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No Need for Proof Part 2:

Discussions and Solutions

Ayeka stood unsteadily on the roof, looking at Ryoko. Ayeka's arch rival say huddled up on the ledge, wearing only a bath towel. As the Jurain princess approached, she could hear Ryoko sobbing.

"Ryoko..." she began.

Ryoko straightened up from her slouch slightly looking over her shoulder. Tears glistened on her face. "What do you want Ayeka..." Ryoko said trying to steel her voice.

Ayeka had expected this, she had come to talk to Ryoko about this whole situation. She knew Ryoko would try to hide her feels behind her tough image. Instead of pressing the matter, Ayeka tried other tactics.

"Aren't you cold, being out here in the middle of a winter's night wearing only a towel?" Ayeka asked as she finally reached the ledge, and carefully sat down beside Ryoko.

Ryoko laughed weakly, "I'm Ryoko the space pirate, a little chill doesn't bother me."

Ayeka nodded looking at the yard beneath them, "but some things do bother you don't they Ryoko."

"Yeah, you mostly," Ryoko replied, never looking at Ayeka so her tears could remain hidden, at least she hoped.

"You're trying to make me fight with you so I'll leave. Well it won't work Ryoko." Ayeka stubbornly replied.

"Why in the world are you up here Ayeka. I know you don't care about my health enough to come up here to check on me. So what the hell do you want!" Ryoko said getting tired of this game, she had come up here to be alone with her thoughts.

Ayeka sighed, trying to ease into this conversation was not working. "I know Ryoko."

"Know what!" Ryoko demanded, "That you annoy me! Well there's a news flash for you."

"No, I know that Lord Tenchi loves you. I overheard your conversation with him a few minutes ago, when I was on the way back to my room from the ladies room. I didn't mean to over hear it, but when I heard your bizarre statement about Tenchi not seeing you, well I thought I should listen in. I am sorry," Ayeka offered.

"Well there's hope for you yet little princess, pretty soon you'll be peeping like Tenchi's dad." Ryoko chuckled slapping Ayeka on the back, nearly knocking the Jurain princess off the roof. However, Ryoko still did not look at Ayeka, she still had not regained enough control to do so.

Ayeka blushed, "I know it's none of my business, and I am sorry for eavesdropping. However I am curious, what did happen between you and Lord Tenchi on your birthday. That day seemed to be very significant to you."

"I could tell you, but you wouldn't believe me. The best I can say is that it was the greatest night of my life, that night before my birthday." Ryoko said now looking up to the stars, as if it held the answers she wanted so badly.

Ayeka continued to stare at Ryoko, "Ryoko, I will not leave until you tell me what happened." Ayeka paused an idea forming in her head. "Alright Ryoko, have it your way. It's obvious to me that nothing did happen between you and Lord Tench, and that the conversation I overheard was merely another of your childish pranks, probably nothing more than you talking to yourself pretending to be Tenchi." Ayeka rose, pretending to be furious.

"After I came up here to be a friend to you, well fine continue sitting here in misery. I'm going back inside." Ayeka said as she began to storm off toward where she walked onto the roof.

Even though Ryoko hated Ayeka, it was nice to have someone to talk to you. "Wait Ayeka..."

Ayeka stopped her march toward the way back to the house, and turned slowly.

"Yes?" Ayeka asked in an impatient tone.

"Give me five minutes, then meet me at the dining room table. I'll tell you the whole story there, but I don't think you'll like it." Ryoko said. Even though she told Tenchi she didn't want to tell anyone about their special night, Ryoko realized keeping it a secret was too much of a burden to put on her and Tenchi. After all Ayeka knew something had happened anyway.

"Very well Ryoko. Five minutes." Ayeka said as she went back inside the house.

Ayeka smiled to herself, her idea to use reverse psychology worked. "I knew you would never drop your tough attitude, if I asked politely Ryoko." She shivered, it was quiet chilly outside. "I think I'll make some tea."

[Five minutes later]

Ayeka sat at the table sipping her tea. Ryoko flickered into the room, now wearing her green and tan striped dress [the one she always wears in the OVA]. Ryoko clutched a small golden trinket in her left hand. Ayeka pretended not to notice.

"So are you finally going to tell me what happened Ryoko." Ayeka asked.

"As I said Princess, you won't like it." Ryoko said still standing before Ayeka, "Well here goes, it all started when I went out to find Tenchi since he was out looking for a present for my birthday..."

Ryoko told Ayeka the whole story each and every part, from her finding Tenchi, to the fight, to Tenchi's professing his love to Ryoko, and of course the kiss. Ryoko concluded by opening the locket she wore around her neck, inside was a picture of Tenchi looking at Ryoko's face, which appeared to have just finished crying.

"This was taken that night, Tenchi thought I was asleep, and Washu had come to talk to Tenchi about this," Ryoko held up the golden device, "When he asked Washu for a picture, she took it."

"I see, interesting story Ryoko, but there are a few questions I need answered. For starters why were you crying, after all you had what you always wanted, Tenchi."

"You miss understand Ayeka. Those weren't tears of sadness, but tears of joy." Ryoko looked up at the ceiling a smirk on her face. "That night Tenchi told Washu that he loved me. I guess I got a little choked up. I didn't want him to know I was awake, since he would probably throw me out like he did tonight, so I pretended to stay asleep."

"Ok, I can believe that, but then, why was Washu in Tenchi's room, and what is that device. The more I hear Ryoko, the less this is believable. True you have a picture, but then again it wouldn't be the first time you did something sneaky."

Ryoko nodded, pressing the button on the device. The scene of her and Tenchi played out for Ayeka. The Jurain princess started at the scene. If it had of been any other two people, Ayeka would have thought it the greatest romance she had ever seen, but seeing Ryoko and Tenchi, it broke her heart.

"Washu was trying out a new surveillance device, and taped us on accident. She was going to have him give it to me as a gift, but when she saw my locket, she decided against it. However, only you, me, and Washu know about this device. I never told Tenchi, promise me you won't tell him either!"

"Very Well Ryoko I won't tell him about it," Ayeka said standing, "It appears you have won Lord Tenchi. I congratulate you." Ayeka said in a very diplomatic tone. Ryoko dropped to sit at the table.

"You're wrong Ayeka, I won him for a time, but I think I'm losing Tenchi," Ryoko said tears beginning to flow down her cheeks again. "I don't know what to do." Ryoko put on hand on her face to cover her tears, the other rested on the table, clenching the device.

"Tell me Ryoko, you said Tenchi had to prove his love to you, what did you have in mind?" Ayeka asked sitting back down, putting her hand on Ryoko's.

Ryoko looked up, "I don't know, I just want Tenchi to show me he cares, I've heard him say it, and at the time, it was all I needed. But ever since that day, he's been distant. I just want to know that he does truly love me. Is that so wrong? Do you think I'm stupid to make a demand like that of Tenchi?" Ryoko asked her voice was breaking up. Something about talking to Ayeka was making her feel better, even though she could not stop crying.

"I'll tell you what I think Ryoko," Ayeka said in a soft voice. "I think that in my whole life, I have never met a more self centered, wild, exhibitionist than you." Ryoko looked up at Ayeka confused.

"Is that supposed to comfort me?" Ryoko thought.

"But," Ayeka continued, "I think that in the end, of all of us, including myself, no one is better suited for Lord Tenchi."

Ryoko was well beyond just confused now, "but I thought you loved Tenchi? How can you say I'm the right person for him?"

"I never said you were the right person for Lord Tenchi. I said you were the best of all of us here, for him. You see Ryoko, I do love Lord Tenchi, but as I think back on it, I care for him like you do Ryo-Ohki, or Sasami. There is love there, but I think I love Tenchi more as a brother than a suitor. I know we Jurains do marry our brothers, but I would not feel comfortable with Tenchi as my husband."

Ayeka sighed as she stood up, Ryoko was not following her meaning. "Ryoko on Earth they have a saying that opposites attract. I have never met a more opposite pair than your and Lord Tenchi. He is quiet, polite, generous, and handsome. Where are you are a vulgar, obnoxious, self centered, sadistic woman whose only goal seems to be to bring Lord Tenchi into your sick games. Yet your wild side seems to bring out the best in Lord Tenchi. I started thinking about it when you told your story. It's like without Lord Tenchi, you are worthless, and he is the same without you."

Ryoko looked at Ayeka thinking, "She's lost it."

"I wish I could be as confident as you Ayeka, but I think Tenchi and I just aren't going to work out as a couple." Ryoko said between gasps.

"I never pictured you as a quitter Ryoko." Ayeka admitted sitting down next to Ryoko.

Ayeka put her arm around Ryoko, who fell into her. It reminded her of how she would comfort Sasami when she was very young. Then something else dawned on her. "Ryoko, I have yet to tell you the real reason you and Tenchi are perfect for each other" Ryoko looked up, wondering what odd reason Ayeka could have for saying Ryoko and Tenchi were good together. "You see Ryoko, I have Sasami to go to when I feel alone and need someone to talk to. The others all have someone, Mihoshi and Kiyone have each other, and Washu...well I suppose she is the exception. But my point is that in the end, you and Lord Tenchi have no one. Yes Tenchi has his grandfather and father, but neither of them truly understand him like you do, and even Washu doesn't understand you as well as Lord Tenchi does."

"I guess you're right Ayeka," Ryoko said sitting up wiping the tears from her face. "But what should I do?"

"That I can't answer, because I don't know. However Ryoko, if you need someone to talk to, I will always be here to listen. Tell me, do you think it would help it Sasami and I left? Maybe then Tenchi and you could get closer." Ayeka offered.

"No, Ayeka. That is definitely not the solution," Ryoko said looking at the princess. She rose to her feet. "I think Washu was right, and I am moving Tenchi too fast. That could be true, but I know one thing is true, I love Tenchi, but I guess I also love all the rest of you, just in a different way. I don't want anything between Tenchi and me to ruin the friendship we've all made in this house. True we've had our fights and arguments. But in the end, if we actually hated each other that much, we probably would have both left by now." Ayeka nodded in agreement.

"Well Ayeka, thanks for your time. I think you helped me clear my head." Ryoko said. "Now I'm off to bed."

"Lord Tenchi's? " inquired Ayeka. Ryoko smirked, then disappeared into the floor.

Ayeka picked up her tea cup realizing what she had just done. "I must be getting sick. I helped Ryoko keep Tenchi. I hope this was all a bad dream," She said aloud, however in her mind and heart, Ayeka was happy, not that Ryoko had Tenchi, but that after all these years, the two of them had finally

become friends.

Meanwhile back in Tenchi's room (a few minutes after he had fallen asleep.)

Tenchi woke up, even though he had drifted off to sleep, he just didn't seem to be able to stay asleep. Tenchi sat up, and began putting his clothes back on.

"Maybe Washu is still up, and she can tell me what to do," Tenchi figured. He made his way lazily down the stairs toward the broom closet that led to Washu's lab. "I wonder where Ryoko went, I would have thought she would have been down here on the couch." In truth, at this time Ayeka and Ryoko were just beginning to talk on the roof.

Opening the door, Tenchi cautiously walked into the lab of Washu, the greatest genius in the universe.

As the door opened, Washu's little crab alarm rattled.

"Hello, Little Washu, are you in here?" Tenchi called.

Suddenly Washu seemed to appear from behind a computer terminal. "I'm right here Tenchi!" she chimed.

Tenchi was startled, but then he usually was by Washu, "Oh good. I need your help."

Washu's smile faded, "I'm sorry Tenchi, but I can't help you prove your love to Ryoko."

Tenchi staggered back in shock,"How did you know that I was going to ask you that?"

"Don't you remember Tenchi, like Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki are bound together, so are Ryoko and me." Washu reminded him, "and to answer your next question, if I help you, then how is that different from you just doing what Ryoko told you like a robot would. I am sorry Tenchi, this is something you'll have to figure out on your own."

Tenchi looked down at his feet, he knew that was true. However he had hoped Washu would have been able to at least give him some help. "You're right Washu, thanks anyway." Tenchi moped as he started to walk out the door.

Once the door was closed, Washu continued to look at it. "Don't worry Tenchi, I know you'll think of something, just do what comes natural," she thought. Then she walked back into her lab, there was still a lot of experiments she wanted to run.

Tenchi sat down in front of Washu's door for a few minutes, trying to think of a solution to his current crisis. Then an idea came to him.

"Perfect," Tenchi thought. "That will prove my love for Ryoko."

[Tenchi's room]

Ryoko appeared inside Tenchi's room, her talk with Ayeka had helped calm Ryoko down. To Ryoko's shock, Tenchi's bed was empty.

"Where could he have gone? I've only been gone about ten minutes?" Ryoko was confused, she decided to walk toward the door, to see if Tenchi might have went to the bathroom. However there was no sign of him in the hall. Ryoko stood there trying to think where he could have gone. Closing the door, she decided to wait in his room for Tenchi to return.

Tenchi walked up the stairs, as Ayeka sat at the table finishing her tea. Each was so engrossed in thought that neither of them saw the other. Tenchi reached his door, opening it slowly. To his surprise, Ryoko was in his room.

"There you are Tenchi, where have you been?" inquired Ryoko.

"I went to see Washu, but she wasn't any help." answered Tenchi.

"Ryoko/Tenchi I..." each began at the same time, interrupting each other. Both stopped talking, allowing the other to speak first. Tenchi walked up to her, giving her a short hug. Then he stroked her silver hair with one of his hands, as he held her chin up so she looked straight into his eyes.

"Ryoko," he solemnly told her, " I've figured out how to prove I love you, but I think it will have to wait until tomorrow morning." Tenchi stopped for a moment. "For right now, let's just go to bed, ok? It's been a long day."

Ryoko nodded, she was going to tell Tenchi that she didn't need proof anymore, that she could be happy with things the way they were. However since he said he had proof, Ryoko figured she might as well wait and see what it was.

Tenchi once again removed his shirt, pants, and socks, as he prepared for bed.

For some bizarre reason, Ryoko didn't feel her comfortable just throwing off her clothes like she would have normally done. Something about that seemed wrong to her in this situation. As she stripped for bed, she turned her back to Tenchi, almost as if she was embarrassed. She then silently climbed into Tenchi's bed, covering herself.

"Just do what comes naturally," Washu's words echoed in Tenchi's mind. As he laid beside her, Tenchi wrapped his arms around Ryoko, pulling her close to him. She felt so soft and warm, it reminded him of his dream of the glowing presence.

"You know Ryoko," he began a slight laugh in his voice, "this is the first time we've slept in the same bed, and both been awake when he laid down."

Ryoko responded by hugging Tenchi. "Mm," she moaned happily resting her head on Tenchi's shoulder.

The two of them lay awake, not speaking for at least another twenty minutes, neither saying anything. Merely enjoying each others company, soon they drifted off to sleep, each keeping the other warm, on this cold winter's night.



NEXT TIME: Tenchi's proof. Will it be as wonderful as it sounds, and will this proof alienate Tenchi and Ryoko from the others? Does this mean a happy ending for Tenchi and Ryoko's situation, or will it only be the beginning of their problems? Find out next time in the final episode: Tenchi's Proof