This story is being posted by me on three sites AFF, FF and AO3, and under the same pen name, chugqueen. It will not be posted on any other sites by me, nor do I give my permission for anyone to do so in my stead. If you see it elsewhere, please report it or leave a review with the link so that I can.

Warnings: Foul Language- nothing else planned atm.

"Blah"- Talking

Blah – Thoughts of various characters.

POV - 3rd

Preface- Ending means Beginning.

It was a beautiful Spring-time morning on the Shrine. The birds were singing, the bees were humming, the Juraian guardian logs were talking, and of course things were going "boom" at the Masaki Shrine in the hills. As the ground trembled yet again, Ayeka was hiding behind a low bush catching her breath. She had already transformed into her Juraian battle armor and, after a brief rest, was going to continue the battle with the fiend of her Universe. Ryoko, the afore mentioned fiend, was rampaging about blowing up various flora.

"Stop hiding Ayeka, you call yourself a princess?" The demon punctuated her taunt with various energy balls. Ayeka wondered why her existence had to be ruined by day to day interaction with this uncivilized barbarian of a science experiment. She sighed an promised herself that the day would soon come to have the life she dreamed of. As she pined for her fantasy of having Tenchi to herself her hide-a-way was rocked by a close explosion. As the dirt rose up to knock her off balance Ayeka couldn't help but let out a small yelp of surprise. "AHA! I see you now, you little coward. Prepare to eat defeat!" Ryoko let out a small evil laugh as she prepared her biggest energy ball yet.

Realizing she has compromised her position Ayeka dodged the incoming ball but not before Ryoko caught sight of her running around the other side of the house. "Stop running away and FIGHT ME DAMMIT!" Ryoko growled and rushed to follow her around the corner, then started to twitch as two guardian logs formed a painful barrier around her. Ayeka, still out of breath, was standing behind her guardians looking relieved. "Hey! Dammit, fight fair you stupid princess! This was between us, not your wooden nannies."Ayeka laughed.

"Aw, the criminal wants me to fight fair... How ironic." Ayeka crossed her arms and some how managed to look down her nose while looking up at her captured foe. "Nothing in the original challenge said I couldn't use my vassals." Ryoko made a face.

"Did so, you self-delusional liar! We agreed NO helpers, that means no demons, no Tenchi and NO logs." Ayeka humphed but did not let Ryoko free.

"Why should I keep to your rules... you never stick to them anyway. And who are you calling delusional you mummified demon?" The taunt had it's desired effect and Ryoko started fighting harder against the restrictions, causing sparks of energy to fly but nothing more.

"Dammit Ayeka... I won't let you win Tenchi's heart by being the only one to give him a gift." Ayeka giggled. Watching Ryoko squirm was fun, winning the challenge that Ryoko had made was even better. As she watched the demoness try to wriggle her way out of the logs' power she gloated on how this had all come about.

It had all started when Sasami had made a western cake earlier this morning. It had filled the house up with a sweet and tempting smell that lured even Ryoko and Mihoshi awake. Peeking into the kitchen as the sun was rising the girls saw their chibi gourmet chef in her usual place. Clicking her tongue Sasami had sighed and put the western cake on the counter. It was obvious that the great chef had somehow failed. The cake was a disaster, even Ryoko could see that plainly. It was a pile of goo with an odd color even for western food, it was neon green.

The color had jogged something of a memory from long ago in Mihoshi's mind. Something about helping put things away and not remembering which white bag was the flour and which was her "Fun Show Sweet Tang Instant Colorizing Powder". At the time she had just shrugged and put one on the counter and the other in her private stash. Later she discovered her powder was not so much fun... it stayed white no matter what she did and it tasted icky. With that shadow of a memory Mihoshi smiled.

"Wow Sasami, I love your cake. It's even better than the commercial for that fun powder I ordered way back." Sasami blinked, Mihoshi had ordered that powder just a month ago and it had come last week. The detective's grasp on time left something to be desired but Sasami was getting the hint of an idea what happened to her cake. "That stuff never worked very well... it was white and icky but this cake is SOO cool. I really wish the commercials were half as cool as this, the powder would have been much funner if they had been."

Sasami sighed for a third time having made the connection. It wasn't Mihoshi's fault... not really, she should have known better than to leave Mihoshi in the kitchen while she was grabbing the rest of the shopping. Resolving to remake her cake she opened the cabinet where the trash can was hiding and held the cake pan upside down over it. The gelatinous cake wiggled... once... twice... SPLAT! The mess had fallen in the bag but had hit the bottem and bounced back out and landed on the floor. The kitchen was suddenly emptied of watchers as Sasami let out yet another sigh and began to clean up the kitchen.

Having narrowly escaped a splashing from Sasami's failed cake Ayeka traveled to the living room. Ryoko was already lazing about with one leg propped on the back of the sofa, remote in hand and channel surfing. Ayeka had humphed and moved to the side chair since the rude demon made no space for her on the couch. Delicately lowering herself into the chair she boredly screened the channels as Ryoko flipped through them.

"Wait, wait go back to GFO," Ayeka had seen something that caught her interest on a show called "Good Food and Occasions". Ryoko glared at her but seeing the undisguised interest in Ayeka's eyes ignored the commanding tone and changed it back to the cooking/party planning show.

"Meh, better be something good... " Ryoko mumbled, but then she was watching the show with interest too. Today's show was on birthday cakes, some of them quite elaborate. One of them looked like a pile of spaghetti and was shown with a cut through to reveal it as a round mound shaped cake separated in it's layers by raspberry filling. It was topped by heaps of frosting strings and raspberry flavored doughnut holes. Several other inventive cakes were featured but what held Ayeka's interest, and now Ryoko's, was the song that a group of children were singing on the vid screen behind the main hosts.

"Happy Birthday to you~...

Happy Birthday to you~...

Happy Birthday dear Mellisa and Kyle.

Happy Birthday to you~..."

Suddenly both girls had the same idea at the same time and they could tell by looking at each other and could also tell that the other thought she'd had it first. Invisible sparks flew as each girl, now oblivious to the hosts celebrating the 1 year anniversary of their show, stared at the other with the same ideas forming in their heads.

Sasami was making a cake...the tv show...birthdays...and, as all thoughts tend to with the girls, thoughts came then to the chick magnet of the house...Tenchi. When was Tenchi's birthday? Was it soon? Today? Was that why Sasami was baking a cake? What would be a suitable thing to give him? What would they wear? How were they going to get him alone long enough to seduce him... Yes Ryoko and Ayeka were on the same page and, not surprisingly, they were brewing up to the biggest fight ever because of it.

Ayeka knew that Ryoko had no money...and Ryoko knew Ayeka had no way to get to town. So it was a stand off... each having something the other needed. It was Ryoko that voiced the conclusion they had both come to "You, me, outside. No helpers. I win I get one million yen, you win you get use of Ryo-Oki for the day." The two girls nodded at each other and raced outside. As they left Mihoshi climbed into the couch and changed the channel to an immature show about two puppets and a foam bat.

Ryoko let out another enraged grunt as she struggled. She was being rather convincing if she did say so herself. That snobby princess had no idea that she could easily break out of the logs' spell. Now if only that princess would stop day-dreaming and start gloating...as soon as Ryoko saw the cash she was so out of here. The winner is the one who walks away with what they want right? Come on you snob...show me where you keep your money purse already...I can't keep pretending this hurts forever.

Since their last fight at the beach where Her HighNosedNess had used the logs to keep her under the water while she flirted alone on the shore with Tenchi Ryoko had begged Washu to make her somewhat immune to the spell. Washu had refused on the principle of staying out of the dispute until Ryoko had come up with a way to blackmail her. Seems her "mother" had been trying to clone Tenchi and failed, Ryoko had snuck in one time to find a mob of lil bunny-eared Tenchi-chans. Ryoko had seen the potential disaster and threatened to let them loose. Ryoko let a little giggle at that thought but Ayeka didn't notice as absorbed as she was in who knows what thoughts.

Ryoko decided to start laying it on thick. She closed her eyes and willed her stomach not to gag as she began to thrash theatrically and then stopped.

"Ayeka! You Beast, you've trapped me... " Ryoko opened one eye a slit to see if that had snapped Miss Priss out of her fantasies, it had. "and I have to admit your greatness... Oh you princesses of Jurai are so strong and smart that I had no hope of ever beating you... " Ryoko paused for effect and then wailed dramatically "Oowowowowowo... what will I do when you win Tenchi's heart?" The bile was in the back of her throat as she pretended to give in... even pretending to say these words made her stomach churn. Come ON already... Show Me the Money... I know you always carry some with you...

As Ryoko wailed and whined Ayeka was enjoying every minute of it. Oh this is good...and I will have it all recorded on Kamedake's memory. I can't wait to play this for Ryoko every day...Tenchi will see just what a spineless beast she is. She whistled and walked closer. Pulling out the long awaited purse she looks at Ryoko morosely hanging in the air where her guardians were keeping her.

"I'm so glad you finally recognize me as the superior one Ryoko, we'll get along much better now that you have." Ayeka promised as she held up the prized bag of currency. "I really would have let you have this if you won but there's way too much at stake for me to let you buy Lord Tenchi a present, only I should have that honor." Ryoko opened her eye to a slit again, just enough to see where that snobby princess was stuffing that purse without letting her know she was watching.

"Now, Call Ryo-Oki so I can get to town before it gets too much later. I'll have you released once I'm off and on my way." Ryoko held back a smirk. Ha! Yeah right Princess, like you're gonna get that far...Now I know where your money is this little game is just about over, but first lets have some more fun.

"Alright Ayeka, You win." Ryoko looked up to the sky. She called for her ship in a melodramatic timbre. "Come! Ryo-Oki!" She gave it about ten seconds then slipped through the restraints and deftly pulled Ayeka's ample purse out of a hidden pocket while the princess was still looking skyward. Seeing nothing she turned to where Ryoko had been and gasped then turning around till she saw Ryoko hovering up to a hidden but transformed Ryo-Oki. Ryoko waved. "Thanks for supporting the cause Ayeka."

Ayeka's face transformed from shock to anger. "Damn you, you flying menace to the galaxy! That's not fair." Ryoko laughed.

"Tsk, such language from a Juraian blue-blood... All's fair in love and war, Princess. Plus you broke the rules first, I'll get you some steamed pork buns on the way back." As the pouting princess railed at her from the ground Ryoko chuckled and faded into her ship. "To Tokyo to buy my Tenchi the best present ever!" She gave the order and then they were underway, flying above the clouds.

Meanwhile at a different shrine a young woman was running from her family's two story house carrying an over loaded yellow pack. She ran because she was excited, she ran because she didn't want Inuyasha to yell at her, she ran because if she walked the weight of the pack would pull her over backwards.

Kagome didn't have to run far to get to the well house. As she got there she rested and reflected on her friends across time. They had finally won the battle with Naraku a year before and everyone was moving forward. Sango and Miroku had returned to the destroyed slayers village several months after the battle to begin the final repairs. They had left Kohaku behind in the village next to Inuyasha's forest so that he didn't have to see their home while it was still torn up. Kaede had taken in the boy for the time being and he seemed happy to help her with her tasks around the village.

Kagome smiled at the thought of Shippo. The fox had managed to catch the eye of Inuyasha's full demon half brother and had been invited to travel with him and gain some tutoring from the great taiyoukai. He had come to Kagome while the dog demon and his ward were still resting after the great battle and had nervously explained the invitation and why he wanted to go. He was getting older, and passing the age where he might gain another such offer. He had looked at her with such sadness and hope she couldn't say anything.

At first Kagome was distressed that her kit was going away but when she told Inuyasha he was able to explain it in a way that she was able to accept. Shippo was getting to the age where he needed to battle...constantly. Battling was the only was a young demon would be able to test out and master his natural abilities. This was the time they needed to gain confidence and develop their own personalities. Scoffingly he admitted that with both Naraku and the jewel gone he wasn't expecting to have to fight any more major battles and that the kit would be more likely to get the testing he needed with Sesshoumaru's group. Trouble always followed politics and power. Kagome had sighed worriedly still until Inuyasha had told her to let the kit go and voiced his opinion that if Sesshoumaru didn't think the kit was going to be in the way then Shippo had a good chance of surviving where ever his half brother was going.

She shook her head as some of the worries came back her. I better hurry before he comes after me, he's never been the patient type. I don't want to start this new journey with him being sour. She hefted her pack onto the lip of the well and then stopped. A strange sensation was nagging at her on the edge of her senses. It was similar but not the same as the feeling of the jewel being close. Something akin to panic threatened to overwhelm her as she considered what that would mean. She dropped her bag on the ground next to the well knowing Inuyasha would come to investigate her lateness, and eventually catch up to her. I can't let whatever that is get out of my range... Hurry Inuyasha! Sprinting she tore out of the well house, grabbed her bicycle and did a dare devil stunt of riding it down the wooded hill to the side of the long stairs leading down to the street.

To be Continued...