ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOUR HEART: part 1 DISCLAIMER: The characters and situations on whence this story is based are the property of AIC and Pioneer. Please do not sue me, this story was purely written for fun and from inspiration, besides I have no money anyway. The words contained in this story belong to me. Please refrain from reproducing this story in whole, or in part, without my consent. Thank You. ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOUR HEART: Part 1 I realise now that I should have figured it out on my own, I should have understood. However I couldn't ...part of me didn't want to... understand. Part of me wanted to stay ignorant and pretend that everything was fine. That tomorrow, with the dawn of a new day, that meeting between them, wouldn't mean anything, and Ryoko and I would fight over Tenchi as usual. I realise now that all the events leading up to this climax had secured the outcome. I realise that it all began yesterday, on that fateful summer's day. * * * My stomach rumbled loudly. The picnic was supposed to start half an hour ago, but Tenchi was harvesting carrots, Washu was researching, as usual, Mr. Masaki had to work, Ryoko was no where to be found and Sasami was putting the finishing touches on the lunch she had prepared. "I'm so hungry!" Mihoshi breathed. She glanced around erratically, "Just where is everyone, I wonder." She raised her arms high in the air, stretching slowly. "Ahhhh" She smiled "It feels great to be out here, in the sun!" her grin deepened. "Isn't that right Ayeka?" "Yes," I smiled at the blonde girl in return and watched her as she spread herself out on the linen blanket. "It's been much too long since our last picnic." I noted. "Oh I know!" Mihoshi agreed whole-heartedly. The day was warm, yet the breeze that blew through my hair was comfortingly cool. The lake shone bright blue, mirroring the cloudless sky. Contentedly, I sighed, taking in the awe inspiring scenery and thinking of pleasant things. Sitting here with Mihoshi like this, overlooking the invigorating lake with the wind in my hair and the sun shining brightly was so peaceful. "I could almost fall asleep." I sighed, as I closed my eyes and felt the sun embrace me. The only response was the sound of Mihoshi's snoring. I opened my eyes and looked at her. Sure enough, she had already fallen asleep and was now snoring serenely. Sweat formed on my brow, "Uh, Mihoshi..." I said "ZZZZZZZZZ" Was the only reply. I giggled, "Trust Mihoshi to fall asleep!" I smiled. "Miya!" A cry rang out to my left, and I saw an excited Ryo-Oh-Ki, in cabbit form, make a furious sprint around me. "Miya! Miya!" She stopped in front of my knees and looked at me, eyes wide. "Miya?!" She meowed her greeting. "Hello, Ryo-Oh-Ki...." I extended my hand and caressed her ear. She purred delightedly. "Hi sis!" Sasami said excitedly, coming up behind me and placing a rather large picnic basket on the blanket. She looked at Mihoshi's sleeping form. "Uhm, where is everyone?" She wondered. "Nobiyuki said he couldn't make it, because of work." I explained. She folded her skirt carefully as she sat down. "Really?" She asked. "And what about Tenchi?" "He just finished harvesting the carrots, so he went to have a quick shower." At the mention of carrots, Ryo-Oh-Ki got hyperactive, and started darting around, searching for one. Sasami fished in the basket and gave her one and she munched it, happily. "Oh? And what about Washu...?" "She's coming," I nodded past her and Sasami turned around to see Washu heading towards us. "Hello, people." Washu waved a greeting as she neared. "Where's Ryoko?" Sasami asked her. She shrugged, "Don't know," she said "I haven't seen her since this morning." She contemplated for a moment. "Which is odd, because she usually makes her presence known to the world." She added, sitting down on the blanket. "That's for sure." I agreed Sasami looked worried. "Oh don't worry, Sasami." I said, "I saw her near the lake, when I went to lay out the picnic blanket earlier." "What did she do when she saw you?" Washu asked mysteriously. "Teleported, why?" I asked her. "Nothing, It's just that she's been acting mighty strange recently, that's all." She justified. "Hi Everyone." Tenchi came up behind me with Katsuhito, or rather Yosho, in tow. "Hello...Tenchi." As usual, I blushed madly when Tenchi was around and as I looked at him, I shivered. The feeling emanating from my heart was so intense. It was almost unearthly. I had never, in my whole life, felt this way about anyone before. I wondered. It was strange, there seemed to be a fine line between love and nausea. Yet, the pure joy I felt as I gazed at Tenchi assured me that I was not ill. Love sick, maybe, but definitely not ill. I realised Tenchi was embarrassed, because I had been staring at him silently for over a minute. My face grew alarmingly red, and even Katsuhito asked me if I was all right. After I convinced everyone I was perfectly fine, Mihoshi woke up. "I'm so hungry!" She breathed. She looked around erratically. "Hello...? When did you all arrive?" She looked at us in disbelief. Sweat beads formed on our heads. "Well, since were all together, why don't we have a picnic out here?" She said excitedly. "Yes," She determined "That would be fun!" "Great idea Mihoshi..." Washu noted sarcastically. "Oh, Thank you." Mihoshi grinned, pleased. "Wow!" Tenchi exclaimed, looking at all the food in the basket. "This must have taken you ages Sasami, how do you manage to do it?" "Oh, I like to do it." She blushed, as the compliments surfaced from everyone. "Plus Ayeka helped me." "Mmmmmm..." Mihoshi gave us her approval with a mouth full of food. The others dug in appreciatively. As I raised my chopsticks to my mouth, I looked over the surface of the lake. Suddenly, my eyes widened and my hand halted in mid-air. Tenchi noticed my peculiar expression, and asked me what was the matter. Speechless, I pointed to the lake. It was bubbling. Not just one bubble, but many. The centre of the lake gave the impression that it was boiling. We gaped at it eyes open wide. We stood up together and I braced myself. "Oh Dear..." Mihoshi said. Tenchi took a defensive stance. Unexpectedly, the water started to swirl in an aquatic cyclone. Still gawking stupidly we watched, enraptured. Suddenly, the water stilled, and a woman, immersed in a blue light emerged from it. Not just any woman though ... Ryoko. One word can describe the way she looked that day: Ethereal. As much As I hate to admit it, Ryoko was beautiful, and the entrance she had made had guaranteed attention. What struck me as odd, was what she was wearing. She had a peach coloured summer dress on, with yellow flowers scattered on it. The skirt was quite full and as she flew towards us, it blew around and billowed out. Her hair was also different, she had tied it back with a cloth band and it blew seductively in the wind. She hardly ever wore human clothing and I wondered why she had. I glowered and folded my arms. I thought to myself, frowning. I glanced over at Tenchi, and blanched when I saw the expression on his face. His mouth was partially open and he looked awed. "Hello Tenchi...." she murmured lusciously, as she touched down on the ground and walked towards us. "What do you think?" She asked, striking a pose. I felt my blood boil. Tenchi swallowed, "R-Ryoko, you look, lovely." He breathed. "Only lovely? Hmm?" She asked him, seductively. "L-like, like an, an Angel..." He whispered. My heart stopped beating as he uttered those words. "Thank you Tenchi..." She beamed, grabbing his arm possessively. Turning, with her back to Tenchi she faced me, raised her brow, and stuck out her tongue. "Why you...!" I seethed, making a fist. Now I realised why Ryoko had been acting so strangely! All of this was a set up! Just to snare Tenchi! "Lets go for a little walk, Hmm Tenchi?" She purred, snuggling up to him. "I Uh..." He swallowed. "But the picnic..." his voice trailed off. Rage took over my emotions; I grabbed my bento basket, tensing. I was just about to hit her, when I felt a small hand grip my Jurian kimono tightly. Turning, I saw Sasami looking at me with pleading eyes. Slowly she shook her head at me. I paused, stupefied. Couldn't Sasami see Tenchi didn't wasn't to go along with this monster woman? Now I realise that she had been wiser than me and was only seeing what I denied. "You won't be hungry after I'm done with you!" She grinned from ear to ear. Tenchi turned bright red, "I- Uh..." He swallowed again. "Come on Tenchi...! Where's your sense of fun!?" Ryoko grinned, then levitated above our heads, with him in tow. "Ry-Ryoko!" He reasoned with her for a moment "My food-!" He yelled as Ryoko flew off into the open air. I scowled thinking of all the things that witch, would be trying to do to him, wherever they were going. It annoyed me that Tenchi hadn't put up much of a fight. It almost seemed he wanted to be taken away! "Ryoko sure looked pretty." Mihoshi noted, "I wonder where she got that cute dress," she said. I opened my mouth to speak, to ask Sasami why she had stopped me, but no words would form. I think that part of me knew why. "Tenchi would sure have to be strong to resist Ryoko's charms." Katsuhito noted calmly. I stared at him oddly. He was looking directly at me. I closed my mouth and about-faced, walking towards the house. "Ayeka!" Sasami cried, concerned. I heard Washu's calm voice. "Let her go, Sasami." She was saying. Suddenly, I wasn't hungry anymore. * * * For some reason, I couldn't sleep that night. Waking at what I guessed was at least 12:00 at night, I stirred in my bed searching for a cool position to lie in. Tossing and turning I lay under the covers until the heat grew around me and soon I found myself fully awake. I had some idea to what was causing my insomnia. There was a nagging suspicion in the inner depths of my mind that told me it was being induced by irreverent thoughts of none other than a cyan-tressed she-demon, named Ryoko. Sighing, I stirred and slowly sat up on my futon. Now completely awake I came to the conclusion that trying to fall asleep would only be futile. My head hurt from thinking about the events of the day. What had happened, had really gotten to me, and I didn't want to think about it any more. Wearily I stretched and as I did so I caught a glimpse of the twinkling orbs of light peeking at me through the window, from the farthest reaches of the universe. The stars seemed to beckon and I suddenly felt a strong desire to view them from outside. A sound from the corner of the room broke me from my enchantment. Sasami was sleeping, but mumbling something incoherent while she did so. I noticed that in her slumber, she had kicked off her covers. Frowning slightly, she turned over in her bed, still muttering. Rising, I re-tucked her in amongst her sheets and kissed her lightly on the forehead. She seemed to relax at my touch and her face smoothed out into a mask of calm. I noted fondly. I didn't want to stay in the room, so I reached for my Jurian night robe and slung it on. Gently, I tied it at the waist. Cautiously opening the door, I slipped outside and paused to stare down the dark corridor. The house was deathly quiet and the only sound that I could hear was faint snoring emanating from Mihoshi's room. The silence made me uneasy and seemed to increase the volume of each trembling step I took. I delicately crept past the rooms and padded down the stairs. When I reached the bottom I gasped in astonishment. Moonlight was spilling into the house from every direction, brightening the first floor. It was pure white, and as I stood there, I felt cleansed by the radiance. Blinking, I had to wait a moment while my eyes adjusted to the sudden illumination. Then I gradually inched past the kitchen, to the glass sliding doors, which were separating me from the outside. When I paused to glance outside, and view the tranquil garden, my eyes unexpectedly seemed to focus on my own reflection looking wistfully back at me. I blinked, something about me seemed ... peculiar. My azure night-gown was timidly peeking out from under the rich silk-like Jurian robe, which shimmered in a sapphire blue colour. The edges of the robe and of my sleeves were a deep violet. The cord around my waist was ruby red and the overlaying shoulder pieces shone turquoise. As my eyes rested on my face I then realised that in my haste to fasten my hair that night; I had lost my hair tie somewhere while I had been sleeping. Now, my hair, which was usually in pigtails, was flowing loosely over my shoulders. Brushing it back with my hand, I resisted the temptation to go back up to my room and get a hair tie, although the feeling of having my hair flowing free, was most peculiar. I inhaled and swiftly pushed the sliding door aside. Outside, the air smelled sweet and crisp, and a warm breeze caressed my cheek. The pale moon was full, and as I settled on the edge of the engawa, I found myself wondering why humans went through these unnatural phases during this particular time. They seemed to act so eccentric when the moon was full. As I wondered, I found myself mesmerised by the everlasting stars. They twinkled with mystery, almost mischievously; awaiting one less experienced to only guess the possible life they held. It was not cold, yet I shivered suddenly. Sitting out in the open like this, it almost felt as if, -- It was not _I_ who was viewing the moon and the stars this night... Yet, instead _they_ were viewing _me_. I felt scrutinised, and a bizarre sensation, like I was being watched, swept over me. "Miss Ayeka...?" At the sound of his voice, my heart stopped beating and started soaring. "What are you doing out here at this time of night?" Tenchi asked, concern in his voice. "Are you all right?" "I'm well, thank you...Tenchi" I replied, to shy even to look at him. "I just...couldn't sleep, that's all." "You too?" He sighed, sitting down next to me. "I woke up about twenty minutes ago." He explained. "Since then I haven't been able to fall asleep, so I decided to come out here." He told me, looking up at the sky. "The moon sure is beautiful tonight." He commented. We gazed at the stars for a moment, then a sound behind us made us both turn around. "Mi-ya...?" Inside the house, peering at us through the glass, Ryo-Oh-Ki stared at us strangely, head cocked to one side. "Hello Ryo-Oh-Ki," Tenchi said. "Miya!" Thinking the door was open; the cabbit made a mad dash for us and promptly smacked against the surface of the door. Dazed, she slowly got up. "Aw, Ryo-Oh-Ki, you okay?" Tenchi asked. "Poor little thing." I commented. She got up and glared evilly at the glass door. Growling, she got into a pouncing position, eyeing it furiously. Tenchi looked amused, and started to smile. I started to giggle. "Grrrr..." She looked intensely at the glass. That was the last straw-- seeing her concentration made me burst into laughter and Tenchi along with me. We laughed for almost a minute together and as our giggles died down, we looked towards Ryo-Oh-Ki. She had phased through the door and was sitting there, bemused. One ear was perked upwards and she was looking at us as if we were crazy. Huffily, she turned around, phased back through and marched off, out of sight. She seemed noticeably insulted. "I think we insulted the cabbit." Tenchi chuckled. That made us laugh even more, and I felt tears suddenly form. Peals of laughter floated around us. "Oh," I sighed "To think-- Ryo-Oh-Ki locked into battle with a glass door!" As we imagined this, we laughed even harder. It felt good to laugh. "Ha ha, Oh she was so cute." Tenchi noted. "Oh, oh..." I chortled trying to regain my breath. "I never laughed so much before..." Trying to breathe normally, I wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes and the laughter died down a little, but the smiles were still there. "I hardly ever hear you laugh. " Tenchi noticed. "Oh... I," I faltered not knowing what to say. "You have a lovely laugh," He said. "Thank You," I whispered. Wanting, but unable, to say more. I thought to myself. I wanted to open my soul, I wanted to tell him that it was *he* that made me laugh. It was *he*, that brought out the best in me... But I just couldn't do it; I was too flustered, too self-conscious. Too wrapped up in the thoughts of what had happened that day, between him and Ryoko. We went silent. The moments passed, and I found myself gazing at the moon once more. "Sometimes," I whispered, still staring upwards "When I look at the sky like this, It seems as if I'm still on Jurai..." I said pensively. I felt his eyes upon me, "Do you miss Jurai?" he asked. I stopped, contemplating the question. "No." I said softly, decisively. "Really?" "Yes." I said "Jurai is part of me, yet, I don't miss it as such..." "But, You left so much behind..." he said. "A palace, status, power, fame, fortune..." I ignored the question, certainly, I had left a lot behind. However now that I was here I had realised that there's was so much more to life than that..."You know, Out of all the planets I have visited in the universe..." I murmured "None can compare to the sheer splendour of the one called Earth..." "Really?" He asked disbelieved. my heart wanted to scream, I wanted to tell him so badly; yet, it was like an invisible force was stopping me. I wanted to be true to my heart, yet all of these feelings were so new. I found myself thinking. I didn't want to be cold, I didn't want to seem that way-- I wasn't unfeeling, I felt things too, just like everyone else! I felt love. I felt the sheer pain of it. It was the same feeling that anyone that had ever been born-- and would ever be born-- felt. It was the same for me. My whole life I had been taught never to say what I felt, to always keep my emotions in check-- 'Think and plan before you rush into things Ayeka...' my fathers words haunted me. 'Never say what you really think, you'll regret it later...' I used to think it was a virtue but at that moment, as I sat there with Tenchi I realised it was a hindrance. I felt things too, yet I couldn't convey them --and that-- made me a cold person. "Ayeka...?" He said "Are you okay?" he asked noticing my silence. Looking back I wonder what would have happened if I had told Tenchi that I loved him. "There's a proverb on Jurai," I explained. " 'If you are true to your heart, then your heart will be true to you...' " I said quietly. Somehow, the phrase seemed fitting to the moment. "That, sounds... so, so right..." He commented, then silence stilled the air. I heard him inhale, then he spoke. "And, by remaining here, you have been true to your heart...?" he asked with trepidation. "Yes." I smiled, then paused. "Always be true to your heart...Tenchi" I found myself saying. "Always," I repeated reverently "Don't be scared..." Don't be scared like I am, was what I really wanted to say. He stiffened suddenly. I turned towards him. "Tenchi, what is it?" I asked, embarrassed, "Did I say something ---" "No." He cut me off. "My- my mother used to always say that to me...In fact, sometimes, when I was little we used to sit here like this and look at the stars together." He sighed slowly, then stared straight ahead. "Always follow your heart Tenchi..." He murmured, closing his eyes. "Don't be scared..." He paused for a moment, and I was sure he had been remembering her. He sighed, opening them again. The wind picked up ever so slightly, and I felt my hair whisk across my forehead in time with the gusts. Slowly he faced me, and as his eyes met mine I felt a surge of love thrill through me. Suddenly, he gasped "Y-your hair.... It's down, " He stammered and his eyes seemed to penetrate my soul. "You look," he whispered "You look so much like--" He stopped in mid sentence. "Y-you look so, so beautiful..." He finished. I blushed rapidly, "T-thank you." I breathed, looking away suddenly. I looked to my left and he to his right. I damned my shyness once again. "It's late," he said, "I think I should go to sleep." I said "Me too." He got up, and extended his hand. As he helped me up, we entered the house silently. We went back up the stairs without uttering a word. As we turned to go to our separate rooms, he opened his mouth: "Ayeka..." I turned to face him, my hand resting on the door, "Yes?" "I'm glad you like it here," he said quietly. "So am I," I replied, smiling softly. He turned again, and I felt sad to see him go. As he was about to close the door behind him, I opened my mouth: "Tenchi..." He turned towards me expectantly, "Yes...?" "Goodnight..." He smiled at me and my pulse quickened. "Goodnight, Ayeka." We entered our rooms. We closed the doors. I flattened my back against the door. I could still feel my heart beating fast, my hands were shaking. I admired my reflection for a moment, then walked over to the window, where the moonlight seemed to bathe my soul. "He told me that I was beautiful," I whispered to the moon. I floated over to my bed, and suddenly, I started to cry. I knew that I was being envious, jealous, resentful even...but I couldn't help it. "I wish he had told me I looked like an Angel..." I whispered, salty tears pouring out of my eyes, into my mouth. I cried myself to sleep that night. * * * That morning, I awoke noticeably late. When I finally did, it was about Lunch-time. Last night, the tears and my thoughts hadn't allowed me to sleep. Yawning and stretching I slowly got up and looked over the other side of the room. Sasami had already woken up and the smell of lunch wafting up stairs made my stomach rumble. I got up and got dressed and made my way downstairs. "Morning, sleepyhead!" Sasami chirped cheerfully. Everyone was sitting around the table, and it seemed, that they had just finished eating. I noticed Tenchi wasn't there, however. "Ah Sasami! That was so de-lish!" Mihoshi congratulated Sasami with a light pat on the head. "Yes Sasami, that was the best lunch I've had in a long while." Washu stretched, standing up. "That's the only lunch you've had in a long while, Miss Washu." Sasami informed her. "You should eat more." "Ah, you're right, but the work of a genius cannot be halted!" She announced raising her index finger high in the air. Sasami turned towards me, "Sorry we started without you." She looked apologetic. "We didn't want to wake you." I opened my mouth, to tell her that it was all right, when someone beat me to it. "That's Okay, Sasami." Tenchi said. I blushed at the sound of his voice then turned to look at him shyly. He turned red as his gaze met mine. "Oh Tenchi!" Ryoko leapt of the couch into his arms. "Why did you sleep so long, huh?" She asked him. "I missed you so much!" He looked nervous, as her hands started to wander. I started to grind my teeth. "Never mind, Let's go where we went yesterday, Tenchi!" She smiled sensuously. He started to remove her hands from his body, but in vain "Uh ... Ryoko," he started. Anger took over my senses; I grabbed the nearest thing around and conked her on the head with it. "Hey!!" She growled, "What did ya do that for!" She took up arms then faced me. "Tenchi does not need a monster pawing him!" "Pawing!? Why I'll show you! You good for nothing..." She growled. "Just try it!" I warned, "Girls, please..." Tenchi interjected. "Stay out of this Tenchi..." Ryoko cautioned. "Yes Tenchi." I added. "Hmm..." Washu looked puzzled. "Yes, Why did you and Miss Ayeka sleep so long?" Washu asked us. "Was there some sort of midnight rendezvous? Ha ha" She laughed. I turned bright red and looked outside. Tenchi blushed and looked towards the stairs. Ryoko froze and looked at me, then him, them me, then him, over and over. Washu's eyes went wide. "You mean...?" She said in a gossipy tone "Tenchi!" Ryoko screeched, suddenly snapping out of her initial shock. "Tell me it 'aint so!" She grabbed his arm "Tell me you didn't spend the night with this witch!" "Witch?" I glowered, "What Tenchi did with me last night is none of your business!" I paused noticing that everyone was looking at me strangely. "Uh, What I mean Is just because were together last night doesn't mean..." I trailed off uncertainly. Everyone in the room gaped at us, mouths open wide. "We were just..." Tenchi piped up. "I mean, It was just..." he swallowed uneasily. "It was just ... a " I racked my brain for something to clear me of my deep embarrassment. Just a what? Technically it WAS a rendezvous-- yet it was so innocent, not planned or anything... So why did I feel guilty? Ryoko stopped, cleared her face of all emotion, and teleported out of the room. "Ryoko! Wait" Tenchi yelled, but she was gone. He quickly bowed an apology to us, "Excuse me, I have to go after--" "Go." I didn't let him finish, not wanting to hear the rest. I watched him with a heavy heart, as he ran outside. Somehow, I couldn't help but feel al bit envious. Sighing, I turned, only to take in the bewildered looks of Sasami, Mihoshi and Washu. Katsuhito seemed to be ignoring us, sitting quietly on the couch. "You and Tenchi, Last night?" Sasami asked, eyes as wide as dishpans. "Uh...I" Tenchi had been lucky to get away from these inquisitive minds when he had the chance. "Tell me, how is he in bed? Hmm?" "Miss Washu! It wasn't anything like that!" I snapped, indignantly. "Oh, just a casual...rendezvous?" "Yes, just a casual rendez-- no!" I blushed. "Really? How romantic!" Mihoshi dreamed "Did he kiss you? Hold you? Tell you how-- " Their questions were too much. "It was nothing!" I yelled, and they all went quiet. No-one spoke for a moment, then Katsuhito turned towards me, and his eyeglasses reflected the sun shining into the room. "Was it really nothing?" he asked. "Did it feel like nothing at the time?" His eyes bored into me. "I- I..." I faltered. "Or was it...something?" "I don't know..." I looked away. But, I did know. "Excuse me," I mumbled as I stumbled out of the house. Leaving them to wonder just what did happen last night. * * * I didn't look for them. For one thing, I had no idea where to start. Searching would have taken me hours. Night had fallen and still there seemed to be no sign of them. Dinner would be ready soon, and Sasami had been getting worried; I had been anxious since it had become dark. I supposed I was jealous. My ears perked up with the sound of a door opening. "Finally!" I muttered rushing towards the sound. "Uh, hello Miss Ayeka." Tenchi said smiling sheepishly and entering with Ryoko. Ryoko's expression was the same as this morning, totally blank. "Tenchi!" I said almost sighing with relief. Suddenly, the anxiousness was gone, and I realised that I had been worried for him. "What took you so long?" I demanded. "Ryoko didn't...feel...well" He said, faltering slightly. I found it hard to believe that she had felt ill, all alone with Tenchi. It was most probably a ploy on her part to keep him there. I started getting mad, fancy her taking advantage of Tenchi like that! I was about to say so, when I found my eyes rest on her face. Come to think she did look sort of unwell. "Dinners ready..." I blurted, instead. I ate slowly, playing with my food. Dinner was delicious, yet my heart wasn't into eating it. I was still plagued with confusing thoughts. What had happened between them? What would happen? They were gone so long! My mind wandered; I started to ponder, then quickly dismissed the thought. After dinner, Tenchi excused himself and went upstairs, Washu returned to her lab, Mihoshi went to have a little nap on the couch, and Ryoko--who knows where she disappeared to. Sasami and I cleared the table. A few hours later night had fallen. Walking by the couch and the sleeping Mihoshi, I noticed a sweater draped on the couch. I picked it up, it smelt nice--like after-shave. "Whose is this?" I asked Sasami. "What...? Oh, that's Tenchi's. He's always leaving it downstairs." She sighed. "Maybe I should bring it up to him..." I contemplated. "Go ahead, " Sasami said. "I think he's in his room." "All right, I will." I said, ascending the stairs. The door to Tenchi's room was slightly open. As I neared it, I could see inside. I walked up to the door, ready to knock and froze. It was--Ryoko, with Tenchi--in his room! I calmed myself. I reasoned. Still, I didn't enter, opting to peer at them from the hallway instead. What I saw made me gasp. He held her hand, and I saw him whisper something in her ear. She smiled at him shyly. Time seemed to slow and he held out his arms and she leapt in them, crying. He smiled at her and they embraced. A crack started to form on my heart. Slowly, I saw her lips move, as she murmured something inaudible to where I was standing. He nodded and she slowly lifted her head and gazed at him with love. They stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Then, cautiously, she raised her head towards his, and tilted it ever so slightly. It felt as If I had died. Momentarily frozen, the image of them seemed forever burned in my mind. My breaths became quicker. Of course it all made sense now, the picnic, the rendezvous the-- the-- Oh the humiliation! I felt sick, as Ryoko's face hovered closer and closer to Tenchi's. I couldn't bear to watch, so as the moment came I rapidly looked away. The sweater seemed to slip from my hands, and floated to the ground. I watched it fall, it got all creased. I stared at it, moronically. I suddenly felt faint. 'Be Happy, be happy be happy!' A little voice in the confines of my mind started pestering me. My eyes started to sting. 'Tenchi's happiness is the only thing that matters!' The phrase repeated itself, like a broken record, over and over and over. Yet, the tears still formed and I felt them slip down my face, a trickling stream at first, then intense, like a cascading waterfall. 'I can't let them suffer...' Again I tried to stop myself from crying 'I have to be strong--' "Strong." My voice trembled with emotion and, as the half-sobbed word slipped out of my mouth, so did any self control I though I had. I couldn't help but break down. Gradually I backed away from the doorway, gasping for breath, trying to contain my miserable sobs, hoping, praying, that they wouldn't notice me. As I stepped in the hallway, the pain overcame me and seemed to numb my senses. I hardly noticed the door starting to move until I heard Tenchi's still sweet voice: "Are you really happy?" He asked her serenely, and I dreaded the answer. "Yes," She emerged, teary but beaming. "I am truly happy..." she grinned at him. My hand leapt to my mouth. "I really love you Ryoko," He told her earnestly. At that moment, my heart shattered into a million little pieces, which traversed, extended and stung every part of my body. She gazed at him with so much love in her eyes. "I know." She stated. I couldn't let them see me like this! I moved backwards, carelessly knocking a vase over in the hallway. The noise seemed to break them from their spell, and they swiftly looked in my direction. "Ayeka!" Tenchi gasped, eyes wide, shocked. His expression said it all! Sobs racked my throat and I felt a knot from in my throat. I wanted to be happy for them, Oh how I wanted to ... but it just hurt... It hurt so much. 'Always be true to your heart...' The phrase seemed to materialise in my mind, I don't know why I thought of it then, however, I considered the question; 'What was my heart telling me?' My heart was telling me that I had to--, I had to get away! I turned on my heel and ran... I ran like a woman possessed and I have been running ever since, I'm barely coherent to where I am, and where I am going. It doesn't seem to matter anymore- Nothing seems to matter. The forest is dark and silent, so similar to how it was on that summer's day. Tree after tree I pass, still crying. All that my mind will acknowledge is the image of Ryoko and Tenchi, over and over I see them inching closer to each other, hear him say to her "I really love you ... Ryoko" Like a nightmare, the picture seems forever etched in my soul. In a demonic twist, love has turned to hate and I condemn them both for making me feel this way. "I hate you Ryoko!" I bawl "I hate you!" Except I don't just hate Ryoko and my anger focuses on the Jurian prince. With fire in my heart I screech "I loathe you! I don't need you, Tenchi!" I spit into the midnight air. "I am Ayeka--First princess of Jurai! I don't need anyone!" With every on-going step like a prayer I repeat, "I hate you...I hate you...I hate you...I hate you" The fire seems to spread to my vocal cords and I shriek like a banshee: "I HATE YOU BOTH SO MUCH!" Suddenly the wind picks up, mirroring my temperament, The forest branches start to sway, scratching my bare arms, "I don't need you, I don't need you!" I try to convince myself, as my rage fuels my strength. "I don't need anyone!" As I communicate my wrath to the world, My hand suddenly flies to my arm, where a sharp branch has caused a deep gash in it. Staring at the blood that is trickling down, I finally understand that I do need them. Both of them--I need Ryoko, as much as I need Tenchi. She isn't a demon who has bewitched Tenchi into loving her, he truly does of his own accord. I need them; like I need blood ...without them, I cannot survive. But my head is aching, as is my heart and the pain is still there. Wistfully, I close my eyes. I know that I will never forget his expression as he looked at her and my stomach lurches. "How could I have been so blind?" I wail to the surrounding silence. It is as if a veil has been lifted from in front of my eyes. His expression, full of love, it's always been there! I just fooled myself into thinking it wasn't. "I am such an idiot!" I whisper to the forest spirits. All that time I hoped he would...he might.... Love me. Yet I am such a fool...such a fool! Because of my stupidity and useless devotion Tenchi hadn't the heart to tell me that-- that-- My sobs seem to suddenly flare up with intensity, and the tears pour down my face, blurring my vision as I realise my fate. That he didn't love me... Blindly I run, and as I feel the asphalt beneath my feet I find myself wondering where I am. I seem to have wandered onto a road. Stopping, to wipe the tears from my face. My tears cease for a moment and I curse myself again. "Don't be so pitiful." I say aloud, angry "I...I'm so..." I whisper, and with a scream I find the right word: "Pathetic!" I shout to the howling wind. That conclusion is all I need to tip me over the edge, to again trigger the onset of my ever-present tears. My body shaking with sobs, I realise that I have to turn back, I can't stay here, Ryoko and Tenchi, they'll worry, and I don't want them to. All I want is for Tenchi...for both of them, to be happy. I notice I cannot see a thing, My tears, mixed with the surrounding darkness obscure my sight. So much so that I do not notice the car until it is too late. Twice in the same night time seems to slow, and for a split second I am tranquil as I feel a sensation close to flying. As I close my eyes and brace for the impact of the cold harsh ground, I see a lovely vision of Tenchi before me... AUTHORS NOTES: That was my very first Tenchi fan fiction, so PLEASE bear with me. Sorry to leave you in the lurch like that, I really didn't intend to torture you! Breathe easy because, yes, there is a second part underway. It may take a (little) while-- I have to revamp and redo the original ending because of creative paranoia. You may not think so from what just happened, but originally, this was planned as a response to GenSao's challenge. No, really, it was. What's going to happen next then? Don't ask me! (And I wrote the thing!) Bear in mind the more feedback I get from you guys, the quicker I'll write the next part, so talk to me, people. Special thanks to my pushy brother, for reading the extremely long final copy. Uh, I don't know what else to say...anything you want to ask me? Email me then. Comments? Constructive criticism? Abuse? Opinionated Ramblings? I welcome them! (Bwahaha!) Send them to me, (Lesell Charis): lesell_charis@yahoo.com