Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Daydreams ❯ Dinner and a Daydream ( Chapter 2 )

"Tenchi Muyô!" and all character herein are the property of Pioneer and AIC, save those created by the author. This is a fanfic, and is done for fun, not profit. All the warnings from the previous chapter(s) apply to this one as well.

Daydreams

-by-

William Nichols

Chapter Two: Dinner and a Daydream…

Jonouchi Hisashi leisurely strolled across the campus Commons of Hiroshima University. It was a pleasant Friday afternoon. The sky was crystal blue; cloud free; and a cool breeze had taken the edge off the days warmth. There was only one week of classes left before finals and the summer break began. Summer break! There's a thought! He could picture it now: fun in the sun at his parent's beach house in Honolulu. His grandparents had moved to Hawaii in the third decade of the last century, and had toughed it out there during the bleak years of the war between Japan and America. His mom had been born in Hawaii after the war, and went to college in Tokyo for a while, where she had met his father. All in all, Hisashi figured he had the best of both worlds.

But as pleasant as these thoughts were, something bothered the usually upbeat young man. For the past several days one of his closest friends had been acting rather uncharacteristically. He knew from the year's worth of classes that he had taken with Masaki Tenchi that the lad could be somewhat secretive and reserved, but as of late he was downright reclusive. Deep down though, Hisashi wondered if this stemmed from the light teasing that he had given Tenchi last week at the study session over the mystery girl he was sketching in class the day before.

At the first question of who the young lady might be, Tenchi had tensed up and abruptly changed the subject. Of course this led to the usual barrage of questioning and innuendo from everyone else present over who his secret girlfriend was and when he or she could meet her. But after not too terribly long, Hisashi had noticed the change in Masaki's demeanor and made it known that they should get back to the study session. Ever since then, Tenchi had been in a shell of sorts, almost like he was denying something. To compound Hisashi's worry, Tenchi looked like he was not sleeping well.

"I've got to apologize," he muttered to himself as he entered the foyer of Tenchi's apartment building and headed for the stairs. His grandparents had instilled a sense of honor in him as a child, and Hisashi was sure that Tenchi's had been insulted by his teasing. Two flights of stairs later he found himself in front of Tenchi's apartment.

A quick rap on the door announced his arrival. Please be in, he mentally begged as a moment of silence passed

Hisashi sighed in relief as a muffled "I'm comin'!" emanated from the apartments interior. A few seconds later the slink of the door chain was heard along with the click of the door lock, announcing the occupants' arrival.

"Hey Masaki," Hisashi said a little sheepishly. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," Tenchi replied as he ushered his friend inside. "You ready for finals next week Jonouchi?" Tenchi asked as Hisashi removed his shoes and plopped down on the small sofa.

"Yeah, but Professor Oshii's class has me a little worried though," Hisashi replied as Tenchi paused by the kitchen counter.

Tenchi nodded in agreement.

"Want something to drink?" Tenchi proffered as he opened the refrigerator.

"Coke's fine by me," Hisashi answered. He seems to be back to his old self… Maybe I was worried about nothing… While Hisashi tried to banish his misgivings from his mind he noticed a medium sized silver picture frame sitting on Tenchi's coffee table. The frame itself was nothing out of the ordinary, but its content was what struck Hisashi so. Flanking either side of Tenchi were two, rather unique looking young ladies. The dark haired one on the right looked fairly normal, although for some funny reason her hair had a purplish tinge to it, or so Hisashi thought.

But the one on the left was the one that had caught his attention first. Her spiky hair was an odd shade of a light blue-green, nearly cyan in nature. Her amber eye color could be dismissed as shaded contacts, and her ears had an oblong cant to them. If had been one or the other, he probably would not have given the picture a second though, but the combination of all three… Where have I seen her before? Hisashi questioned himself as Tenchi brought two bottles of ice-cold cola from the fridge. I know I have seen her somewhere… Then in an instant the manga inspired chibi's flashed through Hisashi's mind along with the pen sketch that Tenchi had done the week before. Then it dawned on him. That's her! It has to be…

"Here ya go," Tenchi said as Hisashi took one of the frosty glass bottles from Tenchi.

Wisps of bluish fog rolled off the neck of the bottle as Hisashi took a slug of the tart liquid. "Where do you get these bottles?" he asked as he drained the curved bottle's content. "I can't find them anywhere around here."

"I get them back home," Tenchi said as he too emptied his cola. "I love them."

"The only other place I've seen them is back in Honolulu," Hisashi said, studying the raised logo and grooved body of the bottle. "This stuff tastes better in these little bottles," he said setting the bottle down next to the picture from. Now or never…

"Say Masaki," he began.

"We're not in class, so just call me Tenchi," Tenchi interrupted.

"All right," Hisashi continued. "I want to apologize for giving you a hard time last week. Your relationships are no business of mine." There! I said it. Now maybe he will loosen up tell me about the girl in the picture frame…

"It's not a problem," Tenchi replied. "I guess I get a little uptight about things at times."

"Like the young lady in the picture there?" Hisashi inquired, chucking a thumb towards the silver frame.

"That's a long and complicated story," Tenchi sighed, meaning every word of it. And if I told you the truth, he added mentally, you probably wouldn't believe me…

"I'm sorry," Hisashi atoned, once again shamed for bringing up a touchy subject. "I recognized her from the pictures you were doodling the other day."

"She's a good friend of mine," Tenchi replied, looking for the right words to describe his relationships with Ryoko and the other girls.

"That's good enough for me," Hisashi said, offering his friend a way out of the conversation.

"Ryoko has known me nearly my entire life," Tenchi continued, not knowing that for the first sixteen years though, Ryoko had been the legendary demoness entombed in the shrine. "When we were younger, Ryoko moved away, and did not return until a few years a ago." Not exactly the truth, Tenchi thought, but it will do. Hisashi nodded as Tenchi continued his tale. "However, not long after Ryoko moved back, Ayeka, who comes from an old family my grandfather knows, arrived," Tenchi added, pointing to the girl with the purplish hair.

"And they both want you," Hisashi chimed in, finishing Tenchi's story.

"In a nutshell."

No wonder he's so uptight about the situation. Anyone would be…"Tell ya what," Jonouchi began, "just forget about all of that and come out with me and Toka tonight. Our treat."

"I'd love to," Tenchi began, "but finals are next week, and…"

"And nothing!" Hisashi blurted out. "You've got this stuff cold, and besides, everyone needs a break from time to time." Tenchi fidgeted for a moment as he weighed the possibility of losing a nights study time. "That and Toka and I will be leaving for Hawaii after finals. Think of it as spending quality time with some friends you won't see all summer, so look at it that way. A night out with friends."

"Sure," Tenchi relented. "What time should I meet you two?"

"We'll be by to get you about seven-thirty," Hisashi said, rising from the couch. "Dress sharp," he said before he bowed slightly and proceeded to the small foyer area to claim his sneakers. "Seven-thirty," Hisashi reminded as he pulled the door shut behind him.

Tenchi smiled and nodded slightly as his enthusiastic friend headed off. A night off would do no harm, and with the way he had been acting the past week, it would probably do him good. Yes, I need to get out more. Maybe a few good drinks and some decent food will help me relax a little.

Tenchi smiled as he deposited the two Coke bottles in the recycling bin and headed towards his bedroom. As he clicked on the light he remembered hat he had been doing before Hisashi had dropped by. The soft light of his drafting tables articulated lamp was illuminating the drawing of Ryoko he had started the week before. In that time it had evolved into a labor of love of sorts. While he had been content at first just to transcribe his earlier sketch, now the drawing had taken a new significance of sorts. The drawing had almost taken a life of it's own. In fact, Tenchi thought it was done well enough to be his final project in one of his classes.

Tenchi allowed his eyes to follow the lines of his sketch. While he did so, he could not help but think about what he had told Jonouchi those few short minutes ago. Why do I feel like Ryoko has known me my entire life at times? It's so strange…

Tenchi Masaki ran through the spring forest leaving the soft crunch of leaves and grass is his wake. It was a pleasant late April day and he had nothing better to do than visit his favorite spot. That old outcropping ad grotto held some magnetism that always pulled him back there, no matter how stern his grandfather would be with him. He never could see the dangers that his grandfather spoke of in his stories. There was no demon here. He was four years old, and he knew better than that.

A giggle escaped him as he splashed a small puddle left from the previous days rain shower. His father would probably scold him for getting his pants all muddy again, but he never stayed mad for long. Little Tenchi's mind raced. He hoped his friend Ry'ko would be out today.

Drawing close to the grotto he slowed his pace. He never knew when granpa Kats'to might jump out of the bushes and scold him. Looking from side to side to make sure he was alone, Tenchi dropped to his knees and crawled up to the old scrub bushes that bordered the grotto. "Shhhhhh…" he said with a finger to his mouth to the bushes in front of him, as if his warning would keep their leaves from rustling. "We got to be quiet," he said in a soft tone.

Peeling a small branch back, Tenchi looked out towards the grotto. "Uh-oh…" he whined. Standing in front of the ancient cave was his grandfather, but he did not look as if he was waiting for Tenchi. Instead, he looked like he was talking to someone. Tenchi strained his little ears to hear what was being said…

"I'm not mad at you for playing with Tenchi," he heard Katsuhito say. "I know he's adorable, and quite mischievous." Tenchi strained to listen harder, but he could not hear whomever his granpa was talking to.

"Maybe one day," Katsuhito said, after a pause, casting a quick glance towards the bushes where Tenchi was hiding. He hid a smile as he heard the child fall backwards and land on his bottom at being discovered. "I'm going now," he laughed. "Keep an eye on him."

After waiting what seemed like an eternity to make sure his grandfather was gone, Tenchi finally crept out of the bushes and bounded towards the grotto's mouth. "Ry'ko!" he shouted. "Are ya here? Was granpa Kats'to mean ta you?" Tenchi asked looking for his play friend. "Ry'ko?" he asked hesitantly. Just as he sighed in defeat, the ethereal image of his friend faded into sight.

"Ry'ko!" he squealed in delight as the phantom waved to him. Most his age would have been afraid of such an apparition, but not Tenchi. For as long as he could remember Ry'ko had been his friend. He never saw the demons and boogiemen that his grandfather and mother said lived in the cave. Nope. All he saw was his friend, amber eyes, spiky hair and all.

"I taut you were gone," he said, a feigned look of sorrow on his face, which in turned caused Ry'ko to pout. "But you're here!" he rebounded with a laugh. Ry'ko smiled and nodded as Tenchi continued to laugh. "I wish I could hear you," he said as she gave him a lopsided smile. "Why can't I hear you?" he asked honestly.

Ry'ko just sighed and shrugged. She wanted Tenchi to hear her, but unfortunately her astral projection was a one-way ticket. Whilst they could see one another, she could not speak to him. But would she say if she could? She would say the same thing she said to Tenchi every time she saw him.

"I love you," Ry'ko mouthed to the little Tenchi, who nodded in understanding.

"I love you too," Tenchi said, meaning it with all his little heart. A smile flashed across Ry'ko's face as she tried to hug the little boy, but her arms just merely passed through him. "What'sa matter?" Tenchi asked as Ryoko quickly looked away from him. "Don't cry…" he comforted, trying to wrap his arms around his phantom friend, but with the same result. "Its okay…" he said barely above a whisper. "It's okay…"

Tenchi's mood brightened when Ry'ko wiped the last traces of tears from beneath her golden eyes and returned his angelic smile. "One day," he said, doing his best to keep his arms around Ry'ko's ghostly form. "One day I'll hold ya' for real…"

What was that? Tenchi thought. For the briefest of fleeting moments he could have sworn he was returned to his childhood. Did that really happen? he pondered, running a hand through his hair. If I could see Ryoko and she me, he continued to himself, heading for the bathroom, how come I haven't remembered it before now, and why has she not mentioned it to me? How many times did this happen?

Because you probably would have laughed it off as one of her advances, his conscious returned.

Tenchi stopped by his dresser and blinked. Am I that naive?

Really want an answer? his conscious jabbed back. It might scare you.

"That it may," Tenchi spoke aloud. Clicking the bathroom light on, he reached in and turned on the shower. Tonight out would do him good. All the stress from finals had been getting to him. "That's it," he laughed as he fetched a towel and wash clothe from his small linen closet. Seven-thirty would be here soon, and the night's diversion was welcome.

___

Ryoko sighed.

She rarely came back to this spot. Too many bad memories. Of course, being entombed in a place for seven hundred years would do that to a person. Nonetheless, Ryoko found herself sitting on the small outcropping of rock that jutted out from in front of the grotto. It was from this perch that she first spied the young man that unlocked her heart. Just as that nameless tree had predicted eight hundred years prior, he had come to her.

And it was a memory from those days gone by that returned her to this place. Why this one memory in particular had come to haunt her, she did not know. But it had. Of all the time she had played with Tenchi as a child, this one solitary day stood out in her mind above all others. It was the first time that he had said he loved her. What she would give to have the adult incarnation of that child say those same words with the same emotion.

Shaking her head, Ryoko tried to fend off the shiver that raced up her spine. "Why did I have to remember that?" she whined to the air around her.

"Sometimes a memory can serve as a portent," came the voice of Katsuhito from below.

"Don't do that!" Ryoko, startled out of her deep funk, shrieked. "I nearly jumped out of my skin!"

"One should not let their defenses down as such," Katsuhito playfully admonished. "It's not good form." Ryoko only stuck her tongue out at the old priest and looked away from him. "You are remembering days gone by, am I right?"

"Yes," Ryoko said fidgeting with the hem of her yellow sundress. "One, in particular…" her voice trailed off as the memory flooded back to her.

"I may have an inkling of the day you are recalling," Katsuhito said as the evening sun glinted off his glasses.

"Why does fate have to be so cruel?" Ryoko asked in a hushed tone. "When he was young …when he was young…" she trailed off into tears. Even for the hardened old pirate some things were too difficult to mention. Damned Zero, she cursed inwardly.

"He would tell you what you wish to hear today," Katsuhito solemnly.

"Yes," Ryoko let out between her tears.

"I wouldn't worry," the aged priest said as he picked up a pebble and began to study it. "Things have a way of coming full circle in this life."

"Don't you even think about locking me back in that cave," she laughed with a false bravado. "No matter how much Ayeka begs you to."

"I don't think Tenchi would approve of that," Katsuhito said with a chuckle.

"I wonder at times," Ryoko returned. I really do…

"I feel that things around here may change before you think," Katsuhito said as he began to descend the ancient stone steps into the forest. "Keep your spirits up Ryoko."

Ryoko smiled as Katsuhito sank from sight down the steps. "Maybe you're right," she said with a laugh. Unfortunately her levity disappeared as quickly as Katsuhito. "But still," she said, her tears returning, "why did have to remember that day?"

It's time! Ryoko thought as she watched the shadows grow long on the ground in front of her prison. Nearly everyday without fail he would show up about this time. It was the only thing that made her existence bearable.

That and the hope that each of his visits brought.

Summoning some of the power from her gems locked in the sword hilt above her, Ryoko projected her consciousness from her dark and dank prison.

"Lovely day, is it not?" a voice asked from the stillness.

'Oh damn!' she cursed as she took form out side the cave. 'It's you.'

"Yes," Katsuhito laughed. "Its me."

'You know,' Ryoko began somewhat tersely, 'I'm getting tired of seeing your ugly mug after all these years.'

"Now, now," Katsuhito chided. "Some have thought this 'mug' to be quite handsome," he quipped with a light laugh. But just as quickly his expressions returned to his typically sternness once more. "I think you know my reasons for being here."

Instantly Ryoko paled. 'Don't be angry,' she pleaded. She meant no harm; honestly she didn't. 'Please don't be…' she continued nearly in tears, the first traces of crimson flushing her pallid cheeks. 'Please…'

Katsuhito sighed. Never before now had he imagined his old foe openly weeping. She has changed, he thought. "I'm not mad at you for playing with Tenchi," the aged priest comforted. "I know how you feel about the lad."

'I'm not making that up!' Ryoko defended, her sorrow now infused with indignation. 'I do love him!' she honestly spoke, perhaps a little more crossly than she would have intended.

"I know you do," Katsuhito said. "And one day, I honestly hope he returns the sentiment."

'Don't tease me,' Ryoko said curtly while giving Katsuhito a menacing look. 'I do love him.'

"I am not teasing you," Katsuhito said honestly. "And when he is older, I will allow him to free you."

Instantly hope flashed across Ryoko's eyes. Her dream might just come true. 'I just hope he still remembers these days when he's older.'

"Only time will tell," Katsuhito replied. "But you do know," he continued, "that things will change when you are freed."

'I know…'

"He will be cast into his destiny," Katsuhito elaborated. "The choice will be his, and he will have to follow his heart, wherever that may lead him."

'He's out there,' Ryoko said cutting her eyes towards the bushes edging the grotto. 'He's so adorable when he's acting mischievous like that.'

"Yes," Katsuhito laughed, looking over to where Tenchi was hiding. "He is quite adorable and mischievous."

Ryoko held a hand to her mouth to stifle her laughter as she heard the bushes rustle and her young love land on his rump. 'That was mean,' she protested between laughs.

"I'm going now," Katsuhito said with a soft laugh. "Keep an eye on him."

'I will,' Ryoko promised. 'I will…'

That was as far as she wished to remember of that day. So much had changed since that spring day so long ago. She had gained her freedom, but not her hearts desire. She had gained a family and did not feel alone in the world any more. She had even gained a sense of absolution for her past deeds. But one thing had not changed. She has kept the promise she made. And I've watched over you everyday since, Ryoko thought as she tucked a wind blown wisp of hair back behind her ear. And I'll watch over you to the end of time…

___

"Come on!" Inoue Toka laughed as she pulled a laughing Hisashi by the arm. "We'll be late!" Tenchi chuckled to himself as his best friend was pulled down the crowded by avenue by his girlfriend. Toka was what he would call an ordinary girl. She had dark eyes and hair, was roughly his height, and had a medium build. And she and Hisashi had what he would call an ordinary relationship. They had been high school sweethearts, having met during their junior year. Toka had played hard to get from Hisashi had told Tenchi once, but he persevered, and finally won her affections. When they both passed their entrance exams and were accepted to the University, they moved in together off campus. Whilst her mother had thought the decision to do so somewhat immoral at first, in the end both families agreed. The two were nearly inseparable as it was before.

Ordinary, Tenchi thought. For the longest he could remember all he ever wanted was an ordinary girlfriend who did not float, fly, come from another planet, or blow holes in the walls and roof, and with that an ordinary relationship. Just like his friends. But as he watched Toka and Hisashi walk ahead of him with her head rested on his shoulder, Tenchi found his thoughts kept drifting back to the girls at home. Mihoshi, Washu, Ryoko, Sasami, and Ayeka; not a one would normally be classified as 'ordinary'. Not like Hisashi and Toka.

Yet, these young ladies are what Tenchi had come to see as being normal.

What do I want? Tenchi thought. I want someone to lay her head on my shoulder and hold my arm, but…I don't even know… For the briefest of instants his mind raced through the various mental images of each of the girls walking beside him with her head on his shoulder, before he returned to himself.

Alone.

In a house full of women. A fact his father seemed to delight in.

What would've mom said about all this? Tenchi asked himself. His mother Kiyone seemed a distant memory now, but he could remember the happiness her mere presence would bring his father. Deep down, that's what Tenchi wanted. He wanted someone who would bring light to his life like she had his fathers. But what would lead to his joy, would lead to another's sorrow. And that was a reality he dreaded.

"Hey! Earth to Tenchi! You in there?"

"Huh?" came the muffled reply as Tenchi snapped back to reality. "Yeah," he laughed. "I'm fine."

"So what's her name?" Toka asked intuitively, much to the chagrin of Hisashi.

"That obvious?" Tenchi asked as he held the door for his friends.

"Yup," Toka laughed as they entered the small café Hisashi had selected for dinner. The red brick and black wrought iron decor gave the small restaurant an old style western feel, which seemed to be all the rage lately.

"It's a little more complicated than that," Hisashi said for Tenchi as they found their table. "Right?"

"Basically," Tenchi sighed.

"What ya'll want to drink?" Hisashi asked, headed for the bar.

"Surprise us," Toka said. "So tell me," Toka began again to Tenchi, "what's her name?"

"Ryoko," Tenchi finally admitted, seeing no out to the conversation.

"That's pretty," Toka said. "Is she the one in the picture Hisashi was telling me about?"

"All depends," Tenchi sidestepped. Why do I get the feeling that I've been set-up? he nervously thought, half-expecting Ryoko to walk in any second.

"The one in the drawing," Toka said in a perturbed tone. "The story's made it to everyone by now," she continued.

Tenchi visibly cringed at Toka's revelation. Why did his life had to be so complicated? "Yes," he finally admitted, "She is.

"Forgive her," Hisashi said sheepishly, which elicited a stern look from Toka. Tenchi knew his friend would have some serious apologizing to do before this night was over. Only the three bottles of beer Hisashi was carrying with him spared him from any further scorn.

"I was just making conversation," Toka defended before taking a long draw on her beer.

"Not bad," Tenchi said after sipping the slightly bitter brew. The label was one he did not recognize, but it had a fellow in fairly old-fashioned dress holding up a frothed tankard.

"Sam Adams," Hisashi laughed. "It's my American half coming out. So," he cautiously continued, "she didn't…"

"I did nothing!" Toka blurted out.

"Guys," Tenchi laughed as he opened his menu. "It's all right."

"I just wanted to know about Miss Mysterious," Toka said with a pout.

"It's not honorable to pry," Hisashi said, sounding a bit like Katsuhito.

"I said it's alright," Tenchi laughed. "I don't mind." Do I?

"You were saying before," Hisashi began trying to be as tactful as possible, "you've known miss Ryoko since the two of you were children?"

"Basically," Tenchi said, a hint of his earlier memory flashing back to him. One day I'll hold you for real… "Well," he continued, "It feels like that at times."

"Young love," Toka sighed after deciding on the grilled tuna for dinner. "That's so romantic. But what about the other girl Hisashi was telling me about? The dark haired one?"

"Ayeka," Tenchi elaborated, deciding on steak for himself with a salad, no carrots, "comes from an old and distinguished family that my grandfather has dealings with." Not the truth again, but close enough…

"An arranged marriage?" she asked. "That's a little old-fashioned if you ask me."

If Ayeka gets her wish, Tenchi caught himself thinking before he realized it. "Not really…" Tenchi said. "But she probably wouldn't mind that happening."

"And Ryoko has designs on you too, right?" Toka inquired again.

"You could say that," Tenchi laughed thinking of all the times Ryoko had tried to seduce him in one form or another.

"Would you tell us about them?" Hisashi asked as handed the server his menu. "What are they like? I've seen their pictures, but how do they act?"

"Total opposites," Tenchi began.

"How so?" Hisashi prompted, with a nod of approval from Toka.

"Ayeka is quiet and reserved most of the time," Tenchi began. "Like I said she comes from an old and distinguished family that my grandfather has known for a long time. She takes great pride in her tradition and upbringing."

"Very proper acting?" Toka asked with a hint of disdain in her voice.

"Always," Tenchi said. "Except when she's mad at Ryoko."

"Why would she be mad at Ryoko?"

"For any number of reasons," Tenchi laughed. "But mainly for trying to spend time with me."

"She sounds a little possessive," Hisashi said before calling for another bottle of beer.

"I would be too," Toka said in Ayeka's defense, "if some other girl was trying to take you from me." Hisashi gave Toka a lopsided grin and chuckled at her devotion. "If anyone else would have you," she added with a laugh.

"But what about Ryoko?" Hisashi asked. "How does she feel when she sees you with Ayeka at times?"

Tenchi opened his mouth but promptly closed it. Biting his bottom lip, he knew exactly how Ryoko acted as of late. She would just disappear for several hours with a despondent look on her face, like her whole world had just come crashing down around her. "Sometimes she gets mad as well," Tenchi answered. Furious would be more like it… "But others she takes it pretty well," he lied. Far from it, his conscious added for him.

"Ayeka sounds to be very prim and proper," Toka said, laying her napkin in her lap as the server brought out her salad. "But what's Ryoko's personality? You said they're opposites, but how so?"

Tenchi sat back and seriously pondered the question. He knew Ryoko took more grief than she deserved most of the time, but had he ever seriously thought about her personality? "Well," he slowly began, "at times she can be the proverbial bull in the china shop; loud, rambunctious, and slightly overbearing. But other times," Tenchi said, feeling a ball form in the pit of his stomach. Why he felt like this, he didn't quite know. But it seemed to be happening a lot lately. 'I love you…' he remembered her soft spoken words from the last time they talked on the phone…

"But other times what?" Hisashi prompted. Now we're making some progress. Toka cut her eyes over to her love then back to Tenchi, as the young Masaki was seemingly lost in thought.

"She can be the most gentle soul on the planet," Tenchi said as visages of Ryoko's tender side flooded his mind. Did I just say that aloud? "The bravado disappears and the real Ryoko shows through…"

"She have it rough as a child?" Hisashi asked, trying to get a better feel for Ryoko's personality.

"You could say that," Tenchi said, a shiver racing up his spine. Some of things Washu had shown him were horrific, but to him that Ryoko did not exist. "But those days are behind her now, but the scars are still there," he added thinking of all the nights Ryoko had woken the house with her screams of terror from her nocturnal horrors.

"Sound's complicated," Toka said eying her bottle of beer.

"If you only knew the half of it," Tenchi sighed.

"Would you mind telling us some more?" Hisashi asked. "But only if you feel like it. We don't want to pry."

"I said I don't mind," Tenchi reiterated. So over the next couple of hours, dinner, and several beers Tenchi told Hisashi and Toka his story. At times it was highly edited and fictionalized, but in reality the truth was just as strange as any of the fiction he created. Of course he left out the adventures in space and the tiny fact that none of the young ladies that resided at his fathers house were from earth, but what did matter in the grand scheme of things? Mihoshi became his dad's cousin from Tokyo on assignment with the Okayama police force, Sasami stayed Ayeka's sister, and Washu was left simply as a friend of the family whom boarded with them as well.

___

With dinner finished and dessert brought, hot fudge brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, everyone felt content. Tenchi was amazed at his candidness during the evening. He had told his friends things he had never told others before, though no one else had ever taken an interest either.

As Toka toyed with her ice cream, she couldn't help but think of what Tenchi said about Ayeka and Ryoko. He had not said anything disparaging about either of the young ladies; in fact it was all quite flattering. But what he did not say spoke more. Volumes more. Whilst he did show emotion when speaking of Ayeka, it was nothing like when he spoke of Ryoko. She could tell that there was something deeper here than he let on, or possibly even realized. At first she chalked his slight blush up to the alcohol, but it would redden when he mentioned certain things about Ryoko and not Ayeka. Also the way he fidgeted when asked about Ryoko was a dead give away. Then atop of it all was the gleam in his eye that she also noticed when Hisashi spoke of her. Yep, she concluded, the poor boys got it bad and doesn't even realize it.

But the one thing that bothered her was that Tenchi seemed content to just sit back and let Ryoko and Ayeka fawn over him. He won't follow his heart for fear of breaking another…and if he waits forever, he will lose the one he loves… If that happens he'll never forgive himself…

"So how long they gonna wait on you?" Toka asked as Tenchi finished his dessert.

"Whatcha mean?" Tenchi asked a little bit puzzled. "Who's waiting on me?"

Toka sighed. "How long do you expect Ryoko and Ayeka to wait on you?" she reiterated, making her point a little clearer. "It's been four years or so by my count."

"Toka!" Hisashi hissed. He could see the flush on Tenchi's cheeks, and wanted to spare him from any more embarrassment. "That's not your place!"

"Hush you!" Toka spat, never taking her eyes away from Tenchi's. "They won't sit around and wait on you forever, at least I wouldn't. It's obvious they both have feelings for you," she said ticking her points off on her fingers, "and it's quite obvious from watching you here tonight you have feelings for Ryoko!" Tenchi's eyes darted wide-open at Toka's announcement. Thunderstruck, all Tenchi could do is mouth unspoken syllables as Hisashi sank lower into his chair.

"I don't want to hurt either of them," Tenchi said, using the same line that had become emblazoned into his memory.

"And you aren't now?" Toka said flatly. Once again Tenchi was thunderstruck. He had never thought of his situation in this light before.

"Toka!"

"Not to mention," she said before taking a sip of her after dinner coffee, "it's awful selfish of you."

"Selfish?" Tenchi asked quietly. The heat of the moment only added to the flush of the alcohol on his cheeks. Inside his emotions were riding a roller coaster. All at once he was furious at himself and Toka, combined with the pangs of guilt and self hate for the thought of inadvertently hurting the girls.

"Yeah," Toka said, regaining some of her composure. "It's real selfish of you to hoard their feelings for your self and not return any of them. How do you think Ryoko feels let alone Ayeka? I don't know enough about Ayeka, but from what you've said about Ry'ko," she slurred…

Ry'ko? Where are ya? a child's voice played in Tenchi's ears as Toka continued.

"…It's fairly obvious she cares deeply for you." Toka swallowed hard to fight the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat. "I'd even go as far to say she loves you…just like I love Hisashi."

Hisashi ran his free hand thru his hair and grasped Toka's with the other. "I would have been a little more tactful," he said softly, "but I think she has a point."

"Of course I do."

Tenchi chewed his bottom lip as he pondered his friends' advice. "I've never looked at it that way," Tenchi finally said, barely above a whisper. Have I been this big of a fool? Have I?

"Sometimes it takes an outside view," Toka said leaning over and placing a hand on Tenchi's shoulder. "You have a wonderful thing. Please don't ruin it or let it slip through your fingers. I'm willing to bet that whatever you decide, the other will be there for you. She may be hurt, but hopefully she'll still be your friend." Tenchi nodded as her words sank in. "And a friend is better than not having one at all."

___

To be continued…

Notes: well here's chapter two for all of your enjoyment, and I hope it held its own to the first installment. This fic is set in the OVA universe, so Tenchi's mothers name is Kiyone, and several references from the manga have been added in here and there for flavor. In chapter three, Tenchi finally comes homes for summer vacation. So things are liable to become interesting. Now a word of thanks to my sounding boards for this chapter: Di, Andrew, Led, and Malena. I thank all of you for your feedback and suggestions. You are the best.

William Nichols