Here are the Aeka/Washu paralells:
1. The both know the pain of feeling for someone that doesn't feel it back. Neither have recieved true love. Washu's crappy first husband callously dumped her over being royalty and married another woman within 6 months. Although not as extensive, Aeka gave her heart to Yosho and he walked all over it to be with Airi. Tenchi will be Washu's second chance at first love and Aeka's first true love.
2. Right before meeting Tenchi, both were in stasis. Aeka was in stasis for 700 years. Washu for 5,000 years.
3. Both share a sister in Tsunami/Sasami.
4. Washu is a mother and is taking care of a physically mature but emotionally immature child in Ryoko. Aeka is a second mother (apparent in ep9 flashback and their current situation) to the physically immature but emotionally mature Sasami.
5. Both put up barriers around themselves. They both can seem like cold, distant people. Washu used her scientific work and the body of a twelve year old girl to push people away. Aeka uses a haughty royal demeanor and her position likewise.
6. Both have shed these barriers for Tenchi as they yearn for his love. Aeka apologized, dropped the formal princess act, and opened her heart to him in episode 3. Washu dropped her cold scientific manner, showed her mothering side, and revealed her adult body in episode 8. This timing for both is roughly 2 full episodes from their introduction.
7. When teaching in episode 10 about Masu, the most apt pupil who gave the best answer and was even praised by Washu was Aeka. This suggest that either Aeka is on the same wavelength as Washu and/or also mentally acute like her professor.
8. Headstrong. Washu doesn't take crap from anybody. As it is, neither does Aeka. Aeka kicked Tenchi out of her bed in episode 2, and when Washu was playing games with her in episode 7, Aeka broke a flower pot over Washu's head. Washu of course is thrilled with Aeka's "spirit" because it's a kindred one.
The only spiky haired person Aeka will be kissing is Washu!
