Kirei Ayumi: Thanks for the support! It's nice to hear from someone new. I'm glad you think I'm a great writer. I only wish more people would respond and review.
Jillian: I'm glad you like it! And the story begins just as you requested.
Chapter 21-- A Recurring Nightmare
Long had it been since she'd seen her family. Long had she missed their smiling faces, the warmth of their love. After twelve years, the pain of their loss tore at her heart, plagued her dreams. Misao, like Ryan, could not heal the wound nor stem the tide of grief that laid claim in the back of her mind. A constant reminder at how cruel and unjust life could be. Tonight was no different.
As the small woman lay there, nestled in a foreign bed, her childhood memories flowed within the realm of her subconscious, tormenting her with the images of a past she could not forget, clinging to the life that should have been but was ripped violently from her by those whose ideals were placed above the lives of people. To a time, when the land of Lohan became stained with the blood of her people, her family.
The flowers had been in bloom. The grass green, the forests lush and dense, harboring a beauty to rival the great forests of Jurai. The sky so blue, so pure and clean that Misao wanted to cry at it's perfection.
"It's so beautiful mama." Misao spoke in a tiny child like voice, her eyes full of wonder and awe, her words drawing the attention of the petite woman walking beside her, her dark black hair twisted back into an braid that swung slightly as she turned to her left and looked down, her bright blue eyes twinkling in merriment.
"It is indeed Misao." She said softly, a maternal smile upon her pretty face. Umenko patted her eight year old daughter's head gently before raising her head back up, her gaze shifting over to her husband, Takahara, who walked a short distance ahead of them, his brow furrowed, his soft brown eyes serious, alert as he listened attentively to Chancellor Godorn of Lohan, a small compact man with graying hair and intelligent violet eyes, explain the flora and fauna that frequented the country side they were touring. A gentle breeze blew past, tousling the locks of light purple that framed Ambassador Keiji's handsome face, as if the wind itself was tugging at his hair. Takahara turned his lean frame around, his features softening as he looked upon his loved ones.
The ambassador of Jurai excused himself with a nod and walked over to his wife and child.
Reaching out, Takahara swept Misao up into his arms and swung her around, the little girl giggling the whole time.
"Daddy you are so silly!"
Takahara gave a hearty laugh as Misao cuddled into his chest. He gave a paternal smile as he looked from his only child to his wife who walked over to him and wrapped a arm around his waist. And in that moment Misao was the happiest child in the whole world, but in an instant her joy was shattered as a huge explosion rocked the ground causing Misao to jerk in fear.
The ambassador's startled gaze turned hard as the sound of screaming met his ears, for the transport ship that had carried them to the rural landscape had been destroyed, the shrap metal from the wreckage streamed around them, embedding into the trees, impaling the unfortunate personnel standing too close to the transport. The cries of the wounded forced Takahara into action. "Take her Umenko!" He yelled quickly, handing Misao over to his wife before rushing into the smoke filled area, disappearing from view.
Just then a massive war cry rang out in the haze, filling the air with the words, "DEATH TO JURAI!"
Laser fire erupted in streaks of blue and green, the cries of men growing louder, more violent until few beams of green remained. Takahara emerged slowly and with great effort from the smoke, his face bloody as he clutched his right arm. His eyes seemed distant, heavy as his gaze slowly met those of his wife and terrified child.
"Takahara!" Umenko shouted rushing towards her husband, Misao clutched protectively in her arms.
"Daddy!" Misao cried, thrashing against her mother's arms only to be held steadfast by her mother.
The ambassador shook his head, his voice hoarse and full of distress. "Umenko run! Get out of here!" He shouted, turning around at the sounds of rapidly approaching footsteps. He spread his arms wide in an attempt to protect his loved ones only to be tossed backwards by the force of several shots of laser fire that ripped through his body, killing him instantly.
Umenko turned and ran, trying to get away only to be gunned down by the advancing troops, as beams of blue ripped into her back, paralyzing her as she fell forward, Misao still in her arms.
"Mama!" Misao cried, her eyelids snapping open as she bolted upright in her bed, beads of sweat pouring down her face as her breathing grew labored.
The female kenshin, reached up to her forehead, wiping off the sweat that lingered upon her flesh and closing her eyes as she willed herself calm once more.
Damn these nightmares! She cursed mentally, tossing the blankets off her legs and hopping out of bed, groaning at the four alarm headache that rang inside her head. Ugh. How much did I drink last night? She wondered, trying to remember as she began to correct the blood flow in her head, removing the pain of her hangover within a minute's time. In her mind, Misao searched out for the other members, smiling as she saw Ryan inside the lounge, sipping a cup of orange juice as he ate a piece of toast. Most of the Masaki clan had joined him, all save Ryoko who was still asleep.
A smile spread along the female kenshin's lips as she remembered the story she told the space pirate. I'll have to finish that today. Perhaps after breakfast. With twinkling eyes, Misao headed to the bathroom to clean up and change her clothes before joining everyone in the lounge.
*******
"Good morning Misao." Ryan said with a smirk, rising out of his seat to take his glass over to a auto cleaning sink, which washed and restored the glass in the storage units above. "I trust you slept well after all that drinking you did last night."
Misao matched his smirk. "Well, I confess I had a few problems but nothing like yours I'm sure."
Ryan frowned. "What are you talking about?" He asked, returning to his seat just as the small woman took the chair opposite him.
"Nothing." Misao said quickly, turning her head to the left as her sensitive ears picked up the excited tones of Tenchi and Ayeka a short distance away. Her blue eyes fell upon the pair as they sat upon the small couch, deep in discussion with Lord Yosho. She closed her eyes and focused, opening her mind, a smile spreading on her lips.
"Prying into people's thoughts again are we Misao?" Ryan tsked. "You always were snoopy."
She didn't reply right away, her eyes opening as she studied the crown prince and princess, a puzzled expression on her face. "You haven't told them have you?" She asked finally, turning back to the kenshin. "Why?"
Ryan let out a sigh and crossed his arms. "I can't tell them. You know that as well as I do Misao."
Misao shook her head. "I don't see the harm in letting them know." She replied. "They seem to be well on their way to achieving their destiny."
"That may be. But I can't reveal the truth to them. I refuse."
Misao tilted her head as she studied her male counterpart. She tried to peer into his mind to find out why he was being so stubborn. But Ryan had enacted a mental barrier she could not penetrate. Still she could guess why the kenshin was dead set against telling his friends their future. "You fear for their safety don't you?"
Ryan tossed a somber gaze in her direction, his features tight. "They are the last, best hope for Jurai." He began in a low tone. "If something were to happen to them, I would be the one to blame. It is my responsibility to make sure that peace and stability is restored to the universe. If they die, all will be lost."
Misao closed her eyes, understanding the weight he had placed upon his shoulders. Weight for a world that was not his home, for people he did not know and did not know him. "That is a heavy burden indeed. But I don't think the fault would be yours alone to bear Ryan, after all," She paused, looking over to Tenchi and Ayeka. "They have free will."
Ryan followed her movement, his eyes filled with concern. "That's why I fear for them."
"Why?" Misao asked. "What have you seen?"
Ryan looked to her. "Do you truly want to know?" He asked.
Misao nodded.
Ryan lowered his mental defenses allowing her to see what was bothering him so.
Misao flinched as the images came unbidden to her mind. She saw a man adorned in black, a strange metallic headband upon his forehead, a red jewel aflame with a power Misao thought impossible. Misao was left speechless as the man became as bright as the jewel, a wave of red energy spreading in infinite directions and infinite distances. And all hit with this dark light became absorbed and mindless. Without free will and thought, bending to the light's command. And blood, so much blood. So much destruction, so much death. Misao could watch no more as she pulled away from the images, her eyes blinking as she returned to her normal state, staring fearfully at the kenshin who turned away in pain.
"And that is but a mere sample of what I've seen."
"These ... are not your thoughts are they?" Misao asked in a tight voice, even as she knew the answer.
"They belong to General Nomaru. The one who took my power." Ryan began. "That is who I'm after and why he took my energy from me. He wants the entire universe for himself and what better way to do it than with enhanced psychic power created by the scientists on Avinor." He said darkly before adding. "He would but have to think it and the crown prince and princess would be dead. To kill with a mere thought, is an awesome and terrifying power. It is why I need you help."
Misao straightened her frame. "What do you need of me?" She asked.
"I have been unable to reach Jurai. As such I have had no luck locating the other knights. I was hoping that you could attempt a telepathic link with them, find out where they are and ask for their help. Will you do this for me?"
Misao nodded. "Of course." She replied. "However, even if I do manage to establish a connection, the odds they could reach us in time are slim to none."
"That may be." Ryan said. "Still it is worth a try. If nothing else, they can contact Jurai and find out what is going on there."
"Consider it done." Misao vowed, looking over her shoulder suddenly as the lounge doors opened, revealing a disheveled Ryoko who dragged herself past the doors, her eyes blood shot and her features pained.
Ryan's worried expression vanished replaced by a teasing one. "Good morning sunshine." He greeted his wife gleefully.
Ryoko glared at him, clenching her eyes shut and grasping her forehead in pain. "Nobody .. talk to me." She growled as she shuffled over to the table and sat down slowly into the chair beside Ryan.
Ryan and Misao grinned at her and her current condition.
"Coffee. Must ... Have .. Coffee." She croaked, looking pleadingly over at her husband who rose out of his chair with a sigh, walking over to a small coffee maker.
He returned a few seconds later with a large black mug full of steaming black coffee. He placed the mug in front of her than sat back down, leaning backwards in his chair as he watched her.
Ryoko reached out and clasped her hand around the cup and raised it slowly to her lips, taking a large sip before sitting it back down, closing her eyes a fresh wave of pain pelted her brain. "Dammit that hurts!" She groaned, reaching up to rub her throbbing temples.
"I see the blacksmiths are hard at work inside your head." Misao said with a wide smile.
Ryoko turned her head to the left, gritting her teeth at the stiffness in her neck, her eyes full of irritation. "Yeah, well not all of us can heal our pain away now can we Miss Smarty Pants." She growled, wincing as the pain intensified. "God I wish the pain would just go away!"
Misao's face grew serious. "How much you got on you?" She asked softly.
Ryoko frowned. "What was that?"
"How much do you have on you?" Misao repeated.
Ryoko dropped her hands onto the table, eyeing the small women in disbelief. "Does it look like this outfit has any pockets on it?!" She snapped.
Misao gave her the once over, noting that the outfit she was wearing. The space pirate's trademark body hugging black jumpsuit. The petite woman did not relent but instead held out her hand expectantly. "Cough it up."
Ryoko gritted her teeth, reaching up reluctantly to pull the zipper to her suit part way down, reaching inside to pull out a fifty from her black designer bra, stuffing it into Misao's outstretched hand. "Here you go, you telepathic little weasel." She grumbled.
Misao tucked the money into her belt before reaching out and resting her hand upon the larger woman's forehead.
Instantly the pain disappeared. Ryoko's posture straightened, her pained features vanished. Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh of relief. "Well that was worth it." She murmured, turning to Misao.
The small woman's features were pained, her eyes closed as she fought with the pounding in her head. With some effort the hammering ceased and she became herself once more. "Do you always get headaches like these?" She asked.
"Only when I drink too much." Ryoko replied. "Which reminds me," She added, looking over to Ryan. "You never did finish that story last night."
Crap! Ryan thought in dismay as his gaze snapped over in Misao's direction, his heart sinking at the mischievous gleam in his female counterpart's eyes. "I really don't think now is the time or place to discuss such things." He said in a pleading tone which Misao ignored as she leaned over to Ryoko and began to whisper into her ear.
Ryoko's eyes widened in disbelief, shifting her gaze away from Misao over to Ryan, leaning away from Misao towards her husband, reaching out quickly to slap him on the shoulder.
"Hey!" Ryan cried indignantly, reaching up to rub his shoulder. "What the hell was that for?"
"I don't believe you !" She cried. "You actually ran off with that woman and slept with her!"
"I was drunk!" He replied, scowling at his wife. "I wasn't in my right frame of mind." He added. "Besides, it's not like I was cheating on you or anything."
Misao leaned forward in her chair, resting her head on her arms that were crossed upon the table. "Truth be told Ryan was rather distraught when I met up with him the following morning."
"Of course I was." Ryan said quickly. "I had never been on intimate terms with anyone before. And here I found myself waking up in the arms of a woman I didn't even know. How was I supposed to feel? Happy?!"
"Needless to say we parted company soon after that." Misao continued.
Ryan eyed her in disgust. "Could we stop talking about this please."
Ryoko was not finished. "What was her name?"
The kenshin lowered his head in shame and guilt. "I don't remember." He whispered.
Ryoko frowned. "You slept with her but you didn't get her name?"
"She didn't offer one." He countered.
"Did she talk to you at all?"
Ryan smirked. "I don't think she wanted to talk Ryoko." He said rising out of his seat, not wanting to discuss his past with the two women anymore. "If you'll excuse me I have more important things to do than have the mistakes of my past mocked." He said coolly as he began to walk towards the doors. "Please do what I asked of you Misao as soon as you can."
Misao nodded. "I will." She replied, looking from the kenshin over to Ryoko who spoke.
"Where are you going?" Ryoko asked, her amber eyes studying him in concern.
Ryan turned to her. "To talk to Washu." He said softly before turning and leaving the room.
*******
"The device you requested is almost completed sir."
Nomaru turned slowly from where he was standing, his blue eyes meeting those of a young man dressed in a light gray uniform, the name Sojo Maitan emblazoned in black upon the name tag pinned on the left side of his chest. The general looked up from the name tag, scrutinizing the olive complexion and the intelligent violet eyes that studied him in awe. Nomaru had been waiting patiently inside one of the experimental offices of the Avinor laboratory complex, watching with keen interest as the countless scientists and technicians began work on his plans, fashioning weapons that needed psychic ability to master. Weapons he could use to take over the universe. It was all coming together. Everything he had ever dreamed of would soon be his. But there was one thing left to do. One item he wanted to be his alone. And this Sojo Maitan had been the key designer and mastermind in it's creation.
"How much longer Sojo?" Nomaru asked, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice.
The young man looked at the general with thoughtful eyes, his blond bangs shifting sideways as he tilted his head. "A few more days my lord. I still haven't perfected the energy input and output ratio, at least not at the scale you wish it to be."
Nomaru scowled. "That is not the news I wanted to hear Sojo." He said in a dangerous tone, advancing upon the larger man who backed away in fear. Nomaru realized his aggressiveness and stopped, allowing Sojo to compose himself. "I'm sorry." The general said quickly. "I realize I put you under a great deal of pressure."
"No my lord," Sojo replied quickly and with feeling. "I haven't been working hard enough. I will of course stay late. Perhaps I can have the problem corrected by tomorrow."
Nomaru smiled a genuine smile. "Now that's more like it." He said. "I know you won't disappoint me Sojo." He added, turning away from the scientist and walking out the room.
The dark one walked briskly down the hall that led to the exit, all the while the wheels turned in his mind. The kenshin will be coming soon and I must prepare accordingly. After leaving the enormous white rectangular structure, Nomaru headed to his small transport ship. Once inside, he set the coordinates for the main hall and then contacted the planetary defense system. A short, pudgy man with black hair and equally black eyes popped up on his screen, the gold buttons on his green uniform threatening to shoot off his ill fitting military tunic.
"Lord Koba ... " The man stammered, startled by his unexpected call. "What .. Can I do for you?"
Nomaru drew in his breath, letting it out slowly. "It is time to activate the defensive shield Private Makis."
Makis frowned. "The defensive shield sir?" He asked in confusion.
Nomaru struggled to control his temper. What the hell is do they call it here?! He wondered angrily, searching Koba's memories until at last the answer came to him. "The energy barrier you twit!" He snapped.
Makis came to attention, nodding quickly and moving off screen for a few seconds before returning on screen once more. "I have done as you requested sir." He replied with a quick chest salute.
Nomaru turned off the screen, smiling triumphantly. For no one had ever managed to infiltrate Avinor's barrier. No one. And even if you do kenshin, by then it will be too late. I will have my weapon and you will be the first to taste the bitterness of death. There will be no coming back for you this time.
Next time: The Nozomi makes it to Avinor's quadrant, only to be stymied by it's impenetrable defensive shield. Can Washu figure a way inside or will it spell the end for our heroes? (God that sounds just like a closing line on any anime show doesn't it?)