Maybe My Baby, Chapter 5

By: Yimh

rictorstar@aol.com

DISCLAIMER: This is the boring part. I don't own these characters, I'm still as poor as I was when I wrote this, and I'm going to return them...well most of them ^_~

All of their eyes were upon her short figure, her little daughter hugging her leg tightly. Washuu didn't have the strength to look into their accusing glares. Sure she had blown up the house before, mutated Ryoko and Ayeka into water sprites when they annoyed her, even warped time and reality, but never had she done anything this unforgivable.

Taking Ryoko from them, her 'family' was bad enough, but then lying about being able to change her back because Washuu's own selfish gain sealed the envelope with the word 'guilty' on it. It would have worked too. None of them would have ever figured it out, or pursued it if the genius hadn't overlooked a minor detail in her daughter's mind.

There were two psyches living in one mind. A few months after they had come together under one roof, the real Ryoko was kidnapped and replaced with her duplicate that mirrored her perfectly. The 'twin's' name was Zero, but Ryoko had one thing that the copy didn't---a past.

"So this thing can change her back, right Washuu?" Tenchi questioned firmly.

With a sigh that came from deep within her heart, Washuu began to explain. "Yes, that is my Tyme Calculator. I made it to do exactly what it did. It can add or subtract from one's age, it erases the memory apparently, and changes the body."

"That's apparent." Ayeka pointed out, turning to Tenchi she smiled. "How did you ever figure it out, Tenchi?"

The boy's face turned an odd shade of red at the thought of the numerous oddly aged people walking around his school at the moment. Even the girl Sakuya, who'd he *had* had a crush on turned into a regular beach ball with skin.

"That's not important." He replied nervously.

"So," Sasami began, moving closer to the frightened child. "Chibi-Ryoko will turn back into the old Ryoko?"

Washuu nodded, "If I age her."

"What do you mean 'IF'?!" Tenchi exclaimed. "You have to change her back! This isn't fair to Ryoko!"

"And what would you know about what is and what isn't fair to her? Was it fair to be turned into a monster because everyone rejected her when she was little?" Washuu's tiny form stiffened. "I don't want to age her, but Zero is livid, and threatening to kill *my* daughter and that's not fair."

"But it was all your own doing." Tenchi's Grandfather pointed out, his glass' surface reflecting the ceiling light. "You aged her, and if she is in pain now, it is because of you."

"But-" Washuu probed her mind for any argument that would prove helpful at this point, but nothing came. "Fine!" She spat, collecting her baby girl in her arms. "I'll leave the decision up to her."

//To be little, or not to be? That is the goofy question. // Chibi Ryoko lay on her back, staring up at the ink black sky. Tiny glittering stars poked through the darkness and flirted with one another. She was only five! Choices like this weren't meant for a cute little kid like her! At least that is the way Chibi Ryoko saw things.

//GROW UP!// the Zero voice shouted. Irritation took over the mind, a views were swapped unjustly between grown up and child. Ayeka was happy that Ryoko was little. No more rival for Tenchi, and there weren't any fights.

Ayeka is a spoiled little girl that wants everything, she wants Tenchi and with Ryoko out of the way her spoiled highness had a slight chance of getting him! The fights were fun! Showing off the pirate's ability in front of Tenchi and all the others, that was something more than wonderful!

Kiyone wanted for the old Ryoko to be old again. But she still thought Chibi-Ryoko was less of a hog.

That space policewoman was okay, but to tell the truth she was looking for her own vein glory. And that fact didn't bother Zero in the least deciding that she had always liked Kiyone. And besides, Sasami loved it when people ate her cooking with healthy appetites.

Sasami also loved to have someone to play with, to jump rope with, and to watch out for Ryo-ohki when she tried to steal carrots! Being little with a friend like that was the best!

Although sweet and one heck of a cook, having a playmate was no reason to stay little! Zero pointed out that the smallest princess was a nice girl, but Ryoko had plenty of friends, such as Mihoshi, Nodoke and Grandpa.

Chibi Ryoko let out a small huff of air. Life wasn't fair to a five-year-old.

//BUT YOUR NOT FIVE! //

The child winced and sat up, tenderly holding the sides of her head in her small hands.

"Another fight?" Came a voice that startled Chibi-Ryoko.

Tenchi sat down beside the little girl and smiled at her before turning his eyes to the gently lapping waters of the lake in the distance. Her large gold colored eyes couldn't be taken off of her companion's profile. Silver light from the full moon caressed his features, streaking light brown highlights in his hair.

//He's beautiful. // One of the voices said, the other laughed gently at the comment.

"So," He turned to her "Did you make your decision yet?"

Chibi-Ryoko looked away, finding her shows very interesting at the moment as they dangled over the side of the roof. She wasn't sure what Tenchi thought of her, he didn't seem to mind the pet name 'Ten-chan' in the slightest, and treated the girl very kindly, but so did Ayeka.

"I, uh, wanna know somethin', Ten-chan."

"What's that?"

"Did you l-lo-like Ryoko much?" Chibi could feel her cheeks flare with heat of embarrassment. Seeing this reaction in the girl, Tenchi's smile became softer.

"Yeah, I liked Ryoko."

"Why?"

Okay, so he wasn't sure how to answer that one, thankfully Washuu was nice enough to point out that if Ryoko was changed/aged back to Ryoko, she wouldn't remember any of her time as a child.

//Don't back down now, // Tenchi boasted himself. This was his one shot at convincing the little one into giving up her years and letting the one everyone (no matter how much some denied it) loved back.

"She-was my friend. One of the closest I've ever had, and at times she could be selfish, and childish." Tenchi shook his head and let a short laugh escape his lips. "But Ryoko could be sweet and caring, because that was her real nature."

"But everyone else said that she was a real meany." Chibi-Ryoko pointed out, staring up at her friend's face.

"They might think that, but I know that that's not who she was. It was just---things that had happened in her past that made her protect herself by building walls that come off as being a monster." With every word his voice became softer. "She-I-want my best friend back."

"Oh."

"MOMMY!" Chibi Ryoko screamed out as she bounded into the lab.

Washuu's face lit up at the sight of the small child, but then quickly reminded herself not to get too use to her nice daughter.

"Have you decided?"

"Yup! I thought of a way that everyone is happy!" With a small smirk, Chibi-Ryoko went on to explain her plan. Which was about to turn out into Ayeka's worst nightmare.