Stuck - Turmoil

             By: Erreway

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Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki trademarks and related indicia are property of AIC and Pionner Entertainment. This work is not done for profit, and I do not own the series.

Author Notes: This fic is based on the OVA continuity.  This is chapter two of Stuck.

*...* Thoughts

"..." Talk

//...\\ Mind Link

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        Tenchi chopped at the earth with his hoe. After a few minutes he noticed he hadn't gotten any work done in the two hours he'd been here, instead he saw a hole the size of a small crater where he had been chopping. Tenchi sighed and let go of the hoe, letting it fall to the ground, unnoticed as Tenchi made his way to the shade of a tree. He sat down and put his head in his head.

        It had been like this since Ryoko left. He couldn't get any work done, he couldn't think, he couldn't train, he could hardly eat and he wasn't sleeping much since he spent every night on top of the roof watching up at the sky hoping that he would see Ryoko and Ryo-ohki coming back. In short, he was a mess.

        Tenchi lifted his head and whispered to the sky "Ryoko... why did you leave me?"

***

        Ayeka sat back in the couch and stared at the screen laid out before her. Her favorite soap opera was on, and right now one of juiciest scenes yet was playing before her eyes. Ayeka however was not even aware of the action playing out in the screen. A week before, she would have been at the edge of the couch waiting to know what the outcome of the latest dilemma would be. *was it really just a week ago? It feels like a whole lifetime...*

        She replayed everything that happened in her head.  Why did it come to this? Ayeka wouldn't talk to Tenchi in fear of what he would say. Tenchi wouldn't talk to Ayeka in hopes of avoiding a conversation that would cause her pain. Neither wanted to step forward and accept what they feared. Ayeka feared Tenchi loved Ryoko and she thought she would never live through the pain. Tenchi feared Ayeka would be hurt, and after hurting Ryoko he wanted to make sure he hurt nobody ever again.

        The TV continued playing the soap opera and through her thoughts Ayeka heard a male character say "I never loved you... I'm sorry but I love her" Ayeka then thought *What's the point of watching a soap opera, when I'm living in one?* After the thought was completed she punched the 'off' button on the remote and the house went silent.

***

        Sasami stood in the kitchen drying a plate in complete silence. She contemplated the situation at hand. Ryoko loved Tenchi. Ayeka loved Tenchi. Tenchi was a mystery to everyone. Sasami, however, knew better. As soon as this situation had begun to unfold she had asked Tsunami for answers. The goddess had told her who Tenchi truly loved. Sasami felt her heart go to each one of them, Tenchi, Ryoko and Ayeka, as she heard what Tsunami told her. *That's the way it has to be... Please be strong sister*

***

        In her room, Mihoshi was also watching TV. She wasn't as affected as the rest of the house hold, but she wasn't clueless enough as to completely ignore the situation. *I know everything will turn out all right. By the time this is over, our family will come out stronger* she thought before she became totally engrossed in the cartoon, all other thoughts forgotten.

***

        Downstairs, Washu opened the door to her lab, stuck her head out and looked right and left. Nobody was near except Ayeka but she looked lost in thought and she hardly ever came into her lab. Sasami was in the kitchen... she could tell because her excellent hearing could hear her putting the plates away. Mihoshi... probably in her room. She looked at her watch. *Yup! She's watchin' Hamtaro... she always does at this time...*

        Satisfied Washu stuck her head in her lab again and closed the door.  She went to her floating cushion, sat down and materialized a holo laptop. "Ok... sector 175... interference sequence initiating... I'm in!" She said smiling "Now just gotta put her number over here and..." A screen popped up next to her laptop and Washu smiled "Told ya I would call. So what's up? Anything new? How's Ryo-ohki?" The minute scientist started to laugh as her cyan-haired daughter recounted the day's adventures.

***

        Tenchi opened the front door and walked inside. He removed his shoes and put on his slippers. "I'm home!" He announced. For a second he forgot Ryoko was gone and he waited for her to come and glomp onto him like she always did. A few seconds later realization struck and his heart sank as he heard Sasami's voice coming from the kitchen.

        "Hello Tenchi!" Sasami greeted as he walked into the room "You've been gone all day. Did you get a lot of work done in the fields?"

        Tenchi sighed and shook his head "No, as a matter of fact..." He lowered his voice in case his grandfather came by "I couldn't work at all today"

        Sasami gave him a small smile "We all miss her" She said as she started to chop vegetables.

        *Not as much as I do* He smiled back "You need any help?"

        "Oh no, I'm almost done here. Ayeka's setting the table. But you could help by going to get Mihoshi and Washu"

        That second Mihoshi ran by heading for the door. "Sorry Sasami!" She called back as she maneuvered her control cube in her hands "I got an emergency call I gotta go" She said before she phased in her clothes and she blinked out.

        "Ok then..." She said but it went unheard as Yukinojo blasted off "Go get Washu then, and please try to get her to come."

        Tenchi smiled as he went down the hallway to Washu's lab. He usually wouldn't go in there but *Maybe she has news about Ryoko* he though as he knocked on the door. He waited. No answer. He tried again. No. Tenchi decided to go look just in case something happened. He doubted it but...

I can't take it

What am I waiting for?

        "Washu?" He called as he traveled around the lab. The he heard the sounds of two people laughing. He stepped behind a large machine and frowned. *Who could be in here with her??* Then his eyes shot open as he came to grasp the situation *Ryoko!*

        Tenchi went towards the sounds. To his disappointment he found Washu sitting at her computer talking to... a screen?? Tenchi walked steadily closer careful to remain in the shadows. Then he heard Washu ask something and he heard a much-too-common voice followed by a miya.

        "Ryoko!" Tenchi said as he jumped from the shadows and ran over to Washu. He tilted the screen towards him *I'm finally able to see you...*

        Meanwhile the scientist and Ryoko had frozen in place. Ryoko gained her composture quite fast and coughed out "T-Tenchi?"

        Now it was Tenchi's turn to freeze. He had acted on an impulse. All this time he had been hoping to see her. Now that he had he didn't know what to say. Then something that  could sum it all up and tell her how he felt... "I miss you" he whispered.

I'm still breaking

I miss you even more

        Ryoko felt tears fill up her eyes. All this time in isolation, one whole week by herself, only being able to interact with another human when Washu called made her very happy to see another person, .:especially:. Tenchi and he told her he missed her!. "I miss you too" Ryoko said as she made a motion with her hand to reach for him. However she was brought back to reality as she touched the screen instead of his face. She gave him a small smile as she pulled her hand back.

        "When are you coming back?" He asked her pleading with the Gods that she would say 'now'.

        Ryoko looked at Washu. //What do you think? Do we give him a break?\\

        //I don't know little Ryoko...\\ Washu said to her daughter through their mind link. //He hasn't asked enough\\

        Ryoko grinned and looked at Tenchi. "I don't know..." She said her voice full of mock sadness "I don't think anyone really misses me over there"

        Washu gave a chough.

        "Except for Washu." Ryoko said. Her mother and her shared a mental laugh.

        "I miss you! Please I want you to come back!" He said desperation now evident in his voice.

        "I don't know... do you really want me to??"

        "Yes!" Tenchi said not allowing for a minute of hesitation.

        //Can I...\\

        //You've been here before haven't you Ryoko? And my security measures are disabled otherwise this fool would have never gotten here\\ Washu said laughing

        Tenchi was expecting an answer when the screen went to black. Then in red writing the words 'Communication Lost' where displayed on the screen. Tenchi hung his head. *Damn it could have been just a little longer*

        "Are you sure you want me to?"

        Tenchi's head snapped up and he stared at the screen but the same message was displayed. *But I heard...*

        "Don't you think I deserve an answer?"

        Tenchi turned around. Ryoko was standing there dressed in her usual blue and gold stripped dress, her tail moving playfully behind her. She held Ryo-ohki in her hands. *I've never seen that dress look that good on her before...*

        When Tenchi didn't say anything, she started to panic. *What if he doesn't want me here? He chose the princess after all...* She thought as her heart twisted in pain. She was still weak. She was still alone. She was still in love. She was still stuck. Stuck on him. She started to back away afraid of her actions but before she could even put a foot behind her. Tenchi reached out and hugged her.

        "You don't know how much I've missed you"

        Ryoko could have melted right there.

        //Keep your cool Ryoko\\ She heard through her link she blushed since Washu had seen all of it //You've still got to see the rest of the family. He can hug you and you can faint later\\

        Ryoko growled.

        "Lets go" Washu said leading them all out of her lab, with Ryoko still in Tenchi's arms "I'm starving"

        Ryoko blushed as she felt Tenchi's arms around her. She was really happy but this was wrong. She started to pull away. Tenchi tried to hold her tighter but she shook her head no.

        "Why?" Tenchi asked as they stepped out into the hallway. For once he felt rejected. Usually Ryoko would be the one to try to hug him, but now that he hugged her she pulled away, just as he had done all those times before.

        "It's not right" Ryoko said lowering her head.

        Tenchi then understood. *It's not right because I picked Ayeka.* Tenchi cringed as he thought about that *How could I have been such a fool?*. He decided to right the situation right now. "About that Ryoko, I..."

        "Ryoko!" Tenchi and Ryoko turned towards an eccentric princess as she came into the hallway Ryo-ohki perched on top of her head.

        "Hello Sasami!" Ryoko said gathering the little princess in a big hug. To her spaceship she commented //You went ahead of us huh??\\ Ryo-ohki just miya-d her response.

        Tenchi stood in the background as he watched what unfolded in front of him. *I was so close... just a couple of seconds more and I could have told her*

        "Maybe its best this way" Washu whispered in Tenchi's ear. He jumped a little and she smiled. He looked towards Ryoko and Sasami and saw that they were distracted as Ayeka came into the room.

        "How can you say that?" Tenchi whispered

        Washu frowned "Do you know where your heart truly lies?" He nodded. "Ah its about time Tenchi but now... do you know where .:her:. heart lies?"

        Tenchi stood frozen. He turned to Washu his eyes asking an unspoken question. *She doesn't love me anymore?* Tenchi though.

        "No. She is in love with you" Tenchi only relaxed the slightest "But is she ready to forgive you?"

        Tenchi frowned and turned his back on the scientist. *She's right.* Tenchi thought as he watched Ryoko talk to the two princesses. Then he remembered. "Washu?" He said as he turned around to face her again.

        "Yes?"

        "You were talking to Ryoko this whole time! You knew how sad we were down here and still you didn't allow us to talk to her!"

        Washu snorted and shook her head in desperation "Tenchi do you really think I needed to open a communitication channel to talk to her?"

        *What is she talking about now?*

        When Tenchi didn't say anything she continued "Can't you see? We don't need a telephone or anything to talk to each other. We have this" She said as she tapped her forehead.

        "Then why were you?" Tenchi asked

        "You really don't get it at all" Tenchi decided to let the comment slide "I was waiting for you to find out you could talk to Ryoko"

        "But... you told us not to go into your lab"

        "Yes, I did. But what did you do today?"

        "I... went into your lab" Washu smiled "So all of this was a plan so I could ask Ryoko to come back?"

        "Bingo"

        Tenchi nodded. He turned around as he heard his name. He saw Ryoko floating high in the air, leaning down to face him, her hands clasped behind her back. "What were you two talking about? Don't you want to have dinner?" She asked him frowning.

        He smiled "I sure do. This will best meal I'll have in a week"

        "Really? why?" Ryoko asked a clueless expression started to take shape on her face.

        "I haven't eaten much this past week " Tenchi explained as they started walking, in Ryoko's case floating, to the kitchen.

        "Really??" Ryoko said phasing in front of him causing him to halt. She put a hand to his forehead "Why? Are you sick?"

        Tenchi smiled and reached up and grabbed Ryoko's hand. She floated down on the floor next to him "Yes I was " Ryoko gasped but before she could say anything he continued "But my medicine arrived today"

        Ryoko blushed as she realized what he was talking about. She was so stunned she didn't notice as Tenchi gently pulled her towards the kitchen.

***

         Sasami moved her chopsticks rhythmically back and forth. She glanced over at her sister. She was sitting as still as stone, as if she was a small animal being hunted down.

        Sasami sighed and put her chopsticks down. "Ayeka cheer up. You should be happy! Ryoko's back! Isn't it just great? Everyone will be happy again specially Tenchi he..." Sasami clasped a hand to her mouth as she realized what she said.

        Ayeka sobbed and got up from the table. She started walking away from the room. As she was getting to the hallway she heard Tenchi saying that some 'medicine' had arrived today. A second later he appeared in front of her, beaming and holding the hand of a stricken and blushing Ryoko.

And I can't fake it

The way I could before

        Ayeka sobbed even harder, pushed through Tenchi and Ryoko and ran up the stairs. She couldn't fake it, she couldn't just pretend she hadn't seen anything. She couldn't lie to herself anymore. In fact she never could. Even in all her happiness when Tenchi had chosen her, she had doubts. She didn't know why but a part of her doubted that Tenchi loved her.

        Ayeka ran up the stairs and into her room. She collapsed on her futon as soon as she walked in. She lay on her back her and she stared up at the ceiling. Her eyes were red and poufy.  Her eyes squeezed shut at the sudden pain that cruised through her. She had thought she had been hurt when Yosho left her. That didn't even compare to this.

        When Yosho left and didn't return Ayeka thought it was because he wasn't able to. This time though, she had been trying to win Tenchi's affections against another girl. She had finally found happiness when he told her he loved her. Of course, when Ryoko found out Tenchi had chosen Ayeka, the pirate was shattered. That was when Ryoko had announced she would be leaving. Ayeka was sure Tenchi would try to stop her. However, she wasn't prepared for what he said.

        Tenchi knew Ryoko was leaving because she couldn't bear to see Ayeka and Tenchi together.  He knew that there was little he could do to make her stay except tell her that he loved her, even if he did so only as family.

        Everything happened in a flash as her mind re-lived the conversation. She saw Tenchi standing up and screaming to Ryoko 'Did I do this?' He asked her right after she had revealed what she was going to do 'don't you dare leave me!'

        Her imaginary Ryoko screamed back at Tenchi, pain clear in her voice 'Of course you did! But you can't fix it now!'

        Then Ayeka tried to stop her mind from playing out the next part of that day. But it was no use, her mind continued on intent on showing her what a fool she had been to think Tenchi could love her when he was obviously head over heals in love with the pirate. So the movie of the day continued playing no matter how hard she tried to stop it.

        Her dream Tenchi screamed back his voice shaking with fear at losing the pirate. 'Maybe we can! What if I was wrong?'

I hate you but I love you

I can't stop thinking of you

        Ayeka screamed when her vision finished. She clutched the covers of her futon and cried. She owed this pain to one person. Tenchi. She felt something she never had before, not even for Ryoko. Loathing. She hated him for making her feel this much pain, but deep inside she loved him as much as she ever did.

        She closed her eyes and tried to forget about him. She thought about Jurai. About being queen with him ruling at his side. She shook her head. She changed her thoughts to something simple... the delicious carrot cake Sasami was going to bake. But once again Tenchi game into her thoughts as she thought about how tenderly he picked the carrots, how... *Stop, stop, stop!* Ayeka screamed inside her head as she trashed about.

        "I don't want to think about him anymore..." She cried tears spilling out of her open eyes. In her mind she heard Tenchi's voice echoing...

        'What if I was wrong?... What if I was wrong?... I was wrong...'

        *Please stop... please...*

***

        "Ayeka..." Tenchi whispered.

        Ryoko, noticing the look on his face. Took her hand away from his and backed away. Tenchi felt it and turned around to face Ryoko. He saw a few tears starting to form in her eyes.

        "I'm sorry Tenchi" She said before she phased away.

        "Ryoko!" Tenchi punched the wall when she left *I wish I knew how to do this without hurting anyone...*

        "Tenchi" Tenchi turned towards Sasami who was crying a little bit "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..." She choked before she started crying a little harder.

        "Its all right Sasami..." Tenchi said as he went to the little princess "What are you talking about?"

        "Ayeka... I told her we were happy Ryoko was back, and then... I told her you would be the one that would be the happiest and she just..." Sasami trailed off as she hugged Tenchi.

        Tenchi stood there stunned. It was then he realized. He had been so worried about Ryoko he hadn't noticed that he was hurting Ayeka.

        "I have to go talk to her"

        Sasami nodded and pulled back "Just make sure you tell her the truth Tenchi"

        "You know??" Tenchi asked stunned

        "Its a shame that you didn't in time, Tenchi"

***

        Tenchi opened the door and peeked inside. His eyes softened as he saw Ayeka lying on her back , on top of her futon, asleep. He opened the door enough to let him in and closed it softly. He walked over to Ayeka and covered her up so she could sleep better. Once he was done he heard Ayeka whisper in her sleep.

It's true

I'm stuck on you

        "I love you Tenchi... and I always will."

        His heart twisted in pain. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the cheek. "I'm sorry for causing you pain Ayeka... I love you too" He whispered back *But not the way I love Ryoko...*

        Tenchi got up and walked out of the room, oblivious to a girl that was hiding in the shadows, her golden eyes hidden by her hands as she cried silently.

***

        "Did you tell her?" Washu asked as he walked into the kitchen.

        He shook his head as he took his seat. "She was asleep. Where's Ryoko??"

        "I don't know. Let me see." Washu tried to use her link to find her daughter. However she was blocking her off. *She hasn't done that in a while... we got closer since she left* Washu thought as she frowned. Finally she decided to use her 'key' to open Ryoko's side of the link.

        Washu opened the link. As soon as she did a wave of pain hit her, a pain so strong she was afraid for her daughter. Washu closed the link as quickly as she had opened it. Then she turned to Tenchi and growled "WHAT DID YOU DO??".

***

Now love's a broken record that's

Been skipping in my head

        Ryoko put her hands over her ears as she flew away from the house as fast as she could. *Make it stop... please make it stop!!* She cried mentally as she heard Tenchi's voice play through her mind like a broken record.

        Ayeka... I love you too... Ayeka... I love you too... Ayeka... I love you...

        Finally, she collapsed. She hit the floor with a sickening thud that would have killed any normal human being *Unfortunately, its not enough to kill me...* She looked up. She was in front of the cave. *It's not as good as death but... I can sleep, and if I can only be with you in my dreams, then I'll sleep forever* she thought as she gave the first steps forward.

        As she walked she thought about her time at the Masaki residence. First time she had a family. She chuckled sarcastically *A family? A family that does nothing but hurt me? I'm better off alone.*

I keep singing yesterday

Why we've got to play these games we play?

        Then her mind switched off to the times when she was locked in the cave and she first met Tenchi. *Yes those were the days... I just wish it could have been like that but with me out of the cave* But now all Tenchi did was push her away and tell her to back off. *Why can't he see what I see in him?*

        *Because your a demon.* her mind answered

        *Am I really? I mean I haven't done something like that in 700 years... *

        *But what is important is that you did it, nothing will change that *

        *I know but...*

        *Just face it. Your a murderer. A demon. A space pirate. Nobody could love somebody like you * Ryoko started to weep as she crossed the first room of the cave and she phased through the wall.

        *But I changed now!* her mind screamed back at her conscience desperately trying to find a way to prove her conscience wrong.

        *Changed? How? By skipping chores? By fighting with Ayeka? By spending a whole day in the Onsen getting drunk? By ignoring what Tenchi tells you and invading his privacy? How is that being changed? *

        *if he could just love me everything would be different * She said trying to at least defend her feelings.

        *Really? Would you change if he told you to? *

        *Yes!*

        *How many times has he asked you to do it already?*

        Ryoko stopped dead in her tracks down the steep incline leading to her old prision.  

 I ain't trippin

Im just missin

        *I just wish thing would be like they were when he was a kid.*

        *You just said it. .:when he was a kid:. Don't you see? He was different back then, and even then, he didn't see you, pretty much like he does now. *

        Ryoko shook her head. *No he doesn't even if he doesn't love me he still understands what I feel!*

You know what I'm saying

You know what I mean

        *Are you sure? How can you tell? *

        *Because he...*

        *See? He never did anything to show you he cared about you. *

        *Yes he did! He rescued me from Kagato!*

        *Because he was supposed to. He couldn't let you die.*

        *Then he cares about me even a .:little:. Bit!*

        *Then why are you alone and walking towards a prison? Why isn't he here to save you?*

Every now and then

When I'm all alone

        Ryoko stopped again. She was at the edge of the pool of light that held her captive for 700 years. *I can do this...* She though as she floated towards the middle of the pool. "I can do this..." She whispered as she floated down slowly.

        She almost got there but before she touched the water, she saw Tenchi. She pleaded with her body to continue on but she was frozen solid. Then she saw Sasami. Then Mihoshi. Then Ayeka. And then, Washu. Ryoko floated back to the edge and collapsed. She fell to the floor crying.

I'll be wishing you will call me on the telephone

Say you want me back

        "Why can't I do it? I'm sure they are not even aware that I'm gone... they wouldn't bother coming back to get me even if they did" She whispered to nobody in particular.

        *Are you sure?* Her mind asked teasingly *Have you tried asking for them to come?*

        Ryoko kept crying, but through her tears she chocked out "Please... please come get me... I don't want to be alone..." Through her pain she didn't notice the gem placed in her wrist start to glow.

        *Well... they are not coming so... you can carry on after all* Her mind told her, as if joyful.

But you never do

I feel like such a fool

        "No..." She whispered. "They'll come for me, I'm sure. I don't know how I'm sure but I know they will" She thought before exhaustion took her in and she feel asleep in the cold, damp floor of the cave, next to the pool of light.

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There I finished part 2! I'm sorry to make you wait so long but a couple of things came up and I had to finish them. Part 3 is coming up soon I promise! So just wait and see ok? Thanks for reading! please tell me what you think! Im looking for somebody to proffread what I write so if ur interested e-mail me. Later!