Through Fire and Water

Chapter 23 - Annual Lantern Festival

The ideas were just flowing and I kept writing....so here's a quick update! :D Hope it makes you guys happy!

Doesn't His Highness Ryuusei sama look dashing in the royal robes? *w* Izumi is so lucky to have such a hot guy fall in love with her, isn't she? X)

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Izumi pov:

"Let us all now cheer to the long and healthy lives of His Highness the Blood Emperor and Empress Izumi!" Taheji cheered while holding up a sake cup.

My lips twitched, wanting to break out into a smirk but I refrained from letting it surface. I smiled a small smile and glanced at Ryuusei as he took a sip of sake from the richly ornate porcelain cup in his hand. Our eyes met though the holes of the half mask he wore and he smiled tenderly. We then looked ahead to scan those gathered here today to celebrate the festival with us.

Our welcome to the camp on Yokobu Shore was extravagant. Taheji had a parade of dancers greet us followed by women throwing flowers at our feet when we got out of the carriage and walked to the tent arranged for our overnight stay. Taheji asked us to relax and freshen up a bit before he himself came to escort us to the gathering area where dances, singing and other cultural activities would take place as a part of the celebration before releasing the lit lanterns. He was being extra hospitable before executing his plan of launching his attack at us – how cocky of him.

After the celebrations started, Ryuusei decided to have friendly chats with the governors and other officials present instead of idly sitting under the arranged gazebo and watching the activities. I stayed by his side while observing the people we spoke to as well as the ones who were around us. Some were friends and others foes and it was quite easy to make them out just by their body language and the look in their eyes. Even the governors were easy to read – those who wholeheartedly supported Taheji looked confident and smug while those who were forced to support him were nervous and kept their eyes averted from Ryuusei's when they spoke.

Governor Houki, who I had seen in Taheji's tent just two days ago, reacted with great hesitance. He was in a tough position and I could tell he regretted joining hands with Taheji even if it was merely for getting money for his wife's medical treatment. I felt a little bad for him because he was stuck in the middle of two very dangerous people – I suppose I could talk to Ryuusei about his and the other hesitant governors' situations so their lives wouldn't get messed up and Ryuusei wouldn't lose honest subordinates.

"You look very beautiful today, Your Highness." Taheji said while looking over me when we were back in the gazebo.

"I trust you know that you are to keep your eyes and hands off my wife, Taheji. Complimenting her openly isn't necessary." Ryuusei responded instantly with venom dripping off every word.

"Oh of course, Ryuusei! I wouldn't even dream of showing her anything short of respect – she is your wife and the Empress of Nihon, after all." He answered with a chuckle. I noticed him glance at me again though, and with a mocking smirk. "I hope that everything here is to your comfort, Ryuusei, Empress. If there is anything at all that you want, please let me know and I will see to it that it is done as soon as possible."

"We will, Prince Taheji. Thank you." I said with a smile though I met his gaze with a burning rage in my eyes. "And I hope that you too enjoy yourself tonight for we don't know how things will be in the future."

Taheji narrowed his eyes slightly at my words. "I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you mean, Empress."

"I only meant that we may not meet like this, with such celebration, anytime soon again. After all, festivals where we can gather and celebrate together isn't often." I said innocently and took a sip of tea.