Of Assassins, Samurai, and Magic

A/N: And the next chapter is up! I've tried to keep everyone as close as possible to their characters in the anime though I'm sure there will be a few OOC moments. Comments and reviews are much appreciated. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: The characters and the worlds I write in do not belong to me. The stories that I write are intended for entertainment purposes. I do not make any money from them.

*** ~ Chapter 17: Meeting with the Empress Part II ~ ***

"Fate-chan."

The said blonde stiffened at the sound of her name. Burgundy coloured eyes looked guiltily into violet ones. "H-hai Nanoha?"

"What are you doing Fate-chan?" There was really no need for Nanoha to ask that question. It was very clear to the brunette what her partner in the kitchen was up to.

Fate swallowed, trying her hardest to put on the most innocent smile she could. She was failing miserably, she knew. But still, it never hurt to try…

"I'm preparing this next dish to go out" Fate said feigning innocence.

Nanoha's eyebrow arched upwards, the brunette putting her hands on her hips. "And that involves tasting on one of the cakes?"

Cakes. Ah yes. Her ploy had been discovered. Fate was supposed to be adding the last glazing to the amazing moon cakes Nanoha pulled hot from the oven a few minutes ago. The small delicacies steamed delightfully as the honey syrup was applied to them. Fate had done her job as requested, successfully and efficiently coating the cakes with their final layer of awesome sweetness. But that was five minutes ago.

And for five minutes, Fate torturously fought with her inner sweet tooth as she stared at the cooling cakes in the tray in front of her. Nanoha was busy with another set of pastries on the other side of the massive kitchen. The imperial chefs also kept the brunette busy, asking for guidance with this pastry and that as they assisted her in the desserts. Nanoha would be none the wiser if one of the cakes… disappeared…

And so Fate decided it was in the best interest of the Empress to test one of these moon cakes. Gods forbid the cake be too sweet or too hot. Such an insult would never be forgiven. And to save her beloved friend the pain and torment from a beheading that would surely follow if that were to happen, Fate eagerly volunteered herself as the taste tester and scapegoat, to avoid that worse case scenario. The only problem was, Nanoha caught her just as she was about to eat one of the palm size moon cakes.

"Someone has to make sure they're the right sweetness" Fate said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And if it's too hot, whose head do you think the Empress will be looking for? Not mine. You're the head Shefu here."

Fate nodded as if to emphasize the point before she continued. "I, for one… umm…" Fate swallowed shyly, a flush forming on her cheeks. "I rather like Nanoha's head where it is" she said quietly. The blonde looked away.

Fate jumped when she felt Nanoha's fingers graze across her own to snatch the moon cake from her hand. "You're absolutely right Fate-chan" the brunette said smiling sweetly.

"I am?" Fate looked at Nanoha in confusion. Was she hearing things? Maybe the sweet aroma of pastries was finally getting to her. All this baking and no eating could drive anyone crazy.

"I'm so lucky to have a friend like you Fate."

Fate missed the lack of honorifics as Nanoha took a bite out of the moon cake she confiscated from Fate. Burgundy eyes widened. Unlike normal quick bites meant to consume food for none other than to keep one's body going, this bite was long, stretched out and almost… teasing. Fate gulped, her eyes never leaving Nanoha's pouty lips as a pink tongue darted from between them to lick them clean.

"Mmmmm…" Nanoha purred, making Fate feel suddenly a little faint. Was it getting hot in here or what?

Half hooded violet eyes sparkled. "You glazed them just right Fate-chan."

Fate stood stunned, like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. She had the cutest flush on her face Nanoha noted. The brunette grinned like a Cheshire cat, a crafty thought coming to mind. "Have a bite Fate-chan. You'll see what I mean."

That snapped Fate out of her stupor, her wine coloured eyes going even wider as Nanoha offered the half eaten moon cake for her to eat. The cake that Nanoha had bitten into.

"Say ahhh Fate-chan."

Fate gulped again, the flush on her cheeks going even darker as the cake came closer and closer to her lips. "Nano-ah!"

The brunette pushed the rest of the moon cake into her friend's mouth, fingertips lightly gliding along Fate's lips as Nanoha retracted her hand. The blonde almost choked, as Nanoha immediately brought her fingers up to her own lips and licked them.

"Pretty good, huh Fate-chan?" Nanoha smiled.

Fate could only nod her head numbly, unsure of what shocked her more. The fact that Nanoha had knowingly tortured her so. Or the fact that she just finished the cake Nanoha had bitten into. The brunette giggled.

"Now that we know it's perfect, can you take it out for me?"

"H-hai!"

Jail Scaglietti sat at an enormously huge mahogany table. It spanned the width of the already stupidly large room he resided in, all decked out with red linens of the finest threads with gold embossing the edges. Deed sat to his right, silent as ever as they waited for the Empress to make an appearance. While it irked the alchemist that the Empress was intentionally making him wait, he could not fault the woman as he did come here rather early. An hour early in fact. He just didn't think the Empress would be the type of person who stuck to deadlines. Then again, she was a very busy lady, running a country and all.

A half grumbling and half gurgling noise caused Jail to look to his right. Deed flushed embarrassedly and turned her face away to hide her pink cheeks. Jail chuckled. He couldn't blame his bodyguard for feeling hungry. The Empress was gracious enough to invite him for lunch and about five minutes ago, the imperial chefs started bringing out the dishes they were to eat. All of the food looked absolutely marvellous. Jail couldn't stop his mouth from watering the moment the smells reached his nose.

There were meats of all kind; pork, fish, beef, chicken, and even a few Jail didn't recognize. There was also a variety of rices, vegetables and legumes served as well. Hell, even mashed potatoes (Jail's secret fetish) also steamed on the table in front of him. But it was rude to eat without their host. And so, he and Deed waited.

And that's when he saw her. Out of the corner of his eye, Jail caught sight of blonde hair. Such a colour was unusual in this part of the world. He didn't doubt there were a few foreigners visiting at this time, but for one to be working as an imperial chef (as her outfit dictated), Jail found that rather intriguing. Then he noticed her blood coloured eyes. He could not hide his shock.

"Milord?" Deed had noticed her master's stunned expression, a ball of worry forming in the pit of her stomach.

Jail watched as the chef deposited a gold platter of the most delicious looking cakes he had ever seen on the table. He opened his mouth to say-

"Presenting her Excellency, the Empress of Japan."

Startled by the voice, Jail's head snapped to the left in search of its owner. He found Signum, the Captain of the Samurai, standing at the door he had entered from earlier. Blinking, Jail immediately sought the blonde chef only to find her already gone. Movement at the far end of the room caught his attention. Jail was amazed to see the elaborate tapestry on the opposite end of the room to him (which he assumed merely decorated the wall like the rest of them) lifted like a curtain revealing another curtain made of bamboo. In front of the semi-translucent bamboo curtain was a green robed blonde woman, someone he assumed to be an attendant to the Empress.

"The Empress welcomes you to Japan Scaglietti-sama" the attendant said in perfect English. "I am Shamal, the Empress' attendant and her voice for this meeting."

With that said, the bamboo curtain started to rise, only to stop halfway revealing the robe of the Empress as she sat on her throne, leaving from her shoulders up distorted and skewed by the bamboo sheeting.

Clever girl. Amber eyes narrowed slightly. "It honours me that you've accepted my request and graciously invited me to lunch your Highness."

Jail stood from his cushion on the floor and bowed respectfully to the Empress. Deed followed suit, her keen red eyes noting all of the samurai hidden amongst the shadows in the room. Had her senses not been as sharp, she wouldn't have noticed them at all. For the moment however, she ignored them and pretended they weren't even there.

Shamal turned her head towards the half hidden Empress, whispering to the woman. Jail assumed the attendant was translating his words for her.

"The Empress is very interested in your proposition Scaglietti-sama" Shamal said after a brief pause. "She has received many propositions from a number of countries, but none of them had interested her like yours did."

"Again Empress, you honour me."

And so the banter went back and forth. Shamal would speak as the Empress and Jail would reply back politely. They talked about general things at first as lunch kicked off. The state of the weather. The location of the palace. Then the topics turned towards the state of the world. The power of the nations. And finally, once everyone had their fill of the wonderful delicacies and sinfully delicious deserts, Jail's true topic came up.

"The Empress is curious about the device you described in your proposal Scaglietti-sama" Shamal said. She too was rather curious about it as Hayate had asked her opinion of the alchemist's claim on paper before hand.

"I thought you would be your Excellency." Jail stood up. "May I demonstrate my device?"

Shamal turned to the Empress once more, listening for a few seconds before turning back to look at Jail. "You may" was all she said.

"Excellent." A wide grin stretched across his face. "I require the aid of your Captain of the Samurai if that's alright."

Signum, who like Shamal, had been in attendance the whole time, turned to look at the Empress for permission. Shamal nodded. Deed rose to her feet and followed after Jail silently as they both met with the pink haired samurai in the open space of the room, closer to the Empress but out of the way of the table.

"Lady Signum" Jail said. "I ask that you fight my body guard Deed."

"Fight?" Shamal could not hide the alarm in her voice.

Signum immediately turned to the Empress, again for permission. It wasn't that Signum wasn't willing to indulge the man and show her true talent, but something about his request didn't sit right with her. Perhaps it was the way he looked at her, like a predator staring down at its prey. He was completely different from when she first met him in the hallway.

Deed noticed all the hidden samurais stiffen at Jail's words. Without a doubt, they had no intention of letting something happen to their beloved captain.

"The Empress will allow it" Shamal said staring at the Empress. Shamal didn't like this anymore than Signum did. But if that's what Hayate wanted, who were they to disagree?

"Very well" Signum said turning to look at her opponent.

"Thank you Empress." Jail bowed deeply. The grin on his face widened out of sight.

"Signum-sama" Shamal said in warning. "The Empress reminds you to use non lethal force in this matter."

Deed raised an eyebrow at this. Blood red eyes narrowed slightly.

"Understood" was all Signum said.

Jail backed away from the pair, and out of harm's way to stand next to the dining table. "Lady Signum" he said. "You have the honour of taking the first strike."

"As you wish."

For a moment, nothing happened. Signum stood in a low and wide stance. Her hand rested on the handle of her Levantine which was still sheathed at her side. Deed on the other hand, had drawn her twin blades and held them loosely at her sides, pointed outward. Both swordswomen held each other's gaze, both trying their best to size up their opponent before blades clashed. Blue eyes narrowed at blood red ones. Then Signum moved.

In a blur of movement, Signum drew Levantine in one fluid motion and slashed vertically. She was far enough away that her attack would not wound the woman, just slice off the white head band holding her brown hair back. Deed just barely crossed her blades in front of her time to intercept the attack. The clash of metal against metal was unmistakeable, both blades ringing loudly as they connected. Deed's arms shook from the sheer power Signum was using, their blades screeching against each other as they rubbed from the minute movement between them.

Oh how Jail wanted to laugh. The Empress and her motley crew were just full of surprises! Never did he ever think, in his wildest dreams, he'd ever see one of the weapons of legend. Signum's Levantine was unmistakeable, the violet fist sized magatama jewel rotating calmly where the hilt connected with the blade. Remarkable! Jail wanted nothing more than to study weapon. But he quelled his inner curiosity. All of that would come in due time.

A smirk curved on Signum's lips. It was rather thrilling to meet an opponent at her level. The Captain of the Samurai had come across very few opponents who could keep pace with her and the ones that could, were far and too few. Jumping backwards, Signum dashed around to Deed's right before darting in again and slashing at her with a diagonal downwards slash followed by a horizontal slash. Metal clanked against metal as both attacks were blocked.

Deed back pedaled a few steps to put some distance between them. As evenly matched as they appeared to be, they were not. Deed clearly knew Signum was stronger than her and probably had more stamina than her. Deed was built for speed and efficiency. The longer this battle dragged on, the more likely she would be defeated.

After a particular nasty set of slashes of which Deed just barely parried and defended against, the body guard stood breathing heavily, sweat rolling down her face. Signum too showed some exhaustion from her exertion, but clearly not to the extent Deed was. Blood red eyes looked over her shoulder at Jail. He nodded slightly. A smirk crept up on her lips.

Signum charged at her again, and the moment she came without arm's reach, Deed's blades lit up bright reddish-orange and the calm air was shattered with a low chime. With a flash of colour and Signum was thrown back into the stairs that led up to the Empress' throne.

"Signum!" Shamal rushed to her friend's side, pale and shaking.

Hayate was already on her feet in shock and surprise. She fought with herself to stay behind the bamboo curtain to remain faceless despite Jail now showing his true colours. The samurais in the shadows left their hiding places and now surrounded Jail and Deed, swords drawn. Deed's twin blades still glowed reddish-orange, giving off a low hum as they vibrated with energy. Signum grunted, blue eyes blazing with rage as her Panzergeist dissipated. Levantine was still held in front of her defensively, despite the captain having been slammed back first into the edge of the stairs. Levantine chimed softly in intervals, reacting to Deeds seemingly enchanted blades.

Jail laughed, raising up his hands in surrender. "My apologies for the deception Empress. I meant no harm, I assure you. This is what I wanted to show you."

Holding out a hand to his body guard, Deed gave one of her blades to the alchemist. Turning the blade over in his hand, Jail turned the butt end of the pommel towards the Empress to reveal a coin sized reddish-orange magatama jewel with a white line through it.

"Not as powerful as your Spirit Seeds" Jail said smirking. "But still rather effective. It has taken many years of study, but my research has finally come to fruition. Behold!"

Jail could not stop the grin from spreading across his face.

"I present to you the solution to your Spirit Seed problem. The artificial Spirit Seed! I call them, Logia Relicia!"

A/N: I honestly have no idea how moon cakes are made. I made that part completely up. XD Also, I don't know much about imperial etiquette and what not, so if this is wrong, oh well. I made it up for the story. Hehe.

For those of you unfamiliar with the non-English words, I have translated them below.

Hai = Yes

Shefu = Chef

Panzergeist = Armor Spirit/Tank Spirit

For an explanation of Japanese honorifics (eg. [name]-sama), please check out: http:/en[dot]wikipedia[dot]org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics