"I'm not sure when I really started to love him, exactly. But
something hit me, when I first saw him." Ryoko closed her eyes and
thought back, her face happy.

"I know you crashed after your battle with Mihoshi. And I heard about
the fight at the shrine, later that night. But neither you nor
Ten-chan has ever told me about what happened in between."

"Well, I woke up in the middle of the wreckage, and Tenchi was holding
me. He gave me some water, and he asked me if I was hurt." Ryoko
smiled, remembering. "I guess it doesn't sound like much, does it?"

"Not really, I suppose," agreed the princess.

"It was."

Aeka waited for Ryoko to continue.

"Like I said, I'd always been alone. But that really didn't seem to
matter. I didn't have anything holding me down. I didn't need or care
about anything, anyplace, or anyone. And I *prided* myself on that.
But it cut both ways, and I didn't realize how empty that made me
feel, until someone *did* care, for a moment. When Tenchi found me
that day... it was the first time I can remember that someone wanted
to help me, instead of trying to kill me or capture me and claim the
reward money. The way he asked if I was hurt, not *wanting* me to be,
instead of hoping he'd found an easy kill." Ryoko paused and thought.
"You know, I guess I should thank Mihoshi for shooting me down. It was
the happiest crash landing of my life." She looked over at Aeka. "What
about you? Tenchi doesn't have a crown or anything. He's not out to
carve himself an empire. And he treats you pretty much like he treats
everyone else around here -- a little more polite, maybe, but no
official protocol, no ceremonies, *nothing*."

"But that's exactly why I love him," said Aeka, smiling.

"Oh?"

"I met quite a few men. That was why I was going to the marriage
meetings, after all. As I said, none of them appealed to me. They were
very polite, and they *pretended* to care. All so carefully planned,
so calculated, so... false. So many sweet words, and not one of them
sincere. But Ten-chan was *different*. He was the first man who tried
to make me happy, without caring that I was crown princess of Jurai.
Looked at me with concern in his eyes, real concern, from his heart,
not from his desire for power. Treated me as if I were a real person,
not someone who would one day occupy a throne, with the throne being
much more important than *me*. None of the others had ever even
*tried* to do that." She sighed. "I suppose I should also thank
Mihoshi, for sending that distress call. She wasn't the one needing to
be rescued. I was."

"Sounds like you've got a pretty good reason," admitted Ryoko.

"You, as well," agreed Aeka reluctantly.

"I think we've been soaking long enough," said Ryoko. "And I think
we've gotten everything off our chests, for now."

Aeka braced herself for the inevitable wisecrack at her expense.

It didn't come.

"Want to shake on our agreement?" asked Ryoko.

Aeka extended her hand, and Ryoko accepted it. "Well, then. Tonight
he's mine, tomorrow night he's yours, and so forth afterwards. Where
do we divide things?"

"How about at dawn?"

"Fair enough. No fighting over Ten-chan. Neither of us may ask him to
decide between us, nor sway him against the other. We share him
equally."

"And no whips or that kind of thing," demanded Ryoko. "Unless he wants
to."

"Very well," said Aeka. "I think we should also try not to argue, at
least in front of him," she suggested. "If we can avoid it."

"Fine," agreed Ryoko. "I think that covers everything."

"I believe so, as well."

"Then I swear, by my love for Tenchi, that I'll hold myself to this.
If you do, too," Ryoko said, her face and voice solemn.

"And I swear, as I love Ten-chan, that I will also abide by this. So
long as you do as well," replied Aeka, equally serious.

The kept their hands clasped for a moment, each one looking the other
in the eye, just the faintest hint of respect in their expressions.
Then, silently, they got out of the bath and began to dry off and
dress.

In the kitchen, Sasami continued trying to explain things to Tenchi.
She wasn't making much progress.

"Well, there was the time mommy was reciting one of her poems for the
Royal Court, and daddy said some mean things about it. So everyone
left while she made him see how bad he'd been."

Tenchi blinked. "Your mom whipped your dad because he made fun of her
poetry?"

Sasami laughed. "Don't be *silly*, Tenchi! The whip is for when you
*do* bad things, not for when you *say* bad things. That's what candle
wax is for!"

"C-c-candle... wax???" shuddered Tenchi.

"Oh, that's right! I don't think we have any candles, so I'll have to
get some for Aeka. Can you remind me, if I forget?"

Tenchi cringed at the very thought. Sasami noticed, and looked at him
curiously.

"But, why are you worried, Tenchi?" she asked. "You haven't said
anything mean to my sister, have you?"

"Well, no, I don't *think* so..."

Sasami smiled and jumped out of her chair. "I'd better write it 
down, just in case!" she said, grabbing her shopping list. After
adding "candles" and "burn creme" to the things she needed to get, she
sat back down. "I'm so glad my sister decided to show you how much she
loves you, Tenchi," Sasami declared happily. "Aren't you?"

Tenchi groaned. "Is it really true that your *mom* gave her that
whip?"

"Sure! It was at Aeka's birthday party four years ago. Mommy said she
was a big girl now, so she could have a whip. And she could stay up
later, too." Sasami's eyes danced. "I can't *wait* until I get
*mine*!" she said enthusiastically.

Tenchi laughed at the image that conjured up.

"What's so funny, Tenchi?" asked Sasami.

"I just can't picture you with a *whip*, Sasami-chan," he answered.

"Why?" asked the princess, pouting very sadly. "Do you mean boys won't
think I'm pretty?"

"No, I didn't mean it that way," assured Tenchi.

Sasami still looked rather hurt. "If I was mean, I'd tell Aeka you
said that. It wasn't very nice."

Tenchi wracked his brain and tried to think of what the proper way to
apologize would be. He smiled and patted her on the head. "I'm sorry,
Sasami-chan. I'm sure you'll have a whip, too, when you grow up. But
you'll be so pretty, you'll never have to use it."

The sound of two throats being cleared caught their attention.

"You shouldn't flirt with someone your older sister is interested in,
Sasami," said Aeka, smiling and standing in the doorway.

Next to her, Ryoko nodded, also smiling. "And it's dangerous to try to
steal a pirate's treasure. Watch it, kid."

Sasami's eyes went wide. She jumped out of her chair and threw herself
at the pair, trying her very best to hug both of them at the same
time. After a while she gazed up at them.

"You're friends now, right?" asked Sasami.

Aeka and Ryoko sighed. Then they looked at each other, smiled, and
shrugged.

"Perhaps a just little," replied Aeka. Ryoko nodded in agreement.

Sasami turned around and looked at Tenchi as she stood in front of
Ryoko and Aeka, the little princess' face very happy and very proud.

"So, everything's OK?" asked Tenchi.

"More or less," said Ryoko. "Everything's decided on."

"Uh, don't I get a say in this?" he asked.

She smiled. "We don't have *forever*, Tenchi."

"Well, then, is there anything I should know?"

"You needn't concern yourself, Ten-chan," assured Aeka. "We don't wish
to burden you. We've agreed not to fight over you. Isn't that enough?"

Hearing that, Sasami's face brightened even more.

"I guess I don't have any choice," muttered Tenchi, just a little
perturbed.

Ryoko chuckled. "Since when have you *wanted* to choose, Tenchi?" she
asked, smiling affectionately at him. Tenchi hung his head for a
moment, apparently having heard this sentiment before. "I *can* make
my own decisions, you know."

"Not without pain," replied Aeka. "And for you to be hurt is the last
thing in the world either of us wants. You do not wish to choose one
of us, so you will have both of us. That is what we've decided upon."

Tenchi grinned. "Both of you? At the same time?"

"NO!!" they replied simultaneously.

"*Really*, Ten-chan! How absurdly vulgar of you!" sniffed Aeka.

"He's his dad's son, all right!" growled Ryoko.

"I was just kidding," Tenchi said sheepishly. "Then, uh, what's the,
you know, *schedule* going to be like?"

Ryoko looked over at Aeka. "I don't think he deserves to know,
princess. Do you?"

"After what he just suggested? Certainly not!" answered Aeka
haughtily. "The consequences of his folly will teach him wisdom." Then
her proud expression broke with a laugh.

"You're worse than grandpa. Both of you," Tenchi said. But he was
smiling. "So, what now?"

"Dinner. I'm *starving*," said Ryoko.

"Yes, I'm rather hungry, as well," agreed Aeka.

Sasami hung her head, ashamed. "I forgot to fix something," she said
quietly. "I was talking with Tenchi, and I forgot all about it. I'm
really sorry."

"It's my fault, Sasami-chan," said Tenchi. "I shouldn't have
distracted you. I'm sure there's *something* we can eat." He got up,
went to the cupboards, and started pulling things out, while Sasami
searched through the refrigerator.

After a few minutes, they sat down at the table over a meal of instant
ramen, instant miso soup, and some rice Sasami had hurriedly cooked.
Once they finished, Aeka got up, and stood next to Tenchi.

"Would you like to go out to Ryu-oh with me, now?" she asked.

Tenchi swallowed hard. "I'm not sure I'm ready to do that, right now.
Not after what happened."

Aeka's face looked very hurt. "But, Ten-chan! You promised me!"

"I'm sorry, Aeka. I'm just not ready."

"I see, *Tenchi*," she answered pointedly.

He looked down at the floor. "Ae-chan, it may be a while before I feel
alright about that stuff again."

"Ten-chan, you said we could start over. Can we at least walk
together? Just walk, and talk to each other? Nothing else?" She looked
him in the eyes. "You gave me that much, when we were but strangers."

Ryoko sighed, then spoke, her voice almost inaudible. "Go with her,
Tenchi," she said, staring at her empty rice bowl. "I've forgiven her.
You should, too."

He nodded, and got up. As he did, Ryoko watched him as if he were
marching off to war and might not return, her expression very sad and
worried.

*You agreed to this. Live with it.*

*I'm beginning to wish I hadn't.*

*It was to make Tenchi happy.*

*Yes, but what about me?*

Tenchi glanced over at her, and saw the distressed look on her face.
Aeka averted her eyes as Tenchi walked over to Ryoko and kissed her.

"I'll... see you later, Tenchi," she said softly.

He reached down and squeezed her hand, reminding both of them of
another painful decision he'd forced her to make.

*Her idea of a perfect world is being with me, and all I do is keep
taking it away from her.*

"Aeka, I need to talk to Ryoko for a couple minutes, outside. I'll be
right back. OK?" he said. The princess nodded silently, then turned
around and watched them go, trying to hide the terrible distress on
her face.

*How long will it go on like this? Will I have to share him with her
forever?*

*Is it better than not having him at all?*

*But I was supposed to be going off with him! Why must he go and talk
to her, now, when he should be with ME!*

*You're being selfish and short-sighted. She doesn't want to share
him, any more than you do. He knows that. He wants to comfort her. She
needs his reassurance. Don't begrudge her that. Because tomorrow
night, when he takes her to his bed, you'll want him to do the same
for you.*

*But all he might give ME tonight is kind words!*

*You'll have to persuade him to give you more, then, won't you?*

Tenchi led Ryoko out the front door, and they stood under a sky full
of stars. He watched the sad expression on her face for a moment, then
looked up. Uncounted points of light twinkled in accusation, each one
bringing to mind the disappointment she'd endured on his behalf.

"I'm sorry to make you give up another dream, Ryoko," he said quietly.

"I'll be OK, Tenchi. Don't worry."

"If you look like that, I'll worry."

Ryoko tried to make herself seem happy, and didn't succeed very well.

"It's a nice night for stars," he said. She nodded slightly, staring
at the ground. "I thought you liked to look at them."

"I'd snuff out every last one, if it meant I could have you for
myself," Ryoko said.

Tenchi paused, very taken aback. "I guess I should say `thank you',
but wouldn't that hurt a lot of other people?"

"I don't care," said Ryoko. "I just want to be with you. The rest of
the universe could vanish, and I wouldn't mind."

"I'd mind. There are lots of people who're special to me, and I'd miss
them." He hung his head. "I'm sorry if that means I don't love you as
much as you love me."

Ryoko put her arm around him, shaking her head. "Don't *say* that,
Tenchi! That's not what I think, at all. It's different for you. You
*have* other people. But you're all I've got. What I said about the
universe vanishing, works the other way, too. If I disappeared, you're
the only one in it who'd care." She pulled him close. "I don't want to
be alone again, anymore."

"You're *not*, Ryoko," Tenchi promised. "And I think the rest of them
would care, a little, in their own way. We're all a lot closer to each
other than we seem to be."

Ryoko didn't answer. She looked off into the distance, not sad
anymore, but not happy, either. As Tenchi watched her, the wind rose
and stirred her hair.

"Ryoko?"

"Hmm?" she answered, still gazing at the horizon.

"Please smile. You'll look like you did, then."

Ryoko turned, her face puzzled. "Like I did, when?" she asked.

"In the car. When we were gangsters," Tenchi explained. He smiled.
"You really looked pretty."

Her expression became very surprised. "I didn't think you were
noticing yet, back then."

"I *noticed* from the beginning, even if that's *all* I did."

"Really?" she asked hopefully. 

"I've got eyes," he said, smirking.

"I wish you'd said something, Tenchi. It really hurt, not knowing."

"I'm sorry," said Tenchi. He'd hoped his compliment would have cheered
her up, but it only seemed to sadden her. It would be a while before
he figured Ryoko out, he decided.

"I'm not *mad*," she assured him, squeezing his hand. "It just would
have been nice to know you were at least looking at me. That there was
a chance you'd love me, someday."

"I told you this morning, Ryoko. I've loved you for a while now. I
just didn't realize it." He held her and kissed her again. "But I do
now. So stop acting like I'm going off to *die* or something. OK?" 

Ryoko nodded, starting to smile again.

"That's more like it!" said Tenchi happily.

"Can you do me a favor, though?" asked Ryoko.

He nodded. "Sure. What?"

"Say my name, once, when you're screwing her," she said, flashing a
wicked grin.

"Ryoko!" he said angrily.

"No, not like *that*!" she laughed.

"I'm serious! You wouldn't want me to say *her* name when I'm with
*you*, would you?" he asked.

"Not really," she admitted, frowning.

"Alright, then."

Ryoko smiled again. "Can I have another kiss, instead?"

Tenchi nodded, and started to move to give her one. Suddenly, Ryoko
grabbed him and crushed him in her embrace, pressing her body as
tightly against him as she could. She mashed her lips onto his and her
tongue darted into his mouth as she moaned. She held the kiss for a
long time.

"We can continue that, any time you like, Tenchi," Ryoko said, once
she let him come up for air.

Tenchi gulped. Love or not, it was still frightening to be pounced on
like a mouse. "Yes, but not right now. Aeka's waiting for me."

Ryoko gave him another kiss, a gentle one this time. "I'll be waiting,
too, Tenchi," she said, smiling warmly at him. "Have a good time."

"You're sure you want me to?" he asked.

"Yeah, I guess so," she answered, looking up at the sky. "You're
right. The stars look beautiful tonight."

"So do you," he said, taking hold of her hand.

Ryoko twined their fingers together. "Thanks, Tenchi," she said. Then
she sighed. "It's going to be a boring night. You'll be gone, and I
won't have Aeka to argue with, either."

Tenchi laughed. "Maybe you should go rob a bank, or something."

As they reached the house, he gave her hand one last squeeze, then let
go. Aeka was waiting just inside the door. When Tenchi kissed her,
Ryoko made herself look. It was something she knew she'd have to get
used to eventually, anyway. As Aeka and Tenchi walked out of the house
and down the path into the woods, Ryoko and Sasami stood, watching
them recede from view behind the trees.

Sasami smiled mischievously. "Should we follow them?" she asked.

Ryoko grinned, but she shook her head. "I think we should let them be
alone, Sasami. Why don't we go watch TV, or something?"

"Oh, that reminds me!" gasped Sasami. She turned and ran into the
living room, where she grabbed two videotapes off of the top of the
TV. Then she turned around to run back.

But Ryoko was already floating directly behind her. Sasami giggled.

"Remember the space pirate movie I asked if we could watch together?"
she asked. "Tenchi has *two* of them! He bought another one
yesterday." She held up the tapes, and Ryoko looked them over. One had
a picture of a caped man with a patch over his right eye, a scar on
his cheek, and a skull on his uniform. The other, still wrapped in
cellophane, showed five women outfitted in high-tech weapons and body
armor, clustered around a graceful- looking spaceship.

Ryoko smiled quietly for a moment, wondering if it was just a
coincidence. "I guess Tenchi really likes space pirates," she said
finally.

"So, which one should we watch?"

"Hmmm... it's still really early. How about the longer one?"

Shortly thereafter, Sasami was seated on the couch, and Ryoko lay in
the air next to her, as they watched the TV.

"Are you *sure* this is a space pirate movie, Sasami? It looks more
like it's about this guy flying an old airplane," yawned Ryoko.

"I don't know. Let's wait and see," answered the princess, as she fed
Ryo-oh-ki a carrot.

"My name is Phantom F. Harlock," said the man on the screen. "My
plane, with whom I shared joys and sorrows, is `Arcadia of My Youth.'"

Ryoko reached down and petted the cabbit as the carrot quickly
vanished between happily-munching teeth.

"I kept flying, believing in myself. I have no regrets about my life,"
continued the man.

Sasami grabbed a handful of popcorn from the bowl next to her.

"Dreams do not vanish, so long as people do not abandon them," said
the pilot, as he yanked back on the flight stick.

Ryoko nodded, understanding and agreeing completely. She floated
sideways and began paying closer attention, while the man and his
craft soared higher, defying lightning, cold, and the laughing voice
of death.


Preview of Next Chapter: No Need for Piracy

"So, what are we going to steal, Ryoko?"

Amber eyes glanced in vain about the graveyard-still void that wrapped
the blue-green planet. "I don't see anything *to* steal, Sasami. Just
satellites. And cutting off someone's ESPN service won't be any fun...
Wait a minute! *There's* something launching!" Ryo-oh-ki's sensors
focused on a tiny object over central Asia struggling weakly out of
the gravity well.

"It looks like it's headed towards that white thing with all the shiny
black panels on it," observed Sasami.

"Aha! I forgot, the Earthlings *do* have *somebody* out here." Ryoko
grinned her best predatory grin. "And I'll bet that's their supply
ship. We may get to do some pirating after all, Sasami- chan." A
Terran space-crewman's lunch might not be the most valuable cargo
she'd ever taken, but at least it was *something*.