"Has the defendant have anything to say for his actions?" Came the voice of the judge in charge of the immediate trial of the Champion of Valsir, recently captured on Finarin's borderlands and brought to one of the cities for trial, and then imprisonment or worse, execution. The defendant looked at the judge in a glare of defiance, but it was all the bark he can muster. He was chained, and held down by said chains in a sitting position. His sword Draconil was in the hands of one of the guards.

"I have no words for my actions. My people merely wanted me to investigate the rumors of an evil that troubles them." He said, sweat furrowing his silver white brow. He had said these words before, but it would seem to not be sinking further into the judge or the people of the Empire. He was afraid they were paranoid he was an Orina spy.

"Na'ari Azura, you need to understand you are charged with attempted espionage. If you were not who you are, Dragon of the Northeast, we would have had you executed." The judge stated in an annoyed tone. He was about to say more when he heard a slightly startled guard whisper in the judge's ear. "What do you mean she's coming to inspect the prisoner?!"

Na'ari felt a sudden feeling of dread. He knew this meant something, or someone is coming that may affect how his life might end, or continue.

The guard jumped and shook his head, mumbling apologies and leaving as quickly as he could. The sound of whispers could be heard throughout the court as the attendants immediately voiced their shock, awe, and even fear. The judge looked at the prisoner with wide eyes. Then the shock became pity, and he said softly, "it's out of my hands now son."

The doors to the judgment hall opened, and as quickly as the whispers had come, they were soon replaced with silence. Two guards entered the room and stood at attention on either side of the doors. Then Akari entered, followed of course, by the ever-present Genji, and two more guards. Her cloak billowed out behind her as she walked, her hood covering all but a slight grin on her face. She found it amusing that a room full of people could sound so empty, no doubt following talk of her arrival.

The judge stood to move, bowing his head, but Akari lifted a hand. "Is this the prisoner known as Na'ari Azura?" she asked the judge, gesturing to the man chained to the floor.

"Y-Yes Princess Akari," the judge stammered, freezing in place, "that is him."

Akari observed the man, circling around him. She stopped near his left shoulder and looked back at the judge. "What is it you have charged him with?"

"A-Attempted espionage, my lady," he said, as if he was afraid to make her angry.

Akari chuckled softly. This judge was pathetic. A coward. She would have to see to him later, but for now... Akari walked around to face the prisoner, lowering her hood to look him in the eyes. Shocked gasps sounded throughout the room, both at her beauty and the rarity of the sight. In the year since Izo's betrayal, she had only lowered her hood a few times publicly. "Release him.." she said suddenly, "and give his weapons to my guard."

The judge looked shocked, but did as he was ordered. "Now that's better isn't it?" she smiled at Na'ari, as a guard released him from his bonds. Before she could say anything else, Genji appeared at her ear and whispered in his rough voice, "princess.. there is no need for this prisoner... let the court decide his fate. You have much more important matters to attend."

Akari glanced at Genji, knowing the man was probably right, but she was intrigued by this prisoner. "He might well prove his use," she whispered back. Genji bowed slightly and backed away, glaring at Na'ari as though he wanted to execute him right there. Turning back to Na'ari she said, "we will continue this chat when we arrive at my castle." Then leaning closer to him she said simply and without emotion, "you will not try to fight. You will not try to run. If you do.. you will die." Then she stood up straight and looked around the room. "The prisoner is now in my charge and will be dealt the punishment I deem fit. Any objections may be taken up with me," she said, her musical voice filling the room. "Though.. I don't think there will be any objections," she added, giving her slight smile. Then, to the surprise of everyone and the anger of Genji, she extended a hand to the prisoner. "We will go now," she said, looking expectantly at Na'ari.

Na'ari observed in small suspicion as the Princess of the Empire entered the room, and then took over the courtroom, and trial for that matter, and began to observe his situation. He eyed Genji as well, but before he could focus deep enough, the Princess was right in front of him, and pulled her hood from her face so that he could actually look at her in the face. She then ordered his release, and then the chains were off him in a flash.

He rubbed his wrists as he stood up, legs wobbly for at least a few seconds but he could manage. He caught Genji's glare and could very well read that there was a darkness about this man, and the Princess as she spoke to him about not running or resisting under pain of death. But for some strange unknown reason, couldn't think these were the darkness that Valsir was worried for. Which means, the evil that will bring turmoil has yet to appear and show himself. He heard the statement that she'll be under her charge, and will be punished as she saw fit.

Na'ari was thus reluctant at first for a moment, but knew if he didn't take her hand right now she would not be so kind. He took her hand silently, trying hard to not watch the reactions. He knew next they'd be heading to whatever she used to come here in such a hurry.

Akari was a little surprised. She had half-expected Na'ari to refuse her, though it was lucky for him he hadn't. As Na'ari took Akari's hand, Genji's eyes flashed with hatred, though he remained silent. Akari gave a small smile. "Come then," she said, adding under her breath, "time to go home..." Lifting her hood back up, she led the men from the room, ignoring the stares and whispers from the crowd. When she reached the other side of the door however, she paused. The guards shut the door and took their positions - two in front, two in back, and the three in the middle.

Akari released Na'ari's hand, and it was immediately replaced by Genji's firm grip on his shoulder. Akari turned around and took a step back towards the door they had just exited. Raising her palm, she closed her eyes and concentrated. A purple mist seemed to escape from her palm, slowly encasing the door. Once the mist settled, she looked at Na'ari. "Let's go," she said with another smile, and walked through the door.

Genji pushed Na'ari's shoulder, urging him forward, and the rest of the group followed. Once they passed the threshold of the door, their vision hazed a moment as the room shifted before their eyes. The courtroom faded away, leaving a large circular room made of stone with pillars lined along either side of a long carpet, as though standing guard. At the end of the carpet was an extravagantly carved throne with two smaller thrones flanking it. Each throne was made of an emerald green dragon with diamond eyes. The three heads ending at the tops of the seat were facing upward, looking at a statue of a golden phoenix rising from the ashes. The wings of the large beast seemed almost to enfold the thrones, as if protecting them.

Once everyone had entered and the doors were shut, Akari ordered the guards back to their posts in the castle. Normally, she would have brought her personal guard, Junko and Kazu, but they were off attending other matters. Akari and the two men walked to the other side of the room to a long corridor on the right of the thrones. The corridor was well-lit with torches, but as they went deeper into the castle, the darkness seemed to thicken. Akari led them along the hall, passing door after door and staircase after staircase, until finally, she turned left and headed up a set of stairs. The staircase spiraled upward and as they reached the top, Akari walked a few more feet down a second, shorter corridor, and stopped in front of a wooden door off to the right. She turned and faced the two men. "Genji," she said, looking over at him. Genji bowed slightly, "...yes Princess?" he asked.

"You will leave us now," Akari ordered. "I wish to speak to Na'ari alone."

A shocked look crossed Genji's face. "B-but Princess... I.." he began to protest, but Akari cut him off.

"Genji. Leave." She said, slightly annoyed.

Immediately, Genji regained his usual composure, and bowed again. "Yes, Princess... Of course." He replied shooting another glare at Na'ari, then left the way they had come.

"Now then," Akari said as if nothing had happened. "You must be hungry! Come! We shall eat as we talk." With that, she pushed open the door to reveal a small sitting room. Unlike the rest of the castle, the room was almost... cozy. In front of a large fireplace on the far end of the room sat a small table with pillows on either side. It was as if they had been expected, as the table was already full of different kinds of dishes. Books lined the walls, and there were a few of them scattered on the floor near one of the pillows. Akari walked over to the books on the floor and stacked them up neatly, setting them aside. She kneeled onto one of the pillows and gestured for Na'ari to do the same. Akari grabbed a kettle that was on a hook near the fire and filled it with water from a pitcher in the center of the table. She placed the kettle back on the hook and swung it around to be heated by the fire.

It was then that she finally looked back at Na'ari. She observed him for a moment before lowering her hood once more. "If you are wondering why you are here, I'm afraid I am not at liberty to discuss this. However, I can tell you what you will be doing while you are here." She said in a business-like tone. "Considering your charge, I should have executed you in that courtroom. However, considering your titles, I cannot believe that you are a spy for Orina as I have heard." She paused a moment to grab the now-whistling tea kettle, and continued as she poured their cups. "It is because of your accomplishments that I have decided to let you live. Though, you will not live freely." She took a sip of her tea, looking over her cup at Na'ari to gauge his reaction to her words so far. After a moment, she continued. "From this point forward you are to be my personal servant. You will do as I command, and any defiance will be met with severe punishment... though I admit, I sense something about you. Therefore, I am offering you an opportunity. If you can prove your worth to me, I will make you one of my personal guard." The words surprised Akari as they came out, but she didn't let it show. She hadn't allowed a man on her personal guard since the day she was betrayed... but there was something hiding within Na'ari. She could see it in his eyes... and she intended to find out what it was.

He was lead outside the judgement hall, where the guards silently followed, only to have the Princess let go of his hand and perform a spell on the door. Then without warning, he was urged to go through the threshold back into the courtroom. He was nearly shocked until he walked into the doorway to discover something very strange.

"What magic is this? I'm now deep in the heart of the empire, their capital city even!" Na'ari thought, looking at the throne room and realizing the atmosphere. He could tell that if the Castle once had light, it seemed foreboding in darkness now. But still, the Darkness his country feared was not here. It only puzzled him even more, yet he continued to follow the Princess as the guards left, the one guard still holding Draconil walked to the armory to store it in a confiscated area, temporarily. He was sure that sooner or later he would get it back. Draconil is a sword of his family heritage, he would not willingly part with it.

She lead him to a door where she dismissed the high priest, who shot Na'ari a glare, who only returned it with a silent stare, as he was then invited inside the door. He was immediately surprised by how different the room was compared to the rest of the castle, as if it was a totally different light. He then saw the table of food and walked to a seat to sample at least several portions, for he was held in the cell for nearly two days without food, so it was a welcome sight to introduce food back into his stomach.

He then heard her speak, saying why he was brought here was not a full secret to be freely given, but he could assume it was his titles, the ones Valsir gave him upon fighting a rogue dragon. She said it was because of these his execution was thrown out, but he would not live free. Na'ari sipped tea silently, trying to hide the small fear he had. But he kept his mind on his father and sisters living where they worked, and it kept his fears at bay when she said them.

To everything told to him, he only nodded his head. "By your orders then, I am your servant in whatever you wish of me." He stated.

"Might as well agree if I am to still breathe." was his thoughts, "Plus, I could continue my investigation at my own discretion, now I can observe the princess as much as I need to gauge my own judgement." he could sense something in her eyes, almost like a fading light in a field of darkness. Was she in danger? He did not know.

"What is it you wish for me to do as your servant?"

Akari was taken aback by the question, but she gave Na'ari one of her smiles. She hadn't actually thought of what she wanted to do with him just yet. Setting aside her tea, she looked at Na'ari and asked, "what are your talents? Other than in battle, I mean."

"I can sing real good, and," Na'ari nearly turned a small shade of red as he spoke, "I can actually tell a Horse's behavior..."

Akari's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't expected Na'ari to be the type to sing, let alone be so attuned to horses. "Well isn't that quite the shock. The 'Dragon' sings and knows the side of horses even horse masters have not seen.." she mused aloud. She thought in silence for a moment, then stood up and walked to one of the bookshelves lined along the wall. In the far corner was a thin rope which disappeared into the wall. Akari pulled on the rope a couple of times, then took her seat once more. She waited silently until there was a knock on the door. "You may enter," she said. Two young men entered the room and immediately began to clear away the dishes on the table. While the men were cleaning, Akari took the time to observe Na'ari. He was a sight to behold for sure, but it was his eyes that intrigued her the most. What are you hiding behind those eyes... she thought.

Akari spoke again, only after the men had left the room. "I have decided what it is you will do first," she said softly, looking at Na'ari. She paused and her eyes lowered slightly, as if she had changed her mind. Then suddenly she looked him in the face again, saying, "sing for me... Na'ari."

Na'ari flushed red in embarrassment of her laughing at his talents outside the battlefield. "I grew up in an inn/tavern hybrid with a stables what did you expect?" He muttered when she was talking about his horsemanship. He sighed as he drank the rest of his tea and set the cup down when he observed the princess call for servants to clean up the table, which made him half glad he set his now empty cup down. He knew she was observing him, yet he didn't know what she was inspecting him for. His grey eyes for the first time showed confusion.

"What does she want to see in me?" he thought, trying hard not to think at that exact moment. Then when the servants left, she then decided she wanted him to test his vocal abilities and have him sing. He sighed. "As you command." He stated as he started to think through a list of songs hidden in his mind before taking a deep breath.

And he began to sing and continued to do so until told to stop and be told his next orders.

Akari smirked when she heard Na'ari mutter. She saw a confused look cross his face as she watched him, and knew he was probably wondering why she was observing him so closely. In fact, she was wondering the same thing. Akari wasn't sure why she had been so pulled to this man to even ignore Genji's advice. It was unusual, but it made her all the more curious.

She asked him to sing for her after the servants left, and Na'ari obliged. As Na'ari prepared to sing, Akari watched him patiently with her hands folded on her lap as though expecting him not to do well. However, as Na'ari began to sing, his musical voice filling the room, Akari's eyes widened in surprise. His words were full of sorrow, hope, strength, determination, and yearning. He sang with such feeling... awakening emotions within her that she had long hidden.

As she listened, her eyes slowly closed and her chest tightened, a small smile playing on her lips. Na'ari... she thought, as close to content as she had been in a long time, I see now..

His voice filled her, and in that moment, a shadow of the once happy princess shown through. It was as if time stood still and sped up.. as if the heavens and the earth collided.. as if there was only Na'ari. For a moment, she forgot the darkness... the weakness.... and as he finished, a tear fell down her cheek. Beautiful... she thought.

Then, as though remembering Na'ari, her eyes shot open and she stood up, wiping away the tear. Anger quickly replaced sadness as she remembered Izo, mentally kicking herself for allowing Na'ari to see her weakness. She couldn't have that happen again. No.. she would not let it. Without looking at Na'ari, she said coldly, "since you are so attuned to horses, you will go to the stables and care for mine. She has been acting strangely and we have yet to know why. I will send in a guard to escort you. The stable boy will attend your needs for the horse." Then she pulled up her hood and abruptly exited the room with a swish of her cloak.

Na'ari was initially confused why he wasn't stopped, was his song moving the cold princess? Was there somewhere, deep inside her, a kind person desperately crying for help, lost in a sea of shadows. He almost thought he saw a tear before she actually snapped out of her reverie, and realized what had happened. What happened was not what she'd expect, and the heart turned cold again.

She gave him his next order, take care of her mare. He sighed and he remembered six older, albeit more gentle sisters giving him the same requests every day when they turned in a customer's horse into the Tavern stables. He sighed and was about to state he understood the orders recieved, but realized he was quite alone. She left as fast as she was angered, he wondered at this point if he did something wrong. He silently berated himself. Shortly after, a guard came and escorted him to the stables.

A stable boy watching the stressed mare nearly dropped his brush in surprise when Na'ari entered the stables. "Hello there boy. Would you like to update me on the horse as I watch her?" The boy almost shocked by his appearance found his voice then.

"You're the Dragon of the Northeast!" Shouted the boy. Na'ari laughed. He was well known even in the empire it seems. Word of his deeds travelled everywhere. This proves it. "Lady Akari's horse is acting funny...she's been frantic whenever she's awake, even feeding her and cleaning her has become taxing."

Na'ari sighed. "Well, little to go on it. If she's acting crazy there's got to be a reason." He stated as he looked around the other stables, he almost noted the stallion in the one stall kicking the door a bit. "Ah, I see. Boy, let me have that brush and bucket, I think I got an idea. It's gonna take me a few hours but I'll calm her down and figure it out."

----

It was near dusk, Na'ari's suit and armor were covered in angry hoof prints by the time he climbed out of the Mare's stall. "Whew, the horse is calm for now, but I think you should keep the stallion and her separate, give her something for a treat, maybe an extra dosage of oats, with carrots. She'll be calm in three days." He gave these instructions to the stable boy specifically, "Don't be afraid of her boy. The Mare is just going through.....girl things. She'll be fine. Just do as I suggested and she'll be fit as a fiddle in no time."

There was no way he was letting the boy know that Akari's horse was in season at the moment. He hoped with a change of diet she'll probably be fine within the time frame. Feeling tired out from the situation, the warrior hero collapsed in a pile of hay. "I'm doing the very job I did when I was a kid, this could be bad for my reputation." He muttered in a tired, joking tone.

Akari walked quickly through the halls towards her chambers. Her heart was pounding hard in her ears and she nearly forgot she needed to send a guard for Na'ari. She instructed the first one she passed to escort him to the stables, then hurried away to her room. When she finally reached her large door, she pushed it open. She closed it as soon as she entered, but paused after the click, letting out a breath and leaning her forehead against the cool wood. Why did he affect me so? What are these feelings... and his voice... she smiled again as she remembered the song. It must be true, what they say about him..

Akari moved away from the door and sat at the chair by her window. She looked across the garden to the stables in the distance. She knew her mare must be giving him trouble. As she gazed out the window, lost in thought, she heard a knock at the door. Probably Genji coming to give me a lecture, she thought. "You may enter," she said.

The door opened and, just as she had thought, Genji entered the chamber. He bowed slightly, then said, "Princess, Junko and Kazu have returned with news. They are awaiting you in the throne room."

Akari was taken aback. Not only had she been expecting a lecture that didn't come, she hadn't thought Junko and Kazu would have returned so quickly. "Send Kazu to the stables to escort Na'ari, she will know what needs to be done. We have to make sure my mare is prepared for the festival. Return her with Junko, and she can give me the details of their findings."

Genji bowed again and left to give the girls their orders.


------


Junko and Genji came back a little while later, as Kazu headed for the stable. "You may enter," Akari said once again. Genji entered the room, closely followed by Junko. As Genji stepped off to the side, Junko stepped in front of Akari and kneeled, fisting her hand over her heart and bowing her head. "What news?" Akari asked her. Junko stood with her arms at her sides, her child-like face holding a serious expression. "The threat has been confirmed. We believe the attack will happen on one of the festival days. Though we found out it will be a group of assassins, regrettably, we were unable to determine exactly who is behind the plot." She kneeled again, placing her fist on the floor and bowing deeper. "I am sorry I could not gather more information, Princess.. Kazu and I felt that with the festival so close at hand, we would be needed here to protect you. We... we also feel it would be in your best interest to obtain another for your personal guard. We don't know the power of these people, and I do not want to take any chances with your life, my lady."

Akari took a moment to think about everything Junko had told her. A threat on her life to be carried out during the festival by an unknown group of assassins. "Stand up, Junko, you have done well." Akari told her reassuringly. "If you and Kazu are in agreement about that, then I will choose another guard. In fact... I think I have someone in mind... Someone who I believe will prove powerful."

Genji's eyes flashed as she said this, knowing she was talking about Na'ari, but kept silent. Junko saw the expression, and a smirk crossed her face as she realized he didn't like the idea of whoever it was guarding the princess. This is going to be interesting... she thought.

Na'ari was fast asleep in the hay pile. He was dreaming, dreaming of home, in Valsir, in one of the best taverns in the country. He was home for a brief few moments. Then he thought he felt something prod his leg. Did a horse get out of its pen? "Hmmm, horse, how did you get out of the pen??" To that something gave Na'ari a good solid whack on the head.

"OW! What the hell?! Can't you wake someone up like a normal person?!" He shouted angrily before there was a small chuckle.

"Growing up around male soldiers is usually how the wake up call is to a lazy recruit." Said the source. "I am Kazu, one of Princess Akari's bodyguards. And you must be the Dragon my Princess caught, according to the stable boy. Wow, Sakura did a number on you." Sakura was the mare that Na'ari was just taking care of. "At least, I believe that this was Sakura."

"The mare? Don't worry about her. She just needs a different diet to handle some horomones. Techinically a temporary diet once a month avoids such an issue." Na'ari stated. "I am Na'ari."

"Well Na'ari, you're to be set up in some guest quarters whilst the queen gets a report from Junko. She's another bodyguard. Do you have any questions?" Kazu asked as she helped the man up from the hay. "We will walk to your quarters."

"Why is she the way she is? The princess anyway? I mean, one moment she's evil and cruel, next its....umm.."

"Seems kind and like a true princess?" Kazu finished with a small smile. When Na'ari nodded she shrugged. "I've been her friend a long time and even I don't know the sudden change. Maybe she's going through her post break up phase. Though, Izo was a kind man. The circumstances to me, seem like something was up, but I don't question it. Maybe one day she'll return to that kind woman, maybe not. I'll still protect her. As will anyone else in her personal guard. If we get her approval that is."

Na'ari raised an eyebrow. "Next question, are you a competitive person?" He asked.

"Yes, which is why I'm a tad jealous you got one of the international titles. Has the Dragon Circle contacted you yet and gave you your coin? If not, it may be awhile before they do due to your current situation." Kazu chuckled. The Dragon Circle is an international band of individuals who had battled against dragons and either killed them, or survived barely. The two warriors are walking inside the castle now, the topic now shifting to more about Na'ari.

"They say you're a descendant of your namesake, Na'ari of the Valsir Mountains. The blacksmith. Is this true, and also how you decided to be who you are?"

"If Draconil is in my room I can show you." Na'ari stated, as the two stopped in front of a door which Kazu opened, the black sheath holding a red handled blade was sitting on his bed, "and there's my cling to the proof. The Blade of the Blessed Dragon. Draconil." He drew the sword partially to expose the black blade, detailed by a symbol of white and red below the hilt. "How it was forged is lost to legend."

Kazu nodded. "I see. Interesting, a sword this old I expected it to be very old thing. But yours seem to be in tip top shape. Good care through the ages. Well I must resume my duties and return to Akari. She'll be wanting to check on me. Have a good night." She stated as she closed the door.

Na'ari looked around the room, it was bare yet livable. With a bed and a fireplace. He nodded to himself in small approval as he moved the sword onto a table as he lies down on the bed to get slightly comfortable.

Akari saw Junko smirk, but she decided not to question it. "I assume Kazu will be about finished taking Na'ari to his quarters. However, due to this new information, it seems I will have to move his quarters closer to mine. Before we make this decision, however, I will allow the both of you to decide if he would make for a good comrade. If you trust him with your lives, I will entrust him with mine." Akari explained this as though she had the utmost confidence in their decision.

Junko nodded, but this time, Genji spoke. "Princess.." he said in his harsh voice, "I must advise against this. To allow this prisoner so near you.. to entrust your life in his hands.. He could very well..."

Just then, Akari raised her hand, cutting him off. "I am well aware of the consequences, as I am well aware of the power he possesses." She stood then, beginning to lose her temper. Darkness seemed to seep from her, encasing her being. "You forget who I am Genji. I will not fall so easily to him. To anyone." Her hair began to lift as if there was a light breeze, only around the princess. "You will not argue with me any further on the subject!" she said, raising her voice.

Suddenly, she felt a tiny hand grab hers, and in an instant the darkness began to fade away, leaving the somewhat dazed princess breathing hard on the floor. "Thank you, Junko," she whispered. This had been happening more and more. She was starting to lose control of her power.. and sometimes.. her mind.

Genji, who had been watching the event with a look of satisfaction, came over to the princess to help her to a chair. Junko released Akari suddenly, as she felt a shock go through her hand the moment Genji's hand touched the princess. She looked at Genji blankly, sure not to betray the thoughts and emotions she had in that moment. She was very good at that, after all, she was a Neutral. Her skills weren't especially great, but they served a purpose. Just as she was able to neutralize the darkness in the princess, she could very well do the same to someone with other ability. Though she was not very skilled in physical combat, that part was well taken care of by Kazu.

She stayed silent as Genji helped Akari, observing the man closely. She felt... something... but then, there was a knock on the door. "Enter," Akari said, sounding a little stronger than a moment ago.

Kazu bounded through the door happily, but stopped short at the sight of the princess. Her face fell a little, but she quickly cheered up, trying not to let the princess see her worry. She looked at Junko and, as though they had communicated something between them, she nodded. Then she addressed Akari, "I have taken the Dragon to his room, Princess," she said, fisting her hand over her heart, though not kneeling as Junko had.

"Good," Akari said as she waved Genji away. He backed up and stood in his usual spot, to the right of the princess, and slightly behind. "What did you think of him?" she asked Kazu curiously.

"Seems good enough," she said, shrugging, assuming the princess meant as a new guard. Then she grinned at Akari, wiggling her eyebrows, "sure is cute!" Then she chuckled.

Genji spoke, "that is no way to address your princess! Show some respect you insolent.."

Once again, Akari cut him off with a raise of her hand. "That will be quite enough, Genji." she said clamly, then she looked at Kazu and said, "do you, as my protector, entrust him with my life?"

Kazu had stuck her tongue out at Genji when the princess was scolding him. Then, as she was addressed, her face turned serious. "Although I am unable to say based on his abilities, I believe he would be an asset. I feel a test of his strength may be in order to fully determine his ability to protect you. However, I feel as though he is the only choice." Kazu tried to say this as honestly as she could. In their conversation, she hadn't heard or felt anything to make her assume he would harm her. In fact, he had seemed like someone she would have called comrade under different circumstances anyway. Though she did throw the test in there simply because she wanted to fight him herself. She knew of his reputation, and he obviously had the skill, but her competitiveness made her curious to test her own abilities against his.

Akari nodded. "Junko will also give me her opinion after she has had time to observe him," she said. "Determine how you will test him, by tomorrow and we will decide then. There is no time to waste. For now though, learn what you can about him. He is not to be without one of you present until after his test. You are dismissed." She finished giving the guards her orders and then added, with a knowing grin, "and try not to kill each other Kazu.."

Kazu giggled with delight as she fisted her hand over her heart and bounced out of the room. Junko silently fisted her hand over her heart, slightly bowing her head, but never taking her curious gaze from Genji. Something strange... she thought. Then, with a last glance at the Princess, she quietly exited the room.

Genji waited until the door shut behind Junko before he moved around to face the princess. "Give me your hands Princess," he said kindly, placing his cane over his arm and holding out his hands as if to help her stand. Akari placed her hands in his palm down, and shut her eyes. She didn't like doing this. It hurt... but Genji said that it was the only way to keep the darkness in check. She had been doing it once a week since he had started to teach her dark magic, but it seemed as though it had become necessary more often. "Close your eyes," he instructed, "and relax."

There was a sudden gripping force on her wrists as Genji locked his hands around her. She braced herself. A fire seemed to burn inside her, starting from where Genji grasped her. The fire turned to shocks... then stabs.. it was as if someone were torturing her. She let out a little sigh when Genji finally released her, and fell back into her bed losing consciousness. Genji stood over her a moment, his eyes flashing, a small chuckle escaping his lips.. Then he turned and left the princess to her slumber.

The Next Day
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"You're actually serious?" Na'ari questioned as he walked into the sparring ring that was nearest to the stables. Kazu laughed as Junko simply sat at the sidelines, observing his every action and behavior. So far in her observation the tiny bodyguard had observed that Na'ari was a simple, easygoing person, almost similar to Kazu when she wasn't in a competitive mood. Though he seemed nervous initially when being introduced to Junko, which she found also odd. This made her wonder if he was an only son and the youngest child. Which meant he must've grown up around older sisters. She pondered if that meant he never saw a younger sister.

"Yes I am. But Akari said to not kill each other which means no drawing our real weapons. Instead, we will use wooden counterparts!" Kazu said happily as she tossed a training blade to her soon to be sparring opponent. "We will make this is a simple fight. Three hit rule. You hit me three times you win, same goes for me in reverse order." Na'ari nodded at the terms of this seemingly random sparring match he was challenged to. He then rubbed his hands together before taking the wooden weapon.

Junko observed both combatants taking their ready stances, and then begin to swat at each other with their their wooden blades. She sighed, actually wanting to catch more perks or quirks from the man that she can either note to Akari or save for her own personal questions to him in the near or foreseeable future if he passes Kazu's test. But this wasn't what Junko had in mind for a test, but it was Kazu's show for the moment.

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The sparring continued for Two hours, it was two matches instead of one as Kazu lost the first by a mere fluke by pausing to sneeze, only to have Na'ari just poke her for the third strike. The second match was currently a tie, with the last hit being the tiebreaker. Junko placed her face in the palm of her hand, shaking her head in annoyance.

"Can we stop the nonsense before our Princess decides to pay us a visit to see what on earth is keeping my analysis of your new chew toy?" Junko stated, distracting both competitors causing both of them to hit their heads with their wooden swords. "Operation: Stop Them so Kazu can pass him is a success."

"This was a test??" Na'ari questioned Kazu, rubbing his head as she nodded, doing the same.

"Yeah, you okay? That bonk got me good." Kazu hissed at the spot where it hit.

"I'll live, good match though, we'll definitely do it again sometime." Na'ari stated helping the bodyguard up so she can join Junko at the sidelines whilst he strapped Draconil, sheath and all, back on his back.

"I like him." Was all Junko stated when Kazu gave her a questioning look. The taller guard only nodded in approval.

Kazu and Junko headed to report back to Akari after the sparring match, leaving Na'ari behind in the room from before. Though they had both agreed that Na'ari would be fit to be a guard, they still needed her approval before it was official. They knocked on the door and waited patiently. When there was no answer, Kazu looked at Junko with worry and Junko nodded, preparing herself in case there was trouble.

Junko opened the door and stepped aside to allow Kazu to enter first, seeing as how she would be better equipped to take out an opponent. Kazu leapt in with her sword at the ready, then paused and blinked at the sleeping princess. She relaxed immediately and put away her weapon, raising her eyebrows. "Sleeping? At this hour?" she chuckled.

Junko, who had entered the room behind her gave her a look. "Were you even going to try to check on her?" she asked Kazu. Junko walked over to Akari and knelt down beside her. "Princess..." she called softly as she placed her fingers on her wrist. Her eyes widened slightly and she frowned as she felt a shock, similar to the one before. This power... she thought.

"What is it, Junko?" Kazu asked her, another expression of worry coming to her face.

Junko's expression immediately became neutral again and she released Akari. Turning to look at Kazu, she said, "earlier.. I felt, something.. strange.. and now, I feel it's presence once more, though I admit it is much weaker." She paused and thought for a moment before continuing. She hated to try to explain things when she didn't have the facts, but this was a matter of Akari's safety. "It isn't the same feeling as the darkness I have been feeling within her.. It is something more.. ancient.. something evil. That is all I can say. I do not know any more."

Kazu blinked at her a couple of times. "Well.. then I guess we will just have to do what we always do! Protect her!" she said with confidence. "Now.. Wake up!" she yelled at Akari, clapping her hands together loudly.

Akari jumped up in alarm, but then she quickly sat back down and placed her hands over her head. "Ahh, Kazu!" she said with a whine. "You made me get dizzy!"

Kazu smiled happily. "I'm not the one who stood up to fast was I?" she teased. "Now quit whining, we got something to report."

Akari peeked up at Kazu and grumbled, "as if that's any way to talk to your princess." Then she sat back up as her headache went away. "So?" she asked, "what is it?"

Kazu fisted her hand over her heart. "Junko and I both agree that Na'ari would be a suitable protector. If you would like, we can immediately place him in your hall and give him a place on your Highness' guard."

Akari listened patiently, and when Kazu was finished she looked at Junko who had taken a place next to Kazu. Junko gave a slight nod and Akari spoke. "Do all you have suggested, Kazu. In the meantime, I need some air."

The two guards nodded. She did look rather pale. "Would you like me to accompany you?" Junko offered, unsure whether she would be able to walk the vast grounds by herself.

"No, thank you, Junko." She smiled. "I think I'd like to be alone for a little while." With that, she dismissed them and stood up, heading down to walk around the large garden just outside the castle.

Na'ari sat in his room, and began to ponder what went on during the sparring session. What were the two bodyguards up to? What was he kept out of the loop for? He sighed and inspected Draconil's condition and began to clean and maintain it, in the way taught to him by his grandfather before departing for the mercenary company.

He then silently thought of home, of his father and sisters. He dwelt on the happy memories for a little bit until he heard someone at the door, when he opened it, Kazu was there.

"Moving day!" She shouted as she grabbed him. "We're improving your living conditions a bit, along with possibly removing the prisoner stain on you, so that way people might not worry about your situation." As she explained it, she picked a room that was practically two doors down from the Princess's.

"Now get comfortable here, cause for now, you're serving with me and Junko as guards to her highness. Won't that be fun?" She said with a small smile on her face.

"And where is the princess now if we're to guard her?" He asked.

"Probably taking a stroll in the imperial gardens, outside the castle. If you go to your balcony you can see it, and maybe spot her. As for why we aren't there, she wants some privacy at the moment, we shouldn't disturb her." Kazu explained, "Well, get settled here, don't worry too much and we will get along swimmingly!"

He nodded as she left, possibly to regroup with Junko. He then walked to the balcony she mentioned and sat upon a chair that was facing it, having a look outside for the first time in awhile. He looked around to see if he can spot Akari and at least watch her safety from afar.

Akari walked along the winding garden paths, dusting her fingertips along the soft petals of the flowers. She gazed at the rainbow of color, remembering the first time she had come here. Akari had been young, no more than six, when her mother brought her to the garden to teach her about the life it held. They had walked among the flowers as Akari did, following the path her mother had taken her all those years ago. She came upon a large lily, bright pinks staining the white petals. When she saw the flower she paused, a small smile came to her face as she remembered her mother. They had come to this very flower all those years ago, though then it had been weak, wilting. Her mother had brought her near and told her that even the smallest, weakest looking bud could bloom into a beautiful flower, sometimes all they needed was a little help. She remembered watching, wide eyed, as her mother cupped her hands around the bud and blew into it. Akari had gasped and giggled with delight as her mother had revealed the flower to be healthy and strong. She brushed her fingers along the petal then began to walk again. It had been beautiful magic.. pure magic.. and it had filled her with joy.

She walked further along the path, lost in thought, until she came upon a small pond in the middle of the garden. She sat down at the edge and gazed out over the water, another memory of her mother flashing through her mind. They had sat here in a similar manner, with Akari leaning back on her hands and her mother behind her, stroking her hair. A tear came to her eye as she remembered the song her mother was singing, and, unable to stop herself, began to sing the lullaby.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so0pTjaziU0

Na'ari sighed whilst watching the garden from afar. He smirked silently as he decided then and there to pay the garden a visit and explore how vast it is. He strapped Draconil on as he walked out of his room to beyond the castle doors as he wandered into the Gardens.

He admired at the large complexity of the garden, it looked like it extended out like a courtyard encircling the castle. He walked around for a time, admiring the plants and trees, until he suddenly heard singing. He walked towards the voice and was shocked to see who he saw singing.

"The Princess?!" He thought in surprise. He listened for a little while, staying at a distant. He felt like he again felt that small fragile light hidden deep inside the fog enveloping her. "Your Light and Shadow, together in one moment. Beautiful"

He waited for the song to end and heaved a sigh before attempting to walk away, until he tripped on a tree root and fell into the pond!

"Aw heck!" He muttered to himself. "There goes my pleasant nature walk." He muttered as he climbed out of the pond, his usual slicked back hair falling down, his bangs covering his eyes a bit.