Ayeka and Ryoko helped Tenchi out of the lab and into the house. Ryoko still clutched Tenchi's mangled right side, her tears not yet reaching her eyes, and she could barely keep her composure. She stopped suddenly as a set of feet appeared in her vision from where she was watching the floor. Looking up, she was met by a face she had learned to hate for seven hundred years. Yosho stood in front of them with something on his mind. Before Ryoko could move a hand had slapped Yosho's face, and though he could have deflected it, he didn't.

Ayeka: Damn it brother!

Ryoko looks at Ayeka, surprised.

Ayeka: I bet you are here just to patronize him, to tell him that you still plan on having your silly little fight! (Tears running) What gave you the right to destroy my life?

Yosho: Destroy?

Ayeka: Yes damn it!

Mihoshi and Sasami who were sitting on the couch were surprised to hear her words.

Ayeka: Even now, you know…

Tenchi: (Gently squeezes Ayeka's arm) Ayeka… Let me…

Ayeka looked at Tenchi and nodded.

Tenchi: Lord Yosho, I will die before I let either of them be taken from me. Now if you will move aside, we've had a hard day.

Yosho looked surprised at his grandson, which brought a smile to Tenchi's face. Gripping Ryoko and Ayeka as tightly as he could, he let them lead him upstairs. As they rounded the corner out of eyesight, Yosho put his hand on his cheek and cringed at the pain that still lingered. He then smiled.

Yosho: "You've grown up, all of you…finally."

Yosho then walked out of the house.

Sasami: (Ayeka…I've never heard you like that before. Sasami smiles) Well since they went upstairs, I guess they won't be here for dinner. I know, I'll take it to them!

Humming happily, Sasami rejoined Noike in the kitchen to cook dinner for her family. A few hours later.

Sasami: Dinner's ready!

Noboyuki, Rhea, and Mihoshi were the only ones to show up however.

Sasami: That's all; I was hoping Washu and Tenyo would be here too. (Sighs) Noike, will you help me take dinner up to Ryoko, Ayeka, and Tenchi?

Noike: Of course Sasami.

Mihoshi: Oh, can I help?

Noike: Absolutely not! You'll just spill everything on them!

Mihoshi: I'm sorry…

Sasami: I know Mihoshi, why don't you carry the napkins and utensils.

Mihoshi: Yay!

After getting the three started on their dinner, Sasami went back downstairs with Mihoshi and Noike.

Sasami: Washu and Tenyo are still not here? Noike if I make a plate for her will you please take it to her?

Noike: Sure.

Noike happily took Washu her dinner giving Mihoshi and Sasami a chance to eat. Stepping into the lab…

Noike: "I don't see Washu anywhere." Washu… oh Little Washu?

Washu: (In the distance) Ow! Damn! No not like that! ARGH!

Noike: "Sounds like she's over there."

Noike arrived where Washu was to see her tangled amidst a lot of wires and other various parts.

Noike: Miss Washu?

Washu: (Jumping from being startled) What? Oh, it's just you Noike.

Noike: Are you okay. (Handing Washu a bowl of noodles)

Washu: (Shaking her head but accepting the bowl and beginning to eat)

Noike: (Noticing the scans on the table of what Tenchi would look like with both legs made her frown) I..I see you're building Tenchi a leg… (Trying sound positive)

Washu: (Nodding while finishing the noodles in her mouth) I'm trying…

Noike: But?

Washu: But nothing seems right…I mean look at this one… (Holding up a completed leg) I had just finished the exterior and had it matched up with his scan here. (Pointing to a screen)

Noike: Well that sounds good.

Washu: No, it's not. Did you know he's grown a few inches since that was taken? When I realized that, I had to throw this one out because he can't walk on it cause it's too short now.

Noike: I see, so what are you doing with this one? (Pointing to a different one)

Washu: (Sighs) I was trying to build it so that it would auto-adjust to his other leg…

Noike: And?

Washu: (Shaking her head, looking at Noike, then at the leg) I have tried a number of things, but it won't adjust properly, it seems that the materials can't be that precisely adjusted. It will either be just a little short, or a little long. But even then, I have the problem of how it is going to connect and how is he going to control it.

Noike: I see; that could be a problem. (Cocking her head thinking) What about just growing another part or cloning it?

Washu: Ha ha, I could grow it easy enough, but I still need a way to connect it. But even then, the place where his hip joint should be is gone! I would have to install a hip joint and then have to try to reconnect his leg back to his spine and…and…

Noike: And? (Looking hopeful)

Washu: (Seeing the look in Noike's eyes) I've never tried anything like that before…I've learned enough about anatomy and biology to create Ryoko and make her as perfect as I could. (Washu sat down on her floating pillow feeling defeated)

Noike: Oh, I never knew…I mean you just seemed to be so good at everything…I mean even when they had to cut off Ryoko's hands they grew back and you can't even tell it…Washu? Washu?

Washu: Huh: Sorry…

Noike: It's okay, I just asked how did you replace Ryoko's hand? Tenchi told me once before that he and Yosho had cut off one, but I couldn't ever tell it was gone.

Washu: No, she did that. The Mass allows her to regenerate limbs once they have been cut off.

Noike: Too bad Tenchi doesn't have that power. He could regrow his arm and leg.

Washu: (Snorting) Yeah but he doesn't have any… (Her eyes went wide)

Noike: I know, he doesn't have any Mass. (Turning to look at Washu who's eyes were still open wide) Washu?

Washu: Noike, you're a genius!

Noike: Huh?

Washu: Don't you see? He can't regenerate because he doesn't have the Mass but if we were to assimilate the Mass into him then…

Noike: Then he can regrow his leg and arm.

Washu: Damn right! Not only that but the Mass will grow with him and they aren't damaged by the Lighthawk Wings!

Noike: I knew you could help him; he has faith in you…we all do.

That night had been a dark one for the Masaki family. When the sun finally crested over the mountains, three members of the family tried to close their eyes again. To go back into their dreams where everything was still okay. But for Ryoko the night, her dreams, and the reality of things were weighing heavily on her mind.

Ryoko: "I've become so used to feeling Tenchi lying next to me. How his arm would hold me, how his leg would become entwined with mine. But now there is no arm to hold me, no leg to become entwined with, I haven't felt this alone since before we went into the Time Saver.

Tenchi…lying next to you has become…torture. I had hoped that I could fix you with my powers. But I was wrong. (Pause for reflection) It took me over five thousand years to create my own Lighthawk Wings, will it take me another five thousand just to learn how to use them?"

Washu: (Telepathically) Ryoko

Ryoko: "Go away!"

Washu: Ryoko, Ryoko, Ryoko, R-Y-O-K-O

Ryoko: "What?"

Washu: I found the answer.

Ryoko: (Sitting up in bed eyes wide open) You…you did?

Tenchi: (Looking up at Ryoko) Ryoko...are you okay?

Ryoko: (Looks at Tenchi and nods) "Tell me, what did you find out?"

Washu: I need you and Ryo-Ohki in my lab in ten minutes.

Ryoko: "Washu…Washu…"

Washu: …

Ryoko: "Damn it!" (Looking at Tenchi, she smiles) "Maybe she's not playing with me."

Ryoko quickly kisses Tenchi and rushes out of the room.

Ryoko: Washu needs me in the lab; I'll be right back…

After Ryoko has left.

Ayeka: (Sitting up in bed) Well that was strange.

Tenchi: Yes it was…

Tenchi and Ayeka get out of bed and begin to get dressed and ready for the day. Meanwhile, Ryoko flew down the stairs, grabbed Ryo-Ohki who had been coming down with Sasami for breakfast, and was in the lab a few seconds later.

Ryoko: Washu! Washu! Where are you Washu?

Washu: I'm back here. Geese I said ten minutes not ten seconds.

Ryoko: But you said you found an answer and so I wanted to know…

Washu: Very well. I need you and Ryo-Ohki to go on a hunting trip for me.

Ryoko: A hunting trip?

Washu: Yes, I need you to track down and capture more Mass. I… (Stopping noticing her daughter's clueless face) What would you say if I told you I could get Tenchi's arm and leg to grow back, without surgery?

Ryoko: What! Can you do that?

Washu: Yep, Noike helped me discover the answer. I have created a stasis pod that I can put into Ryo-Ohki's ship form and (Holding out a weapon for Ryoko to take) I have modified this pulse cannon to only stun the Mass so it can be captured.

Ryoko: (Taking the cannon from Washu) Okay…

Washu: When you get back, I can then get Tenchi to assimilate with the Mass which will give him the ability to regenerate his body at will.

Ryoko: Really! Even though that stone thingy hurt him?

Washu: You were able to heal your wounds weren't you?

Ryoko: Yippee! (Ryoko begins hopping around wildly)

Washu: The faster you get there the better; I can upload the coordinates to Ryo-Ohki easy enough, when will you be leaving?

Ryoko: Right now!

Washu gives Ryoko everything she needs and the next thing the rest of the family heard was Ryo-Ohki's excited cries as they left the Earth, all the while Washu smiling at her daughter.

From Tenchi's room, he and Ayeka could see Ryo-Ohki take off and watched her as she flew out of sight.

Ayeka: I wonder where she's going in such a hurry.

Tenchi: I have not a clue, but I think Ryoko is with her.

Ayeka: (Turning towards Tenchi) How can you tell?

Tenchi: I…I'm not sure…but somehow…I know she is.

Ayeka: Oh, I see. (Looking back out the window) I wonder where they are going then.

After Ayeka finished helping Tenchi dress himself, she helped him get downstairs to the family room for breakfast. Ayeka set Tenchi on the end of the couch while she went to prepare breakfast for him.

Tenchi: "I can't stand this! I'm useless! Everyone around here is having to stop what they are doing to help me! Besides, what if something happens to one of them? What if Ayeka falls and hurts herself and I have to just sit here and watch it? No! I can't take that! I won't live like this! I called on the wings before. Perhaps I can do it again."

Tenchi could see Ayeka moving around the kitchen. She had climbed up on a stepladder to reach the flour that was on the top shelf of the cabinet. Just as Tenchi had feared, Ayeka began to teeter, and then fell.

Tenchi: Ayeka!

Tenchi threw himself with all his might off the couch towards Ayeka to catch her.

Ayeka: Oh, thank you Tenchi…I… (She stopped, realizing Tenchi was standing on two feet) (Gasp)

Tenchi: (Hearing Ayeka's gasp, Tenchi looked down to see his left foot was a ghostly sight. In the light, it was barely even visible. But when they moved out of the light, he could see the white opaque leg that the wings had created for him.

Ayeka: Tenchi…you're foot…

Tenchi: And…my hand… (Reaching out toward Ayeka with his pale left hand)

Ayeka: Oh my… (She recoiled at first, unsure if it would hurt her, but looking at his saddened expression as he pulled away, she reached out to touch it)

As Ayeka touched the Lighthawk hand, she felt her body temperature rising and the searing heat seemed almost unbearable, but then it stopped. What was hot became cool, and as she looked at her hand in his, she realized it was undamaged.

Ayeka: "Well that's certainly a relief."

Tenchi: "I'm sorry; I didn't think it would hurt."

Ayeka: (Smiles at Tenchi) "Even at a time like this he's concerned about me."

Tenchi: "I will always be concerned…"

Ayeka: "Tenchi, you heard me. I thought you were just talking but, you're in my head."

Sasami: Ayeka I was…AHHHHH! (Drops the pot she was carrying)

Sasami saw Tenchi and Ayeka enveloped in a white light. In the instant she screamed, the light vanished and Tenchi fell forward. Ayeka tried to catch him and the two swung around until they ended up falling on the couch.

Ayeka: Are you ok Tenchi?

Tenchi: "Yeah"

Ayeka: …

Tenchi: (Grumbling, realizing they had lost their telepathic connection) Yeah I'm fine.

Katsuhito: Isn't there a better place for that?

Ayeka scrambles to her feet in embarrassment.

Ayeka: Nothing happened… (Gasp)

With Lighthawk limbs back, Tenchi quickly leapt up from the couch and grabbed his grandfather by his shirt, holding him up with a pale glowing hand.

Tenchi: Leave her alone! Don't you think you've caused enough pain to her for one lifetime? If you still want to fight, then let's do this! (Tossing his grandfather through the open sliding door. Tenchi followed his surprised grandfather outside and the Lighthawk sword appeared in his hand)

Ayeka: Tenchi!

Tenchi: (Hearing Ayeka's voice, he stopped and turned to look at her. He could see the fear in her eyes. Turning back towards his grandfather, Tenchi saw that his sword was at Katsuhito's throat.) Oh Tsunami… (The Lighthawk limbs disappeared as Tenchi's anger faded. Without his other leg Tenchi fell over again.)

Katsuhito: (Catching his grandson) You'll have to be more careful of that temper Tenchi.

Tenchi: I…I'm sorry…

Katsuhito: No Tenchi, it is I that should apologize. I only forced that duel on you to get you to take a stand and defend them. You have, and last night when you talked to me, I knew that you had won the duel.

Tenchi: But…we…didn't even…

Katsuhito: Even without being capable of fighting, you would have fought to defend them. There will be no duel as you have already won.

Tenchi: I…have?

Katsuhito: Yes, I was merely suggesting that you two take yourselves back to your room if you're going to be doing that on the couch. Ha ha ha ha.

Tenchi: Ugh, nothing happened.

Katsuhito: Let's get you back inside.

Katsuhito helped Ayeka get Tenchi back in and onto the couch. Ayeka fixed Tenchi's breakfast and the two spent most of the day on the couch watching t.v.

Darkness approaching.

Ayeka: Where is that devil woman? I've looked all over for her and she's nowhere to be found.

Tenchi: I thought you two were past all that.

Ayeka: (Grumbling) Well I was, but where is she? It's time to start getting ready for bed and we haven't even had our soak in the onsen, nor have we had dinner yet. And we can't possibly go to sleep without her.

Tenchi: You've become used to her huh?

Ayeka: After sharing a bed with you two for a year how could I not? Every day before dinner, we'd go soak in the onsen and… (She trails off, lost in thought).

Tenchi: Yeah, those were good days. (Tenchi looked lost in thought for a moment) I guess we should start getting ready for bed…she will be here soon…she's never been gone this long before.

Ayeka: (Nodding) Very well, I am going to see how Sasami's doing.

Ayeka leaned down and gave Tenchi a quick kiss before leaving the room. As Ayeka entered the kitchen she watched as her sister went from the stove to the sink around to the cabinets and back to the stove. Sasami was cutting, chopping, mixing, and preparing a revered feast. Ayeka and the others had always let her do this. Sasami always seemed the happiest when she was cooking. Occasionally they had tried to get her to slow down, but then she seemed distraught when someone else cooked. The elder princess could not help but think that Sasami lorded over the kitchen as though it was her very own domain. And she couldn't stand it when someone tried to take over her domain. Ayeka thought that Sasami would become a good political leader for Jurai someday. A small giggle escaped her as she thought of her sister's attitude about the kitchen.

Sasami: (Turning around and spotting Ayeka) Hi!

Ayeka: (Giggling) Hello Sasami. I was wondering if you have seen Ryoko or Ryo-Ohki. We thought we saw them leave earlier today, but they have not been gone this long before.

Sasami: Oh, I asked Tsunami about that earlier. She said not to worry about them and that they would be back soon.

Ayeka: Oh, I see. (Mumbling to herself, "I should have asked her sooner.")

Sasami: Hey Ayeka, could you get Washu, dinner's almost ready. (Sasami called over her shoulder)

Ayeka: Sure Sasami.

Ayeka walked out of the kitchen and towards Washu's lab when she heard a loud screeching noise outside.

Ayeka: (Looking at Tenchi) What in the world is that?

Tenchi: (Shrugs looking back at Ayeka)

Tenchi and Ayeka looked out the window as a loud Miya could be heard through the afternoon sky.