Episode 12: Truce (Final Ep!)

In the days that followed. Everyone put forth all their time and energy to help Ryoko find Little Rikku. Ryoko gave Tenchi a call and informed about Rikku later on in the week. As much as he wanted to go home and help Ryoko and the others search, he couldn't pull a break in his schedule. Not only that, the train lines were down. There had been a crash and due to the crash, all the train stations were on hold.

" So is that how it is?" Ryoko muttered hotly, her jaw line tightening.

" You're going to stay in Tokyo and work when I need you most? You mean to tell me, your job means more to you then our "daughter"?" Tenchi sighed on his end, a hand ranking through his spiky hair.

" Ryoko listen to me. You know if I could, I would come home in a heart beat. But I can't at the moment. I'm stuck at work and the train lines are down. There's no way I could come. Even if I got out work, how am I supposed to get there? Ryoko I-"

" Tenchi!" Ryoko's voice raised and almost everyone in the household heard it. Washu was coming out of the lab room with some good news when she saw her daughter fuming over the phone.

" If you mean well and really want to be here, then you'd be here. You'd find some way to over come everything else and go all out. But you obviously lack that power. If your life there means more to you, then fine." Ryoko took a deep breath before continuing on. But she spoke in a lower voice this time around.

" Our "child" is missing Tenchi... and Kami-sama only knows who has her and what could be happening to her." Before Tenchi could get another word in, Ryoko slammed the phone down, cutting off their connection. Ryoko was so upset that Washu could feel Ryoko's anger vibes bouncing off her. Without making hardly any noise, she went over to her and drew her into a hug from behind. Ryoko was stiff as a log but as time passed, she gradually began to relax in her mother's arms. Sensing that her daughter had calmed down Washu felt now was the time to tell her of her discovery.

" I know who took Rikku..." Ryoko's ears perked up as did her weary spirit. She quickly turned around in her mother's embrace.

" You do?" Washu nodded with a small smile.

" But how? A few days ago you said it may of been impossible to of located her. How did you-" Washu moved a finger down to rest over her daughter's lips to silence her.

" I know I did. But thanks to "REX", I was able to figure out who abducted Little Rikku. Now come with me to the lab. There, you'll be able to see what I'm talking about." Ryoko followed after her mother to the lab only to grow more enraged. What Washu showed her, was the SystemCam the alarm system "REX" had recorded on the night Rikku was taken. True, a Cabbit has kidnapped her daughter. But it wasn't just any Cabbit... it was Nagi's Cabbit.

" It was a good thing Sasami remembered to check "REX" to see if it was working properly. When she saw his eyes beeping red, it worried her. The reason being, is because it had caught something on it's SystemCam it did not recognize nor know. Sasami programmed "REX" to know who we are... anything else "REX" sees is invalid to it and is record to it's SystemCam." Ryoko grinded her teeth together, completely furious at her rival. How could she of sank so low?

" Do you know where they are currently?" Washu nodded quietly, her eyes fixed on Ken-oh-ki's movements as the tape re-played itself. Ryoko slammed her hand, palm faced down on the computer desk, very much getting Washu's attention.

" Tell me! Tell me now Mom!" Washu smirked, folding her arms over her chest.

" She's four galaxies away from here and at the docking port on a planet called "Flemish Van E-Deck". Now Ryoko before you storm out of here let's come up with a logical-" Ryoko phased out of the room, not really wanting to stick around longer then needed. Washu pressed her lips together, un-folding her arms.

" Plan... and Kami-sama knows I should of seen that one coming." Washu got out of her chair, going over to her lab table where some of her newest successful inventions were scattered about. She debated with herself to go after her crazy daughter, or sit back and watch how Ryoko too control of the situation. She's a mother now... and she's determined to get her child back. Perhaps I shouldn't help. Perhaps this is the time to let go of you... Little Ryoko. When the others came back from yet another space search and learned of what Washu found, they were all up for going after her. However, Washu was against it. When they asked her why, she told them her reasons.

" But what if Ryoko looses herself in her anger and winds up hurt or something? Who will help her then?" Mihoshi mused with a stern voice, rather upset at Nagi for causing her friend such pain. Kiyone nodded in agreement.

" Mihoshi is right. You know as well as everyone else knows in this household that Ryoko's temper can rob her of logical reasoning." Ayeka frowned sadly.

" That is true. But Washu is right. We don't have the right to interfere... this is Ryoko's battle. And I don't think she would want us to butt in." Sasami looked up at her sister with wide eyes.

" Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't Nagi always been a battle Ryoko's tried to overcome? If they can't defeat each other when they cross paths, what makes you think she'll win this time?" Ayeka closed her eyes, sighing softly.

" Because Sasami... her own child is at steak here. Ryoko will push herself harder if necessary. That kind of motivation comes from the heart. And that kind of power, is something Nagi can't win against." The others sighed, hating the fact that Ayeka could possibly be right. If that were so, then they really couldn't do anything but wait for Ryoko's return. Ryoko could of simply taken Ry-oh-ki in her ship form and gone after Nagi, but the poor thing was still suffering from Ken-oh-ki's attack. So instead, she took Grieving Redemption and allowed Ry-oh-ki to come along for the ride. Ry-oh-ki of course, gladly followed her master into the big ship but soon crashed on one of the driver's seat in the Bridge Room. As much as Ry-oh-ki wanted to help her master fight Nagi and win back her child, she couldn't. She felt so drained and disoriented. She personally vowed that if she saw Ken-oh-ki again, they would have a talk. A long talk. Knowing this may take a while, Ryoko didn't want to waste time by browsing each galaxy. She inputted the coordinates of the planet Washu told her about and waited for the ship to burst to life. Ryoko had a strong feeling once she docked on the planet, it wouldn't take her long to track down Nagi. Nagi... you'd better have a good reason for this... Was all Ryoko thought as her ship rose to the air and zapped into the depths of space.

---

Nagi sighed in exasperation as Little Rikku wailed loudly. Ken-oh-ki did his best to charm the baby, but Rikku was not stupid. She may not of understood why these two kidnapped her. But she did understand that she was not with her mother and that she was hungry. Rikku figured if these guys were going to keep her captive, the least they could do is feed her. But no. That was even too much to ask of them.

" I wonder if Ryoko's figured out I was the one who stole you? "Nagi questioned aloud, looking over her nails. Sighing, Nagi hopped to her feet, pacing about the dim lit, spacious abandoned warehouse. She needed to think her plan over again but it was hard with that kid screaming in the background.

" Shut up will ya? I'm not going to do anything to you."

" You bet your ass you're not going to do anything!" Hearing the enraged voice, Nagi snapped her head over just in time to see her rival standing a few feet away from her. Ken-oh-ki hopped over the now quiet baby, remembering his role. He was to guard as well as watch over Rikku until Ryoko handed herself over to his master.

" Ryoko. How nice of you to... phase in. I was just thinking about you." Ryoko growled with much irritation.

" Stalking me is one thing... taking my kid to get to me is another! Nagi that's just low... lower then dirt. Not even I, as Space Pirate, would abduct a child. A late teen, maybe. A adult sure. But not a child!" Nagi lifted her arms, out stretching her hands nonchalantly.

" I'm a bounty hunter Ryoko. It's my job to sink low. You should know me good enough by now to know that I will do whatever it takes to get what I want... and I want you." Ryoko's face shook with raw anger.

" Well guess what Nagi!" Ryoko rushed over and struck Nagi with a powerful mega punch to the stomach, succeeding in making her double over.

" You got my attention!" Nagi quickly recovered and brought her knee up. It made contact with Ryoko's forehead. Ryoko stumbled back, loosing her balance for a moment.

" Bring it Space Pirate!" Ryoko brought it all right. The two fought violently with one another. Ken-oh-ki watched in silence, wondering just who as going to win this battle. Each of them, wielded incredible power. And each other, were determined not to loose. Ken-oh-ki feared their power would kill them both. Ryoko was side kicked across the face, sweat and blood flying everywhere. Not going to take that kind of crap, Ryoko delivered a series of punches to Nagi's face and torso. Growing weary of being kicked, bashed, and thrown around, Nagi broke free of Ryoko's grasp, summoning forth her energy sword.

" Enough! This ends...now!" She charged the blade, then swung it down onto the surface of the warehouse. A strong force of power hit Ryoko as she lunged for Nagi once again. It shocked her nervous system so severely, she allowed herself to fall on impact. She jerked a few times on the floor, groaning loudly as the pain escalated. W-What... the hell was that?

" Do you like my upgrade? I got it tempered a few months back. I'd say it's going to serve it's purpose well, don't you think Ryoko?" The first time being hit with the sword hurt like a living hell. The second time nearly killed Ryoko. It was that effective. It was that strong on her. This scared the former Space Pirate. Why were the attacks hurting her so much? Unable to take another blow, Ryoko let the darkness over shadowed her completely. In the black void of Ryoko's mind, Ryoko saw "Yugi". She appeared happy, yet frightened at the same time.

" Come on Mom. Don't let Nagi beat you at your own game. After all, you were Ryoko... thee best Space Pirate to of lived. You're unstoppable... unbeatable. You can easily turn this situation around but you have to enforce the change. Don't fear, become fear. Summon your inner strength you've kept locked away. Let it out Mom. If there was anytime to let that wild beast of yours loose, it's now." After "Yugi's" statement, her form vanished from the black void in Ryoko's mind. Ryoko let those words play back through her mind as Nagi prepared for a final blow to her no doubt. When Ryoko's eyes did open, they were burning bright red. Just as Nagi was about to bring the power sword down between Ryoko's skull, Ryoko swiftly lifted one hand and caught the sparking blade. Nagi's eyes brows knitted together as a small grunt escaped past her lips. She sure is a stubborn one. Nagi thought dryly, now forcing the sword out of her rival's grasp. But to Nagi's shock, her sword wasn't breaking free from Ryoko's strong grasp. Making eye contact with the former Space Pirate, she had finally noticed the difference in her face. Not only were her eyes blazing, but there were black arc marks the on the sides of her face. Nagi suddenly felt very, very afraid.

" Nagi... for the last time. Give me my daughter. If you don't, I swear to you... you'll regret it." The tone was one she had never heard come from Ryoko up until now. This worried Nagi some/what. Despite the knotting in her stomach and the doubt that had plagued her self-confidence, Nagi did not back down.

" I've had the upper advantage this entire time. What makes you think I'll just stop and hand her back over? I didn't go through all this trouble for nothing. We're finishing this Ryoko whether you like it or not." All Ryoko had to do was grin. It was enough for Nagi to realize she had crossed the line. In a flash, Ryoko shot off the ground, using the sword to flip Nagi up and over her shoulder. Nagi hit the surface with a hard "thud". The wind had been knocked out of her in a matter of seconds. Ryoko was far from finished with her. Reaching down, Ryoko snatched her up off the floor and slung her around so fast, Nagi didn't even feel her head meet the brick wall. To abolish the battle for once and for all, Ryoko moved her mouth over to Nagi's shoulder. Without hesitation, she sunk her canines into the surprisingly soft flesh. She bite Nagi and bit her good. She clamped her teeth down, refusing to let her go until Nagi would forfeit. Nagi screamed from the attack. It wasn't like she hasn't been bitten before. But this kind of bite, had some sort of affect on her nervous system. It was making her feel as if she were on fire. Blazing, hot fire. Ryoko would tease her by pulling out for a few seconds, then seep back down into the wound, biting harder.

" Stop! I give up! Just please-stop!" Ryoko let Nagi go. She wiped the blood dripping from the side of her mouth with the back of her hand, watching Nagi fall down to her knees in defeat. With a twitch of her hand, she phased over to where her daughter was being held captive. Ken-oh-ki high tailed far away from Ryoko, deciding to go hide behind a crate in the far back corner of the warehouse. Ryoko eased down to retrieve what was stolen from her. Seeing her mother's face, Rikku started to cry. She was not scared anymore so the tears were not sad ones. But she was relieved to see her mother and for that, she cried happy tears. Ryoko cupped her head to shoulder

" Oh my Little Rikku. Shh, it's okay. Mommy's here now. Calm down. Calm down. Everything's going to be all right." After a moment of silent cuddling, Rikku settled, grasping onto her mother's fabric with tight fingers. Ryoko cast Nagi a look of pure hatred.

" If you ever lay hand on my child again-I'll kill you!" Nagi didn't doubt that she would. Lifting her head, Nagi met her rival's gaze, making direct eye contact with her.

" Promise me one thing before you walk out of and do your best to forget this ever happened?" Ryoko nodded, indicating that she could continue on with whatever it was she wanted to say.

" Take care of that kid of yours... and keep her far, far away from me. All she did was bring me more trouble." Ryoko smirked.

" Serves you right." Nagi sighed, stumbling to her feet.

" I guess it's time to call it quits. There's no way in hell I'll be coming after your head. If anyone else dare tries it's their funeral. I've faced death and to be frank, I didn't like it." Ryoko's gaze softened.

" I can't keep that promise to you." Nagi arched a brow.

" I at least... have the right to ask why, don't I?" Ryoko grinned then.

" Because our paths are too tightly crossed... and one of these days, I may need to call upon you for help."

" Why?"

" I can't explain it, but I have this knowing feeling that humanity... will be over shadowed by a strong force. Call it a pirate's intuition. But it's too strong of a feeling inside of me to brush off. When that force happens, I will need all the help I can get. If I kill you, I'd only be hurting myself." Nagi's eyes fluttered shut.

" I think being a "mother" has made rather soft in your nature."

" Yeah. I guess it has." Nagi's eye lids lifted slightly.

" Showing mercy on others can get you killed."

" Oh. So all those other times you've attempted to knock me flat on my ass were... flukes?" Nagi did not respond to her question.

" So that's the reason why I'm still alive huh." Ryoko mused with some slight humor in her voice. Nagi merely snorted, letting her battle weary body rest in a rather relaxed silence. Ryoko phased out with her daughter, smiling quietly to herself. Even though they didn't say it out loud, they had made a truce. And it was all thanks to Little Rikku.

" Let's go home huh?" Ryoko murmured, her eyes and voice now back to normal. Even though the battle as over the arc marks had not vanished yet. Ryoko was not worried about it, but to be on the safe side, she vowed to check with her mother about it once she got back home.

---

(A/N: Yeah. I know I said I wasn't gonna make 'em kiss. But after all that I figured, "Oh to Hades with it! Why not?". And once you hit the ending it will lead into the sequel, "Ryoko's Fall, Rikku's Revolution!". Just thought I'd warn you ahead of time. Also, I struggled hard to update this. If this is not a better update, I'm sorry... but it's not easy to do this and a million other things, plus just... crap for school. I tried okay? I tried so hard... if it sucks-I'm sorry. YOU sit down and try to come up with a update for a fic once in awhile when you're creamed with a shitload-it's hard. I pray though, it's a okay update and it may of been enjoyable. I don't do this for me, I do it for you guys and I want u guys to have fun. If on one has fun, then I hae failed, ya know?)

Tenchi was kicking himself for not being able to make it home for Ryoko. Her words kept echoing through his head, making him cringe every time.

If you mean well and really want to be here, then you'd be here...

Well, now he was there now. But to his dismay, he had learned that Ryoko went off on her own to find Rikku.

" Don't worry Tenchi. I'm sure she'll be rearing home soon." Washu said, trying to get the young man to feel better. But nothing anyone said or did would make the guilt Tenchi felt go away.

" I wish I'd thought of asking you to transport me home sooner... if I had, then maybe I could be with her right now." He mumbled in his hands, refusing to meet their faces. The others had all wanted to say something to him when they heard the loud rumble of a ship landing outside. Tenchi snapped his head up and sprung to his feet.

" Is that her?" Kiyone went over to look out the rectangular windows. Smiling, she glanced over her shoulder to confirm. Not wanting to waste another second's worth, Tenchi bolted for the door and ran for the ship that contained the most valuable things he treasured in the world. Ryoko and Ry-oh-ki had only taken a few steps out of the mouth of the grand ship when Tenchi's figure came into view. Whispering his name, Ryoko found herself being pulled into his arms gently. He didn't hug her too hard for he did not want to suffocate his "daughter".

" Tenchi... why are you-"

" Ryoko I'm so sorry. Kami-sama above me, I am so sorry. You were right. I should of worked harder to find a way to come home. I-It wasn't like I didn't care or wasn't concerned for Rikku's well being. But I was so overwhelmed and I... I didn't know what to do. Please Ryoko. Forgive me?" Ryoko was utterly touched.

" You mean to tell me you came all the way out here... because-"

" I realized what's more important. And I wasn't going let some traffic jam get in the way of what I loved most. After some heavy thought, I got to thinking. Your mother is a inventor. I figured she could come up with something that could warp me here-and she did!" Tenchi put Ryoko at arms length.

" I was hoping to get here before you decided to go after Rikku. But it seems..." Tenchi cast his gaze down to the dozing infant.

" You didn't need me after all." Ryoko's eyes arched up at the statement.

" Oh Tenchi. You really are a idiot sometimes." Ryoko murmured, stepping back into him. Tenchi smiled for the first time since he arrived back home at the household.

" Sorry I'm late..." Ryoko shook her head, bumping her forehead against his.

" Better late then never. You're here now. That's all that matters." Ry-oh-ki had hopped off into the house long before Tenchi and Ryoko decided to join her. Everyone was relieved to see that Rikku was all right.

" May I hold her Ryoko?" Sasami asked meekly, her eyes wide with hope. Nodding gently, the former space pirate handed over her daughter to the small Jurian princess. Sasami held Rikku up, nuzzling into her small mane of hair.

" Yugi, you're okay..." She hadn't meant to call her that. But it somehow seemed more suitable then "Rikku" at the moment. Ayeka, Kiyone and Mihoshi gathered around Sasami, all peering down at the infant with small smiles. They too, had missed Little Rikku. Ryoko took this time to confront Washu about her "markings". After hearing the full story from Ryoko over what took place at the warehouse, Washu couldn't help but laugh aloud.

" You finally hit it, huh?" Ryoko cocked her head to the side, not understanding what Washu meant.

" Say what now?"

" Ryoko, you have hidden power that can only surface when you hit what I call, "The Limit". When I used my DNA, to construct you... you took in many traits. One of those traits, were of my former origin as a goddess." Ryoko was speechless. She knew all about her mother's past about being a goddess and her powers as a goddess. But never did she stop to think that that very power, would of been linked into her.

" You're serious?"

" Very. I always wondered when you'd come to bond with that power. It's not like it's..." Washu paused, trying to find the right words to say.

" Super powerful. It won't have that much of a effect. But it does boost your inner strength." Washu smiled at her daughter, folding her arms about her chest.

" It all comes down to how you wanna use it. Understand?"

" I think so." Washu shook her head slightly.

" That's good enough I suppose. Now as for those marks. They'll go away soon. Give it time."

" Are you sure?" Washu chuckled, turning away from her daughter to go back into her lab room.

" Positive!" She remarked smoothly before shutting the door to the lab. Ryoko faced the group that was still watching over her daughter.

" Hey guys. Sorry to ruin your little "reunion" party. But I'm bushed and well... I'd like to take Rikku with me if you get what I mean." The others completely understood. Sasami kissed Rikku's forehead before giving her back to Ryoko. Smiling wearily at them, she turned around and began to float up the stairs.

" Hey Ryoko. Mind if I join you?" Ryoko's scoff was ironic. Hearing it, Tenchi took it as a sign to follow her up to her bedroom. Kiyone sighed happily, sliding a arm about Mihoshi's shoulder. Mihoshi giggled, leaning against Kiyone.

" They make a good couple, don't they?" She questioned to her partner, expecting to hear Mihoshi reply back to her. But someone else spoke first.

" Yes. They do." The words that came out of Ayeka's mouth left everyone in the room mute for a good ten minutes.

That night, for the very first time, Rikku slept between her mother and her "father". She didn't know what obstacles awaited the Masaki family, let alone herself. But she was sure no matter what would come their way, her parents would be there to make things right.

" Hey Ryoko..." Rikku heard her "father" mumble in his sleep.

" Yes Tenchi?" Her mother replied back, her tone just as sluggish and lazy.

" I love you." Ryoko did not open her eyes, nor did she smile. She scooted closer to him, minding their daughter who was resting in the middle of their forms. Without hesitation, she moved her mouth up to cover his. Even in his sleep like state, Tenchi felt her hot kiss and gladly responded back. Rikku had shifted to "Yugi" and was standing at the end of the bed, watching her parents with a smug grin.

" Yes..." She sighed happily to herself.

" Things are going to be all right." Yugi glanced to the window, her eyes catching sight on something.

" Wow. Fancy that. A full moon." Yugi observe red her parents a little while longer before fading away and retiring back to "Rikku". Ryoko and Tenchi continued to kiss each other. They were not rough with the kiss, but tender and sweet. Eventually though, sleep was getting the better of them and they pulled away. Instantly, their heads plopped back down onto to the surfaces of their pillows.

" I love you too, Tenchi." Where the last words the former Space Pirate spoke before slipping back into the realm of oblivion.

Sixteen years later...

Rikku closed her data log book with a sigh. Easing back in the rolling stool, she stretched her arms up and about her head before letting them fall back down.

" Man. That log took me a while. Next time, I'll be sure to write down what I see on sight. Trying to go back and recall the crime scene after it takes place is too hard." Ryoko came into her daughter's bedroom, her head gear removed for the moment.

" Chief phoned in. He's got another mission lined up. I know we just got back and all, but sometimes these things happen... so you up for it?" Rikku spun around in the chair so she was facing her mother straight on.

" You bet. But must... I be the recorder? When am I gonna blow things up, huh? I've watched you and the others for four months now. I train every other day of the week with Aunt Kiyone... when can I do some fun things Mom?" Ryoko chuckled, placing her head gear back over her face.

" Once you've learned the importance of recoding. Now come on. The others are waiting outside." Rikku rolled her eyes.

" Yeah, yeah. But still..." She grabbed her head gear and data log book that she ever so hated. Leaving the bedroom, the two rushed down the stairs of the Maskai household and headed for Grieving Redemption. Seeing Ryoko and Rikku board their ship, Kiyone motioned to Mihoshi to take off. Nodding quietly, Mihoshi ignited their GP aircraft. In a matter of seconds, their ship had raised off the ground and whooshed off at incredible speed towards the heavens.

" What took you two? Kiyone and Mihoshi have already taken off!" Ayeka griped at their tardiness, already at her station. Ryoko grinned behind her mask, going over to take her seat.

" Chill princess. We're hear now aren't we? 'Sides, you know GR can catch up catch in no sweat." Ayeka sighed, starting up the ship. There was just no arguing with that woman. Glancing over to her right, Ryoko acknowledged her daughter.

" You ready?" Rikku gave her mother a thumbs up.

" You bet."

The End