To be a Princess, Day 14 - Plans of a different sort
Tenchi awoke slowly from his slumber on the planet Jurai. This time just like yesterday he awoke first, as Ryoko still lay asleep against him. "I could get used to this," he thought idly then chuckled softly as he realized he already was used to it. To him if he were to wake up one morning without her he would be lost. Stroking her hair he told the sleeping Angel, "I hope you were able to rest last night after dinner."
To say dinner with the Royal Family was tense would be a huge understatement, as the entire time the emperor glared at them both. It was not hard to tell that he resented them both. Tenchi knew why the emperor hated her, as she was the one to destroy most of his empire. But Tenchi did not really understand the reasons the man hated him. The only clue he had was that the emperor liked to control things and since he could not control Yosho he was taking his anger out on him. "Just another scapegoat," he thought to himself as Ayeka had turned from Yosho to him, just like the Emperor. But while Ayeka said she loved him the emperor surely hates him.
He had been surprised at the looks he was receiving from the Emperor as sometimes he seemed to be smiling and others he was scowling. It finally dawned on him that the Emperor still hated them, but held him in respect for actually standing up to him. In that one act Tenchi had defied the throne and even threatened it. Though the threat was unspoken it was there. Azusa knew the boy had control over the Light Hawk Wings so a direct attack would be useless, but there were ways around that. When Tenchi realized that it was all a front and that the Emperor was just being nice in the open it infuriated him. But he also knew that if Azusa was nice in public then he had to be making plans behind his back.
All through dinner the royal family had talked about them as if they were not even there, Funaho stood up for them when possible, but it seemed his anger could not even be calmed by her. To make things worse the servants even paid them little attention and for most of the dinner they sat without even water to drink. Not to mention the guards around the room seemed to bore holes in the two of them with their eyes. He hated to admit it, but when the time came for them to depart he knew the Emperor might even send some of his own men.
The words Kinata told him in space rang true even though he did not want to admit it. "If you marry her then you will definitely have to double your guards and hope they are loyal," the captain had told him. The two were so concerned about things that Washu made a device for them that would alert them when someone tried to enter the room. She encoded so it would not go off unless someone besides one of them four entered.
That little device helped him sleep better, but he was still worried about Ryoko, she did not seem very relaxed at all. All she wanted to do last night was lay in bed holding him, nothing more. He was surprised over it, but looking back he understood why. Every minute that passed that she was worried was just one more reason why they had to end this and never been seen in the universe again.
"But how can I tell Ayeka about it? And What about Sasami?" He thought about the two princesses quietly and he knew that Sasami would find out eventually as she was going to be connected to Tsunami. With Tsunami being a goddess he did not think he could hide from her. But Ayeka, was another story. If he told her what he wanted then she might decide to go with them. And while he did love her he did not think it would be right for her to go.
He was torn from his thoughts when he heard a knock at the door. "Tenchi?" A voice called for him. It did not take long to pace the voice as Funaho.
Dislodging himself from Ryoko he went to the door and opened it partway and answered her, "Yes My lady?"
"Were you going to join us for breakfast?"
He studied her for a moment and noticed that she was asking a question to which she already knew the answer. "No ma'am, I would appreciate it if something was brought to us as Ryoko is very tired and did not sleep well."
"I see," she said and paused a moment to consider things. "Very well I will have breakfast brought to you in about half an hour. And I hope she feels better soon. I would like to talk to you two later if you would not mind."
The look in her eyes did not leave him room to answer any other way, "That would be fine, and thank you." He bowed as best as he could before she left. "Oh man, what does she want?" Leaning against the door he locked it then went to get cleaned up and dressed while periodically looking in on Ryoko. When she finally started stirring he went right to her so that she would not wake up alone.
Ryoko awoke some time later and was getting cleaned up when Lady Funaho arrived with breakfast for them. And although he was worried that the food might have been poisoned he quickly discarded that idea when Funaho sat to eat with them.
She started the conversation by asking them rather pointedly, "Have you two decided when you are getting married?"
"Not until after Ayeka gets here so not only can I tell her about it, but Ryoko wants her in the wedding as well."
The Queen looked at Ryoko who just nodded her head saying, "She's like a good friend, even though we never acted like it."
"I see, and what of the throne?"
"I don't want it. Juraians don't like either of us, and I am not going to spend my life trying to change everyone's opinion.
"So you are giving up?"
He thought for a minute before answering, "My Lady, how am I to rule or govern a planet when the population does not respect me? I can spend years lording over them but then I would be labeled a tyrant and the people would rise up against me." She nodded her head knowingly and he added more to his argument, "Also to earn their trust I would have to be a true Juraian or marry a true Juraian, but neither of those is going to happen."
"Why not marry Ayeka, You do love her and she loves you? That would solve the problem."
"I'm sorry, but I will not live a lie. I do love her, but she is family, I do not see her like I do Ryoko." As he spoke he placed an arm around Ryoko to emphasize the point.
"I see," she told them and thought for a moment. "But surely you know that by marrying her that many will be outraged and even if you do leave they will try to find you."
Tenchi felt trapped, if he said yes then she would want to know what they planned to do, and if he said no then he would look like a fool. Finally he decided on what to say, "I will think of something, but I am more concerned with the wedding for right now." He knew it was a lie, but he did not want to give away any of his secrets yet.
"I see," she said again as she examined him. "Well as for the wedding," she changed the subject much to his pleasure. "Misaki came up with a splendid idea to hide who you are marrying till the very end."
Ryoko jumped in at this, "Oh? What is it?"
"We can have you and the brides maids wear one of the formal kimonos that can hide much of your face and hair allowing you to see others but they can not see you as clearly. And during the ceremony we can cut out certain things, like announcing your names until the end when the hood is removed." Ryoko listened with glee as she was not only being included in the conversation but she would be able to have a beautiful wedding as well.
She thought it was funny how in the past she had in the past joked about the customs and gaudy things that Ayeka observed, and now here she was actively taking part in one of those gaudy customs. Her eyes brightened when Funaho told them, "Oh, and we can have the part cut where it would give someone a chance to object to it." Ryoko loved it, as she could finally get married to Tenchi without fear that someone would ruin it for her. Secretly she hoped though that Ayeka would go along with it, as the last time she saw the princess she was objecting to him leaving with her, and now they were getting married.
Funaho must have picked up on her secret wish as she asked him flat out, "Does Ayeka know anything about you two?"
While Ryoko fidgeted nervously she noticed Tenchi did not. "She knows I picked Ryoko," He said calmly then turned to her. "When we left you asked me how did I get her to agree to let us go, well I took her aside and told her that I loved you."
"You what?" Ryoko's eyes were huge and she was to say the least, surprised.
"I just told her the truth so she has known since before we left how I felt, so I don't think it will be much of a shock to her. By now she has probably told Sasami and Mihoshi as well." Ryoko could not believe it, he had done that for her, he had already confronted Ayeka and she accepted it. To show her approval Ryoko teleported to his lap and kissed him deeply while they wrapped their arms around each other. The two of them barely noticed as Funaho left the room, but not before locking their door.
When the two of them finally realized they were alone, not only did it cause them both to blush but to smile as well. Ryoko collected Ryo-Ohki and the three of them stepped into Washu's lab again through the closet. Tenchi again left the two girls with the scientist while he went to talk to his dad. As he exited the lab he could hear Ryoko excitedly telling her mom about what Funaho had said they could do about her wedding. He just grinned and went to talk to his dad, who was sitting on the couch.
He walked up to the front of the couch to see his fathers' face. "Um, hello dad." His father looked up to regard him. "I, um have been wondering if grandpa has talked to you?" Tenchi shifted uncomfortably as he waited for him to reply.
"Yes I have." Was his stern reply, "Did you know that my doctor has reported that I have a weak heart?" His son looked at him surprised, "Yes it seems that I may not be on earth much longer. It looks like something traumatic could cause me to leave this world early."
Tenchi looked at him warily as there was something not right with what he was being told. His father had talked openly before about his death and even about going to meet his wife, but this time it was different. Seeing a slight grin on his fathers' face that looked out of placed he asked a rather pointed question, "Dad, who's your doctor?"
"Why Doctor Hakubi. She has been the family doctor for the past few years right?"
Tenchi just grinned back, "Yes, she is." After that the two of them talked for some time about their eventual demise and they both found it interesting how in just a few days they could both be dead. He hoped that everything went according to plan. Nobuyuki pointed out one other thing that Tenchi had forgot to think about though, which was what happened if something went wrong or if Ayeka and this Kinata were to try to save them? The answer to the first one was obvious and it would not be something to laugh about. The second problem could be serious as there would be ample time for them to try and intercede, and he did not want either of them to be hurt or possibly killed for him.
As they talked Ryoko came out the lab quickly and announced that they had to get back to Jurai. When asked she told them, "Washu said that Kinata is about to land with Ayeka and we have to be there to greet them." Grudgingly he left there and returned to Jurai.
Passing through the lab and then back to their room on Jurai he could not help but think, "if these people still harbor this much hate over me just being an Earthling, then I do not think that even if I would have married Ayeka I would have been accepted. Much less having Ryoko as a wife as well." He still could feel the Emperor's eyes on him when they showed up to welcome Ayeka back to Jurai. His worries mounted when only five came from the ship not six: Azanka and Kamadaki appeared flanking Ayeka and Sasami with Kinata before them, but Mihoshi was nowhere to be seen.
Lady Misaki greeted her children as an overprotective mother would and after they had been strangled Ayeka and Sasami were greeted by Tenchi and Ryoko. The first words spoken were short and polite, but it was plain to tell that they both wanted to tell them more but not here. Using some unspoken signal Sasami left with Misaki and Funaho taking Ryo-Ohki with them. Kinata then asked the Emperor for a word and the two of them left leaving just Ayeka, Ryoko and Tenchi there.
Slowly she looked between them both and there was an uneasy feeling for a few moments. Here gaze seemed to be hardened and piercing, and the two of them soon felt very uneasy. Suddenly the Princess smiled and throwing her arms around both of their necks she embraced them saying how she missed them both. The move had so surprised Ryoko that she was a few seconds away from forming her energy blade. Luckily she decided against it and after a stunned moment she returned the embrace.
"I must admit," the princess said, "when Kinata told me I was not willing to accept it, but after what you said before you left Lord Tenchi I knew that this was coming. Congratulations!" Both of the stammered a thanks and muttered their greetings before Ayeka pulled them away from the others. "Mihoshi was called away by her grandfather but she wanted to be here," the princess told them quietly. The sudden departure of her and the way Ayeka was acting it made them suspect something else was up, but right now there was not time for it.
Tenchi and Ryoko left them hastily as the Emperor escorted his daughters off to be greeted by the public. Their return after seven hundred years was made into a big event. And though Tenchi wanted to be a part of it, he knew that the reason she left was to find her brother after he chased off Ryoko. And now he, the grandson of the very man that chased her off, was engaged to her; he knew that their relationship would strain the people's festive spirits. So they were content to watch things from a distance.
"You know..." Ryoko began, "I would have thought she would have been more upset."
Tenchi laughed, "Well I did tell her I loved you before we left, so she has had time to accept it." Ryoko just nodded quietly as he placed an arm around her.
"Still, I noticed you were surprised when she hugged us both."
"Um, yea, well..." He tried to voice his thoughts and ended up tripping over them badly as she snickered beside him. He finally hung his head a little, "Yes, I was surprised, I was half expecting her to make a scene saying how we were to be wed or something like it and try to trap me into it." She eyed him curiously and then turned her attention back to Ayeka. The Princess was making a speech to her people about being back. It was during this speech that Kinata approached them.
"My Lord, and Lady," he said bowing to them. Ryoko looked behind her then became aware he meant her too. "Lady Funaho informed us on our way here that you two were to be wed soon and she advised that the Lady should wear the hood."
Ryoko looked at him and was about to say something when Tenchi spoke up, "You mean the dress that covers her head?"
"Yes, It covers her from head to toe and it can bee pulled forward so that her face and hair are hard to see. That way it will not be till the end that it is discovered that the lady is Ryoko."
"And they won't say my name during it?" He looked over at her and saw almost fear there. Possibly fear that the wedding would be ruined.
"That was asked of them and not until the end and it is binding will you be presented to the assembly as Ryoko Masaki." As he said her new name a twinkle of excitement came to her eyes. "Also your Brides maid will wear a similar hood, but if you so desire we can include the earth custom of a flower girl that would not need it."
"Huh? Brides maid?"
Tenchi jumped in the conversation again; "It's another woman, usually your best friend that stands there beside you."
"Oh, do you think Ayeka would like that?" Ryoko asked sincerely and it surprised both men as the girls did not seem to be best friend, and only recently Tenchi could think that Ayeka had ever hugged Ryoko. The two men looked at each other, shrugged and then Tenchi nodded to her. "Good, then about this flower girl, What's that?"
Kinata chuckled, "Well from what I hear from Funaho on Earth there is a girl that precedes the bride tossing flower petals on the ground. But the girl is usually a child."
Ryoko thought for a moment, and then decided on Ryo-Ohki playing that part, but what about Sasami? "Is there any other people in it?"
They thought about it and at the same time said, "Best man." Then they looked at each other, strangely at having said it at once. "Kinata, would you like to be the best man?"
"I would be honored." He spoke while bowing, but then a thought crossed his mind, that would mean that he would get to escort Ayeka out of the church.
"No I meant any other girls? I think Ryo-Ohki would make a cute flower girl, but what about Sasami, Mihoshi or Washu?"
"Oh, well Washu being the mother of the bride would not be walking in it she would be seated on the front row behind you," he pointed out to them. "And from what you say about Mihoshi it would be best if she stayed at the galaxy police for the moment. I think you said she was a klutz or something?" This caused Tenchi & Ryoko to laugh a moment. "And Sasami, well..." he thought about it and he could not decide on something at the moment."
"Kinata, does Ryoko's dress have a train to it?"
"Why yes it does? Why... Oh yes, I get it. She could be the one that carries the train."
"Train?" Ryoko looked at them confused for a moment.
"Oh, sorry my lady, but weddings are not my strong suit even though I have attended a fair amount of them. The dress has a long train, um, a long piece of cloth or lace that is a part of your dress that covers the ground behind you. She would carry it aloft so that it would not get damaged."
Ryoko tried to picture this but she had never been one for weddings and in the time she had been a pirate and then with Tenchi she had never really seen a weeding. Then it came to her, on one of the TV shows that she watches there was a wedding. Mentally she pictured the show and she remembered a woman wearing all white and walking down a carpet, but she did not remember someone behind her. "I, don't think I understand yet," she told them sadly. Tenchi tried to think of a better explanation though he found nothing.
"Well do not worry about it, I am sure it will be easier when you see it. Now by your permission I must be off." He then bowed to them and left the two of them standing there. The crows cheering brought them back to Ayeka who was still giving her speech.
"Damn doesn't she ever stop?"
Tenchi laughed and told her, "Well after being absent from your home for so long can cause people to loose track of time and..." His voice trailed off as he realized that Ryoko did not have a home to really compare this to. He then kicked himself inwardly and mentally scolded himself, "Fool she has a home, on Earth." He looked at her, "Ok so you don't go making long speeches when we get home, but you do talk to Washu a lot every time we go back." He pulled her close as if to comfort her but she just kept a smirk on her face.
She just turned at looked at him; the look she gave told him plainly that he talked too much. Seizing the moment he leaned in and kissed her as the crowed erupted in cheers one more time.