Sorry for the short chapter. But it seemed like a good place to stop. It's a preview of the struggle to come between what's right for Ayeka or what everyone else wants for her.

Who's going to win? Well unfortunately that's going to take place in a later chapter. If you want to know, keep on reading.

Samanda


Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo. Sorry!


Dedicated to: Blue Haired Goddess, who truly is a godsend to struggling writers. You offer such wonderful suggestions and criticism. Thank you!

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Last chapter:

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.

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Lullaby Of Flowers

Chapter Two

By

Samanda Hime-sama



"She's been living with us for quite a while," Tnechi replied. "About eleven years."

Ayeka looked astonished. "Eleven years? Then it has been a long time. But you look so familiar to me."

"Tsunami and I are fully intergrated now." Sasami smiled at her older sister.

Ayeka was dazed. "Oh my goodness."

"I know you must be curious, Lady Ayeka." Washuu said. "Let me explain. You have developed a certain kind of amnesia. I need to evaluate how much of your memory is intact."

Ayeka inclined her head. "Yes, indeed. What do I need to do?"

"Let's adjourn to my lab," Washuu suggested and rose.

Ayeka agreed. "Please proceed, Miss Washuu."

"Excellent!" Washuu beamed.

An hour later Washuu had her answers. Ayeka remembered Washuu, Mihoshi, Sasami and even Kiyone but she retained no memories of Ryoko or Tenchi. Washuu calculated she remembered seven percent of the last eleven years.

Washuu mentioned this to her daughter and son in law. When they looked distressed she just patted them on the back. She would have told this to Ayeka as well but Ayeka had excused herself earlier. She had pleaded to a headache and fatigue from Washuu's memory machine.

"Well what are we going to do about it?" Ryoko demanded.

Washuu shrugged. "Nothing we can do right now. It's really up to Ayeka if she wants to remember."

"What do you mean?" Tenchi asked, concerned.

Washuu hesitated then replied reluctantly. "Well think about it Tenchi. The whole reason she withdrew into herself was because she couldn't deal with the fact you couldn't love her like you loved Ryoko. We have her back even if she's missing her memories."

"You're afraid that if she regains her memories that she'll retreat again?" Tenchi asked Washuu.

Washuu nodded. "That's exactly what I'm afraid of."

"But I want her to remember me!" Ryoko flared. "I want her to remember all the good times we had."

Washuu shook her head and sighed. "They were good memories to you, Ryoko. You won Tenchi so you can look back on those days and laugh. But for Ayeka all those days represent a failure. Those weren't happy times to her. That's why she repressed them all."

Ryoko grumbled but she admitted Washuu had a point. "So what are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Ryoko." Washuu sighed. "I need to contact her parents. They will have to decide."

Tenchi nodded. "Well while you do that I'm going to get the kids."

"Why?" Ryoko was puzzled.

Tenchi smiled. "So Ayeka can meet them. Maybe they will help her."

"Why do you think that will help?" Washuu was curious.

Tenchi shrugged. "If she regains her memory later it might help her to know that her life isn't so sour. That children will be something she can look forward to."

"Oh Tenchi," Ryoko squeezed his hand.

Washuu nodded thoughtfully. Tenchi occasionally had some brilliant insights into human nature. And it looked like he had struck again.

Washuu smiled. "Off you go then. I have an important call to make."

"Yes, Mom." Ryoko said and teleported herself and Tenchi elsewhere.

Washuu sighed and shook her head. "Kids." She said affectionately.