Chapter Twelve

Well, so now he had all of the answers.

Kagato spread the pile of aged documents out around him on the floor, scooping up the nearest one and glancing at the neat, elegant foreign script that decorated it from head to foot. He frowned, a shadow touching his golden eyes as he read beyond the genial words to the true affection that lay beneath them.

"This is worse than I imagined." He realised. "Bad enough that I'm the product of some mad affair my mother had when she was in her teens. But that she's still corresponding with him - and still causing him to write her letters of this nature...I never imagined she could be so careless or indiscreet. I know that she's never been too bothered about court etiquette except when it suits her, but still - this is foolish beyond all reason. If Grandfather was to find out that she was corresponding with a man she once considered a lover, she'd be struck from the court for good...and me with her. I doubt the Emperor needs much encouragement in that department as it is."

He sighed heavily, setting the letter back down.

"I'm doing her a favour as well as myself." He decided. "Destroying these so that noone will ever know about her indiscretions. And yet, burning papers is somehow not enough. It seems I must stem this problem at it's source...and pay a visit to this man myself."

For a moment he pondered, sitting back against the wall as he ran through his options in his mind. Aiko's papers had given him all the information he needed, he realised. The man's name, his occupation, his nationality and most important of all, his current location, since one of the letters had been dated only a month or two earlier. He frowned, his brow creasing as he considered the best course of action to take. Then he sighed, shaking his head.

"No, there is no other choice. I must risk suspicion and journey to Airai if I am going to have any success in confining this scandal." He reasoned. "Of all planets, it would be that one. It's been some years since Airai sent diplomats to Jurai - evidently not enough years. I should have worked that out, I suppose - Mother has always been so fascinated by Airian styles and perfumes even though technically they and Jurai are not on speaking terms these days. But how on earth can I take Souja out across space without people thinking it strange? I could hasten the thing I seek most to prevent - investigation into my true identity."

He shook his head as if to clear it, getting to his feet and gathering together the papers.

"First things first." he mused. "Memorise the information and destroy the evidence. It's not uncommon for a Prince of Jurai to take a trip across space...I'll just have to be circumspect about how. Perhaps I could convince Mikamo to...no, I don't want him more involved than he already is. A son of a Daimyo - even one such as Mikamo is - would never understand the stigma of illegitimacy and it would render our entire project null and void. But if I made the excuse that my scientific research required me to retrieve some kind of research material in person...maybe that would keep the inquisitive souls at bay. Either way, I must go. I see that now. I must go and face my blood father for the first time...and do whatever necessary to ensure he never contacts my mother again."

------------

"Well, I'm glad to see my technology works."

Washu scooped up the alloy capsule, eying it critically before offering her companion a playful smile. "You haven't provided enough of a distraction yet, Mikamo - I'm still on form with my work."

"It takes more than me to sway you from your purpose, Washu." Mikamo told her with a grin. "Although this must be pretty strong stuff. What is it? A composite metal?"

"Not exactly." Washu shook her head. "Something we trialed when we began working on the organic ship plans. It wasn't entirely suitable for that- not flexible enough - but extremely strong. I'm glad it's finally proven to have a use."

She sighed, resting her chin in her hands.

"You know, I would have given anything to have been at the Academy yesterday." She said regretfully, casting a fleeting glance around the laboratory as she did so. It was deserted except for the two of them, for the rest of the scientists had gone to find their lunch and almost by silent mutual consent, both Washu and Mikamo had taken to eating their midday meals within the lab itself.

"The Academy?" Mikamo looked startled. "Why?"

"I spoke to Kichi last night." Washu rested her chin in her hands. "You know I told you about Menori and his Phoenix ship the other night?"

"Yes." Mikamo rolled his eyes. "A disaster waiting to happen, from what you said - though I wouldn't put anything past that man. Menori is notorious for corner-cutting if he spies big profits."

"Well, with me being away here, I think he thought he could sneak things through behind my back." Washu said pensively. "But I spoke to Kichi last night...she's one of my best students, and I gave her a few words of advice. Anyway, she told me that Menori's ship has been withdrawn from the design pool and has been relegated to a storage hanger until they can decide the best way to dispose of the craft. Apparently Menori had a fit of conscience and babbled all of his ship's secrets to the Elder Council. So strange."

"I can imagine that he had a little persuasion." Mikamo looked amused. "Truth serum, Washu?"

"Yes." Washu's eyes twinkled. "I know, I said I shouldn't be working with it and less, corrupting my students to do so. But in light of the consequences this ship could cause...I didn't really think there was much option. According to Kichi, he made some very interesting confessions to the Elders...I wonder if she gave him just a touch too much. Either way, I'd have liked to have seen it."

"You are evil, sometimes." Mikamo laughed. "But I'm glad you're here, not there. Its much easier for me to do this."

He hesitated, then kissed her on the forehead, and Washu flushed, glancing around her anxiously.

"Not a good place for that kind of thing, Mika-kun." She warned. "Didn't you say that your Prince has a habit of darting in and out of here unannounced?"

"Yes, usually, but Kagato isn't here at the moment." Mikamo shook his head. "He sent me a message via Tetta this morning, to tell me that he's been sent on some boring errand for his Uncle Azusa and he'll be off Jurai for a day or two. The tone of the letter suggested he really didn't want to go, but you don't refuse the Crown Prince. Not even if you're a Prince in your own right. So he went."

"An errand, huh?" Washu looked thoughtful. "Bad luck. I guess I never realised how dictatorial the Juraian royal family were."

"Full of status and strife, just like any elite family." Mikamo said ruefully. "I don't think I'll miss being a part of that, when you and I finally get to leave here."

"Well, we'll be leaving together, won't we? This time, anyway." Washu glanced up at him, a soft smile on her face. "And then where, Mikamo? If we go to the Academy, your family will know where to find us and they have influence there. It just wouldn't work out."

"I know. We'll have to see what we can figure out as the time gets closer." Mikamo said thoughtfully. "I know you're attached to the Academy, Washu - and you're right, it might mean we have to bypass it, at least for a while. Will you mind, if that does prove to be the case? Do you think you can sacrifice your science for a while, to be with me?"

"Why not? You're sacrificing your family." Washu shrugged. "And it won't be forever. It will just be for as long as it takes for them to get fed up. That's all."

"True. But your science means more to you than my family does to me." Mikamo looked rueful. Washu smiled sadly.

"Only because I don't have a family." She reminded him. "Not any more. And sometimes I think I want one, Mikamo-chan. With you, if that's how things work out. I've never really felt that before, but there are a lot of things I could give up to stay with you and have that life."

"Washu?" Mikamo looked startled. "I've never heard you talk like that before."

"Well, it's dangerous for me to do so now, too." Washu sighed, turning away from the desk as she returned the captive gemstones to their shelf. "Hoping too much when so many things stand in our way. But sometimes a girl can't help looking for the bigger picture, Mikamo. I never thought about family, till now - but maybe it would be nice. Somehow."

She shrugged her shoulders.

"Not that I know if I even can have children." She added softly.

"I don't see why not." Mikamo shrugged, coming to slip his arm around her shoulders. "You're from a long family - obviously they had children, so there's no reason why you can't."

"Maybe, but they all married within the Kii." Washu turned, raising troubled green eyes to his concerned blue ones. "And whilst I know many Kii inter-married with Juraians and produced children through those matches, I don't know what would happen if you combined Kii biology with Seniwan. I've never considered it...until now."

"Well, I have faith in your science, so no doubt you'll find the answer." Mikamo smiled at her affectionately. "And we're jumping the gun. We're not even finished with our work here yet, and there's a long way to go before we can think about settling down and making a home for ourselves."

"I know." Washu looked sheepish. "I'm getting unforgiveably ahead of myself. Change the subject back to work, Mikamo - I'm in very great danger of getting moony otherwise."

"With pleasure." Mikamo laughed, pulling himself up onto the unit as he regarded her. "Regarding this afternoon's testing - do you think that we can work through your alloy without compromising our results?"

"We'll have to." Washu nodded her head. "But I don't see why not. It's only a preliminary experiment, after all. We've got a way to go before we risk the integrity of the gems with the full procedure. This is just touching the ground around it - so I don't see that there'll be any problem."

"Kagato was pleased with what we'd done so far." Mikamo looked thoughtful. "They're fearsome things though, Washu...I think we have our work cut out for us. Even Kagato, who is a true-born Juraian prince, had trouble transferring them to the containment unit. He likened them to burning metal - we're dealing with some force here."

"I never doubted that. Jurai haven't gathered so much intergalactic influence because they grow pretty trees." Washu said astutely. "If those crystals do carry the power of Jurai's core - the legendary magic associated with Tsunami - then we are dealing with something very powerful indeed."

"Do you think we can bring them to heel?" Mikamo sent her a sidelong glance, and Washu offered him a playful smile.

"I like a challenge." She said lightly. "Sure. Why not?"

"I'm glad you have faith." Mikamo admitted. He sighed, rubbing his temples. "But if you'd seen them when Kagato moved them...you might find you had greater doubt."

"Are you all right?" Washu eyed her companion sharply. "It doesn't sound like you, to be so pessimistic."

"I'm not. Just cautious." Mikamo shook his head. "And I'm fine. Just tired, I think. Our nocturnal activities are starting to take their toll, perhaps."

"I can't imagine what you're talking about." Washu opened her eyes wide, innocence sparkling in their depths, and Mikamo grinned at her crookedly.

"Yes, I know." He bantered. "You, of course, are bright and sparky as you always are. I knew Kii were resiliant, but I guess you have greater endurance than I do. If you don't mind, though, Washu-chan, I think I need a full night's sleep tonight. I look forward to you visiting me, but we really don't get much rest when you do."

"Aww. Poor baby." Washu teased, touching her companion gently on the cheek. "All right, if you feel that way. You do look a touch pale, now I think of it. Maybe you do need to rest."

She winked at him coquettishly.

"After all, you have bitten off more than you can chew, taking me on." She added. "I suppose I should be more gentle - you're out of practice."

"And before, things weren't as busy." Mikamo acknowledged. "Between Kagato's project, Jurai's court functions and our secret rendezvous, I don't have time to breathe. It's worth it, but I think I'm flagging."

"Then tonight we'll take a rain check, and I'll actually sleep in my room for once." Washu said simply. "It's no problem, Mikamo. You have way more pressure on you than I do, at the moment. And I'd rather your Princely friend didn't realise you were indulging in extra-curricular activities with one of your staff, if you want the truth. If we're found out now, it's over before it's begun."

"Yes, I know." Mikamo nodded. He hesitated, then kissed her gently on the cheek. "Thanks, Washu. I'll make it up to you - I promise."

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Washu teased him. "I'm a very demanding woman."

"No comment." Mikamo's eyes sparkled with amusement beneath his tiredness, and despite herself, Washu was glad to see it. She patted him on the shoulder, offering him a warm smile.

"The others will be back soon." She said. "And Najya already has enough ammunition for her nightly teasing. I'm going to go set up for the afternoon tests...I'll be back in a few minutes and I suggest you follow my example."

"I wonder, sometimes, who really is in charge of this project." Mikamo grimaced at her, and Washu shrugged.

"You, of course." She said innocently. "Why would you think otherwise?"

She grinned at him impishly, then disappeared into the back room, rummaging through the coats and overalls for her own protective garments. At length she found them and she hesitated, creeping to the door of the chamber as she peered around the edge at her fiance. He did look tired, she mused, and she wondered why she had not seen it before.

"I really am wearing him out." She murmured. "Guess I better put a lid on it, before I help blow the whole deal. But it's so nice being with him - I guess I didn't think that it might take it's toll."

She slid on her white coat, buttoning it down the front as she eyed her reflection casually in the mirror. Refastening her thick hairtie, she pushed open the door, stepping back into the lab as the other scientists began to return from their lunch break. Sending Mikamo a conspiratorial grin, she settled herself down at her end of the lab, hovering her computer in front of her as she began checking off readings from the morning's tests. However, in the back of her mind, their conversation still flickered across her thoughts.

"A family." She murmured, entering another long and complex string of data. "Well, who knows. Maybe it really will come true."