Chapter Five
Well, so much for bright ideas.
Washu pushed open the door of her chamber, stepping out into the bright Jurai sunlight. A frown marred her features, however, preoccupation in her sharp green eyes as she crossed the grass, heading away from the palace grounds.
"Some scientist I am, if I can't even come up with a backup strategy." She muttered, twisting her fingers idly together as she made her way slowly along the twisting pathway. It was a breathtaking view, but all was lost to Washu today, so deep in thought was she. She paused for a moment as she reached the edge of the royal enclosures, staring up at the clear, glittering sky.
"Idiot." She berated herself out loud. "That's what you are. Call yourself a genius? Some joke that is."
"Washu? Oh, Washu-san, it is you!"
Washu turned her head, her heart sinking into her boots as she recognised the speaker.
"Mihoshi." She said wearily. "What can I do for you, huh? I was taking a walk - no offence, but it's something of a private errand."
"Oh, I see." Mihoshi looked non-plussed. Then, "Oh! Kiyone wanted me to ask you if you were going to come back with us when we leave Jurai. We've got permission from HQ to stay for Ayeka's wedding, since we've had invites and all - but we have to leave the day after and we were wondering if you were going to come too. After all, I know you have a lot of work to do and, well, this is a long way from your lab."
Washu was silent for a moment. Then she turned her gaze away, staring off towards the horizon. Slowly she shook her head.
"I do want to leave Jurai,and I do have more than enough work to do." She said quietly. "But I don't know if I can get away just yet. You see, I've hooked up something in my chamber at the palace, and well, the calculations I'm doing are...of some importance. I don't want to interrupt my thought pattern again. It's for my latest invention, and...you know how it is."
"Not really, but I guess that's because I'm not a genius." Mihoshi admitted, offering a wide beam. "So you're not going to fly with us? That's a shame, but oh well. If you have work here and all, I guess you have to put that first. I mean, I really don't want to go so soon - it seems so rude - but what can you do when duty calls, huh? They rely on Kiyone and I so much at Headquarters now, you know!"
"So I understand." Washu's expression softened. "They haven't seen fit to punish you, then, for your little escapade with Ryoko?"
"Oh no. The chief was very understanding about that." Mihoshi assured her. "He's such a sweet pea, he always understands. And besides, Ryoko was unhappy in the prison cell. I told Kiyone she should just tell the chief that and that she was our friend - it'd all work out. Ryoko's not really that scary. Not like that weird Haki guy."
"I agree." Washu nodded. "Haki was something else. Something else indeed."
A shadow touched her expression.
"Will you excuse me, Mihoshi?" She added. "I'm running a little late as it is."
"Oh, for sure." Mihoshi dimpled. "I'll see you later, Washu. I have to go find Kiyone - we haven't even had breakfast yet and I'm starving hungry!"
With a wave, the young officer turned on her heel, hurrying off across the fields, and Washu bit her lip, shaking her head.
"No, Ryoko isn't scary." She said with a sigh. "Nor is she focused, or even half of what Kichi and I hoped to achieve. Have you died in vain, my old friend? I hope not. Something must be salvaged from this experiment...but I don't know quite what. Not yet. If a battle with one such as Haki can end so badly for her, then we have some serious problems. The data I've been picking up since we arrived on Jurai all points to the same thing...the thing that I've always feared might happen. Have I gambled on something that isn't going to pan out? Ryoko's such an unreliable test subject, and if she has lost all of her magic now, I'm really back at the drawing board. I don't have any of Kagato's genetic material left, unfortunately...what a waste of good DNA."
She bit her lip, closing her eyes against her tears.
"This is science." She whispered. "And I created Ryoko to serve a purpose - a vitally important purpose. But can I really throw her into the ring to fulfil that purpose if it's a certainty that she'd lose the fight? Even as a scientist, I'm not sure that's a test I want to run. I shouldn't be so attached to one of my lab specimens - but then I guess that's what happens when you use your own DNA to craft something. Even something as wild and impulsive as Ryoko."
She continued along the dirt track, her brow knitting together as the pathway became more and more overgrown and less and less well defined. It was not often walked, this route, and she was pretty sure she knew exactly why. As she reached a clearing, the tall, stout trees that marked the Jurai skyline seemed to peter out and the bright green grass was replaced by a brassy, hard leafed plant that scratched and bit at the ankles as she walked through it's branches. Soon, she could go no further, and she paused, resting her hands on the slat of the high wooden fence as she peered through the gap.
On the other side, amidst tangled briars and sharp thorns, grew a single tree. Tall and dark, its shadow spread across the landscape, and around the base of the trunk, even the unfriendly thorn plants seemed loath to grow. Barren and dry, the soil was charred and scorched by the heat of the sun, and dark reddish patches stained the earth nearby, as if some savage animal had fought a wild and vicious battle in it's shade.
She raised her gaze, taking in the twisted, dark branches and the scattering of deformed leaves that still clung hopelessly to them. The centre of the tree was a dank hollow. To all appearances, the plant appeared to be long dead, but Washu knew better.
Reaching in her pocket, she pulled out a small box-like device, resting it on the top of the fence slat as she watched the digital dial flicker and then take a reading. Glancing at it, her expression became even more troubled.
"As I thought." She murmured. "Souja does still live. And while he does, his master must also live...somewhere in the Universe. How Kagato survived the battle with Tenchi, I don't know. But I was always afraid that he had. That Tenchi and Ayeka's descriptions were so similar to Yosho-dono's own story of his prior battle with Kagato. He thought he'd already killed him, and yet Kagato came back. For one who's soul is so deeply entwined in dark magic, there is only one possible explanation for all of this. Kagato doesn't die so easily, not even under the blade of the Jurai Power. His power is Juraian itself...and it's obviously not going to be quite so easy to beat down."
"Washu-chan? Why are you all the way out here?"
Tenchi's voice startled her and she turned, clinging tightly to the fence as she took in his curious expression. "Mihoshi said she saw you come this way, and I wondered why. There's nothing out here, is there? Just scrub and wild land. Nothing else."
"Something else, Tenchi." Washu shook her head. She lifted her hand, pointing through the gap in the fence. "There. Can you see through the plants and debris? Can you see what I see?"
"I see dead wood." Tenchi frowned. "What of it?"
"Not dead wood, I'm afraid." Washu looked troubled. "That's Souja, Tenchi. A Tree of Jurai. At least, that's what he was, once upon a time."
"I see." Tenchi pursed his lips. "And what is he now, Washu?"
"Something dark and twisted, in pain but unable to escape it." Washu said with a sigh. "Souja was Kagato's ship, you see. Kagato's tree. They exiled him here after you defeated him - that's what I understood. And the stories seem to be true - here he is, surrounded by wild briar and other strong Juraian plants. They want to keep people away from him - stop children from climbing him and playing games near him in case they get infected by his poison. Every other tree on Jurai gives life, Tenchi...because they are the children of Tsunami. But Souja brings death - so the stories say. The sap from his tree means madness or death for anyone who comes into contact with it. So they shut him away in here, and wait for him to die."
"That's so sad." Tenchi's eyes softened. "And will he die?"
"Well, without a master, a Jurai tree might well age and die." Washu leant up against the fence, folding her arms across her chest. "But I don't know, Tenchi. I think that Souja is very much alive, and that he's likely to stay that way - at least for the time being. I can't be completely sure, you realise...but I've had suspicions for a long time about something like this. Now, with my most recent data, I'm almost sure."
She reached over to pick up her device, holding it out to him and Tenchi took it, staring at it non-plussed.
"I'm guessing these numbers mean something, but I don't know what." He owned, handing it back. "I'm assuming it's not a good thing though, is it?"
"That would be an understatement." Washu said grimly. "There's a life force inside that tree, Tenchi. A life force that I can't completely account for. It's not Souja - it's something else, and I don't know quite what. Obviously, I have my suspicions...but the data isn't entirely consistant for a Prince of Jurai. The genetic structure just doesn't seem to be right."
Tenchi's eyes widened.
"You think Kagato's inside that tree?" He demanded. Washu shrugged.
"I don't know." She owned. "And I'm not likely to be able to get much closer to find out. Souja is exiled. Anyone going near him faces serious penalties - if they survive the encounter in the first place. I'm not equipped to go in there and take samples from the wood, much as I'd like to do it. All I can do is pick up atmospheric readings and hope I can piece enough data together to work out what exactly it is I've found. The trouble is that Jurai is so full of life signs - it's easy to confuse even the most sophisticated of equipment."
"Do you think whatever it is is dangerous?"
"Right now, no." Washu shook her head. "Whatever it is is dormant, and has been for some time."
"Then it might stay that way forever."
"Perhaps." Washu agreed. "But something bothers me about it, that's all. I guess I have the usual scientific curiosity - I won't be satisfied until I have some kind of explanation for what's going on here."
"Could it really be Kagato?" Tenchi asked. "Or what's left of him after I beat him? Because, you know, there wasn't much. He seemed pretty dead to me. And I didn't think Juraians could inhabit their trees. They bond with them, but this is something completely different. It doesn't sound quite right."
"Yes, you're right." Washu sighed. "More questions than answers, that's all. As usual."
"Perhaps you're reading too much into it." Tenchi suggested. "It's a horrible sight, and it's a tragic story for the poor tree, but there's not much that we can do about it. Come back to the palace, Washu-chan. The Emperor will want to know why you're poking around here if he finds out...and I doubt he'd like any of your reasons."
"Me either." Washu acknowledged. "All right. I guess you do have a point. And I do have some good data readings for this morning, so it's something more to be working on."
She pocketed her device, turning on her heel and glancing up at him.
"What brought you out here this morning?"
"I was looking for Ryoko, actually." Tenchi admitted, offering her a sheepish smile. "I haven't seen her since first thing, and..."
"First thing, huh?" Washu arched an eyebrow. "Tenchi Masaki, what have you been getting up to? What would your grandfather say? I'm ashamed of you! And in a stranger's home, too!"
Tenchi reddened, and Washu laughed, nudging him with her elbow.
"Oh, I knew it. You and Ryoko." She said playfully. "You don't have to lie to me. Washu knows it all. I'm not a genius for nothing, you know."
"Nothing happened between Ryoko and I last night...or this morning for that matter." Tenchi recovered himself, sending the scientist a glare. "Stop putting innuendoes on an innocent conversation - and stop doing it so loudly! I don't want to offend anyone on this planet while we're here, all right?"
Washu sighed.
"Tenchi, sometimes you can be so inflexible." She scolded. "Learn to take a joke, will you? I was only playing with you."
"Well, it's not a joke to me." Tenchi said flatly. Washu eyed him keenly.
"She's made quite the impression on you, though." She murmured. "I've noticed that. Maybe nothing happened last night, Tenchi...but that's not to say it won't happen. Especially since Ayeka is engaged to be married...am I right?"
"Washu, this is none of your business." Tenchi's discomfort was all too obvious by now, and Washu laughed.
"I see." She said, amused. "Well, don't let her lead you astray. She's a handful, that one. Lost and wild and oblivious to her own best interests some of the time. Are you sure you can handle it?"
"Well, we'll find out." Tenchi's colour returned to normal, and he spread his hands. "Meantime, I'm not going to discuss this with you. Anything like that is between me and Ryoko and noone else."
Washu eyed him thoughtfully for a moment. Then she changed the subject.
"You'll be leaving Jurai, when Ayeka gets married?" She asked softly.
"Yes. Ryoko will give me a lift to the Earth. Why?"
"It seems everyone is planning to leave the planet quite soon." Washu said pensively. "I'm not quite sure if I'm going to join them yet or not. There's still a lot to discover here...and my analyses are so incomplete. And yet, there's so much left undone at my laboratory also. I'm torn, if you want the truth."
"Do you ever pass a day without thinking of some project or other?" Tenchi asked teasingly. Washu shrugged her shoulders.
"What else do I have to spend my time thinking about?" She asked simply. "I like my life, you know. I don't have family to run after, or responsibilities like that. I'm my own mistress, I make my own decisions and I spend my time creating and developing new things that noone else has ever seen or thought about. It's a good feeling, when you create something new. Something that will make a difference somehow, even if it's just a little bit."
"Well, you sure made a difference to our last big battle situation." Tenchi acknowledged. "Your devices came in very handy then...thank you, Washu."
"Oh, you're always welcome." Washu dismissed it with a flick of her hand. "Thanks to you people I'm not locked up in a rock any more, trapped inside the Earth. Guess I don't mind doing you a few itty bitty easy peasy favours. I mean, it does seem only fair."
She paused, turning to glance back over her shoulder at the shadowy form of Souja.
"Maybe that's why this bothers me so much." She added. "Souja is a prisoner, just like I was. Unable to get free, trapped by a force he can't control or manipulate. It's a helpless feeling, Tenchi. A hopeless destiny. I suppose I feel for him because of that."
"I guess that does make sense." Tenchi's expression softened. "But you're free now, Washu-chan. That was a long time ago."
"Yes, I suppose it was. A lot has happened since." Washu agreed. "All right, then. I'd better get back to my work. And no doubt there's a certain golden eyed beauty flitting around these parts somewhere...so I'll leave you to it."
"Washu." Tenchi's face coloured again, and Washu grinned.
"Its sweet, you know, when you blush like that." She observed, making him even more uncomfortable as she did so. "Just be sure you know what you're getting into, okay? Ryoko's middle name is trouble...or it would be, if she had one."
"I think I'll be all right." Tenchi assured her. "Bye, Washu-chan. Good luck with your study."
"Thank you, though hopefully I shan't be needing it." Washu replied, raising her hand in a wave. "After all, I'm a scientist, Tenchi. I don't believe in luck!"
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Well, this was the last place she had expected to spend her morning.
Ryoko stood in the doorway of the throne room, hesitating as she took in her surroundings for the first time. The walkway ahead of her was long, with many steps up to the big chair that housed the Imperial Throne. Everything about this room screamed power and domination, and for some reason, it made her blood run cold. Too much power. Too much domination. The people of Jurai had always done exactly as they pleased.
"Although I suppose right now I should be glad of that, considering they have the Galaxy Police in their back pocket." She mused to herself, making her way slowly into the chamber and taking purposeful steps towards the first flight of stairs. The council chairs were empty, and for this she was glad - to make this trip alone was hard enough without the whole of the Juraian court staring at her with loathing in their eyes.
"And I was just minding my business, looking for Tenchi." She muttered. "Typical. They call and you better come running, else God knows what will happen to you. I swear, Kamadake is not going on my Christmas list. That's twice this morning he's interfered with a message from the Emperor. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was doing it on purpose."
She faltered, turning to glance back the way she had come, but the knight was long gone and there was noone else there. The big doors swung shut behind her with a creak and a groan, and she swallowed hard.
"One way to go now." She told herself. "Either you've got the Emperor's backing or you're locked in a chamber you might or might not be able to escape from should they try and make an arrest. Don't panic - stay cool. It's fine. Ayeka said as much. It's just a formality, that's all this is. He's already asked me enough questions...you have nothing to worry about, Ryoko."
As she mounted the first tier of steps, a memory of her conversation with Tenchi flitted through her mind, and her cheeks coloured slightly as she remembered his kiss.
"I can't go back to jail now. Too much to lose." She told herself resolutely, stalking forwards with the determination of a soldier asked to go out into No-man's land. "If they try to arrest you, well, you'll just have to hope your magic is more recovered than it seems to be right at the moment. I'll grab Tenchi, call on Ryo Ohki and we'll be out of here before they can say space dust. I know this palace and I know all of the hiding places. Sure, I'm not twelve years old any more. But that doesn't make much of a difference. They'll find it a real challenge if they try and put me back behind bars."
"Ryoko-san."
The Emperor's voice startled her out of her reverie and she raised her gaze, realising that her thoughts had brought her to the top of the final flight of steps. For a moment, she gazed at him, confused and wary. Then she caught the eye of Ayeka's father, standing not far from the throne, and colour blazed through her cheeks. Clenching her fists at her side to control the anger inside her, she bowed her head, forcing herself to remain silent.
"Well, you came promptly." Azusa observed, and she glanced up again, meeting his gaze with a questioning one of his own. "I only sent Kamadake with the message a short time ago."
"I was walking in the grounds when he found me, Azusa-heika." Ryoko marshalled her tones into something approaching respect. "And I thought that I probably should come right here. After all, you are the Emperor and all of that."
"Yes, I am." Azusa looked thoughtful, and behind him, Haru snorted.
"Such respect from a Space Pirate." He said scornfully. "We already know your true nature, Ryoko...and how little you respect the Lord Azusa's position in this universe. Maybe you can conceal it behind honey-coated words right now, but I'm not fooled. Not even for one moment. You spoke the truth to us the other day...anything else you try and say is obviously going to prove a lie."
"That depends entirely on the questions I'm being asked, Haru-dono." Ryoko's tone remained level, but there was a glint of anger in the depths of her amber eyes. "Though I'm sure you already have all the information you need from me...after all, that serum of yours was very persuasive."
"It's standard procedure to interrogate those who are potentially dangerous to Jurai with the use of truth serum." Haru spread his hands. "Whether they know about it or not. But you've faced the courts before, Ryoko. You should have expected it."
"Maybe I should." Ryoko nodded her head. "But with all due respect, Haru-dono, I was in rather bad shape at the time. I guess my wits were not as fully about me as they are now."
"Enough." Azusa raised his hand, and Haru, who had opened his lips to respond, shut them again, sending his brother a mutinous look.
"I did not call Ryoko here so you two could continue an age old disagreement." The Emperor spoke quietly. "Haru-chan, I would like to be left alone with Ryoko, if you do not mind."
"Alone with her?" Haru's expression became one of shock. "Azusa, are you quite mad? You know what she's capable of...what she might do to you. I am your chief of security...if anyone should be here with you, it should be me!"
"Nonetheless, I feel safe enough to ask you to leave." Azusa said softly. "Remember, Haru, I am not defenceless. The Power of Jurai will keep me safe, should I need to wield it...although I have a feeling that I will not."
Ryoko watched the mixture of emotions that crossed Haru's face, a slight feeling of vindictive pleasure settling inside of her. At length the Prince turned, and with a great show of displeasure, made his way down the steps and out through another door that the pirate had not observed before. She glanced at it, pursing her lips. So there were at least two escape routes. That was good to know.
"Well, Ryoko-san. Won't you take a seat?"
Azusa's voice startled her back to where she was and she looked startled, glancing down at the stool that had apparently appeared from nowhere. She eyed it warily, and Azusa laughed.
"Come, Ryoko. You don't think I mean you harm, do you?" He asked gently. "I just want to talk to you. That is all."
"I see." Ryoko touched the seat cautiously, then obediently sat down, crossing her arms over her chest. "What about, Azusa-heika?"
"Well, there are a few things on my mind." Azusa admitted. "Firstly, though, there is the matter of your pardon."
Ryoko tensed at this, and Azusa reached out a hand, laying it gently on her arm. The same tingling of magic flickered through Ryoko's skin, and she glanced up at him, surprise on her face.
"You don't need to be afraid of a surprise ambush." The Emperor told her quietly. "The Galaxy Police issued a formal statement to my office this morning, agreeing with the proposals I set forward. Since you have already served part of your term, and since you were an integral part of destroying the threat posed by Haki and rescuing my niece from his clutches, they have agreed to review your conviction. As of this moment you are officially a free woman."
"A free..." Ryoko faltered, then, "You're sure? I mean, they won't change their minds and hunt me down again the moment I leave this planet?"
"They will not." Azusa withdrew his hand, folding it in his lap with the other as he eyed her keenly. "But I was advised that if you were to return to your life of crime, there would be no such protection for the future. All of your old convictions may then come up against you - so beware. Do not waste this chance you have been given to do right, Ryoko. You have caused enough trouble in your lifetime as it is."
"I've no plans to do anything like that, at least not at the moment." Ryoko said with a shrug. "I've more important things to think about...including getting off Jurai."
"You are not happy to be here, are you?"
"It's not exactly a place I'm welcome, no."
"Well, I hope you feel you are welcome here, at the very least." Azusa smiled. "I still look at you and see that tiny girl out on the street, blood on her fingers and confusion in her eyes. I had no idea we'd face each other in this way at some point in our lives. I'm glad to have the opportunity to speak to you again, Ryoko-chan. I have always felt that I let your mother down."
"My mother?" Ryoko's expression became confused. "Did you know her, then?"
"No, not at all." Azusa shook his head. "We never met in this life, and I don't even remember her name. No. But I did promise myself that we would see you safe. Whatever force slew your mother could easily have come back for you, and I did not want to let a small child perish in the cold night air."
"I'm not a little girl any more." Ryoko shrugged. "It's a long time ago now."
She paused, then,
"And her name was Kichi." She added. "My mother. That was her name."
"So it was." Azusa smiled. "Yes. I remember quite clearly now...you told me her name was Kichi."
"Is that all you wanted, then? To tell me I'm reprieved and to reminisce about my mother's murder?" Ryoko asked warily. "Because if it is..."
"No, there is one other thing." Azusa shook his head. "I realise that you are no longer under the influence of the serum, and that the answers you give me might not be entirely truthful ones. But when we spoke the last time, Ryoko, you were not fully recovered from your wounds. You were emotional and tired and I am not sure your answers were as helpful as they might have been. I hoped to ask you a couple of things again - just in case you have clearer recollections, now your mind is healed."
Ryoko frowned, drawing her brows together in confusion. Then understanding flickered in her eyes and she shook her head.
"The gems." She said softly. "You want to know about the gems."
"Yes, Ryoko, I must confess that I do." Azusa nodded his head. "Where they came from, how you came to have them, what kind of power they unleashed. And how you managed to wield it against Haki, when at best you are only half Juraian. More, I must ask the question - how is it you are standing here before me, when more than one witness claimed your heart ceased to beat at the scene? All of it seems beyond comprehension. I need to understand."
"You're not the only one." Ryoko sighed. "I told you then and I'll tell you now, I don't know how those gems work. I got them from Haki - I stole two of them from him when his ship was under fire from Galaxy Police. I didn't really know what they would do, and that's the truth - I just stored them aboard Ryo Ohki until I could figure out what to do with them. I guess I thought they might be worth money, or something. I had no idea they would bond with me, and I'm really not that happy that they did."
"And the third gem?"
"You'll have to ask Sasami. She's the one who brought it aboard Karasu." Ryoko spread her hands.
"Sasami." Azusa looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yes. I see. But it was you who the gems chose, Ryoko. Not Sasami and not Ayeka. Nor Tenchi. It was you. Maybe, if you are Kagato's child, that explains it to some degree...but...there is more to it than that. There must be! I don't understand why they would choose you over a true child of Jurai. Your magic has never been trained or taught to you properly. Many of your gifts are not of this planet and their origins are in themselves unknown. It's said that the power of Tsunami resides in those gems...how is it that you were able to use them so quickly? And more, why did Tsunami use Sasami as a vessel to bring you back to life? None of it makes any sense to me, and I don't like it at all."
"Look, I can't answer any of that." Ryoko shook her head impatiently. "If you want to pump me full of that truth stuff again, you can. I'll just give you the same answers. I don't know how Sasami saved me. I wasn't exactly in a position to take notes at the time. My only connection to the gems is Kagato, but why Sasami brought the final gem to me I really don't know. Maybe because she already knew I had the others. Perhaps that's some part of it - but I can't be sure. Either way, the whole thing is over now. The gems are safely in your vault and I don't have to go near them ever again. That's an arrangement that suits me fine - all the money in the world couldn't make me take them up again."
"I see." Azusa nodded his head. "And I believe your words, Ryoko-chan. "But you have to understand, these are Juraian gemstones. Juraian treasures which only those who possess any part of the Jurai Power have ever been able to touch. Now they are dead and cold in the vault, it's true - and nothing anyone can do seems to awaken their mystic energy. Even my own touch doesn't bring forth anything but the faintest glimmer of light. Many lesser nobles have tried to touch them and have failed to even bring their fingers into contact with it. Nobles who possess elements of Jurai power, just as you do. You can see why we're confused. Nothing like this has ever happened before."
"Well, did you ever think of this?" Ryoko asked quietly. "Maybe the gems didn't work for me after all. Maybe I could touch them because Kagato was my father, but it's more than possible I didn't control them or do anything of that nature. If Tsunami's magic saved me, maybe it also powered the gems. They just happened to be hooked onto me at the time, that's all. She could have used me the same way Haki wanted to, as a vessel for their power or something twisted like that. And Ayeka was in danger. Tsunami's supposed to protect Princes and Princesses of Jurai, isn't she? Maybe that's all it was. Your planet's hippy guardian coming out of her tree to make sure noone touched the Crown Princess."
Azusa was silent for a moment, digesting these words, and for an instant Ryoko wondered if she had gone too far. Then the Emperor raised his gaze to hers, shrugging his shoulders.
"Perhaps." He acknowledged. "In truth, I don't know. Maybe we will never know."
"Maybe that's not such a bad thing." Ryoko told him darkly. "Trust me, whatever is inside of those gems, you don't want any part of it. Believe me on that. It's not worth it."
"Well, I appreciate your candour." Azusa said at length. "And I believe you have told me the truth."
"Then can I go now?"
"Not quite." Azusa shook his head. "There is one final thing."
"What now?"
"Ryoko-chan, you really must work on your manners." Azusa's tone was both chiding and amused at the impatience in her tone. "You might cause someone offence."
"Well, I didn't have a very good upbringing." Ryoko said darkly. "Did I, Azusa-heika?"
"Enough of that." Azusa shook his head. "You already told me that it was the past. Perhaps this is too - I can't be sure. But either way I feel it's something I must give to you anyway. Since it's the only thing I can give you, in a way."
"You already gave me my freedom, and I don't want to be paid off for anything else." Ryoko held up her hands. "I'm a pirate, Azusa-heika. I'm not a charity. If I want something, I take it...but I don't grovel at an Emperor's feet hoping for favours. That's not how I work, you know."
"And I have no intention of offending your pride by making such an offer." Azusa shook his head. "I promise. That's not what I wanted to say."
"Then what is it? I don't understand."
"When we found you, at the far edge of our solar system, my brother and I were visiting the court there, a distant planet at the fringe of Jurai's empire." Azusa told her quietly. He reached down to pick something up from beside the throne, laying it in his lap as he continued. "It wasn't an enjoyable trip. Very boring, actually. And we had not really wanted to go. But you see, my sister had recently passed away, and to stay on Jurai would have been difficult indeed. Especially for Haru. They were twins, you may remember. He was very attached to Aiko and I was as well. In truth, she reminded me a little bit of you...her ghost haunted this palace so badly, we volunteered to take this trip instead of staying here. As I said, it wasn't an enjoyable voyage. But it got us away from Jurai."
"I guess it's no surprise, if Aiko reminded me of you." Ryoko said bitterly. "She was Kagato's mother, wasn't she? Or isn't that ever mentioned in the royal household any more?"
"Yes, Aiko was Kagato's mother, and so your grandmother, also." Azusa nodded his head. "And I have no shame in admitting kinship to that man, Ryoko. Only a weak emperor would try to deny the connection. Kagato was my nephew, just as you are my great niece. I do not fear people's gossip on the subject. Kagato was never in line for this throne and he took what was never meant to be his. Had Aiko been alive, I am sure it would never have happened. Troublesome and mischievous she could be, yes. But I suspect she had a greater control over him than we ever realised."
"What has all this family history junk to do with me?" Ryoko demanded. "It's all very touching, but I'm not sure I care too much about your dead sister or your sad little trip to a remote planet."
"Mothers are very important in people's lives, and they seem to be fragile spirits." Azusa said softly, and Ryoko was aware of sadness deep in his eyes. "My own mother died when Haru and Aiko were born. She was never strong, and it was too much for her to bear. Aiko died in such tragic circumstances...none of us really know whether it was an accident or whether...well, it was at her own hand."
He sighed.
"And your mother was stolen from you by something dark and evil." He added. "We're all connected in this way, Ryoko. And because of that, I want to give you this."
He held out the object, and Ryoko took it, slowly unfolding the soft parchment. Surprise crossed her face, and she stared at him.
"It's a star chart...I don't understand?"
"It's a map of the route that Haru and I took from Jurai to where we found you." Azusa told her gently. "Just in case you wanted to go and find out about your mother."
"I see." Ryoko stared at the map for a moment, then she folded it in half. She held it out to him.
"Thank you, but she's dead, and it's way back in the past now. I guess there's nothing for me to really find."
"Keep it anyway." Azusa told her. "You never know. You might change your mind one day, and it would be a shame to have to come all the way back to a planet you really don't like very much, just to find the way there."
"Well..." Ryoko faltered, then she sighed. "All right. Though I'm more concerned about my future than the past right now, Azusa-heika. I've a clean slate, you said that yourself. And I've big plans for that slate."
"I understand you have a fondness for my great grandson." Azusa raised an eyebrow. Ryoko flushed red to the roots of her hair.
"Do you have people spying on us now?" She demanded. "Who told you that?"
"Ayeka, of course. Why else did she push so hard for this pardon?" Azusa looked surprised. "I suppose my niece is a romantic at heart...or is she just playing matchmaker between you two?"
"Matchmaker?" Ryoko's eyes opened wide with shock. "Ayeka? Wait a minute...Ayeka told you that Tenchi and I...and that she wanted this pardon because...I'm not understanding this! Not at all! Ayeka told you what, exactly?"
"That if anything was likely to keep you on the right side of the law, it was this young man of yours." Azusa seemed amused by her confusion. "She didn't tell you? Ah, well. Girls will have their games, I suppose. But she seemed pretty sure that you and he were, well, keen on one another. And since I can't convince my great grandson that he wants to be King of Jurai, I figured I may as well let him have his way. After all, Ayeka is a good, steady young lady and will make an excellent Empress one day. I didn't see the harm in it."
"The harm in...?" Ryoko was floored. For a moment she just gaped at him, then with a tremendous effort she pulled herself together, getting to her feet. and offering the Emperor a formal, if awkward bow.
"Thank you for your blessing, Azusa-heika." She said softly. "Even if we don't really need it."
"Well, Tenchi is a renegade, just like my son." Azusa said resignedly. "And you're a hothead, just like my sister. Yes, you'll go well together, I think. But don't lead him astray. Enough negative energy has already fallen over the Jurai house. I'm trusting you to respect what we've done for you and avoid a return to your old ways. Is that understood, Ryoko? I'd hate to be the cause of other planetary disturbances."
"You have my word, Azusa-heika." Ryoko closed her eyes briefly. "No more piracy. I promise."
"Then that's all I wanted to hear from you." Azusa raised his hand. "You may go now. I hope it won't be so many years before we meet again."
Slowly Ryoko withdrew from the throne room almost in a daze, the map still clutched tightly in her hand. Once she was out of the Emperor's sight, however, she broke into a run, her heart pounding in her chest as she realised the full scope of the conversation they had just had.
"The Emperor knows I like Tenchi, and doesn't mind about it at all." She whispered to herself, as she reached her chamber, pushing back the door and slipping inside. She set the map down on the bedside cabinet, sinking down onto her bed. "And more, Ayeka told him that I did...and used it as part of the reason for pardoning me. I don't understand that girl, but I'm not going to question it. Whatever force drove her to do that, I guess I'm grateful. She has helped me out a whole lot of late...although I guess she wouldn't say to my face that her reasons for getting me off the hook were more complicated than simple duty. Well, I suppose that's fine. I won't mention it to her, either. The bottom line is still the same. I still have Tenchi and that's what matters right now."
She glanced at her hand, frowning.
"If only I had my magic back, then it would all be great." She acknowledged. "Ryo Ohki's there, at least, but...I wish I knew if that was all I was going to get. I have felt better since Ayeka fed me that awful stuff, so maybe it will come back. I just...I don't know. My magic isn't entirely Juraian, Azusa said that too. So there's no telling if Kanaye's sap will work on me the way it should do."
She lay back on her pillows, closing her eyes.
"Oh well. I guess time will tell, as usual." She murmured. "I'm not going to worry about it too much right now."
"Ryoko!"
A voice startled her and she opened her eyes, staring up in confusion at Tenchi's face. His expression was a mixture of shock and embarrassment, and as she brought him properly into focus, she realised that he was dressed only in a towel, as if preparing to go down to the onsen for a mid-morning bath. She frowned, glancing around her.
"What the...?"
"Ryoko, didn't I already tell you to keep out of my room?" Tenchi looked agitated. "What do you think people will say if they see you in here, huh? Especially with me...I mean..."
"Your room?" Ryoko's brow creased in confusion. "Hey, this is your room! But I was in mine just a minute ago. I..."
Her eyes became wide with realisation and she gripped him by the hand, pulling him down with a thump onto the bed beside her.
"Ryoko!"
"Don't you realise what this means, Tenchi?" Ryoko was oblivious to his distress, casting joyful eyes on her companion. "I must have teleported here! Which means that my powers are coming back - even if it is in fits and starts! I guess I came here because I was thinking about you. Funny, huh? I didn't expect to be taking a trip here this morning."
She cast him a mischievous grin.
"Not that I have to say I mind." She added. "My timing was almost perfect, wasn't it!"
"Ryoko." Tenchi shook his head slowly. "Sometimes you're impossible, you know that?"
"Well, I didn't do it on purpose." Ryoko protested. Tenchi glared at her for a moment. Then he relented, letting out a laugh.
"Oh well." He said ruefully. "At least your magic is starting to come back. That's a good thing, right?"
"Right." Ryoko agreed. She frowned. "Although I don't think it's quite all there yet. I might have got in here, but I don't think I can teleport out again. I'm sorry, Tenchi - is that vine still hooked up outside your window?"
Tenchi rolled his eyes skywards.
"Typical." he said, but there was affection in his tones and Ryoko knew he wasn't really angry with her. "Well, you better get climbing. I'm going to take a bath and then I'll go take a walk in the grounds, so I'll meet you there, all right?"
"All right."
"And don't think about me too much. If you appear in the men's baths, I don't really want to have to explain it. All right?"
"Okay, okay. Spoilsport." Ryoko rolled her eyes. "I'll do my best."
"Right." Tenchi got to his feet, pulling her with him. He paused for a second, touching her cheek with his finger. Then he smiled.
"I'll be outside. Later." He said softly. "Then we can talk. Okay?"
"I'll be there." Ryoko nodded her head. She sighed, glancing over towards the balcony, watching the curtains flickering in the breeze with a resigned sigh. "Oh well. Guess I'm going for a climb again!"
