Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Underneath it All ❯ Epilouge ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
Disclaimer: I do not own Tenchi Muyo… shocking isn’t it?
Underneath it All
By Ovrboost
Epilogue
Every end has a beginning, and every beginning has its end. In this case, the end is the beginning. However, in order for one to begin, first one must walk through the door. The keys to which now sit heavily on a dimly lit table. The old keys, dotted with spots of rust, were accompanied on the table by a cup of tea, which had went cold some time ago. Standing, back ram-rod straight, glasses glinting slightly with the light of the rising sun, is Yosho. His weathered, and wrinkled face set in a severe, yet thoughtful, gaze focused seemingly on nothing in particular. His mind, however was busy focusing upon the events the last seven hundred years. Much has happened.
Traveling the country, meeting the native people, and seeing the land of this beautiful world. Of course more than one continent was covered, some more hospitable than others. For some reason, however, he was drawn back to the place he would later learn to be Japan. Learning the customs, culture, and language of these people was challenging, but fulfilling. It was over the first ten years that he had fallen in love with this world. It was so primitive, it seemed almost like a small child learning, and trying to truly speak for the first time, and for a time, he was able to forget the majority of his troubles. That is until he returned to the cave.
In the six hundred years that Yosho had traveled, the area had grown over any obvious signs of the battle that had taken place, though the surrounding forest still bore a large scar from the crash, made obvious by the significantly younger trees within. In the center of which, a small lake had collected from the spring rains, a grand tree gracing it’s center. That fact had brought a smile to his face. He had known beforehand that his tree was alive, and well, standing watch over Ryoko, yet that was the first time Yosho had actually set eyes on his reincarnated space tree. The most noticeable change, however, was the Shinto shrine that sat atop a nearby hill.
Curious as to why this site was chosen for the shrine, Yosho traversed the long stairway to the top. Once there, he set about finding the priest. It didn’t take long, before he found the curious old man busily sweeping at the stone courtyard. Over several cups of tea, the old man answered his questions. Apparently, a local legend proclaimed that an ancient warrior had slain a demon on these grounds after having fallen from the heavens. That particular story had sent a chill up Yosho’s spine. After a little pleading, and convincing, the old man took Yosho on as an apprentice. Unfortunately it was a rushed course, as the old man died of heart failure after six months of training his pupil. Over the course of those six months, the two had become friends of sorts. Yosho pledged to the man upon his funeral, that he would take good care of his beloved shrine. After some thought, Yosho could think of no better way of honoring his former sensei’s memory than by taking his surname as his own, from that day forward he was to be known as Katsuhito Masaki. He later explained to regular patrons of the shrine that he was the late priest’s son. And so it began.
Yosho Lovingly tended to the shrine, and the surrounding grounds. For several years, he would often find himself sitting outside of the cave in which Ryoko was imprisoned. Though he always felt her presence, it wasn’t till later that he finally realized that much of the times he visited, she would be silently watching. Exactly how she managed to manifest herself outside of the cave dumbfounded him, but he credits that ability with saving her sanity. After much hesitation, on both sides, the two actually began to talk for the first time in over six centuries.
Then he fell in love… with another women. That spring, Yosho was wed to a young girl from the nearby village. They later built a house by the lake where they started their family. Over the years Yosho allowed himself to prematurely age so his family would suspect nothing of their true heritage. Much to his shame, the frequency of his talks with Ryoko dwindled quickly during this period. Even after his wife’s death, Yosho did not speak with Ryoko. Spending more, and more time at the shrine. Even if he had tried, she would have ignored him, feeling that she was yet again betrayed, and abandoned by the man. Left to rot as it were in the pit he had made for her. Consequently, Ryoko’s apparition became less, and less of a fixture atop the cave, as she slowly descended into madness. That is until a little boy came toddling up to the mouth of the cave. Yosho suspected that his grandson felt Ryoko’s presence as over the years he became a frequent fixture at the mouth of he cave, especially following the death of his mother.
Now, after seven hundred years of imprisonment, Yosho plans to make good on the pledge he made on that fateful day, so long ago. Yosho had peaked his grandson’s interest in the cave by forbidding his entrance, yet skillfully making it obvious as to who holds the keys, should the boy want to try. It took little encouragement to convince Ryoko to play nice, which was surprising, yet not unexpected. Perhaps she can find in Tenchi, what he could not provide…
The rustling of papers in his office alerted Yosho to the suspected intruder. A wistful smile played over his face, as he snatched the keys from the table and stood before the door leading into the office where Tenchi Masaki was earnestly searching for the keys to his future. This should be interesting thought Yosho, as he forcefully slid open the door. Very interesting….
…and so it begins.
A/N: Took awhile, and it’s shorter than I originally planned, I know, but here it is as promised. I’m glad to finally be finished with this, as it all ways seemed to be hanging over my head while writing other fics. Especially now since I’m writing more often. Hell, I’ve already burned through a moderately sized pile of novels. Here’s a quick run down; Battle Royale, Red Storm Rising, Without Remorse, In Harm’s Way, Rainbow Six, State of the Union, Band of Brothers, Against All Enemies, Clear and Present Danger, The Longest Winter.. And a few more that I can’t remember right now, along with all the good fan fiction I can find….most notably, Eva fics. Five of those being in the last three weeks. It’s almost scary when I think about it. But, eight hours of dedicated reading time a day tends to do that… at least when I’m not forced to work, or getting shot at by insurgent mortars and rockets. We had a couple come too close yesterday. Ugh, I hate this god-awful place. Anyways, enough of my rambling… Thanks for reading .
~Rob
P.S. Shrapnel sucks, especially when it rips your sleeping bag apart in the middle of the Iraqi winter. Oh yea, it DOES get cold here… damn cold.