A Heart Without A Beat
Zinnia
"Can it get any colder?" Kiyone tightens the neck of her top shivering alongside the equally trembling Mihoshi. Their grievances were immediately addressed by a cozy forcefield provided by the petite genius.
"Much better, thanks little Washu!" Mihoshi sighs in relief as she looks over Kiyone shoulder looking at the stratagem of where the body of the pirate could have been.
"Washu, Ryoko. There is nothing popping up over here."
"That's bullshit! His body was right here…uh…well," Ryoko turns to the wintry plain mystified, squinting as the flakes battered her exposed face. No trace of Gaiyan not even the frozen corpse of the former pirate.
"Ryoko, the coordinates blatantly are not detecting—Nonsense!" Ryoko cut across at the agitated teal-haired detective hastily approaching the duo. Washu tore her focus away briefly intending to reprimand her daughter until a fragment caught her attention over her detector.
"Think I found something, eight feet away!"
The cyan-haired woman uses her arm to shield the assault of the snow ambling to the site Washu draws her attention to, resting on her knees she parts the unforgiving ice. Glistening in the sludge, is an eclectic and evergreen indigo stone ring. Eyeballing the weighty piece of jewelry, allowing it to roll around in her palm, memories flooded to her mind.
"Eat more, my child." Chiaki placed the platter in front of Ryoko. A few elders crowded Ryoko placing serving dishes in front of her, two others kneading her shoulders and hands. Catching her tongue between her teeth, she ogles the food before her. This was paradise, receiving the royal treatment…at the price of becoming a mother. Alright!
Gleefully closing her eyes and basking in the happy mingling of voices and music of her celebration, undeniably lifted her spirits. A petite elder took hold of Ryoko's hand and wrapped it around the body of an earthen cup urging her to drink. "What's this?" Ryoko looks to Takara for an explanation.
"A Tea, it is a culmination of raspberry leaf, Ginger root, and other aromatic plants. It also—My lady!" Takara watched as Ryoko downed the tea quickly, she smiles appreciatively and insists for another helping. She saw the concerned guise from Takara, Ryoko ran her fingers through the woman's dark locks sending her a dazzling smile, "For the baby's wellbeing."
"Of course, my lady." Takara's lips curve upward, basking in the glow of motherhood that fell upon the pirate. Her smile was one of happiness growing, just like the little one within her. She moves to the side for Ryoko to joined Chiaki and another elder breaking out in dance as the rapid succession of beats filled the room.
The absence of his dear partner made him feel incomplete. He needed her, he needed to feel her. She made him feel good. Her pouty faint pink lips, those eyes of liquid gold, her soft silky hair, the warmth of her body. He needed her. Wrapped up in his fervor, Hotsuma becomes aware of the darkness and silence that enclosed him. Light and laughter ahead caught his attention and he raced over to their tent. Moving the animal skin to the side, he enters the room finding Ryoko spinning and bouncing around cheeks flushed with a big smile. Ryoko spins finding him at the doorway and broke through the circle, at that moment the partying had come to an abrupt end. The women exchanged concern and hopeful looks, before turning their attention to the couple.
"Your face is screwed up like you're mad" She folded her arms, peering at him with one golden orb. "I can't sit around all day."
"Is that so? Tanrim! You were supposed to be resting, not hanging loose. It was an order." The women watched on as the couple move to the corner of the room. Ryoko followed close behind poking at his shoulder.
"Hey! Don't use any swear words at me, partner!"
"It was not a curse!" He squared her up, arms open and palms facing skyward. Ryoko sighed placing a hand to her upper chest, her fingers briefly teasing her neck.
"Could you be less controlling for just two minutes? Less of an asshole thank you." Her hand drops, palm face down. Oh yes, she is going to steer this ship. Hotsuma raised a brow, taking aback by her tone towards him. He tenses and quickly shifts his attention to the packed tent. His sights landed on Chiaki, and the ethnic beads she wore. Color-coded beads, crystals, the aroma of herbal teas, a flower crown perched on top of Ryoko's head. His blue eyes became dark, Hotsuma felt like the room was closing in on him. He drew in a long breath, turns to gaze at her his expression unreadable. He hastily left the room.
With a mirthless laugh, Ryoko raked her long fingers through her hair, removing the flower crown in the process. Takara impulsively ordered the elder women to go and approached the gloomy mother to be.
"I'm not feeling so good." Ryoko spoke softly her nose wrinkling.
"I can watch over you tonight."
"No. You need the rest." Her eyes began to swim with tears.
His jaw tightened, he surveyed the area hoping that he was not being followed. His lips drew back in a snarl, as he dropped to the ground behind a pillar. It was not long before a mocking laugh filled the air. Materializing a foot away, Yugi gave him a once-over and humph.
"So, help me." She dropped her head back. "I can never be unkind to you, you are my favorite."
"What is also unkind? Coaxing others, promising freedom, knowing you will never grant it!" Hotsuma spat. He was not done with her, he stood up. His glare sharp and calculated, "You desired to be admired, idealized for courage, but you push your phony noble qualities on to an unsuspecting young Juraian princess."
"Such a cynical disregard for morality and lack of empathy Oh wait—you've formed a rapport. Great minds think alike. Anyways, I love Sasami and she loves me too!" The astral being of the child landed on the grassy land becoming solid. "When I assigned you this mission per your request, I always imagined this would be the result. I knew you would eventually confirm that I couldn't trust you." She fixed him a glare. "I wanted to kill you. Was planning to but remembered this pesky prophecy. You die and well…"
"Then give me my freedom back. You got what you wanted, the family is separated. I have her. You have your world!"
"You have a beautiful mind, Hotsuma. I like watching it writhe when you did whatever I ask." She grins and bit down on her lip until it was pink. "Pick someone to spare: the unborn or Ryoko but I have no interest in hurting children."
Hotsuma swallowed, "Stop it."
A cruel twist form over her lips. "You picked the punishment, it's an incentive." With that, the child burst into a hearty laugh, "Look at your face," she fades her chuckling eating at him.
Ryoko laid on the uncomfortable bed, she held her breath as she heard shuffling outside. Footsteps enter the room, she saw the tall figure of her partner walking by her from her peripheral.
"I'm scared. I've never been in this situation before." Ryoko sat up turning to him, as expected, he was at the desk studying something in his hand that she could not see.
"Please say something." Ryoko moisten her lips, not a movement or groan came from him. He sat still. Ryoko rose sauntering to him. "Hotsuma." She did not want to startle him, he heaved a sight and sat up hovering over the object.
"What's with the box?" Ryoko interest peeks, she leans forward running a hand across his shoulders. Hotsuma covers the box in his large hands and turn his head in her direction. His sight landing on her stomach.
"I am sorry." He whispers and peers up at her, she nods and straightens up. It was the perfect timing, Hotsuma saw her shiver from the drop of temperature of the night. He pulled her to his lap, one arm holding her waist and the other securing her thighs. He rested his head on her chest and grumble on how he regretted what transpired earlier. Ryoko grinned he was such a man-child, she fingered the strands of hair that fell over his face. Her gentle touch and the steady beating of her heart was all he needed. His lips travels to her neck teasing the sensitive spot, she hugs him to her tilting her head back. The butterflies in her tummy had returned, she sighs enjoying the feeling. As the intensity build, Ryoko sights landed on the brown box.
"Wait, what's in the box?" She places her palms on his chest drawing back. Hotsuma frees an arm, picking it up. The couple exchange looks almost becoming apprehensive, both having their own tribulations.
Without another gripe, he opens the box, revealing an oval and indigo stone ring. Hotsuma removes the ring, enthralled by the design. Ryoko is equally taken by the design, it reminded her a lot of his eyes at different times of the day. She always heard that the color is representative of planning for the future also loyalty and creativity that was the embodiment of their partnership.
"It's not the right timing, I did not plan on asking with you in this…condition." He briefly looks to her and pensively back to the ring. Ryoko smiles and held his face in her hands, rubbing their noses together.
"I couldn't imagine what life would be like without you." She kissed him again. "I am pregnant, it's not like I have a disease." They both erupted in laughter recalling their 'fight' on earth with the bioroid force. "Everything has been different since I fell in love with you." She wraps her arm around his shoulders.
"You're perfect to me. We're best when we're together." He spoke softly to her captivated by her glow of motherhood.
"Though, when you order me to sleep, I can say otherwise." She drawls and rose from his lap. "Anyways, it's not like I loved you from the get-go. I never had a romantic moment like there is in the movies." She chuckles, "Is there something you are scared of saying…out loud?"
His dark blue eyes peer up at her hesitantly, simply answering with the shake of his head, "No."
Captivated by his beautiful smile, his eyes held anxiety from what she can see, "Really?"
"I love you you're perfect, princess." He stood before her running his hands over her arms.
Her bright eyes were down casted, "But I'm far from it."
He held her head in his hands, placing his forehead against hers. "You're perfect to me. You're the reason I want to wake up to this horrible world. You're gorgeous and stunning. Don't think of yourself as nothing." Ryoko lifts her head enthralled by his eyes, they reminded her of the ocean, and she felt as if she was drowning. Her lips brushes over his beckoning him to kiss her. There's no turning back now, she has given him her heart and now a child. He has a power that can break her, that she is as fragile as glass. This is love?
"Ryoko…" He paused, then brought the ring to vision. "You deserve the very best, someone who will back you up without limits, let you grow without borders, and love you without end. Will you let me be the one?" He held her chin in his hand, a tear fell from her eye. "Will you be my wife?"
"Evet,B-Ben seninim." She retorted in his native tongue, chuckling at his startled expression.
"Very good," He wrapped his arms tightly around her.
"Put it on," She urges her sprawl fingers coming between them. He slides the ring on her finger, watching her smile widens. "It's beautiful. Thank You." She rests her head on his chest basking in the moment.
I know I am in love with you because my reality is finally better than my dreams.
"It is vintage." Kiyone commented, before passing it to Washu.
"I wasn't into flashy jewelry." Ryoko spoke but quickly regretted it as the three women look to her in shock.
"What are you saying, Ryoko?" Washu quickly places the ring in a clear and secure case.
Ryoko twists her wrist nervously. "It was nothing." Ryoko quickly looks away.
"Well that is some confirmation that something happened here. As for the body, it is a loss. I am sorry, Ryoko. We will be in the ship." Kiyone and Mihoshi walks back into the ship leaving the mother and daughter alone.
"I was such an idiot." Ryoko mutters under her breath.
"Ryoko—"
"Just give me five minutes to get over this. I need some space." Washu nods, her devices disappearing as she stood within the forcefield.
"Don't be too long, it is too cold."
Ryoko turns away from the ship, her chest heavy with sorrow. She walks to the spot the ring was found, resting on her knees. He died here. A lone tear rolls down her face, her vision became blurry. "Where are you now? Why am I not hearing you? Speak coward!"
"I can't believe I fell for you! Why did I ever get tangled up with you?!" You know why, Ryoko.
"I do." Ryoko slid down on her right mirroring how his body laid on the snow after the altercation, she bit her lip until it was pink stifling her cries. From the inside, the three women stood watching over their depress child and friend. Kiyone brows snapped together, remembering the partnership between the pirates.
"This is the most distraught I have seen her. Their relationship was something."
"Oh Ryoko." Mihoshi eyes glistened before running off.
Washu scowled turning to Kiyone, "Kiyone be a dear, and get her back inside the ship. She had her moment." Kiyone nods and watches the petite woman walk away, recognition dawned on her that Washu hides her feelings a lot. There her daughter lay in the snow, weeping over the loss of her supposed husband—and she—the mother decides to not intervene. Washu, The Mad Scientist, The Greatest Scientific Genius in The Universe, and The Uninvolved Parent.
He grimaces looking at the craters that now occupied the grounds along the river.
"This was Yugi's doing." Ayeka surveyed the land, as it was now heading into fall the craters became more pronounced, making the area a bit of an eyesore.
"I am at a loss for words."
"She was a powerful being, I would say she is just as strong as Tsunami." Ayeka walks to a tree beckoning for him to come near. He stood beside her, finding a broken gap on the body of the tree.
"What's this?"
"Ryoko's body hit this tree, after Yugi discharged a blow through her neck." His nostrils flared hearing the news. Ayeka mouth twitches, "I…I understand that you felt the need to do the right thing. On the other hand, I wanted you to wake up and personally see the destruction that she is capable of doing. We barely survive that night, Tenchi." He continues to look at the spot, she gives him a once-over. "I leave first." With such grace, with her hand clasp before her, Ayeka left the young man to his thoughts.
Ryoko drops into her chair dejectedly, "Homeward bound, time for needed rest. Free from any disturbances."
Washu quietly appeared beside her looking out at the stars.
Ryoko eyed her for a moment, "What now?"
"Here." Washu hands over the case. Ryoko pried open the box and picks up the ring, her neutral expression dwindles into sadness once more. "It is—It is a beautiful ring. If you need me…I'll be doing my usual." Ryoko casts her a smile and turns her focus to the ships navigation system.
Ryoko's head bobbed unsteadily as a steady beeping echoed throughout the cockpit, she jolts as Ryo-Ohki called out to her. She was perplexed reading the sporadic data.
"What was that Ryo-Ohki? Galaxy police?!" Ryoko presses the red button notifying the party below. Kiyone, was the first to emerge straightening up her coat.
"That is the Galaxy police's new fleet."
"That's not new." Ryoko commented after her meetings with them in the past. She snubs the first call until it rang the second time. Kiyone presses the green button, the interface opened up revealing a younger male. He was handsome, average size and cordial in addressing them.
"New commander?" Kiyone stares, "Forgive me but what happened to…"
"It appears as though you have been out of the loop, detective. May I come aboard the ship? I should not have to ask but…I am being affable here." Kiyone looks to Ryoko for consent.
Within moments, the new commander materialized with company. Washu and Mihoshi stood at the sidelines looking on.
"Allow me to identify myself, I am Commander Ichizō, this is Lieutenant Eiji." Commander Ichizō sight lingered a bit on Ryoko before glancing at the other party.
"I do not need to introduce myself." Ryoko folds her arms. The commander snickers.
"And I do not need to tell you, we are here for your arrest."