Chapter 121: In the sight of God

There was music in the air.

The shrine and its grounds had been meticulously cleaned, not that Katsuhito had EVER allowed them to fade into disrepair. Tenchi had more than his share of calluses attesting to the fact.

It was never the less a point of amusement for him to note several of the flagstones he was going to replace this week had been hastily dealt with. Obviously to his eye by someone new to using a trowel.

Whatever they had 'stuck' them down with didn't even appear to be mortar.

Other than that the shrine and its grounds appeared almost to have been polished since yesterday.

The number of individuals gathered about the grounds proper, reminded him of the various festivals held during the year. The casual scan of his surroundings lasted for perhaps less than a few seconds however.

When what lay immediately ahead instantly captured and held his attention.

The Emperor was the most obvious.

Impressive in his formal regalia, standing slightly above all flanking him atop a modest raise. The golden thorn-like crown adoring Ayeka's father caused an automatic association with images of a Christian crucifixion. Maybe it was just the long beard?

But the burning gaze trained solely on him probably would be more befitting a depiction of Lucifer!

"Oh boy." Tenchi muttered under his breath.

Even after all this time, Papa did not look pleased to see him!

Key on the other hand was having her own set of revelations. Unable to help noticing how both the Queen and the Emperor's wife were eyeing her coolly.

For the life of her she couldn't say why this would be so other than maybe 'the role' of second traditionally was played by a man? She instantly dismissed that! There were certainly too many female knights for this to be a sexist sort of agenda on their part!

Perhaps it was simply her 'closeness' to Tenchi? Did they see her as a rival for the affections of their mutual daughter?

"If that's the case Mommy and mommy dearest!" Key silently swore. "You can both just climb a tree! I'm not going anywhere!"

Amid it all Tenchi did find a moment to stand confused.

Ena for one didn't seem to be present among the grouping of 'robed figures flanking ether side of the imperial presence. The figures themselves presented no mystery however.

The royal consort herself had explained 'the gallery' as such constituted individuals who required attendance but for whatever reason desired ambiguity. It was one of the more odd traditions surrounding the Jurian wedding ceremony.

It did however serve to peek his curiosity.

Among the fifteen some odd individuals standing slightly behind the royals, who would he personally know?

He did not as of yet see the princess. Logically Tenchi reasoned she was close by merely concealed. Again according to Ena, waiting for the moment when her part in the ceremony would arrive.

Mayuka to his left looked positively radiant, in spite of a slight pouty expression, or perhaps even more so for it. His daughter looking every bit the perfect little princess Tenchi knew her to be.

Hey! He was her father he was allowed!

Mihoshi, holding hands besides her herself looked marvelous in her own tailored 'dress blues as well. Minus the dejected look she presently wore.

"Key!" She whispered fiercely as they drew near. "They didn't even give me a real gun!"

Kiyone had to clamp down hard on the giggle. Seeing the painted wooden 'butt' hanging out of Miho's dress holster.

Well now, it certainly seemed obvious which of them the Jurians considered the more dangerous!

"Daddy look good!" Mayuka quipped. Surprising everyone by not running to him, keeping her place by Mihoshi's side.

"You too pumpkin." He beamed at her with pride.

Noting in passing that Hero was also present. The young diplomat looking grimly out of place despite the well-tailored appointments the Jurians had provided. Appearing isolated as most of the Jurians seemed reluctant to stand near him.

Tenchi only hoped that when all this was said and done that there could be some kind of happier ending for Hero as well.

He liked the young diplomat even if Key had no use for the man. And his attraction to Ryo-Oki seemed undeniable; they made a cute couple after all.

It seemed at the very least that grief and romantic tensions weren't his sole providence after all!

Hell! half the time it felt like he, his family and friends were stuck in some cheap Sho'jo!

The melodic tones which lilted gently rose briefly as a quartet of musicians a short distance away plied instruments that were at once curious and wonderful.

Primarily drawing his attention was a massive stringed instrument. Apparently played much as an inverted guitar.

Braced against the ground, the slender muscular man deftly manipulating it seemed to select cords using his lower hand while strumming a resonating chamber supported by a curved bridge resting upon his right shoulder.

A smaller lute like instrument Tenchi did recognize complemented the just described musical monstrosity.

The Duarrett producing sweet melodic harmonies of its own.

He knew the instrument of course due to having salvage one a lot like it from the wreck of Ayeka's tree ship. The princess even informed him that indeed she could play the thing.

Unfortunately several months submerged in the lake had ruined hers.

Ayeka later confessed she only took up the Duarrett because Yosho liked the sound of such instruments. And that for rather obvious reasons had been that.

The two remaining members of the ensemble presented no further deeply intriguing element.

After a certain point a flute is a flute and a drum is simply that.

The music abruptly dwindled at some unseen queue. There was a certain sudden additional attentiveness to all those around. Demanding at last all focus completely the Emperor's direction. As Azusa began to speak.

"From time immemorial we as a people have gathered in this way.

Paying homage and renewing our vows to the eternal green.

Though on this day we stand far from our native soil, unsheltered by the very canopies, which sheltered our fathers, fathers, that bond is no less real, no less sacred!

Among those multitudes whom the forest sheltered, a precious few where chosen.

Rising from the ranks to claim by divine providence the power of powers!"

"Blessed are those who live in the shadow of the first tree." 'The gallery' suddenly intoned to ether side.

"ALL HAIL TSUNAMI!" Thundered the Tanzuru behind them.

"Pftt!" Sounded suddenly from somewhere near by. The outburst barely audible.

Enough however to trigger several additional moments of uncomfortable silence.

"Stand forth young man!" Azusa at last recovered.

"Away from your guardian!" He nodded formally towards Kiyone.

"For you are now recognized!"

Tenchi nodded as was the proper response, taking a single step forwards even as Kiyone behind him humbly bowed to the Emperor.

"You are Tenchi." Azusa continued firmly, wonder of wonders with the first faint hint of a smile dusting the corners of his mouth.

"Son of Nobuyuki of the line of Masaki and of Achika daughter of he who is known as Katsuhito.

Yet let it be known that he who has worn that name and others upon this tranquil sphere is in fact Yosho."

The Emperor paused, slowly closing then opening his eyes, swallowing with obvious pride.

"Who is my beloved son."

Azusa straitened, renewing his gaze.

"Thus has your bloodline been established and now, before these witnesses ... fully acknowledged!

You hereby have gained my countenance! You are of the blood of our world! You are Jurian!

And thus ... Worthy to receive the most precious of gifts any man or king could ever bestow!"

Immediately to Azusa's right Funaho drew aside ushering another hooded figure to walk from behind the ranks flanking the Emperor.

In this case the concealing robe was of richest purple, trimmed in an elaborate lattice of branches wrote from purest silver. Flowering vines and realistic leaves comprised of layers of emeralds, sapphires and a host of other gems, precious and semi whose names immediately escaped him.