Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Ah My Tsunami Muyo! - The Human Sphere Saga ❯ Part Eight - (Version 8.5): How to Wait for a Mortal: A Goddesses Guidebook. ( Chapter 12 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

The human heart has hidden treasures,
In secret kept, in silence sealed;--
The thoughts, the hopes, the dreams, the pleasures,
Whose charms were broken if revealed.
And days may pass in gay confusion,
And nights in rosy riot fly,
While, lost in Fame's or Wealth's illusion,
The memory of the Past may die.

But there are hours of lonely musing,
Such as in evening silence come,
When, soft as birds their pinions closing,
The heart's best feelings gather home.
Then in our souls there seems to languish
A tender grief that is not woe;
And thoughts that once wrung groans of anguish
Now cause but some mild tears to flow.

And feelings, once as strong as passions,
Float softly back--a faded dream;
Our own sharp griefs and wild sensations,
The tale of others' sufferings seem.
Oh! when the heart is freshly bleeding,
How longs it for that time to be,
When, through the mist of years receding,
Its woes but live in reverie!

And it can dwell on moonlight glimmer,
On evening shade and loneliness;
And, while the sky grows dim and dimmer,
Feel no untold and strange distress--
Only a deeper impulse given
By lonely hour and darkened room,
To solemn thoughts that soar to heaven
Seeking a life and world to come.

(Evening Solace - Charlotte Bronte)

======================

(Ah My Tsunami Muyo! - Part Eight (Version 8.5): How to Wait for a Mortal: A Goddesses Guidebook.)

*Day... um.. Two.. at the Beach. (Whatever day it is on Earth. Wait, it's still just one.)*

He had a weapon.

The perfect celestial sky plys across the new `day' upon Meh`benth, gracing the namesake in.. well, perfect spades. The angelic white sands, sparkling as jewels do from the broad based sunlight (something holy-light more like) keep a perfect warmth upon the undersides of the wrought blankets of angelic wool, softer than the best of the Mortal Plane's sheerest, softest Mink coats. (Um, and for Human Sphere record, there's no actual law against fur hunting on the Colony Worlds. Yet anyway, the ground swell bit of interstellar Eco-activists and such...

..um, off topic.. anywho.)

Aleaic smirks to himself as he lays underneath a.. literal detail here, umbrella, made of oversized angel feathers, with said silken-wool blanket of a size that could carpet the residence living area easily. His simple beach clothes are his herald for the day. Oh, and a why the `weapon' confers to the end of the last chapter.

“(Heh, Father taught moi well.)”

It came down to just enough clear thought, despite being celestially chased, somehow not the least truly worn out by it all, to finally halt the personal `attention' bit of the feminine-celestial host that impugned on his privacy for the late celestial afternoon.

In other words..

--------------------------

**Yesterday.**

*SCREECHING HALT!!!*

*THUNDEROUS... um... well a group celestial halt of confusion.*

*Al looks back with a smile, one that melts many of the celestials hearts instantly. (Mind the `aphrodisiac'.. um... bit of a mortal hero and all.)*

*Then Al levies the score down.*

“I call on order of Immunity of the Ambassadors Office of the Human Sphere. As current representative of the Human Sphere present, I claim Immunity Clause-Accord 4519.66 of the Gardon-Terran Treaty against preferential treatment, one that would cause me to disclose information about the Human Sphere to an outside party.

In short, I could say things under.. um, your combined focus, that could be of detriment to the security of my home, upon the Human Sphere. As Earth is grounds of my home in overspan, it is here that I state Immunity against `any' form of coercion. Um, however pleasing it could be.

Sorry.”

A mass DRYpan glance is levied at the sweating subject inherit. “~ Sneaky little mortal. ~” A Beta of the Breathing Portfolio.. heh, sighs out.

-------------------------

“Thank you Father dearest.” Al says as he is gently massaged by the heavenly rays from on `very' high. His Father's teachings came in good stead. He'd send a good gift on Father's Day.

Unfortunately.. “~ A Son's praise for Progeny. So... what is the mortal word... ~”

“Tokimi.. please, the celestial air is calm enough, let it remain.”

...still... “~ ...tingling. I like. ~” Al just groans dejectedly. Tokimi of course had a clause of her own. (Heavenly git.)

-------------------------

*After a dejected (not really) host breaks up some.*

“~ Are you satisfied Mortal? ~” The Jurai Core Administrator quips to a somewhat kooky face pleased Mortal-said guest of the Core, due to the auspices of his Contracted soul-mate of teal sent heaven. “I have my moments.” Al says, trying hard not to smirk, though he hasn't the poker face mentality of his Father just yet. Such are the purview of experience. Course no one teaches Ambassadors or their sons about dealing with Heaven in person. “Do you intend to honor my...”

Tokimi suddenly makes a rough vocal sound to halt Al's attempt at haughty speech. “~ Sorry, but while my eternal brethren may fall for all that, you know `me' better. And if you want to play that kind of game against a deity that has a knack for having political discussions with Father Itself on a decent basis, well... ~”

Al sweats with previous worry. “Can't you make things easy milady? Ever such ever?”

-----------------------

Al laments the results still laying beside him. (Despite several attempts to slide away from said deity.) “Is your time up yet?”

Tokimi giggles once more, still in the same seductive silk in her voice (and suit,) as always, though there's a hint of disdain for the question itself, if not for the annoyed mortal imposing it for the sixth time. “~ Nay, you'd need more time than you wish you had patience for. Possibly by mortal life extension inclusive. ~”

“Gee, thanks for the clarification.” *Anime crying*

----------------------

“~ I claim as closest deity of Alpha status, to ensure the safety of the Accord stated by the Representative. To `ensure' no disclosure of sensitive information reaches.. enemy.. lobes.

I will therefore proudly act as your bodyguard, until your Contract namesake claims you for the same duty. This cannot be rescinded on holy ground words are spoken unto. Herein as Administrator in charge conduct. Proper? ~”

*Al: anime style crying*

----------------------

At least there's been no touching. Not without suggestive nature to the `other' vector. Um, is anyone else having a lawyer induced headache about now? =xX=;;;

“~ Oh dear me, I think I need my back rubbed, and there's no attendants nearby. ~”

Al refrains from flinching, (externally) “Shall I assist (..please..) in acquiring another to help ye?”

Tokimi giggles again. “~ They wouldn't... um, `do it' for moi, in your paraphrase of choice mortal. Is my skin such a dangerous thing to touch? ~”

Al smirks. “I think I'd rather play volleyball with a rolled up porcupine of the Nesus species variety, shock quills and all.” Tokimi slits her eyes underneath her onyx-gloss celestial-glasses (think `freakishly' pricey sunglasses.) “~ Oh cometh now o mortal one. ~” She drapes in an upwards curl to a sitting position, still in her ever lethal swimsuit number. “~ Alpha Dimensionals are quite trustworthy, so as least to ones that I oversee. Your own beloved does so. ~” The serene voice of honey cascades a flow of auburn mane across Al's tanning chest. “~ Must you refrain from all that Heaven has to offer for your enjoyment? One might think you're too moral. Kinda stuffy you knoweth. ~”

The teasing words are enunciated with swirls of hair around Al's chest. The combo makes a tough time of concentration. (Male weakness even for the best of em. And Al is considered such somehow.)

A pair of ivory Seraphim cutely float by as they enjoy whitish colored Whitemelon Icicle-sticks, and a small group of enamour-clad Beta's and Gamma's pass in twos, with a couple of Avatars towards the Ivory Piers. The soft wind plys more perfect warm breezes from the majestic waves, from the multi-colored sea and unique sky.

Al snickers at last, suprising Tokimi some. “I already have.”

The Administrator sighs. “~ Dang. Hoped you wouldn't be so smart for once. ~”

“~ Are you having fun dearest? ~”

Al and Tokimi look up, though Al's eyes are occluded with the sight of his apparent love's lithe form partially eclipsing a halo of light behind her, euphemistically the `sun(s)' behind her, making detail of Tsui a bit hazy. Tokimi though is blinking, but silent. This bit makes what's coming next `rather' awkward.

Aleaic though, again, smiles in response. “I am now.” Tokimi groans and looks away, now realizing better. “~ Gag a order of treats already. ~”

Al shakes his head towards Tokimi, missing `Tsui' lay down face first to the other side of Al. Aleaic looks over as said deity settles in, noting the `quite' (from back alone.) filling suit, rounding many curves perfectly. The color choice is different from norm, a swirl green and white one-piece, though the `one-piece' part is rather... slender.

“A new suit today?”

A giggle familiar.. “~ Mother and I had a shopping run a month ago. Does approval come love? ~”

Tokimi decides to peg in. “~ Depends on the vein of `approval' to come. ~” Put in a sneaky tone. Al cocks an eye at the Administrator. “That seemed unneeded.”

And then... “~ Dearest. Would you like to put some lotion on? The light here has a knack for giving perfect tans. ~” Al gulps, knowing the vein inferred. He however can't figure out the sudden bout of giggling from Tokimi. “(Huh, must be the stress of the job.)”

“~ You wish *heavy giggle* it was so. *Goddess version of a pig snorting laugh.* ~”

Al only shrugs, then gulps, as he finds a bottle of lotion that pops into his hands from a meter above them. “~ Please dearest? Please? ~”

He switches glances from the teal goddess to the marble-crystal swirl bottle with the label: `Eternatropica' “Cute name. SPF: Celestial 30? Pardon my ignorance.”

Tokimi adds helpfully, still giggling her own internal joke still. “~ The light here has different effects on celestial skin than mortal ones. It's an interphasic exposure thing. ~”

Al blinks six shades of confused, then shrugs again, and opens the bottle. One sniff and.. “Woooooooooo! Is this lotion or perfume?”

The return giggles to either side don't answer much, but Al just chuckles to himself and goes with it. “Well, it's all for enjoyment after all.” Said as he pours some out, feels a serene chill from the lotion, and refrains from more comment as his mind turns to the more `enamored' task of a celestial backside waiting in anticipation.

Then blessed contact, a moan of tactile pleasure and..

“~ Beloved? ~'

Al freezes !~!ICE STIFF!~! as the sound of a third, yet `true' tone of serenity vocals, with more than a hint of questioned surprise to it. Tokimi's head never moves, though locked in a `Titan's' struggle of keeping composure at the situation. The first teal head turns with a sigh. “~ Dang. ~”

Al.. well, let's say that both his neck AND his eyestalks experience whiplash for the next ten seconds (celestial, to infinitesimal in terran delineations,) as he swears to Father of Heaven present, that he's seeing DOUBLE!!

“I.. HUH.. WHA.. WHO.. WHE.. WHA.. WOO?.. AH!!? WHAA!?! WOOAAHA!?!” (General dialect included for reference.)

While Aleaic experiences another breakdown episode, Tsunami... aye, the `actual' Alpha, dressed in.. sorta such, a barely attached one piece, said for the silver stands of crystal that connects the slender upper/lower halves in mention. Another filling.. um.. effect at that. Said bathing beauty looks suddenly warily at what is now `obviously' Sasami, laying fold armed upon the beach blanket, looking of the façade of a cornered suspect. Also noted is the Class-Two's upon Tsui's head rather than Sasami's, a twist even more confusing.

“~ So your sudden silence to my questions in the Angelic Stalls had merit to my logic. So... *slit-eyed* ...care to explain? Or is it needed. ~” Tsunami levels at Sasami directly. The recipient sighs again. “~ I took a chance Sis. I take full blame. ~”

Al suddenly FREAKS to a barely coherent stance a few meters away from the three deities. Sasami soon twists to a sitting position as Tokimi watches the show. “OKAY! I OFFICIALLY ADDRESS MYSELF AS MIND MELDED!! What in the heck...!?!?”

The three Dimensionals simply allow Al to vent, since they all knew this would come. After a minute or six..

*Ragged haired mortal, with a few Dimensionals afar taking observation notes of human behavior in action.* “Would SOMEONE tell me what just happened? Preferable to what a Fear my mind is telling me without logical help!”

Tokimi cocks her lavender eyes in trying to muddle out meaning to Al's mishmash speech. “~ Wow, did you even know what you said? Such am I not so sure. ~” ...Al just has a cow on a bun again.

Tsunami though nods simply. “~ In a strand of truth. Sasami Ascended to adult stage while we were in Core Central doing processing. Her Upgrade for Alpha status training was approved. It was a interesting, if personally unsettling event. No offense intended Sasami. ~” Sasami just waves a hand cutely, and in fact `mirroring' Tsunami's usual. It's not an act, rather a pure reflex of being. (Hardly to blame such.)

Al has to blink and rub his eyes madly for a bit to comprehend to obvious. “Um... kay... Tokimi spiked my drink again, I just...” The immortal accused suddenly TOWERS over Al's face with her own. “~ My purveyance of concoctions are QUITE safe! Even I have to maintain an image while in Heaven, one even YOU might find suprising to see!! ~”

Al just holds his hands up defensively and endures this. “Sorrwie.” Before he then looks back, this time more logically at the now `truly' twin Sisters of Happiness and Culinary. He though has to remark. “Uh.. d.. do Tenchi and Achika know?”

“Mother has an indication, but Brother was withholding knowing for.. well, your sake Sensei. Call it a matter of Kerensky honor, so Tenchi says. ~” Sasami answers with, which makes little sense to Al personally. “I prefer truth for my honor, rather than suprises acting for honor. The latter seems lacking of said trait.”

It's here then, as heaven plys amongst them all, that an emotional impasse begins, as Al certainly wasn't ready for `this'! He does manage out. “Does anyone know where to go from here? I'm lost here. Really. Need a holo-map chip here.”

“~ Big wimpy surprise. ~” Tokimi retorts, with Tsui and Sasami eyeing the Administrator coldly for a split second.

“~ What happens next, instead of a confrontation, is a peaceful day at the beach. ~”

“~ No. ~”

Al, Tsui and Tokimi suddenly look at Sasami with renewed surprise, as a rather sudden, strained look enraptures The Beta Dimensional. Tsui replies.. “~ Sister, this is... ~”

“~ ...the perfect time Sister! I can't hold it in anymore and you know it! ~” The newly Ascendant goddess bellows impatiently at Tsunami from her seated position, which takes the recipient back a good floating step! Al feels even more jittery, though not with fear.

“~ Sasami. ~”

The dam breeches... “~ How? How am I supposed to keep in these feelings, now in a body `mirroring' yours, and in the in the presence of the one you know we both love!!! ~”

Aleaic takes a step back, as Tsunami responds. “~ This isn't the place to resolve that Sasami! ~”

“~ If... not now..... WHEN!? ~”

What was once a peaceful beach scene, suddenly is dredged of angst driven tension. “Oh boy.” Al whispers. Toki just yawns at it all. (Not her style and all.) Something else though is catalyst to this, as the Band starts to shimmer without notice to all. “~ Sasami, by Mother of Destiny Achika! That question is not for everyone to witness! ~”

*Aglow more.* “~ Sister. No I can't ignore it! Not with this passion locked away from `knowing' and `experiencing' everything you two had for years!! I'm not just after him, but you as well Sister!!! ~”

Tsunami takes a GREAT (floating) step back, not knowing what that implicates. *Yet moreso..*

Tokimi `thinks' she's being helpful then with... “~ It's fact indeed. It was the refraction effect we `all' expected, especially the Council, when Achika separated you two into separate beings after Aleaic's Avatar form was destroyed so long ago. The rejoining prior to Cosine Event during the Trakalin Incident only magnified the result when Ascendancy Upgrade for Sasami came.

Tsunami you fool! You `knew' this moment was coming, for you're no idiot, rather than blind. ~”

Al feels cold, knowing he's part of the center of this entire discussion, if not the direct *more Aglow..* subject being questioned. Still... “Say wha...?”

Tsui still holds beach treats she was bringing, though `holding' more means floating in a tray in front of her hands. “~ I knew. Father help me I knew. But you know as well as I, that facing this question at the wrong time would, be... be difficult... for... ~” Tsui trails off, in a rare state of trying to not face facts. Al sees this and feels a distant, crumbling feeling. It made `too' much sense to him why Sasami fooled him into a simple lotion massage. So much belied in one act, caused by untold eons of shared existence and private suffering. This an attempt to be fair against all such, however unfair the result to a mortal, whom was simply unknowing what was occurring around him. Sasami couldn't be so blamed for what was overwhelming to her, when it was as pure a mirror emotional state as such can get!

“~ No Sis, I love you and Sensei. But if I simply let go now, I don't know if another chance will come, and `that's' why I wanted to come. I'm sorry, but it's time to answer this question. Will you let me love Aleaic too? ~”

Tsunami looks straight into Sasami's eyes, but not with any steel in them. Her eyes waiver terribly. “~ I... I just don't... if I can. ~”

“~ Now I `have' seen everything that... ~”

“SHUT UP TOKIMI! THAT.... ah? Eh?”

As of the roller coaster wasn't wild enough, the Band all along was reacting to the emotional amplifications of being on the Heavenly Plane of the Core, while not terribly noticeable prior, shot UP due to the obvious inputs at present! Like an emotional battery charge, the Band needed a nudge to release the energy.

Al just did that in retorting Tokimi's harsh comment, and now... “AHH!?!? What on!??!”

In all of a split second, a golden energy globe encapsulates a BESIDE himself mortal, with three added to many other shocked celestials seeing the effect! “~ BELOVED'S STASIS BAND!!! ~” Tsui screams a split second before...

“:: I'm going WHERE!?!? YEEK!!! ::” *FLARE!!!*

This strange response is the last, as Aleaic is suddenly teleported..... somewhere.

“~ ALEAIC!!! ~” Tsunami and Sasami shriek at once, phasing instantly to the spot he was at! Tokimi though is high above looking around!! A semi panicked scene ensues among the celestials nearby that witnessed this!

“~ Great!! A Mortal lost in Heaven!! SWEET HAND OF LIGHT!! ~” Tokimi shouts above in disgust!

The rarest of moments occurs next. Two Sisters actually look at each other... dourly. (Galaxy collisions happen more often! =oO=;;; )

=====

*Earth, ya you know.*

A new morning, as a trio of early risers walk through the mist woven bamboo woods behind the Guest residence structure. A slight chill of lack of radiated warmth from the soft earth, both from dew and dissipated heat, long since ejected into space hours ago.

The sky through the tall breaks of bamboo leaves and branches, still show of faintly fading stars, being curtained back under the atmospheric effect of the coming sunrise.

“(~ I see what the charm in this place was to Sensei and the Alpha when they first came, if not so directly for this reason. ~)”

Misaki floats astride of Jeain and Achika, as the three enjoy the cool moment. Achika simply walks alongside her equal in number of the holders of the house. “Our home in Florida Province cannot equal this charm at this moment of morning. Too much development and much more southern in latitude we are. The Gulfstream also tends to keep things more warm in nature in the mornings. Fogs are usually only in wintertime, and not as nice as this is.

But what's magic in one place is so in another. The key is unique to each.”

Misaki nods, as Achika ponders. Jeain could give them both an easy run for their money in the nature of a straight up philosophical debate. (Non-celestial driven at least.)

“~ Did Kiyone ever come home by the way last night? I never bothered to check her network for privacy's sake. ~”

Misaki the stylist giggles. “(~ Coming from experience with a mortal, you should know better. Love is no longer a patient creature around these parts. This is not a necessarily worrisome event. Other than certain `health' issues involved. ~)” Misaki addendum giggles, though Achika smirks. “~ And whence may you attempt a stake of such for yourself? ~”

Misaki stops cold, as Jeain looks up a little at a the Council Member. “(~ I fear.. *sigh* ...that as while you may be young enough to avoid the weather of time Achika. Funaho and I may not be so fortunate. The Eons are not as kind to us, the politics of Heaven too wearing.

I... envy you very much Lady Achika. ~)”

Achika is so more much shocked than Jeain can attempt to relate to. The implications are much more far reaching. “~ Lady Misaki. ~”

Jeain looks between the two goddesses, but refrains adding words to the mix. Misaki though giggles softly. “(~ No. It is alright. As saddened I am to hear my own words sound of the coming days, I don't say them to spite your cherishment Lady of Destiny. I would more say... of... ~)” Misaki ponders a bit to come up with the right response.

It formats as... “(~ ...to fight harder to hold onto the Ascendant future when we are gone. A time coming very soon I'm afraid. Much too soon, selfishly said. ~)”

“Is... something going to happen?” Jeain finally asks, too curious to refrain. Achika has a more pleading look with the same question on her lips, unsaid. Misaki holds up a hand. “(~ Now now... to digress further would worry the children. And they need all the time at peace they can get, before fate and destiny, all pun intended, sends them to the future for them to shape. There are happy times still to be had before then, and I want you both to assure me that you will help me, help them cherish the time we all have together.

This so that afterwards, they knew what they sacrificed for. Please assist me in assuring this now. ~)”

Their minds reel, but they also comprehend for maturity sakes. A glance between a Mother of a Client and a Mother of a Representative quickly becomes a nodded agreement.

Just in time, as... “~ Mother!!! ~”

Achika looks back, as Tenchi suddenly phase pops all over the forest, looking for her. “~ Over here Tenchi dear!! ~”

When said son the Hand phases near successfully. “~ Al's disappeared in Heaven!! ~”

“WHAT!?” Jeain shouts, as Misaki flanks the Hand. “(~ Tell us all quickly! ~)”

The immediate details of the beach incident are relayed, and Achika has a headache. “~ Damn Ascendant License Authority. Too blind on their jobs to think morally. ERGH!! ~”

“Okay. So... now what?” ...put weakly.

“(~ Tokimi and your daughters alone should be able to round the support out needed to search for him. All of Heaven would not rest, this I assure. Of which I only hope they access him in time. ~)” Misaki puts in a edgy tone. Jeain looks pleadingly as a result for an answer. “Why... is my son in danger?”

Achika answers for the Council Member. “~ Not `all' of Heaven is at ease with mortals. Hell Core agents are sometimes meshed within our ranks. There are other dangers, more than even I care for.

We should find Washu now. ~”

The trip is a `short' one.

=======

*Disoriented. Someplace in Heaven.*

At least that's how he feels upon wakening. “Oh ya..... ughn... Ryoko's the party dog, with hair alright.” Said with a migraine similar to a hangover. Sight though is not of the ceiling in his room.

Instead... “Pink... and blue? Oh man, what in...?”

Al rolls his eyes left and right, before slowly grinding up to a sitting position, his head cresting over a high thresh of deep reddish reeds of grass. He looks up again, and indeed, a perfect blue sky, with... pink... clouds? Not gaudy, but the pearlalescent kind Heaven would expect to have. Well, at least what Al's mind interprets, going back to all that mush about implanting the mortal mind.

To the left and right, nothing immediate other than a long reddish grassland field, like a cool Savannah plain. At least it seems serene and non-threatening.

“Now if I knew where the heck I ended up.” Al says, managing to stand up, still clad in only his swim trunks and a beach shirt that he buttons up for habit's sake. Obviously the air isn't uncomfortable, though being stuck where he is, one couldn't know if he was in even `more' danger than he realizes.

“If this is something like Africa Union South Preserve, I'll be a menu entrée by tonight.” He chuckles, and then forgets this worry, looking around all about this time, and sees what could be a number of whitish knobs of what `could' be those Core buildings. Could be another reality, or a planet in the Gardon Supremacy for all he knew. But he doubts it, his intuition somehow made him feel he was still in Heaven after all. It all felt comfortable enough and all.

He then looks down at his Band, remembering what happened to cause all this. “Why do I make such messes without even trying?” Another dejected sigh, and then a look around thrice more, this time trying to make sense of his location. “Wonder if I should try to contact Tsui.”

“~ I would leave her be for the... ~” Al SPINS around and.. “~ ...moment... um, good sir. ~” ..sees. “Who...? Oh.. sorry. Uh, sorry.”

The last thing he expected to see, is an apparent nanny of some kind, with three small stature, if experience helped him as of any late, goddesses. Very young at that. About the age of five year olds, six at best.

“~ You would be correct young sir. Actually they only recently turned six apiece, the age that they leave their clutch for the first time to experience the larger world. ~” The rather charming attendant, quite youthful, and yes beautifully feminine, (common theme,) one of brown, long as well mane, and a grace befitting a celestial.

Al smiles simply, though still a bit uneasy for what he feels is `his' intrusion. “Sorry if I startled you. I'm quite lost you see.” ..and nods to the celestial lot in his honesty.

The nanny makes an `ah' sound of knowing, as the three youthful deities clustered behind, all long maned, one of red, another green, and the last gray. Each featured cheek markings of in said respective order: a broken circle, three vertical dots, and a partial figure eight pattern lacking the bottom curve that would complete the `8'. Blue in blue eyes fill each of their corneas, their only similar trait physically. “~ It's no startle to us more than seeing a mortal in this simple place. ~”

Al chuckles, and thumbs all about with.. “What be the name of this place anyway? Kinda looks like the fields of Planet Noria-6 with their Iron rich grain farms.”

A awe of wonder plys the youths, as the nanny explains. “~ The Eternity Plains. If you walked far enough, any color of the pigments you are familiar with would be displayed in these grasslands. This color tends to be my favorite I'm lightly abashed to say, and come here often with my charges from time to time. ~”

Al mulls in his mind just `how' many colors he would encounter. He liked white himself. That'd be a sight to see. But not on a empty stomach anyway. “Shoulda eaten more.” He semi-punches his growling stomach. It's a strange sound to the others. “~ Sounds yucky. ~” One of the deity tikes quips. The nanny lightly scolds this, but Al chuckles. “It's alright. The human body does less majestic things, thankfully put on hold while here. Hunger though isn't one of those functions apparently.” *Bad belly. Punched*

“~ May I help escort you to where sustenance can be obtained. I imagine someone's probably looking for you too. The Nursery is a good place to go to be found, if you don't mind all the Clutches. ~”

Al blinks, a heavy dose of curiosity overcoming his caution. “Um.. kay. Then so be it, with most humble appreciation as well.” Aleaic puts with his practiced grace, bow included. The nanny curtsies, with one of the younglings doing likewise, the other two looking on ever curiously. Then, as a shimmering portal forms, a basic Spell Program any servant of Heaven can apparently use, Al bemuses a question. “Query. I was looking around, but didn't see anyone around.”

The nanny giggles with.. “~ I saw a strange gold light where I found you, and phased in with my charges. ~”

Al meekly smiles. “And I asked.”

---------

*Core Central.*

If he only knew. (Well not really.)

“~ :: Are you sure it requires `this' many to find one mortal? :: ~”

A serene vid screen, falsely infers the hyper nature of the origin, as well as receiving point of the transmission, as the area is somewhat `busy'. “~ The fact a mortal is detached without escort on this plane could be hazardous for us as well as him, since he does possess a celestial Stabilization Node upon him. That Band thing... um.. thing.. ~”

Core Central is a mess of Dimensionals zinging all abouts of everywhere, as well as Alpha's and Beta's at their posts, scouring Heaven! The numbers of `tools' and sentients deployed could make even Hell Core nervous!

Tokimi infers the situation, still clad as before, and in fact much the rest of the suddenly on-duty Dimensionals are similar, including two less than calm Deities, both also swirling of many emotions and such at once. Internal and upon each other. Many things are uncertain at the moment.

“~ :: Any idea where he ended up at all? :: ~” Achika says from next to Washu, almost cramming her head past Washu's. Partially seen in the same vid is Tenchi, Jeain and Terrai with Cal looking over their shoulders, and Ryoko floating upside down, in partial view overhead. (Literally.)

“~ The emotional amplification was threefold, with three vectors driving the unauthorized Spell Program. Indeed that mortal is a handful. ~” The transmission Spell-vid is filled with three family members of noted nut case nodding their heads blandly.

Tsui mutters a small giggle, but stifles herself quickly, as Sasami eyes her Sister a split second later.

“~ :: I can relay his personal Astral and Psy-patterns of my most recent tests on him. :: ~”

“~ Wonder where she got those from. ~” Sasami says with an edge. Tsunami shh's her silent, but a argument is only averted by a hard cough from Tokimi nearby. The Admin replies unto.. “~ They would be useful, though it'll still take awhile to find him. Heaven is infinite by Father's will. ~”

Even Terrai's face in the vid looks glum. Still, it's all they can do for the moment.

Till..

“~ Mistress!! ~” A rather high up echo shout garners many attentions. Tokimi looks up and... “~ Beta Akiraa? ~” ...seeing the Portfolio of Spices (a lot of em Portfolios) float down quickly with her, literally, saffron colored mane flowing well along her earthy robes.

The goddess quips in high stress. “~ Mistress Tokimi! I just received this report! ~” A flung data Padd is deftly caught by the Admin-controller, and then read with a thanks floating back up. For a few moments, it's read. Only she at that moment could figure the emotion known as Disbelief for this specific moment.

Then another called: Hope. She melds it with Cunning a second later.

“~ Well by Father. ~”

“~ :: What? :: ~” Washu pegs over the vid. Tokimi though looks down towards a pair of muted platform stations. “~ There's a report of a unusual entity in the Nursery Sector. Near Clutch Zone S-23.18-O from the looks of it. ~”

Tsunami and Sasami stop COLD from their work, as only `they' of the Dimensionals present knows this Zone address on core memory. “~ Home..? ~” Tsunami whispers, then looks over at Sasami, both with awe/disbelief in `their' eyes now.

Suddenly.. “~ :: WHAT'S HOME CLUTCH GOT TO DO WITH IT?!!? IS THAT TWIT ACTUALLY `THERE'!?!? ::~” ..as Achika's face ENGORGES the Spell vidscreen, with Washu somewhere on the Lab floor in pain.

“~ :: Sorry about Mom. :: ~” Tenchi says in the vid background. You can feel the teardrop. =^^=

Tokimi sighs and.. “~ Can I ask Lady Achika and Lady Funaho to return to the Core for a short time? Meanwhile, can I ask for two volunteers to verify this report when they arrive? ~”

She didn't need to wait for volunteers.

---------

*The Clutch Nursery Zone.*

A static Spell Portal later, a nanny with three clutch mates and a `guest' arrive. It's rather dusk here, as a celestial evening settles. Aleaic notes this among many other details immediately. “Wow, it's gorgeous here.”

“~ I'm pleased you approve. By the way, I'm Attendant Ariaa First Class: Mikluu. ~”

Al immediately responds out of habit. “Aleaic Kerensky at your service, and quite desperate need.” He puts cutely with a nod. He raises it back in time to see Mikluu hold her hands to her mouth. Her cheek markings are nearly blushed over in surprise! The three mini-goddesses look at Al with the same `who-are-you' look, but Mikluu knows all too well.

“~ Clutch S-23.14-O. The Soul mate as well? ~” Al returns a cock-eyed look. “Eh?”

“~ Avatar Sai. So it's come back to this at last. ~” Mikluu chimes out along this disbelief. Al decides he'll never get used to suprises, as now this next one he can't but help query back. “Wha...? Wait... err... um.. you.. you must be joking. I know I had this discussion with The Father, but.. ~”

Mikluu suddenly tells her charges to return to their clutch play area, and float off towards a crystal encased palisade the size of Texas. (Well it's HUGE just from first off glance to Al.) Mikluu then sighs and.. “~ Can you wait here a moment milord. ~” Al has no time to react, as Mikluu vanishes suddenly, leaving a teeth mashing mortal to his sudden impatience. “Oh for the.. ergh.. ..talk about a vacation for the Lampoon terminals.” ..said as he rubs his scalp and looks about at the unique place he's in.

It lasts for some time, which is exacerbated by his lack of understanding of relative time in Heaven, as if he admittedly understood much here anyway. He decides to just circle the immediate area, as it seems the multi-planar Zone he's in, multi-platformed as well, like a heavenly structure of honeycombs of globes, interlaced together in a myriad of beautiful, if repetitive shapes of crystal, as white upon white stone or marble, and ring bands of metallic and gemminite precious material wove and wrapped in all manner of curvy and majestic patterns and vectors, everywhere Aleaic saw and guessed.

There's apparent movement in many of the Clutches, all as large as whole terran cities, with within would be many celestial families, young into ancient old, all living together. A sense of warmth in this theory to the mind calms Al somewhat. “Must be charming for a home for each of em. Hope so anyway.”

He then circles what apparently is a central platform to a archway out of the Clutch Zone towards Core Central and the Outer/Inner Zones as well. He notes that `stairwells' branch off at points, along this main walkway, to other levels of walkways, above and below, with a good multiple of latticed together walkway runs, all help branch access areas for more Habitation `bubbles', as he coins them. The bubbles he saw as huge as all Heaven, had many others that told of large cloisters of families that had the grace of living in Heaven together.

Al however refrains from blindly trying to find the Central Core, as who `knows' how long it would `actually' take him to reach it Tsui if he tried on his own. She probably might find a pearly skeleton one day, if he left now. (At least he hopes his bones would be nice to look at. Wait... okay, nuff of that.)

He decides to see if Mikluu's departure bears providence, and tours the immediate area more. He keeps a mind on where he was, but loses that soon enough to pointless worry, and then drops `that' from stomach grumbles.

Seeing within a Bubble, no less than ten ivory/crystal, tree laden pathways lead to cloister Clutch abodes, all gleaming beautifully with the now deep night celestial sky, with the expectant diamond stars gleaming above and amid. The luminescence of the combined Clutch bubbles easily makes double moonlight of it's own, making all detail perfect, down to the green grass in the center of each primary pathway.

“It must be something.” He imagines a bit what a celestial family would be like in `actual' Heaven. Then, he muses a moment over the `name' addressed of him by Attendant Mikluu.

“Sai? Hmm... makes it sound like I lived here once.”

“::[~ A name... ~]::” Al's heart SLAMS to his throat as he knows `that' Voice. “::[~ ...starts with a home. ~]::”

Al fights to retain calm, even from experience, more than he dares care for. “Um.. *gulp* ..how else, um.. w.. would one obtain a name amid a civilized culture. Well our culture, I mean human, since there could be so.. uh.. um.. I'll stop now.”

A healthy chuckle back. “::[~ More ways than countable. I sensed you would consider this vein eventually. ~]::”

Aleaic can't, and dares not bother look for a source of the Voice, and wonders if even talking with It, is advisable to good manners. Still.. “Who says I actually am. As far as I know, I'm on a bad vacation.”

No voice responds back. Al wonders if he's offended Him, and sighs. “I'm a winner.”

“::[~ I did not name you, if that question ever crosses a question, you have yet to ask. Your spirit was named by begotten loves you name parents. That honor I always bestow to those that birth, and that variety enriches much more than I alone intend. ~]::”

Aleaic nods generally, knowing the sense in it. If that's how it occurs, he dares not debate. He though dares one question.

“I... was born here once?”

..............................more silence.

Al sighs dejectedly.

“~ Yes. ~”

Al has made a theme of this fic of SPINNING around as... as..

“Both?” One was Tsunami's voice, yet both facades are present...

“~ We are here. ~” Sasami to be certain, but the forehead Sigils are the true clue. A dusk sense, muted as much as before endures, before Tsunami steps ahead Sasami towards Aleaic. Al can note a moment later, as Sasami follows that... “Achika and Funaho? (Uh oh.. *gulp* ) I.. I'm sorry everyone that I.. I'm scum, I know!”

Achika has current possession of the cabbits (as usual head ornaments,) as Funaho though holds a hand up quickly from afar. “(~ Be no ill intent will come to you Lord Aleaic. Us all were taken aback by these events. ~)” Sasami looks down suddenly, and Tsunami feels this as much as Aleaic a second later.

“It doesn't feel that way.”

Al then tries to change the subject a bit with closest at hand. “So... um, which one was mine?” Tsui and Sasami behind Al as he spins around towards the Clutches, giggle lightly. Tsunami comes up beside Aleaic and points to his left. “~ There. ~” Al still beside himself double-takes nonetheless!

No different than the others, but in Al's mind strangely coincidental, that the one pointed towards is the same the three clutch mates phased towards. Al gulps and cocks his head. “Really? Ah.. ahem, yeah. Uh... so did I have my own room, posters, PS-73, X-Core 1080, and such? Hope I had space ship bed.”

Sasami flicks Al in the ear lightly, as Tsunami giggles and turns around. She asks formally.. “~ Request permission to enter Appropriate tasked Clutch Zones with a former entity, now non-terrestrial. ~” ..as Achika smirks, with Funaho acts as the granting authority.

“(~ Limit your presence to only yours and Lord Sai's Clutches. Exposure must be limited as maintained by Dictates. ~)” Funaho softly, yet resolutely states, with Tsunami and Sasami nodding officially. Aleaic just watches this as a blank slate before being accosted on both ends and escorted towards the pointed Clutch Bubble. “Hey! WHOA!! Wait one tic!”

As they three `quietly' recede away, Achika eyes sidelong at Funaho. “~ Has it really come to this? I'm fearful my long kempt decision still has not a stable frame for my daughters. ~”

Funaho sighs. “(~ It has to. A lot may ride on their resolving this dilemma, as well as for them alone as is. I only wonder why `you' Father decided to appear over unto Lord Aleaic. ~)”

The One never `left', as it were for context. He merely watched as did Ladies Achika and Funaho.

“::[~ A mere moment with a fellow Creator, rarest of all kinds. And my time allowed such for this moment. ~]::”

Funaho and Achika only nod, knowing a response wouldn't be answered. Achika though.... “~ I swear my coming son-in-law is such a pain of the singularities over so much. ~” Funaho gives a good laugh in response.

“(~ He certainly is. ~)”

========

*Residence*

The sound of far off hover traffic and a soft wind frames the scene.

“{~ You think one of us can make a good meal? ~}”

Ayeka, Tenchi and Caladeni look up at the floating HHybrid with bemusement. “~ One of `us' would be those not floating Ryoko. Sensei would like a family to return to. ~”

Ryoko grinds her teeth with a roll of the eyes. “{~ See if I help any then. ~}”

Tenchi looks at a newsfilm plate on a rewriteable translucent tablet, just to kill time. Things are muted as expected. “~ Maybe if we had gone with Sensei... ~”

Ayeka places a hand on the Hand's shoulder. “~ They're not in any harm, only in a fluid state of minds. Personally I'm not personally ready to return home right now. ~”

Ryoko cranes a look, upside down as usual at Ayeka. “{~ I thought `home' was already here. ~}”

“~ Must you bring up Mother, Demon? ~” Ayeka puts in a low tone.

“~ It's appropriate enough. ~” Tenchi puts. “~ Seems everything is surrounded of family today. ~”

Ayeka and Ryoko stop their tiff, and both nod, actually refraining from more of the usual nail biting.

Caladeni meanwhile only lays upon a couch cushion, trying to be relaxed. The illusion wasn't working well, on a rumbly tummy. “Take out would be good.”

Tenchi chuckles. “~ As long as it's not the fare your Brother begotten. ~” ...Cal just smirks at.

The late afternoon sun begins to settle, as a spread out family, celestial and mortal, simply wait in the various areas and spots in and amid the residence. Keturia and Yosho wait in the Office, while Terrai and Jeain shuffle around outside the Garden area with Mayuka. Washu and Misaki of course keeps tabs in the Lab and Mihoshi waits on the roof.

Kiyone still isn't home yet. “~ Lucky deity. ~” ..as Mihoshi put it earlier this particular day.

The home front for now is bland. The action is therefore in the heavens again for once.

============

Three dark `forces' meanwhile begin to probe their vendettas forward.

============

*Heaven once more.*

A mortal may look like he's being escorted by two lovely deities, but the mood seems more like what he once had to endure as a child, after a poor decision from a childish dare from a neighborhood child, and a EMP-cracker. Long story to short, three weeks of family community service, and one of the more `memorable' lectures his Father ever gave him.

“~ Sounded impetuous Beloved. ~”

Al chuckles over at Tsui. “Mrs. Davidson didn't appreciate her Satellite-vid scrambler unit being whole-fried when I shot the cracker off in the wrong direction. Neither did the rest of the neighborhood.”

“~ Ouch. ~” Sasami reacts, as Al gets a light pinch from both teal sights. “Well. We all learn from mistakes I guess. That's what one does when you live through them. Thought I wouldn't though, at the time. Heh.”

Sasami suddenly looks glum once more though, as Tsunami looks away pensively. Aleaic notes and just sighs. He knows how far out of his league he is with this. “But then, funny thing was, that three of weeks of `community' service ended up being my first time I got to learn to repair hyper-terminal equipment. With a actual technician mind ye. A six year olds first taste of the future. And everyone wondered why I was such a techy-nut ever since.”

Al feels both arms held more tenderly, which semi-startles him, as he's... used to... just one arm that is.

“~ Sorry. ~” Sasami suddenly says, which makes Al suddenly stop to his accompaniment's surprise and near misbalance. “~ Whoa! ~/~ Yeee! Dear? ~”

All three end up separated a meter, as Al starts to rub his head. “What do we do?” Sasami and Tsui look at each other and back at Al. It's not lost on them what that meant. “~ I don't... really know. ~” Tsui remarks softly.

“We've arrived at one of those exceedingly life altering moments haven't we? I mean, here.. obviously at the Clutch where I was once... um.. born... *head scratch* Everything that ever revolved between us has come back full circle now huh? Now that you Sasami have, well, grown up, we `have' to face this right? I.. I mean.. we.. that..”

It's Tsui's finger that clasps Al's mouth closed. Sasami watches on, her own emotions roilling.

“~ It's my fault. ~”

“~ Sister. ~” Sasami starts, her ancient habit of naturally coming to her Sister's defense overriding her own desires for a split moment. Al though. “Who's fault `isn't' it?”

Again, taken aback, Tsui and Sasami ask simult. “~ Pardon? ~”

Tsui though answers back upon herself. “~ No.. he's right. ~”

“I am? Um.. yeah.. I was..” Al recovers with a weak chuckle. “Ah... look. A lot of bottled up emotions are before us, and it's because of that, that this all happened. Like back when I was a dumb kid, no one was thinking clearly of the consequences. I suppose I should have faced this sooner. Poor human trait and all that crud. But.. but why such a surprise Sasami? Why that way? I know all the histories and everything. Wasn't there another way to deal with this?”

Sasami sighs. “~ To be blunt. A younger version of herself retains the more impetuous aspects that the elder version has more experienced control over. ~”

“~ Not necessarily. ~” Tsunami responds. “~ Love tends to do things that even surprise Lord Yosho. Just because we've been in love for so long beloved, doesn't mean I'm any less foolish. Our own Mother is prime example of the true nature of love's meddling. It's power confounds even us on high. ~”

Al `swears' he hears a far off sneeze and snarl behind him, but shakes it off. “Can't ignore that. But just maybe, we should consider the fact that we are ridding a very dangerous precedent in the annals of fan fiction? A mortal faced with two versions of the same woman he dearly loves from more than one point in history, and now faced with a choice that could make a LOT of readers flame the author as a result?

Or worse, a MST.” All three CRINGE with `eww' sounds at that prospect. “~ Might want to keep the Lemon side of things away from this story then. ~” Sasami quips. Everyone nod heads very vigorously in agreement

“Even if the last author was creamed by Washu and all.”

“~ Oh he's quite alive. Washu's not quite that callous. *ponders...* ...quite... yes, quite. ~”

Al just makes a mental note the next time he's examined. “Anywho, one supposes our next decision in this matter, has come. Well... *Looks down and into the celestial night sky.. yes, `below' him past the archway edge.* ..what `do' we do?”

Sasami and Tsunami look at each other and decide their own way.

“~ Maybe home would be the best place first. ~”

Then in mere moments, anticlimactic in fact, Al is phased over with his charges into Clutch Zone S-23.18-O itself. A chill runs through the Dimensionals, as they arrive with `their' charge. “~ And here we are. ~”

Al manages not to fall dizzy this time, if `only' dizzy for a moment, and then look around of the interior of an actual Clutch. “Wow. Sorta like a oversized drop of melted sugar that crystallizes into a bubble around something. Got me the `something' bit.” ..he looks around and sees no one else, which is kinda weird given how fill the other Clutches apparently seemed to be from afar.

“~ Everything was here indeed. ~” Tsunami remarks. She is pleased to note the winding trees she, Tenchi, and later on Sasami played in, though latter in name of mention, because of memories not of good ilk.

“I... I don't....”

Tsunami looks over as Sasami floats over and.. “~ Are you well Sensei? ~”

“I...” He's staring at a particular spot, patch worked in bluish-green bushes of blue roses. A pathway of marble, rising away towards a hilly rise near a crystal pond. Nothing else seems remarkable about this spot, other than it being in Heaven in a Clutch. Except something else was attached to that spot. “I... remember that spot... from... from the memories Father and Trakalin unlocked in my mind.

It's...” Al looks over at Tsui instinctively, and Tsunami suddenly remembers too!

“~ Where we first met... ~”

“...as kids.”

Sasami looks and pieces the essentially same memories she and Tsunami share. When it clicks in place... “~ By Father of the Core. ~”

“~ It is indeed. ~” A fourth voice enters, one familiar to all three, one of recent, and two of.. “~ NANNY!! ~” Tsunami and Sasami suddenly shout and phase into a happy glom unto a beaming/laughing Mikluu. “~ Ladies Sasami and Tsunami, it's so good to see you again after so long! I'm so glad. ~”

Aleaic watches with a welcome moment of happiness as two former charges and their nanny catch up quickly. Words of pride and hope pass between them. Then soon well enough after this. “~ Lord Sai has been in excellent company since he was forced from our graces. ~” Mikluu speaks, the tone used of distant memory. Al suddenly regains his usual reserved mindset. “I'm still unsettled of my past in such a vein. I'm.. not comfortable with the thought I was immortal once.”

A giggle set of nods pass between the Goddesses their former Attendant. “~ He never was comfortable `as' a Avatar either for some reason. The way Lord Trakalin informed me, before he brought Lord Sai here originally, was probably from the fact he was such a rare case. What with Lord Sai as an undocumented single clutch. ~”

Al doesn't quite get the gist of this, as Sasami make a `wow' sound. “~ Sensei was born alone? What about his Clutch parents? ~”

Tsunami remarks, using her Network access. “~ Destroyed during a joint mission to investigate a code abduction, and subsequent hostage situation of the first team of Agency Detectives that were sent. A pair of high class Demons ended up trapping the Alpha's that were sent. Sai's parents were sent in to deal with the matter, and.. well.. when the situation began to threaten the entire System, they... sacrificed themselves to take out the Demon's as well. It happened so long ago, I don't even remember the exact details anymore. It's in the Archives though, if there would be allowance for such to peruse. ~” Al looks solemn. “Sounded like the parents of a hardheaded brat.”

“~ That's what that led him to... well, here. ~” Mikluu puts nodding back to that spot of destiny. Al listens intently as much as the deities. “~ It was after that incident, when Trakalin, still a noble member of the Council, learned of Sai's predicament, and took on it himself to become Sai's Mentor.

He then came to me, and suggested moving Sai's Clutch to this one, from over there. ~” Mikluu points to a `nearby' Clutch bubble off the right, where Al looks with a cocked eye.. “That was my original home?”

Tsui and Sasami look on for the moment as Mikluu takes the lead. “~ Aye. And from what I remember, when Sai first arrived here, he was a morbid sight to see for one so young. ~” Al cocks an eye. “Um...?”

Sasami sighs.. “~ Single birth Clutches in heaven are a true rarity. Two or more are considered the norm, with as high as in the tens at times. Single births are seen as.. troubling, in Heaven. ~”

Al gets the feeling of a prejudicial tone underlay. “I was discriminated?” Tsui looks rather uncomfortable as Sasami sees Mikluu nod. “~ A `single' in anything unto birth is seen as attached to The Father, and is seen as unnecessarily calling attention to oneself, when such a situation occurs. Not that those borne have much choice by Father's will when such a time comes. Neither do the parents. Heaven.. tries to be fair, but sadly, even we are not always. When Sai arrived from his original Clutch, it was apparent his treatment from the other internal Clutch mates was less than serene. ~”

“Ouch..” Al says, then.. rubbing his head. “Peachy.. two screwed up childhoods.”

Three sets of giggles end with the two halves of the same Goddess drawing closer to their mortal. “~ Lord Trakalin decided to find a unique solution to Mentoring his new charge, with the help of Lady Gaea. The transfer of Clutches was in of itself unique, but not unheard of. What happened on the day of the transfer however, was far more unique than even the Council Members expected. ~”

Tsunami looks up into Al's eyes just then. “~ We met. ~”

Al nods but, has trouble remembering exactly. Just then, Tsui places a hand on Al's forehead. “~ I was always told memory is best when as clear as the first time. My Mentor was right indeed. ~”

Sasami closes her eyes watches from her own Network, Mikluu no less, as Aleaic is finally show his past.

--------------------

*The day of the transfer, so long ago...*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*

“~ I.. I don't know sir.. is.. will it be good here? ~”

A terribly very young voice of an immortal kith tries hard to answer a question, put by this stranger next to him. One that just a short while ago, told him he was going to be his Mentor. Too many things to him was strange, and he just didn't know `how' to act. It was just `so' scary to him.

“[~ I wouldn't bring you if I felt otherwise. You deserve a chance to experience a second chance. And I know the right Clutch to give you that chance. ~]”

Little Sai looks up again, with jittery eyes that the elder finds understandable. The kith still is not convinced by far, looking at this very tall effidice floating beside him, as they travel along the archway path away from his now former home. To only knows where now.

The rest of the travel is simplistic and silent. Trakalin doesn't take offense. It's been made well known to him, that the kith's treatment could have been far better by familial standards. Trakalin as soon as he knew enough, sought to change all that, so much so as to reform the foundation that a Mentor can teach from. It was both to honor the fallen kin on all full measure, and his minor stroke against what he hoped was not the way of things, of a realm he had served so long, and so loyally. He would give his new charge every chance in the multiverse to see hope to build from and by. All power of the best Trakalin knew of, to hope mold a new soul from the hopelessness of the old. One `too' old of frown for the youth of age to hold within. The gray had to be cleansed away, and such it would be.

The only way Trakalin knew to break the unangelic gray that clouded, was a sharp blade of the one emotion that always shines best.

“~ Hello!! ~”

....Happiness.

“~ Ah.. a.. a.. h.. h.. hi.. he... ello.. ~”

Sai is struck by his sight `filled' with a face that outright BEAMS of that one word. No one from his home.. um, original clutch, was ever this shining. It blinded Sai's mind like a pure flare of light. As intended.

Trakalin watched passively, already having introduced kith to Achika and Attendant Ariaa Mikluu, also of witness, along with recently assigned Mentor Gaea, all watch a scene unfold that would have impossible consequences. As much cute as uneasy for some untold reason, the scene yet plays out as a Mentor expects.

“~ You look sad. You feel okay? ~” The youth in front of Sai suddenly places a hand on his all too stunned to react forehead. Her nascent network connects to his for ever an instant. “(~ She seems... `really' happy. ~)” Sai thinks.

The youth giggles and.. “~ Nope, no sign of a virus. ~”

“(~ Now now Lady Tsunami, you are making our new guest uncomfortable. ~)” The serene entity of Gaea behind the lady kith notes. Lady Achika just giggles, though more for Tsui's part. “~ Tsunami? ~” Sai just echoes that one word. The said feminine diamond goes from recoiling a bit to looking back at Sai curiously. “~ Yup. That's my name! ~” ...with a GAWD awful big smile.

Sai then for some inner unknown reason, just as rare as his circumstances are, makes a unique gesture for him, one not sure ever used up to this point. He smiles back at this.. Tsunami. One wouldn't think such a small act could be as profound as it is, when the smile is returned so softly. But then no ripple ever starts big. At least the ones that eventually become tidal waves.

Trakalin watching knew in essence what he asked of Gaea in the first place. He did his research thoroughly. The best way he saw at the time to snuff out the singular nature of Sai's treatment, was to introduce something to make one want to be two. And then two that couldn't think of being one, not in the old mode at least. Strange mathematics, but Gaea immediately guessed this when Trakalin approached her. She wasn't remiss in the situation either. Few didn't know by that time anyway, save for detail particulars.

Behind Gaea and Mikluu watched a number of Clutch families as they witnessed this rare event of a transfer. They, as well as Achika's Clutch, along with a very young Tenchi included, witnessed Heavenly destiny unfold.

“~ I'm... I'm Sai. Um.. Sai.. ~” The youth then looks at Trakalin. “~ ..am.. am I..? ~”

Trakalin chuckles, reading Sai's primitive network easily as his passcode authorization allows. “[~ Yes, this will be your new Clutch. Shall we proceed to your new abode sector? ~]”

An arm suddenly nabs Sai's own. “~ Can I come? I wana see! Pleasepleasepleaseplease! ~”

Gaea laughs quietly behind as she then tries to be stern. “(~ I see I have a bit of work myself to do. A bit too forward to be sure. ~)” Trakalin though simply nods, and lets the deity literally magnetize herself almost as a graft unto the meek immortal. They both, and family with mentor behind, follow Trakalin's lead.

And it was a `lot' of work, the repairs to the foundation took time. But eventually, that slowly progressed with many new teachings, and words of hope, encouragement, and knowledge.

And a `happily' lent assistance.......

*The days of Sai learning to be with a family, namely Achika's Clutch..*

*...more after with many days of Tenchi, Tsunami and Sai playing together....*

*...the day that young Tenchi was introduced to his Mentor Yosho, and a Mother was proud, as was a Sister and Surrogate Brother..*

*..the days of Mentorship, with both almost always attending together with Gaea and Trakalin teaching the ways of the Core System, the nature of the OS overseeing the Mortal Plane, the various Programs and activities of the Admins, Betas and Gammas, Seraphim and Avatars, and more that they both would one day join.

How Tsui watched as Sai learned to understand the ways of an Avatar, and how that would lead to his eventual unnamed Portfolio. Tsunami's however was already emplaced, as Gaea taught with all her being to harness the existence around her, for all the beauty and grace upon for Tsui to experience and learn from. And even giving all aspects of shadow a chance to be graced with kindness in many unique and special ways, that only a Goddess of Happiness could give.

But one particular lesson, a facet of happiness itself that slowly grew beyond Gaea's reach, to teach, and one..*

----

*..as the days turned into years, even on the immortal scale, and some emotions matured with, as the lessons here grew slowly intimate and shared with the expanding education, more with the nature of the System and it's grand purpose. At an age of determined maturity, both learned their coming fates.*

--------

“~ Avatar to the System? I never heard of such a Portfolio. ~”

A young teenage Sai looks over at his Mentor of unaging expression with query. “[~ It's not one I would expect you to know. It's come time to begin to see where my teachings end, and your own being begins to shine. The lessons that only you can truly learn, are the ones that can only come without me guiding you.

From this moment on, I advise and assist, and no longer will directly mentor. Consider me as a tome that eventually you will learn enough from, and no longer will need other than for the occasional flip of the page to remind yourself of something.

Your growth as an Avatar is as much as Tenchi's, and as of any other Avatar's. A sculpture only you can carve from your being. Fine details are a part of being individual for yourself. This is how you must start taking your place in the System, and your own destiny in it. And also of the practical place you must find, to be effective for us all. The sculpture must be most of your own make, to be what others can rely upon. ~]”

A twinge.. heck, a `flood' of worry enters Sai's mind and his expanding network as expected. Trakalin didn't expect any less. “~ But.. how would I know where to begin to.. um, sculpt myself? What if I make a mistake.. a bad one.. ~”

“[~ How else would you learn? If you survive those mistakes, you would `learn' We all do such as sentient beings. ~]” Trakalin starts, plying the `advise' bit for the first time in earnest. He wonders though what aspects of his teachings the young immortal will retain. He suspects not the ones he himself silently harbors.

A striking young God of seventeen now, by mortal age standards, Sai however keeps to simple theme of cloth, plainer than usual for an immortal. A likely trait he decided to pick up, as he noticed the other growing half of his life grew more and more beautiful. Somehow this lesson slipped past Trakalin's teachings somewhere, and he suspected Gaea had a slight hand in it.

Trakalin might feel put off, though hard to find reason why to bother even. The trait was a healthy one.

“~ But `of the System'? I don't quite get that. ~”

“[~ You don't need to just yet. A title only accepts one that is ready. It's one the Council decided would befit your status, especially after that incident in Pandemonium Gate. This for `some' reason. ~]”

A DEEEEEEEEEEEEEP blush of embarrassment plys the young Avatar's face. “~ I.. I only reacted.. I.. I already told... that is only I... eheh. ~”

Trakalin suddenly bellows a GOOD laugh, as to Sai's annoyance endured. The details of that incident were far more revealing of uncertain details, than what even Sai himself realized at the time. A group Mentor-Goddess trip to the Gates between Hell Core and Jurai Core, to where all inter-diplomatic events took place between the two ancient realms, as the Core Laws dictated, was somehow transgressed upon by an unauthorized hacking attack by a group of Bugs sent more than likely from a Hell Core Agent. A strong High class Agent, if the signatures of the Networks involved correctly surmised.

As it was, Sai had been, so to say, unauthorized in the area for `personal' reasons concerning the Portfolio of Happiness, at the time in attendance. Sai recorded the intrusion, and acted before contacting any Administrators of the intrusion.

Resultantly, `during' his hasty attempt to help, he used a stunning display of Avatar powers, if a bit overdone in application, of namely an Isolation Field Program that held back the Demon sponsored Bugs just long enough, for the surprised Mentors of the group to assist an arrival of Class-Two's and follow up Detention Units.

In spans of time, only a few mere seconds, but ones that saved the unprepared Mentors and their charges from quite real harm. In the frazzled aftermath, it took Administrators a full clock cycle to repair Sai's overloaded network for using a Spell Program, much higher than his body could use. Sai was scolded later for nearly wiping his network slate clean off Heaven, as well as for other transgressions involved.

Such was how his first ever meeting with the Father went. In Office, in person. You get the download.

But somehow, Trakalin knew there was one `reward' that was worth all the admonishment he later received. (Bug Port cleaning duties for a celestial week for one.) It all led to the assigned Portfolio now laden. And the next act that went with, being discussed currently.

“[~ Still, at least learn your Network limits before `jumping into the fray' as it were. A Level-Five Field verses the Level-Two you used, for one, would be sound advice, no? ~]”

Sai just nods uncomfortably. “~ Yes Mentor.. I.. ~” Trakalin suddenly waves a hand towards a direction to focus instead upon. “[~ I suggest you concentrate on other matters. They approach as we speak. ~]”

Sai senses and looks over as Gaea leads an emotionally overcharged goddess Gamma. “~ Oh. ~”

“(~ *Thick sigh.* Would someone alleviate this young goddesses worries? I'm at my computations end at the moment. ~)” Gaea half moans out, though it's an act, as Sai rises and locks eyes with a sudde.. “~ SAI!! ~” *WHAMP!!* “~ Owwwwwwwwww...... the pain. ~” Al moans between consciousness.

Trakalin is impressed in the young goddess's speed, as Tsunami CREAMS Sai to the `floor'. Gaea floats to the other side of Trakalin as Tsunami hugs the stuffings out of Sai. “(~ I think the final sentence has been carried out. ~)”

Trakalin laughs. “[~ More the opposite. ~]”

Sai's face meanwhile is filled with Tsunami's fully caressed façade once more. “~ Oh my heroic sweet little Sai. I was so worried about you forever! ~”

Sai just smiles, gasps and endures, though lately it's not so `enduring' as such. “~ Can't keep me out of the picture for long milady. ~” He then endures a gurgle induced full body hug as Trakalin and Gaea head off to discuss Council matters. (Oh they keep mental tabs in case it goes too far..) After enough of a bit of this, they both sit amid an ever beautiful glade.

“~ Are you going to come with Brother and I to the trip to Nashu'bulan Falls? The birds there are supposed to be able to sing very beautifully there. ~”

As both sit in the soft shades of several trees, across from a pleasant viewscape of Heaven, Tsunami further mentions the family trip Achika suggested last week-cycle. Sai just quips at such. “~ And um, the fact Lord Yosho's Gate-door is there, didn't have `any' nuance on his decision to go? ~” Knowing full well Tenchi is at this time, enamored with his Mentor, and more his teaching style. Achika just gets fits from it all. Tsui just giggles lightly. “~ Of course not. Tenchi's a big boy-god. Why would you ever think that? ~”

“~ And of us? Is Achika that easygoing about us going there as well? ~”

Tsunami fiddles her fingers some. “~ Well if you don't want me to be there, that's fine... ~”

Al.. er.. Sai takes Tsunami hands into his so fast it's like The Father would complain about `whom' is the worshipped one in Heaven. “~ It'sfine,Idon'tmindyoubeingthereatallmyloveit'sreallygreatand.. ~”

Tsunami suddenly stops this babbling tirade by pressing a silken, spell glyph tattooed finger upon Sai's lips. “~ What did you say? ~”

Sai tries to rummage his previous words, over does it for most of the passing days activities, and only succeeds in remembering his lunch choice and something about trans-network conductance. “~ I um, what do you I um.. glah..? ~”

“~ You're my love too.. you know. ~”

Sai blinks his teenage deity-eyes at the softly feminine version ones across from him, ones drawing closer at that. “~ I... I know.. I know I do too. That's why I.. well, sneaked.. well not sneaked as so much.. *mumph* ~”

It hadn't been their first kiss. However, it was the first with full profession behind it.

----

*Then that next few days at the Falls... (escorted still, thank youverymuch...) ..memories made of togetherness...

...and then the days together when Sai began to train as this Avatar to the System station, which ended up being a hybrid catch-all for the Administrators, as someone that could be sent on short notice to resolve small conflicts in the Core's name. Tsunami began to more and more attend as a partner of sorts as she grew resolute in her own Portfolio, making literally all around her, so much the better. The Core as a whole recognized this all too clearly. Performance as a result in the next few system months rose a good deal as training and experience progressed.

Trakalin and Gaea saw less and less need to school their students, as even Tenchi and (with bemoaning,) Achika as well knew, a literal match made in Heaven formally existed. Such was cultivated more and more.

Then it grew to much more as after six successful month-cycles together, a small ceremony was held and Beta status was rewarded to both the Goddess and Avatar by an impressed Council. Ladies Funaho and Misaki to that day still remembered the gleam of challenge in both their eyes when informed that Alpha training would begin immediately.

The gleam was aimed at each other's eyes, and not anyone else. It was a sight to behold.

======

Al's mind is slowly receded back to the present, as a dazed sense of permanent wonder plys his face despite himself. “I... I feel there's so much I've missed.”

Tsunami sighs, looking at her beloved's hands. “~ So much, both in what you lost, and what should have been. I cry over that ladle of spilled milk still, one of few things I do so. ~” A justifiable statement. Aleaic takes one hand and caresses a wanting face. Sasami moans almost on the same cue in the same facial manner Tsui does. Al sees and blinks. “Maybe we should move on to the problem back at hand.”

Tsunami though decides on a related tact. “~ To get to that point, would require sensing my most tender moment as a young goddess..

..and.......... then my darkest. ~”

Al suddenly feels a heavy hand of his beloved again on his brow, almost like she was forcing the next vision into his mind for some reason.

Sasami senses and.. “~ Oh no. ~”

========

*Paradise on the shore.....*

*Clink.*

“~ To the Core. ~”

“~ To The Father. ~”

A special wine, meant for this moment. One saved by special request, when Sai asked Trakalin, just after the Beta upgrade ceremony. It was only five plus upon a good thousand celestial years old, but still it was a good vintage to imbibe as two Alpha's celebrated the aftermath of their Ascendance of Promotion Ceremony. Tsui and Sai drink joyously, as their mutual Network link remembered the very fresh memory.

The sound of the thunderous cheers from that immense presentation chamber, of what seemed all of Heaven and it's allies that pearlalescent afternoon. The cacophony of trumpets and singing of angel birds as they flew by them both in droves. Sights and sounds of their mutual Upgrade, as Tsunami and her Sai were Upgraded in full and victorious pomp to the sound of Father's Voice congratulating them, the results of five years of hard and determined work, all but mastering their Portfolios, to the benefit of each others, as much as those around them. The amount of work noted was not overstated, they even caused a number of System changes due to their actions. They seemed made to move actual mountains. (At least one mission so saw such done.)

It was befitting that they received the upgrade at the same time. In fact with `heavy' recommendation of their Mentors, and further regards to the same from many of their closest friends and associates. Such was even said aloud during the ceremony.

That amongst other reasons, that the roar of approval rained from all vectors of the gathered crowd.

Sai however just mulls the words in his mouth that matter most. “~ Alpha Dimensional Tsunami of Happiness. ~”

Tsui plys her own version upgrade. “~ Alpha Avatar to the System, Honor Attachment Phase, Sai. I like the add-on they put on personally. ~”

Sai smirks. “~ Does that make you `happy'? ~” ..and jibes lightly. Tsunami just leans into her long since chosen beloved of so long. “~ Does the System serve mortals? ~” ..as a plied yes.

They lain secluded in a secretive beach cave near the Silver Sea, of the First Level of Aborrea. The first of the Ten Heavens of Ascendance Planes. It was always their favorite spot to be alone when not training or on assignments. This for many a free clock-cycle now.

Now it was going to mean something so much more. After several passionate kisses...

“~ Do me a favor would ye dearest? ~” Sai starts, making Tsui blink. “~ If it about asking Mother to cover up for that mistake with the last Sub-system Program debug... ~” Sai quickly waves his hands defensively, although they are done with Tsui deeply in his arms and therefore not actually seen. “~ Hardly something so trivial.

What compared to a Melding. ~”

Tsui suddenly gasps upon hearing that word, and looks back up quickly! “~ What... n.. now? Are.. are you.. ~”

Sai replies calmly and assuredly... “~ ..very certain, very sure. ~”

Tsunami is truly shocked. The last time this was brought up, Sai was deeply hesitant, akin to a mortal's commitment issue crisis. It was also one of the rare arguments they shared, which made this act ever moreso impacting. “~ You.. you `have' thought it over. ~”

Sai just sighs. “~ Maturity. I think it was making sure we were mature enough to handle something this deep. That I was the same myself moreover. I asked both our mentors about it, and did some truly deep soul searching during our latter phases of training. I... I decided a while before we were Upgraded, but held back just for this moment.

I don't think anyone would object to us doing it now either. It seems the perfect time at last. ~”

Tsunami responds by burying herself into Sai's bare chest. Swim attire for the day was the call after the ceremony, settled well before, and now is all that `separates' them. “~ You know what this would mean if we did it. ~” ..she teases a bit as her silken hair tickles Sai's chest muscles some.

“~ Never going back... only going forward. I'm only fearful of going forward alone. ~”

When Sai sees Tsui's head fully next, it's already glowing, her Sigil, already prepared for the process. She didn't waste time as soon as it began glowing. “~ I pray for Happiness, my Portfolio, you will never be alone. I will be that guide of forward.. never one back. This I so swear as a full Goddess. ~”

Sai smiles, and begins to shimmer his own new Sigil. “~ Forward then... ~”

Tsui leaps unto Sai as passions breach even the Heavens.

--------------------------------

.........................

--------------------------------

*..............the inhumane eternity of the depths.*

Rare was it, they say, that the heavens own sky reflects anything but peace and beauty.

Rare was it, that such sorrow took it's place.

Rare was now. Rare was permeated in the very ground, muting even the gleam of crystal, and hope in the leaves. Rare also was in the tears that fell. Rare was morbid and unrelenting. The tears keep falling.... uneasing... unceasing... a torrent of it's own, existing in it's own space and time. A slow torture of time upon the hardest hit of all.

Eventually... eternally before and during.. a hand eventually softly presses upon her trembling shoulder.

All that ekes out in response. “~ How... *broken badly* ...could he leave..... me..... ? ~”

Gaea bother not to respond. Achika already informed her well in advance of her state. It was no surprise to find her in his former Clutch abode, just a short phase away from her own Clutch. She came here everyday since he first came by Tra... `his' will, now possibly the `only' ever thing that that wretched fallen god ever did right, so as far as Tsunami dares care to infer. Most of Heaven along side `no' less.

“~ Bastard. ~” ..with a good shaking strain noticed. Gaea has to strain a bit to refrain correcting Tsunami's manners, for it's whom is at `true' fault that it's directed.

Ten years to the `day'. Fifteen if added the day of Upgrade. How could the System clockwork such things to such a point. To such a horrid moment such as this? The cycles of Gain, Achievement, and Loss on the same day. It was unforgivable what the former Council Member did upon `her' beloved Sai.

“~ .............please................. *weakening voice* .....tell me what to do...

...I'm so lost. So.......................... lost.......... ~” ..she falls into her hands, weeping out of control again, and with no reason to stop for a long while.

Gaea just sits there, and lets her. She simply lets her.

No sacrifice of this magnitude would garner less.

No being should have to suffer like this.

---------

*The Tribunal that sentenced Trakalin for the Original Overthrow of the Council and Heaven itself, in the name of `saving humanity' from the Gods and their `vices' of testing. The reasons all his own, and all flawed into blindness.

The attendance of a quite venomous Tsunami, ensuring the accuracy of the witness accounts of the team that went in with Tsunami and Sai to investigate impossible rumors. As of all souls giving details of account, as Mihoshi and Kiyone of the Detective Security branch, and even a Demon Agent Third Class that had recorded the event to cross reference proof, for their own reasons. All in the act of stopping Trakalin's devastating scheme. One that nearly succeeded, if not for an act that echoed of the same a lost parentage of Sai conducted so prior. Not one of Heaven `or' Hell were not shocked by what transpired, equal enough, but not fully to the loss suffered as a result.

Trakalin was thwarted, and saw his prize student stand up to him, taking his Ragnarok Spell Device with him. Alone he remained in shock like such, until the Council deliberations. Too many details, all painful, all to a simple end point.

In the end. Level-20 non-lifeform, and eternal incarceration upon the Luna Dungeons for all of Eternity.

No where near the `consolation' Tsunami wanted for what she lost. Nothing though could replace that desire, and Tsunami knew it.*

-----

*So Gaea took back unto her, and for a year, re-mentored the now introverted Goddess of Happiness, with one apparent comfort to eventually guide her back.*

“(~ He would more than likely be reborn as a sentient of the mortal plane. His honorable sacrifice would essentially guarantee a chance for him to eventually return to Heaven, through a mortal medium. How even I dare not guess as of yet. But His Will is infinite enough, to expect this could be so, and.... ~)”

“~ Can I be a Wish Representative? ~”

Gaea looks into Tsunami's still hollow eyes, but sees a glimmer of the old jewel within, trying to sparkle with a faint hope. The elder Goddess however puts straight that hope, with tempering.

“(~ If you do so, it `can't' be only for him. Granting Wishes `has' to be for the common good of `all' mortals that you come in contact with. Otherwise, you may be denied the ability, and possibly your chance. You `will' have to keep this in mind, as well as your Portfolio from now on. You can remain in this state for so long before your Portfolio questions you will and Rescinds. Plus, your mind must still be for Heaven as a whole, as it was all before his... well...

To be utterly certain, you must keep objective from this point forward. Without heed of hesitation. Do you understand my friend? ~)”

Tsunami looks down at the ground. It's not blankly. After some `deep' thought. “~ Yes. I fully understand. ~”

Gaea nods. “(~ Very well. I will begin your retraining, as of tomorrow. ~)”

As soon as Gaea leaves, the Mentor feels Tsunami pledge.

Her worry was well placed for a time.

--------

It becomes the deepest time of thought in her existence. The transition was not a smooth one. The time of the pain easing, was the only thing that eventually removed Tsui's alien personality. Tsunami even nearly lost the said Portfolio in the process. In the end, she broke out of her alien nature, and back to her common mode. Then the training began in earnest all over again.

Administrator Tokimi in fact oversaw most of this new training phase, and truly did her best to make Tsunami consider her reasons for her change of Office. For naught as it turned out, for Tsunami truly returned to her natural nature and being during this training period, obtaining her Class-Delta Wish status only two celestial years into training. Accolades were not few in coming either during this period. The goddesses took to her nature easily, the workload was never put into question.

She even brought Angel cake on a weekly basis.

Usually took ten years by the way.

Another `formal' ten years of granting Wishes, and learning about the mortal worlds and realities she oversaw as a granter, taught her that she wasn't alone in knowing angst ridden tragedies. However there were just as many moments of sheer majesty. And in between lay the world that lived oblivious to the existence of Heaven and the System, as such were. Tsunami learned, and became a full granter of independent authority at twenty years.

Her off time, usually a tad enforced, was conducted with many of friends and family that hadn't changed all this time. Their own stories conducted as History sector goddess wrote down, and learned to good, or embarrassing ill alike. Achika did all she could to be a dutiful mother, but this usually turned into `big sister' iotas where Achika and Tsunami spend many a pleasant day together. This all ensured that Tsunami's mindset was as expected of her as a heavenly Goddess.

And yet and still, all that time, she never wavered from her `side-interest' as well. One Tokimi and Gaea knew full well, but `never' once was found to a cause for a review of any kind. Tsunami's performance was flawless, utterly, nigh perfection as required, never lauded upon even. Yet, her dabbling in fact, was a MAJOR component in Tsunami's growing scheme, melded together, one grain of diamond, to one other grain of jewel, at a time.

With much time for planning inclusive. Much.

--------

*Seven Hundred years in fact.

The Human Sphere as it would one day become, at that particular time, slowly began to take shape out of the riddled mistakes of learning it made, all the recent histories included, not to mention histories of those it would come into future conflict with. When said did come, Heaven was shocked to witness the last Wars of Earth, the healing afterwards, and incredible growth, and technological advance that sprang forth to the stars. And then they watched in horror of the disaster that led to the Wars between the Sphere and the Gardon. Ones that made a number of Dimensionals wonder if Trakalin had been correct in one presumption of mistaken thinking. They however were proven equally impressed with the strides `away' from the mutual destruction paths, the two civilizations drew away from.

They never knew it at the time, that witnessing long hand and of keen interest, that a slowly regrowing Tsunami, Achika as well as Gaea, a recently `born' Sasami and watchful Tenchi and Yosho, would all see this one mortal named Terrai, as he literally helped stitch a future for his race from such tragic scars, both of own making, and greatly assisted redemption off of.

And that all their fates would intertwine them all, by one soul.

The focus mentioned that would do so, started upon the evolutionary progression Gaea `promised'.

If in a `prolonged' fashion.

=======

Al snaps back to reality as an image of a...

“A bug?”

Tsunami giggles as Sasami sits nearby.

“~ Your first reincarnation. A bug indeed. ~”

Al blinks, and then turns `very' green. “Awwwwwwwwwwww man.... don't tell me what bug I think it is!” Sasami `sees' and holds her hand in front of her mouth. Mikluu meanwhile has been joined by quite a number of clutch families nearby, as yet a new strange tale is told.

“~ Yes. A dung beetle. ~”

Al whines like a girl in response. “I `told' you not to tell me!!!”

Tsunami giggles of Al's `discomfort'. “~ There are worse places to start from. As it was, when I got a notice from a undisclosed source, of where you... `ended up', I began keeping track of you from time to time ever since, especially after I was granted the full Representative endorsement. After each mission, I would keep track of your progress, as I did reports and scanning.

You were cute as a black ant. (Al: *cocks eye* )

You died not to well as a tadpole. (Al: *gulp* )

You were kinda weird as a turtle, didn't last long there. ~” (Al: “Don't wana know.” *head scratch* )

And in order, Al got the download of `advancement', as he apparently went through cycles as: A parrot. An owl.. Then a horse on the Asian plains. (Al: cool..) A hawk in the Andes. (Al: Jovian..) A majestic Lioness in the Serengeti.

“A what?!! *bonk..* ..ow!”

“~ As we were. ~” (Al: “`Not' Jovian.”)

.And then a gorilla in the jungles of Tanzania. A killer whale in the arctic. The advancement eventually progressed to the mammal-human stage more or less eventually, with of all eventual things prior to his eventual current form eventually...

---

Washu: “Quit the `eventual' crap.”

Author: *Still hiding. Tsui was right.*

---

*Eventual.. (Author got hurt here..) ..ly.*

“A.. A little girl?” Al repeats, patting himself over.

“~ Yes... and..... it was a tragic fate I'm afraid. ~” Al stops his tryst and looks up quizzically.

Tsui then sighs deeply. “~ Leukemia wasn't cured yet as of her time, even so far as the late twenty-eighth century of your world.. ~” A stunned mortal sadly looks down as a result, as apparently only a few decades before a lasting cure was finally discovered in 2996 in a major worldwide effort. Small consolation though, as one could only imagine such wasting away and the pain it had to have been. Aleaic could only imagine it though, since there had been no such cases at all in the Sphere, in his lifetime. The Gardon didn't seem to have an equivalent disorder, which was probably all just as well and good.

Tsunami however didn't need to imagine. “~ I feel somewhat guilty now as I think of it, since when she died, your spirit was melded into your now current form. Where.. I knew it was time. ~”

“What was her name?”

“~ Jania. ~”

Tsunami looks up at this, and is surprised a little to see Aleaic in a prayer's stance. She knows whom his mind prays for, as if he'd do no less on the spot. He however is as ever professing where he decides such is needed. “I hope I've done her lost soul justice. It should have been her Wish instead of mine.”

A number of celestials nearby also pray reflexively. Al soon finishes, and swears to live his life to the fullest, for Jania he swore. He then looks back up then, and notes to change tone.. “Well.. talk about a journey to this point eh? At.. at least I know how you were able to be in position to engineer that special night now.”

Tsunami smiles and then looks over at Sasami. “~ I did it for more than one reason. ~”

Sasami blinks at that.

===

*Again long ago.*

“~ What was it like to love Aleaic as an immortal? ~”

===

Aleaic looks suddenly at Sasami and.. “When did she ask `that'?”

Tsunami sighs. Sasami answers. “~ A week ago. ~”

Al cocks an eye. “Um.. `Again' long ago?'”

Tsunami only shrugs and nods Sasami over. “~ I garnered eventually when you and I found love again beloved, that Sasami would eventually want the same thing. As much as I wanted this one selfish desire for only myself as your only true love, I knew that could not be. Not forever as we've lived as such. Especially after we were melded forcibly by Kagato, Sasami and I.

And worse after we made love for the first time in my room. A second first time that is.

As such, I began to accept the future to come, especially after how soon Sasami arrived on Earth, soon after our Wish. It was all retroactive as I suspected. Achika and Tenchi never truly liked it all. But considering it was Mother Achika's actions that led to this, neither of them restrained what was to come. That there was two loves from the one original. And that they are the same. Even if I care little for it. Sorry, but I still do not fully. ~”

Al meanwhile fails to hide his ten shades of blushed red. “So.. um.. that.. um, that means.. well.. I.. uhboy.”

“~ It means it's time to settle this for real Sensei. ~” Sasami's `truly' echoing voice of her elder Sister's puts in a unique inflection. “~ I still want an answer to my earlier question Sis. Will you let me love Aleaic as well? I need to know Sister. Once and for all. ~”

Al still is having trouble with this, as Tsunami responds. “~ I will `allow' you to try. ~”

Even Mikluu from afar is astonished by this act, as apparently a challenge is sorta levied. Al however jitters. “Um wait, but I..”

“~ What do you mean `try' Sis? You know I know Sensei as well as you do. It's nearly ingrained like a etching on a diamond slate. We `both' know him so utterly. All that is needed is time. Something we have in gross amounts. ~”

“Um.. wait a..”

The Celestial peanut gallery watch as it all just unfolds. (Some even have fully popcorn.)

“~ But do you know the nature of Aleaic's `true love' for me? ~” Tsui pegs back. Al starts to sputter. “Now wait just..!”

“~ There's ways to find that out. ~” Sasami smirks with deeply held back emotions. Tsunami smirks back with her own `experienced' version. Al's meanwhile is plain confused.

“WHOA! Hold the countdown! *Waving hands..* Time! Timetimetime...” Al stands between the teal `mirror and.. “What about MY input into.. *muph?* ...”

Tsunami lays a silken finger on Al's jittered lips. “~ Dearest.. dear dear dear. Dear. I think it's time to lay one ground rule in these Tenchi fics never really laid out till now. Well for this one at least anyway. ~”

Al cocks a REALLY confused eye as he draws away from the finger, while Sasami behind him literally eyes him up and `down'. “What.. cabbits with carrots? Come on, everyone knows that one.”

A pair of strange coughs makes Al look at each deity uncertainly, with stranger `giggle-humming' after making him quiver. Looking about at the peanut gallery tain't helping none.

“Um.. how bout the Ayeka/Ryoko fan club wars bit?”

The humming-giggles still continue.

“You two can be freaky when you want to, ya know.”

After more `humming'.

“Okay, if it doesn't have to do with Japanese to English crossover translations, I'm lost, a hint here anybody?”

“~ Women in the series/fics make the decisions regarding love over a man's decisions. Hardly a surprise really. ~”

Al looks at Sasami like she's cancer riddled all of a sudden. “Did Washu inject you with something? *cleaning ears out with fingers* I swore I heard something like...”

“~ You did beloved. ~”

Al now has reason to freak! “Whoa whoa... wh.. WHOA WAIT A BLASTED.. YOU MEAN TO SAY...!!”

“~ So you want him at what time again? ~”

“HEY!!!”

Tsunami though waggles a finger. “~ You have to earn him first. You can't jump all over him just like that and.. ~”

“WHO SAYS YOU CAN AT ALL!?!? WHAT ABOUT THE DANG BLANKITY-BLANK MST BIT AND ALL THAT FROM EARLIER, HUH?!?!” The celestials nearby hold their ears from the volume, which even shakes a few angelic leaves from the trees. Sasami pats her ears as Tsui scolds. “~ Dear, you'll only hurt your throat by yelling like that. Besides.. ~”

“DON'T GIMME THAT TSUI! I KNOW YOU TWO JUST MADE THAT ALL UP!! I swear it was, I know it!!”

Sasami and Tsunami suddenly level at Al at the same time. Creepy actually. “~ Really. When was the last time you saw a Tenchi anime where he made a decision, huh? Save for the good guy stuff. ~”

Al sees Sasami's point, still.. “Well, he's cool like that. Wait, I mean.. Still this is..”

“~ I call Tuesdays and Fridays then. ~”

“STOP THAT!!!”

“~ I still say you have to earn that privilege Sasami. ~”

Al turns to the bemused peanut gallery then back at his.. um.. whatever they are at the moment.. “Is there a moral thing against this in this Core place or SOMETHING!?!?” ..and back.. “I thought you two were arguing over me worse than.. ah.. I.. great I lost my train of thought.”

Al blanks out mentally for a moment, wondering how his family would think of all this. He then finds some other leverage to use to save his ability to sleep soundly. “What about Mommy dearest Achika? *WAGGING FINGER!!* HAH!! Didn't see that coming I bet! She's not even alive in most of fics and the anime! HAH!! HAHAH...”

“~ Funny huh? ~”

Al stops laughing... “Achika is behind me right?” The teal duo nod their heads. And a mortal sigh.. “I'm gonna die.”

Achika with Funaho still closeby watches, the former deity mentioned with a `unamused' smirk on her exquisite façade. “~ Up or down button is the question. ~”

A mortal finds dire need of a salvation prayer as two teal deities quip back and forth about `their' prize. Funaho meanwhile rubs her head. “(~ The next Council session is going to be something. ~)”

Suddenly, as if this all wasn't enough.

“BUT STILL I......... eh?

*AGLOW!!!* ....aww come ON!!!”

Al's latest emotional burst `sets off' the Band again, as suddenly, with the golden display mentioned earlier on in this suddenly nonsense driven fic... “~ DEAR!! ~/~ SENSEI!! ~”

Achika then smacks her forehead as Al disappears AGAIN!! “~ That boy needs to be hog-tied down. ~”

*Gl-eep!!* “(~ Lady Funaho here. Better restart the search Administrator Tokimi. *garbled curse is discerned.* Yes.. yes I know milady, but such language for the said mortal? *not so garbled `curse'.* Aye, a given. Thank you Admin. *Celestial wrist-comm: off* Wonder where she garnered that `dialect'. ~)”

Tsunami becomes `helpful'. “~ She was on the Mortal Plane for a time remember Lady Funaho. ~”

Funaho looks anime-cutely thoughtful. “(~ Goodness me. ~)”

Achika just moans. “~ I'll lay blame unto him for it too. Just for kicks. ~”

=========

*Some time later in Core Central.

Al: *HEAVY STAMMERED BREATHING!!!*

“I.. I thought I was going to.... I...”

“~ Now dear, it's fine. ~”

“After what I SAW!?!? I.. I just can't..”

“~ It's alright Sensei dearest. ~”

Finally back in the.. um.. graces of Tsunami and Sasami, as activity back in the Central Platform returns to normalcy, though not without low tones comment on what the mortal witnessed just a short time ago, the said mortal just sits and tries to regain sanity after his latest experience tryst. Achika even has returned to her good natured motherly bit, as Tokimi and Funaho comment on above about System matters. Better than wondering `how' such all occurred.

One of Sasami's attendants meanwhile, helping with a small fan to cool the stressed mortal... “~ Still, it all has to be a certainly memorable trip to the Heavenly Core. ~”

Sasami waves a finger silently, and the assistant clamps her yap obediently.

“~ Still... ~” Tsunami starts, as she pets Al's `very' jittery melon. “~ ...what are the odds the Band would send you `there' at that very moment and time, of such a rare meeting? I mean, They haven't been seen together for ANYTHING in ages. Well, not including the Cosine Event and subsequent Reinitialization

Goodness dear, how come you get so lucky? ~” Tsunami puts with a curious hand on her chin. Al's take though..

“WHO SAYS I AM!?! *Ack* ...too *weak* hard.”

Sasami just gives Aleaic some water as Tsui fans him as well.

======

*One hour ago.*

“~ So how was it Kiyone? ~”

Heh, surprised ya huh?

Keturia, Caladeni and Mayuka stop what they are doing, as the sound of a the Naisthan Rolaa SUV fades away. Mayuka's voice carries the question. The answer is more gleaned from facial expression alone, one Mayuka isn't quite keen on as of yet.

Her mortal accompaniment though know far better.

“Don't tell me on the first date.....?” Caladeni pegs, making Kiyone stop.

Kiyone thinks before then.. “~ There's a reason my Portfolio is Duty you should know. But it gets more private from there. Pardon me please. ~”

Three stunned fems then watch the celestial Detective does something else, as she trails off towards the Shrine Guest abode.

She hums quite seductively.

“Whoa.” Keturia simply puts. It's accented however with... “~ Crests of the spring waves. ~”

The other two then eye Mayuka with a `where'd-you-learn-that' look.

======

*Okay.. the REAL: One hour ago..*

*Disoriented...

...someplace in Heaven.

...'again'.*

When he recovers this time, Al feels only a warm though hard feeling upon his back and head, and a shimmering, yet dull texture that makes up marble. “Okay... in a coffin in a church. Have to be. Can't be anything else. It was a good life. Full of...”

A side rolling head glance side to side tells otherwise. “Dang.. still Heaven... I guess. Um... or...” ...a raised head look at a rather strange shadow cast with a set of thin wisps of... red? “What the light?”

After managing to sit up and clear his head, and then shaking his head at the Band again.. “Apparently we need to have a chat chum.” ..said to the glowing gift given to him, he then slowly stands, and begins to customarily look around. To him by now, much of Heaven looks about the same, all majestic, filled with rich looking structures and gorgeous shrubbery. The soft, warm, comfortable air is a nice touch.

Except for the strange, shadowy `glow' area he noted. Almost on instinct, as he looks back upon it, a chill runs along his skin reflexively. “Uh.. kay. Goose bumps usually mean something.”

Plainly and bluntly with no idea where to go THIS time, he lets curiosity guide him again. “Wonder how my skeleton would look here instead.” ..said aloud, thinking no one is near. He then starts towards this area rather cautiously.

Each step taken in this direction though garners a slow, deep, and imposingly raw emotional response. The problem is that he can't identify which one it is. Each step simply bumps all of them up at once! It's all of only about twenty steps to the corner towards what looks like a open air garden of sorts.

That twenty steps starts off as meager increases of said emotions, but swiftly become swamping in effect. The last few are such a wall of them. What could cause such an emotional wave, the query that keeps him going forward, instead of back, where any other sane person would begotten. As he finally lays sight on the cause of his nigh mania... “(But.... but this.......... isn't........... what I..........)”

There's always been an ideal spawned by human imagination of what one might see if they were at the cusp between Heaven and Hell itself. Images usually were pseudo-human driven. Angels, devils, pearly clouds and statues of grotesque terror. Something along these lines seem to dominate human imagination.

There's variations of course...

And then Al witnesses a `different' reality.

“H.. how could there.................... be galaxies.............. here?!”

Up to this point, the imagery seen by this mortal guest have been what he expected. He always thought something wasn't right about all that. Now, as celestial imagery versions of what he once saw, during his trip to the Gardon/Terran trade zone at the Polaris-V Station with his father, ply ;'across' his mortal vision, he's silently glad deep inside he's been proven wrong. (In some way at least.)

A near mirror, yet utterly different scapes, of whole structures, of celestial bodies exist in sight here. The far background of heavenly blush and silver-whites and hellish blood black and iron rust-red, pigment `actual' galaxies of many class structures, panning around both on high and deep below into forever each! `Closer' still are nebulae, planets, whole systems and many other obviously non-standard structures, such as a planetary Ringworld `band' of some kind that extends well into both the celestial and infernal `zones'. Actually a number of them do. `Quite' a few at that.

What makes this a reminder of where this all really and truly is, is the expected effect of heavenly clouds and infernal red smoke that crowns each the eternal starscapes. The `border' between these two realms are in the general sense, of the proper up and down. But the `border' itself is very fluid, as if it was a melding mist layer upon a horizon, a strange marriage as much as an invasion into each other's `space', so to speak. Strangest of all, the sight of beautifully glinting stars from afar and seemingly near exist in simult in both `realms'.

This all exists within a immense overlook that floats within it all, apparently with the pathway Al came in from, as the only apparent tether here. The whole mixed style marble and onyx structure, that could easily pass for a Greco-Roman structure of the ancient mode so far removed of time, just floats in the midst of this.. well.. genesis. A mix of green grass and lovely flowers, are assorted with less than majestic weed rot and untold types of infernal weeds, reeds and so much the ugly.

Still, the meld of two realms into one, where he imagines he `shouldn't' even be in, gives him mind of something he considers for the two realms he so intertwined with now. So much so, that it'd cause a great schism of change form them both in the very near future. Still, for the moment at present.

“Such......................... beauty.”

It then becomes of Aleaic, as he takes this all in all of a sudden, of where he is considering the imagery, of what Tsunami somehow just imparted upon him. The clarity becomes words spoken.

“Pandemonium Gate. How the heck did the Band get me to `this' place of all............... all..........

.................. *begins to shake DEEPLY...* ...........no................. no way.”

The immediate area seems empty except for this lost traveler. Yet Aleaic feels two `distinct' forces that are FAR too familiar to him. Somewhere, They are also quite close, though direction is not given.

“I wana go home. Now.”

Aleaic wrenches his fears down hard, and decides upon a hasty retreat. He however then turns and can't find the pathway he came from! “HUH!? B.. B.. B. B.. But it was just THERE!?? Jeeze!!” Al begins to looks everywhere in a panic! “I.. I.. I REALLY wana go home now..!!” Left, right, up, down, over the edge, left and right again with.... huh?

Something was `there' when he looked up. When he looks again, he nearly screams!!

Al dives QUICKLY behind a large white marble colonnade, which is where the heavy breathing part from two sections ago comes from. “*Heavy stammering!!* It can't be! It just can't be! I can't take more of this!!”

He holds his head and his hair, before he starts to crane his neck around the sheen, grooved notches and looks again. He decides not to try to fathom this, only that what he sees can `only' be.....

One is a Halo incarnate, as a intense corona around... huh? It looks humanoid within?

The other... Oh Light. It's impossible to dare know of anything so intensely Dark as one that `only' could be... Him. Upon recognizing as much as he dares, he dives his head back and shakes immensely.

“(Just.. just.. just `why' the HECK do I have to be the one to see these things!? The.. the Brothers themselves!?!? But I'm too damn lowly to dare see this! I think it's time to leave! Someone please!)”

He looks to where the exit path `should' be, not even TRYING to involve himself in this whatsoever! But still no way out. In the end, the only thing his panicked emotions manages to eke out. “(Tsui `please' get me out of... eh?!)”

One phasic moment later. “~ You only need ask. ~”

Al sees his eternal beloved, and grafts on instantly in a hug! “OHTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!! Leave please, so now!!”

Tsunami giggles, but then looks up before complying. “~ The strangest moments you choose to impede upon Beloved. ~”

Al looks at Tsui like she's drunk on cake. “But I.. I just..”

Tsunami only smiles back and finally takes the poor sap from this Nigh Panorama. But just as they enter the Spell Portal Tsui creates.

“{{{{{~ Thou manners need improvement. ~}}}}}”

The words from `Him' cut deep as the two lovers depart. Frazzling as it TOTALLY were!!

And so after.. “::[~ Thou see thus as necessary? ~]::”

“{{{{{~ Indeed. My time is short without interruptions so trivial. ~}}}}}”

The Father shakes His head within the terribly bright Halo corona. “::[~ Then I will digress. You were speaking of the Insurrectors? ~]::”

`He' returns his flaming black gaze of Terror upon his Brother. “{{{{{~ They are moving already. The time is upon us Both. ~}}}}}”

The Father.... sighs?

========

*Finally back at the Portal.*

Aleaic is `closely' flanked by his heavenly entourage, not without cause though. (For more than one demonstrated reason.) Tsui and Sasami, with Ryo-ohki and Ken-ohki on the latter's shoulders, hold tightly onto Al's arms, as Achika stands behind/between Al and Tsui. Tokimi and Funaho stand across from them upon the Gate back to Earth, ala Washu's Lab.

“Guess I made a royal arse grade nuisance of myself, huh?”

A number of nods comply, but Funaho echoes the lighthearted nature intended. “(~ It has however been an enlightening experience for us as well Lord Aleaic. It's good to keep the Admins on their toes at times like these. ~)”

Achika and Tokimi respectively though reply back to this.. “~ I'm more wondering if it all was necessary like this. ~”

“~ I'm more wondering if this is a way to get back at me for my time on the Mortal Plane with this lunk head. ~”

Aleaic just chuckles to both. But also cringes a bit as two teal deities cuddle a bit too close. “This isn't what I'm used to. What a vacation.”

Achika meanwhile shakes her head and looks at Funaho after. “~ How long will you be remaining here milady? I thought you were interested in remaining on the Mortal Plane a while longer? ~” Funaho replies back with a wink-smile and a finger. “(~ I have immediate priorities here before I return. Besides, I can't let my Sister have all the fun. Especially with what mortals are like in person. ~)”

The celestials giggle and laugh much to Aleaic's discomfort. “Oh yeah. At one's expense indeed.”

Finally, a short trip through the Portal Gate and two deities are left alone.

“~ Just out of curiosity, why `would' the Band pick such coincidental places to send the Mortal like that? Washu never said it even `had' that ability anyway. ~” Tokimi huffs. Funaho rubs her chin in response. “(~ I am not sure. But I think there's obviously more to the Band than what it was intended for. I'll have a discussion with Lady Washu when I return about this.

But then `we' need to finish our own discussion dealing with the word from Father. ~)”

Tokimi looks uncharacteristically dour suddenly. “~ I'm not sure I want to. This one I'd prefer to avoid. ~”

*****************************

=============

*****************************

*Kerensky residence, one thankfully quiet morning later.*

The Shrine Garden area is filled with the similar serene morning atmosphere, echoed of far off hover traffic and bustle of the day. This more in close though, with a mortal family as they gather around the defunct head of the hold present. (That's Al, not Terrai to clarify. If that even `does' clarify.) The females of the group keep looking dourly at their youngest brother/son as Terrai remains neutral with his own broom, quite comfortable in a simple shrine robe.

“We leave you alone with one lady, and you bring back two?”

“I left with both of em you know mom.”

“You `know' what I mean twit-son-o-mine.”

Aleaic meanwhile is trying hard to simply sweep up some leaves from the ground, though quite bluntly, he's not doing a good job of it, what between his current predicament and his family's prodding resultantly. Jeain is leading the moral charge at the moment. (It's fun for the lasses at least. Something new to egg the bloke with.)

“I keep telling you mom, I had `no' clue Sasami was like this? I.. well, it's true she and Tsui are the same, but.. well, so different at the same time. I mean.. man, I'm confused again!”

“Bro, it's just so weird.” Keturia then nags away with. “And I was used to seeing Sasami as it was, the way everything seemed normal. Great job for screwing that up.”

Al cocks an eye back. “Normal? After everything we've witnessed? Normal isn't what `we' make of it anymore. That's for certain.”

“Maybe that's a certain way to look at things, as much as a failing.” Terrai puts forth, adding.. “We are a species that likes to see things in a limited scope, despite the fact things are always changing around us. Still, we never expect to see such striking changes such as these. Especially in our own extended family.”

Al sighs looking at his father. “Well, acceptance isn't easy. Achika still is refraining from talking to me for the moment. Haven't found Tenchi readily to get his views on all this. I.. I `really' don't know how to handle this. I was already having enough problems without this. I.. I don't want to `see' this as a problem. Kinda hard enough with everything else I learned and saw up there. I need some old fashioned meds.”

“That's you Bro, problem megacity”

“Thanks Luriena. Peachy of ya.”

“~ You may have bigger problems than even I realized. ~” ..which garners a bevy of head turns towards the present-sudden-like, resident celestial genius. “Pardon?” Caladeni puts. Aleaic just groans, and stumbles up to the spiky red-head. “Um.. what does..”

Washu suddenly nabs Al's arm, ala Band latched. “OW! HEY!!” Washu looks intently at the Band next.

“~ Funaho didn't take long by the way, and she was right. Looks like I apparently miscalculated, though I wonder if Tsunami did. ~” She takes out some strange eye piece that only she knows the purpose of, and begins deeply inspecting the Band. As everyone else looks on, and Al endures, Yosho and Mayuka emerge from the Office. Al starts off before being interrupted.. “What do you..”

“~ What's Washu doing to Al's arm this time? ~” Mayuka asks, making Alusair look over. “'This time'?”

Ket adds `helpfully'.. “Oh there was that time Washu tested a virus potion. Well, not tested, more it `was' a simple mistake when Mihoshi accidentally made her spray it onto Brother's arm and.. um... ohhh, didn't need to remember all that.”

Al turns GREEN, remembering he had more `arms' on his right side than an octopus had limbs, for an hour and a half! And adieu.. “AHHHHH!! LEMMEGOWASHU!! WAWAWAHAHA!! Not OCTOPUSS GUY AGAIN!!!”

“~ Oh hush, it's only an Astral scan. ~” Washu calmly says, her apparent strength pinning Al's arm in place. Al calms down before.. “Wait a tic. Those scans usually mean..

AHHHHH!! LEMMEGOWASHU!! WAWAWAHAHA!! I DON'T WANA KNOW ANYTHING!!!”

Washu just rolls her free eye and finishes, letting Al be a side show attraction for his family for a moment. “So spirited..” Jeain comments.

“~ Just as I thought. ~” Washu starts, and Al stops finally, pulled muscles and all. “What.”

“~ Apparently the Band became a catalyst, increasing characteristics that seem to attract certain celestials upon certain levels. I'd have to investigate this further what this really means. The emotional waveguides alone are an interesting study, after everything that happened. ~”

Al finally pulls his arm away from Washu. “I SAID.. *grunt* ..I don't wana know!!” .. “~ Well pardon me then.. ~” Washu injects back, sight through eye piece. “~ For the moment. ~”

“{~ Hey Sensei. ~}” Al looks over rubbing his wrist underneath the Band. “Aye?”

“{~ A couple of little goddesses want to see you for something. Still don't quite get it all though. ~}” Al gulp-sighs, and walks past the others and then past Ryoko. “You and me both goddess babe.” Ryoko for once smirks a giggle in response rather than a retort.

“Where's Lady Achika anyway Lady Ryoko? I haven't seen her since breakfast just before my son woke up. What was all that banging around upstairs last night anyway?” Jeain pegs a bit too far. Ryoko puts with Washu chuckling.

“{~ Don't ask about the latter. As for Achika, she's kinda upset right now, sorry. ~}” Jeain looks over at her husband in response. “I hope she's okay.” Terrai places a comforting hand on her shoulder. “She will I imagine.”

Far off just then, Ayeka's voice can be heard calling around for Tenchi, sweet little nothings included. Ryoko of course.. “{~ HEY THERE PRISS PROGRAM!! HE'S MINE TODAY!! ~}”

*Far off* “~ Get real Lady Scuzz-for-brains, it's my turn today!! ~”

Ryoko = *GROWLING-PHASE PORT!!*

The fireworks don't take long, as does the clouds of dust in reaction from Program Spell-Bolt impacts!!

“I think I liked it more quiet just a moment ago!” Alusair yells with eyes shielded despite, as much as the rest. Yosho groans as Mayuka silently considers Mihoshi her `only' Mom for a brief moment. “~ Better handle the particulars apparently. ~” Yosho then floats off into the maelstrom of fur-flying. Keturia cheers from afar with a mini `Yosho-flag', with the others looking at her like she's a Gardon.

“You scare me Sis.”

“Just cheer already Cal.”

-----

Aleaic meanwhile heads into the main residence assuming of whom requested him. Upon reaching the living area, and ignoring the cataclysm of the day outside.. “I'm here ladies! What be the need for..”

He never sees the portal that `drops' him up into the deep bamboo forest from beneath his feet!!

“WHA!?! *THUDDD!!* Owwwwwwwwww.....” Face first no less...

“~ And now topos.. ~”

Al feels his blood freeze suddenly.. “Oh just peachy.”

A raised side glance reveals the deity of the Wheel of Time. “Kalacakra.”

“~ Forget me not Sensei-chan, or of my sen. ~” ..says the gravimetric goddess Inryoku, wrapping her limbs unabashed around Al's chest from behind, hunched over as he is.

Al of course has no dialect for Egyptian, and shrugs the words off, trying hard the same to ignore the touch accompanied. “I think Tsui and Sasami wanted to see me. Please return me as I expect. Now.”

The duo slit their eyes as such felines do. “~ Not until you face the consequences of the Addendum youngeth. We have our own agenda as well to complete. ~” The temporal beauty of crystal skin and metallic mane flip curls to float over Aleaic, whom still in Inryoku's clutch. In doing so though, she summons.. “Lords immortal.” ..her Angel, a sheer being of pure liquid Sapphire from slender body, exquisitely long mane and extravagant wings of the same color/material. The glowing white cloud at attachment helps little to dour the majesty. “~ So now `we' will pursue our agenda, and gain what Tsunami stole from us.

You will know why quickly mortal. ~” Kalacakra then caresses Al's stunned face with her Angel's wing feathers, shocked more upon how soft they are despite looks.

Inryoku giggles. “~ Careful Senet, he will require `some' sentience to help us in our task. ~”

Al though looks blankly with.. “Am I being kidnapped again?”

The giggles that respond forth are `not' a good sign.

-------

*Worse above.*

A well hidden Infernal Hex Portal tells the arrival of Nagi's and Minagi's `help' from the Infernal depths.

“{{~ Seduction and Possession at your service, Lady of Hunters. ~}}”

Nagi looks over the two most terrifying Demons in the Infernal hierarchy with disdain. The formal greeting is for all show since the resentment between the parties is as strained as it gets. But Nagi knew what she was doing when the plan called for dealing with such a host of Alpha Dimensionals surrounding their mutual target. The Big Score would need this kind of deviant muscle.

“{~ Then begin and complete the task so that we can `all' leave this putrid place. I keep having nightmares as it is every night here that passes. This place needs to be burned utterly. ~}”

“{{~ Heh. ~}}” Sakuya responds again, as Haruna looks about the residence for the first time. “{{~ You never were one for appreciation of the finer things. For you see Agent, if it were not for the plums of beauty that grew here, `we' wouldn't have targets so worthy of our time. It all works out as the Great Ones envisioned, in the End of things. Our cog has it's own place as well. ~}}”

Nagi just shrugs that off. “{~ Just do your job. Get it? The hell with the utter rest. ~}”

Haruna sidelong glances Sakuya. “{{~ We may have more of a problem than we anticipate. I can feel the Infernal Progress report was correct, the mirror has Ascended. And look... ~}}” Seduction points to Aleaic's nearby predicament with Gravity and Time. Possession reads this with terrible clarity. “*CLENCHED FIST* {{~ It's PERFECT! I can feel the restrained vibes from here! That discomfort is the true sign that his heart is unstable!

I feel the Big One waiting to be cashed upon ladies. *glances at Minagi* So to speak.. ~}}”

Minagi is slightly growing tired of this. More than.

Nagi suddenly raises the Hex Shield up as.. “{~ Quiet! The other Alphas are approaching. ~}”

Then, just as Tsunami and Sasami's `twin' voices are heard approaching, a bright flare encapsulates where Aleaic just `was'!!

Haruna is impressed, in a fashion her own... “{{~ Dear... outright abducted. And the chase is on. ~}}”

The twin Demon Alphas suddenly phase away all their own, making Minagi sigh relief. “{~ Such wretched auras. ~}”

“{~ Quiet you. They're close. ~}”

Nagi's words profess truth, as Tsunami reaches the napping area first. The look on her face is `not' cute. “{~ Can the deity of happiness be `that' mad? ~}” Minagi whispers. Nagi smirks. “{~ Nay. I can tell jealousy anywhere and anytime. ~}” She recognizes little better than that from Sasami as well when the twin teals look at each other, `knowing'.

A major Soul battle has just begun.

===

*Tekomi Server-Comm Trade Complex.. The roof, some 1,524 stories above.*

A final, silent portal opens, as an agent of an ominous third party emerges, clad in a deep reddish-gray cloak. That in fact is the `only' visible detail of this individual, deliberately kempt of shadow thus.

What lies invisible, is a heaven incarnite struck terror, one not even the hells would endure creating.

One that seeks information to progress the Abscond Rift.

And one starts by quietly phasing about the city to find it's source.

The one most revered by this self professed, loathsome civilization.

(End Part Eight (Version 8.5) ...)

====

(Tenchi: “So much for my dialogue.”

Achika: *Patting Tenchi's Head* “There there.”

Tenchi: *Bland look and sigh* )