Thanks again to those who have helped me to get this story formatted 
right.  Hopefully, this time it is fully legible.  Again, it is in two 
parts.

Mihoshi: Tenchi's Choice
      "You WHAT?" exclaimed Ryoko and Aeka in unison.  "I am 
going to marry Mihoshi," said Tenchi.  
     "Miho..." stammered Ryoko.  She phased in with her arms 
around Tenchi.  "What do you mean, Tenchi?  We're lovers.  
Remember?" she said in her most pitiful voice.            
     "RYOKO!!!!!!!!!!!  GET AWAY FROM HIM," shouted Aeka.  
Ryoko turned to Aeka and started to speak.  
     "Now, Aeka---"she was interrupted by Tenchi's escape 
from her grasp.  
     "Ryoko, we are not lovers.  Friends, yes.  Lovers, no," 
he said.  "But Lord Tenchi.  
     What about Jurai and our marriage?" asked Aeka, 
somewhat less politely than normal.  
     "I will still be a prince of Jurai.  Marrying outside 
the royal family is not forbidden last time I checked.  Miss 
Aeka, I think very highly of you and am glad to call you a 
friend but it would never work out between us.  Besides, I'm 
sick of all the fighting between you, because of me.  This 
is for the best.  And I love Mihoshi," said Tenchi, a note 
of finality in his voice.  
     "What in the universe does she have that I don't have?" 
asked Ryoko, shocked.  
	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
      Tenchi was still recuperating from that last wild ride 
with Ryoko and he wasn't sure he was ready for another.  
After Washu had retrieved them all from their various 
universes and brought them back to the original one, Tenchi 
had gone straight to bed for a lllooonnnggg nap.  Surviving 
Aeka and Ryoko had exhausted him.  When he awoke, Sasami had 
prepared a bowl of his favorite soup for him.  "Thank you 
very much, Sasami.  Mmmm, this is good," said Tenchi with a 
smile.  
     "Thank you, Tenchi," said Sasami with a bow.  Ryo-ohki 
let out a "miya" and pounced onto Tenchi's lap.  He smiled 
and petted her.  "Miya, miya," she purred in contentment.     
     "Come on, Ryo-ohki.  Let Tenchi eat his soup," said 
Sasami.  
     "Miya," said the cabbit and with a little leap, she 
landed squarely on Sasami's head.  A moment after Sasami 
walked out, he heard a scuffle in the hall.  
     "I was here first, you can talk to him later," said 
Ryoko.  
     "Lord Tenchi needs some one to care for him right now.  
He is exhausted after that wild trip you(emphasis on you) 
took him on," came Aeka's strained yet polite voice from the 
hallway.  
     "What, so you're blaming me?  He's just a little tired.  
Besides he loved that.  It's better than being the fianc� of 
a domineering princess in ancient Japan with nothing to do 
but cater to your every whim," retorted Ryoko.  Tenchi could 
just see Aeka turning red.  
     "What do you mean?  'Cater to my every whim'?  Lord 
Tenchi was happy there, at least until he was sent to deal 
with you.  You corrupted his sense of morality.  You, a 
demon, seduced him and tried to embarrass him in front of 
me," accused Aeka.  
     "He wanted to be with me.  Wasn't it obvious.  He 
didn't want to be trapped into some marriage where he'd be 
your footstool and personal servant," answered Ryoko.  
     "How dare you!  You have no right to accuse a princess 
of Jurai of any such acts," said Aeka, her voice growing 
angry.  "Azaka, Kamidake, come to me," said Aeka, her voice 
almost to a shriek.  Ryoko was backpedaling as the cylinders 
started to form around her.  
     "Princess, you know I was only kidding," she said, her 
voice quavering a little bit.  Tenchi knew what would happen 
if he didn't stop it.  
     Azaka and Kamidake appeared,"Yes, princess?"  "Trap 
her," ordered Aeka.  Within seconds, Ryoko was trapped 
inside a force field and suspended between Azaka and 
Kamidake.  Tenchi stepped into the hallway only moments 
before Aeka was going to release her wrath on Ryoko, who was 
not looking too good at the moment.  
     "Lord Tenchi," said Aeka, immediately becoming demure.    
     "Miss Aeka, would you please stop fighting with Ryoko," 
said Tenchi.
     "But Lord Tenchi, Ryoko has insulted my family honor.  
She must be punished," answered Aeka.  
     "Please, would you two stop fighting.  I'm sick and 
tired of always being the one to suffer when you to fight.  
Either one of you ends up in pain or my house gets destroyed 
or something.  You two have to stop fighting," said Tenchi, 
letting the words come out that he had been bottling up for 
so long.  "Aeka, you have got to control your temper and not 
always suspect that when I'm out of your sight, I'm with 
Ryoko.  You're not my baby-sitter.  And Ryoko, I don't 
appreciate you always hanging all over me.  Its embarrassing 
and annoying," he continued.  
     "But Tenchi, I thought you liked me," said Ryoko, 
petulantly.  
     "I do, as a friend.  And the same for you, Princess 
Aeka.  But I'm not interested in a love relationship with a 
woman who continually fights over me and treats me like her 
personal property.  Ryoko, don't look smug.  You do it too," 
said Tenchi.  Ryoko sputtered and turned red while Aeka 
smiled a little.  "This is what I'm talking about.  You two 
take pleasure in inflicting pain or embarrassment on the 
other and I don't want my friends to be fighting with each 
other.  What good is it going to do you?  It doesn't impress 
me any that Ryoko can blast Aeka with a million fireballs or 
if Aeka can trap Ryoko in a force field and hurt her with 
those floating cylinders.  Your fighting is pointless 
because it only makes me dislike you, not like you," said 
Tenchi.  
     This time, Aeka sputtered.  "Azaka and Kamidake, 
release Ryoko," ordered Aeka, her face betraying the guilt 
she felt.  
     "Yes, princess," they replied in unison.  Ryoko floated 
to the ground, showing the same guilt as Aeka.  Tenchi 
returned to his room and slammed the door, the noise making 
both girls flinch.
	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
     When Tenchi came down from his room an hour later, 
Ryoko was in her usual spot, watching the Sasami, Kiyone, 
and Mihoshi clean the house and Aeka was standing out by the 
lake.  "Hi Tenchi," said Mihoshi with a big smile.  "Kiyone 
and I thought we'd drop in for the afternoon and see how you 
were doing after our big adventure," she said.  
     Tenchi returned her smile and said,"Thanks Mihoshi.  
Yeah, I'm still a little tired but Sasami's soup got me 
going again."  He flashed a smile at Sasami who just 
giggled.  Ryo-ohki "miya"ed.  Kiyone walked in and greeted 
Tenchi.  "Hi Kiyone, you look as good as always," said 
Tenchi.  
     "You have no idea," replied Kiyone.  
     "Oh, I think I might," he said with a wink and then a 
slight tilt of the head towards Ryoko and Aeka.  Kiyone 
smiled and then went into the kitchen.  
     "Tenchi, do you know what's wrong with Ryoko and Aeka?  
They've been in their own little worlds for the last hour or 
so," said Mihoshi.  
     "I don't know," answered Tenchi.  "Do you guys need any 
help?" he asked.  
     "Nope, we've got it all under control," said Sasami as 
Katsuhito walked in.  
     "Well, have a good nap, Tenchi?" he asked.  
     "Yes, Grandpa," answered Tenchi with a slight bow.      
     "Good, it's time for practice," said Katsuhito.  
Tenchi's face fell.  
     "But Grandfather," he started.  
     "No buts, I'll expect you in ten minutes," he said, his 
voice leaving no room for argument.  
     "Yes, sir," Tenchi's voice had no enthusiasm.  
Katsuhito left as quickly as he came.  Tenchi saw him go 
down and speak to Aeka before continuing towards the shrine.  
Just as Tenchi was going to follow him, Washu stuck her head 
through a hole in space.  
     "Hey Tenchi," she said, her face a smile.  
     "Hi Washu," he said, somewhat dejectedly.  
     "What's wrong?" she asked, suddenly concerned.  
     "Oh, I just have to go practice and I just got up," 
said Tenchi.  
     "Uh-huh.  I just wanted to tell you that I fixed the 
Dimensional Cause and Effect Controller," said Washu.  
     "You what?  I thought you were gonna destroy that 
thing," said Tenchi, a look of horror on his face.  
     "Destroy it?  Are you crazy?  That has been my most 
ingenious invention in over 2,000 years," said Washu.  
     Her little puppets popped up,"You are a genius, Washu." 
"You're the greatest, Washu."  Tenchi smiled at that and 
Mihoshi, who had been watching the exchange, giggled.  
     They both looked quizzically at her before continuing.  
"Washu, if anyone gets their hands on that thing, it could 
be mean trouble.  And I doubt you've forgotten the last 
incident," said Tenchi.  
     "Don't worry, I've fixed all that.  Now it will only 
take commands from me and me alone," said Washu.  
     "That's a comforting thought," said Tenchi, dryly.    
     "What?  I wouldn't do anything to hurt you or anybody 
else," said Washu, putting on her most innocent face.  
     "Yeah right.  Anyway, I've gotta go practice with 
Grandpa.  See ya later, Washu," he said.  
     "Bye Tenchi," said Mihoshi, waving with a big smile on 
her face.  
     "Bye, Mihoshi.  Bye, Sasami," he said, smiling.  
     "Have fun, Tenchi," replied Sasami as she waved with 
her big spoon from the kitchen.

     Five minutes later, Tenchi arrived at the training area 
where Katsuhito was waiting for him.  
     "You're two minutes late.  Extra practice for you," he 
said.  Tenchi sighed and picked up a boken.  "You may 
begin," nodded Katsuhito.  Tenchi jumped onto the pegs of 
wood and began to repeatedly hit the stick on a string with 
his boken while leaping from peg to peg.  Once he got into a 
regular rhythm, his mind began to wander back to the events 
of the morning.  
     He was glad that he had finally been able to make his 
true feelings known to Ryoko and Aeka.  Their fighting would 
have hurt someone other than themselves before too long and 
he hoped he had put a stop to it.  Then he began to consider 
the two, comparing them.  Ryoko was "outgoing", well maybe a 
little for than outgoing.  He knew that she liked him but 
her endless and blatant advances were beginning to wear on 
him.  Aeka on the other hand, was "sweet" and polite, always 
knowing when to smile coyly.  However, her temper was not 
something Tenchi wanted directed at him.  He also was a 
little bit wary of her flaunting her nobility and did not 
want to end up like her in any way, shape, or form.  Though 
he was of Juraian stock, he was not quite ready to accept 
his responsibility as a Juraian prince.  That is exactly 
what would happen if he were to marry Aeka.  Then he thought 
of something that Washu's Dimensional Cause and Effect 
Controller had brought to his attention.  When he was in 
Mihoshi's world...Mihoshi?  He had not really considered the 
ditzy, clumsy blonde to be interested in him or him in her 
but that experience told otherwise.  Why would she make him 
her husband unless...Whack!!!  
     "Oww, Grandpa.  What was that for?" asked Tenchi, 
rubbing the bump on his head.  
     "You tell me, you weren't concentrating on your 
practice.  You've been hitting that stick in precisely the 
same manner for the last half hour," said Katsuhito.  
     "Half hour?" asked Tenchi, somewhat surprised.  
     "Yes, I don't know what you were thinking but 
apparently it is much more important to you than practicing 
to become a better swordsman.  I think I'll let you leave a 
little bit early so you can think more deeply on what ever 
subject it was that you were thinking," said Katsuhito.  
     "Thank you, Grandfather," said Tenchi.  He bowed deeply 
to Katsuhito before hurrying off into the woods.  Katsuhito 
watched him go, laughing inwardly.
     
     Tenchi sat down under a huge oak tree and immediately 
sank back into his thoughts.  
     Why would Mihoshi make him her husband?  She must like 
him, at least a little.  Then he thought of other times.  He 
could remember the times when Ryoko and Aeka had both been 
hovering over him.  He could see Mihoshi sitting across the 
room, a look of sorrow in her eyes.  Now he knew what she 
was thinking.  When he thought about it, he had similar 
feelings for her.  They weren't the same as what he felt for 
Ryoko and Aeka but still.  He considered Ryoko and Aeka to 
be dear friends, despite their flaws, and liked both of 
them, but not as a girlfriend or lover.  
     He mulled on this for a while.  

     An hour later, Mihoshi was taking a bag of garbage out 
to the trash bin.  
     She saw Tenchi coming out of the woods and she waved to 
him,"Hi Tenchi."  
     "Hi Mihoshi," said Tenchi, his expression quickly 
turning to dismay when he realized that Mihoshi was waving 
at him with both hands.  
     "Mihoshi!  Look--"  THUMP! "--out!" The overstuffed bag 
of garbage fell to the ground and trash poured out on to the 
sidewalk.  Mihoshi looked down and saw the mess.  
     She burst into tears,"I'm sorry!!!" Tenchi ran over and 
tried to comfort her.  "I'm so sorry.  I'll clean it up.  
I'm sorry," she wept.  
     "Mihoshi, its okay.  I'll help you clean it up," he 
said as he grabbed her shoulders and forced to look up at 
him.  "It's okay.  Accidents happen to everyone," he said 
with a smile.  He began to pick up the assortment of used 
food containers and food wastes from Sasami's cooking.  
     "Oh,  thanks Tenchi," she stuttered as she hurried to 
help him.  Between the two of them, they cleaned up the mess 
and managed to get the garbage into the trash bin.  As they 
were walking back, Tenchi looked at Mihoshi.  
     "Mihoshi," he started.  She looked up quickly and then 
burst into tears again.  "I'm sorry about the broken window 
and the door.  I didn't see Ryoko and---" she stopped as 
Tenchi interrupted her.  
     "Mihoshi, I'm not mad about that.  All I was going to 
say or rather ask was why did you have me to be your husband 
in your universe?"  
     "Uhh,  well, you see.  I wanted to, well...  Oh Tenchi, 
I can't stand to see Ryoko hanging all over you and then 
fighting with Aeka over you.  I mean, they're nice people 
but, well...[sigh]...Tenchi..." she stopped.  
     "Yes, Mihoshi?" he said, smiling.  
     "I love you, Tenchi.  I didn't realize it at first.  I 
thought you were a nice guy and all but I figured I had no 
chance against Ryoko or Aeka.  I mean, look at Ryoko.  She's 
got a body to match and she's not nearly as clumsy as me.  
And Aeka a princess of Jurai and you two are related.  She's 
much more suited for you than me.  But it doesn't matter.  
I'm clumsy and I'm always getting Kiyone into trouble.  
Besides, what kind of guy likes a girl like me.  I screw up 
everything.  I mean I may be a ditz but I'm not stupid.  I 
just don't get everything right all the time.  Oh, why am I 
telling you this.  You wouldn't care anyway," said Mihoshi.  
     "You're wrong, Mihoshi.  I do care.  I don't care that 
you don't always do everything right.  Like I said, 
accidents happen to everyone, some more often than others.  
But that doesn't make them any less deserving of love and 
respect.  Mihoshi, I think you are one of the most beautiful 
and most intelligent girls I know.  I may not have shown it 
yet, but I haven't had much choice.  I'm sure you've noticed 
that I'm nearly drowning under Ryoko and Aeka.  You care 
about other people and you're not afraid to admit your 
mistakes.  No one is perfect.  Mihoshi, I love you too," 
said Tenchi.  With that, he started to lean forward to kiss 
her when he heard a roar behind him.  
     "Ryoko, you won't get away," screamed Aeka as she let 
loose a blast from her floating cylinders.  Ryoko, meanwhile 
was flying straight at Mihoshi and Tenchi.  
     "Tenchi! Watch out," she shouted as she collided with 
him.  They fell down in a heap with Ryoko lying face down on 
top of Tenchi, her face right next to him.  "Hi Tenchi," she 
said.  "I was wondering when you would get home--" she was 
interrupted by Aeka.  
     "Get away from him, you demon," she shouted.  Floating 
cylinders began to appear around Mihoshi, Ryoko, and Tenchi.           
     "Aeka!  Please don't do this," begged Mihoshi as she 
looked in fear at the cylinders.  
     "Ryoko!!!  Get away from him," screamed the slightly 
crazed Aeka.  
     "PRINCESS AEKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" shouted Tenchi 
at the top of his voice.  His voice cracked the crazed mind 
of Aeka and brought her back to reality.  
     "Oh, Lord Tenchi.  I'm sorry for my behavior.  Ryoko 
just insulted me severely however and I must have 
restitution," said Aeka.  
     "Take it somewhere else," ordered Tenchi.  "Yes, Lord 
Tenchi," bowed Aeka as she turned to leave.  
     As Ryoko stood, she smiled evily and laughed as some of 
the garbage from the trash bin fell on Aeka.  
     Meanwhile, Tenchi was helping Mihoshi up.  Aeka's face 
grew red with rage and the cylinders began to power up.  
Ryoko just then realized how far she had pushed Aeka.  
"Ryoko, demon, YOU WILL PAY," she said as she turned.  
Tenchi just then realized what was happening.  
     "AEKA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!," was the last thing he said 
before the energy pulsed through Her body.  
	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	

da drew meista

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