See the author's notes on chapter one for a formatting explanation.
Hanshin awoke the next day with three new sensations. His face itched, he was starving, and he really had to use the bathroom. Rolling out of the bed he walked to the bathroom that bordered his bedroom. Rushing through the door, he nearly tripped on the bathmat and nearly lost his balance.
Standing before the toilet he started his business, and soon found himself leaning against the wall for support. "God that feels good." He exclaimed.
"You called?"
Han nearly jumped on top of the toilet as the unexpected person's voice hit his ears. In the doorway to his bathroom stood Tsunami, giving off her goddess glow and everything, with what Han could almost swear was a mischievous smile.
"No." He stated, as he flushed and made sure that he was presentable enough to turn around.
"That's funny." She put a finger to her chin and looked up at the ceiling. "Because I could have sworn that someone called my name. I very clearly heard…"
"You know what I meant!" Han snapped, obviously embarrassed by the situation.
Tsunami smiled and stopped her debate, deciding to let him off the hook.
"What time is it?" He asked, hopefully getting as far away from the previous subject as he could.
"About three in the afternoon."
"Three in the afternoon?" He looked at her.
"I'm willing to bet that you have never had real night's sleep before. It may take a while for your body's natural clock to settle down. Until then, I suggest using the alarm if you have anything important the next day."
"Who is Keiko?" He asked as he crossed in front of her and went to the sink.
"A past friend of Sara's, I just added the parts about you in so you would have some creditability."
He tuned on the water. "You sound like we are in a rush."
"Like I said, she is nearing the end of her time here."
"Exactly how far do you expect this relationship to go to make her 'happy', because I do have some moral objections?" He splashed cool water on his face.
"I understand, do not worry all I whish for her is a friend. How far it goes after that is up to you and I don't expect you to do anything that you feel would betray Ryoko."
"Himm." He muttered looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.
"Well?" She asked. "I took a few liberties to ensure you fit in here. How do you like it?"
Han stood looking into his apartment's bathroom mirror. His once long hair was cut, and massed what was left into a messy wad on his head. "This has got to go." Han stated, rubbing the patch of hair on his chin. His short hair was one thing, but the go-tee was unacceptable.
"Really, Sasami thought it looked good on you?" Tsunami said looking over his shoulder and into his reflection.
"Well Sasami…" Hanshin paused on the Goddess' words. "Sasami?" He turned from the mirror to the woman in his bathroom.
"She and I converge more often now." The Goddess stated, picturing her human counterpart.
"So she knows I'm alive?"
"Yes."
"The others?" He asked again.
"No."
There was a pause. "Good." Han's face turned back to the mirror, but he knew the Tsunami was watching him intently.
"I was going to give you the opportunity to communicate with them."
"Why?"
"Well, they are your friends."
"No." He said flatly, his reserved anger showing through his quiet tone. "How can they befriend me when not even I know who or what I am? Everyday I sift through my memories trying to separate the real from your sister's lies." Hanshin softened his tone and looked into the sink. "The only thing I know for sure is what happened to me during my time there."
"And nothing else matters." Tsunami spoke up. "Ryoko still fell in love with you."
"Ryoko fell in love with the man on the Souja, the man that went with her to Corgil. If I am anyone I am the man who abused her, the man who used her like a fighting dog. If I had never agreed to her looking into my memories it never would have happened, she still would have hated me as Kagato."
"Yes it would have, not as quickly, but she certainty would have fallen in love with you."
"I don't want them to know I'm alive." He stated, signifying that the conversation was over.
"Why not?" She pressed on.
"I'm not going back there until I know who or what I am. And I don't want Ryoko to go through losing someone she loves again. Let me stay dead for now."
"As you wish." Tsunami sighed, knowing that she could not go against the man's wishes.
"Tell me Tsunami?" He asked after a few moments of silence. "If Sasami can see through you, does that mean you can see through her?"
"Yes."
"What are they doing?" Anyone who had ever know the man known as Hanshin would have never expected is request to sound like it did. Even he was surprised at how meek and pleading the words escaped his mouth.
Tsunami smiled. "It's about nine in the morning, and Sasami just started serving breakfast." She closed her eyes and connected better with her counterpart. "Katsuhito is slowly walking down the shrine steps with his arms crossed behind his back. Washu is still in her lab, asleep; apparently she was working on some experiment involving hot dogs and duct tape. Tenchi is walking down the stairs, heading to the kitchen, and Ayeka has just come in from the storage room with a basket of carrots for Ryo-ohki."
"Ryoko?" He asked, and she did not have to open her eyes from her meditation to know that Hanshin was intently gazing at her.
Tsunami's brow wrinkled in concentration. "I don't see her…. Wait, there she is teleporting down through the roof to the kitchen."
"How does she look?"
"Good." Tsunami lied, leaving out the Space Pirate's paler than normal complexion.
"Thank you." He said, opening the drawer and removing an electric razor. After shaving the go-tee, he rubbed his light stubble covering the rest of his face a moment before turning to it. *I wonder how often I'm going to have to do this?* He thought as the razor grinded away.
"Well," He said to Tsunami who kept her silent vigil at the door. "The hair doesn't look that bad short…"
Han grabbed the sides of the sink as what felt like a bolt of lightning shot through his head. His eyes glassed over, the image of the sink faded. A new one took its place; he was standing before Lady Tokimi.
~~~:*:~~~
He was in a strange place to say the least. Huge blackened silhouettes lined the sides, momentarily blocking the stars and planets that hung low overhead. Before him, with two female silhouettes behind her, he saw the image of a woman he never wanted to see again.
"Tokimi!" Han yelled before silently cursing at his outburst.
"Lady Tokimi," A gray bearded old man's face spoke, a voice that sent a chill through His spine. "I have made the appropriate treatments on Clay and Zero."
"So you have." Tokimi stated, making it obvious that she already knew.
"Anyone able to undo the memory blockage will be able to come here." He reminded.
Tokimi cut him off from any further explanation. "What about the other battle?"
The old man nodded. "Yes, at irregular point 0.1. No test required, and the reproduction process has already completed itself following the battle."
"So he is here?" She asked.
*He? Who is she talking about?* Hanshin thought. Apparently they could not see him, but to be safe he decided to keep his position and voice to himself as he slinked to the side and behind a large pillar.
"Yes." The old man with the jewel replied.
"Good, but I cannot help but wonder about that boy, what will happen to him?"
*Boy? Does she mean Tenchi?*
"You are looking into the future, aren't you Lady Tokimi?" The man asked.
Tokimi looked to the stars that hung overhead. "I wonder what lies beyond that? Sisters, why are you there?" Tokimi gazed out into the stars that surrounded her.
"Whatever it is, there is no doubt of new possibilities." The man's image replied to the Goddess's statement.
"I am not sure of that."
"Shall we initiate a move?" The bearded man questioned.
Tokimi looked down at his image. "You should not lay your hand on that boy. You should not fight against him. Understood?"
"I understand." With that D3 disappeared out of sight, but nearly as soon as he vanished, another figure took his place before the Goddess. The human sized man stood for a moment before taking a knee and bowing his head.
"Have I done well my lady?" He asked looking up, messy dark green, almost black, hair appearing over his shoulders. Hanshin could only see his back, which had green, armor like plates that crossed over to his chest.
"Yes." She replied. "Kagato was able to re-locate Yosho and Ryoko."
"But Yosho is not part of the equation anymore." The man corrected.
"You are correct; Tenchi has proven to be quite the problem. We need to be sure of his power before we do anything else. I need you to do that for me."
"Another infiltration?"
"Yes, D3 is working on a new personality now."
"Good, I am eager to get Kagato out of my head." He stated standing. "And how about something a little less conceited this time." He said taking a far less formal tone with the Goddess.
"We have no time; you will have to keep Kagato at bay for a little while longer."
"But they may be able to detect him." The man stated, obviously not relishing in the fact that Kagato would apparently remain with him.
"It will serve my purpose if they do." Tokimi smiled. "How would you like to be the first son of Jurai?"
~~~:*:~~~
The image faded, and a new one appeared of a blue hared woman looking over at him. "Hanshin, what happened?" Tsunami asked, kneeling over his form on the bathroom floor.
He stayed silent, not able to form a reply. Eventually he was able to form the words that screamed to be let out. "I… think I remembered something."
"What?" She asked gently taking his shoulder and helping him to his feet.
"A man, standing in front of Tokimi and an old guy with a jewel of his forehead."
"D3." She stated, looking away from him and heading to the door.
"Who?" He called, although in his weakened state he remained clutching the counter.
"I need to go."
"No." Han said coolly grabbing Tsunami's arm before she had a chance to disappear. "You're not telling me everything."
"No, I'm not." With that, the blue haired goddess disappeared
He stood by himself a moment before giving up on the chance that the goddess would re-appear. Taking a whiff he noticed something else he had neglected since his waking, his smell. Having no need to perspire to cool himself the pungent aroma of body order was unpleasant to say the least. Finished shaving, he turned the water to the shower on, and finding the desired temperature, stepped in.
~~~:*:~~~
"Hello?" She answered the portable phone and held out another spoonful of carrot baby food to Mary.
"Sara?"
"Yes."
"It's Han."
"Hey," She said shifting the phone and wiping some drool from her daughter's chin. "How'd you know my number?"
"Keiko gave it to me before I left Japan. Said to call it if I needed some help getting adjusted." He complemented himself quickly on a good cover. "Glad it was yours."
She laughed. "So, what's up?"
"Well, I start UCLA next semester, and I was hoping to get someone to show me around Los Angeles before then" He heard Mary cry in the background.
"Hold on a sec." She sat the phone down and picked her daughter up. Wiping the orange paste from her mouth she sat her daughter down in her playpen where she busied herself with several colorful toys. Walking back past the high chair she picked up the phone and walked into the kitchen. "How about tomorrow?"
"Great, when do you get out of class?"
"Tomorrow's my last final, about noon."
"Okay, see you then?"
"Sure, bye."
"Bye."
He hung up the phone, and since he didn't have anything to do for the remainder of the day, decided to see what was on American Television. Flipping through the numerous channels he found nothing, but finally settled on a premium movie channel. *At least Tsunami got me some perks.* The plot to the movie was simple, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boys gets girl back. It seemed so easy on TV.
*Why can't that be me?* He thought, watching as the conclusion turned into the rolling credits. If only he and Ryoko's relationship could be summed up in a two hour movie. Maybe then it could at least have a happy ending.
Flicking it off as the credits rolled he went to his bedroom. Throwing off the white cotton shirt he flopped back onto the bed. He couldn't help but find the humor, no, outrageousness in comparing his life to that movie. He looked up with a little smile. "If I could be like that…" Han muttered, remembering the lead male character, to the darkness just before he said good night.
…Please read and review chapter two of "Where Broken Hearts do Wait" if you haven't done so already.
Hanshin awoke the next day with three new sensations. His face itched, he was starving, and he really had to use the bathroom. Rolling out of the bed he walked to the bathroom that bordered his bedroom. Rushing through the door, he nearly tripped on the bathmat and nearly lost his balance.
Standing before the toilet he started his business, and soon found himself leaning against the wall for support. "God that feels good." He exclaimed.
"You called?"
Han nearly jumped on top of the toilet as the unexpected person's voice hit his ears. In the doorway to his bathroom stood Tsunami, giving off her goddess glow and everything, with what Han could almost swear was a mischievous smile.
"No." He stated, as he flushed and made sure that he was presentable enough to turn around.
"That's funny." She put a finger to her chin and looked up at the ceiling. "Because I could have sworn that someone called my name. I very clearly heard…"
"You know what I meant!" Han snapped, obviously embarrassed by the situation.
Tsunami smiled and stopped her debate, deciding to let him off the hook.
"What time is it?" He asked, hopefully getting as far away from the previous subject as he could.
"About three in the afternoon."
"Three in the afternoon?" He looked at her.
"I'm willing to bet that you have never had real night's sleep before. It may take a while for your body's natural clock to settle down. Until then, I suggest using the alarm if you have anything important the next day."
"Who is Keiko?" He asked as he crossed in front of her and went to the sink.
"A past friend of Sara's, I just added the parts about you in so you would have some creditability."
He tuned on the water. "You sound like we are in a rush."
"Like I said, she is nearing the end of her time here."
"Exactly how far do you expect this relationship to go to make her 'happy', because I do have some moral objections?" He splashed cool water on his face.
"I understand, do not worry all I whish for her is a friend. How far it goes after that is up to you and I don't expect you to do anything that you feel would betray Ryoko."
"Himm." He muttered looking at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.
"Well?" She asked. "I took a few liberties to ensure you fit in here. How do you like it?"
Han stood looking into his apartment's bathroom mirror. His once long hair was cut, and massed what was left into a messy wad on his head. "This has got to go." Han stated, rubbing the patch of hair on his chin. His short hair was one thing, but the go-tee was unacceptable.
"Really, Sasami thought it looked good on you?" Tsunami said looking over his shoulder and into his reflection.
"Well Sasami…" Hanshin paused on the Goddess' words. "Sasami?" He turned from the mirror to the woman in his bathroom.
"She and I converge more often now." The Goddess stated, picturing her human counterpart.
"So she knows I'm alive?"
"Yes."
"The others?" He asked again.
"No."
There was a pause. "Good." Han's face turned back to the mirror, but he knew the Tsunami was watching him intently.
"I was going to give you the opportunity to communicate with them."
"Why?"
"Well, they are your friends."
"No." He said flatly, his reserved anger showing through his quiet tone. "How can they befriend me when not even I know who or what I am? Everyday I sift through my memories trying to separate the real from your sister's lies." Hanshin softened his tone and looked into the sink. "The only thing I know for sure is what happened to me during my time there."
"And nothing else matters." Tsunami spoke up. "Ryoko still fell in love with you."
"Ryoko fell in love with the man on the Souja, the man that went with her to Corgil. If I am anyone I am the man who abused her, the man who used her like a fighting dog. If I had never agreed to her looking into my memories it never would have happened, she still would have hated me as Kagato."
"Yes it would have, not as quickly, but she certainty would have fallen in love with you."
"I don't want them to know I'm alive." He stated, signifying that the conversation was over.
"Why not?" She pressed on.
"I'm not going back there until I know who or what I am. And I don't want Ryoko to go through losing someone she loves again. Let me stay dead for now."
"As you wish." Tsunami sighed, knowing that she could not go against the man's wishes.
"Tell me Tsunami?" He asked after a few moments of silence. "If Sasami can see through you, does that mean you can see through her?"
"Yes."
"What are they doing?" Anyone who had ever know the man known as Hanshin would have never expected is request to sound like it did. Even he was surprised at how meek and pleading the words escaped his mouth.
Tsunami smiled. "It's about nine in the morning, and Sasami just started serving breakfast." She closed her eyes and connected better with her counterpart. "Katsuhito is slowly walking down the shrine steps with his arms crossed behind his back. Washu is still in her lab, asleep; apparently she was working on some experiment involving hot dogs and duct tape. Tenchi is walking down the stairs, heading to the kitchen, and Ayeka has just come in from the storage room with a basket of carrots for Ryo-ohki."
"Ryoko?" He asked, and she did not have to open her eyes from her meditation to know that Hanshin was intently gazing at her.
Tsunami's brow wrinkled in concentration. "I don't see her…. Wait, there she is teleporting down through the roof to the kitchen."
"How does she look?"
"Good." Tsunami lied, leaving out the Space Pirate's paler than normal complexion.
"Thank you." He said, opening the drawer and removing an electric razor. After shaving the go-tee, he rubbed his light stubble covering the rest of his face a moment before turning to it. *I wonder how often I'm going to have to do this?* He thought as the razor grinded away.
"Well," He said to Tsunami who kept her silent vigil at the door. "The hair doesn't look that bad short…"
Han grabbed the sides of the sink as what felt like a bolt of lightning shot through his head. His eyes glassed over, the image of the sink faded. A new one took its place; he was standing before Lady Tokimi.
~~~:*:~~~
He was in a strange place to say the least. Huge blackened silhouettes lined the sides, momentarily blocking the stars and planets that hung low overhead. Before him, with two female silhouettes behind her, he saw the image of a woman he never wanted to see again.
"Tokimi!" Han yelled before silently cursing at his outburst.
"Lady Tokimi," A gray bearded old man's face spoke, a voice that sent a chill through His spine. "I have made the appropriate treatments on Clay and Zero."
"So you have." Tokimi stated, making it obvious that she already knew.
"Anyone able to undo the memory blockage will be able to come here." He reminded.
Tokimi cut him off from any further explanation. "What about the other battle?"
The old man nodded. "Yes, at irregular point 0.1. No test required, and the reproduction process has already completed itself following the battle."
"So he is here?" She asked.
*He? Who is she talking about?* Hanshin thought. Apparently they could not see him, but to be safe he decided to keep his position and voice to himself as he slinked to the side and behind a large pillar.
"Yes." The old man with the jewel replied.
"Good, but I cannot help but wonder about that boy, what will happen to him?"
*Boy? Does she mean Tenchi?*
"You are looking into the future, aren't you Lady Tokimi?" The man asked.
Tokimi looked to the stars that hung overhead. "I wonder what lies beyond that? Sisters, why are you there?" Tokimi gazed out into the stars that surrounded her.
"Whatever it is, there is no doubt of new possibilities." The man's image replied to the Goddess's statement.
"I am not sure of that."
"Shall we initiate a move?" The bearded man questioned.
Tokimi looked down at his image. "You should not lay your hand on that boy. You should not fight against him. Understood?"
"I understand." With that D3 disappeared out of sight, but nearly as soon as he vanished, another figure took his place before the Goddess. The human sized man stood for a moment before taking a knee and bowing his head.
"Have I done well my lady?" He asked looking up, messy dark green, almost black, hair appearing over his shoulders. Hanshin could only see his back, which had green, armor like plates that crossed over to his chest.
"Yes." She replied. "Kagato was able to re-locate Yosho and Ryoko."
"But Yosho is not part of the equation anymore." The man corrected.
"You are correct; Tenchi has proven to be quite the problem. We need to be sure of his power before we do anything else. I need you to do that for me."
"Another infiltration?"
"Yes, D3 is working on a new personality now."
"Good, I am eager to get Kagato out of my head." He stated standing. "And how about something a little less conceited this time." He said taking a far less formal tone with the Goddess.
"We have no time; you will have to keep Kagato at bay for a little while longer."
"But they may be able to detect him." The man stated, obviously not relishing in the fact that Kagato would apparently remain with him.
"It will serve my purpose if they do." Tokimi smiled. "How would you like to be the first son of Jurai?"
~~~:*:~~~
The image faded, and a new one appeared of a blue hared woman looking over at him. "Hanshin, what happened?" Tsunami asked, kneeling over his form on the bathroom floor.
He stayed silent, not able to form a reply. Eventually he was able to form the words that screamed to be let out. "I… think I remembered something."
"What?" She asked gently taking his shoulder and helping him to his feet.
"A man, standing in front of Tokimi and an old guy with a jewel of his forehead."
"D3." She stated, looking away from him and heading to the door.
"Who?" He called, although in his weakened state he remained clutching the counter.
"I need to go."
"No." Han said coolly grabbing Tsunami's arm before she had a chance to disappear. "You're not telling me everything."
"No, I'm not." With that, the blue haired goddess disappeared
He stood by himself a moment before giving up on the chance that the goddess would re-appear. Taking a whiff he noticed something else he had neglected since his waking, his smell. Having no need to perspire to cool himself the pungent aroma of body order was unpleasant to say the least. Finished shaving, he turned the water to the shower on, and finding the desired temperature, stepped in.
~~~:*:~~~
"Hello?" She answered the portable phone and held out another spoonful of carrot baby food to Mary.
"Sara?"
"Yes."
"It's Han."
"Hey," She said shifting the phone and wiping some drool from her daughter's chin. "How'd you know my number?"
"Keiko gave it to me before I left Japan. Said to call it if I needed some help getting adjusted." He complemented himself quickly on a good cover. "Glad it was yours."
She laughed. "So, what's up?"
"Well, I start UCLA next semester, and I was hoping to get someone to show me around Los Angeles before then" He heard Mary cry in the background.
"Hold on a sec." She sat the phone down and picked her daughter up. Wiping the orange paste from her mouth she sat her daughter down in her playpen where she busied herself with several colorful toys. Walking back past the high chair she picked up the phone and walked into the kitchen. "How about tomorrow?"
"Great, when do you get out of class?"
"Tomorrow's my last final, about noon."
"Okay, see you then?"
"Sure, bye."
"Bye."
He hung up the phone, and since he didn't have anything to do for the remainder of the day, decided to see what was on American Television. Flipping through the numerous channels he found nothing, but finally settled on a premium movie channel. *At least Tsunami got me some perks.* The plot to the movie was simple, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boys gets girl back. It seemed so easy on TV.
*Why can't that be me?* He thought, watching as the conclusion turned into the rolling credits. If only he and Ryoko's relationship could be summed up in a two hour movie. Maybe then it could at least have a happy ending.
Flicking it off as the credits rolled he went to his bedroom. Throwing off the white cotton shirt he flopped back onto the bed. He couldn't help but find the humor, no, outrageousness in comparing his life to that movie. He looked up with a little smile. "If I could be like that…" Han muttered, remembering the lead male character, to the darkness just before he said good night.
…Please read and review chapter two of "Where Broken Hearts do Wait" if you haven't done so already.