Tenchi stood in front of the shrine, sweeping the steps. Sunset was just coming- as soon as he finished he'd head home. He sighed slightly. He loved the girls, but sometimes it was nice to have this little moment of piece. He looked up at the sound of footsteps on the shrine walkway. In a few moment Ryoko's head, then body, came over the edge. He blinked a few times, surprised by how pretty she looked.
"Hi Ryoko. You look nice. What's the occasion?"
Ryoko smiled and laughed a little. "Tenchi, how would you like to do something tonight? Just you and me?"
"Sounds like fun. But won't the other girls worry about it?" he asked.
She shrugged. "Musashi's got everything taken care of. They'll know you're fine."
"What about Aeka?"
"Forget about her!" Ryoko insisted. "We haven't done anything together since I don't even remember! I want to take you to Tokyo- have a little privacy for once."
"Tokyo? Wow, you've got this prepared, don't you?" Tenchi chuckled.
"Mm-hm. I've been waiting for the perfect day. Today seems like that, don't you think? A beautiful June evening and the weather being just perfect."
Tenchi didn't want to disappoint her; she seemed so excited about it. At the same time, though, he was worried. Tenchi knew Ryoko's idea of "fun" was a little wild. Still...
"I need to go home and get changed," he told her. "Once I do that, we can go to Tokyo."
Ryoko smiled and hugged him happily. "Do you want me to teleport you home?"
"That's okay. I'll walk." Tenchi managed to get loose from Ryoko and head down the steps. She walked beside him, and they bantered for a while, then went in silence the rest of the way.
'Musashi,' Ryoko thought to herself as she neared the house. 'You'd better pull this one off.'

Kiyone saw the duo heading towards the house. She gave the signal to Washu, who called: "Aeka! Could you come here for a sec? I want to show you something in my lab."
Aeka got up from her spot on the couch. "Very well, Miss Washu. But do hurry, for Tenchi shall be home soon and I wish to greet him as he comes in."
"Yeah, yeah," she winked at Kiyone and mouthed "all clear," then disappeared into the lab after Aeka. Kiyone nodded and grinned. Just in time, too, because Tenchi and Ryoko had just reached the door.
"Hi Kiyone," Tenchi greeted. "Standing watch at the door, huh?"
"You could say that," Kiyone replied simply. Tenchi decided not to press it.
"I'll be right back," he said to Ryoko. "This won't take too long." He was up the stairs in an instant.
"Everything going to plan?" the pirate asked the police officer after a minute or so.
She nodded. "Musashi's got the movie, Aeka's in the lab, and Sasami's making popcorn."
Ryoko tapped her foot. "I hope he hurries up. Washu can't keep her busy THAT long."
She didn't need to worry, however, because Tenchi was already coming back down. He was in one of his best outfits- simple, but in Ryoko's mind everything he wore looked great.
"Ready?"
He nodded. "Where are we going?"
"Wherever you want," Ryoko told him. "What's your favorite restaurant in Tokyo? You just name the place and I'll take us there."
Tenchi took a step back. "Teleporting?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"What if someone sees us?" he asked nervously. "I don't want to cause a stir in such a big city."
"Relax," she laughed, taking his hand. "I've been to Tokyo a few times and I know plenty of back alleys. So, what's you favorite place?"
"I guess Ai Hanabira, they've got some great Japanese food," Tenchi decided.
"Oh, I love that place too!" Ryoko agreed. "Hold on." And they were gone.
Kiyone sighed heavily. She couldn't believe she'd just helped one of the most wanted criminals in the galaxy go out with a boy that the crowned Princess of Jurai was after. But, Ryoko had asked before Aeka had...
"Is Tenchi here yet? Did I miss him!?" Aeka demanded, the closet door swinging shut behind her.
Kiyone said what she had rehearsed. "Yeah, he was here. He said he wasn't feeling very good, and just wanted to rest. He told me to say he wouldn't be down for the evening, and not to worry about him."
"Oh, my poor Tenchi!" Aeka put a hand to her mouth. "I must go up and see if he needs anything."
"He said he didn't want ANYONE to disturb him. Besides, I bet he'll be fine after a good night's sleep," Kiyone emphasized. "Just leave him alone for once."
"I'm sure that by anyone he wasn't referring to me!" Aeka insisted, starting to go up the stairs. Kiyone tried to stop her, but the Princess wouldn't hear it. Kiyone slumped down into the couch. She could only hope that Washu's hologram tricked Aeka.

"Lord Tenchi? Excuse me, Lord Tenchi?" Aeka said timidly, peeking out from behind the door. "Are you feeling all right? Would you like me to bring you something?"
The lights were off, and there was a lump underneath the covers. "Aeka? That you?"
"Yes, Lord Tenchi, it's me," she replied. "Before you retire for the evening, would you like me to get you something? Some hot tea, or soup-"
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine after a little rest. It's probably just a minor cold. Why don't you go downstairs and have some fun with the other girls?"
Aeka nodded. "Very well then, if that's what you'd like."
"I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yes, tomorrow. Sleep well, Tenchi, and I sincerely hope you are well after it," Aeka told him, closing the door behind her. Inside the room the hologram, which Washu had been projecting and talking through from her lab, disappeared and the covers collapsed back into a regular bed.
Outside, Aeka leaned against the door, wondering if she should go back downstairs or wait for Sasami to call her, when Musashi walked out of her and Ryoko's room.
"Hey Aeka! How's life?" Musashi greeted cheerfully, carrying something under her arm.
Aeka shrugged. "It's fine, I suppose. Lord Tenchi isn't feeling too well, I'm afraid."
"Why so glum? Geez, don't let a guy rule your life," the Rocket advised. She waved a couple boxes in front of Aeka. "I rented a couple movies. One's a chick flick and the other's an award-winning thriller. What do you say? We can have a ladies night- and if you get scared, Kojiro and Takeshi are always nearby..."
"No doubt Takeshi will spend the entire evening in the arms of his Police woman," Aeka giggled. She looked up suddenly, as if searching for someone. "By the way, where is your roommate?"
"Who? Ryoko?" Aeka nodded. "Oh, she said something about hitting the bars. You know how she is."
"Yes. I do. That's typical of her," Aeka grumbled.
"Ah, forget about Ryoko! Forget about Tenchi! Just drop your problems for an evening, huh?" Musashu persuaded. "Pretend you're just some ordinary girl who's having a night with some friends! Who knows? You might actually have fun."
It didn't take long for Aeka to think this one over. "Yes. I think I will. Thank you, Musashi." She started down the stairs, but halted. "Just why are you being so nice to me anyway? Is there something you are after?"
"Nothing I'M after, Princess," Musashi said truthfully. "Nothing what-so-ever."

Tenchi grinned over his glass at Ryoko. She smiled back. They were at a balcony table at the Ai Hanabira and thoroughly enjoying their meal.
"This is a great table," Tenchi commented. "The view is beautiful."
"That's one reason I like this place so much," Ryoko told him. "You can see for miles all around Tokyo." She motioned in the direction of a tall tower that resembled the famous Parisian one. "Isn't that Tokyo Tower?"
Tenchi nodded. "Where we had our famous little battle 20 years ago."
Ryoko smiled as she remembered their trip back into time. "That was a tough guy, Kain. But we pulled through." Tenchi looked off into the night sky, but Ryoko's eyes remained on him.
Tenchi looked back. "What?"
"Nothing. Just admiring the view," Ryoko said teasingly. Tenchi blushed. The space pirate sipped at her wine- she was skipping Sake tonight. "We've had a lot of fun, over the past few years, haven't we Tenchi?"
"Mm-hm," he agreed. "Ever since your ship crashed here the party's never ended." He took a finishing bite from his meal. "You ready to go?"
Ryoko took out a wallet. "Yeah. I'll get the bill."
"No, that's all right. I'll take care of it," Tenchi objected. "You've worked so hard to get the money you have, you deserve to treat yourself."
"I AM treating myself. This is one of the best dinner's I've had in my life." She flipped through, seeing how much she had. Ryoko blushed. "I, sorta, sapped most of it on this dress. Do you think you can handle the rest of the money?"
"I'll handle all of it," he insisted, again, taking out the correct amount- 4800 yen- and placing it on the table. "There. Taken care of." He stood up, and held out a hand for Ryoko. She took it, grinning happily. "You spent most of your savings on the dress, huh?"
"Yep. Just for tonight."
Tenchi looked down, realizing she bought it for him. "It's, uh, really nice. You look great in it. Sorry I didn't say anything earlier."
"No problem. Rendered speechless is a good thing," she told him, flicking his chin up so she was looking him in the eyes. Her heart skipped a beat. 'I'm FLIRTING with TENCHI, and he's FLIRTING BACK!' she wanted to scream, but kept it inside.
Once they were back out on the street, Ryoko asked Tenchi if he wanted to go anywhere else.
"I can't think of anywhere," he said, glancing at his watch. "If you want, we could just walk around a little. Maybe go through the park- it's not far from here."
Ryoko agreed, and the two strolled through the streets of Tokyo, looking like a couple out on a date. After walking for a while, they reached a small store selling Sake, where Ryoko insisted on buying she and Tenchi a small bottle. After a little persuasion she got Tenchi to try it, and, finding that it was pretty good, Tenchi and Ryoko continued to share sips, chatting as they went, and all-in-all enjoying the spring evening. Once they finished the bottle Ryoko announced that her feet were getting tired, and Tenchi agreed that it was about time to go home.
"It's almost 10," he explained, "and I've got chores tomorrow."
Ryoko chuckled. "I've got a little surprise at home for you."
Tenchi knew about Ryoko's surprises, so he was a bit nervous about this one. "Uh, what kind of surprise?"
"You'll see when we get back," was all she would say.
Soon they found a back alley, where Ryoko could safely teleport them home. Tenchi opened his eyes and found himself in his own room. He started to relax, when it hit him- he was in his room with the notorious Ryoko! Last time they'd had privacy like this (Washu's cave long ago) Ryoko had tried quite a stunt. Tenchi prayed silently that nothing like that would happen tonight. She'd been so good about that so far...
Thankfully, there was nothing of that sort planned. Rather, a television was set in Tenchi's room, with several videos sitting on top of it.
"How did this get here?" Tenchi wondered.
"I had Washu move it from my room to yours. Nice of her, huh?" Ryoko grinned.
Tenchi returned the smile. "You sure planned this date out, didn't you?"
"Date?" Ryoko felt her heart thumping as much as Takeshi's must have been when Mihoshi said those words. She'd sort of thought of it like that, but to hear Tenchi say it... "Yeah, I guess I did."
He laughed. "Let's see what kind of selection we have."
Tenchi and Ryoko flipped through the few videos on the top.
"Romance... romance... romance... blast! I thought I told Musashi to get a VARIETY!" Ryoko groaned. Tenchi laughed. "What are you laughing at?"
"You," he said honestly. "It's funny to see you're perfect evening messed up just a little. I never knew you were such a perfectionist."
"Guess we learn something new everyday," Ryoko remarked. She couldn't help but laugh along with him. Ryoko jerked a thumb at the tapes. "Anything there you want to watch?"
Tenchi held up one. "Didn't Dake Anata get pretty good reviews?"
"I'm not really sure. I think so. You wanna... you wanna watch it?"
He popped it in. "It might be good."
The duo curled up next to each other on Tenchi's bed, leaning back against the wall. Tenchi even slipped his arm around her and let her put her head on his shoulder! Ryoko sighed happily.
Surprisingly, the movie WAS pretty good, but long. Tenchi and Ryoko, exhausted by their evening in Tokyo, found themselves drifting off to sleep. By 11:30 they had fallen asleep in each other's arms.

Tenchi awoke the next morning at his usual time to find a woman laying next to him. Tenchi jerked in surprise, knocking Ryoko off of him and causing her to wake up.
"Hm? Oh, morning Tenchi," Ryoko said groggily. She looked around. "Tenchi?"
Both jumped up, blushing like crazy. Realizing that they were still fully clothed and remembering last night's events, they discovered that they had simply fallen asleep watching Dake Anata.
"Uh, maybe you should go back to your room," Tenchi suggested.
Ryoko nodded. "I'll get Washu to move the TV back to my room. Um... I had a nice time, Tenchi."
"Me too."
Ryoko's smile widened. "Hey! You wanna do it again, then?"
"Sure. Next Friday?"
"Why not Tuesday?"
"Uh... why Tuesday? I've got school and you've got work, so we really can't stay up late-" Tenchi began.
Ryoko cut him off. "You don't have to worry about shrine duty since it's a school day, and you said you won't have homework since it's the last week of school. And we don't have to be out late. Just a trip into Okiyama and to the movies. There's a new Animé out that I've been dying to see."
"That series about those four mages?" Tenchi asked. He, not unlike many other teenagers in Japan and all over the world, liked Animé. "I've been wanting to see that too."
"Great. Then I'll meet you up at the shrine around, oh, 6? Right after dinner?"
"Why not just go from the house?" he wondered. "Unless... Aeka doesn't know we're doing this, does she?"
"Who cares about Aeka? Stop worrying about the others, Tenchi! Give yourself a little attention, for once. What do YOU wanna do?" Ryoko countered.
Tenchi paused, looking down. In a moment he looked at her again. "6 on Tuesday, right?"
Ryoko's smile widened even more, and she hugged Tenchi. She decided to throw Musashi's caution plan to the wind, and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. "Sounds great! I'll see you in a few minutes, I guess!" She left the blushing, stunned and open-mouthed teen to go to her room.
After Ryoko was gone, Tenchi put a hand to his cheek.
And smiled.

"Well well, so the little girl decides to come back from her big date." Musashi was already up, and grinning from ear to ear. "And here I thought I knew Tenchi! Well, I guess I was wrong. Aparently he does want to move fast... nice job, Ryoko! I'm so proud!"
"We didn't do anything, actually," Ryoko said calmly, throwing off the nice dress and putting on a more casual one. "We fell asleep watching one of those romance movies you rented. And didn't I tell you to get a variety?"
"What?" Musashi said, acting offended. "One was a story about forbidden love, one was about two people who hated each other in real life, but were in love through e-mail, and the other was a heart-warming war story where a woman and man were separated during some terrible World War something-or-other. I never read up on Earth history."
"Oh, yeah, that's a whole lot of variety. At any rate, it seemed to work well enough. We're going out again on Tuesday."
"Tuesday!? You mean to tell me that I have to have another plan ready in two days??" Musashi questioned. "You actually think I can get Aeka to believe Tenchi's sick AGAIN?!"
"What about Washu's hologram?"
"Doesn't work long enough."
"Blast."
"I know what you mean. But maybe I can figure something out," Musashi slapped her "girlfriend" on the back. "Hey! Leave it all to me! You just enjoy yourself! This is your big chance! You and Tenchi, unrequited love, forevermore!" She sighed dreamily, then glared at the pirate. "Speaking of love, what about me and Kojiro?! I'm not gonna do everything only to have you leave me in the dust!"
"There's really nothing I can do," Ryoko told her, brushing out her hair into it's usual style. "It's not like I can get you to express your feelings, or stop that RDS or whatever you call it. I can get you privacy, but if you don't use it... speaking of which, did you or Kojiro make even the slightest move at each other?"
Musashi shook her head. "Never had a chance. Takeshi and Mihoshi sat between us and spent the entire evening feeding popcorn to the other. What a couple of hopeless romantics."
"Too bad. Well, you ready to go downstairs? What time is it, anyway?" Ryoko wondered.
"Almost 10. Lord Katsuhito didn't even ask about Tenchi. I think he knows what's going on," Musashi commented.
"That one knows everything," Ryoko agreed. "You coming or not? I'm starving and if we stay here too long people are gonna wonder if we died or something."
"And wouldn't Aeka be pleased?" Musashi chuckled, sliding open the door and almost running into Tenchi. "Oh! Hi, Tenchi."
"Hi Musashi," he looked past her, "Hey Ryoko."
"Tenchi."
There was a slight, awkward pause on Musashi's part, but she had it covered. "All righty, what's say we get a meal, huh?" She waved a hand between them. "Stare too long and your eyes'll get locked that way. Try explaining THAT to the Princess."
Tenchi blushed, immediately turning to go down the stairs. Musashi grinned slyly at Ryoko. "Falls in love fast, don't he?"
"In love? What are you talking about? Tenchi's not in love with me... yet," Ryoko smirked, literally floating downstairs, Musashi following.

Things continued to go by more or less normally for a while. Tenchi and Ryoko dated- always privately, without Aeka knowing. Ryoko was starting to wonder if they'd be secretly doing this forever, but didn't push it on Tenchi. He seemed reluctant to break it to Aeka- if there was anything to break, and Ryoko was sure there was.
One night, a particularly warm spring evening, Ryoko seized her chance of helping out Musashi. She explained her simple plan to Musashi, then began it at dinner.
"Hey Aeka, wanna know a secret?"
"I do not wish to know anything from you, Miss Ryoko, for it shall be a lie."
"I heard Jurai's been taken over again."
"Whatever are you talking about?"
"Oh, yeah, a couple guys just came on in and overtook the place. Man, what a hopeless planet if it can't even defend itself from a few villains. If I wanted to, I could run that place in a day," she snapped her fingers to make her point.
"Jurai's been captured! Oh no what are we gonna do!?" Mihoshi wailed.
"Ryoko's just trying to get to Aeka!" Kiyone told her.
"It's no joke, I'll tell you that," Ryoko insisted. "Word has it that the palace has been destroyed, and those Jurai warriors that guard it."
"Azaka and Kamidake!?" Sasami gasped. "No way, no one beats them!"
"Ryoko, you must stop telling such wild stories!" Aeka snapped.
"What's the matter, Princess? Angry 'cause of all that horrible fighting that's going on? Maybe you're embarassed because you're too scared to go back and fight."
"Wanna make our escape before it gets ugly?" Musashi whispered to Kojiro. He nodded. Violence wasn't his favorite thing in the world, and getting hurt was even higher on his list of dislikes. They stole away into the evening, Musashi giving Ryoko a thumbs-up right before she left.
The two walked mostly in silence, Kojiro for the most part following Musashi, as was custom for the two. Musashi took him out into the middle of the lake (by way of stepping stones). Once they got to the tree of Ryu-Oh, Kojiro stopped. "Guess this is where we turn around."
"Not necessarily," Musashi replied, simply, sticking her foot into one of the tree's notches and making her way up. "There's a platform up a little ways. Great place to sit down for a while." She looked down impatiently. "You coming or not?"
Kojiro obediently followed her into the tree and onto a simple, wooden platform. He rested his back against the tree. "This is great." He looked up at the stars. "You know, Earth's moon looks a lot like Nomékop's. When you look up, it's almost like we're back there."
"Guess so," Musashi replied. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Hey, this is kinda comfortable."
Kojiro stiffened, but relaxed after a moment. After a short silence, he spoke again: "I really love it, here on Earth. It's too bad we have to go back once Washu finishes her machine."
"Says who?"
Kojiro sat up, staring into Musashi's eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Why do we have to go back, Kojiro?" Musashi questioned. "What is there for us, back there? No food, no friends... nothing but mental beatings and physical pain everyday."
"Nyasu'll get worried," Kojiro said quietly.
Musashi laughed wryly. "He's a cat. He doesn't need anyone. Think about it, Kojiro? What reason do we have for ever leaving here? Think of what we'd be losing? This is the only place I've ever felt like I belonged. No one cares about your past, or your job... a first-class pirate and a police officer are friends! It doesn't matter to them. You're you, and that's all there is. Why would anybody want to give that up?" She sighed. "The more I get to know them, the less and less I want to go home."
"Musashi, you're completely right," Kojiro agreed. "We don't have a reason to go home." By now he was face-to-face with her, very little space between them. "Except that, deep down, you know we don't belong here. Things won't always be as bad as they are right now on Nomékop. My God, we're only seventeen. It's not like we don't have a whole life ahead of us. Nomékop IS our home, after all, and we can't just turn our backs on it."
Musashi was torn between smacking him and hugging him, so instead she just leaned back. "I guess you're right. Geez, Kojiro, I never knew you were that deep. When did that happen?"
"I guess there's a lot we don't know about each other," was all her would say. "I'm gonna head back. I bet the little battle's over by now." He started to climb down. "You coming?"
Musashi nodded, and went after Kojiro. Once they were at the bottom, Kojiro started to leave.
"Kojiro-"
"Yeah, Musa-chan?"
"Uh..." she couldn't say it. Try as she might, there was no way to get the words out. "Thanks, Kojiro. You're a better friend then I deserve."
"Yeah, well, the same goes for you."
Musashi smiled as they walked underneath an overhang of trees, making sure Kojiro couldn't see her face. It wasn't love, but it was a start.

A week passed, then two. Kojiro and Musashi spent more time together, but nothing more than what you could call friendly chatter. And, seeing as how they used to spend nearly every minute with each other, it really wasn't anything.
Ryoko and Tenchi's relationship was growing well, and Ryoko was beginning to put in the idea of telling the others that they were a couple. Still, something held Tenchi back. Ryoko was beginning to wonder how he really felt about her. Was this just a passing fling to him? Ryoko couldn't tell; not even Musashi could tell.
One day in early July, a little over two months after the D-Space travellers had come to earth, everything came to a climax that would change the Masaki household forever.
The group were, as usual, eating dinner, and for the first time in a while having a somewhat quiet meal, when Aeka said suddenly. "Lord Tenchi, how would you like to go back to Jurai with me?"
Everyone's heads snapped up. "Huh?"
"I have been considering taking a trip back to my own homeworld, and I was curious to see if you would like to come along. Perhaps, well, we make it a special trip, just the two of us. Seeing as how you are Juraiian blood, I know the people of Jurai would greatly love to see you again. And, maybe, when that is finished, you and I can take a trip throughout space. A, er, very special trip, if you understand."
Mihoshi slurped her food loudly. That was the only sound to be heard.
"Tenchi?"
"Um, Aeka, you see-"
"He'd never do that!" Ryoko snapped, slamming her cup down hard. "Tenchi would never take a trip alone with you!"
Aeka shot the pirate daggers. "If I didn't know better, I would think that you were trying to stop two people in love from having a little fun through the universe."
"Love! Ha!" Ryoko scoffed. "I'll have you know, Miss Priss, that Tenchi and I are in love! We've been dating and everything!"
"Ryoko! I am quite tired of your constant lying! Stop this at once! Why, Tenchi could never love a barbarian like yourself, especially if he had myself as a choice."
"I'm not lying! You can ask him yourself! Tenchi will tell you the truth, and you know you can trust him!" Ryoko turned to him. "Tenchi, this is the best time, I guess. Why don't you tell her what's going on?"
"Uh..."
"You leave Lord Tenchi out of this!" Aeka smiled winningly at Tenchi. She glared back at her rival and enemy since childhood. "I am quite sick of all of this, Ryoko! You need to give it up, once and for all! Tenchi does not, would not, could not, and never will love anyone like you! Why, I ask, would someone find interest in a rowdy, drunken and irresponsible space fiend, except perhaps another pirate? Not Lord Tenchi, no! He has more class than that, you know! Really Ryoko, you ought to just give it up."
"Tenchi, aren't you going to say anything?!" Ryoko demanded.
"Aeka, Ryoko..."
"I thought I told you not to drag him in! He does not wish to hurt your feelings, but he will if it will shut you up! Now leave him alone, you heartless pirate!"
Ryoko was so sick of this she thought she might puke. She gave Tenchi a look. "Thanks a lot," then disappeared.
"Humph!" Aeka commented.
Dead silence.
Tenchi stood up without a sound and walked out, obviously going to find Ryoko. Aeka looked from face to face, unsure of what to say. "Did I... did I miss something?"
No response.
Quietly the Princess stood up and left. "I suppose I should apologize to Ryoko. I was a bit harsh on her."
And she, too, was gone.
"Can someone tell me what's going on?" Mihoshi wondered.
"Yeah. I'm totally in the dark," Takeshi agreed. Sasami grabbed a couple dishes. "Help me clean up, Takeshi. I'll explain everything in there."
"Come on, Mihoshi, I'll tell you on the way back to our apartment," Kiyone said.
"If you would like, you two can stay here," Nobuyuki invited. "And maybe someone can explain something to me, too."
"Come with me, Nobuyuki, and I'll tell you what there is to know." The voice was Katsuhito's.
The others watched while he led Tenchi's bewildered father to a back room.
"Did anyone tell him what's happening?" Musashi queried.
Several head-shakes.
"He'll never cease to amaze me," Washu remarked. "Good luck with all this love stuff, I've got to go back to my lab. The machine's about ready."
No one paid any attention to the mad scientist. They were all too busy wondering exactly HOW Katsuhito had found out about their little match-maker scheme.

"I thought I'd find you here."
Ryoko didn't look up when Tenchi sat next to her. They were on the platform, atop Ryu-Oh. "Yeah, I guess you know me well, then."
"I, uh, sorry I didn't give you a hand back there," Tenchi said, blushing slightly. "I was trying, but Aeka cut me off..."
"You know, everyone thinks I'm some kind of heartless witch," Ryoko said suddenly. "Like all I care about is myself, and I'll do whatever it takes to please me. I get so tired of it sometimes!"
Tenchi didn't know what to say. "I don't."
"No," she agreed after a pause, "YOU don't. And neither does Musashi. But Aeka... has she already forgotten that I saved her worthless life during that whole imposter Yosho thing?"
Tenchi didn't want to talk about it. That had been the most stress-filled and painful day of all of their lives. "You okay now? When you left I thought you might take Ryo-Ohki and leave for a while."
"Nah, I wouldn't leave. There's nothing up there for me, just more pirates and Nagi waiting for information on where I am," Ryoko turned to Tenchi. "Here I've got my friends... and you, Tenchi." She looked away. "Besides, it's so cold and boring in space, just me and Ryo-Ohki flying around and wreaking havoc gets boring after a while. Maybe I'll give it up, retire from a life as a class-A criminal."
"That's good to hear," Tenchi agreed, wondering how the conversation had turned this way.
"You think Aeka would pardon me? Maybe they don't want me on Jurai anymore; after that rumor that I died maybe they gave up."
"What's got you interested in that?" he asked.
Ryoko stared up at the sky. "Do you remember, Tenchi, when I asked you if you'd like to go on a trip with me through the universe- a honeymoon in space- and you said it sounded like fun?" A nod from Tenchi. "Well, I wanna take that trip. And I don't want to take it with police and bounty hunters on my tail. Just you and me, peacefully visiting planets and seeing stars... wouldn't that make a great date?"
"Ryoko, I-"
"Tenchi, let's tell them all about us. Let's tell Aeka what's happening behind her back. I don't want to keep up this secret routine anymore! I know, it'll hurt her at first, but she'll get used to the idea and meet someone nice back on Jurai, or maybe even here on Earth." Ryoko leaned over her unofficial boyfriend. "Come on, Tenchi, she has to know sooner or later."
He averted eye contact. "You're right, Ryoko. It's just... she'll be heart-broken, and I don't wanna hurt Aeka anymore than I wanna hurt you or the other girls."
Ryoko's smile turned to frown. "Tenchi! Stop. You have to quit worrying about hurting other people's feelings! For once in your life, do what you want to do! What do you want out of life? Do you want to keep this up forever, dating me in private and acting like we're only friends in front of her? Because let me tell you, I don't, and if that's what you call a good relationship I'll take myself somewhere else!"
"...No, I don't want that at all. I- I do want to tell the others about us." Tenchi's arms slid around Ryoko and embraced her. "I like Aeka, maybe a little more than I like the others... but I love you, Ryoko. And believe me, the last thing I want to see is you hurt by my stupid indecisiveness."
Ryoko sucked in air when Tenchi said the word "love." Ever since she'd met him she'd dreamt, fantasized, and wished those words would come out of his mouth. "Tenchi."
They pulled away, slightly, looking at each other for a moment. Then, suprisingly, it was Tenchi who made the first move forward. Ryoko followed suite, until lips were touching lips and they had their first, simple kiss.
Someone from below gasped. "Lord Tenchi! Miss Ryoko! It can't be!"
The couple looked down, to see none other than Aeka standing on the stepping stones.
"Aeka?" Ryoko questioned. "What the heck?"
The Juraiian Princess turned her back on them. "So, Ryoko was telling the truth. Very well, then, I suppose that's that, isn't it?" She stepped quickly and lightly from the steps, than ran back in the direction of the Masaki house.
"Aeka, wait-"
"Let her go, Tenchi," Ryoko said, watching her leave. "All she wants right now is to be left alone. Believe me, I'd want the same thing." She took ahold of his arms and led him to the ladder. "Let's go back. It's late, and the others are going to wonder where we are."
"Do they know?" he asked.
"Musashi, Washu, Kiyone, and Sasami do. Lord Katsuhito might. By now, I'm sure the others do, also. Aeka's tear-streaked face will be enough for them."

The next morning, a dreary Aeka made her way downstairs to make a short announcement. "I have contacted Jurai by way of Washu's interspace transmitter, and they shall be sending out a ship to pick me up shortly." She bowed in Tenchi, Nobuyuki, and Katsuhito's direction. "Thank you for your hospitality, Jurai will not forget it." She turned to her younger sister. "Sasami, be prepared to leave in a month or so. We will both be going back home and return to normal life."
Sasami's eyes widened. "What? No, Aeka, I don't want to leave! Earth is my home, now, and I wanna stay here! You don't have to leave, sis! Just because Ryoko and Tenchi-"
"I don't want to hear it," Aeka said snappishly, her voice nearly breaking half-way through the words. "We have a planet to run, you know. That's all there really is to it."
Sasami became indignant. "I don't want to leave. Why can't I just stay here? I'm almost eleven, now, I think I can make my own decisions. And it's not like I won't be near Juraiian blood or adults. Grandfather, father, and Tenchi will watch out for me. So will the other girls!"
"Sasami-"
"You know what you are, Aeka!? You're spoiled! Just because you didn't get what you wanted, now you have to run away somewhere else!" the young girl dashed out of the room into her place of security- the kitchen.
Aeka ran the other way, up the stairs and to her room.
The rest of the group, with the exception of Washu, who had been downstairs all day, looked at each other.
"I should go talk to Aeka-" Tenchi began to say.
"No. I'll do it," Ryoko cut him off. Weird looks from everyone. "I know more or less what she's going through right now. I might not be her favorite person, but maybe I can get through to her."
"Then, I'll go comfort Sasami-"
"Taken care of," Takeshi interrupted. "I've got a million siblings back home. I know how to take care of this."
"Wow, this is sort of like a soap opera," Mihoshi remarked innocently. "Everyone crying and girls getting guys and stuff."
Kiyone rubbed her temples. "Can't you ever take things seriously?"
"What? I am. I was only saying."
"That's what I mean! You need to think before you say!"
"Don't get mad at me, Kiyone! I don't wanna start crying too!"

"Hey, Aeka."
"I do not wish to speak to you, Miss Ryoko," Aeka said, not trying to hide the fact that she was weeping.
"Listen, Aeka..."
"You have what you want! Why can't you just leave me alone!? Or will torturing me make you feel better!?" she snapped viciously.
Ryoko recoiled. "Ouch." She took a seat next to the Princess, who was staring out her bedroom window. "Not that it matters, but I didn't come up here to torture, tease, or anything like that. Actually..." she shifted nervously. "Hell, Aeka, I'm no good at this crap. Look, the truth is... you know, I feel sorta sorry for you."
"I don't need your pity."
Ryoko shrugged. "Hey, pity isn't what your getting. In all honesty, I feel like dancing around shouting to the heavens 'En koi Tenchi, soshite Tenchi suki ware!'"
"Then why don't you!?"
Ryoko awkwardly swung a friendly arm around her old rival's shoulders. "Hey, Princess, you oughta cheer up, you know. It's not the end of the world! You're young, you're pretty, you're royal and rich! Guys'll be begging to marry you."
"None of them will be like Tenchi," Aeka said quietly, still not meeting Ryoko's eyes.
"How d'you know that, huh?" the pirate countered. "You met every man in the galaxy? Every man on Jurai and Earth, for that matter. There's a million fish in the sea, and Tenchi ain't the only good one."
"I'm sure you are right, Miss Ryoko. It's just..."
"Hey, if you're worried about Tenchi treating you like trash or something, you don't have a problem in the world. He'll always think of you as a great friend. Prob'ly be able to tell you things he can't even tell me." Ryoko had lied on that part, but luckily Aeka couldn't tell. "And look on the bright side! With Tenchi out of the way, you don't have anything holding you back from meeting new people and making new friends. Who knows, now that we aren't rivals you and I could actually become friends!"
Aeka tittered a little at the thought. "That shall be the day, I'm sure."
"Okay, I made ya laugh. That's gotta be good. Why don't you come back downstairs. Trust me, the others are freakin' out about you." She stood up.
"Ryoko-" Aeka hesitated. "Thank you." She, too, rose from her seat, wiping her cheeks dry. "But I shall still be returning to Jurai. Perhaps, not forever as was planned, but it is time that I pay a visit."
"Yeah, okay, fine with me," Ryoko waved a hand carelessly. "But you shouldn't drag Sasami along if she doesn't wanna go. She's a big girl, she'll be okay here."
Aeka nodded in agreement. "Right." She started past the pirate. The familiar sparkle was starting to come back to her eyes. "You coming, or shall I tell them you're outside crying to the heavens 'En koi Tenchi'?"
"Get outta my way Princess Priss," Ryoko said jokingly. "I haven't eaten breakfast yet, and you never wanna get in the way of a starving pirate!"
"Starving, indeed!"

Down in her lab, Washu had just put the finishing touch on the Dimension back-portal. "And there we go! Ah! Two months and a couple weeks- I made pretty good time. But then again, I am the greatest scientific genius in the-"
Her monitor started beeping loudly, indicating that a ship within a light year was nearing Earth. "Hm? Maybe Azaka and Kamidake are visiting..."
Washu typed in a few keys, directing the computer to show a layout of the ship and who it belonged to. What it showed was anything but what the scientist had expected. "Hm? What's this?..."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Tenchi: Aliens? Attacking a little place like Earth?
Kiyone: That's what Washu said.
Aeka: But whatever would they want with this planet?
Washu: Nothing really. Except that the two Jurai Princesses, the two princes, the powerful space pirate, two top police officers and the smartest scientist in the universe are here. That's all.
Musashi: I don't think I'm ready for this kind of trouble!
Kojiro: Make that one double!
Takeshi: Next time on the PokéMuyo Series: No Need for War
Ryoko: It's unquestionably violent!