Kayami was walking through the hall of the Palace carrying several scrolls in her arms, heading back to the private area of Koumei. Kouen, Kougyoku and Kouha had left to investigate a dungeon that had appeared in the Northern Islands, Kayami was left behind to help Koumei...plus avoid the Empress.

She was on an errand for Koumei, he seemed to be helping her avoid his step-mother...aunt...yeah, the whole thing with her was weird since she used to be married to his uncle but when he and his sons died she married his father, the whole thing is weird.

The Ki warrior arrived at the area that Koumei uses to read, it was outside and close to where his birds were. She walked over to him with a smile.

"Here's the scrolls that you requested, Prince Koumei." Kayami said as she placed the said scrolls down next to the Second Imperial Prince.

"Thank you, Lady Kayami." Koumei said when he looks up from the scroll that he was reading.

Kayami smiled as she picked up the scrolls that he had finished reading, "You're welcome, Prince Koumei."

It was silent as she put the scrolls away then she heard Koumei say behind her, "You don't have to be so formal...we're alone at the moment."

She looked over her shoulder at her and smiles, "That's true...sorry, Mei. It's a force of habit now since we're rarely alone with anyone who wouldn't have a seizure about how I should address you." Kayami finished putting the scrolls away and walked back over to him. "And speaking of that, where's Chuu?" Chuu was the nickname that she gave Chuu'un when they were kids, she only called him that when it was just her with Koumei and Chuu'un now though.

"He's doing an errand for me."

"Ah, okay."

Silence.

Koumei could hear the rustle of her clothing moving as she moved around but she didn't say anything as she went through some scrolls.

"Have you eaten, Mei?"

Silence.

Kayami snapped her head over to Koumei who was at the moment trying to make himself small, she sighed and walked over to him.

"That's a bad habit to have...how can one forget to eat?"

"I'm normally too busy to remember that I am hungry..."

Pinch

"Ow! That hurts, Kayami!" Though the last part didn't sound like that clear since Koumei's cheek was getting pinched by an annoyed Kayami but she understood him clearly.

"Good..maybe if you remember this pain then you'll remember to eat!" She released his cheek with a huff before she started to walk towards the door. "Stay here! I'll go get you something to eat!"

And with that she leaves the room, leaving Koumei rubbing his poor abused cheek. He'll pity the man who marries her, Kayami won't let her husband get away with anything while she was around.

He just had gotten back to reading when she returned, carrying a tray with a few dishes on it.

"Good thing the cook wasn't too busy, she made you some food." Kayami said as she walked over to him.

She took away the scroll before she replaced it with the tray of food, "Eat...and when you're done eating, you're going to bed!"

"But I'm not tired..."

Pinch Pull

"Ow! Ow!"

"Oh, I'm sorry but did I ask for some lip from you?" Kayami asked as she not only pinched both of the Third Imperial Prince's cheeks but she also pulled them for good measure. Koumei would later swear that he saw some sort of demon mask appear behind her as she leaned over him and pulled and pinched his poor cheeks. "Oh, look how it stretches..."

"Ow! It's not supposed to stretch like that!"

"Then are you going to bed? Don't think I don't notice how you fall asleep on your feet sometimes!" Kayami said as she continued to abuse his cheeks. "That is another bad habit that is annoying!"

"Yes! Now let go!"

Kayami released his cheeks with a humph and backed away, Koumei rubbed his cheeks with pain tears in his eyes.

"You're worse than a mother hen."

Pinch

"Ow!"

"What was that?"

"Sorry! It was nothing!"

"It have better been nothing..." Kayami said as she released his cheek. "Besides someone has to watch over you...you really have to start thinking about your health, it wouldn't be good if you dropped dead because you forgot to eat or sleep." She crossed her arms over her chest as she closed her eyes, standing next to Koumei.

"I'll try to remember to eat and sleep when I have free time," Koumei said.

"You better or I'll keep pulling and pinching your cheeks until you think they are going to be ripped off." Kayami threatened wiggling her fingers at him.

"I will...Your punishments hurt..."

"They're supposed to hurt! That's why they called punishments, Mei~"

Koumei smiled and started to eat his late lunch, once he was done she took the tray away then she replaced it with the scrolls she had taken away from him. He grateful that there was at least someone who wasn't a member of his family or Household that was watching over him.

Kayami started to clean his alcove and once it was clean to her liking, she made tea for him. She make it in the style of her people, which was interesting to watch. Kayami poured the tea into a cup before she placed it on a small tray and carefully walked over to the table, and placed it near him.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." She smiled at him and tucked the tray under her arm.

Koumei took a sip of his tea as Kayami looked out and watched the birds mill around around the garden.

They were silent for a few minutes before Kayami broke it by asking, "Did they find the dungeon?"

"Yes...and something else." Koumei handed her a letter and she reads it.

"They found a girl? That Kouha almost crushed when he killed a dungeon monster?" Kayami asked as she read the letter. Kouha almost killing someone wasn't surprising, he's done it before.

"Yeah and they are bringing her here." Koumei said.

Kayami placed the letter down, she puts her hands on her hips and said, "Oh? Another loyal follower?" She paused. "Wait...why do I get the feeling that Kouha is behind this?"

"He could be, older brother says that he seemed to have taken a shine to her but Kougyoku had also gone with them so it could be her doing as well."

She made an small 'o' shape with her mouth, that would explain it...Kouha liked strong women and would want this girl to come with him even if he had to kidnap her. Kougyoku, on the other hand, wanted more friends she had Kayami but the older girl knew that wasn't enough for the Princess who had been alone during some of her childhood.

Oh, she hoped he didn't do that...

"Are they on their way back?"

"Yes...in fact they should be riding in now."

"What!? When did that letter come anyways?! In fact never mind, I have to go!"

Kayami ran off to greet Kouha, Kougyoku and Kouen...and their guest. She arrived at the front of the palace, pushing her way through the crowd until she reached the front.

Kouha was the first to see her and he jumped off his horse, running over to her and leaping onto her. He almost knocked her over but she was able to regain her balance and wrapped her arms around him, laughing. Kougyoku also climbed off her horse and ran over to her but she didn't jump onto Kayami instead she simply hugged her.

"Welcome back, Prince Kouha and Princess Kougyoku."

"I missed you!" Kouha said.

"It was boring without you, Kayami!" Kougyoku said.

"Let go of her, Kouha." Kouen said as he got off his horse. "And you too, Kougyoku."

Kougyoku released her quickly at her brother's words and somewhat hide behind Kayami, looks like she was still shy around her older brother...it was cute really but sad.

Kouha pouted before he grabbed her hand and dragged her to a carriage that had been following after them. Kougyoku followed after them, grabbing her free hand after looking over at Kouen but she looks up at Kayami.

"I have someone you need to meet!" Kougyoku said. "I brought her back with us...hopefully she stays."

"Yes...the girl Kouha almost crushed in the dungeon and got wet as well," Kayami said remembering that bit. "You didn't kidnap her, right?" Looking at Kouha when she asked that part.

"Nooo~" Kouha said before he opens the door of the carriage.

"Come on out, Aaltja." Kougyoku said as she looked into the carriage.

Silence.

And then the girl he had brought walked out of the carriage, she looked nervous and wary to be here...Kayami didn't blame her, all the nobles here were jerks and liked to rub it in.

"Prince Kouen! Prince Kouha! Princess Kougyoku."

Ahh and here's one of those jerks now.

"Why did you bring such a savage?! She isn't fit to be anywhere near you! Given how she's dressed!"

Kayami looked at the blonde haired girl with a frown, noticing what she was wearing. It was a short dress but Kayami didn't see the problem, given the fact that she had shown Kouha and Kougyoku what her clan wears...she would rather die first than to show Kouen. Kougyoku looked at the noble with a frown but she didn't say anything, while she was a Princess she felt that she wouldn't be taken serious because of her mother.

"What's your point?" Kayami asked as she looked away and at the man.

The noble jerked in surprise as if he just realized that Kayami was there, which was insulting but she didn't care.

"L-Lady Kishii! It was...I mean to say..."

The blonde haired frowned at the sight, he seemed to be afraid of this woman. While Kougyoku watched from the sidelines with Kouha next to her, Kouen seemed to be ignoring it.

"Heh, that's what I thought."

Kayami then turned to the girl and said, "I am Kayami Kishii, it's nice to meet you." She smiled at her.

"Aaltja Lisku."

"Now that's all done, let's go Aaltja!" Kouha said as he grabbed both their wrist and dragged them after him.

"Wait for me, brother!" Kougyoku said as she followed after them.

Kayami felt bad for Aaltja, she had a feeling that she was going to be Kouha's new obsession...of sorts. Yeah, this was going to be fun and she'd have to watch over Aaltja until she got used to being in the Kou Empire.