Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! Is copyright AIC/Pioneer Ltd.

All characters are property of their respected owners.

Wake Up Dreaming: A Tenchi Muyo Story.

Chapter 2

It was an unusually hot spring day in Okayama, Japan. Tenchi stood up straight and wiped his brow after finishing the first half of his fieldwork for the day. He inhaled, enjoying the earthy mountain air.

"Tenchi. Oh, Tenchi. Yoo-hoo! Tenchi!" a soft feminine voice cooed.

"Ryoko!" Tenchi exclaimed looking up at the cyan haired beauty.

Wow, she looks great, he thought, admiring her curvy silhouette. She floated lazily above him and seemed to be slowly moving downward like a leaf drifting from side to side. As Tenchi called her name she quickly increased her speed and crashed into him with her arms outstretched, knocking the wind out of him as he fell over and locking him into one of her bone-crushing hugs.

"Oof! Hey, Ryoko," Tenchi said only half annoyed.

The ground was hard but she was soft. Ryoko strategically released her hold around his chest, slowly and sensually moving her hands up his body to pin his arms down above his head. She also firmly placed one shapely leg on either side of him, effectively straddling him. Tenchi gulped and shivered as the feeling of her warm breath massaged his ear.

"I like it when you say my name, Tenchi," she moaned suggestively.

He swallowed again and let out a barely audible sigh as her sultry voice caressed him. Ryoko pulled away slowly batting her thick eyelashes and curling her full lips into a provocative smile. As she loosened her grip on Tenchi's arms, he instinctively used his small opening to grab both of her wrists and hold them down against his chest. Ryoko's cheeks turned bright red at his sudden move and she arched an eyebrow noticing the position he put her in. Both of her full breasts were generously pushed forward between her arms.

"Oh, Tenchi, be gentle with me now," Ryoko moaned making a sexy pout and squeezing her ample breasts together with her arms.

"Whooo – ah, hey, Ryoko…" Tenchi stuttered, quickly releasing her wrists to tug on his collar.

He suddenly felt as if the temperature had gone up quite a bit.

"Mmm, Tenchi, you're no fun," Ryoko said crossing her arms over her chest emphasizing her assets again, this time not on purpose.

She turned her head and closed her eyes feigning disappointment. Tenchi quickly moved to rest on his elbows. "Hey now, I told you to um…" Tenchi trailed off, staring up at her. He found himself just looking at her face, captivated by her exotic beauty. She noticed he stopped mid-sentence and turned opening one of her feline eyes, looking down at him.

"What? What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" she asked innocently and started rubbing her face with her sleeves, looking even more like a bathing cat.

"Nothing, it's nothing Ryoko," Tenchi said regaining some composure, reaching up and once again taking one of her wrists in his hand.

Tenchi coughed awkwardly and turned his head to the side, his eyes quickly darting back towards Ryoko then out into the distance.

She was wearing one of her loosest outfits, a strange blue dress with thick horizontal yellow stripes going down the legs and arms. And yet, it still wasn't loose enough in the parts that mattered. Ryoko stared at him and her cheeks seemed to glow a brighter red than his. What was she thinking, Tenchi thought to himself?

"I – uh… I brought you lunch!" Ryoko chirped, quickly jumping off of him and floating above him now sitting in a cross-legged position in mid air.

She pulled out a familiar bento box.

"Hey that's mine!" Tenchi exclaimed, quickly relaxing now that he was in a less compromised position. "Sasami said she made me lunch but I couldn't find it this morning to take with me. How did you manage to find it?" Tenchi said in a mocking accusatory tone.

He studied Ryoko's face closely. She giggled with her eyes shut tightly and the tail like appendage attached to her belt wagged back and forth furiously. He motioned with his hand and beckoned her down to the ground again.

"I don't know but… I guess we'll have to share it," she said coyly as she landed noiselessly on the ground next to Tenchi. "Since it belongs to me right now."

Tenchi looked at her with one raised eyebrow as if contemplating.

"Oh all right," he said in fake defeat. After taking a few minutes to dust himself off and relocate, they sat together near the edge of the newest carrot field sharing what Sasami originally packed for Tenchi that day.

It was quiet. Too quiet for Tenchi. He looked over now and again stealing glances at Ryoko. He used to push her away a lot. Physically and mentally. Recently though, he started to let her in. He wasn't consciously sure when he started to, but he was aware that they were much closer then they used to be. Even more recently he admitted to himself that he was closer to her than he was to any of the other girls as well.

He glanced over quickly again and swallowed hard. He really never tried to think of women as objects especially, Ryoko. He didn't really know if he was in love with her or not but regardless of that there was something that set her apart from any other woman. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on. But he was a man and sometimes all he could think of was her body; which was an exemplary piece of art as far as he was concerned. He eyed her again this time trying to sneak a good look at her rear end, when he noticed her 'tail' was just lying on the ground limp except for the occasional thumping of the tip. He shifted his gaze up to her golden eyes and watched them mesmerized. She was staring out over the mountains, her golden orbs half shut hidden behind long thick black eyelashes.

"Ryoko?" Tenchi questioned.

"Hm?" she answered but didn't look over.

"You okay?" Tenchi said casually.

"Yeah…" she said oddly distant.

Tenchi knew her better then that. He was about to ask a follow up question when Ryoko spoke.

"Tenchi, how long do you think we'll be able to do this?"

"Hm? What do you mean, Ryoko?" Tenchi responded, although he already had a pretty good idea what she was getting at.

"You know, just everything. I don't like what's been happening. Everything going on with Jurai. Noike. Especially her," she spoke the last sentence with a not-so-subtle distaste.

"I thought you didn't mind her?" Tenchi said trying to quell whatever might be brewing.

Ryoko looked over at him, her golden eyes weren't what he thought they would be. Instead of the malice Tenchi was expecting, he only saw a very deep worry.

"She's okay," Ryoko responded flatly. "Its… just… I don't like where things are headed. I don't want this to end. I want to be here with you forever," she said the last part blushing softly and looking down at the food in her lap.

Tenchi didn't answer for a moment. He just looked over and smiled.

"Hey, cheer up! Who knew you were such a worrier, Ryoko," he said in an upbeat tone.

He had secretly been thinking the same thing as of late. He didn't want this whirlwind he now called 'normal' to end either. Ryoko eyed him again but didn't look convinced of anything. He placed his hand on her shoulder.

"It'll be okay, alright? Nothing's changing anytime soon," Tenchi continued to reassure. "Trust me," he said moving his hand to her cheek and gently making her look up at him.

"I do."

***

Aeka was breathing hard, her large brilliant pink eyes burning with anger. Across from her, Ryoko stood, staring back at her rival. Her golden feline eyes equally agitated. But there was something else. A thin line of tears trickled down Ryoko's face and a big red handprint graced her right cheek.

"How DARE you trap Lord Tenchi and come here alone with him! You… You… Harlot!" Aeka growled.

She was furious and hurt. A small festival was taking place near the Masaki shrine grounds and Ryoko snuck off and went with Tenchi, alone! By now the commotion had caused a small crowd to form around the two women. Ryoko held the left side of her light lavender colored kimono up above her breast. It was brand new and it had just been torn up during her most current fight with the Juraian Princess. Ryoko's voice trembled but it was no less menacing.

"You stupid bitch! I've had enough of you!" Ryoko yelled.

She ran full speed at the petite princess who didn't flinch for a second. Ryoko didn't charge up any energy blasts in front of all these regular Earthlings though. She tackled Aeka, who audibly let out her breath as Ryoko knocked her to the floor. She immediately grabbed a fistful of Aeka's hair and pulled. Aeka screeched and clawed at Ryoko grabbing and tearing more of her garment. The two tumbled around cursing and pulling each other's hair.

"Ryoko! That's enough!" Tenchi's voice stopped Ryoko's retaliation dead in its tracks.

She immediately relaxed her grip on Aeka's long luxurious violet locks and stared back at Tenchi, confused. She opened her mouth several times but no words came out. She looked back at Aeka and both women quickly backed away from each other as if one might launch a counter attack any second. Aeka growled obviously ready for Ryoko to start more.

Ryoko quickly swiveled her head back to Tenchi. Tenchi visibly recoiled after getting one look at Ryoko's face. She still looked livid but at the same time, she looked quite hurt. Fresh tears leaked from her eyes creating new streams down her face. Her bottom lip trembled slightly but she made no sound. She turned and looked around noticing the crowd of people staring at her and Aeka. She looked down at the ground and her cheeks burned with shame. Her bust was still covered by the fabric but barely, and the new rips made it even worse. She hastily tugged the tattered cloth up to cover herself and shoved through the crowd. Once in the clear she broke out into a run leaving everyone else behind.

Tenchi reached his hand out to Aeka and she took it gracefully.

"Thank you, Lord Tenchi," she said dusting herself off.

Tenchi frowned once she had gotten to her feet.

"Aeka… are you okay?" he asked.

Was that disappointment in his voice? Aeka shook her head.

"Yes, I'm fine Ten…" before she could finish her sentence, Tenchi had dashed off pushing his own way through the crowd in the way Ryoko had run.

He saw her up ahead running into the forest leading back towards the shrine and Funaho. Ryoko just kept running and didn't look back. She stumbled a couple times and kicked off the awkward sandals that went with her outfit. She didn't stop until she reached Yosho's great tree. Ryoko stood just inside the forest surrounding the planted tree ship, her breath escaping her chest in ragged puffs.

She let go of her torn kimono and rested her arm against the trunk of a thick tree just on the edge of the clearing. She heard a rustling of shrubbery and Tenchi's heavy breathing and he appeared out of the darkness a few seconds later.

"Jeez, I didn't know she could run so fast," Tenchi huffed to himself.

He rested his hands on his knees for a moment to catch his breath. At first Ryoko didn't face him but as she heard his footsteps approach she turned.

"Stop!" she begged.

Her bottom lip quivered and her eyes narrowed in anger and pain. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks and reflected in the full moonlight.

"Its not my fault this time! I didn't do anything wrong! She slapped me!" she yelled.

The kimono she was wearing was heavily damaged and the obi that held it closed had come loose as she ran. She tugged it, tightening it a little bit but it did little to help. She was practically spilling out of it.

"Why are you angry at me! You always take her side! It was my turn! MY turn!" She yelled again.

Across from her Tenchi stood. He was dressed casually, wearing a pair of jeans accompanied by his traditional navy blue haori.

"Ryoko!" Tenchi said firmly.

"No!" Ryoko yelled back defiantly. "It was supposed to be MY day!" she said angrily through her tears.

She turned away and slammed her fist into the tree she was standing next to. Her strength easily split the trunk of the large tree. The ripped kimono slipped over her shoulder exposing more of her soft, flawless skin. She sank to the ground and cradled her head. A lump formed in Tenchi's throat and he looked down at the ground. He blinked several times. He shook his head and slowly and, cautiously took a few steps towards Ryoko. He paused, furrowing his brow and strode over to Ryoko's side with determination. He knelt down next to her and pulled her against his chest. She didn't offer any resistance and instead turned toward him burying her face in his shirt and continued her odd crying. He knew she was struggling to stop herself.

"Ryoko, I… I'm," Tenchi tried to think of an excuse for his behavior. There wasn't one. "Ryoko, I'm really sorry," he said softly rocking her back and forth and petting her head.

"You said," came Ryoko's muffled response. "You promised. I – it was just going to be us tonight," she sniffled. "You promised me – I just – I wanted…" she struggled to get her thoughts out while she was so upset.

"I know, I just… I'm sorry," Tenchi said, again coming up speechless.

"But you said! You said she wouldn't know! I just… she shouldn't have – aarrgh!" Ryoko cried into his shirt and banged on Tenchi's chest once with her fist in frustration.

It was only a tiny fraction of her strength but Tenchi knew he would feel it in the morning. It by no means was an official 'date' but it was the closest thing Ryoko ever had to one. It was going so well too, she hadn't had that much fun since… well to be honest she had never had that much fun. Someone genuinely wanted to be with her, and only her. It only sweetened the deal that it was the only thing in the whole fucked up universe that she cared about. Aeka! She ruined it all! Tenchi heard her growling through her tears.

"Ryoko, its okay. It's my fault, I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. It was just… I was – I…" Tenchi didn't know what he was going to say.

He just held her, gently running his fingers through her soft hair. It seemed to calm her down and just kept whispering his apologies until she calmed her breathing. He rested his chin on top of her head and closed his eyes taking a deep breath, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair.

Eventually, Ryoko relaxed in his arms. Her breathing calmed down and she sighed against him. Tenchi just continued to rock her and they listened to the songs of crickets in the night air. Ryoko rested her ear right over his heart. The rhythmic thumping could soothe her worst moods. I could listen to that sound forever, she thought.

It seemed like a lifetime but finally Ryoko gently pulled away from Tenchi's chest. She let out a light gasp of air realizing that he had been holding onto her bare skin. Not that she minded at all but this felt too good to scare him away from. She turned and pulled her kimono back over her the best she could. Tenchi saw her struggling and unfastened the middle of his haori and took it off.

"Here," he said draping it over her.

Ryoko turned to him startled and blushed brightly.

"I got this for you, you know?" she said after a moment referencing her kimono. "It's not exactly like your Mom's but its close and I thought you would…" "Find it beautiful," Tenchi finished. Ryoko looked at him strangely. "Tenchi?" she asked cautiously. Her heart fluttered from the comment. He liked it! He liked it! Wow, I got a compliment from Tenchi! Ryoko's thoughts raced and her blush returned.

"Yeah," he said adjusting himself so that he was sitting right next to her.

He turned to her and put his hands on her chin tilting her head in his direction. He heard her breath catch in her throat and he just looked at her. He knew he was staring and after a moment he noticed that she was staring very intensely into his eyes. Her pupils shifted back and forth very fast as if she was searching for something in his face. She looked deeply for several long moments, her eyes probing for… something. And just that fast, she found it. Her own catlike eyes widened and she let out a clear gasp. Tenchi had looked into her eyes too, but he was already accustomed to looking at what she had apparently just discovered.

His brow furrowed as he saw the mental shields come back up. Ryoko narrowed her eyes seductively.

"You know, we're alone here," she said making small circles on his chest with her index finger. "You could 'make up' this whole thing with me now," she cooed moving closer and letting the haori open, exposing just the right amount of cleavage.

Tenchi didn't flinch or run though. Not this time. He uncharacteristically reached both his hands up and cupped Ryoko's cheeks in his hands. She stopped her advances and he saw her shield go down again.

"I will make this up to you. I promise. And this time, it's one I'll keep." He spoke the words earnestly and Ryoko felt like she could melt into his arms right then.

She held her breath waiting for those three little words.

"Not tonight though, okay?" Tenchi added.

Ryoko sighed. She thought she should be disappointed but oddly she wasn't. There was a promise for more. She looked at him and smiled one of her rare genuine smiles that only a select few ever saw. In the Masaki house, Tenchi and Sasami were the only ones to ever see the sight.

"Alone?" Ryoko asked gingerly.

Tenchi smiled back.

"Yeah. Just you and me," he said. "Come on now let's get back to the house. It's been a long day," Tenchi said standing up and offering his hand down to her. Ryoko looked up for a moment before taking his hand and letting him pull her up. "You believe me right?" Tenchi said as they left the clearing.

She smiled one of her mischievous smiles that Tenchi was used to and intertwined her arm with his so they would need to walk closely together.

"I do," she said softly as she leaned her head on his shoulder and the pair slowly made their way back to the Masaki house.

***

"RYOKO!"

The cry echoed through the fire and burning courtyard of the Juraian ship. A tall man with long thick black hair tied into a ponytail and a gleaming blue energy blade was cowering in fear. In front of him Ryoko stood looking every inch the menacing monster she once was. This time though there was no mind control. Ryoko snarled in anger baring her teeth. Her two canine teeth were slightly longer than a human's giving off the intimidating appearance of being fangs.

She cracked her knuckles and launched herself at the armored knight attacking viscously. Tears of rage flew from her eyes, which had completely filled with a red glow. Alarms blared and officers and crewmembers scattered all over the ship like ants. In the middle of the grassy courtyard field of the Juraian tree-ship, the reason for Ryoko's bloodlust rested. Tenchi lay, face down, bleeding in his intricate blue, brown, and white battle armor.

"Damn it, Ryoko! Think about this! I can give you more then you ever could have imagined. I am about to take over Jurai! Anything you want can be yours!" the dark knight yelled trying to do anything to stop Ryoko's onslaught.

She launched volley after volley of orange plasma and every time she got close swiped at him with her claws. She relentlessly attacked the knight and he kept withdrawing even after landing several heavy blows on her.

"Aaahhhrgh!" Ryoko let loose a mighty battle cry and the evil Juraian narrowed his eyes before quickly parrying her attack and smashing her right arm with his armored shoulder.

She howled in pain and dropped to her knees. She gripped her broken arm tightly and tried to attack again but now the longhaired warrior had the upper hand. She shut her eyes waiting for his blade to come down on her neck but it didn't happen. She opened her eyes and looked up to see the evil warrior staring out into the courtyard with a look of sheer terror on his face. Ryoko turned to see what gripped him and couldn't help but let a yelp of joy escape her. Tenchi stood poised, a gleaming sword of pure energy pointing in the direction of his adversary. Shining white armor and long flowing ribbons of cloth shimmered and moved as if wind were flowing through the ship. Three large brilliant white Light Hawk Wings floated silently in front of him, and three bright triangles glowed on his forehead.

"Let her go!" Tenchi's voice boomed.

Almost instantly Tenchi moved between the warrior and Ryoko. Tenchi turned to Ryoko, the three triangle symbols of the Light Hawk burning on his forehead.

"Do you trust me Ryoko?" Tenchi asked.

She didn't even think before the words escaped her lips.

"I do," Ryoko answered. Without another word Tenchi turned back toward his assailant and Ryoko shielded her eyes as everything in front of her became blindingly bright.

"TENCHI!"

***

"Oh, God! Ryoko!" Tenchi yelled loudly and bolted upright, finally awake.