Tenchi Muyo and all related characters are © AIC/Pioneer. The views expressed herein do not necessarily express the opinions of AIC/Pioneer, the author, or this website.

The day had come, and they all gathered around Washu as she worked with Ryuka. He was screaming. The venom was slowly eating at him, causing a pain unimaginable. Minagi and Ryoko had to hold him still so Washu could find a vein. She injected the antidote and could do nothing more.

"It's still going to hurt for a little bit." she said sympathetically. "He'll be screaming for about another hour. Then the antidote will get rid of the venom and he'll be cured." she explained.

"There's nothing you can do to stop the pain, Washu?" asked Ryoko.

"I'm sorry, but no. Come on, we should get out of here and let the liquid do its job." said Washu. And they all exited the lab. Ryoko exited last, and took a look back at Ryuka, who was howling in pain, and she exited the lab.

***

The next day, Ryuka awoke to see Washu right next to him.

"Little Washu?" he said hoarsely. "What's happened?"

"You're awake! Good." she said.

"But what happened to me?" he asked.

Washu sighed.

"I suppose now that it's all over you have a right to know." she started. "On the day you were attacked, a creature from another planet I was studying got loose and attacked you. At first we thought that you were fine once I patched you up, but I discovered a deadly venom in your veins left by the creature. We had to capture one of the beasts to extract the venom and make an antidote. Yours truly had no problem making it, and here you are." she finished.

"I see." He slowly got up. His entire body hurt. He could barely move his arms to hold his stomach. He quickly laid back down.

"Best not move around to much. You need to rest up." instructed Washu.

"Alright." he said. He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

He found himself in the front yard, but nobody was there with him. Suddenly, orange blasts of energy came from all places out of no where. He did his best to take cover. He had not idea what was going on and he was scared. The balls burst all over, destroying everything. He tried to run from one that was quickly making its way toward him. He couldn't run nearly fast enough and it was about to hit him. He thought he was going to die.

"Wah!!" he shot up, screaming. It had only been a dream. He found that he could move much easier now. He got up and walked out of the lab.

There was nobody in the living room. He wondered where they were. He was a little disorientated. He walked out into the front yard.

"Ryuka!" said the woman who had saved him. He froze. He looked at her, shaking, his fear tangible. "Ryuka? What's wrong? It's me, Ryoko." she said, confused.

He knew exactly who she was, but he couldn't help being petrified of her. She had completely destroyed something literally right in front of his face. He saw her, knew who she was, but the look in his eyes wasn't the love he usually felt when he saw her. It was untainted fear. He didn't want to be acting this way, but he could in no way help it. He shivered, made queer noises, and was able to conjure the strength to run into the house.

Ryoko stood there, dumbfounded. What was the matter with him? Why was he afraid of her?

She instantly found herself in front of Washu.

"Please don't take it personally, Ryoko, but when you killed the Kroshu in front of Ryuka, it instilled a fear in him when he saw you kill it right before his eyes. He had nightmares of you when he was passed out. Please give him time to think. I assure you he will come to you just like he has before." explained Washu kindly and carefully.

Ryoko instantly transported away from the house. She found herself yet again by the lake. This was her place. It was where she went to think.

[Meanwhile]

Ryuka sat there thinking. He hated himself for how he acted towards Ryoko. He couldn't stop thinking about it. He was so upset. He decided to take a bath to calm down and think. He went to Washu, a little embarrassed, and asked for her help to get into the onsen safely. She quickly replied with an offer to bathe with him, and she simply wouldn't let him refuse.

She got completely undressed, Ryuka remained in a towel.

"Come here, Ryuka." she said in a kind tone. Ryuka blushed and walked over to her. She softly embraced him in a warm and gentle hug. He could do nothing but blush further. "Don't be mad at yourself, Ryuka." she said.

"But how? I acted horrible to Ryoko. She hasn't done anything wrong, and I treated her like a monster! I trembled and ran away! She must hate me…" he said softly.

"Don't think like that. I assure you that's she'll be over it by the end of the day." she said.

"I just…feel so bad." he stated.

"How do feel about Ryoko, Ryuka." asked Washu.

"I love her… She's saved my life on multiple occasions, took me in without second thought, and has been nothing but kind to me. But when I was awake, I noticed that…that she was in love with Tenchi. She wanted to be around him all the time and she wanted to do everything with him." he explained.

"Yes." she stated blankly.

"So…What should I do? I don't think I have a chance with Ryoko…What should I do about it?"

"There are many things that you could do. But, Ryuka, the best one I can provide is to accept it. Ryoko cares for you. This should help you make your decision. Now-" she started with a livelier tone. "-mind getting my back?" she asked comically. Ryuka found himself blushing a dark red, not able to help Washu. "Oh, fine." she stated. "Turn around and I'll get your back."

She didn't let him refuse. She turned him around and scrubbed his back clean.

They were both in the lab now. They dried off and Ryuka started to leave the lab.

"I've got to do something." he said as he walked out the door. Washu just stood there smiling as he walked out.