Hey guys, this chapter's pretty short, but I wanted to get something up for all of you that have been waiting so patiently. That crack I made about 'you never know when I'll get my next chapter up…' that was just a joke. Heh. I really meant to get this out sooner! Okee, well, enjoy the show and thanks to all those who reviewed!
"Tenchi!" Ryoko screamed. She moved more quickly than everyone else, faster than she ever imagined she could. One moment she was watching the green rod of energy slice across the sky towards Tenchi, and the next moment it was hurtling towards her. She felt herself go cold all over, and released a short, sharp scream as the blast pierced her chest, just below the left shoulder. The force of it sent her flying backwards, but she collided with something soft. Tenchi. He clutched her tightly, sinking to the ground while holding her in his arms.
"Ryoko! God, Ryoko!" She felt his hands move over her chest, pressing something soft onto the gushing wound. In the distance, she heard the sound of a GP blaster, firing repeatedly, followed by a loud explosion. Tenchi cradled her head on his lap, anxiously stroking the hair out of her face. So this is what it takes to be held in your arms, eh Tenchi? Ryoko thought humorously, eyes half-lidded.
"It's alright," Tenchi babbled, hands shaking. "You'll be alright." Of course I will, silly boy. Any minute now, my advanced healing will kick in, and I'll be fully recovered in a few hours. Yup… Annny minute now. A wave of searing pain wracked her body and Ryoko grimaced, whimpering and twisting sharply. Tenchi held her down gently, wiping the beads of sweat off her forehead with his sleeve. Ryoko felt herself begin to panic. Wh-what's going on? Why aren't I recuperating? It was just one measly blast! It shouldn't have this affect on me! The edges of her vision began to dim and she felt her strength begin to ebb away.
"Washu!" Tenchi shouted desperately. "Please, hurry! Something's wrong! Ryoko's…" Ryoko squeezed her eyes shut. Ryoko's what? She thought nervously. Wounded? Bleeding? Dying…NO! I can't die! It isn't possible! She snapped her eyes open and concentrated on staying conscious. A bush of pink, spiky hair popped into the corner of her vision.
"Let's see…" Washu's voice mused. "Heart rate slowing dramatically, breathing shallow, skin tone pallid… This doesn't look good, Tenchi. Her vital signs are weakening rapidly."
"But I've seen Ryoko survive wounds much worse than this one!" Tenchi protested frantically.
"I know! It doesn't make any sense. If I could just get her to my lab…"
"You will do no such thing, Professor Washu." Hotsuma's freezing tones cut through the conversation. Ryoko stiffened with anger, immediately regretted it as her wound began to throb. "Over there with the others, Washu." There was a brief pause, and the pink hair vanished from Ryoko's line of vision. "You too, boy." Tenchi tightened his hold on Ryoko protectively. "Move, or I will kill her." Tenchi stood reluctantly, carefully resting Ryoko's head on the ground. Ryoko listened to the vibrations of his steps as he walked slowly away, her heart thumping with fear. Hotsuma knelt beside her and cupped her face gently, staring into her eyes.
"Why?" she managed to croak out.
"I had to make sure," he responded softly. "I had to make sure you no longer loved Tenchi."
"You knew!" Ryoko said, anger making her voice stronger. "You knew I might step in front, that I might die!"
"I knew either you or Tenchi would die," he admitted. "I hoped it would be Tenchi. I couldn't live like last time. Nothing I ever did was enough, Ryoko, I could never measure up to your Tenchi."
"I'm sorry," Ryoko whispered. And she truly was, sorry for Hotsuma. His expression softened and he stroked her cheek gently.
"I am too, Ryoko," he whispered back brokenly. "I love you so much." His gaze suddenly hardened. "But - what's that saying? If I can't have you, then no one can." His voice was calm, but his eyes gleamed madly. He wrapped an arm around her back and hoisted her to her feet. She leaned against him heavily, clutching at his shirt and breathing shallowly. "But as a favor to you, I will destroy your so-called family." Ryoko moaned lowly.
"They've done nothing to you!" she insisted pleadingly.
"Why do you care for them?" Hotsuma spat. "What have they done for you? Not one of them cared enough to come looking for you when you disappeared into space with me."
"Don't worry about us, Ryoko," Ayeka called grimly, raising her hands and erecting her shield around everyone. "We'll be fine." Hotsuma laughed mockingly.
"You think so, princess?" He gathered an energy ball and tossed it at the shield carelessly. It hit the transparent white wall and exploded, knocking everyone off their feet. Ayeka's shield flickered and disintegrated. Ryoko gasped in disbelief. How could he be this strong? Hotsuma laughed.
"See how pathetically weak they are against our power, Ryoko?" Our power? Ryoko wondered. "We would've been unstoppable together." Hotsuma began to gather another energy ball in one palm, and Ryoko glanced around frantically. Something winking on her wrist caught her attention. Of course, my gem! Tenchi just needs one more and he can form the sword! Ryoko slipped the crystal off her wrist and into her palm. Concentrating on gathering energy, Hotsuma took no notice of her activities. Moving her arm experimentally, Ryoko jerked her arm back then snapped it forward, releasing the gem. It soared up in a high arc, headed straight for Tenchi.
"Tenchi, catch!" Ryoko screamed. Tenchi reached up and caught the gem neatly, just as Hotsuma lobbed an energy ball at him. The seven gems began to glow bright blue, molding together and stretching upwards. Tenchi raised the sword just in time to meet the green blob of energy, splitting the ball and sending the two halves careening into the ground harmlessly.
"No!" Hotsuma shouted, clenching his fist. Tenchi lifted the sword and charged Hotsuma, shouting in wordless rage. Hotsuma stepped back and released Ryoko, letting her crumple to the ground. She fell to her knees and swayed, unconscious before her face hit the grass. The last thing she heard was a scream of agony.
Once again, I am wrong about this being the last chapter, so I'm not even going to say that the next chapter is the last. Even tho I'm 99.9% sure. Anywho, please review, my pretties. (Another cliff-hanger, eh? HA!)