This is a fanfic and is not for profit.

The Alchemy of Love

Chapter Six by William Nichols

            Ever since he left the girls in the Onsen Tenchi had been thinking about where he should take them on their next date.  All of the usuall stuff popped through his mind, and even a few unusual things.  We have Wahsu's tunnel system and Ryo-Ohki, he thought.  So if they want to go someplace special we can.  Then Tenchi thought that being that far away from safety with both Ayeka and Ryoko might not be such a good idea at the moment.  Then again they could get me alone somewhere and no one would be able to find us…  that last thought sent a shiver down his spine.

            "You are still going to take the girls out tomorrow night, aren't you son?" Nobuyuki asked from the couch.  He was reading the sports page and trying to stop smoking once again.  But knowing how things went on in this house, that was going to be a difficult task.

            "Yep," Tenchi said as he set the dinner plates on the table.  "If they want to go."

            "I'm sure they will," his father replied as he flipped to the next page.

            "So whatcha plannin'?" Sasami asked as she handed Tenchi a large serving tray.

            "Yeah, tell us!" Mihoshi interjected.

            "Maybe later," said Tenchi while he sat the large serving tray on the table.  "Besides, I'm not really sure myself."  That should hold them off, he thought.

            "You know son," Nobuyuki spoke up as he peered over his shoulder from his place on the couch.  "Don't try so hard.  The simple dates are usually the best ones."

            "What are you getting at?" Tenchi inquired.

            "Your mother always liked going to a movie and maybe dinner afterwards," Nobuyuki said as he folded his paper.  "That's just an idea."  Right about then the door to Washu's lab opened and the red haired resident genius made her presence known.

            "The Cerulean Moons of Sigil Seven are nice this time of year," Washu said as the door to her lab sealed itself.  "Or there is always the fungi forests on Bethen Priem…" Tenchi just imagined him and the girls having a picnic under a giant mushroom straight from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass…   

"We'll save the fungi for later," Tenchi said trying to keep his imagination from running away from him.   "I think dinner and a movie will work fine."  With the images of giant fungi banished from his mind Tenchi returned to doing his part of getting dinner ready.

"That's so romantic!" Mihoshi squealed, garnering a blush from the young prince.

"What's romantic?" Ryoko as she slid the porch door open.

"Yes, please tell," Ayeka, added once she saw the response spread across Tenchi's face.

"We'll talk later," Tenchi said trying to hide his emotion.  Why do have to do this to me?  Every time I bring stuff like this up in front of everyone they have to embarrass me over it!

"Lighten up," Ryoko said as she phased over to him and wrapped her arms around Tenchi.  Tenchi braced himself for the inevitable backlash from Ayeka, as did everyone else present, but it never came.

"Really Ryoko," the princess sniffed, "you need to quit pawing Lord Tenchi like that."

"I guess your right," The space pirate admitted somewhat defeated, before she phased back over to Ayeka's side.

What's going on here? Tenchi thought to himself.  I have to be dreaming, or did They just settle something peacefully?  I have to be dreaming…

"Tenchi!" Sasami said snapping out of his momentary haze.

"Oh, sorry," he said sheepishly as he took the large bowl of soup and placed it on the table.  I have to be dreaming, he added mentally.

With the table set and everyone in place dinner began.  The conversation was light and Tenchi thanked the gods that the topic stayed away from his personal plans.  But as they ate, he kept finding himself thinking about both Ayeka and Ryoko.  Something seemed odd about them since their talk in the Onsen…  Maybe Washu replaced them with androids!  No, not even Washu would do something like that.  Or would she… Nah, but something is different about them.  What type of trouble are they planning?

Ryoko and Ayeka kept a smug smirk on their faces all through dinner.  If this worked, it would be for the better of the both of them.  This just might work, Ryoko thought as she popped a rice ball into her mouth.

Who would of thought I would be teaming with the space pirate? Ayeka asked herself as she politely passed the bottle of soy sauce to Mihoshi.  It is almost scary.  We do make a pretty good duo.

After dinner Tenchi, Ayeka, and Ryoko retired to the lakeside while everyone else wondered what he was planning.  And they would have found out if Ryoko had not destroyed the spy-droid Washu had sent to trail them.  She was most definitely going to have a talk with her mother about this later.

"So," Tenchi began sheepishly as Ayeka and Ryoko stood across form him.  "Do you two have any suggestions about we should do next, I mean, err, I'm not very good about these things," he finally admitted.

"Any place you choose will be fine by us," Ayeka said for herself and Ryoko.

"So long as it's not the fungi forests of Bethen Priem," Ryoko said with a shiver.  Tenchi just stared at her blinked a few times.  "What?" she asked quizzically.

"That's what Washu said," Tenchi said somewhat shakily as he pointed back towards the house.  "You weren't…  How did you?"

"She just told me across our link," Ryoko giggled.  "She said it would get a rise out of you."

"Really miss Ryoko," Ayeka said feigning sternness.  "You should really be kinder to Lord Tenchi like that."

Tenchi watched the pair banter back and forth for a moment as he tried to figure out just what was going on.  Did she just say 'Miss Ryoko'?  And did Ryoko say 'Lady Ayeka'?  I wonder if senility runs in my family, and when does it start to set in…

"I know," Tenchi said not knowing where the sudden out burst had come from within him.  "The evenings nice, so lets finish our walk from the other day." Where did that come from? This is so unlike me…

"We'd love to," Ryoko said.  Ayeka nodded in agreement.

"And we have called a truce for real this time," Ayeka spoke up.  "We will absolutely, under no circumstances fight."  Tenchi's jaw dropped as Ayeka just spoke his very thoughts.

"She's right," Ryoko said taking the still stunned Tenchi's right arm.  "We came to the conclusion that loosing you over a silly fight is not a risk we are willing to take."

"I concur," Ayeka seconded.  "The pira- I mean Ryoko and I have more in common than we realize, and we believe you do not realize it as well."  Tenchi just walked along trying to from more than one or two coherent syllables at a time.

"W-w-what are you saying?" he finally managed to squeak out.

"You will have to wait and see," Ayeka said as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.  Just when Tenchi thought he could not blush any more Ryoko kissed him on his other cheek.

"We'll make plans for the real date tomorrow," the former space pirate whispered into his ear.  "I think it's time we headed back, don't you think so Ayeka?"

"It is late, and Tenchi has studying to do," the princess added as she and Ryoko left a rather befuddled Tenchi in front of Tree Funaho.

"What just happened?" Tenchi asked the night sky once Ayeka and Ryoko were out of sight.  "What did they mean by they have more in common than I realize?"  For the longest Tenchi just stood there, blinking, trying to comprehend what had just transpired around him.  He felt like he was watching a dream, like he was not an active participant in the walk.  Tenchi had feeling of just being along for the ride, or something like that.

***

            "That went better than I thought it would," Ayeka admitted once she was sure she and Ryoko were out of earshot form Tenchi

            "I know," Ryoko said somewhat amazed herself.  "Did you mean that what you said back there?"

            "Of course I did," Ayeka sighed.  "I came to the understanding today that even though we fight like Tarabian pit-bulls, you are the best friend I have ever had."

            "Don't go sentimental on me," Ryoko said keeping her gruff airs.  "But you are my friend as well."

            "Now for this to work," Ayeka continued, "We're going to have to call a specialist." 

            Ryoko's eyes widened as Ayeka finished those words.  "You don't mean… You honestly can't be serious!"

            "I am," Ayeka said feeling some of the shock that was rolling off of Ryoko.  In truth she could not believe she was willing to do this as well.  "It won't be so bad."

            "That's what you say," Ryoko quipped fighting off a shiver.  "So," she began desperately changing the subject.  "Which one of us do you think he'll put the moves on first?"

            "Well I hope that maybe after our next date Tenchi…" Ayeka's voice trailed off as she realized Ryoko had set her up.  Instantly she changed her demeanor from love struck to the usual Ayeka.  "That is none of your business miss Ryoko.  Besides, Tenchi is a gentleman."

            "I have to keep you on your toes," Ryoko laughed as they reached the house.  "This wouldn't be nearly as much fun if I didn't"

****

Thanks to everyone who has read and responded to this little story.  I see this one as a team effort, and your reviews and comments will guide me.  I know where I want this one to go, and getting there will be the fun part.  Keep the comments coming, and I will do my best to make sure that everyone enjoys this tale.

William Nichols