Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.
Author's Note: Not much to note. I am having fun with this chapter to drive the storyline.
Year 832, Month December, 6th
White blanketed the ground. The land was frozen and dead for it. Many of the Hayato(Kumaso) were still sullen at the loss of their prior leader's daughter. The peace it'd brought to the Tane Providence felt hollow.
The woman(who married the former leader) Eldest son was irrational and hungry for war. A few of the older and younger warriors were of like mind. And Ryos was using Lucy as a reason for starting the war back up.
Winter had only just begun, and supplies were still plentiful. But they, as a whole, would suffer if Ryos decided to fight the Kuchiki Clan for Lucy.
Who most in the tribe felt was better off away from Sara and her older son.
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"Jushiro, what has been bothering you of late?"
Tired, pale eyes turned to look at Emperor Shinsui. The front spoke volumes, as did the silence.
It was only the two of them in the Royal Chambers. And having been friends since youth, no words were needed between them.
The Hayate(Kumaso) were showing signs of prepping for war. Neither was ignorant about the tribe's newest leader, the Eldest son of the woman Sara, Ryos.
And it didn't bode well either that Koga Kuchiki was becoming restless. The imperial spies placed in the Kuchiki manor kept them updated periodically. So that if anything happened was reported.
"The girl, she is still fine," Emperor Shinsui said. He was trying to choose a more neutral topic.
The flat look he received had him raising his hands in defense. It was amusing that Jushiro had taken to the girl. The man was practically a Eunuch.
Though Shinsui knew it was due to being God-touched. Jushiro was linked to Amaterasu and then placed by his side. Otherwise, Shisui was sure; as a maid's son, he'd never sit on the throne.
"Koga continues to harass her. Each time he is scorned, his anger grows. Now Byakuya is showing interest in her. While Lady Rukia has made it clear without words, Lucy, an enslaved person, is her friend," Jushiro bit out. "And let's not forget each full moon, the power burst from the Kuchiki manor. IT pleases TSukiyomi and aggravates my goddess, Shinsui."
Nodding his head, Shinsui understood roughly what the problem was.
Whatever Lucy was doing was bringing her power out more and more. And if it was learned she, of foreign blood, was gifted by a god.
Giving a shake of his head, Shinsui dismissed Jushiro. All he could hope for was for Lucy to run away and return to the palace with Jushiro's jade token for her safety.
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Ginrei rubbed his temples; his Eldest Grandson and heir were being reckless. The idiot had gotten wide of the Hayate(Kumaso), prepping for war. And the Kumaso were Lucy's people who had abandoned her for peace.
Ginrei was well aware it was that woman's Eldest son, Ryos. He had his informants state they'd seen him near the Kuchiki estates. This Ryos was the Hayates(Kumaso) new leader. However, a leader that acts on the impetus of youth leads their people to destruction.
'tak,tak!'
Lifting his gaze from the documents on his desk, Genrei frowned as he spoke, "Enter."
The door opened, revealing Rukia and Lucy. The latter looked tired and worn. She was still suffering because of Koga and the staff. He'd be chasing out servants who'd been in service for years.
They'd been warned to leave her alone. That Lucy wanted nothing to do with Koga and only to serve Rukia. But, again, Koga interfered to pressure Lucy to sleep with him.
"Grandfather, Lucy would like to talk to you," Rukia said. Her voice was soft as her eyes darted around. "Concerning her- Clan members."
Genrei stiffened. He was unaware of anyone beside him, and his two Grandsons, the butler, and the informants knew of the brewing conflict. Yet as he met Lucy's gaze, he saw a cold, grim resignation in the ordinarily warm brown eyes. It sent a chill down his spine. He knew that look; it was the same as her father's. If she'd been born a man...
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Rukia stared in numb shock. She had been bewildered when Lucy asked her to seek an audience with her Grandfather. When Rukia had asked why Lucy was blunt and said it concerned her clan.
But now Lucy had even made her Grandfather speechless. Rukia could only hold her breath as Lucy put a scroll on his desk.
"You're telling me this was delivered to you without my guards' notice?"
"Yes. We Kumaso have many ways. And trained hawks and other small creatures are just one way. A specialty, if you will," Lucy stated coldly. "And I am a servant in your house. So this has to be reported immediately."
Rukia felt her legs grow weak. Lucy was proud of her origins. Her pride was deep, so was her honor. Yet here she was, betraying her clan and its people.
"Why are you doing this, Lucy?" Genrei asked.
"I was given as a symbol of peace, Lord Genrei. They now plan to break that peace. And honor is gone, and as you read, that arrogant piece of shit plans to attack Kuchiki manor to retrieve me; first, Lord Genrei," Lucy explained. Rukia couldn't believe how detached Lucy's voice sounded. "This is my home now. I will always protect it and the people within it, even if they treat me worse than the shit on the bottom of their slippers. That was the honor I was taught. So, outside of petty servants and your Eldest Grandson, I like my life here."
Rukia let her body slump to the floor. Lucy's words both warmed and chilled her heart. Yet she felt something was not exactly right with Lucy's words.
"I see. Thank you, Lucy. Please escort my Granddaughter back to her quarters. The two of you are to rest until further notice."
Rukia had wanted to hear those words for a long time. Now they were bitter towards her.
"I need to do some house cleaning; then I'll address this."
Rukia allowed Lucy to help her stand and guide her back to her rooms. Her mind was a chaotic mess. But the seriousness of this matter was not lost on her.
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Frowning, Rogue walked into his room. His brother was being stupid and obsessive. Yes, he, himself, missed Lucy. Their mother had no right to do what she did. Ryos was the clan leader, not her.
Then again, Rogue felt sad, and literally, nothing with Ryos slapping their mother for her indiscretion. The sight of his mother's swollen and bruised face did not stir anything in him to come to her defense. She'd overstepped her boundaries to get rid of Lady Layla's daughter.
Yet now Ryos was going to throw away all that Lucy was working for to maintain peace. He'd sent her a message via fox that Ryos knew she'd give to the head of the Kuchiki Clan. He'd heard she flourished as the young Lady of the Kuchiki Clan's handmaid. The warmth in her eyes and smile that could brighten the darkest night was back on her face(most days), according to the few merchants that came and went from the manor for deliveries.
Sighing, Rogue stripped and laid on his pallet. A crossroads would be reached soon. And he had a hard choice to make. And he had to make his choice soon.
TBC!