Ryoko's Zinnia
Her eyes were like the deep blue sea, for this reason, he allowed himself to be drowned in the memories of his own hurried upbringing. It was all in her eyes, the happiness, the love, the sadness, and hope. It was all there. Eyes that were like the stars.
He propped himself up carefully and watched her bring over a tray bearing fruits, bread, and chai tea. "It's not much but it's something," Akio grinned.
"Thanks."
It brought great elation to her when Hotsuma offered her a brief smile and reached for the small mug of tea. Her eyes lingered on him, taking in every detail of him. From his lengthy and tousled golden locks to his gentle blue eyes, perfect nose and muscular torso— but there was something about him that was off.
Akio pursed her lips in thought, her eyes roaming elsewhere mulling over the right words to ask.
"Mother." Akio jolts.
"Y-Yes? Need more tea?" Hotsuma shook his head, rotating the almost empty cup in his large hands. "Is the tea alright? Is it warm enough?" Akio questioned softly.
"You know, you've pulled a big one on me." Hotsuma began placing the cup on the tray, he gave her his infamous stare that was enough to make her look away. "I spent my life mourning the loss of you."
"Balim, I don't have to explain myself, to you or anyone." Akio chided softly, she stood up and her heels clunking as she approached the window. She peered down watching the bodies of Hisao and decomposed body of Hachiro being buried. She was finally free from the bondage, good riddance! Akio cleared her throat, and looked over her shoulder to her son, "I was young and stupid, made a lot of mistakes."
Hotsuma gave her a sidelong glance, "I was your mistake?" His voice stern yet there was a hint of sorrow. Akio angled her head and presented him a sprightly smile, she came back and sat on the bed taking hold of his hand.
"Of course not." She cupped his face, Hotsuma could not help but feel like a child again.
"You were everything I wanted and more. For you enrolling in the Galaxy Academy was what I wanted, I thought it was best for you. Unfortunately, I found out it was nothing, but a swindle orchestrated by Hachiro and Jurai." Akio loosened her grip around his hand, her eyes were glistening, a vein swelled in the middle of her forehead curving towards the beginning of her salt and pepper colored brow. She clenched her eyes shut and reluctantly releasing his hand.
"Hachiro was money hungry, and the only way he could've received monetary gain was to give up his abled body young men and women, even you for war." Akio hugged herself, "I pleaded for them to have you return to me, but you were now Jurai's property. I resented Hachiro, and I wanted to get back at him. I decided to walk down this dirt path, away from everyone…"
"You were going to kill yourself?" Akio nodded, breathing in sharply.
"I got as far as sliding the dagger across my wrist. I bled for a bit, I felt dizzy, I called for help…I was too far away." Hotsuma stood and walked over to his visibly shaking mother, he brushed back her locks, cupping her chin and raising her face so she looked up at him. Akio searched his eyes; he was still her considerate and kind boy. That boy was still in there. "I woke up and found Hisao looking down at me. Just like how you are now…do not feel guilty for killing Hisao. He was ruthless, dangerous…he kept me closed off to everything…" Her voice croaked. Hotsuma soothed her bringing her into his embrace.
"Don't cry no more. I am here now."
Akio smiled and rested a hand over his heart,
"Get some rest, I have some things to take care of."
Ryoko stirred and groggily opened her eyes. She was back in what she considered 'her room.'
How did I get here? What happened to me? Ryoko scratched the back of her head, feeling a dull ache, she cringed and let out a low growl.
"What the hell happened? Damn…" She let out another aggravated groan.
"Let's get some light in here." Ryoko eased off the bed.
"Ouch, ouch." Unexpectedly she winced at the ache in her pelvis. "It's okay, sorry to have scared you." She bent over to tend to her round belly, sighing as the ache wore off.
"Who's there?!" Her ears perked to movement at her door, Ryoko peered over her shoulder cautiously somewhat expecting to see her recovered husband entering.
"You." Ryoko straightened up looking at Akio who halt briefly at the threshold, with a blank expression. Ryoko scowled feeling the woman's negative vibration.
"Who are you and what do you want?"
Akio sneered strolling to the window and opened the pale blue curtains. Ryoko squinted holding up her arm as the light blinded her, Akio turns slowly standing in between the curtains making Ryoko struggle to look at her. Having enough of the unnecessary torture, Ryoko moved toward the foot of the bed and used the bedpost as a safeguard for the unborn and her.
"I will not ask again, who the hell are you and what do you want?" Ryoko jabbed coldly.
Akio pouted, "That's no way to speak to your mother-in-law, is it?" Ryoko eyes widened, she chuckled only to let out a full-blown laugh. Akio rose a brow and gaped at the amused woman, in quiet fury.
"You have to be kidding me, right?!" Ryoko planted her hands on her hips, fighting another round of merriment. Akio remained silent. "What possessed you to fake your own death?! That is sick…twisted, and cowardly." Ryoko sunk her teeth into her bottom lip, she was projected her own feelings on to this woman. Washu never meant to abandon Ryoko the way she did—they were both rob of a decent mother-daughter relationship, though for Ryoko—as much as it was completely understandable—it could not erase the hardships and despair she felt being motherless.
"Cowardly…" It was Akio's turn to chuckle mirroring Ryoko's earlier episode. Ryoko quirked a brow at the woman.
"I'm out of here." Ryoko felt famished, she dismissed the woman with a wave of the hand and headed to the door. Once she is full, she would not mind going another round with the insufferable woman.
"Hakubi, Ryoko…the daughter of Washu Hakubi, and possible love child of the biggest War Lord of Space, Kagato." Ryoko stood frozen in her spot, she threateningly turned to face the woman who stood with a triumphant smirk across her face. "A person like you is not worthy of my son. How sure are you that—that child your carrying is my grandchild?! You are the daughter of two Mad Scientists, one who incited wars behind the scenes all because things could not go her way. Thus, reverting to a child because she could not deal with grown-up issues. While the other scoured the universe with a strong hunger for ancient relics. And what that makes you, the product of their race, Space Pirate Ryoko?" Akio tilted her head and smack her lips, she pouted at Ryoko's startled expression.
Ryoko hastily drew in the distance, "You take that back right now, or else-"
Akio stepped in and brought her face near Ryoko's. She tightened her eyes at the cyan-haired woman, "Watch it, child. I don't like your kind or who you are connected to. This land was rich in resources, it was the hidden gem of the universe. But with outsiders like you, this place will be rampant of foreigners. Just like Kanamitsu and Seniwa." Akio heaved a sigh letting out a small chuckle, "I went off track there. I want you gone by this evening, you don't want to test my boundary, don't you?" Ryoko shifted under the woman's hand that rested on her shoulder, giving her the deadliest glare, she could muster. She watched as the retreating form of the aged woman headed out the door.
"Princess," Hotsuma called out to her opening his arms wide, enveloping her small frame tightly. Mindful of the child, his gentle arms gave her enough room to breathe though she clutched on to him tightly. "Princess, what is wrong?"
"I think its best that we go. The worst is over."
"Now it is not a good time…"
"I will go then." She dropped her hands to her side.
"You are not going anywhere without me." He exerted his control taking hold of her arm. Hotsuma threaded a hand through her hair and brought her head close. "It's not up for debate, Ryoko. You're carrying my child, think of its safety before anything."
Ryoko pouted and turn her attention towards a lengthy blue robe with intricate golden trimmings hung against the nearest wall.
"Mother dearest did not waste any time. Bearing gifts to soften her negligence." Ryoko accused.
"What the hell that supposed to mean?"
'I do not like your kind,' Her exact words to me." Her index finger pointed up and wagged, "Oh, you will love this, she gave me until this evening to leave the premises. Your dear mother is not a complete saint. Her hate will not ebb, it'll only multiply if you allow her to. Nip her devious act now!" Ryoko approached her husband, looking to him hard as he sat at the desk deep in thought. She stood stubbornly in her spot.
The door opened, almost as if their energies manifested the woman. She popped her head in without much a knock and immediately her face went sour. Hotsuma looks to her and then back to his fuming wife. His love for both women was like charging horses pulling in opposite directions. Both of them are important to him, and a part of his soul.
"Ryoko." Akio addressed her with a bow of the head.
Ryoko shuffled over to her husband's side and placed a hand to his shoulder, "Do you want me to leave?" He nods, giving her a quick peck on the lips and told her he would see her later in the day. Ryoko kept her head high as she walked by Akio without much regard.
"Is it true? Did you threaten my wife, mother?" Akio flinched slightly at the question.
She reached out to him and held his hands, "I am not the one to hold my tongue, Hotsuma. If you ever need honesty, always look into my eyes. It's all there."
"Ryoko means the world to me, I can't lose her, I can't lose our child. To lose her, will be the death of me." Akio nods and he brought her into his embrace, Hotsuma held her firmly across her back, and drawback to her ear. "If you ever threatened her again, you will answer to me. Choose wisely." He advanced to the door and turned back. "I will be doing a few diagnostic tests on the ship if you need me."
Akio kept her back to him and heaved a big sigh of relief when the door closed behind her.