A bit of explanation before you read this fic. I've combined my favorite elements of Tenchi Universe and the OVA for this story. The prologue contains some retellings from the last couple of Universe episodes. Well, I'm sure you can figure it out. ~Foenixfyre
Overture"Tenchi! Tenchi, please wait!"
Tenchi Masaki halted and looked over his left shoulder at the cyan-haired space pirate behind him. He sighed and strengthened his resolve. I'm sorry, Ryoko. I'm sorry, but I can't go with you. I have to save Ayeka.
The crown princess of Jurai had been taken hostage two days before by a legend. A legend that, though believed dead, had grabbed control of the entire Juraian Empire and then nearly killed his mortal enemy and one-time victor, Yosho.
Yosho. The greatest warrior known in Juraian history, elder brother to Ayeka … and my grandfather. Gods, Grandfather, why didn't you tell me?
But that was a question to be asked later, once Ayeka and her home were safe. Which meant, of course, that he had to explain all of this to Ryoko. Did she realize how tempting her offer was? How much he longed to run away from all of this? But he couldn't. So he sighed and turned around, expecting to be met with either anger or tears. Instead, the first of the fascinating alien women to have entered his life lifted her head and gave him a small, hard smile. An unidentifiable emotion glittered in her golden eyes.
* * *
No, Tenchi! You'll be killed! Ryoko accepted and then ignored the brief stab of guilt over Ayeka. Tenchi was undoubtedly the only person with any hope of defeating Kagato. Like Washu, Ryoko could sense the enormous power and potential embedded within this young man. And even though she hated to admit it, the idea of losing Ayeka was painful to the pirate woman. Two enemies trapped on primitive, beautiful Earth, they had reached a tentative truce and become friends, sharing a mutual delight in their squabbles.
But … but no matter how dear Ayeka is to me, I'd die if Tenchi were killed. And despite his amazing power, Kagato could very well destroy him. I should know; I spent two thousand years of my existence in unwilling slavery to that bastard. Oh, Tenchi, you just don't realize how strong he is! He had the ability to simply grab control of my body. He has destroyed countless civilizations single-handedly. I can't risk loosing you to that sort of monster.
Yet even as these thoughts raced through her mind, Ryoko realized the dire folly of trying to control a person like Tenchi. Though he was the one and only man she would ever love, he had his own destiny to face. And Ayeka was counting on him.
She watched as Tenchi turned to face her, the Tenchi-ken clutched in his strong right hand. And, despite the words of love and denial that threatened to break past her lips, Ryoko swallowed her tears and uttered one short sentence.
"I'll give you a lift."
* * *
Six hours later, Ryoko watched her love ran away. Away from her, and toward Ayeka, the beautiful, graceful Crown Princess of Jurai. Toward Kagato.
He had smiled at her before leaving. The knights had stayed a moment, and she knew from the look in their eyes that they wouldn't betray her secret, and that they would protect her love to their deaths. But it wasn't good enough.
She wouldn't cry out. Wouldn't ask him to choose again. Tenchi had made his choice, and was dashing off to fight the only being in the entire universe that she feared.
I should be there, beside him, fighting and protecting him. She wanted to fly after him, offer her own strength in his battle, but the pain that even now drew her to her knees made her recognize how foolish a thought that was.
But what good am I? At this rate, I'd be utterly useless to Tenchi. Ryoko clamped a hand to her bloody side. I'd be no use except as a dead weight he could maybe throw. And that's provided Kagato doesn't steal control of my body and use me against Tenchi! No, better I simply leave him with my best wishes. Good luck, my love. Good-bye.
Blood loss and the fatigue of her recent battles finally overcame her, and Ryoko sank to the ground, Tenchi's name upon her lips.
Mind mate? You are weak, Ryoko. Come back so that I can treat you. Ryo-okhi's thought-sending saved her from unconsciousness.
A little help, Fuzz-ball? I don't think I have the strength.
You have but to ask. The cabbit's power flowed into Ryoko through their bond, and she dragged herself to her feet and floated into the ship, where she settled upon the piloting couch and gave Ryo-okhi the order to take off. Just as she did so, what little strength Ryoko had regained melted away. Gasping even from the energy it took for a single surprised breath, the demoness opened her eyes. What was that? Nothing, she assured herself. Nothing more then the very end of her adrenaline rush and Furball's usual disregard for gravity.
{--- Tenchi lowered the Tenchiken, unmindful of the sweat dripping from his brow, the sting of several small cuts and slices. He'd won. Kagato was history. He suddenly felt quite exhausted, and quite unsure of himself. What had been the source of that unholy gleam in the madman's eyes, the tiniest hint of a smirk in his voice when he'd admitted defeat? Nothing, he assured himself.---}
Within moments, the two were surrounded by the emptiness of space.
"Well, we're all alone now, Ryo-okhi. Where do you want to go next?"
"Myrow?" Here inside her metamorphed body, the cabbit preferred to communicate verbally.
"Earth? No. There's nothing left for me there. Well," she sighed, "I suppose I remember enough from my years of piracy under Kagato's control to take that up again, and it's a living."
Ryo-okhi miaed in reluctant agreement.
"All right, partner. Head us toward the nearest star system with an A/B rating." Ryoko sank back and closed her eyes. The blood dripping down her side was warm as Ryo-okhi brought her energies to bear upon the wound. She knew that it would have been healed by the time they arrived and she awoke from her self-imposed deep sleep. Yes, that wound will heal. It's my heart that worries me. She gazed out one last time upon the planet of the Juraian home world. Alone. I'm always alone.
* * *
Tenchi leaned over the railing for one last look at the beauty of Jurai. Huge trees soared overhead in a myriad of colors, shading and sheltering the carpets of flowers beneath them. Earth was also beautiful, and it was his home, but there was something about Jurai that called to him.
But I don't belong here. I can't rule an empire, and I don't want to. Since Grandfather's coming back with us, Ayeka will be safely ensconced as Crown Heir. She's much more suited to the task.
His thoughts wandered to the rest of his alien friends. Sasami would be staying here with her sister. Although not happy about it, she was consoling herself with the many video games she had brought from Earth. Amusingly enough, Kamidake had become a willing pupil, and the two spent the majority of Sasami's free time fighting their way through game levels. Kiyone and Mihoshi had both been promoted, and were the dual heads of security for the palace. Anyone passing their office would be treated to crashes, Kiyone screaming at Mihoshi, and her bubble-headed partner's wails. Washu had been given an honorary position at the University, where she was even now happily constructing something frighteningly large and powerful. Both at Tenchi's behest and her own, Washu had spent several weeks using both machinery and her unique mind bond to Ryoko and Ryo-okhi to search for her daughter.
Ryoko… When there had been no trace of her after that final battle, Azaka had told him of the wounds the knight had seen. Very serious, he had said. Undoubtedly a lot of blood loss. Why didn't you tell me, Ryoko? Was it because of your stupid pride? So unwilling to accept help from anyone. And why did you hate Kagato so much? There was more there then his attack on Tenchi. Washu knew, but wouldn't say anything.
As to Ryoko's current whereabouts, reports from other planets suggested that she had resumed her life of piracy with no intention of returning to her friends and family.
It's odd, but I miss her more then I thought I would. I wish she'd come back to us. To me-
"Lord Tenchi." The soft, cultured voice brought his attention back to the present. To his surprise, Ayeka stood behind him, looking elegant and perfect in her royal robes.
"Miss Ayeka! I thought-"
"I know that I said I would not come to see you off, Lord Tenchi, but I simply could not stay away." The purple-haired princess clasped her hands, and tears gathered in the garnet-hued eyes gazing at him so imploringly. "Please, Lord Tenchi, hear my offer once again?"
Tenchi sighed. "I can't stay any longer. I've explained that. It's been two months since I defeated Kagato. I have to go home. I'm sorry, Miss Ayeka, but I just don't love you the way you need."
"Must I beg? Tenchi, just think of what I can give you. Of what we could be together. Think seriously of what awaits you back on Earth. At best, you will be bored beyond belief, and you will never see any of us again. At worst, you will be a target for any and everything able to sense the power that you wield. Your Terrain friends and family will always be in danger."
That last bit did cause him to falter, as the thought of personal danger couldn't. But others? He couldn't take that risk. Marriage to Ayeka wouldn't be so bad. It wasn't as though he couldn't visit Earth from time to time. With the princess by his side, guiding him, he surely wouldn't be a bad ruler, right? And … he did care for her, that, he couldn't deny …
Ryoko's image interrupted his musings. Her eyes, the way that little fang peeked out beneath her upper lip when she smiled… No, he thought. She chose to leave, so she obviously doesn't love me as much as she claimed.
He turned back to the Juraian girl. Perhaps in time, he might come to love her in the way she wanted.
"All right, Ayeka."
* * *