A Torn Heart
[Chapter 2b - Do Over]
Ryoko blinked her eyes slowly and immediately realized two things: One, she couldn't move, at all. Two, she was in a force field of some sort. 'Probably one of Washu's machines.' She thought. A bunch of thoughts flooded her at once, including: 'Why am I in one of Washu's machines?' and 'Why can't I move?' and lastly, 'Where is Aeka?' A door opened somewhere in answer and light flooded the room, momentarily blinding Ryoko.
"Glad to see you awake, little Ryoko." Washu said, her chibi face appearing in Ryoko's line of vision.
"Where am I?" Ryoko tried to ask but her mouth felt dry and all she could manage was a raspy cough.
"Try not to talk much. You've been here for several months and your mouth is probably as dry as a desert. Especially since the wound nearly severed your head off. Let me check..."
Washu produced a small device from hammer space and passed it above Ryoko's throat. It clicked and beeped, almost triumphantly.
"It appears the wound has healed nicely and there are no signs of damage to you vocal cords. You might be raspy for a few days but you'll be able to scream and yell like usual in a week."
"Where am I?" Ryoko tried again, barely getting the words out.
"Where are you? In my lab, of course! Don't you remember what happened?"
Ryoko shook her head slowly.
"Nagi came after you again about four months ago. She nearly snapped your head off with some new kind of metallic toy she had found. Kiyone and Mihoshi fired at her and one of the bullets accidently blasted through your chest. The bullet barely missed your vital organs. You almost died." Washu finished, close to tears.
The demon stared at her, dumbstruck. She almost died four months ago? So did that mean that she's been sleeping for that long? Then in reality, Ryoko had only dreamed of being with Aeka. Then that meant she never cheated on her with Kiyone and Aeka wasn't dead! Still, it had felt so real. Maybe it was because it was a dream that had lasted for so long? Suddenly she wanted to see Aeka. Dream or no dream, in her heart she knew that they were meant to be together.
"Everyone's been coming to see you regularly." Washu was saying. "Especially Aeka. Which was very surprised based on the way you two always treated each other. But she was by your side for almost a month before I finally kicked her out. I had to make visinting hours after that."
"Washu?" Ryoko choked. "I mean, mom, don't tell anyone I woke up yet."
"Sure. Visiting hours are over for the day, anyway. Get some rest."
The little scientist left, shutting off the lights on her way out. Ryoko stood staring at the ceiling through the green force field that still surrounded her. She still couldn't believe so much time had passed. What really bothered her was that she couldn't remember the fight with Nagi. As she was thinking about all this, she had closed her eyes.
Someone entered the room, but Ryoko doubted it was Washu. She could hear the dragging of heavy robes on the person. It could've only been one person - Aeka. Ryoko didn't dare open her eyes. She wanted people to think she was still out, at least until tomorrow.
"Good evening, Ryoko. I see you're still asleep. Hopefully, Miss Washu won't catch me here. I've had enough of that scientist's restrictions so I came down for a midnight visit." Aeka said.
'Midnight? Heh, I huess it's tomorrow already.' Ryoko thought silently.
"I miss you, Ryoko. What am I saying? I don't miss you, demon! I'm glad that this happened to you! I...I don't miss you! But . . . it hurts so much to think you are not here, with me. I need you, Ryoko. Please come back soon." Aeka was crying.
The cyan-haired woman was completely shocked at what she heard. This wasn't like Aeka at all. She was even more shocked at what she heard next.
"I love you, Ryoko. You evil demon."
This was Ryoko's chance. If she wanted to be with Aeka, like she was in her dreams, then she had to say it.
"I love you, too, Aeka. You damn bitch," Ryoko said in a raspy voice.
"R... r... r... My lord! Ryoko! Is that you!?"
Opening her eyes slowly, Ryoko smiled.
"Yep, the one and only."
Aeka screamed. It was somewhere between happiness and terror. The light in the lab snapped on and Ryoko could hear Washu's small figure moving around.
"Aeka! What the hell are you doing here!? It's past visiting hours!" Washu yelled.
"R... .r... ryo . . . ko . . . !"
"What about her? She's okay."
"I think I scared her." Ryoko said and coughed, grimacing.
"Serves her right! She isn't supposed to be here. Besides, she ruined the surprise."
Ryoko heard a thump on the floor. Aeka had passed out.
"Damn, I just mopped," Washu grumbled.
"Wa . . . Mom, let me out."
"Do you think you're strong enough to move on your own?"
"Yeah. Let me out," Ryoko said uncertainly.
Washu hesitated before Ryoko heard her push several buttons and the green force field disappeared. With some effort, she pushed herself into a sitting position and stretched. Her whole body was stiff from lying in one place for so long. Looking at the floor, Ryoko observed Aeka lying on the face down in a small puddle of drool. 'No wonder Washu was grumbling about mopping.' Swinging her legs over the side of the machine she had been in, she stretched again before setting her feet on the floor. Standing up, she moved to Aeka's side with some shaky steps. Finally, she knelt down next to the princess.
"Aeka, wake up." Ryoko said softly, not wanting to force her throat too much. "Tenchi's mine."
"Stay away from him, you twit!" Aeka yelled and stood up in a flash. "Huh?"
"Hehe... Glad to see you up, Aeka," Ryoko said, standing up.
"Ryoko? I wasn't dreaming after all!"
The Jurian princess embraced Ryoko. Surprised, Ryoko hugged her back and waved away her nosy mother. Washu smiled and complied with the wish, quietly leaving the room.
"Um... Ryoko, about those things I said before..." Aeka started.
"You meant every word."
Before the princess could argue, Ryoko kissed her. Aeka was surprised and almost pulled away, but in the end she couldn't. Instead, she kissed back. When the two blushing women pulled away, it was evident that this was the first kiss of many.
"I really do love you, Ryoko."
"I think I do too. I spent all this time dreaming of only you."
The princess blushed redder and kissed Ryoko again. Their second kiss was better than their first. Eventually, Aeka pulled away reluctantly and rested her head on Ryoko's shoulder. In return, the demon placed her cheek on Aeka's head and smiled. 'This is a great beginning,' Ryoko thought.
The End
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