Forever Ryoko
By Starhopper
DISCLAIMER!: I just don't okay! *breaks into fits of sobs*
Well, time for notes and/or rants (I do these whenever I feel like it, and with this fics warm reception from the ff.net community, I feel these reviewers deserve it):
diemos: *munches cracker* Glad you like my fic so much!!! I knew I kept it around for a reason!
darkangel: Nope, I respect Aeka's character, and I do believe that she deserves her own life (as opposed to a second-hand one). And if anyone has seen the movie, you know that Aeka has admitted that Ryoko is the only one who can reach Tenchi when he's with Haruna. I believe that shows her strength of character as well as her awareness of how they love eachother. Wow! Better than the first? I hope I can keep up with your expectations!
A.N. Samenus: *giggles like an idiot* I got you hooked? *blushes* I'm flattered by your praise of my work. I just wrote what I thought would happen at the horrible-cliffhanger-end of "Tenchi Forever". I'm glad you like my interpretation!
On we go!
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FR: Fun Times in the Water
Sasami ran up to her room as soon as they got back to the house, completely exhausted from the day's events. The worried cabbit hopped up the stairs behind her, clutched in her jaws a comforting carrot.
"Well, now that that's done," Ryoko yawned, stretching out her arms. "I think I'm gonna take a little soak," her finger graced his chin and ran seductively down throat and chest. "Care to join me?"
She turned from the direction that she was heading and bowed playfully before him. "C'mon, it's just one tiny little sit in the bath, what's the harm?" Tenchi rolled his eyes, "Yes, but you like to bathe 'au naturelle', so,"
"Wait, I've never been bathing with you - you were spying on us the whole time!" her hand went to her mouth as all of the pieces of the puzzle came together.
"Well, maybe I did, but-"
"But nothing," Ryoko continued wagging a long finger at him. "That means that whatever you see will come of no surprise and therefore no arousal-"
"RYOKO! There's a child in this house you know, and a strict, customary Shinto Priest up in the Shrine,"
"Arousal of suspicions!" she gave him a playful slap on his shoulder, "You didn't let me finish!"
"But suspicions make no sense."
Enough was enough. Ryoko grabbed his hand and pulled him to the Bath door. "Would you have rather had me say it blankly, or let you figure it out for yourself when the time came?"
"Part B."
She pulled him closer and let her eyes do the work for her. "Please Tenchi, do it for me. I'll even wear a bathing suit if you are really that concerned?" Tone going up an octave in appealing innocence, Tenchi nodded to end the discussion.
She brushed her lips against his. "Good, now let's go!"
* * *
"Ooh, this is getting good." The dark figure leaned over the holographic pool, trying to get a better view. "They are just too predictable."
Her ship leaned and groaned as it raced through the galaxies and universes, all melding into one long white line outside her consul window, if she took her eyes off the screen. She never did though, always watching every move the space-pirate made. Through this simple action she learned of the woman's weaknesses, desires, and powers. And the pirate had many of those.
"Particularly with that young man of hers," The woman spoke aloud to herself, affirming her conviction as she watched Ryoko pull a reluctant Tenchi into the Bath. "I wonder if I could do that."
"Do what?"
She turned to find her master standing tall and still, like a triumphant leader under the weight of the giant dark red cloak that hung down past his exposed ankles. The straight, shoulder-blade length golden locks were parted down the middle of his skull. Both side strands were pulled before his ears and held in place by scarlet ropes that mingled with the rest of the tail. The rest of his hair was free to fall over his shoulders and down part of his back.
"Master," pulling herself away from the stone consul she threw herself onto her knees before the man who could control her fate. "I wish I could control humans the way she does."
He raised his hand as a sign for her to rise. "Stand. The way who does?"
Red hair tumbling out of its tight binding, the dark woman stood in one motion, as if she was being raised from the dead. "Ryoko Masaki." She nodded in the direction of her viewing pool.
"Yes," came his reply, casting a cold glance over in the direction of the stained floor where Kiyo had fallen from the burn. "I can see that clearly."
Turning to face him directly, her bright red hair flew around her like a velvet cloak, reaching to the floor. "She is very powerful and with the Juraian as her lover, we might not be able to make it." Again the urgent and seriousness of the matter was reflected in her tone.
"Uh huh, I see what you mean," her Master was at the consul now, looking upon the pair splash joyfully in the dimensional Bath, "I had forgotten about Washu, she will be one to contend with for sure."
"Master, I beg of you, let us abandon this quest and go home. We are all very weary." She was on her knees now, phasing out of the bulky armor and into nothingness, begging for him to stop. "Master, please, I beg of you," she reached up and undid the rest of the knot that held her hair firmly in the triple braided bun on top of her head. Shaking her head, the red strands shimmered and fell around her naked, voluptuous female body. Her large ebony eyes pleaded with him as the dark green eyes glazed over her curves.
"Call forth your sisters and let me hear their words." Eyes melting at the sight of his lovely creation, the Master turned away and shook his head. "Do it NOW!"
The woman, head bowed in respect, resolutely muttered the names of her sisters and watched with horror as they phased into their places next to the Master.
Hi was the first to materialize on the arm of their handsome Master. "We are here!" she called gleefully, bouncing up and down, black hair thick as it hit her face with every jump.
Kaze was next, dressed in a sleazier-still variation of Hi's outfit. Blinding, almost white blonde hair flowed around her, springing like a waterfall from the top of her head. "What is it you want with us Master?" Her flighty barely blue eyes searched his then turned to her kneeling sister on the floor.
"Odosuoni, would you like to tell them?"
"Sisters, don't you agree that we should return and forget about this mission?"
Hi turned to Kaze. They both looked up at their Master for help. He shook his head.
"No, we don't agree." Both sisters told her, still fawning over the arms of their Master. They slid down either side of him, until they came to rest at his feet, clutching each leg possessively. In turn, their Master patted their heads, and turned them so their ears pressed into the bare skin of his leg.
"There, you see. There is no reason to abandon this, Odosuoni." He stood at attention awaiting her answer. "Sometimes I wish that I had created you without a conscious mind, unlike you sisters," he stroked each head at his side. "I do not regret blessing them with abounding sympathy. Only they aren't very sympathetic with you, are they?" Laughter filled his throat and spilled out onto Hi and Kaze who started cackling at the top of their lungs. "Oh, well they are very sympathetic with me however." Turning serious, their Master gazed deep into the redhead's eyes. "Stop this forethought and get back to your consul at once." He rubbed his chin in quiet speculation. "Study Ryoko and the Juraian until your eyes hurt!" He looked down to the sisters gently caressing his legs. "And get rid of them, I have no need for them as of now."
Odosuoni sighed. "As you wish. Ryoko and Tenchi will be watched closely. I will even deal with Ryoko myself when the time comes."
* * *
"C'mon Tenchi, what's the big deal?"
Her love shifted in the water uncomfortably, motioning to what she wore. "When you said 'Bathing suit' I assumed something else other than that." His eyes went over the red, ruffled two-piece suit that Ryoko had worn for that swimsuit competition on their way to planet Jurai. Strapless it was and innocent it wasn't.
"What? You thought that it was going to be a one piece?"
"YES!"
"Okay, no need to yell Tenchi." She leaned back and supported herself by her elbows on the edge of the Bath. "You could have specified what you wanted you know when we were discussing it, but now I'm wet and it's too late to change."
"Fine, I can suffer." Tenchi played along, shoving some water over in her direction.
"Aw!" Ryoko's indignant shout echoed through the room as the wave splashed over her breasts and went up to the dry neck. "Thank you very much my love, here," she pushed a whole handful over to him and quickly scooted back to ward off the oncoming tidal wave. "Have another!"
"Sure, if you can have seconds!" He retorted, watching with great satisfaction as his wave knocked her back a few inches.
"Oh, isn't that sweet!" Ryoko called from a few feet away. "Always looking after my own personal needs and wants!" With a great sweep of the length of her arm, a new roll of water went sailing directly towards him. "Got ya!"
After the wave had passed, he was nowhere to be seen. Ryoko stood and looked over to where he had been resting.
"Looking for someone?"
She turned and first was relieved to see him admiring her so, then looked up to see what he was holding. Bad idea. In his hands was a pail of warm Bath water, which had gone cold as soon as it had been collected in the tin pail. She shook her head, begging him not to do it, but found it was useless as he only nodded and proceeded to pour the water over her head.
"Tenchi," she sputtered, disappointed that he had taken it to this level. She ran her hands through her damp hair pulling it away from her face and out of her eyes. "Why did you do that?"
"Pay back for all those times you dunked my head beneath the water."
"Really now," she set her hands on her hips and stared him down with a playful glint in her eye. "I thought that you might have matured to the point where we could set little trivial things like that behind us."
"Oh, you're one to talk."
Ryoko smiled and winked. "Yes I am."
Tenchi pulled her hands away from her hair and set them with his between their chests, pulling her closer to him. He looked deep into those entrancing gold eyes, only nanoinches away from his own. "You're so beautiful Ryoko. You always have been."
"That beauty will not go away with time you know Tenchi." She reminded him, rubbing her nose against his with a cute little smile on her lips. "I can remain this age forever if I chose. But since I love you and couldn't live without you, I think I'll age along with you."
Tenchi shook his head. "Oh no. Ryoko you mustn't do that." His voice was a whisper; "I don't want you to lose the rest of your life on account of me. You have almost forty-two years to every earth year naturally."
"I know, but if you die of old age, I want to die with you." She took his hand and placed it over her heart. She smiled as the stiffness in his fingers relaxed and rested comfortably on her ample flesh. Pressing her right hand into his, she held him there, transfixed by the meaning of what she had to say. "You are the only man I could love. If I lost you, I would never-"
His lips, holding hers in captivation so that she had to abandon the thought of a life without him, interrupted her message. Shutting her eyes tightly, Ryoko gave into his demand and leaned into it. He held her up, supporting her with his hands, one under her arm, the other secure in the small of her back. The hand holding his to her breast slid up his wet skin to hold him to her. The other glazed around to his back, while his mouth held and released hers over and over again.
* * *
"Tisk, tisk, tisk."
"Washu?"
The scientist practically leapt from her stool, stationed directly in front of the frosted viewing window of the Bath. The magenta head swung in attempt to see who had called her. Her eyes rolled at the sight of the inquisitive Blonde GP woman.
"Yes Mihoshi?"
"What are you doing?"
Her eyes quickly darting from the window to the clipboard in her hands, Washu replied, "Oh, scientific research.that's all."
"Really?" Came the incredulous voice of the other half of the GP pair. Kiyone stepped out from behind the corner, the long pale yellow summer dress gliding along the ground with her movement. "I mean, if I didn't know any better, I would think you were spying on Tenchi and Ryoko . . . am I right?"
Mihoshi giggled stupidly. "Come to think of it, Washu why are you conducting research with these two as your subjects?"
Leaning slightly in inquiry, Kiyone finished her walk around to the stool where the genius sat. "Good question Mihoshi, now let's see what the answer is." Suddenly Washu was knocked out of the way by the partners, rushing for a glimpse through the window.
"Hey! I was here first ya know!" Washu grumbled, picking up her clipboard and gathering the lavender kimono around her. "Speaking of that," she stood to her full height; which was still painfully short compared to the high-heeled duo. "Why are you two here? According to my data, the both of you should be about halfway home by now,"
That got their attention. Looking over her shoulder, Mihoshi replied, "Well, we kinda ran out of money and so we were hoping to have dinner here and-"
Anger consumed Kiyone's face, by now about an inch away from her partner's. "Mihoshi!"
"Oops!" the blonde shot a smile and hit her head with a palm. "Was I not supposed to mention that?"
"YES YOU WERE!" Kiyone shook her head and sighed, "But I suppose now that the cat's outta the bag," Her blue eyes flitted up to Washu in hope. "Would they mind?"
"Don't ask me." Washu turned her face away, held up her hand, and formed her mouth into a thin tolerant line. "Ask Sasami, she'll be the one to cook if she even does tonight."
"Not true." Ryoko phased in opposite Kiyone, clad in a sleeveless form of her favorite blue and gold dress. "I'll have to give it a try if I want to become a wife."
"Well on second thought, I think we might have some rice crackers and instant beef broth in the apartment Mihoshi," Kiyone started, her eyes nervously darting from Ryoko to the kitchen and back to the spacepirate facing her.
"Hey, now." Ryoko feigned a frown. "It just so happens that I lived alone, and cooked alone before I fell on this planet," She began walking towards the kitchen, but took a long pause before throwing, "Without Sasami." over her shoulder.
"Yes, but-" Kiyone tried, and then acquiesced with a tender, pleading look from those golden eyes. "Fine."
"YAY!" Mihoshi threw up her arms, whilst everyone else hunkered down in disappointment. "We're going to eat!"
* * *
Tenchi poked his head out and nervously looked around. His mouth dropped when he saw the three women standing around in the living room, and curses coming from the kitchen. Hoping that Sasami hadn't picked up any of Ryoko's habits, he walked over to the GPs and genius sprawled out along the couch.
"Exactly what is going on?"
"Oh, hi Tenchi," Kiyone yawned, rubbing her face and stretching.
"Well, since Sasami is not down here cooking dinner like she's supposed to," Mihoshi's voice raised in effort to climb the stairs and reach the depressed princess' ears, "Your girlfriend so generously offered to make something to eat for us."
"My girlfriend?" Tenchi thought for a second then reached behind his head and scratched his skull sheepishly. "Oh yeah!"
"Did you forget? Ryoko's not going to be too happy if she hears that you forgot already." Mihoshi taunted him.
"DAMN IT!"
The blonde GP glanced back up at him in victory. "See, she already heard."
Tenchi excused himself then walked into a cloud of smoke where the kitchen was supposed to be.
"Uh, Ryoko?"
A clatter of pots and pans issued into the gritty gray smoke. Another curse followed and then a grunt of composure. "Yes Tenchi, darling?" she replied in the sweetest tone he had ever heard.
He coughed and through tearing eyes could see the hanging screen of smoke begin to dissipate, though very slowly. Once most of it had cleared, his eyes rested upon the figure of the cyan spiked pirate, her back to him, head hung in defeat or desperation; he couldn't be certain; arms splayed and elbows locked as she tried to ascertain just how to remedy the product of her efforts. Sensing his gaze on her with a raise of her head, she turned around, almost shyly. Her left cheek was smudged with some brown sauce, a graceful arc of flour lining her cheekbone on the right cheek, and sweat beads emanating from the hardly defined widow's peak. Tenchi just had to smile at the innocence that she possessed like a child caught in the act of making a mud-pie. "Ryoko,"
"Tenchi, before you start, let me just say," she flung herself at him, tears flying around the sides of her face. "I HATE COOKING!" her head hit him at his cheek, knocking Tenchi slightly off balance.
He reached a hand around her shoulders as she cried out the anguish.
"I absolutely hate it! I'll never be the wife that can make home-cooked meals or pack their children's lunches. I'm sorry Tenchi, I really am!"
"There, there." He patted her shoulders comfortingly. Then it hit him. "Wait, wife, children . . . Ryoko?"
She looked up at him, the wetness shining through her golden eyes making her extremely cute and sweet. "What?" She took the back of her hand and wiped the remaining tears away from the outer corners of her eyes. "Didn't you think that,"
He grabbed her chin between his thumb and relaxed fist. "I'm only eighteen, I have to finish school, I can't possibly mar-"
Ryoko shook her head and pushed his hand away. Staring off into some unknown direction she talked aloud. "I understand. I've waited this long,"
Tenchi started to worry. She was drawn away from him . . . there was no telling just what she would say next.
Of course she didn't frighten that easily. With a snap of her head, her eyes flitted up to his. And with a coy smile on her lips she finished, "I can wait a few years more."
* * *
Odosuoni shook her head in disgust. "Damn it! Two years!"
The Master came up behind her and stared upon the couple with his own eyes. "Two years of lying in wait for our prey. Do you think it is possible to overcome them with a bond?"
"With a bond they will be very powerful." Her brown eyes scanned the scene in the kitchen. Ryoko's arms were around him, as were his around her waist. The view shifted out to the girls in the living room. At the sight of Washu she could feel the man standing behind her tense. "Without it," she nodded, biting her lip. "Yes, they will be very powerful still." The heat from his cloak and body left her back and she turned away from the pool to see him standing in the light. Light bathing him in its way, the pale face of her Master became rich and full as it had once been, before time had worn it away to reveal scars from battles, bloodshot eyes, and a grimace of pain. Odosuoni suddenly felt very sad for her creator, who had only wanted to.she still didn't know what he wanted with Hi and Kaze, though she could speculate a guess.
He turned, the cloak sweeping collected dust from the floor, which roiled up around him, shrouding his figure in temporary blackness. "I say attack now, as soon as we can. How much farther to M Way 7?"
She glanced down at her wrist communicator and viewed her ship's current speeds. "At this rate," her voice was low, "We'll be there in about six months or so." Her gaze shifted to meet his piercing one. "Will it suit you if I take control for awhile? Lead the Juraian and Ryoko into battle?"
Turning away, he replied, "Do as you will Odosuoni. I am tired from this trip and will retire." He began to fade away, but stopped when out of the corner of his mind's eye he envisioned a silver ship racing through the eternal night. At its helm was the cloaked figure of a woman, the markings on her face and legs strange like Beruian Tiger stripes. Yes, the image was crystal clear now. One thick black stripe etched into the center of each leg, so that when pressed together they formed a dark triangle. The markings were dark underneath her strong chin and continued up along and around her left cheek just far enough to see their two points beneath her hood. Her ship screamed like a pained cat as it flew between planets and solar systems. A beautiful blue planet covered in white wispy clouds shone bright in the ship's destination grid marked somewhere in M Way 7.
"Master?"
Odosuoni's voice dragged him from out of the trance. "Odosuoni, set the weapons and make ready for an attack. My Sight has told me that we will have a visitor soon.one that we haven't expected, nor planned for."
The woman nodded her head and running back to the consul, set the weapon system at ready just in case any ship came within a one hundred-mile radius; they would be blasted into dust.
His warning taken, the Master returned to phasing out. But one thing remained in his head. He spoke it and shuddered. "Well, well. The bounty hunter has come for her prey, perhaps we'll have her on our side for a change." With that, he disappeared, leaving the weary Odosuoni to ponder the identity of the enemy close at hand.
* * *
"Two months," Ryoko muttered under her breath as she flipped through the calendar. Her gaze went to the cabbit resting on her stomach. "Only two months have gone by Ryo-ohki! How much more can a girl take?!"
"Meow, meow."
"I know, 'you don't know'. Of course you wouldn't know, you've never been in love!"
The cabbit's lower lip quivered and she let out a small 'woe is me' cry. Covering her face with her paws, she continued to sob out little cabbit tears.
"Oh, excuse me!" Ryoko testily replied, a hand fluttering to her throat. "I had forgotten that you had! With Ken-ohki of all guys."
"Me-ow, me-ow!"
She stared back into the big yellow eyes of the cabbit. "Sorry!" she drawled, holding her hands up in defense. "But you know you just have to get over him, I mean it was at least a year ago that you saw him last. Maybe he's moved on."
Ryo-ohki shot her a look that made even Ryoko draw back from the very idea that such a thing could happen. "Forget I even mentioned it, 'kay?"
"Meow, meow."
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*sniggers* dry those little tears Ryo-ohki and pretty yourself up! (Yes, you all know who's comin!) Thanks so much for the REVIEWs! Keep 'em comin!
By Starhopper
DISCLAIMER!: I just don't okay! *breaks into fits of sobs*
Well, time for notes and/or rants (I do these whenever I feel like it, and with this fics warm reception from the ff.net community, I feel these reviewers deserve it):
diemos: *munches cracker* Glad you like my fic so much!!! I knew I kept it around for a reason!
darkangel: Nope, I respect Aeka's character, and I do believe that she deserves her own life (as opposed to a second-hand one). And if anyone has seen the movie, you know that Aeka has admitted that Ryoko is the only one who can reach Tenchi when he's with Haruna. I believe that shows her strength of character as well as her awareness of how they love eachother. Wow! Better than the first? I hope I can keep up with your expectations!
A.N. Samenus: *giggles like an idiot* I got you hooked? *blushes* I'm flattered by your praise of my work. I just wrote what I thought would happen at the horrible-cliffhanger-end of "Tenchi Forever". I'm glad you like my interpretation!
On we go!
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FR: Fun Times in the Water
Sasami ran up to her room as soon as they got back to the house, completely exhausted from the day's events. The worried cabbit hopped up the stairs behind her, clutched in her jaws a comforting carrot.
"Well, now that that's done," Ryoko yawned, stretching out her arms. "I think I'm gonna take a little soak," her finger graced his chin and ran seductively down throat and chest. "Care to join me?"
She turned from the direction that she was heading and bowed playfully before him. "C'mon, it's just one tiny little sit in the bath, what's the harm?" Tenchi rolled his eyes, "Yes, but you like to bathe 'au naturelle', so,"
"Wait, I've never been bathing with you - you were spying on us the whole time!" her hand went to her mouth as all of the pieces of the puzzle came together.
"Well, maybe I did, but-"
"But nothing," Ryoko continued wagging a long finger at him. "That means that whatever you see will come of no surprise and therefore no arousal-"
"RYOKO! There's a child in this house you know, and a strict, customary Shinto Priest up in the Shrine,"
"Arousal of suspicions!" she gave him a playful slap on his shoulder, "You didn't let me finish!"
"But suspicions make no sense."
Enough was enough. Ryoko grabbed his hand and pulled him to the Bath door. "Would you have rather had me say it blankly, or let you figure it out for yourself when the time came?"
"Part B."
She pulled him closer and let her eyes do the work for her. "Please Tenchi, do it for me. I'll even wear a bathing suit if you are really that concerned?" Tone going up an octave in appealing innocence, Tenchi nodded to end the discussion.
She brushed her lips against his. "Good, now let's go!"
* * *
"Ooh, this is getting good." The dark figure leaned over the holographic pool, trying to get a better view. "They are just too predictable."
Her ship leaned and groaned as it raced through the galaxies and universes, all melding into one long white line outside her consul window, if she took her eyes off the screen. She never did though, always watching every move the space-pirate made. Through this simple action she learned of the woman's weaknesses, desires, and powers. And the pirate had many of those.
"Particularly with that young man of hers," The woman spoke aloud to herself, affirming her conviction as she watched Ryoko pull a reluctant Tenchi into the Bath. "I wonder if I could do that."
"Do what?"
She turned to find her master standing tall and still, like a triumphant leader under the weight of the giant dark red cloak that hung down past his exposed ankles. The straight, shoulder-blade length golden locks were parted down the middle of his skull. Both side strands were pulled before his ears and held in place by scarlet ropes that mingled with the rest of the tail. The rest of his hair was free to fall over his shoulders and down part of his back.
"Master," pulling herself away from the stone consul she threw herself onto her knees before the man who could control her fate. "I wish I could control humans the way she does."
He raised his hand as a sign for her to rise. "Stand. The way who does?"
Red hair tumbling out of its tight binding, the dark woman stood in one motion, as if she was being raised from the dead. "Ryoko Masaki." She nodded in the direction of her viewing pool.
"Yes," came his reply, casting a cold glance over in the direction of the stained floor where Kiyo had fallen from the burn. "I can see that clearly."
Turning to face him directly, her bright red hair flew around her like a velvet cloak, reaching to the floor. "She is very powerful and with the Juraian as her lover, we might not be able to make it." Again the urgent and seriousness of the matter was reflected in her tone.
"Uh huh, I see what you mean," her Master was at the consul now, looking upon the pair splash joyfully in the dimensional Bath, "I had forgotten about Washu, she will be one to contend with for sure."
"Master, I beg of you, let us abandon this quest and go home. We are all very weary." She was on her knees now, phasing out of the bulky armor and into nothingness, begging for him to stop. "Master, please, I beg of you," she reached up and undid the rest of the knot that held her hair firmly in the triple braided bun on top of her head. Shaking her head, the red strands shimmered and fell around her naked, voluptuous female body. Her large ebony eyes pleaded with him as the dark green eyes glazed over her curves.
"Call forth your sisters and let me hear their words." Eyes melting at the sight of his lovely creation, the Master turned away and shook his head. "Do it NOW!"
The woman, head bowed in respect, resolutely muttered the names of her sisters and watched with horror as they phased into their places next to the Master.
Hi was the first to materialize on the arm of their handsome Master. "We are here!" she called gleefully, bouncing up and down, black hair thick as it hit her face with every jump.
Kaze was next, dressed in a sleazier-still variation of Hi's outfit. Blinding, almost white blonde hair flowed around her, springing like a waterfall from the top of her head. "What is it you want with us Master?" Her flighty barely blue eyes searched his then turned to her kneeling sister on the floor.
"Odosuoni, would you like to tell them?"
"Sisters, don't you agree that we should return and forget about this mission?"
Hi turned to Kaze. They both looked up at their Master for help. He shook his head.
"No, we don't agree." Both sisters told her, still fawning over the arms of their Master. They slid down either side of him, until they came to rest at his feet, clutching each leg possessively. In turn, their Master patted their heads, and turned them so their ears pressed into the bare skin of his leg.
"There, you see. There is no reason to abandon this, Odosuoni." He stood at attention awaiting her answer. "Sometimes I wish that I had created you without a conscious mind, unlike you sisters," he stroked each head at his side. "I do not regret blessing them with abounding sympathy. Only they aren't very sympathetic with you, are they?" Laughter filled his throat and spilled out onto Hi and Kaze who started cackling at the top of their lungs. "Oh, well they are very sympathetic with me however." Turning serious, their Master gazed deep into the redhead's eyes. "Stop this forethought and get back to your consul at once." He rubbed his chin in quiet speculation. "Study Ryoko and the Juraian until your eyes hurt!" He looked down to the sisters gently caressing his legs. "And get rid of them, I have no need for them as of now."
Odosuoni sighed. "As you wish. Ryoko and Tenchi will be watched closely. I will even deal with Ryoko myself when the time comes."
* * *
"C'mon Tenchi, what's the big deal?"
Her love shifted in the water uncomfortably, motioning to what she wore. "When you said 'Bathing suit' I assumed something else other than that." His eyes went over the red, ruffled two-piece suit that Ryoko had worn for that swimsuit competition on their way to planet Jurai. Strapless it was and innocent it wasn't.
"What? You thought that it was going to be a one piece?"
"YES!"
"Okay, no need to yell Tenchi." She leaned back and supported herself by her elbows on the edge of the Bath. "You could have specified what you wanted you know when we were discussing it, but now I'm wet and it's too late to change."
"Fine, I can suffer." Tenchi played along, shoving some water over in her direction.
"Aw!" Ryoko's indignant shout echoed through the room as the wave splashed over her breasts and went up to the dry neck. "Thank you very much my love, here," she pushed a whole handful over to him and quickly scooted back to ward off the oncoming tidal wave. "Have another!"
"Sure, if you can have seconds!" He retorted, watching with great satisfaction as his wave knocked her back a few inches.
"Oh, isn't that sweet!" Ryoko called from a few feet away. "Always looking after my own personal needs and wants!" With a great sweep of the length of her arm, a new roll of water went sailing directly towards him. "Got ya!"
After the wave had passed, he was nowhere to be seen. Ryoko stood and looked over to where he had been resting.
"Looking for someone?"
She turned and first was relieved to see him admiring her so, then looked up to see what he was holding. Bad idea. In his hands was a pail of warm Bath water, which had gone cold as soon as it had been collected in the tin pail. She shook her head, begging him not to do it, but found it was useless as he only nodded and proceeded to pour the water over her head.
"Tenchi," she sputtered, disappointed that he had taken it to this level. She ran her hands through her damp hair pulling it away from her face and out of her eyes. "Why did you do that?"
"Pay back for all those times you dunked my head beneath the water."
"Really now," she set her hands on her hips and stared him down with a playful glint in her eye. "I thought that you might have matured to the point where we could set little trivial things like that behind us."
"Oh, you're one to talk."
Ryoko smiled and winked. "Yes I am."
Tenchi pulled her hands away from her hair and set them with his between their chests, pulling her closer to him. He looked deep into those entrancing gold eyes, only nanoinches away from his own. "You're so beautiful Ryoko. You always have been."
"That beauty will not go away with time you know Tenchi." She reminded him, rubbing her nose against his with a cute little smile on her lips. "I can remain this age forever if I chose. But since I love you and couldn't live without you, I think I'll age along with you."
Tenchi shook his head. "Oh no. Ryoko you mustn't do that." His voice was a whisper; "I don't want you to lose the rest of your life on account of me. You have almost forty-two years to every earth year naturally."
"I know, but if you die of old age, I want to die with you." She took his hand and placed it over her heart. She smiled as the stiffness in his fingers relaxed and rested comfortably on her ample flesh. Pressing her right hand into his, she held him there, transfixed by the meaning of what she had to say. "You are the only man I could love. If I lost you, I would never-"
His lips, holding hers in captivation so that she had to abandon the thought of a life without him, interrupted her message. Shutting her eyes tightly, Ryoko gave into his demand and leaned into it. He held her up, supporting her with his hands, one under her arm, the other secure in the small of her back. The hand holding his to her breast slid up his wet skin to hold him to her. The other glazed around to his back, while his mouth held and released hers over and over again.
* * *
"Tisk, tisk, tisk."
"Washu?"
The scientist practically leapt from her stool, stationed directly in front of the frosted viewing window of the Bath. The magenta head swung in attempt to see who had called her. Her eyes rolled at the sight of the inquisitive Blonde GP woman.
"Yes Mihoshi?"
"What are you doing?"
Her eyes quickly darting from the window to the clipboard in her hands, Washu replied, "Oh, scientific research.that's all."
"Really?" Came the incredulous voice of the other half of the GP pair. Kiyone stepped out from behind the corner, the long pale yellow summer dress gliding along the ground with her movement. "I mean, if I didn't know any better, I would think you were spying on Tenchi and Ryoko . . . am I right?"
Mihoshi giggled stupidly. "Come to think of it, Washu why are you conducting research with these two as your subjects?"
Leaning slightly in inquiry, Kiyone finished her walk around to the stool where the genius sat. "Good question Mihoshi, now let's see what the answer is." Suddenly Washu was knocked out of the way by the partners, rushing for a glimpse through the window.
"Hey! I was here first ya know!" Washu grumbled, picking up her clipboard and gathering the lavender kimono around her. "Speaking of that," she stood to her full height; which was still painfully short compared to the high-heeled duo. "Why are you two here? According to my data, the both of you should be about halfway home by now,"
That got their attention. Looking over her shoulder, Mihoshi replied, "Well, we kinda ran out of money and so we were hoping to have dinner here and-"
Anger consumed Kiyone's face, by now about an inch away from her partner's. "Mihoshi!"
"Oops!" the blonde shot a smile and hit her head with a palm. "Was I not supposed to mention that?"
"YES YOU WERE!" Kiyone shook her head and sighed, "But I suppose now that the cat's outta the bag," Her blue eyes flitted up to Washu in hope. "Would they mind?"
"Don't ask me." Washu turned her face away, held up her hand, and formed her mouth into a thin tolerant line. "Ask Sasami, she'll be the one to cook if she even does tonight."
"Not true." Ryoko phased in opposite Kiyone, clad in a sleeveless form of her favorite blue and gold dress. "I'll have to give it a try if I want to become a wife."
"Well on second thought, I think we might have some rice crackers and instant beef broth in the apartment Mihoshi," Kiyone started, her eyes nervously darting from Ryoko to the kitchen and back to the spacepirate facing her.
"Hey, now." Ryoko feigned a frown. "It just so happens that I lived alone, and cooked alone before I fell on this planet," She began walking towards the kitchen, but took a long pause before throwing, "Without Sasami." over her shoulder.
"Yes, but-" Kiyone tried, and then acquiesced with a tender, pleading look from those golden eyes. "Fine."
"YAY!" Mihoshi threw up her arms, whilst everyone else hunkered down in disappointment. "We're going to eat!"
* * *
Tenchi poked his head out and nervously looked around. His mouth dropped when he saw the three women standing around in the living room, and curses coming from the kitchen. Hoping that Sasami hadn't picked up any of Ryoko's habits, he walked over to the GPs and genius sprawled out along the couch.
"Exactly what is going on?"
"Oh, hi Tenchi," Kiyone yawned, rubbing her face and stretching.
"Well, since Sasami is not down here cooking dinner like she's supposed to," Mihoshi's voice raised in effort to climb the stairs and reach the depressed princess' ears, "Your girlfriend so generously offered to make something to eat for us."
"My girlfriend?" Tenchi thought for a second then reached behind his head and scratched his skull sheepishly. "Oh yeah!"
"Did you forget? Ryoko's not going to be too happy if she hears that you forgot already." Mihoshi taunted him.
"DAMN IT!"
The blonde GP glanced back up at him in victory. "See, she already heard."
Tenchi excused himself then walked into a cloud of smoke where the kitchen was supposed to be.
"Uh, Ryoko?"
A clatter of pots and pans issued into the gritty gray smoke. Another curse followed and then a grunt of composure. "Yes Tenchi, darling?" she replied in the sweetest tone he had ever heard.
He coughed and through tearing eyes could see the hanging screen of smoke begin to dissipate, though very slowly. Once most of it had cleared, his eyes rested upon the figure of the cyan spiked pirate, her back to him, head hung in defeat or desperation; he couldn't be certain; arms splayed and elbows locked as she tried to ascertain just how to remedy the product of her efforts. Sensing his gaze on her with a raise of her head, she turned around, almost shyly. Her left cheek was smudged with some brown sauce, a graceful arc of flour lining her cheekbone on the right cheek, and sweat beads emanating from the hardly defined widow's peak. Tenchi just had to smile at the innocence that she possessed like a child caught in the act of making a mud-pie. "Ryoko,"
"Tenchi, before you start, let me just say," she flung herself at him, tears flying around the sides of her face. "I HATE COOKING!" her head hit him at his cheek, knocking Tenchi slightly off balance.
He reached a hand around her shoulders as she cried out the anguish.
"I absolutely hate it! I'll never be the wife that can make home-cooked meals or pack their children's lunches. I'm sorry Tenchi, I really am!"
"There, there." He patted her shoulders comfortingly. Then it hit him. "Wait, wife, children . . . Ryoko?"
She looked up at him, the wetness shining through her golden eyes making her extremely cute and sweet. "What?" She took the back of her hand and wiped the remaining tears away from the outer corners of her eyes. "Didn't you think that,"
He grabbed her chin between his thumb and relaxed fist. "I'm only eighteen, I have to finish school, I can't possibly mar-"
Ryoko shook her head and pushed his hand away. Staring off into some unknown direction she talked aloud. "I understand. I've waited this long,"
Tenchi started to worry. She was drawn away from him . . . there was no telling just what she would say next.
Of course she didn't frighten that easily. With a snap of her head, her eyes flitted up to his. And with a coy smile on her lips she finished, "I can wait a few years more."
* * *
Odosuoni shook her head in disgust. "Damn it! Two years!"
The Master came up behind her and stared upon the couple with his own eyes. "Two years of lying in wait for our prey. Do you think it is possible to overcome them with a bond?"
"With a bond they will be very powerful." Her brown eyes scanned the scene in the kitchen. Ryoko's arms were around him, as were his around her waist. The view shifted out to the girls in the living room. At the sight of Washu she could feel the man standing behind her tense. "Without it," she nodded, biting her lip. "Yes, they will be very powerful still." The heat from his cloak and body left her back and she turned away from the pool to see him standing in the light. Light bathing him in its way, the pale face of her Master became rich and full as it had once been, before time had worn it away to reveal scars from battles, bloodshot eyes, and a grimace of pain. Odosuoni suddenly felt very sad for her creator, who had only wanted to.she still didn't know what he wanted with Hi and Kaze, though she could speculate a guess.
He turned, the cloak sweeping collected dust from the floor, which roiled up around him, shrouding his figure in temporary blackness. "I say attack now, as soon as we can. How much farther to M Way 7?"
She glanced down at her wrist communicator and viewed her ship's current speeds. "At this rate," her voice was low, "We'll be there in about six months or so." Her gaze shifted to meet his piercing one. "Will it suit you if I take control for awhile? Lead the Juraian and Ryoko into battle?"
Turning away, he replied, "Do as you will Odosuoni. I am tired from this trip and will retire." He began to fade away, but stopped when out of the corner of his mind's eye he envisioned a silver ship racing through the eternal night. At its helm was the cloaked figure of a woman, the markings on her face and legs strange like Beruian Tiger stripes. Yes, the image was crystal clear now. One thick black stripe etched into the center of each leg, so that when pressed together they formed a dark triangle. The markings were dark underneath her strong chin and continued up along and around her left cheek just far enough to see their two points beneath her hood. Her ship screamed like a pained cat as it flew between planets and solar systems. A beautiful blue planet covered in white wispy clouds shone bright in the ship's destination grid marked somewhere in M Way 7.
"Master?"
Odosuoni's voice dragged him from out of the trance. "Odosuoni, set the weapons and make ready for an attack. My Sight has told me that we will have a visitor soon.one that we haven't expected, nor planned for."
The woman nodded her head and running back to the consul, set the weapon system at ready just in case any ship came within a one hundred-mile radius; they would be blasted into dust.
His warning taken, the Master returned to phasing out. But one thing remained in his head. He spoke it and shuddered. "Well, well. The bounty hunter has come for her prey, perhaps we'll have her on our side for a change." With that, he disappeared, leaving the weary Odosuoni to ponder the identity of the enemy close at hand.
* * *
"Two months," Ryoko muttered under her breath as she flipped through the calendar. Her gaze went to the cabbit resting on her stomach. "Only two months have gone by Ryo-ohki! How much more can a girl take?!"
"Meow, meow."
"I know, 'you don't know'. Of course you wouldn't know, you've never been in love!"
The cabbit's lower lip quivered and she let out a small 'woe is me' cry. Covering her face with her paws, she continued to sob out little cabbit tears.
"Oh, excuse me!" Ryoko testily replied, a hand fluttering to her throat. "I had forgotten that you had! With Ken-ohki of all guys."
"Me-ow, me-ow!"
She stared back into the big yellow eyes of the cabbit. "Sorry!" she drawled, holding her hands up in defense. "But you know you just have to get over him, I mean it was at least a year ago that you saw him last. Maybe he's moved on."
Ryo-ohki shot her a look that made even Ryoko draw back from the very idea that such a thing could happen. "Forget I even mentioned it, 'kay?"
"Meow, meow."
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
*sniggers* dry those little tears Ryo-ohki and pretty yourself up! (Yes, you all know who's comin!) Thanks so much for the REVIEWs! Keep 'em comin!