---------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: i do not own any of the characters in this story i am just writing for the enjoyment of other fans so please don't sue me! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "where's Ryoko?" asked Tenchi. "oh, she just went to do a little last-minute christmas shopping," answered Washu,"she should be back in a little bit." "but she's already gotten each of us 3 gifts already, not to mention the 6 she let up open early. really, i've never seen this side of her before." "oh, yes you have, you just haven't paid enough attention to notice. but Ryoko feels she has to live up to her 'mighty, all-powerful space pirate Ryoko' reputation. christmas is a time of year when she gets to bring out her true self, the self that's kind, generous, and giving. she's let it shine through once or twice, but quickly covered it up before anyone took any notice." "hm." Tenchi sighed and gazed at the brightly lit christmas tree. it was beautiful, possibly the best christmas tree he'd had in years. and he was planning to make it one-if not the-of the best christmases as well. *** Ryoko hummed happily as she dragged along with all the gifts she had just bought. Suddenly she stopped. she looked around for the source of which a small sob had come from. "hhmm. must have been the wind." she shrugged and continued on her way through the snow covered fields. but there it was again. a sob and a small cry for help. Ryoko stepped off the fresh path she had made as she walked along and into the newly fallen-and still falling- snow. she moved along to the sound of the voice. it got louder as she moved.she came to a small patch of snow. the voice was perfectly clear now. Ryoko brushed away parted of a bush and saw a small girl sitting in the middle of the patch sobbing. she turned around to look at Ryoko. she jumped up in surprise. "w-who....are..y-you?" she said in between sobs,"d-do...you k-know w- where my m-mommy is?" there was a tint of hope in her tiny, shaky voice. Ryoko just stared sadly at the half frozen girl. "how long have you been sitting here, crying? you're going to be frozen in a block of ice! here, come with me" Ryoko held out a hand for her. "but my mommy says not to talk to or go with strangers" "oh yeah, huh. well, we can look for your mommy together," "well, umm, i g-guess that's alright,"the little girl slowly reached out to Ryoko and took her hand. they walked and walked, looking and searching all over the forest and fields. the girl was yelling for her mother the whole way. they found nothing. finally, out of cold and exahstion, the child collapsed in a heap in the snow. Ryoko gathered her up in her arms, took off her winter coat and wrapped it around her. she was unconsious. she thought. Ryoko rose into the air, and began to fly towards the Masaki home. *** "gee, i wonder where Ryoko is, i'm starting to get worried," said Sasami,"she was supposed to be here an hour ago," "yes, and that storm out there is getting very rough," said Ayeka. "i'm worried too,"said Tenchi,"but you know Ryoko, she's strong. she can handle anything." "well, you're right, but i still don't know, i mean, all those gifts she has to carry through there." Sasami had a worried experession on her face. *** the snow storm was raging through the evening, the snow and wind spiraling around and around Ryoko and the chid as the flew home. Ryoko couldn't teleport, the storm was messing everything up. She had been flying for about an hour, battling against the current of the river of snow.She didn't know if she could keep flying, but she kept trying anyway. she was weak from cold, and she was exahsted.but she tore on. the little girl was coming to in her arms, and she weakly opened an eye. her sight was blurry, and all she could see was what she thought an angel, flying her to saftey. the child quietly drifted back to sleep once more. Ryoko didn't know how much longer she could keep up flying, the snow raging all around her. finally, she was too weak to carry on, and fell from the height of which she was flying. luckly, she stayed awake enough and strong enough to pull herself and the child up before hitting to ground, and land them softly. Ryoko walked on, then broke into a run.but before long, she was too weak for even that, and collapsed right there in the snow.she couldn't get up, couldn't move. she tried to stay awake and strong, but couldn't hold up. she had just enough strength left to move the child underneath her and keep her warm. then she was lost in the snow..... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- well, that was it, i hope you liked that story, it was my very first fanfic ever. i hope to continue it, but if no one really likes it, then i won't torture anyone with my horrible writing. email me your opinions about it at: strawbryseed@homestead.com i don't care if it's not a good opinion about it, you can email me about how much it sucks, just please, no swearing. i just want feedback to see if i'm doing well. thanx! strawberryseed1