Log recorded on Cycle 05.12.79.43
Author: Lady Washu. Lady Tokimi. Lady Tsunami.
Heading: History. Unlocked on Cycle 54.68.12.45
Tenchi clumsily managed the front door of his house and stumbled inside. The ride home was long and his orientation was still fixed on the floor of the bus. He saw the clock read a time between breakfast and lunch, and realized that must have been why the house sounded empty. Enjoying the silence after a restless night, he made for his room on the third floor.
Just as he reached his door he heard Ryoko's voice. "Tenchi?"
He saw her standing at the top of the stares, the way he just came. "Oh! Uh... good morning, Ryoko."
"Where were you last night? You didn't come home..."
He stepped away from the door and faced her. "... I just... lost track of time and stayed the night at a friend's."
"Oh, okay."
Tenchi walked up to her and embraced her, and she gasped with a blush. "Tenchi?"
He kissed her and said, "I love you. I'm sorry for not saying so before."
She blushed deeper shades of red. "Tenchi, I love you too."
He smiled and kissed her again, this time holding it delicately. After a short moment he felt Ryoko push softly against his shoulder. He pulled away and said, "Ryoko?"
"Someone might see..."
Smiling he said, "Don't worry, the house is empty..."
She lightly stepped back as he tried to kiss her again. "Tenchi, not right here..."
He chuckled and said, "All right, if you insist." He then lifted her off the ground and cradled her in his arms, taking notice in how soft she felt. "You don't feel like you normally do, did you change something?"
Ryoko rested her head on his shoulder and said, "My Mom borrowed all of my gems because she wanted to study them. I'm sorry, but you'll have to be extra careful with me for now."
Tenchi kissed her forehead. "Don't apologize... it's my job to be careful." He carried her to his door and with a combination of his loose fingers and his foot, he slide the door open and walked through.
When he laid her onto his bed she became worried as to where this might lead. "Uh, Tenchi... I don't think we should do this so soon—"
He kissed her and said, "I know, I just wanted to talk with you. I wanted to ask you something about you're gems."
She sat up. "Oh."
Tenchi sat on the side of the bed and pulled out his sword hilt. "I... have some things of yours that I want to return to you. I feel guilty for not returning these sooner, I should have returned them right after Kagato..."
Ryoko raised an eyebrow. "The gems? It may sound strange, but I think you should keep them in the hilt."
"Keep them here?"
Ryoko shrugged. "I can make my own gems now, that's why my Mom took them for study. She says they're just as powerful as the ones in the hilt and the one you gave me four years ago."
Tenchi nervously smiled. "Oh really? When could you do this?"
"About a week ago."
For the first time Tenchi realized how shy she's been acting towards him this morning. It seemed strange to him that she would blush at a kiss in the hallway when she's been so bold in the past. Tenchi thought, she no longer depends on the gems in this hilt and now she's acting differently towards me.
"Uh, may I give you the gems back anyway? I would really feel better if I did."
Ryoko lightly shook her head. "My Mom.. er, uh Washu... well... uh... she wants you to keep them there."
Tenchi examined her for a moment before asking, "Why does Washu want the gems kept here?"
Ryoko blushed and looked away from Tenchi. "... if you promise not to tell anyone, I'll tell you."
He nodded. "I promise."
Ryoko spoke softer. "I can see my Mom's thoughts. She never told me directly, but I've noticed her thinking about a certain someone a lot. You see, my Mom has a crush on Yosho."
Tenchi's face became perplexed. "Yosho- you mean my Grandfather? I don't understand... how is that related to the gems in this hilt?"
"... they're preserving his life."
Tenchi was dumbfounded. "... Does he know that they do?"
"I would assume so."
Tenchi stared at the floor for a long time in silence. He wanted to make up for what he did, but that was now impossible. At least, returning them now would no longer hold the same significance it did just after Kagato's attack. "Then... I guess I'll simply let them be..." Tenchi said while setting the hilt on the dresser nearby.
When Tenchi spoke again, it was in a new tone. "Ryoko."
"Yes?"
He wanted to see if his fears were real or imaginary, but he couldn't find the right words. He didn't want to ask it directly, but he couldn't imagine how to lead into it with dialogue. Instead he asked, "Do you love me?"
Ryoko paused at first, thinking it was a strange question. "Uh... yeah. I've loved you since we first met."
It wasn't the answer he was looking for. "No, what I mean is... jeez, I don't know how to say it..."
"What do you mean?"
"I need to know if... if... no... that's not right..."
Ryoko leaned forward and touched his shoulder. "Tenchi, what's wrong?"
Hesitantly, he said, "Did the... gems... in the hilt... ever make you feel... uncomfortable?"
She didn't understand his meaning right away. "Why do you ask that?" Remembering how he tried to return the gems just a moment ago, she plainly said, "Oh..."
"Did that... ever bother you?"
Ryoko wanted to be honest, but she knew it would give Tenchi a bad impression. She saw him staring at her as if his existence depended on her answer. She sighed deeply and said, "... A little... in the beginning..."
Tenchi went pale. Ryoko quickly grabbed his shoulder and said, "It was only then, before Kagato came. I wanted to take the gems and run as far away from this galaxy as I could. The first thing I did after the crash was get Ryo-Ohki's baby and see if I could get the other two gems from you, but when that didn't work I started to get caught up in things. A lot of things were really confusing for me back then... so I don't really remember."
Tenchi dropped his head. "Ryoko, I'm so sorry..."
"Please, don't be sorry! Everything worked out in the end. I never wanted the gems, really. I don't want to blow stuff up, I only do because I can't help it sometimes. I just want to be a normal person with a normal life. So you shouldn't feel bad for keeping them... and... and I can make my own gems now. I'm fine, really."
Tenchi looked at her intensely. "Ryoko... I only want you to be happy. I want you to be able to speak your mind without fear. I want everyone to recognize you and respect you. The thought that you might place yourself below others just so that they may feel empowered around you horrifies me. You have such a beautiful mind... Please tell me that your love is not from my possession of the gems."
Ryoko slowly wrapped her arms around Tenchi. He buried his head into her should and she sank back into the pillows. "Tenchi... I love you because of who you are, not because I was afraid. If I were only meeting you for the first time four years ago, I would have fallen in love with you anyways because of how kind you are."
Tenchi lifted his head and Ryoko clasped her hand around his cheek. He leaned forward to kiss her, and she allowed it. She felt Tenchi's mouth gradually open and she instinctively tensed. She fought the urge to shy away, knowing that Tenchi would never hurt her. She relaxed again, tilted her head, and opened her mouth in return.
As the kiss deepened Ryoko couldn't believe what she was doing. Only two days ago she imagined herself kissing Tenchi like this and anticipated it eagerly, but now it felt strange to be doing something so embarrassing with another person, even if it is Tenchi. She thought, I've really changed a lot. She smiled in the kiss as another thought added, no that isn't right... I haven't changed at all. I remember this feeling from before. Before Kagato. This is who I really am.
Tenchi pulled away with an exhausted gasp. "Ryoko... I would love to be with you more, but I'm very tired. I need some sleep."
Ryoko said, "Oh, that's right. Is it alright if I stay here? I didn't much sleep last night either."
Tenchi softly laughed. "I was going to ask if you would stay..." He then wrapped his arms around Ryoko and rolled so that they lay side by side.
Ryoko clasped his cheek again and giggled. "It's funny..."
"What is?"
"Someone told me that something terrible was going to happen today, but I can't see how that's possible."
Tenchi was already drifting to sleep. "Nothing bad... will... happen..."
For the first time in nearly five thousand years, Ryoko was happy.
All at once, Sasami, Mihoshi, Washu, and Aeka entered the living room. Their hair was still damp from the recent bath, and their conversation still active.
"I'm surprised at you, Aeka. I never imagined you to be the kind of person to tolerate that sort of treatment." Washu spoke up in astonishment.
"Its not all that bad, Miss Washu. Even if marriages between royalty can be somewhat impersonal at times, we are still treated with respect," said Aeka.
Mihoshi was the first to reach the couch, and switch on the television. She said, "I don't know... marring someone you don't like is one thing, but won't everyone want you to have kids? That would but gross."
Washu nodded. "Yes, even if the unions are for the good of the society, there's a point when it goes too far and you could find yourself being used for politics."
Aeka crossed her arms firmly. "Our Royal Family is hardly that dramatic. The council never plans elaborate schemes to satisfy their agenda! Besides, you must come to understand that everyone has a role to play. I understand I must undertake my destiny, whatever it may be."
Washu smirked. "Even if your one of two wives?"
"Even then..."
"What about three?"
"Uh... Y-yes, although it is very rare—"
"Four?"
Sasami was quietly listening, and she thought,
*Sasami: I better change the subject before my sister gets mad...*
"Hey everybody! It's almost time for lunch, don't you think?"
Mihoshi cheered. "Yay! I was SOOO hungry."
Washu smiled in amusement and decided to play along. "Sure, let me help you out..."
Aeka quietly sighed and joined the crowd headed for the kitchen. With all four working together, a full meal was prepared in no time.
As Sasami set out the dishes she asked, "Has anyone seen Tenchi? I don't remember seeing him come home."
Aeka began to climb the stairs while saying, "I'll check his room, Sasami."
"Okay!"
Sasami finished placing the dishes and drinks. With the help of Washu she started bringing the food to the table. When she was on her second trip back to the kitchen, she saw Aeka descending the stairs alone.
"So I guess he wasn't in his room..."
Aeka spoke quietly. "Uh... he's there... He's just... sleeping right now."
Sasami shined her cheerful smile and said, "Alright, I'll remember to save some for him." She headed for the kitchen but stopped herself before entering. "Oh yeah! Does anyone know where Ryoko is? I bet she'll want some too..."
Aeka said, "She... is... uh... sleeping, as well."
Sasami nodded. "Okay! I'll save some for both..."
From the kitchen, Washu heard the dialogue between Sasami and her sister. When stepping into the living room, she found Aeka sitting on the couch with her head lowered. Washu sensed that her daughter was napping with Tenchi, and knew that Aeka must have seen them. Silently she sat down next to her and rested a hand on her shoulder. "You'll be okay, Aeka. It's not the end of the world."
Immediately after hearing her, Aeka let a quiet sob escape. Washu wrapped her arm around her as far as she could, and pulled her head to lean on her shoulder. Aeka said, "I knew this two days ago, and I prepared myself for it. I have no reason to cry..."
"Nonsense. There's no way you could prepare yourself for something like this. You have every reason to cry, and you should. Don't hold it back, just let it out."
Mihoshi saw what was happening and she sat down on the other side of Aeka. "Oh Aeka!!! That's so sad!" She then squeezed Aeka in a giant hug.
Aeka laughed through her tears and said, "Thank you Mihoshi."
Another set of arms embraced Aeka, and she saw her sister in tears and leaning over her lap. "Aeka... I'm sorry. All of this is my fault... and I'm so sorry."
"Sasami, what are you talking about? You didn't cause this to happen," said Aeka.
Sasami shook her head. "I've done so many mean things to you, and Ryoko... and Washu too! I've been trying to make it up to you by doing so many chores. I know it isn't enough, but what else can I do?"
Washu patted Sasami's head. "Sasami... that wasn't you. No one is blaming you."
Aeka said, "I don't understand what's going on..."
Washu leaned towards Aeka and quietly said, "She's trying to carry someone else's burdens."
"Someone else? Who?" Just as Aeka asked she realized it could only be Tsunami. She softly added, "Oh..."
Although Sasami was young, Washu knew that she was a smart girl. It perplexed her why Tsunami didn't show Sasami that they were indeed two separate beings. Her excuse that Sasami was too young to understand was not reason enough in Washu's mind.
*Washu: Tsunami, just what in the hell are you trying to accomplish?*
...
*Washu: Answer me!*
...
*Washu: You're going to have to answer eventually. You can't stay silent forever.*
Washu's thoughts were interrupted when she heard a new pair of voices emanate from the ceiling in the direction of Tenchi's room. Mihoshi said, "Hey... that sounds like Ryoko's and Tenchi's voices. I wonder what they're talking about."
Washu saw Aeka fight down more tears. She quietly said, "I think we should go outside and get some fresh air. Does that sound good to you, Aeka?"
She nodded just as a sob escaped her. Mihoshi and Washu pulled her to her feet and guided her to the front door while Sasami held it open.
Several moments earlier, Tenchi blinked himself awake. He lifted his head to read the clock and saw that less than a half hour had passed. He expected as much. Even if was tired, Tenchi was never able to sleep during the day.
He looked at Ryoko lying beside him and sighed deeply. It astonished him that anyone could be as beautiful as her. He gently stroked her cheek while brushing aside several strands of her hair. Carefully, he rose from the bed and tip toed to his door. He heard voices come from downstairs and made sure to close the door.
He laid back down next to Ryoko and held her cheek again. In the past he felt he was being too invasive by taking the initiative, but now he had no fears. He knew she loved him, and he loved her.
His hand drifted down her neck and found its way to the zipper on the back of Ryoko's dress. He slowly brought it down, hoping the sound wouldn't wake her. He was surprised to feel a strap on her back, and he soon realized she was wearing a bra. He thought, Ryoko never wears a bra. Weird...
Undeterred, Tenchi patiently worked the clip as subtle as he could. His hands traveled across her breasts as the clothing slipped down. He turned her onto her back and began kissing her cheek and neck.
All at once, he heard a gasp, and Ryoko slid back to the head of the bed. She hissed, "Tenchi! What are you doing!?"
Tenchi didn't know what to say. He could only stare as Ryoko struggled to cover herself. "I uh... well..."
"I don't want to do that right now. Wait until later, can't you?"
"Ryoko... I don't understand. Why the sudden change? Just last week you caught me in the bath and you tried to massage me with your breasts."
Ryoko didn't know how to respond. The answer was so complicated she could scarcely understand it herself. "It's just... different now. Okay? I love you, Tenchi, but I'm not ready for this."
"Ryoko, I'm so confused. Did I do something wrong?"
She shook her head. "No, of course not. I'm just... not ready..." She started refastening her bra but Tenchi suddenly grabbed her arms.
"Please... explain it to me! I mean... there's nothing you have to hide from me. I'll love you no matter what."
A silence followed his words as Ryoko stared at Tenchi. With an injured tone she said, "Tenchi... I know you're confused... I'm going through a lot right now... try to understand."
"... But... after everything you've tried to do with me, and then changing so suddenly like this, what do you want me to understand?"
"I don't know."
He let her go and she finished replacing her clothes. He said, "I'm sorry for going too fast, but could you stay with me a little longer?"
Ryoko nervously folded her arms. "... I guess that's fine. As long as you don't try anything."
Tenchi nodded. "I promise."
An awkward moment passed where nothing occurred but silence. Hesitantly, Ryoko adjusted the pillows on Tenchi's bed upright, and gestured for Tenchi to sit beside her. With a sigh of relief, Tenchi inched across the bed and wrapped an arm around her, and she nuzzled her head into his neck.
Without meaning to, Ryoko abruptly thought, Slut.
She thought back, no I'm not.
He took off your clothes and touched you without you knowing. All he did was say he was sorry and you're ready to forgive him just like that. Slut.
He won't do it again. I trust him.
Of course he'll do it again, he's a man. Don't you feel his hand wrapping further around your body? Won't be long until his hand is on your chest.
We're just getting closer to each other.
Bullshit. He's going to try you again and you know it. You want him to, you slut. You want him to fuck you and make it hurt. You want him to fuck you like the bitch you are. You want him to talk dirty to you. You want him to call you a slut... a whore... a bitch... You'd get off on that, wouldn't you? You slut.
No! I don't want that! I'm none of those things! I don't think I'm a slut! I don't hate myself! I'm a good and likable person!
You're pussy. Honestly, do you actually think someone would like you for you? That's ridiculous. What has Tenchi been trying to do the moment he said he loved you? He's been trying to get you in the sack. That's all you are to him, a good lay. You're only valuable when your legs are spread. Other than that you're a worthless bitch. Think about it... no one ever listens when you talk, everyone thinks your ideas are stupid, and you're always the butt end of every joke. You know why? That's because you never have anything worthwhile to say, your ideas are as stupid as they come, and you're quite literally a walking punch line. It's impossible to not make fun of you.
That isn't true!
Of course it is. What do you do around the house, anyway? Nothing. Not a damn thing. Not even you're fair share of the chores. Why in god's name would they keep you around any longer? You know why... You're a slut. You're good to look at and nothing else. You're a walking house decoration. You call that shit you ware clothes? You might as well just walk around naked, people would like you more.
... No... no they wouldn't. They like me for me.
Do you feel that? His hand finally reached your breast. What are you going to do, slut? He's trying you again just like I said he would. What will you do? Are you going to slap him and run out of the room in a fit? That'll go over well. Once he finds out your not a slut he'll throw you out. Face it, you're worthless as anything but a fucking cunt.
I'm not worthless!
You're right, you're not. You're a slut, now act like it. Take off your clothes and make him feel like a man. It's either that, or get thrown out. If that happens you know you'll just ending whoring somewhere else. At least here you have that stupid bitch you call you're mother.
Tenchi felt Ryoko shudder, and at that moment he suddenly realized where his hand was. They had gotten so close her lost track of his own limbs. Quickly he pulled his hand off her breast and said, "Sorry. I didn't mean to... it was an accident."
Tenchi separated from Ryoko just enough to see tears in her eyes. "What's wrong? Was it what I did? I'm sorry..."
"No it's not that. I... I'm giving myself a hard time. I've got this problem where I talk myself down a lot. Because like... well... my self esteem isn't that great right now." Ryoko shuddered again and whispered, "God, just saying it makes me feel horrible."
Tenchi hugged her close. "Is there something you want to talk with me about?"
"No... I don't really feel like telling anyone. I just... I need some time to figure things out."
"I'll be here for you if ever you need something."
Tenchi felt Ryoko hold her breath anxiously. She looked up to him and kissed him gently on the cheek. With a quivering voice she said, "Tenchi... I think I need some time alone... away from here."
A long moment passed where Tenchi couldn't see, despite his eyes being wide open. He tightened his arms around her and stammered, "W-why?"
Ryoko rested her head on his shoulder. "There are a few things that I need to figure out about myself before I can feel comfortable being around everyone."
"I'll come with you."
She shook her head in his collar. "No, Tenchi. It's important that you stay here. I need to spend some time away from you for a while. Ever since you released me from the cave four years ago I've been with you always. Please don't take this the wrong way... but... being with you so often makes it hard for me to feel good about myself."
"Ryoko... if I've done something wrong and just haven't realized it... please tell me."
"You've done nothing wrong Tenchi. It isn't you... I know that sounds really bad... but it's the truth. It's not you. It's me."
Tenchi's breathing became erratic. He quietly said, "Ryoko... don't leave me."
She kissed his neck and hugged him back. "I'm not leaving for good. I'll be back, I just don't know when. I don't even know where I'll go."
"But why do you have to be away from me? What did I do that makes you feel uncomfortable around me? Please, I want to help..."
Ryoko kissed his cheek and met with his lips. He returned with his own desperate kisses. After pulling away from him she said, "Tenchi... I need to do this alone. I have to figure out who I am... because I honestly don't know who that is. There was brief, brief moment after Yosho defeated me and before I was sealed in the cave that has been my only memory of being free and being myself. I've been trying to live my life based on those few moments of freedom and I've realized that I've been living a lie."
"Ryoko I don't understand. What happened that made you feel so bad to be with me?"
She breathed deeply to suppress the urge to cry. "I'm sorry Tenchi but I can't tell you what it is specifically. Please... just let me leave without making things difficult, can you?"
He suddenly threw his arms around her and held her tightly. He whimpered, "I can't do that..."
"You'll just make this harder..."
"I mean I can't let you leave."
Ryoko bit her lower lip and hugged him back. "Tenchi, I have to leave, and I will... even if you don't want me to."
She felt him shudder and he began crying. "Ryoko... please don't leave..."
"Tenchi I won't leave for good. I still love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but I need some time to myself. I'm not who you think I am... I want to be able to love you without any dishonesty."
"But... what if you find out that I'm not the right person for you? I don't want you to change, Ryoko."
"Tenchi, I won't change into a completely different person. That's impossible. I'll become more like my real self... the one who loves you no matter what."
Tenchi's arms tightened to the point that it caused Ryoko slight discomfort. "But what if something happens to you? I won't be there to help you if you need it. I want you to stay exactly how you are. I... I don't want to risk you changing too much. What if you find out things that you didn't realize before? You say you love me now, but what if you find out some things that you don't like? I don't want to lose you."
"Tenchi... I give you my word that when I come back I'll still love you."
He began sobbing when he cried, "No! No, Ryoko! Don't leave me! Please... don't go away! I love you!"
Ryoko had to separate herself from him before any progress could be made. She tried pulling out of his arms but he held her still. "Tenchi, let me go. I won't leave right away, I still have to figure out where I'll go and what I'll do... but right now you have to let me go. You're hurting me..."
Incoherently he stammered, "Please don't leave... please don't..."
"Tenchi, let me go! You're hurting me! I love you Tenchi, but you have to stop this!"
Tenchi's mind began racing as he tried to think of some way to keep Ryoko from leaving, but he couldn't come up with anything more effective than what he was trying right now. His mind was in such a frenzy that he was unable to hear Ryoko yelling for him to release her.
"You're hurting me, Tenchi!! Let me go!!"
He squeezed tighter and she screamed. The sound was enough to bring his focus back into reality and his arms instantly released her. Ryoko stumbled to the edge of the bed where she struggled to return air to her lungs. Simultaneously, Ryoko's heavy breathing and Tenchi's weeping tapered at the same rate, and silence took the room. Ryoko slowly slide off the edge of the bed and said, "I'm... going now..."
She only took two steps before she felt Tenchi grip her arm. "Ryoko... don't leave me. I'll anything to get you to stay. Anything. Please... just tell me what to do and I'll do it."
"What you need to do is let me go."
"No... no, no... please... Ryoko..."
His thoughts disturbed him when they suddenly became elaborate. He no longer tried to think of a way to keep Ryoko here by convincing her to, but rather manipulate the circumstances to that Ryoko would be forced to stay.
Don't think like that. Don't be selfish.
You've done it before, why not do it again?
She said that the gems had nothing to do with why she stayed. She loves you, don't be afraid to give her some room.
What if it wasn't the truth? Think about how different she's been acting towards you. She said she no longer needed the gems in the hilt. How can that just be coincidence? Now she wants to leave you only a week after gaining her independence. If you let her go she won't come back.
I don't know that! I refuse to suspect that everything she says is a lie! That isn't fair to her.
Didn't she just say that she's been living a lie? Figure it out for once you idiot. The lie she's been living is you. She depended on you for her survival, and now that she's independent of you she's ashamed of how she acted. And who wouldn't be? That's why being with you makes her feel so terrible, because you're a constant reminder of how low she went to live.
I don't know that for sure! If I assume the wrong thing I'll cause more confusion!
What's there to be confused about? You know damn well that she's not really the kind of girl who would flirt a lot. Don't think you've never noticed her look embarrassed for being naked in front of you. Even though she acts like it's no big deal you know better. You can see the shame in her eyes. Think about the way she sounds when she asks you to dominate her. She's in pain, because she would never want that sort of treatment if the circumstances were normal.
What was so wrong with the circumstances?
Don't be a fool. You kept the gems knowing she would need them to survive. You kept them hoping that she would depend on you more. Admit it already. You prayed that she would try to use sex appeal to get on you're good side. Of all the times she's snuck into your bed at night, how many times did you pretend to sleep even after she started kissing you?
It was harmless enough. As long as she thought I was asleep there was nothing wrong with letting her be with me.
Harmless? What about that one summer night where it was too hot to sleep with covers? She kissed you down there, and put her mouth over it. You didn't wake up and stop her. You just pretended to sleep. She must have realized you were faking, because there's no way anyone could stay sound asleep through something like that. You didn't even wake up to warn her about your climax. You laid there with your eyes closed and listened to her go downstairs and cry. You act like you never know what's going on so no one would suspect you. But in reality, you're a manipulative bastard and you know it.
Tenchi hugged Ryoko from behind and kissed her neck. "Ryoko... I just know that if you leave, you'll come back as someone completely different, and you'll realize you no longer love me."
Ryoko became angry at his lack of understanding. "Tenchi, you're not being fair! Give me a chance to prove it to you. Regardless of what you think, I'm going to leave and you aren't going to stop me. You're really upsetting me, but I still love you. If you really want to make things better, then let me go right now!"
He shook his head next to hers and tried to kiss her cheek. She wanted to dodge his lips but his hold on her was too strong. She yelled, "Tenchi, you're really starting to piss me off! Let me go!"
His calmness was unsettling, even to him. He allowed his mind to think of a way to keep Ryoko here, regardless of how it was done. As guilty as his thoughts were, he gave up on fighting them. They were too strong to suppress now, and the only thing left to do was let them take control.
At that moment, one of his hands that were exploring her body drifted across her belly and caressed it lovingly. He then had a thought that he wish never happened,
*Tenchi: She would stay if she had a child.*
Tenchi moved around Ryoko and pushed her gently back onto the bed. She yelled, "Stop it, Tenchi! I said I don't want to be with you like this! Let me go!"
He covered her mouth with his hand and pushed down hard enough that she couldn't make a sound. He kissed around her ear and whispered, "Please forgive me."
She struggled, but her weakness without the gems was made apparent when Tenchi held in place effortlessly. Punching him hurt her own fists more than it hurt Tenchi's face, and she soon gave up on that as well. All at once she felt Tenchi lift her dress and press his warm member against her stomach. Profound fear struck her as she realized he wasn't going to stop on her account.
Tenchi made sure to turn his head to look away from Ryoko, because he didn't want to see what he was doing to her. As he broke into her whispered, "I'm sorry." The only answer he received was the sensation of tears trickle onto the hand that covered her mouth.
The pain he caused seemed magnified to Ryoko, simply because it was Tenchi who was causing it. Even though she was crying, in her mind she was laughing at herself. She was laughing at how she was trying to come up with arguments in his defense as to why he was doing this, and she began planning her explination to everyone that excused him of all fault.
This is just a mistake. A silly little mistake. It's no big deal...
She wondered how her mother would react, and at the same time she made sure to quiet her thoughts as much as possible, so that Washu didn't come and investigate. Suppressing her connection with her mother had an opposite effect, since Washu suddenly became curious as to why her daughter was trying to keep her mind hidden from her. A moment passed before Ryoko heard,
*Washu: You stupid girl.*
*Ryoko: Please don't kill him.*
Tenchi flew against the back wall of his room. After recovering from the shock, he looked up to see a woman in a black battle suit slashed with red. He instantly recognized who it was.
A red blade came down upon him vertically, and he leapt to the side. Pain hurdled up his right leg as the blade severed the limb. Washu hissed, "You are going to die."
Tenchi turned onto his back leaned up to see the sword held at his throat. He saw tears fall from Washu's eyes, he then looked to Ryoko lying motionless on his bed, and then down to the blood that covered his lap. He closed his eyes and said, "I wont stop you."
Washu almost thrust her sword into his throat, but at the last moment Sasami tackled Tenchi, coming between him and Washu's blade. "Washu! Please don't kill him! Please!!"
"Move."
"Please! Washu don't! You know how much it hurts! Please don't take him from me!! Please!!"
Washu's hand began to shake. She knew this was her sister talking, and not the little girl. "Why should I do for you something you have not done for me? First you take Mikamo from me, and then you sell my daughter to Kagato, and for what? So that you wont have to experience the pain you put me through?"
Sasami forced words through her sobs. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... Just don't kill him."
For a moment Washu wanted to plunge her sword through the both of them, killing Tsunami's insidious puppet along with Tenchi. She frightened herself in realizing her loss of control, and quickly extinguished her sword. Without saying a word she walked to Tenchi's bed, picked up Ryoko, and vanished.
Sasami lifted off of Tenchi to find that had passed out. She saw the severed limb and using the Goddess's powers, she regenerated it. She looked up to see Aeka and Mihoshi staring through the door in shock, and ran to them and closed the door behind her.
*--------------*
Aeka and Mihoshi never saw the scene unfold. They arrived just moments after Washu left with Ryoko. From their perspective, when the four of them were in the yard, Washu cut herself off in mid sentence and abruptly vanished. Mihoshi, Aeka and Sasami all stood in awkward silence for a moment, then without a word Sasami ran into the house. It wasn't until Mihoshi and Aeka heard violent noises come from the house did they run inside as well.
They saw Sasami regenerate Tenchi's severed leg, and knew that it must have been Tsunami's doing. After exiting Tenchi's room, Sasami made a force field around the door and refused to let anyone in for any reason. No matter how much Aeka and Mihoshi asked what was going on, Sasami kept silent. Aeka even tried forcing her way past Sasami's barrier just to better understand what was happening, but her sister's resistance was stronger than she expected. She could have put all of her energy into breaking through, but she remembered that Tenchi was passed out, and going into his room would have accomplished nothing until he woke up.
She finally gave up and headed downstairs with Mihoshi. When they sat on the couch Mihoshi said, "Boy is this all so strange or what?"
"Indeed. I think it's likely that Washu disappearing so suddenly has something to do with this."
Mihoshi nodded, "Yeah, that makes sense since she had two gems on each wrist, and it would take a lot to cut through Tenchi."
Aeka sat forward and looked down in thought. "She did? I didn't notice the gems..."
"Of course, they were right on her wrists in plain view."
"... Then, if that is so... why did Washu attack Tenchi?" Aeka stood with renewed enthusiasm. "We need to find out what's going on here! This is serious!"
Mihoshi stood as well and imitated Aeka's movements. "Yeah!" A beeping sound was then heard and Mihoshi looked at her watch. "Oh no! I've got to go!"
"Oh... well... goodbye Mihoshi."
"Alright! Good luck finding out what happened!"
Aeka waved and sat back down in defeat. She actually wasn't good at this sort of thing, and was hoping Mihoshi would figure it out for her. She was more used to finding out directly through brute force, not look for clues and piecing them together. Luckily for her, figuring out what was going on seemed as simple as finding Washu and asking her what happened.
She started her search in the most obvious place, Washu's lab. After exploring as far as the third level she was convinced Washu wouldn't be found there. She checked every room in the house twice, and outside and circled the perimeter several times as well. She even climbed all the way up to the shrine to find only her brother Yosho sweeping the stone path. Finally her search brought her to the Onsen.
She found Washu there holding Ryoko in her arms. For a moment Aeka remained unseen, and quietly watched them. Washu was cupping warm water into her hand and pouring it onto Ryoko's back, all while humming a gentle melody. Ryoko was turned away, and she didn't see Aeka enter. Washu glanced her way, and whispered something to Ryoko. Aeka saw Ryoko nod, and Washu said, "It's alright, Aeka. You can come in."
When she drew closer, she noticed that Washu was larger than before. It was surprising to her, because Washu's adult form was something she's only seen once before.
She sat down near the edge of the bath and quietly asked, "Washu, what happened?"
Washu stopped her melody and looked at Aeka sympathetically. She then went back to her tune. Aeka wanted to ask again, but there was a fragile serenity about the two of them together that she didn't want to disturb. After several moments she took off her shoes and dipped her feet into the water. She watched the shadows slowly drift across the floor, while occasionally looking to Ryoko for any signs as to what was happening. Several times she almost worked up the courage to ask again, but every time she saw the pained expression on Washu's face she was moved to silence again.
Aeka was feeling her toes start to prune when Ryoko shifted in Washu's arms. Aeka now could see her face, which was exhausted and red from tears. Ryoko said, "Hi."
Aeka offered a smile. "... Hi." A moment later she asked, "... What happened?"
Ryoko drew in a sigh, and during the exhale she plainly said, "He raped me."
*-----------------*
Mihoshi entered her ID and password at the Galaxy Police relay station near Jupiter. Moments later Nobeyama appeared on a view screen. However, he wasn't looking towards the screen. He appeared to be lost in thought.
"Excuse me..." Mihoshi quietly voiced.
"Oh! Mihoshi! I didn't see your transmission arrive..." He abruptly stood and said, "I have some information for you, Mihoshi."
Mihoshi cried, "But I have some information for you too!! It's REALLY important... and it probably should be secret, too."
Nobeyama had already begun setting up the covert mode for their meeting. The lights in his office dimmed, and his face was illuminated by his computer panel below him. "Actually, what I needed to tell you has to do with what we talked about last time."
Mihoshi looked puzzled. "Huh? But we didn't talk about anything last time."
Nobeyama paused before saying, "Mihoshi... we talked about the stuff I told you to forget we ever talked about."
"... but..."
"Just forget about forgetting it. I mean... remember it! That's an order."
Mihoshi slowly nodded and saluted. "Okay, sir. I forgot about forgetting about it."
"What I have to tell you... is rather troubling, Mihoshi. My superior officer will not allow an exception to be made, not even for this. I need you to make an oral report of everything you mentioned in your journal. Also... he's expressed to me that you must be detailed. You cannot generalize anything... as I was hoping you would be able to do."
Mihoshi was pale, despite her natural complexion. She starred with wide eyes at the floor in front of her. Softly she said, "But... I can't say it... it's horrible... it's so horrible. I hated writing it."
Nobeyama sighed. "I'm sorry, Mihoshi. Honestly I am. I have no say in this at all."
Mihoshi sat down in the pilot's chair, with her eyes still fixed on the floor. There was a long silence as she searched for a way to begin the first sentence. It felt so impossible that she tried to talk other things to circumvent her responsibility. "Well uh... can I at least tell you about what I found out today?"
Nobeyama shrugged. He knew she was only trying to buy time. He said, "Sure, what did you find out?"
Mihoshi stood again and said, "A long time ago when you first gave that assignment to watch Miss Ryoko and Miss Washu, I put a little hearing thingy in every room. Well, something really weird happened today, so I went straight to my ship and listened to all the recordings to figure out what happened. The one hearing thingy in Tenchi's room picked up something very very bad."
Nobeyama perked his attention. "What did you hear, Mihoshi?"
"Well... Ryoko and Tenchi were in there... and they were talking a whole bunch. Ryoko was saying how she didn't want to go too fast, and Tenchi got all confused cause that's SO not like her. So Tenchi thought it was his fault, and like they have this little argument about it. They make up, but it doesn't stay fixed. What happens then is really confusing. It was quiet for a really long time, but then Ryoko started saying stuff about having to leave. And then Tenchi sounded really scared..."
"Mihoshi, is there a way you can speed this up?"
Stomping her foot, Mihoshi shouted, "NO! I have to say it all, because it's all important! Anyway, they started fighting again, but then it sounded like a physical struggle. Then it became really quiet, except for Tenchi who just kept saying he was sorry. He just kept saying it over and over again, but I couldn't really hear anything besides that. But, I think I know what happened."
Mihoshi itched her cheek nervously and quietly said, "I think he did it to her... and she didn't want to."
Nobeyama starred in silence. Mihoshi tried to divert her eyes away from his, since they made her so nervous. Eventually she sat back down and waited for him to recover.
"Mihoshi... are you saying that he raped her?"
Mihoshi slowly nodded. Nobeyama sat down in an attempt to digest the information.
"Uh... Sir... there was a little more that happened, too. I heard Miss Washu come in out of nowhere. I'm pretty sure she fought Tenchi, and she must have won because she kept saying she was going to kill him. Then I heard Sasami jump in. She was pleading with Miss Washu to not kill him, and it worked. She left... and after that the recording was silent for good."
Nobeyama was silent again. The transmission remained quiet until a beeping sound emanated from Nobeyama's end.
He pressed down a button on his console and said, "Yes?....................................................................... You would?.................................. are you sure it wont be a problem if she sees you?................................................ Uh... Yes Sir."
Mihoshi asked, "Who were you talking to?"
"My superior officer. He always listens to our meetings, and he would like to speak with you about this."
A view screen appeared next to Nobeyama's. On it was an elderly man with dark skin and blonde hair. His eyes were a rich emerald green that seemed foreign to his other features. Mihoshi cheered, "It's my great grandpa!!"
Mikumo smiled warmly. "Hi there, little Mihoshi. It's so good to finally talk to you again. I'm sorry about all the secrecy, but there's a few rules that even I must follow."
"Oh that's fine. I don't mind at all."
Mikumo said, "Wonderful. Now, I'd like to hear more about this little incident. When today did this happen?"
"Uh... I think it was only a few hours ago."
"You said before that Miss Washu stopped Tenchi in the act. Could you describe that more?"
Mihoshi placed an index finger on her chin and said, "Well... when Sasami stopped her, she said a whole bunch of stuff to her, but it didn't make sense for her to say those things to Sasami. I think she was trying to talk to her sister Tsunami."
Nobeyama suddenly said, "Uh Mihoshi... We uh... shouldn't really discuss the Goddesses... especially not about this..."
Mikumo laughed. "It's alright Nobeyama, I know full well that Washu is a Goddess among Tsunami and Tokimi. I was observing Mihoshi's last report, after all."
Humbled, Nobeyama said, "Oh.. yes of course..."
"Now Mihoshi, could you play back the segment of the recording where Washu talked to Sasami?"
Mihoshi nodded with delight. "Oh of course! On my way here I already split it into segments and categorized them!"
There was a brief pause as the recording started to play. When it began, the contrast from silence to Washu's grieved voice was painfully sharp.
"—hy should I do for you something you have not done for me? First you take Mikamo from me, and then you sell my daughter to Kagato, and for what? So that you wont have to experience the pain you put me through?"
"I'm sorry... I'm sor—"
A moment drew out where no one spoke. Nobeyama took notice to Mikumo's disturbed expression and said, "Sir, are you alright?"
He didn't respond right away. Once he realized he had been addressed, he said, "Oh.. yes... I... I'll be fine."
Nobeyama said, "Sir, how shall we handle this?"
"Right now I cannot say exactly... but until then, I need you to travel to Jurai for me."
Startled, Nobeyama cried, "Me? But why, Sir?"
"I want you to settle in Jurai, of course you may bring your family if you wish. Become a trusted citizen there, and even see about receiving your own tree."
"Sir, I'm not sure if I can even do that..."
Mikumo smiled and said, "Not to worry. I'll arrange for you and your family to receive a new identity. For now, I want you to live out your life there as a normal citizen until I make contact with you again."
"A-alright, Sir. I'll begin preparation today."
With a forward tone, Mikumo said, "Actually, I would like you to begin this immediately. I'll finish receiving Mihoshi's report."
Hesitantly, Nobeyama said, "Yes Sir..."
After his screen vanished, Mikumo said, "Mihoshi, I have a new assignment for you."
"What is it, great grandpa?"
"I want you observe Tenchi and try to determine his character. I want to know what sort of person he is. See if you can find out exactly why he has done this to Ryoko. Also find out what he thinks of others, and even what he thinks of himself. I want to know everything there is to know about his personality."
Mihoshi saluted and cheered, "Yes Sir! I'll start collecting information about him right away!"
Mikumo smiled. "Thank you, Mihoshi. That will be all."
"What? It will? You mean I wont have to say my report out loud?"
He waved his hand in dismissal. "That won't be necessary. This new turn of events has changed the situation entirely."
Mihoshi slowly nodded. "Well alright. I'll get started on this assignment right away!"
"Thank you, Mihoshi. There's one more thing I would like you to do for me..."
"What's that, Sir?"
Mikumo paused before saying, "I want you to tell my Mother... that I'm sorry."
*-----------------*
In Aeka's mind she saw an ocean of fire that disappeared into the horizon. The sight wasn't imaginary, but a memory of the Juraian city that surrounded the palace just after the attack. She remembered once hearing that at one point during the chaos, the entire surface of Jurai was engulfed in flames. When watching the planet burn the only thought that was in her mind was, we were the strongest. She thought it a thousand times over, but the fact remained that the strongest empire in the galaxy was brought to its knees by a single solitary warrior.
What Ryoko said to her just now was no different than the oceans of fire that spanned in every direction. That was why Aeka was struck with such a vivid memory of the hellfire that consumed her home, because the feeling inside of her now was exactly the same.
Ryoko started sobbing, and Washu cradled and kissed her. Aeka looked for the right moment to offer her comfort, but when Washu wept with her daughter she knew there was nothing she could do. Silently she went to her feet and exited the Onsen. She stood outside the entrance for a moment and listened to them cry. Again she saw oceans of fire in her mind, but this time she connected this feeling with a name. Tenchi Masaki.
She ran back into the house and up the stairs. She pulled her sister to the side and snapped through her barrier.
She felt Sasami grasping desperately at her kimono. "Please don't kill him! Please!!"
"I'm not going to kill him! Let me go!"
Sasami saw the picture of fury on Aeka's face and separated from her completely. Aeka threw open the door, found Tenchi sitting at the edge of his bed, and slapped him.
"You bastard!" She slapped him again. "How is it possible for anyone to be so stupid?" She slapped him again. "I can't believe you!" She slapped him again. "Do you even realize what you've done?"
"... Aeka..."
"Shut up!" She slapped him again. "Honestly, of the thousands of ways you could have hurt her, you had to chose the one way she was the most insecure about. I hate you!!" She slapped him again. "To think that her virginity somehow survived Kagato just to be stolen by a stupid boy like you."
Her right hand was becoming sore, so she slapped him with her left. "She loved you so much! Was your desire really so uncontrollable? Did she not tell you to stop? How could you do such a thing to someone that loves you?" She slapped him again.
Suddenly, her shouting took a new tone. "And when exactly were you planning on telling me you didn't love me? Was that before or after I wasted four years of my life chasing you? Wasn't it obvious that I had feelings for you? Did you ever once think about how I might feel being stringed along? I ashamed that I used to think of you in such high regard.
"What was it that set me apart from Ryoko, anyway? Was it the fact that I was never abused in my youth? Or that I'm not so fragile and dependent that the slightest gust of wind will make me snap? What do I need to do to be recognized by the men in this family? Do I have to go into town and get used a few times before anyone will care about me? Is that it, Tenchi? How come the men here only want women who are suffering?"
Aeka finally lost composure and tears fell from her eyes. She dropped to her knees and cried, "I'm suffering too, damnit!"
Tenchi carefully knelt down beside her and slowly wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry, Aeka. I really screwed up big time. I know I should have told you sooner, and no matter how much I think about it, I can't imagine why I never did."
Long moments passed were Aeka wept into Tenchi's shoulder. As much as she hated him, she desperately needed his arms to hold her. When her tears slowed down enough, she said, "Over the last few days I've learned more about Ryoko than I thought possible. Did you know she's actually a lot different than the way she acts? She has been in conflict with herself the last four years because something was done to her that wasn't her fault."
Tenchi quietly said, "Yeah... I already knew..."
Aeka pulled away from Tenchi. "You knew? Since when?"
"Since Kagato. I always had a feeling that she wasn't being herself... but when I kept the gems... I knew for sure."
Aeka appeared more confused. "Gems? What are you talking about, Tenchi? I don't think the gems have anything to do with this."
Tenchi stood and sat back down on his bed. "I don't know what she's told you, but I'm very sure that all of this is my fault somehow."
"Tenchi, the reason Ryoko acts the way she does has nothing to do with the gems!"
"What? No... that can't be right. Why else would she act like that?"
Aeka wanted to tell him, if not for his sake, but for Ryoko's. She was beginning to see that Tenchi somehow found a reason to blame himself for something that wasn't his fault. If he knew the real reason behind Ryoko's conflict, future misunderstandings could be avoided.
At the same time she didn't want to betray Ryoko. She swore that no matter what, she would keep everything to herself. Aeka didn't want to take the slightest risk with Ryoko's trust, especially now that her trust as fragile as ever.
"I'm sorry Tenchi, but I swore that I wouldn't say anything. I think I've already said too much as it is. Ryoko will tell you when she's ready. At least trust me when I say that this has nothing to do with the gems."
When Tenchi listened to his father brush aside his fears, he thought that he was simply trying to make him feel better, and he didn't pay him much mind. When he heard Ryoko deny that the gems had anything to do with why she stayed with Tenchi, he thought that she was telling him what he wanted to hear, and again he refused to believe it. Now Aeka is adding her voice to theirs, and although Tenchi was stubborn about the subject, he couldn't ignore the possibility of being mistaken. Truthfully, he would rather be wrong about the gems, despite being so sure that he was right.
He faintly smiled and said, "Really? The gems didn't bother her?"
"Yes. I don't know how you got the idea that they did."
Tenchi sighed deeply. "That's so good to hear."
Aeka rose to her feet and a silence dragged out the moment to an awkward length. She decided that leaving was the only thing to do. When she turned towards the door, Tenchi spoke up. "Aeka... please don't think that I don't love you because you aren't vulnerable like Ryoko. It's that I'm not the right person for you. I don't think I could make you happy, and I think you deserve better."
Aeka without turning to face him, she sighed deeply walked out the door.
*-----------------*
From the Onsen, Washu watched Ryoko fly to the ground and enter the house. When they found an end to their tears, Ryoko whispered to her mother that she wanted to talk to Aeka about what happened. They dried themselves in silence, and her leaving was as simple as a kiss on the cheek.
Washu waved her arm and a door manifested in front of her. It led back into her bedroom on a planet trillions of light-years away from Earth. Once inside she headed straight for her phone and dialed Yuko's office number.
It rang twice before an elder woman answered, "Kobayashi Clinic, how may I help you?"
"Hi mom."
"Oh, hello Washu! It's so good to hear from you like this."
Washu fidgeted the phone cord between her fingers. "Mom... I need you to change my realm."
"Washu, we've been over this many times..."
"I'm serious, this time. Tsunami or Tokimi could do this realm better than I am, I'm not the right person for this."
Yuko sighed and said, "Washu... five hundred cycles ago you asked me to do this for you. I refused you, and in all of the cycles that followed them you were quite successful, and loved your realm unconditionally. Do you not see yourself making another recovery?"
Washu started pacing about the room, stretching the phone cord as far as it would allow. "It's not like I don't think I'll be able to recover, its just that when I screw up, it causes my children extreme pain. I know I'm not perfect, and I'm probably going to screw up again... and another one of my kids is going to have a life that is unsuitable even for hell."
"Washu, you know there's no such place"
"Whatever mom, you know what I meant." Washu mentally laughed at herself. She remembered telling Ryoko the same thing when she mentioned hell. "Look, because my realm is what it is, I know that whenever I screw up I give someone a life of suffering. The only way I can think of preventing is to just stop studying this realm."
"Washu, what will you study then? The other realms will seem too easy, and you'll become bored with them. If I let that happen, you'll never truly become a master of your realm. I don't want to lose you, honey. I love you too much for that."
The textbook reference flashed through Washu's mind like a habitual reflex. 'If a Goddess is unable to master her realm, she will no longer be a Goddess'. It wasn't a punishment or demotion, it was simple fact. A Goddess is a being who is a master of her realm, if she became anything less, then she quite simply is not a Goddess.
"I don't know, mom, I just know I can't do this realm."
"Why do you feel this way all of a sudden? You seemed fine about it yesterday."
Washu sighed in irritation. "C'mon mom, you know what I did. I conspired to have my own daughter raped. What kind of mother is that? I don't care the reason for it, what I did was pure cruelty. I personally pushed Tenchi's mind in the direction that would rape her." A sob cut between her words. "I should have just mounted her myself!"
Yuko hushed her through the receiver and said, "There-there, Washu... don't cry. Things aren't as terrible as you're making them out to be."
Washu sunk to the floor while pushing against the wall. She held the receiver away from her mouth so that her crying wouldn't be too loud over the phone. At the same time Yuko continued to offer her comfort. "Washu, you're not a terrible mother. You love her more than anyone else, even more than you love me. How you're feeling now should be proof enough that you care deeply for her well being."
"Mom... I raped her! How can you say I care about her well being?"
"Washu, you know what would have happened if you hadn't arranged things the way they are now."
Washu tried suppressing her weeping, but it burst out as random sobs. "I don't even care if she becomes a Goddess anymore. I'd rather see her die as a mortal and have a full and happy life."
"It would be neither full or happy. If what happened today never transpired, she would never achieve her greatest potential, and you would never forgive yourself for letting that happen. Her life would be short, and she would appear to be happy to everyone around her. On the Inside she would despise herself. You're sentient awareness would never learn of her pain, but your deity awareness would. You would have to watch her live life in constant depression, while being unable to offer her any support."
Washu's crying had dwindled to a stop, and all that was left was the sniffling of her runny nose. "I know that, but still... I did it... it was me... I raped her."
"A mother bird will push her chicks out of the nest to teach them to fly. If they are not able to fly before reaching the ground, their life will be ended prematurely. It may seem like a cruel treatment, but it would be even crueler if she fated them to remain in the nest until they starved. You've given Ryoko her push, it is now up to her to learn to fly."
Washu didn't respond.
Yuko said, "I think what is really bothering you is that during this time you cannot directly help her. This is her free fall, and not yours. She must conquer this without you. There is no other way."
"... Well... what am I supposed to tell her when she asked why I did it? She'll figure it out soon enough."
Yuko laughed. "You'll tell her what you always tell her. The truth." Washu was about to respond, but Yuko suddenly said, "Oops, someone just walked in. We'll have to pick this up later on, alright?"
"Uh... okay..."
"I love you, my little Goddess of Maternity."
Washu sighed. "Don't call me that. I don't deserve it."
"Alright Ms. Grouchy Pants, I'll talk to you later."
"... Bye..."
Washu held the phone to her ear well after she heard her mother hang up. She didn't return the phone to its base, she was too tired to rise to her feet. Setting the phone on the floor, she began thinking about how she would tell Ryoko.
Washu debated with herself on whether or not to tell Yosho about what just happened. Telling him seemed so difficult in her mind, but not telling him felt like the wrong choice. Before she went to see him, she made sure with Ryoko if it was alright with her. In her mind Washu heard a response that could only be interpreted as a mental shrug. She then started on her way to the Masaki shrine.
The conversation leading into it was casual and friendly. When she told him, he simply said, "I see," and stared out the window indefinitely. Several minutes passed before Washu left without a word.
Yosho didn't get much time to himself. The phone in his office rang, and the ringer did not sound like his normal phone. He was receiving and interstellar phone call. With a sigh he went to his desk and answered it. A holographic screen appeared before him to display the image of his father, the King of Jurai.
Yosho didn't greet him at first. He eventually stuttered, "F-father... I didn't expect you to make contact with me today."
"I've only done so to tell you that Funaho, Misaki, and I are on our way to Earth. We're going to take Aeka and Sasami home... and perhaps several others."
Yosho's brows furrowed. "What? Why have you decided this so suddenly?"
A troubled expression appeared on Azusa's face. "It is difficult to explain. If you wish to truly understand, then return home with us to see for yourself."
Yosho sighed. It sounded like he was trying to create incentive to get Yosho to return to Jurai. "Father, I have not changed my mind."
"Do as you wish. I will be taking Aeka and Sasami home... and perhaps Ryoko."
"Ryoko?! Why her?"
Azusa visibly strained to contain himself. "I will not repeat myself. You are welcome to return home with us, if you truly desire to understand."
"Why can't this be explained to me now?"
Azusa continued as if Yosho never spoke. "I'll be arriving tomorrow, and we will leave the same day."
The screen vanished before Yosho could speak another word.
