An Empire to Conquer Your Heart
celestia193's Author's Note: Did we? Why yes, I think we did.
Chapter 9
Madara sighs. It had been a brutal campaign and casualties had been far higher expected. After two years of battling their way across the Shokan System, the cluster of stars holding hundreds of species, some more animal than human, the Chikara Empire and its allies had finally won. Their victory had been an expensive one. Paid in blood. The blood of countless Chikara warriors and those that would fight along their side.
"Today, we mourn the loss of those who fell in battle. The people of the Shokan System was a fierce opponent, but at last we have defeated them and they will be absorbed into our ever growing empire. Our comrades lives were not lost in vain and they shall live forever in our memories. They died a true warrior's death." Madara straightens his bow and fires off a series of flaming arrows straight into the largest ocean of the Chikara homeworld.
They had brought back the bodies of as many fallen soldiers as they could find to give them a traditional burial. When circumstances allowed, most Chikara wanted to be buried at sea surrounded by a blanket of flames. Many warriors never got such a privilege, but their people liked to think those who did not...that their spirit helped the flames burn brighter for more fortunate brothers and sisters.
Madara's aim struck true and pyres caught fire one by one. He'd become a regrettably skilled archer over the course of his young life. When he was a teenager, his father had encouraged him to fire the arrows at as many of their death ceremonies as possible. Tajima had gone to great lengths to ensure his sons all understood the true cost of war. Nothing worth having came easily. Victory in war least of all.
Besides him, Hiroto's precise aim sets numerous floating pyres alight. While many might think their way of honoring their dead was archaic or outdated, the truth was that it was for the sake of honor that they held on to their ancient beliefs. For in setting their dead alight and burning away the mortal body, their spirits could fly free into the old and purple-streaked skies of their beautiful homeworld.
Truly, their campaigns might not have been so difficult had their newly conquered allies not been manipulated from within. Hiroto knew that there had been traitors in the ranks of the Satori elites that had sown discord where they might have had peaceful negotiations. Had it not been for the assassination of their ruling lord, perhaps the other world might not have risen up and this string of conflicts could have been avoided.
He nocks another arrow and raises the flaming tip to the sky, releasing it into the glow of the rich orange sun. The string twangs as the arrow flies into the distance, setting alight another pyre, that of one of his lieutenants, Mahiro. A good young man, as fierce as he was intelligent, and as brave as he was honorable. Felled when a trap was detonated and a building brought down on top of him. After he'd saved a number of his own men and civilians from being caught in the blast.
Down the line of archers, as the last arrows fly into the sky, one more flies out, striking the pyre of an older man with long, greying hair and old warrior's tattoos on his face. As his pyre is slowly consumed by flame, a young woman with long ebony hair lowers her bow, her expression sad but proud, resolute against the grief she felt in her heart.
The arrows had all been fired. Now that the dead could rest in peace, Madara's thoughts turned towards the living. Towards one woman in particular. Sighing, he moves towards his childhood friend, Yumi, and rests his hand on her shoulder. Words could only soothe grief so much in a time like this, but still he had to try. To do otherwise would be an insult to Masaru's memory and a disservice to Yumi. "I am sorry for your loss. Your father was one of the most respected warriors in our army. It was only dumb luck that I came of age when he was entering the twilight of his years or else, he might have been the one leading us against the Shokan."
Yumi's gaze looks far away, but her spirit remains close and present. "No, it wasn't dumb luck. Father had strength and wit and was one of the greatest warriors I've ever known. But he never had the charisma to rally warriors the way you do, Madara. You inspire a fervent loyalty that he always wished he could." Slowly, she turns her head and smiles sadly. "And I know that he was happy to die as a warrior in your service. His time came and it has passed, and now the flames will carry his spirit to join our ancestors in the stars like all true Chikara warriors."
"You flatter me on a day that I'm not certain I'm worthy of your high praise." Madara's own attention drifts to the pyre where Marasu's body was burning. Yumi was right in one regard, though. Her father's spirit would journey to the stars and join with the ancestors. "I'm glad that he was at peace towards the end. We should all be so fortunate. If there is anything I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask. I was your friend long before I was your king."
Dark sapphire star marks glitter across Yumi's skin as she shakes her head. "There is nothing I want that you can give to me Madara. I learned that long ago." Her gaze drifts to where The king's elder brother stands, putting away his bow. Then it drifts back to the king she so adored and she sets down her own bow. "Except maybe go on a walk with me to find some fresh air that doesn't smell of the sea and fire."
"I find that first observation rather debatable, but I would gladly accompany you on a walk." Madara places his hand on the small of her back and steers the grieving Chikara woman away. It was only natural that she'd wish to collect herself after witnessing her father's funeral.
Even as the distance between the two of them and the sea grows, Yumi huffs quietly in amusement. "You treat women just as gingerly as you always have, Madara. Don't forget that I am a woman and a warrior both, built to give life as easily as I take it."
"Do you really think that I would treat you any differently in this situation if you were a man?" He raises an incredulous eyebrow. "If that is the case, you're mistaken and I'm well aware of your prowess as a warrior. That is why I always assign you to my personal warship."
"Is that so…" Yumi gazes thoughtfully into the trees as the beach falls behind them, giving way to the vibrant green forests o their home. She touches the bark to feel the roughness under her fingers. "You treat me exactly as you would if I were a man?"
Madara tilts his head. Yumi was normally a straight forward woman. There was generally no need to guess what she was feeling. Her words could cut as sharply as any blade she wielded when she was properly riled and when she was happy, everyone knew it. Her joy was infectious. And despite that, he didn't have a damn clue what was going on with her now. He felt as though this was a trick question of sorts.
"When it comes to grief, I treat men and women the same, yes." Madara frowns as he observes her carefully knowing that her had to proceed cautiously. He felt uncertain of his footing. "You have me at a loss. First, you gently chide me for supposedly treating women too gingerly and now you're upset that I'm not treating you any differently than I would a man?"
"I'm not upset, only…intrigued and worried for you, Madara. Because it tells me that your tunnel vision is getting worse." Yumi turns and laces her fingers through Madara's as she tugs him deeper into the trees. "A king should always be aware of what his court is whispering about, even in a time of war. Sometimes, especially in a time of war." Her lips twitch. "Do you know what your court is whispering about now, Madara?"
"It's unlike you to speak in riddles." Madara frowns. What in the name of the galaxies sort of issue was Yumi dancing around? "I imagine the campaign against the Shokan has caused many a whisper, but we won. We'll mourn those we lost and enjoy our victory as we always do. Those whispers will quiet down soon enough."
"They're not the sort of whispers that just die down with time." Yumi stops and turns to face her king, her friend… "With the danger of these recent campaigns, most of the court is worried about the future of your empire. About your legacy, Madara."
"My legacy is secure. Under my leadership, we've expanded our empire further than even my father could ever have dreamed." It was all Madara could do not to cross his arms like a defensive child. "I've not been needlessly cruel in this endeavor, nor too soft. Why are they concerned about my legacy?"
"They're not worried about your actions, Madara, they're worried about the future of your line." Yumi sighs impatiently. "You have no heir, Madara, no children to succeed you. They worry that if you are killed, then the next to take the throne might not share your same ideals and that the empire you've worked so hard to build will scatter like dust in the wind."
Forget about crossing his arms, it was now all Madara could do not to wince at the direction this conversation was heading. "I'm only thirty-eight years old. Many Chikara don't have their first child until their fifties and there are even some who become parents for the first time after their hundredth year of life. As for my ideals in the absolute worst case scenario, Hiroto is next in line. They have nothing to worry about."
"We both know that Hiroto would die to protect you if it came down to your life or his." As much as it pained Yumi to say it out loud. "Madara…I know it's not ideal, and I know that this isn't the way you would have wanted this to happen, but…maybe having children would be good for you. Maybe they could be a soothing influence on your heart."
"Hiroto is a loyal and intelligent Chikara. He'd make a fine king." Madara nodded, his frown only deepening with every word Yumi uttered. "As for children, Izuna will return soon and when the time is right, we'll talk about having them. We'll have to use a surrogate given that we're both male, but I would hardly be the first Chikara king to sire children that way." There had been a handful of Chikara kings and queens who preferred the company of their own gender. While a bit unusual, as long as the children were his, few would care about how they were conceived. If he really wanted, adoption was another option.
Yumi's gaze saddens. Her heart truly did bleed for her friend. "Madara…there's no need for you to look for a surrogate. I told you before, I am a warrior, but a woman as well. And most importantly, I am your friend." She had been saving herself for her one and only, but this could be far more important to her people. "Madara…I know that you're waiting for your Bijin to return, and I respect that you choose to wait. But if you would take me to your bed, I will give you as many heirs as this body can endure. If you must secure your legacy, then I would offer myself for this duty."
"...You're a beautiful woman, but I'm not taking anyone to my bed that sees it as a sacrifice to be with me and to bear my children. Nor would I treat my friend or any woman as if she were nothing more than a broodmare." He brings his hand to the necklace he wore with Izuna's earring on it, clenching it tightly.
"It's not a sacrifice, it's an honor." Yumi raises her hands to clasps Madara's between hers. "In any case, it's a concern for myself as well. I am my father's only child. Without children of my own, my line risks dying with me."
"You're intelligent, strong, and beautiful. If you're truly worried about your line dying out, then you have a long list of potentials suitors to choose from." It just wouldn't be Madara. He couldn't do it. He'd spent the day laying to rest thousands upon thousands of Chikara warriors. Madara wasn't ready to bury his heart and soul alongside them for the sake of practicality.
Yumi sighs and her hands slip away as she sits on the trunk of a fallen tree. "None whom are of any interest to me." Only one, and even then, she wasn't entirely sure. How could one be sure of the difference between a true mate or an ordinary bond of powerful attraction when their exposure had begun as children and before the maturing of those instincts?
"You will find someone." Madara sighs as he pulls her up. "I know you will. I'm sorry that I hurt you on today of all days, but it would hurt more in the longer run if I was selfish enough to accept your offer. Come...let's rejoin the others."
"Alright." Yumi hums tiredly as she allows her king to take her hands. "But you should know that I won't be the last to make this offer. You'll need to navigate them carefully, especially when your Bijin returns." If he returned.
Madara takes her into his arms and embraces her. It pained him to see his childhood friend suffer this way. Even worse to know that he was partially responsible for Yumi's torment. "I'm well aware and I will respond accordingly. I know that you think me a fool and you're right. It's been three years and I haven't received any word from Izuna, but I can't bring myself to do it. To give up on love. Not yet. He promised."
"Then you have more faith in love than I do." Yumi closes her eyes and sighs. Despite his conqueror's ambitions, Madara was a kind soul, she knew that well. If only her love wasn't so dedicated…or oblivious.
"Love is worth fighting for, but even I have my limits." Madara caresses her cheek. Things would have been simpler if Yumi or really anyone else had been his precious one. He had to go and fall in love with the one who person who considered his love a liability or some sort of test he had to pass. "If he never returns, one day...I will find a surrogate and ensure the Chikara empire has an heir. If that happens the people will celebrate as what little remains of my soul dies, but I will not replace Izuna with another."
Yumi's eyes brighten and darken with a wistful sadness. "Then I pray that your Bijin returns soon. I would not see my friend's soul die when he still has so much life yet to live."
"I pray it as well and for you to find your own beloved. I do hope for your sake whomever they wind up being, they turn out to be less stubborn than Izuna." Madara wouldn't wish the pain he experienced on a day to day basis on his worst enemy.
"He's not as stubborn, but he's completely oblivious and entirely dedicated to his work." Yumi smiles wryly and looks to the sky. "I wonder…if I could make him jealous enough to tear him away from his work, or if the direct approach would give better results…"
"...You have succeeded in completely baffling me on this night several times over." Madara blinks. The woman made no sense. "You just offered to have my children and now you're telling me you found your beloved? If that's the case, then you should approach him directly. I've never known you to be shy. Who is the lucky Chikara or is he from another species?"
"A Chikara. A man that I can't be sure about. I've known him so long that those…those sparks that they talk about when you meet your mate? I never had them, I think I was too young. Or at least too young to remember. So what stops me is wondering whether I might be wrong about him." And they'd kept her hesitating for years now, unsure as to whether her feelings were right or wrong. Surely if he felt the same way, he would have said something, wouldn't he?
"You're like Izuna. You think entirely too much. If you speculate on any matter at length long enough you can talk yourself out of it." Madara shakes his head. Clearly, his friend needed a not so gentle nudge. "If you're really not sure, I would kiss him. You can always blame it on too much wine if you determine he isn't your match."
"Then…after the worst of the campaign is over, after your Bijin returns, or when three years are up. Whichever comes first." Yumi felt that this was the best possible compromise. "I would rather not bond and have him die without me during the fighting to come. It would crush me."
"After the worst of the campaign fighting is over then." Madara nods. He could understand her hesitation when she put it like that. "It seems the most logical compromise."
Yumi laugh forlornly. "You're lucky, you know? Your mate doesn't have any sort of death wish. Though…I suppose Izuna is in the same boat as I am. You're leading this conquest. You'll be in danger until the moment it ends, and then for many years beyond it as you establish peace."
"I don't feel lucky." Madara shakes his head as he begins guiding her off. Death on the battlefield or even through assassination was something he had prepared for long ago. What he hadn't been ready for was for his mate to leave him voluntarily. That was the opposite of lucky.
"Then I suppose we drown our sorrows together tonight." Yumi was certain that they wouldn't be the only ones. They had much to mourn tonight.
"We can certainly try." Madara was quite certain he could drink an ocean's worth of alcohol and it would never succeed in drowning his sorrows. Half of his very soul was missing. "I do hope that once this campaign is over, you and your Chikara will be happy together. In the meantime, let's try to endure our current situations as best we can. We have each other. That's more than most, my old friend."
"Yes, I suppose that's more than most." Yumi looks to the sky to see the stars beginning to shine above their heads. And she wonders…would Hiroto be the next to go to the stars?