Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Daydreams ❯ A Princess' Strength ( Chapter 4 )

"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 Four: A Princess' Strength

Tenchi awoke with a stretch and a moan before he shot out of bed like a bolt, wondering just where he was. But just as quickly he realized he was in his own bedroom. "Dad must have brought me in last night," he mumbled, seeing that he was still wearing his clothes from the day before. His travel bag was placed neatly aside the closet door and his shoes rested next to the bag.

A further yawn escaped Tenchi as he swung his feet over the side of the bed and placed them on the hardwood floors. A shiver raced up one leg forcing the young Masaki to look down. Naturally, one sock was missing. A quick hunt beneath the comforter yielded its quick return.

With a stretch Tenchi ambled towards the door. He had almost forgotten how good it was to sleep in his own bed rather than the boxy one he had in his apartment. His slippers found, he began to descend the stairs.

Upon reaching the second floor landing, Tenchi got his first view of the previous nights abortive festivities in his honor. "Oh boy…" he mumbled as he saw the large multi-colored banner that spanned the living room emblazoned with meter-high kanji proclaiming his welcomed return. Paper lanterns and multi-colored streamers hung from the ceiling joists in addition to the banner. A four-meter banquet table stood in front of the double doors leading to the deck laden with every type of fare and cuisine imaginable. Hovering above the table was a gunmetal-colored, crab-looking device emitting a green field over the food- obviously Washu's handy work. From the clatter from below he could tell that breakfast was well underway. That and the heavenly scent wafting throughout the house was another give away.

Tenchi made his way down the stairs, fully expecting to be glomped or at least pelted with good mornings, but none came his way. In fact, no one was down for breakfast yet, save what sounded like Sasami, Ryo-ohki, and Ryoko? At first Tenchi thought he was imagining things. Ryoko was never up this early, much less helping out. But you've been gone for a year, he reminded himself, wondering just what else may have changed in his absence.

Sure enough though, Ryoko was helping the young gourmet. Ducking back around the corner, Tenchi silently watched as the pair continued on. At least it doesn't seem that Ryoko is cooking anything, he thought recollecting some of the pirates past cooking fiascos. But then again, I have been gone for a year and other things may have changed as well.

"Would you check the soup?" Sasami asked as she chopped a bunch of leeks with blinding accuracy.

"'Kay," was Ryoko's reply as she phased out of sight beside Sasami and instantly reappeared next to the stove. "Hmm…" she pondered after tasting a small spoonful. "Needs curry," she proclaimed.

"Just a little then," Sasami said looking up from the chopping block. "A little goes along-­­ouch!"

Tenchi bolted upright at seeing Sasami jerk back from the cutting board, holding her left hand. A streamer of blood trailed the move.

Before the knife could clang on the floor Ryoko disappeared from beside the stove and reappeared next to Sasami. "How bad is it?" she asked, stooping down to Sasami's level, which Tenchi noted was not as small as it was a year ago.

"I'll be fine," Sasami sniffed. Glistening trails of silver already streaked her face, seemingly weaving their way through her freckles.

"Lemme see," Ryoko ordered as Sasami gingerly produced the sliced appendage. Ryoko winced at the sight of the deep cut, almost to the bone. Tenchi was about to go get Washu when a small ball of light began to form at Ryoko's fingertip. "Hold still," she ordered. Sasami nodded with a sniff as Ryoko blew the marble-sized ball of light towards the wound.

Sasami inhaled sharply when the ball touched her finger and spread itself out to encompass the wound. A second later the light was gone and the cut healed, not even leaving a scar. "Oh wow," Sasami mouthed along with Tenchi.

"All fixed up," Ryoko announced as she wiped the last tears from Sasami's face. "And remember what I told you about crying," she said with a hint of gruffness in her voice.

"Big pirates don't cry," Sasami recited, still marveling over healed wound.

"That's right."

"But you cry…" Sasami added meekly.

Ryoko was taken aback by the young lady's astute observation. "That's different," she weekly defended, turning her head so that Sasami would not see the tears already forming in her eyes. Her tears and pain were her own, and the fact that Sasami knew of her grief only added the burden weighing on her heart. "I…what I mean is…" Ryoko stammered as she choked her emotions down.

Tenchi felt like all the blood drained from his face and that his heart had just slammed into his slippers. He had a feeling that he knew the reason would be crying. And what hurt him more was that he knew he was that reason.

"I'm sorry," Sasami begged, throwing herself onto Ryoko in a hug that could only come from one of Misaki's daughters. "Don't cry Ryoko, please don't…"

"It's okay," Ryoko lied, trying to get a little breathing room. It amazed her how deceptively strong Sasami really was. "It's okay."

"You sure?" the not-so little princess sniffed.

"Yeah," Ryoko said, cocking a lopsided grin that looked put on. "Let's get this mess cleaned up and finished before your prissy sister comes down and makes a fuss."

"Okay," Sasami replied.

For the longest Tenchi stayed covertly behind the corner, watching the pair finish breakfast. He cursed himself for not going to Ryoko just then, but inside he knew she would have left in more tears, embarrassed that he had seen her show such emotion. Tenchi also dwelt on how Ryoko had cared for Sasami. He had never seen this side of Ryoko before, although his words to Toka from barely a fortnight ago echoed across his mind.

"She can be the most gentle soul on the planet…"

Tenchi allowed himself a smile as he remembered that statement, glad that he had been proven so unequivocally right; but just as quickly though thoughts of the other occupants of his fathers house entered his mind. Am I even sure of what, much less whom I want, he mentally chided himself. I can't break Ayeka's heart just to make myself happy…I just can't do that…but everyday I'm hurting her and Ryoko. Gods, Toka was right…

"Tenchi!" Ayeka squeaked as she rounded the stairs from the second floor, bringing Tenchi back from his deep thought.

"Ayeka," he said with a sheepish grin, reaching a hand behind his head and beginning to scratch. "I didn't hear you coming."

"Oh," Ayeka responded. "I wish you would have been feeling better last night," she continued sweetly. "I had such a party planned."

"I'm sorry," Tenchi offered with a short bow. "I was just worn out."

"That is what Father said last night," Ayeka continued, sliding her arm through Tenchi's and leading him to the table. "But thanks to Little Washu," Ayeka began, motioning to the banquet table, "everything will be fine for tonight."

"That's great," Tenchi said somewhat half-heartedly. In the back of his mind he seemed to remember asking that they would not make a fuss over his coming home, but that had obviously went unheeded.

"Tenchi!" Sasami squeaked, running out of the kitchen and hugging Tenchi as hard as she had hugged Ryoko earlier. "I've missed you so much!"

"We all have," Ayeka said sweetly, casting an annoyed glance towards Ryoko, who had just walked out of the kitchen with a server of miso soup.

Instantly Ryoko's heart sank upon seeing Tenchi standing there so casually with Ayeka's arm looped around his. She could not blame Sasami for hugging Tenchi as so, considering she regarded him as her big brother. But seeing Ayeka holding him so tenderly almost shattered her.

:: Stay collected dearie, :: Washu told her daughter across their shared link. ::Don't get worked up. She practically jumped the poor boy.::

::Easy for you to say…:: Ryoko retorted, doing her best to stay collected. "Good morning Tenchi," she finally spoke.

"Ryoko," Tenchi all but gasped. Ryoko nodded in return and sat down at the table without any further acknowledgement of Tenchi's existence. Tenchi carefully extracted his arm from Ayeka's and gave Sasami's shoulder a squeeze. She too had noticed Ryoko's reaction, and had quickly let go of her hug.

"I see you're up early again," Ayeka almost snipped, but changed her tone after a glance from Tenchi.

"Just helping," Ryoko answered. She had already dipped her self a bowl of soup and a bowl of rice to compliment her fried eggs.

"More than you did yesterday?" Ayeka egged on.

"But she did help," Katsuhito said from the foyer. "Ryoko worked for me until the evening."

"And from what I saw she did a good job too, maybe better than you son!" Nobuyuki seconded with a laugh, following his father-in-law to the table. "I see you slept well Tenchi."

"It's nice to be back in my own bed," Tenchi said, cutting his eyes between his father and Ryoko. Why do I always screw things up? he asked himself, still dwelling on earlier. "The one in the apartment sleeps like a rock."

"So it does," Katsuhito said. He closed his eyes as he inhaled the steam off his cup of tea. "I will need both of your assistance at the shrine today," he said calmly.

"Both?" Tenchi asked, somewhat confused.

"That would be me, I guess?" Ryoko answered.

"Yes," Katsuhito replied as he pondered the bit of rice on the end of his chopstick, or that is at least what he appeared to be doing.

"Okay," she said somewhat timidly, not sure what to make of the request from Katsuhito, nor from the looks she was receiving from Tenchi and Ayeka. I guess he's found his princess, Ryoko moaned inwardly. Suddenly not very hungry, she pushed her plate away. "If I can be excused," she said rather dryly. "I'll meet you at the Shrine." With that Ryoko disappeared with the familiar chime of her teleportation.

"Whatever got into her?" Ayeka sniffed.

"I don't know," Tenchi lied, knowing full well what was the matter. His only problem was that he was not sure how to rectify the situation.

"Either way," Ayeka continued, "I hope she does not pose a hindrance to your duties today Lord Tenchi."

There's that title again, Tenchi whined to himself as Ayeka spoke her favorite honorific for him. "I'm sure she won't," he assured. Then feeling uncertain, "Right Grandpa?"

"One mans hindrance," Katsuhito replied very stoically, "is another's progress."

___

"You want me to do what?" Ryoko asked in disbelief. "You have to be shitting me!" she blurted, pacing the shrine office as Katsuhito sat at the low table.

"I assure you that I am not," the old priest said with a soft laugh.

"Then why?" Ryoko asked, crossing her arms atop her bosom.

"Because it is proper," the old master replied.

"But that thing was hotter than hell," she quipped. "And besides, I did it just to get a rise out of you old man."

"It might be advantageous for you to wear it toady," he said, looking over the top of his glasses at the defiant pirate. At least this time no swords were involved in their quarrel.

"All that wool itches too," Ryoko whined once more. "Besides," she added somewhat timidly, "I don't think he'd like it very much."

Katsuhito chuckled softly. He knew whom the 'he' Ryoko referred to was, and the aged priest knew that it would get a reaction out of his grandson, but that is what he wanted. He was sure that all his grandson needed was a little push in the right direction. "Unless you want to be around Ayeka all day back at the house," Katsuhito said rather sternly, "you will respect the traditions of this shrine and its faith."

"Fine, fine," Ryoko mumbled. A second later her blue and gold striped dress shimmered then solidified into her attire from the previous day of the red hakama and white gi. "Happy?"

"Now wait on Tenchi in the yard. He will have your instructions. Follow them to the letter."

"Yes, yes," Ryoko griped before she phased through the shrine wall.

Katsuhito chuckled once more and wiped his glasses lens with a handkerchief. "I just hope I have done the right thing…" he said before returning to his ledger.

-

"Must be nice to be able to fly up here," Tenchi grumbled as he neared the top of the winding stairway to the shrine. "I don't know how Grandpa gets up here so fast," he huffed to himself as he realized that he had gotten slightly out of shape over the past school year. "But Ryoko has it easy," he laughed.

Ryoko… She had been his main focus as of late, and he was not sure exactly why or how that came to be. All Tenchi Masaki new is that some kind of new feelings towards his buxom housemate had arisen these past few weeks. He was sure now that they were not hormonally driven lusting, but something deeper. His only problem was how to act on them without alienating the rest of his family, not to mention causing mass destruction and possibly the end of all life on earth. Maybe that's going a tad too far… he chided himself. Yes Ayeka would be hurt, but am I not hurting them more each day by not acting on my feelings? Am I really as selfish as Toka thinks? Gods…why does my life have to so damn complicated…

The sight that greeted Tenchi as he crested the stairs stopped him dead in his tracks. It was all he could do to keep his jaw from cratering the landing as he gawked on.

Why is he just standing there? Ryoko asked herself as she watched Tenchi try to regain some measure of composure. I knew it! He's mad…someone, help me, please… she whimpered to herself.

How in the hell? Tenchi thought as he tried to calm his breathing. The sight of Ryoko in a red hakama identical to his dream was more than a shock. In fact, he had nearly passed out from lack of blood to the brain. She can't read my dreams, can she? Oh gods…what do I do now?

"Tenchi!" Katsuhito called from the porch to his office. "You are to teach Ryoko your daily routine, then come and practice your swordsmanship. You cannot become lax in the arts of war, lest you find yourself in want of them."

"Yes Sensei," Tenchi said with a crisp bow.

"So what now?" Ryoko asked timidly.

"W-w-w-well," Tenchi sputtered, trying not to recall the images of Ryoko from his dream yesterday, which were creeping into head. "Usually I sweep the yard and scrub the walk," he said as calmly as possible. "For starters," he added as an afterthought.

"I'll sweep the yard if you will scrub the walk," Ryoko offered. "I did enough scrubbing yesterday."

"That's what I heard," Tenchi said with a little more surprise in his voice than he would have liked to.

"Don't sound so astonished," Ryoko snorted.

"Sorry," Tenchi atoned. "Dad told me you holystoned the shrine floors in one evening," he began leading the way to the storage shed behind the office.

"And swept the stairs too," Ryoko added, proud of her accomplishments.

"That is impressive," Tenchi said with a smile. "It's an all day affair for me to do either of those."

"I can imagine," Ryoko laughed, feeling somewhat calmed, but not much. For some reason, she felt as shy as a schoolgirl all of a sudden.

"Here ya go," Tenchi said, handing Ryoko a straw broom from the shed. "Maybe we can get this done before lunch."

"Maybe so," Ryoko said feeling a knot begin to form in her stomach. What's the matter with me?

"Lets get to it," Tenchi announced, sliding the shed door shut.

___

"Ayeka? Would you carry that satchel up to Tenchi's room?" Nobuyuki asked as he plopped down on the couch to catch his breath. He had just toted the last box of his sons' belongings up two flights of stairs and another trip would probably put him in the cardiac arrest unit in the hospital, or worse yet, Washu's lab.

"Certainly father," Ayeka said politely. "Where should I put it?"

"His desk will be fine," Nobuyuki panted. "Just watch the clasp, it's broken."

"I will." With that she began to ascend the stairway. All the while Ayeka thought of how good it was to have Tenchi home, and how much she wanted him return her love. Maybe we can go to Jurai for Startica, she thought, seeing it as a good place for Tenchi to declare his undying affections for her. There has to be a kernel of truth in that old legend.

"Oh my," Ayeka whispered as she opened the door to Tenchi's room. In the scant half-day since his return, the once pristine room looked as if a typhoon had blown through. The closet doors stood open and clothes were scattered hither-dither across the floor. "Lord Tenchi," she laughed, as she set the satchel on the bed and began picking up his trousers from their hung on the back if the chair. "Such haste."

With Tenchi's clothes gathered and put away, Ayeka turned her attention to his bed, which was unmade as well. "Oh no," she whimpered as the satchel fell open when she leaned it against the footboard. All the papers and sketchbooks cascaded out into a sizeable mess. Ayeka cringed at the thought that possibly they had been in some important order and Tenchi would be upset over them, but that quickly passed. She would just apologize for spilling them and that would be the end of the matter.

Ayeka kneeled down and began to stack the papers when she noticed that some of them were drawings, and quite good ones at that. Having gathered all drawings she opened the blinds and sat on the foot of the bed. "These are good," she muttered to herself as she sorted through all the still art studies of various fruits and other objects. One picture of a large bell tower had to be on the grounds of the university, whilst the other drawing was of a shattered building with an exposed steel dome on top. The building looked as if the hand of the gods had crushed it in a horrible fury.

A blush crossed Ayeka's cheeks as she came to the section in the sketchbook containing a few nude figure studies. Her first reaction was to thumb through them as fast as possible, but she saw how softly and tenderly Tenchi had recreated the forms. Maybe I can get him to sketch me, she thought. Fully clothed of course, she added instantly.

Finished with one book, Ayeka placed it neatly back into the satchel and picked up the next. The leather cover on the book looked worn, and bore the initials 'M. N.' "This must have been fathers," she said quietly, thinking how sweet of Nobuyuki it was for him to have passed his sketchbook down to Tenchi.

The drawings in the old tome were less serious than the one in the previous book. The first one was of Ryo-chan in her carrot apron. Ayeka chuckled at the whimsical drawing. "That is perfect," she laughed.

The next few drawings where done in a manga style, she believed was called chibis. Each page contained an incarnation of the family, tenderly drawn and painted in with subdued watercolor. "How cute," Ayeka giggled as she came to one of Sasami with rather exaggerated pigtails and a large eared Ryo-ohki perched atop her head.

The next drawing took her breath away. Ayeka marveled at herself recreated in chibi form. Dressed in a harlequin patterned, purple and gold kimono with a broad, navy obi, the chibi-Ayeka was posed looking back over her shoulder. Her dark tresses flowed behind her in an imaginary breeze whilst her bangs fluttered over the ornate circlet that adorned her forehead. A wistful look was placed on the chibi's face as it caught sight of what ever it was looking back at. Barely noticeable, the chibi-Ayeka was holding a hand to her heart.

"Oh my," Ayeka muttered, trying to contain the flush that had swept across her face. She knew Tenchi had feelings for her, and this seemed to be concrete proof of those feelings. Maybe he will give this to me, Ayeka hoped. If he does I will have it framed and cherish it always.

Reluctantly setting the drawing of herself back into the book, Ayeka glanced down at the next one and frowned. "Figures…" she muttered seeing the drawing of a winking chibi-Ryoko in her blue and gold dress. She should have known. Tenchi would draw everyone in the family, no matter how distasteful they were. Setting the aged book back in the satchel next to its predecessor, Ayeka began organizing all the loose drawings and sketches. There were more still life's and figure studies, along with a pen sketch of a happy looking couple labeled 'Hisashi and Toka.' So these are his friends, Ayeka concluded, finally having a face for the names she had heard so often.

The final article of the satchel was a medium sized canvas board in a white slipcover. A note was gym-clipped to the slip. 'Mr. Masaki,' Ayeka read from the note, 'this is a most excellent piece of work. Your shading and use of light is commendable, along with your choice of interesting subject model. This is one of the better final projects a first year student has turned into me. Congratulations.' The signature on the note read 'M. Kajishima,' and had a large red '91' scrawled next to it.

Her curiosity picked, Ayeka carefully slid the canvas from the cover. Her hopes were that it contained a picture of her, but she knew equally well it could be some random model from the school. What she saw caused her heart to sink and filled her with anger all at the same time. Instead of her self or a nameless study model, Ayeka found her worst fear. The horrible, vulgar image of a semi-nude Ryoko emerged from that slipcase.

Her first instinct was to shred the image right then and there; find Ryoko and kill her; and then give Tenchi a piece of her mind. How dare that undignified whore do this, she fumed. Moreover, how dare Tenchi look at her like this! Just as quickly as Ayeka's indignation rose, it flagged a little. But Ryoko has never visited Tenchi in Hiroshima…Ayeka remembered. In fact, none of the girls had visited Tenchi at school.

Then a horrible possibility dawned on her that she did not want to admit. What if Tenchi drew this of his own accord? Did he do it from memory? Ryoko has exposed herself to him on numerous occasions…Yes that is what it is. He has not decided anything…he just drew something he has seen too many times before. All of this was more than Ayeka really wanted to handle at the moment. The longer she stared at the tenderly drawn rendition the more her anger faded and her heartache built. All this means is that Tenchi drew Ryoko nude and nothing more, she finally concluded. I cannot allow my self to become all worked up over a trifle, she added, slipping the canvas back into its cover and placing it in the satchel.

"I will not mention this," she promised herself as she pulled the door to behind her. Even as she did so, the image on the canvass haunted her.

___

"Washu!" Ryoko screamed as she flung open the door to the labs first dimension. "Washu! Where the hell are you!" The noisy pirate cringed as a sizeable bang reverberated from the far corner of the lab, filling her ears with its loud report. Seconds later a slightly singed and still smoking Washu emerged from the darkness.

"Not so loud!" Washu said in a rather annoyed tone, a few huffs of smoke coming out of her mouth with each word. Her face was covered in soot save a circle around each eye. A pair of tiered goggles sat perched atop her main of red hair. "You just ruined a delicate experiment."

"Yeah sorry," Ryoko grumbled.

"So what's bothering my little shrine maiden?" Washu sarcastically asked noting Ryoko's rather unusual attire.

"Cut the crap," Ryoko snipped. A second later the gi and hakama was replaced with her usual blue and gold dress. "Its Tenchi."

"What about him?" Washu asked as she brushed the soot from her clothes and with a humming gizmo that appeared out of thin air.

"He's driving me crazy!"

"So what else is new?"

"Not like that!" Ryoko said curtly.

"Then how?"

"Every time I was near him today," Ryoko began, finally calmed enough to take a seat on one of the floating cushions in the lab, "It took all my will power not to jump him and have my way with him right there at the shrine! I just don't know…"

"Lemme guess," Washu began as she punched at her computer console. "Your heart rate would elevate, your senses would heighten, your blood pressure would skyrocket, and," Washu stopped reading her screen to laugh evilly to her self as she came to another bodily function on the chart. "Lets just say you become attracted to him even more."

"That's putting it mildly," Ryoko growled. "So what's wrong with me?" she demanded.

"Its simple," Washu said with a wicked chortle, "but let mommy show her little girl."

"What the hell!" Ryoko cursed as a mechanical probe descended and grabbed her from behind. "Lemme go now!" she hollered.

"Just be still," Washu ordered. "This will be painless."

"Easy for you to say," Ryoko grumbled as she tussled with her captor. "What are you wearing?" she asked of Washu, whose attire had changed almost instantly.

"I'm an angel of mercy!" Washu cackled as she teetered from side to side in her white nurses uniform, replete down to the red cross on her cap.

"You have to be kidding me…"

"Now listen dearie," Washu said. "It's really simple."

"How so?" With a cackle Washu produced a chibi-Ryoko puppet on her left hand and a chibi-Tenchi puppet on her right one. "You've lost it," Ryoko sighed.

"Never had it to begin with dearie," Washu said dryly. "Now," she began, making hugging motions with the Ryoko puppet. "Little Ryoko here wants Tenchi." Washu danced the Ryoko puppet towards the Tenchi one which she promptly glomped. "But Tenchi doesn't know what he wants." Ryoko rolled her eyes as the Tenchi puppet pushed the chibi-Ryoko away and shrugged its shoulders. "But it seems that Tenchi has grown up while he's been gone, maybe even sown a few wild oats of his own." Washu made the little puppet stand proud before turning her attention back to puppet Ryoko. "But thanks to the Universes Greatest Scientific Genius, my little Ryoko is not like little other little girls."

"If you tell me that I'm a lesbian, I will kill you," Ryoko threatened, serious as she could be.

"You'd be chasing Ayeka then" Washu said flatly, which produced a visible shiver from her captive daughter. "What I mean, is that you have heightened senses."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Basically, Tenchi is attracted to you," Washu said, laying the hand puppets aside.

"I doubt it," Ryoko snorted as the probe sat her down.

"You where sensing his pheromones and hormones out there today," Washu elaborated in more detail. "Therefore he is attracted to you, whether that block-head of his realizes it or not."

Ryoko blinked a few times. "Are you serious?"

"The only reason he would be broadcasting like that is if he was attracted to you my dear," Washu said. "I promise you that. Biology never lies."

"What about at breakfast then?" Ryoko retorted. "He didn't 'broadcast' then, hmm?" At least I didn't feel like he was…

"He was," Washu said, producing a graphic of Tenchi's hormone levels on her computer screen. "It's just that he seemed more reserved for some reason. Maybe he was trying not to let someone else know," Washu intoned.

"I see," Ryoko said, seeing Tenchi's actions around Ayeka from the morning in a new light.

"Just take things slowly," Washu advised. "I'm willing to bet the poor boy is more confused than a Terrelian wombat in heat right now. They'll mate with anything you know."

"I do now," Ryoko answered, having no need to know that tidbit about the reproductive habits of Terrelian wombats, what ever that was. "So what now?"

"Just be Ryoko, and see where things go," Washu said.

"Thanks," Ryoko said, as she opened he closet door. "Thanks mom."

Washu smiled to herself and pulled off one of the long white gloves she was wearing. "The joys of motherhood," she laughed, meaning it in earnest this time.

___

Why me? Tenchi thought.

For the past hour and a half he had listened to how wonderful it was to have him home. Sasami had truly out done herself this time and everything had been kept perfect by Washu's stasis generator; a fact she made sure everyone knew. Tenchi sighed to himself. Ryoko was sitting to herself across the living room on the couch. All he could do earlier in the day at the shrine was think about her, especially in that red hakama. In truth, it was all he could do to stay busy and not make it too obvious that he was watching her. Tenchi could have sworn a time or two when he looked up at Ryoko at the shrine she was sweeping the yard buck naked, but he was certain that it was just his over active imagination. At least with his hakama over his gi it had made it difficult for her to see just how excited he was, or Ryoko may have stole away with him then and there.

But alas, that did not happen. When they had finished their chores, Grandfather had called Tenchi to sword practice and Ryoko promptly vanished. Tenchi was so off balanced that afternoon he could barely keep up with Katsuhito and he was sure that he word have a few smart bruises to show for it in the morning.

At least the food's good, he thought as he helped himself to another steamed dumpling. "Would you like one Ryoko?" Tenchi offered, wishing she would make eye contact with him.

"No thanks," Ryoko returned, not even looking up to meet his glance. To her Ayeka had been hogging all of Tenchi's time this evening, and he seemed to be enjoying the princess' company. That and every time she had looked at him, he would not make eye contact. I know where I'm not wanted, she thought draining the last of her can of beer.

"How about another beer?" Tenchi asked reaching for a can of Asahi. Why can't I just talk to her? Dammit Masaki…

"That's something Ryoko never passes up," Ayeka laughed, a rosy glow etched across her cheeks. Ryoko just 'hmmphed' and turned her back to the pair.

"That was unkind," Tenchi said with a sigh, but went unheard.

"Why aren't you drinking the ale I brought Lord Tenchi?" Ayeka inquired. "It's from the royal breweries and I had mother ship it here just for you." The large crystal bowl of crushed ice still contained the majority of the cobalt blue bottles, which had an emerald tree embellished on them, that Ayeka had so carefully arranged in it.

"It's all right," Tenchi said resignedly. "But I really like Asahi. I can get it on campus in the vending machines."

"Lemme try one of those," Ryoko said as she sauntered over to the table. The pirate selected a bottle and examined it. "By appointment of His Majesty the Emperor of Jurai," she read from the label. "Can't be too bad."

"May be Ryoko has some taste after all," the princess laughed.

"Watch it," Ryoko warned. Ayeka cringed as Ryoko pulled the stopper out of the bottle in a quick jerk. After sniffing the ales bouquet the pirate slugged back its entire contents.

"Well?" Ayeka inquired. Tenchi also watched Ryoko's reactions. He knew she was a connoisseur of fine beers, and he hoped her opinion would be similar to his own. I wonder what she would think that beer Hisashi had, Sam Adams I think it was…

"Ugh!" Ryoko made with a sour face. "That tastes like tree bark. No wonder Tenchi didn't like it!"

"OOOO! You!" Ayeka fumed. "Do you know how much this stuff costs?!? You ungrateful little hussy!"

"So sue me," Ryoko spat back, taking a chug of Asahi to rid her mouth of that foul taste. " If I want to chew on a tree I'll just go out to Funaho," she added with a laugh.

"You wouldn't dare!"

"I would!"

"Be careful Ryoko," Katsuhito said as he sipped one of the Juraian ales before he too reached for an Asahi. "Funaho bites back."

"That it does," Ryoko laughed. Even Tenchi found the pun to be humorous. Finally Ayeka succumbed to her brothers' good-natured jest, wondering if she had been set up for the joke.

"To family and good beer," Katsuhito toasted.

"Here, here!" Ryoko seconded, popping another can of Asahi.

"Indeed," Tenchi laughed.

___

The next few weeks were busy to say the least. Tenchi had settled back into his old routine of fieldwork and shrine keeping, and Ryoko continued her early morning habits of helping Sasami. She even continued to assist at the shrine. Whatever her brother saw in having Ryoko help was beyond Ayeka. She was sure Ryoko had to be more of a hindrance to Tenchi than help.

All the while Ayeka watched things very carefully. There had been an instance or two where she caught Tenchi watching Ryoko a little too closely for her liking, but she tried not to read too much into the moments. The memory of Ryoko's portrait still haunted her though. Tenchi had never spoken a word about the satchel being opened or of anything being out of place, so hopefully he did not know she had seen it. If Tenchi did know that someone had seen his pictures, he did not let on about it.

Another issue that bothered Ayeka was Ryoko. Since when is that new? Ayeka kidded herself. Ryoko always had an unnerving knack of finding someway to compound Ayeka's consternation. But recently the pirate had not been her usual self as of late either. No, Ryoko seemed too reserved. Ayeka could count only one small tiff between them since Tenchi had come home, and it did not even concern Tenchi. Does she know something I do not? Ayeka thought as she placed a sandwich into a wicker picnic basket. Or does she think Tenchi has chosen me? Has he? But why would he tell Ryoko first?

Ayeka shook her head. As wonderful as such thoughts were she had nothing to lend them credence. Certainly Tenchi had been as kind as ever to her, even more so in certain instances since he had come home. He had readily agreed to several walks home after his shrine duties were over, but his heart seemed to be elsewhere. Other instances stood out too. Ayeka had noticed that Tenchi would cut his eyes towards Ryoko when he thought she was not paying attention. He would act like a child whose hand was caught in the proverbial cookie jar when his father or grandfather would notice the same. Even Mihoshi had noticed Tenchi daydreaming on a seemingly endless cloud. The signs were subtle, but Ayeka was sure she had seen them. And what happened last night-almost happened, she corrected herself, was nearly proof enough… The amethyst haired princess sighed. As much as I want, the choice is not mine to make. I can either accept Tenchi's decision-whomever it may be- or I can stand in its path and lose him forever, something I am not willing to do.

Maybe I can find something out for certain today, she thought, setting the final items in the basket before tucking a red and white gingham cloth on top. "If for anything," she said weakly, "for my peace of mind above all else…"

-

Why can't I just say it, Tenchi scolded himself. I've been on eggshells around Ryoko ever since I came home … Tenchi sighed. He was certain now where his feelings lie for the pirate. What he thought was lust, had turned in fact to be its antonym. He was certain that the pains he felt were love, and the longer he waited; the more he felt them. It was almost unbearable. How to act on them was his only real question now.

And what about last night? he asked himself. That was real dumb Masaki. You may have ruined everything you know? Really dumb…

"The old man never lets up," Ryoko whined as she floated into the foyer.

"Now you see why I'm always so beat," Tenchi huffed as he slipped off his sandals. "Sasami? Ayeka? Mihoshi?" he called out into the empty house, clicking the lights on. "Where is everyone?" Tenchi asked as Ryoko floated over to a note taped to the television screen.

"Gone to town with father," Ryoko read with a cringe. She hated it when Ayeka called Nobuyuki 'father.' "Mihoshi's left on assignment," she continued. "Dinner is in the oven. We'll be back late. Don't wait up."

"That's kind," Tenchi said as he examined the note. "P.S." he continued where Ryoko had abruptly finished reading. "If you touch Lord Tenchi I will kill you Ryoko."

"I left that out on purpose," Ryoko whined.

"She's kidding you know," Tenchi laughed as he peeked into the oven to see what had been left for them.

"You'd protect me," Ryoko pleaded as she threw herself onto Tenchi's back. "Wouldn't you Tenchi?"

Tenchi swallowed hard as Ryoko wrapped her arms around his chest. As much as he had been thinking about her lately, the feeling of her breasts pressed into his back was almost enough to make him soil the front of his shorts. He swallowed again trying to wet his suddenly dry mouth as Ryoko slid hand into the fold of his gi and began to move lower and lower.

"What is it?" she said all to seductively into his ear as Tenchi grabbed her by the wrist, a few scant inches from her target.

Why can't I just let her? Tenchi pleaded with himself. "We'd better get cleaned up before we eat," he finally said. "And I don't think it'd be a good idea if I went with you to the Onsen either," Tenchi added, reading Ryoko's thoughts.

"Party-pooper," she retorted as she floated away from him.

With a chime Ryoko was gone. Tenchi shook his head and sighed as he set the oven to the reheat instructions Sasami left for them. Maybe I'll get Washu to stay with us tonight, he thought at the possibility of being alone, at night with Ryoko. Son, you're on your own, crossed his mind for some funny reason at that moment, and Tenchi was not entirely sure that Washu had not sent him the message. Then again, I've wanted a moment alone with her; maybe I can get things together tonight…

An hour and a half later, dinner was eaten and an unearthly silence permeated the house. Say something, Tenchi scolded himself as he and Ryoko sat quietly at the table and toyed with the scraps left on their plates. Just don't sit there like an idiot!

Why can't I say anything? Ryoko scowled inwardly. It's only Tenchi…

"Ryoko---

"Tenchi--- They began at the same time.

"You first," they laughed together.

"Okay," Ryoko said taking the initiative. "How 'bout we watch a movie?"

"Sounds good to me," Tenchi laughed. "Whatcha wanna see?"

"Hmm, I dunno," Ryoko said as she floated over to the entertainment center. The right side of the cabinet was stocked with about every DVD imaginable. "How 'bout a horror movie?"

"Nah," Tenchi called from the kitchen.

"Romance?" Ryoko said in a very seductive tone.

"Maybe," Tenchi answered, the nervousness not hidden in his voice.

"How about an action movie with a little romance where the villain gets his in the end?"

"Sounds good," Tenchi said. "I'm making some popcorn," he continued. "Want some?"

"I'll just eat yours," Ryoko said as she set up the television and speakers.

"So what we watching?" Tenchi said as the first kernels began to pop.

"Spiderman," Ryoko said, acting like she was shooting a web from her hand at some unseen villain.

"That's a good one," Tenchi said. "In English of Japanese?" he asked.

"I'd prefer English," Ryoko said honestly. "The Japanese translation's not that good and the words are all out of sync with everyone's lips."

"That's fine," Tenchi said.

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Tenchi said tapping the side of his head right below his earlobe. "Washu's translator works well enough."

"Oh, I forgot about that," Ryoko said quietly.

"Besides I know enough English that I shouldn't get too lost," he laughed.

"Wanna cuddle?" Ryoko said seductively as she tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth.

"Probably best we don't" Tenchi said as he sat the popcorn bowl between them on the couch.

"Suit yourself," Ryoko replied, pulling her legs up under herself.

Tenchi sighed as the first drums and trumpets flourished and the movie began. Would cuddling be so bad? he thought. Shaking his head he turned his attention to the movie, trying not to let his eyes creep up Ryoko's exposed thigh into her skirt or down her cleavage into her blouse. Why does she have to be so beautiful…what does she see in a goof like me? Tenchi returned his gaze to the television as Ryoko reached for a handful of popcorn, allowing a quick peek into her blouse. Oh my…

Ryoko caught herself stealing a look at Tenchi as well from time to time. Her Tenchi had grown up in the past year. His face was more squared, his shoulders broader, and his spiky little rats-tail had grown into a manly queue. How many girls does he keep at school? she thought, wondering if the young ladies flocked to him there like they had here. Oh my, Ryoko thought as her eyes traveled down to Tenchi's midsection before she quickly cut them back to the movie. Oh boy…she panted to herself.

As the evening progressed the popcorn was eaten and the bowl migrated to the coffee table in front of them. Neither was sure whom had placed the bowl off the couch, they only knew it was gone. Also unseeingly to each they had begun to drift closer and closer once the bowl was gone. If either was doing this consciously, they could have fooled the other. They only noticed this when their fingertips met.

Oh gods, Tenchi thought, realizing what had happened over the course of the movie. Please don't jump me, he begged himself.

Oh no, Ryoko begged inwardly. I didn't mean to do this…please don't push me away…she cried to herself.

The both of them sat their frozen like that for the longest, each begging that the other not move, all the while begging that the other would do something. Not even the movie ending or the credits rolling shifted their deadlocked stare from in font of them. Only when the DVD player ejected the disc did they realize how silly they were. After a few minutes of this Tenchi broke the silence with a soft laugh to himself, which Ryoko quickly joined. Soon both of them were laughing hardily at their own silliness.

"I'm sorry," Tenchi laughed, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Don't be," Ryoko giggled. "We both looked pretty silly just then."

Tenchi only nodded and moved his hand on top of Ryoko's. The pirate inhaled sharply at this sudden move. Her heart was aflutter as his eyes shifted to hers. "What are you doing?" she asked meekly, hoping and praying he was doing what she thought he was. He can't be doing what I think he is, is he?

Tenchi tried to answer, but found his throat and mouth suddenly dry. I am going to do this, he thought steeling his determination as he leaned in closer to Ryoko, hoping she would catch onto his blatant moves.

He is! Ryoko thought as she began to lean forward. All her hopes and dreams seemed to be coming to pass in a dizzying rush. Eight hundred long years since that nameless tree granted her a vision of the future has she waited on this single, solitary moment. And here it was.

Tenchi's heart was racing as he breathed in the intoxicating air of Ryoko's perfume, spicy yet flowery all in the same mix. His fingers had become interlaced with Ryoko's since he had placed his hand upon hers and he never intended to let it go again. Taking Ryoko's cue Tenchi closed his eyes and flicked his tongue over his lips to give them some moisture. He could practically taste that sweet, intoxicating bouquet that seemed to be rolling off Ryoko in tangible waves. A shock of electricity seemed to jump between them as their lips brushed together.

Then the front door opened.

Tenchi and Ryoko both cringed as they heard Ayeka's voice first. "-I only hope she has left Tenchi alone-" they heard the princess say. "Tenchi!?!" Ayeka gasped, dropping her shopping bags.

"Ayeka!" Tenchi squeaked, turning his attention from the crestfallen Ryoko the instant their lips touched. Tenchi cursed himself as he heard the chime of her teleportation. Dammit…

How do I keep making such a mess of things? Tenchi questioned himself as he leaned on his broom handle. It was midday and he had yet to finish sweeping the yard. And where is Ryoko? he thought, looking around the shrine yard. And why didn't she come to breakfast today?

"Tenchi?" Ayeka asked quietly from behind him. Seeing him so distraught hurt her, even if Ryoko was the reason for his distress.

"Oh," Tenchi said, snapping out of his trance.

"Are you ready?" Ayeka asked.

It took Tenchi a moment to recall what Ayeka was talking about, but the picnic basket slung under her arm clued him in. "Let me tell grandpa."

"Okay."

Tenchi bowed and clapped twice before rapping on his grandfathers' office door. "Grandpa?" he asked a little hesitantly.

"You may go," came the voice from within.

"Yes Sensei," Tenchi said with a nod. "Let's go," he said to Ayeka as he gathered his sketchbook from where he had stored it on the office portico.

"I have a wonderful lunch packed," Ayeka said as they descended down the stone stairs from the shrine yard. Neither of them knew of the pair of lonely golden eyes watching from the corner of one of the shrines windows.

"They're gone," Ryoko said sadly.

"He did not mean to hurt you last night," Katsuhito tried to comfort. He had found Ryoko in tears lying against the rocks of her grotto the night before. Since then the seemingly aged priest had been trying to calm his distraught ward.

"But it did," Ryoko sniffed. "He pushed me away as soon as he heard Ayeka."

"I wouldn't worry too much," Katsuhito came back with. Ryoko allowed herself a faint smile as he placed his hand on her shoulder. "Have faith and your heart will not lead you astray my child. Have faith."

Ayeka attentively watched Tenchi as they shared their picnic. The furthest their conversation had gone was how lovely the day was and how nice the sandwiches Ayeka had prepared were. Every other attempt at conversation ended in thoughts that stopped midstream or were never articulated. Ayeka felt like her insides were being pulled apart by the strained look on Tenchi's face. He had not spoken about what she had nearly seen happen last night, and Ayeka chose not to mention the matter either.

The princess sighed heavily as Tenchi sat across from her and idly sketched the mountainous valleys that lay before them. Finally she garnered the willpower to speak. "Would you draw me, Tenchi?"

Tenchi looked up and blinked a time or two like Ayeka had spoken in an utterly alien tongue before her simple request sank in. "Yeah," he answered.

"Is here good?" Ayeka asked of where she was sitting on the gingham cloth.

"I think that rock over there would be better," Tenchi said pointing to an old gray outcropping. "The lights better."

Ayeka nodded respectfully and moved over the rock while Tenchi gathered his charcoal and pastels and took up a space a few meters away from the seated princess. "How do you want me to pose?" she asked Tenchi.

"Kinda look off towards the mountains," Tenchi instructed, gesturing with his charcoal pencil. "And hold your hands together."

"Like this?" Ayeka asked as she drew her knees together and clasp her hands in lap, striking a regal, yet serene pose.

"Perfect," Tenchi said as she twisted his charcoal pencil in the sharpener. "Hold still," he said as he started the drawing.

Ayeka tried to remain as still as she could, a habit she had learned early in life from many hours of royal functions, where children were to be seen and not heard. All the while she watched Tenchi. The short jerking motions of his charcoal pencil fascinated her. She knew that the seemingly random motions would yield the most wondrous of creations, as she had already seen of his rendering of Ryoko.

Quickly shaking off a small frown at that thought before Tenchi noticed it, Ayeka returned to her pose. As she watched Tenchi lay the black charcoal down and pick up the first of the colored pastels she eased the tension in her back a little. The boulder she was poised on was not as comfortable as a royal chair for maintaining such a pose over long periods. Tenchi's drawing motions had become more calm and collected now. Ayeka was sure that each move was bringing some aspect of her to life on the paper backdrop of the sketchbook.

I love you so much, she thought as Tenchi reached for another color. That is why this hurts me so much. But I cannot lie to myself any longer. I must be strong. I must rely on the strength of my love for you, Tenchi, to guide me through these times. I can see that I have lost the battle for your heart. Perhaps there never was a battle to be lost. I just cannot stand to see you in pain like this. And strangely, I cannot bear to see Ryoko hurting either. She has suffered enough in her life…

"I'm almost finished if you want to move," Tenchi said, never looking up from his book.

Ayeka swallowed hard and wiped the first traces of her tears on the sleeve of her kimono. "Okay," she said softly, trying not to betray the emotion she had masked inside. Slowly, daintily, Ayeka walked over to in front of Tenchi and kneeled. Soft sobs started to rack her body as the pain of what she was going to say diffused through her.

"Ayeka?" Tenchi asked as the first of her sobs to gain any volume broke his concentration. "Are you all right?" he asked, laying the sketchbook flat in his lap.

When Ayeka saw the picture on the page, all her barriers collapsed. On that page she sat, lovingly, tenderly, recreated in charcoal and pastel. Her periwinkle kimono flapped in an imaginary breeze that trailed her dark locks behind her and flicked the grasses and wild flowers at her feet. Her hands were gently clasped in her lap and her tranquil visage mirrored the false façade she had put on for Tenchi. "It's beautiful," she managed between sobs.

"What's wrong Ayeka?" Tenchi asked, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Please, tell me?"

"You are a blockhead," Ayeka managed with a halfhearted laugh that strangely felt good. All Tenchi did was blink as he tried to decipher Ayeka's cryptic response. "Go to her," she finally managed. Each of those terrible words felt like hot irons searing into her stomach. Before Tenchi could ask whom she was talking about Ayeka cut him off. "You cannot be that dense," she chided. "Go to Ryoko."

Tenchi swallowed down the lump that formed at the top of his throat. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked, his tears now starting.

"I love you, that is why," Ayeka replied honestly, painfully.

"Then why?" Tenchi said, not knowing exactly what he had said.

"Because you are in pain," Ayeka stated, "and so is Ryoko, more so than me. I am strong Tenchi," Ayeka said taking his chin in her hand and bringing his eyes to hers. "I will always love you," she said in one breath before she leaned in and kissed gently on the lips. "Go," she ordered.

Tenchi silently nodded and began to gather his charcoals and pastels. Once they were back in their cases, he looked at the sketch, now dotted by his and Ayeka's tears. "I ruined your picture," he offered solemnly, taking full blame for the tears on the paper.

"Not ruined," Ayeka said softly. "Never ruined."

Tenchi nodded and turned to take his leave when he stopped and looked back. "Ayeka," he began, his voice cracking, "thank you."

"Your welcome, L-," she stopped for a second, "Tenchi." Tenchi nodded and smiled weakly before he disappeared into the afternoon shadows of the forest.

___

It was late in the evening when Ayeka ran into Ryoko on the shrine stairs. Ryoko was descending from the shrine and Ayeka had finally managed to compose herself enough to face what she saw as inevitable now. For the longest the two just stared at one another, not really sure what to do, or to say.

Ayeka held fear that Ryoko had come to gloat, but strangely her visage was similar to her own. She has his heart, Ayeka thought, so why is she so glum?

Ryoko had feared the same; that Ayeka would have the news she had been praying for when she emerged from that rendezvous in the woods. Little missy come to gloat, Ryoko sulked, feeling her hurt form the night before amplified. Should have seen this coming for weeks now…

"Have you seen Tenchi?" Ayeka asked.

"Not since he left with you," Ryoko said first. "Why?"

Ayeka bit her bottom lip as she tried to decide on the best way to tell her rival that she had conceded her loves heart to her. Has Tenchi not told her? Surely he has, has he not? "He needed to speak with you," Ayeka finally answered.

"What about?" Ryoko said suspiciously. I guess he wants to let me down personally, the little bastard…she thought bitterly

"Just find him," Ayeka said, trying to maintain some resemblance of composure.

"Yeah, yeah," Ryoko said, her voice trembling. Bitch, she thought, casting a vile glance back towards the sullen princess. Ayeka just shook her head as Ryoko floated a ways down the shrine stairs before phasing out of sight.

Reappearing above, then in the house Ryoko felt like a ball of nickel-lead alloy was sitting on top of her stomach and spike of magnesium was burning in her heart. Ayeka's instructions were just as cryptic as they were revealing. Either she was setting Ryoko for a heartbreak, or…

Ryoko shook her head at that thought. Surely she just wants Tenchi to let me down easily, that's all. She didn't have the balls to do it herself, so he gets to do it. Why not? Might as well have him give the dagger he started last night a few good twists…

"Say," Ryoko said appearing next to Sasami, "Have you seen Tenchi?"

"Ryoko!" the young princess squeaked, nearly jumping out of her skin.

"Sorry kiddo," Ryoko atoned. "Your sister said he was looking for me? He in his room?"

"Nope," Sasami answered. "He looked around for you for awhile then left."

"Where'd he go?" Ryoko asked. Where could he have gone?

"I don't know," Sasami sighed. "He took the keys to father-Nobuyuki's car and went somewhere."

"But the car's out back," Ryoko mumbled, having seen the small Mitsubishi parked in its normal place.

"I'm sorry Ryoko," Sasami replied. "I didn't see him come back."

"It's not your fault," Ryoko sighed.

"Did you or sister yell at him?" Sasami asked softly as Ryoko floated towards the veranda overlooking the lake.

"Huh?"

"He was pretty upset when he left," Sasami elaborated, to which Ryo-ohki miya'd a conformation.

"He, he was?" Ryoko stammered, the sum of her fears bubbling forth. Oh no…

To be continued…

Notes:

Whew! This was a whirlwind of a chapter, and as you can see, I am being evil by making it a cliffhanger. But fear not, class has let out for break and I've already started chapter five, called 'Paint the Sky' at the moment. So I will see ya'll soon.

William Nichols

Credit where it is due: Thanks goes out to Diane Long, Malena, Dark Jezter, Alighthawk, Smack54, BobR and some fellow called Ledzepfan who wrongly insists that Transformers is a superior series to G.I. Joe. Led, to paraphrase Shockwave from the Transformer Movie: Transformers inferior; G.I. Joe superior! Ya'll are the best. Thanks for keeping me in line and putting up with me on the IM services. Also big thanks goes to Di, the beer scene was her idea, and en even bigger thanks goes to her for helping me break the log jam on how to wrap this one up. Later everyone!