Tenchi came upon the back porch of the Masaki home. Ayeka waltzed out the door and froze at the sight of Tenchi's tears.
"Erm...Tenchi? What's the matter?" she asked. Tenchi stared at her with tears bleeding profusely from his eyes.
"Well?" Ayeka asked again.
"Ayeka..." Tenchi cut off his sentence and walked right by Ayeka, not even looking at her.
Ayeka was devastated. She turned and watched Tenchi slam the door in front of her. What had she done? Certainly it couldn't be her.
Tenchi stomped down the hallway and turned into the living room. On the couch sat Sasami, Mihoshi, and Kiyone. On the floor next to the window lay Ryoko.
"Well hey, you. You and Washu both missed breakfast." said Kiyone, a smile gleaming on her face.
"Yeah, Tenchi. Where were you guys, I made a whole bunch of food!" said Sasami, who seemed slightly upset.
Tenchi just stood there and stared at them like they were Kagato's whores. He had to say something or they'd think he was mad at them.
"We were on a walk, Washu and I. She hasn't come back, I suppose." Tenchi was trying very hard not to cry.
"Washu hasn't come back yet, no. Why are your eyes so red, Tenchi?" said Mihoshi, who seemed concerned.
Tenchi pretended not to hear her and sat down on the wooden chair by the doorway. Ryoko didn't even seem to notice him.
Everyone except Ryoko looked at Tenchi deeply, staring at his red, puffy eyes.
Ryoko broke the silence, "You've been crying. Haven't you?" Tenchi turned to her, wondering how she knew with her head facing the other way.
"Erm, no. Why would I be?"
"Your voice sure shows it."
"Yeah. Listen, Sasami, come help me look for Washu. The rest of you can relax for a while, I guess.
Sasami jumped up in joy. She followed Tenchi out the door. A few second later, Ayeka entered and walked into the room, her expression full of hopelessness.
"He's been crying," she said, "His tears were bulging out of his eyes outside before he came in. Washu must've told him something that he got upset over..."
Ryoko rolled her eyes and turned to face Ayeka. "Shut up, Ayeka, why are you gettin' so fussy about it? You act like you're the reason why he's bein' a baby."
"I'm just concerned about him. He's been stuck with us for a while now. Maybe he's just unwinding. You know we all drive him nuts. Especially Ryoko." replied Ayeka.
Ryoko just rolled her eyes once more and faced the window once more. She was watching Sasami and Tenchi walk the shrine steps. Then they dissapeared behind the trees.
"So, Tenchi. When are we going back to visit on Jurai again?" asked Sasami.
"We can't right now, Sasami. School's about to start and you're going this year. Won't that be fun, Sasami?"
"Yes, I guess..."
"Now Sasami, there is nothing to be afraid of. Earth kids will love you just as much as the kids back on Jurai did."
Sasami's hopefull smile slowly faded. Tenchi looked at her meloncholy expression with concern. He decided to not talk about it anymore.
"Where in the world is Washu? She would've came back by now." Tenchi said.
They had reached the top of the steps. Washu was no where to be found. Then, Tenchi looked over to his right and saw the path to the Masaki Shrine. Washu had to be in there.
"Why are we going this way, Tenchi?" asked Sasami.
"Well, Washu's in the cave." he replied. Sasami shuddered.
"Lets not go in there. Washu is sure to come home soon." said Sasami.
"We've got to find her. She could be lost."
"Tenchi, I mean it, I DON'T WANT TO GO IN THERE!"
Tenchi stared at the frightened Sasami. He looked up at the cave, and back at Sasami.
"Okay. But if she doesn't show up, I'm coming back. By myself." said Tenchi. Sasami happily turned around as Tenchi followed her.
Meanwhile, a nearby bush shook. Washu, covered in thorns and scratches, rose from it.
"I've gotta' get these two together. But I gotta' be quick and nimble. My little Ryoko is gonna love her 2,002 birthday present!"
A squirrel from the tree above the devious Washu fell, landing on her head. She grabbed it and started to shake it. She then threw it down, and moved swiftly through the forest.
"I'll get you with Ryoko, Tenchi, even if its the last thing I do!"
