WARNING: Writer's Block and ADD do not go together. It was only after I wrote this that I realized that but whatever I'm still putting this on here to see if it's crap or if I should actually continue it so PLEASE review. Even, actually ESPECIALLY, if you think it sucks because I LOVE criticism, it's the only way I can grow as a writer.
Disclaimer: The same disclaimer I use for ALL stories…I do not own Tenchi Muyo if I did Ryoko and Tenchi would already be together and there would be no need for my stories…blah blah blah.
A/N: Mayuka is in this story because I love her and I had to include her, in fact it's pretty much centered around the little brat ;-) So I hope you enjoy!
"Talking"
'Thinking'
Telepathic link
Motherly Love
Chapter 1 A Night of Secrets
Tenchi laid on his back staring at the ceiling. It was so odd to actually look at his ceiling without the sight of a certain pair of golden eyes staring back at him. It had been so long since Ryoko watched him sleep and he actually missed it. She had always made him feel safe. He rolled over on his side and looked at the window. He just couldn't sleep without her there. Standing up he grabbed his blanket and pillow and began to descend the steps. At least this way she would be near. As he reached the final step a beeping sound filled his ears.
He looked up at the rafter to see Ryoko stirring from her sleep. Her eyes were glowing like a cats and he became entranced by the sight of her golden orbs. He watched as she gracefully glided down towards a cradle in the middle of the room. 'When did we put Mayuka's crib in here?' Tenchi thought as he watched. Ryoko stretched her arms and looked down at the sleeping child. Within seconds the baby was crying and Ryoko bent down and pulled the small blue haired child into her eyes.
"Right on time," she said as she lifted the girl up over her head. "Ya know kid I might as well not even sleep until you cry, at least until this pattern of yours is over." She thought about what she had said for a second and then walked into the kitchen with the baby still in her arms. "But then I'd be even more tired and everyone would get even madder at me." Ryoko said to herself as she pulled out a bottle from the fridge and stuck it in the microwave. Tenchi, who had followed her into the kitchen, listened carefully. "You might have to stop waking up in the middle of the night kiddo; I don't want your dad getting mad at me. Besides that way Ayeka can say that she's more of a mother towards you then I am." The timer on the appliance went off and the ex-space pirate pulled the bottle out and tested the heat. She smiled down at the young baby who was looking at her wide eyed in expectation of her meal. Ryoko walked out of the kitchen and back into the living room. Tenchi closed his eyes as she walked past hoping that she hadn't seen him. He looked to see Ryoko sitting on the couch now feeding the young infant. "There you go," she whispered slightly. "Drink it all up."
Tenchi watched Ryoko affectionately. He had never seen her like this, so loving and open towards anyone, not even himself. He always thought that she hated the young baby but here she was holding her as though she were her own daughter. Ryoko smiled down at the infant causing Tenchi to smile back. 'I've never actually seen Ryoko smile like that before; she looks happy, truly happy.' He thought as he leaned against the wall.
"You want to know a secret little girl. I can tell you 'cause I know you won't say anything." Ryoko said, holding on to the half-way empty bottle. "I really miss watching your daddy sleep. But my duties lay with you now, besides I was probably just a pest to him anyways. I wish he only knew how much a really loved him." Ryoko sighed and looked into the eyes of the young girl. The baby smiled up at her not understanding a word that was being spoken to her. "That's what I love about you kid, you don't care." Ryoko pulled away the bottle and raised the child over her head. "Now let's get you back to sleep, so that I can get some sleep too." She kissed her cheek and put the baby back down in the cradle. "I love you Mayuka." Ryoko said carrying the cradle back up the stairs to its proper place.
Tenchi took his opportunity to make it back upstairs. He opened his door and turned to see Ryoko coming out of the nursery. He took a deep breathe and turned to her.
"Ryoko what are you doing up?" He asked trying to conceal his knowledge of what had just gone on.
"Oh Tenchi," Ryoko said a little startled. "I thought I heard the brat crying so I was just double checking." She lied. "Why are you up?"
"I can't sleep so I was gonna go sleep on the couch but I didn't want to disturb you." Tenchi said showing her the blanket and pillow that were still in his hands.
"Oh," Ryoko said almost sadly. "Well good night my Tenchi." She said before teleporting back to her beam.
"Good night Ryoko." Tenchi said entering his room. Tenchi couldn't sleep; he just kept replaying the night's events in his head. 'She looked so happy with Mayuka.' He smiled and turned over on his side. 'She'd be furious if she knew I had watched her.' He laughed slightly but inwardly gulped. He closed his eyes once more hoping that sleep might finally take over.
"You demon-woman you can't just sleep the day away wake up!" Ayeka's voice screeched as she poked Ryoko with the end of her broom stick. "I said wake up!"
"5 more minutes" Ryoko mumbled as she rolled over on her other side. Tenchi heard the whole thing as he walked down the stairs. He shook his head, he knew Ryoko would be tired, he sure was.
"Miss Ayeka, if Ryoko wants to sleep in let her, she'll just miss breakfast it's not that important." Tenchi was shocked to hear the words come out of his mouth. Ryoko instantly jolted up and looked down at Tenchi with a puzzled look while Ayeka, who was completely flabbergasted (A/N: I love that word), opened her mouth but could not find words to say. She simply returned to the kitchen to see if Sasami needed any help with breakfast. Tenchi smiled at Ryoko and then walked over to the couch where Mihoshi was trying, without success, to keep Mayuka still.
"I don't know what to do," cried the galaxy police officer. The small child began pulling on the blonde curls in front of Mihoshi's face only causing the woman to cry more. Tenchi took the baby from Mihoshi and held her up above his head. He kissed her cheek and then looked up at Ryoko who was now wide awake.
"Ryoko would you mind holding Mayuka while I go take a bath?" Tenchi said. Mihoshi, not understanding what was going on, flipped on the television and began to watch cartoons.
Ryoko looked down at Tenchi trying to think of what to say. She really wanted to hold Mayuka but she didn't want anybody else knowing that. "Can't Mihoshi watch the brat?" Mayuka began to squirm in Tenchi's arms reaching out towards Ryoko.
"But she really wants you Ryoko." Tenchi said looking up at her with pleading eyes. Ryoko knew there was nothing she could do to get out of it. She floated down and picked up the child.
"Fine but you better be fast Tenchi!" She said with mock anger. She sat down on the couch holding onto Mayuka who was now peacefully lying in her arms. Tenchi nodded and took off towards the onsen. Once he was out of sight Ryoko laid along the couch laying Mayuka on top of her chest.
"You wore me out last night kiddo," Ryoko said looking down at the now asleep infant. "Maybe I should follow your example." She said closing her eyes. Within seconds she was out.
Tenchi returned from the onsen to find Ryoko and Mayuka peacefully asleep. He smiled tenderly at the sight. He looked around to see nobody around and leaned in lightly kissing Ryoko's forehead and then Mayuka's. He stared at the two for a second before he felt a tapping on his shoulder. He turned around to see Washu looking up at him with an evil smirk.
"Um…good morning little Washu."
"Yes good morning indeed Tenchi, could you please come with me to my lab?" She said turning towards the closet door. Tenchi gulped and took a deep breath. He turned to look at Ryoko once more before following the scientist into the closet space.
"Washu…I mean little Washu…um what do you want with me?" Tenchi asked nervously. Washu turned and looked at her guinea pig.
"I just have a few questions for you Tenchi," she said sitting on a cushion. Her holotop appeared and she began to type away. Soon Tenchi found himself strapped down to a table.
"Um…Washu…what's going on?"
"I told you I have a few questions, and this way I know that you're being completely honest with me." Washu said looking down with a huge grin on her face.
