Okay, it's been too long since I've posted anything. Here's a nice sized snippet of what I got in the works so far. Sorry there's no real action here, just a bit more introspection and character development. It's what I do best. :p
The next morning Yuki and I woke up together.
As we prepared for the morning's exercises, though, I heard Yuki
pause as she was binding her chest.
“I shouldn't be here,” she said.
I gave her a searching look. “Agreed,” I said mildly.
“Why didn't you take me back?” she said suddenly, turning to face
me with a hard look. “You could have done it. We have two ships
here. Three if you count Ryo-Ohki.”
“We could,” I agreed in that mild tone once again as I went to
Yuki, took the ace bandage from her hands, and began to finish
binding her chest for her. “But the problem is that we're being
followed. If we don't employ stealth measures they'll catch up to us
in a heartbeat. That is part of why this trip to Ryuten is taking as
long as it is. And for one of us to race back to Earth and race back
would be like running with a lit flare.
“Besides, at that point in time I knew that you would no longer be
easily dissuaded. If not now, then at some other time you would have
tagged along on another, potential more dangerous mission. No, my
tiny love. I have decided that it is for the best that you touch the
fire you find so fascinating... and learn for yourself just how badly
it burns.”
“You're so cruel,” she whispered sorrowfully as I secured the
binding. “Letting me experience something like that.”
I turned Yuki around and forced her to look me in the eyes. “You
are the cruel one,” I told her flat out. “You forced me to make
my sweet little Yuki-chan, who I love so much, cry her beautiful eyes
out.”
Once again, I saw her eyes begin to tear up. “Why are you so mean
to me?”
“Because I love you, Yuki. If I didn't care then would I help you
become stronger?”
She knew the answer. We'd had this conversation before.
Yuki bowed her head. “No, you wouldn't.”
I sighed and pulled the little girl into a hug and, to my mild
surprise, she bounced up and wrapped herself around me. I could only
smile at the sudden affection and just held her for a moment.
After a while, though... “Yuki-chan? We need to get back to work.
Sasami-chan will be here soon and I know you don't want to disappoint
her.”
Yuki nodded and I set her down so she could finish getting ready. It
was going to be another long day of grinding, but different now that
Sasami and Yuki had made up. I couldn't wait to see how they would
work together now.
Soon enough, Yuki had worked through her Calisthenics routine.
Sasami arrived about halfway through and watched curiously. As soon
as Yuki was finished, though, Sasami had all but pounced on Yuki
while bearing a bento packed full of food for all of us. Lo and
behold, Minagi arrived, seemingly half asleep as she levitated across
the floor and as though being led by something that was grasping her
by the nose.
We ate. We talked. We laughed. And I soon came to the realization
that this was something that I had missed over the last few days. I
had, without realizing it, been punishing myself as well as Yuki...
though, I suppose I did deserve it, considering I let things get as
far as they had.
It was too late to do anything about it, though. The damage was
done. I loved Yuki, she loved me. The only thing for us to do was
to wait and make sure Yuki herself was ready for what would come.
After the meal, Minagi proclaimed that I had been disregarding my own
training and that while Yuki and Sasami were training, Minagi and I
would do the same elsewhere.
Little did I know at the time, however, that Minagi's 'training'
involved her bed and a total lack of apparel.
Minagi and I were big on physical intimacy.
It wasn't the defining characteristic of our relationship. We had
our common interests, chief amongst them being swordsmanship. Most
of all it was how we saw each other in ourselves. The both of us had
such gentle natures in spite of an immense capability of brutality.
And this despite the different paths in our lives. Minagi, being
honed to perfection by a harsh, yet loving father figure. Me, being
bullied, pushed, and ground down in adversity, and yet coming out of
it better than most could have hoped for.
Another thing I appreciated about Minagi was that while she did
indeed pity me, she actually did something about it.
I couldn't blame her for her pity, really. Even though I had my new
family and their unconditional love and support, I still had the
scars of everything that I had been through. My family's love was a
good balm for that scar tissue in my soul, but it would be there for
a long, long time. It would probably never go away, in fact. At any
given moment, I might be caught staring off into nothing as my mind
had been captured by some small reminder and thrown back into the
past.
Whenever she caught me like that she never said anything about it.
When I came out of those trances she would be there waiting with a
smile on her face, and then give me a hug and a kiss to remind me she
was there for me. And that was Minagi for you: sweet, gentle,
quiet... and straightforward.
Hence why I found myself in bed with her, basking in the afterglow –
regardless of the reason, Minagi would not tolerate me being troubled
over something. Say what you will, but nothing helps a couple
decompress like a good bedwork session – and Minagi and I had been
long overdue.
“So, miss me much?” I teased her.
Minagi scoffed at the comment. “It couldn't be helped,” she said
wryly. “You were right to devote so much time to Yuki-chan. In a
way, she needed you more than I did.”
“You really think so?” I asked, curious.
“Hmm,” Minagi said in an agreeable tone. “I'm a big girl. I
know that you're not going to abandon me. Yuki, though... she's
young still. She doesn't have my confidence... At least, not yet.
And she was definitely worried that you were going to cast her to the
side. Though I don't think she's worried about that anymore.”
“Indeed,” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Really, though, how do
you feel about her?”
“I approve of her,” Minagi replied easily. “She has a strong
spirit. She doesn't give up. She works hard and she plays hard...
though it may seem strange, for her there is no real difference
between work and play. All that really matters to her is the
challenge, and I really like that about her.
“That said, she'll be good for us because, come what may, she'll be
the one that will pick us up when we're at our lowest.”
I sighed in relief. “I'm glad you feel that way. I was honestly
worried that you two would find yourselves at loggerheads.”
Minagi shrugged. “I was a bit worried myself, but she opened up to
me so quickly that it became a non-issue.”
“Ah, good. By the way, I don't mean to pry but... how are you
about relations with other women?”
“Relations?” said Minagi a little confusedly, but then she
realized what I was getting at. “Oh! That!” She then smiled
and went on, “Gender doesn't really matter to me. I know I may not
have that much experience in physical intimacy, but I do know that
love is love and no one can do anything to change that. What about
you?”
I shrugged. “Heterosexual. I mean, I'm okay with the preferences
of others – I don't hate on anyone for their preference or anything
like that – but for my personal preference... the idea of even
having another guy around while I'm in the act kinda squicks me.”
Minagi chuckled. “Rooster of the hen house, huh?”
“Guilty,” I singsonged.
“Hah!” Minagi crowed. “Well, I think I'll be just fine with
you as the only father of my children.” And with that she leaned
over and pecked me affectionately on the lips. “As for other
women... Well, I'm open to it, so the rest is up to them. Why do you
ask anyhow?”
“I'm a little concerned about Yuki.”
“Oh? You mean when she...” Minagi then giggled. “Yeah. That
was a surprise the first time I saw it. I swear she was about ready
to start sucking on them.” I spluttered at that and Minagi gave me
an amused look.
“Sorry,” I apologized, a bit sheepishly. “Anyhow... if she
shows anymore interest do you think you can handle her gently
enough?”
“It shouldn't be a problem,” Minagi replied with a serene smile.
I sighed once again. “Thank the Goddess, one less thing for me to
worry about.” I then looked to Minagi. “Loathe as I am to say
it, love, but we need to get going. Sasami-chan won't be much longer
with Yuki-chan.”
Minagi sighed dramatically. “Soooo tempting to just tie you to the
bed...”
I blinked at that. “And you are now starting to become a somewhat
frightening woman.”
Minagi only chuckled as she levitated off the bed, casting me a
playful look as she made for the bathroom.
While Minagi instructed Yuki, I went with Sasami back to the Mimisaka
to visit with the rest of my family.
At some point, though, I felt the desire to wander around some. That
wasn't too hard – my family was more than amenable to leaving me to
my own devices. However, it wasn't long until I found a distraction.
I suppose that's just in my nature, though.
It was a sound – a muted sort of hammering noise. I honestly had
trouble placing it, but I knew that somehow it involved a hammer.
Something so esoteric on a starship just perplexed me to the point of
maddening, and so I just had to resolve the mystery.
I followed the sound until I reached its source – a rustic looking
wood shop tucked inside a highly advanced starship! The very idea of
it absolutely tickled me. And there was Asahi, the Woodcarver
Princess, carving a bust of Goghei.
“So, is this where you while away your time, little carpenter bee?”
I asked teasingly.
Asahi eeped cutely and tried to hide what she was doing. “What are
you doing here!?” she cried out in surprise.
“Just visiting,” I said with a smile as I began to peruse her
shop. Asahi was on edge, though, so I decided to make a bit of small
talk to help put her at ease. “You know, my step-father used to do
wood craft himself.”
“Your... step-father?” said Asahi in surprise. She was
immediately disarmed and started to warm to the topic. “Wood
crafting?”
I nodded. “It was... an aspiration of his... To make his own
furniture, all from raw wood. He would have done it, too, if not for
the tools he needed being so expensive.”
“Oh, that's so sad,” Asahi sighed plaintively. “I don't know
what I would have done if my father hadn't been able to give me all
these wonderful tools to work with.”
“I know what you mean.” Asahi gave me a perplexed look, so I
went on. “My preferred medium is metal.” At that, I patted the
pommel of First Cut where the handle and hilt jutted out from my
belt. “But even so, my situation would have been similar to my
step-father's if not for the help my family gave me.”
Asahi blinked in confusion. “You sound like you're talking about
two different families. The others have mentioned something about
you losing your family... and adopting you... but I'm afraid I don't
understand what happened. They said that only you should really tell
me – that it's really only your story to tell.”
I sighed thoughtfully. “My story, huh? Well... the thing is that
I've been displaced across time and space through such a high-level
dimension that even Washu is having trouble figuring it out. But the
basic gist of it is that... everything I ever had was taken from me.
There's no way that we know of to send me back home... not like there
was much to go back to. My mother passed away in an accident couple
of months before it happened and it tore my family apart.”
“Oh my gosh!” Asahi said as she covered her open-mouthed shock.
“I'm so sorry!”
I nodded. “It's alright. I've started a new life here. Washu was
the first to help me out. She was really kind to me and I'll never
forget that. But it was Sasami-chan that saw how badly I was
hurting. She was the one that got me started on the long path of
healing my heart.
“You see, there's just no words to describe it, Asahi – that kind
of loss: My family, my home, and even my faith to some extent. At
first, the sorrow was so great that I might have died of a broken
heart. It happens, you know... when some poor wretch out there truly
has no one to turn to for any sort of warmth or love... they simply
stop living, and no one can find a scientific reason for their
passing.
“That was what Sasami-chan saw in me... and right away, she saved
my life by naming me her beloved elder brother... not just a simple
affection, but the real thing, because she knew that her love alone
was not going to be enough. She talked to her Grandmother, Seto, and
her mother and aunt, Misaki and Funaho. She even talked to her
father, Emperor Azusa. And she told each of them the same thing:
that she wanted me to be part of the family.
“I couldn't believe it was happening. My own family had never
reached out like that for me. Apathy was what I was used to. To
suddenly find myself so loved and so wanted... it was absolutely
painful. And sweet goddess I cried on some nights because it hurt so
much. Why did I have to lose everything to gain everything? But
once the tears went away I came to realize that it's the only way we
truly become strong – by surviving the very worst that life
presents us with. So I let their love buoy me anyhow, because I knew
the only other option was... to be lost, forever.”
I then reached down and pulled First Cut and showed it to Asahi.
“I suppose this is why I enjoy working with metal. Can you guess
from looking at this how many times I folded over this steel before I
gave it this final shape?”
“Fifty?” guessed Asahi. “A hundred?”
I shook my head. “I never kept count. My teacher himself lost
count, but he assured me it was certainly thousands of folds. And
this is a special tool-steel, meant to be used in only the most
demanding of conditions like carving out bits of machinery from metal
that is nearly as strong. The alloy is eighteen percent Tungsten.
It is very heat resistant. I worked on this until my hands
and arms blistered from the withering heat. Washu-chan healed my
hands, of course... but then I shocked my teacher by going right back
into the smithy because I wasn't finished yet.
“This steel... is very much like me... strong only because it has
gone through the most adverse conditions, and even then only because
it was tough enough to make it through in the first place. It is
very much like a piece of my heart and soul, especially since I've
put a bit of both into it.”
“Is it good for you to have your heart be so hard?” asked Asahi.
I sighed. “You're a sweet young lady, Asahi... The thing is, there
are times we must harden our hearts in order to do the things that
must be done. Like punishing someone we love. Like the situation
between Yuki and myself. For sure, I could decide to be easy
on her and just let her have fun with everyone else... but the thing
is we could wind up in grave danger – something we all know and
understand, especially you.
“So, since Yuki is my responsibility, it falls to me to make her
understand the consequences of her choice. I don't like doing it.
It's hard on me because I honestly have come to love her. But, it's
either that or I allow her to take more and more liberties until
finally... bad ending.”
Asahi shuddered at the thought. “I see what you mean,” she said
soberly. She looked down at First Cut once more. “I don't really
know much about metal... except that I know a good tool when I see
one.” Asahi then gave me a very serious look. “The only other
thing I can compare this to is my father's tools.”
I nodded as I sheathed my sword once more. “Tell me, little
carpenter bee, will you one day succeed your own father?”
“If... he wishes me to...”
“Then on that day, little carpenter bee, I shall forge you a set of
tools that will make your ancestors weep with envy.”
Asahi blinked at me in surprise. “You... You can do that!?”
I smiled at her. “First Cut is my very first project beyond simply
practicing my skills in the forge. It was the test to see if I was
really ready to stand on my own – to make a weapon that could be of
true use in this dangerous galaxy. And a weapon is just another tool
under a different category. Though many swordsmiths out there are
too prideful for it, I wouldn't give a second thought over making a
set of wood carving tools, save for how I'd go about it.”
“But... We've hardly even talked! You don't even know me!”
I gave Asahi a gentle smile. “I do know you, Asahi. I have seen
this adventure that we are on right now. I've seen how it ends. And
I have seen how you comported yourself. You were magnificent, Asahi,
and worthy of my friendship and trust. The only difference is that
Yuki and myself were not here.”
Asahi gave me a frightened look. “Who are you?”
“Are you familiar with the concept of infinite monkeys on infinite
typewriters?”
“Why?”
“Just answer the question.”
“Fine. I've heard about it. Now, why?”
“Washu-chan is still working on it, but you can apply that to the
multi-verse in what she's calling Transfictional Theory. The basic
idea being that with the Multiverse being infinitely vast and with
infinite possibilities, it's entirely probable that everything we
have experienced is a fictional story somewhere else.”
“What? You're lying!”
“Then how did I know about Goghei when you woke up on Earth?”
“That was just a lucky guess!”
“Alright then. If you won't believe me, then go ask Sasami-chan.
She knows pretty much everything there is to know about me... and she
loves me to tears.”
And then, as though on cue, the deck underneath our feet suddenly
lurched. It reminded me a little bit of being back on a US Navy
Destroyer while out in the Sea of Japan. Asahi nearly lost her
balance and I steadied her.
“What's going on!?” she cried out.
“It's most likely Mushima, one of those three strange men that are
with Tatetsuki He's locked his ship onto yours.”
“Mimisaka!?”
“He's right, my lady! My poor outer hull has been scratched!”
“A scratch!? YEEEEEEK!”
I had to admit, that girl could run when she really wanted to.
But I let her go regardless. There were things that needed to
transpire, and as much as I wanted to go and beat the ever-loving
life out of Mushima, I had to let things take their course.
Where I would interfere, however, would come afterwards. I found
Goghei in the middle of shaving his head, ridding himself of the hair
that grew in suddenly during his transformation. It made me kinda
envious in that he could get long hair so quickly and easily.
“Hey, Gar-kun!” called out Sasami as she ran up to me. Washu
followed behind her at a more sedate pace with a smile. “Why
didn't you do something about Mushima? I mean, you could have at
least warned us, right?”
I smiled down at my little sister. “Sometimes, Sasami-chan, I need
to let things be. After all, Tenchi needs to become his own man.
Haven't you noticed that I tend to outshine Tenchi?”
Sasami thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, you have kinda taken
charge a lot.”
I nodded. “Well, the Japanese people tend to be very modest, even
despite their immense sense of pride. But in America, we're taught
to stand tall, stand out, be ambitious, and not to settle for
smaller things when better things are available. Now, I'm not saying
that our way is better – in fact I think a lot of my countrymen can
learn to be a little more humble. But for some, like me, shining so
brightly as to overwhelm those that surround us comes as naturally as
breathing. And for that reason, I must set aside myself as a whole
to allow Tenchi his chance to bloom. After all, a flower does well
in the light, but it takes a very hardy plant to blossom under an
unrelenting light.”
Sasami nodded solemnly at that. “But Gar-kun... it would be nice
if you could learn to not shine so bright.”
I smiled again. “I know, Sasami. Believe me, I know. It's kinda
hard to be something I'm not, though. I know people like me better
when I am quiet and mild... but it really isn't me.”
Sasami then reached over and hugged me, leaving a kiss on my cheek.
“People like that do not want to know the real Garrick.” She
then sighed. “I guess it can't be helped.”
“Guess not,” I agreed. I then looked over to Washu. “Nothing
to add?” I asked impishly.
Washu gave me a mildly annoyed look. “Why do you think I always
meddle in things?”
“Because you have a tendency to do so,” I shot back at her with a
grin.
Washu sniffed with mock-disdain. “Well, I know when I'm not
wanted!” She then gave me a sidelong look. “Although, I do
sense there was something else you wanted.”
I nodded. “Gotta talk to Goghei. Preferably alone if you guys
don't mind.”
Washu smiled knowingly. “Sure thing. C'mon, Sasami. We should
probably get started on dinner anyhow.”
“Okay. See you later, Gar-kun!” called back Sasami as she waved
goodbye.
I waved back and then went to distract Mihoshi. Easy enough – I
simply told her Sasami needed help with dinner. Task accomplished, I
then sat down with Goghei, who gave me a curious look.
“I apologize for dismissing your help so suddenly, Goghei. If it
will make up for it, I'll go ahead and take Mihoshi's place.”
Goghei nodded amiably. “I must say, I have been curious about
meeting you. Things were kind of hectic before and you were rather
busy.”
I nodded in turn. “Sasami-chan is right. I do need to do a better
job of keeping my head down. Even when I play in the background I
tend to steal the show.”
“Is it really that important for you to not be yourself?”
“It is important that Tenchi learn to stand up with pride even amid
adversity. Make no mistake about it, Goghei – he will, in time,
have a crown that will rest heavily on his troubled brow. But while
he may be able to put that off for thousands of years, he will, in
the meantime, intend to stay on Earth. However, with all these women
after his heart, children will eventually come. And when they do,
the eyes of everyone in his home town will focus on him, and the
people will whisper amongst themselves. While people will not say it
to his face, they will ridicule and bully those closest to him –
his children.”
Goghei blinked hard at that revelation. “I see what you mean. In
that case, it really is imperative that he become more assertive.”
I nodded once more. “That aside... introductions. My name is
Garrick Grimm, adoptive son of Lady Funaho of House Masaki of
Jyurai.”
“My name is Goghei. I am but a humble monk on pilgrimage.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Goghei.”
“As it is for me, Mr. Grimm. What brings you to me, if I may ask?”
“Of course... Goghei, please take no offense at my brusk wording...
but you must realize that Lady Asahi is not stupid.”
“Eh?” replied Goghei, nonplussed.
“She knows that you're a Gagutian,” I said. When his clueless
expression persisted, I clarified even further: “As such, she also
knows about the Gagutian beast-man state.”
You could almost hear a gong ringing somewhere as Goghei's eyes shot
wide open in shock, horror, and mortal embarrassment. But then, the
gears in his head began to turn.
“But... she's not scared of me... in fact, she's never shown any
fear of me at all... not even when I saved her from that bear so long
ago... even though her father told her those horrible things about
men turning into monsters...”
I nodded, a small smile on my face. “Indeed, Goghei. She has
absolutely no fear of you at all. So, you should not hold any fear
in your heart of her reaction towards you. Now, go ahead and finish
shaving. I'll take care of the clippings.”
I picked up the vacuum cleaner, a simple canister model, and marveled
at how mundane it was. With all the incredible technology that
surrounded us you would think that they would have come up with some
interesting ways to innovate the vacuum cleaner. Instead, it was no
different from vacuum cleaners on Earth. It wasn't even cordless.
It seemed to have pretty decent suction, though.
“Why would you tell me this?” said Goghei all the sudden.
I sighed. So much for being inscrutable. “Because, Goghei, maybe
I'd just like there to be somewhat fewer misunderstandings between a
man and a woman. So much pain in life could be avoided if men and
women would simply confront each other rationally instead of trying
to dance on eggshells around issues that seem to be made of
explodium.”
Goghei nodded sagely. “Indeed. It is wise to confront an issue
directly before it grows too large to be avoided. But what if a
woman you desire takes exception to such a confrontation?” I
shrugged as I pushed the floor-tool of the vacuum around, pulling up
the loose hair.
“A little bit of it depends on how you present the issue. Can't be
a boore about it, but sometimes there's just no sugar coating a bad
situation. But even so, if a woman takes it with a generally poor
attitude... then I hate to say it, but such a woman may not be
suitable relationship material. Particularly if the issue centers on
her and she has no intention of compromising or changing her ways.
No matter how much you may care for her, the best thing to do is to
just cut your loses. I've seen it happen to more than one
acquaintance of mine.”
“I see,” said Goghei. “Have you had many such problems
yourself?”
I shrugged again. “Sort of. One in particular right now is a very
young girl named Yuki Mihara. She wants to be my wife, but the
reality is that she's far too young. Not so much the age difference,
but literally she is too young! And she will not be dissuaded from
pursuing me. Thus far, I've managed to convince her to wait until
she is at least of a proper marriageable age. However, so great is
her desire to be with me that she stowed away on this trip of ours
despite warnings of it being too dangerous for her. So, I forced
another compromise on her.”
“That being?”
“Hellacious training. Every day, she trains under body-breaking
strain and hones her skills for several hours at once, and then
drinks a nano-machine infused restorative to heal and replenish her
body so she may begin again. With any luck, by the time we reach the
end of this journey she will be, at the very least, my own equal in
swordsmanship.”
“At least she is willing to accept compromise.”
I nodded. “At least... for now. But she honestly worries me that
one day she will demand too much, too soon. And I hate breaking a
girl's heart.” No more was said on the matter as we finished our
respective tasks.
And that's all for now. Part of the problem is that I've been stuck at a certain bit for a while now, trying to figure out how I would really handle the confrontation on Ryuten. Finally, it suddenly hit me when I was writing a plot-and-plan session called by Washu... Asahi suddenly calls Garrick out, saying: "If you know so much and you want things to go so well, then why don't
you tell us what's going on!?”
And so, he does, and completely derails the timeline. Though, hopefully in a way he hopes will let things settle in a desirable manner.
Even with this breakthrough I've been having a lot of trouble just sitting down to write. Work has been driving me fairly hard lately, what with the NBA Playoffs (GO SPURS GO!) and people in San Antonio getting half-off their orders when the Spurs play. So I've been getting left with very little mental bandwidth to think on the story and how things will unfold. *sigh*
The next morning Yuki and I woke up together.
As we prepared for the morning's exercises, though, I heard Yuki
pause as she was binding her chest.
“I shouldn't be here,” she said.
I gave her a searching look. “Agreed,” I said mildly.
“Why didn't you take me back?” she said suddenly, turning to face
me with a hard look. “You could have done it. We have two ships
here. Three if you count Ryo-Ohki.”
“We could,” I agreed in that mild tone once again as I went to
Yuki, took the ace bandage from her hands, and began to finish
binding her chest for her. “But the problem is that we're being
followed. If we don't employ stealth measures they'll catch up to us
in a heartbeat. That is part of why this trip to Ryuten is taking as
long as it is. And for one of us to race back to Earth and race back
would be like running with a lit flare.
“Besides, at that point in time I knew that you would no longer be
easily dissuaded. If not now, then at some other time you would have
tagged along on another, potential more dangerous mission. No, my
tiny love. I have decided that it is for the best that you touch the
fire you find so fascinating... and learn for yourself just how badly
it burns.”
“You're so cruel,” she whispered sorrowfully as I secured the
binding. “Letting me experience something like that.”
I turned Yuki around and forced her to look me in the eyes. “You
are the cruel one,” I told her flat out. “You forced me to make
my sweet little Yuki-chan, who I love so much, cry her beautiful eyes
out.”
Once again, I saw her eyes begin to tear up. “Why are you so mean
to me?”
“Because I love you, Yuki. If I didn't care then would I help you
become stronger?”
She knew the answer. We'd had this conversation before.
Yuki bowed her head. “No, you wouldn't.”
I sighed and pulled the little girl into a hug and, to my mild
surprise, she bounced up and wrapped herself around me. I could only
smile at the sudden affection and just held her for a moment.
After a while, though... “Yuki-chan? We need to get back to work.
Sasami-chan will be here soon and I know you don't want to disappoint
her.”
Yuki nodded and I set her down so she could finish getting ready. It
was going to be another long day of grinding, but different now that
Sasami and Yuki had made up. I couldn't wait to see how they would
work together now.
Soon enough, Yuki had worked through her Calisthenics routine.
Sasami arrived about halfway through and watched curiously. As soon
as Yuki was finished, though, Sasami had all but pounced on Yuki
while bearing a bento packed full of food for all of us. Lo and
behold, Minagi arrived, seemingly half asleep as she levitated across
the floor and as though being led by something that was grasping her
by the nose.
We ate. We talked. We laughed. And I soon came to the realization
that this was something that I had missed over the last few days. I
had, without realizing it, been punishing myself as well as Yuki...
though, I suppose I did deserve it, considering I let things get as
far as they had.
It was too late to do anything about it, though. The damage was
done. I loved Yuki, she loved me. The only thing for us to do was
to wait and make sure Yuki herself was ready for what would come.
After the meal, Minagi proclaimed that I had been disregarding my own
training and that while Yuki and Sasami were training, Minagi and I
would do the same elsewhere.
Little did I know at the time, however, that Minagi's 'training'
involved her bed and a total lack of apparel.
Minagi and I were big on physical intimacy.
It wasn't the defining characteristic of our relationship. We had
our common interests, chief amongst them being swordsmanship. Most
of all it was how we saw each other in ourselves. The both of us had
such gentle natures in spite of an immense capability of brutality.
And this despite the different paths in our lives. Minagi, being
honed to perfection by a harsh, yet loving father figure. Me, being
bullied, pushed, and ground down in adversity, and yet coming out of
it better than most could have hoped for.
Another thing I appreciated about Minagi was that while she did
indeed pity me, she actually did something about it.
I couldn't blame her for her pity, really. Even though I had my new
family and their unconditional love and support, I still had the
scars of everything that I had been through. My family's love was a
good balm for that scar tissue in my soul, but it would be there for
a long, long time. It would probably never go away, in fact. At any
given moment, I might be caught staring off into nothing as my mind
had been captured by some small reminder and thrown back into the
past.
Whenever she caught me like that she never said anything about it.
When I came out of those trances she would be there waiting with a
smile on her face, and then give me a hug and a kiss to remind me she
was there for me. And that was Minagi for you: sweet, gentle,
quiet... and straightforward.
Hence why I found myself in bed with her, basking in the afterglow –
regardless of the reason, Minagi would not tolerate me being troubled
over something. Say what you will, but nothing helps a couple
decompress like a good bedwork session – and Minagi and I had been
long overdue.
“So, miss me much?” I teased her.
Minagi scoffed at the comment. “It couldn't be helped,” she said
wryly. “You were right to devote so much time to Yuki-chan. In a
way, she needed you more than I did.”
“You really think so?” I asked, curious.
“Hmm,” Minagi said in an agreeable tone. “I'm a big girl. I
know that you're not going to abandon me. Yuki, though... she's
young still. She doesn't have my confidence... At least, not yet.
And she was definitely worried that you were going to cast her to the
side. Though I don't think she's worried about that anymore.”
“Indeed,” I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Really, though, how do
you feel about her?”
“I approve of her,” Minagi replied easily. “She has a strong
spirit. She doesn't give up. She works hard and she plays hard...
though it may seem strange, for her there is no real difference
between work and play. All that really matters to her is the
challenge, and I really like that about her.
“That said, she'll be good for us because, come what may, she'll be
the one that will pick us up when we're at our lowest.”
I sighed in relief. “I'm glad you feel that way. I was honestly
worried that you two would find yourselves at loggerheads.”
Minagi shrugged. “I was a bit worried myself, but she opened up to
me so quickly that it became a non-issue.”
“Ah, good. By the way, I don't mean to pry but... how are you
about relations with other women?”
“Relations?” said Minagi a little confusedly, but then she
realized what I was getting at. “Oh! That!” She then smiled
and went on, “Gender doesn't really matter to me. I know I may not
have that much experience in physical intimacy, but I do know that
love is love and no one can do anything to change that. What about
you?”
I shrugged. “Heterosexual. I mean, I'm okay with the preferences
of others – I don't hate on anyone for their preference or anything
like that – but for my personal preference... the idea of even
having another guy around while I'm in the act kinda squicks me.”
Minagi chuckled. “Rooster of the hen house, huh?”
“Guilty,” I singsonged.
“Hah!” Minagi crowed. “Well, I think I'll be just fine with
you as the only father of my children.” And with that she leaned
over and pecked me affectionately on the lips. “As for other
women... Well, I'm open to it, so the rest is up to them. Why do you
ask anyhow?”
“I'm a little concerned about Yuki.”
“Oh? You mean when she...” Minagi then giggled. “Yeah. That
was a surprise the first time I saw it. I swear she was about ready
to start sucking on them.” I spluttered at that and Minagi gave me
an amused look.
“Sorry,” I apologized, a bit sheepishly. “Anyhow... if she
shows anymore interest do you think you can handle her gently
enough?”
“It shouldn't be a problem,” Minagi replied with a serene smile.
I sighed once again. “Thank the Goddess, one less thing for me to
worry about.” I then looked to Minagi. “Loathe as I am to say
it, love, but we need to get going. Sasami-chan won't be much longer
with Yuki-chan.”
Minagi sighed dramatically. “Soooo tempting to just tie you to the
bed...”
I blinked at that. “And you are now starting to become a somewhat
frightening woman.”
Minagi only chuckled as she levitated off the bed, casting me a
playful look as she made for the bathroom.
While Minagi instructed Yuki, I went with Sasami back to the Mimisaka
to visit with the rest of my family.
At some point, though, I felt the desire to wander around some. That
wasn't too hard – my family was more than amenable to leaving me to
my own devices. However, it wasn't long until I found a distraction.
I suppose that's just in my nature, though.
It was a sound – a muted sort of hammering noise. I honestly had
trouble placing it, but I knew that somehow it involved a hammer.
Something so esoteric on a starship just perplexed me to the point of
maddening, and so I just had to resolve the mystery.
I followed the sound until I reached its source – a rustic looking
wood shop tucked inside a highly advanced starship! The very idea of
it absolutely tickled me. And there was Asahi, the Woodcarver
Princess, carving a bust of Goghei.
“So, is this where you while away your time, little carpenter bee?”
I asked teasingly.
Asahi eeped cutely and tried to hide what she was doing. “What are
you doing here!?” she cried out in surprise.
“Just visiting,” I said with a smile as I began to peruse her
shop. Asahi was on edge, though, so I decided to make a bit of small
talk to help put her at ease. “You know, my step-father used to do
wood craft himself.”
“Your... step-father?” said Asahi in surprise. She was
immediately disarmed and started to warm to the topic. “Wood
crafting?”
I nodded. “It was... an aspiration of his... To make his own
furniture, all from raw wood. He would have done it, too, if not for
the tools he needed being so expensive.”
“Oh, that's so sad,” Asahi sighed plaintively. “I don't know
what I would have done if my father hadn't been able to give me all
these wonderful tools to work with.”
“I know what you mean.” Asahi gave me a perplexed look, so I
went on. “My preferred medium is metal.” At that, I patted the
pommel of First Cut where the handle and hilt jutted out from my
belt. “But even so, my situation would have been similar to my
step-father's if not for the help my family gave me.”
Asahi blinked in confusion. “You sound like you're talking about
two different families. The others have mentioned something about
you losing your family... and adopting you... but I'm afraid I don't
understand what happened. They said that only you should really tell
me – that it's really only your story to tell.”
I sighed thoughtfully. “My story, huh? Well... the thing is that
I've been displaced across time and space through such a high-level
dimension that even Washu is having trouble figuring it out. But the
basic gist of it is that... everything I ever had was taken from me.
There's no way that we know of to send me back home... not like there
was much to go back to. My mother passed away in an accident couple
of months before it happened and it tore my family apart.”
“Oh my gosh!” Asahi said as she covered her open-mouthed shock.
“I'm so sorry!”
I nodded. “It's alright. I've started a new life here. Washu was
the first to help me out. She was really kind to me and I'll never
forget that. But it was Sasami-chan that saw how badly I was
hurting. She was the one that got me started on the long path of
healing my heart.
“You see, there's just no words to describe it, Asahi – that kind
of loss: My family, my home, and even my faith to some extent. At
first, the sorrow was so great that I might have died of a broken
heart. It happens, you know... when some poor wretch out there truly
has no one to turn to for any sort of warmth or love... they simply
stop living, and no one can find a scientific reason for their
passing.
“That was what Sasami-chan saw in me... and right away, she saved
my life by naming me her beloved elder brother... not just a simple
affection, but the real thing, because she knew that her love alone
was not going to be enough. She talked to her Grandmother, Seto, and
her mother and aunt, Misaki and Funaho. She even talked to her
father, Emperor Azusa. And she told each of them the same thing:
that she wanted me to be part of the family.
“I couldn't believe it was happening. My own family had never
reached out like that for me. Apathy was what I was used to. To
suddenly find myself so loved and so wanted... it was absolutely
painful. And sweet goddess I cried on some nights because it hurt so
much. Why did I have to lose everything to gain everything? But
once the tears went away I came to realize that it's the only way we
truly become strong – by surviving the very worst that life
presents us with. So I let their love buoy me anyhow, because I knew
the only other option was... to be lost, forever.”
I then reached down and pulled First Cut and showed it to Asahi.
“I suppose this is why I enjoy working with metal. Can you guess
from looking at this how many times I folded over this steel before I
gave it this final shape?”
“Fifty?” guessed Asahi. “A hundred?”
I shook my head. “I never kept count. My teacher himself lost
count, but he assured me it was certainly thousands of folds. And
this is a special tool-steel, meant to be used in only the most
demanding of conditions like carving out bits of machinery from metal
that is nearly as strong. The alloy is eighteen percent Tungsten.
It is very heat resistant. I worked on this until my hands
and arms blistered from the withering heat. Washu-chan healed my
hands, of course... but then I shocked my teacher by going right back
into the smithy because I wasn't finished yet.
“This steel... is very much like me... strong only because it has
gone through the most adverse conditions, and even then only because
it was tough enough to make it through in the first place. It is
very much like a piece of my heart and soul, especially since I've
put a bit of both into it.”
“Is it good for you to have your heart be so hard?” asked Asahi.
I sighed. “You're a sweet young lady, Asahi... The thing is, there
are times we must harden our hearts in order to do the things that
must be done. Like punishing someone we love. Like the situation
between Yuki and myself. For sure, I could decide to be easy
on her and just let her have fun with everyone else... but the thing
is we could wind up in grave danger – something we all know and
understand, especially you.
“So, since Yuki is my responsibility, it falls to me to make her
understand the consequences of her choice. I don't like doing it.
It's hard on me because I honestly have come to love her. But, it's
either that or I allow her to take more and more liberties until
finally... bad ending.”
Asahi shuddered at the thought. “I see what you mean,” she said
soberly. She looked down at First Cut once more. “I don't really
know much about metal... except that I know a good tool when I see
one.” Asahi then gave me a very serious look. “The only other
thing I can compare this to is my father's tools.”
I nodded as I sheathed my sword once more. “Tell me, little
carpenter bee, will you one day succeed your own father?”
“If... he wishes me to...”
“Then on that day, little carpenter bee, I shall forge you a set of
tools that will make your ancestors weep with envy.”
Asahi blinked at me in surprise. “You... You can do that!?”
I smiled at her. “First Cut is my very first project beyond simply
practicing my skills in the forge. It was the test to see if I was
really ready to stand on my own – to make a weapon that could be of
true use in this dangerous galaxy. And a weapon is just another tool
under a different category. Though many swordsmiths out there are
too prideful for it, I wouldn't give a second thought over making a
set of wood carving tools, save for how I'd go about it.”
“But... We've hardly even talked! You don't even know me!”
I gave Asahi a gentle smile. “I do know you, Asahi. I have seen
this adventure that we are on right now. I've seen how it ends. And
I have seen how you comported yourself. You were magnificent, Asahi,
and worthy of my friendship and trust. The only difference is that
Yuki and myself were not here.”
Asahi gave me a frightened look. “Who are you?”
“Are you familiar with the concept of infinite monkeys on infinite
typewriters?”
“Why?”
“Just answer the question.”
“Fine. I've heard about it. Now, why?”
“Washu-chan is still working on it, but you can apply that to the
multi-verse in what she's calling Transfictional Theory. The basic
idea being that with the Multiverse being infinitely vast and with
infinite possibilities, it's entirely probable that everything we
have experienced is a fictional story somewhere else.”
“What? You're lying!”
“Then how did I know about Goghei when you woke up on Earth?”
“That was just a lucky guess!”
“Alright then. If you won't believe me, then go ask Sasami-chan.
She knows pretty much everything there is to know about me... and she
loves me to tears.”
And then, as though on cue, the deck underneath our feet suddenly
lurched. It reminded me a little bit of being back on a US Navy
Destroyer while out in the Sea of Japan. Asahi nearly lost her
balance and I steadied her.
“What's going on!?” she cried out.
“It's most likely Mushima, one of those three strange men that are
with Tatetsuki He's locked his ship onto yours.”
“Mimisaka!?”
“He's right, my lady! My poor outer hull has been scratched!”
“A scratch!? YEEEEEEK!”
I had to admit, that girl could run when she really wanted to.
But I let her go regardless. There were things that needed to
transpire, and as much as I wanted to go and beat the ever-loving
life out of Mushima, I had to let things take their course.
Where I would interfere, however, would come afterwards. I found
Goghei in the middle of shaving his head, ridding himself of the hair
that grew in suddenly during his transformation. It made me kinda
envious in that he could get long hair so quickly and easily.
“Hey, Gar-kun!” called out Sasami as she ran up to me. Washu
followed behind her at a more sedate pace with a smile. “Why
didn't you do something about Mushima? I mean, you could have at
least warned us, right?”
I smiled down at my little sister. “Sometimes, Sasami-chan, I need
to let things be. After all, Tenchi needs to become his own man.
Haven't you noticed that I tend to outshine Tenchi?”
Sasami thought about it for a moment. “Yeah, you have kinda taken
charge a lot.”
I nodded. “Well, the Japanese people tend to be very modest, even
despite their immense sense of pride. But in America, we're taught
to stand tall, stand out, be ambitious, and not to settle for
smaller things when better things are available. Now, I'm not saying
that our way is better – in fact I think a lot of my countrymen can
learn to be a little more humble. But for some, like me, shining so
brightly as to overwhelm those that surround us comes as naturally as
breathing. And for that reason, I must set aside myself as a whole
to allow Tenchi his chance to bloom. After all, a flower does well
in the light, but it takes a very hardy plant to blossom under an
unrelenting light.”
Sasami nodded solemnly at that. “But Gar-kun... it would be nice
if you could learn to not shine so bright.”
I smiled again. “I know, Sasami. Believe me, I know. It's kinda
hard to be something I'm not, though. I know people like me better
when I am quiet and mild... but it really isn't me.”
Sasami then reached over and hugged me, leaving a kiss on my cheek.
“People like that do not want to know the real Garrick.” She
then sighed. “I guess it can't be helped.”
“Guess not,” I agreed. I then looked over to Washu. “Nothing
to add?” I asked impishly.
Washu gave me a mildly annoyed look. “Why do you think I always
meddle in things?”
“Because you have a tendency to do so,” I shot back at her with a
grin.
Washu sniffed with mock-disdain. “Well, I know when I'm not
wanted!” She then gave me a sidelong look. “Although, I do
sense there was something else you wanted.”
I nodded. “Gotta talk to Goghei. Preferably alone if you guys
don't mind.”
Washu smiled knowingly. “Sure thing. C'mon, Sasami. We should
probably get started on dinner anyhow.”
“Okay. See you later, Gar-kun!” called back Sasami as she waved
goodbye.
I waved back and then went to distract Mihoshi. Easy enough – I
simply told her Sasami needed help with dinner. Task accomplished, I
then sat down with Goghei, who gave me a curious look.
“I apologize for dismissing your help so suddenly, Goghei. If it
will make up for it, I'll go ahead and take Mihoshi's place.”
Goghei nodded amiably. “I must say, I have been curious about
meeting you. Things were kind of hectic before and you were rather
busy.”
I nodded in turn. “Sasami-chan is right. I do need to do a better
job of keeping my head down. Even when I play in the background I
tend to steal the show.”
“Is it really that important for you to not be yourself?”
“It is important that Tenchi learn to stand up with pride even amid
adversity. Make no mistake about it, Goghei – he will, in time,
have a crown that will rest heavily on his troubled brow. But while
he may be able to put that off for thousands of years, he will, in
the meantime, intend to stay on Earth. However, with all these women
after his heart, children will eventually come. And when they do,
the eyes of everyone in his home town will focus on him, and the
people will whisper amongst themselves. While people will not say it
to his face, they will ridicule and bully those closest to him –
his children.”
Goghei blinked hard at that revelation. “I see what you mean. In
that case, it really is imperative that he become more assertive.”
I nodded once more. “That aside... introductions. My name is
Garrick Grimm, adoptive son of Lady Funaho of House Masaki of
Jyurai.”
“My name is Goghei. I am but a humble monk on pilgrimage.”
“A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Goghei.”
“As it is for me, Mr. Grimm. What brings you to me, if I may ask?”
“Of course... Goghei, please take no offense at my brusk wording...
but you must realize that Lady Asahi is not stupid.”
“Eh?” replied Goghei, nonplussed.
“She knows that you're a Gagutian,” I said. When his clueless
expression persisted, I clarified even further: “As such, she also
knows about the Gagutian beast-man state.”
You could almost hear a gong ringing somewhere as Goghei's eyes shot
wide open in shock, horror, and mortal embarrassment. But then, the
gears in his head began to turn.
“But... she's not scared of me... in fact, she's never shown any
fear of me at all... not even when I saved her from that bear so long
ago... even though her father told her those horrible things about
men turning into monsters...”
I nodded, a small smile on my face. “Indeed, Goghei. She has
absolutely no fear of you at all. So, you should not hold any fear
in your heart of her reaction towards you. Now, go ahead and finish
shaving. I'll take care of the clippings.”
I picked up the vacuum cleaner, a simple canister model, and marveled
at how mundane it was. With all the incredible technology that
surrounded us you would think that they would have come up with some
interesting ways to innovate the vacuum cleaner. Instead, it was no
different from vacuum cleaners on Earth. It wasn't even cordless.
It seemed to have pretty decent suction, though.
“Why would you tell me this?” said Goghei all the sudden.
I sighed. So much for being inscrutable. “Because, Goghei, maybe
I'd just like there to be somewhat fewer misunderstandings between a
man and a woman. So much pain in life could be avoided if men and
women would simply confront each other rationally instead of trying
to dance on eggshells around issues that seem to be made of
explodium.”
Goghei nodded sagely. “Indeed. It is wise to confront an issue
directly before it grows too large to be avoided. But what if a
woman you desire takes exception to such a confrontation?” I
shrugged as I pushed the floor-tool of the vacuum around, pulling up
the loose hair.
“A little bit of it depends on how you present the issue. Can't be
a boore about it, but sometimes there's just no sugar coating a bad
situation. But even so, if a woman takes it with a generally poor
attitude... then I hate to say it, but such a woman may not be
suitable relationship material. Particularly if the issue centers on
her and she has no intention of compromising or changing her ways.
No matter how much you may care for her, the best thing to do is to
just cut your loses. I've seen it happen to more than one
acquaintance of mine.”
“I see,” said Goghei. “Have you had many such problems
yourself?”
I shrugged again. “Sort of. One in particular right now is a very
young girl named Yuki Mihara. She wants to be my wife, but the
reality is that she's far too young. Not so much the age difference,
but literally she is too young! And she will not be dissuaded from
pursuing me. Thus far, I've managed to convince her to wait until
she is at least of a proper marriageable age. However, so great is
her desire to be with me that she stowed away on this trip of ours
despite warnings of it being too dangerous for her. So, I forced
another compromise on her.”
“That being?”
“Hellacious training. Every day, she trains under body-breaking
strain and hones her skills for several hours at once, and then
drinks a nano-machine infused restorative to heal and replenish her
body so she may begin again. With any luck, by the time we reach the
end of this journey she will be, at the very least, my own equal in
swordsmanship.”
“At least she is willing to accept compromise.”
I nodded. “At least... for now. But she honestly worries me that
one day she will demand too much, too soon. And I hate breaking a
girl's heart.” No more was said on the matter as we finished our
respective tasks.
And that's all for now. Part of the problem is that I've been stuck at a certain bit for a while now, trying to figure out how I would really handle the confrontation on Ryuten. Finally, it suddenly hit me when I was writing a plot-and-plan session called by Washu... Asahi suddenly calls Garrick out, saying: "If you know so much and you want things to go so well, then why don't
you tell us what's going on!?”
And so, he does, and completely derails the timeline. Though, hopefully in a way he hopes will let things settle in a desirable manner.
Even with this breakthrough I've been having a lot of trouble just sitting down to write. Work has been driving me fairly hard lately, what with the NBA Playoffs (GO SPURS GO!) and people in San Antonio getting half-off their orders when the Spurs play. So I've been getting left with very little mental bandwidth to think on the story and how things will unfold. *sigh*