Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Tenchi characters Pioneer does. Matt is my character however and if you would like to use him please obtain my permission first
Darkness, Light, and the Grey in Between
He stood there looking down on her peaceful form, her cyan spread out on the pillow like a wave at dawn. She looked so peaceful it seemed a crime to wake her. But this was no natural sleep, an hour previous he had fought to make this moment happen. All he had to do was lean down and touch his lips to hers. Inside him he carried her stolen life force, all that remained was to give it back. Instead he stood there while the others looked on. He wanted the happy ending, to have defeated the evil that took her away and now all he had to do was finish it and they would live happily ever after.
But that was not the truth, he had created the monster that was the cause of all this, in a way he himself was the monster. Barely a week previous he had almost killed her along with her true love. When he thought about it he was the evil, all this suffering had been his fault. No he didn't deserve the happy ending. But he did have to set things right, and he was the wrong person to give this angel the fairy tale kiss.
"Tenchi," Matt said turning to the young prince, "You do it."
"What do you mean," Tenchi asked perplexed, "You're the only one who can wake Ryoko up."
Matt walked up to Tenchi and rested his hands on the smaller man's shoulders and looked him directly in the eye. Everyone standing there fell into a hush as Matt began to speak again.
"No I'm not," Matt said, "I will give you her life force, then all you have to do is go over there and kiss her. The power will transfer from you to her, and the first thing she sees when she wakes up will be you."
"W w wait a minute," Tenchi stammered taking a step back, "I I can't do that."
"Why not," Matt snapped, "It's you she loves, all she wants is for you to love her back."
"But I'm not sure if I really love her." Tenchi said casting a superstitious glance toward Ayeka.
"I'm not asking you to make your choice right here and now," Matt explained, "I just want her to be happy, and having you kiss her awake will be a dream come true for Ryoko."
"Just one minute," Washu interrupted, "Why does it have to be a kiss?"
"That's the way the power works," Matt answered turning to the diminutive scientist, "It has to do with the fact that she's unconscious, I can transfer the power to Tenchi by touching him because he's awake. But to give it back to her it has to come from a loving gesture, the emotions of the giver will allow Ryoko the absorb the life energy."
"Then why don't you do it," Ayeka questioned, "I mean you do love her don't you?"
"Yes, yes I do princess," Matt said quietly, "But she love Tenchi more than anyone, even herself. If I wake her up she'll always wonder why it wasn't Tenchi.
"I'm jealous, you know that right," Matt said looking at Tenchi, "You have everything I've always wanted. Now be her hero and this one time make her happy, that's all I'm asking."
The others stared at his in stunned silence, there it was laid out plain and simple he was giving her up to make her happy. Ayeka thought about that for a moment, it took sheer courage to say what he just said and even more to do what he was proposing. Ayeka didn't think she could do it if she was in his place. She wondered what Tenchi would do if their positions were switched? It wasn't exactly a fair question but it made her think. When he first arrived she had hated the tall traveler with a passion, but after his death and sharing his memories Ayeka had come to understand him a bit better. On the outside he was a confident cocky person, and with his powers it was understandable. But underneath that he was lonely and deep down all he wanted was to find a place where he belonged.
Ayeka was shaken from her thoughts when Matt Tightened his grip on Tenchi's shoulders. She saw the green starburst in his eyes flash and a blue glow emanated from his arms and traveled down into Tenchi where it flashed over his heart and disappeared. Matt let go of Tenchi and stepped to the side looking at Ryoko's slumbering form with a sad smile. Tenchi gulped and took a step forward, Ayeka felt her heart quicken watching each of his slow hesitant steps toward her rival.
With the inexperience of a teenager Tenchi leaned down and closed his eyes. He had never kissed a girl before, being surrounded by all these beautiful women and he hadn't kissed a one in two years. Sure Ryoko was all over him any chance she got but he never let it go past a simple embrace. Ayeka had kissed him in the shed the day before but he had been to frightened to kiss her back. Now Ryoko's life depended on him not goofing this up. The pressure was enormous and everyone looking on didn't help one bit. He lost his nerve and straightened looking back to the others. He just couldn't do it.
"Come on Tenchi," Sasami prodded gently, "Help Ryoko wake up."
"Please Tenchi," Washu asked quietly looking down, "Bring me daughter back."
"Come on Tenchi you can do it," cheered Mihoshi.
"You wouldn't leave her like this would you Tenchi," Yosho asked sternly.
"I think Matt's right Tenchi you are the right one to do this," Ayeka gave him a weak smile, "But don't think I'm giving you to her."
Matt simply nodded to him.
Tenchi turned back and looked down, she was so beautiful it was painful. He didn't know if he truly loved her but in that moment it didn't matter. Matt was right Ryoko loved him with all her heart, she deserved at least this. Inhaling deeply him steeled himself and leaned down again, and this time he didn't stop. Their lips met.
Ryoko slowly returned to the world of the living, she tried to breath but found something blocking her mouth. It was then she realized she was being kissed. Instinctively she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. She felt his arms tighten around her in response. Ryoko lost herself in that embrace, this is how she dreamed it would be with Tenchi. She loved the way it felt, safe, warm and loved.
She must have saved Matt and now he was reviving her exactly how she wanted to be revived. She opened her eyes expecting to see the powerful swordsman holding her, taking away her pain. What she found was Tenchi, his arms around her, his lips pressed to hers. But why Tenchi, it was Matt they were trying to save? Slowly she ended the kiss, not wanting it to be over but she was eager to find out what was going on.
As Tenchi pulled away from her somewhat dazed as she was sent upon by the rest of the household. They all started asking questions at once, it all sounded like one big jumble to the ex-pirate as she looked around confused. Finally she saw him through the press of bodies. He was smiling a sad sort of smile hanging back in the darkness of the lab. He caught her eyes before turning and walking towards the exit. Ryoko wanted to say something but couldn't find the words to express her feelings in that moment. She laid back on the pillow and stared up at the ceiling while the others clambered over each other to tell the story of what had happened with Sor-ra-eyu.
"I thought I might find you here," Washu said dipping her feet into the warm water of the onsen. It had been several hours since Tenchi had kissed Ryoko awake, and the buzz about that kiss was finally dying down. Currently Ryoko was till resting in the lab, her fight with Matt's shadow soul and subsequent draining by Sor-ra-eyu had left her exhausted. Tenchi and his father were in the process of trying to clean up the mess the tall woman had made of the living room. Sasami was busy cooking s special meal to help Ryoko get her strength back, while Ayeka went about setting up a temporary dining room in the upstairs living area with Mohoshi's help.
"What do you want little Washu," Matt asked not bothering to look up at her and sinking deeper into the warm pool.
"I came to talk with you that's all," Washu said innocently.
"No you didn't," Matt replied looking up at her, "I don't need to read your thoughts to tell this going to be more than a simple conversation."
"Your right," Washu admitted trying not to stare at his naked body, "I want to know why you had Tenchi kiss Ryoko when he didn't have to? He could have just as easily touched her given her back the life force."
"I already told you," Matt said with some heat, "I want her to be happy."
"Then why didn't you kiss her," Washu pressed, "She love you too you know."
"Yes, and look what happened," the swordsman frowned, "I almost got her killed twice, not mention the danger I put the rest of you in. She'll be better off without me."
"That doesn't sound right me," Washu stated looking up through the glass room at the darkening sky, "Before you were very loving to Ryoko, you helped her see things in a new light. I don't understand why you would just step aside now. Why did you decide to leave in the first place anyways?"
"Because I'm a curse," he said simply, "Everything I touch I destroy."
"What do you mean," Washu asked perplexed.
"I mean just that," Matt said sharply, "Do you think my disrupting of your lives is the first time it's happened? When Tenchi fought Sor-ra-eyu she took him to a place I had destroyed before I had control of my abilities to show him the truth of my power. That place was my home."
Washu sat there stunned. Tenchi had told her about the encounter at the crater but at the time she had discounted it as more of Sor-ra-eyu's lies, but to here Matt confirm it as the truth was shocking to say the least. They sat there in silence for a few minutes while Washu digested the news. Being capable of causing that much damage placed him in the same category as Tenchi and her daughter. She had been wondering why he had lived in isolation during his years of training, he was a danger to everything around him. Now she understood better his drive to discover his origins.
"I had no control over myself when it happened," Matt spoke breaking the silence, "Still the knowledge of what I have done still haunts me, all those people's lives snuffed out because I lost control. Master Tsutargi understood what it was like to be feared because of what he was capable of. He took me, taught me to discipline myself, he helped when no one else would. I promised him in return that his art would not die with him. I became a weapon's master, and some day I'll pass it on to another. I just hope my student won't have to go through what I did."
"I understand," Washu offered comfortingly.
"No you don't," Matt said angrily cutting her off, "You do not have to struggle constantly to keep your powers hidden. You know who and what you are, you have a fundamental understanding of yourself. Do not claim understanding of things of which you have no conception. And I do not want your pity."
"I'm sorry Matt," Washu apologized, "I don't know what you have gone through, but what I do know is that you are a kind decent person. I do know what is to have a gift others to not understand, I haven't had the trials you've had but I know what it is like to be different."
"I'm sorry as well little Washu," Matt said calmly, "I should not have snapped at you like but it's a delicate topic for me."
"I know it is," Washu said with a ghost of smile on her face, "My daughter is very much like you, and trying to help her is nearly as impossible."
"Ryoko has been through a lot in her life," Matt said sadly but lifted his head and looked Washu directly in the eye and continued, "But she's stronger than her past, she will overcome it. Beside she has all of you to help her."
"What about you Matt," Washu asked seriously, "Your all alone with no one to rely on. I don't understand why your set on leaving, we could help you just as much as Ryoko."
"If I stay it will only cause Ryoko's continued unhappiness," Matt explained, "And I must continue my journey to find out who I really am, I can't just give up my goal like that. Speaking of which have you turned up anything in your analysis of me?"
"Yes I have," Washu said smiling an idea forming in her mind, "When your done here come see me in my lab and I'll show what I've discovered."
With that the diminutive scientist rose and turned to leave, but before she did she shot Matt a look from over her shoulder and spoke, "And thank you for what you've given Ryoko, it means more to me than you'll ever know."
With that she turned and left leaving Matt alone to the darkness and quiet of the night time onsen. For the first time since he had been revived a sincere smile came to his lips life was strange, he had come here hoping to find answers about his origins, instead he found Ryoko and her odd family. Now after everything Matt knew it had been worth coming here anyways, he may not have found what he was looking for but in a way he had come to understand himself. Matt lay back deeper into the warm water and looked up into the starry sky and wondered.
Ryoko came awake instantly, her dream faded away as she sat up rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. How long have I been out, she wondered looking around at the dark lab. Thoughts of earlier that day flitted through her mind as she played them out trying to piece everything together. Slowly all the pieces began to fall into place culminating with Tenchi kissing her while Matt walked out of the room. Matt, she bolted straight up and threw the blankets off in a rush. With a thought she was standing in what was left of the living room. Tenchi and his father looked up in surprise at their unexpected guest.
"Ryoko your awake," exclaimed Tenchi coming up to her.
"Tenchi," she greeted him without much enthusiasm, and then looking around mangled room, "Wow looks like Sor-ra-eyu did one hell of a job redecorating."
"You can say that again," Nobiyuki spoke up, "She was one rough lady."
"Are you ok Ryoko," Tenchi asked seriously, "Everyone's been worried about you."
"I'm fine Tenchi," she lied, "Are you alright, I know Sor-ra-eyu did the same thing to you."
"I'm great," answered Tenchi with a smile, "I guess because you were out longer it effected you more than me and Ayeka."
"Yeah that must be it," Ryoko said noncommittally, "I'm glad everyone's safe now."
"Yeah me too," Tenchi said still smiling not catching onto her odd behavior, "I'm really glad your feeling better Ryoko. It'll be nice now that things are getting back to normal."
"Yeah normal," the ex-pirate grunted.
"What's wrong Ryoko," said Tenchi looking closely at her.
"Nothing I'm fine I said," Ryoko snapped turning away from him.
"Ryoko if something's bothering you, you can tell me," Tenchi said putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Tenchi do you really love me," she asked in a rush turning to face him. Tenchi stood there stunned. Where did that come from? he asked himself looking at her. There were tears in her golden eyes as she stood there waiting for his reply. Tenchi resisted the urge to run when he considered the desperation he had heard in her voice. For once he had to be honest with himself and her, he couldn't run away any longer.
"Ryoko I...," She cut him off by placing a finger to his lips to quiet him.
"Don't say anything," she whispered wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his lean chest. Tenchi nodded his head in understanding and wrapped his arms around her in return. Nobuyuki took this as his queue to leave and quietly snuck into the kitchen.
At that moment Matt walked into the shattered living room, he stopped cold at the sight before him. The traveler stood there for several moments and let them enjoy their moment together. She deserved this moment, he was happy for he truly was, but still a part of him wished he could hold her just one more time. With practiced ease he snuck by the couple, and it wasn't until the door to Washu's lab shut that either of them were aware anyone else had even been in the room.
He found Washu be following her essence through the twisting passages of her great laboratory, she was sitting on a floating cushion before a massive tank filled with various aquatic creatures. She turned from her typing at the sound of his approach and smiled in greeting.
"I'm glad your here," she said as he stopped a few feet from her.
"Don't get your hopes up," Matt grunted, "You're no getting my pants off this time."
"The thought hasn't even crossed my mind," she smiled at him.
"Well I'm here, what have you learned," Matt pressed not in the mood for small talk.
"Well aren't we in a good mood," she teased, when he didn't respond she cleared her throat and moved on, "Anyways, I've compared the data I took from you and cross referenced it with every life form I have data on, over 20 billion species."
"Get to the point," Matt interrupted impatiently.
"I came up empty," she said simply and shrugged.
"What!" Matt yelled, "20 billion and you didn't find anything close? You drug me in here to tell me this. Bah, what a waste."
"Wait up one minute," Washu scolded, "Just because I didn't find a matching life form doesn't mean I didn't learn anything."
"I'm listening," Matt grunted folding his arms.
"Good. Now what I suspect is that you might be a living weapon similar to Ryoko," Washu began trying to ignore the swordsman's glare, "If you think about it, it makes sense, the sum of your abilities makes you a formidable weapon. With your mind reading abilities you can get past security by easily learning pass codes. You have no need to carry a weapon with you, your ability to draw energy out of most objects allows you use almost anything to deadly effect. Not to mention the fact that you could level anything within a half mile."
"This is nothing new to me," Matt frowned, "That my abilities point towards violence is obvious, add to that I can heal my self and you have a totally independent unit capable of carrying out a wide variety of objectives. Washu I know your trying to help but unless you can point to who made me then this information is useless to me."
"Well Matt," Washu began, "The problem is, is that there are thousands of races out there that pursue living weapons projects, most of which are top secret and as such I have little or no information on them. Thing is I can't even be sure that you are some sort of weapons project, I just don't have anywhere to go with this right now. I'm sorry, maybe with more time I'll come up with something."
"It's alright little Washu," Matt gave her a strained smile, "I'll just have to keep looking, I appreciate your help though it means a lot to me. "
"I'm sorry I couldn't find you any answers but I can aid you," Washu said with a sly grin, "Follow me."
With a shrug Matt followed her deeper into the twisting labyrinth of tunnels and passage ways. Matt was amazed by it all, and to think that all this had been created by this child like woman walking in front of him. He could only imagine what it would be like to have this much genius and the drive to create all this. Finally after she stopped before a series of tall tubes which he recognized as stasis pods similar to the one he had been placed shortly after his death.
"What are we doing here," Matt asked peering into one of the cloudy tubes.
"With in these stasis devices are the last remnants of several species whose planets were destroyed by war and other calamities. I've rescued many such creatures and found them new homes and with the help of genetic technology they flourished on their new planets. But these creatures here are the last surviving members of their respective races, and for one reason or another I am unable to help them."
"This is fascinating," Matt said reading the description on one of the tubes, and then looking of his shoulder at the scientist asked, "But what does this have to do with me?"
"Over here," Washu motioned him one of the other stasis tubes, "This life form's world was destroyed twelve thousand years ago by a rogue comet. A space exploration team happened to be there just before the planet was destroyed, they managed to save a few of the species including this one. However while the other rescued species thrived on a new world they were unsuccessful at helping this creature. When the female specimen died they placed the remaining one in cold sleep. Upon their return to the Royal Space Academy it was discovered this species required a psychic link to a host in order to survive. However the species that provided that link was lost with it's home planet. Tests were run in order to see if we could find a compatible host, none has ever been found."
"While I find this incredibly fascinating," Matt repeated, "What exactly does this have to do with me?"
"When I was running your test I of course compared you with these species here as well," Washu explained, "While I didn't find a match I discovered something interesting, it seems your psycho layer pattern matches this creature's completely."
"What you're saying is that I'm a suitable host for this, this whatever it is," Matt reasoned trying to make out the creature in the murky fluids, "How can that be?"
"I don't know," shrugged the diminutive scientist, "But for whatever reason it's true, and I'd like it if you would consider taking him with you when you continue your journey."
"Why," Matt asked confused, "I mean I'd love to help you bring these creatures back to life and all, but why would I take it with me?"
"Well you see," Washu said quietly, "Even if I managed to clone a female specimen it too would require a host, and without you knowing anyone else like you that scenario is unlikely. I just thought that you might like some companionship on your travels. I think any creature would rather live than spend an eternity in stasis waiting for science to find a solution."
"I can understand that," Matt said thoughtfully, "So what do I have to do to keep it alive?"
"I'm not exactly sure," Washu admitted, "All I know is that it needs to be mentally linked to it's host."
"Well I can't see why not," Matt shrugged still looking into the tube, "I guess a having a pet would be nice, do you know how smart it is? Hope it's house broken."
Washu smiled as she started plucking away at her keyboard beginning the process of taking the creature out of stasis for the first time in twelve thousand years. I hope this works, she though to herself as the liquid began to drain from the tank.
Authors note
It has taken me forever to finish this chapter, and the only reason I'm ending it here is that It was getting to be way too long. Fear not however I'll have the next one up in a few days at most. The next chapter will most likely be the last in this story but fear not the next one is well on the way, worry not. So what does this creature look like? Does Tenchi truly love Ryoko, and if not will she leave with the traveler? these questions and more to be answered in the next chapter.
Smack54
