The Game of The Heart
By Hotsuma09
"Tekeshi…Tekeshi, you like it? don't you?" Ryoko peered down at the infant boy, swathed in a blue blanket.
"I see what you did there, you seem for certain Tenchi is the father." Washu commented sitting on the hospital bed.
"Of course, I am. Doesn't he take after Tenchi the least bit?" Ryoko pursed her lips cooing at the newborn. "Maybe I should change it?" Feeling of doubt washed over her.
"No of course not. It is just a name…Goodness he is just so lovely." Washu tugged on Tekeshi's covered feet.
Ryoko tried to stifle a yawn. "You are drained, I can take him while you rest." Washu reached out the infant.
Ryoko grunted securing the infant closer to her, fanning Washu. "Shoo, Shoo. You are a bad liar. You are going to run tests on him."
Washu slyly smirked, "You know me so well." The magenta haired woman laughed placing her hands up defensively, both women began to chuckle.
The mother-daughter moment was cut short to the sound of a knock and sliding of the door. Tenchi was pushed into the room. Ryoko straightened up, as she looked to her mother questionably.
"Lord Tenchi. Weren't expecting you." Washu rose looking to the two men who entered.
"Wasn't expecting to be here." Tenchi straightened himself up, giving a look to the blond man behind him.
Ryoko eyes began to glisten at the sight of the Crowned Prince. Tenchi reluctantly looked in her direction and bowed. Washu ceasing the moment excusing herself pulling Hotsuma out the room with her. Placing his hands in his pocket, he sheepishly looked around the room. He caught sight of some medical equipment on the counter finding it interesting.
"Tekeshi." Ryoko spoke up.
"Sorry?" Tenchi whipped around.
"His name is…Tekeshi."
"Tekeshi." Tenchi retorted. "Great name."
"Yeah it reminded me of yours. Tenchi…Tekeshi. Rhymes." Ryoko awkwardly smiled, it quickly turned to a frowned when she saw Tenchi's hand ran across his mouth, pursing his lips. "I know what you are thinking. Washu, will give us a DNA test. We should get the results back tomorrow morning…once she has finished her analyses, of course."
Tenchi sighed, walking to the window. "My pride can't take it anymore. The months of us having no contact, made me realize how 'love' makes people do silly things." He chuckled turning to rest on the windowsill. "A women's sexual infidelity…jeopardizes a man's confidence."
Ryoko stared at him, feeling the guilt building up in her. Tekeshi began to squirm in her arms as he made himself comfortable resting vertically on her chest.
"It was not like I was falling out of love with you, Tenchi. I just made a stupid mistake." She places Tekeshi in the basinet. Tenchi shook his head. "What do you mean, then?" Ryoko asked folding her arms.
"I had a lot of anger, humiliation, and grief. In my heart, I love you. But my head was saying otherwise. I wanted to keep you from straying, even though I love you as well…his carnal desire was more deep-seated than mine. Eventually, I wanted to cease all contact with you. Make you hurt like I was hurting. Some factors, caused that to change." Tenchi paused staring at her.
"Factors? Tenchi…I am truly sorry. I was stupid. Honestly there were feelings for Hotsu-damn it! I should not have tried to straddle the fence. I felt like you may have not have a chance of surviving. Everyone kept saying it was a slim chance of you coming out of it. It became depressing, seeing you laying there…lifeless. I wanted you to tell me you love me, thank me and all. It haunted me for months on what I have done. I regretted giving you an ultimatum without realizing the emotional burden it put on you." Ryoko held his hand. Tenchi looked to the infant squirming around in the crib.
"I guess…the results will change everything." Tenchi admitted removing Ryoko's hand.
Washu entered the room. "We have all done stupid things. Can't change the past."
Tenchi scoffed briefly staring daggers at Hotsuma, who in turn narrowed his eyes back at Tenchi. Ryoko exchanged looks at the men, pursing her lips.
Washu sighed, at once clasping her hands together, the magenta haired woman placed a pink tool-like box on the counter.
"What is that, mom?" Ryoko stretched her neck a bit to see what Washu was doing.
"This here is a paternity testing kit, tweaked by Moi, needless to say." She turned around clasping her hands in front of her, eyes firmly closed. "There are two options. I can obtain a blood sample from each of you, including my little Tekeshi heel prick, but that will get too messy, or I can take buccal swabs also known as the cheek swabs. Your choice." Opening her eyes as she glances at the trio.
"Cheek swab sounds good to me." Tenchi raises his hand, Ryoko nodded her head and looked to Hotsuma reluctantly nodding in agreement.
"Alright, let us get this show on the road." Placing on her gloves, snapping them dramatically.
"Must you be so extra, Washu?" Ryoko ruffled her bangs sitting at the foot of the hospital bed.
IN OKAYAMA PREFECTURE
"Now, that is a good girl." Ayeka motioning Sachi hands together. "Clap. Clap. Clap."
"Yes, Sachi that's it." Sasami cheered tapping on a toy drum. The female occupants sat in the living room, being entertained watching Sachi. Ryo-Ohki danced around the infant.
"Ryoko must've delivered already." Sakuya peered up at the clock.
"Possibly, we just have to wait for Washu's call." Noike rested on her knees smiling at Sachi.
"Mihoshi, slowdown will ya?" Kiyone shouted at her partner who was eager to return to the infant after their daily rounds.
"Oh Kiyone, Sachi is the highlight of my day after patrolling." Mihoshi gleefully spoke kneeling beside Sachi.
"Surprising, thought you were in a rush to see Space Police Policeman." Kiyone rested her head back on the couch allowing fatigue to overpower her.
HOSPITAL
"Alright, all done. Results will be handed out tomorrow morning. See ya!" Washu secured the Q-tip in the tube. Closing the tool-box, she waved exiting the room. Leaving the three in their silence.
Hotsuma headed towards the door. Tenchi stood up, "Ah, where you think you are going?"
"None of your business." Hotsuma turned to him.
"You brought me here. Aren't you not going to take me back?" Tenchi sneered.
"Doesn't work like that, Kid." Hotsuma glanced to Ryoko and left the room.
"Hate his guts." Tenchi mumbled.
"I am not going to force you to stay." Ryoko tightened the robe around her waist. Tenchi looked to hers. He truly did not want to leave.
"Tekeshi…" Tenchi trailed off, approaching the infant. 'He looks like me...' Tekeshi's roundish tan face, turned to his curled fist cooing causing Tenchi to smile. Tekeshi's powder blue hat covered a small part of his brow. Tenchi smiled, furrowing his brow he attempted to slightly push the hat up, only to froze. 'No. I can't allow myself to fall for this child that may not be mine.' Tenchi's hand loomed over the infant body. Ryoko brows furrowed as she watched the interaction. He straightened up, "I have to go."
Ryoko watched him leave feeling pained.
BACK IN YOKOHAMA
"Little Washu." Ayeka popped her head into the lab.
"Come on in, Princess, What's up?" Washu called out not breaking concentration from her microscope.
"What do you have there, little Washu?" Ayeka brought her face closer to the surface Washu was probing at.
"There are specimens from the buccal swab I have done earlier on those three stooges, and my budding genius of a grandson."
"I see, so they agreed on it. May I have a look?" Washu moved aside to allow Ayeka to peer into the lenses. "That is fascinating. So, I can presume, you will be able to find out the paternity of the father, soon."
"Already determined. Inside this wonderful creation of mine. Once I close the top with the respective specimens. It is like a miniature lab; the genetic markings were transferred in under fifteen minute tops. I was just fooling around with the access." Washu smiled.
"Oh my, so is it?"
"Can you keep a secret?" Washu questioned perking her lips.
Ayeka nodded feeling ecstatic awaiting the news. "Yes, I can keep a secret."
"I can too." Washu nasally laughed.
"Oh Washu, your so hopeless. Anyway, I wish we could have been there for the birth. I understand that Ryoko is feeling a bit humiliated after what happened." Ayeka sat on the levitating cushion.
"Ryoko is developing human emotions. It was obvious that she did not know what to do with them. Hotsuma advances, made her body react physiologically which affected how her brain processed the information. If she was her usual self she could have easily warded off the emotions, because it will be 'shut off'." Washu folded her arms explaining.
"In other words, Ryoko was lonely and ran into the arms of Hotsuma. Almost like a soap opera." Ayeka bit her bottom lip.
"Bingo."
"Hotsuma knew of this, and still allowed himself on her."
"Hotsuma loves Ryoko. That is not going to change. There is a prominent carnal desire within him for her. It is not just going to go away. Ryoko's heart truly lies with Tenchi."
"He tried to kill Tenchi! I am appalled how quickly Tenchi decided to adjourn the report to father."
"I would like to digress on speaking about that situation. But since you brought it up, Princess. I have something to show you." Washu pointed to her monitor. "Initially, I utilized my I-Spy to keep watch on Tenchi after learning about the condition of the truck. So, I decided to be an extra set of eyes for him as he headed to work." The scene unfolded showing the truck swerving on the road. Ayeka's hand rushed to her mouth, eyes widen. As the truck began to tip over, there was a silhouette appearing by the ditch. The women saw the shadow became solid, there Hotsuma appeared stopping the truck from going further into the embankment. They saw him slowly placing the truck down and rushing over to the driver side. At that moment, onlookers were approaching. Hotsuma dragged Tenchi's body out laying him down on the concrete, administering CPR. A few minutes later, authorities arrived, seeing Hotsuma explained to them of what happened, as they took over. It was then that they saw Hotsuma slowly back away from the crowd phasing away.
"Oh my…" Ayeka commented. Washu nodded placing her hand to her chin, "A couple of meters down that embankment, Tenchi would have been a goner. Only Tsunami can offer more details behind why this taken place."
"You knew this Washu and never said a word about it!" Ayeka shouted towering over the scientist.
"Tsunami, wouldn't have let Tenchi die. You know that. But again, I digress, Ayeka." Washu spoke sternly. Ayeka gritted her teeth.
"Have a goodnight Ayeka." Washu said sternly turning away from Ayeka.
The next morning, Washu entered the hospital room. She peered over at the sleeping duo and smiled. Approaching her grandson, she ran a finger alongside his cheek. Ryoko eyes slowly open to the sight of her mother hovering over Tekeshi.
"Mom! What you think you are doing? do not think about testing on Tekeshi, he is not a guinea pig. Get your paws off him." Ryoko shot up protecting the infant.
Washu pouted, "How cruel of you to think I would do such a thing to my sweet innocent grandson." Dabbing a handkerchief to her eye. "I just simply wanted to greet him."
Immediately Ryoko felt guilty. "Well sorry, I guess I am being a bit protective."
"I have the results. Tenchi and Hotsuma should be here soon." A knock was heard afterwards.
"Faster than I thought." Washu commented calmly.
Tenchi sat in the chair nearest to the window becoming anxious. Ryoko held Tekeshi occasionally looking at the men, her heart pounding fast; while Hotsuma sat beside the bed calmly.
"Here are the results." Washu began dramatically looking to each of them, slowly opening the envelope.
"Little Washu come off it, is it that serious?" Hotsuma grabbed the envelope. Causing both Tenchi and Ryoko to straighten up. The heading of the letter was all that was needed for Hotsuma. Tenchi and Ryoko studied his expression, they watch as the blonde man brows furrowed. Hotsuma lips parted if to say something. Instead, he cleared his throat sliding the paper back into the brown envelope and returning it back to Washu. He walked out the room.
"Washu, what did it say? This is not funny." Ryoko spoke sternly. Tenchi approached Washu taking the envelope once more from her grasp. Ryoko studied Tenchi, watching him. Tenchi held the envelope in the same manner Hotsuma did moments prior.
"Excuse me." Tenchi walked out the room.
"Sure." Washu retorted, holding her daughter by the arm. Tenchi left the room hastily.
"What? What did it say, Mom? What? Tell me!" Ryoko began to shout, tears forming in her eyes.
Washu released her not answering, walking over to the infant. Ryoko unsteadily sat in the chair, burying her face in her hands. "Just tell me." She said through sobs.
A/N: This was not my best chapter. Thanks for Reading, do not forget to Review!
This story is slowly coming to a close. After 2.5 years, I am finally tying up this sequel. Phew. Stay Tuned!