Rain Child: WOW!!! Maybe I should make threats like that more often, *notices angry looks* err…maybe not…Well, anyways, a big thank you to everyone that reviewed. This is getting harder and harder; I'm almost done with this story, after this chapter, there's just one more. *Sniffs* Oh well, I have a surprise for you towards the end.
Yuki: Rain Child doesn't own the Tenchi series, or the characters. She owns me, Nazumi, my boyfriend, and the planet we live on. She also owns the plot, and this funny matchmaking filled chapter! So don't sue!
RC: ON WITH THE STORY!!! *Bows* Oh yeah, I'm going to try to leave my little comments until the end of the story, just for you guys. Feel loved. Now.
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Raindrops
~Chapter 8: Kiyoto vs. Tenchi (or No Need for Matchmaking!)
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Kiyone stretched, letting out a yawn. She couldn't remember the last time she'd gotten to sleep what she called late. Smiling, she dressed and made her way downstairs. Sasami cheerfully greeted her, and the others chimed a sleepy good morning as well. She hoped trouble would stay away for a while. However, when you're with the Masaki's, trouble is inevitable, no matter how little.
As the others trailed down, and Katsuhito walked in from the morning meditation, Kiyone stifled a laugh when she noticed Kiyoto and Tenchi both on either side of Ayeka, ignoring each other. Ayeka remained impassive, showing some resemblance to her half-brother at the moment, by ignoring them both, and talking to Sasami and Katsuhito. Ryoko didn't seemed a little unnerved about it, but she didn't say anything either.
Sighing in mock defeat, Kiyoto turned to Yuki and joked,
"You know Yuki, if you ever get bored with Nazumi here…(he whispered something into her ear)"
"Kiyoto!"
"What?"
"Never mind."
And she promptly smacked him. He fell over, dizzy-eyed. The others burst out laughing. Cackling in that way only Washu can do, she commented,
"Now this place truly is a Masaki home!"
"You're the greatest Washu!"
"The best scientific genius in the universe!" Chimed Washu dolls A and B. ***
After the laughter died down, Sasami asked,
"How's breakfast everyone?"
"It's great!"
"Excellent!"
"Delicious!"
"Yes Sasami, you and Nazumi did a wonderful job."
"Thanks Ayeka!"
"Want some help with those dishes Sasami?"
"Sure Tenchi! Hey Ayeka, do you want to help too?"
"I'd love to help Sasami."
Sasami giggled at Kiyoto's jealous look he wore upon his face. She wondered who else noticed. She nodded her head at Yuki, just slightly. Yuki let Tenchi pass, and stuck out her foot as Ayeka made followed the two to the kitchen. Yuki called out,
"Hey Tenchi!"
He turned around, just as Ayeka stumbled upon Yuki's foot, which was at just the right angle that would cause her to fall. And fall she did, right onto Tenchi, and into the kitchen, leaving them alone in quite an awkward position. Blushing profusely, they got up silently, and began on the dishes.
Kiyoto was furious about Sasami and Yuki's prank, but as he heard the sink go on, he inwardly sighed in an odd relief. The others slowly trailed off: Kiyone and Mihoshi to report to the GP, Katsuhito to meditate (again), Washu to work on an experiment in the temporary lab she'd set up, Ryoko to nap, and Yuki and Nazumi were going out for the day.
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Ayeka and Tenchi washed the dishes in awkward silence, occasionally answering or nodding at Sasami's chatter. As Sasami put away the last dish, they crept out, not eager to be set up by her again. But fate would not have that! As they reached the garden, Tenchi, gently took Ayeka's hand, then embarrassed, left to go train with his grandfather. Ayeka kept the composure instilled in her from being a princess. She knew Sasami would turn out to be a better Empress though. Though it had been hard, after talking to her little sister, Ayeka was sure Sasami wouldn't mind. With Washu's tutoring, Sasami would be the greatest Empress yet! Grinning, she wandered through her garden, heading towards the center, a spot she rarely visited. She sat down, and let her hair go loose. She then lay back, closing her eyes thinking of all that had happened.
Ayeka's POV:
So much has happened. It seems so odd to be with everyone again, yet it feels like I've come home, sort of. What's the Earthen saying? Oh yes, 'Home is where the heart is.' Hmm…Tenchi's been acting a little odd today. Kiyoto too. Did they have an argument or something? Surely it wouldn't be about me, would it? No, Tenchi doesn't love me, he taught me that long ago. He still loves Ryoko; they just are a bit unsure right now, probably qualms about marriage or something.
Regular POV:
Her thoughts were broken, as a familiar voice said to her,
"Ayeka?"
The memories of five years ago came flooding back. The raining, the hidden scars, her heart audibly heard breaking, and it had all been wounded more after what followed that exact phrase. 'That's not unusual,' she reassured herself, 'Lots of people ask after someone by using their name.' But it didn't help.
She sat bolt upright, meeting his smiling face. Absently, she pushed a strand of her long purple hair, and began to tie it back, before he grabbed her hand, saying,
"It looks better that way."
She blushed, and let go of her hair. Grinning, he plopped down beside her.
"So this is where you went to hide."
"Hide, no. It's just the place I like to come to, to think, or meditate, or relax."
"What do you think about?"
"Lots of things. Anything and everything."
"And the villagers say you're not a normal princess."
"I'm so flattered."
"No, now you are…"
Smirking, but on the verge of laughing, he withdrew a single flower, one she hadn't seen in a long time—the normal, everyday, Earthen red rose. Amazed, she took it by the stem with her pale, scarred fingers. It was gorgeous, with little diamonds implanted to appear like dewdrops. She was almost speechless, almost,
"I don't know what to say…"
"Don't worry about it. I just saw it when we went to town, and thought you might like it, since you couldn't grow them here."
"Still, you didn't have to--"
"Don't worry about it."
Casually, he laid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. She was tense for a moment, and then relaxed. For what seemed like an eternity, they sat there, frozen in time it seemed, Ayeka's face uneasy. She looked up at him. His eyes were burning with desire, and it scared her. Gently, his fingertips touched her cheek, as he smiled gently. She thought his face seemed awfully close.
"Umm…I think I'm going to go see if Sasami wants me to help her—"
She felt his lips on hers, and widened her eyes.
Ayeka's POV:
No! He can't love me! On no! Tsunami, help me!
Regular POV:
She felt sickened, like she'd kissed a best friend. She pulled away, red faced and a little angry. He turned red, bumbling over and apology, and ran off, leaving Ayeka in shock. Immense guilt and relief washed over from her. She got up, and put her hair back up, and ran off, saying over and over again, "Kiyoto? No, you can't love me, please, let that be a nightmare." The rose lay by the fountain, forgotten.
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Tenchi staggered back, falling into a nearby fountain. It couldn't be true! Not now! Now that he'd finally figured it out!
Having been unable to find his grandfather, he had gone wandering through the gardens. He had spotted Ayeka daydreaming, her hair was unbound, and her tiara had been taken off. She had looked beautiful, more like a goddess then a princess, if a troubled one. He had wanted to talk to her, but couldn't bring himself to do it. Finally, he took a step forward; he was ready to talk with her, when that idiot Kiyoto stirred her. Tenchi's blood had boiled with jealousy as he watched Kiyoto presented her with a rose. Tenchi himself fingered a small ring in his pocket, plain silver with a diamond teardrop in it. His fury increased as he draped his arm around her, but subsided as she tensed up. He clenched his fists until his knuckles were white. As Kiyoto kissed her, he decided he couldn't take it anymore, and stumbled back, falling into the water as Ayeka pulled away.
…And now here he was, halfway in a fountain, soaking wet, and footsteps were running in his direction. "Yeah, today is going just perfectly," he remarked mordantly. Sighing, he pulled himself out of the fountain, blinded by the water, and even a few tears, and attempted to make his way to the house, only to bump into someone, knocking them both down. She (he could tell by her voice) cried out in surprise. He knew that voice, and opened his mouth to apologize, but found she was holding him tight, tears trickling down her beautiful face.
Both of them now thoroughly embarrassed after all the things that had happened today, the two of them stood up, this time their hands were intertwined. She wiped her eyes and they walked back to the house, trying to act as though nothing had happened, talking and laughing a little about everything and nothing at all.
Meanwhile…Kiyoto hurriedly made his way to Ayeka's house. He felt like dirt. He'd just made the biggest mistake he'd ever made. He'd kissed someone thinking he loved her, only to find out that wasn't the case, for either of them. He was so lost in his thoughts; he slammed right into another person.
"Aw shit," He muttered under his breath, then, louder, "Sorry, I was—"
"Lost in thought? Been there, done that."
"Oh, hey Ryoko."
Kiyoto glanced over towards Ryoko. She was smiling, as though she was remembering better times. He'd never really noticed her much, so it took him by surprise when he saw how beautiful she really was, inward and outward. Smiling wryly, Kiyoto commented,
"It hurts, doesn't it?"
"What hurts? Lots of things hurt. You'd be stupid or sheltered to think otherwise."
"The rejection, the pain, how you feel like dirt afterwards."
"How would you know?"
"Actually, I do know, Ryoko, twice-over."
"Oh…"
Ryoko glanced over at Kiyoto. He reminded her of Tenchi, in looks, and they were similar in attitude sometimes, other times a bit like her, except Tenchi was quieter. Something hit her in the chest inwardly—she was falling for a complete stranger. How!? She barely knew him. She tried to think of an explanation, but gave in, and probed Washu,
//Wa-er…Mom?//
//Yes, Little Ryoko?//
//I got a problem//
//Anything I can do//
//I think I'm falling for someone//
//it happens//
//But I…I thought I…//
//Still loved Tenchi? It happens//
//Yes, well//
//It's Kiyoto, isn't it?//
//Huh? How'd you know//
//Call it mother's intuition//
//right//
//is that all? //
//yah. Thanks//
//Anytime my little Ryoko. I know I'm not a great mom, but I do care about you//
Looking up, she opened her mouth to say something to Kiyoto, but he had gone. She vaguely remembered Sasami had called for lunch while she was talking to Washu. Sighing, she teleported to the house.
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Rain Child: Okay, I'm going to be on spring break starting Saturday, so don't expect me to update for a while. I'm going to Florida (YAY!), but there's no computer there (*sniffle*). So I expect to have 70 reviews by the time I get back. Then I can finish this story!!!! ^_^ Epilogue too!!! So be happy, and review!!!
