Tenchi Muyo and all related characters are © AIC/Pioneer. The views expressed herein do not necessarily express the opinions of AIC/Pioneer, the author, or this website.

Tenchi felt like he was being watched all day. From when he was sweeping the shrine in the morning, to when he was even practicing swordsmanship with his grandfather. He always felt like there was someone watching him and making note of his every move.

It all started in the morning, actually. Tenchi had woken up early to work in the fields. He could feel the eyes gazing at him, but when he looked there was no one there. But he knew they were. It felt like they weren't just watching him, but reading him, trying to peer into his very thoughts.

***

"You're too easily distracted, Tenchi." said Yosho. They were doing their daily practices. Tenchi couldn't concentrate. There was still that presence. His practice that day suffered because of it, and Yosho continued to scold him and he was forced to clean the whole shrine and write out the aspects of a warrior.

Cleaning wasn't easy, what with the constant feeling of being spied on. It took him a couple hours. During that time though, little Ryo-Oh-Khi showed up just to visit.

"Well hey there, Ryo-Oh-Khi!" greeted Tenchi.

"Mreow!" the little cabbit exclaimed.

"How are you today?" he asked her nicely.

"Mreow!" smiled the little furry creature. "Mreow mreow!"

"That's nice!" smiled Tenchi. "What brings you out here? Oh, I bet you want some of these." Tenchi pulled out a carrot from his pocket.

"Mreow!!" exclaimed Ryo-Oh-Khi. The cabbit happily nibbled on the carrot. "Mreow, mreow?"

"Hm? Ryoko?" he answered, able to understand the cabbit with ease. "What about Ryoko??"

"Mreow?" asked the cabbit.

"How do I feel about her? Well, she's pretty amazing. She's a really good friend and I'm happy to know her." he answered warmly. "Though I wish her and Aeka would get along. And I do wish she'd calm down a bit." he finished.

"Mreow." said Ryo-Oh-Khi. "Mreow!" she went on as she left the shrine.

Dinner was quiet. Ryoko and Aeka weren't there. When it was finally time for bed, he had trouble sleeping, but it finally found him.

Earlier that day

It was Ryoko's turn to watch Tenchi first. The plan was to see if Tenchi talked to himself during the day. Not about anything specific, but anything. But their main goal was to see if he would talk about her or Aeka.

He didn't talk a whole lot. He seemed to be distracted. "!" Was he on to her already!? She had to stay hidden. He still seemed distant. Ryoko wasn't able to get anything out of him. But she loved just watching him. She wished she didn't have to give Aeka a turn. She could sit there and watch him all day.

Aeka loved watching Tenchi's swordsmanship. Though he seemed to be off today. Was it her? Did he feel her presence? She felt amazed that he could feel her. Still she felt a little upset that his performance was suffering. Yosho kept scolding him. This didn't really seem like a time to watch Tenchi to find out his thoughts, but it was still enjoyable.

Ryoko watched Tenchi as he cleaned the shrine. To her surprise, Ryo-Oh-Khi showed up. She sat with him for a moment, and asked for a carrot. Ryoko took this chance to have Ryo-Oh-Khi communicate for her.

'Ryo-Oh-Khi, ask him how he feels about me' she asked through the link.

And so the conversation ensued. At the end, Ryoko felt loved, in fact thrilled! He felt lucky to know her. She was over joyed, and made a decision to start, maybe, acting a little more calm.. Just to try…..

***

"He said that?" asked Aeka, astonished.

"Yup!" answered Ryoko proudly. The two were talking about their progress, or the lack there of seeing as how they didn't find anything out for themselves. But they liked the new method they came up with.

"Tomorrow I will have Sasami do the same thing." said Aeka.

"What will we do when we're done with this?" asked Ryoko.

"We will confront him directly, and individually. And then together. He needs to decide for himself what he wants." Aeka went on. "We have been fighting for him too long. It needs to end, wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed." finished Ryoko.