It has been six months since the mysterious enemy attacked. In that time there had not been any sign of them. Adam was had made a full recovery and the effects of the strange energy seemed minimal. Other than some slight improvement in strength, speed, and coordination he seemed normal. Tenchi was becoming more obsessed with the enemy everyday, and frustrated at their disappearance. Sasami was quickly growing both in beauty and strength. She still was a girl, but seemed older in some ways. She was taking lessons from Yosho and an Earth sword master and surprising them both at how quickly she was picking things up.

Ryoko was earning her way up to the rank of sergeant and was spending a lot of time with her Earth friends and Aeka. They would laugh at how they used to fight over Tenchi, though they each still wanted him they decided to let him choose. But if he did not at least show some interest in them soon they were going to look else where. Washu was trying to find out more about the enemy and spent her days in her lab and spending time with her daughter. She also spent some time watching Adam and seeing if the energy now a part of him had any dangerous side effects. Yosho was concerned too about Adam and about the enemy. Though he did not wear his old man disguise anymore, he would pace the command center for hours wondering about them and feeling older all the time.

Kiyone had been going back and forth between Galaxy police headquarters during this time. She was still mourning the loss of her partner and was reluctant to have a new one. However when she was at the Alamo she seemed to be in better spirits for some reason.

Yosho was in bed looking up at the ceiling, it seemed but for a few brief moments he was almost as obsessed as his grandson. That is except for moments like this, he smiled as he thought of a certain female. He had been attracted to her at first sight, but never let his true feelings. A month after Mishoshi's death they somehow found themselves walking down the same hallway. They were both troubled and lonely, not quite fitting in with Tenchi and the others, or anyone else on the base. The others at least had numerous friends around the base, but they did not. It seems they found comfort just being with each other.

After the death of his wife he never thought he could feel like this again, but these last few months convinced him other wise. Although they had not slept together yet his feelings were becoming deeper for the detective. He was entertaining thoughts about marriage, but his father may not approve. Yosho banished those thoughts and any other from his mind, his last thoughts were of the idea to sent Tenchi and the others on a vacation they needed it.

Gil-5 was a world that had some of the most exotic beaches and islands in the know universe. The planet made its fortune by its resorts. The gang was at a resort that offered water sports and a chance to explore some of the planets islands. Tenchi and Adam had a suite next to the one shared by Washu, Ryo-oh-oki, Aeka, Sasami, and Ryoko. It was the first evening after a tiring trip. Sasami and Ryo-oh-oki were playing beach volleyball with some human looking aliens. Tenchi was swimming just off shore while Adam was under a beach umbrella in a chair half asleep with a glass ice tea. Ryoko and Aeka were enjoying the last few rays of the Gil-5 sun.

That evening they ate at a sea food restaurant and ate till there hearts content. Then they went to an amusement park. Sasami dragged an unwilling Ryo-oh-oki on a roller coaster that was a mile high in some places. The rest of them went to play an anti-gravity version of bumper cars. Adam did not have a chance as they all seemed to zero in on him. After playing a few carnival type games Tenchi and Adam got in a ring and wrestled a nine foot alien giant, not taking it the least but seriously they both got tossed out of the ring. That is when Ryoko goes in and beats the giant herself. Ryoko won cheers from the crowd and dirty looks from Adam and Tenchi.

As they leave the ladies are enjoying the two photos of first Adam getting tossed then Tenchi, the two males are behind them with their heads down caring a variety stuffed animals. Aeka and Washu turn in early as Tenchi and Ryoko go for a night walk on the beach. Adam and Sasami take Ryo-oh-oki out for a walk and the young cabbit in child form runs ahead of them examining the least little detail of the shore line.

"Tenchi it is a beautiful night tonight, makes you almost forget what we have been through." She says as they sat on a dune looking up to the sky. "Yeah it is quite a sight." Tenchi replies. He looks at Ryoko and notices how much she has changed. She could go from extremes of anger to sadness, now she was different. She was confident now and her past did not haunt her as much. Ryoko looks at him and smiles for a moment then returns her attention to the sky. That is when Tenchi's heart rate increased. She looked at him again and noticed the strange look in his eye. Then he uttered the words she had longed to hear for so long. "I love you."

There was dead silence for a moment. Both had stunned looks on their faces. For the fist time in a while Ryoko felt anything but confident. Why would he say a thing like that now? They had spent the past few months more like friends than anything else, what was going on. Tenchi could not believe what just came out of his mouth, but in that moment she had never looked so beautiful to him. Had he always felt that way, was he just deceiving himself the past few years? No, what he felt was real for Sarah, but she would not want him to waste his life away alone.

"Tenchi...." Her voice quivered as reawakened feelings swelled in her chest. Suddenly he made quite an uncharacteristic bold move, he embraced then kissed her. After a brief shock Ryoko felt herself melt in his arms, and the ecstasy of their joined lips was beyond anything she could imagine. But she still did not feel right for some reason. She gently with drew from him. He had a questioning look in his eye. She wanted nothing more than to embrace him again and let it go where it may, but instead she floated away. Tenchi looked to stars and could kick himself, he could have done that better, she was obviously shocked, and maybe scared. "Way to go Tenchi, just confuse the girl right when her life is going good." He said out loud. He wondered where she would go. Washu? Adam? Aeka? He had noticed that the former adversaries had gotten very close, he felt like kicking himself again.

Sasami, Adam, and Ryo-oh-oki had returned to beach in front of their suites to see Ryoko return and float past them and continue on down the beach, without Tenchi. Adam goes down the beach to check on Tenchi. He finds Tenchi and the two friends talk for a couple of hours till the early morning hours. Sasami had gone in and found Aeka awake and she tells her about what had happened. Aeka then goes to find Ryoko. A few miles down the beach she finds her sitting near the shore line with her head down. She looks up at Aeka with tears in her eyes, and looks away as if ashamed. That is when Aeka knew and her heart started to break.

Aeka wanted to run, but she could not. There was a time when they would have lorded Tenchi's affections over each other, and there was a time when she could have cared less how this former space pirate felt about anything, but things were different now. "Ryoko, what is wrong?" She said in a soothing calm voice. Ryoko told her that what he had said and that they had kissed. Then she drew away from Aeka again too ashamed to look her in the eye. The Princess sat down next to her and gently drew her into an embrace. Ryoko held on to the Princess and laid her head in her lap.

"Oh Aeka I do not know what to do, I am so confused. Why? I am just an ugly old space pirate." Ryoko said. "Silence!" Aeka said. "There was a time I would have agreed with that statement, but even then I knew it was not true. You have always been a beautiful woman, and I was so jealous of you, not that your morals were anything to brag about." Ryoko chuckled as she sat up and faced the princess eye to eye. "Now not only are you a beautiful woman outside, but you are becoming quite the beauty inside too, plus you morals are improving, slightly." Aeka said as she wiped some tears from the face of Ryoko and smiled at her.

"But Aeka you love him too." Ryoko said with a desperate look in her eye. "Yes Ryoko, and I am not saying this revelation does not hurt, but I have known for a while that he looked to me nothing more than just a friend, I cannot force him to love me in that special way. I am happy for you Ryoko, I know it is still early, but you are my friend and I care about you." Ryoko listens and grabs on to the princesses and lays her head on a delicate, but strong shoulder. "What do I do?" She asks. "Take your time, but tell him how you feel, and just see where it leads, but do it quick it will not be too long before Sasami grows up and will be able to pursue him." They both laugh. With her head still on the princess shoulder Ryoko says something neither one of them ever thought they would hear. "I love you princess." Aeka smiles. "I love you too, my friend."

The next few days Ryoko and Tenchi spend more and more time together, it was quite obvious that they were on the way to becoming a couple. Ryoko lays down the law and says they are going to take their time and see where things go, that was fine with Tenchi, it would was best to do this thing right. On the fourth night Tenchi took Ryoko out on an official date. Most of it was spent just walking hand in hand on the beach, but neither of them complained. He tried kissing her again, but she refused with a smile and said she would get both her mother and Adam after him if he did not behave. Tenchi playfully begged her not to.

Washu was extremely happy for her, and she tried to listen in via her mental link, but her daughter just turned it off for a time. Adam played the protective big brother and told him, with a smile, to have her back at a decent hour. Ryo-oh-oki was a little jealous but found the sea life much more interesting than the love birds. Sasami found the whole thing interesting. True she had dreamed that she could one day pursue Tenchi, but seeing them together made her see it would remain just a dream. That did not bother her, but Aeka did. Aeka put on the brave face but she new it was killing her.

On sixth day they travel to an island by boat and climb its high mountain. On top was a small forest, they would have to bring camping gear and warm clothing because it could get very cold at night up their and they intended to spend the night. Upon reaching the top Ryo-oh-oki examined her surroundings hoping that wild carrots would be growing somewhere. Sasami fixed dinner and everyone else set up camp, they only brought one tent because Tenchi and Adam wanted to be outside in their sleeping bags. It was midnight and Tenchi and Ryoko went for a stroll, everyone else seemed tired from the hike. They had been told a certain area neat the edge you had a inspiring site of the stars. The two would be gone for hours.

Aeka came out of the tent and breathed in the cold air. The other females were asleep and she noticed Adam in his sleeping bag leaning up against his backpack near the fire. His sleeping bag had a hood on it for extra warmth, but he did not have it on. She sat near him and saw that he must have fallen asleep in that position. She continued to try and warm her self by the fire but simply could not get warmed up. She thought about returning to her sleep bag in the tent but a wave of fatigue hit her. She had not slept well the past two nights for various reasons. She dosed off for a moment and then woke up a few minutes later colder than she had been. So she simply unzipped Adam's sleeping bag curled up to him, reached up putting the hood down over his head and zipped up the bag.

As if by reflex he put his arms around her. For a few moments she lay there and listened to him softly snore. It was not the first time she had sought comfort from him, but something was a little different, as if she needed to be there. After a few moments she was warm and toasty, but it was nothing compared to the warm feeling she got inside. Was it because she was a female and he was a male? No. Sasami had once said she felt a kinship to him, but never went into details why. Now she felt close to him because he was the only one at the moment that understood how she felt.

He too had lost in love, and his story was far worse then hers. Yes they were so much alike, they had their roles and duties to perform and much was expected out of them. She looked up at him barely able to see his face; even in sleep you could tell he carried a burden. Aeka tried to think how did he do it? She had barely known Chip and Larry yet she thought of them often, he had lost family, friends, two women he loved, yet he still keep going. Oh he was not a supper being, she could see in his eyes at times he just wanted to give up, just like she felt at the moment, but he always seemed to press on. Adam then grumbled something in his sleep and started to tense up as if having a bad dream. She starts to hum a Jurai song that her mother used to sing to her when she had bad dreams, he relaxes.

Aeka smiled. She felt good about being able to bring some comfort to the one that was so much like her and gave her so much. She then drifted off to sleep warm and safe in his arms. Ryoko and Tenchi had returned hand in hand and noticed a bigger than usual bulge in Adam's sleeping bag, they went over and Tenchi lifted the hood of the sleeping bag. There they found purple hair attached to a familiar smiling face, though they were slightly stunned, they smiled at each other. Ryoko then kissed Tenchi on the cheek and went into the tent. Tenchi climbed into his sleeping back and lay there looking at the two people in the other sleeping bag; he went to sleep and dreamed.

Yosho was sitting in his quarters he was not happy about the news he had received the other day. By decree of his father he was to marry a Jurian Noble woman, he was to go to Juri for a quick ceremony and return to his duties accompanied by his wife for a brief period. He chuckled as he thought that it would not be much of a honeymoon. He told Kiyone who took it a little hard, but he dare not defy his father on this matter again with so much at stake. She left the Alamo and took some time off from the Galaxy Police. If not for the fact that she was still mourning her partner it most likely would not have been so hard for her, but she was a stranger to this time and while she was making some acquaintances she still did not have any friends.

It was the morning of the seventh day of their two week vacation and everyone decided to stay near the suites and relax. They were all out on the beach when Adam noticed a female figure coming down the beach carrying what looked like a suit case. As the figure got closer Ryo-oh-ki ran toward the figure and gave the female a hug, then leads her by the hand back to the group. It was Kiyone. The cabbit meowed with excitement as Kiyone stood there looking like a lost sheep. That is When Sasami gave her a big hug. "Kiyone! I am so glad to see you!" Sasami said, her excitement matching the cabbit. "Hello everyone I do not mean to intrude on your vacation." She was cut off by Aeka. "Oh do not be silly, you are our friend." She said as the ladies escort her to their suite.

After an hour they come back out and told Adam and Tenchi that they will be going out for the day and not to blow up anything while they are gone. The two males look at each and Tenchi says. "Let's go and explore under the waves Adam." Adam nodded and they go and prepare. Kiyone was feeling a little better as the ladies stopped for at a restaurant that was on the water just off shore. They were at an outside in beach chairs looking at the water. She was had shed her uniform and was wearing some beach ware she had just purchased. The group had spent hours shopping, exploring, gossiping, and she felt welcomed among them. Now they were just lounging as they waited for their order.

Adam and Tenchi were swimming underwater off shore. They had protective purple body suits on. These body suits where made of a special fiber that gave them almost as much protection as light battle armor, but one was able to move very freely in them. They had a small air tank built into the suit, the only things they carried was a pouch hanging from a belt around their waist each had an underwater shock stick in case some sea life got a little too curious. If that did not work each was armed with a formidable knife. Tenchi had an eight inch and a half Seal Team knife and Adam had a special under water Bowie that had a twelve inch blade.

The sea life reminded Adam of the colorful tropical fish back on Earth. The two were exploring a reef with a few other divers, four young females and their two of their boy friends that were native to the planet. The only thing that made them different from Earthlings was the gill around their necks and the fact that under water they could communicate through clicking sounds; they did not need diving gear. The females were smiling at the slightly clumsy Earthlings. Both had underwater combat training, but the Gil-5 natives made them look slow and cumbersome. The two warriors suddenly got a strange feeling that they were being watched as the others frolicked. The Natives noticed the two looking around and suddenly one of them gave off a terrifying series of clicks.

Coming up behind one of the males was a young Gil-5 Mega Shark as big as a great white shark back on Earth, only meaner looking with tan skin? This type of shark could grow up to be an adult two and a half times larger than a great white. It charged at them with incredible speed, but the eight divers managed to stay out of its way, then it disappeared down behind the reef. Tenchi and Adam grabbed for the shocking device and their knives having them both out and ready. The others took cover behind them as they gestured to each to head back to their boats slowly.

As they headed back the water where the shark disappeared suddenly turned red, had it caught something? They all sighed in relief until the head of the shark started to float into view, its body was gone. Rising out from behind the reef came a prehistoric looking monster swallowing the last bits of shark it had in its mouth. It headed right for the divers, the six natives managed to get to their boat unharmed. The two Earthlings however were tangled up with the great beat trying no to get eaten. The creature was using speeds that were amazing. Somehow Adam got tangled around its neck while Tenchi was riding the tail.

"Adam shock it, mine is not working!" Tenchi yelled as the creature rode above the waves. "I can't the he ate it!" Adam replied. "He did what?! Well stab him then I dropped my knife." Tenchi said as the creature increases speed. After a pause. "I do not believe this! Tenchi he swallowed my knife!" Tenchi wondered if this thing needed more iron in its diet.

The ladies were enjoying themselves as they began to partake of their feast. They were giggling at Kiyone who was blushing when a handsome native smiled at her. That is when they heard two familiar screams. Suddenly Adam and Tenchi seemed to literally drop out of the air onto the table. The table crashed as the females jumped to their feet with dumfounded looks on their faces. Tenchi reached over and took some food that was on Adams shoulder and tasted it. "Adam, Tenchi, what in the world?" Aeka said. The two men did not answer they simply grabbed two chairs from another table and called for the waiter. That night most everyone heads for bed early, Adam cannot sleep for some reason and sits out on the beach in front of their rooms. The wind seems to be kicking up and is howling loudly. Adam does not mind as he enjoys the cool wind.

A few days later on the border of Earth and Jurai space a young female ensign is watching a large computer screen aboard the USS Betsy Ross, a heavy cruise on normal patrol. They were near an area where Earth and Jurai space border each other near uncharted territory. She stared at her screen asking the computer to exam a strange reading she had gotten a few minutes ago. There it was again, she would get a slight reading, then nothing, then another reading. There was no pattern to it, but it seemed to be going into Jurai territory. That seemed strange to her, she reported it to her Captain.

Yosho was in the royal garden on Jurai, he was leaning against a large tree thinking. He had hoped to spend the rest of his days on Earth, but now it looked as if his father was grooming him for the role of Emperor. He was to marry a noble woman from on of the best families of Jurai. Yosho smiled, she was a very attractive woman and they seemed to be hitting it off well enough. He had just sent word to Tenchi and Aeka because their presence would be required.

The USS Betsy Ross had just sent a signal to a near by Jurai ship and it was investigating. They got the same readings and sent a message to the Jurai Military command and continued on its own patrol.

The USS West Virginia was a new prototype of war ship. It was not a cruiser nor a carrier, but something in between. Some called the new Grant class of ships a dreadnaught or space battle ship. It had a fair number of fighters and other craft but was know for firepower and strong defenses, it's shielding and armor were both experimental. She was proving herself very well since its resent commission. Currently it was transporting Tenchi and the gang to Jurai. They were all shocked at the news of the marriage; all eyes would be on Jurai as this was a definite move for Yosho to assume the throne after his Father's death. It seemed the perfect time for a wedding.

-Next chapter - "War is hell", the eternal understatement.