Summary: After an event that Washu saw her daughter was mistreated. Washu decide to treat Ryoko as a daughter instead of a science experiment, including restore Ryoko's past memories of them as a family that Kagato blocked. But doing this. Washu learns more about other past memories of Ryoko's was locked away. Memories involving not only one of Washu's goddess sister's past bad actions. But lost bonds Ryoko shared with two Masaki members. However what will the outcome to all those surfaces memories make for everyone's future.

Return Memories

A/N: Before you start reading this fan fiction story. Know that it won't be like the show of Tenchi Muyo OVA anime series...Well not really.

But then again this is just a fan fiction story, not the real series. Although I love Masaki Kajishima's amazing work on all the series of Tenchi; like Tenchi Universe and the three movies. I'm not thrilled with the ending to the Tenchi Muyo- 3 OVA or GPX for that matter. I can't believe his mother was really like that...I just can't. So that's how this story was born. Don't hate me for doing what I'm about to do. Cause like I said I do love Masaki Kajishima's talent since I was 13 years old when I first read and watched the Tenchi anime series. I have loved his work. But with this story running around in my head, so I had to write it.

I'm okay with flames but don't be too cruel...please. Well before I start the story I only have one more thing to say.

I don't own the Tenchi characters, they belong to Masaki Kajishima and whoever else that helps made this anime series. The only thing I own is the fan fiction story and that is all...SO ON WITH THE SHOW!

Chapter 1

"What do you want, Washu?" Asks Ryoko, floating in midair as she crosses her arms. "I'm missing my afternoon nap." She added with her lifeless golden eyes staring towards the genius/former goddess hovering in a chair across from her.

Summon to Washu's multi labs always makes the former space pirate on edge for not knowing what to expect. However Ryoko's too depressed and sad to care what Washu has plan for her.

Something Washu isn't surprise by her daughter's less than reaction, mainly when Ryoko's emotions overwhelmed her through their mind link during the aftermath of GxP cadet, Seina's recent visit.

Basically Ryoko was scolded by Tenchi for flirting with Seina during the boys' bath in the on-sen, regardless Washu herself, Noike and even Ryo-Ohki had flirted with Seina before her without Tenchi batting even an eye at their actions. Thereby with Tenchi shouting and treating Ryoko as if she's a child and not a woman. Washu's daughter has been displaying a lifeless behavior for days since then, unfortunately Washu, Ryo-Ohki, Sasami and Yosho only ones that's notice the change in her.

Yet unable to overlook her daughter's state anymore. Washu has for nearly a week been searching how to help her daughter if not just a little bit. Resulting in her learning more about her daughter's 700 year prison in the cave -knowledge Ryoko kept from revealing through their mind-link for years- as much as how truly far her daughter's love for Tenchi goes as well as a strong friendship with another.

And it's those reasons Washu inform her goddess sisters of what she's planning to do for her daughter and her daughter alone, actions that were delayed by Kagato sealing her away and enslaved Ryoko.

An fortunately, after some heavy discussion with her sisters and Tokimi admitting one of them owe Ryoko, they agreed to what Washu has in mind. Well Tsunami agreed after Washu threaten to rip her from Sasami's body with her bare hands.

Now everything in play. All Washu needs is Ryoko to go along.

"I bet you're wondering why I'm not using my child form."

"Honestly" Ryoko starts, while carrying a deadpan tone. "I don't care. So if you are going to taunt me by tying me up and leaving me in the dark to your enjoyment or tease me for being too emotional at seeming like some outcast then a respected member of the house to Tenchi. Let's get it over with."

More in depth with her motherly caring towards her daughter than in the past. Washu, hiding the hurt and anger towards herself and others including several Masaki members and her sister, begins to apologize for the wrong she has cause Ryoko since being reunited with her.

"Believe it or not. I wish I had done a nicer way to help with your fear of the dark in the past. And once learning what you kept sealed even from me within your mind. Teasing you is the last thing I would do." Here Ryoko shrugs, emotionless.

"Whatever." Fighting from rushing over to hug her hurt daughter. Washu makes a motion to bring up the object that will, hopefully, help her daughter and also their relationship as well others in the future, if Tokimi's foresee is true.

But again for this to happen, she needs Ryoko to agree. Nonetheless Washu carries on. "That said. I would like to offer you something very important to not just you. But me also."

"What is that?" Her tone still held it's lifeless, but even Washu felt her daughter's curious nature.

So smiling within Washu simply replies, "Why restore your memories that's been domaine inside your brain. Memories made before Kagato interfere with our lives.

"Wait I thought since Kagato erase all my past memories that-"

"Its been impossible to restore." All Ryoko could do almost nothing but slowly nod after Washu finish for her. But before Washu continue, she release a sad sigh. "I hate to tell you, but memories can never be erase. Just sealed far away within your mind to even be noticed." Knowing her eyes were filled with questions. Washu hung her head, stopping the whimper behind her tight lip.

"Washu…" Nearly catching the pleading in her voice. Disregard her own pain to look back to her daughter and finish what she vows she will do for her daughter.

"And yes, I knew of this. But without truly knowing it. I allowed my sisters, especially Tsunami, to place in my mind it been best to keep your memories sealed. And for that I can't say sorry enough. Thereby, without either of my sisters interfering, I will restore all your memories. That's if you want me too?"

Ryoko responds by disappearing in thin air. Yet a bit upset with her daughter leaving. Washu patiently resume working on her floating laptop. She didn't even search for her through their mind link. After all, this was Ryoko's choice, not hers, not to mention she had an obvious idea where her daughter went; a place Ryoko has visit since being released from the cave.

Fortunately, after a couple of hours, Ryoko returns with a tear stain face but a serious look than simply says, "When do we start."

Though itching in hugging her daughter for the stain tears painted her face. Washu decides to bring it up later if Ryoko let her. And instead smiles pleasingly toward Ryoko and motions her with a hand for the appearing floating door. "Right now. Just follow me through this door and we'll get started…" And with that, both mother and daughter disappeared behind the floating door, as Washu mention to restore Ryoko's memories they need to visit outside this realm to Washu's former one when she was a goddess along side her sisters.

A few years after Kenshi's birth...

Stationed on a tree, giving her a good view of not only the vegetable fields but also Tenchi and little Ryo-Ohki harvesting it. Ryoko's having a conversation with her mom, Washu through their mind-link, yet her eyes not once leave the two continue working away.

Maybe this is a bad idea. In spite of all she's accomplished so far once the former memories Kagato sealed up were released and the true depth of Zero really purpose to be existing revealed. The cyan haired beauty still felt hesitant to proceed in what she's planned since Tenchi announce a month ago that after Kenshi's training is done, himself is going to finished his last college years within Tokyo, on campus instead of continue his online classes at home.

Already Ryoko felt the sigh before hearing it in her mother's voice. Kenshi's training is almost complete. This is the best time to do this, Little Ryoko. Besides Ayeka has agreed to the request. Shouldn't that tell you to go for it. Don't worry your aunts and I are cheering for you all the way… Well Tokimi and I are cheering for you.

The motherly love she's receiving through their link makes a soft smile appear on her lips. But she remains perch on the tree branch.

Ryoko I know you're afraid and with the betrothed arrangement between Tenchi and the other girls made official after Seina's wedding. Well now is the best time. Yosho's even holding off his apprentice teaching for a week so Tenchi will be free for you to ask him.

Mom, what if this ends up with him distancing himself more then he has been til he can't stand being in the same room with me. That's more then I would be able to handle.

Although been familiar with calling Washu mom -without being sarcastic- for awhile since Washu restored her lost memories. It didn't stop the warmth and caring filling she's getting from Washu through their link. Furthermore with the new title, both Washu and Ryoko not only rekindle their mother and daughter bond they had before Kagato interfere. But during intense training Ryoko got by her mom and aunt Tokimi. Washu and Ryoko's relationship is stronger than ever. As well as strengthen Ryoko`s nature abilities and awakening new ones in her. Not to mention with Washu calling her, "Little Ryoko" nowadays. She feels motherly love from Washu whenever she refers to her by that name.

Listen to me, my Little Ryoko. Regardless what you assumed will happen. I would not be encouraging you to go for it if I thought the outcome will be bad. You've come so far to back out now. Like I said, Tokimi and I are right behind you.

Thanks, mom. Well here goes nothing. Thanking her mom and gained back the confidence in herself that she'd formed during her teaching under her mom and aunt. Ryoko rose from her perch only to phase from the tree to reappear and standing outside the field both Tenchi and Ryo-Ohki were.

Within stood there, Ryoko watches Tenchi taking a moment, draws up a bit from his kneeling position on the ground to wipe a little drops of sweat from his forehead. Causing the woman's heart to flutter at seeing the young man doing something, even if it's just plucking ready vegetables from the ground.

Suddenly as if he sense her. Tenchi turns in her direction, meeting his chocolate brown eyes with golden ones. Actions causing Ryoko to stay planted in her spot, while resisting the warmth to surface on her face at his silent, but unreadable stare.

However before Ryoko could think his unsure behavior at her being there is negative. Ryo-Ohki takes that moment to jump up from her spot by one of the vegetable baskets to rush toward Ryoko with a "Meow!"

Knowing what the word Ryo-Ohki said and feeling the affection behind it. Ryoko turns her attention from Tenchi to the fast approaching little girl, which was a good thing, for with a happy expression covering her face. Ryo-Ohki launches into Ryoko's waiting arms, as a toddler instead of her kid form.

Meanwhile while Ryoko's busy cuddling the Ryo-Ohki toddler in her arms with affection like a mother giving to their child. Tenchi breaks from his thoughts that formed a second he sense Ryoko's presence nearby just to turn and see her standing not too far off. Thoughts like, wondering why she was here? After all Ryoko doesn't usually venture out to the fields, especially since Ryo-Ohki became his "Little helper". Leading him running through his mind did he forget something? Or he's needed back at the house.

Ending on the idea that he wasn't getting any answer if he don't asked why she came all the way out here. Tenchi rise to his feet the same moment Ryoko lowers Ryo-Ohki to her feet where Ryo-Ohki instantly forming back into her kid mode, takes Ryoko's hand leading her over to him.

"Did Sasami sent you out here? I was sure I mention to her that me and Ryo-Ohki were returning home for lunch." He ask as soon as the two sisters were close enough to speak to without shouting to hear.

"Um, no." Response Ryoko, yet her attention and eyes are on Ryo-Ohki, who once released her hand as soon as they reached Tenchi, happily walks back over to the vegetable baskets; resuming her gardening.

Getting a answer but not the reason she was here and her giving him the impression she's not saying anything else. Tenchi opens his mouth.

"Ryok-" But his sentence ends there by Ryoko suddenly locking eyes on him, with -if he's not mistaken- determination and unsureness in them.

"Tenchi if I was here to bring you and Ryo-Ohki lunch. Wouldn't I have bentos filled with lunch with me. Besides it's not even near lunchtime. Sasami was on her way to the on-sen for a early bath with Ayeka when I left." Tenchi nods.

"Then what's got you out here? Did something happen at home that needs my attention?"

Immediately he observes while the unsureness remain, the determination become absent in her eyes to be replace with doubtfulness before she looks away from him. "Tenchi does anything have to be wrong for me to be here?" Her voice is low if not tiny. But Tenchi heard her as well read from her body language, that she's almost timid. Which is the last thing Tenchi would see Ryoko express.

No. She's shown this kind of behavior before. Well Zero showed when she replace Ryoko- Reminded of the shame he felt when he didn't notice Ryoko was kidnapped and replaced by Zero despite everyone else caught on even Ayeka. Quickly Tenchi pushes the regret rising in his chest down. Yet following this train of thinking, while also studying the cyan haired beauty in front of him, which he catches her blushing face. Tenchi's reminded of something. During the week after she and Zero merge. Ryoko did display shy almost bashfulness, if not unsureness of herself.

Tenchi frowns inwards. Sure he been pleased to catch sight of Ryoko opening up showing a kindhearted and real affection toward him that made him realized her actions, such like her early advances on him wasn't always to do with getting her gems from him like he figured from the beginning. But he couldn't deny he liked the headstrong and independent kind of person Ryoko is. Traits that many time had him -within- seeking her strength. Not to mention the warmth and welcoming feeling Ryoko's presence gives off. The same feelings he got from the cave within his childhood making him always seek out the place after all his chores are done at the shrine. Only to discover it was never the cave giving off those feelings. It was Ryoko all along.

"Tenchi? Did you hear me?"

Ryoko's voice reaching him. Tenchi snaps from his thoughts to realize this whole time he been staring back at her, while lost in his mind. Which Ryoko had turn her eyes back to face him, but he didn't notice. Unconsciously his hand moves to rub the back of his head, sheepishly. A trait he's not done in awhile, already he felt his face warming. "Sorry Ryoko. I guess I was lost in thought. But to answer you. No nothing needs to be wrong for you to come here. Just you never venture this way often. So I just assumed something was wrong. Again I'm sorry."

Catching the sincere in his tone and noticing the all familiar act he displays when embarrassed in the past. Suddenly Ryoko wants to hide her face again.

You got this far, Little Ryoko. Keep going. With the push from her mom and support she sending through their link as well as Ryo-Ohki. Ryoko inwardly relaxes then speaks.

"Don't be, Tenchi. You're right, I usually don't come out this way. But I figured now would be the best time to do what I wanted to do."

Normally in the past when Ryoko says she wanted to do something with him in the picture, and it always results in her groping him or fondle him in that way of manner. He be running to get away. Then again she's not done anything like that to me in a long time. In fact the last time I saw her even flirt with someone was…

Recalling the memory of seeing Ryoko flirting with Seina in the on-sen before he moved back to earth. Tenchi still felt how angry he was, enough that he shouted at Ryoko. But it's not until they left the on-sen which Seina pulled him to the side before they went to join everyone for dinner, questioned him in why he latch out at Ryoko yet didn't toward Washu, Noike and even Ryo-Ohki when they flirted with him. Bring about Tenchi admitting -only to himself and Seina- that he haven't just been jealous of Ryoko given someone the same affection she use to give him, but he wanted her to always be loyal to him. Regardless he kept her at arm-length to not hurt the other girls if he showed any affection toward one from the others. Resulted in him coming to term of his selfish and unfair actions toward Ryoko.

Regrettably a bit after Seina and his "team" left the house. Tenchi strive to apologize for his actions, yet earlier then he could, Ryoko came to him, stating she was sorry for embarrassing him and promise never to behave that way again. And shortly later he learned she meant it.

No longer did she acted like the Ryoko he came familiar with. Sure she became more mature but after use to her sleeping in mid air above his bed each night once coming back from Kagato's defeat - spite he was unaware of this until a night after her and Zero merge when he, in mid of falling asleep, overheard Ryoko talking to herself -or Zero- that being close to him chased away her nightmares. And aware of what those nightmares were by Kagato's parting gift to him, Tenchi allowed her -unknowingly to her- resume sleeping above his bed thereafter, even went to Washu to have the shield block on his bedroom allow Ryoko free access to his room.

Unfortunately, thereby along with her seeming more mature, Ryoko stop sleeping in his room at night. Where he learned quickly he missed this because his sleeping didn't feel as peaceful as when she slept over him, mostly when he -unintentionally- made it a habit to watch her sleep some nights. Additionally to all that change with Ryoko. Getting the news -week after Seina's wedding- that he's officially betrothed to marry all the girls living with him. That's except Ryoko. However she never argued about being let out, despite Washu and Ryo-Ohki was added to the marriage arrangement.

But by then, besides bypassing the other in the house, he and Ryoko haven't interact. In fact this might be the longest they held conversation so far between them.

"Tenchi did you space out again? Really if I'm boring you, just say so. And I'll leave you alone." That's if he stop focusing on his running thoughts and pay attention to the frowning but hurt cyan haired woman.

"Sorry Ryoko, and no you're not boring. I promise you have my entire attention. So please repeat what you said."

Within him speaking and apologizing, Ryoko's growing hurt made by him ignoring her so far, slowly fades, but it's his beautiful eyes, making her repeat herself, hopefully her words will get across this time.

"Well with only less than two years left before Kenshi's training is complete, and you said once that's done. You will continue your college years in Tokyo instead of finished online as you're doing at the moment. And of course, even if looks like a long time before you move to Jurai and marry the other girls there." While talking Ryoko not once drop her stare from him. Having Tenchi notice the pleading in those alluring eyes of hers. "Time moves fast here on earth, and so I just want to ask you on a date before something else comes up around here."

Tenchi blinks his eyes in surprise. A date? With as much distances she's made between us lately. Asking me on a date is the last thing I thought she would say. Honestly Tenchi expected her to asked if she can move out or something like that, where he deep down fear that was the case. But a date.

Meanwhile with nothing but silent as a respond but got he wasn't actually lost in thought, but instead thinking over her question. Ryoko assumes he's thinking hard because he's trying to find a way to refuse but not hurt her.

"Tenchi if you're having trouble in telling me you're refusing my offer. Please understand I rather you tell me the truth then waste both our time. Besides this date is only me wanting to spend time with you before I can't anymore. But if-"

"When's the date and where will it be?" Taken back by the answers, Ryoko nearly draws back but catches herself at the last second to respond.

"Um, the date will be in Tokyo. Mom I mean Washu has a inter-dimensional doorway that gives passageway to the city from here. I was thinking about tomorrow after breakfast where we can stay in the city all day or whenever you want to leave. It's up to you, I just want to spend time with you."

Originally if Ryoko asked him before he became betrothed he would have decline only for the reason he didn't want to hurt the other girls. Fortunate by the terms in the marriage arrangement speaking of no romantic or sexual interaction with his fiancés to be until the wedding night. Though he can see or date anyone outside the arrangement in meantime. Yet despite all that, Tenchi can't get himself to say yes, though he doesn't want to say no either.

In length, Tenchi sighs. I need to speak to someone….And dad is too busy with his new partners from America and Seina is on a mission. …I guess I have no choice but to seek out grandpa. But first I have to make Ryoko understand I'm not refusing her offer I just need time to think it over.

"Ryoko, before you think I'm rejecting your offer. Understand I'm not." Instantly reading doubt flowing in her facial expression. Tenchi reaches over and takes a gentle hold on her hand. Making a blush paint her cheeks, yet her expression was no longer doubtful. In fact she seem to be wearing a small smile."I just need time so I can give a honest respond."

Ryoko gaze a little bit at his hand still holding hers, then locks her eyes with his, as her smile grows with each word she says. "I understand Tenchi. Do you think after dinner today is enough time to make a decision?"

Her gorgeous smile and golden eyes sparkling at him has him unable to look away. But the familiar warmth and welcoming to her very presence stronger than he ever experience before feels like it's engulfing his being as if it was blanketing him while his heart misses a beat. "That sounds like enough time. Thank you, Ryoko." As a respond Ryoko giggles.

"I look forward to your answer, Tenchi." Yet as soon as Ryoko release her hand from his, as she moves over to Ryo-Ohki who seems to be meowing at her in speaking. The amazing strong sensation of her presence decrease from his form, before he finds himself longing for her touch, just to quickly push that thought out of his mind as he watches Ryoko suddenly gathers up all the filled baskets in one hand as if they were light as a feather.

"Tenchi, Ryo-Ohki asked since I was already heading back to the house. I should take these filled baskets. You okay I do this?"

"Sure that's fine. It lets me go straight to grandpa without any detour."

"Well in that case," Ryoko looks to Ryo-Ohki. "You wanna come with me?" With a meow squeal Ryo-Ohki turns into her cabbie form then rushes up to Ryoko to perch on her shoulder. "Well see you when we see you, Tenchi. Oh tell Yosho I said hi." After that Ryoko phases out with all the baskets and Ryo-Ohki with her. Leaving the young man alone on the field.

"Since everything is done here. I guess speaking to grandpa now than later, is next."

To be continued