Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi or any other characters residing at the Misaki house. They all belong to Pioneer/AIC. I am not making any money off of this story so please don't sue me.

Author's notes: This story is set in the OVA reality after Manatsu no Eve. I am writing this with no idea of what's going to happen. I am just going to let the story develop. I hope it will turn out to be worthy of your time. I am sure you have heard me babble enough so on to the story.

Tenchi awoke to the sound of knocking on his bedroom door. He rolled over to get up, but he didn't realize that he was already on the edge of his bed. He landed on the floor with an ooomf, and he cursed himself for being so careless. He turned on his lamp, but the brightness hurt his eyes, and he quickly turned away from it. As he blinked to adjust to the light, he made his way to the door. He opened it to find a sobbing Sasami looking up at him while wiping her eyes.
"Did you have another nightmare, Sasami?"
"Yes Tenchi. I'm sorry to bother you again, but may I sleep in your room?" She said in between sobs.
"Sure Sasami." He wondered what could be causing all of the nightmares she had been having lately. This was the third night this week she came to his room, and it was only Thursday. She always said she couldn't remember what happened in her dreams, but whatever it was really frightened her. He picked her up and carried her into his room. He placed her on his bed and tucked her in. He then pulled out some blankets from the closet and laid them out on the floor in the center of the room. He then grabbed a few pillows and prepared to go back to sleep.
Bright rays of sunlight pierced through the window curtains causing Tenchi to wake up. He yawned and stretched then trudged into the bathroom. He never slept well on the floor, but he was just too kind and caring to make Sasami sleep on the floor. His kindness was a curse and a blessing at the same time. Because of it he had five gorgeous girls living with him (I don't consider Sasami or Ryo-Ohki gorgeous), but it also caused him grief because he always put others before himself. After he finished his shower and brushed his teeth, he went back into his room to make his bed, put away the blankets and pillows on the floor, and get dressed. After he accomplished this, he headed downstairs. As he neared the bottom of the stairway, he waited for Ryoko to glomp him, but it didn't happen. He then remembered that Ryoko hadn't been herself lately. She hardly even acknowledged his existence in the past two weeks. She spent most of her time with Mayuka, or off by herself. The only time he saw her was at meals. He sighed. He missed the warm greeting Ryoko used to give him every morning, although it would usually result in a nosebleed when she rubbed her chest against him.
"Good morning, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka said with a big smile on her face.
"Good morning, Miss Ayeka," Tenchi replied with a half smile. Ayeka had also noticed that Ryoko wasn't paying as much attention to Tenchi as she usually did. She also tried to capitalize on this by flirting with him much more frequently.
"You look very handsome today." She said with an even bigger smile.
"Thanks...I think." He scratched his head. He liked Ayeka, and she was very beautiful, but she wasn't really his type. He could just picture himself married to Ayeka. He would be king of the most powerful empire in the universe, Jurai. He would be waited on hand and foot, and Ayeka would be by his side constantly. She would basically tell him how to dress, speak, and act. He could just hear her say, "Now Tenchi, you must act like a king at all times. I will not allow improper behavior from a man of your status. You surely don't want everyone to talk about us as if we were mere commoners, now do you?" He shuddered at this thought. Ayeka was sweet, but her upbringing and the fact she was related to him by blood, turned him off to her advances.
"Lord Tenchi?"
"What is it, Miss Ayeka?"
"You were zoned out."
"Oh, sorry." He muttered sheepishly.
"You missed breakfast today, and that devil woman ate up your share."
"Wow, I slept later than I thought," he muttered. "I have to get to work on the fields. See you later."
"Bye Lord Tenchi." He headed for the door, when he realized how hungry he was. He turned around and went to the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator and grabbed some ham and cheese. He looked on the counter and spotted the bread, and he made himself two sandwiches. He headed for the fields as soon as he was finished eating.
Mayuka giggled as Ryoko changed her diaper. Ryoko had been her full-time caretaker ever since Ayeka had fallen asleep while watching her. Ryoko had managed to grab the infant just before she fell out of her crib headfirst. She then yelled at Ayeka who wasn't too happy about being scolded, and she announced to everyone that she would be completely responsible for Mayuka from then on. After she changed her diaper, Ryoko dressed her and decided to take her outside. She scooped the baby up in her arms and flew through the roof and up into the beautiful blue sky. She soared high and did loops in the air. Mayuka loved every minute of it and giggled in utter delight. Ryoko then began to sing her song, "The Lonely Moon," and Mayuka giggled even more.
Tenchi just happened to look up into the sky, and he noticed the pair. He couldn't help but smile. They looked just like a mother and daughter. He could easily picture Ryoko, Mayuka, and himself as a loving family. He pushed these thoughts out of his head and just enjoyed watching them. Ryoko flew close enough for Tenchi to hear her sing, but she was so involved in the moment with Mayuka that she didn't notice. Tenchi had only heard her sing once before, and he was amazed at how beautiful her voice was. It was the sweetest thing he had ever heard. He just stood there, afraid to move as he listened to her song. He couldn't help thinking about his mother, Achika, and how she used to sing to him. He shed a tear at the thought of his mother. He missed her so much, and he wished he could have had more time with her. When Ryoko had finally finished singing, she looked down to see Tenchi staring at her. She blushed and then realized that he had heard her sing. She was extremely embarrassed by this, and she quickly flew back to the house. Tenchi just watched her until she was out of sight.
"Mihoshi, you idiot! Now look what you've done!" Kyonei screamed at her air head partner. Mihoshi had been using her control cube to get a glass of water. She succeeded in materializing the water except for the fact that the glass appeared right above Kyonei and spilled on her head.
"I'm so sorry, Kyonei. I didn't mean to!" Mihoshi wailed. She got up to help her partner dry off, but she tripped over her own feet and fell flat on her face. Washu, who had witnessed the entire event, began to laugh uncontrollably.
"Ouuuucccccchhh." Mihoshi groaned. She pulled herself up and fetched a towel for her partner. Washu finally regained her composure and brought up her holotop computer. She fiercely typed in commands, and waited for a few moments. An evil grin spread across her face.

Author's notes: I bet you are wondering why Ryoko would ignore Tenchi or what Washu is grinning about, aren't you? To be honest, I am too. I will fill in most of the gaps in the next chapter.