Kaze Ga Fuku

She was born Annika Ame Kenobi, with soft pink hair and pale pink eyes. The women of the Royal Court belonging to Her Majesty Queen Annika had lovingly nicknamed the first-born child Chibi-Hime - little Princess. Ame grew too quickly for her mother's liking; the more she aged the more she talked, and it was quickly learned that the pink-haired child had every ounce of stubbornness that her mother did.

From the time she could walk, Ame seemed to take great pride in making Annika angry. She would eat all the sweets in the Palace and colour in her mother's manga. What Ame craved more than anything was the attention that Annika paid to her friends and to the planet. The pink-haired girl didn't understand the difficulties of ruling a planet, or that in addition to being a Queen, Annika was also a Sailor Jedi. The Sailor Jedi lived only in stories, they were beyond mythical - faerie tales told to children at bedtime. So, when an urgent message came from Kyoko or another of Annika's friends, Ame sulked. She knew her mother would have to leave, and she would be in the care of the nannies.

One day, when her mother was en route to the planet Tatooine, Ame tiptoed into Annika's bedroom. She wasn't sure what she was looking for, all she wanted to do was get to know her mother more. The four-year-old Ame lay in her mother's bed and stared at the ceiling. It was handpainted to resemble the universe, at least that which was known. Ame noticed Bakura, very small and isolated; then she noticed Naboo and Yavin... something was missing. She ran to get an atlas and compared it with the map on the ceiling. Certain planets were missing... moreover only certain planets were illustrated.

"Miss Chibi-Hime! What are you doing in your mother's room?" said the boisterous voice of Berry Heart, one of the nannies. She was tall and too thin with red, frizzy hair and green eyes. She was stern and very loud. Ame used to think she was a demon. Fire blazed in her eyes as she looked down at the small girl and she planted her fists on her hips.

"I was just-"

"I don't want to hear it! Out! Out of the Queen's room this instant!" she waved her hands and shooed Ame into the hallway. Fighting tears, she turned and sulked back to her room. Her room stared at her in various shades of purple. In actuality, Ame's favourite colour is pink, but so is her mother's, and Annika wouldn't share.

She sighed and flopped down on her bed, "I wish I had someone to play with."

"Ame, I need to talk to you about something very important," Annika said. Her voice sounded strange; it was usually higher in pitch and sugary sweet, but now her voice was lower and more reserved. Her eyes were twinkling and she appeared to be hiding something. Ame felt uneasy in her mother's presence, almost like someone else was with them, and she checked over her shoulders just to make sure they were alone.

Annika traveled to Tatooine every few months to visit 'an old friend,' and she was always happy before she left and sad when she came back. She had been home for a little more than two Basic months and had spent more time with Ame than she ever had. The Queen also ordered the bedroom next to hers redecorated, and the entire east wing of the Palace cleaned. What ever was going on, it was big.

Grace, one of the maids, brought in two cups of tea and a plate of sugar cookies. She paused to look at Annika before smiling, and, with tears in her eyes, she said, "It will be so wonderful to have him home, Majesty!"

"Yes, it will, Grace. I'm sure he's looking forward to living in his old room."

Grace bowed deeply, her brown hair falling almost to the ground, then left the room hurriedly. Ame furrowed her brow. Who was coming home? No one else lived here... maybe it was her father! She had only met him once, when she was two days old, and she prayed every night for him to come home to her.

Annika shoved the whole plate of cookies over to Ame and smiled. The small girl's mouth dropped open; her mother... sharing? The day grew stranger and stranger.

"Do you know what I'm going to tell you?" asked Annika.

"No, why should I?"

"I just wondered if you could... Never mind. Ame, my daughter, we are going to have guests."

"I knew it! I knew he was coming!! I've been begging the gods forever!"

"You have?"

"Yes! When is Daddy coming home?" Ame jumped up and down excitedly. Her hair was tied up in two teardrop shaped odango, but the force of her jumping caused them to come loose and drape around her shoulders. She began to dance around the room and clap her hands. He'll be here in time for my birthday, she thought. Ame stopped dancing when she noticed the tears creeping down her mother's cheeks.

"Mama? Why are you crying? Shouldn't you be happy that Daddy is coming home?"

"Oh Ame," Annika whispered, "your father isn't the one coming."

Her heart shattered. She felt like the ground dropped beneath her feet, and she was falling. Her happiness had broken, and she suddenly felt sick. Annika smiled.

"My brother, your uncle is moving back to the Palace. He's coming to help me with-"

"Uncle Kishi? Oh. I see." Her face burned red. Hot tears welled up in her eyes. How could she be so stupid to think that her father was on his way to see her? She flopped down in her purple chair and let her feet swing above the ground.

"Yes. He and his daughter will be living in the east wing. There is something else I have to tell you, Ame. I'm not sure how you will feel about it, however."

Nothing could compare to the pain she was feeling now. She wanted her mother to hug her, to show her that she wasn't stupid.

"Ame? Are you all right?"

That was her moment. The moment to tell her mother that she wasn't feeling all right, and if Annika knew she was unhappy, she would get the attention, get the love she was craving. All she had to do was say something.

"I'm fine." She shrugged her shoulders. As desperate for attention she was, she was more stubborn. If Annika couldn't sense that her daughter was upset, why should she tell her?

"The other news I have is that you are going to have a brother or sister," said Annika. Her eyes twinkled again, and she wrapped her hands around her stomach. She smiled wide and laughed a little. She glowed and radiated love, so much that Ame couldn't help but smile.

"A brother or sister? How is that possible? We don't know where my father is living."

"I have a confession to make Ame. My 'old friend' on Tatooine is your father."

A sharp pain of betrayal shot through what was left of Ame's heart. How could her mother know this whole time where he was and not tell her, not take her to see him?

"He is on Tatooine?"

"Yes. He's in hiding. Your father is a Jedi Knight, and if the Empire were to find him, they'd kill him. He wants more than anything to come visit you, he loves you very much, but he can't risk putting you in danger."

"Then why do you get to go?"

Annika sighed. How in the universe did she get a daughter so smart, so advanced beyond her age?

"It's complicated, Ame, and I can't tell you. I'm sorry."

"How dare you keep me from my father? You have no right to do that!" yelled Ame. She started to run out, but her mother's voice stopped her.

"If the Empire found you, they'd kill you too. The Palace hasn't always sat where it is today. It was once in the centre of Salis D'aar; we had to move it piece by piece to hide it from the Emperor. I rule this planet, but only in secret, using the Beldens and Yorg Captison as a cover. As far as the planet is concerned, we are dead all ready. I will not let the Empire find you."

The pink-haired girl was shocked. She had no idea. She was isolated here, never going into the city, never going anywhere without security. She didn't know why the Empire found tiny Bakura so interesting, or just why Emperor Palpatine wanted them dead, and she knew better than to ask her mother. Nodding, she turned and walked to the door.

"And Ame?"

"Yes?"

"I do know how you feel. I feel the same way. I want your father here more than you do, but I can't comfort you whenever you have a problem. You have to be strong and stand up for yourself. Learn how to cope when difficult things come to you."

She lowered her head and shuffled her shoes on the carpet, back to her bedroom. Sometimes she hated her mother, she hated how she was beloved by the planet and by her friends. I don't have any friends, she thought. Annika knew where Ame's father was and wouldn't tell her. Walking past the portraits of the Queens of Bakura, she stopped at Annika. The newly-hung portrait captured the very essence of her mother; the picture seemed to glow with love and peace. There was something special about her mother, but nothing special about Ame. She stuck her tongue out at the picture. "I hate you," she whispered.

One month later, Ame and Annika put on their best dresses and stood at the gate of the Palace. They watched as the speeder that carried Prince Kishi and his daughter flowed through the dense forest that surrounded the Crystal Palace. Princess Annika Ame looked downcast; she didn't care that her uncle was coming to live with them, and she had never met her cousin and didn't really care to. A gentle snow started to fall over them, and the wind kicked up. The hem of her dress blew around her ankles and tickled her knees. Ame watched as Annika's white billowing dress was blown by the wind, how it danced carefully around her barely swollen belly, showing the delicate curves. As the speeder drew closer, Ame sighed heavily.

"Sister of mine!" Prince Kishi gushed. His short hair fell around his ears, and his eyes filled with pride at the sight of Annika's abdomen. "I see you have been busy!" he laughed.

"Kishi!!" Annika mock-scolded him. "Where is your little Princess?"

"My pride and joy? She's grown more beautiful every day... just like her mother," Kishi trailed off. His wife had died during childbirth, and Kishi had raised his daughter on his own. As if on cue, a small cloaked figure walked from around Kishi's knees and bowed.

"My Queen, it is an honour to meet you," she spoke. Ame tried to see the face inside the deep purple cloak but couldn't. She had no idea her cousin was so young. Her heart leapt at the thought of having a friend.

"I'm Annika Ame!!" The pink-haired girl outstretched her hand and smiled. The little girl continued to bow in front of the Queen; she didn't even seem to hear Ame.

"It is nice to see you again. I haven't see you since you were a baby. This is my daughter, Ame." Annika gestured to her right and to the little girl who now wore a hurt face.

Her cousin bowed deeply to her and said, "I hope we can be friends, your Highness."

Ame's heart leapt again. "Of course we can!!" The small girl in front of her removed the scowl to reveal a beautiful face, one that looked similar to Ame's. Her hair was red and white and also tied in teardrop odango, but she had ponytails dangling from them. Ame smiled.

"Allow me to introduce you. Ame, this is your cousin, Princess Kendra."

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear kid, happy birthday to you..." the blonde pilot sang. Priire sat at a long table along with several more of Annika's friends. Ame was glad to see them all again but only cared about spending time with Kendra. For the two months she had been there, Kendra and Ame were inseparable. With the arrival of Kayla, Kendra's younger half sister, Ame felt happier than ever, and the three girls sat with hands interlocking.

14 February; Ame's birthday, and they eagerly eyed the huge cake that glistened with five silver candles. They laughed and giggled while looking over at the rather large pile of presents.

"Blow out the candles and make a wish!" Annika urged her daughter. Shutting her eyes tightly, she thought, I hope Kendra, Kayla and I can be friends forever. And I hope that I get to see my daddy soon.

The room erupted into applause as the flames all extinguished. The three small children ran over to gawk at the presents again.

"So, Princess, you're getting fairly huge, aren't you? When is that kid expected to drop anyway?"

"Priire! I'm sure my future son or daughter will arrive just on time in three months," Annika laughed.

"Are you sure it's just one? I mean, look at you... you're HUGE! It's a good thing you are on maternity leave from the Senshi - I don't think you'd fit into the fuku!" Priire said. Kousotsu laughed.

"Go ahead and laugh! I hope you have triplets one day! Or maybe quadruplets!" Annika folded her arms.

Priire winked, causing Kousotsu to blush. He cleared his throat. "Four Priires? If she hasn't driven me crazy yet, four of her would."

"I could always clone myself," she chided.

"NO!" Annika, Kousotsu, and about six other people yelled.

Ame tugged on her mother's dress, interrupting the happy conversation. Her eyes gleamed at her mother and sparkled with small silver teardrops. In her hands was a beautifully decorated wooden box, and inside lay a small writing pen, a lock of black hair, a black diary with an embroidered rose on the cover, and a red diary with an embroidered rose on the cover.

The freshly five-year-old girl sniffled. "Oh, Mama... I love it so much! How did you know I wanted a diary?" But Annika said nothing. She simply stared wide-eyed and limp-jawed at the present her daughter carried.

Priire lay her hand upon her friend's shoulder. "... Annika... "

"Where did you get that?" Annika half whispered. Her voice shook with what seemed like a combination of fear and disbelief. Her heart was beating faster, and her knees were growing weak. A puzzled look planted itself on Ame's brow, and she poked her bottom lip out.

Nodding her head in the direction of the presents, she stood quiet. By now the entire room was staring at the scene being played out next to the massive picture windows in the banquet hall. A thick silence blanketed the space between mother and daughter, leaving the rest of the room in confusion. Annika glanced from the box to Ame, and from Ame to the box. Chikako walked up to the situation and inspected the contents of the chest. Her mouth soon dropped like Annika and Priire's, and she shook her head.

"I don't believe it... " was all Chikako could manage to say.

"What is it?" little Kendra asked. She had approached her cousin and stood defensively next to her.

Annika exhaled heavily. "Give me that!" she yelled, seizing the wooden box. The heavy lid slammed shut on her finger, but she didn't even wince. "Are you sure this was on the table? You didn't see anyone standing near it?"

Ame's lip trembled, and the tears in her eyes were no longer representing joy, but rather sadness and confusion. She reached her small hands up to touch the chest, but Annika ripped it from her grasp.

"Answer me!"

Kishi smiled and walked over to his obviously distraught sister. He wanted to diffuse this situation before it really exploded.

" 'Nika? What's going on? It's just a wood case with some diaries in it... big deal. Calm down, okay?" He smiled in an attempt to defuse the Queen. Instead, Annika handed Priire the box and knelt down in front of her daughter.

Ame trembled as Annika placed her hands over her shoulders. "Ame, this is really important. You have to be honest with me. Was this box just sitting with the other presents?" The little girl bobbed her head. "Was it wrapped in something else to disguise it?" Again she acknowledged. "Now... did you see anyone unfamiliar around? Maybe in the room, or this morning, or even yesterday?" Ame shook her head, causing the tears to slide down her face. Annika breathed a sigh of relief and stood once more. She took the chest back into her long hands and turned to leave the room.

"Wait! Mama!! That's my gift!" Ame wailed.

"I'm sorry... but you can't have it."

"Why?!?" Ame grabbed onto her mother's long white dress and pulled. Kendra and Kayla slowly walked behind her, watching patiently.

Annika didn't pivot to look at her child; she simply said, "Because I said so." Then she quickly marched down the marble-floored hallway, her shoes creating small clacking taps.

Kishi smiled and walked to the centre of the room. "Ladies and gentlemen... children... I do believe the Queen has taken ill. I'm certain she would thank you herself, but... thank you for coming. It's time to end the celebration." People silently collected their children and left, mumbling about the bizarre circumstances that took place. Kousotsu led Priire over to a secluded corner.

"Was that from who I think it was?" he asked.

"I don't know who else it could be. I should go check on her..." the blonde pilot whispered.

Kousotsu stopped her. "Chikako already has - I saw her leave a second ago. Maybe we should check on Ame." Priire looked over her shoulder and saw the little girl sobbing in a corner. Kishi had taken Kendra and Kayla to their rooms, leaving her all alone.

"Oh no..." Priire sighed. She quickly walked over to Ame and crouched down to talk to her. Kousotsu followed close behind.

"Hey kid-do. Are you all right?"

Ame didn't take her eyes off the floor. She heard Priire; she just wasn't happy enough to open her mouth to respond. Kousotsu ran his hand along her head and handed her a handkerchief.

"What, honey?" Priire whispered as she heard Ame whisper something.

With her face flushed and eyes swollen, Ame looked up through her pink bangs and caught Priire's eyes. "Why does she hate me?"

"Your mother doesn't hate you!" Kousotsu emphasized. "She loves you very much."

She shook her head violently. "Then why does she always do this to me?!? She ruined my party. She's selfish, and I hate her!" Without another word or a glance backwards, Ame fled the room. She ran from her troubles, from Priire and Kousotsu, from Kendra and Kayla, and from her mother. Her legs hurried her along until she found herself outside under the large skeleton-like trees. Immediately, her body began to shake from the cold. A gentle snow drifted down from the sky, enveloping her small body.

"You're going to catch a cold if you stay out here, odango atama."

Ame swirled around to see a tall man with blue eyes and black hair staring down at her. Ame had never seen this man before, but his presence was comforting, and she felt suddenly at ease. He took his large red jacket off and draped it softly around her body. Like a flash, Ame realised she was outside with no guards, something that her mother had forbidden... yet, the longer she glared at the man directly in front of her, the less she cared.

Chikako knocked quietly on the doors leading to Annika's bedroom. The Triple Heart design of the Bakuran Queen was etched in the centre and outlined in rich quartz crystal. It glitters like tears, she thought.

From outside of the room, Chikako could hear Annika's sobs, so she slowly turned the knob and entered. Annika lay in a crumpled heap in the centre of her bed, the black diary clutched in her hand. Making her way over to her friend, Chikako stepped on the red diary. It had apparently been heaved at the wall. She picked it up and flipped through the blank pages.

"Annika?" she asked, sitting next to her friend. Her feet dangled above the floor, making the innocence of the scene all the more touching. The bed was huge and made from carved wood; it swallowed anyone who slept in it... Chikako wondered if that's why Annika had it made... to escape... to not exist for a little while.

It's not fair, Chikako thought as Annika lay her head on her lap. How does such a good person deserve so much heartache? she pondered. Her eyes cascaded down and saw the open black diary. Writing was on the left hand page, and on the right was a picture taken long ago. Smiling in the picture was Annika, Kairiku, Yukiko, and a man with blue eyes and black hair.

Annika's head snapped up without warning. "Where's Ame?"

"I don't know... she was downstairs with Priire... "

Annika jumped from the bed and ran to the window. Her hands flew to her mouth to stop the scream. She saw her precious daughter standing with him... he was so close to her... She flew from the room yelling for the guards.

It was Ame's turn to run; she saw several of the Royal Bakuran Army advancing toward them. She didn't want to leave the man's side, and she didn't want the guards to catch him. Faster than she had ever gone, she trundled throw the freshly-fallen snow. She had to get back to the palace before the guards got to her.

"Odango atama!" the man yelled. Ame spun around. He handed her a red rose. "Give this to your mother." He took off into the woods and disappeared. As sad as she was to see him go, she was glad that her mother didn't get to him first. He was going to be her secret.

Annika was drained of energy and resting in Kousotsu's arms when Ame clambered into the foyer. Her pink hair was dotted with delicate snowflakes and her face was red with cold, but she wore a big grin. Annika dropped to her knees.

"Ame! Why did you go outside without the guards? I've told you before that you... Ame? Where did you get this jacket?" Annika hadn't noticed it at first, and now it stared her in the face... as if it were mocking her. Ame extended her arm; the red rose was clutched in her chubby hand.

"Here. I'm supposed to give this to you," Ame said with a smile. With her hand violently shaking, Annika reached out and took the sweet-smelling flower from her daughter. She took one look at the miniature perfection of the rose and tears streamed forth from her eyes.

"Guards!!!!" she yelled. "Search the grounds! I want him found!"

"Who are we looking for, Majesty?" the captain asked quietly. Priire threw her coat on and grabbed an extra blaster from a Private.

"I'll explain on the way," she said, taking instant control of the small group. They filed out, leaving Annika, Ame, Chikako and Kousotsu still in the foyer. Ame clasped her hands and dropped to her knees also.

"Mama, please!! Don't do this! He's a nice man! He didn't hurt me! Don't hurt him!"

"You don't understand Ame... you just don't understand... " Annika ripped the jacket from around Ame and ran with it and the rose back to her room. The small girl started to run after her but was stopped by Chikako.

"Let me go!!"

"I can't do that. I know it seems like we're being mean to you, but your mother has her reasons for worrying about you."

"No she doesn't! She hates me! She looks at me funny! I can sense it... I always tell her I can't sense things, but that's a lie!! I know there is something about me she hates! Well I hate her too!!!" Ame escaped Chikako and bolted for her room.

Kendra sat on the bed in her room watching Kayla. The three-year-old stared at herself in a large floor mirror until suddenly her small frame blossomed from three to nine.

"That's better... " she whispered. "Don't you think I look pretty when I'm older?" she asked her sister.

"Daddy doesn't approve of you doing that, you know."

"On the contrary, he likes me to take advantage of my gifts... you should try it sometime." And with those as her final words, Kayla shrunk back down to normal. She climbed into bed and promptly fell asleep. Kendra stuck her tongue out at her but then smiled. Using only minimal effort, Kendra moved the mirror from its position on the opposite side of the room. It settled directly in front of the small Princess.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall... who's the most powerful Queen of all...?"

"...You are Kendra..." Kishi said from the doorway. He strode to his daughter's side and kissed her forehead. "Soon, little one, you shall gain power. You shall return the Sith to glory." Kendra smiled and moved the mirror back. Kishi tucked her into bed and smiled triumphantly.

Later that night, after most of the Palace was asleep, Ame ventured out from her room. She tripped over UsaNeko. The small kitten was sneaking down to the kitchen for a snack and hadn't meant to be seen... She also hadn't meant to be stepped on.

"Ouch!" the kitten squeaked.

Ame only glanced down for a moment, "Sorry Usa-chan..."

She silently tiptoed down the long corridors, edging closer and closer to her mother's bedroom. Ame pushed one of the large doors open and slid in. Annika was sleeping, the red rose still clutched in her hand. Suddenly Ame felt guilty because at the time, she was happy she hurt Annika's feelings. Now as she saw her sleeping, her face - puffy from her crying so much, her hair a dishevelled mess... Ame wished she had never been born.

Slowly and quietly, she stepped nearer the bed and she saw a picture of a man clutched in Annika's hand. The man wore long brown robes and had reddish brown hair. There was a lightsaber attached to his belt. A Jedi. There weren't any more Jedi... except for her father, whom she had never actually seen. What if that's him? Is that my daddy? she thought. Annika rolled over, taking the picture with her. Ame turned to leave - she shouldn't be in her mother's room. She took two steps when she saw the reason she journeyed out in the first place.

The wooden box sat surrounded by old photo albums. One picture in particular grabbed her attention. It was her mother in a light sugar-pink dress, standing next to a man in a black suit. She carried large flowers and looked so very happy. A wedding! This man is my father... Ame thought. She tucked the picture into her pocket.

Her fingers itched to open the lid to the wooden box. Resisting it no longer, she extended the lid all the way up. Everything was still inside. She opened the red diary and saw all the blank pages. She lifted the black diary and saw that every page was filled. Another photo fell out... Annika, Yukiko, Kairiku, and...

Ame gasped. She didn't know his name, but there was the same man from earlier. Ame smiled and opened the black diary. All night long she read every word on every page.

By the dawn, Ame was safely in her own room with the knowledge from the black diary fresh in her mind... and she hated her mother. Hated everything about her... Annika was a liar... and she could never forgive her.