This is a fanfic and is done for fun, not profit.
The Alchemy of Love
Chapter Seven by William Nichols
When Tenchi returned from the lake shortly after Ayeka and Ryoko, he was greeted by playful smiles and the occasional giggle from Sasami and Mihoshi. When he asked where the girls had gone, the replies were noncommittal. The general consensus was that had gone their separate ways, or no one had seen them. Giving up, Tenchi retired to his room and wrapped up the nights studies. After a few minutes of meditation he turned in for what he hoped would be a restful nights sleep. That is what he had hoped for…
Once again Tenchi found himself staring at the ceiling of his bedroom. As much as he did this, he figured he knew every square inch of it by heart. For someone who had spent the past three days polishing the entire staircase leading to the shrine, Tenchi was finding it to be incredibly difficult to fall asleep. His mind kept drifting back to what had happened that night. Both Ayeka and Ryoko had kissed him, albeit a peck on the cheek, but they had kissed him nonetheless. Usually if even one of them tried to get that close to him the other would fly off the handle. But for some reason they were acting extremely calm around the other. Something had to be up, but what was it? What were they planning?
Then Tenchi thought about something Ayeka had said to him while they had been walking. "We have more in common than you realize…" He had never really put that much effort into that line of thinking. True each of the girls had a quality he admired, and they were usually polar opposites of each other. Where Ryoko was normally somewhat overbearing and boisterous, Tenchi had seen an incredibly tender side of her, even before she merged with Zero. All that joining with Clay's android had done was unlock the memories and emotions she had suppressed for so many millennia, and make that tender side more accessible. Now Ayeka on the other hand, was usually the more reserved of the duo. Her normal visage exuded the regal elegance expected of a crowned princess. But she too could go into the opposite extreme. Tenchi had seen her loose her cool on several occasions and act more like the monster she always claimed Ryoko to be.
But what do they have in common? Tenchi asked himself as he counted the tiles in the ceiling for the umpteenth time. There were exactly ninety-five tiles, not counting the ones cut at angles or halved in the corners. He shook his head trying to clear his mind like an Etch-a-Sketch, wishing that it were that easy.
In all honesty he had never really given the question much thought. Maybe that is why I've avoided this issue for so long… Exhaling, Tenchi tried to answer that question.
Both of them are strong…Check.
Both of them are extremely beautiful…Double check.
They are both loyal to a fault…Check.
Sheesh…Now I'm making them sound like a pet…
They would both do anything I ask…Check.
I already know this stuff…Check…
Then what is the answer? Am I so blind that I cannot see what two women that have lived in my house for the past two years have in common?
Wait a sec…
They both claim to love me…Check.
Tenchi's eyes shot wide open as a new thought crossed his mind. What if they really do love me? Could that be what I have missed? That all these times that they have said that they love me, that they really, in fact, do love me? Oh boy… How could I have been so blind! Think about it Masaki: Ryoko watched me grow up, and I have memories of playing with an imaginary friend out by that cave… That has to have been her. No wonder I get a feeling like we have known each other forever at times. We have. She has been in love with me since before I knew what a girl was. And Ayeka, ever since she came into my life it feels like a lost piece in my life has been restored. It's like that little bit of me that got locked away when mom died has been found. She has the same quiet elegance that Mom had. Put the both of them together, and you get the whole picture!
That is what they have in common. Me, at least I think that is what they meant. Could I be, in love with the both of them? Is that why cannot choose one or the other? Oh boy…And I thought things were complicated before I decided to get serious about them. I am going to have to play this carefully to see if I'm right… After a few more minutes of quiet contemplation, sleep finally claimed Tenchi Masaki, his epiphany reached.
***
The luminescent dial of the alarm clock came into focus a few seconds after she had rolled over and opened her eyes. The clock said it was 03:12, but Ayeka could have sworn it said that the last time she check the clock. She too was having trouble sleeping.
Making sure not to wake Sasami, Ayeka slipped out of her futon and quietly slipped out of their bedroom. Everyone else in the house appeared to be asleep. The typical buzz saw was emanating from Mihoshi's room, and father Nobuyuki had gone to be hours ago. Tenchi's light was off up stairs and Ayeka was sure he was asleep. As she made her way down the hall she quietly slipped the door to Ryoko's room open. All Ayeka found was a few sake bottles and clothes strewn across the floor. "Rafter," she said quietly, realizing where the former pirate was.
Rounding the corner Ayeka cast her gaze across the banister railing to where Ryoko lay. "Are you asleep?" she asked quietly.
"Nah Princess," Ryoko said in quiet sarcasm. " I just stare at the inside of my eyelids for the fun of it."
"Oh," Ayeka said, not sure whether Ryoko was serious or not.
Ryoko gigged at the confused look on Ayeka's face. "Watcha need Ayeka?"
"I was having trouble sleeping and was wondering if," Ayeka stopped as she twisted the hem of her nightshirt.
"If I couldn't sleep either?" Ayeka nodded. "Come on," Ryoko said as she disappeared off the rafter and next to Ayeka. "Let's talk." With that Ryoko grabbed Ayeka's shoulders and they teleported down to the couch.
"Do you think we did the right thing tonight?" Ayeka asked as Ryoko clicked on the table lamp, bathing them in a soft glow.
"I hope so," Ryoko said voicing her concerns. "But it was all worth the look on Tenchi's face."
"Yes," Ayeka sniffed, "that was priceless. But do you think he will go for this? I mean we, what I am saying is…" Ayeka sighed and twisted the hem of her nightshirt into an even worse mess.
"I understand completely," Ryoko comforted. "We've acted like spoiled brats around him for so long that he might not know what to do. Worse even, we might scare him away completely."
"But I cannot imagine living without Tenchi," Ayeka confessed. "I thought it was infatuation at first, just someone to take my mind off of Yosho. But now I know I love him more than I ever felt for my brother. And I know you love him as well." Ryoko's eyes went wide as Sake saucers at Ayeka's words. "I have known ever since we fought Kagato," she sniffed. "I have seen that look of heartbreak before, and I knew then that beneath all of your bluster, that you really did love Tenchi. That is what hurt the most, I suppose. I knew that you loved him. And I was not sure if I could compete with a love that true. But I know now that I love him as well, and I am willing to share that love in order to keep it."
Ryoko sat there slack-jawed, not really sure what to say in response to Ayeka's pouring of her heart. A few inarticulate and incoherent syllables slipped from her lips before she did the only thing she knew to do. She scooted over and let Ayeka cry onto her shoulder while she hugged the princess.
"I don't want to lose him," Ayeka said in a muffled sob.
"Neither do I," Ryoko said as she squeezed her eyes tight, allowing a few tears to slip through. "And we won't."
"Ryoko…"
"Hush," Ryoko said quietly. "I know how you feel. I feel the same way." Ayeka looked at Ayeka with understanding, but before she could say anything Ryoko continued. "I mean what could a space pirate offer a prince when he had a princess waiting in line for him? I feared that Tenchi would not see me, that you would outshine me."
Ayeka sighed. "It appears that we have been afraid of the same thing."
"So it seems," Ryoko said wiping the last tear from her eye. "But from here on lets not be afraid anymore."
"Agreed," Ayeka said. As Ryoko's spirit lightened Ayeka held a hand to her mouth to stifle a small giggle.
"What's so funny?"
"That less than a week ago we were at each other's throat over Tenchi, and now it seems that we have come to a realization."
"And what would that be?"
"That the two of us are the same, just opposite sides of the coin."
"I may have to agree with you on that one," Ryoko said. "But will it be necessary to do what said earlier?"
"It will be the icing on the cake," Ayeka assured her.
"Yeah," Ryoko said hugging herself to fend off a shiver, "but last time…"
"And we will play off of that to our advantage. Trust me on this one Ryoko."
"If you say so," Ryoko said still uncertain of Ayeka's plan. "Let's get back to bed, it's late."
"Tell me Ryoko," Ayeka asked softly. "Why do you not sleep in your bedroom?"
Ryoko fidgeted for a moment before she sighed in defeat. "It reminds me of the cave," she admitted. "I don't like being all alone in there in the dark. At least on the rafter I can see what going on and keep a watchful eye."
"I see," Ayeka said. "How about if you stay with Sasami and me? I'm sure Sasami would not mind."
"I'll think about it," Ryoko said as she phased out of sight. "Good night Ayeka," she added with a disembodied voice.
"Good night Ryoko," Ayeka said softly as she quietly returned to her room.
***
Ayeka woke with a start. Ryoko was sitting at the foot of her futon. "Sasami let me in," the former space pirate elaborated. Ayeka nodded as Ryoko continued. "Come with me."
"Where to?" Ayeka asked, not entirely sure what Ryoko wanted to do.
"Let's wake up Tenchi."
"You don't mean…"
"I do." Flashing a hint of fang Ryoko grabbed Ayeka's arm and the pair passed from sight.
***
Tenchi rolled over onto his back and stretched slightly. The usual smells of Sasami's cooking had wafted up to his room and he just imagined how good it would all taste. Then he noticed another smell. It was a combination of something sweet, and just the hint of roses. He knew this from somewhere, but it was too early for coherent thought. With another stretch and a yawn Tenchi opened his eyes to the shock of his young life. Both Ayeka and Ryoko were floating above his bed.
As he went wide-eyed the two of them blew him a kiss and faded from sight. "Oh boy," he mumbled to himself after he was absolutely certain that they were gone. Today was going to be most interesting…
***
I hope you enjoyed this one as well. As always thanks for the input on this. I think I have an idea as to where this one is headed now, so thank you to everyone who has suggested things in the reviews. Until next time.
William Nichols.
