Ayeka opened her eyes to see the twilight slowly fading over the
mountains. She silently watched the yellows and oranges turn to reds and
purples, until there was nothing but midnight blue stretching over the sky.
She looked down to notice that Ryo-oki had disappeared from her lap. The
lake waters were like glass. The wind from this afternoon was gone. There
was now, stillness in the air. Crickets were chirping all around. At the
water's edge, the glow of fireflies could be seen moving back and forth.
After recalling this afternoon's events, she didn't want to return home. Yet, she couldn't stay away. Still, she wanted to be close to him, to never leave his side. Now, she feared the awkwardness that might arise between them. She did not regret her actions, however. She would never take back that kiss, never in a million Juraian lifetimes. She placed her fingers up to her lips and remembered his pressed against hers. A feeling of bliss that she will never allow herself to forget.
Back at the house, Tenchi sat in his room, staring out the window into the night. His fingers were also to his lips remembering that very same kiss. His first kiss. He suspected that it was hers as well. A knock came to his half open door. "Tenchi?" Came a sweet little girl's voice. "You never came down for dinner, and I haven't seen my sister since lunch time. I'm worried about her. Is there anything wrong?" Sasami said, worry obvious in her voice. She walked slowly into the dark room. She assumed he had been sitting there for a while since night had fallen and Tenchi hadn't turned on the lights in his room yet. "I'm not really sure where she might be, Sasami. I'm worried about her too. I think she might have just needed some time to herself." Tenchi said, still looking out the window. "I see. You still haven't answered my question, though. Is there anything wrong?" Sasami asked, stepping closer. Tenchi couldn't answer right away. A moment of silence passed. "Sasami, I." Tenchi paused, took a deep breath, and let out a sigh. Then he raised his head and opened his eyes wide. "I have to find her." Tenchi said, standing up. "I'll be back soon, Sasami." Tenchi said, running past her.
Sasami went over to Tenchi's window to see him running out into night. "I hope everything is alright." She thought, as she folded her arms on the windowsill and gently rested her chin.
At the lake's edge, Ayeka had drifted back to sleep. The wind had returned, and with it the sound of soft footsteps on the grass coming closer. 'I knew that there might be one place I could find her.' Tenchi thought with a sigh of relief as he looked over her sleeping form. He quietly walked up, knelt down and lifted her into his arms. Still half asleep, she put both of her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Tenchi started his way back to the house, Ayeka in his arms.
In the tree branch above, Ryoko sat and watched as they both disappeared into the night mist. She had watched over Ayeka the entire day, never leaving. As much as they have fought in the past, she and Ayeka were still friends. Even if she couldn't stop Ayeka, she had to at least follow her to make sure she would be okay.
For the first time, Ryoko did not feel jealous seeing Tenchi and Ayeka together. She actually felt relief that Ayeka was returning home in safe hands, literally. She teleported away and appeared in her room. She sat down on her bed. A cool night breeze blew in through her window, gently moving her cyan hair. She still wanted answers. 'What happened between Ayeka and Tenchi today? Why was Ayeka so upset? Could Tenchi have.No! He would never have done anything like that. So, why was Ayeka crying so hard then? What did Tenchi mean by 'hurting someone by doing nothing'? Erg. I hate this not knowing.' The thoughts continued to pass through her mind as she stared into a luminous blue stone displayed on her night table. It is called the Gandarian enlightenment stone, a relic she had stolen from the planet Gandar thousands of years ago. She had originally planned to sell the stone for a fortune, but then decided to hold onto it as a keepsake. She loved the way it glowed and sparkled. Every time she stared into it, she felt at peace, as if the restlessness in her nature had ceased. The realization that she didn't have to fight her demons anymore, that there was no longer any need. The more she starred into it the more her thoughts began to become calm. 'I'm sure there has to be a logical explanation for what happened. I have to ask him myself.'
Tenchi quietly carried Ayeka up the stairs and into her room. He laid her gently on the bed and pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. Sitting on the edge of her bed, Tenchi then leaned over and moved a stray lock of hair from her eyes. The moon had risen, and shined through the windows. Ayeka's face was washed in moonlight making her look almost angelic. 'She's so beautiful.' Tenchi thought as he stared at her glowing features.
Ayeka's eyes had slowly opened, giving her the vision of Tenchi staring back at her, contently. "Tenchi. Where am I?" She asked, her eyes starting to focus. "You're in your bedroom. I found you sleeping against a tree on the far side of the lake. I carried you home. I was really worried about you." Tenchi said with a smile. "Oh, I see." She said softly as she looked around the room. There was an uncomfortable silence. "Well, I'd better get to my studies. It's already 8:00pm and April midterms are coming up. I'll be in my room if you need anything." Tenchi said, rubbing the back of his head, making up for the dead silence. He got up and started walking towards the door. "Tenchi?" He was stopped by Ayeka's soft voice. "Yes, Ayeka?" He said, turning around. "It's.it's nothing. I'm sorry. Thank you very much Tenchi, for bringing me home."
"You're Welcome Ayeka." Tenchi then made his way down the hall and into his room. He switched on his desk lamp to see Ryoko sitting on his bed. Not in the seductive fashion she usually sits, this time was more of a serious posture. Her eyes were to the floor. "Ryoko? What are you doing in here?" He asked. She raised her eyes to meet his. "I just wanted to talk to you about what happened this afternoon, Tenchi. I have my suspicions, but I just wanted to hear it from you first. Why was Ayeka so upset today? What happened?" Tenchi then sat down next to her on the bed. "It.it was.nothing, it was nothing." Tenchi couldn't make eye contact. The events of this afternoon kept playing over and over in his head. "I don't believe you, Tenchi. Something happened between you and Ayeka. I just know it. Please, tell me. I have to know." Ryoko begged desperately. Tenchi saw the longing in her eyes. He then hung his head and spoke.
"Ayeka.confessed her love to me, now it's got me thinking." He said, being as honest as he could. "So what? I confess my love to you every day. What difference should that make? Something else happened, didn't it?" Ryoko then realized that he was not denying it, like he usually does. "Did you and her.did you two.kiss? You did, didn't you?" She said, casting her eyes to the floor. "Yes" Tenchi whispered. A tear formed in the corner of her eye, ran down her cheek and dropped to the floor. Tenchi then noticed the tears running down her face and placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to comfort her. "I love you, Tenchi. I love you so much it hurts." She said through the tears. "Don't cry. The truth is I love all of you. I'm sorry, Ryoko. I'm just afraid if I chose one, the others might get hurt. That's why I-" His words were quickly interrupted by Ryoko pulling him close and kissing him passionately. He was stunned. Ryoko gently placed both hands on his cheeks, and continued to kiss him with as much passion as she could. The feeling of her warm hands on his face made him relax. Tenchi was now kissing her back, deeply. He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her body closer. Pressing her body against his, they both laid down on the bed. Tenchi was in a world of bliss. The scent of her perfume filled his senses. 'Jasmine.' He thought.
Then, a shred of his better judgement came through. He moved his hands up to her shoulders, broke the kiss and gently pushed her away. "Ryoko, I can't do this. I don't want to hurt anyone. I know Ayeka would be deeply hurt just as I know you would if I chose her." He said staring into her golden eyes. Her face turned into a frown. Ryoko then teleported away, and reappeared in his doorway looking very upset. "You know, Tenchi. You need to grow up and look at the big picture. You have two women who are more than willing to spend the rest of their lives with you. To do anything for you, even if it means sacrificing them selves. I think you need to decide once and for all. Let me know when you get your head out of the clouds." She said, anger growing in her voice. She then stormed down the hall and slammed her door behind her. 'Oh, god. What am I going to do?' Tenchi thought, dropping his head in his pillow.
Ayeka couldn't fall back asleep. She was completely awake now. Slowly she got out of bed. 'Oh, Tenchi. There has to be hope for us, there just has to be. I need to talk to you. See your face.' She walked out into the hall and saw that his light was still on, shining out into the hall. His door was open one eighth of the way. She peaked in before she would knock to see if he was still working on his studies. Her heart shattered at what she saw. Ryoko lying on top of Tenchi, kissing him deeply. Ayeka's voice had left her. She couldn't even gasp. She quickly moved her back against the wall of the hallway. She was expecting the tears to start falling again, but they didn't. She felt the pain and anguish, but the tears just wouldn't come. She just couldn't cry anymore. Slowly, step by step, almost staggering, she made her way back to her room and shut her door. Collapsing to her knees, a single word kept repeating over and over in her head. 'Why?' She stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, just staring off into what became the great abyss of her heart. Ayeka didn't know how much time had passed. She then heard Ryoko's angry voice coming from down the hall. Then, the sound of Ryoko's door slamming echoed outside Ayeka's room. 'Wh-what just happened?' Ayeka asked herself as she got up and ran to her door. Opening it she caught a glimpse of Tenchi standing in the middle of the hallway. His eyes cast to the floor, with the look of self-loathing. "I'm sorry Ryoko, and I'm sorry Ayeka. I'm sorry for causing you both so much pain. It's all my fault. If I wasn't so damn indecisive, neither of you would be in such anguish, and I wouldn't hate myself so much." Tenchi said. He then sat down and rested his back against the wall.
Ayeka set aside all of her animosity towards Tenchi for what she saw moments ago. She quietly walked over and knelt down in front of him. "Please, Tenchi. Don't hate yourself. When you do that, it only makes me sad. Sure Ryoko and I are hurt, but we are also confused as to why you can't make up your mind. We are both very much in love with you Tenchi. As much as I hate to admit it, I understand how Ryoko feels, because I feel the same way. I understand Ryoko and I have put you in a very hard position. As I said, I will wait as long as it takes for you make your decision. But please understand, the longer it takes the more pain Ryoko and I will feel."
"Yes, I understand Ayeka. I just need to be alone right now. I need to work things out in my head. Figure things out." Tenchi said, as he slowly got up. "I'm going to take a walk. Think things through, you know?"
"Okay Tenchi." Ayeka said, standing up as well. They both shared a silent moment. Then Tenchi went downstairs and out the front door into the night. Ayeka then ran downstairs and to the front window. There she watched as the cause of both her happiness and sorrow disappeared into the moonlit night.
Ryoko had teleported from her room up to her favorite spot on the roof. That was her secret place, the place she always went to when she wanted to be alone. It was a safe place, because the truth is, no one else could get up to that spot very easily except her. She stared up at the moon. The clouds, they glowed white as they passed by beneath it. Shining down it seemed to give everything a blue-ish glow. She began to sing to herself a quiet melody. A song only her herself knew deep in her heart. A song she sang when she was sad.
"Past the clouds
Past the sky
We can only imagine what great mysteries lie
Other moons
Other stars
Close your eyes and together we'll go wandering far
Take my hand.
This miracle's undying
It never will forsake us
We'll always keep on flying
Where ever.love.may take us."
That word. Love. It hurt. Like a knife in her heart. She then saw Tenchi walking off down the path along side the lake. Ryoko watched him every step of the way, until he finally disappeared from her view. Even though she was angry towards him, she still loved him so much. A long moment passed. Still she stared off into the distance where he had faded from her view. The sound of soft footsteps then came from behind her. "Ryoko?" Ryoko turned around to see Ayeka standing there. "Oh, it's you princess. How did you get up here anyway?" Ryoko said, turning her gaze back to the night. "Kamidake helped me, actually. I thought I heard the sound of a familiar voice singing up here. Do you mind if I sit down?" Ayeka asked, stepping up next to her. "Sure." Ryoko said, indifferently. Ayeka sat down. They both sat silent for a long time. Then Ayeka spoke.
"Listen.Ryoko.I know you kissed Tenchi." Ryoko then frowned, and her gaze fell to her feet. "Yes, I did. And I know you kissed Tenchi as well. I'm not angry. Ayeka, can't you see that there's no point in us fighting anymore when the thing that we're fighting over, will never choose between us." Ryoko said, turning toward Ayeka. "I don't believe that. I believe he will chose his true love, and I know it will be one of us. I also believe I am prepared for the reality that it might not be me." Ayeka said looking downward. "As do I, Ayeka. Even though we've fought so often, I think you might be one of my closest friends. Heh. Listen to me. I sound so ridiculous." Ryoko said, shaking her head. "No, Ryoko. I feel the same way." Together they both sat in silence, staring off into the distance as they waited for their Tenchi to return.
Tenchi walked through the woods, down the long path that has become a reflection of his life: A long unsure road in which he could not see far ahead at all. Down the path and through his travels, he was led to the cliff overlooking the Okayama valley. It looked so beautiful. The moonlight spread out everywhere, shining down on the green forest trees giving them a blue hue unmatched by anything else. As he took in the breathtaking view, the wind picked up and quietly shook his short onyx spikes of hair.
For a long time he stood there on that high place. Thoughts of what the future will bring and the infinite possibilities that came with it passed through his mind. 'What if Ayeka? What if Ryoko?' He thought. 'What am I going to do? There's no turning back now. I have to find in my heart, which one I truly love.' All of a sudden, some beeps and the sounds of tapping on a computer pad came from not too far away. Tenchi went towards the sounds and found Washu in a nearby clearing typing on her holo-top. She looked up and noticed Tenchi standing next to a tree close by.
"Oh, hello Tenchi. Out for a late night stroll?" She said, continuing her typing. "You could say that. What are you doing out here anyway?" Tenchi asked, walking up and looking at her computer screen. "I'm studying the electromagnetic lay-lines of the earth. There just happens to be one right beneath us in this entire area, and of course I had to come out of my inter- dimensional lab in order to get accurate readings. The data I'm receiving is truly phenomenal. It doesn't seem to me that you're out for a usual walk. Care to share your thoughts?" She said, turning her eyes to Tenchi. "Always did cut to the point, didn't you miss Washu?" He said, rubbing the back of his head. She simply nodded with her cute Washu-chan smile. "Well, I've gotten myself into a lot of trouble and I don't know what to do, Washu." Washu turned towards Tenchi in her floating chair and rubbed her chin with her finger. "Hmm. It doesn't have anything to do with a certain space pirate daughter of mine and a certain Juraian princess does it?" Tenchi simply turned his eyes away and nodded. "I thought so." Washu then tapped a key on her holo-top and it disappeared. She hopped off her chair. "Walk with me, Tenchi." Washu then motioned for Tenchi to come with her down a forest path.
They walked through the forest. The moonlight shown through the leaves of the trees leaving shadows down the path they walked. "Did you want to tell me what happened?" Washu asked. "Well, it started earlier today at lunch time. Ayeka sat me down in her room, confessed her love to me and then she kissed me, and.I liked it. But I then I pushed her away and told her I wasn't sure about how I felt about her and that I would decide and give her an answer soon. Then Ryoko walked in the room, Ayeka burst into tears and ran out the door. Then, later this evening Ryoko appeared in my room and begged me to tell her the truth about what happened between Ayeka and I. I explained to her our situation and then she kissed me as well. Then I stopped the kiss and told her the same as I did Ayeka. Then she got upset and stormed out of my room. Oh, Washu. What am I going to do? How can I get things back to the way they were?"
"Tenchi, I think at this point that's pretty much impossible. If someone told you what to do it wouldn't matter. No one can tell you what you need to do, and no one can force you to decide. It's something you need to do on your own. I'm not going to convince you to choose my daughter, though." She said, as she stopped him and stood before him. "Although it would be nice. I could use some grandchildren. Hehe." "Washu, please." Tenchi said, the embarrassment showing through to his cheeks. "However, the decision lies solely with you, and no one can tell you other wise." Washu said. She then walked around behind him out of his sight for a second. He then felt a soft hand lay on his shoulder. Tenchi turned his head to see Washu now in her adult form. "I know you'll make the right decision, Tenchi, and I wish you good luck. Just know that my lab door is always open, okay?" Tenchi turned around and faced Washu, looking into her green eyes. "Thank you miss Washu. You've set my mind at ease." Washu just looked at him with motherly eyes, and gave a kind smile. "Don't mention it, Tenchi." She then walked past him and popped back into her child form. "Now don't forget, I'll be looking forward to having you volunteer for my experiments tomorrow, my little guinea pig. Hehe." She then skipped away down the path towards the house. Tenchi sighed. 'Oh, Washu. You'll never change.' He thought with a smile. Tenchi walked back through the woods. Back to the cliff. There he sat down on the edge. He closed his eyes, and quieted his mind. Slowly he drifted off into meditation.
Tenchi found himself in a dark void. Then he heard a scream come from his right. He looked and it was Ayeka, hanging by a single hand from a 40-story ledge. "Tenchi, please help me. I'm slipping." She cried out. Tenchi started to run towards her when he heard another voice calling from behind. He turned. It was Ryoko, bound to a table. Kagato was hovering over her holding his sword just above her heart. "Tenchi, help me. Don't let him kill me, please." Ryoko called out. Ryoko to his left and Ayeka to his right, they both called out his name in fear of certain death. Tenchi looked left and looked right, frozen where he stood. He couldn't move. "No!" Tenchi called out. Then, Kagato's sword thrust down. Ayeka's hand lost its grip. And then everything went black around him. "NOOOOOOO!!!" He screamed into the darkness surrounding him. He fell to his knees. Tears pouring down his cheeks, he laid his head in his hands. "No."
Tenchi shook violently out of his dream. So much that he accidentally fell off the cliff. He felt the rush of the air over his body and the screaming of the wind in his ears. The cliff wall raced by him at a blurring speed. Things seemed to shift into slow motion. Memories of his entire life flashed through his mind. Faces of his family, friends, and loved ones passed over his eyes. Visions of his father and grandfather always pushing him to do his best. Visions of Mihoshi and Kiyone always crashing into the lake because Mihoshi forgot to set the reverse break. Visions of Washu kidnapping him for her strange experiments in nothing but his boxers. Visions of Sasami cooking her best meals, always cheerful and encouraging. Visions of Ryoko, taking him away without warning to fly with her high in the sky. Visions of Ayeka, her quiet gentleness, her inner strength and her love. Slowly he closed his eyes, and waited for the inevitable.
He felt an abrupt stop. Tenchi opened his eyes. He saw that he was now moving up the cliff wall instead of down it. Then he noticed, he was being held by a pair of strong arms around his chest. On one of the wrists was a gem. He looked over his shoulder. It was Ryoko. They both disappeared and appeared again at the bottom of the cliff, where Ayeka stood waiting. "Ryoko. Ayeka. What are you two doing here? How did you know?" Tenchi asked, still in shock. Ayeka walked up. "Both Ryoko and I got a terribly bad feeling and we were immediately drawn here. Thank god we came here in time." Ayeka said, her hands folded over her chest. "Well you don't have to worry, Ayeka. I got to him in time." Ryoko said in a smug tone.
"Thank you. Both of you." Tenchi said, still a little shaken. "Come on, lord Tenchi. Let's go home." Ayeka said, taking hold of his arm to try to steady him. Then both the girls helped him home. It was near midnight when they arrived. Everyone else had already gone to bed. They walked up to Tenchi's door and said their goodnights. "Are you sure you're alright, Tenchi?" Ayeka asked, worry in her voice. "Yeah, are you gonna be okay sleeping tonight?" Ryoko asked with the same concern. "Girls, girls. I'm fine. Don't worry. I was just a little shook up that's all. I think the two of you need rest more than I do. Now goodnight. I'll see you both tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay, Goodnight Tenchi." The girls said in unison. Then they both went to their rooms, closing their doors behind them. Tenchi then turned to walk into his room. Before he entered, Tenchi paused and turned his eyes to Ayeka's door. He stared for a long time. Then finally went into his room and shut the door.
After recalling this afternoon's events, she didn't want to return home. Yet, she couldn't stay away. Still, she wanted to be close to him, to never leave his side. Now, she feared the awkwardness that might arise between them. She did not regret her actions, however. She would never take back that kiss, never in a million Juraian lifetimes. She placed her fingers up to her lips and remembered his pressed against hers. A feeling of bliss that she will never allow herself to forget.
Back at the house, Tenchi sat in his room, staring out the window into the night. His fingers were also to his lips remembering that very same kiss. His first kiss. He suspected that it was hers as well. A knock came to his half open door. "Tenchi?" Came a sweet little girl's voice. "You never came down for dinner, and I haven't seen my sister since lunch time. I'm worried about her. Is there anything wrong?" Sasami said, worry obvious in her voice. She walked slowly into the dark room. She assumed he had been sitting there for a while since night had fallen and Tenchi hadn't turned on the lights in his room yet. "I'm not really sure where she might be, Sasami. I'm worried about her too. I think she might have just needed some time to herself." Tenchi said, still looking out the window. "I see. You still haven't answered my question, though. Is there anything wrong?" Sasami asked, stepping closer. Tenchi couldn't answer right away. A moment of silence passed. "Sasami, I." Tenchi paused, took a deep breath, and let out a sigh. Then he raised his head and opened his eyes wide. "I have to find her." Tenchi said, standing up. "I'll be back soon, Sasami." Tenchi said, running past her.
Sasami went over to Tenchi's window to see him running out into night. "I hope everything is alright." She thought, as she folded her arms on the windowsill and gently rested her chin.
At the lake's edge, Ayeka had drifted back to sleep. The wind had returned, and with it the sound of soft footsteps on the grass coming closer. 'I knew that there might be one place I could find her.' Tenchi thought with a sigh of relief as he looked over her sleeping form. He quietly walked up, knelt down and lifted her into his arms. Still half asleep, she put both of her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. Tenchi started his way back to the house, Ayeka in his arms.
In the tree branch above, Ryoko sat and watched as they both disappeared into the night mist. She had watched over Ayeka the entire day, never leaving. As much as they have fought in the past, she and Ayeka were still friends. Even if she couldn't stop Ayeka, she had to at least follow her to make sure she would be okay.
For the first time, Ryoko did not feel jealous seeing Tenchi and Ayeka together. She actually felt relief that Ayeka was returning home in safe hands, literally. She teleported away and appeared in her room. She sat down on her bed. A cool night breeze blew in through her window, gently moving her cyan hair. She still wanted answers. 'What happened between Ayeka and Tenchi today? Why was Ayeka so upset? Could Tenchi have.No! He would never have done anything like that. So, why was Ayeka crying so hard then? What did Tenchi mean by 'hurting someone by doing nothing'? Erg. I hate this not knowing.' The thoughts continued to pass through her mind as she stared into a luminous blue stone displayed on her night table. It is called the Gandarian enlightenment stone, a relic she had stolen from the planet Gandar thousands of years ago. She had originally planned to sell the stone for a fortune, but then decided to hold onto it as a keepsake. She loved the way it glowed and sparkled. Every time she stared into it, she felt at peace, as if the restlessness in her nature had ceased. The realization that she didn't have to fight her demons anymore, that there was no longer any need. The more she starred into it the more her thoughts began to become calm. 'I'm sure there has to be a logical explanation for what happened. I have to ask him myself.'
Tenchi quietly carried Ayeka up the stairs and into her room. He laid her gently on the bed and pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. Sitting on the edge of her bed, Tenchi then leaned over and moved a stray lock of hair from her eyes. The moon had risen, and shined through the windows. Ayeka's face was washed in moonlight making her look almost angelic. 'She's so beautiful.' Tenchi thought as he stared at her glowing features.
Ayeka's eyes had slowly opened, giving her the vision of Tenchi staring back at her, contently. "Tenchi. Where am I?" She asked, her eyes starting to focus. "You're in your bedroom. I found you sleeping against a tree on the far side of the lake. I carried you home. I was really worried about you." Tenchi said with a smile. "Oh, I see." She said softly as she looked around the room. There was an uncomfortable silence. "Well, I'd better get to my studies. It's already 8:00pm and April midterms are coming up. I'll be in my room if you need anything." Tenchi said, rubbing the back of his head, making up for the dead silence. He got up and started walking towards the door. "Tenchi?" He was stopped by Ayeka's soft voice. "Yes, Ayeka?" He said, turning around. "It's.it's nothing. I'm sorry. Thank you very much Tenchi, for bringing me home."
"You're Welcome Ayeka." Tenchi then made his way down the hall and into his room. He switched on his desk lamp to see Ryoko sitting on his bed. Not in the seductive fashion she usually sits, this time was more of a serious posture. Her eyes were to the floor. "Ryoko? What are you doing in here?" He asked. She raised her eyes to meet his. "I just wanted to talk to you about what happened this afternoon, Tenchi. I have my suspicions, but I just wanted to hear it from you first. Why was Ayeka so upset today? What happened?" Tenchi then sat down next to her on the bed. "It.it was.nothing, it was nothing." Tenchi couldn't make eye contact. The events of this afternoon kept playing over and over in his head. "I don't believe you, Tenchi. Something happened between you and Ayeka. I just know it. Please, tell me. I have to know." Ryoko begged desperately. Tenchi saw the longing in her eyes. He then hung his head and spoke.
"Ayeka.confessed her love to me, now it's got me thinking." He said, being as honest as he could. "So what? I confess my love to you every day. What difference should that make? Something else happened, didn't it?" Ryoko then realized that he was not denying it, like he usually does. "Did you and her.did you two.kiss? You did, didn't you?" She said, casting her eyes to the floor. "Yes" Tenchi whispered. A tear formed in the corner of her eye, ran down her cheek and dropped to the floor. Tenchi then noticed the tears running down her face and placed his hands on her shoulders, trying to comfort her. "I love you, Tenchi. I love you so much it hurts." She said through the tears. "Don't cry. The truth is I love all of you. I'm sorry, Ryoko. I'm just afraid if I chose one, the others might get hurt. That's why I-" His words were quickly interrupted by Ryoko pulling him close and kissing him passionately. He was stunned. Ryoko gently placed both hands on his cheeks, and continued to kiss him with as much passion as she could. The feeling of her warm hands on his face made him relax. Tenchi was now kissing her back, deeply. He placed his hands on her hips and pulled her body closer. Pressing her body against his, they both laid down on the bed. Tenchi was in a world of bliss. The scent of her perfume filled his senses. 'Jasmine.' He thought.
Then, a shred of his better judgement came through. He moved his hands up to her shoulders, broke the kiss and gently pushed her away. "Ryoko, I can't do this. I don't want to hurt anyone. I know Ayeka would be deeply hurt just as I know you would if I chose her." He said staring into her golden eyes. Her face turned into a frown. Ryoko then teleported away, and reappeared in his doorway looking very upset. "You know, Tenchi. You need to grow up and look at the big picture. You have two women who are more than willing to spend the rest of their lives with you. To do anything for you, even if it means sacrificing them selves. I think you need to decide once and for all. Let me know when you get your head out of the clouds." She said, anger growing in her voice. She then stormed down the hall and slammed her door behind her. 'Oh, god. What am I going to do?' Tenchi thought, dropping his head in his pillow.
Ayeka couldn't fall back asleep. She was completely awake now. Slowly she got out of bed. 'Oh, Tenchi. There has to be hope for us, there just has to be. I need to talk to you. See your face.' She walked out into the hall and saw that his light was still on, shining out into the hall. His door was open one eighth of the way. She peaked in before she would knock to see if he was still working on his studies. Her heart shattered at what she saw. Ryoko lying on top of Tenchi, kissing him deeply. Ayeka's voice had left her. She couldn't even gasp. She quickly moved her back against the wall of the hallway. She was expecting the tears to start falling again, but they didn't. She felt the pain and anguish, but the tears just wouldn't come. She just couldn't cry anymore. Slowly, step by step, almost staggering, she made her way back to her room and shut her door. Collapsing to her knees, a single word kept repeating over and over in her head. 'Why?' She stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, just staring off into what became the great abyss of her heart. Ayeka didn't know how much time had passed. She then heard Ryoko's angry voice coming from down the hall. Then, the sound of Ryoko's door slamming echoed outside Ayeka's room. 'Wh-what just happened?' Ayeka asked herself as she got up and ran to her door. Opening it she caught a glimpse of Tenchi standing in the middle of the hallway. His eyes cast to the floor, with the look of self-loathing. "I'm sorry Ryoko, and I'm sorry Ayeka. I'm sorry for causing you both so much pain. It's all my fault. If I wasn't so damn indecisive, neither of you would be in such anguish, and I wouldn't hate myself so much." Tenchi said. He then sat down and rested his back against the wall.
Ayeka set aside all of her animosity towards Tenchi for what she saw moments ago. She quietly walked over and knelt down in front of him. "Please, Tenchi. Don't hate yourself. When you do that, it only makes me sad. Sure Ryoko and I are hurt, but we are also confused as to why you can't make up your mind. We are both very much in love with you Tenchi. As much as I hate to admit it, I understand how Ryoko feels, because I feel the same way. I understand Ryoko and I have put you in a very hard position. As I said, I will wait as long as it takes for you make your decision. But please understand, the longer it takes the more pain Ryoko and I will feel."
"Yes, I understand Ayeka. I just need to be alone right now. I need to work things out in my head. Figure things out." Tenchi said, as he slowly got up. "I'm going to take a walk. Think things through, you know?"
"Okay Tenchi." Ayeka said, standing up as well. They both shared a silent moment. Then Tenchi went downstairs and out the front door into the night. Ayeka then ran downstairs and to the front window. There she watched as the cause of both her happiness and sorrow disappeared into the moonlit night.
Ryoko had teleported from her room up to her favorite spot on the roof. That was her secret place, the place she always went to when she wanted to be alone. It was a safe place, because the truth is, no one else could get up to that spot very easily except her. She stared up at the moon. The clouds, they glowed white as they passed by beneath it. Shining down it seemed to give everything a blue-ish glow. She began to sing to herself a quiet melody. A song only her herself knew deep in her heart. A song she sang when she was sad.
"Past the clouds
Past the sky
We can only imagine what great mysteries lie
Other moons
Other stars
Close your eyes and together we'll go wandering far
Take my hand.
This miracle's undying
It never will forsake us
We'll always keep on flying
Where ever.love.may take us."
That word. Love. It hurt. Like a knife in her heart. She then saw Tenchi walking off down the path along side the lake. Ryoko watched him every step of the way, until he finally disappeared from her view. Even though she was angry towards him, she still loved him so much. A long moment passed. Still she stared off into the distance where he had faded from her view. The sound of soft footsteps then came from behind her. "Ryoko?" Ryoko turned around to see Ayeka standing there. "Oh, it's you princess. How did you get up here anyway?" Ryoko said, turning her gaze back to the night. "Kamidake helped me, actually. I thought I heard the sound of a familiar voice singing up here. Do you mind if I sit down?" Ayeka asked, stepping up next to her. "Sure." Ryoko said, indifferently. Ayeka sat down. They both sat silent for a long time. Then Ayeka spoke.
"Listen.Ryoko.I know you kissed Tenchi." Ryoko then frowned, and her gaze fell to her feet. "Yes, I did. And I know you kissed Tenchi as well. I'm not angry. Ayeka, can't you see that there's no point in us fighting anymore when the thing that we're fighting over, will never choose between us." Ryoko said, turning toward Ayeka. "I don't believe that. I believe he will chose his true love, and I know it will be one of us. I also believe I am prepared for the reality that it might not be me." Ayeka said looking downward. "As do I, Ayeka. Even though we've fought so often, I think you might be one of my closest friends. Heh. Listen to me. I sound so ridiculous." Ryoko said, shaking her head. "No, Ryoko. I feel the same way." Together they both sat in silence, staring off into the distance as they waited for their Tenchi to return.
Tenchi walked through the woods, down the long path that has become a reflection of his life: A long unsure road in which he could not see far ahead at all. Down the path and through his travels, he was led to the cliff overlooking the Okayama valley. It looked so beautiful. The moonlight spread out everywhere, shining down on the green forest trees giving them a blue hue unmatched by anything else. As he took in the breathtaking view, the wind picked up and quietly shook his short onyx spikes of hair.
For a long time he stood there on that high place. Thoughts of what the future will bring and the infinite possibilities that came with it passed through his mind. 'What if Ayeka? What if Ryoko?' He thought. 'What am I going to do? There's no turning back now. I have to find in my heart, which one I truly love.' All of a sudden, some beeps and the sounds of tapping on a computer pad came from not too far away. Tenchi went towards the sounds and found Washu in a nearby clearing typing on her holo-top. She looked up and noticed Tenchi standing next to a tree close by.
"Oh, hello Tenchi. Out for a late night stroll?" She said, continuing her typing. "You could say that. What are you doing out here anyway?" Tenchi asked, walking up and looking at her computer screen. "I'm studying the electromagnetic lay-lines of the earth. There just happens to be one right beneath us in this entire area, and of course I had to come out of my inter- dimensional lab in order to get accurate readings. The data I'm receiving is truly phenomenal. It doesn't seem to me that you're out for a usual walk. Care to share your thoughts?" She said, turning her eyes to Tenchi. "Always did cut to the point, didn't you miss Washu?" He said, rubbing the back of his head. She simply nodded with her cute Washu-chan smile. "Well, I've gotten myself into a lot of trouble and I don't know what to do, Washu." Washu turned towards Tenchi in her floating chair and rubbed her chin with her finger. "Hmm. It doesn't have anything to do with a certain space pirate daughter of mine and a certain Juraian princess does it?" Tenchi simply turned his eyes away and nodded. "I thought so." Washu then tapped a key on her holo-top and it disappeared. She hopped off her chair. "Walk with me, Tenchi." Washu then motioned for Tenchi to come with her down a forest path.
They walked through the forest. The moonlight shown through the leaves of the trees leaving shadows down the path they walked. "Did you want to tell me what happened?" Washu asked. "Well, it started earlier today at lunch time. Ayeka sat me down in her room, confessed her love to me and then she kissed me, and.I liked it. But I then I pushed her away and told her I wasn't sure about how I felt about her and that I would decide and give her an answer soon. Then Ryoko walked in the room, Ayeka burst into tears and ran out the door. Then, later this evening Ryoko appeared in my room and begged me to tell her the truth about what happened between Ayeka and I. I explained to her our situation and then she kissed me as well. Then I stopped the kiss and told her the same as I did Ayeka. Then she got upset and stormed out of my room. Oh, Washu. What am I going to do? How can I get things back to the way they were?"
"Tenchi, I think at this point that's pretty much impossible. If someone told you what to do it wouldn't matter. No one can tell you what you need to do, and no one can force you to decide. It's something you need to do on your own. I'm not going to convince you to choose my daughter, though." She said, as she stopped him and stood before him. "Although it would be nice. I could use some grandchildren. Hehe." "Washu, please." Tenchi said, the embarrassment showing through to his cheeks. "However, the decision lies solely with you, and no one can tell you other wise." Washu said. She then walked around behind him out of his sight for a second. He then felt a soft hand lay on his shoulder. Tenchi turned his head to see Washu now in her adult form. "I know you'll make the right decision, Tenchi, and I wish you good luck. Just know that my lab door is always open, okay?" Tenchi turned around and faced Washu, looking into her green eyes. "Thank you miss Washu. You've set my mind at ease." Washu just looked at him with motherly eyes, and gave a kind smile. "Don't mention it, Tenchi." She then walked past him and popped back into her child form. "Now don't forget, I'll be looking forward to having you volunteer for my experiments tomorrow, my little guinea pig. Hehe." She then skipped away down the path towards the house. Tenchi sighed. 'Oh, Washu. You'll never change.' He thought with a smile. Tenchi walked back through the woods. Back to the cliff. There he sat down on the edge. He closed his eyes, and quieted his mind. Slowly he drifted off into meditation.
Tenchi found himself in a dark void. Then he heard a scream come from his right. He looked and it was Ayeka, hanging by a single hand from a 40-story ledge. "Tenchi, please help me. I'm slipping." She cried out. Tenchi started to run towards her when he heard another voice calling from behind. He turned. It was Ryoko, bound to a table. Kagato was hovering over her holding his sword just above her heart. "Tenchi, help me. Don't let him kill me, please." Ryoko called out. Ryoko to his left and Ayeka to his right, they both called out his name in fear of certain death. Tenchi looked left and looked right, frozen where he stood. He couldn't move. "No!" Tenchi called out. Then, Kagato's sword thrust down. Ayeka's hand lost its grip. And then everything went black around him. "NOOOOOOO!!!" He screamed into the darkness surrounding him. He fell to his knees. Tears pouring down his cheeks, he laid his head in his hands. "No."
Tenchi shook violently out of his dream. So much that he accidentally fell off the cliff. He felt the rush of the air over his body and the screaming of the wind in his ears. The cliff wall raced by him at a blurring speed. Things seemed to shift into slow motion. Memories of his entire life flashed through his mind. Faces of his family, friends, and loved ones passed over his eyes. Visions of his father and grandfather always pushing him to do his best. Visions of Mihoshi and Kiyone always crashing into the lake because Mihoshi forgot to set the reverse break. Visions of Washu kidnapping him for her strange experiments in nothing but his boxers. Visions of Sasami cooking her best meals, always cheerful and encouraging. Visions of Ryoko, taking him away without warning to fly with her high in the sky. Visions of Ayeka, her quiet gentleness, her inner strength and her love. Slowly he closed his eyes, and waited for the inevitable.
He felt an abrupt stop. Tenchi opened his eyes. He saw that he was now moving up the cliff wall instead of down it. Then he noticed, he was being held by a pair of strong arms around his chest. On one of the wrists was a gem. He looked over his shoulder. It was Ryoko. They both disappeared and appeared again at the bottom of the cliff, where Ayeka stood waiting. "Ryoko. Ayeka. What are you two doing here? How did you know?" Tenchi asked, still in shock. Ayeka walked up. "Both Ryoko and I got a terribly bad feeling and we were immediately drawn here. Thank god we came here in time." Ayeka said, her hands folded over her chest. "Well you don't have to worry, Ayeka. I got to him in time." Ryoko said in a smug tone.
"Thank you. Both of you." Tenchi said, still a little shaken. "Come on, lord Tenchi. Let's go home." Ayeka said, taking hold of his arm to try to steady him. Then both the girls helped him home. It was near midnight when they arrived. Everyone else had already gone to bed. They walked up to Tenchi's door and said their goodnights. "Are you sure you're alright, Tenchi?" Ayeka asked, worry in her voice. "Yeah, are you gonna be okay sleeping tonight?" Ryoko asked with the same concern. "Girls, girls. I'm fine. Don't worry. I was just a little shook up that's all. I think the two of you need rest more than I do. Now goodnight. I'll see you both tomorrow, okay?"
"Okay, Goodnight Tenchi." The girls said in unison. Then they both went to their rooms, closing their doors behind them. Tenchi then turned to walk into his room. Before he entered, Tenchi paused and turned his eyes to Ayeka's door. He stared for a long time. Then finally went into his room and shut the door.