Just a small note. This is a short chapter. I know it's not the most exciting part so far, but it is essential to the story. Enjoy and review if you feel like it.
Chapter 13--Ryan's fear
Restless, his dreams haunted by visions, the kenshin fought for sleep to claim him. Instead, his mind was filled with demons, dozens of them, surrounding the Masaki clan.
Everywhere he turned, a dark rain fell, obscuring his view. Visions faded in and out of his subconscious. At one point he was high above some trees, fighting ferociously against a dark figure brandishing a black sword, it's features obscured by a dark cloud that hovered around it's face.
His vision shifted to Ryoko, who was fighting bravely against another sinister dark figure. Try as she might, the dark being was too strong for Ryoko, grabbing a hold of her neck.
"Ryan!" Ryoko cried, her arm outstretched. Ryan tried to get to Ryoko but couldn't reach her. The dark figure blocked his way.
"Ryoko!" He cried, watching helplessly as Ryoko and the dark force flew upward, disappearing in the blackness that surrounded him.
The kenshin bolted upright in his bed, his breathing labored. Fighting to calm his beating heart that threatened to burst through his chest, the kenshin closed his eyes.
His mind searched out each member of the Masaki household, checking to make sure they were okay. When he got to Ryoko, his eyelids flew open. She's not here! He thought in shock and fear.
Throwing off his covers, Ryan quickly dressed then headed outside. Early morning darkness still prevailed along the sky as the kenshin flew forward, searching for some sign of the space pirate.
Aha! Ryan thought triumphantly. I've found her! Racing forward, the kenshin came upon Ryoko, sitting on a large rock high upon a cliff top that overlooked a vast wilderness of oaks and maples. Landing softly behind her, The kenshin drew in a slow breath.
He stood still for several moments, sensing Ryoko's need for silence. Ryan gazed forward, entranced by the rising sun that forced the darkness away, lighting the world with it's warmth. A few seconds later Ryoko spoke.
"I often come up here to watch the sun rise." She commented softly, turning slowly around to face Ryan.
Ryan smiled as he gazed fondly at Ryoko, admiring the way the light fell upon her features. He stepped forward before sitting down beside Ryoko.
"You probably think me silly for such a thing." She continued, looking away.
Ryan shook his head. "No. I don't think your silly." He answered. "Far from it." He added, never taking his eyes of her.
Ryoko turned back to him. She saw a hint of fear and relief in his eyes. "What's the matter?" She asked in concern.
Ryan sighed. For a few seconds he said nothing. "I had a vision last night." He began. "In it you were taken away. When I woke up, I could not sense you. I was worried, so I went outside in the hopes of finding you alive and well." He finished, casting his eyes back upon the woods before him.
Ryoko grinned mischievously. "Is that so." She commented, studying the kenshin. "You sure it wasn't to spy on me."
Ryan looked affronted. "No." He said in mock indignation. "More like curiosity, or observation or..."
"Like spying." Ryoko interrupted.
"Like spying, yes." Ryan finished, smiling sheepishly. "I didn't mean to disturb you, but I had to make sure you were okay."
Ryoko cocked her head and smiled. "Is that all?" She asked softly.
Ryan nodded, unable to tell her that the thought of losing her was unbearable.
"Tell me Ryan." Ryoko began. "What did you see in your vision. Why were you so frightened for me?" She added, hoping he would tell her what she wanted to hear.
The kenshin sat still, studying Ryoko's face. He wanted to hold her so badly, but held his ground, shoving his feelings savagely to the side, speaking in a even tone he answered her.
"I saw everyone fighting against an impossible number of demons. Two dark figures, who I believe are behind this, appeared. One fighting me, the other you." He paused, trying not to let his fear creep into his voice, he added. "One of them took you away. I feared for your safety Miss Ryoko."
"Why?" Ryoko asked, pushing for a more definite answer.
Steeling himself, Ryan went on. "Because I care about you. I don't want to see you or anyone else get hurt." He answered, looking away.
Unsatisfied, Ryoko asked another question. "Yesterday you were going to tell me something. That is, before Ayeka came storming in like a typhoon. "
Ryan laughed then shook his head. "Believe it or not Ryoko, Ayeka was worried about us. Being blustery is her way of covering it up."
Ryoko snorted. "Not likely." She replied. "So? what were you going to tell me?" She asked, sweetly.
Should I tell her the truth? He asked himself as he studied her. He knew how he felt but he wasn't sure if Ryoko's feelings for him stemmed from the fact that he and Tenchi were nearly identical or because she felt something for him in spite of his likeness to the crown prince. After a few intense seconds, he spoke.
"I just wanted to say sorry for not getting to you sooner." He lied.
Ryoko's face fell. "Oh." She replied in a monotone.
Ryan grimaced, sensing her disappointment. Cautiously, he reached out to touch Ryoko's hand.
Ryoko blinked, looking down at the kenshin's hand before meeting his gaze.
"I also wanted to tell you that you are the bravest person I have ever met." And I am such a coward for not telling you how I feel. He scolded himself mentally.
Ryoko's eyes widened. "You do?"
The kenshin nodded, slowly retracting his hand. "Not many people could have done what you did yesterday. For that, you have my utmost respect."
But not your love? Ryoko questioned mentally. Did I just think that? she continued, surprised by such a notion. Ryoko didn't know how to respond to her own questions. It was true, that her initial attraction to the man beside her resided in the fact that he looked like Tenchi.
But the more time she spent with him, the more she realized it was his other qualities that attracted her. His easy going manner, his sense of humor, the way he looked at her as if she was the most beautiful being on Earth, not to mention the fact that he would lay down his life for her. All these things drew Ryoko to the kenshin.
The power of this emotion was just as intense as it had been with Tenchi. At last she knew what it was. She was in love with him! And yet she felt strange. It was easy flirting with Tenchi. He always played hard to get. But the kenshin, plays differently. I just have to figure out how. Ryoko quickly slid off the rock, her back to the kenshin.
Ryan noticed a change in her attitude. He looked at her briefly before sliding off as well.
"We best be getting back to the house. If were gone much longer, the whole household will wake up, find that were missing, and think were up to something." Ryoko said with a seductive smile.
Ryan arched an eyebrow and with a small smirk replied, "Yes. We wouldn't want them to think that would we." He said gamely, disappearing from view.
Ryoko laughed lightly. Yep. Different from Tenchi all right. She thought, closing her eyes before disappearing as well.
Chapter 14--Tenchi leaves
The entire Masaki household enjoyed a breakfast feast created by Sasami's excellent culinary skills. Afterwards, everyone accompanied Tenchi , who had to return to classes, down the long dirt path to the bus stop.
"Be careful Tenchi." Ryan said.
"Remain vigilant." Yosho said.
"I will." Tenchi replied hopping on the bus. The crown prince turned back. "I'll be back next weekend." He promised.
"You do that." Yosho said solemnly. Everyone waved good-bye to Tenchi as the bus sped off for the city.
"I miss him already." Ayeka said crying.
Ryoko looked at her in disgust. "Get a hold of yourself. You a princess for God's sake."
Ayeka stiffened. She wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "You're right. Sasami let's go." The two princesses walked back to the house gracefully.
Yosho turned to Ryan. "Well, kenshin." Yosho said. "Shall we continue."
Ryan nodded. The rest of the group returned to the house and continued training.
Chapter 15--The shopping trip
The months passed quickly. Everyone was training hard. Tenchi would come home every weekend to train. Every weekend Ayeka would cry when he left. Once in a while the girls would go into town, dragging Ryan with them. He noticed how the people would look at him.
He could hear their thoughts in his head. Thoughts that ranged from what a lucky guy to the poor soul. Even though the girls would sometimes embarrass him with their behavior, he enjoyed going on outings with them. That is until one day they decided to buy him some new clothes.
"Hey Ryan, lets go in here." Ryoko said , pointing to a men's clothing store as they walked down the street.
"That's all right ladies I don't need any new clothes." Ryan stated, walking past the store.
Ryoko grabbed the kenshin by the arm. "Oh come on . It will be fun." She said opening the door and with help from Ayeka and Sasami, pulled him inside.
"May I help you?" A young man asked.
"Yes young sir. Would you be so kind as to help this young gentlemen select some appropriate clothing." Ayeka said gently pushing Ryan in his direction.
"Certainly. This way sir." The salesman said walking to an rack of shirts. Ryan looked apprehensively over his shoulders at the three young ladies who smiled encouragingly at him.
With a sigh, the kenshin focused his attention forward and reluctantly marched towards the clothing rack. The girls browsed around the store picking out a few items of clothing for Ryan to try on.
A few minutes later Ryan emerged from the dressing room wearing a white sweater and jeans. A pair of dark brown hiking boots completing his ensemble.
The girls looked at him, inspecting his appearance.
"You look handsome!" Sasami exclaimed.
"You sure do." Ryoko commented, her gaze slowly traveling up then down the traveler's body .
"A good look for you. " Ayeka added.
Ryan's face flushed. He nodded to them then quickly returned to the dressing room, feeling very self conscious. Half an hour he was mercifully allowed to stop trying on clothes so the girls could pay for them. They left the store with Ryan carrying three bags of clothes.
"This wasn't really necessary." The kenshin muffled between the bags he was carrying.
"Nonsense." Ayeka replied with a wave of her hand. "You've helped us tremendously kenshin. Consider this a thank you gift from the princesses of Jurai."
"Hey!" Ryoko growled. "I bought him the sweater." She said angrily.
"Oh yes. That's right." Ayeka replied, her features thoughtful. "Well enough of this talk. Let's go get something to eat!" The princess said in a commanding tone.
"All right!" Ryoko and Sasami cried happily.
Ryan groaned and with a weary sigh followed.
Chapter 16--Women
When Ryan wasn't training or escorting the girls into town, he was visiting with Tenchi. The two had developed a solid friendship. They carried on like two long lost brothers reunited at last. They shared many things in common one of which was how to cope with a house full of women.
"Now you know how I feel." Tenchi said one day after the two had finished sparring.
"Speaking of women." Ryan started, wiping his face with a towel. "How are things going with your love life?"
He asked.
Tenchi looked away. "Not so good. I've gone out with a few girls but I just can't seem to connect with any of them. I feel like I'm missing something. " He said, sighing then shaking his head. "I don't know what's wrong with me." He added, depressed .
"There's nothing wrong with you Tenchi. But you are missing something." Ryan said.
Tenchi looked at him. "What am I missing?" He asked, puzzled.
Ryan smiled. "Don't worry Tenchi. You already know the answer. Look inside and you will find it waiting." He replied knowingly.
Tenchi frowned. "Do you always have to be so cryptic?" He asked.
"Yes." Ryan answered seriously then said, "Otherwise I lose that allure of mystery that women find so attractive."
Tenchi bopped him playfully on the shoulder. "Smart ass." He said laughing lightly. The two soon went their separate ways: Tenchi to his apartment and Ryan to his adopted home.