The day passed slowly and quietly for Tenchi. It was a surprise and a relief. It had been a long time since they'd had a really quiet day. Other then Ayeka obsessing about every little detail, it had gone smoothly.
So he hadn't been surprised when it went wrong.
When he got home Sasami was sat on the porch crying her heart out. He made his way over and sat down, hugging her close.
"What's wrong Sasami?" he asked.
"Ayeka was yelling at me again," she sobbed. "I was just trying to lay the table and she kept correcting everything. She said it all had to be perfect or you'd hate her and leave her for Ryoko and throw us out then however hard I tried she said it was wrong and she started screaming at me so I ran out here."
"Ok," Tenchi said, squeezing her gently. "I'll go try to talk to her."
"Thank you," Sasami whispered.
He left her outside and made his way in, to find Ayeka curled up on the floor in tears. Without thinking he walked over and gathered her up in his arms. She pulled away from him violently and carried on sobbing.
"What's wrong?" he asked softly.
"I'm sorry," Ayeka sobbed. "Everything Washu told you was right. I had control over becoming pregnant. I chose to when I heard of Ryoko. I was afraid and I didn't think."
Tenchi sat back for a moment. Washu was telling the truth. He hadn't wanted to face this but now it looked like he didn't have any choice.
Did it matter, in the end. He'd made his choice. He knew there was no going back now.
"I don't care," he whispered. "I don't care how it came about. All I care about is that I've made my choice. I chose you and I'm never going back. I'm not going to leave you."
Suddenly she practically flew into his arms, tears running down her face.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
"You don't have to be sorry," he said softly. "I think you should apologise to Sasami and try to stop obsessing to much. Just…it doesn't matter. I love you."
~*~*~*~
It was getting late when Tenchi finally managed to get out of the house again. The evening had been full of tears and hugs and Ayeka had calmed down and Sasami had got back to herself.
He'd finally escaped it all for a moment of silence.
Sadly, it wasn't to be.
As he looked up, Ryoko emerged from the trees, Ryo-Oki beside her.
As soon as the cabbit caught sight of the house it bolted past him and straight in the door. He smiled, then looked up at the space pirate, who had moved towards him.
"I'm sorry about the things I said," he said simply. "I was scared and upset. But I'm not going back on my decision."
"I wouldn't ask you to," she said simple. "I know you've made up your mind and there's no going back. I need to tell you that I understand. And I need to tell you I love you. I always will.
"There's something else you need to know Tenchi. I couldn't keep it. I had an abortion."
His jaw hit the deck. An abortion. And she hadn't even asked.
"I know it's hard for you to understand now, but I hope one day you'll appreciate the situation I was in. It was a loose/loose situation. I'm sorry Tenchi. I think I should go."
"Wait…"
"I can't. I have a ship waiting for me. I'm leaving Ryo-Oki here, she missed Sasami to much when I took her with me. Washu should be back in a few days. She just needs some time to herself first."
"Where will you go?" he stammered.
"I'm going to see the universe," she whispered. "And don't worry Tenchi, I won't destroy it this time."
With a grin she was gone. Off to see the universe.
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