Tenchi Muyo doesn't belong to me.
A Shoulder to Cry On*********************************************************************************************
Purples, oranges, pinks, blues, and reds once illuminated the night sky during sunsets that sent a sense of tranquility over the streets of gray, weatherworn stone and gravel. The once coarsened, vine-covered walls of the shops and houses that were lined up in an elaborate maze of streets and alleyways seemed to yawn to the cool morning breeze, allowing it to blow through the veins of the city like blood as the incandescent blues of the sun risen sky hit their barren walls, causing life to stir within them as well as around them. Long ago. Forgotten Kings and Queens, princes' and princesses, nights and rouges, slaves and beasts. It all sounds like a fairy tale, telling of wizards and magicians, dragon slayings and damsels in distress. It was more than a fairy tale. It all held a much deeper insinuation than just words written on a page or thoughts in the mind of a writer, looking for a few bucks. Fairy tales on Earth are meant to take people away from reality and store their minds in their own little thought up dimensions, forgetting about life's worries and struggles, for a moment of their short, almost meaningless lives. For some, it was nothing more than gibberish from the mouth of some old woman who has grown senile in her old age, while others actually believe that on some remote, unknown planet in a far off galaxy, this life-style actually exists and thrived. There is much more to this universe than this meek, flimsy mortal race could ever fathom. More than they could ever wish to imagine, more than they would ever be able to make sense of during their Earth and Sun's life time. So much more.
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Washu let out a sigh as she stared out of the tall, twenty-foot windows, watching as the false sun of a lost kingdom peeked its weary head over the horizon of buildings and churches. A smile slowly found its way to the scientist's lips and twisted it at the corners, wrinkling her penetrating emerald eyes before she masked them with a layer of skin as she inhaled deeply. She let the air fill her now adult-sized lungs and released it, keeping her eyes closed. She never entered this room as a child. It would be like denying her past, and she couldn't do that. She couldn't exactly accept everything that had happened, but she couldn't approach it with her child form. It would just be wrong, to her. She lifted her head as the cool breeze ran its long, gentle fingers through her mountain of red hair and caressing her pale, soft skin, feeling like someone was dragging soft down feathers across her cheeks. She always wore a certain outfit in this room for the same reasons she never entered in child form. She knew it wasn't real. It was as false as the idea of monsters hiding under a young child's bed, or lurking around in dark corners and in clothes-filled closets, yet…it hadn't always been a false scene of brilliant colors and exuberant winds. She had seen this, felt this, and experienced this, but it was long forgotten in the minds of many, but it still burned brightly and furiously in the depths of Washu's mind where no one could reach or see it. No, this wasn't a past that she could easily talk about, as it brought back some other, more ominous memories that Washu has tried to expunge throughout her whole life. She always began with her past at the academy when asked about it, but even that story wasn't entirely true. This room brought back memories of the lie that ate away at her mind and conscious from day to day, corrupting her dreams with visions of the past. The fictitious story that Ryoko actually lived in and believed to be true was as good as any, but she couldn't live that lie forever. She lived in an almost blissful ignorance along with the others and Washu found it was better that way, but the truth always found it's way out into the open. She feared this place, yet she couldn't bring herself to let it go. Its memories had its bad times, like any memory, but it had a lot more good times, tipping the scale. She missed it. She missed working on her experiments, deep within the castle walls, while living on the tallest, most spacious towers in the castle. It was secluded from the majority of the main rooms, yet Washu liked it that way. She liked being away from the rules and beliefs that the kingdom held, burning them into the minds of the people. Back then, this had been her get-away. Her own little kingdom, set within the cold, stonewalls at the top of a protracted, twisted set of old stone steps, making it too much of a feat to reach on foot.
"I spend too much time in here," Washu whispered, in a mellifluously tone as she continued to stare out the false window of her past that resided in her lab. Her body was now trembling, but not from the breeze that continued to tickle across the surface of her skin, but because of the apprehensive remembrances of what had driven her from the kingdom. The one thing that had dragged her from her peaceful life, landing her at the academy, the Soja, and then the Masaki residence. Her daughter.
***
Ryoko yawned as she stretched her arms above her head, letting the felling of being awake settle in her mind. She sat up and looked down, seeing the empty living room and smiled seeing that Tenchi wasn't up yet and neither was anyone else. Ryoko smiled to herself as she disappeared from sight, finding her way to Tenchi's room and hovered parallel with the bed and placed her chin on her hands to watch the rise and fall of Tenchi's chest as he breathed.
"Tenchi..." she whispered after growing bored with just floating there. She wanted to talk to him. She wanted to hear his voice, seeing it was the only thing that could bring peace to her mind. She was happy around him, even if he was sleeping. True, he always seemed to push her away, but she had to admit that she was a just a little open about her feelings for him. She figured this was a good time to talk to him about it seeing Ayeka wouldn't be up for a couple hours.
"Tenchi, wake up..." she said again, slightly louder. She saw his eyes flutter, but they remained shut, despite his attempts to make her request. Ryoko smiled and reached her hand down, stroking his cheek softly before moving her face close to his. She smiled as his face slightly wrinkled and watched as his eyes fluttered open.
"Ryoko?" he asked, still half asleep as he stared into a sea of gold that was currently filling his vision.
"Good morning, Tenchi," she giggled as his eyes shot open. He let out a shout and put his hands on Ryoko's shoulders before pushing her away from him.
"Ryoko! What are you doing?" he shouted as he sat up with a shocked, angered look on his face. Ryoko tilted her head and smiled as she landed on the bed next to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"I'm waking you up, Tenchi!" she said happily as she squeezed his neck.
"Ryoko, get off of me!" he wheezed, seeing she was cutting of his air supply. She really didn't know her own strength sometimes and Tenchi usually paid the price for that ignorance.
"But Tenchi!" she whined as he gave her a hard shove, pushing her off of him as he gasped for breath.
"But nothing, Ryoko! I was sleeping and it's only...five! Ryoko, breakfast won't even be ready for another two hours!" Tenchi squawked as he looked at his bedside clock before holding his head in his hands. Ryoko stared at him as he raised his head at noticing her silence and jumped back as she stood up, putting her hands on her hips with an angered look on her face.
"I only wanted to talk," she said before disappearing from sight, causing Tenchi to let out a sigh as he hung his head. She only wanted to talk? Since when did Ryoko want to talk to him instead of rape him? Tenchi rolled over and closed his eyes, waiting until morning to see what happens from this little encounter.
***
Ryoko let her eyes adjust to the light and saw Sasami's face only inches away with a huge smiling on her face. Ryoko jumped up and drew her head back in surprise before giving Sasami a sheepish smile while scratching the back of her head. Now she knew how Tenchi felt when she woke him up. The closeness of another person's face was a shocking experience when you first open your eyes in the morning.
"Ryoko, what are you doing on the couch? You usually sleep on the rafters," Sasami said as she stood up straight to give Ryoko room to sit up. Ryoko yawned and shrugged her shoulders before standing up herself.
"I figured I'd try something with cushions," Ryoko said. Sasami giggled and covered her mouth in a girlish gesture while nodding her head.
"I guess I can understand that. Breakfast is ready. Can you go get Washu?" Sasami asked as she headed up the stairs to wake the others. Ryoko nodded her head and mumbled her answer before slowly floating to the lab door. Sasami tilted her head as she saw the Ryoko didn't offer to wake Tenchi up like she usually does and just shrugged it off before continuing her wake-up calls.
***
Ayeka walked to the door of her room and jumped at the knock that came right as she rested her hand on the door handle.
"Ayeka, are you awake?" Sasami asked through the door. Ayeka opened the door as Sasami let out a small shout of surprise.
"Yes, Sasami. Is breakfast ready?" Ayeka asked, knowing what Sasami's purpose for being here was. Her sister smiled and nodded her head as she held her chest, still getting over her shock and headed to Mihoshi and Kiyone's room, continuing her morning wake up calls. Ayeka smiled at seeing how much of a morning person Sasami was and slowly walked to the stairs. She saw Tenchi walking out of his room wearing a blue T-shirt and a pair of gray pants, yawning broadly.
"Good morning, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka said as he joined her side with a smile.
"Good morning, Ayeka," he said as he scratched his arm idly. Ayeka looked behind him and then to each side before smiling to herself.
"What is it, Ayeka?" Tenchi asked as he started his way down the stairs, looking back at her.
"I take it that miss Ryoko hasn't seen you yet today. You're actually up and dress. I usually hear you screaming for help as I pass your room," Ayeka said with a giggle. Tenchi smiled weakly and shrugged his shoulders as he headed back down the stairs, thinking about what Ryoko had said earlier this morning.
...I only wanted to talk... he remembered her saying. The phrase ran through his head, sparking his curiosity. He felt a little guilty at shoving her away but it was like a ritual when she was around. She would always bear hug him and he would shove her away, like usual. She's never come out and said something like that to him, though. He always thought that she was a sex hungry woman who only wanted to sleep with him. He frowned and shook his head in shame as he realized how he viewed her. That was a rude thing to think of Ryoko like that and felt even guiltier for it considering her past. Her life had been hard and she had never had anyone to love, seeing Kagato was her life.
"Is everything okay, Lord Tenchi?" Ayeka asked, breaking Tenchi's thoughts, much to his relief. He smiled at her and shook his head as he walked into the dining room, taking his normal seat next to Ayeka.
***
Washu hesitated only for a moment before leaving her 'room' and ran into Ryoko just as she closed the door, causing it to disappear.
"Good morning, Ryoko. What brings you all the way here?" Washu asked as she tilted her head curiously, making her look her age.
"Sasami sent me to get you for breakfast," Ryoko said.
"So you didn't come here because you wanted to?" Washu asked, mocking a hurt tone. Ryoko rolled her eyes and turned her back.
"Not when it's this early and you're wide awake while I'm not," Ryoko said as she headed for the door before stopping and looking over her shoulder to find her mother staring at her with a straight look.
"Are you coming?" she asked.
"In a minute," Washu said flatly. Ryoko then left the lab without another word, leaving Washu to stare at the door she had left open. She narrowed her eyes curiously and let out a sigh as she walked over to close the door. Her and Ryoko had been doing well with their relationship and Ryoko had become more open with her and not so grouchy, but not today.
"What are you hiding, little Ryoko?" she whispered to herself while closing the door. She licked her lips in thought and thought about using the link but then thought against it.
"I'll let you come to me. How's that sound?" Washu murmured to herself with a smile and going back to her 'room'.
***
Ayeka let out a sigh as she placed her dishes in the sink before walking into the living room. Sasami had expected everyone to be at breakfast, but Ayeka just guessed someone was a little too 'busy' to show up and that had upset Sasami. That's Washu for you. She sat down on the couch and looked out the window, seeing Tenchi standing in the yard, talking to someone. She stood up and walked closer to the glass and saw Ryoko standing a little ways away from him with her arms crossed and her head turned. Ayeka scowled at the sight, seeing that it looked like Tenchi was trying to apologize and the pirate ignored him. It wasn't her rudeness that upset the princess. It was the fact that Tenchi was trying to be nice to her and apologize in the first place. Why should he have to apologize to the likes of her? Ayeka threw her nose in the air and walked out the front door with plans of finding out what this was about.
"Ryoko, will you please?" Tenchi asked.
"No, Tenchi. You didn't want to talk to me earlier this morning, so why should you want to talk to me now?" Ryoko asked, her head still turned. Ayeka scowled at her and balled her hands into fists at her rival's voice before approaching the situation.
"That's because it was five in the morning," Tenchi said.
"That's because we never get any time to actually be alone, Tenchi," Ryoko said, glaring at him.
"What do you mean earlier this morning? What do you mean be alone? What where you doing to Lord Tenchi?" Ayeka asked with an edge to her voice and butting in.
"See what I mean?" Ryoko sneered as she resumed her crossed-armed, turned-head poise. Tenchi let out a low groan and hung his head as he saw the fight brewing in Ayeka's voice.
"Ryoko, answer me," Ayeka sneered as she approached the two. Ryoko turned her head slowly and looked at Ayeka with a deep wrinkle in her forehead.
"You know, Tenchi and I are grown people, princess. We don't need your help to hold a conversation," she snapped before glancing down at the purple-haired woman.
"Well, if you didn't try to seduce him against his will every time you ran into him, than I guess I wouldn't feel so obligated to stop you," Ayeka said as she called her logs up while still holding a calm demeanor. Ryoko snorted and smirked slightly as she watched the light show conducted in silence before looking over at Tenchi.
"Does it look like I'm trying to seduce him?" Ryoko asked as she saw the disappointed look in Tenchi's eyes at the fact that they were fighting again. Ayeka growled and took a step forward, finally dropping her cool façade.
"I don't know what you're planning Ryoko, but I won't let you bother Lord Tenchi the way you do," Ayeka glared at the pirate. Ryoko looked back at her and raised an eyebrow as a smile crossed her lips.
"Can't you see you're upsetting Tenchi?" Ryoko said with a grin. Ayeka let out a scream of anger and summoned her logs around Ryoko who merely disappeared. She spun around and searched the yard, but didn't see Ryoko anywhere. She held her stance for a few minutes while waiting for Ryoko to attack, but tilted her head in confusion when none came.
"Where'd that little tramp go?" Ayeka mumbled to herself as she searched the yard once again.
"I think she's gone," Tenchi said. Ayeka looked over at him and looked away at the wrinkle in his brow, showing his anger at the fight that Ayeka had started. They were talking amongst themselves and Ayeka had burst out here, starting a fight in the middle of their conversation because she had jumped to conclusions.
"Forgive me, Lord Tenchi," she said softly as she headed back into the house.
***
"Little Washu?" Tenchi called as he poked his head into the lab precariously, looking to each side before stepping inside and quietly closing the door behind him. He still felt uncomfortable going in here, but he couldn't just ignore the scientist all the time. She was a guest, after all, and she had been cutting back on her attempts since she and Ryoko started getting along. Besides, she might be able to offer some advise about this whole thing. Ryoko had been right about not having any time to talk to each other. Ayeka always comes along and starts accusing. Well, most of the time her accusations are right, but not all the time. He had to admit that he had a little more time alone with Ayeka than Ryoko. Ryoko was always off and doing something. He then scratched his head in confusion as he failed to see the scientist at her laptop that obediently floated in the center of the room. There seemed to be a spotlight shining down on the semi-transparent laptop. He looked around the room and noticed a door up ahead and slowly headed in its direction at about twenty or so feet away.
"Little Washu?" he called but receiving no response. He tilted his head inquiringly and took a few slow steps towards the open door and poked his head inside. His jaw dropped and his eyes widened slowly as he gaze upon the room that stood behind the door as it slowly and quietly swung itself open. A King-sized, majestic looking bed stood in the center of the room with four posts, reaching up to the ceiling with carvings of dragons intertwined with leafy vines and droopy, tropical flowers, each one crowned with patiently carved flame that licked out to meet its siblings in a pyramid above the bed. A thin, semi-transparent curtain hung to the floor on all sides of the bed, creating a canopy over the licking flames and soft mattress. The floor was made of large, carefully placed stones as well as the walls and in the corner across the room, he could make out what appeared to be a crib through the thin drapes, made of the softest looking blonde wood he had ever seen. Almost white, but he knew it was natural and not painted. He couldn't refer to it as pine because it was much lighter than any wood he had ever seen in his life here on Earth. He turned his head slowly, taking in the sights of the tapestry hanging from the ceiling, showing pictures of cat-like beast attacking soldiers under the watchful gaze of what appeared to be a king and queen that Tenchi didn't recognize. There was one creature that really stuck out, having the look of a golden retriever's coat and viciously tackling a nearby soldier. In the background, Tenchi could see a woman with spiked hair, holding a child in her arms as she watched the golden-retriever-coated demon protecting her as well as the royalty. It was more than a picture. It was telling a story. His wandering eyes stopped when he saw a tall, attractive looking Washu, standing in front of a massive window, staring out into a fake sky of purples, oranges, and many other colors, making her red hair appear to be a rainbow of highlights. Her long dress was one he had never seen her wear, but it definitely brought out her generous curves and details. It fell to only a few centimeters off the floor and was off-white, covered with lace and trims of pure white. It cut across her arms and chest, exposing her shoulders and the sleeves were thin, tight, and long, all the way to her hands. She hadn't heard him come in yet, and he could slightly see a shake in her stance and she let the drapes flutter around her in the soft breeze, giving it the effect of water rolling around her in dry waves. He swallowed hard and opened his mouth, before pausing to let his thoughts piece together before speaking.
"Lit…Washu?" he asked in a hushed voice while correcting his mistake in starting to call her little. Right now, there was nothing little about her. He really didn't want to disturb her but his curiosity was getting the best of him and forced the words from his lips. The beautiful scene of her reflective skin as she stood amongst the rolling tides of curtain around her seemed to silence him for the time being. She spun around with wide eyes and a shocked look on her adult face and swallowed hard. No, it wasn't shock. It was fear. Tenchi drew his head back as her gaze then turned to one of desperation as she looked around the room, trying to find an excuse.
"What is it, Washu? What is this place?" Tenchi asked, looking around again, taking in what he had missed the first time.
"I…uh…well, you see, I…" Washu said, not finding the right words to say. She had been totally unprepared for this and was now finding herself speechless. She couldn't find an excuse for this room, no matter how hard she tried to cultivate one…other than the truth. Tenchi looked at her with a tilt of his head and slowly averted his gaze to the crib in the far corner, his confusion growing before a deep feeling of anxiety washed over him.
Why would Washu have a crib in a room like this…in her lab? And why would she be in adult form? he asked himself as he slowly forced his feet to take small steps towards the crib while glancing over at Washu as her head looked downcast to the floor in front of her. Her arms were hanging in defeat, as though she had just been caught trying on her mother's favorite dresses. His anxiety grew as his footsteps quickened, bringing him closer to the crib as it stood obediently in the corner. The closer he got, the more details he could see and his eyes widened at the craftsmanship of the baby-holding cage, faintly seeing vines crawling up the legs and around the base. The sides weren't made of bars like the usual crib, but of a solid wall of carvings and stories. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the vines were not vines at all, but clusters of shooting stars that twisted and turned in one fluid motion, causing his jaw to lower in a silent awe. He ran his hand over the side, reading the story it held of how the universe had been created, showing moons, planets, and more stars, all at the mercy of the three goddesses, Washu, Tokimi, and Tsunami. The crib had four posts that reached up to the tall ceiling, joining at the center, ending a foot above Tenchi's head, but instead of being carved with the dragons, vines, and flames like the bed, it was carved with human forms that evolved into four cat-like creatures that came together, holding a small child in their clawed hands at the top. Tenchi tilted his head and leaned back, seeing the resemblance between these and the ones in the tapestry. Tenchi pushed aside the curtain that covered the crib, peering inside and feeling his heart flutter in relief as he saw it void of a child. He did see, however, a series of toys and noisemakers, looking like nothing Tenchi had as a baby, placed in the midst of smooth purple silks and soft cyan linens. He looked back over at Washu who was staring at the crib with an anguished, suffering expression that played across her features like a demon that had haunted her soul since the very day she set foot on this Earth.
"Washu, what is this?" he asked, glancing his eyes around the room before returning them to her stricken face.
"Tenchi…you weren't suppose to see this," she said as she turned her head, making her way slowly over to the end of the bed, running her hand over the dark, glossy wood with a slender finger. Tenchi swallowed hard, wondering what she would do about his intrusion, but walked to her side nonetheless. She had stopped after reaching the corner of the bed, staring up the pole and running a hand around its carved surface. Tenchi watched as she placed her finger at the tip of the mythological creature that reached up the beam and running it down it's spiked spin before stopping at the tail where three of her fingers hand come together in their travels.
"It was my secret…I had wanted it to remain that way," she said softly, almost in a whisper as she turned her gaze to Tenchi. Little probes of confusion and torture came from her eyes in the form of salty water that ran down her beautiful face in steady streams. Tenchi felt his heart reach out to her, wanting to understand the origin of this place and felt the familiar yearning to help her through whatever pain this place had caused her. A smile crept onto his lips as he rested a reassuring hand on her still trembling shoulder. She tore her gaze from his and slowly pulled away as she made her way to the edge of the bed, knowing exactly where the divide in the drapes was. She sat down and folded her hands in her lap as she stared at the crib, the tears still falling. Tenchi let out a slow sigh and walked over to her, sitting next to her shaking body on the bed and wrapping an encouraging arm around her shoulders. She looked over at him and smiled weakly as she lowered her head.
"I guess it's best this way. I need to tell someone," she whispered, more to herself than to Tenchi, who only waited patiently and attentively for her story. Washu took a deep breath and started to let it out, but lost control and it burst from her lungs in a sob, only to be followed my a rapid fire of mind-throttling cries that echoed off the walls and in Tenchi's ears. He gently placed a hand on the side of her head and pulled it close to his chest and let her cry into his shirt, rubbing the corners of her hair with his fingertips in slow, gentle movements.
"It's okay, Washu. I'm here for you and I'll listen," he said softly as she raised her face to show him the anguish this room really caused her through her tear-ridden features. Her cheeks glistened in the light of the still rising sun and gave her the look of a woman who has seen way too much pain in her life. Tenchi smiled at her and chuckled inwardly to himself as he realized that it wasn't the light that made her look that way, but the truth. It was true that her past tormented her to no end, and he saw his chance to help her release some of the bottled up emotions and memories that held her a prisoner in her own mind. He ran his fingers over her cheek, wiping the tears away and being rewarded with a genuine smile, though it was small and weakly placed; but it was still there. That's all that mattered.
"It's about Ryoko, like usual…"
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The light, early air had been broken by the singing of the small birds that littered the balcony, contently picking at the stone under their clawed feet. The sun wasn't even at the horizon yet and all that was seen was just a dull blue-gray as it still resided under the buildings and shops. The bird's long, light, yet blandly, colored wings where tucked tightly against their small bodies as their tail feathers fanned out behind them in a sudden splash of dark browns and blacks that also sprang from three to five long feathers on the top of their heads, catching your eye the at first glance. They were strange and looked like a cross between Earth's version of a peacock and pigeon. They voiced their good mornings, causing Washu to stir on her full, sheathed bed yet it wasn't enough to wake her from her slumber.
SLAM!
That was. Her eyes then popped open and her breath caught in her throat as she was savagely ripped from her peaceful sleep. She slowly sat up on her elbows and turned her head, staring at the door for a moment before hearing the slight rustling of someone getting up on the other side. She smiled crookedly and snorted in amusement as she slowly shook her head.
"Who is it?" she sang in a sleepy voice, mocking a question she already knew the answer to. There was a soft growl from the other side, followed quickly by a whimper. A broad, entertained smile crossed Washu's lips as she heard the requests made by the King's right-hand-man. Well…man is too strong a word to use. Most called them demons, while others called them protectorates, seeing they were a race that made up the majority of the King's army. They made up his army, yet every person that was considered royalty had their own. They were linked on a conscious level, due to yours truly, so that they could understand each other on a telepathic connection. Whatever one felt, the other picked up on and could further that sense by picking up their exact thoughts.
"Hold on a second," she said as she got up and stretched widely, enjoying the barely rising yellow sun on her face before grabbing a soft, deep green robe with her kingdom's crest on the left breast. It was outlined in gold and portrayed two cat-like creatures in the midst of laced vines that were slashed by three broad swords from the left, right, and top. One creature was a female, while the other was a male. She wrapped it around her bare shoulders and tied it as she walked to the door, still shaking her head. She turned the knob and peeked out before smiling and opening it all the way, letting the beast into the room. He looked up at her and rubbed his head with a comical look on his human face.
"You always forget to stop, or at least slow down, at that last corner, Kotuku," Washu said as she shook her head with her hands on her hips and a smile still dancing on her lips. He looked out the door and saw a wall only five or so feet away from the door with three steps from the threshold before ending in a ninety-degree angle turn before descending the rest of the way to the main room. Kotuku let out a growl that was again followed by a whimper as he looked back at her, but it wasn't a menacing growl to ward her off or to threaten her, but a sound that entered her head as a language. If it was unknown to you, it would sound like nothing more than a soft, intimidating growl, but to someone who has studied the language and learned it, it sounded like mumbles and whispers that have been welded together to form ragged words.
"Well, you've been up here enough times to know very well where the door is," Washu said as she raised her eyebrows and looked down at the cat-like creature with a smile after responding to his remark about not knowing when the last corner turns up. She looked at his form and thought for the umpteenth time of how intriguing these creatures really were and how much she enjoyed working with them. They were incredibly smart, yet found it hard to easily express their intelligence due to their large, almost clumsy looking shape. His thighs were composed completely of muscle and his feet were like elongated claws and he walked on his four talon-hidden toes, giving it the look of a cat's hind legs. The rest of his body and face looked a lot like a man who body builds. Broad shoulders, thick arms, and a bulky neck made up his structure, yet he didn't stand erect like a man, but not on all fours like a cat, either. He was hunched over and every now he would place one of his fur-covered-claw-hidden hands on the floor to balance himself. His posture was more like a gorilla's than anything else. They walked on all fours most of the time and ran on all fours, but their posture couldn't make up its mind. Upright, or four-legged? His tail reached for an average span of about three feet behind him and it lightly swayed back and forth before he stilled it, curling the end a tad. His entire body was covered with thick, coarse fur that was such a deep purple that it almost appeared to be black and was littered with thin, gray tiger-like strips. His fur thinned out at the neck and stopped completely at his chin as it rose up the sides of his face and around his cat ears like sideburns and ended at the tip of his forehead, giving it the look of a thin mane. His hair was long and a shock of light gray against the deep purple fur that reached down to his shoulders and stopped halfway down his back. Like the majority of the Clav race, his eyes were yellow cat-like-ovals that held a look of an untamed soul and raw instinct. It was very rare to see a Clav with any color eyes but gold.
Yeah, yeah. The King wants to see you right away
"Just like every morning. What's so important about today that you have to wake me up before the sun's even finished rising?" Washu asked, pointing out the window with a tired hint to her voice, indicating the still small sliver of yellow that was peeking above the city.
It's very important. You need to go see him right away
"Well, I serve him good. He can wait until I've woken up a bit."
No, he can't. And he won't. Go to him now. Washu glared over at the messenger and scowled as his face remained straight and his eyes piercing. It was almost like he was looking at her with a feeling of more authority than her and that irritated her greatly. He then smiled at her and she couldn't help but chuckle at his charming demeanor.
"I hate it when you do that, Kotuku. Give me a second to get dressed," Washu said as she waved him out the door. He continued to smile at her as he headed out the door, looking over his shoulder at her with a triumphant grin.
"And don't go slamming into anything on the way down. You cause enough damage by running into my door every morning," Washu joked as she closed the door. She faintly heard him spit something like 'don't worry about it' and 'have nothing worth being humble over'. Washu only shook her head and smiled at the sarcastic remark made by the slave that had just left the room before getting dressed.
***
Washu floated on one of her many suspended cushions as she made her way down the twisting stairway. She held her chin in thought as her elbow rested in the palm of her other hand. Her legs were crossed but they were hidden behind a sweeping veil of smooth, silky green fabric. The sleeves were semi-transparent and instead of stopping at her wrists, it covered the top of her hands with a gold string around her middle finger. The lace covered her shoulders and neck up to her chin and covered the thick material that covered her bosom and stomach. Around her waist, she wore a belt that was made of small gold hoops and rested on her hips as the extra, unused hoops dangled down the front of her dress when she stood up. The ineffective belt seemed to cover the change in material perfectly, giving her the effect of being thin and supple under the tight-fitting apparel before the soft, almost insipid fibers changed into the silky, burnished material of the lower half of her dress. It flowed all the way to the floor, yet it didn't drag, but fanned out behind her in a trail of green waves, giving it the effect of a small body of water that glittered and shone in its green glory as it followed her. Her conflagration of red hair was pulled into a ponytail on the top of her head that fell behind her in a waterfall of scarlet, crowned with gold Tierra that held emeralds the color of her eyes, rubies the color of her hair, and diamonds to give it extra sparkle in its twists of bullion. She smiled to herself as she thought of how well the King and queen really treated her. They had a son who was older and had decided to marry the princess in the neighboring lands and join the two kingdoms when his father died, and Washu considered herself the daughter they never had. Right now, though, she was content with making the journey down the stairs on her cushion, thinking of what the king wanted her for so early.
This is probably important, but what's happening? she asked herself mentally as she watched the brightly lit main hall appear in front of her. She stopped before she reached the last steps and slid off her cushion, walking the rest of the way. She walked in with her head high and looked around, seeing numerous armored men standing in long, protective rows along the walls. In all truth, they weren't men at all, but displays of the once used plates of steel that the soldiers had been forced to flaunt. They held tall spears with blooming red feathers around the base of the spear head, held on by thin, yet durable straps of tan leather and their helmets once covered the memory of the faces of men who had died or had been replaced by the beasts. Against the far wall to Washu's left the King sat in a slouched position, obviously deep in thought, seeing he did see or acknowledge her entrance. He was leaning to his right, holding his chin in his hand and looking into the distance. His long, royal robes were almost outdoing themselves, going so far as to appear gaudy. Their rich, vibrant purples and golds were almost blinding, yet they gave him a look of power and authority and his slightly deeper purple cape reached to the floor when he stood, showing a large, vivacious picture of the kingdom crest on the back. Gold chains hung across his chest and down from his waist while his arms were covered in long, drooping purple sleeves with a tight, yet thin black material ending at his thick wrists and climbing up his bulky neck. Purple, if you hadn't figured it out yet, seemed to be the color they fancied. His large hands could easily engulf a person's head in its callused palms, but his bright gray eyes held a despondent and detached look, while his index finger wrinkled the skin of his chin into his frowning mouth. Next to him sat the Queen who raised her head at Washu's presence, smiling broadly. Her hair was red, but not as brilliant as Washu's and was pulled back in a tight bun with a small crown of golds, pearls, and diamonds as it rested gingerly on the top of her head. Her wrinkled face has shown her past years of happiness and joy, but the recent days had slightly withered her fair skin, making her appear older while her soft, gentle blue eyes flashed with curiosity yet held a wisdom that even Washu found to be extensive. She was skinny and her pale, almost white, purple dress was obviously only worn by royalty seeing it was woven with the most expensive silks and materials in the kingdom, with a long flowing trail that had to be carried when she was walking. A similar chain to Washu's rested on her waist, but it was much more brilliant and ostentatious. Her sleeves were covered with a lacy pattern that had been intertwined with golds and deeper purples, also covering the backs of her hands but what made her appearance so whimsical and graceful was the extremely thin material that wrapped around her neck and fell down her back before splitting halfway down, being tied around her index fingers. Washu smiled at her and took long strides as she headed for the steps before their thrones, lowering her head while falling to one knee and paying her respects to them like you would a king and queen.
Ah, yes. In the presence of Mikollious and Paradise once again Washu thought to herself in an almost sarcastically cheery manner, considering what time in the morning it was.
"What does his and her majesties wish of me?" she asked, not raising her head, but speaking loud enough for them to hear.
"Please, Washu. Stand up," Paradise said as she rose from her own sitting position. Washu lifted her head and smiled slightly as she rose to her feet, presenting herself as best she could to the royalty in front of her. Paradise walked over to her and placed her hands on her shoulders, smiling into her face with her striking ice blue eyes and full, bright lips. She hugged Washu gingerly before resuming her gentle grip and thoughtful smiles.
"We are your family. You serve us better than anyone has in the past or in the present and I feel that you will serve us emphatically in the future. No need to be so formal," she said in a voice that told Washu she understood about her past. The past Washu had failed to remember before coming here, or so everyone believed.
"Thank you, your majesty. I'm grateful to have this much respect from you and the King," Washu said with a slight, quick bow, never taking her eyes off the Queen's for fear of completely disrespecting her offer as family. Paradise chuckled and returned to her seat, glancing over at her husband who was still deep in thought.
"Kotuku," he said loudly, snapping the beast from his slightly diverted attention from Washu to the man next to him. Washu smiled crookedly at him with a playful gesture and chuckled to herself. She always had fun in picking on him for his pensive character and wistful thinking. She considered him more of a friend than a servant or slave. Yet, his stares and gazes have held a much deeper meaning than friendship. A look that was beginning to worry Washu, yet she found it in her to ignore it. She had known him long enough to know he wasn't going to hurt her or try and pull anything stupid. Besides, Mikollious would pick up on it before he could accomplish anything stupid because of their tie.
Yes, master? he asked as he patiently awaited his orders.
"Take Paradise to greet our son upon his arrival at the city gates," he said, glancing over at the servant with a gaze of authority.
But, master, the prince isn't going to arrive for another two hours
"I gave an order and I expect it to be followed, Kotuku. Now do what you've been told," Mikollious snapped harshly. Kotuku was taken aback and nodded his head, accompanying Paradise out of the room and out of sight. Mikollious let out a heavy, hackneyed sigh and raised his gaze to Washu, who stood patiently in front of him.
"Washu, I need your assistance in creating an item that would prove to be most helpful in the future. Possibly the near future," he said gravely as he stared at her with a tilted head.
"What can I do for you, majesty?" she asked cocking her head respectively. He smiled at her and shook his head while raising a hand to her.
"Please, Washu. We've known each other long enough and are close enough to be on first name basis. I need a devise that can control the Clav," he said flatly. Washu wrinkled her brow and regarded him with confusion and misunderstanding.
"But, you already have the control you need over them. Why create something that would perform what you can already accomplish?" she asked, not understanding his reasons. He let out another weary sigh and stood up, pacing in front of the elegant wooden thrones that were clad in the kingdom's colors of purple and gold, outlined in beautifully carved knights and former kings and queens. He stopped and looked at her with a worried look that sent a chill down Washu's already tingling spine.
"Some have learned of their human form. Some had experimented in using it and had been found concocting plans of rebellion against my crown. They had been discovered and taken care of, but I fear that others might try. In their human form, I have no control over them, and just the knowledge of that deficient in authority has driven many to experiment. I need something that I can use to regain control them no matter their form so as not to fall into a war of rebellion," he said in the same earnest voice. Washu wrinkled her brow again and thought about this, knowing that this was of utmost importance. She slowly nodded her head as she immediately started thinking of the formulas and equations in her head. He stared at her for a while as she thought and gave her a satisfied smile.
"I trust you, Washu. I consider you more of a daughter than a servant. Like Paradise had said, you serve us unconditionally and prove your worth as a close and benevolent friend. I just don't understand why you won't claim a Clav for yourself. They may prove to be a great help with your experiments," he suggested as his smile grew. Washu focused her gaze on him and returned his smile with a playful tilt of her head and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for the offer, Mikollious, but I find no need for one. I'm perfectly capable of handling myself," she said before heading out of the room and making her long journey to the depths of her lab.
***
Washu had spent the next three days in her lab without resting or even sojourning her work, making sure it was getting done and would soon be of use to Mikollious. Kotuku had come down many times by the request of the King and asked her to return to her quarters and rest, but she had refused. That was his reason for showing up, just as Washu was drawing to a close with her project.
But master wishes it, Washu. You really shouldn't disobey him Kotuku said as he stood behind her, trying to see over her shoulder. She raised her head and remembered how the other day when Mikollious had asked him to greet the prince, he had hesitated and questioned his request. Washu snorted and shook her head.
"Tell him I'm sorry. I can't drop this. I need to finish it. Besides, I'm almost done," she said as she walked over to a primitive laptop, typing in more data that Kotuku didn't understand. It was primitive…to Washu. It wasn't transparent but it still hovered in the air and the screen blipped and beeped at her as it pieced together what she had typed in. She smiled broadly as she saw her experiment and request rapidly coming to an end. All she had left to do was get it all into the hold she had made for it. She turned to see a deep sea-green jewel hovering in a tank next to her computer and held in her hand a silver pendant with intricate vines and leaves that flowed up until it ended in a point where a long, thick, silver chain hung limply over the back of Washu's hand. Mikollious had a thing for flashy jewelry.
What are these? she heard Kotuku asked. She raised her head and saw him peering into a small tank in the corner that was glowing with a faint red light. Three small gems hovered in a triangle amongst the bubbling fluid that suspended them within the glass cylinder.
"Why do you ask?" Washu inquired, feeling he had really no right to know of their origin. He looked over at her and casually shrugged his massive shoulders.
Just asking he said as he turned back to the tank, mesmerized by the glow. Washu let out a short sigh and walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, catching his gaze in a smile. His eyes held a distant look but deep within their pools of color, Washu could see a hunger that sent a chill down her spine that froze at the bottom, making her nerves tingle with a fear-like feeling. These creatures were a little on the spooky side sometimes. Their cat-like charisma and display of strength in contrast to their intelligence and comprehension made them a source to be weary of sometimes.
"Go tell Mikollious that I'm almost done and will be up shortly," she said in a distant voice. He smiled and nodded his head before running out of the room and up the stairs. Washu let out another sigh and rubbed her forehead tiredly, thinking about her warm, soft bed and comfortable pillows, enjoying the thought of them wrapping their warmth around her drained head. She looked over at the computer and saw it still loading the data into the jewel that grew brighter with every formula that was forced into it's crystallized beauty. Washu looked over at the three small red gems again and pursed her lips in thought. Why did she keep them in such plan sight like that? They only caused those who came and visited her to ask questions. Questions she wasn't going to answer. Questions she couldn't answer. She remembered where she had come from and what she use to be and that was it, yet she still knew the gems' power. Their sight made her feel weak and helpless, but she had the wisdom of the universe was at her mercy and would be, regardless if she had this power. She ran her fingertips down the smooth, warm glass and let out a curious huff before snorting at herself. She loved it here, so why would she tamper with it when she was happy? Something about her life as a goddess still confused her a bit. She had this odd feeling of rejection that only grew stronger when she stared at them like this. Her computer then beeped loudly and she turned to see the process had been completed after an hour's time.
"Hmm," she hummed curiously as she walked over to the laptop. She had only remembered thinking about the gems for only a few moments. She then shook her head slowly and typed at her computer before watching the water drained from the tank with a smile. The water left only the jewel to float in the air that now filled the cylinder as a small door slid open to allow access to the gem. She grabbed the pendant and held it inches from the glowing mass and smiled proudly to herself as it floated over before engulfing her hand in its glow and hiding the silver from sight. When the light died, she was holding the now complete pendant in her slender, shaking hands. She wrinkled her brow slightly and rechecked the data the jewel contained. Its power was immense, and she had no idea why it was so strong. It was almost like holding her gems. She wrinkled her brow deeper as she looked back to the jewel after finding nothing wrong with the data input. The sense then faded as the gem died and Washu merely shrugged her shoulder. There had been a lot of data going through it, so it was probably just the aftereffects. Nothing to be concerned about.
"You better appreciate this, Mikollious," Washu said as she let out a yawn. She then made her way up the stairs with the pendant in her hand and thoughts of sleep in her mind.
***
"Excellent," Mikollious whispered as he held the pendant in his large hands. Hi eyes were fixed on the still glowing and still warm jewel in the center, admiring Washu's work and talent.
"I'm glad it pleases you, Mikollious," she said as she slightly bowed her head in respect. She still couldn't really bring herself to stop doing that, despite their reassurances that she not need to act formal around them. He chuckled at her and shook his head slightly.
"That's why I love you, Washu. You show undying respect even after knowing about our indifference about it," he said softly, staring at her face as she smiled broadly at him.
"Thank you, majesty," she said in an almost sarcastic tone. He tilted his head and nodded thoughtfully, averting his gaze to the ceiling.
"Better," he said comically. He was more like a friend than a ruler.
"Get some rest, Washu. You look like you need it," he said as he looked at her weary appearance. Her physical appearance was still royal looking, but her eyes were glassy with sleep and she had bags under eyes. She slowly nodded her head and failed in stifling a yawn. Mikollious smiled and stood up, walking down the steps to meet her.
"No need to spend so much time down in your lab, Washu. You should spend more time up here, standing with you're adopted family," he said softly. She looked at him with tiredness still running deep through her gaze and smiled warmly at him.
"Thanks," she chirped quietly. He smiled and turned back to his seat as she turned, heading for the bed that was calling her name in a sweet song of sleep.
***
He watched as her green dress flowed out behind her, showing the lift of her slender legs with ever step under its glossy appearance. It tugged at his eyes and he could feel his mind running away from him. She was beautiful. Gorgeous. He had to have her.
***
Kotuku looked over at the king and took a deep breath in order to grab his attention. Mikollious smiled at him and closed his eyes in a chuckle.
"You may go, Kotuku," he mumbled as he waved his hand for him to leave.
Thank you, master he said before running out of the room and towards the King's sleeping quarters. The king felt it better to have his servant on hand all the time, just in case something happened and he was needed. Kotuku stopped halfway to his majesty's room and wrinkled his brow in thought before peering over his shoulder in the direction of the throne room. He then let out a huff before disappearing behind one of the tapestries that veiled one of the many secret passages in the castle.
***
Washu let out a tired sigh as she fell back onto the soft mattress, closing her tired eyes as her head hit the pillow. Three straight days of working nonstop had really taken its toll on her. Her body ached for sleep and her mind jumbled around, trying to find the comforting darkness that would eventually give way to elaborate dreams. She smiled and stretched under the blankets before reaching her arms above her in a tired sweep. She opened her eyes and stared at the canopy above her before reaching a hand out to play with the silky material of the curtains that hung around her bed between her fingers before her eyes drooped and eventually closed. The night had been a little stuffy so she had opened her windows to allow the night breeze to play with the curtains and wash its relief over her bare, exposed arms. She had on nothing but a simple white gown that only fell to a little above her knees and it was thin, yet not see-through. The neck was lowly cut and two thin straps prevented the gown from slipping off her smooth skin. The perfect attire for a night like this. She could've closed the windows and slept comfortably on the bed with no blankest, but she liked the feeling of the soft weight on her body while she slept. The blankets seemed to provide comfort for her. The more, the better. Her mind wandered as the sandman came for her and she failed to notice the set of gold eyes watching her from her open window.
***
Mikollious slowly raised his head as he discovered that Kotuku wasn't in the royal chambers. He wrinkled his brow and searched his servant's thoughts but found nothing about where he was or what he was doing. That wasn't suppose to happen, but Mikollious had an idea as to why this link wasn't working properly. He jumped up from his throne and hurriedly walked out of the room and down the hall in search, but still found nothing. He made his way back towards the throne room before running into the beast he was looking for.
"Kotuku, where have you been?" he asked the beast.
I was patrolling the hallways, master he said with a slightly confused look on his face, as if patrolling the hallways was what he was ordered to do.
"I did not make that request of you, Kotuku. What was wrong with our link? Why could I not detect where you were or what you were thinking?" Mikollious asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.
I do not know, master. Truly Kotuku whined. Mikollious studied his face before letting out a sigh.
"I'll talk to Washu about it tomorrow," he said with a heavy sigh before retiring for the night.
***
Washu made her way to the bottom of the stairs with a slight wrinkle in her brow. She usually awoke to the sound of Kotuku running face-first into her door every morning, but not today. She would occasionally wake up on her own and would lounge around until Kotuku arrived, but she hadn't waited for him today. There were a few things she wanted to start in her lab, so she wasn't wasting any time. She reached the bottom and hoped off before walking in the direction of the lab without even looking at Mikollious who was giving her an odd look.
"Washu?" he called, halting her in the entrance to the downward hike of stairs. She couldn't keep walking, seeing the King had called for her. She may be considered family, but she still respected some of their rules. She let out a huff and turned to him before slowly walking over to stand in speaking distance.
"Yes, Mikollious?" she asked with a curious raise of her eyebrows.
"What are you doing up so early? I never see you until Kotuku goes and gets you," he said.
"I can't wake up early?" Washu asked sarcastically. Mikollious rolled his eyes and shook his head before giving her a straight look.
"You've never woken up early before. I was just curious," he said. Washu then smiled at him before slightly bowing her head.
"If you'll excuse me, I have a lot to do," she said before turning and making her long journey to her lab.
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I had posted this before and for those of you who have read it, I'm changing it a lot. It really wasn't going in any direction the first time and I really wasn't getting into it, but now I have an idea for an ending that will make sense and actually have a point. I'll tell you now that the night Washu doesn't remember isn't what you think. Read and review and tell me what you think if you want me to continue.