Chapter Ten
"Don't you think that Jurai is beautiful?"
As they walked through the expansive palace grounds, Sasami sent her companion a curious look. It was the same afternoon, and having neatly managed to avoid the attentions of her serious-minded brother in law and her overworked uncle, Sasami had slipped out of the palace, locating her newest ally and coaxing her out for a walk in the greenery that surrounded the royal Tenju tree. Glancing at her now, Sasami could see that Sakuya's complexion was still pale and peaky, and shadows beneath her eyes suggested she had not slept much after the previous night's encounter, but the young princess had already resolved not to bring the matter up unless Sakuya did herself. A pang of sympathy flitted across the generous-natured girl's young heart and she dimpled, flicking her hand in the direction of the stream that ran in a zig-zag through the land.
"Shall we walk to the water? The current's up today, because of the wind, but it's still pretty to see."
"You're still so nice to me." Sakuya eyed Sasami with a pensive gaze, and Sasami frowned, nodding her head.
"Of course. We're friends." She replied. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I seem to be causing you all kinds of trouble."
"How?"
"Last night. That girl...she was really angry." Sakuya bit her lip. "She scared me. Didn't she scare you?"
"Tokimi? No." Sasami looked surprised. "Why would she? She was the one who was scared."
"I thought she might hurt one of us."
"Well, I don't think she would." Sasami shook her head decidedly. "She's just a little confused still, that's all. She had a horrible accident, you see, and her mind was damaged. She doesn't think quite the same as she used to, and things scare her easily. You shouldn't think about it, Sakuya-chan. It's not important."
"But what about what she said?" Sakuya asked curiously. "About killing Jurai's Goddess. Didn't that bother you at all? It would bother me."
"No." Sasami shook her head again. "Tsunami is strong. And besides, well, Tokimi didn't mean it that way. She wasn't threatening. She was just...just confused about something. That's all. She doesn't speak our language very well, especially when she's upset. It's part of the injury she has, and that's all."
"But you're Tsunami. Aren't you?"
"Huh?" Sasami stopped in her tracks, glancing at her companion in consternation. "What do you mean, Sakuya-chan? What did you say?"
Sakuya offered a faint smile, shrugging her shoulders.
"You're Tsunami." She repeated. "Isn't that true?"
"Yes...sort of." Sasami was taken aback. "But how did you know that? I thought it was a secret."
"Lady Ayeka mentioned it, when she and Lord Takeru came to speak to me about the Sumire." Sakuya's aqua eyes became opaque. "That's all. She thought that maybe the incident had something to do with Tsunami and she was quite persistant. She wanted to know what I remembered, and I guess this was why. She really cares about you."
"Well, of course she does." Sasami grinned. "She's my sister. I love her and she loves me. Do you have any sisters or brothers?"
"No." A thoughtful look flitted across Sakuya's eyes at this. "No. Just Mother and me."
"And your father, of course."
"Father is dead."
"Yes. Sorry."
"Don't be." Sakuya stretched her arms over her head, offering her friend a smile. "You wanted to walk further?"
"Just as far as the stream." Sasami nodded. "It's too racy to swim in on a windy day like this, but we can sit and watch the water for a while."
"I don't swim anyway." Sakuya pulled a face. "I don't like water very much."
"You don't?" Sasami looked startled. "Really?"
"Really." Sakuya agreed. "I hate how it feels in my hair and on my skin...it makes me..feel tired and heavy and cold. It's horrible."
"I guess that must be a Kanemitsu thing." Sasami dimpled. "But that's okay. Like I said, no swimming today."
"It's big, for a stream." Sakuya observed, as they reached the bank, Sasami squatting down at the edge and indicating for her friend to join her. "I'd say it's more of a river. It's so much bigger than I remember."
"Than you...remember?" Sasami looked non-plussed. "Have you been to Jurai before, Sakuya-chan?"
"No. I meant from the window of the Infirmary." Sakuya shook her head. "It looks like such a thin blue ribbon from up there, don't you think? I didn't realise it was so wide."
"Well, it wasn't always." Sasami turned her gaze back to the racing water. "But you know, when it moves like this it pulls soil and earth in and then it gets wider. Only bit by bit, of course, but it adds up."
She giggled.
"I guess it is more like a river, in a way." She agreed. "But we still call it the stream. I like to come here a lot, Sakuya-chan. Especially when I want to think."
"Or talk to Tsunami?" Sakuya asked softly. Sasami looked confused, and Sakuya gestured towards the water.
"You look like her. Your reflection." She said simply. The Princess blushed, reaching a hand down into the water to disperse the floating image.
"Sometimes I do." She agreed. "And yes, Tsunami does talk to me here. But you know, she talks to me wherever I am. She's inside of me, so she doesn't find it hard to reach me whenever she wants me."
"Are you actually her? I mean, in the flesh?" Sakuya rested her chin on her hands, sprawling out on her stomach as she gazed up at her companion. Sasami tilted her head on one side.
"Ayeka really told you all about it, huh?" She remarked. "I suppose she really is worried about all of this - that somehow it might be a threat to me. Especially with what Tokimi said - I guess that makes sense."
She shrugged her shoulders, edging closer to the water as she trailed her hand absently beneath the ripples.
"Tsunami says that I was always going to be her." She said slowly. "So I suppose that I am Tsunami, really. I mean, that's who I was when I was born. It was why I was born, and why I look the way I do. But...I don't know, Sakuya. I've been Sasami for my whole life so even if the things I do and say and think are really a part of Tsunami, I like to think that I'm Sasami. And even when we are one person again, I'm still going to be Sasami. Because that's who I am, you know? My family, my friends, they all know Sasami. So I'll still be Sasami."
She hesitated, sighing heavily.
"At least, I hope so." She added pensively. "I don't really know what will happen, when we do become one person. Tsunami promised she wouldn't take over my life completely...but...it might change a lot of things. And I suppose it's a bit strange to think of. So I don't, if I can help it."
"Are you scared to become her, then?" Sakuya asked curiously. Sasami shrugged.
"Maybe." She admitted. "A little bit. I don't want to stop being Sasami to be Tsunami. That's all. I like being Sasami."
"What if you never did have to become her, though?" Sakuya tilted her head on one side. "Don't you get a choice?"
"I don't think so." Sasami sighed again. "Tsunami says we're split from the same spirit, so that means eventually we'll have to be one soul again. Trying to seperate us now would kill both of us, and obviously that wouldn't be good for either one of us, would it?"
She grinned ruefully, shaking her head.
"I'm boring you with my babble." She added. Sakuya shook her head.
"No. Not at all." She assured her companion. "I like hearing all about Jurai, really."
"Well, I'm grateful that you came out with me this morning, Sakuya-chan." Sasami said wistfully. "Suki is busy with Tokimi and her mother - Lady Kaede is very sick and Suki often has to stay home and nurse her, when she's having a bad day. Ayeka is working - Ayeka is always working. Tenchi and Ryoko are...well, I don't know where they are, but probably doing something gross that couples do. I love them both but I don't want to be a part of that. And we were meant to be looking after Kiyone for Ayeka, but she's been holed up with Washu in her lab working on something she won't tell me about. I heard them talking about unlocking secrets and something from Headquarters...it sounded exciting. But apparently it's not any of my business...so if it wasn't for you, I'd be really lonely."
"I don't think I know Kiyone-san."
"She's a friend of ours from the Galaxy Police." Sasami said with a grin. "Only she's meant to be here on holiday. Thing is, she doesn't like taking holidays, and nor does Washu, if there's a mystery to crack. So I don't know what they're doing, but I wish they'd let me be involved. I feel left out."
"The Galaxy Police?" Sakuya's eyes narrowed. "There were Police officers on our ship, too. On the Sumire. They died."
"Yes..." Sasami bit her lip. "I'm sorry - everything must remind you, mustn't it?"
"I don't mind when you do it." Sakuya shrugged her shoulders, getting to her feet. She smiled, holding her hand out to her friend. "You're different from the others. You're special."
"I'm glad you think so." Sasami eyed the extended hand hesitantly. "But won't I hurt you?"
"No...no, it's all right." Sakuya assured her. "And we're friends. Aren't we?"
"We are." Sasami grinned, reaching out to take Sakuya's grip in hers. As she did so, a flood of images cascaded through her head and she let out an exclamation as some unseen force seemed to whip her legs from under her. She grabbed out with her free hand, but somehow Sakuya's fingers were slipping out of her grasp and she found herself falling backwards towards the racing waters of the stream.
With a screech she tumbled beneath the frozen waters, her head breaking the surface again almost immediately as she fought to swim for the shore. The current seemed to be increasing, however, and all around her the ripples lapped and teased at her skin, as if deliberately trying to hold her back. She drew a deep breath into her lungs, raising her gaze towards the shore.
"Sakuya-chan!" She screamed. "The current's so fast...help me!"
In a brief flash she caught sight of her friend, standing on the bank staring out towards her, but then the image was gone as the water whirled her around, twisting and disorientating her. Something seemed to wind itself around her legs, and she kicked out against it, sure that some kind of river weed had got caught in the fastenings of her shoes. The more she kicked, however, the more something appeared to pull her down and it was with some difficulty that she fought against it, struggling to keep her head above the water.
"Sakuya-chan!" She yelled. "Get help! Get help!"
This time she could not see her friend on the bank, and as she was dragged beneath the surface a third time, panic surged through her young body.
"I can swim." She told herself frantically. "So why can't I get to the shore?"
As she battled to get her head above the water once more, she felt something flicker within her and with a sudden burst of energy, she broke free of whatever had been pulling her back, breaking the surface once more and taking in a deep, desperate gasp of air.
"Tsunami!" She whispered, almost breathless from the effort. "Tsunami, help me! I'm too tired - I can't swim any more!"
"Help is coming, Sasami-chan." The voice echoed in her thoughts, and somehow the strength of Tsunami's heart beating around her own calmed Sasami's rising sense of hysteria. She gritted her teeth, forging out for the bank once more. As she did so, she realised that she had been carried some way downstream and that the speed of the current had indeed dragged her almost to the edge of the palace grounds.
"Sakuya!" She murmured, as she set her sights for the bank and summoned the last of her strength, determined to keep herself above the crest of the water despite the cold that had begun to chill her right to the bone. "Where is Sakuya?"
"Lady Sasami!"
Before she could dwell on this question any further, there was the sound of another voice and tears of relief sprang into Sasami's eyes as she recognised the speaker. There was a sudden rush of water, and then someone was beside her in the swift current, strong arms reaching out for her and pulling her nearer and nearer to the shore. As she felt the grass beneath her hands, Sasami collapsed against her rescuer, frightened tears overwhelming her as she realised she was safe.
"Kamidake." She murmured, burying her head in his shoulder as the sobs shook through her. "I was so scared. I was so scared!"
"What happened, Lady Sasami?" Kamidake put a gentle finger beneath her chin, lifting her face to his. "You can swim...you're a good swimmer. What happened?"
"I don't...I don't know." Sasami shook her head, tears still in her eyes. "I was on the bank, with...with Sakuya-chan. Then she reached out a hand to help me up and something happened. I don't know what it was, but I...I fell back, into the water. And it was like...like something was in there with me. Pulling me down...trying to stop me from getting out. It was like something was trying to drown me, Kamidake! I was so scared!"
"Trying...to drown you?" Kamidake looked alarmed, getting to his feet and pulling his young companion up with him. "Did you see anyone else? Perhaps Miss Sakuya tried to rescue you?"
"No..Sakuya can't swim." Sasami shook her head, biting her teeth together to stop them chattering as a cold wind whipped through her. "I'm s...so cold. The water...was like ice."
"We'll go right back to the palace and you can dry off and change your gown." Kamidake eyed her keenly. "That heavy fabric isn't designed for dips in the stream - it probably pulled you down."
"How did you know I was in trouble?" Sasami asked, as the knight took her firmly by the hand, leading her at a brisk pace across the grounds of the palace. Kamidake smiled.
"How do you think I knew?" He asked simply, and Sasami's eyes became big as she remembered the gentle voice beneath the waves.
"Tsunami...called you to me?"
"It's been a while since the Goddess called on me to serve her." Kamidake nodded. "But when she calls, I know that it's important."
"She said help was coming. That was what she meant." Sasami gripped his hand more tightly. "But you're all wet too, Kamidake. Aren't you cold?"
"I'm not afraid of a little cold, Hime-sama." Kamidake assured her. "I've fought in worse conditions than this before. What matter is that you're safe."
"We must find Sakuya...she's probably scared that something's happened to me." Sasami realised. Kamidake shook his head.
"First, you dry off. Your Father would never forgive me if I allowed you to take cold." He said firmly. "Besides, wherever she is, Sakuya-san wasn't by the river. I didn't see her when I hurried down here, and I came down from the palace itself. She wasn't on the path at all."
"She might have gone back another way to look for help, or she might have got lost."
"I don't know, Hime. I just know she wasn't there." Kamidake said simply. Sasami frowned, glancing at her hands as another shiver ran through her.
"What happened to me when I fell, Tsunami?" She murmured. "What were those pictures? So many images and all so random and jumbled, nothing made sense."
She sighed, shaking her head.
"I don't know. It's all a bit odd." She acknowledged. "Maybe Sakuya isn't worried about me at all. Maybe she thought Tsunami would save me."
"How would she know anything about Tsunami, Hime-sama?" Kamidake looked surprised. Sasami shrugged.
"Ayeka told her about our connection, when she spoke to Sakuya about the Sumire." She said. Kamidake frowned, shaking his head.
"No, Lady Sasami...that's not possible." He said quietly.
"But Sakuya said..."
"I was with Lady Ayeka when she and Lord Takeru spoke to the child. On a couple of occasions." Kamidake said gently. "No mention was made of Tsunami, let alone your bond with her. Ayeka-sama knows that the connection you share is a matter of great importance to Jurai and Juraian security. She would not reveal it to anyone - especially not someone from outside Jurai's borders."
Sasami whitened, raising stricken eyes to her companion's violet ones.
"But Sakuya knew all about it." She whispered. "About me...being Tsunami...how?"
"I don't know." Kamidake admitted. "But you can rest assured that she didn't learn of it from your noble sister."
Sasami bit her lip, thoughts whirling through her head as she replayed her conversation with her friend. At length she shook her head.
"This is silly." She muttered. "I'm going to get dry and then I'm going to go find Washu. If anyone knows about Tsunami it's her, and since our trip to Kihaku I sort of think that she understands better than anyone else. When I've changed, I'm going down to her lab."
"Do you want me to wait and escort you, Princess?" Kamidake asked, and Sasami glanced at him for a moment, then shook her head.
"No. You're all wet and I don't want you to catch a cold either." She said firmly. "But thank you, Kamidake. Thank you for saving me, too. I...I didn't really say it before, but I..I am glad you came."
"That's why I'm here, Hime-sama. To take care of you." Kamidake grinned at her, and Sasami returned the grin, suddenly comforted. She nodded.
"I know. And it makes me very happy that you are." She said, a faint pink blush touching her cheeks as she spoke. Then, as they reached the palace entrance, she cast him a playful smile, loosing her grip on his hand and darting in through the entrance before he could say anything else. As she hurried up the stairs to her chamber, she barely acknowledged any of the guards on duty, pushing back her door and grabbing her towel from it's hook as she began to change her clothes.
As she towelled her hair dry, she cast a glance out of her window down to the ground below, watching Kamidake striding across the grass towards the annexe where he and Azaka had the best of the Knights' quarters. She sank back against the palace wall, clutching her towel tightly to her as she bit her lip.
"Tsunami, this is mad." She scolded. "You sent him on purpose, because you know I have a crush on him. You're mean, sometimes."
"I sent someone who cared enough for your welfare to drop everything and come." Tsunami's voice echoed around the chamber and Sasami jumped, almost dropping the towel in her surprise.
"Tsunami?" She whispered, her gaze darting towards the mirror pool that stood in the corner. As she inched closer to it, she saw the Goddess's reflection glimmering on the surface and she sighed, putting out a tentative hand to meet Tsunami's watery fingers.
"You were trying to tell me something, weren't you, the day I met Sakuya in the Infirmary?" She murmured. "Weren't you?"
"Go to Washu." Tsunami spoke softly, and Sasami saw the gentle compassion flickering in her reflection's crimson eyes. "And stay safe, my sister. Much goes on that could be dangerous to both of us. Keep your wits about you, and trust only those who have proven themselves to you before."
"Well, I was going to go to Washu, anyway." Sasami sighed. "You won't tell me any more than that, Tsunami?"
"Washu will be able to tell you anything you need to know." Tsunami shook her head. "My sense is vague - I only perceive bits and pieces, I don't have the whole picture. But I know that you might be in danger, and that those close to you may be, as well."
"Great." Sasami grimaced. "Just when I thought I was safe and sound and a normal girl again."
She set down her towel, reaching for her fresh gown as she wriggled into it, loosing her hairties and brushing her thick hair out across her shoulders. For a moment she hesitated, then grabbed up her ties once more, self-consciously fastening the damp waves back from her face in imitation of the Goddess's own style.
"There." She said pensively. "What do you think, Tsunami? Do I look like you, now?"
"You are me, so that is a foolish question, Sasami-chan." There was genuine affection in the Goddess's voice, and despite herself, Sasami grinned.
"I suppose so." She agreed. "And you'll keep me safe, Tsunami - won't you?"
"As much as I can, my sister." Tsunami inclined her head, even as her image began to fade from the surface of the water. "As much as I can."
For a moment Sasami gazed down into her own reflection, taking in her appearance with her hair styled in the different way.
"I do look like Tsunami a lot more this way." She realised. "It's almost spooky, but I suppose it is thanks to her I didn't drown today...for sending Kamidake to help me, and for not letting me give up when I didn't think I could swim any more. But what about Sakuya? What happened to her? I wish I knew what was going on here."
She frowned, a determined expression touching her face.
"Well, I'm going to see Washu." She said decidedly. "And then maybe things will start to make some sense!"
----------
"What exactly is this all about, Ayeka-chan?"
Haru eyed his eldest daughter with a harried frown, setting aside the documents he had been scanning and sitting down in the chair of his study, his gaze flitting from the Princess to her companion. "And Ryoko - you too. You're not usually so brazen as to enter my private work quarters...what can you be doing here?"
"Father, we want to talk to you, alone." Ayeka said meaningfully, casting a sidelong glance towards the guard on duty by the door even as Ryoko bristled at the Prince's words. Haru frowned, but nodded, raising his hand in a dismissive gesture towards the uniformed man. The guard bowed his head, obediently withdrawing from the study, and Haru sat back in his seat, folding his arms across his chest. To Ryoko, he looked even more weasly and thin-faced than ever, his brow creased in preoccupation over the recent events surrounding Jurai.
"Well, you have your wish, musume-chan." The Prince spoke quietly. "Although I can't imagine what's so important it should interrupt my work. You know that this Sumire business is a top priority and your Uncle..."
We came to speak about the Sumire." Ryoko cut across him quietly, dropping down into a vacant seat and kicking her legs up onto the edge of the Prince's desk. "That's why we're here."
"Ryoko, can't you at least pretend to show some respect for your surroundings?" Haru glowered at her, reaching across to knock her feet off the edge of the oak-polished surface. "This isn't some pirate hangout deep in the wilds of space. This is the office of a Prince of the realm and you'd do well to remember it."
"Yes, and you'd do well to remember that I'm your great niece." Ryoko shot back. "The Emperor at least calls me Ryoko-san. You could try and do the same, once in a while. It wouldn't kill you to acknowledge me, considering that I've come here to help. Ayeka and I both have. We might know more than you do about the Sumire at the moment, so you'd better reassess your attitude if you want to find out what that is."
"Ryoko, Father, stop it." Ayeka held up her hands, a look of frustration on her face. "This isn't getting us anywhere. I'm scared, and this is important! Stop fighting about silly things...I want to get to the bottom of this and stop if from happening again!"
"Stop what from happening again?" Haru demanded, even as Ryoko sent the Princess a grimace, holding up her hands in mock-surrender. "Ayeka, stop talking in riddles. I'm a busy man...what's the matter?"
"We want to know about Yugi Kuroda." Ayeka said quietly. "And her mother, Yukari."
For a moment there was deathly silence in the room, as Haru digested his daughter's words. Then, at length, he glanced up, shaking his head.
"I don't know either name." He said quietly. "They're both new to me. What about them?"
"You're such a liar." Ryoko narrowed her gaze. "You remember them as well as I do. The look on your face says it all. It's right there, in your eyes. You know exactly who we're talking about."
"Moderate your language and your accusations, Ryoko-san, else you'll find yourself cooling heels in a cell, not a palace chamber." Haru said darkly. "How dare you accuse a Prince of Jurai of dishonesty?"
"It seems to run in the blood." Ryoko said frankly. "Stop it, and tell us the truth. We need to know what you know. It might be important."
"Please, Daddy." Ayeka sent him an emploring look. "If Ryoko's right and you do remember...please. Tell us. Tell us about Yugi and Yukari Kuroda."
Haru hesitated for a moment, and Ryoko saw him send his daughter a stricken look. He heaved a weighty sigh, rubbing his temples.
"Yugi and Yukari Kuroda are no concern of yours, or mine, or Jurai's. Not now." He said softly. "It's not important that you know anything about them, Ayeka. They're long gone."
"What if they're not?" Ryoko demanded. "Look, smart alec, lets stop this messing around. When Ayeka and I were kids, Yukari Kuroda was sentenced to death for treason, wasn't she? She was executed on the old jerk's orders - sent into the sun on account of her crimes. Her daughter Yugi was exiled to deep space, and that was the end of that. How am I doing so far? Does any of this jog your memory?"
It was impossible for Haru to go any whiter, and as she glanced at him, Ryoko realised that it was not shock but anger that had his hands shaking above his desk.
"Who on earth told you anything about that?" He demanded in low tones. "Yukari Kuroda - and her sentence - are top secret. Nobody knew about that outside of the palace."
"I was here, you idiot." Ryoko snorted. "I was Azusa's ward, remember? Your father - the old jerk Shigure - he didn't like me, so he had me confined to the servant's quarters and I didn't associate with you and your fine living as much as maybe I should have. But I was there. And I saw Yukari's execution. And it wasn't so much of a secret, so you're still lying to us. The whole planet turned out for it. They all came to see the demon sent into the sun."
"Father?" Ayeka asked uncertaintly. "Is Ryoko right? Is that what happened?"
Haru sighed, the anger draining out of him as he met his daughter's gaze. Slowly, he nodded his head.
"My father was deeply suspicious of Yukari and her influence at court." He said carefully. "And he suspected that she was involved in the death of her husband. You have to realise, both of you, that Jurai had suffered at the hands of Kagato only a handful of years earlier. That was a time when I was afraid even to have you and your mother on Jurai in case you were at risk, musume-chan. When Yukari Kuroda's behaviour began to be extreme, and when people who opposed her at court began to die in mysterious circumstances, we had to take action. And so we did."
"So that was her treason." Ryoko's eyes narrowed. "She murdered high standing members of the Royal Court?"
"Yes...and it was how she did it, not just the fact that she did." Haru agreed darkly. "She was a demon, Ryoko. Just like you...she had evil magic beyond that of Jurai and she used that evil to corrupt and destroy the planet she had begun to call home. Her husband was the first to fall - she cast a spell on him to make him love her, and then she slew him, inheriting his money and his status as his widow. Over the course of thirteen years she must have arranged the deaths of thirty or forty high standing noble representatives. Eventually the trail led back to her door...it was impossible to ignore."
"I am not a demon!" Ryoko reacted angrily. "I'm half Juraian and I'm half Kii! I've never killed anyone in my life, whatever you might think of me! And I do not use subversive magics to subdue, slay or otherwise manipulate important people at Jurai's court!"
"Ryoko." Ayeka held up her hand, shaking her head slightly. "Not right now. That isn't important."
She frowned.
"So if this did happen, Father, why can't I remember it?" She asked. "Ryoko and I are about the same age. If she recalls it, why don't I?"
"Do you think that I would have allowed a small child of maybe eleven to witness such a thing?" Haru demanded. "Don't be foolish. Execution is not something generally discussed with juvenile Princesses, even those who will one day be Empress of all Jurai."
"All right." Ayeka pursed her lips. "That's true, I suppose. I mean, it wouldn't have been nice. And Ryoko did say that she was dragged along to see it - that she remembered it because the woman called her a demon and threatened her with the same fate. I don't always know much about the work you do, even now. It does make sense that I wouldn't know about it then, too."
"And Yugi Kuroda?" Ryoko pressed. "If Yukari existed, Yugi must have done, too. Or is your selective Juraian memory reluctant to bring that one out from beneath the cobwebs?"
"Jurai went through a very difficult time between the betrayal of Kagato and the execution of Lady Kuroda." Haru said quietly. "My father lost his life in a battle with Kain, and Azusa lost his son to the Earth. The succession relied on a baby who was still young and vulnerable to influence and harm. Naturally my lady wife and I were fearful for Ayeka's safety. We were always fearful of that. In the months before Ayeka was conceived, Misaki lost a baby, and we have never believed it to have been a natural accident. Before she was murdered, my sister confessed to me that she believed Kagato had been responsible for Misaki's miscarriage. In light of that, fatherhood took on a whole new and frightening role when Misaki told me she was expecting again. When so much rested on your head, Ayeka - we had to protect you. You realise that, don't you? You were Jurai's future - but you were also our whole world."
"Father." Ayeka's expression softened, and she offered him a smile. "I know that. I know you and Mother have always been protective of both Sasami and I."
"But..?" Ryoko's eyes narrowed. "I sense a 'but' in this discussion somewhere. What about the Kuroda girl, Haru? I remember her quite clearly. Fair hair, big aqua eyes, always stuck on herself and her opinions. And I remember that she spent time with Ayeka. So if that's true, you can't pretend you don't know who she is. Prevaricating with some meaningless protective father babble isn't going to answer our questions. Who was she, what happened to her, and why was she sent from Jurai? What exactly did she do?"
Haru was silent, biting his lip, and Ryoko let out a cry of frustration, getting to her feet and banging her fists down on the Prince's desk.
"Listen to me, Haru-dono, we're not going anywhere until you tell us the truth." She said darkly, her eyes blazing with defiance. "Last night your beloved elder daughter turned psycho and tried to put an end to me. See these scratches across my throat? Ayeka's nails did that. And we both know that she wasn't in her right mind at the time. This morning, Ayeka went visiting Lady Tokimi, and almost blasted her to hell with her Jurai power...fortunately for Tokimi, Kiyone was there and intervened. And unless tree-cutting has become a national pastime, your Crown Princess also took a blade to Tsunami's tree within the past few days. Now, all of those things are not normal Ayeka behaviour. She might be uptight and sometimes a bit scary to be around. But she's not normally homicidal and I think you'll agree that it's strange Ayeka doesn't remember doing any of those things. And oddly enough, Ayeka also doesn't remember Yugi Kuroda, even though she so clearly existed. People have already died...so I think it's time you told us exactly what you know."
Haru stared up at the pirate with stricken red eyes, and Ryoko knew she had hit her mark.
"Ayeka..." he murmured. "No. You...it can't..."
"Ryoko is right, Father." Ayeka said sadly. "All those things...she's right. But I don't remember. And I'm scared. Washu and Kiyone have a police file about Yugi Kuroda...she was sealed up in the vicinity of Kihaku, wasn't she?"
Haru gazed at his daughter as if seeing her for the first time. Very slowly, he nodded his head.
"And Kihaku's explosion broke the capsule." Ryoko said bluntly, dropping back into her seat with a thud. "Setting her free to slaughter her way across the universe."
It was impossible for Haru to go any whiter, and he swallowed hard, fear flickering across his dark red eyes.
"No." He whispered. "We took care...we took care of...of it all."
"Father, if you know something, you need to tell us." Ayeka said quietly. "Washu and Kiyone have evidence to suggest that the Kuroda girl is behind everything that's been going on. And if that's true, and she is using me in some way, I want to know how and why. Has she done this before? Is that why I don't remember who she is?"
Haru sighed, and to Ryoko, he looked older and more haggard than she had ever seen him before. He hung his head, refusing to meet either woman's eye.
"Yugi was a childhood playmate of yours, Ayeka-chan." He said softly. "We didn't know, of course, the dangers. Not then. It was only late on that we were able to lay crimes at Yukari's door...or implicate the child in any of her nefarious practices. Yugi was a year or two older than you, but you spent time together anyway. You seemed to be close friends."
He glanced up at this, sending Ryoko a guilty glance.
"It was partly my fault you were exiled to the serving quarters, Ryoko." He added. "And I pushed for you to be sent to the colonies, also. I wanted you away from my little girl...as far away as possible."
"Yes. I know. I overheard enough of your chats with Azusa to know that." Ryoko said coldly. "I was bad blood, wasn't I? A demon in waiting. Something like that."
"I was scared." Haru admitted. "Yugi seemed such an ordinary child. But Ayeka...sometimes...there were moments she would do things. Unexpected things. She'd act up in a way she'd never done before. As time went on, it only became worse. Her behaviour...it became wild and it was difficult to conceal."
"My behaviour?" Ayeka's eyes became big. "But I don't remember any of this...none of it at all!"
"No, and you wouldn't, my child." Haru sighed. "You see, your mother and I, we made a decision. We did a terrible thing, all things considered. But we did it to protect you. To protect Jurai's future."
"You exiled Yugi." Ryoko pursed her lips. Haru shook his head.
"No..." He said hesitantly. "Not exactly."
"Then what?" Ayeka looked fearful, and Haru bit his lip.
"When Sasami was little more than a baby, your behaviour became even more uncontrollable than it had been before." He said unwillingly, dropping his gaze once more. "You seemed so violently opposed to the new baby that we feared for Sasami's safety. Or at least, I did. Your mother always maintained - still maintains - that you would rather die than hurt Sasami. And these days, I believe that to be the truth."
"Of course it is." Ayeka looked indignant. "I love my sister...why would I ever hurt her?"
"I ask myself that question, sometimes." Haru pursed his lips. "But hurt her you did, my child. There was an incident..."
He faltered, and Ayeka was on her feet, anger flaring in her red eyes.
"This isn't true! I would never harm Sasami!" She exclaimed. "Never, do you hear me? Never!"
"One morning, when we were still sleeping, you crept into Sasami's nursery." Haru said softly, meeting his daughter's gaze at long last and Ryoko was startled to see the depth of the anguish that rested there. "You took the child from her crib, and left the palace complex. You went to the stream, and you dropped your baby sister into the rushing water. Then you stood there, intent on watching her as she drowned."
"I didn't!" Tears sprang into Ayeka's red eyes. "Father, I didn't! You're lying! I wouldn't! I didn't! I couldn't!"
"That is what your mother maintains to this day." Haru acknowledged. "And yet you were seen - by several members of household staff who rushed to Sasami's rescue. The baby was within an inch of her life when she was pulled from the cold water. I believe only Tsunami's spirit within her kept her alive that day. She was so small, and unable to protect herself."
"Ayeka." Ryoko whispered, as the tears ran down Ayeka's cheeks. "For real?"
"I didn't." Ayeka repeated. "Why are you saying these things? I didn't!"
"It was at that point that we discovered the depths of Yugi's influence over you." Haru said sadly. "That she had gone beyond the bonds of friendship and begun influencing your thoughts and actions in ways that could only be detrimental to those around you. That the attack on Sasami was not of your will is beyond doubt, Ayeka. That somehow she coerced you to do it has always been the recognised opinion. So we took steps...we took steps to ensure that you never had to live with the guilt of hurting your sister. And we swore that we would make sure you and Sasami grew up close - that we'd somehow make you understand that she was someone to be loved, not someone sent to replace you in our hearts."
Ayeka buried her head in her hands, her sobs overwhelming her, and Ryoko's eyes narrowed.
"What kind of steps?" She asked quietly. Haru glanced at his hands.
"Ayeka's memories of the event, and her alliance with Yugi, were suppressed." He said softly. "Yugi was exiled, and that was the end of that. Ayeka remembered nothing of the event and those who had known anything about it were sworn to secrecy on pain of grave penalties should they ever speak of it again. Many of them are no longer in royal service. It was as if it never happened."
He bit his lip.
"That is why you were isolated also, Ryoko." He admitted. "From the palace and then from Jurai itself. To begin with, I thought you were responsible for Ayeka's actions. And then, when Yugi was gone, I became paranoid about your continued presence on Jurai. Your magic was alien and I didn't know if I could trust it. So I wanted you as far from my children as possible. You must not blame Azusa for your treatment. He would dearly have liked to have kept you, but the Emperor and I both made it untenable for him to even consider the matter."
He sighed.
"Although even my father did not have the final, casting vote at the time. The blame is, almost in its entirety, mine."
Ryoko was silent for a moment, digesting this. Then she shook her head.
"You really are some kind of monster, you know that?" She said quietly, eyes flickering in disgust as she got to her feet, putting a hand on Ayeka's shoulder. "Come on, Ayeka. Let's go back to Washu and tell her what we've found. I think we've both had enough of this kind of company for one day...don't you?"
"How could you." Ayeka pulled away from Ryoko, wheeling on her father and banging her hands down on the desk in a fit of pique that would have rivalled Ryoko's own earlier attempts. "How could you do that to me? And lie to me all this time? How could you! You made me believe something that wasn't true - and you made me hate Ryoko when all the time Ryoko didn't do anything wrong except end up on Jurai an orphan! You infected me with your paranoia and yet the one I should have been fearful of is you! Ryoko is right - you are a monster, to do that to your own daughter!"
"Ayeka..." Haru looked stricken, and Ryoko sent him the filthiest look she could muster, slipping an arm around the Princess's shoulders.
"Forget about it." She said softly. "Now we know, we can take steps. It's not going to happen again. We're going to get to the bottom of this, and we're going to resolve it, once and for all."
Ayeka buried her head in Ryoko's shoulder, still shaking with her tears, and Haru got to his feet, but Ryoko held out her hand, a forcefield flickering up between them.
"No. Don't." She said bluntly. "You've done enough to both of us. Stay there. Ayeka doesn't need you right now."
Ayeka raised her gaze to Ryoko's, eyes still swimming with despair.
"You tell Washu." She whispered. "I need...I need to find Sasami. I need to...I need to tell her..."
She broke off, sending her father a final, heartbreaking look. Then she pulled free of Ryoko's grip, fleeing the study and banging the door behind her.
For a moment there was silence, as prince and pirate eyed one another in mutual suspicion.
"I didn't mean to hurt her." Haru said at length. "What would you do, if it was your child?"
"I would tell her the truth." Ryoko said acidly. "I've been lied to my whole life too, and I know how it feels. And I'm not a bit surprised that it was you who wanted rid of me from Jurai, Haru. I've always laid the blame at your door, anyway. You might be a Prince but you're definitely not worthy of any title. Whatever Ayeka went through then, pretending it never happened is no way to solve anything. All it does is create more questions later on. Right now, Yugi Kuroda is probably on Jurai, and thanks to your silence, she's been able to kill people. She might yet kill more. She might spill more blood across Ayeka's hands than just mine - think about that for a while, will you? And just remember that, if she does, the blame won't be on Ayeka's head. It will be on yours, for playing God with your daughter's memory!"
With that she flickered her form out of the study, re-materialising on the grass outside the palace as she struggled to contain her own emotions.
"Ayeka and I always had such animosity as children, but really, all we had was Haru's paranoia keeping us apart." She realised. "If not for that...if not for that...then what? I don't know, but right now I'm angry for her. I should find her...she's in no state to be running loose around the palace. We might have had our differences, but I know how she's feeling. And if I can help - well, we...we're family. So I should. That's what Tenchi would say. Damn Azusa for spiriting my fiance away this morning! Maybe he'd be better than me at dealing with this. He's good at that sympathetic talking stuff. But right now I need to try and find her. That's important...and so is figuring out what Haru said in terms of what's been happening now. There's no doubt in my mind that Washu and Kiyone are right. This is the Kuroda girl's work, and her target probably is still Sasami."