Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ I am Ayeka ❯ Part Two ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: AIC/Pioneer created the characters of Tenchi Muyo (Lucky Stiffs) so I don't plan on cashing any royalties on them.

Scenario: This little tale takes place about four years after OVA2. It's a story I never thought I would be doing, but after reading different tales of Ayeka and some not so great T/A fics, this was an itch I needed to scratch. Please let me know what you think.

"I am...Ayeka" (Part Two)

By Alighthawk

<Hard to believe it was two years ago and …and yet, the hurt still remains. >

As Princess Ayeka gingerly stepped out of the pool, her thoughts were still entangled over what happened back on Earth when Tenchi finally confessed his love for Ryoko. She remembered all those feelings that totally encompassed her being as she spent the entire night by Funaho: The shock of not being chosen, anger towards Tenchi for deserting her as did his grandfather Yosho, jealousy and resentment towards the cyan pirate for twice denying her the men she loved so much and self-pity. Once she realized that there was no prince to sweep her off her feet and proclaim his undying love for her, Ayeka began to crumble to the ground once more and cried the rest of the night.

The rest of her stay was a blur for her. Deep down, she knew neither Tenchi nor Ryoko would do anything to intentionally hurt her, as shown by their compassion and kindness towards the princess whenever the family was together. However, Ayeka could not bear the thought of being around them any longer without having to restrain herself from crying or feeling sorry for herself. So, after much deliberation, the violet-haired royal sorrowfully told everyone that she was leaving Earth and returning home to Jurai.

As for Sasami, she initially wanted to stay with the rest of the Masaki family. "Who's gonna cook for them sis? Who's gonna play with Ryo-ohki?" Was the little girl's line every time the subject came up. Ayeka knew very well that her little sibling would miss the cabbit if she were to leave Earth and was leaning towards letting Sasami stay until she was ready to return home. However, one evening, Tsunami came to Sasami in a dream and told the little princess that she was needed on Jurai and that she would return to Earth eventually. On the night before Ayeka was to return on the rejuvenated Ryu-Oh, Sasami made the most fantastic feast she ever cooked up and announced that she was leaving with Ayeka, which made the older princess happy.

The next day, with many tears and broken hearts, the two royals left their adopted home and returned to their world. From Ryu-Oh's view screen, Ayeka and Sasami could see the family wave goodbye as they all looked up at the clear blue sky. Each member of the family reacted differently as they watched the ship fade into the background: Mihoshi nearly drowning in a pool of tears. Washu, gently holding onto Ryo-ohki as she sadly kept meowing. Yosho stood by the shrine, his face never betraying any emotion whatsoever and finally Tenchi and Ryoko, holding hands as they unhappily looked up, watching their friend disappeared into the horizon. Ayeka bid them farewell, but in a short courteous way that didn't allow them to convey their love or regrets. Acting in her royal mode, the princess kept her composure as she calmly expressed her gratitude for their friendship and wished them well. Despite the words, the tension remained around them as the princesses transported aboard the tree ship and sailed off into space.

<A sad period of my life, which is best to be forgotten. Right now I need to focus on the task at hand and resume the mantle that was bestowed upon me, the first crowned princess of Jurai. A task that I should've assume when brother Yosho never returned home instead of chasing him all around the universe like a lovesick puppy. > Ayeka scolded herself as she picked up a lily-white towel and walked over the large wall mirror to dry up.

As she began to dry herself, she examined the lovely, young lithe body that was staring back at her: Her soft, light pink skin looking tantalizing wet from her bath. Her pink nipples erected from the contact of the cool air. Her violet hair, without her tiara and braids, hung wildly about her shoulders and neck. She did not have the look of a princess, but she was beautiful nevertheless.

<I am a desirable woman…so why am I here on Jurai taking marriage lessons with total strangers when the two men I ever loved are back on Earth with that She-devil? > Ayeka's face flushed with red as her thoughts again traced back to her old rival.

The princess slowly moved her hands up and felt her breasts, slightly arousing herself as she felt their firmness and the hardness of her nipples. "My body may not be `voluptuous' as Ryoko's, but I'm just as capable of tempting any man with `these' as she can."

As the princess continued to feel further aroused, she slid her right hand down towards her shaven vagina, using her fingers to open her `lips' and began to massage her clitoris. Even though she hadn't been slept with a man yet, Ayeka had urges and needs like any other able woman and this was one of her ways of releasing those urges.

The purple-haired beauty was starting to hit full stride on her masturbation when she heard the outer doors of the onsen sliding open…

<DAMN IT…what now?!? >

"Princess Ayeka? Your mother was wondering if you have finished yet? Your guests are arriving shortly."

"Grrr…uh, thank you Aliza! As always…your timing is impeccable." Ayeka replied in a sarcastic tone, finding herself unfulfilled. "Tell her that I'll be downstairs shortly."

As she put on her royal white bathrobe and headed back towards the bedchamber to get dress, Ayeka's subconscious resumed to its earlier thoughts of Ryoko and her physical `attributes'.

<I hate to admit it, but the pirate is indeed a sight to behold. There isn't a man in this universe that wouldn't want to have her. >

<But that's not why Tenchi fell in love with her was it? > Her conscience was asking her. <All those times she flaunted her naked body at him, those days she would blatantly tried to seduce him to bed. None of that worked for her did it? >

"No it didn't, but perhaps if I was more outgoing, more brazen like Ryoko was…"

<It would have gotten you nothing. Let's face it…you fell for Tenchi as soon as you landed on Earth thinking Yosho was lost, only to discover that he was Tenchi's grandfather. >

"And by then, Tenchi and Ryoko already had a history of their own, even if Tenchi didn't remember it at the time. Regardless of what I've done, their being together was meant to be." Ayeka admitted to herself dejectedly. She did loved Tenchi, but not as much as her rival.

While Ayeka had her tough times, her problems were minuscule as compared to the former pirate. With losing her childhood and freedom to Kagato and finally entombed by Yosho after a great battle, it was a miracle she didn't lose her sanity at all during her imprisonment. It was by the kindness of a young boy who grew up to be a loving, understanding man that kept Ryoko from going over the edge and in return, Ryoko expressed a love that was so pure, so strong that Tenchi could only remember it ever resonating from one other person, his departed mother Kiyone.

<It was something that I could never give to him. I know I love him, but now as I look back, I'm starting to wonder how much? >

Ayeka questioned herself. <After all, I met Tenchi only because I was searching for my first love Yosho. >

"Yosho…"

Once more Ayeka allowed her thoughts to drift back into the dark recesses of her past…

705 Years Ago…

In a vast grassy field, just outside the country estate palace of the royal family, Ayeka found herself strolling along the meadow, just as she had always done since she was a young child. It was a bright sunny day of the first week of summer, which meant the annual festival of Startica was about to commence soon and King Azusa was about to make a special announcement.

"Ayeka…"

The princess turned around and saw a handsome warrior calling out to her as he approached from the old vine-covered palace. As the tall black-haired man continued to walk towards her, her bright eyes confirmed that it was her first love Yosho.

"Ayeka, why are you out here?" Her brother asked, his smile warming her heart ever so slightly.

"You went out early this morning with father and left me behind again." She answered, feigning a pout face as her hands remained behind her.

Yosho laughed, knowing that Ayeka would've been bored to tears had she accompanied her brother and father to a long session of the Holy Council of Jurai. As crowned prince, Yosho had little choice, but to attend. Ayeka had no worries since the only thing on her agenda was to be the future bride of her brother/love.

"What's behind your back Ayeka? A surprise?"

"hehe…no silly, just the same ritual I always do just before the start of Startica." Ayeka replied as she presented her future husband with a crown wreath. "For you my prince…"

Yosho leaned his head forward as the happy princess mockingly crowned her love. She had such a carefree smile that day, knowing that she had the man she loved right with her and the knowledge that their nuptials was to be formerly announced all over Jurai. The prince planted a kiss on her cheek as a token of his affections towards Ayeka.

"Yosho, remember every year I always asked you the same question?"

"Yes I do. You would always ask if you were to be my bride." Yosho whispered, reminiscing the days when he would go out to these same fields and find his sister playing as a child. He recalled how innocent and pure Ayeka looked, as she would run across the grass to greet him in a big hug. Ayeka, her cheeks blushing from her childhood memories recited Yosho's response.

"And you would say, `When you grow up'."

"That was when you presented me with the wreath." Yosho recalled. "But you would sometimes forget and give me a Royal Teardrop, which I always reminded you that the flower was not for happy occasions."

"Yes, I knew that, but it did match the color of your eyes Yosho. I didn't care at the time what it stood for except that it reminded me of the man I know and love very much."

"Ayeka…you're such a romantic. Sometimes I wonder if maybe you should ascend the throne instead of me. You have such an optimistic view of things."

"Brother Yosho, don't say that. You are the true heir to the throne of Jurai. Father couldn't have a more worthier successor than you." Ayeka said in earnest as she took Yosho's hand. Her eyes revealing the deep love she felt for her bother. "And very soon, father will announce to the whole planet our holy union of matrimony."

Yosho's face changed to a somber expression at the mentioning of their marriage. Ayeka noticed and looked puzzled, wondering why her fiancée's mood changed so quickly.

"Brother, is something wrong? Why the long face?"

"No…nothing's wrong sister. I was just thinking…"

"About what Yosho? You don't believe that we're ready to be married?" Ayeka meekly asked, concerned that Yosho was having second thoughts.

"No, it's not that. It's-it's just…"

"What brother?"

"It's just everything has been always prearranged for us sister. Sometimes I feel our lives were planned out even before we were born." Yosho answered, sounding a little frustrated. "Haven't you ever wondered what it would be like to put our own destiny in our hands, rather than having father and our mothers planning our lives instead?"

"Sometimes…I never really gave it much thought brother." Ayeka whispered, trying to understand where her older brother was coming from. "Everything we do around here has been carried down by tradition and no one has ever really complained about them. However, there have been a few exceptions…"

"Like father marrying my mother?"

"I suppose so. Grandmother Seto still hasn't live that one down yet. That may explain the lopsided favoritism she has shown for Sasami and me." Ayeka said, recalling the stories of how Azusa defied Juraian tradition and married someone outside the royal family by taking Funaho as his bride. To this day, Lady Seto had always considered his actions an insult by marrying an outsider first instead of choosing her daughter Misaki. Despite being a crowned prince, Yosho always had to endure the insults and racial slurs of being a half-bred, a mongrel to the throne. Indeed, there was speculation that if and when the prince would assume the throne, civil unrest may occur across the planet.

"Yosho, I don't care what Seto thinks of mother Funaho or you, all I care about is our love for each other and our future lives as husband and wife. Isn't that more important than the opinions of others?"

"Yes…of course. You're right Ayeka, these petty problems shouldn't be our concern now. We will face those issues when the proper time comes…as man and wife."

Ayeka jumped up into Yosho's arms, happy that her love was agreeing with her assessment. She understood the uncertainties that her brother was expressing, but felt those things would be handled in due time; after all they were going to be the future king and queen of Jurai.

Yosho returned the princess' embrace with his own and happily swung her around like the child he remembered from years ago. When she landed, he gently kissed her lips, which nearly made Ayeka's knees buckle. She felt at that moment that her entire universe was complete. She had her beauty, her family and her true love who was to be king. As they walked back to the palace, hand in hand, Ayeka thought that nothing in the cosmos could take away her happiness.

That's when all hell broke loose…

Explosions rocked across the countryside as the defense alarms blared out. Something was attacking Jurai and whatever it was, it had to be very powerful in order to get past the planetary defense grid.

As the two young lovers raced towards the palace, a dark looming figure glided across the sky, firing away on the landscape below. It was figure that Ayeka would never forget: Ryo-ohki, piloted by the infamous pirate Ryoko.

"Ayeka! There's an underground entrance that's about 50 meters away. It will lead you to the defense shelter that's underneath the palace. Go ahead and wait for me…"

"But what about you brother?!? Where are you going?" Ayeka asked hysterically, fearing what Yosho was planning to do.

"Ryoko has broken through the defense lines, if she's not stopped, who knows what damage she can inflict on Jurai…"

"But you can't go after her alone Yosho, wait for father and the others…"

"Not time for that! My ship Funaho is nearby and with the power of the Tenchi-ken, I may be able to stop that devil-woman or at least drive her off the planet." Yosho screamed, amidst the bombardment that was happening all around them. "Don't worry about me Ayeka, I'll be fine."

"I love you Yosho…"

"As do I, now go Ayeka before you get hurt!" Yosho yelled out once more before turning to face Ryo-ohki.

Ayeka proceeded to the emergency entrance. As she arrived, she turned back once more to see her love fading off into the horizon, becoming less visible due to the black smoke that swirled around the battle area.

<That was the last time I ever saw you again brother…until I crashed landed on Earth chasing Ryoko. > Ayeka recalled as she finished putting on her inner garments and allowed her maid Aliza to dress her in her royal white kimono, its sleeves and hemline lined with red and gold trimming.

<I cried over you for almost a year…nearly sent to a hospital for a nervous breakdown, but I kept the hope that you were still alive. > She said to herself, remembering how her world was turned upside down because of Yosho's dogged determination of fighting Ryoko.

<I knew deep down in my heart that you were still alive and despite father's protests, I set off to find you with Sasami. I figure the search would take only a few months, but had I known the journey would be 700 years, I never would had taken our sister along, nor perhaps to even try at all. >

As Aliza placed the tiara on the princess' forehead, she again recalled the uncertainty Yosho had on his face when the subject of their marriage arose. Given that and the explanation her brother gave when she finally realized who he was on Earth when Kagato attacked, Ayeka was starting to conclude that the undying love she assumed was between them was more one-sided than she originally thought.

<As I look back, I can truly see that your love for me was no more, no greater than what Tenchi professed to me. Yes Yosho, you did love me, but only as your sister and not a wife-to-be. As an obligation, you would've married me regardless of how you felt, but when Ryoko attacked our world you used your pursuit of her to escape that obligation. Were our traditions so confining brother that you had to stay away? Had not I arrived on Earth due to Funaho's distress call, would you have bothered to contact us at all? Wasn't my love strong enough for you to come back to me? >

Ayeka couldn't help but let out a sigh as the answers to her eternal questions would probably remained unsolved. Even during her time on Earth, Yosho was always vague when discussing about their old lives. No matter what answer he gave, the old shrine master always left you with more riddles to be solved.

Adorned with her entire royal regalia, Ayeka humbly bowed and thanked Aliza for her assistance. As she made her way towards the bedchamber's entrance, the guardians Azaka and Kamadake were hovering just outside the hallway, waiting to escort the princess to her latest meeting with a potential suitor. Normally the logs would start a conversation with her royal highness, but sensing that she was deep in thought, they decided that it was best to remain silent and just strictly accompany the preoccupied young woman.

At the end of the hall, Ayeka saw before her the wide, ivory marble, spiraling brass staircase that led to the main entrance of the palace. From there, they would walk about halfway across the palace to where the queens Misaki and Funaho were waiting. The long walk gave Ayeka more time to ponder what could've been.

<I've been so downcast and listless ever since I returned from Earth, pondering why I've been so misfortunate in not finding the love of my life. I always thought that maybe had I loved Yosho or Tenchi more, they would've have chosen me. However, as I look back at those situations, I'm starting to wonder if I loved them for what they truly were or did I fall in love in what they represented? >

Ayeka continued to mentally hammer at herself, asking if there were signs; clues that would've revealed themselves had she not been ignorant of the feelings of the others. Even when she discovered who Yosho was on Earth, she didn't pursue the issue. She wasn't even aware at the time of how quickly she turned her attention away from the old prince and concentrated on Tenchi, the future ruler of Jurai, had he accepted the position.

<Yosho was my brother and the only man I really trusted after father. I was very easy for me to just blindly go along and believe that he was destined to be my future husband and king. Unlike my brother, I never had doubts only because I felt that it was the only road to be taken, that no other man could fulfill my life like he could. Besides…as the future empress to the king, why would I look elsewhere? Did I really love my brother as the man he really was, or did I love him for what he was to become? >

The princess stopped momentarily as she found herself standing by a window that displayed the garden maze behind the palace. She smirked of how ironic her life had become a maze of its own; a series of twists and turns that seemed to have no end in sight. She had thought that her journey would have ended on the blue planet that her brother remained on, living a new beginning with his grandson Tenchi.

<Tenchi…how quickly I forgotten my affections for Yosho and went on to compete for his grandson's with Ryoko. Had I not jumped in right away and tried to make him choose me and accept his place on Jurai, I would've seen that I was only trying to replace Yosho with him. I do love Tenchi so, but not as much as I once thought. As I looked back at those times in Okayama, my rivalry with that demon had more to do with not losing to her than trying to capture Lord Tenchi's love. >

"Princess Ayeka, you're running behind schedule." Azaka said, interrupting Ayeka's train of thought.

"Oh, I'm sorry Azaka. My mind was elsewhere."

"Is there anything we can do for you princess?" Kamadake politely asked.

"Can you answer me one question?"

"Uh, yes ma'am?"

"Do you think people see me for who am I?" The princess asked, causing the logs to turn towards themselves, not sure of how to answer the question.

"We don't understand the question your highness." Azaka replied. "Could you elaborate?"

"Sorry. What I meant to say is…" Ayeka paused for a moment, her mind trying to formulate the right words for her loyal guardians to comprehend. "Is there anyone out there who could fall in love with me? Is there someone in this universe who I can share a life with regardless whether I am royalty or not?"

"You are the first crowned princess of Jurai, who in this universe would not want to love you?" Azaka answered. "I'm sure that after these pre-marriage sessions, a suitable companion will be found for you."

"In other words…people will love me because I'm a princess of the royal family, the future ruler of Jurai? Is that it?"

"Well…yes I suppose."

"So my identity as a person has no bearing since the people; my perspective spouses will only see the power that I represent and not for what I truly am. My feelings…my needs as Ayeka the person are irrelevant. The only concern of others is that of Ayeka, the first crowned princess of Jurai."

"Given the circumstances of your situation princess, I'm afraid so." Kamadake answered reluctantly.

"I'm starting to realize how Yosho felt when he was here." Ayeka said somberly. "I've been acting like the good princess for so long, I have no clue of who I am or what I want. I go off into space chasing for a lost love that I never fully understood and when I return home, saddened by my rejections, I allowed others to form my path for me. Is this how hollowed my life has become?"

Ayeka was ready to burst into tears; her heart ached at the aimless life that she was now leading. For all the riches and prestige her family had attained, none of it mattered to her. She was a beautiful marionette that had no inkling of who she was or what she needed. With great restraint, she battled to regain control of her emotions, her fists tightly clenched as she tried to compose herself.

"Come Azaka, Kamadake; I have a meeting to attend to."

"Yes Ma'am!" Both guardians responded in unison.

"Regardless of how this session comes out, there are going to be some changes around here. Changes that may offend a lot of people." Ayeka cried out, her walking paces increased with each step.

"Ma'am?"

"I am going to find out what makes me happy. I am going to find…myself."

*******************************

END PART TWO

A/N:

Let's straighten out a few things first:

One, if any of you have seen or read GXP or the Tenchi novels, DO NOT expect any reference of those stories here. I haven't seen the series nor have I read the novels so I have no clue of what they contain other than a few tidbits some people mentioned to me. I am strictly going by the OVAs and the manga.

Second, if you haven't read my response to Archangel, I'll repeat myself again…this isn't a story of why Tenchi chose Ryoko over Ayeka. It's about Ayeka dealing with the rejection and so forth. As you can see in this chapter, Ayeka was trying to figure out why Yosho did what he did when he took off after Ryoko. Let me put this in perspective: If you love two people who don't necessarily return those same affections, wouldn't you be questioning yourself? Feel free to answer if you like.

COMMENTS FROM LAST CHAPTER'S REVIEWS:

T-God: Methinks the songwriter's guild will be asking for royalties at the rate we're going.

DarkGod: Well, This will be as angsty as it gets, but I hope you like the rest.

Smack54: As far as characterization goes, it was a matter of not making her the typical psycho or the understanding runner-up that many stories (myself included) that tend to portray her. It's going to be a matter of having her hit bottom and to rise up from it. Also, my portrayal of Ayeka here will serve as a springboard for me when I write the next chapter of `Trial' and `Second Time Around' (Which I'm hoping that I do get around to typing, hehe)

Bobr: As promised, much as I would like to bash Ayeka, it wouldn't be any fun or challenging. Maybe in a comedy fic, but not the serious stuff.

Rain Child: I liked the Poetry Freak penname personally, but to each their own. Nice Ayeka piece you wrote, but as you can see, I had something else in mind.

Rachel: Be careful (Looks at Ayeka), we don't want to rile her up y'know?

By-Tor: Type out the lyrics next time willya? Seriously though, I'm flattered by the email you sent. Despite my limited writing skills, I do try to get my point across.

Racer X: Thanks for the kudos. Allow me to shamelessly plug in my other fics (Second Chance of a Lifetime, Second Time Around). I tend to think that they're one of my better works. (Lighthawk slaps his hand for self-advertisement)

Shadow: I'm a total T/R fan myself, but need not worry; the princess will see the light at the end of the tunnel.

And to all of you who have read this story so far, thanks for looking and hope the next installments won't disappoint you.

If you have any questions or additional comments, you can email me at a.falc@verizon.net.

Later,

Alighthawk