Summer and Dreams A/N: As much as I wish I had been the lucky one to come up with the origins of Tenchi Muyo, I must say that I do not own them. Damn the bad luck! AIC and Pioneer were the smart and lucky ones...so please don't SUE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STAGE: In the disturbing Chapter 4, we find Ryoko to be under close observation and arrest. Put before a one man court, Ryoko finds herself sentenced to execution by hanging. Just when Ryoko accepts her fate, she gets the help she least expected from a guard of the government bent on killing her. Being rescued and given instructions for her escape, Ryoko soon befriends the young pilot, Sato, of the ship she escaped on. Upsetting news comes to Ryoko as she discovers Sato is Nagi's son and that Nagi is dead. But more upsetting and surprising, is when she finds out that the owner of the ship, is indeed, Hiroki, the lost love she has been searching for, for the past month......and now she's told to get lost. Ryoko is determined to make Hiroki see that his ways are wrong, but trouble ensues and Ryoko and Hiroki find themselves on the receiving end of an inevitable battle for life...... * * * '....Where am I...?' There was a cloak of blackness all around her as she struggled to see her surroundings. 'What....happened?' Forcing her eyes to open, she cried out into the still abyss. 'HIROKI?! Where....are you? Answer me, please....' Fighting to return to her time and place, she calls out for the one she lost. 'Hiroki! You.....promised that you would never....leave me alone....again!' * * * Ryoko felt a loving warmth surround her as she stopped fighting for her survival. Maybe...this was the way it was suppose to be. Ryoko wasn't sure, but she wasn't going to refuse the offer to have a peaceful life. This was something she had wanted since the day Kagato entered her life. She remembered feeling hatred and insecurity from the day he stepped into her mother's lab. She had tried many things to get him fired or at least hated by her mother, but every plan she had backfired and little by little, she ran out of options. And little by little, she lost her mother's trust.... It wasn't until it was too late, that Washu realized her mistake and false sense of safety within her own home and lab. Kagato had demolished what little of the lab he could access and of course, the damage done to their house after Ryoko had escaped the first time. Ryoko remembered that she had feigned sick that day because she was wary of leaving her mother alone with that lying bastard. Her mother had just finished with a report due for the Academy when Ryoko suggested watching a movie. Her mother agreed and Ryoko happily went to choose a movie. Returning to the living room with her selected choice of 'Young Frankenstein', a couple of cokes, a bowl of popcorn and a bag of gummyworms wedged tightly between her teeth, Ryoko spotted a scene she never wanted to remember. There stood Kagato, a sword in his hand. Ryoko dropped her wares and ignited her own sword. She had practiced with Kagato many times, but the two-faced bastard was unaware of the practices between Ryoko and her mother. Practices that contained moves Kagato knew nothing of. "Where's my mother?!" Ryoko demanded as she circled the man dangerously. Kagato smirked. "Mother? What mother?" "DAMN YOU! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?!" Kagato snapped his fingers. A pale green object dropped to the ground in a heap. Ryoko gasped. Washu was curled up, her eyes screwed shut in pain as the pale green force field encircled her. "MOTHER!" Washu lifted her head against the force to see Ryoko staring Kagato down. "Ka...kaga..Kagato...NO! Leave her be.....please!" Washu's ragged breath pleaded the man through the force field. Kagato waved a hand as small volts of electricity washed through the field causing Washu to scream in pain. Ryoko grimaced as her mother laid on the floor suffering. "KAGATO!" Ryoko shouted as she charged the man. Kagato barely had enough time to block Ryoko's sword as she rushed him. Dodging her attacks, Kagato managed to circle her as he pulled a small device from his pocket. Ryoko came to a dead stop. Her eyes widened as she quickly tried retreating from the room. "You stay AWAY from ME with THAT!" She warned as she spun on her heels only to hit the floor. Ryoko's chin hit the floor with a loud crack as her teeth slammed together. Ryoko let out an ear piercing scream as she sat up, a hand covering her mouth as blood began to trickle through her fingers. "Ohhh, did Little Ryoko hurt herself? Let Daddy Kagato make it all better, hmmm?" Kagato soothed as he knelt beside her. Kagato pulled Ryoko's hand from her mouth. Ryoko whimpered and tried pulling away from him as Washu shouted, "Kagato...YOU BASTARD! What are YOU doing to HER?!" The scientist had a clear view of her daughter and gasped in horror at the sight that greeted her. Kagato forced Ryoko's mouth open to have blood dribble down her chin in a river. Ryoko tried to protest but found she couldn't talk through the searing pain coursing through her mouth and to her head. Washu cringed as she saw that the fall Ryoko had taken had caused her teeth to make a detour through her tongue. The left side of Ryoko's tongue had been severed from the rest of it and she had busted her bottom gum due to the fact that Ryoko, had been born with an over bite. Kagato snorted and shook his head. "Is this all? You bite your tongue and you're out for the count? Amazing..." He turned to Washu and commented, "Quite a piece of work you have here, professor. But as you can see, she is broken....so I'm sure that you won't mind if I take her off your hands." "Don't you dare..." Washu seethed. "You get your grubby paws off of her." Kagato chuckled as he stood Ryoko on her feet. The young teenager gave her mother a sincere look. Washu frowned. Ryoko wanted to be comforted. To be told that everything would be alright and that the pain would go away....but Washu knew that she wouldn't be able to give her daughter those things....yet. Concentrating, Washu felt herself slipping from the force field. As she thought that she'd have it beat, she heard the muffled offer of her daughter. "Kaw...g..to....ouh...ave...e! Lit....my....o...thar...gow." Ryoko slurred through her half punctured tongue. Kagato turned around and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmmm, let Washu go in turn for you? Quiet tempting, Little Ryoko....I must say that I didn't expect you to give your life for some creator. Especially a creator who cares nothing for you." "Cut the crap, Kagato!" Ryoko spit out harshly. The man looked at her. She was still injured, but her anger had given her the ability to defend herself verbally. "Let....her....go." Ryoko stuttered. "Ryoko...NO! Don't do this! Run!" Washu pleaded with her from the floor. Ryoko shook her head no. "I...refuse to....give up....on...you. I....won't....let him....take...you." Washu's eyes turned glassy as Kagato agreed to her daughter's request. But, Ryoko should have seen through it and realized that it was a lie. A trap, a trick....a deception by a deceiver. Kagato placed Ryoko in a holding field as he turned to Washu. The force field disappeared and Washu quickly rose to her feet as she ran towards Kagato ready to slap into yesterday. She had only managed to take three steps before Kagato snapped his fingers again. Ryoko stared in horror as a Stasis Field formed around her mother trapping her inside. The crystal completely engulfed Washu as the woman suddenly regressed back into her child form. She had lost yet another child and the pain of it had made her subconsciously transform. Ryoko was crying and screaming "Kagato you promised me! You promised!" Kagato laughed. "Didn't your mother ever teach you to never look a gift horse in the mouth?" He laughed again as Washu disappeared along with Ryoko and himself. * * * "Ryoko? What's wrong?" A young Ryoko looked up to see a young boy holding an umbrella in his hands. She looked away from him hurriedly as he sat down. "Ryoko....?" "Please, Hiroki....Just go away. Go home." Ryoko muttered as small raindrops began to pelt her. Hiroki opened the umbrella over them and gazed at her. "....Look, I'm sorry about last week, okay? But, a few of the guys dared me to play a joke on a girl. You were the only I could think of that would shrug it off." Ryoko glared at him. "Yeah, well you thought wrong." She rose to her feet and stalked off into the night as the rain began to fall harder. Hiroki ran after her and grabbed her arm. Turning her around he asked curtly, "What's with you? Here lately you've been a total bitch. You roll your eyes or ignore me whenever I come around. Why?" "Oh THIS is rich!" Ryoko replied as she jerked free from his grasp. "Me? being the bitch...? I think I have a right, Hiroki! Take a look at yourself. Ever since you started hanging out with Tetsuya you've been the bastard! What's happened to you, Hiroki? You've changed." She told him dryly. Hiroki snorted. "How?" "Don't you SEE?! The way you treat me and Keiko...it's as if someone has taken over your body or something. You used to be kind, sweet and caring. Now you're mean, spiteful and cruel. Don't you get it? Here lately, I'm nothing but a bucket of bolts or a toy to you...." Ryoko whispered. Hiroki seemed taken aback by her words. "...Ryoko....I'm sorry. I completely...wasn't paying attention to the things I was saying or doing. I'm so sorry...please believe me." "Why...should I believe someone who calls me a selfish machine and a slut?" Hiroki paled. "Gods, Ryoko....I didn't mean those things. I was so wrapped up in being accepted as one of the guys, that I totally hurt the one I love. I actually came out here tonight, to tell you. For the longest time...I've loved you. I was always just to worried that you'd reject me." Ryoko stared at him. "I get it! This is just another of your damn jokes that your buddies dared you to do, right? Well, you tell your toadies that I'm not falling for their childish pranks anymore. Got it?! I want noth....." Ryoko was cut off as Hiroki kissed her. Ryoko was stunned at first but gradually allowed herself to relax. She suddenly realized what was happening and brought her hand up delivering a strong slap to his face. Hiroki pulled back, a red mark welling up on his cheeks. "I deserved that..." He commented. "Like hell you did....if that was some way of getting me to fall at your feet, then forget it! It won't work..." Ryoko threatened. Hiroki began to sweat. "Ryoko....listen to ME!" He grabbed her face in his hands gently and exclaimed, "I LOVE YOU! I don't care what those other guys say about you....I love you. I've loved you since that night you asked me if I thought you were beautiful. I've loved you before that." Ryoko felt tears come to her eyes. "How can I trust you? How do I know that this isn't another trick?" Hiroki stared her in the eyes. "Because...I never meant to make you cry. Trust me Ryoko when I say...I promise to never make you cry again. To see you cry....is like feeling my life slipping through my fingers. Please...forgive me." Ryoko's tears mixed with the raindrops as she felt Hiroki's lips on hers again and instead of fighting him, Ryoko returned the passion filled kiss with intensity. Her heart was singing with joy at her first kiss. But what made her even happier was the fact that her first was with Hiroki, the guy she had loved for as long as she could remember. And the fact that Hiroki had said that he loved her....she had always wanted him to say those words to her and now he had....she had what she had wished for. Hiroki. He was hers and she was his. And Ryoko knew that everything would be alright....as long as Hiroki was with her, nothing could go wrong.... * * * "RYOKO! HOW MANY TIMES HAVE I TOLD YOU NOT TO WATCH ME LIKE THAT?!?" Ryoko frowned. "Aww, come on Tenchi! Being able to watch you is my security blanket. I just want to make sure that you're alright." "But you don't have to constantly stand vigil over me with your every waking hour. Get some sleep, would ya! You're starting to look terrible. And that.." Tenchi pointed at her and then to a mirror, "Scares me." Ryoko looked at her reflection and sighed. "Gee, you really know how to woo a woman Tenchi, don't you?" Tenchi scratched his head as Ryoko disappeared. * * * "Hey! Ayeka! Guess what Tenchi just scored?!" Ryoko's voice taunted the princess as Ayeka huffed up the stairs. "RYOKO! You demon whore! You better not have defiled Lord Tenchi in his sleep or else I'll....I'll...." "You'll what princess....stutter me to death?" Ryoko asked as she fell over laughing. Ayeka grew red and then purple. She landed a swift kick to Ryoko's shin and then without a word, she fled down the steps and outside. * * * "Dinner's READY!" Sasami announced to the household. Everyone rushed to the table and took their seats. "Oh, I am starving!" Washu exclaimed as she rubbed her hands together. "Yes, I am quite famished as well." Ayeka added politely. "Eww, look at all the pretty food. Can we eat now?" Mihoshi bubbled excitedly. "This sure does look delicious Sasami....it's a shame dad can't join us." Tenchi commented. Sasami looked around. "Has anyone seen Ryoko?" "I saw her this morning." Tenchi pointed out. Ayeka snorted. "Yes....in the wrong position! Lord Tenchi, that demon monster didn't....do anything....inappropriate, did she?" "AYEKA!" Everyone cried in unison. "You worry too much, princess. My daughter may seem like the eager type, but I can guarantee you that she won't spread those legs until Tenchi says that he loves her." Washu wheedled in. Tenchi turned crimson. "Little Washu!" Washu looked at him. "What?! It's the truth...heck Ayeka, I'd be worried about Tenchi trying to get some while all of you are sleeping!" Sasami shook her head and left the kitchen and the dispute to find Ryoko standing on the front porch with the door wide open. "Ryoko?" Ryoko spun around. "Oh, hey Sasami. I was um, actually just coming, to uh,.." "It's okay, Ryoko. I understand. I know how you feel. About being assimilated with Zero, that is. Have you forgotten that I'm assimilated with Tsunami?" The little princess questioned soothingly. Ryoko smiled. "No...I haven't forgotten. But, now I know who I can turn to if I need to talk...thanks Sasami." "Don't mention it, Ryoko. Just...don't forget that you're not alone." Sasami told her in a mature voice. Ryoko nodded. "I won't....promise." Sasami grinned and took Ryoko's hand. "Good...now let's go eat! I'm dying of starvation...." Sasami whined as she drug Ryoko back to the family. * * * "Oh, excuse me....oh, it's just you Ryoko. I thought I stepped on someone else." Mihoshi's bubbled apology drifted to Ryoko's ears. Ryoko stood on one foot hopping around as she held her other foot in her hand from where Mihoshi had stepped on her bare toes with her heavy boots. "Hey! That looks like fun! Can I try?" The blonde asked as she grabbed her foot and mimicked Ryoko by hopping around on one foot in the kitchen. From the living room door, an audience of four watched them. "Cool....is this some kind of new dance?" Mihoshi quizzed happily as she did a few turns and spins. "Wheee! This is so much Fuuuuun! Great dance, Ryoko. What do you call it?!" Ryoko snapped her golden eyes at the blonde ditz. "You little TWERP! This isn't a dance. If you'd watch your damn feet and where you're walking, then we wouldn't have this problem!" Mihoshi was confused. "So....this isn't some kind of new dance?" Ryoko screamed. "UGH! Stupid little TWERP! Get some brains, would ya!" Ryoko stormed from the kitchen as Mihoshi tilted her head to the others and sang, "Oh...I love it...I love it! Twerp....it's such a cute name....!" Then in a cheery voice she asked, "What's a twerp? Some kind of dance?" * * * Ryoko felt a different kind of pain sweep through her as she woke up to darkness. There was no light, no warmth, no familiarity to it at all. There was nothing but darkness, isolation, cold and emptiness. Ryoko shuddered as she looked around nervously. '...Now, where am I?' There was no reply to her question as she felt the silence engulf her. 'Hiroki?....Mother?.....Ryo-Ohki?......Tenchi?' Ryoko called out in a hopeful tone but still she received no answer in return. Feeling her heart shrink and her tears fall, Ryoko allowed her emotions to flow freely as she hovered in a dark and dank void. She didn't know which way was up or down or if the void even had an up and down or sides. She felt weightless and dizzy as she bobbed in the quiet dark of the silence. If she didn't find her way out soon or get a reply over her link, Ryoko felt sure that she'd go insane from the quiet black that kept her company. Trying to find a direction she could move in, Ryoko felt all her hope slip away as she realized that she was getting nowhere fast. Burying her face in her hands, she began to sob. All her frustrations, sadness and anger vented themselves in the forms of tears as she felt the blackness swallow her whole. Just as she thought that she'd never see the end of this or hear an answer, she heard the faintest whisper come to her ears....."Ryoko." "Ryoko....." * * * ~"Ryoko....yes! Those things I wrote were true. In the past two months that you've been desolate...I've come to realize just how much you mean to me. I'm sorry about earlier, I was just so shocked to hear you ask me instead of tackling me, that....I...I froze. But, yes.....they are all true. It's how I feel."~ Ryoko gawked at Tenchi as he openly admitted his feelings for her and in front of the princess no less. "I want you to be happy." He commented. ~"You make me happy, Tenchi." Ryoko replied tenderly. A sudden frown crept to her lips as her eyes narrowed sadly. "But, don't I give you the impression of being a worthless demon or a lazy monster? Or even a....a um, a....whore?" Ryoko asked weakly.~ He had looked like he was dying when she asked him that. He was literally white and Ryoko felt her sadness resurface. ~"No. I don't see any of those things in you Ryoko. All I see is a kind, caring woman who is begging for a chance at life. All you want is peace, happiness and love. You're not some evil person, despite your past or Ayeka's insults, you are who you are. You're Ryoko."~ Ryoko nodded at his assurance. "I'm Ryoko Hakubi....and if the world doesn't like Ryoko Hakubi...then it can go to hell, right Tenchi?" Ryoko opened her eyes to see that the blackness was still with her but this time was different. She didn't feel so alone. Hiroki had left her. But why? Her mother wasn't answering her mental pleas. Why not? And Ryo-Ohki seemed distracted by something else. But what? All Ryoko knew was that she had heard Tenchi's voice reach out to her as the past memories with him returned. The memories of when he was a baby, as he grew up, when he cried and came to her, when he forgot about her.... and when he set her free. Ryoko remembered them all.....and Hiroki was....just a dream among the many Ryoko harvested in her soul, one of the many dreams she had shared with the stars at night hoping that they'd come true. Hiroki had been with her a short while and then left. But, Tenchi had always been with her and even after she left him like she did, he was still with her. Telling her that he loved her more than life itself. 'Tenchi.....?' She called out fearfully. 'Someone answer me, please.' There was a moment of silence as she gathered her thoughts. 'Where has Hiroki gone? Why isn't Washu answering me? What happened to Hiroki and I out in space? Am I still alive?' '.....Why hasn't Tenchi left me?....' Ryoko didn't have any answers to those questions, but the one answer she knew was exactly who it was, that she belonged with. '.....Tenchi....' "Ryoko....." Ryoko's eyes quickly darted back and forth across the blackness. Someone was calling her, but who? She knew the voice and it's soft gentle tone. But, she couldn't see the person....why not? Looking around eagerly she heard it again. "Ryoko.....come home...." Ryoko nodded and closed her eyes as she felt a light wash over her, her mind and soul no longer trapped inside the darkness of the abyss. * * * "Ryoko?" "Ryoko...?" "...Ryoko....? Can you hear me..?" There was a warm touch on Ryoko's flesh as she felt a bright light penetrate through her closed eyelids. "Ryoko.....please wake up...." Something traced Ryoko's face softly as something wet and warm dripped onto her cheeks. There was a warm touch on her forehead as someone whispered, "Ryoko....I know you can hear me. Open your eyes....Ryoko." Ryoko struggled to comply with the request as she felt someone gripping her hand tightly. "Come on, sweetie.....fight it....don't give in, you're stronger than that. Please, baby....fight it....." Ryoko felt her lungs rising and falling as she fought to open her eyes. An excruciating pain lanced through her back, chest and head. She couldn't feel her legs or her arms, and that worried her but her main worry right now was waking up.... Gathering all the strength she could, Ryoko's eyes fluttered open.... "God..." Someone whispered happily. "Ryoko....honey, can you hear me?" Ryoko closed her eyes but opened them again before she lost the will to keep them open at all. Blinking a few times, she saw a deep green above her surrounded by vibrant pink. Ryoko smiled weakly.....she had done it. She had made it home... Opening her mouth she whispered, "....I.....hurt...." It was all she could say before she felt tired and weak. "I know, sweetheart. I know..." A soothing voice comforted as a hand ran through her hair. "But, the pain will be over soon....I promise." Ryoko did her best to nod her approval. "....'kay...." A small kiss was planted on her cheek as the soft voice assured her. "Sleep now, baby....I'll see you...." There was a small pause and Ryoko felt the wetness on her face once again. 'Tears.' She pondered tiredly. The person was crying as they picked up where they had left off. "....when you wake up.....sweet dreams.....Ryoko....." * * * Washu walked the hallways silently. It had been two days since Ryoko's last awakening. Things had been quiet since then. There were hushed whispers as Washu walked the corridors of the Jurain Palace. People talked....it was just a way of life. There were the occasional strands of gossip and the rumors. But Washu ignored them all. She knew that they weren't true, and if they weren't true, then she would refuse to acknowledge their existence. Standing on the balcony of the open hallway, Washu swept her emerald green eyes over the city as she felt tears threatening to spill over. A light breeze caressed her pale face as she tilted her head up to soak up the rays of the afternoon sun. It was summer...and quite hot, Washu noted as she enjoyed the welcomed breeze of Jurai's wind current. Reaching up and pulling her long pink hair into a ponytail, Washu felt her presence change. Though she came equipped in her adult body, she couldn't help but feel silly at the stares she received at her form. As the wind shifted, so did her attire. As she bent to straighten her clothes she heard a gentle voice behind her say, "Washu. It's time..." Washu turned to see Prince Yosho standing there watching her. She nodded slowly and followed the young man down the halls. There were a few whispers from the servants as Washu and Yosho strode past them quietly. Yosho finally took Washu's arm and led her ahead of himself and into a room. There was a window on the far wall, and the lace drapes swayed in the breeze that filtered through the little room. Underneath the window was a simple bed covered in starch white sheets and an ivory blanket. Washu sighed as she took a seat beside the bed her hand finding it's way to another's cold and clammy fingers. "Hey...." Someone whispered from under the sheets. Washu smiled. "How are you feeling?" "Do you really want to know or do you want me to make something up?" Washu cocked her head. "Make something up." The person chuckled lightly. "Okay....I feel like I was run over by a two ton Ayeka....what happened?" Washu hung her head. "You....were in an accident. Some idiots opened fire on Ryo-Ohki and because you refused to defend yourself, Ryo-Ohki was badly damaged and you were hurt." Washu paused. "How bad...?" Washu looked up. "Not bad, anymore. It was serious....you completely lost your vision, and I know that you despised me doing it, but I went in a reconstructed your eyes. If I hadn't then you wouldn't be able to see anything right now." "Well...then I thank you." The person stated softly. "What else?" Shifting nervously, Washu added, "You...were in a coma for two months. You had a compound fracture in your left arm, a dislocated disk in your back, a collapsed lung, some broken and bruised ribs and a torn ligament in your right leg. Need I add more...?" "No. That's good, thanks." The person was silent for a little bit before saying, "And what about Hiroki? Is....he okay?" Washu closed her eyes and gripped the person's hand. "....I'm afraid that Hiroki.....never...." Washu trailed off. "Mom....what? Did he not make it? Please, tell me!" Washu looked at her. "....Ryoko...Hiroki's.....dead." Ryoko's face fell as she sat up in the bed. "What?! But, how could I survive and he not? And....we weren't even on Ryo-Ohki! We were on Sirius!" Washu wrinkled her nose. "I know that you're going to hate me for this, but I checked your memory while you were out...." She paused. "Ryoko, it was all just a dream. There was no Hiroki, no Sirius, no....nothing." She replied sadly. "It can't be! I saw Hikage, Amara and their children. And I found Sato...he's Nagi' son. I found Hiroki, mom! He became a bounty hunter...." Washu cut her off. "Ryoko...stop it! Listen to yourself..." Washu adverted her gaze. "The goose egg on your head put you out of the loop. All of that was just something you dreamt up in your coma. How you wished it to be, honey, please believe me." Ryoko shook her head. "I can't. It was so....real." "I know. But...none of it existed. You were three days from Jurai when you were attacked. Ryo-Ohki made a quick get-away to Jurai where those bastards fired at you until Misaki realized that it was Ryo-Ohki out there. She tried hailing you, but instead she got Ryo-Ohki who was in distress." Washu stopped then and placed something on Ryoko's lap. Tears glazed Ryoko's golden eyes as she held an egg close to her. Ryo-Ohki didn't make it. "She risked her life for mine?" Ryoko asked sadly. "Yes. You never made it home, Ryoko. To our home, you know why? Because Aldebaron no longer exists. Kagato destroyed it after he captured us. When you went back, remember? He destroyed it after that. Everyone died....Hikage, Amara, Ashitaka. All of them. I'm sorry..." Washu stated. Ryoko let her tears come. "And what about....Hiroki?" There silence before Washu answered her. "I...did some research...Ryoko...I'm afraid that, Hiroki is...dead. There's stories saying that Mari snapped. She...pretty much tried duplicating the cloning process on Hiroki with some Masu cells she stole from me. Her plan backfired on her....Hiroki....didn't take too kindly to her actions." Ryoko stared at her. "What do you mean?" "Ryoko, Hiroki's body didn't accept the Masu and his brain pretty much fried itself trying to achieve assimilation. He...lost control and killed his mother. Rumor has it that he...killed Keiko as well and then took his own life. I'm so sorry...." Washu apologized lovingly. Ryoko was crying. "I can't believe it. It was so real..he and I, together that night...and it was all just an illusion." Washu hugged her daughter tightly. "Things will look better once we're home, Ryoko you'll see. We leave tonight...if you're up to par." Ryoko nodded. "I want off this godforsaken planet, mom. I just....want to go home...to live my life in peace." Washu stroked her back and answered, "That's what we all want, sweetie. We'll be home soon enough....you should rest now so that you won't feel to tired for the trip, okay?" Ryoko reluctantly laid back, her hand gripping her mother's fearfully. "Mother...?" Washu gazed at her. "Yes?" "Please......don't leave me alone...." Washu closed her eyes and squeezed her daughter's hand. "Never, Ryoko. I'll never leave you alone....never..." * * * Tenchi sat hunched over on the porch steps. A glass of iced tea rested in his hand as he stared out at something in the distance. His eyes followed a figure that had emerged from the woods rather slowly with another figure at its side. Smiling, Tenchi continued to observe the two people. "...If this is pain...I'd hate to have to suffer through child birth." A strained voice quipped as they hobbled to the porch. There was a chuckle and then, "Have no worries, Ryoko...should you ever decide to have children, then you won't have to suffer unless you choose to. They give you morphine for the pain, trust me." Ryoko cut her eyes to the person on her right side. Smiling she replied, "I should, huh? I mean, out of all the women in this house, you're the only one with experience in that neighborhood." The woman nodded sadly. "I...guess so." Ryoko frowned. "Was it really that bad?" She asked as she stared into deep green eyes. "You know....the labor?" The woman smirked. "When the doctors tell you that the only way your child will be born is by having a C-section, it's bad. It literally scares the shit out of you, or so I've been told.....but, no. Not even during the surgery was the pain that bad, because in the end, it was all worth it." Ryoko gave the woman a smile. "Was I? Was all this....worth it?" The other woman stopped walking. Ryoko shifted her weight in the woman's arms as she came to a stop as well. Tilting her head to the ground, the woman whispered, "You were always worth it. And don't think for another moment that you weren't, because....you still are." Ryoko closed her eyes. "I'm so sure....as much hell as I put you through, yeah right. Admit it...you'd could go for a few centuries of vacations?" "But I wouldn't. I wouldn't want to leave you....." Ryoko quirked an eyebrow. "Well, that's thoughtful of you....mom! But, I'd want...you to...go. How 'bout it?" Ryoko got a look that could kill. "...No...." Shrugging, Ryoko started for the house alone. When she reached the porch, Tenchi held his hand out to her and helped her sit down. Looking out in the yard, he offered his seat to the other woman. "No thank you, Tenchi....I'm...going inside. Call me if you need anything." The woman explained as she walked up the steps. Ryoko grabbed the woman's leg making her stop. Without looking up, she said, "....I think....it was all worth it too. I'm glad that we are where we are now....and that we're together..." The woman sighed and laid a hand on Ryoko's head. "I am too, Little Ryoko. I am too..." With that, she left the young couple sitting on the porch. Tenchi handed Ryoko his glass of tea and sat back. Ryoko swished the glass around causing ice cubes to clank against each other as well as the glass. She finally took a sip and leaned against the post supporting the awning. "Sure is nice out, today huh?" Tenchi asked warily. Ryoko nodded. "Yeah. Everyday has been a nice day so far." "So...you glad to be home?" Cutting her gold eyes over, she looked at him. "Do dogs pee on brick walls?" Tenchi smirked. "I'll take that as a yes. Well, it's good to have you home, Ryoko. We all missed you. Some of us...more than others." "I bet." Tenchi quirked an eyebrow. "Really?" "Mmm-hmm? Why wouldn't I?" Ryoko asked curiously. Leaning back Tenchi sighed, "Ohh, I don't know...just thought that you'd, be happier in space." He grinned. "You know Ayeka wanted to go after you?" "I'd believe it." Ryoko replied with a bemused tone. "She did, Ryoko. Really. She was...worried about you." He paused. "We all were." Ryoko closed her eyes. "It's so good to be back, Tenchi...honestly. But...it is so hard to think that, it was all just a dream. A figment of my imagination, you know? He was so real...the pain was so unbearable, the arguments so....hurtful.....it felt like reality....not some dream." Tenchi squeezed her hand. "I know. Sometimes, I think that my mother is still alive and with me. And it feels so real...but then, I wake up." "Do you....do you think that Hiroki is proud of what I've become?" Ryoko asked uneasily. Tenchi tilted his head back and watched the clouds. "I'm sure he is...but even if he's not, as long as you don't feel regret and guilt about who you are now, then whatever he or anyone else thinks doesn’t....matter." Ryoko wrinkled her nose. "What about you?" She sighed. "Do you like who I've become?" Tenchi pondered this for a moment. "Ryoko....whether I like who you are now, is not important. It's whether you like who you've become...so, do you?" Ryoko frowned. "I used to think I did...at least until....I couldn't decide on what I wanted in life. Does that make sense to you, Tenchi?" "Perfectly. And to answer your question...." He held her hand tightly. "I love who you've become. I don't care if you felt that you couldn't make me happy because of your past...I'm happy being here with you now, as yourself. You won't ever have to change, Ryoko. You're perfect...just the way you are." Ryoko felt Tenchi scoot a little closer and wrap an arm around her shoulders. Ryoko laid her head against his chest and watched the sunset. "Tenchi.....?" Ryoko asked softly. "Do...you think I'm beautiful?" * * * Ryoko sat lounged out in a lawn chair by the lake. Beside her, someone sat down on the dock and hung their feet in the water. "Nice rays, huh?" They asked the sunbathing Ryoko. "Yeah....I suppose so." Ryoko answered grimly as she pulled her shades down and eased herself into a sitting position. "Still hurting?" Ryoko looked down at the person and sighed. "A little. I doubt it'll ever go away." "It will one day, Ryoko. Just be patient." Ryoko cocked her head as she skimmed a few lines of the book she had been reading. Closing her eyes, she thought of the events from the past few months. 'Three months...' She told herself silently. It had been three months since Ryoko had returned and she was still sore from her accident. Her ribs had healed, along with her leg and her arm. Her broken arm had taken some work to repair, but it had been done. Now she still had to suffer with the twinges in her back from her dislocated disk. Something that would have to wait to be repaired until the swelling in her back had gone away and the tube in her lung didn't make things any better. Every now and then, Ryoko could feel the tube brushing against her lung and sternum and though it was painful, she never once complained unless it was a silent cry to her mother through their link. And Washu was there to comfort her through it all. All in all and with time, Ryoko had the hope that she'd be as good as new, hopefully. She had her family, her friends, her home and the love she had always wanted. As long as she was home, she was happy. Ryoko slid from the chair and onto the dock beside the person who had joined her. Slipping her feet into the warm water, she sat back on her hands. Silence hung in the air between the two women as they sat there watching the sun cast mirages across the lake’s surface. Sighing deeply, Ryoko got the nerve to break the silence. "So, uh....you know, Sasami and I...are going to the movies tomorrow night. Do you, want to tag along?" The other woman remained quiet. "I'd love too. Thanks." Ryoko nodded. She still found it hard to believe everything that had happened had been a dream. She and Hiroki had found the love they had left behind in their past and they were able to start where it had ended all those years ago. Even the night they had been together felt real. Ryoko shuddered at the thought. She had dreamt up all those things, and then they had left her like her reality had done. Ryoko wasn't sure if she'd ever find happiness, but eventually, it had found her. She was with people who loved her and whom she loved in return...that was all she ever wanted. She shifted her face up to feel the warm rays of the sun bathe her completely. Keeping her eyes closed she asked, "So...where do we go from here?" There still was no answer from the other figure. Adverting her gaze, Ryoko frowned. Looking at the person, she smiled. They were so enthralled with the view of the lake and the sun, that they were oblivious to the fact that Ryoko had asked them a question. Chuckling to herself, Ryoko leaned over and rested her head on the woman's shoulder as she wrapped her arms around their waist. The woman blinked and then looked down at Ryoko, a smile covering her features. Freeing her right arm, she draped it over Ryoko's back and held her close. "It feels nice to be held like this again..." Ryoko stated as she nestled her head into the woman's chest. "Yeah..." The woman whispered back as she stroked Ryoko's hair. "So, how are you and Tenchi doing?" Ryoko cracked an eye open. "Good. Surprisingly good." The woman nodded. "That's great news, I hope." "Naturally....he's the love of my life, why wouldn't it be great news?" Ryoko asked back incredulously. Chuckling the woman shrugged. "Just....you never know. As long as you're happy...." "I am. I am very happy. I have...Tenchi, Sasami, Ayeka and Mihoshi. I'd even consider claiming Katsuhito....but, I don't know. And I definitely refuse any and all strings attached to Nobuyuki." Ryoko paused, a grin on her lips. "And of course you. But then again....I'll always have you, huh?" "If you want." She answered. "But, Ryoko....there will come day that I may not be here with you..." Ryoko cut her off by saying, "Mom...you're over 20,000 years old! If you've lived that long, then you'll defiantly be around when I start looking like the old man...or worse...when I start looking like Ayeka! But....you're Washu, the Goddess of Chaos...friend to all...and mother to me....you'll be here." Washu chuckled again as she pulled something from her pocket. "Then in that case....mind explaining this picture to me?" Ryoko took one look at the picture, blushed and then fell over backwards. Washu looked at her warily. "Hey...you can't pass out! You still haven't explained what the hell you're doing in this photo! Ryoko...? Wake up. I'm talking to you, young lady. I'll give you to the count of three to sit up and explain this to me and if you don't.....are you listening to me?!....RYOKO?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~