Life Changes Chapter 2: Descent Proposal, a tenchi muyo fanfic

Life Changes:

Chapter 02: Descent Proposal

Okinawa: Late Night:

As Tenchi Masaki and his extended family slept merrily in their beds, warm and comfortable thoughts drifting through their heads, one of their own had left them, setting off on her own. Her name was Ryoko, daughter of Washu Hakubi, the proclaimed number one genius in the universe. Yet despite her stunning beauty, power, and razor sharp wit, the lithe woman was currently running from something she knew she could never escape, her own past. Finally, after hours of walking she found herself in the quiet town of Okinawa, where her family had always gone to shop. To be honest she had nothing left on this world, no family, friends, or anything else that could tie her to this uncivilized mud ball. However, the golden-eyed woman could not bring herself to leave Earth, or to tear her cabbit companion away from her friends, who still cared about the brown-furred creature.

Stopping suddenly, Ryoko felt a sudden sense of familiarity around her. Looking up she nodded slowly. "My favorite saki bar," she whisper, her throat hoarse from the crying she had done since leaving the house. Placing one hand on the door she paused. Why not? What do I have to lose? I might as well drink myself to death. There's nothing left for me anyway… not here at least.

"Hey Ryoko," a small old lady yelled from behind the counter, casting a friendly wave towards the entering woman. She was a simple elderly woman, with her gray hair done up in a bun, and short white robes with a red sash around the waist. Nearly a foot shorter than the golden-eyed woman, the barkeeper seemed genuinely pleased to see the depressed ex-space pirate.

Sitting down hard on a barstool Ryoko ignored everything else around her as she focused on the counter top as if it held all the answers to her questions. "Hey Kazumi…" she sighed in a disheartened tone. "Give me the usual, and keep them coming…."

"Sure thing, dear," the gray haired owner said with a smile to he favorite regular. "You seem kind of down today, did you have another fight with Tenchi?"

"Yeah…."

"Well cheer up, I'm sure it's nothing major. Tenchi's a good kid. I don't know if I've told you this, but I've known him since he was barely able to walk. I used to see him sometimes trying to walk with his dad, as they went shopping at the market."

"Wow… since he could walk," the lithe woman said with false shock, "wish I'd known him all his life like that…."

Sighing the elderly barkeep shook her head. "You know what you need, a drinking cup."

Looking up, Ryoko seemed completely lost by that statement. "What are you talking about? You know I always just take the bottle. Why waste time on pouring in into a glass, and-"

Reaching under the counter, Kazumi pulled out a tall glass, one that bore the silver-haired woman's name across it in golden lettering. "I was going to give it to you on your wedding day," she explained to her down trodden friend, "I've had this for about a month now. But right now you look like you could use some cheering up."

"But why?" the former space pirate asked confused. "I don't even pay my tab, why would you get me a present?"

"Cause I like you," the old lady laughed, setting down the glass, before filling it with Saki. "Before I met you, I had the most boring job in town, pouring drinks for a bunch of worthless bums, who were always crying about their jobs and how much they hated everything. But then one day you came in…" she said, looking at the ceiling as she recalled that day. "I remember you were singing, some song you made up about Tenchi and how much you liked him."

"Hey I was already drunk at the time," the lithe woman laughed nasally, downing the saki in one long gulp. Exhaling sharply the golden-eyed seductress wiped her mouth happily.

"Yeah that's true," Kazumi declared. "But every time you came in to buy Saki, you were always drunk. Then you'd tell me some ridiculous tale about space pirates, demons, and alien princesses. At first I thought you were trying to trick me into giving you free saki, but after a while I started waiting for you to come in. I know it seems silly, but your goofy stories gave my life something to look forward to."

"I see," Ryoko nodded, grabbing the bottle to pour herself a refill. "Well, I'll drink to your entertainment then."

"So why don't you tell me what happened to get you in a such a foul mood? Was it that Ayeka girl again?" Looking away, the smaller woman caught a man casually heading towards the door without paying. "HEY!" she yelled, "don't think you can sneak out on me…! I may be old, but I am not blind…."

As Kazumi ran over to apprehend the thief, the golden-eyed demoness finished off her bottle. Is this what my life is reduced to? Being someone else's entertainment? Maybe that's what everyone back home… no… back at Tenchi's home, thinks of me. The goofy space pirate who can't do anything write. Slamming down her drained glass Ryoko looked up, "better get a few more bottles," she belched. "I've got a few long stories to tell you, and I'm gonna be needing something to drink…."

Hours later:

As night faded nearly complete away, Ryoko stopped drinking, as the affects of the countless bottles of saki impairing her ability to move very well. The small owner no longer stood by talking to her, instead the little old lady spent her time collecting the glasses as she waited patiently for her last customer to leave for the night. Ryoko always is the last to leave, especially when she fights with Tenchi. I wonder what it was about this time? She probably broke something. Well anyway, I suppose I should send her on her way….

Just as the old owner prepared to send the well liquored space pirate on her way, a jingle came from the door. Continuing to walk towards her customer, the old woman never took her eyes off the door, until with a heavy sigh she saw who it was.

"Hey, Kazumi," a stout police officer said, coming through the door. His uniform though pressed and neat still seemed rough, as if it didn't fit him properly.

"Hello, Officer Tobin." She smiled standing behind the counter just before where Ryoko lay heavily sedated by the saki she had drunken.

"I see you're still open. Don't you ever close? I… oh. Hello Ryoko," he said, seeing the lithe woman surrounded by more than her usual amount of empty Saki bottles. "I should have known you'd still be here. But it is late, and I'm sure Kazumi would like to get some sleep before tomorrow. So don't you think you should be getting home? I'm sure Tenchi is worried."

Looking over the stout officer, Ryoko quickly bit her lip, before burying her face in her arms and crying loudly.

"Her and Tenchi had another fight," Kazumi said, patting the lithe figure on the back tenderly.

"Ah… I see. Well, look Ryoko it's late why don't you head home?" the portly policeman asked, holding his hands out as if he were completely helpless.

"No," she whispered. "I can't go there. Not anymore… never again…."

Frowning officer Tobin shook his head. "Well you can't stay here, Ryoko. Look I'll give you a choice, go back home, or I'll have to take you to the station for the night."

"Fine." Ryoko uttered standing up quickly, wiping the tears away with her sleeve as she stood uncertainly on shaky legs.

Smiling Tobin nodded his approval. I hate to have to use that one on her, but she needs to get home. I know she hates being confined, because she always runs away when I give her this choice. "Okay then, tell the others I said 'hi.'"

Yet the lithe woman said not a word, instead facing him she extended both wrists forward. "Go ahead…" she whispered. "Arrest me."

"What?" the chief of police said in shock, noticing the old barkeep also seemed taken aback by her statement.

"I said, arrest me. Take me to jail," Ryoko growled. "I can't go back to Tenchi's, not now or ever again. It's over between him and I. From this moment on, I don't exist to him and he doesn't exist to me."

Grabbing one of her slender wrists, the officer looked at her skeptically. "Are you serious?" he asked flatly.

"Of course I am," she replied. "Now do it. Take me to jail."

Shaking his head, the stout man sighed. "It's really jail, Ryoko." he admitted comfortingly. "It is a cell, with a barred door, but you'll only be there until the morning. Then you can go home, wherever you decide that is."

The Street:

Walking beside the slender beauty, officer Tobin regarded her sadly. If he were young again, he would probably take advantage of this recent break up between Tenchi and Ryoko and try to ask the lithe woman out. However he knew he was too old for her, and besides he knew deep down that she would refuse any man who tried to take Tenchi's place in her heart.

"Let me get this straight, Ryoko," he started continuing to help the drunken woman along. "You left Tenchi, right? I didn't think even you could just stopping loving Tenchi like that. Must have been some fight you two had, but don't worry by morning everything will be fine, and then you can go home. "

Tearing herself away from the stout man, the golden-eyed woman hollered her reply. "First of all I didn't stop loving him. I don't think I'll ever be able to do that! He's the one who stopped caring about me, so since he don't care…" she began, plodding along with a deep brow, "I'll just leave him alone, see how he likes it with… me… gone. Second I can't go home, because I don't have one, not anymore. Tenchi and I didn't have to have a fight… I'm on my own, since he couldn't fit me into his heart, since he cared more about making models and yelling at me than he did what I was feeling." Like a flash of lightning Ryoko's mind recalled an image, of another man who used her for his purposed, one who was obsessed with his toys and inventions, and who also did not care about her feelings. Kagato… she thought darkly, seeing a connection between her devil and angel, one she had never seen until then. It was a rather sobering thought, one that allowed her to walk a little better as her advanced system began working on detoxifying her blood quickly as the fear welled up in her heart. I could never hurt Kagato… and I could never hurt Tenchi….

This is really eating her up, he noted sadly. It's kind of creepy in a way. I've seen Ryoko mercilessly tear through a biker gang for trying to stop her from getting home after she bought her saki. Something about seeing Tenchi first when he got home. I remember they had chains, knives, and their fists, but Ryoko took them all on in about thirty seconds without breaking a sweat. That must be some training she's done up at the Masaki place.

Looking at the lithe woman once again, the stout officer shook his head sorrowfully. Poor kid, she must have really had a bad fight with Tenchi to get this upset. I hate to see her like this. I mean what is wrong with kids today, why do they all have to constantly drink? Back in my day we never did that. Of course, we also never had all that gothic music and strange television shows to confuse our heads.

A Short time later: The Police Station:

"Are you sure about this, Ryoko?" the old officer asked, once again to the drunken woman as he opened a cell door, watching her stagger inside. "If you want you can call home, and have them pick you up."

"No, I can't do that. They don't want me there anymore. Besides this is where I belong," she admitted, slurring her words in a drunken state. "After all the bad things I did…."

Shaking his head, the stout man sighed, looking around at some of the rough looking characters in the various cells. "Word to the wise, 'gentlemen,' and I use the term very loosely. Don't mess with her. You don't want to face the consequences."

Hearing his words, Ryoko sighed heavily having calmed down since her earlier comparison. Everyone who meets me faces consequences. Their lives are all ruined by my touch. As I think about it life was always better when I wasn't there. When I was in the cave, no one was attacked by the dread space pirate, Ryoko or her partner, Ryo-Ohki, and Tenchi didn't have me bothering him all the time.

Later that night:

As Ryoko continued to brood over her past, and battle off sleep as best she could, the other prisoners, all men, talked amongst themselves. One group in particular seemed rather interested in the seductive woman as each one gave reasons why he should, 'go first,' with her.

"Hey there sweetie," the largest of the young men chuckled, examining the trying to sleep woman as if she were merely a piece of meat. "How's about you and me share a cell. You won't get any sleep, but I'll keep you warm." As he spoke, the other delinquents with the bragging youth cheered for their comrade, continuing to inflate his extreme ego.

Unimpressed, Ryoko merely laughed to herself, as she continued to face the back wall of her cell, huddled up as if she were about to die of some strange stomach pain or a severe cold. "First off you couldn't keep me up for five seconds, let alone all night. Second I'd rather freeze then let an idiot like you touch me. Why don't you do us all a favor and just shut up and sit there like a good boy, and play with your boyfriends. There's only one man for me, and you aren't him." Laying her head back down, the mentally worn space pirate slowly closed her eyes, trying to picture what everyone else was doing back in Okinawa at that moment. They're probably still asleep; I'd love to see the look on their faces when they find out I'm gone. Of course they probably won't even notice. I bet the first thing that happens is Ayeka tries to take my Tenchi to Jurai and get married to him. That stupid bitch! Why I'll…

Sighing deeply Ryoko squirmed on her bench trying to get comfortable, feeling the affects of her numerous doses of saki as her system allowed it to course through and make her drowsy. I won't do anything. I can't. If I go back it'll be the same as when I worked for Kagato, getting bossed around, insulted, and made to feel worthless. Well I'm not going to do that anymore!

Closing her eyes, the silver-haired woman finally succumbed to her weariness. A single thought floating to the surface of her mind as she lost consciousness. I've been wanted by two men in my life. Kagato wanted me to do terrible things to please him, and Tenchi who wanted me to be me so he could decide my future in his own time. For the life of me I don't know anymore, I don't know which thought is worse. What I was or what I have to pretend to be….

Just when her consciousness had finally faded, and the nightmares were about to begin anew, a sudden noise brought her out of her sleep. Looking over her shoulder, one of the prisoner's was gesturing towards her, as he continued to make rude comments towards her as she lay prone on her bed. No… she thought darkly, not seeing him, but something much worse as reality began to swirl around, taking a red tone as all the light in the room, seemed to bleed out.

Soon everything came into focus and she found herself back on the Soja in a small cell with very little light. Wrapping her arms around her chest the lithe woman balled up almost instantly as she felt an icy chill pierce her tender soul. A few feet away, she saw the vague outline of her battle outfit, the one she wore when attacking the various planets she had been on. She felt revulsion at the mere sight of it, as it symbolized her doing Kagato's dirty work for him. Thus at this time she lay on the cold floor of her confines without anything on. Wanting nothing that was associated with her personal devil to be touching her flesh.

As Ryoko curled up into a ball, one of the prisoners decided to make a rather offensive remark. However it was not a stupid punks voice, but one much more cold and cruel that echoed in her ears. Instantly she recognized the man who it belonged to, Kagato. The emerald cloaked man laughed, as she heard the door to her room slam shut behind him. "It looks as if you really do need my company, my dear. Perhaps there is hope for you yet." As he spoke the silver-haired woman's keen ears hear the sound of a large piece of cloth hitting the floor. "I'm sure we can find some way to pass the time before we get to Jurai," she heard in her mind.

He's taken off his cloak, she noted darkly, only guessing what would happen next. "Leave me alone… I don't want you to touch me," she cried out in a painful whimper.

"What was that, darling?" the prisoner across the hall from her asked, his voice changing to her tormentors as she felt tears flood from her face. "You aren't so tough are you, baby?"

"No…." she gasped in terror, hearing echoing footfalls in her mind, as another piece of cloth fell heavily to the ground. It's going to happen… he's going to make me… make me… I have to fight back… even if I die!

Leaping to her feet, the woman in the blue and tartan striped dress glared at her tormentor, tears pouring form her weary eyes. The massive prisoner was about to make a fatally rude comment, when the lithe woman soared at him, flying through the air, yet thankfully her jail cell door barred her path, but only for a second as she tore it from it's hinges. "I said leave me alone, Kagato!" she hissed, beginning to rip the remaining door from it's place. The steel beams moaned painfully as she twisted them in their molds. "No force field will stop me, you won't lay a finger one me! I'd rather die."

"Okay! Okay!" the big man cried, now curling up in the corner as he saw the insane look in Ryoko's eyes. "I promise I won't say another word. Just please, don't hurt me!"

Breathing raggedly, the busty woman suddenly felt the world spin once again, as the Soja vanished around her, instead replaced by the jail cell. In her hands she saw the metal bars twisted into an extreme 's' shape. Inside the cell she had been attacking the pompous young man cringed with his comrades who all bore a petrified look in their eyes as they regarded Ryoko with terror. I remember that night, Kagato was going to rape me. Just to say he did, so he could hold that over me. That he had taken my innocence on all levels, but we too close to Jurai, and we were attacked. That's why he sent me on Ryo-Ohki to Jurai. Since the Soja couldn't make it through their defenses, but I could. He still controlled me, but I fought as best I could. In the end all I could do was run, that was when Prince Yosho chased me to Earth. Kagato wanted him dead, so his last orders to me, before he turned tail and ran, was to kill the prince of Jurai. I knew what he was going to do to me when I got back. I didn't want my first experience to be with a monster like that… not then… or ever. It's the last bit of innocence I have left. I won't let anyone take that from me.

Placing both hands over her face, Ryoko shook her head angrily. "Look," she said taking a claming breath as she grabbed the bars, easily twisting them back in place. "Not another word, from anyone all night. Or I make you look like this door," reaching down, the golden-eyed woman hefted up her prison door in one hand, effortlessly as she put it back in place, and quickly bent the brackets to close it up. At that moment, the door flew open, and the night watchman stepped in looking about skeptically at the stunned prisoner's as they watched the busty woman resume her attempt at sleep.

"All right," the young officer barked. "Keep it down, the chief's friend is trying to sleep off a hangover. She's had a rough night, so anyone who bothers her has to answer to both the chief and me!" With that the blonde man slammed the door, the echo reverberating through the quiet room.

It had been a long night for the lithe woman, and it was only beginning as the last of her strength faded, she felt herself once again fall asleep and visions of dying worlds flooded her battered mind relentlessly.

Masaki House: Breakfast:

The sun rose slowly over the Masaki house, and a serene peace filled the air. To those who lived in the red-roofed home it was both a welcome and unsettling change. Inside the luxurious building, a rather unique family gathered for breakfast, just as they were about to begin, a young man noticed something was wrong.

"Has anyone seen Ryoko," Tenchi asked, his face riddled with concern as he looked around the room, waiting for the lithe woman to suddenly appear and try to sexually assault him. With a barrage of muddled responses, everyone looked in different directions.

"I haven't seen her since yesterday morning, when she ruined breakfast," Sasami pouted, reaching forward with her chopsticks to pluck a few noodles from the broth they rested in. "I can't believe she did that, Tenchi. Did you talk to her about it?" The young man nodded, realizing he had forgotten in his haste last night, to ask her why she had been on a rampage through the house.

"I saw her," Mihoshi declared, before swallowing down more rice than she should have humanly been able to do. "Kiyone did too, yesterday when she ruined the laundry."

"That's right," Ayeka commented delicately, cutting all her food into such small of pieces that no one could tell what she was actually eating. "I believe that was right before she invaded my bath, rambling on about something. She was so incoherent, going on about some strange dream. But then she left when I started to make conversation with her."

"Well at least you didn't have to spend hours repairing a delicate piece of machinery that she busted in a hissy fit," Washu growled still a little agitated by her daughter's behavior, but more so that she could feel her daughter's presence, yet it felt quiet distant. Where are you, Ryoko? You never miss a meal. Unless Tenchi's missing it, and then you're normally the reason you both miss out…. Taking a moment to look at the small cabbit, the emerald-eyed genius quickly noticed the furry space ship seemed lost, continuously glaring into the distance as if she were looking for, or perhaps waiting for something. Something that would never come. Damn it, Washu mentally hissed. I was right, Ryoko's gone somewhere and she's trying to block me out using her gem. Now I can't even be sure of where she is….

"I saw her last night, before she left," the old priest remarked, taking a long sip of his tea. "She told me to tell you all goodbye."

"What?" everyone screamed in unison.

"Something about being hated, or hating everyone," the gray-haired Masaki shrugged as if none of this was his concern. "I wasn't really paying attention to her, after all I had my own things to do. It's so hard to get anything done when someone is always bothering you for help, you know." Hearing his words, the entire table fell silent, everyone shocked that the priest would be so calloused. It saddened the old Jurain prince that not a one of his family understood the deeper meaning of his word, but then again, save Washu, they were all so very young, compared to him. "Anyway, she sounded as if she was leaving forever, so I wished her well. Now then, I really must be going," he said simply, wiping his mouth as he stood from the table. "Thank you for the wonderful breakfast, Sasami." Bowing respectfully the Jurain prince turned away from his family, a small playful look on his face.

"Wait, Grandpa!" Tenchi screamed out, prepared to give chase if need be. "Where did she go, what do you mean by that?" he asked, a terrified look on his face.

"Don't look so sad, Tenchi," Lord Katsuhito remarked, casually looking over his shoulder at his grandson with a powerful smile, as he slowly made his way towards the door leading outside. "This is what you've always wanted, wasn't it? To finally know what your heart wants. In a way, Ryoko did you a favor. Now at least knowing who you love will be easier." There was a double meaning to the old priests words, one Tenchi might never understand, but at that moment Ayeka's eyes seemed to take on a heavenly glow. "Oh and one other thing, I almost forgot to mention," pausing the old man adjusted his glasses, before taking them off to check how clean the lens was. For a few minutes he rubbed them on his white robe, holding them up the light every few seconds. Finally he spoke again. "Ryoko did tell me that we were not to look for her. That her future was obviously not her, and that she was going to go through a few changes in her life. And that if anyone tries to find her, she'll kill them." As he said the last part the priest nearly smiled at his lie. He knew Ryoko had not said such a thing about killing anyone, but then he also knew that Tenchi was stubborn and would pursue her as if she were lost property unless clearly forbidden, and even then it was uncertain as to how much he would honor that wish.

With a heavy heart, the young prince sat down, unsure of what he should be feeling. His chest felt numb, but at the same time he knew what his grandfather meant by his words which made his heart beat with excitement. I spent all my time trying to pick between Ryoko and Ayeka, but now… now it looks like the choice has been made for me. I should be happy, since I do care about Ayeka, but… I guess I just wish I could have been the one to decide all this. Or at least get a chance to say goodbye….

This is it, my prayers have been answered! Thank Tsunami for this. I can't believe it, Ryoko is gone… Ayeka gasped looking at Tenchi with happy, longing eyes. Which means I won! Lord Tenchi and I can finally get married! I knew this day would come, ever since brother gave Tenchi and I his blessing before we had to go save that pitiful monster woman. *1

Gone… forever… Washu thought horrified, setting her chopsticks down as she swallowed her own spit. My little girl… gone… but… but… why… I don't understand… Rising to her feet quickly the little genius ran from the table towards her lab, never once saying a word as she practically flew through the house. The only sound that escaped the diminutive red-haired woman was the sob she made when she paused for a quick breath as she flung open her door, and then slammed it shut.

Sasami took the news hard, "Ryoko can't be gone!" She shouted, terrified to the core as her last words to the seductive woman had been done in anger. She had never had a chance to apologize, and thank Ryoko for her help, no matter how destructive it might have seemed at the time. I should have talked to her, when she asked. But I was too obsessed with breakfast. Rising up the little princess's face streamed with tears. "Stupid breakfast!" the pink-eyed child screamed. "I won't ever make another one until Ryoko comes home." With that odd statement, the youngest Jurain ran up the stairs, forgetting her manners in her moment of grief as she made her way to her room, more than ready to cry her beautiful pink eyes out.

Kiyone was the next to stand up, looking at her partner with skeptical eyes. "come on, Mihoshi. We have a lot of work to do."

"Are we going to find Ryoko?" the blue-eyed woman inquired tears welling on her eyelids.

"No, we've got out own chores to do. I'm sure Ryoko will come home by tonight, you'll see. Now come on, bubble head" she snapped angrily, "we don't have all day!" with that the teal-haired woman stormed from the table, heading towards the closet containing her vacuum. I've been a GP officer for years. But in all that time never, not even once, have I met a space pirate who was as good a friend, as loyal, as caring, and as helpful as Ryoko. I wish I had known she felt hat way, I would have tried harder to make her feel better. Now it's too late. But I can't cry, GP officer's don't cry. We raise above it all. Telling herself that continuously, Kiyone still could not make herself belief that lie. No matter how much she tried to suppress it, in the end she was still a human like anyone else. She dreaded the coming of night, when she'd have to think about not seeing Ryoko anymore. I wish I were as strong as Ryoko, then stupid things like being sad about the past wouldn't affect me….

The Police Station:

As the Masaki family reeled at the sudden news of Ryoko's disappearance, life began once again in Okinawa. Pushing a small cart, the blonde middle-aged man looked around at the exhausted looking criminals with disdain. "All right, you low lives, back up. I've got your breakfast." Despite the authority in his voice, no one moved from their spots, remaining content to merely sit in the spot they had been in all night, and watch Ryoko sleep, hoping she would not wake up in a foul mood, once again.

"Tell me, how long is she gonna be here?" The large man asked, casting a terrified look at the silver-haired woman. He had made a terrible mistake the night before and wanted to get as far from Ryoko as possible.

Shrugging the blonde officer shook his head. "I don't know, as long as she wants. She let us put her in their last night, after going on a drinking binge. Poor kid…."

Hearing this, the battered youth's face went pale as he thought about being trapped for yet another night with Ryoko. "Look man, I'll tell you anything you want to know. Where my buddies are, what they got planned, just don't leave me alone with her! She's dangerous."

As the young man shouted out, Ryoko sat up, holding her head painfully in both hands. "Hey! I thought I told you to keep it down," she moaned, sounding rather hung-over. "Do I have to come over there?"

Casting a confused look at shaken youth, the officer quickly looked over at the lithe woman who lay with her back to him. I better go talk to the chief….

Hour's Later:

Stretching her slender body to its limits, Ryoko squinted as she left the jail area and stepped into the bustling office. All at once, the male officers all stopped as she exited the jail area, their eyes instantly drawn to the beauty of the lithe woman who graced them with her presence.

"Excuse me…" one cadet said, stepping out from the crowd of stunned men. "The Chief would like to see you… miss… if you have a moment…." Seeing her look at him with an exhausted look, Ryoko seemed to be sizing the young man up. Grabbing his hand off his head, the smaller man twisted the brim continuously in his hands as he nervously waited to see her reply.

Blowing out hard, the golden-eyed woman shook her head. This better not be about those damn doors.

The Chief's Office:

Entering the small office, the golden-eyed woman cautiously looked around. Not seeing any obvious traps, she entered into the room with her usually grace. "you wanted to see me about something Tobin? Look if it's about last night, I was drunk."

"So Ryoko, do you feel any better today," Tobin asked, noting she looked like death warmed over, despite how she tried to hide it.

"What do you think…" she groaned, sounding as if she might vomit at any moment. "Between that annoying punk in the cells, my hangover, and nightmares, do you think I'm having a good day?"

"Yes…" the elderly officer acknowledged bobbing his head as he pretended to read a document on his desk. "So are you going home, then?"

"No." Ryoko answered bluntly and without any emotion, yet despite her best efforts a subtle pain could be heard in her words. "I'll never go back to Tenchi's. Why should I, after the way he-"

"Okay then," he interrupted. "Then I have a proposition for you, Ryoko."

Looking at him through exhausted eyes, the silver-haired woman shook her head 'no.' "Sorry, you aren't my type."

Turning bright red, the embarrassed man waved his hands frantically before him. "Not that kind of proposition!" he yelled in a panicked hiss. "I want to offer you a job. We're really low on officers, and by law I can deputize anyone I see fit, in order to maintain social order."

"You want me to be a police woman," Ryoko echoed, looking at him as if he were crazy. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course I mean it," the captain said flatly. "We could really use someone like you around here. I mean I've been trying for months to get one of those punks to rat out their friends, and you got a confession out him in one night! Now maybe we can get this vandalism problem under control. Besides, you have no where to go, and no one on the force can fight as good as you. I realize you're a bit rough around the edges, but still you've got potential."

Once again Ryoko felt a chill run down her spine as she recalled her earliest memory. She had just woken for the first time, and Kagato stood over her smiling. She remembered being scared, knowing who was before her yet at the same time realizing she knew nearly nothing else. Her flesh tingled in the chill of the Soja, as she saw she wore nothing upon her body. "Well my dear, Ryoko I see you're finally operational. It's about time. I thought I'd have to scrap you like all my other worthless pieces of junk." Ripping her off the bed, he threw her hard to the ground. "Listen well, Ryoko." he coldly told her, kicking her in the rib hard. "I don't want you to misunderstand me. You are a worthless, useless, hideous machine completely unlovable and not pitied by anyone. You exist to please me and make my ever whim reality." Kicking her once more, the lithe woman felt a rib crack as his leather boot collided with her frame. "But don't worry. I realize you're a bit rough around the edges, but still you've got potential. It's for that reason I'll let you live…."

Shaking her head, the golden-eyed woman tried to banish the dark memory from her mind, yet all she could see was Kagato's face laughing as he knew he would could do whatever he wanted to her an no one could stop him. Not then, nor ever. "…." she answered, in a raspy voice.

"What did you say?" Tobin asked hoping she would repeat herself.

"I said, 'yes,'" Ryoko declared, echoing her previous statement. "But only on one condition, don't call me Ryoko. That's not who I am, not anymore."

"Okay," the stout man laughed, "then what should I call you?"

For a moment, the golden-eyed woman went silent, and then she smiled, looking at herself in a mirror at the far end of the room. "Sylvia, Sylvia Hakubi."

Next Time: So marks the end of Ryoko's life with the Masaki's. But now an even greater task presents itself, as the lithe woman must now go out hunting for an apartment of her own as she prepares to start her new life as an officer of the law! And wait until you see Ryoko's first beat! Plus, Tenchi and Ayeka spend some quality time together, however that is just a small piece of our story, as this is a Ryoko fan fiction, mind you!

1: Tenchi Muyo: Episode 5 Kagato Attacks