Disclaimer:I don't own much of anything at the moment, so why would this be any different?

Part Three:

Shuuei tells me he's going to hold my blade for me as we enter the counsel room. I nod and force back a grimace as Chan pats the seat beside him. I sigh and go to sit with him as Shuuei moves to sit between Seiran and Rikoteki, starting to speak quietly with them instantly. Lucky buggers. Chan isn't half as interesting as they are.

As I sit, I instantly zone out, finding my new friends, if you could call them friends, the most interesting thing to think about. Aquaintences would be a better word, I suppose. How could two handsome nobles like them give a damn about a fighting female like me? Makes you wonder, doesn't it? I hope they haven't got any personal plans for me, cause I'm not buying into them! Well...I migh-no, damnit! After I learn to properly use my sword.

I suddenly frown, realizing my blade wasn't made in Japan. No one here would know how to use it properly, so I could make up my own style of fighting. I never really needed training. Gods, if the emperor wasn't talking right now I'd curse and quit right now! I've spent the better part of my life waiting on nobles giving false promises for training I don't bloody need!!

I am suddenly jarred from my thoughts by Chan's finger in my ribs. I hiss and look over at him angrily. He leans over and asks, "What should I say?"

That does it.

I stand up and walk to Shuuei. He smiles at me, holding off laughter, as Seiran frowns in confusion and Rikoteki sighs tiredly. I don't even pay the rest of the room any mind. I hold out my hand, saying, "Can I have Ira back please? If I stay here any longer I'm going to kill something."

"What has you know, my dear?"Shuuei askes, starting the pull the blade out from under the low table.

"Chan's and my own idiocy." I say icily, earning a low chuckle.

Shuuei leaves the blade where it is, pushes Rikoteki over and pats the space between himself and Seiran. "Sit, and tell me of how you could possibly want to accuse yourself of stupidity."

I roll my eyes, but do as I'm told, just as Chan studders, "K-K-Kaiya! What are you doing?!?!"

I look at him without interest for a moment, before saying, "This is what I mean by stupidity on his behalf. He doesn't see I am looking for employment elsewhere." Chan gapes as I turn to the Emperor. "Please ignore me and continue, Ryuuki."

Now, making a statement like that would get anyone else killed, but I'm special. Ryuuki smiles at me and nods. "Shall we continue, counselmen?"

And with that, the debating continues, though three are no longer paying attention. That's including me, mind you. Rikoteki isn't about to risk his job.

Shuuei shomehow ends up with his arm around my shoulders and his lips far to close to my person. I edge toward Seiran, as Shuuei asks, "Well, what troubles you, Kaiya?"

"My blade isn't of japanese make. I never needed proper lessons in the first place."

"I knew it couldn't be from the country!" Hisses Seiran leaning in closer. "Who made it?"

"A westerner I met back when I was with Rikoteki. A very nice man, I must say, though he was caught and exicuted two days after he made me the sword."

Shuuei nods and let's me go, thank the gods. "Then you believe you've wasted a good deal of your life?"

"What do you think?"

"You've managed to gain the attention of more than one noble, Kaiya, for good reasons. If fighting doesn't work for you, you'll have a fair shot at marriage." says Seiran, being practical. Too bad I don't like the sound of that option.

"I am sure over your years of employment, more than one commander has seen you running errands. They'll be interested." says Shuuei, thinking more along my lines.

"I don't think I'm going to get out of here whole." I moan, hidding my face in my hands. Shuuei, of course, takes the statement the wrong way.

"And you were expecting to leave as a virgin? Or leave at all, for that matter?"

I just stare at him for a moment, and then turn to Seiran and ask, "So, what's new?"

My atempt at changing the subject doesn't work, for Seiran says, "The Emperor's interest in you." If it were possible to evaporate, I would have. I letmy head drop with a sigh. "He's starring, you know."

"Okay then." I mutter, sitting up and pulling off the first two layers of my kimono in a flash. The action earns me a whistle of aproval, which I return with a glare. I've got the rooms attention again, and Shuuei is pressing closer. I pull out my hair things and toos them aside. Snatching up Ira, I stand and say, "Have a good day, counselmen."

Dramatic exit or what? All it was missing was an explosion and killing! I start looking for an empty courtyard, deciding that starting practice now might be more usefull than dealing with all the implied sexuality with the nobles. I might need to get it in now anyways, since I may need to leave here soon. No job with the nobles, no excuse to stay.

I can't help but notice that someone is now running after me. Since they don't ask me to stop, I figure it might be another errand-runner. I don't even bother looking back to see if my guess proves true, which it doesn't. Guess who pulls up beside me?

Emperor Ryuuki, closely followed by Seiran, and then Shuuei...

...I think I should have stayed at home today.

Shuuei suddnely has his arm around my waist and I frown at him. He smiles down at me, and I ask, "Don't you counselmen and ruler of the country have a meeting to attend?"

"No one could start debating again after your little show." says Shuuei, obviously trying to seduce me. His eyes roam over my body and I shake him off. "You might want to close your shift more, my dear. Anyone who needs to look down at you might see more than you intend them to."

I roll my eyes and ignore him. Seiran must have pulled him back beacuse Shuuei isn't at my side anymore, only the emperor is. I find he's the only one I am not completely upset with, since he hasn't made any sly comments I detest yet.

"Might I ask as to your destination, Kaiya?" asks Ryuuki, looking and acting as imperial as ever.

"I am from the streets, Ryuuki. 'Where are you going' would have worked." my words would have been meant to make him go away if a smile hadn't joined them. He chuckles, so the friendliness between us remains, growing more, if that's possible between the peasentry and the Emperor. "I am going to find myself a cozy little courtyard and teach myself how to use this." I indicate the blade in my hand. "While you and your advisor friends go in search of food and drink."

Ryuuki smirks and glances over his shoulder at the two men behind us. "Shuuei, go and find refreshments. Seiran, make sure he actually does it." he turns back to me as Shuuei sighs sadly in the most unconvincing way. The Emperor offers me his arm. "I know just the place, Kaiya."

"Lead the way, Ryuuki."

a/n---well...the characters are out of character and the emperor/kaiya relationship is a little off...the strip show was unintensional...um...anything else? Oh, yes, I don't know a thing about meetings so this was complete guess work.

R&R, you kind few!