Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Tenchi characters Pioneer does. Matt is my character however and if you would like to use him please obtain my permission first
Completing the Circle
Tenchi stood there looking at her and wondering how he let her slip away. She was sitting on a large boulder within the massive dome that housed the Royal Gardens, at her side, curled up, were two furry forms one brown the other gold. Ryoko herself looked tranquil in the scenery dressed in an off white gi. Her legs were bent at the knee and draped down one side of the boulder, she held one arm out hand extended trying to get one of fluttering birds to land on it. Tenchi didn't think he could ever remember seeing Ryoko this at ease without the aid of saki and the onsen, like she had finally found a part of her that had been missing. And it isn't me, Tenchi ground his teeth in frustration. He felt like walking away right then and there but then reminded himself he had come this far so he might as well finish it.
"Hello Ryoko," Tenchi greeted trying to sound casual as he approached her.
"Oh Tenchi," Ryoko smiled and phased to him so she could pull him into a fierce hug.
Tenchi went stiff in surprise as he felt her embrace him as he always did but now for very different reasons. The image of an angry Matt catching the two like this entered Tenchi's mind and he pushed Ryoko back out to arms length. He looked deeply into her golden eyes trying to fathom what she was thinking, but unlike Matt he lacked the ability to read minds. She was looking at him curiously when Tenchi felt a small form crawling up onto his shoulder. The new Ryo-Ohki rubbed her head against his neck as Ses landed comfortably on Ryoko's opposite shoulder to regard Tenchi with those strange prismatic orbs.
"I'm glad your here Tenchi," Ryoko began cheerfully not catching his dour look, "You can keep me company until Matt gets back."
"Where is Matt," Tenchi asked looking around.
"Off that way," Ryoko waved in the general direction, "Meditating with Misaki."
"Misaki," Tenchi asked set back.
"It's part of Matt's new system of controlling his powers," Ryoko explained, "He's learning female Juraian martial arts from her so he doesn't have to use weapons any more."
"Yeah Ayeka told me that only male Juraians use weapons," Tenchi remembered, "But girls learn martial arts to defend themselves."
"That's how I understand it," Ryoko nodded in agreement and then changed the subject, "So what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk with you," Tenchi admitted somewhat sheepishly, "If that's ok with you."
"Why wouldn't it be," Ryoko asked perplexed.
"Well, you know, you and Matt and," Tenchi trailed off unable to say it out loud.
"Tenchi, I love you, you can always talk to me no matter what," Ryoko smiled gently laying a hand on Tenchi's shoulder.
"Ryoko, I," Tenchi let the words hang there before taking a deep breath and continuing, "I'm going home soon Ryoko, I know you're going to stay here with Matt, so I wanted to come and apologize."
"Apologize," Ryoko echoed in a whisper caught off guard, "Apologize for what?"
"For not having seen you sooner," Tenchi said honestly.
"Tenchi you've seen me every day for the past three years," Ryoko said not understanding the deeper meaning.
"I know, but not like that Ryoko," Tenchi said trying to clarify, "I saw you everyday but I never really looked past the tough exterior to the person underneath, and I feel bad about that Ryoko."
"Tenchi you don't have to apologize for anything like that," Ryoko sliding close to his side and slipping her arm around his shoulders petting Ryo-Ohki on his opposite arm., "You rescued me from the cave and took me into your home for no other reason than the goodness in heart. You gave me a life and a family, I can never repay you for that."
"Then why Ryoko," Tenchi shouted in frustration shrugging her arm off and stalking a short distance away turning away from her, there was anger in his voice when he spoke again, "Why did you choose him. Why won't you come home with me?"
"Tenchi, I," Now it was Ryoko who couldn't find the words as she reached towards him with one hand.
"If I mean so much to you then why are you staying here," Tenchi said turning towards her tears running down his face.
Because you're an indecisive child, Ses thought from Ryoko's shoulder although nobody could pick up the remark.
"Because your not in love with me Tenchi," Ryoko said finally, "All this time with Ayeka and I fighting over you while you basically ignore both of us. You never once told either of us how you felt and ran away every time we tried to get close to you."
"But Ryoko," Tenchi protested, "I didn't want to hurt either of you."
"That's not good enough Tenchi," Ryoko snapped angrier than she had ever been with the Juraian prince, "Either of us would have stepped aside if you chose the other in a definite way. But you never did so we fought over who had the right to woe you. I don't know about Ayeka but I'm tired of all that Tenchi. I need to loved, openly and honestly, and you can't give me that."
Go, Ryoko, go, Ses cheered silently from her shoulder.
"Ryoko if you give me time I can give you that kind of love," Tenchi tried to win her back.
"Time," Ryoko spat, "I'm tired of waiting Tenchi, I've had one 'maybe' too much."
"So your just giving up," Tenchi said his shoulders sagging in frustration.
How dare you try to make this seem her fault, Ses thought raising his hackles.
"Tenchi I'm not giving up." Ryoko said her anger draining away at seeing him hurt by her words, "I just found someone else. I'm sorry Tenchi but I can't go back to Earth with you."
"I understand," Tenchi whispered unable to look her in the eye at that moment, "I hope you're happy together."
Ryoko didn't say anything as he left figuring nothing she could say at that moment would offer him any comfort. Ses flapped away as her partner scampered up her back to take his spot on her shoulder and offering a comforting meow. Ryoko just stood there for several long minutes considering what she had just done. Fourth months ago she would have thought herself insane for dumping Tenchi, but then she had met Matt. The traveler had changed everything, first with his mysterious powers and later sacrificing himself to save her life. Over and over again he had proven his love for her, giving up his dream woman, his freedom, even his life. Ryoko loved Tenchi still yes, but a bigger part of her loved the swordsman more, and more importantly he loved her. At that moment Ryoko couldn't find it in herself to feel too bad about how things had worked out. Not only was she in love, but someone was in love with her.
Matt sat there in the darkness allowing the essence to flow through him, fill him with it's power. The strength of it astounded Matt, here on Jurai his powers were amplified by the space trees but the truth of his strength was the fact that he carried the combined essence of an entire clan within himself. He was the last, and of all those who had come before him the strongest, the most dangerous. Pushing aside those thoughts Matt refocused the essence onto a different emotion before the rage could come up. Ryoko, he formed a mental image of her bathed in a golden glow her arms wide open. He allowed the golden light to envelope his own blue aura letting the soothing feeling rush through him. His essence combined with her's filled Matt with a sense of peace he had never known.
"Matt," the Guardian snapped his eyes open at the sound of the quiet voice. Looking around in the darkness of his room he saw the silhouette of a woman.
"Ryoko," Matt asked the figure, coming out of his meditation left him temporarily unable to sense others essence.
"No it's Ayeka," The prince answered taking a step forward.
"What can I do for you princess," Matt said reaching across the bed to flick on a light.
"I'm sorry to disturb you but," Ayeka gasped as light bathed the room in a soft glow, She averted her eyes realizing Matt was naked other than the bandages he still wore over his hands where Serendus had cut him.
"Oh sorry," Matt mumbled reaching for his gi pants, "I wasn't expecting visitors this late."
"I apologize for the late hour," Ayeka said turning around once Matt had pulled on the loose pants, "But I wished to speak to you privately."
"Well nobodies here," Matt said indicating to the empty room, "Go for it, what's on your mind."
"I have a request," Ayeka started somewhat hesitantly, "Now that you have decided to remain on planet Jurai and take on the role of Guardian I've come to talk to you about the royal family."
"I've been briefed by Misaki and Funaho," Matt waved her off dismissively, "I know all about your bonds with the Space Trees and what not."
"No not about that," Ayeka stopped him from continuing, "I'm sure my mother and aunt are instructing you on all you need to know as a Guardian. So you must know that they are assigned to individual members of the Royal Family to protect for life?"
"That was the tradition I'm told," Matt agreed curious as to where the princess was going with this.
"I've come to assign you your charge," Ayeka stated, "As the Regent to the throne I have the power to do so."
"I understand that before the Guardians protected the Royal Family on a one on one basis," Matt tried to explain, "But there is only one of me now, not an entire clan."
"Yes I know," Ayeka agreed with him, "And for the last six thousand years we have been without the services of the Guardians yet we survive. We have the powers of the space trees and the Light Hawk to protect us."
"Still princess," Matt argued, "You are not invincible, take Ryoko and myself for instance."
"I know that is why I have come to assign you a charge," Ayeka told him regally.
"I will agree to be your Guardian on one condition," Matt said guessing where this was going, "You must leave Ryoko alone I will not protect you from her if you start the quarrel."
"I am more than capable of protecting myself," Ayeka said haughtily, "There is another who will become your charge."
"If not you then who," Matt prompted, "It can't be Tenchi, he's at least as strong as I am, Misaki is my teacher and Funaho is also, now your father..."
"It's Sasami," Ayeka finished for him.
"What, Sasami," Matt looked at the purple haired princess in confusion.
"For reason not to be disclosed at this time Sasami has lost her Juraian powers permanently and as she grows will need a way to compensate for that lose," Ayeka explained, "You will fill that role and become her protector."
"If that is your wish Princess then so be it," Matt bowed before her, "I will become Guardian to Princess Sasami Jurai."
"Thank you Matt," Ayeka said lifting his chin to look into his strange eyes before leaving.
Deep within the Royal Gardens there stood a simple tree surrounded by a shallow pool, to the casual observer it wasn't a particularly spectacular tree. Yet this was the most treasured of all the Space Trees, the first. Sor-ra-eyu stood before the tree basking in it's power for a moment allowing it to join with her essence. While her master slept above Sor-ra-eyu used this time to acquaint herself with her new home and naturally she had come to the strongest power source first, Tsunami. The appearance of a symbol on the bark shook the ghost from her thoughts as the image of another regal woman formed.
Nearly as tall as teh ghost Tsunami appeared before her tree. He long blue hair flowed down her back to her feet in two long tails held by rings at regular intervals. Unlike the ghost's skimpy attire the goddess wore a beautiful blue and white robe that covered her form from neck to toe, although any onlookers would be hard pressed to choose which was more desirable. Tsunami narrowed her pink eyes to glare at Sor-ra-eyu, through Sasami Tsunami knew who this wicked creature was.
"Why have you come here," Tsunami demanded.
"Just out for an evening strole," Sor-ra-eyu said innocently, "I just wanted to meet my new neighbors that's all."
"We have nothing to discuss spirit," the goddess hissed.
"I didn't come here to pick a fight pink eye," Sor-ra-eyu smiled back, "Although I assure you I am your equal."
"I can sense your strength," Tsunami continued to glare at the tall woman, "But it does not belong to you alone."
"How true," the regal woman admitted, "I borrow my master's essence to animate like this but I can use it better than he does. But like I said I didn't come here to fight just to talk."
"About what," Tsunami demanded wanting this over as quickly as possible.
"You should get used to having me around goddess," Sor-ra-eyu teased, "You and I are going to be spending a lot of time together from now on."
Tsunami blinked as Sor-ra-eyu faded from view understanding that with the Guardian protecting Sasami they would indeed be spending a lot of time together. It was not a thought the goddess relished.
Tenchi was staring out the star port of Yukinojo trying to put his thoughts in order as he, Washu, and Mihoshi headed back to Earth. After banishing the image of the swordsman from his mind Tenchi focused on the others. Ayeka dressed in her robes of office with Sasami beside her. He was going to miss both of them a lot especially Sasami's cooking. Ryo-Ohki was staying also, happy to be with both Ryoko and Sasami still, Tenchi liked her child form and would miss having the cabbit leap into his arms after having learned something new. Mihoshi was only dropping him Washu back on Earth before returning to GP Central Command for a new assignment. So Tenchi was losing her too. Tenchi sighed, the days of the house being filled with alien women were gone. But more importantly his innocence was gone but in it's place maybe something more valuable. Determination.
Authors Note
And there you have it, the tale is complete at last. What a ride it's been, I've loved working on this story in my spare (and not so spare) time. I want to thank everyone for their encouraging reviews and hope my future works will garner half the praise. Have no far though for some time in the future I'll find my way back to this time line and write more about Tenchi, Matt, and Ryoko. Thanks again.
Smack54
