Hook It Up: Chapter Five - Now which direction are you gonna walk? -- Chapter Five: Now which direction are you gonna walk? --

The Juraian countryside was beautiful. Ryuzo had a very quaint house where he, Kiyone, and Ken now were staying. A comfortable little three bedroom place. He insisted they stay with him as she took a month off of work. Mihoshi, who had very minor injuries, was already back on the force. Ryuzo and Ken had just come back from training. Kiyone had the dinner ready and set on the table for them. It felt like a strange, almost picturesque view of a family. Only on the outside. Kiyone put Ken to bed and went back to the bedroom. Ryuzo undressed for bed and curled up under the covers next to Kiyone.

He protectively wrapped his arms around her and spoke softly. "Are you okay? You're quiet tonight."

"... I can't live like this. This isn't me." She pulled away from Ryuzo and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning forward. "Ryuzo... you know I'm fine. We've talked. We've talked about it over and over again. I am perfectly fine. I think you're the one who's NOT fine."

"Why do you always have to start the night as an argument?" Ryuzo asked, sitting and moving over to sit next to Kiyone.

"I'm going to sleep on the couch." Kiyone stood up and grabbed a pillow.

Ryuzo blinked and grabbed her hand, "Please... don't go. I'll sleep on the couch. I want to talk it out with you."

"There's nothing to talk about. You've got work in the morning. The couch would make you a wreck for tomorrow." She sighed, "I'd feel guilty making you lose sleep." She leaned forward and kissed Ryuzo on the forehead. "It's okay, please go to sleep."

"Kiyone... I can't sleep alone. Don't leave me for the couch..." He almost whined, "Please, just lay back down here. I won't talk... I won't say anything."

Kiyone sighed. "I can't do this every night. We have to move on. If we don't move on, we'll never be able to go back to how things were."

"How things were? You're just going to forget?!" He seemed more upset than she ever appeared to be.

"No! Not forget... I'm not insensitive." She rubbed her temples, "I can't do this every night. Occasional reminder... fine... I can't live every day with it constantly brought up." She whispered, "We can always try again. It's not the end of our lives. Please, for my sanity, Ryuzo. Stop."

Ryuzo pulled Kiyone back down on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and whispered, "I'm sorry. Please... just stay here with me. I'll sleep better knowing you're here with me. Don't go."

Kiyone whispered back, "... okay. Fine. Alright. You need to rest more than I do. Honestly, I'm fine. I always survive."

"I love you so much, Kiyone."

"I know, Ryuzo. I love you too."

* * *

Another rough day of training. Ryuzo stressed how important these early lessons were. Kiyone had already given the go ahead to take things to the next level. Although he didn't agree, Ken adjusted quite well to the different lesson plan.

"Concentrate!" Commanded Ryuzo. He stood before a now eight year old Ken. "You can't learn anything if you can't focus on your position!"

"Focus, Concentrate, Strike Harder... Move Faster..." Ken whined, "I'm doing my best!" He growled, going to strike at Ryuzo.

"You're not focusing enough!" He knocked over young Ken quite easily.

Ken rolled, hopping back into a fighters stance and continued to attack the older man. The grass in the open field near the Juraian royal palace whipped around due to the cool breeze that flowed through it's reeds. Ken was quick, probably because of his age, knocking over the other fellow after a few crucial hits.

"That's it! You've got the spirit!" Ryuzo ruffled young Ken's hair after standing back up. The boy smiled, he knew he was all that. A few soldiers called over, "Sir! Sir! We have some important news for you.." Ryuzo turned, distracted by the callings, "Okay... what is it?" Unaware that Ken had ran off.

They spoke about random happenings at the palace. The second soldier gave Ryuzo his report for the day. Ryuzo nodded, then turned to look, "Hey Ken..."

He froze in his footsteps. "There was a boy... just here. About eight years old? Did you see him?"

"Sir? We saw no boy. You were alone."

"I was training a boy right here not but two minutes ago! He's my son, dammit! Oh man..." He sprinted toward the palace, leaving those two soldiers behind, "Ken? Ken?! Where are you?"

He backtracked to where the training took place. Nothing. The panic seemed to flood his mind further and further. He lost Ken. He lost Kiyone's son. He turned around to see Kiyone approach the training area. He searched around quickly again with absolutely no success.

"What are you looking for?" Kiyone asked. She had a small basket, "I brought you twos lunch, as promised." She paused. "... where's Tenchi?"

"He uh... I mean..." He rubbed the back of his head, "Funny thing... I turned away for a second and he just disappeared."

"He WHAT!? Dammit, Ryuzo!" She put down the basket and ran toward the hill. "Ken!? KEN! Where are you?!"

"... Mom? I'm over here!" Announced a voice in the distance. Kiyone saw Ken stumble over the hill. Ken sounded surprised, almost scared. "Mom!" He ran over to her and hugged tightly around her waist.

Kiyone hugged her son an glared at Ryuzo with a deathly grip, "How dare you lose him!? I don't care what the circumstance was, he's a kid! He could have gotten hurt! I should have never trusted you to take care of him." She snapped.

Ryuzo froze. His eyes widened at her tone of voice, "Kiyone... you know it wasn't like that! You know I care for him as if he were my own son. Don't get angry, please."

"... we'll talk about it later." She said, running a hand through Ken's hair lightly. "Eat your lunch. I'm taking him home."

"Kiyone..."

* * *

Ryuzo arrived late. He stayed out extra long that night. Afraid to go to his own house. He looked around the house, everything was wrapped up for the night. He grabbed a blanket and went straight to the couch without a second thought. He curled up with his head at one end, body buried beneath the single layer. A hand pulled the blanket up. Ryuzo looked up to see an exhausted Kiyone looking down at him, "Your dinner is cold. Come eat it."

"I'm too tired. Let me sleep." He turned away.

"... so you want to leave things like this?"

"No. I want you to be happy."

"Come eat your dinner, I'll be happy if you do that."

Ryuzo sighed and stood up from the couch. He went into the kitchen and sat in his chair. A light meal was left for him, there. He ate in silence, Kiyone sat across from him and watched with mild interest.

"Does it taste good?"

"Yes. Good, like always. Thank you."

He finished his meal quietly, cleaning up the plate and the table. Kiyone stood up and waited by the doorway for Ryuzo. He stood in front of her for a long moment.

Kiyone reached down and touched his hand. Holding it gingerly between her fingers. She lifted his hand to her cheek, tilting her head into his touch. Kiyone closed her eyes, tears streaked down her cheeks and over his warm hand.

Ryuzo stepped close, wrapping his arms around her in a hug. "Shhh..." He whispered softly. She quietly sobbed against him in the embrace. All he could do is hug her and tell her that everything was going to be okay. He opened his eyes, carefully picking Kiyone up and carrying her to the bedroom. Ryuzo laid Kiyone down onto the bed, then laying down beside her. He wrapped his arms around her and continued to comfort his wife, his one love.

She turned in his arms and kissed Ryuzo on the lips. He felt a warm tinge well up in his stomach. Affection that they hadn't shared in a very long time appeared in a matter of moments. He kissed back lovingly. The two stayed together that night. This was the last time they had made love to each other.

* * *

Three years later, on a little space station cafe and gas place. Kiyone sat at a table, sipping her drink. She looked up to notice a familiar figure enter the cafe.

"Ryuzo!" She waved a hand to alert her companion.

He nodded and sat across the table from her. "Why hello there." He smiled, "Why'd you call me up here? I'm just about as busy as you are, nowadays."

She sipped her coffee, then passed over a small folder to the man. "There."

Ryuzo opened the folder. Divorce papers. "You're not serious, are you?"

"We've already been separated for three years. We're not exactly together anymore." She reached over and touched his hand, "It's for the best."

Ryuzo looked over the documents, then closed the folder. He passed it back to Kiyone across the table. "No."

"No?" Kiyone blinked, "I thought you wanted this." She took a deep breath. "I don't want to string you along. You should really move on with your life."

"You're not stringing me along, Kiyone. I just... I'd prefer staying married, to you." He leaned back. "We're good together, you know."

"We were good together." She corrected.

Ryuzo shrugged, "I haven't given up faith. You have to admit... things have been getting better."

"I agree..." She hesitates, "I don't want you to get your hopes up. Both of our lives are busier than they were years ago when we had met. Perhaps it just wasn't meant to happen."

"I'm not giving up on us. Look... I'll contact you in a few weeks. Maybe we could get together for a weekend? Just the two of us?" He reached over and moved Kiyone's bangs from her eyes.

Kiyone looked sad, "I can try. No guarantees."

"I know." He stood. "Oh, how is Tenchi? I hope he hasn't forgotten everything I taught him."

"He's fine. I'll let him know you said 'Hi.' He asks about you every now and again."

Ryuzo nodded. "Are you seeing anybody new?"

"Not really. I don't have time for it." She smiled weakly. "Take care of yourself, Ryuzo."

"I will."

* * *

The familiar feeling of dread. The hospital. It had been almost five years since the last time he had seen Kiyone Makibi. A Galaxy Police message arrived to him to inform him that his wife, Kiyone Makibi had passed on in the act of duty. He contacted GP headquarters several times to find out any status on her son, Ken. It wasn't until today that he was given a straight answer - he had become somewhat of a hero and saved the Princess Momiji. A mixture of loss and pride fueled his steps forward. He wanted to offer his condolences. He also wanted to touch base, once again. Although he was never Ken's biological father, he felt he wanted to outreach and let him know that he was there for him. It had already been a very long day for Ryuzo. How the conversation went in his head seemed to lose confidence the closer he got to the hospital lobby.

"Hello. I'm here to see Makibi, Tenchi?" He asked the nurse.

"Ah yes, here we go." She brought up his room listing, "He's on the 8th floor. Room 8-G. Are you family? Visiting hours have already ended."

Ryuzo nodded, "I'm his Father."

The nurse raised an eyebrow. "Well, just let them know before you go into the room. He was in critical condition earlier today. They may not be allowing any visitors."

"Thank you." Ryuzo walked down the hall and pushed the button on the elevator. He waited patiently until it opened.

The elevator binged and the doors opened up wide. Ryuzo unconsciously stepped into the elevator and bumped into the other person in the elevator. "Oh, sorry."

"Nothing of it." Said the other man in the elevator.

The elevator was very slow. The man cleared his throat, "So uh... who're you here to see?"

"Oh. I'm here to see my kid." Ryuzo looked at the other fellow. "It's been a while, though. I don't think he'll recognize me."

"Has he been in here a while?" The man asked.

"Oh, no... it's just been a really long time since he's seen me. See, his mother and I are separated."

The man nodded, "I see. That's got to be tough on a kid."

Ryuzo shrugged, "I didn't have much of a choice in it. She made her own decision on the matter." He laughed, then went quiet. "I've missed her so much."

The other man smiled, "What floor are you going to?"

"Eight." Ryuzo pointed, "It was already pressed."

"Oh. That's right." The other guy laughed, rubbing the back of his head, "What's your name?"

"Kouda Ryuzo. And yours?"

"Masaki Tenchi." He held out a hand to shake.

Ryuzo shook the other mans hand and then blinked, "You wouldn't happen to know a Makibi Tenchi, would you?"

"How do you know that name?" Tenchi looked at Ryuzo, "Are you with the Galaxy Police?"

"No, not at all." He took a deep breath, "I was contacted about him being here. I'm in the Juraian military. Considering the circumstances, I'm not surprised you're here." Ryuzo looked Tenchi over, "You're not at all what I expected."

"Is... he in trouble?" Tenchi blinked, "He's not in the best condition. This is being handled by the Galaxy Police now."

Ryuzo blinked. The door opened up at the eighth floor. "Please... sir, don't misunderstand me. This doesn't have anything to do with Jurai. This is between me and Ken. I just want to see him myself." He stepped out onto the floor. The door closed before Tenchi could get out went onward to yet another floor.

Ryuzo traveled down the hall to the room labeled 8-G. He knocked on the door, opening it just slightly. "Excuse me..."

The sixteen year old boy sat up in the bed. He opened his eyes and asked, "Mmn... is it time for my shot again?"

"Not exactly." He stepped in, closing the door behind him and approaching the bed.

Ken blinked. "I'm sorry..?" He tilted his head, "You must have the wrong room."

Ryuzo shook his head. He walked over to stand beside the bed. "You look... you look great. I mean... not great because you're in a hospital bed, but you..." He sighed, "I'm sorry. I just wanted to stop by and offer my condolences about your mother." His voice was weak. The tears just waiting to burst out.

"My mother?" Ken blinked, "What are you talking about?"

"You probably don't remember me, now that I think about it. You sure grew up well." Ryuzo seemed broken up, "I'm sorry... maybe I should have prepared myself better. Your mother had me train you were much younger. It's me, Ryuzo."

"Oh... Oh yeah! I remember... kinda. You look real different, now." Ken looked embarrassed, "Whaddya mean, condolences?"

"Well, the Galaxy Police contacted me about her passing. When I went to contact you, you had ran away. I just now made it down here." Ryuzo seemed upset.

"My mother isn't dead." Ken blinked, "She's fine. I just saw her like an hour ago. She's probably still in the hospital, sir."

Ryuzo blinked. His heart would have stopped, if it could. "She's... alive?"

The door opened up. Tenchi and Kiyone stood at the entrance. The older woman blinked, dumbfounded, "Ryuzo?"

"Kiyone?! You don't know how happy I am to see you." He stumbled over and hugged her tightly.

She let out a gasp due to the impact. Kiyone sighed and hugged back, "What, so I have to 'die' for you to visit my son?"

"Don't you ever... EVER die on me again, do you hear me?" He shook against her.

"Ryuzo... I promise, I'll take care of myself from now on." She sighed, "How do I explain this... Tenchi... Ken... this is my husband, Ryuzo."

"Hus... band? You're married?!" Tenchi gasped, "What is with you and these secrets?"

"No... well, it's more complicated than that." She smiled, embarrassed. "We're separated. I haven't seen him in well..."

"Five years." Ryuzo noted, "And believe me, it's been hell. I never wanted this."

"Oh be quiet." Kiyone shrugged, "You never contacted me about that get away. We wouldn't be in this situation if you put forth some sort of effort."

"Effort?! Please..." Ryuzo rolled his eyes, "I tried to contact you. You ignored my letters."

Kiyone sighed, "Anyway. What's done is done. Why are you here?"

"Here? I'm here to see Ken, of course. I was told you had died. I got worried, so sue me."

"Wait wait... so let me get this straight." Tenchi paused, "You two are married. You were told she had died... so you came here to contact Ken?"

"Yes." Ryuzo seemed annoyed, "I do care for him. I always had."

"My Mom married you?" Ken seemed even more surprised.

Kiyone grabbed Ryuzo's hand. "Excuse us, please... Tenchi, keep Ken company."

"Oh, sure thing." Tenchi nodded.

Ryuzo was dragged out of the room and down the hall. "Wha... wha... stop that!" She stopped pulling him at a dark corridor.

"This isn't funny." She piped in.

"It wasn't meant to be funny, Kiyone." He glared, "I've been heart broken for days thinking you had died. This isn't funny in the least bit."

"Well, are you happy now? I'm alive. Go home." She crossed her arms.

"Am I that much of a pest to you?" He sighed. "Kiyone - I still love you. I'm willing to start over if you're willing to give me another chance."

Kiyone turned away from Ryuzo, "It's been too many years. Do you think we can just jump back into things? Not likely."

"... I'm not asking to start up where we left off, but to start over. For real." He stepped over to Kiyone. Ryuzo turned her around to face him. He touched her chin softly and touched his lips to hers. She closed her eyes and returned that kiss warmly.

To start over. It's all they wanted to do. For years they longed for it. She had never stopped loving him, and she expressed it as so in their kiss together. He hugged gently and didn't want to let go ever again.

They were willing to try, once more.

- The End -

Based on yet another 12 Volt Sex song. Here are those lyrics:

Hook It Up - 12 Volt Sex

Every time I give a little bit
It seems you wanna take a lot of it
I'm just wishing I'd get through to you
But won't you tell me what you wanna do
Cuz I can't go on like this no more
You come walking through my door
Hey you wanna hook it up
You never say enough
And I can't figure out
Just what you're all about
I need to understand
Am I in your future plans
Or just a one night stand
Come on and let me know
Cuz you're giving me more
Every time I get inside of you
It seems it changes your whole attitude
All I really want is just to talk
Now which direction are you gonna walk?
Cuz I can't go on like this no more
You come walking through my door
Hey you wanna hook it up
You never say enough
And I can't figure out
Just what you're all about
Done everything I can
To be your superman
Yeah I'm your biggest fan
Come on and let me know
Cuz you're giving me more
Every time that I want some
Yeah you're giving more
All I really want is to lay gently down beside you
And that's the part I miss the most of all
After she left me
And maybe it's not fair
To touch your hair
And think about her
But I know no other way to ease
The pain of heartache
Forget about it
Hey you wanna hook it up
You never say enough
And I can't figure out
Just what you're all about
I need to understand
Am I in your future plans
Or just a one-night stand
Come on and let me know
You wanna hook it up
You never say enough
And I can't figure out
Just what you're all about
Done everything I can
To be your superman
Yeah I'm your biggest fan
Come on and let me know
You wanna hook it up
You never say enough
And I can't figure out
Just what you're all about
Done everything I can
To be your superman
Yeah I'm your biggest fan
Come on and let me know

Authors Final Notes: Although this is a complete fic, it really is just a huge sidestory, based around that universe that I had established in Helmet (Which is a pretty lengthly read as well). I originally started writing this with an idea in head... then changed direction a few times afterwards, until finally putting forth the steam to finally finish this. It's just a little backround on Helmet that I never touched upon, until now. All and all, my third Tenchi fic If you have any comments, just go ahead and email me at mihokiyo@galaxypolice.com -- I may add more to the fic, but for now, I think it's complete. I think. Thanks again for reading.

- KiyoneKatz