Without even taking his shoes off, he rushed in the house and called one word before sprinting toward the lab, "WASHU!" However, Washu was already there holding the door for him. Without a second thought or look back, he disappeared into the lab with her and Washu quickly in tow, asking no questions.

Poor Sasami was on the couch, bawling her eyes out, with Mihoshi hugging her closely, "Sh, it's ok little Sami, I'm sure she'll be fine and Washu will take good care of her!" Little did the GP officer know, Sasami wasn't crying for Ryoko now, well, she was sad that this had to happen, but Sasami was really crying for Ryoko and what she just had to endure. Long had the little princess known Ryoko distinctly avoided the cave, through Tsunami, she knew, and through Tsunami, she knew this now. Sasami knew why Ryoko wouldn't sleep at night, it wasn't just because of Tenchi, it was because of her one weakness she would never reveal to anyone, not even Tenchi, no matter how much trust she had for him, she was afraid of the dark, especially being alone. The simple face was, Ryoko couldn't sleep, all because of that cave and the only companion she had, darkness. No matter what, at some point, at some time, everybody needed someone, and that someone hadn't been there for Ryoko when she really needed them. The cave brought her time to look over all her horrible deeds, and now, there was no stopping the nightmares. Now that she was finally freed, and the nightmares followed her. And now, to be shoved back into that cold, dark cave, imprisoned once again, it had to be awful, and Sasami couldn't help but cry for her friend. She also cried for her sister, who was now sitting on a chair, simply staring out the window at the trees blowing in the wind. The littlest princess had known for a long time that her sister was trying to perfect a banishing spell, but when confronted about it, Ayeka had only said she was just reacting out of anger whenever she did it, but this, Sasami knew Ayeka had never meant for it to happen, Ayeka had never done it before, it just kind of happened, and Sasami was hoping she wouldn't be to upset for long.

About an hour later, the door to Washu's door opened and Tenchi walked out and sat by her door, his head down, mumbling something unbearable by the rest of the family. Ayeka immediately came over and started to talk to him.

"Lord Tenchi. . .I'm, I'm terribly sorry, I cannot even say. . ." She hung her head. Tenchi took her chin and lifted it, looking right into her eyes, "Please, don't be, I know it was an accident, just, just a fight that got out of control, but Miss Ayeka, please, I ask that you let me speak for myself, I am able, and will, defend myself against Ryoko whenever I do not wish her intentions. I can stick up for myself, and I ask that you let me, please."

She could only nod, tears coming to her eyes, what would Ryoko say when she awoke. Normally the first princess didn't concern herself with what the demon woman thought but, this was after all, her fault, and somewhere deep down, no matter how different it would ever seem, that demon woman was her closest friend. Ryoko treated her just the way Ayeka had always wanted to be treated, like a normal, average person. For once, Ayeka had to fight hard for something she wanted, and she loved it. For once, when Ayeka threw around her title, Ryoko wouldn't give her what she wanted. Ayeka was no more common that Ryoko herself in that household, and she loved it. But there was still that royal upbringing that told her Ryoko was not a fit person to have her Tenchi, they were both royal, and Ayeka was too scared to let Ryoko get her hands on Tenchi, so they constantly fought for him. She sighed and sat back down on the sofa, eventually falling asleep

Three hours later found Ayeka awakening to a bright sun outside, shining in through a window. She sat up and immediately noticed that she was in a bed, but how did she get here, she thought. It was her own room, in her own bed, under her own covers, but she remembered falling asleep on the couch in the living room. Ayeka quickly glanced at the clock in her room and found it was late in the afternoon, a scraping sound took her attention to the window. Outside she saw someone sweeping the front porch. Ayeka raced down to see this person. By the time she reached the door, the person in question was just about to enter, causing the princess to, unexpectedly, run smack into the hapless person.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry!" Ayeka stood up and offered her hand to help the person up.

Ryoko promptly batted the hand away, "Forget it, I'm fine."

"But Ryoko..."

"Look princess, we both know what happened, the banishing spell, but it's not the worst thing that's ever happened to me, believe me, I've been through worse."

"That's no excuse." Ayeka stared at the floor.

Ryoko had to smile slightly at her rival, after all, she had thought that Ryoko had hurt Tenchi, she would probably do the same thing in Ayeka's place, "Listen Ayeka, I wasn't trying to hurt Tenchi, he was going through some hard times and I wanted to help him out. It just so happened that we kinda went a little farther than we'd hoped. You should try and relieve your anger a little more, just not that way got it?" Ryoko threw her arm around Ayeka's shoulder and poked her in the shoulder winking.

Ayeka raised an eyebrow at the space pirate then stuck her nose in the air, "You smell like alcohol." Ayeka walked off, silently giggling to herself.

Ryoko looked confused and smelled herself, "Do not! You bratty princess, least I have the decency to sleep in my own bed rather than on the couch. Who'd have imagined a princess sleeping on a couch!" Ryoko chased after Ayeka taunting her.

"Well, what was all that about you in Washu's lab for hm? And for your information, it was your fault I had slept on the couch. If you weren't so deserving of my pity I would've been in my bed!"

Ryoko gasped laughing haughtily, "Oh your pity huh?" Her rants faded out as the pair walked off in the fading sunlight, completely unaware of where they were off to, simply arguing and walking.

Tenchi watched the two walk off, truly they were best friends, even when he told them which one he had in-fact truly fallen in love with, for the first time, he believed they would comfort their counterpart. Perhaps this would just work out after all, for Ryoko and Ayeka were indeed the best of friends.


A/N: Ok, not how I planned to end it but it's all good, plus I really wanted to get this done and I figured I'd roll w/the first idea that came to my head so...Plus I like writing about what people wouldn't originally think of, at least I hope this is something. As to the ending, it's up to you who Tenchi chose, you can be a firm believer in R/T or A/T. Reviews would be greatly appreciated!!!! Ya'll can check out my other fics as well, all under the same author's name. Special Thanks goes out to all who have given me feedback on my fics so far, you guys have really inspired me to keep goin and get better, so thanks a ton!!!!! TTYL!!