Chapter 6:
Washu emerged from her lab to find breakfast already being served. Ryoko was here, that at least was a good sign, even though she refused to look at her. Washu made her way to the table and took her usual place. She was greeted with the usual 'Hey Washu.' or 'Good morning Washu.' from everyone (except Ryoko of course). She replied with a simple 'Hi everyone.' none of her usual playful tone in it, she just couldn't bring herself to act normally. The rest of the household noticed that Washu was acting odd, but they knew better than to pry deeper.
Breakfast was awkward to say the least. Ryoko just sat and ate her food, doing her best to not draw attention to herself. Even when Tenchi tried to get her involved in the conversation, she'd just reply with a simple 'yes', 'no' or 'I don't know' and go back to eating. No one even tried to talk to Washu; all she did was stare miserably down at her meal, poking at it occasionally. The most life anyone saw out of her was when she took a quick glance at Ryoko when she wouldn't notice.
Breakfast drew to a close and everyone was relieved to get away. Mihoshi and Kiyone said their goodbyes and left for their apartment, Washu used this time to skulk away into her lab, Nobuyuki headed off to get some work done in his study. Ayeka was planning to go and see Ryu-oh and finish what she was doing yesterday, but after seeing the mood that Washu was in thought better of it and decided to get her chores done early instead. She didn't think that Ryoko would need to be watched as she was obviously sulking and in no mood to talk to anyone. Ryoko headed off, sat on the couch and turned on the TV, not really watching what was on. Tenchi helped Sasami clear the table and do the dishes, but his mind was on Ryoko.
'What happened between her and Washu?' He thought to himself while scrubbing a particularly dirty bowl. 'I know Ryoko doesn't like to think of her as a mother, but this is just weird. Whatever it is, it's got her so worked up that she won't even talk to me… I'd better do something about this, I'm gonna go talk to her.'
His mind made up, Tenchi excused himself from the dishes and walked over to the couch. Standing by the side of the couch, he looked at Ryoko and what he saw made him slightly uneasy, she wasn't at all like her normal self. She was just sitting there staring at TV paying no attention to it, lost in thought; she didn't even acknowledge his presence. He tentatively edged round the couch and sat down a couple of feet away from her, trying to think about what to say to her.
'Hi there.' Was all he could manage, stunned, Ryoko turned to see him.
'Oh… Hi Tenchi.' She replied uneasily.
'Are you going to be at training today?' He asked, easing himself into a conversation. She paused for a moment, obviously having forgotten about it.
'…Yeah, I'll be there.' She turned back to the TV.
'Is anything wrong Ryoko?' Obviously there was, but he didn't want to push her.
'No, no there isn't.'
'Ryoko…'
'I'll see you at training Tenchi.' She cut him off quickly before she phased out.
'Well that went well. I'll try again at training.' Defeated for the moment, he went back to finish the dishes.
Time seemed to pass painfully slowly for Tenchi; Ryoko was still on his mind. He'd tried to see Washu, but there was no answer when he knocked and the door refused to open. After an hour, he was eager to get up to the training grounds. He hoped that Ryoko was back to her normal self or had at least picked herself up enough to talk to him about whatever had happened. As he made his way up the steps to the shrine, he was so lost in thought that he almost didn't notice the bokken lying on one of the steps. He picked it up and cautiously continued up the steps, readying himself for a surprise attack. His grandfather had pulled this trick on him this several times before; he'd leave a bokken lying about somewhere on the path to the training grounds and then attack without warning some distance ahead.
Tenchi made it all the way to the top of the stairs without incident and his mind once again wandered to Ryoko. As soon as he was at the top of the stairs, an attack came from his left. Out of reflex rather then skill he was able to block the simple attack aimed for his head, but he left himself open to just about any other attack his grandfather could perform, expecting another strike to come and finish him off. None came. He turned to see his grandfather just standing there tapping his bokken lightly against his shoulder with a stern look on his face.
'I gave you ample warning Tenchi, I'm disappointed.'
'I'm sorry grandfather.' He replied solemnly, bowing lightly.
'Come on, Ryoko is waiting for us.' Having said his piece, he turned down the path, walking a few feet ahead of Tenchi. Tenchi tried to mentally scold himself for being so absent minded, but he couldn't help feeling happy, as Ryoko had actually turned up. He hoped that he would have better luck with her this time.
They reached the training grounds to find Ryoko sitting on a rock, legs crossed, swinging them back and forth lightly. She saw them and rose to her feet, Katsuhito threw her his bokken and stepped back, motioning the two to face off.
'Today, we will start with the basic routines.'
Half an hour later and Tenchi hadn't managed to say a word to Ryoko, not even a simple greeting. It wasn't that he didn't try, but his grandfather was training them so hard that there wasn't any time. So far all they had done was the basic routines and keeping a small log up in the air between them while standing on wooden pegs in the ground. Tenchi wasn't doing well at all; he just couldn't keep his concentration up. He kept taking glances at Ryoko's face, trying to find any clue about what was wrong with her. All his attempts met with failure, as her face was an unreadable mask and she kept avoiding looking into his eyes.
'Enough.' Katsuhito said, authority clear in his voice. 'It is clear to me that neither of you are concentrating.' He turned his face to Ryoko 'Ryoko, you may leave.' She nodded and phased away.
Tenchi stared at where Ryoko had been 'Grandpa, I need to go and talk to her.'
'Tenchi, I will train you myself for another half an hour, then you may leave.' He walked over and retrieved Ryoko's bokken.
'But Grandfather!'
'Very well, you may leave. But only if you go through me.'
Tenchi sighed; this was close to impossible. His grandfather could still beat him without even trying. He could try to run, but his grandfather was also faster than him. Not being able to come up with anything, Tenchi decided just to charge him; it wouldn't work, but if he was going to be stuck here for another half an hour, he might as well get the most out of it.
Ryoko sat on a wide flat branch of a cherry tree. At night she would sit on the roof when she wanted to think, during the day this would be her place. It was secluded here, just behind the tree line on the far side of the lake. On the roof, someone might spot her during the day and besides, the main reason she went up there was because of the view at night. Most of cherry blossoms had fallen by now and any that remained would fall at the slightest breeze. It meant that the cherry trees were less beautiful, but easier to sit in. She was glad that Katsuhito had let her go, she needed time to think. But think about what, Washu? She'd spent all morning thinking about her and it hadn't gotten her anywhere. Every time she tried to think about her, she froze at that awful memory.
'How could a mother do that? Was her research so important? Was that the only reason she created me? Am I really nothing more than that?' She sighed and lay down on her side; the branch was wide enough so that she could just manage. Much as she tried, there was just no way past these questions.
'Maybe I shouldn't have left, this is getting me nowhere. But I can't face Tenchi, not like this. I'll get through this on my own, I always have.' Ryoko was tired despite being unconscious for most of the night and after a bit more useless contemplation, she fell into a light sleep.
Tenchi walked back down the steps, heading for home. He nursed a stiff elbow from a fall during his training; he didn't even land a single blow on his grandfather. His grandfather however gave him several hits, reminding him just how far his training had to go. Now that training was over, he had to find Ryoko, but where would she be? More importantly, what was he going to say? Much as he racked his brain, he just couldn't think of anything to say to her.
'Maybe the direct approach isn't the best. But then how can I approach her?'
Halfway back to the house and still nothing had occurred to him. He considered various different approaches, but none seemed appropriate. He started thinking about any recent conversations they had and as soon as he reached the edge of the lake, it hit him. He broke into a light jog for the rest of the way.
Entering the house, he found Nobuyuki, Sasami, Ayeka and Katsuhito sitting down, just starting on their lunch. How on earth Katsuhito always managed to beat him back to the house after training still eluded him.
'Oh hey Tenchi, you're just in time for lunch.' His father said.
'Not now, I'm not hungry.' He replied heading for the stairs.
'Oh, but Tenchi….' Sasami moaned.
He stopped and looked at Sasami, giving her a reassuring smile. 'Don't worry Sasami, I'll make sure I have a big dinner.'
'Tenchi! Stop being so inconsiderate.' Katsuhito's voice boomed. 'Sasami has been gracious enough to prepare this meal for us, the least you can do is eat it.'
'Aw, come on Grandpa, give me a break.'
'He's right you know Tenchi.' His father cut in. 'You shouldn't take Sasami's cooking for granted.'
Tenchi sighed, defeated. This day was not going well for him. He walked to the table and sat down to eat. This was infuriating; just when he'd figured out how to possibly get through to Ryoko -something he spent all day thinking about- he was stuck here.
Tenchi began to eat and realised that he was hungrier than he thought. Rather than waste time while he was eating, he thought about where Ryoko could be.
'She's been gone all day…but where? The roof? No, she only goes there at night. The cave? No, she only goes
there when she wants me to find her. That leaves only one place… yeah; she doesn't think I know about that
tree. There's a clearing near there as
well, it's perfect.'
Tenchi wolfed down the rest of his meal happily. Once lunch was officially declared over, everyone split up just like after breakfast, Nobuyuki offering to do the dishes while Sasami took a break to go and play with Ryo-Ohki. Tenchi headed up to his room to get what he needed.
Another chapter gone, short I know, but oh well. I'll try and make the next chapter a lot better, but it may not be up for a while due to upcoming A-level exams. As always feedback is greatly appreciated, I hope to get better as time goes on (I haven't written anything creative for over 2 years).
