Ryoko! Chapter 3: No Need for Little Sister
Author: Ryoko-chan
Email: _Ryoko_@masakishrine.com
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryoko tells Tenchi of her past as a space pirate and Aeka leaves to fight Miho herself causing even more trouble for Ryoko and Tenchi.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi or any others from the Tenchi Muyo! saga. They are the property of AIC, Tokyo TV, and Pioneer Entertainment. Although I'd like to claim Ryoko...but I'm pretty sure I'd be sued for that and all I have is a pack of gum and a nickel. Oh well.
Author's' note: I used the character backgrounds from the Ryo-Ohki OAV and threw them into the Tenchi Muyo! TV plot. So don't get confused and email me telling me that I screwed up...I know what I'm doing, mostly.
==============================
RYOKO! CHAPTER 3 - NO NEED FOR LITTLE SISTER
By: Ryoko-chan
I look down at my hands for what seems like hours and Tenchi sits quietly next to me. Very patient. He always has been patient, otherwise he probably would be in an insane asylum by now. I take a deep breath and look at him, studying his face trying to read what he's thinking.
"What is it, Ryoko?" He asks as he realizes that I'm watching him so closely.
"It's nothing."
"Take all the time you need Ryoko."
"You're not going to let me get away with not telling you, are you?"
He shook his head.
"I thought so."
I sigh deeply and curl myself up so my knees are at my chest and I begin to tell Tenchi my story. The story I fought so hard to forget...
I was born two thousand years ago. I don't remember it, of course, no one ever does. I only remember a bright light and from then on my life was hell.
My earliest memory besides the bright light was Kagato. He was telling me how I was going to help him control the universe. How I would have power that people only dreamed of. It was never *if* I helped him it was *when* I would help him. I never had a choice. I never knew there was a choice. I never remember Washu in my memories. I don't have any recollection of her until we fought Kagato on Souja centuries later.
There was never anyone around but Kagato and myself. He would tell me stories about how he created me. How I wasn't normal because of the powers he had given me. He enjoyed gloating that he would always have a power over me. I guess he was right. Those first few decades were spent on honing my powers, but only so much that I wouldn't know my complete strength. He would manipulate my every thought. It was as if he could just steal the thoughts out of my head. All that time I felt so alone. It was only me and Ryo-ohki.
One day, I don't remember how long ago, we came to the planet of Tusaki. That was the first time I killed someone. Kagato always told me to enjoy killing. He said that the more I enjoyed it, the more pain the person would feel. I didn't enjoy it, but I could never stop it. On Tusaki I must've killed hundreds...possibly thousands. Each of their faces are seared into my mind but I never knew their names. I never knew if they had families or friends. I didn't care. I didn't know how to.
This went on for years. First a hundred, then a thousand. Hundreds of millions of people killed, even more lives destroyed. Thousands of planets decimated because of what I had done. Nobody could match my power and over time that leads to a really big ego. I never really learned to enjoy killing, but I learned how to block it out. I learned to push the thoughts completely out of my mind. It didn't bother me anymore, but Kagato knew that I was growing bored with stealing and murdering. That sounds so horrible to say, but it was all true.
Then we came to Jurai. He told me to destroy the Jurain palace and get the Tsunami unit. That was the day that Tsunami assimilated with Sasami and the day I met my match.
Yosho was the first person I ever came across that had the power to even withstand my fight...or perhaps I wanted him to. It had all grown so old to me. I got away from Yosho and headed to the far reaches of space and ended up here on Earth. That is where your grandfather defeated me and sealed me into that cave. Kagato abandoned me, perhaps because he didn't know where I was, or because he just didn't care. I was no longer his weapon and for seven hundred years I couldn't do anything about it. I thought. That's all there was to do. Replaying those 1200 years of murder and thievery I thought I had come to terms with it. I didn't have to think about it anymore. I had thought about it enough in that cave.
You might not know this, but I used to watch you play outside of the cave. It was one of the few things I could do besides think. I remember wanting to be next to you and play with you when you were a child to comfort you when you were sad and to laugh with you when you were happy. When I found out that it was you who released me from the cave, I never had any intention of destroying you. I could have, if I wanted to, but I had no desire to kill any longer and that was when I thought I had finally broken free of Kagato.
That was, until he showed up again here. I thought for sure when you defeated him that I would never have to hear his name again. I would never have to even think about my past any longer. If I had only known about Miho...then Sasami wouldn't have been taken and all of this wouldn't be causing you any trouble, Tenchi.
I finally look at him with tears in my eyes. He doesn't say anything, his eyes are filled with tears. I don't know if its because he pities me or something else.
I wipe the tears off of my face.
"Say something Tenchi." I say, nudging him with my shoulder.
"I don't know what to say Ryoko. I knew your life was bad but I always thought it was because you were too."
I look down at my hands.
"That's all you've ever thought of me as, isn't it Tenchi? A monster, a demon who has no heart or soul."
"No, of course not, Ryoko. You have the kindest heart and the most loving soul of anyone in this house. You just never let anyone see it. I know you better than that Ryoko. Of course I don't think of you that way."
I quickly take him in my arms and squeeze him softly, hugging him and to my surprise he actually hugs me back.
"Ahem." Comes a voice from the doorway.
Tenchi pulls away and I look over to see Washu.
"How long have you been there, 'Mom'?"
"Long enough, Ryoko...we have a problem."
"Another one?" Tenchi asks.
"Its Aeka. She went after Sasami."
"What? That idiot!" I yell, standing up quickly.
"We have to go after her, Ryoko." Tenchi says, walking toward the door.
"No. We can't Tenchi. If we go after her to Miho's ship, Miho will kill both Sasami and Aeka. We have to wait until tomorrow. Sasami and Aeka won't be harmed tonight."
"Are you crazy? We can't just leave them there!"
"And we can't go after them Tenchi. They're in more danger if I'm seen near that ship then if I just wait until tomorrow."
"I can go."
"No, you can't. You're not going without me Tenchi. Might have defeated Kagato, but Miho has her strength combined with his. You'll never defeat her alone."
Tenchi sighs with frustration. I know this is killing him, but I also know I'm right.
"Ryoko's right, Tenchi. Miho wants this fight with Ryoko and she's not going to hurt Sasami or Aeka if she thinks harming them will make Ryoko back out. They'll be fine for now." Washu says.
Tenchi throws his hands in the air.
"So we have to wait?" He yells...he's getting angry.
"Yes. Just be patient, Tenchi. Miho won't have them for long." I say.
"Just trust her, Tenchi." Washu says.
"I do." He says as he sighs again. "I'll see you two at dinner." And he leaves the room.
Washu stands there looking at me.
"What do you want?"
"I heard what you said to Tenchi. All of it."
"I figured that out."
"I'm proud of you Ryoko. I know that was hard for you to talk about to anyone, let
alone Tenchi."
I didn't say anything to her. I just stood there, waiting for her to finish knowing that she would.
"This is all my fault. If I hadn't helped Kagato single Miho out like this, she wouldn't be doing this now."
"You don't know that. Kagato controlled you, as well, if you remember."
"You knew that I helped him with Miho, didn't you?"
I nod. She was too predictable sometimes.
"It doesn't matter now, Washu. I don't care what you did then. All that matters now is that I get Aeka and Sasami back and I don't get myself killed in the process."
"You're a strong woman, Ryoko. Even without your gems. Miho will be no problem to you, my dear." She says as she walks out of the room.
"I hope you're right, Mom." I say to myself.
Everyone was quiet during dinner. Father had come home and had no idea what was happening, as usual. Kione and Mihoshi quietly filled him in after dinner. Grampa offered his help, but I quickly refuse it. I have to defeat Miho on my own. Tenchi was only going in case something happened to me.
Washu was the quietest. She silently kept reminding me of my full power and how well I fight and to not doubt myself as I have many times before. I'm really glad she has so much faith in me, but her constantly telling me telepathically is a bit annoying. It is as if she doesn't want anyone else to know.
After dinner Tenchi, Kione, Mihoshi, and I sit in the living room. Everything is quiet. Washu had gone back into her laboratory, Father went to take a bath, and Grampa was drinking tea at the table.
"I think I'm going to turn in now. Come on, Mihoshi." Kione said, getting up and dragging her partner behind her.
"It's only eight o'clock, Kione." I point out.
"Well, it has been a long day. We'll see you in the morning. Good night." And Kione dragged a protesting Mihoshi to their rooms.
"Do you get the feeling they wanted to leave us alone?" I ask Tenchi.
He nods.
"Kione probably feels bad that she didn't listen to you."
I sigh.
"I'm used to nobody listening to me."
"I listen to you, Ryoko." He said quietly.
"You're about the only one, Tenchi. Perhaps Kione had the right idea. I think I might go upstairs to bed myself. I have a big day tomorrow." And I stand up to go and Tenchi jumps in front of me to stop me.
"Don't go upstairs yet, Ryoko." He says.
"Why? What is it, Tenchi?"
He looks at me nervously.
"Tomorrow, I want you to bring Sasami and Aeka home safely."
"I know Tenchi. I will..."
"I want you to come back safely too, Ryoko. Don't let Miho get the best of you. You've defeated your past now, remember that. The present and the future are all the matters now. Everyone who cares for you here and now...they matter. Nothing from the past, okay?"
I smiled at him.
"Okay, Tenchi. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me, Tenchi. I'm so sorry that I caused this."
He smiled slightly.
"It's not your fault you're so popular."
Then he leaned into me and hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. When he pulls away I can only stare at him.
"Be careful tomorrow Ryoko."
And with that he went upstairs.
-----------------------------
~End Chapter 3~
Oh well, that wasn't so bad.
Chapter 4 is coming up next..."No Need for Stalemates"
Author: Ryoko-chan
Email: _Ryoko_@masakishrine.com
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryoko tells Tenchi of her past as a space pirate and Aeka leaves to fight Miho herself causing even more trouble for Ryoko and Tenchi.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi or any others from the Tenchi Muyo! saga. They are the property of AIC, Tokyo TV, and Pioneer Entertainment. Although I'd like to claim Ryoko...but I'm pretty sure I'd be sued for that and all I have is a pack of gum and a nickel. Oh well.
Author's' note: I used the character backgrounds from the Ryo-Ohki OAV and threw them into the Tenchi Muyo! TV plot. So don't get confused and email me telling me that I screwed up...I know what I'm doing, mostly.
==============================
RYOKO! CHAPTER 3 - NO NEED FOR LITTLE SISTER
By: Ryoko-chan
I look down at my hands for what seems like hours and Tenchi sits quietly next to me. Very patient. He always has been patient, otherwise he probably would be in an insane asylum by now. I take a deep breath and look at him, studying his face trying to read what he's thinking.
"What is it, Ryoko?" He asks as he realizes that I'm watching him so closely.
"It's nothing."
"Take all the time you need Ryoko."
"You're not going to let me get away with not telling you, are you?"
He shook his head.
"I thought so."
I sigh deeply and curl myself up so my knees are at my chest and I begin to tell Tenchi my story. The story I fought so hard to forget...
I was born two thousand years ago. I don't remember it, of course, no one ever does. I only remember a bright light and from then on my life was hell.
My earliest memory besides the bright light was Kagato. He was telling me how I was going to help him control the universe. How I would have power that people only dreamed of. It was never *if* I helped him it was *when* I would help him. I never had a choice. I never knew there was a choice. I never remember Washu in my memories. I don't have any recollection of her until we fought Kagato on Souja centuries later.
There was never anyone around but Kagato and myself. He would tell me stories about how he created me. How I wasn't normal because of the powers he had given me. He enjoyed gloating that he would always have a power over me. I guess he was right. Those first few decades were spent on honing my powers, but only so much that I wouldn't know my complete strength. He would manipulate my every thought. It was as if he could just steal the thoughts out of my head. All that time I felt so alone. It was only me and Ryo-ohki.
One day, I don't remember how long ago, we came to the planet of Tusaki. That was the first time I killed someone. Kagato always told me to enjoy killing. He said that the more I enjoyed it, the more pain the person would feel. I didn't enjoy it, but I could never stop it. On Tusaki I must've killed hundreds...possibly thousands. Each of their faces are seared into my mind but I never knew their names. I never knew if they had families or friends. I didn't care. I didn't know how to.
This went on for years. First a hundred, then a thousand. Hundreds of millions of people killed, even more lives destroyed. Thousands of planets decimated because of what I had done. Nobody could match my power and over time that leads to a really big ego. I never really learned to enjoy killing, but I learned how to block it out. I learned to push the thoughts completely out of my mind. It didn't bother me anymore, but Kagato knew that I was growing bored with stealing and murdering. That sounds so horrible to say, but it was all true.
Then we came to Jurai. He told me to destroy the Jurain palace and get the Tsunami unit. That was the day that Tsunami assimilated with Sasami and the day I met my match.
Yosho was the first person I ever came across that had the power to even withstand my fight...or perhaps I wanted him to. It had all grown so old to me. I got away from Yosho and headed to the far reaches of space and ended up here on Earth. That is where your grandfather defeated me and sealed me into that cave. Kagato abandoned me, perhaps because he didn't know where I was, or because he just didn't care. I was no longer his weapon and for seven hundred years I couldn't do anything about it. I thought. That's all there was to do. Replaying those 1200 years of murder and thievery I thought I had come to terms with it. I didn't have to think about it anymore. I had thought about it enough in that cave.
You might not know this, but I used to watch you play outside of the cave. It was one of the few things I could do besides think. I remember wanting to be next to you and play with you when you were a child to comfort you when you were sad and to laugh with you when you were happy. When I found out that it was you who released me from the cave, I never had any intention of destroying you. I could have, if I wanted to, but I had no desire to kill any longer and that was when I thought I had finally broken free of Kagato.
That was, until he showed up again here. I thought for sure when you defeated him that I would never have to hear his name again. I would never have to even think about my past any longer. If I had only known about Miho...then Sasami wouldn't have been taken and all of this wouldn't be causing you any trouble, Tenchi.
I finally look at him with tears in my eyes. He doesn't say anything, his eyes are filled with tears. I don't know if its because he pities me or something else.
I wipe the tears off of my face.
"Say something Tenchi." I say, nudging him with my shoulder.
"I don't know what to say Ryoko. I knew your life was bad but I always thought it was because you were too."
I look down at my hands.
"That's all you've ever thought of me as, isn't it Tenchi? A monster, a demon who has no heart or soul."
"No, of course not, Ryoko. You have the kindest heart and the most loving soul of anyone in this house. You just never let anyone see it. I know you better than that Ryoko. Of course I don't think of you that way."
I quickly take him in my arms and squeeze him softly, hugging him and to my surprise he actually hugs me back.
"Ahem." Comes a voice from the doorway.
Tenchi pulls away and I look over to see Washu.
"How long have you been there, 'Mom'?"
"Long enough, Ryoko...we have a problem."
"Another one?" Tenchi asks.
"Its Aeka. She went after Sasami."
"What? That idiot!" I yell, standing up quickly.
"We have to go after her, Ryoko." Tenchi says, walking toward the door.
"No. We can't Tenchi. If we go after her to Miho's ship, Miho will kill both Sasami and Aeka. We have to wait until tomorrow. Sasami and Aeka won't be harmed tonight."
"Are you crazy? We can't just leave them there!"
"And we can't go after them Tenchi. They're in more danger if I'm seen near that ship then if I just wait until tomorrow."
"I can go."
"No, you can't. You're not going without me Tenchi. Might have defeated Kagato, but Miho has her strength combined with his. You'll never defeat her alone."
Tenchi sighs with frustration. I know this is killing him, but I also know I'm right.
"Ryoko's right, Tenchi. Miho wants this fight with Ryoko and she's not going to hurt Sasami or Aeka if she thinks harming them will make Ryoko back out. They'll be fine for now." Washu says.
Tenchi throws his hands in the air.
"So we have to wait?" He yells...he's getting angry.
"Yes. Just be patient, Tenchi. Miho won't have them for long." I say.
"Just trust her, Tenchi." Washu says.
"I do." He says as he sighs again. "I'll see you two at dinner." And he leaves the room.
Washu stands there looking at me.
"What do you want?"
"I heard what you said to Tenchi. All of it."
"I figured that out."
"I'm proud of you Ryoko. I know that was hard for you to talk about to anyone, let
alone Tenchi."
I didn't say anything to her. I just stood there, waiting for her to finish knowing that she would.
"This is all my fault. If I hadn't helped Kagato single Miho out like this, she wouldn't be doing this now."
"You don't know that. Kagato controlled you, as well, if you remember."
"You knew that I helped him with Miho, didn't you?"
I nod. She was too predictable sometimes.
"It doesn't matter now, Washu. I don't care what you did then. All that matters now is that I get Aeka and Sasami back and I don't get myself killed in the process."
"You're a strong woman, Ryoko. Even without your gems. Miho will be no problem to you, my dear." She says as she walks out of the room.
"I hope you're right, Mom." I say to myself.
Everyone was quiet during dinner. Father had come home and had no idea what was happening, as usual. Kione and Mihoshi quietly filled him in after dinner. Grampa offered his help, but I quickly refuse it. I have to defeat Miho on my own. Tenchi was only going in case something happened to me.
Washu was the quietest. She silently kept reminding me of my full power and how well I fight and to not doubt myself as I have many times before. I'm really glad she has so much faith in me, but her constantly telling me telepathically is a bit annoying. It is as if she doesn't want anyone else to know.
After dinner Tenchi, Kione, Mihoshi, and I sit in the living room. Everything is quiet. Washu had gone back into her laboratory, Father went to take a bath, and Grampa was drinking tea at the table.
"I think I'm going to turn in now. Come on, Mihoshi." Kione said, getting up and dragging her partner behind her.
"It's only eight o'clock, Kione." I point out.
"Well, it has been a long day. We'll see you in the morning. Good night." And Kione dragged a protesting Mihoshi to their rooms.
"Do you get the feeling they wanted to leave us alone?" I ask Tenchi.
He nods.
"Kione probably feels bad that she didn't listen to you."
I sigh.
"I'm used to nobody listening to me."
"I listen to you, Ryoko." He said quietly.
"You're about the only one, Tenchi. Perhaps Kione had the right idea. I think I might go upstairs to bed myself. I have a big day tomorrow." And I stand up to go and Tenchi jumps in front of me to stop me.
"Don't go upstairs yet, Ryoko." He says.
"Why? What is it, Tenchi?"
He looks at me nervously.
"Tomorrow, I want you to bring Sasami and Aeka home safely."
"I know Tenchi. I will..."
"I want you to come back safely too, Ryoko. Don't let Miho get the best of you. You've defeated your past now, remember that. The present and the future are all the matters now. Everyone who cares for you here and now...they matter. Nothing from the past, okay?"
I smiled at him.
"Okay, Tenchi. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me, Tenchi. I'm so sorry that I caused this."
He smiled slightly.
"It's not your fault you're so popular."
Then he leaned into me and hugged me tightly and kissed my cheek. When he pulls away I can only stare at him.
"Be careful tomorrow Ryoko."
And with that he went upstairs.
-----------------------------
~End Chapter 3~
Oh well, that wasn't so bad.
Chapter 4 is coming up next..."No Need for Stalemates"