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
Thanks to JohnnyG for editting this overly long story and to Netserfer for reviewing at The Tenchi Reviewer.net!
Tenchi Muyo Saga One: Fate of Empires
Interrogations Part 3
By RingPrincess
Washu grabbed Ryoko's arm and dragged her towards the lab.
"Washu," Kiyone began to say.
"Not now, I need to talk with Ryoko," Washu snapped.
Tenchi tried to stop Washu, but he was too far away and was hindered by Katsuhito's hand on his shoulder. Ayeka's mouth opened and closed a few times, but finally she just watched as Washu pulled Ryoko through the red door of her lab, the lock clicking behind them. No one tried to open the door, realizing that Washu had disconnected her lab from the house.
Mihoshi snorted, shrugged and looked at Nagi. Nagi nodded at her, then stretched.
Kiyone cleared her throat. "Well, I guess in Ryoko's absence I need to talk to you Nagi."
"Talk being a euphemism for interrogate, right?" Nagi raised an eyebrow, her hands still in the air.
Kiyone nodded and shrugged while Mihoshi chuckled. "Right."
--
Washu spun, red hair flying, to face Ryoko. Her green eyes were hard. "Explain."
Ryoko looked past Washu. "Is he going to moderate?"
Washu's jaw dropped.
::I'll moderate, though you shouldn't be able to see me Ryoko.::
"Great," Washu crossed her arms. "You said-"
::I know what I said,:: Imp sounded peeved. ::And she shouldn't be able to see me.::
"Doesn't matter, explain yourself, Lil Ryoko."
"Don't call me Lil Ryoko." Ryoko crossed her arms, inadvertently pushing up her breasts. Imp snorted. "And I can't explain anything without knowing the question. We are no longer telepathic."
"Ryo-ohki."
"Ryo-ohki?"
"Yes."
"I can't, you created her. You explain this aspect of her being to me."
"You made me break a promise."
"I made you? I did no such thing. I don't even know what that promise, if you made one, was or who you gave it to or when. What I do know is that extra MASU infusions have been used for centuries if not millennia in cabbits. The fact that cabbits can regenerate means that they tend to lose their memories if they are destroyed and reabsorbing their prior crystals can restore their memories."
"Cabbits, that is the entire problem with those sentences. There is only supposed to be one cabbit. I only created one for you."
"Then you should have better researched what you were doing, Washu."
Washu didn't look like she was going to answer. She turned her head and stared into the depths of the lab. "These capabilities you are describing were not placed there by me." She shook her head. "Someone else added them to Ryo-ohki."
"Well, there are thousands of cabbits now, these capabilities work," Ryoko sneered. "Cabbits that are either copies or offspring of the original."
"And how did these people get a hold of Ryo-ohki."
There was an uncomfortable silence. Imp looked between the females. Ryoko was staring straight at Washu and there was no shame in her stance. "I gave her to them to study."
"You gave her to them!" Washu's jaw dropped. "And who was them?"
"Nekoia, I was in Nekoia."
"And by holy hells, how did I not know this?"
"Well, for some strange reason whenever I was in Nekoia, Washu, I was cut off from both you and Kagato." Ryoko's rolled her eyes. "Nekoia was the only time I got any peace."
"Nekoia, Ryoko," Washu gasped. "Cabbits are powerful."
"No kidding," Ryoko muttered.
"An army, actually Navy, of cabbits in the wrong hands." Washu looked lost for a few moments.
"Could take over the entire universe easily." Ryoko uncrossed her arms. "I know that. And it won' t happen."
"And there is only one Empire in recent history that has tried taking over different sections of the universe; Nekoia!"
"Recent being in the last ten thousand years of course." Ryoko nodded. "Recent as in the last five thousand years Nekoia has been quiet in galactic politics. I know that, because I've been there! And they aren't going to take over the universe."
"Oh, you have intelligence that nobody else does now, Ryoko? According to history," Washu raised her voice.
"Things change!" Ryoko shouted. "People and places change. You seem to forget that people are not things to be experimented upon. People are not just creations. We have wills of our own. Ryo-ohki's will was to reabsorb her crystals. I was not going to stop her even if I wasn't fighting to keep my head on my shoulders. That's hard to heal quickly and I'm sure May wouldn't want me to have a bloody stump where my head should be."
Imp snorted. ::Not a pretty picture, Ryoko.::
"You should have stopped Ryo-ohki."
::What's done is done, Washu.::
"How? Ordered her not to do it? Please, Ryo-ohki and I do not work like that."
Washu sighed and turned away. "If you can't see reason when it comes to Ryo-ohki, will you see reason when it comes to your health."
"Depends on your definition of reason."
"Ryoko, what is going on with you?" Washu looked at Ryoko over her shoulder.
"I can't tell you. I don't trust you, Washu." Ryoko uncrossed her arms and tapped her foot. "I have no reason to trust you."
Imp frowned. ::If you won't tell her, will you tell me?::
Ryoko glanced over at Imp. "She'll still hear."
::Perhaps she really does need to know. I know what she has done to you, Ryoko.::
"It was for your own good, Ryoko," Washu nodded.
::Hush, Washu.:: Imp waved a hand at her. ::Ryoko, Washu was concerned about your health.::
Ryoko began to pace. "She looks into my mind and she won't stop even when I ask. She plays with me." Ryoko spun on her heel, walking past Imp and Washu without looking at them. "My brain is changing. I know this because Mom made it so I could keep exact track of my health. Something that Kagato honed for his sheer enjoyment." Ryoko grimaced and growled, spinning on her heel again. "Mom didn't mean for that sense to be so fine tuned. The result is that I can track to a fraction of a second how long it will take my body to heal and vice versa, how long it will take my body to die. My brain itches and has itched since I woke up from collapsing and yes sometimes there is a stabbing pain, but it is a good pain." She took a deep breath, straining the seams of her battle suit. She stopped and turned to face Imp. "Am I making any sense?"
::Complete sense,:: Imp reassured.
Ryoko began walking again. "When Washu looks into my brain it is like picking at a scab. She disrupts the healing process so that my brain will take longer to heal. And before Tenchi put his strength behind my shields," Imp raised his eyebrows, "she beat my brain into a bloody mass. Whatever happened to make my brain start mending at such an accelerated pace she lengthened by at least four times." Ryoko wiped at the tears trickling from her eyes. "All because she was concerned," her voice was scornful. "And I was in so much pain I couldn't muster the concentration to fight her and explain clearly at the same time. So I ran."
::Smart.::
"I am the daughter of a genius." Ryoko wiped her eyes. "Mom taught me well."
Imp chuckled. ::She did.::
"I am glad to know something I said got through to you," Washu smiled.
Ryoko spun, realizing again that Washu was there. She had been ignoring the small woman. She blinked. "Washu, you are not my mother."
"Not this again," Washu sighed.
Imp looked between them. The familial relationship was obvious, the shape of the nose, their cheekbones. The tones of the voice, their mannerisms were all the same.
"You called me mom yesterday," Washu reminded Ryoko.
"My mother was here yesterday, Washu. She said that she'd be here when I need her most."
"That was me in my adult form." Washu aged to prove her point.
"Mom didn't hide yesterday," Ryoko whispered, staring at the floor.
Imp wanted to wrap his arms about Ryoko, her eyes were wide and skin was pale, amber eyes watering.
Washu sat on her cushion and stared at Ryoko. Ryoko raised her eyes. "When I was sick," she murmured. "Mom was there, she held my hand. She talked to me about her work. Mom cried. Damn you!" Ryoko screamed. "How dare you claim to be my mother? You are nothing like my mother."
--
Nagi sat on the edge of the dock, the light breeze cooling the sweat on her skin. "Ask your questions, Kiyone. I'll tell all that I can."
Kiyone sat down gingerly next to Nagi and fumbled with her notepad. "How did you hear about this job, Nagi?"
"I have many sources," Nagi grinned, swishing her feet in the water. "And I heard about it through three of my most trusted."
"Which you can't tell me their identities." Kiyone tucked a lock of teal hair behind her ear.
"For their protection and my reputation. I can't tell you," Nagi nodded.
"Why did you join the job?"
"I didn't."
"Why did you come with the group of bounty hunters then?"
"I have been paid a large sum to protect Ryoko."
"More than four billion Jurai?" Kiyone's voice was incredulous.
Nagi chuckled. "No. I don't know what I'd do with four billion Jurai. That is like carrying a sign that says 'Mug me'"
"Can we confirm this other counter bounty?"
"Not really. It was a private matter. The Guild wasn't involved."
"You are not a Guild member though. The Guild wouldn't have been involved anyways."
"Yes and no. I pay Guild dues from time to time. They are more like bribes however, sometimes I'll get a good lead."
"Like about who was doing the Ryoko job?"
"Sometimes."
"Why didn't you come before the larger group?"
"Well," Nagi leaned back and looked at the sky. "I didn't have time, and if I was with the gathered group I'd know who was the enemy and it would be easier to establish that I was a friend."
"Who was the enemy?"
"Everyone but Duo and his crew, and me of course."
"Why not them, Duo was in charge of the mission?"
"Duo wanted to get to Mihoshi."
Kiyone almost dropped her stylus. "You knew?"
"I've met a few Balance Keepers. Mihoshi and Duo's circumstances aren't usual, then again, these aren't usual times."
"Define usual?"
"Good point."
"I meant define the usual relationship of a Balance Keeper."
"Oh, well when a male and female Balance Keeper meet sometimes they 'fall in love' or I believe the technical term is lifebond. A lifebond intimately connects them to their partner, so much so that they become almost a single unit. If the partners are separated by long distances without the proper medication, then you get something like what happened to Mihoshi. They easily lose track of themselves, though they retain all their abilities, they can't express them. It isn't as bad if they are surrounded by close friends."
"Mihoshi has never had really close friends," Kiyone murmured.
"Or have the proper medications. Those medications are only available through their home planet and I think that Mihoshi and Duo didn't want their people to know that they are lifebonded. Duo is in exile." Nagi shrugged. "So, a usual relationship would be that Duo would have become Mihoshi's partner in the GP or Mihoshi would have joined him in his life of crime." Nagi snorted.
"How do you know all this?"
"Like I said, I know a few Balance Keepers." Nagi chuckled. "I know a lot of people."
"So, Duo wasn't a threat because of his relationship with Mihoshi."
"Correct, Cerulea wasn't a threat as long as she was under Duo's orders. Parbuteo's take the chain of command very seriously. So she wouldn't do anything as long as Duo still lived, then she would have followed Porfirio's orders and the Leopold's. This tendency is one of their greatest strengths and weaknesses."
"So, since Cerulea was so low on the pecking order," Kiyone noted, "you weren't worried."
Nagi laughed. "One way to say it. Leopold wasn't a threat because he's Leopold. And Leopold doesn't like to dirty his hands. Duo was way to close to Ryoko and others that he wasn't supposed to kill to use the ship's cannons."
"So that is a personality thing," Kiyone groaned.
"You've noticed." Nagi dropped her voice to a monotone. "It isn't a rare Qualeon trait either." She shuddered. "Porfirio isn't a threat," Nagi paused and watched Kiyone carefully, legs stopping. "Because of you, Kiyone."
"I know." Kiyone sighed, her cheeks slightly pink.
Nagi grinned. "No matter how much you two will want to kill each other, you can't." Nagi shook her head.
"Because, Nagi, ultimately we are striving for the same thing, Porfirio and I. I'm just ranked higher."
Nagi chuckled and Kiyone blinked then began to laugh with her. "That sounds so pretentious," Kiyone gasped, bending over, holding her stomach.
Nagi nodded and lay down on the rough boards. "Definitely." Kiyone looked down and over at her, their eyes met and they broke out laughing again. The waves amplified their laughter and rippled merrily as a few birds soared between the clouds.
--
"My mother was actively involved in my life." Ryoko continued quietly. "We went on trips, we talked about everything: school, boys, friends. Our mind link was for emergencies or else Mom said I would have never learned to talk at all. Kagato and others may have helped create me but Mom was my parent. Kagato's attack on us was completely unexpected. We were supposed to visit Nekoia the next day. Mom had finally been approved for the research visa. We were so excited, she wanted to visit the home of the MASU again and it was no longer in Jurain space."
"I remember," Washu whispered. "We were even going to take Souja."
"We were so happy and then Kagato," Ryoko shook her head. "When he attacked, Mom told me she loved me and would be there for me and then left."
"I was captured, but I'm back Ryoko. I love you," Washu hid her head behind her hands. "I couldn't win. Somehow he knew everything I would do and…"
Imp smiled, things were beginning to work out.
"… And he forced me into child form, you know that I only used that for working with colleagues, they expected it. Then Kagato placed me in that crystal." She sobbed. "The longer I was in there the less emotional I became, the more time I had to think of what went wrong and I thought that my emotions were the cause of it all."
Imp caught Ryoko's eye and nodded at Washu, trying to send her a silent message. Ryoko's brow furrowed and Imp sighed. ::Hug her,:: he 'whispered.'
Ryoko blinked. And walked over next to Washu.
"And when Mihoshi freed me, I didn't know what to say or do and you were so different. And I was a child, without the strength to immediately change into adult form."
Ryoko placed her arms about Washu, her shoulders hunched and back stiff. It was awkward, but it was human contact. Something Washu hadn't had in a long time, and something Ryoko needed as well. Soon Ryoko relaxed, her shoulders dropped and they began to cry together. Cry for time lost and time regained.
--
Kiyone took a deep breath and let it out slowly, Nagi gradually sobering beside her.
"One last question, Nagi." Kiyone looked over at her. "What does Nekoia mean to you?"
"Nekoia," Nagi drew out. She paused and looked over at Kiyone. "Nekoia, the warrior children of the great goddess, the crystal empire… Nekoia means many things to me, but ultimately Nekoia is home."
"Thank you, Captain," Kiyone shut her notepad and she pushed herself back and up.
Nagi smiled. "Nekoia is also the empire that people don't talk about outside its borders, or admit it exists. They don't want the wrath of the cat-people to descend upon them. Be careful Detective, who you ask about Nekoia."
Kiyone frowned, "I know."
"I need to bathe, care to join me Kiyone?"
Kiyone shook her head. "Afraid I can't. Though it'd be nice. I really do need to talk to Ryoko."
"It isn't her fault."
"Jurai thinks it is." Kiyone paused. "Off the record of course, Jurai thinks that Kagato had Ryoko steal something inside Nekoia. And now, Nekoia has finally decided to get it back."
"By killing her? The bounty was dead or alive."
"I thought there was something wrong with the logic myself," Kiyone shrugged.
"Bureaucrats are never logical." Nagi looked chagrined.
They broke out laughing again.
--
Ryoko looked up at the knock on the door. She stepped slowly away from Washu. Washu sniffed and wiped her eyes with her fingers. Belatedly remembering to get a handkerchief from sub space. She tried to make herself look more presentable.
"Come in," she called, voice thick and scratchy.
Kiyone opened the door and peeked in. "I'm sorry Washu. But I really need to speak with Ryoko."
Ryoko cleared her throat, "Of course, Kiyone." She looked back at Washu. "I'll be back mom, and we can talk more."
Washu nodded. "We will."
Ryoko floated to the door, Kiyone's head disappearing from behind it. Ryoko shut the door behind her.
Imp sighed. ::I'm reminded of one of my favorite phrases. All's well that ends well.::
Washu glanced at him. ::Thank you, from both of us.::
He grinned. ::I enjoyed it.::
::You would,:: Washu felt maternal and wanted to ruffle his black hair.
Imp narrowed his eyes like he could read her thoughts and then he shrugged, lips twitching. ::I also wanted to help.::
::You seem to know me very well, but I don't remember you from anywhere. Especially since you are an apparition.::
Imp stood up, feet finally touching the floor. His face straightened along with his posture and he walked over to her, looking into her eyes. ::I know you better than I know myself, Washu.:: As he spoke he slowly aged to a young man, golden eyes burned her with suppressed desire. His fingers reached out to caress her face but just went through her. His face fell in regret, hand returning to his side. He then bowed and faded from view.
--
Tenchi saw Ryoko and Kiyone on the way to the door. He cleared his throat, "Ryoko."
Ryoko's eyes widened and she stopped, looking over at him in the middle of the living room. "Yes, Tenchi."
"I'd also like to know what is going on." His voice was heavy, his eyes sad.
"We all would." Ayeka nodded.
Ryoko shook her head.
"We want to help," Tenchi clenched his fist. "And May, May needs you."
Ryoko bit her bottom lip and looked at the floor, her gaze constantly flicking between Tenchi and the floorboards as she considered. Out of the corner of her eye as she glanced at Tenchi again she saw Ken-ohki glaring at her and nodding.
::He wants you to take Tenchi's help.:: Ryo-ohki translated sleepily, mind voice muffled.
::Feeling-::
::Like shit, thanks.::
Ryoko's teeth released her lip and she looked Tenchi full in the face. "All right Tenchi, but I can't here." She raised an eyebrow at the Princess. "And Princess, you are a bit too official for me to be able to tell you."
Ayeka's eyes widened. "I hadn't-"
"You hadn't thought of it. I know," Ryoko chuckled.
Ayeka raised her nose and crossed her arms. "Fine, turn this to your advantage. You didn't have to come up with something this elaborate just to get a date with Tenchi." Ayeka smiled and winked at Ryoko so she would know it was a joke.
Inexplicably Ryoko flushed and Tenchi rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, there is a nice sushi bar in town that we could go to." Ryoko stammered.
Tenchi froze. "And there?"
"I'll tell you all I can, Tenchi," Ryoko murmured.
::Everything,:: Ryo-ohki said sharply.
"Everything!" Ryoko blurted, and then flushed bright red. She gave a surreptitious glare at the cabbit woman.
Tenchi smiled at her.
Kiyone sighed from the doorway, she strode back and linked her arm through Ryoko's dragging her along behind her. "Come on, we need to chat, before you make more of a fool of yourself."
Kiyone led Ryoko to the quietest spot she knew, and they didn't talk much on the way. Ryoko seemed preoccupied with what had been happening at the house and not paying attention to their surroundings. Kiyone stopped at the clearing of the cave. There the sun was bright and the grass was soft. She hoped whatever memories Ryoko had of this place would help her feel comfortable and more willing to talk.
She sat down, crossing her legs. So the cave was not the most professional place to hold an interrogation. Ryoko didn't deserve what would be called professional though. "Ryoko," Kiyone began.
Ryoko looked at her. "Huh?"
"Ryoko, I need you to understand a few things. You aren't under arrest, nor are you under any suspicion for a crime. It is your right not to answer a question that makes you feel uncomfortable or indeed you don't have to answer any questions without a lawyer present."
Ryoko nodded. "Jurai has their own opinions about all this though."
"Yes," Kiyone paused. "Is that why you don't wish to speak to Ayeka about it."
Ryoko nodded again.
Kiyone looked thoughtful for a moment. "However, the Galaxy Police are aware that the statute of limitations is up, and as such your record has been deleted and you are a private citizen."
"With the same rights as any other citizen?" Ryoko's face was incredulous.
"Correct."
Ryoko looked away, her eyes drawn to the dark cave entrance. "Then ask your questions, Kiyone."
Kiyone looked down, opening her folder and referencing some notes inside. "It is understood that this has not been the first attack against you since your record was deleted. Could you please tell me of these other attacks?"
Ryoko's eyes closed and her face pinched. "There have been four attacks against me or using me. The first was when the Princess captured Tenchi and I after I was awakened. She interrogated me on where Yosho was, which I didn't know. We managed to escape and brought Ayeka down to Earth with us." Ryoko took a deep breath. "It was two months later, the Princess and I were getting along more and things were somewhat smooth between us when Kagato found me. The good Dr. Kagato," Ryoko growled. Kiyone knew better than to interrupt. "Kagato was an assistant to my mother and had been using me as a front to gain the ultimate power of Jurai. He had been searching for a way to it for years. He had me collect artifacts, destroy planets and kill people. This often included taking extensive trips to gain any and all information that may have been useful to him. If I refused he would control me. Soon I learned that control was worse than refusing and I stopped refusing most of the time."
Kiyone's voice was soft. "Please define control."
Ryoko's eyes opened and she stared at Kiyone. Her voice was somewhat even, "Control was when Kagato would take over my actions and use my body as an extension of his own. Very rarely did I ever see myself when I was under control, but it is said that my eyes looked like they were washed in green." She paused. "I saw this one day, when he happened to have me look up from a kill straight into a mirror. That was one of the very few times I broke his will over me. I couldn't stand to see those eyes in my face. It was too difficult to break his will to do it often. He would reinforce his orders afterwards. Yet, at times I would do it."
"Why didn't you leave once you broke his hold over you?"
"I tried, once." Her voice dropped. "The consequences were terrible. I always returned after a short length of time after that."
"You couldn't find protection?" Kiyone's gaze narrowed.
"There was no protection from myself," Ryoko grimaced. Kiyone waited for her to go on, but Ryoko was lost in a memory.
"Where did Kagato often lose control over you?"
"Often in temples and always in the Nekoian Empire."
"So, you have spent time in the Nekoian Empire?" Kiyone asked casually.
Ryoko wasn't fooled and smirked. "I have spent some time there, yes." She looked away and up, earring swaying.
Kiyone wanted to grind her teeth in frustration, but knew better and dropped Nekoia as if it didn't matter. "You said you've been attacked four times, so far you've only cited two. Tell me about the others."
Ryoko looked back at her and her eyes sparkled. They both knew the rules of the game and weren't giving an inch. "The third time was with Dr. Clay, a rival of my mother's in the Academy days. He copied me with his creation Zero and when she was found out used me as bait for the rest of the house."
"Why?"
"I was never told." Ryoko shrugged. "He kept me hostage, though he was the gloating type. He gloated more towards Washu than me. I was just a tool." Her voice dropped.
Kiyone raised an eyebrow. "After Clay?"
"The Bounty Hunters." Ryoko shrugged.
"Yes, the Bounty Hunters." Kiyone paused, "What about Yuzuha and Mayuka?"
"I fought against Yuzuha and against May." Ryoko's lips twitched in what looked to be a smile. "Yet, Yuzuha didn't use me as a tool, that was May's duty. Something her and I have in common. And Yuzuha's attack was aimed at Tenchi and Yosho, not at me."
Kiyone thought for a moment. "I can see what you mean. All right then, the next attack was by these Bounty Hunters. Meaning someone placed a price on your head. Are you aware of an enemy with enough power and money to hire this many hunters?"
Ryoko snorted. "Since my release I have been off this planet three times, twice to local space and once to another dimension. I haven't traveled the universe. I don't have contacts anymore since it was rather difficult to keep in touch."
"A simple no would have been easier." Kiyone rolled her eyes.
"Okay then, no."
Kiyone made a show of looking over her notes. "How about Nekoia?"
"I am sure I have enemies all over the universe. It is hard to be the slave of an eternally wanted criminal and not make enemies."
"Could you name any?"
Ryoko shook her head. "I'm afraid not."
"All right," Kiyone glanced quickly at her next line of questions in her notebook. "From what I recall of the fight, Ryoko, you weren't surprised when Nagi changed sides. Why not?"
"She is Nekoian."
"Did you know her from your visits?"
"No. Those trips were a long time ago." Ryoko shrugged.
"Then how could you know she was trustworthy?"
"Instinct, I knew Zero was an enemy that way as well. I just knew."
"Why didn't you trust the rest of the group?" Kiyone frowned.
Ryoko blinked and then grinned. "Because they were already primed for battle. Nagi didn't raise her battle energy until she joined our side."
Kiyone swallowed hard. "You can see energy." Inwardly she was cursing, her superiors wouldn't like this. There was nothing at all scientific about instincts or seeing energy. There were no hard facts that Ryoko could do what she did.
"Yeah, certain forms of energy."
"Such as?"
"Battle energy, life energy," Ryoko shrugged.
"What about Duo, what did his energy and your instinct say about him?" Kiyone probed.
Ryoko hooded her eyes and thought for a moment. "He shouted caution. I knew Duo wanted to talk and see if I would come peaceably. His energy readings however showed him three quarters of the way to peak. There were too many other hunters at full for him to remain completely in control of the situation though." Ryoko leaned back. "I suppose the other hunters could have just been being cautious, considering my terrible reputation and all."
Kiyone refrained from snorting. "Meaning, I have to take your word that you can do all these things."
"Pretty much."
"One last question," Kiyone sighed. "When you heard that there was a bounty on your head, what was your first thought?"
Ryoko began to laugh. "Honestly," she gasped. "My first thought was, 'What in hell? How do they keep finding me? Isn't Earth a protected zone?'"
Kiyone had to chuckle and she flipped the notebook shut. "Thank you, Ryoko."
"No problem," Ryoko winked. "Just doing my civic duty."
Kiyone stood and stretched. "It is always a good thing to cooperate with the police."
"Haven't had many chances to do it actually." Ryoko didn't move and looked up at Kiyone. "You get going, it's quiet up here and well…"
"Don't be late for dinner. I'm done with questions for today."
"Late for dinner? Sasami would never cook for me again if I did that." Ryoko smiled, then sobered. "If she hasn't stopped staring at Ryo-ohki."
"Wait a minute, you and Tenchi are going out for dinner tonight remember. Sushi, and it was all your idea." Kiyone teased.
Ryoko flushed.
Kiyone bit her lip and changed the subject. "Will Ryo-ohki still play with Sasami? Now that she is an adult that is."
"Did it stop Ken-ohki?" Ryoko's face returned to it's normal hue and she laughed. "All cabbits I've ever met are just kids at heart."
"That's good to hear." Kiyone backed up. "Well, better get going." She turned and jogged past the trees.
Ryoko sat a few moments more, drawing her knees up to her chin. She waited until she knew Kiyone was out of hearing range. "What do you want?" she asked the seemingly empty clearing.
--
END CHAPTER!
Next time... questions leads to conversations and conversations leads to decisions...
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
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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
Thanks to JohnnyG for editting this overly long story and to Netserfer for reviewing at The Tenchi Reviewer.net!
Tenchi Muyo Saga One: Fate of Empires
Interrogations Part 3
By RingPrincess
Washu grabbed Ryoko's arm and dragged her towards the lab.
"Washu," Kiyone began to say.
"Not now, I need to talk with Ryoko," Washu snapped.
Tenchi tried to stop Washu, but he was too far away and was hindered by Katsuhito's hand on his shoulder. Ayeka's mouth opened and closed a few times, but finally she just watched as Washu pulled Ryoko through the red door of her lab, the lock clicking behind them. No one tried to open the door, realizing that Washu had disconnected her lab from the house.
Mihoshi snorted, shrugged and looked at Nagi. Nagi nodded at her, then stretched.
Kiyone cleared her throat. "Well, I guess in Ryoko's absence I need to talk to you Nagi."
"Talk being a euphemism for interrogate, right?" Nagi raised an eyebrow, her hands still in the air.
Kiyone nodded and shrugged while Mihoshi chuckled. "Right."
--
Washu spun, red hair flying, to face Ryoko. Her green eyes were hard. "Explain."
Ryoko looked past Washu. "Is he going to moderate?"
Washu's jaw dropped.
::I'll moderate, though you shouldn't be able to see me Ryoko.::
"Great," Washu crossed her arms. "You said-"
::I know what I said,:: Imp sounded peeved. ::And she shouldn't be able to see me.::
"Doesn't matter, explain yourself, Lil Ryoko."
"Don't call me Lil Ryoko." Ryoko crossed her arms, inadvertently pushing up her breasts. Imp snorted. "And I can't explain anything without knowing the question. We are no longer telepathic."
"Ryo-ohki."
"Ryo-ohki?"
"Yes."
"I can't, you created her. You explain this aspect of her being to me."
"You made me break a promise."
"I made you? I did no such thing. I don't even know what that promise, if you made one, was or who you gave it to or when. What I do know is that extra MASU infusions have been used for centuries if not millennia in cabbits. The fact that cabbits can regenerate means that they tend to lose their memories if they are destroyed and reabsorbing their prior crystals can restore their memories."
"Cabbits, that is the entire problem with those sentences. There is only supposed to be one cabbit. I only created one for you."
"Then you should have better researched what you were doing, Washu."
Washu didn't look like she was going to answer. She turned her head and stared into the depths of the lab. "These capabilities you are describing were not placed there by me." She shook her head. "Someone else added them to Ryo-ohki."
"Well, there are thousands of cabbits now, these capabilities work," Ryoko sneered. "Cabbits that are either copies or offspring of the original."
"And how did these people get a hold of Ryo-ohki."
There was an uncomfortable silence. Imp looked between the females. Ryoko was staring straight at Washu and there was no shame in her stance. "I gave her to them to study."
"You gave her to them!" Washu's jaw dropped. "And who was them?"
"Nekoia, I was in Nekoia."
"And by holy hells, how did I not know this?"
"Well, for some strange reason whenever I was in Nekoia, Washu, I was cut off from both you and Kagato." Ryoko's rolled her eyes. "Nekoia was the only time I got any peace."
"Nekoia, Ryoko," Washu gasped. "Cabbits are powerful."
"No kidding," Ryoko muttered.
"An army, actually Navy, of cabbits in the wrong hands." Washu looked lost for a few moments.
"Could take over the entire universe easily." Ryoko uncrossed her arms. "I know that. And it won' t happen."
"And there is only one Empire in recent history that has tried taking over different sections of the universe; Nekoia!"
"Recent being in the last ten thousand years of course." Ryoko nodded. "Recent as in the last five thousand years Nekoia has been quiet in galactic politics. I know that, because I've been there! And they aren't going to take over the universe."
"Oh, you have intelligence that nobody else does now, Ryoko? According to history," Washu raised her voice.
"Things change!" Ryoko shouted. "People and places change. You seem to forget that people are not things to be experimented upon. People are not just creations. We have wills of our own. Ryo-ohki's will was to reabsorb her crystals. I was not going to stop her even if I wasn't fighting to keep my head on my shoulders. That's hard to heal quickly and I'm sure May wouldn't want me to have a bloody stump where my head should be."
Imp snorted. ::Not a pretty picture, Ryoko.::
"You should have stopped Ryo-ohki."
::What's done is done, Washu.::
"How? Ordered her not to do it? Please, Ryo-ohki and I do not work like that."
Washu sighed and turned away. "If you can't see reason when it comes to Ryo-ohki, will you see reason when it comes to your health."
"Depends on your definition of reason."
"Ryoko, what is going on with you?" Washu looked at Ryoko over her shoulder.
"I can't tell you. I don't trust you, Washu." Ryoko uncrossed her arms and tapped her foot. "I have no reason to trust you."
Imp frowned. ::If you won't tell her, will you tell me?::
Ryoko glanced over at Imp. "She'll still hear."
::Perhaps she really does need to know. I know what she has done to you, Ryoko.::
"It was for your own good, Ryoko," Washu nodded.
::Hush, Washu.:: Imp waved a hand at her. ::Ryoko, Washu was concerned about your health.::
Ryoko began to pace. "She looks into my mind and she won't stop even when I ask. She plays with me." Ryoko spun on her heel, walking past Imp and Washu without looking at them. "My brain is changing. I know this because Mom made it so I could keep exact track of my health. Something that Kagato honed for his sheer enjoyment." Ryoko grimaced and growled, spinning on her heel again. "Mom didn't mean for that sense to be so fine tuned. The result is that I can track to a fraction of a second how long it will take my body to heal and vice versa, how long it will take my body to die. My brain itches and has itched since I woke up from collapsing and yes sometimes there is a stabbing pain, but it is a good pain." She took a deep breath, straining the seams of her battle suit. She stopped and turned to face Imp. "Am I making any sense?"
::Complete sense,:: Imp reassured.
Ryoko began walking again. "When Washu looks into my brain it is like picking at a scab. She disrupts the healing process so that my brain will take longer to heal. And before Tenchi put his strength behind my shields," Imp raised his eyebrows, "she beat my brain into a bloody mass. Whatever happened to make my brain start mending at such an accelerated pace she lengthened by at least four times." Ryoko wiped at the tears trickling from her eyes. "All because she was concerned," her voice was scornful. "And I was in so much pain I couldn't muster the concentration to fight her and explain clearly at the same time. So I ran."
::Smart.::
"I am the daughter of a genius." Ryoko wiped her eyes. "Mom taught me well."
Imp chuckled. ::She did.::
"I am glad to know something I said got through to you," Washu smiled.
Ryoko spun, realizing again that Washu was there. She had been ignoring the small woman. She blinked. "Washu, you are not my mother."
"Not this again," Washu sighed.
Imp looked between them. The familial relationship was obvious, the shape of the nose, their cheekbones. The tones of the voice, their mannerisms were all the same.
"You called me mom yesterday," Washu reminded Ryoko.
"My mother was here yesterday, Washu. She said that she'd be here when I need her most."
"That was me in my adult form." Washu aged to prove her point.
"Mom didn't hide yesterday," Ryoko whispered, staring at the floor.
Imp wanted to wrap his arms about Ryoko, her eyes were wide and skin was pale, amber eyes watering.
Washu sat on her cushion and stared at Ryoko. Ryoko raised her eyes. "When I was sick," she murmured. "Mom was there, she held my hand. She talked to me about her work. Mom cried. Damn you!" Ryoko screamed. "How dare you claim to be my mother? You are nothing like my mother."
--
Nagi sat on the edge of the dock, the light breeze cooling the sweat on her skin. "Ask your questions, Kiyone. I'll tell all that I can."
Kiyone sat down gingerly next to Nagi and fumbled with her notepad. "How did you hear about this job, Nagi?"
"I have many sources," Nagi grinned, swishing her feet in the water. "And I heard about it through three of my most trusted."
"Which you can't tell me their identities." Kiyone tucked a lock of teal hair behind her ear.
"For their protection and my reputation. I can't tell you," Nagi nodded.
"Why did you join the job?"
"I didn't."
"Why did you come with the group of bounty hunters then?"
"I have been paid a large sum to protect Ryoko."
"More than four billion Jurai?" Kiyone's voice was incredulous.
Nagi chuckled. "No. I don't know what I'd do with four billion Jurai. That is like carrying a sign that says 'Mug me'"
"Can we confirm this other counter bounty?"
"Not really. It was a private matter. The Guild wasn't involved."
"You are not a Guild member though. The Guild wouldn't have been involved anyways."
"Yes and no. I pay Guild dues from time to time. They are more like bribes however, sometimes I'll get a good lead."
"Like about who was doing the Ryoko job?"
"Sometimes."
"Why didn't you come before the larger group?"
"Well," Nagi leaned back and looked at the sky. "I didn't have time, and if I was with the gathered group I'd know who was the enemy and it would be easier to establish that I was a friend."
"Who was the enemy?"
"Everyone but Duo and his crew, and me of course."
"Why not them, Duo was in charge of the mission?"
"Duo wanted to get to Mihoshi."
Kiyone almost dropped her stylus. "You knew?"
"I've met a few Balance Keepers. Mihoshi and Duo's circumstances aren't usual, then again, these aren't usual times."
"Define usual?"
"Good point."
"I meant define the usual relationship of a Balance Keeper."
"Oh, well when a male and female Balance Keeper meet sometimes they 'fall in love' or I believe the technical term is lifebond. A lifebond intimately connects them to their partner, so much so that they become almost a single unit. If the partners are separated by long distances without the proper medication, then you get something like what happened to Mihoshi. They easily lose track of themselves, though they retain all their abilities, they can't express them. It isn't as bad if they are surrounded by close friends."
"Mihoshi has never had really close friends," Kiyone murmured.
"Or have the proper medications. Those medications are only available through their home planet and I think that Mihoshi and Duo didn't want their people to know that they are lifebonded. Duo is in exile." Nagi shrugged. "So, a usual relationship would be that Duo would have become Mihoshi's partner in the GP or Mihoshi would have joined him in his life of crime." Nagi snorted.
"How do you know all this?"
"Like I said, I know a few Balance Keepers." Nagi chuckled. "I know a lot of people."
"So, Duo wasn't a threat because of his relationship with Mihoshi."
"Correct, Cerulea wasn't a threat as long as she was under Duo's orders. Parbuteo's take the chain of command very seriously. So she wouldn't do anything as long as Duo still lived, then she would have followed Porfirio's orders and the Leopold's. This tendency is one of their greatest strengths and weaknesses."
"So, since Cerulea was so low on the pecking order," Kiyone noted, "you weren't worried."
Nagi laughed. "One way to say it. Leopold wasn't a threat because he's Leopold. And Leopold doesn't like to dirty his hands. Duo was way to close to Ryoko and others that he wasn't supposed to kill to use the ship's cannons."
"So that is a personality thing," Kiyone groaned.
"You've noticed." Nagi dropped her voice to a monotone. "It isn't a rare Qualeon trait either." She shuddered. "Porfirio isn't a threat," Nagi paused and watched Kiyone carefully, legs stopping. "Because of you, Kiyone."
"I know." Kiyone sighed, her cheeks slightly pink.
Nagi grinned. "No matter how much you two will want to kill each other, you can't." Nagi shook her head.
"Because, Nagi, ultimately we are striving for the same thing, Porfirio and I. I'm just ranked higher."
Nagi chuckled and Kiyone blinked then began to laugh with her. "That sounds so pretentious," Kiyone gasped, bending over, holding her stomach.
Nagi nodded and lay down on the rough boards. "Definitely." Kiyone looked down and over at her, their eyes met and they broke out laughing again. The waves amplified their laughter and rippled merrily as a few birds soared between the clouds.
--
"My mother was actively involved in my life." Ryoko continued quietly. "We went on trips, we talked about everything: school, boys, friends. Our mind link was for emergencies or else Mom said I would have never learned to talk at all. Kagato and others may have helped create me but Mom was my parent. Kagato's attack on us was completely unexpected. We were supposed to visit Nekoia the next day. Mom had finally been approved for the research visa. We were so excited, she wanted to visit the home of the MASU again and it was no longer in Jurain space."
"I remember," Washu whispered. "We were even going to take Souja."
"We were so happy and then Kagato," Ryoko shook her head. "When he attacked, Mom told me she loved me and would be there for me and then left."
"I was captured, but I'm back Ryoko. I love you," Washu hid her head behind her hands. "I couldn't win. Somehow he knew everything I would do and…"
Imp smiled, things were beginning to work out.
"… And he forced me into child form, you know that I only used that for working with colleagues, they expected it. Then Kagato placed me in that crystal." She sobbed. "The longer I was in there the less emotional I became, the more time I had to think of what went wrong and I thought that my emotions were the cause of it all."
Imp caught Ryoko's eye and nodded at Washu, trying to send her a silent message. Ryoko's brow furrowed and Imp sighed. ::Hug her,:: he 'whispered.'
Ryoko blinked. And walked over next to Washu.
"And when Mihoshi freed me, I didn't know what to say or do and you were so different. And I was a child, without the strength to immediately change into adult form."
Ryoko placed her arms about Washu, her shoulders hunched and back stiff. It was awkward, but it was human contact. Something Washu hadn't had in a long time, and something Ryoko needed as well. Soon Ryoko relaxed, her shoulders dropped and they began to cry together. Cry for time lost and time regained.
--
Kiyone took a deep breath and let it out slowly, Nagi gradually sobering beside her.
"One last question, Nagi." Kiyone looked over at her. "What does Nekoia mean to you?"
"Nekoia," Nagi drew out. She paused and looked over at Kiyone. "Nekoia, the warrior children of the great goddess, the crystal empire… Nekoia means many things to me, but ultimately Nekoia is home."
"Thank you, Captain," Kiyone shut her notepad and she pushed herself back and up.
Nagi smiled. "Nekoia is also the empire that people don't talk about outside its borders, or admit it exists. They don't want the wrath of the cat-people to descend upon them. Be careful Detective, who you ask about Nekoia."
Kiyone frowned, "I know."
"I need to bathe, care to join me Kiyone?"
Kiyone shook her head. "Afraid I can't. Though it'd be nice. I really do need to talk to Ryoko."
"It isn't her fault."
"Jurai thinks it is." Kiyone paused. "Off the record of course, Jurai thinks that Kagato had Ryoko steal something inside Nekoia. And now, Nekoia has finally decided to get it back."
"By killing her? The bounty was dead or alive."
"I thought there was something wrong with the logic myself," Kiyone shrugged.
"Bureaucrats are never logical." Nagi looked chagrined.
They broke out laughing again.
--
Ryoko looked up at the knock on the door. She stepped slowly away from Washu. Washu sniffed and wiped her eyes with her fingers. Belatedly remembering to get a handkerchief from sub space. She tried to make herself look more presentable.
"Come in," she called, voice thick and scratchy.
Kiyone opened the door and peeked in. "I'm sorry Washu. But I really need to speak with Ryoko."
Ryoko cleared her throat, "Of course, Kiyone." She looked back at Washu. "I'll be back mom, and we can talk more."
Washu nodded. "We will."
Ryoko floated to the door, Kiyone's head disappearing from behind it. Ryoko shut the door behind her.
Imp sighed. ::I'm reminded of one of my favorite phrases. All's well that ends well.::
Washu glanced at him. ::Thank you, from both of us.::
He grinned. ::I enjoyed it.::
::You would,:: Washu felt maternal and wanted to ruffle his black hair.
Imp narrowed his eyes like he could read her thoughts and then he shrugged, lips twitching. ::I also wanted to help.::
::You seem to know me very well, but I don't remember you from anywhere. Especially since you are an apparition.::
Imp stood up, feet finally touching the floor. His face straightened along with his posture and he walked over to her, looking into her eyes. ::I know you better than I know myself, Washu.:: As he spoke he slowly aged to a young man, golden eyes burned her with suppressed desire. His fingers reached out to caress her face but just went through her. His face fell in regret, hand returning to his side. He then bowed and faded from view.
--
Tenchi saw Ryoko and Kiyone on the way to the door. He cleared his throat, "Ryoko."
Ryoko's eyes widened and she stopped, looking over at him in the middle of the living room. "Yes, Tenchi."
"I'd also like to know what is going on." His voice was heavy, his eyes sad.
"We all would." Ayeka nodded.
Ryoko shook her head.
"We want to help," Tenchi clenched his fist. "And May, May needs you."
Ryoko bit her bottom lip and looked at the floor, her gaze constantly flicking between Tenchi and the floorboards as she considered. Out of the corner of her eye as she glanced at Tenchi again she saw Ken-ohki glaring at her and nodding.
::He wants you to take Tenchi's help.:: Ryo-ohki translated sleepily, mind voice muffled.
::Feeling-::
::Like shit, thanks.::
Ryoko's teeth released her lip and she looked Tenchi full in the face. "All right Tenchi, but I can't here." She raised an eyebrow at the Princess. "And Princess, you are a bit too official for me to be able to tell you."
Ayeka's eyes widened. "I hadn't-"
"You hadn't thought of it. I know," Ryoko chuckled.
Ayeka raised her nose and crossed her arms. "Fine, turn this to your advantage. You didn't have to come up with something this elaborate just to get a date with Tenchi." Ayeka smiled and winked at Ryoko so she would know it was a joke.
Inexplicably Ryoko flushed and Tenchi rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, there is a nice sushi bar in town that we could go to." Ryoko stammered.
Tenchi froze. "And there?"
"I'll tell you all I can, Tenchi," Ryoko murmured.
::Everything,:: Ryo-ohki said sharply.
"Everything!" Ryoko blurted, and then flushed bright red. She gave a surreptitious glare at the cabbit woman.
Tenchi smiled at her.
Kiyone sighed from the doorway, she strode back and linked her arm through Ryoko's dragging her along behind her. "Come on, we need to chat, before you make more of a fool of yourself."
Kiyone led Ryoko to the quietest spot she knew, and they didn't talk much on the way. Ryoko seemed preoccupied with what had been happening at the house and not paying attention to their surroundings. Kiyone stopped at the clearing of the cave. There the sun was bright and the grass was soft. She hoped whatever memories Ryoko had of this place would help her feel comfortable and more willing to talk.
She sat down, crossing her legs. So the cave was not the most professional place to hold an interrogation. Ryoko didn't deserve what would be called professional though. "Ryoko," Kiyone began.
Ryoko looked at her. "Huh?"
"Ryoko, I need you to understand a few things. You aren't under arrest, nor are you under any suspicion for a crime. It is your right not to answer a question that makes you feel uncomfortable or indeed you don't have to answer any questions without a lawyer present."
Ryoko nodded. "Jurai has their own opinions about all this though."
"Yes," Kiyone paused. "Is that why you don't wish to speak to Ayeka about it."
Ryoko nodded again.
Kiyone looked thoughtful for a moment. "However, the Galaxy Police are aware that the statute of limitations is up, and as such your record has been deleted and you are a private citizen."
"With the same rights as any other citizen?" Ryoko's face was incredulous.
"Correct."
Ryoko looked away, her eyes drawn to the dark cave entrance. "Then ask your questions, Kiyone."
Kiyone looked down, opening her folder and referencing some notes inside. "It is understood that this has not been the first attack against you since your record was deleted. Could you please tell me of these other attacks?"
Ryoko's eyes closed and her face pinched. "There have been four attacks against me or using me. The first was when the Princess captured Tenchi and I after I was awakened. She interrogated me on where Yosho was, which I didn't know. We managed to escape and brought Ayeka down to Earth with us." Ryoko took a deep breath. "It was two months later, the Princess and I were getting along more and things were somewhat smooth between us when Kagato found me. The good Dr. Kagato," Ryoko growled. Kiyone knew better than to interrupt. "Kagato was an assistant to my mother and had been using me as a front to gain the ultimate power of Jurai. He had been searching for a way to it for years. He had me collect artifacts, destroy planets and kill people. This often included taking extensive trips to gain any and all information that may have been useful to him. If I refused he would control me. Soon I learned that control was worse than refusing and I stopped refusing most of the time."
Kiyone's voice was soft. "Please define control."
Ryoko's eyes opened and she stared at Kiyone. Her voice was somewhat even, "Control was when Kagato would take over my actions and use my body as an extension of his own. Very rarely did I ever see myself when I was under control, but it is said that my eyes looked like they were washed in green." She paused. "I saw this one day, when he happened to have me look up from a kill straight into a mirror. That was one of the very few times I broke his will over me. I couldn't stand to see those eyes in my face. It was too difficult to break his will to do it often. He would reinforce his orders afterwards. Yet, at times I would do it."
"Why didn't you leave once you broke his hold over you?"
"I tried, once." Her voice dropped. "The consequences were terrible. I always returned after a short length of time after that."
"You couldn't find protection?" Kiyone's gaze narrowed.
"There was no protection from myself," Ryoko grimaced. Kiyone waited for her to go on, but Ryoko was lost in a memory.
"Where did Kagato often lose control over you?"
"Often in temples and always in the Nekoian Empire."
"So, you have spent time in the Nekoian Empire?" Kiyone asked casually.
Ryoko wasn't fooled and smirked. "I have spent some time there, yes." She looked away and up, earring swaying.
Kiyone wanted to grind her teeth in frustration, but knew better and dropped Nekoia as if it didn't matter. "You said you've been attacked four times, so far you've only cited two. Tell me about the others."
Ryoko looked back at her and her eyes sparkled. They both knew the rules of the game and weren't giving an inch. "The third time was with Dr. Clay, a rival of my mother's in the Academy days. He copied me with his creation Zero and when she was found out used me as bait for the rest of the house."
"Why?"
"I was never told." Ryoko shrugged. "He kept me hostage, though he was the gloating type. He gloated more towards Washu than me. I was just a tool." Her voice dropped.
Kiyone raised an eyebrow. "After Clay?"
"The Bounty Hunters." Ryoko shrugged.
"Yes, the Bounty Hunters." Kiyone paused, "What about Yuzuha and Mayuka?"
"I fought against Yuzuha and against May." Ryoko's lips twitched in what looked to be a smile. "Yet, Yuzuha didn't use me as a tool, that was May's duty. Something her and I have in common. And Yuzuha's attack was aimed at Tenchi and Yosho, not at me."
Kiyone thought for a moment. "I can see what you mean. All right then, the next attack was by these Bounty Hunters. Meaning someone placed a price on your head. Are you aware of an enemy with enough power and money to hire this many hunters?"
Ryoko snorted. "Since my release I have been off this planet three times, twice to local space and once to another dimension. I haven't traveled the universe. I don't have contacts anymore since it was rather difficult to keep in touch."
"A simple no would have been easier." Kiyone rolled her eyes.
"Okay then, no."
Kiyone made a show of looking over her notes. "How about Nekoia?"
"I am sure I have enemies all over the universe. It is hard to be the slave of an eternally wanted criminal and not make enemies."
"Could you name any?"
Ryoko shook her head. "I'm afraid not."
"All right," Kiyone glanced quickly at her next line of questions in her notebook. "From what I recall of the fight, Ryoko, you weren't surprised when Nagi changed sides. Why not?"
"She is Nekoian."
"Did you know her from your visits?"
"No. Those trips were a long time ago." Ryoko shrugged.
"Then how could you know she was trustworthy?"
"Instinct, I knew Zero was an enemy that way as well. I just knew."
"Why didn't you trust the rest of the group?" Kiyone frowned.
Ryoko blinked and then grinned. "Because they were already primed for battle. Nagi didn't raise her battle energy until she joined our side."
Kiyone swallowed hard. "You can see energy." Inwardly she was cursing, her superiors wouldn't like this. There was nothing at all scientific about instincts or seeing energy. There were no hard facts that Ryoko could do what she did.
"Yeah, certain forms of energy."
"Such as?"
"Battle energy, life energy," Ryoko shrugged.
"What about Duo, what did his energy and your instinct say about him?" Kiyone probed.
Ryoko hooded her eyes and thought for a moment. "He shouted caution. I knew Duo wanted to talk and see if I would come peaceably. His energy readings however showed him three quarters of the way to peak. There were too many other hunters at full for him to remain completely in control of the situation though." Ryoko leaned back. "I suppose the other hunters could have just been being cautious, considering my terrible reputation and all."
Kiyone refrained from snorting. "Meaning, I have to take your word that you can do all these things."
"Pretty much."
"One last question," Kiyone sighed. "When you heard that there was a bounty on your head, what was your first thought?"
Ryoko began to laugh. "Honestly," she gasped. "My first thought was, 'What in hell? How do they keep finding me? Isn't Earth a protected zone?'"
Kiyone had to chuckle and she flipped the notebook shut. "Thank you, Ryoko."
"No problem," Ryoko winked. "Just doing my civic duty."
Kiyone stood and stretched. "It is always a good thing to cooperate with the police."
"Haven't had many chances to do it actually." Ryoko didn't move and looked up at Kiyone. "You get going, it's quiet up here and well…"
"Don't be late for dinner. I'm done with questions for today."
"Late for dinner? Sasami would never cook for me again if I did that." Ryoko smiled, then sobered. "If she hasn't stopped staring at Ryo-ohki."
"Wait a minute, you and Tenchi are going out for dinner tonight remember. Sushi, and it was all your idea." Kiyone teased.
Ryoko flushed.
Kiyone bit her lip and changed the subject. "Will Ryo-ohki still play with Sasami? Now that she is an adult that is."
"Did it stop Ken-ohki?" Ryoko's face returned to it's normal hue and she laughed. "All cabbits I've ever met are just kids at heart."
"That's good to hear." Kiyone backed up. "Well, better get going." She turned and jogged past the trees.
Ryoko sat a few moments more, drawing her knees up to her chin. She waited until she knew Kiyone was out of hearing range. "What do you want?" she asked the seemingly empty clearing.
--
END CHAPTER!
Next time... questions leads to conversations and conversations leads to decisions...
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