Subject: First Knight Book II: 1
Date: Thu, 04 Mar 1999 17:54:35 -0700
From: Donny <chengdo@shaw.wave.ca>
To: chengdo@shaw.wave.ca

Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are owned by their
respective creators and companies.

This story takes place after volume 38 of the Ranma manga.  It also
draws ideas from the OAV, TV, and manga of the Tenchi series and other
series involved.

This is a side story to my crossover series, Life and Times.

C & C welcomed.

First Knight Book II

By

Donny Cheng

Chapter 1: Leavetakings

        "So, he is gone?  Does Ayeka and Sasami know yet?" Tenchi asked.
His
heart heavy with the news from who could be called his great
grandmother, though she did not look it in the least bit.

        "Misaki contacted them earlier.  She is with them right now.  They
are
already making preparations," Funaho replied.

        "I see," Tenchi sighed resignedly.  "When do we leave?"

        "In a day.  News of my husband's death will have spread by then.
The
faster we do this, the easier and more accepting the transition will
be."

        "That doesn't leave much time," Tenchi noted absently.

        Funaho's heart went out her this young man.  So young and already
thrust into the role of absolute responsibility.  She hardened her
resolve, not willing to let Tenchi see her moment of weakness.  This was
a harsh time and it demanded harsher methods.  "No, it does not.  If my
son were here, I would not be coming to you.  For that, I am sorry."

        Yoshu, the current Prince of Jurai.  The mantle would have been
passed
down to either him or Ayeka since he would not have married her despite
being affianced.  Rather than face the political turmoil brought about
by the fight for succession, Tenchi's grandfather had chosen to leave
again.  That would have left Ayeka alone to take the throne.  However,
her influence had been dampened with her seven hundred year old absence
and there would in all likelihood be an opposition against her rule.
Something that the universe could not afford to have; its strongest
empire in dissension.

        Also, Ayeka would be obligated to marry immediately as was her duty
to
supply an heir and the turmoil that would have been created among the
eligible bachelor royals would have started a minor civil war.  However,
if Tenchi were to step in, many of the problems would be solved.  His
relationship to the throne could not be easily disputed.  The law
required him to marry an off-worlder along with a noble female, which
was easily done with Ayeka and Mihoshi.  The fact that Mishoshi's father
was the Chief of the Galactic Police would play in his favor.  A slight
loop hole in the law would allow him to also be betrothed to Sasami to
prevent another noble from taking control from that route.  Finally, he
also had Washu and both previous Queens to help him with any political
intrigue that might take place.

        "I don't really have a choice, do I?" Tenchi asked.

        "You could go on living here on this planet.  Nothing is forcing you
to
go to Jurai."

        "I can't do that.  The person that manages to wrest control could be
an
a tyrant.  Even it isn't true, I know that he or she will not allow me
to live when I present such a threat to their rule.  I will not let
earth suffer from my inaction."

        Funaho smiled at the honest answer.  A normal man would have been
thrilled to become emperor of the most powerful empire in the universe.
This boy, however, only cared about doing what was right.  Her son had
done a wonderful job with the boy.

                        * * * * *

        "Are you sure about this, Ranma?" Washu asked again.

        "Please, Washu... –chan.  You're the only one I can turn to."

        Washu glanced at the pigtailed boy in front of her.  He was a wreck
and
looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks which was probably true.  All of
Japan suffered from Second Impact, some like Ranma, more than others.
She sighed and turned back to her current subject.  Nuku Nuku.  A friend
of Ranma's.

        "I found her staring at a building that had collapsed because of the
Impact.  I think that was where her family died," Ranma said as he
looked up into the glass tube Nuku Nuku floated in suspension.  The girl
had sat there scratching at her self.  Trying to rip off her own arms it
seemed.  Having suffered his own loss, Ranma immediately knew what had
been wrong.

        "It will be tricky.  I can let her keep her orginal body if that is
her
wish, but I will have to make slight modifications." Washu typed
speedily on the keyboard.  It did not take her long to make the changes
that Ranma asked her to.  In truth, Nuku Nuku's inventor had designed
the body so well, it had not been very hard at all.  In some ways, she
wondered if Kyusaku had deliberately not improved on the design.

        Ranma nodded.  "Thank you.  Her body is the last thing she has to
remember her pop and family by."

        Washu pointed towards the tank.  "You might want to be there when
she
revives.  She is going to need somebody."

        Ranma walked towards the tube just as it opened and dumped the naked
android into his lap.  Awkwardly he took his shirt off and wrapped it
around the girl, even though he knew that she did not feel any cold.
"Nuku Nuku.  Are you awake?"

        "Ranma?  Nuku Nuku hurt," Nuku Nuku said weakly as her eye lids
opened.

        "I know," Ranma replied, smiling sadly.

        Nuku Nuku felt a dull ache in her chest.  She eye circuits started
to
blur from water streaming down them.  Ache?  Water?  That was not in her
programming.  "Ranma, Nuku Nuku's chest hurt.  Nuku Nuku is crying!
Ranma did it!"

        Ranma sadly nodded again.  He did it.  He had Washu give Nuku Nuku
the
ability to feel pain and to show it.  Yet another person Saotome Ranma
had hurt.  His wallowing in self-pity was halted annoyingly by Nuku Nuku
suddenly hugging him.

        "Thank you, Ranma!  Nuku Nuku don't know what to say," Nuku Nuku
hugged
the boy hard.  She couldn't see anymore as both tears of joy and sadness
filled them.  Her heart hurt was filled with a strange mix of depression
and happiness.  Grief for her now dead family, but contentment that she
could finally express her feelings.

        Ranma's eyes were dry.  He had done all his crying days before and
he
no longer had any more tears for the dead.  He wished he could let it
all out as Nuku Nuku was doing.  Maybe then the sharp sense of loss in
his mind could be dulled.  He held on harder to his grieving friend.

        Washu hesitated for a moment before leaving to room to give the two
of
them some privacy.  She shook her head at one of the biggest mistakes of
her life.  Linking her mind to that of her daughter was not the
brightest thing she had ever thought of, she had to admit.  It had
seemed so reasonable when she created Ryoko and Ryo-ohki.  She had no
idea how strong Ryoko's emotional state would be.

        Ryoko's love for Tenchi was so amazingly intense, Washu only had to
touch it for a moment to fall herself into grasp of the young man's
charm.  So stupid really.  The greatest scientific mind in the universe
could fall prey so something as illogical as love.  The fact that
Ryoko's feelings extended somewhat to this Ranma boy was just another
reminder of her failure.

        She sighed.  Now she was willing to put her entire being into
jeopardy
by going to Jurai so as to protect Tenchi from harm.  She was even
willing to marry him if he asked, she was sure.  She was only glad that
the law only allowed two wives.  Tenchi marrying three, even though two
were of the same family, was already pushing it.  Definitely a mistake
linking herself with Ryoko.  So, why hadn't she broken the link, she
wondered for what seemed like the hundredth time.

                        * * * * *

        Kiyone wasn't quite sure what she was feeling as she watched Mihoshi
go
about packing her belongings, ready to leave for Jurai.  Had anyone told
her that Tenchi would have chosen Mihoshi out of the girls that were by
his side, she would have thought him to be crazy.  After Tenchi had
explained it to her, she still couldn't quite believe it.  She had been
surprised the maturity Mihoshi had been displaying.  She did not know
how she would have acted if the love of her life, assuming she ever had
one or will ever get one, proposed because of convenience.  However, she
knew she wouldn't have accepted for one thing.  For the first time since
they had been partners she felt a little pity for Mihoshi.

        Mihoshi, however, thought Kiyone's gloomy aura was because they were
to
be separated.  "Hey, don't worry, Kiyone.  I'm not going to stop being a
Galactic Police even though I'm married.  Since they were able to engage
Sasami to Tenchi, I'm sure I can convince them to let me continue to do
my job."

        Kiyone sighed.  Somehow she knew that Mihoshi would say that.  No
way
in hell was whatever Kami that looked down at her going to make her life
easier.  Mihoshi had relations in high places and it could be pulled
off, Kiyone knew.  The fact that Mihoshi never used these relations for
advancement brought a little pride to her, though she would never tell
anyone.  However, that only reminded her of the silly notion everyone at
headquarters of Mihoshi.  Her partner was _not_ the best detective class
officer.  Kiyone did know that it was a lost cause to explain it, seeing
as how her partners records have yet to show a single loss case.

        "I can't believe Tenchi asked me to marry him!" Mihoshi suddenly
said
as she blushed, with her hands on her face to prevent her head from
shaking to wildly as it did when she was excited.

        "Mihoshi, you've been saying that for the past hour.  Tenchi told
you
why he was marrying you anyway.  The stronger his hold on the throne the
more he can be sure that both Jurai and the earth could be safe."

        Mihoshi's happiness took a pensive turn as she looked back at
Kiyone.
"I know.  It's not everyday I have Tenchi come to my room and to hear
the first thing from his mouth was 'I'm sorry'.  You know what I had
thought when he first said that?  I thought he had chosen Washu-chan or
even Ryoko.  I know that I'm not his first choice, but I don't mind.  I
know that he does love me in his own way and that he would have not hurt
me in anyway.  Besides, he is my first choice."

        "Mihoshi...," Kiyone took a step towards her long time partner.
Kiyone
was sure it was a universal constant that Mihoshi remain disgustingly
happy in her own little world.  It was not right for her to be like
this.

        "I can't believe Tenchi asked me to marry him!"

        Kiyone face faulted at the sudden happiness of Mihoshi.  Nothing was
going to ruin her partner's day, she concluded.

                        * * * * *

        Ranma was surprised at who the person was that stopped him as he was
about to leave.  "Ayeka?

        "I... I wanted to ask you to stay for a moment.  Tenchi-sama really
needs you right now."  Ayeka had still not been able to get used to
asking for help, despite living on Earth for several years.  It was
strange asking a boy that was apparently much beneath her station for
help, even if the boy was very indirectly related to Yoshu.  She really
hadn't had that much of a problem in the past as she tended to stay at
the house away from civilization and none of Tenchi's peers ever paid a
visit.

        "He _doesn't_ need me though," Ranma was a little surprised at the
sound of bitterness in his voice.  "I've gained a few skills while I was
on the road.  The power I sense in Tenchi is greater than mine might
ever be.  In fact, all of you most probably surpass me.  He doesn't need
me."

        Ayeka looked at the boy before her with a mixture of feelings.  The
anger she had felt at hearing the offhanded waving off of Tenchi was
quickly replaced with concern.  It was not jealousy or envy that laced
his tone, but regret.  "Tenchi needing you is very important isn't it?"

        "Yes!  Just about everyone that I care about is gone.  _She_ told me
to
find a purpose, but I just can't.  There is nothing left for me other
than the art.  Some days I don't even know if that is worth going on."
Ranma felt the sudden need to get the incredible weight off of his
chest, since the aftermath of Second Impact.

        "Well then you have nothing to fear.  You're wrong, Tenchi-sama does
need you.  You know what I had always been envious about Ryoko?  She
watched him grow up, something that she has in common with you.
Sometimes I see him by the window or standing outside staring out into
the field.  I, to this day, still don't understand what it means, but I
am sure Ryoko does.  During one of these incidents, your name happened
to come up.  His face immediately lit up almost magically.  I don't
presume to know what it means exactly, but I expect it to have something
to do with his mother.  You were there when she died and you supported
him then.  He will always need that support now."

        "He needs me?" A note of wondering came to Ranma's voice.  He had
found
the purpose that he had promised _her_.  He could rest easy now.

        Ayeka noticed the dazed look on Ranma's face and immediately went
forward to catch his limp body.  His eyes had closed and his breathing
had settled into a soft rhythm.  He had fallen asleep.  She took a good
look at him and noticed for the first time the signs of weariness in the
boy.  There were deep circles beneath his eyes.  He has the deep smell
of perspiration about him that gave away the extent of his exertions.
It had taken him all his strength to get this far.  When was the last
time he had slept?

        She decided against calling for help.  Everyone was busy making
preparations to leave.  Instead, she helped Ranma into the house to
Tenchi's room.  He was a dead weight but somehow he managed to drag him
in and place him on the bed.  A small smile had formed on his face as he
slept.  Whatever had been bothering him before, he had come to terms
with.

                        * * * * *

        Ryoko faded out from her perch watching Ranma and Ayeka and faded
back
towards to living room where Tenchi sat.  He was sitting there looking
at the handle of the Tenchi-ken.  He was thinking of his grandfather
again.  "There you are.  I've been looking all over for you."

        "Oh, hi Ryoko.  I was in up on Funaho's ship.  We had to clear up a
few
plans on what was going to happen when I reached Jurai."

        "Well, Ranma is here.  He's sleeping in your room at the moment.  I
think Second Impact affected him pretty hard."

        "He's here?" Tenchi lost all signs of weariness and headed
immediately
for his room before Ryoko stopped him.

        "Let him rest.  I think he needs it.  The poor guy probably hadn't
slept in days."

        Second Impact again.  Many people had been lost by the unpredictable
weather changes around the world.  Many religious nations took
opportunity of the chaos created and no less then three governments were
overthrown in the past week.  The earth had been thrown back into the
semi-dark ages as she tried to get back on course.  By some strange
coincidence, Ayeka's father also passed away.  The man had not looked
like he was on his death bed at all, but he was assured by Funaho that
it had been a natural death.  He managed to catch her softly saying that
'he was no longer blessed by the goddess'.

        It was also at this time that his grandfather decided to leave since
Funaho had known where her son lived.  Tenchi could still remember his
last training session with his grandfather.  It was the first time that
he had ever seen his grandfather, without the mask of age, as Yoshu.
They had split on separate paths that day and Tenchi had no idea when
they would again see each other.  Who had Ranma lost, Tenchi wondered
sadly.

        "Tenchi, about announcing to the world that I'm your mistress on the
same day you announce your engagement to Ayeka?  Forget about it.  I
just remembered that I'm supposedly a wanted pirate.  You steal a few
things, destroy a couple of ships and ports, and they expect you to pay
for life.  I wouldn't be able to set foot in Jurai space if they knew I
was still around."

        Tenchi only smiled and said nothing, agreeing with Ryoko that it
wouldn't be a good idea.  He wouldn't spoil Ryoko's sacrifice at
one-upping Ayeka.  He wondered what changed her mind about humiliating
Ayeka with his announcement at having a mistress.

        Ryoko gave Tenchi a suspicious glare, before fading out to Tenchi
room.  She only popped her head through enough to get a small peak.
Ayeka was just sitting there watching Ranma.  Good.  After what she gave
up, she did not want to have Ayeka touching Ranma at all.  Watching over
him was another story.  A touch of concern crossed her face as she
looked at Ranma's battered tired form.

                        * * * * *

        Tenchi walked into the kitchen where Sasami was in the process of
cooking every possible earth dish ever known to take with them on the
voyage.  He still didn't know what to say to her.  He had literally
ruined her life.  He sighed and decided to go with a simple apology.
"Hello, Sasami.  I just came by to talk about the engagement.  I wanted
to tell you that I was sorry I got you into this mess."

        Sasami paused in her frantic cooking attempt to give Tenchi a shrug.
"They told me why you have to do this and I agree.  You've never lived
in the court of my father.  One slight opening and your power could
easily be undermined.  I really don't have much choice in an arranged
marriage.  Someone could take advantage of that and use me to steal the
throne or at the very least create a strong opposition against your
rule."

        "But... now your stuck with me."  It always amazed him the
understanding of adult affairs that Sasami seemed to command.

        "Stuck?  Being engaged to a kind, caring, boy that I like is not
being
stuck.  Besides, it's only an engagement.  We're engaged until you make
a choice between me and Ayeka.  That won't happen until I'm old enough.
I'm sure by then things will have worked out."

        Tenchi still couldn't shake the nagging doubt he had.

        "Tenchi, do you remember that noble that challenged you the first
time
my parents visited?  Do you think that him and others like him would
make a better match than you?"

        "No," Tenchi relented.

        "Good.  Because, neither do I."

        Any attempts to understand what Sasami meant by that were stopped as
she had quickly went back to cooking, turning her back to him.  He
seriously needed to talk with Ranma at this moment.

                        * * * * *

        "You're going with me?" Tenchi asked, surprised.  "What about your
friends?  What about Usagi?"

        "Usagi doesn't need me yet.  I will only be in her way.  As for
friends, they don't really need me either.  Unless, you don't need me
too, of course."

        "Don't need you?  Of course, I'm going to need you.  With
grandfather..." Tenchi didn't finish his sentence.  In some ways his
grandfather had been closer to him this his own father.  Though, he was
still glad that his father was willing to come with him to Jurai.  It
would be lonely enough without another person from earth to talk with.

        "He left, huh?  Funny, how everybody you care about eventually
leaves."

        Tenchi gave Ranma a sharp glance.  His cousin had never sounded so
depressed before.  "You don't think of me as family?  As someone that
cares about you?  I won't ever leave you behind."

        "I... thanks," Ranma said sheepishly, ashamed of his words.

        "You want to talk about it?" Tenchi asked.  They had sat in his room
reminiscing about the past.  Their last night on earth before they
headed for Jurai.

        Ranma looked at Tenchi.  He never kept anything from his cousin
before
and he hoped that he would never have to.  "Yeah.  But, not right now.
You understand?"

        "I understand.  Sometimes, we need time to grieve alone," Tenchi
said,
remembering of the death of his mother.

        Ranma nodded.  They spent the rest of the night talking of happier
times.

                        * * * * *

        "Here's your new sister!  Say hello to Ryoko, Nuku Nuku!"

        "Hello, Ryoko!"

        Ryoko slapped a hand towards her face.  Her 'sister' was currently
sitting and purring on Washu's lap.  "Is she housebroken?"

        Ryo-ohki took an instant liking to their new sibling.  "Mreow?"

        "Meow!"

        Ayeka was currently teaching Mihoshi some of the formal words that
needed to be memorized before they reached Jurai.  At that moment, she
was considering whether or not it would be easier to jump out of the
ship and fly to Jurai than sit all trip long getting Mihoshi to get at
least ten words committed to memory.  She bet on jumping out as Mihoshi
again said the wrong words.

        Misaki, having missed Sasami for so long had promptly began dressing
her like a doll.  It would have been fine if she didn't go towards Ranma
and Tenchi every so often and brag about it.  This caused every other
female in the ship to dress up.  Needless to say, quite a mess was
created.

        "It always this way?"

        Tenchi's groan, answered Ranma question very adequately.

                        * * * * *

The End. (maybe)