Nobuyuki knelt on the mat across from his father-in-law, sipping tea. The inside of the shrine office was still bare of most furnishings, just offering the few items needed to keep things in order. Yosho eyed him from across the table, his gaze unreadable as it often was. He hadn't said much since arriving, hoping that Yosho would be the one to speak first, but apparently his father-in-law had similar plans. Mustering his courage, he cleared his throat in preparation.
"Well, father? Do you think it will work?"
Yosho looked back, and then sipped his own tea without answering.
Nobuyuki continued, "It seems like the kind of thing Tenchi would want. He's afraid of doing anything to upset the girls, he'll want some privacy for starters. Rea and I do need someplace to stay when we come out, the house is much too crowded already. Honestly, the floor here in the shrine isn't all that comfortable, and I don't want Tenchi to have to put any of the ladies out, either."
Sipping his tea again, Yosho finally said, "Mmmmmm. He's still hopeless. It'll take more than that to get him to do anything. He might take advantage of it eventually, but he'll need to decide for himself that that's what he wants."
Nobuyuki sighed and nodded his agreement. "You're right, I suppose. How he can manage it with all those ladies around still amazes me. I guess we'll have to think of something else. I'm going to go ahead and do it any way, though. It'll be nice to sleep in a bed when we come to visit."
Yosho just nodded, then watched Nobuyuki rise and turn to leave. Just before he left, Yosho said, "Perhaps if the girls were to do something to show Tenchi that they really cared." He then raised his glass of tea to his lips again.
Nobuyuki closed the door behind himself as he left, a smile growing on his face as an idea formed.
--
Washu skipped through her monitor logs, the device set to auto-pause every time Ayeka or Ryoko made an appearance. So far she had observed nothing unusual about the two, they both seemed to be around Tenchi whenever he wasn't busy. That was hardly unusual. There was nothing to indicate any machinations towards Kiyone yet.
She scanned forward some more, and something started tickling the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite place what was bothering her. Just more of the same, Ayeka and Ryoko hanging around Tenchi as often as possible. There just wasn't anything unusual about the two of them being around Tenchi, and they were completely ignoring Kiyone for the most part. They hadn't done anything even remotely interesting in all of the logs that Washu had looked through, in fact. Nothing interesting from those two meant...
Washu leaned forward, watching the two even more carefully. Her excitement grew as she watched the monitor a bit longer, she knew what it was they were up to finally. A smile formed, and her strange cackling laugh escaped without her conscious thought.
Washu spoke to herself quietly, "Well, well, I see now. You two hope that by working together for a while, you'll be able to find out what Tenchi wants. Then you'd be able to leave the rest of us behind and work on him with an advantage. It's actually not a bad plan, and it might have worked if I weren't the genius that I am."
Washu cackled again, and sat back to consider what to do. The most obvious thing was to make sure she found out whatever it was that they found out. But to really make the two pay for their scheming, it would be even better if everyone found out whatever they did, but without it being obvious that Washu was the reason everyone found out.
Washu glanced at her monitor again, and saw Ryoko and Ayeka looking excitedly down from the stairs at Tenchi sitting in the living room with his father. This might be it, the moment those two were after, now the best thing to do was to somehow get everyone else out there as well.
She flipped through the screens, checking where everyone was. Mihoshi and Ryo-Ohki were napping in Mihoshi's room, and interestingly, Kiyone was in the onsen with Sasami. That wasn't important right now, but getting everyone out to spoil Ryoko and Ayeka's plans was.
Washu clicked a few keys, orienting one of her doorways on the onsen so she could make a quick trip without warning her two victims. Once more her cackling laugh sounded, as Washu disappeared through the door.
--
Nobuyuki rang the doorbell to the house, waiting before entering. He really didn't have to, it was still technically his house, but he'd decided when he moved back to town that he'd give the family a bit of independence. Tenchi opened the door, and was obviously surprised by his father's presence.
"Dad, what brings you out here? I wasn't expecting you at all until maybe the weekend. Well, come in, the girls are all off doing something, so we can talk in the living room if you want? I'll make some tea."
"No, Tenchi, I'm only here for a little bit. I wanted to stop and say something to you and father though. I have a little news, and I thought your grandfather should be the one to say yes or no. I already had some tea with him. Come on, let's go sit down. We never get to talk, just you and me any more."
Tenchi walked into the living room, leaving the comfiest seat for his father and instead sitting on the couch. Once they were seated, Tenchi said, "So, you have news then?"
"Yes, son, I do. I've been thinking a bit, and well, this house is even more crowded than ever. Rea and I like to come and visit, but when we do it causes quite a disturbance. Someone gets moved out of their room and into another girl's. It's not fair to any of you."
"You're not saying you're not coming to visit any more, dad?" Tenchi's face showed his concern.
"No, no, son. That's not it," Nobuyuki chuckled. "No, what I mean is that I'm going to build a little house down the shore a ways, kind of a guest house, so Rea and I can come visit when we want to, without worrying."
"Oh... That's a good idea dad. You know you're welcome to stay here of course, but I'm sure the girls will be happy they don't have to shuffle around from now on. Are you sure that's what you want to do? Why not just put another addition on this house?"
"Ah, well, you know, it's kind of nice to have a little privacy, if you know what I mean?" Nobuyuki laughed as Tenchi's face turned bright red. "You know, you could probably put it to use yourself, when we're not visiting. A quiet dinner with one of the girls, a little romance...."
"DAD!"
Tenchi's face had grown redder, and it was evident from his voice he didn't want to talk about those kinds of things with his father. Nobuyuki chuckled some more, and moved on, knowing Tenchi was going to avoid any more conversation along those lines. "Well, son, what do you think? It's okay with you then?" Tenchi nodded. "Good, I think I'll get started on the plans. Actually, I was wondering if you might ask Miss Washu if she could handle the actual construction? It'll go up a lot faster that way, and it might save us a bit of money."
"Uh, sure, I guess I can do that. You'll have to check it out when she's done to make sure she doesn't make any 'improvements' to it though."
"Fine, fine. I'm glad, Tenchi. It'll be nice, we'll probably come visit on Sundays more often." Nobuyuki reclined, and his eyes focused off into space for a while. "Do you think your mother would approve, Tenchi?"
--
Washu walked into the onsen quietly, curious what the two ladies might be talking about. She wasn't going to listen for long, but it never hurt to keep your ears open. Most important was getting them out, though.
"So you're gonna be a goddess some day, then? First a princess, then a goddess. I'm not sure, but I think I might be jealous." Kiyone laughed at the sheepish look from Sasami. Neither noticed Washu entering the onsen.
"Well, I suppose you could say that. I never think about it that way, though. Right now I just like being here and cooking dinner for everyone, and I really don't know when I'm going to merge with Tsunami, that could still be a long ways away." Sasami adjusted one of the bags holding her long ponytails out of the water, avoiding Kiyone's gaze.
"Well, ladies, I hate to break this up, but I need to let you know that I'm shutting down the onsen for a bit of maintenance. Chop, chop. Everyone out." Washu stepped out into sight of the other two ladies. She had on a grease-stained jumpsuit, as if she had actually been doing some real work somewhere.
Kiyone said, "What? But we just got here, Little Washu. That's not fair." Kiyone and Sasami both stood up, their bathing towels plastered against their bodies.
"Well, you can stay in the water if you want, but don't complain to me when the gallons of cleaning solution come shooting down on top of you." Washu turned, and headed for a small door which appeared from nowhere. Kiyone and Sasami were left looking at each other, and after a few seconds, both glanced up to see a couple dark openings appear above them. They quickly scrambled out of the water, and raced into the entryway where their clothes were neatly piled.
"Geesh, she doesn't wait around for arguments, does she?" Kiyone asked.
"Not usually. Washu doesn't believe much in wasting time without a good reason. Well, I guess we dry off and go back, then. Hopefully she'll get it fixed up quick, maybe we can come back later." Sasami looked back out at the water, shivering as a torrent of red liquid came shooting down and into the pool. "I suppose I can put together a snack for everyone."
The two quickly got changed and headed back for the house. They had almost reached the top of the stairs when they noticed Ryoko and Ayeka crouching and leaning against the walls. It was obvious that they were listening to something going on below.
Sasami began a question, "Ayeka? What are you...?"
Ryoko and Ayeka jumped, and both turned and shushed her immediately. Then they both turned and peaked out to see if anyone below had noticed. They visibly relaxed as apparently they were unnoticed. Ayeka signaled Ryoko to continue listening with a nod of her head, then turned to Sasami and Kiyone.
"Shhh. Tenchi's talking with his father about his mother," Ayeka whispered.
Sasami's eyes widened, then they hardened in anger. "You shouldn't be eavesdropping, that's a private conversation. Why I ought to...." Sasami quieted as the voices started reaching her and she realized what was being said. Her eyes softened and she leaned in close to Ayeka, forgetting that she didn't approve.
Kiyone watched as the three all went back to listening, and with a look of distaste, turned and headed back for the room she shared with Mihoshi. She walked in and barely stopped herself from banging the door shut when she saw Mihoshi and Ryo-Ohki napping in complete disarray. Mihoshi was hanging off the side of her futon, and Ryo-Ohki had burrowed her way into a pile of bedclothes on Kiyone's. Kiyone picked up the small cabbit and dropped her on her sleeping partner. She was working on rearranging the covers on her futon when Mihoshi woke up.
"Errrgghh! Oh, hi Kiyone. Mmmm, what a great nap. You too, Ryo-Ohki?" Mihoshi started scratching the cabbit's ears, the cabbit blissfully resting in her lap.
"Do you ever do anything except nap, Mihoshi? Or maybe you should be out there with your friends spying on Tenchi. I thought the people in this house were a little strange, but I never realized how rude they were. What's the big deal any way? So he's talking about his mother, big deal."
Kiyone continued rearranging her bed, unaware of the change coming over Mihoshi. Her eyes had gone wide, and her hands were rubbing together. Mihoshi asked, "They're all out there? Oh my." Mihoshi turned and looked at the door, and not saying anything else she quickly hurried out. Kiyone just watched her leave, shaking her head. She turned back around to find the cabbit once again burrowed up into her bedclothes.
"Aauuggh! Oh, whatever, enjoy the nap you little furball. I suppose you don't realize any better." Kiyone just sat down at the table, and picked up a book she'd started reading since moving into the house. They did have a good collection of books to choose from, even if it was mostly primitive stuff unaware of the galaxy outside.
--
Washu smiled as she saw Mihoshi finally join the others in the hallway. Now everyone would hear whatever it was Tenchi had to say. She sat back in her chair, listening in herself. Fortunately for her, she could do so from the comfort of her own lab, she didn't need to try and hide in the hallway like the rest.
Tenchi's voice drifted through her terminal, "I wonder sometimes what she'd think of the current situation, don't you, dad? I mean, how many mothers would approve of their son sharing his house with six beautiful alien women, and a spaceship that turns into a little girl?"
Nobuyuki answered, "I'm not sure exactly what your mother would have said, but I do know this. She would have trusted your judgment, just like we all do, son. She'd have known you were trying to do what you thought was right."
"Thanks, dad. I sure do miss her. I should put some flowers on her grave, it's about time I went out there again. I try and remember to, but sometimes I get so busy. Boy, it would sure be nice if I had some of those flowers mom used to like. What were they?"
"Hydrangeas."
"Yeah, that's right. It's probably too early for those, though. I couldn't find those anywhere but a botanical garden right now. The closest one would be in Okayama itself, I suppose. It'd take a whole day to get there and back." Tenchi leaned back with a sigh.
Washu changed her view to the ladies, and saw a look coming over Ryoko. She smiled, obviously her daughter had the idea she was looking for. It would be interesting to see what else might develop. The sound of sadness in Tenchi's voice again brought her focus onto he and his father.
"Do you remember that meal she used to make for me on my birthdays? I haven't had that in a long time. What was it again? I remember the octopus and noodles."
"I'd have to ask Rea, son, I'm sure she remembers better than either of us."
"Yeah, I suppose she would. What would we have done without her when mom passed away?" Tenchi shook his head slowly.
"Starved?"
"Ha, ha." Tenchi paused, obviously thinking some more. "I only kept a few things to remember her, and even those I'm having trouble with. That book of poetry she loved so much? I can't find it any more." Washu felt the tears forming in her eyes as she watched Tenchi reminiscing, the loss evident in his voice. "Just about the only thing I have to remember her by any more is that lavender yukata she used to wear. And that's so beat up now that I feel guilty when I look at it. You still remember her better than that, don't you dad?"
Nobuyuki didn't answer for a long time. He sighed before answering, "I probably do, son, but I have a lot more memories of her than you. Mine are starting to fade a bit, too. It's inevitable, even though we don't want it to be that way. I still have some of my fondest memories of her, those will never go away. When we first met, our first date, our first kiss, our wedding, having you... Well, you get the idea. I'll always remember her, even if I don't remember everything about her." Nobuyuki stood up, rubbing the back of his head. "Well, you know, I really should be leaving. I just wanted to tell you about the house and all. I need to get home, Rea will be wondering what happened to me."
"Okay, dad. Thanks for stopping. Tell Rea hello for me. Goodbye."
Tenchi and his father just faced each other for a while before Nobuyuki finally turned to leave. "Goodbye, son."
Tenchi sat on the couch thinking for a while after his father left. Memories of his mother always made him happy and sad at the same time. He couldn't remember anything about her that didn't bring a smile to his face. That was part of the problem, he knew he'd loved her so much the loss was terrific. Living with only his father and grandfather hadn't been conducive to mourning her, either. Wiping away the tears which were fighting to escape his eyes, he got up to head for the porch. He liked looking out over the lake when he was reminiscing.
Washu wiped the tears off her cheeks, and again focused her monitor on the girls. She could see the tears on everyone's cheeks, or at least in Ryoko's eyes. Mixed with those tears was a look of hope in every pair of eyes. Washu smiled, apparently Ryoko's and Ayeka's plan was going to work. It was just going to work even better than they planned.
--
Comments and Criticism definitely wanted. It's hard to improve without it.