'There you are I was wondering where you disappeared too, come on she just exits the city.' The larger shadow exclaims as it points towards Mitsuko walking.

'My apologies I had…errands to run.' He told him.

'You don't have to lie I saw you passing the note of her scythe to him, with your cloaked disguise.' The smaller shadow seems taken aback by this however he regains his composure a second later.

'It's only natural, she requested a better weapon and if I did not intervene her weapon would've been insufficient.' It explained.

'You don't have to be afraid to say you want to support her before the time is ready. We are supposed to help her after all.'

'Look we need to move on. If we don't we'll lose sight of her come on!' It shouted as the larger shadow laughed.

'If you say so.'

Mitsuko looked behind her occasionally but she never found anyone. She couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her, following her. It made her uncomfortable however she did her best to ignore it and continued on her journey. She walked for a couple of days before feeling lost. She occasionally asked other travellers where the capital was. They said she was going the right way however it didn't feel like it to her. The way to the capital was far longer than she realised. The path itself was a simple paved road littered with green shrubbery and fields.

'Damn I never realised how big China was. I wish Shang Xiang was here then it wouldn't be so damn boring.' She thought to herself as she continued to travel. Roughly a day later she spots a caravan being surrounded by people. She started running towards them thinking they're an escorted caravan but as she got closer she noticed the yellow turban attires and were armed and outnumbered the escort. A few bodies were on the floor. Mitsuko readied her scythe and ran towards them.

'We know he is in there and we killed your friends, bring him out we only want him.' A yellow turban threatened to someone who looks like an imperial soldier who was disarmed.

'Never! He's the only one that can help you all. Please just see reason!' He pleaded.

'No our forces are still alive and strong! We'll bring about the way of peace and his death is necessary prepare to die!' He shouts before he was interrupted by his companion.

'Hey boss who's that coming this way? Should we engage them?' He looked at Mitsuko and recognised her weapon's blade from afar.

'Oh no it's the reaper she's here! No one else uses a weapon like that!' He started to panic.

'The snake reaper!? What do we do?' The yellow turbans desperately try to figure out a solution or how to get rid of Mitsuko however their fear got to the better of them.

'Let's retreat for now we'll kill him another day!' The leader ordered and they scattered away from the carriage. By the time Mitsuko reached the carriage the few yellow turbans were out of her reach. She looked more disappointed in herself and she wondered why, it's not like she didn't help at all. However the thought of spilling blood was quite a pleasant thought to her but she never understood why now of all things. The guard walks up to her as soon as she's near the carriage.

'Oh thank you my lady you saved us!' The guard expressed his gratitude to Mitsuko who blushes slightly due to embarrassment.

'It was nothing really. By the way you wouldn't happen to know where Luo Yang is would you? I travelled for at least a week from Chang Sha and I just want to know if I'm going the right way?' She questions the guard.

'I'm sorry to say my lady but you're too far east of Luo Yang I'm afraid.' He regretted to inform her while she looked a little frustrated with herself.

'Damnit! I knew I shouldn't have taken the right at the crossroads!'She sighs defeated as she puts her hands on her hips and looks down while shaking her head.

'Perhaps we can help guide you to Luo Yang it is the least we can do especially since we are heading their ourselves. We would be honoured if you could join us.' A voice coming from inside the carriage replied. The door opened of the carriage opens to reveal a young man no more than a child looking similar to Mitsuko's age. He wore very expensive looking robes symbolising his royalty. He also wears a hat of some kind looking similar to graduate caps that Mitsuko saw on tv however this one was more longer and the frills were exchanged for small gold chains. When he steps out the carriage the soldier went down on one knee and bowed his head.

'My emperor are you sure?' Mitsuko was surprised to see that he was the emperor of the land at the time. He seemed a little too young to have the

'I don't see why not there is room in the cart for another and it is the least we can do after all for our saviour after all.' He smiles graciously as he stepped in the cart with the guard climbing on the front.

'Come.' The emperor offered his hand to Mitsuko who hesitated for a moment before accepting it and climbing aboard. She closes the door behind her as the guard started to move the carriage. Mitsuko sighed of relief when she sat down opposite the emperor and places her scythe on the floor which was as long as the carriage itself.

'My, that is an impressive weapon where did you acquire it?' The emperor asks with curiosity, looking amazed at the scythe.

'This? Oh Lord Sun Jian escorted me back to Chang Sha to get it improved. However I never expected the blacksmith to do something like this.' She answers.

'Ahh Sun Jian, I was told he is quite the loyal follower of the Han.' He told her. Mitsuko nods in agreement affirming what he had been told. The two sat in silence for a while before Mitsuko realises something.

'if you're the emperor how come you're not at the capital my lord?' She questions.

'Well it's a bit of a long story.'

'I believe I have the time my lord.' She replied.

'Ok but you can't tell anyone this ok?' The emperor requested with a quiet voice.

'Of course not I swear.' Mitsuko answers.

'Well because of my age the power I had been transferred to the eunuchs who were greedy with power so they made me arrange deals which gave them power. They kept doing this with the child emperors before me. After the rebellion they tried to transport me somewhere before they were stopped thankfully by imperial forces and Dong Zhuo. He said his forces will keep me safe and he provided me with an escort as they were cleaning up the eunuchs. We were on our way to the capital when we were ambushed and you know the rest.' The emperor explained to Mitsuko who listened intently and began thinking to herself.

'So it's just the time when Dong Zhuo kidnapped the emperor huh? I thought the eunuch thing was much later…is that why I'm here? To help the emperor and subvert the timeline or something? But why would someone want that to happen?' Several questions surfaced her mind as she began to think up more scenarios to accompany her questions.

'My lady are you ok?' The emperor asks with concern. Mitsuko snaps out of her trance like status and nods her head.

'Erm yeah I'm fine don't worry your highness.' She responded as the emperor smiles gently.

'So what brings you to the capital? Judging from the way you are dressed you coming back on duty perhaps?' He questions while Mitsuko shakes her head.

'Not really your highness, truth be told I was just a volunteer soldier in the rebellion…however someone told me I should consider signing up full time in the imperial army. So I thought I should journey here after my brief visit at Chang Sha and well you know the rest.' She lied. She thought she should keep some things a secret, if she told him something told her come here through her feelings he would've thought she was crazy. She still didn't know what she was also going to do when they reached the capital so perhaps applying for the army might not be a bad idea for her.

'Interesting. I did not know women were allowed in the military.'

'They weren't…I had a disguise however during battle it came off.' She admitted.

'Well in any event you have my gratitude for saving me, why don't you come with me to the imperial palace?' he requests as Mitsuko looks up with surprise.

'Are you sure I wouldn't want to intrude.' She replies.

'Nonsense I insist it is the least I can do.' He told her as Mitsuko contemplated this for a while before responding.

'Ok sure I'd be honoured your highness.' She did the hand gesture and bows her head not seeing the emperor's smile. They arrived at the capital early in the morning. Mitsuko was kept awake by being uncomfortable sleeping in this place next to essentially a stranger of royalty. She never was too comfortable with sharing rooms with a stranger when it came to sleep. Outside wasn't a problem as long as she slept in her own tent alone...well until recently that wasn't an issue.

The carriage had stopped and the emperor disembarked after the guard opening the wooden door and making way for the emperor. Mitsuko follows him outside and she was blown away by the size of it. It was even bigger than Chang Sha and even more people in the streets even in the early hours of the morning. She looked around to see huge walls larger than Chang Sha's making the citizens feel safe from any threats. She also saw the imperial place which was massive in scale. She had a feeling you could see it outside the city even with the massive 15ft walls. She saw that more and more people began to surround the carriage outside the path to the palace as a large man started to walk towards the emperor along with a group of imperial soldiers armed with shields and spears. As he got closer Mitsuko saw that he had a bushy beard and was dressed in rather expensive purple clothing while also wearing imperial robes that barely fit his large figure.

'Ahh your highness I'm glad you have arrived here unharmed.' This large figure tells him while kneeling in front of him. Something about his repulsive voice made Mitsuko's voice skin crawl.

'Thank you Lord Dong Zhuo. I must say I'm grateful for your rescue, your timing was exceptional.' The emperor expresses his gratitude as Dong Zhuo got up and lays his eyes on Mitsuko and immediately walked towards her.

'And who is this beautiful lady?' He asked as he helped himself to Mitsuko's hand and kisses making her extremely uncomfortable.

'Her name's Mitsuko and she saved me. If it wasn't for her I would be dead.' He explains as Dong Zhuo looks at her again.

'It's a pleasure my lady it would be nice if we could see each other again under better circumstances.' He replies with an arrogant smirk on his face. A repugnant stench surrounded Dong Zhuo which overpowered Mitsuko quite a bit who couldn't reply as she feared something bad would happen if she brought it up. She covered her mouth as she felt the urge to vomit. Her eyes briefly flashed a dark orange as the stench of Dong Zhuo first came to Mitsuko's attention. Dong Zhuo lets go of Mitsuko's hand who sighs a breath of relief.

'Your highness if you would allow me to escort you to the palace? The servants are preparing a feast for your arrival.' He told the emperor who nods in response and motions Mitsuko to follow him. Mitsuko wondered if she actually should accompany the emperor. However a familiar voice appears in her mind yet again.

'It it is fine for you to join him after all I think you deserve a good meal.' It chuckles slightly as it gradually gets quieter until silence fills Mitsuko's mind. She wonders what that voice inside her head actually is. She thinks it has a connection with that snake that dragged her to this time period in the first place. She pushed the thoughts to one side and tried to focus on what's happening in front of her. They started to escort the emperor as Mitsuko quickened her pace to rejoin them. She felt the eyes of the peasants stare at her with curiosity. They murmured questions about her to each other wondering where she came from, why she was with the emperor and why she has that farming tool with her. Some were even judging saying how she couldn't get a husband if she continued to do whatever she was doing. It got on her nerves but she ignored it for the most part.

They were escorted to the imperial palace itself which gigantic. It blew Mitsuko's mind with just how big the main hall was when she walked through the giant gates. She saw the red velvet carpet lead up to the centre of the room. Revealing steps that lead to a golden throne with a small table next to it. She stared at the magnificence of it as she walked past it being escorted by Dong Zhuo and his men. Mitsuko also occasionally glanced at female servants passing by tending to the needs of the advisors and such. One of them caught Mitsuko's glancing and smiled gently at her as Mitsuko looked away turning a very light crimson colour. She forgot for a moment what time period she's actually in and she can't let her preferences be known at least for the moment. Then again perhaps since its not a big thing she can get away with it? Mitsuko quickly shook her head to get those thoughts out of her mind now wasn't the time for those types of ideas.

They reached a long room where various advisors and officials were sitting at a long table stretching from one room to the other with various food scattered across. Mitsuko never saw as much food in her life than on this table. Everything smelt so good and some of the officials began to slightly drool over the sight in front of them. Mitsuko remembered some of the research she did and remembered that the reason why the land was in chaos was because of the famine that people was experiencing. Knowing this Mitsuko began to feel rather guilty, however it didn't stop her digging in this gigantic feast fit for the gods as soon as other officials did. She sat left to the emperor who insisted her presence to make him feel safer.

Around ten minutes later Mitsuko feels something was off, she looked up to see everyone stay completely still. A familiar voice spoke but it sounded like it was all around her she stood up and picks up her scythe that was laying down on the floor next to her. She looks around frantically trying to locate the source of this mysterious voice.

'Do not be alarmed Mitsuko.' It spoke with a dark but quiet voice almost a whisper.

'Who are you?' she asked while it chuckles.

'I? I am what you desssire the mossst of courssse granted if you want it hard enough.' It repliesputting more emphasis on the s' similar to a serpent.

'Ok…I don't quite understand but did you bring me here.'

'Yes.' It replied bluntly.

'Ok why?'

'Why not? You didn't want to sstay there and wanted to be sstrong, I wanted to have ssome entertainment I think this workss out for both of uss.' It answered with less emphasis on the s' than before.

'But why me specifically surely you could've picked someone else to entertain you.'

'You're right but I wanted you, look time is short for you it may seem like time has stopped but I assure its not. Look behind you.' He ordered. Mitsuko didn't want to but she complied and saw a servant holding a tray containing a golden chalice with what seemed to be alcohol in it.

'That's just a waiter what's so special about him?' She asks while the mysterious voice chuckles again.

'Look again with better eyes.'

'Better eyes? What are you-ARGH!' She went down on one knee and covered her eyes with her hands in pain as her eyes felt like they were being split open. Her pupils stretched out slit shaped like a snake in a slower fashion. A burning sensation appeared at Mitsuko's eyes. Her left eye changed colour to a bright steel silver. Her right eye turned to a Vivian colour. The pain subsided soon as her eyes had turned and looked at the waiter as instructed. She could see through the chalice and noticed that the liquid has a strange sight in it, almost like green smoke. She also noticed something shiny in the shape of a dagger concealed in his sash underneath his robes. As soon as she spotted them the pain returned but it wasn't as strong as before. She winces as they return to normal.

'I'm impressed you handled that pretty well all things considered.' He acknowledged.

'What the fuck was that!?' she demanded to know looking all around her. The voice chuckles.

'I think you'll…find out in due time. However I don't have the power to do this again so from here on out you will be on your own. You see what you had to, let's see what you're going to do from here.' It chuckles yet again as they begin to be quieter and quieter until silence filled it for a split second before Mitsuko sees everyone moving again and her sitting at her place next to the emperor. She looks around for the servant and as if just on cue he appears next to the emperor and lays down the golden chalice next to him standing in between her and the emperor. Mitsuko grabs the knife steathily with her left hand and stops the emperor from taking the cup.

'I'm sorry your highness but someone of your stature can't pick up drinks without someone tasting them first. There could be poison perhaps the servant wouldn't mind drinking it.' She smirks slightly as she sees the servant starts to panic.

'How ridiculous I've been a servant of his highness' lineage for 20 years. I assure you its perfectly fine.' His voice started to shake slightly as the emperor begins to be sceptical.

'If you are so sure there's no need to be defensive right?' Mitsuko asks as she sees the servant's face turn to anger. The emperor orders the guards to take the servant away as he pulls out a dagger.

'Die like the rest of your family you brat!' He shouts as he pulls out the dagger from its scabbard. He stops in his tracks as Mitsuko uses the knife to stab him right in the chest. A small gasp of air escapes his mouth as he gets knocked back to the pillar behind him and slowly slides down it. The rest of the officials stand up and shout at the other servants for food tasters and the chefs responsible for the feast. They feared for their life. The emperor however turned to Mitsuko and gives her a gracious smile.

'You saved my life again my lady I am most grateful.' He bows as Mitsuko begins to get embarrassed. She wasn't used to receiving compliments still.

'Oh it was nothing your highness. Really.' She insisted smiling rather nervously. The emperor chuckles slightly at this.

'Well in any rate you have saved me twice, it would do my heart some good if you were to become my full time bodyguard. I know you have plans on joining the imperial army. However I cannot think of anyone else who I would entrust my life to.' He replied as several official and advisors went against that idea completely for a variety of reasons as the hall began in an uproar with both sides debating. Mitsuko couldn't get her thoughts straight at all. She's being offered to be the emperor's bodyguard! Should she accept is what she's asking herself. This could be why she felt compelled to come here in the first place and it's not like she was loaded. Her purse was completely empty, maybe being the bodyguard for him for a couple of years might be good for her to travel. Then again it's not like she has anywhere important to be right so its not like she was in a hurry. She made up her mind as knelt down on one knee.

'Your highness it would be an honour to accept your gracious offer.'