Chapter 3 - Ayeka Arrives
"Princess Ayeka, we are within scanning range of the Earth." Kamidake's dry voice filled the bridge space of Ryu-Oh.
"Very good. Please scan for Ryo-Ohki."
"Beginning scan for Ryo-Ohki," Azaka replied.
Ayeka gazed happily at the blue-green planet she had come to think of as a second home. "It is good to be back." Then she sighed. "Even if it's just for a little while."
Ayeka thought unhappily about what the future held for her. Now that her education was complete, she was expected to use it. A degree in political science practically guaranteed a diplomatic assignment and her rank meant it would be an important post. Ayeka had dreaded graduating almost as much as she'd dreaded attending Royal Space Academy in the first place.
The first trip out to Royal Space Academy for enrollment had been painless, at least for Ayeka. Ryoko had thrown an epic tantrum before entering Ryo-Ohki. Washu had to literally drag Ryoko out to the front of the house by her ear to be transported up by Ryo-Ohki; who was already hovering above, ready to go. Ayeka had spent most of the flight staring out into space while Ryoko sat sullenly in Ryo-Ohki's command chair and rubbed her ear.
After enrollment had been a summer which had seemed all too short. They had tried to jam in as many outings and picnics and cookouts as they possibly could, but even so there seemed to be very little time.
Ayeka and Ryoko were assigned to a year in the preparatory school because they'd both had been away from school for so long. They even had some classes together. They stayed with Washu in the enormous house she rated as a tenured member of the faculty.
After a few weeks, they'd settled into a sort of uneasy rhythm. Ayeka spending some evenings with a group of friends she'd made and Ryoko holed up studying or listlessly watching video. It wasn't long before Ayeka realized that she couldn't stand how lifeless Ryoko had become and invited her out to a party. Washu had insisted Ryoko go over her objections.
The party was typical of college students throughout the galaxy: the music was loud and there was plenty of chemical entertainment. Ayeka introduced Ryoko to her friends and, before long, Ayeka noticed that an upperclassman named Reet Daliv was paying a lot of attention to Ryoko. Ryoko seemed to be enjoying his company. 'Maybe Ryoko will find someone besides Tenchi to her liking,' Ayeka thought.
Later on in the evening, Ryoko found Ayeka and said, "Your friend asked me to go for a walk."
"Well, why not go?" Ayeka said. "He is handsome. His father made a lot of money in trade and moves in fairly high circles in Jurai's government."
Ryoko shrugged. "Eh. He's not as cute as Tenchi," she said.
"What will it hurt?" Ayeka asked.
"I suppose," Ryoko said.
Ayeka watched Ryoko return to Daliv and nod. He smiled and offered his arm and they went out into the moonlight.
They returned a while later. Ryoko threw herself into a chair, looking unhappy. Daliv walked over to a group of his friends - all men, Ayeka noticed - and began talking in an animated way to their grins and hoots of laughter. Ayeka watched for a few moments and was about to go talk to Ryoko when she was tapped on the shoulder.
Turning, she saw one of the group Daliv had been talking to. "Wow, Princess, that friend of yours sure is wild! Can you set me up with her?"
"Um, what?" Ayeka asked.
"Set me up, too! You don't meet many girls who will do the things Daliv says she did - and on the first date, no less!"
Ayeka grew to understand what she was being told. She was both appalled at Ryoko's behavior and offended that she would debase her friends in that way. Ayeka looked again at Daliv, surrounded by a circle of his friends, flushed and excited as he continued to tell his story; then at Ryoko sitting sullenly in a chair by herself. And Ayeka began to wonder.
She walked over to Ryoko, who glared up at her.
"Ryoko," Ayeka said.
Ryoko said nothing.
"Ryoko," Ayeka repeated. "What happened between you and Reet?"
"Nothing happened, Ayeka. Nothing at all!" Ryoko snarled, turning away.
"Ryoko," Ayeka said gently, putting her hand on Ryoko's shoulder. "That is not what he is saying. He is saying you... You made love."
Ryoko's head whipped around, "That lying bastard," she seethed.
"You mean, you did not?"
"Of course I didn't!" Ryoko spat. "First, he's not Tenchi. Second, he's a clumsy moron."
"Then what happened?"
"We were walking and he tried to kiss me. I pushed him away, but he wouldn't give up. Then I knocked him down."
"Knocked him down?" Ayeka asked.
"Yeah, you know; I sort of pushed him and he fell on his butt."
"That doesn't sound like you, Ryoko. I would expect him to be in the hospital," Ayeka said, doubt coloring her voice.
Ryoko glared at her. "I didn't want to hurt him because I didn't want to get kicked out of school, okay? I didn't want to disappoint Tenchi, or Washu."
Ayeka nodded. "Then what happened?"
Ryoko paused, her face twisting with pain and shame. "Then he said-" Ryoko choked on the words and bowed her head. Ayeka could see the hot tears dropping into Ryoko's lap.
"What, Ryoko? Please tell me."
"He said I was a low-class tramp and that I should be grateful to take whatever attention he'd give me. He said... He said other things that were like that or worse." She looked up at Ayeka, her face tear streaked, her eyes red-rimmed. "How could he say that? Why?"
"I..." Ayeka said, at a loss.
"Maybe he's right. Kagato said the same sort of stuff."
"No, Ryoko!" Ayeka said.
"I've got to get out of here!" Ryoko said. She pushed past Ayeka and ran into the night.
Ayeka took a step to follow her, then heard Daliv's group break into laughter yet again. She turned and walked up to Daliv and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned, smiling, and bowed with exaggerated politeness.
"Princess! Thank you for introducing me to your friend! She's very... Agile!" he said, to the approving laughter of the others.
"You are a liar, Reet Daliv. You know the truth and you will tell it to everyone immediately," Ayeka said lowly. "Then you will apologize to Ryoko." The group and then the room grew quiet, aware of the confrontation and straining to hear what was said.
"Why?" Daliv asked, sneering. "Because you're the First Princess of Jurai and you say so?"
"Reet!" one of his friends said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You're drunk! Come on and let's get some air before you do something stupid."
Daliv shrugged off the hand. "Shut the hell up!" he said to his friend. "My father's more important to Jurai than the Missing Princess!" He turned back to Ayeka. "And why do you care about her, anyway? Her mother's that wacky professor: she's nothing but trash."
Ayeka bristled. "You are uncouth and a spoiled brat. Who are you to judge someone solely on who their parents are or how much they have? Those are no way to determine someone's value as a person. No: you will apologize to Ryoko and tell everyone the truth because it is the right thing to do. Or I promise that I will make you regret your behavior."
"Uh oh! Looks like it's the dungeon for me! Better fetch your guards, Princess." He tossed his head back and laughed.
"I do not need any guards," Ayeka said lowly.
"Huh?" Daliv stopped laughing and looked at Ayeka. A second later he found himself flying through the air, expertly thrown. He made a hard landing on a nearby table. He got up and shook himself, then mumbled "You bitch" and crept forward in a low fighting stance. The crowd parted, leaving the two the center of the room. When he drew close to Ayeka, there was a flurry of strikes and blocks and Daliv again found himself airborne. He landed again and didn't get up.
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves," Ayeka said to Daliv's group. "None of you will ever have a tiny bit of the nobility or make anywhere near the sacrifices Ryoko has made for others. You are all pathetic," she spat.
The she turned and ran into the night, calling, "Ryoko! Ryoko, please wait!"
Ayeka caught her a short distance away. She had stopped running and was walking slowly, her arms wrapped around herself, crying. Ayeka walked up next to her and, after a second, put her arm around Ryoko's shoulders.
"Ryoko, I am so sorry. There was no excuse for such behavior."
Ryoko shrugged. "It's the truth, Ayeka. I'm a tramp, a piece of trash, just 'waste product'..."
"Oh, no, Ryoko!" Ayeka cried, taking her by the shoulders. "Please do not say such things. They are not true!"
Ryoko shrugged, her head drooping. "Who cares."
"I care, Ryoko. I do. Me, Ayeka."
Ryoko looked at her, her eyes dead. "Why?"
"Ryoko," Ayeka paused, then looked Ryoko in the eyes. "Ryoko, you are one of the most selfless people I know and, this may sound odd, but you are my only real friend."
"Huh?" Ryoko said in surprise. "What about all those fights you and I have had? What about all those people back at the party, aren't they your friends?"
Ayeka sighed. "All those people see me only as Princess Ayeka, not just Ayeka. To them I am a thing, a symbol, not a person. They like me because I am a princess, or they dislike me because I am a princess. They never really like or dislike me because of myself.
"But you treat me like a person. You are not in awe of my rank, nor do you hate me because of it. How you feel is how you feel about me; Ayeka.
"Does that make sense?" she asked.
Ryoko considered for a moment, then said, "Perfect sense. And, believe it or not, I feel the same way about you."
"So, I guess we have no choice but to be best friends," Ayeka said, smiling.
"Looks that way," Ryoko nodded.
"Besides," Ayeka said with a smile. "If you quit, who will give me rides back to Tenchi?"
"Hey, friendship only goes so far," Ryoko growled playfully.
Ayeka laughed lightly. "I guess that depends on how far Tenchi is willing to go."
"Isn't that my line?" Ryoko asked, smiling.
Ayeka laughed again. "Shall we go home, Ryoko?"
"Sure. We'll drag Washu out of her lab and make her entertain us."
They linked arms and set off for Washu's house.
For the remainder of their preparatory year, Ryoko and Ayeka had been nearly inseparable. Happily, it wasn't long before they discovered people that they genuinely liked and that genuinely liked them. By the start of their first year of school they had friends they could spend time with, even though their class schedules meant they couldn't spend as much time together.
There were other parties, too; although Reet Daliv and his friends didn't show or left quickly after Ayeka or Ryoko arrived. Eventually, either of them - or even better, the two of them - being at a campus party was a clear indication that the party was a success, so invitations literally poured in. They received so many that they resorted to creating a complex formula that used theoretical mathematics, advanced set theory, and relativistic diplomatic protocol just to decide which parties to attend. They then created an elegant program to implement the formula on a spare supercomputer that Washu found in the back of a closet. In the end, their party schedule was much easier to deal with and they were granted a patent for their algorithm, which was found to have solved the ancient 'shortest route' problem rather neatly.
It wasn't until her fourth year of school that Ryu-Oh had been ready for flight. Until then, her visits to Okayama had been aboard Ryo-Ohki; who seemed happy to help. Ryo-Ohki had been very nice, but there was nothing like being aboard - and with - Ryu-Oh again: Ryu-Oh was hers as she was Ryu- Oh's.
She and Ryoko had returned at the end of their third year of school for a summer in Okayama with the family. Just before leaving for the start of their fourth year, Ayeka had gone down to Washu's lab to visit Ryu-Oh in the pod. She wanted to see him one last time before she left for a few weeks at school.
She made her way to that part of the lab only to find the pod gone.
Ryu-Oh, her Ryu-Oh, was missing.
She spun violently, intending to find Washu and then Ryu-Oh. She was surprised to find that Washu, and everyone else, was standing behind her. "Washu!" she said, her tone half accusing and half anger. "Is this one of your tricks or jokes? Because it is not funny!"
Then she noticed that everyone was smiling.
"Jeez, Ayeka. Relax! I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble I went through for Ryu-Oh only to joke around with him," Washu said.
"Then where is he?" she said archly.
Tenchi stepped forward. "It's okay, Ayeka," he said. "It's a surprise. Come on." And he held out his hand to her.
Ayeka stepped forward and took Tenchi's hand. Sasami took her other hand. "It's okay, Ayeka," she said soothingly. Ayeka nodded, still upset.
Tenchi smiled and led her through Washu's lab and outside the house. Everyone trailed along with expectant smiles on their faces. They clearly knew what was coming next.
Reaching the yard, Washu summoned her holographic terminal and began keying. "I know I put it around here someplace... It is pretty big, but subspace is infinite and... Ah! Here it is!"
With a flicker of raw energy, a subspace portal opened over the house and yawned black in the blue sky. It stabilized and then a shape began emerging. Ayeka gazed up and her jaw dropped open as she realized what it was.
"Ryu-Oh!" she shouted happily. "My Ryu-Oh!"
In a few moments, the entire ship had left the portal and Washu had closed it and dismissed her terminal. Ryu-Oh hung enormous in the sky over Okayama.
"Oh! Miss Washu! It is absolutely beautiful! It's Ryu-Oh, but it isn't. How did you..?"
"Let's go aboard and move Ryu-Oh out into orbit, shall we?" Washu asked.
"A fine idea," Katsuhito said. "It would not do to excite the neighbors."
In a moment they were all aboard. Ayeka wasted no time assuming her customary place on the bridge and moving them into a hidden orbit. Before long, they were safely away from Earth.
Once there, Ayeka insisted on looking around. "We've seen it already, Ayeka," Sasami said. "We each worked on a part of it for you."
"Besides," Ryoko said. "We've brought lunch and I'm starved."
"Take Tenchi with you, why don't you?" Washu suggested, unloading a picnic basket on the lush grass. "He's been away and has seen less of it than any of us."
Tenchi stepped forward, "Let's go, then. I'd actually like to see it without being captive in it," he said with a smile.
Ayeka and Tenchi set out to tour Ryu-Oh. Ayeka was delighted at the subtle, yet beautiful changes in the interior. Tenchi, as best he could, told her who had worked on each piece. Before long they arrived at her cabin. Tenchi opened the door and stepped aside for Ayeka to enter first.
Ayeka looked around, at first in surprise, then in delight.
The room was, in a word, breathtaking.
In the center was a large round bed. At the cardinal points were posts that soared up and merged into the structure of the room. An arm's reach above the bed they sprouted branches and delicate silvery-green leaves. The leaves whispered gently in a light breeze; Ayeka's gaze went up the walls of the chamber and she saw two large circular openings allowing in the ambient breeze from the ship's life-support.
At the sides of room were bureaus and closets that also seemed as if they were a natural part of the walls. There was a long, low desk with shelves above it and beneath her feet was lush, green grass with a short nap and wonderfully soft feel. She slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes in it with a happy sigh.
On a shelf she noticed two pictures framed in wood. She went over to them and saw that the larger one was a photograph taken at Sasami's graduation from elementary school. The entire household was there, as well as Azusa, Misaki and Funaho. Everyone was dressed in their best clothes and smiling happily.
The other was a picture of Tenchi and her taken at a beach. They were sitting next to each other on a blanket in the sand, smiling at the camera. The wind was blowing Ayeka's hair and they were covered with drops of water that glistened in the sun.
Ayeka remember that visit to the beach well: it had been during one of her breaks from school. She had spent two weeks in Okayama, hoping to find time to spend with Tenchi. He was in the middle of one of his few tough semesters, but he managed to scrape out time for a long weekend with Ayeka.
They had flown down to Okinawa and spent the time at the beach or browsing through the little shops in town. He had even taken her out to dinner, then a dance club and finally for a walk along the beach in the moonlight. He hadn't kissed her, as she knew he wouldn't; although she had wished at the time that he would.
Ayeka smiled and put the picture back on the shelf, turning to look at Tenchi. She walked back over, put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Tenchi," she said, tears welling in her eyes.
"You're welcome, Ayeka," Tenchi said. "I hoped you'd like it."
"I absolutely love it."
"Washu helped," Tenchi said.
"Well, then I will thank Washu as well," Ayeka said, smiling.
"I don't think I've ever been kissed by a girl before," Washu said from behind Tenchi, surprising the two. "But, what the hell! Let's give it a try."
"How about a nice handshake?" Ayeka asked with a smile.
"Wow, you are a tease, aren't you!" Washu laughed.
Ayeka bowed to Washu, saying, "Thank you, Miss Washu, for all your work on Ryu-Oh. It is absolutely wonderful."
"You're welcome, Miss Ayeka," Washu said, returning the bow. "Although all I did was provide the pod, work a little science to accelerate Ryo-Oh's growing cycle and follow everyone's suggestions for the decor. Tenchi only had time for this room and the hull."
"The hull?" Ayeka asked. "How did you complete the hull?"
"We sent specifications to Ryuten for it to be completed. It was only delivered recently. The design is Tenchi's," Washu said. "He's a genius, I tell you!"
Tenchi smiled shyly. "Washu!"
"She is absolutely right, Tenchi. Ryu-Oh will be the envy of everyone on Jurai. If your career doesn't work out here, I can guarantee you all the work you can handle on Jurai," Ayeka said.
Tenchi smiled and said, "I'm glad it makes you happy."
Ayeka smiled, "It does. So happy that I can not tell you."
Ayeka looked around, admiring Tenchi's work yet again and thought about how she had felt once, what she had thought; and she was amazed that she had been so young, so naive. The constant squabbling with Ryoko, the battling for Tenchi's attention, the effort put forth to learn what he might want in a woman, the time invested in trying to win his heart, the despair at being sent away from him.
And it had all been for nothing.
She wasn't sure exactly when it had happened; perhaps it had been a sudden realization, like a spark of static electricity. Maybe it had bubbled up from her subconscious slowly, over time. However it had happened, it had; and one day the idea had entered her head that Tenchi didn't love her in a romantic way and probably never would.
And, as she considered that realization and how it made her feel, she knew that it was okay: she didn't really love Tenchi that way either.
Perhaps it had been the atmosphere at the Kamiki School; surrounded by others her age and with her interests. Or maybe just being apart from Tenchi for weeks at a time. It could have been that, away from Okayama - where Tenchi was the only person who attracted her at all - and being kept busy with school pushed Tenchi out of her mind.
Whatever the reason, after her epiphany, Ayeka's time at the Kamiki School had become a great joy for her. She enjoyed and appreciated her fellow students and the instruction she was receiving. The curriculum sharpened her mind and gave her an opportunity to focus herself.
She found that she had a knack for diplomacy and statesmanship that was more than simple political maneuvering and court back stabbing. She felt like she was prepared, both by her education and in her life, to really make a difference.
"Princess Ayeka: scans briefly detected Ryo-Ohki, although scans are now clear except for a residual energy signature."
"Thank you. Head for Ryo-Ohki's last known position."
"Setting course for last know position of Ryo-Ohki," Azaka reported.
"Anti-air guard: Storming Level Four," Kamidake noted.
Ayeka studied the display screens, watching their progress. She smiled happily; in a few minutes she'd be on the ground and with the people she cared about most. Then she sighed, knowing that too soon she'd be on her way to her first assignment and she'd be leaving them behind again.
And she had to have a talk with Ryoko.
"We have arrived," Kamidake said, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Thank you. Please set me in front of Lord Tenchi's house and put Ryu- Oh into a parking orbit."
"Yes, ma'am," Azaka replied and a moment later Ayeka found herself in front of the house, her luggage in a pile next to her.
Ryoko pushed open the door and stepped in. At her feet, Ryo-Ohki bounded past and raced into the kitchen. "Anyone home?" Ryoko called. "Tenchi? Sasami?"
Ryoko saw Ryo-Ohki pass from the kitchen, through the living room and up the stair, miya'ing frantically. "I might as well let her do all the work," she said to herself. "It smells like dinner is about ready."
Ryoko took a quick look into the kitchen, noting the food ready to be served. She turned as Ryo-Ohki came in. She sat at Ryoko's feet looking up and mewing sadly. "Can't find anyone, eh? I know one place we can look."
Ryoko reached down and lifted Ryo-Ohki and carried her to the onsen. The door was open a crack and she heard voices. Smiling, she pushed open the door to see Tenchi sitting up on the floor just inside the door holding a towel to his forehead; Sasami, wearing only a towel, was kneeling in front of him leaning forward, kissing him on the lips. She noticed that Tenchi looked surprised.
"Well, now. Isn't this cozy," Ryoko said lightly. "You horning in on my action, kiddo?"
"Oh!" Sasami said, sitting back. "Ryoko!"
Sasami jumped up and raced over to throw her arms around Ryoko, and Ryo-Ohki leaped from Ryoko's arms and scrambled over to Tenchi, settling in his lap.
"Hi, Ryoko! I missed you!" Sasami said.
"Hi Sasami. Nice to see you, too." Ryoko realized for the first time that Sasami was as tall as she was and very strong. "So, what was that little scene?"
"Oh, Ryoko," Sasami said, smiling. "Tsunami wanted to know what it was like is all."
"Hmm..." Ryoko replied. "The whole assimilation thing, huh?" Sasami nodded. "Well, if Tsunami needs a little companionship, I can recommend some great places to meet guys at Royal Space Academy. No need for her to go sniffing around Tenchi, right?"
Sasami laughed. "Sure thing, Ryoko! Well, I think I'll go finish dinner. See you guys in a couple minutes!" She grabbed her clothes off the peg next to the door and left, with Ryo-Ohki trailing behind.
Ryoko looked down at Tenchi, still pressing the ice to his head. "So, Tsunami wanted to know what it was like..."
Tenchi smiled weakly and said, "Uh, I guess..." Then he shrugged and stood. He stepped over to Ryoko, gave her a one-armed hug and a kiss on the cheek and said, "It's nice to see you, Ryoko. Welcome home."
"Humph," Ryoko replied. "What happened to your head?"
"Oh, I slipped in some water and banged it on the door trying to leave."
"A likely story, Tenchi. You should be ashamed of yourself; faking an injury to take advantage of a young girl like Sasami." Ryoko teased.
"Ryoko!"
Ryoko laughed. "You know, you're lucky you looked so surprised when Sasami kissed you. Otherwise I might have had to teach you a lesson."
"It was all Tsunami's idea, I guess," Tenchi said.
Ryoko gave Tenchi an appraising look, then said, "Let's go get dinner." Taking his arm, she led him out of the onsen and back into the house.
Ayeka walked into the living room, calling, "Is anyone here? Sasami? Tenchi? Ryoko?" She was nearly knocked down by Sasami, rushing from the onsen toward the kitchen wearing only a towel and clutching her clothes.
"Oh!" she said in surprise. "Ayeka, you're here! I'm sorry I can't talk, but I have to look after dinner!" She stopped and gave Ayeka a brief hug before racing off again with Ryo-Ohki bounding along behind, somehow leaving the towel in Ayeka's hand.
"Uh... Sasami!" Ayeka called, staring at the towel. She was still looking at it in confusion when she heard voices coming toward the living room. She turned as Ryoko came through the door with Tenchi in tow.
Ryoko stopped when she saw Ayeka and smiled. Tenchi looked at Ryoko when she stopped, then followed her gaze to Ayeka standing in the middle of the living room.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi said, happily.
"Too late, Princess!" Ryoko said, smiling. "Tenchi and I already had a nice walk and a wild time in the onsen. We did get a little out of hand, didn't we Tenchi darling? Sorry about your head."
"Oh, Ryoko. I know you just got here a few minutes ago. There is no way you had time for anything that would make me jealous."
Ryoko sighed. "Rats! All those carrots promised for nothing."
Ayeka smiled and walked over to Tenchi and Ryoko. "Hello, Tenchi," she said, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Tenchi smiled happily and looked from Ayeka to Ryoko.
"What's that goofy smile for?" Ryoko asked.
"Nothing, really," Tenchi said. "It's just nice to have you both here again."
"But Tenchi!" Ryoko said in a lilting voice. "Wouldn't you rather it was just you and me, and not this annoying other person?" She clutched Tenchi's arm and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Tenchi laughed easily. "Sometimes," he said. "But right now I'm happy it's going to be all of us."
"You're impossible!" Ryoko said, smiling as well.
"A fine attempt, Ryoko. But Lord Tenchi is not as easily swayed by your charms as the drunken fraternity boys at Royal Space Academy," Ayeka said.
"Ha ha!" Ryoko laughed. "You're just jealous because they all thought you were flat! 'Ayeka the Two Dimensional Princess' they called her, Tenchi. It was so sad..." Ryoko pouted in mock sympathy.
Tenchi didn't really hear Ayeka's response. What he did hear was the friendly, comfortable way they teased each other; the way of close friends or even sisters.
And he sighed happily.
"Princess Ayeka, we are within scanning range of the Earth." Kamidake's dry voice filled the bridge space of Ryu-Oh.
"Very good. Please scan for Ryo-Ohki."
"Beginning scan for Ryo-Ohki," Azaka replied.
Ayeka gazed happily at the blue-green planet she had come to think of as a second home. "It is good to be back." Then she sighed. "Even if it's just for a little while."
Ayeka thought unhappily about what the future held for her. Now that her education was complete, she was expected to use it. A degree in political science practically guaranteed a diplomatic assignment and her rank meant it would be an important post. Ayeka had dreaded graduating almost as much as she'd dreaded attending Royal Space Academy in the first place.
The first trip out to Royal Space Academy for enrollment had been painless, at least for Ayeka. Ryoko had thrown an epic tantrum before entering Ryo-Ohki. Washu had to literally drag Ryoko out to the front of the house by her ear to be transported up by Ryo-Ohki; who was already hovering above, ready to go. Ayeka had spent most of the flight staring out into space while Ryoko sat sullenly in Ryo-Ohki's command chair and rubbed her ear.
After enrollment had been a summer which had seemed all too short. They had tried to jam in as many outings and picnics and cookouts as they possibly could, but even so there seemed to be very little time.
Ayeka and Ryoko were assigned to a year in the preparatory school because they'd both had been away from school for so long. They even had some classes together. They stayed with Washu in the enormous house she rated as a tenured member of the faculty.
After a few weeks, they'd settled into a sort of uneasy rhythm. Ayeka spending some evenings with a group of friends she'd made and Ryoko holed up studying or listlessly watching video. It wasn't long before Ayeka realized that she couldn't stand how lifeless Ryoko had become and invited her out to a party. Washu had insisted Ryoko go over her objections.
The party was typical of college students throughout the galaxy: the music was loud and there was plenty of chemical entertainment. Ayeka introduced Ryoko to her friends and, before long, Ayeka noticed that an upperclassman named Reet Daliv was paying a lot of attention to Ryoko. Ryoko seemed to be enjoying his company. 'Maybe Ryoko will find someone besides Tenchi to her liking,' Ayeka thought.
Later on in the evening, Ryoko found Ayeka and said, "Your friend asked me to go for a walk."
"Well, why not go?" Ayeka said. "He is handsome. His father made a lot of money in trade and moves in fairly high circles in Jurai's government."
Ryoko shrugged. "Eh. He's not as cute as Tenchi," she said.
"What will it hurt?" Ayeka asked.
"I suppose," Ryoko said.
Ayeka watched Ryoko return to Daliv and nod. He smiled and offered his arm and they went out into the moonlight.
They returned a while later. Ryoko threw herself into a chair, looking unhappy. Daliv walked over to a group of his friends - all men, Ayeka noticed - and began talking in an animated way to their grins and hoots of laughter. Ayeka watched for a few moments and was about to go talk to Ryoko when she was tapped on the shoulder.
Turning, she saw one of the group Daliv had been talking to. "Wow, Princess, that friend of yours sure is wild! Can you set me up with her?"
"Um, what?" Ayeka asked.
"Set me up, too! You don't meet many girls who will do the things Daliv says she did - and on the first date, no less!"
Ayeka grew to understand what she was being told. She was both appalled at Ryoko's behavior and offended that she would debase her friends in that way. Ayeka looked again at Daliv, surrounded by a circle of his friends, flushed and excited as he continued to tell his story; then at Ryoko sitting sullenly in a chair by herself. And Ayeka began to wonder.
She walked over to Ryoko, who glared up at her.
"Ryoko," Ayeka said.
Ryoko said nothing.
"Ryoko," Ayeka repeated. "What happened between you and Reet?"
"Nothing happened, Ayeka. Nothing at all!" Ryoko snarled, turning away.
"Ryoko," Ayeka said gently, putting her hand on Ryoko's shoulder. "That is not what he is saying. He is saying you... You made love."
Ryoko's head whipped around, "That lying bastard," she seethed.
"You mean, you did not?"
"Of course I didn't!" Ryoko spat. "First, he's not Tenchi. Second, he's a clumsy moron."
"Then what happened?"
"We were walking and he tried to kiss me. I pushed him away, but he wouldn't give up. Then I knocked him down."
"Knocked him down?" Ayeka asked.
"Yeah, you know; I sort of pushed him and he fell on his butt."
"That doesn't sound like you, Ryoko. I would expect him to be in the hospital," Ayeka said, doubt coloring her voice.
Ryoko glared at her. "I didn't want to hurt him because I didn't want to get kicked out of school, okay? I didn't want to disappoint Tenchi, or Washu."
Ayeka nodded. "Then what happened?"
Ryoko paused, her face twisting with pain and shame. "Then he said-" Ryoko choked on the words and bowed her head. Ayeka could see the hot tears dropping into Ryoko's lap.
"What, Ryoko? Please tell me."
"He said I was a low-class tramp and that I should be grateful to take whatever attention he'd give me. He said... He said other things that were like that or worse." She looked up at Ayeka, her face tear streaked, her eyes red-rimmed. "How could he say that? Why?"
"I..." Ayeka said, at a loss.
"Maybe he's right. Kagato said the same sort of stuff."
"No, Ryoko!" Ayeka said.
"I've got to get out of here!" Ryoko said. She pushed past Ayeka and ran into the night.
Ayeka took a step to follow her, then heard Daliv's group break into laughter yet again. She turned and walked up to Daliv and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned, smiling, and bowed with exaggerated politeness.
"Princess! Thank you for introducing me to your friend! She's very... Agile!" he said, to the approving laughter of the others.
"You are a liar, Reet Daliv. You know the truth and you will tell it to everyone immediately," Ayeka said lowly. "Then you will apologize to Ryoko." The group and then the room grew quiet, aware of the confrontation and straining to hear what was said.
"Why?" Daliv asked, sneering. "Because you're the First Princess of Jurai and you say so?"
"Reet!" one of his friends said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You're drunk! Come on and let's get some air before you do something stupid."
Daliv shrugged off the hand. "Shut the hell up!" he said to his friend. "My father's more important to Jurai than the Missing Princess!" He turned back to Ayeka. "And why do you care about her, anyway? Her mother's that wacky professor: she's nothing but trash."
Ayeka bristled. "You are uncouth and a spoiled brat. Who are you to judge someone solely on who their parents are or how much they have? Those are no way to determine someone's value as a person. No: you will apologize to Ryoko and tell everyone the truth because it is the right thing to do. Or I promise that I will make you regret your behavior."
"Uh oh! Looks like it's the dungeon for me! Better fetch your guards, Princess." He tossed his head back and laughed.
"I do not need any guards," Ayeka said lowly.
"Huh?" Daliv stopped laughing and looked at Ayeka. A second later he found himself flying through the air, expertly thrown. He made a hard landing on a nearby table. He got up and shook himself, then mumbled "You bitch" and crept forward in a low fighting stance. The crowd parted, leaving the two the center of the room. When he drew close to Ayeka, there was a flurry of strikes and blocks and Daliv again found himself airborne. He landed again and didn't get up.
"You should all be ashamed of yourselves," Ayeka said to Daliv's group. "None of you will ever have a tiny bit of the nobility or make anywhere near the sacrifices Ryoko has made for others. You are all pathetic," she spat.
The she turned and ran into the night, calling, "Ryoko! Ryoko, please wait!"
Ayeka caught her a short distance away. She had stopped running and was walking slowly, her arms wrapped around herself, crying. Ayeka walked up next to her and, after a second, put her arm around Ryoko's shoulders.
"Ryoko, I am so sorry. There was no excuse for such behavior."
Ryoko shrugged. "It's the truth, Ayeka. I'm a tramp, a piece of trash, just 'waste product'..."
"Oh, no, Ryoko!" Ayeka cried, taking her by the shoulders. "Please do not say such things. They are not true!"
Ryoko shrugged, her head drooping. "Who cares."
"I care, Ryoko. I do. Me, Ayeka."
Ryoko looked at her, her eyes dead. "Why?"
"Ryoko," Ayeka paused, then looked Ryoko in the eyes. "Ryoko, you are one of the most selfless people I know and, this may sound odd, but you are my only real friend."
"Huh?" Ryoko said in surprise. "What about all those fights you and I have had? What about all those people back at the party, aren't they your friends?"
Ayeka sighed. "All those people see me only as Princess Ayeka, not just Ayeka. To them I am a thing, a symbol, not a person. They like me because I am a princess, or they dislike me because I am a princess. They never really like or dislike me because of myself.
"But you treat me like a person. You are not in awe of my rank, nor do you hate me because of it. How you feel is how you feel about me; Ayeka.
"Does that make sense?" she asked.
Ryoko considered for a moment, then said, "Perfect sense. And, believe it or not, I feel the same way about you."
"So, I guess we have no choice but to be best friends," Ayeka said, smiling.
"Looks that way," Ryoko nodded.
"Besides," Ayeka said with a smile. "If you quit, who will give me rides back to Tenchi?"
"Hey, friendship only goes so far," Ryoko growled playfully.
Ayeka laughed lightly. "I guess that depends on how far Tenchi is willing to go."
"Isn't that my line?" Ryoko asked, smiling.
Ayeka laughed again. "Shall we go home, Ryoko?"
"Sure. We'll drag Washu out of her lab and make her entertain us."
They linked arms and set off for Washu's house.
For the remainder of their preparatory year, Ryoko and Ayeka had been nearly inseparable. Happily, it wasn't long before they discovered people that they genuinely liked and that genuinely liked them. By the start of their first year of school they had friends they could spend time with, even though their class schedules meant they couldn't spend as much time together.
There were other parties, too; although Reet Daliv and his friends didn't show or left quickly after Ayeka or Ryoko arrived. Eventually, either of them - or even better, the two of them - being at a campus party was a clear indication that the party was a success, so invitations literally poured in. They received so many that they resorted to creating a complex formula that used theoretical mathematics, advanced set theory, and relativistic diplomatic protocol just to decide which parties to attend. They then created an elegant program to implement the formula on a spare supercomputer that Washu found in the back of a closet. In the end, their party schedule was much easier to deal with and they were granted a patent for their algorithm, which was found to have solved the ancient 'shortest route' problem rather neatly.
It wasn't until her fourth year of school that Ryu-Oh had been ready for flight. Until then, her visits to Okayama had been aboard Ryo-Ohki; who seemed happy to help. Ryo-Ohki had been very nice, but there was nothing like being aboard - and with - Ryu-Oh again: Ryu-Oh was hers as she was Ryu- Oh's.
She and Ryoko had returned at the end of their third year of school for a summer in Okayama with the family. Just before leaving for the start of their fourth year, Ayeka had gone down to Washu's lab to visit Ryu-Oh in the pod. She wanted to see him one last time before she left for a few weeks at school.
She made her way to that part of the lab only to find the pod gone.
Ryu-Oh, her Ryu-Oh, was missing.
She spun violently, intending to find Washu and then Ryu-Oh. She was surprised to find that Washu, and everyone else, was standing behind her. "Washu!" she said, her tone half accusing and half anger. "Is this one of your tricks or jokes? Because it is not funny!"
Then she noticed that everyone was smiling.
"Jeez, Ayeka. Relax! I wouldn't have gone to all the trouble I went through for Ryu-Oh only to joke around with him," Washu said.
"Then where is he?" she said archly.
Tenchi stepped forward. "It's okay, Ayeka," he said. "It's a surprise. Come on." And he held out his hand to her.
Ayeka stepped forward and took Tenchi's hand. Sasami took her other hand. "It's okay, Ayeka," she said soothingly. Ayeka nodded, still upset.
Tenchi smiled and led her through Washu's lab and outside the house. Everyone trailed along with expectant smiles on their faces. They clearly knew what was coming next.
Reaching the yard, Washu summoned her holographic terminal and began keying. "I know I put it around here someplace... It is pretty big, but subspace is infinite and... Ah! Here it is!"
With a flicker of raw energy, a subspace portal opened over the house and yawned black in the blue sky. It stabilized and then a shape began emerging. Ayeka gazed up and her jaw dropped open as she realized what it was.
"Ryu-Oh!" she shouted happily. "My Ryu-Oh!"
In a few moments, the entire ship had left the portal and Washu had closed it and dismissed her terminal. Ryu-Oh hung enormous in the sky over Okayama.
"Oh! Miss Washu! It is absolutely beautiful! It's Ryu-Oh, but it isn't. How did you..?"
"Let's go aboard and move Ryu-Oh out into orbit, shall we?" Washu asked.
"A fine idea," Katsuhito said. "It would not do to excite the neighbors."
In a moment they were all aboard. Ayeka wasted no time assuming her customary place on the bridge and moving them into a hidden orbit. Before long, they were safely away from Earth.
Once there, Ayeka insisted on looking around. "We've seen it already, Ayeka," Sasami said. "We each worked on a part of it for you."
"Besides," Ryoko said. "We've brought lunch and I'm starved."
"Take Tenchi with you, why don't you?" Washu suggested, unloading a picnic basket on the lush grass. "He's been away and has seen less of it than any of us."
Tenchi stepped forward, "Let's go, then. I'd actually like to see it without being captive in it," he said with a smile.
Ayeka and Tenchi set out to tour Ryu-Oh. Ayeka was delighted at the subtle, yet beautiful changes in the interior. Tenchi, as best he could, told her who had worked on each piece. Before long they arrived at her cabin. Tenchi opened the door and stepped aside for Ayeka to enter first.
Ayeka looked around, at first in surprise, then in delight.
The room was, in a word, breathtaking.
In the center was a large round bed. At the cardinal points were posts that soared up and merged into the structure of the room. An arm's reach above the bed they sprouted branches and delicate silvery-green leaves. The leaves whispered gently in a light breeze; Ayeka's gaze went up the walls of the chamber and she saw two large circular openings allowing in the ambient breeze from the ship's life-support.
At the sides of room were bureaus and closets that also seemed as if they were a natural part of the walls. There was a long, low desk with shelves above it and beneath her feet was lush, green grass with a short nap and wonderfully soft feel. She slipped off her shoes and wiggled her toes in it with a happy sigh.
On a shelf she noticed two pictures framed in wood. She went over to them and saw that the larger one was a photograph taken at Sasami's graduation from elementary school. The entire household was there, as well as Azusa, Misaki and Funaho. Everyone was dressed in their best clothes and smiling happily.
The other was a picture of Tenchi and her taken at a beach. They were sitting next to each other on a blanket in the sand, smiling at the camera. The wind was blowing Ayeka's hair and they were covered with drops of water that glistened in the sun.
Ayeka remember that visit to the beach well: it had been during one of her breaks from school. She had spent two weeks in Okayama, hoping to find time to spend with Tenchi. He was in the middle of one of his few tough semesters, but he managed to scrape out time for a long weekend with Ayeka.
They had flown down to Okinawa and spent the time at the beach or browsing through the little shops in town. He had even taken her out to dinner, then a dance club and finally for a walk along the beach in the moonlight. He hadn't kissed her, as she knew he wouldn't; although she had wished at the time that he would.
Ayeka smiled and put the picture back on the shelf, turning to look at Tenchi. She walked back over, put her hands on his shoulders and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Tenchi," she said, tears welling in her eyes.
"You're welcome, Ayeka," Tenchi said. "I hoped you'd like it."
"I absolutely love it."
"Washu helped," Tenchi said.
"Well, then I will thank Washu as well," Ayeka said, smiling.
"I don't think I've ever been kissed by a girl before," Washu said from behind Tenchi, surprising the two. "But, what the hell! Let's give it a try."
"How about a nice handshake?" Ayeka asked with a smile.
"Wow, you are a tease, aren't you!" Washu laughed.
Ayeka bowed to Washu, saying, "Thank you, Miss Washu, for all your work on Ryu-Oh. It is absolutely wonderful."
"You're welcome, Miss Ayeka," Washu said, returning the bow. "Although all I did was provide the pod, work a little science to accelerate Ryo-Oh's growing cycle and follow everyone's suggestions for the decor. Tenchi only had time for this room and the hull."
"The hull?" Ayeka asked. "How did you complete the hull?"
"We sent specifications to Ryuten for it to be completed. It was only delivered recently. The design is Tenchi's," Washu said. "He's a genius, I tell you!"
Tenchi smiled shyly. "Washu!"
"She is absolutely right, Tenchi. Ryu-Oh will be the envy of everyone on Jurai. If your career doesn't work out here, I can guarantee you all the work you can handle on Jurai," Ayeka said.
Tenchi smiled and said, "I'm glad it makes you happy."
Ayeka smiled, "It does. So happy that I can not tell you."
Ayeka looked around, admiring Tenchi's work yet again and thought about how she had felt once, what she had thought; and she was amazed that she had been so young, so naive. The constant squabbling with Ryoko, the battling for Tenchi's attention, the effort put forth to learn what he might want in a woman, the time invested in trying to win his heart, the despair at being sent away from him.
And it had all been for nothing.
She wasn't sure exactly when it had happened; perhaps it had been a sudden realization, like a spark of static electricity. Maybe it had bubbled up from her subconscious slowly, over time. However it had happened, it had; and one day the idea had entered her head that Tenchi didn't love her in a romantic way and probably never would.
And, as she considered that realization and how it made her feel, she knew that it was okay: she didn't really love Tenchi that way either.
Perhaps it had been the atmosphere at the Kamiki School; surrounded by others her age and with her interests. Or maybe just being apart from Tenchi for weeks at a time. It could have been that, away from Okayama - where Tenchi was the only person who attracted her at all - and being kept busy with school pushed Tenchi out of her mind.
Whatever the reason, after her epiphany, Ayeka's time at the Kamiki School had become a great joy for her. She enjoyed and appreciated her fellow students and the instruction she was receiving. The curriculum sharpened her mind and gave her an opportunity to focus herself.
She found that she had a knack for diplomacy and statesmanship that was more than simple political maneuvering and court back stabbing. She felt like she was prepared, both by her education and in her life, to really make a difference.
"Princess Ayeka: scans briefly detected Ryo-Ohki, although scans are now clear except for a residual energy signature."
"Thank you. Head for Ryo-Ohki's last known position."
"Setting course for last know position of Ryo-Ohki," Azaka reported.
"Anti-air guard: Storming Level Four," Kamidake noted.
Ayeka studied the display screens, watching their progress. She smiled happily; in a few minutes she'd be on the ground and with the people she cared about most. Then she sighed, knowing that too soon she'd be on her way to her first assignment and she'd be leaving them behind again.
And she had to have a talk with Ryoko.
"We have arrived," Kamidake said, breaking her from her thoughts.
"Thank you. Please set me in front of Lord Tenchi's house and put Ryu- Oh into a parking orbit."
"Yes, ma'am," Azaka replied and a moment later Ayeka found herself in front of the house, her luggage in a pile next to her.
Ryoko pushed open the door and stepped in. At her feet, Ryo-Ohki bounded past and raced into the kitchen. "Anyone home?" Ryoko called. "Tenchi? Sasami?"
Ryoko saw Ryo-Ohki pass from the kitchen, through the living room and up the stair, miya'ing frantically. "I might as well let her do all the work," she said to herself. "It smells like dinner is about ready."
Ryoko took a quick look into the kitchen, noting the food ready to be served. She turned as Ryo-Ohki came in. She sat at Ryoko's feet looking up and mewing sadly. "Can't find anyone, eh? I know one place we can look."
Ryoko reached down and lifted Ryo-Ohki and carried her to the onsen. The door was open a crack and she heard voices. Smiling, she pushed open the door to see Tenchi sitting up on the floor just inside the door holding a towel to his forehead; Sasami, wearing only a towel, was kneeling in front of him leaning forward, kissing him on the lips. She noticed that Tenchi looked surprised.
"Well, now. Isn't this cozy," Ryoko said lightly. "You horning in on my action, kiddo?"
"Oh!" Sasami said, sitting back. "Ryoko!"
Sasami jumped up and raced over to throw her arms around Ryoko, and Ryo-Ohki leaped from Ryoko's arms and scrambled over to Tenchi, settling in his lap.
"Hi, Ryoko! I missed you!" Sasami said.
"Hi Sasami. Nice to see you, too." Ryoko realized for the first time that Sasami was as tall as she was and very strong. "So, what was that little scene?"
"Oh, Ryoko," Sasami said, smiling. "Tsunami wanted to know what it was like is all."
"Hmm..." Ryoko replied. "The whole assimilation thing, huh?" Sasami nodded. "Well, if Tsunami needs a little companionship, I can recommend some great places to meet guys at Royal Space Academy. No need for her to go sniffing around Tenchi, right?"
Sasami laughed. "Sure thing, Ryoko! Well, I think I'll go finish dinner. See you guys in a couple minutes!" She grabbed her clothes off the peg next to the door and left, with Ryo-Ohki trailing behind.
Ryoko looked down at Tenchi, still pressing the ice to his head. "So, Tsunami wanted to know what it was like..."
Tenchi smiled weakly and said, "Uh, I guess..." Then he shrugged and stood. He stepped over to Ryoko, gave her a one-armed hug and a kiss on the cheek and said, "It's nice to see you, Ryoko. Welcome home."
"Humph," Ryoko replied. "What happened to your head?"
"Oh, I slipped in some water and banged it on the door trying to leave."
"A likely story, Tenchi. You should be ashamed of yourself; faking an injury to take advantage of a young girl like Sasami." Ryoko teased.
"Ryoko!"
Ryoko laughed. "You know, you're lucky you looked so surprised when Sasami kissed you. Otherwise I might have had to teach you a lesson."
"It was all Tsunami's idea, I guess," Tenchi said.
Ryoko gave Tenchi an appraising look, then said, "Let's go get dinner." Taking his arm, she led him out of the onsen and back into the house.
Ayeka walked into the living room, calling, "Is anyone here? Sasami? Tenchi? Ryoko?" She was nearly knocked down by Sasami, rushing from the onsen toward the kitchen wearing only a towel and clutching her clothes.
"Oh!" she said in surprise. "Ayeka, you're here! I'm sorry I can't talk, but I have to look after dinner!" She stopped and gave Ayeka a brief hug before racing off again with Ryo-Ohki bounding along behind, somehow leaving the towel in Ayeka's hand.
"Uh... Sasami!" Ayeka called, staring at the towel. She was still looking at it in confusion when she heard voices coming toward the living room. She turned as Ryoko came through the door with Tenchi in tow.
Ryoko stopped when she saw Ayeka and smiled. Tenchi looked at Ryoko when she stopped, then followed her gaze to Ayeka standing in the middle of the living room.
"Ayeka!" Tenchi said, happily.
"Too late, Princess!" Ryoko said, smiling. "Tenchi and I already had a nice walk and a wild time in the onsen. We did get a little out of hand, didn't we Tenchi darling? Sorry about your head."
"Oh, Ryoko. I know you just got here a few minutes ago. There is no way you had time for anything that would make me jealous."
Ryoko sighed. "Rats! All those carrots promised for nothing."
Ayeka smiled and walked over to Tenchi and Ryoko. "Hello, Tenchi," she said, giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Tenchi smiled happily and looked from Ayeka to Ryoko.
"What's that goofy smile for?" Ryoko asked.
"Nothing, really," Tenchi said. "It's just nice to have you both here again."
"But Tenchi!" Ryoko said in a lilting voice. "Wouldn't you rather it was just you and me, and not this annoying other person?" She clutched Tenchi's arm and leaned her head against his shoulder.
Tenchi laughed easily. "Sometimes," he said. "But right now I'm happy it's going to be all of us."
"You're impossible!" Ryoko said, smiling as well.
"A fine attempt, Ryoko. But Lord Tenchi is not as easily swayed by your charms as the drunken fraternity boys at Royal Space Academy," Ayeka said.
"Ha ha!" Ryoko laughed. "You're just jealous because they all thought you were flat! 'Ayeka the Two Dimensional Princess' they called her, Tenchi. It was so sad..." Ryoko pouted in mock sympathy.
Tenchi didn't really hear Ayeka's response. What he did hear was the friendly, comfortable way they teased each other; the way of close friends or even sisters.
And he sighed happily.