All characters are property of AIC and Pioneer LCD. This story line is based on the Tenchi Muyo OVA. It is not my intentions to rip off other people's work so if this story resembles another, it does so inadvertently.
Chapter 7
"A small object is approaching in quadrant II at amazing speed!" The sensor operator exclaimed.
"On screen." Lady Seto ordered. There was no doubt. Me blazed directly for the middle of the formation. Her eyes were wild with bloodlust as much as Ryoko's were seven hundred years prior.
"FOOLS!" Me's voice boomed.
"Open wings!" Lady Seto ordered. Me disappeared from view.
"Where did she go?" Lady Seto demanded.
"Behind us!" The sensor operator answered.
"Too easy." Me commented as she smashed through the hull of a GP battleship. She ripped through bulk heads until she found herself on the bridge. All the officers on the bridge jumped at Me's explosive entrance. She gave one look around before she started to rip into everyone in sight. It wasn't long before Me was alone. She moved to the command console and sealed off the bridge. She then remembered how the crew aboard the frigate she destroyed abandoned ship. Me quickly disable the escape pods so that all persons on the ship were her prisoners. Me quickly opened a channel to Mikagami to add insult to injury. Lady Seto's face appeared on a screen just in front of Me.
"Ah! Lady Seto. Thank you for the ship and the hostages. Have a nice day you ancient, green-haired, tree-hugging twit." Me spit before closing the channel. As soon as she did, she laughed harder than she had ever laughed before.
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHA…….HAAAHAHA!!!! LET'S GO TO HELL TOGETHER! HAHAHA!" Me cackled as she removed the safety from the battleship's cannon's. The galaxy police battleship unleashed all of her armaments at once and laid waste to three frigates and a destroyer. Aboard Mikagami, Lady Seto was livid.
"KILL HER!" Lady Seto roared. Three first-generation ships rammed the offending battleship with their spread wings until nothing but debris remained.
"Cordon off that area and don't let any other ships that do not posses light hawk wings near it." Lady Seto ordered. Without warning, all the Jurai ships whose wings were open suddenly closed. Me drifted from the wreckage. Lady Seto's expression became extremely bitter.
"What's the matter? Haven't you learned anything since the last time?" Me's voice echoed throughout the flotilla. Me was starting to laugh when she was rammed from behind. Me was knocked back into the debris field and careened off several large pieces of metal until she was able to bring herself under control. Me looked up to see Ryo-Ohki. Me sighed then smiled.
"I guess that is the only attack you have left." Me remarked. Ryo-Ohki then sped off towards Jurai. Me looked on curiously before she spoke.
"Now what's that about? I don't suppose they actually ran away….again?" Me thought to herself. Me looked around at the disabled ships and thought to herself how easy it was to penetrate Jurai's defenses. Me teleported great distances. She no longer needed a ship to get to where she was going. She made her way as fast as she could to Jurai.
* * *
"What are you doing? That thing is over there." Ayeka pointed out. Washu turned to face the princess.
"Did you not just see what she did to that blockade? Do you think we would fair any better?" Washu commented. Ayeka started to look desperate.
"Then why did Lady Seto put together that defense in the first place?" Ayeka questioned.
"Because she had to. Lady Seto knew that she wasn't going to do much better against Ryoko's twin than Jurai did against the original. Does that mean she should just let her go to Jurai unchallenged?" Washu explained.
"What are we going to do?" Tenchi asked.
"Now we go to the Tenju. Ryoko's twin will undoubtedly go to the seat of Jurai's power. We'll get there first and try to face her like we did last time." Washu said.
"We ran away from her last time. Why do you think …" Ayeka started.
"We have no other choice." Washu interrupted.
"If we do nothing now, Jurai will fall and all the other planets in the galaxy will follow suit. Who knows what will happen after that." Washu finished.
* * *
Ryoko didn't sleep. She sat up and watched the night sky as though it was going to provide her with the answers she sought. However, no answers came. She thought it was strange that all the current troubles started off on a day and a situation very similar to the one she was experiencing now. The night was calm and quiet. Ryoko continued to toil over what was the right thing to do. The sky in the east started to change from black to blue. Ryoko remained still. She could actually see the sky getting brighter. Ryoko shifted her attention to the lake and saw that it was smooth as glass. Ryoko grew tired of waiting for something to happen. She stepped down the angled rooftop and hopped down to the balcony. Ryoko pulled the door open then walked inside. It was eerily quiet throughout the house. She walked towards the stairs and noticed the sound of her feet moving across the carpet. She never noticed that before. Ryoko continued downstairs and into the living room. She looked at the couches to where Mihoshi, Ayeka or Washu would be sitting. Ryoko walked into the kitchen. Sasami was still asleep. Ryoko couldn't stand the house being so quiet. Ryoko walked back into the living room and looked out the window to the east. The sun was starting to climb over the mountains. A noise sounded from upstairs. Sasami made her way down the stairs. She was rubbing the sleep out of her eyes but paused when she noticed Ryoko was looking at her. The little princess gave a weak smile but it didn't do much to hide her sadness.
* * *
Washu, Tenchi and Ayeka transported down from Ryo-Ohki onto the landing space reserved for dignitaries. They were met by Lady Misaki and a small contingent of Royal Bodyguards.
"Greetings, Lady Misaki." Washu greeted the queen.
"I'm sorry that we have to meet again under such conditions but it is nice to see you again." Lady Misaki replied. Ayeka was expecting her mother's usual greeting but was surprised to not be met by one. Instead, Lady Misaki motioned for everyone to follow her with a slight smile. Ayeka then knew that her mother was concerned.
"Where is father?" Ayeka questioned.
"He's in a meeting with representatives of other governments of the system." Lady Misaki answered.
"The group walked for a long while. They finally came around the last corner to see two ornately engrave wooden doors that stood as high as a four story building.
"Why are we here?" Ayeka asked again.
"This is as far as Ryoko got last time and it is the only way into the Royal Garden. Ryoko…Ryoko's duplicate will need to come this way in order to get to the royal trees. This is where we will set up a defense." Washu explained. Lady Misaki nodded her agreement.
"How do you plan on stopping her?" Tenchi asked.
"I'm hoping with our combined efforts that we will be able to catch her of guard. If we are able to bind her, I might be able to create a field around her that will dissipate her power before she can summon any…" A large explosion was heard and a slight tremble could be felt in the floor.
"She's here." Washu said.
* * *
Me set down on the same pad as Ryo-Ohki had only about a half an hour prior. She looked up as two ships sprang out from behind the Tenju. Me was expecting as much and waited. The two royal ships unleashed a volley but Me's shield easily defeated the attack. Me smiled and was starting to summon energy for an attack when she suddenly felt as though something was wrong. Me ducked then teleported about three meters from where she was standing.
"Sneaky, sneaky." Me commented as she produced her blade. Lady Seto reached down and picked up a lock of Me's hair. Me frowned. She apparently didn't know that Lady Seto's strike was so close.
"Your senses are very keen. However, you will need more than acute perception to defeat me." Lady Seto said as she let Me's hair fall to the ground. Lady Seto stepped on the hair and ground it into the pad with her heel. Me smiled.
"That is the only kind of injury you will be able to inflict on me because heightened perception is not even close to the beginning of my true ability." Me boasted. She paced back and forth never letting her eyes leave Lady Seto. Me was about to dash forward when she raised her edge in defense. Lady Seto closed the distance between Me and herself so fast that Me was barely able to block. Me looked somewhat surprised. Lady Seto noticed and lashed out. Me was hard pressed to keep Lady Seto at bay. Me tried to pivot her blade enough on a block to leave a mark on Lady Seto. Lady Seto batted Me's blade away and pivoted her own blade to put a deep cut into Me's face. Me grunted and dashed backwards. Seto stayed where she was. Me brought her hand to her face and fingered her injury.
"What's the matter? I'm still waiting for you to show me the beginning of your ability. In truth, I see a lot of strength but no skill. You must feel shame for being cut by an ancient, green-haired, tree-hugging twit." Lady Seto said flatly. Me dashed at Seto only to receive two cuts on the opposite cheek. Me jumped back again. She made no attempt to examine her new injuries. She just glared at Seto menacingly. Me put away her blade and smiled as she lifted her left hand. The gem on her left wrist began to glow. Small lights began to emerge from the pad and from the Tenju itself. The lights began to merge into three pulsating globs of light. The three globs then took on monstrous forms and wheeled about to face Seto. Lady Seto brought her blade to the ready. The monsters attacked. Lady Seto dashed to meet the closest but as soon as her blade passed through the monster, it regenerated itself. The next monster brought its fist down towards Seto but she jumped out of the way only in time to get smashed to the ground by the third monster. Me followed up by kicking Lady Seto in the gut. Me quickly backed off to avoid Lady Seto's swing. Seto quickly got to her feet.
"Well, it looks like you will have a time trying to rid yourself of my friends." Me explained. Me raised her hand and Lady Seto could feel the field that Me erected around the landing platform.
"I'll deal with you after I have finished what I came here to do. The field I put up will prevent you from being a bad host and fleeing the party. My friends will entertain you until I return for the last dance." Me said as she made her way towards the passage that led into the Tenju.
* * *
Me walked around the last corner and paused as she looked down the magnificent hall that led to the royal garden. Me smiled upon remembering being in the same place before. Me then noticed small figures at the base of the great door that closed off the garden. They were too far down the hall to visually identify each person but she didn't need to. She knew that Tenchi, Washu, and Ayeka would be there. There was a fourth person. As she stepped closer, she realized the fourth person was Lady Misaki.
"I had a feeling I would find you here." Me's voice rumbled unnaturally loud in the hall.
"Die now or later. Your choice." Me said to Washu. Washu unfolded her arms and took one step forward. Me lifted off the ground slightly. A wide, wicked smile spread across her face. Her hair bristled and the whites of her eyes burned. Me drifted forward slowly. Washu rushed out to meet her. The two's blades flashed. Lady Misaki joined the fray but Me wasn't playing. Me fended off Washu and Lady Misaki's attacks. Me's speed increased and she caught hold of Washu's hair. Me jerked Washu in the way of one of Lady Misaki's swings. Lady Misaki was disciplined enough to halt her blade before it cut into Washu's torso. However, she was open to attack and Me capitalized by firing a focused energy blast into Lady Misaki's back. Lady Misaki skipped across the floor twice but she was able to recover to her feet quickly. As soon as she looked up, she was hit by Washu. Me had slung Washu across the hall by her hair. Ayeka and Tenchi joined in. Ayeka fired several energy blasts at Me but Me was able to bat them away. Tenchi rushed up and sliced at Me. Me teleported. Tenchi instinctively turned to face an assault from the rear. Me anticipated Tenchi's reaction and rematerialized in the same place that she just was. Ayeka raised a shield in front of Tenchi just in time to defeat a massive energy attack unleashed by Me. Defending Tenchi drained Ayeka extensively. Me focused her attention on Ayeka. She brought her blade down at Ayeka but Tenchi blocked it. Me knocked Tenchi's blade away and attacked Ayeka again. Ayeka attempted to raise another shield for herself but Me blasted through the forming barrier and landed a powerful right straight to Ayeka's face. A spurt of blood shot from Ayeka's nose as she flew away. She hit hard against the doors to the garden. Tenchi was shocked long enough for Me to fly up and launch a substantial energy blast at Tenchi. Tenchi jumped but the force of the blast knocked him into the wall. Me was about to gloat when she caught a vicious kick to the jaw launched by Lady Misaki. Me was dazed. Lady Misaki produced her blade and rammed it into Me's gut. Me roared in anguish. Me quickly grasped Lady Misaki's wrists to prevent the queen from finishing her attack and slicing her in half. Me pulled herself upwards and kicked Lady Misaki in the gut with all she had. The queen's blade was ripped from her hands. The queen hit the floor hard and was knocked unconscious. Me removed the blade from her gut and snapped the hilt in half. She was about to heal her wound when she received a blast to her back. The pain was unlike anything me had experienced and she was forced to the floor. Me sensed another attack. She turned quickly and batted Washu's second and third attacks away. Defending herself was preventing me from healing her wound and left her vulnerable. Tenchi was sprinting towards Me. Washu kept up her fire to keep Me occupied enough for her to not be able to heal herself or attack. Washu realized her mistake as soon as she fired her last shot. Me bounced Washu's attack right at Tenchi. Tenchi barely managed to duck the attack but wasn't so lucky in avoiding Me's follow up attack which rammed him into the doors to the garden only a short distance away from Ayeka. Me was breathing heavy. She raised a field that was strong enough to defend against Washu's attacks. She started to heal herself when she noticed Lady Misaki struggling to get to her feet. Although Me wasn't even seventy-five percent, she fired a shot and made sure Lady Misaki stayed down for the count. It didn't take long for Me to get back to normal strength. Me looked back to Washu. Me fired a single energy blast but Washu deflected it. Me smiled. She fired dozens of smaller shot. Washu was able to hold the assault at first but every shot that got past her defenses weakened her all the more. Finally, Washu was being pummeled by Me's assault. Washu dropped to her knees. Me walked up to Washu. Washu was breathing heavily and was bleeding badly from all the nickel and dime shots Me sent her way. Me quickly fired a left right combination that knocked the scientist out. Me surveyed the hallway. The hall was quiet. Me turned and drifted towards the royal garden. As she drew closer, she could see Ayeka and Tenchi still unconscious on the floor. Me raised her hands and motioned for the two leaning against the door to the garden to move aside. Ayeka and Tenchi slid in opposite directions away from the door. Me grasped the handles to the door and was about to pull. She paused for a moment and looked over her shoulder. To Me's surprise, Washu was conscious once more. The scientist propped herself on one arm. She was bleeding from several places on her face and scores of other places on her body. The left side of Washu's face was discolored and starting to swell.
"My, My. How resilient you are!" Me complimented. Washu looked on helplessly and continued to breathe heavily.
"I'm glad that you are awake. You're handiwork will succeed where so many others have failed. I will utterly destroy Jurai starting with the Royal Trees." Me remarked. Washu couldn't reply nor did she know exactly what to say if she could. Suddenly, Washu's breathing paused and she appeared caught off guard. Me's smile turned to a more curious expression. The two doors to the garden exploded open. A blade sliced both of Me's arms off just below the elbow before it cut her in half at the waste. Her attacker flew well past her with the momentum of the attack. Me's assailant skid to a halt next to Washu before turning to face Me. Me fell backwards and hit the floor. Her injuries prevented her from screaming out. Me's two arms landed only a short distance from Washu. Washu was still unable to speak.
"There is only enough room in this reality for one of us." Ryoko stated confidently. Me was still thrashing on the ground. Ryoko walked up to Me's severed arms and was about to gathered the two gems when both arms sped to Me and reattached themselves to her arms. Ryoko turned to Washu. Washu extended her hand offering her three fake gems.
"I'm going to need these." Ryoko commented without any expression. Washu nodded. Ryoko quickly assimilated the gems into herself. Me stopped thrashing then rose awkwardly to her feet.
"How did you get here?" Me asked.
"Does it matter?" Ryoko asked back. Me summoned her blade. Ryoko brought hers to the ready. Me looked to be nearing her original strength. The two Ryoko's flew at one another and fought furiously. Although Me's strength was more than Ryoko's with the three gems, that didn't matter much in a battle of skill. The two exchanged. The two parted and stood a few meters from one another.
"For someone so against killing, you sure do fight as though you wanted my life." Me quipped.
"If my last strike didn't kill you, then it is unlikely any of these will." Ryoko answered.
"Well, if you aren't trying to kill me then what are you trying to do?" Me asked with a grin. Ryoko didn't answer. Me launched herself at Ryoko. Ryoko lashed out but Me caught Ryoko's wrist before her swing landed. Me swung her blade to take Ryoko's head. Ryoko ducked then stepped forward before standing straight up. The top of Ryoko's head rammed Me's chin. The two sustained equal damage but Ryoko was expecting hers. Ryoko quickly snapped her left leg forward and the ball of her foot slammed into Me's throat. Me flew back and crashed into the far wall. Me sprang forward with rage and grabbed Ryoko by the back of the head and drilled Ryoko's face into the floor. Me was about to repeat the attack but Ryoko planted her palms on the ground then spun away from Me while casting hair quills into Me's face at the same time. Me gripped her face as Ryoko jumped back and brought her left hand to her forehead to examine the extent of damage she had suffered. Ryoko raised her right hand and unleashed a bolt of energy. Me batted the shot away effortlessly. Me then fired an enormous energy blast at Ryoko. Ryoko was about to dodge the shot when she realized Ayeka was behind her. Ryoko reached out and caught the shot and batted it back at Me. Me stepped to the side and let the blast pass her and sail down the hallway. Me donned a vicious smile. Ryoko stood ready. Me pointer her hand at Tenchi.
"NO!" Ryoko yelled. Me fired another huge blast. Ryoko erected a field and defeated the attack, however, her defense required most of her energy. Me then pointed her hand at Washu. Ryoko quickly jumped in front of her and established another field. Once more, Ryoko was able to defeat the attack but only barely. Ryoko became woozy but steadied herself once more.
"This is fun. I wonder how much longer you can keep that up?" Me almost laughed. Me turned her hand back to Tenchi and fired. Ryoko jumped in front of Tenchi again but this time she didn't have the power to generate a field. Instead, she absorbed the shot with her body. Ryoko staggered then dropped to one knee. Me lowered her hand and walked towards Ryoko. She stopped just out of swinging range.
"I think this is just about over. You said that there is only enough room in this reality for one of us. Well, I couldn't agree more." Me affirmed. Ryoko was trying to think of a way to win but nothing was coming to mind until she remembered her encounter with Tsunami.
"I have to try." Ryoko thought to herself. She stood back up. Ryoko removed the fake gems from her body and let them fall to the floor. Me stopped dead in her tracks. She didn't understand what was going on. Ryoko closed her eyes and leaned her head back slightly. She brought her hands up slightly and looked to be asleep standing up. Me continued to look on. The gems on Me's wrists and neck started to glow white. Me tried to draw from the gems but she realized that she couldn't. Ryoko's eyes opened and she looked at Me.
"You like using those to kill? This time, they will kill you." Ryoko said. Me tried to draw from the gems but she didn't get anything. Me produced a blade and slashed at Ryoko. Me's blade had decreased in enough power that it couldn't cut as effectively as a steel blade but it still cut. Ryoko winced in pain. Me started to lash out franticly. Ryoko was in terrible pain but she didn't make a sound. Me tried to attack Ryoko again but her blade bounce off of Ryoko's body. Me was at a loss.
"Well now what? I know you don't want to kill me." Me stated matter-of-factly. Ryoko opened her eyes and stared at Me. The gems began to smolder on Me's wrists and neck. Me felt the burning and tried to remove them but the stones remained in place. Me next tried to cut off her hands above the gems but her blade wasn't strong enough to cut through her own body. Me looked at Ryoko's emotionless face and became scared. The brighter the stones burned, the more difficult it was for Me to move until she wasn't able to move at all. Me tried to use brute strength to free herself from her invisible prison but her efforts were in vain.
"I thought you didn't want to kill anyone anymore?" Me plead to Ryoko. The gems burned so bright that the great hall filled with light. Me screamed at the top of her lungs then nothing could be heard. The light subsided revealing the stones levitating in the air and a small mound of ash lying on the floor just in front of Ryoko.
"Nobody's perfect." Ryoko commented. The three stones turned back to their normal red gleam then fell onto the mound of ashes. Ryoko bent over and picked up the stones. She looked around to get an idea of the damage Me caused. Ayeka and Tenchi were still unconscious. Queen Misaki was unconscious as well. Ryoko looked to Washu. Washu was still propped up on one arm. Ryoko took a few steps until she was in front of Washu. The battle suit clad scientist smiled weakly. Washu tried to speak but her broken jaw coursed with pain. Ryoko opened her hand and looked at the gems. She felt the reality of what she had just done as it set in.
"Everyone is safe………but……I have killed someone again." Ryoko whispered. Washu's eyes teared but she was still unable to speak and her fight had robbed her of the energy she needed to talk to Ryoko through her psychic link. Ryoko tilted her hand and the gems fell from her hand and onto the floor. Ryoko turned and walked down the hall. Ryoko's steps echoed in the great hall. She listened and was reminded of the sound of her footsteps on the carpet and how she never noticed them before. Suddenly, a deep sadness overtook her. Ryoko couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that bore down on her now more than it ever had before. Ryoko stopped. It was then that she noticed that footsteps other than hers were present in the great hall. Ryoko looked up to see Lady Seto striding slowly but confidently down the hall straight towards her. Lady Seto's clothes were singed, cut and stained. Her blade sizzled in her hand and it hummed as it swung back and forth in rhythm with her steps. Ryoko remembered her conversation with Tsunami prior to her departing earth.
"The day you stop fighting is the day you die." Ryoko recounted. Lady Seto drew closer. Ryoko then looked relieved. She knelt down and watched as Lady Seto approached.
"I'm sorry, Tenchi. I'm a killer, plain and simple. I don't want to fight anymore." Ryoko thought as Lady Seto finally stopped. Ryoko leaned forward and presented her neck. Lady Seto looked down and gripped her blade harder. Ryoko let out a sigh and felt as though all of her problems were about to be solved.
"Something like this will happen again if you don't kill me now." Ryoko said. Lady Seto scrutinized Ryoko. She then studied her surroundings. She noticed the doors to the garden were blasted half apart but from the inside. She then noticed Tenchi, Ayeka and Misaki unconscious on the floor. Finally, Lady Seto noticed Washu. The scientist was looking right at Seto. Washu's face was now badly swollen but Lady Seto could also notice the slightest of smiles. Lady Seto's blade vanished. Ryoko's head snapped up.
"I disagree." Lady Seto commented. Ryoko looked up with a pathetic expression.
"I want you to kill me." Ryoko admitted.
"I don't care." Lady Seto replied. Ryoko was becoming frustrated.
"I know you hate me for what I did seven hundred years ago." Ryoko challenged.
"Do you now?" Lady Seto answered with a grin.
"I enjoyed it. I loved watching the looks on the faces of the tormented. I..." Ryoko tried.
"You are a terrible liar." Lady Seto stated. Ryoko became quiet and tilted her head forward in defeat.
"Do you think that you are the only person who has killed anyone?" Lady Seto asked. Ryoko continued to say nothing.
"Killing is not good and it should be avoided at all costs. However, there are situations where you are left with no alternative. It is not a pleasant business but this life isn't always pleasant, is it?" Lady Seto asked again. Ryoko remained quiet.
"Did you kill all of those people?" Lady Seto asked. Ryoko didn't reply.
"I said 'Did you kill all of those people?" Lady Seto repeated.
"Yes." Ryoko mumbled.
"Don't be a fool! That creature merely resembled you, it wasn't you. I can understand why you would think that you need to carry some of the burden from this but you are taking this way too far. You think you killed all of those people? You didn't harm one of them. The reality of the situation is that had you not just stopped it, that thing would have destroyed all the royal trees, the Tenju, Jurai and who knows what else. Because you were able to destroy it, you saved all the royal trees, the Tenju, Jurai and possibly the entire galaxy." Lady Seto finished. Ryoko looked up at Lady Seto with eyes wide open. Lady Seto took one step closer to Ryoko. She gently placed her hand on Ryoko's head.
"You are a good person, Ryoko. Even I can see that now. Everyone on Jurai owes you their thanks."
* * *
The sun rose to reveal a picture perfect morning at the Masaki residence. The wind was starting to blow but not too hard. Large cumulous clouds towered over the mountains. Inside the house, Sasami could be heard happily humming a few bars of an old Jurai melody as she prepared breakfast. Washu stepped into the kitchen. She had been back in her child-like form since she left Jurai.
"Good morning, kiddo." Washu announced as she started to dig through the refrigerator.
"Back atcha!" Sasami replied. Washu's head popped out of the refrigerator shortly after hearing Sasami's reply.
"What did you say?" Washu asked not believing her ears. Sasami giggled.
"I just wanted to see what you would do? Good Morning." Sasami admitted. Washu smiled.
"You are certainly in a good mood." Washu commented as she stuck her head back into the refrigerator.
"It feels like it's been so long since things have been normal. I want to enjoy it while it lasts." Sasami said. Washu closed the refrigerator door. She was unable to find anything to snack on.
"That sounds mighty grown up of you, Sasami." Washu commented as she looked over the princess's shoulder.
"Do you think so?" Sasami asked. Washu nodded.
"I hope you are making a big breakfast this morning. I'm starving." Washu pointed out. Sasami smiled.
"It's going to the biggest we've had in a while." Sasami reassured.
"Great!" Washu sounded as she exited the kitchen and made her way to the living room. There she found Ayeka sitting on the couch reading the last bits of the magazine she was unable to finish a few days prior.
"Whatcha readin'? Washu asked as she plopped down on the couch across from Ayeka.
"It's a magazine about modern fashion." Ayeka explained without looking up.
"Where's Ryoko?" Washu asked again.
"I haven't seen her all morning?" Ayeka replied as she lowered her magazine. A subspace portal opened over the lake and Mihoshi's cruiser appeared. Sasami burst into the living room.
"It's Mihoshi." The little girl announced happily.
"I thought it was too quiet around here." Ayeka commented beneath her breath.
"Look at that. She didn't crash into the lake. This is a red letter day." Washu chimed. The Galaxy Police Officer appeared on the deck outside the living room. One of Mihoshi's heels became stuck between to of the planks on the deck. Mihoshi grabbed her leg and yanked but her foot remained stuck. Mihoshi looked determined. She grabbed her leg again and pulled with all her might. The plank bent back then snapped. Mihoshi stumbled backwards and fell into the lake. A few seconds later, Mihoshi's cruiser fell into the lake. Ayeka, Sasami and Washu stepped out onto the deck. Mihoshi pulled herself onto the deck and sobbed her usual sob. The group helped Mihoshi inside.
"Where have you been?" Washu asked as she handed Mihoshi a towel. Mihoshi stopped sobbing and became more cheerful.
"I was stranded with the other ships just inside of Jurai. I was able to get my ship working again and I flew down to Jurai in pursuit of the bad Ryoko." Mihoshi started.
"But, my ship broke down just as I was coming in to land. I've been writing my report while my ship was fixed." Mihoshi smiled.
"Three days sounds just about right." Washu commented as she remembered Mihoshi's report from the Kagato incident.
"Everyone is up early this morning." Mihoshi noted cheerfully as she continued to dry herself off.
"Everyone but Tenchi." Sasami said.
"He's awake. I saw him sitting on the roof talking to Ryoko only a minute ago." Mihoshi said as she wrung out her hat.
"What!" Ayeka yelled.
"Please leave them alone. Ryoko has been through a lot." Sasami pleaded with her sister. Ayeka looked upset but didn't say anything.
* * *
"How do you feel?" Tenchi asked. Ryoko didn't answer right away.
"It doesn't feel real. It's like the feeling you get when you have a really bad nightmare that you are sure is real until you wake up. Except when I woke up, I realized that it all really did happen." Ryoko tried to explain.
"Oh." Tenchi said not really knowing what to say. Ryoko looked at Tenchi.
"I'm sorry, Tenchi." Ryoko said.
"Sorry for what?" Tenchi asked.
"I'm sorry for putting all of you through so much and making you worry." Ryoko explained.
"I've already told you that none of it was your fault. Why can't you understand that?" Tenchi questioned. Ryoko looked back out over the lake.
"I think it's you that do not understand. Everything that happened prior to our splitting felt as though I did it. Washu tells me that that other…Me imposed her emotions on me. Well, that sounds good but it still feels like it was me that killed all those people, that I took delight in doing what she did. Although I wish it could, something like that can't be explained away. And even after all of that, I still feel as though something like that might happen again." Ryoko explained.
"Washu said that she removed all of the genetic programs in you." Tenchi offered. Ryoko looked back to Tenchi with a concerned expression.
"Washu didn't find the programs until one became active. She had run examinations on me countless times before and never detected the programs. Who is to say that there isn't something else inside of me waiting for the right time to come to the surface?" Ryoko pointed out. Tenchi thought he was starting to understand.
"You know. After being here for so long, I thought that all the bad things that happened to me were done with. Now I have to wonder will it ever be over?" Ryoko stated.
"You didn't have anyone to look out for you before. We didn't give up on you. We'll never give up on you." Tenchi said. Ryoko smiled. It was the first time in over a week that Tenchi had seen Ryoko smile and he didn't think he would see it so soon.
"That's so sweet of you." Ryoko commented flirtatiously. Tenchi now felt a familiar uneasiness. Ryoko stood up and looked to the sky. She took in a deep breath then let it out slowly. Tenchi got over his uneasiness and smiled while looking at Ryoko. She looked alive and free in a way that she hadn't looked in a long while.
"I guess I shouldn't be troubled by things I can't control. I could be struck by lightning and there's nothing I can do about that, is there?" Ryoko smiled.
"Nope." Tenchi agreed. Ryoko looked back to Tenchi and offered him her hand.
"I want to show you something." Ryoko said.
"Uhhm…ok." Tenchi reluctantly agreed.
"I want to fly." Ryoko almost yelled. She gripped Tenchi's hand then blazed skyward. Tenchi was scared senseless. He looked down and the house became smaller and smaller.
"Let me go!" Tenchi exclaimed.
"Are you sure?" Ryoko asked mischievously.
"No! Don't let me go." Tenchi pleaded. Ryoko suddenly came to a stop.
"Ryoko, it's freezing." Tenchi chattered.
"Oh, sorry." Ryoko apologized. Tenchi then noticed he wasn't cold anymore. He also felt as though he was floating.
"What did you do?" Tenchi asked.
"I phased you, silly." Ryoko explained.
"Now look over there." Ryoko said as she pointed at a large cumulous.
"I've seen clouds before." Tenchi said.
"Not like this." Ryoko smiled and flew towards the cloud.
"Wow! It's so quiet. Hey, look at the house. It's so tiny." Tenchi spouted.
"You should see it from up here at night or fireworks from above or during a snowstorm." Ryoko offered.
"I would like to see that." Tenchi said happily. Ryoko thought to herself.
"I'll show you, Tenchi. Someday, I'll show you everything."
The End