Chapter Five
The forest was dark all around her.
In the pitch blackness, Ayeka stumbled forward through the teasing, taunting branches of the trees, crying out in pain as they scratched and tore at her delicate skin. Somewhere above, a bird hooted and called, sounding like a lost spirit as it wheeled around the glow of the moon, and a chill wind whipped through her thin clothing as she forged forward.
She must keep going, this she knew. She must...it was the only way.
"Ayeka!"
The voice split the night, sending agonies of panic and fear rushing through Ayeka's thin form as she fought to push back the persistant wooden fingers that clawed at her clothing. "Ayeka, please, save me! Save me!"
Ayeka redoubled her efforts, desperate fingers fumbling at her belt for the hilt of the wooden sword she knew would be hidden there. Pulling it up before her, she gripped it tightly, watching the blade flare and glow into a sinister white light as it lit the forest ahead like a beacon. A gasp escaped her lips as she truly saw the trees for the first time - their black branches twisted and dead as they dropped their leaves to the ground below. Above her head, the bird continued in its mocking call, but there was no wildlife on the ground around her and as she stepped forward along the rocky path, she was increasingly aware of how alone she really was.
"Ayeka!" The voice was closer now, and yet more frightened than it had been before. "Ayeka, are you there? Don't leave me! Don't leave me, Ayeka!"
"Sasami!"
Now Ayeka knew it was her sister's voice and she set her teeth, slashing and cutting at the tree branches with her blade as she hurried towards the source of the noise. At length she reached the end of the path, stopping dead as she registered the immense looming shape of Tsunami's tree, thick boughs rich with foliage spreading over her head as they split the shards of moonlight into a mottled pattern on the ground. Clutched deep within the tree's branches, Ayeka could make out the fragile form of her younger sister, who turned at the sound of her approach, holding out a beseeching hand.
"Ayeka, please, help me!" She exclaimed. "Cut me free! Quickly! Save me!"
Anger and determination flooded Ayeka's body and she raised the blade over her head, bringing it down with some force against the wizened trunk of Tsunami's tree. As her blade met the wood, however, there was a bright flash of light and she found herself sent flying backwards, hitting the ground with a thud as pain rushed through her senses.
"Ayekaaaa..."
Sasami's voice grew fainter and fainter, and Ayeka struggled to reach her sister's hand, but it was to no avail. As blackness overwhelmed them both, the princess was sure she heard the sound of sinister, mocking laughter, and then the world around her was still.
"Sasami?!"
Ayeka's eyes snapped open, fear and alarm in her ruby eyes as she struggled to see any sign of her small sister around her. Shock flickered across her expression as she realised where she was, and as a cold wind flitted around her, she shivered, glancing down at herself with a mixture of shock and confusion.
"It...was a dream?" She murmured, not comprehending what she saw. "But...it seemed so real. And...and why am I here? Outside? What...?"
Her fingers brushed against something hard and narrow and she scooped it up, glancing at it in the dim light of the moon. Horror flooded her features as she recognised what it was.
"A sword of Jurai." She whispered, gazing up and registering the overhanging presence of Tsunami's sacred tree as she did so. "But...it was a dream. Wasn't it? Sasami? Sasami, are you here?"
There was no reply, and Ayeka got unsteadily to her feet, sliding the sword into the sash of her nightdress as she approached the immense trunk cautiously, running her finger across the surface. A faint tingling beneath her touch told her that the tree was alive and aware of her presence, and as she moved her hand further, a flash of consternation filled her heart. She shook her head, running her fingers once more over the deep gash in the wood.
"No...I didn't." She said softly. "Did I? But I was dreaming...Tsunami's tree...I was dreaming!"
She relinquished her touch on the wood, watching as the trunk swelled and re-formed itself into it's original pattern, healing over the gash until it was no longer visible to the naked eye. She sighed, gazing up into Tsunami's branches to the place where she had been sure her young sister had been trapped.
"Sasami isn't here." She realised. "And why would I dream something like that, anyway? Tsunami means her no harm. She protects, she doesn't hurt."
She bit her lip, eying the tree guiltily.
"I'm sorry, Tsunami. I didn't mean to hurt you." She murmured, bowing her head and the great tree let out feeble flickers of light in response. "I was having a bad dream, and I guess I was...well...I must have been sleepwalking. I've never done that before, but everything has been so busy and stressful for me recently. Perhaps that is what happened. But I am very sorry. I suppose that when I struck your trunk, you woke me up. Believe me, I would never wish harm on you."
Tsunami's tree glittered once more, then was still, and Ayeka sighed, dropping back against the thick trunk as she slid down to the ground. She gazed up through the heavy branches to the sky above, taking in the clear night and the glittering stars that sparkled around the moon.
"Nothing to be afraid of." She acknowledged. "The Royal Forest, the sanctuary of our trees...I guess I really have been working too hard. Or is there more to it? Am I really that jealous of Sasami's friendships and alliances that I dream about something like this? Or is it Tenchi's engagement that has me so upset? I'm trying not to be - it's stupid that he should still affect me so badly. But he does...he really does. And I'm confused. I'm so very confused, Tsunami."
She buried her head in her hands, shaking her head.
"I wish you could talk to me the way you talk to my sister." She added helplessly. "If ever I needed divine counsel, I think now would be it."
The tree did not respond, and Ayeka grimaced, pulling herself to her feet as a fresh wind whipped through her thick silken hair.
"I should go back to bed, before someone realises I'm missing and sounds an alarm." She decided, pragmatism overtaking distress in her mind. "I'm a future Empress of Jurai and that is how I must act, especially at the moment. Uncle relies on me to be steady and I must be."
She cast a lingering glance back at the tree, then shook her head.
"Please forgive me for hurting you." She repeated. "I know you are my true sister and I would never do anything to hurt Sasami. You must believe that...I love her more than anything, I would never...I could never...I didn't mean it. Please, Tsunami, try to understand."
Tsunami's tree remained silent, but somehow Ayeka knew the Goddess had heard and understood. Turning on her heel, she made her way resolutely back towards the palace, trying to ignore the chill that seeped through her skin to the bone as she did so. In just her night clothes she felt both cold and vulnerable in the night air, and fervently she hoped that she would not meet anyone one her trip back to her chamber.
So lost in thought was she that she didn't see the fleeting gaze of a face in an upstairs window of the palace complex, a mixture of expressions flittering across opaque eyes as the princess made her return home.
As Ayeka passed along the hallway towards the wing which housed both her rooms and those belonging to her sister, she paused at Sasami's door, sliding her hand into the catch and pushing it carefully open.
The moonlight shone in through the window, illuminating the young princess as she slept, and at the sight of her sister slumbering so peacefully, a tiny smile touched Ayeka's face.
"Well, so it was a dream indeed." She told herself, comforted by this obvious proof of Sasami's safety. "Ayeka, you really are working far too hard. You need to try and relax, like Tenchi says - you're far too wound up and it's taking it's toll."
Sasami murmured something in her sleep, and Ayeka's eyes softened.
"Yes, sleep, my sister." She said softly. "I'll speak to you tomorrow."
She withdrew from the chamber, pulling the door shut behind her with a faint click as she continued on her way towards her own chamber, unlocking the door and stepping inside and setting the sword down on the top of the wooden desk that stood in the corner. For a moment she glanced at her bed, but somehow sleep was the last thing that she wanted to do, and with a frown she pulled her robe from its peg, wrapping it tightly around her slim form as she slid her slippers onto her feet.
"If I'm going to move around, I might at least be decently attired." She murmured. "Perhaps I could take a bath. Or...I don't know. Walk down and see if any further information has come in overnight. If we can resolve this matter, then maybe everything will calm down. And I can't sleep right now, not after a dream like that. I'm jumpy and unsettled, and who knows where I might end up if I sleepwalk again?"
As she left her room once more, she paused, realising that the entire corridor had been devoid of guardsmen and she frowned, remembering that since the incident with Kagato, there had always been someone on duty through the day and night. Confused, she padded down the hallway to the small room where the men took their breaks during changeover, letting out an exclamation as she realised that the three who constituted night staff were all within the chamber, each one of them as fast asleep as Sasami had been moments earlier. Anger replacing uncertainty, she banged on the lights, startling two of the three awake and as they registered their presence, they kicked their third, scrambling to their feet and offering her a frantic salute.
"Yes, and that's all very well, but you should be on duty." Ayeka said sharply. "You know my Uncle would not be pleased to know you were shirking your duties."
"But Lady Ayeka, I swear, I was on duty." One of the men looked befuddled, scratching his head. "And then...then I was here. I don't remember..."
"No excuses." Ayeka shook her head. "Lady Sasami's room is unguarded, as is my own. It's not good enough...you are paid a good wage not to fall asleep."
"We will attend to it right now, Lady Ayeka." The second man said hurriedly, almost falling over himself to get out into the hallway. "Would you like us to escort you to your chamber now?"
"No...I have business downstairs." Ayeka shook her head. "But when I return, I expect to find that you are doing your duty and not taking a nap. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Ayeka-hime." The third man bowed. "We'll be right on it, Ayeka-hime."
"See that you are." Ayeka told them crisply, turning on her heel and sweeping out of the room with a justifiably indignant toss of her head. As she stalked down the corridor, she was gratified to hear the scramble of guardsmen behind her as they hurried to take up their positions, and she glanced at her hands ruefully.
"Well, at least I have the authority bit down." She acknowledged. "Perhaps Ryoko is right. Perhaps positions of power do make me bossy. But honestly, sleeping on the job...what next? No wonder nobody missed me. I swear, things are getting more and more ridiculous by the minute."
She reached the end of the hallway, hesitating as she debated which way to turn. For a moment she glanced down the hallway towards the main stairs and the central administration of the palace, half curious to know if any further information had been dug up by the unfortunate security agents working around the clock to glean clues on the Kanemitsu murders. But at length she turned the other way, padding down the hallway towards the far wing of the palace, where she knew her husband's suite of rooms lay. Though it was not uncommon for married couples within the palace to have seperate quarters, or that they should call on one another in the night, she felt more than a little self-conscious as she drew nearer, half-wondering what she would tell the guard on duty. As it happened, however, the man on sentry at the end of Takeru's hall merely saluted her as she passed, making no attempt to question her nighttime forays, and although Ayeka was sure her cheeks were blazing red by the time she reached Takeru's door, she arrived at her destination unmolested.
For a moment she just stood there, uncertain as to whether she should knock. It was late, she knew that, and uncertainty flooded his mind. Would he understand why she had come here at such a strange time? Would he take it as a sign of something else...and why had she come here, anyway? What had driven her to seek out her husband's comfort in the early hours of the morning, when she had never been compelled to do so before?
As she raised a tentative hand to strike the wooden panel door, it slid back to reveal the Consort himself, rich mahogany robe tied neatly at the waist, and his thick hair pulled back into a band at the nape of his neck. Ayeka let out a startled gasp, her hand flying to her chest as she met his gaze, cheeks reddening under his scrutiny. He looked more handsome this way, she observed absently, without the formality of court dress, and somehow this sensation disturbed her even further. She swallowed hard, for once in her life completely lost for words..
"I'm sorry. I made you jump." Takeru looked contrite. "What brings you here so late, my Lady? Is something the matter?"
"How...you...did you know I was coming?" Ayeka regathered herself, staring at him in surprise. Takeru looked sheepish.
"The wind is noisy against my shutters and I could not sleep." He admitted. "I heard footsteps in the hall and I...I hoped they might be yours. They were soft and gentle, not the thud of guard boots. I thought they might be your slippers...and I was right."
"You...know what my slippers sound like?" Ayeka stared down at her feet, non-plussed, then, "Can I come in? I...I don't want to be inappropriate, Takeru, but..."
"You don't need to ask to gain admission to my rooms." Takeru stood back, ushering her into his bedchamber and somehow the soft glow of the Juraian lamps comforted Ayeka as she stepped inside, glancing around her a little self-consciously.
"We have been married more than half a year, and I have never been here before." She said softly. "Do you think that strange, Takeru? That I have never visited you in your chambers before now?"
"No, not considering the nature of our alliance." Takeru sat down on the bed, indicating for her to sit beside him. "But what brings you to me tonight? Something has upset you, I can tell."
Ayeka did not answer to begin with, and Takeru touched her gently on the cheek.
"If it's about the conversation we had - about visiting chambers and the duties of husband and wife, I don't ask anything of you until you are ready and you shouldn't feel compelled to comply with court expectations." He said softly. "So if you are here on that errand, I will simply send you back to your chamber."
"No...I mean...no." Ayeka pinkened, shaking her head. "I...I guess I just...I didn't want to be alone, that's all. It was...I had a strange dream. And I didn't...well, I didn't know what to do."
"A dream?" Takeru looked startled. "What kind of a dream?"
"It's hard to explain, but I was out at Tsunami's tree and Sasami was a prisoner in her branches." Ayeka buried her head in her hands. "And all the other royal trees were dead - like skeletons, only they seemed somehow to still move and, well, feel. It's hard to explain clearly, but they were trying to stop me getting to her. She kept calling to me for help, though...and so I kept going."
"I see." Takeru frowned. "Perhaps you are taking this matter of your sister's blossoming friendships a little too much to heart, Ayeka-chan."
"Yes, perhaps I am." Ayeka admitted. "But Takeru, it wasn't just the dream. I've had nightmares before, but...but not like this. I...I was really there. I mean out there, in the royal forest. When I woke up, I was right there at Tsunami's tree. But I don't remember getting there. I just remember dreaming."
"You sleepwalked?" Takeru looked concerned, as his wife nodded her head. "Have you ever done that before?"
"Not that I know of." Ayeka groaned. "But it was so awful, waking up there in the cold and dark with this sword beside me on the ground. And I hit out at the tree, Takeru. That bit wasn't a dream. I thought I was rescuing Sasami, but I struck at Tsunami's tree. She healed when I was there, and I think she forgave me. But striking her is like striking Sasami...so I feel guilty. I would never hurt my sister."
"It was a dream." Takeru said gently. "Noone doubts your love for Sasami, Ayeka. Least of all Tsunami. She must understand it better than most, in fact. Whatever you did in your sleep, you sought only to protect your little sister. Tsunami would not hold that against you."
"Perhaps not. But I feel bad anyway. And confused." Ayeka sighed, leaning up against him. "Thank you for listening to me. I know it's late."
"I am never put out by you coming to confide in me, Ayeka." Takeru said affectionately, sending her a tender smile. "It means a lot that you came here, above all other places, when something was on your mind. That I've inspired such confidence in you makes me very happy indeed - I can do without sleep for once."
Despite herself, Ayeka smiled self-consciously.
"Talking to you makes me feel like it wasn't such a big deal thing." She admitted. "And that it was just the sudden nature of it that scared me, that's all. I'm working hard and it's probably stress. That's all. Right?"
"Yes, I think so." Takeru agreed. "You have been under much pressure lately, it's true."
"Then it's probably nothing at all." Ayeka pursed her lips, then eyed him hesitantly. "Takeru?"
"Yes?"
"Can I...can I stay here tonight?" Ayeka asked hesitantly, her cheeks pinkening as she dropped her gaze to the bedcovers. "Not...you know, in that way. I'm not ready...it's too soon. But...I don't want to be alone. Not after...not after that."
"Of course you may." Takeru's eyes softened. "I would be neglectful of you indeed if I refused a plea like that."
"Thank you." Gratitude glittered in Ayeka's expression. "And Takeru? I'd prefer it if you didn't mention this to anyone. Uncle has enough to worry about and well, I don't want anyone thinking I can't handle what's being thrown at me."
"Then it's our secret." Takeru touched her gently on the cheek. "But for now, my Princess, you look tired and you need to sleep. Anything else can wait till the morning...it's time to get some rest."
---------------
So another day had dawned, and he was still no closer to unravelling the secrets in the encrypted file.
Seiryo hesitated at the entrance to the Royal Conclave, gazing up at the clouds briefly as if looking for inspiration among their fluffy depths.
"Kuramitsu-san was no fool, and he knew what he was doing." He muttered. "Unfortunately, more so than I do. Perhaps I should stop trying to disentangle this myself and go to the Emperor - but then I'd have to reveal where I got it from, and that would put Miss Makibi in an awkward position. If only I didn't have so many other things on my mind at the moment. I feel sure that girl's file is the root cause of the events on the Sumire - but proving it, that's the hard part. We don't even know what we're dealing with."
"You lied to me."
As he entered the palace grounds, he was accosted by the accusatory tones of the detective herself and he paused, staring at her in confusion as he registered her irritated demeanour. Realising she had his attention, Kiyone put her hands on her hips, glaring at him indignantly.
"You lied to me." She repeated softly. "Do you think I'm so much of a fool as that? If you are going to help me, don't patronise me by concealing bits of information from me!"
"Excuse me?" Seiryo blinked. "Are you having one of your delusions? Because I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about."
The words were out before he could call them back and Kiyone's eyes narrowed angrily, her fists clenched tightly against her side as if she was struggling to control her temper. For a moment Seiryo thought she might hit out at him but she suppressed the impulse, wheeling on him with flinty blue eyes.
"I'm talking about the file I gave you." She said in low tones. "Why didn't you tell me about this other ship?"
"Other ship?" Seiyo faltered, eying her keenly. "Is this something you want to discuss in full view of the palace, Detective Makibi? I had thought you had more discretion than that."
"Oh, damn you." Kiyone muttered. "Fine. But I want to know why you didn't tell me about IT when you had the chance to mention IT in the privacy of Washu's temporary lab."
"If by IT you mean what I think you mean, the Emperor asked us to treat it with discretion, and I have no desire to worsen my cause with him in any way." Seiryo said quietly. "There may be a connection or there may not be. I can't tell until I handle the other thing you gave me, and I haven't managed to do so yet."
"You know, I've met some arrogant men in my time." Kiyone said coldly. "But you're the worst of the lot."
"I see you're not scared of me any more, however. That has to be seen as a positive move." Seiryo offered her a droll smile, and Kiyone bristled.
"Hating you and yelling at you is easier on my nerves." She shot back. "And you really aren't worth me losing my mind over. But I want to solve this matter and I am as involved in it as you are. I trusted you with what I knew, so it would be nice if you would do the same."
Seiryo sighed, annoyance flickering into his teal eyes. He hesitated for a moment, then grabbed her by the arm, pulling her into the shade of a nearby copse of trees.
"Hey!" Kiyone wrested her arm free, glaring at him, but Seiryo saw brief flickers of alarm in the depths of those sapphire eyes. "What do you think you're playing at?"
"Look, this whole business is top secret. What you gave me and what the Emperor has told the Council both." The nobleman said darkly. "If you go shooting your mouth off - even if you do hate me - then neither thing will be solved. I'm sorry, but I didn't think it necessary to scare you further with information Azusa-heika gave to us. I don't know for sure there's a connection and I've been trained not to jump to wild conclusions. Whatever you do in the regular division, it pays to see a hunch pan out before you make too much noise."
"Meantime someone else might die." Kiyone snapped back at him. "Washu thinks that whatever it is is looking for that file, Seiryo! It has to be connected."
"Because Washu said so?" Seiryo raised an eyebrow. "Interesting deduction. And I know I told you to use my name, but isn't that an overly familiar way of addressing a man whom you so obviously detest?"
"Do you deserve more respect?" Kiyone retorted acidly. "Get over yourself...this is obviously a lot bigger than one isolated Seniwan spy ship, and I want to know what's going on. Don't you?"
"Yes, I do." Seiryo pursed his lips. "All right. It sounds like you already know something, anyway. You know that there was an incident aboard a diplomatic ship that was headed for Jurai?"
"Washu said people were murdered aboard it. Slit throats, like the Tsubasa." Kiyone said impatiently. "She's not afraid to trust me, and Azusa didn't swear her to secrecy."
"Probably because he's a little afraid of the woman." Seiryo observed dryly. "I wouldn't like to cross her, that's for sure. All right, so that explains how you found out. What do you need me for? Seems you have all your evidence."
"I wanted to know why you kept it from me. I wanted to know if it was all part of your superiority complex." Kiyone muttered. "That's all."
"An oath to the Emperor is an oath to the Emperor. Breaking it is treason and I'm on thin enough ground." Seiryo said frankly. "It's no comment on your ability, although accosting me about this in broad daylight seems out of character for someone with your reputation, Detective."
Kiyone flushed red at this, and Seiryo smiled.
"I will keep working on the file, but it's more deeply encoded than I thought." He added. "It's proving troublesome to crack, but I will get into it. Then we'll know where we stand."
"All right." Kiyone sighed. "And have you told me everything, now? Are we straight with one another? Because I don't like working with you as it is...if it wasn't that people at Headquarters might be hurt..."
"Two men already were, you know." Seiryo said quietly. Kiyone stared.
"What? At Headquarters? Not the Galaxy Police escorts on this Sumire ship?" She demanded. Seiryo shook his head.
"Two agents called Tsunetomo and Hirayama. Killed, just like the others." He said frankly. "I knew both...unlike the rest of the Council members, they were more than just names to me. They were respected colleagues, both highly gifted in their fields."
Kiyone blanched.
"You're kidding." She whispered. "That's not...it's not..."
"What?" Seiryo raised an eyebrow. "What about them?"
"They were the men who brought me to Jurai." Kiyone murmured, her anger of a few minutes earlier entirely gone. "Dead? But...in the same way?"
"Yes." Seiryo nodded. "They were good men - good agents. And not people you'd easily take off guard."
He frowned, eying her curiously.
"Are you unwell? You've gone very white."
"Washu is right. She must be." Kiyone whispered. "But the connection - it isn't the Galaxy Police. That Seniwan ship, Headquarters, the Sumire - they're all just stepping stones. Stepping stones to get to me. My ship was wrecked...and I have the file that you're trying to un-encrypt. But I don't understand - surely the Galaxy Police Elite took their own copy of the Tsubasa's files?"
"The Sumire's drives appear to have been wiped clean." Seiryo said thoughtfully. "Perhaps the Tsubasa's were, too. You just interrupted the killer before they had a chance to do it, that's all. Stands to reason - your black box's evidence might be the only record remaining that tackles what we're dealing with."
"Then whatever it was was probably watching me when I was there." Kiyone shivered, and for a moment Seiryo was afraid she might pass out. Then she seemed to rally herself, determination flickering in her eyes.
"Well, in that case, there's even more reason to try and solve this before that thing gets here." She said flatly.
"I think it's already here." Seiryo said grimly. Kiyone stared at him in alarm.
"What?"
"The other day, in the Infirmary, Tokimi said she saw a demon." Seiryo said quietly. "You know Washu, so you know that Kii see things other people don't see when they look at someone. Tokimi might be hurt and confused, but I don't believe she was delusional. I believe what she saw is the thing you didn't see...that somehow it can conceal itself from people's eyes. But because Kii eyes always see the true nature..."
"It can't hide from them." Kiyone whispered. "Do you really think that's what she saw? Washu did say Tokimi was unsettled still."
"I do." Seiryo inclined his head slightly. "When I was...shall we say, infected by Kii magic, it was one of the abilities which she gave me, temporarily. I know how strong it is...and how accurate. Yes, I think Tokimi really did see a demon. That being the case, a good many people could be in danger."
"You need to crack that file." Kiyone said blackly, and Seiryo nodded.
"I'm on it." He agreed. "If I had my ship, I'd be on it a lot quicker, but I'm doing my best."
Kiyone sighed heavily.
"There should be something I can do." She said pensively. Seiryo shook his head.
"Right now, that thing has let you live." He said bluntly. "For whatever reason - probably because - if it's found you, it's waiting for you to reveal what you know. While you don't know anything, you're probably safe. But the chances are that people who died knew something or saw something - or were just in the way. You could be in danger if this thing realised that your data recorder wasn't as blank as it seemed when you left Headquarters. While it hasn't tracked that down, it won't be interested in killing you. But it's a dangerous game. You'd do better stepping back for a while."
"It's my case."
"No, it's not. It's an Elite case that you've appropriated." Seiryo said seriously. "You know it as well as I do."
"You're no more authorised than I am!"
"Perhaps not. But you brought me into this, and I have training you don't." Seiryo shrugged. "It's up to you, but if you get murdered, it won't be very helpful."
Despite herself, Kiyone swallowed hard, and inwardly Seiryo regretted the harshness of his words. Then she shrugged, meeting his gaze defiantly.
"Fine." She said flatly. "But when you know something, Tennan-san, you tell me. All right? Whatever it is. Like it or not we're in this together and I don't back out on cases. I see them through to the bitter end!"
With which parting shot she turned on her heel, very much on her dignity as she stalked out of the shade of the trees and disappeared back towards the palace. Seiryo leant up against the trunk of the nearest tree, watching her go with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"Somehow it's easier to deal with blind hatred than fear. I'm more used to that." He mused to himself. "But she's a fool...she didn't learn anything from crossing Tokimi's path and she's going to wind up being killed if she doesn't learn that she can't save the universe on her own. Which means I need to get to the bottom of this. Protecting Kiyone Makibi from a horrible fate might not have been on my agenda before, but I suppose it's the best penance I could do...and besides, if she's right, she probably is in danger. Or she will be. When this creature discovers what's become of her file."
As he stood there, he became aware of a commotion across the far side of the lawn and as he stepped out of the trees, he recognised the sound of Tokimi's voice, frightened and plaintive amid the rest. Cursing under his breath, the nobleman quickened his pace, hurrying towards the source of the noise, Kiyone forgotten for the time being. As the voices became louder, Seiryo was able to make out some of the words and anger coursed through him as he registered what was going on. Amid Tokimi's desperate pleas to be left alone, he was aware of scorn and disdain as a trio of young courtiers threw a mixture of derision and abuse in her direction.
"Demon! Why are you even here? What evil are you planning to do to our planet?"
"In the name of Tsunami, you shouldn't be allowed to walk among us. What gives a monster like you the right to live peacefully on Jurai when so many others have died because of you?"
"My ancestors were Kii. Do you think I'm going to stand back while their murderer walks free?"
"Enough!" Seiryo pushed between them, hauling the closest of the young men away from his terrified victim and tossing him down on the ground. "Tokimi is a ward of Jurai and you will treat her with the respect she deserves!"
"We were." The tallest of the youths glared up at Seiryo, venom in his gaze. "And you have as much honour as she does, Lord Tennan. Everyone knows you're her slave – you do her bidding and plot to destroy Jurai from within. The Emperor may trust you, but we all know who you are and what your evil plans are. You are as big a disgrace as she is, and make no mistake about that!"
"Nii-chan, why are they angry with me?" Tokimi grasped at Seiryo's hands and the look of genuine bewilderment in the deep blue eyes sparked Seiryo's anger a second time. He drew his sword, white blade flickering and glowing into life as he placed himself neatly in front of her, narrowing his gaze as he glanced from one young protagonist to the next.
"I am a peer of Jurai, and a subject of the Emperor." He said quietly. "It is his will that I take care of Tokimi, and none of your business that I do so. Her presence here is with Azusa-heika's blessing. Do you seek to attack the will of your King? That is treason…of which you dare accuse me!"
"Everyone knows that the Tennan family are not loyal to the Council or to Lord Azusa." The tall youth spat back. "My family have been on the Council for generations too, Lord Tennan, and my father says…"
"Your father is ill advised to confide anything in you, if you honour him by betraying his trust." Seiryo cut across the man's petulant speech. "You are Jun Hirata...I recognise your sallow features just as well as I do his. Would you like it conveyed to the Emperor that you - and your father - consider him a fool for who he chooses to trust?"
Despite himself, the youth paled, taking a hesitant step back. Seiryo nodded slowly.
"I am not the traitor you believe me to be." He said coldly. "Nor am I going to shirk from my duty if the need arises. If your father has disloyal comments to make, I suggest you tell him to make them elsewhere, or to address his concerns to the Emperor at Council session. Otherwise he might find himself on the end of an arrest warrant – and such cases can prove messy."
"You'd know all about that, Lord Tennan." A second youth put his hands on his hips. "Or is patricide not considered a crime any more?"
"Having never committed it, I wouldn't know." Seiryo responded neatly. "Disperse, the lot of you. You are children playing playground games. Can't you see that she doesn't understand a word you're saying to her? She doesn't know what you're talking about, and you're cruel to torment her in this way. She is Kii, not demon. Learn the difference."
"I know the difference very well, Lord Tennan, and if you seek to punish me because I do then that's up to you." The youth's eyes narrowed. "Many are the legends of the wrath of Lady Tokimi. I know them all too well. My grandfather's ancestors were Kii born, and I have no shame in this connection. But I refuse to see why I should breathe the same air as the monster who defiled my family's homeland and destroyed so many lives. She is evil and you should step aside. She deserves death, after the pain she's brought to so many."
"And that's what you seek to do?" Seiryo asked quietly, aware of Tokimi's pale face and shaking form out of the corner of his eye. "To kill a sick girl who doesn't remember, for crimes committed many millennia before you were born?"
"She remembers. She's as false as you are. She pretends, but I'm not fooled!"
The young man raised his own weapon, making a dive for Tokimi, but Seiryo was fast and he parried the blow, knocking the blade out of the boy's hand.
"Attack her again and I will speak for you myself." He said darkly, his eyes flickering with anger. "And learn to hold your blade before you disgrace yourself with it further."
"The demon gives him magic." The third youth, who had remained silent whispered now, staring up at Seiryo with wary, suspicious eyes. "She's cursed him and now noone on Jurai is safe."
"I warned you once. Leave. Her. Alone." Seiryo's eyes narrowed, and despite their bravado, the youths shrank back. Seiryo nodded.
"Yes, that's right. That's the first sensible thing you've done so far." He added. "Go or I will report this to Lord Azusa. You give our planet a bad name, all of you."
He raised his sword once more and their nerve gone, the boys fled. Seiryo grimaced, then turned his attention to Tokimi, who buried her head in his shoulder, shaking with frightened tears.
"They were angry at Tokimi." She whispered. "Why? Did I do a bad thing?"
"No...no." Despite his indignation at the incident, Seiryo softened his tones, shaking his head. "They're just idiotic children and you shouldn't bother about them. All right? It's fine now. They've gone and they won't bother you again."
Tokimi raised troubled blue eyes to her companion and despite himself Seiryo bit his lip at the genuine anguish in their depths.
"But they were angry." She murmured. "And they made Nii-chan angry."
"Yes, they did." Seiryo admitted ruefully. "But I'm not angry with you. What are you doing out here anyway, Tokimi? I thought you were still safely tucked up in the Infirmary."
"Washu took me out." Tokimi shook her head. "I didn't want to stay with the demon. So she took me. I stayed in her room."
"But you wandered off without telling her?"
"I wanted to find flowers for Washu-neechan." Tokimi looked guilty. "I'm sorry."
Seiryo sighed.
"Well, right now I don't think the palace is the best place for you." He decided heavily. "I'm going to be late for the Council, but I'll just have to be late. Come on, Tokimi. I'm taking you with me, back to my house. Suki will be there and you know she'll take good care of you. Then you won't need to worry about silly court wastrels like Jun Hirata and his friends. Our grounds have almost as many flowers as the palace...my mother always loved the gardens, and she's always insisted on them being tended, even now. I promise that you can find all the blooms you want there."
"Really?" Tokimi brightened at this, and Seiryo laughed.
"Really." He agreed. "So will you come? I'll tell Washu where you are, so she won't be worried. But I think you'll be safer there."
"Then I will come with Nii-chan." Tokimi said, grabbing him tightly by the hand and sending him a warm grin. "And see your house."
As Seiryo guided his charge out towards the Tennan estate, he caught sight of someone watching him from the edge of the palace and in surprise he realised that Kiyone had not gone so very far after all.
"So now she's spying on me, in case I've kept something else from her?" He wondered. "Stupid girl. She shouldn't have let me near her file, if she didn't trust me with it."
He met the detective's gaze, frowning as he read the expression on her face. It was a mixture of confusion and surprise, and despite himself, Seiryo wondered at it.
"Nii-chan, is your house big?"
Tokimi's tugging on his hand jerked him back to the situation at hand and he turned, pushing Kiyone out of his thoughts once more as he offered his charge a smile.
"Big enough." He agreed. "And it's not far to walk. I'll see you safe with Suki, and then I have to go back to see the Emperor. But she'll show you the flowers, so you'll be fine then. I don't pretend to be an expert on blossoms, but I'm sure you can find something pretty for Washu in our grounds, and as far as I'm concerned you can pick any that you like. Is it a deal?"
Tokimi beamed, childish contentment gleaming in her blue eyes as she nodded her head.
"Yes." She agreed. "It's a deal."