Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo

The Heart's Solemn Vow

Chapter Two: Reunion

Four years had passed since Ayeka's disappearance. No one had heard from her at all, well that's what everyone was saying. Tenchi was 18 and had graduated High School. He was preparing all spring for when he had to attend Tokyo University.

Washu was still always in the lab, well, always when she got a chance. She began to take over the household chores since Sasami was attending school.

Sasami, not wanting to go home, stayed. Tenchi thought that since she was going to live on Earth she should attend school, and so now she was a student at the local middle school. Though she still looked ten.

Mihoshi and Kiyone were still with the Galaxy Police, though they never took up promotions, saying that they loved Earth and deskwork would bore them to death. Though Kiyone still complained about her partner's lack of hand-eye co-ordination.

Though the strangest changes of everyone out of all them was Ryoko. One day, while out on the town with Tenchi, a manager of a modeling agency went to her and asked if she would like to give modeling a try. Ryoko was reluctant at first, but with the family's persuasion she gave it a try. Now she was a famous model all over Japan.

Even with all these changes happening, good or bad, they all still dearly missed Ayeka. Though no one would admit it aloud, afraid to make the whole house sad.

"Okay everyone, I'm going to check out the apartment the school assigned to me!" Tenchi called out to whomever was listening. Sasami immediately came running to him.

"You have a safe journey Tenchi," she said hugging him. "You have everything you need, right?"

"Yes, everything is I my suitcase and some was already sent to the apartment."

"So I won't have to mail forgotten underwear to you will I?" Washu asked, walking out from her lab.

"No you won't," Tenchi muttered, blushing madly.

"You know who you're rooming with, it's a guy right? Ryoko will flip if she finds you're rooming with a girl," Washu commented.

"Yeah, it's a guy. His name is A.J.," Tenchi said, rolling his eyes.

"You have a safe trip Tenchi," Yosho said.

"My boy is going to collage. Good for you," Nobuyuki said, clapping Tenchi's back in praise.

"You be safe Tenchi," Kiyone added in her two cents.

"Yeah, and if any trouble occurs, tell us!" Mihoshi declared.

"I will," Tenchi told them.

"Oh, and Tenchi, when you're all settled into your apartment you'll let me come and visit right?" Sasami sheepishly asked.

"Of course! Though I have no clue why you want to go to Tokyo so bad. You've been asking to go every chance you got for the past four years."

"I just want to see...something."

"Don't worry Sasami, as soon as I'm ready for you, I'll call for you to come."

"Promise?" Sasami asked, holding her pinkie out.

"I promise," Tenchi said, entwining his pinkie with hers. Then he pulled her towards him and gave her one more hug. "I guess Ryoko didn't come home," Tenchi commented as he released Sasami.

"Sorry Tenchi. She called me last night saying she wouldn't be able to make it. But she asked me to say good bye for her," Washu explained. "I'm sorry Tenchi."

"No it's not your fault. Just... I'll call when I get there and hopefully she'll be here," he said looking at the floor. Then he picked up his suitcases and walked towards the door. "Bye everyone. I'll call when I get there!" He called over his shoulder.

"Bye Tenchi!" Everyone called back. With that Tenchi walked out, and began to journey for Tokyo in the early spring morning.

It was around three in the afternoon when Tenchi reached Tokyo, tired and irritated. He was wandering around the city lost, not knowing where his apartment complex was located. So engrossed in the task of finding it, he completely missed the real beauty of the city. Fed up with searching, he finally decided to ask a young man his age with brown hair, blue eyes, and a great smile for help.

"Excuse me, but could you please tell me the way to Sunrise Hills?" Tenchi asked him politely.

"New to the city, eh?" The boy asked with a smile.

"Yeah. So do you know the way?" Tenchi questioned again.

"So I do! I live two blocks down from it. I'll show you the way," the guy said.

"Thanks," Tenchi responded, breathing a sigh of relief.

"It's this way," he said, walking off, with Tenchi right behind. "By the way, the name is Daisuke Yamata," he introduced.

"My name is Tenchi Masaki."

"Nice to meet you Tenchi. So what brings you to the city?"

"I'm attending Tokyo University," Tenchi answered plainly.

"Really?! So am I!" Daisuke declared.

"Cool," Tenchi muttered, just looking around to memorize his way to his new home.

"Well, here we are," Daisuke announced, stopping in front of a huge complex.

"Great! Thank you for the help," Tenchi thanked.

"It wasn't any trouble. I'm glad to be of service," Daisuke said, while shaking his head. Then he grinned a wide smile when an idea came to him. "Say, you haven't eaten anything yet have you?"

"Not yet."

"Good. Then how about you put those suitcases in your room, then we go grab a bite to eat," Daisuke suggested. Tenchi thought about the offer for a while.

"Sure, why not," Tenchi answered.

"Great. Here, let me carry one for you," Daisuke offered, indicating to the two suitcases. He grabbed one then walked into the complex. "Where is our apartment?"

"On the third floor" Tenchi replied. The two clambered into the elevator, and Daisuke pressed the 3 button, which would take them up. Once the doors opened, the two got out and Tenchi began searching for apartment 10-C. To his surprise, it was the last apartment to the right of the elevator. He quickly pulled the keys out of his pocket and unlocked the door. He pushed it open with his foot and with an amazed expression, looked into his home. It was a fairly large size, which was perfectly suitable for two people to live in.

"Well... hurry and put the suitcases in so that we can go!" Daisuke exclaimed. Tenchi shook his head a couple of times then grabbed hold of both suitcases and hauled them into the room.

"Guess I can just leave them in the living room until I get back," he muttered. He left them in a corner near the t.v. Turned to leave when something on the desks caught his eye. It was a framed picture. He decided to give it a closer inspection, and walked towards it. Upon a closer look, his eyes widened in disbelief. It was a picture of him and his family. Not only that, it was the picture Ayeka had taken the night she left. 'How does A.J. have the at picture?' But before Tenchi could ponder on the thought, a voice broke him out of his reverie.

"You coming man?" Daisuke yelled from the door.

"Yeah, I'm coming!" Tenchi yelled back. He took one more look at the picture, then left the room. The two then proceeded to exit the complex, with Daisuke telling Tenchi all about the place they were going for lunch. But Tenchi's mind wasn't on food; it was wandering always back to the picture he just saw. 'How did A.J. get that picture?' Tenchi asked himself yet again.

Daisuke and Tenchi entered a quaint shop called 'Mimi's Café.'

"Hello! Welcome to Mimi's Café. How many?" A pretty blonde hostess asked.

"Two," Daisuke answered with a suave grin.

"Would you like to eat inside or outside?" The hostess asked blushing.

"Don't know. Where do you prefer Tenchi?"

"Huh?" Tenchi said intelligently. Tenchi hadn't been paying attention until now, his mind still on the picture. "I don't really care."

"Really, well then... is Ayeka working today?" Daisuke asked. Tenchi's head immediately snapped up at the mention of the name.

"Yeah," the hostess said, getting an annoyed expression. "Why, do you want to be seated at one of her tables?"

"Why yes! Could you seat me in there?"

"You'll have to wait 10 minutes."

"That's fine."

"Wait over there," the hostess directed, pointing towards some chairs.

"Thank you," Daisuke said, then he made his way to the seats. Tenchi followed him. They sat in silence, until Tenchi decided to break the tension.

"Who is Ayeka/" Tenchi asked. "It can't be the Ayeka I know, can it? No, she went to Jurai... well that's what Sasami claims she went.' Tenchi thought.

"Oh, Ayeka, she's a hot babe. Known her for a long time."

"Does she have a last name?"

"Yeah, it's J..." but Daisuke was cut off by a girl. She was tall, about their age, with long auburn hair and bright green eyes.

"Follow me please," she said. The two boys rose and followed the young lady through a maze of tables. She finally stopped at a table next to the window. "Please have a seat," she asked, gesturing towards the chairs. The two silently sat into place. Then the girl handed them menus that she had been carrying. "Here is the menu. I'll be our waitress today, my name is Ayeka." Once she said that, the little hope that Tenchi didn't know he had, vanished. "Please take a while to look over the menu, I shall be back soon with some water," she said, then she left in through a swinging door.

"It wasn't her," Tenchi mumbled.

"What was that/?" Daisuke asked, barely catching what he said.

"Oh, it was nothing. I was just um... um..." but Tenchi was saved as two waters were placed down. "Thank you," Tenchi thanked looking up, to have his eyes widen in surprise. The waitress was different. She looked his age, she was tall and very slim, she was wearing a waitress uniform, and she had short layered purple hair. But what really captivated Tenchi was her eyes, they were a purple hue with small pink flecks. The girl could pass off as Ayeka's twin. Or for that matter, she could have been... "Ayeka," Tenchi breathed. The waitress finally turned her attention to him, for she was busy taking Daisuke's order. When she looked into his eyes, her own eyes widened in shock.

"Tenchi," she said in a disbelieving voice. "Is that really you?"

"Yeah. It's me," he said.

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god," she kept repeating over and over.

"Is everything okay Ayeka," the waitress form before asked, coming up behind her.

"Isn't your name Ayeka?" Tenchi asked her.

"Me. No my name is Sakura!" She introduced. "I pretended to be Ayeka, so she could take over on e of my tables. I'm not as good at bargaining as our Ayeka here. She's the best. Those dumb boys said I spit in their food, and boy, did all hell break loose. Then Ayeka here came and took care of them!" Sakura said proudly.

"Sakura, it's isn't polite to brag," Ayeka scolded.

"But you are the best! You should be proud. Shouldn't she Daisuke?" Sakura asked, nudging him.

"Yeah Ayeka! You're always so modest! Any guy would be lucky to have you."

"So who is the lucky guy this time anyway?" Sakura asked sarcastically.

"You know I'm going out with Ryuu," Ayeka snapped.

"Yes, and so you shall be broken up."

"That isn't very nice! Ryuu and I are happy together and he's such a great guy," Ayeka said in a dreaming voice.

"Sure, and what makes Prince Charming different from the rest?"

"Well... he's smart, nice, strong, he takes care of me, cute, and I know I can always count on him to be there for me," Ayeka explained. While Ayeka was listing off more qualities her boyfriend had, Tenchi felt a little pang of jealousy surge through him.

"That's what you always say Ayeka!" Sakura whined. "Your trouble is that you truly believe everyone is good, with out a benefit of doubt you believe that until they prove otherwise, they are good. I mean... gosh, you're dating lie has consisted of cheaters and one bad mistake."

"That's not true!"

"Have you ever fallen in love?" Sakura shot.

"I have," Ayeka whispered very softly.

"Huh," Tenchi said. That's when Daisuke finally remembered Tenchi was there.

"Oh, dude, I'm sorry!" Daisuke exclaimed. "Tenchi, this is Sakura," he said pointing to Sakura, "and this is..."

"Ayeka," Tenchi finished for him.

"Do you know her, cause if memory serves, before I sat you two down, Daisuke told me you just moved here," Sakura commented.

"You what!?" Ayeka shrieked. "I can't believe this! I moved from Yokohama to get away form you and everyone, and here you are moving to one place I thought you would never find me!"

"So you do know him," Sakura cooed. "Where'd you meet?"

"Remember where I lived before I moved here?"

"Yeah, of course..." Sakura answered with a nervous smile.

"It was his house I was staying in."

"This is the great Tenchi. He's the one that dumped you for that slut Ryoko?"

"My god Ayeka! You leave without telling anyone why or where you're going to and you start spreading lies about my girlfriend. Are you still that fickle minded?!" Tenchi shouted at her. Then his face softened at the pure look of hurt on Ayeka's face.

"Never have I insulted Ryoko behind her back. She is my friend, even if she doesn't know I consider her one. That, and I will not sink so low, that I will go insult someone without them being there to defend themselves!" Ayeka exploded. "I can't believe you would think that of me. If all you can see in me is a girl who is so consumed in jealousy that she lies, then I am glad and do not regret leaving the Masaki house!" Ayeka hollered, tears streaming down her face. The customers began to stare at the crying girl. Tenchi just stared speechless.

'I made her cry! My god, I'm a horrible friend, if the first thing I do to a friend I haven't seen in years, is to make her cry. Why did I do that? I'm so stupid. I should've known she wouldn't say anything bad about Ryoko. Then again, it was only natural. I mean Ryoko still makes snide remarks about her when she gets a chance.' Tenchi looked at Ayeka's sobbing form and guilt began to consume him. "I'm sorry Ayeka. I shouldn't have said that to you."

"You're tight you shouldn't have!" Sakura screamed. "Who do you think you are?! I only said that about Ryoko because of the outfits she wears!"

"Sakura, calm down now, there's no need to yell," Ayeka said soothingly, after calming down a little.

"No! He hasn't seen you in four years, and what does he do?! He calls you fickle minded! Well you jerk! I'll tell you something! I've worn more than your girlfriend wrapped in a towel!"

What are you talking about?!" Tenchi hollered, gaining them more attention. "I've seen every picture Ryoko has taken, and she has decent clothes on!"

"Guys calm down please," Ayeka pleaded. "Let's take this outside,' she said eyeing the manager who was staring evilly at them.

"No!" Sakura and Tenchi yelled at her.

"That's it! You will not yell at Ayeka like that! Take this outside the tow of you! NOW!" Daisuke bellowed. Tenchi and Sakura stared shocked at him, and then both glared at each other before exiting out of the restaurant. Ayeka and Daisuke proceeded after them.

"You take that back about Ryoko!" Tenchi sneered.

"I will not!" Have you seen her latest outfit?"

"Yes, and it's perfectly fine."

"In the mind of a pervert! She was on the lingerie catalog, wearing nothing but a tong and bra!"

"Yeah right!" Tenchi shouted, disbelief evident.

"Ayeka give me the picture!" Sakura commanded, holding out her hand.

"I don't think now is the time," Ayeka whispered, glancing at the staring faces.

"Give it to me NOW!" Sakura hollered.

"O-okay," Ayeka stuttered. She reached into an apron picket, and pull out a folded magazine picture. Sakura quickly snatched it, then she thrusted the picture into Tenchi's hands. Tenchi silently unfolded the picture, and his eyes widened in horror. Sure enough, there was Ryoko, with a barely covered body, posing in the picture.

"I'm sorry about this Tenchi," Ayeka whispered.

"It's not your fault," Tenchi said, giving her a weak smile.

"No, it is! I should have..." Ayeka began, but stopped as she looked over his shoulder. "Ryuu!" She exclaimed. Tenchi turned around to see at the street corner, was a tall man, around his age, with muscles which showed he worked out, he was wearing khakis, and a navy blue shirt, he had short boyish cut brown hair and dark hazel eyes. He was every girl's dream. Tenchi watched as Ayeka ran to him with open arms. As she neared him, she leapt into the air, and Ryuu caught her and hugged her to him. Tenchi didn't understand why the sight of this made him sick to his stomach.

"What an ass," both Tenchi and Sakura muttered. Both turned at each other, and began to laugh.

"I'm sorry about what I said. It's just that I met Ayeka when she first got here, and she was really scared. So I took care of her like an older sister would. I guess I still act like an older sister at times. So when you said that to Ayeka, my instincts to protect her kicked in. I'm sorry," Sakura apologized.

"That's okay. I over reacted. Besides, I know what it feels like to want to protect Ayeka from everything," Tenchi responded.

"Hey guys!" Ayeka exclaimed. She popped up beside them. "Ryuu said that we couldn't go out tonight since he was busy, so maybe, since you guys haven't eaten yet... that we could go to my place for some food," Ayeka said shyly.

'Still the same shy Princess.' Tenchi thought with a smile.

"Didn't you move Ayeka?" Daisuke asked.

"Why yes I did," Ayeka replied.

"Then I think that is a great idea! I want to make sure your new neighborhood is safe," proclaimed Sakura.

"Great! I'll get my purse and tell Mimi we're leaving," Ayeka said, walking into the store.

"Where does she live?" Tenchi asked curiously.

"I think she said she moved to Hope Valley Apartment Complex," Daisuke said.

"Okay, let's go," Ayeka said, waking out of the door.

"Okay," Daisuke said, walking toward the crossroads.

"Where are you going/?" Ayeka asked.

"To Hope Valley," Daisuke said, as if it was obvious.

"Why are you going there. I thought we were going to my place," she said to him, raising a questioning eyebrow.

"We are."

"Then why are you going to Hope Valley?"

"Because you live there," Daisuke said.

"No, I live at Sunrise Hills," Ayeka snapped.

"I live there," Tenchi commented.

"Do you? How interesting," Ayeka said as if she didn't care. Though she thought otherwise. 'I can't believe this! I can't even move to Tokyo without him near me. Now he's living in the same complex as me!' She screamed in her mind. "Well, let's go. When we get there we can order pizza," she explained, walking towards the direction for Sunrise Hills.

"Sure," the others said, waking behind her. It was a fairly short distance to walk, and they reached the complex in no time.

"What floor is you r room on Tenchi?" Sakura asked.

"Um... the third floor," he replied.

"Great," Ayeka muttered under her breath.

"Is something wrong Ayeka?" Tenchi asked her.

"Oh nothing, I was just thinking that it was a coincidence that we lie on the same floor," she said, stepping into the elevator. The others then joined, and stepped in themselves. The elevator ride went by quickly, though it seemed like an eternity for Ayeka. When the elevator finally made its way to floor three, Ayeka quickly scrambled off, and hurried down the right side. The others followed, trying to match her pace. She finally stopped in front of a doorway. It was the entrance to...

"You live in apartment 10-C?" Tenchi questioned with disbelief.

"Why yes I do. Why?" Ayeka asked back with a puzzled look.

"Dud! Tenchi! Isn't this your apartment?" Daisuke thought as the idea hit him, while he stared at the gold letters engraved on the door.

"WHAT?!" Ayeka screeched. "You're T.M.?"

"You're A.J.?!" Tenchi yelled back.

"Oh my! The school must have made a mistake," Ayeka contemplated.

"Um... Ayeka, I thought you knew," Sakura mused.

"Knew what/" Ayeka asked, turning on her.

"That all room mate apartments provided by the school in this area are co- ed. I mean, I live with Daisuke."

"I signed up for a co-ed room?" Ayeka stated with disbelief, her left eye twitching.

"Ryoko is gong to kill me," Tenchi muttered. "So will everyone else when they find out I'm living with our missing house-mate. Who by the way was suppose to have been at home," Tenchi sneered. Ayeka just gave him a sheepish smile. Then a thought struck Tenchi. "Wait a minute! My collage provided this room to me. Why are you rooming here?"

"I'm attending Tokyo University next year, and it was cheaper if I got an apartment provided by them," Ayeka explained nonchalantly.

"You're going to Tokyo University?"

"Yes. Is it such a surprise?"

"No... well yes," Tenchi admitted.

"I see... well I guess that's expected. Well... aren't we going in?" Ayeka asked impatiently.

"Yeah! I'm hungry," Daisuke groaned.

"You're always hungry," Sakura snapped.

"You got me there!" Daisuke joked. Everyone but Ayeka was laughing.

"I can't believe I didn't realize that T.M. were initials and not the person's name," she muttered while unlocking the door.

"You're not the only one who thought that Ayeka," Tenchi said, walking into the apartment behind her. "I mean, I should've got suspicious when I saw that picture you had taken on the desk table."

"Whatever," she mumbled. "I'm going to call Soto's Flying Pizza for food." She walked into what appeared to be a kitchen.

"Look, the school provided you guys with a t.v. just like us!" Daisuke exclaimed. Tenchi just glanced at the t.v. not really caring.

"I guess," he muttered.

"Actually Daisuke, that's my own t.v. The school did provide one, but I thought it to be a piece of crap. So I bought one," Ayeka said exiting the kitchen.

"Really? So when is the pizza coming?" Daisuke asked, making himself comfy on the long three-person couch.

"Real soon. Anyway... school will be starting next week," Ayeka commented.

"Gosh, I can't believe it. The summer went by really break went by really fast," Sakura said thoughtfully.

"Man, and I was just becoming relaxed," Daisuke added in. Just then the bell rang.

"I'll get it," Ayeka said, grabbing her purse. She returned quickly, carrying in three boxes of pizzas.

"Did you order enough Ayeka?" Sakura joked.

"You know very well that Daisuke himself eats one box. So I wanted to get a little more," Ayeka said winking. Everyone laughed at the embarrassed Daisuke. Ayeka placed the food on the low coffee table in the center of the living room. Soon they all delved in and began to eat. When they finished, Ayeka decided to go out on the balcony while Daisuke and Sakura watched the baseball game. Tenchi decided to join Ayeka and walked out onto the balcony, where he was greeted by the warm night air. He spotted Ayeka sitting on a lawn chair.

"Hey Ayeka," Tenchi said, sitting next to her.

"Hello Tenchi," Ayeka said, not bothering even a glance in his direction. Tenchi was a little taken back by her actions.

"Ayeka, do you hate me being here?" Tenchi asked bluntly. But Ayeka could hear the feeling behind the question.

"No of course not. It's just to much to take in one day," she said.

"I know what you mean," Tenchi smirked.

"How could you?" Ayeka hissed. "I'm always having life altering days! You don't! You will never know how I fell!" She yelled, finally turning to look at him. Tenchi just sat, stunned from the impact of her words.

"I guess you're tight," Tenchi said looking downward.

"I'm sorry Tenchi," Ayeka apologized sincerely. "It's just so weird seeing you after all this time.'

"Yeah, I barely recognized you. Your hair is shorter."

"Yeah," Ayeka said, running her hands through it. "But I like it this way."

"It does look nice," Tenchi pointed out.

"Thanks." Tenchi began to stare intently at her. Then something hit him.

"Where's you headband?"

"Somewhere in a box," Ayeka replied. "I thought it would look strange to live here like a human and wear that sill thing."

"But doesn't your powers originate from it?"

"A bit of it does. Now without wearing it, all I can do is a simple protection spell. But seeing how I'm not in danger, I see no need to wear it. Besides, I can't have little logs appearing around me every time I get mad in public, can I?"

"I guess not. But is this what you really want? To act normal instead of being a princess?" Tenchi asked.

"At first I wanted to go home. But I like it here, so I decided to give it a shot, and I'm living a perfectly fine life." Then they just sat in silence.

"I... Ayeka... there's something I've been wanting to ask since I read the note that said you were gone," Tenchi said.

"What is it?"

"Ayeka, why... why did you leave?" Tenchi rushed out.

"Because, shouldn't it have been obvious?"

"No, it's not obvious. Why Ayeka/"

"I wasn't needed," Ayeka said softly. "I lost, and there was no need to stay. For it I did my heart would have shattered."

"What do you..." Tenchi began, but stopped when he realized what she was talking about. "Did you leave because of me?"

"You really are something if you think I left because of you. The world does not revolve around you Tenchi Masaki. I left because of myself."

"You left because you found out about me and Ryoko didn't you?" Tenchi asked.

"True I left after I found out, but it was because I knew I couldn't live in the same place with you two. My heart just couldn't take it. I mean, I am glad you finally chose someone and that you're happy, but... your not picking me hurt me. But what killed me that most was that you two lied about it. Acted as if everything was normal, then you would sneak off and do god knows what. That's what the final straw was. So sorry if I have hurt you," Ayeka said with welling tears.

"Yes, you hurt me. But you hurt Sasami worst. She did nothing but cry the day she found out. It killed her that you abandoned her!" Tenchi yelled at Ayeka.

"Sasami learned to live with it," Ayeka said calmly.

"And how would you know?! How the hell would you know?!" Tenchi hollered. "You haven't made any contact with us for four years, and you go off saying Sasami learned to deal with it!" He shouted with disbelief.

"Shows what you know!" Ayeka shouted back. "I've been in touch with my sister! Who do you think pays for her school tuition?!" Ayeka yelled.

"My dad, that's who!"

"Bzzz! Wrong! I have! That's why I have two jobs! That's why I took the special money saving dorm tuition! I pay for her schooling! Not your dad!"

Sure! Like you would even know she needed tuition money!"

"I talk to my sister," Ayeka spat.

"Yeah! When have you?"

"Once a month by mail, and once a week by phone," Ayeka explained. "Recognize this voice?" She asked in a high-pitched middle school girl type voice.

"You're Yuka?" Tenchi asked.

"Yes. I'm Sasami's friend Yuka," Ayeka said.

"So, Sasami knew where you were all along?"

"Yes, but I told her to keep quiet."

"That's why she kept wanting to come to Tokyo?" Tenchi asked the air.

"Yes, but you guys kept saying no, and she couldn't exactly say that she was visiting me, because I wanted no one to know," Ayeka said sadly. Then she immediately brightened up at an idea. "But since you're here, Sasami could come. She could say she's visiting you if the others asked!" Ayeka exclaimed.

"I already promised Sasami she could come," Tenchi said.

"Yes! I'm going to call her now," Ayeka said, rushing into the house.

'Strange, one minute we're yelling, the next she's all happy and giddy. She's nothing like the old Ayeka. The old Ayeka would never have yelled at me. She's changed.' Tenchi thought, as he too entered back into the house. Ayeka was no where to be seen. So he turned his attention to two wide-eyed Daisuke and Sakura.

"Dude what happened?" Daisuke asked.

"Yeah, one minute you're going at each other's throats, and the next, you're both walking back in here as if nothing happened!" Sakura exclaimed.

"Well... um... it was just a misunderstanding," Tenchi said.

"It's all set," Ayeka said, skipping into the room. "Oh guys! It's getting late. Aren't you going to head home? We really don't have any extra space."

"What's all set?" Sakura asked with a confused face.

"Nothing! Just some... family matters," Ayeka said with a smile. Sakura wanted to press the subject more, but Daisuke stopped her.

"Come on Sakura. Let's leave, I want to go to sleep," Daisuke said.

"But..." Sakura began.

"No buts," Daisuke said, dragging her towards the door.

"Bye," Ayeka said walking with them.

"Yeah, we should get together again. Eh Daisuke," Tenchi added.

"Yeah sure. Oh and Tenchi." Daisuke gestured for Tenchi to come closer. Tenchi obliged and walked closer. "Dud you take care of Ayeka. I don't want to hear anything about you mistreating her. She's a special girl," Daisuke whispered so softly that only Tenchi heard. "Bye!" Daisuke then called out as he exited out the apartment with Sakura. Tenchi closed the door then turned to Ayeka, who was bustling throughout the house cleaning it.

"Ayeka, what's all set?" Tenchi asked, as she rushed past him with some dirty dishes.

"Oh, it's all set. Sasami's visit I mean," Ayeka responded, running water on the dishes. Beginning to wash them. "She will be arriving tomorrow afternoon or evening, and will depart two days later."

"That's nice to know," Tenchi said, watching her.

"Yes. Oh and Tenchi, that is your room" Ayeka said, pointing a soapy hand to a door in front of the kitchen and next to the doorway. "I'm guessing you're tired, so get some rest. My room is next to yours', so if you need help just come to me. Good night,' she said, turning back to the dishes.

"Good night Ayeka," Tenchi said, entering into the room. It was a fairly big room, with dark blue walls and an even darker blue carpet. There was a full size bed with white sheet and a blue blanket up against a wall close to the door. In one corner was a desk, complete with chair and desk lamp. In another far corner, was located a dresser, and in the closet were organizer bins and hangers. "Looks like Ayeka supplied my room with everything I would need," he commented out to the empty room. Next to his bed was his suitcase. He opened it just to grab his pajamas. As he was placing them on, he began to think about his day. Then his mid drifted to Ayeka. 'Yes the Jurian Princess has changed. The Ayeka I knew is gone, and this Ayeka has replaced her... and the strange thing is... I kind of like the new her.' He thought with a smile, as he slipped into bed. 'Yes, it will be an interesting ride getting to know her all over again.'

A/N: Here's chapter two! Thanks for the reviews and sorry it took so long to update. Until next time, sayonara!