Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ The Masato Saga ❯ Jokers Wild ( Chapter 3 )

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

Disclaimer: As much as I would love to take credit for the characters in
this story, I cannot. Tenchi Muyo and its characters are property of AIC
and Pioneer. "Jokers Wild," though based on pre-existing characters, is
the property of the author and may not be reprinted without permission.
Ditto for all original characters found therein. Now that that's out of the
way, enjoy the story!

Note to reader: Once again, I have omitted a few minor characters for
simplicity's sake, because their appearances would not have contributed
further to content.

Jokers Wild

Chapter 1: Friendly Competition

Ryoko suddenly burst into the house, surprising everyone in the
living room. "Tenchi and Masato are sparring!" she shouted excitedly.
"Let's all go and watch!"
Kiyone, Mihoshi, Ayeka, Ryo-ohki, and Sasami looked at each
other, then simultaneously shrugged. With a few hours to kill before
dinner, why not? Everyone followed Ryoko to the clearing where Tenchi
and Masato had already begun to square off.
Yosho stood observing a short distance away. It really was a
blessing for him that Masato showed up. He proved to be an excellent
sparring partner. As well, Masato had a unique sword fighting technique,
which, when mixed with his own formal training, was quite effective. In
fact, Tenchi and Masato wound up training each other, leaving Yosho as a
coach on the sidelines. The improvement in both their skills was evident.
By the time the girls arrived, the battle was already underway.
Masato and Tenchi fought with great speed; following their movements
was no easy task, even for Yosho. The sharp clacking of the wooden
training swords seemed to resonate through the forest, shaking the very
trees to their roots. Despite their very friendly rivalry, the two combatants
took the challenge very seriously, and their faces were tense with
determination. Suddenly, to Yosho's surprise, Masato lunged rather
clumsily, leaving Tenchi an opening to strike. Upon delivering the blow,
Masato recovered his form and dodged, countering with an attack of his
own. When Tenchi realized he had been fooled, it was too late; Masato's
sword was already pressed against his neck.
"Looks like I win this one," Masato said with a smile. "Care to go
two out of three?"
"You bet," said Tenchi, who had won the previous bout.
"Don't let him trick you this time," said Yosho sharply.
"Okay, Grandpa," returned Tenchi.
Ryoko suddenly shouted, "Tenchi, if you win, I'll give you a kiss!"
"Out of the question!" shouted Ayeka at her rival. "I most
certainly will not allow you to kiss Tenchi! If anyone should kiss him, it
should be me!" Ayeka suddenly blushed when she realized what she said.
Tenchi sighed heavily and cast his eyes to the ground. "Here we
go again," he said to himself.
"Well, this is certainly an interesting turn of events," said Masato,
smiling. "What do I get if I win?"
"If you win," said Ryoko, "Tenchi is going to need someone to
console him. I guess that will be me."
"Not a chance!" shouted Ayeka hotly. "That is so unfair!"
"I agree," said Masato. "Tenchi wins either way."
"Don't encourage her, Masato!" snapped Ayeka.
"If it's not too much trouble," Yosho interjected, "can we get
underway?"
"Right," said Tenchi. "Sorry, Grandpa."
Tenchi turned to face Masato in the clearing, sword in the ready
position. Suddenly, Ayeka walked up to Masato, and proceeded to
whisper something in his ear. Masato's face turned a bright red, and
Ayeka giggled as she returned to her former place among the spectators.
"What did you say to him?" asked Kiyone.
Ayeka again giggled. "That's for me to know," she said slyly.
Masato shook his head and faced Tenchi, his cheeks still blushing.
The fight began, and the crowd eagerly cheered.
"You can do it, Tenchi!" shouted Sasami.
"Yeah! Go Tenchi!" Mihoshi joined in.
Yosho stood silently as before, watching in disappointment.
Somehow Masato was disorganized, moving clumsily and attacking
sloppily. He would be no match for Tenchi if he kept that up.
"Come on, Tenchi!" yelled Ryoko.
"Yeah, Tenchi, you've got him!" shouted Sasami. Ryo-ohki
meowed encouragement, presumably directed at Tenchi. Masato gave a
mock frown; it was clear who the crowd favorite was.
Tenchi continued to attack swiftly, and Masato could not find the
coordination to defend effectively. In the middle of Tenchi's offensive
surge, Masato lost his footing and fell heavily, landing flat on his back.
Tenchi stood above him, the tip of his sword hovering inches from his
chest. "Gotcha," was all he said. Yosho could only shake his head
disapprovingly. What had happened to Masato?
"Alright, Tenchi!" yelled Mihoshi.
"Way to go!" shouted Sasami. Ryo-ohki meowed her approval.
"Good job, Tenchi," said Kiyone.
"Yea, Tenchi! You won!" shouted Ayeka enthusiastically as she
winked at Masato.
Masato hurriedly stood and dusted himself off, and turned to face
Ayeka. "You did that on purpose!" he said accusingly. "You knew that
would distract me--" His words were cut off when Ayeka busted into a fit
of uncontrollable laughter. Masato once again blushed; he'd been the
victim of her practical joke.
Fully intending to capitalize on the situation, Ryoko hovered to
meet Tenchi in the clearing, and threw her arms around him.
"Congratulations, Tenchi. You won. And your prize is me."
"Ryoko, I don't... I mean... you don't..." was all he could say as he
struggled to free himself from her lustful embrace.
"Now, now Tenchi," said Ryoko, inching her face ever closer to
his. "Just close your eyes, and leave everything to me..."
Masato glanced at Ayeka, who he could see was about to erupt in a
fit of rage. Thinking quickly, he gave her a wink, and rushed over to pluck
Ryo-ohki off the ground. With the cabbit in tow, he galloped to where
Ryoko had Tenchi in her clutches. Ryoko's eyes were closed, so she
couldn't tell when Masato lifted Ryo-ohki in between her and Tenchi.
Ryoko brought her lips to what she thought were Tenchi's.
However, they were a bit furrier than she expected. She opened her eyes,
and with a stifled gasp she realized why; they were not Tenchi's lips at all,
but Ryo-ohki's! Holding her to Ryoko's lips was Masato, who desperately
tried to keep his laughter from erupting and spoiling the situation.
Ryoko turned away and began to spit and gag furiously. Unable to
control his amusement any longer, Masato fell to the ground, convulsing in
laughter. Ryoko was none too pleased. "What's the big idea?" she asked
angrily. "What's so funny?"
"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist!" Masato was able to spit out in
between spasms of laughter. "You should see the look on your face! It's
priceless!"
The sneer on Ryoko's face grew even more intense as the rest of
the group followed Masato in uproarious laughter. Sasami giggled
profusely. Tenchi chuckled nervously, pleased that he was at least free of
Ryoko's embrace. Even Yosho tossed his head back and laughed heartily.
Kiyone and Mihoshi had to lean on each other to prevent themselves from
falling over. Ayeka was already keeled over, pounding the ground with her
fist, tears of merriment spilling out upon the earth. She had never seen
anyone get the better of Ryoko like that. It was the most satisfying
spectacle she had ever seen.
"That was not funny!" thundered Ryoko. "Stop laughing!" Her
pleas only served to heighten the humor of the situation, causing everyone
to steadily lose control and continue their mad guffaws even louder. With
teeth clenched and face turning a vivid shade of red, she dematerialized
from the clearing, thoroughly embarrassed.
When the laughter subsided, Masato stood and said, "I guess I
better go talk to her and make sure she's okay."
"Yes, let's all go back to the house," said Yosho. "We'll continue
training tomorrow. And Masato, I certainly hope you will have returned to
form by then."
The red returned to Masato's cheeks. "I should," he said.
As the group made its way to the house, Tenchi caught up with
Masato. "Before that last match," he said, "what did Ayeka say to you,
anyway?"
Masato's cheeks grew even redder. "She said... she said that if I
won she would kiss me," he said hurriedly under his breath. Masato's
redness spread to Tenchi's cheeks. Masato added, "I guess you can handle
a prospect like that a bit better than I can."
Tenchi chuckled. "I'm used to it," he said.

Chapter 2: Consequences

Upon arriving at the house, Masato immediately attempted to find
Ryoko. Thinking she might be in her room, he checked there first; she
was not there. He checked the television; again, nothing. The kitchen was
empty. Where could she be?
"She probably just needs some time to cool off," remarked Kiyone.
"I'm sure she'll turn up around dinnertime."
Washu, having overheard Kiyone's remark, emerged from her
laboratory where she had busily been at work all day. "What's this I hear
about Ryoko missing?" she asked.
"Ryoko's upset because I played a trick on her," Masato said,
hanging his head. "I sure hope she's alright."
"She'll be fine," said Washu confidently. "I've seen her upset
before. Give her a little time and she'll be as right as rain. Kiyone's right;
she'll come waltzing through the door the second there's food on the table.
By the way, what kind of trick did you play on her?"
Ayeka began to chuckle anew. "You've got to hear this," she said,
as she began to relate the incidents of the afternoon. As Masato continued
to search the house for Ryoko, he could hear Washu's maniacal cackle
reverberate through the walls as she heard what had happened.
For once in her life, however, Washu was wrong. Dinnertime
came, with no sign of Ryoko. Masato was getting very worried.
"Something's wrong," he said. "She must be really upset."
"She's never missed dinner before," Sasami said. "I'm worried."
"Me, too," said Tenchi. "I should go look for her."
"No, Tenchi, I'll go," said Masato suddenly. "It's my fault that this
happened. I'll see if I can find her and bring her back. I just wish I knew
where to look."
Tenchi leaned forward in his chair. "I think I know where she
might be," he said.

By the time Masato reached the mouth of the cave, the sun had
long since set and he could barely see the path under his feet. However,
Tenchi was right in his prediction; a small light emanated from the cave.
Masato was half hoping that he would not find Ryoko here. Tenchi had
said that she only goes back to the cave when she is horribly upset.
Masato frowned, knowing it was him that made her feel that way.
Masato, barely able to see in the darkness, slowly picked his way
deeper into the cave. Eventually he came to a chamber, in which a small
lantern cast a weak glow from its position in the center of the floor. In a
corner, crouched and facing the wall, was Ryoko. "Hello," said Masato as
softly as possible.
"Go away!" said Ryoko, her firm command echoing through the
small room.
Masato only proceeded to continue to approach her. "Are you still
upset?" he asked, his voice softer than before.
Ryoko suddenly whipped her head around to face him. Even in the
poor light, he could see the dark streaks down her cheeks, and the flame
from the lantern glistened off the pool of tears in her eyes. She did not
speak, only stared at Masato with a face that asked, "Why?"
Masato could only return her gaze, as he slowly let the full
consequences of his actions seep in. He had apparently hit a nerve in
Ryoko, a nerve that he did not know existed. And now, seeing her
crouched and crying, he was dreadfully sorry for what he did.
"About what happened," he began, deathly afraid that Ryoko
would burst into uncontrollable sobbing, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't
mean to upset you like this. God, I am just so sorry."
Ryoko's questioning gaze was replaced by one of sternness. "Who
made you come here and apologize?" she asked icily.
"No one," said Masato. "I was worried about you. We all were.
Tenchi wanted to come find you, but I thought it would be better if I
apologized myself."
"Do you even have any idea what you're apologizing for?"
returned Ryoko, her tears corrupting the anger she was trying to convey in
her voice.
"I only know that I hurt you," said Masato. "That makes me feel
horrible."
"Well, how do you think I feel?" asked Ryoko, her voice growing
stronger. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be humiliated like that?
In front of the one you love? Making fun of my love for Tenchi was the
cruelest thing you could have done!" Ryoko's hands moved to cover her
face as her crying became more intense.
Masato was shocked. "Is that why you think I did it?" he asked.
"Ryoko, I would never dream of doing something like that! Please, you
have to believe that I never would have done anything if I knew you would
get so upset. I didn't want to hurt you, and I'm sorry that I did. Please
forgive me."
Ryoko looked up at him. "Then why?" she asked. "Why did you
do it?"
Masato sat in silence for a moment. "I guess the real reason," he
said at length, "is because I didn't want to see Ayeka get upset."
Ryoko's hurtful look was replaced by one fraught with confusion.
"What?" she queried.
"When you were trying to kiss Tenchi," Masato explained, "Ayeka
looked like she was very distraught. I thought that by playing that joke on
you, it would keep her from getting upset."
Ryoko's face softened. "So, this is about Ayeka?" she asked.
"Yes," said Masato. "I did it for her. But I wasn't thinking about
how it might make you feel. Maybe I'm just stupid, I don't know. But I
was not thinking. I made a terrible mistake. If I could go back and change
things, I wouldn't have done what I did. I'm sorry."
Ryoko wiped her sleeve across her face to dry her eyes. She
supposed she could forgive Masato because he didn't really know what he
was doing. And because his intentions were not altogether malicious. She
got up from her crouched position and moved to sit down next to him.
She placed a hand on his shoulder. "I accept your apology," she said with
a slight smile.
"Thank you. Thank you," said Masato, returning her smile.
"You really care about her, don't you?" Ryoko asked suddenly.
Masato again paused. "Yes," he finally said.
"I wish there was something I could do to help," she said. Ayeka
falling for Masato would mean that she finally would have Tenchi all to
herself.
"I couldn't ask for that," said Masato. "I respect Ayeka too much.
Who she chooses is a choice that is hers, and hers alone."
"And if she chooses Tenchi?" Ryoko trailed off.
"Ayeka knows how I feel," said Masato. "If she chooses Tenchi, I
will accept it."
"But you won't like it," speculated Ryoko.
Masato only nodded. "I feel so helpless," he said. "I love Ayeka
so much. I want her more than I've ever wanted anything else in the
universe... And there's not a damn thing I can do about it!"
Ryoko nodded. "Sometimes I feel the same way about Tenchi,"
she said. "I guess, in the end, you can't make somebody love you. It just
happens. I guess it just hasn't happened to Tenchi."
"Tenchi cares about you very much," assured Masato. "He cares
about all of you very much."
"I know he cares about me," said Ryoko. "I just don't know if he
loves me."
Masato sat motionless. He had nothing to say.
"Have you ever been in love before?" asked Ryoko. "I mean,
before Ayeka."
Despite the low light cast by the lantern, Ryoko could see Masato's
cheeks flush red. "No, not really," he said.
"But what about Kiyone?" Ryoko asked. "She's young, attractive.
I thought for sure you would have gone after her."
"I'd be lying if I said that the thought never crossed my mind," said
Masato. "But Kiyone was different. Something always held me back with
her. I was content just being her friend. I guess that was why we were
such good partners; there was no tension, and we never kept anything from
each other. There was complete trust."
"So, you've never... been with a woman before?" asked Ryoko
slyly, a grin beginning to grow on her face.
"Well... no," said Masato, his cheeks burning a fiery red as he
turned his head nervously.
Ryoko continued anxiously, "So, you're still a--"
"Ryoko!" broke in Masato firmly. "I swear, if you use the v-word,
I'll make you kiss Ryo-ohki again!"
"Sorry," Ryoko said as she chuckled. "I just never would have
guessed..."
"Yeah, well, don't spread it around," returned Masato. "It's not
something I like to talk about. It just makes me seem so... pathetic."
Ryoko chuckled again. "I don't think you're pathetic at all," she
assured him. "In fact, I think it's kind of cute!"
"Can we please change the subject?" asked Masato, feeling very
uncomfortable with the way the conversation had turned. Ryoko's chuckle
grew into a laugh. Masato smiled sheepishly. At least she wasn't upset
anymore.
"Masato, there's something I have to know," said Ryoko. "Why
Ayeka? Why not someone like, oh, I don't know... me?"
Masato grinned. "Jealous, huh?" he asked mockingly.
"No!" said Ryoko, giving him a light punch in the arm. "Just
curious, is all."
Masato leaned back. "I'm not sure, exactly," he began. "Maybe its
the way she carries herself, that air of quiet dignity around her. As a
princess she seems so unreachable at first, but she never shuts anybody
out. I know you might not see it, but there is a warmth beneath her proper
exterior that could embrace the whole world. And I always act so lame
around girls, but with her it's so easy to tell her how I feel." His head
went back and his eyes roved vacantly to the ceiling. "And every time she
looks at me with those gorgeous eyes of hers I melt like cheap margarine."
Ryoko gasped excitedly. Masato had it bad!
Masato again looked at Ryoko, then let out with a slight chuckle.
"I suppose this all sound so ridiculous," he said.
"No, it doesn't," said Ryoko. "I can't really explain why I love
Tenchi so much, either. I just do. And as long as you follow your heart,
that should be enough for you."
Masato was surprised. Never had he heard anything so heartfelt
and eloquent escape from the mouth of the normally coarse space pirate.
Masato knew almost immediately that there was more to Ryoko than he
first thought, but she never ceased to amaze him at the depth of her
emotion. "Have you ever considered being a poet?" asked Masato.
Ryoko tossed her head back and laughed. "Being a space pirate
pays much better!" she said. "Besides, don't you remember the old
saying: 'Actions speak louder than words?'"
Masato chuckled. "Yes, and your actions always seem to speak
quite loudly!" They both laughed heartily, Ryoko's tears long since dry.
"Well, why don't we go back and get something to eat," said
Ryoko as she got up to leave. "I'm starving!"
"It's probably ice cold by now," Masato said to Ryoko, referring to
the dinner he had left behind to find her.
"Probably," agreed Ryoko as the pair left the cave. "Thank
goodness for microwaves!"
Masato and Ryoko walked side-by-side to the house in the
darkness, leaving the lantern on the floor to frolic with the shadows on the
wall.

Chapter 3: One Good Turn

The next evening at dinner everyone was busy enjoying Sasami's
latest culinary delight when the pigtailed princess said, "Ryoko, we missed
you at dinner last night."
Ayeka eagerly added with a sideways glance, "Yes, Ryo-ohki was
beside herself." Before she could let out with a chuckle she noticed that
Masato shot her a sharp glance. At that point she knew that she should not
have brought it up.
Ryoko only smirked. "It's okay, that doesn't bother me anymore,"
she said proudly. "Masato and I have come to an understanding about
that. In fact, our conversation took a series of interesting turns."
"What do you mean?" asked Mihoshi.
"Well," Ryoko said coyly, "it's just that I learned certain...
information about your boyfriend here, Ayeka."
Masato was wide-eyed, shaking his head vigorously, a look of
absolute dread across his face. She wouldn't. She couldn't...
"Masato is not my boyfriend!" Ayeka responded hotly. "And I still
have no idea what you mean."
Ryoko chuckled. "Just a little secret of his..." she said
suggestively.
"What secret?" asked Ayeka earnestly. Masato's face grew whiter
than the rice they had eaten that evening.
"You mean you don't know?" asked Ryoko coolly.
"No," she confirmed. "What is it?" Masato was already planning
his escape from the dinner table at that point.
Ryoko leaned over close to Ayeka and said softly, "I told you, it's a
secret." She then leaned back in her chair and winked at Masato. Masato
exhaled the breath he had been holding as the color came back to his face.
That was too close. He gave Ryoko a biting glare that screamed, "Don't
even think about doing that again!"
After dinner concluded and everyone had adjourned to the living
room, Masato proceeded upstairs to finish a sketch he had been working
on. Before he could reach the landing, however, Ayeka grabbed his arm
and pulled him aside. "What was Ryoko talking about at dinner?" she
asked.
Masato's face again grew white. "About what?" he asked, in the
vain hope that Ayeka had forgotten.
"About that secret," she said. "Is it bad?"
Masato desperately wished he was somewhere else. "Er... well, I...
it... I don't know," he stammered.
"You can tell me, Masato," said Ayeka. "It's alright, I promise."
"Well," said Masato, unable to withhold anything from her
lavender eyes, "it's just that... well... I, uh... er... I..."
"What is it?" asked Ayeka again.
"Well, I... uh, I... I've nev-... er, uh... I've never... uh..."
"You've never what?" asked Ayeka.
"I mean, uh... I'm still, uh... er, I'm... I'm still a v-... I'm still a... I
mean, I'm a... er, uh..."
"You're still a what?" Ayeka asked. Why did she have to keep
interrupting?
"I'm still a... uh... I still haven't... uh, er, I... I, uh..."
"Masato, please, what is it?"
"I'VE NEVER HAD SEX, OKAY!?"
Suddenly realizing the decibel level of his announcement, Masato
looked around. Every eye in the house was eagerly trained on him, staring
wide. Even Ryoko sat at attention, surprised that he had admitted it of his
own accord. Washu's head poked from her laboratory door, her face
conveying bewilderment not necessarily at what he said, but at the shear
volume he announced it. Masato's face went quickly from ash gray to beet
red. "Oh, dear lord," he said weakly as he cast his eyes down to the floor.
"Masato, you're still a virgin?" asked Sasami excitedly.
"Sasami!" scolded her older sister, wondering where she had ever
heard such a word.
"That's okay," said Sasami. "So's Tenchi!"
"SASAMI!" yelled Tenchi, whose face quickly came to match
Masato's in terms of color and shocked expression. Everyone turned their
surprised expressions from Masato quickly to Tenchi.
"Oh, dear," said Ayeka in a mouse's voice. "Perhaps I shouldn't
have brought it up."
"It's a bit late for that!" shouted Masato.
"I thought everyone knew," said Sasami innocently.
"They do now!" shouted Tenchi.
"Masato, you never told me you were a virgin," said Kiyone.
"I didn't think it was all that important!" said Masato in
desperation, wishing more than ever that he was someplace else. Like the
moon.
"It's not important!" concurred Tenchi. "Really! It's not!"
"No, it isn't" interjected Washu. "It's just a bit surprising, that's
all."
"Jeez, can we please stop talking about this?" begged Masato. He
hurriedly rushed to the door. "God, I need some air!"
"I'll race you!" yelled Tenchi as he sprinted out behind him.
As the door closed behind the two distressed men, the women were
left to stare after them in utter bewilderment. They hadn't seen this much
life out of Tenchi or Masato in quite some time.

That evening Masato stood on the balcony overlooking the lake. It
was a bit cold out, but the events of the evening had caused him to be a
little warm around the collar. He stood looking at where the distant
mountains reflected into the lake, creating what seemed to be a parallel
universe in which everything was upside-down. He had been turned a
little upside-down himself that day. Without warning, but not
surprisingly, Ryoko suddenly materialized beside him.
"You had to bring it up at dinner, didn't you?" asked Masato flatly.
"Hey, I forgive, but I don't forget," she said, referring to the joke
that he himself had played on her the day before. "Besides, you were the
one that felt the need to scream it out."
"What was I thinking?" Masato asked to no one in particular. "So
was that your little bit of revenge on me?"
"Yep!" she said jauntily.
"I'll make you a deal," said Masato turning to face her. "You stop
bringing up my virginity at the dinner table, and I'll stop making you kiss
furry animals. Agreed?"
"Deal," Ryoko said quickly. She held out her hand, and the pair
shook.
"I suppose there was much discussion and dwelling upon what was
said after we left," said Masato.
"Are you kidding?" began Ryoko. "We shut right up! No way any
conversation we could have had could possibly top that one!"
"Ryoko, remind me never to cross you again," said Masato as he
returned his eyes to the lake.
"I don't think I have to, now," she said with a smile as she began to
hover back into the house. "Have a pleasant evening!"
As Ryoko entered the house, Ayeka made her way onto the
balcony. Masato's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. He was so
embarrassed he could barely even look at her. His face again turned red as
she stood next to him.
"Well, now you know my big secret," he said. "I suppose you
think I'm pretty pathetic."
"I don't care at all," said Ayeka. Masato raised an eyebrow. "It
doesn't matter to me in the least."
Masato was surprised. "Well, that's a relief," he said.
"Ryoko told me about the conversation you two had in the cave,"
Ayeka said. "Why you pulled that trick on her. Is that true?"
"Yes, it is," Masato said. "I didn't want to see you get upset."
"Well, next time, don't worry about me getting upset with Ryoko,"
Ayeka said coolly. "I can handle myself when it comes to her."
Masato chuckled. Then he said quite suddenly, "I have to know
something. Yesterday, when I was fighting with Tenchi, and you said
you'd kiss me if I won, did you mean it?"
"But you lost," Ayeka said, grinning.
"I know," said Masato, "but, if I had won, would you have kissed
me?"
Ayeka's smile widened. "That's for me to know," she said as she
ambled her way back into the house.
Masato frowned as his gaze returned to the water. With all that he
had been given to think about these past two days, it looked like he would
be up all night doing just that.