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Author's notes:
Ok, I couldn't let this storyline just die down. I thought it would be funny to explore the lighter side of motherhood and the fumblings of clueless young men in love. Please read my other story "Paper Lanterns" to get caught up with how are friends got into this predicament. This is a continuation of that story, but I think it won't be as dark and action packed, instead, I think I'll dwell more on their relationships with each other and maybe throw some limes (or lemons) at you later. J
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Chapter 1: Proposals
"Sasami! Do we have any refried beans?" Ryoko yelled from the kitchen as the pirate desperately sought out the food to satisfy her sudden craving. "I'm starving and I NEED REFRIED BEANS!"
"Ryoko…..we'd have to go to the international food market to get those unless you want to swing by the Mexican restaurant…." The little blue-haired child peeped from around the kitchen door just in time to see that the pirate had ransacked the cupboards leaving utensils, pots, condiments and such scattered around the kitchen. "Ryoko!" She stepped fully into the kitchen, her hands on her hips in disapproval. This was Sasami's domain and Ryoko had violated it.
"Sasami! I have to have refried beans! Spicy with extra hot sauce!" She groaned and sank to the floor. "And tofu…..yeah! Refried beans, some wasabe, pickled plums and tofu!" She crawled over to the little girl who was now tapping her foot. "I have to have that! Please help me!" Her golden eyes pleaded with the child and master chef of the Masaki home.
"Ryoko….we….don't….have….refried beans!" She sulked over to the mess and pouted. "You will have to ask Tenchi or father to go into town."
"Doesn't anyone care that I am suffering here!" Ryoko started raging. "I am in a delicate state and I DESERVE REFRIED BEANS!" She shook the house with her verbal ranting.
"What on Earth is going on……I heard you in the lab…." Washu peeped from around the corner, followed by Tenchi.
"Ryoko…what are you complaining about this time?" Tenchi slowly approached the pirate.
"Teeeeenchi……" She scurried to be next to him and wrapped her arm around his neck. "I will just go crazy and TAKE YOU WITH ME, unless I get refried beans!"
"Oh, man…..Sasami….I'm going to the store…AGAIN…." He sighed and skulked out of the room.
"What's your hurry, Tenchi," replied Washu, "she can't taste anything anyway…..give her some mushed up soybeans…..she won't know the difference….." She followed him out the door to the entryway where he was putting on his shoes.
"Washu, I guess it doesn't hurt to indulge her for now….It's partly my fault anyway." He smiled.
"Correct. But I must warn you…..it's going to get worse, my dear, "she cackled and walked toward her lab, "much, much, worse….."
"Oh brother…Ryoko, I'll be back soon." He got up and opened the door.
"Tenchi! I'll love you forever!" Her voice rang from the kitchen.
"That's what I'm afraid of….."
"Ryoko, now help me clean up this mess!" Sasami's voice followed as Tenchi left the house.
***
Washu plopped herself down on her favorite floating cushion in her lab. In a far and dimly lit corner, Princess Ayeka looked up from her book to inquire what the ruckus was all about.
"Is she raving again?"
"Yes, and this time it's about food, I'm going to have to give her a check up again, I'm afraid it's another hormone surge…" She resumed her work at her computer.
"Sounds about normal considering…." Ayeka trailed off and resumed her reading and her vigil over the sleeping form on the bed next to her. Suddenly, the figure moved his head toward her and opened his eyes. Ayeka jumped with shock as her ruby red eyes met the violet blue eyes of the once dark Lord Zephr. "Washu!" She jumped up, letting her book fall to the ground.
"What is it? I'm never going to get any work done…." Washu strode over to the hospital bed.
"Look!"
The red haired scientist produced an instrument and gazed into the boy's eyes. "Can you hear me? Nod once… "The boy nodded. "Hmmmm…." She took some readings from another instrument at hand. "He's not able to talk yet….his vision is also impaired but that's only temporary, he's also got some muscular weakness, but that too is not permanent…"
"That's wonderful, here, Washu, help me sit him upright…." The two raised the back of the bed up and hoist the boy to an upright position. He gazed toward the Princess and managed to smile. She took his hand and readjusted her seat closer to him as she picked up her book.
"I think he wants you to continue reading….." Washu returned to her chair as Ayeka began to read softly out loud.
***
"He's recovering! That's wonderful Washu!" Mihoshi giggled as the family gathered later that evening to partake of the Mexican feast Sasami prepared upon Tenchi's return with the unusual groceries. "And to think, he almost killed us…." She grabbed a tortilla.
"Almost is the operative word, Mihoshi," Kiyone interjected.
"There's an American saying I heard once…." Washu spoke through mouthfuls of food. "Almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades……I understand the hand grenades….but I have to do more research on the horse shoes….pass the beans, please!"
"Hold up! Those are mine!" Ryoko grabbed her prize and plopped a huge glop of the stuff on her plate and began picking at it with her chopsticks.
"….Anyway, "Ayeka interrupted, "Washu told me he should be ready to join us at meals soon, I want to make sure you all try to welcome him….if, if that's alright, Lord Tenchi….I'm sorry, I forget we are under your hospitality."
"Ayeka, dad and I don't mind….really!" He took a sip from his glass.
"Tenchi! You are sooo sweet….." Ryoko wept. "I've never known anyone so kind!"
"Ryoko….don't cry…please?" he tried to comfort the pirate.
"Washu…." Kiyone whispered, "is this normal?" She nodded to the hysterical cyan-haired beauty.
"Unfortunately…." Washu resumed eating as Nobuyuki barged into the room.
"Tenchi!" He panted, plopping down a black bag on the table. "I've got it!"
"What dad?"
"The perfect solution to chronicle our new family!" He opened the bag to reveal a brand new digital camera. "I want to make sure every moment of this wonderful occasion is documented!" He raised the camera to his eye and zoomed in on Tenchi and Ryoko. "Say cheese!"
"Cheese! Ooooooh! I want bleu cheese…Tenchi! BLEU CHEESE!" She swooned.
"Oh brother…."
"Now stand up Ryoko and let's get a picture of that big belly of yours!"
"Big belly!" Her eyes filled with tears again. "Tenchi! I'm fat!" She sobbed on the table.
"Dad! C'mon….it's only been a few weeks!" He put his hand over the camera lens. "Ryoko….you are not fat!"
"He said I have a big belly…."
"No you don't, please quit crying and enjoy your meal."
"Not yet…." Mihoshi finished.
"What?" Asked Ayeka.
"NOT YET!" The blonde yelled.
"Not yet, what!" Kiyone demanded.
"She doesn't have a big belly, YET!" Mihoshi giggled. "But just wait!"
"Whaaaaaaaaaaa!" Ryoko wailed and dematerialized from the room.
"Oh, my god…..not again…..Ryoko!" Tenchi left the room to search for her.
"Are you certain this is normal?" Kiyone pleaded of Washu again.
***
Tenchi climbed the stairs until he came upon the landing on the third floor of the Masaki house, or Masaki compound as Washu had dubbed it. The terraced landing next to the stairs and nearest to his room had become a makeshift room for Ryoko. Sasami had removed the carrot bean bags and a soft futon rest on the lower level while most of Ryoko's other few possessions lay scattered about the upper platforms all the way to the wall sized windows. Streams of blue evening light bathed the forlorn girl who sat with her head down on the top most terrace. Tears streamed down her face as she gazed into the setting sun. Tenchi slowly strode to her side.
"Ryoko…..you have to get a hold of yourself…"
"Don't you think I know I'm acting wacky?" She smiled as a tear plopped to the ground and splashed into a million droplets. "I just can't help myself."
"I know….Washu tells us this is normal." He sat across from her and took her hand in his.
"I just have so many things running through my head…..you for one."
"Me?"
"Tenchi…."
"?"
"Tenchi, it has been almost a month…what are we going to do?"
"Uh….what?"
"Tenchi….what about US?"
"Oh"
"Yeah, I know you don't like to talk much on the subject, but since it's YOUR child I'm carrying, I guess sometimes, I actually think about what is going to happen with US" She turned her head away.
"Ryoko…I'm…I'm, not sure what to do either…."
"Well, it's too late to go back, I don't have to rely on you, you know….I can take care of all of this by myself….but, I don't want to…"
"I won't let you." He pulled her closer to him. "I'm only nineteen, but we are in this together…..for the long haul….do you understand?" He lifted her head up by her chin. "Understand?" He implored.
"I understand…but…"
"But what?"
"Nothing… my Tenchi…nothing…." She hugged him. She had long since realized that Tsunami and Washu had orchestrated the events that led to the conception of this child in order to overcome Tokimi, the child being a "trump card" in their last battle. Without the power of the baby, Ryoko and Tenchi could not have created six light hawk wings-the tiny embryo within her held magnificent powers inherited from its parents, these powers saved the family in that drastic time of need. Still, Ryoko could not get Tenchi to talk about everything. He always skimmed over just where their relationship stood. True, he was doting on her and excited about the child, but even though she was alien and naïve toward Earth customs, Ryoko knew that a family consisted of a husband, wife and child. She could not drag it out of Tenchi to discuss just WHAT they were…..a family? A couple? What and how was this baby going to cause between them.
Ryoko had logged enough hours in front of the television to know that on Earth a family not only consisted of a father and a husband. She knew that this was always a possibility. She wasn't stupid, but even though she was over five thousand years old, she lacked the confidence to just come out and ask him his intentions. She squeezed him in her hug and smiled.
"Well, one thing's for sure…we need to get this nursery in order." They withdrew from each other. "Dad drew up some neat plans for this area, we are going to work on it this weekend."
"You are making me a room? Really?" At least he was making sure she was nearer to him by constructing the new room next to his….but that was a far cry from sharing his room with him….as a married couple. She sighed.
"Well, you and the baby will need some privacy….this is the quietest place in the house….most of the time…."
"Why not ask Washu to make it….won't take as long."
"Nah, dad and I want to work on it together, it's important to him."
"What about grandfather? Doesn't he expect you to train?"
"Well, he's helping too, he didn't mention training, but I'm sure he has something wicked up his sleeve for me later…"
"As long as it doesn't involve cameras….and my belly!" She giggled. "Tenchi?"
"Hmmm?"
"Am I really going to get fat?" Her eyes began to water.
"Ryoko….it's not fat….it's a baby!" He chuckled.
"But….I'll look fat….Ayeka will make fun of me…." She wailed.
"Ryoko…no she won't, and it's not fat!"
"Tenchi….do you know what will make me feel better?" She gazed longingly into his soft brown eyes.
"What?" He was afraid to really know.
"Bleu cheese….."
"….I'll, I'll be back…." He sighed as he stood defeated. Tenchi slumped down the steps. He made it to the first floor landing. "Dad! I'm going to the store…AGAIN!"
From within the dining room Kiyone leaned closer to Washu, the scientist was intently munching on her meal.
"Washu? Are you absolutely certain this is NORMAL?"
"Absolutely."
"Oh, man." The GP officer sighed and resumed eating.
***
Tenchi walked slowly down the windy road into town. It was getting dark, but he was intent on getting the bleu cheese for Ryoko. Anything to keep her happy and calm. He wasn't quite sure just why it was so important to him to placate the pirate. He took a moment to consider this question and realized that he knew why. She was so sad all the time. Ryoko's appearance never gave the impression of sadness, but Tenchi could feel it. He was afraid to mention this to Washu from fear that she would try to get that "special" sample from him again, but sometimes, he was sure he could feel Ryoko's emotions. It was as if they were joined and the same - like when they battled Tokimi and Ryoko could speak within his mind. But he didn't hear her voice, he felt her feelings. This surely wasn't possible. She wasn't wearing any gems-she refused to take one back, stating that she didn't want the telepathic link it gave her with Washu or Ryo-Ohki until after the baby was born. She mentioned something about keeping her thoughts to herself for a while. And Washu cautioned that in addition to Ryoko's powerful hormone surges, she would be experiencing power surges as well and the gem would only amplify this with possibly dangerous consequences to the family-especially Ayeka should she and the pirate start bickering again.
But he couldn't understand her sadness. She had him, body and soul and their child would be brought into this world in nine months. Ryoko had won everything she sought. But why did she make him feel such terrible pain in his heart?
Tenchi made it to the store and reached for the door with his left hand. As he did something about his hand made him stop in his tracks.
"Tenchi, you asshole." He said out loud, drawing the attention of a passerby. He had an epiphany. His eyes rest upon his left hand, still clutching the door handle and he noticed something that made him curse himself. The lack of a wedding ring. He had been so excited about this baby he forgot about the mother.
Tenchi realized long ago that he loved Ryoko. No one could piss him off as she could. No one could boil his blood in anger and turn an otherwise patient and humble boy into a raging lunatic as the pirate could. She was the only one to bring out these emotions and he loved it. Tenchi developed an addition to the conflict and rise she evoked within him. When they bickered or she tried to pull one of her tricks on him, he longed to grab her and hush her mouth with kisses. He knew that she longed for that as well. And, he just realized that she, the demon space pirate also longed for a stable relationship with him. He sighed as he tried to remember when he told her this, told her that he loved her since they returned. Not once. True, he wrote it down in a note before he thought he was going to die, but unfortunately, only Ayeka read that note, not Ryoko. He shuttered with sorrow at the pain that must have caused the Princess. He cursed himself again for being such a jerk to both of them.
That was it. He had to show Ryoko just how much he did lover her. He had to make it big. He had to make sure she knew that all this baby excitement let him forget just what two people got them in this predicament-Ryoko and Tenchi. Ryoko and Tenchi. He smiled at the thought of that as he rushed into the store and frantically searched for the cheese. He quickly ran out after paying and rushed to get home. He desperately had to see his dad about something….something special.
He made it to the entry of the Masaki compound in no time. Quietly, he entered and stopped to gently remove his shoes. He could hear the faint sound of the television from the living room.
"Hi Tenchi!" Sasami giggled and poke her head from behind the plush black sofa.
"Hi Sasami….is Everyone down here?" He strode over to the group.
"Just about….Ryoko fell asleep again…Ayeka and Washu are back in the lab…"
"Yeah," He smiled at the sight of the snoring beauty who lay sprawled out her head on Mihoshi's lap and her legs on Kiyone's lap. "Washu said she'd get tired easy…..Dad?"
"Yes," Nobuyuki answered.
"Can I, can I talk to you, alone?"
"My boy, you've finally come to you old man for advice?" He smiled and got up, trying not to wake the pirate. "I'm so proud!"
"C'mon, Dad…..I have something I need to ask you…." They both left the room and Tenchi led them upstairs to his father's room"
"What is it my boy….sex? Seems to me you don't need any pointers there!" He nudged his son with his elbow.
"Daaaad!" He plopped down on the bed. "Be serious, please!"
"Ok," his father mocked a gruff voice, "I'm serious now…." He sat beside his son.
"Remember, you told me I could have something….when the time was right?" he sighed.
"Tenchi! I totally forgot!" he smiled and hugged his son. "It's yours, it's yours! Oh if your mother could see you now!"
"Thanks dad." He groaned in his father's strangling embrace.
Tenchi left the room with an unknown object tucked carefully in his pocket. He stepped slowly and heavily downstairs to the living room. Sasami smiled again as she saw his beautiful eyes rest upon Ryoko. Tenchi placed himself in front of Mihoshi, Ryoko and Kiyone and knelt by the pirate, picking her up from the two girls.
"Geesh, thanks, Tenchi….I think my butt was going to sleep." Kiyone mumbled.
"Miya!" Ryo-Oki squealed as Ryoko was removed from on top of her….the Pirate had fallen asleep on top of the cabbit.
"There you are, Ryo-Ohki!" Sasami picked her up and hugged her.
"I'll take her to her room….good night ladies.." he cradled the sleeping girl in his arms and carried her upstairs.
The two made it slowly to the makeshift room on the third floor. Tenchi lowered Ryoko to her soft futon and sat himself beside her. He gently kissed her on her cheek to wake her up. He didn't expect to feel her strong arm wrapped around his neck, thrusting him down on the ground. In a matter of seconds he was on the floor with the pirate straddling his form.
"Tenchi….you devil!" She held his arms down and leaned closer. "You just had to get me alone…again!" She licked her lips.
"Ryoko…." He struggled underneath her. He was getting angry again….and loved it. "I have something important to talk to you about."
"Oh, you want to be on top this time?" She smiled.
"More important than that!" Please?"
"Ok, but this better be good." She winked and released him. He sat up next to her and held her hand.
"Ryoko….I know why you've been so sad. It's all my fault. I've been so excited with the thoughts of the baby…..and worried about college this fall….and supporting you….and doing the right thing…." He blurted out nervously. "and….mostly doing the right thing……here!" he produced a dusty old ring box from his pocket. "I want to make this whole thing right….I want you to marry me!" He shook with nervousness as he opened the box. Inside rest a delicate yellow gold ring. The band was wide and had carved upon it tiny leaves and scrolling. In the center of the band a tiny white diamond emitted a magical sparkle that reflected beautifully in Ryoko's amber eyes. She sat frozen staring at this ring….his mother's ring. He took it out of the box and held it to her. "Ryoko….will you marry me?" His voice cracked.
"Tenchi?" Her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed upon his face and the ring. She couldn't believe he had to gall to say it this way. She couldn't believe he….felt he had to take care of her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she opened them they were void of the happiness the boy thought this gesture would bring. Her eyes glowed with the same evil they did the day he released her from her tomb, and the night she almost blew him up at his school. Her eyes glowed with anger.
"No!" She pushed him away with such force that he landed against the railing of the stairs.
"Ryoko….what?" He was confused. He had professed his love and asked her to marry him….but now, he no longer felt her sadness….he felt her terrifying anger and rage.
"You baka! Take that ring and shove it up your….." She stood in defiance as he cut her obscenity off.
"I don't understand…..what more do you want of me!" He stood still clutching the ring.
"Fool! I don't want you to take care of me…..I don't want you to make it right!" She glowed with anger. "I….I…just want you to LOVE me!" She vanished, leaving him standing there along, He dropped the ring and it slowly gyrated on the floor between his feet until it sputtered to a stop.
"Tenchi, you are a fool," he muttered to himself as he picked up the ring and placed it back in the box. "You forgot to tell her you loved her." He sighed and plopped down on the futon in defeat. He forgot that Ryoko was a strong woman. She didn't need a man to protect her or her child. He forgot that for thousands of years she was a raving madwoman at the hands of Kagato, knowing nothing but pain and suffering. He forgot that she never had a childhood she could remember and she was not dependant on anything or anyone. He forgot that most importantly, he had set out to prove one thing to her and failed miserably. He forgot to tell her he loved her and that was all she truly wanted.
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Will Tenchi ever stop being a jerk and profess his love to Ryoko? Has Ayeka truly given up on winning Tenchi's love? Will Ryoko's hormones ultimately destroy the house? Stay tunned……..