"It's not fair," Mi-chan complained. "I need Neko-chan there tomorrow!"
Ryo rolled his eyes as Mi-chan tried to convince him to let Neko stay for her fencing demonstration the next day. Mi-chan liked to have the support of her twin for important sporting events, but it wasn't as if it was a competition, and he knew she could get by without Neko there. "I'm sorry, Michiru, but I can't let Neko get out of her punishment for this."
"Dad, please! Haruka-san's putting a lot of pressure on me to do well. I'm the first one demonstrating, and it'll look horrible if I mess up. I really, really want Neko-chan to be there for me!" she pleaded with him. "It's not fair to punish me for this. I didn't do anything."
He sighed. "She gets ten minutes. Then she comes right home. And you get to explain to your brother why she gets this special allowance."
"Thank you!" she sang, as she ran upstairs to tell Neko the news.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jasper sighed happily as he leaned against the sakura tree by the edge of Team Eclipse's reflecting pool. He closed his eyes and listened to the peaceful sound of trickling water that was pumped out of the fountain. It was very relaxing and made him extra appreciative of the day off they were getting.
He thought it was a bit amusing that Carnelian had been willing to go along with the observance of this anniversary. Sixteen years ago she had fought against the occurrence of the actual event.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jasper took some deep breaths to calm himself down as he attempted to get ready. *In. Out. In. Out. It's okay* he thought to himself encouragingly. *You see the general and his daughters every day. This is no different. It's something to celebrate.*
"Don't do this!"
He turned and stared at Carnelian, surprised by her outburst. "Wh- What?"
"Don't do this," she repeated. "You can't understand what this means for Ame. If you go through with this, Dad will expect you to marry her when she finds a planet."
"Yeah, I figured as much," he agreed. "I'm glad. I love her."
"Then don't do this to her. She is of royal blood. And you� you are a nobody from a planet that tore itself to bits. She is so far out of your league that there are servants of mine I'd rather see her with. Some of them at least started off royalty. She's closer to the stars outside this ship than to you. And yet-"
"And yet she loves me." He didn't let his gaze waver from hers. He refused to give Carnelian the satisfaction of knowing how much her words had hurt him. "Ame fell in love with me. She thinks I'm worthy of her. And your father agrees. That's what this rite of passage is about - his acceptance of me. What's wrong, Carnelian? I thought you always agreed with General Eclipse."
"Not about this. He's blinded by the belief that you'll ultimately make her happy. But I know better. Ame will tire of you. Four years together proves nothing. She loves to flirt, and you have to compete with both men and women. It's only a matter of time."
"You're wrong." Jasper decided he didn't have time to continue arguing with her. He needed to finish getting ready for the ceremony. He grabbed the cape that completed his formal uniform and swung it around his shoulders. She hadn't left, so as he fastened it around his neck, he continued. "When Ame looks in my eyes, I know she truly loves me and would stay with me forever. That's something I know."
He checked out his reflection to make sure he looked decent. Okay, it was almost time.
"You should go to the ceremony hall and join your family before I get there. Ame will be disappointed if you miss it."
She turned and left in a huff, angry that she couldn't talk him out of this commitment, while Jasper took one more look in the mirror to make sure he would meet the general's standards. Then with one final deep breath to calm his nerves, he started his journey towards the ceremony hall.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Everything was perfect.
Jasper opened the double doors to the ceremony hall and was met with all types of colorful banners and a chorus of instruments announcing his presence. A row of soldiers stood on either side of the walkway before him, each raising a sword above his path.
He walked down the hall, feeling both important and humbled by such celebration given to his presence. Finally, he reached General Eclipse and knelt before him.
"Rise, my son."
Jasper's heart beat hard as he returned to his feet. He glanced at his beaming girlfriend who was just as thrilled that her father referred to him as his son.
"You have proved your loyalty to me in the last four years, and I feel I can trust you. Jasper, will you devote your life to the Army Eclipse?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you swear to protect my eldest daughter at all cost?"
"With my entire being, sir."
General Eclipse nodded his approval, and for the first time in four years, he smiled kindly at Jasper. Jasper felt like shouting out for joy but forced himself to remain calm. He had finally been accepted by Amethyst's father.
The old soldier held up a sword and presented it to Jasper. "Then take this as a tool to carry out that promise and as a token of my appreciation. Though you have not been fully trained in swordsmanship, this weapon shall make the bearer stronger, better able to wield it, and his strikes truer. But the bearer must have a purpose. Don't lose your focus for one moment, or your opponent may still have the upperhand. Of course," he said with a chuckle, "when you finish your training, you may even be able to overcome that."
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