A/N: Ruby1984, Thanks for the review!

Forgotten Sonata

By Ryokoluv17

"How did you know?" Ryoko enfolds her arms around the sturdy wooden column, looking on at the young man tampering with components under the hood of the pickup.

Tenchi peers up slyly, his hand reaching behind his head, "The list. It has all the information I need, including events that those sometimes wish to keep secret. Which is safe with me."

"I should have figured so. Thanks, for being thoughtful," She retorted with a hint of sadness in her voice, as she folded her arms, resting her back on the pillar. A gust of wind passes causing her to do a series of heel-toe raises.

"You should get back inside before you catch a cold. These last couple of days the weather has been inconsistent." Tenchi kindly suggested before turning his attention back to his task.

"I'd rather wait until you are done." She slides down the column holding her legs to her chest. "It beats overhearing them discuss the 'art of making coffee'"

…

"Did you like my plan? You think it worked?" Ayeka whispers after noticing Ryoko absconded from the table.

"From the looks of it, it did. But it's best we get a move on before she thinks we actually forgot. Ryoko is pretty impulsive once she's upset." Hotsuma warned pouring the coffee into the cups.

"Well, I think I did an impressive job. Isn't it a beauty?" Ayeka holds up the cake admiring her handy work. "I worked all through the night preparing this. Vanilla is her favorite, right?" Ayeka looks up in worry.

"The last time I checked it was. Alright, so here's the plan you stall her enough with the coffee, and just give the signal to bring out the cake. Deal?" The two flinched as the sound of the front door creaked opened.

"There you are! Coffee is all done! Have a seat let's get back to this game!" Ayeka uttered in a loud and almost rehearsed way as she places the tray down on a nearby table. In the corner of the kitchen, Hotsuma shook his head in disappointment.

"Why are you…" Ryoko trailed off as she notices her husband's absence. "Where?"

"What? Ah, he's ah…" Ayeka blushes and giggles, nervously. Tenchi and Ryoko exchanged puzzled looks at each other and back to the odd woman at hand.

"Anyway, I actually will have to cut this evening short. Feeling pretty tired." Ryoko spoke drawling a yawn, Tenchi briefly glances at her. As Ryoko bid her adieu and turned to retrieve her coat from Tenchi, Ayeka gave the signal for Hotsuma to emerge from his hiding spot. Tenchi quirked a brow watching as she beckoned to someone in the back.

"Otanjoubi omedetou,otanjoubi omedetou,otanjoubi omedetou…" An off-key Ayeka crooned as Hotsuma carried out the cake. A stunned Ryoko looks on as she was pulled towards the table. Tenchi slowly places the coat back looking on in surprise.

"Shock, aren't you?" Ayeka victoriously laughed as she nudges Hotsuma. "You actually thought we have forgotten." Ayeka continues to laugh behind her hand.

"Why, yes. I absolutely thought so." Ryoko grins glancing down at the cake. "I'll be damned. Did Sasami do this?"

"How dare you say such a thing, Miss Ryoko?!" Ayeka snapped loudly raising the cake cutter in her hands.

"Oh, come on, I was only joking. Don't have your panties in a bunch!" Ryoko snapped back, snatching the cutter from her.

'Leave it to Ryoko, to put Ayeka in her place…,' Tenchi thought to himself, as he reached for Ayeka's shoulder in an effort to appease her.

Hastily, Hotsuma snags the opportunity to snake his arms around her waist planting a kiss on her cheek. "How about making that wish?" Hotsuma offered to attempt to keep the women from pouncing on each other.

"Cut the cake!" Ayeka urges joyfully. "Hope you like it, its vanilla!"

"Vanilla?" Ryoko shots a glance at her. "I hate vanilla." Ayeka delighted expression quickly faltered with eyes widen in shock. In an instant, she whacked Hotsuma with the stack of tissues.

"You don't know your wife at all! You distinctly told me vanilla!" Ayeka and Hotsuma proceeded to bicker. Ryoko shot Tenchi a wink, and cut into the cake. Ayeka was the first to break from the argument and push aside Hotsuma to confront the woman.

"Just what you think you are doing? I thought you said you hated vanilla? What are you doing eating the slice?" Ayeka pointed out.

"I lied." Ryoko laughed dabbing a drop of icing on Ayeka's nose. "Gotcha!"

…

As the eventful night concluded, Hotsuma and Ryoko stood outside the home giving their goodbyes.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Hotsuma backpedaled before her.

"I sure did. Of all things, this was pretty sneaky of you." Ryoko owned up. "Thank you."

"Pleasure is all mine, Princess." He bows, triggering a smile from her. He turns offering his arm, "Shall we?"

"We shall." She laughed, as they both walked to the house.

…

"Who would have thought…" Tenchi started as he picked up the plates and cups from the table.

"Who would have thought what?" Ayeka probe almost afraid of what was going through his mind.

"That was nice of you. What you did for Ryoko." He turns back to begin cleaning the dishes. "It's the first time I have seen you do something like that. It is usually others doing things for you."

"There's a first time for everything. Would you take care of the cleaning tonight? I need to get ready for work in the morning." Ayeka walks off to the bathroom before Tenchi could answer. She was not going to address the elephant in the room, she feigned being that well spirited spouse in the company of others. For the first time in her life, she has come to the conclusion her marriage is on the rocks.

…