Life Changes:
Chapter 03: Sylvia Hakubi, Police WomanLate Afternoon:
The Okinawa Mall:
For those who are seeking a special gift, to do some important shopping, meet friends and family, or to just waist an afternoon, the mall in Okinawa is truly the place to go. Currently a tall woman with long spiky cyan hair, golden eyes, and a blue and brown striped dress strolled through the busy meeting place as she stared with extreme intensity at the paper in her hands. Hanging loosely from her arms were many bags, filled with what she deemed to be the bare essentials to life on Earth: soap, brushes, a rolled up cot, to lay on, and, of course, a few bottles of saki. Let's see now… she thought as she continued on her way. I've got about 44,500; of the 65,000*1 yen the chief gave me as an advance on my salary, left. I still need to find a place to stay, but Kazumi did give me this….
Reaching into her pocket, the woman who was once Ryoko pulled out a small piece of scrap paper where a name and address were inscribed. Good ol' Kazumi. I hated to have to trick her like that, she thought recalling how she had used her ability to split in two so that the old barkeep would actually think Sylvia was Ryoko's sister, and that the golden-eyed woman was now forced to go back home. But she did promise to send over a few more bottles of Saki once Sylvia gets moved in. The only down side is this place is run by her granddaughter, who, from what I can figure, isn't all there.
Sighing painfully the cyan haired woman shook her head as she looked around. Suddenly she saw something familiar out of the corner of her eye. Hey! Isn't that a… Sylvia thought taking a single step forward before being slammed into by a smaller man who had been running down the hallway.
"Watch where you're going!" She snapped, grabbing the dazed figure by the collar of his coat. "Don't you know who I am?"
"No I don't, but if you're free tonight, my name is Lupin*2, Lupin the third!" he casually replied, causing the cyan-haired woman to cast him a confused gaze. He was not an impressive man to look at by any means. He stood nearly a foot to two feet shorter than her; his hair was in a small black afro-like style. Yet there was something in his eyes that caught the lithe woman's attention. As she examined him, the golden-eyed officer noticed the young man trying to pull his jacket free without using his hands.
"Haven't a clue," Sylvia admitted, now noticing the little figure had his arms crossed in front of his chest. Glaring hard at him, she soon saw why. In his arms were multiple diamonds and other valuable jewels. Looking away, the golden-eyed officer soon heard the sound of a burglar alarm, which she hadn't heard before because of her inner turmoil and weariness. "Oh wait, I know what you are," the lithe woman laughed. "You're under arrest."
"Wait, can't we talk about this? I really can't go to jail," he pleaded. "It's not the life style for a guy like me."
"Oh really," the former resident of the Masaki house admitted, "well I hate to break this to you, Mr. Lupin, but I'm a police officer," hearing this the slender youth's face soon turned a pasty white, "Officer Sylvia Hakubi at your service, "she grinned evilly continuing to hold the now defeated figure as she bowed in mock respect.
Later:
Shortly after the lithe woman had made her arrest, and been interviewed by the local press on her accomplishments, she found herself alone once again as she strolled down the peaceful back alleys looking for the apartments that her companion, Kazumi, had told her about.
Ah! Damn it, the lithe woman growled, as she walked down the street carrying her many bags, including one that was wrapped in brown paper. Where is this place at anyway?
I don't know anymore. I don't have a clue what I'm doing, or where I'm going. I mean why would I, Ryoko, the most feared space pirate alive want to be a cop, and why did I pick the last name Hakubi? That's Washu's last name damn it!
It's simple, she told herself. I picked the job, because I, better than anyone else, know how a criminal thinks. But the only thing I can think of about the name is that I must not be as creative as I thought. She lied, knowing deep down she wanted to be found by her family and asked to return. However at this moment the pain of their shunning and own stubborn pride prevented her from returning on her own. This is probably more of that emotional crap coming down on me. I wouldn't be having this problem if that damn Kagato hadn't screwed up my life for 5,000 years.
Walking a few moments more, the slender woman soon stopped, looking at the paper in her hand, and the building before her. "Karka's Place…" she read aloud. This is the place, she realized as she headed inside the quaint complex.
Inside:
As she opened the door, the lithe officer smelt the powerful scent of incense, like the kind used at the Masaki shrine. The sudden bombardment of her nasal passages caused the lithe woman to have another flashback, to a time long ago.
"Excuse me," a voice called out just as the scene around her was about to change into some dark perversion of reality. Shaking her head, Sylvia turned her gaze to her side, where a slightly shorter youth stood looking at her. The golden-eyed woman took one look at her new companion, and felt a wave of confusion as this newcomer. She stood a few feet away, wearing an orange shirt, which even the former space pirate had to agree was a few sizes too small, with no sleeves, and a pair of worn shorts. It was obvious this woman was used to getting the boys attention, as her face was lightly covered in make-up, just enough to make her appear in her late teens, while her long blonde hair was tied up neatly behind her head in a bun. "Can I help you?" she asked, waving slightly to the staring woman.
"Yeah…" the golden-eyed woman managed, "I'm looking for the owner of these apartments."
"That's me," she chimed happily, causing her chest to bounce slightly. "I'm Karka! Are you the new tenant my grandmother sent over?"
Nodding, Sylvia sudden realized something. "Tell me, how many tenants here are guys?"
"All of them." Karka announced slightly put off by this comment. "I'm glad you want to stay here, it's so boring with only men living here, but for some reason I can't get any women to move in. I mean some couples have lived here, but they always break up. I think the hot spring might be cursed…." Placing a finger to her mouth, she tapped it gently. "Anyway, would you like to see the room?"
"Sure," the new officer replied, realizing it was probably the landlord's beauty, and not the quality of the apartments, which kept tenants here.
"By the way," the hazel-eyed landlord suddenly said as she lead Sylvia down a long hallway, "excuse my appearance, I just got done taking a bath, and cleaning the Onsen. So I realize I'm a bit unkempt looking."
Great… Sylvia sighed painfully, picking up her things to follow the young woman once again. My new landlord is a cross between Mihoshi and me. Only she doesn't know she's like me. This can't be good….
A short distance later:
After fumbling through numerous keys, Karka threw open the door to the promised room, with all her might as if it were a surprise party. "Here's the room." The young woman announced with amazing pride, despite the fact it wasn't that big. "The Onsen and toilets are down the hall."
Looking at the offered room the golden-eyed woman did not seem impressed. The apartment before her was a single room, in an 'L' shape. The main portion of the room was a twenty-foot square, where an old sofa rested, a worn sheet thrown over it to hide the poor condition the cushions were in. In the smaller portion of the room, a refrigerator and sink rested, with a small card table, which seemed quiet sturdy, sitting before them. Two folding chairs were propped beside the small table, signifying they belonged to it. A single door came from the wall to her left, leading into the bedroom. This is what Kazumi considers a great room? Shaking her head, the silver-haired woman breathed with a heavy sigh, as she set down her items. "I'll take it. How much did you want?"
"A month? You seem like a nice lady, and I don't get many women staying here, so…. I'd let you have it for… 26,000 yen a month.*1 Of course," she chimed shaking a finger at her newest client, "if you cause problems I'm going to have to charge you more, so please don't do that, okay?" The bubbly woman smiled as she watched Sylvia set down her few belongings in the room, "By the way, what do you do for a living? You said you were a friend of my grandmother, but she never leaves the bar, so you must have been there to meet her. Are you a stripper or a call girl?" She asked, figuring it was the most likely career for a woman who spent all her time with an old barkeeper. "Because if you are, and you plan on having people over a lot, I'll have to ask for a bigger deposit on the room." Pausing, Karka merely looked at the silver-haired woman with a waiting expression.
"I'm a police officer," Sylvia announced, opening one of her bags to pull out a new uniform, which Tobin had given her just before she left that morning to go buy her essentials with the advance she had been given.
"Wait a minute," the young woman said, shaking a finger at her newest addition. "Are you that new officer from the news?"
"The one who caught that jewel thief. That's me, officer Sylvia Hakubi."
"Really!" The blonde woman smiled, hoping up and down excitedly, showing another reason she was always paid rent on time. Despite her attraction to Tenchi, the golden-eyed woman couldn't help but stare at her new landlord, whose giggly nature was nearly hypnotic. "That is so cool, wait until all my friends at school hear! I can't believe it I have a celebrity in my apartments!" Continuing to chatter on endlessly, the little girl hopped about in a dance that involved a vast quantity of spinning and clapping. "It really is too bad though, about your arrest. How that Interpol detective messed it all up by letting that guy you caught get away. I mean I was so bummed, but I'm sure you'll catch him again. After all it really does take a woman's touch to make sure stuff is done right, like I was telling my grandmother a week ago…."
After a few moments, the silver-haired officer turned away, feeling her stomach becoming uneasy at the sight of anyone spinning that much. Suddenly Karka stopped, looking at the golden-eyed woman happily. "I'll tell you what, since you're a celebrity and all, I'll let you stay here for only 13,000 yen, and I'll even waive your deposit."
Reaching into her pocket, Sylvia grabbed the amount needed, and handed it to the goofy blonde. "There, now if you could, let me know when my package arrives. Your grandmother is shipping something over here tonight."
"Okay, welcome aboard," the hazel-eyed woman smiled. "If you need me, my room is just behind the front desk. This is so cool," she began turning down the hall as she exited the room. "I can't believe it, no one at college will believe that I have thee Officer Hakubi who caught the international jewel thief in my apartment! I can't wait to tell somebody!"
A few minutes later:
Sighing, the lithe woman sat her packages down upon the small card table, shaking her head in disbelief. What a day this has been, she groaned, examining the brown paper bag on the table. Reaching into the small bag, she casually began to put things away, even rolling out her cot; despite the fact she knew sleep wasn't a high priority for her.
Upon finishing her homemaker tasks, the silver-haired former space pirate sighed as she removed a green bottle of Saki from the refrigerator uncorking it with a swift motion. Taking a moment to enjoy the intoxicating scent, the golden-eyed woman plopped down on her rugged couch, examining her new surroundings.
With a forced smile she nodded her approval. "Well it's time to start a new life. No more Tenchi, or anybody else, to make me feel worthless. It's time for me to enjoy myself, and right now the best way I can think of to do that is to forget my stupid past." Saying nothing more, the upset woman quickly upended her large bottle of Saki, draining half of it in one gulp. Exhaling sharply, the golden-eyed officer continued to drink, until the alcoholic beverage was gone.
After sitting still a few moments, the lithe woman soon felt the affects of her potent drink, and soon lost consciousness. For her first night as Sylvia Hakubi, Ryoko slept without nightmares. It was by no means a restful slumber, as her powerful body spent much of the energy it gained from sleep fighting off the affects of the Saki she had consumed, however in her mind this strained slumber of nothingness was infinitely better than the night's prior that she had endured.
That afternoon: Tenchi's House:
As Ryoko began her new life in Okinawa, Tenchi and his extended family continued their day-to-day activities apparently without so much as a single care for the golden-eyed seductresses disappearance.
In the quiet setting of the afternoon, a certain young man casually raked the leaves in his yard, as he did everyday.
"Hello, Lord Tenchi," a young voice called out from behind him. "How are you
doing today?"
Nodding kindly, the brown-haired prince paused to wipe his brow. "Hi, Ayeka, I'm doing pretty good. I still can't believe she's gone…."
"Neither
can I," the purple-haired woman echoed, although her voice carried no
depression instead she sounded almost excitedly. Finally after so long, Ryoko is gone. I never thought such a thing possible. Of course I would have preferred it if I
knew where she had went off to, but just knowing that I am now alone with Lord
Tenchi is enough for now. Clearing
her throat, the young princess braced herself as she prepared to speak
again. "I was about to make some tea,
would you care to join me?"
Opening his mouth to reject her offer, the brown-eyed man stopped himself. Why should I say no, he thought, after
all it's not like I'm going to make Ryoko angry by doing it? She did leave…. Taking a deep breath,
Tenchi nodded his agreement. "Sure, I
could use some tea right about now."
"Excuse me," a new voice intruded, as Sasami ran past the chatting duo.
"Where are you going, Sasami? We were supposed to make lunch together," the red-eyed princess remarked.
"I know, I won't be gone long," the younger sister replied, "I just need to take this snack to grandfather."
"Very well…" Ayeka said with an agitated growl, not liking the idea of her sister running about, which was not proper behavior for a princess of Jurai. I suppose I should not be too hard on Sasami, she was hurt by Ryoko's absence quiet hard. However I will have to have a talk with her later on about all of this. After all, I am certain that now that Ryoko is gone things will begin to change around here between Lord Tenchi and I. I can only imagine, she thought as an embarrassed expression came over her face. It will not be much longer, before he proposes to me! I just know it.
"Lady Ayeka?" The sought after youth said weakly, waving in her face, "hello?"
Coming out of her daydream, the red-eyed woman blushed. "I am sorry, I appear to have dazed off for a moment. Excuse me; I need to get the tea ready…" saying nothing more, the slender woman in the pink kimono took off to begin her preparations for her date. However the Jurain heir was not left alone for long, before a new woman joined him.
"Hello, Washu," the sought after youth greeted her kindly.
"So, Tenchi," the red-haired genius began, watching the purple-haired woman leave slowly as she enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon sun, "I guess your grandfather was right after all. I see Ryoko's leaving did make it easier for you to see who your hearts desire is."
"I'm sorry Washu," Tenchi declared. "I had hoped Ryoko wouldn't do this. Of course, I knew one day she'd leave us if I ever was nicer to Ayeka than to her. I just wish I knew what it was that made her so upset. I mean…"
Holding up a single hand, the little genius stopped him. "Don't try to figure her out," she advised. "It's not something that can be done easily. She's a complex little girl, but that's why I love her." Saying nothing more, the youngest Masaki resumed his sweeping, as the green-eyed woman continued to stare off into the sky, wondering exactly where her daughter had gone.
Had either figure been watching the news at that moment they would have received their answer, as an interview with certain officer was being played.
The Shrine:
As Tenchi and Ayeka chatted about life in general, the blue-haired princess continued her journey to take her brother some refreshments. Standing before the sliding door, the small girl paused for a moment as she heard a familiar voice coming from within the small shrine.
"It really wasn't anything special," a hauntingly seductive voice laughed from inside. "I'm just glad to do my part. Oh, here you are detective."
"Why thank you," a more masculine voice intervened. "All right, Lupin, in the name of Interpol, I hereby…. HEY! This isn't him! It's a dummy! Oh no! He escaped again!"
That sounds like… Ryoko! Sasami thought excitedly as she threw open the door. However it was not the golden-eyed woman, but her stepbrother, Yosho, who met her pink eyes. From his place on the floor, sitting behind a small table he used for shrine business, the eldest Masaki seemed shocked by her sudden presence.
Turning off the news program he had been watching, which now showed an elderly man beginning to talk about other local news, the man with eyes the color of royal teardrops smiled at his young guest warmly. "Hello, Sasami, what is it you have there? Is that for me?"
Confused the little princess didn't seem to hear him as she continued to look around the room with a vacant expression upon her face. I could have sworn I just heard Ryoko…. Suddenly realizing her behavior was not what her sister would consider proper, the blue-haired youth quickly tried to clear her thoughts as she addressed her elder. "Excuse me, grandpa," she began trying to be polite and still keep up the façade they had between them of grandfather and grandchild, "but was Ryoko just hear?"
"Ryoko?" He said, looking over his shoulder at the television. For a long second the gray haired man said nothing, as if pondering everything carefully. "No," Lord Katsuhito finally answered. "That was just a story about one of the local cops. She caught a jewel thief I do believe."
"Oh… I see," the pink-eyed girl sighed, her hope fading from her eyes. "Well," she dejectedly continued, "I guess that was kind of silly of me to think Ryoko was here. Do you think she'll ever come back? I mean do you think she can forgive us? We were pretty hard on her and all…."
"Perhaps," the elder Jurain moaned, rising painfully to his feet. Staggering over, due to the fact his left leg had fallen asleep, the kind old man placed a hand on Sasami's shoulder. "It's hard to say with Ryoko. But anyway, why don't we enjoy the meal you brought me, and you can tell me all about what you've been up to lately, after all it isn't often I get to spend time with my youngest sister…."
Next Time: Sylvia's on her way to a new life. She's got it all going on for her now. However now she faces a new challenge, as she is called in on a hostage situation. Can the reckless woman handle this delicate situation, plus Sylvia gets a new look!
1: By my last count it is 130 yen to a dollar. Ryoko had a total of $500 to start off her new life on. Her room cost her 200 a month originally, but after hearing her celebrity status, it was reduced to a mere 100 bucks a month. Not bad at all!
2: Lupin the third, the greatest thief on Earth, looks like Ryoko caught him. He might do some time, if the Detective from Interpol doesn't mess it all up….