Chapter 3: A Warm Welcome
When they arrived at the palace, Kita looked at her siblings with a somber look on her face. "If it wouldn't trouble anyone, I'd like to go to my room for the night." she asked with a nervous tone. Hinoka gave her a soft smile and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Sure thing, sis. Come on." The two left the room followed by Sakura and Azura. Ryoma heaved a heavy sigh and looked at the Yato. The golden blade gave off a dim shimmer as he angled it to reflect the light coming into the throne room. Takumi walked next to his brother and chimed in very quickly.
"So if Kita doesn't want to wield it, what use do we have for it?"
"There is only one thing we can do. Hope this sword finds a new wielder. One that will be proud, brave, and strong enough to defend our home." Ryoma explained with hope. Takumi hesitated then scoffed. "Is something on your mind, little brother?" Ryoma questioned.
"Nothing. Look, I kind of had a long day with fighting those Nohrians, so I'm going to my room and…"
"You aren't a bad brother, Takumi." The older brother interrupted. "She was gone for years and had little to no memory of her past. Your unease was justified. But if you continue to hold negativity and suspicion inside of you, you might end up doing something you'll regret." Takumi felt himself fixated on his older brother's words as he walked away holding the Yato. He wondered what to do next about his situation."
Then he got an idea. "Oboro, could you come here?" Soon after he called, a young woman with dark blue hair came rushing in.
"Yes, Lord Takumi?" She asked politely.
"I need you to help me with something only you can do."
Three days passed and Kita was still shaken up about the explosion and the battle at the field. She felt like a stranger in her own home. An outcast to the people who cared about her. She tried to do things to take her mind off it like cleaning the room she slept in as an infant long ago. Azura was also there, helping put things into a box. "What was the purpose of this again?" She quietly asked.
"I wanted to reorganize the room so I can sleep here again. But I also don't want to throw away anything." She spoke as she picked up a crude drawing of her and her parents. "S-so I'm putting it in a memory box." She explained. Azura nodded and smiled.
"That's a splendind idea." It was then the door slid open and the other four royals entered.
"How are you holding up?" Hinoka asked as she sat down on the bed beside Kita. Kita was slow to answer.
"…Better. I suppose. T-thanks for all your support." Takumi stepped forward and held out a box. "W-what is this?"
"A little something I had my retainer help me make. Call it a welcome back gift." Takumi he replied. Kita looked to all of her family as they showed faces of eager encouragement. She slowly opened the box and marveled at what she saw. The box had a delicately crafted silk dress. Its vivid red and white colors presented a feeling of comfort.
"I… I love it!" Sakura let out a little shy giggle.
"Do you feel like trying it on now? Or is it a bad time?"
"No, I'd love to try it on!" Kita left and went to the bathroom, when she returned, she was wearing the outfit and also put on matching white socks and red sandals. All five of her siblings smiled at her. Ryoma put a hand on her shoulder chuckled.
"You look beautiful, sister. Truly elegant."
"Thank you, big brother." It was then there where a few footsteps coming down the hallway. All six royals turned to find a pair of young woman. One had purple hair tied up into a ribon shape on her head. The other had long blue hair the went down in a pony tail, and had a large X shaped scar on her face. They kneeld down and spoke.
"Lady Kita, we are glad to finally meet you." Kita was a little confused at their presence.
"I… I'm sorry. Who are you two?" Kita asked cautiously. The purple haired one smiled.
"Oh, where are our manners. My name is Orochi, and my friend here is known as Reina. Reina got up and explained why they came.
"We were your late-mother's retainers." Kita was taken aback and looked down in guilt once again. "Please milady, don't cry. We aren't mad at you."
"In fact, we were actually hoping we could now become your retainers. As a symbol of goodwill and to show we bear no ill will." Orochi followed up. Kita simply paused and began to process everything that was happening.
Then… She gave a soft smile and shed a few tears. Sakura scooted closer to her sister in concern. "Kita, are you okay?"
"I-I'm fine. It's just that after e-everything. You all still care about me so much. I just f-f-feel so happy." She looked up to her mother's former servants. "Orochi, Reina, I gladly accept your offer." Ryoma smiled warmly but shortly grew a stern expression.
"I'm glad to see you so happy Kita, but there is still the matter of Nohr and the war they have forced our country into." Takumi grew aggrevated just hearing the country's name.
"Those Nohr jerks are going to get one's coming to them. They'll PAY for what they did!" Kita was a little scared at how upset they became. She was afraid their aggression might lead to a disaster in her eyes.
"D-don't you think there is a better way then. Well… war?" Hinoka looked at Kita grimly. She knew that Kita grew to have a close bond with Nohr, but remembered how most people there were really like.
"Sis, I know those Nohrian royals are as important to you as we are…" She started to trail off. "…Maybe more so…" She started to trail off. Azura cleared her thorat and brought Hinoka back to reality. "But there is no other way after what they did. We'll try and be as gentle as we can and spare as many as possible. But there is no such thing as a clean war." Kita shed one last tear and wiped it away.
"I guess if it's the only way. But I refuse to fight. It just feels wrong no matter how I look at it." She asserted. Ryoma smiled.
"So gentle, so pure. It's good to have you back. Come on everyone. We need to prepare for battle."
"I'll stay here with Kita. Hopefully we can help rebuild the plaza." Azura offered.
"That's a great idea Azura. Come on, let's go." And so they all left to help pitch in for a better future for their home, and their enemies.
So we see the ground built out for the REAL adventure. What will happen now that Kita has become a pacifist and refuses to enter the war? What of her siblings and her new retainers? Finally, will The Yato find a new worthy warrior? Only time will tell... Be sure to leave a review.