Kakumei Muyo
By Harunomiya
Disclaimer:Revolutionary Girl Utena and its characters belong to Be-PaPas, Chiho Saito.
Shogakukan, Shokaku Iinkai and TV Tokyo.
Tenchi Muyo and its characters belong to Hitoshi Okuda, AIC and Pioneer.
Chapter 6: Effort
Utena was still embarrassed about what happened weeks ago. That she caused everyone to fret over her, just because she dosed off (well, she gave way to exhaustion), but seeing how worried Ryoko and particularly Sasami, she assured them that it wouldn't happen again. She didn't like to see the younger girl worried like that.
Under watchful eyes of Sasami, Utena ate more than her usual amount of food during dinner and not to say anything about her bento box; it was also filled with more food that she promised Sasami she'll eat. A promise that was easily kept since everything that Sasami prepared was divinely delicious.
Ryoko watched her like a hawk, always dragging her off whenever she thought that a break was in order. It was hard to stay miffed at any of them since she knew that they had the best of intentions at heart. She was just not use to the constant attention to her well being.
Tenchi sat with her whenever she wasn't in the dojo with the kendo team, making sure she took it easy. He was of two minds with the situation. Torn between making sure his friend well rested or staying away from her because of his friends constant hounding around them, most notably Amagazaki.
The boy was infatuated with her but couldn't seem to gather up the courage to talk to Utena on his own without having Tenchi as a buffer. Utena was nice to him and found him somewhat odd but harmless. She liked his enthusiasm whenever she brought up the topic of wrestling. All his weird awkwardness around her seemed to melt away when he warmed up to his favorite topic.
Utena had an inkling that Amagazaki would do very well in the sport. She actually said something to that effect to him.
"You know, Amagazaki, I think you'll do just fine as a pro wrestler," she said to him one day. "You understand the sport, and if you're dedicated enough and start a good work out… well who knows?"
"You really think so?" he asked, eyes wide, unable to believe what Utena just said.
She grinned at him, "Maybe even turn into an icon in the sport."
Utena had no idea how her words affected poor Amagazaki, that was in fact his most treasured dream. She couldn't know how often he envisioned victories won in a ring, overcoming his opponent through the sheer strength of his body. All the sweat and tears of his efforts made his victory all the more triumphant. His parents had hoisted upon him their visions of him becoming a doctor. They didn't care what he was a doctor of as long as he had the prestige of the title before his name.
But now here was this beautiful girl who believed in his dream, gave him hope whether she knew it or not.
In that moment he had made his decision. He will follow his dream, against all that will oppose it. It didn't matter as long as he clung to her words.
Tenchi saw his friend's strange reaction and sighed. He seemed lost in some fantasy that only made sense to him. He couldn't help but thank the gods that he wasn't so foolish in his dealing with the girls.
Of course, that was a matter of perspective, depending on who was asked.
Three months latter Tenchi and Utena got home and were met along the way by Ryoko at the bus stop. Utena was bursting with news. She hugged Ryoko and yet seemed quite impatient to get home.
"What's got you so wired?" Ryoko asked as she floated alongside her, curious.
Utena grinned, slightly blushing. "I got to get to Washu. I need to show her something."
"Don't let us stop you," Ryoko said, yellow eyes dancing as she looked over at Tenchi. Utena laughed in understanding as she took off at full run towards the house.
Thanks, Ryoko thought as she watched the pink-haired girl vanish, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.
"Wow," Tenchi exclaimed as he also watched. "She's fast." Guess that all that hard training is paying off, he thought wryly.
Utena reached the house and greeted Ayeka hastily, not wanting to be deterred from her mission. She went straight for the door that led to Washu's lab, until she caught sight of the unmistakable mane of hair, out of the corner of her eye. With smooth precision, Utena changed her course, without ever slowing down and jumped over the couch like a world class athlete. She fell onto the cushions with a thump, startling Washu as she thrust a sheet of paper before her, barely winded.
"What in the-" began Washu as she quickly scanned the contents of the paper, Utena held out to her. It was Utena's academic performance; all subjects had high marks. Washu smiled widely.
"I'm proud of you," Washu said as she was enveloped in Utena's hug.
"I did it Washu! All thanks to you." Utena said, her blue eyes earnest.
"No, it was all your effort that paid off." Washu said in turn, startled by the sudden emotion that was beginning to swell.
Utena shook her head stubbornly. "You helped me understand many things. One thing I come to realize is that some things are not meant to be gone through alone." Utena's voice held heartfelt emotion. "To know that you helped, means so much to me."
Washu was absolutely moved with the words that were spoken and her green eyes glittered as she was held in arms filled with honest affection. She understood what Utena meant only too well. She returned the hug, as briefly closed her eyes.
The rest of the household was already there to witness such a tender moment, each wearing a smile. But when she opened her eyes, they fell on Ryoko who stood at the door arms crossed, with her own yellow eyes open and gentle. Washu smiled at her daughter and was warmed by the answering smile she received in turn.
Eventually Utena drew back, with a sheepish smile on her lips. Her hand rubbed the back of her neck.
"Um, I guess I forgot to take off my shoes in all the excitement," she said, causing everyone to laugh. She grinned despite her foolishness. Utena was not bothered by the laughter, but felt warmed, accepted.
"Thanks again Washu."
Washu watched her go, filled with strong emotions, which were hard to handle. She was startled and unsettled by Ryoko's hand at her shoulder.
--You okay?-- Ryoko asked Washu through their mind link.
Washu could only nod as an answer to Ryoko's question, too surprised by the brief contact.
--She got to you too.-- Ryoko chuckled as she dropped her hand from Washu's shoulder.
Washu felt the keen loss of such a brief moment of contact with her daughter, but felt happy all the same for it. Yes, she understood Ryoko's instant fondness for Utena. She was so easy to like.
Pleased by the results of her efforts, Utena still sought out Washu's company. She wanted to surround herself with Washu's friendship and vast knowledge. She began to see things in a different light, helping her to mature and understand all the things around her. Months went by and these things increased.
Ryoko was surprised by how much time she spent with Washu, more than she would have liked. It puzzled her that how well they got along. During the family meals, she saw Washu spending time to commune with the others. She was still as annoying as usual with the kudos she gave herself but it was offset by the fact that they were shorter.
But she wasn't completely self-absorbed in her work. At the table she would asked about everyone's day and listened to what the other's had to say. It was so strange to Ryoko. More often than not, she and Utena would continue a conversation, which was easy enough to follow and the others would ask a question or two.
She saw that nothing suspicious ever happened in Washu's lab. Utena was right to trust where she was always alert for Washu to show her true intentions. It was not intentional, but her history with Washu was already there and was not pleasant. But for all that, Ryoko was surprised to see Washu acting so normal.
It can't be helped, Washu knew, that Ryoko mistrusted her. It hurt her to see it in her face. But even with her apprehensions, she was in her lab. Not really of her own choice but, because of her protectiveness towards Utena. Ryoko was on guard if anything happened, almost waiting to prove her right; that Washu couldn't be trusted with anyone inside her lab.
Washu couldn't blame her, but it still hurt.
On occasion, Ryoko would join them and sit quietly, listening and occasionally ask a question or two, but mostlu spent observing. The space pirate began to see Washu in a new light. She seemed more down to earth and even less of the usual arrogance that she carried. How she interacted with Utena was not condescending but rather endless calm due to the face that she really liked her.
Washu began to sense her daughter's interest in the things that she had to say, and tried to keep her from drifting away, she tried to simplify her explanations and fought the urge to be so absorbed in it all. Washu realized that Utena perceived their distancing and in her naive and charming way tried to mend the rift that was there without full understanding of why it was there. But her actions were born from the heart.
Yet, from that feeling, the first tentative steps were there to build upon, with Utena acting as the bridge that helped them cross the divide. For that attempt alone Washu would have been won over by the pink-haired girl, but it only served to compound the growing love already there. Not only had Washu regained her daughter, but gained another she thought as such as well.
And looking upon Ryoko and Utena, who sat side by side, love overflowed and spilled over.
Ryoko's mind drifted to a conversation that she had with Utena not long ago.
The most infamous space pirate in the universe was idly perched on top of a rooftop, uncaring of the precariousness of her seating, Sake bottle near and a filled cup in her hand.
She was star gazing, taking in the beauty of the peaceful night. This was one of her favorite times on Earth. She was able to let her mind wonder, knowing that there was no one to see her. She sometimes missed wandering the heavens on Ryo-oh-ki, seeking adventure. But imagine her greatest surprise when she realized that everything was nothing compared to what she found here on this backwater planet called Earth. she had and old asortment of friends, whom she treasured. Her greatest treasure in the universe was one Masaki Tenchi.
Who would have thought it that the greatest space pirate will fall for someone like Tenchi. the first one to see her, when no one else could. She played with him and watched him grow from the little boy, suffered his heratbreak, to the young man he become. A young man who at first glace wasn't anything special. But upon a closer look, and his potential was endless. He was the Crowned Prince of the House of Jurai, heir to the most powerful empire in the universe. Add to that that he was Tsunami's chosen Champion, and able to produce three Light Hawk Wings, without the aid of a Juraian treeship.
But she didn't care for any of that. She loved him for who he was his innate kindness and generosity. He didn't want anything from her or from any of the other girls for that matter (only that his home stayed intact, since he couldn't do much about her and Ayeka constant bickering).
Damn prissy princess, Ryoko thought. Always on my case... looking for a fight. If I wanted to I would have mopped the floor with her. Just because she's Sasami's sister I let her slide. But damn, she pushes her luck...
She briefly entertained the thought of sealing Ayeka in the damp cave, but she knew that that will never happen. No mater how awful Ayeka was, she didn't wish for that sort of thing on her. Being looked away, with nothing but her awful memories and the loneliness was haunting. But she would gladly suffer it again if Tenchi was there, waiting for her.
She sipped from her sake, and her ever sharp hearing picked up on the familiar noises of the house. The slight noise would have been unnoticeable to anyone human. Still, Ryoko admired the skill of the person who moved so silently, though she already knew who it was.
She stifled a chuckle and waited.
Sure enough, a mass of pink hair popped into view and Ryoko watched out of the corner of her eye as Utena pulled herself up onto the roof top with as little as possible. Once as she hoisted herself over, Utena gained her footing, and made her way across to where Ryoko was.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Ryoko drawled.
"Shouldn't you?" Utena retorted.
"I can't sleep."
"Well, neither can I."
Making sure that she wouldn't fall off, Utena sat besides Ryoko, knees drawn up and arms wrapped around them.
They were both sitting up on the rooftop looking up at the stars. They shone brilliantly in the night sky. It was something that Utena enjoyed doing, stargazing.
"Why do you sleep out here?" Utena asked.
She was silent for a moment "I can't protect them if I sleep inside," Ryoko said.
"Oh." The princely girl understood what she was referring to. It made sense, in a way.
Utena was silent for a moment in turn, but not for long. "Is there danger, I mean from out there?" she gestured up into the night sky.
"I am the greatest and feared Space Pirate in the whole Universe. There's always danger." Ryoko said as though that statement explained it all. Utena was suddenly reminded of Washu at the moment because of the wording.
She is her mother's daughter, Utena thought with a trace of humor, as her lips lifted at the corners.
Ryoko missed Utena's reaction, eyes clouded. "He found me here. Who's to say others won't as well?" Ryoko asked rhetorically, words spoken with bitterness.
Who? Utena wanted to ask but didn't dare, seeing Ryoko's reaction.
Ryoko wanted to leave the conversation, because she knew from experience that speaking with the younger girl at length would only aggravate her already dour mood. But there she sat waiting for the princely girl to dare and ask another question, waiting for that unsurpassed brilliant shine of light that emanated from every naïve word and innocently stated point of exceeding optimism to spring forth and mock the very heart of her own deeply set cynicism.
It was all for nothing wishing, and hoping. Why then in her flux of emotions did she want to linger in such a strange conversation? Why was she so very prepared to be honest with this girl she knew nothing about? And it struck her suddenly that that was the reason. She knew nothing of Tenjou Utena, except what she had learned from Washu. And knowing nothing made it incongruously safe to reveal even the slightest of things, even if she fought the want to reveal anything at all there was something genuine the girl's bright blue eyes.
Ryoko sensed Utena's curiosity but kept it in check. She was glad that she didn't press her for details. But she knew that Utena would eventually find out so it was best that she told her.
"Kagato," the word was spoken like a vile thing. "He-I-"
"You don't need to tell me," Utena said quickly, seeing how unsettled Ryoko was with the topic.
"I was under his control for centuries," Ryoko forced herself to say. "I did... things... that I'm ashamed of. Things that are unforgivable." She began to withdraw into herself.
Utena immediately reached out for, Ryoko's hand, felt the tremors that shook the pirate. She felt Ryoko trying to pull away but Utena was having none of it. She had to know that was the past.
Ryoko told her a condense version of events that lead her to be sealed in the cave. She spoke of the attack on Jurai 700 years earlier, her fight with Yosho and the inability to do anything but be trapped with her horrible memories and actions.
Utena's protective instincts flared brightly along with fury that this was done to Ryoko. She wrapped her arm around the other girl's shoulders, and felt Ryoko's resistance as she tried to pull away. Utena lessened the pressure, allowing her to move more freely but wasn't doing to let her go.
Once she was certain that Ryoko wouldn't pull away from her again Utena spoke, her words impassioned.
"But didn't sealing you in the cave was punishment enough Ryoko, it wasn't your fault!"
"Doing what you did to Jurai, Yosho spared your life. He knew it wasn't your fault."
Utena heard Ryoko mutter something she heard, causing to frown. "Damn it Ryoko, you are not weak!" she snapped. "What you gone through, no weakling could have survived!" she shook her head.
"I'm surprised that you have a sense of humor," Utena noted in a lighter tone, seeing that Ryoko was mortified to be so caught venerable, feeling exposed.
Ryoko was trying to smother a laugh; she didn't want to awake the others that sleep soundly this night. In doing so caused her shoulders to shake with the suppressed laughter.
Pulling herself free from Utena's arm, Ryoko wiped the remains of her tears with the back of her hand. "Sheesh! This'll spoil my tough-guy image!" she had a self conscious grin.
"No!" Utena exclaimed softly, blue eyes wide. "I mean, we can't let that happen! What would they think?"
Ryoko chuckled and smacked Utena on the arm. "I've made your pajama top all wet," she noted looking at the stains of her tears, dark patches in the starlight, and feeling foolish.
"It'll dry." She answered blithely.
Ryoko closed her eyes; they stung and burned. She reached for the sake. Drinking a cup, she felt the stuff settle her.
Ryoko noticed Utena, shivering and offered her a cup of sake. Utena looked at Ryoko with puzzlement.
"It looks like its getting cold. The way I see it, it's a too beautiful night to turn in," she said. "Besides, the sake will warm you up fast."
The other girl hesitated, knowing she shouldn't but, she didn't want to go back to bed just yet. "I guess, one can't hurt," Utena reasoned as she took the proffered cup. Ryoko poured from the bottle. Utena watched her pour a generous amount. She watched Ryoko settle back and took a swig from the bottle. She stared down into the cup, seeing the reflection of the stare mirrored back at her from the clear drink.
Will the stars offer me their glowing warmth? Utena idly wondered.
Shi lifted the cup to her lips, tilting her head back as she drank it. She felt the immediate sting, the burning sensation of the clear liquid racing down her throat. A fiery burn as it raced throughout her body, chasing away the cold and filling her with warmth.
She coughed, choking of the strength of the stuff. But Ryoko was right; she didn't feel the cold anymore, only her body flushed.
She handed the cup back to Ryoko who was amused by Utena's reaction.
"Another reason why I prefer being outside, I don't do well in enclosed areas."
"Tell me about it," Utena said, having that in common with her. "I can't sand it being inside for long." The sake loosened her up and her words revealed more than she would have. "It's unnerving. Sometimes I feel like I'm trapped in a... coffin."
Ryoko looked over at Utena, whose blue yes seemed troubled. The cyan-haired beauty was surprised. That is exactly how she felt when she was locked away in the cave. No one would truly know the mind numbing horror, she went through. Of being trapped in the endless darkness. How she screamed endlessly, a never ending cry from deep within her, but she could voice no sound. Move no muscle. At the time she thought her conqueror intended her to suffer so. She did everything she could to get him to kill her, better dead than back under Kagato's control. She thought that she didn't escape her cruel slavery from Kagato, that the Juraian prince was no different when he sealed her away.
She was actually buried alive, wishing to be otherwise, anything else but that. She was aware of everything that happened around her and yet helpless to do anything. That is until Tenchi came across her, and eventualy set her free.
She turned her thoughts to the younger girl, who did seem to have an aversion similar to her own. She wondered why though, something must have happened for her to be troubled so. It was unsettling thought.
She liked Utena and hated to see her so upset.
Utena at length, spoke again, made even bolder with the sake. But this time it was wistfulness. She turned to Ryoko, her cheeks flushed. What came out of her mouth caught Ryoko off guard.
"You know Ryoko, You're lucky to have your mother with you."
She was prepared for anything but that. "Ha! Some mother," Ryoko retorted.
"It must be tough for you to call her mom after so many years. I bet she never meant you to grow up the way you did." Utena had said gently. "But as hard it is for you to talk to her; don't you think that it's equally hard for Washu?"
"She always tries to get a rise out of me, through Tenchi... everything and anything she can do."
"Don't you think that that's..." Utena stopped searching for the words. "The only way she can connect with you at any level, even negatively," She blinked, swaying lightly, as she focused on Ryoko. "Because that's the only way to get you to react to her?"
"..."
Ryoko looked at Utena in honest surprise and fought the sardonic smile. "For someone who's tipsy, you're making sense." She couldn't help it, her smile widened. "You're getting a little too coherent for me."
Utena snorted but continued. "Washu wants to be a part of your life. I would give anything for an hour with my parents. You have your chance. It's all up to you." Utena looked at her, blue eyes self mocking. "But what the heck do I know? I'm just a kid compared to all of you."
Hardly that, Ryoko thought, considering what Utena's words. Words out of the mouth of babes.
Ryoko felt the warmth and affection radiating from Washu unexpectedly suffused her. She was guided by the conversion that was present in her mind, reached out to her, her fingers finding Washu's-her mother's.
--Mom?-- Ryoko sent the thought tentatively.
Washu's heart overflowed with joy and love at the simple word, unshed tears simmered in the corner of those brilliant green eyes, hand tightening slightly.
--My little Ryoko...-- Washu answered.
Utena felt the emotions that flowed from both women as they looked at each other. Her heart was filled with gladness, knowing that mother and daughter found themselves, no, connected, after such a long time of estrangement. She was slightly wistful as she rose to her feet, having grace enough to give them this moment.
Suddenly, she felt a hand at her wrist and Utena looked down to find Washu smiling warmly up at her, in her true adult form. Ryoko took her other wrist, Utena's gaze turned to meet that golden gaze that was ever playful and at the moment welcoming. At that moment the three of them were locked together, suspended in a moment in time.
"My daughter..." Washu spoke the words softly but well meant. Utena's blue eyes widened, caught off guard at the implication of those words. She looked back and forth between them.
"You know, I always wanted a sister," Ryoko began, seeing Utena's reaction. Such was the impact, of those words that silent tears spilled forth and ran down her cheek, unheeded. Her knees gave out from under her as she fell. Both Washu and Ryoko embraced Utena, holding her close as she cried,. Their tears joined hers.
She couldn't do anything but cry as her heart wept tears for her childhood pain. Unshed tears for the loss of her mother and father, that she never let fall. Their faces that blurred as the years went by. The sorrow felt because of the fading precious memories, how desperately she tried to hold on to them. All were fragmented shards of a broken dream, never to be whole again.
And now her newfound acceptance, blood ties were not the only way to form a family. Bonds created by those that welcomed and loved you freely.
Each of them knew that though the bonds were formed it was still a new thing. To know that Ryoko called her mom meant the world to Washu. After so many years and the heartbreak of having been without Ryoko, her baby girl acknowledged her as her mother. She knew her daughter was not use to dealing with her like this, she understood what it cost Ryoko to call her so. Her life was not easy, if only had she been there... things would have been so different...
Washu turned away from such thoughts. There was nothing she could do know to change what was, all she could do now, is affect what is and what will be.
She would do anything in her power to keep Ryoko from drifting away from her. Cultivate her with the unconditional love she had for her little Ryoko. Be there for her... be everything that she needed. Be her friend and mother. To the both of them, Washu silently vowed.
She looked at both her daughters and felt an overpowering love and a sense of pride.
Ryoko would feel strange referring to Washu as her mother, though that is what she was. Stranger still would be calling her mom aloud around the others. The word was unfamiliar to her, the years too long in between for it to come easily to her lips. But it triggered something deep in her heart. She realized that she had someone to call mom.
As long as she doesn't make me call her "Mommy Washu". Ayeka would just die laughing... Ryoko thought, not liking the image that popped into her head. And she would definitely die from embarrassment.
--Mommy Washu? I like the ring of it!-- Washu purred hearing her daughter's unspoken thoughts, through their shared link. Though, if Ryoko thought about it for a second Washu would certainly turn Ayeka into a sprite if she dared to laugh at Ryoko if she called her mommy. Juraian princess or no!
--If you think, for one minute I'll-- began a blushing Ryoko's thought only to be stopped short.
--No, my little Ryoko. It would mean a lot if you call me mom...--
Ryoko caught a brief hesitation intermingled with hopefulness from Washu across their link.
--...that is if you can. I hope you can think of me as your friend.--
--...-- Ryoko was at a loss for words so she said the only thing she could think of. --Thanks.--
As strange and eccentric Washu was, she was her mother, and was loved. But she also had a sister, Utena. Ryoko couldn't ask for anyone else.
Utena was lost in her own internal musings that set her mind racing with the new possibilities. It would be very strange for Utena to hear Ryoko call her sister, though warmed by the feelings behind it. Growing up alone was something painful to her. Had she had a brother or sister, the loss of her parents wouldn't have hurt so much. She would have had someone to comfort and be comforted by. To share what she felt and have a sense of a family.
Aunt Yurika had tried as best as she could, with taking care of her, she was very young when she ended up with Utena. Utena remembered the tears that were always there, along with the helplessness, to change what happened.
It was funny how things happened, the three of them were quite lonely and they drew together and formed a family that they each wanted, and needed. No one should be alone.
They will all take it a step at a time. Built upon the foundations of what happened here today. Slowly and carefully, there was no need to rush; creating something that will be everlasting.
Author's Notes:
End of Chapter 6: Effort
This was initially part of chapter 5: Scholar. However, it took a life of its own that took it in a different direction. I felt somewhat compelled to give it its own space to evolve.
So what do you think? Comments and Criticisms are welcome. Please review. Thanks for reading!
--Harunomiya