CHAPTER FIVE:

CHAPTER FIVE:

DISCLAIMER: I forgot to put this in the other chapters. Noitchi, Katsuchan, and Soji are MY characters and you may NOT have them. If you want to use them for a story please ASK me FIRST. And don't take my story. If you want it on your site, ask me first. (I doubt anybody would want to anyway.)

Earlier that day on the Juraian ship…

Ayeka was thinking about the dream she had last night. It was about a wedding. But the strange thing was it wasn't her wedding.

It was a beautiful wedding though. There were many guests, a few on the bride's side and many on the groom's side. Ayeka chose to sit on the bride side even though she didn't know why. When the groom came into view Ayeka gasped. It was Tenchi.

How could this be?! The princess asked herself.

The princess didn't want to think who the bride to Tenchi could be. Ayeka was hoping against hope that it could be Mihoshi or maybe Kiyone, but it could not be that devil woman. When she came into view Ayeka was unusually calm and she even had tears of joy in her eyes.

When the lovers said 'I do', Ayeka woke up. It was a nightmare. She hated the thought that her friend would get married without her. Ayeka remembered that a couple of days ago she and Ryoko got really drunk and promised each other that they wouldn't marry without the other saying I do the same time as they were. Even if one of the friends were marrying Tenchi.

Ayeka came back to reality when one of her guardians called to her, "Princess Ayeka. Princess Ayeka?" Kamidake said.

"Yes," replied the princess.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. Now what is it that you wanted?"

"The ship has come into view of Jurai. Also your father wishes you to rest when we reach the palace."

"Alright." That was the only thing the princess said.

Ayeka went over to the window. She saw the Juraian gardens and couldn't believe how changed they were. The pond was much larger than it used to be, almost like a lake. Most of the flowers were from other planets and Ayeka saw that there were few Juraian plants.

After a few more minutes the ship arrived near the palace. Ayeka's parents, Auntie Funaho, and a handsome young Juraian were waiting for her outside the palace doors. Ayeka wondered who that man could be.

I wonder who that could be? He looks familiar, Ayeka thought.

The young man looked up at Ayeka as she walked over to her family. When their eyes met Ayeka blushed. He's handsome. At the thought Ayeka turned even redder.

"AYEKA! My daughter! How have you been?" Misaki went over to her daughter and gave her a big bear hug. "I've missed you sooo much!"

Ayeka hugged her mother back. The princess went over to her father and stepmother. Ayeka bowed to the emperor and hugged Funaho.

"Ayeka. I wish for you to have a good rest before I talk to you tomorrow. If you wish, you may call your brother or anyone else," Azusa said.

Ayeka was very shocked at this. Her father changed much. Ayeka even showed her shock by having her mouth open.

"Ayeka. Does a cabbit have your tongue?" The emperor said jokingly and laughing. "I bet you wonder who this could be."

"Uh huh," Ayeka said while nodding her head.

"This is Noitchi. He came to Jurai a few years ago. His father is one of our allies. Noitchi shall be your new hus- guardian."

Ayeka didn't hear her father's mistake and Azusa noticed. He and his wife moved slowly into the palace. Ayeka didn't notice because she was talking to her new "guardian." They also went into the palace.

"Well it was nice talking to you, Noitchi. I would love to talk to you more but I have to go rest," Ayeka told the prince. Ayeka left to her room and Noitchi went to the throne room where he was to speak with Azusa.

Ayeka changed into her pajamas and went to bed. She was thinking about her dream. What did it mean? While the princess was thinking about her dream she remembered she could call Tenchi or whoever.

Ayeka picked up a transceiver and reached Washu's lab. "Yes who is it?" Washu asked. She sounded like she was far away.

Probably working on a new invention. Ayeka thought to herself. "It's me, Ayeka."

"Oh hello Ayeka. How are you?" Washu sounded closer that time.

"I'm fine Washu. How are you?"

"Always the same but I can't find Ryoko which is very frustrating."

"Have you tried looking near Funaho? That's where I found her when Tenchi slapped her. What happened?"

"I'll go tell Ten-Mihoshi and Kiyone to look for her there."

"Washu, you didn't answer my question."

"Why did you call?"

"WASHU!"

"WHAT! Oh right. We had this thing…here talk to Tenchi, let me get him first."

"Washu!" Ayeka was getting pretty angry right now. What happened over there?

After a few minutes Tenchi came on. "Hello Ayeka. How are you?"

"I'm fine!"

"Whoa Ayeka. Now what is that you wanted?"

"I just wanted to tell you we landed safely and I don't know when I'll be home. Oh and where's Ryoko? Washu said she was missing."

"Ryoko is somewhere."

"We found her everyone!" Mihoshi called. "She was at Funaho!"

"Well I guess that answers my question. Why did she leave?" Ayeka asked.

"Why she left is my question too. All I said was, 'I love you.' That's it."

Ayeka gasped. Right then Tenchi realized what he said. "Ayeka I meant to tell you differently and not right out like that."

Ayeka dropped the "phone" and started sobbing. When Ayeka finished crying she told Tenchi to tell Sasami that she missed her and that she would call when she was ready. Tenchi said goodbye and so did the princess.

The princess went to bed and slept until the next day. When she was getting dressed her father called for her. Ayeka went into the throne room where her mother, father, Funaho, and Noitchi were waiting for her.

"Ayeka, your mother and Funaho decided that I tell you the truth. Noitchi is not really your new guardian, he will be your new husband," Azusa said.

"I understand. It is best for the empire," replied Ayeka.

"Now I will not take this sort of rebel- What did you say?!"

"I understand that by marrying Noitchi it is good for Jurai. I have two conditions though."

"Tell me what you wish." Azusa still had a dumbfounded look on his face.

"First I wish that I get to know my fiancé better and second I hope that our marriage is when I wish it to be." Ayeka had a difficult time holding up her composure because of last night.

"As you wish daughter. Now lets go eat breakfast."

The royal family and guest went to eat. They had some conversations about politics and such. After they were done Azusa went to the Council to talk about the upcoming marriage. Ladies Funaho and Misaki were thinking about whom to invite to the wedding. Ayeka and Noitchi went out to the garden to talk.

When they reached the garden the couple went to a bench. Noitchi motioned for Ayeka to sit with him.

"Princess Ayeka what is wrong?" Noitchi asked with true concern.

"Oh nothing," replied the melancholy girl.

"You know you shouldn't lie to people princess. Now what is wrong."

Ayeka knew she couldn't lie to him if they were to be married. The princess told the prince everything. About how she was looking for Yosho and how she met Tenchi. Then she told about the fights with Ryoko for his love. Ayeka told about Mihoshi, Kagato, Washu, Mayuka, and everything else.

Noitchi didn't interrupt once. All he did was listen and comfort Ayeka when she got to the night before.

When Ayeka finished she started bawling. "Oh! How could he choose that monster woman? I loved him more than her! I know it!"

"Princess Ayeka. From what you told me, you already knew Tenchi loved Ryouko. I think you never wanted to lose. But I can understand how it must be to lose against your rival and not receive love," Noitchi told her. That's how I feel. The prince thought.

After some more conversations they went back inside to go over some wedding plans. They finished and had some dinner. Azusa told Ayeka that there was going to be a ball to honor the upcoming wedding. Finally it was time for bed.

AN: Yeah, yeah. I know it was rushed. I don't remember what I was going to do. I know I should have put some notes in the other chapters but I sent them in before I realized that. As for the dates, let's just say its May 25, 2001 when the story first started so in my next chapters you'll see a date. If you have any questions concerning my fic, e-mail me at iamryouko_hakubi@yahoo.com or crybabigurl610@yahoo.com. Either or is fine with me. ^_^ Peace, love, and COOKIES! hehe