Forever Ryoko
By Starhopper
DISCLAIMER: Don't own them, wouldn't want to. (No real hot guys in here, just a hot love story)
One thing to remember: it's been 10 weeks since the end of "Tenchi Forever", the third and most controversial Tenchi movie. MAJOR SPOILERS for those of you who haven't seen it. If you have, you'll probably understand the references I've made to Haruna, and the spirits that make an appearance in later chapters. If you haven't seen the movie, you might be lost - but, it IS a Tenchi/Ryoko story anyway, so please enjoy!
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FR Chapter 1: Figure Drawing
"That's a beautiful drawing of the lake,"
Tenchi turned his head slowly to face the obvious admirer of his work. It didn't surprise him when his eyes met the flash of flaxen corneas and a glowing smile that could never be hidden.
"Hey Ryoko," He murmured, knowing that she didn't need any recognition, at least not from him. "You really like it?"
Settling down next to him, Ryoko gently took hold of the pad of paper. Etched into it was a plethora of fine curving lines, abrupt arched ones, and soft fading shadows. Yet somehow, aside from its wild and seemingly instantaneous feel, there was the definite scene of the lake outside of the Masaki household, looking out onto a small hill where the unfinished etch of a person lay.
"It is truly beautiful Tenchi," she whispered softly. Then, upon noticing the sprawled figure, rested a bare finger on the paper and asked, "But who is that?"
"That?!" Tenchi grabbed the pad away with nimble fingers, turning red. "Oh, that's just . . . someone lying in the grass."
Ryoko smiled with amusement as he frantically went back to work, grabbing the eraser and running it along some stray marks. Tucking her clasped hands behind her head, she lay back into the soft mattress of the grass, raising her head and breathing in the rich Cornelia perfumed breeze. The scent was timid, but filled the lungs with a deep appreciation for its beauty.
Pausing for a breath, Tenchi glanced over at the lounging woman lying beside him. Her eyes were closed but a contented smile was on her face. He smiled as he watched her chest rise and fall with every inhalation she took, and chuckled slightly at the soft whistle that came with the air running down the nasal passages.
Suddenly the closed lids that had captivated him for so long raised and the golden orbs looked at him. "Tenchi," Ryoko said, fully awake, "Why are you staring at me?"
Tenchi searched for the answer with movements of his eyes. He finally came to the conclusion. "You're my model for this picture."
"Really?" Ryoko asked, now very interested. She stretched and rolled over on her side, propping her head up on a fist and crossing her legs. "How's this? Wait, wait, I can do better," She shifted back onto her back, her knees only slightly bent, and her head somewhat turned so that the sky looked like the ground and the sketcher was upside down.
"Actually, that's pretty good," reluctantly turning his head away from the provocative pose, he moved around so that he faced her. Lifting his eyes back to hers, he smiled and began to sketch out the outline of her definitive hair and sharp chin. Then he moved to the legs, drawing one long thigh and then the other over lapping it. All the while he watched her smile on, happy to be his focus of attention for at least a moment in time.
* * *
Sasami stepped out of the kitchen and into the refreshingly large living room, followed by the curious cabbit. "Aeka? Have you seen Tenchi or Ryoko anywhere?"
Aeka turned in the couch, poking her head up to see over the headrest. "No, my guess would be by the lake."
The little princess stopped in her tracks, crossing her arms and definitely tried to figure something out. "I wish I knew what was going on. Ever since you brought Tenchi back from Tokyo, something's different."
Aeka shrugged her shoulders in apathy. Of course she knew what was going on, but Sasami wouldn't understand anyway. Returning back to her soap, she yawned and pulled her legs up beneath her.
"Well, whatever's up, it's making Ryoko late to dinner and that's a complete impossibility," Nobuyuki piped up from the front door.
"I know, now you see it too," Sasami continued, walking around the living room. Wondering about the whereabouts of Tenchi and Ryoko, she glanced up to see two figures against the sunset on one of the hills around the lake. They seemed awfully close; but then again Aeka wasn't up and fuming, wondering where Tenchi could be.and with Ryoko nonetheless. Yes, something was amiss.
"Well, I wouldn't worry too much about it Sasami," Nobuyuki consoled her, putting a friendly arm on her shoulder. "You know Tenchi is almost eighteen, he can take care of himself."
Sasami looked down at the floor to Ryo-ohki. She meowed some sympathetic cries to her friend's worries and hopped up on her head, purring.
"Well, if Ryo-ohki isn't upset, then I have no reason to be either. I think I'll get back to the kitchen and start setting the table." She paused, "Anyone like to help me?"
The soap running its credits, Aeka clicked off the television and dotingly came to her sister's side. "Of course I'll help," she smiled to prove to Sasami that she was really ok with both Ryoko and Tenchi late for dinner.
"I'll help too," Nobuyuki started after them, "Hey do the helpers get samples of the cook's specialties?"
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Ryoko walked abreast with Tenchi, both staring straight out in front of them. Not a word or a look had been exchanged since he had set down the pencil and paper. Well that wasn't entirely true; they had both smiled when Tenchi had given his hand to help Ryoko up.
Breaking the intense, deafening silence, Ryoko sped up her pace and stepped in front of him, blocking his way. Through the waning light of the sun, Tenchi could see a tear run down the side of her cheek and he quickly cupped it to stop more.
"Ryoko, what's wrong?"
Her eyes soft, she took a breath and could feel his thumb brush slowly over her bottom lip. She fell distant of what she wanted to say, the whole of her emotions sliding to her lips and the gentle thumb that caressed it. Then she shook her head, knocking away the gentleness of his palm. "Tenchi, we haven't really talked about," she looked away, biting her lip in uncharacteristic nervousness. "Tokyo."
Tenchi nodded, the worried smile fading fast. "That's because I can hardly remember it, even-"
"No," Ryoko could feel the tears of hurt begin to push themselves past the indifferent armor that she wore, "Don't say it. For the past six months I had been searching for you, hoping that our true love would find a way." Heat returned to her cheeks and she glanced up to see his reaction. There was none. "Anyway, after I learned about Haruna, I was convinced that I loved you more than Aeka and Haruna combined.
"And when I found that my heart wasn't strong enough, I was hurt. My world was crashing around me and I was angry." She had backed away to let the screams that she had been holding in release themselves. "I loved you Tenchi, and yet I wasn't strong enough to win your heart! I was so angry that I even denounced my love for you," she shook her head, collapsing to her knees in a pile of self-pity. "I'm so sorry Tenchi, it wasn't true." Her shoulders shook as the tears flowed faster. "It wasn't true! And, I still can't believe that I was able to come back into that world, knowing that you wanted to stay with her over me," she buried her face in her hands.
She felt a warm palm on her shoulder, and felt his breath siphon its way through the cracks between her fingers. "Ryoko,"
"No," she stubbornly raised herself into the air, swatting away his hands. "Let me finish . . . please,"
Hearing her plead, Tenchi nodded.
After a long silence, Ryoko sighed and continued. "If I am to stay here any longer, I need to know now if I will lose you to someone else again." The gold flashed like fire. "Otherwise, I will understand and accept defeat, leaving you here on this lonely planet to live as you did before. I need to know it now, and if you can't answer now I know that my love deserves someone else . . . and so does yours."
Tenchi raised his head to see hers raised defiantly in a show of strength that he knew wasn't there. His eyes felt wet and a tear slipped down the side of his cheek completely unexpected by both parties involved.
"Tenchi, tell me now."
Without hesitation, he whispered tearfully, "Ryoko, you will never lose me."
Ryoko, ready to fly away and never look back, looked up and touched down beside him. "What did you say?"
Dropping the drawing pad onto the forest floor, he took her shoulders in his hands, looking straight into her eyes. "You will never lose me, ever." He told her before drawing her close, unwittingly pressing her lips to his in a soft kiss.
"Ever?" She asked with a smirk as she drew back, pressing a palm to her hot cheek modestly. The other fingers pressed against her lips questioningly, not knowing if the kiss was intentional, or the hug had become too close for their heads not to meet.
Tenchi let out a relieved chuckle. "You know, I don't think that you need me to answer that question for you, do I?"
Her head still spinning from the unexpected intimacy, Ryoko let her lips break from the thin, uncertain line she held them in. The wind blew cold, stirring fallen petals from the forest floor, raising them up to the sky in a rebirth of life. She shuddered with both anxiety and the cool crisp air that rushed rapidly past her. "Tenchi, was that . . . ?"
He followed her. Very softly, without a word, his arms slid under hers, forcing her back into the warmth of his chest. "Yes, I love you Ryoko."
Ryoko turned her head sideways, pressed it deep into his shoulder, and breathed in the wonderful woodsy, country air that was permeated throughout the long sleeved camp shirt that he wore. "Say it again," she breathed in a raspy whisper. Before he could say those three little words once more, she pulled his arms tighter about her and teleported both of them to the roof, landing wrapped in his arms, sitting on his lap, gazing at the almost set sun.
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Just as the family members were about to sit down to a wonderful supper, the doorbell rang. Aeka, only happy to move about from the cradled fetal position she had rolled herself into on the couch, promptly went up to answer it. Straightening out her Juraian kimono, she pulled on the handle to see a bawling Mihoshi and a fuming Kiyone, completely ignoring the hostess at the doorstep.
"Kiyone, it wasn't my fault! Please don't be mad at me!"
The teal tresses of the galaxy police officer bobbed with every accusation that she made to her blonde cohort. "It's a little too late for that Mihoshi! If it wasn't for you, I would be sitting down at a table in Tokyo's famed Five Star restaurant with Mr. Right! Just when I find him, you go and - "
Her partner stopped short, the tears flowing in a massive waterfall. "Is it my fault that he has a thing for blondes? No!" she screamed defiantly.
"Excuse me, but is there something I can do for you?" Aeka politely coughed to bring them back to reality.
Both stopped screaming and ran an embarrassed hand down the back of their necks. "Well, actually, since Kiyone was dumped-" Mihoshi began gleefully, the tears abruptly vanishing, before Kiyone slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Uh, since you asked, we would appreciate a good meal. You know we haven't had one since we left the Science Academy."
Aeka nodded. "Of course you could join us," She began to lead them into the house.
Sasami looked up to see the Police officers come in, a smile spreading across her face. "Oh, is that Kiyone and Mihoshi Aeka? Tell them to come on in, there's plenty to share."
"Yeah, and more so to go around," Nobuyuki added, complete with a wiggle of his brows over in Kiyone's direction.
She stopped, sensing another one of Mr. Masaki's flirtatious episodes coming on again. "That's okay, I'm not that hungry." She smartly replied, causing Nobuyuki to collapse in defeat as she walked on by to take a seat.
"But I am!" Her partner brightly declared, grabbing a bowl and shoveling the sweet beef and noodles into her mouth, completely unaware of both Nobuyuki and Kiyone's looks.
"Say, where's Tenchi?" Sasami asked for the hundredth time, still pondering what was going on in the cute little brain of hers.
Mihoshi looked up from her mess, "And Washu?"
"Well, as far as I know, Ms. Washu is in her lab working on some power generator or something like that and having dinner in the lab." Aeka started, just now starting to eat her portion in small, mannerly bites.
"And Tenchi?" Kiyone repeated, swallowing a small piece of beef.
Before the first princess of Jurai could answer, the sliding door closed to the deck and Grandfather stood in silence, gently pulling a camellia blossom out of his hair. "If you're really all that interested, go have a look for yourself," he answered for the quiet woman sitting at the end of the table.
They all rose; except for Mihoshi who was stuffing herself senseless; and walked out the way Grandfather had just come in. "But be quiet," Yosho warned, gently twirling the flower blossom between his fingers.
* * *
It had gone from sun to moon in a matter of moments. The stars were out, shining with all their brilliance. Tenchi looked down into her deep eyes, reflecting starlight off of them. If he looked hard enough, the whole universe was trapped inside, but certainly not suffering because of the capture. "Ryoko,"
"Hmm?" she stirred from his lap in the darkness, taking to the air and pulling his hand up with her to a more comfortable part of the roof.
"Life is and will always be unpredictable with you, won't it?" He questioned, as he was set down softly, followed by the renewed warmth at his side as Ryoko lay down beside him.
She yawned sweetly, "Uh, huh. That's okay with you, right?" the light from her eyes disappeared as the lids closed over them.
He pulled her up and let that familiar grasp around his shoulders take hold, not wanting to shake it off. "Of course it is."
"Good," she breathed, burying her head into his neck, yawning once more, and finally pulled a hand down from his shoulder to rest on his chest. She relaxed even more as his left arm encircled her waist, drawing her closer to him.
"Good." He shifted his eyes to see over the blue edges of her hair, making sure that this wasn't the dream that he had envisioned so many times. She was there, in his arms, on his chest, soft and warm in the chill night air. "I love you Ryoko." He whispered aloud leaning his head back onto a roof shingle.
Without moving a muscle, Ryoko whispered, "I love you Tenchi." Deep in her mind, Ryoko still couldn't believe that this was happening. He had declared his love for her for the second time, without hesitation, without thought of Aeka. Huh, Aeka . . .
* * *
The three girls plus one Masaki came to the front of the house, glancing around for some signs of the hidden ones. Fireflies lazily crossed green and black eyes as both Kiyone and Nobuyuki dove into the bushes, with Sasami reluctantly leaving the solemn princess behind in the shadows of the predominant house. Meanwhile Aeka, sure of where the two could be located took several steps backwards and looked up onto the red-shingled rooftop, seeing just what she knew she would see.
"Tenchi," She breathed in half surprise, half amusement. Smiling, she watched her friends lie there, sound as two rocks in a motionless pond. Ryoko was all over him, yes, but there was something more.Tenchi, the man that she had loved since the day she fell to Earth, was all over her. Squinting, Aeka could see his arm secure around the spacepirate's waist, and knew that both he and Ryoko were finally where they belonged . . . with each other. Her mind flashed back to only a few hours ago, when Ryoko had come to the Shrine where Aeka was preparing sweet potatoes.
Aeka had only looked up to the stairs to see her now-friend flying up them, wearing a lavender skirt that went to the bare ankles, and a modest light blue tank that bared only the slightest amount of mid-drift. Her knee- length, short-sleeved pale green robe flew out around her, giving her the appearance of a Kodacrome monster. But, nevertheless, she was the same Ryoko, with the extravagant cyan spike hairstyle to boot. Swiftly, she approached the Princess and touched down beside her.
"Listen," she began in a tone that Aeka had never heard before. Ryoko didn't understand why she was so gentle either. Only that remained a mystery between the two. "I-I'm thinking of leaving for a while, letting things get back to normal, let Tenchi think things out for himself. He needs to, I guess." The golden eyes shifted down to stare at the very interesting gravel beneath their feet. Her words and gaze were distant, questioning, begging for what she should do.
Aeka knew this had been coming for quite some time now, ever since that day on the roof before Ryoko went back for Tenchi. She had never seen the 'fearless one' break down and admit defeat before. And yet, there she was, head hung, shoulders slumped, ready to give up when it was she herself that had decisively continued to look for her love when Aeka was ready to give up and go home. Maybe it was just that that finally convinced Aeka that her feelings for Tenchi were superficial. Her love for him didn't compare to Ryoko's, not even in the slightest bit. And when it came right down to it, Aeka knew that the two were lost without each other. Oh sure, Tenchi rebuked her advances, maybe even yelling at her to finally "stop", but everyone could tell that he didn't want it to. He was just afraid of losing a friend . . . and not a lover. Aeka accepted her title with pride now, and when her other friend needed the push to go and reclaim her love; Aeka stepped aside, and told her the truth.
"Aeka? You who, anyone home in that little Princess brain of yours?"
Aeka came back to reality, smiling, but still keeping a dignified hanging of the head, her eyes shielded by violet locks. "He doesn't need to think, Ryoko." She began, pulling a warm potato out of the cooling embers. "We both know that you're the one that should stay, if anyone were to go."
Ryoko did a double take; expecting to hear the woman standing in front of her to tell her to return to space, leave her alone with Tenchi. However, she didn't hear those words.which really wasn't that surprising at all. Since the day that the proud Aeka had admitted she wasn't really strong enough to enter the portal, Ryoko knew that lives would change. The princess was telling the truth; Ryoko knew it, but also knew that it was hard for her to admit that Ryoko had been right all along. "So, what now?"
Looking into her eyes, Ryoko could see a flash of regret in them, through the wetness that they wore. Swallowing Aeka spoke, "You stay and I return to Jurai. Sasami will be old enough soon to help govern the planet, and its people. I'm sure Azaka and Kamidake need us."
The spacepirate shook her head in denial. "No, you can't leave. We get along now, there's no reason to." The plead in her eyes was a little unsettling, but they were replaced by a glint of playfulness as she added, "Besides, we can't eat instant Ramen forever, what'll we do without Sasami?" Ryoko asked with a grin.
"You'll just have to learn to cook, Ms. Ryoko." Aeka began to peel the sweet potato's skin off in strips, "Or cook sweet potatoes all day, it's your choice." She joined her friend's court laughter.
"Seriously, what should I do? I've been with him every evening now for the past ten weeks, watching him draw," Ryoko grabbed a hot potato from the reddest coals. "Yow! Son of a-" The potato went flying into Aeka's open hand.
She handed it back to Ryoko with a smirk, covering the curse that followed the burn.
"You should go to him, one more evening. If after that," she shrugged, "Who knows?"
"It's settled then. I stay or I leave . . . both for forever."
"Now, don't be so dramatic." Aeka smiled chewing on the vegetable. Ryoko looked up. "We BOTH know that you can't stay away forever. I mean, FOREVER is a day to you!"
"No." Ryoko stated without a sign of humor. "It will be forever if," she trailed off, not wanting to explicate her desires and wishes to her old enemy. "If nothing happens. I have an idea though."
"Really? Tell me."
Ryoko shook her head. "It's not what you think. I'm just going to say it once and for all. 'Do you love me?'" With a quick glance over in Aeka's direction, she continued. "If I don't hear 'I do', I'm outta here."
Aeka swallowed. "Well, if he doesn't say anything, I want you to know that we will always be friends . . . now and forever." She set a hand over the fire, palm up, waiting for the other woman to place her hand on it.
Ryoko, a mouthful of sweet potato, swallowed hastily and laid her right hand on Aeka's left. "Friends." Standing in front of the Juraian princess, Ryoko slowly phased out, her hand still resting on her friend's over the fire.
"Friends."
"Friends." Aeka mouthed the word over and over again as she watched the pair on the roof sleep. It was strange. Pangs of jealousy, revenge, and hurt didn't zing down on their usual paths to her heart. She was watching Ryoko snuggle with Tenchi and yet she wasn't goading Washu to borrow her hover pillow and confront them. This meant that she really was okay with the present situation and all that it implied.
"Aeka," her younger sister suddenly appeared, tugging on her kimono. "We can't find them anywhere, and I'm begin-" She stopped in mid-sentence, her eyes following her sister's gaze to the two on the roof. "Oh."
Smiling, Aeka looked down to the soft bright blue head. "Come Sasami, let us return back to the table and finish our meal." She turned just as Kiyone and Nobuyuki stumbled from the underbrush behind them.
"If you ever-"
Mr. Masaki held up his hands in defense as Kiyone shook her finger at him with angry eyes. "I was just comforting you, that's all."
"Comfort my ass!" Kiyone roared back, staring him directly in the eye. "And I do mean, 'my ass'." She pointed to her posterior. "No comfort here, just perverted-ness!" Wagging her finger, she backed up into Aeka.
Aeka hid a smile behind a sleeve at the made-up word. "Pardon me, Miss Kiyone, but would you like to go back in and eat?"
The galaxy police officer glanced back through the transparent door where Mihoshi was still stuffing her face with rice and noodles. "Nuh-uh." Then, with a glare back to Mr. Masaki. "I've suddenly lost my appetite . . . again."
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Tenchi looked up. Had he just heard Kiyone's voice and his dad's? What about that little tiny squeak? Sasami?! He sat bolt upright, knocking Ryoko from his chest.
"Hey, what gives?" she whined, her eyes still closed, as her head hit the cold tile. "Tenchi?"
"Shhh. I hear my father," Tenchi answered her, leaning farther over, trying to get the best point of view.
"So?" Ryoko asked groggily, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms. "You've heard all he has to say before, *yawn*, why would you start listening now?" She rested her chin on his left shoulder sweetly.
"Ryoko," he started in his usual, 'same old Ryoko' tone, but stopped to tap her nose with his right pointer.
She looked up questioningly, then smiled as he pressed his lips to her forehead. This was real. In fact, "Tenchi?"
"Yes,"
In no particular tone, she asked him, "Could you say it again?"
Tenchi cocked a brow, thinking of all the possibilities that 'it' could be. Finally he knew what she wanted. She wanted to hear it as plain as day and without hesitation . . . well, a little too late for that, he had spent most of this time contemplating what 'it' could be! "I love you Ryoko." He said in a very definite tone, staring deep into those magical flaxen eyes. Then, before she knew what was happening, Tenchi had her in his embrace, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "and no, it's not a dream. This is real."
Ryoko let the smile pass through her lips gladly, and even more so as his hands rested upon her shoulders and his eyes came back to hers. They were tender, soft. Ryoko became jelly in his arms as a hand left her shoulder and went to her cheek. So this was how it felt to be loved. She had felt longing and lusting before, but never this true, mutual love. It was wonderful to be gazed at as she was now, as an object of those feelings that she had held deep inside herself. And though she could have lived with being a friend, she was now embracing life as the moon hung down behind them, two silhouettes shadowed on a lunar surface.
"I love you too Tenchi," she whispered softly. She let out a quick giggle. "But of course you already knew that."
"Yes I did, but,"
Ryoko pressed a finger to his lips. "Shhh. No more talking of the past. We're in the present now."
"And on the threshold of the future."
She pressed middle and pointer harder into his flesh. "Shhh."
There was silence. Kaddydids buzzed on into the night, their only audience.aside from the two Juraian sisters observing them from far below. Their eyes pulled their bodies closer and closer together. Smiles and fear both circulating between them, his lips met hers in a soft, passionate kiss.
* * *
"Now it is really time to get back to the table," Aeka murmured, pulling Sasami by the collar onto the porch, then into the living room. Her sister still looked dazed and confused.
Both Nobuyuki and Kiyone had stopped their arguing as soon as they had heard that deep giggle emanating from the rooftop. Their eyes had gravitated up to where Tenchi and Ryoko hid from the prying eyes of their friends. Now Kiyone, shaken as Sasami was, took to her feet and followed Aeka and Sasami back to the house. Nobuyuki on the other hand stayed out in the night, jumping for joy.
"See Achika honey! Our son is a true man! He finally made his choice, hey Tenchi, how does it feel?" Cupping his hands around his mouth he yelled, "TENCHI!"
Nothing.
"Tenchi?! Now that you're a big man, you don't want to talk with your father anymore?"
Still nothing.
Just as Nobuyuki was about to climb up the nearest tree, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning, he saw the ghostly image of his wife.
"Nobuyuki, let them be."
Mr. Masaki hung his head in shame. "You're right my darling. You always were the voice of reason."
She smiled a stunning smile that became her. "Thank you. And about reason, why must you push yourself on Miss Kiyone?"
Scratching his back nervously, he replied, "She reminds me so much of you."
Achika gave him a quizzical stare and cocked a brow. "Please Dear, you know that it will never be. I am me, and you are you. That is the way it should be."
"Oh, you're right. And we do have a wonderful son." He turned his head and looked back up to the rooftop.
His wife's gaze followed his. She smiled once again. "Yes. And we will have beautiful grandchildren," A sleeve of her long pale pink robe went to her mouth in surprise. Her brows lifted as she mumbled, "Oops."
"Achika? What was that? Grand-Grandchildren?"
She shook her head nervously. "No no, I didn't mean that," she started to fade leaving Mr. Masaki with a prideful smile on his face. The touch of a feather graced his cheek and he knew that Achika had left with a kiss.
"My Tenchi . . . a father! It's hard to believe, but it could come true. Oh my dear, we will have wonderful grandchildren." Abandoning the idea of seeking out Tenchi, Nobuyuki headed for the house with a thought under his breath. "Let's just hope that they have his power and not hers." The picture of a Ryoko chasing a levitating bassinet and Tenchi dodging plasma balls ensuing from that bassinet crossed his mind before going into the house.
* * *
Tenchi suddenly broke away from Ryoko's deepening embrace and mouth. "Ryoko did you hear that?"
"What?" The question was a squeal, perturbed, but ecstatically happy at the same time.
"It sounded like my mother's voice . . . "
Ryoko leaned over him, pleading in her eyes. "Some men picture their mothers.others just hear their voices . . . either way . . . "
"No-wa!" Tenchi screamed, horrified at the thought. "Ryoko, control yourself!"
She looked down at the roof like a wounded kitten. "Forgive me Tenchi . . . but I've waited so long . . . "
The look of utter disgust vanished at the shining, sad golden eyes of his beloved. "I know you have, just try to be more demure about it, okay?"
Slowly nodding, Ryoko smiled. "If you try to embrace it."
"I've been holding myself back thus far, I think I can manage a few months more."
"MONTHS?!" Ryoko screeched.
"Alright, alright . . . days."
"Better.but I would prefer hours.or minutes.or even." He fell onto his back from the propped up position. She lingered over him on his left side. "Seconds." She didn't move . . . just let him squirm below her.
"Ryoko,"
With a sigh she got up and turned away from him, "There's that tone again."
He followed and came behind, wrapped his arms about her waist. "And you wouldn't want to hear any other one, right?"
Again, distance from what she wanted to say . . . Tenchi's arms around her . . . lips brushing her ear purposefully . . . her heart thudding for the whole world to hear. "Uh-huh," she wavered, her voice cracking under the emotional strain . "You want to eat now?"
The new tension dissipated and instead of her heart, she heard her stomach rumble. Pressed against him, she felt Tenchi's stomach turn and twist as well. She turned in his arms, grabbed his head gently, and pulled him in for a hard kiss. It felt good to feel him come willingly.
* * *
The door opened under the stairs and the cutest little genius in the universe walked out, still sporting her ancient Science Academy outfit.
"Well, well, well," she sighed, glancing around to the dinner guests, her hands at her waist. "Enough for seconds?"
Sasami stood up and smiled. "Yeah, and plenty more still since Tenchi and Ryoko aren't here. "
"Oh?" Washu asked, only mildly interested, taking her seat between Nobuyuki and Kiyone. "And where are they?"
"Kiyone and Aeka mentioned something about a roof top, but then again I could be wrong . . . " Mihoshi sputtered with a mouth full of Ramen and beef.
Washu turned her head to meet the happily blubbering Nobuyuki. She stuck a thumb in Mr. Masaki's direction and motioned with her Magenta bobbed head. "What's with him?"
"I'm so proud of Tenchi, he finally made his decision. Oh Achika, what a son we have." The man next to her sobbed, waving lines of tears streaming down his face.
"Well, that was barely coherent." The genius acknowledged, grabbing a bowl and some chopsticks.
Aeka swallowed the little mouthful she'd been chewing since she had returned inside. "What he meant to say is that Tenchi and Ryoko - "
As the first princess was about to say it, the couple walked in, clearly displaying it. Ryoko had quickly changed outfits from the Kodachrome Monster to the Space Pirate Casual. It was basically the same green wrap/robe, but with a pale green long sleeved shirt on top, a tight black band around the waist and finally golden sandals that accentuated the gracefulness of her feet rather than their largeness. Tenchi wore the plaid camp-shirt, but had changed into black, straight-leg pants that gave him the appearance of an eighteen-year-old instead of the sixteen-year-old that he had long left behind. Between them were clasped hands, mutually entwined in the other.
"Are an item!" Mihoshi exclaimed, gawking at the two.
"Not an item exactly, Mihoshi," Tenchi started, walking over to the blonde wolfing down more food. Ryoko followed him, her ecstatic smile fading as he denied what really was. He turned to see her smile turn upside down into a disappointed frown. "But not exactly friends either," a corner of her lips raised but her eyes still remained downcast. Turning on his heel he brought Ryoko closer and naturally put his arm around her shoulders.
"I'll accept that as an apology," She sniffed, giving him a quick kiss on the nose, her eyes catching his in playful stare.
"Well, I can see I've warped myself into a different dimension.again," Washu mumbled in disbelief.
"No you haven't," Tenchi started, resuming his walk to the table. "Ryoko and I have come to a decision." He glanced over in the direction of Aeka, slowly savoring her mouthful with thoughtful bites. Her eyes shone without regret, bitterness, or sadness. In fact, nothing could be seen through them. They were anchored on Ryoko and the space pirate's sudden change in behavior. "Aeka, I'm sure-"
Interrupting her love, Ryoko broke away from his hold on her hand and came to Aeka's side and laid a hand on her right shoulder. "Aeka and I have come to a mutual decision as well."
Nobuyuki and Yosho both preoccupied with their own predicaments, now looked up along with Kiyone, Mihoshi, Washu, Sasami, and even Tenchi.
"It's true, Lord Tenchi, that I would have been sick at seeing you and Ryoko together," Aeka began in a low tone. "But, after our ordeal in Tokyo, I have come to the belief that even though we are meant to be together,"
Ryoko glanced up as if she had been double-crossed; fire cracking through the golden eyes. Her fingers dug a little into her friend's shoulder in warning.
Aeka looked up and grimaced. "Ryoko, please. We are meant to be together as friends and nothing more." The grip on her shoulder eased as the fire emanating from Ryoko's eyes became nothing but a dull spark.
"Sasami shall remain here, but I must go back to Jurai." She stood and bowed. "I am a princess and a dutiful one at that." Her head rose in defiance. "My people need me and so I must return."
"Aeka," her sister stood and ran to her side. "What are you saying?"
"I am saying only this," her eyes went straight to the man standing at the end of the table. "I am the first Princess of Jurai . . . I must be there for my people."
Tenchi nodded, then glanced over at the woman standing next to the headstrong Aeka. His eyes softened as a tear slipped along the contours of her face, her beautiful face.
"Snap out of it," Tenchi told himself under a breath, "Aeka's leaving and all you can think of is Ryoko?" Waiting for the answer, he blurted out, "Yes."
"Yes what, Tenchi?" Ryoko asked, looking up.
"Uh . . . yes. If that's what you feel is right, then you must go back." Whew, that was a close one.
* * *
"You don't have to leave, you know," Ryoko told her, actually helping Aeka pack. "Not on my account, at least."
The princess whipped around, indignant. "Ryoko, it's my choice, stay out of it! I must go back."
"Because there's nothing left for you here on earth?"
"No," Aeka sighed, pulling out her summer clothes from a trunk. "Because where am I to go? I already have duties, other than being a babysitter for your children."
"That's a thought," Ryoko gazed off into the wall from where she sat on Aeka's futon. "Children with Tenchi . . . "
Aeka rolled her eyes, "You've been dreaming of being Ryoko Masaki from the last two year . . . get over it! It's going to happen."
"I know," she said with a smirk.
"Anyway, I don't want to be a waitress again, and I don't want to hang around here hoping that some other houseguest will come crashing into our lives and that he will eventually be the man in my life. I just want to get away from here and go on with my life. Is that so much to ask?"
"Wait, 'go on' with your life?" Ryoko stopped her, grabbing a violet sash lying on the ground. "You are going to visit, won't you? Check up on Sasami, I mean."
Aeka turned, holding up the bathing suit that she wore for the swimsuit competition back on that eternal summer planet before facing Kagato. "Do you remember this?"
Ryoko laughed; the memories of fighting before the face-off to decide things once and for all rushing through her mind. "Yeah, and then Nagi blew us all away with that purple number."
"Remember Miss Kiyone and that farmer's tan?"
Ryoko burst out laughing, "How could I not? She looked like a half done potato!"
Aeka tossed the suit at Ryoko, who caught it and shot it into Aeka's royal travel bag.
"What about this?" The princess held up the pink striped apron.
"You kept it?!"
"I realize I wasn't supposed to," Aeka began, folding the material into a rectangle. "But, I wanted a little souvenir from my trip to Tokyo."
Mouth agape, almost hitting the floor, Ryoko asked, "Stealing? A Princess of Jurai.a little thief?"
That indignant look crossed the woman's face again, this time reaching a hint of red. "No, not stealing . . . exactly."
"Though not 'asking', or 'paying' exactly." Ryoko prodded, the thought of Aeka criticizing her for being a Space Pirate when she herself could steal an apron. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself, hypocrite?"
The hint of red became a blatant answer. "Ryoko! Please, I'm not proud of myself.like you are!"
"Ha!" Came the light response. Ryoko stood, wagging her finger in a warning. "If I hadn't promised Tenchi to never try to destroy you."
They burst out laughing, crumbling to the floor in spasms of giggles and tears.
"I'm going to miss you, you old stuck-up Princess." Ryoko chided, slapping her thigh good-naturedly.
"And I you, you old space pirate!" Aeka took special pleasure in seeing Ryoko grimace at that elongated "old". "Take care of the earth boy for me."
"Oh, you know I will." Ryoko smiled knowingly. "Believe me, when I get that ring on him, I'm knockin down that damnable wall that's separated us for so long."
The giggles and guffaws subsided, leaving the room at an eerie quiet.
Aeka caught Ryoko's eye and was surprised to see a tear slip down the corner of her face.
"You know that if the tides had turned the other way . . . "
Ryoko got up, shaking her head with a firm no. "Please, don't talk that way." Just as she was leading Aeka to believe that she could ever be gracious, her head tilted sharply, and the wet golden eyes played their game. "Face it, Princess. I won." She stared at Aeka who, though at first outraged at the mood swing, refocused her own eyes on Ryoko's. Tears were streaming from them.
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Installment one down: check! Now if you would only be so kind as to REVIEW, ya know by hitting that little button down there in the left hand corner of your screen and giving me CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, I'll get the next chap up in a day or so, promise. ^_^
By Starhopper
DISCLAIMER: Don't own them, wouldn't want to. (No real hot guys in here, just a hot love story)
One thing to remember: it's been 10 weeks since the end of "Tenchi Forever", the third and most controversial Tenchi movie. MAJOR SPOILERS for those of you who haven't seen it. If you have, you'll probably understand the references I've made to Haruna, and the spirits that make an appearance in later chapters. If you haven't seen the movie, you might be lost - but, it IS a Tenchi/Ryoko story anyway, so please enjoy!
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FR Chapter 1: Figure Drawing
"That's a beautiful drawing of the lake,"
Tenchi turned his head slowly to face the obvious admirer of his work. It didn't surprise him when his eyes met the flash of flaxen corneas and a glowing smile that could never be hidden.
"Hey Ryoko," He murmured, knowing that she didn't need any recognition, at least not from him. "You really like it?"
Settling down next to him, Ryoko gently took hold of the pad of paper. Etched into it was a plethora of fine curving lines, abrupt arched ones, and soft fading shadows. Yet somehow, aside from its wild and seemingly instantaneous feel, there was the definite scene of the lake outside of the Masaki household, looking out onto a small hill where the unfinished etch of a person lay.
"It is truly beautiful Tenchi," she whispered softly. Then, upon noticing the sprawled figure, rested a bare finger on the paper and asked, "But who is that?"
"That?!" Tenchi grabbed the pad away with nimble fingers, turning red. "Oh, that's just . . . someone lying in the grass."
Ryoko smiled with amusement as he frantically went back to work, grabbing the eraser and running it along some stray marks. Tucking her clasped hands behind her head, she lay back into the soft mattress of the grass, raising her head and breathing in the rich Cornelia perfumed breeze. The scent was timid, but filled the lungs with a deep appreciation for its beauty.
Pausing for a breath, Tenchi glanced over at the lounging woman lying beside him. Her eyes were closed but a contented smile was on her face. He smiled as he watched her chest rise and fall with every inhalation she took, and chuckled slightly at the soft whistle that came with the air running down the nasal passages.
Suddenly the closed lids that had captivated him for so long raised and the golden orbs looked at him. "Tenchi," Ryoko said, fully awake, "Why are you staring at me?"
Tenchi searched for the answer with movements of his eyes. He finally came to the conclusion. "You're my model for this picture."
"Really?" Ryoko asked, now very interested. She stretched and rolled over on her side, propping her head up on a fist and crossing her legs. "How's this? Wait, wait, I can do better," She shifted back onto her back, her knees only slightly bent, and her head somewhat turned so that the sky looked like the ground and the sketcher was upside down.
"Actually, that's pretty good," reluctantly turning his head away from the provocative pose, he moved around so that he faced her. Lifting his eyes back to hers, he smiled and began to sketch out the outline of her definitive hair and sharp chin. Then he moved to the legs, drawing one long thigh and then the other over lapping it. All the while he watched her smile on, happy to be his focus of attention for at least a moment in time.
* * *
Sasami stepped out of the kitchen and into the refreshingly large living room, followed by the curious cabbit. "Aeka? Have you seen Tenchi or Ryoko anywhere?"
Aeka turned in the couch, poking her head up to see over the headrest. "No, my guess would be by the lake."
The little princess stopped in her tracks, crossing her arms and definitely tried to figure something out. "I wish I knew what was going on. Ever since you brought Tenchi back from Tokyo, something's different."
Aeka shrugged her shoulders in apathy. Of course she knew what was going on, but Sasami wouldn't understand anyway. Returning back to her soap, she yawned and pulled her legs up beneath her.
"Well, whatever's up, it's making Ryoko late to dinner and that's a complete impossibility," Nobuyuki piped up from the front door.
"I know, now you see it too," Sasami continued, walking around the living room. Wondering about the whereabouts of Tenchi and Ryoko, she glanced up to see two figures against the sunset on one of the hills around the lake. They seemed awfully close; but then again Aeka wasn't up and fuming, wondering where Tenchi could be.and with Ryoko nonetheless. Yes, something was amiss.
"Well, I wouldn't worry too much about it Sasami," Nobuyuki consoled her, putting a friendly arm on her shoulder. "You know Tenchi is almost eighteen, he can take care of himself."
Sasami looked down at the floor to Ryo-ohki. She meowed some sympathetic cries to her friend's worries and hopped up on her head, purring.
"Well, if Ryo-ohki isn't upset, then I have no reason to be either. I think I'll get back to the kitchen and start setting the table." She paused, "Anyone like to help me?"
The soap running its credits, Aeka clicked off the television and dotingly came to her sister's side. "Of course I'll help," she smiled to prove to Sasami that she was really ok with both Ryoko and Tenchi late for dinner.
"I'll help too," Nobuyuki started after them, "Hey do the helpers get samples of the cook's specialties?"
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Ryoko walked abreast with Tenchi, both staring straight out in front of them. Not a word or a look had been exchanged since he had set down the pencil and paper. Well that wasn't entirely true; they had both smiled when Tenchi had given his hand to help Ryoko up.
Breaking the intense, deafening silence, Ryoko sped up her pace and stepped in front of him, blocking his way. Through the waning light of the sun, Tenchi could see a tear run down the side of her cheek and he quickly cupped it to stop more.
"Ryoko, what's wrong?"
Her eyes soft, she took a breath and could feel his thumb brush slowly over her bottom lip. She fell distant of what she wanted to say, the whole of her emotions sliding to her lips and the gentle thumb that caressed it. Then she shook her head, knocking away the gentleness of his palm. "Tenchi, we haven't really talked about," she looked away, biting her lip in uncharacteristic nervousness. "Tokyo."
Tenchi nodded, the worried smile fading fast. "That's because I can hardly remember it, even-"
"No," Ryoko could feel the tears of hurt begin to push themselves past the indifferent armor that she wore, "Don't say it. For the past six months I had been searching for you, hoping that our true love would find a way." Heat returned to her cheeks and she glanced up to see his reaction. There was none. "Anyway, after I learned about Haruna, I was convinced that I loved you more than Aeka and Haruna combined.
"And when I found that my heart wasn't strong enough, I was hurt. My world was crashing around me and I was angry." She had backed away to let the screams that she had been holding in release themselves. "I loved you Tenchi, and yet I wasn't strong enough to win your heart! I was so angry that I even denounced my love for you," she shook her head, collapsing to her knees in a pile of self-pity. "I'm so sorry Tenchi, it wasn't true." Her shoulders shook as the tears flowed faster. "It wasn't true! And, I still can't believe that I was able to come back into that world, knowing that you wanted to stay with her over me," she buried her face in her hands.
She felt a warm palm on her shoulder, and felt his breath siphon its way through the cracks between her fingers. "Ryoko,"
"No," she stubbornly raised herself into the air, swatting away his hands. "Let me finish . . . please,"
Hearing her plead, Tenchi nodded.
After a long silence, Ryoko sighed and continued. "If I am to stay here any longer, I need to know now if I will lose you to someone else again." The gold flashed like fire. "Otherwise, I will understand and accept defeat, leaving you here on this lonely planet to live as you did before. I need to know it now, and if you can't answer now I know that my love deserves someone else . . . and so does yours."
Tenchi raised his head to see hers raised defiantly in a show of strength that he knew wasn't there. His eyes felt wet and a tear slipped down the side of his cheek completely unexpected by both parties involved.
"Tenchi, tell me now."
Without hesitation, he whispered tearfully, "Ryoko, you will never lose me."
Ryoko, ready to fly away and never look back, looked up and touched down beside him. "What did you say?"
Dropping the drawing pad onto the forest floor, he took her shoulders in his hands, looking straight into her eyes. "You will never lose me, ever." He told her before drawing her close, unwittingly pressing her lips to his in a soft kiss.
"Ever?" She asked with a smirk as she drew back, pressing a palm to her hot cheek modestly. The other fingers pressed against her lips questioningly, not knowing if the kiss was intentional, or the hug had become too close for their heads not to meet.
Tenchi let out a relieved chuckle. "You know, I don't think that you need me to answer that question for you, do I?"
Her head still spinning from the unexpected intimacy, Ryoko let her lips break from the thin, uncertain line she held them in. The wind blew cold, stirring fallen petals from the forest floor, raising them up to the sky in a rebirth of life. She shuddered with both anxiety and the cool crisp air that rushed rapidly past her. "Tenchi, was that . . . ?"
He followed her. Very softly, without a word, his arms slid under hers, forcing her back into the warmth of his chest. "Yes, I love you Ryoko."
Ryoko turned her head sideways, pressed it deep into his shoulder, and breathed in the wonderful woodsy, country air that was permeated throughout the long sleeved camp shirt that he wore. "Say it again," she breathed in a raspy whisper. Before he could say those three little words once more, she pulled his arms tighter about her and teleported both of them to the roof, landing wrapped in his arms, sitting on his lap, gazing at the almost set sun.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Just as the family members were about to sit down to a wonderful supper, the doorbell rang. Aeka, only happy to move about from the cradled fetal position she had rolled herself into on the couch, promptly went up to answer it. Straightening out her Juraian kimono, she pulled on the handle to see a bawling Mihoshi and a fuming Kiyone, completely ignoring the hostess at the doorstep.
"Kiyone, it wasn't my fault! Please don't be mad at me!"
The teal tresses of the galaxy police officer bobbed with every accusation that she made to her blonde cohort. "It's a little too late for that Mihoshi! If it wasn't for you, I would be sitting down at a table in Tokyo's famed Five Star restaurant with Mr. Right! Just when I find him, you go and - "
Her partner stopped short, the tears flowing in a massive waterfall. "Is it my fault that he has a thing for blondes? No!" she screamed defiantly.
"Excuse me, but is there something I can do for you?" Aeka politely coughed to bring them back to reality.
Both stopped screaming and ran an embarrassed hand down the back of their necks. "Well, actually, since Kiyone was dumped-" Mihoshi began gleefully, the tears abruptly vanishing, before Kiyone slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Uh, since you asked, we would appreciate a good meal. You know we haven't had one since we left the Science Academy."
Aeka nodded. "Of course you could join us," She began to lead them into the house.
Sasami looked up to see the Police officers come in, a smile spreading across her face. "Oh, is that Kiyone and Mihoshi Aeka? Tell them to come on in, there's plenty to share."
"Yeah, and more so to go around," Nobuyuki added, complete with a wiggle of his brows over in Kiyone's direction.
She stopped, sensing another one of Mr. Masaki's flirtatious episodes coming on again. "That's okay, I'm not that hungry." She smartly replied, causing Nobuyuki to collapse in defeat as she walked on by to take a seat.
"But I am!" Her partner brightly declared, grabbing a bowl and shoveling the sweet beef and noodles into her mouth, completely unaware of both Nobuyuki and Kiyone's looks.
"Say, where's Tenchi?" Sasami asked for the hundredth time, still pondering what was going on in the cute little brain of hers.
Mihoshi looked up from her mess, "And Washu?"
"Well, as far as I know, Ms. Washu is in her lab working on some power generator or something like that and having dinner in the lab." Aeka started, just now starting to eat her portion in small, mannerly bites.
"And Tenchi?" Kiyone repeated, swallowing a small piece of beef.
Before the first princess of Jurai could answer, the sliding door closed to the deck and Grandfather stood in silence, gently pulling a camellia blossom out of his hair. "If you're really all that interested, go have a look for yourself," he answered for the quiet woman sitting at the end of the table.
They all rose; except for Mihoshi who was stuffing herself senseless; and walked out the way Grandfather had just come in. "But be quiet," Yosho warned, gently twirling the flower blossom between his fingers.
* * *
It had gone from sun to moon in a matter of moments. The stars were out, shining with all their brilliance. Tenchi looked down into her deep eyes, reflecting starlight off of them. If he looked hard enough, the whole universe was trapped inside, but certainly not suffering because of the capture. "Ryoko,"
"Hmm?" she stirred from his lap in the darkness, taking to the air and pulling his hand up with her to a more comfortable part of the roof.
"Life is and will always be unpredictable with you, won't it?" He questioned, as he was set down softly, followed by the renewed warmth at his side as Ryoko lay down beside him.
She yawned sweetly, "Uh, huh. That's okay with you, right?" the light from her eyes disappeared as the lids closed over them.
He pulled her up and let that familiar grasp around his shoulders take hold, not wanting to shake it off. "Of course it is."
"Good," she breathed, burying her head into his neck, yawning once more, and finally pulled a hand down from his shoulder to rest on his chest. She relaxed even more as his left arm encircled her waist, drawing her closer to him.
"Good." He shifted his eyes to see over the blue edges of her hair, making sure that this wasn't the dream that he had envisioned so many times. She was there, in his arms, on his chest, soft and warm in the chill night air. "I love you Ryoko." He whispered aloud leaning his head back onto a roof shingle.
Without moving a muscle, Ryoko whispered, "I love you Tenchi." Deep in her mind, Ryoko still couldn't believe that this was happening. He had declared his love for her for the second time, without hesitation, without thought of Aeka. Huh, Aeka . . .
* * *
The three girls plus one Masaki came to the front of the house, glancing around for some signs of the hidden ones. Fireflies lazily crossed green and black eyes as both Kiyone and Nobuyuki dove into the bushes, with Sasami reluctantly leaving the solemn princess behind in the shadows of the predominant house. Meanwhile Aeka, sure of where the two could be located took several steps backwards and looked up onto the red-shingled rooftop, seeing just what she knew she would see.
"Tenchi," She breathed in half surprise, half amusement. Smiling, she watched her friends lie there, sound as two rocks in a motionless pond. Ryoko was all over him, yes, but there was something more.Tenchi, the man that she had loved since the day she fell to Earth, was all over her. Squinting, Aeka could see his arm secure around the spacepirate's waist, and knew that both he and Ryoko were finally where they belonged . . . with each other. Her mind flashed back to only a few hours ago, when Ryoko had come to the Shrine where Aeka was preparing sweet potatoes.
Aeka had only looked up to the stairs to see her now-friend flying up them, wearing a lavender skirt that went to the bare ankles, and a modest light blue tank that bared only the slightest amount of mid-drift. Her knee- length, short-sleeved pale green robe flew out around her, giving her the appearance of a Kodacrome monster. But, nevertheless, she was the same Ryoko, with the extravagant cyan spike hairstyle to boot. Swiftly, she approached the Princess and touched down beside her.
"Listen," she began in a tone that Aeka had never heard before. Ryoko didn't understand why she was so gentle either. Only that remained a mystery between the two. "I-I'm thinking of leaving for a while, letting things get back to normal, let Tenchi think things out for himself. He needs to, I guess." The golden eyes shifted down to stare at the very interesting gravel beneath their feet. Her words and gaze were distant, questioning, begging for what she should do.
Aeka knew this had been coming for quite some time now, ever since that day on the roof before Ryoko went back for Tenchi. She had never seen the 'fearless one' break down and admit defeat before. And yet, there she was, head hung, shoulders slumped, ready to give up when it was she herself that had decisively continued to look for her love when Aeka was ready to give up and go home. Maybe it was just that that finally convinced Aeka that her feelings for Tenchi were superficial. Her love for him didn't compare to Ryoko's, not even in the slightest bit. And when it came right down to it, Aeka knew that the two were lost without each other. Oh sure, Tenchi rebuked her advances, maybe even yelling at her to finally "stop", but everyone could tell that he didn't want it to. He was just afraid of losing a friend . . . and not a lover. Aeka accepted her title with pride now, and when her other friend needed the push to go and reclaim her love; Aeka stepped aside, and told her the truth.
"Aeka? You who, anyone home in that little Princess brain of yours?"
Aeka came back to reality, smiling, but still keeping a dignified hanging of the head, her eyes shielded by violet locks. "He doesn't need to think, Ryoko." She began, pulling a warm potato out of the cooling embers. "We both know that you're the one that should stay, if anyone were to go."
Ryoko did a double take; expecting to hear the woman standing in front of her to tell her to return to space, leave her alone with Tenchi. However, she didn't hear those words.which really wasn't that surprising at all. Since the day that the proud Aeka had admitted she wasn't really strong enough to enter the portal, Ryoko knew that lives would change. The princess was telling the truth; Ryoko knew it, but also knew that it was hard for her to admit that Ryoko had been right all along. "So, what now?"
Looking into her eyes, Ryoko could see a flash of regret in them, through the wetness that they wore. Swallowing Aeka spoke, "You stay and I return to Jurai. Sasami will be old enough soon to help govern the planet, and its people. I'm sure Azaka and Kamidake need us."
The spacepirate shook her head in denial. "No, you can't leave. We get along now, there's no reason to." The plead in her eyes was a little unsettling, but they were replaced by a glint of playfulness as she added, "Besides, we can't eat instant Ramen forever, what'll we do without Sasami?" Ryoko asked with a grin.
"You'll just have to learn to cook, Ms. Ryoko." Aeka began to peel the sweet potato's skin off in strips, "Or cook sweet potatoes all day, it's your choice." She joined her friend's court laughter.
"Seriously, what should I do? I've been with him every evening now for the past ten weeks, watching him draw," Ryoko grabbed a hot potato from the reddest coals. "Yow! Son of a-" The potato went flying into Aeka's open hand.
She handed it back to Ryoko with a smirk, covering the curse that followed the burn.
"You should go to him, one more evening. If after that," she shrugged, "Who knows?"
"It's settled then. I stay or I leave . . . both for forever."
"Now, don't be so dramatic." Aeka smiled chewing on the vegetable. Ryoko looked up. "We BOTH know that you can't stay away forever. I mean, FOREVER is a day to you!"
"No." Ryoko stated without a sign of humor. "It will be forever if," she trailed off, not wanting to explicate her desires and wishes to her old enemy. "If nothing happens. I have an idea though."
"Really? Tell me."
Ryoko shook her head. "It's not what you think. I'm just going to say it once and for all. 'Do you love me?'" With a quick glance over in Aeka's direction, she continued. "If I don't hear 'I do', I'm outta here."
Aeka swallowed. "Well, if he doesn't say anything, I want you to know that we will always be friends . . . now and forever." She set a hand over the fire, palm up, waiting for the other woman to place her hand on it.
Ryoko, a mouthful of sweet potato, swallowed hastily and laid her right hand on Aeka's left. "Friends." Standing in front of the Juraian princess, Ryoko slowly phased out, her hand still resting on her friend's over the fire.
"Friends."
"Friends." Aeka mouthed the word over and over again as she watched the pair on the roof sleep. It was strange. Pangs of jealousy, revenge, and hurt didn't zing down on their usual paths to her heart. She was watching Ryoko snuggle with Tenchi and yet she wasn't goading Washu to borrow her hover pillow and confront them. This meant that she really was okay with the present situation and all that it implied.
"Aeka," her younger sister suddenly appeared, tugging on her kimono. "We can't find them anywhere, and I'm begin-" She stopped in mid-sentence, her eyes following her sister's gaze to the two on the roof. "Oh."
Smiling, Aeka looked down to the soft bright blue head. "Come Sasami, let us return back to the table and finish our meal." She turned just as Kiyone and Nobuyuki stumbled from the underbrush behind them.
"If you ever-"
Mr. Masaki held up his hands in defense as Kiyone shook her finger at him with angry eyes. "I was just comforting you, that's all."
"Comfort my ass!" Kiyone roared back, staring him directly in the eye. "And I do mean, 'my ass'." She pointed to her posterior. "No comfort here, just perverted-ness!" Wagging her finger, she backed up into Aeka.
Aeka hid a smile behind a sleeve at the made-up word. "Pardon me, Miss Kiyone, but would you like to go back in and eat?"
The galaxy police officer glanced back through the transparent door where Mihoshi was still stuffing her face with rice and noodles. "Nuh-uh." Then, with a glare back to Mr. Masaki. "I've suddenly lost my appetite . . . again."
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Tenchi looked up. Had he just heard Kiyone's voice and his dad's? What about that little tiny squeak? Sasami?! He sat bolt upright, knocking Ryoko from his chest.
"Hey, what gives?" she whined, her eyes still closed, as her head hit the cold tile. "Tenchi?"
"Shhh. I hear my father," Tenchi answered her, leaning farther over, trying to get the best point of view.
"So?" Ryoko asked groggily, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms. "You've heard all he has to say before, *yawn*, why would you start listening now?" She rested her chin on his left shoulder sweetly.
"Ryoko," he started in his usual, 'same old Ryoko' tone, but stopped to tap her nose with his right pointer.
She looked up questioningly, then smiled as he pressed his lips to her forehead. This was real. In fact, "Tenchi?"
"Yes,"
In no particular tone, she asked him, "Could you say it again?"
Tenchi cocked a brow, thinking of all the possibilities that 'it' could be. Finally he knew what she wanted. She wanted to hear it as plain as day and without hesitation . . . well, a little too late for that, he had spent most of this time contemplating what 'it' could be! "I love you Ryoko." He said in a very definite tone, staring deep into those magical flaxen eyes. Then, before she knew what was happening, Tenchi had her in his embrace, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "and no, it's not a dream. This is real."
Ryoko let the smile pass through her lips gladly, and even more so as his hands rested upon her shoulders and his eyes came back to hers. They were tender, soft. Ryoko became jelly in his arms as a hand left her shoulder and went to her cheek. So this was how it felt to be loved. She had felt longing and lusting before, but never this true, mutual love. It was wonderful to be gazed at as she was now, as an object of those feelings that she had held deep inside herself. And though she could have lived with being a friend, she was now embracing life as the moon hung down behind them, two silhouettes shadowed on a lunar surface.
"I love you too Tenchi," she whispered softly. She let out a quick giggle. "But of course you already knew that."
"Yes I did, but,"
Ryoko pressed a finger to his lips. "Shhh. No more talking of the past. We're in the present now."
"And on the threshold of the future."
She pressed middle and pointer harder into his flesh. "Shhh."
There was silence. Kaddydids buzzed on into the night, their only audience.aside from the two Juraian sisters observing them from far below. Their eyes pulled their bodies closer and closer together. Smiles and fear both circulating between them, his lips met hers in a soft, passionate kiss.
* * *
"Now it is really time to get back to the table," Aeka murmured, pulling Sasami by the collar onto the porch, then into the living room. Her sister still looked dazed and confused.
Both Nobuyuki and Kiyone had stopped their arguing as soon as they had heard that deep giggle emanating from the rooftop. Their eyes had gravitated up to where Tenchi and Ryoko hid from the prying eyes of their friends. Now Kiyone, shaken as Sasami was, took to her feet and followed Aeka and Sasami back to the house. Nobuyuki on the other hand stayed out in the night, jumping for joy.
"See Achika honey! Our son is a true man! He finally made his choice, hey Tenchi, how does it feel?" Cupping his hands around his mouth he yelled, "TENCHI!"
Nothing.
"Tenchi?! Now that you're a big man, you don't want to talk with your father anymore?"
Still nothing.
Just as Nobuyuki was about to climb up the nearest tree, he felt a tug on his sleeve. Turning, he saw the ghostly image of his wife.
"Nobuyuki, let them be."
Mr. Masaki hung his head in shame. "You're right my darling. You always were the voice of reason."
She smiled a stunning smile that became her. "Thank you. And about reason, why must you push yourself on Miss Kiyone?"
Scratching his back nervously, he replied, "She reminds me so much of you."
Achika gave him a quizzical stare and cocked a brow. "Please Dear, you know that it will never be. I am me, and you are you. That is the way it should be."
"Oh, you're right. And we do have a wonderful son." He turned his head and looked back up to the rooftop.
His wife's gaze followed his. She smiled once again. "Yes. And we will have beautiful grandchildren," A sleeve of her long pale pink robe went to her mouth in surprise. Her brows lifted as she mumbled, "Oops."
"Achika? What was that? Grand-Grandchildren?"
She shook her head nervously. "No no, I didn't mean that," she started to fade leaving Mr. Masaki with a prideful smile on his face. The touch of a feather graced his cheek and he knew that Achika had left with a kiss.
"My Tenchi . . . a father! It's hard to believe, but it could come true. Oh my dear, we will have wonderful grandchildren." Abandoning the idea of seeking out Tenchi, Nobuyuki headed for the house with a thought under his breath. "Let's just hope that they have his power and not hers." The picture of a Ryoko chasing a levitating bassinet and Tenchi dodging plasma balls ensuing from that bassinet crossed his mind before going into the house.
* * *
Tenchi suddenly broke away from Ryoko's deepening embrace and mouth. "Ryoko did you hear that?"
"What?" The question was a squeal, perturbed, but ecstatically happy at the same time.
"It sounded like my mother's voice . . . "
Ryoko leaned over him, pleading in her eyes. "Some men picture their mothers.others just hear their voices . . . either way . . . "
"No-wa!" Tenchi screamed, horrified at the thought. "Ryoko, control yourself!"
She looked down at the roof like a wounded kitten. "Forgive me Tenchi . . . but I've waited so long . . . "
The look of utter disgust vanished at the shining, sad golden eyes of his beloved. "I know you have, just try to be more demure about it, okay?"
Slowly nodding, Ryoko smiled. "If you try to embrace it."
"I've been holding myself back thus far, I think I can manage a few months more."
"MONTHS?!" Ryoko screeched.
"Alright, alright . . . days."
"Better.but I would prefer hours.or minutes.or even." He fell onto his back from the propped up position. She lingered over him on his left side. "Seconds." She didn't move . . . just let him squirm below her.
"Ryoko,"
With a sigh she got up and turned away from him, "There's that tone again."
He followed and came behind, wrapped his arms about her waist. "And you wouldn't want to hear any other one, right?"
Again, distance from what she wanted to say . . . Tenchi's arms around her . . . lips brushing her ear purposefully . . . her heart thudding for the whole world to hear. "Uh-huh," she wavered, her voice cracking under the emotional strain . "You want to eat now?"
The new tension dissipated and instead of her heart, she heard her stomach rumble. Pressed against him, she felt Tenchi's stomach turn and twist as well. She turned in his arms, grabbed his head gently, and pulled him in for a hard kiss. It felt good to feel him come willingly.
* * *
The door opened under the stairs and the cutest little genius in the universe walked out, still sporting her ancient Science Academy outfit.
"Well, well, well," she sighed, glancing around to the dinner guests, her hands at her waist. "Enough for seconds?"
Sasami stood up and smiled. "Yeah, and plenty more still since Tenchi and Ryoko aren't here. "
"Oh?" Washu asked, only mildly interested, taking her seat between Nobuyuki and Kiyone. "And where are they?"
"Kiyone and Aeka mentioned something about a roof top, but then again I could be wrong . . . " Mihoshi sputtered with a mouth full of Ramen and beef.
Washu turned her head to meet the happily blubbering Nobuyuki. She stuck a thumb in Mr. Masaki's direction and motioned with her Magenta bobbed head. "What's with him?"
"I'm so proud of Tenchi, he finally made his decision. Oh Achika, what a son we have." The man next to her sobbed, waving lines of tears streaming down his face.
"Well, that was barely coherent." The genius acknowledged, grabbing a bowl and some chopsticks.
Aeka swallowed the little mouthful she'd been chewing since she had returned inside. "What he meant to say is that Tenchi and Ryoko - "
As the first princess was about to say it, the couple walked in, clearly displaying it. Ryoko had quickly changed outfits from the Kodachrome Monster to the Space Pirate Casual. It was basically the same green wrap/robe, but with a pale green long sleeved shirt on top, a tight black band around the waist and finally golden sandals that accentuated the gracefulness of her feet rather than their largeness. Tenchi wore the plaid camp-shirt, but had changed into black, straight-leg pants that gave him the appearance of an eighteen-year-old instead of the sixteen-year-old that he had long left behind. Between them were clasped hands, mutually entwined in the other.
"Are an item!" Mihoshi exclaimed, gawking at the two.
"Not an item exactly, Mihoshi," Tenchi started, walking over to the blonde wolfing down more food. Ryoko followed him, her ecstatic smile fading as he denied what really was. He turned to see her smile turn upside down into a disappointed frown. "But not exactly friends either," a corner of her lips raised but her eyes still remained downcast. Turning on his heel he brought Ryoko closer and naturally put his arm around her shoulders.
"I'll accept that as an apology," She sniffed, giving him a quick kiss on the nose, her eyes catching his in playful stare.
"Well, I can see I've warped myself into a different dimension.again," Washu mumbled in disbelief.
"No you haven't," Tenchi started, resuming his walk to the table. "Ryoko and I have come to a decision." He glanced over in the direction of Aeka, slowly savoring her mouthful with thoughtful bites. Her eyes shone without regret, bitterness, or sadness. In fact, nothing could be seen through them. They were anchored on Ryoko and the space pirate's sudden change in behavior. "Aeka, I'm sure-"
Interrupting her love, Ryoko broke away from his hold on her hand and came to Aeka's side and laid a hand on her right shoulder. "Aeka and I have come to a mutual decision as well."
Nobuyuki and Yosho both preoccupied with their own predicaments, now looked up along with Kiyone, Mihoshi, Washu, Sasami, and even Tenchi.
"It's true, Lord Tenchi, that I would have been sick at seeing you and Ryoko together," Aeka began in a low tone. "But, after our ordeal in Tokyo, I have come to the belief that even though we are meant to be together,"
Ryoko glanced up as if she had been double-crossed; fire cracking through the golden eyes. Her fingers dug a little into her friend's shoulder in warning.
Aeka looked up and grimaced. "Ryoko, please. We are meant to be together as friends and nothing more." The grip on her shoulder eased as the fire emanating from Ryoko's eyes became nothing but a dull spark.
"Sasami shall remain here, but I must go back to Jurai." She stood and bowed. "I am a princess and a dutiful one at that." Her head rose in defiance. "My people need me and so I must return."
"Aeka," her sister stood and ran to her side. "What are you saying?"
"I am saying only this," her eyes went straight to the man standing at the end of the table. "I am the first Princess of Jurai . . . I must be there for my people."
Tenchi nodded, then glanced over at the woman standing next to the headstrong Aeka. His eyes softened as a tear slipped along the contours of her face, her beautiful face.
"Snap out of it," Tenchi told himself under a breath, "Aeka's leaving and all you can think of is Ryoko?" Waiting for the answer, he blurted out, "Yes."
"Yes what, Tenchi?" Ryoko asked, looking up.
"Uh . . . yes. If that's what you feel is right, then you must go back." Whew, that was a close one.
* * *
"You don't have to leave, you know," Ryoko told her, actually helping Aeka pack. "Not on my account, at least."
The princess whipped around, indignant. "Ryoko, it's my choice, stay out of it! I must go back."
"Because there's nothing left for you here on earth?"
"No," Aeka sighed, pulling out her summer clothes from a trunk. "Because where am I to go? I already have duties, other than being a babysitter for your children."
"That's a thought," Ryoko gazed off into the wall from where she sat on Aeka's futon. "Children with Tenchi . . . "
Aeka rolled her eyes, "You've been dreaming of being Ryoko Masaki from the last two year . . . get over it! It's going to happen."
"I know," she said with a smirk.
"Anyway, I don't want to be a waitress again, and I don't want to hang around here hoping that some other houseguest will come crashing into our lives and that he will eventually be the man in my life. I just want to get away from here and go on with my life. Is that so much to ask?"
"Wait, 'go on' with your life?" Ryoko stopped her, grabbing a violet sash lying on the ground. "You are going to visit, won't you? Check up on Sasami, I mean."
Aeka turned, holding up the bathing suit that she wore for the swimsuit competition back on that eternal summer planet before facing Kagato. "Do you remember this?"
Ryoko laughed; the memories of fighting before the face-off to decide things once and for all rushing through her mind. "Yeah, and then Nagi blew us all away with that purple number."
"Remember Miss Kiyone and that farmer's tan?"
Ryoko burst out laughing, "How could I not? She looked like a half done potato!"
Aeka tossed the suit at Ryoko, who caught it and shot it into Aeka's royal travel bag.
"What about this?" The princess held up the pink striped apron.
"You kept it?!"
"I realize I wasn't supposed to," Aeka began, folding the material into a rectangle. "But, I wanted a little souvenir from my trip to Tokyo."
Mouth agape, almost hitting the floor, Ryoko asked, "Stealing? A Princess of Jurai.a little thief?"
That indignant look crossed the woman's face again, this time reaching a hint of red. "No, not stealing . . . exactly."
"Though not 'asking', or 'paying' exactly." Ryoko prodded, the thought of Aeka criticizing her for being a Space Pirate when she herself could steal an apron. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself, hypocrite?"
The hint of red became a blatant answer. "Ryoko! Please, I'm not proud of myself.like you are!"
"Ha!" Came the light response. Ryoko stood, wagging her finger in a warning. "If I hadn't promised Tenchi to never try to destroy you."
They burst out laughing, crumbling to the floor in spasms of giggles and tears.
"I'm going to miss you, you old stuck-up Princess." Ryoko chided, slapping her thigh good-naturedly.
"And I you, you old space pirate!" Aeka took special pleasure in seeing Ryoko grimace at that elongated "old". "Take care of the earth boy for me."
"Oh, you know I will." Ryoko smiled knowingly. "Believe me, when I get that ring on him, I'm knockin down that damnable wall that's separated us for so long."
The giggles and guffaws subsided, leaving the room at an eerie quiet.
Aeka caught Ryoko's eye and was surprised to see a tear slip down the corner of her face.
"You know that if the tides had turned the other way . . . "
Ryoko got up, shaking her head with a firm no. "Please, don't talk that way." Just as she was leading Aeka to believe that she could ever be gracious, her head tilted sharply, and the wet golden eyes played their game. "Face it, Princess. I won." She stared at Aeka who, though at first outraged at the mood swing, refocused her own eyes on Ryoko's. Tears were streaming from them.
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Installment one down: check! Now if you would only be so kind as to REVIEW, ya know by hitting that little button down there in the left hand corner of your screen and giving me CONSTRUCTIVE criticism, I'll get the next chap up in a day or so, promise. ^_^