Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Second Time Around ❯ "Meeting the In-Laws" (Conclusion) ( Chapter 4 )

*Disclaimer: The main characters in this story are property of AIC, Pioneer, & Viz Comics; all the others were thought of by me. Any similarities are just dumb luck so please don’t sue me.

** Author’s notes: This story takes place six months after “Second Chance of a
Lifetime” in which Tenchi and Ryoko have finally found each other. If you
haven’t read ‘Second Chance’, then you’ll have no clue to what’s about to happen
in this one…. ENJOY!!


Second Time Around: by alighthawk

Chapter Three: “Meeting the In-Laws” (The Conclusion)

ONE HOUR LATER…

“Is this the best sake we have Bulma? Please go to the basement and pull out the
‘the Shinji Special Brand’; I’m in dire need to calm my nerves at this very
moment…”

“Dad, would you calm down? Mother’s just waking up from her fainting spell so
don’t start to get agitated…”

“Katsuhito, how can you tell me to calm down after this? The last time I saw my
father he was a eighty-six year old feeble man who was on his last legs and now,
over six months later he comes back, reverted back to almost a teenager with a
even younger girlfriend…”

“Actually, I’m several hundred years older than Tenchi, but thanks for the
compliment anyway.” Ryoko answered as she and Keiko were helping Miyu to revive
after her fainting spell.

“You know Kats…I find Saki’s reaction to all this quite normal. I mean it’s not
everyday one’s father gets the ‘Fountain of Youth’ treatment and gets to be
younger than even the grandson.” Tenchi added as he sat next to Amagasaki,
trying to help Kats calm him down.

“I’m sorry father…dad. It’s just that it’s so hard to believe all this. To see
you like this again, it’s like I’m having a dream…”

“Nope, it’s no dream Saki. Ryoko here helped me restored my Juraian power and in
turn reverted me back to my younger self. I may look like a kid to you, but I am
your father.”

“Ryoko? Then you’re the woman that father named my late sister after, is that
right?” Saki asked he put down another shot of sake.

“Yes I am,” Ryoko replied as she warmly flashed a smile at Tenchi’s direction.
“I’ve been an old friend of your father’s way before you were even born. When I
heard that he was dying, I decided to come back to see him last time and maybe
help him if possible…”

“So you’re a Juraian too? With the powers like the Empress Ayeka and Princess
Sasami?”

“Not exactly. I just found out recently that my lineage is Juraian, but my
powers works differently than the Royal sisters. With Professor Washu’s help
though, I was able to help your dad restore himself to what he was when he first
used the Jurai power.”

“Then you’re that same Ryoko that saved father in his adventures in outer space
those many years ago? You’re the one that he used to tell bedtime stories about
to our children whenever they stayed at his house…” Miyu said in earnest as she
gently grabbed the former pirate’s forearm. As she looked at the cyan beauty,
Miyu felt as if she was staring at a fictional heroine that had come to life.
She remembered those stories the children told her when they visited Tenchi and
Sakuya during the summers and weekends, but she had always dismissed them as
pure folktale, something to entertain the kids so they could go to bed. Now to
see the legend in the flesh was something that lovely gray haired lady could
barely comprehend.

Amagasaki was also in shock, but the old man had his suspicions as well.
“Father, is this the girl that stayed at Okayama with you, along with the other
alien women at Grandfather’s house years ago?” Then he turned to Ryoko with a
serious look, “If you that pirate girl from those days at Okayama, then I
suspect that you’re here for more than just to help cure my father; am I right?”

“Watch you tone Amagasaki!” Tenchi snapped at his elderly son, “We’re here to
visit and to bring some news, not for you to interrogate my fiancée…”

“FIANCEE? Then I am right…you’re back to take him away with you! You’re here to
steal him away from us! You are…”

“Amagasaki! That’s enough! Ryoko didn’t come to steal me away from anyone; I’m
with her on my own accord. The truth is that we’re very much in love and plan to
marry soon…”

“M-M-Marry?!? Father, are you serious? You haven’t seen this woman for almost
seventy years? Where she’s been all this time and how do you know she’s not in
some sort of trouble? If I remember correctly, that was the main reason she came
to Earth all those years ago, to escape from the law. At least that was what the
Empress Ayeka told me awhile back...”


> Ryoko simmered in anger when she heard Amagasaki’s accusations. One of these
days, she would have to remember to thank the Empress for all the trouble she
had put her through, but for now some things needed to be explained.

“Yes, you’re right Saki. I did crashed landed on Earth sixty-eight years ago to
escape from the then Detective Mihoshi and ended up meeting Tenchi. I stayed
around thinking it was a good hideout for me until l could think of a plan, but
something happened along the way…I fell in love with your father.”

Tenchi looked at Ryoko with such a caring expression. He wanted to interject,
but Ryoko waved him off as she continued. All the other family members were all
glued to her every word except for Saki, who was more inclined to find something
in her story that wasn’t true.

“Believe me when I say that your dad was absolutely clueless when it came to
figuring out what love was. Despite my open affections and my constant fighting
with the then Princess Ayeka for his attention, Gramps here really had no clue
what he wanted…”

“That wasn’t true Ryoko…” Tenchi jumped in; eager to straighten out the story of
what actually happened those days seven decades ago. “At first, I was just
scared of having so many girls pouncing on me. I just didn’t know how to handle
it, but the longer you girls stayed, the more I came to realize who had my
heart…”

“But you didn’t admit it to yourself until it was too late, didn’t you father?”
Asked Miyu as she began to understand the connection that Tenchi and Ryoko had
those many years ago.

“Yes Miyu…it wasn’t until I defeated the false emperor of Jurai, after Ryoko
risked her life to get me there that I realized how very much in love I was with
her. However, I let my indecisiveness and insecurities get the best of me. When
I returned to Earth weeks later, I had hoped that she would of come back so I
can face her…”

“…But it was too late.” Ryoko joined in, filling in the remainder of the
star-crossed lover’s tale, ”I eventually recovered from my injuries and return
to Earth, but I stayed in orbit. I wanted to see how Tenchi was doing and when I
saw how quickly he readjusted to his everyday life, I assumed that this was the
life he wanted to lead. It was with a heavy…no, an aching heart that I chose to
leave and never to return. I never knew how Tenchi ever felt about me then.”

“It hurt me so much not to have been able to tell Ryoko how much I really loved
her.” Tenchi said as eyes began to swell from remembering those painful times,
“When she didn’t return and no one had heard from her, I assumed that had she
died. I was never the same after that and it wasn’t until I met Saki’s mother
several years later that I was able to move on with my life...”

“And it wasn’t until recently that I had the courage to return and face him as
he was approaching near death. I just couldn’t live with myself knowing that
even now he still thought about me and when Washu gave me the hope that a cure
for Tenchi’s cancer was possible, I jumped on the chance and came back here…to
be reunited with my first and only love.”

“I must say that worked out pretty well for the both of you,” Katsuhito said
happily, with Keiko leaning against him on the wooden floor of the den. “First
Ryoko helps restore Grandpa’s power in order to cure the disease and as a bonus
his body regenerates to its younger self, giving the two of you the chance to
start over again; to make up for all that lost time…”

“Lost Time? Father did not lose any time Katsuhito.” An angry Amagasaki shot
back. “Father managed to pick up his life and moved on. I don’t consider
marrying your grandmother and raising two children lost time my son…”

“My apologies father, I didn’t mean it that way. I just meant that after all
this time and with grandfather becoming a young man again, he and Ryoko could
start a new life together. Who knows, maybe you’ll get a kid brother soon
enough…”

All the young people in the room and Bulma began to giggle when hearing Kat’s
comments. Miyu smiled, but quickly went stoic when she saw the grim expression
on her husband’s face. Amagasaki was almost sixty years old and the last he
wanted to hear was his young father remarrying and having children once more.
The mere thought of Tenchi spending the rest of his life with a woman of loose
morals and a shady past did not sit well with Saki at all. When the image of his
departed mother appeared in his mind, he just couldn’t bear it and decided to
excuse himself from the room.

“Well, if all of you will excuse me, I need some air. Bulma should have dinner
ready in a few minutes so I suggest that all of you make your way towards the
dining room.”

“Do you wish for me to join you dear?”

“No Miyu, just escort the family the dining area; if that’s all right with you
father?”

“Fine with me Saki, just don’t take too long ok? I didn’t raise you to be rude
towards the house guests.” Tenchi replied as he sighed and started out towards
the other room.

Ryoko stood back as she traced Amagasaki’s steps towards the front of the house
where the elder Masaki continued to sip his sake by the engawa. Tenchi stopped
to see why she was staying back as the former pirate motioned her hand to him as
if to say to go on. Tenchi realized what his lover was planning to do and hope
nothing catastrophic would happen…


***************************************

Amagasaki looked up in the sky as the sun had started to set. Watching the
orange-yellow colors glowing over the horizon had him thinking about his
childhood days when he and his sister Yoko would head up to the hills in Okayama
and watch the sunset together among the cherry blossoms. Shortly afterwards, his
mother would call out for them; telling them that dinner was ready…


believe in anymore, nor I am sure if I’m not imagining all this. I know father
misses you and it’s been a long and difficult journey for him, but I just can’t
bring myself to think that he would forsake your memory for that…woman! I know
you wouldn’t stand for this mother, would you? Or am I being such an old fool
that I can’t see past my pride and jealousy of someone else being able to make
dad happy again? Damn it, why couldn’t father just die in peace and go on to be
with you and our ancestors? Damn it all!! >

“Well I see that deep thinking is certainly a Masaki trait.” Ryoko said as she
phased onto the porch and leaned against the wooden banister. “Personally, I get
headaches just looking at Tenchi in his deep meditations, but to each his own I
guess.”

“Why aren’t you with the rest of the group Miss Ryoko? I thought I made it clear
that I wished to be alone.”

“You said that you needed some air, not about being alone.” The cyan beauty
snapped back. “Anyway, I’m here to see if there’s any way I could convince you
that you needn’t worry about your father’s decision to stay with me…”

“There’s no need for you to convince me of anything! My father was happy with my
mother and the family for over forty years and had chosen to live on with his
life when mother suddenly passed away. Now out of the blue you decide to come
back and after restoring him to a teenager, you want to whisk him away for your
own pleasures.” Amagasaki turned his back on Ryoko as he continued to state his
case, “No, I’m sorry my dear woman, but I can’t believe that father would leave
everything just to fly off with some criminal, no matter how beautiful she is.”

“Then I feel sorry for you Amagasaki. Tenchi wanted to tell you the good news in
a proper fashion and to have you as part of the wedding, but I see that you’re
not going to change your mind about this…”

“Of course not woman! Father may choose to be with you, but I will not allow you
to just come here and try to replace my mother’s legacy within the Masaki
family. As far as I’m concern, you’re just a living fantasy that my father
didn’t have the time to live out.”

The last comment stung Ryoko a dozen times more than any knife or laser could
do. She wanted so badly to have Tenchi’s family accept her. Not so much as a
family member, but as a close friend and protector as she did with Tenchi. She
did her best to keep an open mind about her lover’s son, even as Tenchi and Kats
told her differently, but it appeared that they were right. Now she was going to
tell him a few things of her own.

“Y’know Amagasaki? I tried to believe that some of Tenchi’s better traits were
instilled in you despite what he and Katsuhito said, but it looks like they were
right. But know this…I didn’t come back to replace your mother, may God bless
her soul. In fact, it was out of the love for your father that I stayed away.
Even if I didn’t meet your mother, I knew that any woman who could capture that
wonderful man’s heart was worthy of my respect. Tenchi told me that Sakuya had
her fears that maybe one day I’d return, but even if I did I would not in any
way tried to wreck their marriage or your family.

Ryoko floated over to Saki, momentarily startling him. He wasn’t sure if she was
actually moving through the air or that the sake was taking effect. She landed
right in front of him, staring straight at him with those glimmering golden
eyes. If this were any other time, Amagasaki would have found himself very
attracted to her.

“Let’s be honest with each other shall we? I really don’t give a shit on whether
or not you like me, but get used to the fact that I’m gonna be around here from
now on. You can either accept it or choke on it. Now, if you excuse me I’m going
to have dinner with my man and I suggest that you be mindful of your manners
when you come inside to join us.”

With a stare that would frighten the most harden criminal, Ryoko faded away,
leaving Amagasaki to his thoughts once more. She made it clear to him what were
her intentions were, but he still couldn’t let it go. Saki would take a few more
swigs of the sake before he would enter into the house.

Ryoko teleported just above the dining table; startling everyone except for
Tenchi who was quite used to it after so many years. As she floated down to
kneel next to him, Miyu stared out the window, wondering if her husband would be
joining him. Seeing the grim expression on Ryoko’s face, Miyu was certain that
the conversation they had didn’t go well.

“So, how did it go? You guys cleared up everything?” Tenchi asked as he noticed
the sour face his lover had on.

“Nope, I’m sorry to say that it didn’t go well. I just hope I didn’t make things
worse than they already are…”

“Don’t worry about it Ryoko,” Tenchi said as he put his around her shoulders.
“We came here to give my son the good news and if he refuses to accept it then
that’s his problem. We can only hope for the best ok?”

“Father…please don’t be too hard on Amagasaki.” Miyu pleaded with her
father-in-law. “You know he loves you very much, but I guess he can’t accept the
fact that you are moving on with someone else other than mother…”

“I know he loves me Miyu, as I love him and I know the circumstances right now
are rather unusual, but he forgets that I met and fell in love with Ryoko way
before I met Sakuya. I will always cherish the life and memories that I had with
Saki’s mother, but this is something I waited my whole life for and everything
has pointed to that direction. Must I stay alone and be miserable so I can
satisfy my son’s wishes? I don’t think so…”


************************************

Tenchi stood up and look around the room, seeing more family pictures that
included his father Nobuyuki and Yosho.

“I know what Saki’s thinking…my father and grandfather chose not to remarry
after their wives died and were dedicated to their memories, as I was to
Sakuya’s. However, neither of them never had their first love come into their
lives and suddenly disappeared before anything was said. I agonized for almost
two years, wondering why I didn’t say anything to Ryoko when I could have. I
knew that I didn’t want to be the King of Jurai, nor was I in love with Princess
Ayeka, but I chose to remain silent because I foolishly thought that I would
spare everyone involved some pain.”

Tenchi closed his hands, rolling them into fists as he tried to contain his
anger. Angry that as a young boy, he let slip away the one thing in the universe
that ever made sense, the one person that loved him unconditionally and with no
restraint. Ryoko got up and gently laid her hands on his shoulders, trying to
comfort him. Miyu, Kats and Keiko all sat there, listening to the pain and raw
emotion that the ‘older’ person before them was conveying. As he looked up to
see his fiancée’s teary eyes, he continued…

“Now, sixty-eight years later a miracle has happened. Because of Ryoko’s love I
was given a second chance to start over again, a ‘Second Chance of a Lifetime’
so to speak. Can any of you hold that against me?”

No one in the room said anything, not that words were needed. As Bulma entered
the room with a tray of food, Miyu spoke up…

“Father, I can’t speak for your son, but allow me the honor of wishing you and
Ms. Ryoko all the happiness in the world. You were truly faithful to mother
Sakuya and I do believe that she would’ve wanted you to stay happy as long as
you live.” Miyu said as she got up and bowed to Tenchi and Ryoko.

“Th-Thank you daughter, that means a lot to me. I just hope you and Saki go to
the wedding. It would nice if the whole family was together…”

“Yes, thank you Miyu and like Tenchi said, it would make us happy if you come.
It’ll be fun to talk to someone about these Masaki men and to know I’m not the
only one dealing with some stubborn mules here, heh-heh.” Ryoko added as she
walked over to Miyu and hugged her.

“Well…now that it’s settled, can we eat now? I’m starved!” Kats asked his elders
as he heard his stomach growled for substance. Keiko elbowed him as the first
helping of steamed rice was served. Everyone seemed to be at ease after hearing
heartfelt story; everyone except one...

“Well well, it seems that we’re one big happy family now, aren’t we?” * HIC *
Amagasaki slurred his words as he stumbled into the dining area, looking quite
inebriated from the sake.

Everyone got tensed as Saki nearly felled down on the floor, trying to
straighten himself. Katsuhito tried to help him, but his father merely slapped
his hand away.

“I-I don’t need anybody’s help! I’m just a little unbalanced that’s all.” Saki
sat next to his wife, leaning against her for balance. The smell of alcohol did
not sit well with her or with Tenchi.

“Amagasaki, you’re drunk! Do you have no shame?” Tenchi yelled at his son,
clearly not happy with his behavior, “You have your family, not to mention Ryoko
and Kieko here and this is how you act? Are you that upset that you need to
drink yourself to a stupor?”

“Why not father? Obviously you plan on marrying this person despite my
reservations.” Saki spoke again as he glared at Ryoko’s direction, “You don’t
seem too concern about preserving mother’s memory so what difference does it
make if I’m upset?” *HIC *

“For the last time Amagasaki…I am not disrespecting your mother’s memory! I
loved her very much and she will always hold a special place in my heart, but my
wish now is to be with Ryoko. This is what I want now, can’t you understand
that?”

Amagasaki got up and staggered his way across the table, looking at his father
with bloodshot eyes, the smell of sake clearly irritating Tenchi to the point of
exploding. He kept trying to hold his anger in check, but the older Masaki kept
pushing his luck.

“Tell me father, before this woman came back to you, weren’t you content with
your life? Weren’t you preparing yourself for the afterlife so you can join
mother, grandfather Nobuyuki and grandpa Katsuhito? Didn’t you enjoy the life
you had?”

“I did and I was ready to join our ancestors, but...but this angel from the
stars came back and gave me the opportunity to go on and be happy. Can’t you get
it through your thick skull son? I’ve been in love with Ryoko way before I knew
it myself. It wasn’t just a coincidence that she came back to save me, it was a
love than has lasted longer than anyone in this room has been alive. All these
years apart and she never had forsaken me. If that’s isn’t true love then I
don’t know what is.”

“Yes father, * HIC * you’re absolutely right. It must be true love. I should
have realized that even a space whore can love someone as good as you…”

* SLAP *… > CRASH!!! <

In a blur, Tenchi’s right hand connected to Amagasaki’s left jaw as the
oversized man’s body crashed onto the dining room table, breaking every dish
that was placed and rendering the table into firewood.

Everyone was in total shock of what they had just witnessed. Miyu rushed over to
help her drunken husband. Kats and Kieko stood back, keeping their distance
between the older Masaki men. Amagasaki has crossed the line with his insults
and Tenchi wasn’t going to stand for it any longer.

Ryoko had her left hand covering her mouth, still gasping over what had just
happened. She turned to see her lover’s head down, flushed with crimson red all
over his face. In all the time that she had known Tenchi she had never seen him
this angry before. As she tried to calm him down by reaching out with her hand,
Tenchi merely shrugged her off, wanting to endure his anger some more.

As Amagasaki regained his senses, he felt the searing pain that was washing all
over his face. In all his years, his father had never had a reason to strike
him; he was always the perfect child. Little Yoko was usually the one that felt
Tenchi’s wrath when she strayed away from the family time to time, only to have
him forgive her just as quickly. As the image of the free spirit Yoko appeared
momentarily in Saki’s mind, he realized that his sister had more in common with
her namesake than just their name.

“Father! You hit me! You…you never hit me, even as a child. H-How could you?”

Tenchi just stared at his son, his eyes filled with rage. He then took a deep
breath and began to talk to him about another incident long ago…

“A long time ago I went on a journey to help save a friend and to rid the
universe of a would-be tyrant. In all the battles I fought, never once I lost
control of my emotions even though they tried to kill my family and me. Even
when I finally killed the evil Kagato, I never lost my cool under those tough
situations. Today my son, you have succeeded in what others had failed to do;
you have made me lose my temper!”

“Father I…”

“Quiet Saki! You have done enough talking today and now you will hear what I
have to say or so help me I’ll really hurt you!”

Tenchi was slowly gaining control of himself, but he was still seething with
anger. Ryoko wanted to reach out to him, but didn’t dare. She always had dreamed
that Tenchi would defend her honor, but never had she imagined that it would be
with a family member. She wanted to be part of the family, not to be a dividing
factor. She can only watch as Tenchi continued to lace his tirade at his son.

“You know what son? Even back then, I knew that I would defend any of the women
that were with me, but never in my wildest dreams did I ever figured that it
would be against my own son!”

“F-father, please let me…”

“Enough Amagasaki! Despite your drunken state, you have made your feelings
clear!” Tenchi screamed back as tears started to stream down his cheeks. “You
seem to be under the impression that I came here for your blessing and by not
granting me that will change things. Despite my appearance I AM STILL YOUR
FATHER and therefore don’t require your approval!”

Everyone was silent for a few moments as Tenchi turned his back on everyone and
stared towards the doorway, hinting that this tragic turn of events was about to
end. “You are and will always be my ‘Ol Great Saki’, but right now I am ashamed
to call you my son! If your mother were alive right now, she would be ashamed of
you as well…”

As Tenchi let out a sigh, he motioned Ryoko to come over and proceeded to walk
towards the doorway. It was clear that the young Shinto priest did not want any
part of his son’s hospitality anymore.

“I’ll be leaving now, even though it’s kind of late. The wedding will be in a
few weeks, not that I expect that you’d be attending…”

“Father, I’m so sorry that this had to happen,” Miyu cried as she tried to
temper her father-in-law’s anger towards her husband. “I’m sure that when
Amagasaki had some rest and sobers up, he will realize his mistake and apologize
to you and Ms. Ryoko.”

Ryoko, hearing the sincerity and pain in the older woman’s voice, tried to
persuade her lover as well, “Tenchi, maybe Miyu’s right. Maybe after he sleeps
it off, he’ll think differently. Maybe he’ll…”

“He’ll what Ryoko, find some more insults to say to you? Telling me that I’m
betraying my late wife’s memory by marrying you? No, I don’t think his attitude
will change and I’m too damn old to hear anymore of his bullshit! It’s time to
go, I just can’t take it being here anymore!”

“Grandpa, wait up! Don’t you want me to drive you back?” Kats asked, not wanting
to have this situation end this way.

“Don’t worry about me Katsuhito, Ryo-oki could fly us back. Stay here with your
mother because she needs you more than I do.” Tenchi replied as he and Ryoko
went outside and waited as the cabbit appeared and sat still as she and Ryoko
were communicating to each other telepathically.

“Miyu? I’m sorry that things turned out this way, but let me make it clear that
I don’t hold this against you.” Tenchi said dejectedly as he embraced his
daughter-in-law while Ryo-oki leapt up into the air and transformed herself to
her ship form. Kats and Keiko stood next to each other, holding hands for
comfort. The youngest Masaki male suspected that his father would give anyone in
the family a hard time when marriage was concerned. It started with his kid
sister Achi and now the unusual situation with his grandfather Tenchi. He
shuddered to think what will happen if Amagasaki would say if Kats ever made his
intentions clear with his girlfriend.

“Father, won’t you reconsider and go back to talk to Saki? Do you really want to
leave things like this?”

“Your husband had made his feelings clear and I will not go back to convince him
otherwise. Like I said before, if you wish to come to the wedding, you are most
certainly welcome to come Miyu, but I will not deal with that baka until he
realizes his stupidity and apologizes to Ryoko, am I perfectly clear?”

“Yes father…I understand. I’ll see what I can do, but until then it’s goodbye
for now and once again congratulations. I am happy for you both…”

“Thank you Miyu…It’s been a pleasure meeting you and hopefully we can do this
again under better conditions.” Ryoko said earnestly as both women embraced each
other. She then turned to Tenchi, indicating that Ryo-oki was waiting for them.

Minutes later, the pointed black and red ship flew off over the horizon on the
way back to Okayama. Bulma finished cleaning the mess that was sprayed all over
when Saki hit the table in full force. The housekeeper then excused herself as
she went to the kitchen to finish cleaning up.

Keiko also excused herself, sensing that her boyfriend would be spending some
time with his parents. It was not her place to be involved in these discussions
and after hearing what Amagasaki said about Ryoko, she didn’t want to take the
chance of hearing his opinions about her.

Amagasaki retreated to his den, holding a cup of green tea that Bulma had made
for him. Even as the tea was sobering him up, he still felt numb over what had
happened ten minutes ago. He had always considered himself a man of principles
and morals, but tonight he let his emotions and pettiness take control of him.
The redness that was all over his face was subsiding, but he can still feel the
sting of his father’s right hand as it struck him, sending him to slam on top of
the dinner table.

Miyu and Katsuhito entered the room together, both showing different expressions
on their faces. Miyu showing an expression of concern over what had happened,
Kats’ had a look of disappointment or perhaps it was pity?

“Both of you stop looking at me that way! I’m already embarrassed as it is.”
Amagasaki yelled out as he leaned back against his leather chair. Kats wasn’t
going to let his father get away with this without putting his two cents/yen
into it.

“You should have thought of that before you drank like a old fool father. What
exactly were you thinking?”

“You have no right to judge me Katsuhito. I’m your father…”

“Then act like one damn it! Because of your recklessness, grandfather may never
step foot in this house again and Kami only knows what Ryoko thinks of all
this…”

“Why should she care? She got what she wanted didn’t she?”

“She does care father, don’t you realize that yet? She didn’t have to come here
to meet with you and mother. She didn’t even have to invite anyone to the
ceremony if she had chosen to, but she did because that’s how much she loves
Grandpa and unlike you father, she does more to preserve grandmother’s memory
than you ever could…”

“How dare you say that to me boy? Why I ought to…”

“What father? You’re going to strike me? You’re going to toss me out because I
don’t share your narrow-minded view of how the world should be?”

“Katsuhito, please…”

“No mother, let me finish…he needs to hear this.” Kats replied as he walked
towards his father, determined to speak his peace.

“You are a great man when it comes to business father and I know that you’re a
good man despite your faults. However, this isn’t Feudal Japan and your type of
logic of how things should be doesn’t exist anymore. It’s because of your views
that Achi left to America to study and to marry a foreigner. It was your
stubborn attitude that made me choose to live with grandfather and to study
under him because I was afraid that I couldn’t live up to your expectations. You
did what you had to do to provide for us and I know you love us, but your ways
have also driven this family apart. Now with this unique situation upon us, you
manage to drive a wedge between you and grandfather, something that I thought
couldn’t have been possible.”

Amagasaki sat there, listening to every word his son had said. He was so rigid
in his ways that he couldn’t foreseen the possibility that maybe his views could
had been beyond black and white. He knew that his father was an honorable man
and he never had known Tenchi to fall back on his word, which makes it so
inexplicable that he should doubt him now.

He looked at Miyu for a moment, looking for understanding, but instead saw a
blank stare from her. His wife had always supported him in whatever decisions
needed to be made, but would caution him if she felt he was overstepping his
boundaries. From the look she was giving him, he knew that he had crossed the
line.

“Miyu, please tell me…was I so wrong for telling my father about his decision?
Did I misjudge Ryoko because I was so angry that anyone could make father so
happy again like mother used to? Please tell me…I need to know.”

Miyu could only continue to gaze upon her husband with a blank stare. She
searched for the right words that could make her love understand the hurt that
his actions had cause. She walked over, stretching out her hand to caress his
cheek. All her life privileged people had surrounded her, but she learned at an
early age that one’s perception on life should not be clouded to what’s given to
her, but what she could reach out to. Any doubts on her beliefs were put to rest
when she met Saki’s parents, especially Tenchi.

Somewhere along the way, Amagasaki had forgotten those lessons, if he had ever
learned from them at all. As both Saki and Kats looked on, Miyu searched within
her the words that would make her husband understand.

“Amagasaki…my love, I know deep down you had your reasons to feel the way you do
when your father appeared with Ryoko. I also know that you were very close with
your mother, but the decision for your father to remarry was never yours to make
my dear Saki.
When mother Sakuya was alive I adored her as if she was my own mother and those
memories of her will always be so precious to me.”

Miyu kneeled down beside her husband and cupped his face, her hazel eyes looking
deeply into his. His glazed eyes were showing the look of a scolded child who
had been severely punished and was afraid to face his fears. Miyu did her best
to calm his worries and to show him the errors of his ways.

“Search inside yourself my love and you will see that a part of your mother is
still inside of you and will always be, just as a piece of her will always be
with your father. Tenchi has not betrayed her memory and deep down you know this
to be true.” Miyu’s words were finally soothing over whatever hurt Amagasaki was
feeling at the moment. He intently listened to every word as Katsuhito leaned
against the wall, also listening to her calming influence.

“I still find it hard to believe of what happened to your father, but if we are
to believe what father Tenchi has told us about Ryoko’s return is true, then I
have no doubt in my mind that their love for each other is absolute and we have
no right to judge them for it. She is not an evil person Amagasaki, even though
you may have heard some exaggerated versions from the Empress Ayeka when she
came on her visits to Earth.”

Amagasaki began to sob uncontrollably when the words of his wise old wife
penetrated his soul. The realization of what his actions caused hit him hard and
knowing his stupidity may have caused irreparable damage between him and Tenchi,
he finally understood the severity of the situation.

“May Kami take me for a fool, what in the world was I thinking?” Saki muttered
to himself, as if he finally found some clarity. “Miyu? If this situation had
happened to us, I mean suppose it was you who had passed away and I had the
chance to find happiness with another? Would you…”

“You are a good man Amagasaki and I have been happy with you ever since we first
met all those years ago in Tokyo.” Miyu cut in, knowing what his question was
and the answer that needed to go with it. “If some day I should pass on and you
had the chance to be happy with another; someone who will be true to you as I
was, then my sincerest wish would be that you’d remain happy until your final
days since I know in my heart that we will be together again in the afterlife…”

As if his heart was trying to render itself in two, Saki finally felt great
remorse for what he had done this evening. His inane actions had pushed him over
the edge and now he had to deal with the consequences that he had helped
created. He slowly rose off his chair and embraced his wife, whispering ‘thank
you’ into her ear.

He then turned towards his son who was still ticked off with him over tonight
events. Katsuhito had seen firsthand of how wonderful Ryoko could be with Tenchi
and was looking forward to marry his grandfather and his fiancée, but his
father’s actions may have cast a dark cloud over the festivities. As Amagasaki
approached, he braced himself to hear what his father had to say.

“Katsuhito, when will you be leaving back to Okayama?”

“Uh…probably in the morning. Why are you asking?”

Saki took a deep breath as he tried to dust himself off. “Don’t leave until we
have spoken agreed?”

Kats looked at his father, noticing the sudden change in his behavior. He really
didn’t want to deal with him in the morning, but he nodded his head to satisfy
Saki’s request.

“Good. I will be going to bed now, but feel free to stay up if you like. Miyu,
will you be coming with me?”

“Not right now dear, I wish to speak to Kats for a moment and check on Bulma in
the kitchen, but I’ll be there shortly.”

“Very well; good night then.” Saki bowed to his family as he proceeded to the
stairs. He then stopped momentarily to say something to his son. “Kats, do you
and Keiko plan to marry someday?”

Kats was hesitant to answer. “Uh…I’m not sure father. Possibly when both our
studies are completed, why you ask?”

“Hmm? Oh nothing really, I just thought what a fine wife she’d be if you decide
to marry. Well, I’m off to bed, good night…”

“Uh, g-good night father. See you in the morning.” Kats stammered, not sure if
his ears heard his father correctly. “Mother, did he say what I thought he
said?”

“Yes you did son.” Miyu answered with a slight smirk on her face. “I believe
your father is finally starting to grasp the situation and is planning
something. What it is, I don’t know.”

“Well, whatever it is, it may be too late to fix the damage he caused tonight,
but if it’s any consolation to him, I’m glad that he likes Keiko.”

“As do I Katsuhito, but let’s worry about it in the morning shall we?” Miyu said
as she gave her son a kiss on the cheek and went up the stairs to the bedroom.
Like Kats, she was wondering what her husband thinking about.


and not to cause any more trouble than you did this evening. > Miyu thought to
herself as she entered the dark room, seeing her husband asleep on the far side
of the bed.
with your father’s pending marriage, then I’m afraid that you’ll be forever in
torment over this and we will suffer as well because of it. >


*************************************

NEXT MORNING…


It was about ten in the morning when she finally woke up, her eyes still groggy
from staying up all night with her lover. If Ryo-oki hadn’t come in to nudge her
awake, Ryoko would had probably stayed asleep well into the afternoon.

As she trudged her way into the bathroom, wearing only a long white decorated
baseball T-shirt she bought from a place called ‘The Yankee Clubhouse Store’ in
New York, she recapped the last few hours that had passed since their departure
from Amagasaki’s house...

…Nothing happened since they left. The flight home with Ryo-oki was absolutely
silent, with the exception of the cabbit mentally speaking to her mistress via
their link. Ryo-oki knew what had happened, but she couldn’t comprehend why
Tenchi was so quiet if he didn’t care if his son came to their wedding or not.
Ryoko told her that there was some things humans would say to hide their true
feelings rather than anyone else knowing what they really are. Tenchi meant what
he said, but that still didn’t hide the fact that he was hurt by the whole
incident.

Ryoko said to herself, with Ryo-oki listening
on.
didn’t beat the shit of out of him myself. I’m glad that Tenchi defended me, but
not at the cost of his relationship with his son…>

On the way back she asked if he was all right in which he replied yes, but by
the tone of his voice and his body language Ryoko knew better. She knew him well
enough to know that the events that occurred this evening would gnaw at him
unless he lets go of his anger and disappointment…

Soon after she finished brushing her teeth and her other ‘duties’, the cyan
beauty phased out of the T-shirt and into her old blue and yellow striped dress.
She floated down the stairs to see if Tenchi was lurking about, but found the
house completely deserted. This was an uncommon sight for Ryoko to see
considering the number of people that used to live in this house at one time.
She doesn’t know if there would ever be another time like it was sixty-eight
years ago, but she promised herself that she would try to keep Tenchi and her
family happy. As she made her way into the kitchen to make some green tea, her
thoughts again drifted back towards last night…

…It was after midnight when they arrived and Tenchi headed straight for the
bedroom. She asked if she could make something for him in the kitchen since
dinner at Amagasaki’s was thrashed around, but he politely declined. She tried
to convince him to stay with her and watch some TV, hoping it would calm his
nerves, but he would again decline her offer.

Rather than leaving him alone with his thoughts, Ryoko joined him in bed. Tenchi
stripped down to his black boxers while Ryoko put on her white T-shirt and
climbed into the large futon styled bed they would sharing for a long time. As
Ryoko slid between the sheets, Tenchi unintentionally turned his back on her,
facing the window and the half moon that was illuminating the evening sky.
Thinking of a way to soothe his troubled soul, Ryoko pressed her body against
his back as she slid her arms under his shoulders. She felt the tightness of his
muscles as she let her hands roamed across his chest and arms.

Tenchi felt his lover’s gentle hands caressing his skin, making him feel
aroused, but the anger that was still trapped within wouldn’t let him enjoy even
a moment’s pleasure with his love.

“Not tonight Ryoko, I’m…not in the mood.” Tenchi said as he grabbed Ryoko’s
hands and forced her to stop feeling her way around.

“I kind of figured that you wouldn’t want any tonight, but can I at least hold
you like this? All I want to is try to make you feel better Tenchi, there’s no
harm in that is there?” Ryoko replied, still feeling how tense her lover’s body
was.

“No Ryoko…no harm at all. It’s ok by me although I doubt that I’d be getting
sleep tonight…”

“Tenchi…I know you’re hurting; we both are, but there’s nothing we can do about
it. It’s up to your son to decide if he’s going to accept our marriage and me.
You said it yourself that regardless whether of not he comes around, we’re still
getting married right?”

“Of course we are Ryoko! I’ve been waiting too long for that day to come, it’s
just…”

“Just what Tenchi?”

“I-I just wished that I didn’t have to strike him like that. He made me so angry
when he said those things about you. Why couldn’t he accept you like the others?
Why couldn’t he just be happy for me?”

Tenchi’s body started to go limp as he began to cry, burying his face into the
pillow. Sensing that he was about to let go his anger, Ryoko held on to him
tighter, letting her man know that he’s not alone with his pain.

“It’s ok babe, I’m here. Just let it go…just let it go…”


*************************************
The rest of the night was uneventful as Tenchi finally fell asleep, but Ryoko
stayed up to keep an eye on him. It was something she loved to do when the gang
was here all those years ago. When she couldn’t sleep at night, she would sneak
into Tenchi’s room and would float above him, watching his angelic face sleep
all night. She would feel tired as hell the next morning, but somehow it calmed
her. Last night was different though as she became the calming influence for him
to go to sleep, but the results were the same.

The sun was starting to come up when she finally dozed off. It must have been
shortly after when Tenchi got up and left, dressed in his priestly garments.
Ryoko concluded that he must be up at the shrine meditating or something so she
decided to make some sandwiches and lemonade for lunch and make her way up to
the shrine.

Ryo-oki excused herself as she went off to see the new carrot garden that
Katsuhito had grown especially for her. Ryoko put on her shades and a denim
jacket and teleported herself up the edge of the stone steps of the shrine. It
was a nice sunny day as the cyan girl looked up at the blue sky, seeing if could
see any stars at all. She then looked around; trying to see where was Tenchi was
hiding until he spotted him by the graves of his ancestors. The tombstone he was
presently standing in front of was his late wife’s.

She waited a few minutes, letting her fiancée to pray undisturbed. Afterwards,
she teleported to the shrine office and sat by the wooden steps as she began to
take out lunch out of the straw basket she placed them in. As she took out two
clear plastic cups and began to pour the lemonade into them, a familiar voice
spoke…

“Well I see that we were busy this morning, making lunch I see?”

“Nothing special…just thought that you might be hungry that’s all.”

“This is thoughtful of you Ryoko, thank you…”

“We’re going to be married soon Tenchi, what kind of wife I’d be if I can’t take
care of my man properly?” Ryoko answered as she passed a turkey and cheese
sandwich to her lover. Tenchi sat along beside her and smiled; it’s been awhile
since had someone taking care of him like this. No that his grandson didn’t take
good care of him, but there’s something special when a woman does the little
things that could mean so much to a love one.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right Ryoko. It’s going to take some time in getting used
to having you back here again, especially in the bedroom, heh-heh.”

“Going hentai on me sweetie?”

“No, just making a point, but we could get naughty later if you like…”

“Tenchi Masaki! I sometimes wonder if the Jurai power within you didn’t take
your hormones and turned them up a notch?”

“They’re fine love, it’s just I want to thank you for being there for me last
night, even after my son’s boorish behavior towards you.”

“Tenchi, I’m gonna be there for you no matter what comes our way. Just as I know
that you’ll be there for me as you did when your son said those things about
me.” Ryoko said as she gently took her lover’s hand. “I knew that must’ve hurt
you to defend me against him and I really appreciate it. I just hope it doesn’t
have to happen again.”

“It won’t because I don’t intend to speak to him again unless he apologizes to
you. You’re the most important thing in my life now and he needs to get used to
that…”

Ryoko flashed a heart-warming smile as the two continued to have lunch
uninterrupted. Later on, as they began to put away the leftovers in the basket,
Ryoko asked about his prayer by the graves.

“Tenchi, this may be none of my business, but were you praying to your family
about last night?”

“Yes…I needed to understand what had happened yesterday and maybe get an answer.
I remembered the night after you came back, I had a dream about Sakuya coming to
me and letting me know that it was all right with me to move on and to be with
you. She knew that this was important to me and that I did not betray her
memory. I still wonder if it was only a dream or did she really came back to
tell me all this...”

“Did you get an answer today my Tenchi?” Ryoko asked, wondering also if Sakuya
did come back or not.

“I always knew the answer to that Ryoko, I just needed some time to have some
closure, but without the guilt. Saki’s unwillingness to accept our impending
marriage made me think about it and you know what?”

“What babe?”

“Regardless of what people may think of the situation, it still comes to down
the fact I love you and you love me and that’s what really matters. I can only
try to change people’s minds and hope to make them understand, but if they don’t
get it, that’s their loss.”

Ryoko was glad that her man was finally coming around. As long as he was ok with
the present situation and not brooding about it, she could look forward to
planning out the wedding with Sasami and not having to worry about Tenchi’s
state of mind. As they both stood up to head back to the house, she leaned
against his body, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“I love you Tenchi Masaki, my husband to be…”

“And I love you Ryoko Masaki, my wife to be…”

They smiled contently at each other for a few seconds before drawing themselves
into a passionate kiss. They were in their own world right now nothing was going
to take them out of it…well almost nothing.

“AHEM…I see that you guys are recovering nicely from last night.” Katsuhito said
with a sly smirk on his face. He thought to himself how much fun it would be to
keep interrupting his grandfather and step-grandmother. After all, they keep
setting themselves up like this all the time.

“Kats, you’re back! Where’s Keiko? Did she come back with you?” Tenchi asked.

“She’s inside the house fixing lunch for us. I just came looking for you, but I
see that you guys already ate…”

“Yep, gotta keep my man happy here or he may try to find another woman to take
my place…”

“Very unlikely Ryoko and besides, I think you’d kill me if I tried to…” Tenchi
snapped back as Ryoko tried to pinch him in the arm.

“Well, if you guys are finished…” Kats paused for a moment before clearing his
throat to state his purpose, “Gramps, he’s here.”

“Who…Amagasaki?” Tenchi questioned his grandson with a perplexed look on his
face. Kats meekly nodded his head as he awaited the next question.

“Why is he here Katsuhito? Didn’t he make himself clear last night? I’m not in
the mood for his…”

“Tenchi! Let Kats finish what he has to say, go ahead kiddo…”

“Thanks Ryoko…gramps, mother and I had a serious discussion with dad last night;
a shouting match really, but the thing is that he says he’s sorry for what
happened and wishes to speak to you and Ryoko.”

Tenchi rolled his eyes at the idea that his son was actually sorry for what he
said last night. Ryoko, on the other hand, was curious in what the older Masaki
had to say. If this could repair the damage that was done yesterday then she
would gladly try to extend a hand to her future son-in-law.

“Tenchi, he came all the way from Urawa to talk to you. Let’s hear what he has
to say…please?”

Tenchi looked into those beautiful amber eyes of his love, pleading for him to
hear what his son had to say. He said to himself that if she were willing to
accept whatever Saki had to say, he’d try to keep an open mind as well.

“All right Ryoko…Katsuhito, let’s go see what your father has to say to me.”


****************************************

It’s been awhile since he had a chance to just stand here and look out towards
the lake, taking in the serenity of the calm water and multi-layered forest
before him. While Amagasaki had become an urban dweller in every way, he was
glad that his father had decided to keep the land within the family’s
possession. A ruthless developer like himself would have taken this land and
turn it into a four-star vacation resort for the wealthy, but in this case this
was still his home.

Between his nervousness and his thoughts reminiscing about the past, Saki didn’t
notice the trio coming from behind him. Katsuhito pulled back as Tenchi and
Ryoko approached him.

“Amagasaki! Katsuhito said you came here to tell us something; what is it?”
Tenchi demanded in a paternal tone of voice. He was going to make sure that his
son wasn’t coming all the way here to cause any more heartache in the family and
if need be, he’d personally remove him from the premises himself.

“Oh father! I didn’t hear you walking behind me. I must have been lost in
thought. I…”

“Saki, enough with the babbling, what did you come here to say to us? Remember
what I told you yesterday…”

“I know only too well dad and that’s why I’m here. I guess I should start with
you Ms. Ryoko…”

“Uhh…you know this isn’t really necessary Saki. I understand how you feel about
Tenchi getting married to me and the need to protect Sakuya’s memory…”

“That’s just it Ryoko. I didn’t need to protect my mother’s memory at all. In
all the years that father and mother were married and even after she died, I
should have realized that dad would never betray her no matter what. My family
had finally convinced me that dad is his own man and despite his younger
appearance, he has the right to be to happy again.”

“What I’m trying to say here Ms. Ryoko is that…is that I let my own selfish
reasons cloud my judgment. I should have known better that father would not love
just any woman after my mother. Dad is the most noble and honest soul I have
ever known and for anyone to make his heart sing again like you have deserves
all the happiness in the world.”

Amagasaki walked up to Ryoko and politely bowed to her. “I apologize for my
awful behavior last night and allow me the opportunity to make amends. It’s the
least I could do.”

Ryoko stood there stunned. This was the last thing that she and Tenchi had
expected from his wayward son. Whatever talk Miyu and Kats had with him
yesterday worked perfectly. She waited for Saki to bring his head up so she can
respond.

“Amagasaki…I’m touched by your sudden change of heart. If you’re really sincere
about your apology, then I gladly accept it. I don’t want any hard feelings
between us…”

“As do I. All I ask now is that you and father could forgive this old fool for
being disgraceful. I know what I said last night was inexcusable and I’m still
not quite sure if I could get used to father being young again, but all I ask is
that you could give me some time to adjust.”

“Well, in the old days, I would have skewed any man who would had insulted me
like you did yesterday, but times are different now as I am. Tenchi has shown me
that some things are worth taking time to understand and that’s what I’m going
to do with you.”

“I thank you Ms. Ryoko…”

“Please Saki…just call me Ryoko, and right now you still have one more person to
ask for their forgiveness…”

Saki turned towards Tenchi, who had been watching the whole scene attentively.
His father did say that if his son apologizes to Ryoko, that he would give Saki
the benefit of the doubt. Now that he had indeed apologized to the cyan beauty,
what was Tenchi’s next move?

“Father? I know my timing is bad and that I had angered you in ways that were
most unpleasant. My behavior last evening was a disgrace to you, your fiancée
and the whole family. Please father, you’re the only link left to mother and I
can’t bear the fact that you hate me. Please, I beg for your forgiveness…”

Tenchi really wanted to stay angry with his son for the crap he had put him
through, but as he looked at Saki and saw the tears trickling down his face, it
occurred to him that he rarely saw his son cried. The last time must have been
at Sakuya’s funeral nineteen years ago.

Saki kept his head down, bowing obediently in the presence of Tenchi, hoping his
father would forgive him for his stupidity. His nerves were so shot that he
couldn’t control himself and wept openly. This was enough for Tenchi to know
that Saki was being sincere about being forgiven.

“I don’t hate you Saki. If I did then I wouldn’t be feeling so hurt by your
remarks from last night. I may have kept my distance from you until my anger had
subsided, but you’re my son…I could never hate you.”

“Father, I’m so sorry…I never wanted to hurt you nor Ryoko at all. It’s just
sometimes I…”

“I know Saki; I miss her too. One of her last requests was that I would always
look after you. After Yoko’s death, you were her shining light and all your
achievements had made her so proud; as was I.”

“Father…please know that I do wish for your happiness and after listening to
Ryoko, there’s no doubt in my mind that she truly loves you. I think mother
would have been happy for you.”

Tenchi’s heart was overjoyed when he heard his son’s words. To hear that final
confirmation from Saki made young priest all teary eyed. There was only one
thing he wanted to do.

“Saki…you don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that. Come here son…”

Ryoko and Kats quietly stood back as they witnessed a tender moment when father
and son embraced each other in a loving hug. No words were spoken, but with the
tears of happiness and forgiveness being poured out, none was needed. Tenchi
lifted his head so he could look for his love and when he spotted Ryoko and his
grandson, he motioned for them to join in the family embrace.

As Ryoko wrapped her arms around her future husband and son-in-law, she could
now look forward to the wedding with the complete support of her new family. For
Tenchi, this was last obstacle to overcome as he could now bridge all the
different aspects of his life and to move on into the future with his Ryoko. The
future still had its uncertainties, but he knew now that he wasn’t going to face
them alone anymore…

END CHAPTER FOUR


**************************************

I apologize if my knowledge of Japanese living is not accurate, especially with
the Urawa homes, but I figure that by 2067, western culture should have
penetrated Japanese society by then. If you’re wondering why I made Amagasaki a
narrow-minded fool is simply this; not every child, even as an adult, is going
to happy when their parent remarries, which in this situation is a bit more
complex since the father is younger than the son. I’m not speaking from
experience, but wouldn’t children in general feel resentful about a parent
moving on with someone else and forgetting about the other parent? Isn’t it
human nature to worry about forgetting a love one’s life and memories as we go
on without them? If anyone has an opinion on this I would like to read it.

COMMENTS FROM LAST CHAPTER:

Rel: After further review, you’re correct about the log’s color markings.
Actually if you can picture Sasami as Tsumani and a calm Kamidake when he’s not
fighting, I think it’s a cool pair. I have to give kudos to Sophia Le Fay for
that idea though.

Chaptermaster: Dude, nice to hear from you again. Nasty family squabble don’t
you think?

Well anyway guys, your reviews are greatly appreciated and I’m try to post the
next chapter ASAP. (Yeah Right!)

Next Chapter: “Conversations”

As always, C&C are welcome. If you want a more elaborate explanation, you can
email me at a.falc@verizon.net

Later, Alighthawk
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