>^.^< Lover’s Peak: Tenko, Part One >^.^< by: Mystie (email me at lilwashyuu@yahoo.com) Disclaimer: All things related to Tenchi Muyo! (except Tenko) belongs to Pioneer. Tenko (her appearance, not the name) belongs to me (Mystie). The idea for Tenko, however, belongs also to Pioneer, since she resembles a cabbit. Happy reading! ************************************************************* It was a typical day at the Masaki household. Sasami was busy preparing a new recipe with Ryo-Ohki tottling at her heels, wanting desperately to help. Mihoshi was watching television in the living room, too engrossed in the show to know or care what was happening around her. Ayeka was in her room, fixing herself up after a hard day of chores, hoping her appearance would impress her crush, Tenchi. He, by the way, was in the fields, tending the garden. And Washu, the number one scientist in the universe, was locked away in her lab, working on her latest experiment. However, no one seemed to realize that Ryoko was missing. Princess Ayeka was probably happy to have some peace and quiet from that demon. Ryoko was in her room, just staring out the window at the dirt path down below, waiting for Tenchi to return home. thought Ryoko. Just then, Ryoko spotted a familiar figure approaching the house down the path. “Oh, TENCHI!” Ryoko cried, not thinking straight. “What was that?” Ayeka called from the next room. Ryoko thought to herself. “None of your business!” Ryoko yelled to Ayeka. “Well, sooory!” Ayeka retorted. “Although I’d HATE to ask you for a favor, could you tell me when Tenchi comes back? I want to see him.” “Fine, fine.” Ryoko thought. By then, Tenchi had almost reached the house. So Ryoko stood up straight, then took one step backwards. She disappeared from the room and reappeared next to a tree to the side of the dirt path. Tenchi almost passed her, since he was looking up towards the sky, but then he looked down and spotted Ryoko. “R-Ryoko!” Tenchi said, nervously. “What are you doing here?” “Oh, just waiting for you, Tenchi dear!” cried Ryoko, throwing her arms around him. “Uh...” Tenchi studdered. Just then, Tenchi and Ryoko heard a slam of a door from the Masaki house, and a VERY angry figure standing at the door. “RYOKO! What ARE you doing?!” It was Ayeka. Ryoko thought. “Hi, um, Ayeka!” Tenchi called, trying to sound casual. But Ayeka just marched right past Tenchi and up to Ryoko, who was looking up at the sky, pretending she didn’t notice Ayeka was there. “YOU SAID YOU WOULD TELL ME WHEN TENCHI GETS HERE!! I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO HIM!!!” Ayeka screamed. “Oh, I DID?” replied Ryoko, sarcastically. “I don’t remember you saying anything to me. I’m so SORRY!” Ayeka clenched her teeth. “Well, that’s what I get for trusting YOU.” She starts mumbling under her breath. Ryoko held her ear up to Ayeka. “What was that, Princess? That’s no way for royalty to talk.” “Hmph!” Ayeka turned towards Tenchi and adjusted her dress. “Welcome back, Lord Tenchi. How did everything go in the garden this afternoon?” Before Tenchi could answer, Sasami poked her head out of the door, wearing a cabbit on her head. “Dinner’s ready!” she called, with a cheery smile on her face. “C’mon in! Hope you like it!” Ayeka and Ryoko glared at each other as Tenchi headed indoors. Sasami and Ayeka went inside as well, but Ryo-Ohki stood at the entrance and stared at Ryoko for a few moments. Ryoko looked at Ryo-Ohki. “What is it?” she asked, slightly annoyed. Ryo-Ohki continued to look at Ryoko, then broke out into a big smile. “MIYA!” she cooed, then hopped indoors. thought Ryoko. She pondered this for a moment, then headed inside as well. ************************************************************* Dinner was normal as well. Tenchi sat on either side of Ryoko and Ayeka, who were both trying to get his attention. Sasami was helping the toddler Ryo-Ohki cut her food, while Mihoshi was talking about the Galaxy Police, which no one was paying any attention to. And Washu was just sitting there with a blank look on her face, which wasn’t normal for her, since she’s usually full of ideas. Just when Ryoko was about to fling some food at Ayeka (she couldn’t resist), she noticed that Washu was staring at her. Ryoko had just about enough of that. First Ryo-Ohki, then Washu. “WHAT! WHAT IS IT!?” Ryoko screamed to her mother, losing her temper. Everyone stopped eating and looked at Ryoko with puzzled expressions on their faces. Ryoko, realized that she spoke a little TOO loudly, sunk in her seat. “N-nothing’s wrong, Ryoko.” Washu replied, meekly. “Although I need to get that temper of yours checked. Are you sure you’re all right, dear?” Ayeka stifled a laugh. Ryoko gave her a look of death. “I’m FINE...MA'AM!” Ryoko retorted, with a nasty tone to her voice. “Please call me Mom, or little Washu, pretty please?” said Washu, with a cutesy tone to her voice. “’Cause I’m just the CUTEST little thing! Yes I am!” Everyone laughed and resumed eating, while Ryoko was making gagging noises and sticking her finger down her throat. ************************************************************* Soon afterwards, dinner was over. Sasami and Ayeka were in their room, talking like sisters normally do. Washu was not in her lab, but with Ryo-Ohki, trying to act like a mother towards her. Mihoshi was in the kitchen, since it was her turn to wash the dishes. The sound of breaking glass and “Oops!” kept coming from in there, so Tenchi went in to help her. Ryoko was just laying on the couch, thinking about what she should do next. “...Miya, miya, meow, miya, meow, miya, miya!” Ryo-Ohki sang, to the tune of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’, while trying her best to dance as well. “That’s great, Ryo-Ohki!” Washu said. She then picked up Ryo-Ohki and gave her a great big hug. “You’re sooo sweet! You’re just the cutest little thing! Awww!” “Reow meeow!” Ryo-Ohki mewed, pleased to be getting all that attention. thought Ryoko. As Ryoko glided towards the kitchen, Washu and Ryo-Ohki looked at each other with puzzled expressions, then went back to what they were doing. When Ryoko reached the kitchen, she saw Tenchi helping Mihoshi with the dishes. “You see, if you have a tighter grip on the dishes, then they won’t fall out of your hands. See, isn’t it easy?” Tenchi explained. “Oh, I get it now! Thanks for helping me, Tenchi! You’re just the kindest person, I don’t know WHAT to say!” replied Mihoshi, inching closer towards Tenchi. Ryoko growled under her breath, her ‘tail’ of her dress twitching in every direction. thought Ryoko. Ryoko flew back to the living room, where Washu was, reading a book. Ryo-Ohki had changed back into a cabbit, and was all curled up on the other side of the couch from where Washu was. “Washu!” Ryoko hissed. “Get your ass over here!” Washu casually looked up, put down her book, and walked towards Ryoko. “That’s no way to talk to your mother.” replied Washu. “I need you to do me a favor.” “What favor?” wondered Washu. “Just come here!” Ryoko dragged Washu to the kitchen. “Offer to take Tenchi’s place and help Mihoshi with the dishes.” “Whatever for?” asked Washu, playing dumb. “Just DO it!” “Okay.” So Washu walked into the kitchen. “Hello, Tenchi. You’ve had a rough day. Mind if I help Mihoshi instead?” she asked, cuddling up to Tenchi. Ryoko stared straight at Washu, with clenched teeth and red in her eyes. Ryoko thought. “Uh, sure, um...Washu.” Tenchi replied, nervous, walking backwards out of the kitchen. “Go right ahead.” No sooner as Tenchi started walking up the stairs, he saw Ryoko at the top of the stairs. “Hi, Ryoko.” “Hello, Tenchi.” replied Ryoko. “Could you meet me outside by the lake? There’s something I need to tell you.” “Um, well, I’m kinda tired, so I think I’ll...” “PLEASE, Tenchi.” said Ryoko, unusually calm. Tenchi hesitated. “Uh, sure. Okay.” Ryoko smiled softly. “Thank you.” she said. “I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.” Tenchi saw Ryoko head towards her room, while he was wondering what she wanted to talk to him about. Just as Tenchi was about to enter his room, Ayeka poked her head out of hers. “Tenchi?” she called. “What?” “Could I have a word alone with you for a few minutes, please? It won’t take long, I promise.” Ayeka asked. “Unless it’s too much trouble for you.” Tenchi was trapped. Two girls wanted to meet with him around the same time. “I’m sorry, Ayeka, but I’m afraid it IS too much trouble for me. I’ll talk to you in the morning, okay?” Ayeka started to pout. “Okay, fine.” she said, and closed the door to her room. Tenchi hated to do that to Ayeka, but he’d already promised Ryoko he’d meet with her. So Tenchi washed himself up and headed outdoors towards the lake. When he got there, the first thing he noticed was how beautiful Ryoko looked. She had on a floral sundress, her spiked hair was all up in a neat little bun, and she was even wearing earrings and make-up. Tenchi was surprised. Ryoko usually hates that kind of thing, being a demon and space pirate and all. Ryoko saw Tenchi staring at her and she smiled. “Hello, Tenchi.” she said softly. “Come sit down.” Tenchi sat down on the grass next to Ryoko. “If I’d known that you’d be dressed up like this, I would have put on some better clothes.” said Tenchi, looking down at his clothes, which was the usual blue karate-style outfit he almost always wore. Ryoko looked at Tenchi up and down. “That’s fine.” she said. “I like that outfit.” Tenchi shifted uncomfortably. He had no idea why Ryoko wanted to talk to him in private. “So...” Tenchi began. “Tenchi.” Ryoko said, rather quickly. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.” “What is it, Ryoko?” “I...um, I...I...that is to say, that I...” Ryoko just couldn’t bring herself to say what she wanted to say. “Look, Ryoko, if this is a joke...” Ryoko glared at Tenchi. “No, this is serious! I...I...I’ve loved you ever since I first laid eyes on you.” Tenchi looked at Ryoko, puzzled. “Well, it didn’t SEEM like you loved me. When I released you, you tried to kill me!” “Well, it just felt so GOOD to be out of there. And I needed to take out my anger on SOMEONE.” Tenchi looked down at the ground, disgusted. “Gee, THANKS.” Ryoko sighed. “I’ve loved you before that. WAY before that.” “What do you mean?” “Ever since you were a baby, I’ve loved you.” “What!?” Ryoko took a deep breath and began to explain to Tenchi how she watched him grow up, see his happiness, his pain, his anger. How Tenchi was the only one who could see her when he was little, and how Ryoko wanted desperately to hold him, to soothe his feeling, to comfort him. When Ryoko finished talking, she looked up to see Tenchi staring at her, wide-eyed. “Wow...” Tenchi whispered. Ryoko sighed again. “Look, I know this sounded stupid...” “No, no it doesn’t Ryoko.” said Tenchi. “I had no idea you had THAT much feelings for me...I thought you just pestered me to bother Ayeka.” Ryoko shook her head. Tenchi stared at her. “I, I...don’t know how to say this, but, um, I...I think I love you, too.” Ryoko looked up at Tenchi, her eyes filled with tears. “You don’t know how much those words mean to me.” she replied, speaking barely above a whisper. Ryoko and Tenchi stared at each other for a long time, leaning closer and closer until their lips locked. Everything that happened after that was a blur... ************************************************************* Tenchi tossed at turned in his sleep. He was having a strange dream which seemed very realistic. Soon though, he woke up from his restless slumber. thought Tenchi. Tenchi opened his eyes and found out that he was in his room, on his bed. But something didn’t feel...right. He started to stretch when he noticed something. He wasn’t wearing any clothes! “AHHHHH!” Tenchi eyes looked all around the room, searching for his clothes. When he didn’t see them, he looked at the other side of the bed to look for them. He didn’t see his clothes, but he noticed a big heap laying right next to him. Confused, he yanked off the covers to find a naked Ryoko sleeping soundly. “AHHHHH!” This cry stirred Ryoko awake. She slowly got up and groaned. She then opened her eyes and noticed Tenchi. “TENCHI!?” a baffled Ryoko cried. “What are you doing in my room? And NAKED?” “I DON’T KNOW! And YOU’RE in MY room!” Tenchi yelled. Ryoko stared at Tenchi for a moment, and then at her naked self. “Tenchi...” she said softly. “What exactly...happened last night?” “I’m not exactly sure,” replied Tenchi. “But I think we did it last night.” Before Ryoko could think of a response, they both heard a knocking on the door. “Lord Tenchi, are you all right? I heard a yelp come from this room. May I please come in?” Of course it was Ayeka. Tenchi and Ryoko panicked. “Uh, just a...minute!” Tenchi called. He looked at Ryoko. “Quick, hide!” he hissed. Ryoko raced towards the closet while Tenchi found some clothes to put on. He then opened the door. “Morning, Ayeka!” said Tenchi, a little TOO cheerful. Ayeka looked a Tenchi’s ruffled clothes and hair strangely. “Are you SURE you’re okay?” she questioned. Tenchi gave Ayeka a big grin, sweat popping up on his forehead. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll be down in a minute.” Ayeka smiled lovingly. “Okay Tenchi, meet you downstairs.” She then headed towards the staircase. Tenchi breathed a huge sigh of relief and closed the door. “Ryoko, you can come out now!” he called. No answer. Tenchi walked up to the closet. “Ryoko?” What he got wasn’t a response, but a moaning sound. “Ohhhhhh!!” Ryoko cried hoarsely from inside the closet. “Ryoko! Are you all right?” For a few moments he heard nothing. Then the closet door opened a crack, and Ryoko’s red face poked out. “Are you all right?” Tenchi asked again. Ryoko nodded and cleared her throat. “Um, Tenchi? Could you get rid of this for me?” She held out her hands. Tenchi looked at her hands and saw an egg, much like the one that Ryo-Ohki hatched from. Only this one looked much like one of Ryoko’s gems. “What is it?” pondered Tenchi. “Well...if anyone sees this, we’ll be in BIG trouble.” Tenchi’s eyes opened wide. “You mean...” Ryoko nodded. Tenchi quickly grabbed the egg and raced out of the room. Meanwhile, Ryoko went over to the window and looked outside. She noticed her and Tenchi’s clothes laying by the side of the lake. thought Ryoko. Ryoko quickly teleported herself to the side of the lake, quickly grabbed the clothes, and phased back to Tenchi’s room. Phew, that was close! she thought. Ryoko hastily teleported to her room, threw on some clothes, and headed downstairs for breakfast. ************************************************************* Tenchi slowly crept down the stairs, holding the mysterious egg in his hands. Tenchi said to himself. Just then, Sasami walked towards the bottom of the stairs. “Hi, Tenchi! Breakfast is getting cold. What took you so long?” said Sasami, with her usual cheery smile. Tenchi froze, then quickly tried to hide the egg behind his back. Sasami noticed this. “Hey, what’s that?” she asked, her bright pink eyes sparkling in the sunlight. “Uhhh, nothing, Sasami.” “Don’t be silly, Tenchi.” Sasami giggled. “You can’t hide anything from me.” She quickly snatched the egg from behind Tenchi before he could stop her. Ryoko entered the hallway and saw Sasami with the egg. “What did you DO, Tenchi!?” Ryoko hissed in Tenchi’s ear. “She was too quick for me! I didn’t MEAN to!” Tenchi hissed back. Sasami stared at the egg, then back at a nervous Ryoko and a nervous Tenchi. “What is it?” “NOTHING!” Tenchi and Ryoko cried at the same time, trying not to look so nervous. “Hey, this looks kind-of like Ryo-Ohki’s egg!” Sasami figured. “Hey everyone! Come in here and check this out!” thought Tenchi and Ryoko, both at the same time. ************************************************************* A few minutes later, everyone had gathered in the living room, all staring at that strange object laying on the table in front of them. Tenchi and Ryoko, however, were looking at everyone nervously, hoping to God that nothing would happen. “Soo, what is it again?” asked a confused Mihoshi. “It looks like Ryo-Ohki’s egg, only it’s red like Ryoko’s gems.” said Sasami. Ryo-Ohki hopped onto the table and started sniffing the egg. “Reow, miya!” she purred, rubbing against the egg. Ayeka looked at Washu. “Do you know what this is, Miss Washu? Surely you do.” Ryoko thought. Washu started to open her mouth, then looked at Ryoko and the expression on her face. “I’m sorry, but I have no idea. This...thing...is very odd. Nothing I’ve ever seen before.” “Couldn’t you at least do some tests?” asked Sasami. “You are usually able to figure out even the most puzzling of mysteries.” Ayeka and Mihoshi nodded. Ryoko and Tenchi looked down at their hands. “I could,” said Washu. “But it may take days, even weeks, for me to conjure any information about this unknown object.” Sasami sighed. “I guess we’ll never find out what it is.” She looked up at Tenchi. “Tenchi, where did you find it?” “Uhhh...um...” stammered Tenchi, while all eyes looked at him anxiously. Before he could think of an answer, however, the egg started to move slightly. “AHHHH!!!” screamed Mihoshi, jumping up on Washu’s lap. “Get...off of me!” choked a squashed Washu. “I...can’t breathe!” Sasami looked at the egg with astonishment. “Look, it’s...it’s hatching!” Everyone bent closer to the shiny red egg, and watched it slowly crack open. The first thing they saw was a little nose poking out of the cracked egg. Soon it’s whole body emerged from the shell, revealing...a cabbit-like creature much like Ryo-Ohki! The tiny little ball of fur slowly opened it’s eyes, and looked around the room at all the peering faces. It then spotted Tenchi and Ryoko, were looked like they were both about to faint. “Mmeww...” it mewed, eyes fixed on it’s parents. Sasami squealed and gathered the cabbit up in a hug. “AWWW!! How PRECIOUS!! Welcome to our house!” Now Tenchi was both nervous AND confused. Same with Ryoko. Washu looked closely at the little newborn. “Hmmm, it seems as though it’s a she.” Washu proclaimed. “And from the looks of things...” cried Ryoko's thoughts, sending the telepathic message to Washu. Washu understood. “It’s a she, all right.” she said, glancing at Ryoko. Tenchi and Ryoko’s heads both jerked up when they heard this. They then looked at each other. “Did you...” Ryoko began. “...Hear that?” Tenchi finished. “Yes I did.” Ryoko whispered. “It seems as though she can communicate with us telepathically, like I can with Washu and Ryo-Ohki.” “Maybe they won’t find out where she came from.” Tenchi whispered back. Tenchi spoke too soon. Sasami had noticed something awfully familiar about the tiny little cabbit in her arms. “Look everybody, at her hair! It’s the same color as Ryoko’s! And she...she has what looks like the Lighthawk Wings on her forehead!” “What!?” everyone in the room yelled. They watched in shock as the little cabbit struggled free from Sasami’s grip and into the arms of Tenchi. Sasami was right. Tenko DID look like Ryoko and Tenchi. She was very similar looking to Ryo-Ohki, but the hair in her ears were cyan-colored, just like Ryoko’s. Her fur was of a tan, skin-like color, also like Ryoko’s, and Tenchi’s as well. Tenko’s tail was a jet black color, just like Tenchi’s hair. Her eyes were a lot like Ryoko’s, but more round, like Tenchi’s. And the most discriminating part about Tenko was...she had a symbol of the Lighthawk Wings on her forehead, much like the one Tenchi would get when he would face off in a fierce battle. Everyone continued to stare with disbelief as the cabbit rubbed against Tenchi, then Ryoko. “Oh! I think I’ve figured it out now!” cried Mihoshi. Everyone else in the room looked at Mihoshi, anxiously awaiting her response. “That creature must really like Tenchi and Ryoko!” Everybody groaned. “MIHOOOSHI!!” Washu bit her lip and kept silent, even though she KNEW exactly what was happening, but then she couldn’t stand it one minute more. “Everyone, I’d like you to meet the newest addition to the Masaki household, Tenko Masaki!” announced Washu. “And according to my beliefs, the parents are...” she looked around and pointed to Ryoko and Tenchi. “Those two, Tenchi and Ryoko!” Ryoko grinned sheepishly, while Tenchi looked down at the floor. “WHAAAAAAT!?!?!?” was the last thing Ayeka screamed before passing out. ************************************************************** Well, that's the end of the first part. Hope you all liked it. Send questions or comments to lilwashyuu@yahoo.com. Thank you.