DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
Hikaru came to the main staircase in time to see Heather walking in with help from a few servants carrying their boxes from yesterday.
Heather looked up at him.
"Special delivery for some ladies," she said tapping the top box she was holding.
Hikaru clapped with joy. "Marvellous! And we have them all here at our disposal!"
"This is going to be a grand day!" Heather replied delighted.
"Was this your box well Miss Cook?" another servant asked as he came in with his own box. Though it was white, there aas something different about it.
"I don't think so," Heather said as she handed her stack of boxes off to abother servant and looked at the straggler box. "It sayd to Futo Asahina."
"Oh this must be the special dress Futo ordered for his cute maid-girlfriend, Ami," Hikaru explained.
"Oh, I must see!" Heather insisted as she took the lid off. She gasped at the sight. "It's beyond beautiful! It's superb!"
"It's mine," Futo grunted as he came up with Ami.
"You can't deny me a little peek, Dear Futo," Heather insisted.
"It's fine," Ami replied.
Both Hikaru and Heather gave the poor girl a questionable look.
"How are you feeling this morning, Miss?" Heather asked.
"I'm fine," Ami insisted. She gave a small smile when she saw her dress. "Wow, I never thought I'd get to wear such a dress!"
"I bet you'll look dazzling in it!" Hikaru as he came up behind her.
Ami nodded, even though she still looked at little upset.
"Well let's go get this tried on! I can't wait to see how it looks on you!" Futo said as he led her off.
"We have some changing areas set up, if you'll follow me," said a servant.
Lead on," Hikaru said. He took a couple dress boxes himself to help ease the load from one of the other servants.
"Your brother's maid-girlfriend's looking a little distraught," Heather whispered.
"Yes, she's been like this since last night, the poor dear," Hikaru whispered back.
"Here's your room, Master Futo," the escort servant said opening a door.
"Thank you, that will be all," Futo said as he led Ami in and promptly shut the door.
And this is for you two," the escort said as he opened a set of doors to shwo a bigger room, that looked like a professional changing room, complete with private changing areas and several three way mirrors. There was also many different dress dummies.
"Oh la la," Hikaru said with delight.
"Shall we start setting the dresses up on the dummies Master Hikaru?"
"Oh, yes please," Hikaru said, "cannot wait to see the girls in their dresses."
"Yes!" Heather agreed as she stood next to him, taking his hand, "how are you feeling after last night?"
Hikaru sighed, "I'm still mad at Lord Robert, I'll admit. The fact that he wanted me and my family killed just to secure his way to power. No man should be allowed that!"
"Yes," Heather agreed, "do you know what the king has decided yet in regards to that?"
"No, I don't think he wants to make any rash decisions until he speaks to your mother and some of the other officials," Hikaru explained.
"And you? Have you made any big decisions after last night?" Heather asked, sounding a little nervous.
Hikaru turned and smiled at her. "Nothing too big from what I've already decided. To stay here in Elence, enjoying your kind hospitality with your new house, and hopefully one day, the same hospitality in your bed."
Heather smirked and wrapped her arms around his neck. "That day maybe closer than you think," she said seductively.
"Madam, you're such a tease," Hikaru said as he also wrapped his arms around her back and gave her a small kiss.
"Oh, how lovely," Kaname suddenly interrupted. Hikaru smirked over at his brother walking in, along with Natsume, and the two Smith sisters.
Natsume shook his head in disapproval.
"So, do we just pick out a dress?" Emily asked, trying to change the subject.
"Certainly not!" Hikaru snapped, "what do you take us for amateurs?"
"I can't even remember your name," Emily retorted, "I'm not sure I've been properly introduced to any of your brothers, not even the princess."
"That's going to have to change," Kaname insisted.
"We'll see ," Natsume replied.
"Anyway, Miss Cook, what dresses are intended for us?" Elizabeth asked.
"Let's make this interesting," Hikaru suggested, "what dress do you think is meant for you Miss Smith and Miss Smith?"
Both sisters looked at each other.
"Um," Elizabeth hummed as she walked up to the different dummies, "I would guess and say this black and red one looks kind of nice."
"And I kind of like this turquoise one," Emily said examining the dress.
"Ah yes! The ladies have the eye!" Hikaru cheered.
Two helping maids each took down the dresses and headed to a changing area.
Both Elizabeth and Emily followed.
"I got to admit, you picked out some lovely dresses Hikaru," Natsume said as he examined some of the other dresses.
"I just have that knack," Hikaru bragged, "must be why I enjoy wearing them so much."
"Yeah, that's it," Natsume said.
"Pish-posh!" Hikaru snapped.
"Is it okay to come in?" Masaomi asked as poked his head in.
"Yes please do!" Heather insisted. Masaomi opened the door wider and walked in with Ukyo, Hannah and Erica.
"Marvellous, more!" Hikaru said happily.
"This almost don't look real!" Hannah said when she saw the dresses on display.
"Wow, I know," said Erica, "you see pictures of them but you never expect them to be real."
"Oh you poor lovely ladies!" Hikaru said, "now then, we did select a certain dress for both of you, but we'd like tonsee if you can figure out which one is meant for you!"
"Okay," Erica said as she walked up to the different dresses. Her eyes landed on a dark off the shoulders purple dress complete with a gold belf in the middle. "This one's nice."
"Good eye, good eye!" Heather praised as she helped a maid take the dress off.
Hannah meanwhile felt nervous as she walked up and down the row of dresses.
"I don't think I'm pretty enough for any of these," she said softly.
"Nonsense!" Hikaru insisted, "you are so beautiful to wear such gowns. Right Ukyo?"
"Oh right," Ukyo agreed.
"Well, this yellow one looks nice, I guess," she said as she stopped to look at one with big puffy skirt and complete sequence top.
"Yeah, I think this would look great on you," Ukyo agreed.
"Mmmhmm!" Hikaru and Heather both cheered.
"This is getting to be fun!" Heather said to Hikaru as Hannah went to try on her dress. "I just wished we could see how that dress looked on Futo's maid-girlfriend!"
"Do you think she's doing okay?" Masaomi asked out loud. "I heard she shot someone."
"She did, the pervert butler Tom!" said a nearby servant, "and it's about damn time too! With the way he treated her!"
"Still, doesn't make it easy shooting someone, especially if it's not in their nature," said Natsume.
"Don't worry I won't look unless you need my help," Futo said as he took the dress out and carefully helped Ami change into the parts that didn't require privacy.
"Thank you"' Ami said. Futo sighed a little as he helped her changed and kept his word and looked away when Ami needed a little privacy.
"Could you help zip it up?" she asked once she had gotten in on good enough.
"Of course," Futo said as he did just that, without any extra moves or gestures. Both then looked at themselves in the mirror, studying Ami in her white and gold dress.
"You look amazing," Futo whispered.
"Thank you," said Ami.
"I'm sure your parents would have been proud," Futo also mentioned.
"Yeah, proud," Ami repeated, not sounding like she meant it.
"Are you still upset about last night?" Futo asked. Ami didn't reply.
"Look, Ami, he had it coming. He had it coming and we all know it," Futo tried to insist.
"I should have just killed him," he suddenly heard Ami said.
"What?" he asked.
Ami took a deep breath before she answered, "I should have shot at his head father than his...!"
"Whoa! Hold it!" Futo interrupted, "that's not like you! You're not a killer!"
"For him I would have!" Ami insisted.
"No, no you wouldn't. Because I wouldn't have let you! I'm not about to let a girl I care about so much that I want her to be by my side in amyway possible, become a killer!" Futo argued.
"But, he, I, Oh I hated him so much!" Ami snapped, getting a little teary eyed.
"I know, I wasn't too fond of him either. That night we ordered your dress and I found him assaulting you, I wanted to kill him too, believe me. But we're better than him. We didn't kill him, but we left a mark on him that he won't forget," Futo assured her. He turned her around to face him and then hugged her tight.
"Will you really take me away from here? Away from the unpleasant memories this place brings of him?" Ami asked.
"If that's what you want. Once they've established what's going to happen with my sister and brother in lines of succession to the king, I'll make arrangements for going home, and bringing you home with me. You can even stay at my family's home for as long as you want."
"Thank you!" Ami whispered before looking back up at Futo now with a real smile.
"That's a better look for you," Futo said, a little relieved to see Ami feeling better.
"Well guys, what do you think?" Emily asked as she came out in her dress.
"How do we look?" Elizabeth asked as she too came out.
"Oh be still my beating heart!" Kaname said as he walked over to Elizabeth, "hope the gods never take notice as they would surly want you for themselves and battle among the heavens for you!"
"Wow, you never stop do you?" Elizabeth replied with a smirk.
"What do you think Natsume, of the other Miss Smith?" Hikaru asked.
Natsume hadn't said anything as of yet, but he also hadn't looked away.
"You, look amazing," he finally said, "I'm glad my brother was able to find a dress that suit you so well."
"Thank you," Emily said, blushing a little.
"Yes, thatbdress is very nice on Miss Smith," Masaomi complimented.
"Thank you, sir," Emily said as she walked over to him, "I'd like to properly introduce myself. My name is Emily Smith and I am a history and folklore major at the university."
"Nice to meet you," Masaomi said, shaling her hand, "I'm Dr. Masaomi Asahina, oldest brother in the Asahina family."
"Pleasure," Emily replied, even giving a small curtsy before moving back to change out of her dress.
"I wonder where we can keep these dresses safe until the ball," Elizabeth said as she examined herself in her gown.
"Well, we could just keep them here until the day of the ball," Hikaru suggested, "we can just arrange for you ladies to come early to change."
"I'd feel safer keeping my dress here," Erica said as she came out in her gown.
"Oh!" Hikaru and Heather both cheered.
"Wow, Erica that looks great on you," Masaomi said as well.
"Thanks, I'm liking it!" Erica said as she walked over to the mirror.
"Go get a closer look Masa!" Hikaru encouraged as he pushed his older brother towards her.
"Oh," Masaomi sputtered as he stumbled forward, next to Erica.
Erica turned her head to look at her. "Hey," she said casually, "so you like it?"
"Yes, you look very lovely in it," Masaomi maintained.
"I actually feel a little more confident in it," Erica said.
"Like you need more," Masaomi joked, "you're probably one of the boldest women I've ever met."
"Oh, I'm not that confident," Erica tried to say.
Masaomi shrugged his shoulders. "I like your bold side. I find it amazing."
He saw Erica bite her lip. "I like hearing your words of praise, but I wish you wouldn't. I, don't like you giving this kind of praise, when that might all I'm able to remember you by. Just words."
"What are you talking about?" Masaomi asked as he came closer to her.
"Well, we don't know yet what you're hoping to do, either stay here or go back to Japan," Erica explained, "I, I just wish I knew what was going to happen between us. Should we just keep it at a friends' level like I am with Howie? Or was there a chance for more than that?"
"Oh, that," Masaomi said as he also bit his lip. He gave a sigh, "I, there's only one thing that's really pulling me back to Japan, and that's my youngest brother, Wataru. I'm supposed to be his main guardian while my mother's abroad. I'm not sure I can just uproot him and move him here, even if he wants to. I don't even know my mom would approve such a thing."
"I understand that, and your other roots you have back there. Heck there's no guarantee that job offer for the children's hospital will keep," Erica said, "that's what makes it hard to consider what our future is. I can't believe I'm even bringing this up! We haven't known each other that long and yet, I can't help but feel a connection to you, drawn towards you."
"I know, I feel the same," Masaomi confessed, "and even without the job offer, I'd may seriously consider moving here just to maybe try a relationship with you. It's just...,"
"Your brother, I know and I understand," Erica insisted, "I wouldn't want you to feel you have to choose between the two of us either. I think it would probably be better if you chose him if you had to. He needs you more than I do."
Masaomi took her hand, "but I still have a life to live, maybe a nice girl to find." He smiled at and brushed back a little of her hair. "I know this, when my see my mother next, I want to talk to her about Wataru and my desier to be with you. And how that will affect her life as well as mine and his and yours."
"Really?" Erica asked.
"It's been hard for me to find a girl I like so quickly, aside from Ema. I don't want to lose that golden opportunity," Masaomi explained, actually resting his forehead against hers. Erica beemed and squeezed Masaomi's hand back.
"Is that Hannah girl going to come out or not?" Heather asked a little impatient.
"Hmm, she's fine," Hikaru said not really paying attention. He was more focused on scene going on between Masaomi and Erica. "Ukyo, why don't you go check on her?"
Ukyo nodded and walked over to Hannah's changing room, "Hannah, are you alright?"
"Uh, I'm feeling a little silly about coming out," Hannah called back.
"Are you nervous or something?" Ukyo asked.
There was a short pause before Hannah replied, "yes."
Ukyo looked back at the other people in the room
"Not to be weird, but would you feel better if I just came in alone to see how it looks?" he asked.
There was a another pause, "yes, that would be fine."
"Okay, coming in," Ukyo said as he walked in. Hannah slowly turned around looking embarrassed.
"How bad is it?" she asked.
"It's fine really," Ukyo insisted, "you look amazing."
"I feel stupid or something," Hannah said biting her finger.
"Well don't," Ukyo encouraged, "I like you in it. You should feel good about yourself."
"You're always so nice to me," Hannah said looking happy.
"Well, you've been nice to me and my sister since we first met you," Ukyo said back, "I, really like you Hannah."
"Oh, really?" Hannah said, "then does that mean we're maybe going to try and date or something?"
"I wouldn't be against it," said Ukyo, "I mean I'm thinking about staying here, and getting in on politics."
"I, was actually having similar thoughts," Hannah admitted, "not that I wanted to be a stalker or anything, but I had thought that if you did go back to Japan, maybe I could use it as an excuse to get out of Elence. Maybe try doing some more humanity projects. That's one of the reasons I got into politics. I wanted to help do some projects like with the hospital."
Ukyo smiled, "I think after the king, Ema and Louis have worked out some things, we can decide where we, you and me should be."
"I like that idea!" Hannah said getting a little excited, "as long as we can find a way to keep seeing each other."
"My feelings exactly," Ukyo said.
"Your brother and what's her name, Miss Tanner are getting really chumpsy over there," Elizabeth said looking over at the pair.
"Yes, they do a certain charisma to them. Much like several other ladies I've seen with my brothers," Kaname said.
"I wonder what's going to happen once their stay here in Elence is over?" Elizabeth.
"Well if it's meant to be, then I'm sure the gods will find them all a way to stay together," said Kaname.
"That would be sweet," Elizabeth said. She took a glance at Kaname, "what do you think the gods would do if I decide I want to continue my work as diplomat and return to Japan, even thoug I've started to make amends with my family?"
"Well, considering I'm returning to Japan as well someday, I'm sure I can continue to help you find ways to keep making amends," Kaname assured her.
"You're going back to Japan too?" Elizabeth asked.
"It is where my order is and I've made a commitment to them," Kaname explained, "and despite everything Elence has to offer, they don't have a temple that would suit my needs."
"I see," Elizabeth said, with a little smirk, "I understand. And I guess that means nothing serious can happen between us, huh?"
"Not neccisarry," Kaname said smug, "my order allows marriage."
"You're kidding," Elizabeth said.
"Oh, I couldn't as a monk," Kaname insisted.
"Sure you can't," Elizabeth said.
"Oh no, many of order are married with families even," Kaname continued.
"But I thought Buddhist monks practice celibacy," Elizabeth question.
"Traditionally yes, but there are some congratulations in Japan and even Tibet that allow it and mine is one them," Kaname explained.
"Did you ever think you would marry and have a family?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course," Kaname said, "that was one of the conditions I looked for when my mother "lightly" suggested I try my hand at religious teaching."
"Your mother?" Elizabeth said raising an eyebrow.
"She was a little concerned I may go off on with my free spirit in regards to women," Kaname explained smug.
"Gee, I wonder where she got that impression," Elizabeth said sarcastically.
"Excuse me," a new butler said walking in, "if Miss Tanner and Miss Andrews are done with their fittings, his majesty would like to see them."
"Oh yes, I'll change right away!" Erica said as she hurried away from Masaomi to the changing room.
Ukyo quickly came out of Hannah's. "Miss Andrews will right out.'
"Hang on!" Hikaru spoke up, "we didn't get to see her in it!"
"Yes we must see her in it!" Heather agreed.
"She looks fine!" Ukyo defended. Both Hikaru and Heather looked mad and disappointed but didn't do anything to argue the matter.
"I should probably go and change out of mine as well," said Elizabeth as she walked to her changing room. As soon as she did, Emily came out of hers.
"I just left the dress in there," she said.
"That's fine," a maid assured her.
"And you guys are just going to keep those here until the ball?" Emily asked.
"That's the plan," Hikaru said, "that way we can help with your hair and makeup."
Emily just shrugged and looked over at Natsume. "So, what do we do now?"
"I guess we can just go and talk some more of the game," Natsume suggested as he walked to the door.
"Master Natsume?" the newer butler said as Natsume walked past, "just know, once his majesty is done talking to the council members and the prime minister, he'll be making a formal statement and would like all of the princess' brothers in attendance with her and Lord Louis to hear it."
"Oh sure, I'll probably just be in my office," Natsume said as he and Emily walked out.
"I wonder what the king's going to do," Emily said out loud.
"I suppose he's going to announce Ema as the next queen," Natsume said. He wasn't sure he liked the idea for some reason. In many ways Ema was still a child and had no real business having such huge responsibilities like running a kingdom.
He looked over at Emily who also looked nervous.
"I suppose," she said softly, "will it be a problem for you if she's next in line?"
"I don't see how," Natsume said, "I doubt they need a royal video game designer at court."
"You never know," Emily joked, "I guess this means that you'll go to Japan once the game is done?"
"Maybe even before that," said Natsume, "I do have a company to run."
"Right," Emily said, "I guess I didn't have to worry about introducing myself to your brothers then huh? It's not like you and I will have much contact after you're gone."
"Why do you say that?" Natsume asked, stopping.
"Well it's not like we've gotten that close in that short time we've known each other. And we both have our own things we have to do for our careers," Emily tried to explain.
"Well, we could try and keep in contact with each other," Natsume suggested.
"I don't know," Emily said, "I heard those long distant relationship don't alway work out."
"Well, doesn't mean we can't try," Natsume said.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt I guess," Emily speculated, "I almost wish I could just move to Japan myself."
"You'd want to move to Japan?" Natsume asked, actually a little hopeful.
"To be honest, I'd love to go to any other country and study the different folklore. I practically know everything there is to know about Elence folklore, between my dad and my own research."
"Why don't you then?" Natsume asked.
"Well, to be honest? The one reason I'm still here and at the university, is because of my dad. You've seen how scattered brain he is. I seem to be the only one that can keep him simi focused enough to do a half-way decent job," Emily explained.
"So if your dad wasn't teaching anymore?" Natsume started.
"I wouldn't mind transferring to a different university in another country to continue my education and study the different folklore they have to offer," Emily agreed.
"Could there be a way to get your dad to retire?" Natsume asked.
"You want Dad to retire Emily?" Elizabeth asked as she and Kaname suddenly came down the hallway.
"He's the only reason I'm still here in Elence," Emily admitted to her sister, "I want to do what you do kind of. Explore the world, learn new things, met," she paused and looked at Natsume." new people. But I don't feel like I can as long as dad's still teaching. I'm the only one practically that can keep him focused on his job."
"Oh," Elizabeth sighed, "I'm sorry Emily. Maybe we should discuss that with mom and Andy to see if we can do that. Where would you want to go if you had a chance to branch out? Maybe I can help set you up?"
"I was thinking Japan to start with," Emily said looking back at Natsume.
"A fine choice Madam," Kaname praised.
"Well I can definitely help you out if you want to come to Japan. You can just stay at my place, even when I'm not there."
"Thanks!" Emily said truly sounding touched, "we have still have to worry about dad first."
"Well, once we've find out what the king has in mind for Princess Ema and Lord Louis, maybe we can talk to mom about it. One family crises at a time," Elizabeth said.
"Yes," Natsume agreed. Then he looked at Emily. "It might be nice to have you in Japan. Not only could we use you as a consultant for the game, especially if it's a hit. But, I think I'd like to get to know you better."
"I'd like that too," Emily said.
"Oh how sweet!" Kaname smirked. He felt Elizabeth actually take his hand.
"Yeah it is," she said happy.
Yusuke hurried along towards Prince Zane's room. It didn't take long before he came across practically an army of Poulon gaurds line up and down the hallway.
He did his best to keep his stride as he came closer to the chambers. As he came close, Yusuke was surprised to hear what sounded like yelling.
A butler opened the doors and Yusuke walked in to see King Dimitri sitting in a chair, rubbing his face as though embarrassed, Prince Zane sitting at his vanity table looking annoyed and disinterested while a new man Yusuke hadn't seen before pacing the room doing all the yelling. He resembled Zane with the minor exception of having more darker hair than the prince's.
"...and that's what I mean what I said before! You shouldn't have left the room!" the new man shouted.
"How many times are you going to bring that up Dad?" Prince Zane asked.
"I don't know! When are you going to get the point!" his father shouted.
"Oliver, you've made your point I think. Town it down a bit. You don't want to have a stroke," King Dimitri spoke up.
"But Father!" Oliver started to say.
King Dimitri held up a finger that immediately shushed his son.
"Besides," King Dimitri added, "we have company." He motion to Yusuke.
"Oh,"Oliver said as he noticed Yusuke.
"Oh, it's you," Zane muttered.
"You must be the young man that saved my son's life last night," Oliver said as he walked over to Yusuke.
"Yes, this is Lord Yusuke, Princess Ema's stepbrother, and royal gaurd in training," Dimitri said with a smile as he also walked over to him, "Yusuke, this is my son and heir, Prince Oliver of Poulon. He's also Zane's father."
"How do sir," Yusuke said as he bow as politely as he could.
"Charmed," Prince Oliver said, "I hope we're not keeping you from anything, but we did want to properly thank you for saving my son, Zane last night during the crisis."
"Save my life?" Zane moaned, "all he did was push me over! I bet he did it just because he sees me as a threat to getting it on with his sister! He probably didn't even see the gunman!"
"Zane!" King Dimitri snapped at his grandson, "ignore him Yusuke. I think he's just embarrassed and even a little jealous of your close relationship to dear Ema."
"Is there something going on between you two lad?" Oliver asked curious.
"If there is, there is," said King Dimitri, "they're not related by DNA and it's not much of our business. That's not even why we called the boy here, now is it?"
"Oh, right," Oliver said, "Lord Yusuke, on behalf of my kingdom, we would like to offer you a knighthood from Poulon in honor of your heroic act in saving the royal Prince Zane."
"A knighthood?" Yusuke asked in shock, "is that allowed?"
"There's no reason why there should be," said King Dimitri, "if anything, if you are truly that close to your sister as indicated, a knighthood from her neighboring county could be seen as another way to also bridge the gap between Elence and Poulon."
"What?!" Zane shouted.
"Especially!" his grandfather spoke up louder, "if what I've is true, that your sister is going to become her grandfather's heir for real."
"That's what she's been saying," Yusuke said, "no ones knows the full story yet until King Stephon give his announcement."
"I see," Dimitri said, rubbing his face in thought, "well the none the less, will you accept our offer of knighthood?"
"Uh, sure if it won't mess up anything or anyone," Yusuke agreed.
"Oh brother," Zane muttered, "are we sure he's smart enough to be a knight?"
"Shush it!" His father ordered mad.
"Excuse me, may I enter?" Billy asked as he suddenly appeared, "greetings King Dimitri, and Prince Oliver. Please excuse the interruption, but King Stephon is planning on making his announcement and would like Princess Ema and Lord Louis' brothers with them while he makes it."
"Oh sure," Yusuke said as he bowed the royals in the room, including Zane, "I thank you for the offer of knighthood."
"Yes, we are most grateful for your actions," King Dimitri said with a smile.
"They seriously offered you a knighthood?" Billy asked as he led Yusuke out of the room and down the hallway.
"Yeah, for saving Prince Zane. There's nothing wrong with it, is there?" Yusuke asked.
"Nah, it's more of a show than actual job or responsibility now. You should definitely accept!" Billy insisted.
"Thanks, Guess I will," Yusuke said, "you know they said, with me getting this and being close to Ema, they can kind of use as a means to show the gap between the two countries."
"Well it kind of would be, especially if they want to play it that way," Billy explained.
Yusuke nodded, "I can do that. As long as Ema's with me, I don't mind being seen as being a go between for the two."
"So you think you're going to stay in Elence?" Billy asked.
"I think I am,' said Yusuke.
"Good, maybe we can start giving you some real hardcore training," Billy said, "my good sir knight."
Yusuke was a little surprised he wasn't getting mad at Billy's comment. Instead he actually laughed a little and even gave Billy a little high-five.
"I wouldn't mind that," he agreed, "as long as I have a good quire like you."
Billy .