Howdy everyone! Well, did y'all like the last chapter? lol, I know it was short, but this one will be longer, I promise, heh heh. Anyways, thanks everyone who has reviewed thus far. Oh and John (Shakes head) I didn't think you'd seriously read this lol. But thanks for reviewing it, and what the hell do ya mean you'll show me how to really write? I've seen your writings, and they suck lol. Sorry but it's the truth my friend.
Disclaimer- I don't own Tenchi Muyo.
Last Minute Decision
The deafening sounds of the music, the neon lights flashing all over, and the cheers of the people in the room. It's all enough to give anyone a headache, even Tenchi. 'Perhaps coming to Hotsuma's club wasn't a bright idea after all.' He thinks to himself while sitting on a stool in front of the bar inside the club. Tenchi had to get away from everything on this night, and what better place than Hotsuma's club, where the party never ends? Of course that meant risking being seen by Hotsuma and then having to keep a weary eye on the man. But Tenchi hasn't seen Hotsuma yet, 'Thank god.'
Tenchi glances up to the clock hanging up above the bar, 7:30. Tenchi rests his chin on the bar counter as one thought raises through his mind, 'One and a half hours until Azaka and Kimedaki kill Officer Makibi.' It's strange how he's just going to let them do it. But what could he do? If he interferes than Azaka and Kimedaki will kill Sasami and will eventually kill Kiyone anyway. Funny how after a short time he began seeing Sasami as a little sister he never had.
Beautiful Angel,
Can't fight anymore.
Your bruised up, intentions,
Leave in at the door.
Tenchi blinks his eyes rapidly at the sound of the song, much different than the heavy metal bands that usually play, where the singer just screams their heads off. The song makes his mind shift over to the cyan haired apparition that haunts his apartment, or so she claims. Tenchi is beginning to think otherwise since he hasn't seen her for several days now.
The taste of desire I get when you say,
I want you, I need you, can't you again.
You can't be gone, it can't be done,
I won't let this happen again .
Tenchi sighs and rubs his tired eyes. He orders a drink from the bartender. That's one good thing about Hotsuma's club. They sell drinks to minors. To them, money is money, no matter who it's coming from. No wonder why Hotsuma's club is always flooding with people. Now the only question is, 'How does he always have alcohol left?' You'd think they'd run out with the constant drinking. But Hotsuma seems to have an unlimited supply of the numbing substance. Tenchi taps his fingers on the bar counter, listening to the music while he waits for his drink.
Beautiful Angel, I need you again.
I've dropped down
And broke down
For it was the end.
"Here you go." The bartender hands Tenchi his drink.
"Thank you." Tenchi says before taking a gulp of his drink, letting the alcohol burn its way down his throat. As much as Tenchi knows it's useless, he still can't help but try and think of a way to save Kiyone. Even if he succeeded in saving her for the night, Azaka and Kimedaki won't give up until she's dead. After all, an order is an order to them, and their boss has given them the order to kill Kiyone. That makes Tenchi wonder, 'Who is the boss?' Tenchi thinks to himself. In the past he always wondered who was in charge, but he never figured it out. Azaka and Kimedaki would never tell him. After years passed he just forgot about it. Tenchi shakes his head, 'Get back on track Masaki! You need a way to help Officer Makibi.'
You can't be mad,
Only I will feel it.
It's for the better,
It's better for you. Beautiful...
Tenchi's thoughts are interrupted by the loud cheer of everyone in the club after the song ends. Tenchi turns around in his stool to stare at the large crowd in front of the stage in the back of the club. "I think I got a new favorite song." Tenchi hears from behind him.
Tenchi quickly turns around and literally falls off his stool in surprise at the sight of Ryoko face right in front of his. "Ryoko!?" Tenchi says in confusion as he scrambles back onto the stool. Ryoko smirks at him. Tenchi stares at Ryoko, who's laying across the bar counter, holding her head up by her right hand. "What are you doing here?" Tenchi asks immediately.
"Mmmm" Ryoko pretends to be thinking, "Listening to the bands playing. Dive. although a strange name for a band, is actually quite good."
Tenchi shakes his head, "You've been here for several days?" He asks in disbelief.
"No..." Ryoko says, her smile dropping into a frown, "I saw you walk in from outside, so I followed."
"Oh..." Tenchi says lamely. After a moment of silence. Well between the two, the entire club is still in a uproar, Tenchi lets curiosity get the better of him, "Where have you been for the past few days?"
Ryoko's golden cat-like eyes glaze over in thought.
"No It can't be true! I won't believe it!"
"Please Ryoko, you have to understand.."
"No! I won't let it happen!"
"Why do you care so much?"
Ryoko shakes her head, clearing her thoughts, "It doesn't matter." A playful grin spreads across Ryoko's face as she sits up on the counter, "So Tenchi, did you miss me?"
Tenchi scratches the back of his head and gives an embarrassed chuckle, "I guess I did." He admits.
Ryoko quickly leans down and wraps Tenchi into a bear hug, "Awe, I love you too my Tenchi!" She says cheerfully. Anyone who just happened to glance Tenchi's way would be a bit freaked out to see him hovering a few inches above the floor.
Tenchi manages to free himself from Ryoko's clutches. He stumbles a few feet back, breathing heavily as he tries to get oxygen back into his lungs. Tenchi shakes his head a bit dazed, "Is still don't get how a ghost can come in contact with me."
"Oh I can answer that!" Ryoko replies, making Tenchi give her a confused look. Ryoko lowers her head as she places a finger on her temple, as she tries to remember something, "I've been around you so long, and you've become more aware of my presence that you've become more in touch with the realm of the spirits!" Ryoko gives a triumphant smile when she remembers what she was told.
Tenchi blinks in confusion for a few seconds before replying, "Right.. and that means what?"
The smile on Ryoko's face drops as she stutters a few incoherent words as she tries to think of its meaning. Finally she gives up, "I don't know. It's just what I've been told."
Tenchi raises an questioning eyebrow, "Told by who?"
"No one." Ryoko leaps off of the bar counter and lands at Tenchi's side. She clings onto his right arm, "So want to go do something?"
Sweat begins to roll down Tenchi's face as he becomes uncomfortable, "Why are you acting so strange?" Tenchi asks nervously.
"Let's just say I realized something in the past few days." Ryoko responds a bit quietly making Tenchi almost miss it in all the loud music. Ryoko immediately perks up again, "How about we go have some fun!"
Tenchi glances back over to the clock above the bar, "I need to go WAH!"
"What!" Ryoko says jumping in front of Tenchi and looking around frantically for any danger. After not seeing anything she turns back to Tenchi and tilts her head to the side in confusion, "What is it Tenchi?"
"It's already eight-thirty!" Tenchi says panicking.
"So?" Ryoko says not following where Tenchi is going with this.
"I need to meet Officer Makibi at Macel's Paper Products at nine!"
"Oh... " Ryoko's face darkens as a familiar feeling, like a knot forming in the pit of her stomach, appears. Ryoko crosses her arms over her chest and turns her head to the side, "Well you better hurry or you'll be late for your date." Ryoko says bitterly.
"Date!?" Tenchi repeats confused. He shakes his head. "You don't understand, if I don't make it there by nine she'll die."
Ryoko raises an eyebrow, "Shouldn't it be, she'll kill you if you're late?"
Tenchi smacks his forehead, "Azaka and Kimedaki are going to kill her! They see her as a threat or something! I need to help her, or she'll die." Tenchi says quickly, almost too quickly for Ryoko to pick up. Luckily no one else in the club can hear the conversation over the loud music, and if they did, they're just ignoring it.
Ryoko closes her eyes, her right hand twitching on her left bicep. Ryoko uncrosses her arms as she opens her eyes and stares at Tenchi, the expression on his face pleading, "There isn't anything I can say that will stop you." Ryoko begins, "But I'll... h-help you. But you have to be careful."
Tenchi nods, "I will ERPH!" Tenchi finds himself being dragged, literally, out of Hotsuma's club by Ryoko. They burst through the exit and Ryoko takes to the air, ignoring Tenchi's cries of protest.
"You have to give me directions." Ryoko says calmly, keeping a firm grip on Tenchi's hand, "And unless you want someone to see you flying through the air, I recommend you shut up." Ryoko adds after a moment.
Tenchi calms down and after a moment, begins giving Ryoko directions to the abandoned paper factory. 'I can't believe I'm doing this.' Ryoko thinks to herself as she follows Tenchi's direction. Ryoko's brows lower in anger, 'Not after what Tsunami told me.' Ryoko gets lost in the memory of the 'visit' she paid Tsunami a day prior.
Ryoko marches through the central network of Fate, ignoring the surprised looks of other employees. It took her awhile, but she managed to find her way back to heaven, now she can march into Tsunami's office and demand some answers to the questions swarming through her head. "What are you doing back Hussy!" The screechy voice of Ayeaka demands. Ryoko shoves Ayeaka to the side, making her crash into a coffee maker. Ayeaka shouts as hot coffee spills on top of her head.
'Amazing how the dead can still feel pain.' Ryoko thinks just before she slams open the door to Tsunami's office, happily interrupting a meeting between the Goddess and the short red-head, Washu.
"Ryoko? What a pleasant surprise." Tsunami says immediately upon seeing the cyan haired woman.
"Skip the pleasantries. I want answers." Ryoko demands.
"That's a great way of asking." Washu comments sarcastically.
Ryoko shoots her a menacing glare. Tsunami nods her head, "Very well... what is it you wish to know?"
Ryoko sits down in the empty seat in front of Tsunami's desk, "First thing, how is it that Tenchi can, see, hear, touch me?"
"It's simple really." Washu decides to answer, "Your continued presence has made the boy more aware of the spiritual realm. Simple as that. In fact, he probably sees a lot of dead people now, without even realizing it."
Tsunami nods her head in agreement, "That's right. Is there anything else?"
Ryoko remains silent for a moment as she thinks of any other questions that she may have. She nods her head once she decides, "Yea, two. How much longer am I suppose to stay down there. And what's so important about this guy that he needs me? All he is, is an ordinary street rat basically"
Tsunami glances over to Washu, the short red head lowers her head as she frowns. Tsunami stands up and walks over to the large window behind her desk, folding her hand behind her back, "You'll remain there until the boy's destiny is fulfilled."
"Which means what?" Ryoko asks confused.
"Until he dies." Washu quickly replies. Ryoko's face drops at the answer, remaining silent.
"Tenchi Masaki's destiny is a large step to cleaning up the sins being committed in New York." Tsunami answers, she turns back around to look at Ryoko. "Is that all you wish to know?"
Knowing she may regret hearing the answer to her next question, Ryoko asks it anyways, "What exactly.... is Tenchi's destiny?" Both Tsunami and Washu share a look with each other. Ryoko stares back and forth from the two, "What is it?" She asks again.
Washu takes a deep breath, as if she were a doctor preparing to give out bad news to a patient's loved ones. Though the positions are changed quite a bit, the circumstances are almost the same. "His destiny is to sacrifice himself to save another."
That answer made everything around Ryoko spine. 'Sacrifice himself?' Ryoko breath comes out in short quick breaths as if she were hyperventilating. Ryoko blinks a few times before glancing over to Tsunami, "Wh-what?"
"He's gives his life for another." Tsunami replies.
Ryoko's nails dig into the cushion of the leather seats as anger slowly builds up inside of her, "You mean to tell me..." Ryoko begins slowly, "That you brought him back, only for him to die again, anyway?"
Tsunami closes her eyes, appearing lost in thought, "Everyone dies Ryoko. It's just the question of when and where."
"No! It can't be true! I won't believe it!" Ryoko shouts in anger as she quickly stands up from her seat, making it tip over backwards in the process.
"Please Ryoko, you have to understand..." Tsunami begins.
"No! I won't let it happen!" Ryoko shakes her head.
Washu tilts her head to the side curiously, "Why do you care so much?"
"I care because..." The words die in Ryoko's throat as thoughts race through her mind, 'Why do I care so much? So what if someone dies. I died, no one helped me from my inevitable doom. Why should I prevent his? He means nothing to me... nothing,.... nothing at all. Or maybe...' Ryoko shuts her eyes tight as she shakes her head, disagreeing with the idea. 'I can't. Never! I'm dead, he's alive. There's no use for the feelings, or the idea of the two of us.'
Us. The words rings through Ryoko's mind. She's never thought of herself with another, there was never a 'us' or 'we' in her life. It was always a lonesome 'me' Not once in her life had she thought of the idea of an 'us' with someone else. Now, when she's dead, never to live again, does she begin thinking of it. Funny how her life or afterlife, which ever fits best, works out. But no matter how much she denies it, the fact of the matter is, she cares. She cares about the man she's supposedly guiding his life for him.
"Ryoko?" Tsunami calls out, growing worried about her, seeing as how she's been standing completely still for the passed few minutes.
"I care..." Was all Ryoko managed to say.
"Ryoko! Down there, look!" Tenchi says, bringing Ryoko back to reality.
Ryoko glances down to see that they are at the meeting place. However, it appears they are a bit late. Kiyone's squad car screeches out into the road and begins speeding away from paper factory. Behind her, a black Mercedes is hot on her tail. "What now?" Ryoko asks, just hovering high up in the air.
Tenchi remains silent for a minute as he tries to think of their next move. Then an idea crosses Tenchi's mind, "Let's to my apartment."
Ryoko smirks, "Why Tenchi, I didn't know you had it in ya!"
Tenchi stare dumbly ahead for a few moments. Realization dawns on him, making his face turn bright red, "No! That's not what I meant!"
"Yea yea. I know, geez Tenchi, lighten up." Ryoko teases before making her way towards Tenchi's apartment.
And I am going to stop it right here. I was going to go further but right now, I don't feel like typing anymore than I have. I tired...Well anyways, leave a review y'all and tell me what you think TTNC!... OH! I almost forgot! The band Dive, and their song, Beautiful Angel are not owned by me, they are in fact owned by Dive .... confused? Dive is a local band that play here in New Jersey. If you liked the lyrics to the song and stuff, they have a website (I think that's the website at least.) I believe you can download some songs of their site. Well anyways, me go sleep, cuz me be tired. Me go bye bye now. Bye Bye!