Early in the morning,
In the middle of the night,
Two dead boys got up to fight.
Back to back they faced each other,
Drew their swords and shot each other.
The dead police man heard the noise,
And he came and shot those two dead boys,
You don't believe this lie is true?
Go ask the blind man,
He saw it too.
Poe
The Flowers and the Willows
"Catara!" Mihoshi jumped up from her seat and rushed her way around the far side of the table to give Ryoko a big hug.
"Hi Mihoshi." Ryoko whispered as she hugged her back, her eyes on Ayeka for a second longer before traveling around the table.
Tenchi.
There he was, sitting languidly on the chair that contrasted drastically with the tension in his jaw. Beside him Ryoko recognized Takumi and a woman she could only guess was Kukune by the absolute shock in her face.
Mihoshi took Ryoko's hand tightly and guided her around the table towards Basho and Ayeka first, Bokkai one-step behind.
Ryoko's eyes widened slightly as she recognized the smell of Ayeka's perfume. Since she had first known her, she always smelled like the Tsubaki flower.
"Good evening." Ayeka said a little too quickly to be considered nonchalant.
Mihoshi who now held Ryoko's right arm in a death hold grinned at Ayeka who was standing in front of them. "Now everything will turn back to normal." She whispered loud enough for both of them to hear.
Ryoko looked at her quizzically, amazed at how naïve Mihoshi really was, or rather always had been.
"Ms. Ayeka has been kind enough to help this old man with his memory." Basho said as he offered Ryoko the list Ayeka had made. "She truly is a remarkable woman." Basho added as he winked at Ayeka who remained rigid beside him, never taking her eyes of Ryoko who had begun skimming the pages. "She is worth so much more than what she is doing …" Basho chuckled despite himself and exclaimed out loud. "Inspiration has made a visit to this old man tonight! Now that I have these two wonderful women beside me, I can't fail." He looked teasingly at both Ryoko and Ayeka in turn, laughing at Ayeka's curious expression and Ryoko's slightly playful, slightly annoyed because he never gets to the point one.
"I have something special planned for you both."
Ryoko looked up with a raised brow to Ayeka then her uncle.
He hasn't told me about anything special he is planning? And that includes me?
"Yes. Ayeka is remarkable, and so much more." Tenchi agreed as he passed Kukune and laid a gentle hand on Ayeka's shoulder. Basho faltered for a moment. Recognizing the tense atmosphere that had been created with his niece's arrival, but decided to let things act out on their own.
"Hello Tenchi." Ryoko bowed her head and gave a small smile to both him and the princess.
"Don't tell me you know them Cat-san?" Basho exclaimed caught of guard.
Ryoko answered him with a nod. "Fei and I were helping a friend of Mihoshi's and we met them there."
"We never had the chance to thank you properly for saving my life." Kukune smiled sweetly from behind Tenchi and offered her arms. It was Ryoko's turn to falter for a second. She would have to walk past Ayeka to reach her. She exhaled quickly and nodded with a smile of her own and walked into her hug.
"I am glad you are feeling this much better so soon." Ryoko pulled out of the hug and bowed her head. "Has the hospital been treating you fairly?"
"Yes, yes. I don't know what exactly it is you told them, but every time I go in for a checkup you'd think I was royalty the way they walk on eggshells around me.
"It's true, you sure gave them the scare of a lifetime geisha." Takumi put his arm around Kukune and offered Ryoko his hand.
"Do you remember us?" A tiny voice asked behind Kukune and Takumi? Both stepped to the side and Ryoko had a genuine smile slip from her lips at the sight that greeted her.
Of course I remember you kid.
"Hello Sasami." Ryoko bowed again while clasping her hands. "Hello Kiyone," she acknowledged the galaxy police officer beside the goddess.
"So she does remember the little people." Kiyone said in a sarcastic tone.
"Enough of the socializing. We have an exhibit to work on." Basho spoke up breaking the atmosphere.
"Now you two come with me." Basho said to Ayeka and Ryoko while offering one arm to each of them. "Let's get on with the show."
Tenchi watched them leave totally numb struck at what had just happened.
"You know what?" Kiyone asked no one in particular as she came up next to Tenchi and watched Basho speak excitedly to both the girls as they disappeared into a corridor. "Even if Ryoko had never been sealed up in that cave and we had no reason to come to earth, we would have met. One way or another."
Tenchi broke his gaze and turned to look at Kiyone. "What do you mean?"
"What else but destiny would have us meet Ryoko again and again without either of us looking for one another–because by the look she gave us–she's just as surprised as we are."
"Tenchi what does this mean?" Sasami asked.
He looked at the corridor and down at the little princess.
"Tenchi! What are you going to do?!" Kukune hissed as she came up and interrupted with Takumi beside her.
Tenchi looked at all of them and quietly walked away into the same corridor Basho had led the girls into a few moments back, not saying a word.
** ** ** ** ** ** ** **
"So girls, I know you are wondering what I have up my sleeve yes?" Basho asked as he led them to stand in front a window, which if it were daylight, would offer a view of Tokyo's bay.
Both women stared at him, and did not dare have their eyes wander, for fear they would make eye contact with each other.
"The royal house has requested a small previewing show by the middle of this month near the bay, and I would like for you to help me throw it." Basho said to Ayeka. "It will be a very informal affair. The Emperor's wife's family is visiting Tokyo and asked for it. Personally I don't know what exactly it is they want us to do, or what we'll show them since we don't have anything done yet, but if anyone can pull it of it's you. You my dear girl, have an impeccable sense for detail which I," He grinned and looked at his messy attire and sloppily combed hair, "Do not."
A party? Well if anything was below me it's this. What do I have to do in throwing a stupid party for some stupid people who think they're royalty? The party should be for me, and certainly not me planning it! But… Basho has been kind to me…
Ryoko flashed her eyes in Ayeka's direction when she sensed Ayeka was deep in thought. I can't believe it! They have been working for my uncle all this time! And here I thought I was rid of them forever. Ryoko braved another peek at Ayeka and grinned. She's probably thinking how demeaning this all is for Ms. High Poloy.
Ryoko made a small smug face unconsciously, with her good mood returning.
I'll do it! But wait… Ryoko! Ayeka stiffened and cleared her throat. What am I suppose to do now? I don't think I can take her stupid remar … yes I can. Who is she to dictate what I will and will not do? Ayeka straightened and raised her head. "Yes." She croaked and cleared her throat once more. "Yes Basho-san I will be delighted to." She stated more firmly.
"Excellent!" Basho clapped his hands and turned to his niece. "This will work out splendidly!"
"Uncle what is my part in all this?" Ryoko interrupted.
"Well my dear girl, you know all the right people to invite to this thing. Only remember they want it informal and discrete."
"Well what's the sense of throwing a part then?" Ryoko joked.
Ayeka grinned silently along with her. That's exactly what I was thinking. What kind of royalty is this that they don't want the best of things?
"Catara…" Basho warned with mock anger.
"You can't pretend this is all very odd uncle." Ryoko continued ignoring his warning as she crossed her arms. "Since when do these people ask for something private and discrete?"
"If you ask me they want something." Ayeka added with out thinking.
Ryoko and Basho turned to her, and Ayeka froze with Ryoko's eyes on her. "Ayeka's right Uncle." Ryoko finally added after what seemed like forever to Ayeka. "They have something in mind."
"Well in either case all we can do in comply to their wishes. After all they are Japan's royalty."
Both girls scoffed at the same moment, making Basho's eyebrow go up, and making them look at each other quickly then even quicker looking away.
"Will you be able to help?" Basho asked Ryoko.
This was her chance to get away. Truthfully she had no time even for tonight. She had lied this evening, saying she had a terrible 'head cold', and had to sleep in. In all honesty she was booked with engagements till next October.
This is my chance! I don't even have to lie. Just tell him of some party and you're off clear and clean. Ryoko nodded to her conscious and bit her lip.
"I would love to."
Where the hell did that come from?
She agreed!? Ayeka gasped in astonishment.
"Excuse me Basho-san." All three of them turned to look at the new voice added. "May I speak with the geisha a moment?" Tenchi asked with a small bow directed at the photographer.
"Of course my boy." Basho aimed the camera and shot the three stiff looking people.
"In private."
Ayeka's eyes widened and Basho coughed while looking curiously at Ryoko. "Catara?"
Ryoko was biting her lip in confusion and didn't even hear her uncle. "Catara?"
"Huh?" She looked at him in surprise. "Oh yeah it's fine. Go ahead and start giving Ayeka the details and I'll catch up." She waved him off with a small quaver in her voice.
She breathed soundly, trying to slow her erratic heart as they walked away and she was left alone with him.
"Kiyone was right, you really had no idea we were going to be here did you?" Tenchi asked as he sat down in a stool belonging to a currently unoccupied studio nearby.
"I had no clue." Ryoko had to admit with a small grin.
The hallway was silent and Ryoko could think of a hundred ways to break the silence but none of them worth trying, not with him. She didn't want to act in front of Tenchi.
Finally she straightened up and decided to say something. "You wanted to speak with me?"
Tenchi looked at her, really looked and sighed loudly. "I thought I wanted to, but," He paused and looked out the window, seeing darkness but knowing the bay was there, even if he couldn't see it. "What's the use? You don't trust me, anything I say you'll think it's a lie." He finished, and despite himself there was a hint of anger rising in his voice.
Ryoko narrowed her eyes and unconsciously placed her hands at her hips. "Whatever you want to say, just say it." She snapped.
Hell if I'm going to take his bullshit. I promised myself never again from anybody, not even from him.
Tenchi came to life just as she said that. He jumped out of the stool with such quickness Ryoko flinched and stepped back. "Who do you think you are Ryoko? You're the one who decided to get up and leave with no explanation and you have the audacity to stand there and act like I'm the bad guy here?"
Ryoko's eyes burned. "I don't have to give any explanations to anybody, especially not you."
"Yes you do," Ryoko opened her mouth to retort but Tenchi was too quick for her. "You want to know why you do? Because you were a part of the family and that's what a family does! They take care of each other, and not just abandon each other for no reason."
"Both you and I know that was not true." Ryoko said. "The only family there is and ever was is the Jurain family."
Tenchi looked at her long and hard. He ran an agitated hand over his hair, "It is not my fault you are so insecure about yourself to think you were not a part of the family."
"I am not insecure!"
"Yes you are, and what's more, you let yourself be ruled by them. We have done nothing to make you feel like you weren't wanted. I have done nothing." Tenchi paused, ready for whatever rebuts Ryoko was to give, but all she did was stand there, fuming.
What else did you expect me to do after I catch you and Ayeka making out? You didn't even show me any respect by telling me, just went on behind my back.
"What I said back there, in the hospital, that's how I feel Tenchi. You can either take it or leave it." Ryoko whispered. "You are much my family as Washu is my mother."
Tenchi froze at Ryoko's comment, mere feet away from her they stood facing each other. "We have not heard from Washu since you left Ryoko."
"She's around." She stated nonchalantly.
Tenchi looked surprised by her answer. Doesn't she care at al for her mother?
Of course she does. Tenchi's subconscious answered him.
He looked back at the stool and sighing sat back down, now slightly below eye level with Ryoko he asked, "Now that we have gotten that out of out systems… Why did you really leave?"
Ryoko looked down and smiled painfully. "It's true Tenchi. You guys did treat me like family…"
She looked at him and bit her lip. "You treated me like a friend and sister. I did not want to be that for you Tenchi, and as much as I understood that for you making a decision would be painstaking and inevitably hurt somebody in the family, I also understood that my love for you was hurting me. I could no longer sit idly by and wrestle your affection from Ayeka … or Haruna…" at the mention of her Tenchi's eye's widened but Ryoko fared on, "Or any other girl. If you didn't learn to love me as a woman by then, you would not have done it ever. I left to let you go, so you could be happy and not have to run around hiding her behind my back."
Tenchi stood and walked over to her. He reached his hand to caress Ryoko's cheek but she moved her face away. "Tenchi I have let you go now."
He froze for a second before reaching with both hands to cup her face.
Ryoko shut her eyes firmly, forcefully fighting her need to look into his eyes.
Taking a deep breath she whispered. "Tenchi I trust you in battle. I would give my life for you, for anyone in the family, and I trust you would give your life for me…" She pushed his hands away gently and opened her eyes. "But I will never again trust you with my heart."
"Geisha Catara? Geisha? . . . Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt."
Ryoko and Tenchi turned to the sudden interruption and were met with Bokkai giving them a goofy looking smile.
He looked sheepish and stupid to Tenchi.
As far as Ryoko was concerned she could give him a big kiss right then and there.
She sighed in relief and quickly distanced herself from Tenchi. His hands now were raised in midair, where they moments before had cradles her face, now held only emptiness.
"It's okay, we were finished." Ryoko said without looking at Tenchi. Bokkai looked at him for confirmation. Once Tenchi nodded, Bokkai felt more self-assured and moved to stand between the two people.
"Is something wrong with my shawl?" Ryoko asked as she noticed he had it delicately wrapped over his right arm.
"Yes, it was ringing a few minutes ago. I heard it echo through the hall, but was too late to answer it." He held his head high as he handed the shawl over to its owner and waited for her thanks.
Ryoko searched for it's pockets and then glanced at the cell phone's screen, which had a name blaring, Fei.
I wonder what she wanted? Ryoko moved her finger over the speed dial, but felt the heavy awareness that comes to a person as they become aware of someone staring.
Her eyes flickered and caught Tenchi's own that had settled permanently on her features, not wavering when he was caught. Ryoko whipped her head towards Bokkai and smiled warily.
"Thanks Bokkai. I think I'll call her a bit later, Basho is waiting for me." And before another circumstance occurred that would force her to stay at Tenchi's side, she walked away, all the while acutely aware of Tenchi's piercing gaze.
"What were you two talking about?" Bokkai asked Tenchi as Ryoko disappeared down the hall.
Tenchi turned to look at his fellow artist and smiled while shaking his head. "How's your painting going?" He asked instead as they to followed Ryoko's earlier path down the hall.
** ** ** ** **
"Uncle?" Ryoko walked straight into a shot he was about to take of a woman deciding whether to make the background of her painting dusk or dawn.
"Cat!" Basho looked up in surprise and curiosity. "You took quite some time speaking with Tenchi." He let his observation hang in the air, and focused on reading her features.
"Yes. He was just thanking me for coming to Kukune's aid." Ryoko lied without missing a beat.
"Why didn't you tell the family of what you and Fei did?" Basho asked.
Ryoko shrugged impatiently. Eager to get off the subject at hand, she looked around as she answered, "Must have slipped my mind with all the appointments I have to keep- Why didn't you tell me about Ayeka?" Ryoko joined both sentences as one, and succeeded in steering Basho of his topic.
"It slipped my mind."
Ryoko narrowed her eyes at her uncle.
"Don't tell me you have backed out on our deal Catara?" Basho asked.
"Well, do you really need my help? I bet the Empress's family will supply their own list of guests or something. I don't think they'd take too warmly to the idea of a geisha throwing their party."
"Now Cat. I could bet good money that one of the reasons the Empress chose me for this campaign was because I am your uncle."
Ryoko's eyes widened at the different point of view. "Uncle, they asked for you because you are a wonderful photographer. It'd take an absolute moron not to see your talents at all the photos you've taken of the country and it's people."
"You yourself said it my dear niece." Basho interrupted. "The country side …. You might as well have said last century. No one wants to hire an over the hill photographer who still clings to the old movements. They want to see the future. They want photographs with color and pizzazz… Sky scrapers and raves, not a farmer standing next to his farm…" He smiled at Ryoko's enraged expression and hugged her.
"Don't look too mad my dear. It's the truth, and I'd be dumb not to realize it. My time was yesterday, and your time is today. Now will you work with Ms. Ayeka?"
Ryoko looked at his gentle eyes and nodded while returning the hug. "Yeah … " She straightened her blouse after the hug, when suddenly she looked up with a grin. "But don't you think for a second I believe all that nonsense about your time being yesterday. I've have seen how people kiss your behind just to take a picture with you."
With that said she turned around and spotting Ayeka sitting on one side of the round table with papers scattered in front of her, she walked of.
She heard Basho's deep, hearty laugh behind her and smiled. Basho aimed the camera and took a wonderful shot of Ryoko's enticing view that only came when you observed her behind.
"That'll be a keeper," He whispered to himself.
Basho spotted movement on the corner of his eye and caught Tenchi and Bokkai walking out of the same corridor Ryoko had just walked out of. He raised his camera, adjusting the focus for the picture, when he zoomed in on Tenchi. He had the same numb expression Catara had a few minutes ago. Only, it seemed he could not hide it as well as she could. It was plainly visible as Bokkai continued talking and Tenchi only nodded at intervals.
Something is going on between them. Catara can't fool me. Where she is going I have gone and come back. Tenchi's face… same expression as her own… if I didn't know any better I'd say there was some romantic interest hidden somewhere.
* * * * * * * * *
Ryoko's confident stride faltered for a second as she approached to Ayeka. Hesitating momentarily, she took a deep breath and readied her smile. Pulling out the chair beside her she tapped her fingernails on the wooden table, indirectly demanding Ayeka's attention.
"So …" she looked at the papers scattered in front of them lazily and continued with an air of nonchalance, "any ideas?"
Ayeka's pen froze in the middle of a word and she looked up with a small gasp. "You're really going to help?"
Ryoko nodded and settled a little bit more comfortably in the chair and slid the nearest paper in front of her and glanced at it.
"I thought you were going to back out and run away."
Ryoko's eyes snapped up and her mouth closed to a thin line. "When I say something I do it, I'm not the kind of girl to go behind someone's back."
She saw us. I knew that was the reason for Ryoko running away. But, doesn't she realize we are not together, doesn't she see? Ayeka's mind raced as her mouth struggled with a worthy retort, but Ryoko beat her to it.
"Ayeka if this is how it's going to be, I might just as well leave." Ryoko made a move to stand up, but Ayeka raised her hands.
She's right, I promised Basho-san we would do this together.
"Okay … Well these are my ideas." Ayeka said after a small sigh. She gathered up the papers quickly, taking away Ryoko's as well and tidying them up in her hands before continuing. "Since we haven't had any bad weather for awhile, I was thinking of doing the gathering near the bay."
Ryoko unconsciously nodded and paid full attention, liking Ayeka's idea. Ayeka on her part, sensed Ryoko's earnest interest in her ideas, without the usual insults they had come with in the past, and began talking more excitedly.
"We could move all the good paintings to one of the restaurants near the bay-"
"You mean rent the restaurant for the night?" Ryoko asked.
"Of course." Ayeka answered while handing her a paper with some places she had thought of.
"I was thinking since this whole campaign was created to beautify Japanese culture, then we could go with a traditional Japanese restaurant." Ryoko nodded along with Ayeka as her index finger traveled down the list and stopped midway.
Yeki-uyo, wasn't that the restaurant Matobi took me to the other day? The food there was absolutely delicious!
"Yeki-uyo is the best if what you are aiming for is Japanese delicacies. I have been there a few times and the place is exquisite."
"So you think it's a good idea?" Ayeka asked bashfully.
Ryoko looked up and shrugged, "It's an idea."
Ayeka's breath quickened at the seemingly uninterested answer Ryoko had just given her. Nice idea, ha! It is a great idea.
"I've also been to Yeki-uyo," Ayeka lied, "and let me tell you that in Jurai I would not have set foot a mile around that place-"
"So why is it on your list?" Ryoko interrupted with a playful tone in her voice.
"Because…because….," she looked through her papers quickly while Ryoko failed to keep her teasing grin from flowering on her lips. Ryoko let out a silent chuckle that she knew would infuriate the princess.
"That's the best earth has to offer." Ayeka finished with a shrug.
"Oh! What are you guys doing?" Mihoshi snuck up on the pair.
Ryoko turned to Mihoshi and smiled playfully, while Ayeka quirked an eyebrow, annoyed at Mihoshi's infamous bad timing.
"We are trying to decide where to host a private art show." Ayeka informed Mihoshi.
"Why don't you pull up a chair?"
"Really?"
Ryoko made a face. "Of course Mihoshi, why would I mind?"
Mihoshi's excited eyes then traveled to the princess.
"What?" She looked at the two women. "I certainly don't mind…" Ayeka said as she realized Mihoshi was referring to her. "Of course Basho-san did ask us, only."
Ayeka's possessive tone did not go unnoticed by Ryoko.
"Oh." Mihoshi looked at the empty place between the girls and sighed quietly.
"Basho won't mind." Ryoko waved of Ayeka's comment and reassured Mihoshi with a warm smile before she had time to walk away, "We need all the help we can get." Ryoko winked at Mihoshi as she stood up and brought a chair over.
"Okay! If your sure…" Mihoshi looked at Ryoko not really certain if she should stay.
"It's alright. I live with the man, I should know."
"You live with Basho-san?" Ayeka asked surprised.
Damn! I shouldn't have let that slip. Ryoko resisted the urge to bite her lip and nodded curtly.
"Now Mihoshi," she changed conversations without blinking, "if you were to host a private art show, where would you do it?"
"Umm…Well… some where in the art district… a nice place, with lots of windows for light… something classy…" Mihoshi looked at both women and shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know Ryoko, Ayeka knows about fancy places, I'm not very good at this." Mihoshi spit out in one long breath.
"You were doing just fine." Ryoko said while Ayeka nodded in agreement. "Actually… I think I know just the place." The hint of playfulness in her eyes glowed brighter as she looked at both women.
"Dai-ichi."
Ayeka's mouth dropped open as Mihoshi awaited further description.
"You have to be kidding."
"What?" Mihoshi asked curiously.
"We are not having the preview there." Ayeka added, failing to hide her own curiosity and intrigue at Ryoko's suggestion, not to mention her goofy smile.
"Where? What is the Dai-ichi?"
"Mihoshi!" Ayeka shot out her hands and cupped Mihoshi's mouth shut while a very becoming blush traveled up her arms only to settle permanently on her face.
Ryoko's amused grin evolved into a full-blown smile, which she just couldn't shake.
Ayeka's own smile rivaled Ryoko's as she let out giggle before releasing Mihoshi.
"What is it?" Mihoshi asked again while massaging her cheeks where Ayeka had pressed a little too painfully. "I hate it when you guys don't tell me things."
Ryoko's eyes finally escaped from Ayeka's own piercing gaze and landed on the lost ex-galaxy police officer. "I'm sorry Mihoshi," she let out chuckle. "I really don't know why that silly princess freaked out like that."
Ayeka huffed in her chair with her smile and blush still alive and kicking on her face. "Only because it's the most famous teahouse in Japan."
Mihoshi's eyes got wide and she looked towards Ryoko for confirmation.
"Tokyo Ayeka." Ryoko corrected with a raised index finger. "The most famous teahouse in Tokyo. If you're looking for the most famous teahouse in Japan that's the Ichiriki in Kyoto."
"That's not the point!" Ayeka defended her outburst, giggles tickling her tone.
"I didn't know that." Mihoshi said very intrigued indeed. "How did you know Ayeka?"
"That's a very good question Mihoshi." Ryoko folded her arms over her chest and cocked her eyebrow at Ayeka. "How did you know of the Dai-ichi Ayeka?" She leaned back in the chair, hardly being able to contain her anticipation.
I was trying to look for you Ryoko.
"I don't know… I just do." Ayeka lied. "Besides I don't think the Empress' family will like to go to a teahouse."
"Why not?" Mihoshi asked teasingly, getting the rules of Ryoko's game.
"It's not a proper place." Ayeka leaned in close and waited for Ryoko and Mihoshi to follow her lead. "Women get paid to pleasure a man there Mihoshi."
"Paid? For what, entertainment?"
"No Mihoshi!" Ayeka rolled her eyes.
"Yes Mihoshi." Ryoko clarified as she laughed at Ayeka's narrow-minded knowledge of the flower and willow world.
"Don't lie to her." Ayeka said.
"I'm not lying." Ryoko answered back and then shrugged when Ayeka narrowed her eyes at her.
"What do you think goes on in a teahouse?" Ryoko asked curious to see what kind of things Ayeka thought she did as a geisha.
"In a teahouse," Ayeka began accepting Ryoko's challenge, "women called geisha entertain men." She looked at Ryoko before continuing. "These geisha get paid to pleasure men." She looked at Mihoshi and clarified, "sex Mihoshi. They get paid to have sex."
Mihoshi looked at Ryoko with surprise. She knew the demon was not shy about her body, but she never imagined…
"Oh please," Ryoko couldn't suppress a chuckle at the severely mysterious tone Ayeka had used.
"Is it true?" Mihoshi couldn't help but ask.
"It is." Ryoko paused, cocking an eyebrow at Mihoshi as she held her breath awaiting an answer from her. She entertained the idea of waiting to see just how long Mihoshi could hold her breath without turning blue, but decided not to be so cruel to her friend. "But what Ayeka is describing," she looked at Ayeka and smiled crookedly, "is not a teahouse and not a geisha but a yujo."
"A what?"
"A woman of pleasure as Ayeka might say."
"And your not one of them are you?" Mihoshi foolishly asked.
Ryoko bristled and made a face at her, sitting back in the chair, a frown rapidly taking the place of her grin. If she weren't Mihoshi, I would rip her skin off.
"I'm sorry Cat, I'm sorry." Mihoshi repeated touching Ryoko's arm lightly as she noticed she had said the wrong thing. "I never think before I speak."
Ryoko's frown remained but her eyes softened at the bubbly blonde's sincere apology.
"Well then what do you do at a teahouse?" Ayeka asked, before Ryoko could accept Mihoshi's apology.
"I'm glad you girls are so into this project." Basho interrupted with a flash of his camera, capturing the camaraderie that these women seemed to share. Painfully obvious to anyone who took the time to watch them interact with each other.
"I'm sorry Basho-san." Mihoshi quickly bowed and stood up, not wanting to get scolded for putting her nose in Ayeka and Ryoko's business.
"It's alright my dear," Basho smiled as he wound the roll in his camera. "The more hands the better."
"See I told you." Ryoko whispered in Mihoshi's ear as she pulled her arm down to get her to sit.
"So what have you ladies decided?" Basho inquired.
"Well…" Ayeka looked at Ryoko with a blank stare. We haven't decided on a single thing! "Umm…" She shifted through her papers, trying to buy some time as she thought of an answer.
"Ayeka was thinking of having the preview near the bay." Ryoko nodded her head at Ayeka while informing her uncle.
"Cat was thinking of having it at the Da-" Mihoshi began.
"Ahem." Ryoko cleared her throat while Ayeka nudged Mihoshi gently on the ribs.
"Actually," she looked at Ayeka quickly, nodding her head so she would follow her lead. "Ayeka was saying how unique an experience it would be for the Empress' family if we have the preview in the Ryo-tei near the bay. Of course I would have to ask the Okasan there, but that shouldn't be a problem."
"What a splendid idea Ayeka!" Basho-san beamed at the princess, who smiled meekly and looked at Ryoko through the corners of her eyes. "Of course," Basho continued, "We won't make any definite plans yet, until you Cat can confirm we have the restaurant for the night."
Ryoko nodded and winked at Mihoshi who had realized what she had just done and had her mouth hanging open in sweet surprise.
"Psst! What's a Ryo-tei?" She asked Ryoko while Basho was busy asking Ayeka more questions.
"It's a restaurant geisha sometimes sing and dance in." Ryoko whispered and sat back before Basho noticed.
"Which Ryo-tei were you thinking of?" Basho asked Ayeka while putting his camera down on the table and eased himself down to sit at the corner of the table next to Ryoko.
"Didn't you mention the Ryo-tei in the Shimbashi district?" Ryoko innocently asked Ayeka before she could answer Basho.
"Yes I did." Ayeka said smiling a bit nervously. "It's been oddly warm this winter, and the days have been delicious near the bay." Ayeka added pleased. "Then if this warm weather holds out, we can even take them sailing."
She lies almost as well as I do, almost. Ryoko thought with a mental chuckle.
Basho listened intently while slowly combing his long beard, getting his fingers lost in his mane of white.
"Yeah, and Ayeka was also thinking how nice it would be to have the exhibition in the feudal Japan style. You know, to show our national pride and all." Mihoshi added and blushed as Ryoko cocked a playful eyebrow at her.
Fast thinking Mihoshi.
"Well it seems sparks are indeed flying between you girls." Basho said impressed. "Before we continue, Catara make sure we can get the Ryo-tei." He repeated while he picked up his camera and added, "you girls did good, very good."
Both Ayeka and Mihoshi beamed, Mihoshi noticing Basho had added her in his praise as well. Basho looked at his watch and looked away quickly as he sneezed. "I think I'm going to call it a night." He sniffed and took out a handkerchief from his shawl's pocket to gently wipe his mouth.
Ryoko stood up and caught the edge of his shawl that was slowly slipping from his shoulders. "Tomorrow we're going to see the Shinto priest," she said determined. "And don't shake her your head at me, you stubborn old man. I'll get Serla and Fei to annoy you until you do otherwise."
Basho snorted at her joke, but began coughing almost instantaneously. "Alright my dear you win, you win." He pinched Ryoko's cheek lovingly and cuddled up underneath his shawl for warmth. "Lets go home."
Ayeka watched the interaction with interested. Noticing the tender voice and manners Ryoko used with Basho. Ayeka rarely got to see that side of her, and she only began showing it to her during their long stay in Tokyo.
"You're leaving already?" Mihoshi asked as both she and Ayeka stood up.
"Yes. I'm afraid I'm not feeling too well tonight, and I only borrowed Catara for few hours." Ayeka and Mihoshi nodded it seemed only out of politeness, for in their faces Basho could see just how much they wanted Ryoko to stay.
"But perhaps Catara will find some way to come back with me soon?" He asked Ryoko for Ayeka and Mihoshi's benefit.
"I will certainly try." Ryoko answered in earnest, not noticing Ayeka's silent sigh of relief.
"It's such a pleasure to meet you Geisha Catara!" a girl said loudly pushing her way, almost slapping Mihoshi aside to stand in front of Ryoko. "I attended the gala in honor of Matobi. You looked exquisite, simply beautiful, and the paintings Matobi-san did of you, wow."
Ryoko smiled politely out of habit, but she frowned mentally at the familiarity this girl was using with Matobi. If he were here, he wouldn't give her a glance. There was nothing more he hated than a suck up.
"This is Kiyoki, one of our blossoming new artists." Basho introduced the two women.
Ryoko automatically straightened up and clasped her hands in front of her, which would be hidden if she were wearing a kimono.
"Hello." Ryoko bowed her head slightly. "It was such a misfortune that we were not introduced at the gala."
Despite her boisterous nature, Ryoko was very able to hold her tongue when it suited her, and even though at this particular moment she wanted nothing more than to leave this girl talking to the wall, her geisha training forbid her to do so. And of course there was the little detail that is she were to be rude to her, Basho-san would be disappointed and much worse, he could tell Serla of her lack of grace and good manners. Then she'd really be in for it.
"I can't believe you're really here! And," she looked at Basho quickly, "will Matobi be dropping by?" she asked. Basho shook his head.
Can she be any more obvious? Ayeka thought with a quiet snort.
"I've always found myself drawn by his work," Kiyoki began as Basho excused himself to say farewell. "The use of his brush strokes … and his use of colors so vibrant, he is simply amazing!"
Ryoko looked through the corner of her eyes, trying to judge how far away Basho was, and trying to formulate a plan to leave this woman as soon as possible. As Kiyoki got more into her observations of Matobi, Ayeka and Mihoshi picked up the papers on the table and walked away, Ryoko could not see where since Kiyoki's head was blocking her line of vision.
If she loves Matobi so much, why didn't she speak with him at the gala? Ryoko looked at her with boredom and noticed that she wasn't at all that bad looking. With long, straight black hair and pale skin, Ryoko was surprised why with all these attributes she still came of as plain looking.
"And of course when I was able to acquire the tickets to the gala I was just thrilled! I must have screamed for an hour… no for two hours! I must have gone sour in the throat."
Ryoko laughed along with her. When is this girl ever gonna stop blabbing?
"And then there was the task of choosing what to wear! I mean, a girl can't just wear any silly old thing, you must know that Cat-san."
Ryoko cocked an eyebrow at how chummy she was getting with her after what? Two minutes speaking to her? This girl is trying my patience.
"But then after everything seemed to have fallen into place, that jerk of a boyfriend cheats on me! I'm never going to go out with a man again!"
I know what it is! Despite the fact that she has nice hair, nice skin. She could really look beautiful… but her manner is a little too rough, her eyes too desperate, and her attitude too fake. She probably doesn't even realize how hypocritical she appears to be. Matobi would never turn down a chance to meet a pretty girl, but no wonder he let this one go, she seems like the stalker type.
"There is a guy I like though. He is soo cute, and though I think he likes someone else, I bet I can change his mind." Kiyoki said with a serious gleam in her eyes.
Maybe I'm being too high and mighty? Catara don't forget you yourself were loud and obnoxious more times than you can count.
"And now that I see him every night, it will be easy making him fall helplessly in love with me."
I can speak to Matobi about looking at her work. He always likes to be surrounded by people who worship his every breath and thought. And who knows? She really might be talented enough for people to look past her hypocritical exterior.
For all her effort, Kiyoki's high pitched giggle was making her head hurt, and she decided to look for the easiest way to end the conversation.
Ryoko for once was extremely glad for all the talents the flower and willow world had offered to her. No proper Japanese lady could compete with a geisha in conversing and relating with people. That fact was more than evident in the past century when ladies from society function primarily as baby factories.
In this day in age, even as women became more liberated, the strings that bound them within society remained as strongly woven as ever.
Of course geisha popularity which had reached its peek decades before was slowly making a come back, yet for the average, geisha's received much more freedom than the average woman.
And that fact alone, gave them access to just about everything, very often feasting on the spoils of whatever war had come and gone, be it physical or political.
"Excuse me Kiyoki, I have to say farewell to a few people." Ryoko bowed and walked away before Kiyoki could say two words in the contrary.
Ryoko stepped into a hallway, walking fast, glancing quickly in the studios she passed, looking for the front door.
Hoe big is this building? She turned another corner and sighed. Wrong turn. If I could just faze…Things would be so much simpler…Ryoko shook her head with a smirk at the absurdity of life's little ironies. What am I talking about walking through walls… I haven't thought about phasing in more than six months! She turned another corner and the sight that met her gaze froze her on the spot.
"Sasami." Ryoko whispered painfully.
She was sitting on a chair, a book resting on her lap. Her legs were delicately twisted around her ankles, legs that Ryoko had last seen dangling, not long enough to reach the floor. She's a little woman now.
Sasami's piercing pink eyes, eyes that had held love for the former space pirate now held an emotion which Ryoko couldn't read. Where did my little princess go? She held back a sob that threatened to erupt from deep inside her. She walked to her, all the while breathing deeply, trying to steady her broken heart.
"Hey kid." She spoke out of breath.
Sasami looked down and closed the book gently. "Hi Ryoko," she whispered to her book.
Ryoko looked around for a chair and finally decided to kneel in front of the goddess. "What are you reading?"
Sasami looked up and bit her lip, a habit that she had gotten from the space pirate long ago. "Nothing." She sniffed as angry tears began surfacing. "Why did you leave?"
Ryoko sighed. "Kid …" Ryoko just couldn't lie to her, not to that sweet face. "I have so many reasons Sasami, but none of them seem to justify why."
"Why did you leave … me?" Sasami asked in a voice so small that Ryoko had to lean in close to understand, but when she did, tears stung her eyes as if they had just been submerged in lemon juice.
"I didn't leave you kid, I .."
"But you did leave me." Sasami blurted out with tears running down her face. "You abandoned me."
Tears spilled out of Ryoko's eyes and as she opened her arms, Sasami running into them, holding tight as she hid her face in Ryoko's shoulder. "I'm so sorry Sasami, I would never do anything intentionally to hurt you." She swallowed a sob and hugged Sasami back, caressing her hair just like she would do whenever Ryo-ohki woke up scared from a nightmare.
"I missed you so much Ryoko." Sasami said as she pulled back from the hug and wiped her face with her sleeve.
"Don't do that kid." She stopped Sasami's sleeve from leaving red marks on her features and gently set it down on her lap.
She then took out a tiny rectangular box filled with delicately embroidered handkerchiefs and ever so gently dried her tears. "You've grown up so much Sasami…" She commented more to her unbelieving eyes than to the young princess as she traced her fingertips on Sasami's chin and pinched it playfully. "You're beautiful."
Sasami sniffed and blushed. "You've changed too Ryoko." She mimicked Ryoko's earlier actions and taking the box from Ryoko's hands, she dried her face, winking in a very playful, space pirate like way.
Ryoko laughed despite the tears they had both just spilt moments before.
"Give me another hug kid."
Sasami giggled and happily complied, sitting on Ryoko's lap on the floor.
"What is going to happen now Ryoko?"
"No matter what," Ryoko said with every ounce of truth spilling from her tongue, "I will always be there for you kid. No more hiding, no more running away. I promise, any time you need me, I'll be there."
Sasami stared at her quietly with unblinking eyes.
"Do you trust me?" Ryoko asked with her heart on her sleeve.
Sasami searched her features, finally settling on her eyes.
Say yes honey. Say yes. Ryoko thought as she unconsciously held her breath and bit her lip.
Sasami suddenly smiled and nodded. "Yes Ryoko, I've always trusted you."
"That's my girl." Ryoko sighed with relief, embracing her in yet another hug.
"What have you been doing all this time?" Sasami asked curious after both girls had dried their tears completely.
"I have been getting to know me." Ryoko answered, hoping Sasami would understand.
"You didn't know yourself before?"
Ryoko smiled and took a deep breath, trying to find the correct words to use on the princess. "Before, it was easier for me to behave the way people thought of me."
Sasami made a 'huh?' face that Ryoko just had to answer with a smirk. "Everyone thought of me as loud, uncaring, unfeeling demon… so if that's what they wanted from me that's what they got."
"I never thought that of you Ryoko." Sasami said. "And I'm pretty sure the rest of family didn't think of you like that either."
"I know kid. You've always been good to me, right from the start." She ruffled her bangs and then smoothed them down lovingly. "But after acting like a brat, I didn't know what else to be. Throwing tantrums everyday and fighting with your sister every minute. It got to be exhausting."
Sasami giggled. "I have to admit that Ayeka can be handful."
Ryoko grinned, "She sure can kid."
"What about Tenchi? He never thought of you as a demon."
I'm sure he did sometimes. Ryoko thought to herself.
"Tenchi… Tenchi is another matter."
"Do you still love him? Sasami asked what not even Ryoko could ask herself.
"I …," Ryoko smiled and shrugged. "I will always love all of you Sasami. I just needed to escape for awhile, find myself."
"I wish you would have found yourself with us." Sasami confessed.
"Oh honey," She lifter her chin to look her in the eyes. "I only wish I had not done things so badly, I took the coward's way out by running away. But from now on, you can come and visit me anytime you want! Ryo-ohki will be thrilled!"
At the mention of Ryo-ohki Sasami's entire face lit up. "How is she?"
"She's fine, missing you all… but missing you most of all." Ryoko confessed.
"I miss her very much."
"I think the time has come to reunite you two."
"Really?" Sasami sat up and looked Ryoko dead on. "When?"
"Well… right now, she is going to pre-kinder and has her hands full with that-"
"Ryo-ohki is going to school?!" Sasami repeated astonished.
"Yup." Ryoko smiled with pride and love. "And she is getting pretty darn good at talking too."
"Oh my Goddess! She talks!" Sasami's hands traveled to her face in shock.
Ryoko laughed at the expression she used. "you know Sasami, you shouldn't say 'Oh my Goddess!', you should say 'Oh Me!'."
Sasami laughed shyly.
"After all I am talking to Tsunami here." Ryoko said with ease. Ease that normally would not accompany someone who just realized in this little girl a supreme being reigned.
"I guess you're right." She laughed. "I can't believe Ryo-ohki speaks! How did you teach her? I had been trying for ages!"
"I know. Ryo-ohki told me. I guess she didn't feel the urgency to speak when she could communicate with me through our mind link. When I gave up my gems, she gave it her best effort to learn to speak."
"Don't you miss your powers?"
Ryoko exhaled loudly, while her fingers still played with Sasami's hair. "Everyday. Sometimes I wake up still half asleep and walk into a wall, still expecting to just faze through it."
"Ha! Just like Ryo-ohki did when she was learning to faze."
"Yup."
"Ryoko?"
"What is it kid?"
"I know what you mean."
"About what?"
"About finding yourself. I feel that way sometimes with Ayeka. She has my life set up for me already. How I should act, speak, walk… Sometimes I feel that I might suffocate."
"You just have to talk to her Sasami. Even as hard headed as Ayeka is, she will eventually ease up on you. She loves you kid, don't forget that."
Sasami nodded. "I won't, just as long as you don't forget we love you too. Even Kiyone missed you."
Ryoko smiled. "You got it kid. Now I must go. Basho isn't feeling too well, and he needs his rest." She said as both girls stood up.
"When will I see you again?"
"I'll try and come back as soon as possible."
Sasami made a face, as if not believing that she would indeed come back soon.
"Come on kid, don't make that face. Tell you what. If you need anything just tell Basho and he will tell me faster than you can say moshi moshi."
Sasami nodded in resignation.
"Good. Now I seriously have to go. I don't want Basho to get worse because of me." Ryoko looked down as she took Sasami's hand in her own to give it a gentle squeeze.
They walked out of the corridor just in time to catch Kiyoki walk across the main room, her target? The browned eyed artist who was currently busy choosing tubes of oil paint.
Unconsciously Ryoko stopped walking. Her eyes followed Kiyoki's gaze, and connected with the Okayama native. It felt like watching a play in slow motion. With baited breath Ryoko studied her moves carefully, taking mental notes of the way she sashayed her hips, and the flirty curl of her lips as she got nearer to Tenchi. Not wanting to disrupt the scene in front of her from unfolding, Ryoko unconsciously stopped, and tensed her arm, forcing Sasami to stop as well.
"Hello Tenchi." She smiled coquettishly at him, batting her eyes.
"Hi Kiyoki."
That was it? Ryoko thought amused as Tenchi returned her hello and went back to his tubes of paint. She chuckled and Sasami looked up at her curiously.
Kiyoki for her part narrowed her eyes annoyed. Doesn't this boy get a clue? She leaned in close, letting her hair fall over her face, and asked innocently. "You're planning to paint?"
"Uh … yeah."
Kiyoki mentally cursed herself. What a stupid question! "Of course your gonna paint, what a silly question." She laughed and Tenchi smiled with her. "I mean, you already finished your other painting?" She leaned in even closer with big astonished eyes, as he nodded his head. "You finished?! Wow! How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
She smiled shyly and blushed. "Be so good at what you do? Look so good like you do…"
Oh please! Give me a break.
At that moment, Kiyone walked up out of nowhere and stepped in between them. Ryoko was surprised at the sudden arrival of the galaxy police officer, and out of habit looked around the room for her other partners in crime. Sure enough Ayeka and Mihoshi were close behind.
"I see they still get jealous." Ryoko thought out loud.
"Well … not really, but Kiyoki is not a very nice girl." Sasami answered her as Kiyoki began arguing with the Kiyone.
"What do you mean?" Ryoko asked as she consciously looked down at the child goddess.
"It's so obvious she only wants to date Tenchi because he could help her." Sasami clarified. Tenchi has been asked by a lot of independent galleries to exhibit his work, something that Kiyone said Kiyoki wanted for herself."
"Kiyone said that?"
"Uh-huh. They can't stand each other."
"I see…" Ryoko turned once again to look at the three alien women argue with Kiyoki. I see some things never change. All that picture is missing is, me burning a whole in a wall.
"Do you think Tenchi will ever agree to go on a date with her?" Sasami asked wanting to see what Ryoko would do.
"Perhaps, but I don't think anything worthwhile will come of it."
"Why not?"
"I saw the way she approached him." Ryoko laughed at a memory that would have haunted her just a few months before. "Don't forget I tried every trick in the book to seduce Tenchi and nothing worked. Especially not what that girl just did." The only thing I didn't try is approach him as a woman, always a child wanting a toy… I wonder if he would have paid attention if I had?
"I bet he would pay attention now." Sasami said eerily in sync with Ryoko's thoughts.
"You think so huh?" Ryoko grinned down and playfully swatted her bangs, leaving them hanging in a clump on the front of her face.
"Hey!" Sasami protested playfully as she blew air from her mouth up to move the bangs away from her eyes.
"You best be on your toes when you're around me kid." Ryoko used her 'pirate' brogue as she pinched Sasami's cheek, knowing that gesture as something she loved to receive, especially as she was reminded of her mother's caresses back in Jurai.
"No fair, you're taller than me!"
Not by far, Ryoko noted mentally. Sasami's head now reached her shoulders and would soon be at eye level with her.
"Life's not always fair." A third voice entered the conversation, a voice that Ryoko had left in the middle of a heated argument between the three alien ladies and Kiyoki.
"Hey Tenchi!" Sasami laughed and held her arm out, enveloping his hand in hers as she clasped the other tightly against Ryoko's own.
"Guess what!" Sasami asked excitedly, swinging both their arms back and forth.
"What?" Tenchi smiled at Sasami's infectious attitude, that girl could always make him smile.
"Ryo-ohki learned to talk!" She revealed, almost bursting with joy. "Can you believe it! Our Ryo-ohki can speak!" Sasami looked over at Ryoko who was smiling uneasily. "When can we see her?"
We? Ryoko cocked her eyebrow. When did Tenchi get involved in this?
"I would love to see Ryo-ohki again." Tenchi said in a soft tone.
Ryoko froze. There was a knot in her throat that threatened to leave her gasping for air.
"She misses you too." Ryoko confessed. It's the truth. She told herself with a mental shrug as she waited for his reaction.
"When can we see her?" Sasami asked again as she pulled on Ryoko's arm, not knowing how bad her timing was.
"We've been over this kid. I promise I'll bring her over as soon as I can." Ryoko pleaded against Sasami's big puppy dog eyes.
"Sasami." Tenchi interrupted as he kneeled down at her level. Ryoko looked on with interest. Tenchi has always had that special touch with Sasami.
"I'm sure we'll see Ryo-ohki very soon. But if you're still uneasy, why don't we set a date now? That way we'll all have enough time to clear our schedules."
"Catara will love to eat lunch with us if you ask."
Sasami nodded furiously in acceptance as Tenchi stood up and both looked at Ryoko.
"Wanna come to lunch next week Ryoko? Please!" Sasami's arms wrapped around Ryoko's waist. She squeezed tighter as she waited for a response.
I can't believe this! Since when has Tenchi become so good at pinning me down? He knows I can't say no to the kid. Especially with those eyes she is giving me.
"Next weekend… I'm …" taking her to the zoo to see the tigers…
"Come on Ryoko! Pretty please with a cherry on top?" Sasami glanced at Tenchi for support.
"It'll be a lunch between friends." Tenchi smiled and extended his hand. "We are friends aren't we?"
Ryoko looked down at Sasami. Ryo-ohki will be jumping of the walls when I tell her about Sasami. She looked up and noticed Tenchi's extended open hand. She'll be bursting at the seams if Tenchi comes along.
"Friends?" The Jurain prince grinned at her, cocking his eyebrows.
She laughed and nodded at his antics.
"Friends."
They shook on it while a beaming Sasami looked on in glee.
In the quietest of whispers, Sasami said, "They're friends Tsunami, mission accomplished."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"You were very quiet on the ride home Cat-san. Something wrong?" Basho asked as they opened the door to their apartment.
"No, nothing. I guess I'm just tired." She hung the shawls in the foyer's closet and yawned. "I'm going to bed." Basho agreed with his own yawn.
"Do you need anything Uncle?"
"I'm fine my dear, go to bed. Tomorrow we'll go see that priest of yours."
Ryoko nodded and walked to her room slowly, still reeling from what had just gone down. This feels so surreal! She noticed the shadows on the walls, feeling strangely comfort by the shadows the darkness produced.
"A daughter of the night." She whispered to herself. I've always been more comfortable in the shadows. I've been hiding away in this new life of mine, but now… Ryoko hugged herself as she felt a chill travel up her back. They know where I am. No more chances to hide. She sighed as she stood in front of her bedroom door. Ryo-ohki's will be sleeping in my bed, waiting for me to get home. She'll be so happy when I tell her…
"Catara!" Fei whispered from behind and ducked when Ryoko's fist came flying at her face.
"Fei! Don't scare me like that!" Ryoko stood relieved Fei had had time to duck. I would not have missed a close punch like that if I had my gems… the thought crept in her conscious suddenly and left her with a hollow ache deep inside.
"Why didn't you answer your phone?" Fei demanded as she led Ryoko away from
Ryo-ohki's door.
"The phone? … Oh it ran out of batteries." Ryoko noticed how excited Fei seemed to be, her chest heaving up and down, and her eyes big and round. "What it is?"
"Oh Cat, you'll never guess who called you!"
"You know how much I hate guessing games Fei, who?"
"You're not making this any fun for me Catara." Fei said with a pout. "But if you won't guess, then I'll tell you."
A silence followed that left Ryoko's patience as thin as a grain of rice.
"Who?!"
"The ambassador."
"You're kidding."
"No… I'm not. Aren't you pleased?"
Despite the complications his presence it Tokyo would cause her, and the indifference she wanted so much to feel, she couldn't deny herself all the fluttering and somersaults her stomach made at the mention of his name.
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Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo = not mine…. Everything else = mine
Notes: I know I promised that little scene with Washu for this chapter, but then I would have taken even longer to post this, so I decided to bring it next time. Hope you enjoyed it…
Sorry for the immense delay, and to all the continuing readers who are still here.
Oh, one more thing, this chapter was hard for me, because Ryoko establishes her old relationships here, and all the reactions she played with will be explained later on…. And Kiyone will get more lines A. hopefully in the future.
Please Review.