Outtake #1: Kyoda discovers Tenchi’s secret.

To set the scene: This scene takes place in Osaka, beginning during an exchange of words between Tenchi and Kane over the subject of alien life. This was the original way in which Kyoda was going to find out about Tenchi’s Jurai power. But it sucked. So I ditched it ^_^.

It was originally going to be a part of the Tenchi and Ryoko final “wedding” story”Kaizoku no Kekkonshiki” that later morphed into the intergalactic warfest known as “Operation Eradicate”.

"For the last time, Kyoda, will you let it go!"

Tenchi exclaimed, glowering at his former friend. "I don't care what Ryoko has been in the past and I don't care where she came from. I love her and I'm going to marry her. That's all that matters. I know all about her pirate history and I don't care!"

"How can you even say that?" Kane's eyes narrowed to slits. "She's pillaged planets galore, and you want to just forgive and forget?"

"Her Great Uncle, the Emperor of Jurai has done so." Tenchi said blackly. "I don't think it's any of your business, considering."

"I won't have a monster like that on our planet!" Kane exclaimed, launching himself at Tenchi who, taken off guard, found himself tumbling backwards onto the concrete as his companion's fist made contact with his jaw. "She's bewitched you and you're too blind to see it! She's nothing but a monster, Masaki, and who knows what they're really planning! This woman of yours, she's not one of us. Why don't you see sense!"

"Stop it, the both of you!" Sakura demanded, hurrying towards them as she grabbed hold of Kane's sleeve, trying to pull him back. "Kyoda, get a grip on yourself. Stop this! It's a free world and Ryoko hasn't hurt anyone. At least wait until she has done, before you start calling her names and making accusations."

"She was a pirate, Ito-san!" Kane glared up at her, as Tenchi scrambled to his feet. "Do you know what that means? Do you realise how much she robbed and destroyed while she ran riot across the universe? She's been in prison, and she's used those dark powers of hers to blow up more than just an Osaka nightclub. She did it for fun, Sakura! For fun! What kind of friend do you think she really is, huh? This is nothing more than another one of her games. Why don't you see that!"

"Kyoda!" Tenchi gritted his teeth, tensing as if to restart the conflict, but Sakura stepped between them, shaking her head.

"Stop this." She repeated. "Both of you. Calm down and discuss it, rationally."

"There's no rationality, with him so blind he can't even see the demon right in front of him." Kane spat out. "I've only been looking out for him, but he's totally under her spell. He doesn't get it, Sakura. You none of you do. This woman is dangerous. There's proof. She's not innocent and I'd be surprised if she was on the Earth's side. There's proof of it, I tell you. Proof!"

"So what if there is?"

Ryoko's voice startled the group at that moment, as she materialised before them, daintily setting down on the edge of the railing as she folded her arms across her chest. "It's true what they say...you do know when someone is talking about you behind your back."

"Ryoko!" Tenchi gazed up at her in surprise and consternation. Ryoko nodded, her eyes expressionless as she surveyed them all.

"Yes, Kyoda-san, I was a pirate." She added softly. "I destroyed my way across thirteen planetary systems and I evaded captivity for a very long time. I stole a lot of things, and I blew up a lot of buildings. It was a game. A life I enjoyed. And I have no shame or regrets about it whatsoever."

"But Ryoko...?" Sakura stared at her uncertainly, and Kane pointed his finger at the newcomer, triumphant.

"You see what I mean?" He exclaimed. "She is a monster!"

"Perhaps I am." Ryoko shrugged her shoulders. "But I've told you before, Kyoda-san. If you have a problem with me, tell me to my face. Don't go after Tenchi, because he's not going to bite. Your paranoia isn't going to drive a wedge between us, you know. Tenchi's known my history pretty much since he met me. He knows that I was a pirate, and he's aware of the things I've done - probably more so than you even are, when it comes down to it. As you said, I've spent time in prison for my crimes. Do you know why that was?"

"You got cocky and you got caught." Kane glared at her, and Ryoko shook her head.

"Please. You think the Galaxy Police stood a chance of reeling me in?" She demanded. "Spare me your naivety. Of course not."

"Ryoko gave herself up into their custody, to protect the Earth from harm." Tenchi said quietly, his temper cooling as he registered the look on his fiancee's face. "She surrendered herself to them because she knew that if she didn't, they'd hunt her down all over this world and she didn't want to cause pain to the people who lived here. That was because this was my world, Kyoda. And Ryoko loves me. That's why."

"That's so romantic!" Sakura's eyes became wide, and Ryoko sent her a rueful smile, a faint flush in her cheeks at Tenchi's words.

"I wouldn't have put it quite that way." She acknowledged. "But yeah. That's more or less the case."

"So you think that we should just let it go? All your vandalism and crimes and stuff?" Kane demanded. "Not likely!"

"I don't care if you do or if you don't." Ryoko said evenly. "It's not really my concern, because I don't care about you at all. I just want you to leave Tenchi and I to ourselves. That's all."

"So what are you going to do, to ensure that?" Kane clenched his fists. "Are you going to kill me, then?"

"Don't be stupid." Ryoko was scathing. "I've never killed anyone yet and I don't intend to start by slaying an inconsequential earthling. I might be a pirate, but I don't go round slaughtering defenceless ingrates. No matter how rude they are."

"Do you expect me to believe that? That you've never killed anyone, with all your demon powers?"

"I am not a demon!" Ryoko's eyes flickered angrily at this, and despite himself Kane took a step back. "I'm Juraian and I'm Kii. Maybe even Arian. But I am not demonic, so get your facts straight before you go calling me names!"

"Ryoko, go back to Sakura's apartment." Tenchi intervened at that point, reaching up to squeeze her hand. "Sakura and I will join you in a while - but this isn't going to get anyone anywhere, and we don't want to cause a scene."

Ryoko gazed at him for a moment, then she sighed, shaking her head.

"All right." She said quietly. "I guess you're right. I guess I'll see you there."

With that she flickered and disappeared out of view, and Kane folded his arms across his chest.

"A demon, a pirate and a coward." He said flatly. "Masaki, you really do have odd taste in women."

"Perhaps you're just jealous because I have a woman. And you don't." Tenchi said coolly. "Sakura, let's leave him to himself. We're never going to change his mind."

"I agree." Sakura sighed, sending Kane a regretful look. "It sucks, but you're right. Let's go."

"Hey, I'm not done yet!" Kane objected, charging at his former friend once more and knocking him off balance. With a yell Tenchi fell back against the railing, Sakura falling against him as she tripped over her friend's flailing legs. Unable to check his own fall, Kane tumbled on top of the pile as the old metal bar creaked and came loose, giving way with the sudden weight that had been thrust against it. Sakura let up wild shrieks as they tumbled over the bank and down towards the railway track, falling with a clatter against the steel rails as they struggled to get their bearings.

"You idiot, Kyoda, now look what you've done!" Tenchi pulled himself to his feet, glaring at his foe as he did so. "The sides are steep and how are we supposed to get out before a train comes?"

"It's your own fault, for falling over like the klutz you are." Kane snapped back. "Don't blame me. And if your stupid fiancee hadn't been dancing all over the rail, it probably would have held."

"Geez, you're going to blame Ryoko for this as well? Give me a break!" Tenchi exclaimed.

"You guys...will you stop it?" Sakura's voice interrupted the dispute faintly at that moment, and Tenchi turned, consternation crossing his expression as he registered his friend's pallor. She was clutching her foot, and as he looked, he could see that a couple of nasty gashes had begun to ooze blood through her white socks.

"Sakura!" He dropped down at her side, Kane forgotten for the time being. "You're hurt!"

"My foot is...is stuck and I can't move it." Sakura swallowed hard, and Tenchi slipped his arm gently around her shoulders, supporting her. "I'm trapped, Tenchi...can you help me get it out?"

"Let me see." Tenchi frowned, pushing dirt and debris away from his friend's ankle as he surveyed the problem. "I think it's your shoe, Sakura...if we can get your foot out of it, we can get you off the track. Kyoda, will you give me a hand? Sakura's hurt and she needs our help."

"Sakura?" Kane stared at her uncertainly, then, as he registered the blood, he nodded his head. "Sure, of course. Hold still, Ito-san. We'll get you out."

"We'll try not to hurt you, but it might ache a bit, while we do this." Tenchi warned, as he struggled to work his fingers under the sole of her shoe, trying to free it. "And the shoe really is wedged. We will have to take your foot out of it, there's no other way. Kyoda, can you undo her laces? You're closer to the knot than I am, and I don't want to clamber all over her."

"I'm already on it." Kane agreed, his earlier animosity forgotten in light of the current crisis, and Sakura sighed, letting out a little gasp of pain as she leant up against Tenchi's shoulder.

"So I have to get my foot stuck in a railway sleeper before you two will speak civilly to one another." She murmured. "It figures. Men are so dense."

"Save your strength. This is the bit that's going to hurt." Tenchi warned her, as he took hold of her ankle, preparing to pull. "Is it undone, Kyoda?"

"As much as I can get it." Kane nodded his head. "Hang in there, Sakura. We'll get you out, don't worry."

"Well, here goes nothing." Tenchi said darkly, hesitating for a moment, then pulling hard on Sakura's injured foot. She let out a scream, slapping his hand away.

"That hurt a lot, not a little bit!" She protested. "Will you be more careful!"

"If only Ryoko hadn't gone back to the flat. She could have phased you out and flown or ported us all somewhere safer." Tenchi sighed. "Oh well. Guess it's down to us. Just grit your teeth, Sakura. It is going to hurt. I'm sorry, but we have to get you out."

"Er...Masaki?" Kane bit his lip, agitation in his dark eyes as he raised his head.

"Yes?" Tenchi looked startled. "What is it, Kyoda? What's up?"

"That is." Kane raised a shaking finger, pointing ahead of him, and Tenchi turned, colour draining from his face as he registered the encroaching presence of a train.

"Dammit." He muttered. "Then we don't have time to play nice. It's going to be hard enough to get out of harm's way...Sakura, hang on. I'm going to try and pull it again..don't pass out, whatever you do!"

"I'm trying, I'm trying!" Sakura objected weakly. "Just do it, all right? I'd rather lose my foot than my life, so just pull already!"

"It's no use!" Panic flooded Kane's expression. "She's stuck fast, Masaki! We have to stop the train!"

"How? It's going way too fast - it'll be on us before we know it!" Tenchi exclaimed. "Stop panicking and help me pull. We have to get her out of here!"

"Kyoda's right." Terror flickered across Sakura's features. "The vibrations are getting stronger...Tenchi, we're not going to make it!"

Tenchi eyed her for a moment, as if making up his mind. Then he nodded his head slowly, releasing his grip on Sakura's foot and turning to face the oncoming train.

"Yes, we are." He said quietly. "We're all going to be just fine. I promise."

"Masaki?" Kane stared at him in disbelief. "What are you doing - have you lost your mind? It'll never stop in time!"

"Kyoda, get out of the way." Tenchi instructed quietly. "Sakura and I will be all right."

"I'm not going anywhere, you mad idiot!" Kane objected. "You'll be hit by the train! Stop it!"

Tenchi ignored his companion, taking a deep breath of air into his lungs as he closed his eyes, drawing his hands together in the way he had seen his grandfather do in the past.

"Tsunami, if you can hear me, I need your help." He muttered under his breath, creasing his brow as he focused all of his energy on the situation at hand. "If I don't do something, Sakura and Kyoda and I are mincemeat, and that's not what I want at all. I know I'm not fully trained with the whole Light Hawk Wing thing yet, but in the past you've let me use it to protect those I care about. This is another one of those times, Tsunami, so please, if you can, let me use them now. Otherwise...otherwise we're all done for."

Tenchi, look out!" Sakura screamed, and Tenchi screwed up his eyes, redoubling his efforts as he forged all of his strength into raising his magic inside of him. At first nothing happened, and he feared his plea had been in vain, but then he heard an exclamation from behind him and slowly he opened his eyes, registering the flickering white haze that shimmered around him, spreading out from his body in three blade-like wings. He took another breath to steady himself, then redoubled his efforts, and the haze grew stronger, glowing and expanding into a bright shield.

"Masaki?" Kane's voice sounded very far away, and Tenchi could not focus on it. The train drew ever closer, and he pushed his hands out before him, hoping against hope that he had not miscalculated and that he would be able to protect his friends without causing harm to those aboard the train. As his magic made contact with the electronic contraption, however, there was the screeching of brakes and the carriages began to slow, as bit by bit their electricity flickered out. The train grated to a halt mere inches from where the young prince stood, and as his shield flickered and died, he dropped to the ground.

"Tenchi!" Sakura reached out a hand to take his in hers, and Tenchi squeezed her fingers, offering her a tired smile.

"We need to get you out of here." He said softly.

"What the hell was that?" Kane stared at him in disbelief. "What did you do, Masaki? What was that light?"

"The magic of Jurai." Tenchi said briefly, turning his efforts back to Sakura's foot as, at long last, he managed to wrench it free of his prison. "Kyoda, can you help me lift her up? She's free, but I don't think I have the energy to do it alone."

"Ryoko really wasn't exaggerating." Sakura gazed at her friend in wonder. "She did say you had hidden strengths. Those Wings, just like Jurai's Goddess. Now I've seen you use them them.... You are powerful, Tenchi-kun. We both owe you our lives...thank you."

"What are you people playing at?" At that moment the driver of the train descended upon them, anger in his dark eyes as he surveyed them. "This is a railway line, not a playground! You could have been hurt!"

"We fell through the railing." Tenchi explained, gesturing up to where the broken rail still hung precariously over the edge of the embankment. "My friend had her foot trapped...she's hurt, and we can't lift her out."

"You're hurt, young missy?" The driver's expression softened as he bent to examine Sakura's bloody foot. "Well, considering the fall, you're lucky that you didn't sustain worse. And that I didn't hit you - something disrupted my train's power - some kind of surge, I think. The light was dazzling. Hopefully I can get her running again - you three hop aboard and I'll take you to the next station along - you can get help there, and this isn't a safe place for you to stay."

"Thank you, sir." Sakura said fervently. "We appreciate it."

"It's no bother." The driver paused, then scooped Sakura up in his arms, indicating for her companions to follow him. "This way. If we're lucky, we won't lose too much time on our schedule."

"Masaki?"

As the trio made themselves comfortable in the back of the engine car, Kane cast a troubled glance in his companion's direction, as if seeing him for the first time.

"Mm?" Tenchi raised his head. "What is it?"

"What did you mean, the magic of Jurai? Is that some weird thing that woman gave you?"

"No." Tenchi shook his head. "Ryoko had nothing to do with it. It's what I said - the magic of Jurai. Nothing else."

"But how? I mean...how come you...?" Kane faltered, and Tenchi offered him a rueful smile.

"My grandfather is from Jurai." He admitted slowly. "Like Ryoko's father was. I guess you could say we have that in common."

"Your grandfather?" Kane's eyes almost fell out of his head. "The shrine priest? But that's crazy!" As Tenchi nodded. "Are you telling me that you're an alien, too?"

"I'm telling you that not everyone is what they seem to be, I guess." Tenchi glanced at his hands. "I'm an Earthling, Kyoda. I was born on this planet, and so were both of my parents. Grandpa might have been born interstellar, but he's lived here longer than I can remember. He's never troubled anyone, but he has seen to it that I've learnt the important things in my heritage."

"And that light?"

"The Light Hawk Wings. The magic of Tsunami, Jurai's goddess." Tenchi responded. "Her purpose is to protect Jurai. Very few people can manifest her power - she only gives it to those people that she chooses...people she doesn't think will abuse it for their own ends. I don't know exactly why I was chosen, just that I was. And I can't call on it, not usually. But when people I care about are in trouble, sometimes I can wake it. I've never actively tried to use it before, not like this. But it worked, anyway. And I had to try - I mean, we'd all have been done for, if I hadn't."

"I guess you're right." Kane dropped his gaze, as if considering this for a moment. At length he sighed, casting a glance across at Sakura, who had given up her attempts to remain conscious now the panic was over. "So what you're saying is, in fact, that without your alien magic, we'd all be dead now?"

"Yes."

"And...and is Ryoko's magic the same? I mean...these wings...does she have them, too?"

"No." Tenchi shook her head. "Ryoko is a mixture of several races, and her magic is not really from one overall source. It's true, too, that she has used her magic in the past to cause destruction and chaos. But since I've known her, Kyoda, she's given up that life completely. At the club in Osaka, she revealed herself to protect the people around her. Like I did to you, today...protecting you and Sakura was more important to me than keeping my heritage a secret. And Ryoko made the same decision, when the club was attacked. Her shield prevented a lot of people from getting hurt."

"I see." Kane fell silent again, then, "That's really the truth, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"But all those things she's done..."

"She's made mistakes, perhaps. But you have to move on. We all make those." Tenchi said philosophically. "The Earth has become her home, so I think she'd always defend it, no matter how much people insulted her. The truth is, Kyoda, if she wanted to kill you, she would have been able to do so with ease. She might not have Tsunami's divine Wings, but she's pretty strong. Well, you saw her at the club. Her forcefield protected everyone, and she was able to escape the ruins unscathed because of the strength of her magic. The fact she hasn't hurt you - or even tried to use her magic on you - indicates that she doesn't mean you or anyone on this world any harm. And yes, she can be quick tempered and confrontational, but that's only because she has feelings and they get hurt, just like anyone else. She's never really been accepted anywhere, on account of her mixed heritage."

"So when I called her a demon...?"

"Her mother's people are often called demons, and she hates the stigma. She has some bad memories relating to it, deep in the past." Tenchi said gravely. "Of all the things you can call her, I think that one hurts her the most."

Kane sighed.

"I never thought that you might be with this girl because you're alien as well." He admitted. "You always seem just like us. But I guess...maybe that's because you are? I mean, you grew up in the same way we did, right? That's probably why. And even though this whole alien thing scares me, I can't deny that you saved mine and Sakura's lives today. So I suppose, putting that into perspective, I can see how Ryoko might have done the same thing at the club. The truth is it was all so sudden and so frightening - it was hard to know what was going on."

"I realise that." Tenchi acknowledged. He offered his companion a slight smile. "I don't want to fight with you and nor does she. But you aren't going to change my mind about her, Kyoda. We've been through a lot of things, she and I. Things that are beyond this world. She's more to me than just a woman I care about. We're connected, somehow, and that's just how it is. So I will marry her. Where she was born doesn't matter to me all that much. Being with her now does, that's all."

Kane pursed his lips, absorbing this. Then he nodded.

"Perhaps I owe her an apology." He said regretfully. "I'm sorry, Masaki. I think maybe I understand a little better now."