Chapter 124: 'Tying One On'

The rest of the day was something of a blur To Kiyone.

Following the revelations at the shrine, the tensions she'd felt before the wedding paled into insignificance by weight of simple comparison.

Was she angry? Hell Yes!

Mad as a wet hornet in fact at the deceptions!

Plus, she was still wondering just how deluded any of the Jurians actually were?

Did they actually think that she, not to even mention either Tenchi or Ayeka, would EVER forgive any of them for this little charade?

She had attempted to comfort Sasami, at least at first.

It became rapidly clear however something had 'Happened', far more profound than that the second princess had just gotten a little taller.

Just? Now there was a laugh and a half!

Kiyone hadn't actually 'been there' those years back. When the lake side revelation of Sasami and Tsunami had occurred.

Talking reflections, metaphysical/spiritual bondings?

All those things that when she had first set foot on this planet Key would have laughed at.

It was 'Mihoshi' of course who had filled in most of the blanks.

The tiny minutia and odd bit of coloring added little by little over time. That still didn't mean that Key even remotely supposed that she knew everything about the second princesses joining to the first tree.

Sasami herself had provided some of the information as well.

Apparently either just 'knowing' via her connection on some instinctive level or through dreams.

She appeared 'older', having visually to have aged ... two? perhaps slightly more years biologically.

Just as a rough guess.

The now 'not so little Princess' seemed distant as well.

Not precisely cold mind you, just some how 'detached'.

Small wonder indeed, given the circumstances.

Kiyone was still trying to fill in some of the details surrounding exactly what had gone down.

Though her attempts to gather intel were met with polite resistance.

Even when Key openly confessed that she was worried as hell over the transformation.

After all Sasami was more like a little sister than just a friend!

Her every attempt to bridge the gap however was gently rebuffed.

As though Sasami believed that Key could never understand.

Perhaps it was even the truth.

But certainly a disturbing change from someone who only days ago used to ask consistently for advice!

With nothing for it, Key then fell to her duty of looking after Mayuka.

Quickly realizing however Ryo-chan was already eagerly fulfilling that role.

Using the situation to spending time with Hero as well.

Both cabbit girl and Diplomat were playing into the obvious distaste most Jurians seemed to automatically

favor towards changelings.

Kiyone still wasn't sure what a culture which openly embraced mysticism could have against such things?

It almost seemed nonsensical from her perspective, uninformed though it might be.

It was amusing to observe however as both Hero and Ryo used the Jurian's own 'bigotry' to shield Tenchi's child from the overtly curious.

Kiyone currently had no desire to even approach Washu or Lord Katsuhito.

Simply for fear of what might slip out of her mouth!

Those two were going to eventually have to answer some rather uncomfortable questions!

That left her, as always seemed the case with Mihoshi.

Who insisted on acting like she was at a wake!

"He's gone Key!" Her partner continued to snivel.

"He's actually gone!" Loudly proclaiming her lament in front of the cautiously jubilant Tanzuru.

"Oh, for gods sake Mihoshi!" Key blistered tiredly.

"Tenchi's Married! not dead!"

All while Attempting, yet again to get whatever the hell it was Miho was drinking away from her.

"ITS THE SAME THING I TELLS YAH! WAHHHHHHHH!"

Key had merely grunted in response to the inebriated outburst.

Dubiously examining a decanter. Trying to at least fathom the number of the truck currently running over her partner.

"Officially it has no name." One of the servitors catering the celebration helpfully supplied.

"Merely a mixture of holy sap Jurian ova and water, allowed to cure in barrels of sacred wood for a time."