Chapter Seven
Tenchi awoke from a dreamless doze, to complete pitch black. What the...?
The first thing he noticed was the hooting, chirping sounds of wildlife all around him. He was definitely not in his room.
He felt dirt beneath him, and then heavy warmth pinning him to the forest floor, a pair of arms wrapped possessively around his waist.
Then came the definite smell of female. Uh oh.
He nudged the dozing form gently by the shoulder. "Sakuya?" he whispered. "Is that you?" It had sure as hell better not be anyone else, he thought.
"Mmmmm hmmm," she mumbled, stirring a little. She lifted her head from his chest, and looked up at him. He could barely make out her features in the darkness.
She kissed him. "Hey," she whispered.
Tenchi was suddenly very nervous. He was only slightly relieved to find, as his eyes adjusted to the dark, that they were both fully clothed. He was still afraid he might put his hand on the ground and discover some discarded undergarment.
"Sakuya," he whispered drowsily, sitting up as she moved away from him. "Did we...?"
"Sleep together?" she finished with a soft chuckle. "Yep. But don't worry, sleeping was all we did."
Tenchi nearly hyperventilated with relief. "Jeez, Sakuya, don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry," she laughed softly. "But you're just too much fun to tease. We didn't do anything, but you make a great pillow! Hey, what time is it?"
Tenchi squinted at his watch, trying to determine the position of the luminous hands.
"Looks like about one-thirty in the morning," he said, standing. "We'd better be getting home, or we won't be able prove our innocence to anybody."
-
"So," Ryoko mentioned casually as she slid into the steaming water later that morning, "I guess you and Tenchi, *ahem*, settled your differences, if you get my drift." She punctuated the remark with an evil smirk.
Sakuya rolled her eyes as she secured the towel against her bosom. "It wasn't like that," she grumbled, entering the tub. "We were just kissing, and we fell asleep in the woods. That's all." She had been through this conversation already, with Miss Washu, and was in no mood to have it again. But at least Ryoko and Kiyone would not subject her to a battery of painful, demeaning tests to prove the truth of her words.
"You sound disappointed," Kiyone joined in with a snicker from her spot next to Ayeka, adjusting her towel beneath the water.
"I am not!" Sakuya objected, blushing even as she did so. "Well, maybe a little," she conceded. "But Tenchi respects me, and that's what's really important to me."
Ryoko had already thought up another adult-rated response, but Kiyone broke in before she could say anything. "So, now that you two are back together, when are you going to finally make a commitment, huh?"
"Commitment?" Sakuya repeated, confused. "Well, we're kind of already committed..."
"Of course you are, but that's not what I mean. You can't just date each other for the rest of your lives."
"Oh," she said, with a look of understanding on her face. She thought about both of the topics around which their recent quarrel had revolved. "Well, we've talked about marriage a little, but--"
"NO!!" Ayeka suddenly shouted; Ryoko nearly jumped out of her skin. "I forbid it!"
"Excuse me?" Sakuya demanded, looking at Ayeka as if the princess were completely insane.
"What's the matter with *you*?" Ryoko asked Ayeka.
"Did you not listen to a word I said?" Ayeka shouted angrily at Sakuya, referring to yesterday's conversation. "Lord Tenchi is not available to you! You do not understand the situation, and I cannot explain it to you in a way you *would* understand. Suffice it to say that I have only grudgingly permitted the two of you to have a relationship at all. I will not go so far as to allow you to marry him." With that she folded her arms and tossed back her head in a clear indication that she would brook no further argument.
But Sakuya was angry, and as Tenchi had learned, her bad side was not a pretty thing to see. She was not about to back down now.
"And just who do you think you are?" she demanded. "His mother? Tenchi has every right to run his own personal life, and if he ever asks me to marry him, I will! Don't you *ever*--"
"Sakuya!" Ryoko barked, stopping her friend's furious ranting. "Get a grip! And you," she turned to Ayeka, "lay off her for once. She hasn't done anything to you."
"I'm clean enough now," Sakuya snapped, climbing out of the tub. She quickly threw her clothing on and left the room.
-
Tenchi was out back, digging through the tool shed for his farming implements. He looked back over his shoulder, and smiled when he saw Mihoshi, in a lawn chair on the back step, lounging in the sun. Her eyes were covered by a pair of mirror-style shades, but he knew she was watching him.
Since their little encounter so long ago, he and Mihoshi had developed a surprisingly comfortable relationship. Although that night had been a mistake too monumental for words, it had created an emotional attachment between them that was difficult to describe. They did not have romantic feelings for one another, and yet shared a kind of relaxed intimacy that went beyond casual friendship in a way few people could ever understand.
"Be careful," Tenchi called. "You don't want a sunburn."
She smiled at his remark. It was an inside joke; Mihoshi had a tan so dark that, combined with her strawberry blond hair, it could easily have caused her to be mistaken for a Californian.
"Tenchi?" she called as he headed past her, toward the field.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you and Sakuya are back together."
"Thanks. So am I." Sensing a longer conversation in the works, he put down his plow and watering can, and sat down on the porch next to her chair. "I suppose we never really broke up." He shrugged. "It was just a fight, everyone has them."
"I know," she agreed, removing her shades, "but this was your first really big one and...well, I'm glad you got through it. They say the first one is always the worst."
"I hope that's true," he laughed. "Boy, you wouldn't think she could yell like that, just from a first impression. She's usually so sweet and shy." He turned to her and smiled. "She's alot like you, you know."
She blushed. "Tenchi!" she said quietly, fingers over her lips.
"Relax, I'm not flirting with you," he said. "Good grief, Sakuya would kill me. But seriously, you two have a lot in common; I'm surprised she didn't take to you quicker than she did Ryoko and Kiyone. Well, opposites attract, I guess."
A shadow appeared on the porch, and Tenchi turned around to see the subject of the conversation, her hair still damp and mussed from the onsen. "Sakuya," he greeted, beaming. "We were just talking about you. Have a seat." He patted the deck next to him.
But she shook her head, a tight-lipped expression on her face. "We need to talk," she said, her voice neutral.
Tenchi's stomach fluttered. *Oh, boy, not again.*
"Uhhh, sure," he stammered, trying to sound casual. He gathered his things and stood. "Walk with me."
-
She was silent for a long time as they walked, the great brown field looming in the distance.
Finally she stopped, and turned to him. "You lied to me," she accused.
"What?!" Tenchi blurted. "Lied to you? About what? What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded.
"Well," she backtracked, "I suppose it wasn't lying, exactly. But you're not telling me the truth, either."
"I...I don't know what you mean."
"It's Miss Ayeka," she explained, more calmly. "She keeps saying you're not available, like there's...is there someone else, Tenchi?"
Oh, hell. Tenchi vividly remembered her reaction the last time she thought he was cheating on her. Seeing her angry was one thing, but to see tears in her eyes was a thousand times worse, especially when he thought they might be his doing. Fortunately, it was an easy question to answer.
"No," he replied succinctly, looking her dead in the eyes. "The only person I'm taken by is you! I love you, Sakuya, and no one else."
"Then what in the world does that mean? How are you not available?"
Tenchi's eyes widened when he realized what she was talking about. Oh boy, how to explain this? Hey, guess what, sweetheart? I'm the crown prince of another planet! Want to go get lunch?
He thought for a moment, then slowly drew Tenchi-ken from his belt, and ignited the firey blue blade.
Sakuya examined it dubiously. "Well, that's really cool, but what does it have to do with my question?"
Tenchi extinguished the blade, and hefted the hilt in his left hand. "Well, it's not really mine," he began. "It was sort of entrusted to me, by Ayeka's family."
"You know her family?" Sakuya asked. "But isn't she some kind of princess or some--ohhhh..."
Tenchi watched her green eyes widen as she put two and two together. She nearly choked on the next sentence. "Your...fiancee?"
"No. She was supposed to be, but it was an arranged marriage, and I never agreed to it." He spent the next few minutes telling her about Jurai, the current uncertain future of that planet's government, and his preemptive abdication of the throne and its lofty responsibilities. He turned his back to her, looking out at the field. "Nobody tells me how to run my life, Sakuya, no matter how powerful or political they are." He turned again, and gazed at her with a warm smile. "I love this planet, and I love you. I'm not going anywhere without you."
"But why didn't you tell me all this in the first place?" she demanded.
"Are you kidding? Isn't it obvious, Sakuya? I thought you would never believe me. I'm shocked that you actually do!"
To Tenchi's great surprise, she broke up laughing.
"What's so funny?" he asked, somewhat irritated.
"*That's* supposed to be a weird story?" She was still laughing intermittently. "So, you're a prince, of another planet! I'm an immortal being from another *dimension*, Tenchi, I can believe stranger things than that!"
That caught Tenchi off guard. He looked at the ground, thoroughly embarrassed. "I...I completely forgot about that. I guess I owe you an apology."
Her demeanor gradually became serious once more. She stroked his shoulder, looking up at him. "Do you...feel anything for her?"
He shrugged. "I guess I had a bit of a crush on her when we first met, but that was before you." He gave a small chuckle. "She's not really my type, anyway. Come on." He started again toward the field, motioning her to come along.
"I won't get mad, you know," she assured with a chuckle, giving him a conniving look. "I'm just asking. Come on, admit it. You at least think she's pretty?"
Tenchi began pulling up a row of carrots. "Sure," he said, not looking up from his chore, "she looks okay. Ryoko is pretty darn attractive, too. And Ayeka has a lot of money and power." He shook his head as he dumped the load of vegetables in the basket. "But it takes more than that."
"Indeed it does," a childlike voice put in from the treeline. Tenchi looked up to see Yugi, once again a strikingly pretty little girl. "And that is something both of you have done well to recognize, given your young age."
"Hey, Yugi," Tenchi greeted with a smile. "Glad to have you with us. How long will you be staying?"
"Until Tuesday," she answered laconically. "Sakuya, could you excuse us for a moment, please?"
Sakuya gave a nonchalant shrug, and departed for the house.
"So, why the little kid again?" Tenchi inquired.
"I like this form for meaningful conversations," she explained. "It seems to have a greater impact on my listeners."
Tenchi placed the basket of vegetables on the ground. "Um, Yugi," he said quietly, "I'm sorry I never really thanked you properly for bringing Sakuya back. She means the whole world to me. I guess our relationship isn't exactly perfect, but I could hardly stand myself after she left."
"Mmmm," Yugi mumbled thoughtfully, in a way that reminded Tenchi very much of his grandfather. "Now, isn't that an interesting coincidence? It is Sakuya that I wish to talk to you about."
Tenchi scratched his scalp, clearly puzzled. "What about her?"
Yugi's smile disappeared, and her demeanor became very business-like. Her icy eyes bored into him. "I brought her back for a reason, Tenchi. A certain, ah, stipulation, if you will. I didn't tell you about it that night because I thought it would already be understood. It would seem I was mistaken."
Tenchi gave no outward sign, but he bristled mentally. He did not appreciate the implication that he was stupid.
"You have a decision to make, Tenchi. And you will need to make it quickly. Now, I do not intend to threaten you, but for your own sake, you must decide where your relationship with Sakuya is, regarding the depth of your feelings for one another, and where it will go from here.
Sakuya is going to bear a child, a gift both to her and to you. She is emotionally fragile as it is; I will not see her forced to raise that child alone."
"But, I..." Tenchi began, searching desperately for the right words. "I love her, I know that for sure. She's mentioned us getting married before." He shook his head. "She's not ready."
"Then you must prepare her, just as Washu is preparing her to be a mother." Yugi insisted. "You have eight months; that should be plenty of time."
When he gave no reply, her expression softened. "You say that you love Sakuya, and I think that is true. Do you believe she loves you? Tenchi, I know how badly you want this, but something is holding you back. I don't know what it is, but I know that all your life you have feared commitment. The time for that is over." She held out her hand, and in her palm was a small gold object. "I have even covered your expenses. All you have to decide is whether or not you will go through with it, and if so, the time and place."
Tenchi took the engagement ring and pocketed it. "Thanks, Yugi. I'll... think about it."
-
As the blistering hot water pounded away at his skin, pressure-washing the dirt and sweat from his body, Tenchi continued to ponder Yugi's request. The thought was almost too daunting to wrap his mind around. Propose to Sakuya? After he had turned down the exact same proposal from her, told her she was not yet able to handle a marriage? Surely he would look like a total fool.
But Yugi had made it very clear that if he could not offer Sakuya a permanent relationship, then she, Yugi, would find someone who could. The thought of another man's hands on Sakuya made him want to run downstairs right now and give her that ring.
But that was foolish, of course, he thought as he entered his room and began dressing. He was hitching his pants up when he caught a small flash of light out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey, handsome," the familiar sultry voice said.
"Hi, Ryoko," Tenchi said, without even turning around. "You must be in a good mood today." Or a little drunk, he added silently as he worked the towel across his back. It was one of the few times in the last two years that Ryoko had done anything remotely related to flirting with him.
"A hot bath and a cold drink works wonders for me," she said, sprawling out in Tenchi's desk chair. "Not to mention seeing Ayeka get really blood- boiling pissed. That works every time."
"What's Ayeka upset about?" Tenchi asked absently, digging in his pocket for the ring Yugi had given him. Shouldn't have left that in my jeans, he thought. Lucky it didn't get washed.
"Long story," she laughed. "Let's just say it involved her and Sakuya."
Now there's a big surprise, Tenchi thought, allowing himself a smirk as he proceeded to fasten his zipper, while holding on to the ring at the same time. The effort proved a little too clumsy, however, and it slipped from his grasp, the metal band clinking on the floor.
Tenchi gasped, when he saw Ryoko staring at it. "On second thought," Ryoko muttered, eyes glued to the floor, "maybe I'll just make it short."
Tenchi gave a defeated sigh. "It's for Sakuya. Please, Ryoko, don't tell anyone!" he begged. "It was Yugi's idea. I don't know if I'll even go through with it. I don't know how the others would react, especially Ayeka."
"Relax, will ya?" Ryoko admonished. "I won't tell anybody. Unless that thing is for me, of course," she teased, then turned serious again. "Speaking of secrets, what I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room, got it? Look, me and the girls were down in the onsen today, right? And Kiyone mentioned to Sakuya the possibility of you popping the question."
"Uh-huh," Tenchi nodded.
"Well, Ayeka threw a fit. She jumped all over the girl about how you were off limits. Sakuya jumped right back and swore that...well, long story short, if you're gonna give her that ring, the time is now."
Tenchi bent down and picked up the ring, then turned his back to her, gazing out the window. "That's what Yugi said." He gave a long sigh. "I just don't know, Ryoko. It all seems too fast."
"What do you mean, too fast?" Ryoko asked. "You've known Sakuya since college. What's really going on, Tenchi? She's not upset about the whole Mihoshi thing, is she?"
Tenchi turned quickly and looked at her. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"You did tell her about Mihoshi?" she asked, a horrified look on her face.
Tenchi did not reply. He looked at the floor.
"You idiot!" Ryoko shouted, leaping out of the chair. "You slept with the girl, you're getting ready to propose to her, for God's sake! And you weren't even planning on telling her you're not a virgin?! What if you had gotten Mihoshi pregnant or something?"
"It doesn't matter!" Tenchi shot back. "It was just a one-night stand! It happened ages ago. If Mihoshi had gotten pregnant, she'd have had the baby by now; I think it would be pretty obvious. Besides, telling Sakuya wouldn't accomplish anything, it would just make her upset."
"I don't care!" Ryoko insisted. "Who knows? Maybe she would kick you in the cherries; I wouldn't blame her. Or maybe she'll understand, Tenchi. Whatever happens, you owe it to Sakuya to take your chances and tell her about this."
"You're right," Tenchi said. He gave her a worried look. "I should be willing to trust her."
-
"You did WHAT?!"
"It was a long time ago, Sakuya! Look, there is nothing going on between me and Mihoshi. It was one time, and it was the biggest mistake of my life! We both swore it would never happen again..."
He trailed off, because she started chasing him around the living room, pounding on his shoulders and back with her fists. "You stupid, stupid JERK!! You could have" WHACK "told me" WHACK "that you slept" WHACK "with another girl!!"
"Obviously not!" Tenchi shouted back, then reproached himself for being a smartass. He finally turned and faced her, expecting another rain of blows. Instead, he saw her fury quickly turning to tears. He immediately reached out to her. She would not let him touch her, but she appeared ready to listen.
"You had better have a damn good explanation," she cursed, a habit acquired from Ryoko.
"I do," he promised. He sat on the couch. Sakuya remained standing, her arms folded in a clear gesture of impatience.
"It happened right after you...well...went away," he began.
-
Two years earlier
Tenchi hated hospitals. They were all depressing, and the enormous, high- quality facility in Kurashiki was no exception. With him in the waiting room sat Ryoko and Ayeka, and a glassy-eyed Mihoshi, the stickyness of tears still visible on her face.
Kiyone would make it, the doctors had told them initially, but she wouldn't be the same for a long time.
The Masaki family still did not know all the details of what had happened, only that their resident Galaxy police officer had been shot in the performance of her duties.
The worst part was actually seeing her. Tenchi winced when he entered room 1241 of the north wing. God, how many bullets had she taken?
Kiyone's left leg and chest were swathed in bandages, and she was barely conscious because of all the drugs, but she was awake enough to notice his presence. She managed a weak "Hey."
He said nothing, but took her hand and sat next to her bed for a long time.
At home late that evening, Tenchi was solemnly preparing for bed when heard the knock on his door. A tan face and a heap of blond hair appeared around the edge.
"Can I come in?" Mihoshi asked.
Tenchi would later wonder why she had sought comfort from him--he was himself still grieving over the week-old loss of his first love, Sakuya. Perhaps Mihoshi found Ryoko and Ayeka too steely and hard-nosed; she didn't really know Washu or Sasami very well, despite having lived with them for so long.
He held out his arms, and she stepped into his embrace. He held her gently, and they took comfort from each other's closeness. Eventually he began to feel a stirring in his belly that he knew he should not be feeling. The reasonable part of his brain told him that it was just a physical reaction, from being so close to a female, and that the whole family would be best served if he studiously ignored it. But when they separated, it was only by a few inches. Tenchi watch her face as her eyes came to rest on his lips. She feels it too, he realized.
"This...Mihoshi, this isn't a good idea," he stammered.
"I know," she whispered. "I don't care."
Despite every alarm blaring away in his brain, he found no will to resist her as her lips touched his. Her kiss was soft and gentle, and he found himself drawn into it, addicted to the sensation of making out with her. He knew he should stop this right now, but he kept putting it off. Just one more second, he kept telling himself, just one more second, and I'll end it.
But one more second found her hands straying toward the waistband of his jeans, and reason abandoned him. Oh, God, he couldn't stand this anymore. He needed comfort, too. It need not have been sexual, but sex would certainly fit the bill, and temptation would not let him say no.
She leaned against him, and he let himself tumble onto the bed with her. What followed was the most fast and furious three minutes of Tenchi Masaki's life. He had fought Kagato and nearly lost his life, he had run from a wrathful Ryoko and Ayeka as they chased him and Sakuya down the streets of Tokyo, firing energy blasts at the hated couple all the way. But for all that, he had never experienced anything as wild and frantic as making love with Mihoshi Kuramitsu.
They were all over each other, kissing and groping, sending clothing flying everywhere. When it was all over, Tenchi looked down at the naked blonde in his arms, and experienced a feeling of self-loathing so intense it was nearly suicidal.
-
Present Day
"It never should have happened, whether you were gone or not," Tenchi admitted. Then he temporized, "but I thought you were gone forever, Sakuya! I thought I would never see you again. If something ever happened to me, I would expect *you* to move on."
She sat on the couch, her back to him, and said nothing. He touched her shoulder gently, and was surprised when she did not resist. "Sakuya, are...are we going to break up over this?"
She turned to him. "No," she said quietly, looking up at him. "No, of course not. You're right, it wasn't like you were cheating on me." She brushed a length of hair behind her ear with her fingers. "But you still should have told me," she added petulantly. "Either told me, or sent me back to my room. I had a right to know, Tenchi."
"I know you did," he agreed. "I'm sorry, Sakuya."
"Sorry doesn't cut it," she rebuked. "Sorry doesn't take away that night." But then she smiled, forgiveness showing clearly in her emerald eyes. "But it's all you--oh God, not again," she suddenly grunted, clutching her stomach. Her cheeks turned a faint shade of green. "Sakuya!" Tenchi snapped, "are you all--"
But she was already barreling toward Washu's lab, and her private bathroom, with a hand over her mouth.
Tenchi awoke from a dreamless doze, to complete pitch black. What the...?
The first thing he noticed was the hooting, chirping sounds of wildlife all around him. He was definitely not in his room.
He felt dirt beneath him, and then heavy warmth pinning him to the forest floor, a pair of arms wrapped possessively around his waist.
Then came the definite smell of female. Uh oh.
He nudged the dozing form gently by the shoulder. "Sakuya?" he whispered. "Is that you?" It had sure as hell better not be anyone else, he thought.
"Mmmmm hmmm," she mumbled, stirring a little. She lifted her head from his chest, and looked up at him. He could barely make out her features in the darkness.
She kissed him. "Hey," she whispered.
Tenchi was suddenly very nervous. He was only slightly relieved to find, as his eyes adjusted to the dark, that they were both fully clothed. He was still afraid he might put his hand on the ground and discover some discarded undergarment.
"Sakuya," he whispered drowsily, sitting up as she moved away from him. "Did we...?"
"Sleep together?" she finished with a soft chuckle. "Yep. But don't worry, sleeping was all we did."
Tenchi nearly hyperventilated with relief. "Jeez, Sakuya, don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry," she laughed softly. "But you're just too much fun to tease. We didn't do anything, but you make a great pillow! Hey, what time is it?"
Tenchi squinted at his watch, trying to determine the position of the luminous hands.
"Looks like about one-thirty in the morning," he said, standing. "We'd better be getting home, or we won't be able prove our innocence to anybody."
-
"So," Ryoko mentioned casually as she slid into the steaming water later that morning, "I guess you and Tenchi, *ahem*, settled your differences, if you get my drift." She punctuated the remark with an evil smirk.
Sakuya rolled her eyes as she secured the towel against her bosom. "It wasn't like that," she grumbled, entering the tub. "We were just kissing, and we fell asleep in the woods. That's all." She had been through this conversation already, with Miss Washu, and was in no mood to have it again. But at least Ryoko and Kiyone would not subject her to a battery of painful, demeaning tests to prove the truth of her words.
"You sound disappointed," Kiyone joined in with a snicker from her spot next to Ayeka, adjusting her towel beneath the water.
"I am not!" Sakuya objected, blushing even as she did so. "Well, maybe a little," she conceded. "But Tenchi respects me, and that's what's really important to me."
Ryoko had already thought up another adult-rated response, but Kiyone broke in before she could say anything. "So, now that you two are back together, when are you going to finally make a commitment, huh?"
"Commitment?" Sakuya repeated, confused. "Well, we're kind of already committed..."
"Of course you are, but that's not what I mean. You can't just date each other for the rest of your lives."
"Oh," she said, with a look of understanding on her face. She thought about both of the topics around which their recent quarrel had revolved. "Well, we've talked about marriage a little, but--"
"NO!!" Ayeka suddenly shouted; Ryoko nearly jumped out of her skin. "I forbid it!"
"Excuse me?" Sakuya demanded, looking at Ayeka as if the princess were completely insane.
"What's the matter with *you*?" Ryoko asked Ayeka.
"Did you not listen to a word I said?" Ayeka shouted angrily at Sakuya, referring to yesterday's conversation. "Lord Tenchi is not available to you! You do not understand the situation, and I cannot explain it to you in a way you *would* understand. Suffice it to say that I have only grudgingly permitted the two of you to have a relationship at all. I will not go so far as to allow you to marry him." With that she folded her arms and tossed back her head in a clear indication that she would brook no further argument.
But Sakuya was angry, and as Tenchi had learned, her bad side was not a pretty thing to see. She was not about to back down now.
"And just who do you think you are?" she demanded. "His mother? Tenchi has every right to run his own personal life, and if he ever asks me to marry him, I will! Don't you *ever*--"
"Sakuya!" Ryoko barked, stopping her friend's furious ranting. "Get a grip! And you," she turned to Ayeka, "lay off her for once. She hasn't done anything to you."
"I'm clean enough now," Sakuya snapped, climbing out of the tub. She quickly threw her clothing on and left the room.
-
Tenchi was out back, digging through the tool shed for his farming implements. He looked back over his shoulder, and smiled when he saw Mihoshi, in a lawn chair on the back step, lounging in the sun. Her eyes were covered by a pair of mirror-style shades, but he knew she was watching him.
Since their little encounter so long ago, he and Mihoshi had developed a surprisingly comfortable relationship. Although that night had been a mistake too monumental for words, it had created an emotional attachment between them that was difficult to describe. They did not have romantic feelings for one another, and yet shared a kind of relaxed intimacy that went beyond casual friendship in a way few people could ever understand.
"Be careful," Tenchi called. "You don't want a sunburn."
She smiled at his remark. It was an inside joke; Mihoshi had a tan so dark that, combined with her strawberry blond hair, it could easily have caused her to be mistaken for a Californian.
"Tenchi?" she called as he headed past her, toward the field.
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you and Sakuya are back together."
"Thanks. So am I." Sensing a longer conversation in the works, he put down his plow and watering can, and sat down on the porch next to her chair. "I suppose we never really broke up." He shrugged. "It was just a fight, everyone has them."
"I know," she agreed, removing her shades, "but this was your first really big one and...well, I'm glad you got through it. They say the first one is always the worst."
"I hope that's true," he laughed. "Boy, you wouldn't think she could yell like that, just from a first impression. She's usually so sweet and shy." He turned to her and smiled. "She's alot like you, you know."
She blushed. "Tenchi!" she said quietly, fingers over her lips.
"Relax, I'm not flirting with you," he said. "Good grief, Sakuya would kill me. But seriously, you two have a lot in common; I'm surprised she didn't take to you quicker than she did Ryoko and Kiyone. Well, opposites attract, I guess."
A shadow appeared on the porch, and Tenchi turned around to see the subject of the conversation, her hair still damp and mussed from the onsen. "Sakuya," he greeted, beaming. "We were just talking about you. Have a seat." He patted the deck next to him.
But she shook her head, a tight-lipped expression on her face. "We need to talk," she said, her voice neutral.
Tenchi's stomach fluttered. *Oh, boy, not again.*
"Uhhh, sure," he stammered, trying to sound casual. He gathered his things and stood. "Walk with me."
-
She was silent for a long time as they walked, the great brown field looming in the distance.
Finally she stopped, and turned to him. "You lied to me," she accused.
"What?!" Tenchi blurted. "Lied to you? About what? What the hell are you talking about?" he demanded.
"Well," she backtracked, "I suppose it wasn't lying, exactly. But you're not telling me the truth, either."
"I...I don't know what you mean."
"It's Miss Ayeka," she explained, more calmly. "She keeps saying you're not available, like there's...is there someone else, Tenchi?"
Oh, hell. Tenchi vividly remembered her reaction the last time she thought he was cheating on her. Seeing her angry was one thing, but to see tears in her eyes was a thousand times worse, especially when he thought they might be his doing. Fortunately, it was an easy question to answer.
"No," he replied succinctly, looking her dead in the eyes. "The only person I'm taken by is you! I love you, Sakuya, and no one else."
"Then what in the world does that mean? How are you not available?"
Tenchi's eyes widened when he realized what she was talking about. Oh boy, how to explain this? Hey, guess what, sweetheart? I'm the crown prince of another planet! Want to go get lunch?
He thought for a moment, then slowly drew Tenchi-ken from his belt, and ignited the firey blue blade.
Sakuya examined it dubiously. "Well, that's really cool, but what does it have to do with my question?"
Tenchi extinguished the blade, and hefted the hilt in his left hand. "Well, it's not really mine," he began. "It was sort of entrusted to me, by Ayeka's family."
"You know her family?" Sakuya asked. "But isn't she some kind of princess or some--ohhhh..."
Tenchi watched her green eyes widen as she put two and two together. She nearly choked on the next sentence. "Your...fiancee?"
"No. She was supposed to be, but it was an arranged marriage, and I never agreed to it." He spent the next few minutes telling her about Jurai, the current uncertain future of that planet's government, and his preemptive abdication of the throne and its lofty responsibilities. He turned his back to her, looking out at the field. "Nobody tells me how to run my life, Sakuya, no matter how powerful or political they are." He turned again, and gazed at her with a warm smile. "I love this planet, and I love you. I'm not going anywhere without you."
"But why didn't you tell me all this in the first place?" she demanded.
"Are you kidding? Isn't it obvious, Sakuya? I thought you would never believe me. I'm shocked that you actually do!"
To Tenchi's great surprise, she broke up laughing.
"What's so funny?" he asked, somewhat irritated.
"*That's* supposed to be a weird story?" She was still laughing intermittently. "So, you're a prince, of another planet! I'm an immortal being from another *dimension*, Tenchi, I can believe stranger things than that!"
That caught Tenchi off guard. He looked at the ground, thoroughly embarrassed. "I...I completely forgot about that. I guess I owe you an apology."
Her demeanor gradually became serious once more. She stroked his shoulder, looking up at him. "Do you...feel anything for her?"
He shrugged. "I guess I had a bit of a crush on her when we first met, but that was before you." He gave a small chuckle. "She's not really my type, anyway. Come on." He started again toward the field, motioning her to come along.
"I won't get mad, you know," she assured with a chuckle, giving him a conniving look. "I'm just asking. Come on, admit it. You at least think she's pretty?"
Tenchi began pulling up a row of carrots. "Sure," he said, not looking up from his chore, "she looks okay. Ryoko is pretty darn attractive, too. And Ayeka has a lot of money and power." He shook his head as he dumped the load of vegetables in the basket. "But it takes more than that."
"Indeed it does," a childlike voice put in from the treeline. Tenchi looked up to see Yugi, once again a strikingly pretty little girl. "And that is something both of you have done well to recognize, given your young age."
"Hey, Yugi," Tenchi greeted with a smile. "Glad to have you with us. How long will you be staying?"
"Until Tuesday," she answered laconically. "Sakuya, could you excuse us for a moment, please?"
Sakuya gave a nonchalant shrug, and departed for the house.
"So, why the little kid again?" Tenchi inquired.
"I like this form for meaningful conversations," she explained. "It seems to have a greater impact on my listeners."
Tenchi placed the basket of vegetables on the ground. "Um, Yugi," he said quietly, "I'm sorry I never really thanked you properly for bringing Sakuya back. She means the whole world to me. I guess our relationship isn't exactly perfect, but I could hardly stand myself after she left."
"Mmmm," Yugi mumbled thoughtfully, in a way that reminded Tenchi very much of his grandfather. "Now, isn't that an interesting coincidence? It is Sakuya that I wish to talk to you about."
Tenchi scratched his scalp, clearly puzzled. "What about her?"
Yugi's smile disappeared, and her demeanor became very business-like. Her icy eyes bored into him. "I brought her back for a reason, Tenchi. A certain, ah, stipulation, if you will. I didn't tell you about it that night because I thought it would already be understood. It would seem I was mistaken."
Tenchi gave no outward sign, but he bristled mentally. He did not appreciate the implication that he was stupid.
"You have a decision to make, Tenchi. And you will need to make it quickly. Now, I do not intend to threaten you, but for your own sake, you must decide where your relationship with Sakuya is, regarding the depth of your feelings for one another, and where it will go from here.
Sakuya is going to bear a child, a gift both to her and to you. She is emotionally fragile as it is; I will not see her forced to raise that child alone."
"But, I..." Tenchi began, searching desperately for the right words. "I love her, I know that for sure. She's mentioned us getting married before." He shook his head. "She's not ready."
"Then you must prepare her, just as Washu is preparing her to be a mother." Yugi insisted. "You have eight months; that should be plenty of time."
When he gave no reply, her expression softened. "You say that you love Sakuya, and I think that is true. Do you believe she loves you? Tenchi, I know how badly you want this, but something is holding you back. I don't know what it is, but I know that all your life you have feared commitment. The time for that is over." She held out her hand, and in her palm was a small gold object. "I have even covered your expenses. All you have to decide is whether or not you will go through with it, and if so, the time and place."
Tenchi took the engagement ring and pocketed it. "Thanks, Yugi. I'll... think about it."
-
As the blistering hot water pounded away at his skin, pressure-washing the dirt and sweat from his body, Tenchi continued to ponder Yugi's request. The thought was almost too daunting to wrap his mind around. Propose to Sakuya? After he had turned down the exact same proposal from her, told her she was not yet able to handle a marriage? Surely he would look like a total fool.
But Yugi had made it very clear that if he could not offer Sakuya a permanent relationship, then she, Yugi, would find someone who could. The thought of another man's hands on Sakuya made him want to run downstairs right now and give her that ring.
But that was foolish, of course, he thought as he entered his room and began dressing. He was hitching his pants up when he caught a small flash of light out of the corner of his eye.
"Hey, handsome," the familiar sultry voice said.
"Hi, Ryoko," Tenchi said, without even turning around. "You must be in a good mood today." Or a little drunk, he added silently as he worked the towel across his back. It was one of the few times in the last two years that Ryoko had done anything remotely related to flirting with him.
"A hot bath and a cold drink works wonders for me," she said, sprawling out in Tenchi's desk chair. "Not to mention seeing Ayeka get really blood- boiling pissed. That works every time."
"What's Ayeka upset about?" Tenchi asked absently, digging in his pocket for the ring Yugi had given him. Shouldn't have left that in my jeans, he thought. Lucky it didn't get washed.
"Long story," she laughed. "Let's just say it involved her and Sakuya."
Now there's a big surprise, Tenchi thought, allowing himself a smirk as he proceeded to fasten his zipper, while holding on to the ring at the same time. The effort proved a little too clumsy, however, and it slipped from his grasp, the metal band clinking on the floor.
Tenchi gasped, when he saw Ryoko staring at it. "On second thought," Ryoko muttered, eyes glued to the floor, "maybe I'll just make it short."
Tenchi gave a defeated sigh. "It's for Sakuya. Please, Ryoko, don't tell anyone!" he begged. "It was Yugi's idea. I don't know if I'll even go through with it. I don't know how the others would react, especially Ayeka."
"Relax, will ya?" Ryoko admonished. "I won't tell anybody. Unless that thing is for me, of course," she teased, then turned serious again. "Speaking of secrets, what I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this room, got it? Look, me and the girls were down in the onsen today, right? And Kiyone mentioned to Sakuya the possibility of you popping the question."
"Uh-huh," Tenchi nodded.
"Well, Ayeka threw a fit. She jumped all over the girl about how you were off limits. Sakuya jumped right back and swore that...well, long story short, if you're gonna give her that ring, the time is now."
Tenchi bent down and picked up the ring, then turned his back to her, gazing out the window. "That's what Yugi said." He gave a long sigh. "I just don't know, Ryoko. It all seems too fast."
"What do you mean, too fast?" Ryoko asked. "You've known Sakuya since college. What's really going on, Tenchi? She's not upset about the whole Mihoshi thing, is she?"
Tenchi turned quickly and looked at her. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
"You did tell her about Mihoshi?" she asked, a horrified look on her face.
Tenchi did not reply. He looked at the floor.
"You idiot!" Ryoko shouted, leaping out of the chair. "You slept with the girl, you're getting ready to propose to her, for God's sake! And you weren't even planning on telling her you're not a virgin?! What if you had gotten Mihoshi pregnant or something?"
"It doesn't matter!" Tenchi shot back. "It was just a one-night stand! It happened ages ago. If Mihoshi had gotten pregnant, she'd have had the baby by now; I think it would be pretty obvious. Besides, telling Sakuya wouldn't accomplish anything, it would just make her upset."
"I don't care!" Ryoko insisted. "Who knows? Maybe she would kick you in the cherries; I wouldn't blame her. Or maybe she'll understand, Tenchi. Whatever happens, you owe it to Sakuya to take your chances and tell her about this."
"You're right," Tenchi said. He gave her a worried look. "I should be willing to trust her."
-
"You did WHAT?!"
"It was a long time ago, Sakuya! Look, there is nothing going on between me and Mihoshi. It was one time, and it was the biggest mistake of my life! We both swore it would never happen again..."
He trailed off, because she started chasing him around the living room, pounding on his shoulders and back with her fists. "You stupid, stupid JERK!! You could have" WHACK "told me" WHACK "that you slept" WHACK "with another girl!!"
"Obviously not!" Tenchi shouted back, then reproached himself for being a smartass. He finally turned and faced her, expecting another rain of blows. Instead, he saw her fury quickly turning to tears. He immediately reached out to her. She would not let him touch her, but she appeared ready to listen.
"You had better have a damn good explanation," she cursed, a habit acquired from Ryoko.
"I do," he promised. He sat on the couch. Sakuya remained standing, her arms folded in a clear gesture of impatience.
"It happened right after you...well...went away," he began.
-
Two years earlier
Tenchi hated hospitals. They were all depressing, and the enormous, high- quality facility in Kurashiki was no exception. With him in the waiting room sat Ryoko and Ayeka, and a glassy-eyed Mihoshi, the stickyness of tears still visible on her face.
Kiyone would make it, the doctors had told them initially, but she wouldn't be the same for a long time.
The Masaki family still did not know all the details of what had happened, only that their resident Galaxy police officer had been shot in the performance of her duties.
The worst part was actually seeing her. Tenchi winced when he entered room 1241 of the north wing. God, how many bullets had she taken?
Kiyone's left leg and chest were swathed in bandages, and she was barely conscious because of all the drugs, but she was awake enough to notice his presence. She managed a weak "Hey."
He said nothing, but took her hand and sat next to her bed for a long time.
At home late that evening, Tenchi was solemnly preparing for bed when heard the knock on his door. A tan face and a heap of blond hair appeared around the edge.
"Can I come in?" Mihoshi asked.
Tenchi would later wonder why she had sought comfort from him--he was himself still grieving over the week-old loss of his first love, Sakuya. Perhaps Mihoshi found Ryoko and Ayeka too steely and hard-nosed; she didn't really know Washu or Sasami very well, despite having lived with them for so long.
He held out his arms, and she stepped into his embrace. He held her gently, and they took comfort from each other's closeness. Eventually he began to feel a stirring in his belly that he knew he should not be feeling. The reasonable part of his brain told him that it was just a physical reaction, from being so close to a female, and that the whole family would be best served if he studiously ignored it. But when they separated, it was only by a few inches. Tenchi watch her face as her eyes came to rest on his lips. She feels it too, he realized.
"This...Mihoshi, this isn't a good idea," he stammered.
"I know," she whispered. "I don't care."
Despite every alarm blaring away in his brain, he found no will to resist her as her lips touched his. Her kiss was soft and gentle, and he found himself drawn into it, addicted to the sensation of making out with her. He knew he should stop this right now, but he kept putting it off. Just one more second, he kept telling himself, just one more second, and I'll end it.
But one more second found her hands straying toward the waistband of his jeans, and reason abandoned him. Oh, God, he couldn't stand this anymore. He needed comfort, too. It need not have been sexual, but sex would certainly fit the bill, and temptation would not let him say no.
She leaned against him, and he let himself tumble onto the bed with her. What followed was the most fast and furious three minutes of Tenchi Masaki's life. He had fought Kagato and nearly lost his life, he had run from a wrathful Ryoko and Ayeka as they chased him and Sakuya down the streets of Tokyo, firing energy blasts at the hated couple all the way. But for all that, he had never experienced anything as wild and frantic as making love with Mihoshi Kuramitsu.
They were all over each other, kissing and groping, sending clothing flying everywhere. When it was all over, Tenchi looked down at the naked blonde in his arms, and experienced a feeling of self-loathing so intense it was nearly suicidal.
-
Present Day
"It never should have happened, whether you were gone or not," Tenchi admitted. Then he temporized, "but I thought you were gone forever, Sakuya! I thought I would never see you again. If something ever happened to me, I would expect *you* to move on."
She sat on the couch, her back to him, and said nothing. He touched her shoulder gently, and was surprised when she did not resist. "Sakuya, are...are we going to break up over this?"
She turned to him. "No," she said quietly, looking up at him. "No, of course not. You're right, it wasn't like you were cheating on me." She brushed a length of hair behind her ear with her fingers. "But you still should have told me," she added petulantly. "Either told me, or sent me back to my room. I had a right to know, Tenchi."
"I know you did," he agreed. "I'm sorry, Sakuya."
"Sorry doesn't cut it," she rebuked. "Sorry doesn't take away that night." But then she smiled, forgiveness showing clearly in her emerald eyes. "But it's all you--oh God, not again," she suddenly grunted, clutching her stomach. Her cheeks turned a faint shade of green. "Sakuya!" Tenchi snapped, "are you all--"
But she was already barreling toward Washu's lab, and her private bathroom, with a hand over her mouth.
