Moonlight reflected off the Nile while stars littered the night sky. All was quiet in the peaceful royal palace. The royal family slept, servants were prepared for the next day, and guards patrolled the royal city. Unknown to them, a silent figure slid across the grounds towards a darkened window. It crawled up the palace walls to the open window. Just below the balcony, the figure slipped. Catching himself, he scrambled over the edge and stared at the sheer curtains blowing in the wind.

"Who's there? Show yourself or I'll call the guards!"

"Yolei, is Mimi awake?" inquired the figure.

A girl, no older than 14, appeared behind the curtain. As she drew back the pink curtain, her long purple hair was swept into the breeze.

"Joe? You know you can't be here! I could lose my head!"

"Yolei, please." A 23-year-old man with shoulder length blue hair pleaded. "I have to see her. The troops move out tomorrow and I may never see her again."

"I-I'll see what I can do. Wait here."

"Forever, if I could."

Yolei smiled and disappeared behind the curtain once more. "My lady? I am sorry to wake you, but he is here."

"Why didn't you wake me sooner? Where is he?"

"The balcony, behind the left pillar."

I beautiful girl of 17 approached the night air with little caution. She flung the curtains aside and threw her arms around Joe. He wrapped his arms around her and inhaled her scent. Her long light brown hair curled around them as the wind whipped it too and fro.

"We leave tomorrow. Now that the Lieutenant General is cured, we can return to Rome. Had we returned with the Roman Army's second in command sick with Egyptian Fever, we would never have been forgiven."

"Why were you here? I thought we were at peace with Rome?"

"The Emperor is growing weak, this you know, and there are those in the senate who do not agree with his more peaceful ways…"

"So war may be brewing between our nations then? My love, will I ever see you again?"

"I hope so, but I fear in what circumstances. I'll send word when I return to Rome. Senator Koushiro will still be here for another few weeks finishing his duties. My message will come from him."

"My father hates Romans, but he seems to like the Senator."

"He is very wise and patient. The Emperor made a good choice making him our foreign liaison. I pray he will still have a job when the Senate takes over. Goodbye my love, until we meet again."

She stood on tip toes to kiss him goodbye. Silently, the figure slipped off into the night and out of the royal city.

"Takeru, where is Yamato?"

"He and Taichi were discussing the goings on from Egypt."

"I need him, now."

The 17-year-old blonde traipsed out of the Emperor's chambers and ran down the hall. He knew where his brother would be, but hated where he would have to go. Eventually, he reached his destination. Loud noise greeted his ears as he passed through the archway.

"Hey little Ishida! You backed out of that chariot race the last time, you can't tomorrow! You are so-"

"Yamato."

Another handsome blonde looked up at T.K. Cerulean eyes met cobalt and understanding flooded through the older brother. It was clear Yamato was the most attractive and admired of the group, yet the man on his right was clearly important. He ran his hands through his shoulder-length hair, smiled at the others, stood up, and followed his brother.

"How's he doing?"

"Not good. I don't think he has much time left, and with Joe still a week away…"

The two brothers walked on in silence. The two brothers were almost identical. T.K. was shorter, with shorter hair and darker eyes, but they shared the same muscular build and each earned respect from everyone around them.

"So, how are the senator's sons?"

"Irresponsible, irrational, immature…"

"So no different then?"

"Correct."

"You and Tai have so much fun whenever you're with them."

"Well, Tai's lucky to escape. The Senate passed the notion for him to become General after his father's death in Greece."

"Is that what the celebration was for? Couldn't be a better man for the job. He's proven himself worthy."

"Is there ever a need to celebrate with them? It left a bitter taste in the elders' mouths. I fear this will not be the last time we hear about it. Once father…" A pause followed Yamato's words.

"There will be many things to deal with, mostly with you."

"The elder's won't let me take over. Father was 13 when he became Emperor and he stopped the bloody crusades. He made peace with many enemies and is still trying to make peace even now on his death bed."

"That's the problem. Most of the Emperors took power at the age of 25 or older. They carried on the 'tradition' of 'expanding the empire.' Father was special. Even though you turn 22 in 2 moons time…"

"They know you and I are too like our father."

The two boys reached the room where their father lay. Their father remained motionless as his sons entered his room.

"Father?"

There was no answer. He lay there with a smile looking at a painting across the room.

"Father, I'm here."

"Yama-"

The old man breathed heavily, as if each breath cost him every ounce of will and energy he had. Yamato rushed to his side.

"Look Yamato. We were all so happy once."

He did not need to look at the painting. He knew it was his mother and father holding each son in their arms. Each face smiled.

"Yamato, I made a terrible mistake."

"No one blames you, father. You were just-"

"Don't interrupt me." The old man wheezed again and looked like each word cost him more pain. "I was a foolish young man. For years, I kept up the campaign. I met your mother in Greece many years later. She was studying to be a linguist for the Senate. She was the daughter of the most powerful elder. He never forgave me I think for marrying her."

Yamato smiled. T.K. stood in the shadows to hide the tears that formed in his eyes.

"She was so young. I was 47 and she was 16. She was so beautiful and so intelligent. She was a rare jewel." His smile faded suddenly. "When she was murdered, I vowed to stop the violence. It was because we were at war that she died. She became a prisoner and they tortured her to death. All she tried to do was save her sons. I have done all I could to protect you boys. I fear that now, your lives are in more danger than they were all those years ago."

"Father, the council has openly disagreed with my appointment-"

"Yamato, it is essential that you keep a peaceful Empire. Promise me."

"I will not attack anyone that has done no wrong. This I promise. Father?"

The young man looked down and saw the smile still on his father's face. T.K. placed his hand on his brother's shoulder.

"He is happy now."