Stuck - Lost & found
By: Erreway
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Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki trademarks and related indicia are property of AIC and Pioneer Entertainment. This work is not done for profit, and I do not own the series.
Author Notes: Ok! Chapter 3 of Stuck is finally here! Yay! Thanks to the people that reviewed! And for those of you that didn't please do! Just tell me if you liked it or not. This chapter is like a lighter note but its still very important just read and you'll see. Anyway I hope you like it. Remember REVIEW. I wanna know if you like it or not, if I'm doing something right or wrong, just tell me. Well That's it I guess nothing else different from what you already know so… go ahead, on with the show.
*...* Thought
"..." Talk
//...\\ Mind Link
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Back at the house Washu was standing before Tenchi who was cowering in the corner as if he were a small animal being hunted down.
"Tenchi" Washu said, as her hands curled up into fists "Don't make me ask you again. What did you do to Ryoko?" Washu questioned through gritted teeth as she shook lightly.
Tenchi, in all of his innocence just stammered, "I-I didn't…"
"Don't give me that crap!" Washu growled before she jumped at him. Before she could snap his neck though Sasami grabbed her and pulled her back.
"Washu! Instead of doing this we could be looking for Ryoko!" Sasami said between pants as she struggled to hold Washu.
When she heard what Sasami said she stopped "Your right Sasami" She said as she gave the princess a small smile "But don't think," she said giving Tenchi a death glare "That I'm done with you."
"So Washu" Sasami said trying to dissipate the upcoming anger "Can you tell us where Ryoko is?"
"No" Washu said grimly as she shook her head.
"Tenchi please" Sasami said as she turned to Tenchi who was still shocked from Washu's attacks "Try to think about what happened"
Tenchi told them about Ayeka running past them, then how Ryoko had said she was sorry and left.
"That's it?" Washu asked when he was done.
Tenchi nodded.
"But that doesn't make sense… she wouldn't get that hurt just because of that. Unless…" Washu jumped up again and grabbed his shirt "what did you do when you went into Ayeka's room?"
"Well, she was asleep and she said 'I love you Tenchi... and I always will' so I leaned down kissed her on the cheek and said I loved her too."
"And then?"
"I left"
Washu let go of him. "She heard you."
"W-what?" Tenchi whispered as his heart slowed down. *she couldn't have heard me…*
Washu gave him a small pitiful smile "Don't you see it Tenchi? She heard you. You said you loved Ayeka. And I know you do."
"Yeah I do!" Tenchi said shaking with desperation "But not the same way I love Ryoko! Ayeka is like my sister, my best friend. I love Ryoko with all my heart nothing will ever change that!"
"I know that. But she doesn't"
Tenchi stopped. "I'm such a fool"
"All we can do now is find Ryoko. She's probably…" Sasami was cut off as Tenchi-ken came flying into the room. It stopped before Washu, Sasami and Tenchi, floating in midair. Instead of the blade a small blue ball had formed and the two gems were glowing fiercely.
"What…"
Washu cut Tenchi off as she reached for Tenchi-ken. She touched the gems but received a little shock. "They're connected to her" She said pointing at the gems.
I can't take itWhat am I waiting for?
Tenchi reached forward. As soon as gripped the blade of the sword he saw her. She was lying next to the pool of light in the cave then she heard her voice, full of tears, whispering through his mind "Please... please come get me... I don't want to be alone..." The vision disappeared and Tenchi was brought back to the room. He turned to Washu who looked at him questioningly.
"She's in the cave." Tenchi told the other two girls before all three ran out the room towards the forest.
***
Tenchi ran through the inky darkness of the forest. He couldn't see much since it was a new moon and the foliage obstructed the glow of the stars. But it didn't matter. He knew the way to the cave like the palm of his hand. Finally after a record-breaking time Tenchi emerged in the clearing in front of the cave followed by Washu and Sasami.
Not allowing for a minute of hesitation Tenchi walked in. Tenchi found himself in the room where he had found Tenchi-ken. He walked over to the rock that was held together by a rope. He remembered how he had hurried to do that when he had resurrected Ryoko. Tenchi quickly cut the rope and the entrance to the chamber where Ryoko was now lay open.
"Tenchi?" Sasami asked as he stood in front of the entrance.
"I'm going in by myself" He said
"No way" Washu said stepping forward past Sasami "I'm never letting you hurt her ever again. And she is no emotional state to deal with you now. So either I come with you, or I go alone. Take your pick"
"Fine. Lets go then" Tenchi sighed as he stepped forward.
"I'm going too" Sasami said following them. Before they could say no she continued, "I'm not staying in this inky cave alone."
*There is no way I'm going to be able to talk to her now* Tenchi thought as he went down the slope. When he emerged into the room he saw everything as he had when he had released Ryoko. Except…
He looked down to his feet and found the mask that she wore that day. It was slashed. Tenchi bent down to pick it up. However when he did his eyes traveled to the pool of light he saw a shape next to it lying on the floor. *Oh no…* Tenchi thought as he rushed to her the mask forgotten.
Washu and Sasami followed him as he kneeled next to her. She was pale and for the first time in his life Tenchi touched her and she was cold. "Washu?" Tenchi asked fearfully *Please let her be okay*
Washu put a hand on Tenchi's shoulder "she's okay. Just out cold. Lets take her back to the house" Tenchi let a sigh of relief out and leaned down to pick her up. Once she was in his arms they started the walk up to the house.
***
They entered the house and Tenchi hastily took his shoes off. He started going up the stairs to his room, Ryoko still cradled in his arms.
"Tenchi, where are you going?" Washu asked him as he continued up to his room.
"I'm going to my room" Tenchi mumbled as he disappeared from sight.
*He really does love her* Washu thought as she calmed down "Ok just don't wake her up" Washu called out to him. A second later they heard Tenchi slide the door open and then promptly close it.
"What's going to happen now Washu?" Sasami asked the scientist
"I don't know…" Washu said as she looked down at the princess "I really don't know"
***
Sasami sighed as she stretched out on her futon and placed the covers over her neatly, her arms folded over her stomach below them. Once she was properly 'tucked in' she closed her eyes.
//Tsunami? \\ Sasami whispered though her mind, waiting for the goddess to respond. At the edge of her mind she felt a little tingle. She smiled. That was Tsunami. The more she approached the age when they would finally merge the more she became a part of her. Right now she was always with her but only at a semi-subconscious level.
//Yes Sasami? \\ Tsunami responded, her voice holding a certain mystique, every time Sasami heard it she felt at ease.
//What's going to happen now? \\ She asked as a frown took shape on her face.
Tsunami smiled //You will know when the time is right Sasami \\
//But why can't I know now? \\ Sasami asked as tears formed behind her closed eyelids //I'm afraid Tsunami… I don't know what will happen \\
//Don't worry Sasami \\ Tsunami assured the little girl //All the knots will untangle as a little more time progresses \\
//But what about Ayeka? And Ryoko? I'm afraid of what she will do if Tenchi doesn't acts soon. She almost went into that cave again \\
//Sasami I promise you everything will be all right. Everyone will be closer after this specially Ayeka, Tenchi and Ryoko \\
Sasami nodded.
//Now get to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be hyper. \\
Sasami's eyes shot open //Hyper? Why? \\ Tsunami didn't answer. Sasami sighed *I hate it when she does that*
***
Back at Jurai, in the far reaches of the planet Tsunami paced around her chamber. *Sorry I couldn't tell you anything else Sasami. But you'll find out soon enough. I promise* Her thought completed she turned to the small girl with long hair that was standing behind her.
"Drop that disguise already!" Tsunami said exasperated to the girl.
She smiled sheepishly "Oh but I look cute like this!" After she finished saying that tough a red aura surrounded her body. She blinked out of sight for a second but she reappeared the next. Instead of the small girl with long, red flowing hair a lady stood in her place.
She was dressed in clothes only fit for a goddess. Her hair almost touched the floor, it almost seemed exaggerated, her spiky fangs yielding way to her overly spiky hair, but it only made her look the part even more. Her eyes were a fierce emerald-green that held knowledge that has long been lost and within them a hint of mischief could be seen making its way through to the surface.
I'm still breakingI miss you even more
Tsunami smiled. "Lady Washu. It's been at least a couple of thousand years since anybody laid eyes on you with your true shape"
Washu chuckled and waved a hand at her sister. " 'Lady Washu?' drop the formalities! You're my little sister after all!"
Tsunami chuckled very similarly to her sister "It's been long but you haven't changed a bit. I missed you. It hasn't been the same without you"
"Yeah it kinda is sad that I'm not one of the Chousin anymore" She said as she moved towards the other goddess and they wrapped their arms around each other. "But enough with all the mushy stuff. I came here to do something and we still gotta finish it"
Tsunami smiled. "Your right. And how can I pass up a chance like this?" She asked as her tone turned to a mischievous one.
"That's right, this is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Washu said as she gave a cackle "I can't wait to see their faces!"
Tsunami laughed along with her sister. "Let's get to it then" She declared before diving into the extensive explanation on how their plan was to be carried on.
***
Tenchi placed Ryoko on the bed and looked down on her. Her face was dirty. Her hair was a mess. Her clothes were coated with dirt. To him, she was adorable.
"Your beautiful, Ryoko" He said rubbing the back of his hand against her face.
She mumbled something and turned away from him and borrowed herself deeper into the sheets.
Tenchi slowly took his shirt off and put a clean one. He looked towards Ryoko again. She was frowning and tossing around in the bed. He immediately moved next to her. She tossed a bit more and he grabbed her hand to steady her. She was shaking. Finally after a while she stopped.
Tenchi sighed and looked at her face. He saw her open her eyes slowly. As soon as she saw him her eyes filled up with tears.
"Tenchi?" She asked uncertainly. *I'm still dreaming* She thought matter-of-factly.
"Yes Ryoko, I'm right here." He said gripping her hand tighter in emphasis.
As soon as he said that she jumped up from her resting place in the bed and brought him into a hug. Tenchi responded by wrapping his own arms around her and holding her even tighter than she was holding him.
After a while she whispered "Please Tenchi, don't leave me. I don't want to be alone." She said as she gripped him with every ounce of strength she had *I don't care if it's a dream, I don't care if he loves Ayeka, I don't want him to go away, I don't want to have to be the one to go away. I just want everything to be okay…*
"I'm not going anywhere Ryoko" Tenchi whispered into her ear. She was so close. She was so warm she was so… *Stop that!* His mind snapped at him *You didn't even tell her how you feel yet!*
She loosened her grip a little at how tenderly he spoke to her. "Okay" She said pulling back and smiling at him a little. She looked into his eyes. There was something there. *I'm definitely dreaming*
And I can't fake it
The way I could before
"Tenchi?" Ryoko asked in a small meek voice her head stubbornly pointed down her eyes shaded by her bangs.
"Yeah?" He asked uncertainly.
*Time to be brave, time to prove this is just a dream...* Suddenly her head shot up and she grabbed two handfuls of his shirt "Tenchi you know I love you…"
Tenchi felt his mouth go dry. He opened his mouth to respond but she shook her head.
"You don't need to Tenchi. I understand." Ryoko whispered as she released his shirt leaving wrinkles on it.
Tenchi wanted to die right there. What did she think now? *That you love Ayeka…* his mind responded tauntingly. "Ryoko…" He said putting a hand under her chin and forcing her to look into her eyes. He wanted to tell her so bad… but something held him back. Instead he told her "We'll talk about this tomorrow"
She sniffed and nodded. She started to get up but he stopped her. "Where are you going?"
"To my rafter" She responded slowly unsure of what he would do.
"Stay with me" Tenchi said starting to get her under the covers again.
Her eyes shot open and shined with a genuine sincerity. She nodded and got under the covers. He followed her and turned around to turn off the lights. He turned again towards Ryoko and he found himself staring info her glowing golden eyes.
Her eyes softened as she met his and viceversa. "Goodnight" She whispered.
She was so close to him he could almost feel her lips brushing against his. He moved just a little bit closer… "Goodnight" He whispered back. This time their lips did brush against the others in the lightest of touches, sending shivers down his spine.
Ryoko just lay there stunned. She blushed and pulled back. *It's just a dream. And if its not its not right, he's with Ayeka* She thought grimly. She turned around and gave her back to Tenchi. He took advantage of this and wrapped his arms around her. They soon fell asleep in each other's arms, not knowing how long this would last but happy to just savor the moment, for as long as it lasted.
***
Ayeka stirred in her futon. She opened her eyes slowly as they adjusted to the sunlight shining around the room. She turned to her right and found her sister's futon neatly made. She sat up slowly and sniffed the air. The smell of breakfast twirled through the air faintly, but delicious nonetheless.
She got up, and went through her usual morning routine, Bed, clothes, hair, and makeup. Once finished she slowly moved towards the door and emerged into the hallway.
As soon as she did she heard the sounds of Sasami making breakfast. She also heard a voice talking to her followed by her usual bubbly laugh and a miyah. Ayeka smiled. *Mihoshi's up. That's a little strange, but then again… she always wakes up as soon as Sasami starts breakfast*
Ayeka walked to the bathroom, and as she did she passed Tenchi's room. She stopped in front of his door. She reached for the handle. She was a bout to turn it when… *I have to talk to him, but now is not the time. I will ask him to take a walk after breakfast* She thought as she continued to the bathroom.
***
Ayeka walked into the kitchen. As soon as she stepped in though, she heard a plate smash against the floor followed by a much-too-common wailing.
"Its ok Mihoshi" Sasami consoled the weeping woman as she picked up the broken pieces of the plate
"I so sawreeee" Mihoshi kept on crying as Ayeka walked towards her.
Sasami just shook her head as she stood up and threw the pieces of the plate away.
"Its just a broken plate, Mihoshi" Ayeka told the weeping woman, her voice a little edgy. *I am NOT in the mood for this*
Attracted by all the commotion Washu walked into the room. She stretched her tiny arms as she gave a large yawn. "What did she break .:now:.?" Washu asked as she inspected the scene laid out beyond her.
"A plate" Ayeka sighed as she moved towards Sasami "Do you need help sister?"
"Yes could you put this and that on the table?" She asked pointing to two separate dishes. Before Ayeka could speak though Washu beat her to it.
"I'll do it" The little scientist said stepping forward.
Sasami smiled her thanks. "Ok then, Ayeka could you go get Tenchi?"
"Why yes…"
"NO!" Washu said running between Sasami and Ayeka.
"What's wrong little Washu?" Sasami asked
Washu laughed nervously "N-nothing. I'll go get Tenchi" She said as she put her hand behind her head Tenchi-style.
"Why? I can do it…" Ayeka asked the minute scientist.
Sasami finally catching on smiled at Ayeka. "Actually sister could you stay here and help me set the table while Washu gets Tenchi?"
"Sure Sasami" Ayeka answered a little disappointed.
Washu put her hands in a praying position and thanked Sasami silently behind Ayeka's back as she walked out the room towards the stairs. Once she was out of sight thought she looked towards the kitchen and seeing nobody looking she dashed into her lab.
***
Washu sighed as she rested her weight against the door. Then one of her patented mischievous smiles painted on her face. She walked to her floating cushion and sat down. A hololaptop appeared at her fingertips. She chuckled as she muttered, "I can't wait to see their faces" A second later a screen appeared with a view of Tenchi's room.
"This is going to be fun" Washu whispered as Tenchi stirred and started to get up.
***
Tenchi tried to get up without waking Ryoko up, but came out unsuccessful. As soon as he removed his arm from under her she started to open her eyes lazily. At first she looked disoriented so he smiled and said "Hey"
Ryoko looked at him and she understood. *So it wasn't a dream after all*. Tenchi blinked as he heard Ryoko's voice echoing through his head. He gave her a puzzled look to which she asked "What's wrong?"
"W-what did you say?" Tenchi stuttered
"I asked you 'What's wrong?'" Ryoko repeated frowning
"No, before that" Tenchi told Ryoko
"I didn't say anything" Ryoko told him as his frown deepened
"But I heard…" Tenchi trailed off as he thought *Am I going crazy?*
Ryoko gasped as she heard Tenchi's voice. "W-what did you say?"
"I didn't say anything"
"Yes you did, I just heard you"
They looked at each other as the meaning of the situation became clear. Tenchi just sat there gaping while Ryoko was obviously angry. A second later they both emerged into the hallway, raced down the stairs, and started pounding at Washu's door screaming at her to come out.
***
At all the commotion, Ayeka, Sasami, Mihoshi and Ryo-Ohki came out of the kitchen.
"What's wrong?" They asked as the door to Washu's lab shot open and she emerged tears running down her face, laughing and clutching her sides.
I hate you but I love you
I can't stop thinking of you
Everyone just looked between Washu and Ryoko and Tenchi as she exclaimed, "You two should have seen your faces!"
"Washu!" Ryoko said as she grabbed the little scientist and shook her trying to get some information out of her "What did you do?"
//Relax Ryoko\\ Washu said through her mind link at her daughter who just frowned and let go of her mother. However Tenchi gasped.
"W-wha…"
//Yes Tenchi, We're connected now\\ Washu told him as she smiled.
//B-but how?\\ He asked looking at Ryoko.
//How am I supposed to know? Ask her\\ She said shrugging and waving her hands towards Washu.
Tenchi looked at Washu questioningly and she started her story //Well you see…\\ She explained how she had gone to Tsunami asking for her to do this and what the process had been like.
//I hate you\\ Ryoko growled at her mother through her link. Then she carefully closed her end of the link with Tenchi and turned towards her mother again //But I love you! Thank you!\\ Washu and Ryoko shared a laugh. This wasn't usually like her but she had to admit that Washu did a pretty decent job.
It's true
I'm stuck on you
Ryoko opened her end of the link again to hear Tenchi whisper to her entally //I guess you're stuck to me now\\ She just blushed.
Sasami smiled she knew what was going on. Ayeka however, was looking back and forth between Washu, Tenchi and Ryoko begging for an explanation, since they were just standing there making gestures at each other but not talking. "What…" She finally choked out
Ryoko and Tenchi turned to Ayeka looked at each other and then Tenchi said "We're connected now"
Ayeka just stood there "What do you mean connected?"
"We have a link" Ryoko said slowly
"L-link?" Ayeka responded astounded "Like the one you have with Washu?"
They both nodded.
*I've lost him…* Ayeka looked down and muttered "I'm sorry Sasami I'm not hungry anymore, please excuse me" She pushed through them and went up the stairs.
***
Ayeka ran into her room and just stood there stunned. A second later she heard her door open. She turned around and saw Tenchi walk in and she started crying.
"Ayeka…"
"Get out!" Ayeka screamed at him through her tears *I don't want you to hurt me anymore*
"Ayeka please"
"I told you to get out Tenchi!" She said trying to get him to go out the door.
Tenchi, however, stood his ground "I'm not leaving until we talk this out" Tenchi said, his voice firm resolution.
"I don't want to talk" She said tuning away from him trying to hide her fear. Fear because she had no idea of what he would say *That he loves me? Keep dreaming. That he loves Ryoko? Probably.*
"Were going to talk. We have to sort this out. I don't want to hurt anyone anymore."
"You don't want to hurt anyone? Is that what you said? Or you don't want to hurt your precious Ryoko?"
Tenchi just stood there gaping at her.
"Yes Tenchi I noticed, I'm not blind" Ayeka growled as she shook slightly "You think I wouldn't have? Even before this whole deal started I could feel it. When I touched you. When I kissed you. It was as if you were always somewhere else. You weren't happy. It didn't take long for me to see what was really going on"
"Ayeka I…"
"No Tenchi I don't need you to explain anything"
He looked at her pleadingly, waiting for her to calm down so he could explain everything.
"Well actually, I do." He looked at her, ready for the one question to come "what did you do with Ryoko last night?"
Tenchi just stood there open mouthed looking at Ayeka.
"Yeah you heard me right. What did you do with her? Because I know she wasn't in her room this morning, she wasn't in her rafter, and when you two came down you both came from your room"
"Ayeka, we didn't do anything"
"Oh you didn't?" She snorted "You expect me to believe that tale? What do you think, that I was born yesterday?"
"I swear we didn't do anything!"
After a while Ayeka calmed down and looked at him. "You didn't?" she asked in a small voice, his answer giving her a newly renewed hope.
"No we didn't"
"Then how come you both came down from your room?" She asked frowning
"We slept together" Tears formed in Ayeka's eyes and started to fall silently "But we didn't do anything else"
"Y-you didn't?" Ayeka asked him again, unable to believe what she was hearing. *He slept with her but he didn't do anything? Maybe…*
"No"
"B-but you kissed her" Ayeka asked ready for him to answer 'Yes and I love her, not you, I hate you'
Instead he responded "No I didn't"
Tears filled her eyes again, but this time she wasn't happy, she felt relieved.
"Now" Tenchi said moving towards her and wiping her tears away "Can we talk?"
She nodded and waited for him to go on. He just stood there his arms wrapped around her. When she noticed that he wasn't going to say anything soon she decided to take it into her own hands.
"You love her don't you?" Ayeka asked sadly
He looked down at her and gave her a small smile. "Yes"
Ayeka started crying again and burrowed her face in his chest. "Why?" She asked her voice coming out small and muffled, full of hurt.
Tenchi sighed "I don't know" Why do I love Ryoko? He thought as he held Ayeka *She was always special to me, I always felt something special towards her, like we were meant for each other. She always *
"Then why did you choose me?"
Tenchi sighed again. He knew the answer to this question. He knew it a little too well. He pulled Ayeka back and looked at her as he talked. "I wanted security Ayeka. When I made my choice, I wasn't really sure what I wanted, I just wanted you two to stop fighting. I knew I loved you so I went with you. I didn't realized what I had until I lost it when Ryoko left. It was then I realized that my hear belonged to her."
Every now and then
When I'm all alone
"But you said you loved me" Ayeka said confused. "What did I do? Why don't you love me anymore Tenchi?"I'll be wishing you would call me on the telephone
Say you want me back
"Yes I do" Tenchi answered smiling "But Ayeka you have to understand, I love you both differently. I love you as my sister, my best friend. Ryoko on the other hand… Ryoko stole my heart away"
But you never do
I feel like such a fool
Ayeka felt her heart get torn in two at Tenchi's words. All this time she had given him her love and all she could get back was the love he would feel for a sister. She pulled away from him, tears leaving silver trails down her face. She was shattered no matter what he said.
"Ayeka…"
"Please Tenchi, I would like you to leave" She said turning away from him "I need to think about this"
Tenchi hung his head and remained silent. Maybe it was best this way. "All right" He turned around and started walking out of the room. He turned around at the door to see Ayeka sobbing silently and shaking. He felt so bad for hurting her but there was no way he would be able to not hurt her and tell her.
*I'm sorry Ayeka* He thought before he turned around and left the room.
Ayeka felt him leave and turned around. She gave a sob. When that door closed it was all over. He didn't love her. She couldn't make him love her.
"I love you with all my heart Tenchi. If it means that you'll be happy, I'm willing to give up my own happiness for your own." Ayeka whispered as she shed the last tear for her lost love "I love you"
There's nothin I can do
I'm such a fool...
For you
