Hey there! First of all, thank you for the 244 views. Second, thank you to Lady Atarah and Koneko the Fan Girl for reviewing. Third, I know it's been a while but I wanted to make sure that they path I was taking with this story was really where I wanted to go. I wanted to make the characters speak for themselves and the story grow organically. So I'm really sorry for the wait but I hope you like this one! ONWARDS!
"I heard you were leaving. Are you sure you want to do that?" asked Seiran
"Yes. I have to leave." said Jia
"Beacause you're in love with Shuuei?"
"Seien! I have family affairs to get to." said Jia
"You know that's what you do. You run away when you know you want something but you can't have it or you know it will hurt you somehow. You don't want to fight for something that matters to you."
"I don't see why this is any of your concern Seien." said Jia
"It's not but your happiness is my concern."
"Seien you can't say that. I don't like Shuuei."
"That's another thing. You always minimize it because you can barely even utter the other word."
"I do not."
"So you know what I'm talking about." he said with a smirk, "Look, all I want is for you to be happy. If it means that years and years from now, you will have your heartbroken because you chose to love someone who doesn't live forever, then isn't the lifetime you shared together worth it?"
"You say that as if it's the easiest thing in the world." said Jia
"It's easy to give up a part of yourself to be with someone you love. To reject all others because of that someone. It's easy to do when you know you love someone." said Seiran
"She must be really special." said Jia with a smile.
"You're making a mistake. It's not a woman." said Seiran, embarrassed that she turned it around on him.
"Well, I didn't see that coming." she said with a smirk.
"That's not what I mean. And you know it. What I meant was that whom I love is a whole family. They were the ones who took me in."
"Oh. Lord Shoka, Lady Shokun and Shuurei you mean. I understand."
"Remember what you said to me, if I had still been prince, had been emperor, and I died. I asked you what you would have done."
"I said I would have died with you."
"It's easy to die for those whom we love." said Seiran
"I'm leaving, your majesty. It was interesting seeing you after so long." said Jia as her servants brought her things to the ship
"I will miss you Jia. Please come back soon." said Ryuuki
"I'm sure you can summon me. You'll find a reason." she said with a smile
"Please don't be a stranger." said Seiran
"It will be an interesting journey. I have taken into consideration what you have told me. Thank you." said Jia
"It was a pleasure having you around lady Jia." said Kouyuu, following Ryuuki when he bid goodbye to Jia.
"Thank you, Lord Kouyuu. It was a pleasure getting to know you." said Jia. She stopped in front of Shuuei and bowed
"Protect my cousin, general Ran."
"I intend to." he said, giving her a steely glare
"I am sorry. Maybe if it had been a different life, maybe I could have given you a different answer." said Jia, she got on the boat, and with the sails up and the motor running, it sailed away.
"Jia, how was the capital?" asked a familiar voice, she looked up and saw her father waiting for her by the bank as the ship docked. It had been a few days since she left Kiyou, she was happy that she was finally home, surprised that her father was there all along.
"It was... interesting. Father, where have you been?"
"Around. Since you've taken control of the family, I'm glad I don't have to. I get to move around more." said Riou
"Father, what do you know of the shattered mirror in the temple?"
"It takes away the life of the person who fixes it. Why the sudden interest?" said Riou seriously
"Nothing. I need to talk to you about the possibility of me being immortal."
"What about it?"
"Am I?"
If you've made it this far, THANKS FOR READING! Don't forget to review and favorite this story if you find yourself wanting to read more of this! I hope to see you next time!