By Starhopper
DISCLAIMER: As usual...I don't own ANY of these characters except the ones I create myself. All the others belong to AIC and Pioneer.OKAY, I was flipping through my documents and was dumb-struck that I hadn't posted this chapter. SORRY! GOMEN NASAI!
That said, I wish to thank you all for reading and reviewing it. I don't think I could ever find such a wonderful group of fans anywhere, and that includes my Anime Club.
So thanks all, and here's to more chapters! I might actually (gasp) buy the series before I head out into the scary world. I'll at least have my faithful friends from Tenchi Muyo with me!
On with the chapter! (Hopefully it won't be the last, I'm wanting to finish it every year I return to this chapter and stare at it with a blank expression. But my eyes are round with hope, yes they are!)
"Forever Tenko: Sneak Attack"
"It isn't possible," The Master stalked away from the glowing Kaze. "It just isn't possible."
"What?"
He threw a menacing glare over in Hi's direction, then an equally threatening one back over his shoulder to Kaze. "Both of your brains are too small to inherit your sister's memories."
The blonde's glow suddenly went out like a flame with his frightening revelation. "WHAT?!"
. . .
Tenchi let the breath rush down his nasal passages in one fluid avalanche of concern and unease.
"Say something." It wasn't exactly a plead...or even a whine.
He looked down and sighed through his nostrils once again. "How could you not tell me?" His brown eyes sought her glazed golden ones for the answers.
"That's not exactly what I wanted you to say." It was her turn to look down now. "I didn't even know..."
"Two months...and you didn't know?" Standing suddenly, he walked to the back of the couch where his fiancée was sitting.
"It's not like I knew and didn't tell you," Ryoko tried to appeal to a warped, post-battle reason.
"Two months..." Tenchi repeated, stopping his pace around the couch to look at her. "And I couldn't even tell."
She reached for his hand and gratefully found it along with the rest of his body coming back to sit with her. He ran a hand down the right side of her face, smiling that embarrassed smile of his, with the blush to go along with it. "Ryoko,"
Her head tilted with his caress and a thick translucent sheen started to cover her eyes. She blinked to release the tears. "Tenchi,"
"I'm sorry," he whispered softly, brushing his lips against hers even more softly. "I really am happy, just completely surprised." He kissed the corners of her eyes where the salty tears had collected, then drew back and looked at her. The beautiful golden orbs were hidden under pale lids, held there only by the full feeling of pleasure that their owner received from his intimate care.
Eyes still closed she parted her lips and took a breath. "I was too."
"Aw,"
They both turned to look over to the doorway where Washu and Kiyone stood, each leaning on a side of the doorframe. Hands clasped under their chins in endearment, they fluttered their eyelids.
They both turned their heads back to face the other, Ryoko rolling her eyes, while Tenchi sighed, "So,"
"What?"
He swallowed before asking, "The wedding?"
She blinked, paused, then slowly went up into the air, stood, and set her hands on her hips proudly. "I love you Tenchi, but I will not be satisfied until our love is declared and proclaimed to the whole world!" She then attempted a karate kick, but with an incomprehensible curse, faltered and floated back down, cradling her left side.
"And no more battles until then," her beloved made her promise. Ryoko winced with pain as he touched the offending side in hopes to soothe it. "Not in your condition."
"Ah, that's so cliché," she shook her head trying to focus on something other than the recovering injury as he gathered her in his arms.
"It's true," he looked down into her eyes, those same eyes that had sparkled so brightly with mischief and fun and now were shining with mature adoration.
She smiled and for the first time since he had been given the unexpected news, she could see him truly smile. There was even a faint sparkle in his eye that expressed more to Ryoko than his words ever could. He really was happy about this...and with this information, she fell into a thoughtful slumber, cuddled so tightly in his arms.
. . .
Outside, two women were seated at the porch table that had been given to Tenchi and Ryoko as a wedding gift from some old friend of the family.
"And where is Ryoko now?" The hooded figure of the bounty hunter asked disinterestedly as she sipped at the now cold green tea.
"Well she was recuperating in Miss Washu's lab, but since then I have seen her lying about the house with Lord Tenchi always at her side." Aeka explained, placing a finger to the teapot's lid as she poured herself a glass.
"And what about the scientist's findings?"
The First Princess pulled the spout up immediately, her red eyes still downcast watching the clay cup. Washu had thought she had fooled them, but as soon as Tenchi had seen the monitors, her eyes, along with everyone else's followed his and had seen what he saw. Two different pulses...two different beings...two months pregnant. "Miss Washu has found Ryoko to be exactly two months pregnant...verified and confirmed."
Nagi leaned back in her chair, swirling her cup of tea thoughtfully. "She always was one to go against the rules,"
"And family before marriage is one of them." Aeka let it slip out, then thought to bite her tongue after doing so.
"Ah well," the woman sitting across from her said almost wistfully, "It's simply fate."
"That's what Grandfather says," putting the cup up to her lips, Aeka took a few quick sips, then set it back down. "He believes that the child will be born for a reason."
"As well it should be," Nagi said, her mouth still unsmiling and somber. "Well, for now the price on her head will be smaller and therefore not worth my effort,"
"Miss Nagi, do you mean,"
"Yes," Nagi stood casting a shadow over the First Princess's head. "I'll be leaving here very shortly...I have other game to hunt, Ryoko isn't the only prize I'm after."
"Well, thank you for your help," Aeka stood to bow respectfully. "I'll also be taking my leave of Earth once they resume the wedding. I have plenty of details on that ship that we encountered to set up a Juraian space fleet dedicated to seeking out the vessel."
"I'll be sure to contact them if the Adam's Rib gets in my way Princess." Nagi nodded respectfully and walked over the edge of the porch, disappearing into the forest surrounding the Masaki home.
"Goodbye." Aeka smiled, then sat back down at her seat, took up her cup of tea and sipped at it.
. . .
Ryoko appeared as a holographic image to the threesome, one holding the dust of some other past creation's existence. Odosuoni seemed light years behind them, but her she was, still intact, though only in memory.
It was a speechless and quick performance; the exhalations of the two sisters echoed about the massive chamber and their slightest movements seemed to shake the room due to the lack of white noise. The Master presided over them, leaning over the podium to see their bodies pressed back to back as closely as possible. Their eyes were shut, right hand entwined in left hand, left hand clasped by right hand, heel to heel, blonde hair braided with black and hanging as pigtails down the sides of either face. One wrong move and both would be gone. Three experiments failed, no personal victory, only defeat would remain.
Satisfied that the sisters had listened to his direction ever so closely, the Master leaned back, held the orb of Odosuoni before him, and drawing both hands back behind him, let the dust float above the podium. It levitated for but a second, then came crashing down on top of the women's heads, glass shattering over black and blonde hair.
Ignoring the sudden wails of pain, the Master focused on the dust now circling around each head forming two glowing red halos. As the circled got tighter, both women started to squirm and gasp for air, the pressure on their craniums becoming unbearable. Hi made a move to run while Kaze stood there biting her now bleeding lip to keep from screaming.
And then it was over. One "brain" had been absorbed by two as the dust passed through skull to the real brain within. Releasing his clasped hands held behind his back, the Master was able to let himself smile. His eyes found the image of the Space Pirate, downed in her chosen garb for the much-anticipated wedding. Her head was bowed, the ivory hood hiding her face in shadow.
"Yes," now his eyes found Hi and Kaze, each head streaked by a vibrant stripe of auburn that ran from forehead along the length of their hair. They were randomly recalling their sister's memories of her own ordeal with Ryoko and the Masaki family, screaming out discoveries their sister had made, and finishing off each other's sentences. "Now we begin again..."
. . .
Gold eyes watched the First Princess expectantly as Aeka walked into the utterly destroyed Master Bedroom.
"Oh, hello Aeka," Washu smiled, looking up from tying the bride's silk sash.
"Hello Miss Washu." Aeka replied politely before taking a seat on a floating cushion.
A highly irritating silence hung in the air as the former enemies tried desperately not to make eye contact. Rolling her eyes, Washu left the room, assuring the two that the only reason for her departure was to find Mihoshi and wake her up. "Be right back!" she called as she ran down the hall to the stairs.
The silence still hanging like humidity in the room, both women shifted restlessly in their seats.
"Well Princess, we have to talk sometime." Came Ryoko's voice from the shadowed area under the bridal hood.
"I thought I would be able to handle it..." Aeka sighed softly, finding her pink slippers much more fascinating than this dreaded conversation. "But...it's just too difficult."
"Aeka, please don't tell me you're jealous."
"Jealous?" Aeka cried incredulously, the red eyes searching for the offending gold ones lurking under the hood. "You flatter yourself Ryoko, I've made peace with the past."
"Then what is it?" The Space Pirate stood suddenly from her seat at the vanity table and walked in front of the Juraian. "Even when we hated each other we weren't this quiet about it."
Aeka looked up into Ryoko's face questioningly then back down, straight ahead of her where she could just imagine the eight-week-old baby slowly developing the features of both mother and father.
Following her eyes, Ryoko smiled. "I get it."
"What?"
Ryoko placed a protective hand to her abdomen and pulled the hood down the back of her head with the other hand. "You disapprove...even though you yourself would have more than gladly carried his child a few years ago with or without having that ring on your finger!" She flashed her left hand, wiggling the fourth finger, the light playing off the gold band with the jerky movements.
"I would not!" Aeka shouted, causing Ryoko to shield her ears from the piercing tone. "I believe in the holy art of wedlock, the forgotten art of wedlock in your case!" Again, she had let it slip out and thought to bite her tongue after doing so.
"That does it," Ryoko growled deep in the hollow of her throat. "I'm getting married now," the cyan spiked woman started to walk out of the room, but stopped at the door-frame with a searing look back at Aeka, "and if you've made so much 'peace with the past', then you'll come with the rest of us." With that Ryoko was gone, leaving Aeka alone in thought.
. . .
"WAIT!!!" Aeka called out as Tenchi and Ryoko stood at the Shrine, just as Lord Katsuhito was about to join their hands and exchange rings.
"Well I guess that answers the question, 'And let anyone who objects to this union speak now or forever hold their peace.'" Lord Katsuhito murmured as everyone turned in question to Aeka's unexpected outburst.
"Aeka what do you think you're doing?" Tenchi questioned in a whisper while his bride's eyes bore fiercely into the First Princess.
"No, I didn't mean to interrupt, I just," she smiled as she went around the couple to the group of women sitting behind them on the Shrine office stairs. Settling down and blushing terribly, she made a motion like they could go on.
Golden eyes still burning like fire, Ryoko turned back to her beloved, whose cool brown eyes put out the flames.
"Alright. Taken that there is no objection to this union, I'll move on." Grandfather smiled at Tenchi then Ryoko, and proceeded from memory. "Now is the time for the exchanging of the rings."
Tenchi pulled the eighteen karat gold ring out of his breast pocket and held it at the ready for the Shinto Priest to continue. Meanwhile Ryoko was leaning over to get the ring from Washu, who smiled up at her as she placed the engraved circlet in the bride's palm.
"Tenchi and Ryoko have decided to recite their own vows, so I will now let Tenchi speak,"
Tenchi smiled and took her pale left hand in his right. He started in a very quiet tone that was just loud enough for their friends kneeling behind them to hear. "Ryoko, I stand here today to pledge my life to you, to honor and love you for all of our days together as husband and wife. It took us such a long time to start a life together, but those days weren't spent in vain. Each day, each adventure, I began to truly know you, understand you, and finally love you." Throughout his vow, Tenchi's eyes had been connected to hers. With tears sliding down from the corners of her eyes, he paused and cupped her cheek, wiping the water away with his thumb, his gaze still unwavering. "I've lost you and found you and each time you continue to amaze me. Your laugh, your smile, and your eyes are all things that I can't imagine living without. But most of all there is your passion for life, the way you act on impulse, the way you cry, the way you care, and the way you love me." With a smile he slipped the diamond ring over her finger until it was stopped by the simple engagement ring. "I will love you, Ryoko, forever as long as time allows me."
"Tenchi-" Ryoko started through subsiding tears, "I've loved you from the first time I saw you, from the first time I saw what a caring person you were and still are, from the time you poured water into my mouth at the lake. Since then you've grown to be so much more than just the object of my adoration. Without you I would never know the many joys that life holds. I'd never been held longer than a second, I'd never blushed after a kiss, I'd never been the object of any affection," her eyes were downcast, marveling at how his fingers held onto her open palm. They chose to flit up now, the most vibrant gold radiating from them. "I'd never cried because I thought I had lost the most precious thing in my life, and I'd never felt that feeling of pure love. And now, you've given me another experience to be treasured...that of being a mother." She slid the ring onto his finger and took a breath before his hands grabbed for hers. "You have given me life, we created some of our own. You are my life, you are my love, you are my passion for life...forever. I promise you this."
A breeze blew by, stirring some fallen blossom petals along the slate path. Katsuhito smiled and took a breath of his own. "The promises made today will be followed through until the ends of their days, until the end of time," his gritty, age-worn tone grew softer as he whispered, "Love and honor each other, and never forget what has drawn you together." He stood for a while, watching the couple stare him down, urging him to continue. "Oh, and you may now share your first kiss as husband and wife,"
Their lips touched softly at first, then deepened in passion. Tenchi pulled away just before they got even more caught up in it. Suddenly cherry blossoms filled the air and fell on dark blue and ivory shoulders. Laughter rose above the small gathering and met the ears of the bounty hunter who stood with hood drawn, red eyes staring out of the darkness. Standing on a distant hill, lost in conflictions and thought, Nagi could only watch the festivities continue. She had given up any possibilities of a life like this so long ago, yet jealousy was far from an option. Envy; that was it. No, that wasn't it, her emotion was indiscernible. Was it fear? Fear that as soon as Ryoko truly started her family Nagi would lose the compulsion to hunt? The thrill of the hunt was all she had going for her. Yes, it had been long ago that settling down was ruled out as a lifestyle option.
Even Ken-ohki was tired of the hunt...he wanted to stay on earth with Ryo-ohki. Each time they came to Earth it became harder and harder to find a reason and a way to leave...
The countryside was filled with laughter and music as the Masaki family finally celebrated their familial relations. It had taken over four years...but her prey was finally Ryoko Masaki, wife of Tenchi Masaki...it was all too unreal to digest.
Nagi wasn't the only one having difficulty with this situation.
Everyone sat in a circle on the grass outside the Masaki house next to the lake, with the h'orderves circling the main dishes circling sweet desserts. Tea, Rice Wine, and fruit smoothies were set at tables surrounding the circle of food. Yet, Ryoko's original plan for the ceremonial picnic had been food plus sake...sake...and more sake. Now, with some quick rethinking on Sasami's part, Ryoko could be seen sitting next to her husband with a cup of green tea to her lips...and not too happy about it either.
"I think I'll like this pregnancy thing if I drink some sake," she mumbled half-heartedly, leaning into Tenchi's right shoulder.
He hugged her shoulders and kissed her cheek. "I guarantee you'll like it more if you don't."
She smiled back up at him and gulped down the remaining amount of tea, sticking out her tongue in distaste after she had downed the last teaspoon.
"Methinks someone is having trouble adjusting to her new life," Washu snickered over a Wine bottle from across their circle
"'Methinks someone' should just shut her big mouth," Ryoko retorted, chewing on her chopsticks.
"C'mon Washu, back off a little." Tenchi coaxed, wrapping a protective arm about his wife's waist who moved appreciatively closer to him. "It's not her fault that alcohol is off limits."
The grateful smile Ryoko had been wearing now faded as she looked at him, "I should say not...papa." She cheekily reminded him, giving him a tap on the nose.
"Oh yeah," her husband chuckled, turning red and kissing her lips lightly.
"Aw, they make such a cute couple," Mihoshi murmured to Kiyone as she bit down on the slice of fried cucumber. "They should get married."
Too relaxed and happy to care what her airhead partner said, Kiyone smiled on at the nuzzling couple, now feeding each other the finger-food appetizers.
"Oh," the offending scientist suddenly lurched forward, avoiding the likely spill of her beverage by sheer luck, "That reminds me," Washu withdrew the carefully folded and evenly creased photo from her sash and with nimble fingers, flung it expertly to the newlyweds sitting across from her. "My last minute wedding gift."
Ryoko caught it with the same expertise of someone who had spent centuries refining her hand-eye coordination skills. They came in handy for piloting space ships.
"Now that just wasn't necessary Washu," Tenchi smiled on, his arm settling around Ryoko's waist after slowly moving off her shoulder. "I mean you saved Ryoko's life...and the baby's."
"Huh?" the little scientist looked up from her mouthful of noodles. Upon realizing his deep-felt thanks, she swallowed down the remaining amount of food and smiled. "Oh, it was no trouble at all. Just something that can go into the family photo albums!" Washu waved her chopsticks in the air, and commenced shoveling once again.
"What is it?" Sasami asked getting ready to stand and take a look for herself.
The space pirate shrugged her shoulders as she continued chewing on the bit of beef grilled on the hibachi, unfolding the photo slowly. She could feel his breath near her ear as Tenchi leaned over her shoulder to see.
"C'mon you guys, just show us already!" Kiyone called, stabbing the generous slice of white chocolate carrot cake in frustration.
"Yeah, hurry up!"
"Ah, forget it!" Washu leaned back from yet another shrimp noodle bowl and brought up her holotop computer. "If you want to see it so bad, then look." Fingers flying over the keys, she ended with the triumphant "enter" and brought up the snapshot so the whole group could see it.
While everyone else craned their necks to see and "oohed" and "ahhed" at the simple form, Tenchi and Ryoko's eyes remained focused on their personal picture. It was much clearer than the ultrasound stills both had seen on hospital tv shows. Probably because they did not have access to the technological genius that the Masaki household had. It wasn't fuzzy, not in the least bit, yet the point of interest remained the most brilliant by contrast to the dark background of the womb. There, image blown to life size, was their child. True, it looked like a lima bean with a few bumps on it, which were in actuality buds for eyes, heart, arms, and legs. But, it was their child. Not a stranger's on TV, but theirs.
"Two months," both breathed simultaneously. Gold eyes met brown and a smile snuck up on both lips before they were crushed under the weight of the other.
. . .
"Tenchi, what are you thinking?"
Tenchi looked up from the Tokyo Travel Brochure with a brilliant glint in his eye. "Oh, this and that." He answered simply, completely contradicting his physical, beaming self.
"Well, do you want to know what I'm thinking?"
Tenchi smiled back at her and leaned into her advances. "What?"
Ryoko pulled back from his inviting lips and shook her head. "Not until I tell you,"
He faked a frown and thrust out his bottom lip at the rebuke.
Ryoko threw out a blinding grin and settled herself on his lap. "I was thinking...Tokyo doesn't sound that good anymore...does it?"
"What do you mean?"
Ryoko raised herself off his lap and paced around their bedroom that was strewn with clothes and baggage in anticipation for their honeymoon. "I mean after all, we've been there before...I was thinking of going somewhere you and I've never been to before."
Suddenly Tenchi was overcome with a wave of memories from long ago, and the promise that Ryoko had made to him as they cascaded back to their home world from Ryoko's Bonnie and Clyde-ish, perfect one. "A real journey...someday..." It was then replaced with a not so distant memory of saying good-bye as he ran off to save Aeka... "A honeymoon in space..."
"Ryoko, are you thinking of...?" Tenchi squeaked, pointing up to the ceiling and the great black vacuum beyond, letting his actions speak for themselves.
"Well,"
"Oh, no, no, no, no, no, and NO!" he yelled, jumping up from the bed. "It would be just our luck to run into some foe that we need to vanquish, or an old adversary of yours that you need to fight. NOT NOW!"
"But Tenchi, it's so beautiful,"
The Juraian Prince moved away from his wife, not expecting such a sweet come-on. Hormones...this was going to be a fun seven months. "No, we're safe here on Earth, not up there where EVIL is waiting for you."
The sweet mood swing subsiding, Ryoko threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "We weren't safe here on our first Wedding day, nor from the grip of a ghost woman who took you away from me in your own backyard, or from the wrath of KAIN who again tried to steal you away...OR from Kagato's guards who imprisoned me!" pausing for breath, Ryoko faded out and reappeared inches from his face, "Face it Tenchi, we're not safe anywhere we go...I've lived like this for many, many years...now that we're married, deal with it!"
Tenchi grimaced at the golden fire burning so brightly in those eyes. "I just don't want to ruin this great time in our lives with some thoughtless leap into hyper-drive...and run into someone like Nagi."
Going transparent again, Ryoko reappeared on the other side of the room, hands on her hips. "Nagi is nothing to worry about...besides, she's a true hunter...and won't take me out because of the pregnancy." She finished softly, giving herself a protective embrace.
"EXACTLY!" The Juraian practically ran over to his wife, grabbed her by the shoulders, and forced her to stare into his eyes for once. "We've got more to worry about now with you and the baby," he could feel his heart thump just a little louder and a lump swell in his throat, "I don't want ANY thing to happen to either one of you."
"Tenchi," it was her tone now creeping in on that conversation; that pleading, caring breath which had the power to change a stubborn mind.
"No," he resisted the new onslaught of advances, pulling away from her hold on his shoulders, "I'm not going back up there..."
. . .
"I can't believe I'm back up here,"Ryoko glanced to her right and laughed. "Calm down Tenchi darling," she purred placing her right hand over his trembling left. "Everything will be alright, you'll see...I'm more comfortable in space anyway," the woven hover-chair moved back away from the controlling orbs to allow for a large stretch. "Lots more room to move,"
"Lot's more places for EVIL to hide."
She gravitated over to her husband, running a fingertip down the length of his left arm. "Tenchi, please don't let them get to you..."
"Get to ME?" he exclaimed jumping up and away from her seductive advances. "I'M not the one who got herself killed!"
"But I'm fine, the baby's fine," she followed him, her tone remaining constant and unwavering. "Tenchi, this is how I am and have always been...except when it comes to you." Her eyes flashed a brilliance that couldn't be met by the first ray of light in a dark and overcast winter. She put her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to her. "You have been the only one to break my forge-ahead-spirit. I couldn't forget you then and I certainly can't forget you now," pausing, she placed a hand to her stomach and smiled.
Ryoko stopped her thoughts as Tenchi grabbed her chin and gazed deeply into her eyes, "That's what I'm trying to tell you."
Oh, what a hold he had on her. "Tenchi, I'm trying to tell you that being afraid and fearing the worse are things that hurt my survival."
"Your survival is the last thing on your mind right now, right Ryoko?"
She shook her head and bit her lip. "I don't want to be afraid, I can't be..."
"I understand," he took her into his arms and held her head against his chest. "Fear was something you couldn't afford. To live your life you had to be fearless and strong."
He felt her nod into his neck.
"But now..."
"But now I'm tired...so tired of being strong..." she leaned back to look at him, not afraid to show her weakness. "That's why if I ever lost you, the only one who makes me look back and not forward, I know it would be the end of me."
"If I ever lost you, the one who makes me look forward and not back, I know it would be the end of me."
"Copy cat," she sniffed, "I love you Tenchi Masaki. Always have and always will." She motioned for one of the crystals to sink back down into the floor. A lavish circular bed then rose up in their place.
"I love you," Tenchi whispered, pulling her close and making his way towards the crushed velvet purple wedding gift. "My Ryoko Masaki."
. . .
"Where do you think Tenchi and Ryoko are now?"
Aeka looked over to her sister calmly sitting at her place at the table, thoughtfully chewing on her tuna. After some deliberation, she replied, "Past Mars I expect,"
Several chopsticks hit their respective plates at once as Sasami, Kiyone, Nobuyuki, and even Mihoshi stood in protest.
"What do you mean MARS?"
"I can go hunt them down for you...those two..."
"I was thinking Mt. Fuji, especially if they were making good time...but outer space."
"More Ramen Noodles!"
All shot stares to the blonde officer.
"I mean...what's the problem again?"
"Aeka," Sasami was suddenly in front of her, doing her best to stare her older sister down. "You told me that Ryo-ohki was hiding and depressed over Ken-ohki, and that Ryoko and Tenchi had decided to go to Tokyo..."
"Well, all of that certainly isn't true," Kiyone wagged her finger disapprovingly at the princess, "if they're out by MARS!"
Taking a step back, Aeka heaved a great sigh. "I'm sorry everyone, but I'm not the one to blame. They snuck off on purpose, it was only by a sheer stroke of luck that I happened to see Ryo-ohki taking off from the Shrine."
The sound of the lab door slamming behind the cutest little genius in the universe took the interest off Aeka.
"Well, well, well," Washu surveyed the situation, giving everyone the once-over, making mental notes of each individual's distress before venturing a silent guess as to why they could possibly be upset.
"Miss Washu-"
Washu held up her hand. "No need for explanation Princess Aeka," she continued her walk, finally taking her seat at the dining table. "The take-off measured on my atmospheric scanners." Leaning over the table, she gathered some noodles into a cup and settled back to chow down.
Everyone stared.
An irritated green eye panned across the group. "And I would just sit down," as soon as it had appeared, the emerald cornea was covered by a respectful lid. The noodles were slurped up. She continued calmly, "Both Ryoko and Tenchi have proven themselves capable of taking care of themselves without our help. They're married now...they need to learn how if they haven't yet."
"Wise words Miss Washu," Kiyone smiled, sitting back down.
. . .
"Alright Hi, you know how this works right?"
Hi looked over in her sister's direction, but caught sight of a studly lifeguard instead.
"Hi? Are you listening to me?"
The black haired woman nodded her head disinterestedly, pulling the straps of her top up to accentuate her ample cleavage, eyes still connected to the rippling muscles of the lifeguard. They were sitting on the beach like any obligatory couple of sisters would. They looked so normal, sprawled out among the tan sun-lovers. Just two women, each wearing identical bikini bathing suits, (with the exception that Kaze wore no top) Hi in red, Kaze in Blue, that were quietly chatting among themselves. Yes, just a friendly discussion that could lead to the deaths of the two most likely candidates for saving the universe from the clutches of an evil not yet conceived by the thought of man. All that stood in their way was a Felina lifeguard, posing for the shapelier of forms...If only Hi would pay attention.
"HI!"
Her sister's sharp tone and naked bosom shoved in front of her face brought Hi back to reality and the task at hand. Having no real emotion to make her think twice about her actions, she quickly diverted her gaze to the plans drawn in the sand.
"Now," the blond huffed, settling herself back on her stomach, "You do know how this works right?"
"Yes,"
"We both know that Tenchi and Ryoko are stopping here temporarily on their way to..."
For the first time since their arrival, Hi's vacant stare now became full and emblazoned with interest. "To where?"
"The Master doesn't even know."
"The orb portals only go so far..."
With a quick jerk of her head, Kaze threw a menacing glare over to her sister. "And because of you, the Master decided not to encode our genes with the properties necessary for clairvoyance." Though it wasn't entirely clear which sister had received which parts of Odosuoni's personality, it was very clear that Hi had been left with feelings of inadequacy, while Kaze took over all the emotions of complete and utter loathing towards one source. For her dead sister, it had been the Master...for Kaze it was her black-haired lesser half. Thinking this over, Kaze continued with her rant, "If it weren't for you, we would be able to intercept them at the high point in their journey."
Hi didn't notice the animosity growing in her sister's demeanor. For her, she accepted the situation as it was with no questions as to how it came to be asked. "But we didn't get it imprinted and have to rely on the orbs at hand. We're here now, let's get on with it...if that's alright with you."
Kaze, mentally backing off her attack, drew out more plans in the sand. Their approach was fail-proof. "Ryoko's pregnant. According to Master, she'll be vulnerable as well as the Juraian." Slamming her palm into the heart of the drawings, the blonde smiled gratifyingly. "We'll attack from both sides, kill them, somewhere seemingly safe."
. . .
Tenchi leaned out the window of their honeymoon suite, resting his elbows on the railing. This planet really was beautiful. It was basically a giant ocean ball, dotted with more continents than could be physically possible to count. As if planned beforehand, a string of them hung so close around the equator that they made the perfect ring around the entire middle of the planet. This belt was tourist central: mountains in the middle, gradually flattening out to the most perfect beaches. Add three suns blazing constantly, and it was deemed the Sun Belt: the perfect place to vacation for both the poor and royalty alike. Unfortunately for them, they were both.
As they had entered the hotel, a gaggle of reporters and Juraian patrons alike swarmed them. Even after four years their adventure to save the Juraian kingdom from a fallen knight named Kagato was still infamous and synonymous with the words Masaki Tenchi.
"So the hero has tied the knot?" one member of the paparazzi was desperately taking notes on an impromptu notepad, (back of his hand, whatever) while another shoved a microphone into Tenchi's face.
He nodded, trying his damndest to be polite even with this intrusion.
Ryoko had pulled the sunglasses down the front of her nose momentarily to study this nuisance before a criminal photographer following a lead recognized her. Both sets of gold and gray eyes widened before he came rushing over with laser camera in hand.
Tenchi, his thoughts harkening back to the moment at the heart monitors, followed her gaze and quickly ducked in front of her, shielding her face from the blast of light with his coat. Stealing a quick kiss of thanks before recovering the rest of her disguise, the prince felt her tremble at the thought of some insensitive reporter ruining her perfect life.
"Don't worry," he barely whispered, then he was pulled apart from his wife by the reporters.
"Don't leave us in the lurch boy," a brusque old humanoid had taken him aside, keeping a firm grip on his starched sleeve. "Tell the Odosus Organizational Gazette who she is."
"I would love to respond, but-"
At that point Ryoko had had enough of these pointless questions. Tenchi was expecting it to come sooner, but to his surprise she had actually shown some tolerance. Dodging between some reporters to avoid the persistent photographer bent on her destruction, she tripped and fell on her side. That had done it. Pissed yellow energy could now be seen flaring in all directions, licking out through the open holes of the group, between arms and torsos, legs and groins.
With this distraction, Tenchi side-kicked the burly reporter with a swing of his left leg and ran over to help Ryoko. The Juraian shield he had been refining since his power growth spurt now took effect, though he had long grown used to that flow of energy, almost warm to her loved one's skin.
That had been some four hours ago. Since then their supposed "disguises" lay strewn about their suite. Ryo-ohki in her cabbit form was safely locked away in the kitchenette with some three barrels of carrots...enough to keep her occupied and satisfied for the rest of the day. Now he turned to look back into the pleasant darkness of the room. His beautiful wife lay asleep in the bed, the sound of her heavy breathing echoing back from the marble walls.
After her little demonstration today, Tenchi doubted how EVIL would triumph over a very much, and very still powerful being such as the space pirate. Why would they think she would be any less powerful with a child growing inside her?
Again that blush. He just couldn't get over the fact that she was two months pregnant. He had seen the picture, heard the heart beat, felt the impact of those infamous "mood swings". But until she started to show...there was no mistaking her with the Ryoko he had first met and loved...still.
Suddenly the figure lying in the sheets moved, reaching a hand out onto the cooling side of the bed where he should have been. "Tenchi,"
He blushed again, running to meet that hand before its caresses alerted the bride that her groom had left her side. Tossing off the complimentary robe, he slid onto the giant king size bed, straight into his wife's arms.
"Tenchi," she whispered again, this time a little more alert and a little less groggy. Her embrace tightened over his shoulders, pulling him closer.
"Shhh..." he ran a hand over her shoulder blades then up the back of her neck. "I'm here,"
"I know you are," she moaned, pulling him over her.
. . .
"Tenchi do we really have to leave the hotel room?" Ryoko pleaded once more, while compliantly pulling on golden sandals.
He sighed. "Yes, I want to continue this 'journey' with you...outside of the bridal suite." He looked around the only place they had been since they had arrived on this planet...some thirty hours ago. It was shameful, yes, but...
"It's been so much fun," she finished his thought for him, coming around from behind on his right, giving a playful tug on his ponytail.
With a smile, he grabbed her hands and twirled her around to face him. "C'mon, let's go before the restaurant closes,"
. . .
"I hear it's very good,"
Ryoko quickened her pace, the faded blue velour dress fluttering against her legs as both wind and momentum moved her past his breast. "The portions are fairly small...you need a lot to fill your plate, much less your stomach."
Tenchi stopped as she continued to walk down the street, a coy smile thrown over her shoulders. "Do you mean this was one of the places you stopped for food?"
She turned suddenly, a smile spread wide over her face. "Surprised Tenchi dear?"
"No, considering just how hungry you were then,"
Right on cue her stomach let out a large growl of protest.
Smirking, Tenchi jogged to catch up with his wife, "Still are," he breathed, catching her around the waist.
"Can I help it if I'm always hungry?" she tried to walk with him glommed on from behind. It didn't work.
. . .
Ryoko had been right. With some ten items ordered to go piled high in front of Tenchi's face, their appetites had been only somewhat satisfied.
"Now where to?" Tenchi turned on his heel to face his wife. Her face was illuminated from forehead and cheekbones by the light of the three moons. "The beach?"
The space pirate stretched and yawned, shaking her head with a somewhat firm "no". "I don't know about that, I have a bad feeling about it,"
"Wha-what?" Tenchi almost chuckled aloud, the comment entirely unexpected from the outgoing person he had grown to love. "What do you mean?"
"I mean I've got a bad feeling," she motioned to the pit of her stomach, "Right here."
With a relieved sigh, he wrapped his arms about her, bringing her so close that their noses touched.
"Tenchi?"
"What?"
"Do you think we could maybe go back to the hotel instead?" she asked hopefully, tracing a little ribbon along his forearm.
"Now Ryoko, I thought we had already talked this over,"
She pulled back, attention caught by two shadows in the outer reaches of her vision. "Now Tenchi,"
He looked at the expression on her face, one of uncertainty and the sudden, familiar feeling of someone watching him. "I agree," he took her by the hand and they soon broke into a run.
But the feeling didn't go away.
. . .
"They know," Kaze whispered to her sister.
"Do we want to try tonight?" her sister's voice was hot and breathy on her bare shoulder.
Kaze nodded. "Definitely,"
. . .
A/N: Yeah, I know I could have split this up into more chapters, but 18 pages isn't that much is it? Especially when you want to know what's going on, right? So yeah, (scratches back of neck sheepishly) I'll just scurry on back to my college homework and lose myself in "The Awakening of Faith".
Please REVIEW if you feel so inclined and yell at me to finally finish this story, 6 years in the making.
It might be just what I need to pass the time on a very long flight I'm hoping to take next year.
Peace and love to all,
Starhopper