"Shizuru-sama…Shizuru-sama" A woman with short red hair, wearing a black dress, white apron and a matching headband, called to the figure sleeping in the bed. She gently pulled on the long silk curtains that surrounded the violet canopy bed, tying the material back to expose her sleeping Mistress curled beneath the thick blankets. "Up now Shizuru-sama, Fujino-tono has been asking for your presence in the dining quarters" The redhead announced placing a stray hair behind her ear.
After a few moments the procrastinator arose, her eyes cracking open to see the sight of one of her many maids before her. "Ara…Tokiha-san may I ask why father has sent the Head Maid? I believe you work the kitchen during the early hours" The woman asked sitting up in her bed with a shiver. Her naked torso enveloped with the cold air that her thick blankets were hiding. Turning her head to the side, her locks of light brown bounced and spread over her chest as she got out of her bed.
The maid went straight to work. She picked out the brunette's clothes as she answered, "Fujino-tono wanted you by his side when he heard word of his army. His Majesty sent me since all of the other maids are busy preparing the courtyard to showcase all the items we received from our soon to be victory". Her Mistress was dressed in minutes in an elegant, silk, crimson kimono with golden threads outlining the leaf pattern that danced across the fabric.
The brunette shook her head with approval, "Tell my father that I shall join him in a matter of minutes". The Mistress named Shizuru walked to the various windows of her room, the Mistress's crimson eyes danced along the glass of her window, watching the maids scurrying around the courtyard. There was a small smile on her face, after all each time her father went to war she was showered with carts full of gifts. After a few seconds of observing she made her way to her washroom, signaling for the maid to leave.
The maid bowed before exiting the room, shutting the door silently. She made her way down the spiral stair case and through various quarters to enter into the dining room. Each quarter was filled with the many treasures that the countries around them have either sent to his Majesty in trades or taken by his Majesty by war. When she first began working here she managed to count up to 40 different quarters and she only worked in the western wing. The redhead scanned the large room, searching for the Lord. "Why does he always have to go into a different quarter when I walk away?" Mai sighed in defeat.
"Hm? If you are looking for Fujino-tono he went into the courtyard, I passed him on the way in a little while ago" said a woman with dark red hair tied back into a pony tail. The woman wore a dark blue navy suit with black steal toe boots. Behind her hung a labrys, supported by a strap that hung across her chest. A smile was painted on her face as her hands gripped a red item.
"Ah Midori" exclaimed Mai, turning around to face the weapon wielding woman. The woman began working here two years before Mai arrived they soon became quick friends when the maid was promoted. All of the Heads of the mansion must work together in order to keep the mansion at its best quality. "I would imagine you'd be outside working, especially today with the showcase being only a few hours away. I mean that comes with the job of being the Head of Security".
Midori juggled an apple in her palm before tossing it into the air and catching it. "Well I had some business to attend to inside" the Head of Security explained before she rubbed the apple on her suit. The smile still painted on her face as she spoke, she was acting as if she had a secret.
"That business you speak of would have nothing to do with the physician, would it?" the light haired redhead smirked. Reaching up she folded a stray hair behind her ear once more that morning, before crossing both hands over her chest. Her smirk widened when she noticed the expression on her friends face.
"Hey Yohko and I are just best friends. Unlike a certain maid that flaunts around with a General that goes by the name of Tate" Midori fired back. A small laugh escaped her lips as she watched Mai's face turn red with embarrassment. "That's right the Head of Security sees all!" She laughed taking a bite of her apple.
"You two, come on everyone is suppose to be outside, we only have a few hours before they arrive" Another maid approached the two, this one with black hair and glasses. "You know Mai, with you being the Head Maid and Midori being the Head of Security you would think that you two would be able to decipher that no one is in the building". This was the Head of Communications; she was in charge of gathering all the news from the other surrounding cities and countries. She also made it her point to find out all the gossip of the house.
"So I'm guessing Shizuru-sama made her way outside and to his Majesty's side, Chie?" Mai asked her fellow maid. Glancing at Chie's hands the redhead noticed a paper weaved in between her fingers. "Hey Chie what do you have there?' the Head Maid asked knowing she'd get a response from the gossiping maid.
"Well if you must know" Chie began as she walked off, the two Heads close on her tail. "I hold in my hands the response from Fujino-tono's army. It was sent just over an hour ago from the half way post at Takatsuki" The gossiping maid explained. "I could read it to both of you if you really wanted me to" Chie smirked, her finger pressing against the bridge of her glasses. Without waiting for a reply from the two women Chie began to read the letter.
"Fujino-Heika we are proud to announce that we have captured the area of Osaka. Our blood stained hands may prove our victory, yet our hearts powered us through the battle. It has been snowing for days my Lord; our troops are hungry and cold, craving the warmth of Kyoto. The village we attacked didn't have much to offer, but we have however found hidden jewels throughout the land. Vases, gems, cattle, weapons, clothing, and slaves are some of the items we will be taking back with us in this first trip home. I estimate that it will take us about three trips to bring the entire items home." Chie finished without taking a breath.
"Osaka, huh?" Midori exclaimed taking a bite into her apple. "That's very unusual, I have traveled to Osaka once before and never found anything of that sort there. The residents there don't even speak HiME like we do here. But, I am intrigued with the idea of taking in slaves" The Head of Security announced as the trio took their first steps outside. Midori was always filled with knowledge of the lands outside of Kyoto. She was one of the few that was not a slave before working for the mansion.
"I heard that Osaka is some sort of wasteland and only scoundrels live there" Chie voiced, her eyes wincing at the force of the sun penetrating her glasses. "How peculiar that the army would send the response at a half way point instead of resting at the grounds we just conquered. And do you think we can work with Osaka slaves if they don't speak our own lang…?" the gossiper began to wonder as she was cut off by the familiar sound of their Shizuru-sama calling for them.
"Oh girls!" Shizuru proclaimed walking up behind them. "Have you seen my father around? I do believe that Tokiha-san told me my father was in the dining quarters" the brunette smiled placing lacing her hands together. She would normally smile whenever the maids made a mistake, she was taught to always be polite towards anyone.
The maids knew her to well to underestimate the meaning of the smile. Both Chie and Midori bowed to their Mistress each exclaiming a hello. They both took off after that, leaving Mai alone with what could potentially be wrath.
"Ah, Shizuru-sama, it turns out that your father left to examine the courtyard" The redhead smiled herself, quiet unsure if her Master was still outside. She quickly glanced around before sighing in relief to see Chie handing Fujino-tono the army's response. "See the Master is right there" Mai announced her hand turned in the direction of the brunette's father. Whipping off an imaginary drop of sweat she bowed to her Mistress and walked off to go help with the other maids.
Shizuru merely kept her smile and bowed her head to her Head Maid. She slowly made her way to her father. The procrastinator loved her father with her heart and soul. He was the only member of her family still living. The land of Kyoto had always been known as a peaceful place, they never believed in war. But, ever since an unfortunate war that claimed the lives of many Fujinos, her father had been taking over land in order to protect their own. He would suck the land dry of resources and workers, anything he could get his hands on, really.
"Ah there you are my daughter" The man smiled when Shizuru approached him. He wore a long sleeve crimson robe with gold outlining the cuffs and neck area, underneath he wore the suit of his security guards, which had padding in case of attack. Gripping his brown beard while read the last sentences of the response. "My men have found hidden treasures in the land of Osaka" His glasses were covered with a glare when he turned his face toward his pride and joy.
Shizuru's smile dropped suddenly, she had been unaware of where this war was taking place. Usually she was updated where the soldiers were, but for some reason this was the first war she was left out of. "Father what treasures does that land have to offer?" She turned her head to look at her workers, fearing to stare her father in the eyes when he spoke of the land. Her hands gripped each other a bit more for support.
Standing in the middle of the courtyard the Majesty wrapped an arm around his daughter and pulled her close. "I am sorry that you are unaware daughter. I have been planning this for a while. We must take what they have taken from us. We take their treasures, just as they have taken ours" He whispered to his offspring, stroking her back gently. It was always hard for his Majesty to show his emotions, especially to his daughter, since his wife, children and parents had been slain.
Shizuru squeezed her eyes closed and held her breath. Osaka, the land of the people whom murdered the Fujinos, murdered everyone she loved and grew up with. Treasures, her father would call them, each one was a treasure, each had their own value and meaning, just as the lands they took. Each treasure, she was taught, had its own meaning, its own memory behind it her mother once told her. It was the one memory of her mother that she held dearest to her heart.
Placing a kiss upon his daughter's brunette hair the Majesty released her. Placing his hand underneath her chin his eyes met hers. "Now my child you must have a smile on your face. What will our men think when they come back and see their Mistress in distress, one may try and snatch you up" He joked reaching up to adjust a small crown upon the center of his head. Bringing both hands down to his chest he folded his arms across his chest with a smile upon his face.
Shizuru smiled and was about to respond when she noticed what drew her father's attention away from her. The clacking of horse hoofs filled the air. All the maids and guards had stopped their work their heads were turned to the bridge that separated the mansion from the forests of Kyoto.
Three blood stained horses lead the way with three men with giant smiles riding proudly on their backs. The steeds each pulled along a cargo cart, with the army of Kyoto hot on the cart's trail. In the middle of the army stood a handful of people, their wrists shackled, blood smeared upon their bodies. It was an agonizing couple of minutes, watching the army walk slowly up to their Majesty and bow before him. The army's commander, Reito Kanzaki, drew out his sword and pointed it toward the sky and shouted, "Thy mother Kyoto we are home at last!" he pulled on the reins of his horse, drawing its crimson hoofs into the air. The three men jumped from their horses and as soon as their feet touched the ground the staff of mansion cheered. Even Fujino-tono and Shizuru-sama clapped at the return of their men.
"My Lord," one of the men whom were riding horseback exclaimed. "I, General Yuuichi Tate, am proud to announce that this is only one shipment of what we discovered in Osaka." The blond haired man smiled triumphantly, his eyes set on a certain red haired Head Maid. Walking over to her he smiled before her and said a quick hello. He was quickly shoved aside by the other man whom also rode horseback.
"And I, General Masashi Takeda, am also proud to announce that we have brought the finest women that Osaka had to offer," He smirked, running a hand through his dark hair, before bowing before his Majesty. "Some of these women I would recommend for workers my Lord. A hand full of them put up a fight when they watched their, Kuga-tono Majesty fall" Takeda smiled, gripping onto the sword by his side. "First men, unload the carts" He ordered, standing back up.
As the men began to unlatch the carts, the leader of Kyoto's army made his way to Fujino-tono. "My Lord," He smiled before bowing, "I hope that you are satisfied with what we have brought back in this first shipment." Reito said opening his eyes and slowly moving over to the Mistress.
"You killed the Lord?" Fujino-tono asked his expression of his eyes shielded by the glare of the sun on his glasses. "By whom did you get permission to do so?" The Lord kept his voice at a moderately low, even tone. The solider before him didn't move an inch; he even kept his usual sly talking mouth, shut. His Majesty smirked, "So the land is at a standstill that should make the other trips easier". "Everyone knows that the Queen cannot take care of the land. And I'm sure their children are unaware of what to do".
A smile formed at Reito's lips when he heard his Majesty finish. Standing up he guaranteed, "My Lord…I can promise you that the King of Osaka's children will not step up to take his control. It is a pleasure to see your beautiful face once more Mistress" Reito said, turning his attention to Shizuru-sama.
"Kanzaki-san" Shizuru smiled, another one of her misleading smiles, unfortunately for the army leader, the army was never around long enough to find that her smiles weren't as they seemed. She watched as the leader dropped to his knee and kissed her hand gently. An empty feeling filled her body as she watched this man touch her. He was always all over Shizuru whenever he returned home from a war. The two had what could be considered a relationship, at least that's what all of the others called it, yet Shizuru had no feelings toward this man she was simply with him because it was one of her father's wishes. Reito rose once more and planted a kiss onto his Mistress's warm lips.
Fujino-tono glanced at his daughter and his commander. A small laugh popped from his lips, "Ah young love, perhaps when you two wed I will be getting grandchildren." Fujino-tono joked before wrapping an arm around her, bringing her down with him to look at the showcase of beautiful treasure. "I'm sure we would both like to see the beautiful jewelry and such, Kanzaki-san" He smiled walking up to five an individual tables.
Vases on table one, each designed with their own shape. All of them individually hand painted, they were beautiful really. Some had chips and cracks while others were covered or spotted with dried blood. They would certainly have a place in any quarter of the house. Yet one of the pictures on the vases drew her attention. The last vase on the table was a short, round pot. It was a simple pot with a rose on it. The Mistress ran her hand over the pot, the cold, smooth, dead feeling of the pot underneath the sun made her want to shiver. The rose was elegant and beautiful, so simple and rich, yet the pot was covered from top to bottom with chipping dried blood.
Shizuru made her way to the next table which had weapons. The devices that the people of Osaka created were unbelievable. There were blades as thin as a piece of paper, weapons with spikes, weapons that were as small as a throwing star. They were dangerous people, the Osakins, were. The table disgusted her. Her hands gripped each other, scared to even touch these bringers of pain. It brought her memory back of the day her family was killed. She was never told what they were killed with, but she knew that the whole room had to be redone since blood covered the walls. Taking a deep, shaky breath she made her way to table three.
Table three was covered with clothes. Clothes to fit any size of man, child or woman, Shizuru even found a small jacket for that of a dog. She picked up some of the ripped and patched clothes. None were to her liking. They had no value you could even say that the clothes that the army picked to bring the first time were just rags, laying on the street. With a disappointing table three she made her way to table four, the table she was most excited about, jewelry. "The pottery is nice," Shizuru commented glancing over to see her father at the first table.
"Yes they are Shizuru," The Lord smiled, walking over to where his daughter was. "This is a great amount, I'm sure we could even sell some of the clothing and vases back to their country for a hefty price" He laughed. "I'm sure the cattle are in good shape?" The Majesty asked receiving a nod from the army leader. "Good, then you can send them around back to the stables," Fujino-tono smiled once more, on this great day.
While making her way to table four, Shizuru glanced at her father who had wandered off to watch the examination of the cattle. Sometimes she wondered if her father ever cared about the items they took, he never showed any interest in them, and yet always wanted more. Her train of thought was stopped as her eyes landed on a piece of jewelry immediately. It was a tear drop pendant, hanging from worn and dirty a silver chain. Her hands quickly picked up the object. The color of the pendant was a deep blue color; it was chipped in the center and also had splatters of blood on it. The pendant was that of her mothers. It was one of her mother's most precious gems, she had always taken care of it and spoke of giving it to Shizuru the day she became Queen of Kyoto. Tears built up in the Mistress's eyes, her breath caught in her throat as she picked it up.
Then the Mistress did something that she had not done since her family died, she openly cried. She was unable to suppress the sounds that escaped her lips as she wept. Multiple soldiers ran to their Shizuru-sama's side. "Mistress," one of the soldiers called, "Shizuru-sama what is wrong?" the other asked. They began to draw attention, causing the Lord and Reito to run to their sides.
"What did you do to my daughter?!" The Lord roared with anger. Pushing the soldiers out of his way he wrapped his arms around his daughter, gently kissing her head. "What is wrong my dear?" he asked, his voice full of concerned until he saw what his daughter grasped in her hands. "Reito" he voiced, his voice dropping in pitch.
"Yes my Lord?" The commander answered. "Men get back to the slaves and present them on the fifth table, three at a time and make sure none run. If they do get on one of the steeds and kill at your own will." Reito spat at the two. The soldiers bowed their heads and ran off back to the others while Reito laid his eyes on the Mistress.
"When we line up the slaves…I want you to specifically point out who held this, owned this, had anything to do with this" The Lord growled deep in his throat. His grip onto his daughter tightened as the commander nodded his head. "Good." Fujino-tono began, rubbing his daughters back, slowly bringing her back to the present world, not the world of pain she was once exposed to, "Let us begin then shall we?"
Shizuru began to sniff as she whipped her eyes on her father's shoulder. He was always there for her, always showing love and compassion, everything she used to receive from her family. It may have happened five years ago, when she was thirteen, but she still recalls it almost every day. "Thank you father," she mumbled closing her eyes as her father began to walk with her. His Majesty sat his daughter down on a chair, provided by the Head Maid.
"Sh... my daughter we will find out who had this in their possession and will kill them, before your very eyes." The Majesty said, his eyes glancing at his daughter, gently rubbing her shoulder. "It will be fine and you will have that jewelry fixed to your liking and everything will be fine," he lied. He knew that his daughter could hear the lies in his voice, but he could not hide it, it would never be the same.
The compassion between the father and daughter was cut short when Reito jumped up onto the fifth table. "Ladies and Gentlemen we will now begin with the slaves. As you know each slave will be transferred to a department in the quarters of the Fujino mansion as chosen by Shizuru-sama and Fujino-tono. You will have to train, and teach each person how to do their jobs and if necessary, to speak HiME. Now if any of you maids or guards believe that the person will be helpful in your field, speak up about it." With that he hopped off of the table and chose three people to stand on the table.
The maids, guards, communicators and even the physician stood behind the Mistress and Majesty, while the Heads of each department stood next to the Lord. The first girl was a short girl, about three years younger than the usual age of eighteen of the maids and guards, except Midori and Yohko who are at the age of twenty one. Next to her stood a dark haired redhead that also looked young and the last person on the stage was a brown haired, tall woman who was about eighteen.
"Announce your names, Yhhuihla ouin hysac. State what you think you are suited for, Cdyda fryd oui drehg oui yna ciedat vun. " One of the soldiers that stood next to the table shouted. Placing a sword at the backs of the girls as the spoke, to make sure that they gave some sort of response.
The first girl responded with a growl, "Mikoto Minagi". Before the girl could speak once more Reito cut in, "My Lord this girl gave us quite a problem, and she was an excellent fighter. She could be suited well with the guards". With a nod of the Lords head, Mikoto was taken off the stage and stood in one of three sections. Each for guards, communications and maids.
The second girl now had her chance to respond, "Nao Yuuki" she said, folding both arms over her chest. With a glance to the crowd she turned her head up and sighed. Even though back in her home country she was a fighter she would never want to protect Kyoto. "Syet" Nao stated. "Maid" the guard shouted as Nao jumped from the table and to her section.
The third girl shyly looked at the crowd. The guard gently pressed the sword against her back, almost piercing the skin. "Aoi Senoh" she cringed, her eyes rising and slowly looking at the crowd. Before the girl could speak once more Chie jumped at the opportunity, "Communications!" Every person in the crowd stared at the gossiper. "I want her," Chie coughed, closing her eyes, "for uh…my communication team". There were a few giggles in the crowd, but the King eventually gave his nod of approval.
There were a few more slaves each slave said their name and what they thought they were best suited for. Since there were an odd number of slaves there was one last girl. The last girl went up all by herself. "State your name, Sdyda ouin hysa," The guard repeated from before.
The girl had dark blue hair, with deep forest green eyes. Her hands were covered with dry blood, some even covered her face. Her eyes squinted together, glaring at each and every one of the people staring at her. A growl escaped her lips as her eyes laid upon the Lord. Just at the sound of the growl and glare of the eyes, no one wanted the girl. That's when Reito spoke up "Sir…we found the pendant in this girl's house, she was wearing it when we found it".
The Lord's eyes widened before standing from his chair. His cheeks were flushed as his hands tightened into fists. "Kanzaki-san, bring this girl down to me, I want her killed before my very..." He was about to continue when his daughter rose at his side, gently gripping onto his arm.
Her face showed no emotion, neither did her voice or movements. "Father...I want this girl to work with me. Be my personal slave…personal maid" Shizuru said softly.
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Language that Osakins are speaking is Al Bhed
