Forgotten Sonata
By Ryokoluv17
"…and last but not least, please welcome Col. O'Hara and his wife, Ryoko. Ms. Ryoko is the daughter of our very own Dr. Washu Hakubi." The formation of the volunteers all clapped and smile in a show of appreciation. "Goodness, she is a cutie!" Volunteer Aoki shouted cupping the sides of her mouth. "No, Aoki-san, cute is for a child, she is beautiful!" Volunteer Itsumi countered, triggering the group of women to engage in a debate of sorts.
"My apologies sir, they know better than this. One moment please." In her painfully pleasant voice, Ayeka excused herself. "Please ladies where is your class?! How dare you embarrass me?!" Ayeka's high pitched voice rang out drawing close to scold to the women.
"We were just having fun!" Volunteer Itsumi teased breaking away from a conversation.
Ryoko and Hotsuma stood side by side.
"This is very embarrassing," Ryoko muttered to him.
"Try to be a good sport about it." He replied looking straight ahead.
"Oh, let's take it with a grain of salt. Your optimism makes me want to puke." Ryoko expressed sarcastically watching as Ayeka scuttles back tucking a lavender lock of her shoulder-length bob behind her ear. Removing her cat-eye frame glasses, she smiled. "Before we start on our tour, let us take a quick picture!" Ayeka unexpectedly took their hands in hers hauling them to the formation.
"Oh? How did we overlook this fetching man?" Another coy remark came followed by whispers behind Hotsuma as he stood in the middle of his wife and Ayeka.
"Hey, you! Lay off of my husband!" Ryoko shouted glaring at the women, she tightened her grip on his arm. Hotsuma turned to her with a playful expression.
"Ladies!" Ayeka shouted hoarsely slightly pushing Hotsuma.
"She is beautiful until she opens her mouth!" The woman shouted behind the trio.
"Oh yeah? How about I shut your mouth with this fist?" Hotsuma caught Ryoko by her waist as she spun around to handle the woman.
…
"Here is our Cardiology Department, this is where our inpatients and outpatients are treated. So far, we have accomplished over 50 insertions of pacemakers, perform cardiac surgery and 24-hour blood pressure tests." Ayeka explained as Hotsuma looked around scrutinizing the equipment and the furnishings.
"Cleanest facility I have seen, as well." He nodded in approval and jot down more notes.
"Thank You, Sir. That is what we strive for." Ayeka smiled once more, slightly grimacing at Ryoko who rested against the wall with her arms folded.
'Someone ought to teach her some class' Ayeka turned her attention back to Hotsuma.
Clad in her white uniform, Ryoko rosy lips pursed abhorring Ayeka's brown-nosing antics. It was then, a voice knocked her out of her stupor.
"What is this? Very unprofessional of you, young lady to be resting on this wall in your white uniform. Not only are you going to get it dirty, but it is not the proper stance for medical personnel!" The two turned to the voice.
"Uh oh." Ayeka tensed. Hotsuma brows rose.
"Mother!" Ryoko uttered hastily brushing the backside of her uniform as the pea green eyes of the medical doctor looked on strictly. "Pardon? That is Dr. Hakubi to you. That is who I am when you walk through those doors, am I understood, Volunteer. O'Hara?" Ryoko stood with her mouth agape she quickly glanced at her husband and to Ayeka who both averted their attention to a board.
"Understood, Dr. Hakubi…it won't happen again." Ryoko bowed meekly.
"Volunteer. Masaki, were you able to show our visitant, the Maternity ward?" Washu questioned with amusement creeping across her face. Ryoko head shot up glaring at her mother, Hotsuma slightly blushed in realization, keeping his back to them.
"Nay, Dr. Washu, I was saving that department for the last." Ayeka hesitated.
Washu nodded, "Very well. Get a move on it, time is money!"
Ayeka feigned calmness as she ushered the officer out the room. Ryoko lagged behind only to quicken her pace at the sight of her mother following closely behind.
…
"This is our Maternity Ward. We have a team of wonderful midwives to assist in labor and delivery. As of recently, we changed the design to give a more welcoming atmosphere for the expectant mother and to also help lower their anxiety levels."
"I feel this should appeal to your liking, Volunteer. O'Hara." Washu suggested to the cyan-haired woman behind her. Hotsuma looked up from his notepad briefly to notice Ryoko making her way towards him, the pink walls were enough to give her the shivers. As always, she stood beside her husband.
"'I feel this should appeal to your liking' Who the hell she thinks she is?" Ryoko mocked as she was at a safe distance only to grimace at the site of the replica of the operation room.
"A parched middle age woman who is seeking grandchildren. Your mother. My mother-in-law. May I go on? We have kept her waiting long enough. I think it is about time, don't you?" Hotsuma goad at her turning to another page of the form. Ryoko glance up at him, "Hey, you are supposed to be on my side!" He grins adjusting his glasses with his middle finger continuing to write some more keynotes on the inspection form. Ryoko gawked at him. She remembered the long mane he wore when they first met, but she had to admit, she likes the way his hair was now. It made him look refined, more attractive. He stopped writing to turn to her.
"You know there is an empty room two doors down…" He expressed with a cocked brow peeking over at the other women. Ryoko smirked and was about to deliver an erotic comeback of her own when the lavender-haired woman interrupted.
"My husband and I have been trying for months, hopefully, Kami can grant us a child in due time." Ayeka sighed staring dreamily at the bassinet beside the hospital bed. Ryoko quirked a brow at her and sighed.
'Steal the show, why don't ya?'
"I am sure you two will have your wish, soon." Ryoko feigned to care. Ayeka smiled at them. "Thanks to you as well, unfortunately, this is the end of the tour. It has been a pleasure to show you around, Colonel."
"Yes, the hospital is in great standing I am confident the General will be happy to read it in the report…which I need to get started on. I should be going now." He bowed exiting the room, Ryoko waved him off pouting.
"Ms. Ryoko, today we will be working in the Casualty department. For the first two hours, you will take vitals and distribute medicines if necessary with Ms. Kiyone. As for the other half, you would serve food and clean until your shift is over with Ms. Mihoshi." Ayeka addressed Ryoko.
"Oh joy," Ryoko muttered, watching her mother signing off on some papers that were handed to her.
"It is just the first day, Ms. Ryoko. I am going to check the others, see you in a few." Ayeka muttered smugly leaving the room. Ryoko howled in frustration once Ayeka was out of earshot, and decided to speak to her mother. "What was with the power-trip earlier? I've never seen you act bitchy before." Ryoko rested on the wooden desk.
"What was that?" Washu looked up.
"I ask, what was with power-tripping earlier?" Ryoko brows quirked.
"No, the last part, 'Bitchy' was it?" Washu draws in the distance.
"Well…yeah."
"Careful. Do remember you are not that old for a spanking. But, would you have preferred I call you 'My little Ryoko' and pinch your cheeks and your butt because you were being naughty?" Washu proceeded to demonstrate her words.
"Hey stop it! Since you put it that way, No. I am not a child!"
"Exactly, you are in a professional environment, young lady! I am not going to lower my standards just because you are my daughter, understand? Oh, and by the way, there is no fighting with the other volunteers!" She spoke sternly.
"Crystal. Though that old hag deserved it, she was hitting on my husband!" Ryoko debated only for her eyes lowering in obedience from the look her mother gave. Washu pouted remorsefully pulling her into a hug. "You will always be my little Ryoko…just not when you step foot in my establishment, all right?" Her nasal voice returned.
Ryoko sighed and pressed her palm against the metal door, her ears were already filled with gripes, groans, and coughing going on inside. Suddenly the door burst open almost knocking her away, a nurse ran out shouting for assistance with a disgruntled patient. Ryoko turned back to find some nurses already trying to apprehend the patient who screamed incoherently.
Ryoko winced as another patient heaved on the floor, nearby.
"Great, you're here! Take this!" Kiyone handed over the tray of medications. "Oh, don't worry about them, this is a normal occurrence." Ryoko nodded as she secures the tray in her arms. "So, I guess I will be your shadow today?"
"Something like that." Kiyone smile and walked over to the first bed. "Good morning, Mr. Tsuchida. How are you feeling today? This is Ryoko O'Hara. She will be assisting me today." Kiyone spoke a bit loud and careful. Ryoko rose a brow, almost chuckling at the way Kiyone address the man.
"Oh, my? Are they trying to send me to an early grave? Have two beautiful women this morning attending to me, I don't think my heart can take it." He gave a hearty chuckle.
"The bed numbers are placed under the cups. See?" Kiyone briefed. Ryoko nodded and picked up the bottle handing it to Mr. Tsuchida.
"Thank You, Darling." The middle age man took the cup. Ryoko poured some water into the cup and handed it to Mr. Tsuchida.
"Oh, that won't be necessary. After serving such a long time in the military one will grow accustomed to downing a pill with no water. Please just set it down." Ryoko smiled placing the cup back and picking up the tray. Kiyone and Ryoko bowed walking over to the next patient, and it continued for the next two hours.
Resting on the window sill, removing her white cap she looked out the window. She had to make use of her half an hour break until she moved on to help the klutz Mihoshi.
"There is a familiar face!" A male voice spoke from behind. There, those charming pools of brown stared back at her.
"Hello?" She decided to feign confusion. "I am sorry…?"
"It is me, Tenchi Masaki!"
"Oh, I am sorry. It has been a long day." She fanned herself with the hat.
"I hope Ayeka hasn't been working you too hard." He stood beside her looking out the window. Ryoko looked up at him. "Of course not." She retorted jokily.
"You can tell me the truth you know." He laughed, he stepped back to face her again. "Have you seen her around?"
"Not recently. I haven't heard her, so…" She trailed off hoping he would pick up the joke. And to her surprise, he laughed. "Yeah, her voice is pretty distinct. Well see you around Ryoko—I mean, Mrs. O'Hara, was it?"
"Ryoko is fine." She smiled waving back watching him turn to run down the corridor.
"Ready?!" A high-pitched voice rang out behind her.
"Mihoshi, I still have another couple of minutes before I start."
"Oh? That's right. You do." Mihoshi's mouth twisted, then frowned.
Ryoko smiled, "We can kill some time walking around."
"Yeah Okay!" Mihoshi cheerfully retorted interlocking her arm in Ryoko's.
...
Chirp. Chirp.
"Luna, I've missed you. Mommy had a long day and she is really tired. Have a good night, Luna." Ryoko smiled to the bird.
"I'm home!" She called out. No response. A faint light burned from the bedroom, Ryoko smiled seductively as she removed her coat, releasing her hair out of her low bun. She stopped at the threshold resting her head on the wooden panel sadly looking at the disheveled sheets. Empty. Ryoko sauntered over to the bed pulling the blanket over legs.
"How did the rest of your day go?" She questioned the empty room. "I am just happy the day is over. And I am home with you." She smiled sadly at the spot Hotsuma would lay, she let her body fall limp.
…
Finding it difficult to sleep, Ryoko decided she needed some tea.
As the kettle whistle pulling her out of her frustration, she turned off the stove pouring the hot liquid into her favorite mug. She walked out onto the porch feeling the succor in the night's breeze.
Tenchi sat on the steps of the home, he and his determined spouse went four rounds in their lovemaking. Instead of it being a cherished event in their marriage it was becoming a chore: Trying for a child. He decided he needs to clear his head and began to take a nightly stroll. He soon heard the light chirps of a particular Japanese Waxwing. He smiled remembering the encounter the day before. To his surprise, Tenchi noticed Ryoko sitting on the porch with her legs bent to her chest and head buried within its darkness.
"Hey," Tenchi said coyly resting on the banister.
"Hey yourself." Ryoko wiped her cheeks feigning good spirits.
"Couldn't sleep either, huh?"
"How'd you figure? I just like to relax under the moon with Luna." She lied.
"Oh really?" Tenchi brows rose. Ryoko turned away bashfully as he stared at her. She cleared her throat, "Would you like some tea, Mr. Masaki?"
"Ah, I don't want to impose." He scratched the back of his head nervously.
"It's okay really, have a seat. I will be back in a jiffy." He smiled watching her enter the home. He made his way up the stairwell and sat down.
"Here you go." She handed over the mug with a smile.
"Thanks." He smiled. Ryoko stared down at her reflection. Tenchi decided to break the ice. "Beautiful night."
"Yeah, it truly is. Perfect view of the moon." Ryoko stared in awe at the moon, resting her chin in her palm. Tenchi stared at her. 'Beautiful, I have to paint her one day.'
"Have you look into acting?" Tenchi inwardly cringed at his question. Ryoko blinked at him over the rim of her mug, shifting a bit in her seat.
"Well, I am no Yoshiko Yamaguchi…or a Marilyn Monroe. I don't have such talent for the big screen."
"Don't doubt yourself, Ryoko. You are absolutely stunning. I think with some dedication and time. You can make it!" Tenchi encouraged, Ryoko bashfully smiled.
"That means a lot Tenchi. I wish my husband would feel the same way." They both looked into each other's eyes. Not wanting to look away.