Sorry I took so long to update. Don't really have an excuse, other than laziness and procrastination, but I just knew you would all understand. For the record, this is a Sesso/Ryoko fic. Don't worry people, I may be taking a new approach, but don't worry. It'll make sense in the end, I promise.

Disclaimer: Deep down in my heart of hearts *sniff, sniff * I know apart of Tenchi and company belong to me, but for legal reasons, we're going to say that they don't.

" "= talking = thinking

Chapter 2 " A New Day and Even More Problems"

Ryoko woke up to a new day and sighed. Today was going to be her new start. Last night gave her plenty of time to reflect and she was now able to see things in a new light. Yes, today was going to be a new start.

She floated downstairs, humming along the way to join everyone else for breakfast.

"My, aren't we happy?" teased Washu.

"Yes, we are," Ryoko answered back.

"Let me guess, you found an extra bottle of Sake in the cupboard last night, Demon?" baited Ayeka.

Ryoko thought to herself.

"Good morning to you too, Ayeka," Ryoko responded.

Ayeka was flabbergasted. She certainly hadn't planned on Ryoko responded like that.

"You might want to pick up your jaw before someone trips on it, Ayeka," Washu teased.

Yosho chuckled.

The gang sat down to eat breakfast, afterwards, they all went off to do their own things. Since Tenchi didn't have to go to school today he was helping Sasami clean the kitchen.

"Tenchi, I'm going to need you to go into town for me. We're a little low on groceries."

"Sure thing, Sasami, just hand me the list."

She handed him a list. "You might want to take someone with you to carry the groceries back."

Excited over the chance to spend an entire day alone with Tenchi, Ryoko eagerly jumped at the task. "I'll go!"

"Uh…" Tenchi started, but then noticed the look of hurt and disappointment on her face.

"We can even have Sasami come along. You feel like spend a day in Tokyo, kid" Ryoko suggested.

"Really?" the little girl chirped.

"Yeah, and we can even check out that newly renovated art museum that you have been dying to see. That is, if Tenchi doesn't mind," Ryoko finished while turning to him for approval.

"Well.." he started.

"I think it's a great idea," Ayeka finished while coming in from hanging laundry.

"Really!" Tenchi and Ryoko both asked in surprise.

"Most definitely, Lord Tenchi. I think Sasami has more than earned a day out of this house and besides," she added. " It would be the perfect opportunity to take care of that THING you've been meaning to do. Don't you agree, Lord Tenchi.?"

"Actually, I think you're right," Tenchi grinned.

Noticing between the look between the two and realizing that they were probably talking about her, Ryoko began chewing on her bottom lip and went off to help Sasami with her shopping list.

******************

The three got off of the bus and took in the atmosphere. Everything was loud and busy. So different from their quaint country lives back home.

"Ooh, can we go sightseeing first, Tenchi?" Sasami squealed.
"Sure, we're in no hurry."

The next 3 hours were spent on shopping and taking in the sights. The three were now relaxing on a bench, watching the crowd pass them by.

"Are either of you in the mood for ice cream?" Tenchi offered.
"Sure," they agreed.

"I'll have a strawberry cone," Sasami shouted.

"What will you have, Ryoko," he asked.

"I'll have double fudge," she answered without looking away from the dress in a store window.

"Got it," he answered then walked off.

Sasami walked up to Ryoko and began looking at the dress as well.

"It's really pretty, Ryoko," she started.
"Yeah, it sure is," Ryoko agreed.
"You would look great in it, Ryoko!"
"No. That dress wasn't made for me. It was made for someone with sophistication and elegance. Not me," Ryoko sighed.
"Ryoko don't be ridiculous. You have as much of a right as anyone else would to that dress," Sasami encouraged.
"Yeah and a space pirate doesn't deserve something like that."
"We're not talking about the dress anymore, are we, Ryoko?"

What do you mean, Sasami?" Ryoko looked down at the worried little girl.

Sasami sighed. "I couldn't sleep last night because of my nightmares, so I went to look for Ayeka, but I couldn't find her and then I saw you crying downstairs," Sasami sobbed. "Please don't be mad at me, Ryoko," she sniffed. " I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

Taking a deep breath, Ryoko looked down at the little girl.
"It's okay, Kid," Ryoko soothed. "I'm not mad at you."
"Really," Sasami sniffed.
"Really," Ryoko soothed, "So what's this I hear about you and nightmares?" she asked, grateful to change the topic.

"I think it was a warning from Tsunami. You were in it, Ryoko and so was everyone else. I saw a few people that I didn't recognize, including this young girl with long, black hair and two men are supposed to be brothers. The girl is from our time, but for some reason, she keeps going back into the past," the little girl spat out.

"What's so scary about that?" Ryoko asked.

"Well," Sasami started. "There's some type of dark force that comes from that time into this one to take over Tenchi's sword. This force wanted to take over his time, but won't have the resources, until he follows the girl into our time. Apparently the two brothers both have magical swords, that are able stop it from succeeding."

"What about these brothers?" Ryoko asked. "Are they a threat to us and what do they have to do with anything?"

"One has changed his ways, but the other one can't be fully trusted as of yet. But I do know that they will have something to do with a huge fight that will decide the fate of both worlds."

"Why can't you have normal nightmares like other kids?" Ryoko joked. "Like a monster under your bed or something."

Sasami paused. "I don't know, but there's one more thing Ryoko."

"Lay it on me, Kid," Ryoko sighed

"According to Tsunami, you're going to be in the middle of it all and will have to make the greatest sacrifice of them all."

"Are you saying that Tsunami predicts that…"
"Yes, Ryoko," Sasami sobbed, "I think Tsunami says you're going to die."
"Are you sure?"
"What else could she mean, Ryoko? Do you have anything worth MORE than your life worth sacrificing?"

"I guess not," Ryoko whispered when it finally sunk in. "What about Tenchi? Are you going to tell him?"

Sasami looked down at her feet. "Tsunami told me not to tell anyone else but you for right now. She says that this is all apart of a bigger picture and that they will know when it's time for them to know."

Ryoko nodded with acceptance of what Sasami had just said and slunk back into the bench chair.

Just then, the Jurian prince appeared.

" Hey you two! Sorry I took so long. That line was killer," Tenchi exclaimed while handing them their cones.

"It's okay, Tenchi," Sasami replied wryly.
"That's great to hear. For a minute, one would have thought that your best friend had died from the look on your face or something. You sure you okay, Sasami?" Tenchi asked with concern.

Ryoko thought to herself.

"Don't be silly, Tenchi, I'm fine," Sasami beamed.

"That's great to hear. How about we go to the art museum before heading back home. I heard they have a new exhibit from the Fuedal Era. You'll guys will love it! Trust me," he persuaded.

"Sure," the girls agreed wearily and then followed in pursuit.

Next time on "Nothing" : Enter Kagome, exit Ryoko.