Yeah, yeah, I know no one really said anything about the Japanese, but you will find that there is considerably less in this chapter. It started getting annoying. Of course, I still have all the "-chan"s and "-san"s and other things like that.

One more thing: I just realized the other day that I'm spelling Nobuyuki's name wrong! (It is most certainly *not* Nabayuki!!) Gomen, minna-san! I'll get that fixed in this chapter...That said, enjoy!

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Chapter 4 - Tsunami's Worry

The Masaki family retired to their rooms for a peaceful night's sleep. Each room in the house was darkened. All were placidly resting on their respective futon, dreaming away about things that suited each of them. Tenchi had set up a futon in a corner Washu's psudolab, where she had collapsed on the spot as soon as it had been laid out. Now, Rai-ohki cuddled warmly against her, the girl slept soundly. In another room, Ryoko was sleeping not quite as serenely, as she kept snoring and mumbling things in her sleep, most of which were about Tenchi. Tenchi himself had already dozed off. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he was dreaming of a nice, peaceful life, without any strange women constantly competing for his affection.

In the princesses' room, Sasami was troubled. Her carnation pink eyes were directed constantly at the ceiling. She used to have nights like this one. Before she told whom she considered as her family about Tsunami, nearly every night she would worry about what they would think. Even then, a small part of her knew it was alright, that she shouldn't worry. But now, now every bone in Sasami's body seemed to know that something was wrong.

Sasami stood up and stepped carefully over her sleeping sister. 'Maybe,' she thought, 'if I got some warm milk or something it would help me sleep?'

Walking through the hall to the kitchen, Sasami passed a mirror. She wasn't that surprised to see that the reflection was of Tsunami. Yet, she still worried. Even the fact that she was worried troubled her this night. The half of her that was Tsunami seemed to always know what was going on, and that was the part of her that was the most concerned. To Sasami, that meant that the cause of her worries was not her imagination. Something *was* wrong, and the young princess knew it.

Once in the kitchen, she got out the milk and an earthenware tumbler. She warmed the milk and drank it down, then headed off to bed. After that she slept like a log.

* * * *

Washu typed busily at her laptop. The psudolab seemed quiet that evening, even quieter than usual, which was fine with Washu. The day's events had let the work pile up on her desk. The quiet just helped her concentrate. By now, she was almost done.

A sigh could be heard from the depths of Washu's lab. The genius smiled. Oni was fast asleep on the floor among the scientific equipment.

Washu had forgotten how extremely angelic Oni was when she slept. She would cuddle up in a tight little ball sometimes and sprawl out others, always keeping her precious cabbit close at hand, as if she were a favorite stuffed animal. "Most wanted criminal or not," she said, more to herself than Oni, "you do make an adorable daughter." She smiled to herself and pulled the covers closer around Oni's chin. Then she turned back to her computer to finish up her work.

A chill suddenly went up Washu's spine. She looked around instinctively. Nothing was there. That put no damper on the creepy feeling Washu endured. Nevertheless, nothing could stand between Washu and finishing her work now.

The night was silent again, the quiet being broken only by the tapping of Washu on her keyboard.

* * * *

Finally, little Sasami had fallen fast asleep. The cool air coming through the open window ruffled her sea green hair and moonlight played upon her fair-skinned face. The peaceful scene was just the right atmosphere to bring out the beauty in the event that happened next.

An astral projection arose from where Sasami lay. After rising out of her youthful body, Tsunami took a moment to kneel over the sleeping Sasami and brush a piece of hair out of her face.

"Sleep well, Sasami-chan. This will only take a moment, I promise you."

The projection phased, much like Ryoko would do, and appeared in the dark psudolab.

"Well, Tsunami-chan," said a voice. Tsunami turned to see Washu, who didn't even look up. "What's wrong?"

"Ah, Washu-chan," Tsunami answered. "I should have expected you to be up."

"So, you felt something, too?" Washu said.

Tsunami nodded. "It was distressing Sasami. I had to find more about it so she would be at ease."

"I don't think there's much hope of that," Washu said. "Last time you felt something, you guys had that big ordeal with Kagato on the Souja. I don't call that being at ease." The scientist paused for a moment. "Not that I'm complaining, mind you. If you hadn't, I would still be in that rock-thing."

"Well," said Tsunami, smiling politely at the scientist, "you know what's wrong, don't you?"

"I haven't given it much thought," Washu admitted.

"I think it has to do with your daughter."

"Who, Ryoko? She can take care of herself. I have extreme faith in her." Washu then caught the look Tsunami was giving her. "No. You think something's going to happen to Oni-chan?"

"I didn't exactly say that. I just think we should be prepared." Tsunami sighed. "You know, no one really got rid of that Dr. Clay character. I don't doubt he'll try something again."

Washu snorted. "I bet he still wants me to see Tokimi, huh?"

"How did you-?"

"Hey now, I didn't become the Greatest Genius in the Universe for nothing!" Washu said.

"I wonder what Tokimi wants," said Tsunami.

Beside the two, Oni stirred. Washu tensed and quieted her voice. "We better discuss this later, Tsunami-chan. And try to forget about it while you're with Sasami. The last thing we need is to have poor Sasami-chan freaking out over something she can't do anything about, ne?"

"Hai." With that, Tsunami disappeared.

* * * *

Pale green eyes shot open in the darkness. A strange feeling came over Oni. Had someone been watching her? She looked around in the dark corner of Washu's lab. By this time, Washu had already finished her work and went to sleep herself.

Course breathing could be heard just a few yards from Oni's futon. The girl tensed at the obvious presence of a dark figure. She looked around in hopes of seeing the person and protecting herself. A cold, metallic hand reached out, causing Oni to jump back in fear.

Suddenly, the earth was shaking.

"Oni?" said a voice. "Oni-chan, wake up!"

Oni's eyes snapped open. This time it was real. With her eyes open, Oni saw a young, freckle-faced girl kneeled over her, shaking her frantically.

"Sasami-san?" Oni answered. "What're you doing here?"

"I was just going to tell you it was time for breakfast," Sasami said. "You're a heavy sleeper, you know. I've been trying to wake you for five minutes at least."

"Oh, uh, Gomen, Sasami-san," Oni said, giving a sheepish smile.

"That's okay. And call me Sasami-chan, okay?"

Oni snorted. "You're starting to sound like Mom."

"Well, I've never really had anyone my own age around here, and if we could be good friends, I'd be really glad, so..." Sasami trailed off. She put a cute winking expression on her face and stuck out her tongue just as cutely.

"Sure, Sasami-chan," Oni said. "But you have to call me Oni-chan and be my good friend, too. Okay?"

"You bet! Now, come on, breakfast is getting cold!" The playful young princess grabbed Oni by the hand and dragged her down the stairs.

The entire family was sitting at the table, loaded dishes in front of each one of them. Ryoko suddenly called out, "Hey, Oni, finally decided to join us morning people, huh? Come on, sit, eat, stay for awhile!"

"'Us morning people', Ryoko?" said Ayeka maliciously. "Because it seems to me that you've slept in until noon every morning of your miserable life."

"Hey, I'm up early today, aren't I?" said Ryoko, unfazed by Ayeka's words. "Besides, Tenchi said getting up early was a good trait, so I'm working on it and getting better." Ryoko went 'starry-eyed' and mumbled Tenchi's name a few times. Ayeka looked at her in disgust.

"Hey, guys, can you please try to get along for one meal?" requested Sasami. She gave a helpless look to Oni and sat down, first showing Oni to a seat of her own. "Would you like some miso soup, Oni-chan?"

"Yes please!"

"Miso soup, that sounds good!" Mihoshi said from across the table. "May I have some, too, Sasami-chan?" Sasami handed a bowl of the soup over to Mihoshi, who cheered before digging in.

"So, what took you so long to get down here, Oni?" Ryoko, who happened to be sitting next to Oni, asked.

"Yeah, Oni! Did you have trouble sleeping? Do you need some extra pillows? If you need anything don't hesitate to ask me, and I'll-!" Mihoshi eagerly said.

"Um, no thanks, that won't be necessary," Oni interrupted quickly. "I'm just...not used to the time difference. In space, I just slept whenever I wanted, since there was really no light or day, and I'm just not used to being on Earth yet."

"Nani?" Mihoshi said.

Washu, who had been unusually quiet this morning, said, "Now, now, Mihoshi, there's really no point in trying to understand, for you anyway. I suggest you stop before you get a headache."

"Washu-chan, that's not very nice!" Mihoshi objected.

"Fine. If you play your cards right, I'll tell you later."

"Okay!"

Oni looked around nervously. Everyone seemed to be watching her this morning, though it might have been her imagination. After all, it wasn't that unusual for the new girl in the group to be the center of attention. Even still... "So, where's Tenchi-san this morning?" Oni asked.

"He's at school this morning," answered Yosho, sipping at his sake.

"Oh." After that, the subject seemed to die. Oni wasn't about to give up on a semi-normal conversation with a group of people she hardly knew. "Where does he go to school?" she asked.

Ayeka fumed. "You seem a little interested in Tenchi-sama, don't you?" she accused.

"Um, I..." 'This was definitely not the way things were supposed to go,' Oni thought to herself.

"Hey, Ayeka," Ryoko suddenly piped up, "cut her some slack! Just because you don't have the slimmest chance of getting Tenchi's affection doesn't mean you have to jump on anybody that brings him up! I mean, good God, Princess!"

"Listen, bakemono," Ayeka began.

"Ladies, ladies," said Yosho. "You have to calm down."

Ayeka took a deep breath. "Yes, Yosho-nii-san," she said.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Ryoko said at the same time. "Hey, Oni! How'd ya like to go for a walk or something? Catch up on things, do sister stuff... It'll be fun!"

Oni looked down at her hardly-touched bowl of miso soup. "But-" she began.

Before she could finish, Ryoko grabbed Oni's wrist and started floating. "'But' nothing! Let's go!" She floated through the door with a startled-looking little sister hanging by her arm.

Washu silently watched them leave, a serious expression on her face. 'Well, the more I think about it, the more I realize Tsunami's right. Oni is in grave danger.'

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Well, there you have it, Chapter 4. Though I tried to keep the Japanese out, I slipped up a few times...^^;;; But, as you've heard from other chapters, "gomen" means "sorry", "nani" means "what". Not from other chapters, "nii-san" means brother (elder?). Heh. That little chart thing I had earlier was a tad annoying. In any case, please review!