Author's Notes: I'm back with the next chapter! Hopefully this clears out the Ayeka stuff ^^*

" " indicates speech
' ' indicates thoughts

==Misunderstood?: *Chapter 3*==

"Ryoko?" A familiar voice called, the sound echoing through the crisp air.

"Who's there?" Ryoko attempted to see through a thick fog surrounding her, but after twenty inches all was gray.

Suddenly a warm sensation shot throughout her. The former pirate peered down at her side to find herself holding hands with someone else. Her golden eyes tediously made their way up and gazed into a pair of chocolate brown eyes.

"T-Tenchi...?" A rush of guilt dashed through Ryoko's body.

"I didn't mean to, Ryoko... it was a harmless, emotionless kiss. It doesn't mean anything. The real one that I love is you."

"You're lying! You're lying, lying, ly-"

Icy tears cascaded down the soft cheeks of the blue-haired girl. She collapsed into Tenchi's arms.

"Shhh... it's okay now." Tenchi held Ryoko close to him, stroking her head gently.

"No, it's... not... okay..." Ryoko's words were broken by sobs.

Tenchi pulled her away from him, smiling and holding onto her shoulders.

"And why not? I'm here now. As long as you forgive me, we can go on with life."

The pirate's words were merely a whisper. "I forgive you Tenchi... but I will never forgive myself. I...I slept with another man."

Abruptly, Tenchi backed away. He shook his head with disbelief. "No...no..."

"I'm sorry, Tenchi! Please forgive me!" Ryoko began to sob again.

The ground beneath them began to shake rapidly. The earth cracked and suddenly broke beneath Ryoko's feet. With the feeling that her insides went numb, she fell backwards. She struck her hand out to Tenchi, but before he could grab it, she was falling...falling...falling into blackness.

"TENCHI!!!"

The pirate slammed to the ground, motionless. A body stood over her and laughed.

"Yes my dear... it was certainly fun."

----

Ryoko sprung from her bed into sitting position. Drenched in sweat, she ran the backside of her arm over her forehead.

"It...It was just a dream."

She swallowed, feeling a lump of guilt rest in her dry throat.

She gazed over at the other bed. The rising and falling of Satomi's chest signaled that she was in a deep sleep. Yawning, Ryoko got out of her bed. She stumbled over to the large window in the living room and laid down on the plush carpet. Stars had decked the sky, and no sign of light was to be seen. It was as if a shadow had fallen over the city.

Ryoko let her eyes run over the sky as if it was a painting. She observed every shade of blue and gray, and named all the constellations that she could find.

It came to her, as if she wanted to run away from her past and all her faults. She had tried to forget about it all, and act like nothing happened, but somehow her problems always caught up to her. Although she knew that she should be facing her wrongs, she couldn't build the strength to do it. She was too afraid that she would ruin things even more than they already were, and most of all she feared hurting anyone-- especially Tenchi.

Ryoko couldn't believe that Tenchi would kiss Ayeka like that. He had just told her the day before the event that he hadn't made a decision yet as to who he really loved. She thought she trusted him, but she still couldn't understand why she had turned to another guy to comfort her. She felt guilty that she hadn't ask for an explanation. Maybe it was a misunderstanding.

"I just don't know anymore. I want to start everything new, but I think I still love Tenchi."

The space pirate shot her eyes wide open.

"I still love him."

Tears moistened the floor. The situation went over and over in Ryoko's head.

"I am such an idiot. I slept with another man... I... I ruined everything."

She rolled over, and facing the carpet, pounded her fists down as hard as she could. After a while the pounding was nothing more than soft punches, and eventually, the only movements that Ryoko made were the ups and downs of her chest as she inhaled and exhaled. Her eyes were closed, and she had dozed off into sleep.

~~~~~

Sunlight streaked through the clouded sky, past the towering buildings, and into Satomi's apartment, awakening Ryoko with it's warmth.

"Wake up, you sleepy head!"

It was Satomi. No one could mistaken her energetic voice.

"Wha? What time is it?"

"10:00 a.m., silly! You should be long out of bed! Too much sleep is bad for you!"

"Really? I've never heard of that one before."

Satomi snorted and pulled Ryoko to her feet. "Hey, how come you're lying on the floor in the first place?"

"I had a bad dream and had to think it over."

"Uhh... on the floor?"

"Exactly. Got a problem with that?" Wide awake, Ryoko grinned.

"Are you feeling all right?"

The space pirate took a place on one of the couches.

"I've thought it over, Satomi. I'm going back to my old home to figure out what really happened, and to apologize."

"What? Today?"

"I've got to do something before it's too late. Today, now, as soon as possible I have to go."

"I'm going with you."

Ryoko nodded in approval. After Satomi packed a bag of clothing and other needed items, the two determined girls were off to the Masaki shrine.

+++

The train ride was two hours long, but that was okay for Tenchi. He rested his head in his left hand, propping it up with his arm. The quiet country boy peered out the window, observing as the trees slowly disappeared and buildings came into the scene.

"I hope nothing happened to Ryoko. It's not the first time that she's misunderstood a situation."

Tenchi's thoughts ran back to the time of Sakuya. He had always felt pressured in romantic situations. It was as if he wasn't allowed to look at any girl without someone else's comments.

'I guess it was kind of dumb of me to kiss Ayeka, but how was I supposed to leave her standing?'

++FLASHBACK TO THE CLUB++

"Tenchi... I need to tell you something. Alone."

Ayeka sent a look of seriousness into Tenchi's eyes. She grabbed his hand and led him out to the dancefloor. Tenchi looked back, and signaled to Ryoko that he would come back in a minute.

"Tenchi... I must return to Jurai."

Tenchi stared at Ayeka in awe.

"Why?"

"My father..."

He stroked Ayeka's cheek, realizing that she had tears in her eyes.

"My father and mother were murdered."

"W-What?"

"They don't know who did it... but I must go back, Tenchi, I absolutely must! I am prepared to fill the duty as Queen of Jurai, and I am determined to find out who the murderer is. I hope you understand."

"Ayeka... I... I could accompany you. It'll be dangerous."

"Tenchi..." Ayeka smiled. "No. I'm sure you're going to have your own problems to deal with. I would love it if you went with me, but I feel that I must do this alone."

Tenchi nodded. "I understand."

"I... I hope- no, I know we will meet again... but please, before I go... could you give me just one kiss?"

Ayeka shot Tenchi an innocent look. He gulped as he felt his insides go numb, but he understood Ayeka's situation. Like Ryoko, she was in love with him. She might never see him again, and naturally she would wish one last kiss.

They both leaned forward and joined lips. The kiss was a mere 5 seconds, but to Ayeka it felt like eternity.

"I'm leaving tonight with Sasami. I'll miss you, but I'm sure we'll meet again."

++END FLASHBACK++

The train came to a halt. Tenchi rose from his seat, and exited into the rushing crowd of people, attempting not to be trampled over. He headed into the center of the city, and started to search for the building where the club was at. He planned to try and gather information about Ryoko's whereabouts.

"Satomi! Wait up!"

Tenchi froze. He knew that voice. He shot looks in every direction, but everyone in the crowd around him was just an unfamiliar face.

With a sigh, he commented, "Don't tell me I'm starting to hallucinate."

*********
I guess that was a rather short chapter, but actually, all my chapters are rather short. *sweatdrop* But because of that, I'm trying to update everyday. I've got somewhat of a plan in my head, but it could change at any time, so ideas are very welcome =D !! Thanks ^^!!!