Chapter 10

Mukuro leans against the back of the restaurant, next to Kurama, "Tomorrow morning," she answers, "I managed to arrive at the palace just after you left to observe the girl, and found out that her parents are leaving for Africa, tomorrow morning, for a funeral. The only one who will stand in your way now is Lord Yusuke, but we've somewhat talked about that already."

"Yes. I've come across him as well," Kurama thinks in hindsight, "He's definitely…a character."

Mukuro laughs, "Yes. I think the same way about Hiei."

Kurama takes a few things into consideration and comes up with a thought, "Could it be that this Hiei fellow is working with Lord Yusuke?"

Mukuro raises an eyebrow, "My, my. Romantic and intelligent. I'm impressed. Yes, Prince Kurama. Hiei is the demon I spoke of who is working with Lord Yusuke. Well…as far as Hiei knows anyway."

"Come again?"

"Hiei hasn't had any conversations with Lord Yusuke like the conversations that you and I are having now. As far as Lord Yusuke is concerned, he doesn't know that Hiei even exists. However, that's not going to stop Hiei from helping him."

"So what's our next move?"

"Keep doing what you're doing, young prince. From what I could see, Kiyoni is aware to your charms and is not resisting any time soon."

A smirk comes across Kurama's face from that last bit. He wants Kiyoni to fall in love with him, but wants her to do so of her own free will and pace, even though she, technically, has until the end of summer to do it. It's flattering to know that she's interested at least. "I'll do what I can," he responds.

"Excellent. I'm starting to like you Prince Kurama," Mukuro places her hands in her pockets and walks toward the darkness, "I'll stick around for now. If you need me, just call for me, okay?" She disappears.

Kurama looks back up at the night sky, "My true test begins tomorrow. I hope I'm able to overcome it."

Back at the palace, the royal family sleeps in preparation for the next day. Yusuke is in his room chatting with Hokushin, his most trusted guardsman. A lantern illuminates the room as the two men sit, cross-legged, in front of each other. "So, Kiyoni's parents are leaving tomorrow," Hokushin asks. "Yeah. Her parents are leaving for Africa to attend the funeral of Lady Ava's father. There's no telling how long they'll be gone."

"Africa is a long way away from here my lord," Hokushin recollects.

"Yes, that's true. They might be gone all summer for all we know."

"So what do we do in the meantime, my lord?"

"Once they're gone, I will serve as acting lord with Kiyoni as my acting lady. I won't try to do too much to ruin what's already established here. So long as I can keep Kiyoni by my side, there's not much to do." Yusuke looks up and rubs his chin, "I must make sure Kiyoni remains true to her part of the deal." He thinks about the short interaction between Kiyoni and Kurama earlier, "I definitely have to keep him away."

"Him who, my lord?"

"That red-haired guy. I think his name is Shuuichi or something. I don't want that guy around Kiyoni at all."

"My lord, if I may…I have an idea," Hokushin announces.

"What is it?"

Hokushin looks at Yusuke with a raised eyebrow and an enigmatic smile, "Why don't you…take her for yourself as soon as possible? That way you won't have to wait until your wedding night."

Yusuke, furiously, lunges at Hokushin and grabs him by the collar, "Mention something like that again and I will rip out your insides and hang you with them, got it?" Both men breathe heavily for a moment.

"I-I'm sorry my lord. Please forgive me," Hokushin pleads. Yusuke lets him go so that Hokushin may bow to his ruler. "Forgive me, my lord," Hokushin pleads again.

Just then, the light from the lantern goes out. Yusuke looks around the room in total darkness. "Hokushin? Hokushin, where are you," he asks. He then hears the sounds of someone laughing evilly in the distance. "Who's there? Show yourself," he commands. "Relax, human. Or should I say, Lord Yusuke," inquires the intruder.

Still blinded by the darkness, Yusuke commands again, "Show yourself, or I'll make you."

The mysterious stranger laughs again then displays his glowing mind's eye, "You can try, but that'll be a waste of our time."

Yusuke turns to face the cryptic visitor, "Who are you?"

The outsider reveals himself using the glow of his jagan eye, "Greetings, Lord Yusuke. The name's Hiei. I've been watching you for the last few days and I like your style. I've come to offer…my assistance."

"What kind of assistance?"

"Word around town is that you're engaged to a young maiden who, let's just say, is not very fond of you right now."

"If you're referring to Kiyoni, then yes. She is my bride-to-be. Why are you bringing her up?"

"Simple. There's someone else who wants her. I'm here to help you make sure she gives herself to you and only you."

"How are you going to do that? And who's this 'someone else'?"

"You should know. You've seen him already."

Yusuke slams his right fist into his left palm upon realizing who Hiei is talking about, "I knew it! I knew that red-haired bastard was out to get her."

"Indeed," Hiei affirms.

"So what should I do? If there's anyone who's going to put their hands on her, it's going to be me." Yusuke points his thumb at his face.

"Leave most of the undercover work to me. I'll be sure to keep you informed on what's going on between those two. In the meantime, why don't you try your best to court her?"

"Fine, I can do that, but why are you doing this? Just who or what are you?"

"I've already told you my name. As far as what I am, I'm a demon who likes to cause trouble. However, I see that you and Kiyoni belong together, so I'm going to help you make sure that happens. I'm also doing this to prove a point to a…comrade."

"Let me guess. Another demon, right?"

"Yes. She'll be influencing his affairs just as much as I will," informs the short man.

"So you're going to help me make my life easier while making that guy's life a living hell just to prove a point? I like it," Yusuke sadistically laughs a little, "Kiyoni is as good as mine. I'll make an example out of that 'Shuuichi' bastard."

"Yes, keep thinking that way. I have the utmost faith in you, with my help, Lord Yusuke." Hiei disappears into the darkness. The lantern is relit and Yusuke finds himself standing the room with Hokushin again.

"My lord, are you alright," Hokushin asks looking up at his master, still sitting on the floor.

"Huh? Oh, yeah I'm fine," Yusuke answers. He sits back down and clears his throat, "Now then, tomorrow morning we will send Lord Akio and Lady Ava off. After that, we'll focus our attention on keeping Kiyoni around. By summer's end, she'll have no choice but to marry me."

"Sounds like a plan, my lord," Hokushin is unsure on just how Yusuke's plans will come to fruition.

The sun rises on a Tuesday morning. Everyone in the village attends to their daily routines. The people of the Ikeda home are gathered at the palace gate to send off Lord Akio and Lady Ava. Word of their departure has reached Kyoto, the place where the couple will depart for Africa. A carriage for them waits out front. Lady Ava wears a light yellow kimono with a royal purple obi. Her hair is still styled in a braided Mohawk. Lord Akio is wearing a forest green kimono with a solid brown sash around his body. In front of them is Yusuke and Kiyoni. Yusuke is wearing an admiral blue kimono with a black sash around his body. Kiyoni is wearing a short-sleeved, orchid purple kimono with a matching head scarf and magenta obi. She's still slightly upset that she has to stay in Japan. Behind them are all the palace handmaidens and guards. Lord Akio makes a final statement to everybody before boarding the carriage, "Everyone, I'd like for you to adhere to our daughter and future son-in-law while were gone. Treat them as if you would treat my wife and me. Is that understood?" The employees nod their heads in acknowledgement. Lady Ava follows, "Kiyoni, Yusuke, the two of you have to take the reins now. Please be mindful of each other during our absence." "Yes, mother," says Kiyoni, "Please give my regards to the family." Yusuke bows to his soon-to-be in-laws, "Your village is in good hands. I will take care of both it and Kiyoni to the best of my ability." "Precisely what we want to hear, Yusuke," Akio responds with a relieving smile. Both he and Ava climb aboard the carriage. Kiyoni and Yusuke take a step outside the gate to watch the carriage depart. When the carriage disappears from view, Kiyoni heads back inside with a couple of handmaidens. "Where do you think you're going," Yusuke asks not far behind. "Well I don't intend to sit inside all day. I'm going to volunteer my services in the farmlands," she retorts.

"Maybe I should join you."

"Yusuke, do you even know how to work on a farm?" She looks at Yusuke quizzically.

"No, but I'm coming anyway. I want to see how things work around here."

"Don't. Your help isn't necessary." She arrives at her bedroom.

"Kiyoni, I insist. Your parents encouraged us to work together or, at least, get along."

She places a hand in front of Yusuke to stop him, "You're not needed Yusuke. Please, leave me alone." Kiyoni steps inside her room, handmaidens in tow, and closes the door. He stands in front of her door, apologetic, "If it's about yesterday, I'm sorry." He really did want to go with her, but Akio did say to respect her wishes, and so…he walks away. A moment later, he catches Hiei hiding among the shadows of the palace garden. Ceasing his stride, Yusuke turns to face him and gives him a nod. Hiei nods back, Yusuke continues walking. At this point, Yusuke will let Hiei take over as his secret watchman. He can't wait to hear about what Kiyoni does when her husband-to-be is not around.