Legal Disclaimer:
All "Tenchi Muyo" references are copyrighted by Pioneer and AIC. This is an amateur non-commercial story, which is not produced, approved of, or sponsored by the holders of the trademarks/copyrights from which this work is derived. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author.
On Wings of Change: Part One
Chapter 3: Wings of Realization
The four men surrounded Ryouko as she fell onto one knee and grabbed at her neck. She pulled out a tiny dart that had buried itself in her skin. A thin trail of blood trickled it's way down her neck. 'Tranquilizer?' She asked herself. 'I should be immune to it's effects anyway.'
She sluggishly stood back up and held her arms protectively in front of her chest. "We don't need to fight." She said before one of the men jabbed at her rib cage. She blocked as gently as possible, wincing at the pain.
Ryouko found her reflexes slowing as two of the men grabbed each arm and the man with the knife approached her again, touching the point of the knife to the skin of her neck. The fourth man came from behind and threw a punch at her right kidney. She winced, but mindful of the knife at her throat, tried not to move.
'Why is my vision getting blurry?' She wondered in an almost detached confusion.
"I don't care if you were a puppet, nor do I care that the Statute of Limitations has expired, you should still pay for the crimes you committed!" The man holding the knife shouted, specs of spittle flying from his lips. His bloodshot eyes demanded revenge as he applied pressure to the knife.
Ryouko barely recognized the sound of an energy surge belonging to the Tenchi-ken as she heard some one shout, "Get away from her!" She felt the pressure of the knife quickly disappear from her neck. The next thing she knew, everything went black.
The attackers froze as soon as Tenchi ignited his sword. "A…a Jurian key?" One of them mumbled as Tenchi readied himself to fight. "Retreat!" Another yelled.
Tenchi stood protectively over Ryouko's fallen body. Tenchi-ken still ignited, he was heaving slightly as he watched the attackers flee through the back door of the bar. He felt a strong urge to chase after them and fight them, but his concern for Ryouko was stronger. The Tenchi-ken's blue blade blinked out of existence as he knelt down on the ground and shook Ryouko by the shoulders.
"Ryouko? Ryouko?!" He shouted urgently, his concern growing.
She slowly raised her heavy eyelids, and when Tenchi saw her amber eyes he sighed in relief. "I'm right here, there's no need to yell." She said casually.
He lifted her higher and scooted underneath her body to support her in a sitting position, her head and shoulder resting on his bare chest. "Are you sure you're alright? You're bleeding!" He said as he placed his palm on her neck where the she had pulled out the dart. "What happened, why did those guys attack you?"
"I'm okay, it's just superficial." She said, pointing to the spent dart on the floor. She blinked, trying to stay awake. "They were mad at me."
"But what for?" Tenchi demanded answers.
Her half-lidded eyes began to tear. "Because I'm a monster! I murdered their friends and family on Jurai!" She cried out, gentle tears turning to sobs as her arms weakly coursed around Tenchi's body. At a loss for a response, Tenchi could only hold her close and run a hand through her hair in an effort to comfort and console her. Ryo-ohki sat on the ground by her sister, one paw on her knee to show her support.
Just then, Washu came bounding into the bar, slightly out of breath, sweat beading on her brow. Seeing that Ryouko was shaken, but safe, she relaxed slightly and approached the young man holding her daughter. "How is she?" She asked Tenchi.
He never looked up from Ryouko, continuing to rub her bare back with his hand. "Four men tried to attack her. I think they were holding a grudge against her for what she did to Planet Jurai. She's okay, but shaken. He said, brushing a lock of spiky hair from the moist skin of her neck. "I think they injected her with some kind of tranquilizer." Ryouko's sobs had quieted. She weakly kept her arms around him.
Washu noted the small dart on the floor of the bar. "Looks like you're right." She picked Ryo-ohki up off the floor and held her in the air. "Will you come with us, Tenchi?" She asked.
Tenchi nodded and tightened his grip on Ryouko as Washu sent Ryo-ohki into low orbit around one of Umano's two moons and teleported them into the spaceship.
After they had gone, a man in the shadows behind the bar slowly crept along the wall. His long hair rustled in the breeze as he exited out the rear doorway.
* * *
Washu had set up an impromptu sick bay on the bridge of Ryo-ohki. Tenchi stood tensely next to the hospital style bed where he had placed Ryouko, a thin blanket covered her body. He had one arm apprehensively wrapped around his bare chest, his other hand rested firmly on top of Ryouko's.
Washu analyzed the read outs on her holotop. "Don't worry Tenchi, she'll be just fine." She tried to reassure him, although she was taken aback by the crown prince's sudden show of concern. When she thought about it, she realized that she had noticed a slow change in Tenchi over the past few months, ever since the incident with the nameless tree.
"When will she wake up?" He asked her, a shiver running through his body from his damp swim trunks and damp hair.
Washu tapped some keys and a blue colored liquid coursed its way through the IV attached to Ryouko. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. "Tenchi." she said quietly. His worried but smiling face was the first thing she saw as she awoke. She felt his hand atop of hers and was comforted by it.
"How do you feel?" He asked her, suddenly acutely aware of their proximity to each other as he pulled his hand off of hers and took a step backwards, blushing slightly as he hugged his naked chest. Ryouko wanted to pout at his sudden retraction, but instead, assured him that she was fine.
Washu began the explanation. "It seems like you were attacked and hit by a tranquilizer dart, Ryouko."
"Well duh." Said Ryouko, sarcastically.
Tenchi sighed as Washu commented, "Well, obviously the girl's back to normal. Anyway, it was a powerful sedative, but there were no harmful substances in it. The injuries she suffered are superficial, but because her powers are being restricted and she can't heal as fast, she is likely to have some bruising on her ribcage for a couple of days.
Ryouko touched her side tenderly. "You mean I can't heal like I normally do?"
Washu shook her head. "Without your powers, you are almost human-like. You will heal marginally quicker than a human, but not at the rate that you are used to."
"Little Washu, isn't there any way to cancel the effects of the bracelet?" Tenchi asked.
Washu looked away. "Actually Tenchi, I have not completed my research on the bracelet. My computer…so far it hasn't been able to determine the materials of the bracelet, or where it's powers come from."
The cyan-tressed-demon-turned-good shook her head as she slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed and shakily stood. "It doesn't matter. I already said I'd abide by their rules. I need to play their game to gain back the trust of these people on my own."
"Ryouko…" Began Tenchi, touched by her sincerity. "What if you get attacked again?"
Ryouko smiled a calm, gentle smile. "I'll manage." She replied.
* * *
"Tenchi, relax! Stop being so serious, I told you I'm fine!" Said Ryouko.
The two were walking through the shopping area attached to the hotel after Washu had let Ryouko go. By the time they had gotten back to the pool it was late afternoon and Kiyone had already brought Mihoshi back to her room after she had fallen asleep in the sun. Washu went back to her room as well, as she had more tests to run. Tenchi and Ryouko had picked their clothes up from the pool and decided to explore the area.
A thick silence settled between the two as Tenchi turned serious. "Don't you think we should tell someone about what happened Ryouko?"
Ryouko shook her head firmly. "No. I don't want people to take that fight the wrong way, you know how media twists things around. Besides, I told you before, I want to resolve this on my own. And I definitely don't want the royal family getting involved in this. Sasami would be upset, and I…I know Aeka would be concerned, even if she'd refuse to admit it, and…I don't want to ruin her vacation."
Understanding her position, and honoring her decision, Tenchi agreed, but was still concerned. "What if they come after you again?"
She sighed. "I'll just have to deal with it. But please, Tenchi, please don't tell anyone about what happened back there."
Ryouko never begged for anything, but the tone of her voice, and the pleading look in her eye reluctantly convinced Tenchi. "Well, I'll be keeping an eye on you, just in case."
Ryouko brightened up. "You can keep more than just your eyes on me, Tennnccchi." She teased, seductively.
"Ryouko!" Tenchi shouted, turning red. "Cut it out. I just want to make sure you're okay, you've had a pretty rough day you know." Defended Tenchi
Ryouko stopped in her tracks and looked at Tenchi, her eyes twinkling. "You're concerned about my personal welfare!" She cooed, throwing her arms around him. "I always knew you cared!" Tenchi squirmed uncomfortably, his face turning redder still until Ryouko released him, chuckling.
"Come on." She said. "Let's just stop thinking about what happened and have some fun! We are on vacation after all, right?"
Tenchi nodded, agreeing, finding Ryouko's enthusiasm addictive as they began to window shop. Ryouko saw something in one of the stores that caught her eye and she paused mid stride to appreciate it. Tenchi noticed that something had caught her attention. "What is it?" He asked her.
The ex-space pirate shrugged and continued walking. "Just a neat outfit. No big deal."
"Ryouko, wait." Said Tenchi, asking her to stop. When she looked back at him over her shoulder quizzically, he asked, "Do you want it?"
She stammered, shocked, "A-are you sure you want to buy me that Tenchi?"
"Un." He said, affirmatively, scratching at the back of his head. "After all, without your powers, you can't phase into clothes, which means you're stuck with the dress you wore today, and th-that bikini and skirt. Why don't you get a few outfits you can wear while we're here?"
Ryouko's shocked expression was still plastered to her face. "Besides," Tenchi continued, his blush deepening. "I think you should have something that you can call your own, not just clothes that you always phase into. You know, something that belongs to you."
Ryouko's eyes lit up and she clasped her hands to her chest. 'She looks so…happy.' Tenchi realized, pleased with himself.
"Will you go shopping with me then?" Ryouko asked, tentatively.
"Lets get started." Tenchi replied, a bright smile on his face.
* * *
Carefully balancing a handful of boxes and as many bags that hung from his hands, Tenchi followed Ryouko from store to store. He had helped Ryouko to pick out outfits for all the activities she wanted to do and a few casual outfits to wear as well.
He sighed, thinking back to the days before they left for their trip…
Begin Flashback:
He had gone to the shrine for sword training the day before they were to leave for vacation, and to his surprise, Katsuhito instead invited him into the shrine for a cup of tea. "Are we not training today, Grandpa?" He had asked.
"No Tenchi. Today, I have something to give you." He had said, pushing an envelope across the table before picking up his cup of tea again and setting the rim against his lips.
"For me?" Tenchi asked as he opened up the envelope. Looking inside it, he saw a large amount of neatly filed papers that looked like currency.
"Inside that envelope is 700 Jurai. It is roughly equivalent to $3,000." Katsuhito explained.
"Grandfather, this is so much money. Why are you giving this all to me?" Tenchi asked.
Katsuhito had looked to the ceiling as if in deep though. "It's not much, just a small amount of what I have been keeping, and it is of no use to me here. Let's just say I think it will come in handy for you."
Tenchi had bowed deeply. "I don't understand, but thank you, Grandfather. I'm sure I'll put it to good use."
Katsuhito had excused Tenchi, giving him a day free from training. As Tenchi began to walk out the door, he called to him. "Tenchi."
"Yes Grandfather?" Tenchi asked, looking over his shoulder. "When you come back, you will be a changed man." Tenchi scratched the back of his head and left the shrine, choosing not to think of his Grandfather's prophecy.
End Flashback
Some of the outfits Tenchi had bought Ryouko were a bit more modest than she would have liked, but she was so happy to be out shopping with him that he could have chosen nothing but parkas and she would have worn them. On top of that, he hadn't let her pay for a single thing so far. She protested every time, but once they got to the cashier, Tenchi insisted on paying, pulling out an envelope and handing bills to the cashier.
Ryouko fought against an oncoming blush thinking about Tenchi's words, "I think you should have something that you can call you own…You know, something that belongs to you."
They were currently in one last clothing store, when something caught Ryouko's eye in the men's wear section. "Oh, look Tenchi, that would look great on you!" She pointed to a Jurian style vest that was designed to be layered over a t-shirt. It was tan, with black and white accents, similar in shades and design to his favorite field jacket.
Ryouko pulled one off a hanger and held it up against Tenchi's chest against his white shirt. "Hmm, she said, examining how the shoulders of the vest were too narrow. It looks small." She looked at the label on the hanger. "Medium huh? See Tenchi, you really have grown!" She exclaimed as he blushed, mumbling something about exercise and training with his grandfather.
She hung the medium vest back up and pulled a large one off a hanger and held it to his chest again. "It's perfect!" She exclaimed, ignoring his ever growing blush.
"It is nice Ryouko, but I think I've spent enough, and I have enough clothes with me already." Tenchi protested.
"I'm buying it for you then." Ryouko stated.
"You don't have to-" Began Tenchi.
Ryouko looked Tenchi in the eye. "Look at how much you've bought for me today Tenchi." She said, pointing at the bags and boxes at his feet. "At least let me get this for you." Tenchi sighed and gave in to her intense gaze.
Ryouko laughed and ran to the counter with the vest and told the cashier her room number. As the vest was being carefully wrapped and placed in a bag, a jewelry case suddenly caught Ryouko's attention. Walking over to it, she examined the fine pieces on display.
An elegant platinum necklace was the only piece that called to Ryouko. It was a thin, flat necklace, almost a choker from which a delicate pendant with a design of three cords of platinum in a loop hung. A tiny chip of diamond was embedded into the end of each cord.
Tenchi appeared behind her, again balancing the mountain of bags and boxes. 'She must be looking at something in there.' Thought Tenchi.
When Ryouko noticed Tenchi's gaze, she shifted her attention, feeling awkward for being interested in something so dainty and feminine. "Shall we go?" She proposed, picking up the bag containing Tenchi's vest from the cashier.
Upon exiting through the door of the store, Ryouko ran into someone on the sidewalk. "Ouch." She said quietly, her hand traveling to her bruised ribs. She had stopped so suddenly that Tenchi had almost run her over.
Looking up, she realized that she had run into Aoyama Masamitsu, the prince that had greeted them upon their arrival. "You." She said coldly.
"Please excuse me, Miss Ryouko. I did not see you there." He said, bowing to her. "Are you injured?" He asked, taking note of the way she guarded her side.
Ryouko returned her hand to her side. "I'm fine." Ryouko said looking at him through slitted eyes.
Masamitsu took note of the man with the boxes standing behind Ryouko and took his time evaluating him. "Well, please excuse me for interrupting you, Miss Ryouko, and Sir Tenchi, I believe it was. I must be going. Please enjoy yourselves." He said as he continued down the sidewalk.
"Ryouko, what was that about?' Tenchi asked.
"I don't know Tenchi." Ryouko answered, trying to shake off the bad vibes she felt from Masamitsu.
The two back tracked through the shopping area. Dusk was beginning to fall and the heat of the day was giving way to the cool air of night as Tenchi frequently needed to shift the weight of their purchases. "Let me carry some of that Tenchi." Ryouko offered.
Tenchi's shaking head could be seen atop the boxes. "I've got it." He insisted. He winced as a loud growling noise was heard.
Ryouko laughed. "Why don't we get something to eat?" She suggested.
* * *
The two were seated at a table in a little noodle restaurant by the poolside. The night had grown dark. The last traces of sun could be seen setting above trees through the wall-less building. Jurian Fireflies, which had a more bluish tint to their light than those found on Earth, dotted the darkness. The two moons of Umano were a waxing three quarters size low in the horizon. The thatch roof and hanging greenery lent the diners an other-worldly tropical feel in the humid night.
"Who would have thought that a royal resort would have something as common as a noodle restaurant?" Asked Ryouko through a mouthful of noodles and pork.
Tenchi swallowed. "Suits me just fine. Could you imagine eating seven course meals with nobles during our whole vacation?"
"Good point." Ryouko said thoughtfully, chopsticks to her mouth.
A comfortable silence fell between the two as they enjoyed their dinners and admired the night's ambiance. 'This is…almost like a date.' Considered Ryouko. 'I'd tease him about it, but…I think it would drive him away once he realized it. Even still, I wish this night would never end.'
Tenchi stole a glance at Ryouko, she seemed to be lost in thought and looking off into the distance. 'Tonight was fun. Even if this afternoon was a little crazy. I was just so worried about her. I can't stop thinking bout her. I…I just want to make sure no one will attack her again. That's all.' He thought to himself, trying to justify spending the entire day with her.
"Whatcha lookin' at me like that for Tenchi?" Asked Ryouko?
Tenchi snapped out of it. 'Was I looking at her?' He wondered. "N…nothing. Nothing at all. How are your noodles?" He asked lamely
"Well, it's not Sasami's cooking, but it's pretty good, I suppose." She replied.
"I wonder what Sasami and Aeka are doing now?" Tenchi asked. Ryouko turned thoughtful and hummed a mutual note of wonderment at his question, pushing her empty bowl to the side.
Dinner being finished, Tenchi paid for the evening's meal and again gathered the load of bags and boxes while Ryouko carried Tenchi's lone bag over her shoulder in one hand. Tenchi sighed on their way back to the hotel "That was great. I'm going to sleep like a brick tonight."
Ryouko gazed up at the stars starting to shine in the blanket of the night's sky. 'If I had it my way, you wouldn't sleep at all tonight Tenchi.' She thought to herself, saddened that the night was coming to an end. 'I…I don't want to be alone.' She admitted to herself.
"Tenchi?" She asked.
"Hmmm?' He replied, looking at her over the mountain of boxes.
"Thank you for today." She said.
"It was no big deal Ryouko. You needed to have clothes anyway since you-" He began.
"No, Tenchi." She cut him off. "I mean thank you for everything. For helping me out earlier, for buying me all of this stuff, for dinner… Thanks." Try as she may, Ryouko couldn't keep a trace of tears from rising in those amber eyes.
The weight of the day wore down on Tenchi. A lot had happened. He had felt almost every different emotion course through his body, from worry, to anger, to happiness. He had spent most of the day with Ryouko and realized what a good time he had with her. 'Since we got back from Ryo-ohki, it's almost been like we've been out on a date.' He realized.
Not sure of how to reply to her, he simply smiled and said, "You're welcome, Ryouko."
They had arrived at the hotel and traveled the rest of the way to their rooms in silence. Standing in the hallway outside their rooms, Tenchi had suggested he drop off Ryouko's bags and boxes in her room for her.
He set down all of her new belongings on her bed while Ryouko stood by the door, holding it open. Every ounce of her begged her to step in the room, shut the door, seduce Tenchi. 'I wish I could get him to stay with me, even if I just slept on the floor, but I know he'd just run away if I even suggested it.'
Tenchi walked out of her room and stood facing Ryouko on the opposite side of the doorway. Face to face, the two stared at each other, unsure of what to say. They were close. Very close. At this proximity to Ryouko, he realized that he finally stood taller than her, even if only by two inches or so.
"G-goodnight, Ryouko." He managed say, still trapped in the gaze they shared.
"Tenchi." Ryouko whispered his name longingly. Their heads were leaning closer together. Ryouko wasn't sure if she was leaning towards him, or if he was leaning towards her. It was as if something was pulling them together.
He felt her bangs tickle the bridge of his nose and saw her slowly shut her eyes and angle her head upward. He felt his own arms rising up from his sides to come to rest on her shoulders and as he closed his eyes and their lips softly, barely touched each others-
The door to the room across the hall loudly slammed open.
Tenchi scrambled, his hands flying off Ryouko's shoulders, his arms pinwheeling furiously as he stumbled backwards away from her.
Mihoshi sleepwalked out of her room, a pillow in her hand. At first she walked right into the door across the hall. She then backed up, turned the knob to the door and let herself in, snoring all the way.
"Mihoshi, you're sleepwalking!" Came Kiyone's annoyed voice from behind the closed door.
Tenchi looked at Ryouko and saw confusion in her eyes. Niether was sure of what had just happened, although they both thought they knew what they may have wanted. Tenchi scratched the back of his head and laughed a nervous chuckle.
"She's hopeless." Said Ryouko, trying to rebound from the uncomfortable silence that had settled between Tenchi and herself. Silently, she cursed herself for the missed opportunity.
Tenchi nodded in agreement before going to the door to his room.
"Goodnight, Tenchi." Ryouko called to him.
"Goodnight Ryouko." Tenchi replied, still caught in her gaze as he stepped into his room. They both kept their eyes trained on the other's as they slowly shut the doors to their rooms.
* * *
Ryouko closed the door behind her and slid down the wall, sitting in a heap on the floor. Holding two fingers to her lips, she wondered. 'Did…did he just kiss me, or did I just kiss him?' Her lips still slightly tingled from the brief kiss that they had shared. It had felt like electricity was running through her veins. She was sure that she was not the only one who had wanted the kiss. 'If only it wasn't for that damned Mihoshi.' She cursed to herself.
Through her happiness and excitement at this new development between herself and Tenchi, she couldn't help but wonder about his true feelings. 'Does he care about me, or was he just captured by the moment? Would he have done the same to Aeka? Will we do it again?'
So many questions hammered her mind, and she wished she could go to him, be with Tenchi. She wanted her questions answered, her fears quelled. She stood back up and placed her hand on the doorknob and turned.
She stopped herself. 'He won't be ready to talk about what happened. He'll just get flustered and embarrassed. I need to wait this out.' She thought to herself in a moment of intuition. Then, in a moment of self doubt, she thought, 'Besides, who would care about a monster like me anyway?' She tentatively released the doorknob and went to her bed. Trying to sort out her feelings, she began folding and putting away all the clothes that Tenchi had bought her.
* * *
'What was I doing?' Tenchi asked himself as he plopped down on his bed. 'Was I about to kiss Ryouko?' What would have happened if we hadn't gotten interrupted? Is she going to be upset with me? What…what am I feeling for her?'
His mind's eye thought of Aeka, of the beautiful, refined woman and princess that she was. It was true, Tenchi knew he cared deeply for Aeka, but when he compared his feelings for the two girls, he realized that things were different with Aeka. Every time he would imagine her, he saw only his great aunt and a wonderful friend.
'I think I realize what I need to do, as difficult as it may be.' Tenchi realized as he tried to come up with answers to his questions, but his mind kept settling on the terribly brief by wonderful kiss he and Ryouko shared. And he couldn't stop thinking about how badly he wanted to do it again.
* * *
End chapter 3
All "Tenchi Muyo" references are copyrighted by Pioneer and AIC. This is an amateur non-commercial story, which is not produced, approved of, or sponsored by the holders of the trademarks/copyrights from which this work is derived. The views expressed herein are solely those of the author.
On Wings of Change: Part One
Chapter 3: Wings of Realization
The four men surrounded Ryouko as she fell onto one knee and grabbed at her neck. She pulled out a tiny dart that had buried itself in her skin. A thin trail of blood trickled it's way down her neck. 'Tranquilizer?' She asked herself. 'I should be immune to it's effects anyway.'
She sluggishly stood back up and held her arms protectively in front of her chest. "We don't need to fight." She said before one of the men jabbed at her rib cage. She blocked as gently as possible, wincing at the pain.
Ryouko found her reflexes slowing as two of the men grabbed each arm and the man with the knife approached her again, touching the point of the knife to the skin of her neck. The fourth man came from behind and threw a punch at her right kidney. She winced, but mindful of the knife at her throat, tried not to move.
'Why is my vision getting blurry?' She wondered in an almost detached confusion.
"I don't care if you were a puppet, nor do I care that the Statute of Limitations has expired, you should still pay for the crimes you committed!" The man holding the knife shouted, specs of spittle flying from his lips. His bloodshot eyes demanded revenge as he applied pressure to the knife.
Ryouko barely recognized the sound of an energy surge belonging to the Tenchi-ken as she heard some one shout, "Get away from her!" She felt the pressure of the knife quickly disappear from her neck. The next thing she knew, everything went black.
The attackers froze as soon as Tenchi ignited his sword. "A…a Jurian key?" One of them mumbled as Tenchi readied himself to fight. "Retreat!" Another yelled.
Tenchi stood protectively over Ryouko's fallen body. Tenchi-ken still ignited, he was heaving slightly as he watched the attackers flee through the back door of the bar. He felt a strong urge to chase after them and fight them, but his concern for Ryouko was stronger. The Tenchi-ken's blue blade blinked out of existence as he knelt down on the ground and shook Ryouko by the shoulders.
"Ryouko? Ryouko?!" He shouted urgently, his concern growing.
She slowly raised her heavy eyelids, and when Tenchi saw her amber eyes he sighed in relief. "I'm right here, there's no need to yell." She said casually.
He lifted her higher and scooted underneath her body to support her in a sitting position, her head and shoulder resting on his bare chest. "Are you sure you're alright? You're bleeding!" He said as he placed his palm on her neck where the she had pulled out the dart. "What happened, why did those guys attack you?"
"I'm okay, it's just superficial." She said, pointing to the spent dart on the floor. She blinked, trying to stay awake. "They were mad at me."
"But what for?" Tenchi demanded answers.
Her half-lidded eyes began to tear. "Because I'm a monster! I murdered their friends and family on Jurai!" She cried out, gentle tears turning to sobs as her arms weakly coursed around Tenchi's body. At a loss for a response, Tenchi could only hold her close and run a hand through her hair in an effort to comfort and console her. Ryo-ohki sat on the ground by her sister, one paw on her knee to show her support.
Just then, Washu came bounding into the bar, slightly out of breath, sweat beading on her brow. Seeing that Ryouko was shaken, but safe, she relaxed slightly and approached the young man holding her daughter. "How is she?" She asked Tenchi.
He never looked up from Ryouko, continuing to rub her bare back with his hand. "Four men tried to attack her. I think they were holding a grudge against her for what she did to Planet Jurai. She's okay, but shaken. He said, brushing a lock of spiky hair from the moist skin of her neck. "I think they injected her with some kind of tranquilizer." Ryouko's sobs had quieted. She weakly kept her arms around him.
Washu noted the small dart on the floor of the bar. "Looks like you're right." She picked Ryo-ohki up off the floor and held her in the air. "Will you come with us, Tenchi?" She asked.
Tenchi nodded and tightened his grip on Ryouko as Washu sent Ryo-ohki into low orbit around one of Umano's two moons and teleported them into the spaceship.
After they had gone, a man in the shadows behind the bar slowly crept along the wall. His long hair rustled in the breeze as he exited out the rear doorway.
* * *
Washu had set up an impromptu sick bay on the bridge of Ryo-ohki. Tenchi stood tensely next to the hospital style bed where he had placed Ryouko, a thin blanket covered her body. He had one arm apprehensively wrapped around his bare chest, his other hand rested firmly on top of Ryouko's.
Washu analyzed the read outs on her holotop. "Don't worry Tenchi, she'll be just fine." She tried to reassure him, although she was taken aback by the crown prince's sudden show of concern. When she thought about it, she realized that she had noticed a slow change in Tenchi over the past few months, ever since the incident with the nameless tree.
"When will she wake up?" He asked her, a shiver running through his body from his damp swim trunks and damp hair.
Washu tapped some keys and a blue colored liquid coursed its way through the IV attached to Ryouko. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. "Tenchi." she said quietly. His worried but smiling face was the first thing she saw as she awoke. She felt his hand atop of hers and was comforted by it.
"How do you feel?" He asked her, suddenly acutely aware of their proximity to each other as he pulled his hand off of hers and took a step backwards, blushing slightly as he hugged his naked chest. Ryouko wanted to pout at his sudden retraction, but instead, assured him that she was fine.
Washu began the explanation. "It seems like you were attacked and hit by a tranquilizer dart, Ryouko."
"Well duh." Said Ryouko, sarcastically.
Tenchi sighed as Washu commented, "Well, obviously the girl's back to normal. Anyway, it was a powerful sedative, but there were no harmful substances in it. The injuries she suffered are superficial, but because her powers are being restricted and she can't heal as fast, she is likely to have some bruising on her ribcage for a couple of days.
Ryouko touched her side tenderly. "You mean I can't heal like I normally do?"
Washu shook her head. "Without your powers, you are almost human-like. You will heal marginally quicker than a human, but not at the rate that you are used to."
"Little Washu, isn't there any way to cancel the effects of the bracelet?" Tenchi asked.
Washu looked away. "Actually Tenchi, I have not completed my research on the bracelet. My computer…so far it hasn't been able to determine the materials of the bracelet, or where it's powers come from."
The cyan-tressed-demon-turned-good shook her head as she slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed and shakily stood. "It doesn't matter. I already said I'd abide by their rules. I need to play their game to gain back the trust of these people on my own."
"Ryouko…" Began Tenchi, touched by her sincerity. "What if you get attacked again?"
Ryouko smiled a calm, gentle smile. "I'll manage." She replied.
* * *
"Tenchi, relax! Stop being so serious, I told you I'm fine!" Said Ryouko.
The two were walking through the shopping area attached to the hotel after Washu had let Ryouko go. By the time they had gotten back to the pool it was late afternoon and Kiyone had already brought Mihoshi back to her room after she had fallen asleep in the sun. Washu went back to her room as well, as she had more tests to run. Tenchi and Ryouko had picked their clothes up from the pool and decided to explore the area.
A thick silence settled between the two as Tenchi turned serious. "Don't you think we should tell someone about what happened Ryouko?"
Ryouko shook her head firmly. "No. I don't want people to take that fight the wrong way, you know how media twists things around. Besides, I told you before, I want to resolve this on my own. And I definitely don't want the royal family getting involved in this. Sasami would be upset, and I…I know Aeka would be concerned, even if she'd refuse to admit it, and…I don't want to ruin her vacation."
Understanding her position, and honoring her decision, Tenchi agreed, but was still concerned. "What if they come after you again?"
She sighed. "I'll just have to deal with it. But please, Tenchi, please don't tell anyone about what happened back there."
Ryouko never begged for anything, but the tone of her voice, and the pleading look in her eye reluctantly convinced Tenchi. "Well, I'll be keeping an eye on you, just in case."
Ryouko brightened up. "You can keep more than just your eyes on me, Tennnccchi." She teased, seductively.
"Ryouko!" Tenchi shouted, turning red. "Cut it out. I just want to make sure you're okay, you've had a pretty rough day you know." Defended Tenchi
Ryouko stopped in her tracks and looked at Tenchi, her eyes twinkling. "You're concerned about my personal welfare!" She cooed, throwing her arms around him. "I always knew you cared!" Tenchi squirmed uncomfortably, his face turning redder still until Ryouko released him, chuckling.
"Come on." She said. "Let's just stop thinking about what happened and have some fun! We are on vacation after all, right?"
Tenchi nodded, agreeing, finding Ryouko's enthusiasm addictive as they began to window shop. Ryouko saw something in one of the stores that caught her eye and she paused mid stride to appreciate it. Tenchi noticed that something had caught her attention. "What is it?" He asked her.
The ex-space pirate shrugged and continued walking. "Just a neat outfit. No big deal."
"Ryouko, wait." Said Tenchi, asking her to stop. When she looked back at him over her shoulder quizzically, he asked, "Do you want it?"
She stammered, shocked, "A-are you sure you want to buy me that Tenchi?"
"Un." He said, affirmatively, scratching at the back of his head. "After all, without your powers, you can't phase into clothes, which means you're stuck with the dress you wore today, and th-that bikini and skirt. Why don't you get a few outfits you can wear while we're here?"
Ryouko's shocked expression was still plastered to her face. "Besides," Tenchi continued, his blush deepening. "I think you should have something that you can call your own, not just clothes that you always phase into. You know, something that belongs to you."
Ryouko's eyes lit up and she clasped her hands to her chest. 'She looks so…happy.' Tenchi realized, pleased with himself.
"Will you go shopping with me then?" Ryouko asked, tentatively.
"Lets get started." Tenchi replied, a bright smile on his face.
* * *
Carefully balancing a handful of boxes and as many bags that hung from his hands, Tenchi followed Ryouko from store to store. He had helped Ryouko to pick out outfits for all the activities she wanted to do and a few casual outfits to wear as well.
He sighed, thinking back to the days before they left for their trip…
Begin Flashback:
He had gone to the shrine for sword training the day before they were to leave for vacation, and to his surprise, Katsuhito instead invited him into the shrine for a cup of tea. "Are we not training today, Grandpa?" He had asked.
"No Tenchi. Today, I have something to give you." He had said, pushing an envelope across the table before picking up his cup of tea again and setting the rim against his lips.
"For me?" Tenchi asked as he opened up the envelope. Looking inside it, he saw a large amount of neatly filed papers that looked like currency.
"Inside that envelope is 700 Jurai. It is roughly equivalent to $3,000." Katsuhito explained.
"Grandfather, this is so much money. Why are you giving this all to me?" Tenchi asked.
Katsuhito had looked to the ceiling as if in deep though. "It's not much, just a small amount of what I have been keeping, and it is of no use to me here. Let's just say I think it will come in handy for you."
Tenchi had bowed deeply. "I don't understand, but thank you, Grandfather. I'm sure I'll put it to good use."
Katsuhito had excused Tenchi, giving him a day free from training. As Tenchi began to walk out the door, he called to him. "Tenchi."
"Yes Grandfather?" Tenchi asked, looking over his shoulder. "When you come back, you will be a changed man." Tenchi scratched the back of his head and left the shrine, choosing not to think of his Grandfather's prophecy.
End Flashback
Some of the outfits Tenchi had bought Ryouko were a bit more modest than she would have liked, but she was so happy to be out shopping with him that he could have chosen nothing but parkas and she would have worn them. On top of that, he hadn't let her pay for a single thing so far. She protested every time, but once they got to the cashier, Tenchi insisted on paying, pulling out an envelope and handing bills to the cashier.
Ryouko fought against an oncoming blush thinking about Tenchi's words, "I think you should have something that you can call you own…You know, something that belongs to you."
They were currently in one last clothing store, when something caught Ryouko's eye in the men's wear section. "Oh, look Tenchi, that would look great on you!" She pointed to a Jurian style vest that was designed to be layered over a t-shirt. It was tan, with black and white accents, similar in shades and design to his favorite field jacket.
Ryouko pulled one off a hanger and held it up against Tenchi's chest against his white shirt. "Hmm, she said, examining how the shoulders of the vest were too narrow. It looks small." She looked at the label on the hanger. "Medium huh? See Tenchi, you really have grown!" She exclaimed as he blushed, mumbling something about exercise and training with his grandfather.
She hung the medium vest back up and pulled a large one off a hanger and held it to his chest again. "It's perfect!" She exclaimed, ignoring his ever growing blush.
"It is nice Ryouko, but I think I've spent enough, and I have enough clothes with me already." Tenchi protested.
"I'm buying it for you then." Ryouko stated.
"You don't have to-" Began Tenchi.
Ryouko looked Tenchi in the eye. "Look at how much you've bought for me today Tenchi." She said, pointing at the bags and boxes at his feet. "At least let me get this for you." Tenchi sighed and gave in to her intense gaze.
Ryouko laughed and ran to the counter with the vest and told the cashier her room number. As the vest was being carefully wrapped and placed in a bag, a jewelry case suddenly caught Ryouko's attention. Walking over to it, she examined the fine pieces on display.
An elegant platinum necklace was the only piece that called to Ryouko. It was a thin, flat necklace, almost a choker from which a delicate pendant with a design of three cords of platinum in a loop hung. A tiny chip of diamond was embedded into the end of each cord.
Tenchi appeared behind her, again balancing the mountain of bags and boxes. 'She must be looking at something in there.' Thought Tenchi.
When Ryouko noticed Tenchi's gaze, she shifted her attention, feeling awkward for being interested in something so dainty and feminine. "Shall we go?" She proposed, picking up the bag containing Tenchi's vest from the cashier.
Upon exiting through the door of the store, Ryouko ran into someone on the sidewalk. "Ouch." She said quietly, her hand traveling to her bruised ribs. She had stopped so suddenly that Tenchi had almost run her over.
Looking up, she realized that she had run into Aoyama Masamitsu, the prince that had greeted them upon their arrival. "You." She said coldly.
"Please excuse me, Miss Ryouko. I did not see you there." He said, bowing to her. "Are you injured?" He asked, taking note of the way she guarded her side.
Ryouko returned her hand to her side. "I'm fine." Ryouko said looking at him through slitted eyes.
Masamitsu took note of the man with the boxes standing behind Ryouko and took his time evaluating him. "Well, please excuse me for interrupting you, Miss Ryouko, and Sir Tenchi, I believe it was. I must be going. Please enjoy yourselves." He said as he continued down the sidewalk.
"Ryouko, what was that about?' Tenchi asked.
"I don't know Tenchi." Ryouko answered, trying to shake off the bad vibes she felt from Masamitsu.
The two back tracked through the shopping area. Dusk was beginning to fall and the heat of the day was giving way to the cool air of night as Tenchi frequently needed to shift the weight of their purchases. "Let me carry some of that Tenchi." Ryouko offered.
Tenchi's shaking head could be seen atop the boxes. "I've got it." He insisted. He winced as a loud growling noise was heard.
Ryouko laughed. "Why don't we get something to eat?" She suggested.
* * *
The two were seated at a table in a little noodle restaurant by the poolside. The night had grown dark. The last traces of sun could be seen setting above trees through the wall-less building. Jurian Fireflies, which had a more bluish tint to their light than those found on Earth, dotted the darkness. The two moons of Umano were a waxing three quarters size low in the horizon. The thatch roof and hanging greenery lent the diners an other-worldly tropical feel in the humid night.
"Who would have thought that a royal resort would have something as common as a noodle restaurant?" Asked Ryouko through a mouthful of noodles and pork.
Tenchi swallowed. "Suits me just fine. Could you imagine eating seven course meals with nobles during our whole vacation?"
"Good point." Ryouko said thoughtfully, chopsticks to her mouth.
A comfortable silence fell between the two as they enjoyed their dinners and admired the night's ambiance. 'This is…almost like a date.' Considered Ryouko. 'I'd tease him about it, but…I think it would drive him away once he realized it. Even still, I wish this night would never end.'
Tenchi stole a glance at Ryouko, she seemed to be lost in thought and looking off into the distance. 'Tonight was fun. Even if this afternoon was a little crazy. I was just so worried about her. I can't stop thinking bout her. I…I just want to make sure no one will attack her again. That's all.' He thought to himself, trying to justify spending the entire day with her.
"Whatcha lookin' at me like that for Tenchi?" Asked Ryouko?
Tenchi snapped out of it. 'Was I looking at her?' He wondered. "N…nothing. Nothing at all. How are your noodles?" He asked lamely
"Well, it's not Sasami's cooking, but it's pretty good, I suppose." She replied.
"I wonder what Sasami and Aeka are doing now?" Tenchi asked. Ryouko turned thoughtful and hummed a mutual note of wonderment at his question, pushing her empty bowl to the side.
Dinner being finished, Tenchi paid for the evening's meal and again gathered the load of bags and boxes while Ryouko carried Tenchi's lone bag over her shoulder in one hand. Tenchi sighed on their way back to the hotel "That was great. I'm going to sleep like a brick tonight."
Ryouko gazed up at the stars starting to shine in the blanket of the night's sky. 'If I had it my way, you wouldn't sleep at all tonight Tenchi.' She thought to herself, saddened that the night was coming to an end. 'I…I don't want to be alone.' She admitted to herself.
"Tenchi?" She asked.
"Hmmm?' He replied, looking at her over the mountain of boxes.
"Thank you for today." She said.
"It was no big deal Ryouko. You needed to have clothes anyway since you-" He began.
"No, Tenchi." She cut him off. "I mean thank you for everything. For helping me out earlier, for buying me all of this stuff, for dinner… Thanks." Try as she may, Ryouko couldn't keep a trace of tears from rising in those amber eyes.
The weight of the day wore down on Tenchi. A lot had happened. He had felt almost every different emotion course through his body, from worry, to anger, to happiness. He had spent most of the day with Ryouko and realized what a good time he had with her. 'Since we got back from Ryo-ohki, it's almost been like we've been out on a date.' He realized.
Not sure of how to reply to her, he simply smiled and said, "You're welcome, Ryouko."
They had arrived at the hotel and traveled the rest of the way to their rooms in silence. Standing in the hallway outside their rooms, Tenchi had suggested he drop off Ryouko's bags and boxes in her room for her.
He set down all of her new belongings on her bed while Ryouko stood by the door, holding it open. Every ounce of her begged her to step in the room, shut the door, seduce Tenchi. 'I wish I could get him to stay with me, even if I just slept on the floor, but I know he'd just run away if I even suggested it.'
Tenchi walked out of her room and stood facing Ryouko on the opposite side of the doorway. Face to face, the two stared at each other, unsure of what to say. They were close. Very close. At this proximity to Ryouko, he realized that he finally stood taller than her, even if only by two inches or so.
"G-goodnight, Ryouko." He managed say, still trapped in the gaze they shared.
"Tenchi." Ryouko whispered his name longingly. Their heads were leaning closer together. Ryouko wasn't sure if she was leaning towards him, or if he was leaning towards her. It was as if something was pulling them together.
He felt her bangs tickle the bridge of his nose and saw her slowly shut her eyes and angle her head upward. He felt his own arms rising up from his sides to come to rest on her shoulders and as he closed his eyes and their lips softly, barely touched each others-
The door to the room across the hall loudly slammed open.
Tenchi scrambled, his hands flying off Ryouko's shoulders, his arms pinwheeling furiously as he stumbled backwards away from her.
Mihoshi sleepwalked out of her room, a pillow in her hand. At first she walked right into the door across the hall. She then backed up, turned the knob to the door and let herself in, snoring all the way.
"Mihoshi, you're sleepwalking!" Came Kiyone's annoyed voice from behind the closed door.
Tenchi looked at Ryouko and saw confusion in her eyes. Niether was sure of what had just happened, although they both thought they knew what they may have wanted. Tenchi scratched the back of his head and laughed a nervous chuckle.
"She's hopeless." Said Ryouko, trying to rebound from the uncomfortable silence that had settled between Tenchi and herself. Silently, she cursed herself for the missed opportunity.
Tenchi nodded in agreement before going to the door to his room.
"Goodnight, Tenchi." Ryouko called to him.
"Goodnight Ryouko." Tenchi replied, still caught in her gaze as he stepped into his room. They both kept their eyes trained on the other's as they slowly shut the doors to their rooms.
* * *
Ryouko closed the door behind her and slid down the wall, sitting in a heap on the floor. Holding two fingers to her lips, she wondered. 'Did…did he just kiss me, or did I just kiss him?' Her lips still slightly tingled from the brief kiss that they had shared. It had felt like electricity was running through her veins. She was sure that she was not the only one who had wanted the kiss. 'If only it wasn't for that damned Mihoshi.' She cursed to herself.
Through her happiness and excitement at this new development between herself and Tenchi, she couldn't help but wonder about his true feelings. 'Does he care about me, or was he just captured by the moment? Would he have done the same to Aeka? Will we do it again?'
So many questions hammered her mind, and she wished she could go to him, be with Tenchi. She wanted her questions answered, her fears quelled. She stood back up and placed her hand on the doorknob and turned.
She stopped herself. 'He won't be ready to talk about what happened. He'll just get flustered and embarrassed. I need to wait this out.' She thought to herself in a moment of intuition. Then, in a moment of self doubt, she thought, 'Besides, who would care about a monster like me anyway?' She tentatively released the doorknob and went to her bed. Trying to sort out her feelings, she began folding and putting away all the clothes that Tenchi had bought her.
* * *
'What was I doing?' Tenchi asked himself as he plopped down on his bed. 'Was I about to kiss Ryouko?' What would have happened if we hadn't gotten interrupted? Is she going to be upset with me? What…what am I feeling for her?'
His mind's eye thought of Aeka, of the beautiful, refined woman and princess that she was. It was true, Tenchi knew he cared deeply for Aeka, but when he compared his feelings for the two girls, he realized that things were different with Aeka. Every time he would imagine her, he saw only his great aunt and a wonderful friend.
'I think I realize what I need to do, as difficult as it may be.' Tenchi realized as he tried to come up with answers to his questions, but his mind kept settling on the terribly brief by wonderful kiss he and Ryouko shared. And he couldn't stop thinking about how badly he wanted to do it again.
* * *
End chapter 3