Disclaimer: I don't own the Tenchi Muyo gang.
The
Lonely Moon Series
Part
Two
It had been a week since Aeka had fallen asleep on the deck. The whole family was shopping for, as Mihoshi called it, 'bonding time'. Of course, the fair-haired woman should have known better. Ryoko spent the whole time hanging off of Tenchi and trying to get a rise out of Aeka. Mihoshi kept accidentally breaking things and Kiyone had to constantly grab her friend's hands like a mother would with a small child, grumbling the whole time.
They had been at the mall for about an hour and a half, and Aeka had long since sat down on a bench. For a while she had watched all the people, but soon it hurt too badly to see them. They were happy, and then had someone to talk to. They were all smiling and laughing.
Two girls were walking by the giant fountain that was nearby. One shoved the other in, and they both laughed. Tears filled Aeka's eyes at the sight. She didn't understand why it hurt so much to see people. She didn't realize what she was doing until she had her knees drawn up to her chest. She had her eyes squeezed tightly shut, and her hands over her ears.
XXXXXX
"I don't know why, Ryoko, but I'm kind of worried about her." Tenchi and Ryoko were walking through a shop, and were having a rather good time.
"I know what you mean, Tenchi." Ryoko replied. "I even tried to get her to argue with me and she wouldn't say a word... it's like she doesn't have the strength to fight..." She thought for a moment, "or even to breathe..."
Tenchi nodded in agreement. "It's like she's just giving up… but why?"
Ryoko sighed. "Maybe we should have someone talk to her... like Sasami..."
"Or you could, Ryoko."
Ryoko stared at Tenchi like he had grown a second head.
"Are you insane?"
"No, really Ryoko. I mean, it's obvious that you are concerned, and I think it would be a nice thing to show that to Aeka."
"You do know that she won't tell me anything..."
Tenchi smiled.
"You never know until you try." He said, giving Ryoko a hopeful smile.
XXXXXX
While Tenchi and Ryoko had been talking, they had walked from the shop and down another strip. It was then that Tenchi scanned the area to see where exactly they had ended up.
"Aeka!" He exclaimed. Ryoko looked to where his eyes were glued, and gasped.
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