Don't get me wrong. Ayeka is one of my favorite Characters from Tenchi Muyo. I love her to death but in all honesty Tenchi will never choose her. Ryoko has been bound into Tenchi's life for a long time so she's always been one step ahead of Ayeka in the Tenchi department.

I know that the 'Ayeka doesn't get Tenchi' story has been done before. But I wanted to see what I could do with that basic storyline. So here you are.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tenchi Muyo or any of its characters. I am making no money from writing this so please don't sue me!

Synopsis: Ayeka withdraws into herself after Tenchi picks someone other than herself. It's been about five years since Ryoko and Tenchi married. Mihoshi lives with them as the children's nanny and Yosho does as well. Sasami, Washuu and Ayeka all live in another house some distance away but still on shrine property.

Italics symbolize flashbacks.

Lullaby of Flowers

Chapter One: Suppression

By

Samanda Hime-sama

Ayeka was in the garden as she often was during this time of day. She hummed softly to herself and smiled. She had known that song form the cradle and often sang it to her little sister when she couldn't sleep.

A pair of boots came into her line of vision and she shaded her eyes with one hand as she looked up to see who it was. Her heart fluttered as she was it was Tenchi. She gave him a small smile.

"Can I speak with you, Miss Ayeka?" He asked her.

Ayeka rose. "Of course. Let me wash my hands then we can speak on the porch."

"Thank you," Tenchi said, looking relieved.

Ayeka went and washed her hands. She came back to the porch where Tenchi was waiting. Ayeka frowned a little as she noticed he kept fidgeting impatiently. Ayeka brushed it off and sat next to him.

Ayeka gave Tenchi all her attention. "Yes, Lord Tenchi?"

Tenchi was nervous as he visibly summoned his courage. "I have something to tell you, Miss Ayeka…"

Ayeka's whole demeanor changed. Her eyes widened and seemed to shine brighter as she turned a radiant face to her beloved Tenchi. An air of eager anticipation hung about her person as she waited for what Tenchi had to say.

Tenchi swallowed and continued quickly. "Promise me you won't interrupt till I'm done, Miss Ayeka."

"I promise," She said softly and smiled at him.

"I've asked Ryoko to marry me." Tenchi said in a rush.

Ayeka's smile fell away. "What?"

"I love Ryoko, Miss Ayeka. I'm sorry." Tenchi's eyes were sincere.

Ayeka was in shock. Her hands dropped limply into her lap and her body lost all impression of joy. Her eyes lost their shinet as she looked at Tenchi unbelievingly.

"It is not kind of you to joke like this with me, Lord Tenchi." Ayeka's voice quivered.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not joking with you, Miss Ayeka." Tenchi said in a soft tone.

Ayeka wanted nothing more than to burst into tears at that moment. But she swore that she would not give in and cry in front of him. She could hold out until he left her room, she thought, and held tightly to the shreds of her composure at this last blow. She straightened her back and lifted her chin, which she knew from experience only made her look more regal and commanding.

"Leave me in peace, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka spoke to him.

"But Miss Ayeka-" He said but was cut off.

"Go!" She commanded him.

She turned and looked him in the face. He fell silent at the look of her eyes that no longer shone with happiness but were sheened by tears instead. He bowed to her and left with another apology.

The second the door closed Ayeka gave in to her tears. It was not the princess like attack of just tears themselves as her governess once taught her. No, this was full of heartrending sobs and despairing tears of the heartbreak Ayeka was suffering.

She waited by the window for her hero to come. He was supposed to sweep her off her feet and carry her off to his castle where she would live happily ever after with him and their children.

Her eyes were sad as she continued to stare through her window and into the garden below. Lush, vibrant greenery met her eyes and brought a smile to her lips as it brought back memories of an earlier time. The smile echoed the emotion in her eyes and gave an added visual impact to the picture that she presented.

Beautiful violet hair had been confined in a single long braid that reached to her waist. A simple T-shirt and jean shorts only emphasized her tiny waist and slight form as she raised one small hand and pressed it against the glass. She looked like she was barely out of girlhood except for when you saw her eyes.

Her eyes were crimson and the sadness within spoke volumes about her personality. The emotion gripped her so tightly that any more than a few moments of meeting her eyes was impossible.

Her beauty was undeniable. The grace of her movements, though absent, could make a less fortunate girl envious. But there are many types of beauty as all know. Her sister's beauty was far greater than hers was and of a different type as she had a happy soul. But her beauty was haunting because of the losses she had suffered. The overall impression one got from a first impression was delicacy and sadness.

"Hello, Ayeka." A tall blue haired woman entered the room. She wore the traditional garments of her own world with comfortably as she moved to Ayeka's side. The newcomer wore her knee length hair in a double ponytail style that had been favored by royalty for generations. Her pink eyes were sad but loving as she gently cupped Ayeka's elbow in her own small hand.

"Come, onesan. You have visitors today." The woman smiled as she led Ayeka to the living room.

A man and two women awaited them in the living room as Ayeka and her sister arrived and got settled. The man sat in the couch opposite them with one of the women while the other leaned against the wall.

The man's brown eyes were troubled. "Hello, Ayeka."

The one he addressed didn't answer but seemed happy enough as she held onto her sister's hand and hummed softly to herself. The cyan haired woman that sat next to him leaned forward and tried to get a reaction from her.

"Hey, prissy princess, come back to us. We all miss you." Ryoko's golden eyes shone with emotion as she willed the princess to snap back at her.

Ayeka's eyes focused on Ryoko and seemed to be on the verge of saying something but then her eyes blanked. She smiled a dazzling smile that a child might give to a doting adult then continued humming.

"What happened to her crown, Sasami?" Tenchi asked Ayeka's sister.

Sasami frowned a little. "I don't know. One day Ayeka just stopped wearing it then it disappeared."

"I know," The scientist pushed herself away from the wall. "Ayeka asked me to keep it safe from her since it allowed her the use of her powers. She didn't want to hurt anyone."

Sasami looked surprised. "She hasn't spoken in over a year."

"She asked me right before Tenchi and Ryoko visited last time a year and a half ago." The scientist stated.

"Oh."

"It's hard to get away," Ryoko said defensively. "The kids are always into something or Mihoshi gets carried away."

Washuu waved her hand dismissively, "Mihoshi causing a minor war is not an excuse for you to put off seeing your mother. I was worried about you, you know."

"I know, mom." Ryoko rolled her eyes for effect then smiled and gave her a hug.

Tenchi was frowning, having missed the byplay between mother and daughter. "Sasami, what is that she's humming?"

"Hmm," Sasami listened carefully. "It's an old song Ayeka used to sing when she was little. She sang it to me every night for a long time when I was younger. She called it 'Lullaby of Flowers'. Why do you ask, Tenchi?"

Tenchi smiled. "Humor me, Sasami. Do you remember the words?"

"Let me think." Sasami thought about it for a while as she hummed the tune.

"Maiden of golden disposition

with an ever ready smile

startica bells crown your glory

of lovely shining hair.

Your innocent eyes

Wide with happiness

Sends me memories

Of when I was a child.

Flowers of personalities

Strange to one another

Learn from opposites

lily is the purest

Seemingly flawless

Oh honest innocent

Where is your courage?

Please find it.

Fragile Royal Teardrops

Despair so easy to find

Rise from sadness!

Find your hope

Shine your light

Sensitive to emotion

Following your heart

Confident in beauty."

Sasami broke off here. "I can't remember the rest but Ayeka liked this part so well. She always sang it to me."

Washuu watched Ayeka as Sasami sung the words. Ayeka seemed to frown for a minute then her expression smoothed but she didn't unfocus again like before. Washuu smiled.

"How are you feeling, Lady Ayeka?" The scientist asked her gently.

"I feel strange, Miss Washuu," Ayeka said after a long pause.

Sasami smiled happily and squeezed her sister's hand. Ayeka looked at her in surprise then squeezed her hand back.

"Sasami, has it really been that long since I have seen you?" Ayeka smiled brilliantly and hugged her.

"It's been a long time, sister." Sasami sniffled back tears.

"Oh we have company," Ayeka noticed the other two. "Welcome to our home. My name is Ayeka, this is my sister Sasami and this is Miss Washuu. How do you do?"

Tenchi looked confused. "But Miss Ayeka, you know me."

"We used to have huge fights," Ryoko added.

But Ayeka shook her head. "I'm sorry, you look a little familiar but I've never been introduced to you before."

"Well we managed to snap her out of her withdrawal." Miss Washuu said. "But it seems she's repressed her memories of the two of you."

Ryoko and Tenchi simply looked at each in confusion then stared at Ayeka in disbelief. Ayeka was calmly sipping her tea and smiling.

"Now, how does my little sister know you two?" She asked Tenchi and Ryoko with a small smile.

To be continued: What will happen now? Will Ayeka regain the memories she suppressed or will she forever deny she knows Tenchi or Ryoko? Watch for the next chapter!