Rain Child:  I just can't seem to get those 50 reviews.  Dang.  Oh well, it's a lazy Sunday with nothing to do, so what the heck, I'll update!  Thanks for all the reviews everyone!!!  Or rather, just these people this time:

Rain Masaki the Miko Raye Cool-Girl-Kit Sum Jillian

Some1

I'm adding in a few OC's this chapter, okay?  Just three.  I think you might find them funny, and I wasn't about to make it seem as though Ayeka has been friendless.  Well, now all I have left is the fun little disclaimer.  How about Nazism does it?

Nazumi:  Rain Child doesn't own the Tenchi series, characters, etc.  However, she owns the planet (Lluvia) she's created, along with Yuki, Kiyoto and myself.  If you want to use them, you will have to get her permission.  No suing allowed!

Rain Child:  *beams* Good job Nazu!  You make a very nice OC.  Now, on with the story!!!

        ~*~*~*~*~*~

            Raindrops

 Chapter 7:  Ayeka's Friends

        ~*~*~*~*~*~

            Sasami, as always, woke bright and early.  As she made her way to the kitchen, the smells of something being cooked wafted through, teasing her nose.  But who would be the one cooking it?  As she entered, she called out, softly, in order not to wake the others,

"Hello?  Anyone in here?"

            She spotted a man she didn't recognize in the kitchen, along with another man and a young woman, all about Ayeka's age.  The first man had his back turned to her, but she could see he had pale blond hair, while the young woman had vibrant neon-orange hair and sparkling blue eyes, and the last man was quite the contrast to the first man; he had black hair, and bright green eyes, and he bore a look of mild interest, but portrayed an attitude similar to Ryoko's.  The woman was soon bombarding Ayeka with questions, which Sasami ignored, having questions of her own, though she had a feeling these were the friends Ayeka mentioned, and she asked,

"Who are you?  How do you know my sister?  What are you doing here?  What are you cooking?" 

"I'm Yuki!" the girl answered.

"Nazumi," the one cooking replied.

"Hey, I'm Kiyoto," the dark-haired guy said.

"Ayeka's your sister!?"  Yuki suddenly burst out.

"Umm…yeah.  My name's Sasami!!!"

"I can't believe my best friend didn't even tell me she had a sister!"

Nazumi quickly cut her off, telling Sasami,

"I'm just cooking a small Jurian dish Ayeka showed me."

"She can cook now???"

"No, not really, but she has some great recipes!"

            Just then, a half-asleep Ayeka entered the kitchen, having heard Yuki's outburst.  She smiled and stifled a yawn when she saw her sister and friends.  Stifling another yawn, she greeted Sasami,

"Well, Sasami, I see you've met Kiyoto, Yuki, and Nazumi now.  I hope you slept well.  What's for breakfast Nazumi?"

            Sasami smiled and greeted a "Good morning!" and Nazumi replied,

"Nothing special, just the usual."

"Well, I hope you made extra, I have a few friends from Earth here.  And maybe while she's here, Sasami could teach you some new recipes, if that's alright with you Sasami."

"I'd love to."

"Sounds great."

Yuki popped in, "Or maybe she could take over meals so I can have my boys back!"

            Nazumi turned red, as Ayeka and Sasami giggled at Yuki's comment, and Kiyoto chuckled, smirking, as he commented,

"You know Yuki, Nazu is the guy that's your boyfriend.  I myself prefer a more delicate flower, like Ayeka."

            Yuki grinned mischievously, as Ayeka frowned at the comment.  Sasami once again got the feeling Kiyoto and Yuki were both a little like Ryoko.

"Really Kiyoto, you are hopeless," Yuki commented dryly.

"Well then, come visit me later tonight, and then you'll see how hopeless I am," he murmured seductively, hugging Yuki from behind, making her turn a bright red that clashed with her bright orange hair. 

"Keep your filthy hands off my girlfriend Kiyoto.  Go bug Ayeka or something," Nazumi calmly threatened.  Kiyoto shrank back, hands up,

"Fine fine, Oh Ayeka!"

            Wisely, Ayeka had left the room around the time Nazumi had threatened Kiyoto.  So the entire scene sent Sasami into a fit of giggles as Kiyoto raced out of the kitchen to find Ayeka, as Nazumi promptly kissed Yuki, who was thoroughly enjoying the entire situation.  She quickly forgot about it as she remembered the food cooking, and saved the dish, and began to make more.  (A/N:  *snicker* I'm so evil!)

            The rest of the household soon awakened, whether by the scent of Sasami's cooking, or Ayeka yelling at Kiyoto, I do not know.  But within ten minutes, everyone was seated and eating, including a Kiyoto with an injured ego, and a fuming Ayeka.  Ayeka stood, and said,

"Well, I see you've met my friends.  But incase you haven't, this is Yuki, Nazumi, and Kiyoto," she told them, putting a little scorn in Kiyoto's name, causing him to flinch.

            The other two smiled and said hi, as breakfast continued, with much conversation, maybe more so than the actual eating, though everyone assured the meal was wonderful.  Tenchi, currently talking to Kiyoto, glanced over towards Ayeka, who was laughing as Yuki told her something.  She seemed so much more happy and relaxed here.  As other thoughts along that line began to trail through his head, he wondered, thinking,

'I can't possibly love Ayeka, could I?  I certainly don't deserve her, not after what I did? Is it even possible to love her now?'  (a/n:  aww…)

            Shaking his head to clear away the thoughts, Tenchi turned back towards Kiyoto, his face ever so slightly pink tinted.  Kiyoto took notice, but said nothing.

            Someone, all of the different conversations turned to the same question,

"What are we going to do today???"

            Let's just say after a long argument, it was decided that Ayeka and her three friends would show the other seven around the town, and they would meet up with Kiyone for lunch at one of the small cafés in town. 

~*~*~*~

            Tenchi, Ryoko, Katsuhito, Washu, Mihoshi, Ryo-ohki balanced on Sasami's head, and Sasami followed Ayeka, Nazumi, Kiyoto, and Yuki through the village, Ayeka pointing out other acquaintances' homes, along with her three friends' houses.  After that, they continued on towards the city. 

            What had seemed like an eternal mist yesterday, had vanished today, leaving the place looking breathtaking.  Now they knew what Ayeka had meant.  It really was gorgeous.  The trees were dark, woody, and lush.  Flowers of pale blues, whites, pinks, and purples, along with the occasional red, yellow, and orange were everywhere.  The small buds of the pale flowers were vibrant, darker versions of the flowers, and vice-versa for the bright ones.  If Sasami had been a little younger, she might have mistaken them for Earthen lollipops, and would have tried to eat them most likely.  As it was, she merely wished she could pick some to decorate Ayeka's home with.  The city that had appeared so droll and dull yesterday was bursting with color and life.  Even the normally calm and collected Katsuhito fell into the rhythm of things, and nearly dropped his disguise.  The shops were all open and busy, and the guys were soon after the weapon shops, while the girls were dashing for the clothes, even Ryoko.

            Tenchi and Katsuhito walked through the shop with Kiyoto and Nazumi, who were fawning over the expensive collection of swords.  The swords were well made, but Tenchi and Katsuhito continually refused to comment that they were the best they had seen, making Kiyoto and Nazumi curious.  Finally, Kiyoto, his curiosity and agitation peaked, burst out,

"What the hell is wrong with all these swords?  These are some of the best in the galaxy, and all you can do is nod your head, and continue on!"

Tenchi and Katsuhito smiled, as Tenchi, his face full of humble pride told them plainly, "Mine is better."

Kiyoto and Nazumi smiled, rolling their eyes, as Nazumi, surprised commented, "Sure it is."

"Tell them Grandpa!"

"To each their own Tenchi, but I would have to agree with Tenchi on this one."

            Sighing in frustration, Tenchi drew the Tenchi-ken, and the look on Nazumi and Kiyoto's face was worth it.

"NO WAY!"

"Okay, you win."

~*~*~*~

Meanwhile…

            The girls walked along, looking at all the booths, Mihoshi, Sasami, and Yuki all talking excitedly.  Washu could see Ayeka and Ryoko's tension.  One could easily cut it with a butter knife.  She walked up to them, quietly offering,

"I'll entertain the goof heads for awhile, okay?  We'll see you at lunch!"

            Grinning, she left them standing there in shock.  Ryoko snorted, commenting,

"I never thought I'd see the day."

"I agree.  Washu's behavior is quite odd."

            They both went quiet for a while, walking along the booths, occasionally looking at a dress or weapon.  Finally, Ayeka broke the uneasy silence,

"So…"

"Yeah…"

"I'm sorry."

"I can't believe I'm about to say this, but, well, it's not your fault.  Tenchi's the one who can't read his own heart."

"I suppose, but still, I never believed you two wouldn't work out.  Even while I hoped he'd choose me, I always had a feeling it would be you two."

"Really?  I always thought we would work, or at least once he chose me, but I guess we were both wrong."

"Yes.  Maybe it's best if he left.  We could always--"

"Find new guys?  Sure.  Maybe you could properly introduce me to that friend of yours, Kiyoto.  He's cute."

"Umm…alright.  It would do Kiyoto some good to leave Yuki alone for awhile, don't you think?"

"I don't know, it's pretty good entertainment when they fight."

            They both grinned.  The same thought entered their heads, 'Maybe we could be friends someday…'

~*~*~*~

            The three separate groups met up outside a small café.  Kiyone was there waiting, with a smile on her face.  Whatever she had had to do, had gone well.  Yuki, Kiyoto, Nazumi and Ayeka all assured them they would love the food. 

("Though not nearly as wonderful as Sasami's," Ayeka commented.)

            Walking in, wonderful smells greeted them.  Ayeka smiled gently as she saw all her friends, along with her brother and sister, sniffed the aromas appreciatively. 

            Sitting at the rather large table, Ayeka felt as though, after all those years searching, she was finally home. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

Rain Child:  Well, what do you think???  This story is nearing it's end, I'm sad to report *ignores cheers*.   Only two or three more chapters.  But don't worry, I have some things planned for when it's done, no worries!  I promise I'll remove this story if I don't at least get 50 reviews total now, that's only three more reviews, you can do it! But if I get 55, I'll update ASAP, okay?  Sounds fair to me.

'Till next time!!!

~rain child the insane