Forgotten Sonata

Tenchi charges into the noiseless and unsympathetic household, shaking off his shoes at the threshold.

He plops down on to the sofa, groaning noisily chiding himself.

"H-How long have you been standing there?" Misaki snap around from her vanity.

"W-Wasn't expecting to see you." Moving towards her eldest taking her by the hand closing the door. "Going somewhere?" Misaki eyes the coffee colored trench coat Ayeka was wearing.

"Mother, Sasami and I will be on our way now." Ayeka scans her mother's room for the first time in years, wringing her hands.

"It is late. Why not leave in the morning? It's not safe to travel with a child, when there are western soldiers patrolling the streets." Misaki suggests sitting in the wine-colored armchair.

"Masaki's tend to be treated a lot better than most."

"We are not the only Masaki's." Misaki levels a stare at her daughter.

Sensing another disagreement on the horizon, Ayeka nippily got to the point, "Mother, I need to get home to my husband. We have a lot to speak about. Not to mention the tension heavily blanketing itself over this home" Ayeka admits patting the front of her dress.

"Sasami is my daughter, you are my daughter. I am telling you it is risky to travel at this time." Misaki retorts sharply.

"I am for certain, we will be all right mother." Ayeka reassured. She then pursed her lips, "I came here to explain what happened earlier and to…apologize."

"I can manage on my own… besides none of that matters now. I forgive you, but I will never forget what was said and done. You embarrassed me…but it was the truth. Ayeka." Taking a moment to gather herself. "Ayeka, I will make certain the transportation will be taken care of. Be on your way now." Misaki picks up the phone.

"Very well. Goodbye Mother." Ayeka bows biting down on her lip, she unhurriedly walks to the entryway. Giving her mother another once over, that little girl who adored her mother with every fiber of her being was screaming within the shell of her adult self. Ayeka desired to buckle and run into her mother's embrace. Instead she bowed and pivoted, until her mother's voice filled the room once more.

"A-Ayeka I will relay your departure to your father. Take care of yourself and Sasami for me." Misaki quickly masks her sadness with a confident declaration and comforting gaze.

"You as well, M-Mother." Ayeka bows and opens the door. Slowly through the dimly lit corridor, her lengthy and delicate pale fingers ran over the wall panels, memories of happier times flooded through her mind.

Within her chambers negative energies occupied every perimeter around her. Misaki lips quivers as the sound of Ayeka's retreating footsteps outside, for all she can foresee, Ayeka will be her last visitor. She could not stomach to live another day in despair and being someone's second choice.

Spellbound at the wooden panels above her, the absence of warmth beside her, the void within her. Forlorn and wrathful, why did it get too far? Easy! Both fell for the other out of pure yearning and for affection. Why?! Because it was euphoric. Why?! Selfishness. The Vigor. The reveries for the future, so real she could feel it! Tenchi made her feel alive again, he supported her immature mind, never challenged her and not ever slaughtered her flight of fancy.

And alas, Fullness.

'He's with her now…no use in trying to fight for him. He was never mine to begin with. I was never his…" A tear rolled down her cheek, followed by another, moistening the pad under her head. No matter how abrasively she wipes them away they carry on without a care.

Tenchi awoke shortly before midnight awoken by the sound of a vehicle pulling up. He opens the door to the home, finding Sasami deep in slumber on the shoulder of the house aid. Ayeka walks out shortly after.

"Ayeka it's the dead of night…wasn't expecting you back this early." Tenchi walks down the steps concern across his face.

"I missed you." Ayeka hesitantly wraps her arms around his shoulders.

Over her shoulder Tenchi watches the maid hugging the sleeping girl to close to her rushing into the home.

The scene catching Tenchi's attention he separates from Ayeka with worry, "Is Sasami alright?"

"She is okay." Ayeka reaches out for Tenchi's face, turning his attentiveness back to her.

"What is it, Ayeka? What happened?" Tenchi held her shoulder. Ayeka was about to her open her mouth, when the maid emerges out of the home.

"Lady Ayeka, Sir Tenchi. Little Sasami is placed in her night wear and is sleeping." Madam Iwa, the short and aged maid notifies the couple. She bows, bidding her goodbyes.

The couple watches the car leave, Tenchi broke contact turning to Ayeka.

"I was not aware of you returning so early, I did not prepare anything."

Ayeka nodded, "It is alright. I do not have much of an appetite tonight."

Tenchi brows furrowed, "Want to talk about what happened, it's clear something happened."

"We have to talk." She admitted, sauntering to the home.