Jurai no Nozomi: Snippet "Tenchi and Kamidake: Flashback"
This was just written in random fun to satisfy all the people demanding I write something about Ryoko, Tenchi and baby Nozomi. This is as close as you get ;) Plus I like Kamidake in this role :) Tenchi comes to terms with fatherhood!

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The corridor was empty as Tenchi stepped out of the small Infirmary chamber, closing the door behind him as he leant up against it. For a moment he closed his eyes, a dizzy whirl of thoughts and feelings rushing through his mind as he contemplated everything that had happened since he had woken up that morning. Try as he might he could not clearly gather his thoughts, and he sank down to the floor, resting his head in his arms as he felt he might pass out.

"Lord Tenchi?"

A voice made him start and he jerked his head up, meeting the concerned gaze of Kamidake with a slightly dazed smile.

"Kamidake."

"Lord Tenchi, are you all right?" Kamidake eyed him in consternation. "You're white as a ghost - is something wrong?"

Tenchi stared at him for a moment in blank silence, then he made a final, immense effort to bring his mind back into focus. He swallowed hard, wetting dry lips as he did so.

"I...I'm a father." He whispered. "Kamidake, I...I'm a father."

Kamidake's eyes widened, then he smiled, bowing his head towards the prince.

"Congratulations, Tenchi-dono." He said softly. "This is good news indeed. Lady Ryoko is well, I trust? All went smoothly?"

"Lady Ryoko is in far better shape than I am." Tenchi laughed ruefully, aware that his hands were trembling slightly as the adrenalin began to seep from his body. "Now it's all over, I'm a little shook up. She thinks it's funny, fortunately, but I think I need some air. I'm not too steady right now."

He swallowed again, then,

"I might embarrass myself if I stay here. I feel sick."

"Then allow me to accompany you outside." Kamidake suggested. Tenchi looked anxious.

"But what about your own errand? You must be here for a reason."

"Lady Sasami wanted me to come find out how Lady Ryoko was. Now I understand why - Tsunami told her what was going on, and she was unable to get away herself." Kamidake's eyes crinkled at the corner. "She won't mind waiting a little longer for the news she already knows, and besides, I think your need is currently greater."

"Perhaps you're right." Tenchi acknowledged, glancing at his still shaking hands, then forcibly pulling himself to his feet. "All right. I think I can make it outside. I feel such a fool, you know - reacting this way. But it's so...I mean...it's just..."

He faltered again, falling silent, and Kamidake nodded his head.

"The birth of any baby is a special occasion." He murmured. "But the birth of a Princess is a significant thing indeed."

"A Princess?" Tenchi stared at him. "How did you..."

"Lady Sasami has spoken with such certainty that I assumed it was a baby girl." Kamidake said simply. "She calls the child Nozomi. Is she wrong, then?"

"No...no, she's not wrong." Tenchi shook his head, as tentatively the two men made their way along the hall towards the main exit. "And she will be called Nozomi. I'd forgotten about Sasami's prophesy. I'd forgotten...well, right now I'm not firing on all cylinders. I guess it didn't occur."

Kamidake seemed amused.

"I see."

He pushed open the door, ushering his companion outside and Tenchi sank gratefully down on the stone wall that encircled the Infirmary grounds, gazing up at the clear blue sky.

"My daughter." He murmured. "Everything is different now. Ryoko is the one who's been so anxious about how it will change things, but now it's over she seems...she seems more centred and calm than I am. I thought I could handle it, but I'm not sure. I'm just...not sure. And going back to the Earth...should you even take a baby that young on a spaceship, anyhow?"

Kamidake let out a low chuckle.

"I seem to remember having a similar conversation little under a year ago, with another Lord of Jurai in a similar situation." He said softly. "And he's turned out to be a fine father to his son, so far."

"Really?" Tenchi looked doubtful. "Takeru felt this way, too? He always seems so composed."

"Well, there are a few things in life which shake any man." Kamidake said wisely. "I'm sure that many other fathers before the both of you have felt the same, also."

"Perhaps you're right." Tenchi smiled sheepishly, running his fingers through his thick hair. "I just feel so useless at the moment. Ryoko is fine, really, considering. She and Washu seem perfectly calm and at ease with the whole thing right now. And me - I can't even stay in the room with my wife and my daughter because I'm shaking like a leaf. It's stupid. I've faced down criminals in battles that might have killed me, but you know something? Nothing I have ever, ever done in my life is as scary as this whole business today has been. I had no idea...hell, I still have no idea what it was like for Ryoko, and of all the things she's dealt with since we first found out. But at the moment I feel like all her doubts and worries have transferred to me somehow, and I'd quite like to give them back to her."

He looked rueful.

"That came out wrong. But you know what I mean."

"Yes." Kamidake looked thoughtful. "You realise, however, this might be a rare and precious time to spend with your wife and daughter, before Lord Azusa becomes involved and brings it to the court's notice that there is a new addition to his own family line. Dynasty is important on Jurai, after all."

Tenchi pursed his lips, nodding slowly.

"I know. You're right, and I need to go back." He said frankly, getting carefully to his feet. "I feel better now, speaking to you. Bringing my thoughts together has helped. I don't want Great Grandpa railroading my family until we've had time to meet Nozomi properly...and I'm wasting my chance. I should be with my wife...I should be back there. I'm all right, Kamidake...but thank you."

"You're always welcome, my Prince." Kamidake said quietly. "I will convey the news to Lady Sasami, but I will not inform the Emperor just yet. You can have your time."

"I appreciate that." Tenchi flashed him a grin. "Tell Sasami that she's more than welcome to come see Nozomi, too - but not just yet. Not...not today."

"I will." Kamidake bowed his head. "I know she'll understand."

"Yes." Tenchi agreed. "Thanks again, Kamidake. I'll see you later."

He smiled again, then headed purposefully back towards the Infirmary, pushing open the big door and heading doggedly back along the white hallway towards the chamber where his wife and his mother-in-law were both waiting for him. As he reached it, he was aware of voices, and he took a deep breath, putting his hands firmly to the door and pushing it open.

"Well, so the wanderer returns." Washu cast him an amused glance, glancing up from where she had been perched on the windowsill, the new arrival clutched safely in her arms. "It's all right, Nozomi-chan. We're not going to be sending a palace search party out to look for your father after all."

"Are you all right now, Tenchi-kun?" Ryoko eyed him keenly. "Did you hurl? Pass out? Run screaming through the halls?"

"No...no." Tenchi looked self-conscious, sitting down on the end of her bed and reaching over to take her hands in his. "I'm sorry. I did feel a little faint and nauseous, but I'm fine now. I just needed some space and some air. It's a big deal - I guess the shock kind of hit me. It didn't have a chance before - you needed me and I didn't get to think about anything except for what was going on."

"Ah well. Men are weak, that's how it goes sometimes." Washu said airily. Ryoko snorted.

"Tenchi isn't weak." She objected. "He's just a softie at heart, that's all."

"Yeah, that's me." Tenchi said ruefully. "But I'm sorry I abandoned you like I did. It wasn't very husbandly of me."

"Oh, it's all right." Ryoko's eyes twinkled now with amusement. "I'd rather you went out and puked than did it all over me. I don't really want to have to get up while they change the sheets."

"I did not puke!"

"Well, whatever you say." Ryoko shrugged carelessly. "You were a funny colour, but if you say you didn't, I'll believe you. Thousands wouldn't, but you know, that's what a good wife does after all. Trust in her husband's word without question, even if everything points to the contrary."

"Ryoko, I'm serious!"

"Yes, and I believe you, Tenchi-kun." Ryoko offered him an innocent smile and Tenchi sighed, shaking his head slowly.

"It's fine. Whatever. I don't want to argue." He said finally. "You're tired and so am I - it's been a long day."

"Were we arguing?" Ryoko looked genuinely bewildered, and despite himself Tenchi's heart clenched as he offered his wife a smile.

"No. We weren't." He acknowledged. "I'm just getting my head around this. That's all."

"Yeah." Ryoko's expression became serious, her eyes flitting momentarily to Washu's precious burden, and Tenchi realised that his wife's composure had been little more than bravado. "It's a lot to handle, huh?"

"Yeah." Tenchi agreed. "You think we'll be okay?"

"We've left it a little late to worry about that." Ryoko pursed her lips, then she shrugged. "Hey, sure we will, Tenchi-kun! We took out Kagato, right? This is just a baby. What's she gonna do, gum us to death?"

"Nozomi, you're doomed." Washu said dryly, smoothing the baby's fine, downy hair as she spoke. Ryoko looked indignant.

"Considering your child-rearing skills, Washu, you're a fine one to speak." She said frankly. "And why are you still fondling my baby, anyway? Let Tenchi hold her. He hasn't had a chance to, yet."

"Tenchi?" Washu met Tenchi's gaze with a questioning one of her own and Tenchi hesitated for a moment, swallowing hard as the feelings of uncertainty swirled through him again. Then he got a grip on himself, nodding his head.

"I'd like to hold my daughter please, Washu-chan." He said seriously, holding out his hands as he did so. "If you don't mind."

Washu nodded, offering him a warm smile as she got to her feet, approaching him slowly and then, very gently placing the precious burden in his arms. Nozomi barely stirred, already more than half asleep, and despite himself Tenchi felt emotions welling up within him once more.

"My daughter." He murmured, then he glanced at Ryoko, shaking his head.

"No." He corrected himself. "Our daughter. Yours and mine, Ryoko. Part of both of us - part of you and part of me."

Ryoko nodded her head.

"You have to feel for the poor mite." She agreed off-handedly, but there was a softness in her eyes that belied her dismissiveness. "Maybe Washu is right. Perhaps she is doomed."

"No, I think you'll both be fine." Washu leant up against the window frame, eying them pensively. "And besides, you have Noboyuki-san and Katsuhito-dono and Yume and I to help you, if you need us. For Nozomi's sake, I suggest you take advantage of that. Particularly Noboyuki-san's expertise. He did more than half raise you alone, Tenchi, and he did a good job. He's going to be invaluable to you in the weeks and months to come, you realise."

"He and Grandpa haven't even met her yet. I wish they'd been able to come to Jurai - it seems wrong." Tenchi sighed, glancing down at the tiny form in his arms. "She's so warm and tiny...I didn't realise she'd be as small as this. Are babies always so tiny, Washu?"

"Newborns are." Washu nodded her head. "She's not so small really, Tenchi. I think Ryoko was a little smaller, in fact. As far as I can see, your little girl is as healthy and normal as can be expected when you consider her parentage. She's very fit and well. And so is Ryoko, just proving that Kii biology does have it's merits, after all."

"I feel all right. Just tired and a bit mangled." Ryoko confirmed. "I've had worse battle scars, so I'm not going to be down for long. I guess you're right, Washu - this whole curse of the Jurai Power baby doesn't seem to have hit me."

"So you'll be giving her a few brothers and sisters then, will you?" Washu asked teasingly.

"No way." Ryoko said emphatically, just as Tenchi said, "Are you kidding me?" And the scientist laughed.

"I see." She said playfully. "Well, I suppose you kids should learn to take care of that one first, anyway. Pity, though - I was hoping for a whole army of lab-rats to carry out experiments on...it would be interesting, after all, if one of your descendants was to inherit Tsunami's special power, Tenchi."

She offered the Prince a wink, to tell him she was only joking.

"I'll leave you two to your family greetings." She added. "It's been a long day for this new Grandmother also, and I have a lot of other things I really should be doing. Try not to kill her before the next time I see you, okay?"

With that she was gone, and Tenchi and Ryoko exchanged rueful grimaces.

"Sometimes she drives me nuts, even now." Ryoko broke the silence, looking regretful. "But I'm too tired to even rise to her, at the moment. Really, it sucks."

"I dare say there'll be plenty more opportunities." Tenchi assured her. "For the time being, you and I have a lot on our plate to deal with already, without worrying about Washu's jokes. Our whole world has just changed completely, Ryoko...do you think we can deal with it?"

Ryoko hesitated for a moment, then she nodded.

"Yes." She said firmly. "If Ayeka can, I can. We'll do it, Tenchi. And we'll do it our way. Somehow, we'll be fine."