Chapter Two
"Jurai seems so peaceful, so early in the morning."
Professor Washu Hakubi sat back on her hands, a carefree, laughing sparkle in her emerald eyes as she cast her gaze across the landscape, taking in the tree-shrouded settlements that sprung up every which way. Between them, glittering streams and white-stone roads connected the cities like veins to Jurai's heart, and as she sat there, a sense of peace washed through her entire body. "Don't you think so, Mikamo-kun? That we've travelled an awful long way to find paradise, but now it's within our grasp?"
"What has you so philosophical this morning, Washu?" Her companion, Professor Mikamo Niwase turned to look at her, offering her a smile as he took in her expression. "I don't think I've seen you like this often since the day we met - what has you so relaxed and at home? This is Jurai, remember. And you are the woman who never believes that anything she sees is what it seems."
"I know, but today just seems above all that. Something in the air, or the atmosphere...I don't know which." Washu pinkened, sending her companion a sidelong glance. "Or maybe it's the company. We don't get many mornings to come out here and be alone, you know. It makes it all the more valuable to me, when we do."
"Well, another few months and we'll likely have all the time in the world to do things like this. After all, we won't have anything else to do." Mikamo said with a wry smile. "No jobs, no science academy, nothing like that to fall back on. It will be an adventure, Washu-chan - are you sure you can handle it?"
"I like a bit of excitement, here and there." Washu's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Of course. You're worth it to me. And the longer we work here, the closer I feel we've become. Even if hiding it from everyone has been difficult, it's still been worthwhile. I'm glad you asked me to Jurai, Mikamo. I really am. Even if we did have things to resolve - I'm happy I came."
"Good." Mikamo touched her gently on the cheek, kissing her. "Because so am I."
"Your family doesn't suspect anything, I trust?" Washu asked, slipping her hands playfully into his as he pulled her to her feet. Mikamo shook his head.
"No." He agreed. "Even when my mother visited Lady Aiko last month, I don't think they discussed me or my science at all. I don't think Mother cares much what I do, so long as I don't damage the family reputation. And what she doesn't know won't hurt her...I'm not going to give you up, so she might as well stay out of it."
"Prince Yosho is down there...look." Washu gazed down over the edge of the precipice, a thoughtful look touching her expression as she eyed the young man below them. "I feel bad for him, in a way. He obviously still loves this Haruna girl...when I'm with you, I feel almost guilty. You and I are going to get what we want, but he's stuck in this social ritual and he can't escape it."
"Short of giving up the throne completely, he can't." Mikamo agreed. He pursed his lips, then, "Of course, that might yet still happen. From what I understand, he hasn't given up hope of finding the Lady Haruna."
"There are hundreds of planets where King Shigure might have had her stashed." Washu said dismissively. "And his spaceship has been grounded. He'll have a job getting to her."
"I don't know." Mikamo looked thoughtful. "I think that he's pretty determined. And I wouldn't be surprised if he succeeded. After all, it isn't as if he's operating on his own. He has supporters."
Washu's eyes narrowed and she cast her companion a quizzical look.
"Are you helping him to find her?" She demanded. "Because if you are...?"
"Helping him?" Mikamo stared at her, then frowned. "Why in hell would you think that? I may have known Prince Yosho once, but only in passing. He's never really been a close friend. Why would I get involved in something so messy? You have to be kidding."
"You said he had supporters." Washu frowned. "It implied you knew more than you were saying."
"I said that?" Mikamo looked stricken. "I don't remember...are you sure?"
"Mikamo, look me in the eye and tell me you have nothing to do with Prince Yosho and his girl?" Washu gripped her companion by the shoulders, turning him to face her, and Mikamo frowned, doing as he was bidden.
"I have nothing to do with it. On my life and on our future together, I haven't lifted a finger to find Haruna-sama and I won't, either." He said solemnly. "I'm sorry I gave you that impression. I don't know what I was thinking."
"Mikamo." Washu frowned, touching his cheek as she took in the confusion in his blue eyes. "You don't remember what you said?"
"No, but I guess it's not important. I was probably just rambling - mad scientists do that, as you probably know." Mikamo's eyes twinkled with amusement, but Washu could see the tiredness in his expression and her frown deepened. She shook her head, linking her arm in his as she led him away from the ledge.
"Mikamo-kun, you joke, but this concerns me." She said softly. "I love you more than anything, you know that. But you must know that lately you've been - well, how shall I put this. Strange to talk to from time to time. In fact, ever since we began working in the laboratory on the Dark Heart and the sister gems...you've not been quite yourself. Are you sure you're not working too hard? Running around with me is a full time job as it is, and you are leading this project. Maybe Prince Kagato is pushing you too hard...you should ask him to slow down."
"Why?" Mikamo looked startled. "You think I'm acting strange? I hadn't noticed it. I feel fine, Washu. A little tired, maybe. But fine, nonetheless. And I don't mind being tired if it means I get to spend time with you alone, like this. When we're in lab, it isn't the same. I can't talk to you like you're my future wife and it annoys me. Here I can say what I choose...so don't think that you're any kind of a burden on me."
"Well, if you're sure." Washu bit her lip. "It hasn't affected me, but I'm used by now to the fact being Kii makes me more tolerant and I can go a lot longer without getting tired. I don't want you to burn out."
"I won't. I'm fine. Believe me." Mikamo assured her, squeezing her hand tightly. "Although if you like, I'll tell Kagato about your concern."
"Mikamo!" Washu protested, and Mikamo laughed, shaking his head.
"I was teasing you." He said playfully. "Relax, will you? Take a joke. It's a beautiful day, you said it yourself. And now you're all tensed up...you really need to relax a hell of a lot more than you do."
"Perhaps you're right." Washu sighed, nodding her head. "I read intrigue and implication into everything, don't I - it's an ugly habit of mine."
She frowned, gazing back down at the folorn figure of the Prince.
"He must be lonely." She murmured. "It radiates out from him like a beacon...his feeling of pain and regret. I know that feeling, Mikamo. I felt it when you left me at the Academy and first came to Jurai. I'm glad not to be a Princess. It would be so difficult."
"If you were a Princess, of course, Mother and Father would fall over themselves to get you to marry me." Mikamo said acerbically, and Washu stared at him in surprise.
"Mikamo?"
"Well, you know it's true. Stupid, arrogant people that they are." Mikamo sighed, rubbing his temples. "Yeesh. I think your paranoia is starting to rub off on me. Shall we walk back towards the complex, before we both become crazy? I imagine we'll have to begin work soon, in any case. And I have some test results to review since yesterday. I can't remember exactly where we got to, but I'm sure I can soon pick it up again."
"Okay." Washu nodded. She bit her lip, then, "I'm surprised you don't remember. We'd just finished cataloguing the results from the first batch of transfer tests. We succeeded with the basic precepts, anyhow - you were pretty excited about it at the time."
"So I was." Mikamo looked rueful. "I remember now. What would I do without you to remind me?"
Washu did not answer, but her expression became troubled as they made their way slowly down the hill towards the science institute.
"Mikamo-sensei! Washu-chan!" As they reached the building, they were accosted by one of their colleagues, silver hair flying out behind her in the wind, and Mikamo smiled, raising his hand in a greeting.
"Najya! You're early this morning - overly eager for you, isn't it?"
"Especially since you weren't in our room last night." Washu added succinctly, watching as Najya coloured red.
"Najya?" Mikamo stared at her. "Were you...visiting someone else last night?"
"No...I was...I was working late." Najya reddened further at his insinuation, shaking her head. "I didn't keep track of time and I didn't suppose you'd notice, Washu-chan. More often than not you're not sleeping in our room either, you know."
"Perhaps not." Washu acknowledged ruefully. "But last night I did."
"Well, I guess I picked the wrong night for an all-nighter." Najya sighed. "Such is life."
"Did you discover anything interesting?" Washu linked arms with her friend, as Mikamo fumbled in his pocket for his pass key to the lab. "You must have had some kind of inspiration...anything that we can help you unravel?"
"No...it was a private project. Something I brought with me from the Academy." Najya pursed her lips. "I know it's wrong, on Kagato-dono's time, but even so..."
"We all do it. Don't worry about it." Washu's eyes danced with amusement. "Although the offer still stands. I'm more than happy to work through anything with you if you ever want a brain to bash your theories against - after all, I'm sure you'd do the same for me."
"Yes, of course." Najya offered her a smile. "And I will bear it in mind. Thank you."
"Mikamo, aren't we in yet?" Washu turned her attention back to her fiance, who was rummaging through his pockets, a bemused look on his face.
"I don't have my key." He said, his brow creasing in confusion. "That's so strange. I know I had it before I left my room this morning. I remember picking it up. At least...I think I did."
"Mikamo?" The levity died out of Washu's expression at this, and she took him gently by the hands, eying him in concern. "You forgot something else? You never forget your key...and you say that you're fine? I'm starting to worry about you! Paranoia or not, this isn't funny. You're not the absent-minded type."
"Love can do strange things to people, Washu." Najya observed. Washu shook her head.
"Maybe, but still." She said quietly. "Mikamo-kun, stop and think for a minute. Did you pick up your key this morning before you met me, or didn't you? And if you did, how could someone else have got hold of it?"
Mikamo opened his mouth to respond, then he faltered, shaking his head.
"I guess...I guess I didn't." He admitted, surprise on his face even as he spoke. "I thought I did, but I don't actually remember picking it up. So it must still be on my dresser. I'm sorry, Washu. I suppose I was half thinking about our meeting and it slipped my mind."
He cast her a rueful smile, touching her gently on the cheek.
"Don't look so worried. Najya's right. You're distracting, and much more interesting than remembering a key." He said affectionately. "Wait here. I won't be long."
With that he was gone across the grass, and Washu sighed, gazing after him with a troubled look in her eyes.
"It is just forgetting a key, Washu. Why the gusty sigh?" Najya asked gently. "You can't read too much into a lovesick professor with too many secret assignations on his mind."
"It's not that." Washu shook her head slowly, leaning up against the wall of the institute as she folded her arms across her chest. "It's happening a lot lately - haven't you noticed it? Little things, sure enough - but it adds up. Most disturbingly, he's saying things and then forgetting he's said them. He said something this morning which sounded...I don't know. As if he knew something that might have political implications. But when I asked him about it, he didn't remember what he'd said."
"Or maybe he was covering his slip, considering he is much more in Prince Kagato's confidence than we are." Najya suggested. Washu shook her head.
"No." She said firmly. "I have Kii sight, remember? I can tell. I'd know if he lied to me. I know him too well for it to be any other way. He really, truly forgot what he said."
"Your Kii sight is always accurate? One hundred percent?" Najya eyed her companion hesitantly. Washu shrugged.
"I don't know. I've never really had to analyse it." She admitted. "But where Mikamo is concerned, I'd say so. I love this man, Najya. I know him better than I know anyone, and I'd know if he was lying to me deliberately. It wasn't like that. It was more like he'd randomly babbled something and immediately forgot about it, like some absent-minded professor in a remote lab somewhere in the mountains. That's not Mikamo and it's starting to worry me. He seems so tired, too...it's not like him at all."
"Well, I hadn't noticed, but from now I'll pay attention." Najya promised, her brows knitting together in a frown. "If you think there's something amiss. But it might just be juggling his work with your affair. He is going to be severing ties with his family at the end of this project, and that is quite a stressful thing for anyone. Even if you don't like your family, it must be strange for him to think of."
"Do you think he might...change his mind?" Washu looked anxious. Najya grinned, shaking her head.
"I don't think he'd give you up now. I've watched your little love-bird romance for the last nine months and when you know what's beneath the smiles and winks and careful positioning in the lab, it's almost too sweet to be true." She said playfully. "You don't need to worry. But he is the one who has to make the break...it might weigh on his mind, how they'll take it. I don't imagine for a second he's thought about backing out. But perhaps you should cut him some slack. You don't have a family, and you aren't making the same sacrifice he is to be with him. Do you see what I mean?"
"Yeah, I do." Washu nodded slowly. She pinkened again, offering Najya a smile.
"I might be a genius when it comes to science, but I've never been the most clued up individual when it comes to human nature." She admitted sheepishly. "And I'm never sure if it's going to be all right, allowing myself to invest so much...well, time and energy in one individual. But with him I couldn't help it. He accepted me...he truly did, for everything I am. Even my heritage - he never shied away from me at all. And that's a rare thing, Najya. To find someone like that."
"That's why I'm rooting for you both. I'm hoping for a happy ending." Najya dimpled. "And here comes the dashing beau now. Looks like he did leave his key in his room after all - another mystery solved."
"I hope it's the only mystery to solve." Washu said with a sigh. "But I guess we'll just have to wait and see. For now we've got other things on our worksheet for the day and even if Mikamo is Kagato-dono's best friend, I don't really want to tick him off too much. I want to stay for the time being, after all...at least till the project is done and Mikamo-kun and I can go!"
----------
"So things are moving well, then, in the lab."
Kagato turned from the window of his study, casting his companion a slight smile. "That's good news, Tessei. It's about time that Mikamo made some kind of firm progress. Time is ticking away, and Yosho's resolve only grows more the longer he is seperated from Haruna. I'm almost in mind to try and find the girl myself, but I can't risk his going until I am fully ready to carry out my plans."
"My Lord." Tessei bowed his head respectfully in his master's direction, hesitating for a moment, then, "If I may be so bold...?"
"You undoubtedly will be, whether I give you my consent or not." Kagato said wryly, leaning up against the wall as he regarded his knight with a thoughtful, almost predatorial smile. "Go on. What is bothering you, Tessei? Greed for money, influence and power, just as always?"
Tessei faltered, his gaze straying to the hilt of Kagato's sword, and the prince let out a low chuckle.
"I see." He said, amused. "I have promised you and Tetta eternal life, but you still fear the power of my sword? You are wise, but you have no need to fear me. I'm finding that immortality is a good incentive to make people loyal. My sword won't hurt you - not this time, anyway. Say what's on your mind, Tessei. I trust you are too sensible a man to consider betraying me."
"It's only that...that I've done as you requested, Prince Kagato." Tessei bowed his head, but when he raised his gaze again Kagato was aware of the flickering fear in the depths of his companion's normally serene gaze. "I have made further contact with your allies. The Saotome - the dark clan of Airai."
"I see." Kagato's lips twitched into a smile of pleasure and he crossed the study, lifting his sword and watching thoughtfully as it flared into life. Tessei took a hesitant step away from it, and Kagato looked amused, holding it aloft as he examined the glow of the blade.
"My sword has power, but it is not sword Tenchi." He murmured. "But we will rectify that, Tessei. Already I have begun to harness the magic of Airai and I will use it for my own ends. After all, a good leader must be ready to innovate and improvise, as the situations arise."
"Lord Kagato, it is my understanding that only those with blood of Airai can ever properly wield Arian magic." Tessei hazarded, his gaze never leaving the sword, and Kagato faltered for a moment, then smiled.
"Ah yes. This I have heard too." He murmured, running his fingers lovingly through the white-hot blade of light as he did so. It had changed, he mused absently, since the day he had slain his father in cold blood - the sword no longer glimmered with such pure white energy, and if he gazed at it for long enough, he was almost sure he could see the man's blood staining the tip. He turned it over in his hands, pondering this for a moment, then he flicked the blade out, sliding the weapon into his belt.
"Do you doubt that I have the strength to control Airai's magic, Tessei?" He asked softly. "If the Saotome are willing to treat with me, do you have any right to question my intentions?"
"No, my Lord." Tessei said hurriedly. "But I seek to ensure your safety. After all..."
He faltered, and Kagato rolled his eyes.
"After all, if I'm to keep my promises to you and to Tetta, you need me to remain alive." He said blandly. "Your loyalty overwhelms me, Tessei. But as it happens, you have no reason to fear. There is more to this prince than simply the good breeding of Jurai's court. Trust me that I can handle the magic of the Airai, and worry no more about it. I am not weak. And the further on I go, the less limits I feel I have. I see the shackles of polite society falling away from me at every step...do you think that anyone will be able to stop me, the further on I go?"
Tessei did not answer, and Kagato eyed him wryly.
"I see." He murmured. "Well. We shall both have to wait to find out who is right. Go, Tessei. Return my message to the Saotome in your usual, discreet style. Tell them that I am willing to meet with them, if a representative should choose to come. Tell them that I have already learnt much, but I need to learn more, and I need their further assistance. They will be well rewarded, and that I am sure we can strike up some kind of agreement in return. And while you're at it, step up the search for Yosho's lovesick wench. Grandfather has done well this time, concealing her so cleverly from his Prince. But she must be somewhere, and that kind of information may yet prove valuable to me."
"Yes, sir." Tessei bowed again, withdrawing from the chamber hastily and as the door shut behind him, Kagato let out a low chuckle, turning back towards the window.
"He might not serve me so diligently if he knew of my illegitimate roots, but I do believe I can take advantage of my mother's little secret all the same." He murmured, gazing out thoughtfully across the horizon of his peaceful, delicate planet. "Airai and Jurai have been enemies for long enough, yet my Grandfather made me a bastard Prince by refusing to allow my parents to marry. My entire claim to Jurai's throne rests on that decision, and it's not easily forgiven. He thinks Arian blood would taint his royal line, well, so it shall, and he will be one of those who pays the price for it, too. I'm not longer content with being next in the succession. I want to be Emperor of Jurai - and now I begin to have the power of my father's family invested in me, I will be difficult to stop. Even sword Tenchi will struggle against the might I'm going to unleash - the power of Tsunami and the magic of Airai intermingled into one being. I will be unstoppable."
He rested his elbows on the sill, his expression becoming thoughtful as he caught sight of the science institute, hidden as it almost was by a dense line of trees.
"It's not been an easy few months, drawing on something that I've never even known was there." He admitted to himself. "The power of Airai burns through me, I see it now, but it is difficult to tame and even more hard to conceal. Such rich power and strength and a desire to conquer...I have never felt like I do now, and concealing my developing strength from those around me is proving more and more of a challenge. Yet I am sure I am strong enough to master and control this Arian magic in myself, and I am certain that I can induce the Saotome to support me, if I can make it worth their while in the long run. After all, through my father, we are kin - and even if he was weak and without ambition, I am not. I'm sure I can mingle that power with these gemstones Mikamo has been working so hard on for me. The plan begins to pull together with remarkably little trouble and even less bloodshed, so far. Yes, all goes well."
"Kagato?"
At the sound of the voice, the prince turned, his schooled smile becoming genuine as he registered the presence of the scientist himself and he grinned, bowing his head mock-formally as he gestured for his friend to join him.
"Mikamo. I was just thinking about you, and the way your project has been progressing."
"You don't seem to think of much else, these days." Mikamo reflected, dropping down into an empty seat and returning his friend's smile. "Are you really that apprehensive about your future? Kagato, Yosho is still here. He may stay here indefinitely. You might have nothing at all to worry about."
"I like to be prepared for every eventuality. That's all." Kagato said simply. "Mikamo, strange things happen on Jurai all the time. It's as well to be ahead of the race. Plus, now that my Aunt has left Jurai..."
He paused, and Mikamo frowned.
"I heard about Lady Misaki's illness." He said softly. "Do you think she will recover? Lord Haru seems worried and strained, and I know your Lady Mother went with her, so it must be of some severity."
"I believe so." Kagato inclined his head slightly. "From the way mother spoke, I'm not sure whether Lady Misaki's own life is in peril. Perhaps she's still suffering ill effects from her tragedy nine months ago. It's hard to tell - but for my Uncle to send away the one person at court who doesn't think he looks like a monkey speaks volumes. Misaki-obasama must be very sickly indeed, for him to take such a wild leap. Perhaps she will die. It's not beyond the realms of possibility."
"You don't sound so very concerned." Mikamo's brow furrowed, and Kagato offered him a rueful smile.
"I avoid my Uncle's company as much as possible, so I don't really know what the situation is." He admitted. "But in truth, Mikamo, I'm trying not to focus on what it might mean. The implications frighten me, so I am trying to distance myself from it completely. If Misaki-sama dies, after all, it would mean that my Uncle would be a widower. And I can't imagine any woman of Jurai's court being foolish enough to marry him."
"Meaning what, exactly?"
"I am not the only one who does not see eye to eye with my Uncle Haru." Kagato sighed, sinking down into his own empty chair and resting his arms across his stomach as he met his friend's gaze. "Mother hasn't said anything to me, but she is far closer to Lady Misaki and Lord Haru than I am, and I overheard bits of a conversation, before Mother left with my aunt. From what they said, it sounds like they believe someone is poisoning Misaki - that someone has been plotting to kill her for a long time, and that they really want her out of the way."
"Poison?" Mikamo's eyes opened wide. "But why? Who would do a thing?"
"It would be indiscreet of me to share my Mother's suspicions with you." Kagato hesitated momentarily, and Mikamo frowned, nodding his head.
"I suppose it would." He admitted. "I'm sorry. But it's just so strange. Why would someone seek to hurt Misaki-sama? She's not done anything to anyone!"
Kagato hesitated once more, and then he frowned.
"It is treason for me to speak his name in connection with such a crime." He said softly. "And I do not want to see you accused of treason, my friend. But from the little I heard and from the way my mother has been so stiffly polite to my Grandfather over the course of the last few days, I think...no, I am sure that they think him the cause of Obasama's illness. That being so, I wouldn't be surprised if Misaki-sama did pass away. My Grandfather is skilled in the art of secret, silent poison. And so I'm glad she is gone so far from here. If she is out of sight, maybe she will be out of mind, too."
"The Emperor?" Mikamo's face blanched as he absorbed his friend's words. "Are you sure? Kagato, it's not just me who would be accused of treason, if people started whispering about this around the court!"
"Which is why we will keep it between us, as friends do." Kagato said comfortably. "My mother did not tell me directly, so I am sure she does not want me embroiled in this matter. However, that Misaki-obasama's health is cause for serious concern is without a doubt. She is weak and sickly of late, if nothing else. Mikamo, the brief snippet of conversation I heard between her and my mother covered the subject of funerary arrangements and shrouds. I think my Aunt has left Jurai in order to die out of the Emperor's grasp."
Mikamo bit his lip, dropping his gaze to the floor.
"I see then why you are so frantic about my work." He murmured. "Your Aunt may be murdered at your Grandfather's hands, and Yosho may yet disappear into the blue. Your own life might be in real danger, Kagato, if what you're suggesting is true. If Shigure-sama is responsible for Lady Misaki's illness, then it must be considered whether or not he was somehow responsible for the loss of her child. And that would mean..."
"That he was so against the idea of a child of Uncle Haru's inheriting that he would go to the lengths of removing all risk." Kagato said softly. "Yes. I know. And Mother is Uncle Haru's twin sister, no more popular in the eyes of the Emperor than he is. You are right, my friend, and you understand my thoughts perfectly. If Misaki dies, Haru will produce no heir to rival Yosho or to provide an alternative claim to the throne. Mother will never re-marry, that seems sure, and she will never bear more children now. But there is still me, and I become more of a target with each passing day. If Yosho will not settle his mind or his heart in Jurai's favour, I might be the next one on Grandfather's hitlist - or he might take his wrath out on Mother in some way, which I could not bear. If there was noone else to fall back on, after all, Yosho might be convinced that he must give his heart and soul to Jurai. I, and any child of my Uncle and Aunt are distractions...nothing more."
He sighed.
"You are my lifeline, Mikamo. That's why I need you so much, and why I am so glad of your company."
"Well, if that's the case, I bring good news." Mikamo's blue eyes sparkled slightly with anticipation as he remembered the reason for his coming. "We were running preliminary tests this morning in the lab and it seems almost certain that very basic amounts of energy can be transferred into the lesser density samples you provided me with. Since these are also Juraian mineral compounds, I don't see why it shouldn't be another step or two up before we can truly progress to the Dark Heart gems themselves."
"That is good news." Kagato's eyes lit up with pleasure. "And I'm grateful that you came here yourself to tell me. I find it hard to know who I can trust these days, other than you."
"Well, I don't think there are any politics within the institute." Mikamo assured him. "Just science and a lot of hard work."
"Perhaps." Kagato pursed his lips, then, "Mikamo, how well do you know Najya Akara?"
"Najya?" Mikamo looked confused, then, "As well as I know anyone I work closely with, I imagine. Why?"
Kagato schooled his features into a troubled expression, grasping his friend loosely around the wrists as he injected urgency into his golden eyes.
"I have heard one other thing of importance." He murmured. "You know how Airai are old enemies of Jurai, don't you?"
"Yes." Mikamo's brow furrowed in bewilderment. "And Najya is from Airai, but she's just a scientist, Kagato. Why should it bother you, having her here?"
"It pays to keep close tabs on political enemies, that's all." Kagato said quietly. "My mother is very fond of Arian imports - clothing, perfume, the like. She believes they have an exotic quality not found here on Jurai, and perhaps she is right. But there are many tales of Airai and the dark arts practiced there. The name Akara meant something to me, so I did some research and I discovered why. The Akara are one of the major magical cults on Airai."
"Are you suggesting Najya is some kind of witch?" Mikamo's eyes opened wide with alarm. Kagato spread his hands.
"She does not seem so to me." He said cautiously. "But it's difficult to know for sure. I have never been to Airai, but I have heard many accounts of the conflict between powerful magical orders. People die in strange and inexplicable ways, and the power these mages wield is said to be that of a devil itself. I do not know whether Najya-sensei's name is a coincidence, but she may be a spy. Considering what work you do for me, it would be dangerous if anyone was to learn the true nature of our plans."
Mikamo bit his lip, looking troubled.
"I know and trust Najya. I don't think she's involved in any of those things." He said at length. "Akara is probably a common name on Airai, and it doesn't mean that she's mixed up in black magic."
"I hope you're right." Kagato said quietly. "And I wouldn't ask you to shun her, based on my paranoia or suspicion. But just take care, Mikamo. Be aware that she might not be who she claims to be, all right? I warn you as my friend, since I put you at such great risk already."
"I understand." Mikamo nodded, getting to his feet and offering his companion a smile. "And your concern is appreciated. But I'm pretty sure I know the real Najya, and you've nothing to worry about on those grounds. Things are tense for you, I know that, but don't see enemies where there aren't any - all right?"
"I'll do my best." Kagato promised. "And I've kept you long enough from your work. Thank you for your report, Mikamo. It's good to have some pleasant news in all of this chaos."
"Glad to oblige." Mikamo winked at him. "And no doubt I'll see you later on."
"Yes." Kagato agreed. "With Mother away, you must share my table at dinner. I find it tiresome to talk to myself, and people tend to think you odd, if you do."
"All right." Mikamo laughed. "I'll be there. Try not to fret too much about things, Kagato. We'll see you all right, you have my word on that."
With that he was gone, and Kagato moved to close the door behind him, pursing his lips as he did so.
"Yes, I know that you will." He murmured. "If only everyone was so easy to work with. At least I can count on your fidelity, Mikamo - even if I am lying to you about many things. Still, if you knew I was illegitimate, you might feel differently too - so I can't trust you with the full picture."
He glanced at his hands, a thoughtful look flickering across his golden eyes.
"I wonder if that Akara girl really is significant." He mused. "When I mentioned the name Akara to the Saotome representatives, before I left Airai, I half thought they might kill me on the spot. But whether Najya Akara is part of this whole conflict or whether she's like my pathetic father and one who chooses to live away from the magic, I don't know. It wouldn't hurt to be cautious with her, however. The girl I met at my father's consulate was definitely kin to Dr Akara, and she weaved strange spells that helped preserve her from harm. I suppose we will just have to wait and see what transpires."
He sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"And as for Aunt Misaki, whatever ails her, it can only be good for me." He added. "That she be sent away, and that her life might not be preserved even with this evasive action. Maybe Grandfather is poisoning her after all - that would make an interesting, ironic twist. He could be supporting my insurrection without even knowing about it - but as far as I'm concerned, the further Misaki-obasama is from Jurai and Uncle Haru, the less of a threat she is to me and my claim. Even my strange Uncle can't conceive a son when his wife is colonies away, and that suits my purpose just fine. Whatever the root cause of all this paranoia, it fits my plans just perfectly. Everything really is coming together nicely...and by the time people realise my true agenda, it will be too late to stand in my way!"
