Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! and its characters, technologies,

etc. are property of Pioneer and AIC. All other characters

and ideas are property of the author and their use is

prohibited except by consent of the author. Any similiarities

to actual persons, events, etc. are purely coincidental and

in no way makes the author liable. To sum up all this legal

stuff don’t steal my original characters and don't sue me for

use of ones that aren't

 

 

Trials Of The Heart

 

 

Prologue:

 

           

            It was a wonderful summer day and everyone was busy running around the house.

Today was Tenchi’s last day of School and everyone decided to throw him a Graduation Party.

 

            Sasami was in the kitchen preparing the meal while Ayeka did the laundry. 

Washu was busy preparing the entertainment and Mihoshi was cleaning the house from top to

Bottom.  Ryo-okki was flying around the kitchen trying to help Sasami (and snag a carrot or two) and of course Ryoko was busy as ever trying to avoid housework.

 

 

            Ryoko was hanging on the branches of Funaho waiting for Tenchi to come home

 from school.  This was a daily ritual for the cyan-haired pirate but today was special.

Today was Tenchi’s last day of School for three months and she had an important

question to ask him.

 

            While doing the laundry Ayeka was constantly mumbling under her breath about

a certain space pirate that seemed to always get under the princesses skin. 

 

“ohhhhhhh, that Ryoko.  She always does this.  The minute there is a shred of work to be

done she can never be found.  Really I can’t understand why Lord Tenchi let’s that Devil

woman stay here…” She went on like this for a few minutes until she finished the laundry and decided to try and find the Space Pirate.  As she was walking away Katsuhito stopped her.

 

“Sooo, Ayeka.  How are the preparations for tonight coming?”

 

“Just fine Brother.  I was just going to find Ryoko so she could help.” Ayeka was fuming.

 

Katsuhito saw this and decided it was for the best to keep the two apart for now

 

"Leave her Ayeka.  There will be two less people working if you go.  I'm sorry but that would be unacceptable"

 

Ayeka thought about this and decided that Katsuhito was right once again.

 

“I suppose your right brother.”  She concluded “ I will go help Mihoshi before she destroys more than she cleans.”

 

With that Ayeka walked back to the house and Katsuhito walked down the path towards Funaho in search of Ryoko.

 

 

Back in the house Sasami was busy juggling the dinner, the utensils, and Ryo-okki.

 

“Ohhhh, Ryo-okki, those carrots are not for you.  Stop trying to eat them.”

 

“Miya-miya” cried the cabbit sadly.

 

“Well, okay but only if you go and help grandpa and tell everyone as soon as Tenchi starts to head towards the house.  Okay?”

 

“Miya-Miya” was the enthusiastic reply. 

 

And with that Sasami gave the cabbit three carrots and sent her on her way.

 

With Ryo-okki out of the way Sasami’s job was a lot easier.

 

 

Upstairs, Mihoshi was busy trying to figure out why every time she opened the door to Tenchi’s room she would end up in the lake.  She was about to try again when she spotted Ayeka and decided to ask her.

 

“Oh Ayeka!  Could you help me please?  I can’t seem to get into Tenchi’s room.”

 

Ayeka could see that Mihoshi was soaking wet and realized what was happening.

 

“Well let me try Mihoshi.”

 

Ayeka walked up to the door and switched off the trap hoping Mihoshi didn’t notice and opened the door.  Mihoshi was very happy.

 

“Oh Thank You Ayeka.  I was so worried I would never get to clean Tenchi’s room.”

 

“I am glad I was able to help out Mihoshi.  Where else do you still need to clean?”

 

Mihoshi thought about this for a little bit “well I still have to clean the living room and then I have to get the decorations from Washu.  Could you do that Please?  That would be a great help!”

 

Ayeka Cringed at having to go into Washu’s Lab but she agreed and went downstairs.

 

 

At Funaho Ryoko was so absorbed in thinking about Tenchi that she did not hear Katsuhito approach her from behind.

 

“Well Ryoko, What has you in such a good mood?”

 

Ryoko Jumped.  She was a little disappointed at herself for not hearing him but let it go.

 

“You know very well, you dirty old man.  Today is the day I am going to ask Tenchi That certain favor we discussed.”

 

“Oh is it?  Well now, that is an occasion.  Have you decided how to ask him?”

 

“Yes, I am going to walk right up to him ask him.”

 

“Well, I have a better idea...” Katsuhito said slyly.

 

Ryoko was a little surprised that Katsuhito was trying to help her seduce Tenchi, but was willing for any advice.

 

“…Why don’t you wait for him to approach you and then ask him?

 

 “And why should I do that?  I have waited long enough.” Ryoko Flared.

 

“Oh, no.  Don’t misunderstand me.  I am just trying to tell you that sometimes a man likes to feel like he had a choice in the matter.  If you just walk up to Tenchi he will feel like he was cornered and not even enjoy it.  But if he approaches you he will have a much better attitude.”

 

Ryoko thought about this and realized that he was right.  She sighed, “ I guess your right.  But how do I get him to come to me if he doesn’t know I want something?”

 

“You leave that to me.  Now go and help the others prepare for the Party.  I will bring Tenchi when he is ready.”

 

Ryoko nodded and Phased out of site.  Katsuhito than walked up the path and headed for the road to look for a spot to ambush his Grandson.

 

 

Back at the house Ayeka was standing outside the door to Washu’s Lab.  She was slowly working up the courage to knock when the little redheaded scientist appeared at the little screen at the door.  “Come on in Ayeka.”

 

Her face disappeared and the door opened to reveal blackness.  Ayeka swallowed hard than entered the lab.  Ayeka was always surprised by the size of the Lab.  Washu’s Lab was in sub-space and the door in the Masaki household was just a portal so the lab was a lot bigger than the little space provided in the broom closet.

 

Ayeka walked forward searching for Washu.  Then the little redheaded genius appeared from around the corner of a machine.

 

“Hello Ayeka.  How can I help you?”

 

Ayeka calmed herself and said, “I came to get the decorations for the party.  Mihoshi said you had them.”

 

“Yeah, they are right over here.”  Washu led Ayeka over to a very small bag.

 

“What is this Miss Washu?  We need more decorations than this.”

 

“Don’t you guys ever learn?  Inside this bag I have made a portal in subspace where I have the decorations stored.  I just adjust the catch on the bag to react when the bag is opened.  The portal opens at the same time.”

 

Ayeka gave her a confused look.  Washu sighed, “Open the bag and pull something out.”

 

Ayeka conceded and was surprised to find thousands of feet of streamers and fireworks and lights and tables and all sorts of party decorations stored in the little bag.

 

Ayeka shook her head and turned to Washu.  “Thank You Miss Washu.  I will be going now.”

 

As Ayeka was leaving she heard Washu in the background yelling, “THAT’S LITTLE WASHU!!”

 

 

Now all this time Tenchi was on his way home from school. 

 

‘Man that was a long day’ he thought, ‘why is it the last day is always the longest?  Hehe.  I can’t wait to get home and relax.  What am I thinking?  I will not get any relaxation what with grandpa’s training and the girls fighting over me.” He sighed, “Well at least I am almost home.”

 

Tenchi’s bus came to a stop and he disembarked.  Tenchi started to walk down the path towards his house.  While he was walking he began to feel uneasy.  Something in the back of his mind told him to be cautious. Then he realized how quiet it was.  He also realized why.  Out of nowhere his grandfather jumped from his hiding place in the trees armed with a bokken.  Tenchi quickly brought up his bag to deflect the attack and rolled away to safety only to be hit in the head with the hilt of a bokken.

 

“Too slow Tenchi.  You need a lot more practice.”  Katsuhito Mused.

 

“Aww come on grandpa.  I had a long day at school and I am tired…”

 

“The enemy will not fight you below his ability just because you are tired and had a long day.  You must be prepared at anytime.  Including in your sleep.  Now…” Katsuhito threw Tenchi a bokken and walked into the woods, “let’s continue this somewhere more suited.”  Tenchi sighed and picked up the bokken.  He then followed his Grandfather to the training grounds.

 

 

            With Ayeka gone, Washu continued working on her big surprise.  She had been working on it for a month and was almost done.  She twisted a bolt here… Turned a screw there and…

 

“Finally, it is done.” Chibi Washu’s A and B popped up on her shoulders, “Washu is the greatest” “Washu is a Genius” “Washu, Washu, Washu”

 

she snapped her fingers and a covering fell over her latest invention. “now to start planning the entertainment.  Washu walked over to her floating cushion and sat at her laptop.  She started typing like a windstorm.

 

 

 

            Outside Ryoko had appeared at the house and after a small fight with Ayeka (only a few trees were burnt to a crisp) they started working on the decorations for the party.

 

“So Ayeka, did you get something for Tenchi?”

 

“That’s none of your business.”

 

“ohhh, you didn’t get him anything did you?  Bad Princess and I thought you had better manners than that.  Even I got Tenchi a present.”

 

Ayeka was fuming “Now you listen here you… you… devil woman.  I do have a present for Lord Tenchi and it will be far better than anything a good for nothing SPACE PIRATE could think of for the crown prince of Jurai.”

 

“What did you say?” Ryoko Growled.

 

“You heard me Devil Woman!”

 

The two were started to charge up for another fight when Sasami came outside and saw what was going to happen.  She sighed, and then yelled,  “Now stop you two.  Tenchi will be here any minute and you have to finish setting up the decorations before he does.”

 

Ryoko and Ayeka looked around and realized that they were even close to being finished.  Ryoko quickly started to grab streamers and fly around the yard hanging them while Ayeka rushed to the tables so she could set them.  They were moving with such speed Sasami watched in amazement for a few minutes than went back inside to finish the meal.

 

 

 

            Tenchi was getting really upset at all this training he had to do and the constant abuse from it.  These were the thoughts he had in mind when he started to spar with his grandfather.  His anger escalated the more he thought about it and he totally forgot everything around him and concentrated on beating his grandfather.

 

            Katsuhito saw something in Tenchi’s eyes that he had been waiting for a long time.  Determination.  All the constant abuse and abruptness Katsuhito placed on Tenchi was only to get him to realize that there were no breaks in the real world and that when a chance comes you have to meet it head on.  Tenchi finally realized just that.

 

            Tenchi was entirely focused on the fight with his grandfather.  Every move Katsuhito made towards Tenchi was instantly blocked.  But Tenchi wasn’t only on the defensive. If his grandfather went to make a large swing Tenchi would instantly take a chance at the open spot and Katsuhito would have to go on the defensive immediately.  They continued to exchange blows

Tenchi taking a swing at his grandfathers head and being deflected than Katsuhito trying to sweep tenchi’s feet while Tenchi jumps into the air to avoid the attack while at the same time striking out at his grandfathers bokken. 

 

Katsuhito was surprised at the speed and ferocity of his grandson’s attacks.  Tenchi was countering every attack and instead of tiring and slowing down it seemed that the boy was becoming faster.  The boy was also learning every move Katsuhito had.  Katsuhito was impressed, but he felt that Tenchi was getting careless and was becoming overconfident.  The last few attacks from Tenchi had been a little clumsy and Katsuhito had almost hit the bokken from Tenchi’s Hands. 

 

After years of training with his grandfather Tenchi finally felt he could beat him.  But he also KNEW his grandfather.  Tenchi knew in the back of his mind that the Shinto priest was holding back.  He knew it with a certainty.  So Tenchi also held back.  He was not sure where this burst of energy had come from but he was not tired in the least.  He felt full of energy and power.  He could feel it coursing through his body.  There was so much power in him that keeping it down was causing him to be careless in his fighting and Katsuhito had obviously saw this and probably thought Tenchi was becoming overconfident.  .  He could here his grandfather’s advice in the back of his mind.

 

“Tenchi,  there are certain times for certain things.  When in a fight think of nothing else except the fight.  When in school think of nothing but your school work.  And when in relaxation think of nothing at all.  Follow this advice and nothing will stop you.”  Tenchi decided then that holding back the power  was preventing him from focusing so he decided to just go all out.  Just as he was about to release all his newfound power Katsuhito jumped back to the edge of the clearing.

 

 

“Very well my boy.  Now let us stop playing around and begin your real training.”  Katsuhito threw his bokken onto the ground and pulled out a Juraian sword hilt.  Tenchi got the idea and removed Tenchi-Ken from his belt.  The light swords hissed as they were activated.  “Now, COME AT ME!!!  AHHHHHH”

 

Tenchi and Katsuhito charged each other at full speed.  They began moving at incredible speeds.  To the normal person it would have been just a blur but the two Juraian princes attacked with incredible speed and accuracy.  Tenchi had never fought this hard before and he was surprised that he was keeping up with this.  He soon realized that he was not tiring, in fact it seemed an eternal well of energy had sprung up from inside him. 

 

Tenchi tried every move he could remember being taught by his grandfather.  He had decided early on in the battle to focus on being on the offensive.  He watched every move his grandfather made and instead of just trying to block the blow or avoid it, he tried to find any holes in his grandfather’s attacks.  So far, it did not look good.

 

Katsuhito was impressed.  He had no idea what set Tenchi off but he was happy for it.  He noticed that Tenchi was no longer focusing on defense and was trying to actually hit him.  He was not going to get him with the usual tricks this time. 

 

Tenchi came at his grandfather with an overhead swing and Katsuhito hit it aside and went for Tenchi’s side but the boy expected this and did a somersault over the old mans head taking a swipe at his head before landing and spinning wildly around and taking up a defensive stance waiting for the next move.

 

Now it was Katsuhito’s turn to attack.  He rushed forward and jumped into the air raising his blade high above him.  Tenchi rolled under Katsuhito and took a swipe at his legs as the old man landed but he was too far out of reach and he was quickly to his feet.  Tenchi was starting to tire of this fight and thought of a way to end it.  He quickly rushed his grandfather than repeatedly swung at the old man’s head becoming faster and more unpredictable the entire time then Tenchi stepped back a few inches and swung Tenchi-ken at his grandfather’s sword slicing the hilt in two.

 

Both men stood staring at the broken sword hilt.  Tenchi-ken’s blade winked out of existence and Tenchi slipped the sword into his belt.

 

“Tenchi, your training with me is now complete.  I have no more to teach you.”  Katsuhito looked at his grandson waiting for his response.

 

“But Grandpa, there is so much I don’t know.  How will I…” Katsuhito stopped him with a hand.

 

“I said I have no more to teach you.  But maybe I know someone who can.”  Tenchi stared at him waiting for the name of his new teacher.  “ I want you to ask Ryoko to train with you.  She will be your sparring partner.  All you have left to learn can only be learned from experience.  You will train with Tenchi-ken from now on.”  Katsuhito started walking towards the house.

 

All Tenchi could do was stare at his grandfather. “Come Tenchi, Time to go home.” 

 

And so Tenchi Gather his thoughts and ran to catch up with his grandfather with those words echoing inside his head. *Your training with me is now complete. *

 

 

 

            The final preparations for the party were complete.  The food was spread out, the decorations were placed, and the Music was playing softly.  Everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Katsuhito and Tenchi.