The dutiful soldier nodded, even as he settled Chisaka into her chair, pushing a small foot rest into place for her and draping a blanket Otome had provided over the corner of her chair. "Yes, of course." She grumbled beneath her breath, and he knew he heard something about 'give you hazard pay', but he pretended not to, instead giving her a deep nod. "Fish for your friend. I know a man down at the docks - it will be fresher, for her." He met Shun's eyes, conveying the purpose of this proposal - retrieving fish from the docks would take time… and thus his other errand that was not to be mentioned could be carried out without her becoming suspicious. He waited only for Shun to cross to her - and thus, be close enough to prevent her from trying to move about the room on her own - before he left the room. His steps took him first, though, not to the docks, but to the private quarters of the dowager, Shun's mother.

Meanwhile, Chisaka sorted her work neatly before her, and snorted at her old friend. "And what hazard pay do I receive, for putting up with a royal pain in my ass?" Kouhei was treated more respectfully though, and with a bit of a smile. "This sweet little thing has nothing to fear from me. She's a little lover… but I might harm the one who gave her to me, if he doesn't keep his elbows off my papers, today." She elbowed Shun companionably, and then settled into their usual, working banter. "So, what did I miss? Did Sai Kung come to blows with Yitao, or did he just get red faced and look constipated…?" A little smile. "I was rather hoping for constipated…"

Shun nodded to Shian’s suggestion. “Yes, and it is early enough yet that the docks shouldn’t be too busy, though it is a bit of a walk.” He settled into his seat and chuckled at his friend’s grumblings. “It’s quite simple, Chi-chan. Your hazard pay came in the form of a little companion and some chocolate, and you know I mean no harm with my little tease.”


He chuckled again when she elbowed him, but said nothing on that, instead turning his attention to the papers before him, though he laughed heartily at her question. “Both, actually. The debate on the national budget devolved fairly quickly into juvenile name calling. Sai Kung turned red and looked constipated, then charged to punch Yitao, but seeing as Yitao is half his age and weight, he dodged easily enough. Sai Kung ended up sprawled on the floor looking redder and more constipated than ever.” He laughed again, “My cabinet cannot make it through a single meeting without you sitting in your corner, ready to strike fear into the hearts and heads of fools.”

It was then that the maid returned with a nice pot of green tea and a few small snacks for the pair. Shun asked her to fix up a basin of water for the little dragon, and to place it on a part of the table where it wouldn’t splash their papers, then thanked her and reminded her that she could take the rest of the morning off.

Yukiina had one of them busy days where she was required to collate all the reports for the week and then take them personally to the Emperor. She also had a letter from the Prince Rumaty and the map of recommendations of the God of War Kouhei, therefore as the later two were more personal matter she had managed to hide them in her coat and she would Helier them personally. Ever since she came to serve the Emperor of Kutou Yukiina was granted a new life and the possibility to start form scratch. Although, she had spoken to Emperor Shun about some of the troubles that assailed her during her life, she had left tout the cruder details ad things she had never shared with anyone. However, she did inform him of her being a demon, because she did not want to lie to a man who granted her the chance to recover from her past and also because in the time she came to know him and the Prince and Princesses she considered them a second family.

Needless to say, working directly for the Emperor had also rendered her the chance to get to know other persons close to the Emperor, such as Fumiko, his royal adviser, Chisaka, his diplomat and advisor and childhood friend, Ryou the General well known for his flirty and teasing nature and Shian the personal bodyguard of the Emperor. Needless to say she was fond of all her brothers-at-arms and was quite happy fulfilling her role as a member of the royal guard and bodyguard to any member of the royal family, when appointed. That was how she came to befriend Tsurou and Taiyo, the two members of the royal guard she was the closest to. Tsurou had become her best friend and shew as grateful for the gift of friendship and Taiyo, Tsurou’s brother had been truly helpful and it was thanks tot hem that she had finally come to see this kingdom as her new home.

As she walked toward the Emperor’s office she did her best to ensure the safety of a small tray she was also carrying. She blushed lightly, it seemed the Miko Akahana had been baking something in the kitchen that was destined for Shun’s and Chisaka’s palates. She wasn’t used to running errands for others but the Miko had insisted that since shew as on her way there she might as well do it for her. She suspected that is was mainly because she dd not want to be seen carrying a tray of treats because it would make her embarrassed. She sighed but agreed, after all, it was no trouble really, she just had to make sure not to drop them though. As soon as she reached the door she made sure she was presentable and she had everything in order. She knocked gently on the door and once she was allowed in she entered and closed the door behind her.

She smiled at Emperor Shun and Chisaka and said, “Good day to you my Lord and Chisaka-san. I trust you are both well rested.” She smiled at Chisaka’s dragon it was such a beautiful little creature. “I have bright the weekly reports, I’m afraid it took a bit longer to collate them all due to some guards being allocated to guide dignitaries back tot heir cities.” She then gently placed the papers next to Shun and then placed the tray in such a way that both of them could eat them with their morning brew, “These treats were made by Akahana-sama, she instructed they be delivered for the both of you.” She laughed softly and added, “As you can imagine, she was a bit shy about bringing them herself.”

She then gently waved two letters and added handing them to Shun, “You have a letter from the Prince and one from the God Kouhei-san.” She did not specify what the later was because she knew it was meant to be a surprise. She then remembered the other thing and added, “Hisoka-sama and Ryou-san have been agreed to escort the Ambassador’s daughter back to her city, albeit begrudgingly. It seemed the man would not take “no” for an answer even though the General has more important matters to attend to.” She could imagine neither of them had been happy with such a request, but that also meant the Emperor would need a substitute until the General returned. “Would you like to appoint for anyone to cover the General in his absence?"

A knowing little smirk crept onto the delicate features, and she chuckled faintly. “Should I give you staff lessons, some time?” Her eyes turned to her work even as she spoke. “... or perhaps I should train Shi-chan to bite noses on command, and send her with you?” Her fingers ran lightly down little blue scales, and she moved to reach for a fresh sheet of paper, beginning to write in neat, flowing characters that seemed oddly juxtaposed against the little grin she didn’t bother hiding. “Would’ve paid to see Sai Kung land square on his tuchus, though. He’s far too old to be brawling like a young man. Yes, Yitao is a hotheaded young scoundrel, but he enjoys baiting Sai Kung… I would think a man of his age wouldn’t be fool enough to let a young man get to him, so.” She did look up briefly from her work when the maid came in, but it wasn’t until Yukiina entered that she actually allowed her attention to shift enough in order to answer. “Well enough, I suppose.” Then a mischievous little smile. “Did you remain unmolested on your way up, or should I speak to Hisoka? Our general has been known to be rather like a naughty child, when left unsupervised…” That was a mild tease against him, followed by a harsher, more direct one. “Fitting enough that he escort the ambassador’s daughter - he’s amongst his own intellectual equals, with her… and yet he would dare not get too informal with her. Even assuming Hisoka wouldn’t kill him, the ambassador would.” A wicked little grin showed the joke.