Demoness and Camellia stands before audience: Shout if you want some Tenchi bashing!

Everyone stands onto their feet shouting.

Camellia: Well we'll give you a bit perhaps in the next chapter.

Demoness: Violence vi-o-lence must have blood-dripping violence! (Mallet lands on her head.) Ooh birdies! (Falls to the ground unconscious)

Camellia disposes of mallet: Oops knocked out the author. No worries she'll be up in a moment. Believe it or not my sister and I had planned on making this a small lemon, not the smutty type of lemon but you get the idea. But now that there's a ban on NC-17 fics we're kinda more or less screwed on that idea.

Groaning Demoness stands: You're picking up on my colorful vocabulary dear sister. And don't think you're going to get away with hitting me, Tenchi must suffer first. But we need a reason... a-ha! I am a creative genius!

Ryoko's No Need for Tenchi

Ryoko's golden amber eyes focused on the blurred visions of the stars above her head. So beautiful.' She thought to no one but allowed Ryo-ohki and Zero to hear. A mental sigh echoed in Ryoko's mind agreeing completely with her comment. In three months it would have been a complete year since she left Earth. In that time she and Hotsuma had gone back to pirating but made sure they didn't touch anything or anyone from or in relations to Jurai. Ryoko said that she was bored with playing with Jurai. That was one simple reason, another was that the GXP didn't really care if other lesser planets and ships were robbed.

Ryoko turned to her side towards the cornflower yellow haired man in deep slumber beside her. Ryoko had discovered that when she slept alone she suffered a restless night full of nightmares and bad memories. One night frightened and worn she crawled into Hotsuma's bed uncaring to his say-so in the matter. Within moments she was asleep dreaming wondrous dreams she had the chance to experience very rarely. In one single night Hotsuma's position as partner had been changed to teddy bear, of course he did not mind.

He looked so alien to her with his hair lose spread around the white pillow. And without his glasses positioned on the ridge of his nose he looked even more foreign to her. She mentally traced over the lines of his features as she followed them around with her eyes. For a kid Yugi made a pretty decent man, handsome yet flawed perfectly. Whenever people made-up characters they had the tendency of depriving them of the flaws they themselves suffer making the character perfect, the person they wish they were.

Ryoko sighed languorously. She remembered how she use to look after Tenchi while he slept. She was protecting him, watching over him making sure the nightmares that hunted her never caused his face to flinch in his sleep. And each morning afterwards she was rewarded with the same reprimanding and order to leave him alone. But with Hotsuma things were different, he enjoyed her company and her watchful eyes, especially now that she didn't spend her waking hours in search of booze.

Ryoko silently yawned, curling her tongue like a cat and popping a few bones in the process. She phased into her favorite blue and mustard dress as she floated into the air debating silently to herself. How shall I wake him up this time?' She asked Zero and Ryo-ohki.

Pounce on him!' Ryo-ohki suggested.

Zero laughed. No she did that the other day, throw cold water on him.'

Ryoko pictured the image of a wet angry Hotsuma in her mind and laughed. We'll save that one for later, maybe well use it on the princess. I got it we'll shout that the Galaxy Police has attacked us! Yes that will work.' Ryoko bit into her lower lips with her fangs as her brown tail wagged madly behind her in excitement.

In all her planning Ryoko did not realize that Hotsuma was wide-awake gazing up at her the best he could without his glasses. What sort of prank is she up to now? It wasn't long ago she pounced on my chest.' Hotsuma's hand rubbed over his recently vanished bruises. Being her teddy bear comes with a price.'

A sinister gleam shinned in Hotsuma's eyes as his hand gracefully drifted up to the floating pirate in deep thought. His fingers tinkled up Ryoko's spine running across a highly sensitive area.

Ryoko shrieked flying higher into the air.

Hotsuma placed his glasses on his nose. Watching over me again, ne Ryoko? Hotsuma asked smiling towards her as she landed on the foot of the bed. Her lip poked out a bit in a pout as she rubbed her tickled back, her face telling him that she was on full alert for the rest of the dark space morning.

Despite of her anger Ryoko felt the corners of her lips lift into a smile. He did have a warming handsome smile, just like Tenchi.

No one quiet understood how a simple smile was such a reward for Ryoko, but if you were to serve many years under someone who always found fault in you then you would understand.

Your turn to make breakfast. She said hiding the smile.

Fifteen more minutes. He yawned ready to settle back to sleep.

Ryoko pounced on his chest causing him to let out a hallow oof' Now listen to me, I'm hungry and I demand food now! Feed me now or I'm going to cook breakfast. She warned deepening her voice.

Hotsuma's eyes grew as those last five words registered. I'll cook! He stated jumping out of bed.

Ryoko smiled in victory falling back onto the untidy bed as she watched Hotsuma's retreating form. If she wasn't aware of the fact that most things she made could be used as poison she would have taken offense.

Washu isn't much of a cook either; maybe we are alike after all. She said to Zero.

Zero's laughter echoed in Ryoko's mind. C'mon and turn on the TV. I wanna catch the soaps. Zero begged.

Alright hold your horses. Ryoko said sitting up straight on the end of the bed. Ryoko called out.

Before her golden eyes appeared a flat digital screen. We have a few minutes of news to go before the soaps start. Ryoko said crossing her legs in Indian style.

The balding anchorman with what looked like a dead animal atop his baldness sat aside his young and attractive co-anchor woman. ....has declared its independence from mother planet Carion. And latest news everyone remembers a month ago when Princess Ayeka Jurai announced her engagement to earthen man Tenchi Masaki whom is said to be the descendant of the late Prince Yosho Jurai. It has been reported that the two will be married in Jurai in two weeks.

Ryoko's eyes narrowed down on the photo of Tenchi holding Ayeka in his arms in the top corner of the screen.

~*~

Hotsuma was walking towards the bedroom when Ryoko went storming by almost knocking the tray of food onto the floor and him. Ryoko, what is the matter? He asked as she made her way to the controls.

They're getting married. She grumbled as she began calling up her communication link with Washu.

Who's getting married? Hotsuma asked sitting down the tray and walking towards her.

Ryoko didn't turn to answer him. Ayeka and Tenchi. She hissed moments before the link was established.

Hotsuma's face dropped with disappointment. I see. He said sort of to himself.

A small little Washu doll appeared before the screen. Hello you have reached the greatest scientific genius the great little Washu! Little Washu the wonderful is busy at the time, please leave a message and when shes through laughing at you shell consider calling you back.

Ryoko growled she didn't have time to waste on the little doll. Listen here you little troll I want to speak with Washu and I want to speak with her now! She said.

The doll laughed. It said in Washu's nasally voice.

Why you...do you have any idea who you are talking to? She asked. I'm Ryoko Washu's greatest creation! Ryoko said mimicking Washu's boastful voice.

I don't care who you aaaah! The doll shouted as it was knocked out of the way.

Ryoko! How nice of you to call, I've been trying to call you for days now. Washu said.

Ryoko's mood lightened a little at the sight of her child bodied mother. To tell me that Tenchi and Ayeka's getting married? Ryoko asked.

Washu frowned, So you've heard hmm?

Ryoko nodded. She began to rub her chin as she thought. Tenchi really doesn't like the idea of getting married on Jurai does he? Ryoko asked.

So they're having a private wedding on Earth first then having one at Jurai, so that no matter who may chose that time to speak against it they're already hitched. Ryoko said leaning back and crossing her legs. Oh that's clever, I wonder who thought that one up. Ayeka no doubt.

Washu smiled. I knew my little Ryoko inherited my brains!

Ryoko felt something warm within her upon hearing her mother's statement. Someone was actually proud of her. She quickly regained herself going back to the business at hand. And I wasn't invited.

Washu frowned again. They didn't say anything about you not being invited. Though I believe Ayeka wouldn't take kindly to the idea of two pirates attending her wedding. But you are coming arent you? Washu asked a mischievous glint gleaming in her emerald eyes.

Ryoko smiled denting her bottom lip with her fangs. Of course I'm coming. I have to have a tiny talk with Tenchi before he takes that walk down the aisle. Be ready for us when we get there, I don't want anyone to know that we're there just yet.

I'll be waiting for you.

See ya mom. Ryoko said turning off the screen.

***

Ryoko and Hotsuma sat together on Ryo-ohki's floor eating breakfast together as they did so many times before.

So you're going back? Hotsuma asked Ryoko eyeing her from over the rim of his coffee mug.

Ryoko popped a slice of toast into her mouth. I hope we don't have to fight over it again. She teased.

Hotsuma frowned giving her a glare that told her that he wasn't in the mood to joke. I won't lie to you; I don't want you to go back. He said looking her in the eyes.

Ryoko sat her food down and looked back at him. I have to Hotsuma. I have to make it to that wedding in time. She said.

Hotsuma slammed his fist into the floor making the plates rattle. I thought you said you were over him Ryoko. Why do you let him rule your life like this?

Ryoko began but he held up his hand stopping her.

Why do you like hurting yourself like this? Going back to him will only continue the cycle of pain and suffering. I use to enjoy seeing people go through that. But you, Ryoko, I can't stand to see you put yourself through it. And yes I will fight you to prevent you from going back to that even if it truly kills me this time.

Ryoko leaned over grabbing hold of Hotsuma's face and pressing her lips to his in a gentle kiss.

What was that for? Hotsuma asked when they parted.

That was the only way I could shut you up! She said frowning. Now that you've finished your little jealous lecture on how love hurts I can inform you that I don't give a damn that Tenchi's marrying Ayeka, hell I'll even give Ayeka away. But there's just something I have to do before hand. Ryoko leaned against Hotsuma nuzzling her nose against his neck. Besides Ryo-ohki misses Sasami and showing up will no doubt scare the hell out of that princess and Tenchi. Come on Hotsuma afterwards we could go out and paint the world red. What do you say to that, Hotsuma?

Hotsuma sighed as he leaned his head back and wrapping one arm around Ryoko's shoulder. What is it you have in mind? He asked almost afraid to ask. Almost.

End of part 5 (next part Tenchi bashing I promise!)