Sorry for the chapter failing, I was working in my profile and I accidentally deleted it. Anyway, its back up now so enjoy.
"Arg.." Ryoko growled leaning back in her seat on the Souja's bridge and letting her cyan trusses spill over the back.
"Yes?" Came the inquisitive reply of her partner, who stood silently looking out among the countless stars.
"I'm bored out of my freaking mind! Why do we have to stay here anyway?" She typed on a screen before her. "Corgil III is just an hour away from here, why can't we go down for some fun?"
"In case you haven't noticed, its not as easy as skipping study hall." Her partner turned from the window. "If Tokimi were to call and find us gone..."
"Yea yea..." Ryoko waved her hand in the air. "Bitch bitch, moan moan, wrath of God exc..."
Hanshin smiled. "Well put Yoko."
"So, what's the days itinerary?"
"Hadn't made one."
"No School?" She sat up and asked.
"Your 19, if you want to learn you are able to do it on your own. Besides, I'm tired of teaching."
"Never thought I would hear that from you."
"Live as if you were going to die tomorrow, but learn as if you were going to live forever." Han sat down in the captain's chair next to hers.
"All right, that's it!" Ryoko hopped up from her seat and went to the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Your getting all philosophical on me so I'm leaving."
"Leaving? But you cant, Tokimi..."
"Live as if you were going to die tomorrow." She quoted before breaking into a run to one of the Souja's landing craft. "And times a wasting!" She laughed.
"Why me?" Hanshin got up and began to follow. "Ryoko wait!"
~~~:*:~~~
The streets of downtown Corgil were filled with people. Dressed up, laughing, running to catch up with friends, lucky for Ryoko it was a Saturday night, standard party night throughout the universe.
"Where are we going?" Hanshin complained as he was being drug through the streets. Upon her request, the two had spent some of their heard-stole money on new outfits. Seeing how her skin-tight red and black standard battle suit would have probably attracted more attention than she wanted, and his formal robes were, as the store clerk put it: ...sooo out this year.
"Here!" Ryoko exclaimed as looked back at him before she drug him into a bar crowded with young people. The dark blue turtleneck shirt accented his broad shoulders well, even though she was looking straight at him, it was still hard to picture her friend in slacks and casual attire. The two made there way around the dance floor, which seemed to explode with lights as the music blared. Ryoko leaned back against the bar to take it all in while Han took a seat and waved at the young woman tending drinks.
"Whacha want?" The redhead asked nearly passing him by as she continued to fill other drink orders.
"Sake." He took a look over his shoulder as the music changed to something along the lines of tech-no. "...and leave the bottle." The girl complied producing a bottle and a small glass.
"What's that?" Ryoko turned from looking out over the floor and sat.
"Sake." Hanshin replied before sipping the rest of his glass and placing it back on the counter to refill it.
"Mind if I try?"
"Sure." He filled the glass and slid it over to her.
Ryoko picked up the glass and eyed it apprehensively a second before throwing back and drinking the clear liquid.
"Bla!" She gasped swallowing hard and slamming the glass back on the table. "How do you drink that stuff?" She asked franticly trying to wave down that bartender for a Margarita or anything to wash away the taste.
He chuckled pouring his small glass full again. "It's an acquired taste."
"Who would want to acquire that?" She asked reaching out and snatching a Pina Colada from a tray as a waitress passed them by.
The songs changed again, not anything good Hanshin thought, but anything was better than that previous blaring of off key notes. He made a personal note to practice on his organ once they returned.
"Wanna dance?" Ryoko asked sitting her half-empty glass on the bar.
He just looked at her with one eye.
"Didn't think so." She hopped up off her stool and went into the crowd.
He watched her a little from afar. She was truly stunning; it was hard to believe that this woman was once the little girl he had watched over. The all-important little black dress that she wore was nearly as form fitting as her usual attire. She danced alone for a moment, just a moment mind you, before a horde of guys seemingly came out of the woodwork to speak to her. She smiled talking to them, waving her hand in the air occasionally to dismiss some, talking and dancing with others. *Well, at least she is enjoying herself.* He thought just before she seemed to look past everyone in the crowd and into his eyes.
He quickly turned on the barstool to face the wall of liquid filled glass containers. Why had she looked at him like that? Well you were staring at her. I was just watching out for her. More like just watching her yourself. He drained his glass once again and sat it back down empty, spinning it in his fingers.
"Hello." A young woman sat on the barstool that Ryoko had previously occupied.
"Hi." Hanshin's usually deep voice seemed to get stuck somewhere in his throat. The woman was no doubt pretty. Blue eyes, blond hair tied back into a ponytail with the exception of her bangs, and a red dress equally as stunning as Ryoko's.
"So, should we leave it at that or do you want to buy me a drink." She smiled crossing her legs.
*No reason for Ryoko to make all the new friends.* He held his hand up for the bartender. "What would the lady like?" He asked, somewhere finding his voice again.
"Shayla would like a..."
Ryoko watched Hanshin talk to the blond who took a seat next to him. *Good* She thought. *Maybe he won't just be a knot on a log after all.*
"Hey there." A young man greeted as he started dancing next to Ryoko. "You here all by yourself?"
"With a friend." She smiled.
"The names Chris." The young man with the messy black hair introduced himself.
"Ryoko."
Chris took her hand and leaned down to kiss it. "It a pleasure Ryoko."
As the evening wore on, and the bar crowd thinned out Hanshin was pleasantly surprised to discover that Shayla was quite intelligent. She was a student at the Science Academe on Corgil so they actually had a good conversation.
"I never asked you if you were here with anybody Hanshin." Shayla looked up from twirling the little plastic sword in her drink.
"Just a friend." Hanshin smiled, he was actually enjoying himself.
"Good, I would hate to know that our conversation might abruptly end if your girlfriend came over."
He chuckled looking over at the other side of dance floor where Ryoko was sitting with another guy.
"Alright everyone." The DJ's smooth voice came over the speakers. "This is the last call, so for the few of you who have weathered the storm, take the hand of someone special, and come to the floor for the last one of the night."
"You dance?" Shayla asked.
The large speakers seemed to be cooling down as a gentle instrumental passed through them. Normally he wouldn't do anything of the sort. But now that the floor wasn't nearly as crowded, empty really except for Ryoko and a young man she had been with most of the night, not to mention the fact that the bottle of Sake began to loosen him up. He smiled and nodded in agreement. "Take it easy, I'm a first timer." He rose and walked behind her.
"Okay." Shayla turned to face him once they reached the floor. "Just put your hands on my waist." He did as he was instructed and was surprised when Shayla pressed herself to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Hanshin narrowly avoided gulping before he spoke. "Now what?"
"Just rock," She giggled "Just kinda sway back and forth."
He looked at Shayla. Although he couldn't point it out, something about her seemed so familiar. *Her eyes look almost catlike.*
Ryoko herself was in her own world as well. *Chris has been the perfect gentleman all night.* She thought as the music progressed. He kind of had a quiet strong feeling to him.
A lock of Shayla's hair came loose from the ponytail and seemed to spring out from her head. *I wonder what she looks like when her hair isn't drawn back?*
Ryoko looked into Chris' eyes. *They're such a deep green.*
*Maybe I should ask to see her again.* Hanshin instantly dismissed that thought, the last thing he wanted to drag anyone into his ties with Tokimi. He hadn't even thought about his life while he was talking with her. *She is so carefree, so energetic, kind of like a child.*
*Himm,* Ryoko thought. *I bet he would look good with longer hair drawn back, and a pair of long trusses on either side of his face.*
"Oof!" Both Ryoko and Hanshin grunted as they accidentally backed into one another on the floor.
"Hey watch it asshole!" Chris barked.
"Excuse me?" Hanshin asked, more surprised than angry, turning to face the man.
"You heard me." Ryoko looked up at Chris, not believing what he just said.
"Come on Hanshin." Shayla tugged at his arm. "Lets just go..." He wasn't even able to reply as Shayla frantically drug him out the door.
"Can you believe that prick?" Chris asked watching the other couple go out the door and stepping back to Ryoko, wanting to resume there dance.
Ryoko backed away as Chris approached. "What was that about!"
"He tried to cop a feel, what? Don't tell me you didn't notice it."
Ryoko turned and walked towards the door.
"Hey! Ryoko, where are you going?" Chris ran after her.
"I'm leaving." She continued to the door. *All night he pulls out chairs for me, makes me think he is just sooo sweet.* She sighed. *Nothing but a liar who got ruffled trying to get into my pants.*
"Now wait a damn minute..." Chris reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her retreat.
Ryoko turned to face him with an evil smile on her face. *Well, at least I'll get some action tonight after all.*
"AHHHH!" The redheaded bartender screamed diving under the counter before an airborne man crashed into the wall of bottles. Ryoko dusted off her hands and walked out the door.
The bartender peaked up over the counter and pushed her hair, now soaking with liquor from the broken bottles, out of her face. "I need a new job."
~~~:*:~~~
"Sorry," Shayla said as the two walked on the sidewalk. "I... I just don't like confrontations."
"There was no reason to leave, he was the aggressor."
"I know." Shayla hung her head like a child being scolded.
"He probably just had a little too much to drink." At first Hanshin had worried about leaving Ryoko back at the club with that guy, but all worries were put to rest when he heard a man's scream and glass breaking once they got a little ways down the street.
"I'm sorry."
"What for?" He asked, her eyes were still cast to the ground.
"About that back there."
"You didn't have anything to do with it."
"I know, its just..." Shayla was struggling with her words.
"Its okay, don't worry about it, I need to be getting back to the spaceport anyway."
"Oh, so you have to leave?"
He thought up a quick lie. "Yes, I'm with the Galaxy Polices' education foundation."
"Do you know if you will ever be back to Corgil?"
"I don't, didn't know I was coming here until I was dragged onto the drop-ship." That part, at least, was the truth.
"Oh." She sighed as a cab stopped beside her. "Well, if you ever do get back look me up." She got in the cab and Hanshin slipped some money to the driver while she wasn't looking.
"I will, it was nice to meet you Shayla."
"You to Hanshin." The window rolled up and the cab disappeared into the night.
~~~:*:~~~
Hanshin walked into a small park only a few blocks away from the spaceport. He figured Ryoko would probably be busy for a while, she usually turned to more, 'illegal' actions when she was mad. He rounded a corner looking for a place to sit, and was relieved to find a bench, however it was already occupied.
"Ryoko?"
Ryoko leaned her head back over the park bench see her partner.
"Yep..."
"I didn't expect you to be here, figured you went out on a bank robbing spree."
Ryoko chuckled remembering the last time she had hit the town. Her date hadn't taken no for an answer, so after she deposited his unconscious body in a dumpster she went on the crime spree of the century. It took Hanshin three months to track her down; needless to say, the clothes they were warring were a direct result of some of the money she returned with.
"What happened to that guy you were with?" He asked taking a seat to the right of Ryoko.
"Chris?"
"Yes, if that was his name."
"Probably still picking glass shards out of his ass." Ryoko leaned back.
"Hn." Hanshin chuckled. "You two were really getting along all night."
"Yea, he treated me so nice all night you know. Then, he just goes off on you."
"Don't tell me that's why you left? I thought it was rather funny."
"That's it!" Ryoko exclaimed throwing her hands in the air.
"What?"
"You! You were cool about it, but him! He just lost it, called you a prick, I just wanted a gentleman, not to mention someone that can keep his cool." Ryoko looked over at Hanshin crossing her arms. "What about the blond?"
"Shayla? I don't know." Now it was Hanshin's turn to lean back and look at the stars. "She was nice, smart, we had a great conversation all night but something wasn't there? I don't know. She was... she was a wuss." Ryoko doubled over laughing holding her gut. "What?"
"I... I never thought I would her you say the word: 'wuss'!"
"Ha Ha very funny." Hanshin crossed his arms.
Ryoko straitened up in her seat. "I'm sorry." She wiped a tear from her eye. "Go on, you said something wasn't there, what?"
"I don't know. She wasn't you." Hanshin nearly slapped a hand over his mouth.
"What...what did you say?" Ryoko asked sitting up, voice meek and surprised, face contorted in puzzlement.
*WHAT THE HELL?* Hanshin's mind was racing. *Why did I say that?*
"What did you say?" Ryoko asked again, her normal voice returning.
"I... urm..." Hanshin looked at her and realized why he was so attracted to Shayla. Ryoko's catlike golden eyes, the way her hair seemed to emulate her upbeat childlike mentality. And then he realized that Shayla lacked one thing, her personality, her confidence, her stubborn willingness to never back down.
Ryoko watched him struggle with his words. He always was so strong, so protective, but now he seemed just having trouble breathing. A few strands of his long hair had worked their way out of place and hung in front of his soft gentle green eyes.
Hanshin gulped for air. "Ryoko I..." What came next actually left the Jurain warrior speechless.
" ...love you too." Were the last words he heard before Ryoko pressed her lips to his. She pushed him back on the seat to the point he was struggling to sit up, until she shifted all her weight to lay atop of him which caused him to lay flat on the wooden bench.
Ryoko placed her hands on either side of his face, letting them feel every inch. He was stoic, not moving, Ryoko was about to pull back when she felt his arms move and his hands on her waist.
If their eyes had been open, Ryoko would have had the treat of seeing Hanshin's green orbs roll completely back into his head when she deepened the kiss, slipping her tongue into his mouth. He needed air, but was not about to stop this; he let his right hand trace its way upward from her waist, across her back, and to her neck.
Ryoko melted as His strong hand held her neck. She broke her lips from his for a second, allowing them both to gather some much needed air, and relished when he closed the gap back between them. Taking the lead and letting his tongue glide across her lips.
Gentle hand rubbing her back where the modestly low cut dress left bare, the other hand moved from her neck to the side of her face. She broke the kiss, pressing her cheek into the palm of his hand.
"Han..." She moaned, her calling him that for the first time, her word. He loved it from that moment on.
"Yoko." If anything solid remained of her heart, it was gone now. She laid her hand on his chest listening to his heartbeat, and just enjoying his smell, and the way his arms were wrapped around her.
"Yoko I..."
"HEY!" A stern voice penetrated the night like the sudden light shining on them, causing the couple to jolt up. "You two take it somewhere else." An uniformed policeman said before turning off his flashlight.
Han and Yoko looked at him a moment before bursting into laughter. Imagine, the two most dangerous space pirates in the universe getting busted for making out in a park.
"What's so funny?" The cop asked, apparently not finding the humor in their laughter.
"Nothing Officer!" Ryoko threw up a mock salute before stepping into Han's arms. Let's go home okay?" She asked. Han only nodded and kissed her on the forehead before telaporting away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Washu leaned back on her cushion eating some noodles Sasami had just brought her. Both her daughters and Hanshin's vital signs and brainwaves were stable, except for a moment ago when they got a little, excited. *Gotta remember to ask little Ryoko what that was about.* She thought blowing on the noodles before slurping them down.
"Again?" She said aloud as Hanshin's brain waves started to increase, but unlike before, they didn't level out. "Crap!" Washu dropped the noodles and began a furious assault on her keyboard. Both his vital signs and brainwaves were now beyond what any normal person could stand. And then, a mothers worst fear, Ryoko's vital signs started to skyrocket too.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The young woman walked along the halls of Souja towards the bridge.
"One hundredth anniversary." Ryoko said aloud, liking the sound of it. It was hard to believe that they were still as happy as a couple of teenagers. *Oh have I got a good present for you tonight Han.* She thought about their bedroom which she had just finished decorating with candles, and other romantic paraphernalia. *Yep, tonight's the night!* She exclaimed, knowing good and well that she was lucky to have a guy that would wait 100 years for their first time.
She could make out Han's voice as she neared the large doors that lead to the bridge. *Must be on the communicator?* She thought as she looked through the crack between the doors. She was startled at what she saw.
Han was kneeling on the floor before a woman. She seemed to glow, robes flowing in the air; the woman sent a chill up Ryoko's spine, for she knew very well who it was.
"Yosho," The woman spoke turning to the man at her feet. "The very son of the people who wanted me to protect them, is in complete control of Jurai's power."
Han continued to silently kneel before the goddess.
Tokimi looked down at her servant. "We must deal with him."
"I will take care of it." Hanshin said, never lifting his eyes from the polished floor of Souja.
"No."
"My lady?" Hanshin questioned, still not looking up at her.
"Send that little wretch first. I want to see what she can do."
Han's anger rose when Tokimi called her a 'wretch'. "My lady, if Yosho truly does posses the Jurai power, Ryoko will not be enough to defeat him."
"No big loss, at least you will be able to see how he fights." The Goddess smiled.
"No." Han clenched his fist, preparing for what was about to come.
"What did you say?" Tokimi's voice was in shock.
"I said no. She has no chance, I will fight him alone."
"Insolent Pig!" A fire burned in her eyes at Tokimi channeled energy at Han, sending the still kneeling warrior crashing back against the wall.
"NO!" Ryoko yelled running in the door to where he lay.
"Ryoko what are you doing? Get out of here!" Han struggled his words trying to rise off the floor.
"So you both are against me?" She asked before channeling energy again and firing another shot, but this time at Ryoko.
Han shoved her out of the way and took the blast himself, kneeling to the floor; body smoking from the temperatures that would have melted any normal matter.
"Stop it!" Ryoko yelled standing arms outstretched between Han and the Goddess. "I'll do it, I'll fight this Yosho! Just don't hurt him any more." She pleaded the last part, tears falling from her face.
"Yoko..." Han exhaled.
Tokimi watched her two slaves. "I see." She hissed looking at them both. "Very well, you will get to fight him."
"Thank you." Ryoko said lowering her arms to her side.
"But Hanshin?" Tokimi asked looking at him still on the floor. "You disobeyed me." She pointed a finger at him, and without energy or movement on her part, took control.
"AHHHH!" Han yelled as his body erupted in energy, lightning coercing throughout it.
Ryoko watched Tokimi disappear, and then ran to his side. "Han! Han can you hear me!" She reached out to touch him but was shocked and thrown back across the floor.
Han stumbled to his feet, clinching his muscles in a vain attempt to fight. Grabbing his head he jerked back screaming in pain. Ryoko could only watch as the electricity pulsed from his eyes, his mouth and across his body. Then it stopped, and the smoldering warrior fell limply to the ground.
Ryoko struggled to her feet and ran to his side, falling to her knees. "Han...please!" She cried putting her arms around him trying to turn him over on his back. "Please Han speak to me!"
"Ryoko..." A cold mutter escaped his lips.
"Han?" She asked just before his hand came up and grabbed her throat.
The man stood, effortlessly holding her limp body in the air with one hand. Ryoko could only look in horror, struggling to breathe with the ice cold hand clamped around her neck.
"Han..." she managed to choke out, but this was not him, this was something different.
The man's lifeless yellow eyes stared back at her suffering in amusement. In a flash a sinister smile formed on his face, as his hair turned a stark white.
"Not Han..." the man growled. "Kagato..." he hissed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Darkness was all around her.
"ryoko."
She heard someone calling faintly in the distance.
"ryoko."
It grew a little louder this time and a piercing white light greeted her as she tried to open her eyes.
"Ryoko!" Han held her limp body in his arms and watched as she opened her eyes.
She watched him, not fully aware of her surrounding back in Washu's lab.
"Are you okay?" He asked guiding her up as she stood. "This was wrong, I am sorry, sometimes the flashbacks come and I cant...."
"Han..." Ryoko wrapped her arms around him, not to help herself stand, but to press her lips to his.
At first he was startled, but he quickly realized it was really happening. She held him close feeling his hands on her back and neck just like in the past. It was real. And they both rejoiced in it.
Han could not believe he was tasting her sweet lips again. Tears spilled from the cracks of his closed eyes, he finally got his Yoko back.
.... Man, that one was hard to write. In case you still haven't figured it out, most of it was a flashback (duh). It took me a while because I had to get a totally fresh view on both characters, before Han was Kagato, and Ryoko was abused. Hopefully it wont take me long to get back to the regular swing of things. Currently looking at about 3 more chapters. Please Review and tell me what you think.
"Arg.." Ryoko growled leaning back in her seat on the Souja's bridge and letting her cyan trusses spill over the back.
"Yes?" Came the inquisitive reply of her partner, who stood silently looking out among the countless stars.
"I'm bored out of my freaking mind! Why do we have to stay here anyway?" She typed on a screen before her. "Corgil III is just an hour away from here, why can't we go down for some fun?"
"In case you haven't noticed, its not as easy as skipping study hall." Her partner turned from the window. "If Tokimi were to call and find us gone..."
"Yea yea..." Ryoko waved her hand in the air. "Bitch bitch, moan moan, wrath of God exc..."
Hanshin smiled. "Well put Yoko."
"So, what's the days itinerary?"
"Hadn't made one."
"No School?" She sat up and asked.
"Your 19, if you want to learn you are able to do it on your own. Besides, I'm tired of teaching."
"Never thought I would hear that from you."
"Live as if you were going to die tomorrow, but learn as if you were going to live forever." Han sat down in the captain's chair next to hers.
"All right, that's it!" Ryoko hopped up from her seat and went to the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Your getting all philosophical on me so I'm leaving."
"Leaving? But you cant, Tokimi..."
"Live as if you were going to die tomorrow." She quoted before breaking into a run to one of the Souja's landing craft. "And times a wasting!" She laughed.
"Why me?" Hanshin got up and began to follow. "Ryoko wait!"
~~~:*:~~~
The streets of downtown Corgil were filled with people. Dressed up, laughing, running to catch up with friends, lucky for Ryoko it was a Saturday night, standard party night throughout the universe.
"Where are we going?" Hanshin complained as he was being drug through the streets. Upon her request, the two had spent some of their heard-stole money on new outfits. Seeing how her skin-tight red and black standard battle suit would have probably attracted more attention than she wanted, and his formal robes were, as the store clerk put it: ...sooo out this year.
"Here!" Ryoko exclaimed as looked back at him before she drug him into a bar crowded with young people. The dark blue turtleneck shirt accented his broad shoulders well, even though she was looking straight at him, it was still hard to picture her friend in slacks and casual attire. The two made there way around the dance floor, which seemed to explode with lights as the music blared. Ryoko leaned back against the bar to take it all in while Han took a seat and waved at the young woman tending drinks.
"Whacha want?" The redhead asked nearly passing him by as she continued to fill other drink orders.
"Sake." He took a look over his shoulder as the music changed to something along the lines of tech-no. "...and leave the bottle." The girl complied producing a bottle and a small glass.
"What's that?" Ryoko turned from looking out over the floor and sat.
"Sake." Hanshin replied before sipping the rest of his glass and placing it back on the counter to refill it.
"Mind if I try?"
"Sure." He filled the glass and slid it over to her.
Ryoko picked up the glass and eyed it apprehensively a second before throwing back and drinking the clear liquid.
"Bla!" She gasped swallowing hard and slamming the glass back on the table. "How do you drink that stuff?" She asked franticly trying to wave down that bartender for a Margarita or anything to wash away the taste.
He chuckled pouring his small glass full again. "It's an acquired taste."
"Who would want to acquire that?" She asked reaching out and snatching a Pina Colada from a tray as a waitress passed them by.
The songs changed again, not anything good Hanshin thought, but anything was better than that previous blaring of off key notes. He made a personal note to practice on his organ once they returned.
"Wanna dance?" Ryoko asked sitting her half-empty glass on the bar.
He just looked at her with one eye.
"Didn't think so." She hopped up off her stool and went into the crowd.
He watched her a little from afar. She was truly stunning; it was hard to believe that this woman was once the little girl he had watched over. The all-important little black dress that she wore was nearly as form fitting as her usual attire. She danced alone for a moment, just a moment mind you, before a horde of guys seemingly came out of the woodwork to speak to her. She smiled talking to them, waving her hand in the air occasionally to dismiss some, talking and dancing with others. *Well, at least she is enjoying herself.* He thought just before she seemed to look past everyone in the crowd and into his eyes.
He quickly turned on the barstool to face the wall of liquid filled glass containers. Why had she looked at him like that? Well you were staring at her. I was just watching out for her. More like just watching her yourself. He drained his glass once again and sat it back down empty, spinning it in his fingers.
"Hello." A young woman sat on the barstool that Ryoko had previously occupied.
"Hi." Hanshin's usually deep voice seemed to get stuck somewhere in his throat. The woman was no doubt pretty. Blue eyes, blond hair tied back into a ponytail with the exception of her bangs, and a red dress equally as stunning as Ryoko's.
"So, should we leave it at that or do you want to buy me a drink." She smiled crossing her legs.
*No reason for Ryoko to make all the new friends.* He held his hand up for the bartender. "What would the lady like?" He asked, somewhere finding his voice again.
"Shayla would like a..."
Ryoko watched Hanshin talk to the blond who took a seat next to him. *Good* She thought. *Maybe he won't just be a knot on a log after all.*
"Hey there." A young man greeted as he started dancing next to Ryoko. "You here all by yourself?"
"With a friend." She smiled.
"The names Chris." The young man with the messy black hair introduced himself.
"Ryoko."
Chris took her hand and leaned down to kiss it. "It a pleasure Ryoko."
As the evening wore on, and the bar crowd thinned out Hanshin was pleasantly surprised to discover that Shayla was quite intelligent. She was a student at the Science Academe on Corgil so they actually had a good conversation.
"I never asked you if you were here with anybody Hanshin." Shayla looked up from twirling the little plastic sword in her drink.
"Just a friend." Hanshin smiled, he was actually enjoying himself.
"Good, I would hate to know that our conversation might abruptly end if your girlfriend came over."
He chuckled looking over at the other side of dance floor where Ryoko was sitting with another guy.
"Alright everyone." The DJ's smooth voice came over the speakers. "This is the last call, so for the few of you who have weathered the storm, take the hand of someone special, and come to the floor for the last one of the night."
"You dance?" Shayla asked.
The large speakers seemed to be cooling down as a gentle instrumental passed through them. Normally he wouldn't do anything of the sort. But now that the floor wasn't nearly as crowded, empty really except for Ryoko and a young man she had been with most of the night, not to mention the fact that the bottle of Sake began to loosen him up. He smiled and nodded in agreement. "Take it easy, I'm a first timer." He rose and walked behind her.
"Okay." Shayla turned to face him once they reached the floor. "Just put your hands on my waist." He did as he was instructed and was surprised when Shayla pressed herself to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Hanshin narrowly avoided gulping before he spoke. "Now what?"
"Just rock," She giggled "Just kinda sway back and forth."
He looked at Shayla. Although he couldn't point it out, something about her seemed so familiar. *Her eyes look almost catlike.*
Ryoko herself was in her own world as well. *Chris has been the perfect gentleman all night.* She thought as the music progressed. He kind of had a quiet strong feeling to him.
A lock of Shayla's hair came loose from the ponytail and seemed to spring out from her head. *I wonder what she looks like when her hair isn't drawn back?*
Ryoko looked into Chris' eyes. *They're such a deep green.*
*Maybe I should ask to see her again.* Hanshin instantly dismissed that thought, the last thing he wanted to drag anyone into his ties with Tokimi. He hadn't even thought about his life while he was talking with her. *She is so carefree, so energetic, kind of like a child.*
*Himm,* Ryoko thought. *I bet he would look good with longer hair drawn back, and a pair of long trusses on either side of his face.*
"Oof!" Both Ryoko and Hanshin grunted as they accidentally backed into one another on the floor.
"Hey watch it asshole!" Chris barked.
"Excuse me?" Hanshin asked, more surprised than angry, turning to face the man.
"You heard me." Ryoko looked up at Chris, not believing what he just said.
"Come on Hanshin." Shayla tugged at his arm. "Lets just go..." He wasn't even able to reply as Shayla frantically drug him out the door.
"Can you believe that prick?" Chris asked watching the other couple go out the door and stepping back to Ryoko, wanting to resume there dance.
Ryoko backed away as Chris approached. "What was that about!"
"He tried to cop a feel, what? Don't tell me you didn't notice it."
Ryoko turned and walked towards the door.
"Hey! Ryoko, where are you going?" Chris ran after her.
"I'm leaving." She continued to the door. *All night he pulls out chairs for me, makes me think he is just sooo sweet.* She sighed. *Nothing but a liar who got ruffled trying to get into my pants.*
"Now wait a damn minute..." Chris reached out and grabbed her arm to stop her retreat.
Ryoko turned to face him with an evil smile on her face. *Well, at least I'll get some action tonight after all.*
"AHHHH!" The redheaded bartender screamed diving under the counter before an airborne man crashed into the wall of bottles. Ryoko dusted off her hands and walked out the door.
The bartender peaked up over the counter and pushed her hair, now soaking with liquor from the broken bottles, out of her face. "I need a new job."
~~~:*:~~~
"Sorry," Shayla said as the two walked on the sidewalk. "I... I just don't like confrontations."
"There was no reason to leave, he was the aggressor."
"I know." Shayla hung her head like a child being scolded.
"He probably just had a little too much to drink." At first Hanshin had worried about leaving Ryoko back at the club with that guy, but all worries were put to rest when he heard a man's scream and glass breaking once they got a little ways down the street.
"I'm sorry."
"What for?" He asked, her eyes were still cast to the ground.
"About that back there."
"You didn't have anything to do with it."
"I know, its just..." Shayla was struggling with her words.
"Its okay, don't worry about it, I need to be getting back to the spaceport anyway."
"Oh, so you have to leave?"
He thought up a quick lie. "Yes, I'm with the Galaxy Polices' education foundation."
"Do you know if you will ever be back to Corgil?"
"I don't, didn't know I was coming here until I was dragged onto the drop-ship." That part, at least, was the truth.
"Oh." She sighed as a cab stopped beside her. "Well, if you ever do get back look me up." She got in the cab and Hanshin slipped some money to the driver while she wasn't looking.
"I will, it was nice to meet you Shayla."
"You to Hanshin." The window rolled up and the cab disappeared into the night.
~~~:*:~~~
Hanshin walked into a small park only a few blocks away from the spaceport. He figured Ryoko would probably be busy for a while, she usually turned to more, 'illegal' actions when she was mad. He rounded a corner looking for a place to sit, and was relieved to find a bench, however it was already occupied.
"Ryoko?"
Ryoko leaned her head back over the park bench see her partner.
"Yep..."
"I didn't expect you to be here, figured you went out on a bank robbing spree."
Ryoko chuckled remembering the last time she had hit the town. Her date hadn't taken no for an answer, so after she deposited his unconscious body in a dumpster she went on the crime spree of the century. It took Hanshin three months to track her down; needless to say, the clothes they were warring were a direct result of some of the money she returned with.
"What happened to that guy you were with?" He asked taking a seat to the right of Ryoko.
"Chris?"
"Yes, if that was his name."
"Probably still picking glass shards out of his ass." Ryoko leaned back.
"Hn." Hanshin chuckled. "You two were really getting along all night."
"Yea, he treated me so nice all night you know. Then, he just goes off on you."
"Don't tell me that's why you left? I thought it was rather funny."
"That's it!" Ryoko exclaimed throwing her hands in the air.
"What?"
"You! You were cool about it, but him! He just lost it, called you a prick, I just wanted a gentleman, not to mention someone that can keep his cool." Ryoko looked over at Hanshin crossing her arms. "What about the blond?"
"Shayla? I don't know." Now it was Hanshin's turn to lean back and look at the stars. "She was nice, smart, we had a great conversation all night but something wasn't there? I don't know. She was... she was a wuss." Ryoko doubled over laughing holding her gut. "What?"
"I... I never thought I would her you say the word: 'wuss'!"
"Ha Ha very funny." Hanshin crossed his arms.
Ryoko straitened up in her seat. "I'm sorry." She wiped a tear from her eye. "Go on, you said something wasn't there, what?"
"I don't know. She wasn't you." Hanshin nearly slapped a hand over his mouth.
"What...what did you say?" Ryoko asked sitting up, voice meek and surprised, face contorted in puzzlement.
*WHAT THE HELL?* Hanshin's mind was racing. *Why did I say that?*
"What did you say?" Ryoko asked again, her normal voice returning.
"I... urm..." Hanshin looked at her and realized why he was so attracted to Shayla. Ryoko's catlike golden eyes, the way her hair seemed to emulate her upbeat childlike mentality. And then he realized that Shayla lacked one thing, her personality, her confidence, her stubborn willingness to never back down.
Ryoko watched him struggle with his words. He always was so strong, so protective, but now he seemed just having trouble breathing. A few strands of his long hair had worked their way out of place and hung in front of his soft gentle green eyes.
Hanshin gulped for air. "Ryoko I..." What came next actually left the Jurain warrior speechless.
" ...love you too." Were the last words he heard before Ryoko pressed her lips to his. She pushed him back on the seat to the point he was struggling to sit up, until she shifted all her weight to lay atop of him which caused him to lay flat on the wooden bench.
Ryoko placed her hands on either side of his face, letting them feel every inch. He was stoic, not moving, Ryoko was about to pull back when she felt his arms move and his hands on her waist.
If their eyes had been open, Ryoko would have had the treat of seeing Hanshin's green orbs roll completely back into his head when she deepened the kiss, slipping her tongue into his mouth. He needed air, but was not about to stop this; he let his right hand trace its way upward from her waist, across her back, and to her neck.
Ryoko melted as His strong hand held her neck. She broke her lips from his for a second, allowing them both to gather some much needed air, and relished when he closed the gap back between them. Taking the lead and letting his tongue glide across her lips.
Gentle hand rubbing her back where the modestly low cut dress left bare, the other hand moved from her neck to the side of her face. She broke the kiss, pressing her cheek into the palm of his hand.
"Han..." She moaned, her calling him that for the first time, her word. He loved it from that moment on.
"Yoko." If anything solid remained of her heart, it was gone now. She laid her hand on his chest listening to his heartbeat, and just enjoying his smell, and the way his arms were wrapped around her.
"Yoko I..."
"HEY!" A stern voice penetrated the night like the sudden light shining on them, causing the couple to jolt up. "You two take it somewhere else." An uniformed policeman said before turning off his flashlight.
Han and Yoko looked at him a moment before bursting into laughter. Imagine, the two most dangerous space pirates in the universe getting busted for making out in a park.
"What's so funny?" The cop asked, apparently not finding the humor in their laughter.
"Nothing Officer!" Ryoko threw up a mock salute before stepping into Han's arms. Let's go home okay?" She asked. Han only nodded and kissed her on the forehead before telaporting away.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Washu leaned back on her cushion eating some noodles Sasami had just brought her. Both her daughters and Hanshin's vital signs and brainwaves were stable, except for a moment ago when they got a little, excited. *Gotta remember to ask little Ryoko what that was about.* She thought blowing on the noodles before slurping them down.
"Again?" She said aloud as Hanshin's brain waves started to increase, but unlike before, they didn't level out. "Crap!" Washu dropped the noodles and began a furious assault on her keyboard. Both his vital signs and brainwaves were now beyond what any normal person could stand. And then, a mothers worst fear, Ryoko's vital signs started to skyrocket too.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The young woman walked along the halls of Souja towards the bridge.
"One hundredth anniversary." Ryoko said aloud, liking the sound of it. It was hard to believe that they were still as happy as a couple of teenagers. *Oh have I got a good present for you tonight Han.* She thought about their bedroom which she had just finished decorating with candles, and other romantic paraphernalia. *Yep, tonight's the night!* She exclaimed, knowing good and well that she was lucky to have a guy that would wait 100 years for their first time.
She could make out Han's voice as she neared the large doors that lead to the bridge. *Must be on the communicator?* She thought as she looked through the crack between the doors. She was startled at what she saw.
Han was kneeling on the floor before a woman. She seemed to glow, robes flowing in the air; the woman sent a chill up Ryoko's spine, for she knew very well who it was.
"Yosho," The woman spoke turning to the man at her feet. "The very son of the people who wanted me to protect them, is in complete control of Jurai's power."
Han continued to silently kneel before the goddess.
Tokimi looked down at her servant. "We must deal with him."
"I will take care of it." Hanshin said, never lifting his eyes from the polished floor of Souja.
"No."
"My lady?" Hanshin questioned, still not looking up at her.
"Send that little wretch first. I want to see what she can do."
Han's anger rose when Tokimi called her a 'wretch'. "My lady, if Yosho truly does posses the Jurai power, Ryoko will not be enough to defeat him."
"No big loss, at least you will be able to see how he fights." The Goddess smiled.
"No." Han clenched his fist, preparing for what was about to come.
"What did you say?" Tokimi's voice was in shock.
"I said no. She has no chance, I will fight him alone."
"Insolent Pig!" A fire burned in her eyes at Tokimi channeled energy at Han, sending the still kneeling warrior crashing back against the wall.
"NO!" Ryoko yelled running in the door to where he lay.
"Ryoko what are you doing? Get out of here!" Han struggled his words trying to rise off the floor.
"So you both are against me?" She asked before channeling energy again and firing another shot, but this time at Ryoko.
Han shoved her out of the way and took the blast himself, kneeling to the floor; body smoking from the temperatures that would have melted any normal matter.
"Stop it!" Ryoko yelled standing arms outstretched between Han and the Goddess. "I'll do it, I'll fight this Yosho! Just don't hurt him any more." She pleaded the last part, tears falling from her face.
"Yoko..." Han exhaled.
Tokimi watched her two slaves. "I see." She hissed looking at them both. "Very well, you will get to fight him."
"Thank you." Ryoko said lowering her arms to her side.
"But Hanshin?" Tokimi asked looking at him still on the floor. "You disobeyed me." She pointed a finger at him, and without energy or movement on her part, took control.
"AHHHH!" Han yelled as his body erupted in energy, lightning coercing throughout it.
Ryoko watched Tokimi disappear, and then ran to his side. "Han! Han can you hear me!" She reached out to touch him but was shocked and thrown back across the floor.
Han stumbled to his feet, clinching his muscles in a vain attempt to fight. Grabbing his head he jerked back screaming in pain. Ryoko could only watch as the electricity pulsed from his eyes, his mouth and across his body. Then it stopped, and the smoldering warrior fell limply to the ground.
Ryoko struggled to her feet and ran to his side, falling to her knees. "Han...please!" She cried putting her arms around him trying to turn him over on his back. "Please Han speak to me!"
"Ryoko..." A cold mutter escaped his lips.
"Han?" She asked just before his hand came up and grabbed her throat.
The man stood, effortlessly holding her limp body in the air with one hand. Ryoko could only look in horror, struggling to breathe with the ice cold hand clamped around her neck.
"Han..." she managed to choke out, but this was not him, this was something different.
The man's lifeless yellow eyes stared back at her suffering in amusement. In a flash a sinister smile formed on his face, as his hair turned a stark white.
"Not Han..." the man growled. "Kagato..." he hissed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Darkness was all around her.
"ryoko."
She heard someone calling faintly in the distance.
"ryoko."
It grew a little louder this time and a piercing white light greeted her as she tried to open her eyes.
"Ryoko!" Han held her limp body in his arms and watched as she opened her eyes.
She watched him, not fully aware of her surrounding back in Washu's lab.
"Are you okay?" He asked guiding her up as she stood. "This was wrong, I am sorry, sometimes the flashbacks come and I cant...."
"Han..." Ryoko wrapped her arms around him, not to help herself stand, but to press her lips to his.
At first he was startled, but he quickly realized it was really happening. She held him close feeling his hands on her back and neck just like in the past. It was real. And they both rejoiced in it.
Han could not believe he was tasting her sweet lips again. Tears spilled from the cracks of his closed eyes, he finally got his Yoko back.
.... Man, that one was hard to write. In case you still haven't figured it out, most of it was a flashback (duh). It took me a while because I had to get a totally fresh view on both characters, before Han was Kagato, and Ryoko was abused. Hopefully it wont take me long to get back to the regular swing of things. Currently looking at about 3 more chapters. Please Review and tell me what you think.