Chapter Four: The Cat Fight Tenchi and Ryoko returned to the house feeling rather giddy. Tenchi had no clue what he had just done, or why he did it. Regardless of his unknown reason why he had kissed Ryoko, he did know that he had like it. Holding Ryoko in his arms made him feel complete. All he wanted to feel alive was to have those soft, sensual lips against his own. He needed to know what he creamy skin felt like beneath his hands. How it would taste. He stopped himself. Was he having lustful thoughts about Ryoko, the Space Pirate? Most definitely. He needed a shower, a cold one.

As Tenchi left in search of the bathroom, Ryoko sat down on the sofa, absently staring into space. Her face was bright red and she could not stop thinking about the afternoon. Had she and her Tenchi truly make out for who knows how long? They really had. And when they stopped they just stared at each other for the longest time. Finally, Tenchi had gently taken her hand and led them both home, neither speaking to the other. They had walked side by side, their shoulders just barely touching and took no notice of anything or anyone they passed. Ryoko had just spent the whole day with Tenchi. Just being together. Doing nothing but kissing and looking deeply into each other's eyes. Ryoko sighed. Where are they to go from there?

****

Ayeka watched silently while Tenchi wrapped his arms around Ryoko's body and bent his face to meet hers. Ayeka gasped. Wha . . .? What is going on?! She thought angrily. What was her Lord Tenchi doing with a demon like Ryoko?! Ayeka looked away as Ryoko wrapped her own arms around Tenchi's neck. She just couldn't take it anymore. She already threatened to spill over with crystal tears. She fled quietly into the forest. She had to escape that abomination before her eyes. But she couldn't. No matter how hard she ran, that image was forever imprinted vividly within her mind.

****

Ayeka returned to the Masaki Residence at the time when she knew Tenchi would be getting home. And, of course, Ryoko as well. Ayeka had wandered the forest all day, not really going anyplace. She just needed to get away. Far from the demon and even her beloved Tenchi.

Ayeka walked into the house, and there, before her very eyes, was Ryoko. Ayeka felt her blood boil as the realization of today finally hit her. She looked around but saw no one. Good, she thought and approached Ryoko.

****

Ryoko was still staring at the blank TV screen when the prissy princess stepped in front of her. She raised her golden cat like eyes to meet Ayeka's fiery red ones. Ayeka was shaking with rage, a vein-popping out at her temple. She reached down and lifted Ryoko by her collar so they were at eye level.

Ryoko blinked. To say she was surprised would have been an understatement. Ayeka has been aggressive before, but this? Ryoko narrowed her eyes. She didn't have to take this. She was a Space Pirate. The most wanted criminal in the universe. Ayeka was nothing more but a spoiled princess. She threw Ayeka off easily.

"Just what is your problem, princess?" hissed Ryoko.

Ayeka just raised her hand to Ryoko and slapped her. "You're my problem, demon!"

Ryoko slapped Ayeka back and sighed, "So you say everyday. Honestly Ayeka, do find something else to say because that is really getting old."

Ryoko then flopped back down on the couch and looked at Ayeka. The princess was still near to Ryoko with her fists clenched and her eyes blazing.

"You . . . you . . . you bitch!" Ayeka shouted, her voice was heard all around the house.

Ryoko sat up in surprise. Tenchi walked out of the bathroom to stare at Ayeka. Sasami turned from her work in the kitchen to look up at her older sister, mouth wide open. Yosho and Noboyoki were just coming into the house to hear Ayeka shout. Mihoshi came quietly down the stairs to listen. Washuu stuck her head out of her lab door. As everyone stared at Ayeka, she took no notice. She had her eyes locked with Ryoko's.

"You whore!" Ayeka shouted, "What did you do?! Seduce him?! Brainwash him into having sex with you?! That has to be it! Only a demon like you would do something like that! You're disgusting! You're-"

"Enough!"

Everyone's heads swiveled around to look at Tenchi. He was staring at Ayeka with rage. Needless to say everyone was startled, Tenchi was not one to be so angry much less show it. Ayeka flushed. Everyone was there, surprised at what she had said. Surprised at the venom in Tenchi's voice. Everyone stared at Tenchi, to Ayeka, to Ryoko, then back to Tenchi.

Ayeka raised a hand to her mouth, "Lord Tenchi, I-"

"What's going on?" Sasami interrupted, glaring at Ayeka. "I've never heard you talking like that before."

Ayeka looked at her little sister feeling rather embarrassed and ashamed. Ayeka lifted her head and looked at Tenchi, then Ryoko.

"I saw Tenchi and Ryoko kissing in the field!" She declared.

Everybody gasped in surprise. They turned to regard Ryoko and Tenchi.

"Is this true, Tenchi?" Washuu asked.

Tenchi looked at her. Then turned to look at each and every one of them. His eyes softened as he settled them on Ryoko and held her gaze. "Yes," he said, "and I think-no, I know, I'm falling in love with her."