Author's Notes:
I can't believe that this has been so well-received! I was a bit worried and had even purchased some flame-retartant clothes for the flames I was sure to get, but thankfully there hasn't been a need as of yet. By the way, I would like to thank Red XIV, Saffire Phoenix, Buggyness, Dragon Demon, MoonFairy, and Jyl for their kind comments and suggestions! Thank you sooo much!! Now, I hope that I get more feedback with this chapter, but even if I don't, I hope you enjoy it anyway ^_~
Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! and all related characters are the property of Pioneer and AIC Entertainment.
"dialogue" /thoughts/ location
By the way, I want to apologize for the formatting probs, but I don't know how to fix it .
Soul Decision 1/? by Dream-chan Rating: PG Editor:still looking...*s* Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Retraction Reaction
With soft sunlight spilling over the horizon, morning made itself known to the people of Okayama prefecture. In the country on the outskirts of Kurishiki, there is a legendary Shinto shrine called the Masaki Shrine. It is said that a magical battle between good versus evil took place there and that even a demon sleeps in the cave near the shrine.
However, if one was to journey further into the woods surrounding the shrine, they would come upon a lake with a magnificent tree standing as a sentry in the center, it's wide trunk surrounded by prayers and wishes of those that come to the shrine. On the otherside of the lake, there stood a three-story house that seemed to jump from the pages of an architectual digest, it's unique qualities reflecting the people that lived there.
Looking through a set of balcony doors, we spy a young man waking up to start a new day. Opening one eye cautiously, the young man was suprised to see that the air above him was unoccupied, as it has been for the past few weeks. Not wanting to dwell on why this was, he quickly put on an outfit of a t-shirt and old sweats. Opening his bedroom door, he was assaulted by the wonderful smells coming from downstairs, which meant that breakfast was almost ready. Closing his door, he made his way downstairs, taking a quick glance at the rafter near the ceiling. Finding it empty, he frowned and resolved that he would talk to Ryoko after breakfast. Something had to be wrong and truthfully he was getting worried by her distancing behavior.
After his normal morning greeting to Sasami, Tenchi walked over to the dining area and was surprised to see everyone seated at table, besides Ryoko, which wasn't all that unusual considering she could be a heavy sleeper.
Saying good morning to everyone present, he kneeled down at the low table, prepared to partake in the first meal of the day. Hoping not to stir up any trouble, he asked the innocent question "Has anyone seen Ryoko this morning?"
"Yes." came the quiet response from the scientist, who was now back in her child form, rearranging pieces of fish around her plate.
"Where is she?" he asked anxiously, his insides twisting at the possibilities of what happened to the erstwhile pirate. With Ryoko, anything could be possible.
"Gone."
Something about the way Washu said that one word, put Tenchi on alert that something was deifinitely up with the missing pirate and it wasn't good. Before he could voice his concerns, another family member decided to throw in their opinion.
"Where did that demon go? Only she would get up early to avoid chores." Aeka muttered, taking small portions from the platter on the table.
Ignoring the sarcastic remark from the princess, he asked Washu, "Where did she go?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean Washu? I thought you knew everything!" came the excited squeal from Kuramitsu Mihoshi, First Class Galaxy Police Detective and first class ditz.
Counting slowly to ten, Washu took deep breaths hoping that the violent urge to do something to Mihoshi would pass.
Turning away from the oblivious blonde woman, she directed her hard gaze to the young man across from her. "To answer your question Tenchi. The reason I don't know is because she didn't tell me."
"What about your telepathic link?" he pressed urgently, desperate for any connection to the former space pirate...no matter how small.
"It's been blocked...by me."
He could tell that what she had done was not by choice, but the anger inside didn't care who got attacked, and Washu had just become the prime target.
"Why would you do that?!?!?!??" came the explosive question, shocking everyone at seeing the anger enamating from Tenchi.
"She asked me to." came the simple reply, doing nothing to quell the questions the boy had.
"Why?" he asked harshly, thinking that maybe the tension between mother and daughter had reached a breaking point and snapped.
"For reasons that you will find in the letter that she left for all of you. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get back to my lab." and with that, Washu escaped to the cold dark sanctuary, allowing her tears to flow in private.
Adrenaline rushing through his veins, Tenchi got up from the table and ran up to his room, looking for any sign of the letter that Washu mentioned. Glancing over at his desk, he spied an envelope and with quick movements snatched it and ripped it open, fear doubling after each word read...
Dearest Tenchi and Everyone,
As I am writing this, I can't believe that I am taking the coward's way out, but it has to be this way if I am to do what I have to do. I know that this is sounding a little strange coming from the rude, obnoxious, arrogant person that I am, but I came to realize that I have to strike out on my own. Not as the Infamous Space Pirate Ryoko....just Ryoko. I can truthfully say that I am going to miss all of you (even Aeka) and I want to thank you for being the family that I needed for so long. Please don't bug Washu to find me or anything. When I am ready to come back I will. So, think of this as an extended 'see you later'!
Tsunami's grace be with you all,
Ryoko
P.S.--- None of you are to blame yourselves. This was my decision and mine alone.
/That's it. Just one paragraph and signature./ he thought numbly, the words becoming blurred from the tears gathering in his eyes. Another person he cared about had left him behind, but this time it was their choice. She had left of her free will.
Rubbing at his eyes to clear them, he stormed down the steps and began banging on the broom closet door, determined to get the answers for his family being torn apart...again.
"Washu! Washu! Open this door RIGHT NOW!" Tenchi yelled angrily, pounding on the door, venting his anger out on the hard wooden door.
"Lord Tenchi! What is going on?" Aeka yelled, running in from the kitchen hearing the young man's screams.
"Washu made Ryoko leave!" Tenchi yelled heatedly, making the princess take a step back at the vehmence in his tone. She had seen Tenchi upset before, but never like this. Aeka added this to the long list of grievances against Ryoko, intent on giving her a piece of her mind when they found her.
A moment later, he felt a heavy hand falling on his shoulder, making him meet the stern gaze of his grandfather.
"Calm down Tenchi! Blaming Washu is not the answer to this." he reprimanded harshly, hoping to get the boy to realize what was going on.
Feeling a tug on the hem of his shirt, Tenchi looked down to see a sight that nearly broke his heart.
"T-Tenchi-niichan, why did Ryoko leave?" came the teary voice of Sasami, her pink eyes glinting, tear making tracks down her pale face. Releasing his anger, he kneeled down on the next to the youngest member of the family, and drew her into a hug, rocking her back and forth as he let her lean against him, her tears soaking his shirt.
/I don't know Sasami...I don't know..../
One Year Later.....
London, England
In an dorm room overlooking a campus green, two women were busy trying to survive what is commonly known as Exam Hell and they were barely hanging on, their sanity slipping...well at least for one of them.
"AHHHHHHH! If I have to balance one more equation, I'm going to explode." came the yell from a highly frustrated Victoria Robbins, Rei's roommate and fellow student in the struggle. Victoria, or Tori to her friends, was a Chemical Engineer major and she was fighting a never-ending battle with her nemesis: Organic Chemisty.
Trying not to laugh at the comical look on her friend's face, Rei said calmly, "Well if you do, don't try to splatter too much. I'm trying to resale these books after exams are over. I want to see at least some of my money back."
Shooting her a look of pure distaste, Tori snapped at the Art History major. "Well, we all can't coast through our coursework and have mothers who are university professors like some people I know..."
"Hey, I can't help it if genius is inherited," came the smug retort from the other woman sitting at the desk, before she was attacked by a flying pillow.
Turning around, she grinned ferally and grabbed a pillow from her bed. Without warning, she advanced on her friend. Bopping her on the head, she declared loudly, "PILLOW FIGHT!"
Fifteen minutes later found both women breathing heavily on the carpeted floor, goofy grins gracing their faces.
"That felt good."
"Yep."
"But now I'm wired..." Tori said excitedly, turning on her stomach. "...which means that we are in need of some recreation. What do you say?" she asked, getting up from the carpet, plopping on her bed.
"I don't know, Tori. If you forgotten, we have finals to study to for." came the reluctant reply, letting Tori know that she would have to wear her down a bit more.
"Look, Ms. Genius, I know that you can go for days on end without a break, but my brain can't absorb anymore. So, if you are really my friend, you'll come out party with me. Besides, you could probably fail your finals and still get all A marks." she finished, giving Rei the dreaded assault of puppy dog eyes.
"Tori...." Rei whined, knowing that she wouldn't be hold out much longer...damn her.
"You're coming anyway whether you like it or not! C'mon you have to get out sometime, you can't stay under Jaden forever," she teased, earning her a heated glare. Tori smiled inwardly, knowing that playing the 'Jaden' card would get her roommate riled up. If there is one thing that Rei is touchy about is the relationship between herself and Jaden Tanaka. When she had first met the man, Tori was stunned speechless at the beauty he possessed. Chestnut hair, warm hazel eyes, caramel skin, toothpaste smile, lethal body combined with a charasmatic personality, he was a man that made women think dangerous thoughts, But noticing the looks he was throwing towards Rei, she decided she had better chance getting a date with Prince William.
Now if only she could get her oblivious friend to notice and to forget about that person who hurt her in the past. Now Rei has never came right out and told Tori that her heart been broken, but she wasn't stupid. After seeing how she interacted with Jaden and the rest of the male population at Brighton, she deduced that her friend had been burned, and had no wish to repeat the experience.
But Victoria Robbins never gave up when it came to her friends, and come hell or high water she would see Rei happy with the guy of her dreams.
Even if she had to pound some sense into her to recognize this fact.
"I told you enough times that Jaden and I are just friends. Nothing more. Besides, he's too busy nowadays with his new position and all..." she mumbled, getting up, brushing off the bits of carpet that had come loose during their heated pillow battle.
"Oh yeah, I heard about his father's passing. Is everything fine now?" Tori asked softly, wrapping an arm around Rei's shoulders.
"If you consider working twenty hour days fine, then I guess it is."
"That rough, huh?" came the soft inquiry, concern laced in her words.
Nodding her head in reply, she remembered the tired figure she saw during their weekly visits. Thinking about it, it seemed that the carefree man she had met a year ago in Okayama was slowly slipping transforming into a shell she wasn't sure she could break through, but for the man that helped her repress her demons, she would try to exorcise his.
"But really you should get out more, meet some people. Who knows, you might even find your soulmate."
"Yeah right." she muttered bitterly, the other woman's words bringing up memories best left forgotten. Pushing the past back where it belonged, she gave her head a brisk shake, she concentrated on the present situation.
"Fine! You talked me into it. I'll go with you, but on one condition..." she smirked, baiting her friend with the finesse of a seasoned fisherman.
"What?"
"Please don't wear that disco ball you call a dress." she teased, reminding Tori of her one outfit that earned her citation from the Fashion Police.
"Smartass."
"And don't you forget it." she replied saucily, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief and together the duo started to get ready to make a detour on the road of scholarly achievement and live life for a few hours.
Okayama Prefecture, Japan
"TENCHI! The letter you've been waiting for is HERE!!! Hurry up!" a blue- haired pre-teen called up the stairs, waving an envelope above her head.
"Coming!" came the answering shout, quick footsteps pounding down the stairs.
During his last semester of college, Tenchi decided to sign up from a program that would allow students to travel through Europe, learning about the numerous cultures that were native to that part of the world. He figured that after visiting other worlds in outer space, it would make sense to learn more about the countries on his home planet. Taking the letter from Sasami, he carefully opened and unfolded the letter.
Watching his face for any reaction, Aeka asked expectantly, "Is it happy news Lord Tenchi?"
"I...made it...I got accepted..." the young man slowly smiled, not believing what the piece of paper was saying.
"That's WONDERFUL Tenchi!" the younger girl exclaimed, giving him a fierce hug that her mother would have been proud of. Hearing Tenchi begin to gasp a bit, Sasami backed up, smiling shyly.
Getting his breath back, he was soon given a hearty clap on the back by his father, pride shining through the square frames.
"I knew you could do it son. Your mother would be so proud of you right now..."
"I know Dad."
"So, when do you leave?" Sasami asked, a fleeting look of loss crossing her delicate features.
"Not for another three months, so I still have time to spend with you all." he smiled brightly, lifting the spirits of the women gathered around him.
"Well, I think this calls for a celebration! How about we all give Sasami a night off and go into town for dinner?" he suggested happily, grinning at his son.
Not wanting a big deal to be made out of this, Tenchi tried to interject his opinion. "Dad-"
"I don't want to hear another word about it. Hey, we might even get Washu to come with us." his father pressed on, although everyone there knowing that was a dim possibility. Ever since Ryoko's leaving and his tantrum, the self-proclaimed genius became even more reclusive, sometimes not making any contact with the family for days on end. It seemed the only person to reach her was Sasami and sometimes that wasn't guaranteed.
Seeing the hopeful expression on his father's face, Tenchi decided to not disappoint him. "Thanks dad. If you don't mind, I'll take a shower before we go." and with that he made his way back up the stairs.
Minutes later, Tenchi was enjoying the sensation of hot water flowing over his skin. Being in the shower like this always used to relax him...well until Ryoko showed up.
"Ryoko..." he sighed, letting the sadness that he held in daily come forth.
Closing his eyes, he leaned his head against the cool tiles, his mind filling with memories of the cyan-haired, golden-eyed space pirate. Of her fighting Aeka, playing with Sasami, bugging Washu, and watching over him as he slept. He could still remember the first days after she left, how he would wake up in the middle of the night, hoping that she would be floating above him or straining to hear the sounds of one of the infamous catfight between her and the refined Juraian princess. At one point, his grief was so stifling, he wouldn't have minded if she showed up in the onsen, intent on seducing him.
However those things never happened.
And Tenchi mourned for that loss everyday.
Sure, he wasn't alone. Aeka and Sasami were still there, as well as Mihoshi and Washu, but it seemed that everything was a little duller...mundane. With Ryoko, it was like seeing his world through a kaledeiscope lens, eveything colorful and chaotic and as much as he didn't want to admit, he liked that feeling...a feeling that he wanted back.
/Wherever you are Ryoko, I hope you've found what you're looking for.../he thought wistfully, turning off the shower and preparing himself to enjoy the time with the family he had left.
tbc....
Hmm....now that Tenchi is on his own 'self-discovery' journey, will he find more than he bargained for? And when he does, will he realize what he's found? All these questions and more will be answered in the next chapter.
ja ne
dream-chan
I can't believe that this has been so well-received! I was a bit worried and had even purchased some flame-retartant clothes for the flames I was sure to get, but thankfully there hasn't been a need as of yet. By the way, I would like to thank Red XIV, Saffire Phoenix, Buggyness, Dragon Demon, MoonFairy, and Jyl for their kind comments and suggestions! Thank you sooo much!! Now, I hope that I get more feedback with this chapter, but even if I don't, I hope you enjoy it anyway ^_~
Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! and all related characters are the property of Pioneer and AIC Entertainment.
"dialogue" /thoughts/ location
By the way, I want to apologize for the formatting probs, but I don't know how to fix it .
Soul Decision 1/? by Dream-chan Rating: PG Editor:still looking...*s* Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Retraction Reaction
With soft sunlight spilling over the horizon, morning made itself known to the people of Okayama prefecture. In the country on the outskirts of Kurishiki, there is a legendary Shinto shrine called the Masaki Shrine. It is said that a magical battle between good versus evil took place there and that even a demon sleeps in the cave near the shrine.
However, if one was to journey further into the woods surrounding the shrine, they would come upon a lake with a magnificent tree standing as a sentry in the center, it's wide trunk surrounded by prayers and wishes of those that come to the shrine. On the otherside of the lake, there stood a three-story house that seemed to jump from the pages of an architectual digest, it's unique qualities reflecting the people that lived there.
Looking through a set of balcony doors, we spy a young man waking up to start a new day. Opening one eye cautiously, the young man was suprised to see that the air above him was unoccupied, as it has been for the past few weeks. Not wanting to dwell on why this was, he quickly put on an outfit of a t-shirt and old sweats. Opening his bedroom door, he was assaulted by the wonderful smells coming from downstairs, which meant that breakfast was almost ready. Closing his door, he made his way downstairs, taking a quick glance at the rafter near the ceiling. Finding it empty, he frowned and resolved that he would talk to Ryoko after breakfast. Something had to be wrong and truthfully he was getting worried by her distancing behavior.
After his normal morning greeting to Sasami, Tenchi walked over to the dining area and was surprised to see everyone seated at table, besides Ryoko, which wasn't all that unusual considering she could be a heavy sleeper.
Saying good morning to everyone present, he kneeled down at the low table, prepared to partake in the first meal of the day. Hoping not to stir up any trouble, he asked the innocent question "Has anyone seen Ryoko this morning?"
"Yes." came the quiet response from the scientist, who was now back in her child form, rearranging pieces of fish around her plate.
"Where is she?" he asked anxiously, his insides twisting at the possibilities of what happened to the erstwhile pirate. With Ryoko, anything could be possible.
"Gone."
Something about the way Washu said that one word, put Tenchi on alert that something was deifinitely up with the missing pirate and it wasn't good. Before he could voice his concerns, another family member decided to throw in their opinion.
"Where did that demon go? Only she would get up early to avoid chores." Aeka muttered, taking small portions from the platter on the table.
Ignoring the sarcastic remark from the princess, he asked Washu, "Where did she go?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean Washu? I thought you knew everything!" came the excited squeal from Kuramitsu Mihoshi, First Class Galaxy Police Detective and first class ditz.
Counting slowly to ten, Washu took deep breaths hoping that the violent urge to do something to Mihoshi would pass.
Turning away from the oblivious blonde woman, she directed her hard gaze to the young man across from her. "To answer your question Tenchi. The reason I don't know is because she didn't tell me."
"What about your telepathic link?" he pressed urgently, desperate for any connection to the former space pirate...no matter how small.
"It's been blocked...by me."
He could tell that what she had done was not by choice, but the anger inside didn't care who got attacked, and Washu had just become the prime target.
"Why would you do that?!?!?!??" came the explosive question, shocking everyone at seeing the anger enamating from Tenchi.
"She asked me to." came the simple reply, doing nothing to quell the questions the boy had.
"Why?" he asked harshly, thinking that maybe the tension between mother and daughter had reached a breaking point and snapped.
"For reasons that you will find in the letter that she left for all of you. Now if you will excuse me, I have to get back to my lab." and with that, Washu escaped to the cold dark sanctuary, allowing her tears to flow in private.
Adrenaline rushing through his veins, Tenchi got up from the table and ran up to his room, looking for any sign of the letter that Washu mentioned. Glancing over at his desk, he spied an envelope and with quick movements snatched it and ripped it open, fear doubling after each word read...
Dearest Tenchi and Everyone,
As I am writing this, I can't believe that I am taking the coward's way out, but it has to be this way if I am to do what I have to do. I know that this is sounding a little strange coming from the rude, obnoxious, arrogant person that I am, but I came to realize that I have to strike out on my own. Not as the Infamous Space Pirate Ryoko....just Ryoko. I can truthfully say that I am going to miss all of you (even Aeka) and I want to thank you for being the family that I needed for so long. Please don't bug Washu to find me or anything. When I am ready to come back I will. So, think of this as an extended 'see you later'!
Tsunami's grace be with you all,
Ryoko
P.S.--- None of you are to blame yourselves. This was my decision and mine alone.
/That's it. Just one paragraph and signature./ he thought numbly, the words becoming blurred from the tears gathering in his eyes. Another person he cared about had left him behind, but this time it was their choice. She had left of her free will.
Rubbing at his eyes to clear them, he stormed down the steps and began banging on the broom closet door, determined to get the answers for his family being torn apart...again.
"Washu! Washu! Open this door RIGHT NOW!" Tenchi yelled angrily, pounding on the door, venting his anger out on the hard wooden door.
"Lord Tenchi! What is going on?" Aeka yelled, running in from the kitchen hearing the young man's screams.
"Washu made Ryoko leave!" Tenchi yelled heatedly, making the princess take a step back at the vehmence in his tone. She had seen Tenchi upset before, but never like this. Aeka added this to the long list of grievances against Ryoko, intent on giving her a piece of her mind when they found her.
A moment later, he felt a heavy hand falling on his shoulder, making him meet the stern gaze of his grandfather.
"Calm down Tenchi! Blaming Washu is not the answer to this." he reprimanded harshly, hoping to get the boy to realize what was going on.
Feeling a tug on the hem of his shirt, Tenchi looked down to see a sight that nearly broke his heart.
"T-Tenchi-niichan, why did Ryoko leave?" came the teary voice of Sasami, her pink eyes glinting, tear making tracks down her pale face. Releasing his anger, he kneeled down on the next to the youngest member of the family, and drew her into a hug, rocking her back and forth as he let her lean against him, her tears soaking his shirt.
/I don't know Sasami...I don't know..../
One Year Later.....
London, England
In an dorm room overlooking a campus green, two women were busy trying to survive what is commonly known as Exam Hell and they were barely hanging on, their sanity slipping...well at least for one of them.
"AHHHHHHH! If I have to balance one more equation, I'm going to explode." came the yell from a highly frustrated Victoria Robbins, Rei's roommate and fellow student in the struggle. Victoria, or Tori to her friends, was a Chemical Engineer major and she was fighting a never-ending battle with her nemesis: Organic Chemisty.
Trying not to laugh at the comical look on her friend's face, Rei said calmly, "Well if you do, don't try to splatter too much. I'm trying to resale these books after exams are over. I want to see at least some of my money back."
Shooting her a look of pure distaste, Tori snapped at the Art History major. "Well, we all can't coast through our coursework and have mothers who are university professors like some people I know..."
"Hey, I can't help it if genius is inherited," came the smug retort from the other woman sitting at the desk, before she was attacked by a flying pillow.
Turning around, she grinned ferally and grabbed a pillow from her bed. Without warning, she advanced on her friend. Bopping her on the head, she declared loudly, "PILLOW FIGHT!"
Fifteen minutes later found both women breathing heavily on the carpeted floor, goofy grins gracing their faces.
"That felt good."
"Yep."
"But now I'm wired..." Tori said excitedly, turning on her stomach. "...which means that we are in need of some recreation. What do you say?" she asked, getting up from the carpet, plopping on her bed.
"I don't know, Tori. If you forgotten, we have finals to study to for." came the reluctant reply, letting Tori know that she would have to wear her down a bit more.
"Look, Ms. Genius, I know that you can go for days on end without a break, but my brain can't absorb anymore. So, if you are really my friend, you'll come out party with me. Besides, you could probably fail your finals and still get all A marks." she finished, giving Rei the dreaded assault of puppy dog eyes.
"Tori...." Rei whined, knowing that she wouldn't be hold out much longer...damn her.
"You're coming anyway whether you like it or not! C'mon you have to get out sometime, you can't stay under Jaden forever," she teased, earning her a heated glare. Tori smiled inwardly, knowing that playing the 'Jaden' card would get her roommate riled up. If there is one thing that Rei is touchy about is the relationship between herself and Jaden Tanaka. When she had first met the man, Tori was stunned speechless at the beauty he possessed. Chestnut hair, warm hazel eyes, caramel skin, toothpaste smile, lethal body combined with a charasmatic personality, he was a man that made women think dangerous thoughts, But noticing the looks he was throwing towards Rei, she decided she had better chance getting a date with Prince William.
Now if only she could get her oblivious friend to notice and to forget about that person who hurt her in the past. Now Rei has never came right out and told Tori that her heart been broken, but she wasn't stupid. After seeing how she interacted with Jaden and the rest of the male population at Brighton, she deduced that her friend had been burned, and had no wish to repeat the experience.
But Victoria Robbins never gave up when it came to her friends, and come hell or high water she would see Rei happy with the guy of her dreams.
Even if she had to pound some sense into her to recognize this fact.
"I told you enough times that Jaden and I are just friends. Nothing more. Besides, he's too busy nowadays with his new position and all..." she mumbled, getting up, brushing off the bits of carpet that had come loose during their heated pillow battle.
"Oh yeah, I heard about his father's passing. Is everything fine now?" Tori asked softly, wrapping an arm around Rei's shoulders.
"If you consider working twenty hour days fine, then I guess it is."
"That rough, huh?" came the soft inquiry, concern laced in her words.
Nodding her head in reply, she remembered the tired figure she saw during their weekly visits. Thinking about it, it seemed that the carefree man she had met a year ago in Okayama was slowly slipping transforming into a shell she wasn't sure she could break through, but for the man that helped her repress her demons, she would try to exorcise his.
"But really you should get out more, meet some people. Who knows, you might even find your soulmate."
"Yeah right." she muttered bitterly, the other woman's words bringing up memories best left forgotten. Pushing the past back where it belonged, she gave her head a brisk shake, she concentrated on the present situation.
"Fine! You talked me into it. I'll go with you, but on one condition..." she smirked, baiting her friend with the finesse of a seasoned fisherman.
"What?"
"Please don't wear that disco ball you call a dress." she teased, reminding Tori of her one outfit that earned her citation from the Fashion Police.
"Smartass."
"And don't you forget it." she replied saucily, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief and together the duo started to get ready to make a detour on the road of scholarly achievement and live life for a few hours.
Okayama Prefecture, Japan
"TENCHI! The letter you've been waiting for is HERE!!! Hurry up!" a blue- haired pre-teen called up the stairs, waving an envelope above her head.
"Coming!" came the answering shout, quick footsteps pounding down the stairs.
During his last semester of college, Tenchi decided to sign up from a program that would allow students to travel through Europe, learning about the numerous cultures that were native to that part of the world. He figured that after visiting other worlds in outer space, it would make sense to learn more about the countries on his home planet. Taking the letter from Sasami, he carefully opened and unfolded the letter.
Watching his face for any reaction, Aeka asked expectantly, "Is it happy news Lord Tenchi?"
"I...made it...I got accepted..." the young man slowly smiled, not believing what the piece of paper was saying.
"That's WONDERFUL Tenchi!" the younger girl exclaimed, giving him a fierce hug that her mother would have been proud of. Hearing Tenchi begin to gasp a bit, Sasami backed up, smiling shyly.
Getting his breath back, he was soon given a hearty clap on the back by his father, pride shining through the square frames.
"I knew you could do it son. Your mother would be so proud of you right now..."
"I know Dad."
"So, when do you leave?" Sasami asked, a fleeting look of loss crossing her delicate features.
"Not for another three months, so I still have time to spend with you all." he smiled brightly, lifting the spirits of the women gathered around him.
"Well, I think this calls for a celebration! How about we all give Sasami a night off and go into town for dinner?" he suggested happily, grinning at his son.
Not wanting a big deal to be made out of this, Tenchi tried to interject his opinion. "Dad-"
"I don't want to hear another word about it. Hey, we might even get Washu to come with us." his father pressed on, although everyone there knowing that was a dim possibility. Ever since Ryoko's leaving and his tantrum, the self-proclaimed genius became even more reclusive, sometimes not making any contact with the family for days on end. It seemed the only person to reach her was Sasami and sometimes that wasn't guaranteed.
Seeing the hopeful expression on his father's face, Tenchi decided to not disappoint him. "Thanks dad. If you don't mind, I'll take a shower before we go." and with that he made his way back up the stairs.
Minutes later, Tenchi was enjoying the sensation of hot water flowing over his skin. Being in the shower like this always used to relax him...well until Ryoko showed up.
"Ryoko..." he sighed, letting the sadness that he held in daily come forth.
Closing his eyes, he leaned his head against the cool tiles, his mind filling with memories of the cyan-haired, golden-eyed space pirate. Of her fighting Aeka, playing with Sasami, bugging Washu, and watching over him as he slept. He could still remember the first days after she left, how he would wake up in the middle of the night, hoping that she would be floating above him or straining to hear the sounds of one of the infamous catfight between her and the refined Juraian princess. At one point, his grief was so stifling, he wouldn't have minded if she showed up in the onsen, intent on seducing him.
However those things never happened.
And Tenchi mourned for that loss everyday.
Sure, he wasn't alone. Aeka and Sasami were still there, as well as Mihoshi and Washu, but it seemed that everything was a little duller...mundane. With Ryoko, it was like seeing his world through a kaledeiscope lens, eveything colorful and chaotic and as much as he didn't want to admit, he liked that feeling...a feeling that he wanted back.
/Wherever you are Ryoko, I hope you've found what you're looking for.../he thought wistfully, turning off the shower and preparing himself to enjoy the time with the family he had left.
tbc....
Hmm....now that Tenchi is on his own 'self-discovery' journey, will he find more than he bargained for? And when he does, will he realize what he's found? All these questions and more will be answered in the next chapter.
ja ne
dream-chan