YATARF (Yet Another Tenchi And Ryoko Fic)
Yes, I know there are enough Tenchi and Ryoko fics to fill a book, but what can one more hurt? This is going to be rather long (I hope) and suggestions are always welcome (this is my first fanfic ever, so be kind J).
Since I live in a backwater of the world called England, I've only seen the Tenchi Muyo! OAV and Tenchi Universe, none of the movies or Tenchi in Tokyo. The timeline I have chosen to follow is a combination of the two, i.e. Ryoko was imprisoned in the cave but never combined with zero, the last half of the Tenchi Universe series happened (mainly because of the No need for Ryoko and No need for a conclusion episodes) etc.
Basically, I'll make reference to both timelines, if you don't like it tough.
Setting: It's a few weeks after the end of Tenchi Universe, everyone's come back and life's 'normal' at the Masaki household.
Chapter 1:
Midnight and everyone was in bed, typical thought Ryoko as she lay on her bed (bed wasn't the word for it, it was nothing but a plank of wood with a pillow on it). Why did everyone have to go to bed so early in this house, it wasn't like anyone had anything to do the next morning, with the exception of Sasami and Tenchi of course. Sasami was always up bright and early to fix breakfast for everyone while Tenchi had school. Ahh yes, Tenchi, one of the reasons she gave up her previous lifestyle and decided to settle down on this rock. In all honesty, she was probably better suited to this way of living rather than being on the go, not to mention on the run (even if everyone did go to bed early). For the first time, she had friends, real ones, ones that wouldn't betray her just for a few credits. Here she could relax, let most of her guard down and just enjoy life. Everyday here made those 700 years seem somehow 'worth' it, even if Tenchi hadn't returned her affections… yet.
'I'll get him soon enough.' mumbled Ryoko, but how, just how was she going to get him? That was her main problem, just coming out with it hadn't been working and now she'd promised to win Tenchi's heart fair and square. 'Guess kidnapping him is out of the question.' she thought to herself as she remembered threatening him when he decided to go and rescue Ayeka. He said he'd like to go on a trip with her and she did promise to take him on a journey when they were stuck in another dimension, but she knew that he would never agree to go with her alone. But that seemed to be the best way to his heart, getting away from everyone else and being in a totally different setting would give her a fresh start with Tenchi. At the moment, the image he had of her was a drunken, coarse, loud and rude space pirate. He had accepted that and treated her as a good friend, but if she was to be anything more to him, she needed to show some of her better characteristics and there was no way that would happen with constant interruptions (read as: Ayeka).
That was the real problem, getting alone with Tenchi for long enough to show more of her good qualities without him seeing it as another ploy to get into his bed. Taking a trip with him seemed the best way, but how could she get him to agree? Just ask him… no, Tenchi would just give her a lame excuse like school, Ayeka or any number of others. If Ayeka asked him, Ryoko knew Tenchi wouldn't refuse, but why? 'That's an easy one, he trusts her' she thought to herself 'He trusts her not to throw herself at him as soon as they leave Earth.' Tenchi wouldn't agree to a long vacation with Ayeka, a week at most and Ryoko couldn't hope for any better. If she was going to ask Tenchi, then she'd have to ask him soon, Tenchi would be on school holiday in a few weeks and he's need a good amount of notice. 'What I need to do first is gain his trust and for that I need help.' Ryoko thought to herself 'And mother dearest might be just the person to talk to. After all, she gets people to agree to be her guinea pigs over and over again, she must be an expert at gaining people's trust.'
Looking at the wall clock and seeing that it was 12:30 in the morning, Ryoko decided now probably wasn't the best time to talk to Washu, she'd go talk to her in the morning. 'You wannna talk to mommy Ryoko?' Washu's voice suddenly said in her mind 'You know my door is always open for you Ryoko'
'DAMN THIS LINK.' Ryoko thought, making sure her mother couldn't hear
'Did you hear what I was just thinking about?' Ryoko responded
'No, I just got the sense you needed to talk to me'
Ryoko wasn't sure that Washu was telling the truth, but decided that now was as good a time as any to talk to her.
Deciding not to get on Washu's bad side by barging in like she would normally, Ryoko teleported down from the rafters in front of Washu's lab. Ryoko knocked on the ordinary looking cupboard door that led to Washu's enormous lab and was greeted by an all too cheery looking Washu at the window 'Come in'. Ryoko stepped into Washu's private dimension and found her sitting at her holographic laptop as ever. Washu turned to face Ryoko, she'd obviously been up too long today, because there were bags clearly visible under her eyes.
'Do you control your whole lab from that computer?' Ryoko asked.
'Not really, although it's a computer in itself, it's almost always linked to the several mainframe computers that control this lab, so in essence, no I don't control my whole lab from this computer, I use this computer as a terminal to interface with the mainframes that control this lab' Washu responded, losing Ryoko in the process.
'I see' Ryoko lied.
'So tell me little Ryoko, what did you want to see me for?'
'I uhh, well that is, you see…' Ryoko stammered, embarrassed at what she was about to say.
'You want to have a heart to heart talk with your mom, is that it?' Washu said enthusiastically.
'Oh dear god no, how am I ever going to get out of this without pissing her off enough to still get what I want?' Thought Ryoko
'So what do you want to talk to mommy about, did you have a bad day? did that mean old Ayeka upset you? Or is it Tenchi?' Washu said in a tone that showed that she was overjoyed.
Seeing no way out of this without hurting Washu's feelings, Ryoko gave up and decided to go along with her.
'Tenchi'
'Thought so. What about him?'
'I need to gain his trust'
'And why is that?'
Ryoko explained her plan to Washu, who listened eagerly, pleased that Ryoko had chosen to come to her.
'I see' Washu said when Ryoko finished speaking.
'Best thing to do is work your way up from some common ground.'
'What do you mean?'
'I've carefully studied your conversations with Tenchi and most of them don't last more than 3 minutes and that's the longer ones.'
'And what does that mean?'
'If you can't talk to him for more than a few minutes, you expect him to agree to be alone with you for more than a week?'
'I guess not, but how do I get around this?'
'Like I said, find some common ground with him. Find out what he's interested in and talk to him about it. If you do, he'll enjoy your company more and will make conversation with you rather than the other way around.'
'Hmm… Sounds good, but is there enough time for this to work and get him to go on that trip with me? His holidays are in only a few weeks.'
'There should be. Go sleep and I'll make up a list of things for you to research in the morning'
'Thanks, you've been a big help.'
Washu looked at Ryoko with sad, watery eyes.
'Thanks mom' Ryoko said, giving Washu a light hug.
'Anything for my daughter said' Washu said and gave Ryoko a big smile.
Ryoko turned to leave, but realised something, turned back and said.
'Wait a minute, I thought you were after Tenchi as well'
'Oh I'm interested in him, and I do find him quite attractive…'
Washu replied, then sighed, her mood suddenly changing and said
'But I don't think I could ever love him like you could Ryoko. You know I lost my husband and child a long time ago and it still tears me up inside.'
A tear appeared in Washu's eye.
'That was one of the reasons I created you, I wanted someone to care for and someone to care for me.'
Tears started running down Washu's face. 'Then I lost you as well, except this time it was my own fault and I know I can't make it up to you but Ryoko, I promise I'll try because… because I love you Ryoko. And even though you don't believe it, I am your mother…'
Washu lost all composure, and started weeping into her hands. Ryoko realised that Washu wasn't joking when she talked about being her mother, she really meant it. Ryoko walked over to Washu and put her arm around her.
'You're right, you are my mother, and I've just been too stubborn to admit it.'
Ryoko said, putting her other arm around Washu and giving her a big hug. Washu took her hands away from her tear-stained face and smiled 'Sorry Ryoko, I guess I get emotional when I'm tired.'
'Don't apologise mom, I'm glad we talked, you should get some sleep' Ryoko replied.
'I will, but you should too, my little Ryoko.'
'OK'
Ryoko left the lab and went back to bed, thinking about the conversation she'd just had. 'One more thing Ryoko' Washu said through their link.
'What?'
'Don't throw yourself at him, tease him or get into any
fights with Ayeka.'
'But how am I supposed to have any fun?'
'Don't worry, you can have your 'fun' later.' Washu said ending their telepathic conversation. 'You're right as always Washu, I just hope I can do this' Ryoko thought as she drifted off to sleep.
So ends chapter 1. Like it or loathe it? Characters out of character? Please give me some feedback, I have no idea what Ryoko should 'research' in chapter 2. If you have any ideas please tell me.
