Aeka forced herself to calm down a little. "I know it is difficult for
you to understand, Ten-chan. But everything I've done is out of love
for you, even if it caused you pain."

Tenchi glared at her in utter disbelief. "That's crazy! This isn't
love. You did this because you're *jealous* of her, Aeka!"

The princess' brief moment of tranquility vanished in an instant. "I
am not envious of *her*!" she insisted, barely keeping her voice under
control. "I did it because I don't wish you hurt by that horrible,
wicked... *MONSTER*! If you truly think my whip caused you pain, that
is *nothing* compared to what you'll feel when you realize how she's
used you, once she tosses you aside like a toy she's become bored
with!"

"STOP TALKING ABOUT HER LIKE THAT!!!" shouted Tenchi. "YOU DON'T KNOW
WHAT SHE'S LIKE AT *ALL*!!!"

Aeka moved back a pace, her heart pounding and her breathing labored,
as she tried again to calm herself, so she could explain things to
Tenchi. So she could cure his blind naivete. "I have known her much
longer than you have, Ten-chan. Listen to me. *Please*!"

"I've learned more things about her in a *day* than you have all your
life," he retorted. "You're just afraid to see her the way she really
is, because you don't want to find out how wrong you've been!"

The anger drained from Aeka's face. "Yes, Ten-chan, I *am* afraid.
Because if I lost you to her, I don't know what I'd do!"

Tenchi smirked. "You'd tie me up again and whip me. What else?"

"There are *reasons*, Ten-chan! Important reasons. I see now that I
should have explained them to you. Forgive me. If you were raised on
Jurai, you would *know*, but..."

"I thought you told me you didn't care about that," Tenchi interrupted
coldly, his eyes narrowing.

Aeka shook her head, her face full of hurt. "I don't, Ten-chan. I
never did. And I never will."

"That's what this is all about, isn't it? `Oujo-sama to oyobi', you
said. So I'm supposed to call you `princess', and bow to you, and
follow all your commands, no matter how awful they are? I would have
done *anything* you wanted, anything in the world -- except *THAT*!
You wouldn't have had to order it. I would have done it to make you
happy." His voice hardened. "But that's not how you want it to be. You
don't ask. You *TELL*! You don't see me as someone you *love*. You
look at me as just another one of your *subjects*, don't you?"

"Is that *truly* what you think of me, Ten-chan?!"

"After *that*, what do you expect me to think?!"

Tears welled in eyes already filled with pain. "You're *wrong*,
Ten-chan. You don't know how much."

He smiled bitterly. "Of course! The princess *always* knows more than
ordinary people."

Aeka looked away for a moment, unable to face him. No matter what she
said, her words seemed to turn around and bite her.

*Has she tempted him so completely, in one short night? What has she
DONE to him, to make him speak to me with such hatred? What awful lies
did she whisper in his ear while they were together in the darkness?
Surely whatever base pleasure she must have given him could not make
him forget his love for me so SOON!!*

"Look, Aeka, I'm through with this stuff. I want to go back to the
house now," Tenchi said. "So get these ropes off me, OK?"

Aeka's blood ran cold in her veins as her gaze snapped back to him,
her eyes wide and her expression one of pure horror. Her body reeled
and she almost fell. "NOOOOOO!!" She sounded as if he'd just asked her
to slowly torture herself to death. "TEN- CHAN," she continued, her
voice bordering on hysteria, "YOU CANNOT MEAN THAT!! YOU *CANNOT*!!!!"
She pressed a hand to her chest as she gasped desperately for breath.

*Calm yourself! CALM YOURSELF!! He has no idea what he just asked of
you! He didn't really mean it! He hasn't closed his heart to you. Not
yet. There is still hope. He doesn't understand the meaning of those
words.*

For just an instant, total confusion superseded Tenchi's anger, and he
blinked, wondering what in the world he'd said to elicit such a
reaction. But the anger returned swiftly as he thought of Ryoko's
anguished face the previous night, and his promise that he'd never run
away from her again. Letting himself be driven away would be the same
thing, he decided.

Finally breathing normally again, Aeka met Tenchi's gaze. Seeing the
inexplicable, causeless rancor in his eyes, she tried with
ever-lessening success to contain her tears. His expression burned
into her, his entire face one single angry accusation, but she didn't
understand at all what he was accusing her *of*. It didn't seem to
really be about the pain, anymore. Tenchi didn't appear to grasp the
reason and the meaning behind the rite, and Aeka knew now that she had
to allow for that. But there was something else, something that eluded
completely all her efforts to find out how Tenchi thought she'd
wronged him, and how she could atone. Sorrow and confusion filled her
voice as she spoke.

"What do you wish me to say, Ten-chan? If it will make you forgive me
for whatever you feel I've done, I will say it."

"I can't think of anything you can say that will *make* me...
oujo-sama."

Knowing that no half-measures would do, and unable to think of
anything else, Aeka decided to offer the most valuable thing she had,
in the hopes that doing so would open Tenchi's eyes. She wept and her
whole frame trembled as she gathered up her resolve. Then she knelt in
front of him, and stared up, her tear-streaked face still proud
despite her humble position. "Do you wish me to renounce my throne,
Ten-chan? Would you like me to crawl before you?" she asked, a sob
nearly strangling her words before she voiced them. "If a princess of
Jurai's royal family puts her face in the dust at your feet, could you
forgive her for the pain she caused you? And believe her when she says
she loves you?" Her voice trembled, almost uncontrollably. "Tell me,
Ten-chan. I will, but only if I must."

Tenchi shook his head. She had to be lying, he decided. There was no
way Aeka could possibly do any of those things. "I don't see how you
can say you feel anything for me, after what you just did."

Tears cascaded down the princess' face as despair began to overwhelm
her. "No! Please believe me, Ten-chan! I love you! And you said you
loved me!"

"I thought both of those things. But now, I'm not sure anymore."

Aeka collapsed at his feet as if she'd been crushed by a falling
mountain. In terrified desperation she clung to Tenchi, her arms
around his legs as she sobbed against his knees, willing him to take
back the awful words he'd just spoken. But though Tenchi felt a pang
of guilt at seeing Aeka in such pain, the memory of her whip still
stung along his back, and vastly greater agony at the thought of what
she'd demanded he do to Ryoko wrenched his heart.

Inside Aeka's head, she saw Ryoko holding Tenchi close, their lips
locked and their hands all over each other. Ryoko broke their kiss for
a moment, and looked at Aeka, smiling.

"Too *bad*, little princess. I guess you weren't as fun in bed as you
thought," chuckled Ryoko. She sighed happily. "I gave you your chance,
and you threw it away because of your stupid tradition. Oh, me and
Tenchi don't *really* love each other, but I'll make him feel so good
that he won't *care*. Don't be sad, Aeka. I'll let you watch us
together, any time you like!" And Ryoko laughed sadistically, on and
on and on...

Aeka tried desperately to drive the apparition from her mind. She
couldn't. She stopped crying, but all she could do was hold onto
Tenchi in fear and shiver as if she'd been dumped naked into a
snowdrift.

After a few minutes, Tenchi decided that he'd had enough of her act.
"Would you *please* cut me down now? My arms are getting tired."

"Sure thing, Tenchi!"

Red light flashed over his head. As he stumbled backwards, Ryoko
teleported underneath him, caught him, and kissed him. Her sword
materialized for just a moment as she cut the ropes from his wrists.
Then she gently lowered Tenchi to the ground and sat next to him, one
arm wrapped around him affectionately.

"Nice outfit, Aeka. It's definitely *you*," said Ryoko, her voice
cheerful, just before she saw the tears and the expression on the
princess' face. She blinked. "Uh, is something wrong?"

Aeka glared at her, furious at the interruption and the way Ryoko was
holding Tenchi.

Ryoko sighed, realizing that it looked like she'd been spying on them,
when -- for once -- she hadn't been. Seeing Aeka and Tenchi together
was starting to bother her, but memories of his confession of love
soothed her and swept the unease away. "I'm sorry I interrupted your
bondage game, princess, but I was trying to find you to talk to you
about something. And then I heard Tenchi say his arms were tired, so I
let him down." She smiled, and kissed him again. "I didn't know you
liked that kind of thing, Tenchi. Can I tie you up, too, sometime?"
She started to reach down towards his crotch.

Aeka cleared her throat. Ryoko stopped and looked over at her.

"Will you please stop *pawing* at him? At least while I have to
watch?" she asked softly.

Ryoko tensed angrily for a moment, then nodded, understanding
slightly. She withdrew her hand, then moved away from Tenchi.

She froze, sniffing the air. A scent had caught her attention.

Blood.

*His* blood.

She looked down at Tenchi's back, and saw red seeping from wounds
she'd brushed against while holding him. She dabbed a bit on her
finger, and showed it to Aeka accusingly, eyes stabbing like knives.
Ryoko waited for a few moments, forcing herself to calm down, but when
she spoke her voice was extremely dangerous.

"This better not mean what I think it means, Aeka," she warned, baring
her fangs menacingly.

The princess turned her face away, refusing to look.

Ryoko closed her eyes, taking very deep breaths before continuing. "If
Tenchi said this was OK, then I'll try to forget about it, but if he
didn't..."

Aeka wouldn't answer.

"Tenchi," asked Ryoko, still watching Aeka. "Tell me. Did you let her
do this?"

"Not really," he started to say. Ryoko immediately clenched her fists
and started to get up. Tenchi put his hand in front of her. He
motioned for her to sit back down, and she did. Very, very
reluctantly.

"I've already talked with her about it," he said evenly. "You don't
need to worry yourself."

Ryoko watched Aeka, her gaze promising death. Then, as she considered
the implications, she smiled.

*I should make you pay for hurting him. But at least now he's seen how
you really are. And it doesn't sound like I need to worry anymore
about having to share him with you.*

"So, is this one of those high-and-mighty `Juraian traditions' you're
always talking about?" asked Ryoko sarcastically.

"Yes," answered Aeka quietly.

"Well, would you mind *explaining* it? I've never been to a *royal*
*ceremony* before." 

"It's not something we discuss with just anyone," retorted Aeka
proudly. "I'll explain it to Tenchi-sama. Later. When we're *alone*." 

Ryoko shook her head and smiled. "You know, princess, I don't think
you're going be alone with Tenchi any time soon. So if you're going to
say something, I think you should say it now."

Aeka fought back tears for a moment. "Well, if a man that she... feels
strongly for... dishonors himself, a woman of Jurai is expected to
correct him, to make him see his error. It's a sign of... affection.
If she doesn't, it means that his honor doesn't matter to her because
she doesn't intend to... be with him... in the future." 

"Hmm... I guess that does make sense, in a twisted sort of way." Then
the smile vanished from Ryoko's lips. "Hey, wait a minute. What do you
mean, `dishonors himself'?" 

Aeka stared back at her, silent, cold, unwavering.

The blood drained from Ryoko's face as full realization dawned on her
of what Tenchi had done that Aeka would find `dishonorable.' A brief
memory of his arms around her flashed in her mind and ignited a
maelstrom of searing rage. *'Dishonorable'?! To finally return my love
for him? `Dishonorable'?!?! To hold me after I pushed him into your
arms and paid the price in pain so bad it made me almost want to DIE?*

Her hands balled into trembling fists as she stood up and fought with
all her strength the desire, welling up inside her, to tear her rival
apart. Slowly she spoke, her voice shaking. "Aeka... YOU... TAKE...
THAT... BACK!!" 

Tenchi rose, standing next to Ryoko. He put his hand on her shoulder,
almost like he was trying to reassure her that he was still there. He
stared down at the princess.

When she saw his face, Aeka's eyes widened in disbelief.

He looked as if she'd just...

As if she'd...

As if...

*NO! It isn't true! IT ISN'T!!*

As if Aeka had just done something horrible, to someone Tenchi loved.

Desperately she tried to make herself believe everything she'd told
herself before. Ryoko had no place in Tenchi's heart. His attraction
to her was just a physical thing. He couldn't possibly have feelings
for her. He would turn his back on her, suffering no pain or regret,
and his love for Aeka would make him forget that Ryoko had ever
existed.

But looking at his face, she knew that all those things were nothing
but lies.

Ryoko reached up to her shoulder and clutched at Tenchi's hand,
entwining her fingers with his. She bowed her head for a moment as
tears ran down her cheeks. Then she seemed to draw strength from
Tenchi's comforting touch. She glared at Aeka, her expression one of
anger and grief, her eyes blazing with rage and filled with tears.

As if Aeka had inflicted some cruel torment on her.

As if Ryoko loved Tenchi, and Aeka had tried to force him never to
return that love again.

Once more, Aeka tried to shield herself from an awful realization.
Ryoko was terrible and heartless. It was impossible for her to care
for anyone. Certainly not Tenchi. She only pretended to, in order to
hurt Aeka. To Ryoko, he was just one more thing the two of them had
fought over, through the years. His only value to her was that Aeka
also wanted him. Once Aeka had taken Tenchi away from her, Ryoko would
be angry at having lost, but she'd move on and find someone else, some
other man to indulge her capricious lusts with.

And once again, seeing Ryoko's face, Aeka couldn't escape the
knowledge that none of those things were true.

*You tortured both of them, and you never knew what you were doing.*

*What do you mean, "never knew"? Haven't you deluded yourself
enough?!*

"By my love for Tenchi, I swear it to you, Aeka-hime," Ryoko had said.

"You know I don't believe your lies about that! Think of something
else," Aeka had answered.

And she remembered how Ryoko had looked, bowing in front of her,
wracked with pain that Aeka had been too enraged to see.

Like Ryoko was, now. And this time, Aeka couldn't blind herself to it,
no matter how hard she tried.

*She's your enemy, and you've fought her since you were little, but
aren't there any limits to the pain you're willing to inflict on
someone, even her? Weren't you being as cruel and selfish as you think
SHE is, by trying to take Tenchi away? Isn't that what you've feared
from her, all this time? Remember how much the thought of that hurt
you. How could you wish something so bad on ANYONE?*

*But I had to! She was trying to take him away from ME!*

*Was she?*

Memory flooded back, of the first time she'd felt Tenchi's body
pressed against hers. Of her arms wrapped around him. Of what he'd
said, before he'd finally made love to her.

"She led me up here and pushed me in."

*Remember how you felt, when you saw how she'd come so close that
morning, and almost had him? The agony in your heart, even though you
managed to stop her? But she didn't stop you. She didn't even let you
stop yourself. She wanted him so badly, she was willing to let you
have him, too. Have him FIRST. Can you understand how much she must
love him, to have been able to endure that? Do YOU love him that
much?*

And if that wasn't enough, there was what Tenchi had said, afterwards,
once he'd given her what she'd wished for, for so long.

"If she hadn't, I would have probably waited forever."

Aeka shuddered at the thought of being shut out in the freezing,
lonely darkness, never to know the light and warmth of Tenchi's love
again.

But wasn't that exactly what she'd demanded he do to Ryoko?

If Tenchi loved Ryoko, wouldn't he be willing to be hurt, instead of
hurting her? To take the pain on himself, rather than see Ryoko suffer
it?

If Aeka had tried to make him torment someone he loved, wouldn't he
hate her for it?

Wouldn't it be cold, merciless, perfect justice for her fate to be the
one she'd wanted for her enemy?

And wasn't that what Tenchi was going to do, now? To punish her for
what she'd done, and tried to do, to someone he loved?

Aeka looked up and saw gold eyes and an orange-red blade, each burning
in fury.

For just a moment she held Ryoko's glance, her face full of regret for
what she had done and stark terror at what she knew was about to
happen. Not death, though Ryoko's expression left no doubt that she
intended that, and Aeka certainly didn't want to die. But what Tenchi
would say next would be far worse. Compared to that, Ryoko's sword
would be a gentle instrument of mercy.

Tears streamed from Aeka's eyes, but she remained silent. Slowly she
lowered her head in shame. She only hoped that Ryoko would strike
before Tenchi spoke, so that she'd never have to hear him utterly
reject her. She waited, trembling.

Ryoko's sword arm went back, preparing for a fiery downward sweep.

Tenchi moved closer and grabbed at her hand to stop her. As angry as
he was over what Aeka had said and done, he didn't want her to die.
"Don't, Ryoko," he said firmly. "Please!"

But Ryoko had extinguished her sword the moment before he'd spoken.

She clenched her fists and closed her eyes as anger and pity warred
inside her. Then Ryoko opened her eyes, looked down at Aeka, and
saw... 

Herself.

During the brief instant their eyes had met, the bleak despair on the
princess' face had been like a mirror, and in it Ryoko had glimpsed
her own reflection.

Remembered voices spoke to her.

"I *mean* it, Ryoko. You better not have tied her up again or
something so she won't get in your way. If you've hurt Ae- chan..."

"I haven't done anything to her, Tenchi. I know you won't believe me,
but it's true. I'm sorry to have worried you. And to have bothered
you, all this time."

She knew exactly how Aeka must feel. How *she* had felt, when for a
few horrible moments she'd thought Tenchi had rejected her forever. It
was a feeling that, having experienced, Ryoko couldn't wish on anyone.
Even on Aeka. And she couldn't help but feel *some* sympathy for a
person who had suffered the same torment. Even if that person was her
worst enemy.

But Ryoko had seen more than that, in Aeka's face. There was something
else.

Regret.

Ryoko closed her eyes again and shook her head, trying to stop her
thoughts from going where they seemed to be headed.

*So what if she's suffering? She deserves it! So what if she's sorry?
She'd better be! All she's ever done is try to stop you from getting
Tenchi!*

*She didn't try to stop me last night. And it was a night I'm going to
remember, forever.*

*And she just tried to take all that away from you!*

*She didn't succeed. He loves me. And she knows that, now. Tenchi just
showed her.*

*What if she had?*

*She couldn't have. He loves me. I trust him.*

*How can you show any mercy to her, after what she DID to him? She
hurt him! And she'll hurt him, again! If you really love him, kill
her! KILL HER!!*

*That would hurt him much worse. That's the way Tenchi is.*

*KILL HER!!! It's to protect him! You can make him understand!*

*NO! Even if he doesn't love her anymore, knowing that someone died
because of him would break Tenchi's heart.*

*But it wouldn't be his fault! KILL HER!!!!*

*He would think it was.*

*KILL HER!!!!!*

*No.*

Ryoko noticed Tenchi's hand wrapped around her wrist. She stepped back
to reassure him that she wasn't going to do what part of her
desperately needed to.

"Thanks for stopping me, Tenchi," she said.

"I didn't stop you, Ryoko. You stopped yourself," he answered, letting
go of her arm.

"No, Tenchi. You did." She clasped his hand for a moment, then turned
to face him. "Say what you have to to her, Tenchi. I'll be at the
house."

Then she was gone.

Tenchi looked at Aeka, still on her knees with her head downcast. He
couldn't leave her like that, he decided. His anger had cooled for the
moment, and he couldn't bear to see someone that way, obviously
hurting, and not try to relieve their pain a little. He put his hand
on her shoulder.

"Aeka, we need to talk," he said. Then he sat down in front of her.
She raised her tearful eyes and looked at him.

"Do you... love her, Ten-chan?" she asked, obviously dreading the
answer.

"Yes. Very much." Aeka's bleak expression in response to his words
tore at him. It disturbed Tenchi that, now that he'd finally ceased
blinding himself to his and Ryoko's feelings for each other, knowledge
of those same feelings could cause someone pain. The only pain they
caused *him* was regret at not having recognized them sooner.

"I see," said Aeka. A tear ran down her cheek. "Then, why did you come
out here with me? And allow me to bind you? When you did that, I was
certain you'd chosen me, instead of her. What else was I to think?"

"I *hadn't* chosen. Choosing was the last thing in the world I wanted
to do. I'm sorry if I misled you." Tenchi closed his eyes as his
conscience directed harsh accusations at him.

"I suppose that, in a way, I have chosen for you. Though not in the
manner I expected." She sighed, and dried her eyes. "I will need to
speak to Kiyone and Mihoshi, to see if they can arrange passage back
to Jurai for me. Will you allow Sasami to remain here? I think that is
what she'll want."

"You don't have to leave, Aeka," said Tenchi, trying to hide his
worry.

Aeka shook her head. "Yes, I do. The only reason I've stayed so long
is that I loved you, and I hoped that you would grow to love me. I
neglected my duties as a princess of Jurai, because of that. But now
that you say you do not love me, I must fulfill my obligations, and
go."

Tenchi looked her in the eyes, his expression serious. "Aeka, I never
said I didn't love you."

"But..." she started.

"I said I wasn't sure."

A wave of hope swept over Aeka's face for a moment, then died away. "I
would do anything you ask, Ten-chan, for you to be sure that you *do*
love me. *Anything*," she said sorrowfully, "But I've already said all
that I can say to you. What more must I do?"

"Apologize."

"But I *have*, Ten-chan!" she insisted, sounding confused, hurt, and
terrified. "I meant what I said. Every word of it. With all my heart!"

Tenchi nodded, not saying that some of the words she'd said, he wished
she hadn't. He didn't like the idea of her offering to crawl or kneel
in front of him, at all. "I know. But that's not what I'm talking
about."

Aeka became even more bewildered. "I don't understand, Ten-chan. What
else can I *do*?"

"You can apologize to the right person," he said.

Aeka blinked. "You mean... to *Ryoko*?"

"Yes," said Tenchi, nodding again.

"What you ask is impossible, Ten-chan," she said, looking away.

Memory of her terrible demand stirred anger within him. "You asked the
impossible of me, first," he reminded her, his voice pained.

"But, Ten-chan...!"

He pressed on, trying to make her see. "If you'd just tied me up and
whipped me, I could have forgiven you. Easily. But you asked me to
give up Ryoko. She has *feelings*, Aeka. I know you don't like each
other, but she has a heart, just like you do. And you tried to make me
break it. I can't love someone who's cruel, or who'd force me to be."

"I wasn't trying to be cruel, Ten-chan," said Aeka, hanging her head.
"I didn't realize you loved each other. I only sought to assure myself
that you loved *me*."

"I know you weren't," said Tenchi, nodding. Then he sighed heavily.
"And I suppose I can't blame you completely for not seeing, because I
didn't, either, until last night. That's why I said I'm not sure about
you."

"I would try, since you ask me, Ten-chan. But I don't think Ryoko will
forgive me," said Aeka. "There's far too much between us."

Tenchi's spirits rose on hearing her at least consider the idea. "Give
her a chance to, Aeka. Neither of you is as bad as the other says."

"It will be... hard for me, Ten-chan," she said, looking at the
ground. "Very, very hard."

For a moment he tried to think of something he could say to make it
easier for her, but nothing came to mind. "I can't love someone who
hurts people on purpose. Or who hurts people by mistake, and isn't
sorry afterward."

"I *am* sorry, Ten-chan," Aeka said. Then she brought her gaze up and
met his, her eyes begging him for mercy. "Isn't it enough that I tell
you that?"

"No," he insisted firmly. "Apologize to her. If she forgives you for
what you tried to do to her, so do I. The rest of it, I can forget
about." He winced, then smiled. "At least, as soon as my back stops
hurting."

For nearly a minute, Aeka thought silently. Tenchi held his breath,
wondering if, after she'd tried to make him hurt Ryoko, Aeka was going
to force him to be cruel to her as well. 

"I will speak to her, Ten-chan," she said at last.

Tenchi quietly exhaled, relieved. "Try to understand, Aeka. I love
*both* of you. I know each of you wants to be the only one, but I
don't know how to decide. I don't *want* to decide. It would hurt me,
more than I can say. So please don't try to make me choose between you
anymore."

"You... love me, Ten-chan?" Aeka asked, wanting to believe what he'd
just said.

Tenchi rose, and extended his hand to her.

"I love the shy, sweet princess who landed in front of my house, who I
showed around on her day off last fall. I love her, as much as I love
Ryoko. But the person who tried to make me hurt someone who wasn't
even here to defend herself..." Tenchi shook his head sadly. "I've
never met that person before, and I never want to again." He smiled.
"Show me that wasn't really you, Aeka. Then we can start over."

Aeka returned his smile, accepted his hand, and let him pull her up.
She put on her kimono over her leather outfit. Then they started
heading back to the house. 

As they did, the contrast between the walk to and the walk from Ryu-oh
weighed heavily on her. Aeka wanted to take Tenchi's arm, to lean
closely against him, as she had before, but something about his mood
told her he wouldn't let her. And she knew he wouldn't respond to any
affectionate words she might say. He didn't seem really angry anymore,
just distant. After the closeness she had felt, that distance ate at
her. As her heart sank lower with each step, Aeka vowed silently that
she would do whatever she must, in order to regain what she had lost.

Meanwhile, Ryoko floated in the middle of the living room, pacing
nervously back and forth in the air. She ignored the delicious smells
wafting from the kitchen. She had other concerns. Almost the moment
her internal debate over sparing Aeka's life had ended, another
argument had begun inside her head, and it still raged on.

She didn't like leaving Tenchi alone with Aeka. Not at all. Not after
what had happened.

Might Aeka have tied him back up, and resuming hurting him? She could
subdue Tenchi with her force field, easily, then take up her whip
again. Was she inflicting horrible pain on him, even now?

Or, once he was helpless, the princess might do even worse things.
Ryoko knew, from personal experience, the thoughts that arose in the
mind of someone who was desperate and cornered. And she had seen a
little of what the princess was capable of. Might Aeka decide that if
she couldn't have Tenchi, neither could Ryoko? Murder him, and kill
herself over his body, claiming him forever in death -- like she'd
tried to, the very first day she'd arrived?

Even if all Aeka was going to do was kill herself, Ryoko didn't want
Tenchi to find out, much less *watch*. She could picture the haunted
look his eyes would have, after witnessing such a thing. In those
moments when she'd contemplated what she'd do if Tenchi utterly
rejected her, it was always her concern that Tenchi never know. She
hoped that if that was what Aeka intended to do, she would have the
same decency.

Ryoko shook her head to clear out the awful thoughts.

Whatever Tenchi was going to do, he needed to do it himself. It had to
be his decision. She didn't want him to think she'd made him give up
Aeka, as the princess had asked he do to *her*.

But what if, right now, Aeka was carrying out a tearful seduction of
Tenchi? Looking broken and helpless, convincing him that everything
was the fault of the terrible, wicked space pirate? Swaying him with
tears where her whip hadn't worked, making him feel guilty for having
strayed from the one he'd been with first? Telling him that loving
Ryoko was wrong, persuading him to stop?

She shook her head again, violently. Tenchi loved her. She had to
trust him. There was no other way.

Suddenly, a voice startled her.