"Teennn-chiii...!"
As Tenchi turned around, he was greeted with the everyday hug from Ryoko. This usually consisted of her wrapping her arms around him and nearly knocking him to the ground (sometimes she did).
After getting some air into his system from Ryoko 'hugging' him, "Hello Ryoko. Is dinner ready?"
"Sure is. Sasami and Ayelei asked me to come and get you."
"Those two. All this time I thought is was nice to have two royals in the house. I guess three is a charm."
Ryoko let go of Tenchi at his comment towards her 'sister'. Long ago, when Kagato kidnapped her, every memory in her mind was replaced so she couldn't not remember anything from her childhood. Two of those things were the most fond memories of her life: Washu, her mother, and Ayelei, her little sister. She never openly admitted it, but she wished she could have known Ayelei when she was growing up on Jurai.
After Ayelei escaped Kagato, she ended up on Jurai. Upon seeing her potential, she was brought up in the royal Jurian palace. Once she proved herself worthy of protecting Princess Sasami, 2nd Princess of Jurai, she was 'adopted' into the Jurian family. If it didn't make things worse, she was practically raised by the family of the one girl she truly despised: Ayeka. Prince Yosho had 'disappeared' without a trace, leaving Ayeka and Sasami alone. It also left Funaho and Azusa without a son. One day, Ayelei had saved Sasami's life (several times really) and Funaho had declared her to be her 'daughter', earning her the title Princess Ayelei, 3rd Princess of Jurai. Hence the name Ayelei Hakubi Jurai. From that day on, she posed as a foster daughter to the 1st Queen of Jurai.
Though she was the 'daughter' of the 1st Queen of Jurai, she took her rank behind Ayeka because she had a higher title than hers, being 1st Princess and all. She never told anyone, but she was granted the same rights and powers that Queen Funaho had and immunity from any harm from Ayeka and Sasami's mother Misaki, 2nd Queen of Jurai. This fact alone made Ryoko's stomach turn. She could have killed her that last time she tried to destroy the palace. Sasami too for that matter. Both of them meant the world to her. If she had killed them...
"Ryoko?"
"huh?"
"Did I say something wrong to upset you?"
"No."
She hated lying to him, but she didn't want him to have to worry about her little issues. "Let's just walk back home."
Walk? Something must really be upsetting Ryoko. She loved to fly. The only time she walks is if she is bothered by something really bad.
They made idle talk while heading for the house. As they were starting to open the door, Kiyone and Mihoshi ran right into them. HARD! To add to that, Ayeka fell on top of the pile while going out the door also.
"Kiyone and I were looking everywhere for you two!" Mihoshi wailed.
Kiyone managed to speak from her spot at the bottom of the pile. "Yes, you have to come quick!"
Ayeka stood up quickly and blurted out "Ryoko! Tenchi! It is Miss Washu, she is...
Ryoko didn't understand a word of what they were jabbering about. The only thing she knew is that the two galaxy space police officers and the princess ruined her walk with Tenchi. One that she may not have a chance to get for a while. The next words that came out of her mouth could have only come from anger.
"Look, I don't know what the hell is wrong with you all, but if she can't deal with her damn inventions, then maybe she should just retire or something! Right now, I don't give a f...
Little Ryoko...
Everyone was shocked to see her stop at the last word. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the voice.
Washu? Is that you? What's wrong?
In almost a whisper. Help me. The link was cut off.
Washu? Mom? Mom! Answer ME!
Ayelei Ryoko, please come in the lab! Something is wrong with mom! Sasami and I can't wake her and her link is cut off!
Ryoko I'm on my way.
Her eyes flew open and looked at the crowd around her. "Let's go! Something is wrong with mom! Move it!" Ryoko never called Washu "mom" unless she was teasing her or felt in a good mood (which was very rare). With the last order, everyone made their way into the lab.
When they got into the closet, they saw Ayelei had laid her on a futon and Sasami was dabbing a wet, cold cloth on her face. Washu, on the other hand, just laid there with sweat pouring down her face. Out of nowhere, Washu screamed so loud, it made every person in the lab jump. Tears were running down Washu's face as if someone had left a faucet running in the sink and wouldn't turn it off. There was no direct link to her so neither of her daughters or Ryo-oki could make contact with her. They would just have to wait it out.