CHAPTER ELEVEN

Tenchi spent the next few days secluded in the holy room. Understanding his need to spend time with his tree, Sasami made his excuses to her family. She even arranged to have his meals brought to him, though she seriously doubted that he actually ate anything. Sasami knew that his body was still getting used to the changes caused by the bond, and that he did not need any sustenance beyond what the tree could provide. Sasami gave him time alone in the holy room, keeping everyone else out.

Sasami, too, spent quite a bit of time alone in the garden. She still had a few loose ends that she needed to tie up. First, she had to dispose of the Tsunami I. As with the tree, she'd already pulled back the bits of herself that the ship had contained. Though Sasami knew that Tenchi could defend the planet well enough, but she still didn't want to remove all of her protection. To that end, she diverted some of the ship's old power to create defensive satellites around the planet. She also gave them some of her ability to sense thought. Even if the leaders of the planet were not aware of a threat, these satellites would kick in with just the slightest negative thought from an outsider. Until such a threat arrived, they would remain invisible and more importantly, undetectable. Like the Tsunami I, they would eventually become the stuff of legend.

Unfortunately, such an undertaking required hours' worth of concentrated effort. Sasami secluded herself in her rooms, sitting cross- legged on her floor, eyes closed in meditation. Had anyone actually seen her during this time, they would have been shocked by the waves of blue- green energy surrounding her slender body. The power around her was so great that the rugs and floorboards beneath her were beyond recognition. Unlike regular machines, her satellites ran on energy, not wiring or gadgets. To get the satellites to work efficiently, Sasami had to mentally design each and every part, and then project that design onto a physical structure. She was so weak by the time she was done that she simply collapsed where she was, unable to move so much as a finger.

She finally came to when a loud, insistent pounding echoed on her door. She couldn't stand as of yet, but she did manage to call in a faint voice, "Come in." She released the shields she'd placed on her door, pulling the energies back into herself. That little bit of energy gave her enough strength to push herself into a sitting position just as several people streamed into her rooms.

Aeka, Kamadake, Taki, and Mahonori stared at Sasami's pale form in shock. Her skin was deathly white, and sweat gleamed over her entire body. Her robes were as wrinkled as if she'd been wearing them for several days on end, and her normally glossy hair was limp. Most startling of all, her pink eyes were dull and lifeless.

Aeka and Kamadake ran to her, pulling her all the way to her feet. Sasami managed to stand for only a moment before her knees buckled and she started to collapse again. Kamadake just barely caught her, swinging her up into his arms. "Where's her bed?" he demanded, and Aeka pointed to the adjoining room. Kamadake kicked the door open, and ran towards the bed, Sasami still clutched tightly. He laid her gently on the bed as Aeka entered with a glass of water. Aeka held the water to Sasami's lips, forcing her younger sister to drink.

When Sasami indicated that she'd had enough water, Aeka put the glass down on a low table and sat next to her sister on the bed. "What happened?" queried Aeka softly, stroking her sister's damp hair.

Sasami struggled to keep her eyes open. "Nothing for you to worry about, Aeka. It's all taken care of, now. The planet is safe, no matter what stunt Tokima pulls next."

Her eyes started to close, but Kamadake demanded angrily, "Was it that witch-woman from the labyrinth?"

Sasami's eyes fluttered open, but she was too weak even to smile. "No," she whispered just before she fell asleep. She was so far gone that she didn't hear her sister and Kamadake arguing about which of them should stay beside her until she woke.

For the first time in many weeks, Sasami was back in the dream-world. Once again, she was at Tenchi's trial, waiting for her friend to be executed for crimes that he hadn't committed. Unlike her previous vision, however, this Tenchi was in his wedding robes. Aeka, too, was in her wedding gown, and the entire room was bedecked in garlands of flowers and ribbon. Looking around the room, Sasami could tell that the wedding must have already been in progress when Kagato interrupted. At least, I was right about the timetable, Sasami mused to herself.

Her father started speaking, and Sasami was relieved to realize that she could hear him this time around. "Tenchi, son of Nagayugi, grandson of Yosho, you have been accused of treason against the throne of Jurai. Have you anything to say for yourself?" Her father's voice was cold, though Sasami could tell that accusing his daughter's husband hurt him more than he could ever show.

As in her first vision, Tenchi stood tall and proud. "I have nothing to say," he said, "except to avow my own innocence in this matter. I have never, in my entire life, killed another living being. I did not kill this man."

The emperor's shoulders slumped almost unnoticeably. "Nevertheless, lord Kagato has provided more than enough evidence against you. I cannot do otherwise than to declare you guilty of treason and murder. The punishment for your crimes, Tenchi of the planet Earth, is death." He motioned for the guards to raise their weapons.

As the guards fired, Aeka threw herself between their energy beams and Tenchi. A great cry went up among the assembled crowds, and Sasami felt her sister dying. Two similar howls erupted from both Tenchi and Kagato, though only Tenchi was able to clasp the dying princess in his arms. As Kagato lost his last shred of sanity, he leapt for the nearest guard. In the ensuing chaos, only Sasami saw him knock out the guard and steal the man's gun. Kagato lifted his arm and pointed it at Tenchi. Even in his madness, his aim was perfect. Tenchi crumpled beside Aeka, shot through the heart. Unknown to the rest of the court, Jurai died with him.

Tokima's insane laughter echoed through the throne room.

Sasami woke up with a gasp. The room around her was dark, and her heart was racing madly. She lay still for several seconds, waiting patiently for her body to stop shaking. "How long do we have left?" she whispered to the furry shadow nestled in her arms. "How long before that vision comes to be? What can I do to prevent it?" She sighed and slid off her bed. She still felt out of sorts, but she was no longer quite so weak. If she concentrated, Sasami could just make out her sister's purple hair in the darkness. She tiptoed over to the man-sized window, careful not to disturb the sleeping form of Aeka. Ryo-oki followed, climbing up one of the curtains until she could jump onto Sasami's head. "What do you want, Tokima?" Sasami murmured softly into the night. "How can I save you?"

A boot scuffed against the hard floors, and Sasami whirled to face Kamadake. He was standing in a darkened alcove, body and face equally controlled and motionless. Sasami stared at him, wondering how he, unlike every other being in the universe, could escape her extraordinary senses. "How do you always manage to sneak up on me?" Sasami wondered out loud.

Kamadake didn't answer. He just put a finger to his lips, jerking his head towards Aeka. Sasami nodded, and the two of them slipped from the room.

"How are you feeling, princess?" Kamadake asked hesitantly as Sasami quietly shut the door behind them.

"Much better, thank you," she smiled brightly. She glanced in the mirror hanging on one of the walls. "But, by the universe, I look awful!" Her hair was standing up at odd angles, and her face was still deathly pale. Her clothes were crumpled frightfully.

"You look beautiful," Kamadake whispered sincerely.

Sasami blushed. "You're sweet," she replied. "Wrong, but sweet." She took a deep breath, reveling in the feeling of being awake and alive. "I'm going to take a long, hot bath," she grinned.

He was about to answer, but the door to the bedroom was thrown open by a fuming Aeka. "Out!" she yelled at Kamadake. "Suitors are not allowed inside a lady's room!" Aeka stormed up to Kamadake, shaking a finger purposely in his face. He blushed deeply and left.

Aeka and Sasami both stared after him, expressions of equal shock on their faces. "Did he just...?" Aeka shook her head in disbelief. "I'd have never thought that I'd see something as unbelievable as Kamadake blushing." She turned to her aqua-haired sister, whose cheeks were just as furiously red. Aeka started laughing, and she didn't stop for a very long time.

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Only a few days later, Aeka locked herself in a room with a team of women. She emerged, several hours later, wearing a gown that would have stunned any male within a thousand miles. The only thing more stunning than the gown was the princess contained inside it. Aeka's hair was pulled back into her customary headpiece, but the glossy purple tresses were not tied into thousands of long ropes. Precious stones were buried throughout her hair, gleaming softly. Her tall, slender form was draped in layers of satiny, white cloth, and her tiny feet were encased in delicate, handmade slippers. Her eyes were shining, and she looked absolutely exquisite.

Sasami too, had been forced into a room with Aeka's team. Sasami wore blue robes trimmed with green and gold, and her blue hair was pulled back from her face by a ringlet of gems. As was her wont, she wore very little jewelry, but, once again, her sparkling eyes were all that she needed. Her normally pale skin was slightly flushed, and her kishtake glowed slightly with her joy. Sasami was almost as excited as Aeka about the wedding. The only shadow on her joy was the fact that she knew Tokima was about to attack through Kagato. Still, she had her own plans, and she suspected that Aeka would still manage to wed her Tenchi, in spite of everything.

Aeka could barely keep herself properly poised as she threaded her way to the throne room, Sasami and attendants close behind. The two smiling guards pushed the doors open, and Aeka entered a room completely changed through the clever use of flowers and ribbons. Her father and his smiling queens waited on the other end of the assembled court, as did Tenchi. As she entered, the musicians began to play and the crowds parted to let her through. Allowing Sasami to proceed her, Aeka walked slowly up the aisle.

As Sasami moved aside, Aeka caught her first glimpse of Tenchi in his wedding attire. Like her, he was all in white satin. His clothes were trimmed with gold threads, and a diamond-studded sword hung at his waist. He was smiling, eyes bright with love for her. She couldn't resist her own smile, though custom demanded that she keep a straight face. As she came closer, Tenchi held out his hands for hers. She couldn't take her eyes off him as she joined him before her father.

Her father began the ceremony, pausing only for a moment when a bright, blue-green light flared along the walls and floors. The light filled the doorways and windows, and Aeka cast a single, inquisitive glance towards her sister. Her sense of foreboding disappeared from Aeka's heart as she glimpsed her sister's peaceful, happy smile. Just a precaution, sister mine, Sasami's gentle voice sounded in Aeka's head. Now, no enters or leaves this room without my permission. Smiling in understanding, Aeka turned back to her chosen husband.

The ceremony continued without further interruptions, and within moments Aeka was lawfully wedded to Tenchi. For the life of her, Aeka could not have remembered a word of her vows. Her entire being was concentrated on Tenchi alone, as was his with her. Sasami smiled benevolently over them all.

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The second the ceremony finished, the bright lights around the walls faded, flowing back into Sasami like water in a stream. The glow faded from the strange triangles on her forehead, and tears shone in her bright eyes.

Aeka leaned in to kiss her new husband once more, but was suddenly thrust away by a bruising hand. Aeka had just enough time to see several impossibly large men grab Tenchi before she was spun around to face her own keeper. Kagato stood before her, dark eyes furious. "What are you doing, Kagato?!" she demanded angrily. The young lord didn't answer, choosing instead to unsheathe the sword at his waist. He pointed the sword at Tenchi, keeping his fist wrapped painfully around Aeka's wrist. "This man is unworthy!" he shouted. "He is guilty of the worst crimes a man can commit!"

The emperor stared at the scene before him, eyes hard and serious. "What crimes has my new son committed, Kagato?"

The emperor's words only enraged the tall lord further. "He is no son of Jurai," he hissed. "He has murdered one of your own commanders, killing the man in the most brutal of fashions. He is a killer, and therefore not worthy of your precious daughter! Strike him down, now, before he can harm anyone else!"

Aeka tried to pull her hand free. "Let me go, Kagato! You're hurting me!"

Kagato gazed blankly down at her, and then at their connecting limbs. Looking almost sheepish, he released the amethyst-haired princess. She glared at him, rubbing the new bruises on her wrist with her other hand.

The emperor, meanwhile, had stood. He glared down at Kagato. "Have you the evidence with which to back up your claims, Kagato?" he demanded imperiously.

Kagato gestured to two of his men, who nodded vigorously. "We have all the evidence your majesty could desire," one of them squeaked nervously.

He handed a paper to the emperor's steward, who glanced over it before giving it to his ruler. If anything, the emperor's face became even harder as he read. Finally, he gave the paper back to the steward, who would file it away for future reference. The emperor turned back to Kagato, regret clear on his face. "Tenchi, son of my son's line, you are hereby accused of treason against the crown of Jurai. The punishment for this crime is death." He glared at Kagato before commanding the guards to take his son-in-law away.

Aeka protested loudly, but Kagato latched onto her wrist once more, silencing her with pain.

The words were different, but Sasami knew just what the inevitable outcome would be if she didn't step in. She allowed Tsunami's authoritive air fall over her like a cloak as she moved towards the strained tableau in front of her. Seeing her, the guards stood aside as she went to Tenchi. She placed a gentle hand on the shoulders of one of the men holding him, and he dropped his weapon. Sasami repeated this action with each of the guards, and eventually Tenchi was completely free.

Kagato watched her actions with narrowed eyes. He stared hard at the slender princess in front of him, suspicion and hatred in his eyes. Sasami gazed back at him, understanding sudden in her own face. You cannot win, Tokima, she thought at the dark presence inhabiting Kagato's mind.

Perhaps not, the goddess thought back, but at least you will not succeed, either. Your friends will die, and your life will end without my even lifting a finger against you. Your heart has always been your greatest weakness.

Sasami allowed herself one tiny, secretive smile before she pulled her mind away from Kagato's. "Your allegations are false, lord Kagato, and well you know it. Tenchi is innocent."

"With what evidence do you back up your claims, daughter?" Her father's face was still stone.

Sasami gazed up at him, but a daughter's natural obedience was gone from her eyes and posture. Instead, the power in her face was strong enough to make even the emperor want to bow to her. She held up a hand, letting a ball of blue-green energy form in her palm. "This is my proof," she murmured, lobbing the ball at Kagato. It bounced harmlessly off the white shields suddenly surrounding him.

"Kagato belongs to a different master, father. These shields are of her making. Everything he has done was done for her. Still, I do not have the time to further prove my own statement of innocence. A different solution is necessary." She lifted a delicate eyebrow. "Perhaps Kagato himself has an answer for you. Kagato?"

The man stared at her, as surprised by her challenge as her father was. He thought hard, eyes darting back and forth from Aeka to Sasami. Finally, his face calmed, and Sasami once again felt Tokima's influence.

"I challenge Tenchi to a duel of honor," he sneered at the wide-eyed young prince. "To the death. The winner takes both Aeka and the future throne of Jurai."

Once again, Aeka cried out. Sasami just nodded imperially. "So shall it be," she intoned, flashes of Tsunami's dark sense of humor pushing the corners of her lips into a half-smile.

Kagato signaled his men, and they backed away to form a circle around the two combatants. Kagato pulled the wicked-looking sword from his belt, pointing it menacingly at Tenchi. Tenchi glanced around for a weapon. Finding none, he prepared to take out his opponent with his bare hands. Sasami shook her head in resignation. Even after all of her training, Tenchi still forgot to use the power within him. "Tenchi," she called, and he acknowledged her with a brief flicker of his eyes. "Use the power inside yourself. Show Kagato, and everyone else in this room, just what you can do."

He nodded briefly, and closed his eyes. Kagato was so enthralled by Tenchi's audacity that he missed his one chance to attack.

Though only a very few people in the room could see it, Tenchi was surrounded by pale bluish-white energy. It flickered over his body for a few seconds, finally pooling around his hands. Each of these wells of energy coalesced into bright beams of light in front of him. Tenchi reached out with both hands, grabbing the beams in a firm grip. As soon as he'd latched fully onto them, the lights flared into a gleaming sword and a solid shield. The swords in both men's hands glowed with power. Tenchi lifted his blue-white blade and struck. Kagato effortlessly blocked with his own red-black weapon.

The resulting blow arched painfully through the floorboards, and several people covered their ears in an attempt to drown out the sound of metal striking metal. Even Sasami wanted to wince. Aeka, too, covered her ears. As she watched her husband battling his enemy, she fled to her sister. "Please help him!" she cried in an anguished voice.

Sasami stared at Aeka, quelling with difficulty the heartache that her sister's words caused. Aeka doesn't realize what she's done, Sasami chided herself. Don't resent her thoughtless words. She doesn't understand that she's just called on the goddess, not her sister. I will never be just her sister again. Masking the pain in her eyes, Sasami gazed coolly at Aeka. "Tenchi must do this on his own," she admonished softly. "I cannot interfere."

Aeka's eyes narrowed with her own pain, and she muttered rebelliously, "Can not, or will not? Tenchi might die without your aid."

Sasami again stifled her own emotions, letting her better judgment rule her feelings. "Then he will die," she murmured, "and Jurai will fall. He must defeat Kagato alone, or not at all."

Aeka's eyes widened, and she spun away from Sasami.

Sasami understood. She did not resent her sister's actions. One day, she vowed, Aeka will understand mine.

Meanwhile, the battle between the two noblemen continued. They were evenly matched, neither man possessing greater sword skill. Tenchi, however, had one advantage. While Kagato's power was borrowed from Tokima, Tenchi's strength was his own. Kagato's energy was fixed, and Tenchi's was not. If the need arose, Tenchi could call on greater reserves than Kagato had access to. Tenchi would inevitably win.

The battle raged on. Though Aeka could not know, Sasami was, indeed, helping her brother-in-law. She sent her mind into Kagato's once more, pushing on Tokima's essence with all the force she could muster. Slowly, Sasami expelled Tokima's thoughts from Kagato's twisted mind. Inch by inch, Kagato regained himself. Sasami gave one final push, and Tokima was gone. Deep in a green, leafy labyrinth, a woman started to howl in pain and rage. Sasami ignored Tokima's cries, turning back to the fight.

Kagato did not show any signs of faltering. Even though he was now bereft of Tokima's power, he still possessed great skill of his own. If anything, he had become stronger alone. Now, he could follow his own desires, not the dark goddess'. Tenchi, too, had not weakened. He still attacked and parried with a grace that few men could achieve, but he was becoming tired. In spite of her resolve not to interfere with the mortals' battle, she knew that she must help Tenchi if he was to succeed.

"Tenchi, you are not trusting in your own abilities. Channel the power of the light hawk."

He grunted, blocking yet another of Kagato's blows. "I can't!" he protested. "I don't have enough energy left!"

Sasami groaned. Silly mortals, she thought. Can't do anything without help. "You haven't been listening to anything I've said! Think about it, Tenchi! You. Are. Linked. To. Tsunami's. Tree!" She pointed a finger at him to emphasize her point. "Your bonded is the very first tree to bond with a human! It is the mother of every other bond-plant on this planet!"

His eyes widened in comprehension. "I get it!" he cried, enthusiastic in spite of the fact that he was in the middle of a fight to the death. "My tree is linked to every other bond-tree on Jurai!"

Aeka stared at them both. "So what?" she asked, looking from one smiling face to the other.

Sasami smiled at her sister. "Bonded mortals can channel the energies of their trees into their own bodies," she explained, keeping her voice low so Kagato would not hear. "As the trees produce more seedlings, they remain linked to their child-plants. The bonded mortal of a parent tree can also access the seedlings' powers. Since Tenchi is linked to the mother of them all, he can command all of the bonds. He can even call on the energies of the mortals attached, though he knows better than to try."

She grinned at her sister's confused expression. "The strength of Jurai lies in the royals' abilities to channel energy into the wings of the light hawk. All of us carry some of that ability, but very few have access to enough energy to pull it off. Of all the beings in this universe, only two people can act as a channel for all that energy. One, of course, is myself. The other is Tenchi. Of the mortals, he alone can call on the power of Jurai, because he alone is linked to everything."

As their discussion continued, Tenchi had already backed a considerable distance away from Kagato. He let his shield disappear, focusing instead on his sword. He brought both hands together at the hilt, which was glowing even more brightly than before. Sasami, along with every bonded mortal in the room, suddenly heard the whisperings of their tree- mates. If she closed her eyes, Sasami could just make out that the leaves on the plants had changed color, echoing the appearance of their sister plants on a far-away planet. Tenchi was drawing as much strength from this image of his birth planet as he was from the trees. Unknowingly, he'd changed the trees of Jurai until they resembled those of Earth.

This must be what Earth looks like in the autumn, Sasami thought in wonder. Small wonder my brother wants to go back so badly. It's truly beautiful.

Suddenly, the vision around her faded, replaced by the stark reality of the blades in the hands of Tenchi and Kagato. Tenchi slowly opened his eyes, which focused sharply on Kagato. His wedding clothes faded, only to be replaced by the black and white battle attire of the ancient knights. His sword, too, changed again. It's blade now copied the three-pronged shape of Kagato's weapon, though their preferred colors remained.

Knowing that the light show was now over, both men charged. Their cries of battle rage seemed to echo along the walls and floors, and once again Sasami wanted to cover her ears. As the two blades joined, a bright flash of light blinded everyone, even Sasami. When the light faded, the two men were on opposite sides of the arena. Both were on their knees, matching expressions of agony on their faces. Kagato, alone, managed to stand. He turned to face Tenchi, and then glanced over at Sasami's calm face. "Well done, Tsunami," he murmured. "Well done, indeed."

She just gazed silently back at him, waiting for the combatants' wounds to become visible. She didn't have to wait long, for within seconds a bright light flared diagonally along Kagato's body. She glanced over at Tenchi, seeing a similar gash along his chest. Tenchi grunted, pain-forming droplets of sweat across his forehead. Tenchi's cut flared with white light, and Sasami heard the sound of flesh knitting back together. The light on Tenchi faded, not leaving a trace of the cut behind. Kagato's slash, on the other hand, only grew wider and wider as the seconds ticked by. He continued to smile, even though the cut had now split in two and was traveling across his chest. The light flared across his body, taking his flesh with it. "The boy is a credit to your skill," Kagato said, the smile still on his face as he faded away into silvery ash. Sasami lifted a hand, and a brisk wind blew into the room, sliding under window and doorframes. The breeze took the ash with it, and Kagato's dark thoughts finally faded from Sasami's mind.

She took a deep breath, watching Aeka run to her husband's side. Tenchi leaned on Aeka's smaller shoulders, using his wife as a support to stand. His battle clothes faded, returning to the white robes he'd worn previously. Sasami smiled at their identical expressions of relief, gratitude, and love. Sensing that Tenchi was still in pain, Sasami wandered over to the pair. She leaned over and touched her kishtaka to Tenchi's forehead, letting a small portion of her own energy flow into him. He took a lungful of air, reveling in his new power. Sasami smiled again and stepped back, allowing Aeka to wrap her arms around him as if she would never let go.