Comforting the Enemy?
"Miss Ryoko are you in here?" Ayeka questioned the apparently empty onsen.
"No, go away." Came the sullen response.
"Miss Ryoko you must not let Lord Tenchi's actions upset you so much." Ayeka spoke as she searched for Ryoko.
"Oh really, and how would you feel if he told you that his happiness and peace revolved around you acting like me?" The latent sarcasm and truth of the Ryoko's statement caused Ayeka a moment's hesitation.
Removing her clothes and preparing for the onsen Ayeka spoke, "I will admit I would abhor it if he were to treat me so, but Ryoko you must not let what he says disturb you too much. I know that somehow he cares deeply for you, as he does all of us. I believe Lord Tenchi is unsure of his life and wants constants in his current world, so when he moves to his new life he can feel more secure there." Having finished preparing Ayeka wrapped a towel around herself and continued further into the onsen. "But, unfortunately you are the only variable in this family that is in complete opposition to consistency." Ayeka finally located the naked, sulking Ryoko and sat next to the pirate.
"Why are you being so nice? What do you care if Tenchi hurts my feelings, as far as I know you've never cared about my feelings before. So why start all of the sudden?"
"Honestly Ryoko, I don't quite know? I know that what I felt for you in the beginning isn't what I feel for you now. I also know that in all my years, I've never had anyone willingly stand up to me without eventually backing down. I've watched you fight for not just Tenchi, but for all of us. I've come to appreciate the things that you do actually do around the house. I know that you will probably always be my rival for Tenchi's heart but I know that you would never do anything to hurt either one of us. I've watched you with Sasami, Ryo-ohki and even Mihoshi. You're wonderful with them; you work with them and despite what I might say sometimes, I know that you are, most of the time, a positive and strong influence on Sasami. I guess the real reason for starting now is that I think I understand you better, how you think and how you feel. We've spent enough time together talking that I feel as if I know you better than anyone else in this house." Then with a look of playful mischievousness Ayeka said, "That and I know that you secretly harbor deep feelings for me."
Chuckling at Ayeka's attempt at humor Ryoko turned morose, "Ayeka what do you think of me really? Am I the devil-woman you've call me? I use to think that if Tenchi chose you, all I'd have to do would be steal his heart back from you. Now I couldn't bring myself to hurt you that way even if I wanted to!" The tears in Ryoko's eyes were brimming and ready to fall at any moment.
Ayeka carefully attempted to console the tormented Ryoko. "Miss Ryoko I've gotten so accustomed to the fighting that without it, my day would be incomplete. I never knew that you took the names to heart. Maybe at one time in the beginning I meant them and I wanted those words to hurt, but now……….." Ayeka looked down at her lap to her neatly folded hands. "Now Ryoko I liked to think that I….that WE have matured beyond the infantile bickering and have become….?…..have become….." Ayeka choked on the one word she knew would bring Ryoko more comfort than anything else possible.
"Friends?" Ryoko shyly and quietly offered.
"Yes Ryoko, friends." Ayeka raised her eyes to look in Ryoko's. Placing her arms around the pirate, the princess held Ryoko offering the same comfort that was usually given to Sasami.
After enough time had passed for Ryoko to cry herself to sleep, Ayeka laid Ryoko on the floor placing Ryoko's head in her lap and looked up to see Washu standing over her. With a slanted grin on her face Ayeka began to justify her actions.
Raising her hand Washu cut Ayeka off, "Don't worry Ayeka I won't tell anyone if you don't. I'm just glad you both finally realized what you mean to each other." The caring smile on Washu's face offered more comfort to Ayeka than any of her words.
"Washu, what are we going to do about… …" Ryoko mild snoring suddenly cut off Ayeka. Smiling down at her newly discovered friend Ayeka return to look up at Washu.
"Well first, lets get this buzz saw into her room before the whole onsen is shattered from the noise, then we'll discuss what were going to do."