Leavings

Nashi was frowning.
      "Sire - I must speak with you. Privately."
      Vejiita scowled.
      "Can it not be said before the Council?"
      The King's Liaison shook his head firmly.
      "Please Sire. I believe it is of considerable importance."
      The Saiya-jin-no-Ou nodded tightly and indicated the door with his head. As Nashi strode from the official reception the king turned to Leteetza, sitting at his side with 'dittsu and 'jiita.
      *I have to leave for a short while. You will, I trust, stand in my place while I am gone.*
      Leteetza grinned to herself. It wasn't - quite - an order, though it was more than a request. One with which she was quite happy to comply: rather to her surprise she was enjoying this function. The delicate willowy aliens - the Daidir - who were being welcomed into the Empire were proving to be both interesting and drolly entertaining. Buahan, with Peyaru close behind her, was obviously fascinated with them, and had engaged one of the envoys in what was apparently a mutually-satisfying discussion about Daidirin artforms.
      *Of course, Sire.*
      Vejiita's tail slid sensuously across her own, raising a shiver.
      *My thanks...*
      He bowed his apologies brusquely to the assembly, then followed his Liaison out of the chamber.
      Leteetza watched him leave, an affectionate smile on her face. She hadn't been able to make it to R'ren'nkh'ia - but since Radittsu had left the king had been more… attentive than usual, both to her and to the brats. Including 'dittsu. She'd found her opinion being sought more often, by Council members as well as Vejiita himself, and - she admitted to herself - she was thoroughly enjoying the extra responsibility.
      Which didn't stop her being suspicious as to the king's motives. She collared her brother at the mess one midday, after Zha'haarak had returned to the palace. He'd given her a rib-creaking hug.
      *Imouto... You all right?* He frowned slightly, scenting her. *What's the problem?*
      She returned the hug, sighing.
      *His pain-in-the-arse Majesty is being too nice...*
      Hijau laughed and kissed her cheek.
      *Maybe he's just showing you some long-overdue appreciation!*
      Leteetza snorted inelegantly.
      *Oh sure...*
      Hijau pulled back a little, still chuckling.
      *He does appreciate you, you know. Even if he doesn't show it too often.*
      *And how would you know?*
      *Otousan. He lets little things slip when he visits the brats.*
      Leteetza would have asked for details, but at that moment Kyuri had called for him, some disciplinary matter requiring his attention...
      But the conversation had made her more aware of the reactions of the Council, the guard, and Vejiita himself, something that had slipped a little while she'd been busy with the brats. And her niisan was right. She was being treated with a little more deference than previously.
      It was rather nice…

Vejiita frowned at the King's Liaison as he closed the door behind him.
      "This had better be worth dragging me out of an official reception…"
      Nashi was pacing. He glanced over his shoulder, then indicated a monitor on one of the desks.
      "Oh, it is, Sire… please…"
      The Saiya-jin-no-Ou seated himself and watched the screen as Nashi inserted a data-chip into the computer, then entered a long password. He stood back as the encrypted information began to scroll slowly on the screen.
      Vejiita watched, frowning as he read what was being revealed, his body gradually tensing as the full import became clear. He paused the data-flow and glared at his Liaison.
      "Has this been verified?"
      Nashi nodded once. The king briefly closed his eyes.
      "Of course you realise what this means."
      "Yes Sire. It means we have a problem…"

Jeice stood barefoot in the forest on the edge of Vejiitamachi, face raised to the sky, eyes closed, arms stretched to either side, his guards sufficiently far away that he could almost pretend he was alone…
      The hostlings were growing up, the family starting to fragment as the young ones settled into their chosen paths. Not that they'd ever truly separate, of course - but with Kobis and 'haabron now on R'ren'nkh'ia, 'tiisaan and 'viirel dedicated to the Academy, the rest beginning to create their own lives… All was as it should be, on this world at least, and for that he was grateful. But...
      Change. Things were changing, he could feel it. And while he knew he'd always be a part of the family, his role within it was also changing.
      He sighed. They didn't actually need him any more. He hadn't realised how much being needed had meant to him.
      He also hadn't realised how isolating it could be, separated from his own people. The last time he'd spoken with Keisan, their daughter had been there too; Meysan was growing into a beautiful young female. He hadn't been there to share her first dance, to watch her blossom as he'd watched the hostlings grow and develop…
       He was, he realised, lonely.
      Rubbing a hand across his eyes, he considered his life. Yes, he was the hash'shavven ambassador to the Empire - but it was completely unnecessary for him to actually live here. Home was just three days away by cruiser; his bond to the family would alert him instantly if anything happened… The Ssii'iin and Rad-chan were Ti'ani and Le'leen's trainers now, and even Ti'aasaan was settled, content in his bond with the King's Guard, feeling as though he belonged at last. Jeice dropped to his knees, hands stroking the deep moss of the forest floor. He could feel the planet's life, and it was comforting - but it wasn't the same as the vibrancy of the homeworld.
      He rose to his feet, the decision made. Time to go Home.

His announcement had been met with dismay.
      "But… but… you can't go!" 'tiisaan's eyes had been huge and tear-filled as he hugged the hash'shavven tightly. He spoke for all the family, Jeice knew, and it was just as well half of them were missing or he'd never have withstood the appeal. He stroked the dancer's hair.
      "Zk'vissin, you don't need me any longer…"
      "We'll always need you!" the young zn'hre sobbed. Ti'aasaan rose - a little unsteadily, the bulge of his abdomen making balance somewhat problematic - and gently pulled his hostling away from the hash'shavven.
      "Zvi'ch, we have been blessed with Jeice for a long time now. It's only fair he has some time to himself, with his own people."
      "But we're his people, maazi."
      Ti'aasaan sighed, his own eyes brimming as he eyed the hash'shavven.
      **We will miss you so much, zk'vissin...** "Jeice won't be far away, little one."
      The hash'shavven sighed and gazed around the suite. Zha'haarak was brushing away tears with one slender hand, Pirum and 'selaan were watching silently, expressions woebegone, while Kinu and 'jau were tightly wrapped around each other, gazing at him with tearing eyes. And he could feel 'raadiin's unhappiness from the barracks, where the young warrior was in the middle of a training session…
      He felt a small hand tugging at his arm, and gazed down into Kinu's golden eyes.
      "Je-chan… You must do what feels right. Tiamaazi's right, you've brightened us for a long time. S'not fair to keep you, 'specially when you need to be free."
      Blinking in surprise, Jeice sank down until his eyes were on a level with the little hybrid's.
      "Thank you, sinam." He pulled the child into a hug, gazing up at Ti'aasaan. "I will come back, to visit, I promise. But I must do this." *I'm lonely, hasshkaen. I miss the dance.*
      Blinking back tears, Ti'aasaan managed a watery smile.
      **Then we will not try to stop you. Our love goes with you, always**
      "You will stay tonight though, won't you." 'tiisaan was anxiously stroking soft white hair. "You're not going right away."
      "I leave tomorrow."
      It had taken a little extra effort on Manzano's part, but an ambassadorial cruiser had been allocated to the hash'shavven: a formal request to Zha'haabron had released Jeice from his post as emissary. The hash'shavven knew leaving was going to be distressing, and preferred not to prolong the pain.
      "You will eat with us tonight?" Zha'haarak's voice shook very slightly. Jeice nodded. He wanted to say farewell to Zorun and Hijau - and Leteetza, though it looked as though he'd have to visit the Saiyan royal wing for that, the King's Companion seemed to be spending most of her time there these days, when she wasn't at official functions or in the library. In fact, now would be a good time to track her down, give the family a chance to get used to the idea of his not being here after tonight…

"You're leaving."
      Leteetza's face was impassive, dark green eyes hooded. Jeice had found her in her own small office in the royal wing, checking the functions diary, 'jiita and 'dittsu sitting beside her watching with interest. The brats had grinned and flung themselves at the hash'shavven, who'd staggered slightly under the sudden impact: 'dittsu at least was a solidly built child. At Leteetza's gesture an attendant had prepared drinks and a snack for them all, and they were currently sitting on the balcony overlooking the palace gardens, with the city as backdrop.
      Jeice nodded. Leteetza frowned.
      "Do you have to? The Saiya-jin-no-Ou prefers to have at least one member of each member world present on Vejiitasei…"
      "I know, Leteetza-sama," the honorific seemed apt; he couldn't quite work out why she was being so… cool about the matter, "but you will recall that the hash'shavven are allied to the R'ren'nkh'ia-jin, not the Saiya-jin."
      "I have not forgotten."
      He gazed helplessly at the female for a moment, unable to scan her to determine what was wrong, her feelings submerged in the flood of emotions inundating him - then reached for her hand.
      "Leteetza - what's wrong?"
      She eyed him, and he could feel her debating with herself whether to tell him or not. Then she smiled and relaxed.
      "Nothing, my friend. I'm just a little jealous, that's all."
      He blinked.
      "Jealous?"
      "Of your freedom…"
      Ah. Yes, that would make sense. He kissed her fingers.
      "Would his majesty allow you to visit?"
      Her eyes closed, a wry little smirk quirking her lips momentarily.
      "Oh, if only…" She heaved a sigh. "No. Not yet, anyway. Not until he thinks it's safe."
      "I will allow no harm to come to any guest on our world."
      "I know." She smiled, but her eyes were sad. "He's still concerned about the Warui-jin."
      Which was understandable. Although there'd been no trace of any hostile activity since that attack a couple of winters back, they still couldn't tell how many - if any - of the aliens were on Vejiitasei, or in the vicinity of the homeworld, or near or on any of the member planets.
      Jeice nodded understandingly.
      "One day, then. When the danger is over…"
      "If ever…" She snorted at herself. "Sorry, Je-chan. I think it's a good idea, even if we are going to miss you. And it's not like you'll be a huge distance away."
      "I promise I will visit."
      "You'd better!" She smirked. "Are you going to have a leaving party tonight?"
      He hadn't thought about it, but it was pretty much a foregone conclusion most of the adults would want it. Though he wasn't sure about Zorun… Well, he'd see, later.
      "I expect so."
      She growled.
      "Wish I could be there… Heh, no, I don't actually. I'd only be pissed off I couldn't join in."
      He chuckled - then his eyes gleamed as an idea struck him.
      "Leteetza, I know his majesty's claim means I can't… enter you, but would he object if I used my mouth and my hands to give you pleasure?"
      She shivered and licked her lips.
      "It's not really the sort of thing I'd expect of an ambassador and ruler…"
      He stroked her cheek.
      "Then let me be a subo again, just for an hour…"
      She was tempted, he could tell… Then she shook her head, lips a thin line.
      "Thank you, Jeice-sama, but I can't. I'd love to - but I can't."
      He knelt beside her, one graceful hand behind her head pulling her close, kissing her softly.
      "I understand. Your loyalty is a thing of great and beautiful strength. As are you, little warrior. I will never forget all that you have done for me, for my people, and for the family. Thank you."
      She relaxed into the kiss for a long moment, then pulled reluctantly back, lips quivering.
      "Y… you'd better go, my friend. Before I make an idiot of myself."
      He smiled and kissed her cheek.
      "As you wish."
      As the young princes climbed into his lap to hug him goodbye, he gazed at their mother; Leteetza sighed.
      "Thank you, Jeice, for all that you have done for us. For the family, and for the Empire."
      He rose and bowed formally.
      "It was my pleasure, my lady. My pleasure, and a true honour."

Outside the royal wing he paused for a moment, frowning - then exited the palace and flew to the Academy…
      Bri'seiyis had taken the news with sad resignation, pulling the hash'shavven into a hug.
      "Ah, Ja'isuu. You will be greatly missed."
      "As I will miss you all, Sensei. But 'tiisaan has learned all the hvassah I can teach him, so at least the dance will not suffer from my absence."
      The zn'hre chuckled softly.
      "But we will. To us, you are far more than the dance."
      Jeice smiled up into the brilliant azure eyes.
      "Ah, my friend, I am but a step in the Great Dance. But I will also miss you, and the Academy, and all the beings here. It has been a delight to be with you."
      "Will you return? And may we visit you?"
      "We would welcome a visit!" Jeice's eyes sparkled. "As I will visit here."
      Bri'seiyis nodded.
      "But no more than that. I understand."
      "I knew that you would. Would it be in order for me to spend a little time with the princes before I leave - and Mahrayne?"
      The tall zn'hre inclined his head, then leaned down to kiss the hash'shavven's forehead.
      "Of course. And joy be with you always, zk'vissin…"

'tiisaan - back at the Academy after the mid-day meal - and 'viirel, and their roommates, cuddled into the hash'shavven, eagerly listening to him as though drinking him in. It was an hour before he could drag himself away, pausing to say a special goodbye to 'tiisaan.
      The zn'hre clung to him as though he'd never let go.
      **Going to miss you**
      Jeice sighed.
      *I'm going to miss you too, hasshkaen. But I will see you again, I promise. And one day you will come and dance with me on Home. And in the meantime you must promise me you'll never stop dancing.*
      **I promise**
      Jeice gazed into tear-filled golden eyes, hand cupping a cool cheek, finding himself lost for words. He hugged the prince close, rocking slightly, comfortingly, then reluctantly pulled away.
      *Soon, hasshkaen. I promise.*
      'tiisaan nodded wordlessly, then leaned forwards to brush a kiss over his mentor's lips. Turning away before the tears could spill, he hastened back into his quarters, his **shan't'ia'mis** echoing sweetly in Jeice's mind as the hash'shavven turned to seek out Mahrayne.

He wasn't looking forward to the meeting. He'd done his best to stay out of the emotional hurricane that was the Mahrayne-Kelapa-Zorun situation, tried so hard to be impartial - but it was impossible. He could feel all three of them, what they felt, how they suffered. He knew the Hassinan's bewilderment, her inability to understand why she couldn't be claimed by both lovers, why Zorun couldn't accept her twin - but at the same time he understood how fundamental the claim was to the Saiya-jin, how terribly wrong Kelapa had been to do something so selfish. And his heart bled for Zorun. Content as the big male was with his zn'hre bondmate, the anguish of what he saw as yet another and truly awful betrayal in a lifetime of pain would stay with him forever. Whether he would ever trust a female again was doubtful.
      Mahrayne was in her quarters with Korena when Jeice tapped on the door. At her slightly puzzled-sounding "come in" he grinned and popped his head around the door.
      "Am I interrupting?"
      The Hassinan squeaked and scrambled upright, welcoming him in with a hug.
      "Oh, it's good to see you! Does this mean the ambassadorial things have finished for the moment?"
      "For the moment…" Oh, this was going to be difficult. Mahrayne would see it as losing a friend… He sighed and ushered her over to a floor cushion, sitting down and holding her hands gently.
      "'rayne-chan…" There was no way to say it lightly. "I have to leave."
      She stared at him, then bit her lip.
      "Why?" the Hassinan blurted out, then coloured. "I'm sorry, that was very rude..." But she still wanted to know, he could tell.
      "I need to be with my own people for a while."
      "I understand…" golden eyes filled with tears. "I'll miss you."
      He eyed her for a moment, then pulled her into an affectionate embrace.
      "I'll miss you too."
      "I've learned so much from you. Not just the dance…"
      "I know."
      It was more painful than he'd anticipated. Neither of them knew quite what to say, and with 'rayne's lack of 'path he couldn't even *tell* her how he felt, how he wished her a resolution to her problems and final happiness… He sighed.
      "I ought to head back, sinam. There are things I need to do."
      She sniffled and nuzzled his shoulder, then pulled herself a little more upright.
      "Yes… and I have a class to prepare… I'll never forget you."
      "Nor I you. Will you watch out for 'tiisaan?"
      She managed a small laugh.
      "Of course!"
      A moment's silence, then she sighed.
      "You'd… you'd better go. I wish you all the good there is. And I look forward to our next meeting."
      When lost for words, use the traditional forms… He smiled warmly and kissed her cheek.
      "I, also. Be well, Mahrayne. I will see you soon."
      As he left the Academy he realised that was perfectly true - in the timescales of both their species'…

Kiraz, 'raadiin and Ry were at the suite when he arrived back, allowed out with special permission from Retasu. The zn'hre collared the hash'shavven as soon as he entered the suite.
      **Ja'isuu, d'you really have to go?**
      *Yes.*
      The young warrior grinned.
      **Then will you fuck me tonight?**
      Jeice blinked - then sighed and offered a wry smile. Change, and growth…
      *I would be honoured, ssii'irin.*
      'raadiin smirked and brushed a hand over the dancer's groin…

It was the early hours of the morning before everyone was finally sated and ready to sleep. Jeice curled up with Ti'aasaan and Zorun, warm and comfortable and just a little sore: it had been… memorable… loving, exhilarating, making love and being loved, as though through touch and taste they could know and remember him, fully and completely. At one point, buried in Ti'aasaan with Zorun behind him - moving insistently within Jeice, lapping at his neck and shoulders, long tail wrapping both bodies in front of him - the hash'shavven came very close to changing his mind. He was going to miss this, miss them… But he knew he'd made the right decision.
      The morning was subdued, the hostlings saying their *farewells* sombrely before heading off to their various activities. Finally it was time to leave, and Zorun, Hijau, Ti'aasaan and Zha'haarak escorted Jeice to the spaceport - where Vejiita and an honour guard waited to see him leave. The king stepped forwards, bowing his head briefly.
      "We regret your leaving. But we understand the call of kin. We trust we may still call on your assistance, at need?"
      Jeice bowed.
      "Of course, Sire. The hash'shavven are still members of the Empire, and proud to be so, and I remain Home's emissary. I will take steps to ensure I am kept appraised of the situation on Vejiitasei."
      "Good." Vejiita hesitated for a moment, then his expression softened as he laid both hands on Jeice's shoulders.
      "Thank you."
      The hash'shavven blinked, then smiled.
      "Thank you, Sire."
      The king stepped back, regal scowl resumed.
      "You will keep Manzano up to date with events on Home. Should you require aid, you will request it immediately."
      "Of course."
      "Very well. Safe journey, sweet arrival."
      Jeice's jaw dropped minutely. Where had the king learned the hash'shavven salutation?
      "May the Great Dance shield you, Sire."
      Nodding, Vejiita saluted briskly. Returning the gesture, Jeice turned and made for the shuttle…
      …watching with tear-filled eyes as the world dropped away below him, remembering all that had had happened here. The debt he owed might never be repaid…

As the shuttle vanished from sight, Vejiita turned and beckoned brusquely to Zorun and Hijau.
      "I have called a Council meeting for an hour's time: I want you both to be there. Captain, ensure we have a comm link to Radittsu. I don't care what time it is on R'ren'nkh'ia, I want him with us, in his capacity as Captain of the special squad." He glowered. "And as the one who solved the original Anzu conspiracy."
      Hijau's eyes widened.
      "It's resurfaced, Sire?"
      "Yes. And this time, they have the Warui-jin on their side…"