This is a fanfic and is done for fun, not profit.
The Alchemy
-of-
Love
Chapter Nine
By William Nichols
"What a night," Tenchi sighed as he lay back on his bed.
His mind was aflutter with thoughts of the evening. Yes, he thought, the 'goof of A class' was out on a date. Not only a date, but also a date with two, count them two, of the most beautiful women anyone could ask on a date! Ayeka was stunning and Ryoko was drop-dead gorgeous. I just hope that they had as good of a time as I did…Never before had he spent such a lovely evening with the girls. Sure, there had been quiet moments out buy the lake or around the house, but some how, some way they always degenerated into the typical feud.
Tonight marked his first real steps to sorting out whom his heart would follow. Both Ryoko and Ayeka had been absolutely perfect. The dinner, the movie, and dancing afterwards- everything went better than he ever could have planned. Even the look on Jonouchi and Soatome's face was priceless when they saw his dates for the evening. His only hint of regret, besides that the night was over, was what those two loud mouthed moron's might start on Monday.
But Tenchi did not worry on the issue for long. Ryoko had promised to take anyone out that gave him grief. Tenchi chuckled at the thought. But in the end he knew that he could handle any rumor that may be started. His only real concern was for the girls. He didn't want their reputation tarnished by some idiot envious of his situation.
"But what is my situation?" he asked himself quietly. I asked the both of them to agree to this little idea of mine, knowing full well that I'd probably wind up breaking one of their hearts. Tenchi frowned at that thought. But, it will be inevitable one day. I think they're scheming to get me to choose the both of them. I know Juraian custom allows more than spouse, but I do not want to live on Jurai. This is my home, and my ancestors' home.
But is Jurai not also your ancestor's home? a still voice in the back of his head reminded him. Would you dishonor them by denying your heritage?
But would I not be forsaking my heritage on earth? Tenchi asked back in his mind. By accepting Jurai I would be forsaking the earth. I will not do that.
But you could be emperor of known universe, toyed the voice. You and Ayeka and Ryoko could be together for as long as your lengthy lives permit. You would have no cares in the world and your every whim would be taken care. Life on Jurai would be grander than you could ever imagine on the earth.
But I do not want the burden of being a ruler. I have enough trouble deciding whom my heart longs for, much less the thought of making life and death decisions that would affect half the universe! Tenchi shot back somewhat angrily.
You know Ayeka will want to take the throne one day with you as her king…
I will not be emperor.
Then you forsake your heritage and Ayeka?
Tenchi had to think for a moment before he answered that mental question. I will not forsake Ayeka, but I will not accept the throne of Jurai.
They are one and the same, his conscious replied. Ayeka will never be happy with just you alone. She wants a prince to be by her side…
That may be, Tenchi inwardly sighed, but there is still much to be thought about.
Like Ryoko? his mind asked.
That, is an enigma in itself, Tenchi retorted.
She really does love you, his conscious responded. Even if her way of showing it is somewhat forward. It's the only way she knows how to express her self. There is nothing hidden in her love towards you. No secret agenda or future plans. Just plain old-fashioned love, that's what she feels for you Tenchi Masaki.
You have to make my life complicated, dontcha? Tenchi said somewhat dejectedly towards his inner self.
Hey, his conscious said playfully, that's what consciences are for. Besides, you're the one carrying on an interior dialogue here…
Tenchi sighed. His life never seemed to get any less complicated these days. Somehow he found a way to put a damper on such a pleasant evening. Finally a restless sleep claimed Tenchi. As he tossed and turned his dreams dealt with what his heart and mind had so much trouble with…
***
"So are you going to tell me or not!" Sasami pleaded as Ayeka continued to brush her hair. Ever since she, Tenchi, and Ryoko returned from their evening on the town Ayeka had been in a dream like state. "Ayeka?" Sasami asked. O-O-O-O-Okay, she thought. This is getting weird. Even more so than usual around here… "Ayeka?"
"Oh!" Ayeka squeaked, finally brought back from her dreamland. "I'm sorry," she said dreamily, placing her hairbrush back down of the dresser. "Did you say something Sasami?"
Sheesh! She's got it bad… "I've been sayin' 'something' for the past half hour!" Sasami said somewhat exasperated. "I want to know how your date went with Tenchi and Ryoko!"
"Now really," Ayeka said as she sauntered over to her futon. "It is not proper for one to speak of such things."
"Ayeka!" Sasami protested to muffled giggles from her elder sister. "Please?"
"All right," Ayeka said with a smile. She'd had enough fun with Sasami for one night. Being the elder sister still held a few advantages, even on a backwater world such as earth.
"Yippee!" Sasami squeaked as she bounced over to her futon and happily plopped down in front of Ayeka. "Tell me everything!" she bubbled as Ayeka began to recount the evening to her rapt audience.
* * *
Ryoko settled back onto her favorite rafter and smiled. Tonight has been absolutely perfect. Tenchi had a wonderful time, as did Ayeka and I. I'm soooo glad things went well. Dinner, the movie, dancing, those two goofs from Tenchi's school; everything was better than I ever could imagine.
But for some reason she could not get comfortable on that spot tonight. No matter how she scrunched her pillow up or repositioned her self, she could not find a comfortable spot. "Oh dammit," she finally cursed as he phased off the rafter and reappeared in her room. Her feline eyes narrowed in the darkness, but soon her vision returned. "What a mess," she muttered, avoiding a few empty sake bottles en route to her futon.
"That's better," she said softly as she passed into a baggy tee shirt that Tenchi had given her. It was a souvenir he had picked up from a concert they had attended in Tokyo a year or so ago with the rest of the family. Tenchi had worn the shirt during the show, and then gave it to her afterwards. Ryoko inhaled deeply of the black cotton. It still had faint traces of his scent imbedded in the fibers. Tenchi's presence always had a way of comforting her.
"Oh my Tenchi," she muttered quietly as she settled into her futon. Soon sleep claimed Ryoko, bringing the promise of pleasant dreams. A promise that would unfortunately go unfulfilled.
***
Sasami's attention hung spellbound on every word Ayeka had spoken. In her imagination she relived the fairytale that her older sister had spun for her. Although her imagines were somewhat exaggerated, they were fairly accurate. The lovely dinner; the movie theater, where Tenchi sat with the both Ayeka and Ryoko resting their heads on his shoulders; and the final stop at the nightclub, Sasami painted a vivid picture in her minds eye of the entire wonderful, almost magical evening. Ayeka's description of her dances with Tenchi alone was enough to make Sasami starry eyed.
"Wow…" she finally sighed as Ayeka finished her tale.
"That's how I feel," Ayeka said fondly.
"Sounds like a fairytale!" Sasami squeaked, giving Ayeka a Misaki-like hug. "I hope your fairytale has a happy ending," she said as Ayeka returned the hug.
"I do to," Ayeka said as she tucked Sasami in. "Now get to sleep. We have work to do in the morning."
"I know…" Sasami yawned. Quickly the little princess passed into dreamland, a happy smile on her face. Ayeka did not doubt she imagining the events she had just been recounted.
"I hope this fairytale ends happily," Ayeka whispered as a blissful sleep claimed her as well.
***
Ryoko tossed and turned in her futon in a fitful sleep. Her forehead was covered with beads of sweat and her hair was slowly succumbing to the saline moisture as well. Her pillow was already damp from the back of her neck, and the night held little promise of getting better.
Her dreams had started off happily for once, as she too relieved the nights' events in her mind. But right as the evening was ending in her mental replay, things turned towards the dark side. The lively streets of Okayama suddenly went quiet and became deserted as Ryoko found herself alone. No lights were on in any of the shops or eateries. The only illumination was that light reflected by the moon. A cold wind howled down the emptied streets as a shadow loomed from behind.
Ryoko spun around to face the black mass when she saw it had Tenchi by the throat. Her only love hung lifeless in the shadow beings hand. A wicked grin parted the creature's lips, if they could be called lips, as it tossed Tenchi to Ryoko's feet. She screamed his name and violently shook the lifeless body at her feet. But try as she may, she could not revive her love.
Anger and fear washed over Ryoko as her tears stained Tenchi's ashen face. This monstrosity had taken her beloved from her, and it would pay. It would pay for this travesty in kind. A feral look replaced the sorrow on Ryoko's face as she ignited her energy saber and lunged towards her nightmare creature. A few mad swipes made contact with the beast, but they did no damage to the monster. As soon as Ryoko would slice into it the wounds would congeal back into the shadowy mass that composed the creature.
With a fierce backhand the creature sent Ryoko flying into a nearby wall. Winded, she staggered to her feet just in time for the creature top grab her by the face. Its cold, maniacal laugh stung her ears as it squeezed her face. She could hear the bones in her skull begin to pop as the beast increased the pressure. Before Ryoko blacked out, one word passed between her lips:
"Tenchi…"
* * *
Tenchi shot up like a rocket. He frantically blinked to bring his eyes into focus on the darkened room. Ragged breaths passed between his lips as he tired to calm himself from the nightmare he had just endured. Such terrors were not unfamiliar to him, but it had been a while since he had one this intense. His hair was matted to his head with sweat and his shirt clung to his body with dampness.
"Ryoko…" he muttered when the reason he woke up returned to him. He could have sworn he heard Ryoko call his name. Fumbling with his covers, Tenchi jumped out of bed and began to navigate his way out of the still pitch-black room. He managed to avoid his book bag, but not the pair of shoes he had left strewn on the floor after his night out. Cursing his untidiness he made his way out of the bedroom with only a slight knot on the side of his head.
The short stair well separating his room on the third floor passed in a blur as he darted around the corned and looked out towards Ryoko normal spot on the rafter. Much to his surprise she was not there. "Room," he said quietly as he continued down the hall. At this point he did not care if he woke anyone else. All he knew for certain was this feeling of dire apprehension that weighing on his stomach like a plumbum dirigible.
Slipping the door open to her room, Tenchi saw Ryoko tossing and turning; fighting some unseen assailant in her dreams. Her blanket was twisted and rapped around her and a pained expression marred her face. In a flash Tenchi was at her side cradling her.
"Ryoko," he said, trying to wake her without a start. "It's just a dream he whispered. "Just a dream." Finally Ryoko quit squirming and her breathing eased.
"Tenchi?" she asked quietly, not sure if the person holding her was phantom or not. Surely had seen Tenchi killed right in front of her before that monstrosity claimed her life. But phantoms can't hold people, her mind reasoned.
"I'm here," he said softly. "It was just a dream."
"It was so horrible," she said, burying her face into his chest. Fresh tears streaked her face as the memories of her night terror returned to her.
"It will be alright," Tenchi soothed. Ryoko sniffled and nodded somewhat into his chest. Tenchi looked up to see Ayeka standing in the doorway with a concerned look on her face. "Nightmare," he mouthed, trying not to disturb Ryoko, who seemed to be calming. Ayeka nodded and slipped back into the shadows.
"Tenchi?" Ryoko asked almost in a whimper as she took in a nose full of his scent.
"Yes?" he answered. Tenchi had begun to rock slightly and he found his hand stroking her back. What could have terrified her like that? he wondered.
"Don't leave me alone," she begged. "Please?"
"I won't," Tenchi promised as Ryoko hugged him tighter. "I'm here for you."
"Thank you," she said in a muffled voice. A small smile of relief crept onto Tenchi's face as he held Ryoko, trying to take her demons from her. "I love you, Tenchi," Ryoko said barely above a whisper.
"I know," Tenchi replied as he held her. "I know…"
To be continued.
Authors notes: I'm so sorry it took so long to update this story, but my class load, a few conferences, real life, my other Tenchi story Odyssey, and a host of other things, to name a few, has kept me from this playful little tale. I hope to get back to this one more frequently soon, as Odyssey has one chapter to go. Thanks for reading, and always, any suggestions or comments will be appreciated. Thanks again.
William Nichols
