Same disclaimers apply to this part

Disclaimer: I don't own the Tenchi Muyo gang.

The Lonely Moon Series
Part Three

Tenchi and Ryoko saw Aeka curled up into a fetal ball on a nearby bench, her hands clasped firmly over her ears as she made obvious attempts at shutting out the world.

They ran to Aeka's side, and Ryoko looked nervously at Tenchi, who gave her an encouraging smile, and nod. Taking a deep breath, she knelt down on the floor in front of Aeka. She put her hand tentatively on Aeka's arm, which was wrapped tightly around her knees.

"Aeka..?"

Aeka flinched away, and that's when Ryoko heard that the princess was crying.

Ryoko's voice softened. "Aeka... please... what is it? You can tell me..."

Aeka looked up at Ryoko, disbelief in her teary eyes.

"Are you kidding?! You'll use anything I tell you as ammunition against me!" She spat.

Ryoko sighed.

"I'm sorry... I don't... I never want to hurt your feelings, Aeka... believe it or not, I've actually began to think of us as friends... "

Again, Aeka looked up, but this time surprise was evident on her face. Ryoko gave Aeka a feeble smile.

"Please Aeka... whatever it is... let me help you... it's terrible not having anyone to fight with." She winked at her, and the princess actually managed a very small smile.

"I... I don't know what is wrong, Ryoko..." Aeka began, talking slowly. "But I do know that I would like to go home now." she finished in a whisper, and Ryoko wasted no time in helping the princess to stand.

"Tenchi, meet us back at the house. I'm going to teleport Aeka and I back home." Tenchi nodded and set off to find everyone else as the two women disappeared.

XXXXXX

"Now Aeka... what's wrong?" Ryoko asked. Aeka looked at Ryoko curiously, and for a moment it actually appeared that she was going to speak.

Don't do it, Aeka. You know she'll only make the pain worse. Everyone makes the pain worse. Aeka squeezed her eyes shut and winced.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!" She shrieked as she clamped her hands over her ears. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, and the princess left them unchecked. Her body, once so young and vibrant was now small and vulnerable-looking, and Aeka's feeble form crumpled on the ground with no sound.

Ryoko watched in horror, and found that she had no idea how to soothe the violet-haired woman, or how to quell her rapidly flowing tears.

"Aeka..."

Ryoko knelt next to the princess, and gathered her up into her arms. Aeka allowed this for only a minute at the most, before she quickly pulled away and dashed to her room, mumbling incoherent phrases as she went.

--

The rest of the family arrived home shortly after, to find Ryoko sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. Tenchi hurried to her.

"Where's Aeka?" He asked quickly, concern evident.

"In her room," Ryoko began, voice low and even, "she wouldn't talk. Just covered her ears and screamed 'leave me alone' at herself."

A few feet away, an intrigued red-haired scientist let out a very long 'hmmmm...' before she dashed into her lab.

XXXXXX

"Stop hurting me... just go away..." Aeka whispered between her sobs. She watched as cut after cut was made on her arm.

That won't stop me, Aeka. You know what you have to do... you know I'm right. No one here cares for you… not Tenchi, not Ryoko, not even Sasami. Aeka stifled a sob, and the cuts became deeper.

"No... no... no... no... NO!!" Aeka screamed. Mere seconds later there was knocking at her door, and Tenchi's voice called to Aeka.

"Are you okay?! What's going on in there?!"

Silence.

"Aeka?!"

"I'm fine." Came a surprisingly calm voice.

"Are you sure?!"

"Yes, I am. Please leave me alone now."

Inside of her room, Aeka was laying spread-eagle on the floor. Blood was beginning to pool beneath her forearms. Her beautiful eyes were closed, she was ready to die, and damnit, she wanted to do so in peace.

"Okay, Aeka."