Summer had finally crept upon the Masaki family and Ryoko was sweating up a storm, her cyan bangs sticking to her forehead as she stood at the gate of the Masaki home, waving at Tenchi who she could see at the top step. "Tenchi!" She exclaimed, her face lighting up with pure joy and relief that he'd be here to help for the summer. "Hurry up, ya slow poke!" She called out to him, picking at him as she usually did. Tenchi's expression went from joyous at the vision of the baby bump having Ryoko, to annoyed that she was already picking on him. "Ryoko!" He growled, his voice echoing thinly down the steps. "I'm coming as fast as I can." He grumbled, dragging his suitcase down the steps as quickly as his legs could manage.
Ryoko chuckled, "Tenchi…" She said to herself in a very affectionate tone, a small smile spreading across her beautifully glowing visage. A summer breeze caressed the ex-space pirate, her cyan locks fluttering in the wind as she tucked one of her longer strands behind her ear. Tenchi stopped to gaze at her for a second; the way the breeze had kissed her form, the way one of his mother's kimonos looked on her slightly-pregnant looking figure, the way the sun blessed her fair skin, and just the beautiful glow that surrounded her other worldly person.
Dropping his suit case, Tenchi raced down the steps as quickly as he could; almost tripping over his own feet as he did so. /She's so beautiful…/ He thought to himself, finally reaching the bottom of the steps and gently embracing Ryoko. His arms threw themselves over her shoulders, wrapping gently around her neck and resting his cheek on her ear, he nuzzled his nose into her soft hair. /What is this? I wish not to forsake Aekasan, but… Why haven't I realized this before? Before Aeka cared about me enough for me to hurt her?/ He shuttered as his heart raced.
Ryoko's golden orbs widened, her pupils dilating as she stared off into the distance behind Tenchi as she stood there, trying to comprehend the intensity Tenchi was giving off right now. "Tenchi…?" She stuttered. Tenchi stepped back, smiling. "I'm sorry," He apologized, chuckling cheepishly. Ryoko's eyes brimmed with tears and she lunged at him, throwing her arms around his waist and burying her face into his chest. She cried quietly, "Tenchi," She gasped, "Tenchi… I've missed you." She muttered, wiping her eyes on his shirt.
Tenchi smiled, wrapping one protective arm around this more emotional, open-hearted Ryoko that stood in front of him. "Ryoko, it is alright…" He said gently. "It's okay to let me in," He continued, "I missed you too, Ryoko."
The two of them distanced themselves physically, smiling at each other as they turned and made their way back to the house, preparing to make their way back into the Masaki home where Tenchi would get to try Ryoko's cooking for the first time. "I'm kind of scared, Ryoko," He poked fun at the spiky haired girl, chuckling as he did so. Ryoko's cheeks flushed red, "Hey!" She growled, "That's not funny I worked really hard, Tenchi!" She snapped back at him.
Entering the house, they found a waiting Nobuyuki, Katsuhito, Washu, Kiyone and Mihoshi. They all smiled at Tenchi and Ryoko, causing the two of them to turn a crimson shade as they stood there feeling as though they had a spotlight on them. That's when it all hit them how much they had missed Tenchi. "Tenchi!" They had all cried at once, jumping at him and fighting each other to get a hug first. Washu won that battle, glomping Tenchi and squeezing him so hard he couldn't breathe; then Nobuyuki; then Katsuhito; then Kiyone; then Mihoshi. They all took turns welcoming him back for the summer, and that is when it hit Tenchi that this might be a very emotional, sensitive visit for all of them—especially given the circumstances.
Although it had been apparent neither Kiyone or Mihoshi cared as intimately or even in the same way that Ryoko and Aeka cared for Tenchi, they both still cared for him as though he were family and both were in tears. To Kiyone, it was like seeing a brother she hadn't seen in years. To Mihoshi, it was the same. To Washu, well, Tenchi wasn't sure. Tenchi could never tell if Washu cared for him in the way Ryoko or Aeka did; he suspected he did, due to the fact that she had a mental link with Ryoko and thus tended to share her emotions. Personally however, he felt her feelings for him were ones of caring for him as a son and regarding him also as a colleague with much respect and possibly admiration due to the great power he seemed to hold even without a royal tree to support him and empower him.
The family finally sat in their respective places around the table, Kiyone and Mihoshi having been designated to bring the food to the table.
Tenchi looked at the entrees provided for them all by Ryoko's most likely inexperienced cooking skills and he got nervous as he was really hoping this was good. Despite how terribly put together everything looked, a wonderful smell drifted into Tenchi's nostrils and his mouth watered, "Mmm, Ryoko that does smell wonderful." Tenchi stated, rubbing his belly and picking up his chopsticks—now ready to dig in.
Ryoko's face lit up with pride and excitement as she watched Tenchi eagerly pick up his chopsticks and dig into his food. "Ryoko!" He exclaimed. Ryoko's heart skipped a beat and her face fell to disappointment, "What, you don't like it?" She cried. Tenchi grinned, "It is wonderful, Ryoko. I love it." He chuckled and continued to eat the food she apparently cooked very well.
After they finished dinner, the girls retired to the onsen to bathe and relax. Ryoko went towel-less as usual, which seemed fitting now due to the bump that caused her bath towel to be too small for her anyhow. "So, you're happy right? Tenchi loved the food you cooked, Ryoko." Kiyone said, sighing as the hot water relaxed her tense muscles. Ryoko smiled to herself, "Of course he did!" She said in her usual playful tone. Mihoshi chimed in at this time, "I'm surprised Miss Ryoko!" She squeaked, "I didn't think it would be good at all!" She exclaimed. Kiyone chuckled sheepishly as Ryoko growled, rising above Mihoshi's blond mess of hair and pounding her fists down on the blond's head, causing a lump to form on her head.
Mihoshi wailed and sulked behind a rock. Ryoko calmed herself down and retook her seat next to Washu, crossing her arms. "Looks like Mihoshi is a little too truthful sometimes, eh Kiyone?" Washu joked, pointing at Mihoshi.
Ryoko nodded, wanting to sip at some of the sake floating by on a platter as the other women did. "I know, Ryoko, but you have to resist for Mayuka's sake!" Kiyone said, noticing Ryoko's wishful glance at the sake platter floating back. "I know," Ryoko slumped, sighing.
Aeka sat in her room, beating herself up still for not being strong enough for Sasami as of recent. She had been an emotional wreck, and was getting sick in the mornings now too. Not only was she beating herself up for that, but for her conflicted romantic feelings. Could she possibly go back to Tenchi's now? Could she really go back to Tenchi's after the last month? Coming back here to Jurai only a few months prior, Aeka had eventually developed a need for affection and a need for love; she had become lonely and needed a male's presence in her life. She hoped and prayed to the Chousen that that was not the only reason she had stuck around at Tenchi's…
Aeka sighed, sitting there on her bed; she placed a hand over the slight bump that had begun to protrude from her belly. She was pregnant and she had really screwed up because it was not a family member of the Jurai royal family. Aeka laid back and closed her eyes, her mind wandering back to what had happened…
Aeka had been on Jurai for at least two months and she longed to return to the Masaki house in hopes she might be able to draw Tenchi back to her bedroom and love him for one night more. Sighing, she had invited Azaka and Kamidake to the royal foyer to join her for tea and engage in some adult discussion for once. She loved Sasami very much, but she was still very much a child in a few ways. Arriving at the foyer, she saw only Kamidake. "Oh, Kamidake, where's Azaka?" She asked, as he pulled a chair out for her and she sat. "Thank you." Kamidake sat in his own chair, "Well, Princess Aeka, Azaka had to attend to some misfits trying to spy on Princess Sasami. He told me to go on ahead and have tea with you, Princess. I do hope that is alright…" He explained, bowing his head to her.
Aeka smiled gently, "Oh, yes that's alright Kamidake." She sipped her tea. "So in my absence, how have things been on Jurai?" Aeka asked him. Kamidake smiled, "Forgive me Princess, but why don't we talk about more positive things. I feel your return to Jurai—even if only for a year—grants a time of peace and positive discussion." He said in a tone implying utmost respect. Aeka's cheeks tinted a light red, "Thank you, Kamidake." She mumbled, smiling cheepishly.
After a few hours of discussion and moving from tea to sake, Aeka had gotten to know Kamidake quite well. She had begun to notice a passion in his eyes, a fire of sorts; as well, she noticed a gentle affection as he peered at her. Kamidake looked at her the way she had always dreamed Tenchi—who viewed her with a fondness and respect, but not the way she wanted—would.
If I've got this love and affection right here in front of me the entire time, why have I been chasing Tenchi for so long? She wondered to herself, before quickly banishing the thoughts and averting her gaze to her lap. "Kamidake, I'm not sure I'm feeling well. Will you escort me to my room, please?" She had asked, leading up to the very moment that caused her confliction in the first place.
Kamidake agreed and escorted her, as asked. Despite each of their blurred drunkenness, Kamidake was able to escort a stumbling Aeka to her bedroom. Once reaching her room, it became apparent how drunk he really was when he tumbled against the wall next to her room. Aeka's heart sunk for him and she pulled him by his waist into her room. In a slurred manner she said, "Kamidake, I suppose it would be appropriate for you to stay the night in my bedroom since you are my guardian…" She mumbled, pulling the drunken Kamidake onto her bed.
That night, they had made love. Would that be a proper way to describe it? She wondered… It had felt right, engaging in such an intimate act with someone who truly cared for her; it had not felt right at all with Tenchi, who she had known was doing it due to witnessing her tears and murmurs of despair. Aeka sighed and eventually, drifted into a deep sleep.