Chapter Eleven
It was barely even dawn on the planet Jurai.
Washu pushed back the bedcovers, slipping carefully out from beneath the soft, rich material and reaching for her dressing gown, feeling around on the floor for her discarded slippers. As she did so, she caught sight of her companion, still lost in dreams, and her expression softened. Pausing, she bent to touch him gently on the cheek.
"Mikamo-chan?" She whispered. "It's morning."
Mikamo stirred slightly, murmuring something, but he did not wake, and amusement flickered in Washu's clever green eyes.
"All right." She said, with an affectionate smile. "Sleep, then. It's me who will get fired, anyway, if anyone finds me in your chamber like this."
She cast him one more lingering glance, then padded across the floor of the chamber to the balcony, stepping out into the growing sunlight as she enjoyed the feel of the early morning rays on her skin. Lazily she tied the sash of her wrap around her waist, leaning up against the hard wood of the complex wall as she gazed dreamily up to the blue sky above.
"What if someone sees you out there, Washu-chan?"
A teasing voice came from behind her, and she swung around, eying him with a mock-scolding look.
"Mikamo! I thought you were still sleeping." She chided. "Are you trying to scare me half to death, creeping up on me like that?"
"You don't scare so easily as that." Mikamo looked amused, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her towards him as he did so. "If you did, one meeting with my stick in the mud father would have had you running for the hills. Yet here you are, taking a gamble with your reputation and your career by spending one illicit night with me here in my chambers. You can't pretend that you didn't know I was awake."
"How long are we going to be able to live like this for, Mikamo?" Washu looked wistful, raising questioning green eyes to his soft blue ones. "You know there's a lot of things I'll risk to spend time with you. But this can't go on forever. We both know how your family feel about me, and eventually Kagato-dono's project will end. I'll have to go back to the Academy - well, it's my home and I don't have the connections to get tenure here long term, even if I wanted to live on Jurai. And your family will throw a fit if they find out we've been seeing one another again. You know how your father was about it when you told him I was Kii-born...he'll never come around, no matter how well we go together."
"I know." Mikamo looked pensive. "To be honest, I've been trying not to think about it. Seeing you again and having you within my touch has been worth all the risk, Washu-chan. I'm not sure I could bear to let you go a second time."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Washu raised an eyebrow. "You've already sullied my honour enough to shock your noble mother, and the whole Jurai court would be up in arms if they realised I had easy access to your chamber like this."
"Well, let them." Mikamo drew her close, kissing her gently. "So long as you can teleport in and out, you know my door will always, effectively be open. And I love you, Washu...all the more now we're working together again. I'm fed up of all these social rules people invent to try and control those around them. Aren't you?"
"More than I can ever put into words." Washu smiled grimly. "And it's all very well me using my stupid magic to get in here when the doors are all locked...but if I'm caught, the game is up. The Academy have no idea how much of a witch they have lurking in their midst. If they - or the Juraian authorities - knew I could teleport or walk through walls, they'd probably have me exorcised."
She eyed him thoughtfully.
"You know, that's one of the things I love most about you." She acknowledged. "You've never cared about my magic, even if you don't like it when I teleport you places. You knew who and what I was pretty much from the moment we met, and it never bothered you. Even when you saw me fly...you didn't flinch away from me. I've always felt like myself around you - and that's hard to find in this image-obsessed world."
"Why would I want you to be anyone else?" Mikamo demanded. "I like you just how you are. You're smart and pretty, and finding both characteristics in anyone is difficult these days."
He smiled ruefully.
"Plus, you put my insufferable elder brother in his place nicely when he was rude to you."
"Well, it didn't endear me any more to your family." Washu sighed. "Mikamo, I'm serious. Last night, sneaking in here was worth it, but this morning I woke up wondering how many more times we can do it without being caught. I don't care what people think of me - or whether they label me a harlot because I've become your mistress as well as your colleague. That doesn't bother me, so long as I'm happy. But you have a lot to lose - more than just a lucrative position in a science department on Jurai."
"Yes, I have more to lose than that." Mikamo said sadly. "I could lose you, Washu...that bothers me far more than my family's expectations. I'm not the eldest son, and what I'll inherit is money and land but nothing that's ever going to answer me back or correct my scientific conclusions before they're even fully straight in my mind."
Despite herself, Washu laughed, leaning up against him as she did so.
"Some might call me a smart alec." She observed.
"Maybe, but you keep me on my toes." Mikamo's eyes crinkled with amusement. "And I love you for it. You make me alive, Washu."
"So what do you suggest we do about it?" Washu asked. "Because you know I'll come here tomorrow, and the next night, and the next, if you want me to. Najya won't ask questions if I suddenly start disappearing in the evenings - she already has us sussed out, anyway, but I don't think she'll betray us. It will mean I have to put up with her teasing, and I can about live with that. But..."
"But it's not ideal." Mikamo frowned, and for a moment, there was silence. Then, at length, he grabbed her by the hands, meeting her gaze with a determined one of his own.
"Marry me." He said softly. Washu's eyes opened wide with disbelief.
"Don't tease me." She scolded. "We've been down that path. We both know where it will end - your father will force you to end the engagement by threatening to disinherit you and disown you, preventing you from seeing your family and yada yada. You're not going to change their minds - to them I'm a savage-born ingrate who wants your money to buy me a happy, rich future sitting on my backside in some distant Seniwan manor."
"I'm serious, Washu." Mikamo shook his head. "I want you to marry me. Just as much as I ever did. To hell with my family. To hell with being disinherited. I want to be with you and I'm not going to let them break my heart twice over. I couldn't stand it, when I was back there and forced not to see you. I couldn't bear the idea of you finding someone else. You mean more to me than any of it - and I want you to be my wife."
"Are you sure?" Washu eyed him doubtfully, although her heart leapt and raced at the tender emotion in his eyes. "Mikamo, I know you. You're impulsive sometimes, and you do things on a whim. You haven't thought this through - what it would mean if..."
"I've thought of nothing else since I persuaded Kagato to bring you to Jurai." Mikamo admitted. "But I had to know your feelings, and how devoted you were to me before I could voice them. I know I hurt you when I had to pull away, Washu-chan. I didn't know whether you would ever completely forgive me. Or even if you have, now. I know you were upset, when you first arrived."
"I already forgave you." A slight smile played around the corners of Washu's mouth. "Even if I didn't say as much - it's hard to stay mad with someone who has such an irrational effect on my reactions. A woman in love doesn't always follow reason, Mikamo-chan. You hurt me badly, and I shouldn't have run so easily back into your arms. But love defies science...this is where I wanted to be, so here I am. You know that I won't give you up if there's another option. I just don't want you to make a decision you regret, and then hate me for it later."
"I would regret losing you far more than I would losing the pressures of my family to act my social class." Mikamo ran his fingers through his thick blond hair, sending her a crooked smile. "As you well know. I fitted in so well at the Academy because noone stands on ceremony there - you're only as important as your work, not your background. Jurai was my mother's idea - as you already know - and though Lady Aiko and Lord Kagato have honoured me with much trust and influence, I'm still forced to be that person I hate. Mikamo, son of a Seniwan daimyo."
"And I'm still Washu the Kii, and that never changes." Washu said ruefully. "Perhaps you have a point...maybe we are better suited than anyone realises."
"I think so." Mikamo eyed her affectionately. "Was that a yes? Have I broken down your resistance?"
"I think that happened last night." Washu looked pensive. "All right. My common sense tells me I'm being stupid to agree, because in the event, it will probably be far more complicated and painful than you're painting it. But then, I'm a fighter and I've been through painful things before. If it's going to be a long haul, well, I'm built for the long haul. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best."
"That's my Washu." Mikamo kissed her tenderly. "And now you had better fly, unless we're both going to be late for breakfast or work in the lab this morning."
"I don't think we need to make people ask those kind of questions." Washu looked amused. "All right, Mikamo-kun. Behave yourself...I'll see you later."
She squeezed his hand gently, winking at him impishly as she did so. Then she focused her energy on her room back at the Institute, re-materialising in the seclusion of the compact bathroom and letting out a heavy sigh.
"I'll hope for the best. Even if my brain is telling me it's stupid, I have to hope." She muttered, pushing back the door and stepping into the bedroom proper as she did so.
"Washu!"
Najya's exclamation startled her back to the present, and she offered her room-mate a playful smile, scooping up her lab clothing from off the bed and tossing them and her towel over her arm.
"Morning, Najya." She said amiably. "Sleep well?"
"Probably not as well as you, judging by that smile." Najya eyed her colleague critically. "But where did you spring from? I didn't see you get back. You must have footsteps as light as a fairy, or something...is that a Kii thing you didn't tell me about?"
"Maybe it is." Washu laughed. "Right now I'm running late though. I'm going to wash and dress and I'll be ready as soon as possible - will you wait for me? It will look less suspicious if I go down with you."
"Sure, although why should anyone be suspicious, Washu-chan?" Najya asked, opening her eyes innocently. "What bad things have you been up to, Professor?"
"Najya, don't." Washu warned, and Najya giggled.
"You are so funny, the both of you." She reflected. "But I'm a sucker for a happy ending, you know. So it's fine. I'll cover for you, you know I will. It's not a problem. I'll wait."
"I appreciate it." Washu shot her friend a warm smile. "It would be just too complicated if it became the next piece of court gossip."
"Well, I don't know about that." Najya pursed her lips. "Seems complicated to me already, Washu-chan. But if you ask me, the court are going to be discussing Lady Misaki's tragedy for some time to come. I feel for them both...her and the Prince, Lord Haru. I doubt they'll be interested in the philanderings of two scientists, in light of that."
"Yes." Washu looked grave. "Poor Lady Misaki. She must be very upset."
"I imagine so, for many reasons." Najya sighed. "All right...you better go get ready, else I'll make you even more late with my babblings. Hurry up, Washu - there's fashionably late and then there's rude!"
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"You're cheerful this morning, Mikamo-kun."
The scientist turned as the Prince entered the lab, offering a rueful grin as he set down his goggles, leaning up against the unit. He nodded his head, gesturing towards the window.
"Sunny day, bright start, progress on my first round of tests. How could it be better?" He asked glibly, and Kagato raised an eyebrow.
"No need to ask what you were up to last night, then. I guess you took my advice about the court women after all." He said astutely, and Mikamo flushed.
"We already had that conversation. I told you, I'm not on Jurai for that purpose, and I don't take advantage of Juraian maidens, loose women or otherwise." He objected. "I'm just feeling very enthusiastic about our project today, that's all. Last night I was mulling over various possibilities and I think I've figured something important out in my own mind."
"Oh? Well, that's good, I suppose." Kagato pursed his lips, and Mikamo frowned.
"Kagato? Are you all right this morning?" He asked softly. "You seem a touch...distracted, if you want to know the truth."
"Distracted?" Kagato looked startled. Then he smiled, shaking his head.
"No, I'm all right. Worrying about my stupid cousin, that's all." He said quietly. "Yosho seems hell-bent on finding Haruna, and I haven't been able to talk him out of it. In fact, I rather think he's talked me into something, and I hope I'm not going to regret it."
"Yosho-dono?" Mikamo looked surprised. "What do you mean?"
He looked apprehensive.
"I admit I had a conversation with him at Tsunami's shrine the other day, and he did sound pretty set on finding her. But I might have encouraged him some in the matter." He confessed. "I hope I haven't created a bigger situation for you and your family by sympathising with his plight."
"No, I don't think anyone's having any influence on Yosho-kun's mind at the moment except the Lady Haruna herself." Kagato grimaced. "You know I told you that I sometimes get Tessei and Tetta involved in finding things out for me at court?"
"Yes." Mikamo nodded. "What about them?"
"I think I agreed to get them to find out where Haruna is." Kagato rubbed his temples. "If Uncle Azusa finds out, I might just lose any vague favour I had with the direct Imperial line, so I'm feeling a bit sheepish about it this morning."
"You're helping Yosho?" Mikamo's eyes almost fell out of his head. "But..."
"It wasn't intentional." Kagato sighed, folding his arms casually across his chest as he spoke. "But Yosho is so persuasive, and I think he was about to embark on some reckless mission to steal a military bug and go searching for her himself. He's really not in his right mind at the moment, Mikamo-kun. I think love's driven him a touch over the edge, if you want the truth. This was the only way I could stop him - with Lady Misaki already in the Infirmary, I didn't want to send his lady Mother there as well, with one of her spasms."
"So you told him Tessei and Tetta would see what they could find out." Mikamo relaxed, shaking his head slowly. "Well, I don't see what else you could have done, Kagato...I mean, you're right about Lady Funaho. I suppose if they don't bring back any information..."
"Well, we'll see." Kagato spread his hands. "I'm not sure I've helped things any, to be honest. I need to stop letting my friendships get in the way of my good sense."
"Does that extend to me as well?" Mikamo sent him a grin and Kagato laughed.
"Let's hope not." He bantered back. "All right, to business. What have you to report, Niwase-sensei?"
"Well, you know we confirmed the volcanic eruption story beyond all scientific doubt." Mikamo said slowly. Kagato nodded.
"That was good news to me." He agreed. "But since then?"
"They're not easy crystals to work with, given the nature of their magic and the fact none of us can actually touch them directly." Mikamo admitted. "So the actual transferance is something of a problem. I got Hakubi-sensei to put her mind to resolving it - she's good with hard alloys and things of that nature. She's embroiled in spaceship construction of some nature at the Academy at the moment, so I asked if one of her composites would work as a holding pen for the gems. I'm glad you're here, though - since at the moment, you're the only one who can actually touch them. And we need them out of the safe if we're going to work with them at all."
"So my fingers are going to be sacrificed for the good of science, huh?" Kagato looked amused as his friend led the way into the small work room, shutting the door behind them. Mikamo turned, nodding apologetically.
"Yes, I'm afraid so." He agreed. "But I thought you could touch them all right?"
"I can...but they're very strong artefacts." Kagato said pensively. "It's like touching burning metal. I'm sure that too much contact even with Juraian skin would cause blisters and call me vain but I don't like to be wearing gloves at court for any reason other than fashion."
"Well, it won't take a moment." Mikamo assured him, fumbling in his pocket for the containment unit and setting it down on the side as he keyed in the combination for the safe. "Just from here into there...then we can work with them without being too badly compromised. We picked up pretty high levels of radiation from the volcano site and from the gems themselves so it's probably safer all round."
"That's Jurai's power, no doubt." Kagato remarked. "All right. I'm ready when you are...I suppose since this is my project, I should be willing to lend a hand. Literally, in this case."
He grinned, slipping off his gloves and setting them down on the table. "All right, sensei. I'm all yours."
"There." Mikamo released the second door, stepping back as Kagato reached into the depths of the vault. As his fingers made contact with the crystals themselves, they flickered slightly, then sent out a vibrant red pulse of energy across the lab. The blast caught Mikamo head on and he stumbled backwards, tumbling to the floor with an exclamation as Kagato cursed, grasping the gems more tightly and conveying them not without difficulty to the containment unit. Slamming it shut, he cast a glance down onto the ground where Mikamo was struggling to pick himself up, raising a hand to his head.
"Mikamo-kun, are you all right?" He asked softly. "I'm sorry - I should have warned you how volatile they are."
"I'm all right, it just knocked me for six." Mikamo rubbed his brow, pulling himself to his feet. "You weren't kidding when you said they were strong. What was that? I never saw anything like it."
"I'm not sure." Kagato admitted. He frowned, glancing down at the containment unit. "A judgement on my magic, perhaps."
"On your magic?"
"Well, the legend states that the gems come from Tsunami, and my family are Tsunami's chosen." Kagato said quietly. "The last time I touched them, when I brought them here, I didn't get a reaction like that. But if nothing else, it tells me I need to work harder on harnessing my own Jurai power. I've obviously been lax - and if this is to work, I need to be at the peak of my performance."
"Are your hands all right?" Mikamo asked. "That was a pretty violent wave of magic it sent up."
"Yes, I think so." Kagato glanced at his fingers, then nodded, retrieving his gloves. "They look fine to me."
"Good." Mikamo grinned. "And after that little performance, they won't be coming out of there in a hurry."
"No...I imagine not." Kagato pursed his lips. "Until your work is completed, I'd rather not touch them again. You could have been badly hurt and it would be reckless of me."
"Hey, don't take it to heart. I'm fine and there is still a lot we don't know about these things." Mikamo assured his companion with a smile. "Leave it with us, Kagato. We'll get to the bottom of it and they won't do that the next time you try to move them."
"Let's hope not, or our entire project is going to be a bit of a waste." Kagato said ruefully. Mikamo laughed.
"Perhaps the gems are telling you off, for encouraging Yosho-dono in his starstruck romance." He said playfully. Kagato looked startled then stricken, his golden eyes flitting to the capsule.
"Do you think they could know...something like that?" He asked softly. Mikamo frowned.
"Kagato, it was a joke. I have no idea, but even if they have magic, they're still bits of crystal."
"Yes, but..." Kagato bit his lip, then shook his head. "No, I'm sure you're right. I'm sorry. It's obviously preying on my mind a bit too much."
He smiled, though his amber eyes remained clouded. "I'll get out of your hair, too. Your colleagues will be here from breakfast soon enough, and I'm sure they don't want a clumsy royal interfering in their scientific breakthroughs."
"Not so clumsy." Mikamo objected. Kagato sent him a droll grin.
"Let's not tempt fate, but you're a good friend. You know all the right answers." He said, amused. "I'll see you later, Mikamo-kun - you still plan to dine with us this evening, as usual?"
"Yes, if your Lady Mother doesn't object to my company on such a continuous basis." Mikamo nodded. Kagato smiled.
"She likes you. She says you're a breath of fresh air in a stagnant court." He replied. "All right, Mikamo-kun. Take care and bring me positive news this evening. After yesterday, I think I need it."
He winked, then he was gone and Mikamo frowned, scooping up the containment unit and running a finger across it's silvery surface. Sliding his nail into a miniscule switch, he pressed down hard and was rewarded for his effort as the sides became hazy and then transparent, revealing the glittering demons within. He eyed them for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders, heading back towards the main lab.
"He takes too much on himself." He muttered. "As ever. But whatever savage magic is inside of these things, we'll tame it. And then, well, Kagato won't need to worry about what will happen the next time he touches them."