Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Tenchi muyo characters. I do claim Miyako.
Chapter 6: Moment of truth
Miyako's birthday was in a few days and she was going to turn 9. Washu had given her the vaccine to which was a shot that made Miyako cry. Washu had kept an eye on her health just in case and Miyako was excited for her birthday to arrive. Sasami was planning a cake and Ryoko wanted to help Ayeka with the decorations while Tenchi would distract Miyako and take her to the shrine for a while.
When the day came Miyako had ran to wake up Tenchi which surprised him, "Daddy wake up! It's my brithday!" He laughed and patted her head, "I will see you downstairs Miya." She smiled big and ran out of his room and down the stairs to wait. After Tenchi had dressed and brushed his teeth he went downstairs to see her sitting on the couch waiting for him. "Ready to go?" She jumped up and smiled big nodding. They headed out to the shrine with Miyako walking in front of him. After a few minutes she turned and looked at him, "Daddy do you like mommy?" He tilted his head at her, "What do you mean?" Miyako took his hand and walked beside him looking up at him, "Do you really like mommy, not like aunt Ayeka, but more?" He was surprised to hear her ask a question like that. "Well I guess so. I do like her more than Ayeka. I guess I thought about it a lot and I love your mother very much, but you can't tell her I told you that. It will be our secret ok?" She smiled and nodded, "Ok daddy."
At the house they were getting things ready for the party. Sasami made lunch and the cake while Ayeka set the table. Ryoko hung decorations from the ceiling and checked if Ayeka needed help. Once the decorations were done they set out the presents they had gotten her. Sasami was proud of the lunch she made and the cake was enough for everyone. Ryoko was still nervous about the whole thing. She was scared the vaccine wouldn't help and she would still get sick. Washu kept reassuring her everything would be ok. She tried to relax and get ready. Sasami had changed into a cute yellow dress, Ayeka in a soft blue kimono and Ryoko in her red chinese dress. Washu was fine in her normal clothes since she was more comfortable and Mihoshi, well no one expected her to be dressed up so they let it go.
After spending time with Grandpa, Miyako was ready to head home for lunch. She said goodbye and he wished her a happy birthday. Tenchi carried her on his back and they laughed the whole way home. Tenchi had set her down when they got to the house and she smiled big. "I'm home mommy!" When there was no reply she looked up at Tenchi who smiled at her, "Let's go inside Miya." She held his hand and they went inside. She giggled and smiled more when everyone greeted her with smiles. "Happy birthday Miyako!" Everyone had said together. Miyako had ran up to Ryoko and she picked her up hugging her. "Happy birthday Miya!" She smiled big, "Thank you mommy!" Ryoko set her down and they sat down for lunch. "This is really good Sasami!" Miyako said happily. "Thank you Miyako. I'm glad you like it!" Ryoko laughed, "Save room for cake Miya." Miyako giggled, "Okay!"
After lunch they decided to play a game to let the food settle. "What do you want to play Miyako?" Sasami asked following a 'Meow' from Ryo-ohki. She smiled big, "I want to play hide and seek! I will be it and everyone hide!" She closed her eyes and counted as everyone hid. Ryoko decided to hide on the roof while Tenchi got the hallway closet, Mihoshi tried to hide behind a plant, Sasami hid under the couch and Ayeka hid in her closet in her room. "One hundred! Ready or not here I come!" She looked around and looked under the table. Then she noticed the plant and the person trying to blend in. "I found you Mihoshi!" "Aww you're good Miyako!" She giggled and looked under the couch, "I found you Sasami!" Sasami giggled and came out helping Miyako look. Miyako started to check every room and when she came to the hallway closet she giggled when she found Tenchi. "Found you daddy!" He laughed and came out. Sasami ran into her room and checked under the bed, "Not under here!" She opened the closet with Miyako and Ayeka giggled, "Got me! You are a very good seeker Miyako." She giggled and smiled big, "I know where mommy is!" Miyako flew up and went through the ceiling and giggled when she tackled Ryoko, "Got you mommy!" Ryoko laughed and hugged her. "Good job Miya!" When they got back to the living room Washu was sitting at the table smiling. Miyako pouted, "Where were you Grandma?" Washu laughed and pointed to the kitchen. "Always nice to know that no one checks there." They all laughed and decided it was time to open presents.
Sasami smiled when Miyako picked up the box from her and Ayeka, "Me and Ayeka got this for you. I hope you like it." She opened the box and saw a new teal colored dress. "I love it! It matches mommy's hair!" Ryoko laughed. "Just a little bit Miya." Mihoshi handed her the one she got her. "Thank you Mihoshi!" She opened it and saw it was a stuffed rabbit. Miyako giggled and hugged it. "It's cute! Almost like Ryo-ohki!" Ryo-ohki meowed and looked it over and tilted her head. Washu handed hers next. Miyako giggled and opened it to see something furry. She poked it and it moved. "What is it Grandma?" Washu chuckled and the furry thing looked up. It was a black cabbit with pink eyes. "Her name is Mizuki. She is your partner just like Ryo-ohki is your mom's." Miyako smiled and her eyes grew wide, "She's for me?!" Washu nodded and Mizuki looked up at her Master and mewed. Miyako picked her up gently and smiled at her, "It's nice to meet you Mizukichan, I'm Miyako." The black cabbit licked her chin and meowed happily. Everyone awwed and Sasami cooed over how cute she was. Ryo-ohki looked at her curiously and Mizuki perked her ears at her. After what almost seemed like minutes they meowed happily at each other. Mizuki settled on Miyako's shoulder getting comfortable. Tenchi handed her a small box, "It's not much, but I hope you'll like it." She giggled and opened it finding a white beaded bracelet with an adjustable black string. "Grandpa says it brings good luck." Tenchi commented as she took it out of the box admiring it. "I love it daddy thank you!" After getting it rested on her wrist Ryoko handed her a somewhat small rectangular box. "This is from me." She took it and opened it to find a silver locket. Engraved on the back it said 'Always in my heart.' Miyako hugged her mother and almost cried, "I love it mommy!" She helped her put it around her neck and she smiled. Ryoko smiled, "Open it and look inside." Miyako opened it to see a picture of her mother holding her when she was a baby, but what they didn't know was Ryoko had put in the one where Tenchi had stood beside her as they both looked down at her. It made Miyako feel warm as if her parents were hers all along. She remembered when she was told Tenchi wasn't her birth father, but he had always been like one and the picture inside made her happy. Miyako hugged her mother and sobbed softly, "Thank you mommy.. it's the best thing I could ever ask for." She smiled at everyone, "Thank you everyone for the gifts. I'm so happy!" Sasami jumped up and smiled, "How about some cake!" Miyako nodded happily.
After the party had died down Miyako had rested her head in Ryoko's lap falling asleep. Ryoko just played with her hair looking down at her. Tenchi had sat down beside her and smiled down at Miyako, "I guess everything wore her out?" Ryoko nodded, "She was so happy. I'm glad.. Even if she does get sick again.. I regret nothing.. I'm happy that she had come back to me." Tenchi smiled sadly at her, "Ryoko.." It had gone silent until Tenchi broke it, "What picture did you put in the locket?" Ryoko smiled and lifted it gently showing him. He smiled and softly blushed, "That was a good picture to use." Ryoko nodded, "I thought so. The engraving had fit with it." He nodded and couldn't help but place an arm around her waist and smiled. Ryoko rested her head on his shoulder still watching her daughter sleep. "Tenchi?" He looked at her, "Hm?" "Thank you.. for being there for both of us.. for me when I needed someone." He kissed her head and nodded, "Of course Ryoko." They were silent again. Again, he broke the silence, "Ryoko I want to tell you something that I have needed to tell you for a while now." Ryoko lifted her head to look at him, "Yes Tenchi?" He held her hand and smiled at her blushing softly, "Well you know I love you all like family, but for you it is more. I sometimes feel like Miyako is mine too and I do wish she was. You are a great mother and I would like to someday have a family with you.." Ryoko blushed, "Tenchi what are you saying?" He smiled at her, "I love you Ryoko. I always have." She smiled and blushed, "I love you too Tenchi. I have from the moment I first met you." He chuckled, "I always knew that." He gave her a brief kiss causing her world to shift in her seat. Things were finally coming together and she didn't feel lonely anymore. She felt complete for the first time in her life.
Author's notes: Looks like things are finally coming together, but there is still a 50/50 chance for Miyako. Will she pull through or will history repeat itself? Stay tuned! R&R please! Thanks~