Chapter 2 - The Return of Ryoko
"Come on you fuzzy slowpoke! Get a move on!"
Ryo-Ohki's face appeared on a crystal floating in front of Ryoko. "Miya!" she said, in an annoyed tone.
"You can have all the damn carrots you want when we get home!"
"Miya meow!" Ryo-Ohki replied happily.
"But only if we get there before Ayeka. Now hurry up!"
"Miya," Ryo-Ohki replied. "Miya miya."
"That's blackmail you little..." Ryoko felt Ryo-Ohki slow as she hurtled through space. "You wouldn't dare," she cautioned.
She could tell by the expression displayed in the crystal that Ryo- Ohki would indeed, and she felt their speed drop again.
"Grrr..." Ryoko growled. She clenched her fists in frustration. "All right, all right! But you had better get there before Her Prissiness or I'll give you a carrot somewhere very uncomfortable. Got it?"
Ryo-Ohki didn't look like she felt threatened, but Ryoko felt their speed increase. She sat back in the command chair and relaxed as best she could.
Ryoko knew it really didn't matter if she got back before Ayeka; Tenchi wouldn't hold it against her no matter when she got there or who got there first. And she wasn't going to get anywhere with Tenchi because of something as trivial as who was home first. But the opportunity to spend time with Tenchi without Ayeka around was just too tempting.
Plus, getting there first would be something to tease Ayeka about later.
Ryoko smiled, thinking how she'd dangle the bait for the princess. "Oh!" she said to herself. "Ayeka! If only you'd been here! Tenchi and I went for a walk around the pond. It was so romantic!" Ayeka would make an offended noise and toss her hair, Tenchi would deny anything had happened and Ryoko would laugh at both of them.
Of course, by now it was all just playing and everyone involved knew that. Tenchi had gotten very good at keeping them all happy.
Their different schedules certainly helped. Even though Ryoko and Ayeka were both attending Royal Space Academy, the School of Applied Physics where she studied had different vacations than the Kamiki School for Political Science where Ayeka was going. This worked out well during the normal school period, as they were home at different times and Tenchi worked hard to make time in his schedule for them.
But during the summer months and at Christmas, they were all home together and, Ryoko had to admit, that was the best time of all.
She wasn't sure how it had happened, but she and Ayeka had grown very close; closer than she'd ever really thought they could be. She supposed it was that first year at Royal Space Academy, when both had been pulled away from where they wanted to be and found themselves with no friends on a far away world full of beings from every corner of space.
"For goodness sake, Ryoko, cut it out!" Washu admonished. "You're being a big baby."
"I am not being a baby! I'm a grown woman and I can make my own decisions and I'm deciding not to go to Royal Space Academy!" Ryoko crossed her arms and glared at Washu, who stood in front of her unfazed.
"And you can't make me!" she hissed.
"Ugh," Washu grunted. "You really are the most disobedient daughter ever. Why couldn't you be calmer, more agreeable, more like..." Washu glanced at Ayeka, who was sitting on the couch in the Masaki living room.
"Don't say it!" Ryoko growled. "Fair warning! Besides, you made me, so whatever I am is your fault. What's the matter, anyway? A little too much of yourself in the mix?"
"Honestly, Ryoko," Ayeka said. "What is the problem? I should think you would jump at the chance to learn to do something besides break things, drink too much, avoid chores and behave like a tramp."
"Why, you... You... You big fat cow!" Ryoko retorted.
Ayeka's eyes widened in surprise and her fists clenched. Her expression became menacing and she jumped to her feet. "I most certainly am not any of those things! Take that back!"
Ryoko laughed and returned her glare. The two faced off a few steps apart, the tension between them almost palpable.
"Ryoko! Ayeka! Both of you stop this right now!" Sasami placed herself between the two women, her hands on her hips, glaring back and forth from one to the other. Ayeka and Ryoko both visibly relaxed and looked sheepish.
Sasami took Ryoko's hand. "Ryoko, I think it's wonderful that you're going to attend Royal Space Academy. It's a great chance to see new things and meet new people. I'll bet you'll make lots of new friends."
Ryoko looked down at Sasami. "Maybe... But I'll miss everyone; I'll miss Tenchi..."
"Tenchi will have plenty of company," Ayeka smiled slyly. "I will not let him get lonely."
"You keep away from my Tenchi!" Ryoko seethed. "Washu! You see what she's planning? I can't leave Tenchi alone with her!"
Washu sighed. "Ryoko, Tenchi will be far too busy with his studies and so will you. Now, start packing your things because we're leaving in the morning. I need some time to get settled and you need to get registered. The semester starts in a few weeks."
"Washu!" Ryoko wailed, her cheeks reddening in frustration.
"We'll be back in a few days and you'll have the whole summer to chase after Tenchi before classes start," Washu said firmly.
"I'm not going!" Ryoko yelled, stamping her foot.
"Not going where?" Tenchi came in the front door, followed by Katsuhito. "Where aren't you going, Ryoko?" he repeated.
Sasami ran across the room and took Tenchi's hand, followed closely by Ryo-Ohki, who leaped onto his shoulder. "Ryoko's going to Royal Space Academy, Tenchi! Isn't that great!" Sasami said.
"Wow, Ryoko! That's terrific! I'm proud of you."
Ryoko's expression softened at this unexpected praise from Tenchi. "Really, Tenchi? You're really proud of me?"
"Well, yeah! Of course! I'm sure you'll do great, too."
Ryoko phased out and re-appeared inches in front of Tenchi, with an audible pop. She put her arms around him and squeezed, pressing her ample bosom against his chest. "Oh, Tenchi! That means so much to me! You're so sweet!"
Tenchi smiled awkwardly and reached around behind his neck to unwrap her arms. "Ryoko, come on, please? Let go." Ryoko allowed herself to be pulled off, but she stood on the other side of Tenchi from Sasami, holding his arm tightly and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I hear Royal Space Academy is beautiful in the fall. You will send Tenchi and me a post card, please?" Ayeka teased. "In fact, it sounds so nice I wish I was going, too."
"I'm very happy to hear you say that, Ayeka," Katsuhito said.
"Why, what do you mean?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
Katsuhito smiled and handed Ayeka a silver, soda can-sized message cylinder. "This came today by Jurai Express," he explained.
Ayeka took the cylinder, set it down on the table and pressed the blinking green button on the top. As they watched, a hologram projected into the air above the table and foot-high images of Misaki and Funaho came into focus.
"Oh, my little Ayeka!" Misaki said. "I wish I was there to give you a hug!" She clutched her hands under her chin and her eyes welled with tears.
"Ayeka," Funaho began. "We hope this finds you well. I'm sure that Tenchi is taking good care of you and Sasami, as he promised."
"Oh! Sasami! Sasami, Sasami, Sasami," Misaki cried in the background, tears pouring down her face. "Oh, I miss my girls so!"
"Your father and we are very proud of you and we feel it is in your best interests to attend the Kamiki School of Political Science at Royal Space Academy, beginning with the next semester."
"Oh, Ayeka! Mommy's so happy!" Misaki exclaimed.
"Yosho, make sure she enrolls," Funaho said.
"We'll come and visit soon!"
"Goodbye," Funaho said, smiling.
"Goodbye!" Misaki yelled, waving. "And say hello to everyone for us! Hello, Tenchi! Hello, Washu! Hello, Mihoshi! Hello, Ryoko! Hello, Ryo- Ohki!"
Hearing her name, Ryo-Ohki looked at the projection and said, "Miya!"
"Goodbye!" Misaki said one last time, and the hologram ended.
"Oh, mother!" Ayeka said to the now-inactive hologram projector. "How could you? I can not leave Lord Tenchi and I certainly will not attend the same school as Ryoko! I am sure she will gain a reputation of the worst sort and drag me down by association!"
Ryoko opened her mouth, clearly about to respond, when the hologram flashed back to life. Again, Funaho and Misaki appeared. Both looked stern this time.
"Yes, Ayeka, you are going. And you're going to attend with Ryoko," Funaho said.
"She's such a nice girl, Ayeka! You should try to get along with her," Misaki said.
"Washu will keep us informed of your progress."
"Goodbye, Little Ayeka! Make mommy proud!"
And the hologram turned off again.
"That's our mom," Sasami said, quietly.
Ayeka's expression was frozen in a mask of surprise and chagrin. Then, she dipped her head and sighed. "How does she do that?" she asked no one.
"It was bad enough when I had to go alone, but I'm not going with Her Worship!" Ryoko objected.
"It's going to be just us girls!" Washu gushed. "We're going to have so much fun!"
"Anyway, I can not go," Ayeka said firmly. "Ryu-Oh is several years from being ready to fly."
"Not a problem!" Washu said brightly. "You can hitch a ride on Ryo- Ohki. Maybe not as comfortable as a Jurai tree-ship, but she'll get you there."
"Miya!" Ryo-Ohki looked offended. She bounded over to Washu and stood at her feet, her back arched, hissing.
"Hush," Washu said, leaning down and patting her on the head. "Remember who your mommy is. I made you to be fast and tough, not luxurious. A cruise ship you're not."
Ryo-Ohki sat back on her haunches looking unhappy, then whimpered and began to cry. Sasami picked her up and began scratching her.
"There, there. Poor Ryo-Ohki," she said sympathetically.
"Pack for a few days, girls; we're leaving in the morning!" Washu said. With a gesture she turned and entered the door to her lab, leaving the others.
Ryoko sighed, remembering how difficult she'd been. How difficult they'd both been! But Washu had watched Ryoko very carefully until she accepted college life. Washu also reported regularly to Funaho and Misaki on Ayeka's doings, keeping her in line.
Tenchi had also been supportive. There had been several times when she didn't think she'd ever make it; but a short break in Okayama with Tenchi's company and encouragement was enough to get her back on track. Those trips back had meant more to her than she could ever say. Something had changed in the relationship between the three of them and it profoundly affected Ryoko's behavior.
Without Ayeka around, she was more relaxed around Tenchi, not as needy or clingy. This meant that Tenchi was less likely to be standoffish and cold. The oddest thing was that she could describe her time in Okayama in detail to Ayeka and there was no anger or jealousy. This turned out to be true when Ryoko listened to Ayeka talk about her vacations with Tenchi.
She had to admit that Tenchi was a part of all this. Over the years he had managed to become very adept at keeping everyone happy and Ayeka and Ryoko had become close friends. He still managed to do little things for each of them to let them know how special and important they were to him and that he was thinking about them even when they weren't there. Ryoko would never forget Tenchi's gift to her.
Tenchi announced, one summer evening when everyone was in Okayama, that his design for a fountain in a public park pavilion had won an award and notice from several prestigious firms. He had worked on the design and entered the competition in secret. He went on to tell them that he would like them all to attend the awards banquet being held a few days later.
They had all dressed in their finest for the banquet: Tenchi and Nobuyuki in black tuxedos, Katsuhito in his best ceremonial robes, Ayeka and Sasami in Jurai formal robes, Ryoko and Mihoshi in amazing gowns, Little Washu in a more suitable gown and even Ryo-Ohki in her child form wearing a pinafore.
The lobby of the banquet hall was filled with the various models and perspective drawings of the entries. They had made their way around the lobby in a group, everyone admiring the works; Tenchi and Nobuyuki pointing out the various styles and schools of design represented. They were about half the way around when Sasami yelled, "There's Tenchi's!" and she took off at a full run with Ryo-Ohki in tow; the thin veneer of her fifteen year- old dignity tossed aside in her excitement.
The others made their way over at a walk and everyone gathered close to see Tenchi's work.
The model was finely crafted, and was laid out on a base about four feet square. The fountain it represented was roughly circular, about a hundred feet across. It was made up of unevenly shaped blocks of stone laid with channels between them in a shallow bowl. At the periphery, natural- looking vertical stones engraved with kanji served as fountains, water bubbling from the tops, down their sides and then trickling down through the channels to meet in a small pool at the center. The pool featured a statue of a beautiful woman emerging from the water, her arms upraised. Hidden jets sent cascades of water running from her palms and down her voluptuous, nude form as if she were rising from the depths. The channels and the pool were lit with a bluish light that seemed to come from the water itself.
It took Ryoko a moment to realize what she was seeing; but when she did, the effect was like a bolt of lightning shooting from the base of her spine to her fingertips. She looked around to find Tenchi and, turning, realized that he was hanging back and waiting to see everyone's reaction.
She gave Tenchi a questioning look and he smiled and nodded. Ryoko stepped over to him; her eyes sparkling, she embraced him and said, "Thank you!" into his ear.
Tenchi held her and said, "That's the you I should have seen - that I wish I'd seen - that day." Ryoko held him tighter and nodded, too choked up to speak.
"Ahem! Miss Ryoko! We are all happy and excited for Lord Tenchi, but do you mind showing a little decorum?" At the sound of Ayeka's voice, Tenchi and Ryoko stepped apart. They smiled at each other, tears glistening in Ryoko's eyes. Tenchi then glanced at Ayeka and his expression became embarrassed.
"Heh heh. It's all right, Miss Ayeka."
"Humph," Ayeka said. She stepped around Ryoko and took Tenchi's arm, guiding him over to the model. "It really is beautiful Tenchi! I wonder, though: your statue looks a tad over developed. Perhaps you should consider using a less dramatically shaped model if it is ever actually constructed. You would not want to scare any small children..."
"Hey, Princess!" Ryoko called. When Ayeka turned toward her, Ryoko stuck out her tongue, "Nyah!" then took Tenchi's other arm.
Ayeka giggled behind her hand, and winked at Ryoko. "But really, Tenchi, please: tell me what was your inspiration?"
"Well, uh..." Tenchi scratched the back of his head. Ryoko knew his inspiration had been the Demon Cave and her release from it. Ayeka had never seen the cave, and Ryoko hoped Tenchi would let it be something the two of them could share. She was afraid, though that he wouldn't have a reasonable answer for Ayeka's question.
Katsuhito surprised her by saying, "Some artists work from their heart, without truly being able to explain from what deep, dark place their dreams arise." He had walked up next to the trio and was favoring Tenchi with one of his cryptic smiles; his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Isn't that right, Tenchi?"
"Uh, yes grandpa: that's exactly right!" Tenchi replied gratefully.
"Well, I think it's great!" Sasami said. Ryo-Ohki miya'd in agreement, waving her small arms in the air. Tenchi reached down and picked her up, then turned to face his family.
"Thanks for coming, everyone. It really means a lot to me."
"We wouldn't have missed it for the world, son. I'm very proud of you," Nobuyuki said.
"We all are," Washu said, the others nodding in agreement.
"Well, should we go in and sit down?" Tenchi asked, then turned to lead them through the open doors and to their table in the hall.
Ryoko cherished that moment, and she always would. The fountain hadn't actually been built, but the model held a place of honor at the architectural firm where Tenchi had apprenticed. Or, rather, an exact copy held a place of honor. At Ryoko's insistence, Washu had made a duplicate - correct to the molecular level - of the original and Ryoko had swapped them one night. Even though Washu had pointed out that at the molecular level a duplicate was as exact as a copy could be, Ryoko insisted on having the one that had actually been built with Tenchi's hands. That original was sitting in her cabin on Ryo-Ohki.
"Miya!" Ryo-Ohki said. Ryoko looked up and realized that they were drawing close to Earth - to home.
"All right! Any sign of Ryu-Oh, Ryo-Ohki?"
A screen showed a full scan of the surrounding space and the part of Earth that was their destination - nothing.
"Good job, Fuzz Butt! You've earned that carrot soup! Let's go home."
Ryo-Ohki miya'd happily and she seemed to go just a bit faster.
In a few moments Ryo-Ohki had put Ryoko down in the yard and shifted into cabbit form and the two stood looking at the front door. Tenchi's car was parked out front.
"Well, here we are," Ryoko said, smiling. "I wonder who's home."
"Come on you fuzzy slowpoke! Get a move on!"
Ryo-Ohki's face appeared on a crystal floating in front of Ryoko. "Miya!" she said, in an annoyed tone.
"You can have all the damn carrots you want when we get home!"
"Miya meow!" Ryo-Ohki replied happily.
"But only if we get there before Ayeka. Now hurry up!"
"Miya," Ryo-Ohki replied. "Miya miya."
"That's blackmail you little..." Ryoko felt Ryo-Ohki slow as she hurtled through space. "You wouldn't dare," she cautioned.
She could tell by the expression displayed in the crystal that Ryo- Ohki would indeed, and she felt their speed drop again.
"Grrr..." Ryoko growled. She clenched her fists in frustration. "All right, all right! But you had better get there before Her Prissiness or I'll give you a carrot somewhere very uncomfortable. Got it?"
Ryo-Ohki didn't look like she felt threatened, but Ryoko felt their speed increase. She sat back in the command chair and relaxed as best she could.
Ryoko knew it really didn't matter if she got back before Ayeka; Tenchi wouldn't hold it against her no matter when she got there or who got there first. And she wasn't going to get anywhere with Tenchi because of something as trivial as who was home first. But the opportunity to spend time with Tenchi without Ayeka around was just too tempting.
Plus, getting there first would be something to tease Ayeka about later.
Ryoko smiled, thinking how she'd dangle the bait for the princess. "Oh!" she said to herself. "Ayeka! If only you'd been here! Tenchi and I went for a walk around the pond. It was so romantic!" Ayeka would make an offended noise and toss her hair, Tenchi would deny anything had happened and Ryoko would laugh at both of them.
Of course, by now it was all just playing and everyone involved knew that. Tenchi had gotten very good at keeping them all happy.
Their different schedules certainly helped. Even though Ryoko and Ayeka were both attending Royal Space Academy, the School of Applied Physics where she studied had different vacations than the Kamiki School for Political Science where Ayeka was going. This worked out well during the normal school period, as they were home at different times and Tenchi worked hard to make time in his schedule for them.
But during the summer months and at Christmas, they were all home together and, Ryoko had to admit, that was the best time of all.
She wasn't sure how it had happened, but she and Ayeka had grown very close; closer than she'd ever really thought they could be. She supposed it was that first year at Royal Space Academy, when both had been pulled away from where they wanted to be and found themselves with no friends on a far away world full of beings from every corner of space.
"For goodness sake, Ryoko, cut it out!" Washu admonished. "You're being a big baby."
"I am not being a baby! I'm a grown woman and I can make my own decisions and I'm deciding not to go to Royal Space Academy!" Ryoko crossed her arms and glared at Washu, who stood in front of her unfazed.
"And you can't make me!" she hissed.
"Ugh," Washu grunted. "You really are the most disobedient daughter ever. Why couldn't you be calmer, more agreeable, more like..." Washu glanced at Ayeka, who was sitting on the couch in the Masaki living room.
"Don't say it!" Ryoko growled. "Fair warning! Besides, you made me, so whatever I am is your fault. What's the matter, anyway? A little too much of yourself in the mix?"
"Honestly, Ryoko," Ayeka said. "What is the problem? I should think you would jump at the chance to learn to do something besides break things, drink too much, avoid chores and behave like a tramp."
"Why, you... You... You big fat cow!" Ryoko retorted.
Ayeka's eyes widened in surprise and her fists clenched. Her expression became menacing and she jumped to her feet. "I most certainly am not any of those things! Take that back!"
Ryoko laughed and returned her glare. The two faced off a few steps apart, the tension between them almost palpable.
"Ryoko! Ayeka! Both of you stop this right now!" Sasami placed herself between the two women, her hands on her hips, glaring back and forth from one to the other. Ayeka and Ryoko both visibly relaxed and looked sheepish.
Sasami took Ryoko's hand. "Ryoko, I think it's wonderful that you're going to attend Royal Space Academy. It's a great chance to see new things and meet new people. I'll bet you'll make lots of new friends."
Ryoko looked down at Sasami. "Maybe... But I'll miss everyone; I'll miss Tenchi..."
"Tenchi will have plenty of company," Ayeka smiled slyly. "I will not let him get lonely."
"You keep away from my Tenchi!" Ryoko seethed. "Washu! You see what she's planning? I can't leave Tenchi alone with her!"
Washu sighed. "Ryoko, Tenchi will be far too busy with his studies and so will you. Now, start packing your things because we're leaving in the morning. I need some time to get settled and you need to get registered. The semester starts in a few weeks."
"Washu!" Ryoko wailed, her cheeks reddening in frustration.
"We'll be back in a few days and you'll have the whole summer to chase after Tenchi before classes start," Washu said firmly.
"I'm not going!" Ryoko yelled, stamping her foot.
"Not going where?" Tenchi came in the front door, followed by Katsuhito. "Where aren't you going, Ryoko?" he repeated.
Sasami ran across the room and took Tenchi's hand, followed closely by Ryo-Ohki, who leaped onto his shoulder. "Ryoko's going to Royal Space Academy, Tenchi! Isn't that great!" Sasami said.
"Wow, Ryoko! That's terrific! I'm proud of you."
Ryoko's expression softened at this unexpected praise from Tenchi. "Really, Tenchi? You're really proud of me?"
"Well, yeah! Of course! I'm sure you'll do great, too."
Ryoko phased out and re-appeared inches in front of Tenchi, with an audible pop. She put her arms around him and squeezed, pressing her ample bosom against his chest. "Oh, Tenchi! That means so much to me! You're so sweet!"
Tenchi smiled awkwardly and reached around behind his neck to unwrap her arms. "Ryoko, come on, please? Let go." Ryoko allowed herself to be pulled off, but she stood on the other side of Tenchi from Sasami, holding his arm tightly and leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I hear Royal Space Academy is beautiful in the fall. You will send Tenchi and me a post card, please?" Ayeka teased. "In fact, it sounds so nice I wish I was going, too."
"I'm very happy to hear you say that, Ayeka," Katsuhito said.
"Why, what do you mean?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.
Katsuhito smiled and handed Ayeka a silver, soda can-sized message cylinder. "This came today by Jurai Express," he explained.
Ayeka took the cylinder, set it down on the table and pressed the blinking green button on the top. As they watched, a hologram projected into the air above the table and foot-high images of Misaki and Funaho came into focus.
"Oh, my little Ayeka!" Misaki said. "I wish I was there to give you a hug!" She clutched her hands under her chin and her eyes welled with tears.
"Ayeka," Funaho began. "We hope this finds you well. I'm sure that Tenchi is taking good care of you and Sasami, as he promised."
"Oh! Sasami! Sasami, Sasami, Sasami," Misaki cried in the background, tears pouring down her face. "Oh, I miss my girls so!"
"Your father and we are very proud of you and we feel it is in your best interests to attend the Kamiki School of Political Science at Royal Space Academy, beginning with the next semester."
"Oh, Ayeka! Mommy's so happy!" Misaki exclaimed.
"Yosho, make sure she enrolls," Funaho said.
"We'll come and visit soon!"
"Goodbye," Funaho said, smiling.
"Goodbye!" Misaki yelled, waving. "And say hello to everyone for us! Hello, Tenchi! Hello, Washu! Hello, Mihoshi! Hello, Ryoko! Hello, Ryo- Ohki!"
Hearing her name, Ryo-Ohki looked at the projection and said, "Miya!"
"Goodbye!" Misaki said one last time, and the hologram ended.
"Oh, mother!" Ayeka said to the now-inactive hologram projector. "How could you? I can not leave Lord Tenchi and I certainly will not attend the same school as Ryoko! I am sure she will gain a reputation of the worst sort and drag me down by association!"
Ryoko opened her mouth, clearly about to respond, when the hologram flashed back to life. Again, Funaho and Misaki appeared. Both looked stern this time.
"Yes, Ayeka, you are going. And you're going to attend with Ryoko," Funaho said.
"She's such a nice girl, Ayeka! You should try to get along with her," Misaki said.
"Washu will keep us informed of your progress."
"Goodbye, Little Ayeka! Make mommy proud!"
And the hologram turned off again.
"That's our mom," Sasami said, quietly.
Ayeka's expression was frozen in a mask of surprise and chagrin. Then, she dipped her head and sighed. "How does she do that?" she asked no one.
"It was bad enough when I had to go alone, but I'm not going with Her Worship!" Ryoko objected.
"It's going to be just us girls!" Washu gushed. "We're going to have so much fun!"
"Anyway, I can not go," Ayeka said firmly. "Ryu-Oh is several years from being ready to fly."
"Not a problem!" Washu said brightly. "You can hitch a ride on Ryo- Ohki. Maybe not as comfortable as a Jurai tree-ship, but she'll get you there."
"Miya!" Ryo-Ohki looked offended. She bounded over to Washu and stood at her feet, her back arched, hissing.
"Hush," Washu said, leaning down and patting her on the head. "Remember who your mommy is. I made you to be fast and tough, not luxurious. A cruise ship you're not."
Ryo-Ohki sat back on her haunches looking unhappy, then whimpered and began to cry. Sasami picked her up and began scratching her.
"There, there. Poor Ryo-Ohki," she said sympathetically.
"Pack for a few days, girls; we're leaving in the morning!" Washu said. With a gesture she turned and entered the door to her lab, leaving the others.
Ryoko sighed, remembering how difficult she'd been. How difficult they'd both been! But Washu had watched Ryoko very carefully until she accepted college life. Washu also reported regularly to Funaho and Misaki on Ayeka's doings, keeping her in line.
Tenchi had also been supportive. There had been several times when she didn't think she'd ever make it; but a short break in Okayama with Tenchi's company and encouragement was enough to get her back on track. Those trips back had meant more to her than she could ever say. Something had changed in the relationship between the three of them and it profoundly affected Ryoko's behavior.
Without Ayeka around, she was more relaxed around Tenchi, not as needy or clingy. This meant that Tenchi was less likely to be standoffish and cold. The oddest thing was that she could describe her time in Okayama in detail to Ayeka and there was no anger or jealousy. This turned out to be true when Ryoko listened to Ayeka talk about her vacations with Tenchi.
She had to admit that Tenchi was a part of all this. Over the years he had managed to become very adept at keeping everyone happy and Ayeka and Ryoko had become close friends. He still managed to do little things for each of them to let them know how special and important they were to him and that he was thinking about them even when they weren't there. Ryoko would never forget Tenchi's gift to her.
Tenchi announced, one summer evening when everyone was in Okayama, that his design for a fountain in a public park pavilion had won an award and notice from several prestigious firms. He had worked on the design and entered the competition in secret. He went on to tell them that he would like them all to attend the awards banquet being held a few days later.
They had all dressed in their finest for the banquet: Tenchi and Nobuyuki in black tuxedos, Katsuhito in his best ceremonial robes, Ayeka and Sasami in Jurai formal robes, Ryoko and Mihoshi in amazing gowns, Little Washu in a more suitable gown and even Ryo-Ohki in her child form wearing a pinafore.
The lobby of the banquet hall was filled with the various models and perspective drawings of the entries. They had made their way around the lobby in a group, everyone admiring the works; Tenchi and Nobuyuki pointing out the various styles and schools of design represented. They were about half the way around when Sasami yelled, "There's Tenchi's!" and she took off at a full run with Ryo-Ohki in tow; the thin veneer of her fifteen year- old dignity tossed aside in her excitement.
The others made their way over at a walk and everyone gathered close to see Tenchi's work.
The model was finely crafted, and was laid out on a base about four feet square. The fountain it represented was roughly circular, about a hundred feet across. It was made up of unevenly shaped blocks of stone laid with channels between them in a shallow bowl. At the periphery, natural- looking vertical stones engraved with kanji served as fountains, water bubbling from the tops, down their sides and then trickling down through the channels to meet in a small pool at the center. The pool featured a statue of a beautiful woman emerging from the water, her arms upraised. Hidden jets sent cascades of water running from her palms and down her voluptuous, nude form as if she were rising from the depths. The channels and the pool were lit with a bluish light that seemed to come from the water itself.
It took Ryoko a moment to realize what she was seeing; but when she did, the effect was like a bolt of lightning shooting from the base of her spine to her fingertips. She looked around to find Tenchi and, turning, realized that he was hanging back and waiting to see everyone's reaction.
She gave Tenchi a questioning look and he smiled and nodded. Ryoko stepped over to him; her eyes sparkling, she embraced him and said, "Thank you!" into his ear.
Tenchi held her and said, "That's the you I should have seen - that I wish I'd seen - that day." Ryoko held him tighter and nodded, too choked up to speak.
"Ahem! Miss Ryoko! We are all happy and excited for Lord Tenchi, but do you mind showing a little decorum?" At the sound of Ayeka's voice, Tenchi and Ryoko stepped apart. They smiled at each other, tears glistening in Ryoko's eyes. Tenchi then glanced at Ayeka and his expression became embarrassed.
"Heh heh. It's all right, Miss Ayeka."
"Humph," Ayeka said. She stepped around Ryoko and took Tenchi's arm, guiding him over to the model. "It really is beautiful Tenchi! I wonder, though: your statue looks a tad over developed. Perhaps you should consider using a less dramatically shaped model if it is ever actually constructed. You would not want to scare any small children..."
"Hey, Princess!" Ryoko called. When Ayeka turned toward her, Ryoko stuck out her tongue, "Nyah!" then took Tenchi's other arm.
Ayeka giggled behind her hand, and winked at Ryoko. "But really, Tenchi, please: tell me what was your inspiration?"
"Well, uh..." Tenchi scratched the back of his head. Ryoko knew his inspiration had been the Demon Cave and her release from it. Ayeka had never seen the cave, and Ryoko hoped Tenchi would let it be something the two of them could share. She was afraid, though that he wouldn't have a reasonable answer for Ayeka's question.
Katsuhito surprised her by saying, "Some artists work from their heart, without truly being able to explain from what deep, dark place their dreams arise." He had walked up next to the trio and was favoring Tenchi with one of his cryptic smiles; his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Isn't that right, Tenchi?"
"Uh, yes grandpa: that's exactly right!" Tenchi replied gratefully.
"Well, I think it's great!" Sasami said. Ryo-Ohki miya'd in agreement, waving her small arms in the air. Tenchi reached down and picked her up, then turned to face his family.
"Thanks for coming, everyone. It really means a lot to me."
"We wouldn't have missed it for the world, son. I'm very proud of you," Nobuyuki said.
"We all are," Washu said, the others nodding in agreement.
"Well, should we go in and sit down?" Tenchi asked, then turned to lead them through the open doors and to their table in the hall.
Ryoko cherished that moment, and she always would. The fountain hadn't actually been built, but the model held a place of honor at the architectural firm where Tenchi had apprenticed. Or, rather, an exact copy held a place of honor. At Ryoko's insistence, Washu had made a duplicate - correct to the molecular level - of the original and Ryoko had swapped them one night. Even though Washu had pointed out that at the molecular level a duplicate was as exact as a copy could be, Ryoko insisted on having the one that had actually been built with Tenchi's hands. That original was sitting in her cabin on Ryo-Ohki.
"Miya!" Ryo-Ohki said. Ryoko looked up and realized that they were drawing close to Earth - to home.
"All right! Any sign of Ryu-Oh, Ryo-Ohki?"
A screen showed a full scan of the surrounding space and the part of Earth that was their destination - nothing.
"Good job, Fuzz Butt! You've earned that carrot soup! Let's go home."
Ryo-Ohki miya'd happily and she seemed to go just a bit faster.
In a few moments Ryo-Ohki had put Ryoko down in the yard and shifted into cabbit form and the two stood looking at the front door. Tenchi's car was parked out front.
"Well, here we are," Ryoko said, smiling. "I wonder who's home."