Zero Tolerance
By Diane Long
Chapter Two: Little Girls
Light was always abundant in the Masaki home unless the drapes and shades were tightly drawn. Noboyuki had carefully crafted the spaces of his home to be open and bright. On this morning dust motes danced in a beam of light that angled down the stairwell from a window on the upper floor. The light glittered across the surface of a pair of eyes so yellow they seemed golden. The owner of the eyes, a young girl, barely taller than Sasami, blinked against the intensity of the light and moved a step lower on the staircase so the sun highlighted the pale aqua of her hair instead. She tripped over the long hem of the over-large coat she wore and came down a further step, pausing one step above the landing.
"Mom!" she said urgently, clearly uncomfortable with the way everyone was staring at her. The repetition of her high pitched voice just caused them to look even closer, making her frown.
Washu gasped and took another hesitant step forward. "Can it be?" She paused and took a deep breath while smoothing down the front of her uniform. "Ryoko how old are you?"
The youngster tilted her head to the side and furrowed her brow. "Wh- what?"
"Just answer please," Washu said gripping her fingers in her tunic's hem.
"Sixteen. Like I was yesterday," Ryoko said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Washu gave a giddy laugh. "Where are we?"
Ryoko looked around her unfamiliar surroundings. "Todain… I think. Did you move us again when I was asleep?" Despite her obvious uncertainty, the last was said with an undertone of annoyance.
Washu shuffled forward, her hands now clasped under her chin. "Who do you hate most in the entire galaxy?"
"Huh? Have you been experimenting on yourself again?" Ryoko asked dubiously, taking a step back up the stairs.
"MY RYOKO!" Washu sang out, dashing forward to hug her hapless offspring in a tight embrace. Washu buried her head in the soft spikes of Ryoko's hair and began to rock her back and forth. Her shoulders quaked as she breathed in great sobs of breath.
"Mom!" Ryoko choked. "I can't breathe!" She wiggled, trying to fight her way out of her mother's arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Washu let go. She took one of Ryoko's hands into both of her own and turned to face the group her eyes fiercely bright. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to the real Ryoko."
"Oh mom, you are so weird," Ryoko said, trying to unsuccessfully to free her hand from Washu's grip. "Um… hi everyone."
Tenchi stepped forward, his mouth hanging ajar. "What's going on?" He looked down into the young girl's eyes. "Don't you remember us Ryoko?"
Ryoko's free hand fluttered to her forehead and she frowned. "Should I?"
Washu caught Tenchi's eye. "Don't upset her," she said dangerously. "It seems that the back-up copy took precedence, but her memories dating after the copy were lost."
"My memories were lost?" Ryoko asked in confusion. "But I remember everything… until I woke up this morning. Then everything was different. What's happening to me?" She turned frightened eyes to Washu.
"Don't worry, I will fix everything," Washu promised, giving Ryoko's hand a light squeeze.
"You always fix everything," Ryoko said, her tension easing. "Please, tell me what happened?"
"That's a long story honey, and I promise I will tell you all about it later. Right now, you need to meet your new friends," Washu said tugging her forward and down the rest of the stairs.
Ryoko opened her mouth to protest, but obediently remained silent and followed Washu into the living room. Her docility made three sets of eyes widen even further. Washu just smiled fondly.
Washu motioned to Tenchi. "This young man is Tenchi Masaki and this is his house."
"Hi," Ryoko said politely, with no real reaction. "Thanks for letting us stay in your house. I guess I was asleep when Mom teleported us in."
"Hi, Ryoko," he said rather desperately, seeming to peer into her eyes as if he were searching for something.
Ryoko wrinkled nose as he continued to stare at her until her mother gestured to Ayeka.
"This is Ayeka Jurai, Princess of Jurai," Washu said as she indicated Ayeka with a sweep on her hand.
"A real princess, honest?" Ryoko said in awe, her eyes reflecting stars. "And I love your hair. Purple is my favorite color!"
"My goodness," Ayeka said, taken aback. "What a nice young lady you are!"
"Thank you princess," Ryoko said with a little bow.
Ayeka returned the gesture, surprise and pleasure playing across her face.
"And this young lady is Ayeka's little sister, Sasami," Washu said, ending the introductions. "The rest you can meet later."
Ryoko sparkled at the young girl, looking her directly in the eyes being similar to her in height. "Another princess! You're really cute!"
Sasami reflected the glow. "Thanks so are you! We look like we are the same age! I'm sure we will be good friends!"
Ryoko flushed prettily. "I'm older than I look. I'm 16. It's just that my body won't grow right now."
"That's okay," Sasami said with sincerity. "We can still be friends!"
"Great!" Ryoko said then let lose a large yawn which she covered with the splayed fingers of a hand. "Excuse me." Looking as if she might need a few hours more sleep, she turned to Washu. "Now mom, are you going to explain what's going on or what?"
Washu clucked her tongue. "Not with you yawning like that. Go back to bed and we will take care of everything later." She put up a hand as Ryoko began to protest. "Just do it."
To everyone's continued amazement the sleepy little Ryoko followed Washu's instructions without a fuss.
***
Tenchi took of his muddy boots by the front door and eased his tired feet into a soft pair of slippers. He had gotten up extra early this morning to work out his confusion by hoeing the carrot patch. Yesterday's events were bizarre, even by the standards of the crazy people who shared his home. Not only had Ryoko's current memories been lost, but her childhood memories had been restored to her. Even more amazing, she had been restored to the body she had worn at the age of 16.
Washu had explained that the Masu components that made up Ryoko's body were very sensitive to psychic impulses. Since Ryoko's mind thought her body should be as it was when she was16, the MASU conformed to that imperative. She had apparently been rather short. It was odd to see his willful, swaggering friend with such a little body and a squeaky voice.
After her shocking change had been revealed, Ryoko had gone to bed and slept through the entire day and night. Again, Washu had explained that the stress of all of the changes had worn Ryoko's body out. She had said not to worry, but how could he not worry?
Where was Ryoko? This little girl was not his best friend. Heck, she didn't even remember him. Where was that confident woman whose voice tempted his resolve even more than her body? Where did she go?
Washu was happy and everyone seemed to catch her wave. While Ryoko had slept through yesterday everyone had made plans about the fun things they could do with such a sweet little girl. Even his father, who had discovered the news via the telephone, wanted in on a trip to the Tokyo zoo. It was amazing how easily they had forgotten the true Ryoko. No, it was scary. He would not forget. Never.
As Tenchi stepped up into the living room, he heard the light sound of small feet dancing down the stair case and the tell-tale squeak of Ryoko's voice. She was up again it seemed. With a deep breath of resolve, Tenchi walked over to greet her, but was cut off by his grandfather.
"So, you are little Ryoko," Yosho said with warm welcome as he bent forward at the waist and looked leaned his hands on his knees. "My name is Yosho and I am the keeper of the Masaki Shrine."
Ryoko bowed her pale gray GA student's uniform creaking as if it had been over starched. "Nice to meet you, sir." Her eyes sparkled and she seemed to vibrate with energy and enthusiasm. All of yesterday's lethargy was long gone.
"Oh, no need to be so formal. You can call me grandfather," Yosho encouraged, straightening up and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Really?" Ryoko asked, looking up at him with awe. "But, you are a holy man… I couldn't!"
"Really you can!" Sasami called as she set the table for breakfast. "That's what Ayeka and I call him."
Ryoko looked over to Sasami's encouraging smile. "Honestly?"
Ayeka joined her sister and placed a pot of hot tea on the table before sitting down to pour herself a cup. "Yes, dear, that's what we all call him," she said with a nod.
Ryoko flushed and turned her attention back to Yosho as she toyed with the white pom-pom on her belt. "Oh, if Ayeka does it, and Sasami too, I guess it's okay then!" Ryoko giggled. "Thank you, grandfather!"
"You are welcome, kodomo. Tell me, why are you wearing that uniform? Are you going to school?" Yosho asked.
Ryoko's posture straightened with pride. "It's the GA student uniform, its just like my mom's only it's grey and I only get one pom-pom on my belt. As for school, everyday is a school day."
Yosho chuckled. "With your mother, I am not surprised at that."
Tenchi wasn't really surprised either. He had always known that Ryoko was smart, but respected her privacy by not making a big deal out of it. Ryoko, as he had known her, wanted to put as much distance as possible between herself and her mother. This Ryoko was almost a carbon copy of Washu, height and all. Change the colors and they would be the same. Then it struck him. That cute voice that Washu insisted on using…. Was that voice an intentional mimic of little Ryoko's voice?
"Ohhhh! Look at that cute little girl!" Mihoshi chirruped as she sailed into the room her blond curls bouncing in her wake. "Why I've never seen anything quite so cute!"
"Um, grandfather?" Ryoko asked ducking behind Yosho as Mihoshi moved in for a hug attack.
Not daunted, Mihoshi looked around Yosho and grinned. "Are you Ryoko's illegitimate daughter?"
Tenchi snickered at the interaction, despite his earlier deep thoughts. Mihoshi had been out yesterday, so she had no preparation for this encounter, not that it would have helped.
"What?" Ryoko asked incredulously, taking a step back from the gaga officer. "How can I be my own daughter?"
"I knew that Ryoko would be a great mom someday!" Mihoshi proclaimed, her eyes aglow.
Yosho intercepted Mihoshi as she swooped in for another hug attempt. "Miss Mihoshi, allow me to explain."
"What's to explain? Ryoko drank too much and got pregnant. You know how that happens, don't you?" Mihoshi pronounced.
"What?!" Ryoko squeaked.
"That is not appropriate talk for children," Yosho said with a frown as he released his hold on Mihoshi and covered Ryoko's ears.
Ryoko tried to pry his fingers off, but his hold was steady. "Hey, I know about that stuff!"
"What's so wrong about the stork bringing babies out of the cabbage patch?" Mihoshi asked, on the verge of tears. "It's a beautiful fact of life!"
"No, the male DNA mixes with the…mpphf!" Ryoko started to say before Yosho's hands left her ears and covered her mouth.
"Ayeka!" Yosho pleaded.
"Miss Mihoshi, can you please help me fold these napkins?" Ayeka asked from the table, running inference. "Right now?"
"Not right now, I have to go on duty!" Mihoshi said while pulling a pink control cube out of her massive ponytail. She twisted it and was suddenly attired in her Galaxy Police uniform. "I'll be back in a few days, I'm on extended patrol." She waved as she gave the cube a final twist. "Tell your mommy hi for me little girl!" And she was gone.
Ryoko looked back up at Yosho and pulled away his hands. "Either she was nuts or my mom has more to tell me than I think."
Yosho replaced his hand on Ryoko's shoulder. "That's just Mihoshi, another guest here. Sometimes her work-related stress gets to her, but she is very kind."
"How many people live here, anyway?" Ryoko asked. "This doesn't look like a hotel."
Yosho steered Ryoko towards the table. "You have met them all besides my son-in-law who works in the city. We are like a large family, not a hotel."
"You mean you don't even charge them all rent?" Ryoko asked.
"One doesn't do that to family," Yosho explained even as Ryoko didn't look convinced.
"But how do you feed them all?" Ryoko wanted to know.
Still laughing from the Mihoshi encounter, Tenchi walked over to Ryoko's side and looked DOWN at her, something that was certainly going to take some getting used to. He used to look up at her, and had only just recently begun to be near looking at her eye to eye. Now, the topmost spike of Ryoko's cyan hair reached almost to his nose.
Ryoko had been very polite until the scene with Mihoshi, where he had caught some signs of her feisty personality. Was it possible that the real her was still in there?
Ryoko caught him staring. "Yeees?" she asked uncomfortably in her little girl's voice.
"Oh, ah, nothing," Tenchi stammered, walking around her. It was weird hearing her talk that way, like someone had made a recording of her voice and was playing it back too fast. He nodded in greeting to Ayeka as he sat next to her at the table.
Ryoko shrugged and followed him. As he lowered his knees at his place setting, she watched the rest of the family take their seats. "So where do I sit?"
Tenchi shifted in his seat and looked at Ayeka with a half-smile. "Well, you usually sit on the other side of me," he said patting a thin cushion on his open side.
Ryoko considered for a moment and walked over to Ayeka. "I would like to sit by you, Lady Ayeka, please," she stated simply.
Ayeka's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't want to sit by Lord Tenchi?"
"No. I want to sit by you," Ryoko repeated.
"Well, all right," Ayeka murmured clearly not certain about what was happening as she nudged Tenchi with her elbow.
He scooted down a place and Ayeka walked around him on her knees to take up his old spot, carefully folding her kimono over her lap as she settled.
Ryoko sank bonelessly to the floor at Ayeka's side. "Thanks."
Tenchi leaned forward over the table and peered past Ayeka at Ryoko. "Why didn't you want to sit by me?" As much as he had previously disliked being stuck between two bickering women at meal time, Ryoko's actions hurt him.
Ryoko ignored him and raised her hands in front of her and summoned a holographic laptop console very like her mother's. She keyed in a code and text scrolled rapidly across the screen, her eyes darting back and forth at an uncanny pace as she read.
Ayeka licked her heart shaped lips and brushed her fingertips over Ryoko's knee. "Ryoko dear, you should be polite and answer Lord Tenchi."
"I'm sorry," Ryoko said without looking up. "I have to finish my homework."
Sasami giggled as she filled bowls with fresh steamed rice. "Come on Ryoko, be nice to Tenchi."
Ryoko sighed and flicked a key with her pinkie, pausing the screen. "He looks at me funny. I don't like it." She gave him a side way glance. "I was trying not to have to say that, sorry Mr. Tenchi."
"What? I'm sorry Ryoko, I didn't realize I was doing that," Tenchi apologized as his heart sunk. Mr. Tenchi? How polite, an unutterably not like his Ryoko.
Ryoko smiled vaguely. "That's alright - Ack! You're doing it again," she exclaimed, looking disturbed.
"Sorry!" Tenchi temporized and quickly looked away. This was not going well.
"Do I have booger on my nose or something?" Ryoko muttered.
Sasami giggled, but Ayeka frowned. "That is not appropriate table talk," she admonished. "You sound just like your mother."
Ryoko blushed, showing she was embarrassed by the princess' reprimand. "Speaking of mom, where is she?" Ryoko asked.
"She doesn't always join us for meals," Sasami explained passing the bowls of rice down the table.
"Want me to call her?" Ryoko asked tapping her temple with an index finger.
"Yes, Please!" Sasami agreed eagerly. "I made her and Ayeka's favorite, sake simmered sea bream."
"Coming right up," Ryoko said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. Her eyes flew open and she shouted, "MOOOOOOOOOM!"
Tenchi rubbed his ears with a wince. "Isn't it easier to use your telepathic bond?" he prompted.
"She'll just ignore that," she said and then pulled in a deeper breath and repeatedly called for Washu.
Yosho chuckled and reached for a serving of fish. "The young lady certainly knows her mother."
The storage closet door flew open with a bang. "What a racket!" Washu beamed, simply glowing with joy and the aura of motherhood. "Good morning my little Ryoko," she caroled as sashayed towards them. "Is she still being polite and sweet?"
Ayeka nodded. "Yes she is. She is a very well behaved young lady."
Washu rolled her eyes. "What a little con artist! Don't let her fool you! She is always like that when we move to a new place. It won't take long for her true colors to show. Right sweetie?" she asked walking over to Ryoko and kneeling behind her. She gave Ryoko a hug from behind and kissed the crown of her head.
"Mom!" Ryoko complained. "Why do you always say that?" Ryoko squirmed out of the hug and half turned to give Washu a reproachful stare.
"You are what you are, honey," Washu said, tapping Ryoko's nose with her index finger. "How do you feel today?" Washu's teasing tone turned a shade clinical as she eyed her daughter closely. "Any change in your memories?"
"Fine and no." Ryoko took in Washu's casual outfit of shorts and a stripped hooded shirt with a small frown. "Aren't we having class today?"
Washu's jaw dropped. "Class?"
Ryoko gestured at her laptop. "Don't tell me I've been cramming the astrophysics notes in for nothing."
"Oh, well, uh," Washu temporized, casting a pleading gaze to the others around the table.
"Isn't today a holiday?" Tenchi asked, trying to help. Despite his own feelings, watching Washu and Ryoko have a normal interaction had left him with a warm feeling in his heart.
Ryoko flicked her eyes back to him. "Then why did Sasami pack you a bento box for school?"
Tenchi looked down at his lap. "Oh, well… heh-heh."
Ryoko sighed and banished her laptop. "Fine. Don't tell me what's going on." She flashed a hurt look to Washu. "I'll just figure it out myself." She turned stoically to her bowl of rice and began eating it, ignoring everyone as she took dainty little bites, chewing carefully and thoroughly before swallowing.
"Look at that picky eater!" Washu sighed dreamily. "I bet you didn't expect that."
Yosho caught Washu eyes and with a scowl he shook his head, indicating that now was not the time to revel in Ryoko's changes.
Catching his meaning, Washu quieted and regarded Ryoko with a serious expression. After a moment, she touched Ryoko's arm. "I'm sorry," she said with great earnestness. "There is more going on than I even know how to explain."
Ryoko swallowed her bite and dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "I don't like secrets," she said looking into her bowl.
"I know you don't but…" Washu paused struggled for the right words, worry and concern warring for precedence on her face. "It's just that I don't know what to do."
Ryoko's back stiffened and she set her bowl back on the table with a gentle thump. "YOU don't know what to do?" she asked with disbelief.
Washu nodded. "It's true," she said quietly. "So bear with me until I figure this out."
Ryoko folded her hands in her lap, still looking down, her entire posture one of meekness. "Something bad happened to me, didn't it?"
Washu closed her eyes for a moment, her posture one of defeat. "Yes, I'm afraid it did."
"Why won't you tell me what it was?" Ryoko whispered.
"Honey, I've told you."
Ryoko shrugged Washu's hand off of her shoulder. "You told me that I had lost my memories because of an accident, but you wouldn't tell me what accident. You won't tell me how much time has passed," Ryoko's voice was raising as it thickened with distress. "And there are all these people I don't know!" She scrubbed her leaking eyes with a tight fist. "Last night, I woke up naked in some strange coat, then this morning you FORGOT about school." Ryoko's voice increased in pitch as she spoke. "You never, ever, never, give me a break from school, even when other people get holiday time! Something is wrong and you won't tell me!"
Watching the painful scene was almost too much for Tenchi. He fought the urge to sweep the little girl into his arms and comfort her. The fear in her voice begged him to make the monsters go away. Yet he knew that he wasn't her knight anymore, so with great difficulty he held his tongue and kept his seat.
"What do you remember about Kagato?" Yosho asked calmly, his hands folded in his lap.
Tenchi's mouth dropped open in shock, Ayeka blinked, and Sasami choked in her rice.
"No!" Washu shouted. "We will not be mentioning that name around her, do you understand me?" she growled, pointing a stiff index finger at the old man. "If you do, you will regret it. I am DEADLY serious."
"Kagato?" Ryoko sniffed. "Why are you so worked up over a graduate student?"
"We are not discussing it," Washu bit out.
"But…"
Washu stood up her entire body quaking with anger. "Hurry and finish your breakfast. We have class in ten minutes." She pushed up from the floor and marched back to her lab without another word.
Ryoko watched her go then turned back to her tablemates. "Can you guys tell me what's going on?"
They all looked away in discomfort expect for Ayeka who gave her best smile. "Just eat. The answers will come."
Yosho grunted and nodded his head. "Ayeka is right. Finish your food while you have time."
Ryoko took a disinterested bite of fish. "It must have something to do with Kagato," she mused, forcing down the swallow. "But what? He is just a weird, geeky, guy. " She placed her chopsticks on the table. "I'm not hungry. See you guys later." She got up and followed the path of her mother.
As Ryoko left, Tenchi and Ayeka exchanged a worried glance.
"You don't think Washu will try to keep the truth from her?" Tenchi asked. Given today's example, that would lead to nothing but pain. And where would that path leave his vanished friend?
"Why shouldn't she?" Ayeka countered. "I think Ryoko deserves a fresh start."
"But what about our Ryoko? Our old friend? What happened to her?" Tenchi asked, gripping the table.
"It is her mother's decision about what to tell her," Yosho said. "We do not have that right."
Tenchi pursed his lips and said nothing.
Sasami pushed a fishbone around the edge of her plate. "I just hope Ryoko can be happy."
Before anyone could echo that sentiment Ryoko rushed out of the lab in tears with Washu chasing after her.
"I don't care what you say! That is not your lab!" Ryoko shouted. "It's too big and too dark!"
"Dear, I just made a few changes," Washu, now wearing her GA uniform, tried to reason.
Ryoko backed away from her. "A few?! Your lab is just a big room with a door that bypasses pseudo-space. I don't even know what that place is!" Ryoko cried pointing to the storage closet door.
"Calm down," Washu soothed. "I just figured out a few things about subspace during my imprison- I mean during the time of your memory loss."
Ryoko's backwards steps shifted course as she neared the table, she was clearly frightened of all of them. "S-stay away from me. You're not who you say you are! None of you!" She backed up against the wall, trembling. "I want my mom," she whispered.
Washu moved forward only a step, and paused when Ryoko flinched at the movement. "I am your mother," she pleaded. "Don't do this to me again!"
"Liar!" Ryoko managed to say through her shaking teeth. "Are you… you… Kagato in disguise? Do you want to hurt me?"
"No!" Washu cried in agony. "Please… honey…."
Yosho creaked to his feet, old joints popping as he rose. "That's enough."
Ryoko pushed herself into the wall as he approached her. "Stay away… or I'll…." She hooked her fingers into claws and a weak spark of yellow energy fizzled into and out of life.
"I'm sorry," Yosho said as he placed a hand on her shoulder, digging his fingers into a nerve cluster at the base of Ryoko's neck.
Ryoko gasped in surprise and discomfort before her eyes rolled back into her head. Yosho caught her in his arms before she could fall. As he hefted her up into a more comfortable carrying position, he made eye contact with Washu.
"You just had to bring up Kagato," Washu said bitterly through the tears in her voice.
Yosho stared at her for a long moment before answering. "This is not exactly the miracle you thought it was."
Washu's mouth pressed into a firm line and she said nothing.
Nodding as if she had spoken, Yosho turned and began carrying Ryoko up the stairs. "You need to decide what to tell her very soon. Choose wisely."
"What do I choose?" Washu whispered to herself.
Yosho paused for a moment. "A broken mirror has many shards, and they all reflect unexpected visions."
Tenchi watched his grandfather disappear around the landing, followed by a subdued Washu. This was a nightmare. This frightened little girl was not his Ryoko. He wanted her back so much that he was willing to face the combined wrath of his grandfather and Washu to do it. Except that he didn't know what it was he needed to do, and more frightening, it was clear that the two most powerful people in his home didn't know what to do either.
AN: Well, here we go again. Stay tuned for chapter three. Thanks to my pre-readers. You guys make writing so much fun… and as an extra bonus, you keep me honest! Yippeee!
By Diane Long
Chapter Two: Little Girls
Light was always abundant in the Masaki home unless the drapes and shades were tightly drawn. Noboyuki had carefully crafted the spaces of his home to be open and bright. On this morning dust motes danced in a beam of light that angled down the stairwell from a window on the upper floor. The light glittered across the surface of a pair of eyes so yellow they seemed golden. The owner of the eyes, a young girl, barely taller than Sasami, blinked against the intensity of the light and moved a step lower on the staircase so the sun highlighted the pale aqua of her hair instead. She tripped over the long hem of the over-large coat she wore and came down a further step, pausing one step above the landing.
"Mom!" she said urgently, clearly uncomfortable with the way everyone was staring at her. The repetition of her high pitched voice just caused them to look even closer, making her frown.
Washu gasped and took another hesitant step forward. "Can it be?" She paused and took a deep breath while smoothing down the front of her uniform. "Ryoko how old are you?"
The youngster tilted her head to the side and furrowed her brow. "Wh- what?"
"Just answer please," Washu said gripping her fingers in her tunic's hem.
"Sixteen. Like I was yesterday," Ryoko said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Washu gave a giddy laugh. "Where are we?"
Ryoko looked around her unfamiliar surroundings. "Todain… I think. Did you move us again when I was asleep?" Despite her obvious uncertainty, the last was said with an undertone of annoyance.
Washu shuffled forward, her hands now clasped under her chin. "Who do you hate most in the entire galaxy?"
"Huh? Have you been experimenting on yourself again?" Ryoko asked dubiously, taking a step back up the stairs.
"MY RYOKO!" Washu sang out, dashing forward to hug her hapless offspring in a tight embrace. Washu buried her head in the soft spikes of Ryoko's hair and began to rock her back and forth. Her shoulders quaked as she breathed in great sobs of breath.
"Mom!" Ryoko choked. "I can't breathe!" She wiggled, trying to fight her way out of her mother's arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Washu let go. She took one of Ryoko's hands into both of her own and turned to face the group her eyes fiercely bright. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to the real Ryoko."
"Oh mom, you are so weird," Ryoko said, trying to unsuccessfully to free her hand from Washu's grip. "Um… hi everyone."
Tenchi stepped forward, his mouth hanging ajar. "What's going on?" He looked down into the young girl's eyes. "Don't you remember us Ryoko?"
Ryoko's free hand fluttered to her forehead and she frowned. "Should I?"
Washu caught Tenchi's eye. "Don't upset her," she said dangerously. "It seems that the back-up copy took precedence, but her memories dating after the copy were lost."
"My memories were lost?" Ryoko asked in confusion. "But I remember everything… until I woke up this morning. Then everything was different. What's happening to me?" She turned frightened eyes to Washu.
"Don't worry, I will fix everything," Washu promised, giving Ryoko's hand a light squeeze.
"You always fix everything," Ryoko said, her tension easing. "Please, tell me what happened?"
"That's a long story honey, and I promise I will tell you all about it later. Right now, you need to meet your new friends," Washu said tugging her forward and down the rest of the stairs.
Ryoko opened her mouth to protest, but obediently remained silent and followed Washu into the living room. Her docility made three sets of eyes widen even further. Washu just smiled fondly.
Washu motioned to Tenchi. "This young man is Tenchi Masaki and this is his house."
"Hi," Ryoko said politely, with no real reaction. "Thanks for letting us stay in your house. I guess I was asleep when Mom teleported us in."
"Hi, Ryoko," he said rather desperately, seeming to peer into her eyes as if he were searching for something.
Ryoko wrinkled nose as he continued to stare at her until her mother gestured to Ayeka.
"This is Ayeka Jurai, Princess of Jurai," Washu said as she indicated Ayeka with a sweep on her hand.
"A real princess, honest?" Ryoko said in awe, her eyes reflecting stars. "And I love your hair. Purple is my favorite color!"
"My goodness," Ayeka said, taken aback. "What a nice young lady you are!"
"Thank you princess," Ryoko said with a little bow.
Ayeka returned the gesture, surprise and pleasure playing across her face.
"And this young lady is Ayeka's little sister, Sasami," Washu said, ending the introductions. "The rest you can meet later."
Ryoko sparkled at the young girl, looking her directly in the eyes being similar to her in height. "Another princess! You're really cute!"
Sasami reflected the glow. "Thanks so are you! We look like we are the same age! I'm sure we will be good friends!"
Ryoko flushed prettily. "I'm older than I look. I'm 16. It's just that my body won't grow right now."
"That's okay," Sasami said with sincerity. "We can still be friends!"
"Great!" Ryoko said then let lose a large yawn which she covered with the splayed fingers of a hand. "Excuse me." Looking as if she might need a few hours more sleep, she turned to Washu. "Now mom, are you going to explain what's going on or what?"
Washu clucked her tongue. "Not with you yawning like that. Go back to bed and we will take care of everything later." She put up a hand as Ryoko began to protest. "Just do it."
To everyone's continued amazement the sleepy little Ryoko followed Washu's instructions without a fuss.
***
Tenchi took of his muddy boots by the front door and eased his tired feet into a soft pair of slippers. He had gotten up extra early this morning to work out his confusion by hoeing the carrot patch. Yesterday's events were bizarre, even by the standards of the crazy people who shared his home. Not only had Ryoko's current memories been lost, but her childhood memories had been restored to her. Even more amazing, she had been restored to the body she had worn at the age of 16.
Washu had explained that the Masu components that made up Ryoko's body were very sensitive to psychic impulses. Since Ryoko's mind thought her body should be as it was when she was16, the MASU conformed to that imperative. She had apparently been rather short. It was odd to see his willful, swaggering friend with such a little body and a squeaky voice.
After her shocking change had been revealed, Ryoko had gone to bed and slept through the entire day and night. Again, Washu had explained that the stress of all of the changes had worn Ryoko's body out. She had said not to worry, but how could he not worry?
Where was Ryoko? This little girl was not his best friend. Heck, she didn't even remember him. Where was that confident woman whose voice tempted his resolve even more than her body? Where did she go?
Washu was happy and everyone seemed to catch her wave. While Ryoko had slept through yesterday everyone had made plans about the fun things they could do with such a sweet little girl. Even his father, who had discovered the news via the telephone, wanted in on a trip to the Tokyo zoo. It was amazing how easily they had forgotten the true Ryoko. No, it was scary. He would not forget. Never.
As Tenchi stepped up into the living room, he heard the light sound of small feet dancing down the stair case and the tell-tale squeak of Ryoko's voice. She was up again it seemed. With a deep breath of resolve, Tenchi walked over to greet her, but was cut off by his grandfather.
"So, you are little Ryoko," Yosho said with warm welcome as he bent forward at the waist and looked leaned his hands on his knees. "My name is Yosho and I am the keeper of the Masaki Shrine."
Ryoko bowed her pale gray GA student's uniform creaking as if it had been over starched. "Nice to meet you, sir." Her eyes sparkled and she seemed to vibrate with energy and enthusiasm. All of yesterday's lethargy was long gone.
"Oh, no need to be so formal. You can call me grandfather," Yosho encouraged, straightening up and placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Really?" Ryoko asked, looking up at him with awe. "But, you are a holy man… I couldn't!"
"Really you can!" Sasami called as she set the table for breakfast. "That's what Ayeka and I call him."
Ryoko looked over to Sasami's encouraging smile. "Honestly?"
Ayeka joined her sister and placed a pot of hot tea on the table before sitting down to pour herself a cup. "Yes, dear, that's what we all call him," she said with a nod.
Ryoko flushed and turned her attention back to Yosho as she toyed with the white pom-pom on her belt. "Oh, if Ayeka does it, and Sasami too, I guess it's okay then!" Ryoko giggled. "Thank you, grandfather!"
"You are welcome, kodomo. Tell me, why are you wearing that uniform? Are you going to school?" Yosho asked.
Ryoko's posture straightened with pride. "It's the GA student uniform, its just like my mom's only it's grey and I only get one pom-pom on my belt. As for school, everyday is a school day."
Yosho chuckled. "With your mother, I am not surprised at that."
Tenchi wasn't really surprised either. He had always known that Ryoko was smart, but respected her privacy by not making a big deal out of it. Ryoko, as he had known her, wanted to put as much distance as possible between herself and her mother. This Ryoko was almost a carbon copy of Washu, height and all. Change the colors and they would be the same. Then it struck him. That cute voice that Washu insisted on using…. Was that voice an intentional mimic of little Ryoko's voice?
"Ohhhh! Look at that cute little girl!" Mihoshi chirruped as she sailed into the room her blond curls bouncing in her wake. "Why I've never seen anything quite so cute!"
"Um, grandfather?" Ryoko asked ducking behind Yosho as Mihoshi moved in for a hug attack.
Not daunted, Mihoshi looked around Yosho and grinned. "Are you Ryoko's illegitimate daughter?"
Tenchi snickered at the interaction, despite his earlier deep thoughts. Mihoshi had been out yesterday, so she had no preparation for this encounter, not that it would have helped.
"What?" Ryoko asked incredulously, taking a step back from the gaga officer. "How can I be my own daughter?"
"I knew that Ryoko would be a great mom someday!" Mihoshi proclaimed, her eyes aglow.
Yosho intercepted Mihoshi as she swooped in for another hug attempt. "Miss Mihoshi, allow me to explain."
"What's to explain? Ryoko drank too much and got pregnant. You know how that happens, don't you?" Mihoshi pronounced.
"What?!" Ryoko squeaked.
"That is not appropriate talk for children," Yosho said with a frown as he released his hold on Mihoshi and covered Ryoko's ears.
Ryoko tried to pry his fingers off, but his hold was steady. "Hey, I know about that stuff!"
"What's so wrong about the stork bringing babies out of the cabbage patch?" Mihoshi asked, on the verge of tears. "It's a beautiful fact of life!"
"No, the male DNA mixes with the…mpphf!" Ryoko started to say before Yosho's hands left her ears and covered her mouth.
"Ayeka!" Yosho pleaded.
"Miss Mihoshi, can you please help me fold these napkins?" Ayeka asked from the table, running inference. "Right now?"
"Not right now, I have to go on duty!" Mihoshi said while pulling a pink control cube out of her massive ponytail. She twisted it and was suddenly attired in her Galaxy Police uniform. "I'll be back in a few days, I'm on extended patrol." She waved as she gave the cube a final twist. "Tell your mommy hi for me little girl!" And she was gone.
Ryoko looked back up at Yosho and pulled away his hands. "Either she was nuts or my mom has more to tell me than I think."
Yosho replaced his hand on Ryoko's shoulder. "That's just Mihoshi, another guest here. Sometimes her work-related stress gets to her, but she is very kind."
"How many people live here, anyway?" Ryoko asked. "This doesn't look like a hotel."
Yosho steered Ryoko towards the table. "You have met them all besides my son-in-law who works in the city. We are like a large family, not a hotel."
"You mean you don't even charge them all rent?" Ryoko asked.
"One doesn't do that to family," Yosho explained even as Ryoko didn't look convinced.
"But how do you feed them all?" Ryoko wanted to know.
Still laughing from the Mihoshi encounter, Tenchi walked over to Ryoko's side and looked DOWN at her, something that was certainly going to take some getting used to. He used to look up at her, and had only just recently begun to be near looking at her eye to eye. Now, the topmost spike of Ryoko's cyan hair reached almost to his nose.
Ryoko had been very polite until the scene with Mihoshi, where he had caught some signs of her feisty personality. Was it possible that the real her was still in there?
Ryoko caught him staring. "Yeees?" she asked uncomfortably in her little girl's voice.
"Oh, ah, nothing," Tenchi stammered, walking around her. It was weird hearing her talk that way, like someone had made a recording of her voice and was playing it back too fast. He nodded in greeting to Ayeka as he sat next to her at the table.
Ryoko shrugged and followed him. As he lowered his knees at his place setting, she watched the rest of the family take their seats. "So where do I sit?"
Tenchi shifted in his seat and looked at Ayeka with a half-smile. "Well, you usually sit on the other side of me," he said patting a thin cushion on his open side.
Ryoko considered for a moment and walked over to Ayeka. "I would like to sit by you, Lady Ayeka, please," she stated simply.
Ayeka's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't want to sit by Lord Tenchi?"
"No. I want to sit by you," Ryoko repeated.
"Well, all right," Ayeka murmured clearly not certain about what was happening as she nudged Tenchi with her elbow.
He scooted down a place and Ayeka walked around him on her knees to take up his old spot, carefully folding her kimono over her lap as she settled.
Ryoko sank bonelessly to the floor at Ayeka's side. "Thanks."
Tenchi leaned forward over the table and peered past Ayeka at Ryoko. "Why didn't you want to sit by me?" As much as he had previously disliked being stuck between two bickering women at meal time, Ryoko's actions hurt him.
Ryoko ignored him and raised her hands in front of her and summoned a holographic laptop console very like her mother's. She keyed in a code and text scrolled rapidly across the screen, her eyes darting back and forth at an uncanny pace as she read.
Ayeka licked her heart shaped lips and brushed her fingertips over Ryoko's knee. "Ryoko dear, you should be polite and answer Lord Tenchi."
"I'm sorry," Ryoko said without looking up. "I have to finish my homework."
Sasami giggled as she filled bowls with fresh steamed rice. "Come on Ryoko, be nice to Tenchi."
Ryoko sighed and flicked a key with her pinkie, pausing the screen. "He looks at me funny. I don't like it." She gave him a side way glance. "I was trying not to have to say that, sorry Mr. Tenchi."
"What? I'm sorry Ryoko, I didn't realize I was doing that," Tenchi apologized as his heart sunk. Mr. Tenchi? How polite, an unutterably not like his Ryoko.
Ryoko smiled vaguely. "That's alright - Ack! You're doing it again," she exclaimed, looking disturbed.
"Sorry!" Tenchi temporized and quickly looked away. This was not going well.
"Do I have booger on my nose or something?" Ryoko muttered.
Sasami giggled, but Ayeka frowned. "That is not appropriate table talk," she admonished. "You sound just like your mother."
Ryoko blushed, showing she was embarrassed by the princess' reprimand. "Speaking of mom, where is she?" Ryoko asked.
"She doesn't always join us for meals," Sasami explained passing the bowls of rice down the table.
"Want me to call her?" Ryoko asked tapping her temple with an index finger.
"Yes, Please!" Sasami agreed eagerly. "I made her and Ayeka's favorite, sake simmered sea bream."
"Coming right up," Ryoko said, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. Her eyes flew open and she shouted, "MOOOOOOOOOM!"
Tenchi rubbed his ears with a wince. "Isn't it easier to use your telepathic bond?" he prompted.
"She'll just ignore that," she said and then pulled in a deeper breath and repeatedly called for Washu.
Yosho chuckled and reached for a serving of fish. "The young lady certainly knows her mother."
The storage closet door flew open with a bang. "What a racket!" Washu beamed, simply glowing with joy and the aura of motherhood. "Good morning my little Ryoko," she caroled as sashayed towards them. "Is she still being polite and sweet?"
Ayeka nodded. "Yes she is. She is a very well behaved young lady."
Washu rolled her eyes. "What a little con artist! Don't let her fool you! She is always like that when we move to a new place. It won't take long for her true colors to show. Right sweetie?" she asked walking over to Ryoko and kneeling behind her. She gave Ryoko a hug from behind and kissed the crown of her head.
"Mom!" Ryoko complained. "Why do you always say that?" Ryoko squirmed out of the hug and half turned to give Washu a reproachful stare.
"You are what you are, honey," Washu said, tapping Ryoko's nose with her index finger. "How do you feel today?" Washu's teasing tone turned a shade clinical as she eyed her daughter closely. "Any change in your memories?"
"Fine and no." Ryoko took in Washu's casual outfit of shorts and a stripped hooded shirt with a small frown. "Aren't we having class today?"
Washu's jaw dropped. "Class?"
Ryoko gestured at her laptop. "Don't tell me I've been cramming the astrophysics notes in for nothing."
"Oh, well, uh," Washu temporized, casting a pleading gaze to the others around the table.
"Isn't today a holiday?" Tenchi asked, trying to help. Despite his own feelings, watching Washu and Ryoko have a normal interaction had left him with a warm feeling in his heart.
Ryoko flicked her eyes back to him. "Then why did Sasami pack you a bento box for school?"
Tenchi looked down at his lap. "Oh, well… heh-heh."
Ryoko sighed and banished her laptop. "Fine. Don't tell me what's going on." She flashed a hurt look to Washu. "I'll just figure it out myself." She turned stoically to her bowl of rice and began eating it, ignoring everyone as she took dainty little bites, chewing carefully and thoroughly before swallowing.
"Look at that picky eater!" Washu sighed dreamily. "I bet you didn't expect that."
Yosho caught Washu eyes and with a scowl he shook his head, indicating that now was not the time to revel in Ryoko's changes.
Catching his meaning, Washu quieted and regarded Ryoko with a serious expression. After a moment, she touched Ryoko's arm. "I'm sorry," she said with great earnestness. "There is more going on than I even know how to explain."
Ryoko swallowed her bite and dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a napkin. "I don't like secrets," she said looking into her bowl.
"I know you don't but…" Washu paused struggled for the right words, worry and concern warring for precedence on her face. "It's just that I don't know what to do."
Ryoko's back stiffened and she set her bowl back on the table with a gentle thump. "YOU don't know what to do?" she asked with disbelief.
Washu nodded. "It's true," she said quietly. "So bear with me until I figure this out."
Ryoko folded her hands in her lap, still looking down, her entire posture one of meekness. "Something bad happened to me, didn't it?"
Washu closed her eyes for a moment, her posture one of defeat. "Yes, I'm afraid it did."
"Why won't you tell me what it was?" Ryoko whispered.
"Honey, I've told you."
Ryoko shrugged Washu's hand off of her shoulder. "You told me that I had lost my memories because of an accident, but you wouldn't tell me what accident. You won't tell me how much time has passed," Ryoko's voice was raising as it thickened with distress. "And there are all these people I don't know!" She scrubbed her leaking eyes with a tight fist. "Last night, I woke up naked in some strange coat, then this morning you FORGOT about school." Ryoko's voice increased in pitch as she spoke. "You never, ever, never, give me a break from school, even when other people get holiday time! Something is wrong and you won't tell me!"
Watching the painful scene was almost too much for Tenchi. He fought the urge to sweep the little girl into his arms and comfort her. The fear in her voice begged him to make the monsters go away. Yet he knew that he wasn't her knight anymore, so with great difficulty he held his tongue and kept his seat.
"What do you remember about Kagato?" Yosho asked calmly, his hands folded in his lap.
Tenchi's mouth dropped open in shock, Ayeka blinked, and Sasami choked in her rice.
"No!" Washu shouted. "We will not be mentioning that name around her, do you understand me?" she growled, pointing a stiff index finger at the old man. "If you do, you will regret it. I am DEADLY serious."
"Kagato?" Ryoko sniffed. "Why are you so worked up over a graduate student?"
"We are not discussing it," Washu bit out.
"But…"
Washu stood up her entire body quaking with anger. "Hurry and finish your breakfast. We have class in ten minutes." She pushed up from the floor and marched back to her lab without another word.
Ryoko watched her go then turned back to her tablemates. "Can you guys tell me what's going on?"
They all looked away in discomfort expect for Ayeka who gave her best smile. "Just eat. The answers will come."
Yosho grunted and nodded his head. "Ayeka is right. Finish your food while you have time."
Ryoko took a disinterested bite of fish. "It must have something to do with Kagato," she mused, forcing down the swallow. "But what? He is just a weird, geeky, guy. " She placed her chopsticks on the table. "I'm not hungry. See you guys later." She got up and followed the path of her mother.
As Ryoko left, Tenchi and Ayeka exchanged a worried glance.
"You don't think Washu will try to keep the truth from her?" Tenchi asked. Given today's example, that would lead to nothing but pain. And where would that path leave his vanished friend?
"Why shouldn't she?" Ayeka countered. "I think Ryoko deserves a fresh start."
"But what about our Ryoko? Our old friend? What happened to her?" Tenchi asked, gripping the table.
"It is her mother's decision about what to tell her," Yosho said. "We do not have that right."
Tenchi pursed his lips and said nothing.
Sasami pushed a fishbone around the edge of her plate. "I just hope Ryoko can be happy."
Before anyone could echo that sentiment Ryoko rushed out of the lab in tears with Washu chasing after her.
"I don't care what you say! That is not your lab!" Ryoko shouted. "It's too big and too dark!"
"Dear, I just made a few changes," Washu, now wearing her GA uniform, tried to reason.
Ryoko backed away from her. "A few?! Your lab is just a big room with a door that bypasses pseudo-space. I don't even know what that place is!" Ryoko cried pointing to the storage closet door.
"Calm down," Washu soothed. "I just figured out a few things about subspace during my imprison- I mean during the time of your memory loss."
Ryoko's backwards steps shifted course as she neared the table, she was clearly frightened of all of them. "S-stay away from me. You're not who you say you are! None of you!" She backed up against the wall, trembling. "I want my mom," she whispered.
Washu moved forward only a step, and paused when Ryoko flinched at the movement. "I am your mother," she pleaded. "Don't do this to me again!"
"Liar!" Ryoko managed to say through her shaking teeth. "Are you… you… Kagato in disguise? Do you want to hurt me?"
"No!" Washu cried in agony. "Please… honey…."
Yosho creaked to his feet, old joints popping as he rose. "That's enough."
Ryoko pushed herself into the wall as he approached her. "Stay away… or I'll…." She hooked her fingers into claws and a weak spark of yellow energy fizzled into and out of life.
"I'm sorry," Yosho said as he placed a hand on her shoulder, digging his fingers into a nerve cluster at the base of Ryoko's neck.
Ryoko gasped in surprise and discomfort before her eyes rolled back into her head. Yosho caught her in his arms before she could fall. As he hefted her up into a more comfortable carrying position, he made eye contact with Washu.
"You just had to bring up Kagato," Washu said bitterly through the tears in her voice.
Yosho stared at her for a long moment before answering. "This is not exactly the miracle you thought it was."
Washu's mouth pressed into a firm line and she said nothing.
Nodding as if she had spoken, Yosho turned and began carrying Ryoko up the stairs. "You need to decide what to tell her very soon. Choose wisely."
"What do I choose?" Washu whispered to herself.
Yosho paused for a moment. "A broken mirror has many shards, and they all reflect unexpected visions."
Tenchi watched his grandfather disappear around the landing, followed by a subdued Washu. This was a nightmare. This frightened little girl was not his Ryoko. He wanted her back so much that he was willing to face the combined wrath of his grandfather and Washu to do it. Except that he didn't know what it was he needed to do, and more frightening, it was clear that the two most powerful people in his home didn't know what to do either.
AN: Well, here we go again. Stay tuned for chapter three. Thanks to my pre-readers. You guys make writing so much fun… and as an extra bonus, you keep me honest! Yippeee!