Disclaimer: Tenchi-Muyo is owned by Pioneer and AIC.
Author's Note:
Chapter Four:
Ryoko had decided that she wouldn't go to sleep that night. Instead she snuck into Tenchi's room and watched over him while he slept. She sat crossed legged on the floor looking at him. The sound of Tenchi's breathing was so relaxing, so calming. It almost put Ryoko's anxieties to rest. But the fact was that it didn't. Ryoko, the famous space pirate extraordinaire, was afraid to sleep. Ryoko almost started laughing as she thought of how silly that was. How could someone be that afraid of having a nightmare this much?
But Ryoko's nightmares weren't ordinary. She had been reliving her past memories for the past couple of weeks now ever since her merger with Zero. The memories she had were horrifying and Ryoko couldn't understand why she couldn't put her past behind her and move on. Why did Kagato still haunt her like this? He was already dead; he should no longer have this hold over her. The love of her life had killed him. Of course, afterwards she didn't even get to thank him properly for killing her own personal Devil, but he still had. And maybe he had done it for her.
'Maybe I'll never get over this,' thought Ryoko. 'But if I don't, I don't know if I can go on living. I know I should be thankful to Tenchi for killing Kagato but I think it may have been better if I had done it. If I had been the one to kill Kagato I would have had to face my fears in order to do it. Maybe, just maybe, that would have set me free. But now he's not here for me to confront so how can I face my fears and move on? I suppose for now all I can do is be strong and go to sleep. I don't have that many painful memories left. I should be able to get through this. If I got through all this once I should be able to again!' With this newfound optimism Ryoko lay down on the floor next to Tenchi's bed and tried to fall asleep.
Ryoko's breathing began to slow as her eyes began to close…
Elsewhere, at the Martial Arts Dojo…
Z and D3 were talking to Lady Tokimi as her image appeared in the cascading water from fountain before them.
"My Lady, there is something I do not understand. Ryoko does not seem to be much of a threat. We could have Z finish her off during one of their training sessions together. Then you would be able to get to the boy without interference." Suggested D3.
"Do you really think that would be necessary," started Z.
"Quiet the both of you! You do not realize who Ryoko really is. She is Washu's Champion. I did not want to believe it at first but it is the truth. I have underestimated her strength long enough. It seems the longer I hesitate to take more drastic measures against her the stronger she manages to become. I should have had Dr. Clay destroy her when he had the chance. Now Ryoko has managed to find a way to summon the power of her gems while they are still imprisoned in Sword Tenchi. I did not anticipate this; it seems that her bond with Tenchi is giving her newfound strength.
If this continues, it might not be long before Tenchi returns the remaining gems to her and she discovers her own Goddess power. This will make her a threat to my very existence. As long as Washu remains in the dark about her past I do not have to worry about her yet. I had wanted to leave my confrontation with Washu's Champion for after I had gotten the boy but it seems I have no choice. You see I have my suspicions as to whose Champion the boy is. And if I am right he is the key to having ultimate control over the Jurains. They are a very powerful race, under my control they would have the potential to be even more powerful." The Goddess Tokimi said while her image shimmered before Z and D3.
"My lady, what do you have in mind?" asked D3.
"As we speak Washu's Champion is struggling to get to sleep. As soon as she does I will invade her mind and control her dreams. If I play my cards right I should be able to make Ryoko want to leave Tenchi, or if I'm lucky kill her."
"My lady, I am sure that the next time Ryoko and I have one of our training sessions I can stop her from getting away. There is really no reason why-" began Z.
"Silence! You are beginning to forget your place. Do not forget that if it wasn't for me you would still be dead." Lady Tokimi said glaring at Z.
"How did I die in the first place? Why won't you let me remember my past? It's not like it would interfere with what we are doing now would it?" implored Z.
"I said, 'silence'. If you do all that I have told you to do, maybe I will return your memories to you. But until then I do not want to hear another word about it! Is that clear?!" Spat Tokimi.
"Crystal" huffed Z.
"As long as Ryoko is protecting that boy we have to get her out of the way before we can get to him. She has become a key player in all this; I should have foreseen it before. It is all going to come down to whoever is left standing and I plan to be that one. She is one of the destined protectors of the Universe but doesn't know it yet. At some point in time she must confront me and that time has come." Tokimi said as her form began to glow and she closed her eyes. She prepared herself to enter and control Ryoko's mind and dreams.
Back at the Masaki house, Tenchi's room…
Ryoko fell into a fitful sleep and began to dream…
The Dream…Maniacal laughter could be heard, as Ryoko found herself in the midst of an endless black void.
'This isn't one of my past memories. Is it? Where am I?' Ryoko questioned herself looking around the black void as she wondered where that laughter was coming from. The laughter sounded female; this served as some sort of relief to Ryoko. 'At least it's not Kagato…but then who is it?' She called out into the darkness, "Who's there? Show yourself!"
An image came out of the darkness; it was Tokimi.
"Tokimi?" Ryoko questioned as she looked at the figure that was before her. "It was you that sent those demons after Tenchi. What do you want with him?" Ryoko demanded her voice firm as she kept eye contact with Tokimi. Her presence was intimidating but Ryoko would not look away. She would not give Tokimi the satisfaction of seeing her cower before her.
"For now, I only want you." Tokimi simply stated.
"Me? What do you want with me?"
"I need to get rid of you so I can steal your true love away."
"I'll never let anyone lay a hand on my Tenchi!"
"I suggest that you step aside; that way I may not have to kill you…" Tokimi trailed off.
"I'll never step aside! You'll have to make me!"
"That's the idea."
Tokimi's image faded back into the darkness. Ryoko felt her head spinning as she clutched it in pain. Then a series of images appeared before her. They were memories; a few of the memories were of Ryoko spending time with Tenchi. The images stopped swirling before her and landed on one memory Ryoko wasn't too fond of. Ryoko wondered how it was possible to be an observer of her own memories but decided it was better this way, perhaps they wouldn't be as painful. Ryoko didn't realize how wrong she was…
Tenchi was about to stumble upon Ryoko in the cave. Ryoko knew what was coming; Tenchi would see her and Ryoko would try to kiss him. Then Tenchi would scream and run away from her. Ryoko didn't want to watch but found she couldn't look away.
****
"What the-" began Tenchi as he looked in to the pool that Ryoko was in.
Ryoko's form emerged from the water and began to reach up towards Tenchi trying to kiss him.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" screamed Tenchi as he ran away.
****
Ryoko started to cry as she watched Tenchi run away from her. That's all he ever seemed to do when Ryoko tried to get close to him-run away. 'Maybe Tenchi will always see me as a monster, nothing more…'
The next memory that Ryoko found herself observing was one even more painful than the last. She had decided to try on Tenchi's mother's kimono to see how Tenchi would react. He reacted just the way she had hoped; He had said she looked nice in it. But when she accidentally ripped the sleeve of the Kimono, Tenchi said he hated her. Ryoko really didn't want to watch this one.
****
"Tenchi…" said Ryoko to herself, while standing in Tenchi's room.
"Ryoko what are you doing on my room?" Tenchi asked as he opened the door to his room. What he found there made him speechless. Ryoko was wearing his mother's Kimono and she looked absolutely beautiful in it. She seemed so sweet and innocent at that moment, not at all like she usually was-so harsh and unreachable.
"Ryoko…" started Tenchi.
"How do I look Tenchi?"
"You look…real nice Ryoko."
"Ohhh really!" Ryoko said as she began to spin around from happiness-Tenchi had given her a complement! As she spun around she caused one of the sleeves to tare.
"Opps, I'll just" began Ryoko as she ripped the other sleeve off.
"Ahhh Ryoko! How could you! I hate you!" Shouted Tenchi.
Ryo-Oki who had just entered the room at that moment thought the comment had been directed at her.
"Mia? Miaaaa!" Said Ryo-Oki in distress as she bounded back out of Tenchi's room.
"No wait Ryo-Oki! I didn't mean you!" Tenchi screamed running after her.
Ryoko was left alone.
****
That was the first time Tenchi had made her cry, but it certainly was not the last. Who would have thought that Ryoko was actually a very sensitive person? Everyone just assumed that because she acted tough on the outside that's how she was on the inside. No one ever thought before they spoke before they said anything to Ryoko. They never considered the possibility of hurting Ryoko's feeling because she acted like nothing ever bothered her. Sometimes Ryoko seemed so unaffected by things Tenchi or the others would wonder if she had feelings. Little did they know that Kagato forced her hide all her feeling and emotions saying that those things were a weakness, that those things could be used against her. And in a way he was right, Ryoko's emotions and feelings could be used against her just as they were being used against her now.
Ryoko began to sob even harder. She couldn't take this. Tenchi didn't really hate her…. did he? It sure seemed that way to her. He always ran away from her and whenever he was nice to her it wouldn't last very long until he did something to hurt her feelings, like saying he hated her.
Then all of a sudden a voice filled the air, "That was only the present, Ryoko, wait until you see the future!" The voice of Tokimi declared.
Images swirled in front of Ryoko until they slowed and stopped. The images before her seemed worse to her than all of her nightmares with Kagato combined.
****
"Lord Tenchi?" Asked Ayeka.
"Yes, my love?" responded Tenchi grasping Ayeka's hands in his.
"I was wondering when you plan to make our engagement official."
"Whenever you want it to be, my dear Ayeka."
"Oh, Lord Tenchi, I'm so happy. Somehow I always knew that you would choose me over Ryoko. I mean we do have the bond of blood between us; we were destined to be together you and I. It's almost as if fate brought me here to you. And now that you have agreed to ascend to the throne of Jurai and take me as your wife we will be so happy together; just like these fairy tales they have on earth where the prince marries the princess. That is the perfect happy ending, wouldn't you say, my Lord Tenchi?"
"Ayeka I couldn't agree more. Ryoko was never the girl for me-so brash and forward. You on the other hand really are the perfect princess. I fell in love with you the first day I met you. You exuded elegance. But we shouldn't speak badly of Ryoko; She was just…misguided. Perhaps, if it weren't for her past she would have been a better person. But the past defines who we are and Ryoko's past well…it made her who she was. I wonder where she went anyways?"
"Well, after you declared your love for me there was really nothing keeping her here was there?"
"I suppose not."
"It's going to be a lot quieter here without her…"sighed Ayeka.
"You make it sound like that's a bad thing. No more fights, no more blowing up my room, no more resurrected demons. I think I'm going to enjoy my peaceful life with you very much, Ayeka." Tenchi said while looking lovingly into Ayeka's eyes.
"Yes, Lord Tenchi, me too."
"Ayeka?"
"Yes, Lord Tenchi?"
"Just call me, Tenchi, ok?"
"Yes, my Tenchi."
Then the two of them leaned in and kissed each other passionately.
****
The two seemed to be frozen in the moment as Ryoko watched in horror wishing the image would just go away. This wasn't what was going to happen was it? It seemed so predictable-the prince marrying the princess. But Ryoko felt it also seemed-right. It made her feel that her chances of her getting Tenchi were even slimmer than she thought. Was she just interfering with Tenchi's destiny to marry a princess and rule a kingdom? Was she just in the way of his happiness? And Tenchi did look happy there kissing Ayeka under a cherry blossom tree…Ryoko remembered when she would sit in that tree watching Tenchi work in the fields. Now that tree was empty.
Images swirled in front of Ryoko again and she felt she would throw-up until they stopped suddenly. This time Tenchi was sitting alone in the throne room of Jurai dressed in his royal garb. He seemed to be waiting for something impatiently as he tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. The main doors suddenly opened as a man ran in.
****
"Sire, great news! It's a boy!"
"A boy! Ha ha! I'm a father? I'm a father! And how is my lovely wife?"
"She's well Sire! You can see her now."
Without further ado Tenchi ran out following the guard.
*****
The scene changed to Ayeka and Tenchi standing over a cradle.
****
"Aww isn't he precious?" Asked Ayeka.
"He's certainly handsome. I have a feeling our son will make us very proud one day."
"I had always dreamed of having your child my Tenchi. I love you so much." Ayeka said turning towards Tenchi smiling warmly.
"And I love you, my Ayeka, my princess." Responded Tenchi. The two were about to kiss when they heard a nock at their door.
"I'll get it Tenchi," said Ayeka opening the door.
"Your Highness, Sire, so sorry to disturb you but I'm afraid I have some bad news to report…" began the knight.
"Well, what is it?" asked Ayeka looking worried.
"We were doing our patrol of the Omega System when we stumbled upon the spaceship, Ryo-Oki. Upon further investigation when Ryoko did not respond to our hail, we boarded and found her lying in her chair…dead. There was nothing we could do, your Highness. I'm terribly sorry. I heard you had been friends with her at one time…" Said the knight trailing off.
"Dead?" Questioned Tenchi.
"It appeared to have been suicide." Continued the Knight.
"It's not surprising she would do something like that when the announcement of our first born became public, Ayeka. I'm afraid it was unavoidable. If only she had understood that she never had a chance of making me love her. Maybe then she could have found someone else and moved on."
"You're right, my Tenchi. But there's nothing we can do about it now. She chose her own path, her own end."
"Right, but there's no use getting worked up about it. I mean we haven't heard from her for over a year now."
"That's right. Since she refused to come to our wedding."
"We were never really all that close anyways, Ayeka. I hate to admit it but I'm not really all that sad about Ryoko's death. Maybe it's for the best that she's dead. She may have ended up doing something irrational otherwise."
"You don't mean like come after our child?"
"No, but anything is possible. After all it was in her nature; She was a murderer."
Ayeka shivered saying, "I think we should just forget all about Ryoko. What's done is done. We shouldn't let the past influence our future. It's time to move on."
"I believe you're right. I'm glad we agree, my love. She almost came between you and I and for that I was never able to forgive her."
"Nor I"
"But now that we have each other nothing else matters."
"Oh Tenchi."
"Ayeka."
The two embraced and kissed. Then they turned to their child and began to fawn over his "cuteness" again as if the interruption never happened.
****
Ryoko watched in horror. Would Tenchi and Ayeka just forget about her so easily? Would Tenchi really hold something against her for coming between him and Ayeka? Would she really…commit suicide? Ryoko felt that didn't sound so far fetched; right now she truly did want to die. And considering if that was her future there was really no reason for her to keep on living was there? Ryoko would almost welcome death. Ryoko had so many conflicting emotions stirring inside of her the only thing she could so was scream.
She screamed words of hate in the air. She screamed that the gods had forsaken her. She screamed that Tenchi had forsaken her also. But Ryoko was afraid and the only thing she felt like doing when she was afraid was to do one thing-call for Tenchi to save her. Maybe this was just a dream after all. A nightmare really, would the real Tenchi do this to her? Ryoko had to find out. She didn't care anymore as long as she knew.
"Tenchi! TECHI PLEASE SAVE ME! TENCHI! PLEASE! I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE! I HAVE TO KNOW IF YOU LOVE ME TENCHI! TENCHI PLEASE DON'T FORSAKE ME! I LOVE YOU TENCHI! I LOVE YOU EVEN IF YOU DO PICK AYEKA! I ONLY WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY TENCHI AND IF LOVING AYEKA MEANS YOU'LL BE HAPPY THEN I WON'T STAND IN YOUR WAY…ONLY JUST DON'T LEAVE ME TENCHI. LET ME STAY AND BE WITH YOU. SAVE ME TENCHI! I NEED YOU. I NEED YOUR LOVE…I NEED YOUR FRIENDSHIP. TENCHHIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!" Ryoko screamed at the top of her lungs.
Maybe somehow she could reach her Tenchi. She just had to get out of this nightmare. The images swirled in front of her faster and more painful than ever…images of Tenchi saying he loved Ayeka…images of Ayeka and Tenchi kissing…images of Tenchi saying he hated Ryoko…images of her own death…all the blood... Ryoko's head was spinning and she felt like she was going insane.
'Tenchi doesn't love me. Tenchi loves Ayeka. Tenchi hates me. I'm going to die.' Ryoko thought over and over again in her head.
"TENCHI PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! I'M SORRY TENCHI! PLEASE! TENCHIIII!" Ryoko tried screaming for Tenchi to come to her but it was no use.
'He isn't going to come to me. He isn't going to save me because I cannot reach him with my heart and…this is reality and I am not dreaming.' With this last thought Ryoko lost her will to live. She had lost the battle for Tenchi's heart. A battle that deep down she always thought she was going to win. Had she just been fooling herself all this time? Ryoko collapsed to the floor as one last word escaped her lips, "Tenchi…"
****
In the Masaki house, Tenchi's room…
Tenchi awoke with a start. He was sure that someone had screamed his name. He looked around his room and was startled to see Ryoko on the floor next to his bed. She looked like she was having a nightmare, her face was covered in sweat and her face was tear streaked; Her body was also shivering.
'Nightmares can't affect you like that.' Tenchi thought getting out of his bed to wake up Ryoko.
He picked Ryoko up and held her in his arms as her body began to convulse.
"Hey Ryoko, wake up! Ryoko!" Tenchi started raising his voice getting worried. But no matter how hard Tenchi shook her she wouldn't wake up and her condition seemed to get worse. Her breathing was becoming irregular and seemed strangled. All of a sudden Ryoko began to cough up blood, lots of blood. Ryoko also had blood coming out of her ears from the pressure being put on her brain.
Tenchi looked at Ryoko in shock. He had never seen her like this and he had the feeling it had something to do with one of Ryoko's memories of Kagato. If that was the case Tenchi had to wake Ryoko up immediately. Maybe somehow she had gotten trapped in a memory and couldn't get out. The memory must have become so real to Ryoko that it was affecting her in real life. Tenchi was not too far off.
"Ryoko please wake up!" Pleaded Tenchi as he shook Ryoko. Then he noticed for the first time that Ryoko was mumbling something; Tenchi had to put his ear close to Ryoko's mouth to hear what she was saying. "Tenchi…please…save me…I can't take it anymore…it hurts too much…I love you…Tenchi…even if you do love Ayeka…I always will…I want you to be happy…I'm sorry…for being in the way…I'll be out of your way soon now…goodbye Tenchi…"
"Ryoko? No, Ryoko don't die! I won't let you! Somebody…SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP! I NEED HELP! SOMEONE! ANYONE! AYEKA! SASAMI! MIHOSHI! DAD! GRANDPA! HELP!"
Soon after Tenchi called for help everyone came rushing into Tenchi's room. First Ayeka followed by her sister Sasami, who was holding a very concerned Ryo-Oki. Mihoshi came next along side Noboyuki. Lord Katsuhito was still as the shrine and Washu in her lab so they didn't come.
"What's the matter Lord Tenchi?" Ayeka asked, then gasped when she saw Ryoko. She was covered in her own blood and wouldn't stop convulsing. "Lord Tenchi, what's wrong with Ryoko?" Ayeka asked concern in her voice, for some reason she felt more herself at that moment than she had been feeling in weeks. Little did she know that the person normally controlling her feelings right now was too occupied to worry about Ayeka for the moment. It hurt Ayeka to see her rival like this. Ryoko was the strong one and seeing her like this unnerved her. Ryoko may be her rival but she might even consider her a friend too.
"I really don't know Ms. Ayeka. She just won't wake up. It's like she's trapped in a dream or something." Tenchi said tears in his eyes.
"Tenchi, is Ryoko going to be ok?" Mihoshi said as she began to cry her eyes out. "Ryoko is going to die isn't she?!?!"
"Ryoko's not going to die is she Tenchi?" pleaded Sasami poking her head out from behind Ayeka. Sasami was a little scared seeing all the blood. The little girl's eyes began to water also seeing her friend in such a bad condition.
"I sure hope not Sasami." Said Tenchi.
"Someone should go and get Washu. She'll know what to do." Said Noboyuki speaking up for the first time.
"I'll go get her, Lord Tenchi, so you can stay here with Ryoko." Said Ayeka.
"Thanks Ms. Ayeka that really means a lot to me."
"It's nothing Lord Tenchi. I only hope Washu can help." Ayeka said as she sped out of the room.
Ryoko began to cough up more blood until she gasped and stopped breathing.
"Ryoko! Ryoko don't leave me! Please, don't leave me!" Pleaded Tenchi shaking Ryoko.
All of a sudden Ryoko's eyes flung open. She looked at Tenchi then panicked, she couldn't breath. Something was stopping her from breathing, that something was blood.
"Ryoko? Oh God, Ryoko, you can't breath can you?" Asked Tenchi panicking also.
Ryoko nodded in assent as she began to pass out.
"No! Ryoko don't give up! I'll think of something!" Tenchi looked around his room and saw a vase arrangement with flowers and reeds. Tenchi all of a sudden got an idea. He grabbed Sword Tenchi and a reed from the arrangement and hurried over to Ryoko.
"This may hurt." Tenchi said as he ignited Sword Tenchi. He made a small incision in Ryoko's throat and inserted the reed. Tenchi then began to suck out the blood that was stopping Ryoko's breathing. Tenchi sucked up some blood and spat it out. Soon a gurgling noise could be heard coming from the straw signifying that Ryoko was starting to be able to breath. Tenchi continued to suck the blood and spit it out. Suck up some more blood and spit it out.
Ryoko looked terrified, she had never been so helpless before. And the last person she expected to be saving her was. Ryoko didn't know what to think. Was Tenchi only saving her because he was a nice person or was he saving her because he cared about her? Tears began to fall from Ryoko's eyes. Tenchi noticed this and grasped Ryoko's hand in a comforting way as he continued sucking blood from Ryoko's throat. The passage way to Ryoko's lungs was becoming clear and her breathing began to steady. A look of relief came into Tenchi's eyes as he saw Ryoko stop crying and grasped her hand tighter. Ryoko couldn't understand what had been able to bring her back to the world of the living…
Just then Washu and Ayeka ran into the room. Tenchi was still sucking blood and spitting it out. Ayeka looked shocked, as did Washu.
"Oh God Ryoko! Quick Tenchi take her to my lab now!" Instructed Washu.
Tenchi carefully picked up Ryoko and followed Washu to her lab hurriedly. Ayeka and the others close behind. Something about this whole thing bothered Ayeka but she couldn't put her finger on it. Was it Ryoko's condition? No, that wasn't it. Sure she didn't like seeing Ryoko this way but that wasn't the only thing bothering her. Then she looked at Tenchi and how he was cradling Ryoko in his arms while giving her a caring look. Ayeka then realized what was bothering her. Tenchi and Ryoko seemed so close at that moment.
Washu motioned for Tenchi to place Ryoko on a metal table. Tenchi gently placed Ryoko on the table and continued to suck blood out from Ryoko's throat and spit it out so that she could continue to breath.
"I'll take over from here Tenchi. Now if you and the others would be kind enough to wait outside. I'll get to work on saving Ryoko." Washu said in a firm voice.
Ryoko turned her head to Tenchi with pleading eyes. She really did not want to be left alone with Washu in her condition.
Tenchi saw the look and began to speak, "Uh, Ms. Washu don't you think I could stay with Ryoko?"
"No Tenchi. I want you to all get out of here and get out now! Can't you see I have a life to save! Out! All of you! Now!"
Washu pushed them all out the door and began to try and save Ryoko.
Meanwhile at Tokimi's lair…
Tokimi had lost her connection with Ryoko.
"AAAAHHHHHHHHH! THIS IS THAT BOY'S ENTIRE FAULT! AND WHEN I WAS SO CLOSE TOO! I HAD NEARLY KILLED HER. IF ONLY HE HADN'T INTERFEARED! I WAS SO CLOSE!" Tokimi yelled at the top of her lungs. She had failed.
At the Dojo…
The image of Tokimi in the fountain slowly opened her eyes to look at Z and D3.
"Did you manage to kill her my Lady?" Asked D3.
Z stood by dreading to hear her answer.
"No, my connection with her was broken somehow and I'm severely weakened by the attempt to kill her that way. I'll have to think of another way to kill her." Responded Tokimi.
A wave of relief came over Z. "What do you have in mind this time?" asked Z.
"I think I'll put my hold over the Princess Ayeka to some use. Now that Ryoko has been weakened there is no escape this time." Said Tokimi smiling. A plan was already beginning to formulate in her mind. 'It won't be long now Ryoko. You will die!'
Tokimi began to laugh and D3 joined her. Z stood by sadly thinking of what they had in store for Ryoko next.
Back at the Masaki house…
"What could be taking so long?" Tenchi asked as he paced the living room.
"Calm down Lord Tenchi I'm sure Washu will be able to save Ryoko." comforted Ayeka.
"Ohhh Pooorrrr Ryyoookoooo" sobbed Mihoshi. "I hope she'll be alright."
"Mia! Miaaaa" said Ryo-Oki sadly. ("I hope so too")
Sasami looked down at Ryo-Oki. "Don't worry Ryo-Oki she'll be fine. After all Washu is the Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe isn't she?"
"I should go tell dad what happened," said Noboyuki. "I'm sure he'll want to be here in case help is needed."
"That's a good idea, I'm sure grandpa will want to help," said Tenchi. Tenchi wasn't too confident that what he had said was true though. His grandfather was the one who had locked Ryoko up in that cave. How could he have let her stay locked up for 700 years when he knew the truth? Knew, that the only reason Ryoko had attacked Jurai was because Kagato had control over her. Knew, that she was innocent. Ryoko had been trapped in that cave as punishment for something she wasn't responsible for. Or rather because his grandfather just didn't know what to do with her after he defeated her.
Tenchi thought that his grandfather's solution to that problem was far from what a solution should have been. Instead of trying to help Ryoko or give her a chance he just locked her away in that cave so he wouldn't have to deal with her. Maybe his grandfather finally realized his error when he let Tenchi get the keys to the cave that day. Tenchi was beginning to understand Ryoko. She was like a caged bird that was set free…
Tenchi was brought out of his revelry as Washu opened the door to her lab.
"I've done it! Ryoko is going to be ok. Am I the Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe or what!?" said Washu enthusiastically.
Everyone sweat dropped.
"Is Ryoko really ok?" asked Sasami tears in her eyes.
"Why don't you go see for yourself, Kido." Suggested Washu.
"Oh goodie come on Ryo-Oki! Ryoko's going to be ok!" Said Sasami running towards the lab door.
"Wait for me Sasami," called Mihoshi running after her.
"Thank you Ms. Washu for saving her." Tenchi said with relief.
"Yes, thank you Ms. Washu. Ryoko after all is a part of this family." Ayeka said.
Tenchi began to walk towards the lab when Washu stopped him. She had a distressed look on her face.
"Tenchi," Washu began. "Ryoko told me she doesn't want to see you right now."
"What?!" Exclaimed Tenchi. "What do you mean she doesn't want to see me?"
"Typical," Muttered Ayeka under her breathe. 'That woman can be so ungrateful sometimes.'
"But Washu why doesn't she want to see me?" Tenchi said a distressed look on his face.
"I don't know Tenchi but she told me she'd let me know when she was ready to see you," replied Washu getting frustrated.
"I just don't understand it. That's all…"trailed off Tenchi.
Meanwhile in Washu's lab…
Ryoko was trying not to cry as Sasami and Mihoshi expressed how happy they were to see that she was all right. Of course, their presence wasn't the reason why she wanted to cry….
"Oh Ryoko I'm so glad you're alright!" Said Mihoshi. "I thought you were going to die!" Mihoshi continued in a bubbly voice, she really was clueless…
"Hehe I'm glad you're alright too. And so is Ryo-Oki" said Sasami holding Ryo-Oki up for Ryoko to see.
Ryoko nodded in assent. She still couldn't talk yet because of this contraption that Washu had attached to her mouth to regulate her breathing. She was only able to tell Washu that she wasn't ready to see Tenchi yet using their mind-link.
****
Being the quick healer that Ryoko was the next day she expressed her weariness of staying in the lab to Washu. Washu assented to letting Ryoko leave on the condition that she didn't use her powers for a day while she healed. Whatever had happened to Ryoko had taken its toll on her body. Ryoko agreed to those terms and snuck out of the lab. Ryoko felt dirty from being covered in blood and tears and decided to have a nice soak in the Onsen. She walked over to the water's edge and took her clothes off by hand. She then lowered herself in to the warm waters of the Onsen.
'It must be late afternoon. That means that Tenchi is still working out in the fields,' thought Ryoko.
She just wasn't ready to face Tenchi yet. After the nightmare, no, glimpse of the future Ryoko was struggling with her emotions about everything. Ryoko didn't know what to think. Sure it had been a dream and that scenario of the future may or may not come true but it seemed so…real. Ryoko treated the whole experience as a sort of eye opener.
'I wonder if I really am in the way of Tenchi's destiny. Maybe he is fated to become the king of Jurai and marry Ayeka. I only want Tenchi to be happy so maybe I should just leave. That way he could realize his true feelings for Ayeka and they could have their picture-perfect life together. It is true that on earth the stories are always about a Prince marrying a Princess, there are no stories of a Prince marrying a Space Pirate,' sighed Ryoko. 'But then again, Tokimi was behind the whole thing. 'Wouldn't she want me to leave so that no one would be here protecting Tenchi?' Thought Ryoko. Ryoko didn't know what she was going to do. And somehow she felt that all the things that had been happening lately were her fault. What if Ayeka was right, what if somehow she was behind the Demon attack?
Meanwhile in Ayeka's room…
'Ayeka, that demon-woman Ryoko has no right to get all that attention from Tenchi,' a voice in Ayeka's head began.
"You're absolutely right. She doesn't deserve all that attention from Tenchi. If anyone should be getting attention from Tenchi it's me!" agreed Ayeka.
'Then what do you plan to do about it?' asked the voice.
"I don't know. I haven't really thought of it." Responded Ayeka.
'Well it's a good thing I have.'
Back at the Onsen…
Ryoko's nerves were calming because of the relaxing water. She still felt so weak and vulnerable though. Ryoko didn't like feeling this way at all. Ryoko was a very powerful person and to be in this condition was like a bird with a broken wing…at the mercy of any snake that came along to make a meal out of it…
Ryoko submerged her head under the water to wet her hair. Suddenly she felt strong hands wrap around her neck and pull her out of the water, roughly. Her throat was still sore from what had happened earlier so it hurt her a lot.
She found herself starring up at a strange looking man. He had a long scar across one eye and a burly disposition.
"Space Pirate Ryoko I presume," said the man as he continued to lift Ryoko up out of the water. He stopped suddenly when he realized she was naked and let go of her causing Ryoko to go back into the water with a splash.
The man started to blush at Ryoko's nakedness.
Ryoko knew this man was up to no good and also knew that in her condition she was at his mercy, so decided to play up the only strength she had at that moment…
"Does my naked body offend you?" Asked Ryoko innocently.
"I uh…"
"Why don't you come in and join me? We can have a bottle of sake if you like?" said Ryoko smiling seductively.
"Well…"
****
A few minutes later in the Onsen...
Laughing could be heard…
The mysterious man and Ryoko were both in the Onsen enjoying a bottle of Sake…
"Did you hear the one about the bounty hunter that walked into the bar?" asked the man trying to hold back a grin.
"No, how does it go?" asked Ryoko.
"Well, you see, this bounty hunter walks into a bar and asks for a drink. He looked nervous and kept looking over his shoulder. The bar tender noticed this and said for him not to worry. The bounty hunter was confused and asked the bartender what he meant. The bar tender said that he meant that he was safe here from cops or bounty hunters because everyone there was a space pirate or robber! Hahahahaha! You get it. The bar tender thought the bounty hunter was a space pirate afraid of getting caught when really we was there checking out the place for a bounty he was after!" Laughed the man.
Ryoko laughed too even though the joke wasn't very funny. What a little sake can do.
Meanwhile in Tenchi's room…
Tenchi was lying on his bed thinking about Ryoko.
'I wonder why she didn't want to see me?' Tenchi asked himself. 'Was it because I did something wrong? But what did I do?' Tenchi was becoming very frustrated with himself. He was sure he had done something to upset Ryoko but couldn't figure out what it was. Then Tenchi remembered what Ryoko had been mumbling in her "dream"…"Tenchi…please…save me…I can't take it anymore…it hurts too much…I love you…Tenchi…even if you do love Ayeka…I always will…I want you to be happy…I'm sorry…for being in the way…I'll be out of your way soon now…goodbye Tenchi…"
Then it all became clear to Tenchi. 'For some reason she thinks I've already chosen. And by the looks of things, she thinks I've chosen Ayeka and that she's just in the way…that would mean she would want to leave!' Tenchi thought panicking at this realization. Ryoko wouldn't really leave would she? She wouldn't go before coming to Tenchi about her gems right?
All of a sudden Tenchi heard a scream…
At the Onsen…
Mihoshi had just walked into the Onsen to find a guy in the women's bath.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ryoko what is that guy doing here! Doesn't he know men aren't allowed here?" Screamed Mihoshi.
The man smirked at Mihoshi who was wearing nothing but a towel. Mihoshi was the bustiest of all the girls in the house.
Tenchi came rushing through the door to see what the scream had been about.
"What's going on…" started Tenchi. Tenchi looked at the scene before him, a freaked out Mihoshi, Ryoko and some guy…some guy! "Hey who they hell are you?! And what are you doing to Ryoko?!" Yelled Tenchi.
The man got up out of the water; he was only wearing a towel around his waste.
"The name's Raiden. I'm a professional bounty hunter and Ryoko is my prisoner." The bounty hunter responded.
"What?!" started Tenchi.
"That's right Tenchi. This guy says he was hired to take me out by someone in this household and so since I can't fight right now I'm his prisoner." Said Ryoko with a grin. Ryoko would never admit it but she was relieved that Tenchi was here now and that she wasn't alone with this guy anymore. What if she hadn't been able to distract him from his purpose for being here? What if he still planned to try to kill her? Was this guy really a creep or what?
"Hey now! You get away from Ryoko right now! Can't you see she's…she's naked!" Tenchi stuttered as he began to get a nosebleed realizing the implication of what he had just said.
"Why don't you make me?" said Raiden smirking at Tenchi. 'This guy looks like a real push over.'
"I think I will." Began Tenchi.
"Now where did I put that gun?…hey, Ryoko what did you do with my clothes?" asked Raiden searching around for his stuff.
"I'm not telling," said Ryoko mischievously.
"What?! Oh well." Raiden said as he got back into the water next to Ryoko. Ryoko poured him another glass of sake.
Mihoshi ran over when she saw the sake saying, "Ohhhh Can I have some?"
"Sure thing babe," said Raiden pouring Mihoshi a drink.
The three of them were now laughing and drinking sake while Tenchi was still trying to get over his nosebleed…
****
A few minutes later…
Four people were now enjoying sake in the Onsen…
"Hey wait a minute. How did we all get in this Onsen…"started Tenchi. Then Tenchi's face turned bright red…where did his clothes go? Not to mention Ryoko…Ryoko was naked next to him.
Tenchi jumped out of the water with a scream.
"Ahhhhhhhh"
Then he noticed his clothes weren't the only things he was missing. His boxers seemed to have disappeared also. Ryoko whistled and Tenchi scramble back into the Onsen.
"Ryoko what did you do with my clothes?!" demanded Tenchi.
"Whatever do you mean?" asked Ryoko innocently.
"Ah forget it! So Raiden you said someone from this household hired you to go after Ryoko?" Tenchi asked as he realized the situation was hopeless and deciding to throw in the towel.
"That's right," responded Raiden.
"Well, who was it?"
"I bet it was Ayeka" began Ryoko.
"Now Ryoko you shouldn't go jumping to conclusions about Ayeka" began Tenchi but he was interrupted by Raiden.
"Well, she's right, you know. Yep, the princess is the one who hired me. Said it was all for true love or some bullshit like that. I don't really know what she was talking about. The only thing that caught my attention was all the money she offered me to get rid of this Ryoko chick. But now that I've seen what a babe Ryoko is it would be a crime to the male population if I killed this sexy beauty. More sake?" Said Raiden turning to Ryoko.
"Sure thing cutie," said Ryoko batting her eyelashes.
"Ohhh she called me "cutie" in your face lover boy!" said Raiden poking Tenchi in the arm.
Tenchi's face was getting redder.
'This Raiden guy is quite the shady character, he really shouldn't be trusted, he's probably planning some evil plot right now to take Ryoko away from me' thought Tenchi. All of a sudden Tenchi was hit by a wave of water.
"Water Fight!" Raiden yelled while splashing Ryoko. "Hahahahaha"
"Hahahaha you jerk! Take this!" Ryoko said as she splashed Raiden back.
Tenchi was of course caught in the middle as always. Tenchi sighed as he was splashed by another wave of water.
If Tenchi had had time to figure out he was feeling right now it would have been one word-jealousy.
****
No one noticed that a lone figure had been watching the scene.
"Well, it looks like you didn't need my help after all, Ryoko." Said Adrien smiling to himself. But then he frowned, 'But the worse had yet to come…'
****
That's the end of Chapter 4! Hope you liked it!!!!!
Chapter 5:
Will Tenchi tell Ryoko that he doesn't want her to leave? What? Raiden is staying at the Masaki house? Watch out Tenchi you've got competition!? What's Tokimi going to do now that this plan has failed? Watch out Ryoko you're not in the clear yet!
*Just in case it got confusing, Adrien's code name is Z. and D3's code name is Master Terminus.