Chapter 12: New King, New wars

"Princess Yuki, try this one on next! Oh and this tiara too!" Hadi squealed in delight as she threw outfit after outfit on me.

"Why do I have to try on so many? Why don't we just pick one and be done with it? And will you just stop it with the 'princess' thing?" I growl good-naturedly. I really didn't like dressing up…but Hadi looked so delighted.

"We have to find you an outfit for Prince Kail's coronation tomorrow! Both the goddesses are expected to be there and bless his reign, and I want you to look perfect!" She chirped, rummaging through the trunk of dresses. How many dresses were in that cursed thing? We must have gone through nearly all of them by now. I inwardly smiled, if we just go through all the dresses, then this will be over soon!

"Ohhh none of these seems to fit your image!" Hadi pouted, searching through the pile of dresses.

"Oh well, I guess I'll just have to wear my regular-"

'NO! I will not be putting you on display for all of Hattusa in a ratty boys' tunic!" Hadi raged. Wow…she can be pretty scary sometimes. She turned back and continued rummaging; I took the opportunity to slowly edge towards the door. Just as I was about to turn and make a run for it, my back collided with something…. or someone.

"You know, I believe that there is another trunk of clothing in Yuki's room. Prince Kail gave them as a gift when she first arrived here but they have been left untouched." The voice behind me said with delight dripping off his words.

"Why didn't you tell me that, Princess Yuki?!" Hadi jumped up with renewed vigor, running to my room for the said trunk. I turn to glare at Ilbani, who seemed a bit too pleased with himself.

"…Are you some kind of sadist?" I ask with a scowl on my face. He only grinned wider.

"It's not often I get to see my little princess all dressed up." He chuckled, fixing the crooked tiara on my head.

"Well don't get used to it. And if you start with the 'princess' thing, I'll be sure you regret it." I warn, only half kidding.

" Why do you hate being a 'princess'? Many other girls in the kingdom would die for the title." He walked across the room and sat himself comfortably in a chair.

"Well then I am not like 'other girls'. And why would I want to be a princess? All they do is sit in a palace marveling at sparkly things and talking with their noses up in the air." I say haughtily, crossing my arms across my chest.

"You are right. You are no princess. You are more of a wild cat then anything." He chuckled. I smiled a bit. I liked seeing him like this, at ease, relaxed. Right then Hadi came bursting through the door, dragging a trunk behind her. I groaned. This one was bigger then the first one!

"Princess Yuki, why didn't you inform me of all these nice clothes?" Hadi scolded, already pulling one dress after another out. "And Princess Yuki…is there any way you can talk Princess Yuri into attending the coronation?" Hadi asked quietly. I sighed. Yuri had been depressed since…since Ursula's death. Yuri had such a pure innocent heart; she couldn't accept Ursula's death.

"Once Yuri sets her mind to it, she won't change it no matter how much you push. I would leave it alone, she may change her mind on her own." I say. Ilbani suddenly got up and pulled a dress out of the trunk.

"Hadi…I think Yuki would look quite nice in this." He handed it to her and left. Hadi looked at the dress in question, and a huge grin broke across her face.

"Ohhh! This is perfect!" She exclaimed, bustling about to find accessories to match it.

I sat with Ilbani during the coronation. I was merely there to show the people that Prince Kail had the god's blessing with him in his future rule. I felt odd in the dress Ilbani picked out, I had gotten used to the short tunics I had been wearing. The dress was a long and a deep black; it hugged my body and flared out at the sleeves and by my feet. It was embellished with jewels and Hadi had laden me with necklaces and a I listened and nodded in silent agreement as Prince Kail assigned Prince Juda to Kanesh to take the position of mayor. Good, separating him from Queen Nakia will isolate her here in Hattusa.

I watched the crown change his status from prince to King, and I listened as all of Hattusa roared for Yuri. They wanted to see Ishtar beside their new king.

It was not long…until Yuri came down…but her outfit. I glance at Ilbani to see he was quite surprised as well. Yuri was supposed to come down as a princess, to show she was Prince Kail's lady. But…she was dressed as she usually was her hair back in a ponytail and a sword in her hand. She kneeled and gave proper greetings to the new king.

"Your majesty, I congratulate you on your coronation. I, Ishtar, will serve you to the best of my ability until I must return to my home." She declared. Both of their faces…were blank. But I could see the pain playing on them both; they were mirroring each other's pain.

I frown. There was that word again. Home. I look toward Ilbani to see…that he had a pained look on his face too. I looked down at my lap, pursing my lips in thought.

Ilbani's POV

After the coronation, well after Yuri's speech, I had to wonder what would become of Yuki and I. Yuki…had to go back with Yuri when Venus rose.

My plan…was to love her enough that she would forget her own country. When I first suggested that to Prince Kail, it seemed so simple, I didn't understand his hesitation. But now I see his point of view. I do love Yuki. I love her enough, that I will not keep her from her happiness. If that happiness is in Japan…how could I make her stay if she would be unhappy?

But I didn't want to let her go. I wanted to keep her here, forever with me. I…have done all I could. I had decided, that I would take the risk of love, that I would love her whole-heartedly. If she decides to go back to her country…I will not stand in her way. I will not be that selfish.

I turned my mind to other matters. The senate has been pushing His Majesty to take on a queen. The seat could not be left empty for long. Yuri had been relocated to the seraglio, Yuki and I had to move out of Prince Kail's palace and into the main palace, and Yuki insisted she be kept close to Yuri at all times. The seraglio and main palace were separate, and Yuki and I could not take up rooms in the seraglio, so she settled for a room on the border of the main palace and seraglio.

Yuki's POV

I missed the old palace, with our little group. Before, it was only Hadi, Ryui and Shala fussing over me. Now…there were maids at every turn. It was slightly uncomfortable. I watched Yuri, sitting on a ledge staring off into space. She had been like that recently. I think she is trying to distance herself from His Majesty…

I sighed. I don't know if it is the right or wrong decision for her. If she plans to go back…separating now would prevent future pain. But…I hated the thought of watching her suffer for the next couple of months.

Then…what of Ilbani and I? Should I…also distance myself? The thought had been in the back of my mind for a while now. I know…that I have loved…too deeply for a separation to be painless. I knew it the entire time. I had always prided myself on thinking ahead, having a plan…but for this…I had pushed it off, I just wanted to live in the moment. To spend my time in contentment. Was it selfish? Would it hurt him…when spring comes? I ran my hand through my hair. I looked at Yuri sadly, was I ready to face that hurt?

"HELP!" Yuri's scream pierced the night air.

"Yuri!" I yelp, bounding out of bed with my dagger in hand. Ilbani seemed disoriented but quickly followed behind me. I arrived outside Yuri's door to see the maids gathered outside. Yuri's cries for help were heard from behind the door. I bustle toward the front only to be held back by a maid. I turn and glare angrily at her.

"H-his H-highn-ness is i-in th-there w-with Princess Y-yuri." She stuttered in fear. I wave her off. If Yuri wanted help, I was going to help her, no matter who it was I was going to be challenging. Hands grabbed both my arms, holding me back. I turned to see Ryui and Shala firmly grasping my arms.

"You mustn't, Princess Yuki. You can get in a lot of trouble if you interfere!" Shala wailed.

"Let me go" I hiss dangerously. It may have worked on the other maid, but Ryui and Shala knew me. They weren't afraid of me and tightened their grip instead.

"STOP! Please, someone HELP!" Yuri's pained voice was crying out. I tore against the sisters. Where was Ilbani? I pulled even harder against the twins as Yuri continued to cry out. They were stronger then me though…

"Hadi…HADI!" Yuri's voice rang out again. I throw a pleading look at Hadi. I know I shouldn't pressure her, but someone…someone had to help Yuri.

"Sister, NO!" Shala cried but it was too late, Hadi had slammed open the door and was begging to get Yuri out of there.

Moments later, a sniffling Yuri was wrapped in a sheet and taken out of the room by Hadi. I glanced in the room to see Ilbani talking with a distraught looking King.

I turned my attention back to Yuri, giving her my shoulder to lean on. We headed back to Hadi's room to tend to Yuri.

Yuri had fallen asleep after the fiasco. I sat with Hadi, watching her.

"Thank you. Hadi." I say sincerely. I know she had overstepped herself when she opened that door. I know what she risked to get Yuri out of here. Defying a King…that was no small offence. Ryui and Shala too. Even if I was mad at them at the time for holding me back…I know they did it out of love and concern. They were only trying to protect me. It might have been a good thing too. With my temper, if I had gotten my way and stormed into the bedroom, I might be sleeping in a jail cell right about now. Once again…I was unable to protect her. I get up suddenly and walk out of the room; I closed the door behind me and slumped against it. I sat firmly on the ground right outside the door.

"Who do I think I'm protecting?" I wondered. If someone came…Yuri is much stronger then me, anyone could get past me easily. I lean my head against the door. I guess…it's just for my peace of mind. I just wanted to feel like I had some control, like I had at least tried. I sat there all night, guarding the door as Yuri and the three maids slept.

The next day was…torturous. It was absurdly quiet as we all sat down for meals, understandable after last night's mess. I couldn't say I was quite happy with His Majesty at the moment either, but I held my tongue for the sake of keeping the peace. But this silence…it was almost like when I was still living with my mother back in Japan. It was suffocating me. I decided…that I was going to train for the day, anything to escape this agony.

Ilbani's POV

I watched as Princess Yuri ignored His Majesty and he ignored her. This was a disaster. I sighed as I watched Yuki walking down the halls toward the training field; she was humming tunelessly and tapping her fingers against the walls as she walked. The silence must be too uncomfortable for her. But…how to fix this mess? I had spoken to His Majesty about…last night, and I can see his point of view. He just wants Princess Yuri to stay. He only loves Yuri, and was willing to go to those drastic measures to keep her.

"…Ilbani…would you have done the same?" His question echoed in my head. To get Yuki to stay…would I? Before, I had decided…that if she wanted to go back to Japan, then I would send her away with no qualms. I wanted her to be happy. But as spring draws near, I wonder if I can still do that? Can I let her go?

I watched as she rode Huwant in circles, pulling her bow back to take aim while moving. I observed the intensity in her eyes. When she was focused, her entire image changes. She stands up straighter, her voice demands attention, and her eyes reflect a fire behind them.

The more I thought, the more I realized how many different sides there were to her. When she was a spy collecting information, she is invisible, seamlessly blending into the background. On the battlefield, she was cunning and focused. In politics, she was stubborn and commanded attention. With Yuri, she was often thoughtless. With me…she was soft, sometimes childish…and vulnerable.

"She is only vulnerable around me." I realize suddenly. I realize that she doesn't usually sleep when others are around, she carried her dagger everywhere, and she usually had those guards up in her eyes. But not with me. With me…she would sleep soundly, without her dagger. With me, she would laugh and giggle childishly and snuggle up to me like a kitten. To the rest of the world…she was a lioness, mean, cold and calculating. To me, she was a kitten; endearing, innocent, and mischievous.

Can I…Can I let her go?

Yuki's POV

Days had gone on with Yuri and His Majesty ignoring each other. I vaguely wondered if I could just lock them in a closet and not let them out until they resolved their issues. I dismissed the idea quickly. Somehow…I feel like that would make things worse. Plus, I think locking up the King can land me in some nasty trouble.

"Princess Yuki!" Hadi hollered from the stables. I had practically given up on correcting her with the 'princess' thing. That woman was as stubborn as I was when she wanted to be. I galloped Huwant back to the stable to see what Hadi needed.

"Arzawa has invaded Hattusa!" Hadi said frantically.

"Arzawa? That little country to the west of us? Why would they want to start a war with us? We are not on positive terms, but nor are we on negative ones…" I furrow my brow. Did Arzawa believe they could survive war with us? I walked back into the palace to find out what our plan was.

"It is 6 months until the morning star arises." His Majesty proclaimed. "We can resolve this in 6 months." And that was that.

I followed Yuri to her room; she had taken out her clothes from Japan in ecstasy, airing them out a little.

"Princess Yuri…do you have to go back? We would have liked it if you stayed…" Hadi began sadly.

"Stop it, Hadi! I have to go home! And if you don't want to help me air these out, then I will find someone else to help me!" she glowered. Only moments after that statement, maids flooded at her feet, waiting to be ordered. I hissed in distaste. Ever since we moved from the old palace, I could never get used to the sheer amount of maids. They seemed to follow every step I took! Honestly, it made me nervous. Servants were talented at blending into the background, by doing so, they can get the scoop on the latest news. Servants of a household know the best secrets, and I would prefer my secrets remain that way.

I glance at Hadi and her sisters after Yuri was whisked away by the sea of help. The sadness on their face was apparent.

"Princess Yuki! Perhaps you would like to air out your old clothes as well?" Another maid asked, slightly invading my personal bubble. I shook my head. I never allowed anyone but the sisters to clean Ilbani's and my room. Too many secrets in it.

"Then, perhaps a snack? I can fetch you a snack!" She pushed. Another maid coming up behind her chimed in, " Or perhaps you would like us to bathe you? We can message you with oils to help your skin as well!"

"Hadi, Ryui, Shala. I have some documents I have to deliver to His Majesty. Perhaps you can assist me? And His Majesty actually bought me an abundance of new clothes…would you like to help me choose an outfit for the next social outing?" I ask. I cringed a bit at the thought of playing dress-up, but the look of betrayal on their face as Yuri was tended to is killing me.

"Oh, Princess Yuki, I could do…" one of the maids began; the other had already began heading toward my bedroom.

"I asked Hadi, Ryui and Shala." I say, zipping past the first maid and planting myself in front of the second maid before she opened my door. "And I would prefer…that only they and Ilbani be allowed into this room." I say grinning, a warning glinting in my eyes.

"But we must clean…" The woman began, reaching for the door again. I grab her hand and placed it back by her side.

"I clean it myself, thank you." I say a bit too sweetly. "Hadi, Ryui, Shala. Won't you come help me? I'm even offering to let you dress me up, this is a rare occasion and will probably never happen again. Ever." I smile playfully at them. Their moods seemed to have lifted a bit, but I could still see the dejection behind their happy smiles as the fretted over my new clothes. Hadi was actually genuinely happy when I agreed to wear one of the outfits…for the rest of the day. Once they had left, I looked in the mirror.

I saw a girl…with short black hair, black eyes and a stubborn look on her face. I saw a girl that had scars crisscrossing her body, a dagger attached to her thigh. I saw strength in her eyes, strength and confusion. Her eyes held a distantness, but behind it, a warmth that was buried below the surface. When had that warmth appeared? I had no time…for that. I have to be strong and cold, that's how you survive here…right? I look again at the girl in the mirror. She had a purple shirt on that bared her midriff; it had a neck and sleeves to hide as much of her scars as possible. The white skirt billowed out and puddled softly by her feet. That wasn't a girl in the mirror…it was a woman.

"Ugarit…has been attacked." Ilbani said, walking in without even looking up.

"By Arzawa?" I exclaim in surprise. They must be bold indeed!

"By Egypt they came from…nice outfit." He finished, finally looking up. I swatted his compliment away.

"Not now, Egypt? Arzawa was one thing, but war with Egypt will be a catastrophe!" I begin to pace up and down the room, the dreaded skirt dragging behind me. How did people wear this thing without tripping? Nenatti used the skirt as a ladder, climbing up to sit comfortably on my shoulder. I kept pacing and suddenly I hissed, walking outside to find His Majesty. An attack from both sides of Hittite…it could not be a coincidence.

"I believe there are spies in our palace." Ilbani said, walking behind me. I know he is right. It bothers me that I was unable to find them first. I spotted Hadi and her sisters whispering over something. Servants knew the best secrets.

"Hadi, do you know what the situation is?" I ask her.

"His Majesty suspects spies in the palace, he will not be sending troops until they are found, if our plans get found out, they would backfire horribly so we must flush the spies out." She glanced at Yuri, sipping wine and talking to the other maids. "…It's such a bad time…right when we had fallen out of Princess Yuri's favor." She sighed, a tear running down her cheek.

"Yuri doesn't anger that easily. She has her reasons." I say, walking off toward the study in our room. I think I have some planning to do.

"Oh, Princess, won't you come join us for something to eat? And perhaps some wine as well!" A maid intercepted me. I shook my head and was about to go around her when Ilbani stopped me.

"Go relax. I will take care of preparations and investigation." He said walking towards our room. The way he said it though…it seemed odd, like he was trying to tell me something. I glance at the maid.

"Servants know the best secrets." I remembered.

"Fine. If you could, can you bring me some pomegranates?" I ask the woman, she sat me down in the parlor and dashed away to get my pomegranates. Moments later, maids surrounded me on either side. I twitched uncomfortably. I hated being watched as I ate, and I wasn't much of a talker and couldn't keep up with their gossip. They were asking me about what was going on with Arzawa and Egypt and if we were in danger. I answered all their questions vaguely, not revealing any more then I should. I spied Ilbani passing by and gave him a pleading look. He couldn't possibly think this would flush out a spy. He walked over to me and sat right next to me, and arm draping over my shoulder. I raised an eyebrow in question. He was never this affectionate in public.

"Hello, darling, having fun?" He asked. Did…did he just call me…darling? Uhg. The endearment made my skin crawl. I did however notice, that the moment Ilbani came in, the conversation amongst the maids had switched to clothing and skin…that was a rather big turn-around. I hadn't really grasped what he was aiming to do yet, but I decided to play along.

"Oh yes, dear. It is so very nice to have some time to relax." I purr, leaning into him. The maids began to coo and squeal. I twitch. I hated being the center of attention…especially as a couple like this. It made me feel like a lovesick bimbo. Ilbani better be going somewhere with this.

"Darling I wanted to ask you to put away those clay tablets that I left on my desk in our room. You know they must get to his majesty by tomorrow." He said in a smooth voice. I paused for a moment. Ilbani never left information out. We had spent the first week in the new palace renovating our room to have secret compartments everywhere. Even if we didn't, he wouldn't just say they were on his…"Ah." The light bulb in my head finally went off.

"I will, dear, right after my bath, Okay?" I lean closer to him.

"Thank you, darling, I have to go to a meeting today, so I will be back late. Don't wait up for me." He said silkily, getting up and walking toward the meeting hall.

"Oh it must be so nice to be a Princess! To be pampered and leave all that nasty political stuff to the men!" A maid sighed.

Wait…that didn't sound right. Anyone in Hattusa knew…that I was the new tactician for Hittite. That I attended to all of the political meeting s Ilbani attended.

"I think I am going to take my bath now. It's getting dark." I say standing up and walking away, instead of going to the bath, I made a sharp turn toward our bedroom, I hid myself in the shadow of the curtain and waited.

Not too much later, I heard the door creak open, and a shadow slip through and head directly to the desk. Once the shadow was close enough, I pulled out my dagger, the shadow was fast, blocking my attack.

"Don't let the maids get away!" I heard Yuri's voice shout not too far away. Figures they'd try to dupe us both.

"Yuki!" I heard Ilbani's voice at the door, and then saw him as he lit some candles in the room. The man who had attacked me pushed me back and stood behind me with a knife to my chest.

"Don't move, or she dies." He threatened. Ilbani laughed at that. "What's so funny, you think I won't?" He demanded, pressing the knife closer.

"You people should do more research before you spy." He simply said, still chuckling. I grabbed the man's hand, pressing down on the pressure points on either side of his hand sharply enough for him to drop the blade. I then swung around and elbowed him in the soft spot beneath his ribs. He fell over in pain.

"If you had done your research, you would have known that Princess Yuki is a cunning tactician that can hold her own in a fight. You would have also have known to beware her quick temper." He laughed as the man was dragged away by soldiers that had just gone to help Yuri with the spies in her room. Once they had left, I turned to Ilbani.

"Quick temper?" I tap my foot.

"Yes. Quick as a snake." He said without looking up. I laughed out loud.

"What were you going to do if I didn't catch your elusive messages earlier?" I asked, truly curious.

"I believed I was being quite obvious…darling." He said, stressing the endearment. I shuddered.

"Never call me that again. It's creepy." I snarl.

"What? It's a common enough endearment." He said in mock innocence. "I rather like it."

"…Then on our next social gathering I will be calling you 'sweetie'." I threaten darkly. I saw his eye twitch. He knows I'll do it.

"Fine, fine, let's call a truce, little minx." He raised his arms up in surrender.

"Sure, owlet." I counter playfully. We began to go outside to see what our course of action would be now that the spies were gone. Yuri had apparently decided to go with His Majesty to war.

"And you, Yuki?" His Majesty turned to me. "What will you do?"

"Well of course I will be accompanying Yuri! You cannot simply separate the goddesses of light and dark!" I grin. It seems we will be headed off to war again.

"Y-Your Majesty!" Kikkuri rushed in, "The spies! They've been poisoned!"

Turns out…those servants were working for Queen Nakia. The maids were from the west. Yuri had seen an Egyptian soldier exit the Queen's palace. He killed himself rather then be questioned.

"Would the queen give away military secrets to other nations?" I ask Ilbani in wonder. How far was this woman willing to go to get her way?

" It doesn't surprise me a bit." Came his chilly answer.

"We must attack both fronts." The king announced. "But we need another commander."

There was a bit of an argument as to who would lead the forces to Arzawa. Nobody seemed to want to take the position.

"What about Yuki and I?" Yuri's proposition stunned everyone.

"I cannot allow you into battle without me!" The King protested. "Ilbani, tell them it is a foolish idea!"

"…As much as I hate to admit it…it isn't logically a bad idea. Yuri is a strong fighter, and Yuki is a great tactician. Together, they make a perfect commander. I see no problem…except that it is absurdly dangerous." He said giving me a hard look. I glared right back at him. I was no child he had to take care of.

"Princess Yuri…if you go to Arzawa, you will never see Prince Kail again before you go home." Hadi pointed out sadly.

"…I wish to lead them into Arzawa." Yuri said quietly.

"Rusafa, Kash, Mittannamwa, and Ilbani. You are to accompany the Goddesses into battle." The King said decisively. " The goddesses will lead our troops into Arzawa."

Ilbani's POV

I don't know whether to be happy or sad. I get a few more months with Yuki…before she goes home. I am pleased…that I get more time with her…but at the same time…it will make the separation all the more difficult. We are headed off to war tomorrow. Yuki had done most of the planning, the troops were ready and most were proud to be serving the goddesses.

What about Yuki? Was she happy that I was going? Does she feel the same painful happiness as I am feeling right now? Was she sad to go too?

Yuki's POV

I scribbled onto a clay tablet. This was my 100th attempt at this letter. When I had finally finished and was satisfied with the results, I went to meet with the priestess of the temple, leaving her the tablet and a set of instructions.

I walked out toward the troops, Huwant was waiting for me, and Nenatti perched in her regular spot on my shoulder. I jumped on to Huwant and looked back at the troops. This…may be my last adventure here. I closed my eyes, feeling the warm wind on my face as it blew my hair back. I smelled dust as the horses tromped around; I looked back one last time to Hattusa. Had I made the right choice?

"On to Arzawa!" I shout, a roar of voices joined my own.

We have just broken through to the 13th volume of Red River now!

Thanks for reading up till now! See you next chapter!

~Eternally Snowy