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 and Luxe. ENJOY!!

All is Fair in Love and War

Chapter 6:

Lord Shien, Silent Soldier

Setsuka and Luxe approached the palace, both in contemplative silence as they made their way to their home. They headed down the ornate hall when Luxe froze in midstep like a deer in the headlights when hesaw a young man standing at attention outside thier door. He recognized his uniform as a lower class soldier of Nataku and Shiens detachment. Setsuka had stopped when she spotted him, cautiously inching closer. It was obvious she was suspicious of the strange man as she had never seen him before. 'What's a soldier want with Setsuka?' Luxe thought to himself, feeling his body coil within. 'Or rather, what could he POSSIBLY want?'

"Stand back, I will take care of this, Madam." Luxe said, he passed the basket off to Setsuka and made his way to the soldier. His hand slipped inside his robe to wrap around the handle of the silver dagger Setsuka had just purchased for him that day, ready to draw.

"Who are you, who sent you, and what do you want?" He inquired. Setsuka watched as her blue haired attendant bristled, prepared to attack this intruder he apparently felt threatened by.

"My name is Akira, I am just merely an infantry man under Lord Shien. He has sent me here with this message to Lady Setsuka. Are you her guardian?" Akira asked, reacihng into his pocket an withdrawing a letter. Luxe relaxed his body slightly. Slightly.

"Yes, my name is Luxe. I will pass the message to my mistress back there, thank you." He extended a hand, accepting the letter. The soldier bowed, executing a sharp let face and marching away. Luxe stared after him, cocking his head to the side. He returned to Setsuka's side, taking the basket from her and pressing the letter into her palm before unlocking the door and holding it open as she passed in, peeling the letter open.

My dearest Lady Setsuka,

You don't know me yet; I hope we have the pleasure of becoming acquainted soon. But, I couldn't help notice a slight change in things. I felt this change at once when I saw you for the first time. I witness you being escorted (if you could call it that) by Gojun to the palace of the Merciful Goddess. I knew then what I was meant to do. You see, I think I'm in love with you. As absurd as it may seem, I must admit a strange cosmic magnetic attraction towards you. I felt drawn to you. I would sincerely enjoy to be in your company. I would be enthralled if we could speak, just the two of us. I, myself, am curious as to why I feel the way I feel about you. Perhaps if I could have an audience with you alone, I can reveal to a better understanding as to why. I am not usually a man of such words or emotions, and anything that does not have anything to do with my tasks or mission, I can usually brush aside, but I cannot shake free from these thoughts and feelings revolving around you. You have succeeded in invading all of my senses and my thoughts. You are the arrow shot through me, and I feel you just as intensely. I hope this makes better sense to you than it does to me. I have pondered and come up blank, not my usual outcome of a well thought matter, I assure you… I hope you have a good night, lady Setsuka. I will see you tonight nonetheless when I give into slumber.

Shien

Setsuka read the letter at least four times before refolding it. A deep blushing warm spreading through her cheeks and an internal flutter coming to life in her bosom as she held the parchment in her hands, looking down at it as if expecting it to come to life and provide more answers. She looked up at Luxe who was intently staring back at her in concern.

"Is everything ok, Sess?" He asked. "You look pale." Setsuka handed the paper to him with shaking hands, she felt momentarily dizzy. Shien. The man from last night, and the one she observed this morning. Just wrote a love letter. 'Wow, it's as if he knows…' She thought to herself, getting chills. Luxe read the letter and handed it back to her, a grin spreading on his lips.

"Wel, well, well, madam…" He coyly said in a sing-song tone. "It looks like you've got an admirer…" He leaned against the wall, observing his mistress place the letter in the drawer of the bedside table. She wrung her hands, looking to her wardrobe, to her desk, and then to her vanity table.

"Well, shit…." She cursed. She sat down at her desk and this time withdrew rose scented parchment.

"Ooh, madam, I can smell that all the way from over here…" Luxe commented, straightening Setsuka's bed pillows and smoothing the wrinkles out of the covers. Setsuka ignored her cheeky attendant. Luxe approached her, leaning on the back of her chair and hovering over her shoulder.

"What are you writing, madam?" He inqured.

"Shh..." Setsuka lightly shushed him. She allowed him to read over her shoulder as she hastily wrote. Once finished, she held up her masterpeice, scanning it over once more. She folded the note up and placed it inside of an envelope and sealing it. Luxe stepped away as she stood, her slippered feet softly thumping the floor as she walked to her vanity. The green eyed man had to stifle a grin as Setsuka squirted a mist of perfume into the air and waved the letter through it. He straightened his face as she handed the letter to him, a determine glow in her eyes. She turned away, digging through the basket they had shopped with moments prior. She withdrew a small satin covered white box.

"I still have no idea why you got that, Mi'lady." Luxe smiled, leaning on the bed post. "It's too big for you and I am not authorized to wear jewelry..."

"I knew It would come in handy." She simply said, pushing it into his hand. "Give it to him as well." Luxe smiled wider, slipping the box into his pocket with the letter. He brushed a stray strand of hair out of his handsome face.

"You play a hard game, My Lady..." He said. Setsuka slumped onto her bed, laying a hand on her abdomen and sighing. She groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose before loudly yawning. She looked over at Luxe who stood, awaiting her order.

"You know what to do, Luxe." She said, giving him a crooked smile. Luxe felt his insides flutter at her wild charm. "Make it happen."

"Of course, Sess." He bowed before turning on his heel and leaving the quarters.

Shien was quietly reading a novel in his quarters in a large armchair in front of a roaring fire, alone with his thoughts. He fought to keep his focus on the novel of war heroes wooing beautiful women on a war torn era, but his thoughts were continuously shifting to the woman he had yet to officially meet. He had let his hair down in his privacy and was running his fingers through it as he attempted to read. His thoughts were interupted by a soft tapping at the door, drawing him carefully from his restrained thoughts.

"One moment." He quietly said, standing as he twisted his hair back up into a bun and securing it. He answered the door, coming to face to face with a strange blue haired man. The man lightly bowed, his face somber and emotionless.

"I come on behalf of her majesty, Lady Setsuka." He politely stated. Shiens froze for a moment before he smiled inwardly to himself.

"Please." He quietly said. "Do come in." He held the door open for Luxe, carefully,\ scrutinizing the attndant through a cracked open eye. The young man had waist length blue hair that was currently hanging loose down his back. He was adorned in robes Shien expected to see on a noble man rather than an attendant. What intrigued Shien the most were the mans peircing and knowing green eyes. Luxe entered the room, not once turning his back on Shien, as a common custom of respect.

"Has your mistress sent word of my previous letter?" Shien asked the attendant.

"She has." Luxe replied, removing the contents of his pocket. "And if I may say so, she was quite pleased." He handed Shien the envelope, holding onto the box for after Shien read the letter. The tall, willowy god opened the envelope, opened his eyes, and carefully read the neat print.

My dear Lord Shien,

It's funny that you should write me now, of all times. I do vaguely remember you at the banquet hall. Now, forgive me for my boldness, but, I would like it very much if we could meet in person. I came to this conclusion after carefully reading and re-reading your letter to me. I wanted to be sure that I did not get any mixed messages. What do you say the sakura orchard tomorrow at midnight? Oh, and again this may be bold as well, but, I watched you at the proving grounds earlier this morning. You are quite ravishing with your tresses down. Please, when you come meet me, wear your hair down for me? It's so nice to see a man with such lovely hair. Well, I bid you good day!

Setsuka

Shien folded the note up carefully, feeling the silkiness of the fine parchment on which the elegant handwriting was thoughtfully written in the boldest of purple ink. He lifted the small wad of paper to his nose, softly inhaling traces of Setsuka. The attendant was gazing at him through emotionless eyes, but Shien knew well the young man would report his actions to his mistress. The young blue haired man held out a small satin white box to the god.

"And what is this?" Shien asked, accepting the box. It was small and delicate in his hands, giving him the feeling that whatever was inside it was a precious token or trinket.

"A gift from her Highness, Lady Setsuka." The attendant bowed low. "Now, Mi'lord, if I may take my leave…" Shien waved him away nonchalantly, turning away to examine the box. He carefully slid the lid off to reveal a silver band with a generous sized sapphire. It was simple, but elegant, clearly a well thought gift. Shien smiled inwardly to himself, sliding onto the fourth finger of his right hand. It was a perfect fit. He withdrew back into his quarters, he had an important play date to get ready for.

Setsuka was standing under a cherry blossom tree, staring up at the full moon. It was a chilly night and she had forgotten her evening robe. She lightly shivered against the cool breeze as she tapped her nails against the trunk of the tree. She squinted at the sky, calculating it was about midnight. Her thoughts began to sort themselves out on all the ways the night could end. Maybe alone? Maybe with Shien? His quarters, or hers? She was brought back to reality to the sounds of soft footsteps to her side. She smiled as she basked in the sight of the god halting inches before her. He was clad in his usual robes, but over them, he wore a long, dark grey hooded cloak. His long light teal hair spilled forth from the hood falling several inches below his waist and his pale skin seemed to lightly glow in the moonlight.

"Beautiful…" Setsuka murmured under her breath. It was only then she realized she had no breath. She was so overcome by his graceful presence, that she had forgotten to breathe. She stared at him wide eyed as he opened his eyes, revealing teal, almost dark jade pools of contemplation. Setsuka made a strange choking noise somewhere between a nervous laugh and a sigh that just didn't come out right. Shien took her hand in his and kissed the back of it.

"I am Shien. It's my deepest pleasure to meet you at last." He said. His voice was the icing on the cake. Setsuka felt her knees buckle. His voice was so incredibly soft and gentle. It was like velvet. She actually felt herself swaying and Shien reached out, pulling her against him to steady her. Setsuka was stunned, her head against his chest, one arm around his waist, and the other hand pressed against his flat, bandaged abdomen. She wished they could stay in this postion.

"Are you alright, Mi'lady?" He worriedly asked. "Are you ill?" Setsuka suddenly remembered she had a voice.

"Um, yes, er, no, I'm fine." She recovered, steadying herself on her own feet. Shien reluctantly released her as she stepped back. "I am Setsuka, patroness of love, sex, and fertility." She formally introduced herself. She smiled softly with her trademark seductive glint in her eyes as she batted her lashes at him. He blushed and returned the smile.

"I've wanted to meet you for some time now." He said, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "I extend my deepest thanks and gratitude for the lovely gift you sent me. It's truly priceless." Setsuka's eyes trailed down his bandaged arm to his hand were she saw the band and jewel glittering lively in the moonlight.

"I'm glad you liked it." She replied. "It pleases me to see you wearing it." Shien lightly smiled, his eyes dancing vividly.

"In that case, it shall remain on me at all times." He whispered, his voice low and husky. "Only if it pleases you, Mi'lady." Setsuka winked at him.

"It would please me greatly." She said, still lightly shivering. "Now that you have seen me in person, have you concluded your feelings and thoughts about me, if I may be so bold to ask?" Shien closed his eyes, removing his cloak from his shoulders and draping it over Setsuka's fastening the front and pulling the hood up to shield her from the wind.

"Not entirely. I am still musing on the idea. The only theory that I have proven is that I am indeed very much inarguably, unmistakenly, irrevocably, entirely, without a doubt, so in love with you." He cocked his head to the side. "And now, if I may make an assumption, but it seems that my feelings do not exactly go unreturned…" Setsuka's heart skipped a beat. He could see right through her. She took it in a stride, reaching out to stroke the bits of long hair that spilled over his shoulder.

"You wore it down, just like I asked…" She softly observed. "I always see you with it up. Although, it looks good up as well, you have a very elegant neck and slender shoulders. When you wear it up, it really shows them…I'm just surprised you came with it down…" Shien stepped closer to her, blocking her from the wind.

"I could never deny you anything, Mi'lady." He quietly said. He reached out, cupping her face between his slender hands and bringing his lips down to hers. Setsuka closed her eyes, leaning into the caress and even going as far as to put her arms around his torso and lightly squeezed him to her. He tasted of oolong tea and a moderate hint of mint. His lips were warm and tender against hers. Setsuka smoothed her hands over his back, stroking his hair and clutching him to her at the same time. She didn't even realize that she was standing on the tip of her toes to reach him. He was indeed very tall and willowy. They broke the kiss and Setsuka pulled back, returning her gaze to the god. He was blushing, a soft smile toying at his lips. His brows were lifted and he actually looked happy, slightly shy, but still happy. Setsuka's stomach fluttered. She commended herself on being able to bring this otherwise stone cold man into a full blown blush accompanied by the softest smile she had ever seen.

"You are truly something else…." She muttered, awed by him. "Who exactly are you?" Shien cocked his head to the side, his smile growing wider.

"I am a commander in War Prince Nataku's army. I also oversee him, it is my duty to look after all the War Princes that come and go throughout heavens history…In the end, I am just another soldier." He reached for her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. Setsuka stood against him, laying her head on his chest. He lowered his face so that his cheek rested atop her hair, wrapping his free arm around her.

"Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with me. I shall cherish the memory of tonight always." He softly said.

"It's my pleasure, I'm glad I came." She yawned against his exposed chest, rubbing her eyes.

"Are you tired, Mi'lady?" He asked. "If you wish, we could return to my quarters." Setsuka's ears perked a bit. Sounded like an invitation! She inwardly cheered to herself.

"That would be lovely…" She said, nodding. Shien released his hold on her but still held her hand as he led her through the court yard.

"It's this way…"

AN: more is on the way! thanks!