I do not own Tenchi Muyo; I do not own any of its characters. Now, with the legal formalities out of the way, let the fun begin! Well actually, this story isn't half as depressing as the other chapters. Thank you for those who have actually reviewed. I really appreciate it! This a really serious fic...but its worth reading if you love Ryoko + Tenchi, with a lot of Ayeka evilness. I hate that girl...stupid-eh sorry! Hehe, on with the story!


I'll Never Forget


Chapter 5

Ryoko wandered the streets of down town Tokyo in silence. It'd been weeks since she left the Masaki home and went out on her own. She hadn't gotten in touch with any of the family members, nor had she heard about Tenchi. Why would she? Ryoko was alone in an unforgiving world that she used to feel she ruled. She was superior…stronger and quicker. Better than any one there. Except…she hadn't felt so lost and empty since Tenchi had gone to Tokyo. The whole Sakuya episode had ended years before, but now it was like a haunting dream. Funny how every so often, someone from the Masaki home would run off to Tokyo.

'That's what I get for trying to love someone. I'll never stop loving him of course. I just won't be apart of his life,' Ryoko thought miserably as she walked up a deserted sidewalk that late afternoon. There were a few people around the park when Ryoko arrived; the sun was setting beneath the horizon now and it cast a soft ruby glow upon the world. Her amber eyes fell upon the exact location of her first date with Tenchi those few years ago. She could still see him smiling, laughing at her. She didn't know why he was laughing until later that night. It was because he had never seen her so ravishing, so deep, and so completely absorbed in him. Then weeks later Sakuya stepped in and stole the kiss that should have been Ryoko's. She waltzed in and stole away the love she held dear for years all in the blink of an eye.

Ryoko sighed as she collapsed onto a park bench. She was alone again as her thoughts drifted off into the night. Her eyes settled on a few happy couples taking a sunset stroll. They were so happy. So happy it made Ryoko sick to look at them. "Are you alright Miss?" a deep, old sounding voice inquired from beside her. The silver haired woman looked over to find an older man, maybe in his mid 70's, smiling genuinely at her with a bright twinkle in his old gray eyes.

"I, I think so," Ryoko replied unsurely. He had this strange but warm aura around him. One that reminded her so much of…

"You don't look to be well. I'm sorry for intruding; I'm Potter. I saw you sitting all by your lonesome over here and thought I might be of some company to ya," the man said with a slight chuckle. Ryoko nodded her head skeptically.

"I'm fine. Just thinking is all," Ryoko answered as she shifted uneasily.

"You think too much these days," he said with a smile. The woman cocked her head and looked at him puzzled. "You see, you're the type who's strong and determined. Doesn't give up easy on what she loves. It looks like you've lost something very dear to you, and I know how it feels."

"You have no idea," she whispered leaning back against the bench slowly.

"Well, maybe I do," Potter said a moment later. The man sighed sadly and shifted his gaze to the setting sun before them. He was a small boned man, with silvery hair, tiny slivers of white here and there. Potter had a thin beard that adorned his chin and jawbone that wrapped up to his side burns. On his body a large gray sweatshirt covered his form as well as a pair of matching sweat pants. Ryoko could tell he was a happy man, strong and smart, who too had endured the diverse hardships of life. Potter looked back over to Ryoko with a slight smirk. "I lost my wife a few years back this very night."

"I'm sorry," she answered, her eyes slightly wide.

"No, no, think nothing of it," Potter answered still smiling. "Loved her with all my heart. But there was nothing any of the doctors of I could do; you see Eva, my wife, she was ill with Alzheimer's. Over time, she forgot everything she ever knew. Eva even forgot who I was." Potter gave a little sigh followed by a chuckle. "She was the love of my life and she forgot who I was and what I was to her."

"I know the feeling. Trust me I know."

"Soon, I became a lost memory and in a few weeks after her 70 birthday, she died this night four years ago."

"I'm so sorry. The one I love…he lost his memory too. None of us know how…but I blame myself for it. He told me he loved me before this all started and an hour later he woke up with no idea who any of his family of friends were. So I left. Tenchi was the only one keeping me there. He was my friend. And after years of praying he'd think more of me than just a friend, he finally did…but lost it all in seconds."

"Tenchi eh? Tenchi is his name? I see…well young lady. You can't blame yourself for this. You loved him and that's all that you could or can do. But running away won't make it seem better I can guarantee that," Potter laughed.

"You don't understand…you see I've made a lot of mistakes in my life. And I wasn't, well I'm not the only one fighting over him. There are other girls…we're one big family. But Ayeka, that Princess was always trying to get her way. Ever since the both of us met Tenchi, or met each other, we've been at odds. I figured by leaving, Tenchi could regain his memory and live a normal life without me to complicate it. It just hurts…" Ryoko confessed, a tear finding its way down her silky cheek. Potter moved over a wiped away her tear.

"Don't cry now, young one. You tell me that he confessed his love just before losing his memory and falling ill. It seems to me, that he was trying to tell you something. Even if you leave, that memory will always be with you. You'll always wonder, what if? There was a reason for this happening to you, don't run away and miss the message."

"I just miss him so much," Ryoko whispered. Her eyes watered steadily, "I know he'll be happy with Ayeka. But I love him; he is my everything. I just can't help feeling betrayed that he doesn't even know me…when he told me those things. I feel so responsible for him being sick. I hate myself. I let this happen." Her eyes watched the last remnants of the sun disappear beneath the sky and she sighed. 'I'm telling a complete strange my life's woes. How convenient,' she thought bitterly. 'Even if he does know the hurt I feel…explaining Jurain family trees and Galaxy Police would blow this guy's mind. Even so…he's a sweet older man. He lost his wife. Potter knows what its like to watch the world drift away and turn its back on your.

"Life is like the sun and the moon, always taking one another's place in the sky. They each hold an eternal beauty, each are strong and powerful. Like the cycle of life, they interchange daily. You see, Miss, each day the sun rises and falls and the moon takes reign of the night. Once the moon plays with the tides and runs amuck…the next day the sun rises from the depths of the universe and sheds light into the world. You see, with every change of fate…there is always a chance."

"I think I've permanently blown all of my chances by now."

"Even if he doesn't remember you now, Miss, his heart will never forget. Just don't lose hope that someday, things will change for the better. Fate may have dealt you a pitiful hand…but there is always a chance to even the score." Ryoko allowed Potter's words to register and a small smile creased her face.

"You know what, Potter? I think you're right…" she said rising from her seat. "You don't know how much that means to me to hear that coming from someone. Thank you." The woman smiled again and swished her hair from her eyes. A cool breeze blew through and played with her hair gently. Ryoko's amber eyes gave the night sky a rejuvenated glitter. Her long silver kimono dress swirled in the breeze as she turned back to Potter and waved.

"Where are you going, Miss?" the old man asked intrigued.

"Home, Potter…I'm going home." And with that Ryoko gave the man one last smile before disappearing into the night.

"You're welcome, Ryoko, you're welcome," Potter laughed as he too gave the sky a last glance and headed home.