Due to the excessive use of the right to sue people, I must include this paragraph. I, Ted Parkman, fully understand that Pioneer Entertainment or some other company wise enough to support anime owns all characters mentioned in the following story. Tenchi Masaki, etc. are all fictitious anime characters owned by Pioneer or their respective companies. I will use these characters in this story for entertainment purposes only. I have no intention of making a profit from this fan fiction. Arigatô.

Tenchi is busy sweeping the kitchen floor while Ryoko approaches him. She gets a sudden urge to just embrace him vigorously and with extreme passion, but thinks against it. Instead, she merely taps him on the shoulder. Tenchi stops sweeping and turns around to face her.
"Oh. What is it, Ryoko?" He backs away a little, remembering how mad she was earlier.
She smiles at him and replies, "Can I sweep the floor for you? You look like you could take a break after eating Sasami's cooking also." Tenchi stares at her, flabbergasted. Slowly he hands her the broom and then backs away even more, afraid she might attack him with it. But Ryoko, true to her word, begins sweeping the floor.
After a couple seconds, Tenchi asks, "Umm, Ryoko? Wh…why are you doing this?" He smiles at her nervously, trying not to offend her.
She smiles at him again and says, "Thought I would be nice to you for a change. It feels good doing it anyway." She chuckles to herself, imagining the images she must have put in Tenchi's mind. With the kitchen floor fully swept, she turns to Tenchi and says, "Would it be okay if we went down to the lake? There's something I want to talk to you about." Tenchi quietly mumbles an affirmative, still dazed. Ryoko's smile brightens significantly and she goes over to the front door, opening it. "After you, Tenchi." Tenchi walks outside, cautiously, not turning his back on her. Shutting the door behind her, Ryoko accompanies Tenchi to the lakeside. She sits down on a large boulder, the lower part of it submerged. Tenchi sits down next to her, though not as close as Ryoko wants. She ignores another urge to grab him and then says, "Nice day it's been, right Tenchi?"
He clears his throat and says, "Umm, not entirely. You wanted to talk to me about something?" He looks at her with a hint of worry in his eyes.
Ryoko nods. "Tenchi…" She wants to say she loves him more than anything, but is afraid he might run off, saying he needs to get on with his chores. She chooses her words carefully and says, "You know, I've been wanting to have a nice talk with you. (Sigh), so I hope you take what I say seriously." He just stares at her, with neither shock, nor sympathy in his eyes. She laughs. "Relax, Tenchi. I'm not going to attack you." He tries to look relaxed, but starts to sweat. Ryoko looks at him directly in the eyes and says, "For the past months I have tried and tried again to win your heart. I suppose I've been doing it the wrong way. But, please listen to me Tenchi, I want you to know that I love you more than anything." She stops and looks at him in a worried way. Noticing that he is not retreating, she smiles a little and continues, "Every time I tried to tell you that, you would get upset or run away or yell at me. That really hurt me, Tenchi." He opens his mouth, probably to try and apologize, but Ryoko cuts him off, "Muyo apologies, Tenchi. I understand now that my actions were outrageous and most often unfair to you. I just wanted to let you know that I really love you, and that I'm not toying with you." She turns to stare out at the lake, surprised that her eyes are beginning to water.
After a couple of seconds, Tenchi, to her astonishment and relief, says something. "Ryoko." She feels a wave of joy flow through her, hearing him say her name without a hint of scorn. Tenchi shifts around and then sits cross-legged, turning to face Ryoko. "It's about time I tell you the truth." He swallows nervously as Ryoko's face gets worried. Tenchi takes a deep breath, but no words come out. He sighs and looks out at the lake, then tries again. His throat seems to have swollen up in defiance. He coughs and shakes his head, turning to face the lake. What do I do? I don't want to start a relationship with her! I can't!
Ryoko shifts about uncomfortably. "Look, Tenchi. Don't speak. I know what you're thinking." She looks at him, tears sliding down her cheeks. Tenchi is busy trying to steady his breathing, sweat glistening on his face, his forehead furrowed in thought.
"Ryoko…it's," he begins, forcing the words to come out. He stays quiet once more. A fish splashes in the lake, breaking the silence temporarily. For about a minute, Tenchi tries to get his voice back. Ryoko is acting like she wants to run away, but doesn't know whether Tenchi is trying to say he loves her or doesn't. The latter seems to be the most likely. "Damnit Tenchi! Just say it!" She shoves her face into her folded arms, sobbing hysterically.
Tenchi jumps in shock, staring at her. I have to do something! I can't let her suffer like this! He inhales deeply, and then exhales, relaxing himself. "(Sigh), okay. Ry-Ryoko. I just want to let you know that…" He clenches his fists, shaking his head. No! I can't! I don't want to! Doing so would be bad! I can't! I can't! Shut up! What…who's there? How dare you treat Ryoko this way! But I can't let this happen! What are you afraid of so much that you would let the woman who loves you more than anything suffer like this? But…but…I just can't do it! Oh, and so you're just a coward? Are you just some unfeeling bastard? No! Then act like yourself! But I can't fall in love with her! Why? Because…I don't know…I just can't! Is it because of the others? Is it because you don't want to let anyone down? Yes! My God…you moron! That's no excuse for treating someone who loves you like garbage! Don't you get it? You are letting Ryoko down! But…what about Aeka…doesn't she love me too? Come on, Tenchi! Just search your feelings! It's also a question of whom you love! I…I care for all of them. But can't you see how silly you sound! You say you care for all of them, but what about one of them? It seems you only care for the gang, not for each person individually! That's not true! Then why? Well…I don't know! What am I supposed to do? Apologize to her! Do it! But…if I do apologize then I'm stuck! What are you saying? Are you afraid of women, Tenchi? No. Then come on! If you really are me, then you're going to apologize to her and comfort her! Look at her…she's crying! Do it! NOW! Before Ryoko can even react, Tenchi flings his arms around her, crying even louder than she. "G-gomennasai!"
Ryoko stops crying and gasps, her eyes wide in surprise. For a while, she just remains still, stunned by this turn of events, while Tenchi sobs on her shoulder. Then, she relaxes and runs her fingers through his hair, smiling. "That's okay, Tenchi" Hundreds of memories run around in her mind, and her heart tightens as emotions spill out. She starts crying loudly, squeezing Tenchi and rocking him side to side. The two spend quite a while releasing their emotions, and soon each other's shoulders are damp with tears. Ryoko rests the side of her head on Tenchi's shoulder, whispering into his ear. "(Tenchi, can we stay here for a while?)."
"Sure, Ryoko." Tenchi sighs and suddenly feels very weary, but comfortable. His mind slips into unconsciousness.
Several hours later, a shrill noise pierces the stillness: "Miss Ryoko!" Aeka is walking briskly towards the two motionless figures on the rock, sounding very upset. "Just what do you think you are doing with Lord Ten…" She realizes that Tenchi is not trying to get away from Ryoko and gasps. What Tenchi is doing is sleeping on that (to Aeka) slut of a pirate's shoulder!
Ryoko, having stayed awake the whole time, gets a sudden urge to just blast the shit out of that (in Ryoko's opinion) arrogant bitch. However, she realizes that Tenchi would not approve. "Aeka…leave us alone!"
Aeka shakes her head and says, "Ryoko! What have you done to him? You…you must have paralyzed him! How dare you do such sneaky, dirty tricks to Lord Tenchi!"
Tenchi wakes up with a start. "Wh…what's going on?"
"Lord Tenchi!"
Tenchi jumps in shock. Whipping his head around, he sees Aeka. She's very angry, her shoulders are rigid, her arms are planted at her sides, and her face is scowling directly at him. He begins to shrink under Aeka's wrathful gaze.
"Ryoko! You have gone too far this time! I will not allow it! Stand up and fight me! Do not fear Lord Tenchi, I will rid you of Ryoko's brainwashing soon." She stands with her hands on her hips, glaring at Ryoko. "Well?" Ryoko still does nothing about Aeka, except ignore her. But Tenchi has had quite enough. He stands up and walks over to Aeka, with the most frustrated face she ever saw him wear.
"Now you listen hear, Miss Aeka. Ryoko has done nothing to make me- has done nothing- what I mean is…" He loses confidence as Aeka's expression starts to melt into depression. Oh no…now what do I do? Now you've got to make a stand, Tenchi Masaki! Either you deny the fact that you and Ryoko love each other, or you tell Aeka the truth! Choose now! Aeka…or Ryoko? "Aeka, she hasn't put me under any sort of hocus-pocus! All she did was be nice to me. Is there any harm in that?" He glares at her. Aeka stares at Tenchi, taken aback. "Yes, you heard right, Aeka. Now could you please leave us alone?" Aeka stares, and then nods her head in defeat. She rushes to the Masaki houses, tears flowing from her face. Tenchi stares after her, looking sad. He then returns to the rock, looking very wear. Sitting down near Ryoko, Tenchi scoots his knees towards himself and rests folded arms on them. He then puts his head on his arms, staring out at the lake in silence.
Ryoko wants so much to congratulate him, but knows it was hard for Tenchi to tell Aeka off. Instead, she says, "Tenchi. This isn't going to go well with Aeka. She's going to think I did put you under a spell. We must do something to keep Aeka from going berserk."
Tenchi looks at her out of the corner of his eye, a weak smile on his face, and replies, "Since when did you start worrying about Aeka?"
To Ryoko, Tenchi's words feel like a dagger going through her heart. "Please don't say that Tenchi! I am not a heartless pirate. I have feelings too."
Tenchi looks at her, wide-eyed. "No! Ryoko! I didn't mean it like that! It's just that you and Aeka have been enemies for so long!"
Ryoko looks at him, worried. "Muyo alarm, Tenchi. I didn't recognize your sarcasm. Don't worry about it." She rests her head on Tenchi's folded arms, her cyan hair brushing against his face. The two sit on the boulder, looking out at the lake as the sun begins to set behind the trees in the distance.
Tenchi sighs. "I was afraid that this would happen, and now it has," he says, his voice full of remorse.
Ryoko hugs him tightly, whispering, "(It's ok)" and "(Muyo worries)" over and over.
Minutes tick by as the two sit on the rock, looking at the lake together. Ryoko sighs and moves her head off of Tenchi's arm, looking at him. Tenchi looks up, curious as to why she did that. He raises his eyebrows in question. Ryoko simply smiles, and then closes her eyes, moving her face towards Tenchi's. Tenchi's eyes widen. He watches her approach him, not sure what to do. When she is centimeters away, her lips pursed, there is a sudden shout of indignation.
"RYOKO!!!!!! G..get away from him! Now! Lord Tenchi! Run for it! Quick! Save yourself! She's trying to trap you Lord Tenchi! Hurry! Run! RUN! RUNNN!!!" Aeka is screaming her lungs out, tears streaming down her face.
Ryoko glares at her in disgust. "Has she lost her mind?!"
Tenchi jumps to his feet in surprise, accidentally flinging Ryoko several feet back in the process. Panic consumes his rational thinking as he makes a bolt for the house. What do you think you're-I don't have time for that now! Run! Run! Run! Run! Run!
Aeka and Ryoko watch him leave, one triumphant, the other stuck between anger and depression. Aeka turns to face Ryoko, smiling and taking pleasure in seeing Ryoko so upset.
"Well, Miss Ryoko. I'm afraid your dirty plans have been foiled! You will never get Lord Tenchi. Do you hear me? Never! I will make sure of th-"
"Get the hell away from me, Aeka," Ryoko interrupts angrily, her body shaking in rage.
Aeka doesn't even blink. "Or you'll what? Need I remind you what happens to you when you try to fight me? Remember last time? I defeated you so easily!"
"I won't ask you again, Aeka!" Ryoko feels anger coursing through her blood, adrenaline starting to kick in.
Aeka laughs a cruel laugh. "Please, don't even try to threaten me! I will-"
"AAAAAAH-" Ryoko unleashes a terrible yell, but it is cut off as she disappears in a phase-shift.
Aeka has barely a millisecond, and then Ryoko reappears yelling ferociously. Ryoko has phase-shifted to stand right in front of Aeka, and she doesn't hesitate to sock Aeka in the face, her blow landing squarely on Aeka's left eye. Aeka's head whips back from the impact of Ryoko's fist, when Ryoko suddenly knees Aeka in the belly. Some blood flies out of Aeka's mouth as she now doubles over in agony. But Ryoko, still enraged that Aeka scared Tenchi off right when they were going to have their first kiss, is certainly not finished with her. She flies up to hover some twenty feet above Aeka, and unleashes a powerful volley of energy darts on the kneeling princess. Aeka goes flying into the air as a giant explosion slams into her. She is too weak to even scream. As she lands and slides along the dirt, face first, Ryoko glares at Aeka once more, and then disappears to her room back at the house. Aeka lies sprawled on the ground, pain coursing through her, her breathing unsteady.
You…will certainly…regret this…Ryoko.
CENTER>End of Episode 42 Don't miss episode 43, No need for bedbuddies! PREVIEW OF NEXT EPISODE: (Kione speaking): "Hello everyone! It's me, Kione! Now that Mihoshi is dead, I've managed to make a deal with Nagi that I would do some spy work at Galaxy Police HQ. I also finally get to relax, for there is no one that can screw me up now! I had a talk with Aeka using Yugami's communicator, and she's told me that Ryoko is starting to seduce Tenchi. I couldn't help noticing the large black eye she's got. I guess Ryoko has nearly won Tenchi over and Aeka tried to stop her. Heh, knowing Ryoko, she must have given her hell. Looks like Tenchi's got a girlfriend. It's about time. I was starting to worry he might get desperate and go after me! Hmmmm. On second thought…well, I'll think about that later. I guess I'm going to be gone for a while. I just want to enjoy myself, you know. So, I guess I'll be seein' ya later Tenchi fans! Bye! I love you! And don't worry, 'cause I'll be back! Whoo-hoo! Mihoshi's dead! Hey bartender! Another vodka if you don't mind!"