Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo is the property of AIC/Pioneer Autumn Leaves Ryoko sits in her command chair after leaving Tenchi on Jurai. She has done what she promised, got him safely to Jurai. Only now does she truly submit to the pain of the evil would in her side. Her face is serene while the images and thoughts that are her memory flood through her mind almost too fast for her to catch hold. "I would love to go on a trip with you Ryoko." It was a warm memory even though the events that followed could hardly be called 'happy'. The memories continued to spin inside her head. -You looked back. Was that regret or pity in your eyes? - Kamadake had paid respect to her sacrifice, "Not even one thousand knights..." -One thousand nights, basking in your warmth. I wanted so much from you, but what you gave me was better in a way. - "Well Ryo Ohki, seems like it's just you and me again. All alone." -For the first time in my life I knew what home was. - "It's been fun though. We've had a blast since we fell on the Earth. Haven't we?" -I have seen the far corners of the galaxy. I have seen sights that would leave anyone speechless. But on that tiny backwater planet I had more than I ever hoped for. I finally felt like my life mattered. I lived, and fought, and felt alive for the first time in a long time. - "I'm lonely. I sound silly, don't I?" -Home... I can almost feel the wind carrying the scent of cherry blossoms. No it isn't cherry blossoms; it is the scent of Startica bells. Autumn leaves falling in a sweet summer breeze. I can see the colors swirling above me. Summer and autumn, coexisting peacefully. So peaceful, I want to rest a while here. The leaves whisper and tell me that it is all right and that I don't have to fight anymore. - Ryo Ohki tried to hold on to Ryoko's fading presence, desperately wanting her to return. Ryo Ohki screamed as she felt her mistress slip away. Three translucent figures, shining with inner power and light appeared on Ryo Ohki's bridge. "It has been a long time sisters." Blue light swirled around the figure of Tsunami. "It is ironic that we meet here and not where are true selves are." Red light that was the power of Washu surrounded her. The green light radiating from Tokimi flared but she said nothing. Washu seemed to be the only one who was amused by this meeting. Washu approached the lifeless body before her. "I suppose it had to be this way." "Of course. She required it more than I do. This way she is freed from her past life. She will not be able to do what is required of her if she is weighed down by guilt and doubt." Tsunami looked at Tokimi, "You will assist us?" "I know very well the consequence of failure." She sneered, "If Kain is not stopped here he will keep absorbing matter until there is nothing left." She sneered, "And we will be powerless to stop him, because of your promise." "We cannot risk battling him ourselves, too much would be destroyed. That is the reason that we do not fight each other openly." Tsunami's patience with Tokimi only went so far. "The opportunity to destroy Kain will only come once, and only here. We must hurry, we have very limited power here and soon we will revert to our original dimension." The three goddesses stood, forming a triangle around Ryoko's body. Each placed their left hand on the next person's shoulder and their right over Ryoko's head. Their energies met and twisted while they covered Ryoko. When the wave of light came to her wound the dark energy was dissolved and her flesh was restored. Blue, green, and red formed the sky and trees. Countless leaves and endless skies seemed to define eternity. Ryoko breathed in the refreshing air and watched the leaves swirling and dancing to the ground. The peace was not just around her but inside her as well. Every sound she heard, everything she saw seemed to be telling her that all was well, that she had been forgiven. In the last moments of her life she had been selfless and had finally shown that her love was real. The leaves started swirling faster, alarmingly fast. They were closing in on her. The sky, summer and fall leaves were all closing in on her. Blue, green, and red, no longer the sky and leaves, engulfed her. She felt a yanking sensation, then the even less pleasant sensation of being squeezed into a small container. Ryoko's eyes opened and were greeted by the sight of the three goddesses. Her vision and mind were bleary. Who were these people? Two of them she was certain that she had never seen before. -Washu?- The familiar child genius did not stand before Ryoko but even in this adult form, there was no mistaking Washu. "Wake child, your time is not up." Tsunami's face was kind, almost belying the immense power she wielded. "You have much still to accomplish," Washu smiled. "Go to him, when he has returned from his holiday on Jurai. They will need your help." The three goddesses vanished. -My time has not yet come. - "Let's go home, Ryo Ohki." -Dead and risen again, like the fallen autumn leaves that return every spring to enjoy another summer. - Author's notes: I would like to thank Nathan and Jaf for their invaluable comments and suggestions. Any and all C&C is greatly appreciated.