Disclaimer: I don't own Tenchi Muyo or any of the characters. Please don't sue me -.-;;;
Spoiler warning. These events take place after Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2; and therefore may contain spoilers.
Chapter 3
Kokuhaku Muyo!
Ametsuchi was walking the dirt and stone path toward the shrine. Upon passing the lake, he glanced up at the setting sun. 'I miss the ocean.'
"TSURIYA!" Tenchi swung a side-ways blow toward his grandfather who tucked and rolled away. Ametsuchi glanced over at his two sparring family members. 'Maybe it'd be good to join them.'
"Jii-chan!" he called out. "Let me have a shot!"
Katsuhito and Tenchi looked up at the formerly unnoticed bystander. "Certainly." The elder man chuckled and tossed his wooden sword the twenty yards toward the youth; who caught it with ease.
Setting his own, real sword against a tree, Ametsuchi walked toward his younger brother. "I've always wanted to see how good you are. Let's see if Jii-chan did a good job training you."
With that, he charged at the unprepared Tenchi, who barely managed to block the three quick swings coming his way. Expecting another volley, Tenchi was surprised to see that none came. When he opened his he noticed Ametsuchi leaning on his sword talking to his grandfather.
"Don't underestimate me!!" Tenchi charged, screaming. Ametsuchi just calmly stepped out of the way, and grabbed Tenchi's right wrist. He twisted his younger brother into a wrist lock. Tenchi's face was plastered against the dirt.
"Is this the best you could do? I'm disappointed." Ametsuchi put his foot on the back of Tenchi's skull, ramming it into the ground further. "Just pathetic." He let go. Tenchi screamed in pain as he rubbed both his arm and head. He slowly tried to stand up.
"Now why the hell.." Tenchi was cut short by a backhand from his older brother.
"Don't talk back to me you pathetic kid!" he barked. "Jii-chan, let me stay here and teach my brother some proper fighting technique and discipline."
"Heh, fine by me." Katsuhito started walking toward the shrine. "It's getting dark, I'm heading to bed."
Tenchi pulled himself back to his feet, and dusted himself off. "Should we start tomorrow?" he asked timidly "It's getting dark."
"We stay out here." Ametsuchi picked up his katana, fastened it into his sash, and walked toward the forest. "Pick up your sword and follow."
Tenchi followed Ametsuchi through the forest for what seemed like an hour. Eventually they reached a small clearing. The moon shone through the opening in the forest canopy, creating shadows throughout the clearing.
Ametsuchi took a deep breath of the air, "This is were I stayed a lot when I was a little kid. Glad to see it's just the same." He looked changed to that of seriousness, "You're sleeping here for the night."
"WHAT?!" Tenchi almost fell over. "You want me to sleep out here?!"
"Yes." The reply was blunt, "I'll be sleeping inside, I'll come back out tomorrow morning to start our training."
"But…" Tenchi was frustrated. "But I don't have any blankets or anything!"
Ametsuchi nonchalantly pointed toward some leaves. "Want warmth? Go to those." He walked off. "Good night, see you in the morning."
When Tenchi was alone, he slumped down on the ground. "This sucks…" He held his wooden sword close to his body and tried to get some sleep.
Ametsuchi quietly entered his room, in an attempt to keep from waking up the sleeping Ryoko in his bed. "Oh, you're back." Who wasn't really sleeping.
"I thought you were asleep," He closed the door and sat at the foot of the bed.
"Couldn't sleep," She smiled at the dark shadow sitting on the bed. "Wanna talk for a bit?"
"Huh? Sure" he smiled back.
"I'm sorry about earlier." She sat up and moved closer to Ametsuchi.
"It's alright, just forget about it."
Ryoko was relieved to hear it, "By the way; where were you just now?"
"Just wanting to see how good Tenchi's swordmanship is." He looked over surprised as Ryoko laid her head on his shoulder.
"Mmm.." she sighed, "And how was he?"
"Horrible." He chuckled, "Can't even stay up for a second."
Ryoko giggled and moved closer to Ametsuchi, "Are you good at fighting?" she asked.
"Not good enough," he put his arm around her.
She yawned, "Have you ever killed anyone?"
Ametsuchi paused for a few minutes. "A few…" He looked out distantly, "But one too few." He looked back at Ryoko, who was now asleep. "Silly girl." He laid her back down on the bed, and covered her up. He stood up and quietly walked outside the house.
The tall warrior stood facing the moon, standing high up on top of the trees. Silently crying inside. 'What am I doing?… I don't belong here…' Ametsuchi looked down at his seethed sword. 'Sorry old friend, you must stay there.'
Fourteen years ago…
An unafraid Ametsuchi stared up at his much older, and bigger opponent. His sword was ready. Every muscle in his body was tightened and ready for the strike. A small bead of sweet dropped from his brow. His breathing was strained after fight upon fight. The heat and lack of shade beat down on him like a hammer. The small boy slowly scooted toward the large man, stirring up dust that was picked up and scattered by the warm wind. And then, he saw his opening. His opponent slightly dropped the tip of his sword to relieve the tension in his muscles. Ametsuchi struck like lightning, knocking the sword out of the fighter's hands. He pointed his sword up at the man's neck.
"Kill me." He commanded.
"Why do you want to die?" Ametsuchi didn't waver his gaze or his sword.
"I lost to a kid." He yelled, "I have no honor or reason left to live!"
"I think I'll let you live." He said with confidence. "Let you live with this shame. Maybe it'll make you a better man. Or you can be a coward and kill yourself for not being good enough. Your choice." He was answered by silence. The nine year old winner slowly backed away and put his sword down. "Live with the pain. Fight it. Then come back to me when you've overcome it and defeat me." He seethed his sword and walked off. A slight breeze knocking up dust covered his path.
"Amazing…" the man slumped to his knees, "Simply amazing."
Ametsuchi took a bite out of the small rodent he was eating, though knew not what it was. "It's been two years since Jii-chan smuggled me out of the house." He said to no one, "He promised someone was to meet me here, but I haven't found him. Maybe it's better that way." He surveyed the landscape. Nothing but rocks, sand, and dust. "What a wasteland…" He continued his eating. The small boy was perched up on top of a small cliff, enabling him to see the surrounding area. Not much of an area though. A desolate wasteland. Visibility was limited due to the dust clouds stirred up by the wind. "I can't believe Jii-chan managed to get me out of the house…" He could remember it like it was yesterday how his grandfather got him on a boat sent to nowhere. "I wonder how Kaasan took it…"
"Well," Ametsuchi stood up, "I think I'll goto town." Town was about ten miles north of Ametsuchi's temporary home.
But just as he got to the bottom of the cliff, he noticed a dark figure clad in a black cloak approach him. Ametsuchi stood prepared, his hand not far from his sword's hilt. "DARE DA!!" the boy yelled.
An evil laugh came from the man in front of him. "I am Shinigami!" The laughter continued. "And who might you be?" His voice was dark and ominous.
"Who am I? I am no one, and everyone. I am one who is no longer alive. I am dead to the world." Ametsuchi yelled as he pulled out his sword slowly yet confidently, "Do you care to join the dead?"
"HAHAHA!" A laugh that brought chills to Ametsuchi's bones erupted from the cloaked figure. "Someone will die today, but it won't be me!!" He came ever closer to Ametsuchi, with each step an aura of power and hate vibrated from his body. He threw his arms back, knocking his cloak back; and stood to full height. For the first time, Ametsuchi felt fear. Shinigami was over six feet tall, and more muscular than any man he had ever seen. He body was clothed in black, even his head had black paint around his eyes. Again, the laugh. "What's the matter boy?! Afraid?!"
Ametsuchi brought his sword up to a defensive position. As the evil in front of him pulled a large sword out of almost nowhere. "DETEKOI!!"
"As you wish" He voice was dry and emotionless, his eyes burned like fire that set Ametsuchi's soul ablaze. He then charged the small boy, an insane smile on his face; a smile that yearned for blood. "SHINE!!"
Ametsuchi stepped back a few paces, but couldn't prepare for the onslaught that came. Even though he managed to block the strikes, every charge brought him closer and closer to the wall of rock behind him. Shinigami welded his huge sword as if it was nothing, striking quick and without mercy.
"What…" Ametsuchi grunted, trying to keep himself alive. "What are you?!"
Shinigami swung a downward arc toward Ametsuchi's head. It was blocked, but barely. The two warriors closed together, but trying to get the upper edge. "What am I?.." He put all his power into his arms, knocking Ametsuchi on the floor, who tried to scramble away from the coming blow. Shinigami's sword grazed Ametsuchi's face and crashed into the ground, leaving a small crater.
Ametsuchi scrambled back and held one hand over the blood seeping from the wound on his cheek. It burned unlike any wound he had encountered before. "Bastard!" he coughed out, not dropping his sword or his lock on Shinigami's burning eyes. But the pain was almost unbearable.
"You like the feeling of Satsujinhan'Ryou on your flesh?" The evil licked the blade of his own sword. "It'll burn till the day you die!" Again, the evil laughter.
"GO TO HELL!" Ametsuchi jumped up and charged Shinigami, every muscle in his body ached from the blade of Satsujinhan'Ryou. He leaped his body up into the air, swinging with all his might at Shinigami's head.
The large, red-eyed man side stepped the attack; leaving Ametsuchi hanging wide open in the air. Ametsuchi soon gasped for air and a huge hand began to crush his throat.
"Well then. Time to die." Again, the evil laughter. Ametsuchi couldn't take it anymore, he was dieing. "I expect better! This is no fun at all!" More of the same laughter, it caused a hate and anger that Ametsuchi had never felt before. He no longer felt the pain, or the death that was rapidly approaching.
Ametsuchi's body began to glow, and an energy erupted off of his body, causing his neck to be freed, and knocking the large Shinigami on the ground. Ametsuchi picked up his sword and walked toward his opponent who had overcome the initial shock and was now on his feet again.
"What the hell?!" Shinigami was in disbelief. "What are you?!"
"I told you. I am one that is no one. I have no name. I am no longer me."
Ametsuchi pointed the edge of his sword at his rival. "And it is time…" his face
showed no emotion. "For you to die."
"SHUT THE HELL UP!!" Shinigami charged, but the boy jumped high above his strikes. Again and again he swung, but each time Ametsuchi easily jumped or dodged the attack. This continued until the seemingly invincible adversary was out of breath.
"What's the matter?" Ametsuchi chuckled. "Can't you kill a simple boy."
"Fuck you!" he spat through clenched teeth.
"Are those your last words?" Ametsuchi leaped high into the air. As he seemed to float above Shinigami, the strange glow returned. It enveloped his body, and then focused on his sword. "SABARE!!" he screamed as he hurled his sword down like a lightning bolt. The strike struck Shinigami's body in half. The glow faded, and Ametsuchi fell back down to the ground; hitting hard.
The triumphant boy walked over to the dead body of his crushed contender. He looked at his hands in disbelief. 'What was that power…'
Shinigami's body was cut clean in half. Ametsuchi picked his sword out of the blood and flesh, bowing slightly to the one that had brought out something he didn't know existed.
Present…
Ametsuchi caressed the scar on his cheek as he watched Ryoko sleep. The sun was just beginning to rise, as Ametsuchi returned from his short trip outside. 'Well, I guess it's time.' He picked up his wooden sword and went out to where Tenchi had spent the night. On his way there, he picked up a small bucket and filled it full of cold water.
Tenchi was sound asleep, although it hadn't been easy. The night was rather warm, so he managed to at least get a few hours of sleep in. Being sound asleep, he didn't notice Ametsuchi approach carrying a bucket. Although, he did find out when he was drenched in ice cold water.
"Wake up sunshine." Ametsuchi said with a sarcastic glee.
"What did you do that for?!" Tenchi screamed while shivering. "I'm.. free….zing…!!"
"Stand up, we start training today." His older brother ordered.
Tenchi complied, and picked up his sword as well.
"Drop the sword! We aren't working on that today!"
"Huh?" Tenchi was confused, he had expected to start sword training.
"Drop it!"
Tenchi followed the order, and threw his wooden sword down. "What are we working on."
"Balance." He answered. "I noticed that you lacked any type of balance whatsoever, so we are starting there. Starting with the basics. Follow."
Ametsuchi started walking into the forest again, but this time it was a short trip. The pair stopped at another small clearing. This one had three long poles stuck into the ground, each one as high as the tree tops.
"Where are we?" Tenchi looked around, and Ametsuchi walked up to the poles and shook them.
"Climb this pole." Ametsuchi pointed to the middle pole.
"Um…" Tenchi stared up at the twenty feet high pole.
"Go on!" Ametsuchi said impatiently.
"Oh! Um.. ok!" Tenchi tried to climb up the pole, but slid down after getting up about 8 feet.
Try after try Tenchi attempted to climb the pole with no success. While he was failing at this, Ametsuchi walked over to a tree and yanked off a small branch. He nonchalantly headed back to Tenchi who had slid down the pole once more. And with a simple swing, hit Tenchi in the butt as hard as he could. Tenchi scurried up the top of the pole.
"See?" Ametsuchi smiled. "Easy!"
Tenchi was now hanging onto the top of the pole with one hand, the other
rubbing his backside. "Now what do I do?"
"Stand on it of course!" Ametsuchi laughed. "You can do that right?"
"Of course I can!" Tenchi's pride hurt more than his butt. After about ten minutes, he managed to balance himself on the pole. "See?!" he said triumphantly.
"Hmm" Ametsuchi replied unimpressed. He leaped into the air and landed on the pole to the left of Tenchi. "Easy"
Tenchi stared wide open at his brother who had done, in a matter of seconds, what had taken him over a half hour. His stomach growled. "I'm hungry. Can I go down and get some food now?"
"NO!" Ametsuchi barked. "You are to stay up here for the entire day."
"But I'll starve!" Tenchi protested.
Ametsuchi reached into his kimono and pulled out an apple. "Eat this." He tossed it to his brother, who almost fell over trying to catch it.
Tenchi began to dig into the apple with fervor, "Thank you!"
Ametsuchi just looked at him oddly. "I want to talk to you about
something."
"What about? Aniki?" he looked over confused.
"Ryoko" the reply came dryly and unexpected.
"Ryoko?" Tenchi asked. "What about her?"
"Do you love her?"
The question was so blunt, that Tenchi almost fell over in surprise. "I.. um… I don't know…"
"It's a yes or no question Tenchi," Ametsuchi kept his voice smooth and quiet. "Do you love her?"
"I…." Tenchi didn't know what to say, "I thought I did, but sometimes she just acts so immature."
"'Immature'?!" Ametsuchi tried not to laugh, "'Immature' as in not figuring out who she loves after three years?"
"Well… um.."
"When you love someone, you love their faults as well. You say she's immature, but that's not what love is about. 'Love' is about not wanting to loose someone, wanting to be there with them all the time. Don't you miss Ryoko? You have seen her for a few days. Don't you want to see her again?" Ametsuchi spoke with all too little emotion.
"I…" the realization hit Tenchi like a ton of bricks, "I do miss her…"
Ametsuchi smiled, "What do you miss the most about her?"
"Her smile." Tenchi's answer came quickly. "She always smiles… Anyway, where has she been?"
"Recovering."
"Recovering from what?" Tenchi didn't understand.
"From you." He pointed at his younger brother. "You hurt her, deeply. She thought you understand the way she feels, but time and time again you snubbed her."
"I…" Tenchi was aghast, "I had no idea… How… How do you know this?"
"I
talked to her of course." Ametsuchi replied matter-of-factly, "Unlike you I can
listen to people. When have you ever actually sat down and listened to
Ryoko?"
There was no answer.
"It's now or never Tenchi, make up your mind. Who do you love?"
Tenchi's mind snapped the pieces into place. Not caring about his brother or his training, he leaped down from the pole and dashed toward the house.
"Run like hell, boy."
Ryoko had just woken up, and noticed Ametsuchi was nowhere to be found. She ventured downstairs, her stomach growling. When the cyan hair pirate reached the bottom of the steps, an out of breath Tenchi burst through the door.
"Ryoko!" he called out for her.
She just turned her back, not replying to him.
"Ryoko! I'm sorry" Tenchi begged for forgiveness.
Ryoko wasn't ready to talk to him. "I don't want to speak to you. You hurt me!"
"I know…" he trailed off, "I know, and I just woke up from my stupidity. I'm sorry Ryoko. I promise I won't hurt you ever again."
A few tears rolled down Ryoko's cheek. "You can't expect me to wait forever."
"You don't have to!…" Tenchi started.
"I'm not going to wait." Ryoko tried to keep her crying hidden. "You hurt me Tenchi. I loved you!" The past-tense verb hitting Tenchi like a mallet. "I don't think I can keep on with this one-sided love!"
"Ryoko…" Tenchi tried to reach out, "Ryoko… I… I don't know what to say."
"Then do say anything!" Ryoko squealed out. "Just leave me alone!!" She started up the staircase.
"Ryoko, wait!" Tenchi cursed himself for raising his voice. "I'm sorry for hurting you Ryoko. I don't know what I can say… except…" Tenchi tried to gather up strength. "Except, that I love you."
