the game

a new addition

Chapter Nine: A New Addition

    Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.- -C. Everet Koop, M.D.

         I love you. The words rang in my head over and over. I never felt so powerless as I did at that moment. My body froze as his body hit the ground. Everyone froze at that moment. It was like time had stood still, and I couldn't think of anything to say back. Of course i loved Tenchi. I loved him more than anything, so then why did I freeze? Why couldn't I move? I felt hot tears stream down my face as I saw blood gather around him. I hoped this was just a dream. I shook my head, and broke away from Haruo's protective hold, and ran to Tenchi.

            "Tenchi! C'mon! This isn't funny anymore!" I yelled out as I took his head in my arms, and patted his check to wake him up.

            "Oops! Did I kill Number Nine?" Ayumu glared, and I squeezed my eyes shut from anger. No, he couldn't be dead.

            "Tenchi! Wake the fuck up!" I yelled, my tears going down my face.

H-Haine, d-don't cry...Please.....I-I'll be ok. Besides, even if I'm not ok, we'll see each other again, and remember no matter how many times I'm reborn; I'll always fall in love with you.... I felt more tears come out of my eyes as I heard his last confession. I shook my head, my eyes closed tight. I held his head to my chest."Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Please, wake up. I can't do any of this on my own. Please wake up. Wake up. Don't leave me. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything I did to you. I'm sorry for putting you through this. Please, Don't die." I chanted softly to myself as if, somehow, this would wake him up. This would all be one horrible dream. I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders, and I looked up to see my brother. He knelt beside me, and held me. I looked at Tenchi, and cried again. I buried my head into my brother's chest, and sobbed.

Haine, please stop crying. The last sense to leave is hearing. Do you really think that the last thing he wants to hear from you is sobbing? Keep talking to him. Doesn't look like they're going to stop you. I sniffled, still crying, I looked at Tenchi. His breathing had stopped. My jaw quivered, and I held him close to my chest. I didn't know why I held him so close. Perhaps I hoped the sound of my heart would bring him back.

Remember what you once told me Tenchi? You told me you would love me until our hearts stopped beating...And that you'd probably love me then? Remember how I didn't say anything back? Well, I guess I didn't say anything because I froze. Nobody had ever really told me they loved me, and me believing them. But I love you, and I'll love you forever. I love you. So please, don't leave. I'm scared to do this on my own. Don't go. We can be happy, and be a family like we planned. I-I'm not good at saying good-bye, so don't leave me. Come back to me. No, stay with me, and we can be happy. Stay with me, and we can get married, and have more kids. We can grow old, and watch them grow up, and have kids. We can watch them grow up too, and have their own kids. Then, when we're old and senile, we can die together. I want to make you smile, and laugh. I want to hold your hand forever and never look back. You make me feel special. You make me feel like I'm the only one you can see. Like I'm the only one that matters. Please don't go to where I can't find you. Stay here with me, and I won't make you regret it. Don't die please! I felt hands tear him away from me, and I looked up through teary eyes to see who had done it. Hiashi stood there, glaring at me.

            "You stupid woman. Come on, we get ground to cover, and this useless fight has made us fall behind schedule." Tenzo growled, and stood up, his fists balled up.

            "Don't you dare talk to my sister like that!"Hiashi looked back at my brother, and handed Tenchi to Haruo, who looked at me, and then threw Tenchi over his shoulders. I cried, wanting to go over to Tenchi, but I couldn't move. Hiashi looked at my brother, his eyes hardening.