I'm With You

Just for all you Exalted fans.....I made up the Sun Festival. It's a plot device, nothing more. No flames please.

For those of you who were really waiting for this story, I'm sorry it's taking so long to post, but I have 2 others in the process and I am TRYING REALLY HARD to get these out as fast as possible.

I am currently writing a story called "Fall From Grace" under the pseudonym "Peleps Jirden". It's about a Solar Exalted who becomes an Abyssal after his "death". I hope you all enjoy this story as well as that one....Perhaps I'll even begin a Dragon-blooded story, with the right amount of reviews, of course. *wink, nudge*

Okay....Now I bring to you the Sun Festival. This is gonna be a long chapter, so PLEASE bring popcorn, soda, and pocky...because you're in for a LOVELY ride.

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Part 4: Everything's a Mess

Taking a sip of his wine, Shuuichi watched the festivities from his own window at the palace, not knowing whether or not he should join. Currently he was alone in his bedroom, curled up onto his window seat with a book and a glass of his favorite red wine. Titus was currently outside of the bedroom, keeping Shuuichi's many admirers at bay.

Not that Shuuichi worried about such things. Titus was more than capable of protecting him from overzealous admirers. Those who had dared stand against his bodyguard had been either dispatched or they no longer appeared in Shuuichi's common room. The other's had gotten the point and left Shuuichi alone when he wanted his privacy.

The sun was currently at it's Zenith and he knew that Eclipse was probably somewhere trying to pray to their mutual god. Eclipse had told him that the Unconquered Sun enjoyed this festival, liking that his Chosen had done such a thing in order to worship. Shuuichi was glad. At least he knew that he was in the Unconquered Sun's good graces.

Everyone seemed to be having such a great time, and Shuuichi knew that he would never be able to enjoy himself today. There was just so much on his mind. The current peace negotiations with Lookshy were taking longer than he had thought, as well as the trade negotiations with Thorns. Soon, Shuuichi knew that he would have to go to that place and face the Deathlord that he had helped to weaken so long ago. Being Eclipse Caste, he knew that he was the only one who had the diplomatic immunity, as well as the negotiation skills that were required in order to get what Coruscant needed. That was one trip he was NOT looking forward to.

Seiryuu, his canary, suddenly landed on his shoulder, looking at the window expectantly. Shuuichi smiled, opening it enough for the little bird to fly out. "Have fun with Illasyl, Seiryuu." he said, waiting for the bird to begin his reprimand. Seiryuu hated with Shuuichi secluded himself like this.

~Shu going to have fun today?~ Seiryuu suddenly asked, looking at him from where he'd perched on Shuuichi's fingers. ~Not going to stay here all day, right?~

Shuuichi smiled sadly. "I have alot of work to do, Seiryuu...but perhaps I will take a break at some point."

Seiryuu seemed satisfied with that answer, taking flight and heading toward the docks and his best friend. It was still a joke to their Circle that Ruriel's river-dragon and Shuuichi's canary got along so well. He waited for the little bird to fly out of sight before he closed the window, going back to his writing.

* * * * *

Ruriel watched the archery contest, completely shocked at how talented her friend was. Alexiel was not only good, he was incredible, beating three Dragon-blooded nobles and a Dusk Caste Abyssal Exalted in the long-range contest. It was completely illegal, in such a contest, to use charms and such, being that the contest was also open to mortals. It was a mortal who'd won the short-range contest, much to Ruriel's glee.

It took some of the Exalts down a few pegs, that's for sure.

Alexiel suddenly smiled, taking a bow before his eyes found Ruriel. They instantly lit up at the sight of her and he made his way over to her, smiling as he took his prize--a small bunch of flowers--from a little girl who blushed as she gave them to him.

"Hey, Ruri!" he said, running a hand through his ash-blond hair. "What have you been up to?"

Ruriel smiled. "Nothing much, really, Alexiel." she answered. "Just taking a walk...after ditching Typhon and Tyrael. They were both too interested in sparring to be much fun. I figured I'd come and find you."

Alexiel smirked. "But of course! You know you love me just that much." he joked, offering her his arm as he escorted her toward a water cart. "Speaking of attractive men, where is your brother? I thought you said he'd be with you today."

Ruriel suddenly frowned. "I don't know what his problem is, Alexiel. He just...seems to want to be alone alot more lately."

Alexiel was obviously confused. "But...didn't you say that he was lonely?"

Ruriel shrugged. "Yes, I did."

"So...he's lonely...and he wants to be alone??"

Ruriel sighed. "When you look at it that way, it makes absolutely no sense." she said, shaking her head. "But, that's Shuuichi for you...."

It was Alexiel's turn to shrug. "Well, very few things start out as complicated. People are the one's who think too much and make them more complicated then they have to be."

Ruriel laughed. "You're right, you know." she conceded. "But try telling that to Shu-chan."

Alexiel's smile suddenly became mischievious. "Alright. I will."

Ruriel's eyes narrowed. "Alexiel....."

Alexiel suddenly took off toward the palace. "I will see if I can convince him to come to the festival. Maybe I can get him to stop being such a stick in the mud."

Ruriel laughed, watching him go. "Well, I think if anyone could do it, it would be you, Alexiel."

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Uh oh.....what's Alexiel up to???

*Evil laugh*