Disclaimer

I am a poor starving artist with no intentions of making money off of this. I own absolutely none of the characters herein, and have created this sheerly for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of anyone who reads it. Please don't sue me.

This Side Down

Chapter Eleven:

No Need For Violence

The night's silence was broken by a crack of thunder. Tenchi sat up, blinking and disoriented. "Just a rainstorm..." He lay back down and stared at the ceiling.

We're going back tomorrow... He grinned slightly at the thought. As much as he loved his grandfather, it would be good to go back to the Tendo-ke. The Tendo's household was one of the first places he had ever felt at home. Sure, his own home was nice, but there was always too much tension there. Here, at his grandfather's house, there was rarely - if ever - any privacy, or any time to himself. At the Tendo home, while he had to share a room with his father...well, it was the first place he had ever felt free to be himself. It was something he was unwilling to give up.

There was a knock at the doorway, and the shogi slid open a crack.

"Tenchi...?"

He looked up to see Sasami standing at the door. She was wearing a borrowed white gown that had belonged to his mother - his real mother, not Nodoka. It was rather large on her - the hem dragged on the ground, and the sleeves had been rolled back several times.

"What is it, Sasami?"

"The thunder..." The younger girl's voice quavered, and she clutched her hands in front of her. "Can I stay with you for a while?"

"...I suppose."

Sasami slid onto the futon with him, and snuggled up to his chest. He pulled the blanket over both of them. If Akane walked in on this, I would be on the recieving end of a mallet so quickly it would make my head spin...probably literally.

"Tenchi?"

"Hm?"

"Thank you." She smiled up at him. "I'm very scared of thunder and lightning."

"You're welcome, Sami. Why does it frighten you?"

"I can't really remember..." Her eyes were beginning to droop shut. "I have bad memories of loud noises, and flashes of light, and falling..." She yawned deeply. "I think it was from the time that Ryoko attacked Jurai."

"Ryoko attacked your homeworld?"

"Yeah...but I talked to her about it...Kagato was controlling her then...and Yosho set her free...just before he locked her away..." Her eyes slipped shut, and her breathing became deep and regular.

Tenchi rested his head on his arm and tried to get to sleep, despite the little girl snuggled up against him. He smiled. He very much liked Sasami; the girl was quite active, and very outgoing and friendly - when she wasn't dead tired and afraid of a thunderstorm. He knew he wasn't alone in this...Ryoko, Akane, even his mother Nodoka, all of them were quite taken with the child.

He sighed. She looked a child, but it was often difficult to realize that she was over six hundred earth years old...

Tenchi nodded off to sleep, a contended look on his face, matching the one on Sasami's.

Behind him, a pale figure with long blue hair and two small circles on her forehead watched over the two, her smile reflecting both sadness and love.

Ayeka stared at the tableau before her, face set in a mask of rage, fists clenched at her sides. She walked over to the futon and nudged Sasami rather ungently with her toe.

Sasami sat upright quickly, blinking away sleep.

"Sis...What...?"

"What are you doing in here, Little Sister?"

"Huh?"

"You heard me! You sneak out of our room in the dead of the night and wander in here to bother Tenchi-sama."

"The storm last night...I was frightened."

Ayeka's expression softened; well she knew of her sister's fears. "Why didn't you wake me, Little Sister?"

"I...I wanted to go to Daddy...but he wasn't..." She looked down. "So I...I went to see Tenchi instead."

Ayeka looked at her disapprovingly. "Did you not consider that Tenchi would react poorly to you disturbing him?"

"But he didn't!"

"And did you even consider the way you were dressed?" She indicated the thin white gown the younger Princess wore. "Any of your ladies in waiting would have had a fit at this behaviour."

"They're not here, Sis." Sasami stood up, a scowl crossing her face. "And you know full well that Tenchi would never have done anything like that."

"Oh, really? Have you forgotten the way he acted towards me aboard Ryu-Oh?"

"Sis...that was mostly my fault, and partially yours. Certainly not in the least his."

Sasami brushed past her sister and left the room. Ayeka watched her go, confusion on her face. It wasn't at all like Sasami to defy her like that...

"Ayeka."

The Princess jumped, startled. "Yes, Tenchi?"

Tenchi was sitting up on the futon, looking out the window across the room. "Don't worry about Sasami. She didn't bother me."

That's what I was worried about. Outwardly, she smiled. "I'm glad, Tenchi-sama, but I am concerned about the propriety."

"What--" Tenchi gaped at her. "Do you honestly think I'd do anything untoward to a girl her age?"

"It matters little what I think. In fact, personally, I don't think you would. However, decorum must be observed."

Tenchi was silent for a minute, then looked up at her. "If decorum means I can't comfort a scared little girl when she has a nightmare...then I don't think it's worth very much. Now if you will please step outside my room...?"

Ayeka bowed slightly, then stepped out of the room, closing the shogi behind her. She smiled slightly.

He thinks of Sasami as a little girl...good.

Tenchi stepped out onto the balcony/hallway overlooking the living room. He could hear the sounds of breakfast being prepared in the kitchen, and grinned. With Sasami, Nodoka, Kasumi and Akane all trying to work in the small room together, it was unlikely he'd even fit in the kitchen.

Ryoko was seated on the couch below, cradling something in her arms. Ayeka stepped up behind Tenchi and looked down at the space pirate. "What on earth is that she has?"

"I have no idea." Tenchi walked downstairs and approached Ryoko. "Hey, there. What's that you have?"

The cyan-haired woman looked up at Tenchi. "It's so beautiful, Tenchi, isn't it? The fruits of our love..."

"Whaaaat?"

Ayeka stormed forward. "What are you babbling about, you evil woman?"

Ryoko held up the egg. "Tenchi, I'm so happy we've done this together!"

"What are you saying?!"

Akane walked in, gaping. "Tenchi! You mean that you and that alien demon slut...?"

Nabiki smirked. "You know, I never would have thought he had it in him."

"Oh, my adopted son is so manly..."

"No, you all have it all wrong!"

"Tenchi's right!" Sasami pointed at the egg. "That's--"

The egg twitched in Ryoko's hands.

"It's hatching!"

The egg split in two, and a small, brown, furry animal raised its head and mewed.

"It's a cat?"

"It's so cute!"

"No, look at the ears and tail. It's a rabbit!"

"It's Ryo-Ohki." Everyone stopped talking and looked over at Sasami.

Tenchi knelt in front of her. "Sami...what do you mean?"

"That is Ryo-Ohki. She's a ship, like the trees of Jurai, but instead of being a tree, she's an animal." Sasami grinned. "I could always hear the trees, wherever they are, because of Tsunami healing me the way she did. Ryo-Ohki sounds different, but she's definitely the ship."

Tenchi picked up the small creature and looked at it. "Ryo-Ohki told me she'd be back. I guess this is her." He grinned. "Sure is cute, isn't she?"

Akane glared at Ryoko. "So, you lied about you and Tenchi?"

"Well, I lied about the egg..." Akane raised a massive mallet, ready to strike. "Okay, okay! I lied about Tenchi!" She sighed. "Jeez, you Earthlings have no sense of humour."

"Hey, Tenchi."

Tenchi looked up from the videogame. Nabiki was standing behind him, arms crossed, smiling slightly. "You know, it was pretty slick the way Kasumi got to spend so much extra time with you. That plus the amount of time you've spent recently with Akane. I'm starting to feel a little left out. You know what I mean?"

"I...guess. What did you have in mind?"

Nabiki tried to look innocent. "Moi?"

"You wouldn't have even bothered talking to me if you didn't have something in mind." Nabiki looked hurt, and Tenchi quickly thought of a better way to phrase that. "What I mean is, you wouldn't have mentioned there being a problem unless you already had a solution in mind."

She considered this, then nodded. "True. What I had in mind is a date."

"What about the fair tomorrow?"

"I mean one here. Tonight. The fair is for tomorrow."

"Now who's dialing for extra time?"

She smiled. "Gotta get my kicks in while I can, right?"

Tenchi shrugged. "Sure. Where do you want to go? There's a nice teen club in town. I haven't been there in a while."

"Sounds good." She knelt quickly and hugged him. "Right after dinner?"

"You got it."

"Ayeka."

Ayeka scowled as Ryoko phased through the wall. The nerve of that woman, entering her private chambers without permission! "What is it this time, you infernal woman?"

"I just thought you might like to know that Tenchi is going on a date with Nabiki."

"A date?" It took Ayeka a moment to figure out what exactly the demon was talking about. "Do you mean to tell me that those two are going off into the town, unescorted?"

"Yep. That's exactly what I mean."

"I must stop them." Ayeka stood up, fist clenched. "That common hussy mustn't be allowed to do this!"

"Think it through, Akeka." Ryoko stretched, arms above her head. "You do anything to stop this, and Tenchi's just gonna hate your guts."

"That's true..." She frowned, suddenly suspicious. "Why are you telling me any of this? If you desire Tenchi for yourself, then certainly doing anything to help me will only impede you."

Ryoko laughed "Oh, please, Princess. I just wanna have some fun with him. When I'm done with him, you can have him. Also, I think Nabiki's two-timing him. I think he likes you, so I'm willing to help him out."

"It still seems like you're hiding something, pirate...Very well. I cannot disturb this date, but you can."

"But I won't."

"Really...?" Ayeka smiled. "You do realize that it is within my power to grant you a full pardon...?"

"A pardon?" Ryoko grinned. "All right, Princess. You have yourself a deal. And I will hold you to it." She faded out of existence.

Ayeka smirked. Stupid woman. With the Statute of Limitations lapsed on her...she no longer needs a pardon. I win.

Tenchi and Nabiki stepped off the bus. The night was quite alive - people moving about, on their way to or from some source of entertainment. The town was good-sized, with over sixty thousand people in it, and when Friday came, those people loved to play hard. The town had several sources of entertainment - bars, dance clubs, karaoke clubs, video game arcades - with something available for all ages.

Tenchi wore his traditional Chinese garb, though the shirt was black instead of red, and had a golden dragon embroidered on it. Nabiki wore blue jeans, and a tight orange T-Shirt that left absolutely no doubt in the minds of any observer that she was a mammal.

"C'mon. Unless they've shut down, they're just down this street."

Nabiki grabbed Tenchi's arm and dragged him down the street he'd indicated. The club was, in fact, still there, and the cover charge a mere four hundred yen a head. Nabiki slid a one-K bill across the counter, and dragged Tenchi into the club.

The music was pounding loudly enough to render speech impossible, and the dance floor was packed with people gyrating to the beat. Tenchi didn't know squat about dancing, but the beat got into his bloodstream, and he couldn't help but move with it. Nabiki, on the other hand, was obviously in her element. She was dancing up a storm, whirling around, a dazzling smile on her face.

Even if I go deaf here, Tenchi mused, it's worth it to see her smile like that.

Unnoticed by either of the two, Ryoko slid into the club, bypassing the cover charge by simply phasing in through the wall. She smirked. I wreck Tenchi's date, and get my pardon from her Highness, push Tenchi away from that two-timing tramp, then tell him that Ayeka forced me to interfere...and I win.

She watched the two dancing and smiling, growing more and more angry. That little hussy is making far too much time with my Tenchi. I'm gonna put paid to her account right now.

She drew back her hand and summoned a power bolt. Several dancers nearby started to scatter, but Tenchi and Nabiki remained blissfully unaware of the impending attack. Ryoko pointed her hand towards Nabiki and...let it fall again.

I can't. I can't do it. Why not?

She allowed herself to fade from view, falling back into the Otherworld. She hugged herself tightly.

"Tenchi is happy just spending time with her right now. If I interrupt that like this...it doesn't matter whether or not I can pin it on Ayeka. He'll hate me forever." She sighed. "I can't do that...And Nabiki looked so happy too..." She chuckled. "Getting soft, old woman."

She stepped back into ThisWorld and took to the air. With any luck, I'll be back in time for some of Akane's dinner. Whenever she cooks, there's always tons left over for me.

The music in the dance club shifted to a slow song, and Nabiki scooted up close to Tenchi, wrapping her arms around him. They moved slowly to the music.

Tenchi looked down at Nabiki, smiled slightly at the look of contentment on the girl's face. It's like all she ever wanted in the world was just to be held like this. Like no-one's ever done this for her. But with her mother gone, and her father as good as gone, maybe no-one ever has.

Crunch

"Ouch!"

"Sorry, Nabiki-chan."

She smiled at him. "It's okay, Tenchi. I don't mind."

"I should have suggested somewhere else, I guess. I never learned how to dance."

She laughed. "You're doing well so far..."

"Well, thanks. Except for stepping on your foot, I guess I am."

Her smile faded somewhat. "I really appreciate this, Tenchi..."

"Hey, really. It's my pleasure."

"You mean that?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, because of the agreement between our families--"

Nabiki stepped back, a hurt look on her face. "I see. You only agreed to this because of the agreement."

"No! That's not what I--"

"I thought maybe you liked me. But you're just trying to make sure you don't get stuck with a girl you hate."

"Nabiki--"

Her voice turned bitter. "And the kami forbid that you get stuck with unlovable Nabiki, the Ice Queen of Nerima." Tears welled in her eyes. "Kami forbid that you pick a fat, ugly girl that everyone despises. Kami forbid--" She turned and bolted from the club.

"Nabiki!" Tenchi ran after her.

Nabiki ran, blinded by tears. She passed many people, brushing past them uncaringly. Some turned to ask her what was wrong? but she knew they were lying. Eventually, after running for hours, she stumbled and fell, and lay where she hit the pavement, sobbing, her breath burning in her chest.

A hand fell on her shoulder, and she looked up to see Tenchi kneeling next to her, a concerned look on his face. All of her old fears surged in her, stronger than ever.

"Nabiki..."

"You don't understand, Tenchi. You don't understand the way everyone I love turns away from me, leaves me - Mother died, Father turned away from the world in grief, Kasumi trying to take her mother's place - never mind what her other sisters thought of that."

Her breath came in gasps. "Akane, falling into a horrible rage time after time, then turning to the Art as a way to escape the world - never having time to share with her older sister. Thomas moved back to America - If he really wanted to, he could have stayed! I could have found a way! And Kenchiro, he left because everyone told him what a cold bitch I was, and they were right, and now--"

Tenchi pulled her to her feet, and she fell silent, biting her lip. He pulled her into a hug. She shuddered in his grasp, but fought the urge to pull away. They stood that way for some time, then she stepped back.

"Nabiki..." He shook his head, an odd look on his face. "I'm just as scared of all this as you are. I don't even know why you...act like this. Why you're fighting your sisters...over me."

She looked down at her feet. "You make me feel safe. When you hold me, I feel like maybe, this time, someone really loves me."

He smiled. "I'm sorry, Nabiki, but I'm really not sure I love you--but," he hastily added, as he saw the fear return to her eyes, "I do really care for you. And I promise, I won't ever turn away from you."

"Even if you should marry Akane or Kasumi?"

"I couldn't live without seeing you smile again."

Nabiki's sight blurred again, the tears returning, and before she could change her mind, she darted forward and kissed him passionately. He hesitated, obviously surprised, then returned the kiss with equal feeling.

She broke the kiss after a few seconds, and slipped her arms around him. She smiled contentedly. Maybe he didn't love her; maybe he never would. But he cared for her. And for the moment, it would be enough.

The bus stopped just outside the Masaki shrine, and Tenchi and Nabiki hopped out. Ryouga, dressed in some clothing borrowed from Katsuhito, strode up to meet them.

"Hey, Ryouga!" Tenchi ran forward to meet his old friend.

Nabiki hung back somewhat; Ryouga's appearance here probably wasn't going to do her any good.

"Hello, Tenchi. I've been meaning to get ahold of you for some time."

"Well, I can't say as that surprises me. The 'long time' part, in particular."

Ryouga chuckled; though most people taunting him over his directional inability simply earned them a brisk thrashing, with Tenchi he knew it was nothing spiteful. "Listen, we need to talk about a few things. And Nabiki, I'd like to talk to you afterwards."

Nabiki blinked, and started to worry.

Ryouga turned back to Tenchi. "First off, I'd like to apologize for...what happened last time you saw me."

"Fine. But you shouldn't apologize to me."

"I know. I just wanted you to make sure Kasumi doesn't kill me before I apologize."

Tenchi snickered. "Fair enough."

"Second...well, I should have told you this last time we met, as opposed to simply attacking you. I've kinda...fallen in love with Akane."

"Oh!" Tenchi's eyes widened. "So that's what that was all about!"

"Well, yeah. I'm sorry I acted the way I did."

"I guess I can forgive you." He sighed. "But I'm honour-bound to marry a Tendo...and unfortunately for you, Akane qualifies."

"You and your damn honour--"

"Ryouga, I'm not in the mood for one of your temper tantrums. I just had a really nice evening with Nabiki. Don't ruin it for me."

Ryouga deflated. "Sorry."

"Look, Ryouga. Just because I'm technically engaged to Akane doesn't mean you can't tell her how you feel about her."

In the background, Nabiki blinked. Was Tenchi giving up on Akane? That would really cut down on the competition!

Tenchi patted Ryouga on the shoulder. "I wish you good luck, Ryouga. But I have a feeling you're gonna need more than that."

Ryouga nodded gloomily.

"I'll leave you to Nabiki, then. Nabiki, when Ryouga's said whatever it is he has to say to you, will you join me for a cup of tea?"

Nabiki nodded. "Hai, Tenchi-kun."

Tenchi walked up the pathway, and was promptly tackled by Sasami.

"Tenchi-sama, you gotta come try my soup!"

Nabiki chuckled as Tenchi was dragged off by the Princess, then turned to Ryouga. "I suppose this is where you tell me you're not working for me anymore?"

"I'm sorry, Nabiki. But it's just..." He sighed. "I can't spy on Tenchi for you. It's not right. He's my best friend. Besides, it seems to me that you're doing well on your own."

"Appearances can be deceiving, Ryouga. He treats all three of us like that. Even though I'm certain that he doesn't love any of us, he still acts like he does." She rolled her eyes. "I suppose he just feels sorry for us, since Mom died so long ago, and Daddy's basically worthless."

Ryouga chuckled. "Tenchi really is a great guy. Trust me, I know." He sobered. "But still...I wouldn't mind trying to be your friend, Nabiki. You seem the sort I could get along with...and it wouldn't hurt to be friends with my future sister-in-law."

"Mighty certain of yourself, aren't you, P-Chan?"

Ryouga looked down. "No, Nabiki. Actually, I'm not certain of myself at all. Actually, I'm pretty certain I'm gonna fail. After all, Akane obviously loves Tenchi."

"Hey, cheer up, pig-boy. Remember, Tenchi might pick Kasumi, or even me." She tilted her head. "Obviously, I'd rather he pick me. But either way, you just might convince Akane that you'd be a good second pick."

"Do you think I really want to be an 'also-ran?'" Ryouga's eyes burned, and he clenched a fist unconsciously. "'Second-best' just doesn't cut it, Nabiki."

"All right, all right. I see your point." She smiled impishly. "Are you a gambling man?"

"Huh?"

"I'll bet that Tenchi picks me, and you get Akane. Further, I'll bet that Akane picks you out of love, not just because you're there."

Ryouga scratched his head. "I really can't see you winning this one, Nabiki."

"So I like the long odds. If I win, then you owe me a really big wedding present worth - oh, say, fifty thousand yen, at least."

"And if I win?"

"Hmmm...If you win...you get an all-expenses paid night on the town...with me."

"What?"

"Well, Ryouga, I kinda like you. Not as much as Tenchi--"

"Story of my life."

"You be quiet. The point is, you are a great guy. And a hunk, on top of that. So, either way...we both win." She smiled. "If only a consolation prize."

He snickered. "All, right, Nabiki. You're on."

She hugged him briefly. "Gotta run. Take care of yourself."

"I will, Nabiki-chan."

Ayeka gaped. "What do you mean, you did nothing to stop it?!"

Ryoko snarled. "What do you mean, Statute of Limitations ran out?!"

The air around the two women was charged with electricity. Sasami ducked out of the room before the energy bolts started flying.

BOOM"Come on, you guys!" Akane's impatience was showing strongly. "The train pulls out in three minutes."

"Stay well, Tenchi." Katsuhito hugged his grandson. "And don't be a stranger!"

"All right, Grandfather." Tenchi grabbed his suitcase and dragged it towards the train. "We'll try to get down here again on the rainy season break."

"I'll look forward to seeing you then."

"Hey, how are you gonna help the Princesses get home?"

"I'm not."

"Huh?"

The train whistle blew. Nabiki grabbed Tenchi's wrist. "Let's go already!"

Tenchi jumped onto the train. "What do you mean?"

"They're on their way to Tokyo now."

"What?"

Katsuhito grinned. "Have a safe trip. And don't get into any trouble!"

Tenchi groaned. "We're headed for trouble!"