Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Tenchi characters Pioneer does. Matt is my character however and if you would like to use him please obtain my permission first

The Memories of a Soul, The Power of Life

Ryoko, what I'm about to do is unforgivable, but by the time you read this I will be gone. You will also find another letter I left explaining to everyone why I'm leaving. It is a lie, I ask that you allow the others to think what they will about me and keep this private. I love you, it's the simple truth, when I came here I was hoping to find a clue as to who I am, instead I found you. But I also found you have your heart set on someone else.

I will not lie to you when I say I am jealous of Tenchi, he has everything I want and more. A home, family, he knows who and what he is, and most of all he has you. I don't think he appreciates the treasure he has with you, but then again he also has a princess courting him. I truly believe your constant battles with Ayeka stem from the fact that each of you sees the other as the perfect match for Tenchi and in that fear of rejection neither of you will admit your feeling for Tenchi. Both of you willingly admit to each other your feelings, take it the next step and tell him. As I see it I don't know if Tenchi really loves either of you the way you both love him.

Ryoko I know you have a hard time opening up to people, and with your past it's understandable, but you have to put the past behind you and move forward. Be honest with those around you and you'll discover things you never thought you knew about them. And I'm not talking about just Tenchi, everyone around you cares for you Ryoko even if they have odd ways of showing it. And for the love of heaven talk to Washu. She is your mother after all and she loves you, cherish that. I have lost both my parents, don't lose this opportunity to set things right between you and her.

I am leaving now because it has become clear to me that the answers I seek are not at Masaki shrine, and my continued presence will only bring you further pain. I told you before that you deserve to be happy, I meant that, and my staying prevents that. Please understand why I have to go, and find the happiness you long for. Go for it Ryoko, grab your dreams and never let go.

Signed in sincere friendship

Matthew Aaron Carson

P.S. Tell Yosho that he's not fooling anyone with that cheesy illusion, even Sasami can see right through it. And call Ayeka mistress it'll bug the hell out of her. Just so you know, yes everyone in that house willing gave up their sanity long ago.

Ryoko couldn't finish the letter before tears started falling onto the paper, why couldn't he have told her this himself. Why can't you tell Tenchi about your true feelings, Ryoko berated herself drying her eyes. How she wished she had found this first before seeing that other letter. A twist of fate had caused Matt's plan to go awry, and in the end it had cost him his life. Only now it seemed all their lives were at stake. There was any number of things that could go wrong with their present course, from losing to Matt's aspects, to running out of time and Matt truly dying, not mention the whole thing hinged on that Sor-ra-eyu woman.

Ryoko phased through the roof and stared up at the blurry stars through tear filled eyes. It wasn't fair she shouted silently to the heavens. She wanted him back, to see his knowing smile when he looked into her eyes, the questions and truths he gave her, to feel his arms around her making her safe. Looking up to the moon Ryoko wiped away her tears and her hands curled into fists.

"I will get him back," She promised the stars in deadly tones. As if in answer or challenge, howls rose from the woods as a gust of wind whipped across the landscape. Below on the deck Sor-ra-eyu smiled quietly to herself, yes her master has chosen well.

As the breeze died down Ryoko felt it. A prickling on the back of her neck, it felt like when Kagato stood behind her about to command her to do something horrible. She whipped around, but nothing was there but darkness. Then just as Ryoko was turning back to the lake it hit her. Ryoko fell to roof with a thud. Coming to her hands and knees she looked over her shoulder and saw it. It was roughly humanoid in shape but formed of shadows, as Ryoko rose two stars of green flashed where it's eyes should have been. It held out it's right hand to her beseechingly. Ryoko stumbled, recoiling in horror at the utter darkness the shadow radiated.

"Stay away from me," Ryoko said haltingly, as the creature drew closer she formed her energy foil and put the blade between her and the shadow, "I mean it stay back."

The shadow did not back away, it merely turned its hand over and the shadows condensed to form a blade of utter darkness which it gripped with it's hand. With perfect grace the shadow spun in a complete circle swinging the sword up and back down as it faced a stunned Ryoko once more. It wasted no time, and lunged at the unmoving pirate with deadly intent. Ryoko caught off guard barely got her blade up in time to meet the shadowy edge. As the two weapons collided Ryoko noticed her foil dim slightly, as if the darkness was thirsting for her light.

Confused but no longer off guard Ryoko slashed at the shadow, but the creature caught the blow easily and turned it aside. Not willing to relinquish the offense Ryoko used every attack she had in her considerably repertoire. Each time she was met with the same results of blade on blade, and each time her own weapon dimmed while the shadow seemed to grow stronger.

Now the shadow did come on the attack and Ryoko was hard pressed to keep that black blade away from her. Twice the dark sword sang along her flesh opening shallow wounds. Ryoko felt her strength ebbing away when the blade came in contact with her flesh, and her energy foil was little more than a sliver of light in the darkness of the night.

She was losing, Ryoko barely had the power to keep her sword in existence let alone phase away. Ryoko barely had the strength to raise her arm and block the sweeping darkness baring down on her. The blow drove her to her knees and her foil faded away, Ryoko unable to keep it powered. She closed her eyes as the creature drew its blade back for the killing blow, she had failed.

"No," Ryoko growled as the blade began it's descent, "I won't give up."

Using every bit of strength she had Ryoko thrust her hands forward. As she closed her hands there was the sound of her energy foil coming into existence, followed by a shriek of pain. Opening her eyes Ryoko found herself holding her weapon in both hands, the orange blade sheathed in crackling arcs of blue electricity. Half the blade was thrust through the shadow, it's arms hung limply at it's sides, the green glow faded as the shadows blew away on the night breeze. Ryoko collapsed to the deck in exhaustion, all her energy used on that last desperate attack. She smiled as she closed her eyes, the hazy image of the swordsman standing over her. Below on the deck Sor-ra-eyu smiled to herself in satisfaction. Yes her master had chosen well.

Ayeka frowned to herself as she walked along the path towards Funaho. It had been a week since Sor-ra-eyu had brought a comatose Ryoko into Washu's lab in teh dead of night and told them that the former pirate had won in her battle with Matt's soul. Since then however Ryoko had failed to regain consciousness, Sor-ra-eyu said it might be some time before Ryoko was back on her feet but that she would recover.

No one had expected things to happen like. Now Ayeka was left to wonder, would her fight with Matt's memories be thrust upon her like Ryoko's had been. Sor-ra-eyu was evasive on the subject, merely stating that when each of them found the place where their essence was strongest and she and Tenchi came to full power the aspects would manifest. Ayeka had first gone to the unit where Ryu- Uho's seed was growing, but nothing happened. Now after having visited the shrine and every room in the house Ayeka decided to come here, it was along shot at best.

Every one else seemed to have a place that was uniquely theirs, Ryoko had demonstrated this on the roof. Sasami was at home in the kitchen, Washu had her lab, and her brother the shrine. Even Mihoshi had a place to call her own, in front of the T.V. yes but a place none the less. Having this brought to her attention was somewhat disturbing considering ,after almost two years, she had nowhere to call her own. She felt rootless on this planet, this place really wasn't her home. She may have very well left with her father if it hadn't been for one thing, Tenchi.

When he was near Ayeka cared little for her surroundings, she felt most at home with him near. She felt warm and safe with Tenchi by her side, all things one feels at home. Tenchi was her home now, where ever he went she would go also, to the ends of the universe if he so chose. Without Tenchi she was rootless, a wanderer. Maybe that was the reason Matt traveled too, he had no one to wait for him, no reason to stay in one place. How lonely that must have been, and add to that the fact that he knows nothing about his origins added to his rootless existence.

Reaching the weathered tree Ayeka reached out and rubbed her hand across the gnarled trunk feeling the life pulse within. She closed her eyes and listened to the small noises as tiny beams of light shot form the leaves of the tree and reflected back up fro the water. The images of her brothers battle with the demon Ryoko floated through her consciousness, The first princess didn't need Funaho's memory to recall that horrific day. She had lost everything that day, her brother, her fiance, her home. For 700 hundred years Ayeka and her young sister had scoured the galaxy trying to locate Yosho.

Instead she found Tenchi, of course latter she learned of her brother's presence on the planet as well but it seemed less now. She had been expected to marry Yosho from a young age and had built up a fantasy around it, but meeting Tenchi had changed that. He gave her a chance to be simply Ayeka, instead of First Princess Ayeka of Juria, and for that she would be ever grateful to him. Tenchi had the amazing ability to see people for who they truly were and bring out the best in them. If only he would open up to them more. Ayeka shook her head in frustration, would he ever decide?

Of course it seemed the choice might be taken away from him. Matt had turned their world upside down since his arrival and subsequent attraction to Ryoko. And to top it all off he now placed them all in deadly peril if they failed to help him. No one would be happier than Ayeka when this was all over and the troublesome swordsman was gone. Ayeka let her breath out in a huff of frustration, this wasn't helping anybody.

Walking back to the house Ayeka passed by the small storage shed where she and Tenchi had sought refuge during a rain storm shortly after her arrival on earth. It was here that Tenchi had offered to let Ayeka remain with him for as long as she desired and help her locate her missing brother. With out knowing why Ayeka slid open the door to the small shed and peered in. Not mush had changed in two years. The small bench where she had laid her clothes to dry was unmoved, boxes were still stacked to the ceiling, the box where Tenchi had built a fire still contained ashes from that fateful day. Ayeka sat down on the bench and thought back to that day.

How different she was now, before she met Tenchi Ayeka had been a spoiled stuck up snob, the very epitome of royalty. Tenchi had changed that, he saw past the princess through to the real Ayeka beneath. If only she saw her as woman, Ayeka wanted little more than to fling herself into his arms and never leave his loving embrace. There were time, not many, that Ayeka wished she was more like Ryoko, able to express her attraction plainly without inhibitions. But Ryoko wasn't any closer to having Tenchi than she was, so the first princess still didn't know what to do. Besides when it came right down to it mattered little what they did as Tenchi was still undecided. Ayeka was tired of living like this, not knowing, and she was fairly certain Ryoko was as well. After all why else would she have kissed Matt like that. Ayeka wished she had an outlet for her emotions like that, instead she was alone. Alone except for Tenchi who could only help her if in turn he broke Ryoko's heart. It all seemed so hopeless.

"Oh miss Ayeka," The princess jumped at the sound of Tenchi's voice, "What are you doing way out here."

"Lord Tenchi," Ayeka breathed, holding a hand to her chest, "I was just on my home and happened to pass by here."

"Well ok then," Tenchi scratched his head and turned to leave.

"Wait lord Tenchi," Ayeka called after him, when he turned around he saw tears forming in her eyes.

"Miss Ayeka what's wrong," Tenchi asked confused.

"Please Lord Tenchi stay a moment with me," Ayeka asked moving over on the bench to give him room.

"Alright I guess," Tenchi sat down on the edge of the bench farther away than Ayeka would have liked, but least he had stayed.

"Do you remember the first time we were here," Ayeka began haltingly.

"Yeah," Tenchi grinned oblivious to her discomfort, "Walking in the rain while I carried you home after you fell down that hill and hurt your ankle."

"Yes," Ayeka continued in low tones sliding closer to him, "That's when you offered to let me stay here with you."

"That seems so long ago now," Tenchi smiled wistfully, "So much has happened since then."

"Tenchi what do you think will happen after Matt comes back to life," Ayeka said changing the subject.

"I'm not sure," Tenchi answered slowly, "I guess he'll leave and continue on his travels."

"What I'm trying to say is what will you do lord Tenchi," Ayeka pressed looking into his eyes, I wish I could read minds like Matt and Sor-ra-eyu could.

"Well I'm not sure," Tenchi said looking at his feet, "I guess things will go back to normal around here. As normal as things get anyways." he finished with a week smile.

"What will you do if Ryoko decides to go with him," Ayeka asked suddenly, Tenchi turned to her in shock.

"You really think Ryoko would leave," Tenchi said in disbelief.

"I don't really know for sure," Ayeka said slowly making sure her words sunk in, "But you know she likes him, and it's obvious he likes her. After all he gave up his life to save hers."

"But Ryoko wouldn't leave us for him, would she" Tenchi pleaded. Ayeka felt her heart sink at the desperation in her voice, maybe he does really love her best. The two sat there in uncomfortable silence as several long minutes crawled by. The reality of losing Ryoko sunk in and became a very real possibility. Ayeka let him work it out for himself and wondering all the while if Tenchi really love the pirate better. Finally Ayeka worked up her courage again and turned to a confused, sad eyed Tenchi. .

"I apologize lord Tenchi," Ayeka broke the silence, "I had no right to say such things when I have no say in the matter."

"No Ayeka its alright," Tenchi frowned looking into the dark corners of the shed, "I mean he does love her. It's just that I've gotten used to things the way they are, and the thought of Ryoko leaving kind of bothers me."

"Tenchi I understand," Ayeka said cupping his cheek and turning his head so he looked directly into her ruby eyes, "But you can't blame Ryoko for wanting to be loved."

"But, but," Tenchi stammered looking at Ayeka's sensuous features. It had been a long time since had been this close to Ayeka, her eyes, her smell, the closeness of her body to his it was intoxicating.

"Tenchi," she whispered in a sultry yet longing tone, "I love you, and I know Ryoko does too, but I need more Tenchi. I can't go on like this anymore."

Their faces were inches apart as Ayeka leaned in closer. Tenchi was dumb founded, Ayeka had never been this forward. From Ryoko he expected it, but Ayeka! He couldn't stop her, he was paralyzed partially by fear but another part of him wanted to stay and be with her. She was getting closer, his mind screamed for him to run but his body was stiff and unmoving. And then their lips met, the softness of her lips surprised Tenchi. Ayeka kept the kiss light, nothing forced. Tenchi was rigid, in his shock his mind froze, he couldn't even kiss her back. Then finally his mind got it's way and he stumbled back, falling off the end of the bench and landing on his back.

"Tenchi," Ayeka yelped in surprise, "Oh god I'm so sorry."

She knelt down beside him and was trying to help him to his feet when he flipped over and got his feet under him by himself. In a flash he was through the door and running as fast as he could away from Ayeka and the shed. Latter he would look back on his actions and see them as childish and immature, but at the time it was all he think of was how to get away.

Ayeka stood outside the shed watching him go, he really did hate her. A tear slid down her cheek as he disappeared into the distance. He didn't love her after all, there was no reason for her to be here after all.

"But Tenchi I love you," she whispered to the empty air.

"But he doesn't love you," Ayeka spun around at the sibilant sounding voice, "He's in love with the demon."

"Who are you," Ayeka shouted not seeing anyone as she looked around searching the trees and path, "Show yourself."

"Give up princess," the voice continued, "He will never choose you over Ryoko. He's been in love with her his whole life, why do you think he released her from that cave."

"Go away," Ayeka screamed closing her eyes and clapping her hands to her ears, "I won't listen to you."

"You can't ignore me Ayeka," the voice flooded into her mind, "I know your thoughts. I know Tenchi's thoughts too, and yes princess he hates you. All he's waiting for is for you to leave so he can be alone with Ryoko. He's just too kind to tell you to leave."

"You're lying," Ayeka cried sinking to her knees but the voice persisted.

"We both know the truth, and the truth is your just in the way," the voice concluded coldly.

"No, I don't believe you," Ayeka sobbed tears running down her cheeks, "Tenchi would never be that cruel. He would tell me or Ryoko if he came to a decision."

"Or would he just run away," the voice chuckled.

"No your wrong," Ayeka said in a steady voice coming to her feet, "Tenchi may not love me, but he is my friend and no one is that cruel."

"Oh really," the voice mocked, "That's why you just forced yourself on him."

"I deserve the right to express my love," Ayeka countered, "I have to be honest with him and myself."

" And see where that's gotten you," the voice continued, "Now he won't be able to look you in the eye, afraid that you might force yourself on him just like that pirate you so despise."

"If Tenchi does not love me then he will tell me," Ayeka stood firm, "But I will no longer be ashamed of my feelings."

"Then you will suffer an unrequited love," the voice hissed.

"I will listen to your lies no longer," Ayeka shouted, "Be gone!"

The voice went silent then as Ayeka sank to her knees spent. The last thing she heard before darkness took her was Matt's voice saying, "Thank you."

Sor-ra-eyu walked out of the trees and bent to pick up the princess's limp form. The ghost of a smile crossed her face for moment as she started down the path towards the house. Now only his power remained to be set her, and he would be hers.

Authors Note

Wow this one was a long one, sorry if it turned into a rant at times but I was trying to give Ayeka the chance to work out her feelings. So what do you think, please R&R it inspires me to keep going. Who will end up with who? Will Tenchi ever be able to overcome his fear of intimacy? Does Sor-ra-eyu want Matt for herself? Some of these questions to be answered in the next chapter.