Chapter 10
"Ryoko, please, come down from there!"
Tenchi sighed, craning his neck to better make out the silhouette of his paramour, huddled on the end of the shrine roof. "Do I have to get Grandpa's ladder and come up there to talk sense into you? What else did you expect me to do? The girl just lost her father and it's at least partly my fault that all of this has happened. Did you expect me to just turn her away?"
"I thought you had more sense than to fall for a sobstory and a girl's tears." Ryoko materialised in front of him, her expression dark and stony as she folded her arms across her chest. "I told you that that girl means trouble, Tenchi. She either wants you for herself, or she's trying to find out who and what we are for her alienphobic Earth friends who are suddenly springing up all over Japan. I can't believe you let her into your home without even asking questions! You must be mad!"
"Ryoko, she's my friend." Tenchi frowned. "And she's been nothing but nice to you, even though she knows who you are. You could cut her some slack, you know. You're too paranoid sometimes, and that's a fact."
"Am I?" Ryoko arched an eyebrow, glaring at him. "And what would you be, when you've spent generations being chased across the galaxy by one force or another? Your problem is you want to help everyone, but you don't realise they don't all think the same as you. Just because you'd never do these things doesn't mean other people wouldn't. For a Prince of Jurai you can sure be gullible sometimes. And it drives me crazy, that's all."
"Ryoko."
Tenchi put a hand on her shoulder, but she shook it off, turning her back on him.
"Oh, come on. This is crazy." Frustration flared in his heart. "I thought we'd already settled the matter of your jealousy and me and other women. I told you there was no other pretty girl in Osaka and that hasn't changed. Your paranoia is the only thing that can drive us apart, not some other woman. You need to get a grip on your insecurities and realise not everyone is out to get you. Yume's lost someone she loves...can't you at least try and find it in you to understand that?"
Ryoko stiffened, wheeling on him and putting her hands on her hips.
"I'm not jealous." She said quietly. "You don't understand and you never listen to me when I try and give you a warning. I don't know how I know it, but I know that there's something about that girl and I want you to be careful, that's all. What do you really know about her, anyway? Her name? You don't even know her last name, or where she lives or anything about her family. You don't know that she has a father in the police force or that she even has a father at all. She just appeared one night and because you saved her life you think she must be helpless and innocent. Well, that doesn't always follow."
"I seem to remember that I knew even less about you when we first met." Tenchi pointed out acidly. Ryoko scowled.
"Yes. You rescued me from Ryo Ohki's wreckage and I fooled you into thinking I was innocent and the victim for a whole evening, before Mihoshi showed you her ID and convinced you otherwise." She agreed. "I could have killed the both of you that night, had I been so inclined - but I wasn't. That's my point. You don't have a clue what Yume's real motives are. Just because she seems like a victim doesn't mean she is one. I'm telling you - you're being blind."
"Or you're being unreasonable." Tenchi sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "Washu didn't make any demur about her being here, when I introduced them. If you're right and this girl is so dangerous, don't you think she'd have said something? She's a pretty good judge of character, all told."
"Washu and I work in different ways, even if we do share genes." Ryoko snapped. "She only ever tells people what she thinks they need to know. Me, I'm up front about things and I'm telling you, there's something wrong with this one."
"Well, then tell me why you think that." Tenchi asked reasonably. "If it's not about her being a girl and you thinking she has a crush on me, what? What has she done to make you suspicious?"
"Nothing." Ryoko responded. "Which is why I'm suspicious of her."
"You're making less sense the longer we have this conversation." Tenchi sighed, rubbing his temples. "Ryoko, you're being crazy. I don't even understand where you're coming from and I don't want you going up to her and causing trouble. You didn't see her when she arrived. Covered in blood and bruises and half in tears."
"Sounds to me like she knows just how to elicit sympathy from a soft-hearted prince." Ryoko muttered. Tenchi groaned.
"Ryoko!"
"Look, I can't tell you why it is I think she's trouble." Ryoko sighed. "I do think she has a crush on you, and I wouldn't be surprised if she was spying for earth forces - it was convenient, how quickly those men apprehended me after she appeared in our lives. But there's something else as well. It's happened to me before, you know...when I've had a bad feeling about someone and they've proven to be the kind of person who slits throats first and asks questions later. When you're a pirate, it pays to have a sixth sense about who's likely to turn on you and who you can do business with without risking your life. And Yume is not all she seems."
"And what if you're wrong?" Tenchi asked softly, reaching out to take her by the hand. "Ryoko, I know you had a tough ride when you were a pirate. You couldn't trust in people and everyone had an ulterior motive. But not everything works on those terms. And I prefer to believe in people until I have evidence to the contrary. You know that. I don't think Yume means us any harm. I think she's what she says - an earth girl in trouble."
"I know." Ryoko turned troubled eyes on her companion. "And I'm afraid it might be your funeral, if you're wrong. That Tennan guy meant business when he came looking for you, Tenchi...I don't like it."
"You think Yume is involved with Seiryo Tennan?" Tenchi's eyes widened with shock. "Ryoko, now you're grasping at straws!"
"I never said that." Ryoko shook her head. "I just meant that with one dark force definitely interested in you, it wouldn't hurt to be a bit more careful in your choice of friends. That's all."
"Nothing is going to happen to me, Ryoko-chan. I can take care of myself." Tenchi assured her. "And I always have you there to back me up, don't I?"
"You know you do." Ryoko looked sad. "But I'm not happy with this, Tenchi. I don't trust her and I wish you hadn't let her stay here. As if things aren't complicated enough."
"Well, the decision is made, and I still think you're overreacting." Tenchi said firmly. "Not everyone has secrets, Ryoko."
"I beg to differ." Ryoko said darkly. "But I guess there's not much I can do about it. Just I'll be keeping my eye on her while she's here, you can count on that. Whatever she's up to, she's not going to be doing it while she's in this house - I promise."
Before Tenchi could respond, there was a yowl from the undergrowth and Ryo Ohki shot out from the bushes, leaping up onto Ryoko's shoulder and meeting her mistress's startled gaze with an urgent one of her own. Ryoko frowned, reaching up to pluck the small creature off her shoulder, stroking her fur absently as she did so.
"What's eating you?" She asked. "Tenchi and I are in the middle of something - what's up?"
Ryo Ohki let out another yowl and Tenchi could see that the cabbit was more than a little bit agitated. He cast Ryoko a curious look.
"What does she say?"
Ryoko raised her gaze to the clouds.
"She said Yagami's overhead and entering Earth's orbit." She said quietly. "Why would Kiyone come here?"
"Yagami?" Tenchi looked startled. "But isn't Kiyone helping Washu spy on Seiryo Tennan? Maybe she's bringing a report herself this time."
"No...no." Ryoko shook her head. "Ryo Ohki is too upset. I think it's a distress flare, Tenchi. Yagami's in trouble - or someone aboard it is."
"Ryo Ohki?" Tenchi cast the cabbit an anxious look, and Ryo Ohki mewed, pawing at the air. Ryoko nodded.
"I'm right. It is a distress flare and from the way Ryo Ohki's reacting, I think we should do something about it." She said quietly. "Tenchi, run back to the house and get Washu. Forget that brat Yume for a moment - if this is something to do with Washu's arrangement with Kiyone, she should be here to hear it. Ryo Ohki and I will go up there and find out what's going on. I think there's something wrong with the ship that's preventing it from breaking the Earth's atmosphere, so they might need help from another spaceship."
Tenchi hesitated for a moment, then nodded his head.
"All right, I'm going." He agreed. "But be careful, Ryoko. We don't want anyone to see Ryo Ohki flying over the mountaintops."
"I'll be careful." Ryoko assured him grimly. "All right, Ryo Ohki. Time to go see what exactly is going on aboard that spaceship."
----
"Oh, someone, please answer me!"
Mihoshi pushed her hand down hard on the red button once more. "Please, I need your help! It's an emergency!"
She turned, glancing across the drive room to the still form of her colleague. Kiyone had lost consciousness before they had even left Galaxy Police Headquarters and though she drew rasping, shallow breaths into her lungs, Mihoshi was frightened by her colleague's strange pallor. She did not know what had hurt Kiyone, only that whatever it had been had been strong, and that her friend may yet die.
Forcing Yagami across space at three times the normal speed had finally taken its toll, however, and with an ominous boom the rear engine had blown out as the ship had entered the Earth's orbit, stopping them dead in their tracks and causing fresh panic to course through the scatterbrained officer's head.
"Please!" She exclaimed, banging the button once more. "Someone must be able to hear me! Please, respond to me! This is the Galaxy Police craft Yagami to anyone who's listening. I need help! Please! It's an emergency!"
At first there was no reply. Then, from somewhere in the swirling mists of Earth's atmosphere she was sure she heard a distinctive yowl and she ran to the side window, gazing out across the darkness in hope and anticipation.
"Ryo Ohki?" She murmured, as a speck in the distance became clearer and clearer. "Oh, thank goodness! Kiyone, it's going to be all right! Just hang in there...Ryoko's coming to get us!"
She hastened down by her colleague's side, putting a gentle hand to Kiyone's cheek as she gauged her companion's condition. She had been afraid to move her, unsure what injuries the Detective had sustained, so she had pulled the nearest bedding to hand into the drive room, padding them around her in a futile attempt to make her friend comfortable. Kiyone had not opened her eyes, but the continued sound of her breathing had driven Mihoshi this far, and as she glanced at the patient now, Mihoshi realised that Kiyone was still fighting.
"You're going to be all right now." She said softly. "I've done as you asked me...I've brought you to Washu and Ryoko will make sure you get there safely. It's all going to be just fine, you'll see."
"Kiyone?"
The communication screen flickered into life as Ryoko drew her craft alongside the Yagami. "Kiyone, are you there? It's Ryoko - Ryo Ohki took your distress call. What in hell's happened?"
"Ryoko!" Mihoshi hurried back to the front of the ship, eying the pirate in relief. "Oh, I'm so happy to see you!"
"Mihoshi?" Ryoko frowned. "Where's Kiyone?"
Tears welled in Mihoshi's big blue eyes and she stepped back, gesturing behind her across the drive room where her stricken companion lay. Ryoko's eyes opened wide and she muttered a curse.
"What happened?"
"I don't know. I found her like this when I got back to Yagami last night." Mihoshi's voice wavered. "She told me to bring her to Washu so I've tried, only Yagami's engine has blown because I was going so fast and I couldn't get to the Earth. And I've been sending distress signals out for what seems like forever and I didn't think anyone could hear me!"
"Well, Ryo Ohki did." Ryoko's mouth set in a grim line. "All right, Mihoshi. This is what we're going to do. Can you release the connecting tunnel still, without engine power? And connect it to Ryo Ohki?"
"Yes." Mihoshi nodded, reaching out to press the button. An answering clang told her she'd released the right thing, and the metal tunnel snaked across space, making contact with the pirate vessel with another resounding clang.
"Then I'm coming aboard." Ryoko said decidedly. "And you get yourself aboard Ryo Ohki, all right? I'm going to teleport in and teleport Kiyone out of there...it's quicker than carrying her. But I'm going to have to be careful and I don't want to make two trips. If you run along the gangway to Ryo Ohki while I take care of Kiyone, it will be faster all round. I'll release it when I leave Yagami, so you needn't worry about that."
"I'm coming right away." Mihoshi nodded her head eagerly. "Thank you, Ryoko. I knew you and Ryo Ohki would be able to help."
"Well, I hope so." Ryoko admitted. "Okay. Ryo Ohki has opened her hatch. Get moving and I'll see you in her drive room in a few minutes."
"Okay!" Mihoshi gave a clumsy salute, then reached to flick the communicator off, casting one last glance at Kiyone and then haring out of the drive room, making her way down to the bay where the connecting tunnel's entrance was situated. In her eagerness she almost stumbled and fell headlong into it, but she managed to check herself at the last minute, hurrying across the unstable walkway and stepping into Ryo Ohki's red-domed drive room with a sigh of satisfaction. As she did so, she heard the clang of the tunnel being released, and then Ryoko materialised beside her, the still Kiyone in her arms. Without a word, she set the injured detective down on Ryo Ohki's floor, and the cabbit ship let out a mournful mew.
"To the Earth, Ryo Ohki. And pronto." Ryoko said quietly. "Kiyone's with us, but she doesn't look real good."
"I hope she's not mad at me for leaving Yagami parked in space like that." Mihoshi gazed out across the stars at the bulky red form they were leaving behind. "I didn't mean to total the engine, but I was so worried. I thought she might stop breathing...she wouldn't wake up after she told me to take her to Washu. I couldn't ask her what I should do."
Ryoko ran her hands over Ryo Ohki's spherical controls, casting her companion a serious look.
"I think you did the only thing you could do, and you were right to take the risk." She said soberly. "Besides, Ryo Ohki and I were on hand to help out, and Ryo Ohki's particularly sensitive to Yagami's signal these days. You don't need to worry, Mihoshi. I told Tenchi to get Washu, so she'll be there when we land."
"But how did you know Kiyone wanted Washu?" Mihoshi looked confused.
"Kiyone's been spying for her. Didn't you know?"
"Spying?" Surprise flooded Mihoshi's features. "No, she didn't tell me. Why was she spying? What's happening?"
"I guess she didn't want to put you in any danger." Ryoko bit her lip. "I'll let Washu explain it to you. But if Kiyone got hurt because of one of her mad ideas..."
Mihoshi frowned, shaking her head.
"Washu wouldn't have let Kiyone get hurt." She said firmly. "And besides, if she had, why would Kiyone want to come here? It doesn't make any sense."
"Well, I guess it's too late to ascribe blame now." Ryoko sighed, as the Masaki shrine came into clear view across the skyline. "We're almost there, and it's more important to help Kiyone right at the moment."
-------------
"You know, Tenchi has quite a knack for bringing young ladies to the mountains."
As her charge carefully wrapped her robe around her body, tying the sash firmly at the waist, Washu cast her a smile, getting to her feet. "You look much better now, my dear...although you were very quick. Are you sure that you don't want me to look at your injuries?"
"Really, I'm all right. Just bruised and they'll heal on their own." The young girl shook her head, faint flickers of anxiety burning deep in her lilac eyes. Washu eyed her keenly, a thoughtful look coming over her own features as she surveyed Tenchi's latest waif and stray. For a moment there was silence between them, then the scientist laughed, reaching out to take the girl's hand in hers.
"Well, then let's go downstairs and be sociable." She said playfully. "You already know my daughter, I think, and you've met Lord Katsuhito at the door. That's us, pretty much...at least, for the time being."
"Why do you call him Lord Katsuhito?" Yume eyed her with curiosity, obediently following her petite companion down the stairs. "Is he a lord? I know nothing about Tenchi's family, really. We only met recently - did he tell you how we did?"
"It's an old joke between old friends, nothing more." Washu said simply, although she shot the girl a sidelong glance at the question. "And yes, I heard about events in Osaka. Fortunately nobody was badly hurt as a result of the incident...although if you ask me it was bound to happen sooner or later."
"Really?" Yume's eyes became big with surprise as she absorbed this. "Why so?"
"Well, there are a lot of hotheaded young men out there in the galaxy, and well, it's tempting to target a planet that can't really defend itself." Washu said airily, shrugging her shoulders. "Of course, Ryoko has a nose for trouble, so it's little surprise she got herself wound up in it. Young people, that's all...playing the fool on a big scale. I doubt we'll see whoever he was again. Obviously he's not a local."
Yume's brow creased in confusion.
"But nor are you, and you're still here." She pointed out. Then, as Washu fixed her with an enquiring glance, she dropped her gaze, seemingly uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry, Washu-san. I didn't mean any disrespect." She said hurriedly. "But I know that Ryoko doesn't come from the Earth, so I assumed..."
"That I didn't, either?" Washu raised an eyebrow. "There's no secret in it. But my impetuous daughter gets her gifts from her late father, I assure you. I'm a scientist. Magic is beyond my scope."
"Are there many planets with life on them, Washu-san?" Yume asked curiously, as they reached the main lounge. Washu nodded, indicating for her companion to take a seat.
"Yes, but they're mostly not hostile." She agreed. "And few of them want to bother with a rock like the Earth. I'm here because it's a peaceful refuge for me to carry out my experiments undisturbed. And of course, Ryoko is here because of Tenchi. I wouldn't say that there's been an invasion just yet."
She smiled, observing the girl's reaction closely as she settled herself on the couch. "But all of this must be a bit alarming for you...especially in light of what happened to your Dad."
"Yes." A strange look crossed Yume's face, and to Washu's mind it looked very much like she had forgotten her supposed grief for the briefest of instants. "Yes, it is. I...really don't know what I will do now."
"I have no doubt that Tenchi will let you stay here." Washu said comfortably. "But you will probably have to pull your weight, since Ryoko's always been allergic to chores and I'm afraid I'm often too wrapped up in this project or that to be much use around the house."
"I'll do whatever I can to help Tenchi out." This time Yume's emotion was more natural, and Washu noted it with interest, offering the girl a smile. "He's been very kind to me."
"That's Tenchi for you." Washu shrugged. "He's been that way as long as I've known him, and I doubt he'll change much with time."
"Can I ask...how did you meet him?" Yume looked curious, and Washu laughed.
"We met in the cave near his shrine." She said vaguely. "You could call it a chance encounter."
"I see." Yume's brow furrowed. "I think."
"Washu-chan?" Tenchi's voice interrupted their discussion at that moment, and Washu glanced up, seeing the young man in the doorway. One glance at his expression and she was on her feet in a minute, her observation of Yume forgotten.
"What's up?" She asked softly. "Did Ryoko blow something up again?"
"No...no. It's Yagami." Tenchi shook his head. "Ryo Ohki took a distress signal and she and Ryoko have gone up to see what's the matter. Ryoko thinks the ship has some kind of problem and so can't dock here - but she seems to think it's serious. She said that I should get you, in case it's Kiyone with an urgent message about...well, you know what I mean."
He faltered, and Washu cast Yume a glance, observing with some interest how intently she was following the conversation.
"What's a Yagami?" the girl asked finally.
"Yagami is a spaceship." Washu said levelly. "Please excuse me, Yume-san."
"Of course." Yume nodded her head. "Thank you for your help."
Washu bowed her head in acknowledgement, then followed Tenchi out of the house, heading across the grass to where Ryo Ohki was just touching down to the ground.
"I hope nobody saw her careening about the place like that." Washu muttered, as the ship was lit up in a red glow and her passengers were beamed down onto the ground. "I've told her about...what on earth? Kiyone?" As through the glare she began to make out the stricken detective in Ryoko's arms.
Ryoko stepped forward solemnly, her expression unreadable as she approached her mother.
"I'm going to take her to your lab. I'll see you there." She said quietly. Then, with a flicker, she was gone, and Washu turned her attention to Mihoshi, cold dread settling inside her as she digested what had happened.
"Mihoshi, are you all right?" She asked gently, as behind them, Ryo Ohki shimmered and shifted her form back to that of the cabbit. Mihoshi met the scientist's concerned gaze with tearful blue eyes, shaking her head.
"She wanted me to bring her here." She said chokily. "But something hurt her, Washu...something horrible and I don't know what. I thought she was going to die and now Yagami won't start and she's going to be mad at me and what am I going to do without Kiyone?"
"Shh...shh." Tenchi put a comforting arm around the distraught police officer, hugging her tightly. "You did the best thing you could do, bringing her somewhere safe. Nobody is going to be angry with you, Mihoshi. And I'm sure Washu can fix whatever it is that's wrong with her. Remember, she saved my Grandfather's life after Kagato attacked him. You did the right thing."
He glanced at Washu, who's expression had become grim.
"Shall I take her inside, and try and calm her down?" He asked. "I could make her some hot tea...it won't be as good as Sasami's, but I can try."
"Tea is probably good, but no. I want Mihoshi to come with me to the lab." Washu shook her head, holding out a hand to the police officer who took it hesitantly. "Besides, I think she'd rather be with Kiyone, wouldn't you, Mihoshi?"
"Yes please." Mihoshi sniffled, her composure gone now that the pressure was off her. "I knew you'd help, Washu - but I was so frightened."
"Well, let's see what we can do to help her." Washu said decidedly. She cast Tenchi a glance.
"You might as well play nursemaid to Yume." She added. "But Tenchi?" As he made to leave them.
"Yes?" Tenchi paused, turning back towards her quizzically.
"Be careful, Tenchi." Washu spoke seriously. "People aren't always everything they seem. Be careful what you tell her - and don't mention your links with Jurai, at least not yet."
"Washu?" Tenchi frowned. "Are you telling me you think Yume's up to something too?"
"I'm telling you to guard your tongue until we all know more." Washu shook her head. "Caution never hurt anyone, Tenchi. Remember that."
With that she gave him a wink, then led the still sobbing Mihoshi into the house, pulling open the door of the store cupboard and guiding her inside. Ryoko was already there, with Kiyone laid out carefully on one of Washu's work tables, an old blanket sufficing as a pillow.
"You took your time." The pirate said impatiently. "Kiyone's hurt pretty badly. I thought you'd come right away."
"I came as soon as I could. Walking takes longer than teleporting." Washu said lightly. "And besides, I had to send Tenchi off to watch over our newest recruit."
"Oh, that makes me feel a lot better." Ryoko grimaced. "Washu, you know how I feel about that girl..."
"Yes, and you may well be right." Washu nodded her head. "So I told him to keep an eye on her and be careful what he says. I'd rather she was with him than right here at the moment. Now if you wouldn't mind, Ryoko, I need to examine Kiyone without your bleating in my ear. Mihoshi, come take a seat. What you can tell me is important, and might help Kiyone recover more quickly...so I want you to try and remember everything."
She glanced up, eying her daughter's disgruntled look with a questioning one.
"Well? Are you still here, Ryoko-chan?"
"All right, I'm going." Ryoko glared at her mother indignantly. "But Kiyone is my friend too, you know. I don't like to see her hurt any more than you do!"
With that she faded out of the room, and Washu sighed, turning her attention back to the still form on the table before her.
"If we're going to make her comfortable, we're going to have to think more carefully about some kind of bedding." She said absently. "She's very pale. Mihoshi, you said she wanted you to bring her here. Did she happen to tell you why?"
"No. She was having trouble speaking..like she couldn't breathe right." Mihoshi said tearfully. "She didn't even seem to really see me at first. It was like she was...was hypnotised or...or something weird had happened to her, but I don't know what."
"And when she did recognise you, what then?"
"She said she'd been attacked, but she didn't seem able to tell me who by." Mihoshi creased up her brow in intense concentration. "I'm sorry, Washu. I don't remember anything else."
"Well, I suppose it's not important at the moment anyway." Gently Washu loosened Kiyone's uniform, pushing back the folds of her jacket. "Her breathing does sound hoarse and laboured, but I can't see any marks on her clothing that would suggest she took any kind of injury. Certainly not by any weapon I know, that's for sure. You didn't see anyone with her, when you arrived? Noone leaving in a hurry?"
"No." Mihoshi shook her head. "I thought I heard voices, but maybe she was talking to someone on the radio because there was noone in the drive room with her, Washu. And noone else would have been. Just me and I was late back from the mess hall again."
She looked troubled.
"Is this my fault? If I'd been on time, would Kiyone be safe now?"
"Mihoshi, put your mind at rest on that score." Washu shook her head. "Your quick thinking has more likely saved Kiyone's life, not hurt it any. And whoever did attack Kiyone, they meant business and would have struck anyway. I have a bad feeling that she got too close to something - and it's my fault, not yours that this happened."
"Ryoko said she was spying for you." Mihoshi remembered. "What was she spying on, Washu?"
"One of your fellow officers attacked planet Earth a few nights ago, and I wanted to discover why." Washu said grimly. "He came looking for Tenchi and obviously that's got to be more than coincidence. Last time I spoke to Kiyone, she told me that she was pretty sure he was involved in something bigger than just a random or mistaken raid. She even mentioned dark magic. Looking at her right now, I think she might have been right. No weapon caused this, Mihoshi - but certain types of magic could have."
"Can you help her?" Mihoshi eyed the scientist anxiously. Washu nodded.
"I think so." She agreed, touching Kiyone's cheek for a moment as she considered. "You must have disturbed whoever it was that did this. They didn't finish the job. I think Kiyone will survive - she's strong and fit and those things go in her favour. Yes, Mihoshi. I think I can help her."
She reached across to her main computer, typing in a few digits as a green glow shot up all around the injured woman.
"The field will protect her and help her to heal." She explained to the bewildered detective. "The rest will be down to Kiyone's own body - but I'll keep close tabs on her all the same."
"Thank you." Mihoshi flung her arms around her companion. "I was so worried, but I feel better now you've said that."
"There's nothing else you can tell me about what she said? Nothing at all?" Washu eyed the detective keenly. "Think for me, Mihoshi. It might be important, even if it doesn't seem that way to you. Anything at all."
"There was one thing." Mihoshi looked uncharacteristically thoughtful. "But I didn't really know what it meant, to be honest. I thought it was just a nonsense word, because she was feeling so out of it. I didn't take a lot of notice."
"Can you remember what it was?" Washu pressed. Mihoshi shrugged.
"Gee, it could've been anything." She admitted. "It started with a T...or was it a K? Oh, I'm not sure. It might have been a short word...or was it a long one?"
"Mihoshi, focus!" Washu interrupted, holding up her hands. "Whatever it was might have been gibberish, but it might not have been. Kiyone may have told you something that could help track down the one who hurt her. Don't you want to make sure they don't get to try again?"
Mihoshi paled, and inwardly the scientist berated herself for having been so blunt. She sighed.
"I'm sorry." She said. "Kiyone is safe here. But even if that's true, Mihoshi, if you can remember..."
"I'm trying." Mihoshi bit her lip. "It was a funny, weird little word. I never heard it before, so I don't know why she said it. And hey, I might have misheard her. She might not have said it at all."
"Can you try and tell me what it was? Or what you thought it was?" Washu asked. Mihoshi frowned, and for a moment there was silence. Then the Detective's blue eyes opened wide with triumph.
"I've got it!" She exclaimed. "Tokimi!"
