Disclaimer: Oh leave me alone, I already know nothing of it's mine. So
bug off!!!
A.N. I finally have a third chapter! Yes! Took me long enough. But I've been kinda workingon my actual story called Silence of An Angel that I'm reverting to a Gundam Wing story so I can have other ppl opinions of it. And I'm having fun making it! I'll try to have chapter 2 of Who I Am... out soon. But you'll just have to be patient with me. Plz! Thx! R&R. Tty'all laterz!
p.s. Incase you haven't noticed, everyone of my chapters in this story has a song in it that somehow resembles the chapter. This one that will be mentioned in this one is called Grace Is Gone by Dave Matthews (----- love the song!). All I need to do now is figure out the next song to use. I've pretty much got some songs for the last few chapters. So that's good at least. But thx for taking the time to read this p.s. note. You may carry on now. And don't forget to review! THX!!!!!
'...thoughts...' "...talking..." (...me talking...) ..links... ~...reading...~ ~*~...lyrics/singing...~*~ ---...notes...--- //...time/date/place/& whatever else...// ::..any other needed to know info...::
No Need For A Whole New Life Style
//Previously//
Sasami ran to the back of the car, leaving a smileing Ryo watching her, shaking her head slightly from the sight of her. Sasami on the other hand couldn't care as she ran to the drunk, shoved her bag in, and hopped into a seat in the back of the yellow convertable. Ryoko, while watching the little princess, felt as though eyes were watching her. Just examining her to make sure she was even real. When she turned around, her smile faded as she saw Tenchi looking straight at her. She stood there, watching him back, not knowing what to do or say.
Mom?...
Yea, sweetheart? What is it?
He's staring at me. What should I do?
Just act normal, like you don't know him. He should fall for it considering you don't look, sound, act, and probably don't even smell like the Ryoko he knows. So don't worry about it. Alright?
::sigh:: Alright. Here goes nothing then.
"Hello? Is there a reason you're looking at me Tenchi-san?" she began, breaking the strange silence between the two.
Tenchi, finally snapping out of his trance, shock his head slightly, as though clearing something out of it. "Oh, it's nothing. It's just that... well, you almost seemed like someone I knew once. That's all."
"Oh really? Is that good, or bad?"
"Good."
"::smile:: Well, then I don't see anything wrong with that."
The two laughed, as though like old friends. When they stopped, Ryo's companion on the trip called out for her. Indicating it was time to leave. "Well, looks like it's time to get out of here. I'll talk to you some other time."
"Alright. I guess I'll see you around then. Goodbye."
"Bye."
Ryo walked to the car, climbing in the front seat in front of Ayeka, and waved back at Tenchi.
"Goodbye Lord Tenchi! Take care while we're gone!"
"Will do! Bye Ayeka, bye Sasami! Have a good time!"
"We will Tenchi! We'll call when we get to Ryo's place to let you know we made it safely!"
"Alright! I'll be waiting!"
And with that, the car drove off, the four young women inside waving their last goodbyes to him as the car disappeared from his sight.
//Back to Now//
Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami and Katrina drove down along to the main road close by. Ryoko laughed slightly and took off the long scarf around her hair. She shook her hair out from it's confinements and laughed again.
"I would've never thought that, that would actually work!" she exclaimed to Katrina as she drove down the intertwinned(sp?) roads of Okayama.
"Well, with the device your mom gave you to disguise your voice, I'm not surprised," answered Katrina as she took a glimpse at Ryoko for a moment.
"Oh, I almost forgot about that..." Ryoko reached her hands behind her neck and took off the necklace that hung around her neck. "There, that's better..."
"Whoa! How'd you do that Ryoko?"
Ryoko looked over at Sasami and smiled. "Like this..." She leaned behind her seat and tied the necklace around Sasami's small neck. "There, now talk."
"Huh? But why?"
Ayeka looked over at her sister in surprise, but smiled none the less. Sasami grabbed her neck as though someone had just touched her neck without her seeing.
"How come my voice is different, Ryoko?"
"::chuckle:: Mom made it, answer your question?"
"Should've guessed."
Ryoko looked behind her at Ayeka and made a false scold on her face, which just made everyone laugh. When she looked back in front, there was silence for a few moments before Ryoko broke it.
"Damn Kat, speed demon."
"Oh ha ha ha. You shouldn't talk..."
"Yea well, at least I SLOW DOWN when I come to an intersections instead of just turning full speed ahead..."
"Oh back off. I'm just taking the same way I got here. Alright?"
"Yea, yea, yea."
"Do you two fight like this often?" asked Ayeka as she stiffled a laugh at the two.
"Ususally. Keeps us sane."
Everyone laughed at Ryoko's comment, who just smirked as though she had meant what she had said. The rest of the car ride went the same way. Ryoko made jokes, everyone would laugh, they'd talk about things that happened, and just enjoy the other's company. Until finally, they made it to Tokyo & to Ryoko's and Washu's apartment.
"We're here! Please, keep your hands to yourselves and don't talk to strangers..."
Everyone laughed at Ryoko once more and grabbed the bags before heading into the apartment. When they reached their floor, they found both doors to their apartments open, causing both Ryoko and Katrina to sigh.
"She's at it again..."
"Yea, well this time, you can take care of it. She's your mother."
"Oh, you help..." Ryoko sighed again and shook her head. She walked to her apartment and placed the bags she carried to the couch in her living room. "Mom?! Where are you?"
"Oh, Ryoko is that you? Was wondering when you'd get home." Washu walked out of the hallway that led to her bedroom.
Ryoko sighed once more and looked at her mother. "Mom, have you been rearranging our apartements again?"
"What? I got bored!"
"Just... *sighs* Never mind. We'll talk about this later.
~*~ Neon shines through smokey eyes tonight
It's 2 A.M., I'm drunk again
And it's heavy on my mind ~*~
//Back with Tenchi//
As Tenchi watched his two friends leave with Ryo, his heart seemed to sink slightly. As he continued to watch the car until it was out of his eye's view, my mind drifted to his thoughts. 'Why does she seem to familiar? I mean, I'm pretty sure I've never met her, but none the less, she seems so familiar. Maybe she's from one of dad's parties when I was a kid. Who knows. That might be it. *sigh* I can worry about this later. I have to get to grandpa's before he doubles my work.
Tenchi quickly ran up the stairs to the shrine where he found his grandfather standing on the top step. "Ah, Tenchi my boy! You're actually early! Well, shall we begin then?"
"Alright. But grandpa, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You remember all the work parties dad had over at the house before the girls arrived?"
"Yes, quite well acutally. Why do you ask Tenchi?"
"Well, one of Ayeka's friends came over today to pick her and Sasami up and she seemed rather familiar."
"Oh really? And how is that?"
"Well, I'm not too sure actually. She just seems familiar somehow."
"Well, did you see any of her face by any chance?"
"Um, well, no. She was wearing a scarf around her head and sunglasses covered her eyes. So I didn't really get to see much of her facial features."
"Hummm, quite interesting. Quite. Well Tenchi my boy, I have one solution for you?"
"And what's that?"
"Maybe you dreamt of her one day as your guardian angel. You never know. It might just be possible. Now, lets get down to your training."
As Tenchi watched his grandfather walk around towards the shrine, she gave a strange look and thought to himself, 'My guardian angel? I sweat, I'm beginning to think a screw in his head is lose or something because he's getting wierder and wierder everyday.'
Tenchi sighed and shrugged his shoulders. Deciding to shrug off his granfather's earlier comment as he followed him to the shrine to ready for his long training day.
~*~ I could never love again
So much as I love you
Where you end, where I begin
Is like a river running through ~*~
//later that night; Ryoko's apartment//
It was now after dinner in the Hakubi/Ankiiki residence and everyone was in Ryoko's and Washu's livingroom. Some drinking a little sake (little mind you). While others drank water or ice cold juice from the fridge. They sat together, enjoying the other's company. Laughing and just having fun talking with one another.
"So Ryoko, I heard that Ayeka here is a bite of a snob. Is that true?" asked Katrina jokingly as she sipped her sake.
"That is so not true. She doesn't see the intellectual part of me that will make me a great and proud queen someday. That is all," answered Ayeka for Ryoko in an almost mocking voice.
Katrina and the other's looked at Ayeka with a look of confusion and stupidity on their faces. "Wow, you were right Ryoko."
"Hey!"
Ayeka threw a pillow at the bewildered Katrina, who, in returne, threw the same pillow back. Causing a chain reaction called "revenge of the pillow fight" between the 5 ppl. When it calmed and everyone had stiffled their laughes, Ayeka remembered something that Ryoko had said over the phone a few days before.
"Hey Ryoko, you said over the phone a little while back that there was something really important that you needed to tell me. What was it?"
Ryoko's smiled ceased, as well as her laughs, as she looked at Ayeka, then the floor, then her mother and Katrina. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, as though she had lost her voice. She closed her eyes and sighed, begging her mother through their link to explain. Washu agreed and turned her attention to Ayeka and Sasami. Who, by now, both had rather concerned faces.
"::sigh:: Now, Ayeka, this is going to be a rather large surprise for you, but there is something about Ryoko that niether you nor Sasami know."
"She's not sick or anything is she, Miss Washu?" asked Sasami with worry in her voice.
"::smile:: No, no. Nothing like that. Well, in a way you could say that it's causing symptoms that might make you think that she is sick."
"But Miss Washu, what could possibly cause....." Ayeka suddenly stopped in what she was going to say. Her eyes wide in shock.
Washu looked at her then back at her daughter. Ryoko, who felt her mother's stare, looked straight at Ayeka. A scared look in her eyes as she watched her.
"You mean, that you... Ryoko, you're... But, but I don't get it, when did this happen? And with, with who?"
"Ayeka, please understand..."
"Wait a minute! 'Please understand'?! Who was it exactly Ryoko!?" (ok, you guys have a hint about what's going on so far right?... think really hard if you don't.....)
"Ayeka. Please! Just let me explain everything before you start ranting and raving at me."
"You're not saying that it was.... was....."
Ryoko looked down in shame, as though if she said the name, she would be damned to hell if doing so. Ayeka, who saw the shame in her eyes before bowing her head, shock her own head before walking to her room. Ryoko and the other's saw her leave, Sasami following after her.
Katrina, who was by now confused as ever, looked back and forth from where Ayeka had disappeared to Ryoko. Not understanding anything of what was just said between the two. "Ok, did I miss something here?"
"Excuse me, I've got to go talk with Ayeka," said Ryoko as she too disappeared behind the same wall that Ayeka had disappeared at.
"What just happened?"
"Rina, I think you should sit down. This is going to take a while."
Katrina looked at Washu, confusion showing through her eyes. But shock her head in agreement and took a seat next to Washu.
~*~ Take my heart, take my eyes
I need them no more
If never again they fall
Upon the one I so adore... ~*~
//Back with Ryoko//
Ryoko walked to Ayeka's room and heard Ayeka sobbing yet yelling at something, or someone else who was in the room. She quietly knocked on the door, hoping that someone would answer. When no one did and the yelling seemed to continue, she walked in herself and saw Ayeka yelling at a confused, and almost crying, Sasami. Ryoko quickly ran to her side and took the little princess out into the hall.
"Sasami? Are you alright?" she asked as she hugged the little girl to her chest.
"What did I do, Ryoko, that she's yelling at me?" sobbed the the blue haired princess.
"It's not you, Sasami. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don't worry. Just let your sister come to her senses and she'll say sorry for what she did. Alright?" Sasami nodded her head and hugged Ryoko again. "Ok, now right don't you go back into the living room to mom and Kat. Mom will explain everything to you then. Alright?"
"Alright. You gonna come with?"
"No, I'm gonna try to talk to Ayeka. See if I can try and calm her down myself."
"Alright. I'll see you later then."
And with that, Sasami walked away back to the living room, whipping what tears were still on her face. Ryoko watched her leave, a sad look on her own face. When she turned around, she found Ayeka still in her room, looking out the window at the city lights. She took a deep breath and walked into the room, closing the door behind her.
"Ayeka?" she asked quietly, but not seeming to get her attention. "Ayeka, I know you can hear me. Would you at least let me try to explain?..."
"...Why?" Ayeka's quiet voice was quiet, as though not even autioable(sp?). But it seemed to ring in Ryoko's ear as she spoke.
"'Why' what, Ayeka?"
"Why did you do that? Just hoping to get one quick fling with each other and then just leave?"
"Ayeka, it was nothing like that....."
"Bull..."
"What?"
"*snorts slightly* You heard me." Ayeka turned her around, paying her full attention to Ryoko. "How could you do this to me?"
"Do what?..."
"How could you possibly sleep with the man I love?! You knew very well what my feelings were for him and yet you go and do it anyway! What?! Was it some way just get ahead of me?! To prove that you are somehow better than me in one way or another?!"
"Ayeka, it wasn't like that! I wish you'd let me explain!"
"Bull shit! (oohhhhh, she swore! ^_^ ) I don't believe you, Ryoko! I don't see why I began ever trying to push a friendship with you! It was totally futile! And I'll never trust you again, Ryoko! You're nothing but... but... but a lying, cheating, whore who couldn't do anything but sleep with the man I love and get pregnant with his child. Tenchi's child no less. Just to spite me! You slut.
Ryoko looked at Ayeka in shock. Her eyes showing the slight pain that she felt with Ayeka's words. Ryoko, as though acting as though she didn't feel anything for what she said, smiled slightly and snorted. "That's fine, Ayeka. That's how you feel, I can't chance it.... But I wish you would've just listened to me instead of ranting and raving at me. But hey, I've heard worse, right? Not a biggy. I just figured I'd try to explain. But since you have your own conclusion, I don't really need to explain..... I'll leave you alone now, Ayeka. I won't bother you anymore. If you need something, you'll know where to find everyone. Goodbye."
Ayeka watched as Ryoko turned around and walked out of the room. But not before noticing the glistening tears that escaped from Ryoko's eyes, and landed on the carpet of Ayeka's room.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll be gone ~*~
//later that night//
Ayeka awoke to the sound of someone crying. And even though she probably knew who it was and didn't want to "fall so low as to talk to her", she climbed out of bed and walked into the hallway. She saw the light in Ryoko's room on, but when she checked, no one was in there. But no matter what, the crying sobs could still be heard where ever she went. She shrugged her shoulders, hoping that if she went back to her room, she could no longer hear the shattering tears. But just before leaving to her room, she saw the bathroom light in the hallway on. She walked over and saw the door cracked, giving her the invitation to look in.
She pecked inside and had a sudden intake of breath at who she saw. Sitting there, on the tiled floor of the bathroom, was Ryoko. Her arms ontop of her knees that were brought up to her chest. Her head leaning on those arms as she cried. Ayeka, even though she felt hatred for her just a few moments ago, felt that hatred deminish as she watched her friend cry for probably more than one reason. She slowly opened the door, getting the attention of Ryoko. Ryoko's eyes, Ayeka noticed, we puffy as though she was crying for longer than Ayeka had suspected. Her cheeks were tear- stained from all the tears that had fallen from Ryoko's golden eyes.
Ayeka felt pity for her as she walked up to Ryoko, kneeled down beside her, and took her into her arms for a hug of comfort. Ryoko, at first surprised by this, accepted the hug and buried her head in Ayeka's shoulders as she finished crying out the rest of her tears.
"I'm so, so sorry, Ayeka..." she mumbled as she whipped away her tears from Ayeka's shoulder.
Ayeka sighed and stood up, taking Ryoko with her. "Come on. Let's go back to your room." Ayeka led Ryoko from the bathroom (you can pretty much guess the reason why Ryoko was in there in the first place...) and to her room.
Ayeka sat Ryoko at the edge of her bed, herself taking a seat right next to her. They were silent for a moment, except for the occational sobs or sniffles from Ryoko as Ayeka rubbed her back. The errie silence was broken by Ayeka's gentle, yet stern voice.
"Ryoko, I don't understand everything that's gone on today. First there was this whole party deal after and before dinner with Kat and everyone else. Then the announcement of you being pregnant. And with Tenchi's child no less..... And it's not like I meant to burst out like I did earlier, it's just, well... I just didn't want to believe it. But could you really blame me?" Ayeka saw Ryoko's head shack as she agreed with her. "So Ryoko, I want to know everything that happened. And when it happened. Do you think you could possibly do that for me, even though I refused to earlier?"
Ryoko was silent, her body not moving an inch. As though a part of her wanted to just ignore everything that Ayeka was requesting. But another part of her knew that she had to tell. Even if just to get it off her chest, she knew that she had to tell someone besides her own mother. And in her heart, she knew that the perfect person to tell, if not Tenchi, was Ayeka. 'She deserves to know...' she told herself as she nodded her head as an answer to Ayeka's earlier demands.
"Ummm, if I have to start anywhere, I guess it would be from the beginning," she began explaining. "It started the night of the welcome home party we had for everyone on our return to earth....."
~*~ One drink to remember
Then another to forget
I think of every day to find
A love like you again ~*~
//Flashback//
The Masaki residence was blustering with the joyous sounds of happiness and cheerfulness as the whole clan finally fully met up in the front yard of Tenchi's home. Even Ryoko, the "never-wanting-anything-to-do-with-anyone- but-Tenchi gal, joined in the festivities of the welcome home greetings. Even with Ayeka. And as the night rolled on, the idea of a welcoming home party was mentioned. As so as was suggested, was done.
That night, just before sunset, the party began. The sounds of music, cooking from the kitchen, and the last touches to the decorating could be heard. And as the last of the Masaki clan entered the room with the food, the party offically began.
"Ryoko! Could you help me set this down on the table! I think I'm gonna drop something!" pleaded the little princess Sasami as she somehow managed to juggle with the food without dropping anything.
"Sure kiddo! Coming!" responded Ryoko as she made it just in time to grab the platter of raw shrimp that was about to fall to the floor.
"Here, let me help you there."
Ryoko and Sasami looked up at the black haired, brown eyed boy with a look of gratefulness showing on both of their faces. They began setting food on the table, passing food on by one to the other. About half way through the passing of the plates, Tenchi's hand brushed lightly against her's. Causing Ryoko to avert her eyes for a brief moment, just to look. As though making sure that she hadn't dreamt it. She noticed Tenchi stare at her as well. And in that moment, time seemed to just hold still for Ryoko. Even if it was only about a half a second. She quickly readjusted her eyes back to Sasami as she was handed another plate.
When all the food was set on the table, suddenly Noboyuki stumbled into the house, his hands behind his back, causing everyone's attention to him. He had a large mischievious grin on his face as he whipped out his hands from behind his back, revealing small bottles of sake in each hand. Some of the girls, like Mihoshi, jumped foo joy and took a few from him to place next to the food. Whilst Ryoko rolled her eyes at this scene and smirked slightly. Although, she was glad to get some good sake tonite.
So the party commenced, sending everyone into a wild frency as they rejoyced the day's end. Kareoke was played, music blasting, food eaten (of course), sake drinkin (guess by who...). And about an hour after midnight, everyone was just about past out. With the exception of Ryoko and Tenchi. Ayeka and Sasami retired to their rooms, Washu to her lab, whilst the others knocked out on the living room floor.
Tenchi and Ryoko, since being the only two away, played a game of mini truth or dare, niether really caring what the other asked or dared, in Ryoko's room as not to wake the other's. When it came to Ryoko's turn to ask Tenchi a truth or dare, she said,
"Truce or Dare, my dear Tenshi?"
"Ummm, Truce..."
"Hmm, now dish should be intereshding... ummmm, alrigthht. Dear Tenshi, have you ever, even jusht once, did you ever find me attrachtive?..."
"Of courth! And I shdill do!" replied Tenchi, too drunk to even realize what he was saying.
But as though that was the cure for her drunkenness, Ryoko's eye's widened at his respondse. So she decided to take it a little further. Hoping he was too drunk to notice that he hadn't asked her yet. "And would you kish me?"
"Only if you dared me tchoo."
"Um, really? Tenshi dear, I dare you to kish me!"
"Um, what happened tcho my tchurn?"
"I don't know. And I don't really care eisther."
"::smirk:: Really?"
"Um, hum. Show, you gonna take the dare or not?"
"Um, sinsh it was a dare, guesh I should really do it, shouldn't I?"
":smile:: Um, hum!"
"Yesh, ma'am!"
Tenchi leaned forward from across Ryoko, over the now empty sake bottles, and stopped his lips from touching her's about an inch away. Ryoko could feel herself sobbering up as she felt his warm breath on her lips. And as though Tenchi had finally understood what he was doing, it was as though he was beginning to sobber up as well. Taking this as his chance to stop this now or never. But his gut told him to continue and take the chance to touching his lips to Ryoko's. So, with the last few seconds that it took, they're lips finally met. And even though it was just about 15 seconds long, it seemed like it lasted a life time to Ryoko.
When their lips seperated, their eyes met once again. Fire seeming to burn in both of their eyes. And before the other knew what was happening, their lips met once again. Just seeming to savor the other's upon their own. And before the other knew it, they were both on their knees, their arms wrapped around the other. Ryoko managed to shed Tenchi's shirt from his chest as he managed to untuck her shirt from her capri's and slip it over her head.
In the breef moment that their lips were apart, Tenchi and Ryoko looked into each other's eyes. Tenchi looked down at her now exposed flesh and noticed and scar that lay on herleft side. He traced his fingers over it before looking back into Ryoko's eyes. Her eyes seeming to tell him what happened. She smiled slightly, indicating to him that it wasn't that bad. But to him, knowing what caused it, felt something inside his heart twist. And as a way to appologize, his began to kiss her lips again. Savoring the taste of the now empty sake.
~*~ One drink to remember
And another to forget ~*~
//Flash forward//
"And things just seemed to go from there. I... I don't even know what brought the urge to continue. It was just a dare. Just to see if he would even do it. And then..... then things just kinda got out of proportion. And we ended up doing more than ever intended. I... I really didn't mean it Ayeka. You have to believe me. Please....."
Ayeka looked at Ryoko as she began to cry all over again. Her body trembled as she tried to control her sobs, but losing to a already lost battle. Ayeka sighed, forgetting any anger she had for her friends. She leaned forward and pulled Ryoko in her arms as she continued to cry like a hurt child. When Ryoko was finally calm, Ayeka pulled her away and forced Ryoko to look into her eyes.
"Ryoko... ::sigh:: I'm not angry at you anymore. Even though a large part of me says that I should be. But for some reason, I just can't anymore... Ryoko, even though I don't like this idea sometimes, you should've told me from the beginning instead of hide it away from everyone. Then maybe I could've helped in some way. Even if it was just the smallest of help. And even if I was angry. You understand why I was angry though, weren't you?"
"Yes, I would've been the same."
"I know. That's one of the reasons I can't stay angry at you anymore. So from now on, if it has anything else to do with Tenchi or you, how about you tell me instead of block it from me. Then maybe I won't react the way I did earlier. And plus, then you can get it off you chest. Deal?"
Ryoko looked at Ayeka and smiled. She nodded her head in agreement and said, "Deal."
Ayeka nodded her head back and smiled as well.
They sat in Ryoko's bedroom for the rest of the night until the sun began to rise. Telling each other what else might've happened between anyone. Just to get it all of their chests.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll be gone
One more drink and I'll move on ~*~
//Back with Tenchi//
Tenchi woke up that morning with a horrible migrane. He held his head in his hands, mumbling to himself, "What the hell did a hit and run with my head?" The dream he had before he woke up caused this pain in his head, just the screaming from it alone giving him most of it. Especially the line that seemed to repeat over and over in his head, even as he got out of bed and started to get ready for another day of training with his grandfather.
'I'll never trust you again, Ryoko! You're nothing but... but... but a lying, cheating, whore who couldn't do anything but sleep with the man I love and get pregnant with his child. Tenchi's child no less. Just to spite me! You slut.'
Those words alone seemed to haunt his subconscious as he readyied(sp?) himself for the day. And no matter how hard he tried to push those thoughts aside, they just seemed to come back, taking another memory with it to haunt him as well.
The dreams of Ryoko seemed to real to be true to him. 'Why would I have such realistic dreams of Ryoko? She's gone, moved out. No one here has seen hide-nor-hair of her or from her since she left two months ago. So, why am I having dreams of everything like this now? And with Ayeka no less?....... *sigh* Maybe I just need some time to think about it all and get it off my chest somehow. Might help me a little...'
Tenchi sighed again and finished getting ready before running down stairs, grabbing something to eat, and running out the door and up the shrine steps to meet his grandfather for training. His dreams never leaving his memory, leaving him images of his "dreams" to play with his mind.
~*~ You think of things impossible
Then the sun refuse to shine
I woke with you beside me
Your cold hand lay in mine ~*~
//Back with the girls//
(A.N.- Alright, this is suppose to be the comedy part, but my comedy todqay just sux cuz I'm too tired to care. *sweatdrops* But if I get my sense of humor back soon, I'll make sure to change it. k? Thx!... ^_^' ) (p.s, it you want to, you can just skip the comedy, I'm not even sure it makes sense at all... *sweatdrops again* ^_^' )
"Hey, why don't you guys go have a seat, I'm about to go up next. I'll see you guys after the show. Alright?"
"Alright. See ya later then Ryoko!" And with the last of the goodbyes, Sasami, Ayeka, Kat, and the rest of Ryoko's friends walked out from backstage to where the guests were to be seated.
After about five minutes of waiting, the host of tonite's events came on stage to introduce the next comedian. "Give him a round of applaudes everyone! ::crowd claps:: Now, our next guest you all know very well. Well, as long as you've been attending weekly. Ladies and gentlemen, Ryoko Hakubi!"
The crowd cheered as Ryoko walked on stage, waving her hands to the audience, and the host left. Leaving Ryoko alone to attend to the crowds entertainment.
"Good Evening!" she began as she spoke into the microphone. "How are you all doing tonite? ::crowd mumbles:: That's good, that's good. You know, this is something I never understood. Why do we comedians always ask that when we get on stage? I mean, are we just gonna go up to each other and just start up a conversation? Oh yea, I can see it now... 'Hey there. How's it going?' 'Oh, it's great. My son said his first word today..... F***er!' ::crowd laughes:: I mean come on, seriously. Couldn't you just see us talking like that? Well, I could do that, I have a few friends here today with me anyway. Infact, I think I will... ::begins to walk off stage and sit with Aykea, Sasami, and Katrina:: Hey there Sasami, how are you tonite?"
"::giggle:: Just fine Ryoko."
"That's great. And how about you, Ayeka?"
"::chukle:: I'm doing good, Ryoko. And how about yourself?"
"Oh, I'm just dandy. And how about... Oh nevermind. I talk to you everyday, who cares... ::crowd laughs:: ::Walks back on stage:: Newhoz... You guys know the deal with this new case, I don't remember what it's about exactly, but a lawyer is being accused of wrong doings? Whatever they may be. But you know why they're accusing him right? Because he's a lawyer! ::crowd laughes:: I'm not joking! I mean sure, you have the good lawyers. They obey the law and all that other good crap. But then you have the other type were as their making their clients sign their contracts, their hands are underneath their desks, just rubbing together, while in their heads their thinking, 'Satan here I come! Bwahahahahahaha!!!' ::crowd laughes:: Think about it!...
"....::snickers:: I couldn't have put that one anyone better if I tried... ::crowd laughes::
"Ok, this is a question to the women populous of the audiance. Have you ever wondered why men are what they are? I mean, you got men that range from idiots, to numbskulls, to complete and utter assholes! ::women stand and root her on:: See, you agree! I'm not the only one. No offence to the men. But really, what made you all so stupid!? ::crowd laughes, women still root her:: No offence, but I'm beginning to think that one joke about the third tit(1) is true! No offence again. But come on! I think only about 1/3, at the most, of the male populous I can stand. Ok, I can usually stand them period. But I'm just glad I'm female. ::women keep rooting:: And watch, Kame up in heaven is probably saying right now, 'Just watch, Ryoko. I'll make you a male next time...' ::crowd laughes::
"Ok, enough dissing men before I get tompled and killed for it. ::crowd laughes:: ..... Who here loves children? ::most of the crown cheers:: That's cool. And I figure by now you all know about me having a child in about 6-7 months, right? ::crowd cheers for her:: Thank you, thank you. I hope, though, it's a girl. I mean, I love little boys, but I want a girl to be my first. I can see it now, she's gonna be just like me. Something close to my hair, hopefully her father's eyes, even my attitude. A total b****. ::crowd laughes:: ::snickers:: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. But yea, I can't wait to have my kid. But if it is a girl, I'll be so happy. Although I can see the first things she'll request when she knows how to speak. ::someone in the crowd yells pony:: Oh, I can see you've already been through all this before, huh? Well, guess what, you can do it for me when my daughter asks. Cause I don't wanna. ::crowd laughes:: But if she really wants a pony, I'm gonna straight up and tell her, 'Hun, when you get a job and earn money, we'll talk...' ::crowd laughes::
"That's all my time tonite! Thank you and Goodbye!"
As Ryoko walked off stage, she waved to the crowd and disappears behind stage.
When she walked out a few minutes later, she found Ayeka, Sasami, and Katrina waiting for her. "Hey there guys! You two enjoy tonite?" she asked to Ayeka and Sasami.
"Yea! I've had a great time!"
"Same here Ryoko. What do you say we head home though. We should really get back before midnight."
"Alright, Ayeka. Let's get going then."
And with that, Ryoko and the others left the night club and back to their place. When they got there, they found Washu and Niko (the guy I mentioned in ch. 2) in the kitchen talking with one another. Ryoko waved to him and her mother and greeted, "Hey there Niko. Mom invite you for dinner?"
"Yea, too keep her company while you were out."
"Ah, I see."
"But, I should get going. Have to get up early to get to my meeting."
"Which reminds me, Niko, if you're a chef, why do you have meetings?" asked Katrina as she took a seat near Ryoko.
"Because, it's my restaurant. Have to make sure everything goes well."
"Good point."
"Well, I should be on my way. I'll see you all later. Bye Washu. Thanks for dinner."
"No prob. Come back to visit me soon. Alright?"
"Will do." Niko bent down and kissed Washu on the cheek before saying his goodbyes one last time and headed out the door.
Ryoko looked at Niko as he left, then back as her mother with a slight smirk on her face. Washu looked up at her daughter and gave a look of innocense. "What?!"
"You like him don't you?!"
"Oh Ryoko!" Washu got up from her seat to make cups of coffee for everyone, with the exception of Sasami who got Kool-Aide.
"You do!" Ryoko followed her mom to the counter and took a seat next to the coffee maker. Tilting forward, balancing her wieght on her arms, and said, "When?"
"'When' what, Ryoko? I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"I knew it! When did you start liking him? I mean, I knew he liked you and all, but...."
"...He likes me?"
Ryoko looked at her mother in the eyes and smiled at the look of hope in those emerald eyes. "Yea, you can't tell? Kat and I figured this out a long time again. He really likes you and all, but we never figured you liked him back considering you never showed it. But now I wanna know when you did."
Washu was silent for a few moments, but then mumbled out, "I've only 'liked' him for about a month now."
"A month?! Man, how were you able to hide that from me?! Your daughter?! Man, and I thought I knew everything about everyone!"
"Ryoko, I don't want you going and blurting it out to him. I may like him and he may like me, but I don't want anything to change between us."
"Why? Because you've been married before?... *sighs* Mom, that was ages ago. Before I was even born. Which was MANY years ago. At least in my opinion. And mom, he only left you because he cared more about what his parents thought, than he ever did you. Sure, I'm curious to who my half brother is and all, but you can't just keep that in your head all the time. Remember what you always told me? Always think of now and not then. Now, why don't you listen to your own words, and put both of them behind you?"
Washu looked up at her daughter. And she could see the thoughtfulness in Ryoko eyes, as she did in her words. She smiled at Ryoko, and nodded her head in agreement. "I suppose you're right."
"Of course!"
Washu smiled again and shock her head. "Always the one to see things her way..."
"Hey! I resent that!"
Everyone in the room chuckled. And after a long talk with whatever came to mind and their coffee, they all went to bed. Ready to just have the sandman to take them to their fairy-dreamlands.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll go... ~*~
//With Ryoko//
As everyone in the house was sleeping, in their own little dream land, Ryoko sat by the large window in her room, staring out at what stars she could see. 'Why does the city have to be so bright at night? They don't like the stars or something?' Ryoko sighed and layed her forhead on the semi-cold glass of the window-pan. Thinking back to the days before her new life style she held now. She sighed once more. But instead of it being silent, you could hear the genlt owrd of a single name. "Tenchi..."
And a little distance from where Ryoko stay, another was up, looking up at the scattered stars that lye in the sky above him. His feet hanging over the roof of his house. The light breeze blowing some of his hair in from of his eyes. And as the breeze flew by, he almost heard him name being called. And as an answer to his name, he called out just as gently, "Ryoko...", before closing his eyes, enjoying the nights breeze against his skin.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll move on
One more drink and I'll move on
One more drink, my grace is gone. ~*~
~*~ TBC ~*~
A.N. I did it! I finally finished chapter 3! *pants from exhaustion* LoL. j/k! But yea, here's another chapter done and over with. Now only... *counts fingers* ...umpteen more to go! :p I'm a wierdo, I know. But back off! I'm tired, so I'm getting pingy! (yea, after I'm done with the comedy scene.... *sighs*) But there it is, how you all enjoyed, tty'all laterz! PLZ REVIEW!!!!!
(1): The useless boob (aka third tit) thing was a joke that was send to me through e-mail from someone in my family. It's funny as hell. And if you want a quick summary, here's one. God made Eve with three boobs. The two normal, and the onein the middle. When God asked how she was doing, she said she was fine but didn't like the middle boob. So God did as she asked and took her third boob away. Just trowing it away to who knows where. When God came back to visit her to ask how she was doing again, Eve says that she's lonely and wanted company from more than just nature and the animals that surrounded her. So, God being the one not to let someone stay lonely, complied her to request of a friend and says, "Now, where did I put that useless boob?" Get it now?
Preview of next chapter:
Ryoko's voice is heard: Well, here I am! Ayeka and Sasami are here to stay with mom, me and Kat, while Tenchi back at home is all by himself to think of all that's been going on since I left. And how he feels about everything now that it's all different.
In the next chapter of No Need For A Whole New Life Style, Tenchi reminises about his past and future, while me and the girls go out for a night on the town. And plus, if we're lucky, Kat, Ayeka, Sasami and myself might just be able to get mom and Niko on their first date. Wish us luck!
All this and more in: No Need For Reminising
A.N. I finally have a third chapter! Yes! Took me long enough. But I've been kinda workingon my actual story called Silence of An Angel that I'm reverting to a Gundam Wing story so I can have other ppl opinions of it. And I'm having fun making it! I'll try to have chapter 2 of Who I Am... out soon. But you'll just have to be patient with me. Plz! Thx! R&R. Tty'all laterz!
p.s. Incase you haven't noticed, everyone of my chapters in this story has a song in it that somehow resembles the chapter. This one that will be mentioned in this one is called Grace Is Gone by Dave Matthews (----- love the song!). All I need to do now is figure out the next song to use. I've pretty much got some songs for the last few chapters. So that's good at least. But thx for taking the time to read this p.s. note. You may carry on now. And don't forget to review! THX!!!!!
'...thoughts...' "...talking..." (...me talking...) ..links... ~...reading...~ ~*~...lyrics/singing...~*~ ---...notes...--- //...time/date/place/& whatever else...// ::..any other needed to know info...::
No Need For A Whole New Life Style
//Previously//
Sasami ran to the back of the car, leaving a smileing Ryo watching her, shaking her head slightly from the sight of her. Sasami on the other hand couldn't care as she ran to the drunk, shoved her bag in, and hopped into a seat in the back of the yellow convertable. Ryoko, while watching the little princess, felt as though eyes were watching her. Just examining her to make sure she was even real. When she turned around, her smile faded as she saw Tenchi looking straight at her. She stood there, watching him back, not knowing what to do or say.
Mom?...
Yea, sweetheart? What is it?
He's staring at me. What should I do?
Just act normal, like you don't know him. He should fall for it considering you don't look, sound, act, and probably don't even smell like the Ryoko he knows. So don't worry about it. Alright?
::sigh:: Alright. Here goes nothing then.
"Hello? Is there a reason you're looking at me Tenchi-san?" she began, breaking the strange silence between the two.
Tenchi, finally snapping out of his trance, shock his head slightly, as though clearing something out of it. "Oh, it's nothing. It's just that... well, you almost seemed like someone I knew once. That's all."
"Oh really? Is that good, or bad?"
"Good."
"::smile:: Well, then I don't see anything wrong with that."
The two laughed, as though like old friends. When they stopped, Ryo's companion on the trip called out for her. Indicating it was time to leave. "Well, looks like it's time to get out of here. I'll talk to you some other time."
"Alright. I guess I'll see you around then. Goodbye."
"Bye."
Ryo walked to the car, climbing in the front seat in front of Ayeka, and waved back at Tenchi.
"Goodbye Lord Tenchi! Take care while we're gone!"
"Will do! Bye Ayeka, bye Sasami! Have a good time!"
"We will Tenchi! We'll call when we get to Ryo's place to let you know we made it safely!"
"Alright! I'll be waiting!"
And with that, the car drove off, the four young women inside waving their last goodbyes to him as the car disappeared from his sight.
//Back to Now//
Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami and Katrina drove down along to the main road close by. Ryoko laughed slightly and took off the long scarf around her hair. She shook her hair out from it's confinements and laughed again.
"I would've never thought that, that would actually work!" she exclaimed to Katrina as she drove down the intertwinned(sp?) roads of Okayama.
"Well, with the device your mom gave you to disguise your voice, I'm not surprised," answered Katrina as she took a glimpse at Ryoko for a moment.
"Oh, I almost forgot about that..." Ryoko reached her hands behind her neck and took off the necklace that hung around her neck. "There, that's better..."
"Whoa! How'd you do that Ryoko?"
Ryoko looked over at Sasami and smiled. "Like this..." She leaned behind her seat and tied the necklace around Sasami's small neck. "There, now talk."
"Huh? But why?"
Ayeka looked over at her sister in surprise, but smiled none the less. Sasami grabbed her neck as though someone had just touched her neck without her seeing.
"How come my voice is different, Ryoko?"
"::chuckle:: Mom made it, answer your question?"
"Should've guessed."
Ryoko looked behind her at Ayeka and made a false scold on her face, which just made everyone laugh. When she looked back in front, there was silence for a few moments before Ryoko broke it.
"Damn Kat, speed demon."
"Oh ha ha ha. You shouldn't talk..."
"Yea well, at least I SLOW DOWN when I come to an intersections instead of just turning full speed ahead..."
"Oh back off. I'm just taking the same way I got here. Alright?"
"Yea, yea, yea."
"Do you two fight like this often?" asked Ayeka as she stiffled a laugh at the two.
"Ususally. Keeps us sane."
Everyone laughed at Ryoko's comment, who just smirked as though she had meant what she had said. The rest of the car ride went the same way. Ryoko made jokes, everyone would laugh, they'd talk about things that happened, and just enjoy the other's company. Until finally, they made it to Tokyo & to Ryoko's and Washu's apartment.
"We're here! Please, keep your hands to yourselves and don't talk to strangers..."
Everyone laughed at Ryoko once more and grabbed the bags before heading into the apartment. When they reached their floor, they found both doors to their apartments open, causing both Ryoko and Katrina to sigh.
"She's at it again..."
"Yea, well this time, you can take care of it. She's your mother."
"Oh, you help..." Ryoko sighed again and shook her head. She walked to her apartment and placed the bags she carried to the couch in her living room. "Mom?! Where are you?"
"Oh, Ryoko is that you? Was wondering when you'd get home." Washu walked out of the hallway that led to her bedroom.
Ryoko sighed once more and looked at her mother. "Mom, have you been rearranging our apartements again?"
"What? I got bored!"
"Just... *sighs* Never mind. We'll talk about this later.
~*~ Neon shines through smokey eyes tonight
It's 2 A.M., I'm drunk again
And it's heavy on my mind ~*~
//Back with Tenchi//
As Tenchi watched his two friends leave with Ryo, his heart seemed to sink slightly. As he continued to watch the car until it was out of his eye's view, my mind drifted to his thoughts. 'Why does she seem to familiar? I mean, I'm pretty sure I've never met her, but none the less, she seems so familiar. Maybe she's from one of dad's parties when I was a kid. Who knows. That might be it. *sigh* I can worry about this later. I have to get to grandpa's before he doubles my work.
Tenchi quickly ran up the stairs to the shrine where he found his grandfather standing on the top step. "Ah, Tenchi my boy! You're actually early! Well, shall we begin then?"
"Alright. But grandpa, can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"You remember all the work parties dad had over at the house before the girls arrived?"
"Yes, quite well acutally. Why do you ask Tenchi?"
"Well, one of Ayeka's friends came over today to pick her and Sasami up and she seemed rather familiar."
"Oh really? And how is that?"
"Well, I'm not too sure actually. She just seems familiar somehow."
"Well, did you see any of her face by any chance?"
"Um, well, no. She was wearing a scarf around her head and sunglasses covered her eyes. So I didn't really get to see much of her facial features."
"Hummm, quite interesting. Quite. Well Tenchi my boy, I have one solution for you?"
"And what's that?"
"Maybe you dreamt of her one day as your guardian angel. You never know. It might just be possible. Now, lets get down to your training."
As Tenchi watched his grandfather walk around towards the shrine, she gave a strange look and thought to himself, 'My guardian angel? I sweat, I'm beginning to think a screw in his head is lose or something because he's getting wierder and wierder everyday.'
Tenchi sighed and shrugged his shoulders. Deciding to shrug off his granfather's earlier comment as he followed him to the shrine to ready for his long training day.
~*~ I could never love again
So much as I love you
Where you end, where I begin
Is like a river running through ~*~
//later that night; Ryoko's apartment//
It was now after dinner in the Hakubi/Ankiiki residence and everyone was in Ryoko's and Washu's livingroom. Some drinking a little sake (little mind you). While others drank water or ice cold juice from the fridge. They sat together, enjoying the other's company. Laughing and just having fun talking with one another.
"So Ryoko, I heard that Ayeka here is a bite of a snob. Is that true?" asked Katrina jokingly as she sipped her sake.
"That is so not true. She doesn't see the intellectual part of me that will make me a great and proud queen someday. That is all," answered Ayeka for Ryoko in an almost mocking voice.
Katrina and the other's looked at Ayeka with a look of confusion and stupidity on their faces. "Wow, you were right Ryoko."
"Hey!"
Ayeka threw a pillow at the bewildered Katrina, who, in returne, threw the same pillow back. Causing a chain reaction called "revenge of the pillow fight" between the 5 ppl. When it calmed and everyone had stiffled their laughes, Ayeka remembered something that Ryoko had said over the phone a few days before.
"Hey Ryoko, you said over the phone a little while back that there was something really important that you needed to tell me. What was it?"
Ryoko's smiled ceased, as well as her laughs, as she looked at Ayeka, then the floor, then her mother and Katrina. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, as though she had lost her voice. She closed her eyes and sighed, begging her mother through their link to explain. Washu agreed and turned her attention to Ayeka and Sasami. Who, by now, both had rather concerned faces.
"::sigh:: Now, Ayeka, this is going to be a rather large surprise for you, but there is something about Ryoko that niether you nor Sasami know."
"She's not sick or anything is she, Miss Washu?" asked Sasami with worry in her voice.
"::smile:: No, no. Nothing like that. Well, in a way you could say that it's causing symptoms that might make you think that she is sick."
"But Miss Washu, what could possibly cause....." Ayeka suddenly stopped in what she was going to say. Her eyes wide in shock.
Washu looked at her then back at her daughter. Ryoko, who felt her mother's stare, looked straight at Ayeka. A scared look in her eyes as she watched her.
"You mean, that you... Ryoko, you're... But, but I don't get it, when did this happen? And with, with who?"
"Ayeka, please understand..."
"Wait a minute! 'Please understand'?! Who was it exactly Ryoko!?" (ok, you guys have a hint about what's going on so far right?... think really hard if you don't.....)
"Ayeka. Please! Just let me explain everything before you start ranting and raving at me."
"You're not saying that it was.... was....."
Ryoko looked down in shame, as though if she said the name, she would be damned to hell if doing so. Ayeka, who saw the shame in her eyes before bowing her head, shock her own head before walking to her room. Ryoko and the other's saw her leave, Sasami following after her.
Katrina, who was by now confused as ever, looked back and forth from where Ayeka had disappeared to Ryoko. Not understanding anything of what was just said between the two. "Ok, did I miss something here?"
"Excuse me, I've got to go talk with Ayeka," said Ryoko as she too disappeared behind the same wall that Ayeka had disappeared at.
"What just happened?"
"Rina, I think you should sit down. This is going to take a while."
Katrina looked at Washu, confusion showing through her eyes. But shock her head in agreement and took a seat next to Washu.
~*~ Take my heart, take my eyes
I need them no more
If never again they fall
Upon the one I so adore... ~*~
//Back with Ryoko//
Ryoko walked to Ayeka's room and heard Ayeka sobbing yet yelling at something, or someone else who was in the room. She quietly knocked on the door, hoping that someone would answer. When no one did and the yelling seemed to continue, she walked in herself and saw Ayeka yelling at a confused, and almost crying, Sasami. Ryoko quickly ran to her side and took the little princess out into the hall.
"Sasami? Are you alright?" she asked as she hugged the little girl to her chest.
"What did I do, Ryoko, that she's yelling at me?" sobbed the the blue haired princess.
"It's not you, Sasami. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Don't worry. Just let your sister come to her senses and she'll say sorry for what she did. Alright?" Sasami nodded her head and hugged Ryoko again. "Ok, now right don't you go back into the living room to mom and Kat. Mom will explain everything to you then. Alright?"
"Alright. You gonna come with?"
"No, I'm gonna try to talk to Ayeka. See if I can try and calm her down myself."
"Alright. I'll see you later then."
And with that, Sasami walked away back to the living room, whipping what tears were still on her face. Ryoko watched her leave, a sad look on her own face. When she turned around, she found Ayeka still in her room, looking out the window at the city lights. She took a deep breath and walked into the room, closing the door behind her.
"Ayeka?" she asked quietly, but not seeming to get her attention. "Ayeka, I know you can hear me. Would you at least let me try to explain?..."
"...Why?" Ayeka's quiet voice was quiet, as though not even autioable(sp?). But it seemed to ring in Ryoko's ear as she spoke.
"'Why' what, Ayeka?"
"Why did you do that? Just hoping to get one quick fling with each other and then just leave?"
"Ayeka, it was nothing like that....."
"Bull..."
"What?"
"*snorts slightly* You heard me." Ayeka turned her around, paying her full attention to Ryoko. "How could you do this to me?"
"Do what?..."
"How could you possibly sleep with the man I love?! You knew very well what my feelings were for him and yet you go and do it anyway! What?! Was it some way just get ahead of me?! To prove that you are somehow better than me in one way or another?!"
"Ayeka, it wasn't like that! I wish you'd let me explain!"
"Bull shit! (oohhhhh, she swore! ^_^ ) I don't believe you, Ryoko! I don't see why I began ever trying to push a friendship with you! It was totally futile! And I'll never trust you again, Ryoko! You're nothing but... but... but a lying, cheating, whore who couldn't do anything but sleep with the man I love and get pregnant with his child. Tenchi's child no less. Just to spite me! You slut.
Ryoko looked at Ayeka in shock. Her eyes showing the slight pain that she felt with Ayeka's words. Ryoko, as though acting as though she didn't feel anything for what she said, smiled slightly and snorted. "That's fine, Ayeka. That's how you feel, I can't chance it.... But I wish you would've just listened to me instead of ranting and raving at me. But hey, I've heard worse, right? Not a biggy. I just figured I'd try to explain. But since you have your own conclusion, I don't really need to explain..... I'll leave you alone now, Ayeka. I won't bother you anymore. If you need something, you'll know where to find everyone. Goodbye."
Ayeka watched as Ryoko turned around and walked out of the room. But not before noticing the glistening tears that escaped from Ryoko's eyes, and landed on the carpet of Ayeka's room.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll be gone ~*~
//later that night//
Ayeka awoke to the sound of someone crying. And even though she probably knew who it was and didn't want to "fall so low as to talk to her", she climbed out of bed and walked into the hallway. She saw the light in Ryoko's room on, but when she checked, no one was in there. But no matter what, the crying sobs could still be heard where ever she went. She shrugged her shoulders, hoping that if she went back to her room, she could no longer hear the shattering tears. But just before leaving to her room, she saw the bathroom light in the hallway on. She walked over and saw the door cracked, giving her the invitation to look in.
She pecked inside and had a sudden intake of breath at who she saw. Sitting there, on the tiled floor of the bathroom, was Ryoko. Her arms ontop of her knees that were brought up to her chest. Her head leaning on those arms as she cried. Ayeka, even though she felt hatred for her just a few moments ago, felt that hatred deminish as she watched her friend cry for probably more than one reason. She slowly opened the door, getting the attention of Ryoko. Ryoko's eyes, Ayeka noticed, we puffy as though she was crying for longer than Ayeka had suspected. Her cheeks were tear- stained from all the tears that had fallen from Ryoko's golden eyes.
Ayeka felt pity for her as she walked up to Ryoko, kneeled down beside her, and took her into her arms for a hug of comfort. Ryoko, at first surprised by this, accepted the hug and buried her head in Ayeka's shoulders as she finished crying out the rest of her tears.
"I'm so, so sorry, Ayeka..." she mumbled as she whipped away her tears from Ayeka's shoulder.
Ayeka sighed and stood up, taking Ryoko with her. "Come on. Let's go back to your room." Ayeka led Ryoko from the bathroom (you can pretty much guess the reason why Ryoko was in there in the first place...) and to her room.
Ayeka sat Ryoko at the edge of her bed, herself taking a seat right next to her. They were silent for a moment, except for the occational sobs or sniffles from Ryoko as Ayeka rubbed her back. The errie silence was broken by Ayeka's gentle, yet stern voice.
"Ryoko, I don't understand everything that's gone on today. First there was this whole party deal after and before dinner with Kat and everyone else. Then the announcement of you being pregnant. And with Tenchi's child no less..... And it's not like I meant to burst out like I did earlier, it's just, well... I just didn't want to believe it. But could you really blame me?" Ayeka saw Ryoko's head shack as she agreed with her. "So Ryoko, I want to know everything that happened. And when it happened. Do you think you could possibly do that for me, even though I refused to earlier?"
Ryoko was silent, her body not moving an inch. As though a part of her wanted to just ignore everything that Ayeka was requesting. But another part of her knew that she had to tell. Even if just to get it off her chest, she knew that she had to tell someone besides her own mother. And in her heart, she knew that the perfect person to tell, if not Tenchi, was Ayeka. 'She deserves to know...' she told herself as she nodded her head as an answer to Ayeka's earlier demands.
"Ummm, if I have to start anywhere, I guess it would be from the beginning," she began explaining. "It started the night of the welcome home party we had for everyone on our return to earth....."
~*~ One drink to remember
Then another to forget
I think of every day to find
A love like you again ~*~
//Flashback//
The Masaki residence was blustering with the joyous sounds of happiness and cheerfulness as the whole clan finally fully met up in the front yard of Tenchi's home. Even Ryoko, the "never-wanting-anything-to-do-with-anyone- but-Tenchi gal, joined in the festivities of the welcome home greetings. Even with Ayeka. And as the night rolled on, the idea of a welcoming home party was mentioned. As so as was suggested, was done.
That night, just before sunset, the party began. The sounds of music, cooking from the kitchen, and the last touches to the decorating could be heard. And as the last of the Masaki clan entered the room with the food, the party offically began.
"Ryoko! Could you help me set this down on the table! I think I'm gonna drop something!" pleaded the little princess Sasami as she somehow managed to juggle with the food without dropping anything.
"Sure kiddo! Coming!" responded Ryoko as she made it just in time to grab the platter of raw shrimp that was about to fall to the floor.
"Here, let me help you there."
Ryoko and Sasami looked up at the black haired, brown eyed boy with a look of gratefulness showing on both of their faces. They began setting food on the table, passing food on by one to the other. About half way through the passing of the plates, Tenchi's hand brushed lightly against her's. Causing Ryoko to avert her eyes for a brief moment, just to look. As though making sure that she hadn't dreamt it. She noticed Tenchi stare at her as well. And in that moment, time seemed to just hold still for Ryoko. Even if it was only about a half a second. She quickly readjusted her eyes back to Sasami as she was handed another plate.
When all the food was set on the table, suddenly Noboyuki stumbled into the house, his hands behind his back, causing everyone's attention to him. He had a large mischievious grin on his face as he whipped out his hands from behind his back, revealing small bottles of sake in each hand. Some of the girls, like Mihoshi, jumped foo joy and took a few from him to place next to the food. Whilst Ryoko rolled her eyes at this scene and smirked slightly. Although, she was glad to get some good sake tonite.
So the party commenced, sending everyone into a wild frency as they rejoyced the day's end. Kareoke was played, music blasting, food eaten (of course), sake drinkin (guess by who...). And about an hour after midnight, everyone was just about past out. With the exception of Ryoko and Tenchi. Ayeka and Sasami retired to their rooms, Washu to her lab, whilst the others knocked out on the living room floor.
Tenchi and Ryoko, since being the only two away, played a game of mini truth or dare, niether really caring what the other asked or dared, in Ryoko's room as not to wake the other's. When it came to Ryoko's turn to ask Tenchi a truth or dare, she said,
"Truce or Dare, my dear Tenshi?"
"Ummm, Truce..."
"Hmm, now dish should be intereshding... ummmm, alrigthht. Dear Tenshi, have you ever, even jusht once, did you ever find me attrachtive?..."
"Of courth! And I shdill do!" replied Tenchi, too drunk to even realize what he was saying.
But as though that was the cure for her drunkenness, Ryoko's eye's widened at his respondse. So she decided to take it a little further. Hoping he was too drunk to notice that he hadn't asked her yet. "And would you kish me?"
"Only if you dared me tchoo."
"Um, really? Tenshi dear, I dare you to kish me!"
"Um, what happened tcho my tchurn?"
"I don't know. And I don't really care eisther."
"::smirk:: Really?"
"Um, hum. Show, you gonna take the dare or not?"
"Um, sinsh it was a dare, guesh I should really do it, shouldn't I?"
":smile:: Um, hum!"
"Yesh, ma'am!"
Tenchi leaned forward from across Ryoko, over the now empty sake bottles, and stopped his lips from touching her's about an inch away. Ryoko could feel herself sobbering up as she felt his warm breath on her lips. And as though Tenchi had finally understood what he was doing, it was as though he was beginning to sobber up as well. Taking this as his chance to stop this now or never. But his gut told him to continue and take the chance to touching his lips to Ryoko's. So, with the last few seconds that it took, they're lips finally met. And even though it was just about 15 seconds long, it seemed like it lasted a life time to Ryoko.
When their lips seperated, their eyes met once again. Fire seeming to burn in both of their eyes. And before the other knew what was happening, their lips met once again. Just seeming to savor the other's upon their own. And before the other knew it, they were both on their knees, their arms wrapped around the other. Ryoko managed to shed Tenchi's shirt from his chest as he managed to untuck her shirt from her capri's and slip it over her head.
In the breef moment that their lips were apart, Tenchi and Ryoko looked into each other's eyes. Tenchi looked down at her now exposed flesh and noticed and scar that lay on herleft side. He traced his fingers over it before looking back into Ryoko's eyes. Her eyes seeming to tell him what happened. She smiled slightly, indicating to him that it wasn't that bad. But to him, knowing what caused it, felt something inside his heart twist. And as a way to appologize, his began to kiss her lips again. Savoring the taste of the now empty sake.
~*~ One drink to remember
And another to forget ~*~
//Flash forward//
"And things just seemed to go from there. I... I don't even know what brought the urge to continue. It was just a dare. Just to see if he would even do it. And then..... then things just kinda got out of proportion. And we ended up doing more than ever intended. I... I really didn't mean it Ayeka. You have to believe me. Please....."
Ayeka looked at Ryoko as she began to cry all over again. Her body trembled as she tried to control her sobs, but losing to a already lost battle. Ayeka sighed, forgetting any anger she had for her friends. She leaned forward and pulled Ryoko in her arms as she continued to cry like a hurt child. When Ryoko was finally calm, Ayeka pulled her away and forced Ryoko to look into her eyes.
"Ryoko... ::sigh:: I'm not angry at you anymore. Even though a large part of me says that I should be. But for some reason, I just can't anymore... Ryoko, even though I don't like this idea sometimes, you should've told me from the beginning instead of hide it away from everyone. Then maybe I could've helped in some way. Even if it was just the smallest of help. And even if I was angry. You understand why I was angry though, weren't you?"
"Yes, I would've been the same."
"I know. That's one of the reasons I can't stay angry at you anymore. So from now on, if it has anything else to do with Tenchi or you, how about you tell me instead of block it from me. Then maybe I won't react the way I did earlier. And plus, then you can get it off you chest. Deal?"
Ryoko looked at Ayeka and smiled. She nodded her head in agreement and said, "Deal."
Ayeka nodded her head back and smiled as well.
They sat in Ryoko's bedroom for the rest of the night until the sun began to rise. Telling each other what else might've happened between anyone. Just to get it all of their chests.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll be gone
One more drink and I'll move on ~*~
//Back with Tenchi//
Tenchi woke up that morning with a horrible migrane. He held his head in his hands, mumbling to himself, "What the hell did a hit and run with my head?" The dream he had before he woke up caused this pain in his head, just the screaming from it alone giving him most of it. Especially the line that seemed to repeat over and over in his head, even as he got out of bed and started to get ready for another day of training with his grandfather.
'I'll never trust you again, Ryoko! You're nothing but... but... but a lying, cheating, whore who couldn't do anything but sleep with the man I love and get pregnant with his child. Tenchi's child no less. Just to spite me! You slut.'
Those words alone seemed to haunt his subconscious as he readyied(sp?) himself for the day. And no matter how hard he tried to push those thoughts aside, they just seemed to come back, taking another memory with it to haunt him as well.
The dreams of Ryoko seemed to real to be true to him. 'Why would I have such realistic dreams of Ryoko? She's gone, moved out. No one here has seen hide-nor-hair of her or from her since she left two months ago. So, why am I having dreams of everything like this now? And with Ayeka no less?....... *sigh* Maybe I just need some time to think about it all and get it off my chest somehow. Might help me a little...'
Tenchi sighed again and finished getting ready before running down stairs, grabbing something to eat, and running out the door and up the shrine steps to meet his grandfather for training. His dreams never leaving his memory, leaving him images of his "dreams" to play with his mind.
~*~ You think of things impossible
Then the sun refuse to shine
I woke with you beside me
Your cold hand lay in mine ~*~
//Back with the girls//
(A.N.- Alright, this is suppose to be the comedy part, but my comedy todqay just sux cuz I'm too tired to care. *sweatdrops* But if I get my sense of humor back soon, I'll make sure to change it. k? Thx!... ^_^' ) (p.s, it you want to, you can just skip the comedy, I'm not even sure it makes sense at all... *sweatdrops again* ^_^' )
"Hey, why don't you guys go have a seat, I'm about to go up next. I'll see you guys after the show. Alright?"
"Alright. See ya later then Ryoko!" And with the last of the goodbyes, Sasami, Ayeka, Kat, and the rest of Ryoko's friends walked out from backstage to where the guests were to be seated.
After about five minutes of waiting, the host of tonite's events came on stage to introduce the next comedian. "Give him a round of applaudes everyone! ::crowd claps:: Now, our next guest you all know very well. Well, as long as you've been attending weekly. Ladies and gentlemen, Ryoko Hakubi!"
The crowd cheered as Ryoko walked on stage, waving her hands to the audience, and the host left. Leaving Ryoko alone to attend to the crowds entertainment.
"Good Evening!" she began as she spoke into the microphone. "How are you all doing tonite? ::crowd mumbles:: That's good, that's good. You know, this is something I never understood. Why do we comedians always ask that when we get on stage? I mean, are we just gonna go up to each other and just start up a conversation? Oh yea, I can see it now... 'Hey there. How's it going?' 'Oh, it's great. My son said his first word today..... F***er!' ::crowd laughes:: I mean come on, seriously. Couldn't you just see us talking like that? Well, I could do that, I have a few friends here today with me anyway. Infact, I think I will... ::begins to walk off stage and sit with Aykea, Sasami, and Katrina:: Hey there Sasami, how are you tonite?"
"::giggle:: Just fine Ryoko."
"That's great. And how about you, Ayeka?"
"::chukle:: I'm doing good, Ryoko. And how about yourself?"
"Oh, I'm just dandy. And how about... Oh nevermind. I talk to you everyday, who cares... ::crowd laughs:: ::Walks back on stage:: Newhoz... You guys know the deal with this new case, I don't remember what it's about exactly, but a lawyer is being accused of wrong doings? Whatever they may be. But you know why they're accusing him right? Because he's a lawyer! ::crowd laughes:: I'm not joking! I mean sure, you have the good lawyers. They obey the law and all that other good crap. But then you have the other type were as their making their clients sign their contracts, their hands are underneath their desks, just rubbing together, while in their heads their thinking, 'Satan here I come! Bwahahahahahaha!!!' ::crowd laughes:: Think about it!...
"....::snickers:: I couldn't have put that one anyone better if I tried... ::crowd laughes::
"Ok, this is a question to the women populous of the audiance. Have you ever wondered why men are what they are? I mean, you got men that range from idiots, to numbskulls, to complete and utter assholes! ::women stand and root her on:: See, you agree! I'm not the only one. No offence to the men. But really, what made you all so stupid!? ::crowd laughes, women still root her:: No offence, but I'm beginning to think that one joke about the third tit(1) is true! No offence again. But come on! I think only about 1/3, at the most, of the male populous I can stand. Ok, I can usually stand them period. But I'm just glad I'm female. ::women keep rooting:: And watch, Kame up in heaven is probably saying right now, 'Just watch, Ryoko. I'll make you a male next time...' ::crowd laughes::
"Ok, enough dissing men before I get tompled and killed for it. ::crowd laughes:: ..... Who here loves children? ::most of the crown cheers:: That's cool. And I figure by now you all know about me having a child in about 6-7 months, right? ::crowd cheers for her:: Thank you, thank you. I hope, though, it's a girl. I mean, I love little boys, but I want a girl to be my first. I can see it now, she's gonna be just like me. Something close to my hair, hopefully her father's eyes, even my attitude. A total b****. ::crowd laughes:: ::snickers:: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. But yea, I can't wait to have my kid. But if it is a girl, I'll be so happy. Although I can see the first things she'll request when she knows how to speak. ::someone in the crowd yells pony:: Oh, I can see you've already been through all this before, huh? Well, guess what, you can do it for me when my daughter asks. Cause I don't wanna. ::crowd laughes:: But if she really wants a pony, I'm gonna straight up and tell her, 'Hun, when you get a job and earn money, we'll talk...' ::crowd laughes::
"That's all my time tonite! Thank you and Goodbye!"
As Ryoko walked off stage, she waved to the crowd and disappears behind stage.
When she walked out a few minutes later, she found Ayeka, Sasami, and Katrina waiting for her. "Hey there guys! You two enjoy tonite?" she asked to Ayeka and Sasami.
"Yea! I've had a great time!"
"Same here Ryoko. What do you say we head home though. We should really get back before midnight."
"Alright, Ayeka. Let's get going then."
And with that, Ryoko and the others left the night club and back to their place. When they got there, they found Washu and Niko (the guy I mentioned in ch. 2) in the kitchen talking with one another. Ryoko waved to him and her mother and greeted, "Hey there Niko. Mom invite you for dinner?"
"Yea, too keep her company while you were out."
"Ah, I see."
"But, I should get going. Have to get up early to get to my meeting."
"Which reminds me, Niko, if you're a chef, why do you have meetings?" asked Katrina as she took a seat near Ryoko.
"Because, it's my restaurant. Have to make sure everything goes well."
"Good point."
"Well, I should be on my way. I'll see you all later. Bye Washu. Thanks for dinner."
"No prob. Come back to visit me soon. Alright?"
"Will do." Niko bent down and kissed Washu on the cheek before saying his goodbyes one last time and headed out the door.
Ryoko looked at Niko as he left, then back as her mother with a slight smirk on her face. Washu looked up at her daughter and gave a look of innocense. "What?!"
"You like him don't you?!"
"Oh Ryoko!" Washu got up from her seat to make cups of coffee for everyone, with the exception of Sasami who got Kool-Aide.
"You do!" Ryoko followed her mom to the counter and took a seat next to the coffee maker. Tilting forward, balancing her wieght on her arms, and said, "When?"
"'When' what, Ryoko? I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"I knew it! When did you start liking him? I mean, I knew he liked you and all, but...."
"...He likes me?"
Ryoko looked at her mother in the eyes and smiled at the look of hope in those emerald eyes. "Yea, you can't tell? Kat and I figured this out a long time again. He really likes you and all, but we never figured you liked him back considering you never showed it. But now I wanna know when you did."
Washu was silent for a few moments, but then mumbled out, "I've only 'liked' him for about a month now."
"A month?! Man, how were you able to hide that from me?! Your daughter?! Man, and I thought I knew everything about everyone!"
"Ryoko, I don't want you going and blurting it out to him. I may like him and he may like me, but I don't want anything to change between us."
"Why? Because you've been married before?... *sighs* Mom, that was ages ago. Before I was even born. Which was MANY years ago. At least in my opinion. And mom, he only left you because he cared more about what his parents thought, than he ever did you. Sure, I'm curious to who my half brother is and all, but you can't just keep that in your head all the time. Remember what you always told me? Always think of now and not then. Now, why don't you listen to your own words, and put both of them behind you?"
Washu looked up at her daughter. And she could see the thoughtfulness in Ryoko eyes, as she did in her words. She smiled at Ryoko, and nodded her head in agreement. "I suppose you're right."
"Of course!"
Washu smiled again and shock her head. "Always the one to see things her way..."
"Hey! I resent that!"
Everyone in the room chuckled. And after a long talk with whatever came to mind and their coffee, they all went to bed. Ready to just have the sandman to take them to their fairy-dreamlands.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll go... ~*~
//With Ryoko//
As everyone in the house was sleeping, in their own little dream land, Ryoko sat by the large window in her room, staring out at what stars she could see. 'Why does the city have to be so bright at night? They don't like the stars or something?' Ryoko sighed and layed her forhead on the semi-cold glass of the window-pan. Thinking back to the days before her new life style she held now. She sighed once more. But instead of it being silent, you could hear the genlt owrd of a single name. "Tenchi..."
And a little distance from where Ryoko stay, another was up, looking up at the scattered stars that lye in the sky above him. His feet hanging over the roof of his house. The light breeze blowing some of his hair in from of his eyes. And as the breeze flew by, he almost heard him name being called. And as an answer to his name, he called out just as gently, "Ryoko...", before closing his eyes, enjoying the nights breeze against his skin.
~*~ Excuse me please, one more drink
Could you make it strong?
'Cause I don't need to think
She broke my heart
My Grace is Gone
Another drink and I'll move on
One more drink and I'll move on
One more drink, my grace is gone. ~*~
~*~ TBC ~*~
A.N. I did it! I finally finished chapter 3! *pants from exhaustion* LoL. j/k! But yea, here's another chapter done and over with. Now only... *counts fingers* ...umpteen more to go! :p I'm a wierdo, I know. But back off! I'm tired, so I'm getting pingy! (yea, after I'm done with the comedy scene.... *sighs*) But there it is, how you all enjoyed, tty'all laterz! PLZ REVIEW!!!!!
(1): The useless boob (aka third tit) thing was a joke that was send to me through e-mail from someone in my family. It's funny as hell. And if you want a quick summary, here's one. God made Eve with three boobs. The two normal, and the onein the middle. When God asked how she was doing, she said she was fine but didn't like the middle boob. So God did as she asked and took her third boob away. Just trowing it away to who knows where. When God came back to visit her to ask how she was doing again, Eve says that she's lonely and wanted company from more than just nature and the animals that surrounded her. So, God being the one not to let someone stay lonely, complied her to request of a friend and says, "Now, where did I put that useless boob?" Get it now?
Preview of next chapter:
Ryoko's voice is heard: Well, here I am! Ayeka and Sasami are here to stay with mom, me and Kat, while Tenchi back at home is all by himself to think of all that's been going on since I left. And how he feels about everything now that it's all different.
In the next chapter of No Need For A Whole New Life Style, Tenchi reminises about his past and future, while me and the girls go out for a night on the town. And plus, if we're lucky, Kat, Ayeka, Sasami and myself might just be able to get mom and Niko on their first date. Wish us luck!
All this and more in: No Need For Reminising