CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Amazingly enough, most of Sasami's friends or family never guessed the impact of what she'd done. They just assumed that she'd been with them in the battle, especially since they'd all seen the Tsunami II zipping through space alongside them. When they congratulated Sasami on her flying, she just smiled cryptically and thanked them. Sasami didn't think they needed to know the truth.

Of her family, only her sister inquired about the slight, blonde child that now followed Sasami everywhere. Sasami only answered that the child, affectionately known as Yugi, was a victim of the battle. Aeka caught the hint and didn't press her sister any more.

The child, herself, tended to make people a little uneasy. They quickly realized that she was just like Sasami, seeing too much with eyes that were just a little too wise. The girl was special, and they were content to leave her under the princess' care. If they thought Yugi's name was a little odd, they didn't mention it. They merely wondered what parent in their right mind would name their daughter after the Jurain word for rebirth.

Besides, the people were still too caught up in the events of the battle to see the child for what she was. One minute, Taki explained with awe, they'd been struggling just to stay alive. The enemy ships were strong, and they'd had strange weapons that the Jurains and cadets simply could not get around. Even after the king relayed his information about the enemy ships, their own forces continued to flounder. Only the strange new satellites kept the enemy from destroying the planet immediately.

Only a few minutes into the battle, however, they'd seen a glittery white light surrounding their foes. Since the light disappeared an instant later, they'd assumed that it was simply another trick. Still, the enemies stopped using their powerful weapons immediately after the light faded. They'd been taken out easily, and the Jurains had won the battle hands down. They hadn't even lost a single fighter. "Truly," Mahonori added, "it was a gift of the gods."

A few days later, Commander Kiyone held a special ceremony honoring the cadets. Each of them, including Sasami and Kamadake, received their commissions. Now a full-fledged officer, Taki had decided to stay on Jurai. The commanders were forming a permanent base on Jurai, and Wyldon was given charge of it. The stern commander had decided that he liked the planet, and he'd offered to take Taki on as his assistant. Taki, of course, was overjoyed. If he was smart enough, he'd be able to take over when Wyldon retired. For a miner's son, it was the chance of a lifetime.

Even Prince Dael had decided to stay. He announced one morning that Sasami's father had offered to train him to be a true monarch. In spite of this tremendous generosity, Sasami suspected that Dael's decision had more to do with the pretty court ladies than a desire to be a better ruler. She was grateful, though, that Dael would not be a king like his own father. Under her father's tutelage, Dael would become an able and fair ruler.

Mahonori had also chose to remain on Jurai. Realizing just how useful the former thief's skills were, he'd been asked to join the knighthood. The training would take years, and Sasami was sad to say good- bye to her oldest friend. To show her that he would be well cared for, Mahonori explained that Kamadake was going to be his trainer and partner. As they said farewell for the last time, Sasami hugged her friend tightly. "Take care of yourself, Maho."

He grinned. "I will. But, hey, my name's not Mahonori anymore. I've decided that Maho was the name of a thief. I am now a knight-in-training, so call me Azaka. It means, "'Brave and intelligent soul' in old Jurain."

Sasami laughed. "Who told you that?" she asked curiously.

Azake shrugged. "Kamadake. He said the name was perfect for me."

Sasami laughed even harder. "That's because it really means "˜fool who doesn't shut up in the face of danger'."

Azaka's face fell momentarily, and then suddenly brightened again. "That's okay, too, I guess."

Sasami's parting from Aeka was much more painful. Her sister didn't understand why Sasami had to leave, even though Sasami tried repeatedly to explain. Finally, she gave up and just embraced her sister. "Say good-bye to father and the queens for me, sister mine. And have lots of babies by the time I get back."

Aeka wiped away a tear. "Won't I see you again?" she asked in a tiny voice.

Sasami clucked her gently under the chin. "Sure you will. I'll visit you every night. We still have the dream-world, remember?"

With one final hug, Sasami climbed into her ship. Using her skills, Washu had enlarged the cabin, making enough room for several dozen people without actually altering the size of the ship. She and Yugi were playing cards below. With a nod in Aeka's direction, Sasami started her ship. She left the purple planet behind, knowing that it would be many decades, possibly even centuries, before she returned.

VenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurfVenusSmurf

A few months later, Sasami and her two sisters were relaxing on a small resort planet a few thousand light years from Jurai. After much consideration, the three of them had decided to postpone their tour of the galaxy until they'd had a proper vacation. Since Sasami had plenty of Jurain credits saved up, they checked into one of the best hotels on the planet.

In spite of all this luxury, Sasami was fairly miserable. She wasn't enjoying her holiday as much as she should have. Though she knew, of course, that she couldn't possibly return home just yet, she still missed her family dreadfully. Still, it was comforting that her sisters were getting along so well. Washu had completely forgiven Tokima's actions, and Yugi was a wonderful companion. She wasn't quite like the old Tokima, but she also lacked the insanity that had precipitated all of their struggles. She was a sweet child, if a little unnerving at times.

Sasami finally stood, waving to her sister that she'd be back in a few minutes. Washu nodded and went back to nursing her drink, and Yugi ran to the resort pool for another swim.

Sasami wandered into the hotel gardens. These gardens were as unlike Jurai's as they could possibly be, and Sasami found the difference appealing. Jurai's beds had been meticulously cared for. Everything had its place, even the plants. Here, though, the gardens were haphazard, unorganized and wild. Sasami sighed, wondering if she were always going to compare each new sight with something on Jurai.

After a few moments, Sasami turned back to the pool. Yugi tended to panic if Sasami were gone too long, and Sasami didn't want her sister to worry. As she approached the pool, she spotted Washu talking eagerly with a young, redheaded man.

Sasami stopped in her tracks, and her heart ceased to beat for a long moment. It couldn't be, she thought in shock. "Kamadake?" she whispered, though she was still too far away for him to hear.

The man, however, did turn immediately around, as if sensing her presence. He grinned widely, and his purple eyes lit up.

Suddenly, Sasami was running to him. He stood, and Washu slipped discreetly away. The man didn't move, but Sasami threw her arms around him anyway. His own arms came around to circle her shoulder, and he whispered her name with such love that Sasami started to cry.

"Shhh, princess," Kamadake murmured into her hair. "Don't cry. I'm here."

Sasami lifted her tear-stained face to gaze at his, and the look of longing in her eyes gave him all the answer that he needed. He surprised them both by kissing her, hard. When he finally pulled away, Sasami continued to stare at him. "What are you doing here?" she breathed happily.

He smiled down at her, jerking his head briefly towards the pool. Sasami glanced over his shoulder, equally surprised to see Azaka playing with Yugi and Washu in the water. "I couldn't get him to concentrate on his training; he was too worried about the three of you. He kept saying that you couldn't look after yourself properly, and that you couldn't keep out of trouble if your life depended on it." He smiled again. "I finally gave up and brought him to you. Princess Aeka told us where you were, and I figured that I could train the 'fool who doesn't shut up in the face of danger' just as easily here as on Jurai."

He gazed at her, purple eyes intense. "Do you think we could stay awhile, Sasami?" he asked seriously.

She grinned, whispering, "I think we can manage." She buried her fingers in his hair and kissed him again, much to the enjoyment of the three people watching from the water.