Washu's Plan Ryouko's Loss Part 3 By GenSao Converted to text by Hakubi Ryouko The warm hand brushed against her cheek. Ryouko smiled and turned over, the bed creaking beneath her. The hand brushed against her neck this time, and the pirate blinked her eyes open. "Tenchi?" she called sleepily. And there he was, leaning over her. She smiled up at him, her hand reaching out to carress his face. Only to have it brush against nothing as the image of her love faded. Ryouko blinked at the disappearing apparition, then reached out with her other hand, as if its presence could keep the image in one peice. "Tenchi." she cried softly. * * * * * Ryouko walked down the main road which stretched out along the Masaki property. She was only dimly aware of the bag of groceries she carried in her arms, her mind wandering on the dreams and fantasies she'd been having. But Tenchi was gone, married over three weeks ago and living happily with Aeka. "Life's so unfair." she sighed as she made a cut through the trees to walk along the lake's shore. She really wouldn't have minded had Aeka gotten Tenchi fairly -- with her wiles. But no, she cheated and had Washu create that fake child. And Tenchi had gone along with it, which had really upset her. Ryouko sighed and shook her head. That wasn't fair, really. Tenchi's so caring and honest that she couldn't really blame him. The lapping of waves brought Ryouko from her musing. She found herself floating gently over the lake, very near to the wooden bridge. She sighed again, teleported to the bridge and finished her journey to the Masaki house. "Tadaima." she said as she walked into the house. It was a stupid ritual, since Nobiyuki was still at work, Katsuhiko stayed up in the temple, and Washu... Well, she hadn't seen Washu in a long time. The scientist kept to her lab more and more. Given all of that, it was pretty useless announcing that she'd returned, since no one ever answered. "Okaeri nasai." Ryouko froze. She didn't just hear what she thought she did. She was just having a daydream. "Okaeri nasai, Ryouko." Ryouko looked up. There he was, in his Jurai clothing, looking as handsome as he ever did. More so. Looking like the prince he'd become. Ryouko just stood there, not daring to move. Too afraid that this was just another dream -- another illusion. "Tenchi?" she whispered, as if admitting that small fact would cause him to fade away. Tenchi smiled. "Ryouko. How are you?" he said. Ryouko blinked, for several seconds. "Tenchi? Is that really you?" she asked, carefully. The young man smiled and nodded. Ryouko almost dropped her packages. Almost ran to embrace him. Almost told him that she'd never let him leave her again. Almost. Instead she smiled happily, took a deep breath, and held back her tears of joy. She nodded the new Prince of Jurai towards the kitchen, then walked past him. Tenchi, befuddled, followed the pirate and watched as she began to put the groceries away. "So... Are you still married?" she asked. Then immediately wished she hadn't. Tenchi just smiled at her. "Yes, I am." he said, handing her a package of eggs. "Aeka is with Achika on another ship. She should be getting here a little later." "Ah." Ryouko said, non-committally. She finished with the groceries, then turned and really looked at him. Married life had done wonders for the young man, had put a confidence and pride in him that he'd only rarely shown while on Earth. Suddenly it was just too much for her. Ryouko threw herself at Tenchi, throwing her arms around him and clinging. "TENCHI!" she cried, literally. She could feel the tears flowing onto his clothing, but she didn't care. He was back, if nothing else but for a short visit. Tenchi's arms wrapped around her and he was thankfully quiet, silently accepting the breakdown of her resolve. "Look at me." she finally said with a chuckle after a long silence. "Bawling like a child." Tenchi still held her close and Ryouko wasn't complaining. "Nothing wrong with that, Ryouko." he said, then held her out at arms length. "It's a side of you I rarely get to see. You're always so forceful... so brusque." He smiled and caressed her cheek. "It's nice to be reminded that you can be soft." Ryouko giggled, then stepped back from him. "So, how long are you and Aeka going to stay?" Tenchi walked around the kitchen, idly touching the table, counter, and stove. "A few weeks." he said wistfully as he gazed out through the kitchen's sliding door. A smile slowly spread across his face as he looked at the lake where the first Ryou-ouki and Aeka's Ryou-ou had crashed what seemed like eons ago. "Enough time to say hello to dad and grandpa, plus take care of some other stuff." He looked over his shoulder and smiled. "Plus I felt Achika should meet her god-mother." Ryouko blinked. Then the implication hit her -- hard. "Me?" she said, then snarled. "Not a chance." Tenchi started as Ryouko began crashing through the kitchen, pulling out pots and utensils in an angrily slamming them on the stove. "I can't believe you would even think I'd be that little demon's god-mother." she growled out as she violently threw the refrigerator door open. "Especially what she cost me." The space pirate pulled out some eggs, then reached through the freezer door and removed some beef. Tenchi watched, fascinated, as she carved the meat up with an energy dagger -- simultaneously thawing it. As she reached for the eggs, Tenchi saw that she was shaking; and when she crushed them, covering her hand in egg-yoke, he crossed to where she was. He gently took her hand and guided it to the sink, where he washed it. "Ryouko, I know you don't like the fact that Achika's come into my life. And I know you blame her for my marrying Aeka." "I shouldn't?" she asked angrily, her head turned away. Tenchi paused. "Perhaps. I -- I can't answer that, really. But I don know that I want my daughter to know you." he said, cleaning his own hands now. "I want you to accept her." "Why? Why does it matter?" she asked unable to stop her hurtful words. " 'Why?' " Tenchi echoed, increduously. "Because you're a part of my life, Ryouko. Because even though I married -- and love -- Aeka, I love you just as much. And even though I'm a fool I'd like to imagine both of you at my side." Ryouko turned to Tenchi, her eyes hopeful. Then she sagged and shook her head. There was too much resentment in her to accept a joined union with Aeka. She couldn't cope with knowing that she had come second in Tenchi's life -- no matter the reason. Tenchi sighed also. "It's a thought, Ryouko." he said, taking her hand again -- and this time covering it with both of his. "Just promise me you'll think about it before you say 'no'." Ryouko was about to answer when a Jurai guardian materialized outside. "Yes Azaka?" Tenchi called as the log floated into the kitchen. "Tenchi-sama. Aeka-sama has called and asked that you randevous with her. It seems she has had some trouble with her ship." Tenchi grimaced, hoping this wasn't a ploy by his wife to avoid this reunion. He turned to Ryouko, an apology on his lips. "Go." she said with a sad smile. "I'm sorry." he said, hanging his head. "It's alright. Dinner won't be ready for a few hours." When Tenchi winced she smiled. "Don't worry, I've gotten much better. I mean, your father's still alive." Tenchi had to laugh at that, and it cleared the air of any tension. He took her hand and kissed the back of it lightly. "I'll return shortly." he said, then swept out of the kitchen. A beam of light bathed them both and he and the guardian disappeared. Ryouko went back to cooking. * Two hours later Ryouko gazed down at the results of her efforts. She smiled, pleased with herself. The spread on the table would have done Sasasmi proud. And with time to spare no less, she thought as she looked at the clock. Nobayuki wouldn't be home for a few hours more and Tenchi should be back soon. As if in answer to her thoughts the front door opened. "Tenchi-sama? Are you here?" Ryouko froze. She slowly turned as the Princess of Jurai stepped into the kitchen. Both women locked eyes and the tension and feelings in the room was a palitable presence. "Aeka." Ryouko said, finding her voice first. "Ryouko." Aeka replied. Ryouko turned and began cleaning the kitchen. Aeka stood in the doorway for a few minutes more, then went into the living room to wait. A half-hour later Ryouko wandered out, a neutral expression on her face, and started for the stairs. "Have you seen my husband?" Aeka asked haltingly. Ryouko froze, and blinked. "What did you say?" she asked slolwy, turning to the princess. "Have you seen Tenchi? We were supposed to meet here." she said, annoyed. Ryouko stared at here, eyes wide. "Didn't you ... send ... that ..." Ryouko trailed off. Aeka stood and crossed to the prirate. "Send what?" she asked. Ryouko just blinked. "What? What you insufferable demon?!" "A message. Tenchi got a message from you to meet him because you had ship trouble." It was Aeka's turn go wide-eyed. "I sent no message." she whispered. Both women locked eyes again. "Tenchi." Ryouko said. "My husband and daugher." Aeka whispered. Both women sprinted for the front door, Ryouko in the lead. So, when she stopped, Aeka couldn't help but slam into her. "What are you doing?" she demanded from the floor as she began to pick herself up. Wordlessly Ryouko pointed -- at the open dimensional doorway into Washu's lab. "So?" Aeka demanded. She needed to get to Tenchi and Achika. "Since you all left, this is the first time it's been open. And Washu isn't in the habit of leaving it open for extended periods." Ryouko said as she entered. Aeka blinked owlishly but followed. Ryouko was the only one who had some idea where Tenchi had gone. Aeka found the pirate rummaging through the lab, idly tapping at Washu's shadow computer. "How?" she asked pointing. "I don't know. Washu wouldn't leave her computer open like this." she said. "It's very --" Aeka turned and looked down at Ryouko as she trailed off. "What is it?" she asked. Ryouko looked up at the princess, then pointed. Washu's Journal: Entry #21392 ----------------------------- All is going according to plan. Tenchi is enroute to the randevous and I am on my way to meet my destiny. When next I write I shall be Queen Washu of Jurai. Ryouko gaped at the entry then turned and stalked out of the lab, Aeka close on her heels. "RYOU-OUKI!!" she screamed with mind and voice as she hurried to the door. "Miya?" the cabbit called from the fields, then sprinted to the house. "Where are you going, Ryouko?!" Aeka called after her. "I"m going to find that witch and tear her apart! She's probably heading for Tenchi even as we speak!!" Ryouko yelled over her shoulder. "RYOU-OUKI!! SHIP MODE!!!" "MIYA!!!" the cabbit called as she leaped into the air and transformed. "I'm coming too!!!" Aeka shouted to Ryouko as the pirate flew up to meet her ship. "No! You head for Jurai! Someone needs to warn them in case I can't stop her!" Aeka watched the pirate disappear into the organic ship. She hesitated for a second before calling to her ship to transport her up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Writer's note: For those of you who have read the other fics, you've probably noticed that I'm not calling myself the author of this fic any longer. In truth, this story is based on an RP session that Gen and I did a while ago, and this is more his fic than mine. I'm just fleshing it up and changing a few things that happened, just for continuities sake. At this point there should be about two, no more than three, more chapters before the end of this fic. I will admit that the prologue and the final fic were/will be all my idea. Nekokun (AKA Hakubi_Ryouko and Chibi_Ryouko)