Chapter Fourteen

"I suppose that you'll be going back to Jurai now, won't you, Sasami-chan?"

It was three days later, and after the fierce battle fought above Yousai's skies, the Council of Yousai had acted quickly and decisively, arraigning Ramia for the murder of Misao's father and sentencing her to a long prison term. Stripped of her magic and her influence, she had put up little fight, and that morning Lord Oshima had seen to the installation of his young charge as Lady of Yousai, formally placing the coronet of office on her brow as she received Tsunami's blessing from the Goddess herself.

Now, however, all was calm, and Sasami and Misao had sought some time in peace and quiet together in the Council grounds, both aware that they would very soon be once more parted.

"Yes, I suppose so." Sasami replied now, resting her chin in her hands as she sprawled out on her stomach on the grass, paying little attention to the condition of her gown as she did so. "It's a shame, Mi-chan. It seems like I only just got here, and we haven't had much time to spend together, with everything. It's been a mess...and I haven't seen half of Yousai, either. I'd like to, now...but Father and Uncle both want me home, and after what's happened, Seiryo-sama doesn't think it's a good idea to resist."

"I suppose your family are worried about you." Misao looked wistful. Sasami nodded.

"They are, and I've missed them." She admitted. "Especially when things were difficult. But I have to go. I have to...to take Yurikage-sama home, and tell his family myself what he did for me, so they know that he died in Tsunami's service. I don't know how that's a good thing, but Kamidake thinks that they'll be comforted some if they know that - that he died bravely and in the name of his Princess. So I'll go and I'll tell them. And give them back his sword."

She sighed.

"I spoke to Father last night, and he said the sooner we come home the better." She added. "Uncle Azusa and Ayeka are feeling much better, so they knew that things had gone our way, but I'm almost sure I saw Papa with new grey hairs. He can be so protective, but at the end of the day, I guess he was worried about all of us. It must've been hard for him, stuck there without being able to help anyone at all."

"Maybe." Misao looked thoughtful. "But you know, even though my father has passed on, I think he was with me when we were fighting against Mother up there, among the stars. So perhaps your father was with you too, Sasami. Even if he couldn't actually be. After all, we are partly them too, aren't we? Even Tsunami has real flesh and blood parents...right?"

"Yes, I suppose she does." Sasami dimpled. "And she's lucky because she has mine. You're right. I suppose they were all rooting for us."

She frowned, gazing absently up at the drifting clouds.

"It's just sad I have to leave Yousai so soon, now it's all peaceful." She admitted. "Mi-chan, this isn't the last time we'll see each other. I will come to Yousai again, I promise. And you must come to Jurai, just as soon as we can arrange it. After all, as of this morning, you are Lady of Yousai. So you can make a...a diplomatic visit. Or something. And I'll introduce you to Seiryo-sama's sister Suki and show you my planet."

"I hope so." Misao's dreamy aqua eyes lit up as she considered this. "I want to travel all over the Empire, Sasami. Or even further. I'd like to go to the Earth again, one day. Now I know that my mother isn't a threat to anyone, I think it will be all right. And I'm not as scared as I was, not now."

"What will happen to Ramia, do you think?" Sasami wondered. Misao pursed her lips.

"Lord Oshima wants her to be imprisoned here until she dies, now that Tsunami has purified her dark magic once and for all." She said thoughtfully. "But I don't want her here. Even if she is Yousai's prisoner, I really don't want to know that she's on this planet. Not when she caused so much suffering. Najya-sensei wants to take her back to Airai to face justice there and I think I'm going to agree. Najya-san promised she won't be killed, so I think that would be best. For her to go home to Airai, and leave Yousai forever."

"Yes, I suppose." Sasami looked thoughtful. "Najya-san wants Jurai and Airai to be friends, and so do I, now. I'm going to speak to Uncle about it. After all, Najya-san came here to help, and she did. So I'll see what Uncle says. Maybe it's time we stopped being afraid of Airai's magic. I still think of when Tenchi used Yurikage-sama's sword to free me from Ramia's curse. That was Jurai magic and Arian magic bonded together, that did that. With a little bit of Earth magic thrown in too, I guess. So they must be able to work together, mustn't they?"

"Like we did. In space." A faint smile touched Misao's lips, and Sasami nodded.

"That's what gave me the idea, when we were up there." She admitted. "It worked once before. But you have more than Arian magic. Your father must have had magic of his own, too...after all, he helped Uncle to seal Ramia in the first place."

"He did. And I guess I do." Misao agreed. "I'm still learning a lot of things about myself, I suppose."

"And what about Rumiya, Mi-chan?" Sasami's eyes became mischievous. "Now that everything is calm, what about him?"

"What about him?" Misao pinkened, and Sasami laughed.

"A little bird told me you kissed him." She said innocently, and Misao's colour deepened, as she buried her head in her hands.

"We haven't really spoken about it since." She admitted, embarrassed. "I did it because it seemed like, well, we might be going to die and Misa...well, she thought I should take a chance. I like Rumiya more than Ojisama and the council would approve of, if they knew. And I think he likes me, too. But...I don't know if I can do anything about it. We're still kids, after all. I haven't really thought about it much."

She sighed, eying her friend keenly.

"You must understand, though. I mean, you're in the same situation, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?" Sasami was startled.

"Kamidake-san." Misao said earnestly. "You like him, don't you? And yet he's a Knight and you're a Princess of Jurai?"

Sasami stared, aware that a hot flush crept across her face at her friend's words. Misao grinned.

"You didn't know I knew that, did you?" She teased. "But when you were first ill, I saw how you were with him. You do like him, don't you, Sasami-chan? If you're worried I'll tell anyone, I won't. I can keep a secret. But you know how I feel about Ru-kun, because it's the same for you."

"Yes." Sasami owned, glancing at her hands. "I like him a whole lot, to be honest. But no, I don't know if anything will ever come of it."

She sighed, a pensive look on her face.

"Sometimes it sucks, being titled." She added. "I hate it."

"Maybe." Misao said thoughtfully. "But it can be a good thing, too. Lord Oshima and the others won't be able to send Rumiya away if I tell them they can't. And that's a good thing, after everything that's happened. I want him to stay, and now everything is all right, maybe I'll ask him to train to be my Knight, like Kamidake-san is yours. That way he'll be here with me, and I...I can see him often."

"That sounds like a plan." Humour sparkled in Sasami's eyes. "I think that he'd like that, too."

"Tsunami is really all right now, inside you?"

"Yes." Sasami pursed her lips. "I decided, though, that I need it to be more than just me, when Tsunami is in trouble. Azaka and Kamidake used to carry her magic with them too, but I used it once to rescue my friends from danger. When we get home, I'm going to give it back to them. As a safeguard, so they can defend themselves and Jurai, if they need to."

"I suppose that makes sense."

"As much as any of it does." Sasami said sheepishly. "Kamidake told me something last night, though, and I'm still trying to absorb it. He said that I was becoming more Tsunami all the time. When I asked him what he meant, he said that I should be able to work it out for myself. That there's a reason why Tsunami always says that the decisions are mine and she'll obey my will. And thinking it over, I think I know what he meant now. That I'm not ever going to become Tsunami, exactly. I mean, I'm not going to wake up one morning and decide that today's the day. Tsunami's told me herself that I've always been her, and I always will be. But now I'm starting to figure it out. What they were trying to tell me is that I'm not really turning into someone or something else. As I go further on, I manage to draw more and more on Tsunami's magic and her experience. Eventually, there will just be a time when I can do all the things Tsunami can do, and then we'll be one being. But I'll still be Sasami. I'll still be myself, and I'll still make the decisions. All of Tsunami's things are inside of me, after all. I just wake them up one by one, as I get more strong."

"You really were born Goddess of Jurai." Misao murmured. Sasami nodded.

"Yes." She agreed. "And for the first time I think I'm really truly okay with it. Completely okay with it. Now I understand what it really means."

"I'm going to miss you so much, when you all go." Misao admitted. "I've learnt a lot of things from this visit, but most of all I've learnt how kind people from Jurai are. And I'm glad Yousai are part of the Empire...it makes me feel safe. That there's always someone I can ask for help, if things get too heavy or strange. That's important to me. I want to know that there's someone looking out for me, even though Father isn't here to do it himself."

-----

"What do you suppose they're talking about?"

From across the grounds, Washu nudged her neighbour, nodding in the direction of the two young teenagers. "It's been a heavy few days for them both - I doubt either one of them will ever be the same again."

"It doesn't mean that should be a negative thing, though." Najya said contemplatively. "I have seen a lot of good in Misao. And with Ramia's magic annuled, even when she dies, it can't invade the girl's spirit. Misao has a lot of spiritual power locked up inside that body, but most of it isn't Arian, not really. I think she'll be a fine Lady of Yousai. And as for Lady Sasami...she has promised to speak to the Emperor about relations with Airai. I may, at long last, be able to achieve peace for my world too. So all in all, I'm content."

"Yes. I suppose so." Washu frowned. "But the emotional scars...some of those might remain a while. The deaths of Yurikage Motonoya and Haki the Space Pirate will loom in their memories...I doubt they'll forget those so easily."

"Perhaps not." Najya acknowledged. "But they're young yet, and they have much to experience. They're not as old and jaded as we are, Washu-chan. They'll be all right."

"Maybe that's true." Washu chuckled. "I do have a lot of faith in Sasami to bounce back...it's something she's good at, I have to admit."

"There, then." Najya grinned, linking her arm in her companion's as they turned back towards the complex itself.

"What of you, Najya? You'll go back to Airai now, then, and negotiate with Azusa?" Washu asked. Najya nodded.

"Yes, for the time being." She agreed. "But I will make time to visit this Earth of yours. I'm starting to see what you see in the people there, to be honest. Tenchi, Sakura and Hiroshi - they all have a spirit about them that I've not seen before. It's refreshing, somehow. I'd like to see the planet that created such a race of people."

"And we'd be more than glad to have you, I'm sure." Washu assured her. "Old friends are always welcome at the Masaki house."

"So, are we leaving already?"

As they entered the main council chamber, Ryoko descended on them, impatience in her gold eyes. "We've been waiting long enough, Washu! Ryo Ohki is ready to go when you are, and there's no sense in us staying around. Sakura and Hiroshi have been away for a lot longer than anyone intended, and people will be worrying about them back home. Plus this whole planet reeks of bad karma, and I've really no interest in being talked into a trip to Jurai."

"Impatience, Ryoko-chan." Washu chided lightly. "We're here. Najya, can we give you a lift as far as Airai? Or are you all right to find your own transportation?"

"I can take myself home, just as I came." Najya assured her. "Besides, I want to spend some more time with Ramia's daughter, first. Make sure that all is well with her, before I leave. She may be a Saotome, but I like her very much already. And I don't want to just abandon her, when I'm sure there are things I can help her understand."

"Then I suppose we'll be taking our leave of you now, then." Washu said slowly. She hesitated, then hugged her friend tightly. "Take care of yourself, Najya. And keep in touch. I'll hold you to your promise to visit, so make sure you don't let me down!"

"I wouldn't dream of it." Najya's ruby eyes sparkled with mischief. "Have a safe trip home, Washu."

"Then we can go?" Ryoko interjected impatiently, and Washu laughed, nodding.

"I'm all yours." She agreed. "Is everyone else aboard?"

"Yes, that's why I came to get you." Ryoko nodded. "Come on, already. Ryo Ohki's already asking me if we're going today or tomorrow. Tenchi made the mistake of mentioning his carrot crops and now she wants to go home and raid the fields!"

She grabbed her mother roughly by the arm, and Washu felt her molecules shift and speed through space, realigning themselves aboard the jagged craft as Ryo Ohki let out a yowl.

"I could have brought myself, you know." The scientist objected. "You didn't need to drag me here."

"It was one way to make sure you were coming." Was Ryoko's unsympathetic rejoinder. "I've had enough of Yousai. Come on, Ryo Ohki...we're all here now, so let's move on out, okay?"

Ryo Ohki mewed, her crystals glittering with light as the craft surged into life, and across the control room, Sakura let out a sigh, settling herself more comfortably against the ship's walls as she did so.

"It's been one wild summer holiday." She murmured. "I still can't quite believe all of it. And I'm not sure I'm in any rush to repeat the experience, to be quite honest. Not in these circumstances."

"I guess it's been an eye opener for the both of you, hasn't it?" Washu reflected, dropping down beside her with a grin. "To see the other side of Tenchi and Ryoko's world."

"I'm sorry you and Ikeda got pulled into one of our messes, Sakura-chan." Tenchi said apologetically. "It wasn't on purpose."

"Hey, it's all right. We all lived to tell the tale." Hiroshi said thoughtfully. "I mean, 'Kura is right, but even so...no harm was done, was it? And we got to see the universe a little more, too. I think I'd like to, well, see more planets, someday. When it's not a life or death mission. Just to visit."

"You're not put off then, by this?" Ryoko asked him playfully. Hiroshi shook his head.

"There were some very pretty girls at Jurai's court." He mused absently, and Sakura swiped his arm reproachfully.

"Ikeda!" She protested. "Is that all you ever think about?"

"Why not think about it?" Hiroshi teased. Then he relented. "No, seriously, death threats aside...I'm glad we came. If nothing else, I think I understand more about the kind of crazy-ass life you live, Masaki. And that helps to explain why you're such a basket case, sometimes."

"And I suppose that Ryoko wasn't kidding, when she said you were powerful." Sakura acknowledged. "You wielded that sword like a true professional soldier, and you brought a Goddess back to her senses. It's hard to equate that guy with the guy who trips over his laces, but I guess I have to, now. I mean, I've seen it."

"Tenchi is one of a kind." Ryoko grinned warmly at her fiance, who returned it with one of his own. "He and I, we don't quite fit other people's ideas of a normal, stereotypical couple."

"That's an understatement if ever there was one." Washu observed acidly, and Ryoko grimaced at her.

"Stop it." She ordered. "I can't blast you and fly my ship."

"I suppose now we know why you and Ryoko have such a bond, Tenchi." Sakura glanced at her hands. "If you've been in lots of situations like this one, well, I guess I can see how it must've pulled you both together. It's the sort of life noone on the Earth would really believe. I can see now, why when we first though Ryoko was a threat, why you defended her so much. You told us then that she'd put her life in danger on your behalf enough times, and that you'd both been through things we couldn't understand. Now I think we're starting to. The universe really is bigger than just the Solar System, and some of it is really dangerous."

"But so long as people like Tenchi, and Ryoko, and Sasami are out there to help protect it, there's some kind of balance." Washu reflected absently. "And so far it's never been tilted too far in the enemy's favour."

"But you're not the only one who could use some nice peace and quiet for the rest of the summer, now." Tenchi admitted. "Saving the universe is one thing, but I don't want it to take over my whole life. I'm a full time student, and I graduate in the Spring. Maybe, if we're lucky, we'll not have to do any more dare-devil missions between now and then."

"Are you and Ryoko going to tie the knot, when you've graduated, Masaki?" Hiroshi asked curiously, and Washu saw an awkward, embarrassed look pass between Prince and pirate.

"Maybe." Tenchi said at length. "We've not discussed it yet. At all, really. We've only just got past the engaged stage...I don't know when we'll take the next step."

Ryoko was silent for a moment, gazing out at the space-scape beyond as she contemplated his words. Then, at length, she turned, offering him a smile.

"I think I'd like it, though, if it was that way." She said softly. "When you graduate."

"Ryoko?" Tenchi's eyes widened. "Are you serious? I thought you weren't in any hurry to rush into marriage?"

"I'm not." Ryoko said honestly. "But this isn't rushing. Tenchi, Sakura's right. All these things, they pull us closer together. But every time they do, there's a chance one of us will be lost forever. And I don't want to be in a situation where I never get the chance to marry the man I love. That's all."

She hesitated, meeting Washu's gaze for a split-second, and the scientist smiled, her green eyes softening as she understood the undertone in her daughter's words.

"That sounds wise to me." She said gently. "And if that's what you both want, I'm sure there'll be no opposition from anyone at home."

"Then I guess a wedding is on the cards." Hiroshi said reflectively. Tenchi shrugged, looking non-plussed.

"I guess it is." He agreed, but Washu could see the flicker of pleasure deep in his brown eyes. "Though I have a strong feeling that, knowing us, it'll be anything but a straight-forward affair!"