Chapter 14: Happily Home

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Yuri had picked up the pace, rushing us all toward Hattusa again. Even if I knew we were rushing back to Japan…I felt disheartened as we got closer and closer to Hattusa. I was so confused…my entire basis of staying here…was to protect Yuri. I would follow Yuri everywhere. That's what I thought two years ago. But now…what did I think?

"Ah!" Yuri gasped. Her headband had snapped suddenly, landing with a plop into the water. "I hope it doesn't mean…something has happened…" Yuri muttered under her breath as she took the headband from Rusafa who had picked it up. At that moment, a messenger came through, kneeling in front of us.

"His Majesty has sent half his troops to slow down the Queen Dowager's construction! Ishtar, you must hurry back!" He said in a panic.

"What? He cannot possibly fight Egypt with only half his troops!" Ilbani growled. "We have to bring back up."

Yuri looked pained. She kept glancing toward Hattusa, and then toward the king's location. I could see the indecision evident on her face. Did I have the same look? Do I know where I belong?

"I will follow Yuri…. I will always…" I chanted to myself…but…that didn't sound right anymore…for the first time…I doubted myself…not myself…Yuri…

I closed my eyes and clenched my fist. I was always Yuri's shadow. I couldn't exist without her. I was just a shadow…was. Now…who was I? All this time, I have lived in her shadow; I had always leaned on her. Yuri…would I be able to exist on my own? Who was I, without Yuri?

I turned Huwant toward Ugarit. Yuri looked at me, utterly shocked. I was surprised myself; my hands were shaking as I gripped the reins tightly.

"Yuri…I…I'm sorry. I will be taking half of the red lion army to Egypt now." My voice was shaking. I struggled to keep my expression blank, but I could feel the tears behind my eyes. I had made my decision. Yuri looked distraught. Then all of the sudden she pulled Aslan and moved to stand right next to me.

"…How could I leave you alone…Yuki?" She smiled with determination. I grinned and pushed Huwant toward Ugarit.

I realized it then…I wasn't a shadow anymore. Somehow, I had moved away from Yuri's shadow. I wondered…did I have a light of my own now? Do I shine? Even just a little? When I look at myself in the mirror…I still didn't see anything special. I wasn't anything different. I was still nothing extraordinary. I didn't have a light like Yuri…I know that…but one day…would I shine as well? I suddenly realized it: I didn't care. I don't care if I never shine. I don't care if there are absolutely no redeeming qualities about me. That was fine. Being just me…just Yuki. There were people here…people that accepted me for me. That loved me. It's enough for me then…to just by Yuki.

I look up at the sky.

I'm sorry mother. I have made my decision.

Back in Hattusa:

Nepis' POV

I listened to the construction of the Queen's shrine. The goddesses wont make it in time. I put my hand on the clay tablet Yuki had given to be before she left, her instructions drifting back to me.

"If we do not make it back…please send this letter to Japan in my place. I beg you" I could hear the desperation in her voice, she was confused. There…there should be some water left from the spring. I slowly came into view and walked through the guards and workers.

"Oh, Princess Nepis…you shouldn't be out of the castle!" A guard cried to my left.

"I just wanted to bless the new shrine." I smile in the direction of his voice.

"Well…Queen Dowager said to not let anyone through…." The guard said hesitantly. "But…if it is you…. then I don't see the harm…"

I thank him and continue in. I smile slyly to myself once I was inside. People always coddled me because of my blindness, but I never saw it as a bad thing. I could hear things clearly; I could hear every inflection of a person's voice. I could pull out lies in moments. People never looked at me as a threat.

I could always hear the love in Kail's voice when he spoke of Yuri.

"Dear brother. I hope you find your happiness." I whisper, sending the clay tablet through the spring.

Yuki's POV

I laughed gleefully as I led my half of the troops down the hill to toward His Majesty. It looks like we got here just in time.

The battle ended at midday. The first skirmish between Egypt and Hittite…was firmly a victory for King Mursili II.

I tried on a new dress. We were in Haleb, the city in which Prince Telepinu Rois governed. There was going to be a party to celebrate our victory. I hadn't seen Ilbani since my decision…it had been so busy.

I stared in the mirror. I saw someone…it wasn't a girl anymore. I saw a woman in the mirror. She wore a long dress that showed off her scars. Showed off her badges of honor. I saw determination in her eyes. She also saw an underlying sadness and fear. What was she afraid of? I saw the way she clasped her hands in front of her chest and the way her shoulders slumped, as if she was still shy…but trying to overcome it.

I heard the door open behind me.

"Wanna tie the back of my dress?" I asked him, spying him in the mirror. He came up behind me wordlessly, tying the strings in a nice loop.

"Why did you stay?" He asked quietly. I turn to look at him. He looked tentatively happy. "Are…do you regret it?" He asked. I shook my head quickly. No. I didn't.

"Ilbani…remember…when I asked you what a 'home' was?" he nodded and waited for me to continue. "For a long time…I didn't know what 'home' was. I couldn't decide…whether it was here or Japan. You told me…that home was a place where one feels comfortable and safe. Ilbani…I finally did it. I found 'home'." I say looking deeply into his eyes.

"In Hattusa?" He smiled softly, brushing his fingers through my hair and sending shivers up my spine.

"No." I say, walking into him, clinging to his robes. I felt his arms wrap around me, holding me close.

"Where is home then?" I could feel his confused voice rumbling in his chest, sending the vibrations through me.

"Here" I whisper, burrowing in deeper. "Right here. In your arms. Because I feel safe when you hold me. I feel comfort when I hear your voice, when I feel your touch. Home is wherever you are." I sigh. He pulled away and tilted my chin up. I stared deeply into his eyes. He had a soft look in his eyes, soft and hopeful. I was the only one that has seen this look. I loved it. I loved how that look was just for me. I loved when he scolded me, when would run his hand through my hair. I loved when he said my name, I loved when he teased me.

"…I…I love you." I whispered, still looking at him. A look of surprise, then delight crossed his face, before he slammed his lips onto mine in a deep kiss. I sighed happily, accepting it. There was no war; there was nothing else on my mind. Just Ilbani. Just his hands on my body, just his lips on mine.

I gasped as his hands roamed down my body, I felt him push the dress off my shoulders. I shivered as it completely fell down, leaving me bare. I shivered as the cold air hit my exposed skin.

I whimpered a bit. Suddenly…I felt self-conscious. For the first time, I was worried about how I looked. I had almost no figure…scars crisscrossed my body…how could he want someone like me? My thoughts were interrupted as suddenly, the ground was swept out from under me and I was carefully placed on the bed. Instinctively, I grabbed the sheet to cover my chest and pulled my legs in close.

He sat in front of me, running his hands over my hair, cupping my cheek and pulled me into another breathless kiss. Somehow during this kiss, he had managed to coax the sheet from my hands and was running his hands all over my body. I whimper a bit as his hands found my breasts, slowly massaging them. His fingers found my nipples and I cried out into his mouth in surprise.

All these feelings…they were so foreign. I didn't know what to do…how to react. My back arched on his own and I cried out in surprise as his fingers drifted into my core.

I pulled at his robes clumsily and they slid off his shoulders. Tentatively, I let my hands travel through the wide expanse of his chest. He was lean, but still muscular. His fingers suddenly left me, and I felt something hard urging at my inner thigh. He pulled back a little, looking at me, asking permission. I clung to his neck and nodded. It's fine. It's fine because I love him.

I squeaked in surprise as a shock of pain rattled me. It wasn't unbearable, but it was unfamiliar. But I was happy. I was so very happy. He waited for me to adjust before beginning to move.

I didn't feel much at first, just a light stinging sensation, but it didn't take long for my legs to tangle with his, my nails to rake across his back, and my voice crying out in bliss. He groaned and I felt something warm get released into my stomach before he rolled over to the side, gathering me in his arms.

"I love you. I really love you." He whispered half asleep.

"I love you." I say back in a daze. The words came easily now…why was that? Then I realized it. Before, I was always afraid…I would have to go back to Japan. If I fell in love, that would only make it more difficult. I had always been afraid of loving too deeply. I was afraid…that I might break like mom…I never understood why people would risk love if they could be hurt so badly. Why love at all?

I understand now. They all wanted this feeling of wholeness. They wanted to feel loved, and wanted to love back. They were all looking for someone to look at them and accept them for who they are. This feeling…it is worth the risk. When you love…there is always the chance you will fall down, that things will not go as planned. Like mom in Japan. But…even if I fall…I do not regret this decision. Just having this feeling in my life for a moment…that makes any fall worth it. And I am not like mom. If I fall…I will get up. I am stronger. I am not simply half of a whole, not to anyone. I am me. I am whole.

I yawn and snuggle into Ilbani's embrace, falling asleep with a peace of mind I had not had in years.

Back in Japan:

Haruka's POV

To my mother:

Mother, if you are getting this message, then please know that I am safe. And that I have found my happiness. I can't really explain…but I have found someone I love, and I have decided to stay with him. There are many people here that care for me, that love me. This means that I will never be able to see you again. Certain circumstances will not allow me to visit you ever again. I'm sorry mother. I am sorry for the grief I have caused you, I am sorry that now, I cannot ever make up for that. But I wanted to tell you, that I love you, Mother. That no matter what, you will always be my only mother. Mommy, I hope, from the bottom of my heart…that you will be able to find your happiness again.

Your daughter,

Yuki

I read and reread the message. It was written on a clay slab of handwriting…it was definitely hers…but it was different at the same time. There were misspelled words, and the grammar was off. The strokes were shaky and uneven. As if she had not written in a long time.

"Yuki." I whispered to no one. Two years. She had been gone for two years. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream and be God to bring her back to me…that she was all I had now. I missed her. I never noticed…how quiet it was. I missed her tapping on the walls, humming as she made dinner…I missed the worried looks she would give me when I wouldn't eat. I wanted to beg for her to come back.

But I can't do that. I have given that child…awful memories. I have hurt her deeply. I cannot be so selfish…as to take her away from the happiness she has finally found.

"She still loves me." I muse to myself. I wonder if she knows I love her as well? Probably not. I have been a poor parent over the years. But of course I love her. She was my daughter. It was just hard. She had her father's face. For years after her father cut us off, I was lost in a daze. Before I knew it, she was all grown up. She grew up all by herself. But it hurt so much to look at her, everyday, she would look more and more like Aki. She sounded like him… It hurt too much. So I ran away. I escaped and kept living in my daze.

She had found happiness. Someone out there…someone loved her. And I have to let her go. I got up as the phone rang.

"…Haruka?" The familiar voice on the line called. I cringed. "Haruka. It's Aki. I…I miss you. Since my divorce with Kaoru…I have realized how much I missed you. Can't we…try again?" The voice pleaded.

I froze. This was what I was waiting for all these years. This was the call I have been dreaming about…but…

"You hurt me. You used me and then threw me away. Now you come back because your pretty little wife left? Now that my Yuki is gone? No. No Aki. It's over and done with." I slam the receiver down with a click. There were tears running down my cheeks.

"Yuki…I will find my happiness. My true happiness. Just know…wherever you are…that mommy is sorry…and that mommy loves you very much." I say up to the ceiling.

Yuki's POV

It's been days…since Yuri and Kail disappeared into their bedroom. I know they were eating the food left out by Hadi…but was it healthy to be having that much…um…sex?

One afternoon…the door finally opened, and rumpled looking King stepped out.

"Oh your Majesty, long time no see. Did you finally get bored?" Ilbani sang teasingly. I stifled a giggle at the King's uncomfortable face.

"I…I would like to make Yuri my Queen." He stated, with complete authority. I grinned and laughed with delight. Yuri…the next tawananna! I bounced back on my heels. It was going to be a lot of work…a lot of convincing. But if His Majesty and Yuri agree on it…I will not rest until it is done!

"…You know…I never would have envisioned myself here." Yuri said as we rode back toward Hattusa.

"Of course not. Who expects to be magically dragged back in time and become the concubine of a powerful ruler?" I say drolly.

"Haha you're right. But now we are going to spend the rest of our lives here. Yuki…I still miss Japan…but I don't regret my decision." She said firmly, a far away look in her eyes. I smile. She was happy. I could see it on her face. I looked up to see that we had reached Hattusa. I looked at the red soil, smelled the humid air, felt the sun rigorously beating down on me. I don't regret it either.

"Your Majesty! The Queen Dowager has prepared a spectacular gift for your return! Please head to your seraglio." The head of senate said as soon as we arrived. I scowled. A gift from Queen Nakia is poison with a bow on top. What was she planning?

"Welcome home, Your Majesty." Came a unison cry as hundreds of women now occupied the seraglio. I chocked. She was trying to drive a wedge between His Majesty and Yuri. I hadn't had time to think of a strategy to push the senate to accept Yuri!

Princesses Ishin Saura, Alexandria, Adda Sharlato, Sabaha, Ure, Aksham, and Selto. That was Yuri's competition. I mentally crossed Princess Alexandria off my list of threats. She was still a child, and probably here to see Yuri if anything. His Majesty seemed to know Princess Selto, and Nakia's niece; Princess Ishin Saura, was a danger I had to keep an eye on. I had to gauge each princess…to see which ones will merely play petty pranks, and which will cross the line. Never underestimate women. They sometimes go pretty far…to get what they want.

I turned and sighed at the look of hurt and jealousy on Yuri's face. Who wouldn't get jealous? The sooner I can clear out this seraglio…the better.

It had only been a short time with a filled seraglio…and I was going insane. Whoever thought…that it was a good idea to put so many women in one place must have been crazy. This much estrogen in one place…it was a miracle I had not killed any yet.

I needed to deliver some clay tablets to his Majesty…I spied him in the living room…surrounded by women vying for his attention. I noticed some turning to give me dirty looks. I have been so good lately; I didn't pick a single fight with these stuck up brats. But my tolerance wears incredibly thin. A nameless woman "accidently" Bumped into me…and I decided that scaring some of them would have no negative effects. I was going to get these tablets to the King, that was my job and duty, and I'll be damned if these pampered dimwits stood in my way.

I began to walk toward His Majesty, not altering my path for any woman in the way. I heard squeals as I stepped on hands and fingers, grumbles as I walked directly into a girl and kept walking forward, nearly over her as she stubbornly decided not to move. When I reached the King's seat, even I know there was a look of irritation on my face. Kikkuri and Ilbani looked at me in utter shock. I had just singlehandedly bulldozed down a line through the sea of women…to deliver some clay tablets. The King graciously took the tablets from my hands and thanked me. I bowed stiffly, turning to see some fuming women behind me.

"How dare you walk through here as if you have the right!?"

"You are nothing but an advisor! A lowly peasant!"

"Someone like you dares to disrespect us?"

I snapped. I smile disturbingly at them, leaving the smile on my face until every voice stopped and a chill fell over the room.

"I dare to disrespect YOU? How dare YOU disrespect ME? I do important work for the Empire we all live in. I have held a sword to protect people like you. What right do YOU have to treat me so? You seem to have all forgotten, I am the goddess of the underworld. It would do you well to keep your mouths shut when I am around." I say in a sickeningly sweet, dark voice. Eyes were on me. Many of the women were scared beyond reason; some had gotten up and left. The King and Kikkuri were trying to hide the pure amusement on their faces. Ilbani put a soothing hand on my shoulder.

"…How about a picnic?" He suggested, knowing that I had reached my limit and led me away.

I spied Yuri heading to her room with the sisters and Princess Alexandria and called out to her.

"Hey! Why don't you guys come sit with Ilbani and I for lunch?" I call. I know those other women were bullying Yuri. And as much as I wanted to step in, I know that it is Yuri's fight. Though if they did come and bother me…well heaven help them.

Yuri, the sisters and Princess Alexandria sat down on the little picnic blanket Ilbani and I had set up.

Ilbani's POV

I watched as the newcomers sat down with us. I could tell it was killing Yuki to leave Yuri be, but it had to be done. It must be hard to put up with all of those aggressive women. And so many of them! Yuki was far beyond her limit with these women. It was apparent in her recent display. Usually, her wrath consisted of shouting, hissing, and snarling. This one was different. It was truly frightening, it was dark, ominous, and the odd smile on her face made it so much more intimidating.

We enjoyed an entertaining lunch. Princess Alexandria always seemed to have something to say…yet for some reason, her prattle did not annoy me. I was nice for someone to fill the silence. Yuri looked like she was trying to hard to smile.

"Excuse me. But Princess Aksham will be dining here. You will all have to move." A maid said. The princess was followed by a large line of wait staff. She obviously was not here to eat; she wasn't one who would enjoy eating on the ground. I suspect she wanted a rise out of Princess Yuri. Too bad she didn't account on Yuki's presence. I sighed, and here I was expecting a nice, quiet picnic to get Yuki's mind off of these matters. Some of these Princesses needed to wise up. If they had not heard of Yuki's notable temper…they spend far too much time looking in the mirror.

The goddess in question looked up briefly, laughed and continued with her meal. Princess Aksham went red in the face.

"You will remove yourself from my presence. NOW!" She hissed.

"No. I quite like it here." Came Yuki's tart reply. Princess Yuri made a move to leave, but Yuki stilled her with a hand on her leg.

"What gives you the right to refuse me!? I am of higher status then you, commoner!" She stamped her foot, screeching. Yuki didn't even look up and popped a pomegranate seed in her mouth. She crinkled her nose a bit. It must have been sour.

"Commoner? As in 'frequent and concurrent', yes?" She paused, popping another seed in her mouth, it was sour. " Well answer me this, princess. How many princesses are in this palace?"

"Seven. And they all outrank y-" The furious princess began.

"Seven! Good job counting!" Yuki said condescendingly, nonchalantly eating another seed. Sour again. "Now, since I know you can count, how many goddesses are there?" She sang happily. When no answer came, she answered herself. "Two. Goodness you disappoint me. Two is not a very high number. How can you count to seven and not two? Well which is bigger…no let me tell you, it is seven. Seven is larger…so tell me this, which one of us is 'frequent and concurrent'? Which of us is the commoner?" She still was focused on the pomegranate. I never understood why she kept eating them. They always seemed sour to me.

"You! NO. I outrank-" The princess was livid.

"Dear girl, how can a princess outrank a goddess? And purple is not your color." Yuki giggled, noting the rapid color changes on the princess's fair skin. Princess Alexandria looked like she was going to burst out laughing any moment now. I myself cracked a smile, then frowned as Princess Aksham stepped forward to try and grab Yuki and move her by force. Not a good idea.

Before her hands touched Yuki, a small knife thunked into the tree behind the Princess; I swear I saw a couple of hairs get caught in the crossfire. Princess Aksham looked positively stunned. Her expression showed anger, fear, and surprise. Yuki was enjoying it too much.

"Dear Princess. You test my patience. As you can see, I have very little patience. Much less then my darling sister. You may get away with bullying the more passive Ishtar, but you are truly a fool to cross Ereshkigal. Know this: I have marched into battle and have taken down men that could snap you in two. I have held swords to the throat of Kings. Your pretty little 'rank' does not protect you from my temper." Yuki said in a dark voice.

"Y-y-you d-dare th-threaten m-me?!" Princess Arksham's voice had gotten very weak all of the sudden. Her calm demeanor was shattered.

"No, dear Princess. I only warn you. I am a kind person, and will not harm you on first offence. I am even so generous as to warn you! Cross me again, and you will regret it." Yuki turned back to her pomegranate and ate another seed. She smiled and closed her eyes. I guess she found a sweet one after all.

After Princess Arksham had stomped away, Princess Alexandria and the maids dissolved into a fit of giggles.

"D-did you see her f-face?! Ha! That was priceless!" Ryui laughed with glee. I sighed; no doubt I would be hearing more of this later. Slighting a foreign princess is never good.

"She won't tell. It would mean admitting that she was beaten by a 'low ranked commoner.'" Yuki said nonchalantly at me.

"Yuki, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring you into this mess…" Yuri said solemnly. Yuki waved her off.

"It was fun. I've been dying to throw a knife at one of those snobs since their arrival. But you best watch out for that one. Princess Arksham…she is a sly one." Yuki warned before rolling on her stomach to soak in the warm sun. I saw the concerned look in her eyes as she looked at Yuri, though. Watching Yuri get bullied was killing her, and it was killing her not to be able to step in. If Princess Arksham was picking on Yuki, she had every right to stand up for herself and it would not hurt Yuri's reputation. It wouldn't solve the problem, but it helped Yuki's peace of mind. Yuri's group had long since gone, and I was left with a snoozing Yuki. I brushed my hand through her ebony hair, my fingers grazing her pale cheeks. She wasn't so pale anymore. The sun had done her some good. She yawned and blinked her almond eyes at me before smiling peacefully. A smile meant just for me. I leaned in to kiss her softly. How did I fall in love with this little wildcat?

Yuki's POV

I hissed in utter anger as I watched Yuri's dress snap and fall off. I make a move to get up, but Ilbani's hand on my arm stopped me. I watched as the King draped his robe around Yuri and sat down with her on his throne, proclaiming that she was his one and only love. It sedated my anger. But not all of it. I was so mad. I was angry that I had to watch this happen. That I could not do anything to stop it. I realized I had a death grip on Ilbani's robes, my anger was apparent to everyone in the room. I took a deep, steady breath and forced my emotionless mask back on. I had to let Yuri handle this…

I said that then to keep myself calm, but the moment I got back to my bedroom and the door shut, I let out a screech of utter rage. The nerve of those women. Petty, disgusting, manipulative sirens! And I was powerless. Completely and utterly useless… I growl again and grit my teeth.

"You can't touch this matter. Princess Yuri must win over the seraglio on her own." Ilbani said behind me.

"I know that! Of course I know that! Why do you think some of those princesses are still alive?! If I had decided to step in, some of those witches would have mysteriously gone missing." I seethe.

"…Do you believe in Yuri's strength?" Ilbani asked, sitting next to me on the bed.

"…Yes. But how far will it have to go before she reacts?" I snarl.

"Princess Yuri can handle this. You know it." He stroked my back. Of course I knew it. It didn't make it less painful to watch.

"Scorpions have bitten Princess Yuri! They were placed in her bed!" Hadi cried from the other side of the door. I growl, running out the door immediately.

"This has gone far enough." I snarl to Ilbani who was running next to me. Now they threaten her safety. Now it is my problem.

Trouble in the Seraglio! And about the earlier scene with Ilbani and Yuki...

I'm sorry I suck at writing those kinds of scenes...

Anyhow, thank you all for reading!

P.S to Random Person 94 who wanted to know what happened to the peeping tom from last chapter:

He was handed over to Ilbani...No one actually saw him again after that...