Disclaimer: I do not own Washu, Clay, Tokimi or Kagato; they are copyright to Pioneer the great makers of Tenchi Muyo! All other characters such as the teachers are copyright to me.
Author's Note: Chapter 3'sa finally here! Sprry for the delay but school's been a pain, add mom fussing over me when i was sick then i found it virtually impossible to reach the computer! For the few people who IMed me and said that Washu was originally a professor and taught Kagato. Well I claim artistic licence :P Besides Kagato's much younger than Washu! *hint*
.Of Dances And Dreams.
For days on end Washu returned back to the library after lessons and even during lunchtime. Still she had found nothing about the quote Tokimi had recited and had already made it through half of the poetry section. The library mistress was beginning to seem a little suspicious of Washu who would sit quietly in the corner picking out several of the books then reading them page by page.
Clay was beginning to get a little restless, even Washu's science book lay forgotten. Clay had taken to spending most of his time with Grimshaw now not wanting to be dragged into reading more books than he had to. Washu's birthday was a few days away. Soon she would be 16. Was it fate that that very day was on the Academy Dance date?
She sighed putting another black book on the shelf. "Perhaps I'm looking in the wrong place." She muttered, looking around but none of the other book categories seemed to fit. Washu was interested in one other place only. The restricted section; available only to teachers. She walked over to it carefully but dared not cross the barrier that led into it.
"Looking for something?" A small sweet voice whispered into her ear.
Washu turned around to see Tokimi smirking at her, her blue eyes glinting.
"You. You're Tokimi!"
"You shouldn't get involved in matters that don't concern you. You may be equal to me but this does not concern you." And with that she vanished. Washu looked around bewildered.
"Equal?"
She resumed her place back in the corner, pulling out a dark red book. The next time Washu stood up was 9PM, the time when the mistress walked over to tell her the library was closed. She sat up - her bottom slightly aching and put the book back.
When she walked into her dorm she found Clay just coming out from another shower.
"Back from the realm of eternal boredom?" Clay smirked.
"If in your slang that means the library then yes."
He sighed and said, "Why are you spending so much time there?"
Washu stammered for a moment, she thought it best not to tell him of Tokimi's strangeness.
"J-Just extra credit work." Clay didn't believe her but still pretended to be satisfied.
The next morning after a lesson she dreaded - maths for 3 long, dull hours. With a teacher that never let you keep up and would always speed ahead. Professor Turner, a tall skinny woman with a face shaped like a horse. She speeded up towards the library but felt a cold hand grasp her arm. She turned around to see Clay.
"What do you want?"
"You're coming with me."
"But i…I have some studying to do in the library!"
"You're doing some 'studying' with me."
He dragged her off back to their dorm room and slammed the door. He walked up to her slowly with a sort of cheesy grin. "Err…Washu?"
"Yes?" She asked sternly.
"W-Will you…" He thought for a moment of the words to say to ask her if she would go to the dance with him but then sighed.
"Will you…"
"Eat your shorts?" She sniggered.
"NO! Please I'm trying to be serious here! Will you…go to the dance with me?" He said suddenly. He lowered his head expecting like at his old school to be rejected but Washu didn't say anything but lifted his chin up and kissed him softly on his firm lips, both closing their eyes for a moment then pulled back. "Yes."
The next morning she was waken softly by Clay. "Wassamatter?"
"You've got presents!"
Washu grumbled and rubbed her eyes. "What?"
Sure enough she looked at the bottom of her bed, several packages had been placed neatly there. She crawled over, giggling with anxiety. Clay watched as she picked up a pink one with a purple ribbon. Attached to a small box she read the note
My Dearest Washu,
Hope this reaches you in time. I called Clay on the videophone to arrange it all, Enjoy your birthday and call me soon!
Love Mom.
She looked up at Clay and smiled while opening the box, inside was yet another tiny purple box, which contained a pair of purple earrings. She opened a thick one from Professor Rogers, which was another thick science book.
"A book for a birthday present?"
Washu stuck out her tongue at him and proceeded to unwrap one from Grimshaw, which turned out to be a huge amount of homemade fudge and several other delicacies.
"He didn't know what you liked so I told him to get you pretty much anything. I gotta tell ya, he's one hell of a cook!"
"How would you know?"
"Well while you were in the realm of eternal boredom he took me into the school kitchens!"
Washu forced a smile, she herself wouldn't have a minded a day off to see the kitchens.
"And he's friends with the chef's, they let him hang around and help. They even let him cook whatever he wants."
"Lucky him." Washu sighed thinking of the time she had wasted so far, so put the fudge to her nose and the sweet smell drifted around. A few mouth watering seconds later the two ate a bit. Clay was right, it was very soft and the flavour stayed in her mouth.
Two more packages remained; she picked up the larger of the two and shook it.
"Rub a dub dub what's in the package bub?" She giggled.
It turned out to be a silver necklace with a swirl of red and green in a circle on the pendant. This was from Clay who didn't know what to expect.
"Wow! It's really beautiful!" Washu smiled, admiring it.
"Well I- I didn't know what you liked and that was really the only thing I had. It was from my grandmother."
"Oh…Well, Clay I can't possibly take it." She said, flushing deep red.
"Please take it. She told me it was protection. With the way things are going I think you need it more!" The two laughed and ate some more fudge, which they consumed in minutes until Grimshaw knocked on the door.
While she changed into her uniform the two of them discussed the new security stystem which would be in place later tonight. Grimshaw came up with several weird passwords while Clay settled for one he would remember miles away. When she was ready she headed up to the office with Grimshaw, taking a slightly bigger and gold rimmed elevator. Washu remembered the day when she had been standing right here outside the Head's office with her mom and had met Clay here too.
"Tired?" Grimshaw asked, "You're daydreaming."
"Sorry. Just remembering." She sighed.
She followed her to a small office next to it. A tall hook nosed woman greeted them.
"Hello. We -"
"Formal wear? Come right in." She said softly.
Grimshaw smiled and led Washu into a small room in the back. Several other students were there. Each picked up different dresses and tuxedos; examining them carefully.
"Girls changing rooms are there if you want to try it on." He pointed out.
They each spent a few minutes picking out clothes then both emerged from the changing rooms. Washu came out wearing a light pink gown made of silk. It was a little dusty but she brushed it down and wore white high heels. Grimshaw wore a black tuxedo with black polished shoes. He decided to skip on a hat as they "ruined his do."
After changing back they came out carrying the clothes and helped themselves to bags to put them in. The receptionist smiled at them again as they left.
"We looked jolly smashing." Grimshaw smirked in an odd posh accent.
"Yes. Yes we looked simply divine."
Clay's mom had insisted on packing him his own formal wear - ("You're not wearing those tatty old things. I always brought my own when I saw there!") He waited for Washu in the dorm room actually doing his homework for once when Washu came in however he dumped the homework there and jumped off the bed.
"Let's see then!" Clay smirked
"Wait 'till I get changed!"
"So you're talking now…?"
In the time it took Washu to have a shower, get dry, get changed, do her hair, do her makeup, do her hair again and put her shoes on, Clay had finished another two pieces of homework.
Washu walked out elegantly, feeling a little shy.
"I can't dance with you when you're wearing that." Washu smirked staring at the clothes he wore in his spare time (wore out old trainers, an old blue jumper and black jeans.)
"Oh yeah, right." He said stepping off the bed, not blinking as he watched her. When he walked back out (he had only taken a few minutes.) he found Washu on the video phone to her mom.
"Washu honey, you look amazing!"
"Thanks mom!"
"Oh and is that Andrew?"
"Yes Mrs Hakubi! Hello."
"Is everything okay Washu? We've being picking up strange signals here at the HQ."
"Yes mom. Everything's fine!" She smiled although feeling a little guilty for lying.
"Well you have fun at your dance. I better go the chief wants my report!"
"Bye mom."
The screen faded off and Washu stood up and admired Clay, his hair was a little rough but still he was quite handsome. She raised her arm and Clay took it. They walked out of the door joining many couples on their journey to the dance, which would be held in the cafeteria. They even had to queue for an elevator.
"I don't see how they can fit all these people in the cafeteria." Clay muttered.
"Don't you ever listen in Science? The teachers have probably set up a portal to another much wider dimension." Washu sighed.
Clay who didn't feel like a science lecture right now acted like he understood. When they reached the cafeteria the Head Of School; who Washu had not seen in weeks greeted the crowd waiting outside. "They're still preparing. Won't be long now - you; stop pushing!" He muttered.
Sure enough when they were let in the regular tables had gone replaced with a few lantern lit ones at the back the room, at the front there was a golden stage where guitars, drum-kits and a microphone lay untouched. The dance floor was very wide and lengthy, made totally of glass; as were the tables. Several large speakers hung down from the ceiling.
The two of them found a table in a far corner and greeted Grimshaw as he walked in with a girl who looked just a little younger than him, her hair was tied up into a bun at the top of her head. She wore light makeup and glass earrings. Her dress was white and made of very elegant silk. The two walked over to Washu.
"Hey Clay, Washu. This is Angelina."
"Pleased to meet you." Washu said. Clay however was halfway through a mug of bright red juice and instead put up a hand.
"Well we're gonna get started dancing. Don't feel much like eating"
They said goodbye and found a spot on the dance floor as Washu looked back at Clay with a wide grin. "They seem happy."
The Head grabbed the microphone and called for quiet. "Now appearing on our very own stage all the way from Pluto in the solar system! We have… frozen metal!
Clay spat out his juice, Washu narrowly avoided it. "My god! Frozen metal! My favourite band!"
"Woo…" Washu sighed wiping a few drops off her dress. 'Frozen Metal' started to play a song Washu recognised as the one Clay usually sung in the shower.
Washu tucked into her leg of lamb and enjoyed every piece of it until it was gone, Clay however decided to skip after too much juice. She stood up and took Clay's hand and they found their own spot and Washu lead Clay into a slow-dance, resting her head on his broad shoulders. He felt his stomach drop with nerves as he got a few steps wrong but then Washu took over, seizing his hands she put one on her waist and held the other tightly in hers.
Teachers stuck to the sidelines along with a few other students who didn't have the nerve to or couldn't dance. Professor Rogers was looking bleak, and Professor Pickering's cheeks were red and he had a glazed over look in his eyes as he chatted to a giggling Professor Thorpe who kissed him gently on his cheek, still in a fit of giggles. They had obviously had a little to much wine. They too then shared a small awkward dance.
Clay who was enjoying his quiet dance took another step out of line as Kagato arrived, but not in a tuxedo. Instead he wore green robes and a long silk green cape. His face seemed unusually pale. It wasn't long before he found a girl who'd dance with him. He walked over to the request station and picked something with a little more wild rhythm.
The girl wore a white silk dress and her hair was blonde in long curls. Kagato grabbed her hand and lead her in a vigorous waltz. Soon everyone had moved to the sidelines to watch them. Washu felt a little jealous then grabbed Clay and marched him into the middle. "There's no way I can do that." Clay muttered to her.
She grabbed his hands and waltzed with him. Clay watched what Kagato did then copied, he span Washu round and lowered her down then back up. The dance seemed to revolve around a lot of spinning until Kagato glared at Clay and waged in a "dancing war" with him. At the end all four of them were left panting heavily to a huge ovation.
"Let me catch my breath." Washu said hoarsely as they sat down. Kagato however continued to dance.
"God I hate him. And what the hell is that? It's not even formal wear!"
"Just leave him." Washu coughed.
Kagato never seemed to lose his breath; he danced with girl after girl. Grimshaw was now slumped on a table with a bottle of wine, consuming glass after glass. Washu sat down next to him.
"What's the matter." But Grimshaw only grunted.
"Where's Angelina?"
He only raised his glass to point at a couple, it was Kagato and his danced partner was Angelina who was grinning uncontrollably. He hiccoughed In a drunken manner and poured himself more wine, in a mix of despair and utmost loathing he eyed Kagato. Washu marched over to speak to Kagato when he let go of Angelina and grabbed Washu.
"Let go of me! What is wrong with you?"
But he did not answer, instead he grabbed her hands and danced with her.
"If you don't let go of me right now -"
Kagato did not answer instead he spun her round and danced more forcefully until he let go of her and danced with another.
"What is your problem!" She yelled gritting her teeth. She stormed back to her table but Clay seemed to have vanished. She sat down instead next to Grimshaw who banged in wine glass on the table.
"Have you seen Andrew?"
"Who?"
"Sorry - Clay, have you seen Clay?"
"Went."
"Where?"
"Back to his dorm. Saw you and Kagato."
"But we - he…"
She stormed back onto the dance floor and pulled another girl off of Kagato. She prodded his chest hard while badmouthing him. "What are you playing at Dracula? Stop dancing and prancing and start talking. What are you?"
Kagato looked confused and taken aback but still she prodded and pushed. They were starting to attract attention now even frozen metal who were halfway through a hard rock beat stopped to stare at them.
"Tell me!" She yelled.
By now a fire was growing in Kagato's eyes, a fire of deep dark blood red, he finally burst and pushed her back halfway across the room. His cape flew back in a dark wind and students around fled to the back of the room, teachers stepped forward to stop him but a powerful wind swept them away.
Kagato focused his energy into a small ball then extended it into a vile green sword. He raised it above Washu.
"That will be quite enough." A voice called out. Out of the shadows stepped Professor Pickering. He placed his hand on Kagato's head. Kagato then slumped to the ground and disappeared. Washu was helped up by the professor who looked grim, more than she had ever seen him.
"What did you…?"
"I think you had better return to your dorm." He said sternly as he walked back towards the teachers. The head looked the most amused while others stared at him in bewilderment.
Washu stormed passed Grimshaw, who was quarrelling with Angelina who had rejoined him; she was forcefully trying to pry the wine bottle from his hands, and headed back to her dorm. She smiled at Professor Rogers who forced a smile through his weary and tired eyes. She noticed a small folder he was carrying but when she came to the door she sighed, the new security system had been installed.
"Washu Science Deck Student 325. Password…um…oh damn I know this one hang on…"
"Password Confirmed."
"Damn Clay and his passwords…" She muttered as the door opened. She half expected him to be slumped on the bed in a sulking fit but instead from the top of the bed he watched but did no speak. He sat there while she went into the bathroom and changed into her nightwear.
"Look he dragged me into the dance okay? It wasn't my fault, you missed the exciting bit too."
He still didn't move.
"Do you have to be so stubborn!? Fine be that way."
She clambered into bed and shut off the lamp, muttering as she went to sleep.
"Stop snoring bonehead!" She grunted at Clay who seemed to be snoring, still there was no answer. She flicked the light back on in anger and climbed the small stairs.
Clay was lying face up, but not in his formal wear. What seemed like snoring were moans of pain. She stared at him in horror as small trickles of blood slithered out of his mouth.
"Washu…" He groaned through a mouthful.
She fell off of the ladder in shock, and stared up in disbelief. She gasped, this had to be a dream, it had to be! How she longed to wake up…
And she did.
She sat up into the darkness in a heated panic. Her head seared in a white hot pain. She flicked the lamp on and looked up at Clay.
"Hey." He said coolly.
"What…You…er…Hi."
"Bad dream?"
"Yeah…look I'm sorry about the dance. It was all Kagato's fault." She said trying to move off from the subject.
"Right."
"Really!"
"Why were you calling my name? It wasn't an…erotic dream?" He smirked devilishly
Washu glared at him and launched a pillow at his head. "Bonehead!"