Author's Notes:
GOMEN MINNA-SAN for the late posting, but after some PC problems, I finally got it done. First, I just wanted to say thank you for the great feedback (even the death threats) that I've gotten for this story. I know that some of you have voiced some concerns with the Ryoko/Rei thing but hopefully before this fic is put to rest, it will make sense. Before I go, I would like to just say a couple of things....
Dragon Demon: 'The Edge' is TERRIFIC!! I sincerely hope that wasn't the ending.
Jyl: 'Never Is A Promise' is a great treat to read while waiting for your other fics to be finished...and yes I was one of the ones that thought that Ryoko had a boyfriend ^^'
Buggyness: It was great to see another chapter of 'The Only Thing She Wants'. I loved the kawaii scene of Ryo-ohki growling at Ryoko's stomach.
Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! and all related characters do not belong to me. Those rights belong to Pioneer and AIC respectively, although I do own Tanaka Jaden (my very own bishie!)
"dialogue" /thoughts/ location
Soul Decision by Dream-chan Rating: PG-13 (just in case...^_~) Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Not So Happy Reunion
Paris, France
Giving an exhausted sigh, Tenchi opened up the door to another one of the numerous hotel rooms that he had stayed in during his time in Europe. Not bothering to put his bags away, he claimed one of the double beds in the suite intent on catching a nap, tired from all the tours, visits, and other activities that he had been made to participate in.
That hope was in vain when the door banged open five minutes later. "Hey Masaki!" his friend and roommate, Yamamoto Niishi called out from the doorway of their latest hotel room, his head the only visible part of his body.
"What?" came the muffled reply, a pillow hiding Tenchi's face from view. The flight from Rome seemed to take forever, and all he wanted to do was catch up on the sleep he had missed these last few weeks. However, Niishi had other plans in store for him.
"Me and some of the other guys are going to scope around the Left Bank to see what the nightlife is like around here. Wanna come?" he smiled brightly, thinking about the wonderful night he was going to spend in the City of Lights...hopefully with some French female companionship.
"Don't we have that museum tour early in the morning?" he reminded the impatient man, thinking that he was going to have to perform another 'wake- up' miracle for his roommate.
"Whatever! This is a 'once in a lifetime experience'. I know it's supposed to be educational and all, but you gotta learn to live a little. For this entire trip, you been moping about, only going to see the assigned sights meanwhile letting this terrific opportunity go to waste. " he lectured the morose young man laid out before him, irritated with his depressing attitude. Talk about a case of homesickness.
Niishi may be loud and brash, but he was also very observant. He didn't miss the reaction when Tenchi would get a phone call from home or when he would look at the photo of his family that he carried with him. He could remember the first night they roomed together and had decided to get to know one another. Niishi had no problem telling Tenchi all about his indulgent parents and his younger bratty twin bother and sister. However, when he has asked about the people in the photograph Tenchi merely said that they were all distant relatives of some sort and that was that.
Which Nishii didn't believe for a minute, but he was not going to push him. He figured that when he was ready to tell him, he would. Besides, it would not be a good idea for Tenchi to be upset with him for the rest of the seminar.
"Fine. If it will get you to shut up then I'll do it, but you better get up on your own tomorrow, no matter how drunk you are." he warned, although he had a small smile on his face at how easily his new friend was able to get him to enjoy himself.
"Hurry up Tenchi!" came the irritated voice from outside the room, making Tenchi grimace.
"Can I at least put on some shoes?" Tenchi asked sarcastically, twisting his wrist out of the other man tight grip.
Not stopping, Niishi continued walking to the bank of elevators calling back, "Make it snappy. Be down in the lobby in five minutes and you better not back out." he warned playfully, letting Tenchi know that tonight, his roommate would make sure he had fun...whether he wanted to or not.
/Niishi can be so pushy at times..../ he thought tiredly, pulling out clothes for an exciting evening out on the town.
After tying his shoes, his eyes fell on the family picture he kept by his bedside no matter what country he was in. Picking it up, he studied it with a sad smile, knowing that now there would always be a missing link.
Taking a finger, he gently skimmed the two-dimensional image of the one that had gone astray and once again wondered how he could have taken her for granted.
Just looking at the wicked grin and the ever present victory sign made Tenchi smile, falling into memories, that quickly turned into something more...as it was wont to do lately.
Hearing the phone ring shook Tenchi from his daydreams and knowing that was his cue to leave, he placed the picture back in his rightful place on the nightstand, praying that one day his family could will be what they were way back when.
Les Jardins des Tuilleries-Paris
On a beautiful weekday afternoon, two women sat on an old-fashioned bench, sharing a picnic lunch and enjoying each other's company.
"So, how did your exams go?"
With a smile on her face, Ryoko handed a piece of paper to the older woman. "Passed with flying colors."
With a wide smile, the proud mother reached over and wrapped her into a hug. "I wouldn't expect anything less from my daughter."
Squirming a bit, Ryoko began to pull away, still not comfortable accepting outward affection from her mother. Granted, it had become better between them, but they still had some hurdles to overcome.
Feeling the resistance in her daughter's body, Washu reluctantly let go, knowing that it was going to take time before the mother-daughter bond could finally be healed between them.
Hoping to banish yet another awkward moment between them, Washu began to speak again. "Did Victoria appreciate those study tricks for O.Chem?"
"She called herself the first priestess of Washu and that she was going to spread the word to all frazzled chemistry students everywhere." the younger laughed, remembering how her friend came home praising her mother's name like she was some sort of Chemistry goddess.
Smiling, she replied "Well tell her that if she needs anymore help, I'm willing."
"I'm sure she'll erect a temple in your name after that." she grinned, intent on enjoying another happy moment with her newfound mother.
Glancing at the magenta-haired woman beside her, she began to remember when they were in a similar setting but on an entirely different subject...a very sensitive subject.
{Flashback}
"Ryoko."
"For a genius, you have a bad memory. I told you my name is Rei now." the young woman snickered, knowing full well that the woman beside was fully conscious of what she was doing.
With a slight scowl on her face, her mother did not relent to her daughter whims. "Look Ryoko, you should know by now that I'm not going to call you Rei. You are Ryoko and you will always be to me. Since we're on this topic, do you mind telling me why you chose to change your name?" Seeing the look of determination on her daughter's face, she deduced that Ryoko had been waiting for her to ask that question.
"I thought we went over all this..." Ryoko replied, her irritation increasing, her voice becoming strained.
"Yes, we have but I think I need more clarification. When you left you said that you had to define Ryoko for Ryoko. So what type of sense does it make to do that when you change the very thing your trying to define?" came the logical question, making Ryoko want to tear her hair out in frustration. Taking a deep breath, she calmed down and hoped that what she was about to say would make her mother understand the reasons behind changing her name.
"Washu, as you know I'm not only Ryoko, but Unit Zero. If I have to define myself, I have to do it for all parts. Besides, I figured that it would throw you off a bit from finding me." she smirked, looking at the disgruntled expression on her mother's face. "And don't tell me that it didn't work, or else you would have installed a portal in my dorm room before I had the chance to unpack."
"But that still doesn't make me understand why you had to leave us!" Washu exploded, tired of her daughter cavalier attitude to what she had done to the Masaki household. "Do you know that Sasami still asks me when you are coming home? Or how about when Ryo-ohki looks out the window at the sky, waiting for you to come back? Hell, even Aeka has wondered, when the 'demon woman' would come to her senses. As for Tenchi-" the mad scientist was about to begin, until she looked up to see the unshed tears that hovered at the edges of expressive golden eyes.
Reaching out, Washu sighed heavily and placed a tentative hand on top of a pale hand in a gesture of comfort. "Ryoko, I didn't mean to upset you like that."
"Are you sure you didn't want to see my reaction?" she muttered, bitterly reminding the scientist of her random 'testing' after she had proclaimed to be Ryoko's mother. Noticing the look of remorse on the older woman's face, she sighed knowing that she went a little too far.
Placing a hand on the sagging shoulder, she continued "I'm sorry. That was mean and uncalled, but it seems that you are still manipulating me and I won't stand for it. Not anymore." she declared and was met with another declaration from her eccentric mother.
"I'll respect that, but you will and always will be my Little Ryoko. Nothing is going to change that."
{End Flashback}
Feeling someone poke her in the arm, she turned her head to see her mother looking at her curiously. "Ryoko, are you alright? Looked like you were having a Mihoshi moment there."
Sighing loudly, she rolled her eyes at the older woman's sense of humor. "Don't worry about it. I'm just overreacting to everything it seems. Ever since Jaden asked me to go to Tokyo with him, I've been a bit on edge."
"Have you decided on going?" /Please please please please please please please.../ she silently pleaded, praying to any deity that would grant her wish.
"Yes, and I am going to tell him no."
/Damn her stubbornness!/ she screamed inwardly, wanting smack some sense in her wayward daughter.
"Why?" was the only word Washu could pronounce, wondering why her daughter was letting a great opportunity slip through her fingers like this.
"I'm not ready." came the quick answer, only causing anger and hurt in the older woman.
"Bullshit."
"What did you say?" came the instant inquiry, Ryoko already gearing for another argument.
"I know you heard me so I won't repeat myself."
"Look MOM-" came the sarcastic reply, but Washu decided she had enough. It was time to play dirty.
"No. I've done enough of that over the past year thank you very much. Looking at you sad and dejected. Looking at our family become more and more fractured." /If it's not broken already.../ came the unbidden thought, making Washu shudder. "They miss you, ya know." she added quietly, following Ryoko's gaze to the children playing on the grass a few yards away.
"You tell me that every time we see each other." came the acid reply, Ryoko tired of the same information.
"And I will continue to tell you until it seeps into that thick head of yours." Washu shot back, not phased in the least by her daughter's attitude.
Minutes ticked past, silence growing between the two women until Ryoko finally relented. "I don't feel like arguing right now. It's too nice of a day to get angry. Can we please move to a more neutral topic?"
"Never better. How is the internship coming along?" her mother relented, taking a bite out the sandwich they had brought for their picnic lunch.
"Great, Dr. Reveux is a great person to work with. Instead of treating me like a gopher, he actually lets me work with the art and answering my questions, instead of lecturing me to death." Looking at her watch, Ryoko sighed. "Well Mom, I have to get going. Dr. Reveux signed me up to give tours to Japanese tourists. He thought it would increase my appreciation of the art I'm studying." she explained rolling her eyes at the Frenchman's explanation. She knew that it had more with her being an lowly intern fluent in Japanese than anything else.
"Well, you better hop to it if you want to get that recommendation you want. I'll call you soon, and please think about Jaden's offer." Washu implored, hoping that her daughter would take that step that was needed so desperately for their family to heal.
Giving her mother a hug she smiled, "I will Mom." Getting up, she threw away the remains of her lunch in a nearby trash bin. With a backwards wave she called out, " Ja."
Shaking her head at the disappearing figure of her daughter, Washu couldn't help but think sadly, /You can't run away forever Little Ryoko. I just hope that there is something for you to run back to./
Musee du Louvre-Paris
Walking through the Louvre was an amazing experience for Tenchi. To have art surrounding him done by people that he read about and studied. To see paintings that he only seen from photographs. Even the entrance, done by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei was a masterpiece in itself.
He was standing apart from the usual throngs of tourists, hoping to get rid of the slight headache caused by Niishi and too much wine when his ears perked up as he heard the sounds of his native tongue being spoken. Guessing that it was another tour, Tenchi turned his attention back to the work in front of him, until one voice stuck out from all the others...making his heart pause then start again at a frantic pace.
"And to the left you will see some more work by Renaissance artists. I have to admit that the works done during this period are my favorite." the floating voice told the crowd, the sound of camera clickers filling the air.
/That voice...I know that voice..../he thought dazedly, his breath caught in his throat.
Praying that this wasn't another dream or hallucination, he slowly turned in his spot and followed the direction of the voice. Walking a few steps into the outer hall, Tenchi spotted the distinctive group of Japanese tourists chattering madly, but what instantly got his attention was the woman standing in front of them, describing the story behind each painting and it's significance.
With deep reservations but hope dangling from the edges, he tapped the woman on the shoulder and hoped that his heart didn't beat out of his chest.
"R-R-Ryoko?"
He could see the instant that she stiffened, the tension in her body tangibly evident. With everything going in slow motion, he watched impatiently as she turned around, cyan hair whipping about her face. Then came the moment when he saw the one feature he could never forget.
Rich golden eyes. Eyes that have haunted him till this day.
Time stood still as both man and woman stood there staring at each other, both frozen in the moment. Suddenly as time stopped, it began again bringing it with it all the sights and sounds of a world famous museum.
Placing her carefully constructed mask in place, she answered him in the crisp cool tone that she reserved for the irritating men back at her school.
"Masaki-san."
/I don't even get a hug?/ came the wayward thought, before he ruthlessly pushed it back. "What are you doing?" he questioned roughly, wondering why she was treating him as a stranger.
"Isn't it obvious?" she mocked, giving a wide gesture towards the tour group that was watching this little drama unfold.
Not wanting to throw away the chance that had been given to him, he asked her the questions that had been on his mind and his heart for the past year. Besides, he deserved an explanation for all the grief that him and his family had been put through because of her absence.
"Why did you leave us and where the HELL have you been? Do you know how worried we were?!?" came the shouted accusation, freezing words in the woman's throat. She had only seen him this angry twice before and the results were never that good.
But before she could answer the angry man in front of her, salvation came in the form of a smartly dressed businessman.
"Rei, is everything alright? What's going on?" said a concerned voice, a steadying arm placed across her shoulders.
With a sigh of relief, Ryoko relaxed into the warmth of the arm surrounding her.
Good Ol' Jay.
However, this did nothing but make Tenchi see red. Who the hell was this guy? Why was he draped all over Ryoko? And why is he calling her 'Rei'? It was time to get some answers.
Ignoring the dangerous glare the taller man was throwing him, Tenchi was again concentrated on Ryoko, not bothering to hide his feelings towards the new arrival. "Who is this?" he demanded harshly in Japanese, his anger overriding his usual good manners.
"Jaden Tanaka, and what is your problem with my friend?" the chestnut haired man spoke up in Japanese, smirking at the surprised expression on the young artist's face. He was about to tighten his hold when he felt 'Rei' move away from him a bit, letting him know that she was ready to deal with this on her own and if there was one thing that Jaden had learned since meeting the enigmatic young woman is that she could fight her own battles. Letting his arm drop, he stepped away and waited for this drama to play out.
"Masaki-san-" she stated, before Tenchi cut her off abruptly.
"You've never called me 'Masaki-san' before, so why are you going to start now?" he said caustically, causing 'Rei' to take a step back.
"Tenchi-san, Can we do this at another time? As you can see, I'm a bit busy here..." she gestured to the group of gawking people who were paying more attention to their little drama than the Mona Lisa which was mounted behind them.
"Fine. I'll wait then." came the imperious response making Jaden want to punch the arrogant young man in the face. Seeming to sense this, the frazzled intern/tour guide decided that she had enough drama for one day. Giving Jaden a silent warning, she turned back to Tenchi giving him an icy glare.
"Alright then, I just hope you keep up.." she challenged and with that she turned back around and gained control of the group once more.
Falling to the back of the pack, Tenchi slowly smiled, ignoring the whispers, looks, and glares (or glare to be more precise...) from his fellow museum visitors. Keeping track of the unique cyan bun he was determined that no matter what happened, he would definitely 'keep up' with the ex-space pirate and wouldn't let her out of his sight until he got the answers he wanted and then take her back where she belonged.
With her mother.
With her family.
And more importantly.....with him.
tbc.....
Sorry that this has taken so long, but real life along with other things seemed to have gotten in the way and then the plot had the nerve to keep changing on me. Also I would like to apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes, but I felt that it had been long enough!! Bah, the work of a fic writer is never done. ^_^
GOMEN MINNA-SAN for the late posting, but after some PC problems, I finally got it done. First, I just wanted to say thank you for the great feedback (even the death threats) that I've gotten for this story. I know that some of you have voiced some concerns with the Ryoko/Rei thing but hopefully before this fic is put to rest, it will make sense. Before I go, I would like to just say a couple of things....
Dragon Demon: 'The Edge' is TERRIFIC!! I sincerely hope that wasn't the ending.
Jyl: 'Never Is A Promise' is a great treat to read while waiting for your other fics to be finished...and yes I was one of the ones that thought that Ryoko had a boyfriend ^^'
Buggyness: It was great to see another chapter of 'The Only Thing She Wants'. I loved the kawaii scene of Ryo-ohki growling at Ryoko's stomach.
Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo! and all related characters do not belong to me. Those rights belong to Pioneer and AIC respectively, although I do own Tanaka Jaden (my very own bishie!)
"dialogue" /thoughts/ location
Soul Decision by Dream-chan Rating: PG-13 (just in case...^_~) Email: dream_chan@hotmail.com
Not So Happy Reunion
Paris, France
Giving an exhausted sigh, Tenchi opened up the door to another one of the numerous hotel rooms that he had stayed in during his time in Europe. Not bothering to put his bags away, he claimed one of the double beds in the suite intent on catching a nap, tired from all the tours, visits, and other activities that he had been made to participate in.
That hope was in vain when the door banged open five minutes later. "Hey Masaki!" his friend and roommate, Yamamoto Niishi called out from the doorway of their latest hotel room, his head the only visible part of his body.
"What?" came the muffled reply, a pillow hiding Tenchi's face from view. The flight from Rome seemed to take forever, and all he wanted to do was catch up on the sleep he had missed these last few weeks. However, Niishi had other plans in store for him.
"Me and some of the other guys are going to scope around the Left Bank to see what the nightlife is like around here. Wanna come?" he smiled brightly, thinking about the wonderful night he was going to spend in the City of Lights...hopefully with some French female companionship.
"Don't we have that museum tour early in the morning?" he reminded the impatient man, thinking that he was going to have to perform another 'wake- up' miracle for his roommate.
"Whatever! This is a 'once in a lifetime experience'. I know it's supposed to be educational and all, but you gotta learn to live a little. For this entire trip, you been moping about, only going to see the assigned sights meanwhile letting this terrific opportunity go to waste. " he lectured the morose young man laid out before him, irritated with his depressing attitude. Talk about a case of homesickness.
Niishi may be loud and brash, but he was also very observant. He didn't miss the reaction when Tenchi would get a phone call from home or when he would look at the photo of his family that he carried with him. He could remember the first night they roomed together and had decided to get to know one another. Niishi had no problem telling Tenchi all about his indulgent parents and his younger bratty twin bother and sister. However, when he has asked about the people in the photograph Tenchi merely said that they were all distant relatives of some sort and that was that.
Which Nishii didn't believe for a minute, but he was not going to push him. He figured that when he was ready to tell him, he would. Besides, it would not be a good idea for Tenchi to be upset with him for the rest of the seminar.
"Fine. If it will get you to shut up then I'll do it, but you better get up on your own tomorrow, no matter how drunk you are." he warned, although he had a small smile on his face at how easily his new friend was able to get him to enjoy himself.
"Hurry up Tenchi!" came the irritated voice from outside the room, making Tenchi grimace.
"Can I at least put on some shoes?" Tenchi asked sarcastically, twisting his wrist out of the other man tight grip.
Not stopping, Niishi continued walking to the bank of elevators calling back, "Make it snappy. Be down in the lobby in five minutes and you better not back out." he warned playfully, letting Tenchi know that tonight, his roommate would make sure he had fun...whether he wanted to or not.
/Niishi can be so pushy at times..../ he thought tiredly, pulling out clothes for an exciting evening out on the town.
After tying his shoes, his eyes fell on the family picture he kept by his bedside no matter what country he was in. Picking it up, he studied it with a sad smile, knowing that now there would always be a missing link.
Taking a finger, he gently skimmed the two-dimensional image of the one that had gone astray and once again wondered how he could have taken her for granted.
Just looking at the wicked grin and the ever present victory sign made Tenchi smile, falling into memories, that quickly turned into something more...as it was wont to do lately.
Hearing the phone ring shook Tenchi from his daydreams and knowing that was his cue to leave, he placed the picture back in his rightful place on the nightstand, praying that one day his family could will be what they were way back when.
Les Jardins des Tuilleries-Paris
On a beautiful weekday afternoon, two women sat on an old-fashioned bench, sharing a picnic lunch and enjoying each other's company.
"So, how did your exams go?"
With a smile on her face, Ryoko handed a piece of paper to the older woman. "Passed with flying colors."
With a wide smile, the proud mother reached over and wrapped her into a hug. "I wouldn't expect anything less from my daughter."
Squirming a bit, Ryoko began to pull away, still not comfortable accepting outward affection from her mother. Granted, it had become better between them, but they still had some hurdles to overcome.
Feeling the resistance in her daughter's body, Washu reluctantly let go, knowing that it was going to take time before the mother-daughter bond could finally be healed between them.
Hoping to banish yet another awkward moment between them, Washu began to speak again. "Did Victoria appreciate those study tricks for O.Chem?"
"She called herself the first priestess of Washu and that she was going to spread the word to all frazzled chemistry students everywhere." the younger laughed, remembering how her friend came home praising her mother's name like she was some sort of Chemistry goddess.
Smiling, she replied "Well tell her that if she needs anymore help, I'm willing."
"I'm sure she'll erect a temple in your name after that." she grinned, intent on enjoying another happy moment with her newfound mother.
Glancing at the magenta-haired woman beside her, she began to remember when they were in a similar setting but on an entirely different subject...a very sensitive subject.
{Flashback}
"Ryoko."
"For a genius, you have a bad memory. I told you my name is Rei now." the young woman snickered, knowing full well that the woman beside was fully conscious of what she was doing.
With a slight scowl on her face, her mother did not relent to her daughter whims. "Look Ryoko, you should know by now that I'm not going to call you Rei. You are Ryoko and you will always be to me. Since we're on this topic, do you mind telling me why you chose to change your name?" Seeing the look of determination on her daughter's face, she deduced that Ryoko had been waiting for her to ask that question.
"I thought we went over all this..." Ryoko replied, her irritation increasing, her voice becoming strained.
"Yes, we have but I think I need more clarification. When you left you said that you had to define Ryoko for Ryoko. So what type of sense does it make to do that when you change the very thing your trying to define?" came the logical question, making Ryoko want to tear her hair out in frustration. Taking a deep breath, she calmed down and hoped that what she was about to say would make her mother understand the reasons behind changing her name.
"Washu, as you know I'm not only Ryoko, but Unit Zero. If I have to define myself, I have to do it for all parts. Besides, I figured that it would throw you off a bit from finding me." she smirked, looking at the disgruntled expression on her mother's face. "And don't tell me that it didn't work, or else you would have installed a portal in my dorm room before I had the chance to unpack."
"But that still doesn't make me understand why you had to leave us!" Washu exploded, tired of her daughter cavalier attitude to what she had done to the Masaki household. "Do you know that Sasami still asks me when you are coming home? Or how about when Ryo-ohki looks out the window at the sky, waiting for you to come back? Hell, even Aeka has wondered, when the 'demon woman' would come to her senses. As for Tenchi-" the mad scientist was about to begin, until she looked up to see the unshed tears that hovered at the edges of expressive golden eyes.
Reaching out, Washu sighed heavily and placed a tentative hand on top of a pale hand in a gesture of comfort. "Ryoko, I didn't mean to upset you like that."
"Are you sure you didn't want to see my reaction?" she muttered, bitterly reminding the scientist of her random 'testing' after she had proclaimed to be Ryoko's mother. Noticing the look of remorse on the older woman's face, she sighed knowing that she went a little too far.
Placing a hand on the sagging shoulder, she continued "I'm sorry. That was mean and uncalled, but it seems that you are still manipulating me and I won't stand for it. Not anymore." she declared and was met with another declaration from her eccentric mother.
"I'll respect that, but you will and always will be my Little Ryoko. Nothing is going to change that."
{End Flashback}
Feeling someone poke her in the arm, she turned her head to see her mother looking at her curiously. "Ryoko, are you alright? Looked like you were having a Mihoshi moment there."
Sighing loudly, she rolled her eyes at the older woman's sense of humor. "Don't worry about it. I'm just overreacting to everything it seems. Ever since Jaden asked me to go to Tokyo with him, I've been a bit on edge."
"Have you decided on going?" /Please please please please please please please.../ she silently pleaded, praying to any deity that would grant her wish.
"Yes, and I am going to tell him no."
/Damn her stubbornness!/ she screamed inwardly, wanting smack some sense in her wayward daughter.
"Why?" was the only word Washu could pronounce, wondering why her daughter was letting a great opportunity slip through her fingers like this.
"I'm not ready." came the quick answer, only causing anger and hurt in the older woman.
"Bullshit."
"What did you say?" came the instant inquiry, Ryoko already gearing for another argument.
"I know you heard me so I won't repeat myself."
"Look MOM-" came the sarcastic reply, but Washu decided she had enough. It was time to play dirty.
"No. I've done enough of that over the past year thank you very much. Looking at you sad and dejected. Looking at our family become more and more fractured." /If it's not broken already.../ came the unbidden thought, making Washu shudder. "They miss you, ya know." she added quietly, following Ryoko's gaze to the children playing on the grass a few yards away.
"You tell me that every time we see each other." came the acid reply, Ryoko tired of the same information.
"And I will continue to tell you until it seeps into that thick head of yours." Washu shot back, not phased in the least by her daughter's attitude.
Minutes ticked past, silence growing between the two women until Ryoko finally relented. "I don't feel like arguing right now. It's too nice of a day to get angry. Can we please move to a more neutral topic?"
"Never better. How is the internship coming along?" her mother relented, taking a bite out the sandwich they had brought for their picnic lunch.
"Great, Dr. Reveux is a great person to work with. Instead of treating me like a gopher, he actually lets me work with the art and answering my questions, instead of lecturing me to death." Looking at her watch, Ryoko sighed. "Well Mom, I have to get going. Dr. Reveux signed me up to give tours to Japanese tourists. He thought it would increase my appreciation of the art I'm studying." she explained rolling her eyes at the Frenchman's explanation. She knew that it had more with her being an lowly intern fluent in Japanese than anything else.
"Well, you better hop to it if you want to get that recommendation you want. I'll call you soon, and please think about Jaden's offer." Washu implored, hoping that her daughter would take that step that was needed so desperately for their family to heal.
Giving her mother a hug she smiled, "I will Mom." Getting up, she threw away the remains of her lunch in a nearby trash bin. With a backwards wave she called out, " Ja."
Shaking her head at the disappearing figure of her daughter, Washu couldn't help but think sadly, /You can't run away forever Little Ryoko. I just hope that there is something for you to run back to./
Musee du Louvre-Paris
Walking through the Louvre was an amazing experience for Tenchi. To have art surrounding him done by people that he read about and studied. To see paintings that he only seen from photographs. Even the entrance, done by world-renowned architect I.M. Pei was a masterpiece in itself.
He was standing apart from the usual throngs of tourists, hoping to get rid of the slight headache caused by Niishi and too much wine when his ears perked up as he heard the sounds of his native tongue being spoken. Guessing that it was another tour, Tenchi turned his attention back to the work in front of him, until one voice stuck out from all the others...making his heart pause then start again at a frantic pace.
"And to the left you will see some more work by Renaissance artists. I have to admit that the works done during this period are my favorite." the floating voice told the crowd, the sound of camera clickers filling the air.
/That voice...I know that voice..../he thought dazedly, his breath caught in his throat.
Praying that this wasn't another dream or hallucination, he slowly turned in his spot and followed the direction of the voice. Walking a few steps into the outer hall, Tenchi spotted the distinctive group of Japanese tourists chattering madly, but what instantly got his attention was the woman standing in front of them, describing the story behind each painting and it's significance.
With deep reservations but hope dangling from the edges, he tapped the woman on the shoulder and hoped that his heart didn't beat out of his chest.
"R-R-Ryoko?"
He could see the instant that she stiffened, the tension in her body tangibly evident. With everything going in slow motion, he watched impatiently as she turned around, cyan hair whipping about her face. Then came the moment when he saw the one feature he could never forget.
Rich golden eyes. Eyes that have haunted him till this day.
Time stood still as both man and woman stood there staring at each other, both frozen in the moment. Suddenly as time stopped, it began again bringing it with it all the sights and sounds of a world famous museum.
Placing her carefully constructed mask in place, she answered him in the crisp cool tone that she reserved for the irritating men back at her school.
"Masaki-san."
/I don't even get a hug?/ came the wayward thought, before he ruthlessly pushed it back. "What are you doing?" he questioned roughly, wondering why she was treating him as a stranger.
"Isn't it obvious?" she mocked, giving a wide gesture towards the tour group that was watching this little drama unfold.
Not wanting to throw away the chance that had been given to him, he asked her the questions that had been on his mind and his heart for the past year. Besides, he deserved an explanation for all the grief that him and his family had been put through because of her absence.
"Why did you leave us and where the HELL have you been? Do you know how worried we were?!?" came the shouted accusation, freezing words in the woman's throat. She had only seen him this angry twice before and the results were never that good.
But before she could answer the angry man in front of her, salvation came in the form of a smartly dressed businessman.
"Rei, is everything alright? What's going on?" said a concerned voice, a steadying arm placed across her shoulders.
With a sigh of relief, Ryoko relaxed into the warmth of the arm surrounding her.
Good Ol' Jay.
However, this did nothing but make Tenchi see red. Who the hell was this guy? Why was he draped all over Ryoko? And why is he calling her 'Rei'? It was time to get some answers.
Ignoring the dangerous glare the taller man was throwing him, Tenchi was again concentrated on Ryoko, not bothering to hide his feelings towards the new arrival. "Who is this?" he demanded harshly in Japanese, his anger overriding his usual good manners.
"Jaden Tanaka, and what is your problem with my friend?" the chestnut haired man spoke up in Japanese, smirking at the surprised expression on the young artist's face. He was about to tighten his hold when he felt 'Rei' move away from him a bit, letting him know that she was ready to deal with this on her own and if there was one thing that Jaden had learned since meeting the enigmatic young woman is that she could fight her own battles. Letting his arm drop, he stepped away and waited for this drama to play out.
"Masaki-san-" she stated, before Tenchi cut her off abruptly.
"You've never called me 'Masaki-san' before, so why are you going to start now?" he said caustically, causing 'Rei' to take a step back.
"Tenchi-san, Can we do this at another time? As you can see, I'm a bit busy here..." she gestured to the group of gawking people who were paying more attention to their little drama than the Mona Lisa which was mounted behind them.
"Fine. I'll wait then." came the imperious response making Jaden want to punch the arrogant young man in the face. Seeming to sense this, the frazzled intern/tour guide decided that she had enough drama for one day. Giving Jaden a silent warning, she turned back to Tenchi giving him an icy glare.
"Alright then, I just hope you keep up.." she challenged and with that she turned back around and gained control of the group once more.
Falling to the back of the pack, Tenchi slowly smiled, ignoring the whispers, looks, and glares (or glare to be more precise...) from his fellow museum visitors. Keeping track of the unique cyan bun he was determined that no matter what happened, he would definitely 'keep up' with the ex-space pirate and wouldn't let her out of his sight until he got the answers he wanted and then take her back where she belonged.
With her mother.
With her family.
And more importantly.....with him.
tbc.....
Sorry that this has taken so long, but real life along with other things seemed to have gotten in the way and then the plot had the nerve to keep changing on me. Also I would like to apologize for any spelling/grammar mistakes, but I felt that it had been long enough!! Bah, the work of a fic writer is never done. ^_^