Asami's Shadow (Ryoma's POV)

Chapter 9

Per usual I went to go check on her, but was stopped.  "She's bathing, My Lord."

I smiled at the servant girl.  "Thank you."

I redirected to my room instead, prowling the halls would only cause me trouble.  What is Ayama's problem? She's done nothing to her.  I frowned as I looked out of the window.  I'll have to tell Youta to get her under control.

It was disappointing, years ago Ayama was fascinated by the princess in the trees.

***

"She really flies through trees!"

I chuckled, I enjoyed my time in Shu and felt good about our future.  "Yes, we told you."

Ayama jumped up.  "And the confetti! How did she even do it? I didn't see any wires or anything!"

Youta gently guided her back to his seat.  "She is an expert."

She looked between us.  "Why can't she come with us?  You said i-"

I sighed.  "We couldn't take her away from Shu.  She is happy here."

She pouted.  "She would be happy in Wu.  I'm sure we would be friends.  You said she would teach me to play pranks."

Youta smiled at her sadly.  "Her life, family, and happiness are here, Ayama.  We love her too mu-"

She frowned.  "I had all of those things in Yao Lin, you took me away."

We both paused and the emperor cleared his throat.  "That... is not the same."

She looked at him.  "Why?"

He sighed.  "Your father and I came to an agreement to broker peace between our nations."

"Do the same with her, she is already engaged to Ryoma.  So, a Wu and Shu peace treaty."

His eyes closed as though pained.  "I tried."

She watched him closely.  "Her parents said no... didn't they?"

He looked at her sorrowfully.  "Yes, they did.  Princess Asami has come to depend on our little girl, you saw that for yourself."

She crossed her arms.  "So they all love her more."

I shook my head.  "No, they just... even if they had a male heir... they wouldn't have their girls be wards in other nations."

Youta took her hand.  "Are you not happy with us?"

She frowned.  "I'm happier in Wu, but... Father clearly doesn't love me as you or they love her.  You let me be me and don't treat me mean because I'm different.  They are the same there..."

Emperor Wu nodded.  "Yes, they allow her to be her.  When I told their emperor about her training, he found a suitable mentor for her, something even I was not capable of.  She is thriving there, I can't take it from her."

She nodded.  "Then... maybe we can be friends later, she wasn't very talkative."

I pursed my lips.  "Or bothered to spend time with any of us."

The older man looked at me.  "Why?"

I frowned.  "She took to the trees and stayed there, no matter who tried to get her down."

Ayama giggled.  "Maybe because you kept bothering her." She turned to the emperor.  "She threatened to tie up the princess and leave her dangling from one.  When I asked if she would, she said yes.  She said that Keiko had done it before... from trees and ceilings, in beds, over water... if she could figure out how to get her somewhere, she would end up there."

His eyes widened.  "Really?"

I chuckled.  "You expect anything less? She told me she probably couldn't do the same to me, but she would get me if I didn't leave her alone."

Youta slowly turned to me.  "What?"

I shrugged.  "She couldn't do anything as long as we were there, don't worry about it."

He opened the window.  "Stop!"

I grabbed him.  "What are yo-"

I couldn't finish because when we hit a bump, I was drenched in paint and water, feathers slowly drifting through the carriage.  "How did she..."

Ayama jumped up and started to inspect the compartment that was over me.  I slowly looked myself over and Youta howled with laughter.  "What was that, Ryoma? She couldn't what?"

I couldn't be mad because I asked for it and joined in their laughter.  Now, I had to figure out how she managed it.  "She was with us... the whole time."

The emperor was wiping away his tears.  "Well, she got you just as she said.  And look..." He gestured outside.  "We are no longer in Shu."

Ayama hopped down and looked me over.  "She even knew where you would sit. She is a mastermind."  She turned to the emperor.  "Are you sure we can't come back or they to us sooner?  I have to know her secrets."

He finally calmed his laughter.  "No, she is just fine where she is.  Next time, maybe you will listen."

I scowled.  "Just happy I'm not that person named Sai.  This is nothing for what he has in store, I'm sure of that."

Ayama frowned.  "She was very scary then... even her parents and the princess were afraid."

I sighed.  "She said the longer they let her plan, the worse it would be.  Of that I have no doubt, that's why we couldn't stay as planned."

She thought for a moment.  "I wouldn't want to hurt anyone with my pranks."

Youta nodded.  "That is where you two are different.  When she is just pranking, it's fun.  If she is mad, well just hope you don't die at this point from what I gathered."

She looked out of the window sadly.  "I wonder what she will do..."

I looked in my lap, uncomfortable from the wet clothes.  "I've never seen her that mad.  I'm not sure if I approve that they will let her do as she pleases, but... I know if she really wanted, they couldn't stop her either."

She smiled at me.  "Well when we're friends, I'll make sure no one makes her that mad.  This way not so bad things will happen."

I returned the expression.  "I'd like that.  I'm sure she would too."