I've said it before and I'll say it again.
I don't own Tenchi Muyo.
For Reasons That Escape Me
By The Great El Dober
This is a sequel to "A Second Chance" so you should read it before reading this but just in case you haven't here is a brief summary of what you need to know to follow this sequel properly.
An argument with Washu results in Ryoko being shown one of her mother's many inventions. The machine can shift time back to the past and in the process erases everyone's memory up until that point. The only person who can keep their memory of the future is the person who activates the machine and they only keep their memory for one day.
In the end Ryoko decides to use the machine to travel back in time and accept Washu as her mother from the moment they are reunited (on the Souja) and therefore avoid all the hurtful and awkward moments that she would end up regretting. Will this work out though, for in twenty-four hours time Ryoko won't remember the motives behind her actions.
Ryoko has managed to pull her plan off successfully but will it work out in the long run? After all she's not the only one who gets a second chance.
Chapter One
It all seems like a dream now. Just like waking up from a pleasant dream, I can still remember the fondness but the details are so blurred. Why did I act so strange?
As Ryoko's mind yearned answers, the rest of the table was left wondering what was wrong with her. This was the third time in as many days that she had completely ignored Tenchi at the breakfast table. Had Washu's arrival really changed her that much?
I had never seen her before, but when she claimed to be my mother, I somehow knew it was true. How? Was it an instinct, a bond or am I just fooling myself. What if I am and this is all just. . . .
Is something wrong my little Ryoko?
Ryoko gasped in shock as Washu's message was passed across their link. She had heard it all, she knew what Ryoko had been thinking. What would she think? Reluctantly Ryoko shifted her gaze across the table to focus on her mother. She expected to be met with a look of hurt, offence and disappointment.
Instead Ryoko received a very different look. Washu expression was certainly more serious than usual, but it conveyed deep concern rather than hurt. She was far more worried than angered and something in her face seemed to promise support and patience with Ryoko's problems.
No Mom, everything's fine, Ryoko 'replied' with a smile. Her mother smiled back and sealed off the link, leaving Ryoko alone with her thoughts once more.
Still, it's nice to have someone who really cares about me. And I care about her too, I just don't know why.
Ryoko prodded her food moodily. She wasn't getting anywhere with this herself. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to talk to someone. But who? Washu was out of the question. She was ruled out as she was the subject of Ryoko's problems in the first place.
Next on the list was Tenchi's grandfather. He was indeed a man of great wisdom, which was why he also had to be ruled out. Katsuhito's answers were always far too cryptic to be of any use to her. There was one person however who might just understand. . . .
"That was great Sasami," Tenchi complimented while finishing his food, "But I have to get to work. The fields really need. . . ."
"Wait, Tenchi!" Ryoko started grabbing his sleeve to stop him from going anywhere. "Can I come with you?" she asked in a calm sincere voice.
Even her apparent sincerity was not enough for Tenchi who had been traumatised enough by her in the past and was petrified that something was about to happen again. Seeing Tenchi's very nervous expression Ryoko quickly added, "I won't try anything. I just want to talk and stuff."
"Okay, I suppose," Tenchi replied warily. He wasn't sure about this. Ryoko had been acting weirder than usual recently and if there was no telling what she would have done before, the possibilities were now scarily endless. Still she was his friend, and as such he should have more trust and patience with things like this, so he didn't say another word about it as he made his way to the door with the space pirate by his side.
Something's bothering her, Washu thought, I could sense it but I couldn't see what it was. Should I tell her what I know? Would she believe me? I just wish I could do something to . . .
"Miss Washu," Mihoshi whispered across the table, "Are you sure Ryoko hasn't gone mad?"
Washu just sighed impatiently. The first time it had been funny but after the third time it had lost it's novelty. Now it was just plain irritating.
In The Fields
"I hope you don't mind this," Ryoko said from her grassy position in the shade.
"No, not at all," Tenchi laughed, "I've not seen as much of you since Washu arrived."
"Aww, I knew you'd miss me!" Ryoko teased, trying to hide the real pride and joy swelling up inside of her.
He said he missed me, Ryoko thought, Maybe not in those words but that's what he meant. I knew it! He may be a little shy but deep down . . .
"So what do you want to talk about Ryoko?" Tenchi asked, breaking the silence that had formed while Ryoko's thoughts had been wandering.
"Oh, yes," Ryoko began before pausing again, taking time to make absolutely certain the link was sealed off good and proper. She couldn't let Washu hear any of this so she set up a complete block. Now they could scream bloody murder and the other would be none the wiser.
"It's about Washu," Ryoko resumed, confident of her privacy, "I'm kinda having trouble, you see."
Upon hearing this Tenchi stopped his work and put down his tools. He never thought he would see the day that Ryoko would approach him for genuine help or just to talk about her problems. It made him feel less like her fanatical obsession and more like her trusted friend. He liked that.
He carefully removed his work gloves and placed them down neatly next to his abandoned tools. He strode slowly out of the glare of the sun and into the shade where Ryoko sat, before sitting down right by her side much to her delighted surprise.
"Go on," Tenchi encouraged her, staring patiently into her eyes, offering the same support that Washu's face had seemed to promise earlier.
Ryoko was stunned. She had expected Tenchi to be reluctant to discuss such sensitive topics or at the very least for him to listen from a distance, but never this. Perhaps she didn't know Tenchi quite as well as she thought she did. He could be strong when he needed to be and he was there for her now so Ryoko decided to take advantage of him in a good way for once.
"I don't really have a problem with Washu herself," she began, "Having a mother is great, it's like a wonderful dream. That's the problem."
"I don't understand," Tenchi admitted. Perhaps he had been too eager to help. Was he even qualified to understand her problems never mind help with them?
Ryoko just sighed and looked to the sky for inspiration. There had to be a way to make him see.
"Have you ever had a dream Tenchi?" she began, "A dream so fantastic and full. Something you understood and enjoyed. Then you wake up and you still feel happy but the logic and reasons behind it have drifted away. That's how our reunion seems to me. I did so many things that I no longer understand."
She looked to him hopefully. That was as clear as she could make it. She found it hard enough to express normal feelings so explaining her confused feelings was a real challenge to her. Much to her relief, Tenchi nodded understandingly.
"I wouldn't be surprised," he started, "You were under a lot of stress and you over reacted. You thought I was dead, you were fighting your worst nightmare and your body had just been turned to stone. Most people would have lost it all together."
"No," Ryoko stated firmly. Tenchi had hoped his attempt at a light joke would help her loosen up but she seemed more up tight now than ever.
No one understands, she thought in dismay, Not even Tenchi. Mom might understand but it's too delicate a subject to bring up so soon. She is so happy to have me back, I can't spoil it now. I accepted her, I practically made a promise to love her. How can I go back on that? How can I let her down and say I don't remember anymore?
"There was more than that Tenchi, you have to believe me," she pleaded, desperately seeking support from him, "There was something more. There was an understanding, I had reasons, I had answers . . . ."
She lowered her head to face the ground regrettably before finishing half-heartedly, ". . . but now I have nothing but questions."
For a moment Tenchi just sat there in silent amazement. If he had been surprised before, now he was shocked. He had seen her somewhat troubled in the past but he couldn't remember ever seeing her this vulnerable before. Even onboard Souja she had managed to put up a valiant fight but now she looked completely defeated, completely consumed by her troubles.
"I'm scared Tenchi," she admitted weakly, "I'm scared that I've said something wrong, that I've promised something that I can't give. How can I hold onto feelings that I can't understand? The real problem is I still care about her and I don't want to hurt her. That's why I thought you would understand."
It took Tenchi a while to understand what she meant by that. Tenchi had a similar problem with Ryoko herself. She wanted something that Tenchi wasn't prepared to give her yet but he never came out and blatantly admitted it for fear of hurting Ryoko's feelings.
"You're right Ryoko," Tenchi began, "being in that position is very worrying, but you have to have a little faith. I'm not sure how I feel about you and have you left me?"
"No!" Ryoko almost shouted in reply, "I would never do that!"
"And neither would your mother," Tenchi continued, "She cares about you too much for that Ryoko, and from what you say I can know you feel the same way."
"Yes I do," Ryoko admitted with a faint smile, "I just wish I knew why."
Silence then fell over their shaded spot as they watched the sun beam down on surrounding fields. It was a calm tranquil scene that they quietly enjoyed together, letting their thoughts drift away with the cool breeze.
But in their moment of calm serenity they failed to notice a figure watching them from a hidden spot in the bushes. It observed them with emotionless indifference, just analysing the statistics, not caring about the consequences.
"I have located Ryoko," it reported, "but she is not alone. There is a boy in her company."
"In that case we have to amend our plans," came the reply, "Proceed directly to Washu and capture her instead."
"Yes doctor." The figure finished before heading of in the direction of the Masaki house, unnoticed by the Ryoko and Tenchi who still sat side by side lost in their thoughts.
End of Chapter One
In Chapter Two - Someone attacks the house and with Ryoko and Tenchi conveniently distracted how will things turn out? What of Ryoko? Is she just understandably confused or is Mihoshi right, has she gone mad?
Note - Like I've said in other fics I don't plead people to review but I won't continue this unless I get at least one positive review. As long as at least one person is interested I will persevere but otherwise there is little point.