Sorry that part 9 took so long to get out. Flu slows the thinking. Feed back
welcomed! R&R!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alone A Desicion is Made

That night was spent in many ways, it was spent is silent contemplation, in
distress, in worry, in anger, in debate. Emotions were frayed, people were
hurt and confused. No one was sure of the future. Not anymore

Washu sat with Ryoko, she was mad at her daughter, this was not the person
she had created. Ryoko was lost in her thoughts, very little could bring
her back to reality. Not even Washu's yelling could.

"How? How could you give in so easily? Ryoko this means they will lock you
back into that damned cave! Do you realize that?" Washu was nearly as red
as her hair as she yelled at Ryoko.

"Yes, I realize that but you see I don't care. At least there in that cave
I can cause no one any harm, or anyone can hurt me...." Her voice trailed
off to a whisper.

"Ryoko, didn't you hear me earlier? I made it to where you could escape, I
gave you that window of hope!" Washu was frantic to get her daughter into
a semblance of her old self.

"I caught it Mom..but what good would it have done me...."

Washu just sat down, in frustration. She looked at Ryoko and wandered what
the others were doing at this moment.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tenchi was running down the hall, he had to find Ayeka and tell her of his
plan. He only hoped that it would go over smoother with her than with his
grandfather. He hurt, his heart hurt from all the pain it felt, from what
it caused. There was a rift having been formed there between him and his
grandfather that would never be closed he thought as the last conversation
still rang in his ears.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Misaki Shrine." Yosho replied wandering who was calling this late at night.

"Grandfather, I need your help. I have a request of you." Tenchi tried to
keep the nervous sound out of his voice. He was scared and nervous this was
the man that taught him everything about being a Emperor.

"Hmmm I see, well go on Tenchi." Yosho was interested, never had Tenchi
requested anything of him with such urgency in his voice.

"Yosho, I am Emperor of Jurai. I am stepping down from my place and passing
the position to the rightful Emperor. I give you back your seat as head of
Jurai Yosho." Tenchi raised ever ounce of strength he had to finish. "As a
result to my resigning, I will take over as care taker of the Misaki Shrine.
Ayeka and my children will also live there.

"I can not Tenchi, what place does an old man have as Emperor. I.." He never
got another word out.

"Yosho, I know that you are not an old man. I have read the reports that
concern this. You are young and healthy in body. I will no longer bare the
weight of responsibilities that you have ran from!" Tenchi had let his voice
rise in anger. Silence was his only reply.

"I will announce tomorrow what will take place. I have already notified
Jurai about your deception Yosho. I'm sorry."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ayeka had just finished checking on their children when Tenchi came into the
room looking pale and deeply shaken. She studied her husband, she was worried
for him. She loved him deeply and was not blind to the pain that his choice
had caused. Many nights she wished they could all go back to Earth, to when
it was all innocent fighting. Life was simple then. She had kept her mask of
anger and jealousy up to hide herself from pain.

"Ayeka I have news for you. I have made an important decision. I am going to
step down as Emperor. I am giving that position to Grandfather, to Yosho."
He sat down he trembled as he spoke. He waited for the explosion of temper
his wife was well known for.

"Why on earth would you do that husband? You can not give such a place to
my brother he is an old man! What will happen to us? Have you not thought of
your children?" Her voice was rising as she spoke.

"I have Ayeka. I will take over as the head of the Misaki Shrine. I want you
and the children to live there as well. I want to raise them in a simple life
a good life where they can grow up without pressure." He looked up to Ayeka
hoping beyond hope she would not refuse this. "Yosho has deceived us all. I
found the reports made long ago, Funaho knew this."

"This is not about me or our children is it? It is about Ryoko. Tell me the
truth!" Her eyes held a sadness that Tenchi could not face.

He sighed. "Yes, this came about because of Ryoko. I can not let her be put
into that cave again. I think Washu could arrange it so that she couldn't
leave the grounds of the Shrine. I want to make as much right as I can. I
know that I can not undo the harm done, but I can make some things right. I
will not, I can not abandon you or my children. But I can not abandon Ryoko
either. I have already done that to many times." He pleaded for
understanding. He could see her trembling as she stood in front of him.

"Very well as your wife, I have a royal duty to support your decision. I will
not back down from my duty to you. I will go back to Jurai and get the
children ready." She looked at her husband and deep down she was relieved.
She would not admit to it now, maybe in a few months on earth, but not now.
Her pride would not let her. She like most royalty hid behind her duty.

Tenchi was relieved. He was also in shock at how Ayeka had accepted this.
Maybe he was as blind to the obvious. He got up to leave after another
thank you to his wife. All he had to do was talk to one other then wait for
the day to bring the trial.