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Chapter Eleven -- Departure

Miyatsu's prediction concerning the Gigantos on the circuit proved correct. Sisyro and Miyatsu had been the two top contenders; with them both out of the running, the Gigantos powered through the rest of the circuit GMAs, winning every battle she fought.

The money Aiko and Miyatsu had amassed grew again, until by the end of that season's circuit they had enough to pay their entire projected requirements, plus an ample reserve besides to live on comfortably.

They had decided the best thing to do was to make all arrangements needed for the move before telling Sakaki. Then it would be a fait accompli, and whether he objected or not, they would leave. A comfortable house was being built for them on Shima, and the staff and laboratory was nearly ready to commence work. They had visited several times to oversee preparations, always one-day trips made on the weekends.

They had even found Miyatsu's foster mother still in residence on the island, now with an orphaned baby Coati in her care. The old Capuchin had been overjoyed to see Miyatsu again, chittering with delight when the big cat enveloped her in a hug. Aiko could feel his delight at seeing his "mother" again. The Capuchin had followed them about for the rest of the day, occasionally touching and patting her huge "son" fondly, and when the time had come to leave, Miyatsu had used his psychic ability to let her know that he would be back to visit her again, often.

And in the meantime, Miyatsu continued to refine his powers in the Raikatuji Stadium while Aiko worked on her various research projects.

*

Spring had arrived again, and the cherry trees of Kagoshima were covered with fluffy masses of flowers. Miyatsu and Aiko walked to the office one Friday morning, holding hands as they strolled beneath the fragrant cherry trees planted around the Raikatuji Centre, and a snatch of song from the Sakura Festival floated into Aiko's mind. She hummed for a second, and then began to sing softly:

"Sakura, sakura. Noyamamo satomo.

Miwatasu kagiri.

Kasumi-ka, kumo-ka. Asahi-ni niou.

Sakura, sakura. Hanazakari."

_("Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms. On mountains, in villages.

As far as you can see.

Looking like fog or cloud. Fragrant in the morning sun.

Cherry blossoms, cherry blossoms. In full bloom.")_

Miyatsu listened intently. On impulse he reached up to pick one of the flower-filled branches. As the closest was still slightly above even his impressive reach, he let his telekinesis levitate him into the air. His feet left the ground until he was hovering half a meter up. He extended one claw and carefully snicked the branch off the tree with the razor-sharp edge, then allowed himself to descend once more to the ground. He presented the branch to Aiko.

"Happy birthday, my mate."

Aiko accepted the gift with equal seriousness. "Thank you, Miyu. But you've already given me a gift. Our house on Shima is finished."

Miyatsu nodded. "The house is something for both of us. The flowers are from me to you."

"It's your birthday too," Aiko reminded him. "I should give you a gift."

Miyatsu shook his head. "A knot of cells being put into a glass jar isn't the same thing as being born."

"It doesn't matter how you started life. I'm just glad you're here." Aiko stood on tiptoe and rubbed her cheek against his. "Let this be from me."

Miyatsu put one arm around her waist as they resumed walking. "You are my gift, every day of my life."

In her office Aiko was putting the flower-filled branch in a vase of water when Sakaki arrived.

"Hello, Sakaki," Aiko greeted him. "This is my birthday present from Miyatsu. Aren't they lovely?"

"Happy birthday Aiko! I did remember, I've got your file." His eyes swept the flowers sardonically, remembering Suzu's comment about dead mice.

"We're going to have a party tomorrow," Miyatsu told Sakaki. He didn't mention that the pair had plans to visit Shima that evening to see how preparations were progressing. They intended to live in their new house for the first time over the weekend before returning on Sunday evening. Aiko's parents would be staying with them, too, to see how island life suited them. Aiko was positive once her father saw the lab, he wouldn't want to leave. And she was equally sure that the subtropical spring on Shima would be just the thing to bring the color back into her mother's face.

"Oh, a party? You know I love parties. I am invited, aren't I?"

"We... we're going to my parents," Aiko invented quickly. "Just a small family function, nothing fancy. You and Suzu wouldn't enjoy it."

"Oh," Sakaki said, suddenly remembering that he would be expected to bring Suzu along. And there was no way she'd agree to go to anything planned for Aiko. He gave in with as much good grace as he could muster. "Well, have fun. What are you doing today, Miyatsu?"

"I'm still trying to master that flame-shielding technique. It's difficult."

"Mm, I would be inclined to say impossible," Sakaki said. "I've never heard of it being done before."

"Nothing's impossible," Miyatsu answered. "I intend to keep trying until I can block fire." He pushed away from where he had been leaning against Aiko's desk. "I'd better go and get started. Do you want to come and watch, Sakaki?"

"No, you go ahead. I may come down later in the morning. I've got a few things to do first."

"All right." Miyatsu gathered Aiko in his arms, lifted her gently off the ground and nuzzled her nose to nose before rubbing cheeks lovingly. "I'll see you later, my little mate."

Sakaki watched Aiko who was watching Miyatsu as he padded from the office. Her eyes followed his tall form until he disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

She returned her attention to Sakaki, her eyes shining, a small smile playing about her lips.

"He's back to full health now," she commented. "He regained the weight and muscle tone he lost and is as strong as ever. Doesn't he look great?"

"He does. He looked like a scruffy feral cat towards the end of the circuit."

"He just needed to come home," Aiko answered smugly.

"Now, you and I both know that's not the reason," Sakaki said teasingly. "It was you he was pining for, not home. Typical cat GMA, missing his master." He gestured to the desktop where Miyatsu had been leaning. Long strands of orange and black-tipped hair had been left. "He's shedding?"

"Losing his winter coat," Aiko said. She swept the fur into her hand and dropped it in her wastepaper bin. "This morning before we came in, I brushed him, but I must have missed a bit." She grinned. "I've had to shake out our sheets every morning for a week before I can make the bed. Cat hair everywhere!"

Sakaki tried to chuckle with her, but his breath caught painfully in his throat at the thought of Aiko and Miyatsu sharing a bed, talking and snuggling intimately, making love...

The now-familiar envy grew painfully in his heart like a swelling bitter bubble.

"Speaking of cats, where's Koneko?" Aiko asked, suddenly realizing that Sakaki's loyal shadow wasn't with him.

"She's at the labs today. I waited with her while one of the staff put her under. They're taking a bone biopsy for a new GMA I'm thinking of creating."

Aiko frowned. "Pershans have a bad reaction to sedative."

"This is a drug Suzu and her team were working on before we left for the circuit. They developed it especially for use on that breed. It will make Koneko drowsy for a few hours, but apart from that there should be no side effects."

"What's the new GMA?"

"Just an idea I'm playing with. The researchers will let me know if it's feasible after they've studied the biopsy." He smiled at Aiko. "That's enough about work. It's your birthday, and I have a present for you too."

"You do? That's very kind of you, Sakaki."

"Not at all. It's in my office. Come on upstairs and I'll give it to you."

*

Sakaki's luxurious office was on the top floor of the Raikatuji Building, commanding an impressive panorama of Kagoshima city in the distance from one huge picture window, while from another the wide blue sweep of the sea disappeared into the hazy distance.

Sakaki took a flat velvet-covered box from a locked drawer in his desk. "Here you are, Aiko. Happy birthday from me."

Aiko opened the box. A beautiful diamond necklace and matching ring sparkled inside. She drew a quick breath and tentatively touched the gems, then looked back at Sakaki in awe. "Sakaki, are these... real?"

Sakaki grinned, pleased with her reaction. "Of course. Why would I give you fakes?"

Aiko stared at him. "Why would you give me the real thing?"

Sakaki's face fell. "You don't like them?"

"I love them, but -- Sakaki, they're diamonds! I can't accept..."

"Just try them on once before you refuse, Aiko. I'd love to see how they look on you. You're Miyatsu's mate; that makes you my -- my sister, you're family. I like to give my family nice things."

Aiko felt puzzled. The way he had said that sounded almost as if he felt distaste at his relationship to Miyatsu. Yet his face showed nothing but honest disappointment that she didn't want his gift. She looked back at the jewelry, then a little uncertainly she drew the necklace from its box. The pendant diamond sparkled on its gold chain.

Putting the box on the desk, she tried to put the necklace on, but the catch was stiff and difficult.

Sakaki smiled. "Here," he offered. "Let me."

He stepped behind her, lifted her hair with one hand and gently did the necklace up. It seemed to Aiko he stood for a moment longer than was needed. Her innate empathic sense began to prickle, as if trying to warn her of something. At any rate, it made her slightly uncomfortable to have Sakaki standing so close behind her. She stepped away and turned to face him. His face was very serious.

"You look lovely," he said. His voice was a little husky. "Put the ring on too. It would please me very much."

Aiko tried to ignore the sense of foreboding she felt. She told herself it was silly; what harm could it do to at least try the ring? She slipped it on, and then went to look at herself in the mirror hanging on one wall. She touched the diamond in fascination, then with a sigh, removed the necklace and ring and returned them carefully to the box.

Sakaki stared at her in confusion. "What...?"

Aiko shook her head. "I'm sorry, Sakaki, but it is too expensive a gift for me to feel comfortable accepting. You're very sweet to get it, but it's not for me."

Sakaki seemed to be having trouble understanding. "Suzu would jump through flaming hoops to get a set like that," he said in bewildered tones. "But you hand it back like it means nothing. Yet you were so happy with the cherry blossoms Miyatsu gave you earlier. How can flowers compete with diamonds?" He stopped, drawing a deep breath. "What do you want, Aiko?" he demanded. "Just tell me, and I'll get it for you. It doesn't matter how much it costs or how difficult it is to get, just name it and it's yours."

"Sakaki, money isn't the issue. I appreciate that you went to the effort of buying me a gift. But you need to realize it's not appropriate. I'm still your employee, even if I am your brother's wife. There's only one thing I want from you." She stopped, biting her lip uncertainly.

"What is it?" Sakaki urged. He went to stand beside her, and smiled down at her. "What's your heart's desire, Aiko? Please tell me, and I'll give it to you. Whatever it is, I swear you'll have it!"

Aiko gazed up at him for a second, and then making up her mind, nodded. "Miyatsu and I were going to tell you together on Monday, but this is probably a good opportunity. We want to go to Shima to create more of Miyatsu's species. I know this will come as a shock to you, Sakaki, and please believe me, we don't want to hurt you. We have enough money now to pay you back the original investment and costs from creating Miyatsu. We want to give you that, so that you don't lose the money. But we'd really like to leave with your blessing."

Sakaki was staring at Aiko wide-eyed. Aiko again felt that prickling sense of warning.

"You're leaving me?" he whispered incredulously.

"Sakaki, please understand. You know Miyatsu and I both love you: we think of you as our brother. But Miyatsu can't go on being a slave. He has his own destiny, he needs to be able to make his future in the world..."

"What about me?" Sakaki yelled suddenly, making her jump. "Do you think I'm about to take some measly pay-off and just wave goodbye?" He grabbed Aiko's arms in a painful grip. "Did you imagine I would meekly watch you both fly off into the sunset? Did you?"

Aiko struggled, trying to break his grip. His fingers were digging in painfully through her light summer blouse, and she was frightened by his intensity. She hadn't imagined he'd react this badly to the news that Miyatsu wanted to leave.

"Sakaki, please!" she cried out. "That hurts!"

Sakaki shook her, his face twisted, his eyes burning fiercely. "Hurts? Good, I'm glad, because I'm hurt too, Aiko! You're not going anywhere. Do you hear me? I won't let you..."

And abruptly he jerked her against him and kissed her, a hard, hurting kiss.

Aiko froze for a second in shocked surprise, then she fought against him, but his arms were tightly around her and she couldn't break free. His eyes burned into hers, and she tried to scream as he continued that horrible kiss.

Her fear overwhelmed her, and instinctively her mind flew to Miyatsu. There was a moment's intense disorientation, exactly as there had been the night Miyatsu was injured; the world tilted, a sound like ripping velcro filled her ears, and then it seemed as if she were actually in the stadium, she could see her mate standing suddenly frozen as he felt her panic.

Miyatsu! It was a silent scream from her mind to his, bridging the gap between them like an arcing electric spark. Help me!

Just as suddenly her mind was again in her body, back in the office. Sakaki was forcing her to the floor, bearing her down with the weight of his body. He was breathing heavily, his hands all over her. Aiko fought with everything she had in her, but it was not enough...

The window imploded and Sakaki was sent flying. Aiko had a surreal second where he seemed to be hanging suspended in the air amongst the shattered glass before he hit the far wall and slumped to the floor.

Then Miyatsu was kneeling beside her. He gathered her in his arms, his face frantic, and Aiko let herself slump gratefully against him. She began to cry with relief, clinging to him, hiding her face in his warm fur. She was shaking, and her mate hugged her against himself, whispering soothing words. Finally Aiko was able to draw a shuddering breath and stop the quivering of her limbs.

"You're not hurt?" Miyatsu murmured, cupping her cheek with one hand as he searched her face.

Aiko shook her head. "I'm all right," she quavered. "I was just -- so scared!" She felt her eyes fill with tears again and brushed them away. She turned to look at Sakaki. He was still where Miyatsu's psychic storm had thrown him, but he was conscious and watching them warily.

Now he was reassured that Aiko was unharmed, Miyatsu turned his attention to Sakaki. On all fours he approached the man, menace implicit in every line of his body. The fur bristled up along his back, and a low rumble of anger sounded deep in his throat. The barely-contained psychic energy of his rage thrummed in the air. For the first time, Aiko saw a ripple of fear cross Sakaki's face as he realized just how dangerous his fighting GMA could be.

Aiko could feel a wretched sense of betrayal battling with the anger emanating from Miyatsu, a feeling that mirrored her own emotions towards Sakaki. He stopped a few paces away from Sakaki, still on all fours, his muscles bunched and tense, as if he was only barely able to keep himself from leaping and tearing. His long claws were extended, hooked and sharp as razors. Sakaki sat very still, his eyes wide, his back pressed tight against the wall behind him.

"Only the fact that you're my brother keeps you alive," Miyatsu snarled. The growling increased in pitch, and then his voice cracked out like a whip, making Sakaki flinch. "What were you thinking?"

Sakaki huddled in on himself, his fear of the big cat in front of him obvious. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he cried out beseechingly. "Miyatsu -- Aiko -- please believe me!"

Aiko got to her feet and slowly moved to stand beside her mate. "Sakaki, why did you do that?" she asked. Her voice still quavered with reaction, and she crossed her arms defensively about herself, rubbing at the painful bruises his fingers had left there.

Sakaki stared at her. "You're going," he said shakily. "You're leaving me! I went crazy, I don't know, I just thought -- I had to convince you to stay, somehow..." His voice trailed off. "I know you can never forgive me," he whispered. "But I never meant to hurt you, Aiko." He hung his head dejectedly.

Aiko kneeled down, one arm around Miyatsu's shoulders. Miyatsu's fur was settling again; the snarl of rage had subsided. He settled onto his haunches, retracting his fearsome claws but still watchful.

"I don't understand," Miyatsu said slowly.

"Neither do I. How does scaring me half to death convince me to stay?" Aiko asked angrily.

Sakaki shook his head, not meeting their eyes. "I wasn't thinking straight, I felt hurt that you, both of you, would want to leave me. I didn't know what I was doing. All my life, I could get my own way by waving money under people's noses, and on the rare occasion that didn't work, I would bully them into doing what I wanted. I know, I'm a selfish bastard, I'm too used to getting my own way. That's why I didn't know how to react when you said you were going." Now Sakaki looked up at Aiko sadly. "I can't buy you. Clearly you're not interested in money or jewelry. So I -- I think, subconsciously, I decided to use the only other thing that usually works. But that only ended up scaring you. I feel like such an idiot. I love you both. You must know that."

"If you ever hurt my mate again," Miyatsu growled warningly, his tail lashing the floor in angry sweeps, "I won't be so restrained, brother or not. I can see you were hurt and angry when you found out we were leaving, but that doesn't excuse what you did. I felt Aiko's terror from the stadium. She will not be made to feel like that again. Do I make myself clear, Sakaki?"

Sakaki met Miyatsu's eyes. He nodded. "Yes," he answered huskily. "Aiko, I can only repeat how very sorry I am. I didn't mean to scare you. Can I hope you might find the generosity to forgive me? We've been such good friends; it would break my heart to think that my foolish actions had ruined our relationship."

Miyatsu glanced at Aiko.

"You scared me very much, Sakaki," she said slowly. "I I don't know how I feel about you at the moment."

Sakaki nodded. "I did say I'd give you anything in my power, Aiko. That still stands. You are both free to go to Shima with my best wishes. You -- said something about paying me back my investment in Miyatsu. Keep the money. Buy yourself something pretty with it." He smiled faintly. "I know you like flowers. Use it to buy some cherry saplings and plant a grove on Shima!"

Aiko truly didn't know yet how she felt; Sakaki's attack had been so alarming and sudden, so unexpected. She was very glad of her psychic connection with her mate, for what would have happened once Sakaki had forced her to the floor if Miyatsu had not come to her aid? She remembered Sakaki's wild eyes and had felt his hot arousal through his clothes, pressing hard against her hip. It was fairly obvious what would have happened next.

But he had been a good friend over the past year, one of the couple's few supporters. Couldn't she forgive him one mistake, especially as there was no real harm done?

He betrayed my trust, she thought. Mine and Miyatsu's. Isn't that harm enough?

But then, as she looked at Sakaki's contrite and frightened face, she knew it did no good to hang onto it.

She nodded. "All right, Sakaki. I do forgive you. You are family, and it's true you've been a good friend." She stood, and Miyatsu rose up to a two-footed stance as well.

He stood for a moment looking down at Sakaki, then finally extended his paw. "Let me help you up," he offered. Aiko could feel that he still had not completely forgiven Sakaki, but was willing to go along with his mate's decision.

Sakaki hesitated briefly, but then took the paw and got to his feet painfully, wincing. His shoes crunched on the shattered pieces of glass all over the carpet. "I'm surprised no bones are broken," he commented. He stared at Miyatsu. "Would you really have -- killed me?"

Miyatsu met his eyes squarely. "If you had hurt my Aiko? Yes, I really would have."

Sakaki sighed, nodding. "When do you plan to leave?" he asked forlornly.

Miyatsu and Aiko glanced at each other. Finally Miyatsu spoke. "We were going to visit the island this evening. We had planned on coming back on Monday to tell you, but since you already know, perhaps we should just go now."

"Oh." Sakaki drew a deep breath. "Well, it sounds as if this is -- goodbye."

"Yes," Miyatsu answered softly. "Goodbye. Brother."

But he did not embrace Sakaki. Aiko could feel Miyatsu's pain, confusion and sadness at Sakaki's actions. She took his hand in silent comfort as they left the office.

*

Sakaki stood staring at the closed door long after the pair had exited, his hands balled into fists of anger at his sides.

That monstrosity, that creature that claimed relationship with him, had turned on him and totally humiliated him, and Sakaki's mind seethed with a dark hatred. Why had Miyatsu not died, like all the other misbegotten experiments? Then Aiko would have been Sakaki's. Instead, she probably hated him now. She had witnessed his weakness and fear in front of Miyatsu. She must despise him.

There had been a moment when Sakaki was kissing her, when it seemed he might have won her over. For she had gone limp and unresisting in his arms, eyes closed, as if submitting. For the briefest of seconds, Sakaki had felt triumph. But almost immediately she had opened her eyes again and started trying to fight him off.

Then Miyatsu had arrived like a vengeful typhoon. He claimed he'd felt Aiko's fear. Sakaki sneered. Aiko had no need to fear him, he was a human, like her. They were the same species and belonged together. But Miyatsu, he was a dangerous animal, and not even natural but a freakish man-made thing, a hopeless mishmash of genetic material with no right to exist.

That hybridized mongrel would always get in the way of any possible relationship Sakaki might have with Aiko. What was it Miyatsu had that Aiko found so attractive, what facet or trait Sakaki lacked?

Perhaps Suzu was right and Aiko was drawn to the exotic and the freakish. But he couldn't truly believe it of her. No, it must be that "psychic connection" Miyatsu boasted of. Something about it had bewitched the poor girl, brainwashing her into believing she was in love with a monster.

Sakaki took a step towards his desk and his shoe crunched on broken glass. He stopped, then lifted his foot and stamped downwards on the jagged shards, hearing them pop and snap under his shoe. Smiling savagely, he continued to grind the glass into the carpet, imagining it was Miyatsu's limp body he was stomping on, lying beneath him lacerated and bleeding.