Chapter Two

"And in the name of Tsunami, may he find peace among his ancestors, the Kings of Jurai."

The voice of the priest droned on, his deep tones drifting through the Old Era Juraian scripture and despite himself, the young prince found his attention had begun to slip. All around him the black and maroon robed figures of his family and the noble court of Jurai seemed to stretch for miles and idly he began to count heads, wondering how they had all managed to fit within Jurai’s greatest ceremonial chamber.

At the head of the sombre gathering, the old man who pretended to be Jurai’s leading priest had finally finished his boring monologue, raising his hands in a gesture of respect and deference to his companion. Her expression grave, with her usually vibrant crimson eyes clouded and dark with grief, Shigure watched his aunt slowly mount the dais, pushing her hands together as she did so as if marking her own silent prayer.

For a moment there was silence, and as he gazed at his aunt’s youthful features, Shigure found himself remembering the legends that had been whispered around the court ever since he was old enough to understand them. Lady Sasami was, he knew, Tsunami’s true chosen one – her vessel on Jurai and the one with whom she would one day completely bond, rendering the need for a priest irrelevant. Even now, he mused, as she murmured her gentle, ancient blessing over the ornately carved casket that held his Great Uncle’s mortal remains, Azusa's funeral ceremony could have been carried out by the Princess herself. But he knew, because his mother had told him as much, that Sasami had begged not to be so much involved with the death of someone to whom she had been so close. Shigure frowned at this, contemplating the man who Jurai had last called King as he did so.

Well, he would not have called Azusa an irreplaceable example of kingship, but then, he acknowledged, he had not really known him so well as he might. Sickness had eventually claimed him only a few days before, but it had wasted his body and soul long before that, until he had been physically unable to leave his quarters. Still lucid to the last, he had insisted on governing his realm from the comfort and sanctuary of his quarters, but it had meant Shigure had had very little contact with the man that most of Jurai revered. And so whilst they all stood there, some crying, others tugging absently on their black robes as a sign of their grief, Shigure felt a fraud.

He had not hated his Emperor, nor had he wished him either death or suffering. But he could not share the strong bond that his Aunt Sasami and his own mother both had had with the dead man. His gaze had always been on the future, and his anticipation had been for the day his mother had been crowned the one true Empress of Jurai. Surrounded by mourners, he felt a traitor for even thinking of his mother's impending coronation. But it would come, he knew that. And when he thought of it, his heart swelled with pride. She would be Queen of the biggest empire the universe could hold. And he, Prince Shigure, would be her true blooded heir.

At length the long, depressing ceremony was at an end and Shigure lowered his head, filing out of the chamber in meek, devout silence. His mother remained behind, and as he sent her a sidelong glance from between lowered lids, he saw that her stolid, level gaze hid her tears from view. Even now, he mused, she was the Empress. Even now, when she was saying her last farewells to someone she had loved, she had her heart and mind set on the image of Jurai.

"Shigure."

As they stepped out into the courtyard, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned, meeting the gaze of his father as he did so. He eyed the man quizzically, wondering what could have called such a thoughtful, hesitant expression to the Consort's face on such a day as today.

"I need to speak to you." Takeru's words were muted, as if still in deference to the dead King's ghost, and inwardly Shigure sighed, resigning himself to another fun afternoon of social necessity. Since the Emperor's death, the whole planet had been one ritual after another, and at only seventeen, he was growing heartily sick of it.

But he knew from past experience that expressing any or all of these ideas would bring him no sympathy from his companion. Takeru's advice would be what it always had been - "And what about the day you are King, my son? How would you expect your subjects to see you then?"

"Shigure, are you listening to me?" Takeru's voice broke through his thoughts and he started, offering his companion a sheepish smile.

"I'm sorry. Father, it's been a long day...and I'm tired. I didn't mean to ignore you - but so much has been happening recently. It's hard to keep track."

"Jurai haven't buried an Emperor in a long time." Takeru agreed solemnly, taking his son by the arm and leading him away from the still-massing mourners. "In fact, when Lord Azusa inherited the throne, your mother was still just a small girl herself. Your Great Uncle was a fine king and he will be much missed. It's a lot of adjustment for people to get used to. After all, it's been even longer since a Queen sat on the throne of Jurai."

"Mother will be a good Empress." Shigure objected, and Takeru nodded.

"Yes, the very best that there has ever been, I expect." He agreed. "But there are old minds and old hearts still on the council. They forget all too easily that our planet is protected by the heart and magic of a woman - the most powerful woman in all the universe - and that it is her gift of magic which runs through the royal blood. There are those who would rather see an Emperor than an Empress - and whilst I believe your mother has won all the doubters to her cause already, it still means a period of change for everyone. You as much as the rest."

"I know." Shigure admitted. "Mother will be crowned, and then I will be officially named Crown Prince of Jurai, and you'll find a thousand more boring girls to throw themselves at me. I've got the idea, Father. I know what it means to be a Prince of Jurai."

At first, annoyance crossed Takeru's features, but then he saw the humour in his son's words and his expression relaxed into a smile as he patted his companion gently on the arm.

"And I thought you enjoyed entertaining the cream of Jurai's nobility." He said playfully. "You certainly like to show off to them."

"I get fed up with it, that's all." Shigure sighed. "This ritual, that ritual, and another girl whose father wants to be even more influential than he is now. I know Grandfather arranged your marriage to Mother - didn't you ever feel pushed into something you just didn't want just yet?"

"Not really." Takeru pursed his lips. "But in honesty, Shigure, I was very taken with your mother."

He smiled, and Shigure saw a rare sparkle enter his father's usually grave eyes.

"She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen." He added. "And she had the grace and charm to match. I couldn't wait to marry her, if I'm quite honest. Though I know for a fact she didn't always feel the same way."

He hesitated, casting a glance back towards the great hall, where Ayeka still presided over her Uncle's tomb.

"But that was a long time ago and things change. Hearts change." He added. "She came around. Eventually. And I suppose you will, too - when it's your turn."

"Maybe." Shigure grimaced. "But girls are stupid. At least, all the ones you've made me talk to are. They want to know silly things - about the dress Mother wore to some function or other, or who was present at the last major society function. One of them even asked me a whole lot of questions about Aunt Sasami. They're only interested in me because I'm Mother's son, or because I'm Tsunami's nephew - or they're just really, really stupid. I don't know which option is the worst - but it's really annoying."

"Well, you can relax for the time being." Takeru smiled. "You're not being forcibly betrothed on this day, anyway. And that wasn't what I wanted to speak with you about, Shigure-kun. It was something else entirely."

"It was?" Shigure looked startled. "What was it then, Father? Ever since I turned seventeen pretty much every little talk we've had has been about potential political alliances...as if you're afraid that if I'm not married by the time I'm eighteen, I may never get another opportunity."

"It might seem that way to you." Takeru looked rueful. "But I don't intend it to be. I just want you to be involved in all the decisions that have to be made - Ayeka and I both do. The more you can learn now about being an adult, the better. Which brings me to the subject of this conversation. Shigure, tell me - how goes your training these days?"

"My training?" Shigure stared at his father for a moment, then he frowned. "How do you mean?"

"Are you still the best swordsman in your generation, my son?"

"Of course I am." Shigure snorted. "Swords and sticks, too. Nobody can best me at either one, Father - you should know me better than that."

"I'm glad to hear it." Takeru's eyes twinkled again. "And what of your other training?"

"Other...?"

"Your magical training, Shigure. Your Jurai Power. What of that?"

"Oh." Shigure fell silent, dropping his gaze to the ground as he heard his father sigh.

"I see. So it still hasn't risen within you?"

Mutely Shigure shook his head.

"I do try." He added hurriedly. "Really, I do. I focus my thoughts and do all the things that I'm meant to do. But I can't...I mean it won't...well, I just don't know where I'm supposed to find it, that's all. And it's not like there's anyone really to teach me. Mother is too busy - and even though she's tried, I don't think she really understands how it works, either. And noone else really has it, so I don't have anyone to consult on the subject. It's really hard just being told what to do instead of having someone who can walk through it with you and make it real."

"I know." Takeru looked troubled. "But only your mother has the true Power - even Lady Sasami's is of a different nature altogether. It should have been Lord Azusa who trained you - he would have relished it, but his health forbade it, in the end. And as you say, teaching magic doesn't come naturally to your mother."

"Aunt Sasami says there's nothing to teach. It's just there inside of me and I'm the only one who can find it." Shigure rolled his eyes. "She thinks that if I just stop trying to hard and relax, it will just come. But it isn't and it hasn't. It's just...it's hard, Father. That's all."

"I know." Takeru nodded. "But you see, Shigure, with your Great Uncle's passing, this all becomes much more important, now."

"I don't see why." Shigure looked confused. "I mean, it's always been important, but why now, especially?"

"Because Jurai can't crown you First Prince until you wake it inside of you." Takeru said gently. "It's an important part of the ceremony. Before Ayeka was accepted as Crown Princess in her own right, she had to manifest and display Jurai's power before the Council. Lord Azusa also had to, in his day. The King of Jurai must be able to wield Jurai's special magic. That is why the crown passed over your Grandfather and rested on your mother's head. And Shigure, if you do not find a way to raise your magic, it may yet pass over your head to your descendants, too. Which is when finding you a suitable bride becomes pressing."

"Why did nobody tell me about that fun little detail?" Shigure glared at his father, indignation welling up inside of him. "You could have mentioned this, Father. I mean, do you think I wouldn't need to know?"

"We didn't think we'd need to...we didn't think there'd be a doubt." Takeru said reluctantly. "It wasn't just the seers who predicted your magic, Shigure. Lady Sasami predicted it too - with absolute and Tsunami-driven certainty. While I could believe the seers to be in error, I don't believe Jurai's Goddess would have made such a mistake. It never seemed in question. You had the magic, therefore, you would never need to be told about the consequences of not having it."

"And what if I don't have it, Father?" Shigure whispered. He glanced at his hands. "What if Aunt Sasami was wrong, and it didn't wake inside of me?"

"I still have faith in Sasami's word." Takeru shook his head. "Which means you know what I'm going to say to you now, don't you?"

"Try harder." Shigure sighed. "Father, I will...but I'm already trying my best."

"I know, and if you keep doing so, all will be well." Takeru assured him. "You have a long time yet before you need worry about it. Your mother is young and healthy still and she will be Queen for a long time, Tsunami willing. But for the sake of your own standing - your own coronation - you must put your mind to it, my son. With all your heart and soul."

"And if I can't find it? There is noone else to inherit. I'm an only child, and Aunt Sasami has no children."

Takeru fell silent at this, gazing up at the sky and as Shigure followed his gaze, he frowned, confusion in his eyes as he saw the incoming vapour trail of one of many military patrol bugs.

"Father? I don't understand."

"Well, there are other options." Takeru said finally. "But for now, you focus on your magic and give your other training a rest. You are already a formidable weapons master, my son - and that makes me very proud. If you can be the same with your magic as you can with your sword, then I know you will be a great King too, one day. Even one to match the King for whom you are named."

"What do you mean, other options?" Shigure looked suspicious. Takeru smiled.

"It doesn't matter." He said dismissively. "You just do as I say. And remember that eyes are on you today, Shigure. The Emperor's death has us all in mourning. Try not to be too jovial - it might be misconstrued as poor respect."

"I know." Shigure heaved a long-suffering sigh, bowing his head obediently to his father. "And I won't bother anyone, anyway. I'm going to go to my chamber, and get away from all this depressing madness, at least for a little while."

Before his father could stop him, he turned on his heel, heading briskly and purposefully across the courtyard towards the central tower where the most prestigious of all Jurai's important bodies resided. Many of the fellow mourners - themselves from high-born families - bowed their heads to him as he passed and he returned the gesture, offering polite, brief smiles to all as he marshalled his emotions back into his mourning expression. Then he was inside, and safe within the confines of the palace itself and he sighed, leaning up against the wall.

"Everyone's gone mad." He muttered. "The King is dead and that's sad, I know. But surely not everyone out there really cares that much? I swear every noble in Jurai has come to his funeral."

"Prince Shigure?"

A familiar voice greeted him and he turned, his expression becoming slightly frosty as he recognised Kamidake, one of the two honoured Knights of Jurai. He bowed his head stiffly at his companion, who regarded him in amusement, but made no comment on the forced nature of his good manners.

"I thought you would be with your Lady Mother at this time." Kamidake continued softly. "I thought the palace was empty."

"So did I, which is why I came back here." Shigure eyed the man with dislike. "Did you want something, Kamidake?"

Kamidake pursed his lips, shaking his head.

"No, not really. I was heading back to the hall." He said with a smile that told the annoyed prince he didn't care anything for the boy's disdain. "Sasami has asked that Azaka and I participate in the vigil, and I've agreed. It seems the honourable thing to do for an honourable Emperor."

"Are you suggesting I'm not honourable?" Shigure bristled.

"I never said so, Prince Shigure." Kamidake said evenly.

"You didn't have to." Shigure folded his arms across his chest. "You're not one to lecture me on honour, Lord Kamidake. Even if Mother has turned a blind eye to it, I still don't like your involvement with my Aunt. You don't seem to have much respect for her honour, considering that she is Tsunami's chosen one. She is Lady Sasami to you. Sometimes you seem to forget that she is a true Princess of Jurai's royal house, and not some serving wench from the palace kitchens."

Kamidake's eyes became cold, but he did not answer. Instead he bowed his head to the Prince, then left him to himself, heading back out to join the throng outside. Shigure watched him go, clenching his fists tightly as he fought to control his anger.

"I do not like that man." He muttered. "Or his ambitions with my Aunt. Another low-born man with aspirations of grandeur."

For a moment he stood there, allowing his dislike of the knight to fester. Then he got to grips with himself, hurrying through the halls and corridors of the palace towards his own quarters.

"At least here I'm safe." He murmured to himself. "Safe from Great Uncle's ghost, safe from ill-mannered knights and their dark intentions...and most of all, safe from my father's insatiable desire to find me a wife. At least here, nobody bothers me. But now I have another thing to add to the million things I already have on my mind. What if I can't raise my magic? Who inherit's Jurai's crown then?"

----------

It was a beautiful day.

The girl smiled, stretching her legs out idly beneath the hard wooden desk as she gazed dreamily across the blue horizon. If she squinted, she could just make out the peaks of the mountains in the distance, cloaked by morning mist but still supreme above the hills and houses that populated the terrain. The sun shone over everything, spreading light over the blossoming trees and touching on the leaves and petals of each plant individually.

She sighed. This was her favourite time of year, when everything around her was alive. As she watched, a small bird perched on the branch of a nearby tree, chirping it's chorus as it too celebrated the advent of the summer season.

"Miss Masaki, what do you think the answer is?"

The girl started, staring at the bird without comprehension. Was she imagining things, or had the creature just uttered her name in the middle of his calls?

"Miss Masaki!"

This time the call was more strident and it jerked her out of her daydream, bringing her back with a thud to the reality of the small, busy school classroom and the giggles of her classmates as she raised her gaze sheepishly to that of her angry class teacher. It was not an uncommon turn of events, she knew that, as she rose to her feet, fumbling with her book as she struggled to find the passage the rest of the class had been reading. In fact, only the week before her father had been forced to come to the school to discuss her bad concentration and haphazard grades.

"Well, now you're back with us, maybe you could tell us what you've gleaned from paragraph five." The teacher cast her a look of despair, turning to the board and indicating the list of notes already scribed there. "We've already established that the principle characters are symbolic of various different natural elements. Now can you tell me what else we can observe from the way the prose has been written?"

The girl glanced at her book, then up at the teacher, her cheeks red.

"I...I don't know." She admitted reluctantly. "I guess...I guess maybe they're...enjoying the summer?"

Another bevy of laughter greeted this statement, and the teacher banged her hand down on the desk, glaring at her hapless student from across the classroom.

"Nozomi Masaki, would it be too much to ask for you to actually pay attention in one of my classes before the end of term?" She demanded. "Unless you'd forgotten, examinations begin tomorrow. Are you going to spend all of those sitting and staring out of the window?"

Fortunately the bell rang across the classroom at that moment, effectively preventing Nozomi from having to find an answer, and the girl let out a sigh of relief as the teacher reluctantly dismissed the class, exhorting them to make sure they didn't forget anything for the morning's examinations. As Nozomi made to follow them, however, the teacher held up her hand, stopping her student in her tracks.

"No, not you, Miss Masaki. We haven't finished." She said softly. Nozomi clutched her books to her chest, eying her teacher doubtfully.

"I'm sorry, sensei." She said penitently. "I don't mean to daydream. It's just, when it's so beautiful outside and I know it's almost the summer..."

"I've heard your excuses time and time again, Nozomi." The teacher sighed, sinking down into her seat. "And maybe they would be acceptable for a student of nine or ten, but you're sixteen years old and far and away old enough to have some discipline in the classroom. I'm lenient on you, I know that - more than I should be - but not all teachers tolerate this kind of behaviour from students of your age. Your  examinations are close. Are you prepared for them at all?"

"Some." Nozomi glanced at her hands. "Father's been helping me with my mathematics, anyway. And Grandmother keeps drilling me on my sciences. I...I have been working, Ms Suzuki. I really have."

"Well, I saw very little evidence of it in today's class." The teacher sighed, running her hands through her hair in obvious agitation. "Last year I argued your case with the school board and you scraped through by the skin of your teeth. I won't do it again, even if I am your personal tutor and responsible for you in one way or another. It's true that your sciences are above average - when you pay attention - and you have passable grades in maths and Japanese when your mind is on the subject at hand. But you're so unpredictable. Sometimes you're right here with the rest of them making intelligent suggestions. And others? You're off with the fairies."

"I know." Nozomi looked guilty. "And I really am sorry. I do try."

"Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to try harder." Her companion admonished softly. "Because you know that if you don't pass your exams, Nozomi-chan, you'll be spending your summer in summer school. And I'm sure you don't want that."

"No way!" Nozomi shook her head fervently. "I...I'll do my best, Ms Suzuki. I'll study like crazy tonight and I'll pass my exams, I really will!"

"Well, for your sake I hope you do." The teacher sighed, then gestured towards the door. "Go on, or you'll miss your bus home. It's a long walk to the mountains, and even if it is bright and sunny out, you need all the revision time you can get."

"Yes, sensei. Thank you." Nozomi bowed her head, making her escape from the classroom before her tutor could change her mind. Once out into the halls she let her breath out in a rush, shaking her head slowly.

"This sucks." She muttered. "Summer school is for losers. No way am I spending my summer break in the classroom!"

"Did she lay into you really bad?" Nozomi glanced up, seeing her friend watching her, a wry expression on her face. She grimaced, shaking her head.

"No, but she threatened me with summer school. Again." She responded. "I don't know, Hanako. What am I meant to do? I can't help it if I get easily distracted. School and I just don't fit together really well."

Hanako laughed.

"You should tell that to Suzuki-sensei, she'd like to hear it." She replied, amused. "Well, I waited for you - are you catching your bus or are you going to walk?"

"Suzuki-sensei thinks I should get home as fast as possible and study till the sun comes up tomorrow." Nozomi admitted. "I'm sorry, Hana-chan. I guess I'm not walking with you tonight."

"Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow morning." Hanako told her playfully. "Bright and early - no oversleeping. Okay?"

"Okay." Despite herself, a smile touched Nozomi's lips. "I'll be there, Hanako. Don't worry. I won't be late for my first exam."

Hanako raised her hand in a wave, disappearing down the corridor towards the main exit, and Nozomi stepped back against the wall, glancing all around her for any sign of company. There was noone there, however - her talk with her teacher had ensured that the halls were already empty, and she closed her eyes, clutching her books tight to her chest as she focused her mind on the remote mountain valley in which her family had made their home for the past few generations.

When she opened her eyes, she could feel the fresh cool breeze of the evening on her face and, as she gazed out across the valley, a satisfied smile touched her lips.

"I made it all the way here, this time." She said out loud. "At least there's something I'm getting better at, even if it's not something I can tell the others about."

"Nozomi?" A voice startled her and she swung around, her smile becoming a warm grin as she registered the fact she wasn't alone.

"Hello, Obaa-chan." She said playfully. "Did you see me? I teleported the whole way here this time! All the way without a stop in the middle. I told you I was getting stronger!"

"Yes, you did indeed." Her grandmother eyed her keenly for a moment. "Although materialising on top of my notes is really something I expect of your mother, koneko-chan. Not you."

"Your notes?" Nozomi glanced down, blushing as she registered the creased sheets of squared paper that lay beneath her feet. She hopped off them, offering her companion an apologetic smile.

"Sorry. I didn't realise."

"Well, it's a good thing I can read through mud stains." Her grandmother said resignedly, bending to pick the crumpled sheets up and smoothing them together as she glanced at the complex formulae scrawled at various angles across each page. "How was school?"

"Not too bad." Nozomi hoisted her bag up onto her back as she considered. "Only one teacher told me off for dreaming today. And I remembered my assignment for physics - the teacher thinks I've come on leaps and bounds since you began tutoring me."

"Of course." Green eyes sparkled with amusement at this. "You have the best possible instructor...what else do you expect?"

"And I don't dream in your class." Nozomi said ruefully, eying a fading scar on her forearm as she did so. "Because if I do, Obaa-chan, something inevitably blows up or falls on me or both at once."

"Funny how that happens sometimes." A mischievous look crossed her companion's face. "And speaking of which, you have got exams tomorrow. You're not going to let me down by failing them, now, are you? You know you're putting my reputation as the universe's number one genius on the line when you walk in that room."

"I promise, I'm going to pass." Nozomi laughed. "At least, I'm going to pass science, anyway. I don't think I'd dare come home and face you if I didn't."

"That's the spirit." Her grandmother looked approving.

"You're home early." Before Nozomi could respond, a fresh voice joined the conversation and her mother flickered and blurred into view, casting her daughter a smile which, to a stranger, could have been interpreted as anything from affection to predation. "Good. That means we've time for practice before dinner."

"Practice?" Nozomi looked surprised. "But I'm not changed, and Okaa-san, I've got exams starting tomorrow. Shouldn't I study?"

"Are you planning on spending the whole of your life glued to the cheap varnish on some office desk?" Her mother raised an eyebrow. "I don't think so. Just because Washu insists you recite periodic tables in your sleep doesn't mean that the end of year exams are the be all and end all of existance. You're sixteen. You fail them, you take them again. No big deal. But I'm the one who had to explain to your Great Grandfather why the shrine had an interesting shaped hole in the roof last weekend."

"My scientific principles are as important to the application of Nozomi's magic as whatever babble you think you're teaching her." Washu said astutely, eying her daughter with some amusement. "Ryoko-chan, do you see any hostile hoardes waiting to carry her off to strange lands? I don't think so. I know teenage boys can be persistant when they've got a pretty girl to follow - but teaching her to blow things up does seem a bit of an extreme way to play hard to get."

"Washu, this isn't about boys." Ryoko looked impatient. "It's about self defence and about using her magic properly, that's all. She keeps it bottled up all day and when she does use it, it explodes out of her like a firecracker. Grandfather wasn't exactly happy when he found out we'd been using the shrine in our training practices...and even less pleased when he saw the char marks. Do you want her to hurt someone? Because right now she might just do it."

"I'm not that bad." Nozomi protested. "Okay, so I had one accident - Mother, did you never, ever blow something up by mistake before?"

"She made a career of it, once upon a time." Washu laughed. "In fact, sometimes I still wait for the television to explode when a fight doesn't go the way she wants it to."

Ryoko shot her mother the most unpleasant look she could muster, but didn't respond. Instead she held out a hand to her daughter, raising an eyebrow.

"Training first. Study later." She said quietly. "If you don't know whatever you need to know by now you won't ever know it, anyway. And most of what they teach you in Earth schools is never going to be any use to you. I mean, the water cycle, for example. What's that all about? Water goes down...it goes up...it goes down...why doesn't it just make up it's stupid mind and get over itself?"

Washu rolled her eyes, shaking her head in resignation.

"And to think, you and I share genes." She said ruefully. "Ryoko, you shame me sometimes."

"Good." Ryoko said unrepentantly. "Well, Nozomi? Are you coming?"

"Guess so, if you think it's important." Nozomi nodded. "But if I fail tomorrow...Mother, I don't want to be in summer school."

"Better hope you know your facts then." Ryoko told her simply. Washu chuckled.

"She does." She said decidedly. "All right, koneko-chan. Go with your mother this time. I'll go over notes with you after dinner if you think it will help."

"Thank you, Grandma." Nozomi looked grateful. "It would."

"You really should stop calling her that, Washu. She's not a baby any more." Ryoko raised her eyebrow at her mother, who shrugged.

"Nozomi isn't complaining." She responded. "She's not like you - she doesn't mind little terms of endearment. Do you, Nozomi?"

"I am not getting involved in a fight between you two." Nozomi held up her hands, laughing. "I'll practice my magic now, then I'll study after dinner and hopefully Father won't decide to find me chores to do in the meantime. I'm already hungry, and I'd like to have some time to relax as well this evening if I can manage it!"

"No doubt Yume will be starting dinner soon." Washu said pensively. "This house is really getting too small for the whole family, you know. I must see about extending it - maybe a dimension or two more, now Nozomi is getting older..."

"Take it up with Otousan." Ryoko looked amused. "Okay, Nozomi. Meet me at the shrine."

With that she vanished, and Nozomi grinned.

"Even though I vandalised it the last time, it looks like we're still training there." She said. Washu laughed.

"That's your mother for you." She said simply. "You better run along, koneko-chan. She'll be on your case again if you don't."

"I'm going." Nozomi nodded. "And Obaa-chan?"

"Yes?"

"I don't mind you calling me that. Just so you know."

With that she flickered out of view, re-materialising beneath the gateway to the shrine and setting her school books up against one of the vertical wooden posts.

"Okay, Okaa-san, I'm ready when you are." She said. "And I promise I'll try not to blow anything up today!"