"We are sorry to have lost such valuable friend as Mihoshi. Many grieve for her, and it is unfortunate to lose her in such a way." Yosho said. The family was at the Gardens of Eternal Mourning, where many funerals were conducted. Mihoshi was buried, and then the guests were free to roam the gardens.
Kirra walked down a path that was bordered by several weeping willow trees, and many beautiful flowers. It was getting dark, and the flowers shed a faint light. Should I go back now? She wondered. No. Just a little farther. A little more time to myself.
It had been amazingly uneventful around the Masaki house lately. Ayeka and Ryoko had become good friends when Ayeka learned who had saved her at the battle. Ayeka was also sad about Azaka and Kamadake's 'deaths'. Kiyone was about the same as usual. It turned out that she hadn't enjoyed Mihoshi's death as much as she had thought she would. Washu was inventing again, trying to study something she had found. Sasami had been sick from all of the blood she had seen, and Tenchi was sadder than usual. He must have felt bad about Mihoshi.
Kirra herself had been quiet. It wasn't the experience that had done this-she had been through worse. It wasn't even the blood or the deaths. It was…her. Her feelings. Kirra hadn't cared much one was or another about anyone in the Masaki house, until now. She was friend with the girls: she trusted them! She hadn't trusted anyone for a long time. Another new revelation-Kirra loved Tenchi. She had thought him rather weak, wimpy, and a bit conceited from the attention at first, but she now knew that those facts could be over looked. And he wasn't conceited.
"Hello, Kirra." Tenchi said, startling her. "Oh, sorry. What were you thinking about?"
"Oh, nothing really." She turned to 'look at the flowers', hiding her blush from him. "Just how pretty these flowers are." She said.
"Kirra, you are so much like Sasami. Here." He handed her a flower. What was he doing? She thought. Was he flirting, or was he saying that she was to young for him? Age didn't matter, dammit!
They walked in silence for a while, and finally reached a pool of water that was sitting in a cave.
"This is the Water of Truth." Tenchi explained. "It allows you to ask someone a question, and they will answer you truthfully. But they won't know what you are asking, or what they answer. They won't remember."
"Why is it so empty here, then?" Kirra asked curiously.
"Not just anyone is allowed in the Garden. And not many people can use it. It just doesn't work for some people. Plus, you can only ask one question. So its not a huge deal."
Kirra leaned down to try using the water. She scooped up a handful, and looked at Tenchi. A neon green triangle appeared to float above the water. Tenchi saw her startled look and realized that it must be working for her. She raised her hands upward, so she could speak through the triangle.
"Tenchi," She started. "Tenchi, do you love me?"
He paused, and a blank look came to his eyes. He opened his mouth, then closed it, ask if trying to stop from saying something.
"N-no." Tenchi said reluctantly. "I love Ryoko."
Water splashed all over the floor as Kirra ran, crying. She plowed right through walls and trees, running from the truth.
"No…" She cried. "Tenchi!!!"
Back in the cave, Tenchi shook his head, and realized that Kirra was gone. DAMN! He thought. She must have used the water! But what had she asked? And where was she?