Introduction and Disclaimer

In a lot of respects, this story necessitates more of an introduction than the others, in order to place it into context. So this bit might be a bit more babblesome than usual, even for me - please DO read it all through though. I'd be most grateful :)

It's also a bit experimental, so I'm resolved to finish Part One and see what kind of reception it receives. If people like it, no doubt I'll progress with it...but because it's a bit obscure and dots back into times past, I'm going to wait and see how people feel about it before I commit to it in a big way. It's an interesting idea to me, but one of many I've been working with. So please, feedback is important - let me know if you want to read more or if you really hate it, ok? ;) I'm a big girl. I can take it...;) prepares big pile of tissues in case of any eventuality - LOL

When writing Hawk of Jurai, I invented a TU-compatible backstory for Washu, and tied her in to Tokimi, tribal magic and various other weirdness. This backstory also featured somewhat in the Dying Tree and even in Dark Heart. However, there was a lot more going on in my head regarding Washu that I haven't been able to write down. In short, that is what this started out life as. Washu's Prequel, in my OVA seasoned TU world.

To set a few ground rules before I even begin with the story - we're delving into Washu's past and some OVA-related names might (actually, WILL) crop up. Please don't expect them to have their exact OVA backgrounds, roles and involvement. This is not an OVA based fic. This is a TU based fic world and even though OVA ideas have been sprinkled in along the way, the rules are still TU defined. And because it fits into the same 'world' as my other AU or TU/OVA or whatever you want to call them fics, the other rules I've established to fill in series gaps also apply. This includes the butchered Jurai royal house, Washu's Kii heritage and the inclusion of Kichi Itokawa and Manami Kurashida (both of whom are OCs who have made brief mention/appearance in other stories I've written. My continuity would be screwed if they didn't exist in this!). Obviously I also have Dr Clay to contend with, as well!

This story introduces two other Washu-specific OVA characters to the melting pot. First is Najya Akara (I've seen her name spelt Naja and Najya, and I know that technically 'ja' is probably more correct transliteration, but I kinda like it with the y, so Najya she is for me). Najya is Washu's best friend in the Tenchi Muyo novel Washu. I chose to include Najya for two reasons - one, as a little bit of canon-homage and two, because she is connected with Kagato in the OVA and so I figured it was fitting that she was connected to him in this TU-based world also. There's no bit of canon background for TU, after all, which says Najya Akara does not exist.

The other one is - probably obviously - Mikamo Niwase. Or Mikamo Kuramitsu, as he technically is. To avoid connection to Mihoshi's family, I've kept him as Mikamo Niwase. Again, his role/involvement/background/fate do not follow the OVA one to the letter. Mikamo has already been mentioned in my writing a few times, but not by name. Logically if Washu is going to have a love interest, it should be this guy. So it is :) For anyone who doesn't know who I'm talking about, this is the man who Washu refers to in the episode 'Hello Baby' as the husband she once had, and who we see walking away with her baby son Mikumo at the end.

Although this story started off life as a Washu tale, I reckoned without the charismatic influence of the shadow prince of Jurai and his involvement. A lot of chaotic things happened on Jurai when Kagato first started to obsess about his power, and when Yosho disappeared into the blue after Haruna. All of these things seem to chronologically snap together with what I first set out to write, so Kagato's involvement in this goes without saying. Obviously this again brings into play that butchered Jurai Royal Family of mine, since in my writing so far Kagato is the son of Aiko, the younger sister of Emperor Azusa. And yeah...she's not dead yet.

With any luck, the whole thing will jigsaw together quite nicely :)

There is no Tenchi x Ryoko action in this fic, logically, because Tenchi doesn't exist and nor does Ryoko :P And the title is taken - like Autumn of Life - from another piece of Tenchi background music. It seemed symbolically relevant, somehow!

One last caveat. In my writing, Kagato Jurai has gold eyes. This is not contrary to the TV series although it is not the only, nor necessarily the most common eye colour he has during the twenty six episodes. But since he does have them on occasion, since I'm writing with him as Ryoko's father, and since OVA Kagato has yellow sclera, it all seems to blend in rather well together.

Usual copyright info applies. And chocolate biscuits for anyone who read and understood all of that without passing into a deep, boredom induced coma! I promise, the story will be more interesting! (At least I hope it will!).

Merry Christmas to everyone reading :D

Synopsis

Washu Hakubi has never had many constants in her life, but she has always had her love of science to cling to.

Concealing her savage roots and working hard at her goals, she has risen to the position of one of the most powerful, respected and experienced members of the Science Academy, a place which has become more like a home and family to her than a place of work. Parted from the man she loves by blood and status, she throws herself into her work, determined not to spend another moment thinking about something which was never going to be.

But then Washu is summoned to Jurai, under the auspices of the honoured Prince Kagato and his household. In charge of the project is the one man who has ever captured her heart, and even her mistrust of their patron's intentions cannot keep her from involving herself in the top secret research.

But Kagato's aspirations spread beyond the security of his noble position and when a well kept family secret is revealed, it seems that only the most drastic action can possibly save both him and his standing at court from shame and ignominy. Desperation and ambition are cruel masters, and once a line is crossed, it can never be crossed back...

AFTER THE RAIN
(Part One)
A Tenchi Muyo! Fanfiction
by
VRAIEESPRIT

Chapter One

The world was silent.

In the midst of the darkness and devastation, a lone star shone bravely, trying to blot out the pain and blackness with it's weak, dying light. On the ravaged landscape, the twisted trunks of dead trees were interspersed with shards of crystal and glass - indication of a settlement that now were long gone.

The woman walked alone through the deserted trackways, casting a sad, pensive glance around her at the charred foundations of houses that had one been a thriving settlement. As she reached the end of the path, she paused, gazing up at the strong stone supports that had marked out one property from the rest. Denuded of it's roof, the walls stood defiant against the storms and tempests that ravaged the world on a regular basis, and the woman stared at it for a moment, memories dancing through her mind as she recalled a life long past.

"Kihaku." She murmured softly, shaking her head with a mixture of regret and sadness. "Dead as you are, you still haunt me. Even now."

She drew her hands together, gently levitating upwards until she had a birds eye view of the settlement, and the patches of scorched earth did little to assuage her feelings of guilt. Even the stone structure, abandoned and empty showed the ravages of time and neglect, and she knew noone had lived there for many, many years.

"My people are gone. Father is gone. And my sister - who knows what became of you under Kihaku's spell?" She asked at length. "It was silly to come back here. To dwell on this again - I've shut it out for long enough and I have to do the same thing once more. But if I'd have known...if I'd have guessed that even now it would dictate my life and my happiness...maybe I should never have left here, after all. Maybe I would have been better, sealed in the heart of the world in my lab where nobody could ever touch me or make me feel."

"The very idea is preposterous!" The words flitted in and out of her head, painful reminders of her last trip away from the confines of her laboratory. "The woman is a Kii! She's a demon in woman's form - you know the stories associated with that world! I will disown you before I acknowledge such a creature as a member of my family and the mother of my grandchildren!"

"My son, marry a savage? Impossible! Think of your bloodline, Mikamo! You are the third son of the most powerful Daimyo on Seniwa...will you really dishonour your whole family by taking a Kii demon as your chosen bride? Who knows what dark arts she's already unleashed on your mind, making you think this way?"

"All she wants is your money and your status, brother. You'd as well kill her now before she sucks every inch of life and soul out of you - that's what they do, the Kii. They take everything and leave only death and destruction. Don't you remember the legends? She's a witch and she'll only bring you pain!"

She clenched her fists, blurring her form as the world twisted around her, the shadows and darkness fading into nothing as she shifted her body through time and space. At length she flexed her fingers, touching down gracefully on the steel ramparts that, somehow, were more comforting to her than all the wild, desolate landscape of her homeworld had been. The Science Academy was her future, she knew that now better than anything. And her work here would be important, of that she would make sure.

"Professor Hakubi?"

She turned, seeing the wide-eyed gaze of one of her most promising protegees, watching her from the doorway of the laboratory and she smiled, beckoning for the young woman to join her. The girl did so, carefully sliding the door shut behind her as she approached her mentor, pausing a few steps away.

"Where have you been, Professor? Manami and I have been looking all over for you." The woman's voice held a mixture of concern and reproach, and Washu looked rueful, knowing that her relationship with this particular student bordered more on an equal friendship than it did master and apprentice. She glanced at her hands, wiping the residual dust from them as she shrugged her shoulders, offering a sheepish smile.

"Nowhere important." She said simply. "I just decided to take a quick break...we've so much going on that even genius professors like me need a moment to relax and reflect once in a while, Kichi."

"I see." Kichi Itokawa eyed her companion thoughtfully, and Washu knew she was absorbing every detail of her professor's normally impeccable appearance. "Washu-sensei, you look like you had a dust-bath. Where on earth in the Academy are they experimenting on different types of soil samples - and why are you involved in their research?"

Washu stared for a moment, then laughed, humour twinkling in her green eyes as she put a hand on the fair girl's shoulders.

"No, not research, and it's not soil. More ash and debris. Dust, as you said." She responded, amused. "I haven't been at the Academy - I took a little trip. But I'm back now, so whatever it is you and Manami need me for, I'm here and ready to be consulted."

Kichi's clever eyes narrowed, and she folded her arms across her chest.

"Did you go to see Professor Niwase, on Jurai?" She asked softly, and Washu stared at her.

"Why would I ever do that?" She demanded, more than a hint of defensiveness in her tones. Kichi shrugged.

"You keep secrets well, but not all of them stay secret, Professor." She said gently, and Washu saw compassion in her gaze. "We all know that you and he were...seeing one another, before he left for Jurai. And that something happened between you which has made you act very strangely the past few weeks. It's all right, you know - you can trust us to keep your matters to ourselves. But you're always so dedicated and determined. And recently, well, it's been like your mind has been on other things."

Washu was floored for a moment, then she smiled wryly, shaking her head.

"Not much gets past you people, does it?" She said resignedly. "It's not your business, Kichi, whether Professor Niwase and I are friends or whether we're not. And he's gone now, and gone to Jurai - it's far too far to visit in a day, even if there was any reason for me to go there. So no, I haven't been to visit him, and no, my trip today was nothing of that nature. In fact, I went to visit my home planet...that's all. And now I'm back, so we can get back to work. All right? Am I understood?"

"Yes." Kichi nodded. "But you do know you can talk to us, Professor. Me in particular. We are friends, after all. Aren't we?"

"We are friends, and I value your company and intelligence. Manami's, too." Washu agreed slowly. "But some things aren't to be talked about, Kichi. Respect my privacy on that, will you? And tell me what you needed my help for, because I don't want to continue with this topic any further."

Kichi eyed her companion for a moment, then nodded her head, her straight, fair hair bobbing over her shoulders as she did so.

"It's a shame you didn't go to Jurai, sensei." She said casually. "Manami's almost finished her preliminary report into the ancient artefacts she's been studying, and she's determined to persevere with her private research into Juraian mysticism. Only it's so hard to get a study permit, especially when you're still a long way from the professorial robe. Jurai is such a restricted planet, with so many entrance rules and regulations. If you had visited, maybe you could have brought her back something to work with."

"Manami doesn't need my help to find out what she wants to know." Washu shook her head. "She's as persistant as anything and she'll find a way to beg, borrow or steal Juraian influence in one way or another. But that's not why you came to find me. Something else is the matter, isn't it?"

"Well, it's not really my problem." Kichi said pensively. "But I thought you should know that Professor Menori has applied for patenting on his Phoenix ship. If nothing intervenes between now and the panel's review, it will be going into commercial production before the galactic year is out - and I know you had serious reservations about some of his design ideas when you first saw his plans. Since you know Professor Menori and since people tend to listen to you, I thought you should know what's going on. I've been hunting for you high and low since it was announced this morning, Washu-sensei, and you weren't anywhere to be found. None of the ships were signed out of dock, either...I didn't know what had happened to you."

"The Phoenix, huh?" Washu's brows knitted together. "I thought I already submitted a report on that subject, three months ago?"

"Maybe you did, but it didn't get to the relevant people." Kichi frowned, leading the way out of the laboratory and along the narrow, steel-lined hallways towards the main study complex that comprised the central hub of Washu's bustling department. "Or if it did, they haven't taken your concerns on board. I don't know whether you plan to be a part of the panel, but when I tried to speak to Menori-sensei's department about the possible safety risks, they told me that I didn't have business being there and that I should run along back to my own studies. Washu-sensei, the Phoenix ships could be dangerous, if they ever reached mass-production. There are already six prototype crafts ready to fly as we speak."

"Six?" Washu eyed her companion sharply. "I thought he had only made the one...his basic prototype."

"No, he's been busy over the past few months, it seems." Kichi shook her head.

"So have I." Regret flitted across Washu's expression, then she sighed. "Distracted from my work in an unforgiveable way, obviously. I'm glad you mentioned this, Kichi. It's something I ought to know about, and before it reaches the review panel stage. If my report didn't get through - and in the pile of junk those people sift through, it wouldn't surprise me - then I'll have to make sure it gets there this time. The safety details are important and can't be overlooked. The consequences for any poor soul who happens to buy one of these crafts could be horrific."

She placed her palm to the door of the central laboratory and the door slid back, a buzz of noise and chatter assailing her ears as she stepped into the warm, comforting surrounds of her department.

"Professor Washu!" A tall, dark woman with a shock of black hair and vivid aquamarine eyes descended on them as they entered, a warm smile on her face. "There you are...we've been looking for you! Kichi even had you paged - did she tell you about the Phoenix?"

"She did, and I'll see to doing something about it right away." Washu said. "Manami, Kichi said you'd finished your preliminary report, as well. You have been busy."

"I have, and there are a few things I'd like to ask you about, too, later on." Manami Kurashida nodded her head. "I've found some interesting papers in the Academy vault about the Juraian deity, Tsunami, and I'm sorely tempted to test out some of the theories mentioned there about her magic. But in order to really do that, I need to go to Jurai, and you know what it's like to get permission. I thought if you signed my application, at least I'd have some potential for getting there."

"I'll sign any form you want, Manami, but it's been three score years since that planet recruited anyone below the rank of Professor from the Academy, for any kind of research." Washu responded. "And I'm not sure my recommendation will do you much good, anyway."

She shrugged.

"I'm not sure that I'm top of the list in terms of Jurai's current scientific administration."

Manami and Kichi exchanged looks, and Manami raised an eyebrow. Kichi shook her head slightly, and Washu frowned.

"No eggshells around me, please." She said firmly, holding up her hands. "Professor Niwase is gone, and good luck to him. Meanwhile we have our work here and for the time being, within the confines of the Academy it will have to stay. I'll find copies of my report, and Kichi, I want you to make sure they get directly to the head of safety and accident prevention this time. Hand deliver it - I trust you not to spirit it away into thin air because someone's passed you a few gold coins to make it do so."

Kichi's eyes became wide.

"Do you think that's what happened?" She asked, dropping her voice to a low whisper. "That Professor Menori is trying to bribe his ship through clearance? That he knows about the risks and he's pushing it to completion anyway?"

"I don't know, but it wouldn't be the first time someone's ambition has made them skip through the safety requirements." Washu shrugged. "I'm suspicious of anyone who ignores a three hundred page report and proceeds to make further prototypes without addressing any of the salient issues. So will you do that for me, Kichi? If he's applied for patenting, then there's probably not much time to throw a spanner in the works."

"Of course." Kichi nodded, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "He's a lecherous old toad, anyway. It'll teach him for making passes at me in the hallway - I've never liked men whose hands wander too far from their sides."

Manami snorted.

"So that accounts for why he's been going around of late with bandaged fingers." She murmured appreciatively. "He should know by now that you're not someone to be poked around, Kichi...what you lack in stature you've always made up for in firepower, and he's learnt it the hard way."

"It was just a spark or two." Kichi defended herself. "And if you can't blast a man who gropes you, who can you blast?"

Washu laughed.

"I couldn't put it better myself." She acknowledged. "I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who sees through Menori-sensei's smooth words and slick manners."

She approached her main computer, keying in a series of digits and watching as it whirred and clicked, then spat out a small, flat disk. She scooped it up, glancing at it, then holding it out to her student. "Here. Once they read my concerns about the psychological impact of the Pheonix's regenerative power then they'll probably order the fleet to be destroyed. And then we can get back to work on some proper space transport systems. I have a lot of my own ideas in that department, and none of them as mentally damaging as Menori's haphazard work."

"I should have known there was an element of position-pinching involved." Manami looked amused. Washu shrugged.

"I don't need to play dirty or pinch other people's vantage points. My work is better than theirs and all of them know it." She said matter-of-factly. "Kichi, take that along with you now, would you? And Manami, fill me in on whatever I've missed during this morning. Much as I'm supportive of your dabbling into Jurai's magical history, I'm hoping that further progress has been made in my organics theory...do we have any bench test results that I can look at?"

"We did, but it's been a pain of a morning." As Kichi hurried off to do her mentor's bidding, Manami ran a hand through her thick curly hair, a look of irritation on her face. "Lets just say that when the cat's away, the mice play...and one mouse in particular. Washu-sensei, how long is that weird man Dr Clay going to be working in this department? Everyone else is really committed to your project and their own research focuses and he just doesn't seem to be either. He sits and sneers and undermines basic scientific principles as if he holds the secret of the universe in his hands. I can't understand why he's chosen to work here, or with you. He really seems to hate you - and I can't for the life of me work out why."

"Clay, huh?" Washu turned, her gaze resting on a short, stout man in the furthest corner of the laboratory. Dressed in a coat that was far too fine for his lumpy, undefined figure, and with his whitening hair curled in stiff, neat coils around his head, he had the look of a beached octopus about him, and Washu stifled a smile. "Well, don't think he'll get the better of me in my own department. I have no idea why he's with us, or why he's so suddenly interested in organic technology and my theories about time, space and all the other things we've been investigating lately. But the fact he was assigned to work beneath me here does mean I have to put up with it - as do we all. Manami, I'll make sure he's kept in his place, don't worry about that."

"Do you think he's spying for someone?" Manami asked curiously. Washu shrugged.

"Almost certainly, but that's nothing new in this place." She said airily. "The question is why and for whom, and it could be any one of about a thousand different people or organisations. Colleagues, rivals, outside investors. Any one of the above, to be quite honest. Probably whoever it is is alarmed by the number of successful patents and breakthroughs coming out of this part of the Academy in recent seasons. It doesn't really matter to me who he's reporting to - quite possibly it's the Dean of the Academy council of Elders himself, if I'm honest. But he's taken on more than he bargained for, if that's his game."

"Guess so." Manami nodded. "It just bugs me, him being here. He's creepy...everyone thinks so. And while he's there, poking and prying and sticking his nose into everything we do, I don't feel we can be as free with what we're doing as we usually are. Bending Academy research rules isn't usually a problem - I mean, you get around it somehow and noone ever bothers with the red tape. But if he is spying for someone in higher authority, we have to watch our step. And that's miserable."

"Manami, don't worry about Clay." Washu said gently. "He's my problem, as are any repercussions he causes. Not yours. You and Kichi just work under my auspices and my guidance. If a hammer does fall, it will fall on me. And he might find that it bounces right back up again, too. I know what I'm doing and I've been here a long time. He doesn't scare me - nothing he could possibly do could bother me in the long run."

"Well, if you say so." Manami shrugged her shoulders. "If that's the case, I better get to showing you the lab tests we've pulled up on that substance you've been analysing. It's interesting stuff, no question about that - goopy, but curious and definitely potent. I think it's some kind of hallucinogenic - but what kind is beyond me. I never saw anything like it before."

"Me either." Washu owned. "But when Mikamo gave me the samples, he said that it was found in certain rock formations on Seniwa - and nowhere else that he could discover. He left me a lot of work to do here, in short - but this might well be worth our investigation. After all, if it's something that's naturally occuring, we should be able to duplicate it and sterilise it's effects here in the lab. Right now I'd wager it's pretty toxic, but with a bit of work it might have a use as some kind of memory enhancer or...well, dare I say it, truth drug."

"A dangerous weapon to have, in the wrong hands." Manami pursed her lips. Washu nodded her head.

"Or a blessing in disguise." She agreed, turning her gaze back towards the oblivious Dr Clay. "Depending who the test subject is."

-----------

"You seem preoccupied this afternoon, Professor."

The tall, blond man turned from where he had been staring absently out of the window across the landscape, a sheepish look in his eyes as he met the questioning gaze of his patron and friend. He smiled ruefully, nodding his head as he leant up against the carved wooden windowframe.

"Somewhat." He acknowledged. "I'm sorry, Kagato-dono. I didn't even realise you were there."

"Evidently." Kagato's expression broke into a smile, his golden eyes dancing with amusement. "I know that look, Mikamo. It's the look of a man who's wanting a woman - and I've seen it cross your face all too often these past few weeks you've been here. Tell me - are you really here to work and study on my behalf or are you using the tenure your mother so neatly negotiated with mine to pursue pretty young Juraian maidens across the length and breadth of my planet?"

"Oh." Mikamo reddened, shaking his head. "No, I promise I'm not wasting my time or your patronage. Far from it, in fact. Kagato-dono, I think I've made some progress with the elements you asked me to test my theories on. It's preliminary at this stage, and obviously I'd like it to be a lot less preliminary before we tried a transfer of any magnitude. But I've not been neglecting my studies."

"And the women?" Kagato rested a hand on his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Come, Mikamo, you and I are old friends, and your mother and mine scarcely less so. What secrets do we have between us, that require you to hide away in corners and daydream your free hours away? You've hardly attended a single court function since you've been here, and I know your Lady Mother would be horrified if she knew that. I think she's quite hoping I'll find a wife for you, whilst you're here...so how about you give me a fighting chance and let me bring you out into society some more? Jurai might not be Seniwa, but there are some beautiful and eligible ladies at court...and plenty of the other kind if you just need to cheer your thoughts."

"Kagato!" In his shock, Mikamo omitted his friend's title, staring at him in disbelief. "You can't tell me that you do that - spend your time dancing between loose women and political responsibility?"

"I didn't say that I did." Kagato's eyes sparkled with something that vaguely resembled mischief, but there was something else to the man's gaze as well, and Mikamo was not quite sure if the prince was being serious or if he was joking. "But that the option is there, should you wish to take it."

"I'm not that kind of man." Mikamo shook his head. "And besides, even if Mother does want you to find me a wife, Kagato-dono, I don't think I'll find her on Jurai. Quite the opposite, in fact - I think I was manoeuvred into coming here so I wouldn't take a wife. Not the wife I want to take, anyway."

"Do tell." Interest flared in Kagato's eyes, and he leant back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest with little regard for his fine robes. "I haven't heard this tale - but I did think it odd that Lady Fumiko was getting involved with her son's science. I always thought she rather looked down on your choice of vocation. Saw it as little more than a strange hobby, in fact. It did seem odd when my Lady Mother told me she'd spoken to her about you...and about my research program here. Seemed most unlike both of you."

"There's not much to tell." Mikamo grimaced. "As ever, Mother had her way, and Father too. Let's just say they didn't approve of my choice, and leave it at that."

"Was she so very bad as that?" Kagato demanded. Mikamo shook his head.

"No. Just not high born or titled enough to suit their tastes." He replied bitterly. "But what use is it to discuss it now? They've neatly driven a wedge between us and even if I could talk them round, she probably wouldn't ever speak to me again. I wouldn't blame her, anyway. I treated her abominably, Kagato-dono. And I came away here without even so much as a proper goodbye. I avoided it, like a coward. But I miss her...her lively wit and bright conversation especially. Not that your hospitality has been lacking, but everything seems duller somehow. It's difficult to put my mind elsewhere."

"You do sound like a sap, talking like that." Kagato was amused. "In fact, I'd almost imagine I was speaking to my honoured cousin Yosho, the way you go on. Be careful, Mikamo-kun. The next thing you know you'll be boarding a spaceship and heading out into the beyond, leaving scandal and dishonour fluttering in your wake. My Lord Emperor has not yet forgiven his grandson's untimely departure with the Lady Haruna, you know...in fact, I think he'd quite like to disown him, considering all the mess and chaos he's left behind him."

"Yes." Mikamo looked rueful. "All right, I take your point. But no trying to match me up with one of your cousins or courtiers, my prince. I'm not looking to make a match here."

"Your choice, not mine." Kagato shrugged his shoulders carelessly. "Far be it from me to bend the whims of a man so mad in love he's blind to all other women."

"Don't speak like that in front of Lady Aiko." Mikamo said sharply. "If word got back to my mother that I was still thinking..."

"Trust your old friend, Lord Niwase." Kagato interrupted him, holding out a hand in a mock-serious gesture. "I'll shake on it with you. Then you know that this prince's word is his bond."

"I don't need your bond. I trust you anyway." Mikamo smiled, but took the proffered hand, shaking it firmly. "There. And I don't dislike being on Jurai. In fact, it's been refreshing to come here in some ways. Working under your auspices has given me a lot of freedom, and we've not really seen each other since we were much younger. And now, look at us. I'm peddling science in the hopes of being something other than a titled trophy. And you...could well be the second in line to Lord Shigure's throne, after Prince Azusa. That is, if Yosho-dono is not found, or is not persuaded to return."

"Yosho won't return." Kagato said carelessly. Mikamo raised an eyebrow.

"You're very sure of that."

"Yes, I am." Kagato mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But then, I know Yosho. He might be the one man who can beat me in swordplay, Mikamo, but he has his weaknesses too. And Haruna Akamatsu is one of his bigger ones. Like you, he's hopelessly smitten. Unlike you, he chose not to heed his father's warnings, and took off into the blue with her in the middle of the night. His other weakness is pride, Mikamo. So I know he won't come back - not of his own will, anyway. Of course, if Grandfather happens to find him...that's another matter."

"It puts a lot of pressure on you." Mikamo frowned. "Going from being simply a Prince at court to potentially in line to inherit. You're remarkably calm about it, considering. I wouldn't be. I have enough hassles with the position I hold in my family - I don't know what I'd do if I suddenly got bumped up a notch."

"But my Grandfather is hale and hearty and my uncle Azusa scarcely less so." Kagato seemed amused. "I don't think that it changes so very much, Mikamo - or not yet, anyway. Perhaps if something were to happen to Grandfather, then I'd agree with you. But there doesn't seem any likelihood of that happening. Jurai has scarce had an Emperor who wielded the Jurai Power so naturally for generations. He'll live among us all a long time yet."

"I almost think you don't like him very much." Mikamo observed. Kagato smiled drolly.

"A good Emperor isn't always liked." He said cryptically. "And he's not really interested in me, all things considered. You know that Azusa is his pride and joy, and mother and Lord Haru are lesser beings in his estimation of the world. He associates them with the death of his wife, and therefore has no interest in them or in their heirs...should Lord Haru realise he's meant to produce heirs, and not simply strut around the court looking sullen and unpleasant most of the time."

Mikamo burst out laughing at this, clapping his companion on the back.

"Kagato! Such things to say about your own uncle!"

"Well, it's true and I speak as I find." Kagato seemed unconcerned. "He is sullen and unpleasant, and Grandfather has less time for him than he does for anyone, unsurprisingly. He was a failure from the moment he was born - he failed to manifest Jurai's power, even though the seers told Grandpa he'd have a son and that son would bear magic. And he's far too blessed in having Lady Misaki as his wife...you'd think he'd at least have the decency to look pleased about it. But no, being pleased doesn't seem much in his line. A bore, a bookworm and a non-event. That's my uncle Haru, Mikamo - it pains me to say it, but it's not possible to like all the members of your family. After all, you don't choose them - and you moan to me enough about your brothers. It's no different a thing."

"I'll take your word for it." Mikamo eyed him teasingly. "So, Lord Kagato, if you won't let me mope up here, what would you have me do?"

"At least have the decency to show your face this evening, after dinner." Kagato said firmly. "My Uncle Azusa has commandeered the ballroom for one of my Grandfather's deadly ceremonies and I'm assured everyone and anyone will be attending. In light of recent events, I feel I have to show my Uncle some solidarity - after all, he is the one relative I don't shudder at acknowledging. For all his pandering to Grandfather, he is at least fair, and treats my mother as she should be treated."

He shrugged.

"But I will doubtless be bored out of my mind, so you have to come and keep me company."

"I see." Mikamo pursed his lips. "No pretty Jurai women have caught your attention, then, Kagato-dono?"

"None that I would spend more than a moment's glance on." Kagato shook his head. "And I'm wise, Mikamo. I'm not going to let foolishness rule me the way it has Yosho. Bear that in mind, my friend - women come and go, but influence and prestige are easier lost than maintained."

"And if you don't care about the prestige?" Mikamo cast a last glance across at the landscape, then turned, preparing to follow his companion out of the room. Kagato shrugged.

"Then you're living in the wrong bloodline." He said simply. "And besides, I've something else to discuss with you - something relating to the work you've been doing and a project I think you'll find more than a little bit interesting."

"Oh?" Mikamo looked startled, but Kagato shook his head.

"Not now, not here. We're not talking shop when I'm trying to drag you out of your gloom." He said reproachfully. "Patience, Mikamo. All will be made clear and then, I promise you, all thoughts of that starstruck wench will be gone from your head!"