It was unbelievable.

Shigure let out a cry of anger, kicking hard against the wall of Tsunami's temple as he let his pent up frustration out on the reassuring stonework. The carved form of the goddess stared down at him, as if admonishing him for his behaviour, and his brows knitted together as he sent her an unrepentant glare.

"Why did nobody tell me that this girl was so important?" He demanded aloud, but there was noone to answer his question. "How dare she come to Jurai dressed like Tsunami knows what and expect to be taken seriously as a claimant to the throne? How dare she think she can steal my birthright from me just by turning up and charming Aunt Sasami? And how dare she do that, either? Sasami-sama is my aunt, not hers. How dare she think she can intervene in my family's business? Everyone knows her mother is a bastard born space pirate and her grandfather a psychotic despot. How is it possible that she could even be considered over me by the Council of Jurai? And more, how could my own mother consider this connection worth pursuing? Why did she bring that brat to Jurai? What does she hope to do to me?"

He kicked out at the wall once more, glowering at the Goddess with venom in his eyes. Although he had kept his composure when out in the grounds, he had soon found a way to excuse himself, unable to hold his impassive demeanour for much longer. His aunt had seemed surprised at the suddenness of his retreat, but she had not come after him, and this grated with him just as much as the news she had come to impart. As the only child of his generation, Shigure was not used to sharing his Aunt's affection, and as he came to review this, he realised that it hurt just as much as the idea of Nozomi's superior claim.

"Sasami-sama is my aunt." He repeated. "My Aunt, Tsunami! So if you did send her to do your bidding, and if you are responsible for this girl coming to Jurai, well, I'm mad at you as well. I don't care if you are Jurai's Goddess! If you were as all powerful as you claim to be, you'd be able to show me how to wake my magic and this would never be an issue!"

His eyes narrowed as he eyed the Goddess suspiciously.

"Or do you like her better, is that it?" He demanded. "Do you prefer the base-born Earth wench to the true son of the Empress of Jurai?"

"Lord Shigure, whatever is the matter?"

The calm, settled tones of Kamidake did nothing to assuage the Prince's fit of petulance and he swung around, hate in his eyes as he glared at the encroaching knight.

"I don't believe I asked you to speak to me, Knight of Jurai." He said flatly. "You may think you are equal in the presence of my Aunt, and she may think you are more than just a soldier. But I don't, and my concerns are no business of yours. Please do not speak to me unless I speak to you first - or did noone ever teach you the proper manners for addressing a Prince of this Planet?"

Kamidake eyed him thoughtfully for a moment, and something about the man's calm appraisal caused Shigure to bristle even further.

"What?" He demanded, his hand hovering over the hilt of his sword as if to challenge his companion there and then. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Your Highness asked me not to speak unless first spoken to, Lord Shigure." Kamidake said evenly, bowing his head to acknowledge his companion's status. "I merely observed that something distresses you. Is there any way I can be of service?"

"Aside from leaving me alone, no." Shigure said blackly. "Unless you decide to find your honour and realise that my Aunt is far too fine a woman for you to associate with so familiarly, I have nothing to say to you - on any level."

"Then I shan't bother you any further." Kamidake said levelly, bowing once more. "Please excuse me, my Prince. I have duties to attend to within the Shrine, on the instruction of the Lady Sasami."

He offered the Prince a slight, knowing smile, and then disappeared into the stone building, leaving Shigure twice as angry as he had been but somehow unable to counter the man's calm words with aggression and hate. In his current riled up state, he was in no mood to consider the situation reasonably and he pulled his sword hilt from it's scabbard, glaring at it and then tossing it across the ground.

"A useless toy. That's all that is." He muttered, sinking down onto the stone wall that marked out the surrounds of Tsunami's shrine. "A toy, like Lord Tennan and every other nobleman of Jurai possesses. I am not a nobleman...I am a Prince. So why is it I cannot do the thing I was born to do? Mother is powerful, that's only too clear now. My Aunt is a Goddess in the flesh. Why am I so lacking? What is wrong with me, that I can't find this magic inside of me? If someone would only tell me how, I'm sure it couldn't be so very hard to wake it. Then noone would be bringing strange, Earthling brats to this planet in the hope of usurping my position. It's not my fault if I haven't magically raised it inside of me yet! Mother was older than me when she first used her magic. Why should I be punished, just because I don't know how it works?"

There was no answer, as even the stone Goddess looked on in silence, and he sighed.

"Well, I'm not going to let that wench think she can sneak in and steal my position and my family from under my nose." He said frankly. "Whatever Sasami-sama says, and however much so called magic this Nozomi girl has, she will never be Queen of Jurai so long as there is breath in my body. I will not give up so easily - I am a son of Jurai, not some weak knight of the realm who constantly needs reassurance. She'll learn the hard way that she can't steal what was never meant to be hers."

He retrieved his sword, grip tightening around the hilt as it flared into a hot white blade.

"She'll see." He muttered. "She's no true Princess of Jurai and I'm going to prove it once and for all!"

"I really don't know about this."

Nozomi frowned, eying her reflection doubtfully in the mirror pool as she did so. "Obaa-san, are you sure about all of this...well...fancy stuff? I don't feel right wearing it - like I might trip over it or something, any second."

"You're here as a princess of Jurai, koneko-chan." Washu said gently, amusement in her green eyes at her companion's expression. "And you have to look the part, even if you don't feel it. Jeans and a cute top are fine when you're going to the cinema with your friends, or hanging out at a local sushi bar. But this isn't Earth and things are different."

It was later that evening and, after having been shown to an expansive, well-appointed chamber, Nozomi had begun to realise that this was not any ordinary summer holiday. Sasami's words still burned into her brain, refusing to sink in properly, but even she could not deny the luxury of her surroundings, nor the fine nature of the clothes laid out for her to wear. It had been with some relief that she had relocated her grandmother - a friendly, familiar face amid the chaos and uncertainty, and something in the woman's down to earth, matter-of-fact attitude had helped to calm her jumping heart. However, now the evening meal was upon her, she felt suddenly shy. On this world, after all, she was a blood relative of the Empress - and for the first time she was realising what exactly that meant.

"I wish I was going to the cinema. At least I'd know how to act."

"But new experiences are good for all of us." Washu pointed out, adjusting her granddaughter's hair slightly and standing back in satisfaction. "There. You'll knock the court dead now, Nozomi. I've always said you'd be very pretty, when you grew up - you'll make us proud this evening."

"I hope so." Nozomi eyed her reflection one more time, biting her lip as she surveyed what she saw. A young woman stared back, her clouded amber eyes giving her an uncharacteristic look of gravity and responsibility. Her thick wavy hair had lost it's usual headband or ponytail, and instead was drawn back into two loose tails behind her head, in a style that - so she had been told - was far more fashionable on Jurai. She was dressed in fine, soft fabrics, the like of which she had never seen before, and about her shoulders fluttered a delicate white cape, made of cloth so expensive and fragile she was afraid that if she touched it too much, it would break.

At length she sighed.

"Do you really think I look all right?"

"Nozomi, you look beautiful." Washu assured her. "As much like a Princess as Sasami or Ayeka ever did, or ever do."

"Well, at least if I appear at dinner this way, that boy can't be rude to me about how I'm dressed this time." Nozomi's brows drew together at the memory. "He had some nerve, Obaa-chan."

"I understand your first meeting with Prince Shigure didn't go exactly according to plan." Washu chuckled. "Somehow there's an irony in that - your mother and his certainly didn't see things eye to eye for a long time after they first met, and it's not a surprise if the next generation follows suit. But this is his world, after all. Try and be polite to him, koneko-chan - even if you do consider him the most odious species of worm on the planet."

"But Obaa-san..."

Nozomi hesitated, then shook her head, apprehension in her eyes.

"Lady Sasami said that I was a potential claimant to Jurai's throne. That they might one day want me as their Queen. Why would she say that? It's silly - it's crazy. I can't be any kind of Queen and I've only just got here. I haven't even met Lady Ayeka yet! Why are they so eager to make me into a Princess? I thought we were just visiting family - now I find that I'm somewhere in line to inherit?"

"Well, you know that your mother and I would not stand for you being forced into anything." Washu said soothingly. "And nor would your father, if it came to it. You know that he made his choice, and we will all let you make yours, also. Whatever Ayeka or the Council may want or hope, the bottom line is that it's up to you. We are guests here, and nobody is going to make you do anything if you don't want to. You have my word on it - so try not to worry and think of this as a holiday, not pressure to be something you might never have to be."

"Then why all the fuss?" Nozomi questioned. "Why am I dressed like a Princess if I don't really have to be one?"

"Because Jurai is a world which is obsessed with outward image." Washu said wisely. "And you are representing Earth here...it's as well not to make them think it's a planet full of heathens."

"Even if that Prince is rude to me?"

"Yes."

"But it's hard." Nozomi sighed again, glancing at her hands as faint prickles of golden energy danced across her palms. "He made me mad and I couldn't help losing my temper. He might be a Prince but I swear his manners are worse than mine are. And you know that when I lose my temper, I tend to do things without thinking about them. It's a bad habit, I know - but he was so rude about Mother, Obaa-chan. And I don't like it when people are rude about those I love."

"He was out of line to talk so about Ryoko, I know that." Washu agreed gravely. "And I'm glad you feel that way, too. But he's probably never encountered anyone like her before - or like you, for that matter. Juraian high society can be very pampered and protected. He's grown up in a very restrictive, cossetted environment and you haven't. That's the difference between you...there are things he doesn't understand about you and vice versa."

"Well, he better not say anything else about Okaa-san." Nozomi clenched her fists tightly. "Because I don't care if he is the First Prince of Jurai. I'll still blast him across the room."

"And that would ruin your pretty outfit." Washu chided lightly, though Nozomi could see the humour in her grandmother's eyes at her words. "And we'll be late if you don't get a move on."

"I know." Nozomi sighed. "I'm glad you came with us to Jurai, Obaa-san. I really am. I haven't seen Mother or Father since we arrived here and I don't understand this world at all. I'm glad you do - and that you're on my side. I suppose I never realised how important my family were, till now."

She straightened her clothes, a look of resolution touching her face. "And I'm ready as I'm going to be, so let's go." She added.

Washu obediently pushed back the door, leading the way down the long, high-ceilinged hallway towards the main hub of the royal tree and the ornate banquet hall where the Empress and her consort entertained their nobles on a nightly basis. The room was already busy as they arrived, for many dignitaries chose to take their meals in the shadow of their Queen, and as they reached the entrance, Nozomi suddenly felt shy. She hesitated and Washu turned, sending her a quizzical look.

"Well?" She asked softly.

"I don't feel right." Nozomi admitted. "Wearing this, looking like this - it's not me, Obaa-san. If I go in there everyone will laugh at me, and..."

"Begging your pardon, my lady." A tall, finely dressed gentleman interrupted them at that moment, sending Washu a rueful smile, and then bowing his head to the young girl. "You're to follow me - the Lady Sasami has requested your company for this meal, if you don't mind."

"I..." Nozomi faltered, staring up at the stranger in confusion. "But...I mean...what about my parents? And how do you know who I am?"

"You're Lady Nozomi." The man said simply. "And Lord Tenchi and Lady Ryoko are guests of the Empress and Lord Takeru this evening. Lady Sasami particularly asked for your company, if you have no objections."

"Thank you, Lord Tennan." Washu bowed her head very properly, although Nozomi could see mischief sparkling in her green eyes and she realised that the two were previously acquainted. "I'm sure Lady Nozomi would be happy to oblige the Princess."

"I thought as much, Lady Washu." Seiryo Tennan's eyes twinkled back, and he turned to Nozomi, holding out a hand.

"If you'll come with me, my Lady." He added quietly.

"I..." Nozomi trailed off, exchanging bewildered glances with her grandmother, who shrugged her shoulders, indicating that she should do as she was bidden. Nozomi obeyed, allowing the tall nobleman to lead her into the great hall. Washu followed behind them, and she was glad of the friendly support, for as she entered, a hush settled over the dining room as every pair of eyes turned to hers.

Despite herself, she felt the colour rising in her cheeks.

"Why are they all staring at me?" She whispered, more to herself than to her companion, but the man smiled at her, spreading his hands.

"You're a Princess of Jurai." He said quietly. "Would you expect them to ignore you? That wouldn't be very polite, now would it?"

Nozomi gazed around the many unfamiliar faces, at first too bewildered by the attention to know what to do. Then she caught sight of Shigure among the rest and defiance replaced her uncertainty. Setting her teeth, and raising her head proudly, she met his gaze, then turned away, allowing Seiryo to guide her to her seat. Sasami greeted her with a warm smile, and as she took her place, the buzz of chatter that had pervaded the hall at the start resumed itself once more. Nozomi found that now she was sitting down, she felt a lot less scrutinised, although from the snippets of conversation she could hear, she knew she was being discussed. Her parents, she noted, were nowhere in sight, and nor were the Empress or her consort, and she frowned, pursing her lips.

"Cousin Sasami, where are Mother and Father?" She asked. Sasami smiled.

"With Ayeka and Takeru still." she said ruefully. "I think there's been some disagreement. Ryoko wasn't all that happy to find out that there is more than one reason Jurai wanted you to come. They won't be joining us here this evening. Ayeka already asked for food to be brought to her private quarters, so tonight, I get to preside over feeding time at the palace."

Nozomi giggled.

"It reminds me of the hall at school, when everyone's trying to get a place." She admitted. "When I came in just now, I felt like the new kid...everyone was staring at me and it was so weird."

"They stare because you're beautiful." Sasami told her gently. "And they know that you're Lord Tenchi's daughter. He's held in much esteem on Jurai, you know."

"Yes, I know." Nozomi sighed. "But Mother isn't - or not so much."

"Anyone who disrespects your mother is silly." Sasami said simply. "She's been as much a heroine to Jurai as your father, and they're both branches of the Royal Tree. But there's still a lot of negativity surrounding the legacy of Prince Kagato. That's all. People find his treachery hard to forget...and Ryoko's never really let many of Jurai's upper class know her the way that Ayeka and I do."

"You like my mother, don't you?"

"I do." Sasami nodded. "She was as much a sister to me as Ayeka in some ways, when I was staying on the Earth with your father and his family."

"All those stories sound like so much fun." Nozomi said wistfully. "I always wanted to come to Jurai, cousin Sasami - but now I'm here I'm not sure if I want to stay. It's so strange, but I really don't feel like I fit in here. All the things you said earlier, about the succession and the throne...it scared me."

"Well, Jurai is a complicated place at the best of times. " Sasami said gently. "And I didn't mean to scare you, but I thought it best to tell you at least something about why you were here. Try not to be afraid, and just give it a little time, Nozomi-chan. I'd like you to see my planet in all its glory, even if the things I said to you never do come to pass. It's a good part of your heritage, after all. Both your mother and your father have Jurai blood."

"I suppose so." Nozomi glanced down at her outfit. "I feel so formal, wearing this stuff. Do Princesses of Jurai always have to dress up?"

"It's something you learn to do." Sasami agreed. "You get used to it - although I will admit when I was on the Earth, it was liberating to wear whatever I liked when I wanted to. I suppose that's what you're used to, isn't it?"

"Yes." Nozomi admitted. "And doing what I want to, when I want to - within reason, but you know. It doesn't matter if I do something wrong because noone is staring at me, waiting for me to act. I've felt like the world is full of eyes since I got here, pretty much. They all want to know who I am."

"Naturally." Sasami grinned, and Nozomi saw a youthful sparkle in her companion's crimson eyes. "After all, you are a true heir of this planet. Your bloodline speaks for itself, and you have Jurai's power already burning inside of you. People are bound to be curious...a daughter of Jurai they've never met, but often heard mentioned. Nozomi Masaki Jurai - the prodigal princess."

"I don't feel like a Princess. I'm just Nozomi Masaki." Nozomi frowned. "That's all."

"You remind me of your father, when you say that."

"Well, he chose to stay on the Earth and it was the right decision for him." Nozomi shrugged. "It might just be for me, too, you know. As for cousin Shigure...well, he already hates me and wishes me miles away. And as for me, I want to blow his head off...that's not a great start."

Sasami chuckled.

"Probably not." She admitted. "But at least it proves there's high emotion between you. Stranger friendships have been formed and it would be a shame if you didn't at least try to find something in common. I have a feeling you could help each other in many ways, and you are the only children of your generation."

"Yes, but it's emotion of entirely the wrong kind." Nozomi objected. "I've never felt more inclined to blow someone up before, and that's the truth."

She sighed, shrugging her shoulders.

"And besides, how do you know I have Jurai's power, anyway? I have magic, yes - but it's Mother's, or Obaa-san's magic. And Obaa-san is Kii - she's not from Jurai at all."

"You've held Sword Tenchi, haven't you?" Sasami asked gently. Nozomi frowned, nodding her head.

"Once or twice." She agreed. "But I don't see..."

"What happened when you did, Nozomi-chan?"

"I...I don't know." Nozomi's brows drew together as she remembered. "I felt...it was like all this energy rushed through me. And then..."

"And then the sword blade flared like a beacon, isn't that how it goes?"

"Yes, I suppose so." Nozomi admitted. "But only for a minute. That's all."

"If you didn't have Jurai's power, Nozomi, that would never have happened at all." Sasami smiled. "It's there inside of you, as sure as it is inside your father and my sister. With time and practice, you could muster enough of it to be able to wield it in a fight, should you ever need to. And certainly, enough to wield it as evidence of your claim to Jurai's throne. You're a legitimate descendant of my Uncle Azusa. That makes you very high status indeed."

"So that is why Prince Shigure hates me so much. He thinks I want to steal his claim to the throne?" Nozomi looked startled. "He must be crazy! Far as I'm concerned he can keep it!"

Sasami shrugged, amusement in her eyes.

"You'll have to ask Shigure." She said simply. "For now, since everyone is here, I must begin the banquet before there is a riot."

She got to her feet, raising her hands and immediately there was silence as everyone turned to stare at the Empress's right hand woman. Sasami smiled, a cheeky, mischievous twinkle lighting up her beautiful crimson eyes.

"Lady Ayeka and Lord Takeru are engaged on other business this evening." She said softly. "But we are to continue in their absence. And we welcome Lady Nozomi to our table, also - true heiress of Lord Tenchi and Lady Ryoko, and a direct lineal descendant of Jurai Emperor the first."

She paused for a moment, and Nozomi blushed hotly, embarrassed by the renewed wave of attention that suddenly came her way.

"Tsunami gives her blessing over this meal and over all who share it." Sasami added softly. She gestured to the serving staff who had been waiting respectfully in the wings. "My friends, if you don't mind."

Immediately they buzzed into life, and she sat down, casting her companion a warm smile as she did so.

"They're so fond of ritual." She said airily. "But they like it when I give them Tsunami's blessing. They think it makes them closer to the Goddess."

"And does it?"

"Maybe. You'd have to ask her." Sasami laughed.

"I thought you were her." Nozomi looked confused. Sasami shook her head.

"Not yet." She replied. "When the time is right, yes - but not yet. Soon, though, I think."

She reached across and touched her companion gently on the cheek.

"But you are only sixteen summers yet, so I know it's too soon." She murmured, confusing Nozomi completely with the cryptic nature of her words.

As food was set out on great shining platters, servants hovered, waiting to be instructed as to what to do and after watching Sasami, Nozomi shyly managed to ask for what she wanted, eying the unfamiliar dishes with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. Tentatively she tasted a little of the first, and found that the flavour was not unpleasant, although it was quite different from anything she had ever had on Earth. Sasami eyed her reactions in amusement, nodding.

"Juraian cuisine has some similarites and some differences to Earth." She said with a grin. "I took great pride in the fact I learnt to cook both. But in your honour, this is traditional Juraian fare. After all, Jurai welcomes home one of their own."

"I see." Nozomi frowned. "Everyone knew I was coming, then?"

"Everyone." Sasami agreed. "I told you. You're far too important to ignore."

"The man who brought me in said that too." Nozomi remembered. "Obaa-san called him...Lord Tennan? Was he the man who accompanied you to the Earth? He never came to the house, so I never saw him."

"Yes." Sasami's eyes twinkled. "Seiryo Tennan and your grandmother are old acquaintances - perhaps even friends, I'd dare say. Seiryo did a lot to help Washu's sister, when she was unwell. Now, of course, Tokimi is a lot stronger - even if she is still childlike on occasion, she has proven invaluable to my sister and my late Uncle on several occasions on account of her Kii sight. But back then she was fragile and quite badly hurt - and Seiryo's family undertook to take care of her."

"I know a little about Tokimi, although I've never met her." Nozomi admitted. "I'd like to - it's just never been possible. Is she here tonight?"

"Yes." Sasami gestured a finely gloved hand towards the other side of the hall, where Nozomi could just see her grandmother's head bent in conversation with another. "I expect they have much to catch up on, your grandmother and Lady Tokimi. But I'm sure you'll be introduced - no doubt Washu is telling her all about her beautiful grand-daughter."

"Sasami-sama!" Nozomi blushed again, and Sasami chuckled.

"You shouldn't be ashamed. You are very pretty." She said unrepentantly. Nozomi grimaced.

"Maybe dressed up like this." She said at length. "But it doesn't matter, because it's not the real Nozomi."

She frowned, pursing her lips. "And Lord Tennan? He sounds like a good man...is he a friend of yours, also?"

"His sister and I have been very close for many years." Sasami agreed. "And Seiryo holds the position of Council Treasurer for Ayeka. He also has the honour of being my own Chief Advisor - in that respect, he is my highest ranking vassal and operates often on my behalf. If I can't attend something, he acts as my representative. Sometimes his Imperial duties conflict with his ones as Tsunami's man - but in general he is more mine than Ayeka's most of the time. Ayeka has long since accepted that if there is a dispute between the throne and the cult of Tsunami, her treasurer will generally act in Tsunami's interests."

"You must trust him a lot."

"Well, I do." Sasami dimpled. "Seiryo Tennan is one of the most trustworthy men among Jurai's nobility these days. I don't say his record is perfect or blameless, but I trust him more because he's encountered troubles in the past and overcome them. Yes, I trust him very much. Even if he's never been a spiritual man himself...since he was sworn to my cause, he has never given me reason to doubt his fidelity.""

"What about his sister? Your friend? Is she here?"

"No." Sasami looked regretful. "Suki-chan acts as ambassador for Jurai these days and is often away for months at a time. At present she's based on Seniwa - I miss her a lot, but her duty is to her Empress, just like mine is, in so many ways. So she's there and I'm here and we write as much as we can. In her absence I always promise to keep an eye to her children, so in some ways they've become like my own family. They used to travel with her, but now they're old enough to be schooled, she doesn't want them wrenched away from Jurai. No matter how much she travels, she wants them to be educated here, and I've seen to it that it's the case."

"That's sad." Nozomi frowned. "Jurai seems to be all about leaving families and obeying duty."

"Yes, in the upper echelons of Jurai society, this has always been true." Sasami acknowledged. "Sometimes it's a burden, and other times it's a blessing. It really depends on the situation - but you learn to adapt."

"I wonder about that." Nozomi sighed. "Is it really true? Right now I can't imagine ever wanting to stay somewhere so far away from all the people I love. Don't be offended, cousin, but I barely know either you and I've not yet met Lady Ayeka, so I find it hard to call you family."

"I'm not offended." Sasami said gently. "But I am glad of your company, in Suki's absence."

She offered Nozomi a conspiratorial smile.

"So tell me something more about your life on the Earth." She added. "I've met your friend Hanako, and I know what a keen student you are. What else should I know about the cousin I've barely had a chance to meet?"

Nozomi blushed at the mention of her school record, looking sheepish.

"The sooner I'm done with school, the better." She said fervently. "But there isn't much more to tell. I go there, I hang out with my friends and I guess that's about it. It's a boring life, I suppose, if you're used to being surrounded by all this."

"On the contrary, it's a very free life." Sasami shook her head, and for a moment Nozomi imagined she saw a look of wistfulness in her companion's eyes. Then it was gone, replaced once more by the cheeky smile, and Nozomi wondered if she had imagined it. "What about boys? Surely a girl as pretty as you must have her admirers? After all, your father was quite the heart throb, once upon a time."

Now it was impossible for Nozomi to go any redder, and Sasami chuckled.

"I see." She said playfully. "That bad, huh?"

"I don't have a boyfriend, Sasami-sama, and I've never really bothered about that." Nozomi admitted, looking self-conscious. "I suppose that none of the boys my age are worth it, to be honest. Some of them are real jerks and I just don't see the point in pretending. Besides, if I was to fall in love, well, it could get complicated too. I've never used my magic at school - not where anyone would see me - but if I'm not concentrating, I can make a mistake or do something silly. It would be hard to explain and someone might get hurt. It's just too messy...I want to blend in."

"But surely, when you do meet your future husband, he'll have to know all there is to know about you?" Sasami questioned. "You couldn't lie to him, surely?"

"No, but I figure when I find him I'll know and it will be all right to tell him." Nozomi said seriously. "I'm only sixteen, though. I'm not looking at getting married or anything just yet. I need to finish school first and that's one girl's job at any time. Men can wait. I'm really not that bothered."

Sasami's eyes twinkled, and she nodded her head.

"I suppose that makes sense." She agreed. "I'm sure that when you do meet him, Nozomi-chan, you'll be as happy as Kamidake and I, or your mother and father."

"Mother has always said that she loved Father from the moment she met him. He just took a little more persuading." Nozomi remembered. "But if I could be as close to someone as they are one day, I'll be happy. I don't expect it to be perfect...just, you know...right."

She pinkened.

"I must sound stupid."

"No, you sound very wise." Sasami assured her. "And I agree. It should be right."

A thoughtful look flickered across the Princess's crimson eyes for a moment, then she smiled.

"Yes." She agreed softly. "It really should."