DISCLAIMER: I do not own Saiyuki nor do I take credit for it or any of it's characters. I make no profit from this what-so-ever. I only own Setsuka (SES-Kuh) my bro wanted to know how you say it, and Luxe. ENJOY!!

All Is Fair in Love and War

Chapter 5: Letters and Voyeurism

Setsuka had bathed and changed into her sleeping kimono before seating herself at her desk and looking out into the cherry tree ochard. She felt gnawing guilt. She could not shake the memory of Gojuns hurt expression as she unleashed her fury on him. She knew deep down that he simply was trying to protect her. But from what? She reached into her desk, withdrawing lavender scented parchment and her pen and ink pot and lit a candle on her desk. She opened the window, allowing the cool breeze to bring the sweet scent of the cherry blossoms through her window and into her room. She dipped the pen into the ink and began to write.

Dearest Gojun,

My lord, there are no words in the worlds vocabulary to express my deepest remorse in what I have said and done to you. I deeply, truly, and sincerely apologize for my remarks and unbecoming behavior. Yes, I am deeply perturbed at the choice that was made for me against my will, but that is a matter that had nothing to do with you, and I was wrong to take it out on you. I truly am sorry. I know you were indeed trying to protect me. Thank you so much. I hope you can forgive me and continue giving me your wisdom and encouragement as I struggle to find myself in this new world. In other words, I hope we can still be friends if we ever were. Or if we can become friends if we never were. You are wise, logical, and gentle (most of the time). I could use men like you in my life. Goodnight, my dearest Dragon King.

All my love,

Setsuka

She folded the note and slipped it into an envelope. She sealed the flap shut and carefully wrote his name on it. She held the letter in her hands, silent hoping he would read that night. She amended her thoughts and realized she would be lucky if he read it at ALL after her deplorable behavior. She kissed the envelope and crossed her quarters, opening the door and peering out at the young blue haired attendant that Kanzeon issued her. He stood at attention, ready to receive her orders. He was appealing to Setsuka's eyes. Milky white skin, long sapphire hair pulled into a loose braid with side swept bangs framing his youthful face. His green eyes shone bright as Setsuka smiled at him.

"Please, deliver for me at once." She softly commanded him. "Dragon King Gojun." The young man accepted the letter and bowed.

"Consider it done, Mi'lady." He replied. "Shall I wait on a reply?" Setsuka bit her lip.

"Only if he wishes to give one. And…" She stopped, thinking. "If and when you get it, bring it back here, take it into your living space and read it for me, as I will be asleep already. If it is a good reply, then you may give it to me when I awake in the morning. If it is a bad reply, destroy it and never speak to me of it and then you may go to sleep." The young man bowed low again.

"Yes, Mi'lady." He replied. "Will that be all?" Setsuka cocked her head.

"What is your name?" She asked.

"Luxe." He replied.

"No, Luxe, that will be all. Please don't bother waking me for breakfast, but do bring my lunch in, I do not wish to leave quarters tomorrow. If any visitors come, inform them that I am unavailable and take messages." She said.

"Very well, Mi'lady." He nodded.

"And just call me Setsuka." She said. "Or Sess."

"Yes, Sess." Luxe grinned. Setsuka nodded him off and he disappeared down the hall, her letter clutched in his hand. She withdrew back into her quarters and looked at the plain red door that connected her large extravagant quarters to a smaller, more simpler one. She couldn't help her self but open the small door that lead into Luxe's room. She found it odd that her attendant's tiny living space was connected to hers, but at the same time, his door was close to the door too her home so it made her more secure. Boxes still lined the wall from him moving in recently. It was a one room, simple furnished home consisting of a small bed, a fireplace, a table, a kitchen area, a tub, a toilet, a sink, a dresser, a few shelves and a night stand. She looked about the room before closing the door and making her way to bed. The day had been long, and it already felt like she had been in heaven for years.

"Meh, I quit…" She growled. She dove onto her bed, laying sprawled out face down for several moments before burrowing under her covers and nestling her head onto her soft pillow. She let her mind drift off, but all she could see were three faces dancing in and out of her minds eye. First was the strange man with the yellow bun coverlet and the triple chakras. He seemed to have radiated a aura of serenity about him, something that caught Setsuka's attention. The second face was Nataku's. She remembered the blank, emotionless expression on what should be a lively animate face. But instead it was the face of a corpse when the wedding order was announced. The third was Gojun's the look of shock and hurt he had given her when she snapped at him. She flung herself into a restless sleep, tossing and mumbling to herself and to two men and a boy that was not there.

"Shien!" The barking voice snapped the soldier from his thoughts. Shien looked up to see his friend and partner of old. His constant companion, his once lover. He smiled as his friend took a seat next to him on the railing of a balcony connected to Shien's quarters.

"Hello, Zenon." Came his quiet reply. "What can I do for you?"

"Shit, man, I've been hollering at you for about 15 minutes. What the hell you doin' up here?" Zenon asked, lighting a cigarette. He took a long drag, watching his friend through his one good eye. "I know you're thinking it, man. Don't." He warned.

"What exactly is it you assume I am thinking and why wouldn't I think it?" Shien lightly inquired, drumming his nails against the concrete railing. Zenon chuckled, taking another drag.

"I know the thought's crossed your mind, you are thinking about that woman, aren't you. You heard what the old fart said. She was gonna marry that kid." Zenon said. "Married boon, that's off limits." Shien smiled to himself, turning his face to the cool breeze.

"You know, the role of a love goddess…well, it permits the owner of the title to have a court of whomever they choose, regardless of marriage or children. I must admit, she piqued my interest. She has a foul temper though, I witness her acting very…unladylike to Gojun. But it doesn't matter. There is something about her, since I saw her…I…" He trailed off, looking out into the distance.

"Come on, man. Snap outta it…" Zenon carelessly shrugged. "I think she's a witch of sorts, she is putting a charm on men. It's not working on me. I saw her. Believe me, I got a good look at her, she's nothing special, not even that cute. Got an awesome set of tits on her though, and that tight little ass, but that's about it. Oh, and I'll give her props for those legs, damn things are longer than your fucking whips, man…Other than that, she ain't nothing. Forget about her. It's not worth the trouble…"

"What trouble, might that be?" Shien inquired, curiously arching a brow. Zenon raked dirty fingernails through spiked orange hair.

"You know why she was brought here right?" He asked. "Think about it, well, her reason for being here may be a mystery. But why do you think Li Touten is allowing this marriage to Nataku. Because she will marry him, I am sure there will be leaders, men of power who fall into her court and Li Touten can convince Nataku that these men deserve to die for sleeping with his wife, and that will take care of a lot of Li Touten's enemies. It's all political. Don't find yourself in that position, man. It ain't worth it." Shien shook his head.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that." He softly, almost regretfully said. "It seems there is something about her that I must know more about. She is very intriguing. I must know more. I am no threat to Li Touten, nor does he want anything from me, so I highly doubt I am in danger. I am not worried about it. But I must proceed. Ever since I saw her, she is etched in my memory and thoughts, I cannot stop, it's like a flood gate has been opened. I must quench this thirst I posses." He finished, calmly folding his hands in his lap and looking to Zenon. The red bit his lip. He couldn't help but feel the slightest hint of jealousy tinge his emotions. There was once a time Shien only spoke of him in that passionate light.

"Do what you gotta do, man." He sighed, flicking his cigarette butt into the wind. "Just be careful. There is trouble lurking everywhere I look up in this place. She may be heavens new scapegoat." The men sat in silence, contemplating the strange woman, the situation, and each other as the night rolled by.

Setsuka awoke the next morning to the sound of Luxe putting away her robes and gowns and straightening up her vanity table. She stretched out, loudly yawning and yanking the ribbon holding her hair into a braid out and letting her hair fall loose. Luxe glanced up at her, smiling.

"Good morning, Sess." He greeted.

"Mm…Morning." Setsuka yawned back. "Did Gojun reply?" She didn't wait for his answer and looked around, her eyes falling on the open letter laying on her nightstand. With shaking hands, she snatched the paper up and practically shredded the delicate paper to get to it.

Lady Setsuka,

Don't fret. What's past is past. I cannot say that I blame you for your verbal outlash. A lot has happened to you. I am sure it must be a very trying time for you. I do not hold anything against you. If you need to speak or get away, feel free to seek me out. If I do not have time to see you, well, then I shall simply MAKE the time. I hope to see you soon, and again, do not let them get to you. It's just a game. Move your pieces carefully and should you find yourself on the board, don't become anyone's pawn. Be the queen I know you are.

Your friend,

Gojun

Setsuka sighed a breath of relief, her muscles suddenly easing up. She was sincerely glad he was not angry with her. But she was troubled by his words. 'A pawn?' She thought to herself. 'Who in their right mind would try to make me their pawn? Do I look pawn-able? Puh-lease…' She rolled her eyes and slipped out of bed, pulling her hair up into a elegant knot at the nape of her neck. She made her way to her vanity and selected chopsticks adorned with large, beautiful flowers and inserted them into the knot, holding them in place.

"Luxe. Be a sweetie and prepare me an outfit, you and I are going out, I want to go shopping. I want to get you something decent to wear other than those boring things they gave you. Any attendant of mine is going to look his role." She winked at Luxe and he cheekily grinned back, bowing and hurrying to her wardrobe to pick out garments.

The market in heaven was rather empty this particular morning, but Setsuka did not mind. She walked, Luxe at her flank holding a basket beginning to fill with goods that Setsuka had purchased with money Kanzeon readily supplied to her. She had selected several fashionable sets of clothing for Luxe and a small bonsai plant for her room along with a journal, paint set, and other things to keep her amused. They had begun their track back to the palace when they passed a large fenced in area with what appeared to be small battle arenas and rings. Several soldiers were within the fence, training and sparring against one another. Setsuka stopped and her heart pounded.

"Luxe, who is that man?" She asked, motioning into the distance at a tall, topless, willowy man with flowing gray teal hair that dropped past his hips. She recognized him as the man who had overheard her and Gojun the night before. The one with the triple chakras that had watched on in silent disappointment. Luxe squinted and tried to examine the man.

"Oh, that's Lord Shien, second in command to Prince Nataku's armies. Good guy from what I heard. Never met him myself though. He doesn't want attendants, so I never came across him." The servant replied. Setsuka watched in awe as he expertly wielded double whips, his hair flowing as he sparred with a spiky red haired man. She was slightly breathless as she observed. Luxe grinned at his mistress, watching as a bead of sweat rolled down her slender neck and between her taut cleavage line. He looked away hurriedly, a blush rising to his cheeks.

"We better get going, Luxe." Setsuka tugged on his sleeve, not taking her eyes from Shien.

"Yes, o-of course." Luxe trailed after her. "Let's go." They started off towards the palace again, A swirl of unspoken words between them.

AN: Ahh, Setsuka, you either love her or hate her. I hope you enjoyed it! Next chap is on it's way out. It's stuck in the birthing canal…It will come to life very. Very shortly.

Setsuka: Can I cut the umbilical cord?

Wynter: I brought you into this world I sure as hell can take you out.

Setsuka:...........'kay.