-1In the arms of my lover!
My world revolves around yours.
Ritsuko looked away in disgust as Asuka threw her gift away. The bag of coin hit the ground and erupted bearing it contents to the world. Only the sounds of awes and the looks of longing graced the bar patrons they wanted to take the gold but was to afraid of angering female fire wielder.
"I asked for a horde. Not pocket change." she roared as her face was stuffed with dumplings.
"And that you will get." a voice called out from behind her. It sounded just like Ritsuko but with a touch of seniority. Asuka turned with the dumpling still in her mouth. "I see that you have arrived on time. I like when everything follows a schedule. Don't you Ritsuko?" the voice asked.
"Yes mother." was the answer. The fact that two of the masters of the Akagi House came into there tavern pleased the owners now they had to get rid of the Redhead and business would boom. Asuka belched at the woman who just smiled at her. Asuka wasn't stupid she could take on a single Tao sorcerer with ease now matter how powerful. She could take on a Tao witch with ease no matter how powerful. But a Tao sorcerer and a Tao witch together, two extremely powerful in their craft would prove too problematic too challenge openly.
"You summoned me from my home. You promised me a horde Naoko and that sac of coins isn't enough to appease Asuka Langley Sohryu " she asked the witch finishing up the last of the sake.
"Yes, Asuka was it. I didn't know you had a normal name. My mistress always referred to you as Legendary Fire Demon. I will have to learn your name."
"Enough with the pleasantries. You want my skills for what reason?"
"Please Asuka let not talk here but back in my home." Asuka stood up kicking the bag of coins out of her way as she walked . Ritsuko laid a few coins to pay for the meal. Then followed Naoko and Asuka out of the tavern back to their home. After the normal ceremonies of host and guest even though Asuka didn't return said courtesies, she was offered a seat and more sake. Her tolerance for liquor was high even for one of her brood.
"I want you to meet with the emperor. And I promise you that the horde make what you have gathered looked like that sack of coins you kicked earlier." Asuka's interested peeked. She only that gold rival the horde of German King Zeppelin was the imperial coffers and there was no way she could gain that horde without destroying the high throne and it's holder. But the two palace magicians offered her a great horde for meeting with the emperor. She had heard stories of his strength; he wasn't exceptionally powerful but he was to be consider weak. She saw no harm in meeting him.
"Very well. I will meet this emperor." she informed her.
"Good if all goes as I have foretold it. His arrival should be in 5...4...3...2...1..."
"The emperor is in the city. The emperor is in the city." a servant screamed at the top of his lungs as the countdown ended. Ritsuko turned to her mother who's face was graced with a slight smile.
Misato rode in the imperial sedan instead on horseback like Shinji or Kaji. She sat beside Reika who like her wondered where master Fuyutsuki. Shinji enter Osuka and he hated every moment of it. His mother used to be a member of the Akagi House though not a full fledge blood member her power allowed her entry. And when she was chosen over Ritsuko to be the wife of the emperor, the entire house had disowned her though it was never announced publicly. The Akagi had not desire the knowledge being leaked as it would weaken their stranglehold over the hearts of the empire. But if the emperor was in fact mystical inclined, he would be forced to enter their house. He slowly approached the door to the compound. Misato and Reika at his side, the doors opened and the a redhead warrior stood before him. She stared at him he stared at her. The staring lasted a whole of twenty minutes, Misato was to busy dealing with Kaji and Reika to notice. Asuka moved out Shinji's way slowly and let him through. She followed as he walked farther into the compound. Naoko watched as he entered after the ceremonies between host and guest then the ceremonies between emperor and subject. When these time honored traditions were finished. Naoko broke the ice the best way she knew how, withexplosives.
"Yui was killed because she betrayed her oath." she said in a disturbingly calm manner.
"Her oath?" he asked taking a seat he completely ignored Asuka's presence for the time being concentrating only on Naoko.
"Were supposed to be a girl. Or rather Reika was supposed to be born first." she said not caring about anyone's feeling.
"Why? Did the Akagi want the a woman on the throne?"
"The Akagi masters are all female. We have no male masters. Now that you are here we are forced to accept you into our house. And because you are emperor we can't just say no or kill you to maintain our freedom."
"Why are you so heartless?"
"Because I gave my heart the emperor who gave it to Yui who in turn when you were born gave it to you."
"I don't understand." he forced out. Tea was served to only the two talkers. Shinji didn't grab for his tea though. Asuka had reached for and after taking a sip she placed the cup to his lip for him to drink. He or she thought nothing of it but Naoko noticed. She had foreseen this. Shinji hidden power was his first heart he was born with kind and loving. It could tame the storm of emotion in anyone however the second one, Naoko's, made him attracted to those who worshipped strength. In combination with his high probability he is a sorcerer, made him a dangerous being. Asuka wiped Shinji's mouth with a kiss. Brushing her tongue against his bottom lip begging to be let in to his mouth. She felt the soft caress of his tongue as it cautiously slipped out his mouth. Her face lit up. Naoko held her hand over heart chest as she drunk her tea. It was racing and the pounding in both Shinji's and her chest. Naoko missed that feeling she missed that sensation of a love could bring. Yes Shinji was in love with Asuka in one of his hearts and in the other he loved Rei. Kissing went to petting, petting went to heavy petting. Then from heavy petting to a full blown sexual encounter. Naoko laid her cup down and stood. She wanted to check out something. She was a staunch believer in the divine power at the emperor's command. So if the emperor want fuck in her waiting room she would allow him to do so. She stood up saluted and left the waiting room. Jealous of Asuka's and Rei's good fortune.
"it seems aside from the hair color, he and Gendo clearly share other traits." she thought. Ritsuko was just outside as she heard Asuka's moaning and screaming she turned her head in disgust. Naoko walked over and held Ritsuko's face so that she had choice but listen.
"What you hear isn't the sound of pleasure. What you hear is the sound of your rise to power." Naoko told her. Ritsuko frowned as she listened to Shinji's name was screamed over and over again. Naoko nodded over Kaji as he took his position on the only entrance to waiting. She took Ritsuko to an inner chamber where Misato and Reika sat patiently. Misato stood up made the normal ceremonies and sat back down. She was happy that Naoko took time out of her busy schedule and on short notice to visit with them.
"I thank you for the emperor and myself. Please tell me is he able to become a sorcerer."
"He is clearly his mother's son. And a bit of his father as well. Shinji may even be as strong as Ritsuko maybe stronger." Misato eyes lit up hearing her words.
Rei look over into the eyes of Fuyutsuki. But it wasn't the Fuyutsuki from the imperial courts. It was Fuyutsuki the dragon. His face had hard patches of gray scales, looked at her with similar reptilian eyes.
"Old dragon what is it you seek to impart?" she asked as the wind kissed her skin.
"Why is that assumed that I come to impart wisdom on you?" he inquired.
"We are dragons. Humans have social visits we only interact to spread knowledge and wisdom."
"I understand. Very well. Shinji and another had become one." he said hoping that her facial expression revealed something but it didn't. She simply stared.
"So I gave him my heart. And I don't mind as long I have his heart."
"Shinji was born with two hearts. One host feelings for you the other host feeling for another."
"is that why he is so benevolent to the world? Is that why he is a dream?" she asked.
"No but is why he cursed to die in the arms of his lover. You must never touch him with the other woman. Because it will kill him."
"Who is the other woman?"
"Your hated enemy." Instantly centuries of memories came flooding back, the battles between two over the land. Now another battle between the two over Shinji would begin. Rei dropped to the ground she dug into the ground and pulled up to clumps of dirty. "How is that possible?"
"A Tao witch is setting thing up for two reasons. One is clear…the witch can't die as long as her heart is beating. She will never age nor regain her true powers."
"How do you know there is two motives?"
"Because for a every selfish act a Tao witch performs she must perform one for the good of someone else."