Okay... Here is another much awaited chapter... ^_^ I wrote this one in a very strange matter indeed, in order to get everything that I wanted across to the reader. It's a triple-soliloquy, that is, the private thoughts of 3 people at the same time. (I'm not too sure if "triple-soliloquy" is even a real word, actually... I just made it up to help explain what the heck is going on... ^_^;;; ) Anyway, here's how things will run: The poem features the thoughts of Sasami, who's parts will begin with "S:", Tenchi, who's parts will begin with "T:", and Ryoko, who's parts will begin with "R:". Pay attention! There's a lot of symbolism in this one! Now, let's get this show on the road, so-to-speak! ^_^

Sleeping Beauty Rests Again (A Sasami/Tenchi/Ryoko Narrative)

S: What's this? 'Oh, wow! This is a story I think you'll really enjoy, Ryoko! Here... I'll read it to you!'

T: This really is a dumb idea, but I'm desparate now...
Come to think of it, I actually got this idea from Sasami.
A few days ago, I was going to Ryoko's room to clear everyone out so I could get to bed, when I heard Sasami telling a story.
I was about to barge in anyway, but I was curious to know exactly what kind of stories she tells Ryoko, so I just stood at the door and listened.
I could tell that the story had just begun...

S: 'Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess.
She was loved by all. All except for one very evil sorceress, that is.
The sorceress was jealous of the princess and how much she was loved.
Her jealousy led her to cast a terrible spell upon the princess.
She had meant for the girl and her followers to die, but since their hearts were so pure, the witch's black magic could not harm them.
Instead, she and those in her kingdom all fell into a deep impenetrable sleep.
The sorceress was angered at this, but not discouraged. She built up great solid walls of vines around the kingdom.
Now no one would ever see the princess again...'

R: I'm amazed at how much support I am being shown.
True, the racket going on in my room is very loud and quite annoying, but I love every minute of it...
Because it is all for me.
Until now, I never knew how much I am loved.
But now they have shown me how much I mean to them.
Even as I lay here for what feels like an eternity, they still stay by my side.
Even though I have put up my walls of anger around myself, they are still here...

S: '...at least, that's what the sorceress thought.
And it stayed that way for a long time... until one day, when a gallant prince came riding to the kingdom in search of adventure.
He saw the thick jungle of vines, and took it as a challenge. He knew that so much protection must lead to a valuable treasure.'

T: I never expected that it would come to this...
Isn't there any way? I'm much too nervous for this.
'Ryoko, please... please wake up. Please.'
I sigh. My heart is beating so fast...

S: 'As he slashed through the vines and made his way to the castle, the prince had no idea that the sorceress had been watching him, and preparing something big.
He charged onward to the main gate to enter and claim his prize,
But he was greeted by a fierce black dragon...
It was the sorceress herself, who had transformed into a horrible beast in order to prevent the prince from completing his conquest and getting a hold of the princess...'

R: They are all here... except for one.
Tenchi... even now you continue to abandon me.
I won't forgive you for this... my anger keeps me from doing so.
How could I ever forgive you for hurting me so much, and then forgetting about me?
You've caused me so much pain...

S: 'She slashed at the prince with her sharp claws, and breathed large flames at him.
Her firey breath burned through his shield, and her claws knocked him off his horse.
The sorceress had him pinned, and prepared to deliver the final blow, which would end it all...'

T: As I start to gain the courage, I stop... and a horrid reality strikes my brain.
What if it doesn't work? What if it's all for nothing?
What's the point? She's obviously so deeply buried in her mind that she'll never wake up...
What am I saying? I have to try! I owe it to her!
'Ryoko!' I call to her, a little louder, but still in a whisper so as not to wake anyone up.
I'm lucky that they all sleep so heavily. Well, all but Grandpa... but he's out of town with my father.
The two decided to get away from all the noise of the alien girls' attempt to wake Ryoko...
'Ryoko! Please wake up!' I call out to her again, this time right in her ear.
'I'm so sorry Ryoko! It was all my fault... I admit it now. Forgive me! Please!'

S: 'Suddenly, a spark of hope appeared within the young prince's heart.
With all his might, he charged the evil dragon.
As the witch raised her claws to strike him down, he pierced her skin with his steel sword, and drove it straight into her black heart.
The sorceress' body dissapeared completely.
Victorious, the prince continued through the gates for the treasure.'

R: As I make a final decision to dissappear entirely, to leave the mortal life behind, I hear an all too familiar voice calling out to me.
'Ryoko!' Tenchi? Could it be him?
It doesn't matter. I'll never forgive him!
'Ryoko! Please wake up!' I can tell that he is yelling in my ear, even though his shouts seem so distant now.
'I won't forgive you!' I call back to him in my mind, even though my voice does not deliver the message.
'I'm so sorry Ryoko! It was all my fault... I admit it now. Forgive me! Please!'
All... my... fault... The words echo in my head. I can't believe it.
Forgive... me... His plea is so sincere... Should I?
Should I forgive him?
My mind screams 'Yes! I forgive you Tenchi!'
But still, my heart is uncertain...

S: 'He climbed the stairs of the tall stone tower, up to the princess' chambers.
When he opened the door and saw the princess lying there, the prince was in awe of her beauty.
Immediately, he fell madly in love with her.'
Oh, this story is so romantic...
'As he kneeled by her side, he leaned over her body, his face getting closer to hers...'

T: That's it. My shouts, begs, and crying haven't helped. I'm gonna have to do it.
It's crazy, I know, but it's the one thing that hasn't been tried yet...
Hey, it worked in Sasami's story, so why shouldn't it work now?
I get up on one knee and lean over Ryoko's body.
God I hope this works.
I hesitate, then move in closer...
...and...


TO BE CONTINUED...









Author's note: Ha ha ha!!! I wouldn't do that to you. Scroll down some more for the chapter's conclusion.









...I press my lips against hers.
I'm actually doing it.
I'm kissing Ryoko.

S: '...and he kissed her gently.' Sigh. How sweet.

R: I am speechless. I can feel Tenchi's lips against mine.
The warmth of the kiss calls my soul back from it's heavily-sheltered place deep inside my mind.
It reassures my heart, and prevents me from slipping away into the darkness.

S: 'As the kiss ended, the prince drew back and stood over the princess, wondering if she would awaken...'

T: I find myself hesitating to end the kiss.
It's amazing how much you surprise yourself when you find out your true feelings...
Finally, I pull myself away and force my body to stand and step back.
I wait for Ryoko to do something...
Please Ryoko! Get up and leap into my arms! Sit up in bed and tell me hello! Get out of bed and go downstairs for a snack! Do anything, just wake up!
I wait. And I wait. Ten minutes pass, and still nothing.
Discouraged and in despair, I breath a sad, heavy sigh, then leave the room.
I'm much to disturbed to sleep, so I go downstairs and out the door.
The air outside is so warm and sweet, that I find myself walking out into the field and laying down it the dry golden-hued grasses.
I cry the whole way there.

S: 'Little had the sorceress known, the spell she had cast upon the princess had one cure- a kiss of love.
The princess awoke, and looked up into the eyes of her rescuer.
Immediately, she too fell in love with him. They embraced as the people of her kingdom broke free from their enchantments as well. And they lived happily ever after...' I love happy endings.

R: After I feel the kiss breaking, and Tenchi's lips pull away from mine, I immediately struggle to break free from the prison that is my body.
I have to get out! I want to get out!
I want to live!
Tenchi, you have given me a new reason for life. Thank you...
Time passes, and my struggle continues.
At first I think I am losing as I feel my grasp slipping,
But suddenly, a quick, short yank thrusts me back into the real.
I gasp a huge sum of air as I sit straight up and open my eyes.
The room is dark all around me, but I have no trouble adjusting my eyes to it.
I have been in the darkness for four months now... being immersed in a dark room has no affect on me.
However, getting used to using my body again is another story...
I look around, but don't see Tenchi anywhere.
Then, out the window, I spot him laying in the grass out in the field.
I have to go to him. Right now.
As get out of bed and stand up, I am greeted by the floor.
'Let's try this again,' I mutter, then get back up to my feet.
Hello, floor. Long time, no see.
I sigh. Maybe I should try flying instead.
I manage to get myself about a foot up in the air... but that floor is quite persisant to stay in my company a little while longer.
I don't think this is going to work... I'm too tired.
Heh. How ironic.
I sleep for four months, then finally when I wake up and have the oppertunity to run straight into the arms of the man I love, I'm too tired to run into anything but the floor.
I guess pulling myself out of that coma really took it out of me.
Oh well. Maybe I'll be more well-balanced in the morning...

The Author Again: Stay tuned for the next chapter! *Kiyone pops out of nowhere and exclaims, "It's undecidebly suspenseful!"* Ooookaaaay...... What was that? *looks around* Where did Kiyone come from? *sigh* Nobody tells me anything like this... v.v;;;