Chapter Twelve
For a moment Washu stood there, eying her companion as a silence that threatened to become oppressive spread across the chamber. At length she sighed, shaking her head.
"You won't kill me." She said softly. "So you might as well stop pretending that you will. You do want to help me, even if you aren't sure whether or not I will hurt you."
Tadashi started, drawing his weapon half out of it's rough scabbard before halting, casting the scientist a frown.
"Why do you think that's true?" He asked. "I am a guard of Yuzuha-sama's retinue. You yourself said I wear the same uniform as the ones who imprisoned you. Why do you think I couldn't hurt you, if it came to the crunch?"
"Because you don't believe I've come here to cause harm." Washu said gently. "And you aren't like the others. They have a dull sheen to their eyes - they're not acting in their full wits. You're different. You look at me and I can see you're in possession of all of your senses. That means you can be reasoned with, and I think you're intelligent. More, I don't think you like bloodshed. So you might draw your sword on me, but I don't think you'll touch me with it. I don't think that's the kind of man you are, Tadashi. Are you going to prove me wrong?"
Tadashi bit his lip, shaking his head in frustration as he rammed his weapon back into its holder.
"No." He admitted reluctantly. "Though you shouldn't assume you can tell what someone is thinking. On this planet, you never know what anyone is thinking. Not these days. It's not always so easy to spot who is one of Yuzuha's followers and who isn't. Not until it's too late."
"Then the Kii sight is a dead art in you people?" Washu raised an eyebrow. "I see."
Tadashi's brows knitted together.
"How do you know so much about the Kii?" He demanded. "Who are you? Why have you come here? Please tell me what's going on. I'm confused. I don't want to believe you're a threat, but you won't answer any questions and..."
"Tadashi?"
A fresh voice came from the corridor behind where the guardsman stood and he visibly jumped, swinging around to face the intruder with a mixture of surprise and alarm.
"Mayuka! Mayu-chan, what are you doing here!" He demanded in low tones. "Everything is in chaos above ground - you shouldn't have ventured up through the tunnels! It's dangerous!"
"I thought I heard your voice from the Eagle's resting place." The newcomer said softly, and as she stepped into Washu's line of sight, the scientist realised this newcomer was little older than eighteen or nineteen, her rich amethyst waves of hair braided back from her face in a hauntingly familiar Kii style. She wore simple robes, not dissimilar to the village attire Washu remembered from the families she had often visited with her father, but there was no tribal symbol stitched onto the breast, and the sash at her waist was white, instead of coloured with the insignia of the clan. Around her wrists she wore bracelets made of the same strange rock that Washu had observed on the Eagle statue only a short time earlier, and as she glanced at the girl, Washu noticed the stone glittered faintly against her skin, as if pulsing with a faint energy.
"Well, now you should go back. Back where it's safe." Tadashi seemed quite unsettled by her presence, and Washu smiled ruefully, leaning up against the wall as she observed the attraction between the two.
"The sender of the letter, no doubt." She mused to herself.
"Tadashi, what's wrong with you! Why are you acting like this - and why were you talking to yourself?" Mayuka seemed oblivious to Washu's presence, and with a jolt the scientist realised that the arc of the statue's wing concealed her from the girl's view. "I know you weren't praying - you don't speak to the Eagle these days."
There was a faint reproach in the girl's voice, and Washu was almost sure she saw Tadashi flinch guiltily. He shook his head, however, taking her by the hand.
"It's not that. And this isn't the time to discuss the Eagle." He murmured. "Mayuka, we're not alone...the woman Yuzuha took prisoner is with me."
"You brought her down here already?" Mayuka's eyes became wide and she glanced all around her, as if seeking the mysterious stranger. "But I thought you were going to wait for an opportune moment - Tadashi, what have you done? You'll get into trouble, and then..."
"I escaped on my own." Washu stepped out of the shadows at that moment, startling both of the youngsters as she did so. "Your friend and I ran into one another, and he offered me his aid...there didn't seem to be much else to be done at the time."
Mayuka opened her lips to speak, but as she caught sight of Washu's face, her eyes opened wide with amazement and disbelief. She rushed forward, reaching out as if to grab Washu by the hands, but at the last minute she stopped, dropping to her knees instead and gazing up at the scientist with a strange, awestruck look in her fuschia eyes. Despite herself, Washu felt the admiration and hope that radiated from the girl, and she bit her lip, somewhat discomfitted by it.
"Is something the matter?" She asked softly. "Why are you looking at me like that...I may have come from outside your world, but I'm not here to harm you."
At this Mayuka's eyes became even bigger, and tears glittered on her lashes as she held out her hands.
"Miko." She murmured. "Oh, I knew...I knew you would come. I knew you would!"
"What did you call me?" It was Washu's turn to be startled now, as Tadashi hastened to his girlfriend's side, putting a hand on her shoulder as he tried to make sense of the situation.
"You are the Priestess, aren't you?" Mayuka fixed Washu with a shining gaze. "You are...you must be. You're here, standing before me...standing beneath the wing of the Eagle...oh, I knew it was true! I knew my dream was true!"
"Mayuka, you're babbling." Tadashi looked mystified, glancing from the girl to the scientist and back again. "What are you talking about?"
"She's the woman from my dream, Tadashi." Mayuka whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks now as she struggled to keep her voice level. "The one I saw...the Priestess. It was her...I know it was. The World spoke to me...he told me...and now...now here you are."
"You seem to be a little confused." Washu looked stricken, shaking her head. "I'm no Priestess. I'm a scientist - a Professor - and..."
"Is it a test, Miko-sama?" Mayuka asked softly. "Are you seeking to test my belief in you? Because it doesn't waver. I know who you are. I know who you must be. My vision...it was so strong. So very strong. And your face..."
She scrambled to her feet, her eyes never leaving the other's face for a moment.
"It is you." She breathed.
"Well, this is awkward." Washu frowned. "I'm not going to convince you otherwise, am I?"
"Is she telling the truth? Are you...are you what she says you are?" Tadashi eyed Washu warily.
"I'm a scientist." Washu repeated slowly. "Professor Washu Hakubi, that's all, and...what now?"
As Mayuka let out a shriek of triumph, gripping Washu tightly by the hands.
"It is you! It is you! You are the daughter of the Hakubi tribe!" She exclaimed. "Your own words confirm it - my faith in you is true!"
"Damn." Washu bit her lip, berating herself inwardly for letting her name slip out so readily. "You can't seriously think that I'm some jumped up holy woman, can you? I mean, come on now. Anyone who knows anything about Kihaku knows that the population there died out a long time ago. Do you really think I could be quite so young and beautiful if I were as old as all that?"
Mayuka's grip tightened around her fingers, and Washu felt her heart sink into her chest at the veneration in the young girl's eyes.
"You know about Kihaku. You speak our language." She whispered. "Your name is Hakubi. Who else could you be? You must come...come with me. I must show you - you must see!"
And before Washu knew what was happening, she found herself dragged forcibly across the chamber, back through the opening that Mayuka had first emerged from and along another dark and narrow hallway until they reached a dome shaped chamber which was obviously furnished - however simply - as a kind of bed chamber. Torches burned brightly around the walls in aging sconces, and Washu had the eerie sensation that this room had once been crafted as a tomb, not as living quarters.
"I need you to see this. The book - you must see this." Mayuka was gesturing to her excitedly now, and Washu forced the thought from her mind, struggling to reassert herself as she registered the large, old volume that now lay atop Mayuka's worn bedcovers. Hesitantly she approached it, and despite her reticence, the age of the tome intrigued her. Gently she brushed her finger against the wooden covers, biting her lip as she did so.
"Father?" She murmured doubtfully.
"There is a story inside." Mayuka said eagerly, reaching over to open the book. "The first half of the volume is all in old script - some of it we can't even read. But someone else began writing, after that point. It's in a different hand. And they write...they write about the Hakubi, Miko-sama. They mention...they mention the Priest, and his daughter, Tokimi-sama, who cleansed Kihaku from settlers at the behest of the World. But they...they also mention...someone else. Miko-sama...I had a dream. A vision. You were there, dressed in the robes of Kihaku. You were glowing - glittering with light. I had never laid eyes on your face before, and yet, here you are, standing before me. It's as if your presence here caused my vision. As if somehow, some force knew you had come. Maybe it was you yourself - I don't know. I just know that...that this is who you are, no matter how much you deny it. You are the Priestess - the Hakubi that disappeared from history and into myth."
She gestured to the passage she had earlier read aloud to Tadashi, and Washu bent to read it, squinting in the flickering light of the torch flame. As she did so, her brows drew together, and she swallowed hard. Slowly she raised her gaze to her companions.
"My name is written here." She admitted slowly.
"Your name?" Tadashi was at their side in an instant, staring down at the book's pages as he did so. "Where? How?"
Hesitantly, Washu ran her nail alongside the characters that Mayuka had been unable to make out, and Mayuka let out a yelp of excitement.
"So that's what it says." She whispered. "I could only read it as an Eagle's feather. I didn't know...but...but it says your name?"
"It says Washu." Washu sighed heavily, sinking down onto Mayuka's bed and burying her head in her hands. "And I thought I'd done all I could to disappear from Kii's historical records. My father thought I was dead...and so I was, where Kihaku was concerned. Yet here, in this place, it's as if nothing has ever changed. Nothing has moved on. I'm unsettled - I don't like it."
She sighed.
"I don't know why I should even have said my name, but it's like something in the air here has affected my thoughts." She admitted. "Like something strong is calling out to me, and dashing my concentration. I'm speaking without thinking, and that's a dangerous thing for someone with a memory as long and torrid as mine."
"It is the Eagle." Mayuka whispered, holding out her wrists so that Washu could see the glittering rock that comprised her bracelets. "The stone sent in the Eagle's meteor. It makes me feel different, too. I can see you as the Priestess...even dressed as you are. I can see your true nature - a gift that my people have lost. But with this stone, I can truly see you as you are...the last of the Hakubi tribe. Our Priestess, come to free us once again."
"Oh, I'm not even half of those things." Washu said ruefully. "I'm nothing more than a coward and a turncoat where my world is concerned. And...wait, what did you just say? The stone from the meteor...may I see it more closely, please?"
"Of course." Mayuka looked startled, but obediently slid one of the bracelets from her wrists, holding it out. Washu reached out a finger to touch it tentatively, letting out a gasp of surprise as the stone shone with a bright blue light, sending the same prickling electricity through her fingers as that she had felt when she had touched the Eagle statue's eyes. Mayuka's mouth became an 'o' of surprise, and she gazed at Washu in astonishment.
"But...what divine power was that?"
"Kihaku." Washu bit her lip. "This is from Kihaku. It's Kii rock, from the core of that world. When Kihaku exploded, the meteor...that's where it came from. And why it has such a potent effect on my memories and emotions. It never really did before, that's why I didn't realise at first. But my magic...my magic is awake inside me now in a way it never was before. And the rock knows it. It senses that magic. It's like it...it's calling to me. I don't like it. I've never experienced anything like it before."
"The World has chosen you to do its bidding." Mayuka said solemnly. "Miko-sama, this is the Eagle's will. You can't abandon your people now, surely? We need you - we need you more than we ever have."
Washu sighed, holding up her hands.
"Wait a minute." She said quietly. "I didn't say I was any kind of Priestess, so stop calling me it. It's creeping me out, and the way you're staring at me is too weird - I feel like I've grown an extra ear or something overnight. Whatever and whoever you think I am, there's a lot that neither one of us understand. And I need to know a lot more about this world. How it came to be. Why it's an extension of Kihaku's culture. What happened here, and how Yuzuha came to be in power. I need to understand these things - because right now I don't know anything at all. All I do know is that I'm miles from my home and family and that doesn't make me particularly happy. So let's rewind a few steps and get some things straight, shall we?"
"But..." Mayuka began, but Tadashi rested a hand on her shoulder, shaking his head.
"Let her speak." He said softly. "This is a wild fancy of yours, Mayuka. I know how badly you want to find your Priestess, but the truth is that we don't even know if she's real, let alone alive."
Washu frowned, inwardly making up her mind as she gently closed the volume that still lay beside her on the bed. She scooped it up, running a careful finger over the lettering of the cover.
"My father wrote this book." She said softly, her voice no more than a whisper. "These are his letters. I recognise them as if he'd done it yesterday. This was his...it came from Kihaku. The script you showed me - that wasn't his writing. But this...this was a volume he began. A long time ago."
"Your father?"
"The last true Priest of Kihaku." Washu said simply.
"Then you are the Priestess!"
"No, I'm not." Washu shook her head. "Listen. I left Kihaku. I chose not to be Priestess. I didn't ever bond with the World and I didn't ever lead any rituals. I might be born of Hakubi blood, and I won't deny it. This rock has addled my senses enough to make me honest with you, after all. But I'm a far cry from whatever heroine you were expecting. I told you. I ran away from my responsibilities. I left my world. I had no intention of ever going back - and when I did, the planet was devoid of all life. Everything was gone. I thought that meant an end to my people, too. So I made my life elsewhere."
"The World ordained that Kihaku should be stripped of life." Mayuka said sadly. "The Settlers came, they brought weapons and they slew the Priest. The World was angry and he punished the people. The Priestess Tokimi acted on his will. That is the story we are told...the story of Kihaku's last days."
"And you and your people? You came here how?"
"Aboard some Settler craft." Tadashi settled himself on the floor, leaning up against the wood-beam doorframe as he contemplated the question. "So history tells us. Refugees who overpowered the Settler crew, and took control of the devil contraption. It crash-landed here, on Rikishouki. Those who survived began to live here, and re-establish things in the old way. Even though it was a new World, and there was no true Priest - that is what they did."
"I see." Washu looked thoughtful. "So your ancestors were escaped prisoners from Juraian transport vehicles, were they? And this is where they ended up. Were there many?"
"Three hundred or so, from various scattered tribespeople." Tadashi shrugged his shoulders. "But none of your blood, Washu-sama. And none of Lady Tokimi's, either. The divine tribes - Hakubi and Inoue - were thought to have died with the planet's heart, when Kihaku went dead."
"The Inoue weren't a divine tribe. That's half the trouble." Washu muttered. "Oh, this is a mess. I really should never have talked Ryo Ohki into landing here. So much is still confusing me."
"And us, also." Mayuka settled herself more comfortably on the bedcovers, eying her companion earnestly. "But we have time to talk. Noone comes to me here except Tadashi...noone will interrupt us. This chamber was built as a burial vault, but never used. Ensconced among our ancestors, we are well hidden for now."
"You live down here?" Washu looked startled. Mayuka nodded.
"And always have, more or less." She agreed sadly. "This is why we need your help, Miko-sama."
"Mayuka is the last of her tribe, and her father ruled Rikishouki before Yuzuha came here, made men her slaves and had him and the rest of Mayuka's people killed." Tadashi said softly. "Mayuka survived because she was no more than a small child - they overlooked her, and my father found her, playing in the dirt next to her mother's body. He brought her home, and my family have protected her since."
A faint blush touched his cheeks.
"We hope to be joined, one day, but until Yuzuha is gone, it's not possible." He added. "I was under her spell for a time, but this fragment of the rock you say was from the World's heart protects me, now. And Mayuka stays here, in case Yuzuha should realise who she is. It's not a safe existance, or a fun one. But it's how we must live, after all."
"Your family, Tadashi-san?"
"They are also dead, though not at Yuzuha's hand." Tadashi said abruptly. "They were carried off by a plague in their village. I survived because I am here - at Yuzuha's beck and call. If not for Mayuka, I'd have nothing to fall back on."
"And the same is true for me." Mayuka said earnestly. "We want our planet to be free again, Washu-sama - but we don't have the strength to fight a force like Yuzuha. Will you help us? Please? Our people need you - will you please help set us all free?"
-----------------
Galaxy Police Headquarters.
Seiryo paused for a moment on the entrance walkway, gazing up through the tinted glass at the imposing structure that loomed overhead, marking the central nucleus of the universe's key law enforcement outfit. A wave of nostalgia washed over him and he grimaced ruefully, shaking his head as he got a grip on his senses.
"This is no time for idle regrets." He murmured. "I've not been back here since I was under Tokimi's control. I didn't realise I'd feel quite so strange, when I did...I just hope they're not going to arrest me on sight. The Emperor may have done a lot to conceal my crimes, but I'm sure that people must know. And yet, I'm here for a reason. I want Kiyone's help finding Washu."
He faltered for a moment, his brows knitting together as he contemplated that thought.
"That's unlike me." He realised. "I don't usually go looking for help, when I'm on a mission for anyone. Especially not in a situation which I know will cause me discomfort. I'm not a team player - I've made that clear enough. And yet here I am, about to potentially humiliate myself in the hope of getting Kiyone to come along with Tokimi and I. Is it just to improve her training? Or am I going soft? Am I that worried about Washu's welfare that I'll risk coming to this place after so long away? Or is it Tokimi I'm frightened for - is it just that I don't want to keep her away from home longer than I have to?"
"Seiryo Tennan."
A voice startled him and he turned, seeing the familiar figure of the Galaxy Police Commander standing in the entranceway. He frowned, steeling himself, as he made his requisite bow of the head, striding forward to greet the man who had once had sway over his career.
"Commander." He said softly. "It's been some time, hasn't it?"
"My security team told me that your ship was approaching." The Commander gazed him up and down, and Seiryo realised there was no warmth to be found in his old superior's expression. "Of all people, I didn't expect to see you back here."
Seiryo eyed his companion thoughtfully for a moment, then he gathered his thoughts, offering the man a slight smile.
"I'm here on official business." He said evenly. "And I wish to speak to one of your detectives, if it's not too much trouble."
The Commander's eyes narrowed, and he slowly shook his head.
"You might be a noble son of Jurai, Lord Tennan, and you might have deep enough pockets to cover up your misdeeds." He said softly. "But I take very seriously any assault on any of my people. Your actions were a direct betrayal of the trust invested in you not only by myself but by the Galaxy Police Federation as a whole. Jurai may well have forgiven you - and I'm well aware that your Emperor appears to have done just that. But it doesn't mean I have forgiven you. This is not Juraian territory. You do not have the right to enter here without my permission - as you well know."
Seiryo's eyes narrowed, as he absorbed the man's words.
"You have misunderstood my motives for coming here." He said quietly. "I carry the seal of the Princess Sasami. It is her orders I carry out. This may not be Juraian territory, Commander - but the Galaxy Police has always sought to keep good relations with the Royal House of Jurai. Whatever your personal feelings towards me, are you willing to offend the Imperial crown by refusing to hear my request?"
"I would take my chances." The Commander said frankly. "You were one of my best agents, once upon a time - that's one reason why this causes me so much distaste. But your actions towards Detective Makibi were unforgiveable, and caused the poor girl a lot of pain, mentally and physically. I will not have it said that I failed to protect the interests of my people, even under the pressure of Jurai's seal."
Seiryo frowned, his frustration threatening to bubble over inside as he regarded his former superior. Slowly he shook his head.
"When I attacked Miss Makibi, I was under a dark spell." He said in low tones, fighting to keep his temper under control. "I was adjudged by a Court of Jurai for my crimes, at which Miss Makibi testified. I have served my punishment. Believe me, there is nothing you or even my Lord Emperor could have ordained which would have been worse than the six months I spent recovering from the impact of that dark magic. If you believe Detective Makibi suffered for my actions, then you must realise I also suffered. The magic involved had deep-rooted psychological and physical after effects...and believe me, your comprehension of them barely scratches the surface."
"Why are you here, Lord Tennan? Really?" The Commander folded his arms across his chest. "What is your true errand...is Jurai really so insensitive as to send you, of all people, to call on me here?"
"I am Lady Sasami's advisor, by her own choosing. It is my place to be her representative where she cannot go herself." Seiryo said evenly, slipping his hand into his belt and producing the official seal that he carried with him. "As for why I am here, I am investigating the disappearance of one who is a friend not only to my own family, but the Royal House of Jurai. We believe she is in some danger, and I require assistance from the Galaxy Police. You can be assured that I would not come here and speak to you if there was another way. But I believe that Washu-sama will be found more quickly if I have your cooperation. In particular, the cooperation of Detective Makibi herself."
"Do you think I'm going to let you anywhere near Kiyone?" The Commander's eyes widened in outrage. "You must be kidding. Do you really think that I'd do such a thing after everything she's been through?"
"Miss Makibi is a close personal friend of both the Princess I serve and the woman I seek to find." Seiryo kept a firm rein on his temper, nodding his head. "And you mistake the relationship your Detective and I currently have. Since her last sojourn on Jurai, she and I have reached an accord. The past events have been buried...unlike your good self, I think she understands that the dark magic involved created more victims than just her."
"You must think me a simpleton indeed." The Commander's eyes narrowed. "Return to your ship, Lord Tennan. We have no further business. If the Imperial Crown of Jurai want the assistance of the Galaxy Police, then they can send someone else to speak to me. I will not entertain the idea of releasing one of my best detectives into the care of one who so betrayed his position. Dark magic or otherwise, I am not so quick to forgive as the Emperor of Jurai seems to be."
Seiryo's hand twitched in the direction of his sword, then he got a grip on himself, lowering his fist as he slipped the seal back into his belt.
"Aboard my spacecraft is a frightened young girl desperately seeking her sister." He said softly. "I do not like to see her cry, and so I am not willing to turn away so easily. At least bring Miss Makibi here, and let her decide for herself how she feels about accompanying us to find Washu. If she refuses, I will leave without incident and accept the blame of it with my Emperor and my Lady Princess. But if not for my sake, for the sake of Washu's sister - let me speak to Detective Makibi. I will not ask you to leave us alone together - I understand why you do not trust me. But this is about more than my past crimes, Commander. Someone's life may be at stake - someone who is dear to many people. And for that reason, I will not give up so soon."
The Commander stared at him in surprise, and to Seiryo's astonishment, a faint, grudging flicker of respect stirred in the older man's eyes. He frowned, nodding his head slowly.
"Then follow me to my office." He said curtly. "And I will summon Detective Makibi there. But I warn you, Lord Tennan...you are not on Juraian ground here. Any untoward actions here will be reported in full to your Emperor, and we will not be so keen to cover up events as your noble King seems to be."
"I accept your terms, Commander." Seiryo inclined his head slightly. "Thank you."
"It's not for your sake." The Commander assured him coldly. "But as an officer of the Galaxy Police, if there is truly an innocent life at stake, then I must do my duty and hear you out. Even if it pains me to allow you within these walls once more...I have sworn an oath to uphold justice and peace in the Universe. An oath which some of us take more seriously than others."
Seiryo flinched at the censure in his companion's tone, biting his lip, but he made no attempt to reply. Instead he followed the other man along the familiar hallways towards the corridor which housed the offices of central command. As they passed groups of young officers, Seiryo found he was under scrutiny, and he heard several whispers as he passed by. He sighed, inwardly hating the sudden attention, and he was glad when they reached their destination.
"Take a seat." The Commander gestured to an empty chair on the far side of the desk. "And remember what I have said. I do not like this, Lord Tennan. I do not wish to see Detective Makibi further upset."
"I have no intention of doing anything to upset Detective Makibi." Seiryo said quietly. "Contrary to your belief, Commander, attacking young women is not a natural part of my behaviour. My record before my exposure to dark magic should tell you that much...you seem to have easily forgotten the agent that I was, before I fell under the lure of something I could not control."
The Commander's eyes narrowed, but he did not reply. Instead he leant across his desk, flipping the switch on his intercom.
"Detective Kiyone Makibi, First Class, report to the Commander's office immediately." He said, his tone brisk and a touch impatient. "Kiyone Makibi, please attend the Commander's office immediately. Thank you."
"I'm glad to find she's not on patrol. I didn't see the Yagami as I flew in." Seiryo observed.
"That is noone of your business." The Commander snapped, resting his arms on the desk. "This whole business is well beyond my liking. It's not for Jurai to come and demand the individual services of a particular Detective - especially a Detective of the regular division. And as for your presence here..."
"Believe me, sir, I could not feel more unwelcome." Seiryo said frankly. "I will be glad to leave, also. As soon as I've spoken to Detective Makibi."
At that moment there was a knock on the door, and as the Commander called the visitor in, Seiryo got to his feet, meeting Kiyone's startled gaze with a rueful one of his own.
"Seiryo?" She murmured, then, "Commander, you sent for me?"
"Yes." The Commander looked troubled, gesturing to his companion. "I'm sorry, Kiyone. I know that you'd probably rather not be put in this position. But Lord Tennan has come here from Jurai with a commission for you specifically. Apparently it relates to a friend of yours and of the Princesses of Jurai."
"A commission?" Interest sparked Kiyone's pretty blue eyes, and she entered the office proper, closing the door behind her with a soft click. "But I don't understand...what kind of commission?"
"Washu has disappeared, and Princess Sasami is very concerned about her well-being. As am I." Seiryo said frankly. "Your Commander seems unwilling to entertain the possibility, but I hoped that I might ask for your assistance in trying to find her. After all, in many ways, you know Washu better than I do. And the more help available, the sooner I can tell Tokimi that her sister is safe."
"I see." Kiyone's expression became grave. "And you came all the way here to get me?"
"Well, that was the intention, although the Commander seems to think you might object to the idea." Seiryo's voice was rich with irony, and Kiyone flushed red.
"You can hardly blame him. You didn't exactly leave a great impression at Headquarters." She said acidly.
"Kiyone, you are well within your rights to refuse Jurai's commission." The Commander interjected quietly at that moment. "Given the circumstances, I would back your decision fully."
Kiyone frowned, shaking her head.
"I know what you're thinking, sir, but it's quite all right. Really." She said with a shrug of her shoulders. "When you seconded me to Jurai, Seiryo-sama and I crossed paths a few times. He and I...there's no longer any ill feeling between us. We were both victims of the same evil magic, and that's all. And if Washu is in trouble...well, Washu has been there for enough of us over the past few years. Commander, I'd like to help, if I may. If my current duties can be...well, postponed. I'd like to go with S...with Lord Tennan and see if I can help."
Surprise flickered into the Commander's expression, and he glanced briefly from Detective to nobleman.
"Are you sure about that?" He asked at length. Kiyone met Seiryo's gaze, then nodded her head.
"I can handle one arrogant Juraian peer." She said off-handedly. "I'd be quite safe, Commander. Really."
"Then I suppose I cannot stand in your way. Not given the fact he carries the seal of the Princess Sasami." The Commander said with a sigh, rubbing his temples. "If you are really certain you want to do this, then I will release you from your current investigations. I can assign them to someone else, in the meantime. In the circumstances, that's all I can do."
"I appreciate it, sir." Seiryo said solemnly. "Jurai is in your debt."
"Yes, well, I'm not happy about it." The Commander said darkly. "And if I hear you've hurt her again - even a little bit - Lord Tennan, I don't care who your family are. I take the protection of my people very, very seriously, and I will push Jurai for justice."
"You needn't worry about that." Seiryo said simply. "I have no desire to harm Detective Makibi. I happen to consider her a very fine detective...and I hope that with her help, this matter may be solved as soon as possible."
The Commander sighed heavily, gesturing to the door.
"Then go." He said frankly. "Kiyone, you too. I expect a full report, when you return. Understand?"
"Yes, sir." Kiyone nodded her head, saluting her Commander as she did so. "Thank you."
"Well, he was very warm and welcoming, I must say." As they withdrew from the office, Kiyone shutting the door behind her, Seiryo shot his friend a rueful grimace. Kiyone snorted.
"You have a lot of nerve even coming here, knowing the way people feel about you." She said bluntly. "Washu must have got herself into a lot of trouble for you to risk it."
"It isn't just that." Seiryo shook his head. "Look, I have the Unko parked not far from here. I'd like to get back there as soon as I can - Tokimi is there alone at present, and..."
"You brought Tokimi along with you?" Kiyone's eyes widened in shock. Seiryo nodded.
"It's a long story." He said heavily. "And I'll explain on the way. But she shouldn't be on the ship alone - she's not used to space travel. I would have brought her here with me, but I expected a frosty reception. She's so intuitive to people's emotions - I thought it might affect her more, surrounded by so much hostility."
"Probably. You really aren't the Commander's favourite person." Kiyone said frankly. "All right. I'm coming. Just let me grab some things from my room, and I'll be with you...it won't take a moment."
"All right." Seiryo nodded his head. "That makes sense - I appreciate you coming at such short notice."
"Well, Washu was the one who saved my life, after you tried to kill me." Kiyone said with a careless shrug. "So in a way, I owe her this favour."
"Kiyone?"
As they reached the end of the hallway, a voice called Kiyone's name, and the detective turned, consternation in her expression as she registered the speaker. She cursed under her breath, and Seiryo followed her line of sight, seeing the familiar figure of her blond-haired partner hurrying along the corridor towards them. At the sight of Seiryo she stopped dead, her blue eyes becoming huge as she absorbed his presence.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded, pushing herself between him and Kiyone and holding up her hands. "I won't let you hurt Kiyone again, so go away!"
"Detective Kuramitsu...it's a pleasure." Seiryo said drolly, bowing his head in acknowledgement of her presence, and Mihoshi scowled, her brows drawing together as she gazed at him.
"I mean it." She said firmly. "You're a bad man and you shouldn't be here."
"Miho, it's all right. It's fine." Kiyone shook her head, putting a hand on her friend's arm. "Seiryo and I are friends now...it's all behind us."
"But he...he tried to kill you, Kiyone!" Mihoshi protested. Kiyone nodded.
"He was under a spell when he did. It wasn't his fault." She said simply. "He didn't want to do it. When I was on Jurai, we talked things over and we became friends. Really, he's not going to hurt either of us. That was just bad magic. Nothing else."
"Really?" Mihoshi eyed Seiryo cautiously, and Seiryo nodded.
"I would never harm your friend, Detective." He said solemnly. "I have a lot of respect for her, and I am ashamed that anything ever compelled me to do such a thing."
"You were possessed?" Mihoshi tilted her head on one side, and Seiryo nodded again.
"I was." He agreed. "But I am recovered now. You have nothing to fear from me."
"You poor thing." Mihoshi's expression had changed in a split second, and Seiryo faltered at the sympathetic smile that she now bestowed on him. "It must have been so horrible for you, going through all of that. But you're all better now? Really? You're okay?"
"I'm fine." Despite himself, Seiryo smiled. "And I appreciate your kindness, Detective."
"I'm going to be away from Headquarters for a few days, Mihoshi. Seiryo's asked for my help - Washu is in trouble." Kiyone said evenly. "I won't be away long, I'm sure - but I can't exactly refuse to help."
"Washu's in trouble?" Mihoshi looked aghast, then, "Kiyone, we have to do something to help her!"
"Miho..."
"Well, you're not going to leave me behind, are you?" Mihoshi put her hands on her hips. "We're partners, remember? You and I, we work as a team!"
"Yes, I know that, but..." Kiyone faltered, and Seiryo grinned.
"Detective Kuramitsu, I would be most obliged to have your help in this matter, also." He said softly. "But we are pressed for time. We must get to the Unko shortly - do you understand?"
"I'll be there!" Mihoshi saluted smartly, nodding her head. "Come on, Kiyone - we have to help Washu!"
