PART 14
As soon as the two were done narrating the purpose of their presence Hotosashi welcomed them and let them stay in his palace. It turned out that Hotasashi knew Mitsugami by reputation.
It took Chirikoshino, Mitsugami and the emperor 20 minutes to discuss in the conference room before Tamakira and Taskuragi were summoned to join in.
"About time." Taskuragi said, looking bored in waiting.
The two sat by the emperor's sides.
"You are to be aware of a very important matter," Hotosashi said before the two could ask any question, "we shall wait for the empress and her steward before I discuss this since-"
"Look, if I'm going to wait any longer I might as well move out and look for Miyakaede-" spluttered Taskuragi loudly but,
"Ah, I almost forgot the Lady. Yes please, soldier, do invite her here," smiled Hotosashi.
"Aw-right!" Taskuragi straightened up quickly and grinned evilly at Tamakira who wished so much he could be the one Rukawa would see just as he opened his eyes.
Taskuragi didn't even knock, good thing Rukawa was still asleep.
"Wake up my lady, hi!" Taskuragi smiled as he sat on the foot of Rukawa's bed. With this he woke up to see who it was.
"Go away, teme," came the reply and went back to sleep.
"Oh, how I wish to be the first object you see whenever you wake up," Taskuragi said, as though reciting a poem. He pulled Rukawa by the wrist with great effort but it was no use.
"You want a kiss? I'll give you then," Taskuragi said happily, he was to lean for the kiss but Rukawa shoved him off real hard that he fell on the floor.
"How strong you are, lady," Taskuragi said. He was about to make for another move but Rukawa gave him a menacing look of intense fury.
"Alright, I'll just tell Hotosashi you're not in the mood for anything. Bye." Said Taskuragi who seemed too frightened to lay another hand on Rukawa as the latter fell back to sleep.
When the meeting ended with everyone present except for Rukawa, rooms were asked to be prepared for the two visitors. The object of their sudden visit was due to the necessity of seeking alliance with other kingdoms since Ryosaka was in terrible need of order especially now that the empire had no rightful heir. Following the death of its ruler, Ryosaka continuously suffered from external attacks by the army of Makigo who so desired to expand his territory and since there were grave internal problems within the said kingdom (specifically the uprising of its residents), it was impossible to protect itself from the assailants. Hence, the eventual fall of the state was at hand which pushed Mitsugami and Chirikoshino to flee and seek the nearby kingdom of Hotosashi. Hotosashi, however, was in great interest concerning the devices of his rival Makigo that he right away agreed to join forces with the remnant of Ryosaka army. He felt seriously that it was his sole duty to defeat Makigo by all means and to eradicate his merciless army and followers. Though it seemed very much that fortune came to him all too sudden, he was still grieved by the fact that Lord Taoka had indeed perished and was no more. The latter had been a friend of Hotosashi's late father but after his death contacts between the two kingdoms became less frequent, nevertheless, the two were still in mutual friendship against the Lord Makigo.
The next day,
There was a commotion among the members of the household that everyone seemed to be too worried to explain to Taskuragi what had just happened. Rukawa, however, didn't notice any difference. Fujima's still a crossdresser, Sendoh and Sakuragi are still hentais, Mitsui's still handsome….he was thinking to himself.
"What is it? Can anyone please try to explain to me what's this all about? Need I be reminded all the time that I'm the red sheep of this household?" Taskuragi was complaining again and again until Tamakira decided to speak up,
"It's the letter for the emperor that arrived this morning,"
"So? Doesn't he get one all the time?"
"Well, yes. But it was an invitation from Koainan in celebration for the 16th birthday of the Prince Tomoichi,"
"Oh, so Hotosashi again would have the honor of hanging out with the crowd of beautiful women, and we'll be left to look after this-"
"No, do you understand what's this all about? Really, I thought you could've been at least as smart as first graders," said Tamakira irritably.
" No. What's your point?"
"Well, Koainan's Makigo's empire, right? And everyone here knows he wants to put an end on emperor Hotosashi's reign and all. Didn't it ever cross your mind that there's an evil plot here? They might've been finished with the emperor's assassination plan long before and they've just been waiting for the right moment which is that day, do you sense danger in all this?" said Tamakira losing his temper.
"For Hotosashi, yes, and for you, yes also. You're suffering from hypochondria-"
"I give up." Tamakira finished but,
"The Lady Nurikenji has just been sent the very same invitation," a voice was heard from behind them. It was Chichitoru who seemed to be more depressed than usual.
"What would you expect? She's an empress after all," answered Tamakira.
"Only she was asked by the Prince himself to be his escort for the night," said Chichitoru.
"WHAT?! She didn't say yes, did she?" the two asked, looking aghast.
"Unfortunately, she did. It was the Prince's request. He has been filled with love for the Lady and was among her ardent suitors for the time running. I reckon it's just pity in the part of the Lady to accept so bold an offer," said Chichitoru in a worried voice.
"Wow. That just says you still have a chance with the empress in case she pities you for what you feel for her," Taskuragi told Chichitoru shamelessly.
"Not funny," Tamakira glared at Taskuragi and then turned to Chichitoru, "Chichitoru, what d'you suppose is to be done here. Surely, you're not trusting the idea that there's nothing behind this?"
"I do. Please understand that Makigo is still an honourable man despite of what he is. I don't think he would dare assail the emperor in such manner especially now when the warriors of Shohozaku aren't yet complete,"
"But-"
"The emperor is of like mind, my lord, please have faith in that,"
"Well, as you wish," answered Tamakira practically more troubled than before.
As soon as the two were done narrating the purpose of their presence Hotosashi welcomed them and let them stay in his palace. It turned out that Hotasashi knew Mitsugami by reputation.
It took Chirikoshino, Mitsugami and the emperor 20 minutes to discuss in the conference room before Tamakira and Taskuragi were summoned to join in.
"About time." Taskuragi said, looking bored in waiting.
The two sat by the emperor's sides.
"You are to be aware of a very important matter," Hotosashi said before the two could ask any question, "we shall wait for the empress and her steward before I discuss this since-"
"Look, if I'm going to wait any longer I might as well move out and look for Miyakaede-" spluttered Taskuragi loudly but,
"Ah, I almost forgot the Lady. Yes please, soldier, do invite her here," smiled Hotosashi.
"Aw-right!" Taskuragi straightened up quickly and grinned evilly at Tamakira who wished so much he could be the one Rukawa would see just as he opened his eyes.
Taskuragi didn't even knock, good thing Rukawa was still asleep.
"Wake up my lady, hi!" Taskuragi smiled as he sat on the foot of Rukawa's bed. With this he woke up to see who it was.
"Go away, teme," came the reply and went back to sleep.
"Oh, how I wish to be the first object you see whenever you wake up," Taskuragi said, as though reciting a poem. He pulled Rukawa by the wrist with great effort but it was no use.
"You want a kiss? I'll give you then," Taskuragi said happily, he was to lean for the kiss but Rukawa shoved him off real hard that he fell on the floor.
"How strong you are, lady," Taskuragi said. He was about to make for another move but Rukawa gave him a menacing look of intense fury.
"Alright, I'll just tell Hotosashi you're not in the mood for anything. Bye." Said Taskuragi who seemed too frightened to lay another hand on Rukawa as the latter fell back to sleep.
When the meeting ended with everyone present except for Rukawa, rooms were asked to be prepared for the two visitors. The object of their sudden visit was due to the necessity of seeking alliance with other kingdoms since Ryosaka was in terrible need of order especially now that the empire had no rightful heir. Following the death of its ruler, Ryosaka continuously suffered from external attacks by the army of Makigo who so desired to expand his territory and since there were grave internal problems within the said kingdom (specifically the uprising of its residents), it was impossible to protect itself from the assailants. Hence, the eventual fall of the state was at hand which pushed Mitsugami and Chirikoshino to flee and seek the nearby kingdom of Hotosashi. Hotosashi, however, was in great interest concerning the devices of his rival Makigo that he right away agreed to join forces with the remnant of Ryosaka army. He felt seriously that it was his sole duty to defeat Makigo by all means and to eradicate his merciless army and followers. Though it seemed very much that fortune came to him all too sudden, he was still grieved by the fact that Lord Taoka had indeed perished and was no more. The latter had been a friend of Hotosashi's late father but after his death contacts between the two kingdoms became less frequent, nevertheless, the two were still in mutual friendship against the Lord Makigo.
The next day,
There was a commotion among the members of the household that everyone seemed to be too worried to explain to Taskuragi what had just happened. Rukawa, however, didn't notice any difference. Fujima's still a crossdresser, Sendoh and Sakuragi are still hentais, Mitsui's still handsome….he was thinking to himself.
"What is it? Can anyone please try to explain to me what's this all about? Need I be reminded all the time that I'm the red sheep of this household?" Taskuragi was complaining again and again until Tamakira decided to speak up,
"It's the letter for the emperor that arrived this morning,"
"So? Doesn't he get one all the time?"
"Well, yes. But it was an invitation from Koainan in celebration for the 16th birthday of the Prince Tomoichi,"
"Oh, so Hotosashi again would have the honor of hanging out with the crowd of beautiful women, and we'll be left to look after this-"
"No, do you understand what's this all about? Really, I thought you could've been at least as smart as first graders," said Tamakira irritably.
" No. What's your point?"
"Well, Koainan's Makigo's empire, right? And everyone here knows he wants to put an end on emperor Hotosashi's reign and all. Didn't it ever cross your mind that there's an evil plot here? They might've been finished with the emperor's assassination plan long before and they've just been waiting for the right moment which is that day, do you sense danger in all this?" said Tamakira losing his temper.
"For Hotosashi, yes, and for you, yes also. You're suffering from hypochondria-"
"I give up." Tamakira finished but,
"The Lady Nurikenji has just been sent the very same invitation," a voice was heard from behind them. It was Chichitoru who seemed to be more depressed than usual.
"What would you expect? She's an empress after all," answered Tamakira.
"Only she was asked by the Prince himself to be his escort for the night," said Chichitoru.
"WHAT?! She didn't say yes, did she?" the two asked, looking aghast.
"Unfortunately, she did. It was the Prince's request. He has been filled with love for the Lady and was among her ardent suitors for the time running. I reckon it's just pity in the part of the Lady to accept so bold an offer," said Chichitoru in a worried voice.
"Wow. That just says you still have a chance with the empress in case she pities you for what you feel for her," Taskuragi told Chichitoru shamelessly.
"Not funny," Tamakira glared at Taskuragi and then turned to Chichitoru, "Chichitoru, what d'you suppose is to be done here. Surely, you're not trusting the idea that there's nothing behind this?"
"I do. Please understand that Makigo is still an honourable man despite of what he is. I don't think he would dare assail the emperor in such manner especially now when the warriors of Shohozaku aren't yet complete,"
"But-"
"The emperor is of like mind, my lord, please have faith in that,"
"Well, as you wish," answered Tamakira practically more troubled than before.