Tenchi Muyo and all related characters are © AIC/Pioneer. The views expressed herein do not necessarily express the opinions of AIC/Pioneer, the author, or this website.

"Tenchi, could I talk to you?" asked the young boy, wondering exactly what he was going to say.

"Sure, Ryuka. What's up?" replied Tenchi kindly.

They sat opposite each other on separate couches, Ryuka just looking out a window, thinking. Tenchi could see something in his eyes as he looked out, so he remained quiet and patient.

Ryoko was just making her way to the house when she saw Ryuka and Tenchi sitting on the couches. She deftly hid next to the door and listened closely.

Ryuka looked away from the window and looked down into his lap. Tenchi could see a small tear streak its way lightly across his cheek. Ryoko was extremely curious as to what was about to be said.

Delaying only for a few more seconds, keeping his head down, Ryuka began to speak.

"…I…I hate you, Tenchi Masaki…" said the boy. Tenchi found it odd, because he couldn't detect any actual hatred for himself in Ryuka's words. The boy continued, "I'm extremely grateful for you letting me stay here," he went on, "but...it's not fair…"

He finally looked up. He revealed his tear filled eyes to his enemy.

"It's not fair, just because you were here first, why shouldn't I be given a chance? I know, that as of now, there's nothing I can do to win her away from you…and… I suppose that's just what I'll have to sit with…" He wasn't looking at Tenchi. He stared across the room at the floor. Thinking carefully, and choosing his words wisely, he went on.

"So you be good to her, Tenchi Masaki. I don't think I'm going to be here for much longer, so you be good to her for both of us. If you do that, I'll forgive you…" he finished. Tenchi couldn't say anything before Ryuka began to run out of the room.

Ryoko quickly opened the door.

Ryuka ran out but as soon as he made it through the door he felt a pair of arms grab him and lift him up. Everything he saw disappeared and quickly reappeared, but he was on the roof. He looked around quickly to see what was going on, and he saw Ryoko. She was smiling happily at the boy.

"Ryoko.." he said blankly.

"Hush.. It's my turn to tell you something." she said softly. He sat and listened intently. Ryoko was looking at the trees, her sky blue hair blowing in the wind, and her topaz eyes sparkling against the setting sun.

"When I brought you home for the very first night," she started, "Tenchi looked at me and told me that he was proud of me. That made me very happy, Ryuka. More than I think most people could imagine. But there he was, with his arm on my shoulder and his eyes…they were so warm that night." she continued. Ryuka listened noiselessly. She was speaking so tenderly. He started to wish she would talk like that when talking about him.

"Well," she continued, "we went out to dinner the next night, but…it was different than how it would have been if I hadn't found you. I think that that happiness he felt for what I had done, well, it just made the night better. The tender moments we shared, the good times… That's why I feel so strongly about you, Ryuka…" she stopped.

"So don't hate Tenchi. He's the reason I care about you." she finished.

She started to think. She was getting really mushy. She didn't like it, but it was too late, and Ryuka deserved to know the truth.

She ruffled through his hair, and lightly kissed him on the forehead. He looked up at her. She was wearing such a beautiful smile, he couldn't help but return it.

'Agh... All this mushy stuff, it's making my stomach curdle, and I bet Sasami's got something good cooking for dinner. C'mon." she said. She grabbed him and they both found themselves on the ground. They went through the door and into the house.

The smell of well cooked beef embedded itself throughout the house.

"Dinner's almost ready!" said Sasami cheerfully.

***

After dinner, Washu called for Ryuka again.

"How did everything go?" she asked, although she obviously already knew all the detail, being who she was."

"Everything worked out fine." he said, not bothering with details because he already knew that she knew.

"How do you feel now?" she asked. Washu had a peculiar face on.

"Pretty good." he answered.

Washu quickly started laughing like a crazed scientist in some movie. What was she up to?

Author note:

This chapter is not set in stone, if it gets good reviews I will keep it up, but please be as honest as you can about it. The reason I haven't updated in so long is that I have lost my mojo and I'm not sure how I feel about this chapter. It may work in, it may not, and that's why I need you guys to tell me what you think.