A/N: Wow! What turn-out. I think I'm gonna like wiritng this story. Well, since peeps liked the first chappie, time for a second edition. Hope you enjoy!

This is War

Three Years After

Eviary-palace walls, throne/court room

Amber Year

Oh what a tragedy! I have not been able to wirte in so long. After the coronaton several weeks ago, I have yet to be able to talk. My thought are clouded with the same questions as the new queen. Still only a princess to Antholl, in which my brother has preceded my father. That happen two years ago. Oh what shame! I am busying myself and stepping away from duties.

Enishi is typical. Cold, dark, away from me. We sleep together, and he barely keeps me warm. And I have yet to get a right feeling when I kiss him. It's just when I do kiss him or..well getting the picture and it's...nothing. I feel so left out. Another thing I am worried about is a child. I understand that an heir must be born, but I can't stand the cruel fate to have his blood in my son...or daughter's veins. I just don't want the child to end up like him.

War is another issue. It started two years ago, just after my brother gained crown. He is fighting off the Eviary forces well. the problem is, I don't know which side I'm for. I don't want Sanosuke to be a bad emperor, but I don't want Enishi to be a bad king. And God knows that Jubeyn's king is having the time with both Antholl and Eviary.

The Orders are starting as well as the war council, which I must participate in. I must bid you adou for now.

With that, Kaoru shut the small diary and set it under her as Enishi took his place. The Orders were the sentaneing of prisoners. After Enishi took control, it seemed that crime was getting worse, or that laws were getting more idotic.

Kaoru stared almost bored as she shifted in the large dress. The collar she wore was high and felt strange against her neck as she had never worn something like this before. Enishi placed his hand on Kaoru's as they started with the Orders.

" You're shifting too much," he hissed between grit teeth. Kaoru scowled then held her head up high. Enishi knew this look. She was mad at him. The reason was the same as well. She was not to be ordered by him, husband or not. Since woman had the same rights as men for fifty years, and that included the queen." Bring in the first case!" Enishi ordered.

Coming from a side door was two guards with a boy struggling in there grasped. He was cussing at the guards and his gaze always hit Enishi's cold eyes. But the thing was, he never once looked to Kaoru in hate. It may be the fact that she was giving him a look of sympathey, or the fact that he just didn't care. After all, Enishi had been there the whole time, and Kaoru had just entered the Eviary territory. Three years was truely considered just entered, especially if you had never done anything wrong.

" The report your Majesty," a guard at his side passed him off. Enishi nodded and looked over it. He slid it to the middle Kaoru glancing without moving her head to the side. She nodded. Pickpocketing the wealthy.

Glancing to the struggling boy they brought him to his knees against his will. " Bow when royalty is in front of you boy!" the guard ordered. It took both of them to shove a, what looked to be, ten-year old boy's head to the ground. Uncompared to most that brought in for the Orders, the boy's clothes were rather fine. Not silk and satin, but fine enough for nobility. " Give a statement as defense and let the king decide your fate," the guard ordered. The boy looked up and growled dangerously as he eyed Enishi. His eyes were a wild cat as he stared and he hissed.

" I am Myojin Yahiko!" he announced. " I am guilty of my crimes. But I have a reason," he said stil having the hiss in his voice.

" Address the king properly," a guard ordered shoving his head to the ground again. Kaoru examined the shackles that graced his ankles and wrists.

" Your Excellency," he mumbled.

" Louder!"

" Your Excellecy!" he yelled and threw himself upward. Throughout the talk Kaoru stayed content.

" Nasty little pickpocket. I have never liked your kind," Enishi said. " I believe a year in prison will shut you up."

" You're biased dear," Kaoru said. The boy looked to her.

" I have the right," he said.

" You're too harsh," Kaoru commanded. Everyone looked as though they could catch flies in their mouthes at Kaoru's statement. She was so bold to Enishi, and not most queen's spoke against their husbands. " Besides.." Kaoru began turning to the boy, "... he is a warriors son. He must have a reason," she said. The boy stared at her, his eyes calming over. Kaoru smiled.

" Thank you your Majesty," he willingly bowed down to Kaoru.

" Maybe something easier," she suggested. " Community service perhaps?" but Kaoru was still thinking as the lord's and ladies gaped. " I think a service in the palace will suffice," she stsaed and smiled wide.

Turning to her husband Kaoru stared him down sharply. As much as Enishi was never scared he knew that Kaoru would never change her mind once she made a desicion.

" A servant it is then," Enishi commanded with annoyance gracing his lips. " Take the boy to the Queen's chamber's. Let Kaoru dear, deal with him," he said. His voice laced sour as hard as he tried to be kind. " What else do we have today?" Enishi barked out. Kaoru watched as they walked Yahiko to the side. He also watched her, his expression was half grateful for a not so long sentance, but half pissed due to what he had to work as.

" There are no more prisoners," a man at his side announced. Enishi nodded.

" Then I need the war council in here," he ordered. Another nod and a man brought in several others who stared wearily at Enishi.

" Your Highness," they address in chorus. Enishi felt proud as they bowed. Kaoru nodded to them giving a smile.

" How are things working?" he asked.

" There is a new battle arising," one said. He was partically hesitant.

" Whom, might I ask?"

" The Lotus of Antholl, and the Boare of Eviary. The two clans have exchanged battle at Sulvin's Creasent,"another announced.

" Sulvin's Creasent?" Kaoru asked fearfully. Enishi glanced her way, his face ever tense. " That is very dangerous. Are you sure? There was a nod from the council.

" You are fearful My Lady.." Enishi's voice now silk,"... and why would that be?"

" Those are two great clans, so many could be lost," Kaoru said.

" Yes, but we can always send more," he said in enjoyment. There was even a gulp coming from the council. " I think of this as a game," he said knitting his fingers together. " The better clans we crush, the more land we claim," he announced. There were nods as everyone wanted their heads on their shoulder's, but Enishi was too happy, almost a drunk giddy.

" Sire...if I may?" a man asked sweeping to the ground.

" Procide," he said. The man was sweating.

" The Lotus is defeating the Boare at the moment, by the spy we have placed," Enishi nodded.

" Send more forces then," he announced. " If we do this right, the Lotus will fall. That will leave Antholl in dispare."

" Insult as you will," Kaoru said. " But not to my country," she announced strongly. " Do it in your time," her voice grew louder, sourer.

" You act as though you're actually losing something," he said. His glare grew as did his grin. Kaoru knew the look. ' Later' is what it said.

" Yeah your Missy-ness," an unknown voice said.

Kaoru's gaze struck far as the council moved out of the way. Widening her eyes Kaoru smiled.

" Sano!" she yelled. Her manners were becoming loose.

" Jou-chan," he walked up and Kaoru stood from the throne and forced herself over. She hugged her tall brother tightly and looked deeply into his chocolate eyes. " Now what is this about destroying the Lotus?" he asked. His tone grew colder and Kaoru backed away. Her brother was dressed finer than she ever saw. There was a sword at his side, though he was better with his hands than anything.

" All's fair in war," Enishi cackled.

" You keep mind that my sister is from your enemies side," he hissed. " If she is harmed in any way.."

" I assure you, this is nothing against Kaoru dear," he said. The nick-name was getting old.

" I dismiss myself ," Kaoru said. " Tell me when my help is required," Kaoru gained her composure and held her dress as she walked to the right. Sanosuke looked at her and followed.

After they exited the doors Kaoru seemed to collaspe in the nearesty velvet chair.

" Jou-chan," Sanosuke cooed softly. She was crying. " Sis, what's wrong?" he asked.

" It's nothing," she reassured.

" Don't tell me it's nothing," he whispered going to one knee, placing his hands on her shoulders. " I know when it's nothing. And I know when you're mad," he said. " Now tell me. I'm your brother, I can help you," he said. Kaoru looked deeply into his eyes as she sniffed.

" I just don't know.." she began. The tears caused her voice to crack." This is just so..."

" I know that its hard. But there is nothing that can be done. War is not easy Jou-chan..."

" We shouldn't have war!" she yelled. Sanosuke looked to the carpet and then took a seat next to her. " I married this...this...ogre!" she screamed. " I married him to stop this..." her voice sank very low as did her head into her dress. Sanosuke patted her visable back as the neckline of the dress covered her head. Kaoru was so happy before this. It is hard on her. Married at fourteen. She didn't know well how to rule. She didn't know how tough war was on you. Their father was different before the battles with Jubeyn . His heart as ever stone after that.

" I know Jou-chan. But the only reason all are at war is a power struggle," he said. " The economic of each hangs. I know. Antholl has great land of prosperous harvest. Jubyen's seas holds mighty fish. But Eviary, though beautiful, has not much to offer but the work of black-smithes and farmers' heards," he said softly. " Enishi started this, and that is certain. He struck on the intersect of all three. I presume without you knowing. His father was ill, which put him in control until his death," Sanosuke stated. Kaoru's attentiveness never faultered.

" I know that much," Kaoru said strongly. " I know well. Jubeyn has always wanted our soil, Eviary has wanted both, and we never wanted anything. We may not be beautiful, but we are grand," Kaoru said. Her tears had yet to cease. " I don't know what to think," Kaoru said.

" You seemed all too concerned over the Lotus House," Sanosuke announced. " There is something you're worried over?" her asked. Kaoru thought deeply. Should she tell him the lingering over the soldier? Shaking her head Kaoru followed with:

" The only thing I worry about, is the Lotus itself," she straightened her back. " They are the best, not many should be lost. Especially not to the wives," she said. Sanosuke nodded.

" This is war Jou-chan," Sanosuke said. He too was choking up. " There is nothing else that I can say," he said. Kaoru looked out ther shut door and sighed gravely.

" I must go. You need to speak to Enishi, I have affairs elsewhwere," she said. Yes, she had a affairs. Her chamber was calling her. And her pillow...well, it was ready to be screamed into.

A/N: I probably sound too adult, and I don't know much about a royal court. I'm goin' on instinct here alright? I hope ya enjoyed. Till next time. KenSan out!