Disclaimer can be found in Parts 1 and 2.

Author's note: Hey everyone :-) I'm sorry that this chapter took a little longer to come out...I was working on a new story for Naruto, and doing this one too :-) I have published the first chapter of the other story though, so now I can finally publish this one...I hope that you all enjoy this chapter...it has humbled me, and given me great joy to recieve the support that I have for this story...so I dedicate this chapter to every one of you...thanks for reading :-)

Author's Note 2: And as always, a special thank you to the following reviewers :-)

JL-neverdied

tenchigurl

LitoKyomi

Athina Dark-Angel of Death

Nercia Genisis

Ayeka's Heart

Tuppence

Lil'Mershu-chan

The little joobana

AnimeManiac09

DarthRoden

ni9htdreame12

Speech - ""

Thoughts - Italics

Kagato Virus Thoughts - (Bold Italics)

Memories Past

Part 7:

As KV watched Ryoko approach him, murder in her eyes, he held out his hand and recalled his sword to himself.

The sword levitated off of the floor, where it had landed after it was ripped from his grasp, and shot back across the room, to be caught in his hand just in time to stop Ryoko's energy blade from slicing him in two.

As the two weapons came together, Tenchi had to shield his eyes from the bright glare that emitted from them, as sparks crackled and sparked around the two combatants.

It was a fierce battle of wills to see who would back off first.

Ryoko, a fierce expression on her face, pushed against KV, trying to force him back. The amount of energy Ryoko was putting into the effort was evident, as the virus took a step back, and then another.

Ryoko pushed hard against KV until his back was against the wall, and he stood next to Tenchi.

Seeing that he was more in the way than helping right now, Tenchi pulled his tired body slowly away from the fight, and into a corner of the room.

Ryoko was grunting with the effort it took to keep the Kagato look-alike virus up against the wall.

It's a lot stronger that it looks...even with all the power I'm forcing on it, it's still holding its own.

(Where did she get all of this power?...How could she be able to force me to use up my extra energy?...This is simply not possible...I cannot allow this to happen...I must end this battle quickly.)

The Kagato Virus gathered power within itself, and unleashed it on Ryoko through its sword. The sword flared to life, with a bright, red glow, and the extra surge of power pushed Ryoko back. She stumbled backwards, almost tripping, but quickly caught her balance, and stood watching the virus, waiting for its next move.

Damn, Ryoko silently swore to herself. Where is it getting all of this power from?...I thought for sure that I had weakened it...I don't know where it could be getting all of this extra energy from...Kagato must have made his virus even more powerful that I first thought...Tenchi almost got trampled by it awhile ag…Hey!...wait a minute!...Where is Tenchi anyway?.!...I saw him move away from the fight, but I didn't see where he…Ahh!...there he is!

Tenchi was standing unsteadily on his feet, using the wall as a brace to keep himself up. Most of the pain had disappeared and only a faint buzzing feeling remained in his head, but even that was clearing up.

Must have been a temporary shock...the pain is finally wearing off...but it looks like that thing is getting stronger...I have to help Ryoko somehow...I can't let her fight it alone...I have to think of a way to destroy it...but...oh no...it looks like...impossible!...is it getting bigger?.!

The Kagato Virus had indeed begun to build up its power. A sickly, green light had surrounded it, and as both Tenchi and Ryoko watched in repulsed horror, the virus's arms began to bulge, and its chest and legs began to swell with muscles. The new muscles rippled along its body, straining against its clothes, and turning what was before a normal-sized body, into a beefed up, Arnold Schwarzenegger look-alike, type of body.

Ryoko's jaw dropped at the sight, and her blade dropped slightly as she stared in open astonishment at the monstrosity that had appeared before her.

Ryoko risked a quick glance in Tenchi's direction, and saw the same look of shock and revulsion that was on her face, mirrored on his face.

Oh boy, Ryoko thought, her eyes turning back to the now pumped up virus. If we weren't in trouble before, we sure are now.

"I am now the Ultimate Virus!...Stand before me and tremble in fear of my awesome power!...I am all-powerful!...I am unstoppable!...and you my dear Ryoko, have finally met your match!"

The Ultimate Virus then threw back its head, and laughed loudly, until it became an insane cackle, that sent shivers up and down Ryoko's spine.

Man…What kind off sick, twisted virus did Kagato infect me with anyway?...This thing is loonier than those cartoons Mihoshi likes to watch on Saturday mornings...well…I'm not going to sit here and wait for that thing to attack me...I'm going to do it first!

Yelling her trademark battle cry, Ryoko ran towards the still laughing virus, intending to destroy it while it was distracted.

However her plan did not work out, as the Ultimate Virus suddenly stopped laughing, snapped its head forward, and pinned Ryoko with a glare that stopped her cold.

She could feel her feet leave the floor, and when she looked down, she was dangling about two feet off of the ground.

Looking back up in shock, Ryoko had just enough time to catch the smug, self-satisfied look on the virus's face, before she felt herself go flying through the air, straight towards the wall, and right into Tenchi!

Tenchi had watched with a sick feeling of despair as the virus had changed and morphed into what was now the Ultimate Virus.

He had watched as Ryoko charged the pumped up virus, only to be stopped by a single look.

He now watched in horror as Ryoko's body, traveled full speed towards him.

Looking around himself quickly, Tenchi realized, with a sinking heart, that he was trapped. He was wedged into the corner, the only way out being the path that Ryoko's body was currently traveling on.

Tenchi closed his eyes and waited for the impact...but after a few seconds of waiting, and nothing happening, he cracked open his eyes and looked right into the slightly smirking face of Ryoko.

She floated nose to nose with him, and there was a merry twinkle in her eyes despite the situation they were in.

Then her eyes softened and Tenchi watched breathlessly as her eyes closed and her face moved closer to his...her lips coming within centimeters of his.

Then her lips were on his in a sweet, and gentle kiss that threatened to make his heart explode.

When they finally pulled apart, Ryoko was smiling the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

He was sure that he was wearing a silly grin on his face.

He opened his mouth to say something, but he felt something warm and soft cover his lips.

Ryoko had placed her finger on his mouth, halting whatever he was going to say.

She was still smiling, but her smile now held a tinge of sadness.

Then slowly removing her finger, glancing over her shoulder at the virus, that looked like it was impatiently waiting to play with a favorite toy, Ryoko looked back at Tenchi, and said in a soft voice, "Tenchi…Do you know how long I've waited to kiss you?...Through the constant bickering and fighting with Ayeka, I've waited for the one time, the one moment to have you as my own...after all that time of waiting and hoping, it finally takes us being trapped in my mind, about to be killed by an insane virus, created and implanted in my head by an even crazier man, before we finally confess that we love each other...boy Tenchi…our timing sucks."

"Ryoko…we're not going to get killed here...I won't allow it...we'll find a way out of this...I promise." Tenchi brushed his hand along Ryoko's cheek, and trailed it down her face, until he reached her lips, where he ran his fingers gently across them.

Ryoko leaned into the contact, drawing strength from him, but then she looked up and said, "Then let us unite Tenchi...lend me your strength and your power...let us be one...mind, body, and soul...together as one."

"How Ryoko?...Tell me how and I'll do it...anything you ask for, I'll give you...just show me how to do it."

"Close your eyes and imagine a river...one that rushes and flows with speed and strength...imagine that river getting stronger and stronger...that is your power Tenchi...that river is the power you have flowing through your veins...through your blood...it is what makes you such a kind and caring person...it is what makes you fight for those who can't fight for themselves...it is your greatest strength...it is your power...now imagine it flowing out of you and into me...imagine it entering and filling me...see it join with my own river...my strength...then see how they combine and grow...feel how they fill you with power, and energy...feel how it now fills your entire being...how it courses through your veins...do you feel it Tenchi?...Open your eyes now...and see what our power has created."

Tenchi slowly opened his eyes, and gasped out loud in shock at what he saw.

For there in the air, right in front of where he and Ryoko stood, were three Lighthawk Wings.

They shimmered, and glowed with a radiant, white light.

He could feel their power pulsing through him...calling out to him.

He raised his arm, and reached out to touch one...he hesitated briefly, then closed the distance between his fingers and the wing.

When his fingers brushed against it, a surge of power went through him, and a bright, white light filled his vision, temporarily blinding him.

When his vision cleared, and he could see again, he uttered another shocked gasp...for he now held in his hand a long, sharp sword.

The hilt was made out of shimmering gold. Designs ran across and down the areas he gripped. There was an image of a dragon breathing fire, and another of a man and a woman, both carrying swords, facing the dragon in battle.

The blade shone, and glinted with a faint, white glow. Energy hummed softly through the sword and into Tenchi's body.

He turned his head, speechless, towards Ryoko.

She merely smiled, reached out her hand, and wrapped it around Tenchi's own, on the swords hilt.

Then the smile fell from her face, and her expression hardened as she turned her face back towards their enemy.

Tenchi quickly turned his face back to the virus...he had completely forgotten about it!...but why hadn't it attacked while he and Ryoko had been occupied?

The Ultimate Virus, almost as if he had heard his thought, answered Tenchi's question.

"Good, good...this is very good...now I have a challenge...before I was worried that I would kill you both too soon...but now...yes, yes...this will do nicely...this will do nicely indeed."

The Ultimate Virus then flexed its muscles, lowered its sword, until it was pointed straight out before its body, allowed a smirk to cross its face, and then charged at Ryoko and Tenchi.

Tenchi looked at Ryoko with panic in his eyes...but Ryoko's eyes were on the virus, and not on him.

Tenchi moved a little to the left, intending to get them out of the way of the deadly virus, but he felt Ryoko pull him back.

When he looked at her again, she was looking back at him, with a confident smile on her face.

Her eyes seemed to say, Trust me.

So that's just what he did...he let go of his fear, and panic, and just trusted that she knew what she was doing.

Tenchi turned his head back towards the virus, which was now halfway across the room.

However, as the virus continued to get closer, Tenchi began to worry.

Why haven't we attacked it yet?...What are we waiting for?...We need to do something NOW before we get killed...but I promised that I would trust her...I have to believe that she knows what she is doing...I just have to believe…

Tenchi continued to watch as the Ultimate Virus got closer to them.

Twenty feet…

Fifteen feet…

Ten…

Ryoko!...We need to do something NOW! Tenchi screamed in his mind.

NOW! Ryoko's voice screamed in his mind.

Then suddenly Tenchi knew what to do.

He could see it clearly in his mind what Ryoko had planned.

Suddenly he and Ryoko were moving forward...side by side...in total sync with each other's movement.

The sword that they held flashed red for a second with the power that they were feeding it, and then it began to glow a bright, blinding white.

They continued to move forward, their sword held in the same position as the virus...pointing straight up and away from their bodies, and towards their opponent.

When they were mere feet apart from each other, he and Ryoko split apart...Tenchi going one way...Ryoko, holding the sword...the other.

The virus, distracted by the two of them suddenly moving apart, realized too late which direction the sword went.

The Ultimate Virus realized its mistake when it felt something tearing into its stomach.

It looked down...and saw only the top half of its body...and as its top half began to fall to the floor, the Ultimate Virus had time for one last thought.

(I will not be destroyed before I complete the task that I was created for...if I am to be destroyed, then I shall take her with me...I will release the last of my energy and destroy her mind, and the mind of that boy too, since he is connected to her...so in the end I have won...I am victorious!...I AM THE ULTIMATE VIR…)

Then its body hit the floor, and the virus once known as the Ultimate Virus, ceased to exist.

Tenchi and Ryoko stood behind its dissected body, breathing hard, wondering if they had really managed to destroy it.

When the virus remained where it had fallen, and made no move to get back up...then...and only then...did Ryoko lower the sword.

She and Tenchi turned to each other, and they both cried out in relief.

"Whoohoo! We did it! We got it Ryoko! We destroyed the virus!"

Tenchi then ran towards Ryoko, scooped her up into his arms, and swung her around in a circle.

Ryoko had seen Tenchi run towards her, and had enough time to drop the sword, before she was caught up in Tenchi's arms.

She now laughed, and flung her arms around his neck, and hugged him tight, never wanting to let go.

"Yes Tenchi we did it...you came, like I knew you would, and we won...because of you Tenchi...I'm still alive...you saved my life Tenchi...and I love you for it."

Tenchi stopped spinning Ryoko, and just watched her mouth as she talked, wanting nothing more than to kiss it.

I can...Tenchi realized with a start. I can finally express what I feel for her...after all of this time...I can just...kiss her…

So Tenchi gently put Ryoko down on the floor, and looked deep into her eyes.

Ryoko looked back up at him, smiled when she saw the look in his eyes, closed her own and leaned forward to kiss him.

Tenchi closed his eyes also, and moved his head forward to meet Ryoko's lips.

However, just as their lips were about to meet, a loud buzzing sound filled the room.

Ryoko's eyes snapped open, and she quickly turned in Tenchi's arms to look at the body of the virus. The top half was glowing a dark, red color, and vibrating.

The buzzing sound came from the violent shudders that shook it.

Ryoko turned back to Tenchi, who had looked over her shoulder, and also seen the shaking body.

They now looked into each other's eyes, which reflected the panic that they were both feeling.

Swallowing hard to moisten her now dry throat, Ryoko spoke up. "I'm not sure what's happening Tenchi, but I have a feeling that it's nothing good."

"I know," Tenchi whispered back, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Ryoko...I want you to know...that no matter what happens...I love you...I will always love you...nothing will separate us...not even death."

"Oh Tenchi...I love you so much...and I promise…that no matter what…I'll find a way back to you...I promise."

"I promise the same thing to you Ryoko...I'll be with you forever...until the end of time."

"Until the end of time," Ryoko repeated, as she lay her head down on Tenchi's chest.

Tenchi wrapped his arms around her, and held her tightly against himself ...and that is how they stood, as the room that they were in began to vibrate...and that is how they remained as Ryoko's mind's recreation of the Souja, began to tear itself apart...leaving big, gaping holes that opened up into empty space.

Then as the walls opened up around them, and the very ground that they stood on threatened to rip apart, Tenchi and Ryoko's lips met in a final, desperate kiss...one that expressed all of the love and care that they felt for each other.

Then Tenchi felt himself being yanked away from Ryoko.

He looked up, and saw Ryoko's body being pulled in the opposite direction by an invisible force.

Tenchi reached out his hand in a vain attempt to grasp her hand...but he couldn't reach her...

He looked up, met Ryoko's eyes, and called out to her in his mind...until the end of time…

He saw Ryoko nod, and whisper the words back to him, before the world around him went black, and Tenchi Masaki knew no more...

To be concluded…

A/N: I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter :-) I'll see you in the next one...until then...ja ne :-)