A/N Tenchi Muyo! is owned by AIC and Pioneer and not by me. (ending dry and dull disclaimer)
The ideas in this story are mine though and if you'd like to use or borrow them, contact me first at ring_princess@hotmail.com or ring_princess2001@yahoo.com
Special thanks to JohnnyG for editing and Netserfer for his honest review.
Tenchi Muyo Saga One: Fate of Empires
"One fine day, in the middle of the Night"
By RingPrincess
That Night
Sasami sat on the dock and swished her feet in the cool water. Not her reflection, but Tsunami's glowed by the light of the moon on the surface of the lake, not disturbed by the ripples created by Sasami's feet.
"Everybody's out of sorts Tsunami, and I feel so helpless," the little girl wailed to Her.
::We are not the goddess of fate, Sasami,:: Tsunami tried to soothe her chosen avatar.
"Yet you can influence it, can't you Tsunami?" Sasami said a tad bitterly. She of all people knew what Tsunami had done to Tenchi, for she had taken part.
::Yes, that is true.:: Tsunami saw no reason to lie to the young girl, she would learn all soon enough.
"He was happy the way he was before Tsunami. Why did you do this?"
::I do what I must.::
"That is not an answer and you know it." Sasami was crying now. "They hurt so much."
::I am not sorry, though I wish it could be some other way.:: Tsunami's mind voice was tinted with remorse.
"You can't fix every mistake in the universe, not even Kami can do that," Sasami accused and reminded her.
::It is because Kami does nothing that I must interfere,:: Tsunami said angrily.
"Perhaps he has a reason or perhaps he does and you cannot see it."
::Child,:: her tone was kind. ::You do not understand, and you will not until you are older.::
"I am sick of your saying, 'when your older,' I understand more than you think Tsunami." Sasami was sobbing great sobs now. "I understand pain and hurt."
::I wish that was so,:: Tsunami smiled gently before she disappeared.
Sasami covered her eyes with one hand and tried to control her tears. Ryo-ohki sensing her great distress began to try to comfort her. Ryo-ohki climbed into her lap and began to purr.
"Why, Tsunami why?" Sasami whispered to the little cabbit, who only kept purring in response.
--
Washu frowned at her daughter. "I don't want you up, Little Ryoko."
"I'm fine and stop calling me Little." Ryoko growled as she sat on the side of the bed in the midst of the cherry tree clearing. The perennial fall of cherry petals was beginning to annoy the former pirate, not as much as Washu's unreasonable over protectiveness, but close.
"You shall always be my Little Ryoko," Washu said softly, her green eyes turning inward.
Ryoko sighed and ran her fingers through her cyan hair. Washu was jerked abruptly out of her reverie by the tugging of her daughter's mind on hers.
"I still don't know what happened to you. What if it happens again!" Washu crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the floor.
"You can't stop it anyways, so why pen me up?" Ryoko crossed her arms as well, and stared down at the diminutive scientist.
"Safety."
"Fear." Ryoko tossed back.
"If you won't think about yourself, think about Mayuka, I KNOW you care for her and don't want to see her hurt. You weren't holding her THIS time, but what if you are and it happens again."
"We don't even know if this will happen again, Washu."
"Call me Mom!"
"You are NOT my mother! And there has been nothing to show that this will be more than a one-time incident. I'm fine, I'm leaving."
"I am your MOTHER and for once you shall do as I say, Little Ryoko."
"If you are my mother, stop HIDING!" Ryoko spat and teleported from the second planet.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Washu yelled to the thin air. "I am not HIDING, I am right here!"
--
Duo sighed as he stared down at the beautiful planet below him, the blue oceans, the green lands. It was the most logical and perfect place for Mihoshi to be.
"Of course she'd be here on Earth," he muttered. "A Jurain protected zone," he shook his head and wondered at his lifebonded's luck. The least known about planet in the universe, besides the home worlds of the Herlus and well, their own, his and Mihoshi's home world.
"Captain?" His Herlus first mate raised a gray-green eyebrow.
"Just thinking about Mihoshi." He gave a quick dazzling grin and the first mate grinned back.
"Well, I think I can understand that," the first mate responded with a wink and a chuckle.
"She has a Herlus partner." Duo smirked. "Perhaps you should think about her and not MY lifebonded, Porfirio."
"I like forbidden fruit," Porfirio grinned broader.
"Misfit," his captain snickered.
Porfirio just shrugged and turned back to his instruments.
"Captain," a soft and musical trill came from behind him and Duo jumped, he hadn't figured out how a person with talons for feet could move so silently. "A message has come for you, however I am not sure I am reading the originator code right, Captain."
Duo frowned, his communication's officer usually wasn't so unsure of herself. Confidence seemed to be an inbred character trait of her kind, the Parbuteo. She was examining her finger talons closely and her feathers seemed to be closer to her skull. She looked up at him and he looked closely at her red eyes.
"The code reads from Nekoia, nothing ever comes from Nekoia," she protested, feathers bristling in agitation.
"I guess there is a first time for everything." Duo muttered. "Porfirio take us away from Earth and closer towards Jurai."
"Aye, Captain."
"Show me this message, Cerulea."
"It is only a text message, but Nekoia! By the Mother, why would they contact us."
"The same reason anyone else contacts us." Duo muttered sardonically.
This seemed to calm her a bit, and she nodded her head, beak clacking in agreement. "I understand, Captain. Yet, they are a most secretive place."
"Not as secretive as some, and they have more of a presence in Jurain space than most would suspect, Cerulea."
"I shall remember that, Captain." Cerulea's long legs ate up the deck with ease. He took three steps to her one. When they reached her station, her hands quickly tapped in the necessary codes for the information required. A small disk popped out of a slot in the desk and she handed it to him between two talon tips.
Duo took it from her. "I'll be in the waiting room."
"Aye Captain." The other three of his four-person (including himself) crew chorused.
He rolled his green eyes and trotted towards a side door on the bridge. Mihoshi wouldn't recognize the place now. Not that she had spent much time there. He inserted the disk into a reader and looked out the bank of windows that took up a whole wall of the room.
This was one of the few luxuries he allowed himself, a waiting room/office with a view of the stars. He ran his fingers through his hair, after his friends; Porfirio, Cerulea and Leopold, a Qualeon had sprung him and his ship from the GP, they'd banded together. Even if they didn't know it, they were one of the few reasons that he was as sane as he was. He could feel the tug of bond-lunacy on his mind everyday.
His eyes closed and he took deep breaths as the strain became greater to keep a hold of himself. He had to try, the others counted on him.
"Computer, read message."
A bright, alive, female voice answered him, Mihoshi's voice. The closest he had come to her in six years.
"Originating code, Nekoia, Nekoian Empire. Message as follows. To Duo Hamikasu, heir of the Hamika chair in exile, bonded of Kuramitsu, hunter of bounties, Greetings from the Regal throne of Nekoia, chosen by the gem crown, singer of crystals and Mother Empress of the stars. We come to you with a matter of extreme delicacy and profit. We desire that you look upon this proposition at your earliest convenience and wish to negotiate a meeting with you. Your reputation precedes you and your expertise is legendary in matters such as these.
We look forward to seeing you.
Attached file. "
"Stop message." Duo bit his bottom lip and stared out at the stars. :The Regal throne of Nekoia has a job for me.:
"Computer, forward attached coordinates to Leopold and prepare to enter hyperspace."
"At once, sir."
Duo chewed his lip some more and blindly watched the stars. "Mihoshi, I hope I know what I'm doing."
--
Ryoko appeared over Tenchi, it was the middle of the night and all in the house were asleep.
::Come back here right now, young lady.:: Washu shouted into her head.
Ryoko clamped her hands over her ears, even though it would do no good, for the voice was inside her head and not coming in the form of sound waves to her ears.
::NO. GO AWAY!:: Ryoko slammed up the best mind protections that she could.
Washu began to attack them and the walls shuddered under the force of her blows. Ryoko's eyes widened, Washu had never done this in one of their arguments before. She scrambled to create more protections inside of those that Washu was pounding to dust. ::Leave me alone.:: She cried mentally, eyes squeezed shut and hands still over her ears.
Washu steamrolled over the first of her protections and was suddenly stopped by the next set. Ryoko whimpered as Washu began to probe them.
Tenchi's eyes fluttered open, the whimper enough to wake him. He scrubbed his eyes as he took watched Ryoko trying to fend something off he couldn't see. Her brow was crisscrossed in lines of concentration and her teeth were gritted.
"Ryoko?" he whispered.
She whimpered louder. "She's hurting me."
Tenchi's eyes widened.
"Leave me alone!" she cried, suddenly she curled into a fetal position and groaned.
::GET BACK HERE!::
::LEAVE ME ALONE!!::
"Ryoko, who's hurting you?"
"SHE is," Ryoko waved vaguely. "She wants me to go back to her, she's trying to . . ."
Ryoko whimpered again. "NO. I WON'T LET YOU!!!"
::IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!::
::I've been down this path before, don't tell me about what is good for me!::
Tenchi's reached up and dragged her down out of the air into his arms. "Let me help you, Ryoko," he whispered.
"She won't leave me alone Tenchi, she wants to hurt me."
"Who?"
"Her, of course." Ryoko looked up at him, amber eyes wide. "She does it without even meaning too at times, but other times, like now she does it on purpose."
"Go on."
"She thinks she knows what's best for me. She forgets that I am a free person. You saved me and set me free. She won't leave me alone though."
"How won't she leave me alone?"
Ryoko curled up closer to him. "Well, like now, she won't leave my mind alone other times she wants to . . ." Ryoko began to shiver. ". . .experiment on me. She won't ever leave me alone."
::It's for the best.::
::Please, stop,:: Ryoko begged.
"Ryoko, you mean Washu. Washu won't leave you alone."
Ryoko nodded and flushed not quite daring to look at him. "She claims to be my mother, my mother never did anything like this. How can she be my mother then? I loved my mother."
Tenchi's eyes widened. It was generally accepted in the house that Washu was Ryoko's mother.
Now, Ryoko was protesting that statement, she generally protested that statement, but this time was different. She wasn't angry about it, more confused and scared. "Tell me about your mother."
"I can't. Not without getting distracted and if I'm distracted she'll break into my mind and take over."
"Let me help."
"How can you help?"
Tenchi cradled her in his arms and frowned. "I'll think of something."
"Think quickly."
Ryoko's eyes squeezed shut and tears began to leak from between her lashes. Tenchi wiped them away gently and hugged her closer. :Why is Washu doing this? Can't she see that Ryoko is in pain or does she truly not care?: There seemed only one way to find out.
"Ryoko . . ." he whispered.
Ryoko didn't move and Tenchi shifted her slightly so he could stand.
He shoved the door aside with his shoulder and gingerly made his way downstairs, one foot feeling ahead of him for the next step, his socks making the stairs slightly dangerous if he should slip and fall with the precious burden in his arms.
He shoulder the broom closet door open. "Washu!" he yelled.
Washu popped up immediately. "Oh thank you, Tenchi!" She greeted him enthusiastically once she saw the bundle in his arms.
"Don't be so happy, yet." He whispered and clutched Ryoko closer as Washu reached out to take her. "Can't you see what you are doing to her?" He didn't yell, yet used a low fervent voice that carried his anger much more clearly than yelling would. He feared that yelling would distract Ryoko as she attempted to block Washu from her mind.
Washu took a step back and Tenchi took a step forward. "Look closely, Little Washu," he growled and thrust Ryoko towards her. Washu stumbled against something and fell down staring at Ryoko. "She is in pain because of YOU! She is in more pain than she has already suffered because of YOU!" Tenchi hissed. "Is this how a MOTHER ACTS!" He shook his head, brown eyes filled with regret. "I am inclined to agree with her, you are not her mother.
A MOTHER doesn't deliberately hurt their children."
Washu regained her composure and shook her head. "It is for the best, there are things going on here that you don't understand."
"Really, and I suppose that it makes this all right." Tenchi's voice twisted and his eyes narrowed. "I see." He raised an eyebrow. "Desist at once Washu."
"There is no threat that you can give me that would be effective," Washu raised her chin and stared him down.
Tenchi was curiously without fear of the small scientist and he smiled mercilessly. "I would make no threats, Little Washu, only promises."
Washu's eyes narrowed. "Hah, you!" she snorted in derision. "You cannot make up your mind on . . ."
"Are you testing me, Washu?" Tenchi interrupted. "Please do, I could use the challenge." He raised both eyebrows. "If you wish a relationship with Ryoko from now on, Little Washu, you must come through me."
Washu's jaw dropped and her emerald eye's went wide. "You wouldn't dare."
"Dare!" Tenchi laughed. "It is done." Light blue shields passed over Ryoko's body. "Mayuka needs her caregiver and I need my friend," he added, as Ryoko's body relaxed and she fell asleep, totally trusting in Tenchi's arms. "More than you need a guinea pig or pet." His voice returned to its cold tones and he turned his back on Washu. "Perhaps, you should spend you new found free time figuring out a way to repair your relationship with Ryoko."
Washu glared at his back. "I do LOVE her, Tenchi Masaki."
"I never doubted that, Washu. You think you are providing for her and protecting her by doing this. Little do you see that you are hurting her and the rest of us." Tenchi paused before the door.
"You've changed." Washu accused.
"I had nine days of barely uninterrupted meditation." Tenchi didn't shrug or turn back towards the diminutive scientist. "Go figure."
--
Far across the galaxy a meeting was being held, even as Tenchi protected Ryoko and Duo received his job offer. It was a rare meeting, held in an out of the way place. For having these three personages together was a great security risk.
The place where the meeting was being held was plain by their standards, a hexagonal room made completely of white quartz crystal veined with gold and silver. The floor was scattered with piles of pillows upon low pile rugs to 'warm' the floor. The personages seemed extremely comfortable in this room, as heat radiated from the floor itself and the rugs were there only to soften the deliberately roughened crystal.
"This is most disturbing," one whispered, her blue cat eyes flicking from one companion to the other. Her pale pink hair was twisted to the top of her head, two side locks curled to soften her face and her hands smoothed a dark forest green and maroon satin dress.
"I agree Your Holiness, Rieshu," another replied, her dress was low cut and closefitting, showing a more than ample cleavage, her brown eyes were most serious and she fiddled slightly with a necklace of vibrant green crystals. They matched the green jewel tone of her dress, accessorized in tones of amethyst and ruby.
"Milady," the other began, "we must act." She tossed her orange peach hair. It fell in generous spikes across one shoulder, standing out from the rich maroon in her dress, a dress in the same style of Rieshu's carrying the same colors with navy added as well.
"It is outside our boundaries, High Priestess." The first to answer Rieshu snapped.
"We cannot just sit here, Regal Priestess." The High Priestess of Rieshu snapped at the Regal Priestess of the Goddess, a Goddess whose name was deliberately forgotten for her protection.
"Makoto, Syoko, we must not bicker among ourselves." Rieshu rubbed her temples with one hand, and patted her hair with the other.
The High and the Regal Priestesses had the grace to look ashamed. "Apologies, my lady Rieshu," they unwittingly chorused.
"Accepted, High Priestess Syoko; accepted, Regal Priestess Makoto." Rieshu nodded gracefully and then ruined the image by biting her lip. "Do the two of you have any constructive ideas?"
"We should do as we should have done in the first place." Makoto shoved her long green hair over one shoulder, brown eyes snapping in impatience.
"Steal her away, impossible and well you know it." Syoko grimaced, violet eyes wincing. "I must insist on a different solution." She tossed hair again and it fell behind her back.
"It is what the Regal Goddess would have wanted." Makoto tapped her fingernails on the edge of her cushion.
Syoko shook her head and raised her hands in frustration. "Rieshu . . ."
Rieshu looked between the two of them. "I can see both sides, it is a peril of what I am."
"Then forget what you are for just a moment and help!" Syoko almost screamed her voice pinched.
"I cannot."
"Cannot or will not, demi-goddess?" Makoto interjected mildly.
Rieshu sighed. "A bit of both, this decision must be left to you."
Makoto exchanged a long even glance with Syoko. "What would you suggest then High Priestess?"
Syoko closed her eyes. "Keep her where she is, she is safer and she may have a life."
Rieshu snorted. :May have a life, she most certainly has a life, a fact most of our people would like to forget.:
Syoko went on, "Send. . ."
"No," Makoto's eyes widened.
"You must part with her sooner or later." Syoko smiled sadly, "Or should I say we must."
"She has been loyal to us for a long time."
"Yes, and she has been pledged to this very duty for a long time."
Makoto slumped into the cushions and her eyes closed in defeat. "Very well."
"Thank you, Makoto," Syoko whispered.
Makoto opened one eye and gave a weak half grin. "It is only because I like you so much," she teased, the animosity the two priestesses had for each other well documented.
Syoko and Rieshu rolled their eyes simultaneously.
--
*One Night A Week Later*
Mihoshi stared at the stars around her. She hadn't felt his presence in a week. He had been here, she was sure of it, and was just as sure that his ship had rested where hers now floated. She wasn't even sure it was the same ship that she had captured, but Duo was sentimental and she was sure he would have kept it.
:Duo . . .: A tear seeped out of her eye. :Why do you not come, why do you leave me alone?: The blonde sat in the co-pilot chair and was staring at the same Earth that had riveted Duo not so long ago. They were so close to being 'home' at this point, yet there was still more to do.
"Well Mihoshi, nothing in this sector," Kiyone said smoothly from the pilot chair. Adjusting her orange headband in her gray green hair she glanced over at her partner.
Mihoshi sat there woodenly, staring out into space, her eyes lost and far away.
Kiyone narrowed her dark teal eyes. "Mihoshi, are you okay?"
Mihoshi instantly came back to the Yagami and pasted a cheery smile on her face. "Fine, will we be headed back home soon?" she sing-songed, smoothing away the worry lines and heartache behind the bubbly personality.
Kiyone shook her head. "Just one more sector and we can go back."
"That's great Kiyone." Mihoshi smiled as wide as she could. "Wouldn't want to miss Sasami's good cooking."
Kiyone gave a small laugh. :She's fine. I worry too much.: "Right, it's better than what you or I can do, much better. Let's finish this up."
Mihoshi laughed lightly along with her partner. :That was close.: "Watch out villains, Galaxy Detectives Mihoshi and Kiyone are on the way."
Kiyone steered towards the next sector, clueless as to the heartache her partner was in, the heartache Mihoshi hid behind the steel walls of her will and enforced personality.
--
"The Nest" was a conglomerate of dysfunctional spaceships and miscellaneous parts off of old space stations. Jurain tree life-support systems shared space with Parbuteo maneuvering wings, complete with feathered designs and being used for walls. Attached with silver engine tape and miscellaneous rivets were shards of crystal and even a crystal dome from an ancient Nekoian ship that had been destroyed in some ancient war. If one looked closely, they would see engines from Galaxy police cruisers, "The Nest" was made to move, and move rather quickly.
There was a good reason for this, having GP charge into the underworld capital while you just sat down to get a drink wasn't anyone's idea of a good thing. So, "The Nest" moved and in "The Nest" there was one rule. Mind your own business. Here a gunshot, don't bother checking it out, your buddy is caught by a
Hunter, leave it alone and thank whatever gods you believe in (even if it is only dame fortune) that it wasn't you who were caught this time. Who knows, next time it COULD be you and would you want someone sticking his nose (beak etc.) into your business? Of course not, that is why it is YOUR business.
Only ONE cardinal rule and it was followed religiously (even if the scum didn't believe in any religion, there were enough to choose from in the galaxy). Another good rule was always to be ready, have a hand on your weapon and eyes in the back of your head. Scum was still scum and you never know what could happen, just hope that your fellow scum had some honor, however unlikely it was.
Nagi grimaced as she nursed the foul concoction that one of the many pubs called beer. Her red eyes were obscured by the deep shadow of her hood and she idly reached up to scratch the ears of her ship and partner, Ken-ohki.
The white cabbit snuggled deeper into her neck, also out of sight because of the hood. ::Any leads?::
"You've been with me the whole time, cabbit," Nagi groused, taking another sip of the orange concoction, grimacing as it burned her tongue and throat.
Ken-ohki sniffed. ::I thought you might have noticed something I hadn't.::
"This guys smarter than most, he'd have to be. He's successful."
::He could just be lucky.::
"I highly doubt it." Nagi's voice was rough with amusement or the alcohol, Ken-ohki couldn't tell which.
::He'll be here, somewhere.::
"There's a lot of somewhere in here." Nagi observed, then shrugged.
"Ain't that the truth, Hunter," the barkeep snorted, as he scrubbed glasses with a white towel, smudged with the various colors of the different alcohols the joint served.
Nagi slid a 100-credit chit across the bar, the top knuckle of her finger bent backwards. "Hamikasu is gathering some Hunters together," she trailed off, raising an eyebrow.
The barkeep leaned in closer to Nagi. "Well, that is the funny thing Hunter. He's rented out my back room there to hold his little meeting." He laughed, showing half rotted teeth and Nagi refrained from blanching at his foul breath. It seemed he was drinking a bit too much of his own stock, not that it surprised her. Some Herlus were like that, the non-acceptance from their own kind caused them to do strange things. She lifted her finger off the credit chit and 'miraculously' it disappeared.
She topped back the rest of the drink and shoved the glass at him as well. The barkeep snatched it up and began to vigorously wipe out the inside.
Nagi shoved away from the bar and headed towards the back. ::Progress, finally.::
"It was only a matter of time, I spread enough word around about why I was here that someone was going to talk," she muttered. "That barkeep had been eyeing me for the last hour."
::Smart.::
"Thanks, cabbit, I think."
She pushed the door open and smirked. Inside was a scene of chaos and noisy confusion.
"YOU MUST BE NUTS!!!"
"RYOKO!"
"Equivalent to FOUR billion Jurai, who has that much money!"
"We're going to be KILLED!"
"A former Class A criminal!"
Nagi shoved her way forward. Sharp glances to either side of her quieting the Hunters who saw her.
Duo stood in the front, his hand raked through his hair. "Guys, gals, look, we can do this. She is only one person."
Nagi snorted, "Yes, she is," she said scornfully, her harsh voice quieting the room. "All of you against one woman and you doubt your prowess."
She glared at each and every one of them.
One dared to speak. "Ryoko has killed planets in one blast, how could we have a chance?"
Nagi shrugged and held out her arm. Ken-ohki hopped out from inside her cloak and she scratched his chin.
Duo took the meeting back over. "If you don't want to go, there's the door. I am only going to take those that are willing to take the risk." A hushed murmur ran through the room and Duo pounded his fist on the table. "Which is what this business is all about, taking the risks." He crossed his arms. None of the hunters moved. "Right, here's what we know."
--
Nagi nodded at Duo as he came to stand in front of her.
"I am glad you showed up." He said quietly, "I almost sent someone to find you."
Nagi snorted. "You wouldn't have had any luck. I am coming with you only because it suits me Hamikasu." Her eyes caught his own. "There is safety in numbers."
"Your ego never ceases to amaze me." Duo shook his head and ran his fingers through the shock of red hair.
"If I so chose, I could bring Ryoko in on my own. I do not choose to do so," she pointed out. "I have the reputation of doing exactly what I like." She smiled. "You wanted me here anyways, I wasn't about to disappoint."
"This is a guild bounty," Duo murmured. "I wonder how you of all people found out about it."
"I have my sources." Nagi smirked. "Nothing escapes my notice, including what you don't know about Ryoko and her status is greater than what you do know."
"It is worth the risk."
"The price of doing business. It's been a pleasure, Duo." Nagi whirled and walked out. "See you at the rendezvous point."
--
There was a moonlit clearing in the middle of the forest, one side of this clearing held a cave, a cave that was once a prison. That cave was now a place of refuge for two souls, one male, and one female. Their bodies close to share each other's warmth against the cool night air and perhaps something more.
The female smiled softly, looking upwards towards the males face. He glanced down, catching the white shine from the moon off her eyes and he grinned back.
"Is it hard?" she whispered, her lips soft and finely lined.
"Does it hurt?" he replied, "remembering?" His breath tickled her ear as he asked the question.
"Always."
"Always."
She reached over and grabbed his dusky hand in her refined pale one. "This place is so full of lies." Her eyes closed and a tear trickled down her cheek, gleaming. The male squeezed her hand and wiped away the tear with his free thumb.
"I know and it doesn't make things any easier," he murmured. "It is a fine web we are caught in."
"A web not of our own making or choosing," the female protested, then flushed. "Or at least mostly not of our own making."
The male nodded and sighed into her hair. "Such small troubles."
"No trouble is small." She stared over the clearing, fireflies dancing at the edge of it. A smile creased her lips again. "At least not to those the trouble is effecting."
The male rubbed his nose into her hair, "If you say so." His voice muffled by the soft strands.
The female laughed lightly. "Goof."
"How long can this last?" He raised his head, resting his chin on the top of her head. "How long until . . ."
"We break?" the female finished sadly.
"It will happen one day."
"So many lies, so many false faces and masks." The female moaned.
The male brought her closer to his chest. "I know, I know."
--
Washu's lab was dark, darker than the natural night outside. The small scientist couldn't sense her daughter anywhere, the presence that Ryoko had been in her mind and on her instruments since the day the child had been born was gone, black, dead, as if it had never existed.
Washu didn't know what to do. So she sat, alone, in the darkness. Her daughter was gone to her and she couldn't . . .she couldn't . . .
In the back of her mind Washu knew she had been sitting there for a week, the cycle of artificial light and dark the only clue. Time had gone past her while she sat there, she had never felt so helpless. There was no comparison to the time when Ryoko had been out. Then Washu could at least see her daughter, register on her instruments, know that she was still alive, still real and not a figment of her imagination.
Ryoko was gone, gone from her.
Washu blinked, eye lashes not stirring any dust motes in the clean lab.
:If you're my mother, STOP HIDING!: Ryoko's distressed voice was twisted into a cruel taunt. Washu moaned, "I don't understand . . ." she whispered in a cruel parody of the actual events.
Another figure presented itself, the back of the young man who her daughter's heart was set on, Tenchi. Washu whimpered.
:Perhaps you should spend your new found free time figuring out a way to repair your relationship with your daughter.: The kind voice thick with subtle sarcasms and innuendos. Washu grimaced, her eyes closing. "Oh how much do you know, Tenchi Masaki," she murmured. "I do love her. . ." She hugged herself and stabbed once again for that over familiar presence that had ALWAYS been there, even in the timelessness of Kagato's imprisonment, Ryoko's mind had always been there.
"RYOKO!!!!" Washu slid off her cushion, cradling her head in her arms. Her body convulsed in sobs.
"RYOKO!!!!!"
--
END CHAPTER!
Questions and comments should be sent to one of the emails below! Check out my websites... and tell me what you think please.
RingPrincess
ring_princess@hotmail.com
ring_princess2001@yahoo.com
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/ringprincess/index.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tenchimuyofanfiction/
http://www.thetenchireviewer.net
The ideas in this story are mine though and if you'd like to use or borrow them, contact me first at ring_princess@hotmail.com or ring_princess2001@yahoo.com
Special thanks to JohnnyG for editing and Netserfer for his honest review.
Tenchi Muyo Saga One: Fate of Empires
"One fine day, in the middle of the Night"
By RingPrincess
That Night
Sasami sat on the dock and swished her feet in the cool water. Not her reflection, but Tsunami's glowed by the light of the moon on the surface of the lake, not disturbed by the ripples created by Sasami's feet.
"Everybody's out of sorts Tsunami, and I feel so helpless," the little girl wailed to Her.
::We are not the goddess of fate, Sasami,:: Tsunami tried to soothe her chosen avatar.
"Yet you can influence it, can't you Tsunami?" Sasami said a tad bitterly. She of all people knew what Tsunami had done to Tenchi, for she had taken part.
::Yes, that is true.:: Tsunami saw no reason to lie to the young girl, she would learn all soon enough.
"He was happy the way he was before Tsunami. Why did you do this?"
::I do what I must.::
"That is not an answer and you know it." Sasami was crying now. "They hurt so much."
::I am not sorry, though I wish it could be some other way.:: Tsunami's mind voice was tinted with remorse.
"You can't fix every mistake in the universe, not even Kami can do that," Sasami accused and reminded her.
::It is because Kami does nothing that I must interfere,:: Tsunami said angrily.
"Perhaps he has a reason or perhaps he does and you cannot see it."
::Child,:: her tone was kind. ::You do not understand, and you will not until you are older.::
"I am sick of your saying, 'when your older,' I understand more than you think Tsunami." Sasami was sobbing great sobs now. "I understand pain and hurt."
::I wish that was so,:: Tsunami smiled gently before she disappeared.
Sasami covered her eyes with one hand and tried to control her tears. Ryo-ohki sensing her great distress began to try to comfort her. Ryo-ohki climbed into her lap and began to purr.
"Why, Tsunami why?" Sasami whispered to the little cabbit, who only kept purring in response.
--
Washu frowned at her daughter. "I don't want you up, Little Ryoko."
"I'm fine and stop calling me Little." Ryoko growled as she sat on the side of the bed in the midst of the cherry tree clearing. The perennial fall of cherry petals was beginning to annoy the former pirate, not as much as Washu's unreasonable over protectiveness, but close.
"You shall always be my Little Ryoko," Washu said softly, her green eyes turning inward.
Ryoko sighed and ran her fingers through her cyan hair. Washu was jerked abruptly out of her reverie by the tugging of her daughter's mind on hers.
"I still don't know what happened to you. What if it happens again!" Washu crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the floor.
"You can't stop it anyways, so why pen me up?" Ryoko crossed her arms as well, and stared down at the diminutive scientist.
"Safety."
"Fear." Ryoko tossed back.
"If you won't think about yourself, think about Mayuka, I KNOW you care for her and don't want to see her hurt. You weren't holding her THIS time, but what if you are and it happens again."
"We don't even know if this will happen again, Washu."
"Call me Mom!"
"You are NOT my mother! And there has been nothing to show that this will be more than a one-time incident. I'm fine, I'm leaving."
"I am your MOTHER and for once you shall do as I say, Little Ryoko."
"If you are my mother, stop HIDING!" Ryoko spat and teleported from the second planet.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Washu yelled to the thin air. "I am not HIDING, I am right here!"
--
Duo sighed as he stared down at the beautiful planet below him, the blue oceans, the green lands. It was the most logical and perfect place for Mihoshi to be.
"Of course she'd be here on Earth," he muttered. "A Jurain protected zone," he shook his head and wondered at his lifebonded's luck. The least known about planet in the universe, besides the home worlds of the Herlus and well, their own, his and Mihoshi's home world.
"Captain?" His Herlus first mate raised a gray-green eyebrow.
"Just thinking about Mihoshi." He gave a quick dazzling grin and the first mate grinned back.
"Well, I think I can understand that," the first mate responded with a wink and a chuckle.
"She has a Herlus partner." Duo smirked. "Perhaps you should think about her and not MY lifebonded, Porfirio."
"I like forbidden fruit," Porfirio grinned broader.
"Misfit," his captain snickered.
Porfirio just shrugged and turned back to his instruments.
"Captain," a soft and musical trill came from behind him and Duo jumped, he hadn't figured out how a person with talons for feet could move so silently. "A message has come for you, however I am not sure I am reading the originator code right, Captain."
Duo frowned, his communication's officer usually wasn't so unsure of herself. Confidence seemed to be an inbred character trait of her kind, the Parbuteo. She was examining her finger talons closely and her feathers seemed to be closer to her skull. She looked up at him and he looked closely at her red eyes.
"The code reads from Nekoia, nothing ever comes from Nekoia," she protested, feathers bristling in agitation.
"I guess there is a first time for everything." Duo muttered. "Porfirio take us away from Earth and closer towards Jurai."
"Aye, Captain."
"Show me this message, Cerulea."
"It is only a text message, but Nekoia! By the Mother, why would they contact us."
"The same reason anyone else contacts us." Duo muttered sardonically.
This seemed to calm her a bit, and she nodded her head, beak clacking in agreement. "I understand, Captain. Yet, they are a most secretive place."
"Not as secretive as some, and they have more of a presence in Jurain space than most would suspect, Cerulea."
"I shall remember that, Captain." Cerulea's long legs ate up the deck with ease. He took three steps to her one. When they reached her station, her hands quickly tapped in the necessary codes for the information required. A small disk popped out of a slot in the desk and she handed it to him between two talon tips.
Duo took it from her. "I'll be in the waiting room."
"Aye Captain." The other three of his four-person (including himself) crew chorused.
He rolled his green eyes and trotted towards a side door on the bridge. Mihoshi wouldn't recognize the place now. Not that she had spent much time there. He inserted the disk into a reader and looked out the bank of windows that took up a whole wall of the room.
This was one of the few luxuries he allowed himself, a waiting room/office with a view of the stars. He ran his fingers through his hair, after his friends; Porfirio, Cerulea and Leopold, a Qualeon had sprung him and his ship from the GP, they'd banded together. Even if they didn't know it, they were one of the few reasons that he was as sane as he was. He could feel the tug of bond-lunacy on his mind everyday.
His eyes closed and he took deep breaths as the strain became greater to keep a hold of himself. He had to try, the others counted on him.
"Computer, read message."
A bright, alive, female voice answered him, Mihoshi's voice. The closest he had come to her in six years.
"Originating code, Nekoia, Nekoian Empire. Message as follows. To Duo Hamikasu, heir of the Hamika chair in exile, bonded of Kuramitsu, hunter of bounties, Greetings from the Regal throne of Nekoia, chosen by the gem crown, singer of crystals and Mother Empress of the stars. We come to you with a matter of extreme delicacy and profit. We desire that you look upon this proposition at your earliest convenience and wish to negotiate a meeting with you. Your reputation precedes you and your expertise is legendary in matters such as these.
We look forward to seeing you.
Attached file. "
"Stop message." Duo bit his bottom lip and stared out at the stars. :The Regal throne of Nekoia has a job for me.:
"Computer, forward attached coordinates to Leopold and prepare to enter hyperspace."
"At once, sir."
Duo chewed his lip some more and blindly watched the stars. "Mihoshi, I hope I know what I'm doing."
--
Ryoko appeared over Tenchi, it was the middle of the night and all in the house were asleep.
::Come back here right now, young lady.:: Washu shouted into her head.
Ryoko clamped her hands over her ears, even though it would do no good, for the voice was inside her head and not coming in the form of sound waves to her ears.
::NO. GO AWAY!:: Ryoko slammed up the best mind protections that she could.
Washu began to attack them and the walls shuddered under the force of her blows. Ryoko's eyes widened, Washu had never done this in one of their arguments before. She scrambled to create more protections inside of those that Washu was pounding to dust. ::Leave me alone.:: She cried mentally, eyes squeezed shut and hands still over her ears.
Washu steamrolled over the first of her protections and was suddenly stopped by the next set. Ryoko whimpered as Washu began to probe them.
Tenchi's eyes fluttered open, the whimper enough to wake him. He scrubbed his eyes as he took watched Ryoko trying to fend something off he couldn't see. Her brow was crisscrossed in lines of concentration and her teeth were gritted.
"Ryoko?" he whispered.
She whimpered louder. "She's hurting me."
Tenchi's eyes widened.
"Leave me alone!" she cried, suddenly she curled into a fetal position and groaned.
::GET BACK HERE!::
::LEAVE ME ALONE!!::
"Ryoko, who's hurting you?"
"SHE is," Ryoko waved vaguely. "She wants me to go back to her, she's trying to . . ."
Ryoko whimpered again. "NO. I WON'T LET YOU!!!"
::IT IS FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!::
::I've been down this path before, don't tell me about what is good for me!::
Tenchi's reached up and dragged her down out of the air into his arms. "Let me help you, Ryoko," he whispered.
"She won't leave me alone Tenchi, she wants to hurt me."
"Who?"
"Her, of course." Ryoko looked up at him, amber eyes wide. "She does it without even meaning too at times, but other times, like now she does it on purpose."
"Go on."
"She thinks she knows what's best for me. She forgets that I am a free person. You saved me and set me free. She won't leave me alone though."
"How won't she leave me alone?"
Ryoko curled up closer to him. "Well, like now, she won't leave my mind alone other times she wants to . . ." Ryoko began to shiver. ". . .experiment on me. She won't ever leave me alone."
::It's for the best.::
::Please, stop,:: Ryoko begged.
"Ryoko, you mean Washu. Washu won't leave you alone."
Ryoko nodded and flushed not quite daring to look at him. "She claims to be my mother, my mother never did anything like this. How can she be my mother then? I loved my mother."
Tenchi's eyes widened. It was generally accepted in the house that Washu was Ryoko's mother.
Now, Ryoko was protesting that statement, she generally protested that statement, but this time was different. She wasn't angry about it, more confused and scared. "Tell me about your mother."
"I can't. Not without getting distracted and if I'm distracted she'll break into my mind and take over."
"Let me help."
"How can you help?"
Tenchi cradled her in his arms and frowned. "I'll think of something."
"Think quickly."
Ryoko's eyes squeezed shut and tears began to leak from between her lashes. Tenchi wiped them away gently and hugged her closer. :Why is Washu doing this? Can't she see that Ryoko is in pain or does she truly not care?: There seemed only one way to find out.
"Ryoko . . ." he whispered.
Ryoko didn't move and Tenchi shifted her slightly so he could stand.
He shoved the door aside with his shoulder and gingerly made his way downstairs, one foot feeling ahead of him for the next step, his socks making the stairs slightly dangerous if he should slip and fall with the precious burden in his arms.
He shoulder the broom closet door open. "Washu!" he yelled.
Washu popped up immediately. "Oh thank you, Tenchi!" She greeted him enthusiastically once she saw the bundle in his arms.
"Don't be so happy, yet." He whispered and clutched Ryoko closer as Washu reached out to take her. "Can't you see what you are doing to her?" He didn't yell, yet used a low fervent voice that carried his anger much more clearly than yelling would. He feared that yelling would distract Ryoko as she attempted to block Washu from her mind.
Washu took a step back and Tenchi took a step forward. "Look closely, Little Washu," he growled and thrust Ryoko towards her. Washu stumbled against something and fell down staring at Ryoko. "She is in pain because of YOU! She is in more pain than she has already suffered because of YOU!" Tenchi hissed. "Is this how a MOTHER ACTS!" He shook his head, brown eyes filled with regret. "I am inclined to agree with her, you are not her mother.
A MOTHER doesn't deliberately hurt their children."
Washu regained her composure and shook her head. "It is for the best, there are things going on here that you don't understand."
"Really, and I suppose that it makes this all right." Tenchi's voice twisted and his eyes narrowed. "I see." He raised an eyebrow. "Desist at once Washu."
"There is no threat that you can give me that would be effective," Washu raised her chin and stared him down.
Tenchi was curiously without fear of the small scientist and he smiled mercilessly. "I would make no threats, Little Washu, only promises."
Washu's eyes narrowed. "Hah, you!" she snorted in derision. "You cannot make up your mind on . . ."
"Are you testing me, Washu?" Tenchi interrupted. "Please do, I could use the challenge." He raised both eyebrows. "If you wish a relationship with Ryoko from now on, Little Washu, you must come through me."
Washu's jaw dropped and her emerald eye's went wide. "You wouldn't dare."
"Dare!" Tenchi laughed. "It is done." Light blue shields passed over Ryoko's body. "Mayuka needs her caregiver and I need my friend," he added, as Ryoko's body relaxed and she fell asleep, totally trusting in Tenchi's arms. "More than you need a guinea pig or pet." His voice returned to its cold tones and he turned his back on Washu. "Perhaps, you should spend you new found free time figuring out a way to repair your relationship with Ryoko."
Washu glared at his back. "I do LOVE her, Tenchi Masaki."
"I never doubted that, Washu. You think you are providing for her and protecting her by doing this. Little do you see that you are hurting her and the rest of us." Tenchi paused before the door.
"You've changed." Washu accused.
"I had nine days of barely uninterrupted meditation." Tenchi didn't shrug or turn back towards the diminutive scientist. "Go figure."
--
Far across the galaxy a meeting was being held, even as Tenchi protected Ryoko and Duo received his job offer. It was a rare meeting, held in an out of the way place. For having these three personages together was a great security risk.
The place where the meeting was being held was plain by their standards, a hexagonal room made completely of white quartz crystal veined with gold and silver. The floor was scattered with piles of pillows upon low pile rugs to 'warm' the floor. The personages seemed extremely comfortable in this room, as heat radiated from the floor itself and the rugs were there only to soften the deliberately roughened crystal.
"This is most disturbing," one whispered, her blue cat eyes flicking from one companion to the other. Her pale pink hair was twisted to the top of her head, two side locks curled to soften her face and her hands smoothed a dark forest green and maroon satin dress.
"I agree Your Holiness, Rieshu," another replied, her dress was low cut and closefitting, showing a more than ample cleavage, her brown eyes were most serious and she fiddled slightly with a necklace of vibrant green crystals. They matched the green jewel tone of her dress, accessorized in tones of amethyst and ruby.
"Milady," the other began, "we must act." She tossed her orange peach hair. It fell in generous spikes across one shoulder, standing out from the rich maroon in her dress, a dress in the same style of Rieshu's carrying the same colors with navy added as well.
"It is outside our boundaries, High Priestess." The first to answer Rieshu snapped.
"We cannot just sit here, Regal Priestess." The High Priestess of Rieshu snapped at the Regal Priestess of the Goddess, a Goddess whose name was deliberately forgotten for her protection.
"Makoto, Syoko, we must not bicker among ourselves." Rieshu rubbed her temples with one hand, and patted her hair with the other.
The High and the Regal Priestesses had the grace to look ashamed. "Apologies, my lady Rieshu," they unwittingly chorused.
"Accepted, High Priestess Syoko; accepted, Regal Priestess Makoto." Rieshu nodded gracefully and then ruined the image by biting her lip. "Do the two of you have any constructive ideas?"
"We should do as we should have done in the first place." Makoto shoved her long green hair over one shoulder, brown eyes snapping in impatience.
"Steal her away, impossible and well you know it." Syoko grimaced, violet eyes wincing. "I must insist on a different solution." She tossed hair again and it fell behind her back.
"It is what the Regal Goddess would have wanted." Makoto tapped her fingernails on the edge of her cushion.
Syoko shook her head and raised her hands in frustration. "Rieshu . . ."
Rieshu looked between the two of them. "I can see both sides, it is a peril of what I am."
"Then forget what you are for just a moment and help!" Syoko almost screamed her voice pinched.
"I cannot."
"Cannot or will not, demi-goddess?" Makoto interjected mildly.
Rieshu sighed. "A bit of both, this decision must be left to you."
Makoto exchanged a long even glance with Syoko. "What would you suggest then High Priestess?"
Syoko closed her eyes. "Keep her where she is, she is safer and she may have a life."
Rieshu snorted. :May have a life, she most certainly has a life, a fact most of our people would like to forget.:
Syoko went on, "Send. . ."
"No," Makoto's eyes widened.
"You must part with her sooner or later." Syoko smiled sadly, "Or should I say we must."
"She has been loyal to us for a long time."
"Yes, and she has been pledged to this very duty for a long time."
Makoto slumped into the cushions and her eyes closed in defeat. "Very well."
"Thank you, Makoto," Syoko whispered.
Makoto opened one eye and gave a weak half grin. "It is only because I like you so much," she teased, the animosity the two priestesses had for each other well documented.
Syoko and Rieshu rolled their eyes simultaneously.
--
*One Night A Week Later*
Mihoshi stared at the stars around her. She hadn't felt his presence in a week. He had been here, she was sure of it, and was just as sure that his ship had rested where hers now floated. She wasn't even sure it was the same ship that she had captured, but Duo was sentimental and she was sure he would have kept it.
:Duo . . .: A tear seeped out of her eye. :Why do you not come, why do you leave me alone?: The blonde sat in the co-pilot chair and was staring at the same Earth that had riveted Duo not so long ago. They were so close to being 'home' at this point, yet there was still more to do.
"Well Mihoshi, nothing in this sector," Kiyone said smoothly from the pilot chair. Adjusting her orange headband in her gray green hair she glanced over at her partner.
Mihoshi sat there woodenly, staring out into space, her eyes lost and far away.
Kiyone narrowed her dark teal eyes. "Mihoshi, are you okay?"
Mihoshi instantly came back to the Yagami and pasted a cheery smile on her face. "Fine, will we be headed back home soon?" she sing-songed, smoothing away the worry lines and heartache behind the bubbly personality.
Kiyone shook her head. "Just one more sector and we can go back."
"That's great Kiyone." Mihoshi smiled as wide as she could. "Wouldn't want to miss Sasami's good cooking."
Kiyone gave a small laugh. :She's fine. I worry too much.: "Right, it's better than what you or I can do, much better. Let's finish this up."
Mihoshi laughed lightly along with her partner. :That was close.: "Watch out villains, Galaxy Detectives Mihoshi and Kiyone are on the way."
Kiyone steered towards the next sector, clueless as to the heartache her partner was in, the heartache Mihoshi hid behind the steel walls of her will and enforced personality.
--
"The Nest" was a conglomerate of dysfunctional spaceships and miscellaneous parts off of old space stations. Jurain tree life-support systems shared space with Parbuteo maneuvering wings, complete with feathered designs and being used for walls. Attached with silver engine tape and miscellaneous rivets were shards of crystal and even a crystal dome from an ancient Nekoian ship that had been destroyed in some ancient war. If one looked closely, they would see engines from Galaxy police cruisers, "The Nest" was made to move, and move rather quickly.
There was a good reason for this, having GP charge into the underworld capital while you just sat down to get a drink wasn't anyone's idea of a good thing. So, "The Nest" moved and in "The Nest" there was one rule. Mind your own business. Here a gunshot, don't bother checking it out, your buddy is caught by a
Hunter, leave it alone and thank whatever gods you believe in (even if it is only dame fortune) that it wasn't you who were caught this time. Who knows, next time it COULD be you and would you want someone sticking his nose (beak etc.) into your business? Of course not, that is why it is YOUR business.
Only ONE cardinal rule and it was followed religiously (even if the scum didn't believe in any religion, there were enough to choose from in the galaxy). Another good rule was always to be ready, have a hand on your weapon and eyes in the back of your head. Scum was still scum and you never know what could happen, just hope that your fellow scum had some honor, however unlikely it was.
Nagi grimaced as she nursed the foul concoction that one of the many pubs called beer. Her red eyes were obscured by the deep shadow of her hood and she idly reached up to scratch the ears of her ship and partner, Ken-ohki.
The white cabbit snuggled deeper into her neck, also out of sight because of the hood. ::Any leads?::
"You've been with me the whole time, cabbit," Nagi groused, taking another sip of the orange concoction, grimacing as it burned her tongue and throat.
Ken-ohki sniffed. ::I thought you might have noticed something I hadn't.::
"This guys smarter than most, he'd have to be. He's successful."
::He could just be lucky.::
"I highly doubt it." Nagi's voice was rough with amusement or the alcohol, Ken-ohki couldn't tell which.
::He'll be here, somewhere.::
"There's a lot of somewhere in here." Nagi observed, then shrugged.
"Ain't that the truth, Hunter," the barkeep snorted, as he scrubbed glasses with a white towel, smudged with the various colors of the different alcohols the joint served.
Nagi slid a 100-credit chit across the bar, the top knuckle of her finger bent backwards. "Hamikasu is gathering some Hunters together," she trailed off, raising an eyebrow.
The barkeep leaned in closer to Nagi. "Well, that is the funny thing Hunter. He's rented out my back room there to hold his little meeting." He laughed, showing half rotted teeth and Nagi refrained from blanching at his foul breath. It seemed he was drinking a bit too much of his own stock, not that it surprised her. Some Herlus were like that, the non-acceptance from their own kind caused them to do strange things. She lifted her finger off the credit chit and 'miraculously' it disappeared.
She topped back the rest of the drink and shoved the glass at him as well. The barkeep snatched it up and began to vigorously wipe out the inside.
Nagi shoved away from the bar and headed towards the back. ::Progress, finally.::
"It was only a matter of time, I spread enough word around about why I was here that someone was going to talk," she muttered. "That barkeep had been eyeing me for the last hour."
::Smart.::
"Thanks, cabbit, I think."
She pushed the door open and smirked. Inside was a scene of chaos and noisy confusion.
"YOU MUST BE NUTS!!!"
"RYOKO!"
"Equivalent to FOUR billion Jurai, who has that much money!"
"We're going to be KILLED!"
"A former Class A criminal!"
Nagi shoved her way forward. Sharp glances to either side of her quieting the Hunters who saw her.
Duo stood in the front, his hand raked through his hair. "Guys, gals, look, we can do this. She is only one person."
Nagi snorted, "Yes, she is," she said scornfully, her harsh voice quieting the room. "All of you against one woman and you doubt your prowess."
She glared at each and every one of them.
One dared to speak. "Ryoko has killed planets in one blast, how could we have a chance?"
Nagi shrugged and held out her arm. Ken-ohki hopped out from inside her cloak and she scratched his chin.
Duo took the meeting back over. "If you don't want to go, there's the door. I am only going to take those that are willing to take the risk." A hushed murmur ran through the room and Duo pounded his fist on the table. "Which is what this business is all about, taking the risks." He crossed his arms. None of the hunters moved. "Right, here's what we know."
--
Nagi nodded at Duo as he came to stand in front of her.
"I am glad you showed up." He said quietly, "I almost sent someone to find you."
Nagi snorted. "You wouldn't have had any luck. I am coming with you only because it suits me Hamikasu." Her eyes caught his own. "There is safety in numbers."
"Your ego never ceases to amaze me." Duo shook his head and ran his fingers through the shock of red hair.
"If I so chose, I could bring Ryoko in on my own. I do not choose to do so," she pointed out. "I have the reputation of doing exactly what I like." She smiled. "You wanted me here anyways, I wasn't about to disappoint."
"This is a guild bounty," Duo murmured. "I wonder how you of all people found out about it."
"I have my sources." Nagi smirked. "Nothing escapes my notice, including what you don't know about Ryoko and her status is greater than what you do know."
"It is worth the risk."
"The price of doing business. It's been a pleasure, Duo." Nagi whirled and walked out. "See you at the rendezvous point."
--
There was a moonlit clearing in the middle of the forest, one side of this clearing held a cave, a cave that was once a prison. That cave was now a place of refuge for two souls, one male, and one female. Their bodies close to share each other's warmth against the cool night air and perhaps something more.
The female smiled softly, looking upwards towards the males face. He glanced down, catching the white shine from the moon off her eyes and he grinned back.
"Is it hard?" she whispered, her lips soft and finely lined.
"Does it hurt?" he replied, "remembering?" His breath tickled her ear as he asked the question.
"Always."
"Always."
She reached over and grabbed his dusky hand in her refined pale one. "This place is so full of lies." Her eyes closed and a tear trickled down her cheek, gleaming. The male squeezed her hand and wiped away the tear with his free thumb.
"I know and it doesn't make things any easier," he murmured. "It is a fine web we are caught in."
"A web not of our own making or choosing," the female protested, then flushed. "Or at least mostly not of our own making."
The male nodded and sighed into her hair. "Such small troubles."
"No trouble is small." She stared over the clearing, fireflies dancing at the edge of it. A smile creased her lips again. "At least not to those the trouble is effecting."
The male rubbed his nose into her hair, "If you say so." His voice muffled by the soft strands.
The female laughed lightly. "Goof."
"How long can this last?" He raised his head, resting his chin on the top of her head. "How long until . . ."
"We break?" the female finished sadly.
"It will happen one day."
"So many lies, so many false faces and masks." The female moaned.
The male brought her closer to his chest. "I know, I know."
--
Washu's lab was dark, darker than the natural night outside. The small scientist couldn't sense her daughter anywhere, the presence that Ryoko had been in her mind and on her instruments since the day the child had been born was gone, black, dead, as if it had never existed.
Washu didn't know what to do. So she sat, alone, in the darkness. Her daughter was gone to her and she couldn't . . .she couldn't . . .
In the back of her mind Washu knew she had been sitting there for a week, the cycle of artificial light and dark the only clue. Time had gone past her while she sat there, she had never felt so helpless. There was no comparison to the time when Ryoko had been out. Then Washu could at least see her daughter, register on her instruments, know that she was still alive, still real and not a figment of her imagination.
Ryoko was gone, gone from her.
Washu blinked, eye lashes not stirring any dust motes in the clean lab.
:If you're my mother, STOP HIDING!: Ryoko's distressed voice was twisted into a cruel taunt. Washu moaned, "I don't understand . . ." she whispered in a cruel parody of the actual events.
Another figure presented itself, the back of the young man who her daughter's heart was set on, Tenchi. Washu whimpered.
:Perhaps you should spend your new found free time figuring out a way to repair your relationship with your daughter.: The kind voice thick with subtle sarcasms and innuendos. Washu grimaced, her eyes closing. "Oh how much do you know, Tenchi Masaki," she murmured. "I do love her. . ." She hugged herself and stabbed once again for that over familiar presence that had ALWAYS been there, even in the timelessness of Kagato's imprisonment, Ryoko's mind had always been there.
"RYOKO!!!!" Washu slid off her cushion, cradling her head in her arms. Her body convulsed in sobs.
"RYOKO!!!!!"
--
END CHAPTER!
Questions and comments should be sent to one of the emails below! Check out my websites... and tell me what you think please.
RingPrincess
ring_princess@hotmail.com
ring_princess2001@yahoo.com
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/ringprincess/index.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tenchimuyofanfiction/
http://www.thetenchireviewer.net