INVASION Volume 2, Part 8: Memories.
DISCLAIMER: Tenchi Muyo! is copyright AIC/Pioneer, LDC. I claim no rights to the characters or story. I'm only doing this because I love the whole series and enjoy writing stories about the characters. I only ask that no changes be made to this story, as it took me a great deal of time to write it.
FOREWORD: Just wrapping up a few loose ends and setting the stage for future installments.
AUTHOR: Dreamr
LAST REVISION: 18 August 2002
E-MAIL: TrueDreamr@Hotmail.com
BEGIN EPILOGUE.
With Ryoko on board, Ryo-o-ki made record time back to Earth. She stood silently within the confines of the livable space within the creature-turned-spaceship, guiding their progress. Tenchi marveled at the stars as they streaked by. Even Ryo-o-ki seemed confused by the incredible speed.
"We're going pretty fast, aren't we?"
"Yup. We'll be back in a couple of minutes."
Ryoko took a quick look over her shoulder. Tenchi seemed very nervous about something. She had used Tenchi's shirt to towel herself off before replacing it with her yellow and blue striped dress, so it could not be because she was unkempt or naked. After a few minutes to get her thoughts, she began to discern what might be bothering him.
"Hold the fort, will ya?" She asked of Ryo-o-ki. Turning from the front, she carefully asked what was bothering Tenchi.
"Whatcha thinkin' about?"
"I'm sorry about what I said."
To Ryoko, Tenchi's apology seemed misplaced.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I said something to you earlier that..." Tenchi found he was having a hard time saying what he wanted. He took a deep breath, wet his lips, then continued. "...that I wish... I had said earlier. Then maybe none of this would have happened."
"Tenchi..." Ryoko moved closer, her eyes gleaming with love.
"Wait." He held a hand up between them, halting her progress. "I meant what I said. But, I said it because I thought that was it. We were fighting, then, it was over. I lost. I wasn't good enough to protect you, even with the Light-Hawk Wings." He took another deep breath. "Ryoko, the problem was never you. It's me. All of you are so amazing. Aeka, Washu, Mihoshi, Sasami, Grandpa, Ryo-o-ki, even Dad; they're all amazing people. Then there's you. You have powers most people would sell their souls for! You have talents and skills I'll never have." Tenchi's face colored a bit. "You're really beautiful. I'm just a regular teenager. I can't possibly live up to any of your expectations. I don't deserve you."
Ryoko smiled at Tenchi's confession, and her own lack of understanding.
"That's what I get for thinking that I was starting to figure you out."
She closed the distance between them. Looking into Tenchi's eyes, she put her arms over his shoulders. This time, he did not oppose her.
"I don't care about powers, the Light-Hawk Wings, or royal families. But you, I care about. Whether you deserve me or not, you've got me, and I'm not ever leaving you again, no matter what."
Tenchi's arms slowly found their way around her waist.
"You promise?"
"I promise."
To her pleasant surprise, Tenchi did not object when she tried to kiss him. Her eyes closed as she enjoyed the feel of Tenchi's lips against hers.
The next morning, Ryoko awoke feeling peaceful and well rested. She had taken a long and luxurious bath after returning home to relax and cleanse herself. As she opened her eyes, the familiar sight of hanging spices and vegetables greeted her. She smiled.
"I'm home."
From within the kitchen below her room, she could hear someone puttering about. Probably Sasami making breakfast. She took a deep breath, stretching her still stiff muscles. The smell of cooking food proved her assumption to be true. Her mouth began to water at the savory odors.
The thought of eating reminded her of one of the changes she had wished for when creating herself a new body. She was suddenly very eager to try out her new sense of taste. Quickly conjuring one of her favorite outfits, she made herself decent, and then teleported to the kitchen.
"Hey, Sasami! What's cooking?" She cheerily greeted the short cook.
"Good morning, Ryoko!" Sasami answered over her shoulder. "Breakfast is almost ready. Why don't you go say hi to Tenchi?"
Ryoko's eyes lit up at the mention of Tenchi.
"Tennnnchiiiii!"
She phased through the dividing wall on the fly, aiming directly for Tenchi's spot at the table. For once, he did not have enough warning to avoid her flying tackle. She caught him in her clutches and held him close as they hit the floor.
"Jeez, Ryoko! What's up with you today?"
"Miss Ryoko, release Lord Tenchi, this instant!" Aeka complained.
"What's she so excited about?" Washu squinted at the excited girl with curiosity.
"Good Morning, Ryoko!" Mihoshi greeted her.
"Myaow!" Ryo-o-ki, in the form of a little girl, pointed her chopsticks at Ryoko.
"She does seem rather excitable this morning." Katsuhito also commented on her enthusiasm.
Ryoko puckered her lips and tried to kiss Tenchi.
"Ryoko! Cut it out!" Tenchi objected as he tried to wriggle his way out of her overly amorous grasp.
WHAP!
Aeka hit Ryoko on the head with a folding fan. The love-struck girl rubbed her head as she glared at Aeka.
"What the Hell did you do that for?"
"Because you refuse to listen to reason!"
"What reason? All I wanted was a little 'Good Morning' kiss!"
"Unless you've gone blind as well as dumb, it's quite plain Lord Tenchi does not wish to engage in such an activity with you."
Ryoko began getting indignant at being treated so poorly. She had expected a little leeway after everything they had been though.
"You're just jealous that Tenchi finally picked me over you!"
"What?!" Everyone exclaimed at once.
"Oh, really?" Aeka asked. "And just when did this happen, hmm?"
"What, have you developed a case of self-induced amnesia? He chose last night when he brought me back."
"Ryoko, what are you talking about?" Tenchi asked of Ryoko as he carefully extricated himself from her grasp.
"What do you mean what am I talking about? You were there. Zak tried to kill everybody." Everyone's eyes got wide in surprise as Ryoko told her story. "I had to go with him to protect you. You followed us, and there was a fight. He killed me, instead, and then I came back to life. You rescued me."
Ryoko looked around at the skeptical looks everyone was giving her.
"You said you loved me."
"Pure rubbish." Aeka said.
"It is not!" Ryoko yelled at Aeka before returning her gaze to Tenchi. "Tenchi, tell her it's true!"
Rather apologetically, Tenchi shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Ryoko. I don't remember anything like that. We were all here last night. So was Zak. He got a good job offer in America, so we had a farewell party last night. He should be on the plane, right now."
As Tenchi watched Ryoko's reaction to what he was saying, he could see tears beginning to brim in her eyes.
"That's... not what happened."
Just then, Sasami entered the main room with the first of the breakfast dishes.
"Oh, goody!" Mihoshi gleefully exclaimed. "Come on, Ryoko. Let's have breakfast. You can tell us the rest of your story later."
Ryoko shouted across the table at her.
"It's not a story, you dim-wit! I'm telling the truth!"
"Miss Ryoko, that is quite enough out of you! You've already ruined a wonderful family breakfast with this ridiculous tale. Must you ruin the entire day with your lies?"
The lack of faith being shown Ryoko after everything she had gone through was too much to accept. A burst of anger fueled her next action.
"I'm not lying!"
The rest of the family looked at her with mixed feelings. They knew she regularly made up excuses and stories for her behavior. But she did not usually get this way if she were not being honest. Tenchi gazed upon her with a look of concern and compassion.
"I have an idea. Washu, is there some kind of check-up or scan you can do to see if something's wrong with our memories?"
Washu contemplated his request for a few seconds.
"Sure there is. But, why waste the time?"
"I'll do it." Ryoko instantly agreed. "A brain scan. Fine. That ought to do it. I'll prove I'm telling the truth."
Eager to get to the bottom of yet another mystery, Aeka decided to expedite the suggested exam.
"That's an excellent idea, Lord Tenchi!" Aeka praised him. "Everyone, to the lab!" She took the liberty of leading the youthful family members to Washu's laboratory.
As Washu expected, there were no anomalies in the memory scans of the Masaki family. Everything was normal, except for the fact that one of them had a completely different and contradictory set of memories than the others. It was very disturbing. Washu turned to look at Ryoko as she sat on the examination table.
"Ryoko, dear." Washu addressed her daughter through the mental link. "Please respond to this question mentally. How many fingers am I holding up?" She put her hand up with two fingers extended.
"Two." Was the reply.
"Ah, good! I have to admit, I was a little worried there, for a minute. Anyway, here's the news. The person on that table really is Ryoko. However, I was almost fooled into thinking she wasn't."
"How's that?" Aeka asked.
"Well, there's been some significant changes in Ryoko's physiology since her last exam." She directed her next statement specifically at Ryoko. She also made sure to smile to soften the blow. "I'm going to need you for a complete exam, sweetie."
Ryoko's face fell in dread.
"As for her claim, I can't find any evidence that her memories have been tampered with."
"What?" Everyone asked.
"On the other hand, I can't find any evidence that anyone else's memory has been tampered with. Simply put, she has a different set of memories from everyone else."
"But, is she telling the truth?" Aeka grilled the scientist.
"She thinks so."
"So," Tenchi began to point out, "what you're saying is, you don't know."
Washu fell to the ground.
"Well, I wouldn't put it that way! Although, it does remind me of that time..."
"Forget it."
Everyone looked at Ryoko in surprise. For her to simply dismiss what she had been so adamant about earlier seemed rather strange.
"It's isn't important, anyway. Everything'll be just like it's always been, so there's no point in arguing about it."
For a long moment, everyone was quiet as they contemplated the implications of this new development.
"What?" Ryoko asked the group as if she were annoyed.
"Little Washu," Aeka asked, "at what point do Miss Ryoko's memories differ from ours?"
"It looks like the break in continuity occurs the night of Ryoko's party, after everyone went to bed."
"So," Ryoko extrapolated from Washu's answer, "anything that happened after that, no one else remembers?"
"Basically. It's really weird how some of the differences seem so selective. It's like someone really were trying to manipulate our memories. I just can't find any concrete evidence of it. I'd like to run some more tests on this, but there's only so much I can do with twelve dimensional sensors."
"Ugh." The family members tried not to think about such details.
"Okay!" Washu suddenly took charge of the awkward situation. "Since little Ryoko has to get naked for this exam, I suggest you all leave, unless you like being embarrassed by the sight of her perfect body."
Aeka was quick to accept the suggestion.
"Oh, please. Come along, Sasami."
"Everyone out." Washu prompted, escorting the group to the lift which would deliver them to the door. Once they were out of sight, she turned back to her charge and contemplated which tests to perform first. She was surprised when Ryoko spoke up before her.
"Zak told me he was the person who broke into your lab."
Washu casually strolled to one of her fixed control panels and started tapping away the keyboard while she listened to what was being said.
"Is that so?"
"He said, you have pictures of me."
"Sure. I've got lots of pictures. It's part of being a scientist."
"So, you only keep those pictures for research and stuff, then?"
"Hmm..." Washu grinned as she began to understand what Ryoko was after. "No. I've got some old family photos lying around here, someplace. I used to have a husband and a son, remember. Why do you ask?"
Ryoko casually waved her hand as if it were of no consequence.
"No reason. Just wondering. Most everything that came out of Zak's mouth was crap. I just wanted to prove it, that's all."
"Okay, then. Well, take off all your clothes, then go stand on that blue spot over there with your feet shoulder width apart, and your arms straight out to your sides. We'll check body symmetry and shape, first."
Ryoko moved to comply with the details of the exam. But, as Washu busied herself on her console, there was only one thing on her mind.
"How can I convince Tenchi I'm telling the truth?"
Tenchi opened his bedroom door to go take a bath. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Ryoko standing in the hall in his mother's kimono, carrying a magazine.
"Oh, hey, Ryoko. I was... um, how did you get that?"
"I lied." She said.
Tenchi sighed as he narrowed one eye with suspicion.
"What do you mean?"
"It is important. Here's the proof. I... um," she hesitated as she tried to talk her way around the issue of what had occurred in the onsen, "I lost my temper and blew up the bath. I left for a while and when I came back, I told you about what had happened. You forgave me and, on the condition that I stay, you promised to decide between me and Aeka. As proof, you gave me these to keep, no matter what you decided. If you still think I'm lying, then I'll give them back, but..." The hesitation was longer this time as Ryoko gathered her courage and self-determination. She took a deep breath. "I... won't... stay... here... with you... anymore. I swear I'll run away again and never come back."
"Ryoko..." Tenchi was very surprised that she would confront him in such an open manner. For a short moment, Ryoko managed to meet his gaze, then she looked down, avoiding his intense scrutiny. He could plainly see the unshed tears gathering in her sparkling eyes.
The way she held the magazine flat against her chest, Tenchi could tell it was something his father might enjoy. Although, it's apparent age did remind him of a certain stash from years ago.
"Could I... see that magazine for a second?"
Ryoko hesitantly handed it over. As Tenchi thought, it was one of the ones he had stolen from his father years ago. Despite the gravity of the situation, Tenchi felt a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. He held it out to her.
"You know what, you keep it. Dad won't miss the magazine. And I'm pretty sure Mom wouldn't mind about the kimono. Besides, it looks good on you."
"Really?"
Tenchi was amazed at how quickly Ryoko's expression went from deadly serious to joyfully impressed.
"Really."
Ryoko suddenly threw her arms around Tenchi's neck and hugged him fiercely.
"Uh, well, gee... you know..."
"Yes?" Ryoko's arms tightened just a bit.
"Nothing." Tenchi answered. Unsure of exactly what to do, he did the only thing that made sense. He put his arms around the unusual young woman who seemed so taken with him.
"Oh! That reminds me. I found something that I'm pretty sure belongs to you."
Ryoko released Tenchi so he could show her what he had found.
"You did? What is it?" She asked as she followed Tenchi into his room.
"Well, it looks like a photo album. But, I thought you didn't have anything like this."
"I don't."
Tenchi picked up a large binder from his desk and presented it to her.
"Here."
Ryoko accepted it and opened the cover. Only a glance within told her what she needed to know. Her eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment before she closed the cover with a slap.
"Something wrong?" Tenchi asked.
"Uh, no. Nothing's wrong. Did you... look?"
Tenchi reached up and scratched the back of his head.
"Well, I kind of had to, to figure out who it belonged to."
Ryoko's blush grew deeper. Neither of them spoke for several seconds.
"It is yours, isn't it?" Tenchi asked. "Or is Washu playing a practical joke on us?"
"That's it!" Ryoko thinly laughed. "That Washu. She's such a pain."
Tenchi smiled.
"Yeah. Why don't you go bring it back to her?"
"Right!" Ryoko said with a look of satisfaction. "I'll give her a solid reminder not to mess with us."
Tenchi chuckled as the stress level finally bottomed out.
"You do that. By the way, could you remind Washu to stay out of my room?"
"Sure! No problem. I'll go do it right now."
Tenchi watched as Ryoko phased down through the floor. He thought for a moment about Ryoko's story from this morning. Was she really telling the truth, even though no one else remembered it that way? He quickly banished the doubtful thoughts.
"No. I promised to trust her. I believe you, Ryoko. I just wish I knew what was going on."
The meeting place was quite a mess. Once grand columns were strewn about like a child's building logs. The mirror finished floor no longer reflected the glory of the infinite cosmos. D3 briefly surveyed the damage before dismissing it as of little consequence. The meeting place was meant to intimidate and awe. Repairs could be effected easily enough. For now, more important matters required his attention.
"My Lady, the experiment has failed."
"No experiment is a failure as long as something is learned. What have we learned?"
"The subject was too strong willed. A preprogrammed pattern from the original made control difficult. I believe using blank programs would allow better control over the clone. Sufficient self-awareness would still remain to allow for independant actions when required."
Although Lady Tokimi seemed oblivious to his pronouncement, D3 knew she was deep in thought. She rarely interacted directly with anyone, other than to issue instructions. Her lack of interest indicated she found his report to be acceptable, thus far.
"The girl has been speaking of what she knows."
"She knows nothing of her true nature. I have made sufficient changes to insure none of the others will believe her."
D3 began to feel nervous when Tokimi actually smiled at him.
"I can see I was right to place my trust in you, D3."
Deferentially, D3 bowed his head, then carefully turned the topic of conversation back to it's former subject.
"Prototyping is complete. We can begin mass production as soon as sufficient quantities of Masu have been obtained."
"You may begin. Feel free to use the originals, as they are no longer required."
"Understood." Eager to be away from the disconcerting smile, D3 immediately moved to implement his instructions.
Alone once more, Tokimi contemplated the possible future outcomes. Several new scenarios would now have to be worked against to obtain the desired outcome. All of the scenarios could have been prevented, had her sister acted within the normally acceptable bounds of logic, rather than striking out on her own.
"Goddesses should not have children."
END EPILOGUE.
AFTERWORD: That's it! The end of volume 2. It was a lot longer than I expected it to be.
This is actually a revision of the previous edition. I originally left out the final bit with D3 and Tokimi because I didn't want to look like I was just ripping off the writers. But, after reading all the reviews, I decided to put it back in.
I feel the need to remind everyone that I wrote this volume as an exploration of Ryoko's feelings. Everyone knows she's aggressive, and that she loves Tenchi. I tried to present some valid possibilities for her other, less well-known, behavior patterns. I also tried to demonstrate that Ryoko is, above all, a person with her own set of needs, wants, and desires. If she is neglected or abused too much, even she will react to prevent future pain. Above all, her strongest feelings have only recently developed (her own words, folks). Her emotional control isn't all that it could be. So, she is often at the mercy of her intense feelings. Sort of like a teenager. Hormones, etc.
The same goes for Tenchi. The events in this volume occur almost two years after he frees Ryoko. I felt it was appropriate to say he was finally graduating from high school. Fans of the manga will notice this differs from what has been published. (It specifically states that Tenchi dropped out of school in the new Tenchi Muyou series, published by Kadokawa Comics Dragon Jr., which has yet to be released in the US.)
Above all, over the course of time, people change. To expect the characters of Tenchi Muyou not to change is unreasonable. There is bound to be ups and downs. The only question is, how do they deal with it?
Anyway, the next installment will be pure R+T. Volume 3 starts after that.