Seiryo and the Makibi-ke - Mashisu
More Mashisu Makibi ;)

---

"It's late."

Seiryo glanced up, seeing the figure of Kiyone's younger sister stepping neatly across the tiles, settling herself down in the vacant seat opposite as she cast him a tentative smile. "Do you people not sleep on Jurai, then? And where's Kiyo? Has she gone to bed already?"

"Yes, Kiyone went to get ready for bed half an hour ago." Seiryo nodded his head. "As for sleeping - of course we do. But I'm restless and I sought some time alone, that's all. To think about all I've seen and done today, since my arrival."

"Oh." Mashisu faltered, then, "Do you want me to go away, then? Because if you do, I will, it's just I can't sleep either. I can't get my head around the idea of Kiyone getting married...it's something of a brain exploder, to be quite honest."

Seiryo smiled, shaking his head as amusement glittered in his teal eyes.

"I find your company refreshing, Mashisu-san." He said quietly. "Please, feel free to intrude. After all, we will be family, won't we? I should know as much as I can about Kiyone's kin before I leave Tanima."

"I suppose." Mashisu frowned, settling herself more comfortably in her seat. "Although I'm amazed Kiyo even told you where she was from. Oneesan isn't too fond of home visits, you know...it's like she forgets we exist, when she's working. She writes, of course. Sends messages to Father about what's going on. But she doesn't often visit. Maybe she's living the high life now - perhaps that's it. But I am surprised you came. Both of you."

Seiryo frowned, and Mashisu blushed, shaking her head.

"I don't mean to sound insulting to my sister." She said hurriedly. "It's not like that. But since Kei died..."

She trailed off, and Seiryo's gaze softened.

"I know that Kiyone was very close to your older brother." He said quietly. "It must have been a terrible blow to you all to lose him."

"Kei-niichan was an idiot, but a nice one." Mashisu nodded with a sigh. "He was...he was as different from Kiyone as you can imagine, to be honest. He was a rogue - always into this or that scheme, always pushing boundaries, always looking for more exciting ways to live his life. When Kiyo first ran away from home to join the Galaxy Police, Kei encouraged her all the way. He joked that she'd wind up chasing him down one day, and even covered for her to begin with, when Mother and Father started to realise something was going on. But in the end..."

She bit her lip.

"I was just a kid, really, when he died." She added. "At least, it seemed like it. But when he did, well, I realised that you only get so much of life. Kei looked to get the best he could from his - and he made the wrong choices. Kiyo drifted away from the rest of us - she really didn't know how to confide, I guess, because she'd always confided everything in Kei-nii. And me..."

She frowned, shrugging her shoulders.

"Kiyone thinks I'm acquisitive, shallow and greedy, but I see it as pragmatic." She said candidly. "I'm the youngest of a big family. Ryuu has his own farmstead, and Niji and her husband will take over this one when Papa and Mama are no longer able to run it properly...that's how it's always been. Kei is dead, and Kiyone has the Galaxy Police. But I don't have anything to fall back on. So is it really so wrong to use the one thing the Gods did give me? I am pretty and I'm not ashamed to admit it. If I can use that to settle my situation somewhere where I'm happy and money isn't an issue - why shouldn't I do it? It's better than being a burden on my family for the rest of eternity, and I don't see what else I can do."

Seiryo eyed her keenly for a moment, then he smiled.

"Where I come from, your line of thought is not only acceptable, but fairly normal." He admitted. "Among the ruling elite of Jurai, such practice is common. Each man and woman seeks out a partner of equal stature - often for financial or other benefit as much as for mutual affection. It seems a sensible course of action to me."

"Really?" Mashisu looked startled. Then she smiled.

"But not you, huh?" She asked softly. "You've chosen to marry for love, and not for all those things, haven't you?"

Seiryo looked rueful. Slowly he nodded his head.

"I confess I have." He agreed. "But I think I'll spend less time regretting this than I would a match of political origins. My own parents were both from high born strands of a noble family, yet their relationship - such as it ever was - disintegrated into pieces long before my father's death. I was determined that I would never repeat that mistake. I had almost resolved not to marry at all, and to leave the inheritance to my younger sister without worrying about taking a wife. But then..."

He shrugged his shoulders.

"Then I met your sister, under less than ordinary circumstances." He added. "And things changed."

"Kiyo is lucky." Mashisu frowned. "She's never looked for those things, but she's got them anyway. And it bites most of all because Kiyo was always the smart one in the family. Always the one everyone heaped praise on for her drive and her academic achievements. She's never known how lucky she really is, that's all. She mightn't be as pretty as Niji or I are, but she's pretty special, my middle sister. And it annoys me so much that she can't even see it."

She looked sheepish.

"Or maybe she can, now she's marrying you." She amended. "But I think she really does love you, Seiryo-san. It's just coincidence that you happen to have wealth and influence. I've not seen Kiyone in love before...but I'm pretty sure that she is in love with you. Which makes the whole business even more sickening, if you want to know the truth. I'm happy for her - for the both of you. But yeesh, sometimes it bites."

Seiryo chuckled.

"You're bold with your opinions, and I respect that." He said at length. "Perhaps your sister underestimates you, Mashisu-san. It seems to me that you've a far more strategic head on your shoulders than she realises."

"Well, I've grown up a lot since Kei passed on." Mashisu said soberly. "Had to. With Kiyo gone, Niji and Ryuu married - who else is there to help out around the farm? Niji and her husband are here a lot, of course, but even so..."

She sighed.

"Mother wants to see all her children married and settled and provided for." She added. "You've made her dreams come true by wanting my sister, but it still doesn't solve my situation."

"I believe you have some acquaintance with Mihoshi-san's brother Misao." Seiryo observed. Mashisu pinkened again, nodding her head.

"I like Misao-sama." She admitted. "And I think he liked me, too. But since he's been involved in missionary work, I've seen nothing of him. I don't know whether that's because I'm not rich enough for his family, or what it is. But I'm glad you're not like that, Seiryo-san. You seem to really want to get to know us as prospective kin, and I respect that."

"I do want to." Seiryo nodded. "The approval of Kiyone's people matters to me a great deal."

He stretched, wincing as he jarred his healing wounds, and Mashisu frowned, eying him keenly.

"Are you really all right?" She asked softly. "Kiyone said that you'd been badly hurt - that you'd almost died. Was it really okay, flying all this way?"

"I'm fairly strong and I'll survive, although it may not have been my wisest course of action." Seiryo admitted. "I'm tired and sore, but no doubt it will improve now I'm on solid earth. Turbulence and air pressure in space is trying on a battered body, that's all. I'm grateful to be able to stop here a few days and catch my breath before I make the trip home."

"If you're tired, you should be asleep." Mashisu pursed her lips. "Shouldn't you?"

Seiryo frowned, getting to his feet and moving towards the window as he rested his hands on the sill.

"As I said, I'm restless." He said slowly. "I have slight fevers, on and off, on account of my body's recovery. It's difficult to get any rest, and tossing and turning does me no good at all. So it is better not to try. I shall sleep, presently. I will have to retrieve the herbal remedy my foster sister gave me for my trip, and see what that can do for me. It is not polite to impose on hosts at all hours, after all, is it?"

"I don't mind." Mashisu assured him. "Of all the guys in the universe Kiyo could have brought home, I think you'll do okay."

"Thank you, Miss Makibi." Seiryo bowed his head in acknowledgement of her praise. "That means a lot to me."

"I never knew Lords of Jurai were so formal and proper like that." Mashisu grinned. "It's so cool, the way you speak and act and everything. I can't wait for your wedding...maybe I am being opportunistic, but I'm dying to visit the court of Jurai and at last I'll have a reason to go."

"Indeed you shall, and I will introduce you to my sister and Tokimi, also." Seiryo nodded. "Though you might find it a disappointment. Not all Lords of Jurai are gracious. And even those of us who are have our off days."

He winced again, as he shifted his body awkwardly, drawing a sharp breath into his lungs as he sank down against the windowsill. Mashisu's eyes opened wide in alarm and she hurried to his side, eying him in consternation.

"Are you all right? Should I wake Kiyone?"

"The last thing I need is an I told you so from my fiancee." Seiryo shook his head wryly. "No, I'm all right. I just need to be careful how I move. That's all."

He frowned.

"Maybe now would be a good time to retire." He admitted. "Though I have enjoyed speaking with you, and hope we shall again before I leave. I am finding Kiyone's family refreshing and intriguing, and I should like to take advantage of your company more, when I am better rested."