************Stunned by Truth

Ryoko stared out at the stars and wondered…am I doing the right thing? Is it really best if I walk away? She looked down into the eyes of her cabbit, " You know Ryo Oki, this is for the best- right? I will miss you terribly, but I know Sasami will take care of you-she needs you.

" Ryoko, this is the craziest plan I have ever heard are you sure it will work, for that matter I can't believe I am agreeing to it."

" Nagi, listen I didn't become the most wanted space pirate in the galaxy by having plans that won't work."

" And since you said we are limited on funds because you haven't gotten any bounty jobs one of us is going to have to work and while I am getting a job you can carry out my plan." Said Ryoko, from behind a screen

" You mean lie don't you Ryoko."

" Look Nagi, as far as I am concerned Ryoko died after leaving Jurai."

Ryoko stepped out from the screen and I couldn't believe my eyes, the women standing in front of her was not the same one that went behind there to change. This women had straight lavender hair hanging seductively over her left eye, which was concealing an eye patch and her, other eye that used to be gold was now blue and she was wearing a skin tight, black cat suit that hugged every curve. It might not have showed much skin, but it left nothing to the imagination.

She stood in front of me and spun around, " Whats wrong Nagi, you look as though you have seen a ghost," asked Ryoko

" You…you" I stammered, " You look like Suki Stardust. She has been missing for almost 3 galactic years."

An evil smile crept up on Ryoko's face as she asked, " Why Nagi I didn't know you kept tabs on the entertainment industry, and just how do you know who Suki is?"

" Ryoko don't be an idiot, everyone in this galaxy knows who she is…now that I think about it she has been missing as long as you have been on earth…You are not her are you? Tell me the truth or I won't help you."

" The way I see it Nagi, you need me as much as need you- so don't try to use empty threats with me… did you ever wonder why all that time you searched across the stars to find me, "Space Pirate Ryoko" and you never found me until I ended up on earth."

" Wow."

Ryoko waved her hand in front of a me- I was stunned to say the least, " Is that all you can say- Wow. I tell you my biggest secret and all you say is Wow."

With my arms crossed in front of myself I shook my head in disbelief,

" Ryoko, you were the only person who has ever bested me- and now when I thought I knew everything there was to know about you…I just can't believe this."

Ryoko lets out a laugh, " See you have nothing to worry about my plan will work."

************

Meanwhile back on planet Jurai…

Tenchi crosses the room, takes a deep breath and grabs Ayeka's hands and says, " Ayeka, please understand, I am just a farm boy from earth. And I am not the kind of person who can lead an empire- I will gladly defend it with my life, but I am no ruler."


He lets go of her hands and walks to the window, afraid to see the tears in her eyes.

" Please, Lord Tenchi stay…I know it will take awhile to get used to but you could over time."

" Ayeka, what about my father and grandfather and I still have to finish school…I miss my home."

Tenchi starts toward the door…looking back as she lowers her head and wills the tears in her eyes not to fall. " I understand, Lord Tenchi."

After an uncomfortable silence and what seems like an eternity, he reaches for the door handle to exit.

Breaking the silence with a commanding voice she says, " Lord Tenchi, as the first crown princess of Jurai I insist you take Kamidake with you for your protection."

Tenchi could only nod his head and he shut the door.

********

I was staring out at the stars trying to comprehend exactly what had happened in the last year of my life. First I had taken Ryoko's man and challenged her to a duel, Second I won a swimsuit contest to spite the women, third I got caught in the crossfire of my sworn enemy and the GP, fourth I helped Ryoko attack Jurai and now I am going to help convince Ryoko's family that she had died- and to top it all off She was also Suki, a famous singer. I rubbed my fingers along my temples and sighed,

" How did I get myself into this? Simple- foolish pride I guess… After all this is over, I really need a vacation."

*********

Arriving at the space station…

" Nagi, you remember what to do right? I will be at the "Cat's Eye Lounge" they keep a room for me, remember to come in disguise- every pirate knows what you look like now after your debut in the swimsuit competition." Says Ryoko with a tough of bitterness in her voice. " Talk to the bartender; tell him you know how to dance with the devil. And for heavens sake call me Suki from now on."

I noticed Ryoko's eyes were shut as her gems are starting to glow and float out of her wrists. Taking the gems in her hand, Ryoko says, " Oh I almost forgot, give these to Tenchi." She then wraps her gems in a silk cloth that has cherry blossoms on it,

" But what if you need to defend yourself? I know you need them to use your powers."

" Your right Nagi, I do need them to use my powers, however I did not always have these gems and I do know how to use regular weapons if I have to."

" You are something else Ryoko, to give up your power and walk away from your life and start over…even if it means to never see the love of your life again."

With a single tear rolling down Ryoko's face she looks away from me and says, " I am just a coward Nagi, I can't bare to love him as much as I do and not have that love returned that pain is worse than death. I don't want to stand in the way of his happiness any longer, it's the princess he loves not me…its better this way."

I had Ken Oki beam Ryoko who is now "Suki" down to the station. " I hope your right Ryoko, I hope your right."

" Ken Oki take us to Jurai."