Introduction and Disclaimer

Oh boy. I really hope the high corpse count in the last part of the story hasn't convinced everyone that I'm a closet psychopath with a fetish for blood-letting. Really, truly, I'm a nice person. Honestly I am. It just kind of panned out that way. My apologies to all. LOL. I hope it hasn't put people off.

Anyhow, this is part two of Demon's Exile. My original focus for this story was Ayeka, so as you can see I've completely stuck to that so far. Not. Sigh. I don't know what it is, but I find it very hard to centralise a story on Ayeka. Sorry, hime-sama...other characters just pull me away. However, I expect she will play a significant part in part two. If my scribbled plan is anything to go by, she will, anyhow. Poor Ayeka. It never rains but it pours...

So some smart people will have figured out something of what's going on in this story already. If you have, please don't post it in reviews and spoil it for other readers :) As I said before, characters have been imported and modified somewhat to fit in with my plans - it must be at least partially clear by now who those characters are ;)

I promise there will be less random slayings in this part of the story. I really don't know what came over me in the last part, but I'm done with the random massacre motif now. Really...Although I suppose if OVA 3 can show all of Z's family being slaughtered in space around him, I guess I have nothing to worry about.

Right...??

Legal regs still applicable :)

Synopsis

Kii magic has finally won through where science has failed.

Tokimi is awake - but what kind of Tokimi has the scientist raised? For many at Jurai's court, their Emperor is playing host to a demon, and now she is conscious again, tensions are rising. Seiryo must decide where to place his loyalties, as his already strained position within the Council comes under even more pressure.

Kiyone is still pursuing her investigation, and with the former Elite's help, has broken through into the file information. Matters take a turn for the sinister, however, when she intercepts an attempt on Tokimi's life and realises that she knows the assailant! Strange things are happening on Jurai, and Ryoko and Tenchi find themselves once more in the thick of it as a diplomatic ship from one of the outposts is found abandoned in space, with the crew and passengers all dead or missing from their posts. The only survivor is a little girl of Sasami's age - a survivor who claims she saw Tokimi aboard her father's envoy ship. Afraid of civil uprisings, Azusa is eager to solve the case and bring to justice the crew's killer, but is he in danger of making his latest ward a scapegoat in his search for a conclusion?

Could Kihaku's dark magic still be weaving itself within the former Priestess? Or is there some other agent at work - something that will force Ayeka to confront not only her present but her past in order to fully exorcise the nightmare once and for all?

DEMON'S EXILE: PART TWO
A Tenchi Muyo! Fan Fiction
by
VRAIEESPRIT


Chapter One

"And so she's completely recovered consciousness?"

Azusa, Emperor of Jurai sat back in his throne, stroking his beard thoughtfully as he met the gaze of his companion. "Washu-san, it seems your mission to Jurai has now been successful - I'm glad you were able to find what you were looking for deep in the royal vault."

"And I'm grateful for you letting me look, Azusa-sama." Washu said simply, setting the aged volume down on a nearby unit and casting him a faint smile. "I'm returning this to you personally, so that you know for sure I haven't waltzed off with it. It's probably not dangerous for anyone in your court to find it, but I don't want you believing I'm using it to plot some kind of Kii-magic rebellion against your planet."

"Do you think me so paranoid as that?" Azusa's lips broke in to a broad smile as he appreciated the humour in his companion's tones. "No, Washu-san. But I appreciate the return of the volume anyway. It strikes me that there are a lot of things unknown about certain settlements and peoples of our past. It's nice to know not everything has been lost."

He tilted his head, eying her keenly.

"And your sister? How grave are her mental injuries?" He asked softly. A shadow flitted across Washu's expression and she shrugged her shoulders.

"Hard to say, yet." She admitted. "She's still very confused and afraid by her surroundings, so it's hard to know how much she does and doesn't understand. She spoke, but when she did so it was pretty much entirely in Kii, and I don't think she has any recollection of her life after she became Priestess of Kihaku. She knew who I was, so I know her memories haven't been completely severed. But I suspect that what I've done to wake her hasn't yet been enough. It's my feeling that I'll have to try again once I've regathered my strength fully from the last time. It took a lot to do - more than I imagined - and I'm still a little shaky inside. However, she is awake and on the road to recovery. For that I'm thankful."

"Perhaps it would be better for everyone if Tokimi did not recall the events that led her to attack my great grandson." Azusa said thoughtfully. "Surely no benefit could come from such a memory?"

"No, I agree with you." Washu nodded her head. "Especially at the moment - she's far too confused to really understand and I don't think it would be at all good for her to try and reason out all the complexities. But I do want to try and help her piece other things together. She's...almost like a child, if you can understand what I mean. Although I'm glad that the darkness has gone from within her, I'm not quite sure how much of the real Tokimi it's left behind. Not yet."

"I'm sure that time will tell." Azusa said comfortably. "May I ask why you felt it so important to bring this news to my chamber, Washu-san? I was under the impression you didn't like me very much."

"Tokimi is sort of reliant on your goodwill." Washu said with a shrug of her shoulders. "Now she's awake, you could easily kick her off your planet and I wanted to be sure you wouldn't do that. Lord Tennan and his sister have volunteered to continue their support of her, and I would like very much that she stay here. So I hoped that, if I came and spoke to you directly, you would think twice before evicting Tokimi from Jurai."

"I have no plans to evict her. You can put your mind at rest." Azusa assured her. "Her magic is gone, correct? She is no longer a threat to Lady Sasami or anyone here on Jurai?"

"Exactly." Washu looked relieved. "She's just an average Kii girl now, who's poor brain is still very muddled."

"You won't be taking her to the Earth?"

"It's too soon to want to take her anywhere." Washu reflected. "But honestly, I don't think the Earth would be a good environment for her. So many things there that she wouldn't be able to understand - it would scare her, and there isn't the mass of medical or technological support there that you can find here on Jurai. This planet is peaceful - at least outwardly - whereas on the Earth squabbles break out between divided nations pretty much all of the time. Quiet and safe my home in the mountains might be, but even so it's not somewhere I would want to take my sister. Besides, what Lord Seiryo and his sister can provide for her here goes far beyond what I could provide for her on the Earth. If you don't object to her continued stay, I think this is the best place for her to be."

"Then this is where she shall remain." Azusa said seriously. "You levelled many accusations against my ancestors, Washu-san, when you testified at Lord Tennan's original hearing. Many of those accusations do hold water, and perhaps it is Jurai's responsibility to bear the consequences in this way. Tokimi's illness was precipitated by Juraian greed, however much Kihaku's own wild spirit was involved. Therefore it seems only right that we offer the woman hospitality and protection, now that she has need of it."

"Thank you, Lord Azusa." Washu's face broke into a surprised smile. "Though I'm sorry I laid into your people so harshly. After all, noone here is to blame for the death of my world. And really, there are a lot of things about Jurai that I like - Sasami-sama observed that I have more loyalties to Jurai than I did to Kihaku, in some ways, and I think she's right. But I'm grateful that you'll let Tokimi stay. It's a weight off my mind that I can continue to see and help her here, in a gentle environment."

"As you say." Azusa agreed. "I will make it officially known that Tokimi is a ward of Jurai and as such gains honorary citizen status. You need not concern yourself with that, Washu-san. I will make sure that it is well understood by all."

"Azusa-heika!"

At that moment the door of the throne room slid open and Azaka hurried in, pausing at the foot of the steps to make his obeissance to his King. "And Lady Washu, pardon me for interrupting. But your Highness, the Admiral sends an urgent message and requires your attention right away!"

"The Admiral?" Azusa's brows creased in confusion. "Very well, Azaka. Thank you...I'll attend to it."

He ran his palm over the arm of his chair, activating a communication window and hitting the 'open channel' button as he sat back more comfortably in his seat. The grainy visage of a man appeared before him, dressed in the impeccable uniform of a Juraian military man, and as his image became more stable, he saluted his King sharply.

"Lord Azusa, I apologise for the intrusion, but I have some alarming news."

"Alarming news?" Azusa looked apprehensive. "Of what nature, my Lord Admiral? What has happened?"

"Central command has received a distress flare from the defensive outpost in sector two-five-nine-eight." The Admiral said gravely, and a blip of light flickered across his brow as he spoke. "Earlier this afternoon the ship Sumire passed into that sector on it's way to Jurai. However, when the outpost attempted to send signals to the ship, it received no direct communication in return."

"The Sumire?" Azusa's expression became one of alarm. "But that's the diplomatic ship...from Kanemitsu."

"Precisely, my Lord." The Admiral's tone became grim. "When they were unable to elicit a response, several of our units were deployed to the craft, in case they had met with some kind of engine trouble or failure. You remember there was a delay at Headquarters - although noone seems to be quite sure what that delay was."

"And what did they discover, Admiral?" Azusa looked grave. "I'm guessing by your mode of address that something has gone badly wrong."

"Yes, sir, you could say that." The Admiral agreed. "According to the report, the crew of the ship were either slain or missing - I'm informed several men were jettisoned into space, and although we tried to find survivors within the ship's orbit, we failed. The captain, Kumashiro-san and his aide were all found murdered aboard the ship - their throats had been cut."

"I see." Azusa's eyes became sad as beside him, Washu let out an exclamation of horror. "There were no survivors at all, Admiral?"

"One, sir. A little girl - Kumashiro-san's daughter, I understand." The Admiral said slowly. "The girl is in a state of shock, understandably, and my men have taken her aboard their base with a view to flying her to mainland Jurai as soon as clearance can be obtained. From their reports she doesn't seem to be badly hurt. They found her huddled in the corner of the chamber in which the bodies of her father and his aide were found, and the shock of the whole incident has made her more than a little bit indistinct about what happened. She claims she doesn't remember and that she didn't see anyone else on board the ship."

"Of course she must come to Jurai, the poor child." Azusa's eyes softened. "As for the rest, have the Galaxy Police been notified?"

"Yes, sir, but as yet we've received no word back." The Admiral agreed. "Since the incident occured in Jurai's space, it is our jurisdiction."

"And our responsibility to resolve, before Kanemitsu believe there is a conspiracy against us holding peaceful talks." Azusa frowned, biting his lip as he considered. "Very well, Admiral. Make sure your men know that the girl is brought to Jurai as soon as possible and we will do everything we can to make her comfortable here whilst we try and contact her family on Kanemitsu. The bodies of those men who can be retrieved must also be - it would be bad form if we were to leave things as they are, and Kanemitsu is a turbulent political planet at the best of times. Above all, Admiral, we must ensure that a full investigation is carried out into what happened aboard this ship. Make sure the appropriate actions are taken."

"Yes sir. I will do so, at once."

The admiral saluted again, then the screen flickered and went dark. With a sigh, Azusa ran his hand over the control once more, as the monitor disappeared once more from view.

"That's all we need." He murmured, more to himself than anyone else.

"Lord Azusa?" Washu's voice startled him and he glanced up in surprise, registering the fact that the scientist was still there. There was a troubled expression on her face, and the Emperor frowned.

"Washu-san, I'm sorry. I hadn't realised you were within the throne room still." He said apologetically. "Unfortunately not all news that Jurai receives is of the nice kind."

"Murdered out in space." Washu frowned. "I wonder. It seems almost too much of a coincidence."

"A coincidence? What do you mean?" Azusa eyed her curiously, and Washu shrugged her shoulders.

"Nothing, really." She admitted. "It just seems strange, how all of the crew and passengers on board were killed."

"Except the little girl - she must have hidden and escaped notice." Azusa sighed. "Unfortunately where Juraian diplomatic negotiations are concerned, unexpected things can and do happen."

"I'm sure of that." Washu said acidly, and Azusa frowned.

"Washu-san, I did not have anything to do with this business." He said softly. "I didn't invite those people here so that someone could board their ship and eliminate them before they got here. I don't want civil rioting on a planet that has always been something of a handful to control. This is a matter of extreme political delicacy - and now it's been made even more so."

"I didn't think you were behind it, Lord Azusa." Washu told him flippantly.

"But you think you know who is?" Azusa looked suspicious. Washu hesitated, then she shook her head regretfully.

"I don't have the slightest idea." She admitted sadly. "I wish I did, because if I did I would tell you."

"Then what do you mean about coincidences?"

"I heard a report a while ago about another ship where the crew were all killed. That's all...I don't remember the details exactly." Washu said with a shrug. "Perhaps there's a serial killer lurking in Deep Space."

"Yes, perhaps there is...but since this happened in Jurai space, it's going to be my concern to catch them and bring them to justice here." Azusa said with a frown. "Still, first things first. The girl will arrive here and we must do what we can to take care of her. After all, it may be that she saw something - and then we can begin to unravel what happened to Hajime Kumashiro and his companions."

------

"Good afternoon, Tokimi!"

Sasami pushed open the door of the infirmary side ward, excitement glittering in her crimson eyes as she surveyed the patient. "Suki and I have come to visit you since you're all alone - and look, we brought you some flowers, too! Washu told Uncle that you were awake and we really wanted to come see you!"

The girl glanced up from her bed, pulling her wrap more tightly around her shoulders as she glanced fearfully from one visitor to the other. Despite the fact she was dressed in regulation Juraian sickroom bedwear, there was something ethereal and unworldly still about the woman who had once wielded so much power over so many parts of the universe. Her thick brown hair was braided back from her face by a broad white ribbon, but a few wisps of the tea-coloured waves had come loose from the tie, framing her face and making her look both gentle and delicate. Big blue eyes took in everything around her, but there was a flicker of confusion in the two-tone sapphire gaze, and an underlying air of fragility was the only indication that anything was wrong with her at all.

At the patient's uncertainty, Suki put a hand on Sasami's shoulder to stop her friend from going any further, stepping cautiously into the chamber and offering Tokimi a smile.

"We're friends, Tokimi." She said softly, holding out a tentative hand to her companion and Tokimi stared at her for a moment, as if trying to reason out what the girl meant. Then a tiny smile touched her lips and, very hesitantly, she stretched pale fingers out to touch Suki's. Suki beamed.

"That's right." She agreed, grasping Tokimi's hand loosely and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Do you mind if Sasami and I come and sit with you a while? I know a lot of things have happened to you so far, and you probably don't know whether you're coming or going. But we'd like to, if it's okay."

"We brought these for you." Sasami added, stepping forward at that moment and setting the delicate bouquet of wild Juraian blooms down on the bedcover. Tokimi's eyes lit up with delight at this gesture and she scooped the flowers up in her hands, touching the petals gently with the tip of her finger. Sasami grinned.

"You like flowers, huh?" She asked gently. "Washu thought you'd like it, if we brought some to brighten up your room - now you can see and smell them, we'll bring you lots more. I promise."

Tokimi glanced at the flowers once more, then held out her hand to Sasami, imitating the gesture Suki had made towards her as she grasped the princess's fingers in hers.

"Friends." She said quietly, and Sasami nodded.

"Yes. Suki and I are your friends." She agreed. "So it's okay if we stay, then?"

Tokimi looked startled, then she smiled. Setting the flowers down on the unit beside her, she carefully patted the side of the bed and Sasami settled herself obediently on the covers, pulling Suki down with her.

"I don't know how much of what we say you can understand, Tokimi." The young noblewoman said slowly. "According to Seiryo-niichan, you're still a bit confused. But if you can understand what we're saying to you, can you tell us? I know you speak Kii, but neither Sasami nor I know how to and we'd really like to be able to talk to you."

Tokimi pursed her lips, shadows touching her blue eyes as she considered their words.

"Kihaku is gone." She said quietly, and Suki and Sasami exchanged looks, Sasami nodding her head.

"Yes, it is, and we're sorry." She agreed. "But you're quite safe here on Jurai. I promise - we want you to be here with us."

"Onee-sama said so." Tokimi spoke slowly and carefully, her words tinged with the same exotic accent that Sasami had heard when they had encountered one another in the dead planet's core, but somehow the intonation was so different it was hard to believe the speaker was the same woman.

"You can speak our language, then?" Suki asked gently. "We weren't sure if you would remember. You've been very ill, you know - we were all worried about you."

"I...don't know." Tokimi hesitated, looking bewildered. "Some things...I think."

"Well, you do your best and if you don't understand, just tell us." Sasami said comfortably. "You did speak it, before you were hurt, so I'm sure you can remember more and more as your brain gets better. And maybe you can tell us some Kii, as well. We'd both like that."

Tokimi glanced at the flowers once more, a soft smile touching her lips.

"Kihaku had pretty flowers." She remembered. "But these are different. I don't see these flowers on Kihaku."

"No, they're from here on Jurai." Suki said. "From within the royal gardens. Sasami and I picked out the prettiest ones for you - I'm glad that you like them."

Tokimi reached out a hand to touch Sasami's long hair, her fingers moving carefully and gingerly over the blossoms that the princess had delicately wound into her long, thick locks.

"Can Tokimi have flowers, too?" She asked hopefully. "In my hair? Like you?"

"Oh, for sure." Sasami dimpled. "We can put some of these in your hair, if you like. Sit very still, Tokimi - I'm going to unfasten your braid and I don't want you to get your hair tangled up in anything. Suki, do you see a hairbrush anywhere? I'm going to style Tokimi's hair like Ayeka and I wear ours during flower festivals."

"Yes, I think so." Suki glanced around her, sliding off the bed as she spotted a brush lying on the shelf by the door. She scooped it up, handing it to her friend. "Here. She has a lot of hair, Sasami - that's why we braided it in the first place. But I think she'd look very pretty, with a coronet of flowers."

"Well, what have I walked in on?"

A fresh voice from the doorway startled the trio and Tokimi let out a gasp, alarm flickering in her blue eyes at the sudden sound. Sasami turned to glance towards the door, a smile lighting up her features as she recognised the speaker.

"Seiryo-san, come in." She said warmly. "I thought you were still at the Council session, but if you like you can help Suki and I decorate Tokimi's hair with flowers."

"I can't imagine why you'd think I'd be any good at that." Seiryo looked amused. "Good afternoon, Tokimi. I'm glad to see that you're sitting up and able to receive guests."

"Friend...?" Tokimi held out a hesitant hand, and Seiryo stared at her, nonplussed.

"Pardon me?"

"Just take her hand, Nii-chan." Suki told him with a grin. "She wants to know if you're a friend or not, that's all."

"Oh." Seiryo smiled ruefully, obediently taking Tokimi's hand in hers and squeezing the thin, delicate fingers slightly. "Yes, I suppose I am a friend, Tokimi."

Tokimi's eyes sparkled and she offered him a warm smile in return. Carefully she scooped up one of the flowers that Sasami had scattered all over her bedspread, holding it out to the bemused nobleman, who took it, glancing at it and then back at the patient. Suki giggled.

"Seiryo-niichan, I think you have an admirer." She teased. Seiryo grimaced in his sister's direction, shaking his head.

"Not funny." He said frankly, dropping down into the seat on the far side of the bed as Sasami carefully unwound the thick braid of hair, setting the silky white ribbon down as she brushed Tokimi's brown waves out so they fell across her shoulders and down her back.

"She's just so cute." The princess said pensively. "Washu said that she was still confused and a bit like a child, and I wasn't sure what she meant. But she is...sort of simplistic and gentle, somehow. Don't you think so?"

"Her mind took a heck of a beating." Seiryo eyed the former priestess thoughtfully. "It's almost frightening, that a calculating semi-goddess could be reduced to the capacity of a child just by coming into contact with dark, twisted magic."

"On balance, I prefer her this way." Sasami squeezed Tokimi's hand, grinning at her conspiratorially as she began to wind the first blossom into the top of the girl's hair. "At least this Tokimi seems to be happy. The other one wasn't. Even if she never recovers herself fully, I think that this was a good thing. When we gave her the flowers, her eyes lit up like nothing else. It was so sweet."

"Washu said she was a gentle soul, before." Seiryo admitted. "Perhaps she's right. Maybe there are elements of that Tokimi still inside of her."

"I think so." Suki looked thoughtful. "But we should be careful how we talk. She can understand what we say - at least, a lot of it. It's hard to know how much, really, but she seems to follow when Sasami and I speak to her."

She hesitated, then cast her brother a smile.

"But Nii-chan, seeing her this way...makes me realise how much you really did go through to recover yourself." She added softly. "Considering that, I think we have a lot to be thankful to Tsunami for."

"Tsunami?" Seiryo raised an eyebrow, as Sasami exchanged amused looks with her friend. "I think that my recovery was my hard work, thank you, Suki. I don't remember asking the goddess for any particular favours...you know where I stand on those things."

"Tsunami." Tokimi repeated the word carefully, raising her gaze and meeting Sasami's startled crimson eyes with soft blue ones. The former priestess tilted her head on one side, her expression breaking into a warm smile as she touched Sasami's cheek.

"Tokimi?" Suki frowned. "Didn't Sasami tell you to sit still? What are you doing?"

"Tsunami...I remember." Tokimi did not take her gaze off her young companion. "Tsunami is friend of Washu...so a friend of Tokimi also."

"What have you girls been telling her?" Seiryo raised an eyebrow. "Tokimi, Tsunami is an old Juraian legend - that's all. And you really needn't be worrying about it. Let's stick to the real world, okay? And not start talking about imaginary tree goddesses. Really, for your own sake, you'd do better to forget about Tsunami altogether."

"She was here." Tokimi hesitated, then met the nobleman's malachite eyes, a serious look in her own expression as she put her hand clumsily to her chest, spreading her hand over the place her heart beat beneath her ribs. "With Tokimi."

"Tokimi." Sasami's eyes softened. "Yes, that's right. I didn't realise you remembered that, too. Washu said you couldn't remember anything from before...before your father died. But you remember Tsunami, so I guess you remember more than I thought."

Tokimi dimpled, holding her hands out in a gesture of friendship.

"Tsunami helps Tokimi." She whispered. "That's what I remember. Tsunami came to help Tokimi. And now again...Tsunami helps."

"You are really too, too cute." Sasami laughed, setting the flowers aside as she hugged her companion tightly. "Of course. Tsunami helps everyone she can, you know. That's what makes her so special to so many people on Jurai. She's always there, if you need her. And she'd love to be your friend, just like Suki and Seiryo and I are."

"For her own sake, I wouldn't encourage her to talk about Tsunami." Seiryo warned. "People might wonder about it - given the past."

"There's no harm in her saying she likes Jurai's goddess, Nii-chan. Relax." Suki ordered. "Besides, Tsunami did help her. Tsunami brought her back to Jurai and Tokimi's grateful. That's all. She's happy to be alive, and that was thanks to Tsunami."

"I thought Washu-sama and Sasami-sama brought Tokimi back from Kihaku. Not Tsunami-kami-sama." Seiryo said frankly. "Let's not turn this into another story of miraculous divine intervention, Suki. Sasami-sama may be descended from Tsunami's line, but that's a far cry from claiming the goddess acted within her."

Sasami laughed, amusement sparkling in her eyes.

"Well, I suppose the how of it doesn't really matter too much right now." She said vaguely. "What does is that Tokimi is here and is feeling better. And hey, since she is, surely we can take her out into the palace grounds for a while? I mean, so long as we didn't take her too far and tire her out - what do you think, Seiryo-san? Do you think Washu would mind, if we did? Some fresh air might do her good and then she could pick her own flowers. I'm almost done with her hair."

"I don't see why it would hurt, although you might want to check with the doctor on duty." Seiryo shrugged his shoulders. "From what I understand, Azusa-heika hasn't put her under any restriction and you're likely right -sitting around in a sick room probably won't help her any now she's awake."

"Then that's what we'll do." Sasami re-tied the white ribbon in Tokimi's long hair, casting the girl a smile. "Would you like that, Tokimi? Would you like to come play in the fields with us, and pick flowers?"

"Flowers?" Tokimi's eyes sparkled. "With Tsunami?"

"Sasami." Sasami corrected, nodding her head. "Yes. And Suki...Seiryo-san, will you come too?"

"To pick flowers?" Seiryo eyed the princess warily, but Tokimi held out her hand, an emploring look in her blue eyes.

"Is Nii-chan coming?" She asked hopefully. "To help Tokimi pick flowers?"

"I told you that you had an admirer." Suki laughed. "Come on, Seiryo...it wouldn't hurt for once, would it? To make a poor, sick girl happy?"

"She just called me Nii-chan." Seiryo stared at the patient, non-plussed.

"Well, she probably heard Suki do it." Sasami shrugged her shoulders. "And to her, I guess, you are a big brother."

"Sasami-sama, Tokimi is almost as old as Lady Washu. And I assure you, I'm not older than that." Seiryo said dryly.

"Not Nii-chan?" Tokimi looked crestfallen, and Sasami sent Seiryo a meaningful look. Seiryo sighed, then shrugged his shoulders.

"Oh, fine." He said at length, getting to his feet. "If you want to call me Nii-chan, Tokimi, you can. It...it's okay. After all, in a sense you do belong to my family now. And I suppose it wouldn't hurt if I came - but only this once, to humour her. I'm not making a habit of it - flowers are not my subject of choice."

"Yay!" Sasami's eyes sparkled. "It'll be so nice, to show her around the palace. It's always fun when someone new comes to visit, because there are so many pretty places."

"I'll go speak to the doctor, and see what he says." Seiryo volunteered, resignation in his expression as he made his way towards the door. "If you're taking her out, she can't wear her nightclothes, and I don't think I want to explain to the infirmary staff why I'm hanging around while a female patient is changing. I'm sure you can both manage that far better than I can, anyway."

"That's true. I didn't think of that." Sasami looked anxious, but Suki grinned.

"It's all right, Sasami-chan. I'll run home and grab something of mine." She offered. "Tokimi doesn't really have her own clothes, but I'm sure she's no bigger than I am and I can bring a few things back with me. Mother might have something, too - when I explain to her, I'm sure she won't mind lending."

"Oh, that's a good idea." Sasami sighed with relief. "For a minute there I wasn't sure how we'd do it."

"Then it's decided. You stay with Tokimi and we'll both be back as soon as possible." Seiryo said with a wry smile. "After all, I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to gather flowers, would I?"

With that he was gone, and Suki chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.

"Seems that Tokimi is a persuasive soul." She said. "Guess she still has a hold over my brother, even now."

"She's too cute to refuse, that's all." Sasami laughed. "You know, though, you seem a different person with Tokimi somehow."

"I do?" Suki frowned. "How so?"

"I don't know. Less shy, I suppose...you don't seem at all afraid to speak to her." Sasami shrugged, and Suki looked embarassed.

"Well, it's silly but it's almost like she needs looking after a whole lot and I suppose it makes me want to do it." She said self-consciously, patting Tokimi absently on the arm as she did so, and causing that girl to send her a shy smile. "Is that crazy? She just seems so young and vulnerable."

"I know what you mean." Sasami looked thoughtful. "Do you think that you can find her something to wear? It would be nice to take her out."

"I'll go now. I won't take long." Suki nodded. "Tokimi, we'll be back soon, all right? Seiryo and I both will. Sasami's going to stay with you, though, so you won't be on your own."

"Sasami?" Tokimi looked confused, and Sasami squeezed her hand.

"That's me." She said playfully. "Remember? Sasami, Suki, Tokimi." She pointed. "Right?"

"But...Tsunami?" Tokimi seemed genuinely bewildered and Suki sent her friend a nonplussed shrug before disappearing into the hallway, shutting the door behind her. Sasami frowned.

"Tokimi, why do you call me Tsunami?" She asked softly. "It's not my name, you know. My name is Sasami."

"I don't understand." Tokimi shook her head. "You are Tsunami. You were here...with Tokimi."

She touched her chest again, then,

"You helped Tokimi. Yes?"

"Oh, I see." Sasami sighed. "Of course, you remember me...Tsunami...touching minds with you on Kihaku and I suppose that's why. But you have to understand, Tokimi, Tsunami is just, well, a part of me. Sasami is who I really am. That's the name my Mother and Father gave me and really, everyone calls me Sasami."

"Not Tsunami?" Tokimi looked doubtful, and Sasami bit her lip, trying to work out how best to explain their strange connection. As she did so, a realisation dawned on her and she eyed the former Priestess as if seeing her for the first time.

"You're Kii." She murmured. "Like Washu. I'm stupid. I forgot that you can see things. You saw Tsunami as Sasami on Kihaku and now you're confused because you're not sure what you remember. Well, that's all right, I suppose. I guess I'll just have to think of a simple way to explain it."

"To...explain it?" Tokimi echoed, then, "I don't understand."

"Well, I'll try and make you." Sasami promised. "You're right - I suppose I am Tsunami, in some ways. But all of my friends call me Sasami and my family too. And well, I want us to be friends. Don't you want that?"

"Yes...I want to be friends." Tokimi agreed slowly.

"Then it would be nice if you called me Sasami too." Sasami responded simply. "Then you'd be like my other friends, wouldn't you? Everyone calls me that. I'd like you to do it, as well."

"Sasami?" Tokimi repeated. Sasami nodded.

"That's right. Sasami." She agreed. "You call me that and I'll call you Tokimi. And we'll be friends. All right?"

"All right. Sasami. We'll be friends." Tokimi's eyes shone with understanding, and Sasami grinned.

"It's a deal." She agreed. "Hey, you can get out of bed, can't you? I mean, if we're going to take you walking - I forgot to find out if you can, well, walk. Can you get up, or not? Or don't you know, yet?"

Tokimi looked bewildered, and Sasami carefully pulled the bedclothes back, tapping Tokimi lightly on the knees.

"Can you stand up?" She asked. "Or do you need help?"

"I...I can stand up." Tokimi agreed, carefully manoeuvring herself around so that a pair of delicate white legs dangled over the side of the raised hospital pallet. Cautiously, and using the wooden bedhead as a support, she pulled herself into an upright position, turning to send her companion a look of triumph. "See? I can."

"Good." Sasami looked relieved. "Well, then while we're waiting for Seiryo and Suki to get back, why don't we take a little walk down the hallway? There's a mirror in the washroom at the far end and you can see how your hair looks. You really are very pretty, Tokimi - you should see it, before we wreck it all trying to help you get dressed."

"All right." Tokimi agreed, and Sasami linked her hand in her companion's, guiding her carefully towards the door.

"It's not too far." She promised, as the girl hesitated. "I suppose you're not sure what's outside the room, are you? It's all right. Just a corridor and some doors, that's all. And a few people, but they're all nice people and they'll probably be glad to see you moving about."

She slid back the door, leading her companion into the hallway and Tokimi took a couple of tentative steps outside of her chamber, gazing around her with wide, inquisitive eyes. Glancing at her, Sasami once more had the impression that she was guiding a small child, and absently she wondered if this was how Ayeka had felt with her, when she had been much smaller.

"Like she doesn't understand anything, and I have to show her." She mused. "I always wondered how Ayeka liked having a new sister - she was so much older when I was born. I guess that if it was like this, it must've been a lot of fun for her. So much to show me and stuff - maybe that's why we're so close. I hope I can help Tokimi learn as much as Ayeka helped me. It's so hard to know whether Tokimi is still just confused from what she's been through or if this is permanent. Or I suppose it could just be that she's having trouble understanding the language we're speaking. But still, it's kind of sweet. Even if she did get badly hurt, I can't help feeling that this Tokimi has more to offer the world than the one that Washu and I went to defeat. I knew I was right to want her life saved. I just know she's going to have a great time now, here on Jurai."

An exclamation from her companion startled Sasami back to the task in hand and she glanced up at Tokimi in consternation, suddenly aware that the girl had tensed, stopping dead in her tracks. Eying her expression, Sasami was sure she saw a mixture of shock and terror in the sapphire eyes, and what little colour had flushed her cheeks before was now nowhere in evidence.

"Tokimi?" The princess frowned, squeezing her companion's hand. "Tokimi, come on. What is it? Why are you stopping? It's not dangerous out here, I promise - the mirror is just through that door."

Tokimi murmured something in a language Sasami didn't understand, pulling her hand from Sasami's grip as she made a harried and fervent gesture. Sasami stared at her, confused by the sudden change in her companion's demeanour.

"Tokimi?" She murmured. "What on earth is the matter with you? There's nothing to be afraid of...I'm here and I'll look after you. We're friends, remember?"

She took her companion by the arm, trying to guide her gently in the direction of the washroom once more, but this only seemed to agitate Tokimi further. She pulled back against the wall, visibly shaking as she uttered the alien words again. This time there was more urgency in her tones and seeing that her charge was on the verge of hysteria, Sasami frowned, shaking her head.

"All right, so this wasn't such a good plan." She said aloud. "We'll go back to your room, Tokimi - would you prefer that? Shall we go back?"

"Go...back?" Tokimi seemed to register that the princess was there, nodding her head. "Yes. Go back. Go back."

She made the strange gesture again, and Sasami followed the direction of her companion's gaze, unable to fathom why the girl had become so distraught. The hallway was more or less deserted, for it was a quiet time of day and between the heavy bustle and chaos that usually preceded mealtimes. A single nurse was on duty at the furthest end of the lengthy corridor, and her back was to Sasami, engrossed as she was in tending to a patient. From where she stood, Sasami briefly made out the visage of a young girl, about her own age, but the glimpse was a fleeting one and the face meant nothing to her young mind. She turned to gaze at the hallway behind her, but try as she might she could not see anything - person or machine - that might have caused such a reaction in her delicate and unpredictable companion.

She sighed heavily, taking Tokimi's hands in hers tightly and leading her back towards the bedchamber. This time she found no resistance in her charge, for Tokimi was only too happy to retreat to the safety of her sanctuary. She sank down on the end of the bed, and Sasami could see she was still shaking.

"What on earth happened out there?" Sasami slipped down beside her, sliding a comforting arm around her shoulders. "What's wrong, Tokimi? What scared you?"

Tokimi murmured the strange words again, and Sasami shook her head.

"I don't understand Kii." She said sadly. "Can you tell me in my language, Tokimi? Or do I have to guess?"

Tokimi swallowed hard, gripping hold of Sasami's hand as she met the Princess's nonplussed gaze.

"A demon." She whispered. "Tokimi saw a demon!"