I'm back! Again, almost all of these characters don't belong to me so please don't sue me! They belong to ACI and Pioneer LDC, Inc. Only one belongs to me. There still isn't any lemon content so don't worry. Be warned though! Lemon comes later so don't get too involved if you're under 18! Again, my name is angiesangel and this story is a continuation of Mistakes and Reunions Ryoko's Dream. I got enough feedback so I decided to write another one to keep the viewing public happy. In this story, Washu finds out about Ryoko's date and she's afraid that this guy isn't as nice as he sounds. Tsunami tries to convince Washu that it's not as bad as she thinks but Washu is too wrapped up in her own emotions to listen. Enjoy! Mistakes and Reunions Part 2 Washu's Feelings The restaurant was crowded but we were lucky because we had reservations. Ryoko felt a little underdressed but her date assured her that she wasn't. Ryoko thought as they were sitting at the table. It was a nice restaurant with dim lights and soft music playing in the background. Ryoko looked at her surroundings and realized that she wasn't really underdressed. A Lot of the other people weren't really dressed up. That made Ryoko feel a little better. "Well," Ryoko said, "We've made it this far and I still don't know your name." "Ken. Yours?" "Ryoko," "Ryoko...that's a lovely name," He smiled warmly and Ryoko could feel the redness in her cheeks. The butterflies that were previously dancing now felt like they were having a wrestling match in her stomach. The waiter came over to the table and took their orders. Ryoko still had little appetite so she ordered something small. She figured Ken felt the same way because he didn't order anything big either. "So, Ryoko. Tell me about yourself," Ken said, trying to start conversation. "No way. You go first. After all, you're the one that brought me here," Ryoko said. She sure as hell didn't want to tell him about herself. "All right then. Here goes nothing," Ken said as he got comfy in his chair. Ryoko sat and listened to his story with interest. His parents were American but he was born and raised in Japan. His mother died when he was fifteen and his father was an executive for a major corporation. He had no brothers or sisters and he lived in the city in a small apartment. He wasn't into business and was presently unemployed. "Wow," Ryoko said. She didn't know what else to say. "That's it for me. What's your story?" he asked. "Well," Ryoko started, "There isn't much to talk about. I live in a house with my friends and I don't have a job. I've never had a job." she thought to herself. She went on to describe how her life was living in the Masaki household. "What about your past?" he asked. Ryoko looked at the table and didn't reply. She wasn't about to open up to a complete stranger. Well, not with the truth at least. "I don't remember my past too well," she lied. " I was taken from my mother when I was young and I don't remember my father at all." "That's terrible!" Ken said. "I wish there was something I could do to help." "Don't worry about it. I'm a lot tougher than you think," Ryoko said shooting him a sly grin, trying to change the mood. "Oh really?" he said shooting her one of his own. Ryoko could feel her face growing hot again. "If you'll excuse me, I have to use the bathroom," Ryoko said as she got up and walked away. She looked at herself in the mirror and a million thoughts were racing through her head. Ryoko washed her hands and decided to go back to the table. Half of her wanted to go home but half of her wanted to stay with Ken. At this point, the "stay with Ken" side was winning. She sat back down at the table. Ken was looking at the nearby tables, totally oblivious at Ryoko's return. She looked at him for a moment, admiring his good looks. He finally directed his attention back to Ryoko and looked startled to see her sitting in front of him. "Whoa! That was quick! I didn't even see you sit down. How long have you been sitting there?" he asked. Just then the waiter returned with their food and set it in front of them. "Not long. You looked really out of it. Is something wrong?" She asked as she started on her meal. "No, no. Nothings wrong. I was just waiting for you to get back. That's all," he said as he started his own meal. As they ate, Ryoko couldn't help but notice how edgy he was. He kept looking around like someone was going to attack him or something. Ryoko decided to leave him alone for now and continued eating her dinner. * * * As Tenchi and the others sat down for dinner, Ayeka couldn't help but notice that Ryoko was still gone. This made her feel better. She wasn't going to get into a fight, which would make Tenchi happy. "Ryoko still hasn't gotten back yet. I hope everything is ok," Tenchi said worriedly. The others just kind of looked at each other, hoping someone would have the answer. Ayeka didn't even acknowledge the question. Washu walked in and sat down at the table and started eating without saying a word. The others looked at her as she ate and she became aware of this. "What?" she asked with a mouth full of food. She swallowed what she had in her mouth and looked at her plate. "I don't know where Ryoko is. I don't know when she'll be back either," Washu lied as she put another mouthful of food in her mouth. "But don't you have a psychic link with her? Can't you find out? She's been gone all day and I'm starting to get worried," Tenchi said as Washu swallowed her food. "Yes I do have a psychic link with her," she said. Everyone expected her to say more and were disappointed when she didn't. Everyone accepted the fact that she didn't want to continue but Tenchi wouldn't let her get away that easily. "Well isn't there anything you can do?" Tenchi said. He was practically yelling. This only upset Washu even more. "Can't you just leave her alone!!??" Washu screamed, leaving a look of shock on everyone's face. "What's wrong with you people!? You act like you don't really care if she's here or not and now this happens and you're all worried about her? You people make me sick!" and at that Washu storms out of the room and back into her lab. All the others could do was sit there, staring at the doorway where Washu stormed out of a moment ago. "What's gotten into her?" Sasami asked as Tenchi got up and walked towards the lab. "Tenchi," Yosho called. "I have to talk to her Grandpa," Tenchi replied without turning around. "Let's just let her cool down a bit before we try talking to her," Ayeka said. She looked at Tenchi, hoping he would listen. She let out a sigh of relief as he returned to his seat. Who knows what Washu might do when she's mad like this. The more Ayeka thought about it, the more she understood about Washu's comment about not caring about Ryoko. Tenchi was always trying to get Ryoko off his back, Kiyone and Mihoshi were always on partol, Sasami was always doing the chores, Ayeka was always fighting with her, and Washu was always in her lab. No one would actually hold a conversation with her. Even Ryo-ohki was spending more time with Sasami than with Ryoko. Ayeka thought she would have a chat with miss Washu after dinner. * * * Washu sat on her bed, thinking about what the others thought of her know that she blew up at them. She was so mad at the fact that one-minute they didn't care, and the next they were all worried about Ryoko. Wahsu thought as she laid back on her bed. She knew they were going to ask her why she blew-up like that and she dreaded it. She didn't want to have to deal with their bullshit. She also had a lot on her mind. This whole ordeal with Ryoko and her past was taking its toll on Washu. Old memories were being brought to the surface. Washu would have been happy if they had just been left buried. *Ryoko * Washu said through their psychic link. She didn't receive an answer but she didn't really expect one. * Ryoko, I know you can hear me. Why don't you answer? * Washu said, trying to get her daughter's attention but she still got no word from Ryoko. Washu loved her daughter more than anything but she knew how Ryoko felt about her. She thought Washu loved her only as a guinea pig but that wasn't true. Washu sighed and closed her eyes. She thought of Ryoko when she was a little girl. She was so happy, believe it or not. Washu guessed that everything that happened to her in her past made her hard and unforgiving. Especially her experiences with Kagato. Washu thought. Washu's eyes grew heavy and nodded off and eventually fell into a deep dreamless sleep. * * * Ryoko walked down the street with Ken walking next to her. She heard Washu talking to her but she didn't respond. She had had enough of her 'mother'. How could she expect Ryoko to consider Washu her mother when she didn't act like one? She only wanted to think of Ken right now. She found out more about him as the night proceeded and she liked everything that she discovered about him. He was a really nice guy who has been dumped on too many times in his life. She told him very little about herself but enough to satisfy him. They walked side by side through the streets. It was late and people were going home. Ryoko liked it better without all the people. There was a lot less noise so it was easier for them to hold a conversation as they walked. "Do you feel better know?" Ken asked as they past a small coffee shop. The aroma from the coffee beans filled Ryoko's nose as she walked by. "A little bit," she said as she looked at the ground. She really did feel better but she wasn't sure what it was that changed her mood. "What about you?" "Me? I feel a lot better. It's not every day that I ask a beautiful young lady to join me for dinner and have her accept the offer," he said as he gave her one of his sly grins again. Ryoko blushed and looked back at the ground with a smile on her face. She felt happy talking to him. He really knew how to make a woman feel wanted. For all Ryoko knew, this could be an act but something told her it wasn't. "Well I'm not your average young lady," Ryoko said as she ran a little ways in front of him. She stopped and turned to face him. "I'm not as sweet and innocent as you may think. I have a wild streak and it takes a lot to tame it," she said as she smiled at him. He laughed as she finished what she was saying. "What's so funny?" Ryoko asked teasingly. "Nothing," he said between chuckles. "Tell me. What was so funny about what I said?" Ryoko didn't get mad like she usually did. His laugh seemed to put her in a good mood. "I just find it hard to believe that you could be a trouble-maker. If you really do have a wild streak, than you don't show it," he said as his chuckles died down. "Ha! You should talk to my friends. They'll tell you a completely different story," Ryoko said as she walked back to his side. They walked for a little while longer before stopping in front of an apartment building. Ryoko remembered him saying that he lived in an apartment in this building. She was confused to see that he didn't stop. "Isn't this where you live?" she asked as he turned and looked at her. "Yeah, but I was going to walk you home," he said, a little disappointed. "I live too far away for you to walk me home. You wouldn't get back for hours," Ryoko said as he stood next to her. "Are you sure? I'll walk you home if you want," he said as he looked into her eyes. She shook her head and looked down at the ground to avoid his gaze. She knew she would never be able to look away if their eyes meet. "All right then. Will I get to see you again? I would really like to take you to dinner again," he said as lifted her chin to meet his eyes. Ryoko thought she was going to melt with joy at his offer. Ryoko thought as she stared into his eyes. "You would really do that?" she asked as he pulled his keys from his pocket. "Of course!" he said as he moved closer to her. Ryoko could feel her knees getting weak but she didn't move. She let him get closer and slid a hand down her cheek. Ryoko didn't know what to think. She would love to see him again. "All right then," she said, "How about tomorrow?" "Sounds good to me. Say around eight? We'll go to a fancy restaurant this time so wear something nice," he asked, confident that she would say yes. "Eight it is," Ryoko said, smiling. He smiled back at her with a warm, welcoming smile. She didn't want to go home. She wanted to stay with him but she knew she couldn't. She had to go face the others at home even though she didn't want to. "So I'll see you at eight. Same spot?" he asked as he looked at her. "Yup," Ryoko said as she watched him walk towards the door. Ryoko stared at him as he disappeared into the doorway. Ryoko walked around the corner and leaned against the building. Her heart was all a flutter and she couldn't stop thinking about their night together. Ryoko thought happily as she arrived at the house using her powers. She looked at the house and thought of what the others might say about her behavior. She really didn't want to deal with that. She was in too good of a mood to deal with their concerned questions. Ryoko used her powers to go directly to her room. She just laid in her bed, thinking of her night. she thought as sleep descended upon her. She smiled to herself as she thought of him walking through the door of his apartment building. she thought as she drifted off to sleep. * * * Washu was aware that Ryoko had returned home but she wasn't going to tell the others. She was sure that Ryoko didn't want to be faced with their questions. She figured everyone would ask her in the morning. Washu herself was a little curious as to where Ryoko went. Washu thought as she closed her eyes. Ryoko was thinking about a guy a she had meet. Washu watched the evening via Ryoko's memories and was a little surprised at the fact Ryoko liked this guy. He was a handsome young man but Ryoko had her heart set on Tenchi. Washu also knew how Ryoko acted around strangers. She thought about this for a moment. She had a feeling that this Ken guy was no good. There was something about him that Washu didn't trust but she couldn't put her finger on it. She knew her daughter would be upset if someone bothered her when she was in bed but Washu had to find out about this guy. You could say it was the mother in her. * * * Ayeka walked down the hall towards Washu's lab and quietly opened the door. "Washu?" she called politely. There was no answer as Ayeka looked around the dark room. "Where is she?" Ayeka thought out loud. He then decided to go back to bed and not worry about someone she really didn't care about. * * * Ryoko was lying in bed when her door opened a bit. Ryoko looked up wondering who had the nerve to come in when she was in bed. Washu peeked around the corner and looked at Ryoko with a motherly look. "Ryoko, can we talk?" she asked as she came in and closed the door. Ryoko knew what this was about because she could feel Washu's presence in her head a moment ago. She hated that. Washu was always butting in to her private affairs. Ryoko really wasn't in the mood for this crap. Her night had been too good to be spoiled by her mother's concerns. "What do you want? You've already seen everything I know about him," Ryoko said as she rolled over, facing her back to Washu. "I don't need to know anything else about him. He seemed to give you a good explanation of himself. I just don't want to you trust him too much," Washu said as she waited for her daughter's response. Ryoko looked over at her with a hint of surprise and anger in her eyes. "What are you talking about? He was good company. We're just friends," Ryoko said defensively even thought she had a feeling that would change after tomorrow. Washu looked at her and decided it would be better if the others didn't decide to eaves drop. * Ryoko, isn't a little strange how he came up to you? He didn't even know you and he asked you out to dinner! * Washu said through their psychic link. Ryoko looked at her again but this time her eyes were full of rage and hatred. She was doing it again. * He saw that I was upset and he tried to cheer me up! What's so wrong about that? * Ryoko thought angrily. * He's a nice guy and he cares. * She was pissed at the fact that Washu was trying to act like her mother now. Where was she when Ryoko really needed her? * All right, I'll give him that much about the cheering up part, but what makes you think he care about you? Because he listened to you problems? Ryoko, he doesn't even know you! * Washu thought and waited for her daughter's reaction. Ryoko just looked at the ceiling. Her anger was so strong that she couldn't react. She realized after her anger subsided a little, that she hardly talked about herself let alone what was bothering her. * Washu, I would like to go to sleep now. Do you mind? * Ryoko said as she glared at her mother. Washu was hurt by the hatred in her daughter's voice. She decided to leave before a fight broke out and woke up the whole house. She got up and walked for the door. After a few steps she stopped and turned to face Ryoko. "Just be careful, Ryoko. Don't let him get you into trouble," Washu said. She was worried about Ryoko and didn't want her to get hurt. She hoped Ryoko would consider that as a motherly concern. Washu let out a sigh before she left the room and left Ryoko with her thoughts. * * * Sasami looked about the hallway as she made her way towards the bathroom. She stopped just before the door when she heard a door close behind her. She was curious as to who woke up so she decided to investigate. As she walked around the corner, she saw Washu standing in front of Ryoko's bedroom door. "Washu? What are you doing up so late? Is Ryoko home?" She asked as she walked over to Washu so she wouldn't have to yell. "Oh, ahh...yes, she's home. I just needed to talking to Ryoko," Washu said hesitantly. She had started crying the minute she closed the door. It hurt her to see her daughter pushing her away and she didn't really feel like tell anyone that Ryoko had her sights on someone other than Tenchi. She needed to get these feelings out, but she didn't think Sasami was the right person. Hell she *knew* Sasami wasn't the right person. Tsunami on the other hand... "Washu, is everything all right? You seemed upset earlier," Sasami said, clearly concerned. Washu knew this was coming and looked at the floor as she tried to answer that question. Seeing Washu's insecurity, Tsunami appeared inplace of Sasami. "I don't know. I guess I was just in a bad mood, that's all," Washu said as Tsunami looked at her. "You're really worried about Ryoko, aren't you?" Tsunami said with a smile. It was kind of cute how this little twelve year old girl could act so motherly to someone who looked older than her. A tear rolled down Washu's cheek as she thought of her relationship with Ryoko. Washu looked at Tsunami with pain and hurt on her face and then looked back at the floor again. Tsunami knew that Washu didn't want her to see her cry. It hurt Tsunami to see her sister so upset. Good thing it was dark. Tsunami couldn't see the tears that had fallen since she saw Washu on the floor. "Sasami..." Washu started. Her voice caught in her throat as she tried to speak. There was a long pause as Washu fought back a new wave of tears. Tsunami went over to her and stood in front of her. "Sasami isn't here," she said, knowing it would make Washu feel a little more comfortable. "What is it Washu?" Tsunami asked. Washu just shook her head due to the fact that her tears had her choked up. Tsunami placed a hand on Washu's shoulder to encourage her. "It's ok Washu. Go on," Tsunami coaxed. Washu looked up at Tsunami and the next thing she knew she was in her lab. "I couldn't talk to you right outside of Ryoko's door. She, as well as the others, might have heard us," Tsunami said. Washu sat down and another chair appeared for Tsunami. Tsunami sat down and made herself comfortable because she knew she might be here for a while. Washu looked off into space as she sat there. There was a long pause before she said anything. "I know I can trust you Tsunami," Washu said as she looked at the floor. "Of course you can!" Tsunami said. She was a glad that Washu had that much faith in her. "It's just that it's such a touchy subject. I have to be careful who I tell. I don't want to upset Ryoko any more than what she already is," Washu said as she looked at Tsunami. Washu had done a lot of things to hurt her daughter and she didn't need to add any more to the list. "I won't tell a soul, Washu. You know I won't," Tsunami said as she looked at Washu. "Sasami won't even know." "Ryoko is trying to deal with something that happened in her past, and now she's seeing some stranger she just meet. There is something about him that I don't trust. She wasn't going to tell me about it either. She's been keeping this secret of her past all of her life," Washu said. She stopped and closed her eyes. Tsunami felt pity for Washu. Watching your daughter go through something like this must be hard. Washu opened her eyes and looked at Tsunami. "I'm just worried. That's all," Washu said as she looked at the floor again. Tsunami didn't know what to say. She doesn't have any children, obviously, so she couldn't possibly understand what Washu was going through. Tears started to run down Washu's face again as she sat there in silence. "Washu..." Tsunami started. Washu just shook her head and looked away. "I know what Ryoko's going through. She lost her husband and daughter. The same thing happened to me when I was still at the academy. My child and my husband were taken from me. I was torn apart as I watched them walk away. There was nothing I could do to stop them. I watched them leave, knowing I would never see them again, and all because of me," Washu said as she stared into space. Tsunami was shocked at the fact that Ryoko had a husband and daughter. She never told anyone. Tears were clearly running down Washu's cheeks and Tsunami got up and walked over to Washu. She knelt in front of her and looked her in the eyes but she spoke before Tsunami could say anything. "I'm so confused. Ryoko never said anything about her family. I know that these are memories because I saw them in her dreams. Why didn't she come to me? She knew I would understand," Washu said with confusion written all over her face. She knew the answer to this question but she tried to ignore it. "I'm sure Ryoko will explain everything when she's ready," Tsunami said reassuringly. "As for your past, you know that you shouldn't blame yourself, Washu," Tsunami said. Washu went to say something but Tsunami stopped her. "I know it's hard to except the fact that they are gone but what other option do you have? You can't let this things bother you, Washu. Ryoko needs your help in dealing with her past and her emotions. You're the only one who can get close enough to Ryoko to help her. You may not believe that but it's true. Tenchi doesn't have the courage to help Ryoko. But how can you help her if you're grieving over your family? You've never let it bother you this much before," Tsunami said as she held Washu's shoulders. Washu sat there, thinking about what her sister said and then closed her eyes. She sat there in silence for a few minutes before returning her gaze to Tsunami. "You're right. I need to help Ryoko and I can't if I'm thinking of my own past. I don't know why it's bothering me so much. It's just so hard for me to think that it was my fault," Washu said as a wave of sobs overtook her. Tsunami hugged her sister and tried to comfort her as best she could. Washu's body shook as the tears came. Tsunami didn't know how Washu felt or what she was going through. All she could do was help to comfort the sobbing little girl. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * What do you think? Is it getting better or is it coming along too slow? Well, I hope you enjoyed it and for all you lemon fans, the next one might interest you a bit. I hope to hear some more feedback. Mail me at ryoko_washu2222@hotmail.com.