Ryoko waited patiently by the back door for Mihoshi and Kiyone to grab their things for the onsen, she didn't really want to be anywhere near Aeka at the moment. The Princess seemed overly worked up and in her current state of mind their may be some harsh words exchanged if they were to get into an argument.

She could now hear Mihoshi and Kiyone conversing as they descended the staircase, but they were cut short by Aeka. "Would you two mind helping me clean up around the house a bit?" She could hear the strain in Aeka's voice as she tried to remain cheerful, Mihoshi instantly agreed to help but Kiyone kindly apologized and continued towards Ryoko, much to the ex pirate's relief.

As the two walked out onto the porch they were assaulted with a rather chilly breeze, Kiyone could feel goose bumps prickle her skin as they walked slowly towards the onsen. She cast a quick glance at Ryoko who seemed to be completely lost in thought, "….Ryoko, I don't mean to be rude… But what is it that happened earlier?" The woman asked gently, Ryoko lifted her eyes but didn't speak up right away.

"Well, Washu and I were bathing in the onsen when suddenly we felt an enormous amount of energy out of no where, and just shortly after that we heard muffled screams. So I flew to check it out, when I got there, Tenchi was fighting off this man… He ended up getting clawed in the arm, and well that's about the same time Aeka arrived on the scene. I couldn't attack that man, because well… I met him, or well I had talked to him in the past. While I was sealed in that damn cave, I was the one who helped him get to our time. He's from feudal Japan, and well, I could tell by the look in his eyes that he wasn't himself. So I couldn't bring myself to fight and kill him, especially in his weakened state. I managed to distract him long enough to get this shard out of the large gash he has and as soon as that thing left his body he passed out…. Did I do something wrong? I mean Aeka thinks that I've done something horrible…" She said her eyes growing moist, but for once she chose not to hide her tears.

Kiyone shook her head, something didn't quite add up as to why Aeka was so angry over Ryoko's actions. "Maybe she's upset because the man had hurt Tenchi, but… that still doesn't give her the right to treat you so coldly…" A deep silence was held between the two until they had finally entered the onsen. The two women were both lost in their own respective thoughts, Ryoko sat down on the cool wooden planks. Listening intently to the water as it rushed out of the pipes and down over the rocks to meld into the pools, the warm mineral vapors soothing her senses.

Kiyone carefully began to move the wash cloth over the golden eyed woman's tired and stiff shoulders, she paused for a moment a small chuckle escaping her. Ryoko opened one eye suddenly reminded that it wasn't Washu bathing her this time.

"You know, I find it really funny Ryoko… I used to hate you and think you were the most horrible, rude and obnoxious person in the galaxy… But now that I've come to know you better, I think you're the most like me out of all the other girl's in the house. Sometimes I wish I could be as brave and outspoken as you are, especially when it's with something I truly believe in… Thank you for being there for me, even if at times it seems as though I don't want the support, I really am glad to have it."

Ryoko grinned slightly, her fangs protruding below her slightly chapped lips, "Aha! I knew it!" She said with a chuckle, "I always knew you had a soft spot for me… But wait… You aren't a lesbian are you?" Kiyone gaped at her in shock at the bluntness at of the question, or maybe it was just the question itself…?

"W-what? No, I'm not, what would ever give you that idea?" She asked in a serious tone, Ryoko winked.

"Well, you know, since you and Mihoshi are always together and what not… Even if Mihoshi's straight it wouldn't be all that hard to talk her into doing something kinky… You're not bi are you…?"

"NO! I'm straight all right? I don't need to get that here too… Everyone at GP headquarters always picked on us for being a couple too; I don't hate Mihoshi or anything… But I don't at all times out right like her either, I mean she's too nice to hate, but she's too stupid to like." The cop said in an exasperated tone, Ryoko laughed.

"Nice choice of words, though I have heard you mutter that you'd wish she'd die." Ryoko said chuckling as she caught Kiyone's slight twitch at the knowledge that the other woman had overheard her quiet plea. "Anyway… Thanks for this really, I feel a hell of a lot better than I did earlier… But I'm still not looking forward to facing Aeka."

Inuyasha grunted as he listened to Sesshomaru's brat whine, "Where is lord Sesshomaru? He left with you, where is he!" She cried while clinging to Sango for support, Jaken remained a little ways from the group with Ah Un, he did not want to risk getting beaten or man handled by the half breed or his friends.

Kagome was currently applying a bandage and some soothing ointment to a gash in his shoulder that had been affected by Naraku's miasma. "I told you already you little whelp; I don't know where the bastard is… He ran off after Naraku even when I told him that he was gone." He growled irritably, Shippo frowned trying to think of something he could offer Rin that might cheer her up. But the only thing he could think of would be his top, which was his favorite toy. He had just a day earlier eaten all of the sweets that Kagome had brought him from her world, so they couldn't be of any help.

Sango hugged the little girl close; she had stayed by Rin's side since Sesshomaru had departed because not long after they had rescued Kohaku, Kagura was sent to whisk him away again.

Though the wind witch was helping Naraku she didn't really seem all that thrilled to be doing so, she had even warned them that he planned on taking his night of weakness soon so that the next time they attacked him he would be much more powerful. Of course they debated as to whether or not they should trust her, but then again she had taken Kohaku willingly and ensured his safety to a worried Sango.

Rin had finally fallen asleep in the demon slayers arms, she didn't quite trust InuYasha's group yet, but she was steadily growing closer to Sango and the elder woman didn't mind this one bit.

Sango glanced towards the stars knowing that tomorrow they planned on getting Rin back to her beloved Sesshomaru; the demon slayer didn't know what it was that the child saw in that man, but he must have had some good in him for the little girl to love him so dearly.

The dinner table at the Masaki household was quiet this evening, Katsuhito had decided to come down to dine with the family as well to keep things in order and to check on Tenchi. Ryoko ate slowly savoring the newly found flavors as each one entered her mouth, she had always heard the others comment on how good of a cook Sasami was, and if she ate all this good food now then she knew she couldn't like any other food that wasn't up to par with the little princess' expert style.

She had recovered some of her sense of taste earlier on in the day, but when she attempted to take a deep chug of sake now it caused her to gag. The warm feeling that she so cherished had become almost too much to bear and the taste of alcohol was one that she'd have to get used to. The others stared at her in surprised as she sheepishly wiped her mouth and pushed the sake bottle back to its rightful place in the middle of the table.

The night seemed to drag on for the confused young woman, so much so that by around eight thirty she was ready to head off to bed.

Sitting up on her rafter that overlooked the living room she gave a mighty stretch before taking notice to the deserted room below her. Judging by the fact that the television was still on and several full glasses still graced the table, she guessed that Tenchi had woken up and the others had already gone off to Washu's lab to greet him. "Nice of 'em to wake good ole' Ryoko up…" She muttered as she hovered from her perch down to the hardwood floor below.

Moving towards the lab door she steeled herself with the possible confrontation with Aeka, but the feeling that entered her chest as she opened the door was not one she expected…. She felt suddenly very much alone; alienated from the only people she could call her family.

She stood frozen in the doorway, the lump caught in her throat preventing her from making any form of sound.

Tenchi was awake, and Aeka was in his arms… In his warm embrace, the two of them seemed off in their own world, and everyone else smiled cheerfully as if everything was in its rightful place. How could she feel this way? How could she feel so alone when they were right there before her…. It felt like she was back in that damn cave, watching everyone around her go on with their lives, she was once again invisible… A mere specter that had some how made its way into a living, breathing body….

"….T-Tenchi…." She whispered weakly, finally finding her voice. Even with such a softly spoken word she managed to catch the attention of everyone in the room.

Washu turned, a smile gracing her childlike features but it quickly fell as soon as she noticed her daughter's expression.

The other's watched in silence as Aeka and Tenchi both shifted to face her, Tenchi hated himself but the smile he tried to conjure up just wouldn't appear on his tired face. And he could feel Aeka tense as she glared at Ryoko, he wasn't sure what had transpired between the two of them, but things didn't look good.

Ryoko started forward sensing that he wasn't going to say much without her prompting him to do so, "Tenchi, I'm glad to see that you're alright…" She said softly, she could feel pain shoot through her heart as he looked away.

There was so much that Tenchi wanted to say to the cyan haired woman before him, but…. The words didn't seem to want to form so finally he spoke up, giving her little more than a curt reply, "Yes… I'm feeling much better now."

Washu frowned at the tension that had begun to build up in the room, "Ahem, alright, we've all had time to say our piece. I think its time that we let Lord Tenchi get some rest. Come on gals, out ya go, you can see him in the morning." She said in a matter of fact tone, she then turned to Kiyone and Ryoko who had already started out. "You two, wait, I want to have a word with you." She said calmly, bidding the others good night before walking over to where Tenchi was sitting.

"Now, Ryoko, I think it may be fun if you sleep in Kiyone and Mihoshi's room with them tonight, is that ok Ryoko-chan?" The diminutive scientist asked with a small smile, Ryoko nodded slightly her back still turned to everyone else.

Kiyone frowned as she took notice to the tears that were making their way down the strong woman's tanned face; she'd never seen Ryoko cry before today… And yet, she'd seen her break down twice now with in the last few hours… Something was up, and she felt pity for the ex pirate, whom everyone seemed to think was incapable of feeling pain.

She then glanced over towards Tenchi who was staring blankly at the floor, he seemed to be lost in thought as he sat their on the edge of his "bed", his knuckles white from his tight grip on the machine.

The four people were suddenly shocked out of their thoughts as the second machine gave a loud beeping sound and the man lying inside it sat up slowly, ripping the breathing apparatus off of his face as he did so.

Kiyone stared at the ragged looking man; his body and hair were still covered in dirt and blood; with his horrible condition they had been more worried about saving his life than cleaning him up completely.

"….Sesshomaru, are you alright?" Ryoko asked in a firm voice as she approached the still disoriented demon, his golden eyes narrowed at her from behind his messy bangs.

"….You…." He said in a low growl, acknowledging only Ryoko's presence in the room. Tenchi glared at the other man angrily, he didn't know why he wasn't restrained in some way… And if he dared to harm one hair of any of his family member's heads Tenchi would make sure he didn't recover from his injuries. He didn't know why, but he hated the man that sat not five feet from him, usually Tenchi felt compassion for everyone… Even his enemies, why was this man so different?

Ryoko moved over towards the wounded demon and reached out to rub some dirt free from his cheek he snarled at her touch. Their eyes locked and she could feel him relax slightly but he still seemed rather wary of her being so close.

"You remember me…?" She asked softly pulling her hand back, not wanting to upset him or his injury. He merely glared at her, his sharp eyes never leaving hers as she waited for his reply.

Growing bored of the staring contest her daughter was having with the new man, Washu cleared her throat, "Ok, ok, enough of that you two. You men need more rest, you can move around tomorrow if you'd like but I'm not releasing either of you until then. And ladies, I think you two could do with some sleep as well, it's been a long day." She added with a tired smile, Ryoko nodded blushing as she moved back to her spot beside Kiyone.

The Galaxy Police officer nodded her head towards Tenchi, "Good night, Tenchi." She then turned to face the other injured man and in a somewhat unsteady voice bid him good night as well, he merely glared after Ryoko who was already moving slowly towards the door.

"Good night." She said to no one in particular before she exited the lab, Kiyone hurried after her not wanting to leave her alone for too long with the way she was acting.

Washu sighed glancing back towards the two stiff shouldered young men that were to remain in her care until the morning, she moved over to Tenchi first wanting to change his bandage on his arm before allowing him to go back to sleep.

"How's it feeling?" She asked as she gently removed the bandage from his lean muscled arm, the young prince winced slightly as she began to place more ointment on the wound.

"Its feeling better then it did when the poison was eating away at it…" He muttered with a slightly nervous chuckle, she shook her head at the discoloration of the wound.

"Hmm, it's healed slightly but that odd color is still bothering me, you'd think it would have gone away with all the poison gone. Too bad that the samples I got from the remains of that pelt had been exposed to the air too long to be properly analyzed… Anyway, let me get this wrapped up again and then I'll get you something to help you sleep."

Tenchi frowned as his thoughts drifted back to the other man in the room, he didn't want to look at him again, just the thought of him made Tenchi's blood boil. But why, was he jealous? Was he upset with Ryoko for that reason too?

"There you go, all done Tenchi-dono. And here, take these." Washu instructed clapping once and a bottle popped into existence before him and he caught it after a slight delay, she then clapped again and a glace of water appeared, luckily for Tenchi she caught the newly appeared item this time.

"Thank you little Washu." He said with a smile as he took two of the small blue pills with the full glass of water before lying back down in the healing machine.

Washu then started for the other man, though she knew in his current state he couldn't do much to harm her with her powers to protect her, but the moment her eyes met his she wished she hadn't already sent Ryoko to bed.

His eyes were so piercing, searching for any possible weakness she might have in her being. And she knew… If his eyes were sharp enough, he'd see straight through her, see everything she so desperately tried to hide…. Her hate for herself, her insecurities, her doubt, her ignorance, and her pain…

"…Why is you're scent is similar to that of the other wench's?" Sesshomaru asked in a low tone, his amber eyes never leaving her wide emerald ones, she seemed startled by the sound of his voice and her shaking increased. He could feel his more feral side grinning inwardly at her sign of weakness, she had a similar aura to the other woman's as well, they were obviously blood relatives.

"I am Ryoko's mother." Washu stated firmly, regaining her senses once Sesshomaru had averted his eyes to stare at Tenchi who had sat up to watch what was going on. "….She's been very worried about your well being you know, you could at least call her by her name." The woman said in a calm voice as she reached her hand out to undo the bandages that surrounded his abdomen, but she quickly found he was still quite alert even in his weakened state.

"Do not touch me human…." He snarled in a low voice, his fangs bared. The scientist's muscles tensed as she tried to calm her now frantically racing heart, his grip was crushing on her wrist but she was able to keep her face straight as she regarded him as coolly as possible.

"Now see here, Sesshomaru, I'm no human. I am Washu Hakubi, one of the greatest scientific minds in the entire universe; I'm not exactly sure what race I am… But I am not human." She stated firmly, phasing her slender arm through his hand.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed further as he watched her arm literally slip through his fingers; he had seen many demon's that had possessed that ability but he had not been expecting it from the small woman before him. Her now commanding voice shook him from his thoughts, "I need to put a fresh bandage on that wound of yours or it will get infected, and with how deep it is… That's the last thing you want." She said once again reaching out for his bandaged wound; he let out a deep warning growl.

"Leave it be; this Sesshomaru does not need such things. It will heal on its own." He stated as he brushed her hand away, more gently this time.

Straightening herself, Washu frowned at the man, but judging by his attitude she doubted he was going to listen to her. "Fine, if that's what you want. Then will you at least go back to resting? You need to sleep and allow your body to heal, if you want to sleep some where else you'll have to wait at least until tomorrow." She said before turning and heading off towards her own chambers, she had their restoring machines connected to her holotop, the computer would record their vital signs over the course of the night and would alert Washu if there were any complications so she could at least attempt to get some sleep.

Sesshomaru was tempted speak out against her, but his body was tired and not knowing where he was he decided it would be in his best interest to remain in a place that was safe at least until his powers recovered enough that he could protect himself.

Once Washu had disappeared through a small door the lights dimmed slightly, but even then Tenchi did not remove his eyes from the other man. "If you harm any one of them I swear it will be the last thing you do." He said in a cold voice, his usually kind eyes were now hard and filled with dislike.

Sesshomaru glanced at him, his stoic expression had returned to its rightful place on his handsome features, "Boy, do not waste your life for such a trivial matter… This Sesshomaru does not go around senselessly killing, especially not weak foes. There's no sport in such a cowardice act." He stated before lying down and allowing his heavy eyes to drift closed, several minutes later his ears picked up on the sounds of Tenchi doing the same.

Kiyone glanced over towards Ryoko; the woman was curled up into a tight ball, very little of her wild mane was even showing from underneath the covers. "Ryoko-san? Are you still awake?" She asked softly, in an attempt not to wake Mihoshi.

"…Yeah, why Kiyone...?" The ex pirate asked in a tired voice, the other woman suddenly wished she hadn't said anything at all.

"I uh… I'm not sure what is going on, and I don't know what will happen… But I'm sure everything will turn out ok, and… With a little polishing, that new man will probably be very attractive." She added with a small giggle, Ryoko couldn't help but smile slightly at her companion's giddy response.

"….Thanks Kiyone, and yes, I think you're right."

Mmmm sort of liked this chapter ;p but I really can't wait for things to start getting more action packed… And yes! Sesshy is awake! Hahaha anyway, yes I know.. Tenchi is mildly OOC but… I mean he's not being a dick to Ryoko; he's just not… well talking to her much. More like he doesn't know what to say to her, because in truth he doesn't even know how he feels. Anyway please review!