*NOTE!* This is five years later. Ayeka has gone back to Jurai, but still stays in very close contact with the rest of the crew. Mihoshi as well went back to her GP duties, albeit at a much higher rank, and Sasami and Washu stayed with Ryoko and Tenchi. Some *other* things have happened since then as well.

There were fireworks tonight. Ryoko floated above the streets, watching the parading dragons sway and shake, little ants attempting to look fierce. She smiled, but it was a sad one. *How like children they are.* She felt the wind brush softly against her cheek, and turned away, phasing back to the dock beside her home. Tenchi walked out, then stood beside her.

"A penny for your thoughts."

"I'm still fascinated by everything here. Everyone seems so... carefree."

"You're thinking about them, aren't you." Tenchi sat down next to her, and she nodded, tears in her eyes.

"They haunt me. I see their faces, their eyes, begging, pleading, screaming, crying... They all died." Her shoulders shook with her sobs now, "and he made me watch... He made me watch!"

"Shh... Shh... it's okay Ryoko. You're not ever going to go through something like that again. I promise." He hugged her close to him and kissed her.

There was a pop and their surroundings were bathed in blue light. The show had begun.

~~~~~~

"This is the planet, correct?"

"Yes master."

"Finally."

"We will arrive in 7.8423 days."

"Too long. Too long. There must be a faster way."

"We could take the scout ship. We could get there in approximately. 6.522 hours."

"Good. Let's go."

"We will be exposed."

"Too bad."

"Yes master."

"I am coming for you. And this time, you'll not evade me again. No one can take you from me!"