05-03-05

For my reviewer/s:

Washuladora: Here's the next chapter and I hope your enjoying it!

.:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:.

Disclaimer: I don't own this anime (Tenchi Muyo) or any of its characters.

Title: Fragile Heart

Chapter 5: Truth

.:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:.

Two weeks later,

Ryoko walked in the lab with a blanket. She walked next to Tenchi who was sleeping beside Ayeka's bed. She placed the blanket on Tenchi. After that, she watched the Princess sleep – You got to wake up. Tenchi needs you. – Unfortunately, the blanket fell down. As it fell, Tenchi woke up from his slumber. He gently massaged the back of his neck.

"Ryoko, you didn't sleep here, didn't you?" Tenchi noticed the blanket that fell from his back.

"Who me? Of course not, why would I sleep here? It's not like I'm concerned about that Prissy-princess."

"Are you?" They both heard Ayeka as she sat up on the bed.

"Ayeka, how are you feeling?" Tenchi asked thoroughly.

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

Meanwhile, at the Dinning Room

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

People in there were waiting for breakfast. The usual routine was being adjourned. For example, Lord Katsuhito drank his tea; Kiyone and Mihoshi were talking as usual; Sasami was cooking at the kitchen; Mr. Nobuyuki was reading the newspaper; Washu was typing on her laptop. After a couple of minutes, Sasami walked in with a tray of delicious food. Kiyone and Mihoshi helped her arrange the table. Washu, on the other hand, noticed a beeping sound.

"Little Washu, do you mind its getting a little louder." Mr. Nobuyuki said.

"Little Washu, what's happening?" Sasami asked.

Washu looked at her with a smile on her face.

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

Meanwhile, at Washu's Lab

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

Ayeka was trying to rise up from the bed. But Tenchi was stopping her. "Ayeka, you should stay at bed. Don't push yourself please..."

"Tenchi, I'm fine. Don't worry about me, okay?" Ayeka gave him a reassuring smile.

"Tenchi let her. If she falls don't help her." Ryoko said.

"But Ryoko..."

By the time Ayeka set her feet on the ground. It was nearly two seconds away before she fell. Then, Washu came running in her lab. Seconds later, Sasami came in.

"Washu, you left your food on the tab-ble." Sasami was struck to see Ayeka awake, out of bed and she was looking at her. "Ayeka, you're already awake." She suddenly hugged her elder sister.

"Um... Sasami, c-c-can't... br-breath." Ayeka managed to spat out from her little sister's hug.

"Oops sorry, do you want to eat? I'll prepare you something." With that she ran back to the kitchen.

Ayeka watched her sister run back to the kitchen. She waited until she was gone. At this point, only four people were left inside the lab. "Little Washu, do you mind, could you tell me the truth about my condition."

Washu looked down. Then, to Tenchi and Ryoko, she sighed. "Princess, I'm sorry about this. Your heart couldn't take it anymore."

"What do YOU mean, MOM?"

Washu sighed again, it was a long sigh. "I hate to say this but your heart is starting to get weaker." Washu tried to stop the tears. But she couldn't she continued to sob.

"Wait, are you telling us that Ayeka is dying!" Tenchi couldn't believe the fact. He just laughed as if it was a terrible joke.

"Washu, that's a good!" Ryoko laughed as well, in thought that they were playing at the both of them.

But Washu was dead serious. As they realized this, silence walked in.

"Washu, for how long shall I live?" Ayeka asked.

"Ayeka, don't say that. I'm sure you'll live." Tenchi held her close, very close. He didn't want to let her go, not now, not ever.

Washu sighed. Can she destroy this perfect moment? Two lovers torn apart... because of death. But they've faced death for several times before. Washu looked at Ayeka, seriously. "Princess, the answer to your question would be... four years. That's the minimum time that I know, for now."

- Four years – rang inside their thoughts.

Before they could ask any further, Sasami walked in. "Are you guys alright? You look like you've been crying."

"Of course not, come on I'm starving." Ayeka led her sister to the dinning room. Right behind them were Washu, Ryoko and Tenchi. Ayeka watched her sister prepare the table. She could feel her tears rising up.

Sasami suddenly snapped her fingers. "Ayeka, the food is here. What's wrong with you? You've been preoccupied lately."

"I'm fine." Ayeka looked at her again.

"Right... you've been looking at me for quite a while and YOU haven't touched your food."

"Sorry, I was just memorizing her face." Ayeka smiled, sincerely.

Sasami could hear someone was sniffling and crying. As she looked, it was Washu and Ryoko. Sasami cocked an eyebrow at their dramatic actions.

"Sorry about that, there was something on my eye that I couldn't get." Washu continued to sob back at her lab. While, Ryoko teleported back at her rafter.

"I'm sorry; I think I caught a cold or something." Tenchi ran to the door.

"THAT was TOTALLY weird." Sasami said as she turned back to face her sister.

.:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:. xXx .:.

TBC...

Thank you for giving some time for reading this fic and PLEASE don't forget to make a REVIEW.

... CS-AYEKA