Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Daydreams ❯ Comin' Home ( Chapter 3 )

"Tenchi Muyô!" and all characters 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 chapters apply to this one as well.

Daydreams

-by-

William Nichols

Chapter Three: Comin' Home…

He's coming home today…

Ryoko sighed as she floated down from her perch on the crossbeam spanning the living room. Ever since Tenchi's last visit on what he called 'Spring Break,' she had been waiting for this day to come. Of course, if she were the only one waiting on him, things would be better in her mind. Unfortunately for her, there were four other young women waiting to share his time. If she got one minute alone with Tenchi, Ryoko would consider herself fortunate.

So why am I so uptight? she added as she phased into view next to Sasami. "Lemme help kiddo," Ryoko offered.

Never taking an eye off her cooking Sasami nodded over to the steaming bow of soup and platters of rice and other foods. "If you could take those," she said while slicing a row of vegetables with blinding speed, "it'd help a lot Ryoko."

"No prob," Ryoko said, hefting the serving bowl of soup. Why is my stomach in knots…its just Tenchi coming home, the same boy I have loved for longer than I can remember? Yeah, no reason to be nervous… Placing the server on the table Ryoko began her slow march back to the kitchen. Maybe the old man was right, and things will be changing…She was so consumed by her anticipation that she did not notice her rival for Tenchi's affection heading for the kitchen as well.

"Watch out!" Ayeka squeaked as Ryoko nearly bumped into her. "Really Ryoko," she admonished. "You need to be more careful when carrying things."

"Well if you'd quit thinking you own the road," Ryoko grumbled back, garnering a scowl from Ayeka. "Oh never mind," she quipped before finishing her trip back to the kitchen. Other days a tiff with princess prissy pants would be welcomed, but not today.

"Whatever is the matter with her?" Ayeka asked of anyone who might be listening. Finding no answer, she took her place at the table, across from the spot where Tenchi used to sit, and as of this afternoon would sit again.

"Ryoko just has much on her mind," Katsuhito said, pouring his sister a cup of tea. "Be patient."

"But that is no excuse," Ayeka sighed, knowing that any further argument would be pointless.

"Perhaps," Katsuhito answered.

"What's all the whispering about?" Washu asked plopping down next to Katsuhito, who gave her a somewhat disconcerted look. "Talking about Tenchi I see," she surmised after no answer was given to her earlier inquiry. Ayeka's mild blush confirmed her summation. This aught to get her good, Washu thought as a wicked idea crossed her mind. "I can't wait to have my wittle guinea pig back too!" she exclaimed all starry-eyed and with a wild grin.

"Now m-m-m-miss Washu!" Ayeka protested, her voice a couple octaves higher than usual. "You will do no such thing to my Tenchi!"

"Do what to whose Tenchi?" Ryoko asked as she walked in on Washu's riotous cackling and Ayeka's growing ire. Ayeka continued to grumble and Washu laughed while Ryoko sat the final serving platter down. "Last time I checked he was still undecided," Ryoko said calmly, much to the mental prodding of her mother.

"O-o-o-o-h!" Ayeka fumed as Ryoko silently took her place across from her, next to Tenchi's empty seat.

"Please," Mihoshi begged, scooping a heaping helping of rice onto her plate as she did so, "don't spoil this wonderful breakfast by fighting." Ryoko nodded with a sly grin and Ayeka humphed in response.

It has been a while since we fought, Ryoko thought as breakfast quietly continued. Not since the last time Tenchi came home. Maybe we can keep the fighting down after gets in today too.

:: That would be a good idea.:: Ryoko heard in the back of her mind.

:: How many times have I told you to stop listening to my thoughts?:: she shot back across to the pintsized genius sitting at the head of the table.

:: But they can be so juicy!:: Washu cackled back. :: Especially when you think about Tenchi…::

Instantly Ryoko blushed. ::Why you little…:: she cursed towards Washu.

"Now, now little Ryoko," Washu playfully chided, drawing confused stares from the others, save Katsuhito. "You shouldn't talk about your mommy like that."

"Ladies," Katsuhito warned placidly. "Such is not proper conversation for the breakfast table."

"Yes sir," Ryoko said, a dangerous gleam in her eye still directed towards Washu, who seemed to be smiling bigger than her face was capable.

"And you should respect your daughters privacy," he admonished Washu, in much the same tone he had spoken to Ryoko.

"Sorry," Washu said softly, to which garnered an out stuck tongue from Ryoko. Still, everyone else was predominantly in the dark.

"I don't even want to know," Ayeka whispered, inaudible to most at the table.

It's best you don't, Ryoko reflected inwardly. Her demons were her own personal battle. Not to call Washu one of her demons, but she could be annoying, and to know that she had been eavesdropping on her fantasies about Tenchi was wee bit disconcerting. She'd have to have a talk with her 'mother' about that later. The gods only knew she did not want to know Washu fantasized about, if she even had fantasies.

:: But you want to know what Tenchi fantasizes about, :: Washu jabbed, before throwing a firewall up around her end of her link with Ryoko. It was a good thing too, because Ryoko's response was most unladylike.

___

"Now," Ayeka began, "that breakfast is finished, we all have things to do around here to prepare for Lord Tenchi's arrival."

"Not me," Ryoko said flatly, floating up and away from the table.

"Most certainly you!" Ayeka demanded, her voice raising an octave or two in the space of the short sentence. "You will not shirk your responsibilities today!"

"She is right," Katsuhito announced coolly as he too rose from the table.

"See!" Ayeka gloated, finally hoping that someone would teach the slacker pirate a lesson.

"Ryoko is working in the shrine for me today," the aged priest elaborated.

Ayeka just looked back and forth between the stoic Katsuhito and the nodding and grinning Ryoko. "Eh?" she asked, her elated look replaced with one half way between confusion and disbelief.

"Yup," the demoness concurred. "So old man," she said, "I'll see you there." With that Ryoko shimmered out of sight accompanied by the familiar chime of her teleportation.

"Always something…." Ayeka grumbled as Katsuhito excused himself from the table to see to his errant day laborer. "All right!" she continued to the others. "First…"

Katsuhito chuckled to himself as he heard his sister bark off the orders for everyone. Ayeka had always taken to palace life better than he had. Whilst the serenity of a library or the placidness of a garden would suffice for him, Ayeka enjoyed taking charge of things in the palace. Many of the royal servants would cringe when they saw her approach, for fear of what she would impose on them next.

Something's never change, he thought. He knew that Mihoshi, Washu, and his younger sister would all be rather busy this day. Ayeka had quite a gala of festivities planned for Tenchi's return, although Tenchi had expressly asked for her not too.

The old priest just shook his head as he began the terraced accent to the shrine. Ayeka is in love with the lad, and I hope she is strong enough to handle his decision…Katsuhito allowed himself another soft chuckle. He has not yet returned and I am giving his heart to Ryoko…for all I know my intuition may be wrong. But inside, he hoped it was not. Ryoko had suffered for so long in that sensory deprived confines of the cave.

But he knew that she held onto a glimmer of hope.

Those long years ago, when they clashed in the time when Japan was young, he had been granted a vision. When the blade of Tenchi-ken pierced Ryoko's neck and absorbed the first gem, her experiences were flash burned into his consciousness. And in that instant he lived her five long, cruel millennia, he saw that one moment shined above all else.

Surrounded by an aura of Jurai energy, he knew this instance was a gift to her from Tsunami. Therein he did not see the bloodthirsty, savage, Destroyer of Worlds, but a kind soul not deserving of the fate he was so bent on inflicting. Also therein he saw his future. It was not his to return to Jurai as the conquering hero and take the throne by his sister's side. His was to remain on the tiny blue and green planet of his mothers' birth. His was to sire a lineage of humble priests who would guard the legend of the demon to be entombed in the shrine he would found.

It was his to bring this vision granted by a nameless tree to pass.

To bring this glimmer of hope that Ryoko held onto to pass.

The ascent up the ancient stone flight seemed to pass all to quickly. As his graying head and bespectacled face crested the plain of the shrine yard, he found his ward standing ready. "Hmmm?" he asked of Ryoko as he got a glimpse of her.

She only smiled in response as he finally stepped into the yard. "What?" Hands behind her back, Ryoko stood wearing a white tunic and red hakama. "You like?"

"That is the attire of a shrine maiden," Katsuhito said, his eyes traveling up and down Ryoko's form.

"You don't approve?"

"It is not a matter of approval but more of a matter as why?" Katsuhito said, his hand to his chin as he studied his ward.

Ryoko smiled. "Ya want me to work for ya naked?" A trace of Tenchi-esque blush crossed beneath Katsuhito's rectangular spectacles as he obviously imagined just that. "It doesn't bother me," she said slyly, tugging at the hakama's first knot.

"That would not be appropriate," Katsuhito said with a cough. "The hakama can stay." Ryoko giggled and twirled around, the hem of the wide pants pinwheeling out slightly. "But respect it's honor," he warned. Ryoko nodded and settled back into her rigid stance. "What would Tenchi say if he saw you dressed as such?" Katsuhito asked as he began to pace around Ryoko.

"You think he'd be mad?" she asked, a slight tremor in her voice. Would he yell at me and make me change? Would he?

The aged shrine master chuckled as he imagined Tenchi's response to Ryoko's attire. "He would probably just stand there and mutter incoherently," he said still chuckling.

"I can see that now," Ryoko said, trying to stymie her own laughter. The old man was right. As good as she looked right now, Tenchi would probably get a nosebleed and just mumble incoherent syllables trying not to make a fool out of himself. "Thanks," she said finally breaking the stilled silence. "I really didn't want to slave for Ayeka today."

Katsuhito laughed. "Do not think I will be any laxer a taskmaster."

"Yes sir!" Ryoko said, snapping a rigid salute as Katsuhito continued to pace around her.

"You have come along way," he said solemnly. "So different from those long days ago."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" she shot back, eyebrow raised.

"There will time for philosophy later," Katsuhito replied. "But first the steps need sweeping and the shrine floors holystoned." He paused and stroked his chin while Ryoko waited for more orders. "That should keep you busy enough."

"I'd say," she halfway grumbled.

"Work is a blessing," the aged priest intoned as he retreated to the office.

After the rice paper doors had slid shut, Ryoko sighed. Well, she thought, at least I'm not prancing around for Ayeka. Poor Sasami. Ayeka's gonna run her ragged today. I love the kid, but her sister can be too much.

___

How did Tenchi do this every day? Ryoko thought as she smeared the sweat on her forehead with her forearm. Sweeping the steps had not been too bad. The morning was pleasant and a cool breeze had kept the temperature down, but after lunch the temperature had risen in the early afternoon. In Ryoko's book anything that allowed her to spend time away from Ayeka was a good thing, even it was sweeping two hundred thirty-seven stone stairs from top to bottom, of which she counted everyone. But this, was nearly too much.

Her knees were hurting and her fingertips felt raw as she scooted across the shrine floor, scouring them with the flat piece of sandstone. Holystone the shrine floors…she thought. Rather like hell-stone the friggin' floors, she concluded. The scritch of the stone on the old hardwood floors stopped momentarily as she caught scent of Ayeka's perfume. What does she want? Ryoko groaned inwardly before she resumed her chore, for fear of Ayeka starting a fuss over catching her in a moment of break.

Ryoko strained to hear the muffled conversation between Ayeka and Katsuhito over the constant scuffing of the holystone. It sounded like Ayeka was demanding that Ryoko lend a hand at the house, and that her older brother was holding his ground. Chattering like a chipmunk, Ryoko laughed inwardly. Finally she heard what sounded like a royal 'hmmmph' and the door to the shrine office sliding shut. The old man must have won, she concluded as she dipped her rag into the water pail and twisted it out. A swipe later and the final swath of floor had been preened.

Inhaling the pungent mixture of sweat, hardwoods and incense, Ryoko sighed in relief. "Done!" she announced, proud of her days work.

"Not bad," came the voice of Katsuhito from out of nowhere.

"Don't do that!" Ryoko shrieked, nearly jumping out of her hakama and skin.

"Like I said before," the old priest began with a chuckle. "Your reflexes are slowing."

"Next thing you'll be telling me that my breast are sagging too," she grumbled, hopefully beneath the old mans level of hearing.

"Only Washu says that," Katsuhito retorted. The visible cringe from Ryoko was worth the cheapness of the jab. "Sagging or not," he continued, "you have done a fair days work, and I'm giving you the evening off."

Ryoko looked up slightly confused. "I don't have to go help Ayeka?"

"No."

"Wonderful."

"Go get ready for Tenchi," the priest advised. "I suspect he will be glad to see you this evening."

"If you say so," Ryoko half-heartedly returned, her earlier misgivings creeping back into her subconscious.

"I do," Katsuhito acknowledged, laying a comforting hand on Ryoko's shoulder. "Just remember to be a lady."

"Like that prissy sister of yours?" she asked, shirking back from his reach. "No way in hell!"

"No," Katsuhito sternly replied. "Not like Ayeka. But not like the Ryoko of seven hundred years ago either."

"So?" she asked, not quite comprehending his cryptic response.

"Be the Ryoko that have been lately, the one since Tenchi has been gone."

"Whatever," Ryoko shot back. "I'll be myself."

"That is what I was saying," Katsuhito said, to a perplexed look from Ryoko. "I told you that there would be time for philosophy later," he chuckled. "Go now. Tenchi will home in a few hours. Relax."

"I think I understand," Ryoko said with a slight smile. "Thanks old man," she added before phasing out of sight with a chime.

Katsuhito chuckled. "To be young and in love." With that he collected Ryoko's scrub bucket and holystone and retired to the house.

___

A fraction of a second after she left the shrine Ryoko rematerialized in the women's side of the Onsen. A smile crossed Ryoko's face as she strolled towards the warm pools of water, her clothes landing in an unceremonious heap, phased out of with a thought. A soft sigh, almost a purr, exited Ryoko's lips as the warmth of the springs soothed the first cramped muscles in her legs. The next sigh was most definitely a purr of pleasure as she slid her sore back into the water. Ryoko was nearly in bliss by the time she settled into the breast high water.

"Oh me…" she moaned, her taut leg muscles finally beginning to relax. Not since her days under Kagato's cruelty had so many muscles ached at once. A shiver raced up her spine in spite if the Onsen's heat at the thought of those days. But this time, she didn't mind the pain. "Now I know why Tenchi would be so worn out most days," she added as the muscles in her back relaxed, knots of stress coming unfurled.

"Much better," she sighed after procuring a saucer of warm sake from the floating basket. After a hard days work the astringent liquor tasted even better, its heat rolling down her throat.

Taste, she thought. At least a few good things did come from my assimilation with Zero. I'd forgot how enjoyable tasting things could be, amongst other things, she added with a happy smile. One of the spring's underwater vents was nestled right up against her backside, jetting its warm water between her legs.

"Especially this," she purred after shifting her bottom so that the jet flowed across her just right. "Ohhh…" she sighed. The water jet felt oh so tantalizing, and after today's work, she decided that it was a pleasure she deserved. Ryoko allowed her left hand to caress her ample cleavage, pausing just long enough to catch her nipple between her thumb and forefinger. Floating the emptied sake saucer in the water, Ryoko let her other hand follow its opposites movements.

Soft moans escaped Ryoko's lips as her hands caressed her alabaster skin. As one hand would slide down the other would track in the opposite direction, trying to catch every erogenous zone as possible. Self-pleasure was something she had not known during her days as Kagato's monster. In his infinite cruelties he had disabled the parts of her brain that conducted pleasurable nerve impulses of all kinds. This left Ryoko only the cold feelings of the automaton he wanted, pain being the foremost. It was not until her assimilation with Zero did Ryoko rediscover such things as taste and the true feelings of being aroused, which by now, she was very.

After shifting once more so that the water jet was once again venting between the crease of her rear end, Ryoko tentatively slipped a finger between her legs, her warmth indistinguishable from that of the spring around her. Just as quickly as her finger had darted in it retreated, its owning hand tracing back up her stomach to her breasts.

Overwhelmed by the warmth of the Onsen and the warmth from within, Ryoko began to daydream that her hands were those of Tenchi, finally lavishing the affection on her that she so desperately craved…

-

Soft morning light radiated into the bedroom, casting white warmth onto the two occupants of the large, mahogany bed. The red, navy and white harlequin patterned quilt hung half on, half off the king-sized mattress revealing the powder blue sheets. Extending out from those selfsame sheets was a long, alabaster leg, of who the majority of its owner was under the quilt. But what could be seen was a shock of cyan hair and a pair of long arms wrapped around a well-tanned body topped with a plait of dark hair.

"Morning," Ryoko said to Tenchi, who had just opened his chocolate eyes.

"Morning my love," he returned, looking into Ryoko's orbs of amber. Ryoko just moaned happily as his lips darted up and landed on hers for the briefest of morning kisses.

"That's not fair," she playfully protested as Tenchi had broken the kiss off before she had wanted him too.

Tenchi smiled warmly at his love. "Then how about this?" Before Ryoko could say anything he rushed his lips to hers in a loving embrace. Another soft purr educed from Ryoko showed him her satisfaction. Instinctively Tenchi flicked his tongue into Ryoko's mouth, tracing around the point of one of her fangs, with which she playfully nipped at him.

Tenchi chuckled softly as he pulled back from the kiss to look into Ryoko's eyes. She saw a placid yet excited visage that mirrored her own. They knew that this was right, and that one another's love was readily returned.

"What?" Ryoko asked in response to his playful titter.

"Nothing," he lovingly replied as he shifted his weight on top of her. Ryoko quickly wrapped her arms around him again and drew Tenchi into a fiery kiss. Her tongue played with his as she dragged her fingernails down Tenchi's back, pale streaks left in their wake. Tenchi groaned softly as Ryoko's hands came to a rest on his buttocks and gave him tight squeeze.

"You have a cute ass," she giggled in his ear before nibbling on his earlobe.

"So I've been told," he said softly into her ear, before tracing gentle kisses down her neck. Shivers raced down Ryoko's back as his hot breath washed over her cool skin. Ryoko could tell Tenchi was feeling impish, as he traced his tongue over the newly formed goose flesh on Ryoko's neck.

"That tickles," she laughed playfully, knowing full well that such an admonition would only fuel Tenchi's desires. Ryoko smiled playfully as Tenchi's tongue traced down the nave of her neck to the top of her breasts. His moment of indecision was fleeting before he decided that her right breast deserved attention first.

Ryoko's soft moans told Tenchi that his actions were appreciated. Flicking his tongue across her bullet like nipple, Tenchi then traced the rough skin of Ryoko's areola eliciting more hushed vocalizations. Moving to Ryoko's left breast, Tenchi lavished it with the same pampering her had given its twin, all the while keeping a free hand on the free mound.

Finally Tenchi began to trace kisses down Ryoko's firm belly, pausing at her navel to look up into her amber eyes. Her breathing was coming in short breaths, as was his, both of their fires sufficiently stoked.

"Don't stop," she breathed, almost pleading with him. To stop now would be the cruelest of tortures.

"I won't" Tenchi promised, before he resumed his trail of soft kisses down t her stomach. Ryoko inhaled sharply as he caught the soft skin above her patch of cyan fur in his lips. Her hips twitched as Tenchi sat up on his knees and gently extended her leg to its full length. Starting at her ankle, he gently, lovingly kissed its full length down to her inner thigh.

With pleading eyes Ryoko watched Tenchi stop tantalizingly close to her sex. A shiver of ghostly fingers traversed her spine as he paused for those long seconds, his hot breath rolling over her. Then as suddenly as he stopped, Tenchi took her other leg in the same fashion, lovingly kissing down its length to her inner thigh once more.

Ryoko sighed contented as Tenchi, her Tenchi finally traced his tongue towards her vulva. Gently, he spread the wings of flesh and wafted the scent of her arousal. Ryoko's hips twitched as his first kisses and strokes of tongue came gently, lovingly. Ryoko ground her backside into the bed sheets as Tenchi deepened his probing, letting an occasional lick stroke up to her clitoris. The feelings were more than electric as Tenchi finally focused in on her most erogenous of zones.

"Oh gods…" Ryoko whimpered as the sensations intensified, tracers and after images flashing behind her eyes. Her breaths came in ragged huffs as Tenchi solidified his efforts to bring her to climax. Each stroke of the tongue and tender nibble brought Ryoko that much closer to the loving release she so desperately desired, that she so desperately needed.

"Tenchi!" she implored, nearing her release. "Ten-n-n-n-n-chi!"

-

"Tenchi what? You demon?" Ayeka sneered as she slid back the door to the woman's side of the Onsen, sidestepping the rumpled pile of Ryoko's discarded clothes. After toiling all day to make sure Tenchi had a princely welcome, the last thing she wanted was to hear Ryoko's lust ridden imaginings. "Disgraceful," the princess added snidely.

Ryoko cursed under her breath as Ayeka dragged her kicking and screaming back to reality.

"To think you would court Tenchi," Ayeka chided, taking a seat a good ways from Ryoko.

"What's that sup'sed to mean?" Ryoko fired back, wondering what Ayeka could be up to.

"I mean," Ayeka, continued, "you honestly don't think Tenchi would really do that with you? Do you?" Ryoko just sat there silently as Ayeka continued. "A prince of Jurai would only want to give himself to someone as pure as he is," the princess finished.

Ryoko bit her bottom lip and forced down a half-sob. Ayeka was probably right, and if Tenchi new everything about her past like he said Washu showed him, he knew of her indiscretions as well. Just as she was about to phase out of the Onsen and let Ayeka have her victory a thought dawned on Ryoko. Past indiscretion's, she remembered, just hold on there…

"What about yourself?" Ryoko volleyed back.

"Whatever do you mean?" Ayeka said in a nasally, somewhat offended timbre.

"Just remembering something," Ryoko chuckled. Oh yes, she thought. This will shut miss princess prissy pants up! By now Ayeka had turned around to face Ryoko and she could see the glimmer of trepidation in the princesses' eyes. "Something from before I attacked Jurai," the former destroyer of worlds elaborated.

Ayeka just stared intently at Ryoko, unsure of what she was getting at, but obviously, it was of no good. "What are you lying about now," Ayeka weakly defended.

"Not a lie," Ryoko corrected. "When I was casing the planet for a couple months before I attacked," she said with a sardonic grin, "I seems to remember a certain princess was in the news a good bit."

"Well I am a princess," Ayeka said very snootily.

More like a royal bitch, Ryoko somehow managed to keep from saying aloud. "Well if my memory serves, which it does," Ryoko confirmed, "there was quite a stink about that certain princess involved in a scandalous romance with another noble when she was already betrothed to the crown prince…"

Ayeka just deadpanned. "You wouldn't dare!" she exclaimed, her face full of disbelief that someone remembered that ugly little piece of history.

"I would," Ryoko answered, "and faster than Ryo-ohki would go after a carrot too."

Ayeka studied the pirates determined visage. She's not bluffing, the cornered princess thought. And knowing my luck Washu could find the pictures to back her up.

"So what's it gonna be princess?" Ryoko inquired, very much enjoying the look of consternation on Ayeka's face.

"I will not say anything if you do not," the princess offered.

"Deal."

Ayeka quietly thanked Tsunami as Ryoko floated up from the bath, dripping water onto the wooden floors. "Now if you would excuse me," Ryoko continued, "I need to get ready for my Tenchi."

Before Ayeka could say anything in response Ryoko and her pile of disheveled clothing faded from sight. Sighing, Ayeka settled back into the warm bath. "Why me?" she asked of whomever might be listening. "Why me…"

_____

"On the count of three: one, two, three!"

With a grunt Tenchi hefted his end of the drafting table and with the help of his father wrestled it into the back of the Mitsubishi minivan. The real chore had been getting the heavy piece of furniture down the two flights of stairs from Tenchi's apartment to the van. After that the Masaki men took a moment to catch their breath and rest before their backs, they finally got the last of Tenchi's belongings into the minivan.

"Whew!" Nobuyuki sighed, wiping his forehead with the back of his forearm. "That's the last of it."

"Yup," Tenchi replied between pants.

"Too bad they make you clear out during the summer," Nobuyuki whined, dreading the move back in the fall already.

"I know," Tenchi agreed, slamming the hatchback shut. He too knew that in a few scant months that they would have to repeat this labor-intensive job. How did I fit so much stuff into such a small apartment? he wondered to himself. "Maybe we can get Washu to help," he said getting into the van.

"Now there's an idea," Nobuyuki chimed. Anything that meant he did not have to lug that thing back those stairs was a good idea. Of course, Washu had offered to teleport or something like that all of Tenchi's belongings back to Okayama, but he had refused. Nobuyuki had wanted to some quality father/son bonding time, and this was the perfect opportunity.

"Yeah," Tenchi seconded, imagining the same high-tech help that his father was. But quickly his grin changed as he remembered what usually happened to Washu's experiments and gadgets. "Then again," he said with a little trepidation.

"I see your point," Nobuyuki added, imagining the same thing. All he needed was for Washu to fry or transport Tenchi's belongings to another part of the universe was all he needed. Just another expense for him to meet. "Well, let's get on the road."

For the longest, Tenchi just sat and idly chitchatted with his father. They had a lot to get caught up on, mainly the three games series coming up between their favorite baseball teams, the Yomiuri Giants and the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. The elder Masaki favored the Giants, whilst Tenchi had become quite a Carp fan as of late.

"I'm tellin' ya that the Carp aren't going to win," Nobuyuki elaborated, citing that their best hitter was hurt on the bench. Tenchi's argument rested on the brilliant season the Carp's pitching staff was having, but he did admit that the Giants had the best slugger in the league.

"Still," the younger Masaki conceded, "it will be a good series."

"That it will be."

Once again the pair fell into silence. Nobuyuki thrummed his fingers on the steering wheel while Tenchi watched the rolling hills of the Okayama Prefecture creep into view as the metropolis of Hiroshima vanished behind them. "My grades will be in a week or so," Tenchi finally said.

"How'd ya do son?" Nobuyuki asked. He knew that this was just a formality. Tenchi always made top marks.

"I was worried about a few classes," Tenchi said, a hint of true concern in his voice, "but I think I pulled off the grade."

"I'm proud of you," the elder Masaki said truthfully. He was.

"Thank you," Tenchi said quietly. Whilst school had gone well enough, his mind and heart were still in turmoil. Toka's words had only added to his inner strife, which his recent dreams and fantasies had not been helping. He obviously had feelings for Ryoko, but he wasn't sure exactly what they were. All he knew was things were going to be interesting to say the least when he got home.

Nobuyuki watched his son's reflections in the minivans window. He could tell by that look something was bothering him, but the lad was adept at keeping his feelings to himself. "What's bothering you son?" Nobuyuki finally inquired.

Tenchi just sighed. Perhaps his father could provide some insight. He was his dad, right? And this is the type of thing most guys talked to their dads about, right? "I was just thinking," Tenchi began cryptically.

"What about?" Must be something big to be bothering him this much.

"Well," Tenchi began to hem haw, "its that…I mean…" Dammit! Why does this have to be so hard?

"Girl troubles?" Nobuyuki proffered. Since when does he not have girl troubles…five of them to be exact!

"You could say that," Tenchi finally admitted. "Dad?" he asked slowly.

"Yes son?"

"How did you know when you were falling in love with mom?"

Nobuyuki was caught off guard by his sons query. For a moment his eyes glassed over as long gone images of him and his dear Kiyone flashed across his mind. A picnic in the woods; a walk home after school; a kiss stolen when no one was looking; many things he had seemingly forgotten about. Blinking, a tear escaped his eyes. "It's kinda hard to explain," Nobuyuki said, trying to put his emotions to some sensible words. "It's a wonderful and nervous feeling all at the same time. You are happy beyond measure and scared to death."

"Kind of like a knot in the pit of your stomach?" Tenchi asked. His father's words had described exactly how he had been feeling of late when Ryoko would call and when Toka had grilled him on the matter. Could I be?

"Are you trying to tell me something son?" Nobuyuki asked, wondering just why Tenchi had brought the subject up now.

"I don't know," Tenchi said honestly. "I really don't."

"Well," Nobuyuki said in his best fatherly tone, "I won't pry."

"Thank you," Tenchi sighed.

"But promise one thing," his father added.

"What's that?" Tenchi asked cautiously. Promising his father something regarding this subject could be dangerous.

"Just love whomever it is with all your heart, and treat her like she is your whole world."

Tenchi smiled. "I will dad." With that, Nobuyuki let the subject ride, content that his son had an interest in one of the young ladies in their house, or maybe it was one he met at school. It didn't matter to him. He just wanted his son to be happy.

Tenchi settled into his seat and watched the countryside pass by. The bright greens of spring had settled into the darker shades of summer and a few fluffy clouds drifted across the otherwise blue sky. The hum of the road coupled with the low volume of the radio was more than enough to lull Tenchi into a state of drowsiness. The past few days had been utterly hectic, and his energy reserves were depleted. With his previous conversation with Hisashi and Toka added to what his father had just said replaying through his mind, Tenchi drifted off into a thought filled sleep…

-

Tenchi nodded to the couple that had just left the shrine. The sun was laying low in the surrounding mountains and he figured that would be the last visitors of the day. A broad smile crossed his face as the older couple made their descent down the olden stone stairway. The woman had complimented him on his lovely wife, and Tenchi was beaming.

"What are you smiling about?" someone whispered into his ear as a pair of slender arms wrapped around his chest from behind.

Tenchi turned to look his wife in the eyes and returned her smile. "I was just complimented on what a wonderful wife you are."

"They don't know me very well, do they?" Ryoko said playfully, laying her head on Tenchi's shoulder.

Tenchi laughed softly. "But I do." With that he pressed his lips to Ryoko's in a passionate kiss.

"Hold on," she said softly into his ear, momentarily breaking the kiss.

Tenchi felt a slight disorientation as he rematerialized in their bedroom in the old house down by the lake, but he never broke the kiss. Soft moans escaped from both of them as Ryoko levitated the pair towards the bed, still not breaking the kiss. In a quick motion Tenchi found himself being pulled on top of Ryoko as she fell back onto the soft mattress.

Goose flesh prickled Tenchi's neck as Ryoko's hands ran down his back, clawing at him through his shirt. "I love you," he said, rising to his knees.

"You too," Ryoko returned, looking up at Tenchi. Both meant it.

Ryoko held her hands behind her head as Tenchi smoothed his over her body. Tenchi eyed every inch of his loves body. He smiled as a giggle escaped from his wife as he cupped his hands over her breast and toyed a finger along the hem of her gi. Ryoko cooed as Tenchi traced his hands down her legs though her red hakama. Out of oft-drilled memory the meanings of the garments seven folds flowed across his mind as he explored and admired his wife's body. Yuki for courage; Jin for charity; Gi for righteousness; Rei for civility; Makoto for honesty; Chugi for devotion; and Meiyo for honor. All seven folds embodied Ryoko to Tenchi, but Chugi and Meiyo stood at the forefront. He would always honor his love with eternal devotion.

"Whatcha thinkin'?" Ryoko asked, snapping Tenchi from his moment lost in thought.

"Of how much I love you," he honestly and openly returned, accepting her hand and pulling Ryoko up to a sitting position whilst he eased back.

"How much is that?" Ryoko toyed before Tenchi met her lips again. "That's a lot," she laughed after they finally broke the kiss.

"Let me show you more," Tenchi begged, as he began to work the outer knot on her hakama. Ryoko scooted closer to Tenchi, intertwining their legs so that he could reach her more easily. Tenchi grunted as he tried to unthread the intricately laced series of knots, knowing full well once this one was done, he had another to untie in the back.

"What's so funny?" he inquired as Ryoko giggled at him. After loosing the first wrap of the ties, Tenchi had turned them into a muddled mess, hopelessly tangled.

"Just you silly," she returned, seeing his face grow even redder.

Tenchi grimaced as he felt his cheeks grow warm. Even after so many years that old blush of his had a way of creeping up on him. He only thanked the gods that he grew out of those damned nosebleeds…

"Allow me," Ryoko proffered, floating an arms length away from Tenchi.

Tenchi was certain she was content with his current state of consternation. "Fine," Tenchi playfully pouted as Ryoko's muddled hakama disappeared from her body with a chime and reappeared neatly folded by the bedside. "Adding insult to injury," Tenchi sulked.

"Oh hush you!" Ryoko said playfully. Tenchi could barely respond before Ryoko pounced him, pinning him to the bed. "Now I have you," she laughed.

"Yes you do," Tenchi breathed, slipping his hands inside her gi and cupping her breasts again. He could feel her nipples behind the fabric of her bra. Ryoko moaned softly as he pulled the under-wire up allowing her spill out of the brassiere.

"I want you," she purred, grinding the cotton of her panties into the wool of his navy hakama. "Badly," she added for emphasis, incase her hips were not making the point clear enough.

"I know," Tenchi, breathed, feeling his own fires beginning to take hold. "I want you too."

"Then take me," Ryoko begged, rolling over so that Tenchi was atop of her.

Tenchi inhaled sharply as he felt Ryoko's nails on his newly exposed buttocks, his hakama and boxers having been removed in the same manner as his loves. Tenchi brought his hands down her sides till he came to the elastic band of her panties. The look in his eye said he wanted this privilege instead of having them unceremoniously phased out of. Tenchi smiled as Ryoko ease her hips up off the bed so that he could have this honor.

"I love you," she said coolly, trying to contain her excitement.

"I love you too," Tenchi began, "more than life itself my Ryoko."

Ryoko only nodded as Tenchi slid his erection into her warm insides. Tenchi breathed in as the heat of Ryoko vagina mingled with his own warmth. Very little else was said as Tenchi matched his thrusts to Ryoko's gyrations. Nothing had to be said. Their love for one another was explicitly confirmed by the look mirrored in their eyes. Words would be superfluous.

"I love you," Tenchi said anyway, his voice trembling.

"I know," Ryoko, affirmed, her voice equally shaky.

"Ryoko…" Tenchi muttered, his drive increasing as Ryoko wrapped her lengthy legs around his buttocks and pulled him closer. "Oh gods…" he muttered, feeling the first signs of climax. Ryoko's sharp breaths and fingernails in his back told him she was not far behind.

"Tenchi…" Ryoko moaned, feeling the warmth of his release in her. "Tenchi…"

-

"Tenchi?"

"Shhhh…" Nobuyuki warned Ayeka and Ryoko as he got out of the minivan. Night had fallen, and Tenchi had been asleep for most of the drive. "He's out cold," the elder Masaki explained.

"Oh," Ryoko said, somewhat dejectedly. She had been so worked up over today that this seemed to be overly anti-climatic.

"What about my party?" Ayeka asked in a hushed whisper that did not hide her annoyance.

"Sorry," Nobuyuki said. "I'm not waking him."

"But…"

"No buts," he continued. "He's had a busy few days, and you can party tomorrow night. Everything will keep."

"I guess…" Ayeka sighed, her dejection mirroring Ryoko's.

"Ryoko?" Nobuyuki whispered as he opened the van door, "will you carry him up to his room?"

"Sure," Ryoko said quietly as the elder Masaki stepped out of her way.

Nobuyuki glanced over his shoulder and saw a glower on Ayeka's face. He knew that look, and he quickly moved to diffuse it. "And Ayeka, would you carry his suitcase so he has his stuff for in the morning?"

Ryoko smiled lopsidedly as Nobuyuki finished his request. Probably for the best, she thought. I don't want to fight tonight…my hearts just not in it…

"Ready?" Ayeka asked as she hefted the travel bag.

"Lead the way," Ryoko said.

Nobuyuki smiled as he watched the two young ladies help his son up to his bedroom. Tenchi's question had awakened many fond memories he had long thought forgotten, and had offered a glimpse that his son was finally coming out of his painful shyness. That and Tenchi's drowsed mumblings had given him an inkling of who his son was dreaming.

"I hope your dream comes true," Nobuyuki said, closing the vans sliding door. "I truly do…"

To be continued…

Notes: First, allow me to apologize for the lengthy delay between chapters. My academic writing for graduate school has severely cut into my fanfic writing time, along with having the good fortune of having the most wonderful young lady come into my life at about the same time.

Second, a huge thank you goes out to Diane Long and Malena for being my 'consultants' on this chapter. Your help was invaluable.

Thirdly, a thanks goes out to all my buddies who have leant an attentive ear throughout this process. Ya'll are the greatest.

Now I know what ya'll are saying: 'Hurry up with the next chapter!' I will as soon as class and other things (read the aforementioned wonderful young lady) will allow.

Later my friends.

William 'Thundergod' Nichols 11/18/02