DISCLAIMER:

I don't own Tenchi Muyo!TM or any affiliated characters (Tenchi probably would have chosen by now if I did...) . I do not receive any monetary gain for these stories, any similarities between any person living or dead etc,etc... y'know what … this has no legal weight so screw it .on with the story. F.Y.I. – –, means the people are thinking "" for speech,and -" "- for telepathy ( you'll see what I mean later)

Forgotten gifts, remembered dreams chapter 2

birds were chirruping happily as Ryoko lied back on a sun warmed rock over a certain cave.

She smiled and stretched lazily as the sunlight danced across her closed eyelids.- I wonder when I started coming here to relax, I always used to hate this place. - she thought for a moment. - that's right it was when Zero and I merged and she gave me my memories back.

She recalled all the times she played here with Tenchi as a child. Some of the games had to be modified of course due to her " condition" but they made it work somehow. Over the years she watched Tenchi grow and mature, and eventually she fell for him, he was only 15 at the time so she didn't tell him or try to pursue the matter. She felt it was best to just stay friends. But after he left that day she realized how much he meant to her and how big a fool she was for not saying anything. But then three years later he came back. Like a knight in shining Armour he came and rescued her. She smirked wryly at the memory of their first night back together. - but by then I had locked away most of the memories of him so I guess I can't be blamed, still...- suddenly she heard footsteps rapidly approaching. She prided herself in how well she could still identify the location and direction of any intruder and thanks to her fights with Ayeka kept her reflexes in top shape. However these footsteps could intrude on her anytime they wanted because they belonged to the one person she actually wanted to have try to * ahem* subdue and capture her. She peeked over the edge of the rock hoping to stay hidden and watch him awhile. - he's always so open when he's alone it makes him seem , I dunno, relaxed I guess... - she watched as he knelt by the pond and retrieved a small stone object from the bank .- hey that's the shelf he had the day his mom died! So that's where it went.- she saw how his face seemed to fall as he held it and she wondered if she should leave and give him some alone time. Before she could he stood up with a smile on his face. She ducked out of sight , afraid that he'd seen her and would get angry for her spying. He stared at her hiding spot for a minute or to then , beaming he ran off into the woods. Perplexed by his behavior Ryoko decided to follow him and see what he was up to.

Tenchi's P.O.V.

Even with all the training his grandpa made him do the run up the steps to the shrine still usually made Tenchi gasp for breath today, however, Tenchi made the trip without so much as a small wheeze. He felt as if all the stress of dealing with the chaos that surrounded his family had suddenly disappeared . He knew that there would be hell to pay when he told the others but at the moment all he could think of was what her face would look like when he told her , finally, how he felt. In fact Tenchi was so happy he was actually looking forward to his sparing match with grandpa. This in mind he hurdled the last 4 steps in a single bound and shouted " JICHAN I"M HE- oh … oops...heh" the aforementioned teacher stood and calmly wiped the spittle off his face. " Tenchi I may be old but I'm not deaf ."

Tenchi grinned sheepishly " sorry grandpa , I'm just really excited that's all..."

"i see. Well since you enjoy our time together so much perhaps you wouldn't mind doing some extra chores after wards to help an old man out. "

Tenchi felt his buoyant attitude rapidly falling as he stared at his grandpa. " B-but you already have me sweep the steps, the yard, mop the floors, empty the prayer box, polish the statues , and the wood doors, and help balance the -" Yosho raised a hand to interrupt the young man. "unless of course you think you can beat me in a sparring match."

at this Tenchi shuddered. He remembered what happened last time he tried that. The nurse at the hospital still sent him well wishes cards from THAT visit. " that's okay chores are fine. Chores, chores, I love chores heh, heh." he back pedaled rapidly hoping to pacify his grandfather and possibly get out of range in case his grandfather changed his mind. Though, knowing the Juraian prince's skill Tenchi doubted that would help any.

"Say, Jichan-" Tenchi said hesitantly." yes Tenchi ." Yosho replied. "I wanted to ask your advice about something but I – I just... -sigh- forget it , never mind " Yosho smiled as he realized what Tenchi was trying to ask. " you my boy are just like your mother, always so over thinking things. If you love her just tell her, the rest will follow." Tenchi stood their , stunned that his grandpa could pinpoint his problem so easily. ( In retrospect he really should have known better, Ne?)

" Tenchi close your mouth it's rude to gawky like that." Tenchi's mouth snapped shut so hard it clicked painfully. " now go on I'm sure your work in the fields will keep you plenty busy. Those carrots should almost be ready for harvest and Sasami has been begging for some acorn squash this time around." Tenchi nodded and went about his work. Yosho stared after his grandson for a moment before saying " well are you going to go after him or are you just going to hide a sulk here all day, I have work to do."

a muttered curse, followed by a rude comment about Yosho's intelligence, age, and vague relation to a bat were heard. Then noting but silence as someone teleported away

To be continued...