Chapter Eleven
"You seem distracted."
Ayeka stepped up onto the dais of the main Council chamber, carefully adjusting her cape so that it fell more naturally around her shoulders. She frowned, biting down on her lip at the sound of her husband's voice, and the gentle touch of his hand on her shoulder made her turn to meet his gaze.
"Ayeka? I spoke to you. Are you all right?" Takeru's dark eyes were rich with concern, and Ayeka sighed, nodding her head.
"I'm fine. Just tired." She said vaguely. "Now Uncle is back, the pressure is off me a little bit, but it's put me in mind of how it's going to be, when I'm Queen. I don't like the idea much, Takeru. It's sinking in just what's expected of me. My whole life, governed. Everything in it...governed."
She sighed again, dropping down onto the ornate throne that stood to the Emperor's left, a pained expression on her face.
"Maybe Tenchi had the right idea, when he ran back to the Earth and abdicated all duties here." She added absently. "I should have done the same. At least then I'd be able to choose my own life, instead of being at the beck and call of everyone else."
"Ayeka?" Takeru frowned, staring at her in bewilderment. "What brought this on? You've handled everything just fine over your Uncle's absence and as you say, now he's back on Jurai. What's wrong? This isn't like you - I haven't heard you speak like this before."
"Then maybe you haven't listened very clearly." Ayeka rubbed her temples. "The longer it goes on, the closer I become to being everyone else's property instead of my own. That's all."
"I don't understand." Takeru shook his head, taking his own seat and slipping his hand over hers, but she drew it away, folding it in her lap as she lowered her gaze from his. "Ayeka, look at me, please! Has something happened? Something's wrong - I know that face. Tell me, please? You said you trusted me - so do so!"
"Oh, Takeru." Ayeka did as she was bidden, anguish lurking in the depths of her ruby eyes. "I can't. I don't want to hurt you...or...or anyone. I just want...I suppose I want to go back to a time where I was free to make my own decisions. That's all."
Takeru's eyes clouded and he frowned, pursing his lips.
"This change in your behaviour has something to do with Lord Tenchi's arrival on Jurai, hasn't it?" He asked quietly, and Ayeka stared at him, stricken. Takeru nodded, his lips thinning slightly as he digested her reaction.
"I thought so." he murmured. "He always seems to have an adverse effect on you, my Lady."
"Tenchi is nothing to do with it." Ayeka objected, but Takeru shook his head, gripping Ayeka by the hands and pulling her to her feet.
"Look at me when you say that. And mean it." He said firmly, and Ayeka was aware of the strange look in his dark eyes. "Because I have a lot of patience, Ayeka-sama, I really do. And I understand that our alliance was arranged by our fathers. But I won't be lied to. I deserve more respect than that, as your husband and your consort. Perhaps it wasn't a match you chose and maybe there are times you regret making it. But at least do me the courtesy of telling me the truth."
"Takeru..." Ayeka bit her lip. "It's not you. It really isn't. And I suppose it isn't him really, either. I just...I feel so trapped lately. That's all. And seeing Tenchi and Ryoko and Washu come here, following their own ends...pursuing their own futures...it got to me a bit. I don't have that freedom of choice. My future is mapped."
"Yes, I suppose it is." Takeru agreed softly. "Including your partnership with me."
"I didn't mean it that way!"
"I know, but it's true all the same." Takeru cupped her chin in his hands and Ayeka's heart ached at the hurt that flickered in the depths of his eyes. "Ayeka, I love you more than I have ever loved any woman. That's the truth, and how it's been since before we even exchanged vows. But..."
"I'm sorry." Ayeka dropped her gaze. "I always manage to hurt you, don't I?"
"You are still in love with the Prince, aren't you?"
"I wish I knew what I was." Ayeka admitted, glancing at her hands and running a finger absently over her ornate rings of state as she did so. "He told me he and Ryoko are to be married, Takeru. And I am happy for them - I am. I just..."
"Wish it were a different way?" Takeru asked quietly. Ayeka bit her lip, and Takeru smiled humourlessly.
"I'd rather you said it." He reproached her. "Not saying it makes it all the worse for me."
"I suppose part of me does wish it." Ayeka admitted uneasily. "But Takeru, that doesn't mean I don't care about you. Please, try to understand that. Whatever I feel - felt for Tenchi, that's in the past and it's a part of a life that's long since gone now. It's over. I've known that since before he took up with Ryoko. The shock of their engagement hit me for six a little bit, but I did know one day it would come. Tenchi is too honourable - too Juraian - not to mould their relationship into something more formal in the long run, whatever Ryoko's sentiments in the matter. So I knew. But...with everything else that's been going on..."
She hesitated, then,
"I feel like I'm losing people." She whispered.
"Losing...people?" Takeru stared. "What do you mean, losing people?"
"Uncle has been so far away, and I didn't realise how many things he holds in his hands when he's here." Ayeka twisted her fingers together. "Sasami is always off with Lady Suki these days and while I don't begrudge her the friendship, I...I suppose I am a little envious. And Tenchi is to marry Ryoko and they will both be gone so far away - to a place where I will seldom be able to visit them, even if I should want to see their happy future together. Just...people, Takeru. People I care about."
"I see." Takeru rubbed his chin. "And I don't factor in this equation at all, then? I thought that we were closer than that, these days. After all, you did say that if you were tempted to flee Jurai, you would at least take me with you."
"And I would." Ayeka hesitated, then squeezed his hand tightly. "Takeru, I always hurt you and I'm sorry. You're the one constant I have these days and I wouldn't be without you. That's the truth. I'm sorry I put you through so much - I really am. I know it can't be easy, loving someone who isn't sure about her own heart yet. I've been in that position and I know how much it hurts. But I am...I am trying to let go. And..."
"Shh." Takeru put his finger to her lips, shaking his head. "I don't need to hear you repeat promises that right now you can't keep."
"Takeru..."
"No." Takeru shook his head. "You are my wife and I am your husband. That is all that matters for the time being."
He hesitated, then offered her a smile.
"Maybe it will be better for you when Lord Tenchi does take Lady Ryoko as his bride." He mused. "Then, at least, you know that door is closed."
"It's already closed!"
"Is it?"
"I would never be unfaithful to you, Takeru!"
"No, not actually." Takeru shook his head. "But there's no reign over your thoughts or dreams, Ayeka-chan. And I'm more astute than you think. There are many things we do as a married couple and Prince and Princess of Jurai. But there are other things that we do not...and I know that not all of those battles can be won by formalising our connection before Jurai's court."
Ayeka looked troubled, her cheeks flushing pink as she understood the implication of his words.
"I know." She admitted. "And if I don't learn to let go, eventually it will drive a wedge between us, won't it? The friendship and the bond we share now - it will try it to extremes from which it will never recover."
"That is my fear too, hime-sama." Takeru agreed quietly. Ayeka stared at him.
"You're never so formal with me as that!"
"Perhaps not. But sometimes I feel more like you're a stranger than my wife, and it seems appropriate."
Ayeka sank back down into her chair, burying her head in her hands.
"I know. I'm sorry. I will try harder not to hurt you." She said sadly. "And it's not just words, Takeru - I do mean it. Perhaps you're right - Tenchi and Ryoko's marriage might be what I need to sever those thoughts from my mind. Either way, it's not fair on you. I have a good husband - a better one than I deserve - and I will not keep putting him in such awkward situations."
"Sometimes the words Seiryo threw at me on the Earth six months ago still haunt me." Takeru admitted. "When he said that I loved a woman who would never love me in return. And I hope that someday he will be proven wrong. But I fear that he will not. That he truly saw then how our future will be - an act played out for the court but a truly loveless match."
"That isn't what I want." Ayeka raised her gaze to his. "And I'd rather die than let a prediction of Seiryo Tennan's come true. He had no business speaking that way anyhow."
"Perhaps not, but all the same, it troubles me." Takeru spread his hands. "I told you - these things are very trying for a husband."
"Yes. I know." Ayeka pursed her lips. She offered him a sad smile. "So I have to make my choice, then? To sever my connection with Tenchi completely, in order that I shouldn't hurt you any more than I already have?"
"I don't want you to stop being friends with the Prince, Ayeka-sama. Lord knows he's done nothing to offend me in the time that I've known him." Takeru shook his head. "Despite all of this, I find him pleasant company and someone who I would wish to know better, in other circumstances."
"But whether I can be friends with him and not love him, that's the question." Ayeka reflected. "Still, I must try. And so I will. And you must help me, Takeru."
"In any way I can."
"One way, at least." Ayeka sighed. "At some point I must allow you admittance to my chambers, and as yet I have not done so. Perhaps I should. Perhaps that would help."
"No." Takeru shook his head. "I am not that kind of man, Ayeka. I will come there only when you are ready to admit me. Not because you feel pressured into doing so. I don't want your love by force."
Ayeka offered him a tender smile.
"You are too good to me." She said softly. "Father did know what he was doing, when he chose you to be my consort. He did, Takeru. And I do believe that. I just need a little more time to put everything into perspective, that's all. Can you give me that?"
"I can and I will, so long as you understand that I'm only a man and that I can't help but feel jealous or uncomfortable sometimes, when things occur." Takeru said gravely. Ayeka nodded.
"I understand, Takeru-chan." She said soberly. "And I will remember. Truly. I will."
"Ayeka! Takeru! You're here early this afternoon."
Before Takeru could respond, the Emperor of Jurai swept into the Council chamber, casting both Princess and Prince Consort a warm smile as he hurried up the steps to join them. "Good - I'm glad that you are. Ayeka, I've finished reviewing the notes from the dispute sessions you oversaw and I'm pleased to see you've managed to put Lord Takaya and Lord Hirata neatly in their proper places without sacrificing any Crown land to pacify them. They can be a tricky pair to handle, so I'm proud of how you dealt with that."
"Thank you, Uncle." Ayeka offered him a surprised smile, blushing at the unexpected praise. "They were...difficult to negotiate with, but in the end we found a settlement that suited everyone."
"I am thankful that not all our noble families seek to carry their private disputes into Jurai's courtroom." Azusa said fervently. He offered Takeru a smile. "Speaking of which, I trust Lord Tennan has paid his duty regarding the Unko?"
"Yes, sir." Takeru bowed his head. "On time, as usual...and in person."
"Good." Azusa rubbed his beard, looking pleased. "I'm glad to see that my absence didn't cause civil riot. I almost wonder if I'm still needed, with such a capable deputy to leave in my stead."
"Uncle, believe me, I'd much rather you were here." Ayeka said wryly. "Really. I'm not ready to play Empress yet."
"Well, I'm proud of you anyhow." Azusa told her. "Is there anything more you need to report? No other business that seems pertinent? I know you granted entry to Detective Makibi...and that my great grandson and his posse have also arrived - though I haven't been fortunate enough to speak with any of them yet."
"Is it a problem that I allowed Kiyone to come here, Uncle?" Ayeka looked anxious, and Azusa shook his head.
"Jurai's borders are always open to friends, and the Detective has done much in the service of Jurai over the years." He said seriously. "She is most welcome - and Prince Tenchi also."
"I understand that Prince Tenchi has brought news with him to Jurai." Takeru said softly, and Ayeka sent him a horrified look.
"Takeru..."
"News?" Azusa looked startled. "Of what nature?"
"Of a connective nature I believe, sir." Takeru smiled. "With Lady Ryoko - or so my wife has been telling me."
"Takeru, you weren't supposed to tell Uncle that." Ayeka groaned, burying her head in her hands once more, and Takeru looked startled.
"Why not? Should the Emperor not know about it?"
"No...I mean, yes, but Tenchi wanted to...I mean he thought it would be better if..." Ayeka faltered, and Azusa laughed.
"I see." He said, amused. "So my great grandson has at last decided to wed his jezebel, is that so?"
"Yes." Ayeka admitted unwillingly. "But he wanted to tell you himself, Uncle. He thought you'd take it better if he did, and I promised him I wouldn't."
"I'm sorry." Takeru looked contrite. "I didn't realise it was that way."
"It's quite all right." Azusa dismissed it with a flick of his fingers. "I'll let Prince Tenchi come and bring his news when he is ready, and I will act as though I had no idea. Although it pleases me to see that he's at last thinking in such a way. It's all very well, having Princes of Jurai living on distant planets, but eyebrows do become raised when one is living unmarried with a former space pirate...even one descended from our own royal house."
"I told him that you'd feel that way." Ayeka said slowly. "That you'd not mind, I mean."
"Not at all. I've long since been resigned to their match, and after all they've done for this planet, I don't suppose I can begrudge it them, either." Azusa shook his head. "Takeru, stop looking so guilty. I won't betray your indiscretion to the boy, when he comes to see me. I give you my word."
"Thank you, sir." Takeru bit his lip. "I didn't mean to speak out of turn."
"Well, it won't matter at all, so you needn't worry." Azusa settled himself in his throne, smoothing out his cape as he made himself comfortable. "And changing the subject, there is one further thing that you should both be aware of, before the Council arrive. You know that we are expecting a diplomatic envoy from one of our outpost planets in the next few days? Negotiations have been under way for some time about their political status, and they're sending a group of people to treat with us on various terms. I believe I mentioned it before I left?"
"Yes, I think you did." Ayeka nodded her head. "What about it?"
"They were scheduled to pick up an escort at the Galaxy Police Headquarters, but I've had word from the officials there that the envoy might meet with a slight delay. Apparently there has been a technical hitch of some nature at Headquarters and it's meant a shortness of staffing."
"That's unlike the Galaxy Police." Takeru frowned. Ayeka shrugged her shoulders.
"Perhaps they're missing Seiryo Tennan." She said acidly. "Maybe we could send him back, Uncle."
"Ayeka." Azusa eyed his niece reprovingly, and Ayeka reddened, looking sheepish.
"I'm sorry." She said contritely. "But I do not like that man, Uncle. And I do not like him being here, so near to Takeru in an environment where he could easily launch a second attempt on my husband's life."
"I think the important thing is that he has not done so, in the six months since his hearing ended." Azusa said lightly. "You must learn when to forgive and when not to, my child. I cannot punish a man indefinitely for deeds that are past - if I did, I would only create resentment in that man."
"Seiryo Tennan has enough resentment for ten men already." Ayeka murmured, and Azusa smiled, shaking his head.
"Perhaps he does. But that he doesn't exhibit his resentment openly or in a manner that threatens the government of Jurai, that is my concern." He said softly. "His private affairs are not mine to intrude into. I only care about how well he does his duty in helping me govern Jurai. If I spent too much of my time focusing on whether I liked or disliked the representatives that attended Council sessions, I'd probably lose sight of that overall objective."
"I suppose so." Ayeka looked pensive. "Takeru said something similar to me about Lord Hirata and Lord Takaya. I'd just rather work with people whose company I can stand, that's all. Maybe I'm too idealistic."
"Maybe, but that will change with experience." Azusa's eyes twinkled. "And now, my dear, we must stop this delving into the hearts of those who surround us. The session will soon start and we have much to discuss - for the time being, Jurai's politics are top of all of our agendas, and nothing else should be allowed to intervene."
---------
"Two murders, no witnesses, no evidence at the scene."
The commander dropped the file down on his desk, a hopeless expression flickering across his face as he reviewed the situation. "In less than twenty four hours we have to supply escort officers to guide the envoy ship through Jurai space, as political neutrality. And we've two of our top men lying dead in the Police hospital morgue without even the faintest idea what we're dealing with."
He bit his lip, his gaze flitting between the two women that sat in front of him. They could not be more different, he realised absently, as to the right, Mitsuki sat alert and attentive to everything he said, and Mihoshi, to the left, was busy trying to get a stray speck of thread from the cuff of her uniform. He sighed, shaking his head slowly as he felt the beginnings of a migraine cross his senses.
"Detective Kuramitsu, are you listening to me?" He said softly. Mihoshi started, gazing up at him with big blue eyes.
"Yes sir? Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Mihoshi, tell me you heard what I just said." The Chief's lips thinned, and Mihoshi offered him a smile.
"Yes, sir. Of course I did, sir."
"Could you repeat it, please? Just so I can be sure you absorbed it?"
"Two murders no witnesses no evidence at the scene in less than twenty four hours we have to find escort people for the envoy ship as political thingummy and two men are dead in the hospital morgue and we don't know why and Detective Kuramitsu are you listening to me?"
Mihoshi drew a deep breath of air into her lungs, eying her commander triumphantly. "Did I miss anything out?"
"Mihoshi..." The Commander rubbed his temples. "Never mind. Forget it. Mitsuki, tell me again what you both found when you opened the door of your office. Since two Elite were involved, they want to know exactly what you saw...I think they're wanting to look into it directly themselves, and so try and remember as much as you possibly can."
"There's not much we didn't already tell you." Mitsuki frowned. "They were dead and it looked like they had been for a while. Both of them had slashed throats. Both of them had signs of a struggle...although Hirayama-san more so. I think they'd been dead a while - or at least, Tsunetomo had, because we searched and searched for him to look at the tape of Kiyone's office and we couldn't find him. I didn't use my office while all of that was going on, so...I guess it's possible he was there all the time."
She shivered.
"Waiting for me to find them."
"You know, the people on board the Tsubasa had their throats cut just like that." Mihoshi said absently, kicking her legs idly against the leg of the commander's desk as she did so. "Isn't that a funny coincidence?"
"It might not be a coincidence, Detective." The Commander said gravely. "That's one of the things we want to ascertain. But why murder two esteemed elite agents? For something they saw? Something they knew? I don't understand it. And why in your office, Mitsuki? You had no connections with either of them, did you?"
"No sir. Barely knew either of them." Mitsuki shook her head.
"Mihoshi, were you acquainted with Agent Tsunetomo or Agent Hirayama at all?"
"No, sir." Mihoshi shook her head, blond curls bobbing around her face as she did so. "I don't like the Elite officers very much."
"Why not?" Mitsuki stared at her companion in surprise. "The Elite are the best Galaxy Police officers there are. Why don't you like them? Most officers want to be them."
"Because one of them tried to kill Kiyone." Mihoshi said matter-of-factly.
"They what?" Mitsuki stared, and the Commander shook his head.
"I don't think that's relevant now, Mihoshi." He said quietly. "Agent Tennan has resigned his post and is no longer a member of the Elite Force."
"Agent Seiryo Tennan? Tried to kill Kiyone?" Mitsuki's eyes could not get any bigger. "But why, sir? What did she do?"
"It's not important now." The Commander shook his head. "The unfortunate incident in question has been resolved and is no longer open for discussion."
"Maybe it is important, sir. Maybe one of the Elite is involved in this business, somehow." Mitsuki suggested. "I mean, if Agent Tennan really did attack Kiyone, then..."
"Agent Tennan acted under the influence of dark magic, if I am to believe Mihoshi and Kiyone's accounts." The Commander said quietly. "He is no longer afflicted and is no longer here."
"But the invisible people are." Mihoshi said earnestly. "And Kiyone said that Seiryo Tennan just appeared in Yagami, when he attacked her. Perhaps Mitsuki is right...maybe he came back, or maybe someone else has a spell on them now. Maybe it's making them invisible and causing them to kill people, just like Agent Tennan tried to kill Kiyone. Do you think it could have happened like that?"
"Right now, I have no idea what has happened." The Commander admitted with a sigh. "Although I think we can exonerate Seiryo Tennan from our enquiries. He's been kept to close quarters on Jurai since the settlement of that incident and I think the Emperor would have probably noticed had he suddenly gone missing and begun a random killing spree. As for the influence of magic...but I don't know. None of this makes any sense."
"Except when you think about Mihoshi's invisible people." Mitsuki looked uneasy. "Not actually invisible, of course...but much as I hate to say it, if there's no evidence of anyone being there...is it possible our scanners just aren't picking them up?"
"Unfortunately the one man who could have told us the answer to that is lying dead downstairs." The Commander said bleakly.
"Which might explain why he was killed." Mitsuki said thoughtfully. "Maybe he was always the target - and Hirayama-san walked in on the crime being committed. He tried to help his partner and was slain in the resultant struggle. That might make some sense...at least, it would explain why two Elites were struck down."
"What bothers me is that they were the two Elite officers with whom I entrusted the transfer of Kiyone Makibi to the planet Jurai." The Commander said softly. "And though I've spoken to sundry other members of the force who crewed Tsunetomo's ship that day, none of them have come up with anything that seemed out of the ordinary. It just makes no sense. First the people on the Seniwan ship. Then the attack on Yagami. Then the ransacking of Kiyone's office and now the murder of two Elites who were recently in Kiyone's company. Her name is coming up far more than I'd like in all of this. It troubles me."
"Sir, you can't think Kiyone is responsible for the murders?" Mihoshi's eyes became wide with horror. "She wouldn't! She couldn't! There's just no way!"
"Relax, Detective. I might think that Kiyone is capable of vandalising her own spaceship in a fit of pique or delusion, but I don't believe her capable of murder." The Commander held up his hand. "I didn't mean a connection of that nature. I meant more that it seems to tie into her and her specifically. That bothers me...more than I'd like to admit."
"Do you think that Kiyone was right, then? About the things she said before she was discharged?" Mitsuki demanded. The Commander bit his lip.
"It occurs to me that she might be." He admitted. "That if we accept for some reason the security scanners did not pick up the identity of the office vandal nor the person responsible for the two murders, maybe they did not also pick up the vandal who invaded Yagami and gave Kiyone such a fright. In which case, she has good reason to be angry with me - though I interpreted her anger as a symptom of her upset emotions, perhaps I overreacted. And yet..."
He frowned.
"Why your office, Mitsuki?"
"I don't know." Mitsuki admitted. "But I don't think they were killed there - either of them."
"No...no. Blood was found on board Tsunetomo's spaceship." The Commander shook his head. "Sealed and locked it might have been, but that seems to have been where they were assaulted. The bodies were moved to your office to convey a message, so it would appear. Do you have any idea what that message was?"
"Keep away." Mihoshi murmured absently.
"Mihoshi?" The Commander eyed her keenly. "What do you mean?"
"Well, if someone dumped two dead guys in my office, I'd keep well away from them from thereon in." Mihoshi raised serious eyes to her superior. "Mitsuki was digging around in Kiyone's office, just like whoever wrecked it did. And so they wanted her to stop it and they told her so. That's all."
"Mihoshi might be right." Mitsuki admitted unwillingly. "If they looked for something in Kiyone's office and didn't find it, then maybe they were sending me a message to keep out of it until they do."
"Something Kiyone had?" The Commander rubbed his chin. Mitsuki frowned, shaking her head.
"No...more likely something she still has, sir." She said softly. "We don't know who is responsible for all of this, but if Kiyone is right and they followed her to Headquarters aboard Yagami, then there must be a reason they haven't killed her yet. And a reason they're going through all her stuff, bit by bit."
She turned to her companion.
"Mihoshi, think hard. When you were aboard the Tsubasa, did Kiyone have anything or take anything that might have been important? Did you see her pick anything up?"
"No." Mihoshi looked surprised. "But we split up. I went down the hallway and found two of the crew who were dead, and Kiyone went to the drive room and found another person who was dead. And then we met up again and went back to Yagami. That's all."
"She didn't take anything with her from the ship? Nothing at all?" The Commander asked. Mihoshi shrugged.
"If she did, she didn't tell me about it." She said simply. "I don't think she would have stolen anything, sir. She's not like that and if she had taken anything as evidence, wouldn't she have given it to you when she reported? That's what we usually do, when we come back from a mission like that."
"Yes." The Commander frowned. "But Mitsuki has a point. If this thing - whatever it is - hasn't found what it's looking for yet, then it will keep looking until it does. It seems likely that Kiyone found something aboard Tsubasa that she hasn't told us about - or saw something, read something, something of that ilk. Quite possibly she hasn't realised the significance of the object herself yet - if she had, I'm sure she would have mentioned it to someone here at Headquarters."
"Perhaps she did." Mitsuki mused. "To Tsunetomo-san and Hirayama-san, on their trip to Jurai."
"Yes, that is possible." The Commander acknowledged. "Though we will never know for sure, now."
"Are you going to recall Kiyone to Headquarters, sir?" Mihoshi asked hopefully. The Commander hesitated, then shook his head.
"No, Mihoshi, I'm not. Not yet, anyway." He said heavily. "If Mitsuki's theory is correct, here is not a safe place for her to be. She's better off on Jurai, while we try and figure out what's going on. And in the meantime, I must do what I can to prepare this envoy's escort so that the delay isn't made worse than it already is. Thank you, both of you. You can go now."
"Yes, sir." Mitsuki stood, saluting and Mihoshi followed suit, raising her hand clumsily to her head in imitation of her companion. Then both women left, Mihoshi stumbling over her own feet as she went and as the door slid shut behind them the Commander sighed, burying his head in his hands.
"So have I made a huge error of judgement in trusting my security scanners over one of my best detectives?" He wondered aloud. "Are you right, Kiyone? Is there really some kind of invisible killer stalking through the halls of Headquarters and by not listening to you have I put you in the most terrible danger?"