Okay, after a couple of years, here it is. Finally! Sorry that took so long, but I have some good excuses. Read my own review of the story to see them. And before I get any flames about the ending, the story isn't over yet! The epilogue is already in progress. It's basically intended to tie up the story in a neat little package, with a good strong dose of happily-ever-after.

But first, Chapter 8 brings Sakuya's first week in the Masaki home to a close. So without further ado, here we go. Enjoy!

Chapter 8

The next morning, Tenchi stood outside her bedroom door, waiting, and shook his head. She was at it again.

Morning sickness, according to Washu, came in as many degrees and variations as there were pregnancies; some women never experienced it at all. But Sakuya's case was becoming so severe that Washu was making noises about putting her on an intravenous line, lest she dehydrate, causing all sorts of havoc to ensue.

She emerged, looking quite the worse for wear, and Tenchi was waiting with a warm, damp rag with which to wash her face, and a small cup of water.

"You okay?" he asked, putting his arm about her. Silly question, he thought.

-

Ayeka stood at the doorway to the lab, watching Lord Tenchi as he tended Sakuya. How attentive he was, always jumping to her side at the first sign of trouble. The princess's jealousy faded a little. Had it been her, she thought, she might have found such devotion a little excessive. She had been ill before, and all the family, courtiers, and doctors hovering around her hadn't made things any easier.

And yet Lord Tenchi was different. All the girls had suffered various bumps, bruises, and illnesses during their time in the Masaki home, but he had handled each of them differently. He seemed to know exactly how much attention each one needed, and what kind.

She had seen how his diplomatic skills had come into play, too. The slightest bit too much worry or attention always drew jealousy from the others, including her, which would cause Lord Tenchi to react with anger and indignation, swearing that he had done nothing for the person in question that he wouldn't have done for any of them.

Ayeka believed that. As inappropriate as his situation may have looked from the outside, he would never take advantage of any of them, her least of all.

She decided to return to her morning chores, to avoid the appearance of spying.

As she stood at the sink, washing the morning's dishes, she asked herself why she had never been able to accept Tenchi's rejection of her the way Ryoko had. She began taking an emotional inventory.

Of course, she really did love Lord Tenchi. That was what Ryoko had never seemed to realize. Ayeka had always viewed Ryoko's attraction to Tenchi as little more than teenage lust, which would certainly explain why she was always glomping and groping the poor man, never giving him a moment's peace.

But that was a misjudgement now, wasn't it? After all, Ryoko had undergone such a change since the mess with Yugi, that it wasn't really fair to hold her to the past that way.

In any case, it was the other reason that really haunted her. It was so selfish, so animal, that it left her deeply ashamed, and she could sum it up in a single word: politics.

Emporer Azusa's rule on Jurai was failing. The people were growing restless. They called the emporer weak, soft, liberal. Such politically juvenile name-calling was hardly a threat, until other factions started to appear who wanted to put their families on the throne. Jurai was no democracy, but politics took its course there like everywhere else and, although Ayeka loved her father, she secretly agreed with some of the complaints about his policies. If things kept going in the current direction, her planet would soon be under new management.

But Lord Tenchi was the rightful heir to the throne of Jurai, and Aykea saw in him the hope of restoring her family's popularity, and bringing strength and stability back to the royal court.

Much to her chagrin, however, Tenchi had refused that responsibility over and over again. Her thoughts turned to their little talk in his room one night, nearly a week ago, and she struggled in her mind to accept the fact that her and Tenchi were simply not going to have a future together, on Earth or Jurai.

-

Tenchi gently pushed open the door to the lab, and peered inside, looking about for Washu. He spotted her off in the distance, tapping away at her computer, and joined her.

"How is she?" he asked.

"Asleep." she replied quietly, without looking up from her work. "She's lost a lot of electrolytes, from all the vomiting. I thought about giving her antiemettics, but it's just too risky. No way am I giving drugs to a pregnant woman." She turned to him. "She'll be back on her feet by this evening. You can go look in on her if you want." She gestured to the bedroom door.

He nodded. "Sure. Thanks, Miss Washu."

Sakuya lay on her side, snoring gently. The sheets were rumpled, like she had been moving in her sleep, and her hair was tousled and greasy-looking. Tenchi pulled the chair over from her desk, carefull to avoid bumping the I.V. machine, and sat down next to the bed, watching her sleep. Her side rose and fell rythmically with her breathing, and every now and then she would twitch a little, or mumble something. Tenchi smiled fondly. Even with her hair limp and greasy, and a needle in her arm, she was still beautiful. He reached out and stroked her hair, carefull not to wake her.

He was going to do it, he decided. No more games, no more indecision. Tonight, when she was up again and thinking clearly, he would take her on a stroll down to the lake, and ask her to be his wife. She deserved it. She was ready.

But are you? he asked himself. Ryoko was just a friend. Ayeka loved him, but he simply did not feel that way about her, and there was nothing either of them could do to change that. She was like a sister to him, and nothing more or less than that. Mihoshi? Now there was a tough question. Despite Sakuya's fury upon finding out about the whole incident, she had forgiven him, or at least was in the process of doing so. He had no romantic feelings for Mihoshi, but that night would always be in his memory, as well as hers. And they were very close, even closer than he was with Ryoko. Put that behind you, his heart told him. You've made your peace about it. It was wrong, very wrong, but you sought forgiveness, and got it. Dwelling on the past will only make it harder for you to stick with your decision.

Sakuya turned over on her back, and her eyes fluttered open. "Hey," she said, when she saw him. Her color was starting to come back, he noticed.

"How do you feel?" he asked, stroking her forehead; the touch was partly out of affection, and partly to see if she had a fever.

"A little better, I guess." She slowly sat up. "Just weak. And thirsty."

Yeah, she had to be pretty dry, he thought, since she hadn't had anything to drink since last night.

"I know," he sympathized. "But sorry, you'll have to keep your stomach empty, until you get off this thing." He patted the machine next to him.

She gingerly rubbed the hole in her skin where the needle was inserted. "This thing hurts," she complained, then lay back down on the bed. "Pregnancy is such a drag. I wish could just have this baby and get it over with."

That's not funny, Tenchi almost rebuked, remembering the big early-morning scare a couple of days ago. But he held his tongue: she meant no harm by the remark.

"Well, there's not much of a baby to have yet," he said instead. "Besides, I think the idea of another person growing inside you is pretty wild." He added with a laugh, "Not that I would want to go through it myself!"

-

"You are certain you want to do this?" Katsuhito asked.

"Certain that I want to?" Ayeka asked. "No. But I am positive that I will do it."

Katsuhito turned his back to her, looking out the window of the shrine office. "This would be a drastic step. Once carried out, the decision cannot be reversed.

"You think I don't know that?" Ayeka snapped. "Do you think I would effectively disown my own family on a whim? I did not come to this choice lightly, Yosho.

Kastuhito turned to her again. He looked into her eyes, and put a hand on her shoulder. "Of course not. I understand your dillema, Ayeka. I regret that I have no council to offer you, except that you take a little more time to think about this. The formalities have not yet been completed. There is still time to change your mind."

"I have taken all the time I need, Yosho," she assured. "My decision is made. I would rather accept Lord Tenchi's friendship than be separated from him by thousands of light years."

"What of Sasami?" Katsuhito asked.

"She will face this choice as well, but I think she will feel the same way I do. Somehow, I don't think she has it in her soul to put politics ahead of her loved ones." She paused. "This of course, will mean a new family line on the throne." She stood, and gave a bittersweet smile. "Whoever they may be, may they rule with courage and wisdom, and may their days be blessed."

She stepped forward, and knelt before him. "I am ready."

"Very well." Katsuhito began the Jurian incantation, asking her to confirm her decision once more. She did, and he stooped down and removed the tiara from her head. "You should change clothes now."

-

Tenchi was on his way up the familiar path to the field, when he met Ayeka, returning from the shrine office. His eyes widened when he saw the simple shift she was wearing, and noticed the little crown was missing from her hair.

"Ayeka?" he asked. "What happened? Why are you dressed like that?"

She smiled, and breathed a sigh that sounded as if a world of weight had been taken off her shoulders. "I made a decision, Tenchi," she said in a happy tone. That she had dropped the 'Lord' part did not escape his notice. "It was a difficult one, but now that it's done, I feel very good about it."

Tenchi felt the shock register as it dawned on him what she had done.

"Ayeka," he breathed, "you...you didn't have to do that!"

"But I did," she countered gently. "I had a choice between two families, Tenchi. I chose this one."

Tenchi was flabbergasted. He didn't know what to say. One the one hand, he felt guilty. She had done this for him? No, he thought. He had to put that aside. Despite appearances, not everything these young women did was all about him. As he had told Sakuya two days ago, the temptation to be arrogant was a hard one to resist.

He stepped close and embraced the former princess. "You're family, Ayeka," he whispered. "I love you. We all love you." He drew back and looked into her eyes. He saw in those eyes something he had been waiting to see for a long time. The princess had finally matched emotional steps with Ryoko.

"I'm so pround of you, Ayeka." He struggled not to cry. "I know this took a lot of guts, and I promise I'll support you on it."

-

As Washu had predicted, Sakuya was feeling a little better when the sun set. She lifted herself out of her bed, and stretched her arms. Boy, that felt good. After lying in that bed, vegetating all day, Sakuya thought she was going to go crazy if she didn't get up and move around.

She parted the front of her robe, and glanced at her belly, rubbing the wrinkles left in her skin by the sheets.

She still felt weak and grouchy, and her back hurt. She wondered what time it was; it was hard to tell time after spending all day in a room with no windows.

Pulling the I.V. machine with her, she made her way across the room. A glance in the mirror made her grimace. You look terrible, she told herself. Her hair was greasy and messy, and her eyes were dull. She wanted a shower, but what to do about this blasted machine? How did you turn it off? She bent down and examined the controls, but the display and keypad were covered in cryptic symbols and acronyms that were gibberish to her.

She gave up, and was about to just pull the needle out of her arm when the door opened, and a beaming Washu appeared. "You wouldn't be able to use it anyhow," she said, pointing at the machine, "the controls are locked. So, I see you're feeling better."

"A little. Just tired." Sakuya swallowed, and felt her stomach rumble. "I could use something to eat."

Washu shook her head. "Not yet. Water or green tea until I know you and the baby can handle anything else. Oh yeah," she said nonchalantly as she moved toward the I.V. machine. "You missed the action this evening."

"What happened?" Sakuya asked, watching as Washu punched in the access code and turned the machine off. She winced as the needle was removed from her arm.

"It's a long story. I'll let you find out for yourself." She changed the subject. "Since I'm guessing you want to take a shower anyway, this seems like a perfect time for a checkup."

Sakuya obiediently stripped and sat on the bed. The little scientist took her blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs, and inserted probes into her mouth, ears, and vagina.

"Well, you're in better shape than you were." Washu assessed. "But I still want you to take it easy for a while. You're exempt from chores for the next couple of days, and no soild food until furter notice." She tossed Sakuya her street clothes. "Congradulations, you're free to go."

-

As Sakuya left the lab and entered the living room, she saw a surprised Ryoko and Kiyone sitting on the couch. "Hey, look who's up!" Kiyone greeted, elbowing Ryoko.

"About time," Ryoko agreed. "Dinner's almost ready."

"How you feelin', girl?" Kiyone asked.

In spite of herself, Sakuya smiled for the first time that day. Miss Washu meant well, of course, but it was nice to be greeted by someone who wasn't quite so clinical about it. "Better," she said. "It feels great just to be moving around again."

"Naaagh, exercise is overrated," Ryoko said with a dismissive wave. "Except for the hanky-panky method," she laughed.

Kiyone rolled her eyes. "You're a sick woman, Ryoko. Hey, Sakuya," she paused, "Ayeka's been looking for you. She probably thinks you're still asleep.

"Great," Sakuya muttered. "She probably wants to have me beheaded for missing chores this morning."

"Well," Ryoko shrugged, "it's either chat with the Princess, or listen to me and Kiyone tell dirty jokes."

"That's a good point," Sakuya laughed. "You two come up with some pretty raunchy stuff. Guess I better go see what her Royal Highness wants."

-

Ayeka sat on the back steps, watching the stars get brighter, and thinking about her newfound freedom.

She was quite surprised at herself. She had expected to be thoroughly depressed after giving up the crown, a thing that, for so long, had given her life meaning. But after leaving the shrine office, when she looked around herself and saw what she had traded her royalty for, all the silver, gold, and political power in the universe seemed so small in comparison. This was her life now. Sasami, and Kiyone, and Ryoko. Even Sakuya. And of course, Tenchi.

She knew, of course, where Tenchi and Sakuya's relationship was eventually headed.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps behind her.

"Sakuya," she said tonelessly, without turning around. "Good evening. I'm glad to see that you are well again."

"You wanted to see me?"

She turned around this time, and smiled. "Yes, actually." She waved. "Come, sit."

Sakuya's eyes widened a bit. Okay, she thought, what in the...?

She sat next to Ayeka, and nothing was said for a long time. Sakuya finally decided to speak first. "Which one?" she asked, gesturing at the sky.

Ayeka chuckled. "Funny that you should ask. It's none of them, actually." At Sakuya's blank look, she explained. "I'm no astronomer, but I think Jurai's sun is in a very obscure southern constellation of this world. It can't be seen from Japan; we're too far north."

Ayeka said nothing else for a long time, then decided to get down to business. "Tenchi will ask you to marry him. No one told me this, but I know it in my heart." She turned, and looked at Sakuya. "You should say yes."

She watched the play of emotions across her former rival's face as the words registered. "But you were so upset about it," Sakyua said with amazement. "You said..."

"I know," Ayeka interrupted. "I spoke out of anger. Forgive me."

"Of course I forgive you, but...are you sure?"

She put a hand on Sakyua's shoulder. "Sakuya, you have Tenchi's love. This decision belongs to you now. You should follow your heart, not mine."

"My heart says--" Sakuya began, stumbling over her words. "I don't know. There are things about me that Tenchi doesn't understand. In his defense, I don't think anyone else would, either."

"Tenchi understands more than you know, Sakuya. Please understand, I am not attempting to pressure or manipulate you."

Both women fell silent again for about a minute.

"Miss Ayeka?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

Ayeka took some time to consider her response to such a deceptively simple phrase. Several options presented themselves. She decided on the safest one. "You're quite welcome."

-

"So, can we still call you princess?" Ryoko asked over dinner that evening. Tenchi's smile faded a little. He would have to talk to Ryoko about that later. Ayeka still appeared to be at peace with herself about her abdication, but the heart was a mysterious thing, and only the owner could truly understand what happened there. At the very least, a little sensitivity was called for.

Ayeka nodded. "You may, if you find it more confortable."

Mihoshi joined in: "So what do you want to do next? Are you gonna look for a job?"

Ayeka paused. "Well, I hadn't considered that. I suppose there are many places in the city that would be willing to hire me." She suddenly laughed. "But how would I tell an interviewer about my administrative experience?"

"Tell them it's stellar," Kiyone laughed. "Tell them it's out of this world!"

Washu coughed, and everyone got quiet. "You know, I could use some help in the lab," she suggested. "There would be a pretty healthy salary involved. Okay, well, it wouldn't be quite what you're used to, but you could make yourself a pretty comfortable living. What do you say?" She put on her best Darth Vader impression. "Come work for me, Ayeka," she boomed in a deep baritone. "Join the dark side."

It got a good laugh, something everyone needed. Tenchi watched in silence as the others talked, laughed, and ate. At last, he decided the time was right. He stood, and excused himself. As he was heading toward the door, he gave a discreet nod to Sakuya.

-

Hand in hand, they strolled down the path to Lake Funaho. "You do this every night?" Sakuya asked.

"Well, I used to," Tenchi said with a grin. "But I haven't been walking this past week; things have been a little hectic." He took a deep breath of fragrant night air. "Man, it's great to be out here again." He sat on the ground, leaning against the same tree where he, Ryoko, and Mihoshi had been stargazing when all this started. It seemed like a million years ago. "Here we are," he said, patting the ground next to him.

Sakuya sat, and leaned her head on his shoulder. Tenchi wound his arm about her, enjoying the sensation. But the feeling soon faded, and he became nervous as he remebered why he had brought her here. His hand went to his hip pocket, feeling. The ring was there.

"Sakuya?" he said. "I...need to ask you something." Adrenaline squirted into his bloodstream. What if she said yes? Was he really, truly ready? There was only one way to find out, and he had already started down the path. No turning back, now.

"Yes, Tenchi. I will," she whispered.

That only made his anxiety worse. She hadn't even let him finish! What if they weren't even talking about the same thing? He took the ring from his pocket with one hand, and gently held her wrist with the other. She looked up at him as he prepared to slide the ring onto her finger. "On one condition," she said, stopping him for a moment.

Oh, God. Here he was, a nervous wreck, trying to find the courage to ask the woman he loved to bind herself to him. To forsake every other man on Planet Earth. To cook meals with him, sleep with him every night, and perhaps be the mother of his children. And she was dragging this out! He felt a twinge of resentment toward her, but quickly supressed it.

"What is it, Sakuya?"

She stood. "There's something I have to show you, Tenchi. You need to understand."

And then she fainted.

"Sakuya!" Tenchi cried, leaping up to catch her body as it slumped to the ground.

He knelt over her, checked her breathing, her pulse. Nothing. Holy...was she dead!

Something caught the corner of his eye, and he turned, and looked up. He almost fainted himself.

It was beautiful. It was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Then it spoke to him, not with words out loud, but in his mind. There was no voice, either outside or in his head. The knowlege simply materialized in his brain, and he understood. It was Sakuya.

What his eyes saw was a brilliant, blue-white light. It was not a sphere or a cube; it had no discernable shape. It was like a star, only much smaller, right here on Earth.

He began to understand as she--she? it?--imparted the knowlege to him.

Now he knew. He knew what his beloved girlfriend, possibly his fiancee, was. He had been told before, but had forgetten, the events of that first morning lost in the hectic business of seven days of life. Now he was seeing it with his own eyes. Now he knew.

The brilliant light faded, leaving him in the familiar darkness of night. To his overwhelming relief, the form slumped in his arms began to move again. Sakuya blinked her green eyes, and looked about. Slowly, her eyes came to focus on him. "Sakuya!" he breathed. "Oh, thank God! Are you okay?"

She gently seperated herself from him, stood, and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine," she said, as if nothing had happened.

Tenchi got up and stood next to her, his mind still boggled by what he had seen. "Did you...did you die?" he asked.

"Well, yes. By the human definition, I guess I did. But I'm alive now, Tenchi. It's okay. We can do that, leave our bodies at will, and return to them. It's not usually necessary, and we rarely do it, but sometimes..." she let the sentence hang.

"Do you understand now, Tenchi? Do you know why I hesitated?"

Tenchi nodded. She hadn't done it for her own sake. She had done it for his. She felt it would only be fair to him to remind him that he was proposing marriage to a transcendent alien.

But she wasn't just a super-powerful being from another dimension. She was a human being, too. She talked, laughed, ate, took showers, went shopping. She could burp, sneeze, get sick, fight, and make love. She was pregnant, for crying out loud!

"That's my only condition, Tenchi," she said, interrupting his thoughts. "Can you accept that?"

He responded by taking her hand gently in his. He held it up, and slipped the ring onto her finger. Then he pulled her in, and she did not resist. Tenchi and his bride-to-be shared a long, deep kiss under the stars.