Synopsis

Across the gap of space and time, the lives of a pampered young Prince and a spirited Japanese school girl could not be further set apart. In the mountains of the Earth and the forests of Jurai, neither one realises that their paths are about to cross in a decided and unavoidable way.

Tsunami's prophesy has come to pass, and with the death of the Emperor, Ayeka knows that her son Shigure's place in the succession is far from secure. In her desperation, she seeks to follow the advice given to her by her sister at Shigure's birth, bringing Ryoko and Tenchi's unsuspecting daughter Nozomi into a world of politics and social ritual that she can't even begin to understand. Ayeka's premise is simple - unite the two heirs of Jurai and her planet will remain at peace.

But Ayeka has reckoned without the reactions of the children themselves. As they fight against the bonds that are being forced upon them, it seems more and more likely that the plan is doomed to fail. But as Shigure's eighteenth birthday draws ever closer, and his Jurai Power still refuses to manifest, Ayeka is afraid.

Will she be able to bring together the two branches of Jurai's royal tree? Or is her family doomed to split her world into bloody civil war?


JURAI'S HOPE: Part One
A Tenchi Muyo! Fanfiction

by
VRAIEESPRIT

Prologue

The Royal Palace of Jurai.

The room was quiet.

In the furthest corner, against the thick glass of the window, a woman stood. Anxiety and hope mingled in her dark red eyes as her gaze fell on the young woman who stood before her, and then to the tiny, precious bundle that wriggled and stretched in her gentle grasp.

"Well?"

At length she could bear the silence no more, and her companion glanced up from her charge at the question, a smile touching her lips as she did so.

"He's so small and warm, Ayeka." She said reflectively, and Ayeka could see excitement glittering in the girl's crimson eyes, making her suddenly seem more a child than the young lady she was becoming. Ayeka frowned, nodding her head.

"Sasami, that's not what you're supposed to be telling me." She scolded gently. "You know that I wanted you to see him before they insisted on all the usual rituals and started poking him with sticks and sacred devices. I trust your judgement on this more than anyone. Can you tell? Does Shigure have the Jurai Power?"

"He's your son." Sasami smiled, reaching down to stroke the tiny infant's cheek. "Of course he does."

"You're sure?" Relief flickered in Ayeka's expression, and Sasami nodded her head.

"Without a doubt." She agreed. "But I told you that before he was born, Ayeka. You worry too much. Tsunami knew he had great power inside of him when you first told me I was going to be an aunt. Jurai has it's heir, so stop fussing, all right? He's a baby...can't we just celebrate a new family member and leave it at that? He's too young to be worrying about magic for a long time, anyway. And he'll have enough hard things to do as he gets older. For now, he just wants to be hugged and played with - and that's more important than any stupid magical ability."

"Sasami..."

"Well, you'd love him just the same if I said he was completely dead to the Power, wouldn't you?" Sasami raised questioning eyes to her sister's, and Ayeka was aware of the goddess in her gaze. She nodded.

"Of course!"

"
Then now we've settled the fact, let's drop it and just be happy he's here." Sasami grinned, her face lighting up. "I've been dying to be an aunt for the longest time, Ayeka. You know I have. And he's so cute and perfect and pink...you know, I hope one day I'll be able to get married and have a family. You're so lucky - you and Takeru, to have him."

"Yes, I know." Ayeka's expression softened and she crossed the room, holding out her arms for her son. Her sister parted with her precious burden reluctantly, folding her hands together as she eyed them both critically.

"I think he's going to look more like you than like Takeru." She decided at length. "He certainly has your eyes, and I'm pretty sure he has your nose. Takeru's chin, maybe...but I think he's going to be a handsome prince when he does grow up, Ayeka-oneechan."

"What else do you expect?" Ayeka laughed. "Of course he will."

She glanced down at him, meeting his big reddish eyes with her own tender ones.

"But you've put my mind at rest." She admitted. "You know that the physicians told me I probably wouldn't have another child in my lifetime - I used up way too much of my strength and energy with him and it would be dangerous. I hoped so much that you'd be right. Tiresome as it is, Sasami-chan, sometimes I have to think like a Princess as well as like a mother. And if he has the Jurai Power - even if he's too young to manifest it yet - then our family's line is safe and secure for another generation."

"I know." Sasami looked uncharacteristically thoughtful. "But I'm glad I don't have to worry about those things, Ayeka."

"Do you suppose your word will be enough to convince the Council without their usual prodding ceremony?" Ayeka asked. Sasami giggled.

"If you want me to, I'll dress up in my best robes and confirm it for them all in the middle of the Council Chamber." She offered. "They're starting to take more notice of me now that it's officially known around the court that Tsunami and I are connected in some way. Would that help, if I came and assured all your twitchy councillors that they will have their baby prince to crown when Tsunami has blessed him fully?"

"It might well." Ayeka admitted. "Thank you, Sasami-chan. I'm sure they'll take Tsunami's word for it, even if they wouldn't take mine."

"I hope so." Sasami looked pensive, perching on the window seat as she leant up against the cool stone wall. "Ayeka, the Cult of Tsunami is springing up again all over Jurai. Faith is stronger than it ever has been in the Goddess's power to protect the planet from harm. From being the princess who could generally do as she pleased because she was always in the shadows, I've become known all across this world. When I'm grown up, Tsunami and I won't be seperate, and it will be down to me...well, to us...to ensure Jurai is always safe. Do you think I'll ever have time for other things - family, love, having fun?"

Ayeka eyed her sister carefully, a sympathetic look in her dark red eyes.

"Of course." She said gently. "You're not just Tsunami, my sister. You're still Sasami, as you were before you knew about any of this. And Tsunami promised you that it would be your life, not hers to govern and control. If you want love and family, you should have it just like anyone else. I won't try and stop you, and nor will I let anyone else. You deserve happiness just as much as any of us. More, perhaps, considering how much you already do for Jurai."

Sasami was silent for a moment, then she shook her head.

"Father may not approve." She said finally. Ayeka looked confused.

"Why not?" she asked, surprised. "Father loves you and he'd want you to be happy. He knows our family are honoured enough by Tsunami's choice. Why would he mind if you wanted to juggle that responsibility with marriage?"

Sasami sighed.

"I don't know." She said hesitantly. "I think he'd expect me to marry a prince. Or not even believe that anyone is good enough to marry his goddess-daughter, because you know how he can be when it comes to things like that. And it worries me, Ayeka. I always thought I'd have that choice to make myself. In fact...in fact, I think I have made it. But I don't want to upset or alienate my family. And I don't...don't think he'd fully understand."

Comprehension flitted across Ayeka's expression and she gently laid the sleepy baby down in the cradle, coming to her sister's side and slipping a gentle arm around the teenager's shoulders. Sasami was already very pretty, and she knew better than her companion how many potential suitors had already come to her father to ask for permission to court. All had been refused - Lord Haru had ordained that his younger child was too young to entertain courtship from older barons, and was wary of the ambitions of those seeking to wed the planetary goddess. There was some truth in Sasami's concerns, she acknowledged to herself ruefully. Haru had always wanted the best for both his daughters, but now he had come to accept Tsunami's life force within his younger child's heart, he had upped the stakes.

"You need to work out what feelings belong to you and what belong to Tsunami." She said at length. "A choice she made a long time ago, based on her own personal preferences or weaknesses...doesn't mean that it's your destiny now."

"No, Ayeka, the feelings are as much mine as they are hers. She is me, remember?" Sasami shook her head. "She's not making me think or feel anything that I don't want to think or feel. It's just there, inside of me. In a way, it always has been - since we met, since before I knew who I really was and what was going to happen. Over time, it's just grown. Maybe it's always been Tsunami's plan...but it's what I want, too. I guess because we share a heart, we share love for people, too. She's as fond of you as I am, you know. And I..."

She sighed.

"I'm as susceptible to her affection, too."

Ayeka was silent for a moment. Then she smiled.

"Then you should follow your heart." She said softly. "You know you have my blessing. And I would put your case to Father, if I ever needed to do so. But don't rush into it, Sasami-chan. He is right when he says you're too young to court in that way. Take your time and see."

"I intend to." Sasami nodded. "Besides, I want to enjoy being an aunt at the moment. Shigure is so cute."

She pursed her lips, looking pensive.

"It's interesting, how things work out." She added. "I had the strangest sensation when Azaka came to me and told me you wanted me...when you first told me that Shigure was going to be born and that I was going to be Aunt Sasami. I knew so much about him and his magic, but it wasn't just that - it wasn't just him. And now I feel even more sure that I'm right. It's a strange sensation, but when I held him...I knew he wasn't going to be Jurai's only heir."

"Meaning what, exactly?" Ayeka frowned, looking confused. "You already know that I can't..."

"No..." Sasami shook her head. "Not you, Ayeka. I didn't mean that."

"Then you?" Ayeka questioned. "I suppose that's not impossible. Even if Tsunami can't be Queen of Jurai...but why would there need to be another heir, Sasami? I don't understand."

"Nor do I, yet. Not exactly." Sasami admitted. "I just know it's true. His soul is bound up somehow with another - their futures coincide and well, I don't know quite how. Not yet."

"And you have no idea about this...other soul?" Ayeka pursed her lips. "Nothing at all? Because if my son's position is in any jeopardy, Sasami..."

"Shigure is Jurai's true heir and he has the Jurai power." Sasami spoke with conviction, and Ayeka felt her anxieties wane somewhat. "I'm sorry, Ayeka. I don't mean to alarm you by raising doubts. It's just...well, I wasn't sure if I should tell you what I think...in case it upset you. And now I suppose I've told you this much...I should tell you the rest and let you decide for yourself how you feel."

"If you stopped speaking in riddles, I'd be able to tell you." Ayeka said acidly. "What is it, Sasami? What knowledge?"

Sasami paused at the edge of the cradle, gazing down at the drowsy infant that curled up in his blankets, oblivious to the huge weight already hanging over his shoulders.

"Uncle is not going to be with us for many more years." She said softly. Ayeka stared, colour draining from her face.

"What do you mean?" She demanded. "Uncle Azusa isn't old...not yet!"

"
No...he isn't old." Sasami agreed. "But he is unwell. Oh, he conceals it - from us and from his court." As Ayeka opened her mouth to protest. "I do not know how long he has. Nor does he, and Tsunami doesn't want to give me too much information...I think she fears my reaction to it as much as she does yours. All I know is that she will help sustain him as long as she can, and delay the inevitable - but even she, with the limits of my life force, can't defeat this weakness indefinitely."

She sighed heavily.

"Even though she knows I love Uncle very much." She added, her voice wavering slightly.

"What kind of illness?" Ayeka asked softly, reaching out to take Sasami's hand in hers. Sasami shook her head.

"I don't know." she admitted. "A wasting sickness - slow but persistant and incurable. Something not even Jurai's divine tree-sap can touch - the kind of debilitating disease that took Lady Kaede away from Suki-oneechan and Lord Seiryo. Last night, at the celebration for Shigure's safe birth, he took my hand and danced with me. I felt his pain then, Ayeka. And I knew. I think he realised it, also - that I felt it in him. But I didn't say anything about it, and neither did he. Somehow it seemed wrong to, when last night was a happy time."

She shrugged.

"He may live for some years yet." She added. "And I mean to make sure he does, for as long as Tsunami and I are able to. But Shigure will be Crown Prince before he reaches his majority. That much I know - and you must know it too. You will be Empress of Jurai, Ayeka...you must be prepared. Uncle's health is strong enough now, but it will fail and you will be needed. It's only fair you know the truth - before it becomes too late. For Jurai's sake, you must be ready to take control."

"I see." Ayeka bit her lip. "This is sad news indeed. Much as I appreciate why you've told me...I almost wish you had not."

"I wish I didn't know either, Ayeka." Sasami admitted. "But that's how things are."

"You mentioned another soul, entwined with Shigure's." Ayeka glanced at her son, a troubled expression on her face. "Someone who will take advantage of his youth and claim power in his stead?"

"
I'm not sure yet how they're linked, except by blood." Sasami said quietly. "And that she's not yet born, but she will be...within a year, she'll draw her first breath."

"She...?"

"Yes. She." Sasami agreed.

"And who is she, exactly?"

"Uncle Azusa's great, great grandaughter." Sasami spread her hands. Ayeka's eyes opened wide with disbelief, and she shook her head slowly.

"Tenchi...?" She whispered. "And...Ryoko? But...?"

"Within a year, she'll draw her first breath." Sasami repeated calmly. "Yes, Ayeka. Tenchi and Ryoko's daughter. Nozomi. The child who saved Jurai once, and may yet be destined to do so again."

"To save Jurai...?" Ayeka faltered. "No, you've confused me too much. All I asked of you was that Shigure was blessed with the power - now you tell me that Tenchi will have a child and that Uncle will die and...and that somehow this girl will be tied up in Shigure's future? That her being so might be important for Jurai?"

"
Very." Sasami agreed pensively. "Nozomi and Shigure are connected, Ayeka, but I can't see how they are...not yet. But it seems to me that they're either united as allies or divided as foes. For Jurai's sake, we need to try and make sure it's the former."

"Meaning?"

"
I met Nozomi Masaki Jurai once, and Tsunami remembers her future, even if that future never came to pass." Sasami spoke dreamily, and Ayeka had the impression that her sister was not completely focused on the things she was saying. "She has the Jurai Power also, Ayeka. And she is
Azusa's direct heir. His death will bring her and Shigure into contact. And potentially...conflict. We can't let that happen. For Jurai's sake, we must make sure they're united in peace...not protagonists in a bloody civil war."