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Red, Red Roses

Chapter 7
No Tell Motel

By: Chou-san

-Back on Earth…-

"Boy, oh, boy, I'm so hungry!"

Mihoshi piped, grabbing her tummy and pouting as Kiyone skillfully landed her ship. The teal haired officer sighed loudly, looking over and noting her blonde partner had already left the control room. She stood, looking past the console and down onto the landing pad. Mihoshi had her arms around a man who was also tall, dark skinned and blonde. Kiyone scrunched her nose in disgust, sighing loudly as she moved to get up.

"Morons…" Kiyone grumbled as she left the control room.

Moving to the holding cell, noting how empty it was, Kiyone's mind drifted to the whereabouts of the demon as she walked down the silent corridors of her ship. Touching the panel beside her quarters, the door slid open with a loud hiss. She walked up to the bed and saw a naked demon entwined within her ruby red sheets. The sight alone caused her fingers to tremble as she slowly made her way around the bed, fingertips tracing the sheets as she moved. Her teal eyes transfixed on the sultry demon whose body resembled peach marble within a bloody bath of red.

Her breath caught in her throat as she sat down, gently so as not to wake her sleeping demon, and just sat in awe. Ryoko looked rather unperturbed as she slept so soundly, hugging the equally red pillow. Kiyone still couldn't believe she did what she did with this woman. Since the day she found out her partner was still alive and her plans of an arrest were foiled because of Mihoshi, she vowed to herself that one day, one day, she would arrest Ryoko. And yet, the more she thought about fulfilling her duties, the more she thought about how her life would be afterward.

-Lonely…- She thought. Kiyone would be increasingly lonely and stressed having to spend even more time with her blonde partner. The thought of having to give up something that actually made her "happy" was harder than she thought. She knew that Ryoko was a criminal, but she also realized the demon unlocked a side of her that she thought never existed. It excited her. But Kiyone remembered exactly where Ryoko would go now that they were back on Earth.

Furrowing her eyebrows together, she continued to watch the demon as her mind spoke to her. All those months, years, spent in and around the Tenchi Household, she had a sleeping hatred for this demon. How she threw herself at Tenchi, fought with Ayeka over him relentlessly, and most of all, her blatant disregard for the law and everything associated with it. But did that really bother her?

Sure Ryoko's disregard for the law was a given, but when she thought of how the demon fought over Tenchi with Ayeka, it made her frown and tighten her fists. She pursed her thin lips in deep thought, why did it bother her so much that Ryoko and Ayeka fought over that boy?

"Hm," Looking away for a moment, staring into nothing as her mind reeled.

"Something wrong, officer," A low purr filled her ears as the sensation of fingers running themselves over her lower back caused the teal-haired woman to shiver. Kiyone turned, looking down at Ryoko as the demon smiled a toothy grin up at her. The woman just searched her eyes for something. Would Ryoko go back to her old ways and chase Tenchi around?

Ryoko sat up, leaning over, brushing her lips against the officer's cheek. The demon watched as the woman closed her eyes, moving to rest her body against the demons. Ryoko instinctively wrapped her arms around the officer, burying her face against the top of Kiyone's head. She inhaled deeply and relished the scent of Kiyone's distinct shampoo, sighing softly as she held Kiyone. The officer remained silent, causing the rouse of suspicion in the demon, a frown touching her lips.

"Kiyone, it would help if you spoke to me," Ryoko mumbled against the woman's head, closing her hazel eyes. Kiyone pushed back, standing and straightening her uniform, sighing deeply.

"It's nothing. We're on Earth. Let's go see how everyone's doing," Without meeting her gaze, Kiyone turned and left. Ryoko narrowed her eyes at her abrupt departure.

-Tenchi Masaki Household…-

"Ryoko!"

A happy Sasami giggled, throwing her arms around the demon as the rest of the household came around. An equally giggly Mihoshi received a warm welcome from the younger princess as they stepped inside. A curious Sasami stepped outside and noticed Kiyone walking up rather slowly, a faint smile upon her face.

"Why, hello there, Sasami," She said somberly. The small princess smiled softly, giving the officer a hug, taking her hand and walking her inside the household.

There on the couch sat the regulars of the household; Ayeka, Little Washu, Tenchi's father Nobuyuki, his grandfather Katsuhito, little Sasami and of course, Tenchi himself. Kiyone scoffed inwardly as the seating arrangement left her unsurprised. Ayeka and Ryoko were on either side of an anxious Tenchi; the sight causing Kiyone to make a face.

"Something wrong, Kiyone," Katsuhito questioned, straightening his glasses. She glanced over at him, the glimmer against his frames told her he knew more about what was on her mind than the rest of the oblivious household. The room grew quiet as they faced Kiyone who stood, leaning against the back wall by the kitchen. Her eyes instinctively met Ryoko's. The contact caused the officer to move, shaking her head as she started to leave.

"I just need some fresh air," She mumbled, walking off. The room exchanged glances as Katsuhito's eyes followed her, his hand rubbing his chin inquisitively. She knew this was a bad idea from the start, but it was inevitable. This place, Earth, was home. At least, for her job it was. There was no way around it. She sat out on the porch, drawing little circles in the dirt with her fingertips. She barely heard the sliding doors click shut before someone joined her.

"Is there something going on between you and Ryoko, Kiyone," The familiar voice asked. She knew she couldn't hide something from someone so perceptive as she smiled. She shook her head, teal strand shrouding her face as she moved to lean back on her palms, noting as the older man became visible through her peripheral vision.

"I won't even bother asking how you knew that," She spoke, sighing. He nodded, pushing up his glasses.

"The air grew immediately tense the moment you walked in. You seemed very apprehensive," He stated, looking over at her as she stared up into the violet sky. She shrugged.

"I'm not so sure why myself, Katsuhito," Kiyone murmured, bringing her knees up, wrapping her arms around them, placing her chin on her knees. He frowned, looking ahead.

"Something happened between the two of you. And while it is none of my business, I feel the best thing to do is confront her about it. While some things are better left unsaid, what isn't said sooner could hurt both involved," Katsuhito said wisely, looking over at her.

"I'm just gonna go back to my apartment. I'd rather be alone right now. Thanks, Katsuhito," She got up and walked down the path towards the entrance. Kiyone knew she was being rude but she couldn't face the demon right now. The hatred slowly building once again within her, shoving her hands into her pockets.

-Why do I do this to myself…-

-Kiyone's Apartment…-

Luckily for her, Mihoshi was staying at her boyfriend's apartment tonight. She sighed heavily, stripping down to her boy shorts and sports bra. –Fuck sleep clothes…- She thought to herself, stretching somewhat. Kiyone yawned somewhat, falling onto her bed and staring up at the ceiling, hands behind her head. She loosely draped the covers over her thin body, weaved between her thighs as her mind replayed moments she couldn't erase. This is why she hated Tenchi. But this hatred came long before what went on between her and Ryoko.

Although, she had a strong dislike for him in the beginning, she just never grew fond of being around him. Closing her eyes, rubbing her sinuses, she couldn't recall a time where she didn't want to punch him in the face. Physically, he wasn't appealing. She scoffed to herself as she thought about it out loud.

"…I wouldn't even take my sock off for him…"

Kiyone draped an arm over her face, knocking on her door breaking her away from her moment. She rolled away from the sound as the rapping continued.

"…go away," She mumbled, putting the pillow over her head.

"Now I really know something's wrong," The officer shot up and looked up to find Ryoko standing with her hands on her hips, eyebrow raised. Upon instinct, the officer grabbed her sheets to cover herself, causing the demon to smirk.

"You act as if I haven't seen what you've got-"

"What do you want from me, Ryoko?"

Kiyone interrupted, catching the demon by surprise. Ryoko noticed the look in her eyes had changed. Her original plan was to seduce this woman and toss her but now somehow, the more she stared into those cobalt eyes, the less she wanted to. She's known Kiyone for a long time, but never like she did on the ship. There was just something about being with another woman that always got her going. This was probably why Nagi was constantly after her as well…

"I know why you left, Kiyone," The demon started, moving to sit in front of the officer. Ryoko reached over, grasping Kiyone's hand, pushing it down as the sheets were removed. Kiyone narrowed her eyes as she shifted to sit against her headboard, facing away from the demon.

"Yea, well, you sure as hell didn't waste any time," Kiyone grumbled, glaring up at an apologetic Ryoko, who's hazel eyes held subtle leniency. It was obvious Kiyone didn't want to be close since she was sitting up against her headboard with her arms crossed and her eyes now closed.

"Look, I was just playing up the drama of the moment with Ayeka," Ryoko reassured, raising a brow. She wasn't sure why she was so inclined to express regret to Kiyone. The demon couldn't understand why she hated this feeling of guilt within her gut every instance the officer would admonish her.

"Just leave, Ryoko. I would like to be alone right now. Go back to the household," She whispered without looking up at the demon. Ryoko felt something stab her right in her abdomen the second she heard "just leave." The demon should just laugh this off and go about her business, but Ryoko couldn't bring herself to resort back to her old ways.

Something happened on that ship between them, something she couldn't explain or something she couldn't yet admit perhaps. Whatever happened, Ryoko would be damned if she let it slip her mind. And with that thought, she sat in place, reaching over and grasping Kiyone's hand, catching the officer off guard as their eyes met.

"…You don't want me to leave, do you, Kiyone," Ryoko purred low as she leaned closer, her eyes now drifting semi-shut as Kiyone's mouth hung open, no answer within ear shot. She shook her head numbly as if in a trance, noticing as Ryoko drew herself closer, their eyes still locked onto one another's.

"Then tell me to stay…" She whispered, her lips now but a mere hair from Kiyone's own. She subconsciously uncrossed her arms, the demon's scent intoxicating her as she sat, spellbound by the demon's gaze. Their hearts, audible to an audience of two, as the sound pulsed within the officer's ears like an 808 drum. Her breath came in short gasps as she tried to find her voice.

"…Baby, please stay," Kiyone whispered back desperately, almost pleadingly, her eyes speaking volumes. The sound of the officer calling her "baby" sent shivers down along Ryoko's body to the base of her spine as the feeling rippled throughout her lower regions. She ran her tongue along her fangs, watching as Kiyone's head slowly leaned to one side, moving to brush their nose together, lips barely touching.

Ryoko brought her hand up, sliding it against the officer's neck, running her thumb along her jaw-line as she kissed Kiyone softly. The officer moaned lightly, relishing in the feeling of the demon's tongue bathing against her own.

"What do you want if I stay, Kiyone," Ryoko mumbled against her lips, biting the woman's lower lip lightly. Kiyone opened her eyes to stare into the depths of her fixation as she spoke softly to her demon.

"…you…"

End Chapter 7…