A/N...well it has been a while since i wrote a new Tenchi story. this is a complete new aspect of writing for me and i wish to share it with you the reader. i have improved some what, but asi have told other readers most of my grammar errors are done on purpose...that's my style of writing. This story is an AU and it's not an Aeka/Tenchi thing either. sorry but the princess is one of my least favorite characters...Tenchi and Ryoko rule in my world and in the beginning it will not seem that way...however you will see later on. I have written this story out beginning and almost the end...but i have yet to finish the middle of it...where everything turns...hopefuly you will enjoy it.
Thanks.
Everything is simple and sweet when you are a child. No worries, no problems, just freedom and happiness. But that all changes with growth. The prince remembered all too well how it used to be for him and his twin brother. They were very much loved and cared for. They had friends and no enemies, but once you grow things are not seen the same.
Tenchi sat at his desk and sighed. It was always rainy quiet days that led him down memory lane. He could remember all the games he and his twin brother Kenshi used to play, and the pranks they used to pull on Ryoko, Aeka and Kyione. It was their carefree time.
With growth came the growing pains all grown-ups are plagued with. Tenchi being no exception. Twenty three years old and first crown prince of Jurai. It was all stressful and tiring. He longed to see his brother, for he had left to go to earth when they were barely twelve. So long ago. Their source of communication letters or video calls.
The only thing that kept Tenchi happy was the fact that his friends, Ryoko, Aeka and Kyione were still there with him. All of them went to the Space Academy and spend as much time as possible. It also helped that both Ryoko and Aeka lived in the palace. Aeka being his great-aunt despite their closeness in age and Ryoko being the daughter of the Head scientist who for security reasons had to live in the palace.
He stood from the desk and walked over to the large window that allowed him to see the busy markets of his planet. His planet...he sighed, not his planet yet. Soon he would be crown king and he would choose his wife...Aeka was the one he was aiming for since he had the biggest crush on her since children. It was not uncommon for his family to marry within their own, and it was no secret that he did like the princess.
The fact that his coronation would take place soon put a smile on his face. It meant that his brother would have to attend. Tenchi being the oldest by five minutes was the chosen one, but his brother too had to be crowned second in command. Kenshi was doing wonders on earth. He was their army leader and aided other planets when invading races threatened the peaceful atmosphere.
"Brother I will finally see you and then I will be able to be crowned and ask Aeka to be my wife" he smiled and looked up at the sky.
Ryoko sat by the large fountain inside the palace gardens. So many memories and so many pains. She was happy to have had the chance to grow up with friends and along side Tenchi. It was no secret to some that the cyan beauty was in love with the prince, but he was oblivious to it all. She sighed dejectedly. He was in love with Aeka she told her mind. If only she was more feminine she thought.
She had always felt that she wasn't good enough or pretty enough. Throughout her teenage years she was the image of a boy...having no real chest and looking very boyish with the guy's uniform instead of the standard girl's uniform. It also didn't help that she was the best sword fighter and that she was top student in all of the male dominated sports of jurai. But she wasn't going to give up what she loved just to look more girly and please the male eye. So perhaps that's why tenchi never saw her as a love interest.
She brushed her slender fingers through the water and closed her eyes "if only you saw the real me Tenchi"
It was not too soon that the news spread. Tenchi asked for Aeka's hand and she gladly gave it to him. She shot Ryoko a glare as the cyan beauty sulked behind the rest of the nobles who were congratulating the couple. Her eyes were downcast and a fake smile was set on her face. Her mother watched with guarded eyes and shook her head.
Maybe this will push you forward and you will forget the prince my darling daughter. She thought sadly. What mother wanted their child to suffer while the love of their life was happy with another? None her mind countered.
Tenchi was elated and grinning like a cat. So many people and yet he wished that he and his princess were alone. He looked back and noticed Ryoko and Kyione talking, his eyes on his best friend Ryoko. She seemed distracted and not really happy. Why? He thought. Out of the corner of his eyes he was able to make out the figure that was walking towards him. His smile brightened.
The people parted as Kenshi made his way to the newly engaged couple. He gave them a smile as he approached "Brother" they greeted each other with the most endearing hugs family gave each other and began to catch up. Ryoko noticed the returned of her old friend and became static. It had been so long since they had seen each other.
"I'm glad you have returned Kenshi" the brothers chuckled.
"It had been long. I see you got engaged" he looked at Aeka and both glared. The last time they saw each other did not go as nicely as some believed.
Tenchi put an arm around Aeka's waist "yes. I will marry the woman I love and I wanted for you to be here"
"Hello lady Aeka" she clenched her teeth but remembered where she was.
"Why hello Lord Kenshi, we were not expecting you till the coronation" he chuckled once more. She was always cold and bitchy he thought.
He shook his head "I came as soon as I was told of the coronation date. It is set for a month or two from now and it takes too long to travel from earth to jurai. I had to come see this first hand and your marriage"
everyone was oblivious to the cryptic messages. Something only Aeka and Kenshi were aware of. Washu shook her head. Those two had something going on and it was not friendly.
Ryoko walked up to the trio "Lord Kenshi" he looked over his brother's shoulder and his eyes widened. Is that who he think it is? Tenchi and Aeka moved to the side as Ryoko curtsy. Not forgetting that even if they were friends she was still a commoner to him.
"Ryoko?" she nodded "I mean lady Ryoko...my you have changed so much" he took her hand and kissed it not missing the look Aeka gave him, ryoko blushed "you look so...wow I can't describe it" she blushed even more and tried to pull her hand away "my apologies for making you uncomfortable Lady ryoko, but you are absolutely stunning" she giggled and finally retracted her hand.
"You look...well" she looked him over and then looked at tenchi "just like your brother my lord. Nevertheless, you look very handsome"
"Ah...it's been too long" the four began to catch up with what was happening. Soon Kyione joined in and many were witness to their carefree attitudes and laughter.
Hours passed and many guest began to leave. Aeka complained of a headache and Kyione decided to walk her to her room. Kenshi needed to catch up with his aunts and left Ryoko and Tenchi alone. She was nervous, but at the same time she needed to be his friend "well since I'm finally allowed to talk to you I want to say congratulations tenchi"
He thanked her. But it seemed that what she said was forced. He let it go. "So, I haven't seen you around much"
Ryoko looked around and found her mother, washu smiled and waved. She was leaving. Ryoko turned to tenchi and put a hand to his forearm "I've been around. I was just wondering how you are feeling with the coronation coming around so soon and your...eng...engagement" she had to swallow the lump that formed in her throat. It was too much for her.
Kenshi watched the interaction between his brother and Ryoko. At first glance he knew that ryoko's feelings for his brother ran deeper than friendship. He laughed and shook his head.
Tenchi took her hand in his "it's been okay. Ryoko I'm a little tired I'll see you around. Don't be a stranger we haven't talked in a long time"
It was disappointing that it seemed he wanted to get away from her, she felt a pang in her heart...a dull pain...she pushed it away beneath her heart "sure tenchi...goodnight" he bowed to her and left. Ryoko was about to turn and leave when a hand to her wrist stopped her. She turned to come face to face with "Tenchi?"
"No...Kenshi...I want us to talk" she smiled brightly, they both left the room and walked out into the garden. Ryoko sat down by the fountain and Kenshi watched her.
"What would you like to talk about?"
"You are in love with my brother" she let her eyes widened and looked him straight in the eyes.
"What...what makes you think that?" he took a deep breath
"Come on anyone can see it. I mean my brother must be blind or dense not to see it. The way you look at him or the way you touch his arm wanting to at least be close to him"
she shook her head "no. he's my best friend, there is nothing going on. I like him...he's like...like"
"Like a brother?" she wanted to say yes but it seemed so wrong. "Give me a break you have a thing for him"
She looked up at the sky "a thing?"
"that's an earthling way of saying that you are either attracted to my brother or you are in love with him. I don't understand why he is engage to Aeka of all people though"
At that she focused her gaze on him "what do you mean?"
He cleared his throat "what I mean is that...well look at you. My god you look absolutely beautiful"
Ryoko glared at the man "I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted by that. Besides what's there to see?"
He laughed out loud "what? Haven't you seen yourself in the mirror lately?"
She rolled her eyes "how can you see anything with all these robes on me?"
He too rolled his eyes "never mind that. The point is that you love him"
"Do not"
"Do to"
"Do not"
"Do to...and lets not go back into our childish years Ryoko. It's late and I should walk you to your room at least" she nodded and walked ahead of him.
"We should talk more often Ryoko"
"What is it with you two always wanting to talk to me...do I look like a therapist?" Kenshi laughed and hugged her surprising ryoko.
"I'll see you tomorrow. If my brother doesn't come around them you and I can maybe hook up" she pushed away from him
"Hook up? Now what does that mean?" Kenshi shook his head "tell me"
"Tomorrow. Now rest my lady" he kissed her hand and then pulled away waving as he walked down the corridor of one of the palace hallways.
When he said that he would see her tomorrow it didn't occur to her that he meant at the academy. She was talking with Kyione outside of the main building when a hand to her shoulder spooked her. She whirled around and came face to face with him. Again she thought it was tenchi "hey Tenchi" he laughed and shook his head.
"When will you stop confusing us Ryoko. It's kenshi and my brother has yet to arrive. He is with Aeka" Ryoko's mood dampened and Kenshi saw right away "Hey Kyione"
"Hey Kenshi it's been a while. I hear that you are staying for a month" he shook his head "oh?"
"I'm going to finish my schooling here. I only need one more semester where as you all need two"
"How do you know so much if you haven't been here in such a long time?" asked ryoko and she looked around trying to find tenchi but keeping her ear on the conversation.
Kenshi put a hand to her shoulder again "I know because my brother always sent me letters. I also know that you my dear are the top student at the academy and top student in all of the male sports" she grinned and made a victory sign.
"You got that right my lord"
"Call me that again and we'll be enemies"
"So who's being childish now?"
He groaned and looked at kyione who was laughing "don't you start too"
she shook her head "it's nice to see you two at it again. You two always argued, although tenchi always was the one to come to Ryoko's rescue"
"Oh yeah. She pulled pranks on me and he would save her. He would choose her over his own flesh" he winked at ryoko "didn't know my brother liked her so much" she blushed.
"It's not like that...he's like"
"Again...a brother?" she hit him playfully
Kyione laughed "no need to hide it from me Ryoko I know how you feel about Tenchi. I like Aeka but I always thought you and him would end up together"
oh if only they knew the real aeka then Ryoko could have tenchi. He began to laugh and the two girls looked at him strangely.
Tenchi and Aeka came up to the group "oh what's going on?"
Ryoko looked at them and quickly turned to kyione trying to keep her emotions in check "Oh Kenshi was being a little flirt here and looked more like a fool" Kenshi put an arm around Ryoko's waist and pulled her closer to him making her blush.
"Just because I ask you to have dinner with me?" he put the other hand to his chest "you really do wound me my love" Aeka coughed and the others looked at her.
"Something wrong princess?" asked Kenshi while smirking.
Aeka glared and then sweetly smiled at tenchi "could we head to class my love I need to talk with professor Hakubi" Tenchi nodded
"See you all later...Ryoko maybe you should give my brother a chance" aeka jabbed him and he looked at her as if asking what. She pulled him away.
When they were inside Ryoko balled her fists and took a deep breath...he told me to consider his brother? Arr...
Kyione took Ryoko's hand "come on lets head inside...Kenshi you coming?" without a word they all began to walk inside.
It was uneventful. Everything was boring and slow. Ryoko gazed out of the window into the backyard of the university. Her mind was nowhere and everywhere. Why did it hurt so much? Her heart that is. Why did tenchi have to love aeka?
A/N and that my friends is the beginning...