Ambassador Yikao hurried out of the carriage, not even slowing to help his companion - a young girl - down before he stared up the front steps of the palace. As he went, he shuffled through some papers, and grumbled. “Come along, girl, you can’t keep people waiting…”

“Yes, Sir…” The little girl spoke softly, smiling despite his rough tone. She lifted the edge of her cloak - an old cast off that was too long for her - and scurried after him carrying her bag with her few meager possessions over one shoulder. Once inside the palace, the Ambassador headed for his usual room, stopping a maid to have her bring up tea and a late breakfast - for one - before dragging the child along with him. Once they were in his room, he told her to remove her cloak and had one last look at the child’s appearance. She was dressed in a dark blue qipao with long sleeves that came down to her ankles, and a pair of matching slippers. Although it wasn’t the finest quality - he could see a few loose threads - it would do well enough for her new station. Her massively curly hair was tied off into two pigtails with dark blue ribbon, and she waited patiently with her hands folded in front of her for his verdict.

“Stand up straight. You won’t be a good maid if you slouch and spill things.” He started to tell her to get rid of the silly seashell, but it was worthless, so he finally decided there was no harm in letting her keep it. If they wanted to take it away, they could deal with the tantrum themselves.

The maid knocked and entered with the requested tea and food, and he motioned absently to the child. “Here, take her and put her to work somewhere. As a maid, or cleaning the fireplaces or what have you. She’s obedient enough,”

The maid looked stunned. “Take her, sir?”

“Yes, as a gift to the Emperor, if you like. I don’t want to deal with her any longer.”

The maid had been with the palace since she was quite young, and she not only immediately recognized the man - and formed a vague idea of the identity of the child - but also thought she knew what the Emperor’s reaction to this ‘gift’ would be. She bowed very primly to the Ambassador. “Of course, sir. Come along, dear…”

Her first stop with the child was the kitchens to get her a nice breakfast and a few sweet treats, then she stopped by Shian’s room to leave the child’s things out of the way - it was the best place she could think of, until the Emperor decided what to do with the child. Next, she prepared the usual late morning tea and snacks for the Emperor and his cabinet, and handed a tray of little cakes to the child to carry - making sure it wasn’t too heavy or cumbersome. With that done, she smiled at the little girl. “Come along, dear, let’s take you to meet the Emperor, and your big brother…”

~~~

Shun was sitting in a meeting with most of his advisors - Chisaka, Fumiko, and his mother and sisters included. Ryou was also present as he planned to start making plans for traveling to find the other Seishi after his meeting. He turned to his best friend. “Shian, could you go fetch those maps from Fumiko’s study? and perhaps see if Aka wishes to join us for this little chat…”

Once his personal guard had left, he turned back to the matter at hand. “I believe a couple of the Ambassadors from Konan were supposed to arrive today. As the Suzaku no Miko has also appeared, I believe it would be good to stay in touch with -”

He was interrupted when the maid entered with the tea, though he did not immediately notice the child trailing along behind her. “Here is the morning tea, Sire. Would you like a cake as well?”

It was unusual for Hina-san to speak up when delivering the tea during a meeting. This drew his attention more firmly to the maid, and then very quickly to the child, and he raised an eyebrow. “Hina-san, who is your friend?”

The child smiled brightly. “My name is Zuya, but you can call me ZuZu if you want.”

“She was a gift from Ambassador Yikao. I was instructed to put her to work as a maid, or whatever we needed her for.”

“Ah. It's nice to meet you, ZuZu. My name is Shun.” Shun said simply. He looked to his father’s spirit in the corner.

“Your suspicions are correct, my son. She is Shian’s little sister, and much like he did with his son, he can’t be bothered with her, so she’s been brought to us.” Shui snorted. “Arrogant bastard.”

Zuya’s eyes darted to the corner. “That’s not a nice word, Grandpa…”

Shun and his father exchanged a glance. The emperor then turned to look at the others in the room. “Sorry, this meeting will have to be cut short. Mother?”

Jia smiled. “I’ll get the seamstress to work on some lovely new clothes for her. Girls, do you want to come help look at fabrics?”

“Of course.” Both Liru and Lisu spoke in unison, standing with their mother in all but name.

Before leaving, however, Liru stopped in front of the child, dropping to her knees so that they could be on eye level. "Tell me, little flower, what colors do you like best?"

Zuya smiled brightly. "My favorite color is pink, like your pretty hairpin." She answered at once. "But I like all of the pretty happy colors." She looked down at her dark blue dress and frowned. "I don't like dark colors, like this, but I was told I had to wear it because it would make the Emperor happy…"

Liru looked at her brother. "Shun is going to be happy no matter what you wear. We will be sure to get you all the bright pretty colors, okay?"

"Okay!" Zuya chirped happily. Liru kissed her forehead, then stood and left with her sister and adoptive mother.


Shun turned back to the maid. “Have a room prepared for her closer to mine and the Princesses’.”

Ryou spoke up before he could continue. “And see about getting Shian’s moved. The man will want to be close to her until she’s settled…”

Shun took the tray of cakes from the child and set them aside before he pulled her up into his lap and turned to the people who remained. “Chi-chan, I believe we’ll need a new Ambassador for Konan’s western province…”

“Did I do something wrong?” Zuya asked quietly, fiddling with her seashell.

“No, little one. You’ve been perfect…” Shun smiled at her. “And now you'll be treated as you deserve…”

It had been a while since she had arrived in Kutou from her world, a good few months if she could recall and she was feeling more like a human the longer she spent in this world. She was happy in this kingdom and the fact that she still had much to learn made it a challenge she gladly partook in. She had gotten up at the usual time, before anyone else, for the most part, and had gone about doing her daily training and jog and had also taken a warm bath and ensured she looked lovely. Lately she had allowed the maids to recommend the clothes she would wear and she would even let them do her hair. While she did not wear the rich and extensive kimonos ladies in the nobility would, she still wore clothes that made her look more feminine and the way they arranged and decorated her hair still allowed her to fight if need be but they also enhanced her natural beauty. At the beginning she had found it a bit embarrassing but she realised that she did wish to look beautiful, especially because she wanted to please someone. That morning the maid had fixed her hair with a lovely cherry blossom hairpin and some of it fell behind her shoulders, her fringe was the usual and there was a happiness and serenity in her eyes she had not had before she arrived in Kutou.

It was early in the morning, in fact early enough for everyone to still be asleep for a little while and Akahana had gone for a walk in the woodlands that surrounded the Kutou Imperial Palace and was holding a small package in one of her hands. It had some chocolate truffles she had made the night before. She had made two batches, this one she would deliver as soon as she reached the meeting point. Due to the many skills acquired during her life in her world, sneaking out unspotted was not a difficult feat, especially when she already knew the patrolling schedules of the guards by now. This meeting point had turned into the one place she would go to in order to meet up with him whenever they wished to spend some time together alone and away from the peering eyes of anyone else - even the Emperor she had come to love as an older brother - as sometimes that privacy was in order. Ever since that one time when coming across this place, the small hill with a willow that overlooked a valley and some lakes, it had become their favourite place immersed in nature and exposed to the sounds of the birds and any other nearby creature. She had always enjoyed nature but the one found in Kutou was breathtaking for the most part and sometimes she had ventured outside of Kutou with her group of friends and she had gotten to experience other weathers and landscapes but Kutou now truly felt like home to her. After all, didn’t they say that home is where the heart is?

The moment she reached him, she leaned up and kissed his cheek knowing he would have been lost in thought but would still sense her presence. She then turned to look at the landscape while leaning against the side of him and embracing him with her arms. He answered the soft kiss with a distracted smile, which then turned to her more certainly for a few moments, and prompted a returned kiss to her forehead. Then his gaze drifted silently back to the early morning, enjoying both the quiet, and her company. She smiled softly and after a long moment of contemplating the beauty of the landscape before them, as the morning slowly took place and the landscape around them morphed with the ever growing light, she said, “I got you a treat, my love, I made them last night. I remembered the recipe from my world and have written it down now. Just make sure not to eat them all in one go.” His eyes dropped to the little package, lit with surprise, but that was quickly overcome by the warmth of both a smile, and a small blush that colored his cheeks. “You do so enjoy spoiling me…” That earned her a proper kiss, gentle and soft, but assured. She chuckled softly and then closed her eyes for a moment as she handed him the package with her hand and she moved so that he had enough space to open the package and try one of the chocolate truffles if he was so inclined. “They are good with green tea, or any kind of bitter tea.” She had used dark chocolate, however, but she had still ensured they were sweet enough. She then admitted with a light blush of her cheeks, “This is one of the best moments in the day.” She was obviously referring to spending time with him but even now she still found it hard to speak her feelings. Yet he was always patient with her and so understanding so she found herself, little by little, improving when relating these emotions and expressing herself in his presence. Indeed, he leaned his head over to rest against the top of hers, an arm draped about her, an assurance of both his love, and his understanding of her continued efforts to express herself. His words, too, were warm and fond. “For once, I do not dread the chill of the floor, when my feet touch it in the morning, because I know that it will bring me to you all the faster.” A little smile showed both a tiny joke, and a deeper meaning behind those words, and he fell silent again, eyes going back to their view.

It had not been an easy task for Akahana to open up to the people in Kutou and to help develop the different friendships and relationships with the people in the land she now possessed. But now, she was genuinely happy, she felt like she belonged somewhere and she had something noble to fight for. She was thoroughly devoted to Kutou by now and she knew that once everything was said and done she would do everything at hand to stay. She did not care much to return to the life she once had, where she took lives and was enslaved to the will of the man she could not escape. Albeit, she suspected one day he would find a way to break into this world and wreak havoc, they would be ready for him. She would make sure of it. “I read that book you recommended, about a knight who had some problems and could not see reality like everyone else did, and he thought himself a brave knight who confronted giants and dragons as he faced-off against windmills and his beloved was a lady from a neighbouring village who did not know who he was nor his name. But she was his platonic lady to protect. I find it interesting that even things like literature have mirroring stories in my world. I sometimes wonder if at some point people from your world became people from mine and they brought along with them their culture and knowledge and transmitted it.” She smiled, she always enjoyed having conversations with him, they could talk for hours and enjoy themselves in mirth and consider one another the best company and just as much enjoy the moments of quiet and admiration of the landscape around them.

She looked into his eyes for a long moment with a gentle smile on her lips, she knew that they would soon have to part for she had duties to attend to in the morning, once everyone was awake, but she still had a couple of minutes left and so she ran her arms around his neck and placed a gentle kiss on his lips that lasted for a few moments, with him clinging to it just a little longer than usual, as if loathe to let it go. She then rested her head against his chest, closing her eyes and said, “Will I meet you here, same time tonight?” The quiet smile answered her. “You will meet me here whenever you call to me, Aka… I will never tire of the journey that brings me to you.” She enjoyed the warmth of their embrace until she heard the singing of the birds, she reluctantly moved away from the embrace and smiled up at him, “I have to go.” She caressed his cheek softly before she kissed his cheek and then walked back.

She did turn to smile at him one last time before she went back into the forest and decided she would go to the Emperor’s office as soon as she was ready as she usually had the morning brew and light breakfast with him and Chisaka and Fumiko and they would discuss all manner of subjects. As soon as she arrived at the Palace she saw something that irked her. She knew that Ambasador although he seldom graced the Emperor with his presence. She noticed how he climbed out of a carriage and harshly ordered a girl around. She looked at her and nearly gasped by the appearance of that poor sweet girl. And he was so rude to her, it made her eyes twitch in anger. That man was Shian’s father and she remembered he once told her the story of how he got to serve Kutou and had lived a happy life but not without sacrifice. Was this his little sister?

She was eager to walk up to the man and trip him to begin with, but as she heard some maids talking in the hall, rumours spread fast. It appeared that the five-year-old was indeed Shian’s sister. She wondered how he would react once he found out. As soon as she reached her bedroom she freshened up and then took the other package of chocolate truffles, a cute and fluffy white rabbit was waiting for her on top of her bed and it perked up as soon as she approached him, she smiled and pet its ears, “Good morning Champoo, I will be back soon just need to deliver something.” She still remembered the day Shian had given her the rabbit, she had been speechless, she had never had a pet before and it looked so soft and fluffy and his eyes matched hers, and now she absolutely adored it and would bring treats whenever possible. She knew it liked lettuce and carrots. She ensured Champoo had enough water and she ensured to feed it its morning portion and then walked toward Shun-kun’s study. She decided that she would give the chocolate truffles to the sweet girl and if that man brought her here to abandon her, she would gladly take her in. But that man needed punishing. Surely Shun-kun was of the same mind as her?

“Have a room prepared for her closer to mine and the Princesses’.”

“And see about getting Shian’s moved. The man will want to be close to her until she’s settled…”

Akahana walked into the room as this was being discussed and said looking at the Emperor and knowing that the only people that remained in the room were close to the Emperor, “If it is not too much to ask Nii-san, I would also like to be located close to this sweet little girl. Good morning everyone.”

The request made Shian look up from his post, where he was standing attentively a few steps behind and to one side of Shun, a hand instantly dropping from rubbing his eyes, as if he were a child caught doing something naughty. “Maps?” His tone was distracted, and the look he gave the Emperor was one of confusion. It lasted for a few moments while he ran his mind back over the words, and after a moment, understanding filtered in. “Fumiko-san? Oh… of course.” He snapped to a little more, then, and gave the expected, formal bow. “Yes, of course, my Emperor. I shall return shortly.” Clean, precise steps took him to the door, and out of it, and he carefully waited until he was out of range to begin mumbling to himself a bit, still rubbing his face a bit as he moved.



It wasn’t long after he’d left that the maid entered with a child, and despite how casually the woman spoke, Chisaka’s eyes immediately fastened upon ZuZu, realizing that the child couldn’t be very old at all… and well aware that Shun was quite adamant that children should be educated, not made into servants. Indeed, he refused to employ children in the palace at all, and had been quite insistent that children of the servants here be educated just as he and his siblings had been. “What in Seriyuu’s name…” That was whisper-soft, almost to herself, but as close as he was seated to her, it was quite probable that Shun could hear her. She knew immediately who this was, even before Hina spoke the name, but the words the maid spoke still made her eyes open wide in both shock and disgust. “A gift?! Of all the-” Shun’s glance, subtly to the corner of the room, was one she recognized, and though she could not see his father as he did, she knew her friend well enough to know that he was seeking his opinion. It quieted her, only just, and after a few moments, she was able to compose herself a little better and, seeming to realize that the child might have taken her earlier outburst harshly, gave her a gentle smile, reaching to stroke the curly pigtails. “Never you mind, child… I’m Chisaka, little one. And I promise you, we’ve many more fun things for you to do than to patter about carrying cakes. Why, I’ll just bet I could find some stories you’d like, in the library…”



Shian returned only a few minutes later with the maps that had been requested, and yet it was probably a little longer than would be expected for the distance he had to travel, and keen, familiar eyes would note a sheen of wetness at the back of his hair, making it curl slightly as it brushed his shoulders. Nevertheless, he seemed more composed than he had been, and placed the maps gently on the table. He then turned to meet Akahana, giving her a small smile. “I was just looking for you. I ran into your maid in the hall… she said you were out enjoying the roses in the garden. I did not expect to find you he-” His eyes had turned as he spoke, and now landed on the child in Shun’s lap. A slight frown of confusion drew onto his features, but he did not immediately address his friend, instead staring at the child, and mumbling something beneath his breath.

“What in Seriyuu’s name… A gift?! Of all the-”

Shun nodded solemnly. “Apparently as the Illegitimate Emperor, he thinks that he must deposit all of his illegitimate children in my care. Well, his loss will certainly be our gain.” He smiled down at the child in his lap, gently stroking dark curls. “All you need to do is tell us what sort of things you like, and we will make sure you have them.” He looked up at Ryou. “Can you let Kaoru’s tutors know they’ll have a new charge? Just a bit older, but I think she’ll prove to be quite clever.”

“Of course.” Ryou nodded. “And after lunch, I can take her to play with Kaoru in the garden for a while.” He crossed to the Emperor and crouched down to be on eye level with the little girl. “My name is Ryou, and I’ve got a daughter just a bit younger than you. I’m sure you two will be such good friends…”

“Never you mind, child… I’m Chisaka, little one. And I promise you, we’ve many more fun things for you to do than to patter about carrying cakes. Why, I’ll just bet I could find some stories you’d like, in the library…”

Zuya looked at the taller man, and then the pretty woman. “You have a pretty soul. It’s…brave. Like Mama told me to be.” She smiled at Chisaka and stretched to give her a hug. She then sat back. “You can read? Ooooo, I like stories. Mama had to make them up for me, since neither of us could read the books back home…”

Shun let out a sigh, clearly trying to keep his anger at this situation under control. “You’ll learn now, little Zuzu…” He promised quietly.

“If it is not too much to ask Nii-san, I would also like to be located close to this sweet little girl. Good morning everyone.”

“I was just looking for you. I ran into your maid in the hall… she said you were out enjoying the roses in the garden. I did not expect to find you he-”

Shun turned toward the voice of his miko and smiled. He quite enjoyed that she trusted him enough to consider him a big brother. “Of course, Imouto-chan.” He looked back to the maid that he had been giving orders to. “I believe there is a set of adjoining rooms empty across from my sisters, and there is a room on the other side of one of them, though it does not connect. If the child has the room in the middle, that should be ideal, I think.” The maid nodded and left, and Shun turned to face Shian at last. “Well, my friend-”

Before he could say any more, the child wiggled out of his lap and crossed to Shian. She looked up at him for a long moment, then looked over to one side - seemingly at nothing, though Shun could see the figure of a dark haird woman materialize and nod silently - and then Zuya smiled brightly at Shian and then threw both arms around his waist. “Nii-chan!”She exclaimed, hugging him tightly. “I was sad with Mama gone,but she said I’d get to be with you now!”

Shun cleared his throat softly. “I believe I will have to make time to work with her, as it seems we have similar…gifts.”

“Of course, Imouto-chan… I believe there is a set of adjoining rooms empty across from my sisters, and there is a room on the other side of one of them, though it does not connect. If the child has the room in the middle, that should be ideal, I think.”

Akahana smiled at the Emperor, “That sounds like a good idea altogether Nii-san.” She had come a long way with the people of Kutou in fact she barely recognised herself. She now had a place to call a home, people to call family and friends and now there was this absolutely adorable little girl that had been released from the hands of someone who would have made her an unhappy person. She had wanted a life like this one for so long and now she finally had it and she was not going to give it away. She expected they would have a chat about the Ambassador as soon as the little girl was taken to change clothes and the like. She already had a few things to say on the matter and she would just love to be granted permission to walk up to him and punch him in the face. But she knew that would not be possible, still, it would be fun and one of the things he deserved. In fact looking around the room she knew that everyone shared the same mind on that particular matter.

“I was just looking for you. I ran into your maid in the hall… she said you were out enjoying the roses in the garden. I did not expect to find you he-”

She noticed the slight moisture on his hair and then blushed lightly hoping he had not been looking for too long. Given the fact that she had gone early in the morning to meet up with someone, she did decide to walk among the gardens so that should anyone like Shian or her maid go looking for her, they thought she would have been in the royal gardens all that time. To his words though she smiled, yes, roses were her favourite and she was so happy when she discovered they had many and of many varieties and colours in the royal gardens, “Yes, since its Spring they seemed to have blossomed overnight, particularly the red roses. And then I had word that Nii-san wanted me to join them this morning and here we are.”

She turned to look at everyone in the room and her eyes stopped for a moment as she looked at Shian as he looked at the young girl inquisitively and she wondered what he thought of all this. It was going to be difficult for him to assimilate the fact that he had a sister he knew nothing about. That man had to be punished. How could he do all that to Shian and his lonely little sister? How could anyone lack the heart to love such a happy child? She simply could not understand it but that did not matter. She knew what it was like to be abandoned by a father, to have a short-lived moment of happiness with a mother that is taken away from you at a young age as well and the darkness that can ensue. But she would ensure Zuzu had a happy life here and she was more than certain everyone in the Palace would too.

“Well, my friend-”

“Nii-chan! I was sad with Mama gone, but she said I’d get to be with you now!”

“I believe I will have to make time to work with her, as it seems we have similar…gifts.”

Akahana could not stop herself from smiling warmly at the little girl’s antiques, she nodded to Shun as she noticed she seemed to be having conversation with an invisible being, so she could see the spirits of the dead as well? She wondered if that scum of a man knew of it and that was why he wanted to get rid of her. She was relieved that at least he brought her here so that she could be properly trained and given a chance at happiness. She had never looked after a young child before, but she was already looking forward to helping her and teaching her to read for she believed that was something they would both share, an affinity to books and stories for she had always been told that children had a wonderful capacity for imagination.

After giving Zuzu and Shian some time together she walked toward them and knelt in front of the sweet little girl with a warm smile. Turning toward Zuzu she smiled and said, “My name is Akahana, little one, but you can call me Aka if you like. What is your name?” She smiled warmly and moved a lock of hair from the little girl’s face, “I brought you something to welcome you home.” She showed her the package, “I actually made these but you must make sure they last you for a long time. Do you think you can?” She then caressed her cheek softly and kissed her cheek.

The soldier’s immediate response, on being tackled by a small child, was to raise his arms well above his waist, out to his sides as though to prove to some imagined authority that he hadn’t touched her. His utter confusion ensured that he didn’t even understand her chattering at first, as he was busy turning his eyes between the little girl wrapped around his legs and waist, and his friends around the room. It was Chisaka who finally sighed heavily, and extended her staff to Shun. “Go hit him for me, would you?” That seemed to reach him, and he looked up, waving a hand dismissively. “That… won’t be necessary. I-” He looked down at Zuya again, and it was then that his brain finally informed him that she’d called him Nii-san. The look was blank for a moment or two - after all, he’d had no idea that he had a sister - but it didn’t take long for him to make the connections, and also come to the realization that this child favored him, intensely. Why, if he’d been female… “Your mother is gone, child?” That was his first, soft question, directed to the little girl, and even as he spoke it, he was quite certain that she did not mean that her mother had gone on a journey. And if his suspicions were correct… knowing his father - no, their father - he could make a guess as to why the child had been brought here.



As she was taking her staff back, Chisaka answered the unspoken query quietly. “She was turned over to one of the maids… with the suggestion that she be presented to the Emperor as a gift... possibly as a maid, herself.” The golden eyes sharpened, and the young advisor recognized the rare glitter of true anger in them, though otherwise, his expression did not change, and his voice was calm, if a tone deeper than usual. “Sadly, that does not surprise me in any way.” He shook his head, and reached to stroke the dark curls, though his words were for Shun. “Would you consider a request to allow me to take today to make arrangements for her? I’ll have to make a trip into town to adequately equip my room to accommodate her." His eyes went to Akahana then, considering. "Perhaps you would consider accompanying me? You would have more idea than I would, about the things a young girl might want or need."

“That sounds like a good idea altogether Nii-san.”

Shun nodded. “Yes, I thought that would be the best placement. And being in that wing, she will also be close to myself, my mother, and Chisaka, should anything arise.” It was an unstated fact that that wing was also more heavily patrolled, which would be safer for the child.

“Go hit him for me, would you?”

“That… won’t be necessary. I-”

Shun shook his head, not taking the staff. “I know this will be a shock, but you know we are all here to assist in any way we can.”

“Your mother is gone, child?”

“My name is Akahana, little one, but you can call me Aka if you like. What is your name? I brought you something to welcome you home. I actually made these but you must make sure they last you for a long time. Do you think you can?”

Zuya looked up at Shian and nodded. “Yeah, Mama got sick and had to go away, but I can still see her and talk to her, so it’s okay.” She finally released Shian and turned to face the lovely redheaded woman. “Hello, Aka-chan. Are you my new Nee-chan? My name is Zuya, but Mama called me Zuzu.” She took the packet from her, eyes wide. “Really? It’s all for me?” She leaned to give Aka a tight, one-armed hug. “I've never gotten something just for me before. Thank you, Nee-chan! I promise I’ll eat them very, very slowly so they last a really long time.”

“She was turned over to one of the maids… with the suggestion that she be presented to the Emperor as a gift... possibly as a maid, herself.”

“Sadly, that does not surprise me in any way. Would you consider a request to allow me to take today to make arrangements for her? I’ll have to make a trip into town to adequately equip my room to accommodate her. Perhaps you would consider accompanying me? You would have more idea than I would, about the things a young girl might want or need."

Shun nodded. “Naturally, my friend. You may take as much time as you need to get anything the child desires. Please go by my room and help yourself to the coin purse I take when we go to the tavern, just to ensure you have enough to cover what she needs. Although, perhaps first, Otome-san could go find her something she’ll like better to wear into town. I believe one of Kaouru-chan’s kimonos should fit, and her feet are small so the geta may as well.”

Zuya turned back to her brother and threw her free arm around him again. “I can really stay with you, Nii-chan? Oh, yay, yay, yay!” Still holding her present from Aka gently but protectively, sh4e turned to the older maid, and cheerfully left the room with ther.

Shun waited for them to leave, adn a few beats to ensure they were out of ear shot before he gave a curse and slammed a hand down on the table as he stood up to pace. “That man! I wish that I could think of some crime he has committed so I could lock him in the dungeon and throw away the key.” It bothered him… no, it infuriated him that this man had the nerve to treat his children as he had. Added to that, the fact that he seemed to think it appropriate to shovel his responsibilities for his bastard children off on the bastard Emperor. IT was a slight that angered him, even if he would want nothing more than to have Shian and little Zuya by his side. “If it wouldn’t cause an uproar, I’d march to his room right now and break his nose.” His eyes fell on Shia, and some of his anger deflated. He ran a hand back through his loose hair, and sighed. “Shian, I am sorry to hear of your mother. I know your time with her was short, but I also know she was the only friendly face in your earliest years. Likewise, know that we are all here to help you with little Zuzu-chan. I’m sure Mother will be able to help with many of your questions, and naturally if your work schedule or duties need to be adjusted, we can see to that. I think you will find two willing babysitters in my sisters, whenever the need arises.” He crossed to Shian and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. His voice was much softer when he spoke again, though he was not worried about what those in the room would think of what he said next. “I will help in any way I can. You need never fear to ask, brother…”

”Yes, I thought that would be the best placement. And being in that wing, she will also be close to myself, my mother, and Chisaka, should anything arise.”

Akahana nodded, even though she shared the very same anger if not more than most of the adults in the room, she decided to try and assess things calmly, the last thing she wanted was for the girl to think she was upset with her. And if she ever crossed paths with that man again she would tell him a thing or two. As a person who suffered greatly since childhood she did not want anyone else to go through the same thing. While Shian processed what happened she decided that she would help as much as possible in helping Zuya get used to life in the Palace and she could even help with her education if they saw fit. One thing she definitely wanted to teach her was how to grow plants and look after them. She thought it would be a nice outdoor hobby that they could both do together. Of course she would run all these ideas past Shian and let him decide as Zuya was his sibling and she was sure he would be protective of her.

"Perhaps you would consider accompanying me? You would have more idea than I would, about the things a young girl might want or need."

She nodded at Shun’s words, it made sense to keep Zuya in the safest part of the Palace. That way everyone would rest knowing that she would not be in danger. And more importantly, people would love her in the Palace. Shewould be a happy child and would not suffer. She placed a hand on Shian’s shoulder to show her support and nodded, she would help him in any way he needed. “Of course, I’ll come with you.” Really, it was the least she could do when Sian and everyone in this room did so much for her. They took her in despite everything. “I’m sorry for your loss.” Even if he did not get to spend much time with his mother, it was a terrible loss and Akahana knew very well what life was like when you lost your mother at an early age. She would make sure to give Zuya a lot of attention and affection.

“Hello, Aka-chan. Are you my new Nee-chan? My name is Zuya, but Mama called me Zuzu.” She took the packet from her, eyes wide. “Really? It’s all for me? I've never gotten something just for me before. Thank you, Nee-chan! I promise I’ll eat them very, very slowly so they last a really long time.”

Aka blushed lightly at Zuya’s words unsure as to how to answer to such words but she embraced her warmly and smiled, “Of course it is all for you, make sure Shian cannot steal them.” She teased looking at Shian before she added, “And you will get lots of more treats, maybe you could help me make them next time?” For some reason she liked it when she addressed her as her sister.

Once she was taken to change she nodded to Shun’s words and said to Shian, “You know we are here for you, whatever you may need.”

Too well trained and focused to emote as one might have expected, given the circumstances, Shian instead stroked the little curls again, when the child confirmed his suspicions, voice becoming grave. “I’m so sorry, little one. But I promise you that you will always have a home, here with me.” His fingers continued to travel through her hair, an idle motion that helped to channel what he was feeling, as he returned his attention to making arrangements for her needs to be met. “I’ll speak to the staff, on my way out, and see that another bed is brought into the room, and perhaps a little desk for her to pursue her studies.” His eyes went to Chisaka. “She likes stories… you’ll send me a selection of appropriate stories, to read to her?” Her nod was immediate and expected, and yet the way he relaxed just a stitch indicated that in this moment, with everything uncertain, he’d almost been worried she’d refuse. As if unaware of this though, he bent and gave the child a more natural squeeze, and nodded to Otome. “Go on, then. Otome-san will get you all ready, and then we can go get you all the things you like. Alright?” He kissed the dark hair then, and let her go, watching as the older woman guided the child from the room.



His focus there was intent enough that he actually jolted a little in surprise, at Shun’s show of temper. It was only momentary though, and by the time he’d turned to face his friend again, Shian’s expression was stony. “Legitimate, punishable crimes are the trappings of aristocracy… I am a mere man. Causing an uproar is very much out of the realm of things that concern me, right now.” Despite the complete lack of emotion in his voice as he spoke, Chisaka could sense the storm brewing directly below the surface, just as surely as she knew Shun could. And yet, he held it at bay with a deep breath, and a brief, wordless acknowledgement of the hand on his shoulder. “Tonight, I have a new sister to calm, soothe, and love.” A hand found Aka’s, and squeezed it gently, with careful restraint. “Tomorrow… I will deal with my father.”