Blood and Flowers

Ryoko stirred in Hotsuma's arms as the morning sun rose. She picked up her head feeling a bit of discomfort. Her hand wandering to her sweat glistened forehead as she sat up. Peering over to the sleeping form beside her, she gave him a nudge.

"Hey there Lover?" No response came from the Blond man. Nudging him a bit more roughly, he stirred and slowly peered up at her. Ryoko came close to him in a flirtatious manner only to be push aside.

"Shit!" he yelled more to himself feverishly getting into his uniform. Ryoko gave a puzzled look.

"I missed formation, you need to leave! Now!" Hotsuma dragged the partially clothed woman to the door, only to hear voices on the outside approaching. Hotsuma quickly opened his back window and ordered Ryoko to step into his hand and push herself out the window.

"Are you crazy? I can't possibly fit through there." Ryoko spoke trying to keep her tone down. Panic began to plague Hotsuma as he try to figure out a way to get Ryoko out the room. "Phase away or something." He replied. Ryoko gave an amusing smile, "You realize they strip me of those powers." Hotsuma look over to the door, he knew his soldiers was on the other side eavesdropping. As long as Tenchi was not accompanying them, they could not enter; which bought the duo plenty of time. Turning his attention back to Ryoko he saw her fighting to get her body up and over the window pane. He held her feet slowly easing her out. On the other side, Ryoko wiggled her way out only to lose her balance making contact with the muddy ground. Grunting she quickly grabbed the rest of her clothing that Hotsuma handed over to her. Inside he gave a sigh of relief and quickly regain his composure as he made his way over to the door. Sliding the door to the side, two of his soldiers fell over the threshold. Lieutenant Tsuchida stood behind resting on the wooden pole with crossed arms. Hotsuma straighten his back instantly becoming irritated by the presence of Tsuchida. Hotsuma began to address his soldiers in an authoritative tone only to be quickly silenced by Tenchi who was camouflage as a soldier. It made sense as to why Tsuchida was so casual.

"My Lord." Came a stunned response from Hotsuma.

"Please leave." He ordered the men to continue on with their day. Lieutenant Tsuchida smirked unfolding his arms and made his way out to the garden with no sense of urgency. Hotsuma eyed his retreating back as he made way for Tenchi to enter. Sliding the door behind him, he watched Tenchi opened the back window and called out, "No need to hide. Come inside." Ryoko struggled to tie her kimono the best way she could but she was never into creativity, Nagi always did the task for her. Upon hearing the window open she pressed her back against the wall and tried to hide in the darkness of the woods but she was already spotted. When she heard the voice, she was not sure if Tenchi knew for a fact of her presence or he just called out to no one in particular. Ryoko could feel her heart about to beat out of her chest. Taking it as an order, she emerged around the corner of Hotsuma's quarters. Brushing a few twigs out of her half up do, and feverishly removing any dirt residue from her face she slid the door open. Hotsuma felt a lump in his throat.

"Hotsuma, may we have some tea?" Tenchi asked as he motioned for Ryoko to take a seat near him. Hotsuma reluctantly did what was asked of him but tried to keep an eye on Tenchi. Ryoko steal a few glances at the prince wondering why he was dressed as a soldier. His hair was pulled back in a half updo with a blue sash, ends of it cascading with his hair down his back. Ryoko wondered to herself how the prince pulled off such a stunt without being recognized. The sound of the tea cups being placed on the table broke her attention away.

"So you must be wondering why I am dressed like this." Tenchi chuckled. He took a sip of the tea, his expression changed into a grimace. "I thought you would have extol us with your honeysuckle tea?"

"My Lord, I will acquire a batch in the market a bit later." Hotsuma replied shifting in his seat.

"No need. I know what is going on. Its best that you adhere to this: Don't overstep your boundaries." Tenchi looked to Ryoko. "You're playing with fire." He said sternly. Ryoko was at a loss for words. She peered down, "Yes, My Lord." Sensing how uneasy this made the cyan haired woman, he quickly changed the subject.

"There is a new date for conception. However, it put a significant damper on your health." He paused. "I am reluctant of this. Let us postpone it for a while. To show my gratitude there will be a delightful gift arriving tomorrow." He took Ryoko hand in his. Hotsuma felt a pang of jealousy arise in him. For a moment, Hotsuma tuned out Tenchi as he spoke and just read his body language as he spoke to Ryoko. "What do you think, Ryoko?" Tenchi look her in the eyes. Hotsuma looked in her direction as well. Ryoko shifted nervously. Dropping her head and looking at her hand that Tenchi held tightly, she smiled and looked up, "What can I say, My Lord?" she gulped avoiding Hotsuma's stare. "Do as you wish."

"What do you think, Hotsuma?" Tenchi kept his gaze on Ryoko.

"It is your command." Hotsuma replied staring daggers at Ryoko. "I shall do as you command." He repeated.

"Very well. Ryoko you may leave." Tenchi let go of her hand. Ryoko quickly rise from the table and swiftly head for the door. Sliding the door in place behind her, Ryoko rested against the wall. She placed her hand on her belly, trying to contain her heavy breathing. She sense the trouble that was brewing.

"I shall be going now." Tenchi stood from the table placing the sheath of his sword on his left hip. He walked a few feet before turning his head to the side. With his back turned to Hotsuma, "You know, you would have a sufficient batch of honeysuckle tea if you discontinue taking personal trips" Putting emphasis on personal it was enough for Hotsuma to slightly lose his military bearing.

"I am sure that her mother, the physican, will cater to her needs more than I have." Hotsuma replied heatedly.

"Your right. It wouldn't have been a good look anyway." Tenchi retorted still with his back turned he then left the room. Hotsuma pent up anger surfaced as he flipped the table.

Ryoko feverishly made her way through the courtyard avoiding the questionable looks from those she passed by. She quickly made her way down the shrine steps only to meet up with Princess Ayeka and her court maids.

"Lady Ryoko, Why are you in a rush?" Ayeka outstretch her hand to stop the nervous woman.

"I have to meet with my mom in the market. I was just behind schedule." Ryoko replied.

"Not like that, I hope?" Ayeka took in the former pirates look.

"Uh…after I freshen up. I have to go." Ryoko ran off before Ayeka can ask any more questions. Ayeka looked on in concern as the pirate disappear from her view. She turned to find a pensive Tenchi making his way over to her. Ayeka gave a questionable look at him, before she can utter a word Tenchi held up his hand. "Do not ask." And continue to make his way down to the court yard. Ayeka stood in her spot trying to wrap her mind around Ryoko and Tenchi mysterious behavior. She continued her walk up the stairwell when she saw Hotsuma in a deep thought. Ayeka dismiss her courtmaids and approached Hotsuma.

"Chief Keigo." Ayeka said closing in the distance.

"Lady Ayeka, how may I assist you?" Hotsuma replied trying to sound as courteous as he could. Ayeka cocked her head to the side giving a questionable look, "What is going on with Tenchi and Ryoko?" Dropping her formalities.

"Nothing to be concern of Lad-." Hotsuma was cut off by a finger over his lips. "Ayeka. Just Ayeka when it is just us." Hotsuma nodded. "I know there is something going on."

"What you mean Lad- "What you mean?" Hotsuma asked inquisitively.

"I have seen Ryoko making her way through the court yard looking like a damsel in distress. Hair was unkempt and her kimono was dirty. And then Tenchi appeared in an officer's uniform." Ayeka made a chuckle. Lowering her voice and closing in the distance with the blond hair man, she peered up at him. "What do you know? What is going with those two?"

"I cannot reveal that information for you Ayeka. I have to be loyal to the both of you." Hotsuma replied as he closed in the distance between himself and the Princess. Ayeka took in the moment to take in his appearance. She never realized how handsome Hotsuma became over the years, however she never took notice of the blond Adonis. Before she realized what she was doing her hand landed on his shoulder, keeping the eye contact she drew in closer and placed her lips on to his. Hotsuma furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, Ayeka placed her index finger on his lips. "No harm no foul. What they do not know, will not hurt them." With that the Princess walked away.

"You must know that this will end with someone's blood on their hands." Nagi said as she tapped her finger alongside the tea cup.

"Why must you be so negative?" Ryoko stretched her upper body.

"Negative? This law. You are a courtmaid that was chosen to carry an heir because of the infertility between Tenchi and Ayeka. The Envoys are aware of it. And you're telling me that you had sex with Hotsuma. Suppose you end up being impregnated by him instead of Tenchi." Nagi tried to lower her voice. Ryoko did not have any words, she sat in her seat emotionless. The duo heard footsteps approaching, Ryoko was afraid to look behind her she eyed her twin sister hoping to find out who was approaching. Nagi eyed the individual before solemnly turning to her sister, "Its not Tenchi." Ryoko gave a sigh of relief and slowly turned around.

Thanks for reading my stories for those that had review. I had this chapter in the works but was not motivated to upload it.