How can something be so pure, so organic…feels like utter hell? Washu announced that the new member of the Masaki clan could make their appearance any day now and each day the reformed pirate felt drained and miserable. Ryoko attempted to move a loose strand from her face only to be impeded by the intravenous line hooked to the bent of her arm. It was the great petite scientist idea since little Ryoko found it challenging to eat and resort to crackers and liquids. Fluttering eyelids listlessly at the monitor, "Mom…mom…m-Dammit Washu get in here right now!" Ryoko cried and slumped against the pillow, this was torture and she will ensure that others feel her wrath.

"Little Ryoko! No need to holler. I am right here," Washu materialized alongside her bed and turned off the monitor then remove the cord from her inpatient offspring.

"I hate this! I feel constrained!" Ryoko eases off the bed and heads into her closet for bathing supplies. Washu folded her arms looking to her with a smile.

"Motherhood is not easy, my dear; though, it is very entertaining to see the once 'feared woman in outer space'-come again?! What is entertaining?!" Washu sealed her lips immediately considering how quick Ryoko spun around with a scowl, yet her plumped face and rosy glow was enough to make Washu chuckle.

"What now? Why are you laughing at me? Stop it!" Ryoko's brows wrinkled, she hated being overly sensitive.

Washu's laughter waned then she placed her hand on Ryoko's arm, "It's nothing my little Ryoko. Wash up and I will see you for breakfast."

….

Ryoko slipped on her yellow and blue dress, the weight became unbearable on her pelvis, she squeezed her eyes shut feeling the fetus move downward. "Can't wait for this to be over." At that moment a soft and familiar knocked fill her quiet space, and the pirate let out a groan. Ayeka made her presence known, giving Ryoko a once-over. "Miss. Ryoko you are nearing the last days of your pregnancy. You should be resting. I will have Sasami bring your breakfast. I only came to see if you needed anything." Ayeka bent to pick up a pillow that was thrown at her during her lecture.

"I am fine, it's not like I have a disease. Ow!" She winced turning towards Ayeka, shuffling to the door. Finding it half-amusing Ayeka looped her arm around the pirates bent arm that rested above her growing abdomen.

….

After breakfast prepared by the little princess, the expectant mother needed to fight off the tiredness after overeating. It was her queue to take a walk for some reprieve considering how she was in earshot of the eldest princess lecturing her how overeating is unhealthy for the unborn child. Ryoko announced to the rest of the household occupants she was going on a walk groaning as the owner of the high pitch voice moved towards the kitchen. Nobuyuki encouraged her to not wander off too far from the home, in the event the little one wanted to make their debut.

"No need to worry, it is just a little walk. I will be fine." She crossed the threshold to the foyer.

"Hey, Ryoko!" Sasami peeks from the doorway, and rush over to the pirate. "Can you take this to Tenchi? This is the third time this week, he has forgotten to take his lunch."

"Sure." Ryoko grabbed the bento box with a smile patting the crown of the little princess head.

"Thanks, Ryoko!"

….

Ryoko closes her eyes humming a soft tune she heard in one of the shops in town. It was a haunting melody, but it was calming down the little bundle whirling in her abdomen. Her amber eyes open surveying the field for a certain black-haired young adult male. She spotted him plowing the dirt deep in the thought, what is going in the little head of his now?

Sadness with a mix of irritation clouded his features as he plowed at the dirt. Nine months have passed and the youngest of the Masaki men still held on to guilt. He wished things would have transpired differently. 'You don't get to restart things,' He paused wiping sweat from his forehead. 'Unless you are a god.' He breathed. Tenchi was about to resume when he heard a recognizable, yet raspy voice called out to him.

"Tenchi?" Ryoko waddled down the path with one arm supporting her lower back and rested the basket on the bed of the blue pickup. "I brought some lunch!"

"Huh, oh it is you Ryoko! Careful now, you look exhausted you did not have to bring this up here!" He pleaded immediately dropping his tools and gloves jogging towards her.

"I get random spurts of energy, you know. I am pregnant, not disabled." She brightened for a second, then brought her arm forward. In the space between them was Tenchi's bento box, "This is the third time this week. What is eating at you?" She winks at him.

"You didn't need to bring this all the way here," Tenchi repeated taking his bento box. "I—uh I appreciate it Ryoko, thank you." Tenchi looked away briefly and dropped his head shamefully. "You seriously did not have to bring this. Little Washu said that—" Tenchi began in a low voice, Ryoko rolled her eyes silencing him with her index finger on his lips.

"Hush now, I know what my mom has said." Ryoko digs into the basket picking out a blue blanket. "Get over it already." Ryoko places her hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, "We will get through this, as we always do. And besides, a nightly rendezvous with a certain Juraiian princess—now and then—will help ease your anxiety. Believe me." She nudged his shoulder.

Tenchi swallowed hard, "W-What, h-how did you know? I mean…"

Ryoko burst into a whole-hearted laugh, "Keen sense of hearing. Blessing and a curse." Tenchi nodded and panned around the field, struggling to shake the uncomfortable feeling. She playfully bit her bottom lip and poked him in his ribs repeatedly until he burst into a laugh. "Enough, let's eat. Walking here was a workout, I miss flying and teleporting whenever I feel like it."

"Soon, you will be back to the Ryoko we all know and love." Tenchi found a spot on the ground. "Here is a good spot, think it will be comfortable for you. Maybe this spot, the floor is not too hard. I'm doing it again, aren't I, Ryoko? Ryoko?"

His answer came in silence. He straightens up and peers up to see Ryoko gazing heavenward. He mirrored her, feeling a cold and wet sensation slide down his cheek.

Rain.

Snow.

"Winter has finally come. So much for a picnic. Guess it is a good time for some hot chocolate, right Ryoko?" Tenchi replaces the boxes, his tools and folded the blanket. "At least, I got most of the work done. I will make a call home, so Sasami can prepare some hot chocolate for us."

Ryoko stood in a trance, feeling the drop of something wet and felt it ran down her forehead; brought back a memory she tried so hard to forget. She paused and peered up once more, the sky grew pale and gloomy. At the mention of her name she blinked back into reality hugging herself, "Don't forget the marshmallows." She added with a smile as Tenchi held the phone to his hear, he retorted with a smile holding truck door open for her. She feigned good spirits until the raven-haired man closes the door on her side. Her golden eyes traveled to the pale sky once more.

Crimson blood stained the snowy area where he lay in her arms.

The truck hit a bump. And then another…

The path back to the house was rocky, repeatedly Tenchi apologized and Ryoko would squeeze her eyes shut as she jolted forward and back. By the time they reach the home, the thin white blanket covered the grounds of the compound.

"We're here." Tenchi smiles looking to her. "Ryoko? What's wrong?"

She drew her lower lip in between her teeth, "It's time. The baby is coming."