No Regrets
Chapter 10
More to come!
Enjoy! :)
Flinching Ryoko took a deep breath opening her eyes, sitting up trying to catch her breath. Resting a hand on her chest gulping hard, tears clouded her eyes. Closing her eyes shaking her head softly. Lifting her arms as she covered her face taking a deep breath, gulping hard lowering her hands a little looking over her fingers. The room was still dark, the air felt cold. Glancing beside her to Hige as he laid on his side still asleep. Sighing deeply running a hand through her hair suddenly disappearing. Closing the bathroom door behind her flicking the light switch making her way to the sink turning the cold water on lowering her hands. Letting the cold water fill over as she leaned down splashing her face. Letting her fingers turn the water off resting her hands on the sides of the sink closing her eyes as the water dripped off her nose. Hating these dreams, at least this one wasn't as bad as most of them were. Always having a hard time going back to sleep afterwards, slowly lifting her head glancing to her reflection in the mirror. Taking a deep breath leaning back a little starring at the mirror. Letting her amber eyes look over herself, taking a deep breath straightening up a little. Wishing things would go back to some sort of normalcy, but guessing that's what made life interesting, right?. Not even knowing what time it was, Ryoko turned flicking the light teleporting into the kitchen. Pausing as she looked to the time, it was just 3:05 in the morning. Sighing deeply glancing around Higes kitchen for a moment, deciding to make some coffee.
Rolling over to his side, extending an arm, Hige paused as he slowly opened his eyes. Leaning up on his elbow slowly looking around the bedroom for a moment, seeing the bathroom light was off. Sitting up rubbing the back of his neck standing up as he teleported out of the bedroom. Coming up through the open kitchen walkway pausing for a moment. Ryoko stood leaning up against the counter holding her coffee cup with both hands. Taking a sip, Hige slowly came into view as she lifted her gaze looking to her.
"Hey love" he spoke. Taking another sip of her coffee watching him as he came up close beside her.
"What you doing up…?" Hige asked, glancing to the time off the stove than back to her as she set her cup down shrugging. Watching her for a moment as she wrapped her arms around herself as she looked back to Hige.
"What are you doing up?" Ryoko replied.
"Hmm, don't know..." Hige as spoke as the two of them starred at each other for a moment. Leaning up from the counter leaning to her he kissed her forehead softly.
"How'd you sleep?" Hige asked lowering his gaze looking to her as she looked to him.
"Alright I guess… you?" she asked, wondering if mentioning the dream would do any good? There was nothing he could do… there was nothing no one could do. Even the medicine Washu gave her didn't stop all of the dreams. They would still come no matter what happened. These were the nightmares she had dealt with for years, they would never go away she felt.
"What are you thinking in the head of yours?" Hige asked letting his hands rest at her waist.
"Nothing… just… wish everything would go back to normal for a change… I'm sick of being sick all the time, the dreams…" Ryoko trailed off reaching for her cup.
"You've gotten through it this long, you're a strong woman sweetie" Hige spoke. Shrugging Ryoko took a long sip of her coffee.
"I'm sure things will smooth out hun, give it time" Hige spoke up.
Pulling the dark gray v neck t shirt over her head Ryoko fidgeted with the shirt around her waist coming out of the bathroom looking around the bedroom for a moment. The bed still laid un-maid, the TV on, Rain laid on her stomach sprawled out on the bed watching cartoons while holding her tablet in her hand. Snickering Ryoko shook her head turning the bathroom light off looking to bedroom door as Lainey came running in jumping on the bed.
"I found butterbean!" Lainey yelled shoving it in Rains face.
"Yay!" Rain screamed grabbing her pony smiling. Rushing past the TV glancing to them for a moment heading to the door.
"Ryok...o" Rain spoke up. Turning her head Ryoko looked over her shoulder to Rain.
"Are you still coming with us?!" she asked smiling widely.
"Sure am kiddo" Ryoko spoke wrapping her arms around herself.
"I'm glad, nanna and papa will be glad to see you" Lainey chimed in looking to Ryoko. Smiling, though gulping softly Ryoko turned making her way out of the room taking a deep breath as her stomach swirled in knots. Still not feeling up to par, feeling tired, this headache didn't seem to want to go away. Her stomach feeling like knots, mixed with nausea didn't seem to sit well. Making her way downstairs wondering if Hige was done in the kitchen making his bbq wings. Taking a deep breath exhaling slowly hoping and praying things went well tonight.
"Hey..." Ryoko spoke coming up thru the kitchen walkway looking to Hige as he stood at the stove.
"Hey Love… I'll be done in just a second than we can go" Hige spoke looking back to her. Nodding her head softly coming up to the island counter sitting resting her arms on the countertop. Glancing to her Hige paused for a moment turning around leaning his arms down meeting her gaze.
"Stop worrying… my parents are cool, I'm telling you. You had no problem meeting my sister, hell even the kids love you already and can't stop talking about you when they're at home" Hige spoke snickering.
"I know… I'm just not a people person" Ryoko spoke looking over his gaze.
"Well, these people are going to love you no matter what, trust me. I will warn you, my mom is a hugger " Snickering shaking her head Ryoko sighed deeply rubbing the back of her neck.
Closing the car door behind her Ryoko looked to the twins as they bolted from the back seat up the tiled walkway to the front door. Quint crawled out the backseat with his hand held in his hands closing the door glancing to Ryoko for a moment.
"Hope your hungry…. My nana likes to make a lot of food even if it's just 1 person" Quint spoke looking to his tablet than started making his way to the front door. Nicolia stood in the doorway hugging Rain and Lainey as they darted into the living room. Turning slowly Ryoko looked to the house in front of them, pausing. The house was huge… 2 story beautiful, magazine look to it. Beautiful flowers and bushes laid along the deck that wrapped around the entire house. The garage was attached off to the side with Nicolias car parked in front of Higes. Hige came up beside her holding his pan of BBQ wings and holding the homemade chicken salad Ryoko made.
"Come on love...anything that may make you feel uncomfortable, or you start to feel bad for some reason do not, please do not hesitate to tell me, ok?" Hige spoke looking to her as the two of them started making their way up the walkway to the front door.
"Hey, you two" Nicolia spoke reaching for the pan of BBQ wings, reaching for Hige as she hugged him.
"What's shaking sis?" Hige asked leaning back as she smiled, looking to Ryoko.
"Glad you came, good to have another woman to hang around with other than my mother" Nicolia spoke rolling her eyes as she leaned to Ryoko hugging her. Snickering Ryoko hugged her back as the three of them walked in. Looking around the living room. The living room was huge, lively, decorated with so many gorgeous things. Looking to the open kitchen as Nicolia made her way to the kitchen looking to an older man as he came up beside her smiling for a moment. He was built for his age, almost gray hair mixed with black. Reminded her of Yosho in a way.
"This is my dad, Shinto" Hige spoke as the man turned looking to the two of them.
"Hige, my boy" Shinto spoke coming up to him.
"Hey old man…" Hige spoke reaching a handout as they shook hands, then hugged each other.
"..this is Ryoko" Hige spoke turning looking to her.
"Nice to finally meet you Miss Ryoko…" Shinto spoke meeting her gaze smiling. His dark brown eyes were filled with so much life, his hair short hanging around his ears, tanned skin.
"Thank you for inviting me."
"Not a problem, welcome to our humble abode…. Make yourself at home my dear" Shinto spoke smiling. Gulping slightly, smiling softly back to him letting it go. Lifting an arm Hige rested his hand on the small of her back as they followed Shinto into the kitchen.
"I know three little munchkins who have some new pools toys to play with!" A female voice spoke up from off of the side of the kitchen standing in the back doorway with the door wide open. Hearing laughter from outside Rain and Lainey couldn't wait to get into the pool. Letting the door close turning she paused looking to Hige than Ryoko.
"There you two are!" she spoke, almost yelling. Hige snickered glancing to Ryoko.
"Don't scare her off dear" Shinto spoke making his way to the fridge putting the chicken salad up.
"I'm not scaring anyone Shinto, be quiet!. I'm Magi, I am so glad to meet you" she spoke coming across the kitchen. She was a beautiful woman. Tall, slender, dark green hair that came down to her waist with it pinned up very cute. Her skin looked almost like porcelain, beautiful dark hazel eyes. Wrapping her arms around Hige hugging him tightly. Leaning back looking over him for a moment, ruffling his hair for a moment, turning her head.
"And this must be Ryoko, you are beautiful!" Magi spoke reaching her arms out hugging Ryoko. Hugging back, Hige snickered shaking his head. Leaning back Magi looked to Ryoko over once again, smiling.
"Are you hungry? we have plenty of food! And need I say, you have a gorgeous aura about you!" Magi spoke clasping her hands together beneath her chin. Arching an eyebrow forcing a smile Ryoko watched her as she turned making her way to the fridge. Shinto stood at the island counter opening his drink shaking his head taking a long sip.
"Their mother is a free-spirited woman and can sometimes read people very easily" Shinto spoke looking to Ryoko. Nodding her head wrapping her arms around herself.
"It's a gift I call it, I love reading people's auras… it comes naturally" Magi spoke coming up to the fridge grabbing herself a soda turning her head looking to the two of them.
"Thirsty? … come, come help yourself… " Magi spoke. Glancing to Hige for a moment, taking a deep breath, this was going to be interesting.
Setting her plate in the sink sighing deeply turning her head Ryoko looked to the others outside on the deck as they kids ran around the backyard. Wrapping her arms around herself looking over the sink for a moment to the dishes, then looked around her to the open kitchen. The smell of food still filled the air, the house was so lively, so full of life. Reminded her of the house back home with the girls, and asshole. Shaking her head a little sighing once again. Wishing her headache that still lingered would officially go away, as well as the nausea. Turning Ryoko made her way out to the back porch coming up beside Hige on the swing as Shinto and Magi sat to the chairs surrounding the little coffee table in the middle.
"Ryoko… I wanted to ask, do you know what the baby is yet?" Magi asked leaning back against the chair, meeting her gaze looking to her Ryoko as she wrapped her arms around herself.
"Yea, a girl" Ryoko spoke.
"Aww… that is so awesome. Baby shower in the future?" Ryoko arched an eyebrow tightening her arms around herself.
"Not planning on it…" she spoke.
"They're so fun, are you sure?" Magi spoke.
"Honey, stop it" Shinto spoke eyeing her.
"I wasn't trying to be pushy or anything. Please be sure to let us know if you need anything, literally anything… clothes, crib… "Magi spoke.
"I'm fine really, thank you, I appreciate that" Ryoko spoke.
"So, the father isn't in the picture at all?" Magi asked.
"Mom, stop it" Nicolia spoke sitting off to the side of Ryoko.
"If she wanted a thousand questions, she would have told you" She spoke glancing to her Ryoko leaned into Hige a little more.
"I'm sorry, I tend to overdo and not realize it… I do apologize dear" Magi spoke.
"It's ok...nothing wrong with asking… No, he's not in the picture…" Ryoko spoke up.
"Such a shame… little ones are such a blessing in so many ways. You know it'll be his loss in the end, karma is a bitch" Magi spoke up. Shaking his head snickering Hige reached for his drink off the side of him.
"How's Sami doing?" Hige spoke up tightening his arm around her a little tighter.
"Better, Sami is my sister. She fell the other week and sprained her ankle pretty bad" Magi spoke up looking to Ryoko.
"Her birthday is in 3 weeks, we were going to go over if ya'll wanted to come" Magi spoke reaching her drink. Turning his head Hige glanced to Ryoko for a moment as she grabbed her drink looking to Magi as she looked to Nicolia talking. Taking a long sip of her lemonade, her head throbbed as nausea seemed swirl in tighter.
"So, what do you do Ryoko, do you work?" Magi asked looking to her leaning her elbows on her knees.
"I do computer work for my mom actually" Ryoko replied.
"Really, that's interesting. I've always loved computers" Shinto spoke glancing over beyond Magi to the kids out in the yard playing as they yelled.
"That's nice to work for family… Shinto used to work at the factory building Hige works at a long time ago, he's retired now. Hige's come a long way, their good to him there" Magi spoke.
"Good place to work at" Shinto spoke.
"We've been trying to get Nicolia here to get her foot in the door there" Magi spoke looking to her daughter.
"I told you, mom… I like my job. What's so wrong with a doctor's office?" Nicolia spoke. Glancing to her for a moment Ryoko took another sip of her drink.
"Well, how about some dessert?" Magi asked looking over everyone, standing smiling widely she made her way into the kitchen.
"She makes the best chocolate mousse cake… it doesn't last very long in this family" Shinto spoke standing as well grabbing his beer as he turned.
"She means well, do what I do most the time, ignore her" Nicolia spoke grinning as she stood making her way to the steps off to the side behind the chairs making her way into the yard asking if the kids wanted dessert. Snickering shaking her head Ryoko took another long sip of her drink setting it down to the table beside her.
"You doing alright?" Hige asked. Nodding her head, her arms wrapped around her tightly looking to him.
"Alright… you sure? sorry if my mom is a little intimidating" Hige spoke.
"She's not, she reminds me a lot of my mom actually, nothing new" Ryoko spoke.
"Hmm, well dessert than?" Hige asked as he stood up off the swing. Wondering if she would be able to hold it down, the nausea swirled around her stomach, which seemed a lot worse with the headache.
Sitting on the side of the bathtub resting her face in her hands, ugh chicken and chocolate cake did not mix well coming back up. Biting her bottom lip running her hands through her hair leaning back a little. Exhaling deeply her head throbbed horribly. Glancing around the bathroom for a moment, it was nice and tidy, a pretty mix of the teals and browns flowed through out the whole room. Hoping she would be able to make it through the rest of the evening without rushing to the bathroom again trying not to make it noticeable. Lifting her hands letting her pointer fingers rub her temples closing her eyes for a couple moments. Gulping, suddenly feeling sick again.
Walking through the kitchen, pausing for a moment everyone was back outside. Her arms wrapped around her tightly making her way to the fridge looking inside, looking at all the food and multiple drinks, reaching for a tea drink. Closing the fridge door, turning flinching as she almost ran into Nicolia.
"Sorry" they both said at the same time as Ryoko took a step back.
"Your fine, sorry I wasn't looking when I came around the corner, you ok?" Nicolia asked watching Ryoko for a moment. Nodding her head looking to her drink for a second.
"Yea, was just heading back out…" she spoke. Watching her for a moment as Ryoko walked past her, arching an eyebrow Nicolia paused. Making her way back to the porch glancing to the kids as they played in the pool, coming up past Shinto, Ryoko sat close beside Hige opening her drink. Glancing to her for a moment Hige leaned up against her a little resting his arm across her shoulders.
"We have plenty of food if you wanted to take some home with you" Shinto spoke looking to Ryoko. Meeting his gaze for a moment as Magi looked to Nicolia come back through coming up sitting aside from Shinto.
"I'm fine… thank you" Ryoko spoke. Lifting her drink taking a long sip leaning back a little more against Hige.
"The air feels different…."Magi spoke lifting a hand up twirling her fingers around a for a moment looking to Shinto. Shrugging he held his soda in his hand looking to her.
"Feels fine to me" he spoke. Watching her for a moment Ryoko meet Nicolias gaze for a split second. Wondering if her getting sick like she did, and her feeling worse made something change.
"Hmmm… maybe it's just me" Magi spoke leaning back looking the kids in the pool for a moment. Looking over Ryoko for a moment Hige leaned against her a little more.
"No, it's still there… " Magi spoke looking over the four of them for a moment.
"Maybe it's just you sweetheart, you get those feelings sometimes" Shinto spoke. Looking to him for a moment, Ryoko looked to her drink taking a sip.
"I know, but… " she spoke. Gulping hard, Ryoko looked to Magi for a split second.
"Mom stop it, you're probably picking up on the neighbor's cat again… she sometimes gets these like, 6th sense feelings" Nicolia spoke looking to Ryoko for a moment as she talked.
"Are you serious, the neighbors cat?…" Hige asked almost laughing. Turning her head, Ryoko paused for a second as Magi starred right at her.
"The cat wound up with cancer a week afterwards, didn't it?" she asked turning her gaze looking to Nicolia. Arching an eyebrow, blinking Ryoko glanced to Nicolia for a moment as they talked. That was a little...to tense?. That look… reminded her some what of Kagato for a moment. She seemed to stare, literally right into her soul it felt like. Getting cold chills Ryoko re situated on the swing beside Hige leaning back glancing to Shinto as he spoke to Magi.
The rest of the evening came to an end as Hige and Ryoko, grabbing their pans of food they brought with them, and a few extras Magi pawned off on them. Leaving the kids with their mom Nicolia remained outside with them getting them out the pool. Hugging the kids as they got out the pool Ryoko followed Hige to the front door.
"We are very glad you came Ryoko, please don't be a stranger" Shinto spoke. Smiling softly looking to him as Magi hugged Hige tightly kissing his cheek.
"I'll call you, love you" Hige spoke as she leaned back.
"Thank you for everything" Ryoko spoke.
"Thank you for coming, I am so glad to finally meet you" Magi spoke looking to Ryoko as Hige hugged the ole man. Coming up to her hugging her tightly, Magi held her for a moment patting her back. Leaning back Magi looked over Ryoko for a moment, smiling softly.
"Hige is very lucky to have found you… you have a beautiful soul don't forget that…" Magi spoke up. Watching her as she talked, wrapping her arms around herself tightly Ryoko gulped.
"Get some rest ok…make you some warm green tea when you get home, Hige should have some" Magi spoke softly. Nodding her head softly, she must had knew.
"I hope I'm not overstepping here sweetie… the dreams will die off eventually, over time but they will never go away… let them go honey…" she spoke quietly. Suddenly freezing, her eyes widened as Ryoko starred at Magi. Arching an eyebrow Hige turned his head looking to Ryoko as Shinto came to a stop from talking turning his head looking to his wife. The memories seemed to flash thru her head suddenly.
"Magi…" Shinto spoke coming up beside her reaching for her arm.
"...their taking a toll on you, mentally and psychically. Once you accept it and let it go, they'll dwindle off and fade…their just dreams, memories of the past… they're not as bad as they seem. He's gone..." Magi spoke. Gulping hard, Ryoko blinked trying to hold the tears back as the two of them starred at each other.
"Once you've dealt with what I have for over 10 years… than you can say that to my face...you have no idea…how dare you..." Ryoko trailed off, her voice low. Taking a step back, Ryoko turned suddenly as she walked past Hige out the door.
"What the hell… mom what did you do?" Hige asked arching an eyebrow getting pissed as he turned coming up behind Ryoko. Exhaling deeply Magi rubbed the back of her neck.
"Honey, that was a bit uncalled for…" Shinto spoke. Coming up to the passenger side door pausing for a moment, reaching a handout opening the door not realizing Hige was right behind her almost hitting him with the door. The both of them stopping as they looked to each other. Tears formed in her eyes as Ryoko stood their starring at Hige. Sighing deeply Hige leaned around her setting the pans on the floorboard to the back seat coming up beside her.
"I'm sorry… she's never done anything like that without asking first…. Are you alright?" Hige asked. The sun had already gone down, it was a little darker than dusk by now. Wrapping her arms around herself tighter as Ryoko turned sitting in the car. Closing the door behind her Hige made his way around his car. Wiping the tears off of her face Ryoko took a deep breath trying to calm down as Hige closed the door behind him turning the key.
"Sweetie I'm sorry…" Hige spoke. Biting her bottom lip, her head hurt so bad, and the nausea seemed to throb.
"I want to go home…" she spoke up. Glancing to her for a moment as he put the car in reverse.
"I wasn't trying to pry… when I hugged her I could feel it… " Magi spoke looking to Shinto as he closed the door.
"Sweetie, we just met her… you can't be doing that to people, especially someone like her…" Shinto spoke. Sighing deeply Magi lifted her head looking to Shinto.
"I just ruined It didn't I?" she asked, shaking his head Shinto came up to her as the two of them made their way to the kitchen.
"Give it a little bit ok, we'll try again sweetie" Shinto spoke.
Slowing the car down slowly coming up to the stop light, turning his head Hige looked to Ryoko. Starring out the window with one arm bent letting her chin rest in the palm of her hand. Reaching a hand over letting his fingers gently graze along her other hand resting on her lap. Letting her fingers intertwine with his turning her head meeting his gaze.
"I'm sorry… Are you ok sweetie…"
"Yea… it isn't your fault."
"I know, but I was the one who mentioned about meeting her, sometimes she gets to caught up in the moment and goes overboard. She has that 6th sense about things and sometimes doesn't know when not to use it." Glancing to him as he drove, leaning back a little farther.
"No harm done…" Ryoko spoke glancing back out the window. Looking to her for a split second, flicking his blinker coming up to the turn lane. Looking around for a second, arching an eyebrow Ryoko looked to Hige.
"Coffee?" Hige asked. Smirking as she nodded her head, letting her fingers intertwine with his tighten around his for a second.
Setting her cold coffee cup on the end table next to the bed turning as she grabbed her blue and gold kimono from laying at the edge of the bed making her way into the bathroom to get changed. Folding her clothes fixing her sleeve turning teleporting back into the bedroom setting her folded t-shirt and pants on the edge of the bed wrapping an arm around her stomach. Her stomach still in knots, at least the nausea subsided, but her headache still remained. Reaching for her cup taking a sip turning as she made her way out the bedroom leaving the door open turning the light off. Slowly making her way down the hallway glancing to the bay window, letting her bare feet lead her to the stairs. Taking a sip of her drink coming through the living room coming up to the kitchen pausing looking to Hige as he sat the island counter on the phone with his elbows leaned on the counter.
"Mom it's ok… " Hige spoke up running a hand through his hair. Pausing for a moment Ryoko stood in the walk way as he spoke.
"...I know you didn't mean any harm, but it's a sore subject, she's been through a lot. I don't even know the whole jist of it all but it's not my business."
"… yea it upset her, she was in tears when we got to the car…" Hige trailed off as he leaned back a little holding his phone. Gulping Ryoko took a sip of her drink.
"You'd probably act the same way if she came up to you doing the same thing. I'm not mad at you, nor is she… it's just… I don't want to loose her, she means the world to me. I get you can't help it sometimes, but sheesh mom… hold it in sometimes. I finally am able to have her open up to me with out her shutting that door, she hardly has anyone but her mom. When I said she's been through a lot, you have no idea… I was hoping you wouldn't go that far, I get where your coming from, but almost scaring her off isn't the best first impression mom" Hige spoke. Tightening her arm around herself Ryoko starred at Hige as he spoke.
"No mom, we'll be over again ok, just give her a little space…"
"...Yea she's alright, stop saying sorry… it's ok alright" Hige spoke. Slowly making her way into the kitchen Hige turned his head looking to her, coming up beside him Ryoko sat close beside him taking a long sip of her drink.
"I will, I know…" he spoke rolling his eyes.
"No she doesn't hate you… "Hige spoke up lowering his hand as he put the phone on speaker phone.
"...Are you sure… I feel so bad for making her upset. Please tell her I said I'm sorry, I got worried when I hugged her, I could tell she wasn't feeling good" Magi spoke on the other end. Sipping her drink Ryoko glanced to Hige for a second.
"Yes I'm sure, I'll let her know. Everything is fine… just next time leave her be" Hige spoke lifting an arm letting his fingers rub along Ryoko's back gently.
"Alright, well Nicolia is about to leave… call me tomorrow?" Magi spoke.
"I will, love you" Hige spoke.
"Love you too sweetie, let me know if you or Ryoko need anything ok, I'm serious. Make sure she gets plenty of rest" Magi spoke.
"I will mom" Hige spoke glancing to Ryoko for a moment as she meet his gaze taking another sip of her drink.
"Alright" she spoke up, hanging up the phone. Sighing deeply Hige set his phone down leaning his arm on the counter.
"Thank you for saying what you said… and no I can't be upset at her...she had good intentions, just a wrong way of showing it" Ryoko spoke. Shaking his head snickering Hige looked to her.
"Yea, she has a bad habit of scaring people when she first meets them. I didn't think she would've done any of that if there was nothing wrong. Probably with you not feeling well more likely peeked her 6th sense and that's why she did that" Hige spoke. Sipping her drink Ryoko looked to her drink for a moment.
"You ok…" Hige asked. Nodding her head Ryoko took another sip of her drink almost finishing it off.
"Yea…" she spoke trailing off. Leaning up Hige kissed her forehead softly as he stood. Wrapping his arms around her from behind leaning his head against hers, Ryoko sighed deeply leaning back against him as his arms wrapped around her with his hands resting on her stomach.
**More to come! **