Disclaimer: Characters and concepts from "Tenchi Muyo!" are Copyright AIC and Pioneer LDC. This work is a parody and not to be used for any commercial purposes.

Showing Restraint

"We are going to the finest restaurant in Okayama. Now, I want you both on your best behavior. No insults, no stealing of food, and above all, no destroying anything. Promise me?"

"I promise." Ryoko answered.

"And I promise as well." Ayeka added.

"And Washu, no tampering with the electricity or testing new inventions."

"Okay, I promise." Said Washu.

"And Mihoshi, stick close to the rest of us and don't get lost."

"I promise, Lady Sasami!" giggled Mihoshi.

It was routine for Sasami to win cooking contests, but this latest one had a bonus prize attached to it: dinner for the entire family at the city's most expensive restaurant. Most of the household had been ecstatic at the news, although Tenchi had rubbed his head in a worried manner and Katsuhito had looked thoughtful. But it had been agreed that since it was Sasami's prize, she would be the hostess for the outing. Therefore, Ryoko and Ayeka wouldn't have to quarrel over who was in charge.

The drive in to Okayama was surprisingly enjoyable, with all of the girls chatting excitedly about which foods they would order. Tenchi was anxious that the other restaurant patrons would overhear the conversation and realize the off-world nature of the Masaki family. But they were shown to a separate room, screened off from the main dining area. Sasami took her place at the head of the table, and gave the seating assignments. She took care to have Ayeka and Ryoko on the opposite side of the table from Tenchi, with Katsuhito in between them in case of trouble.

"Itadakimasu!" recited the family together, and started on the miso soup. Katsuhito and Ayeka sipped theirs with no audible noise, but the rest of the party slurped with gusto. Mindful of her promise, Ayeka managed to stay silent when Ryoko dumped a heaping spoon of salt into her soup. For her part, Ryoko forbore from commenting when Ayeka was, as usual, the last to finish.

The next course was tempura, and Sasami was kept busy making sure that everyone received at least one piece. Luckily, Mihoshi was devouring almost as much as Ryoko, so Sasami didn't have to single out the former space pirate.

The saké arrived a few moments later, and while Ryoko was the happiest about it, she was far from the only one. Noboyuki took charge of the bottle, and poured out measures for the adults. When he got to Ayeka, however, the princess covered her cup.

"What's the matter, princess?" Noboyuki asked. "You're not drinking?"

"Since our hostess cannot take saké," Ayeka responded, "it seems unfair for me to do so."

"Your call." Ryoko shrugged.

"You don't have to go without because of me, sister." Sasami said.

"Thank you, Sasami, but I prefer the tea here. And I might find a floating stalk." Privately Ayeka was determined not to let her little sister down, and had decided to stay sober.

Tenchi was abstaining as well, but the remaining members of the family more than made up for the three. Mihoshi matched Ryoko cup for cup, Noboyuki was not far behind, and Katsuhito and Washu were putting in impressive showings. Soon it was a lively dinner even by Masaki family standards.

Oddly enough, it was Washu who finally put her foot in it. "You see, you girls can get along when you put your minds to it." She addressed Ryoko and Ayeka. "You should try working together more often."

"Well," Ayeka responded, "the last time we agreed to cooperate I ended up bound and gagged on a storeroom floor."

"And I think you enjoyed it." Ryoko knew there was no use denying the event.

"Ryoko--" Tenchi tried to interpose.

"I most certainly did not!" Ayeka shot back. Noboyuki was looking far too interested.

"C'mon, princess, it's just us here." Ryoko teased. "You can share your little secrets. Break down the denial."

Ayeka tried a different tack. "Even if I were the kind of person you have mistaken me for, no one would have enjoyed that night. Your rope work was quite sloppy."

"What!" Ryoko was taken aback.

"It took me less than five minutes to escape, after all." Ayeka pointed out.

"And I suppose you think you could have done better?" Ryoko asked crossly.

"Mihoshi could have done better." said Ayeka.

"Ayeka . . ." Now Sasami tried to defuse the situation.

But Mihoshi gave an intoxicated giggle. "Oh, she's got a point. We're trained to use other things to secure prisoners if our handcuffs aren't available."

The idea that she was worse than Mihoshi at ANYTHING was intolerable to Ryoko. "Take it back, Ayeka!" She barked, a vein throbbing in her forehead.

Ayeka looked at Ryoko's face, and Sasami's, and Tenchi's, and knew that the situation was getting out of hand. She tried a face-saving way to back down. "Well, it's to be expected that you would be out of practice after seven hundred years."

". . .practice?" Ryoko's voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. The blood drained from her face. She stared straight ahead for a long moment. Turning away from the others, she sank down through the floor and out of sight.

"Ryoko, wait!" Tenchi stood up, but Ryoko was gone.

"What…I didn't mean…what's going on?" Ayeka was the picture of confusion.

"You couldn't be expected to know, Lady Ayeka." Washu's voice was uncharacteristically grim. "Ryoko was never in practice at securing prisoners. Kagato didn't believe in taking any."

"I see." Katsuhito said quietly.

"I'm afraid Ryoko is going though some unpleasant memories right now." Washu continued. "It would be best to leave her be. She'll come back when she is ready."

Ryoko had phased her way to the Ladies' Room and was sitting crouched in a stall. Damn Ayeka for reminding her, she thought. And everyone was going to know, thanks to that accursed link with Washu. She concentrated, and cut off the link as far as she was able. Now, what was to be done? She had to go back soon -- the longer she waited, the more embarrassing things would get. And she would have to make nice to Ayeka, thanks to her promise to Sasami. But that didn't mean she couldn't get even with Ayeka at some later time. What she needed was a plan, preferably a diabolical plan.

And because she was Ryoko, she thought of one.

Ryoko paused for just a moment outside of the dining room to make sure her hair was reasonably straight. This must be a little like what Ayeka did on Jurai, she mused. If she were lucky, the princess might end up going back there.

"Anyone miss me?" Ryoko made her entrance confidently but not over-loud.

"Oh, Ryoko, I'm so glad you're back!" Sasami exclaimed. "Are you feeling better?"

"Nothing wrong with me in the first place." Ryoko reassured her. "I just needed a quick breather."

The rest of the family chimed in, inviting Ryoko to rejoin them. Even Ayeka said a few words of welcome, although Ryoko noticed there was no mention of her role in Ryoko's absence.

Dinner resumed with remarkable speed. Mihoshi had tried to save some of the teriyaki beef for Ryoko, but had eaten it without thinking while telling another story of her adventures in the Galaxy Poilce. Happily, Tenchi had been more successful in saving a couple of pieces, which caused Ryoko to clap her hands in delight.

Unnoticed by anyone else, Washu looked thoughtful. She had a suspicion that, if the link had been fully open, there was less good cheer than appeared. But nothing unpleasant happened during the rest of the meal. Ryoko seemed as lively and cheerful as she had been at the beginning. Still, even after the family had recited "Gochisôsama deshita" and filed out of the restaurant, Washu had an unsettled feeling.