Happiness Tears & War
Chapter 3
By Geor-Sama
A Nekoshipper
December 20, 2001
Aekea couldn't move, all she could do was just lay there staring at her little sister, who was asleep. She hadn't slept at all last night because her dreams, her heart, her very soul had been shattered.
The events of last night were still playing in her mind, and each time she reached the point where Tenchi told her who he loved she felt fresh tears forming in her eyes. Hours had passed since she had first found out, but she hadn't moved an inch since then.
Finally, Sasami had came along and gently helped her to rise and head to their room. She had lain there, her heart aching and tears escaping her eyes all night. Silently, she watched as Sasami stirred and finally rose from her futon. The little princess dressed in a green and pink dress and, stifling a yawn, shuffled past her futon and left the room to fix breakfast.
Sasami stopped at the door and looked back over her shoulder at her sister and frowned. She hated being so closely linked with a goddess for several reasons, but the major one was that she almost always knew what her family was feeling. Turning away from her sister she opened the door and left the room closing it behind her.
Aekea lay there listening to the fading footsteps of her sister heading towards the kitchen. She stifled a sob trying to escape her throat. She avoided thought until finally sleep over came her.
When Aekea woke up it was mid afternoon. She lay there fighting down the pain and once she was sure it wouldn't resurface, stood and followed her regular morning routines of brushing her hair and dressing. She finished and then sat there lost in thought, trying to decide what to do next. As long as she was doing something the pain was dormant.
Sighing deeply, she rose and left her room, determined to face her family. She was Aekea Jurai, the first crowned princess of Jurai, and she would behave in a manner that suited the role. It was all that she had left.
Aekea reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped. She blinked her eyes several times in disbelief at what was in the living room. It was completely quiet as Sasami, Washu, Tenchi and Ryoko had their attention focused on a huge screen that held her father's face. It was clearly showing signs of anger. Aekea quickly glanced to where her father's eyes were focused and she involuntarily smiled with satisfaction. They were set on one place and one place only Tenchi and Ryoko. Both of whom, looked slightly scared and even more defiant. She quickly forced the feeling down, it didn't serve any purpose.
Too soon for Aekea's liking, her father shifted his attention from the two lovers and focused it on her. She bowed her head and spoke in a controlled voice like the crowned princess should, she could not show any emotions to her father.
"Father."
Azusa nodded his head and his face softened. Clearing his voice he spoke,
"Hello, Aekea."
Aekea forced a smile determined to play the game properly.
"Why are you calling, Father?"
Azusa glanced at Ryoko and Tenchi and then back at Aekea and answered,
"I was calling concerning an important matter of personal significance, but I see that is no longer of any relevance."
Aekea nodded in understanding and forcing down a wave of sadness asked,
"Then what is it now, Father?"
Azusa nodded and continued.
"In light of recent events, if you wish, you may return to Jurai whenever you are ready."
Aekea bowed her head.
"Thank you father."
"You are welcome. When will you be returning?"
Aekea raised her head and locked eyes with her father.
"I am not sure."
He frowned slightly but didn't voice any thoughts on the subject. Instead he asked her a question she had been expecting.
"I see, will Sasami be returning also?"
Aekea shook her head and answered without thinking.
"No, Father, I think that it would be best if she would just stay here."
Azusa nodded curtly, his eyes starting to search her for signs of emotion. Finding none, he continued,
"Very well, contact me when you are ready."
Aekea felt an inward ping that was mixture of sadness and relief. She had decided before she went to sleep last night that she would return to Jurai. This saved her the trouble of explaining and contacting him. Her vacation was over. It was time for her to assume her roll once again.
Aekea bowed her head.
"Domo, Otou-Sama."
Azusa nodded his head and smiled slightly.
"You're welcome."
As Azusa faded from the screen, Aekea turned away to face her family. Her gaze fell on Tenchi and Ryoko and she quickly shifted it to Washu. She inwardly steadied her self and spoke, her voice betraying none of what she was feeling,
"I will be returning to Jurai I can't stay here any longer, my vacation is over."
She bowed her head, turned and walked back up the stairs to her room before any protest or questions could be raised.
It was mid afternoon and the others were somewhere dealing with the situation in their own ways. Washu was working in her lab. Tenchi and Ryoko had disappeared together somewhere after Tenchi went and told Katsuhito about what had happened.
Sasami stood in front of the door leading to the room she shared with her sister. She had been worried about Aekea since she had found out about Tenchi and Ryoko. 'Aekea' she thought and then, sighing, she steeled herself for what she was going to do.
Silently, she slid the door open and entered the room. It was dark and the sound of muffled sobbing reached Sasami's ears. She saw her sister sitting on the side of her bed, her back to the door. Slowly, she walked over to her and placed her hand on her shoulder causing the sobbing to abruptly stop. Sasami sat down next to her, crossed her legs and waited.
They sat there on the futon making no noise. The silence heavy, filling the air with a sense of melancholy. Finally, Sasami had to speak.
"Are you really going home?"
Aekea looked over at her younger sister and nodded her head. She forced herself from her dark thoughts.
Sasami sighed, guessing what Aekea had been thinking of when she had entered the room.
"I'm going to miss you."
"I will miss you, too," Aekea answered slightly annoyed yet relieved to finally be able reveal, at least part of her feelings.
Sasami was confused. She may be merging with Tsunami and knew and sensed a lot because of it, but she was still an eight year old.
"Why are you going?"
Aekea sighed and frowned. She, like everyone else, had a tendency to forget that her sister was still a child. They were so used to her being the mature one all of the time. Silently, she thought of how to answer the question and then giving up, said what she thought was the truth.
"Because there is nothing for me here anymore."
Sasami bowed her head deep in thought, her feelings in turmoil. 'Why did her sister want to leave her here?' Tsunami was being awfully non-helpful. Still, Aekea needed to know that she still had something here, even if she was leaving.
"You have me and you friends."
Aekea bowed her head and shook it, slightly disappointed that she hadn't understood, and tried explaining again.
"Sasami, I cannot stay. Every time I see Ryoko or him I will remember and I will be angry. I do not want to remember because I love Ryoko like a sister and..."
Sasami looked at her sister curiosity filling her eyes. She had an idea what Aekea hadn't said but she had to know.
"And what, Aekea?"
Aekea sighed, beginning to get upset with her sister.
"...I still love him."
She just barely said it over a whisper but Sasami heard it nonetheless and understood. Sasami silently stood, patted her sister's shoulder and sighed.
"I understand Aekea, but don't forget you still have friends."
Aekea nodded her consent and looked up, smiling weakly at her sister. Silently, she thought 'It's good to be related to a goddess.'
Sasami smiled back and walked to the door and stopped casting another look back at her sister. She then exited the room leaving Aekea alone with her thoughts.
Tenchi sat in his room. A feeling of sadness had descended on the house since Aekea's announcement. Ryoko had been talking with him and then had left and was now talking with her mother. So Tenchi had time to be alone with his feelings and thoughts, which were in turmoil. He knew that he had caused this hurt and it pained him. He did care about Aekea, but like a friend. No, it was more like a brother. He was going to miss her, terribly.
He forced his mind from Aekea and to a more pressing matter, glad to think of something else. He sighed and held his head in his hands as he remembered what Azusa had said to him and Ryoko before Aekea had shown up.
"If you think that I am going to stand for this you're mistaken. A Prince of Jurai and a Demon together? I will not allow it."
Tenchi shuddered slightly. He knew that if anyone was capable of making sure that something would go wrong, it was Azusa. But, if he thought that Tenchi would just roll over and give into his wishes, then he was sadly mistaken.
Tenchi tried to force himself to think of other matters but his mind turned inexorably back to Aekea's departure. He knew that before she left she would want to talk with him and he really hoped that she wouldn't try something. He shook his head in disappointment at that thought. 'No she wouldn't.' He didn't have to be joined with a goddess or speak with Aekea. He knew very well why she was leaving. He sighed heavily. 'Why is it that I cannot have happiness without pain?' The thought came quickly and then disappeared as it was replaced with other thoughts.
Ryoko sat on the roof staring out at the sky, she had left Washu a while ago. She knew where Tenchi was but she had to speak with Aekea first. Only one thing bothered her, she not sure how the princess would react to her. She sighed. She hated this. Aekea was like a sister. Sure one she had fought with and tried to hurt, but still she was like a sister. She had often thought that if she weren't here and Tenchi had to choose, she wanted Aekea to get him.
Sighing again, she phased into the hall way in front of Aekea's room. She readied herself and knocked lightly on the door, not wanting to startle anyone. Even as she did it she wondered why she had mellowed so much and checked it off to spending all her time with Tenchi and finally winning his love.
There was a moment of silence and Ryoko was about to knock again when Aekea spoke in a voice so low Ryoko almost didn't hear it.
"Come in."
Ryoko closed her eyes briefly, then quietly slid the door open and entered the room. She saw Aekea in her purple kimono standing in front of the window just staring out into the world. Ryoko noted that her shoulders where slumped forward. She sighed silently and slid the door close behind her. She made her way across the room to stand next to Aekea.
They just stood there staring out the window over the world, neither speaking. The silence in the room was beginning to make Ryoko feel like it was trying to smother her.
Aekea could take it no more and spoke without turning her head.
"Ryoko, I am not very happy to see you, you know."
Ryoko nodded her head in understanding. Still absently trying to figure out why and how she had changed so much.
"I know Aekea, but we need to talk."
Aekea shook her head in confusion. 'Why was Ryoko acting so strange?' She wanted to know what Ryoko was there for but when she spoke she absently added a barb.
"About what? You got Tenchi, are you here to tell me that I should not try anything with Tenchi? If that is the case, you are either insecure or really do not believe that he loves you or maybe you do not trust him."
Ryoko shook her head and the let the comment pass without her usual response. She was going to have to speak with Washu about her actions as of late.
"No, Aekea I am not here to say anything about any of that. I trust him and I know he loves me."
Aekea was confused unsure why she was here.
"Then what do we need to talk about then?"
Ryoko shook her head unsure why she was doing this.
"Aekea I think you should know something. I know this may get you mad, but you should know I consider you a friend. Even a sister of sorts."
Aekea looked over at Ryoko a look of shock on her face. Ryoko registered the look absently and went on,
"You should also know that when you leave you'll cause Sasami, me, Washu and Tenchi pain. I know that as far as your concerned, Tenchi and myself deserve some pain and maybe your right. But, I think that you should know that you will always have friends and, more importantly, family here."
Aekea bowed her head. She felt the same way but she would never admit it. Still, now she felt that she owed Ryoko an explanation at least.
"I am leaving for two reason's."
Ryoko looked over at her. Her eye's filled with curiosity. She had not expected this.
"What are they?"
Aekea sighed and refocused her eyes on the world outside the house. Watching the gently falling snow.
"I am approaching the end of my time to find a suitor. You see, a Jurain princess has only a certain amount of time to find her own suitor and I have spent mine trying to get Tenchi. I have until the end of my vacation, which is over in a week, and then I must return to Jurai to continue my suitor meetings."
Ryoko looked at her in befuddlement. She had never heard of any of that. After all, as far she knew, Yosho was her intended and then Tenchi. She had always assumed that the royal family was allowed to marry whomever they wished.
"Wait, you mean to tell me that they only give you a certain amount of time to find a suitor on your own? What about when you left after Yosho? You weren't seeing suitors then."
"Actually, I could not leave until 100 years after he had went after you, I was kept under a very tight watch, so I did indeed begin meeting suitors."
Ryoko looked at her in a mixture of pity and understanding.
"So your leaving because your time's up and that's it?"
Aekea sighed sadly and continued,
"The other thing is I cannot stay here. This house, Earth, everything cause's me pain."
Ryoko turned her eyes back to the world outside the window and sighed. She smiled sadly. It struck her funny that they should pick this moment to start to open up to each other. Ryoko decided to share one of her thought's with Aekea. Something that she felt Aekea needed to hear.
"You know what Aekea? I decided long ago that if Tenchi didn't choose me then at lest he would choose you. I could stand that a little, but one of the others..."
Aekea nodded her head in agreement and finished the sentence smiling despite herself. Surprised and relived that they had thought the same thing.
"I know I had the same thought. That would cause me to go off the deep end."
Ryoko stood there with Aekea in their new found understanding. The silence quickly consumed the room once more. Ryoko spoke again breaking the silence.
"But still I'm glad he chose me."
Aekea nodded her head in understanding of the sentiment,
"I am glad he chose you, too. At lest he will be happy and safe."
Ryoko bowed her head in appreciation, floated up off the floor a few inches and stopped. She looked over at Aekea and spoke one last time needing for some reason to make sure Aekea knew where they stood.
"Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Aekea-chan and good-bye. We, I, will miss you."
Ryoko floated there for a moment and then phased out of Aekea's room. The princess stood their awhile thinking of her new understanding with Ryoko. A tear ran down her face and she spoke, barely above a whisper,
"Domo Ryoko-chan, I will miss you, also."
The silence settled in again, swallowing the room and it's occupant in it's sorrowful embrace.
*******
Aekea sighed as she stood in front of the door leading to inner office where her brother was. She needed to speak with him before she left. In the entire time she had been here on earth they had never really talked.
She lightly knocked on the door and waited patiently. She heard the sound of muffled footsteps and, absently, she stiffened. Now that she thought about it, she wasn't sure what she was going to talk to him about.
Just as she was about turn and leave the door slid opened to reveal her brother. She still found it hard to believe that this old man was her brother, the man who had chased Ryoko to earth. She quickly pushed that thought out of her head.
Katsuhito sighed, he had been expecting this visit since Tenchi had shown up earlier and told him what had transpired. Now that she was in front of him, he felt guilty. He had caused this pain to her. He should have returned to Jurai when he had subdued Ryoko. He shouldn't have shirked everything to stay here on earth to marry and form a family.
Sighing silently again to himself, he shifted and gestured for her to enter. Aekea nodded briefly and then entered. Yosho watched her enter then quietly slid the door shut.
Once inside Aekea found the air thick with incense that smelled of Sakura. She noted that the room was sparse. In one corner was a table that held an antique tea set and an old picture frame that Aekea assumed held his wife's photographs. Off to the right was a door leading to her brother's private office where his bed and personal possessions must be. The windows where covered with rice paper shutters that allowed only a thin sliver of light into the room. Oddly, even though snow lay on the ground outside, the office was warm and comfortable.
She shifted her attention to Yosho to who had made his way to the desk and was sitting patiently, his attention focused entirely on her. Aekea frowned and steadied herself. She made her way over to the desk and sat down, her gaze never wavering from his face.
She watched as Yosho, with a grace and ease that she found surprising in one as old as he, poured them both a cup of tea and then placed it front of them. With a slow, controlled motion, drawn from court manners, she sipped the tea waiting for him to speak.
Yosho sighed as he put down his tea and after a moment of silence spoke, watching Aekea as she continued to drink her tea,
"Aekea, are you sure that you wish to return to Jurai?"
Aekea sat her cup down and answered. Her voice controlled but Yosho could hear the slight emotion her voice.
"Yes I am. Anyway I must return now my vacation is over."
Yosho nodded and for a moment Aekea swore he shimmered.
"So that law is still in existence?"
Aekea nodded her eyes watching for anything.
"Yes, as you might have guessed I spent the time looking for you and the subsequent time trying to get Tenchi to choose me."
Yosho frowned as he saw her eyes tighten with pain but it was quickly replaced with the look that he associated with court and the princess, in particular. Aekea looking down took another sip of her tea waiting for him to respond.
Yosho watched her for a few more minutes and then reluctantly he spoke.
"I see it's not just the law that is making you return. Are you sure that this is a wise decision, sister?"
Aekea sat her cup down and nodded. She frowned, trying desperately to keep her tears in check.
"It is the only choice that I have. I could not stay here. That would be to painful for both me and the others."
She blinked her eyes willing herself not to cry and succeeded. Yosho frowned and poured himself and her another cup of tea and after a moment spoke.
"So then, why did you come to see me? I would think that I would be a painful memory."
Aekea smiled sadly and nodded her head.
"I debated whether to come her or not. You are the only reason I ever came here and it was because of you that I met him. Even as I stood outside your office door, I was unsure if I should even be here."
Yosho nodded and Aekea steadying herself plunged on.
"But now I am here talking with you and I must know, I have to know."
Briefly, Yosho wondered if she had seen through his disguise, but quickly shoved that idea to the side. She was waiting for him to give some sign for her to continue. Taking a breath, he nodded.
She spoke before she could stop herself.
"It was after Kagato had attacked and taken Ryoko and Tenchi had retrieved Tenchi-ken. You told me that the reason that you didn't return was because of the prejudice among the Juraians concerning marrying outside of Jurai. That you had left because of that and the fact that there would have been a fight over who was the true heir. Later you said that you did not know that I loved you and seriously intended to marry you. But now, I want to know the real reason why you never returned or ever sent a message."
Yosho sat his cup down and looked at her, his eyes hidden behind the glare of his glasses. Aekea's eyes saw another shimmer but when she blinked, he was normal and silently Aekea began to wonder if he was hiding something else.
Yosho, after a brief internal debate and the realization that he had almost let his disguise slip twice, spoke, pulling Aekea away from her suspicions.
"Aekea, I didn't return for several reason's. The main one's you have stated already. The others are more personal and might lead to more pain."
She nodded and Yosho plunged on.
"Since you have asked, I will tell you. Though, I would spare you the pain. You see, when I arrived here on Earth and managed to subdue Ryoko, my ship and tree were damaged and I was forced to wait for my tree to recover.
"In the mean time, I meet the local people. They had no knowledge of Jurai and were a simple people. They took me in and I soon found myself deeply in love with one of them. She was the daughter of the local shrine's priest.
"Funaho, by then, had recovered enough that I could have sent word and had someone come for me. But, I hesitated and my tree began to take root. I found that I didn't really want to return. The prejudice, yes, was a factor but the other factor was love. Two of them."
He paused and studied her face but it was neutral so he continued on.
"You see, one love was here on Earth, it was the woman I had meet. The other was you. I did love you but, as hard as this is to say, it will be harder for you, I loved you much the same way Tenchi does. I didn't see the point of returning to a planet were I would face prejudice and be forced to marry a woman who I loved like a sister. Who in fact was my sister. So I stayed. I thought that you would find somebody else in 100 or so years. I married my love here and raised a family. I continue to do so to this day in my self imposed exile."
Yosho looked up and saw nothing on her face, no anger, no pain, no tears, no laughter, no emotion at all. For a moment he worried that she had died from what he had revealed. Then she spoke. So low, so quiet, he almost didn't hear it.
"I see...Thank you brother."
Yosho bowed his head and listened as she rose and made her way to the door. He looked up to see her standing in front of the open door looking back at him. He quietly stood and approached her.
Aekea stood there watching him until he was with in arms length. He stopped and stared at her. Then he spoke and Aekea finally missed a tear as it ran down her check.
"I am sorry, for everything Aekea-chan."
Then before Aekea could do anything, he embraced her. He then turned and made his way back to his desk. Katsuhito stopped when he stood beside it and listened as she took the last couple of footsteps out the door and slid it shut behind her.
Yosho shivered despite the warmth in the office. A lone tear escaped the corner of his eye, something that had not occurred since his last wife's death.
*******
Sasami sighed heavily as she stood in the doorway of the kitchen. She needed to prepare lunch but she just couldn't do it. It just felt wrong to cook and pretend nothing was wrong.
Shaking her head in sad resolution, she turned from the kitchen and made her way to the hallway. Aekea was still out, Washu had said that she didn't want to be disturbed until lunch and Ryoko was in the onsen. She paused, uncertain of what to do. Only knowing that she needed to talk to someone.
She turned and made her way up the stairs and down the hallway to stand in front of Tenchi's room. She timidly reached out and knocked on the door. She heard the sound of scraping chair legs and then the muffled sound of feet on wood.
The door opened and Tenchi's face appeared. It was a mixture of both sadness and surprise. Sasami noted that he must have been mulling over his sadness of her sister leaving.
Tenchi smiled weakly and Sasami returned it. She bowed her head and spoke.
"Tenchi-niisan, may I come in?"
Tenchi nodded his head and opened the door. Sasami stepped inside. Tenchi slid the door closed and turning, found the little princess sitting on his futon, looking crest fallen. He walked over to his chair, sat down and sighed wearily. He spoke what was on her mind.
"You're upset that Aekea's leaving."
Sasami nodded weakly and Tenchi sighed.
"You know Sasami, I, like the others, sometimes forget that you're just 8."
Sasami blinked her eyes, trying to hold back the tears and succeeded. She spoke, her voice wavering.
"I know, I forget it at times, too. Like now, I know I'm supposed to cry, but I won't because I'm trying to be an adult and adults don't show how sad they are."
Tenchi shook his head and sighed. This wasn't right. She shouldn't be trying to be an adult at 8.
"Sasami, let me tell you a secret."
Sasami's eyes lit up slightly at that and Tenchi continued.
"Adult's show their emotions and if you don't, then you wind up like me. Totally frustrated. You know how you feel but you won't let anyone else know. It leads to problems that no 8 year old, heck, anybody should have to deal with."
Sasami looked at him and sighed.
"I know, but I can't..."
Tenchi sighed and shook his head.
"Don't Sasami just let it out. If you feel like crying, then cry. It's alright."
Sasami sat there in silence. Then the dam of tears she had been holding back broke and she began to cry.
Tenchi watched as the little princess cried. He waited until the sobs had subsided and then he spoke again.
"Listen, I'm not sure I'm the one you should be talking to."
Sasami shook her head and spoke,
"You don't have to talk, just listen. I need to say this to somebody."
Tenchi nodded his consent. He leaned back into his chair and waited for her to begin.
Sasami sighed and steeling herself, spoke,
"I don't want her to go, she needs us more than ever, now. I'm afraid for her if she stays, so I want her to go at the same time. I'm upset that she decided that I should stay here. I want to go with her. She needs me.
"I'm also mad at her. She's leaving me alone and when the dreams come she won't be there to help me. I just don't know anymore, but I can't continue with all these feelings bottled up inside me."
Tenchi waited until he was sure she was done and then carefully spoke.
"Do you know why she wants to leave you here?"
Sasami shook her head and answered, her voice low.
"I think it's because she hates me."
Tenchi felt his eyes widened in surprise but forced that aside. She needed someone right now and he was it. How in the world he had been picked as the one to help her was beyond him. He was the last person that should be doing this. He had just gotten over his problems. How was he supposed to help her with hers?
He forced all of that aside when he noticed that she was looking at him, waiting for him to say something. Something about the way she was looking at him was familiar. Then it dawned on him. It was how he must have looked when he had wanted his grandfather to make everything better after his mother had died. It was a look of desperate hope.
Just as she was about to start crying again he spoke,
"Sasami, do you think the rest of hate you to?"
She shook her head and he let out he a breath he had been holding without realizing it.
"Good. Sasami, trust me you sister doesn't hate you. The reason for leaving you here is for your safety as well as the fact that it would make it easier for her emotionally. If you were to go with her, you would miss Ryo-ohki and the rest of us. She thinks it would be better for you."
Sasami sobbed and Tenchi quietly moved over and sat down next to her. She wrapped her arms around him and started crying into his chest. Tenchi, uncertain about what to do, held her while she cried. Her tears began to soak through his shirt.
Slowly, her tears subsided and she pulled back. She smiled sadly at him, exhaustion evident in her eyes.
Tenchi smiled reassuringly and stood. He gently laid a hand on her shoulder and spoke, falling into a role he had never expected to fill.
"Sasami-chan, why don't you just rest here in my bed. You're exhausted and in no condition to cook now."
Sasami reluctantly nodded and did as she was told. Once Tenchi was certain she was comfortable he headed for the door. He stopped when Sasami spoke.
"Tenchi, lunch..."
Tenchi smiled and waved a hand like it was nothing.
"Don't worry, I'll think of something. Now, get some sleep."
Sasami nodded, her eyes already drooping. Tenchi watched as her eyes closed. He nodded in satisfaction and left the room. Leaving her alone to sleep.
Aekea stood facing the door that led to Washu's lab. She readied herself. Aekea hated going into Washu's lab, almost as much as Tenchi did. She needed to speak with the little scientist, however. She was glad that she had at least had sense enough to talk to her at dinner, which after Tenchi's attempt at fixing lunch, led them all to appreciate Sasami's cooking dinner even more.
Aekea knocked and after a moment opened the door and stepped through. She was, at first, in a hallway of black streaked with green and then she was standing in a lab that had a huge number four on the side of a machine. She let her eyes roam the room and then settled them on Washu. Aekea, like the rest of the house, was still getting used to seeing Washu as an adult. A slight smiled played across Aekea's face, one of the few that she had worn since she had found out about Tenchi and Ryoko.
"Li..er..Washu-sa..um..What do I call you?"
Washu looked at Aekea and smiled slightly.
"You can still call me little Washu."
Aekea nodded her head and tried again,
"Little Washu, I need a favor."
Washu nodded her approval. She had figured as much.
"I need you to open a channel to Jurai. I need to inform them that I am ready to return."
Washu nodded her head but frowned. She, compliantly, opened a channel to Jurai and Azusa's face filled the screen. He looked even more annoyed than usual.
"Yes, what is it?"
Washu smiled, nonplused, and gestured towards Aekea.
"Your daughter wants to speak with you."
Azusa nodded and Washu moved away to work on something, leaving them alone to talk.
"I am ready to return home, Father."
Azusa nodded and looked at his daughter, his concern showing. He quickly he hid it.
"Are you sure? You still have sometime left."
Aekea nodded her head and reassured him.
"I am sure. I have taken care of my affairs here on Earth."
Azusa nodded his head, glanced at something behind the screen and then looked back at her.
"A ship will be there for you tomorrow."
Aekea bowed her head slightly.
"Thank you, Father. Which ship is it?"
Azusa glanced back at whatever it was that was off screen then looked back at her and answered,
"The Shinkoo."
Aekea bowed her head and the screen slowly faded to black. She stood there for a moment and then turned to leave, only to bump into Washu who gently placed a hand on Aekea's shoulder and looked her in the eye. Aekea frowned, uncertain what the scientist was stopping her.
"Little Washu, please let me by."
Washu shook her head and spoke, a mixture of sadness and knowing in her voice,
"Are you going to speak with Tenchi before you leave?"
Aekea shook her head and sighed. Her pain doubling at the sound of his name.
"No, it would be to painful for me."
Washu bowed her head in understanding and then spoke,
"As much as it would be painful for you, it would be just as painful for him."
Aekea shook her head in disbelief. It would never be as painful to him as it was to her. She spoke, her voice edged with anger.
"No, it would not. It could never be as painful for him as it is for me. He has Ryoko and I have no one."
Washu smiled sadly as she watched Aekea let a lonely tear roll down her cheek. She hid her emotions so well, almost as well as Ryoko.
"Aekea, you're wrong. You have family and friends."
Aekea shook her head and wiped the tear from her face. Silently cursing herself for crying.
"I know but Ryoko will be able to comfort him. My family and friends cannot comfort me like she can him."
Washu shook her head and sighed, uncertain why Aekea couldn't understand.
"Even Ryoko wouldn't be able to comfort him if you leave without talking with him. He cares for you as a friend and will be upset when you leave. But, he will be even more upset that his friend left without speaking with him."
Aekea shook her head and cut Washu off before she could continue.
"That is why I need to leave with out speaking with him. That is the last thing I want to hear from him."
Washu sighed and continued pushing the princess.
"Unless you accept it, you will never be free from the pain of this and will, unwillingly, push away your friends. Friends that you will need; friends that you can rely on as queen."
Aekea smiled sadly, wishing Washu had left her alone.
"Washu, I will talk with him if you think it is best."
Washu removed her hand and nodded solemnly.
"That's all I wanted to say. That, and I will miss you."
Aekea bowed her head and walked past Washu out of the lab. Washu closed her eyes and sighed, 'No matter what someone does, they will always make a decision that will hurt someone.'
Tenchi sat in his room alone. Dinner had been a subdued affair; only Yosho and Nobuyuki had anything to say. The knock on the door yanked him out of his thoughts and he sighed. He knew who this would be. He stood, walked over to the door and slid it open to reveal the purple haired princess. He stepped over and she stepped inside. Tenchi slid the door close and, reluctantly, turned to face her. Aekea stood there, her back to him, her head bowed. Finally, after a painfully long silence, she spoke.
"Tenchi-sama, I have some things to speak with you about."
Tenchi nodded his head and walked over to her. He placed his hand on her shoulder and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. When he removed his hand and nodded, she continued,
"I have to tell you that, I..I still have feelings for you. But, I know that you only love me as a friend, and I am resigned to that. However, I need you to know how I feel."
She watched as his face filled with a sad smile. He shook his head and for a moment, she felt that she had said something wrong.
"Aekea your wrong, I don't love you like a friend."
For a moment Aekea felt her hope rise but she squashed it when he continued.
"I love you like a sister and somehow, I know that's worse than me loving you as a friend."
Aekea sighed. She knew she should be angry with him but she couldn't bring herself to go it. She forced her self to say something.
"I want you to know that I love you. Not like a brother or friend. But, I understand and respect your decision about Ryoko and I sincerely hope that you and she have a happy life.
"I can live knowing that you are happy and knowing that you love me. Even like a sister. We are related by blood, but it still means a lot to me that you love me like a sister. I will do everything in my power to help make you happy, except stay here."
Aekea sighed and a silent tear rolled down her face. She, angrily, wiped it away and thought, absently, 'I have cried more today than I have cried in my entire life.'
Tenchi sighed and felt a weight lift from him, but he still felt terrible. He had caused her a lot of pain. More than he would have liked. But, he also knew that if he hadn't chosen he would have cause her still more pain. He steadied himself and spoke, slowly. Unsure what he should say.
"Aekea, I understand your decision about leaving and I wish you a safe trip."
Aekea sighed slightly. Relieved that she had spoken to Tenchi. She felt better, but she knew she didn't need to stay any longer. Otherwise, what little sense of relief she had gotten from this would fade.
She looked up at him, her smile full of melancholy. She bowed her head once more and then turned around and walked to the door. She stood there about to leave when Tenchi spoke,
"Aekea-chan, good bye. I will miss you."
Aekea froze and fought down the sob that threatened to escape her.
"Good bye, I will miss you, too...Ten-chan."
She spoke the last part so low that he never heard it. Aekea left the room, silent tears flowing down her face. She moved down the hallway and entered her room as quickly as she could.
Once in her room she laid down and sobbed quietly into her pillows. Finally, mercifully, sleep overcame her and for a few hours, she was relieved of her pain.
*******
Aekea woke up. She didn't want to get up but she knew that the ship would be there to take her back to Jurai, away from her pain. Sighing, she reluctantly, stood and realized that she was still dressed in her kimono from yesterday.
Aekea dejectedly went to her closet and got another kimono. She gathered what she needed for the bath and left the room. She reached the bottom of the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks. In front of her stood two men. They were both dressed in Jurain military uniforms.
The one on the left was the taller one. He had brown hair that was combed back and his eyes were a piercing green. His face was weary but held no emotion. His lips were barely visible through the well trimmed goatee he wore. The other one was slightly shorter. He had black hair that looked like it had once been combed but now it was tussled. His eyes were a cold blue and his face was youthful and full of enthusiasm.
Upon her entrance they both bowed. Aekea stood there for a moment in a mixture of relief and despair. She finally found her voice,
"Hello."
They both looked up. When she indicated that they should rise, they immediately stood and went into an "at ease" stance awaiting orders. Aekea was about to say something when her sister came bounding in.
Sasami stopped when she noticed them and they both bowed again. Sasami stood there, a look of confusion on her face. She glanced over at her sister for help. Aekea sighed silently, aware that Sasami had never had any dealings with Jurain guards other than Azaka and Kamidake. Aekea motioned for her sister to say something. Sasami stood there for a moment, uncertain, then said the only thing that came to mind,
"Uh, Hello."
They rose back to their "at ease" stance and waited patiently. Sasami took another glance at them and then walked over to her sister and asked her the question that she already knew the answer to.
"Are they here for what I think they are?"
Aekea glanced at Sasami and nodded, her eyes filled with compassion.
"Yes, they are here to escort me back to Jurai."
Her little sister glanced over at them, then back to Aekea and frowned.
"I guess you should give them some orders."
Aekea nodded her head in agreement and turned her attention back to them, slightly surprised that she fell so easily into the role of princess.
"What are your names?"
The one on the left nodded his head curtly and answered.
"Princess Aekea, I am Major Baiko and this is First Lt. Ukyo."
Aekea nodded her head and gestured at her younger sister.
"This my sister, Sasami."
Baiko nodded his head sharply and looked back to Aekea,
"We have been ordered, by the emperor, to give you until 1200 hours to finish any and all affairs."
Aekea nodded her head, as did Sasami. But the little princess's face had a slight frown. Aekea sighed she knew her sister was upset about her leaving but she couldn't stay here. She forced herself to focus on the soldiers and spoke, fighting to keep her emotions out of her voice.
"Please go with Sasami. I must go and bathe."
Baiko was about to object, when Aekea turned and left them alone with Sasami who had a huge smile on her face. The little girl motioned for them to follow her and, reluctantly, they bowed their heads and followed her.
Sasami smiled to herself as she entered the kitchen she had plans for them. They had come to take her sister away and she was going to teach them a lesson. Besides, she needed the break she had been cooking for the entire family since they had first arrived and she had long since quit tricking Aekea and Ryoko into cooking, it was just to dangerous for other living beings.
Sasami silently started preparing breakfast leaving Baiko and Ukyo to stand just inside the doorway watching. Then Baiko, his curiosity peeked, asked,
"Excuse me Princess Sasami, but why don't you let the servants do this?"
The little princess turned around and looked at him.
"Um, Baiko right?"
Baiko nodded his head and Sasami turned back to the food she was preparing a smile tugging at her lips.
"I don't have the servants do this because there aren't any. And besides, I like doing this."
Ukyo started to object out of habit more than anything else.
"But Princess Sasami, you shouldn't..."
Baiko cut his partner off before he could finish,
"The Princess has spoken don't question her."
Ukyo bowed his head and apologized,
"I am sorry, Princess Sasami."
Sasami turned back around to look at him. He reminded her of Tenchi a little. She instantly had a liking for this one.
"It's okay. Father was the same way."
She flashed a sweet smile at them turned back to the food.
They both stood there uncertain of what to do. Sasami grinned as she decided to alter her plan. She could not bring herself to include Ukyo in it.
"Major Baiko?"
The major snapped to attention and waited for her orders.
"Yes, Princess Sasami?"
Sasami sighed to herself and silently wondered if tricking him into cooking was a good enough plan. She shook the thought out of her head and continued,
"Would you be kind enough to move this pot over to the counter?"
Baiko didn't hesitate. He quickly walked over to the pot and picked it up, not spilling a drop of water. Sasami frowned slightly, this was too easy there was no challenge in it. She moved over to the cupboard and opened it and glancing through it she saw what she needed and continued on with the plan.
"Baiko, can you come here and get this for me?"
Sasami backed away and smiled slightly at the back of Baiko as he hurried over and retrieved the item 'Well Tenchi I hope you need help, cause your going to get it.' Smiling she moved over to Ukyo and winked at him.
"Could you do me a favor Baiko? Would you add half of what's in the container to the pot and then stir it for an hour."
Ukyo nodded and Sasami backed away, smiling broadly. She stood at the doorway and watched as Baiko upended the container and poured half of it into the pot just like she had told him. Baiko was just turning to tell Ukyo to stir the pot when Sasami interrupted,
"Ukyo."
He turned and walked hurriedly over to the little princess, ignoring the look that he knew Baiko was giving him.
"Could you please go to the shrine and help out?"
He bowed his head and swiftly exited the kitchen out the back door to the shrine. Glad to be away from the bore, Baiko.
Sasami smiled as she watched Ukyo disappear and then she turned and left the kitchen. Her plan was working, Now she would go and relax in the onsen with Aekea and talk.
Ukyo approached the shrine, happily. Baiko, for some reason, didn't sit well with him. Something was off, Ukyo just wasn't sure what it was. He saw a lone figure on the steps hard at work. The figure looked up from his work and waved at him. Silently Ukyo thought ' Well, this ones friendly.' He waved back and felt a smile play across his face.
Tenchi turned back to his work. He didn't know who this person was, but he seemed friendly enough. Tenchi halted sweeping the steps when the stranger reached him. He looked over and smiled. The stranger smiled back and Tenchi spoke,
"Are you here to visit the shrine?"
The man shook his head and answered, a laugh in his voice,
"No, Princess Sasami sent me here to help. My name's Ukyo."
Tenchi nodded his head and turned back to his work. Silently, Ukyo watched until Tenchi stopped again and smiled apologetically. He nodded at a tree where another broom was and Ukyo, taking the hint, retrieved it and began to mimic Tenchi's movements.
Silence settled over the are as Tenchi and Ukyo swept the shrine steps. They were approaching the top of the stairs and Tenchi decided to try and start a conversation.
"You're from Jurai, aren't you?"
Ukyo nodded his head slightly not really thinking and Tenchi continued,
"You're a knight, right?"
Ukyo nodded his head again, a little surprised this time. They continued to work in silence. After a few more minutes Tenchi tried again.
"You're here to pick Aekea up, aren't you?"
Ukyo nodded and stopped sweeping the steps and after a quick glance around spoke,
"I suppose you're the priest around here?"
Tenchi shook his head and Ukyo looked slightly surprised.
"Then who are you?"
"My names Tenchi, The apprentice here."
Ukyo stood there uncertainly the name was familiar he just didn't know where he knew it from. Finally he spoke figuring that if he was an apprentice then he would be used to people asking for advice and for some reason he felt he could trust him for other reasons besides that.
"I don't know why, but I feel I can trust you."
Tenchi stopped and turned his attention to Ukyo and waited patently, Ukyo seeing his new friends obvious interest continued,
"You see I came with another knight, a major Baiko. Anyway, we were sent to retrieve Princess Aekea. I was sent because I volunteered. I had heard so much about Earth, that I had to see it."
"Baiko was sent at the instance of his master. He is of a different house and his master sent him to make sure that nothing happened to her. But something's off about him I'm not sure what it is."
Tenchi looked at Ukyo and nodded before he spoke,
"Do you trust him?"
Ukyo nodded and Tenchi went on,
"Then all you can do is keep an eye on him."
Ukyo smiled, relieved, and clapped Tenchi on the shoulder.
Tenchi smiling, began to sweep again and Ukyo followed suit.
They finished sooner than Tenchi expected and the only thing left was to go practice with Yosho. Ukyo, wiping his brow, looked down the stairs and then around.
"So what's next?"
Tenchi shook his head and answered, wiping the sweat from his face,
"All that's left is for me go and train with Jiichan so I guess you can go back to the house."
Ukyo was about to respond when a familiar voice echoed out through the training area.
"He can help with the training, Tenchi."
Tenchi bowed his head as Ukyo looked around for the owner of the voice.
"Yes, Jiichan."
Ukyo felt a presence next to him and he spun around to find an old man standing next to him, a small smile on his face. He was alarmed that the old man could get that close to him without making any noise. Ukyo started to say something when the old man tossed a bokken to Tenchi.
Tenchi smiled at the young Jurain solider and gestured to the man beside him with the bokken,
"This is Katsuhito. He's the shrine keeper and at times, rather mystifying."
Katsuhito nodded his head in greeting at Ukyo and asked,
"So, will you be helping Tenchi practice?"
Ukyo nodded his head and started for his energy weapon with out thinking when Katsuhito produced another wooden bokken. Ukyo took it and after a few minutes of getting a feel for it, nodded his head that he was ready. Katsuhito backed way to a rock at the outskirts of the area and sat down. Ukyo and Tenchi bowed to each other and raised their swords to the ready positions. Katsuhito waited a few minutes and then signaled for them to begin.
Tenchi leaped forward and struck at Ukyo's midsection, the knight managed to block it and began to backpedal. He had expected this to be a nice, easy exercise but Tenchi was fierce, almost war like. After a few minutes, Ukyo blocked one of Tenchi's strikes and slashed at Tenchi's head. Tenchi leaped backward away from Ukyo and landed in a crouch, he stood and leveled his sword in front of him.
Ukyo smiled, he was enjoying this. In all of Juari's territory, he had never found an equal and here, on this little backwater planet, he had found it. All thought left his mind as Tenchi attacked again.
Ukyo turned away Tenchi's strike and brought his sword back down the path Tenchi's had traveled. Tenchi barely managed to dodge out of the way. He spun and tried to strike Ukyo in the back. Ukyo dropped down and rolled forward and stood up, facing Tenchi.
This time, Tenchi smiled, this was the first time he had practiced with somebody that he could go toe to toe with without getting beaten within a few minutes. Tenchi forced his thoughts back to the fight as Ukyo rushed him.
The sounds of clanking wood on wood filled the winter snow filled air.
Tenchi and Ukyo walked down the steps from the shrine. Ukyo was sporting a small bruise on the side of his head. Tenchi, on the other hand, had a small bruise on his shoulder. They had both landed a blow at the same time. Katsuhito cleared his throat and declared that practice over.
Tenchi glanced at Ukyo and stopped. Ukyo turned to look at him, Tenchi had to know,
"So how good are you?"
Ukyo looked at Tenchi and smiled broadly.
"I'd say I'm not good enough. But officially, I'm the best. I may be young and inept at everything else, but I excel in sword fighting and planning for battles."
Tenchi nodded his head, not really all that surprised. They continued down the steps. Just as they reached the last step, Ukyo reached out and grabbed Tenchi's arm, causing him to turn and look at him. Ukyo cleared his throat and asked a question that was bothering him.
"Tenchi, how did you get so good?"
Tenchi smiled and waved his hand dismissing the question.
"Jiichan taught me. He's even better than I am."
Ukyo nodded and frowned. Something was eating at him. This was an Earthling who knew how to fight in the Jurain style. He followed Tenchi to the house, lost in thought. Desperately trying to remember where he had heard the name before.
Tenchi slid the door open and Ukyo began to enter when Tenchi pushed him back. Ukyo was about to ask what was wrong when Ryoko glomped onto him with a shout,
"TENCHI!!!"
The young prince returned it gladly. Once Ryoko had let go of him, he looked back and noticed the look of shock on Ukyo's face. Tenchi was unsure why he his new friend was surprised and worriedly asked,
"Ukyo, are you ok?"
Ukyo stood there for a moment before he answered. This was just too shocking. Without thinking he spoke,
"What the hell is that demon doing here? She destroyed half of Jurai!"
Ryoko narrowed her eyes in anger but refrained from attacking him. She was trying to not cause Tenchi any problems but this was almost unbearable. She may have felt guilty for what she had did but nobody except Aekea could call her that. She remembered when Aekea had insulted her right after Tenchi and chosen and she shifted her attention from the knight to Tenchi and forced her anger down. Tenchi looked very dangerous right now.
Ukyo moved his eyes from her to see the young man he had made friends with upset, very upset. Suddenly, everything clicked, he fought in the Jurain style, his name was Tenchi and Princess Aekea was living with the Crown Prince whose name was Tenchi. Ukyo felt a mixture of fear and regret.
Tenchi stood there his eyes burning holes into Ukyo. He was fighting the urge to kill him. Tenchi forced himself to speak calmly,
"She's here because I love her."
Ukyo knelt and put his hands on the ground with his forehead resting on them. He spoke rapidly, trying to avoid his friend and lord's wrath.
"Forgive me, Lord Tenchi. I didn't realize that she was, that you were, that..."
He was cut short when Baiko entered the living room and saw what was happening. Quickly, he ran over and stood beside Ukyo. He was both confused and angry. Controlling himself, he spoke to Ukyo, all the while never taking his eyes of the young man or the woman who looked so worried.
"Ukyo, what are you doing?"
Ukyo answered with out looking up from his position. He had taken this position and he was not moving until the Tenchi told him to.
"Major Baiko, this is the Crown Prince of Jurai, Tenchi Masaki."
Baiko glanced down at Ukyo and then quickly back at the young man before him. Absently, he wondered how Ukyo had come to the conclusion that this was Prince Tenchi. Still, he had to find out just in case this was Prince Tenchi.
"Are you Prince Tenchi?"
Baiko gulped when the young man ignored him and the girl nodded her head, yes. Surly this man wasn't who she claimed him to be. But did he dare force him to show proof. From the look on the boy's face, that would probably mean instant death.
The longer he studied the boy's face, he began to place the look. It was the look of royalty, of an emperor and he knew that this was Prince Tenchi. Baiko hastily dropped onto one knee and bowed his head. At the same time he spoke,
"Forgive me, Lord Tenchi. I didn't know."
Baiko chanced a glance up to see that the prince was completely ignoring him. The prince's eyes were focused solely on Ukyo. Inwardly, Baiko sighed and thought, 'What kind of trouble has he caused now?' He had to do something. Cautiously he spoke, testing the mood of the prince.
"Lord Tenchi, what has caused such anger?"
Ukyo cut off Tenchi and Baiko winced, as did the girl.
"I insulted Lord Tenchi's bride to be."
Baiko understood and shuddered slightly. Insulting an emperor's wife was almost an instant death sentence and if he didn't act soon that would be what happened. Franticly, he racked his brain to find a solution, but all he found himself doing was asking,
"Who is Lord Tenchi's bride to be?"
Again Ukyo spoke,
"It is Lady Ryoko."
Baiko shuddered even more, the idea disgusted him. He knew of only one Ryoko here and Prince Tenchi and the demon Ryoko together was almost to much to bear. However, it was Lord Tenchi's choice and he had to accept it. He had to make peace and quickly.
"Lord Tenchi, what would it take for you to forgive Ukyo?"
For the first time, Tenchi looked over at him and Baiko flinched. He saw the prince force himself to keep his face neutral and Baiko darkly thought 'It's probably taking all his will power not to kill Ukyo right now.'
Tenchi knew that this was the levelheaded one. Ukyo didn't trust him, but he was glad that he was here. It would help stop him from hurting Ukyo severely.
"He would have to ask it of Ryoko. If she forgives him then I will too."
Ukyo was silently gratefully for the chance to save his life. He had been raised that Ryoko was evil but if Tenchi trusted her, he had to give her the benefit of the doubt. He risked a glance up to see that Tenchi's face hadn't changed at all. It was a visage of anger and Ukyo thought Tenchi might kill him anyways.
Ukyo readied himself and spoke,
"I will ask her for forgiveness Prince Tenchi."
Tenchi nodded his head and reluctantly walked away, his body tense. He wanted to go to the onsen and relax but he resisted the urge. Instead, he went to his room to wait.
Ryoko looked as shocked as Baiko. Ukyo looked up at her and spoke,
"Lady Ryoko, I am sorry for my earlier words. I spoke in haste and without thinking. I ask that you please forgive me."
Ryoko studied him for a while and then spoke,
"Fine, I forgive you but watch it from now on."
Ukyo was about to say something when she phased away.
Baiko looked at the other knight and walked away mumbling something. Ukyo stood and dusting off his uniform, left the house. He headed back to shrine. It was probably better if he stayed there for awhile.
Tenchi needed to speak with Ryoko. After what he figured was long enough, he left his room and headed down the hallway and up to the only way to the roof with out using a ladder. This was the first place he figured that she would go.
He was right. He stood just outside the door and watched her. Ryoko had her arms wrapped around legs and held her knees to her chest. She had her head bowed and eyes covered with her arms. Tenchi could tell that she was trying not to cry. Quietly, slowly he approached her.
Ryoko sat there, she knew he was there. She had smelled Tenchi's scent when he had first opened the door. She listened to his footsteps as they got closer. Tenchi sat down beside her.
They sat there for who knows how long in the winter wind before he spoke,
"Ryoko..."
She cut him off when she placed her head on his shoulder. Tenchi automatically put his arm around her shoulder.
She sighed, this almost made her forget what had happened downstairs, but she had to speak, she had to break the silence.
"Ten-chan, I was wondering when you will be going back to school?"
Tenchi knew what she was doing, so he let her avoid the subject for now,
"In a few days."
Ryoko sighed audibly, she wanted to go with him but she didn't think he would let her and she wasn't sure she could do the work.
"Ryo-chan, would you like to come to school with me?"
She raised her head in surprise. She wasn't sure that she had heard him right. Then suddenly a huge smile broke out on her face she glomped onto him.
Tenchi smiled, satisfied.
"I'll take that as a "yes," then."
They sat there in happy silence. Finally he broke the silence again,
"Ryo-chan, about downstairs..."
Ryoko nodded her head and sighed,
"Don't worry, I'm not upset."
Tenchi frowned at her and she added,
"That much."
"Did you?"
Ryoko nodded.
"I forgave him this once."
Tenchi felt some of his anger towards Ukyo fade. He had meant it, if she forgave him, so did he.
"Ryo-chan, if it makes you feel better, I wanted..."
Ryoko laughed and looked at him.
"I know and Ten-chan it helps a little."
She looked at him seductively and leaned in closer,
"But what would help even more is a kiss."
Tenchi nodded and leaned in and kissed her. After a few minutes he reluctantly pulled back and smiled at her. She was red in the face. Still, even as their enjoyment of the kiss faded, the memory of what was going to happen today returned and a silent sadness descended and all happiness left.
Aekea sighed and left the bath. She left the kimono she had worn yesterday in there, along with her bath things. She had things to think about. Things she wanted to see one last time before she left.
She walked into the forest losing herself in the beauty of it all. She came to the training area where she had seen Tenchi and Yosho training so long ago and quickly left, a tear threatening to escape. She moved quickly to her brother's tree, Funaho, and stood there staring up at it. Aekea smiled wistfully as she remembered fondly how she had gotten here.
Suddenly, she turned away and left the tree-ship. She felt a tear run down her cheek and remembered how she had met Tenchi. That memory brought more tears. All she had wanted to do was visit her favorite place's, the ones that brought back fond memories. But now she realized that everything that brought her happy memories also brought her sadness. She halted when she was within sight of the house. Aekea reached a hand up and wiped away her tears and prepared herself. It was time for lunch...time for her to leave. Silently she said a prayer, 'Tsunami help me and give me strength with the upcoming day and weeks ahead.'
Lunch was covered with a sense of foreboding. Nobody had much of anything to say. Aekea sat there in between Baiko and Ukyo watching what little conversation there was. She noted that the only thing that wasn't different was Sasami's cooking. She fought to control the feeling of pain that welled up in her chest. She had been taught a princess was to never reveal her feelings in times like this and she squashed it.
Tenchi, Sasami, Washu, Ryoko, Yosho, and Nobuyuki, who had left work early, stood watching as Aekea, flanked by Baiko on the left and Ukyo on the right approached the ship. They came to a stop before the ship. Aekea's sadness welled up again but she fought it down. She had to say her final farewells and she could not cry, not now.
Quietly, she spoke with Baiko and Ukyo.
"Go ahead, I have to say one last farewell."
They bowed their heads. Silently, the blue beam enveloped them and they teleported aboard the ship, leaving her alone. She readied herself and then turned from the ship to face her family. She let her eyes roam over each of them, from Nobuyuki to Ryoko and Tenchi. She almost cried out her pain, her sadness, at the sight of them holding hands and looking sad.
She forced her eyes back to Yosho, her brother. She moved until she stood in front of him, silently grieving. She knew this was not his true self, she had figure that out after their meeting.
Yosho felt guilty. He should have told her the truth when she arrived. He should have shown her his true form. But it was so much easier to hide behind his mask than to take responsibility for his actions.
"Brother, will you not show your true form to me before I leave?" Aekea asked in a whisper.
Katsuhito bowed his head and for the first time he was uncertain of what to do. Should he or shouldn't he? He closed his eyes and hoped he was doing the right thing. His body shimmered and then faded to reveal his younger self. He looked back up at Aekea. Her eyes held pain and she smiled sadly at him.
"Domo."
He bowed his head and whispered,
"Your welcome."
As suddenly as the disguise had faded, it reappeared.
She bowed her head and moved over to Nobuyuki.
He smiled at her. He had to say something, it was just wrong not to.
"Aekea, you are always welcome here."
Aekea bowed her head. She was grateful to him. He had always treated her like a family member.
"Domo, Nobuyuki."
She looked up and returned his smile and turned, moving on to Washu.
"Little Washu, I am happy that I have met you."
Washu smiled back at her and nodded.
"Me to, after all, how many times do I met somebody who is as kaiwaii as me?"
Aekea smiled her first non-forced, non-sad smile in the last few days.
"Domo, Little Washu."
Washu smiled and bowed her head.
Aekea continued on to Sasami who had her head down. Aekea could tell from her shoulder's that Sasami was crying. She knelt in front of her sister and embraced her in a hug. They stayed like that for a long time. No words spoken, it was just sister comforting sister. Finally, Aekea stood and Sasami turned and ran over to Washu who embraced her in hug. Aekea was grateful that Washu was there to hold and help her sister with her pain
Aekea forced herself to turn away from that sight and face the one she dreaded: Ryoko and Tenchi. Inwardly, she sighed and forced herself to go over to them. The three stood there looking at each other. All were silent, none of them wishing to speak. Then the three of them came together and hugged.
They broke the hug and Aekea bowed her head.
"Domo, Tenchi. Domo, Ryoko."
Tenchi and Ryoko bowed their heads.
"Domo, Aekea."
Aekea stood there a moment longer, uncertain about what to do. She then turned and went back to the ship. She looked back at her family. Her family, that was what they were. Her brother Yosho, the slayer of demons and a shrine priest. Nobuyuki, Tenchi's father, an architect and a hentai. Washu, the greatest scientist, who created demons and who was freed from the prison on Kagato's ship. Sasami, her little sister, the always optimistic one, the one always willing to help others and the one who was joining with a goddess. Ryoko, the demon, the one who had destroyed planets and the one who had won Tenchi's love. Tenchi, the one who had released the demon, the one who killed Kagato, the one who could create the Light Hawk Wings and the one who had chosen the demon. That was her family.
She turned back and teleported aboard the ship. She stood on the bridge and was slightly disappointed that Mihoshi, the bumbling Galaxy Police officer, who was also part of her family wasn't there. She forced herself to say the words she didn't want to say, the words that closed this chapter of her life and began the new one.
"Take me back to Jurai, take me home."
Both of the knights bowed their heads and typed the keys. A loud beep signaled that they were ready for departure. Aekea stood there and ignored it. Her attention was focused on the screen. She watched as her family became smaller and smaller and then finally disappeared from view. Then she watched as the planet became nothing more than a blue and green ball and finally disappeared from view. A silent tear rolled down her face. She didn't bother wiping it away. Nor the others that followed.
Authors Notes:
Hello one and all this is the end of chapter 3 and I only have a few things to say and then I'll shut up. First I send out my deepest thanks to Blev my beta reader. He has lifted some of the heavy load from my shoulder's. Second I must inform you my readers that this will bet he last chapter until sometime after the holiday's so if you need a quick fix of my stories read my short ones.^_^
Or go read Another Altaverse Trilogy by Rurouni J.
And concerning a message from Clev-san: Yes I noticed that I could have taken this and turned it into a Aekea/ Tenchi fic quiet a few times it would be quiet easy, but I won't, I'm a Nekoshipper and that's what'll I stay.
Also many emails have been asking what Nekoshipper means, it's a T&R supporter.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter and now for the typical disclaimer I don't own Tenchi Muyo or any of the Characters except for Baiko, Ukyo and Chijiro and few other minor characters.
And I leave you with two last things
1) It doesn't matter what you do but how you do it.
and 2)Happy holidays and watch out for speeding sleighs with a fat man in a red suit driving.^_^
Sincerely,
Geor-sama
A Nekoshipper