Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Underneath it All ❯ Chapter 4

Disclaimer: I do not own Tenchi Muyo, but my boots are shiny, and I own those…

 

 

Underneath it All

By Ovrboost

 

I am all alone this time around.
Sometimes on the side I hear a sound;
Places parallel I know it's you.
Feel the little pieces bleeding through,
And on… This goes on, and on, and on.

Now I've decided not to stay,
I can feel me start to fade away.
Everything is back where it belongs;
I will be beside you before long;

 

Ohhhh we will never die;
beside you in time.
Ohhhh we will never die;
beside you in time.

 

Beside You in Time: Trent Reznor

 

Chapter 5:

 

“You know what scares me the most, Yosho?” she asked with eyes drowning in their own sorrow, looking for someone, something to hold on to.

 

“What?” the reply was soft, his own eyes trying to soothe the pain.

 

“After a while… H…He didn't have to force me anymore.” she paused; trying to find a reason to continue, written somewhere on the floor. “I did horrible things Yosho…, a… and I knew I was doing it.”

 

“Ryoko… I…” he cut himself off once he caught a glimpse of her downcast eyes. After a moment's hesitation, slowly he reached his hand out and caressed her cheek, drawing her face up towards his own.

 

“Yosho…”

- - - - - - - - - -

 

`It should have been over so quick… Why did she hesitate?' the thoughts were incessant, a never ending cascade, as he shifted aimlessly through the debris. `Why am I still alive?'

 

In the distance, he could see the remains of his space tree, a burnt out husk, lying in a shallow crater. No longer could Yosho feel it's pain, but for some unknown reason he could still feel it, seemingly phasing in and out somewhere on the outer edges of his consciousness. `It should not have happened this way…'he thought while grimacing from the dull ache in his shoulder, now overshadowed by his other injuries. He knew he had had a concussion, but he couldn't quite remember how it had happened.

 

After having painfully moved a rather large piece of charred wood, Yosho's suspicions were confirmed; Ryoko, well her body at least, had survived the crash, lightly brushing away the debris; he grasped her body, and flipped it so that her front was facing him. Placing two fingers to her neck, he smiled. With a grunt he hefted the girl and walked away from the site.

 

After having walked in a clearing, Yosho laid his burden at his feet, and took in the scenery. The beautiful lake shone brightly in the sun. A long angular shadow stood out like a sun dial from its middle, caused by the remnants of Ryoko's ship still protruding from the surface. A wry grin took its place on Yosho's lips, as he reveled in the irony of the situation. `I guess it was meant to be.' he thought as he once again lifted the unconscious woman up and over his shoulder. `Better find some shelter' Walking back into the wood line, he knew exactly where he could find some.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

The soft crackling of the small fire was soothing, its light throwing shadows against the walls of the cave. Quietly watching the flames, Yosho sat pondering, the object of his thoughts lying across from him. Her steady breathing served only to remind him that what ever was to happen next would most defiantly not be easy. Sighing, he held Tenchiken out before him, the red orbs embedded in the hilt reflecting the light of the fire. He thought of restraining her, but quickly dismissed the thought, as he knew nothing he had available could keep her down should she suddenly wake. He could easily kill her, but that thought only sent cold chills down his spine. The only thing he knew for sure was that she could not be allowed to go free, not anymore, not now. Setting down Tenchiken, Yosho pulled two objects from his pocket. The discovery of these two objects brought both joy, and dread. All he had to do was find a suitable place to plant, and within a few weeks his precious tree would once again be alive, sprouting out of the soil of a foreign land. The other seed however, grew much quicker, and it's purpose was to bring forth a punishment of the highest degree. With an audible sigh, Yosho stood, and made his choice. The seeds must both be planted; it was the only option left.

 

`Has not the girl suffered enough?' This was a dangerous line of thought, one that gave Yosho pause. `Perhaps, but what of the suffering she has brought to others?' his eyes ventured back from the girl to his open palm. `No, this will not kill her. …Perhaps with time I will be able to…' Yosho unconsciously squeezes his eyes shut before finishing the thought. `She can be helped, but not now... not by me.' Turning his back to the fire, he slowly made his way deeper into the recesses of the cave.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

“Please…” she breathed, barely audible; “Please kill me…” her golden eyes, glazed with tears, gazed with quiet longing

 

“…No, I can't do that. Not to an innocent person…” his voice came out, almost surprising himself with his words.

 

“If he has to look for me, the punishments are more severe.”

 

“Who do you speak of?”

 

“Kagato… my master.”

 

“I cannot allow you to leave…not yet.” said Yosho, his demeanor an odd mix of sympathy, and determination.

 

“Please don't leave…. I don't want to be alone…” a cascade of quiet tears mar her features, as she turns away from the corridor, and slides down the impromptu barricade. “I don't… want to be alone again.”

 

“Get out of my way Yosho.” Ryoko replied, grasping her sword now with both hands, the blade crossing her body crackling with energy

 

“Ryoko… I'm trying to help you. Please don't force me to…” his voice fading as he drew out the hilt of his sword, the red gems pulsing with power. Hesitantly Yosho ignited the blade, yet keeping it by his side, pointed towards the floor. “Don't force me to hurt you again…”

 

“…YOU SHOULD HAVE KILLED ME WHEN YOU HAD THE CHANCE!” violent, yet still unvoiced sobs racked her body, causing her to extinguish her blade as she brought her hands up to her face, covering it.

 

“You bastard!” her breathing heavy, she continued; “I trusted you, and you RAPED ME!”

 

“You said you trusted me?” he asked with a calm voice, denoting his acceptance of his fate.

 

Hesitating for a moment, Ryoko replied; “Yes…” her voice barely loud enough to be heard over the chaos.

 

“Then trust me when I say I'm sorry.” With that, Yosho extinguished Tenchiken, and closed his eyes in resignation; a single drop of salt water ran the length of his face.

 

…trust

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

A soft moan, along with the faint whispering of moving cloth, could be heard over the crackling of the dying fire.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

`How does one earn trust?' thought Yosho absently as he walked to the middle of the chamber in which he had chosen. Coming to a stop, he stood still… gazing at the stone beneath his feet. Igniting Tenchiken, he thrust it downwards into the rock slightly before withdrawing, and sheathing the blade. `Why did I have to be so stupid as to betray her trust?' The small brown seed rolled out of his palm and into the hole that he had just created. Ignoring the nagging pain in his backside, and closing his eyes, Yosho knelt down to mentally urge the seed to take root.

 

It did not take long, almost immediately; the seed sprang forth into life, its roots easily cleaving the rock, moving quickly down and out, looking for water. The roots formed together in places creating a complex system similar to that of an advanced computer. Soon the chamber was unrecognizable to any who had seen it before; the rock was cleaved neatly into blocks, as the water purification system came online, water already beginning to appear in the spaces.

 

`It is time… for the atonement for both of our sins' thought Yosho as he stood silent, face raised to the ceiling.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

Ryoko's thoughts ran in circles, seemingly unable to hold a discernable pattern, unable to focus. Her eyes stared blankly into the flames, as she held herself trying to stop herself from shaking. `Why did I stop? … Why did I spare him, save him? Why? …what is wrong with me?'

 

“Ryoko…”

 

“Ungh?!” startled out of her introspective, Ryoko jolted up to her feet. Her vision quickly filled with an almost ghostly image of Yosho, standing solemnly gazing at her with Tenchiken ignited by his side. Barely able to breathe, her response was as much a whisper, as it was a gasp. “Yosho…”

 

“Come this way… please” his voice left no room from argument, yet its underlying gentleness is what took Ryoko by surprise. His entire demeanor had changed; he almost acted as if he were at a funeral… As Ryoko passed by Yosho, she couldn't help but notice the fact that as soon as she had made eye contact with him, his eyes immediately sought refuge somewhere on the stone floor.

 

He watched her as she tentatively passed him, for the briefest of moments, their eyes locked. It felt almost as if the floor had fell out beneath him, and his head bowed quickly downward after he saw how lifeless and emotionless her eyes had become. `This is all my fault…' became the unending mantra that cursed his consciousness, as he began to follow her, Tenchiken lighting the way.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

A fog had already formed in the newly created depression at the center of the chamber, where several roots stood straight, pointing towards the heavens in anticipation of fulfilling their purpose.

 

Ryoko wearily entered the chamber, quickly taking in the atmosphere. “What is this?!” Yelped out Ryoko, as she swung her head back towards Yosho, only to find him with his blade raised, and his face still solemn.

 

“It's a Juraian tree of crucifixion …please Ryoko, don't make this any harder than it has to be… for both of us”

 

“YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CRUCIFY ME!” screamed out Ryoko, bringing space between them as she leapt further into the chamber, igniting her blade in the process. “HOW COULD YOU EVEN CONSI-”

 

“I HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE!” the tears that had appeared on her face further tore at his soul. Her silence added volumes to her distress; `This must be done quickly.'

“YOU HAVE LEFT ME NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE! …THIS MUST BE DONE!”

They both fell silent, as his words sunk in. “This not permanent. I swear this upon my very soul …Ryoko I can only ask you to trust me, but I cannot allow you free reign… that is something I dare not hazard. Now please don't fight…”

 

“You bastard !” swore Ryoko through the tears that she could no longer control despite her anger. “And to think I actually saved your life! You're no better than Kagato! Just throwing away anything that might become an inconvenience to you. Well I won't let you… not this time.” She punctuated her statement by spitting at his feet. “Humph, Trust… you deserve none of it, you back stabbing rapist!” Ryoko brought back her sword hand in order to throw the energy blade at Yosho but was suddenly halted. Jerking her head back to her hand, the sight that met her sent chills down her spine. One of the tree roots had firmly rapped itself around her wrist with its very tip poised above her forearm.

“Gasp! Y… YOSHO! STOP THIS THI-” she was cut brutally short as the tip of the root plunged itself deep into her forearm; her veins bulged up to her elbows as they were taken by force. The scream echoed off of the walls loud enough to crack crystal, the pain blinding. Once firmly embedded, the root jerked her screaming body back in order for the tree to finish its work. The remaining four roots went about a similar function, invading her other arm, shoulders, and lower back, the latter resulting in Ryoko screaming loud enough to cause Yosho's ears to bleed.

 

Despite the piercing pain from his ruptured ear drums, Yosho saw fit to work through his tears and finish his work. Stepping forward with eyes downcast, he produced the mask of shame; the traditional face mask of those who have been crucified. With shaking hands, he placed it upon her beautiful face; her continued screams muted now as the mask itself sought out and attached itself to her face. The muffled pleas of mercy and help clawed painfully at his back as he left. `God forgive me…'

 

 

A/N: sorry it took so long, we have been incredibly busy getting packed, and sending our trucks to Iraq. In fact, were scheduled to leave in less than a month's time. I plan on getting out a short epilogue hopefully soon. I would like to thank ThebigW, and GuppyLips (I love your eva fic btw) for your reviews. Till next time! ~Rob