ALWAYS BE TRUE TO YOUR HEART, PART TWO: "NO REGRETS" BY LESELL CHARIS: (lesell_charis@yahoo.com) DISCLAIMER: Don't sue me, I have no life and don't do this for money, yaddah yaddah. Anyway a reminder that all characters and concepts within are the property of AIC and Pioneer and that I am 'borrowing' them for my own little ficcy here. This story and ideas within, including scenes, dialogue and descriptions are mine and are created by me, that is to say I have copyright on them and this fic, so don't plagiarise anything from it. If you want to use the fic on your site or something, E-mail me and ask! OK this fan fiction takes place directly after the events of ABT: 1. It's located on my site: www.animeart.com/Lesell and Gensao's archive: www.tmffa.com I recommend (no, implore) you to read the first part first or to refresh your memory on it before attempting to read this one. I'll paste the last moment of the fic for your convenience. Things to note; this is OAV continuity and can probably be placed after OAV 2. Secondly, I use a few Japanese words that in my opinion are necessary. There is, a glossary at the end for your convenience. I think that's about it. Thanks! Previously, in: Always be True to Your Heart: ================ 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 . . . ========= Now for part two . . . "ABT2: No Regrets" By Lesell Charis -------------------- "Ayeka?" "Yes?" "I want to say something." "What is it, Tenchi?" "I'm very happy you came to Earth." "Oh, Tenchi-sama, thank you." "Aw... it's nothing Miss Ayeka. I mean it." "Well, I am also happy I am on Earth." "Really?" "Of course, Earth is so beautiful..." "But it must pale to what you're... well, used to Miss Ayeka. Compared to Jurai, Earth must be quite plain..." "Jurai is very beautiful, yes. It is my home, after all." "Miss Ayeka, do you miss Jurai?" "Yes, of course. Jurai is where I was born; I do miss it-- somewhat terribly at times. I love it dearly, for my people and my family reside there. But if I had not come here I would not have met you Tenchi-sama... so although Jurai is my home, I also consider Earth my home. My family is here, too." "Oh good. I'm glad. Because I wanted to tell you something..." "Yes, Tenchi?" "Just that, I'm happy you came to Earth. I'm happy you're here and I can talk to you again." "Oh, Tenchi, you're making me blush..." "I'm sorry. I... ah... don't mean to. It's just something I wish I'd said before you died, Ayeka. After you had the accident, when things went so badly, I regretted not telling you... So I promised myself I'd tell you, when you were all right. Since you're fine now, I want to tell you. I'm happy I told you." "I'm happy too. Thank you, Tenchi-sama." "'Always be true to your heart, and your heart will be true to you.' I guess I haven't been listening to her advice, have I?" "Perhaps not but you've tried your best. I'm sure wherever she is, she is proud of you." "I hope so. I should have taken her advice though." "Perhaps so, Lord Tenchi..." "There is one more thing..." "Yes?" "Well... I'm... oh I've forgotten. Oh, that's right. I'm happy you came to Earth, Ayeka... " "Oh Tenchi, thank you, but you've said that already!" "I-I have?" "Yes! Just ask the person taking notes!" "P-person taking...?" "Yes, they're in the corner over there!" "Oh." "See look, you said it a few lines ago." "Oh. Yes you're right. I am sorry Miss Ayeka." "That's fine." "But there's something I haven't said!" "Yes?" "I... can't... actually remember what that was, though..." "Please-- talk louder Tenchi-sama, the microphone is not picking you up." "Oh. Sorry, Miss Ayeka." "No, louder than that. And keep talking... the Jury is waiting." "Eh? J-Jury?! When did they get here?" "They've been here from the beginning." "Oh! Of course. Um, Ayeka, why are they glaring at me like that? Are they waiting for me to say something?" "We all are." "Oh." "We're all waiting." "But... Ayeka, who is that? What's going on?" "That's the bailiff." "What's he doing with that book?" "He's asking you to swear on the Bible that you'll tell the truth." "But I'm not even Christian! Ayeka-where are we!?" "At your trial." "Oh. Of course, it was today. I forgot." "I know. Silly Tenchi-chan, where would you be without me?" "... That's just--" "Speak up young man! They cannot hear you in the back!" "Sorry... Err-- who are you?" "I'm the Judge of your case. There is naught to judge however- I can tell from your pathetic form that you are guilty!" "I know. I am. It's all my fault... Mr, um... ah... I mean- your Honour!" "Humph! Well, get on with it young man!" "Well... I just want to say... Ayeka, I- Ayeka? Your honour? Where has she gone-- what have you done with Ayeka!?" "TENCHI! SAVE ME!" "You-- you leave Ayeka alone! Don't touch her! Your Honour, where are those guards taking her!?" "On the count of complete idiocy I find the Defendant, Tenchi Masaki guilty! I hereby sentence you to life: WITHOUT AYEKA JURAI!" "NO! Your honour! You Can't!" "Tenchi! It's too late now. Save yourself... be happy... be happy with Ryoko!" "No! Not now! You don't understand Ayeka!" "Tenchi... goodbye... forever, goodbye!" "AYEKA!" --------- The indignant yell echoes through Washu's laboratory with such intensity that I scare myself. A dream. It was a dream. Ayeka is not alive and well. Ayeka is here, next to me, as I sit beside her, and she lies comatose and unmoving in the bed Washu has in her lab. Tubes worm their way over her body. Out of her wrist, her nose, and her mouth. Air filled ones; liquid filled ones, blood red ones contrasting unnaturally with her oh-so-pale skin. I close my eyes, as the pain of the past 24 hours comes back to haunt me. The forest, the wind blowing, a scream, a screech and then-- a wail. Like a banshee. I remember the noise-- I'll never forget the wail of last night. Stumbling through the forest to a roadside, I remember the darkness. I remember the wind. I remember seeing Ryoko's pale face, her golden eyes flashing, and in her arms, a comatose Ayeka. And the wail was mine. I barely had time to think, before Ryoko teleported Ayeka and me back to the house, where a worried Sasami waited outside. And what she saw... I wish I could have shielded Sasami from that. I wish I could have shielded Ayeka. I wish I thought before I acted. I'm just... I'm not good with women. You've got to understand; I've only ever had one woman in my life- and even she died when I was little. I'm not pretending all this isn't my fault. Being clueless is no excuse for what I've done; I know. But the whole of my childhood was filled with a somewhat sadistic grandfather, and a heartbroken and somewhat perverted father. The only woman I loved was taken away from me before I barely had the chance to know her. It isn't the most normal of circumstances to grow up in; and because of it...well... I'm... not good... with women. If that isn't the understatement of the century. Washu took charge, took control, while I sat dumbly, paralysed with worry as she tended to Ayeka. She looked like a rag doll; limp, like the life had been shaken out of her by some over eager dog playing with his favourite toy. And the blood... This is all my fault. I hate to sleep. Since yesterday, I walk around in some kind of fitful depression. I fell asleep by accident last night, and I dreamed of Ayeka again. This time Ryoko and I were in a boat, and I was rowing. Ryoko had a parasol and she smiled at me. I told her I loved her, and a hand emerged from the water, holding a royal teardrop flower. I plucked it, and told the dream Ryoko "I do really love you. Please remember that, no matter what happens." But as I handed the flower to her in what I thought was a gesture of love- it was not Ryoko's face staring at me. It was Ayeka's face - wide-eyed panic stricken and teary. My mouth moved but no words came out. Ayeka's eyes filled with tears; a mirror of the way she locked eyes with me last night, before she bolted down the corridor. Suddenly, the hand in the water, the one that had held the flower, grabbed my outstretched wrist and began to pull. I felt as if I was being pulled under, but instead the hand was pulling itself out of the water. It was Ryoko-- clad in summer dress, beaming, saying: "I love you too, Tenchi." Grabbing my arm, ignoring Ayeka. But my eyes were glued on that shocked face, the face full of hurt. The face of a broken heart. Tears streaming down Ayeka's face, she snatched the flower, hurled herself into the water, and drowned herself. I screamed her name that time too. This is why I don't like to sleep. Life is like a waking nightmare; I don't need to have one while I sleep as well, dreaming of her-- re-living the past events in other torturous ways; with morbid sickening twists, other sadistic ways my mind thinks up to torture me by inventing other ways to take Ayeka away. Seeing Ayeka being snatched away from me over and over again in a never ending incubus. Other dreams are when she's not hurt, the dreams are beautiful because she's all right, and those dreams are worst of all. Because I'm so delighted and happy she is alive, than when I wake up and realise she's not, the pain begins all over again, and the crushing hand of reality envelops my heart and squeezes it sadistically once more. That hurts the most. Being fooled to think you have something and then realising it was all an illusion... So I try not to sleep at all. I think that if I do, I'll probably go crazy. But, It so happens that sometimes I can't stay awake try as I might and the past twenty-four hours wore me down so much, that when I went to visit Ayeka I fell asleep in the chair I was at-- my head resting on the bed near her... I hardly remember tonight's dream, save for Ayeka being in it, and me believing her alive and well. I try to concentrate on the other parts, but I'm too restless to do so; I shake my head and clear my mind. Pieces of it, like some bizarre rubix-cube of life begin to fit together. I recall it being dark and safe, and I was talking to Ayeka, and then a courtroom appeared, and a jury and a judge and a bailiff, and they took her away, and they all looked at me, like I was on trial; they all were waiting for me to say something. "We're all waiting," she had said. And then she disappeared and I had seen two guards are taking her, another two restraining me. Struggle as I might-I couldn't get away to run to her. I yelled, as the courtroom doors swung-- and she breezed through them away from me. Forever. I caress her pale hand and rise. When I think about her, I cry. I just don't want to think about anything anymore. "I wish I had no feelings..." I blurt aloud, to what I think is the empty laboratory; where only I am, with Ayeka beneath me and the hisses and beeps of the machinery keeping her alive. But I am not alone. "That's not the first time I've heard that one..." I turn in the direction I hear the unwavering voice. "R-Ryoko?" She's standing in the shadows, her face gaunt, and pale. She doesn't look well, but she puts on a brave smile and steps forward somewhat. "How is she?" she asks, stepping next to the bed and resting her hand on Ayeka's arm, tenderly. "I'm... not sure. She looks the same but I'd have to wait for Washu to have a look..." I lie. She doesn't look the same. She looks worse. I don't want to say that aloud, for fear that the moment I confirm my suspicion in spoken word- it will come true. So I change the subject. "You said... it wasn't the first time? You've heard someone say that?" Her expression changes for a split second and I see deep pain strike her features before it's gone, and she looks into my eyes again. "Yeah," she finally says. "You." I wasn't expecting that to be her answer, and I'm somewhat taken aback. "You've said it before..." she continues, her gaze resting on Ayeka again and I get the feeling she doesn't want to talk about this. I'm not really sure *I* want to talk about this. In fact, we haven't talked for twenty-four hours. Anything that ever happened before the accident seems taboo; we never speak of that day. It's an unspoken agreement between us not to talk about it. Thinking about the events of yesterday only serves to torture me, and I think, her. So we don't mention it; or hardly talk to each other for that matter. It's as if everything before the accident has ceased to exist. And talking more than necessary to anyone is difficult... But at the same time I want to know. "When?" I say, cautiously. She looks away, sadly. Her voice soft and low, she speaks. "I used to watch you." She says, her mouth barely moving. "Watch me?" "When I was trapped in the cave, I was lonely. And when I was lonely, I would watch for you. Some days you'd come, and some you wouldn't. Once, I saw you and your mother stop near the cave; she held you and you wriggled," Ryoko smiles somewhat at this, "You were trying to get away, but she told you to sit properly, and you said you didn't want to sit properly, you wanted to run around on the grass by the rocks..." She pauses for a moment and looks at me. "When you said so, she smiled and let you go. She said that you were right, and that you should always follow your heart..." My eyes fill with tears. "and don't be scared..." "Yes... you remember that?" "Kind of," I say, my voice cracking. The last thing I need is memories of mama, when another person I love is slowly dying. "I didn't remember what she had said... but someone... reminded me, recently." Ryoko nods, "it wasn't long after that she... died, Tenchi..." I nod, numbly. Old wounds begin to tear and ooze, and I feel myself unsteady on my feet with grief. I don't want to think about this, now. I don't want this brought up now. But I lack the strength to stop her, and so Ryoko continues. "And when she did die, you ran to the cave and you cried and you cried..." She swallows, and I can tell she feels a bit emotional at the memory, herself. I nod again, trying to steel myself against crying. "And you said, 'I wish I didn't have any feelings!' and you pounded your fist on a rock while you cried it out, louder and louder..." she continues, her voice trailing off into the silence of the laboratory. "Then I was right!" I say, somewhat angry. "If we didn't have feelings we wouldn't feel sadness or loss or worry, I wouldn't feel this right now... it wouldn't hurt... so... much when Mother died... it wouldn't hurt now as... as Ayeka..." I cry. The tears flow abruptly, as the memory of my mother and hopelessness of the situation arises. Ryoko looks at me, at first, but then comes over and holds me. "I'm...sorry." I choke out, embarrassed somewhat. "It's alright." She says, supporting me. She pulls back and looks at me. "When your mother died, Tenchi... I wanted nothing more than to hold you and comfort you..." her eyes fill with tears, now, although how I can tell isn't by sight-- my own eyes are too blurry for that-- but through her voice, wavering slightly. "I wasn't able to comfort you then. I'm happy I can now..." "If I didn't feel sad, I wouldn't need comforting..." I say, stubbornly. "Don't say that, Tenchi..." "WHY!?" I retort, sorrow turning to resentment. She pauses, "I don't know." She says, as she looks away. "But, I think pain is the thing that makes us alive..." she begins. "If we were happy all the time, how could we tell the difference, without being sad, sometimes...?" she trails off, softly. Yet because of my feelings, I am slowly dying inside. While Ayeka is slowly dying beneath my trembling hand. In my dream... Ayeka was alive... Oh Kami-sama. For a few beautiful moments, everything was all right. And then... I stumble out of the lab, leaving Ryoko alone and bewildered. I'm stumbling because I can't clearly make my way outside with the tears obscuring my vision. I wipe them in haste and try to push everything out of my mind. I have to get away from this. The sick dread in my heart; the pain. I want to shout to the heavens, punch something, cry, scream, carry on-- do something- anything. But none of that would bring Ayeka back. So, Instead I suppress the urge and make it into the dimly lit corridor. What time is it? My eyes squint at the bright light, a contrast to the darkened hues within Washu's lab. I check my watch; 3am. I realise the light is the same moon from a few nights ago when Ayeka and I... No. I don't want to think of her. It hurts too much... like thinking of mother; it hurts too much to bear. A faint shuffle from the kitchen startles me and I turn the corner to look. Sasami is sitting at the table; small cup in hand. She doesn't see me, preferring to stare blankly ahead, shrouded in her own thoughts. "Sasami?" "Oh, Tenchi." She smiles at me, but her eyes betray melancholy. "Can't sleep." I blurt. It is both a question and a statement. In a barely-audible whisper, she sighs; "No. Me either." Her eyes mist over. I'm afraid she is going to cry. "I was with Ayeka." I say, stupidly. "I know." She says. "I heard you scream." "Oh." I say "It's the second time." "Oh." "Do you want some tea?" She asks me, looking at me. "Sure." I see her face is gaunt, her eyes red rimmed, and I wish I could spare poor Sasami from the hurt she is feeling. But I'm afraid I'm too shaken up to comfort her. And it's because of me she's feeling like this. "It's the Ocha I went to get at the small mom and pop store just through the woods." She says, pouring me some tea and rotating the cup slightly so as to mix the tea leaves. Handing the cup to me, she continues: "The couple are always so glad to see us, they always give me treats..." "What kind of treats?" I say, absent-mindedly, cradling my cup. "Oh," she smiles at the memory. "They gave me pocky sticks last time..." she grins. "They were so yummy Tenchi, they're like bread sticks with chocolate on them. They gave Ayeka some..." Her voice falters. She sighs. I suck in a breath. "When Ayeka is better, you'll go again, and they'll give you and Ayeka more pocky. Except be sure to get some for me, too." I say, and smile as normally as I can. "Really? Tenchi?" "Of course..." I lie. Sasami smiles at me, yet the smile is bittersweet, like the tea leaves floating in my cup. A click behind me makes me turn towards the silent hall, and a figure emerges from Washu's lab. Expecting to see Ryoko I am surprised that it is Washu. "Sasami," she begins, already walking over to us. Her face, sombre-- her gaze steely, she stands at the foot of the table. "Sasami... I think it's time..." To myself, I wonder what she means, but Sasami, understanding, gets up. Her eyes are tear rimmed. "Washu... are you sure? Can't she, recover...?" Sasami looks away. Washu sighs. "I wish there was another way. But you have to, for Ayeka." Sasami nods quietly, and follows Washu into her lab. At the door, Washu turns to me, her gaze soft. "Tenchi, you too..." I rise, and Washu walks into to her lab, opening the door with a soft click. I find it unbearably dark inside, used to the illumination of the full moon in the corridor outside. It takes a while to adjust, and when I do I can see Sasami standing sombrely at the foot of Ayeka's bed, Ryoko, Washu, Grandfather and myself, near her. The beeps and hisses of Ayeka's life preserving machines seem dim and far away as I watch. A bright light seems to gather around Sasami, and as she closes her eyes, the sigils on her forehead shine. Suddenly a bright blue, almost white light fills the room and I'm blinded again. I put my hand over my eyes to filter the light and through the bright illumination I can see her. Tsunami's astral body is above Sasami's, hovering as if uncertain. Recognition fires up in my being. I close my eyes and in a flash it returns. Part of me had known I was about to die; and when I did, there was nothing. And then, I remember Tsunami, shining and powerful like this very day, she came and... put her head to mine, and I could breathe. She smiled and I could feel. I was alive. Tsunami... she would... she would heal Ayeka like she healed me, she can save Ayeka. She will save her and make it all right again. My hope rises like a cresting wave, I watch, my heart not daring to beat. Sasami's eyes are closed; she looks as if she is there, but far away at the same time. Tsunami's power radiates cerulean brilliance around the room, the metal objects in Washu's lab reflecting the light, causing a permanent dazzle to shimmer. For a moment, all is quiet and still, and then I see Tsunami's astral body move forward, over Ayeka. Slowly, she cups Ayeka's still pale face, she reaches her forehead up to meet Ayeka's, and the sigils on her forehead flare. The light intensifies as Ayeka's forehead also illuminates in response to Tsunami's presence. Now I can barely see what happening, but I can assume that it's part of Tsunami's power, and that Tsunami is healing Ayeka. Sasami's face, which a moment ago was tensed with concentration, relaxes. Her features smooth out, as the illumination intensifies. Tsunami's reflection closes her eyes, as she hovers over Ayeka. My heart is barely beating in anxiousness, and rapidly the room fills with an eye-blinding glow, so bright, we all cover her eyes, unable to see anything, a shattering noise rings throughout the room. Sasami screams, and her eyes shoot open. Tsunami's presence vanishes abruptly-- the beautiful radiance seemingly sucked back into Sasami's body. Sasami wilts, like a delicate dying flower, her hands over her face. "Sasami!" I cry concerned, kneeling beside her. "Tenchi..." she removes her hands and her face is tear streaked. "Oh, Tenchi..." She chokes out. At once, Washu is next to us, her arms on Sasami's shoulders. "Sasami..." Her voice is commanding but soft. "What happened?" Sasami's tears run down her face. "It didn't work..." she says miserably, wiping the tears with the palm of her hand. She looks down, her voice grave. "Tsunami's power didn't work." She says, her voice trembling. "...A-Ayeka's going to die." "NO!" The cresting wave of hope crashes with such intensity and recedes, taking all hope with it. "She *can't* die!!" I shout. "Tenchi..." Ryoko is next to me, her hand on my shoulder. No one speaks for a moment, and all that can be heard are the small sobs of Sasami's pale form. Gently, Washu ushers Sasami out of the lab, telling us it's best to get some sleep. Grandfather nods and follows her; leaving Ryoko, Ayeka, and I. She looks around the room a bit, her glance falling on Ayeka and back to me. I become acutely aware of the noises reverberating through the lab; hisses and beeps of the oxygen and heart monitor, each 'fssh' and 'beep' seemingly getting louder as it continues, echoing through my mind. "Oh Tenchi", Ryoko sighs, and goes to hug me close, but I pull away. I can't be with her right now. I have to go; the beep of the machinery maddening me, I can't stand the noise. "I'm sorry," I croak, my throat hoarse, and I go for the door. "Tenchi!" Ryoko calls, but she makes no move to follow. I hope she forgives me from running away from her, from being so cold, as I open the door and step into the corridor. Continuing to the doorway, I step outside, and pause on the engawa. This is where I sat with Ayeka for the very last time alone, before she-- I don't finish the thought, and run on and as I run I feel the moon on me like a spotlight, following me on my flight. It's no longer full; I can't tell if it's waxing or waning, but it's large enough to illuminate the Earth in it's splendour. I pass the lake, not knowing where I'm going, or why I'm running. All I can see is the darkness, all I can feel are the tears building. And unexpectedly, I stop, in front of a gentle rock slope, and a dark mysterious cave. My breaths come quickly, and tired, I slump onto the rock. The moonlight glistens over the area, and I gaze upwards to the sky. The full moon will never hold the same beauty for me. Never again. Not after tonight. "The moon sure is beautiful, tonight..." I whisper, sadly, an echo of an old conversation in my head. And again, I cry, over the rock, near the cave, like that day years ago. Except this time, I don't wish that I had no feelings. I don't know how long I cry, I don't know if it's longer or "Tenchi?" A sudden voice startles me from my pain. Grandfather calls me. I turn in the direction I hear the call and see nothing. "Heads up!" Behind me. -THUNK- "Ow! Geez! Grandfather!" I spin, indignant. His eyes are gleaming. He has a slight grin. Outstretched bokken in hand, he's in the same position he hit me with. "Your training is getting lax." He comments matter-of-factly. "T-training?" I'm too confused to be angry at him. "I can't think about training now, Grandfather! Not when Ayeka is... is..." I wipe the fresh tears from my face, bewildered. His pose relaxes and he stands stiffly. "Is what?" He says it, like a barked command. I feel the anger mount. "She's lying in bed-- comatose!" I shout, the anger releasing. "Comatose?" He cocks his head slightly in a gesture of non-comprehension. I don't usually make outbursts like this, especially not to Grandfather, but Ayeka is dying and he-- he acts as if it's just another day. I swallow my indignation and manage to spit out: "Yes! Comatose. Sick. Dying! Lying in bed with tubes in her arms, injured because of me, dying because of me-- comatose because I-- I-- She's going to-- because-- I" I falter. Again the tears want to wet my already-damp cheeks but I stifle the impulse to cry again. "Comatose." He comments, ignoring my outburst. He pauses as if reflecting, "comatose...and dying?" "Yes." I choke out; more depressed than angry now I've let it out. "Yes. But does that mean she's dead?" He says, his bifocals glinting, his eyes peering into mine. "No." "No?" "NO she's... not dead," I whisper, lowering my head. I lose the battle of wills against my own tears and they drip down my cheeks and I see one splash on my shirt. "Comatose is alive?" "Yes but she's as good as--!" I'm sure he knows what comatose means; I don't understand what kind of senility possesses him to ask me such inane questions. "She can't react or move or speak or talk or-- or--" I trail off. "But--" he interjects, "she's not dead, is she?" I don't answer. "Ayeka can't move, she lies still and pale-- but she's not dead?" I still don't answer. I want to just walk away. This is pointless. This is just hurting me. Damn you old man. "She's NOT dead?" He repeats the question, more forcefully now. "No... She isn't dead." I finally whisper, looking away, wanting this slow verbal torture to be over. "Then, Tenchi, don't treat her as if she is." I reel, dumbfounded, "I don--" but he is gone. Already walking away from me, same airy demeanour as if nothing is amiss. He turns to me; I see the moonlight reflect on his eyeglasses again. I open my mouth to retort but he, as usual wants to have the last word: "No Regrets, Tenchi." Walking away he leaves me in the clearing; puzzled and confused. I crumple. Is he right? Do I do that? Am I treating Ayeka like the only word missing from the sentence; "She isn't dead," is "yet"? I shake my head. But Tsunami failed... and... ...It's only a matter of time until... ...That is to say, Washu thinks that she's not going to... Just like... ...Just like Mother, she's going to... "Die..." I realise I've spoken aloud. I sit on the rocks, baffled, my breaths slow and painful, I wonder about the conversation. 'No regrets, Tenchi.' Grandfather's words echo in my head... where have I heard that before? What does he mean, 'no regrets?' ... what would I regret? "Yeah right, Grandpa... no regrets..." I mutter, and as I do, a faint stirring of realisation flares within me. "No regrets..." I repeat, slowly. I remember now; I remember why, and I know what they mean, what it all means. I bolt upright. "No regrets!" With one last look at the cave, I begin to run. A sense of anxiousness permeates my bones. As I see the house loom closer, my strides become more urgent, my lungs burning with effort, and my chest constricting painfully. "No Regrets" I seethe, to push myself to go faster, and faster. Huffing I reach the door of the house, my heart palpitating not only with the exertion of running, but with a sense of apprehension, of worry surrounding it. "I have to see Ayeka..." I whisper, and that thought takes over my mind until I can think of nothing else, and as I breeze through the house, past the entry, through the kitchen to the laboratory door, I freeze. I see Ryoko slumped over in the corridor, sitting on the ground, sobbing, crying, holding herself, hysterical. I halt, my eyes opening wide, I shake my head. "Oh... No..." I hear Washu sigh, and she emerges from the open laboratory clicking the door shut. "No..." I say. "Tenchi..." Washu says, glancing at Ryoko with a worried expression. I look upon the scene, dread seizing my heart. "W-what's happened... Washu...? Tell me..." I swallow uneasily. Washu kneels to comfort Ryoko, who unusually, doesn't pull away. Washu turns towards me, cradling the upset Ryoko in her arms. She opens her mouth to speak but what I hear is not her voice; it's Ryoko's. "Ayeka's... dead." She spits out. Pulling from Washu's embrace she turns at me, tears streaming down her face. "Dead?" My heart contracts; I can't feel anything anymore. Ryoko is saying something else, screaming something at me but I can't hear her. Everything is moving in slow motion, I can't feel the ground beneath my feet. "TENCHI!" Ryoko grabs the shoulders of my slumping form. I can barely hear her; she's screaming at me but it's like I'm watching a television scene with the sound muted. I see Washu looking worriedly on, as Ryoko yells at me, but I can't hear anything. I can't feel anything. I feel numb. The sound of her name brings me back to the moment again. "__ _____ Ayeka!" Ryoko screams at me, hysterical. "Do you hear me Tenchi!?" She's shaking my shoulders. I can see it in her, wild-eyed and hysterical. "Wha... What?" I say, not catching the beginning of her shout. "Ayeka's dead, Tenchi!" I nod dumbly. "and *I* killed her!" ================= ****End of Part 2***** ================= ================= Stay Tuned for Part 3... ^_^ AUTHORS NOTES: I'm sorry--I'm a sadist, aren't I? Firstly to the characters; and secondly to my readers, because YES I have just done it again-- I have left you with another cliffhanger!! ^_^ No... put the pitch forks and burning brands away!) The story demands me end it here, sorry guys. I hadn't originally planned part 3, but you know sometimes the best laid plans tend to spiral out of control. It's been 3 years since I started part 2, and wrote part 1- the first in very very many drafts of what ABT2-- was going to be. After countless revisions, do-overs, scrapping entire fics, and starting over-- This is the end product, I hope you've all liked it! See you in ABT:3! SPECIAL THANKS: First and most importantly I want to thank Firebird for being one of my closest and most trusted friends ever, and of course, the best proofreader I have ever had. If I had a muse, Firebird would be it, and I thank her deeply for all the help advice and encouragement she gave me. I couldn't write this without you Birdie, thank you for your belief in me, as well as all the pestering questions you answered and the brainstorming you did with me. <3 Birdie! Second I thank Happosai my little hentai for being my moral support and encouragement when it has been so hard to get though things day by day, let alone write a fic you're starting to hate because you've had a writers block bigger than Europe. I only hope I can encourage him to finish his fic as well. I also thank him for proofing or 'nitpicking' as he calls it, and his comments on ABT2. <3 Happi! And thirdly I want to thank all the people who took the time to write to me and tell me they loved my fic- I hope, this pleases you and that I'll keep getting the suggestions and praise and feedback in the mail. Thank you, you guys are what have made this all worthwhile, and I cherish every letter. ^_^ As always, praise and comments and suggestions, as well as constructive criticism, and praise (woohoo!). As for flames? Flames? Flames are what I use to light my house! Bwa ha ha! You can flame me if you really want and if you have a pea-sized brain. Yep that's the way it works. Lesell_Charis@yahoo.com ABT Glossary: Bokken - 'Wooden Sword' Usually a training sword, a Bokken is a Katana (samurai sword) shaped wooden stick that's wielded by Tenchi's Grandfather, Yosho. He likes to hit Tenchi with it or use it to launch an attack. Engawa - 'Veranda' An Engawa is broad wooden veranda that extends around the perimeter of a traditional Japanese house, it's a low step, with no railing. People often sit on the Engawa. The Tenchi house has one, as does the Tendo family Dojo in Ranma 1/2. Kami - Deity/God/Spirit. It's generally translated as 'God' but is more like 'Superior and Mysterious Force'-Tenchi isn't Christian as he says, and so I thought it odd for him to say 'My God'sometimes and thus used; 'Kami-sama'instead -sama An honorific which is likened to mean 'Oh honourable one'. In the Japanese TM, Yumi Takada (Ayeka) calls Tenchi, Tenchi-sama, which indicates that she respects him very much, and deems him very important. In the English translation they use "Lord Tenchi"; in my fic, I use both, depending on which voice I heard in my head, Yumi Takada's or Jennifer Darlings'-I tend to usually associate Ayeka as both voices into one. -chan An honorific which generally means; 'cute' or 'little'. It's a term of affection tagged onto the end of a name of the person you like a lot, or love. Girlfriends sometimes call each other chan, and couple might call each other by chan. Ocha - 'Tea' Sometimes called 'Cha' it's generally more often called Ocha, and means 'Tea'. Tea is a big drink in Japan, and Green Tea is probably the most popular type.