The next morning
Buttercup woke up with her fur cape on her and she blushed as she was lying on someone's chest. Her wings and tattoos shimmered, she laid back, rubbing her eyes as she looked up at the ceiling. A lime green lantern and a dark green one were floating above them great.
She groaned at the massive headache that she felt behind her eyes. Her mouth was dried as she sat up and looked at the door.
She sighed in relief that the door was in tact, she wings shimmered, signaling her that the sun has raised and that it was time for work. She felt nauseous, she looked down at the arm that was wrapped around her waist. She wasn't surprise that it was Butch, she moved his arm and groaned again.
She smiled a little at his peacefully face, "How can something so evil look so innocent?" She sighed, Fang was sitting up, looking at her.
"Butch...butch...Wake up you damn perv." She pushed him back, he was on his back. He yawned wide, showing his fangs and rubbed his eyes, he looked to the side and his trademark sadistic smile.
"Oh...well hello there...this is a morning I could get use too..." He flirted, wrapping his arm around her waist but as always she smack it away.
"Well don't. This was an extreme situation."
"Oh but I am...you see...last night, you agreed to marry me."
Buttercup's eyes widened as he stood up, she tried to stand up too but got real dizzy, "What?"
"Oh...seems like you have a pretty bad hangover...yeah...you'll need to mix some beets, celery, cucumbers, lemon and some ginger. Helps a bunch, especially if you're not a professional like me...now if you excuse me...I need to figure out that...well...your wedding present." He bend down and gave her a kiss on the forehead, she swatted at him, "I'll see you...later, Angel." Butch walked past the kitchen where Belle was preparing the mixture.
"Oh Butchie Boo, what are you doing down the rabbit hole...I got your juice for you...just in case if you were drunk."
"Thanks...Chi-chan, you're a doll. You'll might need to make a second batch, I was drinking with someone else...and she's not taking the liquor too well. Gotta go." He took the cup and ran off as Buttercup was stumbling after him.
"I...don't know...what you're talking about...but the answer is no!" She groaned at her bounding head.
"Sorry Angel, but you said yes...and I'm holding you to it..." He stuck his tongue out and winked.
She groaned, "I'm gonna LET THAT GHOST SUCK YOUR LIFE OUT NEXT TIME!"
Belle placed a cup on the table, with hearts in her eyes, she gasped, "Oh my tea cakes, are you two finally tying the knot? I've been practicing on wedding cakes like forever...And then I thought...Wedding Tea Cakes. Everyone gets their own like mini whole cake, it's so cute."
"We...*blech*" She groaned in complete despair, drinking the nasty juice, "Oh...I drunk too much...all because of that stupid asshole...bringing that Ghost along. I don't remember what he's talking about."
Brianna stirred from her sleep and sat up...she was surprised she still had legs, normally she had her tail. She smiled to see The Duke was still there, he was putting his Asheian clothes on.
"Good morning, my Lord."
"Oh Morning, Snake Charmer...damn I'm late."
She leaned against him, with a half smile, combing her fingers through his hair, "What time is it?" She looked out the balcony, the sun was just barely shining.
"It's probably...about seven or eight, I can never tell with out my...pocket watch." He sighed in relief as Brianna held it up, he kissed her on the cheek, "Thanks. Oh damn, it's 7:30."
"Do you really have to go?" She asked, grabbing her kimono.
"Yes..."
"I feel saddened by this...I feel sad when you leave...is that normal too?"
"Of course it is, I don't want to leave either, but I gotta. You never felt sadness for your customers when they leave, Snow Woman?" He smiled a little.
She had to think hard but she shook her head, "No...is that wrong?" She tied her kimono around her waist and braided her hair back.
"You are so cute." He laughed, but then sighed, "It might be a minute before I can come back...so...here." He placed his pocket watch in her hands.
"Isn't this your Father's...I remember he tried to give it to me once...Why must you men give me this?"
"Hirono, it's a gift...I'm sure Dad was giving it to you to try and impress you...or sleep with you-"
"Which you've already done...twice now...you've got what he wanted...so why give it to me?" She tilted her head in confusion.
"So cute...it's called a gift, you were given gifts before...I'm sure by Uncle too."
"I've only been given gifts when someone wanted something from me...The Emperor is no exception, instead of my body, he wanted my service...my singing and my music."
"Seriously, well, this is different. It's a gift from the heart. I don't want anything from you...it's just so you won't get so sad when I'm gone." It was like explaining to a child but he smiled gently anyways.
"Ooooohhhh...so people give gifts to remember each other. I don't believe...wait-" She removed her hair ribbon and tied it around his wrist, "Its not much...but it's from me...does that work?"
"Of course...Now, I'll see you soon, Snake Charmer." He gave her a powerful kiss and walked off.
She sighed as that familiar sadness came over her but she looked at the pocket watch.
"I must be going." She said to herself.
Blossom was brushing her hair while Kuro had disappeared and Miyako was feeding Pip a piece of cracker.
"Where is Kuro? I really would like to pick chestnuts in the woods...and Buttercup...she stopped at the worst time of her story and I wanna know what happens next."
"Kuro...that is a good question...but we can't wait for you. We should get going, Chi-chan said that if we get enough, she could make chest buns for snack time." Miyako drooled. She gave Blossom a basket and Pip sat on top of her head. They were just walking past the dark hallway, Blossom hurried along, shivering. Brianna was just getting out of the bath house when Blossom and Bubbles saw her and waved.
"C'mon Brianna, it's time to pick chest nuts with us."
She tied the pocket watch to her obi and with a bow, "I am very sorry Lady Empress for not returning to you last night."
"Brianna, it's really ok...Miyako was with me and I think I'm kinda ok...I'm pretty comfortable with it...but if you're really sorry. You can make it up to me, by picking Chestnuts with me." Blossom smiled wide wearing her usual pink kimono with a red obi and her red ribbon.
The Emperor was signing some documents, he stood up at the window and watched with a gleam in his eyes as he lovely wife walked down the steps and through gate in the woods.
"Has the courier been spent out for my Beloved Wife's cakes?"
Him answered, "Oh yes Sire, at the crack of dawn."
"Good...I have a good feeling about her...and I want to make her happy until I can get Brick to come back. These reports from our army aren't good...I may have to good there. We'll need some serious support."
"Well you can ask the King of Asheia for support and your nephew Susanoo"
"I may need all my nephews...but I need support from the other daimyos as well. I've already got a few, but the ones who can make a difference are still undecided."
"My Lord I don't see why you just don't force them or get them arrested for treason."
"Because...that would be a mistake. I can't just do that. Chappo is spreading word of my incapable of running this Kingdom, if I just muscle and bully the daimyos, it'll prove him right and could lead to my down fall. Maybe the key is the people, not the daimyos."
Blossom's POV
The wind blew hard, as I was in a red hakama and white kimono shirt and a thicker Haori as I walked with Miyako into the woods. I had the Emperor's gift stripped to my waist.
Mini flashback
As we were about to leave, there was a gift wrapped in brown paper, with a handwriting...
"Oh...it's from the Emperor Lord himself." Bubbles gasped but I held my head up in disgust.
"If he thinks a cheap...or even an expensive gift is going to make up for tricking me, he's mistaken."
"Bloss-chan, it's very rude not to open a gift." She held it for me but I wouldn't touch it.
"You can open it."
Bubbles sighed and opened it for me, but she winced and dropped it. I turned to see a small black ivory hilt.
"Bubbles are you ok?"
"Yeah..I just cut my finger on the tip. He's never given any of his wive's a tanto before. A holy one at that, blessed by the gods, it was the sword he used in battle...so I've heard. Bloss-chan, you must take it."She picked it up and held it to me.
"I definitely won't take it."
She unsheathed it and I looked in horror, I don't like weapons.
"A perfect balance of silver and iron, and blessed. You must take it, as protection. This tanto can protect you against yokai and ghost, most yokai are weak against silver and ghosts are weak against iron."
I sighed and she strapped the thing to my waist under neath the bow.
"My Lord has given you a great gift. A yokai may even run at the sight of it...a weak one anyways. Now...to those chestnuts, I want some chestnut buns."
End of mini flashback
"You look like a Priestess, Bloss-chan. I made that look you know and it just caught on so quickly." Bubbles smiled. It was so good to have her back. She walked sad by sad with me, the beauty of fall was gone and winter was two...or one week away, the woods had a creepy look to it as the dead leaves crunched underneath our shoes.
"Kaoru-chan enchanted this one chestnut tree...by accident and it should still have plenty of chest nuts. Oh I love chestnuts, they're so sweet and buttery when roasted, it melts into you melt." She drooled, "Asheia was interesting, with its mystic woods and bustling streets and cities but I missed this Kyotoro's nature, plus...Asheia has a smell to it."
"I'm sorry that I spent you on that errand."
"Not at all, your sister is just the cutest. She really looks up to you. She told me how sad she was but she had to be a big girl. Your Dad...not so good, but now that you're fine and together, I bet he's spirits will be lifted up."
I nodded in agreement, but the wind made us shiver. I wrapped my fur haori around Bubbles. When an arrow just barely missed us, we jumped back.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry." A familiar voice apologized. Robin rushed over and bowed to the ground.
"My Lady Empress, Please...please forgive me."
"You always hit her...I would've been ok...but not Bloss-chan. Apologize some more!" Bubbles cried out, tearfully.
"I apologize...My ladies...please. I did not see you."
"It's ok...we're not hurt. What are you doing here?"
He looked around and whispered, "I'm practicing my archery, there is a contest of who is the best shot. The Emperor Lord will reward 20 gold crowns for us apprentices. Tatsu, my master says that a true samurai can pin a leaf to a tree."
"And how are you doing?" I asked.
"Oh...I might be getting better." He smiled nervously.
"Thanks...but we're off to get chestnuts...c'mon." Bubbles whined and pouted as she pulled my arms.
"I wish I could accompany you...but Tatsu is probably wondering where I am...but if you command me to stay..."He smiled at me, the heat on my face rose and I smiled. He's like a knight in those fairy tale books...
"We have to go."
"Thanks...but I think I'll be fine." I smiled and was pushed away from Bubbles, I sighed lovingly as he were deeper in the woods, "He's so...gallant. You traveled with him Bubbles, what's he like?"
"Bloss-chan, you can't be serious!"
"He's kinda cute and that strong chin." I giggled as my blush deepened, "Maybe I could watch this archery contest. I think Knights in Asheia has to be skilled in archery too."
Bubbles stuck her tongue out, "Yucky...I mean we barely talked, he mostly followed Tatsu-san- Oh...there's the tree." Bubbles scurried along. The tree did have a few leaves left on it but lots of these brown nuts on them.
"Are these chestnuts?" I asked.
"Oh yes...normally they have a green shell but these are perfect. Oh...if only Hiro-chan or Kao-chan were here, they could reach the juicy ones. If only...I can float better." She pouted, licking her lips as she reached for a lower branch.
"I could climb up there." I offer.
"And risk falling and breaking your leg or neck, My Lord would skin me alive. We shall get the ones on the ground."
"I don't understand why you must risk a cold for some nuts." A familiar voice said.
"Hiro-chan."
Brianna was shivering and blowing through her fingers. She yawned...showing her long fangs.
"Oh...Hiro-chan...you know you need to wear warmer clothes, "Bubbles lifted her hands and shot blue fireballs around her, and she looked at me, "Hiro-chan must still warm or she'll fall asleep. She's a snake after all. Just like the seasons, yokais and spirits change as well, Kappas and nure-onnas...and many more of the spring than fall yokai hibernate...only problem is with only a week left...they are more desperate for food and get out of character. So we must be careful, but luckily you're with the strongest of the household." Bubbles smiled. Brianna stretched up to the trees and started dropping some chestnuts into our baskets.
I heard...a whinny that echoed throughout the woods.
"Did you guys hear that?"
"No. Focus my lady." Bubbles rubbed her forehead as Brianna hit her on the head with a chestnut.
My eyes widened as I saw something golden...a familiar golden mane...
"It's you."
I don't know what happened...but...when I blinked...I was in the woods alone. I looked around and Brianna and Bubbles were no where in sight.
"Bubbles! Brianna!" I shouted, pulling my tanto out as I heard crunching leaves, "Please...Bubbles...Brianna...anyone."
I gasped as I saw that golden mane again and that lovely brown body.
"You...Oh Goldie." I smiled and ran to him. He whinny and shouted as I rubbed his snout, "Goldie, what are you doing here?"
Goldie was a strange horse I met in the woods, about a month I shooed Timber away. I sprain my ankle deep in the woods at home and it was getting dark. I was crying for help and trying to crawl. I cried, so scared when a golden light shined the darkness away.
A blackish blue strange horse who's had white specks like the stars above, his mane was golden like the sun and his antlers shined as well. He was weird looking with those red eyes and green pupils, golden hair going down his back and on his hooves, his tail like a serpent.
I was scared at first, but he just nudge me and licked my ankle, healing it. I sniffed, standing up and hugging him.
"Thank you...thank you." I sniffed. He laid down on the ground and nudge me to ride on him.
I snapped out of my flashback and he nudge my basket.
"You want a chestnut...can you even eat one?" I asked, "With all this dead leaves and no grass, you must be starving boy. Come with me...I'll take you to get some hay. I live here now." I patted him, he lean on my shoulder, following me for a while. I listened and heard the river...
"My new home is near the river...maybe...if I follow the river...I can find my way home...just not too close. Come on, hay is close...maybe, you could stay with me too. I know the Emperor Lord has a stable-"
I stopped as I heard crying...I saw a woman and a baby crying.
"Please...wait...please help me!" She cried, I rushed over to her, she was crying, "Oh thank you, thank you. Please help me, I was running from a JorÅgumo when I tripped and fell...my ankle...
"Oh...I'll help you...Goldie can heal-" I looked back, but Goldie was behind a tree, whinnying, "Or maybe not."
"My baby...my baby, please give him to me." She cried, wincing in pain. The baby was just a flew inches out of her reach.
I saw the baby, crying, wrapped in a blanket...
"Please...help me...my baby..."
Goldie was whinnying louder...as I reached down.
Normal POV
Bubbles laughed as they had a full basket, "That's enough...well Bloss-chan, you've been quiet, losing to me isn't-" Bubbles's eyes widened as she saw a basket, "Bloss-chan!"
Brianna jumped down, "Where is the Lady Empress? Bubbles!"
"Oh no...Bloss-chan!" Bubbles dropped her basket.