A Very Sad Tale Part 2
Ryo-Ohki raced from the planet with her mistress kneeling on the floor crying. The image of her laughing as people screamed replaying through her mind. The worst part was, she could not blame anyone for this. She did those thins, she destroyed and killed. She was that demon that drove people to run in terror just at her name. So caught up in her mental torment and pain that she failed to notice Ryo-Ohki calling out happily.
Before they could even leave the atmosphere Tenchi suddenly appeared on the bridge. As his feet touched down he heard Ryo-Ohki crying out and then saw Ryoko crying. He felt his heart being ripped out of his body as he saw her sitting there. She obviously did not notice him as she never allowed him to see her crying before. He felt empty and sick at what was happening and all he could think of was the look on her face as he heard people screaming then running away.
Immediately anger then hate filled him and everyone that he remembered screaming or speaking against her he hated. His hate grew to the point that he wished that he would have done more damage or maybe killed those that caused her this much pain. It seemed that the hatred he felt could not go any deeper, and he almost lost himself to it, at least until she fell forward. He had been a few feet behind her as she cried, and then she just suddenly toppled over. From exhaustion or what he did not know but before she hit the floor he had his arms wrapped around her and pulling her back towards him.
All of the hatred and anger melted away as he held her and for some time she did not even realize that anyone was there, let alone him. Ryo-Ohki continued to fly and let Tenchi take care of Ryoko, as she had tried, but at this moment her mistress needed arms that could hold her not a voice in her head.
Ryoko continued to face away from him with her hands covering her face. She had thought she was lying on the floor, and not still sitting up supported by two strong arms. The arms pulled her back against a body that was warm and caring. Both arms wrapped around her, one around her stomach and one across her right shoulder to meet the arm around her waist. The arms were connected to Tenchi who now kneeled behind her supporting her and pulling her to him.
Where his hands and arms met or touched her was of little concern to him mind right now. Instead he hoped that he might in some way help ease her pain. The exact amount he was unsure of, but he knew how he would feel to find out he was being used to scare people. With almost each tear that fell from her he felt more of himself falling apart from the inside out. He could not stand to see her like this and wished he knew of someway to pull her out of this. So all he could do was hold her tight against him and as he held her he could only wish it were enough.
While holding her all he could do was think, and he did a lot of thinking. He thought back over everything that had happened since meeting her. Opening her cave, breaking the seal, and then awakening the demon. That first time he saw her she was not how she looked now on the outside, but he knew she was hurting on the inside. He knew that when that flash went off she was going to kill him so he ran. Now he knew that the decision to run was hasty and if he could go back he would not run. But what was worse was when he first met her at his school. She had said she was going to take out her anger on him, but not kill him. 'I should have known,' he scolded himself. 'She was just angry and did not know how to handle it right, I, I shouldn't have called her a monster.'
Even as he thought that she cried harder, and he wished even more that he could change the past. Since that day he had thought only of himself and the trouble she caused and never did he consider how she must have felt. Not until Kagato stole her from him did he realize that he could not let her go. He had to save her, and that he did. For that brief moment when he held her on board the Soujya everything felt right, and he longed for that feeling again. But he dared not tell her, 'there was no telling what she might have done to me,' his mind told him. He had saved her then, and later he again went after her, but that time he was not the one to save her. 'Damn it! She could have died because of me!'
Unconsciously as he thought tat he held her closer and rested his head on her shoulder. Over and over his mind played out every scene that happened over the time he knew her. There were few times that he regretted to the depths of his soul, but each one of those regrets made him feel more and more that he was just as at fault as those people down there. The worse thing was when he told her he hated her, 'Over a stupid accident! You idiot, what makes you think you are better than THEM?' He hated to admit it but that voice in his mind was right, he was worse that those people. At least they never got to see how she had tried to cook for him, or how she had read every book in his father library just to find a way to get his attention.
He too began to weep on her shoulder as he thought of the past and the woman in his arms. So many times he had hurt her, and so many time he had brushed her off. He was worse that 'them.' Burying his face in her shoulder he cried but he did not let her go. With what strength he had he held on to her like she was about to leave him were his arms to move. Both the feeling of wanting and worthlessness washed over him almost drowning him in a raging sea. He wanted to be there for her to help her, but he felt like he was the cause of it so he was worthless to her.
Ryo-Ohki mournfully cried as she flew away with two very sad and lonely passengers. Lonely in that they were both hurting and felt very alone yet they were together. She wished she could do something, but could think of nothing. So instead she flew back towards Earth. Back to the only home she or Ryoko had ever known.
Washu, Ayeka, Sasami and Mihoshi were lead into an office and were brought in one by one to talk to the head of security to discover what had happened. Mihoshi first, but she was let go pretty soon as they could not get much useful information out of them except that the males name was Tenchi. Washu was let into the main office next and they hoped to get more information out of her.
When she entered the room there was a single person behind a desk that was covered in papers. The file cabinets to the sides were covered in papers and other debris. At first Washu thought that this place had been hit by a windstorm, but she soon changed her mind, this had been hit by a Mihoshi storm. The humanoid behind the counter wore a gray uniform. The man was humanoid in appearance, but in this light his skin looked hard like some sort of leather. Various patched of heir covered his skin in patches was seemingly uneven.
"Thanks for coming, like I told your friend you are not under arrest, all we need in information." Washu nodded as he gestured for her to sit down. "Your, um, friend," he said pointing to the door so she thought he meant Mihoshi. "Has an interesting way of destroying everything she touches, are you sure she is a galaxy police officer?"
Washu nearly laughed and would have had it not been for the pain she still felt from Ryoko. "Yes," she said her voice sad and wavering. "She is, I am not sure how but she is."
"Hum, ok. Well she said that the one who destroyed our ride was Tenchi and she would not sit still long enough to get anything else. I think I am going to be cleaning this mess up for days." He leaned back and groaned, then sitting back up he picked up a small remote. "Our surveillance tapes caught this. We were notified that a passenger was unable to be moved from a ride focused in on them. We thought nothing of it until she vanished and he started destroying things." As he spoke he replayed on a monitor Tenchi & Ryoko exiting the ride and coming to a stop on the platform.
Washu watched as Tenchi tried to get her to move, but she remained motionless. Then Ryoko shouted no and teleported up just a little bit. The pain was evident on her face and Washu nearly cried again at seeing the pain and feeling it still. Then in an instant her daughter was gone and Tenchi fell to his knees. Washu leaned forward to watch, as there was a short conversation then Tenchi floated up and threw a ball of energy into the ride.
"How'd he do that!"
"That's what we would like to know, but you seem very interested, what is your relationship between these two?"
Washu eyed him curiously as pondered if she should say anything. Then decided to tell him the truth, as it only would hurt them later if she didn't. "She is Ryoko Hakubi, My daughter, born over five-thousand years ago. She was kidnapped by Kagato and forced to destroy things. I was locked in a stasis crystal on board his ship for that time. When Ryoko went to Jurai under Kagato's control a lone warrior Yosho was able to defeat her and fore her to retreat with Tsunami's assistance. She landed on Earth and fought him again, but lost. He locked her away in a cave for the next seven-hundred years." He was leaning forward on the edge of his seat as she spoke. He could not believe that the legends were true, and yet according to this woman false as well.
A few years ago this Tenchi Masaki, was just an earthling tending the shrine by which she was held. He one day released her and instead of destroying things she tried to get him to love her." She just shrugged in anticipation of his question of why. "Since then Ayeka, first princess of Jurai arrived on earth with her Sister, Sasami the second princess of Jurai. Soon Mihoshi of the galaxy police joined them. And there on earth did the girls live with him until Kagato showed up again." He was wide eyed at her tale and hanging on every word.
"When Kagato arrived Ryoko was taken again but not before he revealed that Tenchi's grandfather was in fact Yosho, the first prince of Jurai. A battle ensued and Kagato took Ryoko back to his ship. Tenchi followed her in the Ryo-Ohki another creation of mine that Kagato took control of and forced to destroy things. There was a short space battle and it was thought that Tenchi was killed in space. With the pain of losing him Ryoko finally broke some of the control that Kagato had on her and she fought him. The battle was fierce. During it Mihoshi somehow release me from my prison to help."
She paused in her tale and he nearly fell over waiting for her to finish. "Sadly none of us could beat him and just when Ryoko was about to die at his hands Tenchi suddenly appeared. He had been rescued and revived by the goddess Tsunami. The battle was short from there and Tenchi killed Kagato there and destroyed his ship in the process. Since then we have all lived with Tenchi and Yosho on earth and have even been visited by the Emperor and his wives."
"You've see the Emperor!"
"Yes." Her reply was calm and even, a stark contrast to him, as he was still wide eyed still. "And the remaining two in the hall are his daughters, Ayeka and Sasami Jurai. So I suggest you take it easy on them."
He nodded quickly and picked up his phone and ordered someone make sure that they were as comfortable as they could be, then he turned back to Washu. "So, um," he started trying to regain his composure, which after all this was not all that easy. "Why then would she just disappear and why would he feel the need to destroy the ride?"
At this even Washu was at a loss. "I do not know. I have been trying to contact my daughter but she is not listening."
"So you have a communication link to her?"
"Of sorts," Washu did not think it necessary to tell him about their mental connection yet, just that she had a connection was good enough. Also in her tale she had left out a lot of information especially about her daughters wild streak and destructive capability against the elder princess. When he had more than enough information for his needs Washu left his office and was immediately asked by the princesses what was going on. "It seems that something greatly upset Ryoko and she left in Ryo-Ohki. Tenchi did not handle it well and he destroyed a ride. Then he too vanished, but I did not think he could teleport and I don't have a way of tracking him."
"Miss Washu," Ayeka said almost meekly, "While we were at the ride earlier I saw a replica of Ryoko laughing. What do you suppose that means?"
Washu thought about it when Mihoshi broke in, "hay Washu, can't you call Ryo-Ohki?"
The petite scientists' eyes shot open, "Damn, I forgot about that." Washu closed her eyes as Ayeka was asked to come in a talk the officer. Washu concentrated on Ryo-Ohki and after a few moments she finally made contact. 'Ryo-Ohki.'
'Yes,' came the cabbits reply.
'Where are you? What happened?'
There was a long pause before she replied. 'I don't know. Ryoko was upset; she called me and told me to fly away. No direction, just flyaway. Tenchi's trying to calm her, but both crying.'
'Tenchi is there?'
'Yes. Not know how, but he just appeared.'
'Ok, you watch over them. Be careful though,' Washu told the cabbit. Ryo-Ohki just responded ok and she continued to fly. Washu opened her eyed to see Sasami and Mihoshi standing there waiting for an answer. "Ryo-Ohki is flying away with Ryoko. She is crying and in a lot of pain though she is not physically hurt. Tenchi is there too and he is crying as well."
"Tenchi's there, and crying?" Sasami thought it was strange that they were both crying over something.
Ayeka coming out of the office obviously upset interrupted them. Washu threw the officer a dirty look but he just shrugged as if to say, 'I don't know what happened.' She looked at him curiously then turned to Ayeka. "What's up?"
"I," she started then stopped to consider her words. "I have a lot to think about. The ride was the tunnel of love. And the Ryoko I saw was the rides pride and joy."
"But why would they put Ryoko in the tunnel of love?" Everyone turned to the blonde ditz and for once was amazed that she came up with a good question.
"Because, what is usually in that ride?" She looked at the others and they just stared back at her oblivious to what she was meaning. Sasami had never been on one, and Washu apparently hadn't either, and from the blank look on Mihoshi's ace it was obvious that she would not have remembered if she had just gone through it. Ayeka just growled at them, "Ok, I see you don't know. What's the best way to bring two people together quickly?" Each one of the three gave her answers ranging from hypnotizing, to cooking, finally Ayeka had had enough of their many wrong answers as they kept giving her answer after answer and all were wrong. "Scare them!" She called out.
"Oh," said Mihoshi. Washu Just looked stunned and she seemed to be starting to piece it together.
"And what better way to scare someone than include monsters and demons?" Ayeka prodded and suddenly realization dawned on Washu.
The scientist just pointed at her, "Yes, she was sad, and hurt. She must have seen herself as something to be feared and…" her voice trailed off for a moment as she worked it through in her mind.
Sasami looked at her, "But, wouldn't she have destroyed it instead of Tenchi?"
"No, she was too hurt and ashamed to do anything other than run. I think that is why Tenchi destroyed it too. Ayeka, you said once that Tenchi ran from her like she was a monster right?"
She suddenly felt shamed for mentioning it, and meekly answered, "Yes. He cares for her doesn't he?"
Washu looked at her curiously, "Yes." Then she looked down as well. "Once when I had him in the lab running an experiment he was dreaming and he was dreaming of her."
"Oh wow Washu! How'd you know that?" Washu looked at Mihoshi and was amazed at how she could be so dense and times.
"Because he talks in his sleep." She threw her hands up then told them, "I guess he felt bad from what happened before and he has not completely recognized his feelings. So feeling bad himself I can bet he was mad and felt a need to protect her. So he destroyed it. But I don't know how he did it, but Ryo-Ohki said he teleported to Ryoko and they are both crying."
"Crying, oh how sad!" Wailed Mihoshi.
On board the Ryo-Ohki Ryoko was slowing down in her crying, and as she slowed down she realized that she was being held. At first she thought it was her mother, but the body shape was completely different, and it was obviously a male that was holding her. And definitely strong one she guessed by how tight he held her. It passed through her mind that it could be Tenchi but she had left him behind, it couldn't be him, but who ever it was, was crying too as she realized that her shoulder was very wet from his tears.
'Ryo-Ohki,' she called mentally to her cabbit.
'Yes, are you better?' Came her mental reply.
She smiled slightly, 'Not really, but I'll be ok. Who's holding me?'
'Tenchi is, he teleported here soon after we left.'
She was stunned silent in both thought and speech as she realized it was true. Slowly she regained her senses and she could help but wonder why was he crying? Taking a big breath she struggled to say his name, as after all the crying she had done it was difficult, but she managed somehow. "Tenchi?"
His grip loosened but he did not let go, his voice came from behind her and was muffled by her shoulder, "Yes?"
Ryoko struggled to look at him but the way she was help she could not turn around enough. So just twisting her head to the side a little she asked him, "Why?" She had wanted to ask many questions but her voice was too weak to say much yet.
"I, I'm sorry," he said still holding her. "I never wanted to hurt you, I wished I never could hurt anyone again. I'm sorry."
In a flash she teleported them to a standing position with her turned completely around as she could not take anymore of not being able to see him. His head was resting on her shoulder still but now she could finally return the embrace. Slowly she placed her arms around him, as she did not want to scare him and have him run away again. If he was to run now she may not be able to handle it so she was doing everything to curb her first impulse to hug him tightly. Many things went through her head as she thought about his words, which were very different that what she was expecting. "What, what do you mean?"
He finally moved, and she was afraid he would let go of her as he started to pull away. But instead he just pulled his head back to look her in the eyes. She could see his red eyes and tear stained face, the sight tore at her innards and she found it strange that just seeing him like this affected her so much. As he pulled back a little he was able to see that her eyes were red and tears were still falling slowly. "I am worse that THEM, I never wanted to hurt you. I was just thinking of myself and I was…" his voice dropped off as he realized that he was about to say scared. He did not want to say that and have her associate it to her, so to keep from saying the wrong thing he put his head back on her shoulder and hugged her once more, "I'm sorry."
Nothing like this had ever happened, and Ryoko found strangely out of place, but she also did not want this moment to fade. Placing her hand on the back of his head and one around his waist she just pulled him closer as he cried. It made a little sense now what was wrong, he felt bad for hurting her. But she was not sure if this was a good thing or not, but he was not letting her go.
"Tenchi, it's…" she stopped for a moment and thought about what she was about to say, she knew that he certainly could not know how much she had been hurt each time he ran away, but he sure was convincing right now. Sadly she understood why he would run, she was just a demon, something to scare people just like that ride. "It's ok. You really don't need to say that. That ride… it…" She lost her ability to talk as tears started flowing just remembering the horrible feelings and seeing people run in terror from her.
"You don't have to worry about that ride." She quickly whipped a tear away and looked at him as he said that. "I, um, kind of destroyed it," he said with a weak grin. Ryoko could help but laugh at the thought of Tenchi destroying something. He was about to say something to interrupt her laughing, but it was good to see her laugh after what she had just been through. It would have been nice to hear her laugh more but the startled cried of Ryo-Ohki interrupted them both.
To him all he heard was hurried cries, but Ryoko heard much more. 'Ryoko, Ryoko!'
'Yes what?'
'Ship is closing in, telling us to surrender.'
'Ha! Like I'm gonna surrender. Ryo-Ohki get us out of here!'
With an excited cry the cabbit turned space ship suddenly lurched and started flying away from their pursuer. "Ryoko, can you let go of me for a moment?"
She looked back at Tenchi and smiled as he only said for a moment. "Maybe this was a good thing," she said to herself as she released him. He stumbled back as he re adjusted to being on his feet after staying on his knees for so long. He looked up to see Ryoko giggling slightly at his antics, but behind her he saw the ship on the view screen fire. He was not even able to utter a warning as Ryo-Ohki was hit and he stumbled backwards.
Ryoko turned to the screen just a second before they were hit as Ryo-Ohki had screamed at her that they were firing. The blast just rattled the bridge slightly but hearing a sound from Tenchi caused her to turn back to him. She let out a shriek as she saw him on the floor with blood starting to form from around his head. Falling to her knees beside him she held him close but he did not move. His body was limp and unmoving.
On board the other ship the captain was yelling, "damn it! I said a warning shot! What the hell was that?"
"But sir," the weapons officer said excitedly, "that has to be the demon ship Ryo-Ohki!"
"I don't give a damn what you think it is, you were supposed to fire a warning shot to stop who ever it was from running!"
From his side he heard another shout, "SIR!" He turned around to see the Ryo-Ohki headed straight for them.
Emptiness was all Ryoko could feel again as Tenchi lay unmoving on the floor. "NO!" She cried out, as did Ryo-Ohki. "Ryo-Ohki, let's do it!" The pirate commanded and they raced towards the ship. Emptiness, anger and a desire to destroy were coursing through Ryoko's veins. She had her ship impale their pursuers for killing Tenchi. The ship had no time to react as a sharp spike tore through the ship's hull and protruded out the other side. There was no escape for the ship as soon after the spike passed through it the ship exploded still pierced with Ryo-Ohki.
The ship cried out in pain as it exploded against her and Ryoko fell to the floor. "Oh no, I, killed them," she said softly then began to cry over their deaths at her hand and the loss of Tenchi. Ryo-Ohki just flew away quickly and did not scan for survivors, but if she would she might have discovered that the bridge was intact and the five men on board were still alive, a little shaken up but alive.
Still in the Security office, Sasami thought about everything that had been said and it seemed to make sense. But a few things were missing. She wished she understood this better, but so far everyone's assumptions seemed to fit. There was one thing that the others seemed to overlook that she had thought of, or at least Tsunami brought it to mind and she suddenly spoke up, "Washu, what would happen if someone were to arrest them?"
"Hah! They would never get close enough, Ryo-Ohki could just…" Her voice suddenly dropped off as she realized what would happen with her daughter like this.
Mihoshi just looked at her puzzled, "What?"
"Yes Miss Washu, what were you going to say?"
In a voice almost too soft for them to hear she mumbled, "She's destroy them before they got close enough."
"Oh my," Ayeka said holding a hand to her mouth, "Can you stop her?"
Washu did not answer but instead moved to sit down, but before she made it to the chair she felt a backlash of pain and grief from Ryoko which caused the scientist to topple over.