This is the sequel to The Bet. Please read it first or you're going to be totally lost. This is really the 16th chapter of The Bet, but I felt that I should end The Bet after 15 chapters and I'll likely do the same with this one. I'm not making any money from this story being published. The characters aren't mine. The Gamble By Kenzie Kennedy Ryoko yawned and sat up in bed after stretching. "Wow," she thought. "Washu's not up yet?" She slid out of bed and walked toward her closet. After she got dressed, she walked downstairs. Washu was up with her hair in a bun making breakfast. She looked up as Ryoko entered the room and smiled at her daughter. "Good morning, my little Ryoko." Washu said. "How do you want your eggs?" "Scrambled, Mom." Ryoko said bleary-eyed. As Washu was scrambling the eggs, Ryoko got her eyes open. Two plates were laid down. Ryoko started to gobble her food down, while Washu poured some juice. "Ryoko, you and Tenchi have a decision to make." Washu began. Ryoko gulped down her eggs. "Decision?" "Mm-hmm," Washu nodded. "The only people who know about your engagement yesterday are Ayeka, me, Tenchi, and you. The other people in the house are going to want to know as well. I'd suggest you tell them as quickly as possible." Ryoko grinned. That was no problem. She'd been wanting this for years and the urge to shout it out to the world was getting too much to suppress. Washu continued. "Then there are a few other people who have to know." At Ryoko's confused look, she grinned. "You just engaged yourself into the Juraian Royal family. I think the emperor and his wives are going to want to know and probably make a public affair out of it." Ryoko's head hit the table. "What have I done?" she moaned. "It's not that bad. You stand there, smile, and wave. Let everyone else do the talking." Washu consoled her. "What if they don't like me?" Ryoko said anxiously. Washu stared at her daughter like she was crazy. "First you obsess over the Juraians hating you and now you're worried that the emperor and Misaki and Funaho won't like you. Funaho already likes you and Misaki loves everyone. The emperor," Washu shrugged, "as far as I know, he doesn't like anyone except his wives." Ryoko moaned and ate her breakfast. *** Washu and Ryoko had a mid-day breakfast. The next time they saw anyone was at lunch. Ryoko shot a longing look at Tenchi. He could see from her expression that she was bursting to tell everyone. He grinned and gestured to the table. Ryoko smiled and cleared her throat. Washu cast a knowing glance at her daughter and ended her conversation with Mihoshi. "I have something to say." Ryoko said. Everyone gave her their polite attention. "Last night, Tenchi asked me to marry him and I said yes." The table erupted with cheers from everyone. Mihoshi started to cry and shriek that it was so wonderful and that she was moved. Sasami leapt up and hugged Ryoko and Tenchi, one after the other until they couldn't breath. Washu looked with pride at her daughter. A thought occurred to her and her face went blank. She filed it for later. Ayeka looked at Tenchi with quiet love in her eyes. Now that she had Balar, she could feel her love turning to something more brotherly toward him. Balar looked at everyone confused. "Tenchi, what does "marry" mean?" Mihoshi chirped, "It's when you love each other that you get married." Balar absorbed this information. "Oh," he said. He turned to Ayeka. "Will we get married?" Ayeka looked at him in shock. The whole table went silent. Ayeka blushed so hard she matched her pink dress. "Um," she stammered. "Let me take care of it, Ayeka." Washu saved her from having to answer. "Balar, marriage is a ceremony. This ceremony says to the law that these two people are together. Otherwise, no matter how much you love each other, the law doesn't recognize your love. Marriage permits the wife to take your last name as hers, the bills that you create together are yours to pay off, and a lot of other neat stuff like being able to sleep by each other's side at night without being shot by Ayeka's father." Washu continued. "But what the ceremony's primary cause is to join two people together. Not literally, though," Washu considered, "I could probably do it. It joins the two people in soul, in love, in the eyes of the law and people around them. It also prohibits you sleeping with another woman or man while you are married, so that you know any children that you and Ayeka might have are truly yours biologically." "The part you don't get is that this ceremony called marriage is supposed to be forever. Sometimes it doesn't end up that way and it can be dissolved. You don't make a snap decision on marriage. If something is supposed to be forever, if you're going to choose to be with Ayeka forever, then you think about that decision to ask her to marry you for a long while. Don't you, Tenchi?" Washu said. Tenchi, caught up in Washu's explanation, almost didn't answer his cue. "Yes, I waited a while to ask Ryoko to marry me." His shoulders slumped. "Well, not that long. But Balar, Ryoko and I have known each other a long time. We've known each other ever since I was young. You've only known Ayeka a month or two." Balar nodded. "So I should wait years?" Washu chuckled. "No! Wait until you've done a bit of research on marriage and relationships and then decide on asking. But wait a few more months or you'll probably shock Ayeka into silence again." Ayeka was still looking at Balar, blushing, with her mouth hanging wide open in shock. The family laughed and went back to eating lunch. *** After lunch, the four went to the library to study Tenchi's lessons together. To their amazement, it wasn't much different than the ones Washu had been providing. More etiquette and who was what lord and lady, but the same format. Washu came in with snacks around two and they were gone by three as usual. *** After the video and an hour to go until dinnertime, Ayeka whispered into Ryoko's ear. A short mental call to Washu and affirmation and they were on their way. *** Balar looked around the large house that Ryoko had led them to. Ayeka had smiled and led him to the spaceship garden. They wandered around the garden and Balar looked with wonder at what his lady had done. *** While Balar and Ryoko were in the garden, Ryoko asked Tenchi a very important question. Biting her lip, she asked, "Don't you think we should tell the rest of your family?" "Dad won't be home until dinner and Grandfather probably already knows." Tenchi replied. "No, your Other family." Ryoko stressed "other". Tenchi's eyes found the answer Ryoko was looking for. "I suppose so." Tenchi said. Ryoko sighed and hit the numbers for Lady Funaho's phone. Lieutenant Rayfin was at the phone and he saluted to the prince. Tenchi nodded to him and Funaho appeared a few moments later. "Tenchi, I don't mean to be brief, but I'm in the middle of a meeting." Funaho said, sounding a bit rushed. Tenchi and Ryoko glanced at each other. "It's important, Grandmother." Tenchi said calmly. Funaho sat down and made herself comfortable. "What is it?" she asked. Tenchi took a deep breath and said, "Ryoko and I are engaged." Funaho's face didn't change for a moment and then joy erupted on her face. "Congratulations!" she cried. "Your grandfather will be so pleased!" "Yes, my grandfather's been pushing for it." Tenchi revealed. Funaho's face became puzzled. "He has? He hasn't let me know about it." Her confusion cleared. "Oh, not my son, the emperor will be pleased." "Azusa?" Tenchi gulped. "Yes, you must come to Jurai soon and make the announcement." Funaho looked thoughtful. "Tomorrow would be best. I can set up the news broadcasts then. I must run and tell Misaki! Congratulations again!" Funaho ran off. Ayeka and Balar came back into the room. "So what did mother say?" Ayeka asked. Tenchi looked dazed. "She said that she's going to set up broadcasts and I have to go to Jurai tomorrow." Chuckling was heard from downstairs and the four of them leaned over the banister. Washu was downstairs looking amused. "If you're lucky, Tenchi, the only ones who will have to go will be you, Ryoko, and I. The emperor's going to pass up a chance to see his daughters? Not likely. Ayeka, do you feel sick all of a sudden?" Ayeka cracked a small smile on her face. "Yes, Washu, I do feel faint all of a sudden." "I thought so." Washu told her with a grin on her face. *** After dinner, Washu was in her lab, while everyone else was finishing up their baths. A beep went off and Washu, without looking, hit the button that would pop up the screen. "Lady Washu," Funaho said. "Hello, Funaho. Plans all set?" Washu typed in more data. "Yes, everyone is to come tomorrow." Funaho sighed. "Nope, Ayeka's come down with a slight cold. Sasami's staying to nurse her. Mihoshi can't leave the planet with them here. And incidentally, Balar's staying here as well. The only guests tomorrow will be me, Tenchi, and Ryoko." Washu grinned. Funaho hid a smile. "Thank you, Washu." She said gently. "No problem. Is this come as we are or-?" Washu led off. "Proper clothing will be here. There will be a half hour interval before the parade of reporters begin." Funaho and Washu made further arrangements. *** The next morning, Washu stretched her hands over her head. Blinking her eyes a few times, she stumbled out of bed and to the kitchen. Pausing to make a cup of tea, she then walked up the stairs to Ryoko's room. Her daughter was sprawled all over the bed as usual. Washu smiled at her sleeping form. She walked forward to sit on the edge of the bed and wait for her daughter to wake up. It didn't take long. As if she could sense her mother's presence in the room, Ryoko woke about 30 seconds after her mother sat down. "Morning, Mom," Ryoko muttered, wiping her eyes. "Good morning, my little Ryoko. It's seven thirty in the morning." Washu told her. "Last night, while the rest of you were taking your baths, Funaho called. We're due on Jurai in two hours." Ryoko sat up in bed, her eyes clouded with worry. "Funaho says that we'll have to dress in the proper clothing that she's arranged for us. Tenchi, you, and I are the only ones going." Washu grinned. "Lady Funaho was very pleased when I told her Ayeka had a cold." Ryoko laughed. Washu looked at her daughter, eyes laughing. "But, I'm pretty sure that we're going to be rushed through the dressing part. So," Washu pointed to Ryoko's hair, "I'll have to do something about that." Ryoko narrowed her eyes. "What's wrong with it?" Washu shrugged. "Nothing. Except that it's sticking off in five different directions." *** Nine fifteen in the morning, Washu, Ryoko, and Tenchi were in the living room about to cross through the portal. Washu had told Sasami to go get Tenchi while she fussed over Ryoko's hair. Tenchi gazed at his lovely Ryoko. Her hair glistened and shone and actually looked a little calmed down. Still spiky, but moderately so. He leaned close to her and whispered in her ear, "You look wonderful." The grateful expression in her eyes made it worth the bravery to give her a compliment. A bright red head popped up between them. "And what about me, Tenchi?" Washu batted her eyes at him. "Washu!" Ryoko growled. Washu snorted. "Ryoko!" Turning back to the portal, she walked through it. Hand in hand, Ryoko and Tenchi followed, holding on for reassurance, love, and hope. *** They stepped out into a veritable circus. The Emperor and his wives were at the entrance as were several lords and ladies and servants. Misaki leapt forward and tried to hug Washu, but Washu slid out of the way and Ryoko got strangled instead. "Oh, I'm so happy to see you again!" the woman cried. Ryoko's face got redder and redder until Tenchi tapped her on the shoulder and drew her attention. Then Tenchi got strangled, too. Washu smiled as she cleverly evaded the woman. "Lady Washu, so nice to see you in person again." Funaho said with a smile. "Very nice. Yosho says hi, by the way." Washu winked at her. "The rooms are this way, if Misaki," Funaho raised her voice, "has displayed her affections to their utmost capacity." Misaki turned to her sister and smiled. "Oh, yes. They must see the clothes. We picked them out together and they're wonderful." *** Washu and Ryoko had been led to a room together and Tenchi had been put in a room alone. He looked at the foreign garments. "Oh, man. What am I supposed to do now?" "Ahem?" Tenchi turned to find an older man waiting. "Yes?" Tenchi said. "I am to help you, your highness." The man bowed. "Okay. Thank you. I've never seen this type of clothing before." Tenchi admitted. The man didn't bat an eyelash but simple made the gesture that before he could advise Tenchi on how to dress, the original clothing had to be taken off. *** Ryoko looked with distaste at the royal clothing. Washu had stripped off and begun putting it on already. "Uh, Washu?" she said absently picking up a piece of material. "Yes, Ryoko?" Washu said slipping into the various folds of cloth. "How do you put this on?" she asked. Washu looked at her daughter's expression and had to try not to laugh. "Okay, this piece goes on first." She started. *** They both stepped out at the same time. Tenchi looked very princely in his white and red outfit. Washu and Ryoko were dressed elegantly in blue and gold. The wives came to collect them and they were off to the conference. *** After having been seated around the table, the Emperor made his announcement. "Tenchi Masaki is now the heir to the throne of Jurai. He has become engaged to the Lady Ryoko and they will rule together when I stand down." The speech went on about inane little details that most Juraians found fascinating, but Earthlings did not. Ryoko started to pick at the braiding on the costume until Washu Hissted! at her though the link. "Well, I can't help it. It's boring." Ryoko thought back. "Get used to it. Either that or make it less boring when you rule." Washu told her. "Can't I at least get rid of these sleeves? If I have to fight, they're going to get in the way." Ryoko pleaded. "A palace full of guards to protect you and you're worried about fighting?" Washu said, sounding exasperated with her daughter. Emperor Azusa ended his speech with, "Now you may ask questions." The first reporter asked his question of Funaho. "Lady Funaho, how do you feel about the engagement?" She answered calmly, "I feel fine about it. After all, I'm not the one being married this time. If either of these people have half the butterflies I had, I wish them luck." The laughter after her comment set a good mood for the next question. "Prince Tenchi, will you rule from Earth or Jurai?" asked a pretty lady reporter. "I haven't quite decided yet. I don't know Jurai very well, but Earth will always be my home." He finished. Lady Funaho favored him with a nod, letting him know that he had done well. "Lady Washu, how do you feel about your daughter marrying the prince?" someone shouted. "It's her decision in the end. Overall, I feel confident that they're doing the right thing." Washu spoke with deliberation. "Lady Ryoko, you once destroyed Jurai under the control of Kagato. Are you prepared to deal with the people who still dislike you?" someone asked. Ryoko's face went sadly contemplative. "As I can never forgive Kagato," she said slowly, "I wouldn't expect the people to forgive me. It was still my hand that caused the destruction even though I didn't want to and the faces still haunt me." Funaho quickly called on someone else. The reporter stood up and asked, "Prince Tenchi, how does it feel to marry a murderer?" Emperor Azusa half stood up, his face thunderous, but Misaki made him sit down. "It's a fair question. Let him answer it." He nodded curtly. "Her hands are awash with blood. But it's not her hands that they should be stained with blood, it's Kagato's hands. You haven't seen her when she remembers the past. You haven't seen her curl into a ball and cry her eyes out for hours, remembering things that she didn't want to do, but was used like a tool. I don't see her as a murderer, I see her as someone who survived at the murderer's hands." Tenchi looked at Ryoko with love in his eyes. Tears shone from her eyes and she was fighting to keep them back. A reporter stood up. "May I approach, Emperor Azusa? It's a question of a personal nature for my own curiosity." Azusa gave his permission and the reporter approached Tenchi. Five feet away, he shouted, "How does it feel to die!" He started to run forward, energy sword in his hand. Ryoko phased in front of the man, her own energy sword battling his. "That's a question you should ask yourself." She shouted. They dueled fiercely around the hall with no one daring to intercede for fear of hurting the fianc‚ of the prince. Washu followed her daughter's movements, knowing that if she slipped, she'd have to get her back to the lab immediately. It crossed her mind to use her powers and blame it on technology, but Ryoko's mind quickly told her no. Ryoko finally swung the sword out of the man's hands and it clattered into the wall. The guards came forward to tie him up and march him away. Striding back to the table, she stopped. Holding one of the large sleeves, she could see that half of it had been burned off. Another couple of inches higher and it would have been her arm. Looking defiant, she ripped the sleeves off, leaving tatters at her shoulders. "Just in case I have to do that again," she announced. She then ran to Tenchi and worried over him for a few minutes. Looking into his face and asking him if he'd been hurt, scanning his body in case he was lying to her, and finally hugging him as if she'd never let go. The sound of pictures being taken caused the two to separate sheepishly. Washu was holding her sides and laughing out loud at the two of them. Funaho was struggling not to laugh and losing. Misaki was openly crying and the Emperor was demanding to know how that man got in here in the first place. But one thing had been said very clearly at this conference. Ryoko was not an enemy of Jurai as long as Tenchi Masaki lived.