his Juraian heritage to a point where it had become disrespectful? Living as an Earthling was all he'd ever known. He never really thought about his role within Juraian society or where he fit into it. He'd come to realize that his strength and ability was exceptional, even amongst the Jurai Royals. Did that translate into some sort of responsibility he was obligated to fulfill?

He'd always been complacent about his supernatural abilities. Strange things would happen at critical moments, and when it was over he'd simply go back to his semi-regular lifestyle, blissful in his own ignorance. Perhaps it was the reason he couldn't stand toe-to-toe with Pegys - someone who'd clearly embraced their strength, to the point of believing they were a god.

Was he, though? And if so, would that make Pegys's claim about Tenchi also true?

Ayeka's voice cut through his inner dialogue as she called out to him. He looked up to find her approaching him from the doorway.

"There you are," she sighed. "Shouldn't you be preparing to meet up with the others? It'll be evening soon."

"Yeah, sorry about that," he replied. "I guess I lost track of time out here."

"Is everything okay?" she questioned, looking him over with concern. "If there's something on your mind, we can call things off for tonight. You always have my ear."

"It's nothing to worry about," he reassured. "Besides, you know Ryoko bounces off the walls if I don't check in with her."

He meant that quite literally. The walls of Tenju were resistant to her phasing abilities. However, that didn't stop her from repeatedly trying.

"Very well. I had Shoga and Banira draw up a bath for you. Shall we meet up in the Guest Sector in half and hour?"

"Sounds good. I'll see you there, Ayeka."

He rushed back to his quarters to bathe before throwing on a fresh outfit of Juraian design. He was looking forward to the night. They'd been on Jurai for nearly two weeks, and with all that was happening around the palace, they hadn't yet found the opportunity for an outing together.

Tonight, they were to watch a play in the city's theater district, and from what he'd heard, tickets were sold out for months to come. Needless to say, the Royal Family had no such difficulty securing seats to any event they wanted, on short notice.

When he met up with the others in the Guest Sector's common area, Noike was there amongst them, visibly exhausted.

"Sorry, but I just can't get away right now," she explained, regretfully. "Minaho and I have been assisting Lady Seto with the final details of the Hashimu relocation. As much as I was looking forward to this, I'm afraid I'll have to sit this one out."

"It won't be the same without you, Noike, but I understand," Tenchi stated. "What you're doing is important. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks, Tenchi," she replied, glowing with affection.

"How's Yugi been?" Cupid inquired, noting her absence from the group.

"A lot better since the incident," Noike answered. "Today, she met with members of House Amaki. I believe she's still in the middle of getting acquainted with a few of them."

"And… Sasami?"

"Well," Ayeka's chimed in, eyes softening in apology. "I'm afraid she still doesn't quite know what she wants to say to you right now. She really does cares very much about your feelings. That's why this is so hard for her. Once the time is right, I'm sure she'll meet with you to talk things out."

He nodded solemnly in acceptance.

"I suppose that means Ryo-Ohki won't be joining us either, then," Washu conjectured. "Looks like we're all here."

Tenchi looked about, quizzically. "Don't tell me Mihoshi and Kiyone aren't coming also."

"Did you forget it's their first day on duty with the Galaxy Police's Jurai branch?" Noike questioned.

"Oh," he recalled, "That was today, wasn't it?"

"Well, I'm certainly not complaining, Tenchi" Ryoko purred as she fell against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "A smaller crowd makes things more intimate," she whispered into his ear before nibbling gently, causing him to involuntarily whimper.

"What are you doing to Tenchi, you harlot?" Ayeka protested.

"Things a prude like you wouldn't know anything about. He obviously likes it, so mind your business."

"Oh, so that's why you made that sound, is it?" she asked Tenchi, jealously. "You like what she's doing?"

"What? N-no! She just caught me off guard, that's all!"

"Let's see if you like it so much after I knock the teeth out of her mouth!"

Tenchi shuddered as he briefly envisioned a toothless Ryoko gumming his earlobe.

As Ayeka attempted to pry Ryoko off of his neck, he noticed Inaba staring at him begrudgingly from across the room… again. It was the same look he'd often receive while visiting the Guest Sector, but whenever he tried bringing it to the attention of the girls, the guy would promptly fix his face. He decided not to bring it up anymore. Still, it was creepy as hell.

"Alright, cut it out you two," Noike sighed. "If you don't leave soon, you'll be late to your show."

"What's this dumb play about anyway," Ryoko groaned, reluctantly turning Tenchi loose.

"It's called 'The Dawn of Endless Spring'. It's an autobiography of the First Emperor of Jurai."

"Sounds boring."

"Maybe to an uncouth neanderthal," Ayeka defended. "If it were up to you, we'd likely be on our way to some seedy bar."

"Now, that's actually a great idea, princess," Ryoko perked up. "Kudos for suggesting it."

"It wasn't a suggestion!"

"There's gotta be somewhere in this city of twigs where we can throw back a few drinks and unwind."

"I know just the spot, Ryoko," Inaba shouted as he rushed over, inserting himself into the conversation. "There's a bar downtown called 'The Spinning Acorn'. It's a pretty solid joint. You should definitely check it out tonight!"

"Well, what do you know, he's not completely useless," Ryoko approved. "Sounds like a plan to me!"

"Wait a minute," Cupid objected. "I'm sixteen, remember? They won't let me into a bar."

"Actually, on Jurai, sixteen is the legal drinking age," Ayeka informed. "Not that I'm on board with this idea."

"Really?! You mean I could have been drinking the whole time I've been here?"

"Your first experience with alcohol, huh?" Washu pondered beside him. "This could make for an interesting experiment. Count me in!"

Cupid peered down at her, dubiously. "Washu… No offense, but you look like a twelve-year-old, and not even the overdeveloped type. I don't even think a legitimate ID would be enough to convince someone otherwise."

"Well, you've got me there," she admitted.

"Sorry; just being realistic," he said, looking back to the rest of the group.

"Is this convincing enough?" she inquired in a sultrier tone.

"If you think changing your voice is gonna..."

Peering back at her once more, she now appeared to him as a grown woman with full breasts, shapely hips, and long legs.

"...what the…"

"This is my true form, Cupid," she crooned.

"Huh? Seriously?"

"Mmmhmm," she murmured sensually. "Do you like the way I look?"

His face flushed. "Don't just casually ask me that!"

"You're even cuter when you're shy." She came in close, placing her hands behind his head, slowly stroking the base of his neck. Her supple breasts pressed against his chest. "Dilating pupils… increasing heart rate. You really do like me this way, don't you? You can hold me, if you like."

"Geez, I almost forgot you had an even more annoying version of yourself," Ryoko griped.

"Miss Washu," Ayeka reproved, "please stop this. Neither Sasami nor Yugi would approve of your actions. Besides, we're not going to a bar, so you can go back to being little Washu."

"Aww," Washu pouted, letting her arms slip from around Cupid's shoulders. "why not?"

"Because we're on Jurai and I'm royalty here. How would it look if I were to be seen in a common pub?"

"I probably shouldn't condone this," Noike sighed, "but I'm sure you could get away with a night out drinking, provided you don't do anything to bring attention to yourselves. I know of others in the palace who do so regularly, in disguise."

"Do you really think it would be okay?"

"I understand wanting to unwind now and then, so I won't say anything about it. Just don't do anything to embarrass yourself - that's all I ask."

"Alright then," Ayeka yielded. "After the play, perhaps we can peruse this bar… if I feel so inclined."

"Alright, this is gonna be great," Inaba cheered. "Hold on, let me change out of these work clothes!"

He retreated off to the staff quarters as everyone looked at each other, baffled.

"Um... did we actually invite him?" asked Tenchi.

"Hell no!" answered Ryoko. "Let's leave before he gets back."

"I'd kinda feel guilty about it. He looked pretty excited."

"P-please don't wait for him," Koyo implored from nearby. "He's on duty, so he'd only get in trouble for abandoning his post."

"Well, that settles it," Ryoko concluded, grabbing Tenchi by the arm and tugged him toward the teleportation ring. "Everyone hurry!"

The others huddled into the circle around them, readying themselves for transport.

"Don't work too hard," Tenchi advised, waving back at Noike.

She smiled tenderly at him, waving in return. "Enjoy yourselves… but, not too much."

As they arrived on the ground floor of the Tenju, a long, sleek sedan awaited them out front. They settled into the automated vehicle and it proceeded to chauffer them through a fantastical garden metropolis named Tokashin, where wood and steel coalesced. Tenchi marveled at winding organic highrises, awash in the amber light of a setting sun. Pedestrians strolled the busy sidewalks with purpose, beneath streetlights made of tall trees with curious glowing fruit.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop in front of a bustling theater and the group stepped out onto the show's venue. When they entered the building, they were ushered to their seats in the balcony area, where Tenchi predictably found himself sandwiched between Ryoko and Ayeka. Ujo and Daigo stood guard behind them, which didn't exactly make Tenchi rest at ease. At one point during the show, one of them sneezed and he almost reached for the sword at his hip.

The performance was unlike anything he'd seen before. Although it was a stage production, the actors' surroundings appeared photorealistic. Sky and terrain occupied the entire ceiling and floor of the auditorium, enveloping the audience into the scenery.

Everyone in Tenchi's entourage seemed earnestly enthralled by the performance. It was an endearing tale of adventure, comedy, and romance. Even Ryoko became misty-eyed during a particularly heart wrenching moment in the story.

Half-way into the third and final act, a scene played out in which the protagonist climbed his way up to the top of Jurai's highest tree, where he discovered a sleeping, blue-haired giantess. Stirred awake by his presence, the woman's radiant carnation eyes opened, gazing upon the entire audience.

While the actress portraying Tsunami wasn't her physical doppelganger, it was still an impressive representation. Tenchi peered down the aisle at Cupid, who was leaning forward in his seat with wide-eyed wonder. In that moment, his feelings for Sasami were laid bare in his expression. There was longing and admiration, but also a measure of sorrow, which made Tenchi feel sympathy toward him.

Soon after, the show came to a close. The audience stood in applause as the cast took a bow on stage. Finally, the lights of the auditorium swelled, prompting the chattering masses to make their way out of the theater. As Tenchi and company stepped out onto the sidewalk, the sky above was filled with stars.

"What a wonderful show that was," Ayeka gushed to the others. "No wonder it's been receiving universal praise from critics!"

"Yeah, I suppose it was alright," Ryoko conceded.

"Oh please, I saw you crying back there," roasted Cupid.

"Liar! You didn't see nothing!"

"We all saw it, little Ryoko," Washu chimed in. "I'm just happy to know the tear ducts I created you with still function. You're always so adorable when you cry."

"My eyes water when I yawn, that's all," she insisted.

"You're the first person I've ever seen yawn with their mouth shut," Cupid remarked.

"I'm still waiting to see your mouth shut!"

"So, what did you think about the play, Tenchi?" Ayeka inquired, taking hold of his arm, affectionately.

"I really enjoyed it," he said. "The story was unbelievable. I wonder if it all really happened that way."

"It most certainly did," Ayeka replied. "The First Emperor's journal is still kept in the private library of House Masaki. I can show it to you sometime. There's actually quite a bit the play didn't cover."

"I'd like that," Tenchi accepted. "It's about time I learned more about my ancestry, I suppose."

"Oh, I agree. I'm so glad to hear you say that!"

"So, are we heading to the bar now or what?" Ryoko prompted. "The night's still young!"

"It's your call," Tenchi said, looking to Ayeka.

"Well, everyone seems to want to go. Give me a moment to change my look."

She pressed her index and middle fingers against the side of her tiara, causing a halo of light to descend from the crown of her head to the bottom of her feet, reconfiguring her appearance as it did. When it was over, her formerly purple eyes were now light-brown and french-vanilla locks cascaded her shoulders.

"How do I look," she asked, twirling about.

"Wow, it's amazing how much hair and eyes can change a person," Tenchi marveled. "Still, I think you look pretty good."

"Why, thank you," she beamed, proudly. "Shall we be off, then?"

They summoned their ride, instructing it to take them to The Spinning Acorn. Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up to the edge of a shallow promenade, which lead up to a neon-signed establishment.

"Are they having an event tonight?" Tenchi wondered, noticing people loitering about as they made their way toward the front entrance.

Ryoko shrugged. "Beats me. As long as the drinks are still flowing, I couldn't give a damn what's going on."

As they walked through the front door, heads immediately began to turn their way one by one. People gasped and murmured amongst themselves as their eyes lit up in recognition.

"Oh no," Ayeka uttered, nervously. "I don't think my disguise was good enough after all."

Several people stood up from their chairs and approached. Apparently, the focus of their attention wasn't on the First Princess of Jurai, after all.

"Aren't you the galaxy's most eligible bachelor?" a patron asked Cupid, excitedly.

"What the hell are you… oh," he groaned, suddenly recalling the events from earlier that afternoon.

"It's actually him," a group of swooning females cried out in disbelief. "He's even more handsome in person!"

"Looks like we have the Ginbakku slayer in the house, ladies and gents," the bartender announced. "Next round is on the house!"

Everyone cheered, thanking Cupid for jumpstarting the party. Women were crying out for his attention, waving him over to their tables. Someone's panties hit him in the chest and fell into his hands. Upon closer inspection, he noticed they were men's briefs and threw them aside as if they were on fire.

"Alright, break it up, everyone," Washu instructed, "this one's with me tonight."

She took his arm and waded through the flock, towards a table at the back of the room where the group took their seats.

"Am I missing something," Tenchi asked in confusion. "When did you become famous on Jurai?"

"Seto made it so," Cupid groaned, dreadfully. "She thinks it's funny or something."

"It kind of is," Tenchi chuckled.

"Glad you're enjoying this," he replied with contempt.

"I saw the interview," Ayeka sighed. "She does enjoy playing matchmaker, but that was quite a stunt. Haruko is syndicated across the galaxy, so your fame probably doesn't end on Jurai."

"Don't worry, Cupid," Washu hummed, snuggling up against him as she rested her chin on his shoulder. "Just stick close to me tonight, so they know you're my personal little guinea pig. Later on you can spend the night in my laboratory and let me experiment on you."

"Not sure if you're trying to seduce me, or horrify me," Cupid bemoaned.

Someone suddenly came rushing up to their table, weiding a pen. "Cupid, can I please have your autograph?"

Daigo leapt out of a corner and swatted the guy away with his staff so hard he went sailing across the bar, destroying a table as he came down on it.

"Hey, man, what was that all about?" Tenchi complained.

"I won't abide people charging into Princess Ayeka's personal space," he retorted, "and I suppose I have to protect the likes of you, too."

"Perhaps next time a stern verbal warning will suffice," Ayeka requested.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," he replied, slinking back into the corner he sprung from.

"Those guys sure are wound up tight," Cupid remarked.

"You have no idea," Tenchi lamented.

"What's a girl gotta do to get a drink around here?" Ryoko complained, flagging down one of the barmaidens.

They ordered a round of drinks, and Cupid started with a cold mug of Venovian beer. He took a small sip. Deciding he didn't mind the taste, he had a few gulps and before he knew it, he was three-quarters through the glass.

"Huh…" he said, curiously. "I'm not feeling anything from this at all."

"It's just one beer," said Ryoko. "Unless you're a lightweight, it's gonna take more than that to get you hammered."

She summoned the barmaiden once more, requesting a few more rounds for Cupid. As the group drank, they traded off tales of their time on Jurai, and talked about how different it was from life back in Okayama. They all shared a good laugh as Tenchi described his first time trying to figure out how a Juraian toilet worked. Eventually, they found themselves broaching a more sensitive topic.

"What happens next," Cupid asked, "now that Tsubaki is back on Airai?"

"He'll tend to his typical duties as the incoming Hierarch, of course," Ayeka replied.

"You know what I mean," he stated, plainly.

"They haven't set a date yet," she answered, reluctantly. "He wants to get to know Sasami better, so he invited her to come visit his planet in the near future."

"How considerate of him," he uttered, bitterly.

"If it helps at all, he really does seem like a nice guy," she offered.

"So I've heard."

"Working for Lady Seto must be quite an experience," Tenchi jumped in, sensing that the conversation was headed in a bad direction. "The salary must be pretty decent."

"I wouldn't know," Cupid said. "What's the exchange rate between Juraian and Earth currency?" He flicked the electronic band on his wrist, bringing up a holographic image of his account balance. "Is this enough to buy a few more rounds?"

Ryoko nearly spit out her sake, mid-sip. "You could probably buy this damn bar with that!"

"Stop exaggerating, it's only two weeks pay."

"She's actually not," Ayeka confirmed. "Apparently, Lady Seto pays her secret service quite well. At this rate, you'll be wealthy before long."

"You don't say," he uttered in surprise. "Guess I can't call her a cheapskate. I can still call her a lot of other things, though."

Ryoko perked up in her seat. "Oh, now there's a song I haven't heard in a millennium," she said, recognizing the music playing from the bar's space-aged jukebox. "This is my jam, Tenchi. Come dance with me!"

Before he could protest, she was already tugging him out onto the dancefloor, while Ayeka screamed after them in objection.

A sexy, mid-tempo groove filled the air, rhythmic and bass-heavy with soulful vocals.

"I don't know how to dance to this," Tenchi complained, shuffling awkwardly out of step with the beat.

"Just follow my lead," she instructed. "Put your hands here..." She guided them to her waist, his fingers practically resting on her backside. "and stay close to me."

She draped her arms around his neck as they dipped and swayed to the music. Before that night, Tenchi had never witnessed Ryoko dance outside of while taunting one of the other girls. As she bounced and rolled her hips to the rhythm, he was surprised to discover how well she moved. She looked up at him with amorous eyes and a playful grin, and in that moment he felt himself adoring her. He stepped in time, letting her control the ebb and flow of their motions. Eventually, their bodies met and he felt her hips grind gently against him.

Back at the table, Ayeka was seething as she watched on.

"She's all up on him!" she protested. "She simply can't do this!"

"Apparently she can," Cupid retorted, impressed, "and she's got some moves."

"Are you gonna just sit there and let her upstage you?" Washu instigated. "Get out there and shake that ass."

"Are you kidding me?! I don't know how to dance like that!"

"Well, you'd better think of something quick. She's got him hypnotized with lust."

Ayeka groaned in frustration before pushing out of her seat and marching out onto the dancefloor.

"What do you think you're doing?" she demanded, pushing the two apart.

"What does it look like?" Ryoko replied. "Don't tell me you actually don't know what dancing is."

"Well, it certainly isn't whatever you're doing."

"Is that a challenge? Oh, it's on, princess!"

Ayeka's expression twisted with discomfiture. "I uh… you wouldn't catch me doing something so shameful, even with a disguise on!" Her eyes darted about before settling on something in the distance. "Ah, I know - I challenge you to a game of Hoshidatsu!"

"Hoshiwhatsu?"

Ayeka led them over to an area next to the bar where a large twelve-sided wooden die emblazoned with glyphs levitated inside of a booth. Every two seconds it shifted to a random side featuring a new character.

"Hoshidatsu has been a popular game on Jurai since ancient times," she explained. "The objective is to stand here and hit the designated mark, using a hoshitanken." She pointed to the row of objects set into slots along the booth's outer railing, resembling five-point shurikens.

"I get it - this is basically like darts," Tenchi concluded, intrigued.

Ryoko scoffed. "I've seen a version of this back on Earth. I just need to nail the center of whatever symbol flashes on the board, right?"

"An oversimplification, but generally, yes," Ayeka confirmed. "But I should make you aware—"

"Whatever, I've got this! How about we put a little wager on this game of ours, just to make it more interesting?"

"What exactly did you have in mind?" Ayeka inquired.

"How about whoever wins gets to plant one on Tenchi's lips, without the other interfering?"

"I'll take your wager," she agreed eagerly without hesitation.

"Hey now, just wait a minute," Tenchi complained. "Do I look like a carnival prize to you? Nuh-uh, you can leave me out of this!"

The bartender chuckled from behind the counter, overhearing their conversation. "Can you believe this guy? He's got two attractive women competing to make out with him, and he's making a fuss about it."

"What's wrong, fella," a gentleman seated at the bar questioned, "you got intimacy issues?"

"This doesn't concern you, sir," Tenchi replied. "Please, continue enjoying your drink."

"Perhaps he's just shy, or too much of a gentleman," an amused bystander commented.

"Or maybe he just prefers gentlemen," another quipped.

Tenchi was starting to get annoyed. Next, half of the bar broke into a chant, taunting him to kiss one of the girls.

"Alright!" he blurted out in annoyance. "I'll do it, you bastards. Now, stop antagonizing me!"

His hecklers gave a round of applause.

"There's something wrong with you people," Tenchi grumbled, resentfully.

Suddenly, everyone surrounding them was invested in Ryoko and Ayeka's battle for Tenchi's lips, making their own wagers over who they thought would come out victorious.

"I'll go first," Ryoko declared, plucking one of the nine blue-colored hoshitanken from a slot in the booth's railing.

"As you wish," Ayeka granted with a knowing grin.

A glyph on one of the die's twelve sides illuminated, indicating Ryoko's designated target.

"Alright," she breathed, readying her stance as she narrowed her concentration. After a few moments, the glyph she awaited made its way back around. "Take this," she shouted, hurling the projectile towards the die. Suddenly, the hoshitanken spiraled out of control, missing its mark completely as it spiked into the board beyond it was a thwack.

"What gives?!" she cried foul. "My aim was dead-on!"

Ayeka roared with laughter. "I tried to tell you. You can't simply throw your hoshitanken directly at the target. Look at the wall behind it." She pointed to a symbol scrawled on the backboard, which resembled a coil. "Whatever shape is displayed there is the same trajectory your hoshitanken will travel. The harder you throw it, the more intense the effect. This game requires more than just good aim - it's all about finesse, which is something you lack severely."

"That's stupid," Ryoko objected.

"You're stupid. Allow me to show you how it's done."

She fetched a red-colored hoshitanken from its slot, prompting a new glyph to light up on one of the die's many faces. The board also swapped symbols, now displaying a zigzag pattern. Holding the hoshitanken between two fingers, Ayeka flicked her wrist, sending the projectile squiggling through the air. It struck a side of the die that wasn't directly facing her, which was exactly where her target was located.

"Wow, Ayeka, that was impressive," Tenchi exclaimed. "You're really good at this!"

"So what?" Ryoko dismissed. "This game's not over yet." She snatched another hoshitanken from its post. Her glyph was assigned and the symbol on the board was now a loop. She groaned, studying the shifting die before her. Gradually, her look of frustration transitioned into a sly grin. "I see now - it's not actually random at all. There's a pattern to this."

"I'm surprised you were able to figure it out by yourself," Ayeka congratulated. "Still, it'll take some practice before you'd ever be able to hit your mark."

Ryoko hurled forth the object, it loop-de-looped, hitting the center of the correct glyph, which was on the back of the die.

"W-what?! That's impossible!" Ayeka screamed.

"My last throw was all the practice I needed," Ryoko gloated. "Who do you think you're dealing with?"

"Beginner's luck! Let's see if you can go the distance."

Ayeka followed up with another successful toss.

Ryoko stepped back into position. "Now that I've gotten the hang of this, the rest will be a piece of cake," she said, winding back for the pitch. Just as she whipped her arm forward, a stranger from the crowd collided with her, causing her to miss her mark.

"Oh shoot, sorry about that," he apologized. "I think someone shoved me from behind. Thank goodness you were standing here to break my fall."

He donned a loose cowl over his head along with an oversized pair of shades, obscuring everything above his nostrils.

"Get off of me before I break your face!" Ryoko screamed, hurling him back into the crowd like a weightless ragdoll. "Freaking moron… I should get a do-over for that!"

"There are no do-overs," Ayeka rejected. "Once you throw something at the die, your turn is over. Those are the official rules of the game."

She nudged Ryoko aside to take her turn, and ended up narrowly missing her mark for the first time since the game began.

"Well, well. Looks like little miss perfect isn't so perfect after all," Ryoko stated with satisfaction.

The two proceeded to battle it out, throw for throw, neither failing to hit their mark for the remainder of the game. Ryoko was down to her last and final hoshitanken. If she made this, and Ayeka managed to miss her next throw, they would end the game in a tie, pushing it into sudden death. It all came down to this one crucial moment.

She took a deep breath. The only thing she desired more than putting Ayeka in her place was an uninterrupted kiss from Tenchi. To achieve both feats in one fell swoop would make her reward all the more sweeter. She was in her zone and as she zeroed her focus, she just knew there was no way she was going to miss. She launched her hoshitanken and it hurtled forth without changing trajectory. As it struck the center of the die, it crumbled into little pieces and fell to the floor.

"What the hell just happened?" she questioned in befuddlement. She looked down at the booth's outer railing and found that its slots were filled with cookie wafers.

"Who did this?" she demanded, angrily.

"Sorry… was that not the snack holder?" the same cowled gentleman asked, coyly. "I felt bad about bumping into you before. I was trying to make a peace offering."

"I'll tear you apart, you bastard!" Ryoko hollered, lunging at him.

He yelped and dove into the audience. Ryoko gave chase, quickly losing track of him amongst the movement of the crowd. She peered about, catching a glimpse of his ratty hood bobbing towards the front door. She pushed her way after him and burst through the exit, scanning the promenade for any sign of the clown who thwarted her chance at a makeout session with the man she loved.

"Damn it," she growled, unable to discern which direction he ran off to. Little did she know, he was right around the corner, pressed up against a wall.

He wheezed and panted as he struggled to catch his breath.

"Looks like she's giving up," he muttered to himself, as he watched her retreat back into the bar. "Shit, she's scary… but so goddamn sexy."

Inaba pulled the shades and cowl off of his head and chucked them into a nearby trash receptacle. He lit up a cigarette and took a long pull from it.

"Mission accomplished. I would've loved to stick around and watch her for a bit longer, but they might get suspicious if I showed up as myself after that." He took another drag. "Tenchi…" He cursed his name out through a stream of smoke. "What's that loser got that I don't? Why the hell is Ryoko so obsessed with him?"

He started down the promenade, in the direction of the Tenju, which towered against the night sky.

"I need to figure out a way to drive a wedge between them for good," he pondered. "And when she finally realizes how pathetic he is, I'll be waiting in the wings to take his place in her heart.

"Oh, Ryoko," he moaned as he unclasped the buttons of his shirt and let it unfurl in the evening air. "You will be mine, just you wait."

Back inside The Spinning Acorn, Ryoko was vehemently disputing her defeat.

"I was sabotaged, I tell you!"

"Quit your whining," Ayeka retorted. "You know the rules - you threw it, so it counts."

"You put that freak up to it, didn't you?" Ryoko accused. "Cheater!"

"I did no such thing! I've never seen that person in my life!"

"I don't tolerate sore losers in my establishment," cautioned the bartender. "I believe the winner was due a kiss from this young fellow."

"Oh, right…" Tenchi groaned. "Well, I guess I'm ready when you are, Ayeka."

She blushed. "In front of all these people? I wasn't expecting an audience."

"That's right, everyone's watching," Ryoko taunted. "But hey, if you're having performance anxiety, all you have to do is forfeit the kiss over to me."

"I certainly will not!"

Everyone around them began to chant the word "kiss" repeatedly, as they impatiently waited on Ayeka to claim her prize.

"Feels like middle school all over again," Tenchi griped.

"So, um… do we just…?" Ayeka came up to him and rested her hands awkwardly on his shoulders.

In turn, he placed his hands on her hips.

During all the time they lived together on Earth, there were countless moments of flirtation, and bouts of sexual tension between them. Her romantic rivalry with Ryoko and the others had served as the catalyst to her becoming more outwardly expressive in her love for Tenchi. Despite that, Ayeka had never once put her lips to his.

Tonight, after over seven-hundred years of her life, she would finally experience her first kiss. There was no one else in this galaxy she'd rather it be with than the person standing in front of her. She only wished it weren't also in front of an audience. Her heart beat hard and fast in her chest as her face burned red hot with embarrassment.

"It's alright," whispered Tenchi, tenderly, as he sensed her tension. "We don't have to do this, if you're uncomfortable."

"I am a bit nervous," she murmured. "but, I want this."

"Ok. I'll take things slow, so just relax."

With that, he leaned in slowly, and in response she tilted her head ever so slightly as they each closed their eyes and locked lips. It was as if a flame had ignited within Tenchi, setting his heart ablaze. Her kiss was as soft and gentle as flower petals, enveloping him in ecstasy. For a brief moment, he'd forgotten everyone around them and coiled his arms around her, increasing the passion of his kiss. She sighed, kissing him back in equal measure.

When they finally pulled back from one another, people were howling and whistling around them - all except for Ryoko, who was silently glowering with jealousy.

"Was I… any good?" she inquired, bashfully.

"Y-yeah," Tenchi answered, still flustered. "You were wonderful."

"I really enjoyed it too."

"Well, you better have, because that's the last time that will ever happen!" Ryoko shouted.

She marched over and grabbed a fistful of Tenchi's shirt. "'Wonderful', huh?" She proceeded to haul him across the room.

"What are you mad at me for? You're the one who suggested the stupid bet!"

"Release Tenchi at once, you brute," Ayeka demanded as she trailed behind them.

When they reached their table, Ryoko practically threw him into his chair before plopping down beside him, huffing and puffing in anger.

Ayeka slipped into her chair with her face aglow.

"Well, that was certainly interesting," Washu grinned, still cozied up to Cupid.

"Don't give me any of your shit," Ryoko responded.

Five empty pints were resting on the table.

"I'm still not feeling anything." Cupid said, disappointedly.

"Not even a little bit?" Tenchi asked, incredulously. "That's a bit unusual."

"It's likely a side effect of your powers," Washu theorized. "Your body is probably metabolizing the alcohol at an accelerated rate, which would neutralize the majority of the ethanol you're consuming before it has a chance to reach your brain."

"I can't get drunk, then?"

"I'm sure you could," she clarified. "though, it would require much more alcohol than you've ingested so far. Let's just say you hold your liquor better than most. In that respect, you and Ryoko have something in common."

"Sounds like a challenge to me," Ryoko hollered, throwing down the proverbial gauntlet.

"Haven't you experienced enough defeat for one night?" Cupid retorted in defiance.

"This won't be anything like Ayeka's stupid game. In five-thousand years I've never lost a drinking contest, and that ain't about to change against a newbie like you!"

"We'll see about that! I'm feeling like I could easily drink all the booze in this bar."

Ryoko laughed. "Look at you, getting cocky over a few beers. I think it's about time we take off your training wheels, kid."

She reached out and grabbed the arm of a passing bar maiden. "Hey, you - bring us some bottles of the hardest liquor you've got, and keep 'em coming!"

"Yes ma'am," she yelped before scurrying off to oblige her.

"Don't let her make an alcoholic out of you, Cupid," Ayeka cautioned. "She's just trying to replenish her ego."

"Stay out of this," Ryoko demanded.

"No worries, I've got this," he reassured. "She'll be calling it quits before I even know what a buzz feels like."

Forty-five minutes later, the entire table was covered in shot glasses, stacked into other shot glasses, as a couple dozen empty bottles rolled around their feet.

"Wuzzda madder, kid? You look *hic*... you loog lyke ur reddy ta drahp."

"Wuh yoo tawgen about?" Cupid replied. "I kud doodis awwnite!"

He attempted to take another shot and instead poured it on his nose.

"My word," Ayeka muttered with embarrassment. "They're communicating to each other in drunkenese."

"Okay, that's enough," Tenchi stated. "I'm surprised you haven't both keeled over from alcohol poisoning."

"Now that you mention it... I don't feel so well," Cupid complained. "I think… I think I'm about to throw up."

"Hold on, I've got you," Tenchi sighed as he got up to make his way over. "Let's go get you some fresh air." He threw Cupid's arm over his shoulder and lifted him out of his chair. "Just try not to puke all over me, okay?"

"Wait up," Ujo said, pushing off of the wall he was leaning back against. "I'll accompany you."

"For what? We're just going out front for a bit. I think we can manage that much on our own."

"Alright," he said begrudgingly, settling back into place. "But any longer than ten minutes and I'm coming after you."

"Yeah, yeah," Tenchi agreed.

He trudged away from the table, lugging Cupid along with him.

"Ha! That means you lose," Ryoko gloated from behind them. "I don't care what reality you're from, there's nobody out there who can hang with me!"

"All the many talents I gave you, and this is the one you're most proud of?" asked Washu, shaking her head.

"Oh, shuddup. Don't rain on my parade."

Tenchi stumbled out of The Spinning Acorn and propped Cupid up against the wall.

"You okay, man? Just take it easy for a bit."

"I'm good," Cupid replied. "I'm already starting to feel better. Don't worry about-" He suddenly doubled over and puked into a potted plant. He then swayed on his feet for a moment before passing out.

Tenchi caught hold of him as he fell back. "Getting drunk is not as fun as you thought it would be, huh?" he said, setting him down on a bench beside the door.

He decided to let Cupid to rest for a bit, sitting down beside him. That's when he noticed a group of people out on the promenade engaged in a heated argument. Four men were acting inebriated as they encircled a lone woman, bombarding her with unwelcome advances. Oddly, no one was doing anything to stop it - they simply stood by, watching the whole ordeal unfold.

"So, what's it gonna be, baby?" The ringleader questioned with a lewd grin. "We're not bad looking guys - you must be into at least one of us, right? Better yet, how about we all share?"

"Leave me alone, you lecherous cads," the woman shouted. "If the police were here, they'd put you right in your place!"

"The cops?! I wish they would come," the second of the aggressors howled, belligerently. "They can't deal with us!"

"That's right - the police aren't going to do shit," a third agreed. "That means we get to do whatever we want with you, and no one's going to do anything to stop us. Especially not the POLICE!"

"You're wrong," the woman challenged. The police will do something about it. You lowlifes just wait and see!"

"Well, I don't see any police around here," the fourth guy taunted, exaggeratedly searching the perimeter. "Yoohoo, police officers, where are yooouuu? You guys seeing any police, because I sure as hell ain't seeing any police!"

"Nope, not a cop in sight! What a bunch of cowards! Hahahahaha—!"

"Are you harassing this lady?" Tenchi interrupted from behind. "Because that would be especially lame, given how many of you there are."

"Hey, beat it, stupid," one of the men instructed, looking back at him, disdainfully. "Don't involve yourself in this."

"Yeah… I'm afraid my pesky conscience won't let me ignore it - not when I see a bunch of thugs threatening to assault a defenseless woman."

"I-It's ok," she said, nervously. "Just let the police handle this. I'm sure they'll be around at any moment now."

Tenchi blinked at her in puzzlement. "But, it looks like you're in need of help right now. Don't worry about me - I'm stronger than I look."

"Didn't you hear what she said? You must not be from around here, buddy. You don't know what you're getting yourself into!"

"Look, I really don't want any trouble. I think you all had a little too much to drink. Go home and sleep it off, alright?"

"This guy is really starting to piss me off," one of the men growled. "Is it okay if we kick his ass?"

"It wasn't part of the plan, but I think we can make an exception for this one," the ringleader replied, reaching out to grab Tenchi by the collar.

In response, Tenchi grappled his arm and tossed him over his shoulder. This prompted the other three men to come at him all at once. He dodged through the melee, effortlessly dispatching them with counter-blows. The fight lasted but a few moments, ending with all four men rolling about on the ground, groaning.

"You're safe now, Ma'am. See, I told you it would be okay."

He ducked as the woman abruptly took a swipe at him.

"You idiot! You're ruining everything!"

"Woah, now hold on, lady. Can't you see I'm on your side?!"

"How clueless are you?" she screamed, attempting to beat him over the head with her handbag.

Random people on the street came out of the woodwork to chastise him.

"Are you some kind of derelict?" An old man complained, shaking his fist in anger. "Why couldn't you just mind your damn business like everyone else?"

Several people accused him of owing them money, demanding that he reimburse them.

"What are you talking about?" Tenchi cried out in panic. "Have you all gone insane?"

Wondering what was taking Tenchi and Cupid so long to return, the girls came wandering out of the bar to find him staving off the woman's attack while a pack of onlookers surrounded them in an uproar.

"Did Tenchi join a fight club?" Washu inquired, gawking in bewilderment.

"What's going on out here?" Ayeka called out to him.

"The heck if I know," Tenchi shouted back. "A little help, please?"

"Oh, look - more of them are here to cause trouble," one of the spectators accused. "Let's teach them what happens when they interfere with the trials!"

"The 'trials'?" Ayeka repeated, before having an epiphany. "Wait, is this…?"

"Stay back, Your Highness," Daigo instructed as he stepped in front of her, brandishing his staff.

"Allow us handle these hooligans," Ujo added, cracking his knuckles as the mob rushed toward them.

"Screw that!" Ryoko pushed past them, still plastered from the booze. "These people picked the wrong ones to mess with. I'm just itching for a fight!"

She rushed forward, throwing the first punch as an all-out brawl erupted on the promenade. Two-dozen angry Juraian citizens, each possessing the strength and agility of several Earthlings, attempted to dish out mob justice. However, pitted against the likes of Tenchi and company, the rabble found themselves outmatched as each member capably handled several opponents at once.

A few minutes into the scuffle, an utterance of authority rang out from beyond the fracas."This is the Galaxy Police. You are all in violation of Article 97, Section 18 of Planet Jurai ordinance. Cease and desist immediately!"

Tenchi glanced back toward a voice he recognized. "Kiyone!"

"Tenchi?" she replied, taken aback. "What are you doing here? And what the heck is going on?"

"Um… a misunderstanding, I think," he answered unsurely, right before someone tackled him to the ground.

"Hey, you can't do that to my friend," Mihoshi cried out angrily from beside Kiyone. She ran over and started whaling on Tenchi's assailant. "I've got your back, Tenchi!"

"Mihoshi! We're supposed to be the ones breaking this up, you numbskull!"

"Kiyone, thank goodness you're here," a stranger hailed, holding another woman in a headlock. "This is all due to an unfortunate miscommunication and—"

"Uh… do I know you?"

"What do you mean 'do you know me'? It's Ayeka!"

"Sorry, I almost didn't recognize you with the hair and all," Kiyone pointed out.

"Oh, right. I'd nearly forgotten about this disguise," she said, embarrassed.

"Where the hell were you useless cops?" the woman in Ayeka's grasp demanded. "You were supposed to come through this area once every hour. Me and my co-workers were out here for over thirty minutes trying to signal you over!"

"It's our first day on the beat and my partner navigated us into the wrong neighborhood," Kiyone sighed. "Wait a minute, how would you know about our route?"

"About that..." Ayeka lamented. "I'll explain later."

With the help of their friends, Mihoshi and Kiyone managed to subdue the mob. They reported the incident to the station, and a patrol wagon was sent out to collect the belligerents.

Per Ayeka's explanation, whenever a Galaxy Police officer transferred to the Jurai branch, a trial was held in order to test their mettle. A troupe of professional actors are hired to play out a scene in which a young woman is harassed by a pack of drunkards. Whether or not the officer is officially accepted to the branch relied on them successfully assisting the young woman by thwarting her assailants. The trial was so popular on Jurai that people would come from far and wide to witness it like a sporting event, placing bets on the outcome.

"Well, I'll be..." Captain Zinch voiced in amazement. When he heard the report about Mihoshi and Kiyone's trial, he felt the need to come verify it in person. "I didn't think it would actually be true. You say you two made these arrests all by yourself?"

"Yep… all by ourselves, heh,heh," Kiyone replied, honoring Ayeka's request to omit her and the others' involvement.

"This is quite remarkable. In all the years I've been on the force, I've rarely seen an outsider capable of apprehending a single Juraian, much less twenty-three at once! I think it's safe to say you've passed the trial."

"Phew, that's a relief," Mihoshi sighed. "I thought we failed for sure. We really didn't rescue anyone, after all. In fact, the girl who acted as the victim got clobbered, and I distinctly recall dropping an elbow in her face while Aye—"

"Stop talking," Kiyone exclaimed in panic.

"I suppose by that notion, you two were pretty horrible," he agreed. "Fortunately, the true purpose of the test is to find out if a foreign officer is capable of enforcing basic laws when confronting every-day citizens of Jurai. I'd say you've demonstrated that with flying colors. Congratulations."

"Thank you, Sir. We try our best!"

After completing their report, they joined Tenchi and the others on the bar's front deck as the patrol wagon pulled away. The crowds had mostly dispersed from the area and the streets became calm and quiet as the hour passed midnight.

"Back to the Tenju?" Tenchi suggested.

"Yeah," Cupid agreed. "My head's still spinning. I just wanna climb into bed and sleep it off."

"What a lightweight," Ryoko chuckled before giving him his due praise. "Seriously though, in all honesty, you gave me a run for my money, kid. With a bit more practice, you might just take my title as the greatest drinker in the galaxy."

"You can keep your title," he declined. "I never wanna feel this way again."

The group gathered themselves up and started their walk along the empty promenade, toward their awaiting vehicle. All in all, it turned out to be a fun night, albeit strange and phrenetic at times. It was the type of night Tenchi had come to expect while in the company of the extraordinary women in his life. He couldn't help but grin as he admitted to himself that he wouldn't have it any other way. He only wished that Noike, Sasami, and Yugi were there, as each of their presences were another complimentary ingredient in the hotpot of their personalities.

He thought about how quickly things had begun to change amongst them in the short weeks since their arrival on Jurai - Sasami's engagement to Airai's Hierarch, and Yugi's induction into a Royal house. He wondered what other surprises might occur the longer they remained there, and to whom. No... it wasn't wonder he was feeling about it - it was more like dread. When the time came to make the return trip to Earth, how many of the girls would be on that ship with him?

For all he knew, tonight would be amongst the last of such wild, unexpected, and delightfully peculiar moments he shared with the people in his present company. He felt as if the geography of his world was shifting and he was powerless against it. He contemplated the many forces that threatened to change his life, and wished he had a measure of control over it - a way to keep things as they were before they left Earth, forever.

As he thought about all of this, a tightness started to build up in his chest and every one of his nerves began to buzz. A dense pressure pressed down on him, as if the gravity of the planet had suddenly doubled within the span of a few moments.

Panic set in as he came to understand that this feeling had nothing to do with the thoughts running through his mind. This deeply unsettling sensation, like an affront to his very existence… was something he'd felt only once before. He stopped in his tracks as the others looked to him in question.

"You feel it too… don't you, Tenchi?" Washu asked, grimly.

"Yeah… he's here."

"Who's here?" Ryoko questioned, warily. "I don't feel anything."

Tenchi looked to the night sky as a section of one of the rings of Jurai's Ultimate Defense lit up in violent explosion. The planet shuddered as the blast echoed down from space, causing people to amble out of buildings in confusion and panic.

In the wake of the destruction, a single entity plummeted through the twilight, crushing the pavement ahead of Tenchi and company. It stood there with passive blue eyes staring out of an alabaster face, and an air vastly more imposing than its stature.

"Pegys," Cupid bristled at the sight of him.

"What's going on?" Kiyone asked, placing her hand on the pistol hanging from her hip.

"Did you think changing planets would keep me from finding you, Tenchi Masaki," Pegys questioned. "The moment we met, I familiarized myself with your aura. I can sense your distinct presence from across the universe."

"Daigo," Ujo mouthed urgently to his Royal Guardian counterpart.

"Right," Daigo replied in understanding.

They charged forward in unison, the spires of their staves radiating with power as they whirled them toward the enemy.

In a blink of an eye, Pegys advanced between them, rending their forms into crumbling ash behind him.

"You bastard," Tenchi muttered as he watched their remains collapse into powdery heaps.

"Who is this child?!" Ayeka questioned in horrid dismay.

"Stay back, everyone," Washu cautioned. "This isn't someone we can take lightly!"

"The hell with that," Ryoko spat. "Who does this albino runt think he is?!"

"Ryoko, stop!" Tenchi implored as she lashed out.

Pegys snapped his fingers, and in response, all became quiet. Besides he and Tenchi, everyone and everything around them was still, encapsulated in a singular moment of time.

Ryoko was suspended in mid-attack, between them. The rest of the party were frozen in various expressions of shock, fright, and anger.

"Can't you see that this universe is a plaything that heeds our every whim?" Pegys questioned. "If you or I told it to cease existing, it would simply fall away into nothingness."

He took a step toward Ryoko and Tenchi manifested a single lighthawk wing, swinging it fiercely in his direction. Pegys blocked it with a lighthawk wing of his own making, before striking Tenchi in the chest with his palm. Much like their last encounter, Tenchi's lighthawk wing dispersed in response to Pegys's touch. He quickly attempted to activate it again, to no avail.

"Don't," Tenchi pleaded. "Don't hurt my friends!"

"I don't intend to," Pegys replied. "To do so without your consent would only drive us further apart. Despite what you may think, I'm not your enemy. I'm only here because I felt a yearning from deep within you. You're finally ready to embrace your power, are you not?"

"I just want to protect them," Tenchi stated. "I can't lose them… I just can't."

Suddenly, Washu broke free from her chronostasis as three red gems surfaced at the center of her brow, transforming her into her deified embodiment. In an instant, she expanded her size exponentially and proceeded to snatch Pegys into her grasp.

"I won't allow you to corrupt Tenchi," she declared, tightening her grip around him. The city below seemed miniature as she towered over Tokashin.

"Yet another 'Chousin' reveals itself," he observed, impassively. "Do you honestly think you can defy your creator? I gave you your power - I can take it away."

He reached forth, summoning her gems into his hand, causing her to immediately revert back to her original form. A leg made of Kami energy shot out from Pegys's body, punting her downward, through the roof of The Spinning Acorn.

"Washu!" Tenchi cried out to her in dismay.

Pegys dropped out of the air, landing before him.

"You said you wouldn't hurt them," Tenchi shouted.

"Don't worry, she's merely incapacitated. Though, I still can't understand why you care so much for these lower lifeforms."

"What the hell do you want from me?" he questioned in desperation.

"I'll tell you," Pegys answered, "but it first requires you to understand what we are. Allow me to tell you the story of a time before the universe existed - when you and I were one."