Forever Ryoko
By Starhopper
DISCLAIMER: Don't own them, wouldn't want to. (No real hot guys in here, just a hot love story)
No questions, on we go!
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FR Chapter 2: Farewell to Aeka
Somewhere deep in space, a viewer of this sweet little scene went berserk as her viewing pool went out to pitch black.
"Damn it all to hell!"
"What is it mistress?"
The cloaked figure slammed her fist onto the transmitter, shattering it into a million pieces.
Her minion bowed graciously, pleased to see her anger directed so well. If she wanted to, he could be obliterated in a second from a blast of plasma from her palm.
"This transmitter, it gave out on me!" she turned to spy the sniveling little human cowering in the corner. "Was this your doing, Kiyo?"
"Please, I can explain."
Her eyes flashed a deep ember-brown as she stared him down. "Yes, I'm sure you would." she trailed off, taking leave from her seat at the consul. "If you could." The lights flashed wildly as she made her attack, obscuring her features for sure as she slipped between the dark cracks left between them. "But, I'm afraid you won't."
Kiyo turned only to see his mistress laughing, her teeth, gleaming an iridescent white, billowing red hair building a dark auburn orb around her body, brown eyes a flare with the very fires of hell. They rolled up into her skull as if in death, then she let out an electric shock from her fingertips. Power building, her ship temporarily became one with the starry backdrop. Light dimmed dark and then, with a jolt, lights, controls, the consul, and finally sanity flared bright in the dark galaxy.
She looked down, nudged the smoldering body of Kiyo with the tip of her boot. With a sigh, she shook her head. "Foolish Kiyo," She started in a tone that sounded almost sympathetic. "If only you hadn't tried to stop me." Her drawn mouth flipped upwards in a maniacal smile. "Nothing can stop me." Her mind rewound to a couple of minutes ago, watching Ryoko and Aeka laugh and cry. "Poor Ryoko," the cloaked figure returned to her seat at the ancient stone consul. Setting her elbows on the edge, she leaned over the pool, pleased to see the crystal clear transmission returning. "You think that life can't get any better," her finger went through the space pirate's holographic head. "But . . . in troth . . . all it can get . . . is worse."
* * *
With a raise from her eyebrows and a cautious glance around, Ryoko completely phased into Tenchi's room.
"Ryoko?"
She turned to see her beloved standing with arms crossed, a stern look on his face. He was wearing nothing but long wide leg sweat pants. "Uh - hi?"
"Ryoko what are you doing here?"
She looked around innocently, drawing the gaping sheer red lace robe closer about her exposed cleavage. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him not turning his eyes away. "I, uh, well . . . " she tried, her fingers resting on her lips in appealing thoughtfulness.
Tenchi shook his head, trying to snap out of the trance that she put him in with just one look, or one action. "I thought we agreed to,"
She phased out and appeared only inches away from his face, her arms thrown haphazardly around his neck. "I know, but I just need to have you in my arms, to know that you're there." Her eyes shone with love, just pure, undying love.
His features softening, and eyes wandering he nodded and pulled her closer. "I understand. But we can't."
"I know, I know." They were about a single hair's width away from the other, mouths just barely hovering over the other's parted lips. "But, can't I just stay, stay with you tonight?"
Tenchi acquiesced, and with a nod, his lips hit hers and didn't lift from their spot. It is so easy with her, Tenchi thought as the kiss continued. I really could just . . .
He gently pushed Ryoko away from him. "We can't. But you can stay."
Without a word, he took her hand and led her to the futon beneath the window. She edged her way up to the pillow and lay quietly as he settled beside her. As if it was always meant to be, Ryoko rolled over on her side and rested her head on his chest, ear right over his heart. His fingers went through her hair, his other hand cupping her right shoulder. They lay silent, golden and brown eyes wide open; not the least bit tired. She didn't even stir when he brought up the blanket and covered both of them.
* * *
Sasami brought out her favorite serving tray and spread the cakes out onto it. Ryo-ohki meowed her respect as her friend went busily about, pouring drinks, setting the table, and finally arranging the breakfast bounty.
Aeka was the first to rise, the smell of warm honey and berries filled her nostrils as she came down the stairs. Taking her seat without a word, Sasami worked around her, handing her a plate and nothing more. Finally, after an hour had passed and Aeka had eaten her share, Sasami sat; her big pink eyes searching the more subdued ones.
"Aeka, you're leaving today."
"Yes, that is right Sasami."
"I'll miss you." Her younger sister responded without emotion.
Aeka, uncomfortable with how the day had begun thus far, smiled. "Don't worry Sasami, I'll come back for visits. A Princess has to be a diplomat as well. Trips to other planets, such as earth, are mandatory."
Sasami quirked a smile. "I get it, good one Aeka."
"Just make sure to contact me when Ryoko can't eat more than two servings for supper . . . then it will only be a matter of time."
"Time for what?" Tenchi asked from the stairwell.
"Time for breakfast?" Bound for the table, Ryoko flew past him, but he caught her hand and slingshot her into his arms.
"Tenchi! LET ME GO!" Ryoko struggled to free herself. "I love you, but so help me, if I don't eat, I'll kill you!"
Letting her go, Ryoko sped down to the table, grabbed as many cakes and sausages as she could carry and quickly phased out before exposing herself just as Nobuyuki walked in.
Aeka, though not angry or disgusted, couldn't help but notice that Ryoko had flown so merrily down the banister from Tenchi's room.
"So, now that you two are together, exactly what happened last night?"
"Last night?!" Mihoshi, who had apparently been eavesdropping from the doorway, bounced on over to the table. She pointed her finger at Tenchi and the princess. "You and Tenchi?"
Aeka shook her head, pointing to herself. "No, Mihoshi, no-"
"Boy," the blonde officer rudely grabbed a handful of berries and crushed them into her mouth. "Ryoko won't like this at all."
"Ryoko won't like what?" Ryoko questioned, phasing into her seat, arms crossed across the green tank top.
"The fact that Tenchi and Aeka spent last night together!" Mihoshi happily blurted out, crunching down a cake much to the cook's disgust.
Ryoko stood, setting her bangled wrists on the belt of her low-rise jeans. "That's impossible because I was with Tenchi last night."
"So it's true!" Aeka accused, staring straight into the space pirate's eyes.
"No, it's not what you think, it was completely innocent." Tenchi explained, stepping aside to Ryoko at her defense.
"Right, we're simply waiting for the right moment." Ryoko sighed disappointedly.
"Yes, the right moment - that's all." Tenchi tried to convince himself.
"Moment for what?" Washu piped up from the hall, locking the door to her dimension.
"Will people please just come out of their hiding places and ask us this stuff up front!" Tenchi bellowed much to the surprise of the breakfasters.
Twirling the key-chain around a finger, Washu joined them. "Okay, okay. Calm down Tenchi."
Tenchi looked around him to see all familiar faces. Aeka's bright dignified composure, Washu's crazy glint that her green eyes held, the blonde Mihoshi, her flighty blue eyes searching his, Sasami's silent, yet knowing gaze that tricked you into thinking that maybe she was her chronological age instead of her physical appearance of nine. His father's wise, sad face was always there, and then there was Ryoko, her eyes shining with love that he knew she was holding back. It's all changing, Tenchi thought suddenly. Aeka's leaving, I've fallen and still am falling in love with Ryoko, and Grandfather hasn't been himself, so quiet and thoughtful . . .
He came back to the land of the living with a prod from Ryoko.
"Tenchi?"
"Uh, yeah. Moment for, um," His trademark blush chose that moment to reappear and cause all the women, with the exception of Ryoko, to nod their heads slowly and utter a small, yet knowing, "oh".
Red came to his beloved's cheeks as well, but instead of a stare, she winked and phased out.
"Uh huh, anyway, as I was saying, I better go and get my things," Aeka abruptly left from her seat at the table, hurrying up the stairs in a flash of purple and pink. Sasami followed close behind her, and the cabbit ended the train.
Cramming her plate full of delicious breakfast goodies, Mihoshi headed for the couch leaving Washu with the nervous young man.
"Miss Washu, could I ask you something?" Tenchi began after a couple minutes of eating in silence and Ryoko still hadn't returned.
Without a glance up in his direction, she replied, "Yes, of course Tenchi, ask me anything."
"How did Ryoko and Aeka -" His eyes were lowered. He knew that this issue had been skated around for quite some time now, and for good reason. But before he could make anything definite or make any possible conclusions, he needed the facts.
"How did they fair without their knight in shining armor?" Washu supplied, still focused on watching the biscuit go from the plate to below her nose, and finally into her mouth. "It was a good six months before they stopped in Tokyo. They had been up and down the entire island and even sky-hopped a couple islands. They just kept looking,"
Now she chose the moment to look up at Tenchi. Her green eyes glistened with earnest, knowing that he needed to know the truth. "Aeka wanted to give up, but Ryoko never stopped. I have never seen that girl so determined in, well, ever. One day Aeka even came home, but rejoined Ryoko a week later."
"Then finally, when we were left with only Tokyo on our list, we knew that this was our last chance." They both looked up as Aeka came down the stairs slowly, carrying her bag with both hands before her. Her head was bowed as she mustered the strength to recall the painful, yet recent event. "We had suffered by day and cried ourselves to sleep by night. Then-"
"I saw you in the alley."
His eyes shifted from the princess to the source of the pained tone. Behind him, standing forlornly at the doorway was Ryoko, gazing wistfully out to the lake. She was cradling herself, all drawn in as she continued the memory. "I couldn't touch you . . . " her lower lip began to quiver, but she took a deep breath and continued. "You couldn't hear me, you couldn't see me,"
Aeka was beside him now, standing proud. "But she knew, even when I didn't, that you remembered."
"Something deep in my heart told me that you knew us," she swallowed and continued in a softer tone, "me. And then, when we were in her world, I noticed the paintings,"
Tenchi, his eyes still locked on his beloved's hurt figure, was suddenly struck with a barrage of memories that seemed more like dreams than remembrances. He shook his head as the last scene ended. A young woman with flowing brown hair, wrapped in the arms of a young Yosho was saying, "No you won't, you'll forget me and that's the way it should be." Apparently it was.
"And yet you still wanted to be with her."
Tenchi felt a pang of guilt zing at his heart. He had hurt her so terribly and there was nothing he could do.
Ryoko turned and looked at him, struggling to hold her smile and head up. "But now you're here, I was strong enough, and you'll never leave me, I'll never lose you again."
"And you won." Aeka jibed good-naturedly as she strolled on by Ryoko.
"Yes I did." Ryoko beamed; the smile and weight lifting to their full brilliance. She grabbed the Princess's bag out of her hands and carried it out to the lake, Aeka in full tow.
* * *
"C'mon Mihoshi!" Kiyone called as they hurried up the path to the Masaki house. She stopped and ran in place, waiting for the Blonde to catch up. "We don't want to be late for Aeka's big send-off do we?"
Jogging, the other Galaxy policewoman breathed heavily. "If you *huff* just wait a mom- *puff* -ent, " Finally, she came around the corner and joined Kiyone.
"There, was that so hard?" Kiyone called as she took off at full sprint, and to her surprise Mihoshi went on by, launching her whole body through the air while still on her heeled feet. This made her partner bare down even harder, a determined grimace on her face. Her skirt tore as it caught on a stray branch, ripping it halfway up from her knees to her white thighs. Too focused on winning this race, Kiyone continued on despite the setback. As she came over the hill and beheld the still dewy and misty morning that lay over the valley, she spied the bushy yellow head of Mihoshi bobbing happily down along the hill, her pace down to a skip. Infuriating Kiyone even more, she upped her sprint, and quickly surpassed the lazy Mihoshi, who just waved happily as her friend sailed on by.
"I did it, I'm the champion!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, her arms raised in victory. Ahead of her was the beautiful send-off picnic that Sasami had thrown together in a hurry. It still looked appetizing though, all of Aeka's favorite dishes from earth. Cheeseburgers, sushi, carrot appetizers; a whole culinary menagerie.
Tenchi and Ryoko were out, helping to set up, the space pirate dressed in a very flattering dark blue short dress that hung off her shoulders in drapes down to the arms. Sasami and Aeka were sitting off to the side, making do with what little time they had left as sisters living on the same planet. Interestingly enough, Washu was out as well, wearing a simple, yet elegant sleeveless kimono, typing on her holographic laptop.
"Yahoo!" Kiyone yelled as the group got closer and closer. She began to slow down, but found that she couldn't. "Help!" was the plaintive cry before the five heard a *crash! * come from behind one of the trees.
"Hi everybody!" Mihoshi called as she walked through the surrounding gate. "Where's Kiyone?" She raised a hand to shield her eyes and peered through the separating "crash" cloud to spy her partner in disarray, supported only by the natural trunk of the tree.
"I'm right here you airhead!" Kiyone seethed as she struggled to raise herself from the ebony roots.
"Here Miss Kiyone, let me help you," Aeka came over and motioned with her head for Ryoko to help her. Together, they got the teal tresses of the police officer untangled from the flaking bark, which with a smile, Kiyone let them know she appreciated her help.
* * *
After the girls had taken the beaten winner into the house to get some new clothes, the two Masaki men, plus one ancient Juraian warrior sat alone in complete and utter silence.
Lying on the picnic blanket, hands behind his head, brown eyes to the heavens, Tenchi watched the mists part and reveal a bright blue sky with lazy white clouds drifting by every so often. For a while he just listened to the whistle of the wind as it wove between the trees. Then it shifted to the almost inaudible sound of the fish jumping out of the lake. Just as his lids began to feel a little too heavy, the soft impression of fingers at his shoulder pulled him out of the dreamy state. He opened his eyes fully to see her smiling above him.
"Hey Ryoko," Tenchi greeted her sleepily. "How's Kiyone?"
She yawned as he did. "Oh, just fine. They're in the Ladies Bath now, chatting and sipping Sake." She lay down on her side; head propped up on her left elbow. He turned to face her on his right side. With a coy parting of her lips, she continued. "Giving me a chance to steal a moment with my love." Just as she leaned in, his lips grabbed hers in a fervent hold. She kissed back slowly, never ever wanting this spontaneous moment to end. Drawing away, she licked her lips and bit down on the lower one. "Better than I expected."
Tenchi laughed. "Well, I have a lot of apologizing to do." He reached for her right hand and held it in his left. "I had some idea, but not really of what I put you through."
Smiling at him, Ryoko murmured, "Yes, well, what happened happened, and I never want it to happen again." Leaning in again once more, she found his mouth there to welcome her and reassure her that the hell that had she had been tormented with for more than half a year was iced over for eternity. Never again would she feel alone . . . with Tenchi beside her.
Just as she was about to break off the kiss and join the others at the Bath, Ryoko felt the warm body that she faced pull her over, partially lying over him. Her fingers worked their way through the smooth black hair down the back of his skull to rest between the cool grass and his warm neck. She lifted her head away, staring down into the entrancing brown eyes that had captivated her so long ago. But instead of fear emanating from them, there was only the softness of love smoothing the sharp contrast between the darkness of the cornea and blinding whiteness of the rest of his eyes. They both smiled before his enveloping arms pulled her in for a better taste of the intoxicating lips.
"Ryoko, I love you so much," he whispered loudly for her to hear as they came up for air, running fingers along the cyan tendrils that came down to the bridge of her nose.
"I can't hear you say that enough my dearest," she responded softly to the tender finger trailing down her facial features. Now she really wished that this spontaneous situation would never end.
As she ran her own fingertips over his face, brushing away stray locks from his forehead, the familiar chatter of the youngster, two Galaxy Policewomen, First Princess of Jurai, cutest genius in the Universe, and finally the tiny "Miyas!" of the cabbit dared to intrude on the quiet of the lakeside gathering. But even though Grandfather and Nobuyuki heard them, the two lovers didn't.
"It's as I told you-OH MY GOD!"
The two looked up to find the entourage of universal women staring, mouths agape at the sickening PDA.
Ryoko threw herself back off of him, scrambling to straighten her dress and wipe the saliva from the sides of her mouth before facing her friends. "Hey Mihoshi, Kiyone, Washu, Sasami. Aeka." She drawled, waving breezily at them.
The Princess, who was casting her such an unreadable glare, turned her sights to Tenchi; as if he would confirm what she had just seen. He was doing the same as Ryoko, sitting back on the heels of his palms, smiling good-naturedly at the bewildered fivesome. "H-Hey Aeka, something wrong?"
"M-Me? No nothing," Aeka lied through her gritted teeth, holding her head so high up to the sky. "You two are apparently a couple . . . now." She shot a glare back to Mihoshi, causing the blonde to draw back against Kiyone. "Or should we say an 'item'?"
Ryoko stood, nodding solemnly. "Yes, I'm happy you figured it out so soon." Her glare turned from solemn acceptance to outright anger. "You saw me fly down from his bedroom this morning and now you see him kissing me. It looks like Washu has to step down as the greatest Genius in the world!"
The magenta tresses of the scientist came into Ryoko's field of vision, shaking her head. "Genius in the Universe." She corrected, then wished that she had let that one slide.
"Please Aeka," Sasami pulled at her sister's stately kimono. "Let's just sit down and finish the hour that you have on earth as friends."
Even Kiyone stepped up to the plate, setting a palm on the purple shoulder. "Lady Aeka please, let them be. Your sister has gone a great length to set up a farewell brunch, let's enjoy it. Right Mihoshi?" She turned to find her partner over at the buffet, already loading up her plate.
"MIHOSHI!"
"Uh.right!"
Both Kiyone and Sasami moaned, "She's hopeless."
Meanwhile the sparks were already flying between golden and red eyes, with no help from any of the spectators.
"I thought you said you were okay with this?"
"Maybe I was, but after seeing that, I'm not anymore!"
"What?"
"Look, I know that you two are supposed to be together, but I don't need to see the truth thrown in my face!"
"Well if you think that's all the truth that we'll be throwing around, you'll have to stick around-"
Tenchi stepped between them. "Stop it both of you!" he screamed at the top of his lungs and like so many times before, both girls stopped in mid- retort. "I thought that this immaturity would end, but apparently I was wrong." He glanced up to a severely wounded Ryoko, then over to the anxious and hurt Aeka. Spinning around on his heel he faced the dishpan eyes of the First Princess, round with fear at what he would do. In a very quiet tone he spoke only loud enough for her ears and her ears only.
"I made my choice Aeka, I'll never regret it. I love Ryoko." He regained his stance as he felt himself slipping from what he wanted to say. "This is why I never answered this question in the first place. Someone would be hurt, lonely; envious of the other. I would be feeling terrible at causing her to feel this way. Sure, somewhere deep inside I knew that if I made the right choice, she would make me feel better about it."
"Yes, but Lord Tenchi, I loved you with all my heart and she-"
"She didn't know how to communicate her love. Now she's matured to where I can accept and give her my own love in return. It's painful for you to hear, but since I said 'I love you' to Ryoko, I feel as if a weight has been lifted." He could see Aeka wince with pain, but he continued. " I don't hide from it, I don't refuse it, but I accept it and return it. I plan to marry her, have children with her, live and be faithful to her only. She's my life. If I had made the wrong choice, I would always regret it and take it out on the one that I had chosen. That would be no life for her, would it?"
Aeka shot him a quizzical look and cocked a brow. "You really love her."
"Yes. I didn't want to hurt you like this, but I can't help what my heart said and says. It says Ryoko."
"I know Lord Tenchi." Blinking away the tears Aeka walked away from him, a new smile on her lips to please the guests nervously waiting for her, and of course, with head held high. And as abruptly as the fight had started, it was ended on Aeka's terms.
* * *
The next forty-five minutes were spent in quiet laughter and reminiscing of old times. Aeka chortled along with them, keeping short eye contact, if any with Ryoko and/or Tenchi.
As the clock wound down, everyone shifted uncomfortably, knowing that good- byes would be coming soon. Sasami and Mihoshi burst into tears as Azaka and Kamidake steered Ryu-oh over the lake, joined by a mournful Kiyone and Washu.
Ryoko, desperate to end on good terms with her former enemy, grabbed the bags before Aeka had a chance to get near them. "Ah-ah-ah," the space- pirate teased, snatching Aeka's log cases from within their owner's reach. "You can't leave until we apologize. I'm sorry for making out with Tenchi before you left."
"And I'm sorry that I over-reacted and tried to get him back." Aeka reached for the cases but Ryoko pulled them farther away.
"YOU WHAT?!"
Aeka knew she had fumbled with that messy retort. She searched for a better one, "I-er-eh-"
"Naw, just kiddin!" She tossed the cases to the groveling princess. "Lighten up Princess!" She dematerialized and phased back in next to Tenchi. "You can't steal him away that easily," she smiled with satisfaction as Tenchi's arm went around her waist. "Even if you can steal an apron!"
Aeka looked back and grinned.
"Aeka!"
The First Princess turned to find Sasami running down the hill at full speed, falling into her arms. "What is it Sasami?"
"Here," she breathed, handing Aeka a package. "It's some of your favorite dishes for the ride home,"
"Thank you." She kissed her sister on the cheek and stood awaiting Washu's goodbye and the Galaxy Policewomen's as well.
"Well, well Lady Aeka!" Washu quipped holding out a strange little machine that had tiny antennas jutting out this way and that, with a screen in the middle. "This is a little something that I invented. It's a two-way communicator that allows a person to talk and see another person no matter what the distance is between them." She bowed. "You'll never feel alone, if you ever turn out to be."
"Thank you Miss Washu."
Aeka now turned to a sobbing Mihoshi and a somber Kiyone.
"Thank you for everything, Lady Aeka. I only wish that we could've serviced you more." Following Washu's example, Kiyone bowed.
"Yeah, thanks for putting up with my hunger and our homelessness."
"Mihoshi!"
"Oops! Sorry."
Aeka hid a smile behind a sleeve. "You've done all you could do. I thank the both of you and will see to it that you both get promotions."
"A promotion?!" Came the surprised reply. But then the unexpected happened. They both shook their heads. "No, this watery wet planet that we call earth is a great sector to be in. We don't wanna move." Kiyone told her.
Aeka shrugged. "Alright, be it so."
Mihoshi pulled her aside. "But, you could recommend us for a raise, we're having trouble with the rent."
"MIHOSHI! Don't you know when to stop talking you BUBBLEBRAIN?"
"Will do." Aeka smiled.
"Uh, Grandfather and dad both wanted to say goodbye, but dad's at work and Grandfather's at the shrine. They both wish you a good trip and a fond, heartfelt farewell." Tenchi piped up from behind, holding Ryoko, whose head rested on his shoulder.
"Alright then, it's time for me to leave." Aeka started out to get closest to the ship, then waited for the green orb to surround her. Through the transparency she could see every one of them. But to her surprise, she found Sasami clutched between Ryoko and Tenchi, who had let go of his girlfriend to hold her sister by the shoulders against both of them. Ryoko's hands overlapped his from the side. Yes, they would be good to Sasami, Aeka thought. Already they treated her as a member of the family. Aeka also knew that it would be a few weeks or even days before she would come back again for the wedding. "Good bye all," she said aloud, waving as she felt the ship recognize her and take her up into it.
"Good bye."
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Well, I got a review the first day I posted this, (Thanks Diemos!) so I decided to put the next chappie up for the rest of you readers. Hope you liked! And if the REVIEWs continue, expect more chapters soon!
By Starhopper
DISCLAIMER: Don't own them, wouldn't want to. (No real hot guys in here, just a hot love story)
No questions, on we go!
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FR Chapter 2: Farewell to Aeka
Somewhere deep in space, a viewer of this sweet little scene went berserk as her viewing pool went out to pitch black.
"Damn it all to hell!"
"What is it mistress?"
The cloaked figure slammed her fist onto the transmitter, shattering it into a million pieces.
Her minion bowed graciously, pleased to see her anger directed so well. If she wanted to, he could be obliterated in a second from a blast of plasma from her palm.
"This transmitter, it gave out on me!" she turned to spy the sniveling little human cowering in the corner. "Was this your doing, Kiyo?"
"Please, I can explain."
Her eyes flashed a deep ember-brown as she stared him down. "Yes, I'm sure you would." she trailed off, taking leave from her seat at the consul. "If you could." The lights flashed wildly as she made her attack, obscuring her features for sure as she slipped between the dark cracks left between them. "But, I'm afraid you won't."
Kiyo turned only to see his mistress laughing, her teeth, gleaming an iridescent white, billowing red hair building a dark auburn orb around her body, brown eyes a flare with the very fires of hell. They rolled up into her skull as if in death, then she let out an electric shock from her fingertips. Power building, her ship temporarily became one with the starry backdrop. Light dimmed dark and then, with a jolt, lights, controls, the consul, and finally sanity flared bright in the dark galaxy.
She looked down, nudged the smoldering body of Kiyo with the tip of her boot. With a sigh, she shook her head. "Foolish Kiyo," She started in a tone that sounded almost sympathetic. "If only you hadn't tried to stop me." Her drawn mouth flipped upwards in a maniacal smile. "Nothing can stop me." Her mind rewound to a couple of minutes ago, watching Ryoko and Aeka laugh and cry. "Poor Ryoko," the cloaked figure returned to her seat at the ancient stone consul. Setting her elbows on the edge, she leaned over the pool, pleased to see the crystal clear transmission returning. "You think that life can't get any better," her finger went through the space pirate's holographic head. "But . . . in troth . . . all it can get . . . is worse."
* * *
With a raise from her eyebrows and a cautious glance around, Ryoko completely phased into Tenchi's room.
"Ryoko?"
She turned to see her beloved standing with arms crossed, a stern look on his face. He was wearing nothing but long wide leg sweat pants. "Uh - hi?"
"Ryoko what are you doing here?"
She looked around innocently, drawing the gaping sheer red lace robe closer about her exposed cleavage. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see him not turning his eyes away. "I, uh, well . . . " she tried, her fingers resting on her lips in appealing thoughtfulness.
Tenchi shook his head, trying to snap out of the trance that she put him in with just one look, or one action. "I thought we agreed to,"
She phased out and appeared only inches away from his face, her arms thrown haphazardly around his neck. "I know, but I just need to have you in my arms, to know that you're there." Her eyes shone with love, just pure, undying love.
His features softening, and eyes wandering he nodded and pulled her closer. "I understand. But we can't."
"I know, I know." They were about a single hair's width away from the other, mouths just barely hovering over the other's parted lips. "But, can't I just stay, stay with you tonight?"
Tenchi acquiesced, and with a nod, his lips hit hers and didn't lift from their spot. It is so easy with her, Tenchi thought as the kiss continued. I really could just . . .
He gently pushed Ryoko away from him. "We can't. But you can stay."
Without a word, he took her hand and led her to the futon beneath the window. She edged her way up to the pillow and lay quietly as he settled beside her. As if it was always meant to be, Ryoko rolled over on her side and rested her head on his chest, ear right over his heart. His fingers went through her hair, his other hand cupping her right shoulder. They lay silent, golden and brown eyes wide open; not the least bit tired. She didn't even stir when he brought up the blanket and covered both of them.
* * *
Sasami brought out her favorite serving tray and spread the cakes out onto it. Ryo-ohki meowed her respect as her friend went busily about, pouring drinks, setting the table, and finally arranging the breakfast bounty.
Aeka was the first to rise, the smell of warm honey and berries filled her nostrils as she came down the stairs. Taking her seat without a word, Sasami worked around her, handing her a plate and nothing more. Finally, after an hour had passed and Aeka had eaten her share, Sasami sat; her big pink eyes searching the more subdued ones.
"Aeka, you're leaving today."
"Yes, that is right Sasami."
"I'll miss you." Her younger sister responded without emotion.
Aeka, uncomfortable with how the day had begun thus far, smiled. "Don't worry Sasami, I'll come back for visits. A Princess has to be a diplomat as well. Trips to other planets, such as earth, are mandatory."
Sasami quirked a smile. "I get it, good one Aeka."
"Just make sure to contact me when Ryoko can't eat more than two servings for supper . . . then it will only be a matter of time."
"Time for what?" Tenchi asked from the stairwell.
"Time for breakfast?" Bound for the table, Ryoko flew past him, but he caught her hand and slingshot her into his arms.
"Tenchi! LET ME GO!" Ryoko struggled to free herself. "I love you, but so help me, if I don't eat, I'll kill you!"
Letting her go, Ryoko sped down to the table, grabbed as many cakes and sausages as she could carry and quickly phased out before exposing herself just as Nobuyuki walked in.
Aeka, though not angry or disgusted, couldn't help but notice that Ryoko had flown so merrily down the banister from Tenchi's room.
"So, now that you two are together, exactly what happened last night?"
"Last night?!" Mihoshi, who had apparently been eavesdropping from the doorway, bounced on over to the table. She pointed her finger at Tenchi and the princess. "You and Tenchi?"
Aeka shook her head, pointing to herself. "No, Mihoshi, no-"
"Boy," the blonde officer rudely grabbed a handful of berries and crushed them into her mouth. "Ryoko won't like this at all."
"Ryoko won't like what?" Ryoko questioned, phasing into her seat, arms crossed across the green tank top.
"The fact that Tenchi and Aeka spent last night together!" Mihoshi happily blurted out, crunching down a cake much to the cook's disgust.
Ryoko stood, setting her bangled wrists on the belt of her low-rise jeans. "That's impossible because I was with Tenchi last night."
"So it's true!" Aeka accused, staring straight into the space pirate's eyes.
"No, it's not what you think, it was completely innocent." Tenchi explained, stepping aside to Ryoko at her defense.
"Right, we're simply waiting for the right moment." Ryoko sighed disappointedly.
"Yes, the right moment - that's all." Tenchi tried to convince himself.
"Moment for what?" Washu piped up from the hall, locking the door to her dimension.
"Will people please just come out of their hiding places and ask us this stuff up front!" Tenchi bellowed much to the surprise of the breakfasters.
Twirling the key-chain around a finger, Washu joined them. "Okay, okay. Calm down Tenchi."
Tenchi looked around him to see all familiar faces. Aeka's bright dignified composure, Washu's crazy glint that her green eyes held, the blonde Mihoshi, her flighty blue eyes searching his, Sasami's silent, yet knowing gaze that tricked you into thinking that maybe she was her chronological age instead of her physical appearance of nine. His father's wise, sad face was always there, and then there was Ryoko, her eyes shining with love that he knew she was holding back. It's all changing, Tenchi thought suddenly. Aeka's leaving, I've fallen and still am falling in love with Ryoko, and Grandfather hasn't been himself, so quiet and thoughtful . . .
He came back to the land of the living with a prod from Ryoko.
"Tenchi?"
"Uh, yeah. Moment for, um," His trademark blush chose that moment to reappear and cause all the women, with the exception of Ryoko, to nod their heads slowly and utter a small, yet knowing, "oh".
Red came to his beloved's cheeks as well, but instead of a stare, she winked and phased out.
"Uh huh, anyway, as I was saying, I better go and get my things," Aeka abruptly left from her seat at the table, hurrying up the stairs in a flash of purple and pink. Sasami followed close behind her, and the cabbit ended the train.
Cramming her plate full of delicious breakfast goodies, Mihoshi headed for the couch leaving Washu with the nervous young man.
"Miss Washu, could I ask you something?" Tenchi began after a couple minutes of eating in silence and Ryoko still hadn't returned.
Without a glance up in his direction, she replied, "Yes, of course Tenchi, ask me anything."
"How did Ryoko and Aeka -" His eyes were lowered. He knew that this issue had been skated around for quite some time now, and for good reason. But before he could make anything definite or make any possible conclusions, he needed the facts.
"How did they fair without their knight in shining armor?" Washu supplied, still focused on watching the biscuit go from the plate to below her nose, and finally into her mouth. "It was a good six months before they stopped in Tokyo. They had been up and down the entire island and even sky-hopped a couple islands. They just kept looking,"
Now she chose the moment to look up at Tenchi. Her green eyes glistened with earnest, knowing that he needed to know the truth. "Aeka wanted to give up, but Ryoko never stopped. I have never seen that girl so determined in, well, ever. One day Aeka even came home, but rejoined Ryoko a week later."
"Then finally, when we were left with only Tokyo on our list, we knew that this was our last chance." They both looked up as Aeka came down the stairs slowly, carrying her bag with both hands before her. Her head was bowed as she mustered the strength to recall the painful, yet recent event. "We had suffered by day and cried ourselves to sleep by night. Then-"
"I saw you in the alley."
His eyes shifted from the princess to the source of the pained tone. Behind him, standing forlornly at the doorway was Ryoko, gazing wistfully out to the lake. She was cradling herself, all drawn in as she continued the memory. "I couldn't touch you . . . " her lower lip began to quiver, but she took a deep breath and continued. "You couldn't hear me, you couldn't see me,"
Aeka was beside him now, standing proud. "But she knew, even when I didn't, that you remembered."
"Something deep in my heart told me that you knew us," she swallowed and continued in a softer tone, "me. And then, when we were in her world, I noticed the paintings,"
Tenchi, his eyes still locked on his beloved's hurt figure, was suddenly struck with a barrage of memories that seemed more like dreams than remembrances. He shook his head as the last scene ended. A young woman with flowing brown hair, wrapped in the arms of a young Yosho was saying, "No you won't, you'll forget me and that's the way it should be." Apparently it was.
"And yet you still wanted to be with her."
Tenchi felt a pang of guilt zing at his heart. He had hurt her so terribly and there was nothing he could do.
Ryoko turned and looked at him, struggling to hold her smile and head up. "But now you're here, I was strong enough, and you'll never leave me, I'll never lose you again."
"And you won." Aeka jibed good-naturedly as she strolled on by Ryoko.
"Yes I did." Ryoko beamed; the smile and weight lifting to their full brilliance. She grabbed the Princess's bag out of her hands and carried it out to the lake, Aeka in full tow.
* * *
"C'mon Mihoshi!" Kiyone called as they hurried up the path to the Masaki house. She stopped and ran in place, waiting for the Blonde to catch up. "We don't want to be late for Aeka's big send-off do we?"
Jogging, the other Galaxy policewoman breathed heavily. "If you *huff* just wait a mom- *puff* -ent, " Finally, she came around the corner and joined Kiyone.
"There, was that so hard?" Kiyone called as she took off at full sprint, and to her surprise Mihoshi went on by, launching her whole body through the air while still on her heeled feet. This made her partner bare down even harder, a determined grimace on her face. Her skirt tore as it caught on a stray branch, ripping it halfway up from her knees to her white thighs. Too focused on winning this race, Kiyone continued on despite the setback. As she came over the hill and beheld the still dewy and misty morning that lay over the valley, she spied the bushy yellow head of Mihoshi bobbing happily down along the hill, her pace down to a skip. Infuriating Kiyone even more, she upped her sprint, and quickly surpassed the lazy Mihoshi, who just waved happily as her friend sailed on by.
"I did it, I'm the champion!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, her arms raised in victory. Ahead of her was the beautiful send-off picnic that Sasami had thrown together in a hurry. It still looked appetizing though, all of Aeka's favorite dishes from earth. Cheeseburgers, sushi, carrot appetizers; a whole culinary menagerie.
Tenchi and Ryoko were out, helping to set up, the space pirate dressed in a very flattering dark blue short dress that hung off her shoulders in drapes down to the arms. Sasami and Aeka were sitting off to the side, making do with what little time they had left as sisters living on the same planet. Interestingly enough, Washu was out as well, wearing a simple, yet elegant sleeveless kimono, typing on her holographic laptop.
"Yahoo!" Kiyone yelled as the group got closer and closer. She began to slow down, but found that she couldn't. "Help!" was the plaintive cry before the five heard a *crash! * come from behind one of the trees.
"Hi everybody!" Mihoshi called as she walked through the surrounding gate. "Where's Kiyone?" She raised a hand to shield her eyes and peered through the separating "crash" cloud to spy her partner in disarray, supported only by the natural trunk of the tree.
"I'm right here you airhead!" Kiyone seethed as she struggled to raise herself from the ebony roots.
"Here Miss Kiyone, let me help you," Aeka came over and motioned with her head for Ryoko to help her. Together, they got the teal tresses of the police officer untangled from the flaking bark, which with a smile, Kiyone let them know she appreciated her help.
* * *
After the girls had taken the beaten winner into the house to get some new clothes, the two Masaki men, plus one ancient Juraian warrior sat alone in complete and utter silence.
Lying on the picnic blanket, hands behind his head, brown eyes to the heavens, Tenchi watched the mists part and reveal a bright blue sky with lazy white clouds drifting by every so often. For a while he just listened to the whistle of the wind as it wove between the trees. Then it shifted to the almost inaudible sound of the fish jumping out of the lake. Just as his lids began to feel a little too heavy, the soft impression of fingers at his shoulder pulled him out of the dreamy state. He opened his eyes fully to see her smiling above him.
"Hey Ryoko," Tenchi greeted her sleepily. "How's Kiyone?"
She yawned as he did. "Oh, just fine. They're in the Ladies Bath now, chatting and sipping Sake." She lay down on her side; head propped up on her left elbow. He turned to face her on his right side. With a coy parting of her lips, she continued. "Giving me a chance to steal a moment with my love." Just as she leaned in, his lips grabbed hers in a fervent hold. She kissed back slowly, never ever wanting this spontaneous moment to end. Drawing away, she licked her lips and bit down on the lower one. "Better than I expected."
Tenchi laughed. "Well, I have a lot of apologizing to do." He reached for her right hand and held it in his left. "I had some idea, but not really of what I put you through."
Smiling at him, Ryoko murmured, "Yes, well, what happened happened, and I never want it to happen again." Leaning in again once more, she found his mouth there to welcome her and reassure her that the hell that had she had been tormented with for more than half a year was iced over for eternity. Never again would she feel alone . . . with Tenchi beside her.
Just as she was about to break off the kiss and join the others at the Bath, Ryoko felt the warm body that she faced pull her over, partially lying over him. Her fingers worked their way through the smooth black hair down the back of his skull to rest between the cool grass and his warm neck. She lifted her head away, staring down into the entrancing brown eyes that had captivated her so long ago. But instead of fear emanating from them, there was only the softness of love smoothing the sharp contrast between the darkness of the cornea and blinding whiteness of the rest of his eyes. They both smiled before his enveloping arms pulled her in for a better taste of the intoxicating lips.
"Ryoko, I love you so much," he whispered loudly for her to hear as they came up for air, running fingers along the cyan tendrils that came down to the bridge of her nose.
"I can't hear you say that enough my dearest," she responded softly to the tender finger trailing down her facial features. Now she really wished that this spontaneous situation would never end.
As she ran her own fingertips over his face, brushing away stray locks from his forehead, the familiar chatter of the youngster, two Galaxy Policewomen, First Princess of Jurai, cutest genius in the Universe, and finally the tiny "Miyas!" of the cabbit dared to intrude on the quiet of the lakeside gathering. But even though Grandfather and Nobuyuki heard them, the two lovers didn't.
"It's as I told you-OH MY GOD!"
The two looked up to find the entourage of universal women staring, mouths agape at the sickening PDA.
Ryoko threw herself back off of him, scrambling to straighten her dress and wipe the saliva from the sides of her mouth before facing her friends. "Hey Mihoshi, Kiyone, Washu, Sasami. Aeka." She drawled, waving breezily at them.
The Princess, who was casting her such an unreadable glare, turned her sights to Tenchi; as if he would confirm what she had just seen. He was doing the same as Ryoko, sitting back on the heels of his palms, smiling good-naturedly at the bewildered fivesome. "H-Hey Aeka, something wrong?"
"M-Me? No nothing," Aeka lied through her gritted teeth, holding her head so high up to the sky. "You two are apparently a couple . . . now." She shot a glare back to Mihoshi, causing the blonde to draw back against Kiyone. "Or should we say an 'item'?"
Ryoko stood, nodding solemnly. "Yes, I'm happy you figured it out so soon." Her glare turned from solemn acceptance to outright anger. "You saw me fly down from his bedroom this morning and now you see him kissing me. It looks like Washu has to step down as the greatest Genius in the world!"
The magenta tresses of the scientist came into Ryoko's field of vision, shaking her head. "Genius in the Universe." She corrected, then wished that she had let that one slide.
"Please Aeka," Sasami pulled at her sister's stately kimono. "Let's just sit down and finish the hour that you have on earth as friends."
Even Kiyone stepped up to the plate, setting a palm on the purple shoulder. "Lady Aeka please, let them be. Your sister has gone a great length to set up a farewell brunch, let's enjoy it. Right Mihoshi?" She turned to find her partner over at the buffet, already loading up her plate.
"MIHOSHI!"
"Uh.right!"
Both Kiyone and Sasami moaned, "She's hopeless."
Meanwhile the sparks were already flying between golden and red eyes, with no help from any of the spectators.
"I thought you said you were okay with this?"
"Maybe I was, but after seeing that, I'm not anymore!"
"What?"
"Look, I know that you two are supposed to be together, but I don't need to see the truth thrown in my face!"
"Well if you think that's all the truth that we'll be throwing around, you'll have to stick around-"
Tenchi stepped between them. "Stop it both of you!" he screamed at the top of his lungs and like so many times before, both girls stopped in mid- retort. "I thought that this immaturity would end, but apparently I was wrong." He glanced up to a severely wounded Ryoko, then over to the anxious and hurt Aeka. Spinning around on his heel he faced the dishpan eyes of the First Princess, round with fear at what he would do. In a very quiet tone he spoke only loud enough for her ears and her ears only.
"I made my choice Aeka, I'll never regret it. I love Ryoko." He regained his stance as he felt himself slipping from what he wanted to say. "This is why I never answered this question in the first place. Someone would be hurt, lonely; envious of the other. I would be feeling terrible at causing her to feel this way. Sure, somewhere deep inside I knew that if I made the right choice, she would make me feel better about it."
"Yes, but Lord Tenchi, I loved you with all my heart and she-"
"She didn't know how to communicate her love. Now she's matured to where I can accept and give her my own love in return. It's painful for you to hear, but since I said 'I love you' to Ryoko, I feel as if a weight has been lifted." He could see Aeka wince with pain, but he continued. " I don't hide from it, I don't refuse it, but I accept it and return it. I plan to marry her, have children with her, live and be faithful to her only. She's my life. If I had made the wrong choice, I would always regret it and take it out on the one that I had chosen. That would be no life for her, would it?"
Aeka shot him a quizzical look and cocked a brow. "You really love her."
"Yes. I didn't want to hurt you like this, but I can't help what my heart said and says. It says Ryoko."
"I know Lord Tenchi." Blinking away the tears Aeka walked away from him, a new smile on her lips to please the guests nervously waiting for her, and of course, with head held high. And as abruptly as the fight had started, it was ended on Aeka's terms.
* * *
The next forty-five minutes were spent in quiet laughter and reminiscing of old times. Aeka chortled along with them, keeping short eye contact, if any with Ryoko and/or Tenchi.
As the clock wound down, everyone shifted uncomfortably, knowing that good- byes would be coming soon. Sasami and Mihoshi burst into tears as Azaka and Kamidake steered Ryu-oh over the lake, joined by a mournful Kiyone and Washu.
Ryoko, desperate to end on good terms with her former enemy, grabbed the bags before Aeka had a chance to get near them. "Ah-ah-ah," the space- pirate teased, snatching Aeka's log cases from within their owner's reach. "You can't leave until we apologize. I'm sorry for making out with Tenchi before you left."
"And I'm sorry that I over-reacted and tried to get him back." Aeka reached for the cases but Ryoko pulled them farther away.
"YOU WHAT?!"
Aeka knew she had fumbled with that messy retort. She searched for a better one, "I-er-eh-"
"Naw, just kiddin!" She tossed the cases to the groveling princess. "Lighten up Princess!" She dematerialized and phased back in next to Tenchi. "You can't steal him away that easily," she smiled with satisfaction as Tenchi's arm went around her waist. "Even if you can steal an apron!"
Aeka looked back and grinned.
"Aeka!"
The First Princess turned to find Sasami running down the hill at full speed, falling into her arms. "What is it Sasami?"
"Here," she breathed, handing Aeka a package. "It's some of your favorite dishes for the ride home,"
"Thank you." She kissed her sister on the cheek and stood awaiting Washu's goodbye and the Galaxy Policewomen's as well.
"Well, well Lady Aeka!" Washu quipped holding out a strange little machine that had tiny antennas jutting out this way and that, with a screen in the middle. "This is a little something that I invented. It's a two-way communicator that allows a person to talk and see another person no matter what the distance is between them." She bowed. "You'll never feel alone, if you ever turn out to be."
"Thank you Miss Washu."
Aeka now turned to a sobbing Mihoshi and a somber Kiyone.
"Thank you for everything, Lady Aeka. I only wish that we could've serviced you more." Following Washu's example, Kiyone bowed.
"Yeah, thanks for putting up with my hunger and our homelessness."
"Mihoshi!"
"Oops! Sorry."
Aeka hid a smile behind a sleeve. "You've done all you could do. I thank the both of you and will see to it that you both get promotions."
"A promotion?!" Came the surprised reply. But then the unexpected happened. They both shook their heads. "No, this watery wet planet that we call earth is a great sector to be in. We don't wanna move." Kiyone told her.
Aeka shrugged. "Alright, be it so."
Mihoshi pulled her aside. "But, you could recommend us for a raise, we're having trouble with the rent."
"MIHOSHI! Don't you know when to stop talking you BUBBLEBRAIN?"
"Will do." Aeka smiled.
"Uh, Grandfather and dad both wanted to say goodbye, but dad's at work and Grandfather's at the shrine. They both wish you a good trip and a fond, heartfelt farewell." Tenchi piped up from behind, holding Ryoko, whose head rested on his shoulder.
"Alright then, it's time for me to leave." Aeka started out to get closest to the ship, then waited for the green orb to surround her. Through the transparency she could see every one of them. But to her surprise, she found Sasami clutched between Ryoko and Tenchi, who had let go of his girlfriend to hold her sister by the shoulders against both of them. Ryoko's hands overlapped his from the side. Yes, they would be good to Sasami, Aeka thought. Already they treated her as a member of the family. Aeka also knew that it would be a few weeks or even days before she would come back again for the wedding. "Good bye all," she said aloud, waving as she felt the ship recognize her and take her up into it.
"Good bye."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
Well, I got a review the first day I posted this, (Thanks Diemos!) so I decided to put the next chappie up for the rest of you readers. Hope you liked! And if the REVIEWs continue, expect more chapters soon!