Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi etc. etc. on with the story.

Chapter I

Tenchi climbed the steps to the Masaki shrine. Trying to sweep the cherry blossoms was an almost impossible task. He was probably going to be late for school. Lord Katsuhito was drinking his morning tea. Nobuyuki had moved out practically, most of the time he spent in his studio closer to the city, and in the Masaki home the girls were in the process of waking up. Some took longer than others; Sasami got up bright and early that day like always to make breakfast. "Wow Ayeka! It's such a beautiful day!"

"Yes it is Sasami." Ayeka was feeling that lately she had been ignoring her sister too much. She knew the reason and Sasami did too. 'Why do I have to be so obsessed about him.' Why do I always have to be fighting with Ryoko for… for what? What do you mean? You love Tenchi that's why you fight with her. Yes but how long will I have to wait?' Lately Ayeka had begun questioning her future. 'Why am I in this planet when I could be back home? I am after all the Crown Princess and future Queen. So why am I really here. I wish Tenchi would grow up already. He needs to make a decision! I mean out of all my suitors he is the one I actually have feelings for! No one else. I am to be his bride…' Suddenly an image of Yosho lifting her into his strong arms flashed before her eyes. 'Yosho when I grew up I was to be your bride… No! I will not think of him, that part of my life is over… but it still hurts; from the moment I knew of Yosho's little masquerade, I truly realized that he will always see me as his little sister, and nothing more. Could it be that I have been lying to myself all this time? Do I really love Tenchi? Or have I just been trying to replace the love I had for Yosho? Ugh I hate it when I think like this.

"I'm off to school!"

"Good bye Lord Tenchi! Oh wait! here, I made this for you, so you won't go hungry."

"Why thank you Miss Aye-"

Suddenly Ayeka found herself staring at feral golden eyes.

"What do you think your doing Ayeka!"

Ayeka sighed, 'Of course, Ryoko, I was wondering when she would show up'

"None of your business! Why don't you go do whatever you monster women do and stop bothering Tenchi and I!"

"Princess I'm getting real tired of these games I might just finish you n-"

"Me too Ryoko, in fact, I propose we call a truce."

Ayeka thought back to what she had been thinking earlier and thought that this charade was meaningless. Ryoko was so caught off guard that whatever came out of her mouth was in mumbles.

"Have a good day Lord Tenchi" and with that and a smile Ayeka left. Ryoko watched her head upstairs and into her room with a look of concern.

Tenchi was so in awe of the turn of events that he nearly walked out the door without his shoes on.

Ryoko, not knowing what to do did something she would surely regret later. "Washu open the door" A head popped into view, "It's my little Ryoko!" Ryoko cringed "I need to talk" "It's open" Ryoko hated coming in here, it was, unnerving to say the least. "What can Mommy do for my little Ryoko." "Mo-Washu! I was in the middle of a fight with Ayeka and she said something about a truce. "Aw you girls are learning how to play nice?" "Why would she say that? Something's not right" Washu was smiling that devious smile of hers. "What!" "Oh nothing I was just surprised to hear that my little Ryoko is concerned for her friend." "She's not my friend!" Ryoko tried to push a little voice in her head saying that Ayeka was in fact a friend in a way. Ryoko turned to leave but a hand caught her arm. "Ryoko why don't you try talking to her." "No I, I don't think-" "Try" Ryoko looked at her mothers emerald eyes. They were serious and for being in a little girl's body she could sure pull off being adult pretty easily. "Oh Fine" with that said she left the lab. "Good girl."

Ryoko did not want to be in her situation. She didn't know how to handle these sort of things, feelings, whatever. She crept up the stairs and peaked into Ayeka's room. Ayeka laid there on her futon facing away from Ryoko. Ryoko could tell she was crying, her shoulders were shaking. She took a step back and the floor board creaked. Ayeka without looking said. "Ryoko, I know it's you. Come in." 'Come in? Since when was Ayeka letting a space pirate invade the privacy of her room? Not that it had stopped her before but..' Ryoko gulped she didn't know why she was so nervous. "Hey, Princess what did you mean back there, what's this talk about a truce?" "I'm tired Ryoko, I can't do this anymore. Don't you realize Ryoko? Tenchi is just a normal boy, he is going to college now and sooner or later he will find a girl. One that doesn't put up force fields or fly through walls." "The hell he will, Tenchi belongs to-"

"No one, Ryoko, Tenchi belongs to himself. I realize that now."

"How can you say that Ayeka? you love Tenchi. Just as I do."

Ayeka actually smiled and wiped her tears. Moments like these she laughed inside at how child-like Ryoko was. "You know Ryoko I think I understand you, more than anyone in this house."

"Wha-?" Ryoko blushed. Ayeka stood up and excused herself.

For the second time today Ryoko had been thrown a curve ball. 'That woman is going to drive me insane'.