A Heart Without A Beat
1.
"Look out, behind you!" Ryoko cries cupping her hands around her mouth feeling a sense of possessiveness towards her partner. The trainee snarls rushing towards Hotsuma at top speed, growing close the blonde steps out of range startling the trainee. Hotsuma ducks delivering a cross jab to the boy's ribcage. The young fighter tumbles to the ground yet rolled to his feet with great agility, grunting. Not giving up, he crouches in a low position almost animal-like, intending to tackle Hotsuma. The thin boy crawls drawing in the distance, chestnut eyes narrowed, like a bullet he sprinted forward just in time for Hotsuma to stepping outward draping his arm around the boy's neck immobilizing him.
Brief applause ensued, Ryoko clapping louder than everyone else and rushed to the center.
"Such a badass, I love it!" Ryoko hailed her partner cuddling his waist, ignoring the displeased glares from the others. Hotsuma gives a word of hurrah to the young lad before peering down at his enthusiastic companion her grip on him tight.
"Where did you learn how to do that? Didn't think you had it in you!" Ryoko playfully hit his chest and winks before nestling back into his chest.
"Ryoko…" Hotsuma moves her away reluctantly, he needed to train these young men for the battle they were against. Ryoko pouts and was about to protest when she caught movement from her peripheral. She watches as four men got into position with them in the center, her eyes sparkled with annoyance.
"What is the meaning of this?! Four against one! I can handle them, move aside let me at them! I'll show all of you not to me-Hey!" A shrill scream escaped her mouth as Hotsuma positioned her over his shoulder in a fireman's carry hauling her through the crowd.
"Hey put me down! What's your problem? Stop it! Stop it!" Finding the blond not adhering to her ordera rosiness crept across her face being turned on by his dominant behavior, yet feigned irritation as she yelled at those who look her way in embarrassment. Setting her down beside Takara, Hotsuma unfastened his top, sweat glistening on his tanned chest and core. His smoky blue eyes met her golden orbs, the wrestling made his muscles more tone and appealing. Ryoko could not help to smirk and bite down on her lip, she wraps her arms around his neck pulling him closer. "I want to mark you in front of everyone." She purrs into his ear.
Hotsuma drew back and held her head in his hands, spellbound by the intricate detail of her hairstyle. Her cyan hair pulled back with medium sized braids, a few cyan strands hanging down her face. Enthralling. However, her heightened sexual urge was concerning him.
"Ryoko," She beams at him.
"Yes." He mirrored her smile.
"Go. Away."
"What?!"
"You are being a distraction, Princess."
Her mouth fell open affronted, Hotsuma seized her arms bringing her close hoping to appease her. Her chest pressed against his. Amber eyes boring into his, feeling the need to let him have his way with her. Giving in, she pouts as he drew near kissing the crown of her head.Brushing the strands from her face, he notes how pale she was looking, "Go and get some rest." He relayed instructions to Takara making it sternly clear the cyan-haired beauty needs to get adequate rest. Planting a kiss to her forehead again, he turns away. Ryoko watches as the crowd closed in around him, her anxiety growing.
"My lady." Takara's voice steers her from her reverie.
"Right."
Ryoko regards the villagers conversing reticently as they walk by the poorly maintained shacks. The startled children hurrying to pass them to their respective parents, to hide behind them peering at her. Her look was undeniably foreign. Unmoved, Takara sends her a knowing smirk and a sidelong glance long enough to grab the pirate's attention.
"You two were gone for a while," Her grin broadens, Ryoko flush.
"A lady doesn't kiss and tell." Ryoko fidgets with her top trinket, marking her as a commander.
"Oh no-" Ryoko grunts and bent over clenching her eyes shut.
"We have to hurry so you can rest, my lady." Ryoko frown as the acidic taste fills her throat and darts to a nearby rock spewing her guts. "That is right, you've been like this for the last week." Takara lay a caring hand on the small of Ryoko's back then loops her arm around Ryoko's torso holding her close to her body. Just before they could stride off, a female elder shuffle over blocking their path. "Move aside!" Takara warns.
The short and aged woman with thick gray and black mane evaded the women's space. Her tan face and piercing brown eyes fill Ryoko's vision scrutinizing her.
"Silver hair lady, you come with me." She orders tugging on Ryoko's wrist.
The woman's grip was rather strong that it made Ryoko uncomfortable.
"Who are you? I am not going anywhere until I know who you are."
"We are happy you saved us, but its time you take care of you." The elder hesitated, turning to Takara, she spoke in the native tongue still holding Ryoko's wrist in her withered hands emphasizing her words with a tap of her hand.
"Her name is Chiaki, she is the village's shaman. She would like for you to come to her tent. She feels there is something wrong—I don't recommend it, she's a witch." Takara scorn.
"Chiaki. Tell me, what is wrong?" Ryoko urges feeling eager to go with the woman.
"She says, you are frail. Many will need you in the near future. She has a great concern for you."
"Concern? I am fine." Ryoko watches as the elder grew impatient and began to forcefully pull her off the rock. "Hey, wait a minute!"
The three women reach the opening of the tent, Chiaki went in first and moved the animal skin flap beckoning for them to enter. Takara and Ryoko trade questioning glances and entered. Inside, Ryoko saw more elderly women hovering over little pots crushing some darks and unfamiliar pieces. Ryoko bows to them hoping they would accept her appearance into their home. The women nod back and presume their duties. Takara gently takes hold of Ryoko's hand, leading to a spot Chiaki was setting up. Chiaki instructed Ryoko to lay supine, fixing the pillow under her head; encouraging her to relax. Placing two digits upon Ryoko's wrist, Chiaki closes her eyes as Takara also watches in interest and casting a reassuring glance down at Ryoko. Chiaki hummed a soft tone and nods her reservations confirmed. Ryoko quirked a brow, anxious on the news she was going to receive.
"Well?" Ryoko sat up looking at the elder with anticipation. Chiaki stated one word to Takara, who looks to Ryoko wide eye. "What is it? Tell me."
"You are with child." Takara clasps her hands over her mouth.
"I'm pregnant. Me? Mother?"
End of Flashback
"What do you want?" Ryoko mumbled as she bunches the pillow beneath her.
"Mind your tone, little Ryoko," Washu warns making her way over to her disgruntled daughter.
"We should arrive within the next half-hour." Washu laid back on her arms on the stack of pillows. "You were talking in your sleep, again."
"Again? No surprise there, it has been happening a lot since I took these! If you must know, your experimental drug has adverse side effects: Hearing Voices, too!" Ryoko turns to the side dangling the bottle in front of the petite woman face.
"Is that so?" Washu opens one emerald eye, she examines the pill container giving it a shake. "Interesting. I can ensure you it's not the medication though."
"Bullshit. I am not crazy."
"Auditory Hallucination, so what. Just an absence of an external stimulus that has qualities of real perception. Not a big deal." A smirk plays across her face.
"Auditory Hallucination…" Ryoko repeats the appellation softly. She frowns feeling tears welling up in her eyes, "Shit, it's a hallucination nonetheless. Could it be related to pregnancy?"
Washu heaves a sigh and snuggles into the pillow with a pleasant smile, "Many expectant mothers experience a myriad of things." She nestled more into the comfy pillow causing the rest of her speech to become muffled. "Come on let's get some shut eye." Ryoko allows a yawn to escape and follow suit with her petite mother's command.
"What's your excuse, lady Ayeka?" Tenchi approaches the lavender-haired Juraiian who kept her head heavenward. Deep in his heart, he knew Ryoko will do whatever she felt was right for her.
He also knew that Ryoko will have her reservations as to why the princess decided at the last minute to back out on the trip.
"The Black Destruction. The first Supreme Council. Two facets that are linked to Ryoko's past. That man dragged her into committing those crimes…" Ayeka grits her teeth as she cast Tenchi a look of dismay, "157 damage reports and destroyed 368 ships of the Galaxy Police fleet. Just when she was getting better."
"It's a shame."
"157 damage reports…368 ships. Kami, she gets caught out there she's done for! The child. His child. It should never have come to this…." Tenchi lowers his head and clenches his fists if he never had gone to Tokyo, none of this would have taken place.
"Do not blame yourself, Lord Tenchi." Ayeka turns to him, she places her hand on his shoulder giving it a squeeze.
"No Ayeka, Ryoko's jewels have played a big part in grandfathers life span…" Tenchi trails off, remembering how he compares Ryoko imprisonment to Yugi's confinement. "She's such a big asset to this family. Dammit, she was right." Tenchi whispers towards the end. Ayeka cocked her head to the side, trying to decode the young man's words.
"I beg your pardon, Lord Tenchi?" Tenchi quickly glances up, regretting what he has disclosed.
"A 'tool' something that she had deemed herself to be many times. It did not make any sense at the before until now. She was constantly the family's bodyguard. I suppose there was an essence about Hotsuma, that made Ryoko gravitate towards him, leaving everything behind…arousing that passion for piracy again. He must've made her feel 'special' more than how we acted towards her."
"Walk with me." She leans in taking his arm, "I want to show you something, Lord Tenchi."
….