Cruelty of Fate:
Chapter 02: Grief and Joy:
Early Morning:
The Onsen:
As the morning sun rose, and chased away the darkness of the night, wondrous things prepared to start. Great news of an event the night prior would be told, and plans would soon be made. But not everyone in the Masaki home had enjoyed the previous night.
One woman, who still sat alone in the still warm waters of the Onsen, had not slept a single wink the entire evening. Rising from the steaming liquid she sighed. I've been dreading this for a while, she thought darkly, drying herself with a towel hanging on one of the stumps nearby. But I suppose I should have seen it coming. Tenchi and I are too different to be together. He's a prince, I'm a monster, he's destined to be happy and surrounded by loved ones, and all I'm good for is… is… nothing. I better go check on the kid, see how's she's doing one last time. Pausing in her ritual of dressing, the lithe woman felt a sharp spike in her chest as the words 'last time' echoed in her thoughts. Then I've got some business to attend to. I'll need to see her, and get this all over with. Pulling her favored tartan and blue striped shirt over her still damp frame, Ryoko shook her head. Everyone will be up soon. Damn Ayeka… she hissed to herself. I can't afford to dwell on anything like that right now. I've got one last game to play, one last prank to pull on Ayeka and everyone else. It'll be my best one yet… Without another word the slender woman vanished, heading off to her particular destination.
Mayuka's Room:
In a comfortable corner of the Masaki residence, a little girl experienced the sleep of the innocent. Her breaths came in their usual shallow spurts, each inhale causing some of the dark blue tufts of hair on her head to wiggle slightly. As the cool night faded outside her room, the young daughter of Tenchi and Yazuha dreamed happily of the day ahead, and what she would do. Images swirled in her head, some of her father, Tenchi, a few of Ayeka, her dear friends, Sasami and Ryo-Ohki, and a scant assortment of laughter and joy coming from the few others she knew. In truth the majority of Tenchi's daughter's thoughts revolved around one woman. One whose passionate eyes, and loving arms had carried her through many scary nights, when the demons of her nightmares worked their hardest to stop her miniature heart through their terrifying arts. The woman who she dreamt of could do anything, had done almost anything, and could perform miracles it seemed. Not a day had gone by when her friend hadn't visited her, hadn't played with her, fed her, or in some way made her feel more special than anything else in the universe. However, there was also sadness to those eyes, a sadness that almost crippled the little girl every time she saw it.
With her patented hiss, Ryoko appeared above the sleeping infant, who lay at the bottom of her white barred crib snoring so quietly it barely registered even to the lithe woman's hearing. Reaching to her friends face, the lithe space pirate gently caressed the child's skin, noticing how silky and smooth it felt against her hand. The tender sensation wasn't much, but it did jostle the small girl from her sleep, and after a few brief blinks, the daughter of Tenchi whined ecstatically eager to be held by her special friend. With a chuckle that almost broke her heart to hear, the golden-eyed woman picked up her orange-eyed ally and spun around, holding the groggy girl to her chest as she did. I'm gonna miss doing this, she thought sadly as she replaced the giggling infant in her crib. I really am… gonna… miss… stopping herself, the battle hardened warrior shook her head repeatedly, I told myself no more crying. There's too much to do. I don't have time to get all-emotional!
As the silvery-haired space pirate gritted her teeth, Mayuka merely stared upwards at her, a concerned look as she saw the pain in her friend's heart via her eyes. It was look the blue-haired child could never forget, as she had seen it so often since her birth. Every few nights, the woman she felt closer to than all others would come in to play, but her golden eyes would always betray her heart, showing nothing to the young Masaki but sorrow. Yet in the past there was always a tiny glimmer of hope that made seeing that expression bearable, as if it were merely a phase. However, this time Mayuka did not know what to make of her best buddy, and so she merely stared at her sadly.
Looking down at the youngest Masaki, Ryoko laughed. "Well kid, we had some good times I guess. You really knew how to spar, at least when you were older you did. Try not to let your new mommy Ayeka mess you up too much, okay?" Wiping a stray tear from her eye, Ryoko seemed almost on the verge of falling into another hour-long crying session. Yet with a will that had kept her going through some of the worst things possible, she swallowed down her anger, resentment, and sorrow. "You're daddy doesn't love me. So I guess you're all I really have left to care about. I want you to take care of everybody once I'm gone, okay?"
The expression in the small infants eyes was comical, as she took each word spoken to her into young mind, and comprehended none of it. "I have got to go now. Ryoko has some important things to do, and someone to meet. I'm sorry I can't be your mommy, and keep my promise to raise you right, but…" " Stopping, the lithe woman felt her words stick in her throat, "you be a good girl and don't make me have to come back and get you." Reaching down, the slender woman playfully wobbled on finger over Mayuka's face, causing the orange-eyed girl to giggle and reach up for the offered appendage. As she watched the little child play with her finger, Ryoko's heart finally stopped hurting, replaced with a dead feeling. Allowing one final tear to escape her eyes, she sighed. "Make sure your daddy stays happy. If you care about me as much as I do you, then you'll know that's all that matters… as long as Tenchi's happy…." With a whiff of matter being rearranged, the silvery-haired space pirate vanished, leaving Mayuka alone in the cozy room, alone and now no longer in possession of her best friend's love.
Two Hours Later:
The Breakfast Table:
Today, like every other day, started with the same regular routine, Sasami waking up before the others, and beginning the food preparations, while her family gathered one by one around the small wooden table. A healthy buzz of activity as everyone chatted about the day to come, and the night they had. As was normally the case, Tenchi Masaki was the last to join everyone, taking his seat on one of the longer sides of the low table so that both Ayeka and Ryoko would be able to sit next to him. However, as the young man rested himself today, he noticed almost instantly that something was out of the ordinary. "Where's Ryoko," he asked, looking around confused.
"I'm not sure where that daughter of mine is," Washu answered, apparently the only one who heard his question. "I saw her last night taking a bath, but haven't seen here since." Just then the youngest princess came out of the kitchen, a hot pan in her mitten wearing hands. I wonder where she could be? It's not like her to miss a meal, even if she is upset….
"Should we wait," Sasami asked everyone as she sat down, her stomach dropping at the thought of eating minus one of the family's members. "Cause I can warm everything up if you want to. That way it won't get cold."
Sighing, Tenchi checked his wrist for his watch, then realizing he wasn't wearing one. Looked around the room, as if Ryoko might be hiding somewhere nearby. "No," he mumbled, waving off the little girl's concerns. "I think she's probably just hung over. I remember seeing her last night and she had been drinking quiet a bit." Besides, the young man thought darkly as he watched everyone cautiously begin to eat, feeling his heart wince from his own comments. I don't understand what got into her? I mean why was she so flippant last night? She seemed more concerned about her gems than me and Ayeka. Is all Ryoko cares about getting her gems back? No, that can't be it. I mean she did actually like me… didn't she? Reaching into the pocket of his jeans, Tenchi felt a stiff bulge against his leg. Maybe it was all just and act… Even though he had promised his love to Ayeka, the young man couldn't help but feel a tugging at his heart as he pondered Ryoko's reaction further. It had deeply puzzled him then, and now it hurt like a blade in his chest. Never in his life had the Jurain prince felt such agony over something, over someone, it was like nothing he had ever felt before.
"How did it go last night," Ayeka asked in a near whisper as she leaned near him pretending to be reaching for one of the dishes in front of the brown haired youth. "Did she take it well?"
"She didn't care," Tenchi, sighed with a confused look appearing ready to cry, as he popped some food in his mouth. Maybe I am slow, like dad and grandpa always accused me. I mean what was I expecting? Did I want to see her cry? Did I want to make Ryoko unhappy? Is that what I was doing last night, bragging? No, I'm not like that. I should be glad she wasn't hurt… I suppose... I wonder what the others will say? Am I over analysis this? My confession to Ayeka must have meant something to Ryoko… shouldn't it? "Everyone," the Masaki male yelled, clanging his chopsticks on his drink trying to silence the random chatter of his family enjoying their meal. "I have something important to tell you. Everyone?" At that precise second, a hush fell over the table, as everyone turned their attention to the young man intensely. "Every…" he paused, having never seen such a quick reaction from the girls before. Clearing his throat, Tenchi regarded each one of them intensely as he tried to organize his thoughts. "Last night… I… um… well, you see… I… kind of… picked." He said as eloquently as a poet. "That is… IloveAyeka," he muttered out quickly, finding his embarrassment to be more than he felt he could tackle. Looking down, red in the face, the young Jurain waited for a reply, any kind. Finally after long moments of waiting, a reply came, in the form of chopsticks hitting a plate. Daring a peek, Tenchi looked up to see everyone staring at him in a look of shock.
"You picked Ayeka," Sasami finally managed to utter, "does Ryoko know?"
"Yes," the red-eyed princess replied, taking hold of her beloved's hand under
the table. "She was informed last
night, by Lord Tenchi. Apparently she
was quiet fond of the idea herself.
Isn't that right, Lord Tenchi?"
Making a strange 'ah' noise, Sasami hid her face from the others, recalling how hurt she had seen Ryoko, and not wanting to give away that she knew about Tenchi's previous confession. The blue-haired girl quickly sipped on her water, blowing a hard breath into the icy liquid to hide her sigh. No matter what her sister told her, Sasami knew Ryoko did not like the idea of Tenchi marrying Ayeka. Countless times in the past, the pink-eyed girl could recall hearing the lithe space pirate count the numerous ways she loved Tenchi and would make love to him in the future, either when Ayeka was nearby, which was when she tested her most vulgar ideas out, or when she thought she was alone when she would say tings that almost melted the little girl's heart to hear. It wasn't that the young princess was trying to spy, but her short size seemed to make it difficult for people to notice her, and her visions, which doubled as nightmares, upset her so often she always found a glass of water helped, and Ryoko's love babble, helped calm her nerves.
Nodding, the young swordsman shrugged his shoulders, trying to look upbeat, yet feeling as if his soul had been torn from him. "I told her last night, and she seemed to be fine with the idea," he echoed, using similar words as his mind still couldn't believe what he had heard the night before. In a way I wish Ryoko had of cried, then at least I could have tried to be there for her, not like now, where I don't know where she is or if she's okay…. Then I'd know what she was feeling, she's always been there for me, and I know this must have hurt her some. I really wanted to be the one to be there for her. Man! I hope she isn't planning anything drastic, if I know Ryoko she can have a mean streak if you cross her. Rubbing his eyes soothingly, Tenchi moaned. Of course she's also one of the nicest people I know. Man! Why did I have to be so rude to her all the time? Maybe it was the way I said it that made her act this way… or maybe…
"All right," Ryoko snapped, appearing in the middle of the dinner table, her feet dangling inches above the food that rested there. "Before you all get all giddy on me, there is something important we need to talk about." Almost instantly, the sound of joy faded.
"Your gems, right?" Tenchi grimaced, as he felt deep in his pants pocket for the hidden hilt, all the while experiencing a pain in his chest as if it were about to burst. "You want them back now."
"That's what I'm here for," the former space-pirate remarked casually. "Do you have them?"
Pulling the Tenchi-ken from his pocket, the young man held it out for all to see. In the sun lit room, the ancient sword hilt glistened from the various intertwined vines that covered the antique handle, and twin sparkles of red gleamed from the base, from where Ryoko's gems still remained imbedded in the handle. Seeing the object of her demands, the floating woman's eyes seemed to well with tears of what appeared to be joy. Yet in her heart the silvery-haired seductress did not see getting the gems back as a victory, but rather as a sign of loss. If Tenchi picked me, then I wouldn't care about getting them back. I'd always be with him, so they'd always be around. But since he's chosen Ayeka… since he's chosen Ayeka… I… I can't be… Hiding her grief with a smile, the busty woman nodded triumphantly. "Good, now simply pray the gems returned to me," she ordered holding out her hands and leaning her head back as if she were experiencing some form of religious experience.
This is it, what she claims she's really been wanting all these years. Ever since the first time she saw me with the Tenchi-ken in her cave.*1 With a heavy exhale, Ayeka's cherished one held the sword hilt towards the scheming woman, his thoughts focusing on returning the gems to her as they had on the night they had first met. *2 Please forgive me Ryoko. I really didn't want to hurt anyone. It's just.. it's just… it had to be this way….
As he did, a static-like noise hummed in the air, and one of the hilt's gems glowed an azure blue, before disappearing and reappearing on the lithe woman's right wrist. Ryoko's acknowledgment of the gem's presence was obvious as she inhaled sharply from the sensation. Just as it seemed the ecstasy of having what had replaced Tenchi as her most prized possession returned, the golden-eyed woman experienced it yet again, and slowly allowed her large eyes to flicker back open.
"Good," she said coolly, examining her wrists and rubbing just under the base of her throat, where the third gem had lodged itself. "Well then, I suppose I'm off now. Maybe I'll see you at the wedding."
"A wedding?" Kiyone said flabbergasted, "I didn't know you were getting married! I thought you just said Tenchi finally made a choice. Did I miss something?"
"He might as well marry Ayeka," the lithe woman called as she floated into the air over the heads of her former family, never removing her eyes from her new gems, trying to not let her voice break at the thought of Tenchi marrying the proper princess. "There really isn't anyone else here that would marry you, now is there, Tenchi?"
"I guess not…" the young man replied feeling hurt by Ryoko's words, as the sword in his heart edged in a bit deeper, making it an epic battle to suppress his emotions and tears. Why is she acting like this? Was it all just a lie all these years? Trying to warm up to me so I'd give her the gems back? It couldn't be, we've done, been through, and enjoyed to much for that all to be a lie. Something has got to be going on.
I think this game of yours has gone on far enough, Little Ryoko… Washu said casting her daughter a warning glare. You're not being funny, and no one likes this side of you.
That's too damn bad, she replied. If you don't like it stay away from me, and stay the hell out of my head! "Besides, you don't think the emperor of Jurai is just going to let you date his daughter, do you? You confessed your love to her, now you'll have to get married." Making a swift motion, causing her hand to point upwards from the wrist as she held her arm firmly to her side, Ryoko snapped out a single name. "Ryo-Ohki!"
Timidly the little cabbit meowed, hoping her mistress was not thinking what the brown-furred creature felt she was. All it took to confirm the little critter's horror was one look at Ryoko's golden eyes, and the white pawed companion swallowed before hopping upwards to land on the seductive woman's hips, quickly climbing to her shoulder where she perched sadly. "Good, now that I've got what's mine. I'll be seeing you… maybe."
Floating towards the window, preparing to phase through it effortlessly, the lithe woman was stopped as a new voice's owner added her opinion. "Miss Ryoko, really this is too much. You must stop this foolishness this instant, or I shall be forced to-" It was a phrase Ayeka never finished as a pulse of crimson power slammed into the wall behind her, creating a hold large enough for two people to walk side by side through.
"You'll what?" Ryoko growled, "Ryo-Ohki and I are leaving. I've got too much to do to worry about what you're all doing." Saying nothing more, the lithe woman vanished, and for a few long seconds silence ruled the table.
A few moments later, Ayeka spoke up. "Well I am certainly glad she released that from her system. It would hardly be proper to have such a display on Jurai, now wouldn't it?"
"What do you mean, sister," Sasami moped looking out the window sadly. "Ryoko's gone."
"Hardly," the purple haired woman lied to her sister. "She is probably just blowing off steam. You know how she can be. I am certain we will see her again very soon." It was then, a loud sound filled the air, what sounded like a great feline meowing in fury. Turning their attention outside, the large gathering watched as Ryo-Ohki shot off into the atmosphere, leaving the strange group to gather whatever conclusions they could for themselves.
Clearing her throat, Washu felt a strange sensation. Under any other circumstances she could have easily read her daughter's mind. However with the fresh boost from the gems, the aggressive space demon seemed to be able to temporarily block any probe the diminutive genius produced. Feeling a nagging concern for her child's mental well being, the green-eyed genius shook her head sadly, before returning her attention to the moment. "You mentioned Jurai," she said flatly still looking at the space of sky where her daughter had just disappeared. "What did you mean?"
Blushing the proper princess cleared her throat, a look of surprise in her normally subdued eyes. "Ah, yes… You see, everyone, last night Lord Tenchi confessed to me his desire to see Jurai. As I have no objections to such an act, I felt we might plan a trip there in the near future."
"How near a future are we talking?" Kiyone interjected curiously.
"Well, you see, I was just about to call home with the good news, of course," the purple-haired woman began. "And you do know my mother…" trailing off the proper woman's voice seemed to fade away as she talked. However what she was going to say need not be said, as everyone, save Mihoshi, mumbled some form of agreement about how Misaki could be at times.
Night: Space: On Board Ryo-Ohki:
In the black emptiness of space, two vessels rested. One, a black ship with four spires and a red central core and another a long vessel that was split nearly down the middle after the cockpit, looking similar to the front of a Jurain ship, however, only one of the space traveling devices was occupied.
Sitting alone in the darkness, Ryoko remained perched like a dying warlord upon his cherished throne, her eyes downcast as she heard her guest being beamed before her by Ryo-Ohki's teleportation grid.
"You know I wouldn't have called you if I didn't think it was important." She grumbled, regarding her guest, who stood in one of the shadowy alcoves of the cabbit starship's bridge, with a hurtful look. "But as you can guess from the message I sent, Tenchi and Ayeka are a couple. They're probably going to be moving to Jurai sometime now, if I know Misaki. I'm pretty sure there will be a wedding going on there pretty soon, if I know Ayeka and her parents as well as I think I do. Stupid Tenchi! Doesn't realize what kind of a hole he dug himself into?"
"Wow," the newcomer said, feeling rather bubbly as she bounced back and forth on her feet speaking almost faster than the golden-eyed space pirate could understand, "so I can go? Cool, thanks for telling me Ryoko. It's been a long time since I heard from you guys. Oh sure I could have stopped by, but I was really busy. You know how it is, when you're-"
Quickly Ryoko stopped her by holding out one hand menacingly. "You'll go alright, but I have a little job for you." Standing up, the silvery haired woman floated towards her companion, looking down scornfully at her. "I need you to do me a favor, and keep it secret. Okay?"
"Well sure," the shadowy woman smiled. "What is it?"
Saying nothing, the broken hearted demoness merely cast her guest a winning smile, before descending to whisper in her ear what it was she wanted. "Are you sure," the secret woman swallowed. "Won't everyone be mad at me if they find out?"
"No one's going to find out!" the former rival of Ayeka shouted. "And if they do just tell them the truth, that I put you up to it. They all think I hate them anyway. So no one will think it's odd."
"But it's lying," the slender woman in the shadows pouted. "I don't know if-"
"Look!" Ryoko roared, flying forwards to land before one of the large windowpanes adorning Ryo-Ohki's cockpit. "It'll be okay," she whispered feeling the anger melt as she stared outside at the endless darkness broken only by the large blue planet, Earth, and the strange starship beside her. "I really need to take this trip. There's someone there I want to meet, someone special I need to be with right now. I don't want anyone to bother me while I do it, so I need you to do this. Can you do it?"
"Well, I…"
Turning towards her friend, the golden-eyed woman's face trailed with tears. "I wouldn't ask you to do this for me if it really wasn't important to me. Please… I need you to be there for Tenchi when this all goes down, while I'm away. He's gonna be looking for me, no matter how much he says he cares about Ayeka, I'll still be important to him. But I can't be there for him anymore. It's… it's just not possible," pausing the lithe woman sobbed into her sleeve, feeling warm tears pooling there.
"You know," the new comer said with uncertainty. "I seem to remember the king of Jurai has two wives. Maybe if you were the second-" Almost instant she stopped as Ryoko cast a look at her that could freeze anyone's blood.
"I will not play second to that little princess. Never! All I want to know is, can you, and will you be able to do the job?"
Sighing, the second figure moved over to the shaken woman, placing a concerned hand on her shoulder. Mom always wanted me to be there for other people… "Sure, I can do this for you. I'll do my best… Ryoko…."
Placing her hand on the lithe one upon her shoulder, Ryoko nodded drawing strength from her companion's gentle touch. "Good, then let me fill you in on the game we'll be playing. After all, someone has to set up the rules."
The Next Day:
After a long night of packing, and other preparations, Tenchi, his father, grandfather, and the others all stood outside the small house, waiting while Kiyone and Mihoshi brought their ship around. With a groan, the young man regarded the mountain of suitcases that sat behind him, almost dwarfing his house. Why do girls pack so much? He thought sadly as he shook his head at the sight. How long are they planning on being on Jurai? I mean all we're going to do is visit right? At that moment, the brown-eyed youth felt his heart skip a beat as he remembered what Ryoko had told him the morning before. "That's right," he whispered. But I can't marry Ayeka yet, can I? He asked himself coolly as he regarded the purple-haired woman in the distance, who gave his father numerous orders on how to stack, and restack each suitcase, claiming that none of hers should be left on the filthy ground, as it was unbecoming of a princess to travel with such untidy accommodations.
"Hey, did I miss something? Are we having a garage sale? Can we sell Ayeka's stuff first?" a perky happy voice called coming from behind everyone. Turning, the young man's jaw nearly dropped as he saw Ryoko flying back towards them. "What's wrong," she smiled cheerfully as she floated perpendicular to Tenchi's face, Must remember to act natural. Can't let him know what I'm up to, not yet. Not ever!
"Ryoko…" the brown-eyed man stammered. "We thought you were gone for good. As you can see," he motioned to the luggage behind him, "we're going on a trip. Ayeka's mom invited us all to stay with them on Planet Jurai for a while."
"Oh," she said absently as if she had no idea what he was talking about. "Going to Jurai already, huh? Cool, am I invited?"
"Uh... sure," Tenchi replied hesitantly, rubbing the back of his head occasionally. "I mean if you don't want to, you don't have to come along… I suppose…."
Smiling the golden-eyed woman placed a hand on the young man's shoulder. "I know I acted a little rough on you earlier, and said some mean things, but I want to go with you." Pausing the lithe woman swallowed. "It's important to you that I be there right?" Saying nothing, the brown-haired youth nodded, looking a misty eyed. "Then I'll go. After all, I can't let an old friend like you get married without saying goodbye, now can I? I'll follow you all in Ryo-Ohki, okay? That way your lovely dovey stuff doesn't turn my stomach too much."
Old friend? The Jurain prince thought miserably as he nodded once again, a small grin cracking the edge of his mouth. I suppose we were friends, but then again not to many of my other friends ever tried to sleep with me, or seduce me in the Onsen… Still I maybe this is all how Ryoko wants to deal with the stress, make a big scene and act all tough, so that no one thinks she can be hurt… "So we'll meet you there?"
"Sure," the silvery-haired space pirate replied. "Just remember to tell them I'm coming. I don't want anyone taking pot shots at Ryo-Ohki. She's got enough on her mind without that coming down on her."
"Do you mind if I ride with you, Ryoko?" Washu said coming up behind her daughter suddenly, causing the spiky haired woman to start. "It'll be fun, just you and me, and Ryo-Ohki, a big mommy daughter trip to Jurai." I know who you are, why are you doing this? This isn't like you at all.
"Of course, mom, you're always welcome on my ship," the golden-eyed space pirate smiled, regarding her parent with an almost unnatural bubbliness and energy. "When do we leave?" I know it's not, but you have to just trust me, this is how she wants it. I was told to play my part, and I'm doing it as good as I can. Please don't tell anyone, okay? Sighing the diminutive genius shook her head in her agreement, yet still she could not feel saddened by her daughter's decision.
As if in reply to her inquiry, a massive ship suddenly burst through the clouds above, parting them with its red hull like a hot knife through butter. Smiling at the sight, Ayeka nodded her consent to the scene, "Right now."
Next Time: Jurai here they come! Tenchi and Ayeka meet with her parents, and Ryoko has a little side quest of her own. What about the strange newcomer? Well, it won't be too much longer until some answers pop up. After all have I ever made you wait before?
Chapter 03: Friends of the Past1: Tenchi Muyo OVA Episode 1
2: Tenchi Muyo OVA Episode 2