Introduction and Disclaimer

This is part two of my Washu Prequel – designed to tag into context with the other Tenchi stories I have written to date, but set back into a past era, around the time when Ryoko was first born.

For anyone unfamiliar with my stories, some things must be briefly outlined. Firstly, the basis for my stories is Tenchi Universe, but that doesn't mean that other concepts from other series have not been dragged kicking and screaming into the plot. Many OVA concepts and a few from other series such as GXP or Tokyo have been added, so in some ways it has moved into AU Tenchi fanfiction, rather than TU Tenchi fanfiction. That's just how things worked out…but in any case, it isn't based around the backstories Washu and the other characters have set in stone for the OVA. Instead, it is a "how Washu's past might have been" scenario, based on the footholds given us in TU plus a few concepts from the OVA and original thinking of my own designed to fit in with that foundation.

If you have read Dark Heart, Dying Tree and others in that continuity, this is the essential background hinted at from time to time regarding Washu, Kagato and the events leading up to the conception of Ryoko. There is no TxR action in this story, because Tenchi isn't born yet, and nor is Ryoko! However, hopefully that won't be a reason for people not to read!

Certain OVA continuity characters, such as Najya (Naja) Akara and Mikamo Niwase (Mikamo Kuramitsu) have been pulled in to pad out Washu's history in a more canon-friendly way. But the bulk of the concepts and how they tie in together have been worked out myself, without any real reliance on the SHIN novels to provide background. For this reason, do not expect Mikamo or Najya to appear in exactly their SHIN novel incarnations. (Kajishima-san already wrote that, after all…there's not much point in anyone regurgitating the same story over again!).

My final caveat is to mention my butchered Jurai family tree. This is probably far more prevalent in the After the Rain stories than it is in the later ones, because of Kagato's involvement. Tenchi Universe gives us few clues to the Royal Family of Jurai, and is even self-contradictory about the Imperial throne at times. For this reason I have merged the concepts of the OVA with the TU idea that Ayeka and Yosho are NOT half-siblings, and created a mishmashed royal family tree. This means, of course, that Ayeka's father is no longer Azusa, and that goes ditto for Sasami. He is still the father of Yosho, however, and in my writing he is the Uncle of the two Princesses instead. (But if you've read Dark Heart et al, you'll know that already).

Final note: Usual legal info applies ;) Oh yes…and…erm…this probably isn't going to be a very happy story, so if you get easily upset by drastic and emotional events, you might want to look away now . Hankies at the ready everyone…here we go!

Synopsis

It's been almost a year since Washu first arrived on Jurai, and finally their painstaking, intensive work on the Juraian gemstones has begun to pay off. Mikamo Niwase has finally broken the jewel's seal – but only he and his enigmatic friend Prince Kagato know the true depths of their top secret project.

As Mikamo seems to weaken, Kagato only gains in strength and ambition, awakening the dark magic within him as he ruthlessly pursues his desire for the Juraian crown. After the murder of his father, Kagato knows that there will be others in his way as he battles for supremacy – but some losses are harder to bear than others, and in ridding himself of one potential foe he finds himself awakening another – one with bitterness in her heart and vengeance on her mind.

Meanwhile, Yosho is still doggedly searching for his missing fiancée, and Haru is convinced that his father has been playing a dangerous game with the succession and his wife's health. Spiriting Misaki away to a distant planet for her own safety, Haru fights to keep her location a secret as he struggles to protect the unborn child who will one day inherit all of Jurai…

AFTER THE RAIN: PART TWO
A TENCHI MUYO! Fanfiction
by

VRAIEESPRIT

"So, it is indeed true."

Prince Haru of Jurai sat back against the high carved back of his finely-covered seat, casting his companion a pensive look as he considered the implications of her words. "And you are certain, Misaki-chan? There is no doubt in your mind that this is the way things are?"

The woman let out a sigh, lifting her slender form from the chaise upon which she had been resting, and pulling her wrap more tightly around her body as she turned to gaze out of the window. Even in profile, with the sun's rays casting a shadow across her face, Haru could see that his wife's eyes were clouded and troubled. He bit his lip, remembering the last time the Lady Misaki had brought him this kind of news.

"It was so different last time." Misaki seemed to echo his thoughts, turning towards him at that moment and offering him a faint smile. "Haru, I know that it must seem strange to you, that I'm so tired and anxious. But I have to be honest – I'm afraid. Things are far too convenient for my liking – I'm almost certain your father has been conspiring against us. And now, if he was to discover this…I really don't know what he would do."

She stifled an involuntary shiver, and Haru got to his feet, slipping a gentle arm around her slight frame.

"I won't let anything happen to you." He murmured softly, and Misaki leant her head against his shoulder, nodding as she met his gaze.

"I know." She agreed. "I trust you, Haru, but I scarcely know who else I can. I've heard of court intrigue before, even seen it in play. But I've never been on the receiving end and it scares me. Especially now. I can't go through all of those things again, you know. I can't…I can't lose another one. I just couldn't bear it."

"And you won't." Haru said firmly, taking her by the hand and leading her across to the chaise, sitting down and ushering her down beside him. "Listen to me. I know you're tired, and I know you've not slept well these last few days. You've been restless and unlike yourself, and now the two of us know why. You must try and relax, my dear. Even if it is hard to do. We will think of some solution. Whatever Father has planned, we will outwit him. I promise that we will."

Misaki was silent for a moment, and Haru eyed her keenly, taking in her appearance as he did so. She was always beautiful, he told himself absently, and even now, so many years after her face had first captured his heart, she still had that same magic in her pretty fuschia eyes. Her cheeks were pale, and her brow lined with worry, but she was still the beautiful Lady he had married on her sixteenth birthday, and his heart skipped a beat as he remembered all their hopes and dreams so long ago.

"So many hopes." He murmured, and Misaki started, staring up at him in confusion.

"Haru?"

"I was just thinking about when we married." Haru looked self-conscious. "How much we hoped for, then. And how things are now."

"Do you still love me now as you loved me then, Haru?" Misaki's voice was faint, and Haru nodded, his brow creasing in consternation.

"Yes, of course. Why would you think I would not?" He asked. Misaki shrugged.

"I suppose I didn't." She replied. "I just wanted to be sure. To hear you say it. I never doubt you, Haru, but when everything is so unstable…"

She trailed off, and Haru sighed, nodding his head.

"I know." He agreed. "But I will always love you, Misaki-chan. And protect you – with my life, if need be. If you want me to take Father on about this, then I will. You know I will. If that's what it takes…"

"No!" Misaki looked alarmed. "Haru, Shigure-sama has Jurai's power coursing through him and a horrible, terrible temper when he is aroused! He would hurt you – maybe even kill you, and you have no like magic with which to defend yourself! And I need you, Haru. More than ever now, I need you."

She hesitated, then slipped her hand down across her gown, her fingers brushing her stomach briefly.

"I want to keep this one." She whispered. "And whichever it be – boy or girl – they need a strong father such as you, my love. I won't fight for them alone. I can't…I don't think I'm strong enough."

Haru eyed her fondly, taking her hand once more in his and squeezing it tightly.

"Then I have another suggestion." He said quietly. "I think that you should leave Jurai – and as soon as is humanly possible."

"Haru?" Misaki stared, and Haru nodded his head.

"It's the only other solution that comes to mind." He responded. "You know that you have lands of your own, territory we rarely even visit and hardly ever use. There are planets which are remote and of little interest to my father, simply because they belong to your family inheritance, rather than that of the direct royal tree. One of them, if I'm not much mistaken, is where we spent a good portion of our honeymoon, before our progress through Jurai's territories. It's a peaceful, floral paradise, and just the place for a Princess in need of relaxation."

He hesitated, then,

"And for a mother-to-be to prepare." He added.

"But…without you?" Misaki looked horrified. "Haru, I just told you – I can't!"

"I think you must." Haru said grimly. "Look. There's no coincidence in the fact that you and I have been wanting a child for many years, but have never managed to conceive. I know Father hates me, and I understand why he would seek to blight my line, but this time he's been caught out. I've kept close eyes on your food, and ensured everything we both consume is specially and meticulously prepared by our own staff. As a result, our curse seems to have been lifted. He won't be pleased, if he finds that out. We need to take steps…and if you are not here, he cannot see you as the child grows. You might conceal it now, my love, but as time passes…"

"You're right." Misaki sighed heavily, glancing down at her fingers as she did so. "In all respects. There is no way to keep from the Emperor that I am with child a second time. But to leave my home, my friends, and my family – must I be so drastic, Haru? Must it be that way?"

"I can't think of another answer, can you?" Haru rested his hands on her shoulders, meeting her doubtful eyes with earnest reddish ones. "We won't tell anyone the truth of why you've gone. In fact, I'll put about that you've contracted a severe ailment and have been prescribed rest and distance from court whilst you recover…that should keep people at bay, if they believe you've been quarantined for whatever reason."

"And you won't even tell Aiko?" Misaki asked hesitantly. "She's the closest thing I've ever had to a sister – it would seem odd not to."

"The fewer who know the better, although I agree that not to tell Aiko would be against my judgement, too." Haru sighed. "Perhaps we can trust her, but nobody else. And Aiko must be sworn to secrecy. Not even Oniisama or Prince Kagato must be taken into confidence, because the more people who know, the more who could whisper of it to Father."

"I think we can trust Aiko." Misaki said frankly. "And I'd be happier, if she knew the truth."

"Perhaps I could persuade her to travel with you, and stay a few days to see you settled in." Haru pondered. "It would seem strange if I were to abandon my duties and come, although I don't like the idea of you going anywhere alone. Aiko avoids all responsibility like the plague, and Father is enough of a chauvinist not to care if she isn't around the court. He might even be glad of her absence, and I know my sister would appreciate a holiday."

"That sounds almost like an invitation, Haru-niichan." A playful voice came from the doorway at that moment, causing the couple to start guiltily, turning as one person towards the entrance to the chamber. Aiko let out a low chuckle at their expressions, sweeping into the chamber and pulling the door shut behind her with a neat click as she deposited herself gracefully on the window-seat.

"Well?" She demanded, eying them expectantly. "What's this about a holiday? Are you planning on taking some time away from Jurai, my brother?"

"No, but Misaki is." Haru pursed his lips. "Aiko-chan, how long have you been listening?"

"No time at all, but I heard your voices and came to say hello." Aiko said carelessly. "It's not often I find you in this part of the palace – you don't usually hide away in your own chambers when court is in session, Haru. What's the occasion?"

Haru sighed, rubbing his temples.

"We are quite alone, Haru." Misaki said quietly, casting the newcomer a brief, fleeting smile. "And we are both agreed that Aiko can be taken into our trust."

"Trust?" Aiko pursed her lips, looking interested. "Do I sense some courtly intrigue, then? Do tell! Everything is so boring at the moment. My son is obsessing about his science projects, and nobody has any interesting scandals to spread or to share. Father is growing ever more paranoid and nothing interesting ever happens. Will you tell me your exciting story? I'm dying to know more."

"We had intended to tell you anyhow, Aiko-chan." Haru assured her. "But before we do, we must ask you to keep what we tell you a closely guarded secret. As closely guarded as the one we keep for you about your son, or perhaps even more so. Nobody outside of this room is to know of it, and we will not speak of it in public. Not even Kagato or Azusa. Nobody."

"Nobody?" Aiko's clever eyes widened. "I see. This is a pretty big secret then, I trust?"

"Potentially." Misaki bit her lip.

"Well, you can take it as read that I can be trusted, although I will swear it in blood and ink if you'd prefer." Aiko's eyes twinkled. "I'm looking forward to hearing this. It sounds potentially juicy."

"Aiko, I'm with child a second time." Misaki spoke softly.

"With…" Aiko's eyes softened. "Well, my sister, and congratulations to you both! But I don't understand – why such a secret? Why wouldn't you want everyone to share in your happy news?"

"Because the last time we had such news to share, someone wasn't as glad as we were to hear it." Haru said bitterly. Aiko's eyes almost fell out of her head.

"Are you suggesting that Misaki's miscarriage was not simply a tragedy?" She whispered. "That someone conspired against her and you in order to remove her baby from the equation?"

"Yes." Misaki agreed miserably. "And since no further attempt has been made on my life, Aiko, I'm certain that the sole purpose was to rid me of my child. More than that, Haru has discovered something else. Something which explains why it has taken me so very long to conceive a child at all."

"Such as?" Aiko looked incredulous.

"Certain herbs used in preparing dishes meant for Misaki's table." Haru said grimly. "The only one with the power to order such a thing would be Father, and considering his overwhelming dislike for me, I can only imagine he does not want me to provide an heir."

"You think Father would go to such lengths?" Aiko stared. Haru shrugged.

"Who else could have such control over what we ate?" He asked. "Yes, Aiko, I believe he has done everything in his power to prevent Misaki from conceiving, just in case a child of mine should prove a threat to his preferred line – to his precious Prince Yosho and Azusa's kin. And with all the uncertainty about Yosho's behaviour nine months ago, he acted rashly and decidedly in regards to our child. You won't know this, Aiko, because you don't work as closely as I do with the security side of royal affairs. But some of the Knights of Jurai have been trained as assassins, to be used in times of war against an infiltrating enemy. Father controls the Knights and holds their loyalty in his hands. The trail of blood leads right back to the Imperial throne. There seems very little doubt."

Aiko swore softly under her breath, using very un-princesslike language as she settled herself more comfortably against the glass. Anger flickered in her ruby eyes, and Misaki reached out a hand to touch her arm.

"Aiko, you must not confront Shigure-sama about what we suspect." She added anxiously. "He is the King of Jurai, whatever he chooses to do, and even if what he does is hateful sometimes, we'd put ourselves in grave danger to question him. I want to bear this child and be a mother at last. I don't care whether he strikes it from the succession. I just want a family, and I don't want him to bear me any further ill will than he already does."

Aiko sighed, and Haru could see she was fighting with herself. At length she nodded, raising her head.

"All right." She said reluctantly. "I will say nothing and do nothing. I will act as if you didn't say anything of it to me at all. But I am angry, Misaki, if you are correct. To risk your child's life is bad enough, but to put yours in jeopardy also just to feed his own insecurities…"

She sighed again.

"So you will leave Jurai?"

"For a time, yes." Misaki met Haru's gaze, and Haru nodded.

"Misaki is going to travel to one of the private planets left to her as part of her family's legacy." He said softly. "And Aiko, I would be very grateful if you would go with her – at least for a while. Father will notice my absence more than yours, after all – and I don't want her to go alone."

"You needn't even ask. Of course." Aiko agreed, grasping her sister-in-law's hand tightly. "I'd be glad to, you should know that. Court without Misaki would be a dull place, brother – no offence to your company."

"None taken." Haru looked rueful. "I'm well aware that you inherited enough life and spirit for the both of us."

"I try." Aiko quipped, then she became serious. "But what will you say to Father? How will you explain Misaki's sudden departure?"

"We are going to tell him that she is unwell, and has been prescribed rest away from court. Quarantine, if you will." Haru said levelly. "The exact details are not yet clear…but that is the plan."

"Well, it must be convincing." Aiko looked doubtful. "Something serious. Even potentially fatal, Haru-niichan. Something which takes Misaki out of Father's line of sight completely. If he believed, for example, that she had developed some genetic frailty in her family line, and that her life was in danger…perhaps even that it was beyond all help…"

"That's slightly melodramatic." Haru scolded. "There's no need for Father to think Misaki is on her deathbed."

"But you can't look for someone you don't believe lives." Aiko said softly. "I could go with her, then return in mourning rags. If people believed Misaki was dead, who would look for her?"

"They might notice the lack of a body."

"But of course, Misaki would be laid to rest at her family's estate, wouldn't she?" Aiko said simply. "With her father and her mother and everyone else who died in the terrible fire so long ago. That would be your wish, would it not, Misaki-chan? To be reunited with those you lost when you were just a small child?"

"Perhaps the Emperor would believe so." Misaki said slowly. "Since he doesn't know me as well as he might, and he imagines that all noble children hold their family ties above those of the families they marry into. But I would always rather be here, Aiko. Jurai has been my home since I was orphaned, and I wouldn't wish to be so far from Haru, even in death. So…"

"Stop being so morbid, the pair of you." Haru held up his hands. "For now, we will just tell people Misaki is sick. If we imagine any further danger, Aiko, you might have a chance to put your drama into play…but for the time being, first things first. Misaki is pale but she doesn't look deathly ill. I won't have this ruined because you have a penchant for exaggeration."

Aiko sighed.

"Fine, then." She said resignedly. "I'll go along with whatever you decide. So long as Misaki bears a healthy baby this time, that is all that matters."

"Yes." Misaki said pensively. "And so long as I can protect that baby from Imperial wrath so long as I might need to, also. It's a frightening thought already, Aiko. But I won't lose a second child. So this is how it must be."

The rain was heavy across the Arian skyline, as the woman pulled her hood more tightly around her face, fastening it against the wisps of silvery hair that threatened to escape into the elements. As she forged forward down the pathway that led to the Arian consulate, the building loomed tall on the horizon, and she paused for a moment, eying it with a grim sense of recognition.

So it had come to this, she mused absently. After almost nine months, she had been forced to carry out her own investigations further afield.

"Najya." A voice from the muggy greyness attracted her attention, and she turned her head, offering her companion a rueful smile as she held up her hands in greeting. The woman grinned back at her, grasping her loosely around her wrists as together they blurred and flickered out of sight, re-materialising within the safety of her contact's chambers.

"The weather is foul." Najya Akara slipped off her coat, shaking it liberally before hanging it up on an empty peg. "Of all the days for me to come back here, I had to pick a deluge. You might have warned me that it was the rainy season, Aya. I would have picked my days better."

"I'm sorry you had to come at all, but Father insisted." The woman known as Aya bit her lip, eying her companion hesitantly. "He wants to know what you've learnt - considering what we suspect, I think it's become signficant."

"I don't spend all of my time on Jurai spying for the Akara clan, you know." Najya sighed, dropping down into an empty seat. "It's not so simple. I mean, I'm a scientist. I chose that life...even if I knew it wasn't going to be all-encompassing. I might have known that Father had some part in pulling the strings for me to go to Jurai, though. Why else would they have allowed an Arian entry so easily, even on Mikamo-sensei's recommendation? But it sounds as though I should have come here, instead. If what you believe is true, it means that all our hopes might well be in vain. For Airai and for future relations with Jurai, as well as peace with the Saotome clan."

"I wouldn't trust them." Aya's reddish eyes darkened, and she shook her head. "I know you want it to work, oneesama, and I know that Father hoped it might prevent bloodshed between our people. But even if there was a true, pure line of the Saotome who didn't seek conflict, there are plenty of dark rats lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. I'm still sure now of what I thought that day, when Akito-san first disappeared. From your description, I believe the man who came to meet him was Kagato of Jurai, and that Kagato is as you suspected - a Saotome beneath his royal regalia."

"I have no doubts." Najya shook her head decisively. "Kagato is a Saotome, that is certain. He has the tell-tale golden eyes that identify his true clan heritage - they're there for all to see. The son of Akito Saotome, if my sources are to be believed. But I did hope, given Akito-san's politics and views towards peace and magic, that his son might be in the same vein. That by travelling to Airai and working with him on his project, I might find a way to breach the gap between our worlds. Politics are still rocky on Jurai - the Crown Prince's son still seeks to abscond with some woman into the bleak, and Kagato might yet find himself made Prince in his stead. I had thought...maybe...if he truly was Akito-san's son, he might find sympathy for Airai in his policies, and even be in a position to bring peace to the warring Cults of Airai in a way we've never managed before. It's not in our interests to betray his legitimacy, and I wouldn't address it with him in that light. I hoped maybe I'd find an ally - one who thinks with the same mind as we do about the future."

"But he's still a Saotome." Aya said bitterly. "And Akito-san hasn't been seen since that day, eight months ago. I'm sure some evil has befallen him, and that it can be traced back to the Saotome clan in some respect. I believe this Kagato Jurai of yours is probably a truer member of their cult than Akito and his family ever were. And it angers me, oneesama. Akito was a good and kind man, who never caused anyone any trouble. If he was slain by his own son, it proves that a very dangerous man is potentially in a position of great political power."

"A man who may yet exploit his connections to the Saotome to further his own ends. I know. I've thought that way myself." Najya sighed. "But it is difficult to glean proof. He is a very intelligent man, imoto-chan, and I don't have anything to wield against him in the way of evidence. It's just supposition, and to even raise that I would have to expose my own purpose in all of this. I'm enjoying my role on Jurai, as the scientist I've always trained to be. I'm not the Akara mage yet, and I won't be until father passes away. To reveal my true nature to them now would be dangerous - I don't have half of the magic I need to protect myself or anyone else against an attack."

"You are far from incompetent, sister." Aya scolded. Najya nodded her head.

"True enough, but this is a dangerous game we're playing." She said with a sigh. "My room-mate is already the kind of person who I have to work hard to fool. I like her a great deal, and I think I could even make an ally of her, if it came to it. But then, I feel she hides things from me, also. Much as I'd like to trust her wholly, I'm not sure whether I can or not. She's a self-confessed Kii, and you know how badly things ended on that planet. I...I'm not totally sure whether the Washu I know is the real one - or if that's even her real name. Sometimes I'm not sure. I can tell she has secrets...and it bothers me a little. I'm very much on my own, in fact."

"What about this man you know? This Seniwan scientist?" Aya asked. "What about him? You trust him, don't you?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't bring him into danger. He's Seniwan. He has no magic." Najya dismissed this with a flick of her wrist. "So you see, all I can do is sit, wait and watch for something that would allow me to bring the Saotome connection out into the open. If Prince Kagato imagined that I - and others like me - knew of his illegitimacy, we might all be in danger. For now I think, it's far better to keep in the shadows. And just wait."

"Akito-san did not deserve to become a victim." Aya said softly, and Najya's expression became gentle.

"I know. He was your friend, and you feel you failed in your duty to him." She said quietly. "But you couldn't have known what would happen. There had been no sign of any threat or interest in him from the Saotome for a long time...in fact, it was as if they washed their hands of him and his entire line. It wasn't for sure, that Kagato-sama was his son. You couldn't have done anything to protect him."

"Maybe. But I feel like I should have anyway." Aya sighed. "Still, perhaps we're wrong. Maybe he's not dead. Maybe he's still out there, somewhere...forced into hiding by something the prince told him. Maybe we misjudge Kagato, in the end - perhaps he came as an ally to his father, not as a foe."

"Perhaps." Najya agreed cautiously. "Do you think it likely?"

"No." Aya owned. "But it's the only strength I have - to believe that he's still out there, somewhere."

"Aya-chan, you were fond of him, weren't you?" Najya's eyes opened wide. "More than just a friend...you liked him!"

"I did." Aya pinkened, as she nodded her head. "Even though he was old enough to be my father, I confess that I did. But it was only on my side, oneesama. He loved another, though he never spoke of her. I was nothing more than a daughter or a younger sister to him - I could tell. His heart belonged to someone else - someone he never saw, but someone he never forgot, either."

"Kagato-dono's mother?" Najya wondered. "The Lady Aiko of Jurai?"

Aya shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know." She admitted. "Maybe. It might be a line of enquiry, if the Princess Aiko has had contact from Akito-san since."

"I can't imagine she'd be so indiscreet, if she even kept contact with her son's father." Najya frowned. "I don't know, Aya. It seems wrong to me, that she'd take that risk."

"Perhaps." Aya's eyes flickered thoughtfully. "But Akito did often receive mail from Jurai, you know. It's not impossible."

"Then I must return to Jurai, and see what transpires." Najya got to her feet slowly. "Tell Father that I'll be in touch again as soon as I can. I haven't forgotten what he's asked of me, although our political hopes seem to be in tatters, if Kagato is capable of what we think he is. I badly want peace between Jurai and Airai, Aya. So badly I'll risk my life and everything else to get it. With the support of a strong Juraian king, we could quash some of the more subversive cults and quell the fear of dark magic that so pervades our world. Airai is more than just black magicians and tainted mages, after all."

"You know we all support you in that, Najya." Aya said softly. "Go safely, and take care. We know what you do for us - for all of Airai. The Saotome are the worst of the dark cults within Airai's population. If we could bring them to book, we might have a chance of improving Airai's reputation and trade, even re-establishing the ancient empire that was once so profitable. People here need the trade relations and diplomatic connections of other worlds, but people are afraid to come here because they believe their souls might be stolen if they do. And given the expansion of the Saotome and the way in which they've progressed that particular base magic, I can understand why. That's why I hoped your plan would work."

"And if I am wrong, and Kagato Jurai proves to be a true Saotome, I will have to find the strength to kill him." Najya said matter-of-factly. "And we will go back to the drawing board."

"Be careful, my sister. Remember that Airai's hopes rest with you as well as ours." Aya touched her gently on the cheek, and Najya smiled, seeing the tears in the woman's identical dark red eyes. She nodded her head.

"I will. Stay safe yourself, and don't get dragged into boundary disputes." She said gently. "If you discover more on Akito-san, then tell me - but otherwise, I think it safer not to call me back here if you can help it. I know that Father would rather any conversation was conducted on Arian soil, not over intercom on an alien world...but I don't want to alert anyone to our true purpose."

"Okay. I promise." Aya nodded her head. "And if it comes to you killing Kagato, Najya, don't let it be traced back to you or to us. The Akara need allies, so act with caution."

"You know I shall, even if it kills me." Najya said firmly. "Farewell, imoto-chan. Send Father my love...I must return to Jurai before I am missed."

"All right." Aya hesitated for a moment, then flung her arms around her older sister. "Please, don't come back dead. Promise me. Don't come back dead."

"I'll do my best." Najya laughed, disentangling herself from the younger girl's embrace. "Now, let me go...and we'll see how things pan out from hereon in."