Chapter 3: Heart Beats
Tenchi Masaki, unwilling heir to the throne of the planet Jurai, fumbling hero, and father to be, sat listlessness in the warm waters of the onsen. He no longer marveled at the physics of the floating sphere Washu had created for the girls upon their arrival to planet Earth. He simply gave in and let himself enjoy it at every opportunity. Tenchi had a few hours to kill before the interview so he thought that soaking his body as well as his soul would do him some good. He suffered almost as much nausea he imagined Ryoko to experience that day and he wondered just how much of it was nerves and just how much of it was the empathic link he now mysteriously shared with the pirate. Tenchi tried to convince himself it was probably nervousness over getting this job. True, his dad assured him that it was not necessary that he work, and Washu backed him up saying she'd started an experiment on earth's capitalistic majority of nations and that she'd get back to them later with her progress. He smiled and hoped that this meant she was not in cahoots with the Yakuza or the anything illegal because had not come out of the lab for days except for meals and to assure Kiyone that everything relating to Ryoko's pregnancy thus far was as expected. The boy sank down into the waters and let out a sigh of relief, until he heard the quite swoosh of the door sliding open.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" Ayeka's voice rang through the mists.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi responded, trying to grab his towel.
"Forgive me, Lord Tenchi…." She turned away. "I was showing Lord Zephr the baths, could you…trouble yourself to help him?" Ayeka diverted her eyes as Tenchi pulled himself out of the water, he had wrapped a water logged towel around his waste.
"Uh, sure….might as well…" Tenchi truly wanted no company now, let alone this boy. He silently reprimanded himself for not taking the time to visit him as he convalesced in the lab, but he supposed now was as good a time as any to try to get to know his once foe. He walked over to Zephr and took his arm around his shoulder.
"Th..Thank you." Ayeka blushed as Tenchi's wet arm brushed her left cheek as he reached for the boy. She raised her hand to wipe the water from her face and hurried out of the room, the subspace door closing behind her.
"Can you walk?"
"Most of the time….just a little wobbly, I just felt like a cat died inside me and I had to get clean." He smiled.
"Yeah, I know that feeling. Here, if I can get you to the edge can you get in?" He ushered the boy toward the edge of the water.
"Shouldn't be a problem. Thank you." Zephr sat at the edge and began removing his clothes as Tenchi, still clad in his towel, re-entered the water.
"Ahhhhh,!" Tenchi plopped back down and submerged himself until the water met his chin as Zephr managed to clumsily enter the pool. He sat across from Tenchi.
"You're right about that. This is the life!" He sank down in the water and marveled at how the warmth helped to sooth his injured muscles. "Tenchi?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you know where I might find some sake?" He fidgeted a bit. "This is just not he same without a little, you know…."
"Sorry, this is a dry house for now. I think Sasami got rid of all of Ryoko's hidden stores….unless…move that rock next to you…."
Zephr turned around and moved a rock to the side to reveal a hidden cavity. A nice full bottle of excellent sake was buried there. He pulled the bottle out and moved to the other side of the pool to grab a tray with some clay cups and a small clay container. Zephr let the tray float beside him as he uncorked the bottle and slowly poured the liquor into the clay flask on the tray. He set the bottle aside and poured Tenchi a drink.
"Care to join me?" He poured himself one and he shoved the floating tray toward Tenchi. "I don't think we've actually talked."
"Er, well, I have a thing later…I don't think I should be drinking." Tenchi fidgeted in the water.
"Suit yourself…you didn't appear to me to be a man to appreciate fine sake anyway…." He took a sip.
"That's not it…."
"It's not….well, I don't mind." Zephr used reverse psychology to egg the boy on.
"Well, maybe one….will loosen me up for the interview…." Tenchi slowly raised the small saucer to his lips, "Kampai, "he uttered and let the cool liquid cascade down his throat. "Well, what do you want to talk about?" He the empty saucer down on the tray and pushed it back to Zeprh.
"I haven't a clue…." Zephr refilled Tenchi's cup and then set his own saucer on the tray, this time Tenchi moved closer to refill his companions' cup. They both took a drink together.
"This is weird….but Ryoko's taste in sake is incredible."
"I totally agree with you there, my friend. Why don't you tell me about this Ryoko….I've haven't met her officially….unless trying to kill her counts as a formal meeting." He chuckled and poured more sake for Tenchi.
"She may hold it against you…..she really is one of a kind, though…." He smiled.
"You love her."
"More than she knows right now."
"Why don't you tell her?"
"I keep messing it up."
"How can you mess something up that you know in your heart?"
"How can you possibly know what is in my heart?" He took another sip and poured his companion another drink.
"I read your note……"
"Oh…..seems like everyone read it but the person it was intended." He sighed.
"I understand the reason you were able to defeat me while I was possessed was because of her child….that seems like reason enough to fight for her…to make her know how much you love her."
"I know…I know…I just keep messing up…."
"Hmmmmm."
"What about you!"
"Me?
"Ayeka has been spending a lot of time taking care of you…..exactly what are your intentions?" He smirked.
"Tenchi, my friend, only the most honorable, of course."
"What does that mean?"
"It means what it means….she is the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes upon. She was able to reach deep within me and let me see the truth behind what I was doing. She also handles a pretty mean light sword." He settled back down into the water. "Besides, I wonder why you are so protective all of the sudden."
"No reason, she is my friend, that's all. She is also sort of my family." Tenchi noticed that the clay flask was empty so forgoing formalities, he reached for the sake bottle and filled Zephr's glass directly from it.
"Interesting." The boy answered as he poured a glass for Tenchi and the two settled back down in to the soothing waters of the onsen.
***
Ayeka twiddled her thumbs as she sat listlessly upon the black sofa in the Masaki living room. She wished she were a fly on the wall in the onsen right now. She was sure the two boys were talking and she desperately wanted to know what Tenchi was revealing about Ryoko and what Zephr thought about her. She didn't notice Ryoko behind her.
"What's a matter, Princess….lost your boy toy?"
"Miss Ryoko! He is not my boy toy!"
"Not yet….." She floated over the couch and sat next to the princess.
"Well….don't you have some puking to do today?"
"Nope, all done….for now." The pirate sighed.
"Ryoko…..I hate to say it, but we'll have to start your training soon."
"What training?"
"Jurain child rearing customs….Jurain history lessons…oh, and not to mention some pain management techniques for the labor…..nah, I don't think I'll share those with you."
"Why the hell would I want to ruin my baby with tripe like that?"
"Miss Ryoko! You must acknowledge and teach your child of his or her fabulous heritage. They will have to be taught the ways Jurai."
"Why Jurai? My baby will be an Earthling…..I see no point in training her to be a snobby Jurain brat!"
"Would you disrespect Tenchi so? And what makes you think it's a girl?"
"Tenchi doesn't want anything to do with Jurai….or don't you think he'd go there and assume his place in noble society? And I know I'm having a girl….I just know."
Ayeka knew Ryoko was right….not about the baby being a girl, but if Lord Tenchi were really going to take his place on Jurai, he certainly would not have enrolled in some piddley Earth university when he had the Royal Academy at his disposal. He wouldn't be going to a job interview for some entry level position when he was in line to be King of Jurai. Ayeka closed her eyes and sighed. She realized that some day, her father, Asuza would force her and Sasami to return to their home world and to their obligations. She knew that Tenchi would not want to go with her…he was determined to make a life for himself on Earth, determined to be normal despite his uniqueness.
"Cat got your tongue….or do you just know I am right?" Ryoko smiled.
"I hope you have a boy!" Ayeka gruffly stood up and left the room.
"Well, if I do, you'll probably want to date him when he grows up….seems like you have an affinity for your relatives…." She chuckled. This struck a nerve in the Princess.
"I want to remind you something, demon mother, have you ever thought about one tiny thing? If Tenchi never assumes his place on Jurai….if he never bonds with a tree there….if he never drinks of the waters…..just how long do you think you will have him in your life? Assuming you will continue living your wretched existence for thousands upon thousands of years….his small lifespan will seem like a drop in the bucket…..Whereas if he goes to Jurai with me….He will live as long." She shocked herself with her words. Ayeka spoke hideous and mean things…..but it was a truth no one dared utter.
"Ayeka….."
"Well?"
"That is Tenchi's decision to make…." Ryoko was on the verge of crying and did not want Ayeka to get the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She levitated upwards and disappeared through the ceiling leaving Ayeka to ponder what she had just said.
***
"Mihoshi…..where did you put my jacket?" Kiyone sifted through a pile of clothes in their room searching for her GP uniform jacket. " I had it here…."
"Kiyone….I don't know where it is but I do know we are going to be late!"
"Ack! I guess I can wear the old one." She turned to put it on when they both heard the pirate soar up the stairs crying.
"I suppose that's normal too." The teal-haired officer sighed. She rolled her blue eyes and resumed getting ready for their new mission.
Kiyone didn't relish leaving the Masaki home as its comforts helped to sooth her stressed out soul. Stressed. For too many galactic calendar years she suffered. Ever since Mihoshi had been assigned her partner she languished. The officer sighed and remembered the day Mihoshi took her shuttle to patrol that wonderful sector of the now familiar sol system nearest the third planet from the sun. The infamous villain Kagato reported to be on the prowl there caused the two officers to split up- Mihoshi patrolling near earth and Kiyone in the main ship making her rounds about the outer planets.
"Mihoshi, you knucklehead." Kiyone whispered as she remembered that horrible day when all her dreams came true…the day she monitored Mihoshi's shuttle disintegrating upon impact with the planet Earth. She cried at the lost of the sweet soul, but silently thought about her future reassignment to headquarters. She should have known. She should have known that as clumsy as the blond dimwit was, she also seemed incapable of bumbling herself into death. However, Mihoshi did return. Kiyone remembered spitting her celebratory sake out on the control panel of their mother ship the Yagami as Mihoshi's shuttle docked. There she was, alive again. She tried in vain to hail the ditz, but the blonde was busy dancing around and professing her love for someone to the commander. In a flash she was jaunting back to Earth…..did she mention Jurai royalty? Kiyone chuckled as she remembered the commander transmitting the new assignment to her. She was amazed they relented but assumed that Mihoshi's status as the Grand Marshall's granddaughter had something to do with the fact that they agreed to let the dummy stay in the sol system. And the worst part, the part that made her cringe was that she, Kiyone, the once up and coming first class officers who graduated number one in her academy class, had also been assigned with Mihoshi to stay and patrol this god forsaken region of space. Mihoshi did it again. Kiyone remembered preparing to strangle the her once Yagami reached Earth….that was before she met…Tenchi.
Tenchi was the one shining star in her world of madness. Like her, he emitted an aura of calmness and intelligence….such a break from Mihoshi's wild ignorance. His home and his family opened their arms to her and offered such relaxation she almost forgot her woes and the fact that she would probably be stuck with Mihoshi forever…or until one of them died. Tenchi wasn't the Adonis Mihoshi rattled on about, Kiyone had know more handsome men. However, she could not help but be attracted to his sweetness and honesty. His friendship made those long patrols with the dimwit bearable. She also knew that his heart would never belong to her, but that was ok, he was much too young for her anyway. So, she smiled as she decided to embrace his friendship and his family so she could make it through this assignment.
"Kiyone! Are you coming?" Mihoshi wailed from outside the room.
"Right behind you!" She smiled and ran out the door passing Sasami coming up the stairs.
"Kiyone?" The child panted.
"Yes, dear?"
"Have you seen Tenchi? He's going to be late for that interview…." I can't find him anywhere….."
"No, I haven't….Mihoshi and I have to go on patrol and make our weekly report….I'm sorry, I can't help you search….tell him good luck for us, ok?" She smiled and continued her run toward the lake and their ship submerged in its depths.
"Well, alright…..there is one place I haven't looked yet." She followed Kiyone downstairs.
***
"En-ree the ate, I yam, I yam….En-ree the ate I yam!" Tenchi and Zephr wailed in song as they downed the last bit of sake. Arm in arm they swayed, their faces red with intoxication.
"Hey Tenchi!" Sasami opened the door and walked across the threshold. Immediately, the strong smell of steam and liquor struck her freckled nose and she stepped back. "Yuk! Smells like Ryoko was here. Shame on you Tenchi! You have an interview!" She put her hands on her hips and started tapping her foot again.
"Ack!" Tenchi lurched back in horror as he realized he was no longer in any shape to interview for a job. He glared in anger at Zephr.
"What? I didn't know you have anywhere important to be. (hiccup)"
"Man, what am I going to do?" He drug himself out of the water. "Sasami, I'll be out in a minute. (hiccup)." Tenchi adjusted the wet towel around his waste, tripped and fell on his face to the sound of Zephr's laughter.
"I don't know about this…" The little girl exited.
"Come on Zeph, help me out!" Tenchi searched for a dry towel and quickly got dressed.
"Tenchi, my friend…." Zephr got out of the pool and wobbled to his comrade.
"What can I do?" He slapped Tenchi on the back causing a large water spot on his dress shirt.
"Dunno….just get dressed and let's get out of here!"
"M-kay." He slid to the ground, not fully having the use of his legs and he attempted to get his pants on.
"Ok, we can do this….just lean on each other…" Tenchi wrapped his arm around Zephr and they waddled out of the onsen and through the portal into the Masaki living room.
"Look at you two! You are a mess!" Sasami's pink eyes shone with anger.
"Sas….Sas…. Sasami," Tenchi stammered, "get Dad…I gotta im-ter-view to go to." He drug Zephr around like a rag doll.
"Father! Father! Get down here!" the child yelled. "Tenchi, I don't know where he went off to!"
"Tench…..that's ok, I'll get you to it….it's my fault any how…." The dark prince smiled.
"Zephr…you're my best friend! (hiccup)" They leaned on the back of the couch and both fell backwards onto the cushions. Tenchi's elbow hit the remote and clicked the set on.
"W-OS 2002," the commercial spokesperson cheered through the television speakers, "The operating system to end operating systems! No crashes…EVER! Compatible with ALL software. Increases your memory twenty times…gives you one hundred times more hard drive space. Is only 2 megabytes! Never needs upgraded! And offered to you now at the bargain price of just $19.95!"
"I'm not gonna make it…." Tenchi sighed as he hung upside down over the couch, his partner in crime, Zephr laughing hysterically.
"C'mon, Tenchi….I'll get you there."
"Tenchi! I don't know where your father is…." Sasami looked worried.
"I'm not gonna make it." He replied. "I can't drive this way."
"Don't worry, my friend….let me." Zephr righted himself and drug Tenchi out the door. They came upon the family minivan. "How do you start this contraption.
"I…I don't know if you should….maybe we should wait for Dad…" Tenchi fumbled into the passenger seat.
"Don't worry….I'll take care of you….(hiccup). How do you get this started?" He fumbled with the keys Nobouyuki had left in the ignition.
"Hey! Just what do you think you are doing?" Tenchi yelled.
"What?"
"You have to buckle your seatbelt!"
"Oh, right." Zephr fastened his seatbelt and turned the ignition.
Sasami ran outside at the sound of the car starting. She came out just in time to see the Masaki minivan roll backwards at top speed….right into the lake.
"What's all this shouting…" Nobouyuki made his appearance. He stood in horror as he watched his car slowly sink into the depths of the lake. "My, my, my car!"
"Tenchi!" Sasami screamed in horror as the car and its passengers slowly disappeared.
"Tenchi? Zephr?" Ayeka joined the others followed by Ryoko.
"What's going on?" The pirate scanned the scene just in time to see Tenchi's drunken face slip under the water. "Tenchi!" She flew to the lake as the others followed. Within seconds, the pirate dove into the water. The lake bubbled and fizzed and with a quick gurgle and pop, the Minivan and its occupants were pushed onto dry land….Ryoko clutched the rear bumper. Zephr and Tenchi sat inside, the car half filled with water and slowly draining. The lake began to rumbled again and a wave of water splashed the family as Kiyone and Mihoshi blasted off out of the water and into space on their patrol.
"You're right, Tenchi." Zephr, suddenly sobered by the cold water spoke as he stared straight out and clutched the steering wheel.
"About what?" Tenchi stated.
"The seatbelt sure helped."
***
"Just what were you thinking? Letting HIM drive!" Ryoko screamed as she paced back and forth on the deck. Tenchi and Zephr lay sprawled upon the wood planking in a puddle of water created from their wet clothes. "You two morons couldn't walk let alone drive!"
"I agree….this was very immature behavior from both of you…and father worked hard to get you this interview, Lord Tenchi." Ayeka lectured.
"Well…" Nobouyuki hung up the cordless phone and stepped onto the patio. "Keto will not agree to reschedule, he's hiring someone who could make the appointment on time…" He sighed. "Sorry Son, we'll find you another job."
"I'm sorry too, Dad." Tenchi clutched his throbbing head.
"I can't believe you acted so recklessly….and…and put yourselves into danger!" Ryoko fumed.
"Lay off me, Ryoko…" Tenchi sat up and winced as his headache worsened. "You of all people shouldn't lecture me about drinking." He stumbled into the house and walked up stairs to his bedroom.
"What was that all about?" Zephr chuckled.
"Oh, shut up, you." Ryoko went back into the house followed by the others leaving Zephr alone, staring up at the cloudy sky.
"Well, alrighty." He frowned as he lay wet and alone.
Ka-Boom! Thunder crackled through the ever-darkening clouds and rain began to fall.
"Great." Zephr frowned as the rain fell upon his body.
***
The storm raged outside and through the flashes of lightening a slight form made her way through the living room. Amber eyes flashed with golden yellow in the light of the storm as Ryoko tip toed her way through the room. With a grin she levitated upward to her favorite beam and sat. She scooted all the way to the plaster wall and inserted her hand. Her flesh turned transparent as it met the hard molecules of the plaster and her hand easily penetrated the surface. She slowly pulled it out but now, she held an ornate jug of sake hidden behind the wall. She swung the jug on her back, grasping the rope cord.
"They can't find all of them…" She giggled as she descended to the floor. "It can't hurt to have a few sips!" Ryoko jaunted up the stairs, half running and half teleporting herself to her room on the third floor. She admired the nursery. It was almost done, nothing that a fresh coat of paint couldn't fix. Tenchi and his father worked very hard and she could tell.
Tenchi. Ryoko's thoughts again were of that boy. Her heart ached and she felt woozy in the pit of her stomach and it was not nausea, her love for Tenchi made her feel ill. She stood by the enormous windows, a much bigger wall of glass than before, and she was glad to have so much light and warmth and she prayed never to be cold again. Ryoko was cold…on the inside. She yearned to shout and scream at him, to beat his face to a pulp until he loved her the same way she loved him, but she just couldn't feel it from him. The pirate pulled the stopper from the jug and took a hearty swig. The cool and astringent liquor coated the back of her throat and gave her that familiar warmth she loved and craved. Not the same as true love, but as close as she believed she was ever going to get. Ryoko stood there, watching the beautiful storm and as the rain fell, so to did her spirit. Her heart felt as if Kagato himself had reached into her chest and drug the organ out of her. The physical pain from her emotional distress and sudden depression was too much for her to bear. She took another drink to dull the pain.
Very close by and separated by mere feet of wood and plaster, Tenchi tossed in his sleep. He had slept off most of the sake but now, a sudden pain, a horrendous pain in his heart woke him up with a jolt. He sat upright in his bed and clutched his chest. The room began to spin. He stumbled out of bed and tried to stand. The pain. Searing and terrible pain emanated from his heart. Along with the pain came sadness and depression of which he had never, not even through the death of his mother, known the likes. "Ryoko?" He stammered out of the room in time to see the pirate downing more sake.
"Tenchi?" Ryoko was shocked to see him awake at this hour and then she realized she had been caught drinking.
"Ryoko!" The pain stopped. Instead, he was filled with anger at the pirate drinking. "What do you think you were doing?" He rushed to her and grabbed the arm holding the sake bottle with such a force that the pirate lost her grip and the jug fell to the ground shattering it and spilling the contents on the new floor.
"Tenchi!"
"I can't believe you….you don't care about this baby!" His face grew flush with anger.
"What do you care, you didn't want it anyway." She backed away from the window.
Lightening crashed causing Tenchi's face to contort with evil shadows. He barely breathed as he confronted Ryoko. "Don't you EVER say that!" He lunged at her.
"Tenchi!" She screamed, obviously caught off guard by his advance. Before she could react he had grabbed each of her arms and successfully pinned her against the wall. She was frozen. Ryoko had never seen him this way, so powerfully angry. His hands pinched the flesh of her wrists and she could feel his hot breath upon her neck. "What do you care…..you never loved me, it was all just fun and games…." What he did next she would remember for the rest of her life and lifetimes to come. Before she could protest, he kissed her. Ryoko felt his petal soft mouth meet her own and the pain that had enveloped both of their bodies moments earlier released into the stratosphere with the thunderclouds. Tiny sparks of electricity leapt off of their lips until they withdrew. Tenchi's eyes no longer held anger but she could see love. Love!
"I could feel so much sadness from you Ryoko and I know it's been my fault. I don't know how everything got so screwed up between us. You have to believe me when I tell you….I….Love….You……with my all my heart….here, so you can believe me…." He took her left hand in his right and brought it to his chest. He placed it under the fabric of his tee shirt and brought her soft hand to his chest above his heart. Ryoko felt his heart beating erratically and strong as if it were about to explode from his chest.
"You….you….feel just like me?" Her own heart beat the same.
"Ryoko," he released her, "I love you more than my life." He removed her hand from his shirt and gingerly tugged her toward him as he slowly backed out of the room. "Let me show you just how much….." Teary eyed and oblivious to the world Tenchi led Ryoko slowly to his room and after they entered, he quietly slid the door shut and fastened the latch.
Princess Ayeka had been awakened at the sound of breaking glass. She leapt to her feet to see what happened. As soon as her tiny feet hit the floor of the hallway she heard the shouting. Lord Tenchi was shouting. Her heart leapt as she believed this to be the end. The guilt she had been harboring inside for keeping his note a secret caused her body to shudder. "No, I can't let this happen!" She ran to the third floor just in time to see Tenchi drag Ryoko into his room. Ayeka saw his face. It was devoid of the goofy sweetness she grew to adore, instead he wore the very adult look of desire, desire for the demon. The door shut and with it any and all of her hopes for a future with Lord Tenchi. Ayeka squared her shoulders and slowly retreated downstairs and to her bedroom.
******************
Author's notes:
Ok, I'm getting bored with all the lovey stuff. I've got to get some action scenes and I'm bringing back an old nemesis (not who you think!) in later chapters. Stay tuned…..
Tenchi Masaki, unwilling heir to the throne of the planet Jurai, fumbling hero, and father to be, sat listlessness in the warm waters of the onsen. He no longer marveled at the physics of the floating sphere Washu had created for the girls upon their arrival to planet Earth. He simply gave in and let himself enjoy it at every opportunity. Tenchi had a few hours to kill before the interview so he thought that soaking his body as well as his soul would do him some good. He suffered almost as much nausea he imagined Ryoko to experience that day and he wondered just how much of it was nerves and just how much of it was the empathic link he now mysteriously shared with the pirate. Tenchi tried to convince himself it was probably nervousness over getting this job. True, his dad assured him that it was not necessary that he work, and Washu backed him up saying she'd started an experiment on earth's capitalistic majority of nations and that she'd get back to them later with her progress. He smiled and hoped that this meant she was not in cahoots with the Yakuza or the anything illegal because had not come out of the lab for days except for meals and to assure Kiyone that everything relating to Ryoko's pregnancy thus far was as expected. The boy sank down into the waters and let out a sigh of relief, until he heard the quite swoosh of the door sliding open.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" Ayeka's voice rang through the mists.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi responded, trying to grab his towel.
"Forgive me, Lord Tenchi…." She turned away. "I was showing Lord Zephr the baths, could you…trouble yourself to help him?" Ayeka diverted her eyes as Tenchi pulled himself out of the water, he had wrapped a water logged towel around his waste.
"Uh, sure….might as well…" Tenchi truly wanted no company now, let alone this boy. He silently reprimanded himself for not taking the time to visit him as he convalesced in the lab, but he supposed now was as good a time as any to try to get to know his once foe. He walked over to Zephr and took his arm around his shoulder.
"Th..Thank you." Ayeka blushed as Tenchi's wet arm brushed her left cheek as he reached for the boy. She raised her hand to wipe the water from her face and hurried out of the room, the subspace door closing behind her.
"Can you walk?"
"Most of the time….just a little wobbly, I just felt like a cat died inside me and I had to get clean." He smiled.
"Yeah, I know that feeling. Here, if I can get you to the edge can you get in?" He ushered the boy toward the edge of the water.
"Shouldn't be a problem. Thank you." Zephr sat at the edge and began removing his clothes as Tenchi, still clad in his towel, re-entered the water.
"Ahhhhh,!" Tenchi plopped back down and submerged himself until the water met his chin as Zephr managed to clumsily enter the pool. He sat across from Tenchi.
"You're right about that. This is the life!" He sank down in the water and marveled at how the warmth helped to sooth his injured muscles. "Tenchi?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you know where I might find some sake?" He fidgeted a bit. "This is just not he same without a little, you know…."
"Sorry, this is a dry house for now. I think Sasami got rid of all of Ryoko's hidden stores….unless…move that rock next to you…."
Zephr turned around and moved a rock to the side to reveal a hidden cavity. A nice full bottle of excellent sake was buried there. He pulled the bottle out and moved to the other side of the pool to grab a tray with some clay cups and a small clay container. Zephr let the tray float beside him as he uncorked the bottle and slowly poured the liquor into the clay flask on the tray. He set the bottle aside and poured Tenchi a drink.
"Care to join me?" He poured himself one and he shoved the floating tray toward Tenchi. "I don't think we've actually talked."
"Er, well, I have a thing later…I don't think I should be drinking." Tenchi fidgeted in the water.
"Suit yourself…you didn't appear to me to be a man to appreciate fine sake anyway…." He took a sip.
"That's not it…."
"It's not….well, I don't mind." Zephr used reverse psychology to egg the boy on.
"Well, maybe one….will loosen me up for the interview…." Tenchi slowly raised the small saucer to his lips, "Kampai, "he uttered and let the cool liquid cascade down his throat. "Well, what do you want to talk about?" He the empty saucer down on the tray and pushed it back to Zeprh.
"I haven't a clue…." Zephr refilled Tenchi's cup and then set his own saucer on the tray, this time Tenchi moved closer to refill his companions' cup. They both took a drink together.
"This is weird….but Ryoko's taste in sake is incredible."
"I totally agree with you there, my friend. Why don't you tell me about this Ryoko….I've haven't met her officially….unless trying to kill her counts as a formal meeting." He chuckled and poured more sake for Tenchi.
"She may hold it against you…..she really is one of a kind, though…." He smiled.
"You love her."
"More than she knows right now."
"Why don't you tell her?"
"I keep messing it up."
"How can you mess something up that you know in your heart?"
"How can you possibly know what is in my heart?" He took another sip and poured his companion another drink.
"I read your note……"
"Oh…..seems like everyone read it but the person it was intended." He sighed.
"I understand the reason you were able to defeat me while I was possessed was because of her child….that seems like reason enough to fight for her…to make her know how much you love her."
"I know…I know…I just keep messing up…."
"Hmmmmm."
"What about you!"
"Me?
"Ayeka has been spending a lot of time taking care of you…..exactly what are your intentions?" He smirked.
"Tenchi, my friend, only the most honorable, of course."
"What does that mean?"
"It means what it means….she is the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes upon. She was able to reach deep within me and let me see the truth behind what I was doing. She also handles a pretty mean light sword." He settled back down into the water. "Besides, I wonder why you are so protective all of the sudden."
"No reason, she is my friend, that's all. She is also sort of my family." Tenchi noticed that the clay flask was empty so forgoing formalities, he reached for the sake bottle and filled Zephr's glass directly from it.
"Interesting." The boy answered as he poured a glass for Tenchi and the two settled back down in to the soothing waters of the onsen.
***
Ayeka twiddled her thumbs as she sat listlessly upon the black sofa in the Masaki living room. She wished she were a fly on the wall in the onsen right now. She was sure the two boys were talking and she desperately wanted to know what Tenchi was revealing about Ryoko and what Zephr thought about her. She didn't notice Ryoko behind her.
"What's a matter, Princess….lost your boy toy?"
"Miss Ryoko! He is not my boy toy!"
"Not yet….." She floated over the couch and sat next to the princess.
"Well….don't you have some puking to do today?"
"Nope, all done….for now." The pirate sighed.
"Ryoko…..I hate to say it, but we'll have to start your training soon."
"What training?"
"Jurain child rearing customs….Jurain history lessons…oh, and not to mention some pain management techniques for the labor…..nah, I don't think I'll share those with you."
"Why the hell would I want to ruin my baby with tripe like that?"
"Miss Ryoko! You must acknowledge and teach your child of his or her fabulous heritage. They will have to be taught the ways Jurai."
"Why Jurai? My baby will be an Earthling…..I see no point in training her to be a snobby Jurain brat!"
"Would you disrespect Tenchi so? And what makes you think it's a girl?"
"Tenchi doesn't want anything to do with Jurai….or don't you think he'd go there and assume his place in noble society? And I know I'm having a girl….I just know."
Ayeka knew Ryoko was right….not about the baby being a girl, but if Lord Tenchi were really going to take his place on Jurai, he certainly would not have enrolled in some piddley Earth university when he had the Royal Academy at his disposal. He wouldn't be going to a job interview for some entry level position when he was in line to be King of Jurai. Ayeka closed her eyes and sighed. She realized that some day, her father, Asuza would force her and Sasami to return to their home world and to their obligations. She knew that Tenchi would not want to go with her…he was determined to make a life for himself on Earth, determined to be normal despite his uniqueness.
"Cat got your tongue….or do you just know I am right?" Ryoko smiled.
"I hope you have a boy!" Ayeka gruffly stood up and left the room.
"Well, if I do, you'll probably want to date him when he grows up….seems like you have an affinity for your relatives…." She chuckled. This struck a nerve in the Princess.
"I want to remind you something, demon mother, have you ever thought about one tiny thing? If Tenchi never assumes his place on Jurai….if he never bonds with a tree there….if he never drinks of the waters…..just how long do you think you will have him in your life? Assuming you will continue living your wretched existence for thousands upon thousands of years….his small lifespan will seem like a drop in the bucket…..Whereas if he goes to Jurai with me….He will live as long." She shocked herself with her words. Ayeka spoke hideous and mean things…..but it was a truth no one dared utter.
"Ayeka….."
"Well?"
"That is Tenchi's decision to make…." Ryoko was on the verge of crying and did not want Ayeka to get the satisfaction of seeing her cry. She levitated upwards and disappeared through the ceiling leaving Ayeka to ponder what she had just said.
***
"Mihoshi…..where did you put my jacket?" Kiyone sifted through a pile of clothes in their room searching for her GP uniform jacket. " I had it here…."
"Kiyone….I don't know where it is but I do know we are going to be late!"
"Ack! I guess I can wear the old one." She turned to put it on when they both heard the pirate soar up the stairs crying.
"I suppose that's normal too." The teal-haired officer sighed. She rolled her blue eyes and resumed getting ready for their new mission.
Kiyone didn't relish leaving the Masaki home as its comforts helped to sooth her stressed out soul. Stressed. For too many galactic calendar years she suffered. Ever since Mihoshi had been assigned her partner she languished. The officer sighed and remembered the day Mihoshi took her shuttle to patrol that wonderful sector of the now familiar sol system nearest the third planet from the sun. The infamous villain Kagato reported to be on the prowl there caused the two officers to split up- Mihoshi patrolling near earth and Kiyone in the main ship making her rounds about the outer planets.
"Mihoshi, you knucklehead." Kiyone whispered as she remembered that horrible day when all her dreams came true…the day she monitored Mihoshi's shuttle disintegrating upon impact with the planet Earth. She cried at the lost of the sweet soul, but silently thought about her future reassignment to headquarters. She should have known. She should have known that as clumsy as the blond dimwit was, she also seemed incapable of bumbling herself into death. However, Mihoshi did return. Kiyone remembered spitting her celebratory sake out on the control panel of their mother ship the Yagami as Mihoshi's shuttle docked. There she was, alive again. She tried in vain to hail the ditz, but the blonde was busy dancing around and professing her love for someone to the commander. In a flash she was jaunting back to Earth…..did she mention Jurai royalty? Kiyone chuckled as she remembered the commander transmitting the new assignment to her. She was amazed they relented but assumed that Mihoshi's status as the Grand Marshall's granddaughter had something to do with the fact that they agreed to let the dummy stay in the sol system. And the worst part, the part that made her cringe was that she, Kiyone, the once up and coming first class officers who graduated number one in her academy class, had also been assigned with Mihoshi to stay and patrol this god forsaken region of space. Mihoshi did it again. Kiyone remembered preparing to strangle the her once Yagami reached Earth….that was before she met…Tenchi.
Tenchi was the one shining star in her world of madness. Like her, he emitted an aura of calmness and intelligence….such a break from Mihoshi's wild ignorance. His home and his family opened their arms to her and offered such relaxation she almost forgot her woes and the fact that she would probably be stuck with Mihoshi forever…or until one of them died. Tenchi wasn't the Adonis Mihoshi rattled on about, Kiyone had know more handsome men. However, she could not help but be attracted to his sweetness and honesty. His friendship made those long patrols with the dimwit bearable. She also knew that his heart would never belong to her, but that was ok, he was much too young for her anyway. So, she smiled as she decided to embrace his friendship and his family so she could make it through this assignment.
"Kiyone! Are you coming?" Mihoshi wailed from outside the room.
"Right behind you!" She smiled and ran out the door passing Sasami coming up the stairs.
"Kiyone?" The child panted.
"Yes, dear?"
"Have you seen Tenchi? He's going to be late for that interview…." I can't find him anywhere….."
"No, I haven't….Mihoshi and I have to go on patrol and make our weekly report….I'm sorry, I can't help you search….tell him good luck for us, ok?" She smiled and continued her run toward the lake and their ship submerged in its depths.
"Well, alright…..there is one place I haven't looked yet." She followed Kiyone downstairs.
***
"En-ree the ate, I yam, I yam….En-ree the ate I yam!" Tenchi and Zephr wailed in song as they downed the last bit of sake. Arm in arm they swayed, their faces red with intoxication.
"Hey Tenchi!" Sasami opened the door and walked across the threshold. Immediately, the strong smell of steam and liquor struck her freckled nose and she stepped back. "Yuk! Smells like Ryoko was here. Shame on you Tenchi! You have an interview!" She put her hands on her hips and started tapping her foot again.
"Ack!" Tenchi lurched back in horror as he realized he was no longer in any shape to interview for a job. He glared in anger at Zephr.
"What? I didn't know you have anywhere important to be. (hiccup)"
"Man, what am I going to do?" He drug himself out of the water. "Sasami, I'll be out in a minute. (hiccup)." Tenchi adjusted the wet towel around his waste, tripped and fell on his face to the sound of Zephr's laughter.
"I don't know about this…" The little girl exited.
"Come on Zeph, help me out!" Tenchi searched for a dry towel and quickly got dressed.
"Tenchi, my friend…." Zephr got out of the pool and wobbled to his comrade.
"What can I do?" He slapped Tenchi on the back causing a large water spot on his dress shirt.
"Dunno….just get dressed and let's get out of here!"
"M-kay." He slid to the ground, not fully having the use of his legs and he attempted to get his pants on.
"Ok, we can do this….just lean on each other…" Tenchi wrapped his arm around Zephr and they waddled out of the onsen and through the portal into the Masaki living room.
"Look at you two! You are a mess!" Sasami's pink eyes shone with anger.
"Sas….Sas…. Sasami," Tenchi stammered, "get Dad…I gotta im-ter-view to go to." He drug Zephr around like a rag doll.
"Father! Father! Get down here!" the child yelled. "Tenchi, I don't know where he went off to!"
"Tench…..that's ok, I'll get you to it….it's my fault any how…." The dark prince smiled.
"Zephr…you're my best friend! (hiccup)" They leaned on the back of the couch and both fell backwards onto the cushions. Tenchi's elbow hit the remote and clicked the set on.
"W-OS 2002," the commercial spokesperson cheered through the television speakers, "The operating system to end operating systems! No crashes…EVER! Compatible with ALL software. Increases your memory twenty times…gives you one hundred times more hard drive space. Is only 2 megabytes! Never needs upgraded! And offered to you now at the bargain price of just $19.95!"
"I'm not gonna make it…." Tenchi sighed as he hung upside down over the couch, his partner in crime, Zephr laughing hysterically.
"C'mon, Tenchi….I'll get you there."
"Tenchi! I don't know where your father is…." Sasami looked worried.
"I'm not gonna make it." He replied. "I can't drive this way."
"Don't worry, my friend….let me." Zephr righted himself and drug Tenchi out the door. They came upon the family minivan. "How do you start this contraption.
"I…I don't know if you should….maybe we should wait for Dad…" Tenchi fumbled into the passenger seat.
"Don't worry….I'll take care of you….(hiccup). How do you get this started?" He fumbled with the keys Nobouyuki had left in the ignition.
"Hey! Just what do you think you are doing?" Tenchi yelled.
"What?"
"You have to buckle your seatbelt!"
"Oh, right." Zephr fastened his seatbelt and turned the ignition.
Sasami ran outside at the sound of the car starting. She came out just in time to see the Masaki minivan roll backwards at top speed….right into the lake.
"What's all this shouting…" Nobouyuki made his appearance. He stood in horror as he watched his car slowly sink into the depths of the lake. "My, my, my car!"
"Tenchi!" Sasami screamed in horror as the car and its passengers slowly disappeared.
"Tenchi? Zephr?" Ayeka joined the others followed by Ryoko.
"What's going on?" The pirate scanned the scene just in time to see Tenchi's drunken face slip under the water. "Tenchi!" She flew to the lake as the others followed. Within seconds, the pirate dove into the water. The lake bubbled and fizzed and with a quick gurgle and pop, the Minivan and its occupants were pushed onto dry land….Ryoko clutched the rear bumper. Zephr and Tenchi sat inside, the car half filled with water and slowly draining. The lake began to rumbled again and a wave of water splashed the family as Kiyone and Mihoshi blasted off out of the water and into space on their patrol.
"You're right, Tenchi." Zephr, suddenly sobered by the cold water spoke as he stared straight out and clutched the steering wheel.
"About what?" Tenchi stated.
"The seatbelt sure helped."
***
"Just what were you thinking? Letting HIM drive!" Ryoko screamed as she paced back and forth on the deck. Tenchi and Zephr lay sprawled upon the wood planking in a puddle of water created from their wet clothes. "You two morons couldn't walk let alone drive!"
"I agree….this was very immature behavior from both of you…and father worked hard to get you this interview, Lord Tenchi." Ayeka lectured.
"Well…" Nobouyuki hung up the cordless phone and stepped onto the patio. "Keto will not agree to reschedule, he's hiring someone who could make the appointment on time…" He sighed. "Sorry Son, we'll find you another job."
"I'm sorry too, Dad." Tenchi clutched his throbbing head.
"I can't believe you acted so recklessly….and…and put yourselves into danger!" Ryoko fumed.
"Lay off me, Ryoko…" Tenchi sat up and winced as his headache worsened. "You of all people shouldn't lecture me about drinking." He stumbled into the house and walked up stairs to his bedroom.
"What was that all about?" Zephr chuckled.
"Oh, shut up, you." Ryoko went back into the house followed by the others leaving Zephr alone, staring up at the cloudy sky.
"Well, alrighty." He frowned as he lay wet and alone.
Ka-Boom! Thunder crackled through the ever-darkening clouds and rain began to fall.
"Great." Zephr frowned as the rain fell upon his body.
***
The storm raged outside and through the flashes of lightening a slight form made her way through the living room. Amber eyes flashed with golden yellow in the light of the storm as Ryoko tip toed her way through the room. With a grin she levitated upward to her favorite beam and sat. She scooted all the way to the plaster wall and inserted her hand. Her flesh turned transparent as it met the hard molecules of the plaster and her hand easily penetrated the surface. She slowly pulled it out but now, she held an ornate jug of sake hidden behind the wall. She swung the jug on her back, grasping the rope cord.
"They can't find all of them…" She giggled as she descended to the floor. "It can't hurt to have a few sips!" Ryoko jaunted up the stairs, half running and half teleporting herself to her room on the third floor. She admired the nursery. It was almost done, nothing that a fresh coat of paint couldn't fix. Tenchi and his father worked very hard and she could tell.
Tenchi. Ryoko's thoughts again were of that boy. Her heart ached and she felt woozy in the pit of her stomach and it was not nausea, her love for Tenchi made her feel ill. She stood by the enormous windows, a much bigger wall of glass than before, and she was glad to have so much light and warmth and she prayed never to be cold again. Ryoko was cold…on the inside. She yearned to shout and scream at him, to beat his face to a pulp until he loved her the same way she loved him, but she just couldn't feel it from him. The pirate pulled the stopper from the jug and took a hearty swig. The cool and astringent liquor coated the back of her throat and gave her that familiar warmth she loved and craved. Not the same as true love, but as close as she believed she was ever going to get. Ryoko stood there, watching the beautiful storm and as the rain fell, so to did her spirit. Her heart felt as if Kagato himself had reached into her chest and drug the organ out of her. The physical pain from her emotional distress and sudden depression was too much for her to bear. She took another drink to dull the pain.
Very close by and separated by mere feet of wood and plaster, Tenchi tossed in his sleep. He had slept off most of the sake but now, a sudden pain, a horrendous pain in his heart woke him up with a jolt. He sat upright in his bed and clutched his chest. The room began to spin. He stumbled out of bed and tried to stand. The pain. Searing and terrible pain emanated from his heart. Along with the pain came sadness and depression of which he had never, not even through the death of his mother, known the likes. "Ryoko?" He stammered out of the room in time to see the pirate downing more sake.
"Tenchi?" Ryoko was shocked to see him awake at this hour and then she realized she had been caught drinking.
"Ryoko!" The pain stopped. Instead, he was filled with anger at the pirate drinking. "What do you think you were doing?" He rushed to her and grabbed the arm holding the sake bottle with such a force that the pirate lost her grip and the jug fell to the ground shattering it and spilling the contents on the new floor.
"Tenchi!"
"I can't believe you….you don't care about this baby!" His face grew flush with anger.
"What do you care, you didn't want it anyway." She backed away from the window.
Lightening crashed causing Tenchi's face to contort with evil shadows. He barely breathed as he confronted Ryoko. "Don't you EVER say that!" He lunged at her.
"Tenchi!" She screamed, obviously caught off guard by his advance. Before she could react he had grabbed each of her arms and successfully pinned her against the wall. She was frozen. Ryoko had never seen him this way, so powerfully angry. His hands pinched the flesh of her wrists and she could feel his hot breath upon her neck. "What do you care…..you never loved me, it was all just fun and games…." What he did next she would remember for the rest of her life and lifetimes to come. Before she could protest, he kissed her. Ryoko felt his petal soft mouth meet her own and the pain that had enveloped both of their bodies moments earlier released into the stratosphere with the thunderclouds. Tiny sparks of electricity leapt off of their lips until they withdrew. Tenchi's eyes no longer held anger but she could see love. Love!
"I could feel so much sadness from you Ryoko and I know it's been my fault. I don't know how everything got so screwed up between us. You have to believe me when I tell you….I….Love….You……with my all my heart….here, so you can believe me…." He took her left hand in his right and brought it to his chest. He placed it under the fabric of his tee shirt and brought her soft hand to his chest above his heart. Ryoko felt his heart beating erratically and strong as if it were about to explode from his chest.
"You….you….feel just like me?" Her own heart beat the same.
"Ryoko," he released her, "I love you more than my life." He removed her hand from his shirt and gingerly tugged her toward him as he slowly backed out of the room. "Let me show you just how much….." Teary eyed and oblivious to the world Tenchi led Ryoko slowly to his room and after they entered, he quietly slid the door shut and fastened the latch.
Princess Ayeka had been awakened at the sound of breaking glass. She leapt to her feet to see what happened. As soon as her tiny feet hit the floor of the hallway she heard the shouting. Lord Tenchi was shouting. Her heart leapt as she believed this to be the end. The guilt she had been harboring inside for keeping his note a secret caused her body to shudder. "No, I can't let this happen!" She ran to the third floor just in time to see Tenchi drag Ryoko into his room. Ayeka saw his face. It was devoid of the goofy sweetness she grew to adore, instead he wore the very adult look of desire, desire for the demon. The door shut and with it any and all of her hopes for a future with Lord Tenchi. Ayeka squared her shoulders and slowly retreated downstairs and to her bedroom.
******************
Author's notes:
Ok, I'm getting bored with all the lovey stuff. I've got to get some action scenes and I'm bringing back an old nemesis (not who you think!) in later chapters. Stay tuned…..