Ryoko's Zinnia

One woman gathered up Ryoko's nightgown peaceably while the other stripped the bed linen of the king-sized bed, humming softly.

"My lady, we will be nearby if you may need us." The older maid stroll to the door looking to the woeful pirate.

"My husband?" Ryoko head snaps up in a brittle voice.

"He is occupied at the moment working on the ship I was told. Do you need him?"

"No." She croaked.

"We will be taking our leave then." The maids exited politely.

Ryoko rose and half-heartedly dragged herself to the full-sized mirror. She was scared to look at herself in the mirror, the first time she did ever since the altercation, she was afraid of the truth.

She exhaled heavily.

Those fiery orbs roam from the crown of her head to the black ankle boots that snuggly fit her perfect feet. Ryoko inclined her head closing her eyes as the ghosts of the past pranced around her.

She exhaled heavily once more.

You see, the bald-faced pirate that stark fear among the galaxy now stood with exhaustion and agony. The shame was painful at times, that she would cry for hours under the sea of covers as Hotsuma laid 'calmly' nearby. For reprieve, Ryoko invested in silent prayer, a habit that she witnessed from the Masaki's. Clapping her hands twice and trusting that her plea would reach to the other side to her departed child. Ryoko immediately felt the cloud of sadness went.

Resuming her ministration, her long pallid fingers across the four medium-sized braids that were fused into her half-updo. According to the olden times of Khaleeis, this hairstyle professed that the woman is not only married but stands as the opposite of her man in strength. The long coat was black as coal, she fingered the velvety texture, smirking as she takes in the feminine cut. Hotsuma knew her style and she was appreciative of it. Instead of revealing, he requested it to be fabricated classy yet assertive.

Moving her hand to shade the sunlight from her face, the glimmer from her stone caught her attention. The smooth silvery metal. The screams. The blood. She cowered, sandwiching her head between her hands. Capriciously her amber orbs became wolfish her breathing heavy. She became hungry for retribution. The anger was different, it hit her like a raging sea, there was no time like the present to pay a certain person a visit. She needed to stay steadfast to her new goal.

With her shoulders roll back, Ryoko tried to exhibit a strong front as she avoided the stares and questions in the corridor. Before reaching to the last door of the hall, Ryoko eyes darted to a maid mechanically dusted an end table. Expecting for her to not take heed to her presence, Ryoko reaches out to the knob.

"My lady, do you need anything?" The young maiden inquired glancing over her shoulder. The maids were not of Hotsuma and hers but his mothers, the southern maids.

Ryoko hand hovered over the knob, "Vo." She kept her back from the woman.

The maid quirked her brow. "You must be hungry my lady, you haven't eaten anything in the last couple of days."

"I ate a snack. I am fine." Ryoko turned slightly, this young girl was smart. It was no doubt in Ryoko's mind that the teen was prepared for the encounter.

"A snack? What is a snack?" Ryoko flinched at the innocent question, even that made Mihoshi seem not as inept.

"Listen here, I have to take care of an important matter. So, if you don't mind, please run along."

'No one is to enter the basement other than me and those who I've authorized' The exact words of the lord. I do not recall you being authorized."

"The Lord eh?"

"Your husband my lady."

"I see. Tell you what, I think I am in the mood for a meal." Ryoko said sweetly, watching the maid smiled and bowed.

"Right this way my lady." The maid pivots.

"Gladly," Ryoko smirked as phased out of her duplicate form.

Akio roused as the sound of the wooden steps creaked.

"It's about time. I am starving." The older woman muttered under her breath. Akio slowly rose and straighten out her lengthy robe. The woman peered over her shoulder; it was unusually quiet.

"What the?! AH!" Akio breathes heavily as her hair was balled into the pirate's hand. Anger glowed in her blue eyes to have been caught when she least expected it, though her mind reeled on how the pirate entered the cell unsuspectingly. Akio gritted her teeth as it felt like her hair was being pulled from out the roots. Ryoko brought the saber close to the woman's neck.

"It's done! I'm locked in this lair, there is no need to show yourself here! You have already swayed my son to abandon me!"

Ryoko tightened her hold on Akio's salt and pepper hair.

"Release me!"

Ryoko arm snaked around the woman's neck, it was the perfect chokehold. "My sword has no preference. As it punctures the skin, it tends to burn the flesh…the contact can be fast or slow and as its owner, it is up to me. I'm thinking slow." She drew the sword near so Akio can feel the intensity. Akio pulse quicken, her groans became louder, her nails dig deep into the soft texture of Ryoko's coat.

Of course, she wanted to scare the woman, and it was working but…

Ryoko's jaw slackened, what good would it do to kill the woman? Hotsuma would never forgive her. This would be a homicide, an isolated case but…but what good it will do? Akio took the advantage and threw her head back, ramming Ryoko in the face. Impulsively, Ryoko thrusted her forward with a lot more force than she intended to. Akio collides with the cell bars; a cry of agony escaped her. She used the cell bars to hoist herself up staring the cyan haired woman down.

Don't cry now. Ryoko eyed her, waiting for her next move.

Akio twists to shoot the cyan haired owner with a dark look of her own.

"Am I more than you bargained for yet?!"

"You stupid child!" Ryoko eyes widen, and she propels her foot into Akio's abdomen. Payback. Snippets of Hayate bearing down on her paraded in her mind. That bastard! Akio's shriek jolted her out of her dark thoughts, fists balled as the pain surged through her body. You Bitch!

"Our child is gone because of you!" Ryoko held her flat abdomen.

Akio staggered to her feet once more, "I will NEVER raise a child that is part Seniwan or Juraian!" Her breathing was ragged; her teeth soaked with blood. But there it was, the truth! With the Adrenaline that coursed through her, she tackled the pirate to the ground. Akio successfully straddles Ryoko, clasping her hands tightly around the pirate's neck. "You don't seem to realize, you hard-headed child!" Akio tightens her hold. Ryoko coughed and gasps gritting her teeth as the tension build. "Seniwans are nothing but sellouts! If it weren't for your mother, Khaleeis would not be in the state it is in. There would not be any division! No struggle!" Ryoko felt herself weaken under the pressure. She wondered how a woman of her stature possessed such strength. "Be schooled by the flame, child. I do not hold you in my heart because of my son. You are nothing to me!"

Ryoko felt faint. Her grip began to weaken.

"Yes, that's right, close those eyes." Akio beamed.

Snippets of Ryoko's life came through once more.

The first meeting with Tenchi.

The first date with Tenchi.

The kiss.

Hotsuma.

Her wedding night.

The baby.

Baby!

No!

"You wench, you will not get the better of me!" In an agile move, Ryoko clobbered the woman with a hit to the head with her fist. The unconscious Akio collapsed onto Ryoko.

Ryoko reached a broken mirror and like a ritual, her lips pursed then turned into a reluctant smile. The guilt was heavier than ever, all because she was inspired to cover her weakness. She never was a wife before, she was never a mother before.

I failed you, my child! The shards of glass fell to the ground like her shattered dreams. Her eyes clenched tight as the stinging from her fist flow through her. Ryoko gazed over her shoulder to Akio, the woman laid sprawled out on the floor motionless, regretfully relieved as she saw the faint rise and fall of Akio's chest. Now, she backed away and flee to the door.

Ryoko strode out to the corridor with her eyes lowered. Her hair was slightly ruffled, but she needed to center herself. As if her thoughts had summoned him, her ears perked to his voice calling out to her from the opposite end of the hall. She forced a smile and quickened her pace, greeting her life partner with opened arms.

Hotsuma was on a search for Ryoko after he decided to catch a break from the hot sun. Questioning the servants on her whereabouts, with one reporting that she vanished into thin air before she received her meal, made his anxiety go through the ceiling. He warned her about displaying her powers in front of the staff.

"Ryoko!" He caught movement from his peripheral, "Princess!"

Like an apparition she appeared closer to him, her pale face and her smile greeted him warmly though her eyes betrayed her. His tan hand scrunched her cyan hair. "I was looking all over for you. What were you doing out of your room? And what is this I hear of you 'vanishing into thin air' Ryoko I distinctly told you not to show off your powers!" He condemned taking a fleeting looked to where she had come from, a whirlwind of emotions evident in his features. Ryoko pulled his face back to her and drawn him in for a kiss. He returned the kiss, and planted another to her forehead, threading his fingers through her hair once more.

Ryoko purred, "I'm not going to leave you." At that moment, a servant sauntered by them heading in the direction of where Akio was kept locked up. Her eyes widen, darting back to the man who held her in his arms.

Hotsuma brows knitted, something was baiting at him. He looked down the hall catching the tail end of the servant, something was wrong. Hotsuma stepped away from Ryoko, his attention strictly on the opened door. Ryoko quickly ceased his arm, "No, you mustn't!"

"What?"

"Your Grace!" A voice came from down the hall, Hotsuma looked over his shoulder.

"My hands are shaking." Akio clenched her hands together. Hotsuma picked up the cup with water from the nightstand and propped Akio's head against his palm.

"Drink." She nodded appreciatively.

"Are you ever going to listen to me? Look at what she has done my son. I should've died, that would've made her happy." Hotsuma took a moment to look at the purple bruises on her face and forearm as she cupped the side of his face. He was thankful that the altercation did not result in broken bones. Earlier when the nurses were tending to her, he saw the purple welts scattered across her abdomen. Though the scratch marks on her cheek caught his attention, "Don't look at me like that" Hotsuma lowered his head.

"Matters are still going to run smoothly in my absence. I have left strict instructions to the aides." He motioned towards her body, "Ryoko would not do something like this if provoked. Separation at this time can help remedy this situation for all of us."

"You don't mean that."

"Mother, you did waltz back into my life like it was nothing. I need time-I have to also settle my demons."

A confused look spread across Akio's face, "I'll stay right here, whenever you decide to return." She reaches out to him and he takes her hand, "Just know you deserve so much better. The thought of losing you scares me."

"I owe Ryoko. I am indebted to her Mother."

She places her hand up, "I will take my rest now," and turned away from him.

"Goodbye, Mother."

Ryoko waited at the shoreline, her rear end tingled. Upon learning of what happened to his mother at the hands of his wife, Hotsuma took matters into his own hands and hauled Ryoko back to their sleeping quarters. He bent her over, striking her buttocks out of anger, out of embarrassment and pure enjoyment. Ryoko heaved a sigh, after all, she did lie and disobeyed him, yet she wondered what could have happened if the old hag had died at her hands.

What would he have done then?

She quickly straightens up as the converted soldiers moved into attention, Hotsuma sauntered by her to the door of Gaiyan. He opened the doorway and turned to the troops. He gave the order to protect and to remain faithful to the state and his mother until his return.

"Ryoko." The woman jolted as he called out her name. "Do you have any words?"

"Vo. I mean no." She knew not to say anything more, out of fear of another 'punishment.'

As heated as she was, he was handsome as he slept. His steady breaths and the way his toned abdomen contracted plus being a great distance from Khaleeis was enough to make Ryoko smile. She wanted nothing more to curl up into the curve of his body, although that would have led to another seduction and he needed the ample rest. Planting a kiss to his temple Ryoko carefully climbed over him and tiptoed to the door.

"Let's check how far we have gotten, it's pretty dangerous leaving the ship on auto-pilot." Ryoko cracked her neck. The turbulence causes her to hit into a door. "Ouch!" She staggered away from the door and found that it was unlocked. "What's this?" She peeked in.

Curiosity baited at her, and she quickly peeps over her shoulder before entering. This room was not familiar to her. The lights automatically flickered on, causing her to squint by the brightness.

"Hotsuma made this room to my specifications. Didn't you Hotsuma? Hotsuma?" A voice filled the room, Ryoko peered up to the big screen. It was her. She remembered calling out to him, and he never showed.

Ryoko watched in disbelief as Kiyone frowned on the screen, "Tell me something first, why are you doing this?" He was spying on her. Ryoko was white as chalk, her sight became blurry. She fumbled with the keys intending to stop the video, instead, it shifted to another video. The water pouring down her porcelain skin, her lips parted as she was consumed by the warmth of the steamy water.

"Everything has been a sham, hasn't it?" She questioned feeling she was not alone. He remained stoic behind her. "Answer me! Let's see what lies spew out of that mouth of yours!" She spins around pointing a shaky index finger at him. Blue eyes calmly searched her wide and petrified orbs.

"I don't regret one single moment that you and I have shared, not one." He said flatly.

She pressed a hand to her throat; her choked cry filled the room. "Is that the best you can do?"

"I wanted you for so long because of your essence, not your body." Hotsuma wanted to hold her, reassure that he loves her, wanted to tell her how she was his gift from the universe, his twin soul…born from the same flame. She was the last of his kind. But truth can be a strange notion. He anticipated that after the truth comes out, it will bring understanding after all his princess always understood. Hotsuma walked by her, and key in functions that she could not see. Her eyes darted to the big screen again as photos and videos revealed her, even in her intimate and alone moments long before they have met, were deleted one by one. He turned to find her transfixed on the screen above. She was pale as a ghost. When she finally looks into his oceanic orbs, the exchange was no longer magical, they screamed sorrow. A picture of loss and devastation. He had another revelation for her, he hissed and lowered his head his golden locks masking his agony.

"I was ordered by Yugi to drive you away from earth…and end your life when I saw fit." Ryoko's eyes widen, her sudden shriek drove her to her knees onto the cold floor. He felt relief at the expense of Ryoko's agony. A low groan escaped her as her hands repeatedly clench before her then gripping her clothing that offered a little warmth from the chilly room. Hotsuma brows wrinkled, his lips trembled, he could not take it. He pulled her body into his embrace holding her tightly. "I have never felt so complete until I have met you, Princess." He spoke shaky, his voice breaking as she struggled against him. The more she struggled, the tighter he held her.

"I will not allow you to leave me!" He sensed her breaking free. Hotsuma finally drew back, holding her head in his large hands. "Please don't leave me. She has been defeated. I am no longer her lackey. I am free of her." Ryoko face was damp of her tears, her eyes bloodshot. She forcefully pushed him away from her.

"Who defeated her? Tell me." Her dagger hummed to life between them. Hotsuma felt the heat blazing under his chin.

"Tenchi." Ryoko looked skeptically at him, she slowly rose. Her sword extending.

"I just know." He declared sitting on his knees before her. "I'm free of Yugi's control princess."

"No! She could not have relinquished all her power on you so easily. She knows your mind; she knows your next move before you do it! I know because I was just like you! There's no escaping from such power unless there is a definite demise of the other!"

Hotsuma eyed the sword with trepidation and to her rigid and narrow eyes.

Ryoko waited for a hint, her heartbeat hard within her chest, adrenaline on high. She just needed a simple move so she can plunge the sword into him for all the pain he caused her.

Come on! The pirate grits her teeth.

He bowed and phased away.

Ryoko spins around, she could no longer feel him. The woman sprints towards the door and out to the hall. "Show yourself!" There was a sick feeling growing inside her stomach, and her skin shuddered with fear. She was using the walls for support before she stumbled when the ship lurched forward.

What was that?! At the sound of glass breaking ahead of her the power immediately went out after.

She phased in the center of the cockpit. Ryoko caught sight of the cracked window and the small sound of air entering the cockpits dash. Ahead of her, she saw a snowy planet. No evidence of inhabitants. Ryoko turns slowly discovering Hotsuma seated indifferently to the danger that lies ahead. If it was not for the slight movement of his chest, she would have thought he was dead.

"Why?" She pleaded, shooting a look back as the planet drew closer. She lowered herself to the floor, she blamed herself for trusting so easily. She closed her eyes feeling his hand run through her soft silky silvery strands.

He grimaced lifting her head to look at him, "Til death do us part, Ryoko." Her sight blurred, her sobs settle down, she heard nothing, but the man's heartbeat echoed in her ear, all feeling drained from her body.

Hotsuma held her close to his heart, the last bit of the window finally gave way and the wind blew cold air into the cockpit. He encircles the woman into his arms preparing for impact.

Black.