The Inner Child
A Tenchi Muyo! Fanfiction by HelloSir
Summary: All of us begin as a child, even the most callous and brutal criminal the universe has ever known....
Disclaimer: The anime Tenchi Muyo is copyrighted by Pioneer LD and AIC. Therefore, I do not own any characters/references, and this is in no way sponsored or produced by the owners of the trademark anime from which this fanfiction is based on. That being said, get off my case.
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Chapter 2: We Are Not Alone
Weary crimson eyes glanced up at the digital watch, its soft green glow bathing the
pitch-black hallway with an almost ethereal light. It was the only thing that made the deserted hallways of the Royal Space Academy remotely welcome; otherwise, she would have turned back towards her dorm and slept, like the normal professors and students.
Unfortunately, Naja Akara had Washu Hakubi as a friend, and the duo could hardly be seen as "normal".
"Next time your ego gives way and you want to apologize," Naja muttered in annoyance to the silence of the late night. "Please don't do it at 1 o'clock in the morning."
Usually the halls would be bustling with activity and sound (the Academy doesn't know the meaning of "breaks", Naja thought bitterly), but tonight was the night before the big spring exam, which meant that those who weren't studying for the finals were probably in a drug-induced slumber. Naja didn't particularly care for the finals either; her students never took the art of philosophy and mythology seriously, especially when she tried her very hardest to incorporate music and ancient theories into the lessons. Of all the fields, hers was the most ridiculed, as she did not teach an exact science. If it hasn't been proven, it's not worth teaching, they told her. However, Naja would not give up the fight; this was her passion, and she knew deep in her gut that one day all her perseverance would pay off.
At least she hoped so.
She continued to trudge down the halls, letter in hand. Her mind couldn't decide whether to praise Washu for finally giving in to her pride and seeing the light of things, or slapping the red headed genius upside the head for bothering her at such an unholy hour. Even though most of Washu's comments had hit close to home, Naja could still sleep soundly and accept apologies in the morning. But no, it seemed as though Washu never slept, and even though she was up all night working in her lab, she always emerged as though she had slept for weeks. A sliver of jealousy coursed through Naja's veins. If only she could be that strong, she thought She wouldn't have to put up with the idiotic ramblings of her colleagues, and she certainly would have been able to undertake the MASU project by herself.
Naja sighed inwardly. She needed Washu and her reputation to do anything productive in the Academy. She knew she was as intelligent as Washu, but as long as she taught the bane of sciences, she would remain the laughingstock of the school. It didn't bother her as much as she thought it would though; she knew that Washu needed her as a lab partner, if not for her brains, then for her physical strength. In fact, Naja had grown extremely apathetic over the years, and it had helped to numb the nagging annoyance the Academy delivered her every day.
The only reason she stayed at the Academy was because she had nowhere else to go. Her planet had been destroyed centuries ago, leaving few survivors. As a child, she had lived here, learning. She knew more about this place than Washu ever could. Hell, she was able to catch Washu when the latter ran away from her welcoming party.
Truth be told, she was growing less fond of Washu with each passing day. She couldn't explain it; she just grew more distant and uncaring since Mikamo and Mikumo left. She didn't' know if it had something to do with them, but she believed with all her heart that having her very own child would alleviate the pain immensely.
She wanted power over something for once, to be the strong one. She wanted to control the life of her child. She wanted to be the superior, even if it was only for a few years.
Naja snapped out of her thoughts and turned to her left. Washu's laboratory door was slightly ajar, a faint beige light seeping out from the crack. Raising an eyebrow, Naja pushed the door open lightly, creeping in cautiously. Nothing seemed to be amiss, with the exception of the tan glow, which covered the entire lab. She let the door fall behind her with a soft click and made her way towards Washu's central office, the light growing stronger and stronger with each step. She had only walked a hundred yards when a spectacular sight greeted her.
An enormous tank teeming with colonies of MASU was lodged into one of the walls, stretching from the floor to the ceiling. A lamp had been left on for them, and their brown bodies reflected the strange beige light she had seen. They swam in circles, and if one didn't know what they were, they would swear that a large sea serpent was imprisoned in that tank.
"Impressive, no?" Naja spun around to meet the owner of the voice. Washu smiled back, her expression laced with humbleness and hope. Thankfully, she had returned to her slightly less threatening child form. "You like it?"
Naja nodded numbly. How could she not? It was the promise of a new life, a new child, and a new heaven. She loved it with a passion. What a silly question for Washu to ask.
The pale woman (who had turned even paler by the majesty of the situation) opened her mouth, as if to give thanks, but all that came out was a soft cough. It was rather embarrassing; scientists were supposed to be prepared to speak at all times, and choking up was not acceptable no matter the magnitude of the situation. She tried again, but feared that she would start crying hysterically if she pushed too far, so she simply closed her mouth in a thin-lipped smile. Washu grinned madly at her usually calm friend's peculiar behavior.
"I bet you're wondering how I got the MASU." Naja nodded once more, relieved that she didn't need to speak. "Well, it seems that Seniwa wasn't joking when they said I belonged to Jurai. As you know, my birth planet is said to be Kanemitsu, which at the time of my supposed 'birth' --- even though I was found rather than born --- belonged to a small colony of Juraian priests, who were hoping to spread the word of Tsunami to the natives. Although the priests are long gone, Jurai still considers Kanemitsu to be one of their numerous territories." Washu paused for a moment and chuckled, "Jurai loves to take claim the best in the business as their property, and I'm no exception. They love to say that I belong to them, and the fact that I was removed from Mikamo because of that only backs it up. You don't have to have Juraian blood to be a Juraian. Hell, everyone here could be one; Jurai owns the Royal Space Academy."
"Used to." Naja found her voice (it had thankfully decided to come back). "After your separation with Mikamo, we worked fervently to separate the Academy from Jurai. We both thought that educational matters should belong to no union and allow fair and equal opportunities for students from any planet. Jurai is eternally biased, you know that. So it's now the Galaxy Academy, you dolt."
"Ah, did we?" Washu tapped a finger to her chin playfully, eyes twinkling. "I don't remember that sort of thing. Perhaps it's merely force of habit that I continue calling it that." She furled her brow. "Wait a second...they never changed the name, did they?"
Naja shook her head wearily. "No. It's effective next month."
"Why so long?"
"They need to change that stupid sign in the front."
Washu laughed. "Well, I always thought the name was too long. Anyway, since I'm technically Juraian, I asked my fellow brethren to help a sister out."
"You went to the Royal Council?" Naja's eyes widened.
"Yup!" stated Washu proudly. "Marched right up to their snobby little noses and demanded some MASU, or I would never sell any of my inventions or help then with anything ever again. Of course, they obliged, and look what I got!" She gestured towards the tank and beamed. "I'm too valuable to lose."
"You can say that again." Naja brightened at the return of her friend's conceit. "Seems like you don't really need me after all."
Although the statement had been made jokingly and with a light heart, Washu's eyes dimmed, casting her figure into shadow. Naja noticed the sudden change in temperament and cocked her head slightly to the right, a silent inquiry. Another silence, not unlike the other awkward times they shared together, polluted the room.
"Don't ever say that." Washu's voice cut bitterly into the absence of noise. "I'll always need you, Naja, even if I don't show it, or I'm too wrapped up in my research. I want you here. And your child, whoever you decide to create from those potato-shaped creatures, I'll need them too. You told me you wouldn't leave me like Mikamo did." She glared at her with watery eyes. "Was that a promise?"Another silence hushed past them, as the two scientists and best friends stared at each other, so close physically yet so far emotionally. Of two different pasts, but they were prepared to share the same future with gleaming hope. Washu, the strongest woman the universe has ever known, was actually asking someone else to support her. It was a rare event, one that could turn the tide and reveal heroes or villains. Naja did the only thing she could do in a situation such as this.
She lied.
Strong robe-covered arms embraced the tiny professor. "I promise."
It was only then she realized that she held a soul as wounded as her own in her arms, and her heart cried tears of blood as Washu broke into sobs, screaming her crimes to the world.
And Naja did the only thing she could do when a strong heart broke.
She listened.
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Spring exams had come and gone like the summer rain, to the great relief of students and teachers alike. Many a cup of sake had been downed in celebration of the end of the semester and the beginning of summer break. Some students flew back home while the more devoted pupils stayed behind to prepare for the next semester, which would be as equally trying as its predecessor.
Then the final test scores came back, and more sake was poured, this time with the intended purpose of putting the drinker out of his or her misery. The teachers dubbed this havoc-ridden week as the "Get Revenge Week". It wasn't because the failed students, intoxicated on whatever drug had been floating around at the time, returned to haunt their least favorite teacher; it was named that because the teachers finally got to flunk the students they despised.
Well, even a seemingly flawless and exclusive academy has its rough spots.
Amidst the chaos, one figure was finally content with her life. Professor Akara flitted among her personal library, nestled deeply in the heart of her immense classroom. She loved teaching mythology and philosophy: the possibilities were endless and every theory needed to be proven. That was what she liked best of all, to go out on long-deserted planets and dig up traces of a forgotten civilization to prove an absurd theory. After thumbing through books and organizing her carefully displayed artifacts for the millionth time, she finally plopped down at her desk, which sat at the front of the classroom. She swiveled around in her chair to face the spacious blackboard, which would have been a spotless darkness if not for the words, sentences, and paragraphs that marred the surface. She didn't know why she insisted on using such primitive technology instead of displaying her work through holograms; she supposed she simply liked writing.
One sentence glared out at her in particular: Who is the third goddess?
It was a problem Naja couldn't help but keep baffling herself with. Legend said that the universe was watched over by three sisters, three entities. The oldest was a deity named Tokimi, the embodiment of evil. The youngest was Tsunami, who believed in all that was holy.
But Naja couldn't believe those who believed in just the two. She knew for a fact that the universe could never be ruled by two completely opposite figures. There must have been someone in the middle of the scale.
When she was just a student, she read about the third and middle sister, the Goddess of Chaos and Reason. It was a hypocritical title, but it made complete sense. The third sister was neutral and didn't care what happened to the universe, as long as it ran its purpose and had its bumps now and then. She was banished to the mortal realm during a conflict between Tokimi and Tsunami, because she could not pick a side.
Tsunami went to the Juraians and aided them, making them the most powerful empire in the universe. As the middle sister had taken human form, Tsunami had taken that of a tree. The oldest had melted into darkness, waiting for her sisters to return so they could once again achieve full power.
Some people called her a dreamer, but she didn't care. Life wasn't based off facts; it was based off gut instincts.
"And that's why you'll never be a great scientist," Naja mocked the former Headmaster's last lecture to her before Washu took the chair. She sighed and reclined her seat, staring at the ceiling. Her entire classroom was painted black, without windows, the only light emanating from green candles and incense. She breathed in the aroma and exhaled.
Her child was almost ready. She had already assimilated her DNA (via blood, ovum, and hair) with the MASU and it was evolving quite nicely in the regeneration tank. Truth be told, she did a bit of genetic tinkering; for example, it was a male, and it would be endowed with superhuman strength and intelligence, so that it would mature faster. She didn't know why she did that, but a voice inside of her commanded that it be so.
A knock sounded at her door, interrupting her from her content thoughts (and she hardly had those). "Come in."
A young man, tall and muscular in stature, entered the room. His long brown hair fell past his shoulders, and his deep purple eyes scanned the room nervously. The candles cast eerie shadows across his tanned face as he walked towards Naja, bowing when he approached the desk.
"Professor Akara, I am here to do your bidding. May I ask why I was summoned?"
"Ah, there's no need to do that, Yakage," hummed Naja. "You're a professor now; I'm no longer your superior. You can just call me Naja."
Yakage raised an eyebrow and shook his head, causing his bangs to flop messily in front of his face. "No offense Professor, but I feel more comfortable if I address you in that manner. After being in your class for four years I think it's grown to be an unbreakable habit."
"All habits are breakable, my beloved pupil." Naja stood up and fixed her robes. "I would think you of all people would have the willpower, seeing as you're the Professor of Warfare Technology. You are the youngest person in the history of the Academy to become a professor, with the exception of Washu. Jurai must be proud."
He blushed madly at the mention of his home planet. "Yes, my parents were very pleased. I received awards from the Royal Court, a high honor for a commoner like myself."
Naja nodded and walked towards a darkened corner of the room, observing the thin tendrils of smoke rising from the green flame of a large candle. "Yakage, tell me...how long does a Juraian like you live?"
"The royal family has their trees, so they live quite long." Yakage bowed his head. "But common folk such as myself only live for a couple hundred years...Earth years, to be exact."
"How old are you now?"
"I've just turned 30 Earth years. Plenty more to go."
Tired scarlet eyes rested their gaze on the inquisitive young man. "Would you mind living a little longer?"
Yakage's eyes narrowed, then widened in realization. "Why would you have me live longer, Professor?"
"I'm having a son."
"Congratulations!" he beamed. "Who's the father, and when's the baby due?"
"Not so fast." Naja emerged from the shadows and strode up to Yakage. "There's no father, for I am not conceiving a child in the usual manner. You've heard of the MASU project Washu and I have been working on?" He nodded. "That's my son."
The shocked man stumbled backwards. "All right.... but what do I have to do with anything?"
"You are my favorite student, Yakage. You know that. You are one of the few who actually take my work seriously."
"Of course, Professor. Your theory about the Light Hawk Wings being able to be summoned from pure willpower and strength fascinates me; it is my hope that I will be able to create a weapon of that caliber one day."
"That is why I like you. You believe. Not many scientists do, and that's what sets us from the mainstream. That's what makes us powerful." She peered at him through her pince-nez. "My child was designed to live long. I want to make sure someone will be there for him always."
"What about you? What about Washu?"
"Washu has enough trouble on her hands...besides, I have the distinct feeling that I will die soon. Every day I wake up with this horrible feeling in my gut. I'm carrying the omen of death. If Washu cannot take care of him, who will? I need you to watch over him, to teach him." Pure hope blazed through Naja's eyes. "Please, Yakage. Just one simple infusion of an elixir I've been working on is all it takes. It is supposed to give a Juraian an extended life; it was just one of my busybody experiments, but it's worth a shot."
Yakage's face contorted as he took in all the information, struggling to come up with an answer. Naja noticed his difficulty and sighed somberly, a long choking gasp.
"Please." She bowed her head, squinting back invisible tears. "I didn't create him to be alone. No one should ever be alone."
A hand landed on her shoulder, warm and reassuring. She leaned her cold cheek into the heat, savoring each moment as her nerves rang with pleasure. Two words floated through her moment of content.
"I promise."
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Naja lifted her head. "You don't need to take it now. I'll inject the elixir when you're ready."
Yakage smiled, eyes full of understanding. "Sure. Hey, would you like to be my date for the Startica festival?"
"Startica festival?" She wracked her brain for an answer, and then she realized that it was summer....perhaps she should have been paying a little more attention to the calendar. But then, that would mean....
"Yeah." Yakage's voice forced its way into her mind. "Would you like to come?"
Normally the eccentric Naja would have jumped on such an offer, but tonight was a different matter. "No thanks. I have a date with someone else."
With those words she bounded out the door, rushing down the halls towards Washu's lab. Yakage grinned to himself and whispered to the wind.
"Happy birthday, son of Naja."
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"I can't believe I forgot it was Startica!" Naja tore through the empty halls as fast as she could without breaking energy regulations, her silver locks trailing behind her like a dragon's tail. She was supposed to check the tank every other day since the beginning of summer; the birth of her child was expected soon. She had been so satisfied with her work for once she had forgotten all about the source of her happiness.
"At least Yakage agreed," she muttered to herself. Her hand wrenched open Washu's lab door and she swooped in, like a giant green bird searching for its young.
Of course, that was what she was doing.
The open lab windows allowed the moon's beams to float lazily around the laboratory, illuminating it with an eerie white glow. Washu must have left it open for her so she could watch the Startica fireworks display competition. Naja always had a fondness for fireworks or anything that dazzled the night sky; it brought her tranquility in an otherwise tumultuous world. She strode over to the birthing chamber, throwing open the door with a slam that shook the foundation and made the walls groan.
In the middle of the room, a lone pale figure lay huddled amidst shards of broken glass and pools of regeneration liquid, crying softly in the darkness.
"Oh god..." Naja knelt down next to the infant and cradled it into her arms, glancing at the broken tank. Her son must have broken out once his life functions became operational. "I didn't realize you were awake.... I'm so sorry, my little one."
In response, the naked child curled up his tiny fists and opened his eyes, revealing crimson orbs encased in amber. Unusual, she thought, but extremely beautiful. She swept away his fine dull gray hair and smiled as he cooed sweetly. His skin was just like hers: pale and flawless, the same color as the light that poured in through the open windows. His eyes were the only things she was surprised by; they were enchanting, with an almost solemn quality to them.
Naja stood up and walked slowly towards the window as the first of the fireworks began. Yume and Washu were competing again for the title of "Best Fireworks Display", but everyone knew that Washu had won for 50 consecutive years, and she wasn't about to have an empty spot in her trophy case.
Bright red beams of light shot up into the sky, exploding with the sound of twittering birds and crimson cascades. The scarlet showers continued for a few minutes, then ceased as Yume stepped to the side. Washu stepped up to the control panel and let all hell loose.
A gigantic ball of green light appeared in the middle of the sky, drowning out the stars and replacing the sound of the summer wind with the music of an entire symphony. A celestial orchestra was playing in the heavens as the ball split into three, revolved around each other and came together again in the formation of a triangle. Naja furrowed her brow at the familiar design, but was distracted by the tittering baby in her arms.
"You like this, don't you?" Her son sputtered delightfully in reply, shooting an ear-splitting grin at his mother. His pale hands clapped together excitedly as the fireworks display ended with the sound of twenty organs playing in unison. An uproar of applause rose up from the crowd, and the Juraian nobles proceeded to shoot their traditional fireworks in honor of Tsunami. Naja's glazed eyes took in everything as lights danced across the metal lab floor, the solitude of her and her child sinking into her soul. She glanced down at the cooing baby, wrapped in the folds of her emerald robes.
"What should I call you, little one?" The baby stared back at her blankly, all traces of past tears and loneliness gone. "Do you like the name Yosho?"
The baby continued with his blank stare. "I guess not," she sighed. "How about Tenchi?"
He fidgeted a little and turned away. "Picky, picky. You should be honored to be named after one of the legendary Juraian swords. But I suppose to each his own. What if I call you Azusa?"
A small moan escaped from the cross infant, who stared at Naja in contempt. She shrugged in resignation and continued to look at the fireworks. There was nothing but silence for a few minutes until Naja's voice rang out in triumph.
"Kagato." She looked down at her child, who laughed happily. "Kagato is your name. A nice, strong title." Her eyes flashed away all signs of bleary fatigue and she chuckled heartily. "It means 'I am a god'. And you are, my little Kagato. You will be a god."
The laughter of mother and son drowned out the shrieks of the fireworks. Naja wasn't alone anymore: Tsunami had blessed her with a gift.... a god.
"Born on Startica," she mused. "This is the best present anyone could receive."
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Yay yay! Finally Kagato's in the picture! I must mention a few people who I was inspired by though...
John Takis's "Washu's Lullaby" is by far one of the best fics I have ever read. His fanfiction and Tatsumingo's translations of the Shin Tenchi novels aided me in my lazily done research (after all, only 14 and still a half-ass writer at times). I praise you!
Also, this goes to those who think Naja is a neglected character. Bull ya!
No reviews yet.... I am sad. Oh well...I'm writing whether you like it or not. But it would be kind if you did review, or at least E-mail some ideas or things you want to see...
I eagerly await your flames or comments!