Zero Tolerance
By Diane Long
Chapter Three: The Way We Were
Ryoko's eyes twitched as she shifted in bed. She had a habit of not opening her eyes as she awoke. She kept them closed until she was certain she was ready to get up. That way, certain sneaky mothers couldn't surprise her. She listened for the sounds of Washu typing on her computer as she took stock of her body and winced at the dull pain in her shoulder, it was like a muscle cramp but sharper. What was up with that? She repeatedly ran a hand over the sore spot, flinching as her fingers made contact with the tender skin just above her clavicle.
"I'll bet that really hurts."
Two things registered with Ryoko – the voice was male, and she didn't recognize it. Her eyes snapped open, and she saw a young boy sitting on the edge of her bed. What was he doing in her room? Was this a dream? She stared at him as she continued to wake-up.
"Do you remember what happened?" he asked in a low, calming voice that she recognized.
Oh. That was Masaki Tenchi, and he lived here. This might even be his room. Then, why would she be in his bed? She thought about what he said. Remember?
She searched her memories and found her most recent one, that of someone impersonating her mother and of Yosho menacing her. As she remembered, fear replaced the confusion on her face. She pulled the blankets up around her neck and regarded him with large, yellow eyes.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered, patting her leg. "You are safe here."
"Where's my mom?" Ryoko asked trying to sound cool and moving her leg out of reach. Why had these crackpots kidnapped her? Was it for ransom? Maybe someone wanted one of her mom's patents in exchange for her!
"She's in her lab, thinking," Tenchi said.
"That's not her lab and that's not my mom! I am not stupid, you know!" Ryoko snapped, her fear making her angry. "You better let me go before my mom creams you!"
Tenchi listened patiently. "Please try to be calm. I promise you that Washu is who she says she is and that the spaces behind the storage closet door are truly her lab," Tenchi said looking her straight in the eye.
Ryoko looked back, still clutching at her blanket. "Just don't hurt me, okay? My mom will do whatever you want."
A mixture of pain and offense fleeted across Tenchi's face. "Hurt you? How could you even say that?" He leaned back, as if it stung to be too close to her.
Ryoko tried to form a ball of energy in her palm while her hands were still hidden under the blankets. She wasn't very good at energy control yet, and couldn't really tell if anything was happening without looking. She sat up carefully, the blankets still close about her. "Hello, you kidnapped me!" she temporized as she wiggled her fingers trying to detect the presence of an energy field. "Why wouldn't you hurt me?"
Tenchi looked to side for a moment then looked back to Ryoko, his eyes quietly intense. "Ryoko, please, everything I've told you is true." A little sigh escaped his lips and he clasped his hands in his lap. "I would never hurt you."
Ryoko rubbed her thumb and forefingers together. Nothing was happening. She gave up on the energy ball idea and switched tactics. Maybe she could talk her way out of this one. "I knew something was wrong the moment you started looking at me funny," she asserted. "Why should I trust you?"
Tenchi's eyes were lonely. "Because I was one of your best friends. You are special to everyone here, even if you can't remember us."
To her surprise, the sadness in his tone touched her, and Ryoko found herself wanting to believe him. She bit her lip and watched him through lowered lashes. If nothing else, she was very good at reading people. Tenchi's body language was telling her that he was not aggressive and more, he was hurting somehow. However, it could be a trick.
Ryoko eyed the door. "If you are my friend, then you'll let me go, right?" she asked, wondering if he could catch her before she could clear the door. Her phasing was pretty much under control. She could probably just go right through the wall if things got too close.
Understanding dawned in Tenchi's eyes. "Ryoko, you can leave whenever you want." He held his hands out to show they were empty. "No one's forcing you to stay in my room. How can I make you believe that I am your friend?"
Each word was weighted with heartbreak, and Ryoko thought she saw the sparkle of a tear on his lashes. Her heart wanted to believe him, but there was so much she didn't understand. "Then why did you let that man hurt me?" she whispered.
Tenchi puffed up his cheeks and ran nervous fingers through his hair. "The situation was falling apart… you had just – just changed… you were summoning energy…I think grandfather was afraid you would hurt yourself."
Ryoko thought about that. All of that seemed likely, and afterwards she had woken up in a warm bed, not tied up on the floor. Even so, there were some unanswered questions. "But, that woman…" she began.
"Was no one other than your mother," Tenchi said firmly, patting the bed to emphasize each word. "I swear it."
She could tell that he believed what he was saying, even if she still had her doubts. Ryoko let the blankets fall to her lap and pretended to closely examine her finger nails. "But – but her lab is so different now."
Tenchi nodded. "Things change."
"Change takes time," Ryoko countered, half-looking up. "Lots of change takes lots of time."
Tenchi looked away, his expression suddenly closed.
Ryoko sniffed the air, like a hound on a fresh scent. She was onto something for him to react that way. It seemed like the real issue here was the passage of time, not who was who. Almost afraid to hear the answers, Ryoko leaned forward, crawling on her knees so she could look at his face. "How long? How long has it been between what I remember and when we are now?"
Tenchi turned the other way, leaving her staring at the back of his head where the small tail of hair sprouted form the edge of his hairline. "It's not my place to say."
Ryoko made a fist and ground it into her palm. "So it was a very long time," she concluded.
"You have no idea," he said under his breath.
Not hearing him, Ryoko sank back on her haunches. "Was it more than a year?" she asked hesitantly. That would explain almost everything.
Tenchi gave a sharp dip of his head.
"Whoa." A whole year of her life was gone. Too numb to mourn the lost time, Ryoko leaned against the headboard of the bed. "Tenchi?"
"Hmmm?"
"You said you were my friend. I mean before I forgot things. Were you really my friend?" She reached out a brushed her fingertips along the edge of his sleeve.
Tenchi turned to face her with a genuine smile. "You bet. We are the best of friends." He emphasized the present tense of the verb as he spoke.
"I'm sorry I don't remember anything about you," she said carefully trying not to hurt his feelings.
His smile faded and his eyes took on that haunted look she had seen earlier.
"There," she said, withdrawing her hand. "That creepy look is back," she said matter-of-factly. "Why do you look at me that way?"
He sighed. "I miss the parts of you that are gone, I guess."
"Gone? I'm still me, Tenchi," she said, a small crease forming between her brows.
"Hmmm," he said noncommittally.
"Aren't I?" Her stomach cramped as the edge of a realization came to her. "Have I changed that much?" As she had met everyone, she had noted surprise in their eyes. At the time, she had brushed it off, but now she wondered. What was so different about her? Ryoko moved closer to Tenchi until she was nearly in his lap. "Please," she said. "Tell me. How long?"
"I'm sorry," he choked. "I can't tell you," he whispered harshly, squeezing his eyes closed.
"Then who will? I thought you said you were my friend!" she objected.
Tenchi wiped away a tear. "Washu will."
Ryoko took in his tears and considered Washu's strange behaviors. "She's afraid isn't she?"
Tenchi sniffed and looked up at the ceiling.
"And look at you," Ryoko continued. "It has to be really, really bad."
Tenchi wouldn't answer and kept his gaze on the ceiling.
Ryoko watched him for a moment and sighed. He was obviously not going to tell her any more. Maybe she didn't want him to anyway. Maybe this was all just a bad dream.
Just as Ryoko had decided to leave him to his thoughts and explore on her own, a light knock came at the door. "May I come in?" asked Ayeka's soft voice.
"Yes, please!" Ryoko called rather desperately.
Ayeka slid the door open and came in bearing a tray of tea things. "Oh my, is everything alright?" she said, seeing Tenchi's state of distress.
Ryoko hopped out of the bed and took the tea things form Ayeka and set them on a low table by the bed. "Tenchi is upset," she said simply. "I'm asking him difficult questions."
"I see," Ayeka said slowly, glancing at Tenchi. "What do you want to know?"
Tenchi pulled his gaze down from the ceiling and regarded Ayeka bleakly. "She has figured most of it out on her own."
"Ah." Ayeka busied herself with pouring tea into a mismatched assortment of mugs.
Ryoko balanced her weight on the tips of her toes and rocked back to her heels. "Princess Ayeka, will you please tell me the rest?" She could already tell this nut would be harder to crack.
Ayeka handed Ryoko a slender mug with smooth sides and a chipped edge. "Drink your tea," she said softly.
As Ayeka handed Tenchi his own cup, Ryoko tipped the cup back and took a large swig. "Hot!" she exclaimed, sticking her tongue out and sucking air over it quickly.
Ayeka took a seat at Tenchi's desk. "You need to be more careful," she chided, blowing softly on her own tea. "And so do you Lord Tenchi. Washu will not appreciate us making matters more complicated."
"I haven't told her anything!" Tenchi defended. "She guessed it all."
"Oh?" Ayeka asked regally. "And just what have you guessed, little Ryoko?"
Ryoko tested her scalded tongue against her teeth before answering. "I know that over a year has passed, and that mom's lab is weird, and that you guys think I am really different from the person you know me as."
"Hmm. Maybe your guesses are not quite correct," Ayeka said smoothly as she exercised her political skills.
Ryoko smiled. "Nice try Princess Ayeka, but Tenchi already told me I was right," she bragged as she sat at Ayeka's feet.
Ayeka winced and looked over at an embarrassed Tenchi. "Like I said Lord Tenchi, we should be more careful."
Ryoko reached up and put her mug on Tenchi's desk, her tongue wasn't up for anymore tea today. She tugged at Ayeka's robe. "Please, won't you tell me how long my memory gap is?"
Ayeka patted Ryoko's head. "That is for your mother to tell you, I fear." She smiled at Ryoko's pout and brushed some errant locks out of Ryoko's face. "Don't fuss. Your questions will be answered."
"Awww!" Ryoko pouted and rested her head on her knees.
"Now, now, you are too old to be acting like Sasami," Ayeka scolded with no little mirth.
Ryoko looked up at the fond expression in Ayeka's eyes. "Princess, were you my friend too? Like Tenchi?"
Ayeka looked startled for a moment, then nodded. "Of course! We all were your friends."
"And still are," Tenchi added firmly.
"Yes, nothing has changed in that regard," Ayeka confirmed.
"Ah ha! So you admit things have changed!" Ryoko said jumping to her feet and pointing at the princess. "I knew it!"
"I see I should not have left you alone with her to get the tea!" Ayeka said with a small laugh. "She is too much for even the two of us."
Despite her worries, Ryoko couldn't help giggling at that. She liked outfoxing people. It was one if her favorite games.
Ayeka finished her tea and stood. "Thank goodness that Washu will be taking over very soon. It's lunch time. Let's go see what Sasami has made for us."
Ryoko perked up at that. Between her lack of breakfast and her worries, it had been a hungry day so far. It was likely that her mother would be at lunch too. Food and answers were forthcoming. The day seemed likely to improve from this point. "Let's go!"
"Miss Ryoko," Ayeka said delicately. "You may want to tidy up a bit."
"Hmmm?" Ryoko asked looking down at her clothing. Her uniform was in heavy creases from having slept in it, and a hand feeling in her hair told her it was a series of knots and snarls for the same reason. "Oh, Right. Can you guys please turn around?"
"Oh, uh, sure," Tenchi said as Ayeka took hold of his arm and turned them both around.
There was a soft sound of matter displacement followed quickly by a second set of sounds. "Okay, you can turn back," Ryoko called.
They turned to see her attired in a soft yellow dress that deepened the color of her eyes. It was cut in a simple A-line and was sleeveless with a high turtleneck. Ryoko's hair had been combed and tied back into a pony tail with a matching yellow ribbon.
"You look very nice," Tenchi told her.
"Yes indeed," Ayeka seconded. "Much better."
Tenchi held out his arm, but Ryoko just looked at him oddly.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Tenchi walked over and gently slipped Ryoko's arm through his. "It's the custom here for gentlemen to escort young ladies to the table," he informed her. "Ayeka?" he asked offering his free arm.
"Thank you," Ayeka said happily, taking his arm.
"This is weird," Ryoko complained.
Tenchi laughed and led them to lunch.
***
Trying not to worry excessively about the holes in her memory, Ryoko spent lunch getting reacquainted with the household. She listened raptly as Ayeka told of her ordeals with many suitors before escaping to her extended vacation on the Earth.
"Didn't you like any of them?" Ryoko asked with her mouth full of sashimi. "None at all?" It seemed like something out of a dream to her. To be a rich, beautiful, princess sounded lovely, not to mention being courted so romantically.
Ayeka growled in the back of her throat and narrowed her eyes.
Ryoko swallowed, almost chocking at the flash of bitterness she had seen in Ayeka. "Did I say anything wrong, Princess? I – I just thought all of those princes sounded so romantic."
Ayeka shook her head and banished the suspicious expression. "No dear, you are fine. It was just…" Ayeka paused, searching for words. "Don't speak with your mouth full," she finished lamely.
"Oh, sorry," Ryoko said with bright red cheeks, she knew she had been terribly rude, even if she didn't understand why. "I forgot my manners. I'm sorry." Ryoko let her bangs fall over her eyes to hide her discomfort.
"Your manners are wonderful!" Sasami exclaimed and everyone loudly agreed with her.
"Thanks, but, why do you all seem so surprised about that?" Ryoko asked, happy for a subject change. No one had a good answer, so Ryoko pressed forward. "Maybe you can tell me about myself. Why did mom and I come here?"
There was a long pause as everyone avoided Ryoko's inquisitive eyes.
"I see." Ryoko bit her lip. "I guess that's a secret too." She pushed a wafer thin slice of pickled ginger around her plate. "I wish mom would come out."
The broom closet door creaked open and a very weary adult Washu stepped through. "You called, honey?" she asked walking to the table.
Ryoko's eyes widened until they seemed in danger of popping free of her face. "You're all grown up, Mommy." A shaking hand found its way to her mouth and she chewed on a knuckle. "This is serious." She had only seen Washu as an adult a handful of times, and each time had been in the middle of a disaster.
"Yes, it is, my little Ryoko." Washu knelt by her daughter and drew her into a hug. "I love you. You have to remember that. You just have to."
"Mom?" Ryoko quavered. "Please tell me what's wrong." She hugged her mom tightly. "You're scaring me."
"Do you believe I'm me?" Washu asked into Ryoko's hair as the assembly at the table watched the unfolding drama with concern.
Ryoko pulled back and regarded her mother seriously. "Yes. I've figured some things out."
Washu smiled wryly. "I just bet you have. Do you have any questions left?"
Ryoko nodded, tucking a strand of cyan hair behind a large ear. "How long?"
Washu cupped Ryoko's chin in her hand and kissed Ryoko's nose. "You are so smart, but that's not the whole problem. I am going to tell you some things that will not make sense right away, but they should when I'm all done. So don't interrupt, OK?" Washu asked releasing her daughter reluctantly.
"Okay," Ryoko said, sitting on her hands, physically and symbolically restraining herself.
Washu rubbed her temple tiredly and began. "When you were 16 you were kidnapped by one of my students, Kagato. You were his slave for almost five thousand years. And I was his prisoner for that time," she said dully.
"Uh…" Ryoko said, trying to take that in. Slave? Five thousand years?
Washu closed her eyes and continued. "You were set free, basically, by Yosho, and 700 years later you met and fell in love with Tenchi."
Ryoko choked, but held her tongue. In love? Her eyes darted over to Tenchi whose cheeks were red. He seemed to be staring away into the past.
"Then," Washu added. "You were attacked by a robot that copied your memory. That robot merged its memories with your own, and after much difficulty, the robot's memories overwrote your own."
Ryoko blinked. It was all too much, her head felt light, as if it might just come free from her neck and float away. She swayed in her seat and felt someone's hand steady her.
"But it seems that those copied memories were not completely up to date. Those are the memories you have now, my dear, and they only go up to the day before you were taken from me."
Ryoko moved her lips but no sound came out. Maybe her head had already floated free.
"I'm not done," Washu said holding up a palm. She addressed her next remarks to everyone. "This set of memories is not stable either. It seems the whole merging process damaged Ryoko's neural configuration in complex ways. My projections show that her current memory set will begin degrading in the next 24 hours."
"Momma," Ryoko whispered. "Five thousand years? Robots? Tenchi?"
Washu took Ryoko's hand and squeezed. "I know it's too much, but that's the way it happened."
Ryoko looked at her fingers in Washu's hand. "Five thousand years? Shouldn't we be dead?"
Washu clucked her tongue. "That's not important right now."
Ryoko started to cry. "I don't want to be five thousand years old. Say this isn't true!"
Washu's lip trembled. "Oh, honey…" she said wiping tears from Ryoko's cheeks as they fell.
"Twenty-four hours? What happens after that? What are you going to do, Washu?" Tenchi demanded.
Ryoko looked at him watery eyes and looked away when she realized it was his steadying hand on her shoulder.
Washu patted Ryoko's hand. "If we leave her as she is, she will have complete and permanent amnesia within two weeks," she said lowly.
"You must have another option!" Ayeka prompted, half rising form her seat.
"I have a mostly current back up of the old Ryoko's memories. I can give them back to her and things can be like they were," Washu admitted.
"Why didn't you do that before?" Ryoko asked, rubbing her nose on her arm. "I don't want to lose five thousand years of my life! I want to remember!"
"You mean Ryoko would remember me?" Tenchi asked hopefully, although no one was paying attention to him.
Washu opened her eyes and she looked lost. "Sweetie, those memories are terrible. Very bad things happened to you. You… you didn't turn out to be a happy person."
Ryoko took her free hand and wrapped it around Washu's and her own hand. "But I'll still have you, right? How bad can it be if we are still together, even after all of that?"
Washu swallowed. "You hate me, these days."
Ryoko shook her head. "I couldn't."
"Oh, but you do," Washu said sadly.
Ryoko frowned. "Why? You're my MOM! Why would I hate you? Was it your fault or something?"
Washu shrugged helplessly.
"No," Yosho spoke up. "It wasn't. Kagato stole you from Washu. He betrayed her, and she was taken by surprise and couldn't stop him. She was his prisoner too," he said.
Ryoko looked from Yosho to her mother. "And I know that and still hate you?"
Washu nodded meekly.
Ryoko chewed on her lip and looked mortified. "I'm sorry mom," Ryoko said with shame. "I'm sorry I turned out to be a big jerk."
Washu waved away Ryoko's comments. "Well, now you know your choices. It's up to you. Do you want to fade away or go back to what you were?"
"I want to be like I am now. Having those old memories back are not worth having to hate you," Ryoko said immediately. "I won't give up."
"Honey," Washu began sadly. "You don't really have a choice."
Ryoko threw her arms around Washu's neck. "You can do ANYTHING mommy! Please try. I don't want to go back to hating you. I love you!"
Washu drew in a shaking breath and hugged Ryoko back as tears showed themselves in her voice. "Yes, Sweetie, yes. I love you too."
"Then fix this!" Ryoko cried. "If she hates you, then I don't want to be her anymore!"
Washu's hands closed into determined fists as she pulled back from her daughter's embrace. "Don't cry, baby. I can fix this."
"You better promise!" Ryoko hiccupped.
"I promise," Washu said extending a hand to Ryoko. "Will you promise to be brave and come into my new lab?"
Ryoko took Washu's hand and shook it firmly, wiping away her tears with the other hand.
Washu nodded resolutely. "Then come with me now. The sooner we get started, the better the chances are that this process won't keep looping back upon itself." She rose to her feet, pulling Ryoko up with her.
Ryoko looked at her friends. "I hope you will all remember the old me and help me be nicer to my mom. Please help me to understand."
"We will!" Sasami promised. "We love you both ways Ryoko! See you soon!"
"Good luck Miss Ryoko," Ayeka said with a bracing smile. "Don't worry, we will honor your request."
"I will say a prayer for you," Yosho promised. "Everything will turn out."
"Ryoko," Tenchi said, his eyes glimmering. "Good luck. Just remember that we all love you… forever."
Ryoko felt her heart contract at his words. She had loved him. Had he loved her just like everyone else, or had it been special? "Tenchi…"
"Go now," he encouraged, shooing her towards the door with her hands.
Ryoko nodded, taking an extra look into his eyes before she turned around.
Washu drew herself up to her full height. "I'm not certain how this will all end, but no matter what, I hope you will all remember this day." She pulled on Ryoko's hand and soon they both disappeared into the lab.
Stay tuned, Y'all!
AN: Thanks to everyone who has been kind enough to send me their comments. It's good to know that people are reading this little story of mine! Thanks to the usual people. I can't say enough about how much I appreciate the help of my pre-readers. You guys are beyond the best!!!
By Diane Long
Chapter Three: The Way We Were
Ryoko's eyes twitched as she shifted in bed. She had a habit of not opening her eyes as she awoke. She kept them closed until she was certain she was ready to get up. That way, certain sneaky mothers couldn't surprise her. She listened for the sounds of Washu typing on her computer as she took stock of her body and winced at the dull pain in her shoulder, it was like a muscle cramp but sharper. What was up with that? She repeatedly ran a hand over the sore spot, flinching as her fingers made contact with the tender skin just above her clavicle.
"I'll bet that really hurts."
Two things registered with Ryoko – the voice was male, and she didn't recognize it. Her eyes snapped open, and she saw a young boy sitting on the edge of her bed. What was he doing in her room? Was this a dream? She stared at him as she continued to wake-up.
"Do you remember what happened?" he asked in a low, calming voice that she recognized.
Oh. That was Masaki Tenchi, and he lived here. This might even be his room. Then, why would she be in his bed? She thought about what he said. Remember?
She searched her memories and found her most recent one, that of someone impersonating her mother and of Yosho menacing her. As she remembered, fear replaced the confusion on her face. She pulled the blankets up around her neck and regarded him with large, yellow eyes.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered, patting her leg. "You are safe here."
"Where's my mom?" Ryoko asked trying to sound cool and moving her leg out of reach. Why had these crackpots kidnapped her? Was it for ransom? Maybe someone wanted one of her mom's patents in exchange for her!
"She's in her lab, thinking," Tenchi said.
"That's not her lab and that's not my mom! I am not stupid, you know!" Ryoko snapped, her fear making her angry. "You better let me go before my mom creams you!"
Tenchi listened patiently. "Please try to be calm. I promise you that Washu is who she says she is and that the spaces behind the storage closet door are truly her lab," Tenchi said looking her straight in the eye.
Ryoko looked back, still clutching at her blanket. "Just don't hurt me, okay? My mom will do whatever you want."
A mixture of pain and offense fleeted across Tenchi's face. "Hurt you? How could you even say that?" He leaned back, as if it stung to be too close to her.
Ryoko tried to form a ball of energy in her palm while her hands were still hidden under the blankets. She wasn't very good at energy control yet, and couldn't really tell if anything was happening without looking. She sat up carefully, the blankets still close about her. "Hello, you kidnapped me!" she temporized as she wiggled her fingers trying to detect the presence of an energy field. "Why wouldn't you hurt me?"
Tenchi looked to side for a moment then looked back to Ryoko, his eyes quietly intense. "Ryoko, please, everything I've told you is true." A little sigh escaped his lips and he clasped his hands in his lap. "I would never hurt you."
Ryoko rubbed her thumb and forefingers together. Nothing was happening. She gave up on the energy ball idea and switched tactics. Maybe she could talk her way out of this one. "I knew something was wrong the moment you started looking at me funny," she asserted. "Why should I trust you?"
Tenchi's eyes were lonely. "Because I was one of your best friends. You are special to everyone here, even if you can't remember us."
To her surprise, the sadness in his tone touched her, and Ryoko found herself wanting to believe him. She bit her lip and watched him through lowered lashes. If nothing else, she was very good at reading people. Tenchi's body language was telling her that he was not aggressive and more, he was hurting somehow. However, it could be a trick.
Ryoko eyed the door. "If you are my friend, then you'll let me go, right?" she asked, wondering if he could catch her before she could clear the door. Her phasing was pretty much under control. She could probably just go right through the wall if things got too close.
Understanding dawned in Tenchi's eyes. "Ryoko, you can leave whenever you want." He held his hands out to show they were empty. "No one's forcing you to stay in my room. How can I make you believe that I am your friend?"
Each word was weighted with heartbreak, and Ryoko thought she saw the sparkle of a tear on his lashes. Her heart wanted to believe him, but there was so much she didn't understand. "Then why did you let that man hurt me?" she whispered.
Tenchi puffed up his cheeks and ran nervous fingers through his hair. "The situation was falling apart… you had just – just changed… you were summoning energy…I think grandfather was afraid you would hurt yourself."
Ryoko thought about that. All of that seemed likely, and afterwards she had woken up in a warm bed, not tied up on the floor. Even so, there were some unanswered questions. "But, that woman…" she began.
"Was no one other than your mother," Tenchi said firmly, patting the bed to emphasize each word. "I swear it."
She could tell that he believed what he was saying, even if she still had her doubts. Ryoko let the blankets fall to her lap and pretended to closely examine her finger nails. "But – but her lab is so different now."
Tenchi nodded. "Things change."
"Change takes time," Ryoko countered, half-looking up. "Lots of change takes lots of time."
Tenchi looked away, his expression suddenly closed.
Ryoko sniffed the air, like a hound on a fresh scent. She was onto something for him to react that way. It seemed like the real issue here was the passage of time, not who was who. Almost afraid to hear the answers, Ryoko leaned forward, crawling on her knees so she could look at his face. "How long? How long has it been between what I remember and when we are now?"
Tenchi turned the other way, leaving her staring at the back of his head where the small tail of hair sprouted form the edge of his hairline. "It's not my place to say."
Ryoko made a fist and ground it into her palm. "So it was a very long time," she concluded.
"You have no idea," he said under his breath.
Not hearing him, Ryoko sank back on her haunches. "Was it more than a year?" she asked hesitantly. That would explain almost everything.
Tenchi gave a sharp dip of his head.
"Whoa." A whole year of her life was gone. Too numb to mourn the lost time, Ryoko leaned against the headboard of the bed. "Tenchi?"
"Hmmm?"
"You said you were my friend. I mean before I forgot things. Were you really my friend?" She reached out a brushed her fingertips along the edge of his sleeve.
Tenchi turned to face her with a genuine smile. "You bet. We are the best of friends." He emphasized the present tense of the verb as he spoke.
"I'm sorry I don't remember anything about you," she said carefully trying not to hurt his feelings.
His smile faded and his eyes took on that haunted look she had seen earlier.
"There," she said, withdrawing her hand. "That creepy look is back," she said matter-of-factly. "Why do you look at me that way?"
He sighed. "I miss the parts of you that are gone, I guess."
"Gone? I'm still me, Tenchi," she said, a small crease forming between her brows.
"Hmmm," he said noncommittally.
"Aren't I?" Her stomach cramped as the edge of a realization came to her. "Have I changed that much?" As she had met everyone, she had noted surprise in their eyes. At the time, she had brushed it off, but now she wondered. What was so different about her? Ryoko moved closer to Tenchi until she was nearly in his lap. "Please," she said. "Tell me. How long?"
"I'm sorry," he choked. "I can't tell you," he whispered harshly, squeezing his eyes closed.
"Then who will? I thought you said you were my friend!" she objected.
Tenchi wiped away a tear. "Washu will."
Ryoko took in his tears and considered Washu's strange behaviors. "She's afraid isn't she?"
Tenchi sniffed and looked up at the ceiling.
"And look at you," Ryoko continued. "It has to be really, really bad."
Tenchi wouldn't answer and kept his gaze on the ceiling.
Ryoko watched him for a moment and sighed. He was obviously not going to tell her any more. Maybe she didn't want him to anyway. Maybe this was all just a bad dream.
Just as Ryoko had decided to leave him to his thoughts and explore on her own, a light knock came at the door. "May I come in?" asked Ayeka's soft voice.
"Yes, please!" Ryoko called rather desperately.
Ayeka slid the door open and came in bearing a tray of tea things. "Oh my, is everything alright?" she said, seeing Tenchi's state of distress.
Ryoko hopped out of the bed and took the tea things form Ayeka and set them on a low table by the bed. "Tenchi is upset," she said simply. "I'm asking him difficult questions."
"I see," Ayeka said slowly, glancing at Tenchi. "What do you want to know?"
Tenchi pulled his gaze down from the ceiling and regarded Ayeka bleakly. "She has figured most of it out on her own."
"Ah." Ayeka busied herself with pouring tea into a mismatched assortment of mugs.
Ryoko balanced her weight on the tips of her toes and rocked back to her heels. "Princess Ayeka, will you please tell me the rest?" She could already tell this nut would be harder to crack.
Ayeka handed Ryoko a slender mug with smooth sides and a chipped edge. "Drink your tea," she said softly.
As Ayeka handed Tenchi his own cup, Ryoko tipped the cup back and took a large swig. "Hot!" she exclaimed, sticking her tongue out and sucking air over it quickly.
Ayeka took a seat at Tenchi's desk. "You need to be more careful," she chided, blowing softly on her own tea. "And so do you Lord Tenchi. Washu will not appreciate us making matters more complicated."
"I haven't told her anything!" Tenchi defended. "She guessed it all."
"Oh?" Ayeka asked regally. "And just what have you guessed, little Ryoko?"
Ryoko tested her scalded tongue against her teeth before answering. "I know that over a year has passed, and that mom's lab is weird, and that you guys think I am really different from the person you know me as."
"Hmm. Maybe your guesses are not quite correct," Ayeka said smoothly as she exercised her political skills.
Ryoko smiled. "Nice try Princess Ayeka, but Tenchi already told me I was right," she bragged as she sat at Ayeka's feet.
Ayeka winced and looked over at an embarrassed Tenchi. "Like I said Lord Tenchi, we should be more careful."
Ryoko reached up and put her mug on Tenchi's desk, her tongue wasn't up for anymore tea today. She tugged at Ayeka's robe. "Please, won't you tell me how long my memory gap is?"
Ayeka patted Ryoko's head. "That is for your mother to tell you, I fear." She smiled at Ryoko's pout and brushed some errant locks out of Ryoko's face. "Don't fuss. Your questions will be answered."
"Awww!" Ryoko pouted and rested her head on her knees.
"Now, now, you are too old to be acting like Sasami," Ayeka scolded with no little mirth.
Ryoko looked up at the fond expression in Ayeka's eyes. "Princess, were you my friend too? Like Tenchi?"
Ayeka looked startled for a moment, then nodded. "Of course! We all were your friends."
"And still are," Tenchi added firmly.
"Yes, nothing has changed in that regard," Ayeka confirmed.
"Ah ha! So you admit things have changed!" Ryoko said jumping to her feet and pointing at the princess. "I knew it!"
"I see I should not have left you alone with her to get the tea!" Ayeka said with a small laugh. "She is too much for even the two of us."
Despite her worries, Ryoko couldn't help giggling at that. She liked outfoxing people. It was one if her favorite games.
Ayeka finished her tea and stood. "Thank goodness that Washu will be taking over very soon. It's lunch time. Let's go see what Sasami has made for us."
Ryoko perked up at that. Between her lack of breakfast and her worries, it had been a hungry day so far. It was likely that her mother would be at lunch too. Food and answers were forthcoming. The day seemed likely to improve from this point. "Let's go!"
"Miss Ryoko," Ayeka said delicately. "You may want to tidy up a bit."
"Hmmm?" Ryoko asked looking down at her clothing. Her uniform was in heavy creases from having slept in it, and a hand feeling in her hair told her it was a series of knots and snarls for the same reason. "Oh, Right. Can you guys please turn around?"
"Oh, uh, sure," Tenchi said as Ayeka took hold of his arm and turned them both around.
There was a soft sound of matter displacement followed quickly by a second set of sounds. "Okay, you can turn back," Ryoko called.
They turned to see her attired in a soft yellow dress that deepened the color of her eyes. It was cut in a simple A-line and was sleeveless with a high turtleneck. Ryoko's hair had been combed and tied back into a pony tail with a matching yellow ribbon.
"You look very nice," Tenchi told her.
"Yes indeed," Ayeka seconded. "Much better."
Tenchi held out his arm, but Ryoko just looked at him oddly.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Tenchi walked over and gently slipped Ryoko's arm through his. "It's the custom here for gentlemen to escort young ladies to the table," he informed her. "Ayeka?" he asked offering his free arm.
"Thank you," Ayeka said happily, taking his arm.
"This is weird," Ryoko complained.
Tenchi laughed and led them to lunch.
***
Trying not to worry excessively about the holes in her memory, Ryoko spent lunch getting reacquainted with the household. She listened raptly as Ayeka told of her ordeals with many suitors before escaping to her extended vacation on the Earth.
"Didn't you like any of them?" Ryoko asked with her mouth full of sashimi. "None at all?" It seemed like something out of a dream to her. To be a rich, beautiful, princess sounded lovely, not to mention being courted so romantically.
Ayeka growled in the back of her throat and narrowed her eyes.
Ryoko swallowed, almost chocking at the flash of bitterness she had seen in Ayeka. "Did I say anything wrong, Princess? I – I just thought all of those princes sounded so romantic."
Ayeka shook her head and banished the suspicious expression. "No dear, you are fine. It was just…" Ayeka paused, searching for words. "Don't speak with your mouth full," she finished lamely.
"Oh, sorry," Ryoko said with bright red cheeks, she knew she had been terribly rude, even if she didn't understand why. "I forgot my manners. I'm sorry." Ryoko let her bangs fall over her eyes to hide her discomfort.
"Your manners are wonderful!" Sasami exclaimed and everyone loudly agreed with her.
"Thanks, but, why do you all seem so surprised about that?" Ryoko asked, happy for a subject change. No one had a good answer, so Ryoko pressed forward. "Maybe you can tell me about myself. Why did mom and I come here?"
There was a long pause as everyone avoided Ryoko's inquisitive eyes.
"I see." Ryoko bit her lip. "I guess that's a secret too." She pushed a wafer thin slice of pickled ginger around her plate. "I wish mom would come out."
The broom closet door creaked open and a very weary adult Washu stepped through. "You called, honey?" she asked walking to the table.
Ryoko's eyes widened until they seemed in danger of popping free of her face. "You're all grown up, Mommy." A shaking hand found its way to her mouth and she chewed on a knuckle. "This is serious." She had only seen Washu as an adult a handful of times, and each time had been in the middle of a disaster.
"Yes, it is, my little Ryoko." Washu knelt by her daughter and drew her into a hug. "I love you. You have to remember that. You just have to."
"Mom?" Ryoko quavered. "Please tell me what's wrong." She hugged her mom tightly. "You're scaring me."
"Do you believe I'm me?" Washu asked into Ryoko's hair as the assembly at the table watched the unfolding drama with concern.
Ryoko pulled back and regarded her mother seriously. "Yes. I've figured some things out."
Washu smiled wryly. "I just bet you have. Do you have any questions left?"
Ryoko nodded, tucking a strand of cyan hair behind a large ear. "How long?"
Washu cupped Ryoko's chin in her hand and kissed Ryoko's nose. "You are so smart, but that's not the whole problem. I am going to tell you some things that will not make sense right away, but they should when I'm all done. So don't interrupt, OK?" Washu asked releasing her daughter reluctantly.
"Okay," Ryoko said, sitting on her hands, physically and symbolically restraining herself.
Washu rubbed her temple tiredly and began. "When you were 16 you were kidnapped by one of my students, Kagato. You were his slave for almost five thousand years. And I was his prisoner for that time," she said dully.
"Uh…" Ryoko said, trying to take that in. Slave? Five thousand years?
Washu closed her eyes and continued. "You were set free, basically, by Yosho, and 700 years later you met and fell in love with Tenchi."
Ryoko choked, but held her tongue. In love? Her eyes darted over to Tenchi whose cheeks were red. He seemed to be staring away into the past.
"Then," Washu added. "You were attacked by a robot that copied your memory. That robot merged its memories with your own, and after much difficulty, the robot's memories overwrote your own."
Ryoko blinked. It was all too much, her head felt light, as if it might just come free from her neck and float away. She swayed in her seat and felt someone's hand steady her.
"But it seems that those copied memories were not completely up to date. Those are the memories you have now, my dear, and they only go up to the day before you were taken from me."
Ryoko moved her lips but no sound came out. Maybe her head had already floated free.
"I'm not done," Washu said holding up a palm. She addressed her next remarks to everyone. "This set of memories is not stable either. It seems the whole merging process damaged Ryoko's neural configuration in complex ways. My projections show that her current memory set will begin degrading in the next 24 hours."
"Momma," Ryoko whispered. "Five thousand years? Robots? Tenchi?"
Washu took Ryoko's hand and squeezed. "I know it's too much, but that's the way it happened."
Ryoko looked at her fingers in Washu's hand. "Five thousand years? Shouldn't we be dead?"
Washu clucked her tongue. "That's not important right now."
Ryoko started to cry. "I don't want to be five thousand years old. Say this isn't true!"
Washu's lip trembled. "Oh, honey…" she said wiping tears from Ryoko's cheeks as they fell.
"Twenty-four hours? What happens after that? What are you going to do, Washu?" Tenchi demanded.
Ryoko looked at him watery eyes and looked away when she realized it was his steadying hand on her shoulder.
Washu patted Ryoko's hand. "If we leave her as she is, she will have complete and permanent amnesia within two weeks," she said lowly.
"You must have another option!" Ayeka prompted, half rising form her seat.
"I have a mostly current back up of the old Ryoko's memories. I can give them back to her and things can be like they were," Washu admitted.
"Why didn't you do that before?" Ryoko asked, rubbing her nose on her arm. "I don't want to lose five thousand years of my life! I want to remember!"
"You mean Ryoko would remember me?" Tenchi asked hopefully, although no one was paying attention to him.
Washu opened her eyes and she looked lost. "Sweetie, those memories are terrible. Very bad things happened to you. You… you didn't turn out to be a happy person."
Ryoko took her free hand and wrapped it around Washu's and her own hand. "But I'll still have you, right? How bad can it be if we are still together, even after all of that?"
Washu swallowed. "You hate me, these days."
Ryoko shook her head. "I couldn't."
"Oh, but you do," Washu said sadly.
Ryoko frowned. "Why? You're my MOM! Why would I hate you? Was it your fault or something?"
Washu shrugged helplessly.
"No," Yosho spoke up. "It wasn't. Kagato stole you from Washu. He betrayed her, and she was taken by surprise and couldn't stop him. She was his prisoner too," he said.
Ryoko looked from Yosho to her mother. "And I know that and still hate you?"
Washu nodded meekly.
Ryoko chewed on her lip and looked mortified. "I'm sorry mom," Ryoko said with shame. "I'm sorry I turned out to be a big jerk."
Washu waved away Ryoko's comments. "Well, now you know your choices. It's up to you. Do you want to fade away or go back to what you were?"
"I want to be like I am now. Having those old memories back are not worth having to hate you," Ryoko said immediately. "I won't give up."
"Honey," Washu began sadly. "You don't really have a choice."
Ryoko threw her arms around Washu's neck. "You can do ANYTHING mommy! Please try. I don't want to go back to hating you. I love you!"
Washu drew in a shaking breath and hugged Ryoko back as tears showed themselves in her voice. "Yes, Sweetie, yes. I love you too."
"Then fix this!" Ryoko cried. "If she hates you, then I don't want to be her anymore!"
Washu's hands closed into determined fists as she pulled back from her daughter's embrace. "Don't cry, baby. I can fix this."
"You better promise!" Ryoko hiccupped.
"I promise," Washu said extending a hand to Ryoko. "Will you promise to be brave and come into my new lab?"
Ryoko took Washu's hand and shook it firmly, wiping away her tears with the other hand.
Washu nodded resolutely. "Then come with me now. The sooner we get started, the better the chances are that this process won't keep looping back upon itself." She rose to her feet, pulling Ryoko up with her.
Ryoko looked at her friends. "I hope you will all remember the old me and help me be nicer to my mom. Please help me to understand."
"We will!" Sasami promised. "We love you both ways Ryoko! See you soon!"
"Good luck Miss Ryoko," Ayeka said with a bracing smile. "Don't worry, we will honor your request."
"I will say a prayer for you," Yosho promised. "Everything will turn out."
"Ryoko," Tenchi said, his eyes glimmering. "Good luck. Just remember that we all love you… forever."
Ryoko felt her heart contract at his words. She had loved him. Had he loved her just like everyone else, or had it been special? "Tenchi…"
"Go now," he encouraged, shooing her towards the door with her hands.
Ryoko nodded, taking an extra look into his eyes before she turned around.
Washu drew herself up to her full height. "I'm not certain how this will all end, but no matter what, I hope you will all remember this day." She pulled on Ryoko's hand and soon they both disappeared into the lab.
Stay tuned, Y'all!
AN: Thanks to everyone who has been kind enough to send me their comments. It's good to know that people are reading this little story of mine! Thanks to the usual people. I can't say enough about how much I appreciate the help of my pre-readers. You guys are beyond the best!!!