Chapter 72: Porchside deplomacy

Elsewhere at roughly the same time, Tenchi was making his way along the house sun porch. Briefly he paused, taking the majestic view of the placid lake offered from this angle. Then, taking a deep breath, he smiled.

"The coast is clear Mr. Sheagame." He addressed the empty air. "You can come out now." There followed a long pause during which nothing happened. Then suddenly, sounds of shuffling from underneath prompted seconds later a slight squeak. Signaling in turn loose boards being moved aside heralding then the appearance of Hero's head, from under the edge of the porch.

"My god!" He stammered, catching sight of Tenchi. "That woman is insane!" As Hero was scrambling clear, Tenchi was struck with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia. Remembering another wild eyed young man, running for his very life. Desperately wondering if his next moment would be his last? "I think she would have actually killed me!" Hero breathed.

"No," Tenchi shook his head grimly. "More than likely just beat you to with in an inch of you life."

"Argh!" Hero moaned, standing up, taking stock realizing he was a mess! "My suit is ruined!" One of the knees was torn and the jacket had so much ground in dirt you could raise next years corn crop "And look at my hands!" He added disgustedly. "Forty-five hundred yen worth of manicure shot strait to hell!" Hero paused noting a snort. He looked and sure enough Tenchi was grinning.

"Sorry." Tenchi told him wryly after a moment, responding to the look he was receiving. "I was just thinking, how quickly you seemed to be 'fitting in'." He smiled.

"I, I'm not sure what you... ?" Hero stammered uncomprehendingly.

"Or do you think rabbits dug that hidey hole?" Tenchi supplied.

Hero paused, looking back at the recess panel which had now flopped back into position covering its existence. He'd just rolled off the porch in a blind panic. Hoping to shield a possible escape along the side of the house. Ok, truth was, he didn't have a plan. He was just running for his miserable life! But when his shoulder had brushed it, and the panel had opened. Diving under the porch had seemed a good alternative!

"You mean?" He asked looking back at Tenchi in a kind of awe.

"You have no ideal how many times I've had to dive for cover around here!" Tenchi told him. He then leaned forward adopting a covert tone. "That," He nodded toward the opening. "Is only one of my hide outs!" It certainly came in handy to have helped with the houses various rebuilds.

"Well, I probably over reacted!" Hero muttered sourly, seeming now embarrassed by his actions. "I mean when I realized ... Well, who she was I just panicked!" Tenchi nodded in response. Again, he had certainly been on the 'receiving end' some of Ryoko's triads.

"Now I realize how stupid that was!" Hero added. "I mean how many of those legends could be true?"

"Every single one," Tenchi said evenly. "When it comes to Ryoko."

"She can fly?" Hero muttered.

"Yep."

"Walk through walls?"

"And teleport." Tenchi sighed. "On top of being mega strong and highly invulnerable to energy weapons."

"Good god!" Hero moaned. "I mouthed off to that?!"

"She also snores." Tenchi shrugged, netting him a blank stare. "And is one of the sweetest individuals you will even meet once you get to know her."

"If you live long enough!" Hero steamed.

"Well, heh, heh." Tenchi found he couldn't help but laugh. "There is that!"