Disclaimer: I do not own Tenchi Muyo! or its characters, which are strictly the property of AIC and Pioneer; therefore do not sue me. The sunrise over the mountains splashes spots of color upon the lake, and the cool summer breeze hits the trees and brushes the dew to the ground. A single droplet awakens Oryko up from a blissful sleep. As he slowly opens his eyes, he looks down upon the beauty in still asleep in his arms. The dark crimson hair brushing against his cheek fails to block the view of her beautiful skin, the blush in her cheeks, and the smile on her lips - to Oryko, this was paradise. The smile on her lips caught Oryko a little off guard, for she was smiling at him when dozed off to sleep. Slowly, he stands up with her still in his arms and starts towards the house. Once inside, he heads upstairs to his room and lays her down on his bed, and kisses her lips softly as he tucks her in. Everything was peaceful and quiet, and he adored the way she slept; he slowly started backing up quietly to the door until he bumped into something - another body. He need not turn around, because the shape of the body was quite familiar. Oryko: (nervously, quietly) It is not what it looks like, I can explain. Ryoko: (angrily, loudly) Well, then you better get started because I will not have a girl sleep in your bed! Oryko: (quietly) Will you keep it down! I just brought her to sleep temporarily; I'll clear out Sasami's old room today and make room. Ryoko: (calmly) I am telling you Oryko, I do not like that girl, and I have a feeling she will break your heart. You know what I did to those other unworthy girls, don't you? Oryko: Yes I do, and do not think for a second that I will not try to stop you and your dirty tricks. Ryoko: (laughing) We will see about that, until then I want you to get work on your chores. (unrolls list) This is just a small list of chores I want you to do today. Oryko: (looks at list, eyes bug out) Th-that will take me the entire day at least! (looks back at Ryoko) So do you think this will stop me? I hope you are in for a long day, mom, because this means war! Ryoko: (watches Oryko walk out, then looks down at Azuka) That's right, sleep little girl, because when you wake up I am going to make your life a living Hell! Oryko heads downstairs to get some breakfast before the long day ahead. Washu and Mayuka were already at the table eating, while Tenchi was outside sweeping the walkway. Oryko sat down and began eating, then all of a sudden, Washu and Mayuka both started giggling. Oryko: (confused) What's up girls? Did I miss something? Mayuka: We were just talking about you - about how hilarious it will be watching you and mom going at each other's throats over that girl Oryko: (swallowing) I do not consider this a laughing matter, Mayuka. (sternly) I am not going let my own mother dictate how to run my life. Washu: (Chewing) Oryko, you are a good man, but your own youth prevents you from realizing your own intellectual potential - in short, I think you may be fighting a losing battle kid. (Swallowing) Your mother has gotten wiser with age, not to mention her experiences as a space pirate only complements her knack for treachery. (Laughing) Stopping her will be definitely no easy task; all I can do is wish you the best of luck. Oryko: (looking at Washu, then Mayuka) I take it then you both do not think I can do it? Mayuka: (concerned) Well, big brother if you were to ask for my opinion, I would say you have absolutely no chance in Hell. Washu: (sipping tea) I totally agree with Mayuka on this one, however, I know you well enough to know how successful you can be when you devote yourself to something. With that said, if you love her enough, you are more than capable of stopping Ryoko, but you will need to become a million times more devious in only a matter of hours if you are going to try and anticipate her moves. (Looking at the clock) Well, it looks like it is time for us to leave. (Looking at Mayuka) Come Mayuka, lets get going now if we are going to make it back in time for the real show. Oryko: Where are you two headed? (Angrily) And what do you two mean by "the real show?" Washu: (giggling) We are going into town to buy groceries and the real show will be the battle between you and your mother. (Winking) Now come over here and give your grandma a kiss before she goes. (Looking around) Hey, where did he go? Azuka: (yawning, walking down the stairs) Good morning Mayuka. Good morning Washu. Have any of you seen Oryko? Mayuka: You just missed him, and if I know him, he is probably sweeping the shrine steps by now. (Looking at Washu) What do you think Grandma? Washu: Actually, Oryko never did like sweeping the steps in the middle of the day, but he might actually be up at the shrine. Azuka: (confused) Shrine? What shrine? Washu: (pointing out the window) That shrine on top of the hill, the Masaki Shrine. The Masaki family founded it thousands of years ago. Oryko's great- grandfather was the last priest to reside in the shrine, but unfortunately he died just before Oryko left for Tokyo. His father still looks after the shrine and someday may take his place as the priest of the shrine. Washu and Mayuka leave the house for the market and Azuka sits down for breakfast. She eats and smiles thinking about how peaceful this place is. After breakfast, she sits down outside and looks around at the scene around her. The birds chirping, the sound of the summer breeze through the trees, the gentle lapping of the waves on the lake put her mind to ease and quietly she lays a towel on the ground to sunbathe. As Azuka soaks in the sun's rays on the ground, above her, Ryoko glares down angrily at the young girl. Ryoko: (to herself) Humph! So this is the little girl who thinks she is good enough my son? Look how lazily she just ignores the work that is to be done around here. Even Ayeka was courteous enough to help out with the housework and she was a princess! (Quietly) Well, let me show you what I do to lazy little girls who feel they have nothing better to do with their time than to bathe in the sun. Ryoko rushes quickly to the cabinet below the sink and grabs a full bottle of bleach, and then heads back to the window. She unscrews the lid and looks back down at her unsuspecting victim with a sneer. Ryoko: (thinking) He always had a thing for redheads, but this bleach will solve that problem. Lets just see how beautiful he thinks you are with a head full of white hair! At that moment, a phone rings in the house and forces a disappointed Ryoko to set the bleach down and answer it. Ryoko: Hello, Masaki Residence. Oryko: Just what were you planning to do with bleach dearest mother? Ryoko: (shocked) Bleach? What bleach? What on earth are you talking about? Oryko: (angrily) Do not play games with me! I can read your thoughts remember? I know what you were going to do, but just remember I am watching your every move. Ryoko: (yelling) Why you little brat! Stay out of my mind or I will make you sorry you were ever born! Oryko: (laughing, sarcastically) Why would I be sorry if you were the one who conceived me? Ryoko hangs up the phone angrily and tries to focus her thoughts on something else, while writing her next plan on paper in order to keep it secret. Meanwhile, at the shrine, Oryko works busily on his assigned work while his father prays inside. Oryko: (looking up at the sun) I do not know which is worse - this relentless sun or my relentless mother! Tenchi: (walking out of the shrine, laughing) My choice would be your mother, Oryko, and I found that out the first day I met her. (Looking up at the sun) When she puts her mind to something, she will do just about anything to get the job done. I can only image now what other scheme she has up her sleeve. Oryko: (looking at Tenchi) I do not think she will be able to get away with much now that I can keep her in cheek telepathically. It takes a lot of practice in order to isolate your mind from everybody else. Tenchi: Unfortunately for you, she has had some practice at doing just that; I thought you knew that already? Otherwise, you would not be as calm as you are right now. Oryko: (frowning) I was calm dad, but thanks for the reality check. (To himself) Mom, why can you not just accept her? As Oryko worked out in the field, Azuka watched her boyfriend from the shade of the house blushing her approval of his body, almost drooling at the site of him before catching herself. Meanwhile, an angry Ryoko sat from the couch and sneered at the little girl in the window, showing her own disapproval of Azuka's boy gazing. Ryoko: (thinking) Look at that little tramp, staring at him like a piece of meat, it is as if he were not even my son at all, but more like dog's chew toy! Well, we will see how desirable you are very soon indeed. Later that evening, as the family sits down for dinner, Ryoko's plan starts to take affect... Ryoko: (smirking) What is the matter Miss Azuka? Azuka: (holding her head) I have a splitting headache! You would not happen to have some aspirin would you? Ryoko: (slipping a powder in a glass of water) Try this powder, it has a strong ingredient that should clear that headache easily. (Smirks, hands her the glass) Now drink up, and do not miss a drop my dear. (Thinking as Azuka drinks) That's right my dear drink up! This powder is one of Washu's experiments she gave to Tenchi and I on our honeymoon - it causes a person to become horny and we will see how pure and loveable you are when you are trying to claw his clothes off! The strange, extra ingredient in Azuka's tea begins to take effect as the meal wears on, and Azuka constantly puts her hand on Oryko's leg before he quickly brushes it off. Eventually the meal ends and the girls with exception of Azuka clean up the kitchen while the two young lovers head upstairs. Oryko: (kisses Azuka) Well, good night Azuka I will see you tomorrow morning. (Grabbed low by Azuka) Hey! Just what do think you are doing? Azuka: (blushing severally) I am so sorry Oryko, but for some reason I feel so horny I cannot stand it. I do not want to be this way, but I just cannot help it. Oryko: What did my mother slip into your tea? Azuka: (brushes up close to Oryko) I told her I had a headache and asked her for some aspirin. (Holds up small bag) She told me that this powdered stuff would help; I do not suppose you know what it is? Oryko sniffed the contents of the bag, and then tasted a small portion on his finger. He knew exactly what it was, and an angry sneer appeared on face. He marched his way back down stairs and into the kitchen where the women were almost finished cleaning the kitchen. Oryko: (glaring at Ryoko) Mayuka, grandma, please leave mom and I need to talk alone. (They quickly leave) How much lower can you possibly go? You tried to make her force herself on me, and I take it you wanted her to do your dirty work, all you had to was just slip in the special ingredient and success was almost guaranteed right? (Exploding) Well, you failed this morning and you failed again tonight, and you are going to continue to fail because I love her and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it! Ryoko: (yelling back) How dare you talk to your mother like that! Just who in the hell do you think you are, huh? You will show me the respect I deserve young man - or has that girl made you complete forget about who you are and where you came from? Oryko: (calmly) Nothing has nor ever will make forget who I am and where I come from, but you cannot tell me who I can fall in love with and I have fallen in love with Azuka. Ryoko: (angrily) I will not except this girl or this attitude of yours in this house you brat! You will show me the proper respect or... Tenchi: (shouting) Shut up Ryoko! (Angrily at Ryoko) I have had about enough of the way you treat our son! Ryoko: (calmly, somewhat shocked) Tenchi, dear, why don't you run along upstairs and I will be up in a minuet to calm you down. Tenchi: (sternly) No Ryoko, not this time, I am not going to sit here and see you two tear each other apart over this issue. (To Oryko) From what I have seen, she is a very beautiful, smart, and sweet girl and even though she has been lazy she has done nothing wrong. (To Ryoko) I approve of her and this time I am setting my foot down! Azuka is welcome in my house understand Ryoko? Ryoko: (shocked, quietly) Yes dear, I understand completely. (To Oryko, calmly) I will do my best to accept her, but deep in my heart I still think you are making a bad decision. I guess only time will tell to see whether I am right or I am wrong - until then make sure you two behave yourselves in my house. Exhausted, Oryko heads back upstairs and walks in on a sleeping Azuka, still struggling with the affects of the drug. Silently, he kneels and kisses her sweet lips, savoring the taste and in his mind he knows that one day they will be able to some of things he always wanted to do as a couple. However, before he lets his mind and hands get carried away, he breaks the kiss and leaves the room. Tired and sore, he slips into the shower and washes away not only dirt, but also the anger and frustration surrounding the feeling concerning his mother the past twenty-four hours. Clean and relaxed, he slips into his bed and falls into a deep sleep, a sleep so deep that he starts dreaming a very strange and vivid dream. To be continued... .