Disclaimer: I do not own any FY characters mentioned in this story. OOC and AU

Chapter 1 – Knight in Shining Armor

The moon lit the room of a lonely maiden. Its rays illuminating the sad princess' face as she looked up into the stars. The night sky suddenly vanished from the princess' eyes. A shadow came looming down on her. She screamed and fell back in horror. She backed to her bed as the shadow entered her chamber. The creature drew its sword and approached her floating in the air. She covered her face with her arms as the creature posed ready to strike. The princess looked up and saw the shadow gone. In its place, she saw a handsome man, sword in hand covered with what looked like blood. She collapsed on the bed totally shocked. The man approached her.
"Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" he asked.
"Y-yes, I' m fine." She managed to stammer.
The mysterious warrior offered her a hand. She hesitated to accept it. Stunned, the warrior followed her gaze. She was staring at his blood stained sword. He realized her fear and quickly drew her sword back to its scabbard.

"You Highness?" a voice asked jerking Princess Naomi from her thoughts.
"What?" She asked annoyed.
"You were staring blankly at the sky again." Stated the man in front of her.
"Oh." She blushed.
"What were you thinking dear?" the man asked, sitting down on the grass beside her. "Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing, I was just recalling the first time I met you, Nakago." She said looking into his blue eyes.
"I see. The night sky must've brought back memories, my Princess."
"Yes. Happy memories of you and me." She remembers clearly the days and nights they've spent from the first time they met. She smiled the way Nakago handled her in those lovely evenings they have spent with each other.
Nakago had been her bodyguard since the attack. Her father had hired Nakago to watch her but Nakago had done more than that. He had always cared for her, more than a bodyguard – a lover. Although her sisters never liked him, they are always together. Miruko, the youngest sister and Yoriko, older than Miruko, hold some kind of grudge against Nakago and Naomi's relationship. They hated him not because he loved their sister but because they are afraid of Naomi's fragile heart. Countless princes who wanted to marry her because of their wealth had hurt their sister. Miruko and Yoriko thought Nakago's purpose was the same.
"Emergency you Highness!" a guard had came running towards them kneeling in front of Princess Naomi.
"What is it?" she asked in alarm.
"I'm really sorry but Chief Gabriel just died. You father, Emperor Hotohori, is attending to him now with your sister, Princess Miruko. Princess Yoriko sent me for you... and General Nakago."
Naomi quickly got up. "Chief Gabriel died? What happened to father?" Chief Gabriel was her father's best friend and Emperor's right hand. He was also the Empire's Commander-In-chief. Not only that, without Chief Gabriel, the Empire's defenses will truly weaken and the need for a new true leader is in great demand. It is not every day that you find a true leader who can lead Electra's entire forces.
Nakago quickly took Naomi's hand and led her to Chief Gabriel's chamber. Gabriel's wife, Macy, was kneeling beside her husband's bed. Emperor Hotohori, together with Queen Inoue, stood behind Gabriel's weeping wife. Naomi's two sisters were waiting for them at the door.
"Father..." Naomi ran to the Emperor's side. "Father, who will take Gabriel's place?"
"No one will, my child. No one can ever take Gabriel's place..." the Emperor answered in grief.
Nakago stepped forward and kneeled before the Emperor. "You called, my Lord."
"But... someone can fill in." The Emperor stated glancing at Nakago.
Naomi objected, "But father..."
"Sister, you cannot alter what our father, the Emperor, has decided." Miruko interrupted fiercely. "Even the Emperor's daughters and the future Queen of this land, you, cannot bend his rules."
Nakago looked at the Emperor in confusion, "Your Majesty, I ask permission to speak."
Emperor Hotohori nodded.
"Your Majesty, I am just a humble General. Surely, there is someone more suitable as your right hand."
"General, as Emperor, I have made my choice, and I believe it is for the good of all."
"Your Majesty, I am sure Princess Yoriko would like to take charge of the Empire's military affairs."
"My father is the morning and evening star, General. What he says will be written and such will be as he said. (A/N: From the Prince of Egypt)" Yoriko said coldly.
"The ceremony to appoint you as the new Chief will be tomorrow after Gabriel's burial. The Emperor has spoken, you may leave." With that, everyone left leaving Emperor Hotohori to mourn over his best friend's death.

Outside Chief Gabriel's chamber...

"Yoriko, we need to talk..." Miruko said quietly. Yoriko nodded and followed Miruko outside the palace, to the 'front lawn' (A/N: if you can still call it a 'lawn' considering how big it is ^_^;;) and towards the lake where they sat on the big rock overlooking the vast body of water.
Before Miruko could even open her mouth, Yoriko nearly shouted, "How can he do that? Trust Nakago? Oh come on, we all know he's a... he's a..."
"... an enemy?" Miruko finished.
"Yeah, or something close to that."
"Well, like I said, it's the Emperor's order and not even us, his daughters, can't change that."
Yoriko sighed, "Still, I cannot allow HIM to be on top of us... and be in charge of our Empire's defenses. For all we know, he could weaken it and attack us with his own troops! Suboshi was a better man for Naomi."
"Yeah, well, Suboshi is kind and thoughtful but Nakago's Naomi's choice, and that's her decision, not ours. She's the future Queen of this land and has the right to choose who her heart's desire is..." Miruko stated rather quietly.

TBC...

A/N: Please review! Comments and suggestions are always welcomed. Thanks! ^_^v