Ayeka groaned quietly as she awoke, her temples pounding faintly, everything seeming blurry in the wan light of the bedroom. Confused at her surroundings, but not yet awake enough to be startled, she opened her eyes fully, letting them focus on a guest bedroom that seemed overly lavish in its trappings, a bit gaudy. She was lying on a large bed, covered by fine silk sheets, and was relieved to find that she had been undressed only to her undermost kimono, even if the garment was rather thin. She sat up, taking in the way the light made everything appear in dim blue monochrome, before looking around. "Mother? Kiyone? Sasami?" She called quietly, eyes a little wide. After a very long, silent moment, she even ventured, "Mihoshi?" "They're all still downstairs talking things over... well, most of them are," came a throaty, almost purring voice from beside the bed. Ayeka almost yelped and scooted quickly to one side, the whites around her eyes plainly showing as she clutched the sheet to herself fearfully. The Hyurodan princess Ryoko leaned forward out of a large patch of shadow beside the head of the bed, smiling rather wickedly, her yellow eyes glittering with amusement. "Your little sister went to bed early, and I kicked your cute servant out of the room, so I don't know where she is. Maybe she went down to the barracks to entertain the guards." Ayeka scowled, indignation rising to overshadow her fear. "I'll thank you not to talk about Kiyone that way, she's a loyal lady-in-waiting, and would not do such a shameless thing." "Ooooo, sounds like someone's got a little thing going on with the help," Ryoko cooed, rising to her feet and resting one hand on her hip. The Juraian princess flushed with anger and embarrassment. "I've no such thing! I would NEVER-" "Oh, you should sometime, it's loads of fun," the other princess interrupted, almost seeming to ooze forward onto the bed on her hands and knees, leaning forward to lock eyes with the other girl. Ayeka opened her mouth, but found herself silent, again experiencing a sensation not unlike a small animal mesmerized by the gaze of a snake. "I... I..." Ayeka gulped several times, trying to recover her voice. "What's the matter, sweety? I'm your fiance, after all... you shouldn't be so scared to death of me." Ryoko's voice was now definitely a purr, and she slunk closer slowly, like a tiger moving in for the kill. "B-b-b-but you can't marry me!" Ayeka squeaked, trying to scoot back further the closer Ryoko came. "We're both women! Juraian culture is polygamous, but not in that manner!" "In case you haven't noticed, princess, we're all women here." Ryoko smirked even more broadly, showing off sharp incisors. "I imagine they'll come up with some nice, neat little amalgamation of Juraian and Hyurodan culture that will have us in wedded bliss in no time." "We can't possibly get married! We've only just met!" Ayeka felt absurdly pleased that she had managed that without stuttering or her voice breaking. It made her feel a little better about grasping at straws. Ryoko gave a low, throaty laugh, amber eyes almost seeming to flash in amusement at that. "Oh, come on, even I know that that doesn't matter with royalty. It's an arranged marriage, and though I don't exactly want to be tied down..." These last two words had a certain emphasis that made Ayeka feel like squirming, but she repressed the urge. "I'll go along with it... you're pretty enough, and if I'm lucky, maybe I'll get another wife or two out of the deal, too." The Juraian girl opened her mouth to snap back the first witty reply that came to mind, but all that came out was a surprised and dismayed shriek as she fell off of the bed. She landed in a tumble of sheets and her kimono, tears springing to her eyes at the sharp thump on her posterior. She fought her way out of the entangling blankets, then stared in disbelief at Ryoko rolling around on the bed, hands on her stomach, laughing. Disbelief turned to anger quickly, all her frustration and annoyance at the situation boiling to the surface, and with an enraged cry she flung herself at the other woman, hands going for her throat. Ryoko seemed surprised for a few moments as her new fiance attempted to throttle her, then grinned ferally and fought back with a will. They rolled around on the bed, shouting curses and taunts at one another, grappling without any real thought in mind but to do damage to the other. Ayeka found, to her dismay, that Ryoko was indeed amazingly strong, but her own Juraian physiology allowed her to at least be competitive. She felt her breath leave her in one long huff as Ryoko got a knee against her stomach, and retaliated with a stinging slap that left the other princess' cheek cherry red. Ryoko just continued to smirk fangily and fight back, apparently in earnest, grabbing for Ayeka's wrists and trying to pin her. Ayeka kicked and shrieked, not caring that she was fighting like an angry child in school, and sank her teeth into Ryoko's upper arm. The Hyurodan princess yelped in pain and surprise, grip loosening enough that Ayeka could break it and roll them over, sitting up and wrapping her hands around Ryoko's throat. The cyan-haired woman growled, hands shooting up and grabbing the neck of Ayeka's kimono, trying to yank her to one side with it. Suddenly, the lights came on, flooding the room from monochrome into brilliant reds, yellows, and purples. Both princesses blinked repeatedly in surprise, momentarily distracted from their attempts to kill each other, and looked over at the door. Empress Misaki blinked several times, finger still resting on the touchplate that had turned on the lights. "... Oh my," Misaki murmured after a moment. "Ayeka, you really should wait until the wedding night. Or at least be a little more quiet when you're making love, I heard you two all the way downstairs." Ayeka's jaw dropped, gawking at her mother, rosy color quickly spreading over her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. "M-mother! This isn't what it looks like at all, it's-!" She looked down, then gawked again. Unnoticed during the fight, the belt of her kimono had come untied, and Ryoko's grabbing the neckline had made the front of the garment open completely, baring Ayeka's firm breasts and flat stomach, her crotch barely concealed by the angle at which she was leaning on the other princess. Ryoko's garments, too, had come almost undone during the fight, showing the upper slopes of her breasts and small swatches of dark red areola. The Hyurodan woman angled her head, noticing what was making her unwilling fiance blush so much, and smiled broadly. "Well, hey, if it's Juraian tradition to let your mom watch the first time, honey, I don't mind. Pull up a chair, Empress." Ayeka wouldn't have thought there could BE anything more embarrassing, except that Misaki proceeded to walk over and pull around the chair Ryoko had been sitting in, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees and chin in her hands. "Thank you, dear, I hope you don't mind a little advice." "MOTHER!" Ayeka wailed, practically launching herself back from Ryoko and yanking her kimono closed. "Okay, okay, I'll stay quiet..." ------------------------------------------------------------ Sasami lay in her bed, quite awake as she lay on her side and gazed at nothing in particular. She tried to snuggle further down in the comfy sheets, but couldn't help listening as, a few doors away, Ayeka shouted something long and rather angry at someone. Then there was the sound of a slamming door, and then the faint sound of Ayeka muttering to herself as she walked down the hall. The young princess sighed as her sister's voice faded completely, and silence descended again. If she tried, she could just barely hear Mihoshi snoring in the next room, as well as a much fainter rythmic thumping... sounded a little like someone was pacing. Sasami wondered if getting up and pacing would help her sort things out. Her sister was now engaged to someone that she obviously didn't like very much, despite not knowing her. Sasami herself rather admired Princess Ryoko; she was beautiful, sensual, exotic, and said exactly what she felt and thought. The young princess wished mightily that she could be all those things when she got older, even though it was probably impossible. But her thoughts kept inevitably returning to what Queen Washu had said. The Empire was going to collapse? That had no real meaning for Sasami, other than that it would be a bad thing for her family, and that people would get hurt, both things that made her heart squeeze up inside her like a wet piece of tissue crushed in someone's hand. But everyone seemed to think that Ayeka and Ryoko getting married would make everything all right again, or at least it seemed that way to her. So it confused her deeply that Ayeka would react this way. Sighing, Sasami rolled over onto her back, hands at her sides atop the covers. 'Ayeka... I can see in Ryoko's heart that she's a good person. I have to figure out some way to make you see that, but how? You never listen to me...' The little princess let her mind wander, going over various things to say or do that would show her sister that this really would be a good match. Sasami often found herself getting a sense from people around her, as if for a moment everything about them was stripped away, and she was seeing their deepest inner core, their potential even. And she knew, she KNEW that Ayeka and Ryoko would be right together... she had to make them, both of them, understand just how much! She pondered that for a moment, idly giggling a little. Getting her fingers licked tickled! She thought for a moment more, then blinked. Fingers licked? She yelped in surprise, yanking her hand back and sitting up, looking down at the side of the bed in fright. Whatever it was gave a strange little cry and zipped under one of the pillows. "W-what is that...? Who's there?" Sasami whispered, voice shaking. The lump in the pillow moved a bit, then a very quiet, almost shy little voice answered, "Mya." Blinking, fear quickly receding and replaced by curiosity, Sasami leaned over and lifted the pillow. Whatever it was was curled up in a little brown ball. As the princess lifted the pillow, its ears sprang up as if they'd been held down, long ears with big tufts of white fur in them. After a moment, two little paws lifted, revealing yellow-brown eyes and an ovalur red gem on a brown-furred forehead. "... Mya?" "Oh, wow, it's a cabbit!" Sasami cried, delighted. She reached out one hand slowly, not wanting to startle the rare creature again. "Hey there little guy..." She smiled even more brightly as it allowed her to touch it, and set up a low, thrumming purr as she started scratching it behind one ear. "Little girl, actually." Sasami jumped just a little, which startled the cabbit again, though this time it ran into the little princess' lap with an almost protective "Mya!" However, once it saw the Hyurodan queen standing beside the bed, it seemed to relax, curling up in Sasami's lap contentedly. "Queen Washu, please don't scare me like that," Sasami murmured, putting a hand to her chest. "I'm sorry," Washu said brightly, sitting down on the side of the bed. "I was just looking for Ryo-Ohki, and I felt her in here with you." "Ryo-Ohki?" Sasami looked down, and carefully bundled the small animal up into her arms. It happily licked her chin, setting her to giggling. "Is she yours...?" "Actually, she's Ryoko's, but I like to keep an eye on her. She's an attention hog, and sometimes she bothers guests." Washu seemed vastly amused as the cabbit stuck its tongue out of her, then snuggled deeper into Sasami's arms. "I'll tell you what, you keep her." "Me?" Sasami replied, eyes going wide, though she couldn't keep her eagerness out of her voice. But after a moment, she shook her head. "I couldn't, Queen Washu. It's wonderful of you to offer, but she's Ryoko's." "Ah, that's okay, Ryoko hardly ever plays with her anymore. Besides, seems a pretty fair trade to me, a cabbit for a big sister." Smirking, Washu reached out to ruffle the princess' hair. Sasami giggled again, then caved. "Alright, Queen Washu. Thank you very much!" "You're welcome!" Washu poked Ryo-Ohki in the side with one finger. "Hear that, you? You belong to Sasami now, so you'd better obey her, y'hear?" "Mya!" the cabbit answered, definitely in the affirmative. ------------------------------------------------------------ Funaho stared into the mirror as she brushed her hair, carefully keeping her calm demeanor up, not wanting to further upset Misaki. The other woman was in tears over the whole thing, but more over Ayeka getting angry and yelling at her. Misaki was very emotional, and that tended to be even moreso where it came to her daughters. Right now, the other woman was fluttering about the room, reminding Funaho of a wounded bird, making her want to take Misaki in her hands and hold her until she'd calmed. After a few minutes, she got up and did exactly that. "She's going to hate us forever!" Misaki sobbed into her co-wife's shoulder, clinging tightly to Funaho, as if afraid to let the other woman go for fear of drowning in her tears. "Sssshhhh, sssshhhhh... she won't, Misaki, she won't." Funaho stroked the other woman's hair softly. "She may be angry for a long time, but she won't hate us. Eventually she'll see this has to be done." "I wish Azusa was here," Misaki sniffled. "I do, too... I can't help thinking he might have found a better way." After a moment, Funaho sighed. "No, I have to admit, he'd probably agree... this engagement is the only way. I suppose he'll tell me whether I'm right or deserve to be put in the stocks." Misaki cheered a little bit, looking at Funaho in amusement. "They haven't used stocks on Jurai in a dozen generations." "Oh, that's not true. Remember last year on Azusa's birthday?" The blue-haired Empress flushed bright red, looking up at her co-wife. "Um, well, I suppose that's a point. I meant more as a punishment..." "We both punished you rather thoroughly, I think, though I can't recall what exactly you did to deserve it one way or the other..." "Um..." Misaki replied cleverly, still very red. "Well, I..." Laughing softly, Funaho placed a finger against Misaki's lips softly, then removed it and replaced it with her own lips. As the kiss lingered, Misaki's blush faded, her body relaxing, clinging hands sliding around the other woman's body in a tight embrace. In perfect unison, they fell to one side onto the bed, still kissing, tongues stroking over one another in a slow dance. "Feeling a little better now?" Funaho murmured when they came up for air, hands languidly undressing her co-wife. "Mmm-hmm," Misaki cooed, a little more exuberant in tugging and pulling at Funaho's underkimono. She paused for a moment, seeming distracted. "What DID we get Azusa for his birthday...?" "We got him the stocks, of course..." Misaki broke into laughter, which only grew louder as Funaho started tickling her, the blue-haired Empress' shapely body writhing under deft fingers. Eventually, the laughter turned into soft moans, which were soon muffled by a kiss. Someone managed to reach over and hit a touch panel before they became too entangled in one another's limbs to do so, and darkness and the sounds of pleasure and comfort filled the room. ------------------------------------------------------------ Ayeka composed herself a bit, straightening her underkimono and wishing that she'd taken the time to grab one of the outer layers before storming out of her guest room. She was afraid to go back now, afraid that Ryoko would be there... though that fear had several levels, some of which she absolutely refused to acknowledge. She raised one hand to knock on the door of the room where her mother and Funaho were staying, then just barely stayed her hand as a cry of release came from the other side. Flushing with embarrassment, Ayeka hurried off back down the hall. She walked out of the archway at the end of the hall, onto a wide circular balcony. Sighing, she rested her hands on the cool stone railing, gazing out at the night. So unlike Jurai... a tiny little city, barely more than a town, and stretching beyond that, nothing but rocky land. She wondered if it had always been this way, or if it had happened in the war Kiyone had mentioned. 'What a desolate place. Perhaps they need us as much as they say we need them.' She shivered slightly at a sudden cold breeze, trying to draw her thin garment closer around her. She remained where she was, shivering, staring at the stars and trying to think things out. She raised her head in surprise as one of her warmer outer kimonos was draped around her shoulders, turning to see Ryoko standing beside her. The Hyurodan princess moved to the railing, leaning her hands on it and gazing off at the distance. "If you're not smart enough to come in out of the cold, it's no business of mine, I just don't want to be bothered by you sneezing all day and night when you get sick." Ayeka hmphed in annoyance, turning her head away. "My health is my own business, thank you very much." "Yeah, whatever," Ryoko snorted, apparently having exhausted her desire to press her suit for the night. She turned and walks towards the entryway with a little flick of her hand in parting. "... Wait," Ayeka murmured quietly. Ryoko paused in the doorway, turning halfway to face the other princess. "Yeah?" "... Was it always like this?" Ayeka tilted her head a bit, indicating the desert surrounding the city. "Barren, y'mean?" Ryoko moved back to stand beside the other woman, resting her hands on her hips. "Nope. Used to be a lot of jungles all over the planet. Not a lotta big trees like on Jurai, just... lotsa plants and stuff." "How did it become this way...?" "Some people came in... wanted our planets, wanted us. Wanted to take us as slaves, just like every alien race's tried to do at some point..." "Oh... I see," Ayeka whispered. Ryoko grinned ferally. "So, my mother and I got everyone together, and we slaughtered every last one of 'em. I don't think there's a single Terran left anymore." "I see," Ayeka repeated, this time with a small gulp. "But by then, the planet was pretty screwed up. It'll take another thousand years or so before it's back to anything like normal." "Perhaps we can find a way to help you," the Juraian said, then blinked in surprise at her own words. "Yeah?" Ryoko turned, resting an arm on the railing and leaning in, leering up at Ayeka. "That mean you're gonna marry me?" Ayeka flushed a bit, then looked away, not speaking until she was sure she had composed ourself. "My own personal... preferences must be set aside, for the good of my people, and for the good of yours." And if she didn't believe it, she could at least repeat the words and follow their command. Ryoko snorted again before pushing herself up and heading inside. "Sure. Whatever. See you in the morning, Ayeka." Ayeka looked over her shoulder at the departing girl, then turned her head back towards the city, clutching the kimono closer around her. After a moment, she lowered her head, bangs casting her eyes into shadow. Slowly, and ever so slightly, her lips curved into a tiny smile. "... I will see you in the morning, Ryoko."
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