A Forgotten Sonata
A/n: Hello, how is everyone? it's been a while!
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights of the Tenchi Muyo characters and the franchise, those rights belong to Masaki Kajashima!
"Tenchi."
"Tenchi."
"Ten."
"I heard you the first time Ayeka." Tenchi sat with his palms in his lap. He felt his jaw ache as he answered her.
"I know this comes as a shock. But aren't you happy, for the least bit Tenchi?" Ayeka places her hand on his.
"T-Thank you for telling me, Ayeka." He squeezed her hand. "I need some time to process this. You should get some rest."
"Yes, it was a bit of a trip coming here. I'll place on my nightwear then." She stood and turned her back, then on a second thought peered over her shoulder at the taut man. "Are you not coming, Tenchi?"
"In a minute."
"Okay, I am going to check on Sasami." Tenchi nods and remained seated until he heard her retreating footsteps enter their bedroom.
Yamero! Tenchi could hear his grandfather's raspy voice echoing through his mind. He flutters his lids shut fighting to repress the varied emotions keeping under him siege to the couch. It's all my fault! His anger was hot, he needed to leave; escape anything better than this heavy burden now.
Taking a wooden step one at a time, his hands reach the latch of the fence door; uncaring to latch it back. He swivels his head to the home two doors down, the home was dark.
Ryoko…I-I must go to her. I-
"Tenchi!"
"Is there something you need to tell me, Tenchi?" Ayeka sat across from the man she loved in the entire world at least that what she kept trying to convince herself. His brown eyes locked with hers, they no longer hold the passion they once had.
"Where were you going just a moment ago?"
"I needed to clear my head." He tapped the body of the mug refusing to glance her way.
"In the rain Tenchi?" She began softly. With a sharp intake filling her lungs, she slammed her palm onto the table. "For goodness' sake, you were going to that woman, weren't you?"
"Ayeka please, Sasami is asleep in the next room."
"Don't you love me, Tenchi?"
Tenchi sighs, he parted his lips to speak and immediately flashes of the hazel-eyed woman enter his mind. Ayeka watched his shoulders slouch and scowls, setting herself back into the chair.
"I do not like that woman; you are not to see Ms. Ryoko here on out. We are with child now and we are going to act accordingly."
Tenchi glared at her, his brows furrowed. At that moment he felt as if his manhood was being taken from him. "Ayeka now just hold on a minute, you can't order me around like a child. I can speak to whomever I wish to speak to!"
"I can, I am your wife!" Her light-colored eyes widened. "Whatever you two have done in my absence it is done."
Tenchi tightened his jaw, he did not admit or deny his involvement with Ryoko. He suspected Ayeka was toying with him, feeling him out. He too can play that game, "How could you easily accept and hide the idea Ryoko, and I may have been involved with each other. Normally a wife that suspects their husbands of cheating will immediately want to separate. They would not have returned home. Are you that afraid to have others know, our life is not what believe it to be?"
His burning eyes pan around the room at the fine china, to the bookshelf of books that were barely touched; and finally landing on the cozy fireplace flanked by two dark armchairs. "Who are you trying to kid Ayeka? We are no higher than anyone else. This room is heavy with tension. Lying beside you is like laying next to a-" He stopped as she picked up her head to look at him.
"What exactly? Tell me Tenchi, what does it remind you of?" She narrows the slits of her eyes.
He turned away slightly affronted as she pokes and prods at him. He was through with Ayeka's jeering.
"In my absence, she kept you warm, didn't she? Did it happen in our home or hers?" He heard her giggle, he felt he need to give her one final jab to her ego.
"Forgive me Ryoko."
Ayeka moistens her lips, she waited with bated breath, hearing him mumble.
"What was that?"
"I'll tell you what you want to hear."
Tenchi leaned against the wall beside the window, "Ryoko and I did spend time together, and in those times, I have felt more alive than ever. She actually listens to me, Ayeka. Not once made me feel like I was not on the same level as her. It is almost like a kid in a candy store. Just in her presence, my head felt so giddy that I could hardly breathe." There was a stinging in his eyes, but he refuses to let any tears fall. He almost felt a small twinge of his lips lifting in a smile recalling the times they had together.
"Tell me Ayeka, when was the last time you ever felt that way?"
The question left her stunned. Her egotistical mask had officially fallen. Their eyes locked again; he felt a twinge of regret but also felt relief in finally telling her the truth. Ayeka stifled a sob and nodded.
"For goodness' sake, Tenchi!" She whimpered, for a brief second, she began to wonder if her emotional response was due to the pregnancy.
"Don't wait up. I'll be back in time to take Sasami to the study hall." He flinched slightly remembering the little girl asleep in the room and left.
The Expectant woman let out a wail, "I feel nothing for you, Tenchi Masaki!"
Ayeka allows herself to let all her emotions out, she moves her slippered feet away from the broken pieces of her fine china set.
Inside the darkroom, Sasami clutched the pillow close to her chest. She silently stared at the door; she knew deep down fights will always happen, especially, when there is some level of love. She saw this in her father and her mothers. Even when Ayeka nitpicks at her, it was only her wanting the best from her. She understands Tenchi's need for freedom, hopefully, with some time apart their hearts will see the light; and guide them away from the dance of destruction of themselves and to each other. Noting the closing of the front door, and the immediate sound of broken glass she debated to rush out the room and see what happened yet decided against it. She places the pillow down and rested her head.
The morning sky was now painted in purple hues. The black-haired man sprinted through the backyard; careful not to bump into anything. He finally reached the back steps and peered into the window of the kitchen. A warm light was shining from the bedroom. He lightly knocked on the window and patiently waited.
"Ryoko, I know you are in there. Open up!"
He knocks once more, still no sign of movement.
A bad feeling was knotting in his gut. Tenchi knew she was in the home and why she would not answer. He recalled the evening prior looking into her watery Hazel eyes with a glare; and how her body dropped to the floor pleading him to not leave her.
"Ryoko, it's me, Tenchi! I couldn't help to notice the light was on. I knocked a few times, but I decided to let myself in." Tenchi scratched the back of his head. A sickening feeling began to grow sending a shiver down his spine. He swallowed hard, staring at the open door.
"Ryoko."
"I am sorry about earlier. Can we talk for a moment?" His feet stopped at the threshold.