Chapter 8

"Takeru-san?"

Takeru glanced up from his seat beside the window, casting his wife a smile as he took in the concern in her expression.

"Takeru-san, what troubles you?" Ayeka came across the chamber to join him, holding out her hand to take his and after a moment of hesitation, Takeru took the slim pale fingers in his, squeezing them gently.

"Ayeka." He murmured. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise you were looking for me."

"Something is wrong, I can tell." Ayeka settled herself down beside him on the window seat, casting him a questioning look. "Takeru-san, you've been quiet since the Council session I oversaw for Uncle. Did something happen there that bothers you? You seem withdrawn."

"I don't know." Takeru leant up against the slick glass panes, a frown crossing his features. "I suppose it's nothing but a private feeling...that's all. Ayeka-dono, what do you know of the Tennan family?"

"They're a high status family at Uncle's court." Ayeka frowned. "This has to do with Seiji Tennan? But he wasn't even there."

"No, not Seiji." Takeru shook his head. "More his son, Seiryo. You know, I spoke to him after the session, to offer him my best wishes for his mother's health. But...he didn't seem to want to receive my concern."

"Seiryo Tennan is a surly, arrogant individual with ideas above his station." Ayeka said bluntly. "His father is much the same way - far too focused on their family's position, to the detriment of others. I wouldn't worry too much about him or his behaviour, Takeru. Only the fact that his family are one of the oldest on Jurai allows them to keep as much power and influence as they do, not their talent for government."

"It isn't that." Takeru shook his head. "I'm well acquainted with the family, you know. My mother and his were great friends, once upon a time. They grew up together, and my mother was the Maid of Honour at the wedding of his parents. That was where she met my father...Seiryo and I grew up together. We shared a tutor, and we moved in the same social circles."

"That's not uncommon, though." Ayeka looked confused. "I don't understand, Takeru. What about it bothers you?"

Takeru bit his lip.

"It concerns me that Seiji-dono wasn't present at the meeting yesterday, and that Seiryo-san claimed no knowledge of the Treasury reports." He said at length. "I don't like to be one to spread ill rumour about others, but Ayeka-chan, you have to know that Seiji Tennan is not the man of honour he purports to be. Even as a boy I was aware that he had gambling problems - though a lot was done to cover it up - and not all of his business investments panned out. In fact, at one point he talked my father into what was supposed to be a lucrative sponsorship deal. Fortunately my father sought a second opinion, and the whole thing was called off before it could ruin us - but it worries me that the Royal finances are in such hands."

"You haven't said anything about this before." Ayeka looked startled. "Why now?"

"Seiji-dono has always given detailed and cohesive reports at Council meetings, so I hoped my suspicions would prove unfounded." Takeru sighed. "But his no-show yesterday concerns me. I made some enquiries among people I know and it seems that a couple of expensive tapestries belonging to Kaede Tennan were sold behind closed doors over the past month. There seems every indication that Seiji has resumed his gambling habits."

"You think that Uncle's finances are at risk of embezzlement?" Ayeka stared. Takeru shrugged.

"I don't want to spread ill rumour." He repeated. "But it concerns me. That's all. I think...well, I have not yet spoken to Azusa-heika, but it might be as well if the honour of Treasurer was conveyed elsewhere."

"Perhaps." Ayeka looked troubled. "But Takeru, whatever I think of that brute Seiryo...his mother is very sick. Perhaps Seiji really did go in search of something to bring her ease."

"Kaede-kyou is a true lady." Takeru inclined his head slightly. "And her illness is a great tragedy...I would like to visit her, and hoped that I could make peace with Seiryo in order to convey my best wishes to her myself. But Seiryo was very defensive and prickly when we spoke. I know we haven't ever been friends...but it seemed strange that after so long apart he could not even conduct civil conversation with me about the health of one I hold almost as dear as he does."

He smiled slightly.

"You know that my own mother died when I was very small." He added. "Kaede-san was like a mother to me too at times, in all the years I spent visiting the Tennan home when we were boys."

"Do you want to speak to Uncle about your suspicions?" Ayeka asked gently. Takeru shrugged his shoulders.

"Therein lies my dilemma." He admitted. "As you say, Kaede-san's health is critical, and Seiryo did speak the truth when he said he was only recently back from the Galaxy Police. But..."

"It troubles you."

"Yes." Takeru glanced at his hands. "I'm afraid that it does. I don't have much trust in Seiji-dono or his son."

Ayeka fell silent for a moment, considering. Then she raised her gaze to her husband's.

"Let's see if Seiji attends the next meeting, and presents his report there." She said softly. "If he does, then maybe everything is better than you think it is. Whatever he does with his own finances, that's his business. He is Lord of the Tennan manor and the money is his to spend as he sees fit, even if he bankrupts himself in the process. It doesn't automatically mean he's stealing from Royal coffers, and you're right about spreading ill rumour. If you were wrong, they're not a family who would easily forgive and forget."

"Seiryo-san has been dying for a reason to challenge me for years." Takeru said ruefully. "This would give him that chance on a platter. Questioning family honour is a major slight among the high nobility of Jurai. We all clash horns and battle for position beneath the Crown."

"Why does he hate you so much?" Ayeka looked curious. "If you grew up as boys together..."

"Because he knows that I know his father isn't always on the level, and he's far too proud." Takeru sighed. "And there was another incident...one involving a girl, when we were both but sixteen. She was very pretty, and Seiryo was quite in love with her. But her family and mine were negotiating a marriage contract and my father made it clear to Seiji Tennan that he was to keep Seiryo well away from her. Of course, Seiryo was not going to take orders from my father...and the whole situation ended badly. There was a fight between us, stick on stick, and I beat him. He never forgave me for it."

He shook his head slowly.

"He did not like being second best to anyone." He added.

"And the girl?"

"She married someone else." Takeru looked amused. "And in the end, I married you."

He scooped up her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Which I have no regrets about, my Lady. You know how much I care about you."

"Takeru!" Ayeka's cheeks flushed red, but there was a flicker of pleasure in her ruby eyes. "Now you're being the flirt! And where anyone might see us!"

"Well, I don't mind." Takeru laughed. "I have to admit that I knew Father would always arrange my match - but I did hope I would marry a woman I could love, and I got my wish. By Tsunami's grace, here we are."

He eyed her quizzically.

"Perhaps if I work at it very hard, I'll make you feel the same about me." He added. "What do you think?"

"You know I'm fond of you, Takeru-dono." Ayeka looked uncomfortable. "And I do love you...it's just..."

"Arranged marriages are not always easy to acclimatise to." Takeru grinned. "I know. And I am glad we are as close as we are already, in truth. You trust me and talk to me and I appreciate that. I like to think that your father made as good a choice for you as mine made for me."

Ayeka eyed him for a moment, then she smiled.

"He could not have chosen me a better Prince Consort." She acknowledged. "No, I have no regrets, Takeru-san. It's just as you say. Getting used to the change. But it's all right. I hated being so alone with things, and now I'm not...now there's someone else who understands them almost as well as I do."

She looked amused.

"You know, at one point, my father negotiated with Seiji Tennan for me to marry Seiryo." She added. "I'm so glad that never got off the ground. I've never liked anything I've seen of the Tennan family."

"That may explain, then, his continuing hostility towards me." Comprehension dawned in Takeru's eyes. "If he thinks he has come second once again to me in a battle over a woman."

"Probably." Ayeka snorted. "He's all pride and arrogance and nothing else. I've never met Lady Kaede, but if she's as good as you say she is, she must have been very disappointed to produce a son so like his father."

She sighed.

"But on the matter of the Treasury, I think we should wait." She added. "At least until we have some evidence of wrongdoing to take to Uncle Azusa."

"Yes, I think I agree." Takeru nodded his head. "We'll let it lie. At least, for the time being. But I will continue to keep as close an eye on things as I can...just in case."

----------

"So, you are Seiryo Tennan."

Seiryo opened his eyes, blinking and shielding his eyes from the dazzling light that filled the chamber. For a moment complete disorientation ruled him, and he fought to place where he was and what was going on. Then, as the light dimmed, shards of memory began to return to him, and he struggled into a sitting position, glancing around him for any sign of the speaker.

"Who are you?" he exclaimed. "Come out where I can see you!"

An amused peal of laughter echoed around the room, and slowly, the image of a woman began to form in front of him, growing more and more substantial with every second. She took several steps towards him, reaching down to take his hand as she pulled him gently to his feet.

"I'm afraid my welcome party was not very gracious towards you." She said softly, as the nobleman pulled his hand from her grasp, dusting down his clothing as he did so. "I apologise for any discomfort they might have caused you on your trip here - but I did so want to speak to you. I'm afraid it could not wait."

"Who are you?" Seiryo repeated his question, and the lady smiled.

"My name is Tokimi." She said simply. "That's all you need to know. Clay calls me Tokimi-sama, grovelling, snivelling wretch that he is...but I am as you are. Someone with secrets...and ambitions that mean the whole world to me."

"I don't understand." Seiryo took a hesitant step forward. "What is this place? Some kind of spaceship?"

"Not exactly." Tokimi shook her head. "Don't worry about where you are, Seiryo-san. You won't be here long, and for your own safety it's better you can't pinpoint the exact location of my base. After all, you might be captured and interrogated - and I would have to punish you very severely if you gave me away."

There was a sinister glint in her blue eyes as she spoke these last words, and Seiryo frowned, his hand straying to his belt in search of his sword. Tokimi shook her head, raising her hand and the sword floated up from it's scabbard, drifting across the room towards her waiting grasp. She gripped it tightly, turning it over in her hands to examine the hilt.

"Do you believe, Seiryo-san, in the protection and honour of Tsunami's Tree of Life?" She asked softly. "Your blade is so inscribed - but you strike me as a fighting man. Not a fool who falls for the myths of a dead woman's power."

"I believe that I am a strong fighter." Seiryo said flatly. "And that you have no right to touch that weapon. It was specially crafted for me when I came of age - it won't respond to anyone else's commands."

"I have no desire to play with your toys." Tokimi shrugged her shoulders, dropping the weapon to the floor with a clatter. "You are the thing I am interested in. Not your sword."

"Why did you bring me here?" Seiryo demanded. "Your man...he said something about my sister."

"Ah, yes." Tokimi looked pensive. "A most unfortunate situation all around. You know, your planet has the most ridiculous of expectations on its people. That someone should be persecuted for carrying out a necessary act of sacrifice is beyond my understanding. In my experience, survival of the fittest is the only law that matters. Kill or be killed."

"And that has what to do with me?"

"You are of Jurai, which is a pity." Tokimi said regretfully. "Involving you in my plan was not my first impulse. You must realise how deeply I dislike your planet, Seiryo-san. And how much more I loathe those who claim allegiance to the false Goddess Tsunami - those who claim to have her blood running through their veins."

"The Emperor!" Seiryo's eyes widened. "Is that what this is about? You want to destroy Azusa? Are you part of some rebel group...from one of the colonies? Is that it? Because if it is..."

"Oh, Seiryo-san." Tokimi let out an amused peal of laughter, reaching out to touch his cheek. "You do so jump to conclusions! No. Your Emperor is just another in a long line of Emperors that I have watched rise and fall over the years I have been around. I have waited, biding my time for the right moment to strike. And that moment grows ever closer. It is not your Emperor that I bear a grudge for. It is the entire soul of your rotten world - the one they call Tsunami. I have waited so long for the prophesy to be fulfilled and for her to take human form once more. And now I know that this is truly the case. Tsunami walks among men...and finally I will have my revenge."

"I think you're insane." Seiryo said bluntly. Tokimi nodded.

"Insanity is not always a weakness. It's just a sign that others do not understand." She said softly. "Twenty thousand years I have waited for my chance to draw even with Tsunami. Over her head hangs the life of my entire world, Seiryo-san. Innocent people, driven to madness and death by the encroachment of her and her cursed people. The false goddess who caused pain and suffering to a world that did nothing to harm her...victims of an invasion that never should have come."

Seiryo gazed up at her, seeing the anger flitting across her expression. He sighed.

"Fanatics." He muttered. Tokimi's eyes narrowed, glowing with a strange fire as she wheeled on him.

"If you had seen the things I had seen, you'd know why I feel the way I do!" She told him darkly.

"So why do you need my help?" Seiryo asked, eying her expression and deciding that it was safer to choose a different tack. "If you're as old as you say and if you have all this power, why do you need an ordinary nobleman like me? What use can I be to you? I don't have Tsunami's magic in my veins. I'm not of the Royal house. In actual fact, I'm pretty sure they despise me as much as I resent them."

"But you have power and influence in this traitor world." Tokimi said slowly. "And more...Clay tells me you're a member of the Galaxy Police. An elite member, in fact. Honoured and decorated for your work in deep, top secret sectors of space."

"Yes." Seiryo was on his guard now. "But a lot of the work I've done has indeed been top secret. How do you know about it?"

"I know a lot of things." Tokimi smiled, a dangerous, predatorial smile. "I know that your mother is dying and that your father was a fool who seemed bent on destroying the Tennan family name. I know that you will go to any lengths to protect your sister and your reputation from ruin, and I know that you long for the day the Tennan family name is once more at it's height, like it was so many centuries ago, when your people were at the Emperor's right hand in all decisions. I know you long for power and glory in your own right, and I admire that ambition. But most of all, I know that you are intelligent and ruthless...and that had your sister not slain your father, you were contemplating doing it yourself."

"What?"

Seiryo's eyes opened wide with shock.

"That's not true! I never said...!"

"Ah, but I know what's inside your head and your heart." Tokimi held up her hand for silence. "The solution Zero used to restrain you on Planet Jurai is a curious substance - organically created to absorb the thoughts and feelings of the one it touches. I know much that goes on inside your head, Seiryo-san. More than you could ever imagine."

Her eyes glinted thoughtfully.

"Besides, my people have a gift...a gift that few others possess." She added softly. "We see the true nature in those we face, and are not easily fooled by false niceties."

"And if I don't help you?"

"You know the answer to that." Tokimi said simply.

"You'll sell Suki to the Galaxy Police." Seiryo muttered. "If you do indeed have the proof you talk about."

"Are you willing to take the risk that I do not?" Tokimi raised an eyebrow. "I could kill you with a click of my fingers, but I have chosen to enlist you instead. You are greatly honoured, Seiryo-san. You should recognise that fact and accept your situation. If you are successful, I will reward you. The Tennan family will be greatly helped by my influence - your position at court on Jurai will never be doubted. And without the interfering elitism of Tsunami's so called royal magic, perhaps your people will one day inherit the world you so long to control. Would you not like that?"

"Control Jurai?" Seiryo frowned. "But..."

"You can't tell me you haven't dreamt of it." Tokimi said gently. "I know your heart, Seiryo. I know what you most desire. Power, glory, and status. Am I wrong?"

"No." Seiryo admitted. "But what exactly do you want me to do?"

"Ah, now we're speaking in the same language." Tokimi looked approving, nodding her head. "Good. And that is very simple. I want you to return to the Galaxy Police."

"The Galaxy...?" Seiryo faltered. "But I just came home - wouldn't it be strange?"

"No." Tokimi shook her head. "You see, regretfully, your father's body is soon going to be discovered. The victim, apparently, of vicious, vile brigands and thieves. Naturally, you will want to return to Headquarters, determined to answer the calls of justice once more. What son would do less to avenge his father's brutal murder?"

"It might be better if Father wasn't found for some time." Seiryo said quietly. "Questions may be asked."

"None will be asked." Tokimi shook her head. "I have taken the necessary steps to cloak your crime...you will not be suspected."

"And my family's financial situation? How will I resolve that, if I'm no longer on Jurai?"

"I will see to all of those things, if you serve me loyally and without question." Tokimi promised. "You see, Seiryo, we can help one another."

"Fine." Seiryo said slowly. "But I still don't see how me going back to the Galaxy Police can possibly benefit you. I have no connections there with Jurai, and no access to Tsunami. If she's what you seek, how can my being away from Jurai help you?"

"Because Tsunami's chosen one is already away from Jurai, it seems." Tokimi responded. She raised her hand, and an image appeared on the wall of the chamber, vivid and clear as if it were a window to the next room. "This man. Tenchi Masaki."

"The boy who brought down Kagato." Seiryo whispered. "With the Light Hawk Wings! Is that what this is about? The battle with Kagato?"

"Tsunami has kept herself hidden for a long time, but to beat Kagato she had to show herself and in doing so she revealed to me her human hiding place." Tokimi nodded her head. "And this man is the key to unlocking the Goddess's power once and for all."

"So you want me to bring you Tenchi Masaki. Is that the bottom line?" Seiryo's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Tokimi nodded.

"In time, yes." She agreed. "But we must tread very carefully. Tenchi is in the protection of some very powerful friends - one in particular whose suspicions I do not wish to arouse more than I must. Hence why I cannot go and take him myself. I need a ruse, and for that, I need someone inside Galaxy law enforcement, to create a premise under which Tenchi Masaki can be brought in for questioning. Do you understand?"

"I think I'm beginning to." Seiryo nodded his head. "Falsify files and create some story about the Masaki boy which allows me to take him into Galaxy Police custody. At which point, he'll be transferred to yours...is that about the size of it?"

"You are as intelligent as I thought." Tokimi looked pleased. "Yes, Seiryo-san. You understand me perfectly. But extreme caution must be exercised in the carrying out of this task. At no point must any of this lead back to me, nor must my name ever be uttered in a public place. Particularly when you are on the Earth...as I said, Tenchi Masaki is not without protection."

She flicked her hand, and the images disappeared.

"For the time being, you must make your excuses on Jurai, show your grief for your father and your resolve to return to the Galaxy Police." She added. "I will contact you when I need you to act."

"How?"

"Like this." Tokimi reached out her hand, placing it squarely on her companion's brow and he let out a yell as for an instant, images and colours flooded his brain. In the distance he could hear her amused peal of laughter, and then, as soon as it had come, it was gone. He raised his hands to his head, staring at her accusingly.

"What did you do to me?"

"Whenever I need you, I need merely to think your name and you will know my commands." Tokimi said softly. "You will need much strength and guile to complete the missions ahead, and I have given you the necessary skills to carry out those tasks. You are blessed by my magic now, Seiryo-san, in the way that Tenchi Masaki carries that of Tsunami."

Seiryo was silent for a moment. Then he crossed the floor of the chamber, retrieving his sword and returning it to it's scabbard. At length he turned to his companion, nodding his head.

"I will do as you ask." He said quietly, holding out his hand and Tokimi took it, shaking it with some amusement. "I will help you achieve what you want."

"I know you will." Tokimi smiled. "That was never in doubt. After all, few men can ignore the lure of power and protection for those they love."