CHAPTER NINE
Sasami brought her ship gently to the ground, letting her engine cool before she opened the hatch where the prince and his retinue were locked up. As soon as the door to their dark prison opened, they leapt from the ship, screaming profanities. Sasami ignored them, patiently waiting for the other cadets and Lieutenant Wyldon to land their own crafts. As the cadets formed two lines in front of their vessels, several hundred armed men filed into the docking port. These soldiers also formed two lines, forming a perpendicular angle with the cadets. They stood at attention, staffs held in the air to form a sort of canopy for the tall, handsome man that entered the port.
The man's robes were colorful and expensive, and the cadets could immediately see that he was someone to reckon with. He paced towards them, expression stern. Completely ignoring everyone else, he stared hard at the slender girl still perched in the cockpit of her ship. Finally, he turned to Lieutenant Wyldon. "Sir," he declared in a bored voice, "You are under arrest for trespassing. Please surrender your weapons and go quietly."
The prince of Misox took a position in front of the group. "I am crown prince Dael of Misox," he announced arrogantly. "I demand that you release us immediately." He paused. "If you give me one of your princesses, I will consider keeping this incident to myself."
Kagato stared at him, and then burst into maliciously incredulous laughter. "The little prince is demanding something of me? Misox is nothing compared to Jurai, foolish boy, and you are worth even less than that. Give you a princess!' I should kill you for your insolence!"
Dael's face turned livid with rage, and he started to protest loudly. The robed man rolled his eyes and began to inspect his fingernails. When Dael's rants became tiresome, the man gestured for the guards to step forward. They held up their staffs menacingly, and the cadets took several involuntary steps backward.
Just as the knights were about to attack, Sasami slid down from her ship. She pushed her way through the other cadets, glaring at the man with a cross expression. "Stop playing games, Kagato," she ordered.
As they spotted the girl for the first time, every guard in the room gasped and fell to their knees. The sound of so many men half-kneeling—in spite of the fact that they normally wouldn't kneel to anyone but her father— made the cadets want to cover their ears. Armor just wasn't a good thing to clang to the ground in.
The one called Kagato knelt to the girl as well, though his face still bore its mask of near-hatred. "Princess Sasami," he greeted sourly.
She glared at him, resting one hand on her hip. "I want to see Aeka immediately, Kagato." Her eyes narrowed. "You will take me to her."
Kagato stood, though he continued to bow slightly from the waist. He swept one arm in the direction of the exit, and Sasami proceeded him down the hallway. The cadets followed nervously behind, as did several of the Jurain guards. All of them could see the bad blood between princess and lord, and they wanted to see what would come of it. Only the prince hesitated, staring open-mouthed after them. "She's a princess?" he whispered incredulously as he started to trail after them.
Sasami ignored the heated whispers coming from her comrades. She ignored the angry glares of Kagato, and she ignored the questioning glances of her friends. She didn't have time for any of it. Aeka hadn't said anything during her visits in the dream-world, but Sasami could sense that something was brewing between the elder princess and lord Kagato. Sasami needed to see things for herself, before she risked involvement. She walked swiftly to the assembly room, guessing that her sister would be there. She came to the doors, which were guarded zealously by a pair of Jurain knights. They immediately dropped to their knees as she approached. Sasami impatiently waved them to their feet, and one of them stepped forward, keeping a respectful distance. "Princess, it is good to have you here again."
Sasami blinked. She'd always made a point of being friendly to the guards, but she hadn't expected the genuine welcome that she saw in this man's eyes. "Thank you," she murmured, letting her face soften slightly.
The man bowed again, saying in an apologetic tone, "The emperor has forbidden any audiences today, princess. He doesn't wish to be disturbed."
Sasami smiled sweetly at the knight. "I am aware of my father's aversion to public audiences," she murmured comfortingly. "Still, I think he will wish to see me." She shrugged dismissively. "It's not every day that the prodigal daughter returns." She brushed past the guard, who stepped aside obligingly. As Sasami pushed aside the door to the throne room, she motioned for the people behind her to follow. Kagato, she noticed, had disappeared sometime during her conversation with the guard.
As Sasami stomped into the assembly room, she felt all eyes once again turning on her. She stood, a tiny figure in a black uniform, waiting for the shocked whispers of her father's court to die down. Her family had been engrossed in something one of her father's messengers was saying. When silence fully descended on the room, they turned to see what had caused the commotion. Aeka's eyes widened in shock and joy, and she started to run for her sister, crying tearfully, "Sasami!" Their aqua- haired mother beat Aeka to Sasami, wrapping the girl in a bone-cracking hug. "My beautiful Sasami!" she shouted, deafening everyone in the room.
"Hello, mother," Sasami squeaked. She and Aeka tried to pry their mother off, but the woman's arms only became tighter. Tears streamed down both Sasami and her mother's cheeks, though Sasami's were from pain and lack of oxygen. Her face started to turn as blue as her hair, and she could no longer speak.
"That's enough, sister," the purple haired queen commanded from her place beside the emperor.
Sasami's mother spun, still with the girl in her arms, to face her sister-wife. "But, it's my baby!" she protested.
The queen merely wagged her finger reproachfully at Sasami's mother, and the woman reluctantly dropped her daughter. Sasami sagged onto the floor, rubbing her aching ribs.
When she could finally breathe normally again, Sasami stood slowly. Since her mother looked like she was about to give a repeat performance, Sasami edged carefully away. Instead, she hugged Aeka hard, though not nearly as hard as their mother was capable of, and let Aeka latch onto her for moment. When Sasami finally pulled away, Aeka discreetly wiped away a tear. "It's so good to have you back, Sasami," she whispered.
"It's good to be back," Sasami answered before turning to her father and his primary queen.
Sasami bowed gracefully. "Your majesties," she acknowledged.
The queen tilted her head slightly in greeting, but Sasami's father just stared resentfully at his daughter. "Where have you been, Sasami?" he demanded coldly.
Sasami sighed. She'd foolishly been hoping that her father would show some emotion. She knew that he loved her, of course, but he wasn't a demonstrative man. "I've been at the academy for the galaxy police, father."
The emperor's eyes narrowed angrily. "You've been where?" he hissed.
Sasami took a few steps closer, keeping her face calm. "I was in training, father. I enjoyed my time there."
Her father glared at her. "Just because you are not next in line for the throne, Sasami, doesn't mean that you are free to abandon us. Your sister is about to be wed. How would you feel if you'd missed the ceremony?"
Sasami smiled cryptically. "I would not have missed her wedding for the universe," she answered. "Where is lord Tenchi, anyway?"
Her father shrugged, unable to stay angry at his favorite child for very long. "He's preparing for the wedding. It's in just two weeks, and he must learn all of our customs first."
Sasami inclined her head. "Thank you, father, for understanding," she murmured.
The queen stood, knowing that her husband had given as much of a welcome as he was capable of. "We are all glad that you've returned to us, Sasami. Won't you introduce us to your companions?"
Sasami gestured towards her group. "These are my fellows at the academy. This gentleman is lieutenant Wyldon, my commander." She paused. "Speaking of commanders, have Miss Mihoshi and Miss Kiyone arrived yet?"
The queen shook her head. "We were discussing that as you came in. They are en route as we speak." The queen smiled. "You must be tired, Sasami. Why don't you find a place for your friends to sleep, and we'll speak again later." She glanced at her husband. "There's supposed to be a ball tomorrow night, in honor of Aeka and Tenchi's wedding. We would be delighted if you and your friends can attend."
Sasami bowed and left the ballroom.
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She tracked down the housing steward, telling him to find quarters for each of her companions. They were led to individual suites that were rich enough to appease even the spoiled prince. Sasami debated whether or not to return to her own rooms, but eventually decided that she wasn't tired. Instead, she headed for the sacred room guarded by yet another pair of guards. The guards waved at her, letting her enter without protest. Sasami slipped through the giant doors, shutting them quietly behind her.
As she entered, every tree in the room lit up in welcome. Welcome home, mother, sister, friend, they whispered into her mind. Sasami greeted them all, slowly threading her way towards the center of the room. She approached Tsunami's old tree with a feeling akin to sadness. Tsunami's tree was no longer as vibrant as it had been before they'd merged. That part of Tsunami that had been cased inside the plant was now in Sasami, and the tree was dying. Sasami laid a gentle hand along its trunk, caressing the bark.
"Is that your tree, princess?" inquired a deep voice, and Sasami smiled over her shoulder at Kamadake.
"You know, Kamadake, you shouldn't really sneak up on people like that. Have you ever thought of a career as a knight? Skills like yours would be vastly appreciated in the force."
Kamadake inclined his head in acknowledgment of the compliment. "I am already a knight," he murmured.
Sasami continued to smile. "I know," she said, and some of the stone in his face eased in something akin to relief. "I didn't know at first, of course, but I've been watching you for a long time. You made one mistake during training." He blinked, so she continued. "You were too good during training. You should have toned down your abilities a bit." Her smile faded. "I assume that Washu sent you to look after me?"
He nodded. "The lady goddess wanted you to be protected until you fully assimilated with Tsunami."
Sasami smiled sadly at him. "How much did you know about me?"
Kamadake shrugged. "Washu had me tag along during each of your visits to the dream-world. You could not see me, but I saw and heard everything. It was I that brought Mahonori's ring back for you."
Sasami glanced in surprise at her ring. "I'd forgotten all about it," she murmured. "I never did figure out its purpose." She twisted the bit of bone on her finger, not looking at him.
He took a hesitant step towards her. "You never answered my question," he said, still expressionless.
"What is that?" asked Sasami absently.
"Which tree is yours? Tsunami's tree has been here since the beginning of time, and I know that the royal children of Jurai don't receive theirs until the day that they are born. Do you have two trees?"
Sasami laughed lightly. "No. I don't have a tree at all." She smiled. "My parents did, of course, plant a tree the day that I was born. As was the custom, they placed the seed in a little pot until I bonded with it. They took the pot to the sacred room, so the other trees could also acknowledge it. They were supposed to formally plant the tree the next day, but, when they arrived, it was gone. Since they could already sense the power of the Jurain trees within me, they assumed that someone had accidentally planted it during the night. They searched everywhere, of course, but they never found it. I always used to wonder what had happened to it." She chuckled. "I know, now, that my little seedling was sent to someone else. Since Tsunami has been sustaining my life from the beginning, I didn't need a tree at all." She glanced at Kamadake. "I'll tell you one day where my seedling went."
He inclined his head in acceptance, and she leaned against Tsunami's tree, crossing her arms. "It's so peaceful here," she murmured, staring at the other trees around her. "I hate to leave."
Kamadake stepped hesitantly over to her. "I wasn't aware that you were leaving, princess."
Sasami shrugged. "Call me Sasami, please. And yes, I will leave if I survive my fight with Tokima." She shook her head regretfully. "I can't stay here. My father loves me very much, but it is his nature to use whatever tools are in hand. In spite of us both, he will see my power as such a tool. I must leave until he is no longer the emperor."
Kamadake continued to watch her. "This will hurt you," he said tonelessly, and she nodded again.
"Yes, but it would hurt me even more to become an object. My father would fight this inclination at first, of course, but eventually his love of power would overcome his affection for me."
"Surely, not all of your family feels this way," Kamadake protested softly.
"No, Aeka and the queens do not. Still, my father's primary queen will not oppose any course he chooses, and I am not even her daughter." She glanced at him, and then explained, "My mother is only my father's secondary queen. He had only one child by the first wife, Yosho. When it became apparent that his first queen could not have any more children, he took a second wife. After a while, he learned to care for my mother, though he always preferred Yosho's mother." Sasami grinned. "I almost prefer Yosho's mother. It is impossible not to love my mother, since she is so affectionate herself. Still, she's not the most sensible of people, is my lady mother. She's like a little child trapped in an adult's body."
Kamadake gazed into the distance. "She is very beautiful. You take after her in looks, at least."
Sasami's head whipped around, and she stared at him for a long moment. Finally, she turned back to her own contemplation of the room before her. "I think that I have been here long enough. My sister will be worried, and I have yet to speak in private with her." She glanced down at her feet. "Will you be coming to the ball, Kamadake?"
He turned his purple gaze on her. "I had not expected to. Now that I am back on Jurai, I must make amends to my superior for my long absence."
Sasami grinned. "I'm pretty sure that your absence will be excused, Kamadake. Come to the ball." She looked up at him. Though she was fairly tall, he was several inches above her. "Please? For me?"
He nodded gravely. "I will be there, if it would please you, princess."
She smiled in relief. "It will please me very much. I'd like to have all of my friends with me, if I can." She fled before he could answer, desperate to escape his presence before she gave anything else away. He watched her leave, and, for once, his face gave everything away.
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Sasami didn't see any of her friends that day, though she sought each of them out. Kamadake was nowhere to be found, and Taki was too busy enjoying the luxuries of his suite. For the son of a miner, this place was sheer heaven. Mahonori, too, was reveling in the fact that, for once, he wasn't in the dungeon or sneaking through the palace grounds. He could come and go as he pleased, and, according to the note he left for Sasami in his quarters, he wanted to explore the palace. Lieutenant Wyldon was enjoying the company of one or two of the knights that he'd befriended. Even the prince had gotten over his anger, and was flirting profusely with several of the court ladies. Sasami predicted that he'd soon get over his arrogance, and he already showed signs of becoming a decent being.
Deciding that she needed to be on her own, Sasami headed for the palace gardens. Normally, she would have headed immediately for the labyrinth, but something told her to stay away. She could sense Tokima's presence there, and Sasami wouldn't approach until the final battle. Tokima could wait until Sasami was completely ready.
As Sasami wandered through the ornate flower beds, she glimpsed a couple walking, hand in hand, down the paths. Sasami smiled with true joy, seeing the way her elder sister doted on the handsome young man beside her. "They do make a perfect couple," she whispered to Ryo-oki, who'd accompanied her. The little animal, perched on top of Sasami's head, purred happily. Sasami smiled up at her little friend and waited for Aeka and Tenchi to notice her.
As Aeka spotted Sasami, she squealed and pulled Tenchi over to her sister. "Sasami!" she cried, and hugged her aqua-haired sister as if she hadn't seen her in years.
Sasami hugged her back, smiling over Aeka's shoulder at Tenchi.
Tenchi grinned openly, and held out his hand as soon as Aeka released Sasami. Sasami took his hand and shook it gently. "You must be the famous Sasami," he greeted cheerfully. "I've heard so much about you."
Sasami grinned back. "It's good to see you in this world, Lord Tenchi."
He blinked at her, confused. Sasami turned to Aeka. "May I borrow your fiancé, Aeka? I have to give him the customary hurt-my-sister-and- I'll-kill-you speech."
Aeka blushed shyly, but nodded.
Sasami hooked her arm through Tenchi's elbow, leading him to a secluded portion of the garden. She sat herself down on one of the narrow, stone benches and gestured for Tenchi to sit beside her. Sasami smiled at the young man with the intense brown eyes. Without preamble, Sasami began to speak. "What, exactly, has my sister told you about me, lord Tenchi?" she asked kindly.
Tenchi rested his elbows on his knees. "Just that you're not…like the rest of us," he hedged. "She said that you have a different destiny, but she wouldn't say what it was."
Sasami smiled. "Perfect. Now, I don't have to disabuse you of any rumors you might have heard." She turned to the young lord. "Aeka is right. My destiny is different, Tenchi. I have...certain tasks that I must perform. Unfortunately, so do you."
He watched her, confused.
"Your destiny, lord Tenchi, is to wed Aeka and produce a fine family of healthy children. To do that, however, you must defeat the greatest foe that you will ever have."
He was staring openly now. "I don't have any enemies," he protested.
Sasami laughed. "You have more enemies that you'll ever know, Tenchi. Anybody who hates Jurai, and especially the royal family, wants you dead. Don't worry about them, though. They'll work themselves out. You have only one enemy that truly matters."
He started to question her, but she held up one hand for silence. "There is a man," she explained, "that loves Aeka with all of his twisted soul. He would do anything to get her. Now that you're here, he thinks that he only has to kill you to win her heart."
Tenchi started, surprise clear in his dark eyes.
"Good," Sasami approved. "There isn't fear in your eyes. You need not fear this man, though he is very powerful." She stood, letting her cramped legs stretch out.
"Who is he?" Tenchi demanded. "What will I have to do to protect Aeka from him?"
Again, Sasami smiled. This young man was even better in real life than he'd been in her visions. "Kagato is brewing up a plan to get you executed. I'm not certain yet what he's going to do, but it will be hard for you. Knowing him, he'll attack the very day of your wedding." She gazed sharply at him. "You have a power within yourself, Tenchi, that you have yet to tap into. You will need this power if you are to defeat Kagato."
Tenchi looked down at his hands. "How will I get this power?" he asked softly.
Sasami pulled her future brother-in-law to his feet. "I will train you. It will take an unbelievable amount of effort, but I believe that you can learn in time." She indicated a clear spot on the palace lawn. "Come. We should start immediately."
She led him over to the spot, and they stood, facing each other. Ryo-oki hopped away with soft growl. The cabbit didn't like the bright lights that usually accompanied Sasami's powers.
Sasami's triangles started to glow, and her shields came up around them both. Tenchi stared nervously at them, waiting for some explanation. "These are my shields," Sasami complied. "They'll protect everything around us in case one of your blasts goes awry." She brought up her hands, and a tiny energy ball formed in them.
"My blasts?" gulped Tenchi, staring at the ball.
Sasami just smiled wickedly, and the lessons began.