Tenchi Muyo!

______

Disclaimer: This episode of Tenchi Muyo! is of my own creation. I do not own any portion of Tenchi Muyo. "Tenchi Muyo!" and all related characters, names, etc. are ©1992-2003 AIC Inc. and Pioneer LDC. All rights reserved.

Note: This story line is a sequel to 'The Darkness Within.' I recommend reading the stories since it is an incredible series and is very well done.

______

The Return to Darkness
Chapter 3:
For the Love of a Goddess

______

Everything seems to be normal, but the former villainous space pirate Ryoko knows that something is amiss. It is a sort of mixture of things, one most notably being Tenchi's sudden maturation, not that she's complaining about him now being more interested in sex. Another thing is that she has the constant nagging feeling that she's being watched, but not by her mother, who she knows has tons of hidden cameras all over the place, but from someone...different. The pirate feels her neck hairs prick up as she feels a pair of unseen eyes gaze at her. She shudders uncomfortably under the extreme emotions the mysterious eyes are placing on her. Whoever is 'looking' at her doesn't seem to be very pleased.

Suddenly, Ryoko is surrounded by darkness. A strange mist forms all around her. Her senses alert her to someone's presence very close by. The pirate turns around and sees a figure covered in shadows. It makes no moves towards her; it just stands there gazing at her. "Who are you?" Ryoko shouts. "What do you want?"

The mystery person still makes no movements. The pirate quickly gets frustrated and flies towards the shadowy figure. To her surprise, the person still stays in the shadows and, therefore, remains unseen even as she gets closer. She stops just a few feet from the person and stares blankly at whoever it is. The figure's eyes begin to glow brilliantly and Ryoko is forced to cover her eyes at how intense the eyes are. A voice hisses out, "You are not worthy..." just before the pirate wakes up.

______

Ryoko quickly sits up and takes in her surroundings. She sitting on the roof of the Masaki home.her home. The sun is just starting to set far off in the horizon. It is about dinnertime. The pirate shakes her head lightly. "That was a weird dream," she mutters to herself. "That person said 'I'm not worthy.' What the hell did they mean?"

"Hey Ryoko," Mihoshi's perpetually cheerful voice calls from below, "Sasami wanted me to tell you that dinner's ready."

"Okay, I'll be right there," Ryoko responds. She teleports down into the dining area where almost everyone else is already seated. She takes her usual spot next to Tenchi and begins to put food down on her plate. She takes a bite and looks over to Tenchi, who is quietly eating his food.

Suddenly, the voice in her dreams speaks to her once more, 'You are not worthy...' it hisses again in her head.

'I am not worthy of what?' she mentally yells. She waits a few moments and after getting no response, she sighs inwardly and continues on with dinner.

Dinner goes by with no problems. Nobuyuki comes walking in about halfway through dinner since it is Friday and he spends his weekends at home rather than his small apartment in the city. He takes his spot at the head of the table and fills his plate with some food and begins to eat.

After dinner is finished, everybody gets up and takes their dishes into the kitchen. Ryoko puts her plate into the sink and teleports outside onto the roof again to think a bit. She pulls out a large bottle of saké from nowhere and takes a small sip. She sighs and gazes up at the now dark sky with the moon and the stars shining brilliantly. "What a day," she mutters to herself.

Just then, the mysterious voice speaks up again, "You are not worthy..."

______

Tenchi walks into the living room. Mihoshi is there, sitting on the large blue couch and flipping through the channels on the television with the remote control. The prince plops himself down next to her. "Is there anything good on?" he asks the blonde GP.

She shakes her head lightly. "Nope Tenchi, just a bunch of reality shows or singing contests."

"But I though you liked those."

"I did, but they got kinda boring," Mihoshi replies while sighing lightly.

Tenchi watches her as she slumps down a bit on the couch. "You know Mihoshi," he begins while shifting his weight to the side, "we never really talk to each other do we?"

The blonde turns her head and looks at Tenchi, her bright blue eyes shining with pure innocence. "I...don't think so Tenchi, I mean we do talk from time to time but it's about little things, nothing really important and we don't talk a lot I mean because you're always busy with school and I have do go out and patrol and such, because is that what you want to talk about?"

It takes the prince a few moments for his mind to register everything Mihoshi babbled out. He smiles lightly at her. "Yes...sort of. What I'm saying is that we never really get to sit down and talk to each other and get to know each other better."

The GP officer quickly covers her face with her hands to hide the blush that has come forth. "Oh Tenchi," she giggles, "I've been waiting so long for you to say that to me. I mean you're always so nice and kind to me, but Ryoko and Ayeka are always around you so I never thought that you'd really notice me and I knew about our destiny together and..." she shakes her head and giggles loudly, "...oh I'm so embarrassed!"

Obviously she misinterpreted what he was saying to her. The prince chuckles lightly. "That's not exactly what I was saying, but anyway, how's it like being a Galaxy Police officer?"

"Oh!" she replies, looking surprised, "okay then! Well, I really like being an officer of the Galaxy Police. It can be very dangerous at times, but I feel so good when I capture and turn in a wanted criminal. I also have Yukinojo and he's a great ship and very fast too! With him around, it's easier for me to do some of the things that I sometimes forget about. One of the best things though is that I'm now closer to my grandpa. Did I ever tell you that he's the grand marshal of the Galaxy Police?"

Tenchi looks mildly surprised. "No, you never did. Was he the one who wanted you to become a Galaxy Police officer?"

"Oh no," Mihoshi replies. "Actually he really wanted me to not join up, but it was something I wanted to do ever since I was a little girl. He made it really tough for me, like having me take a lot of tests and exams and have a lot of really mean and harsh instructors watch over me, but I was able to pass everything and become a Galaxy Police officer."

The prince places a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "Well I'm glad that you were able to do all of that Mihoshi. I for one have always enjoyed having you around here. You're always such a kind hearted and cheerful person. You always lighten up any room you're in."

Mihoshi gazes shyly into Tenchi's deep brown eyes, a light flush still adorning her face. "T...thank you Tenchi," she mutters while pressing her two index fingers together. "I really like being here too."

______

Meanwhile in the kitchen, Ayeka is peeking in the living room, spying on Tenchi and Mihoshi's conversation. Her eyes narrow as Tenchi places a hand on the GP's shoulder and says very nice things to her. 'Why is L...Tenchi being so nice to her all of a sudden?' she thinks quizzically. 'He had better not be becoming interested in her because if he is...' her thoughts are interrupted by Sasami tapping her on her shoulder.

"Ayeka, I thought you said you were going to help me with the dishes!" the younger princess complains, putting on a fake pout.

The crown princess giggles at her younger sister's action. She is always able to get anybody to do what she wants when she starts her 'pouty face.' She shakes her head at the old memories. "Alright Sasami, I am sorry for slacking off in helping you." She walks over to the sink and pats Sasami on the head. "You know that I can never say no to that face."

"I know Ayeka, that's why I always use it on you." She begins to giggle as her sister frowns lightly at her. "By the way, what were you looking at in the living room?"

Ayeka nearly drops the plate she is washing. "Oh...it was nothing. I just noticed Lord Tenchi speaking with Mihoshi, that is all."

"But why did you look so worried?" Sasami asks, her voice sounding different, more mature.

Ayeka pays this no notice as she responds, "I...well I was just concerned that perhaps he might become more interested in Mihoshi and less so in me. I fear that he is becoming bored with me and may try to move on to someone else."

"Don't say that Ayeka!" the young princess shouts, her voice returning to normal. "Tenchi could never be bored with you! He's just being friendly, like he always is."

The elder sister sighs deeply and closes her eyes. A small chuckle escapes her. "You are right Sasami. I should not let fearful thinking take over me like that. I apologize for making you worry. Thank you for clearing my mind." She places the dish she was drying down, turns around and walks out of the kitchen.

Sasami places both of her hands on her hips and gets back into her pouty face. "Ayeka!" she shouts, "what about the rest of the dishes!?"

______

Later that night, everyone has just gone down for the night. Ryoko, not feeling particularly tired, is still lying on the roof, taking sips here and there of the saké bottle next to her. Her mind wanders around everything that has happened around her for the last two months. 'Come to think of it,' she thinks, 'he came up here and drank a bit with me about two months ago. Just a few weeks later, he started going out with me and Ayeka.' She smiles in remembrance. 'I felt like I was in a dream when he asked me out. I did get a little pissed when he also asked out Ayeka, but you can't always win,' she finishes with a chuckle.

A slight breeze blows by, letting her cyan locks fly gracefully to the side. She begins to think heavily again, this time on her most recent chat with her 'mother' about Tenchi's apparent maturation. She suddenly sits up, an all too common lustful smile spreading over her lips. She sinks through the roof and floats down until she is directly over Tenchi's bed. She covers her mouth to stop the giggle that is screaming to come out.

The pirate slowly floats down next to his bed and leans in close to his head. 'If Tenchi's more interested in sex,' she thinks, 'then I think a little wet dream starring just the two of us will help guide him towards me!'

Ryoko leans in even more until her lips are mere centimeters from his ear. She is just about to purr a few suggestive things to him when he moans slightly and his entire body tenses for a moment. The pirate leans back in surprise. Tenchi moans again and his breathing increases. Ryoko's smile becomes very wide. 'He's already having a naughty dream!' she thinks in surprise. 'Washu was right!' She leans back in. 'I'd better make sure that I'm the one he's dreaming about.'

______

Tenchi just entered his lovely wife's temple in his dreams a few minutes ago. The couple decided to forego the casual chat and get right down to their lovemaking. Right now, Tenchi is planting kisses along Tokimi's neck and jaw line, eliciting an occasional giggle or moan from the goddess.

Tokimi's arms are wrapped around her dear husband and are rubbing his bare back. She begins to smile as she feels his kisses slowly lower themselves. Suddenly, something strange happens. For a brief moment, time and space shifted itself and Tenchi and Tokimi are now lying in Tenchi's bed on earth, instead of Tokimi's in her dimension. They then shift back.

The couple halts their progress and look around, both thoroughly confused. "What just happened?" Tenchi asks.

"I...I do not know," Tokimi responds. "It felt as if space and time itself shifted, but this is a dream and that is unable to occur. Unless…" she frowns as a thought comes to her.

"What is it?" the prince inquires while wrapping his arms around his wife's perfect slim form. His eyes go wide as everything changes again. He is back in his bed, but instead of Tokimi sitting next to him, it is Ryoko and she is lying under him with a very sultry smile. "Tenchi," she purrs, "keep going. This feels so good."

Tenchi jumps back in surprise, but just as he was doing so, time and space shifts back and he falls off of Tokimi's bed and lands on the floor. "Tenchi!" the goddess shouts out as her husband slams onto the floor. She is instantly down next to him, helping him to stand up. "Are you alright? Are you hurt in any way?"

"I...I'm fine," the prince responds while rubbing the back of his head. "What's going on? For a few seconds there, I was back in my room and Ryoko was with me."

"Ryoko!?" the Goddess of justice hisses, her eyes flashing dangerously. "This is just as I feared. She must be speaking to you right now while you sleep, no doubt trying to get you to think of her. Unfortunately, your mind cannot be at two places at the same time so it is jumping back and forth between the two. If we do not do something about this..." she is cut off as everything changes again.

Now Ryoko is on top of Tenchi and she is rocking back and forth and is panting very heavily. "Oh...Ten...chiiii..." she moans through gritted teeth.

Everything reverts back once more before Tokimi's Champion and husband has a chance to respond. He grabs his head tightly. "Make it stop!" he shouts. "Make HER stop!"

The goddess places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Yes, your mind could be injured if she does not stop with what she is doing. The only way to get her to stop though is for you to wake up, but you are unable to will yourself to do so at the current moment."

"Can you?" he asks, a slight hint of desperation in his voice.

Tokimi pulls him in and kisses him tenderly on the lips. "Of course I can."

Tenchi wraps his arms around his loving wife. "How about we go and do something after school tomorrow? You know, like a movie or something."

"Alright," she replies while drawing tiny circles over his heart, "it is a date. And if you play your cards straight, you just might get a little extra!" she finishes, her beautiful eyes glittering with mischief.

"I hope so," he replies with a chuckle. His eyes go wide as time and space shift again. He is still under Ryoko, but now she is bouncing up and down quickly, screaming his name out. Just as quickly as he shifted to this dream, he shifts right back to his love. He grabs her shoulders. "Please do it now. I don't think I can take too much more of this."

"Okay darling. I will see you tomorrow at school." Tokimi places two fingers on the prince's forehead and the five black triangles glow momentarily as Tenchi leaves the world of dreams.

______

Tenchi slowly opens his eyes. He immediately notices that it is still dark outside. He also feels warm breath in his ear and a very sultry voice whispering suggestive things into it. It takes his mind a few seconds to recognize the owner of the voice. When it does, he literally flies out of his bed in surprise. "Ryoko!" he shouts, his breathing quick and deep. "What the hell are you doing?"

The pirate is about to respond, but she cocks an eyebrow as her eyes travel downward. A very sultry smile appears on her lips, showing her fangs. Tenchi is about to ask why she isn't answering him when he realizes something and hurriedly gets back into his bed, covering himself with the covers for obvious reasons.

He is about to ask her again, when a thunder of footsteps is heard right outside his door. It slides open and Ayeka comes running in. "Tenchi!" she shrieks, "Are you alright? I heard you shouting and..." she trails off as she notices Ryoko in the room as well. The princess puts her hands on her hips and stares pointedly at the pirate. "I should have known. Just what exactly did you do this time Ryoko?"

"Nothing Ayeka," she responds while shrugging her shoulders. "I was just talking to Tenchi a bit while he was sleeping."

The princess sighs deeply. "I thought you said that you would not bother Lo...I mean Tenchi like you used to anymore."

"Sorry," Ryoko apologizes with a guilty smile. "I guess I let the saké get the better of me."

Ayeka crosses her arms and closes her eyes. "It is alright Ryoko, just do not let it happen again." She turns around and walks out of Tenchi's room, closing the door on her way back to her and Sasami's room.

The pirate begins to float in the air as she turns towards Tenchi, rubbing the back of her head nervously. "I...I'm really sorry Tenchi. Please don't be mad at me."

'You spoiled my special time with my wife demon!' a strange, deep voice screams in his head. The prince quickly shakes those thoughts away. "I'm not mad at you Ryoko," he replies with a small smile. It then turns into a frown. "Just...don't do that anymore, okay?"

"Sure Tenchi. Um...goodnight."

"Goodnight Ryoko." The pirate smiles and teleports out of his room, probably to the roof to finish off her saké. Tenchi sighs and lies down on his bed, staring at the ceiling. 'Well, at least those two didn't get into a fight,' he thinks lightly. 'I'm really proud of the way they decided to make a cease-fire with each other. I'm sure that everyone else, including the house and everything nearby is glad of that too,' he adds with a small chuckle.

Tenchi closes his eyes and tries to go back to sleep, despite everything that has happened to him this night. He begins to think about his lovely wife. 'Her luscious lips, her fair, soft skin, her beautiful amber eyes...wait a minute!' his mind screams while sitting up quickly, 'Did I just think that?' He punches himself slightly on the side of his head. 'Get Ryoko out of your head.' The prince lies back down. "Okay now, think Tokimi, sweet beautiful Tokimi. Luscious lips, soft fair skin, beautiful BLUE and PURPLE eyes, soft, silky cyan hair...DAMN IT!' He sits back up, looking worried. 'I can't get Ryoko out of my head!'

______

Ryoko is lying back on the roof, drinking her saké. A slight smile escapes her at the thought of what she was just doing on Tenchi's room. 'He didn't want to admit it,' she thinks to herself, 'but he was really enjoying what I was whispering to him! I could definitely tell! Oh my Tenchi, soon you will be mine and just mine!'

The pirate closes her eyes and begins to drift off into a joyous, although slightly drunken slumber. Since she fell asleep, she didn't hear the strange, mysterious voice that has been plaguing her all day return to finish its statement, 'You are not worthy...of his love!'

______

Meanwhile in the heart of Tokimi's grand temple, the said goddess is storming around like an angry teenager. "She ruined it!" Tokimi wails. "All I wanted to do was make love to Tenchi, what is so wrong with that? Damn it Ryoko, you are going to pay for that!" She stops her pacing and takes in a deep breath. "Oh dear, I acted quite foolishly. I must learn to control these emotions, they are getting the better of me." She places her hands on her belly, which is now protruding lightly due to the small life growing inside of her. "Besides, I do believe that stress is not a wise thing to go through while one is with child!"

Nearby, the demi god and loyal servant of Tokimi, D3, watches his Lady's emotional rant. 'It is happening,' he thinks to himself. 'With each passing day that child grows in my Lady, she becomes more human.'

To be continued...

______

Author's notes: Ah, Tokimi is changing a lot more than she ever thought she would. How will this unexpected turn of events affect her and Tenchi's relationship? And how will Ryoko and the others respond once they find out the truth? -- lighthawkdemon

Questions or comments? E-mail me at: lighthawkdemon@yahoo.com