Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Ryoko's Sacrifice ❯ Chapter Seven ( Chapter 7 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A/N The idea for this is entirely mine, but the characters and setting are not. (which is
really too bad. . . but what can I say except) that Pioneer and AIC own Tenchi Muyo.

Ryoko's Sacrifice
Part Seven: I love You
by N. RingPrincess

Misaski was much smarter than most people gave her credit for, and she observed Ryoko without
seeming to observe Ryoko.

Somethings children had to learn the hard way, and one of them is that they can't keep secrets
from adults and expect to get away with it.

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Ryoko was lounging in Tenchi's room, he had just come home from school and was relating a tale
that had her in stitches. It had been several weeks since the royal family had come and she was
now about two months into her pregnancy. Her stomach was slightly larger and Washu had called
off all lifting and sparring.

Tenchi rolled his eyes. "I think that I was better off with the school in pieces."

Ryoko sobered. "I am sorry about that."

Tenchi snorted. "No. You're not. You kept me at home for months while they rebuilt. You
were happy."

Ryoko smiled weakly. "If you put it that way."

Tenchi winked at her and she mock growled. "Stop it."

"So, what went on here today?"

Ryoko grimaced. "Not much, I slept, Sasami cooked, the royal family relaxed and Aeka did
laundry. Mother is holed up in her lab, working on some experiment and Katsuhito has
taken to doing excessive rites up at the shrine. Mihoshi and Kiyone are currently out on patrol."

Tenchi sighed. "The same old, same old."

"As much as it gets for this household." Ryoko smiled gently. "It has settled down quite a bit since. . .
you know."

Tenchi nodded. "A blessing in disguise I suppose."

Ryoko laughed. "You are not the one. . ."

Tenchi leaned back in his chair, and hooked his hands behind his head. "You volunteered."

Ryoko sobered and her lips turned up in a slight nostalgic smile. "I'd do so again."

Tenchi looked over at her. "I can't think of a better person to do so."

Ryoko blushed pink. "Tenchi. . ."

"No really."

"Tenchi, thank you. You don't know how much that pleases me."

"I think I do." He murmurs.

Ryoko got up and came next to, and sat on her heels, placing her hand on his arm. "Tenchi, it
scares me. This is the longest term commitment I have ever made, and it is one I can't back out
from." She whispered.

Tenchi looked over at her. "I think you'll do wonderful."

"Oh, Tenchi, what if I am a terrible mother, it isn't like I have had prime examples." A tear escaped
from her catlike eyes.

"We will learn together." Tenchi thumbed that tear away, his feet returned to the floor with a thump.
"I won't leave you Ryoko." He whispered as he leaned foward.

"I . . ." Ryoko began to whisper, but was stopped by Tenchi's lips resting gently on hers. She leaned
further into the soft kiss.

Tenchi pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "You love me, Ryoko, and I have always loved
you." He whispered as he tucked a wisp of her hair behind her ear. "And there is no other person
that I would want to mother and to carry my children."

Ryoko didn't dare blink, or breathe in case she broke the spell. Tenchi leaned foward and brushed
his nose against hers lightly.

"Tenchi. . ." She whispered, tears of joy slipping down her pale cheeks.

"Oh, Ryoko." He murmured and kissed her again.

Ryoko's heart sang.

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Washu kept glancing at the two of them oddly during dinner. Ryoko had such a look of serene peace on
her face that she could have passed for a goddess upon her heavenly throne. Tenchi was attacking his food
somewhat singlemindedly, but would glance at Ryoko out of the corner of his eye from time to time.

Washu sighed. ::Ryoko, what in the world is going on?::

Ryoko blinked and mustered up the best look of innocence she could muster. ::Going on, mother. I have
no idea what you are talking about.::

::Ryoko, you can't fool me, I am your mother.:: Washu said testily.

Ryoko smirked slightly and went back to eating her food.

"Ryoko. . ." Her mother growled.

Ryoko had to giggle and set her chopsticks down before she lost the food in between them. "Mom, it is
nothing."

Tenchi blinked and jabbed her in the side. "Nothing?"

She jabbed him back. "Well, not much."

Tenchi leaned over and whispered into her ear. "I declare my love for you and it is 'not much.'"

Ryoko colored slightly and Tenchi backed up enough to mock glare at her. She sniffed. "Well,
if you put it that way. . ."

Tenchi rolled his eyes. "I will let you suffer in your delusions then."

"Okay, now that I am delusional." Ryoko proceeded to pick her chopsticks back up and go back to eating.

"Really, Miss Ryoko, it has to be something if you are trying to avoid the subject." Aeka added testily.

Washu nodded. "The Princess is right, now be a good girl and tell us."

"Can't anything be the least bit private around here?" Ryoko grumbled.

"No." Washu said pointedly, gazing at her daughter.

Tenchi shoulders began to shake and he set down HIS chopsticks. Ryoko sent him a withering glare. "Well,
this is. Get used to it." She said with emphasis.

Tenchi leaned back and quickly excused himself from the table before he broke out in uncontrollable laughter.

Ryoko just shrugged and pragamtically leaned over and took his food. "Somedays I do not understand him."
She muttered between bites.

The rest of the table held back their curiosity because Ryoko refused to say anymore about the subject.

-----------------------

Misaski had a theory, and she needed to confirm it.

She knocked on a door and waited patiently for the person inside to answer. The door opened slightly.

"Ryoko, may I come in?"

Ryoko reluctantly held the door open and Misaski stepped into the room.

She looked around, noting the harmonious shades of blue and accents of gold that made up Ryoko's
room. The floor had a warm rug and the futon was set off to one side. The other side of the room
had a screen over which a few pieces of Ryoko's wardrobe were draped.

Ryoko cleared her throat. "Would you like a seat?"

Misaski smiled. "Thank you." With great dignity she took the desk chair and saw that Ryoko took a seat
in a rocking chair. She smiled, her theory almost confirmed by just that piece of furniture, but then
again, Ryoko could just like rocking chairs.

"May I ask you a personal question?" Misaski began, seeing Ryoko's dismayed look. "Nothing that we
say here will get beyond this room Ryoko." She assured.

Ryoko bit the inside of her lip. "In that case, go ahead."

"Are you pregnant?" Misaski asked a bit of desperation in her voice.

Ryoko blinked, then paled, then flushed, then nodded. "Yes." She whispered.

"I am assuming it is Tenchi's." Misaski smiled brightly.

"Yes, but not in the way you mean." Ryoko flushed deep scarlet.

"Ryoko," Misaski admonished. "I know how you get pregnant, I've done it twice."

"Well, then that means you have had your children genetically engineered." Ryoko raised an
eyebrow.

"Ummm. . .no."

"Then we are not having children the same way." Ryoko laughed. "I think I should explain it to
you. It all started with a demon named Yuzuha. . ."

-------------------------

Misaski exited Ryoko's room and paused on the threshold. "To think. . ." She shook her head bemused
and hopped down towards Washu's lab. She really must congradulate the genius for such a feat.

She rapped sharply on Washu's door.

"Come."

"Washu. . ." She bubbled as she let the door close behind her. Looking around to make sure
no one else was there. "How does it feel to get to be a grandmother?"

Washu's jaw dropped and she stared at Misaski. "How in Tsunami's heaven did you. . ."

"Know. Well, I figured it out, and then I asked Ryoko for confirmation." Misaski grinned. "Oh
don't worry, this doesn't go beyond those who already know. I am surprised that Mihoshi has
kept her mouth shut for so long."

Washu grimaced. "I erased it from her memory. Which is tricky business."

"But a wonderful percaution, we don't want something like this getting out." Misaski grinned.
"Security and all that. So, do you have any pictures of my future great-great-grandchild."

Washu smirked slightly. "A few."

"Ohhh. . ." Misaski raised an inquiring eyebrow and Washu grinned.

"I think I can dig them out."

The two women laughed.

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Ryoko nestled her head on Tenchi's chest. The rest of the household was asleep and he had to
know.

"Misaski figured it out."

Tenchi's hand stopped rubbing her back and he looked down at her quizzically. "Which part?"

"The whole pregnancy bit." Ryoko sighed. "She said she would let the others figure it out on
their own."

"That is kind of her." Tenchi muttered.

Ryoko kissed his chest. "I should be getting to bed soon." She murmured.

"I know, your pregnant and I have school."

"Oh the excuses we have." Ryoko grinned up at him, the moonlight reflecting in her eyes.

Tenchi grinned as she scooched up slightly. "I love you, my Tenchi." She whispered and
kissed him.

Tenchi wrapped his arms around her waist and leaned into the kiss.

They broke it breathless. A fire raged in their blood vessels and was echoed in their eyes.

"I love you Ryoko." Tenchi said thickly.

She rolled out of the bed, leaving Tenchi alone under the covers. Winking over her shoulder at him, she
stepped out of the room. "Night lover." She whispered back.

"Night." Tenchi winked at her and one of his hands wriggling his fingers in farewell. Then as an afterthought
he add. "Night May."

Ryoko giggled as she shut the door.

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