Chapter 4

Ryoko awoke from her dreamless sleep to find herself curled up next to the warm form of a slumbering Tenchi. She looked up at his peaceful face as he breathed lightly in sleep. Being in the shelter of his arms, the warmth of him washing over her, made her fears melt away. She almost felt normal again. She nuzzled under his chin, sighing happily. He yawned as he blinked awake, wrapping his arms tighter around her as he became more aware of his surroundings.

"Hmm, good morning," He replied in a sleepy tone.

"Good morning to you too." She said contently. Her lips loomed close to the soft skin of his neck and not thinking she pressed them against him in a tender kiss.

She heard his sudden intake of breath and felt his pulse quicken under her caress. "Ryoko," He groaned in a rough voice as she felt his hands tighten into fists around handfuls of her shirt.

"I- don't think you should do that," He said shakily.

"I think I should," She purred as she pulled away from the hollow of his neck to look at him. She locked eyes with him and advanced closer until she was hovering a mere millimeter over his lips. "Tenchi," She murmured.

"Ryoko..." His eyes slipped shut as she closed the space between them and brushed her soft lips against his own. His hands loosened their hold on her shirt and smoothed out to rub her back as he sank into the oblivion of her taste. He remained passive, letting her deepen it of her own accord, fighting back the urge to devour all of her in their first kiss.

Ryoko was uncertain about trying to kiss him at first, but when he responded she melted into him, kissing him fully, wanting to submerse herself in him. She had dreamt about this moment for what felt like an eternity, but it was finally happening. She was finally getting to show Tenchi her love...

Just hold still bitch!

The words popped into her head randomly, being yelled in an angry male voice. She pushed it out of her thoughts, trying to just concentrate on the moment when she was thrown back into the dark, the men ripping off her clothes as she struggled to get away. She pulled back as one of them forced his mouth roughly against hers and she raised a hand up swiftly, bringing it down hard.

Tenchi was unsure what was going on. She had suddenly pushed away and had slapped him. Hard. With pain flaring sharply though his face he lunged off the bed after her as she scrambled madly backwards.

"No! Stay away!" She yelled, the glazed look that had been in her eyes when he had first found her having returned. She was trapped in whatever had a hold of her, shaking violently as she backed up into a corner.

He cursed under his breath, realizing it would do no good for him to try and touch her. He took off out the bedroom door, running down the stairs at full force. "Washu!" He yelled as he saw the scientist running towards him halfway down the stairs.

"Where is she?" She demanded, having sensed something was wrong with her daughter.

"In my bedroom."

They ran into the room where Washu quickly produced a syringe full of tranquilizer. She advanced swiftly on her, Ryoko screaming at the top of her lungs the second she made contact. After a moment the scientist managed to pin her long enough to give her the shot. She backed off quickly as she waited for the drug to kick in. A few seconds later she laid limp on the floor, deep in forced unconsciousness.

"Thank God," Tenchi sighed in relief, grateful she had been put under control before she could hurt herself.

"What's going on?!"

Tenchi and Washu looked up to find the doorway crammed with the rest of the female occupants of the household, their eyes as large as saucers. The first comment came from Sasami, seeming innocent enough, but then Ayeka screeched out:

"What is she doing in your room?!"

Tenchi walked over to the fallen girl, scooping her rag-doll body into his arms. "That doesn't matter right now," He said as he started to walk out of the room, the girls parting to let him by without argument.

Washu followed in silence as he carried her daughter to her lab.

AN: That's all for now. Sorry it's short. Reviews will get you another chapter faster! Thanks for reading!