Disclaimers: I do not own Tenchi

Chapter Six: Beautiful Under Moonlight

"Ki-kiyone," Tenchi began to laugh nervously. "Wh-what a surprise…"

"Oh I know! We weren't expecting you until tomorrow!" Kiyone exclaimed as she reached them. Her dark blue hair was pulled into a high ponytail, so you could see her shoulders that weren't hidden by the navy spaghetti strap she was wearing. She kneeled next to Tenchi on her beige short clad legs.

"What do you mean 'expecting' Kiyone?" Tenchi was starting to smell a rat.

"Sasami called you yesterday…" Kiyone said, taking on a confused look. Tenchi frowned at her brief explanation.

"When?"

"How should I know," she laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "But I do know Ryoko will be glad." Tenchi paled upon hearing his girlfriend's name.

"R-ryoko?" Tenchi stuttered. He began sweating as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Yes Ryoko…" Kiyone stared curiously at him and his weird reaction. She watched as he exchanged a glance with a girl at the other end of the blanket. "Tenchi… no! She can't be!" Kiyone exclaimed.

"Can't be what Kiyone?" Tenchi cursed himself for his squeaking voice. 'She can't have figured out about Ayeka…right.' He took another glance around, glad that Ayeka disappeared.

"She can't be your mistress!" Kiyone shouted, pointing at Sakura.

"Wha…" Tenchi fell face first into the sand from shock. "No she's not my mistress!" He exclaimed, picking himself up. 'You can't have a mistress without having a wife… and Ryoko and I are not married!"

"Yet…" Kiyone commented, placing a forefinger into the air thoughtfully. 'You just haven't had the guts to ask yet."

"Of course I have guts… I'm just not ready… besides just to let you know Kiyone, if me and Ryoko ever did get married and I had a mistress, which I wouldn't, it sure isn't going to be Sakura."

"Why I never!" Sakura bristled. She was about to show Tenchi how to shut his trap but sudden movement beside her stopped her.

"Any ways, I highly doubt I would even let my girlfriend become his mistress," Daisuke said confidently, wrapping an affectionate arm around her shoulders. Sakura tried to hide the bright blush that began to tint her cheeks.

"Really?" Kiyone raised a curious brow in his direction. "And who might you be?"

"That name's Daisuke," he said in a cool tone, not liking the look he was receiving from her.

"You're kidding?!" Kiyone asked in disbelief, leaning forward, putting her weight on her arms.

"Yes…" His brows shot up in curiosity.

"Than I should be thanking you… well Ryoko wants to thank you!" Kiyone explained excitedly.

"Why would Ryoko want to thank him… and how does she even know him?" Tenchi stared between Kiyone and Daisuke, very confused as to what was going on.

"Because if it wasn't for Daisuke, then Ryoko wouldn't be able to see you!" Kiyone said in a tone as if the teacher was asking what animal went woof.

"How so?" A frown furrowed in his brows, his suspicions of a rat were back.

"Remember I said Sasami called yesterday?" She gave them an expectant look, then continued to speak before they could reply. "Well she spoke with a boy named Daisuke and said that she told him that Tenchi's girlfriend would be at Tatami beach all week. She told me that she asked this Daisuke if he could find a way to get Tenchi to the beach. She explained that if Ryoko saw Tenchi then she wouldn't surprise visit Tenchi. Daisuke had agreed eagerly," she explained briefly from what Sasami told her. When she looked to them, she was confused by their reactions.

Tenchi was glaring angrily at Daisuke for some reason. While the Sakura girl had a look of hurt, anger, revulsion, and betrayal on her face. She shrugged out of Daisuke's grip.

"You liar!" She yelled, standing up. "So this wasn't your idea! Not only that, but you also had Aya nearly found out!" She shrilled at his rising form, clenching her fist.

"Now wait Sakura…" Daisuke began softly, but was cut off as Sakura's hand made contact with his face.

"I don't want to hear anymore of your lies!" She cut him off.

Before anyone could speak, Sakura grabbed her flip-flops and ran off. From the direction she went, Tenchi figured she was going back to the beach house.

"That was awkward," Kiyone commented, breaking the silence. "Who is Aya?" She asked, looking skeptically between Daisuke and Tenchi.

"Sh-she's um…" Tenchi started, scratching the back of his head nervously. He just couldn't find the words to cover up for Sakura's blunder.

"She's my baby sister… she's a very nervous girl and shy," Daisuke lied through his teeth. He looked somewhat disgruntled of Sakura's departure.

"Was she that purple-haired girl that was here before I came?" Kiyone thoughtfully tapped her chin.

"That was her!" Daisuke said brightly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Purple is such a strange hair color… the only person I know with that hair was Ayeka and she went home," Kiyone commented.

"Well blue isn't a normal color either," Daisuke tried to divert the topic. He only earned a glare from Kiyone.

"So… you want to make something of it?" She growled through clenched teeth.

'Man… Daisuke is having no luck with the ladies today.' Tenchi mused, looking at his nervous friend. 'I shouldn't help him out after what he pulled.' Tenchi thought angrily, enjoying the look of his squirming friend under Kiyone's hard look. 'But Ayeka wouldn't like it if I just left like this.' He sighed inwardly.

"I don't think he meant that as an insult Kiyone," Tenchi said, moving between the two. "He's just a little overprotective of Aya and doesn't like people talking about her."

"Oh!" Kiyone breathed in a sheepish tone. "I'm sorry I took offense."

"That's okay, but to mend my broken heart," Daisuke began, clasping both Kiyone's hands in his. "Would you like to go out with me?"

"Huh…" Kiyone blinked her eyes in confusion. Before she could reply, Tenchi excused himself and Daisuke and dragged Daisuke a few feet away by the arm.

"Okay, first off, don't you ever, ever use that pick up line again. Second, when did you become such a womanizer? Lastly, you can't go out with Kiyone," Tenchi said in a voice full of disgust. 'What is up with him?' He thought as he stared at Daisuke's sheepish form.

"What's wrong with the pick up line? Always, and why?" Daisuke replied, ticking the replies off by touching his fingers.

"The whole problem is that you told Kiyone that you were going out with Sakura, then you go and ask her out!" Tenchi shouted in an exasperated tone.

"Oh, I did, didn't I?" He mused in a sheepish voice.

"Wha…" Tenchi stared incredulously at him. "Never mind… I'm going back to Kiyone and have her take me to Ryoko. After we leave, and only after we leave, you will go back and gather the things and go back to the house," Tenchi said in a tired tone.

"Why should I listen to you?" Daisuke asked in a curious tone while crossing his arms over his broad chest.

"Because if you don't, then I'm sure that Sakura will enjoy me telling of that time a couple days back where your hand wandered down to some girl's butt," Tenchi sneered, coming very close to Daisuke's face.

"You wouldn't?" Daisuke hissed.

"I would and will," Tenchi hissed right back.

"Fine," Daisuke grumbled, looking away.

"I know you would see my way," Tenchi said brightly, clamping a hand onto his shoulders. He only received a glare in return. "I'll see you later!" Tenchi called over his shoulder, walking back to Kiyone.

"Aren't you glad that you're going to see Ryoko?" Kiyone gave him a thoughtful look.

"Of course," Tenchi answered, looking into the sky. "It's just a surprise."

"That's what it was meant to be… Your friend… he wasn't serious… right?" She asked nervously, taking a quick glance behind her to see Daisuke packing up the beach supplies.

"The sad thing is… he wasn't joking," Tenchi laughed. "The first time I met him, he was a normal… well, let's just say he didn't act like a lech."

"But he has a girlfriend!" Kiyone said in horror.

"I know… I don't know how Sakura and Aya put up with him," by now Tenchi was practically double over in laughter.

"They have to be pretty strong to… hey Ryoko!" Kiyone suddenly shouted.

Tenchi's head shot in the direction Kiyone was waving in. His jaw nearly dropped from the beauty in front of him. Ryoko ran over to him, waving her arm in the air. She was in a teal bikini where the top tied around her neck and was sweet heart cut and the bottom was held by the ties on both sides. Her long silvery blue hair was blowing in the wind behind her, having her look more angelic.

"Tenchi!" She cried out happily, jumping into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and legs hooked together behind his back. "I've missed you!" She exclaimed before giving him a passionate kiss on the lips.

"I can see that," Tenchi laughed as he pulled away.

"I'm so glad you're here… you're just the thing to cheer me up after that photo shoot!" Ryoko squealed, pulling her head back to look at him. "And Washu lowering my power level isn't any fun, because now I can't blast those jack…" But before Ryoko could finish, Tenchi cut her off with his lips.

'This is where I belong.' Tenchi thought. 'That almost kiss with Ayeka was probably a mistake… yeah a mistake.'

"What are you smirking about?" Ryoko stared curiously into his eyes.

"Nothing… just the thought that I'm standing on the beach with the most beautiful girl in the universe wearing nothing but a bikini," he laughed, hugging her closer.

"Oh you lie!" She laughed jokingly with him, tapping his arm. "But lie some more."

"I'm not lying. It's the truth." Tenchi nuzzled his head into the crook of her neck. "So what do you want to do?"

"Well… Kiyone, what time is it?" Ryoko questioned, turning her attention over to the officer.

"It's about half past four," Kiyone said, looking down at her watch.

"Oh shoot, my break is almost over," Ryoko muttered, looking away. But then she snapped her head up with a bright smile. "How about we meet for dinner… eh Tenchi," she cooed in his ear.

"… sure…" Tenchi answered with a red face.

"Oh come on Tenchi," Ryoko exclaimed, jumping out of his arms. "We've been dating for a while now, grow some balls and quit being embarrassed all the time."

"Yeah, okay…" He said softly, completely missing the insult to his masculinity. "So we'll up at six," he whispered into her cheek. He smiled as he felt shivers down her arms. "now who needs to grow up?" He smirked, pulling away.

"Shut up," she laughed. "Okay, six. Just give Kiyone your address or where ever it is you're staying at!" She called over her shoulder, running away.

"That went well… I haven't seen her that happy in a long time," Kiyone commented, resting her head against her hand.

"Well, I better get going," Tenchi said, heading back the way they came.

"Left foot green!" Daisuke announced. Sakura slowly moved her foot to the nearest green spot.

"Next one!" Sakura commanded.

"Right hand blue!" This time Ayeka did a complicated twist to get her hand into position. "Lef…" Daisuke began again but was cut off by the bell. "I'll get it," he said rushing out of the den.

"Wait!" Sakura shouted out to him. "You could've at least called out the next move!"

"Just wait!" Daisuke yelled back before opening the door. "Ah Tenchi! Good to see you home. How was your girl?" He asked, clapping on his back as he entered the house.

"She's good… So did Princess come home?" Tenchi asked as he leaned against the door-frame and took off his sandals.

"Princess?" Daisuke's brow creased in confusion. "Oh you mean Ayeka."

"Yeah…" Tenchi stretched out his arms.

"Yeah she got home. We decided to play a game," he explained with a perverted grin.

"What's the game?" Tenchi asked, starting to sweat nervously, as he followed Daisuke.

"Twister," he grinned evilly. Tenchi got more nervous, and when they got into the den, Tenchi knew why he was so happy.

There in the middle of the room in awkward positions were Sakura and Ayeka. Ayeka's body was in a weird way, where her bottom half her legs were spread apart and her top twisted nearly all the way around. She was bent low enough so that if looking you could see down her shirt. One arm was practically wrapped around one of Sakura's legs and the other stretched far across the mat. Sakura was bent so her butt was up in the air and her face was almost smothered by Ayeka's stomach. Her shirt was falling so that you could almost see her bra. Her legs were over Ayeka's stomach crossed and one leg was with Ayeka's arm wrapped around and the other kneeing Ayeka in the back.

"Only a lech like you would enjoy this game this much," Tenchi muttered in disgust while shaking his head.

"Daisuke, give out the next damn move before I end the game to kick your ass!" Sakura proclaimed.

"Okay okay," Daisuke said, holding his hands up in a defensive manner.

"Too late!" Ayeka screamed as she fell.

"Ah!" Sakura let out as she went down too. "I win!" Sakura laughed out. Ayeka could only nod her head as she rolled on the floor in laughter.

"Hm-hm," Tenchi cleared his throat. The laughing stopped immediately as both girls' head shot up.

"Hey Tenchi," Sakura greeted as she got up, while Ayeka was wiping away tears of mirth.

"So how is Ryoko?" Ayeka asked curiously, as she took the hand Sakura offered her.

"Ryoko is fine…" Tenchi answered looking away. He wasn't sure how Ayeka reacted Kiyone's sudden presence, besides the whole running away.

"That's nice," Ayeka said softly in a far away voice, she absentmindedly adjusted her shirt.

"So why'd you high tail it out of the beach Princess?" Daisuke joked, nudging her.

"Huh…" The sudden mention of her old 'nickname' startled her. She turned to Daisuke with a confused look and blinked. "Princess?"

"That's what Tenchi called you… I figured it suit you," Daisuke explained offhandedly.

"Then I think Jackass would suit you," Sakura snapped. "Don't you dare think that I forgot that you planned this all with some 'Sasami' girl."

"Sasami? You spoke with my little sister?" Ayeka was getting more and more confused by the minute.

"Your little sister!" Sakura exclaimed, getting in Ayeka's face. "Is she that cute little blue haired girl that was in the picture with you and Tenchi from Wonder Land?"

"Yes… that's her. You spoke with her Daisuke?" Ayeka had turned her undivided attention to Daisuke.

"Yeah… she had called your apartment, and Tenchi was out at the moment. She said that Tenchi's girlfriend was going to be at Tatami Beach for a photo shoot and it would be in Tenchi's best interest to go. She asked me if I could find a way to get Tenchi to the beach. She sounded so cute that I couldn't refuse," Daisuke explained quickly as he eyed Sakura's hands very carefully. But not carefully enough, because he missed the movement that ended with her smacking him upside the head.

"You idiot! You know that Ayeka came to Tokyo to get away from them. So why on the face of this planet would you agree, let alone bring Ayeka?!" Sakura shouted, as she attacked him, her hair coming out of the bun.

"Because she was going to face her family sooner or later! So I decided to help and make it sooner!" Daisuke let out between hits.

"Jackass! You can't push things like this!" Sakura's attacks doubled.

"Ow! Sakura that hurts! Okay, I get it Sakura!" Daisuke shouted, covering his head more.

"I think I'll get something to drink," Ayeka mused, carefully leaving the room, fearing for Daisuke.

"I'll come with you," Tenchi said, but stopped as he thought of something. "Oh and Sakura, a couple of days back, Daisuke greeted a girl by rubbing her backside!" Tenchi called out to the enraged girl.

"Pervert!" Sakura cried as her hits became even harder.

"Dude! You said you wouldn't tell!" Daisuke whined, ducking from an oncoming punch.

"Well you should think before scheming idiot plans like this," Tenchi hissed, leaving for the kitchen. "So how did you know I saw Ryoko?" Tenchi asked as he entered. Ayeka looked up from her magazine for a few moments before looking back down.

"That's where Daisuke said you went when he came back," she answered in a dead tone.

"I have a date with her tonight." Tenchi wasn't sure why he said that.

"Oh… that's nice," Ayeka droned. All Tenchi knew was that wasn't the reaction he wanted. Ayeka looked up again as the noise from the den ceased. "So how do you think Daisuke is… no better yet, how hard Sakura hit him?" Ayeka mused, placing a thoughtful look on.

"Does him being un-conscience answer how hard I hit him?" Sakura announced as she strolled into the room.

Tenchi raced down the stairs wearing khaki pants, a white tee with a red button up shirt over it.

"So what do you think?" He asked as he skidded to a halt in the living room. He spread his arms wide so they could get a better look.

"Suave," Sakura commented with a smile.

"Are those my socks?" Daisuke asked, pointing to his feet. Tenchi gave a sheepish laugh before noticing someone was missing, though before he could question it, a voice behind him stopped the thought.

"Hey good looking," Ayeka cheered as she walked in behind him.

"Whatcha got cookin'?" Tenchi joked turning towards around.

"Hm, I believe this is pizza," she said looking at the pie in her hand. Before Tenchi could retort the doorbell stopped him.

"I'll get it!" He called, going to the door. "Hey Ryoko," he greeted as he pulled it open.

"Hey sweetie!" Ryoko said, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Her hair was pulled into an elegant bun and her black knee length, spaghetti strapped dress had Tenchi drooling. "So you ready to go, I know of this great café!" She exclaimed, pulling on his arm.

"Yeah… okay," Tenchi said, slipping on his sneakers. "Bye guys!" He called back as he closed the door.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" Daisuke yelled.

"Like that really limits his list," Sakura remarked, slapping the back of his head.

"This place is quaint," Tenchi commented as he took a seat.

"I know… isn't it. Kiyone took me here a couple of days ago," Ryoko said, looking around as she took the chair across from him. "So how have you been?"

"Great. School starts the day after tomorrow," Tenchi replied. "So how have you been?"

"Nothing but photo shoots. It gets tiring," she said in an exasperated tone. "Never get a moment of peace… but any ways…I heard Sasami came to visit you."

"Yeah… she just had to come the day after I left," Tenchi muttered. Ryoko laughed at his silliness.

"Yes, but you have to admit it was fun, and she loved the way you took her to the amusement park. Maybe you could take me next time," she said with a suggestive wink. Tenchi just nodded his head, unable to speak. "Good, though Sasami said she didn't get to meet your room-mate. So what's he like?" She leaned on her elbows forward.

"Why, do you want to dump me for him?" Tenchi joked.

"No…. just want to make sure he's not a jerk to you… or I'll have to ask Washu for a favor," she explained, cracking her knuckles.

"No… but he is a lech," Tenchi said, laughing at the beating Daisuke got this afternoon. Came into the kitchen after he woke up all sore.

"Really?" Ryoko's eyebrows shot up.

"Yeah… Aya and Sakura keep him in line though."

"Aya… Sakura?" Ryoko stared suspiciously at him.

"Oh… um… Sakura is his girlfriend and Aya is his sister," Tenchi said nervously, praying silently that Ryoko believed his little lie.

"Huh… Aya… that reminds me… I looked into Sasami's schedule and her birthday falls in with her winter break and I figured as my gift, I could send her to Jurai to see Ayeka. What do you think?" Ryoko squealed.

"Um… well you see… er…" Tenchi didn't know what to say, but the presence of the waitress saved him.

"What would you like to order?" A young waitress came over smacking her gum.

"I win again!" Daisuke shouted, throwing his arms in the air.

"Shut up," Sakura snapped, throwing her oreos at him. "Whose gay ass idea was it to play poker."

"It was your 'gay ass' idea," Daisuke mocked, as he pulled the cookie pot towards him from the middle.

"Shut up!" Sakura yelled as she threw another cookie.

"You keep that up and you'll have nothing left to bet," Daisuke laughed, catching the cookie with his mouth.

"Shut up and where's Ayeka?" Sakura asked, throwing curious glances around the room.

"Cleaning the dishes," Daisuke said through a mouth full of cookie. "She lost out a long time ago."

"Oh,' Sakura said with little understanding, cause all she heard was 'blah blah blah.'

Ayeka was quietly humming to herself as she washed the pizza dishes. It was getting late… and this was the only thing she could think of to keep herself occupied… pathetic ain't it.

'Man, Daisuke eats a lot… he owes me for two boxes of pizza.' Ayeka humored herself, but she knew she wouldn't get he money. 'I'll get it when he gets a job… like that'd ever happen.' Ayeka scoffed.

"It's beautiful out here!" A voice from outside caught her ear. Her head snapped up and she dropped the dish that was in her hand.

She looked towards the beach and there was Tenchi and Ryoko staring lovingly into each other's eyes. Ryoko had her arms wrapped around his neck and Tenchi, his were around her waist. Ayeka could see the glow in Ryoko's golden eyes.

'This is sick… I wonder what will happen next… never mind.' She thought with disgust as their lips locked. She was contemplating on whether she should keep staring or just leave. She chose the latter as Ryoko's head snapped in her direction.

Ayeka hurried out of the kitchen after turning the light off. She rushed to the living room and stopped as she saw Sakura and Daisuke asleep. She smiled as she pulled two blankets out of the coat closet. She crept to the two and covered one blanket over them, then she walked over to the t.v. where she had lain down her family picture from earlier that day. Ayeka then walked to the window where there was a small couch built into the wall. She crawled onto the couch and leaned against the wall where she then covered her knees.

"I wish we could go back to the way things were… where I was oblivious to Tenchi and Ryoko dating… where I kept fighting with her… I still lived in Yokohama," Ayeka said with silent tears going down her cheeks as she stared at the picture of her last night at the Masaki house. "Then again… I probably… still would've left… once they told everyone…" Her voice trailed off as her head hit the window and her breathing slowed. It seemed that Ayeka had once again cried herself to sleep.

Tenchi was walking home after dropping Ryoko off. He remembered that little walk on the beach. She had looked so beautiful with the moonlight glowing on her. That was probably the reason why he kissed her… and felt so at home… of course that all left him when she said they had an audience and he turned to the direction she was talking about and saw a shocked Ayeka.

'Why should I care… maybe because I'm afraid that it'll chase Ayeka away… yeah that's it! I just don't want Ayeka to leave again, after all this time.' He thought happily as he entered into the beach house.

"Hey guys!" He called out into the dark house. His brow furrowed when he wasn't answered. "Guys!"

He slipped off his tennis shoes and moved around. He saw faint outlines of figures in the living room and went to check them out. He smirked as he neared the figures. He found it was Daisuke with his arms wrapped around Sakura's waist. Sakura herself had her head burrowed in his neck and her legs were tangled with his.

Tenchi was about to leave when something by the window caught his eyes. He closed in and gasped as he saw a sleeping Ayeka. He was more baffled when he noticed her tear streaked face.

"I wonder what made you so sad," he whispered as he moved some of her hair behind her ear. He was stunned by how the moonlight shone on her, making her look like an angel… or the princess that she was. "Better move her to a more comfortable place," he mused. He placed one hand under her knees and the other at the small of her back and lifted. He walked across the room and placed her on the couch.

He lifted the picture frame from her gentle grip after noticing it. He fell to the ground and leaned his back against the couch as he stared at the picture.

'Great family… until one of us broke apart.' He thought, gliding his finger against the cool glass. He took a quick glance to the sleeping Ayeka then to the two females standing on either side of him. 'She's beautiful… especially under the moonlight.' He thought sleepily, before his head lolled back and rested against Ayeka's knees.

A/N: Thank you all reviewers. I was so glad to hear that you guys liked my story, because I was worried about how strange it might have sounded. Oh, well, I'm just glad that people want more. It was fun reading those reviews and I want to thank all the reviewers, because that was the most reviews I ever got on the first chapter. Well, I'll try to update faster now that I know the story is liked. Sayonara. Oh and thanks for telling me what author alert is!