Updated: May 31, 2016

A/N: Just 14 days after Chap7, I made it on time! Lol. Thank you my dear readers for your kind reviews, I am happy! I will keep on updating as long as you are there to read my stories *heart flutters* This is quite a long chapter in comparison to the previous chapters I've written. I hope you enjoy reading it *hoping* Please read and review! YxK as always *winks*


Chapter 8

No Escape


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The plan was going well.

They were about to go inside the dark shop, finally, after a myriad of questions thrown at them by the muscular man who wielded a dangerous spear.

In a split second, Youko could only look back to the events which led them to the matter they were currently in.

The decision to infiltrate the very shop which housed the stolen treasures from the Northern region was at the insistence of Youko herself. Enho, Koukan and Keiki all stood up from their seats with a firm 'no' at their Empress' recommendation.

"It is dangerous, Your Highness," Koukan the Chousai spoke, "There are plenty of other ways we can solve this matter."

"But time is of the essence," Youko pressed on, "Those treasures belong to the people. They must be returned before they get into the wrong hands."

"Please think it thoroughly, Youko," Enho faced the Red Child, "Let us first listen to what you have in mind."

As Youko took out a map and a scroll to elaborate her plans, Keiki could only straighten his back as he clasped his hands together.

Too stubborn, he sighed inwardly. There was no stopping his Empress when things have started to become promising. How long had it been since another crime-related matter surfaced at this magnitude? Five years ago? Quite a long time.

Quite a long time for the battle-weary Empress of Kei who recently spent her time running around the Kinpa Palace.

With the promise of timely execution of the mission and additional security for Her Highness' safety, Enho and Koukan soon fell for her plan.

Keiki rubbed his temples exasperatedly.


Youko's disguise was almost perfect. She decided that it was after she tested it on Gyoukyou without fail. Her lady-in-waiting had almost scolded her for being an uninvited guest lurking around the Inner Palace.

Even Keiki who sported a raven black wig reaching his back looked like a young, wealthy aristrocrat. A handsome young man who looked dashing although he was clad in simple garments. The women might find him irresistible, Youko chuckled.

Of course, the Kirin resisted the disguise plan at first. But after a series of begging and bribing by the Empress herself, with the special participation (prodding) of Enho and Koukan, he finally let out an exhausted 'yes' if only she would give back his peaceful nights spent on reading and reviewing scrolls of reports.

"It would not be that bad, I promise," Youko managed a grin as she sat on a chair across Keiki while he worked on a financial report, "I've got Kantai review it several times. Sekki, too. He's a brilliant strategist."

"You will owe me for this," Keiki retorted quietly as he placed his brush down.

"What was that?" Youko poked her head from a scroll she was reading, "You finally agreeing to The Plan?"

"Shujou. With all due respect, it was already decided. What else am I supposed to do?"

"Nothing," Youko smiled gratefully, "Just stay with the plan."

And also because, there was no way for him to let Youko go to an unknown place on her own. It was something he can never allow. And that was it.

Two days were spent in gathering intelligence on the mission they were about to launch. Kantai managed to secure the information the very first day they conducted investigations at the Northern Region. It was difficult to track the culprits at first but with the assistance of allies from the Shunsui Prefecture, things had been going favorably in their way.

And if things go wrong, they could always improvise a story. How about as siblings? No. They looked really different from one another. Business partners? Master and servant? Like the usual then, although Youko refuses to state that Keiki is a servant to her. He never is.

Or if worse comes to worst, Koukan suggested, as a couple.

Youko felt herself praying that the plan would work without the need to utilize the methods for the worst scenario.


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But now, things were different.

In the midst of falling snow, a guard had asked her to kiss her husband. On the lips.

Frozen on the spot, Youko bit her lower lip as everything rapidly registered to her head. She could feel a sudden rush of warmth all over her body.

And her heart started to somersault in her chest cavity.

With a blink, Keiki was at her side. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her ears.

"Shujou, I suggest we don't follow through," Keiki unnecessarily lowered his head to whisper as if to show the guard how intimate they were," Let's go with Plan B if you're not comfortable with this."

Plan B was an all out attack by the covert Imperial guards which served as last resort. But if things went wrong with its execution, there would not be another chance to change the strategy. The culprits could escape and fight to death or even take a hostage from the shop. It was a narrow way for the both of them. And Keiki would not be able to stand the spillage of blood. Not now, not again.

"No," Youko bit her lip harder, "Let's stick with the plan."

With her trembling hands, she reached out for the collars on Keiki's tunic. But she could barely reach it.

"That won't do."

Youko blinked, "What do you-"

Youko's eyes widened in surprise as lips came crashing on her own. Keiki, with his eyes closed, moved his mouth gently, his warmth and scent filling all her senses as his hands cupped her face closer to him.

His kiss was sending her heart to a frenzy, her knees weakening from the impact.

Keiki slowly opened his eyes to her bewildered ones as he broke away.

A short yet tender kiss.

"Will that do?" Keiki spoke to the guard without facing Youko who was now holding on to his arm.

Youko, the Red Child, who was now as red as a tomato, her face steaming with heat. She could barely breath, doubting the things happening to her.

She felt all her blood rushing to her head. Did Keiki just kiss her?

Keiki and kiss just did not fit in one sentence. She clasped her chest and steadied herself. She still has a mission to accomplish. This won't do.

That won't do.

Didn't she hear those words before she got k-

"Let's go," A hand pulled her inside the shop which was now generously opened by the guard.

Upon entering, they were greeted by a massive hall with a high ceiling lined by glittering chandeliers. It was quite a surprise to see the difference from the quaint looking shop outside to this mansion-like interior inside.

Marble tiles graced the floor as rows of tables were placed on them. On the tables were expensive wares, weapons and jewelries - all were covered by glass and guarded by merchants who were selling them to the rich guests.

"Excuse me," A young woman with golden tresses spoke from behind, "I've heard you're looking for Tatsu-Ou's treasure?"

"Yes. Please tell us where do we get to buy them?" Youko moved towards the woman who was wearing an embellished dress, "The ones that arrived from the North-"

"Ehem," The woman raised an elegant eyebrow, "Not talking to you, sister."

The woman broke into a sickly sweet smile directed at no other than Keiki.

Youko groaned inwardly. What the heck was that for?

"Why, I've never seen a man as handsome as you are," The woman slithered her arm around Keiki's, "Are you perhaps a baron? An heir from an aristocratic family? Or are you perhaps available tonight?"

Youko felt her eyebrow twitching. She didn't understand but the woman was kind of rude. Not that she expected her to kowtow before her. But to at least show some kind of civil behavior. She had asked politely but in return was replied with a snub. She had not felt this feeling for a while, ever since she left Hourai.

And worse, the girl was all over Keiki. Why was she even concerned? Keiki becoming weak and sick is caused by the spillage of blood, not by a girl.

"I apologize," Keiki spoke for the first time after they entered the shop, looking as stoic as ever as he uncoiled himself from the woman's grasp, "I am here with my wife."

Youko gasped as Keiki pulled her closer. Her heart was beating wildly as the Taiho encircled his hand around hers.

His big, warm hands. She shut her eyes close, praying to the heavens that he won't notice her bounding pulse.

"Please don't say that she's your sister. You two are a lot different from each other, if I may say."

"Hmmph!" The woman stomped off in anger, never looking back. Keiki immediately released her hands as if they burned him. Youko sighed with relief.

"Nice one trying that joke on her," Youko chuckled before she caught his eyes. Awkwardly, she averted her gaze to the tables in front of them.

"That was not a joke," Keiki said, his face somewhat amused, "She can never compare to you, Shujou."

She thought her heart just skipped a beat but nodded it off nonchalantly. Keiki was incredibly lighthearted today, she noticed.

"So that's the joke," The Empress smiled, "And she was a pretty young thing, too. Wait, does that mean I am not?"

"I suggest that we discuss that back at the palace. Enho and Koukan might analyze it thoroughly."

Youko frowned at the Taiho, trying to convey how hurt she was by his answer.

"That was a joke, Shujou." Keiki said, worry marring his features.

"I know, I was joking too," Youko grinned, "I think it's time we hunt them down. Our sources say that the one we're looking for is in the basement."

"A little from her would have sufficed," Youko shrugged, "But I guess the basement Kantai's source had been talking about seemed to be in that direction."

The Empress pointed to a board which said 'Basement Shop: Tatsu-Ou's Treasures. Love and Buy Them All If You Can Afford! Mwahaha'

"Was the laughter necessary?" Keiki forwned in disbelief.

"Probably to taunt us customers," Youko laughed, trying her best to avoid his gaze and started to walk to the Basement Shop, "I bet they think we can't afford-!"

Youko carelessly slipped on the slippery tiles that looked like they were recently washed. She waited for the impact of her face on the cold, ruthless marble.

"Got you," Keiki grabbed her waist with a hand in a second, his other hand pulling her wrist, and now Youko was looking into his amethyst eyes completely. "When did you become this clumsy, Shujou? I merely left you to yourself for a second there."

Youko flushed to her hair, her eyes barely noticing how the Taiho was scrutinizing her. And her heart started to once again perform acrobatic skills she wasn't even familiar with. She felt a tinge of irritation. This was not funny anymore. To her, that is. Especially when her body started to do weird, weird things. Why now of all time?

There was no escaping Keiki and his jokes.


A/N: Yeah, Keiki seems to be fond of his new-found skill and is using it mostly on Youko, lol! Well, good luck to you, Taiho. Hello again my dear readers! Er, I hope there were less errors on this one _ haha! Please don't forget to leave a review , love you lots!