A/N: I know this one's a bit later than usual, but I can explain. I got a new computer, and when I was about to transfer over the data and my mom had connected my old hard drive to the new computer, my hard drive started smoking and it fried. So I've lost everything. I've only just recovered all three of my IY stories, and I've still got another eight more to recover, plus the 457 music files I had in iTunes. But when I get everything as restored and recovered as possible, updates should return in steady streams. To do the disclaimer, I'll have Kouga.

Kouga: Aki doesn't own Inuyasha, Memoirs of a Geisha, Naruto, or any other thing she's talked about that isn't hers. She owns her stories, well what's left of them…
Me: Hey! I was so depressed! I was in tears, damn it! You'd be crying too if you found out that five years of hard work, dedication, time, and love just went down the drain! Now shut up about that and continue the disclaimer!
Kouga: Yeah, yeah, whatever. Boohoo for you. Anyway, she just owns her crap and her ideas. Carrie's ideas are Carrie's ideas, and oh yeah, the character Ichitani Mizumi isn't Aki's either. I think that's it…
Me: Yes it is, now go away before I have someone asphyxiate you.
Kouga: (Runs)

And now, chapter seven.


Chapter Seven: Advice, Proposals, and the Departed

It was a tense moment indeed. The three boys circled one another, each studying the other's movements. Every few moments or so, their blades would clang together as they tested one another's defenses, gathering information as they observed their opponents.

"What're you waiting for? Hit me! Stop screwing around!" Tsurugi growled, his patience wearing thin. The young heir had already gathered enough information on the two younger boys to know their style, their strengths, their weaknesses, and their skill.

The two younger boys seemed somewhat surprised at Tsurugi's actions, taken aback that one could be so impatient. Kago rolled his eyes in response.

"Alright, you asked for it!" The Inu-Ryuu boy shouted.

The boy charged, his features set in a determined look. Kago raised his sword, poised for an attack that could potentially take off Tsurugi's head. The Inu-Ryuu boy, thinking he had won, smirked as he brought down his blade, only to suddenly be thrown back as Tsurugi's poison whip shot out, tossing him backwards. Kago soared in midair for a few moments before hitting the ground with a hard thud.

Tsurugi smirked, leaping backwards just in the nick of time as Aijii came at him next, the ringing sound of the sword in his ears. Aijii growled low, his frustration showing clearly on his face.

"Kago! Get up!" The boy yelled.

Slowly but surely, Kago staggered to his feet, brushing himself off slightly as he stood. "Whew! That whip sure packs one hell of a punch!" The Inu-Ryuu boy exclaimed as he cracked his knuckles before proceeding to crack his neck. "That was a dirty trick, Tsu. But hey, I can do dirty tricks too…" Kago went on, a smirk crossing his features. "Aijii, I'd say now's a good time for plan A." The boy finished.

Aijii sported a smirk of his own before nodding. "Roger!" He exclaimed, giving a thumbs up.

Suddenly the pair disappeared into the trees surrounding the courtyard, Tsurugi stood silently, listening as the two moved about, tracking their movements with his eyes. He sheathed his sword with a sigh, hearing a whistling in his ears. Tsurugi happened to have picked that moment to kneel down and study a very interesting rock on the ground as Aijii leapt over his head, skidding to a stop before he crashed into one of the castle walls. Tsurugi picked up the rock and stood, carelessly tossing it over his shoulder, hitting Kago in the face with it who had started to charge at him from behind. The Inu-Ryuu boy staggered and fell to the ground, losing his balance.

Aijii growled, scenting the air briefly before smirking. Tsurugi stared at the younger boy, with an interested expression. Aijii grinned, swinging his blade.

Tsurugi's eyes widened considerably as he noticed he was on the receiving end of a Kaze no Kizu. Leaping to the side quickly as he could, he missed the attack, only to realize a few seconds later that the powers of the Cutting Wind grazed his cheek, earning him a thin scratch upon his face.

Blood slowly began to trickle out, Tsurugi growling angrily as he wiped the blood from his face, smudging the crimson substance on his cheek in the process. That had done it. The Taisho heir charged at Aijii with a killing intent, tackling the younger boy to the ground. Just as Tsurugi was about to deliver the blow that would finish off Aijii, Kago leapt at the older boy from behind, an arm around the elder boy's throat.

"Run for it, Aijii! I've got a hold of him!" Kago yelled.

Aijii nodded, scrambling to his feet. Just as Aijii was about to escape, Tsurugi threw Kago off, sending the Inu-Ryuu boy flying through the air for the umpteenth time. Only this time, Kago had hit a tree and was rendered unconscious, as far as Tsurugi could tell.

With Aijii now isolated, Tsurugi concentrated his attacks on the younger boy, who struggled to dodge as each came faster and faster. The vicious sound of swords clanging together filled the silent courtyard, the two boys locked in a constant state of alert, neither knowing when the next strike would come.

And then there was a slip in Aijii's guard. Tsurugi's blade struck true, making a deep slash in the boy's chest.

Yuri, who had been previously distracted by Satsu, keeping the younger girl's eyes trained on her, filling their ears with music from a CD player Satsu had brought over in order to drain out the sounds of combat, had decided just then to turn and glance at the boys, only to find herself frozen in fear, as blood began to spill out from Aijii's chest. Satsu looked at her friend to see what had drawn the girl's gaze. Her aunt had told her that Yuri was hemophobic. And now noticing that the very substance that Yuri feared was pouring out of her brother's chest, the girl did the one thing she could think of. Without warning she leapt at Yuri covering the younger girl's eyes, blocking out her vision of the crimson substance.

Yuri began to struggle, frightened beyond belief.

'Of course…she can still smell it. Damn.' Satsu thought inwardly.

The girl began to scream, Mei Lhi and Kyo suddenly rushing over, the others looking at the girl wildly, bearing confused expressions. Tsurugi and Aijii had paused in mid-swing, turning to look at the two girls.

"Yuri-chan! Stop it! It's okay! You didn't see anything! You were just imagining it!" Satsu yelled over her friend's screaming, in hopes of calming the girl down.

Mei Lhi took her daughter into her arms, quickly rushing back into the palace, Kyo not far behind.

Inuyasha, Sesshoumaru, Aijii, and Tsurugi all turned to Satsu, their expressions bearing the same question.

"What the heck was that?" Aijii said finally, putting everyone's question into words.

"Anno…you see, Yuri-chan isn't well…er, I mean, she's healthy, but she's just not herself," Satsu began to stutter out.

"What are you saying? Make some sense for once, baka!" Aijii yelled frustrated.

Angry, Satsu got to her feet. "BAKA? Yuri-chan has hemophobia, BAKA! Because she saw YOUR blood she freaked and got scared! So shut up! She's been through a lot these past couple of days. And even after she saved your stupid life! At least show SOME ounce of understanding, baka!" she screamed, enraged.

With those words said, Satsu ran back inside, slamming the door shut behind her.

After Satsu had left, the boys and the others plopped down in the courtyard, each heaving heavy sighs.

"Damn this thing stings like hell…" Aijii groaned, motioning at his wound

"Feh," Tsurugi scoffed. "It serves you right."

"Oh but of course!" The boy exclaimed in an over exaggerated feigned understanding. "I marred your pretty bishounen face! It's only fair that I nearly lose half a lung for ruining your good looks!"

Tsurugi shot the younger boy a glare. "Shut up." He growled.

Inuyasha started laughing. "Like father like son, eh Sesshoumaru?" the hanyou said, still snickering.

Sesshoumaru glanced at his half-brother briefly before lobbing the hanyou on the head. "Baka." The taiyoukai muttered.

At this, the four of them smiled. A few of them found it difficult to contain their laughter. And soon the courtyard rang with the sounds of mirth.

-

"Iie, Miyo-chan…like this…" Haruka instructed, correcting the younger girl's posture as she once again demonstrated the dance she would perform later.

Spring was quickly approaching, and there was no time to waste.

"But I've fixed it! Several times!" Miyoharu protested.

Haruka shook her head. "No, you haven't. Here, watch me."

The elder geisha took Miyoharu's fans and proceeded to perform the dance, slowing slightly to demonstrate the proper position the younger girl should be in. "Do you see how this flick of the wrist gives the dance its power? If you do it too aggressively, it will not seem to be a struggle between two beings of power, but a life or death match of hatred. Kaze-hime did not hate the wind. She loved him and would have given anything to have him at her side. And if you do it too weakly, it will not seem that Kaze-hime struggled or fought for what was important to her. Do you understand, Miyo-chan?"

Slowly Miyoharu nodded, understanding at last. Haruka gave the maiko her fans, which Miyoharu graciously took, repeating the dance. Haruka gave a small applause of joy, informing the maiko that the mistake had been corrected.

"Now this is where it gets hard…" Haruka began, taking out a pair of her own fans, demonstrating complicated arm motions synchronized with body and foot movement, along with very tricky fan twirls with a toss here and there. "In this scene, you must capture Kaze-hime's fighting spirit and her determination and will to survive. Although she was willing to die for Wind, she refused to let go of this world so easily. She would have preferred to have succeeded. It is your task to capture all of these things in this moment."

Miyoharu nodded, determined to accomplish her new goal, yet inwardly she was terrified that she would not be able to complete the dance in time. It was two months until the spring dances would be held, and to such a prestigious dancer such as herself with as many mistakes she had already made, those two months appeared to be a mere two weeks. Miyoharu knew that she had to stay focused and alert, yet she could not rush forward too quickly or else previous corrections would be lost and all the progress she would have made would be meaningless.

-

After another three hours of practice, Haruka had finally decided Miyoharu had had enough for the day. Haruka had grown tired as well, having repeatedly gone over motion after motion with her young protégée.

Her heart began to ache, feeling Toji's presence. He was missing her. He was hurting too. Haruka sighed. She placed a hand over her heart, absentmindedly letting her memories of him fill her inside, recalling the day she had died without saying goodbye to him. How she regretted that. It wasn't until moments later that she realized her hand on her heart had traveled to the base of her neck where Toji's mark was. Abruptly she drew her hand away.

'Kuso…He might have noticed that…he'll come looking for me…and I can't go back to him. It will hurt too much for me to face him after all this time without a word. And it might be more painful for him to know that all this time I've pretended to be dead has been a lie.'

She began to silently pray that her beloved would not pay any mind to her touch. She prayed, and she begged, she wished as hard as she could, just hoping that Toji wouldn't come to find her. In her mind, her conscience begged her to go after him, but her heart was not yet prepared to face him.

-

However, Fate seemed not to favor the Spirit of Anti-Life.

In the silence and deep darkness of Reika's room, Toji suddenly went stiff with shock, feeling Reika's presence responding to his own. Her touch upon him put his aching soul at ease, her presence lulling him to sleep.

He wasn't sure if it was because he had been in her room for so long with scarcely any food or water, or if she was really out there missing him too, but for once, since her death, Toji smiled.

-

After the incident earlier in the day, Yuri was back to normal and had long since retired to bed. The entire palace had settled down for the night, deciding to revel in the prospect of a good night's rest.

Yuri suddenly woke in the night from a cold breeze floating into her room. Looking around she found her doors wide open and the ghost of someone's waif-like form passing through the open doorway. Curious, Yuri untangled herself from the blankets and followed the specter-like being down many hallways until at last the spirit stopped at the doorway into the garden.

As she stepped through the door, a bright light filled her vision as she found herself face-to-face with a beautiful young woman admiring the flowers. The woman wore elegant garments of the finest dark green silk, glimmering gold bangles decorating her shoulders, arms, and wrists, and long, flowing silver colored hair that shone like starlight.

"Anno…who are you?" Yuri asked timidly.

The woman turned to look at her and smiled. "Konban wa, Yuri-chan. My name is Takashima Kizue," she said extending a hand in greeting. (A/N: Her name is pronounced "Key-zoo-eh", not "Key-zoo" like "Kaze no Kizu")

Yuri was surprised this woman knew her name, but still took the hand that Kizue had offered. "Gomen, but how do you know me?" she asked politely.

Kizue laughed lightly, seeming to understand the girl's confusion. "How can I not know you, dear? I foresaw your existence. You were the girl I saw so many years ago in my dreams. You were the reason why I knew to pass my gifts on to Oda Mitsuo," she began.

"But I still don't understand…" Yuri said, sounding confused, a lost expression on her face.

Kizue stared at the girl for some moments, observing her. "You know," she began finally. "You remind me of how I used to look when I discovered that I could see the future…"

"But I still don't know who you are!"

"My name is Takashima Kizue. But I'm certain you know me better as Kaze-hime."

Yuri's jaw almost dropped. This was Kaze-hime. This is the woman who possessed Wind's power. Yuri could suddenly understand why Wind was so captivated. She was incredibly beautiful; she had a fighting spirit raging within her, hidden behind her soft and loving gray eyes and pretty face, fiery just like Wind's rough-around-the-edges personality. She was the perfect match for him. There was no other way to describe it.

"I'm sorry if I seemed too abrupt. But I must tell you of something important. I haven't much time. But you must promise me you will tell Wind," Kaze-hime said, her tone quickly turning to one of urgency.

"Why can't you tell Lord Wind yourself, Kizue-sama?"

"I am not among the living. I would if I could, but I cannot. Promise me, please."

"Hai, of course," Yuri replied in understanding. "I'll tell him, I promise."

Kizue sighed with relief. "Thank you, Yuri-chan," she said gratefully. "Now I must tell you of this matter at hand, before my time here is spent," she began, her voice serious. At Yuri's nod, she continued. "A great war is coming. Greater than the challenges you already face. This war will swallow the country, and if not stopped, it will paint the rest of the East red. It will spread to the West and continue to devour all other lands before it. All shall bow to its mercy unless it is not properly contained. Comrades in arms, new and old shall join you. Comrades you believed were lost will return. Together you will stand, and you shall fight this darkness back, once and for all." She concluded.

Yuri sat silently, processing the new information, giving the woman a look of confirmation that she understood.

"You must know this, Yuri-chan. When you deliver this news to Wind, do not by any means approach my body. Do not get too close to me, do not touch me. It is for your safety." Kizue said, her voice still sounding serious.

"Your body?" Yuri questioned, a puzzled look on her face.

"Wind is protective of me. Although my spirit has long since abandoned my body, Wind still keeps it and preserves it against the tests of time. He is, in a sense, protecting me." Kizue explained.

"So…what would happen if I got too close to you?"

"We share pieces of a soul, Yuri-chan. Right now my body is an empty shell, soulless, lifeless. If you were to get too near, my body would respond to the presence of my soul, and it would try to take it back from you. That is something I do not wish to happen. My time to live has long passed. You are still a child, and you have a long life ahead of you. I do not wish to live again through actions of thievery."

"But…what if I no longer wish to live and I want to give you your life back?" Yuri asked quietly. "This power…it frightens me. I have caused so much death and pain because of this power. I can't stand the sight of blood anymore. Too much blood has been shed over me. I can't stand it. It makes me sick. This entire ordeal. I've thought many times of ending my life, or simply turning myself over to Harukichi. But part of me wishes not to give up. And I can't silence that voice." The girl said quietly.

Kizue looked at the girl with a sad smile. "My dear, it is hard now, being so young, but in time, it will be easier. That voice within that does not wish for you to give up, you must keep that voice strong within you. I too wished to die as well. The power that Wind gave me was horrifying. Wind had given me the strength to continue to exist. Find your reason to live, and don't let go of it."

Yuri nodded, slowly coming to realize that Kaze-hime's form was starting to become increasingly more translucent.

"Will I see you again, Kaze-hime?" The girl asked shyly.

"Perhaps…" Kizue replied simply, smiling once more.

She continued to fade away until she had vanished at last. The bright light that had filled the garden had vanished with the woman, yet her presence still seemed to linger among the flowers. Yuri approached the flowers and much to her surprise, discovered them to be white lilies. Her mother's favorite flower. The very flower she had been named after.

Yuri shut her eyes and breathed in the scent, relishing in the moment. When she opened them again, she was back in her room. The doors were closed, and there wasn't the slightest inkling that anyone had been there. Then she noticed it. A small vase with a single lily beside a very beautiful and ornate fan.

Looking around the room, she could see dawn's light slowly filtering through the shoji. At once she knew what she needed to do. She had to go to the North.

-

Yuri appeared at the breakfast table, all seemed to be oblivious to her incident from the day before, carrying on as normal. She was politely greeted by everyone as she took her seat. She had the fan in her grasp, her hand wrapped around it firmly, her nervousness threatening to overwhelm her.

"Minna-san…" she began quietly.

All looked up at her curiously, waiting for her to speak.

Slowly Yuri unfolded the fan and held it up for all to see. "Last night I had a dream…in my dream, I was visited by someone very important…" she said. "In my dream, Kaze-hime came to me. She wanted to warn me of something terrible that would occur soon. She also said to me that I must tell Lord Wind of this news. Therefore, Otou-san, I ask of you to take me to the North." She said in a level voice.

The girl waited several moments, allowing the new information to sink in.

"Iie…I can't, Yuri-chan. It's dangerous, far too dangerous. Even though the entire clan pledged their loyalty to aid us in our cause, I know that some of them…the guardians of the North itself, they side with Harukichi no matter what words are exchanged within the walls. They are the spirits that reside in the mountain. The moment we arrive they will undoubtedly refuse you entry. I cannot take you, Yuri-chan." Kyo said in a serious voice, his expression grim.

"I know that it will be dangerous. But it's a risk I'm willing to take…for Kaze-hime's sake, I will do whatever it takes to get that message through. She trusts me not to fail. And I refuse to let her down." The girl replied in a determined voice. "I've made my decision, Otou-san. And I'm not going to falter. I won't back down."

With those words said, Yuri politely left the table and crossed the rest of the length of the room, exiting, the doors closing behind her with a dull, echoing thud.

-

Mizumi panted, exhausted from running. Harukichi refused to quit pursuing her. Ever since he had recovered enough of his strength to walk, he chased her daily. Mizumi knew that he was infatuated with her, but she refused to return his affections. She found Harukichi's existence disgusting. The fact that he chased her around her homeland everyday made her disgust that much more unbearable. She had hidden behind the back wall of a house in an abandoned village, praying that the miserable bastard wouldn't find her.

'Kami-sama, please let him not find me! Please just have him give up! I can't take these stupid games of cat and mouse! I'm a Nekoyoukai! I should be the one tailing him! Not the other way around!' The girl muttered in her mind.

Slowly Mizumi's breathing steadied, just in the nick of time, for it was once her breath had stabilized she heard heavy footsteps.

"Mizumi, darling, you can't hide forever! I'm sure your father's worried. Come now, let us leave together back to the palace. I'd rather not take you by force, Mizumi." Harukichi's voice called.

The Nekoyoukai girl growled low in her throat out of anger. Personally, she'd rather die than go anywhere with him.

"Mizumi, you're trying my patience. I'm going to have to take you by force. Come out now, and you won't get hurt." The San Ryuu's voice said.

Mizumi rolled her eyes and ignored him. She heard Harukichi sigh, and then almost instantly the sun appeared from behind the storm clouds that had been emptying buckets full of rain and snow onto the East for the past week. The light was blinding and the sun's heat was burning. The Nekoyoukai girl growled and hissed against the pain, unable to move.

"Ah, there you are, my sweet." Harukichi said above her curled up form. The sun quickly disappeared, and the storm clouds returned, resuming the sheets of falling drops. The San Ryuu reached out to touch the Nekoyoukai girl, only to have his hand slapped away as Mizumi staggered to her feet, taking off again.

The girl was still off balance from the intense light, but her recovery was quick. Soon she was darting off in another direction, leaving a false scent trail before quickly doubling back to head home. If she kept running she'd eventually collapse. She needed to rest. Her arms were burning, along with parts of her legs. She was certain the intense heat had left some pretty serious injuries. Growling the whole way, she at last reached her home, nearly falling through the door to the royal physician's apartment. The doctor immediately helped the girl to a futon where he began to treat her. Mizumi at least knew she was safe. She knew that the doctor would refuse entry of the room to anyone while someone was still being treated or recovering inside. Besides, Mamoru had looked after her since she was born. The physician had been her long-time friend and advisor since her mother had passed away when she was six.

"How'd all this happen, Mizumi-sama?" The doctor asked.

"I was being chased, chased far from home…" Mizumi replied.

"Chased by whom?"

"Harukichi-sama."

"Harukichi-sama did this?" The physician asked incredulously.

"Hai. He wants me for his own pleasured means. It disgusts me, Mamoru-san."

"You know, your father thinks highly of Harukichi-sama…" Mamoru began.

"Hai, I know. But I don't think highly of him at all! He's a sick and twisted selfish bastard!" The Nekoyoukai girl growled.

"I know, dear. He was hissing and spitting worse than you on a bad day when he first arrived. I'm sure he's a somewhat good person very, very deep down, but he has a horrible nature for the most part. Perhaps you should humor him. He may just be chasing you for the thrill of the chase. And if you stop running, he'll have no means of chasing you. He may lose interest and will most likely leave you alone."

"I hope so, Mamoru-san. Thank you. I suppose I'll try this new approach."

"I'm glad to have helped you, Mizumi-sama."

The two were silent, Mamoru applying various creams and poultices to Mizumi's arms and legs. He bandaged up the burned limbs, and sat silently, waiting.

A few hours later, Mizumi woke to find her burns completely healed, Mamoru above her, checking them over to make sure the wounds were completely gone.

"They've healed nicely. You may go. But before you do, your father asked me to tell you that you go visit him once you were recovered." Mamoru said.

The girl nodded, getting to her feet, departing once she gave her thanks to the doctor. She headed to her father's chamber, knocking on the door.

"Come in," her father's voice called.

Doing as bidden, Mizumi entered the room, to find her father and Harukichi having tea together. She bowed politely, waiting to be invited to the table.

"Sit, join us." Masashi said.

The girl approached, sitting at the table as far from Harukichi as she could get away with. Her father poured her a cup of tea, inviting her to help herself to fish and rice, which the girl did gratefully.

"I have some business to discuss with you, my daughter." The Neko no Taisho began.

"Business, father?" The girl questioned.

"Yes, business, Mizumi. Your father has been working hard to find you a good husband. As of now, I have found one for you." Her father continued.

"Have you?" The Nekoyoukai girl said curiously.

"I have indeed. I believe that your marriage will further strengthen the ties we have with our allies as well. With this assured peace, we can advance an attack against the West without any dissenters or doubts."

"This all sounds very lovely, father. But you still haven't told me who my betrothed is."

"Ah, yes, of course, daughter."

Her father sent Harukichi a look, the San ryuu kneeling before Mizumi.

"Harukichi-sama has asked for your hand in marriage, through a traditional ceremony." Her father said, shooting his daughter a glare that clearly read 'Accept it, or else'.

Mizumi was shocked. In her mind she was furious, hating her father and the san ryuu wishing she could beat the both of them until some sense settled into their beings. Yet she could do no such thing.

"You don't need to answer immediately, but at least within the week. Please consider it." Harukichi said, all-too kindly.

Mizumi nodded. "Hai, I will think on it, Harukichi-sama. But I am honored that you think of me in such highest regards that you would have me as your bride." She said, still numb with surprise.

Wordlessly, she asked her father's permission to leave. When it was granted, she rose from the table in a calm manner until she was out the door, where she ran as fast as she could back to speak with Mamoru.

-

Mamoru heard rapidly approaching footsteps, opening the door and was surprised to find Mizumi about to knock.

"Come in, Mizumi-sama. Tell me what has transpired." He said calmly, as he offered the girl water.

Mizumi took a few swallows as she tried to calm herself down. "I went to see my father. Harukichi-sama was with him. I didn't know what was going on. I can barely comprehend it now." She began.

"Take your time, Mizumi-sama."

The Nekoyoukai girl nodded, taking a few deep breaths and a few more gulps of water. "Harukichi-sama has asked for my hand. And my father wants me to accept no matter what." She said finally.

Mamoru's expression turned to one of surprise before resuming his usual expression. He sat silently, mulling it all over. At last, he spoke. "Did he allow you time for your answer?" he asked.

Slowly, Mizumi nodded.

"And he was kind about it?"

"Yes, unusually so."

Mamoru sat in silence for a few more moments, still pondering. "Then perhaps his feelings are genuine, and not just a fleeting fancy or a means to pass his time here?"

"But I don't understand how. The first thing he said to me when he arrived was 'Are you a hanyou?' because I have unusually more prominent Nekoyoukai features." Mizumi replied.

"He said something similar to me while I was treating him. He asked me if I truly knew what I was doing. But I do know he thinks highly of me. He is forever grateful that I got him back on his feet so quickly and healed his injuries. As I said before, I'm sure he's got good intentions and honest feelings deep down, but his exterior nature prevents those around him from believing it. I have a feeling that a long time ago he was a kind person, but something terrible happened to turn him this way. Yet, I also feel he is a despicable person and lives to hate everyone not like him. In any case, it would be an insult to Harukichi-sama and the rest of our allies if you refuse his proposal. Our alliance could break up, since Harukichi-sama is the reason why we've held together for so long. Yet if you accept, our alliances will be assured, and Harukichi-sama will be appeased," Mamoru explained.

"Are you saying I should say yes, Mamoru-san?"

"I have said no such thing, Mizumi-sama; I am presenting you with the outcomes of the options you have to take. It is entirely your decision to make whether or not you will accept. Do what you feel is right, what will best strengthen the East. You love your homeland, and I know you will do what is best to protect it."

The Nekoyoukai girl nodded. "Thank you, Mamoru-san. I think I at last know what I must do." She said.

"As always, it is an honor to serve, Mizumi-sama."

Mizumi bowed and left the physician's room, quickly retiring to her own. She unrolled her bedding, lying awake the entire night, deep in thought. The next day came and went, she still laid thinking, only this time asleep, in her dreams still riddling out what must be done. Another dawn broke, and another sleepless night followed. Two more days passed like this.

Her maids had come in several times on the fifth day, insisting that she ate. Mizumi hadn't noticed that she hadn't had a meal in nearly six days. She hadn't noticed how much thinner she was growing. However, she nonetheless did as her maids had asked, and ate as much as she could, refusing to struggle against them as they forced food down her throat. They left, and Mizumi resumed her never-ending thoughts.

Another day passed. And then, before she knew it, time was up. She sat up quickly, her decision was made.

Her father summoned her to his room, where two men awaited her decision.

"Well?" Her father asked impatiently.

Mizumi sighed and took a breath.

"Harukichi-sama, I accept."

A/N: Sorry for the super-long delay. I've finally recovered everything, but school's been really busy. I'm happy to announce that every story has been recovered and I've doubled the amount of music I had. It took me a little longer to write this chapter since I had to rewrite most of it. I had a third of it done before I lost it. XP Which sucked. So I had to wrack my brain to remember what the hell I wrote. But then I couldn't remember so I just rewrote everything. I think this one turned out fairly well, although there may be a few inconsistencies here and there. So if you happen to find any, point them out to me, and I'll be sure to correct those later on and be certain that I don't fall asleep mentally while writing. Alright I'll shut up. Also, sorry for the cliffie! I know it's an evil one!