Disclaimer:  All characters portrayed in this story are the property of
their respective creators and companies.  I don't own any of them. 
Please don't sue me.

This story draws ideas from both the OAV and the TV continuities.

This story is another part of my Preludes and Interludes series, which
in turn is part of my crossover series, Life and Times.

C & C welcomed.  Flames not.

A Tenchi Muyo! story.

Preludes and Interludes:  Ryoko

By

Donny Cheng

A few days after Second Impact...

	Ryoko floated above her bed in a lotus position.  There was no
expression on her face.

	"Meow!"  Ryo-ohki did her best to comfort the girl.  She purred in
Ryoko's arms.

	Ryoko held the cabbit gently, but tightly, as if she would lose
Ryo-ohki forever.  "What do I do, Ryo-ohki?  What do I do?"

	Ryo-ohki didn't know the answer to that question.  She decided to let
Ryoko hold onto her for a moment longer before she went to go and fetch
Tenchi.

			* * * * *

	<Knock> <Knock>

	Seeing as how Ryoko didn't seem to want to open the door any time soon,
Tenchi opened it himself.  The door swung open to reveal the sullen
Ryoko facing away from the door.  The room looked like a hurricane had
gone through it, but it seemed that Ryoko had calmed down a bit.  "I
guess you heard about the news."

	"Yeah, I heard."  Ryoko's voice was distant.

	Tenchi felt his heart lurch.  He didn't like seeing the usually loud
and brash girl in this state.  "Then you know about the... um..."

	"The engagement?  Yeah.  Yoshu skipped out of town.  You're the next in
line.  Ayeka and Sasami are to be your wives.  Good luck on your life,"
Ryoko said this dispassionately as if they were facts read from a book.

	For one of the few times in his life, Tenchi tried to muster up a
backbone.  "Ryoko."  His voice was firm and authoritative.

	Ryoko was surprised at Techi's tone.  "What..?"

	"I wanted to ask you if you would be my wife."  Tenchi got down on his
knees and gazed intently into her eyes.

	Startled, Ryoko barely managed to find her voice.  "What!?  But Jurain
law only allows two wives and they have to be of royal blood."

	"I... I will try to find a way.  Please believe me.  If they don't
agree to my terms, I won't become their emperor."

	Ryoko shook her head sadly.  "Yes, you will agree.  You and I both no
that.  You won't let an entire empire collapse because of your own
feelings."

	"I..."  Tenchi knew that in his heart, Ryoko was right.  "I don't want
to lose you, Ryoko.  Please, you must agree."

	Ryoko thought back to their battle with Kagato and Tenchi's words.  He
had said that he would not forsake any one of them.  She believed him
then and she believed him now.  "Alright, Tenchi.  I will go with you,
but no I won't become your wife.  Your claim to the throne is weak
enough as it is.  Those vultures on the political court would eat you
alive if you went around changing policies.  But I want you to promise
me something before we leave."

	Tenchi smiled with joy, but was apprehensive.  Ryoko had that feral
look on her face that he had seen all too often.  "What do you want me
to do?"

	"I don't want to be your wife, but I will be your mistress.  It is not
against the law to have concubines.  AND, I want you to announce that
fact on your wedding day and not before then."

	Tenchi bigsweated.  "But... Ayeka will..."

	An evil glint appeared in Ryoko's eyes.  This will get on the
princess's nerves much more than Ryoko being named an empress ever
will.  Imagine everyone thinking the empress wasn't up to performing her
duties as a wife.  Sasami was still young, so the blame would be on the
former.  "Hehehe.  I know Tenchi, I know.  She will have a fit."

	Tenchi hanged his head and sighed.  Won't those two ever get along?

	Besides, Ryoko thought to herself, she also had a certain pig-tailed
boy to think about.  It just wouldn't do if she couldn't see him again.

			* * * * *

Five years before present day...

	Ranma looked around the area.  He could still feel the presence. 
"Hi,"  He called out tentatively, "I heard about Tenchi.  He doesn't
come here anymore, does he?  I guess he blames himself for being here
playing while auntie went away.  Don't worry, I'm sure he will forget
all about it and come and play with you again soon.  I hope you don't
mind if I keep you company while you're waiting."  With that said, Ranma
tightened the belt on his gi.  He then started to practice.  This was a
good place as any to train.

	Ryoko couldn't help but smile as she watched the boy bounce around the
rocks, kicking and punching into the air.  It had been lonely the past
years since Tenchi's last visit.  She promised herself that she would
thank the boy personally when she could finally free herself from the
cave.

			* * * * *

The End. (maybe)