Night after the carnival (part two) " so you can just go back to wherever it is you came from. Beside I have Tenchi." she teleported back over to Tenchi sitting close to him. It didn't escape her that he moved away from her. He didn't even try to do anything she thought Looking at Tenchi as he stared at Z. Tenchi was speechless he couldn't believe what he just saw. Z bowed his head low and for a second he was totally lost. he had not even considered she would say no. he had not thought about what he would do is she did. Again his knight training saved him, he quickly regained himself " as you wish lady Ryoko." Z stood up and turned to face the others at the table. " thank you for a wonderful lunch." he looked at each one of them. " if you will excuse me I shall be going." he turn to leave. " wait a minute!" Washu said. " oh the things a mother has to do to get her thick headed daughter to see what she has." Washu clasped her hand together and put on her little girl look. " oh sometimes it is just to much for me to bare." " stow it mom." Ryoko snarled at her. " you don't see what was just handed to you do you ." Washu looked at Ryoko. " he is offering himself as your guardian . don't you get that?" she said over there link . " he is yours to command." then Ryoko's mind clicked. He will do anything I ask of him, I can have him do all the things I don't like to do Ryoko grinned to herself inside. " ok mom you win." " I thought you would see it my way." Washu sent back. " ok Z I will let you be my guardian." Ryoko Stared hard at him. " but stay out of my way got it." " as you wish." Z answered. Washu felt a little sensation in the back of her mind. She focused on it trying to find its source. Her eyes went wide it's a link!!!! She shouted inside her head. She raced to tract t down to see who it was coming from. But it was to late who ever it was had already closed it off. You think you can hide from me? She laughed out inside her head I am the greatest scientific genius in the universe!! You wont hide from me. She gave herself a small smile. Z turned back around and faced Ryoko " lady Ryoko I shall be outside if you have need of me." he bowed toward her and started to walk out of the dinning area. She half looked at him as he turned to go. " Ya whatever." she said turning back to Tenchi . She started to hug him when she saw the sour look on his face. "What?" she asked her eyes giving away the hurt. "You know you don't have to be so mean all the time." He said the her as a matter of factly he closed his eyes to her, turning his head back to his lunch. Her lower lip began to quiver lightly. "but I let him stay didn't I?" her eyes pleaded with him to look at her. But he refused and just slowly kept eating. Her mind screamed WHAT DID I DO !! WHAT DID I DO??!! Her shoulders slumped as she looked down and away from him. Slowly she turned to her lunch and quietly picked at it. she lowered her head down more hiding her face in her cyan hair so the others wouldn't see the tear run down her cheek. The rest of the meal went in silence the others not really sure what to say. When Yosho stood up " if anyone needs me ill be up at the shrine Sasami thank you for the lunch." " Oh you are welcome Grandpa!" she waved to him with one of her bright warm smiles. The rest watched him leave. "Well guess it is time for me to get as well." Washu said. Standing up and stretching her hands out in front of her. "little Ryoko?" she said looking down at her daughter. " I want you to come to my lab later on today. I have some stuff I want you to do." Ryoko nodded her head yes still not looking at anyone. Washu gave a quick look at Tenchi she could tell he was already fighting with his guilt for hurting Ryoko. Trying to grow up are we Tenchi? She thought to herself. She stepped in front of her lab door and opened it up. But before she went in she looked over at Ryoko, her eyes softened. She looked only for another moment before lowering her eyes and going thru the door. Tenchi was fighting inside himself. He wanted so much to tell her he was sorry and didn't mean to hurt her he hated himself for it. But the other part was holding firm to his resolve. She has got to learn to stop treating people like that. So he did what he has do for some many times before,..nothing. Each one who finished there food got up and quietly moved away from the table. Until only Ryoko and Tenchi where left. " Ryoko." he said softly not being able to bring himself to look at her. " I am sorry but it is wrong to treat everyone like that." "Tenchi." she said he could her the pain in her voice. "What Ryoko?" he asked finally looking at her. She felt his eyes on her. She slowly looked back up at him when he looked upon her face his heart sunk. Her cheeks where streaked with tears and her eyes held such hurt. He couldn't bare to look anymore and lowered his eyes. She watched him look down. She couldn't stand it any longer and quietly phased away. Ryoko reappeared on the roof sitting down with her knees pulled up to her. She looked out over the yard following the lines of woods the reached out to the base of the mountains. The view is so lovely here she thought to herself. She traced the edges of the mountains with her eyes following them down to the lake. She could feel her spirits starting to lift. Her eyes came across a figure standing on the bank of the lake. She sharpened her eyes until she could see who it was. It was Z, she turned a little to get a better look. He was standing very still like he was just staring out over the water or maybe beyond to the mountains she wondered. She could feel her anger getting stronger. He was the one who caused Tenchi to treat me that way. She stood up ready to take flight. She was going to take her anger out on him. Then she saw Tenchi come out form the front of the house. He was carrying his basket on his back and his hoe over his shoulder. Ryo-oki meowing happily at his heals. She stopped her flight as she watched him walk down towards the fields. Then she realized it wasn't Z who was at fault at all. In her mind she played what Tenchi had said to her at the table. " you have to stop treating people like that" treating people he said not Z. she phased herself back to the roof consoling herself to just watching the man standing at the edge of the lake. Ayeka was sweeping off the front steps of the house. She was so deep in thought that she didn't noticed that she had been sweeping the same spot for five minutes. I have never seen lord Tenchi so forceful and stern with Ryoko before. Is he finally coming to his senses and throw that nasty pirate out. Oh do I dare hope that it will happen. She was smiling to herself inside. Oh at long last Tenchi will profess his love to me. Oh she knew she should have been overjoyed at this. But one look at how Ryoko took it she felt no joy in it. She may be a lot of things Ayeka thought and right now she could think of quite a few. But the one thing she did know inside even though she didn't want to admit it Ryoko loved him just as much as she did. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her it could just as easily been me in her shoes. She was so deep in thought that she didn't notice Tenchi had came out onto the porch carrying his basket and hoe. " ummm Miss Ayeka?" he asked seeing her not moving. "oh Lord Tenchi!" she said shocked. " I am sorry I didn't see you come out of the house." she held the broom tightly to her and stepped to the side of him. " You are on your way to the fields?" she asked seeing the basket. " oh yes I got to get one of the fields planted before it gets to late. Tenchi replied. "well have a good day lord Tenchi." Ayeka smiled. " thank you Ayeka." he said walking down the front steps and into the yard. She watched as he headed towards the fields she smiled to herself " Oh!" she cried out "Meow Meow Meoooooow!" Ryo-oki bounced out the front door and after Tenchi. " you scared me you silly little thing." she laughed at herself after realizing what it was that jumped out at her. She watched the two until she couldn't see them any more. Things are looking much better she chuckled to herself. It wont be much longer, I can feel it. Z stood at the edge of the lake looking out across it over the forest to the mountains. He still was having trouble believing he was in the same room as Ryoko. She was everything he had remembered back on juri. And now he was with her and she had accepted him as her guardian. He stood there completely still closing his eyes he let himself be calmed by the sounds of the forest. The way the forest sung enchanted his soul. He reached into his pocket and drew out a small wooden flute it was delicately carved with leaves and branches. He put the flute to his lips and began to play. The notes flowed out into the air mixing with the sounds of the forest. The music began to sing with the song of the forest. Ryoko watched him reaching into his pocket and take something out she tried to see what it was but his hand covered it up from her. Then she saw him bring the object to his face. Soon after her ears picked up the sound it was very faint for her to hear but she knew it was some kind of music. Her curiosity was aroused, she teleported down to the yard and then teleported a small distance behind him. As soon as she reappeared her ears filled with the most wonderful thing she has ever heard. It was enchanting the music melted into her. She wanted to close her eyes and just listen then she heard the forest as it joined the song. Z put finished his little tune and placed his flute back its place. " you play really well." he froze " lady Ryoko!" willing his body to move he turned to her and bowed. " I am sorry I will leave." he said starting to walk away. " wait a minute." she stopped him. He stopped and turned to her. " I didn't mean you couldn't ever be around me." she said after he turned to her. " I meant I just didn't want to have to worry about you is all." she said half smiling at him. " you have my word you wont have to worry about me." he said looking her straight in the eyes. She was thrown off by this. She hadn't ever had anyone look at her like he just did. He was so calm not fidgeting like Tenchi always did and there was no fear of her at all. If she didn't know better she was almost sure the what she saw was that he wanted to truly be right here where he was. She felt her face get warmer. OH my god!!! Am I starting to blush she said to herself completely shocked. Damn you Zero!! Stop this already, he is not Tenchi. She could feel herself regaining control. " where did you learn to play like that?" she asked. " my mother taught me, she started when I was very young. They use to say I could play before I could walk or talk." he looked at her she was smiling. He had never seen her smile before this moment. His breath wouldn't come, the shear beauty of her smile was overwhelming. "would you like for me to play something for you ?" he asked when his voice finally came back to him. Yes! Her mind shouted. "ok you can play something for me if you like." she said instead. " very well." he smiled. He reached up and untied his cloak and spread it over a fallen tree truck. " if you would like to sit." he motioned for her to sit where he had placed his cloak. She phased out from where she was standing and phased back sitting where he had motioned for her. He stepped back a couple of steps from her . He turned around and sat on the ground. He brought out his flute and began to play. The sun was beating down on Tenchi as he was working his hoe making rows to plant the new carrots. He had removed his shirt some time ago it was already soaked with sweat. Ryo-oki was following close behind dropping seeds in the little holes Tenchi made and then covering them back up. " boy Ryo-oki with your help ill get this one done today." he said smiling at the little cabbit . " meow meoow meow." Ryo-oki said happily at him. " Lord Tenchi." Ayeka called out. Tenchi looked over and saw the princess walking toward him. " oh hi Miss Ayeka." he said wiping the sweat off of his forehead. " it is hot out today ." she said coming up in front of him. " so I thought you could use some tea." she smiled at him showing the container she brought. " oh Yes Miss Ayeka thank you very much I was getting thirsty." she beamed. "Oh!.... Here let me pour you some." she said excitedly. She took out a small cup and poured some into it and handed it to him. She blushed and looked down feeling his hand touch hers as he took the cup. He quickly drank down the tea "ahhhhh. Thank you very much Ayeka I really needed that." he said finishing off the tea. " Tenchi?" she said filling his cup again for him. " about what happened at the table this afternoon." "ummm...Oh..... Well I was kind of hard on her wasn't I?" he said " well she has to understand it is wrong to treat everyone the way she does." he finished. " yes you are right." she said agreeing with him. She wasn't sure how to take this at first she thought that he had finally saw Ryoko for who she was a monster with no morals. But then what if he was doing this to change her...... To change her into what... Then her eyes widened. into something he can love...her heart started to race. As fear took hold of her thoughts. Just before she thought she was going to cry out . No! No! I wont believe it he would never choose her over me. Pushing that thought aside she picked up his cup and rose. " Lord Tenchi I have to go and help Sasami with something. Will I see you when you get home?" she asked. " ummm yes ill be home in a bit." Ayeka gathered the things she had brought, smiling at him once more before turning and starting back to the house. Tenchi sat there for a little while watching her as she left. Kiyone and Mihoshi where cruising just on the outer rim of the solar system. The Yugami rounded the left side of Pluto. "ok Mihoshi." Kiyone said. " lets make our report so we can head home." she reached over to the panel at her side. The controls came to life under her fingers, she typed in a few commands. " ok! Kiyone," Mihoshi replied cheerfully typing on her panel. " the Report has been sent." the panel beeped, "Oh the report has been confirmed." Mihoshi said reading the signal on the screen. "Yaaa Now we can go home! I am starving." She exclaimed. "MihoshYou are always hungry." Kiyone sighed. Mihoshi giggled. "Ok course is set for earth, if we are lucky we will make it home just before dinner." The engines of the Yugami burst into life, turning the ship back towards earth. The ship rocked as it was struck on the starboard side by laser fire. Both officers where slung to the ground from the attack. Kiyone was the first to recover and get back into her seat. Her hands furiously typing over her panel. Lights and singles where displaying on her screen "Mihoshi!!" she screamed "hurry up and get over here!" Mihoshi finally reached her chair. "now keep us from getting hit again." Kiyone ordered her. "right." Replied Mihoshi . Suddenly she was very focused taking control of the flight gears. More laser fire rushed at them but Mihoshi guided the ship out of harms way. Kiyone had completed a scan of the area, it revealed a ship. She quickly realized the this ship was way outclassed by the Yugami. She opend communications " this is dective 1st class Kiyone. Who are you and why are you firing on us?" the smaller ship didn't answer but just kept firing on them. Mihoshi had managed to get the Yugami turning into the laser, bearing the ships weapons down on the smaller ship. Kiyone's anger began to get the better of her. " Ok!! Buddy you asked for it! Firing on galaxy police offiers is a serious crime! You are under arrest!" Kiyone armed the Yugami's weapons. "If you don't surrender right now I will be forced to blast you ." the smaller ship didn't give any sign of stopping its attack. Kiyone's Left eye Started to twitch her eyebrows drew together. " OK! YOU ASKED FOR IT!" she screamed into the console. The Yugami's laser's fired on the ship. It tried to manuver out of the line of fire. But it was to slow the lasers ramed into its hull. The little ship shuddered as the blast exited out its other side. Kiyone could see the effects of the smaller explosions going off inside the ship. Then ther was a burst of light followed by a deffening roar as the small ship exploded into a million pieces of now burning space junk. Mihoshi found herself thrown back to the floor. Kiyone had manged to stay in her chair by hanging on to the control panels. " Mihoshi?" she asked when the ship had become quite again. "OW!" Mihoshi moaned not moving from the floor. Kiyone looked back at her partner making sure she was ok. " I ma going to run a check on that ship." she told her going back to her panel. " Mihoshi as soon as you can you need to make a report for headquarters." " ok Kiyone." Mihoshi said finally able to get up. Everyone was gathering at the table for dinner. Sasami was placing trays down she had carried from the kitchen. Yosho was sitting at his spot at the head of the table listening to Nobiyuki talk about his day at the office and the newest building desin he was working on. Washu sat just to Yoshos left, she was reading one of her many books or at least that is what everyone thought. But Washu was more interested in watching Ryoko and Z that where sitting on the other end of the table. Neither one of them where talking to each other Z sat quietly on Ryokos right. Ryoko was already filling her plate with food. But what got her attention was how at ease they where with each other. She smiled to herself "Oh by the Way Z would you mind coming to my lab after dinner I have things I want to do to you." she grined suggestively at him. Z looked over at her, his face blushed slightly. " I beg your pardon? Lady Washu." his eyes where wide. Washu eyed Ryoko her smile got bigger when she saw the reaction. Ryoko had stopped filling her plate and looked over at her mother at first it was one of surprise then one of anger. "yes I want to gather some data from you for my records. Since you are going to be staying here." Washu looked back to Ryoko. She put her hands to her cheeks going back to Z her face was one of embarrassing surprise "OH my! What was you thinking." she turned her head slightly away from him still keeping her eyes on him. " you where wanting to do naughty things to me wasn't you." her voiced taking on the childish form. "MOM!!!" Ryoko growled at her slaming her plate of food down in front of her half of it falling off onto the table. Z flushed " LLLady Washu I would never do such a thing." "oh it is ok Z darling I don't mind." she gave him a very seductive gaze. She could have swron he dropped two deep shades of red. Ryoko jumped to her feet " I said knock it off!!" she shouted at Washu balling her hand into a fist her power sparkling over it. " you are always trying to take anything that is mine." she glared at her. "hello everybody I am home." Tenchi stopped when he saw Ryoko about to let loose one of her energy blast. "what is going on here." he asked. Not really sure he wanted to know. " Oh it is just Ryoko being Ryoko." Washu answerd. Ryoko suddenly Realized Tenchi was here. She teleported over to Tenchi thowing her arms around him. " Oh Tecnhi!" she pouted. " washu is being really mean to me." she said laying her head on his shoulder. Washu finished her dinner and got up from the table "Little Ryoko I'll see you in my lab when you are done right?" she asked. " and when I am thru with you Sasami I'll see you ." " ok Washu." Sasami answered her cheerfull look faded a little. Washu went to her lab door. "and Ryoko don't make me come looking for you." she gave Ryoko one of her knowing looks. " Oh fine!" Ryoko replied angerly. Tenchi had manged to sit down with Ryoko still clinging to him. Ryoko noticed for the first time that Z was now sitting beside Yosho just as he had at lunch. She looked over at him. He was sitting quietly with his head bowed and eating. Hum I didn't even see him get up she thought to herself. Oh well more room for me and Tenchi. She started to snuggle in closer when she felt him pulling her arms off of him. " Ryoko!" he said sucking in his breath. " I cant breath and I would like to eat ok." she took her arms off of him " Oh I am sorry Tenchi.." she giggled blushing " I didn't mean to squeeze so hard." " it's ok." he choked out. Kiyone had just gotten back the information on the ship. " it was a frieghter from the saloran system." she paused for a second " but how could that be that system is on the other side of the galaxy." " wow he sure is a long way from home isn't he Kiyone?" Mihoshi asked. " why would it fly all the way cross the galaxy just to shoot at us." Kiyone asked more to herself. " I don't know." Mihoshi replied. " maybe we owed them money?" " get real Mihoshi." Kiyone said getting annoyed. " well lets head back home and we will see what hq says about it." Kiyone said turning the yagami around. " course plotted and engines engadged." Mihoshi called out. The engines fired and the yagami was heading towards earth. After dinner Z had excused himself and headed towards the shrine that Yosho had left for earlier. He loved this walk up a long flight of steps, the cherry blossom trees covering them with a light blanket of cherry blossom petals. The air smelled of the wonderful little red flowers. Yes the thought to himself he was going to like it here very much. It took him about 20 minutes to reach the front door of the shrine office. Z knocked lightly. " come." came Yosho's voice from inside. Z slid open the door and steped inside Yosho was sitting at his table writing out parchments. " thank you for seeing me lord Yosho." Z said bowing to him. "What is it you wish to see me about?" Yosho asked not looking up from his work. Z stepped closer into the room. " My lord I wish to ask for your permission to put a place for me to stay in down close to the lake." Yosho stopped what he was doing and turned toward Z " do you not want to stay in the house with the others?" he asked. " lady Ryoko request that I stay out of her way so I shall not stay in the house." " oh I see." Yosho understanding the knights oath knew that it would be no good to sugest anything else. He turned back to his work. " very well you have my permission." " thank you my lord." Z bowed to him before leaveing the shrine. Once Z had shut the door he closed his eyes and phased out. Moments later phasing back in on the edge of the lake he had found this spot eailer today it sat just up a small hill from the waters edge. He reached into his shirt and pulled out a small hand held device he clicked one of the small buttons. In front of him phased in a small two story cabin. The wood was done in deep cherry. the front of the cabin had a covered porch that ran the whole length pf the house. the west end of the porch had steps the went up the the second story balcony . Z walked up to the porch and opened the door. Before steping inside he looked around the bottom floor was one room there was a table of to the east side close to the firplace that was in the center of the east wall. The west wall held a bed and dresser, in the center of the room was a set wooden ladder that lead up to the second floor. Z climbed up the ladder. the second floor was more like a loft with the one side having just a rail standing on the edge you could look down into the first floor. The only thing on this floor was a large bed set in the middel of the floor. its head board was aginst the dresser's back so you would have to walk around the bed to get anything out of it. He went over and felt the bed the mattress was made of the down of the softest feathers he could find it had two pillows on it they also where made of the same down that was in the mattress. Covering the mattress was a soft cotton sheet. And and thick cotton quilt. He smiled to himself this is perfect. Ryoko appeared in Washu's lab " ok I am here. What do you want now?" she said. Washu turned around on her floating pillow pulling her red hair up from the floor. "will you hand me that stuff from that table please." she said pointing to a table next to Ryoko. She looked down at what Washu was poinintg at. She recognized the vials and plant she had got for her today. Ryoko groaned picking up the stuff and taking them to her. " thank you little Ryoko," Washu smiled to her. She took the vials and dumped them into what look to Ryoko like a flower pot. Then when that was in she put the plant in it. Washu looked at Ryoko she could tell she was wondering what she was doing. So to answer her "the soil on the bed of the lake has a lot of juri enegery infused in it. I am going to see how it effects the local plant life here." "Oh." Ryoko said not really understanding what that had to do with anything. " Ryoko?" Washu looked at her. " What do you Remember about that cave?" "What!" Ryoko said stepping back from her. Images of the cave returning to her mind. " Why do you want to know about that?" she asked totally off guard. " I know sweetie that this is hard for you but I want to know." Washu told her calming Ryoko with the careing tone of her voice. " but... I cant." her voice starting to shake. " Ryoko........Please." Ryoko looked at her she couldn't say no. she got a far away look on her face " it was dark in there I was totally alone. I had no power, I was sealed off from all sources. Then I found one it was very small but I drew from it and saved it a little at a time to make a gem." tears began running down her cheeks. " but it was so small and took so long." the fear of the cave set in Ryoko fell to her knees freely crying now. " finally I had enough power to leave my body and go outside the cave." she paused wiping the tears away. " that is when I saw him.... Tenchi and I know he saw me. I knew it would take me much longer to finish the gem cause I was using some of the power to keep going out of the cave. But I had to see him it was the only thing keeping me from going crazy in that nothingness of the cave. Ryoko couldn't go on any more that was all she had the strenght to tell. A small tear ran down Washu's face. " ok Ryoko." Washu said softly. "that is enough you don't have to talk about it anymore if you don't want to." Ryoko regained her composer, she stood up off the floor. " is that all you wanted?" she asked her sarcastic tone returning. " yes that was all." Washu answered. She turned herself back around to her holo computer. Ryoko phased out of the lab Washu waited for a moment then brought up the image of the cave she had taken the other night. So it was you was it she said to herself. Then she remembered that Sasami had asked to speak with her. Ok ill get back to this later. She slid off her pillow and went to get Sasami. The Yagami broke the clouds over the Maski home gliding down and hovering over the lake. A beam of yellow light went form the ship extending to the ground. In the seconds of the beam hitting the ground Kiyone and Mihoshi materialized. " You go on into the house ill take care of the Yagami." Kiyone said reaching up to her earing. " Ok Kiyone." Mihoshi replied heading to the house " I hope we are late for dinner." Kiyone twisted her earring, in front of the ship opened a sub space portal. The Yagami moved forward into the portal. once it was completely inside She turned the earring again and the portal closed in on itself and was gone. Mihoshi walked up on the porch. The front door was already open so she went on in. " hi everybody we are back! Did we miss dinner?" she asked before noticing nobody was here. " Oh my where is everybody?" she asked looking around. Sasami stepped out of the kitchen . " Oh hi Mihoshi." she smiled at her. " You guys missed dinner so I made your plates and put them in the kitchen for you." " great thank you Sasami!" Mihoshi rpelied happily. " Sasami." Washu said standing with her lab door open. " ill see you now." " Oh ok ill go get Tenchi." Sasami said the smile on her face disappearing. She walked across the living room and up the stairs to Tecnhi's door. " Tenchi." Sasami said as she came in. "Washu is ready now." Tehcni was sitting at his desk working on his school work. He put his pencil down. " Ok Sasami let me get this picked up and we will go." " Ok Tenchi." she replied standing next to the door. He put his paper in the book, then closed the book over it. " Ok I am ready." He said getting up from his desk. She gave him a weak smile before following him out the door. The little red crab on Washu's door rattled as Tenchi and Sasami came in. "hello Tenchi." Washu called from the other end of the room " come in and tell me what I can do for you two." Tenchi and Sasami made there way over to where Washu was sitting. "Umm... Miss Washu." Tenchi Stuttered out. " Sasami had another one of those bad dreams." " well she did now." Washu said looking at the little girl. " uh hu." Sasami answered looking down at the floor. " well now." Washu rubbed her chin " let me see." she reached over and tapped on her holo computer a metal chair appeared next to Sasami " Now sit down please." she said her voice becoming very direct. Sasami moved over and sat in the chair, in a flash wires came from around the chair and fastened themselves to the little princess. Then a cap of flashing lights placed itself on her head. Washu started to push the putton then stopped remembering how Sasami felt about reading ones mind. " Sasami I am going to scan the dream you had last night. That way I can see what is was you saw." she looked at her. " It wont hurt and you wont have to see it again." Sasami shook her head ok. Washu smiled and pushed the button. The lights on the head band got brighter and started flashing faster and faster. Tenchi just stood ther watching, Washu's machines never stopped astounding him. After a couple of minutes the lights slowed down and dimed untill they where completely out. Then the chair vanished leaveing Sasami standing back on the floor. " ok ill have a look at this and get back with you when I have something." she said turning to her holo computer. " Umm... Ok Washu." Tenchi said leading Sasami out of the room. " Oh Sasami." Washu said just before they left. " don't worry ok dreams can always change and what you see in them don't always mean that is what is going to happen." Sasami stopped and looked at her. Washu never turned around she just kept typing on her panel. Sasami smiled " thank you Washu." the sparkel coming back to her ruby colored eyes. Once she was alone she brought up the images of Sasami's dream she sat quietly as it played out " This just keeps getting better don't it?" she asked out loud. So Tsunami what are you trying to tell me she thought to herself. " Miss Washu?" Kiyone asked stepping if from the lab door. Washu Turned around. " OH good just person I wanted to see." she said motioning for her to come over. " so Who was that you got into a shoot out with?" Washu asked Kiyone stopped her face held a look of surprise. " YOU know about that already?" she asked. ` " Of course I do after all I am the greatest scientific genius in the universe." she laughed. " I have this whole solar system monitored it helps to know what is going on out there." Kiyone walked the rest of the way to her and handed Washu a disc " it was a saloran cargo ship. This is the information that we where able to get from the ships computer we salaved from the wreckage." Kiyone said refering to the disc. " The Yagami's computers couldn't make anything out it is coded." Washu taped her panel and a slot opened up. She put the disc in " ill give my computers a try at this thing. It might take a while so ill let you know when it is done." " alright." Kiyone replied.she turned and left the lab. Z was sitting on the front porch of his cabin watching the sun slowly move behind the mountains. "wow Z did you make this?" Tenchi asked walking up to the porch. " Good evening lord Tenchi." Z greeted him standing and bowing. " no I did not make this." he said turning to the house " I won this in a game of chance." " wow really." Tenchi said with surprise. Z turned back to Tenchi " yes even as a kinght we are aloud to have a little fun from time to time." he smiled. " would you like to see inside?" " sure I would like to see it." Tenchi said walking up on the porch. Z opened the front door so the Tenchi could go in. "ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh." Tenchi whispered stepping into the main room. " this is great, so calm, so peaceful." " would you care for some tea lord Tenchi?" Z asked going to the cabinet " yes thank you ." Tenchi answered noticing there where two beds. " how come you have two beds Z." he asked. " well I think when this place was built it was for a family. The mother and father slept up there." he pointed to the loft "and the child there." he pointed to the other bed next to the wall. " I just left it like it was. Makes it more of a home to me." he finished making the tea and poured Tenchi and himself a cup. " Yes you are right it does." Tenchi agreed takeing the cup from Z. they both set in silance for a while Tenchi finished his tea. " I guess ill be going now. I have to get up early for school tomorrow." he said getting up from the table. " thank you for the tea." " it was my pleasure my lord." Z stood and bowed to him. " you are welcome to come by anytime you like." Z offord. " oh ok thanks." Tenchi replied. As he left the cabin. Z picked up the cups and placed them in the small sink that was next to the fire place. He washed and dried both cups placing them back on the self. Outside the cabin sitting alone on the roof of the Maski home sat Ryoko she was laying on her back and looking at the stars. How she loved the look of the stars they always had a way of making her feel better. It wasn't long before the stars had pushed back the awful memories of the cave. Her eyes caught the glow of a light. She sat up looking the way she had saw it coming from. She saw a small house next to the lake then the light was gone. She could still she the outline agisnt the smoothness of the lake. Z was just taking off his coat and cape. When the door to his bathroom begain to glow in a bright pink light. He heard a knock behind the door. He walked over and slid the door open but all he saw was his bathroom. He looked in to make sure and then shut it again the bright pink glow was back. He heard the knock again he looked over the door then he noticed that it had another handle at the opposite end. He slid the door open the other way the bright light poured into the room. " hi Z I hope you don't mind but I set up a dimensional door to the main house it is just much faster this way." Washu stepped out of the light into Z's room " wow this is nice and cozy." she said looking around the room " thank you lady Washu." Z said shutting the door. "and this door will be of good use. I will let Ryoko know of it so if she has need of me she can use it." Washu looked back at him for a moment then laughed "Yes I am sure she would." Z offered her a place to sit down " no that's ok I am not going to stay. I have come to take you to the lab I want to gather that data now." she said going back to the bathroom door. "as you wish." he replied following her into the portal. Ryoko was standing outside the porch of the cabin the bright pink light appeared again and then just as fast it was gone. she teleported to the porch then phased thru the door. She found herself standing in one large room she quickly scanned the whole place. She phased over to the eating table the fire crackled in the fire place. seeing nothing there she phased over to the small bed next to the wall. She saw laying on the bed was Z's coat and cape. So this is his place she thought to herself. She looked up and saw the loft she lifted off the ground and slowly flew up. She hoverd in the air looking down at the bigger bed and dresser. the beds bedding was all white the quilt, pillows, and sheet. She landed at the top of the ladder and walked to the bed. It looked so wonderful. She reached down and ran her hand over the quilt, she loved the feel of it she pressed her hand down into the bed the quilt forming over her hand as it sunk deep down. She closed her eyes and just let the warmth and softness of the bed flow thru her. After a few minutes she opened her eyes again taking her hand off the bed. She looked around the rest of the room excpet for the dresser the only other thing was a handle next to the bed. Ryoko was curious about what the handle did so without a second thought she layed across the bed reaching out she turned the handle. She heard a sliding noise above her. She rolled over on the bed. A section of the roof just above the bed opened up revealing a star filled night sky. Her eyes went wide this was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She felt her body completely relax, she snuggled herself into the quilt and lay there just watching the stars. Z had just gotten into Washu's lab when before he knew it. He was in his underwear with wires and hands holding him completely still a band of flashing lights around his head. " lady Washu what is this." he said suddenly very nervous. " oh don't worry. It helps gather the samples that I need." she replied suddenly smiling very segestively at him. " there is only one that I like to get mayself." Z looked at her in a blink of an eye she was standing before him. She was wearing a white dress that came to just above her knees. Oh her head was a small white nurses hat. She snapped on some rubber gloves smiling at him. " What kind of sample are you talking about my lady?" he asked trying to get loose of the machine. But he was held tight. " why a sperm sample of course." she put her hands on his stomach . " oh my so strong." she ran her fingers over the muscles in his stomach. "lady Washu!" his eyes doubling in size " I must insist that you do not do this." " strickly medical.............right." she said sliding her hands down and opening his underwear. She laughed inside remembering how much Tenchi had squirmed when she had said that to him. " lady Washu I beg you ." he pleaded trying to move away from her reach. " oh my Z please you don't have to beg I will be happy to do this for you." she laughed reaching in. Ryoko wasn't sure how long she had laid there, every second she was there she was becoming more and more at ease. Her thoughts drifted to Tenchi, his smile, his soft brown eyes. She felt a strong erge to see him. As much as she didn't want to leave she teleported out of the bed and reappeared on the chair in his room. He was laying in his bed sleeping on his side. She just looked at him a warm smile on her face. She thought about all the time they have had together. It was going to be four years soon. Her mind lingerd on the times when Tenchi had been so nice to her. The times when he showed he had really cared for her. Then came the age old question, when is he gonna chose between Ayeka and her. She didn't want to think about it anymore. Sometimes she thought he was never gonna choose, she layed her head on her knees well at least she thought if he don't choose that is that much longer I get to be with him. Z was sitting again in a chair the had him held down but at least he was dressed. He was scolding himself for thinking Washu was going to take advantage of him. Oh she got her sample but not in the way she had suggested. " this is going to give me a complete record of your memories." Washu told him after the sample gathering was over. "is this something that must be done?" he asked her. " yes it is." she lied to him. He thought about it for a minute. "very well Lady Washu. But I must ask something of you." She turned and looked closely at him. " I must have your word that you will not tell Ryoko of anything you may find." he looked back at her. " I beg of you." " ok I wont say anything to her." she turned and typed on her holo computer soon it began to record Z's memories. Unknown to him she also sent a copy to a disc as well. " ok that will do it." she pushed a button and the chair holding Z released him and disappeared. " I have everything I need now." she opened a portal next to him " this will take you back to your house." he bowed to her and stepped into the light the door to his bathroom slid open and he was back in his room. He went over to the smaller bed and started getting it ready to get into it. A slight breeze moved around the room he looked up from what he was doing. He soon found the sorce of the breeze, the roof had been opened. He teleported to the loft, he noticed that the bed had been laid in. he ran his hand along the place where the person had been. He caught the smell of cherry blossoms. He smiled to himself, she was here he thought to himself. His hand began to glow with a soft blue light. He removed his hand from the form left on the bed. He reached over and truned the handle, the roof started to close. He held it there for a minute then thought better of it turning the handle again he reopened it. He phased thru the floor down to the first level he lowered the lights and crawled into his bed. Ryoko sat there looking at Tenchi sleep her mind just wondering over thoughts she was having. Suddenly a warm feeling came over her whole body. She wasn't sure what it was but it was very calming to her. All the thoughts she was having left her mind leaving her feeling sleepy. She stayed with Tenchi for a few more hours, but the sleep would not leave her. She thought about the wonderfully comfortable bed. giving Tenchi one last look she teleported to the loft of the cabin. At first she didn't move just letting her eyes adjust to the dark and looking around making sure Z wasn't in that bed. She found the bed just as she left it she looked over the rail and saw Z sleeping on the bed next to the wall. She smiled to herself "Well if you are not going to use this wonderful bed I might as well." she whispered. She phased into some sleeping clothes. It was a long white silk nightgown it glung to her body showing off every curve. Two thin straps held it over her shoulders it was low cut in the front and even lower cut in the back open all the way down to the small of her back. It was open on the left side, stopping at her hip. She pulled the quilt back and sliped into the bed. She sighed as the comfort slowly relaxed her. It wasn't long before she was completely asleep. Tenchi opened his eyes early the next morning. He yawned once before getting up out of bed. " good morning Ryoko." He said. He looked over at the chair. " huh." he said. The chair was empty, for the first time that he could remember since putting it in that she had not been in it when he woke. I wonder what could have gotten her up so early he thought. He quickly got dressed and shuffled down the hall to the bathroom. Takng some time to freshen up before breakfast he wasn't sure how to take her not being there. He had come to get use to her remarks and advances in the morning. It felt very strange to him after all this time wishing it would stop and the one time it does he is bothered by it. He laughed to himself Aww Tenchi you don't know what you want. He thought. He finished washing up and steped out of the bathroom. "Good morning lord Tenchi." Ayeka greeted him. He looked over at her and smiled. Well at least not everything changed. " good morning Ayeka." he replied. " Have you seen Ryoko this morning?" he asked. " no I havent lord Tenchi ." she paused " wasn't she in your room this morning?" "No she wasn't gee I hoped nothing has happened to her." he said scratching the back of his head. " oh i am sure she is alright. Probably got up to be the first to get fathers new stash of sake." she replied steping closer to him. Tenchi laughed. " Yeah you are probably right. Lets go to breakfast shall we." he held out his arm. She gasped lightly her face begainng to blush . She slowly reached out and slipped her hand around his arm. He smiled at her and lead her down the hall.