The Plan
"Lunch is ready everybody!" Sasami's voice rang out throughout the empty household. Realizing that she may have prepared an uneaten meal Sasami set out to find everyone. "Hello, anybody?" Sasami called out down the halls.
"Good afternoon Princess Sasami, would you like some assistance with the table?" Ryoko enquired.
"Sure Ryoko…..WOW, you look different! What happened?" Sasami said as she turned to look at Ryoko. Ryoko wore a very Ayeka-esque kimono made of muted pastel colors. Her usually spiky hair was smoothed down to her head and pulled back into a rigid bun. While she looked beautiful, Ryoko looked painfully formal.
"Nothing much Princess Sasami, I came to the resolution that Tenchi should have the peace and quiet that he holds so precious in his last few months at home." Ryoko replied over her shoulder as she went into the kitchen to retrieve the place settings.
"But you look soo different!" The obvious astonishment in Sasami's voice was not lost on Ryoko. "Your clothes, your hair, your everything is soo different." The sound of unshed tears was seeping into Sasami's voice.
"Princess Sasami, please do not cry. There is nothing to cry about." Ryoko turned and wrapped her arms around Sasami trying to comfort the little princess.
"But, you're so different. I liked the way you were. You were my friend it was like having a bigger, little sister. You were so much fun. Now…If you act like Ayeka I'll have no one as fun as you to play with." Sasami now openly cried.
"Shh…. Shh…If I tell you a secret will you promise not to tell anyone Princess Sasami?" Ryoko waited for the answering nod and then continued.
"First, I'm not the real Ryoko…" Ryoko whispered in Sasami's ear. "I'm just a clone; the real Ryoko is on a sort of vacation in Washu's lab. No, no there's no need to worry she's okay…" the clone said as a look of stricken fear crossed Sasami's tear stained face. "She needs a rest from Tenchi and his demands. There's simply too much stress on her due to Tenchi. So while she's away, both your sister and Washu thought it would be a good idea to give Tenchi exactly what he wanted an Ayeka-like Ryoko. Hence, me…TADA!!" Ryoko's explanation sounded more like the "Real" Ryoko to Sasami helping her to calm down.
"So you're not the Real Ryoko?" Sasami said as Ryoko helped her dry her eyes.
"Nope, kiddo. I'm just a clone; the real Ryoko will be back as soon as Tenchi cracks. Which if I do my job right will be real soon. But, until then I need you to be quiet about our plans okay?"
"Sure!!" A calmed Sasami nodded in agreement. As the clone started to pull away from Sasami, Sasami began to speak, "So are you an exact copy of Ryoko?"
"Well, no not exactly. Do you think the Real Ryoko would ever wear this!" To prove her point Ryoko stood back and preformed a graceful pirouette.
"Well no. So what are you then? What will I do about Ryoko not being around to play with me?"
Kneeling down to look Sasami in the eyes Ryoko spoke, "I'm like the merger of minds between your sister Ayeka and Ryoko. I'm mostly Ryoko, but when it comes to decorum and manners I have been programmed with Ayeka's personality. And as for you…Well lets just say that you still can go out flying whenever you want all you have to do is ask. Okay?" Ryoko finally stood and tousled Sasami's hair. "Let's get back to work okay kiddo?" Sasami again nodded in agreement.