"Do you know a place we can hide-out for awhile?"

"Sure, me and Ryo-oki had to do just that many times until the heat cooled down. Let me see. Here! Adina, that's the place. It's kinda rough around the edges, but it'll work".

"Ryo-oki, can we shake these guys then go to these coordinates?"

"Meowowww!"

"Good, I'm taking someone back to med-lab."

"But I'm fine, I just..."

"You just need to take it easy for awhile, please."

"Ooo alright! I just can't say no to you."

We got to med-lab and I laid her on her bed.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Silly, Why are you here, why did you come after me?"

"At first I respected your decision to be alone for awhile. I asked Washu about you sometimes, but I was just waiting for you to return. Washu said you said you were fine. Later that day, Washu came from her lab with your last message saying you were being captured. I couldn't stand it any longer and I had to keep them from what they were going to do to you..."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"I don't think I would've lived if.."

"Shhhh, your fine now. Don't think about it, just get better...I love you."

She leaned forward from her bed and kissed me.

"I love you too."

"EXCUSE ME!"

"Oh, hi mom...MOM? How did you get a communication window down here?"

"I did create Ryo-oki after all!"

"Hi mom."

"Hi Greg, how are you two?"

"We're ok, Ryoko needs to rest up a bit and Ryo-oki had a hard time losing those fighters, but we're on our way to Adina."

"Adina?"

"You won't know the name mom, Ryo-oki and I went there to hide from Kagato once..."

"I do know the name, I was able to hear your thoughts even then."

"Oh, sorry."

"It's alright, but we need to get you back here pronto!"

"Mom, have you been watching westerns again?"

"Well, yes Ryoko Why?"

"Um...nothing...nevermind."

"OK, well I'll put through the coordinates for Adina to Kiyone and Mihoshi. They can meet you there when you arrive."

"Sounds good Washu. But those ships may be tracing us, it may not be that easy."

"I didn't think about that. Well just take it as it comes."

"How is the training going Washu?"

"They will be ready for you to take over when you get back."

"I knew I could count on you, thank you."

Washu blushed and turned away from the monitor for a moment.

"Alright, get to Adina as fast as possible, get Kiyone and Mihoshi and hightail it back here. Got it?"

I nodded and headed to the bridge not knowing Ryoko had continued the conversation.

"Mom?"

"Yes Ryoko."

"Why did you let him come after me, doesn't he have to defend Earth and well...everything?

Washu smiled. "Yes he does and he will, but he couldn't if he didn't know you were safe."

"But that's a bigger thing than just me..."

"Love is a bigger thing than most."

"How much longer to Adina Ryo-oki?"

"Meowoowow."

"That long huh, I hope Washu can get them ready at least to defend themselves."

A monitor window appeared.

"Good morning, I missed you!"

"I was monitoring for those ships all night, so I thought you could use the rest."

"I feel much better and I think most of my power has returned too."

"That's great, I was wonde..."

Ryoko appeared next to me.

"See."

"Yes I do. I was wondering when I would be able to see that wonderful smile of yours again."

"Your going to see it everyday of your life, I promise."

I smiled and held her close for a moment.

"Do you have any specific coordinates for Adina?"

Looking at a holomap. "There is an old town...here...nobody asks questions, but it's a ruff crowd. But we should be there in 2-3 hours."

"We'll have to take our chances. We have to get home as soon as possible."

"Greg, do you have any idea of what may be waiting on Earth?"

"No."

Washu had trained the family members in groups so before Kiyone and Mihoshi left, they were able to use most of the gems power. But they had not used them in any real situations. They were off to Adina, as Washu ordered knowing just how to find us and the coordinates given by Washu.

"Why are we in such a hurry?"

"Because Mihoshi, Greg has to help fight against Tomiki, remember?"

"And we're going to Adina right? Isn't that where we were about a year ago to apprehend a criminal in that little town."

"Yes we were there, we have to be extra careful while we're down there. We may run into "old friends."

"Ryo-oki try to open communications with Yagami please."

Soon after a screen opened showing Kiyone's face.

"Good to see you Kiyone!"

"Hey great to see you accomplished your "mission."

Ryoko poked her face in.

"Hey Kiyone, man he was great, first he...oh."

"I'm sure she'd love to hear it later, but right know we have to figure a way out of this."

"Greg, why don't you just fly Ryo-oki to Earth, she's the fastest ship anywhere."

"We would, but not only can they track her engine signature, but their ships are pretty fast too."

"I get it. So where do you want to meet?"

"Well, Ryoko suggested a small town at these coordinates."

"Um, sure, we'll meet you there in 2 hours."

2 hours seemed like a relatively short amount of time, but not knowing what was going on Earth was starting to worry me.

"Ryoko?"

"Yes..."

"Do you think we should contact Washu and make sure they're ready for what's coming?"

"They will be ready for whatever comes they're way."

"Yes, but I'm not sure we'll be home before any of this starts."

"You don't think they can handle it?"

"I just want to make sure there is something to come home too."

I was sitting on the bridge asking myself questions when I discovered I could speak to others than Ryoko & Washu.

"Tsunami?"

"Yes." As she appeared in front of me.

"Wow, um could I ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

"Does Washu know she's a goddess?"

"What makes you think she's a goddess?"

"She feels like you, when she walks into the room. Your presence."

"Very good, your learning to use your senses, as well as you powers."

"Does she know?"

"Yes and no."

"OK"

"I told her to call the gems to her, but she hasn't."

"I wonder why?"

"She is afraid. And even if she does, she can't use her goddess powers against Tomiki."

"Why not?"

"Goddess against goddess, that kind of power would destroy not only Earth but your solar system as well."

"Two gems are on Earth still in Tenchiken. Ryoko still has only one."

"One day soon she will have all three, but until then you will protect her."

"Why does she need protecting?"

"Aren't you full of questions...you have made your intentions clear towards her...others will try to get to you, through her. Although with the power you now control, I don't think anyone but Tomiki could stand a chance."

"Thank you for answering my questions, I didn't mean to ask so many."

"That's alright, your are my guardian."

At that moment Tsunami came closer and kissed my forehead, unfortunately at the same time Ryoko was coming onto the bridge.

"Ahem."

"Oh, Ryoko...ah she was..um."

Tsunami walked over to Ryoko.

"He's a lot like Tenchi isn't he?"

"Yes, but why were you kissing my soon to be husband?"

"Don't worry, it was just for luck."

"Tsunami I trust you, but you are beautiful and...well...what if he wants you instead of me."

Tsunami lifted her chin from the lowered position.

"Ryoko, have you looked into his eyes lately? How can you have any question of who he wants."

"Well...no I haven't. You can tell from his eyes? What am I talking about, of course you can! Your a goddess!"

As Ryoko walked to me and put her arms around me Tsunami made her exit, but not without a few words to herself.

"I may already be a goddess, but you, dear child of Washu soon will be."

Washu was in her lab thinking about what Tsunami had told her. She was indeed afraid, although she didn't let on.

"Why do I need to call the gems to me...I have all the knowledge I need right here. Right...that's not true."

"Miss Washu? Miss Washu?"

"Ayeka? What do you need?"

"I was wondering if you would help me for a moment."

"Sure...with what?"

"Well, you see, um, Tenchi...well."

"Spill it Ayeka."

"I want to get closer to Tenchi, I believe we may have a future together."

"You mean since Ryoko has been taken by another."

"I have always cared for Tenchi, but since the quarreling for his affections has ended it changes things."

"How does it change things? You still care about him right? You love him right? Well don't tell me, tell him. Don't wait until another Ryoko comes along and takes him from you. Let him know how you feel so he can return his feelings for you."

"I never thought of it that way."

"Look, you know Tenchi is shy when it comes to women. But if you tell him your feelings, he will open up and tell you his."

"Sister! Washu! It's tea time!"

"Well we'd better be going otherwise she will not be happy!"

"Thank you for the rice cookies Sasami, they are very good."

"Your welcome Washu. Are you going to train with the gems today?"

"Oh my, I forgot all about training! I was so wrapped up in thinking about..."

"Washu are you alright?"

"Yes Ayeka I am. We shall train after tea."

After tea, Washu had them line up facing the lake. In order there was Ayeka, Tenchi, Sasami then Washu.

"Alright, since Kiyone and Mihoshi had to go meet Greg and Ryoko I trained them first. They're pretty good, but you two I want to be at the top of the scale."

"Why would that be Washu?"

"Well Tenchi, you are going to be king of Jurai are you not?"

"Well, I don't know...maybe."

"Let's just say you are, OK. You have to be able to protect yourself."

"But what about Tenchiken?"

"You may not always have Tenchiken and you may to protect more than just yourself."

Washu gave a sly wink to Ayeka so Tenchi wouldn't see.

"Hold out your left arms and keep them straight. I will be inserting a gem into your wrists."

"Will it hurt Washu?"

"No it won't hurt Tenchi. It will feel like...do you remember how you felt when you found out you had a brother?"

"Yes, I felt confused, then happy at the same time."

"That is what it will feel like. I will have you know I am just taking you through the first steps of the training you need. The gems have a small amount of power in them now, but Greg will complete them when they return. Are you ready?"

They both nodded in agreement as Sasami watched in amazement. Two clear gems floated at Washu's command and hovered above their wrists.

"Close your eyes and relax."

The gems dropped and inserted themselves. Both of them met this with a sharp inhale.

"Take it easy, you just accepted a power gem into your bodies."

"Are we alright?"

"You are perfectly fine. Take a look at them, you'll notice your own internal power begin to flow into the gem. After a while we can start training you on how to channel that power as a defense or attack."

"Wow, look Ayeka, yours is turning a lavender color. And yours, it's the color of your eyes."

"What are you thinking about?"

"So many things have happened. But the most important one is sitting beside me."

"Are you buttering me up for something?"

"No, it's true. I may have great responsibilities and some extra power, but I don't think I could do anything without you."

"You can do so much, I have been a slave for much of my life. I really haven't done anything good."

"Sure you have. You have a great relationship with your mother, me and the rest of the family. I know for a fact they are all missing you."

"Really, they miss me?"

"Ryoko don't ever forget you are a part of this family, everyone cares for everyone else."

"Thanks, I needed to hear that after being held on Tomiki's ship. I wasn't sure if anyone was coming for me. I was hoping though."

"And that is what we all need, hope."

"Meowewoew."

"We're getting close to Adina, should we contact Kiyone?"

"Yeah, send them the coordinates to the town again to make sure."

"You don't plan on staying here for long, do you Ryoko?"

"Well I was hoping to stop in at a bar I used to hangout at...is that OK?"

"We are trying to beat Tomiki's forces home and you want to stop at a bar?"

"Just for a moment, I'm saying goodbye to my old life...and hello to our new."

"Alright, just for a moment."

"Ryo-oki, would you patch me through to Kiyone on the Yagami?"

"Meoeoew!"

A screen popped up in front of me with Kiyone's face on it.

"Hello Kiyone."

"Hey Greg, how are things on your ship?"

"Fine, yours?"

"Uh, Mihoshi is having a bit of a problem with the gem Washu gave her. Can you PLEASE do something about it."

"I'll try, put her on."

While Kiyone was getting Mihoshi, Ryoko whispered to me.

"Is this a good idea? I mean, what if she blows something up?"

"It'll be fine, trust me."

"OOOOOOOK."

Kiyone finally got Mihoshi calm enough to speak.

"Greg please help me, I can't control myself, I'm shooting laser beams at Kiyone and I don't want to...WAAAAAAAA!"

"Mihoshi, calm down and close your eyes."

"OK."

"Your going to feel different but don't be afraid. I'm right here with you."

Closing my eyes, I sat in sezia and started to concentrate. Ryoko sat beside me making sure I was alright. She noticed I was beginning to emit a pale blue aura. I began to speak to Mihoshi through a telepathic link. (Ryoko hear this as well since she has a link with me as well.)

"Mihoshi can you hear me?"

"Yes. How did you do that?"

"Later, I'm going to feed some information into your gem, alright?"

"Yes, alright."

Kiyone watched as Mihoshi's gem filled with a pale blue color. My aura became smaller and I opened my eyes.

"Mihoshi?"

"YYYEesss?"

"It's done. Your gem will only listen to your will. Try it."

Mihoshi turned to Kiyone and a burst of energy flew toward her and formed a sphere around her.

"Mihoshi what did you want to happen?"

"I wanted to defend Kiyone from anything I might accidentally do."

I closed the screen, "That's Mihoshi."

"What did you do to the gem?"

"I just made her energy flow more in tune with her thoughts, instead of her actions."

"Sometimes I wish Mom had done that with mine. I mean sometimes I want real control instead of a huge blast."

"Maybe you should ask her about it."

"That's opening the door to all kinds of tests."

"Well, here we are. Where are Kiyone and Mihoshi?"

"Over there! Hey guys over here!"

"Hey Ryoko, how are you two doing?"

"Just fine. Except this little side trip, we'd be home by now."

"How are you feeling Mihoshi?"

"Oh Greg whatever you did worked great!"

She ran over and gave me a hug. Ryoko turned to me with a jealous smirk.

"Whatever you did to her has made her a bit more cautious. Which is a welcome change."

"How did you get out of the energy sphere?"

"I told her I was fine and she only needed to pay attention to what she was doing. Alright, now that were all here, let's get on Yagami and go home."

"There's one thing I have to do before we go. Visit my old hangout in town."

Ryoko started walking toward town and we began to fall in behind her. Kiyone ended up next to me and motioned me to come closer.

"Is she serious?"

"Oh yes, we had this "discussion" on the way here."

"Did I fail to mention Mihoshi and I may know some wanted persons here. You may want to

discuss the situation further!"

By that time Ryoko was in on the conversation and standing beside Kiyone and I.

"Oh don't worry about it, I'm here!" And went back to walking.

"I know you love her but when she says things like that, we are in for trouble."

"Your right. I do love her and I would follow her anywhere."