Zinnia

"Don't go." Ryoko expressed in a hoarse whisper, she cocooned herself within the earth tone sheets. This morning, in particular, was very unfriendly.

"I thought I could have handled it…this baby has made me soft. Please reconsider we can ditch this place; they can handle on their own!"

"Princess please…" He interrupted as he buckles the front of his black lengthy coat.

"You can die…you know that right. I need you-We need you."

His heart was breaking. Maybe he will not come out of this alive. Maybe he can finally break free from Yugi. He watched her twist her wedding ring tugging the skin, her posture hunched. Hotsuma strolled over, placing the pillows behind her resting her back. Ryoko pursed her lips, a dull ache intensified in her stomach. Her chest felt tight; she met his concern sapphire eyes.

"Come back to me." Her lips quivered holding his face in her hands.

He smiles warmly, bringing warmth to the cold space and joy in her racing heart.

"Of course, Princess." He kissed her and planted a lingering kiss to her belly. Ryoko watched him stand nice and tall, his smile captivating. "Now rest, and I will see you later." At the door, a typical size teen stood by the doorway, he handed over the sword to Hotsuma and walked out.

"I love you." Ryoko amber eyes were glistening but she was able to crack a smile.

"I love you more."

"Sometimes memories are the worst form of torture," Ryoko mumbled sitting on Funaho's uncomfortable and uneven roots.

"If you let it."

Ryoko looks over her shoulder and smiled warmly. "Hey."

Tenchi smiles and sits beside her, being careful of his proximity.

"Nice night, isn't it?" He rubbed his hands together, smiling brightly at her. Ryoko nods a grin emerging, "The moon is full, fireflies are dancing around—like fireworks at night. In Tokyo, this was one thing I missed the most." As he spoke Ryoko leaned forward, his chestnut eyes darting about as he spoke and closing to recollect on the past. "Living in the city was great and all, but the blinking lights from billboards, cars passing by…" He trails off looking to Ryoko.

"You did not come to bore me about what goes on at night." Ryoko quirked a brow.

Tenchi scratches the back of his head, "Please think it over, Ryoko. Ayeka and I can help you. We all were manipulated." Ryoko exhales.

"Exactly." She turns to him, taking hold of his hand. "I murdered those…those that were doing their job. I let my emotions…arrogance, get in the way. I meant what I said tonight, I am tired of running." She casts a look at him, regret etched in every part of his farm boy tan face. "I have to pay for what I have done. And…for him or her, I do not want them to get the idea that running will solve every problem."

She rests her hand to her temple, "So please stop…I am not going to reevaluate, review, reassess my decisions. Got that?"

He stood up, "Okay, fine…if there's anything you need…I'm here. I have the right to be worried about you, so don't tell me otherwise." He rests a hand on her shoulder. "Well, I am going to head to bed. Don't stay out too late."

"I won't, Goodnight Tenchi." Ryoko smiles. She pats his back as he walks away, then turns to gaze at the lake.

"You know, I think of you every day…every hour." Ryoko jolts at his swift revelation. "It distracts me." He frowns hanging his head. Ryoko yellowish brown orbs dart between the ground and him, what was he expecting? An apology?

"I'm sorry." His head shot up and held her arms, almost robotically frantically shaking his head.

"N-No, don't be sorry! I care a lot about you Ryoko. It's just a little distraction. It's okay, really!"

Ryoko brows knitted, she gave him a lopsided grin. His eyes began to water, he let out a shaky breath and whispers her name softly. He staggered into her, his arm snaking around her waist and the other across her back. He presses his face against her cheek, Ryoko shivered from the wetness and hot air near her ear. "Don't cry Tenchi. Don't cry for me." Tenchi grip the fabric of her powder pink kimono. He felt her love for him waning, but he could not let up, he couldn't resist. He drew back, their foreheads pressed together, her light scent satisfying his senses. His thick brows furrowed; his lips brushed against hers. Ryoko parted her lips reluctantly, fighting the urge to give in. Her long nails hike up the back of his mane, lightly clawing his scalp. His body was on fire, he brought her in.

"Tenchi…"

"I know." He whispers feeling her hand over his heart. The intermingling of their breaths was heavy. He caresses the space behind her neck making her breath quicken. She grips the front of his shirt as she arched into him his other hand dipping down to her butt. Perhaps it was the hormones but Ryoko felt herself wanting him more. She recalled how warm and minty his lips were when they first made love. She gasps and her eyes slowly open finding a frown across his lips. Their noses bobbed against each other, "I can't." Ryoko peers up at him from the shadows of their embrace. "Kissing you now…will only break our promise. Wouldn't it?"

"It would." Ryoko rolls her eyes close, feeling his hands in her hair. He gave a half smile, his hands surfacing out of her hair to hold her face in his hands.

"Goodnight, Ryoko." He plants a kiss to her forehead and walked away not much of a second glance.

"Goodnight Tenchi."

The heat was unbearable. Hours have passed, Ryoko took notice of every detail of her surroundings from the pitter patter of the remaining residents and their snot nose youngsters, to the wind shuffling debris outside, to the unexpected downpour, to the number of breaths she took per minute. Waiting was a foreign matter for her. The rain brought more humidity; it was not long that her bangs became stuck to her face. Ryoko puffs out her cheeks looking about her room and decided it was time to pop her head out the tent. She peers about looking for a familiar face, but no avail. She walks further out, no cool breeze or cloud to help block the assault of the sun. The smell of spices greeted her senses.

"Something smells amazing, you must be starving my little one."

"Hadi! Hadi! Eat!" Chiaki called out, Ryoko suddenly felt little arms around her waist. It was the little girl who gave her the floral crown after her wedding ceremony. She beamed at Ryoko, her cheeks pink with admiration. Her amethyst eyes were captivating. Ryoko cupped her small face in her hands, she was a very sweet little girl like candy.

"Osenini!" She perked up, smiling like a spring flower.

"Uh, I-I'm sorry. I don't understand." Ryoko cast a glance at Chiaki who places her hands on the little girls' shoulders.

"She's my granddaughter, Ekrem. You remind her of her mother." Chiaki begins to finger comb the little girl locks. "She passed away a few years ago from an illness." Ryoko amber orbs became glazed as she shifts her attention back to the beaming girl. She allowed a tear to roll down before pulling the girl into her embrace. The tiny hands clutched the fabric of Ryoko's maternity dress.

As she drew back, "Let's eat, Ekrem."

'Will I go to heaven or hell?'

'Valhalla?'

'Or become one with the stars, so Ryoko can speak to me every night…'

"Prove that you are worthy of ruling this kingdom!" Hisao roared from the top of the steps. "If you take down my strongest warrior, you will be able to ascend the steps." Hotsuma just sat there on all fours, droplets of sweat hitting the surface beneath him. He underestimated his uncle. He turns his head, the bodies of his army laid sprawled out. Blood drizzling out of their mouths and eyes… Slaughtered like animals. They were all right, they were no match. "Time is ticking, my son!" Hotsuma raised his head now leveled with the sword that pointed at him, as he stood the blade followed. Hotsuma dropped his garb and the sword, the warrior grinned and flick his eye to Hisao. Hisao bows his head and mirrored his grin, "Now!"

The Warrior lunges towards Hotsuma. As he got close, Hotsuma sidestepped him and wrapped an arm around the unsuspecting man, he clasps his hands over the man's tightly clench hand and guides it across his throat. Blood splattered everywhere, even into Hotsuma locks. He pried the sword out of the dying man hands throwing it off the stairs. Another roar from Hisao, summoned another warrior, he sprinted from above skipping the flight of stairs, he was wide open. Careless. Hotsuma landed a fist to the man's abdomen knocking the breath out of him, the man rock under the compelling power. Hisao paled and straightened, he felt his breath abandoned him as Hotsuma icy eyes locked to his. He took a step, Hisao rose an arm robotically, summoning more of his soldiers to attack. The men filed out from sides of the building, their warrior screams filling the air. Hotsuma clenched his jaw and stood still then brought his hand up before him, in a second a bright blue glow blinded the men and Hisao. The impact damaged the entryway, the door came down with a loud thud. Hisao salt and pepper mane blow loosely behind as he sprinted down the corridor, terrified. He only caught a glimpse of the golden-haired man which was enough to make his heart beat faster and adrenaline spike. The harried man darted into the throne room, he scurried up the golden steps until he was somewhat high up to view every perimeter of the room. He caught a glimpse of a black shadow behind the pillar. He yelped. His wild eyes watch as Hotsuma emerged from the corner, his blue saber readied. Black and gray strands covered his petrified and sweaty face. A rictus grin crept across his lips as he bends a knee.

"Kolay gelsin." He spreads his arms wide. "I am unarmed."

"You set up my wife to be killed…You killed my father."

"Your father." Hisao retorted with a curled lip. "You are looking right at him."