I have no idea why I did this pairing. It just feels right to me. Anyway, this is before the battle with Seijuro as dialogue from the campaign says that Ayu brought her army to the palace within a month. Possibly meaning that it took her awhile to gather enough forces to take the palace or that she had to deal with other matters. With that out of the way, let's get this over with.
The Orochi was silently observing Ayu conversing with several of her commanders on how to take the Imperial Palace from Seijuro. He hoped that she would be done soon so that he can converse with her privately. As luck would have it, Ayu soon dismissed her commanders and left for a walk. Seeing this opportunity to talk with her alone, the Orochi ran up to her and yelled at her to wait. She complied and turned around to see her old friend coming up to her.
"What is it?" Asked Ayu, wondering why the Orochi was running up to her.
"I wanted to speak with you alone." Said the Orochi after catching up to her. "We never had the chance to do so after you freed me from prison." It was true. After freeing the Orochi, the two were always accompanied by Momiji and Okuma. And now, with Ayu's new army, she had to spend a lot of her time in recruiting new soldiers for her army, keeping her army feed and equipped, and to watching out for signs of disloyalty. After all, most of her soldiers used to be under the command of other Daimyos, ones that she killed just a few days ago. There was a chance that some were still loyal to their former leaders and would want to exact revenge on Ayu for killing them.
"I suppose we didn't." Said Ayu after giving it some thought. "Very well. Follow me. I like to go somewhere…quiet." Said Ayu. With that, the two left for somewhere far from their camp. After some time of walking, the two found a relatively secluded area with a small body of water. Ayu sat near the body of water and motioned for the Orochi to sit beside her. "It's been a long time since we had a chance to talk alone." Said Ayu, observing the body of water.
"Three years to be precise." Said the Orochi. "What do you plan to do with Seijuro after taking the Imperial Palace?"
"I plan to recruit him. He's one of the Dawn Empire's greatest tacticians and we need commanders with experience leading an army." Said Ayu. The Orochi can see her logic and agreed. They needed Seijuro alive. His expertise in warfare and tactics would prove invaluable against future attacks. But there was the matter of convincing him to do so. Seijuro was stubborn and ambitious. He wouldn't bow down to Ayu or someone else. Not without a fight.
"It will be difficult in gaining his allegiance. He won't go quietly." Said the Orochi. Ayu simply nodded. "So, what happened while I was in prison? Anything unique?"
"Aside from the Viking invasion, the emperor being killed, and a Civil war tearing us apart? Nothing much." Said Ayu. The Orochi smirked behind his menpo. It seemed Ayu didn't lose her sense of humor over the years.
"Nothing about me?" Asked the Orochi. He was surprised no one was talking about him or about executing him.
"No. The emperor was adamant in letting you live. He believed a time will come when the Dawn Empire will need you again. That and the friends you made helped ward off any attempt to order you execution." Said Ayu.
"I'm sure they did." Said the Orochi. The two were quiet for a few moments when Ayu spoke.
"Why did you ask to speak with me alone? Is there something you needed to ask?" Questioned Ayu.
"Yes. I want to know what you plan to do as empress. Once you overthrow Seijuro, you'll become empress of the Dawn Empire. What do you plan to do next?" Asked the Orochi. Ayu was silent for a few moments before speaking.
"To be honest, I don't know. I never thought that me, a member of an exiled house, will become empress." Said Ayu. "It's terrifying actually. I'm responsible for our people. They're depending on me to make the right decisions and to protect them. I don't know if I can do that." She looked at the pool of water as if it can give her an answer. However, not wanting his friend to be stressed to much, the Orochi decided to give her some words of encouragement.
"You can handle it, Ayu. There's nothing that you can't handle. You've proven to be an effective leader. And a good one at that. And I'll be there to help you." Said the Orochi. "Besides, if there's anyone that can unite out fractured people, it's you."
"Thank you." Said Ayu, appreciatively. "I needed that." The two looked at each other for a few moments before Ayu looked away. "We should head back soon. Otherwise, someone will send out soldiers to look for us."
"Yes. But, we should relax for a few moments. It will prove beneficial to the both of us. Considering what will happen soon." Said the Orochi, laying down on the grass. Ayu looked hesitant but eventually complied. The two laid on the grass for a few moments before Ayu spoke again.
"Was there another reason for conversing with me alone?" Asked Ayu.
"Actually." Said the Orochi. Smirking behind his menpo. "There is." With that, he laid his hand on Ayu's. She looked at their interlocked hands before looking at the Orochi in surprise. When she saw his eyes, she saw the emotions within the eyes of her friends. A mixture of desire, love, and compassion. It was then that she understood why her friend asked to speak alone with her.
"Why?" Said Ayu. She didn't understand why her friend would choose her. "Why choose me?'
"Why not? You fight for our people instead of yourself, your compassionate, your don't bend to others, you know what must be done, and you stood up for me when I was imprisoned. Not to mention, that you're beautiful behind your menpo." Explained the Orochi. Ayu was glad that she had her menpo on. Otherwise, her friend will see the very small blush on her face when he said that she was beautiful. She thought about all this for a long time. On one hand, she always admired and respected her friend. And he had plenty of good qualities that make up for his inability to keep his mouth shut. But on the other, she had a duty to attend to. A duty that required her full attention. If she spent time with the Orochi, that wasn't about the good of their people, she may endanger her people. After assessing the pros and cons, she made her decision.
"I'm sorry but I can't do it." Said Ayu, taking her hand back from the Orochi's. "We have a duty to do and I can't waste time pursuing a relationship." The Orochi looked saddened at her refusal but nodded in agreement.
"I understand. Our duty to the empire takes priority." Said the Orochi. Though the hurt was present in his voice. Ayu felt a ping of guilt for hurting her friend but it had to be done for the greater good.
"I'm glad you understand." Said Ayu before getting up with the Orochi getting up as well. "Just forget this ever happened and forget your feelings about me. Otherwise, you'll only suffer pain." The Orochi sighed before nodding.
"Shall we go?" Asked the Orochi.
"You go on ahead. I'll catch up." Said Ayu. Seeing that his friend needed to be alone, the Orochi bowed before leaving. As soon as he was gone, Ayu looked up to the sky. Wondering if she made the right decision.
It's a little weak, isn't it? Sorry about that. I'll try and do better next chapter. That is if I figure out where to put the next chapter.