I still don't own Tenchi Muyo
For Reason That Escape Me
By The Great El Dober
Chapter Three
Sasami lay trembling in Tenchi's bed, still quaking in fear from the
attack. It was so unexpected, it came out of no-where so she was afraid that it could just
as easily happen again. This was the only room she felt safe in, partly because it was the
only room that had escaped damage and didn't look ready to collapse at any moment.
However her main reason for feeling safe was the other presence in the
bed, the unconscious form that her trembling body huddled next to. With the young girl's
mind full of fear she clung to the sleeping Ryoko for comfort and assurance. She didn't
want to be alone.
She didn't want to be downstairs either. Her injured sister was there
and Sasami could no longer bear to be around her, it was too traumatizing for her. She
knew they had moved Ayeka onto the couch, they didn't want to move her too far and that in
itself began to panic Sasami. Since Ryoko had seemed in a less serious condition she had
been moved to Tenchi's bed, as the floor seemed an inappropriate place to leave her.
So that was where Sasami had gone when she couldn't take it any more,
next to Ryoko. She cowered as close to her friend as she could. She was more scared now
than she had ever been before and Ryoko seemed to offer her comfort. She had completely
forgotten about Ryoko's earlier show of weakness and now thought of her as a sleeping
warrior, waiting to spring into action. Yes, Ryoko was strong, Ryoko was brave, Ryoko
would keep her safe.
But Ryoko was unconscious.
With that thought the young girl's fears started to resurface with as
much force as ever. She clung tighter to Ryoko for support and to her surprise, the pirate
started to stir.
Ryoko's eyes gradually opened to be met with a sight that was very
familiar to them, Tenchi's bedroom. As her mind slowly ground back into gear she realised
that she was in his bed . . . . and someone was hugging her.
With this realisation Ryoko spun around in expectation, desperately
hoping, wishing that it would be Tenchi lying beside her. Instead she was met with the
sight of a shaking Sasami and from the look of her eyes she had been crying. Ryoko's
anticipation and fantasies were put on hold as she was filled with concern and anger that
someone would apparently hurt Sasami.
She was about to ask what was wrong when her mind finally awakened and
her memory brought her up to speed on what had happened and more importantly, what still
had to be done.
Downstairs
Tenchi sat by the couch keeping a silent vigil over the fallen princess.
His grandfather had told him it was only a concussion and not to worry, but how could he
not worry? Washu was gone, Ayeka was hurt and Ryoko was . . . well he didn't quite know
what was wrong with Ryoko but he didn't like it. He just sat there thinking about the
three of them, so absorbed in his thoughts that he failed to notice the activity around
him.
Mihoshi sat on a small table, as there were no surviving chairs left
other than the one Tenchi sat on. After calming down she had actually been very
professional, or at least as professional as Mihoshi could be. She was fidgeting with her
cube, babbling on about standard procedures and kidnapping being against the law.
Ryo-Ohki sat on Mihoshi's lap and listened to the detective's words. She
wasn't at all interested but she didn't want to be alone. She didn't want to go upstairs
either as seeing Sasami like that broke her heart, and Ryo-Ohki had enough emotional
stress already. Washu was her mother too and Ryo-Ohki was every bit as concerned as Ryoko
was.
Of course Washu being her mother made Ryoko her sister. Perhaps it
wasn't how Ryoko saw things but after going through so much together under Kagato's
control, mistress didn't seem an appropriate way to regard Ryoko. It wasn't affectionate
enough, so Ryo-Ohki had come to think of Ryoko as a big sister long before Washu came
along and confirmed it. And now her sister was out cold, the only person who could
understand her was unapproachable. With her 'family' not available Ryo-Ohki felt lost, so
the blabbering Mihoshi was comforting company.
Katsuhito had the most productive response of them all. After Ayeka had
been taken care of he had turned his attention to the fallen Azaka and under the careful
guidance of Kamidake he had almost fully restored the guardian. Quite impressive, but he
was the prince of Jurai after all.
And in the midst of all of this Tenchi just sat there, letting his
thoughts lead him through a not-so-merry dance of concern and despair, but his silent
reflection was about to be broken by a disturbance from upstairs.
"No Ryoko, you can't."
Before anyone had a chance to respond to Sasami's words Ryoko
rematerialised right in the middle of the living room, quickly followed by the young
princess bounding down the stairs and grabbing Ryoko around the waist to stop her from
going anywhere else.
"You can't go," the young girl began, "You have to
rest."
"I'm fine!" the pirate insisted as she made an attempt for the
door. Normally she would have lots of time for the younger princess but she was too
anxious to see past her mission, it was a gnawing feeling that something had to be done
quickly and it wouldn't leave Ryoko's mind alone long enough for it to give proper
consideration to Sasami.
"But I'm scared," came the small-sounding plea from the small
girl, as she buried her face in Ryoko's waist. Those words brought back memories of
Ryoko's previous conversation with Tenchi and melted her resolute determination long
enough for her to have compassion for the trembling child.
I can't just leave her here like this, Ryoko thought, Maybe
I could . . .
"No!" came a sharp response in her
thoughts.
"Mom?" Ryoko thought hopefully.
"No, this is Zero," came the reply, "and
you can't take Sasami along with us, it's far too dangerous."
With this in mind Ryoko decided that if she couldn't let Sasami join her
then the least she could do was try to calm the young girl down before she left.
"It's okay Sasami," Ryoko reassured while gently stroking her
long hair, "Nothing bad is going to happen."
"You promise?" came the muffled question from Ryoko's middle.
"Yes, I promise," assured Ryoko, "but just now I need to
go help Mom or else . . ."
"No!" came a further objection from across the room.
It was from Tenchi, who now stood with a concerned gaze locked on Ryoko.
He didn't want to lose another friend.
"It will be safer if you stay here," he continued.
"Not for Mom it won't," Ryoko countered as Sasami released her
grip on the space pirate.
"But you might get hurt and . . . ."
"Let her go Tenchi!" came a stern command that cut straight
through Tenchi's concerned objections. It had been an old voice, boasting wisdom and
commanding respect. It had been the voice of Katsuhito. Tenchi just stared at his
grandfather. Why would he approve this crazy idea? Did he know something Tenchi didn't?
Ryoko just nodded as if that had been official authorisation to proceed,
which in a way it was. No one was likely to challenge Katsuhito's wisdom and with that in
mind she strode purposefully towards the door.
"Wait!" Tenchi cried while grabbing her arm, "I'll come
with . . ."
"No!" Ryoko fiercely objected. She could never let Tenchi put
himself in danger. She couldn't tell him it was dangerous either, then he would never let
her go.
"You have to stay here and help take care of Ayeka," Ryoko
finally said, trying to sound as if the thought of it didn't upset her. She didn't want
her Tenchi looking after Ayeka as in the back of Ryoko's mind she feared it might lead to
things, but if that was what it would take to keep her Tenchi safe then so be it.
"In that case," Tenchi began, still desperately fighting to
keep Ryoko safe, trying to find the words to make her stay but in the end coming up empty.
"In that case, just promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise," Ryoko pledged softly before Tenchi finally
relented and released his grip on her. That gnawing feeling returned and despite the
closeness with Tenchi only moments before, Ryoko soon found herself running boldly towards
the door.
"Come Ryo-Ohki!" she called on her way out, "We don't
have much time."
The considerably confused cabbit miawwed questionably but still followed
Ryoko out of the door. It wasn't a matter of pure obedience but Ryo-Ohki was getting quite
concerned about Ryoko. They had been together for as long as either could remember, and
even longer than that according to Washu. Ryoko had been through hell and more but always
seemed to remain stable and controlled in her own strange way. Now that seemed to be
slipping away. Someone had to make sure she didn't do anything crazy.
So seconds later they were off, cruising through Earth's atmosphere to
an unknown place in an unknown direction. Behind them they left a house full of concerned
and confused friends.
"Tenchi," Mihoshi whispered quietly, "I'm sure of it now.
Ryoko's gone mad."
Aboard Ryo-Ohki
All the way through the journey to god-knows-where, Ryo-Ohki kept a
concerned eye on her sister. Ryoko was looking out of a window panel, just like she had
often done in the past. She used to love the way her reflection looked, seeing her face
surrounded by so many pretty stars. If she tilted her head just right, it even looked like
she was wearing one of those pretty diamond necklaces that she was always made to steal
but was never allowed to keep.
Seeing herself with a 'diamond necklace' and a dreamy smile, it was the
only time that Ryoko could forget she was a murderous tool of evil and imagine that she
was a pretty lady with a nice house and garden and everything else that she saw other
people have. She would dream she was just like those people that she was forced to hurt.
In a world of death and pain it was that dream alone that kept Ryoko's spirits alive. And
it only ever happened by that window, so seeing Ryoko standing there always made Ryo-Ohki
happy.
But not today. Instead of staring with a dreamy, far off look on her
face, Ryoko was talking to herself. Not just muttering the odd word but having a
full-blown conversation with herself. Ryo-Ohki was now extremely concerned about Ryoko and
was considering if she should turn back at try to preserve what was left of her crumbling
family.
This was not how it seemed to Ryoko however. Instead of her reflection
she saw the apparition that she had come to know as Zero. Well, sure it looked like her,
but it didn't act at all like a mirror image. Instead it would listen and reply, giving
some of the answers that Ryoko so desperately sought.
". . . so let me get this straight," Ryoko said, after having
the whole thing explained to her, "In the future I travel back in time."
"Sort of," came Zero's obscure reply. It wasn't completely
true but it would do for now.
"And everyone else got their memories wiped," Ryoko continued,
"But since I used the machine I kept mine."
"For one day," Zero corrected, "after that . . ."
"I know, then my memories get repressed along with the other
changes I went through, which included you."
"Correct," Zero confirmed.
"So why didn't you say something before?" asked a confused
Ryoko. She had been locked up in a prison her self, and she would have done anything to
escape. Why would anyone stay willingly?
"Because Ryoko, you never needed me before," came the sincere
reply, "This is your life, not mine."
"So why did I use that machine in the first place?" Ryoko
finally asked. It was an inevitable question really. Zero had been expecting it for some
time and already knew what had to be said in response.
"I can't tell you that," she sadly answered, "It would
defeat the purpose of making you forget in the first place."
"I still don't believe you, you know." Ryoko said with a hint
of distrust still in her voice. This was still far too crazy for her to fully place her
belief in it.
"I know, but it won't matter if I can save your mother will
it?" Zero reminded.
"No, I suppose not but it's still. . . . ." Ryoko admitted
before picking up on something Zero had said, "Hey, wait a minute, what do you mean if?"
"I can't guarantee anything Ryoko," Zero said in a voice that
showed true regret, "Although I've seen these events before, my time was slightly
different from this one. For a start you were captured instead of Washu. I don't know
everything but I should know enough."
"But you can still tell me about my feelings for Mom, right?"
Ryoko asked hopefully.
"I can't just tell you just now," Zero replied, "It's
love, it's an emotion, it's not something I can just tell you. I will have to show you and
we don't really have enough free time for that just now, but I will, I promise."
"I see," said a disappointed Ryoko before asking, "Can
you leave me alone for a while, I need to think some things over."
With a nod Zero disappeared and Ryoko was left alone with only her
reflection. She needed some time to think about her very unusual situation, which
coincidently was exactly what one Tenchi Maskai was doing back on earth.
Masaki home
"Grandfather?"
"Yes, Tenchi," came the composed response, calmly spoken
despite the troubling events of the day.
"I was wondering, why did you let Ryoko leave?" Tenchi asked.
It had been puzzling him for some time now. What were the reasons behind his grandfather's
decision? Was there something Tenchi didn't know?
"It is appropriate that she is looking for a genius," the old
man began, "For there is a thin line between genius and insanity, measured only by
success."
Tenchi was shocked as he saw through his grandfather's pun to the real
meaning of his words.
He doesn't have a clue! Tenchi thought in disbelief, I
thought there was some mystic reason behind it. I thought he was hiding something from us,
some kind of warrior's wisdom, but there isn't. This is just one big gamble, just because
he can't think of anything better to do.
Katsuhito observed his grandson's reaction. Typical Tenchi, he was
caring and considerate to the point that it became a fault. His strong emotions always
overcame his sense of honour and compromise.
"If you could have saved your mother from leaving you, do you think
I could have talked you out of it?" Katsuhito asked, silencing Tenchi's protests
before they even started. "I didn't let her go Tenchi, I just stopped you from
wasting your time."
Tenchi lowered his head in defeat. Once again his grandfather had been
right. There had been a wisdom behind it, just not like Tenchi had expected. Katsuhito
understood Ryoko's thoughts and her concerns instead of just considering his own, like
Tenchi had done.
"I know you don't like your friends being in danger," the
lecture continued, "but you can't always protect someone like Ryoko and there is a
chance that she can protect her mother."
"And you think it's a chance worth taking?" Tenchi asked, not
in a sarcastic or criticizing way but in honest pursuit of an answer.
"Yes, Tenchi," came the reply, "Yes, I do."
Aboard Ryo-Ohki
Strange as it sounds a lot of it actually makes sense, Ryoko
thought to herself, It fits what happened on the Souja perfectly, me recognizing
Washu, feeling such strong emotions for a stranger and then completely forgetting the
reasons, it caters for all of that. Maybe it is true. Now if only I could convince Zero to
tell me what to expect. She only told me it's some kind of robot but I already knew that.
Ryoko frowned. It wasn't like Zero to be economical with information.
She normally explained everything in great detail. Perhaps there was . . . no, there was
no time for mistrust now.
It will be okay, Ryoko assured herself, I have to do this,
I have far too much to lose if I can't. I just wish that Zero would . . . .
Ryoko! Zero's 'voice' called in her thoughts, Get
ready we should be approaching it soon.
Hearing that, Ryoko focused her thoughts back to the real world and to
the task in hand. She was going to save her Mom, she was going to get her answers.
All of Ryoko's doubts had now vanished, not solved but forgotten about.
She was on a quest now, a crusade to save her mother. Only one thing stood in her way,
some kind of evil robot that Zero wouldn't tell her much about. A nameless, unknown
kidnapper.
A kidnapper that would prove to be far more familiar than she could
possibly know.
End of Chapter Three
Chapter four - The journey is over and the battle begins. How will Ryoko
react to the true identity of the robot kidnapper? What condition is Washu in?
