i do not own tenchi muyo

sorry that it took so long but i got a whole bunch of scholarship essays i need to catch up on. anyway i hope you like this chapter and thankyou to all who reviewed:) PLZ REVIEW

-slim:)

chap. 5 : Revealed

------------------------------------------

"Dammit Tenchi! What the hell is wrong with you! Listen to me!"

Washu yelled bursting with emotion as she went all out to make Tenchi stop and listen. But there was no reason to stop; this topic was meaningless to him. They had been arguing for the last half hour. Washu brought up the matter of how Tenchi should talk with Ayeka, which of course launched this never-ending battle.

"I'm going to bed"

Tenchi calmly interjected, his tone of voice sounding even more detached as his eyes glazed over slightly.

"She will die!"

Washu's words seemed to echo in the dark air. Death, it was all too familiar. Tenchi was stuck, he couldn't understand what he just heard, and he didn't want to. So many thoughts fast forward through his mind.

"Tenchi"

The sound of his name cut through his heart as he realized everything had gone way out of control. His head revolved back to face her, their eyes meet, and for the first time in what seemed like forever Washu felt hope, hope for Ayeka.

"Ayeka. Ayeka is going to die; she will die if you do not help her"

A silence entered the room at the mention of her name. However the silence wasn't awkward or disturbing, but mournful, and filled with shame.

"Where is she?"

--------------------

In Washu's lab: Tenchi's POV

Washu had made it clear that before I go it would be prudent to go over any situations that included Ayeka over the month. I wasn't clear on why we were wasting time with this but if Washu thought it was important then it must be.

"I guess I'll go first"

Washu announced after she finished typing. Thank goodness I thought.Frankly I really didn't know what I would say. She cautiously sat in front of me; honestly I've never seen Washu this serious before.

"I noticed that Ayeka had been a little distant from us since Sasami left, of course this was to be expected."

Her eyes shifted a little, taking her gazingstare away from mine as she continued.

"Then, I got the news. It seems that on the way to the conference meeting Sasami got an urgent report pertaining to Tara's death. They were to be a funeral held for Tara's friends; Ayeka was not invited. She doesn't know that Tara's real funeral will be held at her home, Jurai. There Tara will be buried under a Royal Juraian Tree; as requested in her will. There only her immediate family will attend; this is pertaining to Ayeka, Funaho, Sasami and her parents, and also including someone close to Ayeka. I was foolish and didn't think anything of it. I told Ayeka that Tarra was dead and I can imagine that I made it sound like it wasn't a big deal, because honestly right then it wasn't to me. That's where I messed up, where we all messed up, because it wasn't about us, it was about her. And I wish she knew the truth."

"Truth?"

I questioned, not understanding what she meant. Having no idea all this went on.

"Yes, I forgot to tell you. Ayeka thinks that Sasami and Funaho lied about the conference, because they didn't want her to go, because of how close she and Tara were."

"But, that's not like Ayeka."

"But it's not just Ayeka. Tenchi, Ayeka has a spirit inside her."

"She possessed?!"

I yelled almost jumping out of my set.

"No! No, she's, well from what I could tell from looking at her and the readings I got from my analysis and Tsunami. It seems like the sprit tried to help Ayeka so it could get to its plane of existence; which is normal. However, Ayeka is no normal girl, normally a spirit would notice this type of energy, but it seems that her emotions some how overpowered the presence of her energy. So when the spirit gave her its essence, which is merely its strength, will, memories, and soul, it was corrupted by her power."

"Corrupted?"

Confused once more I needed an explanation to how the Juraian power could be corrupted.

"Yes. You know Ayeka is a Juraian, and they have a royal blood line that carries this Juraian power. Now, if a being does not have any of this blood, the power will drive it insane. Since the sprit is already corrupted by this power it will do anything to have it; even killing Ayeka."

"But if Ayeka dies the spirit disappears"

"Not all death requires your life force to be eliminated. When I said death just now, I meant that it will turn Ayeka, so that it can have and control her power. The only thing that's keeping it from having her power is that she is untainted, and the spirit is corrupted."

"So the spirit will turn her evil?!"

"Not just evil but insane, insanely evil. She will have no memory of us or Tara, all her negative energy will consume her and she will never again feel life's essence; destruction will be her only objective. Which means death will be her only salvation."

I couldn't believe the words that uttered out of Washu's mouth. How could she expect me to kill her? The room suddenly felt smaller, as my mind viewed the unknown future. If it did come down to it; could I kill her……. without hesitation??

"And Tenchi, if you fail, know this; I will not hesitate to kill her."

We broke eye contact at that statement, I was always willing to die for Ayeka, but the thought of being willing enough to kill her never even dared to cross my mind.

"Your turn"

Washu said breaking the silence with her depressed tone of voice. It was good that she did, because we couldn't afford to waste anymore time. However a part of me dreaded what I would have to share.

"Um, well I guess this was after you talked with her. I was talking with Ryoko,"

Suddenly the scene flooded back in my mind.

-------------------------------------------

I had been thinking about this for a while, and I finally convinced myself that I couldn't hold back anymore. The day started out like my mood and ended the same. It was beautiful, the sun was out and the weather seemed almost perfect. Then as I made my way to my destination which was later in the morning, the weather became bleak and foggy; I didn't think anything of it at the time.

"Ryoko"

I called out, I was just in time; she had been heading to the outside bath, which by the way still tripped me out every time I saw it in the air floating.

"Hey Tenchi, so you decided to come to bath with me, I knew you'd turn around."

I ignored her perverted humor, this was too important.

"Ryoko we need to talk"

I could tell she knew I was serious, so we found ourselves a bench. My hairs stood up as I slowly began talking; trying to keep my confidence level as high as possible.

"Ryoko, these years with all of y'all have been hectic, although very unique. However I wouldn't change a single day."

Come on Tenchi, pull yourself together, I thought as I took a deep breath.

"Ryoko what I'm trying to say, and I know I'm not saying this very well but... you see, I love,"

"You love Ayeka"

Astounded I just started at her. My heart skipped a beat as I saw her face. She was smiling as a teary shimmer glazed over her eyes. This was the Ryoko I knew, this is the Ryoko she let me know. There was no anger, disappointment, or even any evidence of jealousy that I could find. All I saw was understanding, uncertainty, and love. I loved Ryoko; I would die for her, as I would for all these girls who came into my life. But Ryoko was not,

"Ayeka, she's a lucky girl"

Her crackling voice cut through my thoughts

"Ryoko"

"No, I know Tenchi. I'm not her, I don't have you heart like she does. Do I"

She was right, but she did have a place.

"Ryoko I love you, and

"But not like you love her, right."

She laughed a little as her eyes filled to the brim.

"That princess better be good to you"

She was trying so hard not to cry, but she knew I wouldn't mind. She knew me.

"Hey, Tenchi don't get all teary on me now"

She was right I could fill the tears brimming in my eyes too

"Tenchi?"

She called my name tenderly as the sunshine danced gracefully on her cheeks, and I thought of Ayeka.

"Could I, could you kiss me. You know for old tim-"

I kissed her before she even finished. If was kind of funny, the whole time I kissed her I was thinking of the time I kissed Ayeka. We were at that old tree and she tripped. God, I still remember her lips on mine, so soft, almost like a cloud. Suddenly all my senses concentrated on a gasp, but it wasn't from Ryoko. Breaking the kiss I turned around slowly to find her frozen in place. Our eyes connected and I could see all the emotions flow through her, Ayeka, she didn't know! I had to say something I had to make her understand!

"Ayeka!"

I yelled out, but by the time my mouth opened to form her name she was gone. Running with all her strength, she was heading for the woods and I prayed that she'd look back, even once so that I could see her, so she could see me; she didn't look back.

----------------------------

"After that day I found out about her friend. I saw her face and I couldn't move. I couldn't comfort her. I couldn't tell her."

"Why?"

"Because, when I looked at her pain, I saw mine. I knew what Tara must have meant to her, because that's what my mother meant to me; and she still means just as much nowadays. I know what I could have done but,"

"You can't save someone if you're the one who needs saving."

"Yea, I guess that's the truth. I couldn't imagine how I could help her if I,"

"You never got over your mother's death, did you?"

This is enough of kum-bi-ya shit for today, it think it's time for me to make my exit.

"Where is Ayeka?"

"Tenchi if you can't admit it then your no help to her"

Hell, then maybe I'm not. This is bullshit, I leaving.

"Tenchi."

Fuck off, I thought ignoring Washu as I stood and started to walk away.

"Tenchi!"

Fuck this….

"Tenchi!!"

"NO!!! I DIDN'T GET OVER HER, OK! SO FUCKING DROP IT!"

Heaving, I stood there in silence as I slowly felt like something was different.

"Feel better?"

I was so pissed off wanted to laugh, but the truth was

"Yeah, yeah I do"

------------

Out of POV

"Okay let's see, it looks like we pretty much know what she knows now. She thinks we lied about the conference meeting and Tara; she fells betrayed by you, probably because you didn't tell her. She also probably feels like we don't care, and that she doesn't have a place with us anymore. Honestly, she'll probably fight to defend those false facts. Tenchi, you do know that if you fail you'll,"

"I know"

------------------------

The weight of the duffle bag caught Ayeka's attention; she would rest now. Gazing on her surroundings she didn't quite now where she was. It was around ten o'clock and the dark empty night related with her emotions, or lack there of. The cold hard paved ground was accompanied with a gated garden area. Along the gates were a couple of wooden benches and the fountain in the middle completed the serene setting. Like a striking beauty the fountain lured Ayeka's attention. As her eyes indulged in the puzzling beauty that was this fountain; Ayeka felt a familiar sensation, with the absence of the pain.

----------------

The bothersome window was the only thing that separated the young girl from her salvation; from herself. With a melancholy sigh the young women determined her fate. She was to die here, alone. Gazing into the eyes of her only comfort the girl turned away from her reflection. The rain always soothed her; it washed away everything, and only left her, in her purest form. The rain was her closet and her most precious friend. She could not just turn her back on it. Not like they did to her. The perpetual rain banged harder on the window that separated it from its purpose.

"I am lost, you can not help me. I lost the only person I ever truly loved. I lost….. myself. Can you honestly bring her back to me??"

She laughed at herself a little, what was she doing? The rain would not answer her question, and therefore could heal her no longer. Curling up the young girl placed her tear stained chin on her knees.

"I'm so cold, why am I so cold?"

Glancing at the heater, the girl slightly shook her head as she noticed that it was fairly high. Soft whispers from the rain seemed to pound in her ear. Slowly rocking herself she found that she was, dying.

"Death isn't so bad, is it?"

Questioning herself the young girl already knew the answer to her concerns.

"I'm so stupid, if real death is like this then maybe I'll welcome it, however I am not willing to die for a second time."

The young girl announced rising to her feet with a new found inspiration. Fixing her eyes outside at her salvation, the young girl lost her deliverance as quickly as it came. Dripping from head to toe standing in the rain was none other than a very familiar young man.

---------------------------------------------------------------

did you like the chapter?? anyway i tried to make ryoko show her less seen side in this chapter because i really like both ryoko and ayeka. and plus in a lot of ayeka fics they rarley show how caring and understanding ryoko can actually be underneath all the cussing and killing(lol). so PLZ REVIEW for encouragement because i write more when there are people wanting to read it. hope you liked this chapter:)

-slim;)