DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM

Ema sighed a tired but satisfied smile as she sat at her vanity table.

"A rather good day I think.,' she thought. Even with that attack.

'That attack,' Ema thought, suddenly remembering what happened at the presentation and poor Mayor Stuart. That man that had attacked him and tried to attack her was crazy. Why even attempt such a thing at such a place? Did he seriously think he'd get away with it?

Then again, it did appear as though Robert had mastered the art of pulling off nasty deeds and getting away with them. He had probably been taught that his whole life. And if that was the case, would he apply any of those tricks as king? The impression most have given her, it sounded like he would.

Ema tapped her finger against her lips, pondering what Robert would do and keep doing even before he was crown king. She knew she had to do something to maybe keep it from happening, but the only real way, was if she decided to succeed her Grandfather. Would it be worth it though? She didn't know how to fully be a queen.

"Me, a queen," Ema started to think, when she suddenly heard a high pitch shout.

"Chi! Where are you! Chi!"

"Juli?!" Ema said as she looked around for her little friend. She glanced at her window when suddenly Juli jumped into her room looking panic.

"Chi are you alright?" Juli asked worried.

"Yes, Juli, I'm fine, just a little exhausted," Ema stated to say right as she saw another squirrel hurry to the door and managed to jump up and lock it.

"Juli, what's going on?" Ema asked.

"Heard from, a I guess he a reliable source, that Robert's up to something, something bad!" Juli said as he looked back out the window, scouring the area outside.

"What do you mean?" Ema asked, "Juli what's he up to?"

"First things first," Juli said as he kept looking around, "got to make sure you're secured!"

"No, Juli you tell me what's going on! What's Robert up to!" Ema demanded to know.

"He may be going after your brothers!" Juli finally told her.

"What?!" Ema shouted, "my brothers?!" She quickly dashed to the door where Juli's squirrel friend was standing on the doorknob.

"Austin, don't let her out!" Juli ordered.

"Austin move!" Ema also ordered.

"Sorry Princess, no can do," Austin replied as he crossed his arms in determination.

"Juli, Austin, please! If Robert's going after my brothers, I need to do something!" Ema insisted.

"Don't worry we're on it," Austin said, "Juli's got nearly the whole scurry out looking for them."

"Juli, is your scurry going to be able to keep my brothers safe?" Ema asked timidly.

"Are you kidding? Those goones working for Robert won't know what hit them!" Juli declared.

"I'd still feel better if I was out there helping myself personally!" Ema said in frustration.

Suddenly she heard and saw the doorknob shaking, throwing Austin off.

"Emma! Emma are you in there! Open up!" Robert's voice shouted from the other side.

"Robert?" Ema muttered.

"Emma open this door! Open this door right now! We have to talk! And I want to show you something!"

"Don't do it Chi!" Juli warned, "it could be a trap!"

"Emma! I'm not playing games! Open this up or I'll break it down!" Robert threatened.

"What do you want exactly Robert?" Ema called back.

"Oh, just got something to discuss with you, that's all," Robert shouted, "now open this door or I'll see to it each of your brothers' worst nightmares come true!"

"Chi!" Juli kept warning.

"I knowJuli, but these are my brothers they're talking about. I have to protect them. They'd do the same for me!"

"Yeah but you're worth it. They're not!" Juli muttered.

"Juli!" Ema scolded as she open the door a small creak, just enough to see Robert's angry face.

"Emma!" he said as he tried getting one if his arms through, Ema however was quick to get out of the way, "come with me! We need to discuss your brothers!"

"What about them?" Ema asked.

"No time to explain, just come with me! You'll see when we get there! Come!" Robert continued to demand.

"Robert you better not have hurt any of them!" Ema warned.

"Well you better come with me then to keep that from happening, eh?" Robert said trying to grab Ema again.

"No Chi no! It could be a ruse!" Juli shouted as he came and jumped on Ema's shoulder.

"Then stay with me please, Juli. These are my brothers we're talking about," Ema said as she opened the door open wider.

When Robert came into view, he immediately smirked and grabbed Ema's arm.

"You made a wise decision, for now," he said as he yanked her along.

"You shouldn't have done this Chi!" Juli whispered to her.

"I had to! I had to know I kept my brothers safe," Ema whispered back, "besides you're here and you always say you'll protect me.

Juli groan, "yeah, you're right."

'I will keep you safe this time,' he thought, glaring towards Robert.

Yusuke back away from the two men in front of him.

"Now let's try this all again, shall we?" one asked as he tried closing the gap between himself and Yusuke, "what did you get in there?"

"Why does it matter to you?" Yusuke tried to ask, doing his best to move away from his attackers.

"That's our business," said the leader.

"Oh, Yusuke, did you have a moment?" the control room operator said as she came out of the control room. She didn't seem to notice or care about the two men standing in front of him. She apoeared to be completely calm.

'Is she serious right now?!' Yusuke thought. He glanced at his attackers and saw they also looked confused over her calm attitude.

"I forgot to give you...,"

Suddenly the control operator swung her fist at the second thug, catching him off gaurd and knocking him down. He even dropped his gun in the process.

"Merv?" his partner shouted, startled, giving him the operator just enough time to kick him in the stomach, knocking him down as well. Before he could do or say anything, the operator also managed to stomp down on hia face.

"Quick, back inside!" she ordered Yusuke, grabbing him and pulling him back into the control room.

"How did you know I was in trouble?" Yusuke asked.

"Uh hello!" the operator said pointing to one of her monitors that was showing the two attackers lying unconscious. "Those goones should be paying more attention to where the castle security cameras are and, oh god!"

"What?" Yusuke asked as he noticed some of the other monitors. He could see either his brothers being confronted by some of Robert's men or goones on the way to apprehend the others.

"Oh god is right!" he said, only to be horrified by the sight in another monitor.

"Robert has Ema! He's got Ema!" he shouted.

"What?" The operator said in alarm, "oh no, how did that happen!" She startes hitting buttons on her keyboard.

"I'm issuing a Code 69! But you head out to get the princess!" she ordered.

"Right! On it!" Yusuke shouted as he ran back out of the room. He paused long enough to to grab the two goons' guns.

"Better safe than sorry," he said to himself as he ran off again.

"Alright, Code 69 sent! Now to make sure the 4, err 5 who aren't here are safe and secure too!" the operator said to herself as she started typing on a different keyboard.

Stephon and Richard walked among the hallway observing the different men who worked for Robert walking around in groups of two, with determined looks on their faces.

"Majesty," Richard said, "can I request that I be allowed to confine you to your chambers for now? Just as a slight safty precaution?"

Stephon sighed, "I'd say yes, but a part of me also wants to see exactly what's going on here!"

"I understand your majesty, but," Richard tried to say.

"Oh, very well," Stephon reluctantly agreed, "but make sure Ema's at least secured too, Louis as well. And double check where all their brothers are."

"Of course your majesty," Richard said, right as his phone went off. He looked at it and immediately started to push the king faster down the hallway.

"Richard! What are you doing! I already said I'd go to my chambers like you want!" Stephon shouted at him.

"Just have to move you a little faster, sire!" Richard explained, "I just got a code 69 from the control room."

"Code 69? Did you say a code 69?!" Stephon shouted as he came to a sudden stop, "where's Ema?!" He tried to walk away but Richard stopped.

"Sorry your majesty, but I secure you first. I'm sure agents are already working on securing her," Richard tried to insist.

"No!" Stephon bellowed, "they haven't issued a code 69 since the hospital blew up! You know what happened after that? I lost my daughter! I will not lose my granddaughter as well! We will go and find her right now and then you can confine us together for our safety! I will not be locked away again until I am 100% sure Ema is alright! Both physically and mentally! Do I make myself clear!"

"Alright, your majesty," Richard agreed, a little bit startled, "but you stay within my sights until we have found her, understand?"

"Fine, just find her!" Stephon ordered, "and you better make sure her brothers are all safe! Especially Louis! I want at least him confined with Ema and I as well!"

"We're working on it sire, but it appears that they're all scattered about at the moment. Some aren't even at the palace," Richard told him.

"I Don't Care! Just Fine Them and Make Sure They're Safe!" Stephon ordered. He tapped his cane against his hand, "also, if you find Robert, make sure he's kept conscious enough so that I may have a good whack at him!"

"That I will try my hardest to help with," Richard agreed with determination.

"Hikaru, how long do you think we should stay in here?" Heather asked a little worried as she clung to her man, still hidden in the dressing room.

"After I've had a chance to think," Hikaru said as he took a quick peek outside to see the men who claimed to be their escorts were now closer to their dressing room.

'We need a way to subdo them, but how?' he thought as he kept watching the two men, now pretending to brows around.

"Hmm," he hummed when he saw one walk past a purse display.

"You have an idea?" Heather asked.

"Maybe," Hikaru said as he carefully and quietly snuck out of the room and managed to get from off the display.

"Oh, I bet one of these would look lovely with your outfit," he called out loud, already making his way back to the dressing room.

"Hey, one of them is out!" one of the fake escorts shouted as he and his partner hurried after Hikaru. Hikaru did his best to not look like he was moving fast while making sure the men couldn't keep up.

"Oh Heather dear, want to see the purses I got you!" Hikaru knocked on the door.

"Purses?" Heather said as she opened the door.

"Yes, the purses," Hikaru said as he made his way inside and shut the door behind him.

"Hey, open up! I think you're done clothes shopping!" one of the fake escorts shouted pounding on the door.

"Well, if you're ready to go, maybe you can help us with our purses?" Hikaru said as he opened the door. The two men looked at each other before deciding to go ahead and enter. The minute they enter, the door slammed shut and felt purse straps come around their necks, chocking them until they passed out.

"You sure they'll be okay?" Heather asked as she looked at the two unconscious men.

"Oh sure, we just kncoked the wind out of them," Hikaru assured. "We just probably get out of here in the meantime and report back to Richard or somebody back at the palace."

"I should check in with my mom too," said Heather.

"Oh, that's going to make things interesting," Hikaru said as he quickly came to the counter.

"Here you are my dear, we'll pay for the dresses and come back for them later if that's alright."

"That's fine," said the clerk as she secured the boxes together with a receipt after running the credit card. "Where are your escorts by the way?"

"Oh they're feeling a little worn out. We're going for a short walk in the meantime. If you see them, tell them not to worry about us," Hikaru said as he ushered Heather out.

"Now what?" Heather asked once they were outside and walking down the street.

"Well, we,.oh," Hikaru started to say only to see the car he and Heather had come with a flat tire.

"How convenient is this?" Heather said when she saw it as well.

"Yes, we should definitely call Richard," Hikaru said.

"Hikaru," Heather whispered as he noticed their two escorts staggering out, rubbing their necks and looking around in frustration.

"Hmm," Hikaru said as he linked arms with Heather and walked with her down the street further. "Let's just see what else is along here for the moment, shall we?"

"Mmm, Fugi, you did it again," Ukyo's driver praised as he chewed on his burger.

"You ever think Fugi could ever make it outside here? Become one of those big time franchises like McDonald's or something?" Sean asked as he ate his burger too.

"Nah, I don't see that happening. Besides it'll lose it's speciality if it's just a another namless store on some random corner, five blocks away from another," said the driver.

"Sure," Sean said as he took a bite. He was startled by his phone going off.

"They're not done already are they?" the driver asked.

"It's not them," Sean said as he looked at the screen with a serious mad face, "but we do need to go get them. The palace just issued a code 69."

"Code 69? Seriously! I didn't think we'd ever get that far!" said the driver as he quickly tossed aside his food, and starting up the car.

"Another reason you're still a driver. You never think to stay prepared for anything including 69," said Sean as he started punching in his phone.

They drove as fast as they could back to the Italian restaurant they had dropped Ukyo and Hannah at.

"I'll get them and then see where we should take them, especially if the palace isn't safe," Sean told his partner, "you try and keep in contact with the palace, especially if we need to go help some of the other brothers that might be out, understand?"

"Will do," the driver promised, checking in with his own phone.

Sean ran into the restaurant and soon was able to find the couple at a table. They were sitting by a window with the sun starting to set, not saying anything, but sharing a genuine smile.

'Damn that's a shame to break up a scene like that!' Sean thought as he still headed to the table.

"Hi, how's going you two," He said as he came up to them.

"Uh, hi?" Ukyo said in confusion.

"Hate to have to end your date before it can get started, but we have to go," Sean started to explain as he pulled at Ukyo's arm.

"What why? Did we do something wrong?" Ukyo asked as he stood up.

"No, no, I'll explain everything once we have you secured in the car. Now can we move please?" Sean urged pushing Ukyo along, and trying to let Hannah keep up.

"Did something happen? At the palace?" Ukyo asked in alarm.

"At that this point I don't know all the details. I just know that a code 69 was issued and since you're under my protection, I have to keep you safe!" Sean explained as the trio got to the car.

"Code 69?" Ukyo asked confused as he and Hannah climbed in, "I don't understand, what's a code 69?"

"A code 69 is issued when a main member of the royal family is considered is extream jeopardy. When that happens, the family has to be put in lockdown either at the palace or at another designated location until the threat is declared neutralized," Sean explained.

"Family member in jeopardy?" Ukyo said softly. "This doesn't mean Ema does it?!"

"I don't know, I'm sorry. Right now, I've only been alerted to the fact that the code was issued and since you we're placed under our protection, we have to secure you first and foremost!" Sean said.

"Oh god!" Ukyo muttered in worry. Hannah grabbed his hand in support.

"Hey Sean look!" the driver suddenly said pointing to his phone on the dashboard that had a new message on the screen

"It's from Richard," Sean said as he lean forward to read it.

'Sean, just got a report that Hikaru and Heather Cook are being followed by men claiming they're their escorts. They were reported to be at the dress shop strip. Can you get to them?'

"We should be able to, head to the dress shop strip!" Sean ordered.

"Do they know anything about my other brothers?" Ukyo asked.

"No, probably don't have time to go into details about it. We're going to focus on taking care of your brother Hikaru for now, alright?"

"Okay," Ukyo reluctantly agreed, squeezing Hannah's hand a little harder with worry.

"I'm sorry this isn't the evening I was thinking we were going to have."

"It's okay, I'm with you all the way," Hannah assured him.

"Are there any other brothers outside the palace at the moment?" the driver asked.

"If there are, we can't help them at the moment. Right now our main goal is to secure Hikaru and Heather, especially considering Heather's the prime minister's daughter! I don't think she'd be very happy if something were to happen to her child!"

Kaname wasn't sure why he felt the need to keep looking out his window as he drove with Elizabeth to meet up with Natsume and Emily.

"Are you feeling okay?" Elizabeth asked, "you've been on edge since we've left the palace."

"I don't know, I do have this strange sense we're being followed by danger," Kaname admitted as he looked out the window again.

"Danger? Does this have anything to do with wanting to change restaurants or something?" Elizabeth asked.

"Something like that," Kaname said.

'The gods are trying to warn me about something? Aren't they?' he thought.

"Well,.we're almost at the restaurant. We'll talk with your brother and Emily okay?" Elizabeth tried to assure him, "why don't we talk more about that speech for the luncheon?"

"Oh you mean the one on love?" Kaname replied a little smug, "yes, I do enjoy talking on the subject."

"I bet you say that to all the ladies," Elizabeth muttered.

"Well, would you rather I'd just say it to you and you alone?" Kaname teased.

"I don't know how much we're going to see each other after you've back to Japan?" Elizabeth pointed out

"Well you are an Elence representative in Japan are you not?" Kaname counterpoint.

Elizabeth seem to be suddenly happy with that notion.

"I guess you're right," she agreed, "would you like to keep seeing each other in Japan?"

"I was already expecting us to," Kaname said with his standard smug. Only suddenly he noticed a car a little ways behind theirs that seemed to stir up his nervous thoughts again.

"How close are we?" he asked.

"There it is," Elizabeth said as big sign that read Captain Rudders.

"I think I see Emily and your brother waiting by her car."

Sure enough the pair were standing next to Emily's car waiting for them, having their own conversation.

Kaname didn't wait for the car to come to a full spot as he suddenly got out and hurried to his Natsume and Emily.

"...and that's how they sort of created the ruins," Emily was saying.

"I think most kingdoms have places like that. But I could see how they'd make a good location for a level," Natsume said.

"Hey you two," Kaname said loudly, as he approached them.

"Hi Kaname," Natsume said casually, waving at him.

"Where Liz?" Emily asked looking around.

"She's looking for a parking spot, but then again, I still think we should consider looking for a different place for dinner," Kaname insisted looking around nervous.

"This place looks fine, and not too crowded," said Emily.

Natsume however could see the worry look Kaname was making, looking over his shoulder on occasion.

"Is there something wrong with this place for you Kaname?" he asked.

"I just can't help but feel it's a little crowded," Kaname said as casually as he could.

"What?" it's not nearly crowded yet," Emily started to say.

Just then Kaname saw the car he had been suspicious of pull into the parking lot too.

"Maybe you're right, maybe we do need to get inside! Now!" he suddenly ordered.

"Come on," Natsume said to Emily taking her hand and pulling her along.

"Uh, okay," Emily agreed letting Natsume lead her along.

Elizabeth shortly after apoeared.

"So, are we leaving?" she asked looking at the car as well.

"No, too late, looks like this is our spot for the night," said Kaname as he also led Elizabeth to the restaurant.

"Should I call it in?" Elizabeth whispered.

"That'll depend on if they can help in time," Kaname whispered back right as they came inside the restaurant where Natsume and Emily were waiting.

"They have a table for us in the back, will that work for you sir?" Emily asked.

Kaname looked behind him to see if he and Elizabeth had been followed inside. So far there was no one.

"Yes that's fine," he allowed. The two couples walked on to the table that was prepared.

"Sorry about this ladies, this whole arrangement was to help you two work out your relationship, but, looks like we'll worry about our issues," Kaname said, still looking towards the entrance.

"What is going on exactly?" Natsume demanded.

"For some reason, I have a feeling that somebody may want to join us for dinner, whether we like it or not," Kaname explained, "in fact that might be them now!"

Natsume, Emily and Elizabeth looked at the entrance to see 4 scary looking men walking in, glancing around. Everyone else standing near the entrance, employee or customer, were doing their best to move away from them.

"Oh crud!" Emily sputtered nervous.

"Okay, even if they can't get help, I'm calling this in! My office at least will want to know about this!" Elizabeth said as she pulled out her phone.

"Should we contact the palace?" Natsume whispered.

"You might as well. I know my office will, but you might get to them quicker," Elizabeth told him.

Natsume nodded right as he saw Kaname stand up.

"Where are you going?" he whispered.

"Just to the bar to get us some drinks, test the waters as it were," Kaname said.

"Are you crazy?! Don't do that! They haven't seen us yet!" Natsume tried to sway his brother.

""Don't worry, I'll be fine," Kaname assured him, "we should figure out if these men really are after us and or if there's another way out. Besides I'm a holy man and a holy man knows a thing or two." He gave Natsume an assuring smirk before walking away.

"Is your brother always this bold?" Emily asked.

"Unfortunately, yes!" Natsume muttered as he watched his brother walk away.

Kaname made his way casually over to the bar, making sure not to do anything to draw attention to himself. However, as he looked out of the corner of his eye, he saw two of the thugs quickly hurrying to the bar as well.

'Well here it goes' Kaname thought as he finally approached the bar.

"What can I get for you?" one of the bartenders asked.

"Let's see, scotch on the rocks for my brother. Two of your finest, frutiest virgin drinks for the two ladies. I don't recall if they were into alcohol or not. Probably should have ask first, dopey me," Kaname joked. The bartender smirked and nodded.

"And being the religious man that I am, I'll just take a sparkling water with a cherry flavor please."

"Coming right up," the bartender said as he got started. Kaname suddenly noticed his nervous expression and felt a dangerous precense around him.

"Oh I almost forgot, two of your strongest drinks available for my two friends here," he quickly added. The bartender nodded as he set to work.

"Sorry about that boys, forgot all about you," Kaname said to his so called friends standing on either side of him.

"What are you playing at?" one asked.

"Nothing, just getting drinks for everyone, is that a crime?" Kaname asked.

"We don't got time for drinks," one said.

"Don't have time for a drink?" Kaname repeated back, "how could you not have time for drinks? Everybody needs a drink every now and then. Except for me of course, being a holy man and all."

"You a holy man?" his other "friend" said.

"Well yes, I am a monk after all," said Kaname.

"Whatever, we don't have time for this! Where's your brother? We know one here with you!"

"My brother?" Kaname asked.

"Don't play games! We saw you come with another Asian guy!" his "friend" snapped.

"Are implying good sir, that because a man looks Asian like myself, he is immediately related to me?" Kaname asked.

Both men looked a little confused by Kaname's question.

"But of course, you're not too wrong," Kaname continued, "we are brothers after all."

"Ahah!" the leader snapped.

"As are you two," Kaname added.

"What?" asked the second.

"We are all brothers and sisters in harmony," Kaname explained, "and such a powerful bond, it makes you want to give praise!" With that, Kaname put his hands together and started to chant. He did it so loudly that everyone standing or sitting around the bar took notice.

"What's he doing?" one of the "friends" asked out loud.

"I don't know!" said his partner, "hey knock this off!"

"You dare interrupt a man during his prayers?" Kaname asked sounding upset.

"Oh trust me, you'll have plenty of time to say your prayers once you come with us!" his fake friend insisted mad.

"A little insensitive aren't we?" Kaname said.

"Yeah what jerks," another customer said out loud.

"Yeah what's your deal? He was just doing a little prayer!" another snapped.

"Shut up all of you!" the leader shouted at everyone, "and you...,"

"Where did he go?" his partner asked.

"He took his drinks and left," said the bartender, "but he left you these." He slammed down two big drinks for the man. "Drink up!"

"The fuck! How did he get away!" the leader snapped.

Kaname casually but quickly moved back to his table, only to pause a little when he noticed the other two men walking around the restaurant.

'I guess I didn't order enough drinks' Kaname thought as he went the long way around to get back to his table.

"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked.

"Just fine," Kaname said as he distributed the drinks.

"One of the gaurds got back to me. They say they're going into emergency shutdown at the palace and that we should try getting to a safe location until they can say it's safe to return!" Natsume informed his brother.

"Is that so?" Kaname said not sounding nervous at all.

"What if we took them to mom and dad's place?" Emily suggested, "they wouldn't know to look there."

"I guess, it is closest," Elizabeth reluctantly agreed, "are you okay with that gentlemen?"

"Sounds perfect," Kaname agreed.

"How are we going to get out of here though?" Natsume asked as they all noticed the four men meeting back up and seeming to notice where they were.

"I do believe the kitchen has a back exit," Kaname said.

"But how are we going to distract them?" Emily asked as the men seem to be slowly getting closer as though to hide their actions.

"I got this!" Elizabeth suddenly declared as she stood up and pushed Kaname out of the way.

"My lady, do you know what you're doing?" Kaname asked as he tried to grab her arm.

"I'm a diplomat, it's all part of the job!" Elizabeth insisted as she kept hurrying.

"Are you crazy!" Emily sputtered.

Elizabeth turned and looked at her sister in the eye.

"Get them out of here and to mom and dad's! Don't wait for me, I have my own car anyway," she said in a serious big sister tone.

"We should probably do as she says," Kaname said as he helped pull Emily from her seat.

"I'm sure she'll be okay," Natsume assured her as all three headed to the kitchen.

Elizabeth marched up to the four men.

"Hello Gentlemen, Elizabeth Smith, official diplomat, how can I help you?" she said showing them her badge.

"Out of our way, we have nothing to do with you," one of men replied as they tried going around her.

"My good sirs, if you're having issues of any type, I can be of help. It's a diplomat's job after all," Elizabeth said as she tried blocking their way.

"Get out of our way!" the leader shouted in her face.

"Ah dman it, they did it again!" another shouted.

The leader look at Elizabeth mad and grabbed her arm.

"You are coming with us!" he declared as he pulled her back.

"Uh, I think there's a mistake!" Elizabeth tried to say as she was pulled along.

"No mistakes this time!" her main captor insisted, "you either know where they went or how to get their attention and draw them out!"

"Or at the very least, you look like a you'd be fun," another man whispered into her ear.

"Oh god!" Elizabeth said feeling sick.

They five had just stepped out of the restaurant when they were greeted by a loud horn honk. All four men and Elizabeth jumped at the sound.

"Gentlemen, thank you for escorting my date out. We'll be going now!" Kaname said suddenly appearing among them. He scooped Elizabeth up and carried her to the waiting car and jumped in with her.

"They're in!" Natsume shouted. Emily started up her car and drove off fast.

"Think we're in the clear?" Emily asked as they drove.

"We're on our way and they're not. I'd say we're off to a good start," said Kaname who was still holding Elizabeth in his arms.

"You can let go of me now," Elizabeth whispered.

"I do that you're more likely to do something foolish again," Kaname said with a smirk.