Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ A Dream Unrequited ❯ A New Dawn Breaking ( Chapter 1 )

A dream unrequited

All characters, settings, and locations are owned by Pioneer and Funimation, not the author

This story is for those who provided me insight and support from "Morpheus" Your words have been nothing but inspirational to me and have been the sole fuel for this storyline.

Blinding white light enveloped his world, and through the haze, shadowy figures formed, and words echoed in his ears as he felt something break inside of him, a tenuous, gossamer thread, snapping in an instant.

"We forgive you."

The world began to coalesce into colors and shapes, then sound, a soft, rhythmic beeping, soothing at first, then beginning to become annoying in its repetitiveness. The only thing that could run through his mind was the thought that an afterlife should have something a little more expected as a music track, something involving harps of some kind preferably. Soon enough the sound resolved itself into the repeating tones of an EKG machine, snapping Tenchi out of his dream state.

Blinking, he willed his eyes to focus, looking around at his pristine white room, nude to the waist with wires running in and out of his body, he found himself strapped down to a medical examination bed. A crisp white sheet lay under him, and the lights overhead were almost blinding in their brightness. He blinked hard once more, giving his head a slight shake as he tried to sit up. A small hand firmly but gently pushed him down, as irresistible as a force of nature. "Don't go so quickly…you've been dead for fifteen years…" A familiar voice sounded next to his ear.

Lying slowly back down, he looked to the side and fought back tears as he saw Washu sitting at his bedside, her face somber, but dressed in her favorite nurse's uniform, her magenta hair pulled back behind a white, cross bearing cap. "…though I must say, you look pretty good for a dead man." She smiled sadly, taking his hand in hers and giving it a squeeze, tears forming in her own eyes. "Welcome back…" Holding his hand tight, the young bodied scientist leaning in, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead, a single tear fell from her eyes to land in his short cropped hair.

"Washu, I tried to find that thingy you asked for, but…" A light, somewhat airy voice called as the door opened and a tall, deeply tanned, voluptuous woman stepped in, her curly blond hair pulled back into a bountiful ponytail. "…I mean, I found this thing…is that what you were looking for?" She held a tiny puppet bearing a strong resemblance to the magenta haired scientist, then gasped, dropping it as she clasped her hands over her mouth. "T-TENCHI'S AWAKE?" Her shrill shriek almost covered the sound of tiny and intricate pieces shattering inside of the puppet as it fell to the floor.

With a groan Washu knelt and picked up the doll, dusting it off and putting it into her pocket. "Damn it Mihoshi, I was really hoping to let him rest a little while longer before…" The sound of eight feet pounding the tile floor sounded outside the medical room. "…the vultures descended…" She sighed as the door burst in and four more women pressed into the cramped room. Before he knew it, Tenchi's bed was hidden from sight by the faces he once knew and once came to love.

Leaning over the railing to his bed was one of the sweetest faces he had seen in years. Her bubblegum-pink eyes had darkened slightly to a bright mauve, and her usual pigtails had been replaced by a more adult low-tied ponytail, letting her teal hair fall in a long wave over her shoulders before pulling together. "T-Tenchi…I've…WAH!" The now more Tsunami-like Sasami Masaki Jurai found herself being shoved out of the way by her indigo haired sister, shooting the older Juraian princess a dirty look before returning her attention to the bed. Ayeka's garb was now more reminiscent of the standard Galaxy Police Uniform than her usual Juraian high fashion. "My Lord Tenchi…" She breathed, her hands clasped at her breast.

The older princess hadn't changed much, falling back on the Juraian habit of never truly showing your age. Her once elaborate hair traded out for a much more business-like bun of glossy indigo at the top of her head, her ruby eyes shining brightly as she gazed down at the prostrate man. "A-Ayeka? Sasami?" Tenchi groaned as he slowly shifted to a sitting position with the aid of Washu.

"Now you girls take it easy on him, okay? He's still not completely well, and he's been through a lot." Dr. Washu let her fingers linger on his shoulder and smiled at her patient. "I wasn't sure I'd gotten through to you before…Fifteen years we've been looking for you and now you're back with us." Tenchi smiled weakly up at his petite savior, reaching an IV-riddled arm up to clasp her hand in his.

"Thank you, for believing in me…All of you." He looked from face to face, emotion taking over as his eyes touched on his family for the first time in almost half his lifetime. Biting his lip to hold back his tears, he gave Washu's hand another squeeze as he looked over Ayeka and Sasami, the sisters as regal as ever, Noike, her short turquoise hair having grown out again, and Mihoshi, chewing on a handkerchief as tears streamed down her face. He paused, eyes flicking back and forth. "W-where's Ryoko?" He asked, unable to keep the slight panic out of his voice.

"…I'm here." Her voice sounded out, muted, but tinkling in his ears like the most precious of bells. The women parted to reveal the cyan haired pirate leaning against a wall, arms crossed in front of her as she pointedly looked away from the bed, dressed in a white and red gown tied back with a black sash. She felt his eyes on her and looked briefly at him in the bed, then quickly away, her lower lip trembling for just a second before she controlled herself. "Welcome home…" Her words were curt and sharp as she suddenly turned for the door, walking back out into the hallway.

A tense silence fell over the room as the door swung freely back and forth from Ryoko's passing. With a weak smile, Washu patted Tenchi on the shoulder. "Give her some time…She'll come around." He nodded, smiling back at her, but Ryoko's reaction made his heart feel as though it was full of lead bearings. Clapping her hands to get everyone's attention, Dr. Washu stood up and grinned widely to the crowd of women. "Alright everyone, out we get." She waved her hands at the group, shooing them from the room. "Tenchi needs his rest and he won't get it with you harpies crowding him…"

"H-H-HARPIES?" Ayeka's voice sounded out as she was pushed from the room by her younger sister. "Likely she just wants to be here with him by herse…mmmffppt-mmm-mm-mmmfft-MMEMM-HRMM!" Her protests were drowned out as a very obviously embarrassed Sasami muffled her with a free hand.

Chuckling softly Tenchi lay back, letting out a groan as his aching body settled into the bed. Fifteen years… Things seemed to have hardly changed at all…Except…They have, haven't they? He knew in his gut that he would have to atone to each of them for his actions and that despite the mostly warm welcome it would not be an easy thing. He sighed, shaking his head and closing his eyes, trying not to focus too hard on Ryoko's snappish welcome. I hurt her worst of all…

'Yes…you did…' Tenchi's eyes snapped open and he shot up in bed, immediately regretting doing so as a fresh wave of dull ache echoed through his body. "H-how…?"

"…Did I hear your thoughts?" Dr. Washu stood by, adjusting the settings on one of the machines attached to his body. "When you died, your body still held one of the gemstones inside of it…and still does." She pointed to the small bulge in the skin at his wrist. "Those gemstones are part of me, or were, at least. So that means I'm a part of you." She looked over at him and smiled. "Don't worry, I won't let the others know, and I'm the only one who can connect with you." She grinned lecherously at him. "Though, I'll do my best not to peek inside your head during your…private moments. I can't promise though, what with me being inside of you and all..."

Despite himself Tenchi felt his face grow warm as he blushed furiously, much to Dr. Washu's amusement. "It's good to have you back, Tenchi. We've all missed you terribly." She looked at the door, her smile fading slightly. "Even if it's hard for us to say it…" She looked back at him and pushed a button on the machine, producing a soft hissing noise. "Now, you sleep, you need to recover completely before I can discharge you." Even as she spoke Tenchi felt the world begin to slip away as a numb heat spread through his body. "Sleep well…" The last thing he felt before slipping into dark oblivion was her lips on his forehead.

Darkness. Everywhere darkness. Then, a light. Two. Seven. The Galaxy spread out before Tenchi like flowing water, a sea of stars and planets pouring out from him. Nebulae swirled past his eyes and entire solar systems were born and died as he watched the celestial dance, the movements of eons playing out in a matter of moments. Black holes devoured nearby stars, planets grew and produced life, stars and suns flared, growing and shrinking before dying out in a final blaze of glory. Entranced, he let himself swim through the dark ether, marveling at the perfect, chaotic beauty of it all.

On a whim, he reached out, and scooped up a brightly shining blue giant star, holding it in his hand. Despite its heat, the star settled like a feather into his palm, where he rolled it slowly over his skin, marveling at the pure energy within it. Looking around him he spotted other beautiful heavenly bodies and reached to them, pulling them in from all directions. White novas, red dwarfs, the dying embers of an ancient sun, quasars from beyond the farthest moons. The light of the universe swirled into his hands and he laughed to see them swell and bust as they grew too close to one another, devouring or being devoured.

Slowly the light of these stars and brilliant bodies grew dimmer, pulling away from their home planets, leaving them cold as Tenchi gathered their glory, forcing them together and marveling at how glorious his creation was. As the last of the light drained into his hands, he closed his fingers around the collection, blocking out their shining essence. Grinning happily he leaned in close, cracking his fingers slightly to gaze lovingly in at his creation, his dark brown eyes wide and wild as he felt the universe grow colder.

Opening his eyes blearily, Tenchi sat up, rolling his head to loosen his shoulders some. Where…Oh, Washu's medical bay… He started to stretch, and winced as he felt the IV's tug at his arms. Looking around, knowing he probably shouldn't, but feeling 100% better, he gently pulled the surprisingly long needles out of his arms, laying them gently on the bed. He checked the connection on his wireless EKG device and found it securely attached to his temple. Well, that's not going anywhere at least…

A little unsteadily, Tenchi moved to the edge of his bed and stood up, wobbling a little before regaining his balance. He made a face as he realized that Washu had stripped him back down to his boxers after everyone left. He noted a pile of clothing on the white dresser nearby and moved to pick them up, but stopped as he passed by the full-length mirror set against the wall. He looked himself over, barely recognizing the man reflected therein. He had aged, yes, but aged quite a bit better than he remembered himself. His muscles had developed more on his chest and arms, making his torso quite a bit thicker than he remembered and his hair was still full and black. His face was un-lined, but more adult and masculine, his jaw-line deepened and chin stronger. A light shadowing of stubble covered his cheeks and chin, making him smirk as he rubbed his slightly scratchy face. Guess I'll still have to shave…

After spending a few more moments admiring his physique, Tenchi turned to the clothes, shaking them out and looking at them. The bundle opened into a pair of dark slacks, a brown tunic and belt, a pair of slippers falling with a soft clatter to the floor. All in all, the outfit was quite similar to his usual working outfit back on the farm, but somehow more streamlined, a little more casual. Kind of big though… He noted the size of the tunic, reaching from his shoulders nearly down to his knees.

Shrugging, he pulled on the slacks and fastened them, slipping the shirt over his head. As he fastened the belt around his waist he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and sighed. "I look like a kid playing dress-up in his dad's clothes…I…WAH!" As he watched, the clothes began to tighten, emitting a slight whirring sound as they shrunk, fitting snuggly to his body, tight enough to leave nearly nothing to the imagination. "WHAT THE….AUGH!"

The door to his room slammed open as Dr. Washu burst in. "TENCHI? WHAT'S THE MATT…oh…" A wide Cheshire grin spread across her face as she watched him half stumble, half prance around the room, trying to pull the skin-tight clothes away from his body. "Hello!" She chirped as she stood in the doorway, eyeing him as he fumed, tugging at his shirt. "WASHU! This is not funny! Help!"

"Stand still and it'll stop," she said with a dismissive wave.

"What?"

She sighed, shaking her head. "It's trying to find the best fit for you. If you keep moving, it can't properly calibrate, so it continues to try to fit you. So stand STILL."

Grumbling some, he stood still, hands at his sides. The whirring reached a crescendo, then stopped, a soft ping sounding from somewhere inside the fabric as it suddenly became loose, falling away from his body. Tenchi let out a breath, and patted himself, finding that the clothes did fit perfectly. He shot an awkward smile at Washu, who simply shook her head. "Come on, Tenchi…I'm sure the girls want another shot at you, and then after breakfast I need to run some tests on you to make sure you're really ready for all of this."

"Ready for all of what?" He asked, pushing into the slippers, letting out another sigh as they too whirred and pinged, snugging against his feet.

She smiled at him, opening the door into the hallway. "Things have changed quite a bit in the past fifteen years."

As Tenchi stepped out into the well-lit corridor, he started to scoff but the sound died in his throat. Outside the hallway window he saw a metropolis spread out before him, buildings reaching into the clouds, structures of some strange, organic-looking metal climbing up at odd angles. With a soft whirring sound a car shot past the window, supported on a glimmering panel of light. In the distance, he saw a Galaxy Police shuttle landing down on a blinking beacon. He felt a tug at his arm and swallowed hard, turning to look at Washu. "Come on, Tenchi…I'll explain everything."