Its Always Been You
Kiyone sat at the base of the stairs inside the house. Her knees were brought up to her chest, with her arms wrapped around, and her head resting upon them. She had been in that position for an unknown amount of time. So distracted was she that she failed to notice the oncoming feet. She did, however; notice th hand placed on her shoulder and jumped in surprise.
"Hey Kiyone what' s up?" It was Mihoshi
"Nothing Mihoshi," Kiyone answered, obvious depression in her voice
"What' s the matter Kiyone. Problems with Tenchi?" Mihoshi probed
"No, no. Things with Tenchi are going great." Kiyone hurriedly assured, "Its just that I'm, um"
"Worried about your parents." Mihoshi guessed wisely
"Well yeah. How'd you know?"
"Lucky guess," Mihoshi shrugged, "But you've had that same look in your eyes since you told us they were coming."
"I'm just worried that they'll," Kiyone started
"not see Tenchi for what a great guy he is." Mihoshi tried to finish
"No, That they'll be to stubborn to admit how great he is," she corrected, "They are so set on me marrying a noblemen from our planet that they refuse to think I could find my own husband."
"So you're worried your parents won't let you be with Tenchi?" Mihoshi asked
"It dosen't matter if they won't let me, I'll be with him no matter what they say." Kiyone responded in her usual fashion, but quickly deflated again," But I'd really like to have their blessing."
"No problem Kiyone, I'm sure Tenchi will impress them. I mean he is one of the most powerful being in existence." Then Mihoshi stood and walk away towards the kitchen intent on feeding her stomach
"I hope so Mihoshi, I hope so." Kiyone said solomnly.
Now If Kiyone was nervous, Tenchi had worried himself to the grave. The poor boy was outside pacing a hole in the ground. Ryoko and Ayeka had been watching him, but they either left to attend other duties, Ayeka, or fell asleep, Ryoko. On Tenchi's two-hundredth something lap, Setsuko walked out the door and went over to him.
"Tenchi dear," she called to him, and continued when he stopped, "What are you so worried about?"
"Kiyone's parents are coming. What don't I have to be nervous about?" He responded
"Relax, Tenchi. Kiyone's parents are going to love you."
"What makes you so sure they'll even like me, let alone love me."
"Well you made six girls all fall in love with you." Setsuko pointed out
"That's not the kind of love I was hoping for. I meant parental love." Tenchi sighed hopelessly
"How about me then. I love you like my own son." she said bring Tenchi's worried thoughts to a halt
(AN: Did anyone notice I used the word "love" in every line for the past five lines, that's a little to much so no more for this chapter. At least for people who aren't Tenchi and Kiyone.)
"Really! That's means a lot to but," dashing Setsuko's hopes of settling his fears, "I'm not dating your daughter." Tenchi chuckled sadly at his own pathetic joke
"Well I suppose you got me there, but you should take it easy, maybe talk to Kiyone about how to imprtess her parents. You still a week or so till they arrive, don't you." Setsuko advised her new son
"I guess I could do that," he reasoned, "No harm in trying right."
"That's the spirit, now," she started to say
"Well Kiyone would you look at that." Nobuyuki spoke loudly to Kiyone not ten feet away from them, " It seems our loved ones are bonding with each other. Should we be jealous?"
"I don't think so Mr. Masaki. It's just a little mother-son bonding." Kiyone replied confidently
"Um, hey Kiyone can I talk to you for a second." Tenchi asked pensively
"Sure Tenchi." she responded immediately
"Come on Nobuyuki let's go see what Sasami has made for lunch." Setsuko said giving Nobuyuki a meaningful look
"Of course dear." he caught the hint to leave to two alone and follow Setsuko back into the house
"So what do you want to talk about Tenchi?" Kiyone asked all ready having a good idea what it was
Tenchi plopped down on the grass and motioned for Kiyone to joined him. Kiyone did but not before looking at the circle of now dead grass where he had been pacing. It amazed her how Washu had healed Tenchi's wound in a couple of days, when it should have taken a few weeks. Not that she was complaining, it was great having Tenchi back on his feet, because it meant the others girls would stop obsessing over him and she could do it by herself.
"So how are you feeling." Tenchi asked concern lacing his voice
"Me I'm fine, " she replied confused, "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that."
"No, no. I meant about you parents coming. Do they even know about me." Tenchi corrected
"Well they know that you live in the same house as me," Kiyone started, "But that's about it. Last time I talked to them was way before we even got together."
"Great so it'll be a total surprise when they get here." Tenci hunged his head in defeat
"I should warn you Tenchi my parents are probably going to bring a um," she hesitated, "a suitor for me with them."
Tenchi didn't speak at first. He sat there, silently staring at Kiyone like she'd grown horns. Finally he sucked in a deep breath only to let it all out at once.
"Of all the things I was expecting, " he spoke at last, "that wasn't one of them."
"You just going to have to protect your claim on me." Kiyone nugded him with her elbow
"Well if you can claim me in front of Ryoko and Ayeka, then I can stand up to some random guy from your home planet."
"Yeah it'll likely be some weak noblemen, no problem for the great Tenchi." Kiyone grabbed his arm and layed her head on his shoulder
"The great Tenchi, huh. I'm not great. I'm to scared to even face my girlfriend's parents." Tenchi admitted sadly
"Well I will admit they're not gonna like you," Tenchi looked shocked to say the least, "at first."
"Thanks for the encouragement," he spoke sarcastically, "I feel a lot better now."
"Glad I could help," Kiyone smiled sweetly at him
"Now not gonna be here for a few more days right?" Tenchi asked after a moment of silence
"Yep about four days." seh responded snuggleing head onto Tenchi shoulder
"Well I'll just have to relaxe until then, " Kiyone looked at him proudly, "then go hide at the shrine till they leave." If thsi were a cartoon, Kiyone would have face-planted
"OH you big chicken," she said standing and pulling Tenchi up with her, "Let's go get some dinner."
"It could be one of my last."
"TENCHI!"
I know this chapter was really short, but I just wanted to let you know I was still alive. You see I just graduated high-school (score) and now I have the free time to write again. So if you people review I write some more and faster too.