I don

I don't own Tenchi Muyo.

The Prodigal Son

By The Great El Dober

Chapter Three

Sunbeams and birdsongs gently called the young princess awake as she gently stirred from under her layers of comfort. She slowly opened her drowsy eyes to be greeted by a summer's sun casting its radiant shadows through her window as the walls were splashed with warm glow of a fresh day's life. It was late in the morning, and midday bells would sound in a few short hours but considering the impromptu celebration late the night before she was probably the only one up. Indeed as she scanned the room she saw her sister lying by her side, still swimming in her dreams and peaceful thoughts, but where was . . .

"Ryoko?" Sasami called softly as she delicately rose to her feet, careful not to wake her sleeping sister. She called once again but she knew that only the silence would answer her, Ryoko was gone.

Her heavy thoughts dragged her spirits down as she slowly approached the window. Why wasn't Ryoko there? She had been there last night, they had talked together, ate together, Ryoko had even told Sasami a bedtime story. Sasami had claimed that she had felt uncomfortable, that she needed Ryoko's company but it had clearly been a gentle lie to save Ryoko's bruised pride and that the whole thing was far more for Ryoko's benefit than Sasami's. Even as Ryoko spoke her captivating words, painting an enchanting picture of adventure and passion, they had been toned with a sadness and hurt that flowed through her words like a melancholy melody.

Sasami had hoped to draw Ryoko's mind away from her troubles, she had hoped that Ryoko could rest but it was now clear that she hadn't. This was obviously very hard on Ryoko, why couldn't anyone else see that? Sasami was only one girl, she couldn't just set things right all by herself, could she?

Her gentle fingers drew the curtains closed, covering her sister in a pleasant shade that would allow her to sleep for a few hours yet to come. Sasami had made up her mind, if Ryoko's troubles were too much for her to handle then she would get some help.

Downstairs

Ryoko stood contemplating, staring at her hand as it rested on the door-handle of the broom cupboard, the gateway to her mother's world. She knew that Washu was in there, the link had told her that much, what it hadn't told her was what to say or how to act. She had already decided to put the events of last night behind her, to try and forget it and move on but how would she explain the way she had acted the night before?

Her hesitation continued, her hand still lay idle upon the handle. She tried to summon her courage but every time it started to rise her doubts would grasp it and drag it down again.

Wait! What was that? A sound from upstairs? The others would be up soon, did she really want them to see her like this, afraid to go see her own mother. What would Tenchi think?

Her panic quickly dissolved her hesitation and guided her hand to swiftly open the door. She stepped inside with hurried, panicked feet, the movement all one dashed scramble.

Then she stopped, every bit as hesitant and unsure as she had been before, the only difference being that her hand now gripped the other side of the door. She tried to calm herself and think rationally but her thoughts disconnected themselves from the task and wandered on to random subjects, like how could someone older than civilisations become so confused over such simple things. She was just about to give up and head back into the main house when . . .

"Well I'm sorry about all of that but it was necessary," she heard her mother's voice saying, "I needed to be sure."

Curiously intrigued by this but also reluctant to approach it head on, Ryoko covertly manoeuvred herself behind a large machine, hidden from view. She lay concealed behind the tall device, peeking her head around the side to get a good view of what was happening. It was a tediously mundane way of doing things but to open the link would be to give herself away, something that she wanted to avoid.

Eventually they came into her line of vision. Both of them, her mother and him. She observed the blond haired man with a resentful eye full of jealousy for the attention that her mother continued to squander on him.

No! She thought to herself, trying to control her emotions, I promised myself I wouldn't be like that. It will only make things worse. I'll talk to Mom first, we'll find a way to make things better but I can't just start a fight over this. I have to be more guarded about this.

"Think no more of it," Hono replied forgivingly to his mother, "I more than understand. It would be most simple for an impostor to pose as me. Your tests were most justified."

"That's good, I'm glad you're so tolerant," Washu complimented, much to Ryoko's continuing envy that she desperately tried to repress, "but while you're here why don't I show you around. Very few people get to see the marvels of my work but for my son I might just make an exception."

"Yes, I would appreciate that," he replied graciously, "I would be especially interested to see the facilities that you used to create Ryoko."

CREATE? Ryoko thoughts, her mind swirling in an offended rage completely forgetting that her own doubtful thoughts had travelled along similar lines only days before. He can't say that to Mom! He knows nothing about me, he has no right!

"Well I didn't really create Ryoko as such," Washu began, "I mean I did make her but I don't consider her a creation."

A small but proud smile spread across Ryoko's lips. Her mother was defending her, against him. It filled her with delight and a strange sense of victory over him.

"Yes, Ryoko is my daughter you see," Washu continued, her voice raising to the higher tones that she used for proud exclamations, "A daughter that I do love so very much, and . . . ." she paused as she turned to face in Ryoko's direction, ". . . a daughter that thinks she can hide behind a machine without her mother noticing."

Ryoko's peeking head quickly darted back behind the machine like a small scurrying animal that has just been discovered. Washu chuckled at the cuteness of it all while a confused Hono just turned to face the same direction as Washu only to find an empty space, full of machinery but void of any life.

"Come out and join us Ryoko," Washu coaxed, "Besides it's about time that you were properly introduced to your brother."

"Brother?" both Ryoko and Hono asked in unison.

The whole idea of was completely alien to Ryoko. Her brother? She had always considered him to be a threat, only related to Washu but to think of him as being related to her? She wasn't sure that she was completely comfortable with that idea. It felt like an obligation that she didn't want, didn't the word 'brother' suggest a deep bond, a kinship, an acceptance? That's exactly what Ryoko was afraid of, someone being accepted into a position that had been reserved for her, someone taking her place. Was she really ready to share Washu's love with a 'brother'?

Hono was also unsure about this title. He had long been aware of Ryoko and his relation to her but to hear this expressed in such bold terms was confusing. Ryoko, his sister? How should he feel about that after all that he had heard, after all that had happened?

To Washu it just seemed natural. They were her children, her son and her daughter, why shouldn't they be considered siblings? What didn't seem natural however was Ryoko's reluctance to see her. Still she remained crouched behind the machines. Why?

I've caught you Little Ryoko, you can't hide from me, Washu teased across their mind link, Why don't you come out? There's nothing to be afraid of.

Slowly a hesitant Ryoko emerged from her hiding place. She walked wordlessly up to her mother and took her place at Washu's other side, opposite to Hono. A chilling silence soon fell on the three, breaking the 'happy family' illusion that Washu had been hoping for. Ryoko seemed uncomfortable and Hono seemed confused, not really sure of how he should act. Washu sighed as she resumed her walking, flanked by her two children, leading them through her lab in silence.

This is gonna take a lot of time to sort itself out, she thought in frustration, It's only natural I suppose. I can't expect to get a normal reaction to an abnormal situation. But give them some time and patience and I think they'll come round. Just look at how much Ryoko has changed, this should be no different. They are family after all.

"Okay here's something that'll interested you," Washu pointed out as she stopped in front of a massive water tank.

"What are these creatures?" Hono asked innocently with a look of disgust plastered on his face. He meant no offence by it but these creatures were so visually revolting. They were sickly globs that floated and bobbed like a greasy bacteria. What was so special about them?

Washu didn't need to use the link to sense how insulted Ryoko felt. As they stood in front of the swimming Masses she watched Ryoko's face slowly contort into an expression of wounded hurt and anger. She was still very sensitive about this subject.

"They are a part of me," Ryoko stated forcefully, "So stop looking at them like they're a disease. They happen to be a part of my body."

"Oh I'm sorry," Hono replied, his voice straying from its normally friendly and honest tones, "They just look so repulsive and vile, it's hard to not be shocked by their appearance."

"Hono?" Washu gasped, shocked at his sudden change in behaviour. Since he had arrived he had shown nothing but polite kindness, gentle warmth and a friendly understanding, almost to the point that Washu couldn't speak highly enough of him. Now this, being openly offensive and insulting? To his own sister? What was happening?

"How dare you saw that! Just cause I'm not a rich spoilt brat like you doesn't make me repulsive," Ryoko fought back, taking Hono's words a bit further than they had actually went but her insecurities and doubts were leading her mind astray, "It doesn't make you better than me!"

"Ryoko!" Washu shouted, outraged at how quickly this was spiralling out of control, "Both of you! That's enough! Either behave properly or leave!"

She actually felt a bit of pride swell up in side of her. She was giving her children a row! It really made her feel like a mother, a feeling that had been tainted at times but now she was able to bask in the full joy of it. It was wonderful, but not for everyone.

"But Mom . . ." Ryoko complained, feeling an injustice done to her, ". . .he started it!"

Had the situation been more free and open then Washu would probably have burst out laughing at the absurd normalcy of the whole thing but the seriously hurt expression on Ryoko's face called for a far more serious response. Despite the pleading look that shot from Ryoko's eyes straight to Washu's heart she knew that she would have to be firm. She couldn't be seen to take sides.

"No buts," Washu replied strictly, "If you can't behave then leave."

Mom? Ryoko thought in a disbelieving sorrow as she lowered her head in sadness and guilt for her outburst. Something had changed, something was very different and she didn't like it. It was him, he was turning her mother against her and now her mother was disappointed, perhaps even angry with her. She sadly phased out of sight leaving a shocked and dismayed Washu alone with Hono once more.

Ryoko? Washu thought in a depressed concern. She had never actually wanted Ryoko to leave, just to act a bit more civilised and to give it a serious chance. Although her own enthusiastic feelings on the matter were very clear, Ryoko's feelings meant just as much, if not more, to her.

She felt a tumbling regret at the way she had handled the situation. She had tried to be a normal mother and act in a normal way. What had she been thinking only moments before? 'You can't expect to get a normal reaction to an abnormal situation.' The same applied to this, Ryoko was far from a normal child. She was different, special and needed to be dealt with in a special way. She was a sweet, caring, good person at heart but that heart was full of insecurities, fears and weaknesses. As her mother Washu should really have had more insight, she should really have tread more carefully upon such sensitive ground.

She couldn't expect Ryoko to heal the pains of her broken past all by herself, Washu would need to support and nurture her. She would have to take her by the hand at times but she would have to be there for her always.

A small cough grasps her attention as she turns to see her remaining child. Hono stands patiently, waiting for Washu to say something, for her to lead the way forward after the unpleasant confrontation.

Yes, she would have to be there for Ryoko but she had more than one responsibility now. Hono deserved her time and affection as well, he would probably have questions and problems of his own. She couldn't just abandon him here because of what happened, she should probably continue on with her tour but what about Ryoko?

A check across the link was met with a forced blockade. Ryoko obviously and understandably wanted to be left alone. I'll give her time to calm down, Washu decided, I'll talk to her later but she will be in no mood for it just now, and with that thought she turned to Hono to continue her tour.

Outside

Ryoko stared regretfully at the house from her perch high in the treetops. Her knees were huddled up towards her as she tried to restrain her turbulent emotions. She felt hate, pain, despair and loss all at the same time and no matter how hard she tried to enforce some calm upon herself her violent feeling would tear her cover away from her, leaving her exposed to the battery of her pain.

But pain of what? What had really happened, what was it that had hurt so much? Had his insulting comments scathed her vanity? Had his natural connection to his mother aggravated her jealousy? Or was it Washu herself, was it that her mother had sided with someone else, no, not even that, it was all because her mother hadn't sided with her.

All this time I've been hiding my thoughts, Ryoko thought to herself, trying to preserve Mom's image of me, trying not to look like an ungrateful, spoilt moaner and what do I do? I go and act just like one.

She continued to sit and think, encouraging her mind down this path sensing that there was virtue in it. A lesson for her to learn, an answer to a question, something to be gained from this whole mess.

Well it had shown how much she relied on her mother's support and how she maybe took it for granted sometimes. All it had taken was for her mother not to automatically throw her support behind her daughter and just look how Ryoko had reacted.

It had also made her a bit more wary of her 'dear brother'. He did come across as a perfect gentleman, honest and polite in every way, but he sure had some arrogant and haughty opinions towards her. She shrugged it off and assumed that it was all a part of being a rich aristocrat and that it was only to be expected but the thought of two 'Ayekas' wasn't a very pleasant one.

Finally it made her think perhaps she had overreacted. Finally admitting this inward confession to herself she felt a weight eased from her soul and her rampaging emotions began to pacify themselves. She felt a sense of righteousness, an intuition that she was doing the right thing. Yes, she would, she would just talk things out with her mother, things would work out in the end.

Mom? she asked across the link, emphasising her thoughts with as much mildness and calm as she could.

Yes my Little Ryoko? came the swift response, emphasised with a vivid love and a strong sense of concern.

Are you busy just now? Ryoko asked, being very cautious about how she approached this. She didn't want a repeat of the earlier events.

No, not really, came the slightly confused response from the other end.

Oh, okay then, Ryoko replied back before locking her end of the link. At least she knew that her mother was available. All she needed to figure out was what to say.

Forget that, it would come to her naturally. First she needed to go to the lab. She could figure out the rest there but for now she just needed to do something, to head in a direction and leave this pain behind her. With that in mind she phased out of the treetops and back into the house.

On the ground

"Ryoko?" Tenchi wondered quietly as his eyes searched the tall trees above him. He thought he had heard a rustling in the high branches, the ones that only Ryoko could reach but it must have been his imagination. She wasn't there.

But she was most definitely in his thoughts. It was midday now and as he headed out to the fields he couldn't help but wonder why he hadn't seen her yet. Where was she? She hadn't even shown up at the breakfast table. Was something wrong with her?

His thoughts also rested on the night before and her abrupt exit from the party. It had been so late at night and at the time his sleepy mind had lulled his attention away from it but now, with a refreshed mind and hindsight, Tenchi was getting more and more concerned. He was beginning to regret not noticing it properly and doing something. All Sasami had told him was that Ryoko had been very nice to her last night, but what about Ryoko?

Washu's lab

Strange, Washu thought to herself as she felt Ryoko seal the link once more, 'Are you busy?' Why would Ryoko ask that? May be she was . . .

Washu's thoughts are cut off as a soft chime rang out, alerting her that someone has entered her lab.

"Ryoko? Is that you?" she asked, assuming that this was Ryoko following up on the 'conversation' they had shared across the link.

"No, it is I," came the reply from her other child. Hono stood there, returning from the delicious lunch that Washu had sent him to join, "I don't mean to intrude but I was wondering if I may make a request."

"Of course," Washu answered perkily, "Ask away."

"Well I was wondering about accommodation," he continued, "I don't wish to impose upon you but I after sleeping in a spacecraft for so long I would vastly appreciate some proper lodgings."

Once again Washu was overcome with a guilty self-disgust. Here was her long lost son, finally returned to her, and she hadn't even offered him a place to stay. And she was calling herself a mother. It was disgraceful.

"No problem at all," Washu replied, trying to stop her feelings from leaking into her voice, "Here, have a seat and I'll see what I can do."

With that she summoned a floating cushion for him to sit on. She was desperate to make amends and redeem herself in her own eyes, so providing a comfortable seat seemed an appropriate start. He kindly accepted and seated himself on the gravity-defying object as Washu turned to her computer and furiously went about making preparations. She was a blur of activity, putting all of her effort into righting this wrong, so absorbed with her work that she didn't hear the sound of soft chimes from her door.

Ryoko just stood there, her hopeful spirits plunged down, piled under a mountain of disappointment and dejection. It wasn't so much what she saw, but what it symbolised that hurt the most.

There he was on a cushion, her cushion, the spare one that until this day only Ryoko had been allowed to sit on. And he was with her mother, after Ryoko had checked in advance so that she could come. She had felt like she had made an appointment, that had been bad enough, having to make appointments to see your own mother all because of him, but now here he was, using her appointment, her time. Then there was the way his unruly blond hair fell down his back. Had his hair only been cyan then he would look exactly like . . .

. . .her.

Her hair, her cushion, her time, her mother, how could she hide from the truth any longer, why not just admit it.

She had been replaced.

She wasn't needed any more, she was inferior. How could she compete with him? He was articulate, smart, wealthy, courteous and kind. How could her mother help but be proud of him, how could she help but love him?

How could she help but love him more than she loved Ryoko?

No, it was worse than that. She hadn't been replaced, that was just a lie she tried to convince herself of. She was beginning to realise, she was beginning to wake up from the fairytale dream that she had deluded herself with for so long. It had all been a lie.

She wasn't replaced, she was a replacement.

Always had been, always would be and now that Washu had the original back what possible use could she have for Ryoko? None. She no longer needed her brash creation to channel her love for someone else. Ryoko had become obsolete. He had been right, Kagato had been right all along, she was useless, in the end she was nothing but rejected trash. She had no value, she was nothing more than a crudely-crafted, misshapen shadow of someone else, a shadow of him.

She gazed longingly at the close couple, mother and son, together. Tears streamed from her face as her agony twisted her heart with the raw sharpness of metal shards. Her trembling hand reached out in desperation, trying to grasp the placid picture in front of her, longing to be a part of it but knowing she never would, never again.

The memories of her past, the demons that she had managed to repress broke free to claim her tattered soul. They clutched at her bleeding heart and dragged it down into the deepest depths of sorrow. She had lost the most important person in her life but this time she was unable to fight back. She was inferior.

She phased out of sight in a lonely silence, her mind dead to anything but grief. And her mother didn't even notice.

But someone did.

"Yes Sasami. You were very right to bring this to my attention," Tsunami said, as the two floated above the scene, invisible to normal sight. They had seen and understood the whole thing, although Tsunami understood more than any else could ever hope to.

It was a curse. It all went back to the beginning, to the very fabric that the universe was weaved from. Washu was the middle goddess and although no longer a goddess, that higher authority still influenced everything she did, it was still her nature. And she was the middle goddess, a balance between good and evil. And like all balances she could be easily tipped in either direction, she could be easily unbalanced.

She was not evil at heart, she was a good person with kind intentions but just as an equilibrium is easily altered, she was easily led astray. She would miss things, overlook the obvious, mistrust people or lack the proper insight to a situation, and the results would always be the same, someone would get hurt. It wasn't her fault, it was just her nature.

It was the same for all the goddesses. Tsunami was incapable of anything but good. Tokimi, no matter how she deluded herself, would always cause pain and suffering. Washu, she would always try earnestly to do well but matters would get confused, things would go wrong and the result was havoc. Yes, it was a curse, trouble was doomed to follow Washu for all eternity. It was her fate and the fate of her children also. Just look at Ryoko's tragic past.

Yes it was fate but not the inescapable doom it seemed. Washu may have her hard times, but she was a balance so for every bad there must be a good. As long as her sister persevered Tsunami knew that the rewards would be sweeter than the fruits of heaven itself. Her patience with Ryoko had already been rewarded with the blossoming improvement in their relationship but another storm was brewing. Could they survive this one?

"What are we going to do Tsunami?" the young princess asked, frightened at the deepening severity of the situation. Things just seemed to go from terrible to worse and it hurt Sasami to see her friends in such pain. There had to be something they could do for Ryoko.

"We can't interfere," Tsunami replied sadly, "We must let things play out by themselves no matter how much we want to help them."

"This is a family matter."

End of Chapter Three

Next Chapter - Hono may look formidable but how would he fair in a sparring session with Katsuhito? What will happen when Ryoko finally has her heart to heart with Washu?

Note - This turned out to be a bit longer that I expected. Anyways the whole idea came from reading character profiles on Ryoko where a lot of them claimed that Ryoko was just created by Washu to replace her lost child. While I don't agree with this I always wondered what Ryoko would think if she was ever led to believe this.