July 12, Summer, year 36

Sick kids, council meetings, places I could swear I've been to but never have… it's hard to know where to start…

Claire had a mother's sense of when something was not right with her children. The type that woke her up in the middle of the night and made her get out of bed just so that she could make sure.

Her gentle knock on the door was well-timed, Lauren pulled the door open with a relieved smile.

"Hey Mom," she looked as though she hadn't slept at all. "I was just about to come get you…"

"What's wrong?" Claire's blue eyes flicked past her eldest daughter "Are you feeling alright?"

"No, not really," like all the kids Lauren had an honest streak to her bones. "but I'm doing better than everyone else. Meri's alternating between throwing up and crying, Alan and Mirei are just throwing up and Jamie's passed out to the point of not waking up period."

Claire reached out, lightly placing her hand on her child's forehead.

"And you shouldn't be up," she said sternly. "You're burning with fever honey. Go lie down, I'll get some things from the bathroom."

Lauren shook her head, and gave her mother a faint, clearly queasy, smile.

"Sympathetic nausea," she said by way of explanation. "Jamie's lucky he passed out…"

"What's going on?" Skye murmured sleepily, sitting up.

"Sick kids," Claire frowned unhappily.

She guided Lauren into the bathroom, wetting down a cloth to drape around the teen's neck and forehead.

"Stay here sweetie, I'll go take care of the little ones," She soothed her oldest with a gentle kiss. "Sleep if you can."

"Teleportation side effects," Skye was awake now, getting dressed. "I completely forgot about it. Everyone gets it on their first few teleports, some worse than others. I'll go get a healer, they'll ease the effects so that the kids can sleep them off."

Claire smiled faintly, filling a basin with cool, clear water, and grabbing several of the cloths that would be otherwise used in the bath.

"You're not entirely immune either," and as he passed he kissed her forehead lightly. "So don't push yourself."

"I'm a mother," and the indignation in her voice made him smile.

He knew full well that she would push herself until her children were better. It was just how she was.

Thankfully for all the little kids, Lauren had managed to find basins for them to throw up in which kept them from messing up their beds. Claire coaxed them to drink some of the water, smoothed fevered brows with cool washcloths, and sang songs to them as they waited for Skye to return.

She sat on Mirei's bed, cradling Meri, with the young twins each resting a head against a leg as she sang. It wasn't anything with meaning or import, it wasn't even, technically, a song. Just notes, filled with her wish for them to feel better.

It seemed to take forever for her husband to return, but return he did, with a woman in tow. Claire recognized the belt of the robes, but the robe itself was nowhere in sight. Instead the healer was wearing an almost floor-length robe of a pale green, tied with the silver belt that was on everyone else's robes.

"I am the head healer, Miharu," she said calmly. "I have attended to the lady Lauren, she will sleep off this affliction, as will the rest once I have seen to them."

And to Claire's surprise, she offered the blonde a faint, gentle smile.

"It is not uncommon for those newly teleported to become ill," and Miharu's voice was soothing as she moved first to Jamie. "Even our own suffer from this, though mortals and half-bloods always suffer the most. It is a wonder that you yourself are not ill my lady."

"I'm stubborn?" Claire offered, making Skye chuckle warmly.

"I do hope that your stubbornness keeps you from being ill," he interjected, worried in spite of himself. "You should be the worst affected, but maybe it's because you're used to magic…"

"That is likely my Prince," Miharu said, lifting hands that glowed amber from Jamie's forehead. "Few mortals have as much magic as your lady… but that may only delay the affects of the teleportation and dislocation."

Skye grimaced slightly, not liking the thought of his wife so afflicted. Claire just shrugged.

"I'm careful about paying attention to how I feel," she nodded, as Miharu touched both Alan and Mirei. "If I start to feel ill, I'll lie down immediately."

"Send a messenger to me, and I will arrive to treat you," Miharu looked up at Claire, eyes the same shade as the magic she was using. "I do hope that your symptoms are mild…"

She touched Meredith last, and by proxy, Claire. It felt… warm, the blonde decided. There was a taste in the back of her throat that was a little like honey.

"They will sleep for a day, perhaps two. No more than three," Miharu said as she pulled back. "I will send meals and drinks that will help restore their energy once they awaken."

Skye helped Claire transfer Alan and Meredith to their own beds, and collected Lauren from the bathroom. Miharu was halfway out the door when Claire called to her.

"Do you think… maybe you could teach me?" the farmer asked. "I've always thought that… well, healing would be good if I could learn it. But Winny's healing is done with potions, and the Harvest Goddess… well, she works with plants, not people."

The healer tilted her head slightly in thought.

"Not for this week," she said at last. "There is much to do even with Obon weeks away. But come to me after this week has ended and we shall arrange a time for beginning lessons."

And with that Miharu bowed, and slipped out the door, leaving Claire and Skye to themselves again. The blonde farmer leaned wearily upon her husband's shoulder and let out a long sigh.

"This happened to you too?" she asked after a minute.

"It's happened to everyone," he wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her head. "We get used to it after several trips, but then most of us just get headaches. Humans and half-humans are the ones who tend to get sick like this. It completely slipped my mind otherwise…"

"You say it and you're going to get an elbow in the gut," Claire warned, yawning. "There's nothing you could say that would have made me change my mind, so get over it."

He laughed, and gently drew her back to their room.

"Let's see if we can't get a couple more hours of sleep," he suggested. "The council meeting will be shortly after breakfast, and past lunch it'll be time to take up duties… at least until the council stops arguing about the decision I've made."

"I'm coming with you to the meeting," and Claire's tone brooked no arguments.

"Are you going to wear that?" Skye's sea-green eyes glittered with amusement.

Her mouth opened in denial, then closed, a thoughtful look crossing her face.

"It would be properly fancy," he added, changing back into his pajama's as she climbed into the large bed. "And it would suit…"

"I'll.. think about it," she yawned. "Maybe. I might just wear my overalls to be annoying…"

In the end, she did decided to wear that. That being her wedding dress, which had been made by the Harvest Goddess sixteen years before. She wouldn't wear it for long, but it was suitably fancy, and—unlike the clothing in the closets—she liked it.

Claire checked in on her sleeping children before she accompanied Skye—who was also dressed to the nines—on a calm walk to the Council Chamber. Daisuke joined them about halfway through, and Claire caught sight of the robes. But it was traditional, among other things, no matter how much she disliked the personality changes they underwent when they had the robes on.

The Council was a group of sixteen men and women, each clearly elderly. Where everyone Claire had met so far appeared to be anywhere from their teens to their late twenties, this group all appeared to be about the age of Griffin, or her Uncle Carter.

"I didn't think your people aged like this," she murmured softly.

Skye snorted, and tried very hard to keep a straight face. He wanted to impress the Council with his decision, not make them think he was a feckless fool.

"It takes a great deal of time," he murmured back. "They are centuries older than even my mother."

And then, to Claire's utter annoyance, they started to speak in a language that she could not understand. Skye quietly translated for her, at least until he was caught up as part of the conversation.

And she had the distinct feeling that he was leaving a lot of things out, if the expressions of the Council members were anything to go by. She had never been so glad for a group of people to start fighting amongst themselves, clearly dismissing the three of them.

Daisuke paused just outside the Council Chamber, and laid a hand on Skye's shoulder.

"Mother wishes me to pass on a dinner invitation, since your children have transport illness," he said calmly. "She also professes her understanding if you feel that you are unable to attend."

Claire and Skye exchanged looks. It was clear that Tsukiko meant Skye alone, but they would have to be quick to make it so that Claire would be going along as well…

"On or off?" Skye asked.

"Off, as always with family gatherings," Daisuke replied.

"Then…."

"We would be honored to attend," Claire interrupted giving Daisuke a sweet smile. "Please thank Queen Tsukiko for her kindness."

There was a brief, tiny smile as Daisuke caught the meaning and the emphasis of Claire's words. He bowed, and started to walk away. Skye dropped a brief kiss on Claire's forehead and followed, both of them would be heading to the court session.

Which technically she should have been attending as well, but they had both agreed that Claire wasn't the type to be… nonjudgmental. In some cases it wouldn't entirely be a bad thing, many of the people who came to the court to get their situations handled were of the lower class who didn't wear the robes, but Claire personally had chosen to stay away from the court situation.

She was a farmer, not a queen. And that ended the discussion for her.

Instead, she headed for one of the many formal gardens, almost idly. It was more that she needed something to do, even dressed up formally. She missed the feel of the earth beneath her fingers.

A familiar scent caught her attention and she turned, smiling. Roses, a rainbow of hues stretched out as far as her eyes could see, and she wandered happily among them, touching petals with a gentle finger, admiring the gentle hues.

As she wandered, a strange feeling began to sweep over her. Déjà vu. Her feet turned onto first one path, then another as she made her way through what appeared to be a maze of roses and briars.

Slowly, they changed into pure white Moon Roses, the kind which she already had at her home, and pale gold roses that shone like the white ones, if brighter, like the sun. Ones that she had seen in her dreams…

Claire shivered a little bit, running one hand over the back of her neck and hesitated at a crossroad. One part of her urged her on, wanting to know what she could find and another held back, afraid. She was starting to recognize the area.

After a few minutes she let out a long breath and kept going. She had to see if her memory matched up.

As she walked, a stillness began to descend over the garden. Singing birds faded into the background, the sound of hidden fountains vanished, and the air seemed to press in around her, stifling and choked.

Unintentionally she picked up the pace, heart jumping into the throat as she moved unerringly through the maze to its heart. It opened into a simple, circular clearing. A fountain sprayed in the center, and she was drawn to a spot, the white stone stained a red-brown color.

Her blue eyes widened, and a hand went up to her mouth.

Eyes watched the mortal as she drew close to the place where it had happened at last. Her arrival was throwing all the long laid plans into turmoil, it would be harder to kill a second time if she insisted on being stubborn.

But then she was mortal. They were always notoriously foolish in their ways because they lived for only a span of years and didn't have the time to learn intrigue and subtlety. Or perhaps it was just her.

Hands clenched. With her inattention it would be easy to push her into the fountain, hold her down until she breathed her last. Then she couldn't interfere. Because if there was something else every mortal had, it was an insatiable curiosity, and that could ruin everything.

Yes, better to remove her now than to let her remain and become a problem.

Her hands reached forward, lightly resting on the stone. She was sweating, she realized dimly, adrenaline surging through her system. This was the place; without a doubt this was the place from her dreams where she had been killed with that deadly blue weapon.

A hand landed on her shoulder and she jumped about a foot, whirling in surprise… and met the concerned face of the female messenger.

Another time… there would be more chances… and maybe a certain lady would be enlisted to the cause, if stipulations were put upon the reward? Inevitably a female would grow closer to another female than a strange male…

"Are you alright my lady?" the messenger asked, dark amethyst colored eyes studying Claire. "You seem to be quite pale."

"I… think so," she said after a minute, catching her breath. "You scared me."

"My apologies," and the messenger gave her a bow. "It was not my intent. You seemed to be uncertain. Is there perhaps something I can aid you in?"

She led Claire to a bench on the far side of the cleared area, and made the farmer sit, offering her a drink of water from a canteen at her hip.

"Did something.. happen there?" Claire asked after several long minutes had passed.

"That was where they found King Yasuo," the messenger murmured, making a crescent across her chest. "Stabbed in the back he was my lady, and had his throat cut for good measure. Whoever killed him didn't want to take any chances.

"I am surprised that you found your way here," she added. "To my knowledge, Queen Tsukiko and Prince Akio made it so that this place was off-limits to the unwary by magic."

Claire gave a faint, sheepish smile.

"Preventive magics don't really have any effect on me," she admitted. "No one's quite sure why, but that's how it is. I've walked in through a friend's several times before and nearly been killed for my pains. Though one time just left me with rainbow colored hair."

To her surprise, the messenger giggled.

"Forgive me my lady, but that is quite an amusing mental picture."

Claire grinned, feeling her good humor slowly restore itself, even if the feverish feeling didn't fade.

"I have pictures," she admitted with a faint chuckle. "My husband didn't believe me at first when I told him, so I had to give him proof."

"You are lucky, my lady, to have one such as Prince Sora," the messenger smiled. "Many Ladies and Princesses of the Kingdoms held fond wishes of enticing him to their beds, if not their hearts."

"What's your name?" Claire asked then, changing the subject because that innocent comment had come close to touching a nerve of fear she wasn't ready to admit to. "I mean, if you don't mind me asking."

"I am Tenshi," and the messenger smiled. "I head the messengers of Tranquility Palace."

If she was the head messenger, she sure didn't look the part. At least, not in Claire's opinion. Her pale yellow—it was almost not pastel—robe was tattered all around the hems, and ended almost at her knees. Shoes that looked simply like bags were around her feet.

In fact the only things that looked new were the pale blue sash holding the robe closed—though she would also bet gold that there were some clever hidden fasteners inside the robe—and the strange accessories that the messenger wore.

Attached to her wrists, upper arms, and ankles—in fact they were holding on the sack-shoes—were a series of blue ribbons and what looked to be white-angle-type wings, all in miniature.

Tenshi looked down at them as Claire stared, and chuckled.

"They allow me to fly," she answered the farmer's unspoken question. "It enhances the speed of delivery, and in some cases the quicker the delivery the more I collect for payment."

"Really? Fly?"

In response, the messenger made little skip-hop, and shot up into the air. Claire stared in astonishment, then applauded her glee. Tenshi landed gently, blushing a little at Claire's awe.

"Every messenger receives them, though not every messenger keeps them," she added with a wry smile. "Some cannot fly no matter how much practice they put into it and are usually just foot-messengers between the inner castle nobles."

"I have this image of people running into ceilings," Claire giggled.

"You wouldn't be too far off my lady."

"Claire, please. I, as Queen Tsukiko is fond of reminding everyone, am no lady. I'm just a humble farmer…" and her blue eyes softened, "Who is lucky enough to be loved by Skye."

It didn't take Tenshi more than a second to connect the name of 'Skye' to 'Prince Sora,' and gave a faint, approving nod.

"I should let you get back to your duties though, shouldn't I?" Claire smiled.

"I have none at the moment my l-… Claire," Tenshi hastily switched over when she saw the mutinous expression on the blonde's face. "Actually Prince… Skye sent me to make certain that you were not suffering delayed effects of the teleportation. Many are surprised that you and your children were able to attend Her Royal Majesty's breakfast the other morning, normally the illness hits right away."

"Yes well," and Claire's smile was rueful. "They're sleeping now… I feel…"

She paused, and let out a few breaths. The heat was starting to make her vision swim a little, but she wasn't ready to admit defeat, not after telling the queen that she would be at the family dinner.

"Uncomfortably warm, but not overly ill. It probably won't last much longer, but I refuse to let that woman get the best of me," and she clenched her hands in stubborn determination. "I won't give her an inch! If she wants my respect, she's going to have to earn it."

"You may have a long wait then, Queen Tsukiko shares many traits with Prince Toshihiro, and both are entirely stubborn and determined to have their way," Tenshi shook her head, short strands of silver hair fluffing slightly. "She was more amiable when King Gintoki was alive…"

"And if he still was, I would still be at home," Claire sighed, propping her head in her hands. "Taking care of my farm, where I belong."

"What is it like, farming?" Tenshi queried. "Most food is brought up from the earth, as we have only the Seas to cultivate and most of those are taken up by the sprawling castles and towns."

Claire lit up, launching in her favorite topic with an enthusiasm that belied her decreasing state of health. The messenger nodded, and asked many questions, centering the topic firmly. She was a good listener, and the hours passed away swiftly, until it was time for Claire and Skye—who had joined them moments before, looking for his wife—to head to the Queen's chambers and a late supper.

"It has been nice discussing with you Claire," and Tenshi was completely sincere. "I hope I can avail myself of your knowledge more later, once you have recovered."

The messenger took off—literally—showing off just a little for the golden-haired woman who laughed in childlike delight.

Skye chuckled, offering Claire his arm. She took it gratefully, needing it more than she cared to admit.

"You've made a friend in that one," he said, taking care not to mention how pale Claire looked. "A good one as well. Despite not being a noble, she has power."

"She told me! She runs the whole of the messenger system here in Tranquility. It's pretty impressive."

"I think, my love, that she was more impressed with your ability to care for the farm," and Skye smiled warmly at his wife. "You must admit it's quite the challenge some days."

"But it's a worthy challenge," she teased. "And a fun one. Besides, it's home. What else would it be after all this time?"

He shifted his grip, wrapping an arm around her waist to lay a kiss to the top of her head.

"You're going to Miharu after this," he said.

Claire didn't argue, knowing full well that she was taxing herself beyond her limits. But letting the Queen think she was backing down was… too much. Too much like giving in to the woman's will, which she never would. And Skye knew it, which was the only reason he was allowing it.

"Sometimes love, you're far too stubborn."

"Ah, but would you still love me if I was any other way?"

He chuckled, pulling her closer.

"I would love you even if you looked like Murrey," he joked.

She smacked him in the shoulder.

According to Miharu I'll be sleeping a little longer than my children… I hope we don't sleep through Alan and Mirei's birthday, that would be disappointing.

Maybe I can access the kitchens after I wake up…