A/N: OMG, I haven't posted in about three months I think. Isn't that horrible. I think it is. LOL actually I don't care. I have these stories all in my computer. Just working on them and school is tough. Since I care not about either. LMAO okay okay, I've been sick. I'm gauging whether I should see a doctor about my bizzare weight loss although I think I'm gaining the weight back. Either that...I wear two pounds of clothes. So here is a filler chapter...ENJOY!


Azure Monarchy by kara papas

Chapter 9 The Advisors

Slowly the visage that could only be recognized contorted around the lower half into an emotionless face. When this was at best the only smile the raven haired woman could muster while sitting up at night. The story had broken across Webstein that she was the "secret leader" of their nation. At first the news swept the countryside and there was more confusion than there was anger. Natsuki had expected anger. However she was so lost in other thoughts that the possibility of caring about the rage of nation against was merely an insignificant obstacle. Her mother existed in this world as an immortal with the mind of a mortal, and the immortal that witnessed the death of the king and love of her mother informed her that Saeko Kruger was a raving lunatic.

There was much to be done as the new monarch realized after being introduce to her advisor that she could no longer reside in the penthouse in the downtown Vlas. Her advisor was no older than her and stood about the same height average but very nicely proportioned with wildly curly dark chocolate brown hair that went to her shoulders. Natsuki sat in her living room with her advisor looking to the ground thinking about the importance of this temporary living space. The penthouse didn't have many personal affects of the two lovers, her and Shizuru. However as the advisor went on with the topic it became much more personal making Natsuki look up and glare.

"I'm sorry, but what was that thing you just said about Shizuru." Natsuki said in a tired voice looking at the startled brunette.

"Ma'am, I said, as for your partner we cannot have you two live in the same room while you rule the country. It would be very bad for the public relations to see a queen with a woman. And yes as a monarch you are all powerful, but it is still a taboo for female leaders to be openly gay. Not too mention, Ms. Fujino is the head of security for your personal protection. That looks very bad for you that you are with a person who works for you. Another thing is she is Karisan which really puts a damper on what people might think of how you will rule." The brunette paused cautiously and waited for Natsuki to budge from her hunched position and sure enough the raven hair woman sat up and leaned backwards against the sofa pillows.

"I understand. Will she being living in the palace though?" Natsuki sighed.

"No ma'am, she will not. She will have to find place to live on her own and…" the advisor was about to continue when Natsuki sat up again.

"Then have a vacant room refurbished and make it into living quarters for her. And don't tell me that can't be done. She will live in the palace with me. Do you understand?" Natsuki said firmly but never in a harsh tone. She managed to keep a strong cadence but remained elegant in her argument. Natsuki paused and looked at the silent advisor and spoke one more time. "I apologize but this must be done for me. I require that Ms. Fujino always be near me. She is someone who can help me lead this country and not for the Karisan government but from her love of being free from that oppressive government. There is nothing to fear from her. Trust me, I know. I've given my life to this woman. Also, on another note, I don't believe you have ever introduced yourself to me." Natsuki finished and notice a goofy yet pleasant grin on the advisor's face.

"You are truly going to be a great leader for this nation. It is too bad you will never bare an heir to your throne, your Majesty." The advisor said with a slight sigh and grinned again. "I do have to apologize about never introducing myself. I tend to go off tangent. I'm sorry. I'm your personal advisor Ojos. I am honored to work under you, no pun intended."

Natsuki smiled and the two women were at full stand as the same information was being told to a tawny haired woman in the palace. The red eyes glimmered at the brown ones before her as she watched the movements of her personal advisor's lips. The advisor was a tad shorter than her, about Natsuki's height, slight average build with crazy long hair. The advisor seemed to be equally observing Shizuru in moments of silence during their conversation. The two women remanded at a stand while in Shizuru office which was attached to a larger vacant space that there was no prier known use for.

"Now, before we continue, I was wondering, should I call you advisor or can I give you a name. Because I'd love calling you my Spud." Shizuru said teasingly only to shot back at by her advisor who was in full giggle mode.

"But of course Madam Fujino. Call me what you will. I shall wait for your command at any moments notice." The advisor smiled. "Actually call me Papas. Your very own personal spud advisor." The long hair advisor bowed her at waist and then came back up grinning. Shizuru laughed.

"So tell me, I know I cannot live with Natsuki, but is it possible I can have this section of the palace right here. The area here has no previous history. There are no records for what this room was for. It's like it was built in expectations of something unique and grand. Like a present to a lover or something." Shizuru pursed her lips together as she slowly walked into the space having her foot steps echo everywhere as Papas's phone began to ring. "Please answer that later." Papas hand stopped half way there and she gulped.

"Yes, ma'am." She squeaked. "So about living in the palace. I am MORE than certain I can get you hooked up. Sort of speak. This is an oddity of the palace. For the little history I do know this happened to be apart of the original palace from the Kruger Dynasty that is not highly spoken of because their enemies in the nobility of Karis and Webstein sought to destroy them in any form possible including in the history books. Quite a rather evil and correct course of action. However, that may not come to pass now that her Majesty is coming into power. She is a Kruger, apparently." Papas paused as she stood by Shizuru. Shizuru looked over at Papas and smiled at the young advisor who was standing like a superhero with her hands firmly place on either hip.

"So, Papas, let us get the schematics for this room and make in into a suitable living quarters." Shizuru said with a smile. "Oh, also I would like to know if the nation of Rose has actually decided to keep General Arisugawa on as a royal coordinator. And we need to get things setup for the Masque." Papas was in a constant agreement with Shizuru as her head kept to a nodding motion and waited for Shizuru to finally send her away. Shizuru waved her hand and the advisor quickly scurried off as Shizuru thoughts drifted to the crazed mother of her Natsuki. The women was contending with so much, and even for someone like Shizuru she even found it difficult to cope with what Saeko must have been enduring.

It was the tidings of time over and over. A reminder of something she no longer stood in phase with. Saeko Kruger was not Saeko Kruger, but an entity of grey matter. Like the static of the universe's afterbirth. It was there, always and forever. Saeko was more than just plagued by her own thoughts and memories, but by taking the life of another immortal she had absorbed the life essence. Something like, the soul but not the soul. It was a copy if there was anyway to describe it as such. Saeko Kruger had the memories of Shiori in her mind as well. This immortal was a conniving woman. So evil, and what's more disturbing is Saeko fresh mind could see into another time, another world almost. The world was something different every before this one. They were the result of the wants and actions of mere young adults. A revolution of the soul but the revolution at the consequence of over a billion lives, gone in the blink on eye, and they were gone just like that. Such power terrified her and drove her mad. And she could see into the world beyond that was seeing the hatred for the woman known as Juri Arisugawa. Saeko Kruger knew a method by which to drive that woman just as mad as she.

Yes, just as mad as she. Juri sat down in her new office and opened up desk draw and gently ran the tips of her fingers across a velvet bag; the contents of which should by no means exist in the world, but did anyways. The haunting voices trapped in shattered pieces waiting to be whole again. The draw shut as Juri received a call to Shizuru's office. The orange haired woman set off leaving her office open in the safety of an unguarded palace; in the safe gaze of harlequin eyes.

Juri stood in the doorway to Shizuru office carefully and quietly watching Shizuru sleep while seated at her desk. The immortal smiled and had wondered why exactly Shizuru had called for her, but the green eyed woman did not mind much. She often liked watching another woman asleep before her. It was an odd quirk of Juri's that not many knew about outside of the ruler of Rose; Utena. Juri was getting ready to move into the room and thought, just thought about stealing a kiss when the sound of hurried feet could be heard throughout the palace heading right towards Shizuru's office.

"When did she get an office in the palace?" The husky voice echoed. Only replied to be by a frustrated grunt. "Fine, well, you're relieved of your duties for today and tell your sister she is too. And don't tell I can't do that. I'm the ruler of this country damn it!" Juri frowned a bit and walked out of Shizuru office leaving in the other direction back to hers. Natsuki couldn't help but notice as she rounded another hallway the flash of orange curl flowing away in another direction.

Shrugging off an odd feeling, Natsuki went ahead and walked into the office and was about to blare out for Shizuru when she noticed her sound asleep. Mmm that can't be good for her neck, but she looks so peaceful. I wonder what she is dreaming about. Natsuki rested against the frame and stared passionately at Shizuru while sighing deeply. Shizuru eyes fluttered open and she drowsily looked up and blushed upon seeing Natsuki standing there looking at her in such a fashion.

"Hey you." Natsuki said laughing a bit. "I didn't mean to wake you up with my heavy breathing." Natsuki said raising one eye brow making Shizuru grin devilishly.

"My Queen…" Shizuru said exaggerating the vowels a bit. "Please grant me more of your presence, over here." Shizuru asked as she patted the empty spot of her desk before her.

"Is that to be my throne?" Natsuki said playfully act horrified as she walked over sitting down before Shizuru.

"Why it is the throne by which I will pay homage to you alone…all alone." Shizuru said right as stood slightly from the chair to give Natsuki a gentle kiss. Natsuki turned her head to the side thinking about what Ojos said and Shizuru ended up kissing Natsuki's cheek instead. The Karisan woman frowned and turned Natsuki face back towards hers. "Let me try again." Natsuki blushed as her eyes met Shizuru's. Her heart prickled and her lips filled with a rush of blood.

"Shizuru," Natsuki whispered as their lips came closer. "We've come so far since then."

"Yes, we have, and we will continue going on…" Shizuru whispered back right as their lips touched and parted into a passionate kiss.

"And how long shall we continue, Shizuru." Natsuki asked after their lips parted.

"Forever…"


Mini Feed

Kara: Ooooo -clears throat a bit and says in a deep voice- "Forever.." -begins to laugh uncontrollably-

Natsuki: -glares at Kara-

Shizuru: - reads the last chapter of Azure Monarchy- Ara

Kara: -gasps- Hey! That's not suppose to be public knowledge!!