CHAPTER FOUR:

CHAPTER FOUR:

Ryoko came out the door with baby Mayuka to see what made the crash. When she saw Mihoshi come through the forest she immediately thought Mihoshi crash-landed the spaceship. After Mihoshi, Ryoko saw that Kiyone was crying.

Ryoko teleported to Kiyone's side. "Did Mihoshi crash your ship again," Ryoko said sighing.

"No, actually it was me this time," Kiyone replied.

"Really," Ryoko said utterly amused, "How did you do it then?"

"I was making the Yagami do flips while in the earth's atmosphere."

"Hahahahaha! Good job Kiyone! What made you do it in the first place?"

" Mihoshi and I just got promoted today."

They started walking back to the Masaki house. Everyone came from wherever to see what crashed. They also assumed it was Mihoshi who crashed the ship but they saw she had a smile on her face and she usually was sad that the spaceship crashed.

Mihoshi ran over to Washu, Sasami, and Ryo-Ohki to tell them about the good, no great news. "Guess what?" Mihoshi asked ecstatically.

"What?" Washu and Sasami asked at the same time.

"Kiyone and I got promoted! The best part is we still get to patrol this solar system!"

Sasami, Ryo-Ohki, and Mihoshi jumped up and down happily. Ryoko, with Mayuka, and Kiyone made to the house just in time when Sasami realized the lunch was almost ready. By that time Tenchi and Yosho also made it for lunch.

"Let's all wait inside at the table while Sasami finishes up with lunch," Yosho said.

"Okay," everyone replied.

They all went inside. Sasami brought out her new dish. It was stir-fried noodles and little peppers with some sauce. Everyone started digging in.

"What was all the jumping up and down you girls did?" Yosho asked.

Kiyone answered, "Mihoshi and I received a promotion. Yet we do not have to leave this solar system. We can still patrol it."

Tenchi and Yosho were very happy. "Do you think Father will be also happy Grandfather?" Tenchi asked Yosho.

"No doubt about it," replied Yosho chuckling.

After lunch Kiyone and Mihoshi decided to go to the onsen. Later they went to work out. They were sleepy before dinner so they went to bed.

Right before dinner Nobuyuki came home from work. The people who were left and not doing something were Yosho, Washu, Tenchi, Ryo-Ohki, and Mayuka. They were talking about something that Nobuyuki didn't understand. Of course Mayuka couldn't talk though it seemed like she was excited as everyone else.

"Why is everyone so excited? Where is Ryoko? Did Kiyone and Mihoshi come back yet?" the father asked curiously.

Yosho answered his son-in-law, "Everyone is excited because Miss Ryoko is working on a project she won't tell us about. She only asks of us men to wear something nice after dinner and to go outside near the lake. Kiyone and Mihoshi are sleeping after a hard day of work. That should answer your questions."

Right then Sasami brought out the supper. Everyone slowly quieted down to eat. Sasami was about to get Ryoko, but stopped because she was at the table.

When Ryoko was done eating she went up to her room. She brought the project outside near the lake. Ryoko then set everything up.

She went back inside and told Washu and Sasami to follow her upstairs to her room. When they left the men also did. Nobuyuki and his son were confused. Yosho told them not to worry, Ryoko would soon tell them about what she was doing.

Up in Ryoko's room, Washu and Sasami saw the new gowns. Sasami ran to her dress and quickly changed into it. Washu asked why there were two green dresses. Ryoko said she didn't know if her mother would want to be Washu-san or Washu-chan. Washu decided she would become Washu-san.

As Washu changed to her adult self she asked Ryoko a question. "What will you do with the extra gown?"

"I guess Ryo-Ohki can wear it," answered Ryoko.

"Well, bring her up here then."

Ryoko changed into her gown before she went to get her ship. "Ryo-Ohki! Come up to my room please," Ryoko called to the cabbit.

Ryo-Ohki came bounding up the stairs. Ryoko told the cabbit to change into her humanoid form. As Ryo-Ohki changed to her other form Sasami brought her in the room to change clothes. Washu also changed into her new dress.

Once they ladies were done they went out to the new dance floor. The men were already there in some suits. They were marveling at the dance floor.

"Wow," remarked Tenchi, "Where did you get this Ryoko?"

"I ordered it from a catalog and put it together," Ryoko replied proudly. "Let's dance!"

Ryoko turned on the music. The music was a slow song. Washu and Nobuyuki started waltzing, Sasami, Ryo-Ohki, and Yosho started dancing, so that left Ryoko and Tenchi.

"Um…. Ryoko would you like to dance?" Tenchi asked while scratching his head.

"Yes, thank you for asking," Ryoko said while moving closer to him.

"You look beautiful Ryoko," Tenchi complemented.

"Thanks. You look handsome."

Tenchi started to blush. The song later ended. Ryoko sighed sadly. The next song was a lively one. Ryoko liked being near her love.

Everyone switched partners; Washu with Yosho, Ryoko with Nobuyuki, and Tenchi with Sasami. Ryo-Ohki decided not to dance even though her friend (Ryoko) insisted she dance.

"So…" Nobuyuki asked Ryoko, "Why did you go to all this trouble to put together a dance and everything?"

"I thought maybe me and Tenchi could become closer," Ryoko said bluntly.

"Well I'll tell Katsuhito not to dance with you so you can only be with my son."

"No, you don't have to. I want to tell him thank you."

The song ended and everyone changed partners. Ryoko asked Yosho if he would like to dance and he said he would love to. Sasami and Nobuyuki danced together and Tenchi and Ryo-Ohki danced. Washu-san sat that dance out. It was another fast one.

"Thank you for keeping my project a secret Yosho. And for holding my money so I wouldn't spend it," Ryoko told Tenchi's grandfather.

"You are very welcome sweet child," Katsuhito said.

"I've one last request."

"Go ahead and ask away."

"I request that you not dance with me for the rest of the night. I wish to dance only with Tenchi."

"That is done. But what of the other ladies? Should I tell them not to dance with Tenchi also?"

"Yes please."

The two partners didn't talk for the rest of the dance. After it ended Yosho talked to Washu, Sasami, and Ryo-Ohki. He asked them not to dance with Tenchi for the rest of the 'ball.' They agreed even though Sasami wanted to dance with Tenchi another time.

When the next song played everyone decided to leave Ryoko and Tenchi alone instead of dancing. Tenchi was curious as to why his family was leaving. Ryoko told him not to worry about them.

"Tenchi do you like my project?" Ryoko asked curiously.

"Yes I do. It's very interesting. What made you decide to do this?" Tenchi commented.

"I don't wish to tell." Ryoko started blushing profusely.

"Ryoko you're blushing." Tenchi began to tease Ryoko.

They didn't talk for a few minutes because they were stuck in their own thoughts. I wonder why Ryoko put together this little project of her's? Tenchi asked himself wonderingly. Did she do this so she could get closer to me or something? Tenchi began to blush.

"Ryoko? Did you do this so you could get closer to me?" Tenchi asked.

Should I tell him? I do want him to know how much I love him so I guess I will. Ryoko thought.

"Yes. Tenchi I did this for you. I want you to know how much I love you."

"Ryoko, I'm very flattered. Thank you."

"Oh… you're welcome I guess." When Ryoko said that she looked hurt. She thought Tenchi would tell her he loved her. Ryoko started crying.

"Ryoko, what's wrong? I'm sorry if I didn't say the right thing." Tenchi tried to comfort her by hugging her but she pushed him away.

"No, it's my fault. I should've known you would rather love a princess than an ugly demon women."

"You have it all wrong Ryoko. I love you," Tenchi said it with so much compassion and feeling that Ryoko cried even more. He saw that he really did love Ryoko and that saying it to her made him realize it.

"Thank you." Ryoko teleported to her room.

"Thank you?" Tenchi walked over to the back door. He saw that everyone, even Kiyone and Mihoshi who were supposed to be asleep, had watched him and his love dance and heard him tell her his true feelings.

Tenchi started to blush as he walked through the door and his family congratulated him. Tenchi even saw his daughter Mayuka clapping. When he looked back at everyone he noticed that one person was missing and he didn't mean Ryoko.