The Emperor of China, Yao Wang sat impatiently on his throne. He waited for news on the attack orders he had recently sent out to the Generals to carry out. It had been longer than a week since he last heard from them. He longed to hear of victories. So far he had been hearing about so many of those. The military power from other nations was slowly weakening, and soon it would not be long till they were all his. At last one of his advisors approached him, the look on his face told Yao that he was indeed going to be hearing of good news. The advisor bowed low before addressing him.

"Emperor Wang, the attacks to the borders of Taiwan have been successful."

"That is wonderful news. Perhaps I shall arrange a celebration!"

"There is more your eminence, something that may interest you greatly."

"And what might that be?"

The advisor signaled for a pair of palace guards to come forward. Between them was a dirty, and injured looking man. Yao's face looked unimpressed by the man they displayed before him.

"And who might this be?" Yao said with a bored tone.

"Your eminence this man is the son of one of the feudal lords of Japan."

"Is that so?"

"Yes we have the support to back up that fact. We found a feudal crest on his person."

"Then this news has been more than wonderful. Now then, what might your name be?"

The man looked up at Yao with blank, dull brown eyes. No, they were not blank in fact they were blazing with hatred. Despite his condition he was defiant. The way he glared at him held no intention of revealing his name.

"How rude! I politely ask you what your name is and you ignore me."

Yao shook his head in disbelief, but soon retained a pleasant grin.

"No matter then."

"Your Eminence this man is the son of the Honda branch. His full name is Honda Kiku"

"Honda you say? Hm, then this could quite well be the key to winning that I have been looking for all this time. I always had a hunch we would find him eventually when we heard he joined the war effort."

Yao glanced at Kiku with a bemused expression.

"Make sure that our... guest is well cared for. Go get him cleaned up. I don't want any guest of mine to be filthy while they're within my care."

"Yes, your highness it shall be seen to immediately."

Yao watched as Kiku was escorted from his throne room. What a pleasant evening it had been so far, so many wonderful things he had heard. Kiku Honda would definitely be the perfect trump card to signing the treaty with Japan. After all, the entire Honda branch was one of the closest feudal families to the Emperor of Japan. Having the son of such an important figurehead in Japan's political system would make sure the treaty of cease fire would be signed. Sure it would still be difficult to do, but the chances of the treaty being signed were much greater.

He called forth a guard to give a message to the imperial messenger so that it would go out for delivery to the capital of Japan. Yao was never one to just wait for things he wanted to happen. If something had to be done, it had to be done almost the moment it crossed his mind. Just like he could not wait to be Emperor any longer. His father would have ruled a long time, and he would have done things at a pace that was not acceptable to Yao. He had never realized how easy it was to kill his father. He never did hold any personal attachments to him, never really getting to speak to him, even though he was next in line. He had been raised by others, and taught by others. It felt unfair to him, it was not how he wanted things to happen. The greatest thing he hated was the way the empire had been run. He had to take it into his own hands to change the order and the only way to do that was become Emperor as soon as he could. Taking someone's life had been so simple. One quick jab through the heart with a sword was all it took, and in that fraction of a moment he had become powerful. He was a man not to be reckoned with. As soon as he had realized what he had become, he realized he craved more, even more power. That was all that mattered to him.

Kiku was brought to an impressive room, for a prison that is. As soon as he was inside he heard the doors lock behind him. Out of curiosity, he began to examine his surroundings. The room was rather empty, with only a simple looking bed pushed aside to the left wall. The colors red and gold accented the entire space, with mahogany brown appearing in the color scheme now and then. Approaching the octagonal window he tested the crossed wooden bars that extended through it. A few were surprisingly loose. He glanced down at the outside of the building. The way it was designed would make it simple to scale his way down if he managed to lodge an opening in the window. However that would have to wait till the ache in his left shoulder ceased. The point of where the arrow had hit him stung from slight infection due to not having been properly treated and the fact he had not been able to clean himself.

Kiku sat on the bed, his eyes gazing longingly out the barred window. He reached into his shirt and pulled out the charm that Mei had given him. He stared at it with a sorrowful expression. If he managed to escape would he be able to find her? That was the only hope he could hold on to for the time being. Then he heard the sound of the lock being opened. The door opened to a couple of palace servants and a single guard.

"We have come to make sure you are presentable for his eminence's audience. Please come with us." One of the servants said. Kiku obliged, knowing that causing trouble then would lead him to some rather unpleasant circumstances.

Mei returned to where she left Yong Soo. With her she carried two slain ducks that she had killed while they had basked near a small pond nearby. The thought of how she could cook them came to mind. In the past she had caught so many game animals, but she had never actually did anything else besides selling them. Preparing and cooking them was out of her league. She did not even know how to start up a fire to cook them over. As she approached Yong Soo she noticed that he appeared as if he had just awoken.

"What's that?" He muttered sleepily.

"I think I'm going to call this one breakfast and the other dinner." She joked. "By the way... do you know how to cook?"

After Yong Soo had become more awake he set to preparing the ducks and creating a fire. Mei had brought him some kindling to him, and soon with a few tricks he had learned in his training, they had a small fire going. As they waited for the duck to roast, Mei set about to applying the medication to Yong Soo's gash. It was still quite red, but it did appear less inflamed as it had once been. When she finished the task of applying the ointment, she wrapped up his leg with fresh wrappings. Yong Soo muttered his thanks and tended to the duck, which was beginning to give off a rather delicious smell.

"It looks like it's getting better. Your leg that is." Mei commented, trying to start up a conversation.

"Well it certainly doesn't feel any better." Yong Soo muttered. It bothered him not to be able to walk when he wanted to. If he did manage to walk, it was uncomfortable. With bitter remorse he wished that it could just heal by some sort of miracle. Being disabled was just too frustrating.

After breakfast, Mei got the horse some water from the pond she had found earlier. Once that was taken care of, she came back to Yong Soo and helped him onto the horse's back. It was not entirely easy. He was rather heavy. Mei directed themselves back to the road and continued down it.

Most of the day had passed with silent interaction, until Yong Soo finally spoke up.

"We should be nearing the border soon."

"Well we aren't going to get there today." Mei noted, while she pointed out the sky that was already beginning to dim.

"We need to find a more secure shelter." Yong Soo warned.

"Why?"

"Look at the sky, there are some dark clouds coming this way. The last thing I need is to get soaked."

Mei directed the horse off the road. The area they had decided to stop at was not as forested as earlier. In the distance was barren land as far as the eye could see, with large rocks jutting out of the ground and a few cluster of trees spread throughout the landscape. The scenery where they were at had also become a lot more rocky, so it was not surprising to find a rock formation that would make a decent shelter. No sooner had they gotten themselves fairly comfortable and secure that the first rumble of thunder passed overhead. Soon a flash of lightning accompanied it, and then came the heavy rain. The loud noises from outside unsettled Mei, she had never liked storms.

Luckily for them a fire was not needed to cook, Yong Soo had dried out the meat from the other duck earlier, making for a quick dinner.

"How long do you think this will last?" Mei asked fretfully.

"Who knows? It's hard to predict." Yong Soo said.

Mei looked out into the curtains of rain, accented by white flashes. It was a rather violent storm, and she felt fortunate they had found a safe place to be throughout it.

The best thing to happen is that the storm would be cleared up by the morning. Mei did not want to be held up in any way.

Kiku found the foreign clothes he wore, to be rather unsettling. They did not feel right on him at all. His situation was also unpleasant. His captor treated him with hospitality, but he knew it was all for show. It was doubtful that the Emperor cared at all. He knew about the treaty that Japan kept rejecting. If Japan ever became neutral, then China would lay claim to all its neighboring nations. Most of them would put up a decent fight, but in the end they would all be overwhelmed by China's superior military power.

Now Kiku found himself forced to attend a feast with a man he despised. What surprised him was the fact that they were alone except for a handful of guards and servants.

"Come sit, before the food gets cold." Yao called out welcomingly.

That was one thing that confused Kiku, the Emperor seemed so pleasant, and cheerful. However, he knew what that man was perfectly capable of, even if he was young for an Emperor.

Kiku sat down politely and remained keeping his back as straight as he was able to, his shoulder kept aching if he sat up completely straight.

"Please help yourself, there is plenty to go around."

Kiku did so, but with as much control as he could. He could not deny that he was famished. Once he felt satisfied he stopped and sat in further silence.

"I hope you enjoyed yourself." Yao said happily.

"Thank you, but may I go now?"

"Of course you may."

The guards came forward towards Kiku. He got up and followed them back to his room.

As soon as Kiku was out of sight, an advisor decided to consult with Yao.

"Are you sure you should be spoiling your prisoner this way your eminency. It may lead to him thinking you are too relaxed, and he may take advantage of that to escape.

"Aiyah! You're so uptight aren't you? I know what I'm doing so stop fretting. Believe me, if he does try anything, he will get a good taste of what happens to those who cross me."

"I apologize for doubting you. Please forgive me your highness."

"Apology accepted. Now what's for dessert?"

The storm had lasted a good part into the morning till it finally cleared. Mei felt a build of impatience as she had waited for it to go away.

She knew it was unlikely, but surely there was some form of game animal somewhere around the area. Yong Soo was still fast asleep. He was such a heavy sleeper for one who was in the army.

Mei collected her supplies and went out into the open. Everything was glistening with water from the rain. The way the sun reflected off of everything made it all shimmer. It was a rather enchanting sight to see.

Mei headed off to where the trees were closer together. Animals would most likely be there to hide. It soon turned out she was right and managed to catch a fairly large rodent. She felt satisfied with the catch and made her way back.

That was when a twig snapped. She froze, but she could not hear anything else, but she swore she felt something staring at her. It had been said that there were many large predators who had been constricted to the outer reaches of the wilderness. She hoped whatever it was, it was not one of those. She stepped lightly, and constantly turned her head to look everywhere around her. The feeling of being watched was not going away.

As she was about to make it to where the trees were farther apart she saw something spring out of the shadows. She dropped to the ground quickly, and in the process everything she had caught sprawled out everywhere. The attacker had barely missed her and landed some distance away. She sprung to her feet and readied her dagger. Bright blue eyes focused on her. The attacker was a very large white tiger.

She could feel her heart beating fast from fear. Tigers though graceful and beautiful, were in fact dangerous and skilled hunters. It would be insane to try to fight it. The safest bet would be to climb up somewhere high and out of reach. Mei leaned down and picked up a rock beside her and flung it over the tigers shoulder. The tiger glanced to see what had been thrown at it. This small action gave Mei plenty of time to scurry up the nearest tree. It roared at her from below and growled, it was angry. Then it did something she did not expect, it began to climb up. She could see the large claws digging into the bark of the trunk of the tree. One swipe from those, and it would all be over for her. She faced the pursuing tiger with her dagger in hand. The tiger held no fear at the sight of the weapon. It was just getting closer. Any moment it would be upon her. There was only one last thing she could possibly do. She threw the dagger as hard as she could directly at the tiger. The tiger roared in pain as the sharp object embedded itself within its shoulder. It fell to the ground, and began to whimper. It was not trying to get up apparently it was in too much pain.

Mei cautiously made her way down to the ground and approached the animal prepared to end its life. After all it was just like any other animal, and she had killed them many times before. As she got closer she could swear its eyes looked desperate and pleading. Its bright white fur was stained with red, and its muscular frame was twitching in agony. Mei felt pity towards it. She did not know why. It had just tried to kill her, but she could not bare to see such a beautiful predator in such a pathetic state.

The tiger was getting weaker from its wound, and was beginning to move less and less. Mei knelt by the dying tiger's side and braced herself and tugged the dagger out of its flesh. The tiger let out a roar from the pain. Those blue eyes were hazed but they still had such intensity to them as they looked at her with something that looked like it was begging for its life to be spared. She could not refuse such a desperate look, and she gave the tiger the rodent she had caught earlier.

"Here, I hope you get better."

The tiger sniffed at the rodent and looked back up at her questioningly.

"Go ahead, consider it a peace offering."

She could not believe she was talking to a tiger in such a way. She watched with curiosity as the tiger tore into the offering hungrily. It was now that Mei noticed the tiger was not as healthy and strong as she first thought. With a closer look, it appeared thinner than a tiger should be, and she knew she felt its ribs when she pulled out the dagger. The poor thing had probably been starving, and may actually be afraid of humans. It was a rather sad affair.

Mei then got up to leave and hoped that it just might recover. She looked at it one last time before returning to camp.

"Hey, where's breakfast?" Yong Soo asked.

"I didn't catch anything, deal with it." Mei retorted.

Yong Soo sighed with irritation. He noted that she had been doing something at least. Her clothes were stained and he could see a couple of tears on them.

Mei went about to treating Yong Soo's gash for the day, but when she reached into the satchel the medication was not there.

"What's wrong?" Yong Soo asked.

"Um well it appears I may of somehow lost that medicine earlier." She admitted. She let out a guilty laugh and waited for him to get mad.

"Oh well, like I needed that stuff anyway. I'm sure it will be fine, I don't need it anymore." He gloated.

"If you say so." She responded.

"Well let's get a move on shall we."

They packed everything up and went back to the road. That day would be the final stretch to the border. From there they would find somewhere to hide out in China.

As they made their way along, they were not aware that that they were being followed.

Eventually they made their way to the spot where the surprise attack had taken place all those days ago. Mei noticed that Yong Soo was staring at it with remembrance. She could not comprehend how truly traumatizing the events he had seen were.

It was not long till they came across the first signs of civilization. There was a small village in the distance Staying at a place like that seemed like a good change of pace to the alternative of sleeping outdoors.

Before entering the town, they made sure to hide Yong Soo's armor. After all, it would have been unwise to wear such attire in enemy territory.

On the outskirts there was an inn. Even though Mei did not want to, she put up with sharing the same room because it was much cheaper. Yong Soo had insisted that Mei would get the bed. However she did not want to hear any of it with Yong Soo being in the condition that he was in. She had been sleeping on the ground for the past few days anyway, and a wooden floor was not going to be much of a difference.

Leaving Yong Soo behind, Mei went out into town to collect supplies. The smell of dumplings nearby enticed her, she could not help but purchase some. Skipping breakfast had been taxing and she barely managed to contain herself from saving any for her companion. She then got herself some more arrows, considering most of her supply had scattered from the attack earlier that morning. The only downside was that she could not find the medication that Yong Soo had been using. She convinced herself that perhaps he would be fine without any.

Mei returned to the inn with her arms full of goods.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Mei apologized.

"Don't worry, it gave me plenty of time to sleep."

She gave him the dumplings she had saved. Other than that and other small exchanges, they sat in relative silence.

Mei was aware the two of them were not in the best of cleanliness. It did bother her. Perhaps they would come across a bathhouse at some point. Even a decent body of water would suffice. Or she could go ask the innkeeper right away. She excused herself from the room and went to find the innkeeper. As it turned out there was actually a small bathhouse in the town. She thanked the innkeeper for his information and went out once again.

She returned sometime later in the night feeling refreshed. She knew that maybe she could have invited Yong Soo, but the pursuit of a bath had made her too preoccupied. Though it did make her feel guilty she had forgotten about his needs.

When she came back into the room she found him already in the bed snoring away. She sighed and got herself comfortable. It was going to be a long night that was certain.

Yao sat in his quarters working on a painting. Painting was the only way he could pass the time when he felt there was not much to do. He wished that he could hear the status of the treaty at that moment Of course that was impossible considering how much time had passed since he had first had it delivered. Though he had heard some form of news. China's troops were making decent progress in slowly overpowering the nations south of China.

Yao's empire was growing even more, and it pleased him greatly. The only downside was all the unnecessary fighting. He could not understand why the other countries just would not give up right away. That way he could take over simply and peacefully. What was so difficult about accepting his rule?

All he wanted was an equal rule for everyone. Equality, what was so bad about it? Just pure equality for all, and Yao could provide it. If they were going to fight then so be it. Soon all would succumb to his equal rule. It was only a matter of time.

Yao leaned back from his work in progress to admire it. A simple lovely flower was upon the canvas. It would have to do for the moment; he could come back to it later.

He made his way to the window, there was a storm coming in the distance. What a shame, it felt like it was going to be such a lovely night. The thought of taking advantage of it came to mind.

He exited his chambers and went to a balcony to star watch. The different constellations strewn out across the black canvas was such a magnificent sight. He wished he could sleep out under them, but it was a pointless wish. One of the many who served him within the palace was going to find him and interrupt.

He made his way back inside and then he heard the thunder. A flash streaked by the window, turning everything white. Such a powerful storm, it seemed tyrannical, but the rain it brought would rejuvenate life. That was the wonder of it all.

However as grand as it was it kept Yao from sleeping. He went back to the painting and decided to complete it to preoccupy himself with the promise of sleepless hours.

The thunder rattled the bars on the window of Kiku's room. It was such a violent storm. The damage that it was going to cause, was going to be a considerable amount. Especially the damage it would cause to those wooden bars. It was no use to close the shutters; they would only get flung open.

All he could do was drag the bed further away from the window that was letting the rain come in. He lay on his back and stared at the ceiling. In his hand he clutched the charm, and holding that took away the distraction from outside. Sleep meant the dreams would come. In those dreams he would be able to see her face once again.

Bright blue eyes stared at a small village from a distance. A large white tiger lay out by a cluster of trees. He was waiting, waiting to see that human again. That one girl had proven herself to him and now there was something of great importance that he had to tell her. Perhaps something that could change the entire outcome of things to come.

The tiger stretched himself out and lay his head onto his paws. He wondered when he was going to get the chance though. Hopefully he would get that opportunity soon. Now all he had to do was wait for now for the human girl to be alone again.

If he never got the chance to speak with her, then the consequences would be dire.

He made the decision his current location was not as hidden as he liked so he lifted himself up and moved deeper into the protection of the trees.

The tiger looked up at the sky, the stars light reflected off his eyes. It looked all clear for now, but he knew that soon another storm would come.

When it did, it would be much fiercer than the one that had passed over recently. He had seen all the different kinds of storms that warring men brought before. Each storm was unique in its ferocity

Lost in thought, he lay himself down once again.

He was aware it was not his kind's way to pick sides, but since one of had already broken that taboo he did not see any problem with his assertion in the whole matter.

How bad of a storm could he, Baihu bring?

I'm so terribly sorry about the long wait. I got a bit distracted from getting this edited even after it had been finished for some time. Well it is here now though.

I must say that writing stores for the Southeast Asian characters is rather interesting. I get to do all kind of research. This may be a fantasy universe but I am trying my best to tie in real life aspects. Pretty much the only differences in this story is that the geographical setup is different. For example, Taiwan is not an island nation in this world.

Another difference is that all the history is not real at all. However I am influenced by the older military ways of the nations in this story.

It's also entertaining to write Wang Yao as the antagonist. I love writing him like that while at the same time keeping his personality without ruining it to making him some sadistic psycho.

Well I hope you enjoyed the latest installment and reviews are greatly appreciated.

(Extra note: Just a small warning... Yao has a harem in this story so there is going to be more mature themes in the future.)