Interesting Diversions

By, Clayton Overstreet

Washu sat in her lad absently typing on her keyboard. She kept wondering why Ryoko had asked her to make that mini-atmosphere on the moon. She knew that her daughter was most likely going to use it as part of her latest 'get Tenchi' plan. Washu chuckled to herself. She hadn't been able to read her daughter's mind, but from what she'd seen Ryoko had put a lot of thought into it this time. Oh well, should be fun to watch.

Tenchi sat back on a patch of soft dirt in his carrot garden and took out the lunch Sasami had packed for him. Though for some reason today he didn't really pay that much attention to it. Oh it was delicious as always, but he had something on his mind. For the last hour or so he had felt like someone was watching him. He closed his eyes and held the master key in his pocket. His eyes snapped open and he turned to grin at the tree behind him, "Hey Ryoko, would you like a bite of my lunch?" He laughed softly as he heard a gasp from in the leaves.

Then Ryoko appeared next to him and sighed, "I'm out of practice." She snagged half his sandwich and started eating, staring off into the woods.

Tenchi smiled at her, "So what are you doing today? Avoiding the chores."

Ryoko frowned for a second, but then smiled at him. "Well yeah, but I was also watching you work." She hugged him tightly. Tenchi blushed and backed off. Ryoko looked at him hurt.

Tenchi saw her and said, "I'm sorry Ryoko, you just kind of make me nervous." A tear fell down the side of her face that Tenchi couldn't see. She wiped it away before he could see it.

"What makes you nervous around me? Aren't I pretty?"

Tenchi smiled and nodded, "Aww come on Ryoko, you know your gorgeous. But incase you forgot, when we met you tried to kill me. Plus... well never mind."

Ryoko looked at him, "No, go on. What were you going to say?"

Tenchi gulped and looked at her, "Well don't take this the wrong way, but I'm just not entirely sure you feel the way you say you do. Usually when you see me your either trying to seduce me so you have an excuse to fight with Ayeka, or your trying to talk me into giving you back your gems."

Ryoko looked down. Then she said something completely unexpected, "You're right."

Tenchi looked at her shocked, "Wha… what?" Ryoko smiled up at him a little sarcastically.

"Well you are right. I fight with Ayeka just to piss her off. When I do I usually ignore or forget that my friends are in the way of the blast." She shook her head; "It's just... that's how it always used to be. I never had to watch out whom I was blasting because Kagato had me kill everyone. Plus I really do keep bugging you for my gems. I do that because they give you control over me. I wanted them so that I could show you that when I could leave, I wouldn't." Another tear fell, and this time Tenchi saw it. He reached out and wiped it away. She turned her head away from him, "Tenchi... I've known you for so long..."

Tenchi was confused, "Ryoko, it hasn't even been a year yet. That isn't that long a time." She looked at him again, wanting to tell him about having watched him grow up from the cave. Having tried to comfort him when he had come to grieve for his mother. Then the image of Ayeka laughing when she had told the princess about it came to mind. No, if Tenchi laughed at her she couldn't take it.

She turned and smiled, "Hey Tenchi, how about this? You and me spend the day alone, no Ayeka, no seductions, just you and me? How about that?"

Tenchi thought about it for a second, "No seductions?"

She nodded seeing him weaken slightly, "None. And anytime you want to stop, no matter what I will teleport us right back here ok?" Tenchi thought about it for a minute. He really did find Ryoko attractive, but she scared him. On the other hand Ayeka wasn't that much better since she had also tried to kill him when they met. Besides, he had been taught that everyone deserved a second chance.

He looked at her, "Ok, but two things. First you have to stick to the deal or I call it off."

Ryoko nodded, "And second?" Tenchi smiled, "And second we don't tell Ayeka until after and if she or any of the others want me to do the same thing you can't interfere, ok?"

Ryoko thought that one over. She was certain that when Ayeka found out, she'd definitely insist on the same treatment. But the chance to get Tenchi alone together was to good to pass up. "Alright, but YOU can't suggest it to her. Deal?"

She extended a hand and Tenchi took it, "Deal!"

Washu watched her screens in amazement. Ryoko had actually gotten Tenchi to agree to a date! She had heard about the deal where anyone else could ask the same thing, but she decided not to take advantage of her daughter like that...yet. She smiled; well that explained her asking for that spot on the moon. What better place to go with Tenchi? And she's even done it when Mihoshi and Kiyone (who had arrived the month before) were off giving their report to headquarters. Washu was glad to see her daughter could plan things out. It wasn't as clever or devious as one of her plans would have been, but it was still good.

Ryoko left Tenchi in the field and flew home happy. Her plan was going great so far. Now all she had to do was find her anti-Ayeka distraction. She was so super hyper though. She had a date with Tenchi! Woo hoo.

The next day Ryoko was up early. It was Saturday so Ayeka would be sleeping in. Sasami had breakfast ready so she ate with Tenchi and the others. Then she ran off to Washu's lab. "Hey Mom, did you set up that spot on the moon for me?"

Washu nodded, " Yes, but you have to tell me what you need it for. Or else I won't give you the coordinates."

Ryoko growled," No way. You'll just have to watch. And don't tell Ayeka about it or I'll be really embarrassed."

Washu grinned, "Suppose she asks me?" Ryoko just looked at her evilly. Washu handed her the crystal with the directions. She laughed as Ryoko left the room. Then one of her machines beeped and she turned her attention to it.

Suddenly Ryoko yelled back, "And no camera's mom!" Washu cursed and sighed.

Ryoko appeared next to Tenchi, "Hey Tenchi, ready for out trip?"

Tenchi smiled and nodded. "Do I need to bring anything with me?"

Ryoko thought about it for a second. "Well get a big towel, some swim trunks, and that water proof camera you dad bought to spy on us in the bath. Oh, and some sunscreen." Tenchi nodded and left to get the things on the list. He didn't know what Ryoko had planned, but for some reason he was sure she would stick to the deal.

Washu's sensor's beeped informing her that someone had landed on the mini-atmosphere she had set up. She smiled evilly. She had promised no cameras but her sensors indicated two humanoid life forms there. Laughing Washu focused on the infrared that showed two warm bodies, sitting on what looked like a blanket. One had spiky hair, and the other was behind that one. "I am the greatest scientist ever!"

Ayeka woke up at about five minutes past eleven. She quickly showered and dressed. When she walked down stairs she saw several plates of food on the table. She sat down in her place and ate slowly. When she was done she sat her dishes in the sink, "I wonder where Sasami and everyone are?" She looked around and saw a note on the refrigerator: Ayeka, Ryo-Oki and I went on a picnic you can join us if you want. Yosho's at the shrine, Noboyuki is at work, and you were in bed. Ryoko and Tenchi left this morning. Love, Sasami

Ayeka almost fainted. Ryoko and Tenchi were gone and together! She must have kidnapped him! Ayeka screamed and ran to Washu's lab. After a minute of banging on the door Washu answered it. "Yes Ayeka, did you want something?"

Ayeka took a deep breath, "Do you know where Tenchi and Ryoko went?" Washu smiled. She knew she shouldn't do this to her daughter, but Ryoko had to learn not to try to keep secrets from her mother.

"All I know Ayeka is that she had me make her a small atmosphere on the moon and about an hour ago my sensors indicated two humanoids there."

Ayeka fumed, "An hour! I have to hurry."

Washu looked at her, "An how would you be planning to get there without a ship?"

Ayeka had already left yelling, "Azaka, Kamidaki!"

The guardians appeared on either side of the princess, "Yes Ayeka?"

Ayeka looked at them, "Can you take me to the moon. We have to go to save lord Tenchi from Ryoko."

The guardians bowed, "Yes princess." They formed a force field around her and flew out the door and up into the sky.

Ten minutes later the reached the clouds and Ayeka was yelling again, "Can't you go any faster?"

Azaka answered, "I'm sorry princess, but we are not equipped with gravity harnesses. If we exceed this speed the air will be pushed to the back of the force field and you will not be able to breathe. We will arrive on the moon in exactly four hours."

Ayeka's eyes widened in horror. Four hours. Who knows what Ryoko would do to Tenchi in that time? She moaned into her hands, "Oh my Tenchi, what has she done to you?"

Four hours later Ayeka landed in Washu's habitat. Washu's instruments had informed her of Ayeka's arrival and she was watching on the infrared. Ayeka meanwhile stepped out of the force field and looked around. There was a half-eaten picnic lunch and a checkered blanket. She looked around and saw footprints. She followed them to a crater. Suddenly a blue haired head popped out. "Ayeka! You did join us after all!" Sasami said.

Behind her Ryo-Oki popped up, in her adult humanoid form, "Myah!"

Ayeka's eyes bulged out, "Sasami...what are you doing here? Where are Ryoko and Tenchi?"

Sasami looked up at her; "Didn't you get my note? Ryoko and Tenchi left on the bus this morning. She said she's had Washu set up a special place up here so Ryo-Oki and me could play and Ryo-Oki could work on her adult form in a lighter gravity. Why? Is something wrong?"

Back in Washu's lab the scientist sat stunned. Not only was Ayeka's body heat rising, but Tenchi seemed to have shrunk... and grown pigtails. Her eyes widened in suspicion. Doing a quick scan of the moon she suddenly realized what she missed. There was no sign of any space ship! Ryoko couldn't teleport that far. She'd tricked them! She checked her scanners and saw no indication of either Ryoko or Tenchi using their powers anywhere on the planet all day. That wasn't unusual for Tenchi, but Ryoko hadn't flown or teleported. Washu sat back and stared into space. Her daughter had outsmarted her...

On the moon Ayeka sat down and sighed, "Ryoko finally beat me." The as she thought about it she began to laugh and thought, You win Ryoko, you win.

She felt Sasami tug on her leg. "What's so funny Ayeka?"

Two hours earlier

Tenchi got off the bus and stretched, "That was a long trip Ryoko. Why didn't you just teleport us?"

Ryoko smiled at him, "No way Tenchi. No powers for me today. I'm just your everyday gorgeous babe!" They laughed and headed towards the beach. They each carried a towel, a swimsuit, and some sunscreen. Ryoko had also brought a blanket and an umbrella. Tenchi had a lunch basket and the camera she had said to bring. After they set up Ryoko suggested that they go change into their bathing suits.

Tenchi was amazed, "You aren't going to try to convince me to watch you change?"

Ryoko laughed at him. "You sound disappointed Tenchi."

He blushed slightly, "No… just surprised." He gathered up his suit and ran to the bathroom. Ryoko watched him go and almost phased into her swimsuit before she remembered that she was not going to use her powers. Sighing she walked into the women's bath and changed.

When she got out Tenchi was already back on their blanket. He was wearing some black trunks and was trying to apply the last bit of sunscreen to his back. When he saw her coming he stopped and stared. She was wearing a one piece black suit that matched his. Ryoko paused when she saw him looking and said, "How do I look?"

Tenchi gulped. "You look great Ryoko!"

She blushed slightly. "Hey Tenchi, need help getting the lotion on your back?" He nodded numbly. She smiled and picked up the bottle. Dabbing a little into her hand she rubbed it on his back. She lost her smile briefly as she noticed how he tensed up when she touched him, obviously expecting her to try something. She finished applying his sunscreen and turned away to put hers on. Tenchi was surprised that she hadn't done anything, but then slightly ashamed for thinking she'd break her word.

He turned back and saw her reaching to put the bit on her back. She had gotten a drop in her hair. "Ryoko, you have some in your hair. Would you like me to get it?"

Ryoko smiled and nodded, "If you would." he reached out and slid the glob out of her hair. He couldn't help noticing that despite it's spiky appearance her hair was quite soft. He flicked the glob into the sand and Ryoko turned to face him. "Thanks Tenchi." Ryoko grinned at him then lay down on the blanket.

Tenchi said, "Hey, would you like me to take your picture?"

Ryoko smiled up at him, "If you want. Want me to take one of you afterwards?"

Tenchi grinned and grabbed for his camera, "Sure." He took a picture of her, then laid down so she could get one of him.

After that she lay down next to him and looked up at the sky, "Aren't the clouds beautiful Tenchi?"

Tenchi was smiling at her and whispered slightly, "Yeah, beautiful."

She looked at him out of the corner of her eye, "What was that."

Tenchi blushed and quickly looked away from her and up to the sky, "Um... I said yeah they're beautiful." Ryoko smiled softly and turned back to the clouds. Besides her Tenchi pointed up, "Hey that one looks kind of like Ryo-Oki."

Ryoko looked and just saw a cloud, "What do you mean Tenchi?"

He smiled and pointed, "See? There are her ears, and her eyes, and her tail."

Ryoko looked closely and could just see what he was talking about. "Wow! Clouds make shapes? I used to do this with the stars when I was in space. It was all I could do while Kagato sent me off to raid some planet. I never knew you could do it with clouds."

Tenchi turned to her, "Really? Well what do you think that one looks like?" He pointed to another one.

Ryoko turned and looked at it for a second. "Hmm, it looks kind of like a he..." She stopped. She wasn't sure if mentioning a heart wouldn't sound too romantic and make Tenchi think she was trying to seduce him, "...eh uh, kidney. Yeah, a kidney."

Tenchi frowned a bit, "Really? I thought it looked more like a heart." Tenchi shrugged and they sat there in silence for a while. The noonday sun beat down on them.

After a half-hour Tenchi looked back at Ryoko, "Would you like to have some lunch? Sasami made us a pizza."

Ryoko turned and smiled, "Ok. After that can we go swimming?"

Tenchi smiled, "Alright, but we have to wait a half hour after eating before swimming."

Ryoko nodded and said, "Ok. It'll give me a chance to finish my tan. What do you think about it so far Tenchi?"

Tenchi looked her over and saw her front half had gotten slightly darker. Not as dark as Mihoshi, but somehow in Ryoko that didn't seem to matter, "It looks great Ryoko."

Ryoko smiled, "Thanks. You'd better roll over too." Tenchi glanced down and saw his tan had deepened too.

An hour later Tenchi had blown up a beach ball and they got ready to go swimming. They had both finished their tans and had decided it had been long enough for it to be ok to swim. Tenchi had been thinking though. For some reason he kept picturing Ryoko in smaller and skimpier swimsuits. He didn't know why at first, but then realized that it was because he was used to seeing her dressed like that. She wasn't doing what she normally did and that was what kept him thinking of her usual ways. In fact now that he thought about it he had seen her act like this, when she thought she was alone. Maybe he should... "Hey Tenchi, stop staring into space and come on. I want to swim." Shaking his head he smiled and followed Ryoko into the water.

On the moon Sasami and Ayeka were finishing their picnic. Sasami smiled at her sister and said, "I'm surprised Ayeka. Ryoko tricked you and Washu and you seem to be taking it really well."

Ayeka smiled at her sister, "I know Sasami. It's just... I've had some time to think. I mean if she went through all this just to be alone with him, she must really love him. I'm not all that sure I do. What do you think?"

Sasami wrinkled her brow; "I think it's Yosho's fault. He was the one we came to find and just wouldn't admit that he didn't want to leave Earth, so he pushed you off at Tenchi."

Ayeka nodded, "That's what I thought. When we get back I am going to have a long talk with him." They all laughed evilly.

Ryo-Oki looked at Sasami and said, "Myah?"

Sasami turned to Ayeka; "Ryo-Oki wants to know if she can help."

Ayeka smiled and nodded, "If she wants. Lets make a plan." Sasami giggled, "Ok Ayeka."

In Washu's lab the little scientist was busily trying to track down Tenchi and Ryoko. She just couldn't stand that someone might know something she didn't. If it killed her she would find out where they went.

Back at the beach Tenchi laughed as Ryoko snagged onto a passing dolphin and got dragged a few feet before letting go. The she squeaked at the dolphin. Tenchi looked at her puzzled. "Are you ok Ryoko?"

She looked at him; "Yeah I'm fine. I was just telling him thanks for the ride."

Tenchi's eye's widened, "You can talk to dolphins?"

She laughed and nodded, "Sure. Can't you?"

He shook his head then looked back at the dolphins, "Hey they took the ball!"

Ryoko turned and laughed, "That's ok Tenchi. I was going to suggest we go back in anyway." Tenchi nodded his agreement and they swan back to shore. Once on the sand they walked over t the showers to wash off the sand and salt. When they got back to the blanket they picked up their towels and dried off. Tenchi set up the umbrella and lay back on the blanket.

After a minute he turned to Ryoko. "Ryoko?"

She looked at him, "Yes Tenchi?"

He looked at her seriously, "Yesterday, you said you knew me for a long time. What did you mean?" Ryoko looked down and tears dripped out of her eyes. Tenchi looked at her worried. She was actually crying. Ryoko never cried, "Are you alright Ryoko? Did I do something wrong?" She shook her head and sobbed. Tenchi was worried. Not knowing what else to do he leaned over and hugged her. Ryoko's arms wrapped around him and held tightly. He noticed though that she wasn't rubbing against him like she usually did. He leaned over and run his fingers through her hair, "It's alright Ryoko. I'm sorry I upset you. I'm sorry."

Ryoko calmed down slightly, nod sobbing as much, "No Tenchi, it's not your fault. It's just I..."

Tenchi looked down, "You what Ryoko?"

She looked up into his eyes. "Do... do you remember when you were a little boy, when you used to play by the cave?" Tenchi nodded. He remembered very well. He always felt safe at that cave, despite his grandfather's stories of the demon inside. He'd go and pretend he was fighting demons and playing with invisible people only he could see.

He remembered one in particular... a girl who he'd forgotten about a long time ago... Tenchi gasped and looked at her, "That was you? You were there? But how?"

Ryoko buried her face in his chest; "I learned how to project myself out of the cave. I used to watch you and play with you. I don't know why but you used to be able to see me... then you stopped. I was also there the day your mother...." She trailed off. Tenchi remembered that day well. He had run from the house and straight to the cave. So Ryoko had been there, trying to help him… But he hadn't seen her... "It hurt so much not being able to help you. I was so sorry." More tears followed the first. Suddenly she felt a cold spot on the back of her neck. She looked up and saw Tenchi was crying too.

Ryoko reached up and wiped the tears from his face, "Please don't cry Tenchi, please. It hurts so much when you are sad."

Tenchi heard her and held in his tears. "Why did you attack me at school?" The question caught Ryoko totally off guard.

She looked up at him. "Because I was sad and confused. When you saw me... you ran away and hurt me. I knew it wasn't your fault but I'd never had these feelings before. So I... I decided to play with you. I'm sorry I scared you."

Tenchi looked down in shock, "That's why... oh Ryoko I'm so sorry. I was just scared. If you had only told me..."

She looked up at him. "I couldn't. If I had and you had laughed at me, like Ayeka did when I told her... It would have killed me. I... I love you Tenchi. I know I've said it before, when I was trying to make Ayeka mad, but I always meant it."

Tenchi looked down at her. Staring into her eyes, seeing himself reflected. Suddenly he was hit with a realization, "I love you too Ryoko." She looked at him in shock.

"Wha… what?" He smiled at her wiping the tears off her cheeks, " I said I love you Ryoko." He leaned forward and kissed her. Ryoko sat there for a moment then leaned into the kiss and kissed him back. Tenchi wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.

In the lab Washu was hit with a wave of emotions. She couldn't believe it. Something major was happening and her daughter had stopped her from finding out about it. Her fist pounded into the computer in front of her.

Back on the moon Ayeka and Sasami looked at Ryo-Oki in wonderment. The cabbit-girl was holding her head and making small moaning sounds. "Ryo-Oki, what's wrong?" Sasami asked. The cabbit meowed and shook her head.

Ayeka looked at Sasami, "What did she say?"

Sasami smiled, "She says Washu is mad about not knowing what Tenchi and Ryoko are doing and Ryoko is REALLY happy about something."

Ayeka smiled and nodded, "I think I know what that would be." She sighed wistfully, "I just wish it was me..."

Tenchi held Ryoko close, his face buried in her hair. The kiss had lasted for several minutes and afterwards they had both tried to apologize for everything they had done wrong. Ryoko looked up at him, "What about Ayeka? Do you love her?"

Tenchi smiled down at Ryoko and nodded, "Yes...but she and the other's are more like my sisters... though I guess I might have to start thinking of Washu as a mother-in-law."

Ryoko looked up at his surprised. "You mean you might want to marry me?"

Tenchi grinned and held her tight, "Yeah... but not right away. You can understand that can't you?" Ryoko nodded and held him close. Together they watched the sun set and the stars come out.

When Tenchi and Ryoko returned home everyone else was already there. Tenchi realized he hadn't given Ayeka enough credit. When he arrived with his arm around Ryoko he'd expected at least a small explosion. Instead she stepped forward and hugged them, "I'm happy for you." Then she had sat back down. Noboyuki ran to get his tape recorder. . Sasami and Ryo-Oki peeked out of the kitchen and smiled at them.

Washu stepped forward, "Ryoko, I am proud of you. You not only got Ayeka out of the way for the day, but you used me to do it. However unless you give me a hint about where you were today I will never give you a moments peace."

Ryoko smiled and handed her a roll of film, "Develop these for us and you'll have your clue." Washu grabbed the film and ran for her lab just as Noboyuki returned with his camera.

Author's note