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The Challenge 6
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The Tenchi Muyo idea surely belongs to AIC and Pioneer not myself. No profit is being made. The Unveiling Sasami lifted her heavy eyelids open a crack. "Oh, so you're up now after your little escapade last night?" a sarcastic voice told her. Sasami shut her eyes. "Nope. It's no good. I can tell you're awake." Washu grinned. She sat on the edge of the bed. "I've got breakfast here if you want to eat it." Sasami opened her eyes, only because her stomach was protesting that if she didn't, she was going to have to sleep for another hundred years to make up the lost energy. "And while you eat, since your own mother isn't here, I'm going to lecture you on the incredible adventure last night." Washu told her with a grin that was not friendly. Sasami sighed and started to eat her breakfast. Washu got up and started to pace the room. "Do you realize that you could have seriously damaged yourself last night? Not death, because Tsunami wouldn't allow it, but harmed yourself irreparably? You could have been unable to talk, move, anything!" Sasami's tears welled up in her eyes. "I was only doing what everyone wants me to do." She said, her bottom lip trembling. Washu flung herself down on the bed, peering at her guest. "Wrong answer. No one 'wants' you to do this. They respect your decision. Everyone thinks you want to do this. Make up your mind. Do you want to become Sasami/Tsunami, human/god, or do you want to be the Princess Sasami and do whatever you want anyway? To be a god is horribly limiting. Your people will be hounding you day and night because you are their god, you have all the answers, you can make everything bad in their life go away." "No, I can't!" Sasami said, sounding shocked. Washu raised a finger. "Ah, but people think that way. You are their key to being everything they want to be. You'll be in the spotlight all the time, people will ask you favors, threaten you, swear that you took their wife, baby, child, etc. away from them." Sasami leaned forward with a determined expression on her face. "But as the goddess Tsunami I can help. I'll bring human emotions, human understanding to the goddess. It doesn't matter what happens to me. I am a princess, Washu, and I was raised to help the people of my planet." Washu sat back, stern-faced. "You realize as a cadet line, you could do whatever you wanted? Become a universally known chef? Travel? Fall in love with a mortal?" Sasami blinked back tears. "The only thing I will regret is never falling in love. To fall in love means heartbreak for me, so I refuse it. But to help the people of my planet and for my own personal reasons, I accept." Washu grinned at her suddenly. "Then, if you're so determined, why didn't you come to me?" "Tsunami said-" Sasami started weakly. Washu waved a hand dismissively. "Tsunami's not mortal and never has been. That's one thing you'll help her with, understanding mortal limitations. Consider this, Sasami. Tsunami, a goddess, trying to fit a goddess's mind inside a mortal's. Can't be done." She straightened. "I, on the other hand," Washu pointed to herself, "have had the experience of a lot of combinations. I was a human for a time. Not a mortal human, but human nonetheless. Ryoko's not human. She may look humanoid, but she's not human. She's a child of the gods, the only one there is. Tenchi is human, but he's also immortal. Balar's a mortal human who was an immortal minor god. There are lots of combinations in this house and I've had the time to study them inside out. I can direct you to becoming Tsunami whenever you want. And I can also take you both apart if you or her decide you don't like it." "Now?" Sasami asked incredulously. Washu shrugged. "If you want to. I'd suggest going around for a few hours and getting your strength back. Maybe after lunch. It'll be easier for you if you're not so tired." "All right." Sasami said. Someone knocked at the door. Washu looked toward it. "Come in." she said. Ryoko poked her head in the room. "How are you, Sasami?" she asked cheerfully. "I'm okay. Washu says I'm going to be fine." Sasami said. Ryoko made a face. "Is the lecture over?" she asked eagerly. "Her lecture is over." Washu said pointedly. "Your lecture is just beginning. How many times do I have to tell you, you're not cooking-inclined!" Sasami giggled. "What did she do now?" "Hey!" Ryoko said. Washu raised her eyes to the ceiling. "She made toast." "How'd she mess that up? Did she burn it?" Sasami asked, giggling. "No, she decided she wanted four slices of toast." Washu told her. At Sasami's confused look, Washu sighed. "I have a two slot toaster. Your dear niece Ryoko decided that she couldn't wait and stuck two slices of bread in each slot." Sasami laughed. Ryoko crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. Washu just shook her head. *** Since Washu didn't want Sasami to walk yet, Ryoko carried her downstairs and sat her on the couch. Ayeka came in to make sure she was all right. Balar asked her if there was anything from the library that she wanted. Sasami made polite conversation with Ayeka reassuring her sister that she was fine and said that she didn't need anything. Washu broke in and said that they were planning on watching a movie. Ayeka and Balar left reluctantly to Jurai. Funaho had called early that morning and Ryoko and Tenchi were required to meet there also. Ryoko materialized in front of Sasami on the couch and wished her a happy good-bye. Tenchi gave the young woman a kiss on the cheek. Ryoko growled at him playfully. "Don't you be getting any ideas, young man." She told him. "I've still got enough of the pirate in me to steal you away from anyone." Tenchi grinned at her. Stalking toward her, he grabbed her midsection, tilted her back in a kiss, and then came back up still grinning. The four promised to be back by lunch time and stepped through a portal Ryoko made with her portal stick. After they were gone, Washu looked at Sasami. "What kind of movie are you in the mood for?" she asked. Sasami snuggled down in the blanket. "Whatever you want to choose." Washu grinned evilly. "Good-looking men movies, it is." Sasami laughed and Washu waggled her eyebrows at the young princess. *** "What I called you here for is your government." Funaho said to them. It was just the four from Earth, Funaho, Misaki, and Azusa. "We need to start dividing it." "You know, we could have done this." Misaki mentioned. "It would have been simpler than Azusa ruling it all by himself." "Yes, but we didn't hit on it. They did." Funaho smiled at her husband's other wife. Tenchi cleared his throat. "I think we've got it split into four groups." He nodded toward Azusa respectfully. "The military, the nobles, and the planet itself. I'll take care of the really immediate things." "Put that way, it is simple, isn't it?" Azusa grumbled. "Who's going to take over what branch?" "Well, Balar's going to handle the military." Tenchi said. "He's good with technology. Ayeka's going to handle the nobles and their complaints. Ryoko's going to be taking care of the planet." "What does that entail, taking care of the planet?" Misaki said. "Gardens, public buildings, libraries, etc." Ryoko shrugged. "I'm the logical person to go out where I can get hurt." Misaki sat back, satisfied with her job description. "And Tenchi's going to be signing financing papers, dealing with the nobles who are too argumentive to deal with Ayeka, declaring war, etc. He's the one who gets the final say." Balar added. Azusa nodded sagely. "Yes, Tenchi should have the final say. This echoes of a committee." Ayeka smothered a grin. Washu had them watch the Star Wars movies a few months ago. Ryoko was always cheering on Han Solo and Tenchi complained at being called Leia. Balar had said dryly that he was not going to be Chewbacca. Ayeka chuckled. "I am not a committee!" Leia shouted in her mind. *** Washu sighed as the credits began to roll. Placing a hand over her heart, she said, "Isn't he just so Handsome!" Sasami rolled her eyes. "Errol Flynn's been dead for a long while, Washu." Washu shook her finger at the younger woman. "But he's still a good-looking man on the screen." Her ears pricked at nothing. Washu sighed. "Yeah, and I want to talk to you, too, sister." Tsunami materialized in the room. "What about?" she said calmly. "Do you realize what you could've done to her?" Washu scolded. "You could be having to find another body to assimilate with you know." "I had everything under control." "No, you didn't. And that's what is ticking me off, little sister. You went off half-cocked, damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead, without even asking my advice. You've never done this before. No one's ever done this before. You didn't even consider the fact that you might not be able to do this automatically." Washu steamed. "It should have gone perfectly." Tsunami said scornfully. "Yeah, well, it didn't. She can't do anything with you until her energy levels go back up. And as the resident goddess of this Earth, I'm not letting her do anything until they do!" Washu returned. "Oh, aren't we getting high and mighty? As I recall, you didn't even want this planet." Tsunami argued. "Well, it's mine and I'm going to take care of it. That includes the people on it." Washu told her sister bluntly. "Now, if Sasami wants to assimilate with you after lunch, she may. You two are so much the same, I don't expect to see any difference." "What?" they both said at once. Washu sighed. "Exactly my point. Mel Gibson movies now?" *** Mihoshi and Lirras laughed at the clown they passed in the mall when he made faces at them. They continued walking until Lirras led her outside into a small side park. Sitting down on a bench, Lirras took a deep breath. "Mihoshi, I like you a lot." "I like you, too," Mihoshi said shyly. "I wanted to ask if I-could..." he trailed off. "What is it?" Mihoshi asked cheerfully. "If I could kiss you." Lirras looked through the hair in his eyes to her. "Oh!" Mihoshi's hand flew to her lips. "I suppose." "Not exactly encouraging." Lirras joked, but he still leaned forward. Mihoshi's lips touched his in a soft, gentle kiss. "Hey! Get a room or I'll call the police!" an older woman yelled at them. Mihoshi sighed and flicked out her pen. "I AM the police." The woman huffed and walked away. "Perhaps somewhere a little less public?" Lirras suggested. Mihoshi agreed. *** Washu clicked off the TV after the second movie. She stretched to work the kinks out. "It's getting to be about lunchtime." She said calmly. "If you don't mind, I'll make lunch for everyone." Sasami sighed and nodded. Washu's food was good to eat, but it just wasn't hers. Washu got out of her chair and walked into the kitchen to start preparing the food. While she was gathering her ingredients, she sent a mental call to her daughter. *** Ryoko straightened in her seat. Funaho looked at her slightly concerned. "Yes, Mom?" she answered mentally. "I'll have lunch ready in about an hour." Washu told her. "Sasami may assimilate after so this may be the last time you'll see her as one person instead of two." "Sure, we'll be there. Does she want her parents to eat with us?" Ryoko asked. Washu relayed the question. Sasami grimaced. "If they know, they're going to get all flustered with me." "So," Washu told her, "we say that it's an ordinary dinner." Sasami grinned at the goddess of Chaos. "Okay," Sasami nodded. Message sent and confirmed, Washu turned back to the food. "You know, this could be an interesting day." Washu murmured to herself. "What was that?" Sasami asked, cupping a hand around her ear. "Oh, nothing. Am I correct in assuming you have plans to assimilate with Tsunami after lunch?" Washu asked while chopping vegetables. "Mm-hmm," Sasami nodded. "Do you have any other questions?" Washu asked. "Not really." Sasami toyed a thread on the couch. Washu turned back to lunch. *** Mihoshi got a call on her cube. "Yes, Yukinojo?" "I am receiving a call from Miss Washu. She says to tell you that lunch is ready. And that you can bring your young man if you wish." Yukinojo said to her. Mihoshi looked at Lirras. "Of course, I'd love to eat lunch with you." He answered. "My first class is at two." *** Ayeka exchanged hugs with her mothers and gave her father a peck on the cheek. Balar waved good-bye along with Tenchi and Ryoko. They all stepped through the portal right into Washu's living room. "Mm, that smells good," Balar said sniffing the air. "Funaho, Misaki, and Azusa will be along shortly." Ayeka said. "They have to cancel their lunch." Washu nodded and gathered up the place settings. She turned around to the table... She frowned. A table popped in existence complete with candelabra. She hummed her way to the table, setting it. "Are you okay, Sasami?" Ayeka asked, kneeling by her sister. "I'm fine, Ayeka. Washu says that after lunch, she'll help me assimilate with Tsunami." Sasami said cheerfully. Ayeka sighed. "Are you sure?" she asked. Sasami nodded definitely. "Washu, is it okay if I get up now?" "As long as you only walk to the table. I want you to conserve your energy." Washu admonished. "What's wrong with her?" Ryoko asked. "Nothing really. I'm just taking precautions that my sister," Washu said the term loudly, "didn't." "Are you going to throw that at me for all eternity?" Tsunami's disembodied voice said. "That depends on Sasami. Once you're assimilated with her, I'm going to treat her the same which means you too." Washu said. "Are you going to act like a ghost or come down here and eat with us?" "I think Azusa will be too nervous." Tsunami's voice held a note of laughter and she disappeared. Azusa and his wives flashed into the house. Washu shook her head. "Ryoko dear, help me with the food." Ryoko floated over to help her mother with Tenchi helping her. Once the table was set, the guests sat down. "Oh, are we too late?" Mihoshi asked, stepping into the room. "No, Mihoshi. Have a seat you two." Washu gestured to the two vacant seats. "Lirras, I don't think you've met our other guests. This is Emperor Azusa and his two wives, Funaho and Misaki." Lirras gulped and gave a little wave. Mihoshi chattered in his ear about them. Washu started the conversation around the table, carefully avoiding the topic of Tsunami and her assimilation. *** Azusa, Funaho, and Misaki left after lunch. Busy schedule. Lirras left also for his class. Everyone looked at Sasami periodically until she said loudly, "I'm fine. Would everyone stop looking at me like I'm a science project?" "You can be my guinea pig if you like." Washu added evilly. Sasami sighed. "I know everyone's concerned. Washu, am I okay?" Washu's gems floated in mid-air and swirled around Sasami for a moment. Washu nodded. "You're a little depleted, but once you've assimilated that'll go away. Now?" Washu asked calmly. Sasami looked at everyone. Washu chuckled. "We won't do this in front of them. Ryoko, can I use your garden for a few minutes?" Ryoko waved her hand upstairs. Washu gestured upstairs. "If you're ready, Sasami." Sasami looked nervously at everyone. Ayeka ran forward for a hug. "I'll be back in a minute, Ayeka." Sasami said in a quavering voice. Everyone had a hug and a word for Sasami and then her and Washu climbed the stairs. *** Sasami sat by the fountain and looked at the goldfish. "Now what?" she asked. Washu chuckled. "Now we try it a different way." Washu grew into her adult form slowly, her gems glowing. "I'm going to supervise this the whole way through. It will not hurt and nothing will go wrong." She said firmly. The gems went to Sasami. "Here's what is going to happen." Washu started to explain. "You'll feel something like what I had you experience when we touched foreheads. Immense information. Tsunami tried to input it all at once. I'm going to touch it off at a trickle. It won't last for more than a few seconds but it'll feel like a few minutes to you. Once all the information is in you, stored in your brain but not in the front as it were, then Tsunami will surround you in lights and you'll assimilate. Ready?" Sasami nodded. "Then let us begin." Washu's gems started to download Tsunami's memories into Sasami's brain. Sasami sat there, blinking at the information for the few seconds it took. "Sasami? How do you feel?" Washu asked gently once all the information was downloaded. "Dizzy." Sasami said hesitantly. Washu hid a grin. "Well, you did take in several eons worth of information." She reminded the younger girl. "Tsunami?" Tsunami appeared. Washu gestured to Sasami. "She-you-whatever, are ready." Tsunami spun herself into lights and Sasami glowed for a moment, then settled down into mortal form again. Washu's gems noted that they were successfully assimilated now. "How do you feel, sister?" Washu said. Sasami tilted her head. "Fine." Washu sighed. "You just assimilated with an elder goddess and all you can say is fine?" Sasami smiled and her eyes twinkled. "I remember everything. This feels...warm. So much information, knowing everything!" "Mm-hmm," Washu smiled back. "Want to go see everyone now?" Sasami shook her head. "I want to stay here for a few minutes." Sasami grinned. "I figured it out. Tsunami doesn't want to take me over. She wants to look through my eyes. I'm still Sasami and technically in the driver's seat." Washu nodded. "Now you understand. She won't be the goddess except in special occasions. You're you." Sasami giggled. "I can feel her inside me. We can talk together." "Sort of like Ryoko's doppelganger." Washu nodded. "You can split apart too, but practice being together first." Sasami nodded. She stood up and looked down. "Am I taller?" Washu shook her head. "No." Washu tilted her head to one side. "You're floating." Sasami looked down and giggled again. "Ryoko doesn't need to fly with me anymore it seems." She walked toward the door and Washu followed her. *** "Wait until I cook dinner." Sasami told her. Together in one body, they walked down the stairs. Everyone's eyes looked up. Sasami smiled at her family. "Hi!" she said and waved at them. "Are you okay?" Ayeka asked. "I'm fine, Ayeka. It's wonderful!" Sasami said and twirled around in a pirouette. "Look, Ryoko!" Ryoko watched as the girl flew up in the air. "Hey, watch out for the-" Ryoko winced. "Ceiling," she finished. Sasami floated down gently, laying a hand on her head. "Yes, Tsunami," she said out loud. "That's what pain feels like. No, I don't know why you invented it. Oh, you didn't? Tokimi did? Figures." Ayeka and Balar looked at each other and laughed. Sasami laughed with them. She was definitely okay. ***************************************************************** I've decided to clear up a few things. I'll admit that I did say I take suggestions. In one of the upcoming chapters, Tex came up with a really good idea that I used. But there are a lot of things that will not happen in this story. The main focus is on Sasami this time. Ryoko and Tenchi, Balar and Ayeka, were the subject of the last three. They're married, I've written tons of romantic scenes with them as the main focus, they're about to rule, I don't have much more planned with them. They're taking a backseat in this one. Sasami's becoming a goddess, that's a big deal. Tokimi's ten years should be up soon. That's another big step. I'm doing something with our favorite blond. Nobuyuki's getting a love interest. That's what's going on in this story. I would usually say, I'm sorry, at this point, but I'm not. I like the way this story is going. Things that I won't put in this story include Tenchi becoming a god. My reason for that is why would I make Tenchi a god? I think we've got enough gods in this. He's emperor, his mother in law is an elder goddess, he's got enough power. There won't be Nagi or Kiyone in this. I'm also not doing the following fiction pieces: Kiyone/Mihoshi as lovers, anything with Sakuya in it (I just plain don't know who she is and don't really care), Nagi/Ryoko as lovers, basically any female pairing as lovers for the simple reason I don't think I could do it justice, I'll probably never do any story with Tenchi proposing two any two of the women, and that's all I can think of for now. When I started getting reviews for the fifth chapter, I was Very irritated. I'll admit it. Usually, I laugh it off as people not knowing what I'm going to be doing in the next chapter or two, but this time it seemed like most of the reviews I got were telling me one thing to improve on or another. I don't mind constructive criticism that much, but the story isn't about Ryoko/Tenchi or Balar/Ayeka anymore. Or at least not that much. They're there and they have parts but they're smaller. I'm planning more on the goddesses for this story. I'll begin the individual responses now and hope someone actually reads them and doesn't send me a whole bunch of hate mail. Satoshi: Why can't Sasami assimilate in the middle of the conference? *shakes head* You're asking a teenager to merge with a goddess in front of the whole planet? Some things should be private. Swifty514: Sasami should find someone nice... I agree with you. And she will. Jab Man: I'll add you to my mailing list, but could I have your email address? I think a guy would go out with Sasami if she didn't seem to be a goddess most of the time. And believe me, she doesn't.... || Miss Ryouko ||: I feel that if Washu doesn't look any older then Ryo-ohki
shouldn't look any older. |
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