Written By: Gary Kendzerski
AKA: Simfreak
Simfreak@mindspring.com
Episode 3: Wake up Ryoko!
"Tenchi your home! Where have you been? You didn't come home last night." Asked Ayeka.
"Walking, thinking."
"Where's Ryoko, and Washu?"
"Oh, you still don't know, Tenchi's eyes drop towards the floor She over exerted herself trying to save me from Hiroto."
"Is she going to be alright?"
"We, we don't know."
"Its that bad"
"Worse, even Washu doesn't know if she is going to live."
"Oh my."
"That's where Washu is right now, we had to put Ryoko back in her cave in hopes that the life water from Fanahoe would help."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"No thanks Ayeka, I really just want to be alone right now. Oh by the way, how is grandfather?"
"He's fine, although he has locked himself in the shrine office."
"I think I will go see how he is doing."
"Tenchi" She walks over and holds Tenchi's hand.
"Yes"
"If you need to talk, I'll be here."
Tenchi looks in to he face and smiles, "Thanks Ayeka, make sure to see too our guest. Try to make her feel at home."
"She's upstairs now with Ken-Ohkie right now, she's still in shock, I don't think she will give us any more trouble."
"That's good. I'll be back in time for dinner."
"Ok Tenchi."
Tenchi leaves the house and starts his way up to the shrine. Looking up into the sky as he walks. A flash of twinkling light appears in the sky
"Hmm, Mihoshi is home."
Tenchi watches as the screaming shuttle plummets down to earth.
"And she for got to apply the break again."
The shuttle smashes down into the water creating a huge title wave of water and steam.
"Oh well what else is new."
Tenchi continues his way up to the shrine eventually arriving up at the shrine office door.
(Knock, knock) "Grandpa, are you in there?"
"Yes, Tenchi, come in its open."
"Tenchi slides the shrine door open and walks in seeing his grandfather on the ground meditating.
"Sit down Tenchi, I'm sure there's a lot of questions in your mind."
Tenchi sits down.
"Well Tenchi?"
"I guess I want to know why?"
"My appearance?"
Tenchi nods.
"When I left Jurai to fight Ryoko I left with the intention of never coming back. It is true that I was to be wed to Ayeka, but at the time I was in love with someone else and I could not bear to be forced into a marriage that I could not have my heart in. I did love Ayeka too, but as a brother to a sister, not a husband to a wife. Unfortunately she felt both of those for me and so I left. When I arrived on earth, I noticed that the inhabitance here grew older and died and a young age. So to fit in Tsunami also allowed me to grow old, and ever 80yrs or so I would go back to my young self and pass myself off as my own son. Being so far from civilization made this easy. Over the past 700 years I have only two other wives that I deeply loved, one of them being your grandmother Tenchi."
"So you left because you didn't want to marry Ayeka?"
"No I left to fight Ryoko, that girl has power that she her self doesn't know that she possess. I didn't come back because I couldn't part take in a marriage that I couldn't be faithful to."
"Is that why you tried to get me and Ayeka together?"
"Yes, her heart was so set on me that I hoped that if the two of you got together."
"Really grandpa", Tenchi says with a disgusted look on his face and crosses arms as he looks away.
"She dose love you know; Tenchi's eyes open and looks back at grandpa."
"What about the other guy, Hiroto"
"My brother; to tell you the truth there's not a lot to say. Ever since he was young, he had been obsessed with his powers. He used to take the palace guards and test his power on them. One day he came to me and challenged me for my place to the thrown. I was still young but knew that I could never let him succeed me; he would have turned the Jurai into a fascist militaristic force bent on taking over the universe. So we fought, for hours we attacked each other, it was a flawless battle, each of us anticipating the others next move. The battle would have never ended had he not made a mistake; I saw his mistake and exploited it. Embarrassed at his defeat he left Jurai and vowed to return to take the thrown, I hadn't scene him since, until yesterday, and if it weren't for you, I would have died."
Tenchi stands up and looks down at his grandfather and says "I guess we are more a like then you think, I too wish to remain here. I don't want to go to Jurai, I like my life the way it is."
Yosho looks up at Tenchi, "I will not force you to go, but when the time comes one of us will have to go."
"I understand" Tenchi says as he stands up and leaves.
"Excuse me miss but I don't think I caught your name."
The girl looked up at Ayeka, who had apparently been crying for some time and managed to get the word out "Aeris".
"Well Aeris, are you hungry? Sasami is a fabulous cook"; Ayeka looks down on Aeris with pity knowing that she how she would feel if she had lost someone close to her.
"No, no thanks, I would prefer to be alone."
"That's the last thing you should so, now come on lets go." Ayeka bends down and grabs Aeris hand tugging on it trying to get her to move.
"I said NO!" and in those words let out a small energy burst that shocked Ayeka's hand causing her to let go.
"Suit your self, starve for all care." Angry at the attack Ayeka stands up and leaves the room. She heads down the stairs to see every one at the dinner table.
"She doesn't wish to join us."
"I'll go talk to her." Washu stands up and walks up the stairs to the room where Aeris is resting "mind if I come in?"
"Its your house"
"No its not, I'm a visitor just as you are." She says as she enters the room.
"What ever."
"You have to forgive me, I just found out that I have another daughter, kind of caught me off guard."
"How do you think I feel, I lose my energy and my fiancé and was beaten all in the same day."
"Yea, that pretty bad, but at least you found your mom." She walks over and sits beside Aeris.
"So what, she turns away from Washu, I've been a lone for 5000 years."
"But you don't have to be anymore."
Aeris turns back towards Washu in surprise.
"You mean I can stay?"
"I don't see why not." Washu says with a smile on her face.
"Thank you"; she sits up and hugs Washu with a tear streaming down her cheek. Washu looks down on her, proud to still be a mother.
"Where is everyone? And who is that person upstairs?"
"Oh I forgot that you have been gone for the last couple days Mihoshi."
"Yea, I had a big case that I had to solve, hehe, I was easy the guy just gave up when I told him who I was."
"Probly afraid of what might happen if he didn't give himself up."
"Huh?"
"Oh nothing."
"So where is Ryoko and Tenchi?"
"Where is Tenchi? She asked in a puzzled manor?"
"Oh, I for got to tell you Ayeka, Tenchi said that he wasn't going to be here for dinner." Replied Sasami.
"Did he say why not?" asked Ayeka.
"Yea, something about how he had a promise to keep, and Nobuyuki has too work late."
"Where's Yosho?" asked Mihoshi.
"He's still in the shrine office, he refuses to come out and talk to anyone but Tenchi; I feel like this family is falling apart!" said Ayeka.
"What about Ryoko?" asked Mihoshi.
"There was a battle yesterday, some guy named Hiroto came for Tenchi and they battled, Ryoko somehow got involved and was badly injured."
"Is she dead?"
"No, but we don't know how much longer she is going to live."
"How awful."
"Yes, even I wouldn't wish this on her."
"Who is that girl up stairs?"
"Aeris, she's Ryoko's sister."
"Ryoko has a sister?"
"Apparently"
"Wow"
"So it's just us three for dinner tonight I guess."
"Awww, but I made all this food." Said Sasami.
"I made a promise and I will keep it. I know it's not much, but it will have to do."
Tenchi unfolds a blanket on the ground and unpacks a basket with some food in it.
"I promised that we'd go out on a date. So here I am."
Tenchi lights a few candles and begins to eat his sandwich.
"Hope you don't mind but I didn't pack and food for you." He tries to say with a smile on his face.
"Ten-chi" a voice calls from the darkness.
"Huh? What was that?" Tenchi looks down on Ryoko, still lifeless.
"Ten-chi" the voice calls again.
Sweat beads down Tenchi's forehead as he panics and looks around.
Gulp "Who, who's there?"
From within the shadows a figure emerges, its ghostly form begins to take shape
"RYOKO!"
"Hey" she says with a smile on her face.
"But you, I mean how can you be in two places at once?!"
"I'm not."
"But you're here, and there." he says as he points to the body lying in front of him.
Ryoko walks over and looks down at herself "So I am."
That means your, you're a GHOST! Tenchi's eyes perk up in panic.
"So" she says calmly.
Tenchi's eyes relax and smiles
"So?"
Ryoko smiles at him and disappears only to reappear right next to him
"Oh Tenchi give me a hug"; Ryoko jumps at Tenchi but when she goes to wrap her arms around him, she falls right through him. Tenchi looks down on her with a surprised yet puzzled look on his face..
"Oh right I forgot." Tenchi laughs; she quickly sits back up right next to Tenchi. "Now where were we Tenchi?"
"Ryoko"
"Yes?" she says as she bats her eyes at him
"Are you going to be alright?"
"Tenchi are you concerned about me?"
"YES IM CONSERENED ABOUT WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT?" he screams.
"Awww how sweet." She tries to put her arm around him again but again it goes right through him. She retracts with a very upset look on her face, "Aww this is no fun."
Tenchi looks at her and smiles; "So why don't you wake up so we can go."
"I would if I could."
"Tenchi are you down there?" From the entrance Ayeka appears. "Washu said you were down here."
"Yes" he replies.
"Who were you talking too? I head voices."
"I was talking to Ryoko."
"Where is she? I don't see her"
"She right here next to me."
"Tenchi, I don't know how to say this, but your by yourself."
"Huh?" he looks at her puzzled and then looks to his side where Ryoko is making faces at Ayeka. "It must be dark in here because she's right here."
"Ayeka walks over to them, oh there she is, she looks so peaceful laying there like that."
"She cant see me, only you can" Ryoko whispers.
"Oh" he whispers back.
"Tell me Tenchi, why are you spending so much time here. I mean I can understand morning a little, but your acting as if you lost someone you loved, I mean really how silly."
"Why you little brat" Ryoko gets up and tries to swing at her only to have her fist go right through her.
"I'd be doing the same thing if it were you down here Ayeka." Ayeka looks at Tenchi with a sympathetic look on her face.
"If you please, I wish to be a lone."
"Very well. Good night Tenchi."
"Good night Ayeka" he says as he smiles at her she blushes and leaves.
"What was that all about?"
"What? I didn't do anything."
"That's what you always say!" she says with a displeased look on her face.
Tenchi stands up and starts folding the blanket he set out.
"Wait, where are you going?" her face turns from displeased to concerned.
"I'm going home, it's late."
"Please don't, don't leave."
Tenchi looks back at her, "I'll come back tomorrow."
"Please don't leave me, it's so lonely in here. And dark, and scary."
Tenchi looks back at her, her eyes were watering with fear that he might leave. He sighs and cracks a small grin on his face.
"one night, that's it, tomorrow you're on your own."
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you" she says with excitement.
Tenchi spreads out the blanket again and lies down. Ryoko appears right on top of him, looking in his eyes, Tenchi hesitates for a little before reacting.
"Get off!"
"What's the madder?"
"Nothing, just get off me!"
"Fine" she says as she rolls over and lies next to Tenchi instead.
"Tenchi?"
"Yes?"
"Do you love me?"
"I, I, I don't know."
"Its ok, you can tell me."
"I like you, but."
"But you don't love me."
"Its just that when I say those words, I want to mean them, with no doubt in my mind."
"Awww Tenchi, I guess I can understand that."
"Tenchi"
"Yea"
"You know, once I said it I felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders."
"Said what?"
"That I love you."
"oh" he replied.
"Tenchi Promise that you will never leave me."
"Try to go to sleep." Tenchi closes his eyes and slowly falls a sleep. Ryoko remained awake for hours after Tenchi fell a sleep studding his face and fanaticizing of what she will do when she can wakes up.
"You will say those words to me Tenchi, as soon as I get out of here you will, I know it."
Morning comes at the Masaki house and breakfast is being served. Everyone is there, Ayeka, Sasami, Tenchi, Washu, Aeris, Mihoshi, and Nobuyuki.
"Ahh it looks like we have another beautiful lady joining us today, tell me what's your name pretty young miss?" asked Nobuyuki.
"Aeris"
"Aeris huh, that's a pretty name."
"She's my daughter, and so cute!" shouted Washu.
"What!"
:Yea, I was shocked too, and if you know what's good for you, you'll back off."
Nobuyuki get a shocked and scared look on his face, Aeris giggles.
"Aeris, that name sound familiar" Mihoshi explains.
"It should, I'm galaxy most wanted number 2, wait no, number one, I forgot Kagato was number one."
Mihoshi stands up and draws her gun on her. "I am First class Mihoshi of the galaxy police, I place you under arrest!"
Every one looks at Aeris who is still eating very calmly which is disrupted when Mihoshi wristband starts beeping. She puts her gun away and looks down at her wristband.
"Oh I got a call."
Mihoshi takes out her cube and transforms into uniform "Ill be back for dinner, bye" and disappears. Every one lets out a big sigh of relief except for Aeris who continued to eat her breakfast.
"She's not very bight is she?" Aeris asks
"Dim as a bulb" Ayeka criticized.
"Hmm where is father this morning?" asked Tenchi.
"Still at the shrine I think" said Sasami.
But as soon as she says that the door opens and in walks Yosho. Nobuyuki stands up and walks over not knowing that Yosho had reverted to his original form.
"May I help you young man, you know its kind of rude to walk into someone's house like that."
"Sit down son." Yosho said in a stern voice.
"Father? Is that you? But you're so young!"
"Its time that you know, that you all know. I have been hiding my true form from all of you, I'm sorry, I asked Tsunami to do that to me."
"But why would you do such a thing?"
"For one, would you believe that I was a shrine master looking like this?"
"Well I guess not, but why didn't you tell anyone."
"Ayeka, come with me, we have to talk."
"Oh, ok brother." In a very low voice she also said "it's a bout time."
Ayeka stands up and joins Yosho as they leave together.
"Boy I hope I will look that good when I'm his age." Nobuyuki says with a huge smile on his face.
"Hehehe you wont live to be is age." Washu says.
"What! Am I dieing Washu! Are you not telling me something!"
Washu giggles "Silly, Lord Katoheato is over 700 years old."
"700 years old!"
"That's the Jurai blood in him."
"Boy I cant believe I married the daughter of an alien."
"Ayeka?"
"Yes Yosho?"
"You are wondering why I have never told you why I have disguised myself like this."
"I think I have a pretty good idea, although I don't like to think about it."
"Then you know?"
"I love you Yosho, I have never stopped loving you but when I first found out who you were I guess I knew your answer, just by looking in your eyes that day I think I knew."
"Ayeka, I do love you and that's why I would never let anything happen to you, but I only love you as a brother to his sister, no more"
Yosho, I have come to terms with us not being together already, and to tell you the truth, I am rather fond of Tenchi."
"I know, I can see it in the way that you look at him, but I will warn you that I think his heart belongs to someone else."
"What are you saying brother?!"
"I think Tenchi loves Ryoko."
"Impossible! how can any one love such a creature, I mean has he said any thing?"
"Not exactly."
"Then how do you know! How do you know how he feels!?"
Ayeka gets mad and walks away but as soon as she gets a couple of feet from him, she stops and starts to sob.
"Ayeka"
"Leave me a lone!" And she takes off back towards the house. She arrives and bursts in, Washu and Aeris are still at the table talking, and Sasami is in the kitchen doing dishes
"Where's Tenchi!?"
"I think he went to the fields, are you ok Ayeka?"
"I fine!"
She turns around and heads to the fields. The signs of sadness were removed from her face and replaced by a look of determination. Within a few minutes Ayeka arrives at the fields and sees Tenchi working hard scraping at the ground cultivating the carrots. She walks right up to him and Tenchi looks up at her
"What's up? Something wrong?"
Ayeka walks right up to Tenchi and holds his face and plants a kiss right on his lips. Socked he pulls away and falls back down to the ground.
"wha? What was that about?"
"I, I just wanted you to know how I feel."
Tenchi remains on the ground still shocked and kind of blushing.
:I'm, I'm shocked, I don't know what to say."
"Say that you feel the same way about me, say that you love me."
"I cant."
Ayeka gets a horribly sad look on her face, she turns around away from Tenchi as she begins to sob again.
"Why not, you love that monster women Ryoko, don't you!"
"No"
"Don't lie to me Tenchi, I saw you in that cave last night, you spent the whole night there, next to that monster."
"Stop calling her that."
"See you do lover her!"
Tenchi gets up and walks over to Ayeka. He places his hand on her shoulder only to have it shrugged off.
"I will tell you the same thing that I told Ryoko when she asked me that."
Ayeka stopped crying for a second to hear his answer.
"I told her that I liked her, yes that is true, but I like you too and that I cant say those words to anyone who I have a doubt about. When I say those words, I want them to be real, her and no one else."
Tenchi turns Ayeka around and lifts her chin, "So you see, I can't answer that question yet because I don't know myself."
"Oh Tenchi, she falls into his chest crying."
Dusk has come and Tenchi was done working in the fields for the day, Ayeka had left hours earlier. As he passed the stairs to the shrine he paused and looked up the winding stairs. He stood there contemplating weather or not to climb them and visit Ryoko, but he was tired and kept walking. He came to view of the house when he heard something. He stopped and looked around. Nothing, but then, there it was again.
"Is someone there?"
Standing on a rock next to him, there she was, Ryoko, and then vanished.
Must have been my imagination and he kept walking. Then she appeared again, this time right in front of him. He stared at her looking at her trying to convince himself that it was an illusion.
"hi" he says very calmly holding back the joy that she had kept inside.
"Is, is it you, I mean"
It was her, and she took a flying leap at Tenchi wrapping her arms around his neck in a close embrace.
"You tell me." as she drew closer to lips.
Tenchi was still stunned an looked her in the eyes with a smile.
"Then your ok! That's fantastic."
"Kiss me Tenchi, Kiss me like you wanted to kiss me in the cave."
"I don't remember that." He said puzzled.
"Oh right, that was me" she said with a smile and drew closer to kiss him, but Tenchi stopped her inches from his lips. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just want to remember this moment." Ryoko gets a surprised look on her face that changed to a smile. "Come on, let's go home."
End