Disclaimer: Tenchi-Muyo is owned by Pioneer and AIC.
Author's note: Since I'm getting such great reviews I plan to keep on going with this story for a while. Don't worry it will ultimately be Ryoko and Tenchi for those of you who were wondering. Originally this story was going to end with the Battle with Tokimi but since my character Adrien grew on me soooo much I just had to keep on writing about him. Maybe I'll find him a girl friend…hmmmm maybe he'll fall in love with…not telling!!!!
Chapter 10:
Adrien slowly opened his eyes…
The first sight that met him was a teary eyed Ryoko. 'An Angel…she must be an Angel…' Adrien thought looking back at Ryoko.
"Adrien…you're ok…" Ryoko spoke looking at Adrien.
"Adrien? Is that my name?" Adrien asked the golden-eyed Angel before him as he began to stand.
Ryoko gasped in realization, 'He doesn't remember who he is…oh Adrien…'
"Yes…yes that's your name…"
"Oh I see, and may I ask what your name is?"
"It's…it's Ryoko…"
"Ryoko…."
"Tsunami why doesn't Adrien remember who he is?" asked Tenchi.
"When someone is brought back to life this sometimes occurs, he will not regain his memories unless something triggers them." Tsunami responded looking solemn.
"I was brought back to life?" asked Adrien.
"Yes, and the goddess Tsunami is to thank for that." Ryoko said to Adrien, looking sadly into his eyes, while motioning towards Sasami. 'He has done so much for me and he doesn't even remember. But what will happen if he does remember that he loves me? What are my feelings toward him? I love Tenchi…don't I? I'm so confused… although I can't ignore what he means to me.'
"I thank you goddess, I am your humble servant now and forever." Said Adrien turning to Sasami and giving her a look of pure admiration.
"That won't be necessary, I wanted to bring you back to life. After all, you saved my dear friend Ryoko with your sacrifice." Responded Tsunami blushing slightly.
"Sacrifice?" asked Adrien.
"You…gave your life to save me." Ryoko said hesitantly.
"I gave my life to save you? But that would mean we were close…really close…were we-"
"Friends, we were best friends." Ryoko said quickly cutting Adrien off.
"Oh, I see." Adrien said looking disappointed. 'Too bad. I should have guessed such an Angel would be far out of my reach. Maybe in another life…"
"Mia!" A cabbit-like creature exclaimed as it bounded out from behind the nearby mountain. The cabbit ran straight to Adrien and jumped in to his arms.
"Wow, hey, I know you, you're Kado! I remember you! You're my ship. It's good to have you back buddy!" Adrien said as he began to stroke Kado's fur, the cabbit began to purr with contentment.
"Kado? But I thought-" began Ryoko.
"Since Kado was never brought back to life, I decided to bring Kado back now. Any complaints?" asked Sasami.
"Sasami…thanks." Ryoko said as she watched how happy Adrien was to have his companion back. 'If only he knew…'
"So Kado, do you remember Ryoko?" Adrien asked his cabbit-companion.
"Mia! Mia!" (Of course!)
Kado hopped over to Ryoko and began to rub affectionately against her leg.
"Aw, you are a cutie, aren't you?" Ryoko said scratching Kado behind the ears. "Hey, speaking of cabbits, where is my Ryo-Oki?"
"She went to find me after she dropped you off to help Tenchi. When she found me I was fighting Tokimi so had to hide in one of the caves so she wouldn't get hurt. Why don't you contact her now, Ryoko." Sasami said.
"Alright Sasami, it's about time we all started home, anyways." Ryoko said as she closed her eyes to concentrate and contact Ryo-Oki.
****
"Well, I guess me and Kado are going to go into space and look for some adventure." Adrien said excitedly. 'And some answers…'
"You're leaving?" Ryoko asked in disbelief. 'I just got him back…'
"Don't worry, Kado knows where to find you so I'll visit. That's a promise."
"You've never broken a promise before…so ok. I wish you the best of luck."
"Um, can I hug you goodbye…since we are best friends and everything" stammered Adrien.
"Of course you can hug me good-bye!" Ryoko said bringing Adrien into a hug. 'So this is good-bye, again, I suppose it's better this way. If he were to remember, the same thing may happen again. And I don't want history to repeat itself. I just want my friend to be happy. I know that I can't give him that happiness as long as my heart belongs to another, to Tenchi. I just wish I didn't have to say good bye again so soon.'
Adrien pulled away from Ryoko blushing slightly, "Well, I'll see you around, my Lady" 'Ok now that sounded way corny, no wonder she's only my friend. But I wonder…she seems to be hiding something from me…'
"See you around, my knight" Ryoko said smiling to herself as she remembered…
And just as he was about to teleport to Kado, Ryoko called him back, "Wait!"
"What is it?" Adrien asked half hoping she wanted him to stay.
"I want to give you something." Ryoko said as she stretched out the palm of her hand. Ryoko closed her eyes and concentrated. Her hand began to glow and suddenly a small green gem appeared in it. "You gave me these three gems to save my life. I want to give one back to you. You may need it up there in space. I know how rough it can get."
Adrien took the green gem from out of Ryoko's hand. The gem was immediately absorbed into Adrien.
"Wow, that gem just went inside of me. I can feel its power. This gift…it's too much. Ryoko, I don't know what to say. I don't even remember who you are, but somehow, I feel…the truth…you were my best friend and you still are. That's why I'm going up into space, to come back with some answers. Thank you Ryoko."
Ryoko just smiled at him, trying to suppress the tears that were unwillingly forming in her eyes, "Adrien, I, your welcome. Take care, ok? We went through a lot of trouble to bring you back, you know. So don't go and get yourself killed."
"Haha! Don't worry, with this gem I'll be protected now, thanks to you. Good bye"
"C-ya"
Tenchi couldn't help but feel jealous at the way Ryoko was acting towards Adrien.
'I wonder how deep Ryoko's feeling go for this guy. I guess only time will tell…'
****
Back at the Masaki house…
Tenchi and Ayeka were talking by the tree by the lake…
"Ayeka," began Tenchi.
"Lord Tenchi," began Ayeka at the same time.
The two laughed.
"You first Lord Tenchi."
"Alright Ms. Ayeka, there's something I need to talk to you about…this isn't going to be easy for me to say…"
"Tenchi, don't. I know that you're here to tell me that you've chosen that devil-woman. I only ask of you one favor. Tell me why, why her and not me? I mean it just doesn't make sense."
"Ayeka, it's really hard to explain. I don't understand how it happened myself. I suppose that somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Ryoko. I don't really know how it happened but it did. I also don't regret that it happened Ayeka."
"But Tenchi, why her? You could have me, I'm a princess. Maybe you don't understand something. Tenchi, I love you. I knew from the first day I came here that you were the only one for me. Somehow I was drawn to you, at first I didn't know why, but now it's all so clear. We are related by royal blood Tenchi. We are connected whether you like it or not. Can't you feel that Tenchi?" pleaded Ayeka.
"I do feel it Ayeka. It's just…"
"If you feel that we are connected Tenchi, then doesn't that mean anything to you? Doesn't that tell your heart something? We are meant to be together you and me, Tenchi. We are so much alike. We can relate to each other, how can you relate to Ryoko?"
"I don't really know if I do. But you know what they say 'opposites attract'" Tenchi said with a hand behind his head, and goofy grin on his face.
"Tenchi, you don't realize how immature that sounds. You know that you don't relate to her and yet you are about to dive into a relationship with Ryoko? How do you expect that relationship to last? A relationship with Ryoko will only be a waste of time, the candle that burns the brightest burns the fastest. She'll want to do everything with you so fast, you'll be burnt out. If you aren't already. You know what the first thing she'll want to do is once you tell her you love her don't you? She'll want to sleep with you. Do you really want to sleep with Ryoko after she's been with Kagato?"
"I never really thought of that Ayeka. I suppose it would be freaky to be with Ryoko, knowing-"
"Tenchi…" Said a muffled voice.
Tenchi turned around to see Ryoko. 'How long has she been there?' Tenchi asked himself.
Tears were streaming down Ryoko's face as one phrase seemed to replay itself in her mind, 'I suppose it would be freaky to be with Ryoko'. 'How could he? How could he break my heart this way?' Ryoko thought to herself as she began to shiver with an aching feeling of loneliness. She had never felt so alone. 'I suppose this means he's chosen…'
Ryoko looked at Tenchi with sad eyes before she phased away.
"Ryoko, wait!" Tenchi cried but it was no use, she was already gone. 'Oh no…'
Tenchi felt a hand on his shoulder…
"Lord Tenchi, she was bound to find out the truth sooner or later. You're not to blame that you wouldn't be able to bring yourself to sleep with Kagato's whore."
"Ms. Ayeka, how do we even know that that's true?"
"How can it not be true? 2000 years with that madman, having complete control over her. If you agree that Ryoko is a beautiful woman then you can put one and two together can't you? No man with that much control over a woman would not use that to his advantage."
"Ayeka stop. I don't care about that. All I care about it Ryoko. She could have slept with a million guys before coming here and I wouldn't think any less of her. You misunderstood me. It may be freaky to sleep with Ryoko after she's been with Kagato, but that's only because when she was with him it was probably not a pleasant experience. I would have to make sure she would have a pleasant one, and I'm not sure how to do that. That puts a lot of pressure on me, what if she isn't pleasured? What if my making love to her only reminds her of when she was with him? I just couldn't bear that."
"Lord Tenchi, are you saying you wouldn't mind being with her? Even though she's spoiled goods?"
"Ayeka how can you be so cold? It's not her fault, if that is true. If anything she deserves me more because of this. So, of course I wouldn't mind being with the woman I love."
"Tenchi, I know that you believe in what you say now but I also know you will come to your senses eventually. I'll be here waiting for you. Remember that I love you Tenchi, and that my love for you is truer than Ryoko's love could ever be for you, because as you have admitted, we have a connection. We are joined by blood and so are forever linked in our destiny. One day you will rule by my side on the planet Jurai. It's unavoidable. You can't run away from our destiny forever, Tenchi."
"I'm sorry you think that way, Ayeka. I have chosen Ryoko and I don't plan to have a change of heart. When I say I love Ryoko, I mean that I will love her forever."
"Don't assume you know the future. The future is ever changing. The decision you make today can be changed by one made tomorrow. You may chose Ryoko today, but I know you will come back to me eventually."
"Ayeka, please. You're making this difficult. I don't want to hurt you, but understand that I don't plan to come back to you."
"I understand you feel that way now Tenchi, but like I said before, tomorrow is another day."
"Well, until tomorrow then, Ms. Ayeka. I have to go and explain myself to Ryoko now, before I lose the woman I love."
"For what it's worth, good luck Lord Tenchi."
"Thanks Ms. Ayeka"
'You're going to need it' Ayeka thought smiling to herself.
****
Tenchi was looking everywhere for Ryoko. He checked the roof, the lab, over by the lake, up by the shrine, everywhere. 'Where can she be?' thought Tenchi. 'No…she couldn't be back there again, could she?' Tenchi asked himself as he thought of the cave where he had first released Ryoko.
Tenchi ran all the way there and stopped when he saw what was before him. There was Ryoko, she was a shivering heap, as she cried into her hands, by the entrance to the cave.
"Ryoko…"
"Tenchi…" Ryoko said as she looked up and wiped her eyes.
"Ryoko, please let me explain."
"No Tenchi. I've had enough, I've just had enough." Ryoko was about to phase away when Tenchi grabbed her hand. What happened next was so sudden and unexpected that Ryoko just froze, unmoving. Tenchi had pulled her into a kiss…
The two stood there kissing, as time seemed to slow. Each one lost to the other. The rest of the world no longer existed. The two of them were alone, and yet they had each other. The kiss was soft and gentle, their lips were barely touching. And then Tenchi pulled away…
"Ryoko I-" But Tenchi never got to finish his sentence as his body began to convulse and he collapsed to the ground.
"Tenchi! What's wrong?" Ryoko asked as she reached her hand out towards Tenchi, but she quickly brought it back as she remembered something…
Flashback…
Tokimi knew what was coming, "Ryoko wait! Like I said before I could make Tenchi love you! Would you really leave that to your own devices? You'll never be able to win him on your own!"
"Shut up Tokimi! Your end has come!"
'Wait Ryoko…you don't realize that I have infected you with a deadly virus…if I don't tell you the cure you will never be able to live your life with the one you love!' Tokimi pleaded in her mind.
"I will not listen to your lies Tokimi!" 'I will not hesitate, not now. I will not let this chance pass by, I only hope that what Tokimi has said is not true.'
And with that said Ryoko brought her two swords upon Tokimi slicing her in two across her midsection.
End of flashback.
'No it can't be, the Virus. Is this what Tokimi meant? I must have transmitted the virus to Tenchi when he touched me. I have to go and get help.' "Tenchi, I'll be right back. I'm going to go and get help" Ryoko said to Tenchi as she teleported to the house.
****
In Washu's Lab…
Tenchi was hooked up to several devices while lying on a metal table in the middle of the lab. He was in a coma…
"What happened? I demand to know what you did to Lord Tenchi, demon!" Ayeka spat at Ryoko.
"It's not my fault princess. Tokimi infected me with some kind of virus, that's transmitted by touch. I wouldn't have touched him if I knew-"
"You would have touched him Virus or no Virus! I know how your mind works, you devil-woman. If you can't have Tenchi for yourself, then no one can have him. Is that it?!"
"Ayeka, no, that's not it at all. I would never hurt Tenchi intentionally, you know that."
Ayeka humphed in response.
"Is he going to be ok Washu?" Ryoko asked the petite scientist.
"Well, I managed to stabilize his condition, however, I haven't managed to find a cure yet. It shouldn't be too hard for me though. What I'm worried about is finding a cure for you, which may be next to impossible. You should refrain from touching anyone until I do manage to find a cure though, got that? I don't want half the house-hold sick in my lab."
"All right Washu" Ryoko said as she phased out.
****
'Ayeka's right. This is my entire fault. Everything is always my fault. I finally get a kiss from Tenchi and this happens. I nearly kill him. Maybe Ayeka's right, I am a demon, a monster, a devil woman. Or better yet, what Kagato had said, that I was worthless, a waste-product, good for nothing, beneath notice, a whore, not worth a damn...Why does all have to happen to me? Why can't I live a normal life? I just want to be free. I can't take it anymore. I'm tired of being strong, so tired. I always have to put on a mask to hide my fear, or my feelings. I can't do that anymore. What's the point? What's the point in having pride when I no longer have pride in myself. I hate myself. I wish I were anyone but me. I would even rather be Ayeka, at least she has a connection with Tenchi that could never be broken.' Ryoko began to sob into her hands.
'Tenchi would probably just get tired of me anyways and go back to Ayeka. She's related to him by blood so she has a hold on him no matter what. I on the other hand have nothing that would keep him with me. Nothing…I am nothing. I seem to be the one that always puts Tenchi in danger when really all I want is for him to be safe. He would be better off without me. Everyone would be better off without me. The world would be better off…I should just go…disappear…cease to exist…I would be doing everyone a favor really…I wouldn't be missed…no one cares about me…Tenchi would be safer if I didn't exist…I just don't have the strength to live anymore…I just want my pain to end.'
Ryoko teleported to the top of a tall mountain somewhere in Okayama…
Ryoko looked down over the side of the mountain…
It was a long way down…
Ryoko summoned the gems in her hand and set them on the ground beside her. She would no longer be needing them. Also if Ryoko fell and she still had the power of the gems she may manage to survive the fall and Ryoko didn't want that to happen…
Meanwhile…
In Washu's lab…
The Dream…
A little boy was running…
He kept on running until he reached a cave, for some reason he always felt safe at the cave, like someone was looking over him. The little boy broke down into tears, his grandmother had died. And then the boy sensed a presence…someone was comforting him. The little boy looked up and he saw her…
"My…grandmother died…why? Why did she have to die?" the little boy asked Ryoko.
Ryoko looked down at the boy with tenderness, "She's gone to a better place. Your grandmother is an angel now."
"An Angel? My grandmother gets to be an angel now?"
"Yes,"
"Well…that's not so bad." The little boy said as he dried his tears.
"TENCHIIIII" A voice called in the distance.
"Thank you. You know, you're my best friend." The little boy said to Ryoko before running off back to the Masaki house.
End of Dream.
Tenchi awoke with tears on his face that had been evoked by his dream.
"Oh, so I see you're awake. I guess my cure worked. I am the Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe, after all!" Said Washu beaming with pride.
'I remember…Ryoko…I remember you…'
****
Ryoko dove off the cliff…
She continued to fall until…
Ryoko found that she had stopped falling. Ryoko looked below her to see she had landed on a space ship, it was Kado.
The space ship slowly made its way to the ground.
****
Ryoko was too stunned to move, she just stayed laying down where she had landed on Kado. Adrien immediately got out of Kado and rushed to Ryoko's side.
"Ryoko, hey, what happened? Me and Kado were on our way to visit you and then you just fall out of the sky."
"I want to die…" muttered Ryoko.
Adrien pretended he hadn't heard her, "Ryoko, here let me help you down." Adrien said as he helped Ryoko down. She didn't resist as he moved her body and set her gently on the ground. She didn't do much of anything as she just lay there, unmoving, barely breathing.
"Ryoko, are you ok? Please snap out of it, it's me Adrien."
Ryoko looked blankly at Adrien, like she couldn't see him. She had lost her will to live. And then Ryoko just started crying, her sobs just go harder and harder until they wracked her entire body.
"There, there, Ryoko, its ok. It'll all be ok." Adrien brought Ryoko into his arms, she was too weak to pull away so gave into his warm embrace until she remembered…
"Adrien no! Get away from me! You'll be killed if you touch me!" Ryoko began to panic as she gathered her strength to pull away from Adrien.
But Adrien wouldn't have it, he just kept holding on to Ryoko. "What do you mean? You can't hurt me Ryoko"
"No please, you don't understand. Stay away from me. Please. Tokimi, she infected me with some kind of virus, you'll catch it if you touch me!"
"I don't believe it. Who infected you with a virus?"
"She was a goddess, her name was Tokimi. Please just let go, you're already infected. I have to go get help."
"Ryoko…look at me. Do I look like I've been infected with a deadly virus?"
Ryoko looked at Adrien, it had been several minutes and Adrien didn't start to convulse like Tenchi had…
Ryoko remember what Tokimi had said:
'Wait Ryoko…you don't realize that I have infected you with a deadly virus…if I don't tell you the cure you will never be able to live your life with the one you love!' Tokimi pleaded in her mind.
'the one I love…that would be Tenchi, not Adrien…so the virus only affects Tenchi.' Ryoko let out a sigh of relief. Her friend was safe.
"I suppose…the virus was designed to affect my friend Tenchi only" responded Ryoko.
"You see, you made that big deal over nothing. Now tell me what's going on, Ryoko."
"I…why are you here? I thought you were going to look for some adventure in space."
"You're avoiding my question Ryoko but I'll answer yours anyways. Once I was up in space I realized that if I had given you the three gems to save your life and everything, I must have given all three to you for a reason. I came back because I wanted to give the gem back to you."
"But I don't need it anymore. When you had given them to me last I was dying so needed the power of all three gems to make it. I'm not dying now, so don't need the all the gems to stay alive."
"Not dying huh? What were you doing Ryoko? Were you-"
"I…I wanted to die."
"Do you still want to die?"
"Yes,"
"Ryoko! Oh, my dear friend. Come here" Adrien said taking Ryoko into an embrace once more. "Why? Why would you want to die? What has driven you to this?"
"If only you knew…"
"Then tell me, maybe if you do then I'll be able to help you. That's what friends are for. How about you start with your immediate problem. What happened to you just now that pushed you over the edge?"
"Well," began Ryoko.
****
Back in Washu's lab…
Tenchi was trying to get out of bed as an angry Washu was trying to restrain him…
"Tenchi, you need rest! I just cured you from an incurable virus you know!"
"But Ms. Washu, this can't wait, I have to talk to Ryoko."
"Oh no you don't. If you're this eager to see her I'm sure that you don't just want to "talk". Unfortunately, you can't touch Ryoko right now because she was the one that infected you with the virus."
"Ryoko?"
"Yes you see…"
****
"And that's when I knew Tenchi would be better off without me, if he isn't dead already. Tenchi is in a coma right now and it's all my fault." Ryoko began to cry again into Adrien's chest.
"You love him don't you…"
"Yes, so much it hurts some times."
Adrien couldn't help but feel like his own heart had been broken by Ryoko's words. 'Why do I feel this way…why did her words affect me this way? I barely know her…I don't even remember her and yet I wish it was I she loved.' Adrien thought to himself hopelessly. "Ryoko, I'm sure that if Washu really is the Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe she'll be able to cure Tenchi, and then you. You should give things more time before assume the worst."
"I know it's just…it's not only that…it's everything…it's my entire life…I just can't go on living."
"Even though I don't remember you Ryoko, I know this can't be you. This feels wrong. You aren't supposed to be like this. You are supposed to be…strong. If you were strong in the past you can be strong now."
"No, no! I can't! I can't be strong anymore, it hurts to much!"
"What does?"
"My past, my present, my future."
"Ryoko…"
"I better get going home…Sasami probably has dinner made. And maybe you're right. Maybe Tenchi will be ok"
"I guarantee it. It would be wrong for such a strong bond of true love to be broken. You deserve to be happy, to have his love, after all you are an extremely beautiful woman."
Blushing Ryoko responded, "thanks"
"Now, you aren't going to try and kill yourself again are you?"
"No…"
"Promise me."
"I…promise."
"Good. Now I think these belong to you. Adrien said as he gave Ryoko the three gems back. All three gems were absorbed into Ryoko.
"I…feel…more like myself."
"I knew that you needed all three gems for a reason. I'm glad I decided to come back. Maybe I'll come by and see you tomorrow, when you are feeling better if that's ok with you?"
"Sure, I'd like that" Ryoko said with a faint smile.
"Are you sure you're going to be ok?"
"Yeah…I think so"
"Take care."
"You too, and Adrien thanks for saving my life"
"Don't mention it" Adrien said smiling as he teleported aboard Kado and was off. He really hadn't wanted to leave Ryoko but he could tell she needed some space. 'My friend is in so much pain…I have to find a way to help her…if only I could remember…'
****
Ryoko walked back to the Masaki house, after her ordeal she couldn't think straight enough to teleport.
As Ryoko entered the Masaki household…
"Oh hey Ryoko, you're here! You can help me set the table." Said the adult form of Sasami.
Ryoko couldn't help but smile, the same Sasami only bigger.
Ryoko walked over to the counter to help bring some of the dishes to the table when Ryoko noticed something…
"What's this?" Ryoko asked holding up a heart shaped box of chocolates.
"Oh, your friend Adrien left those for you a while back. I forgot to give them to you."
Ryoko noticed that there was a note and so opened it:
Dear Ryoko,
I thought you'd like these, since you'll really be able to appreciate them now.
With love,
Adrien
A single tear rolled down Ryoko's cheek…'this must have been after I told him Washu was giving me my sense of taste back. How…sweet.'
Ryoko picked up a chocolate hesitantly; she hadn't tasted one since…she wasn't quite sure she ever had tasted chocolate. She popped the chocolate into her mouth…
"MMMMMMmmmmm" 'Oh Adrien, thank you' "Sasami, you've got to try one of these chocolates"
"Ok, thanks Ryoko"
Meanwhile a pair of icy blue eyes was starring at Ryoko from outside the Masaki house…
"Hmmm so that's Ryoko…I wonder why Washu created her. Well she won't be needing that defective experiment much longer. Hahahahahahahahahah!"
End of chapter 10:
So will Tenchi finally tell Ryoko that he remembers her? Will Washu find a cure for Ryoko? Will Adrien get his memory back? How is Sasami adjusting to her new life, who can she turn to for help? And most of all who is this new villain and how does he know Ryoko and Washu?!?!
Find out in my next chapter! Don't forget to Review! Oh and if you have ideas or tips feel free to share them!