Under the Cherry Blossoms .:part4:.

Kiku Honda paced the floor. Back and forth. Back and forth. 'Who could've done that to (name)?' he thought, shaking his head. He had no enemies inside the palace walls, and even if he did, it isn't like they would know that he loved (name). "What if... someone found out, and did this to discourage me?"

Suddenly, the door to his quarters opened, and the doctor came in, with (name) following silently. "Well?"

"She will be fine, sir. I also took the liberty of evening out her hair."

Nodding, Kiku turned his attention to (name). "Thank you for your services, doctor. You are dismissed."

The doctor left leaving (name) alone with him. (name) shuffled her feet nervously. 'She is never like this around me...' he thought, frowning.

"(name-san).." She didn't make eye contact. ".... (name-san)" He said again. kiku walked to where he was right infront of her. "(name-san)... Please, tell me who did this to you!"

(name) lookes up at him. "I-It was..."

"It was who, (name-san)?"

"It..It was... some of the other servants, Honda-sama.."

Kiku was suprised. "Some of the other servants... did this to you..?"

Looking at the floor, (name) nodded.

"Do you know their names?"

"N-no, Honda-sama.."

"I see.... well then. Come with me." Kiku grabbed her hand and led her out the door.

(name) was suprised. 'Honda-sama.. i've never seen him like this! And... My hand... t-this isn't conduct! Why-Why is he?!' (name) couldn't understand.

Kiku threw open the door to the throne room. All the servants and advisers were shocked. "Honda-sama..." they gasped.

Kiku marched over to his throne. turning around, he looked at the advisers. "I want every servant in here, NOW!!" The advisers saw how serous he was and began to tremble. "Y-Yes sir!!"

Sitting on his throne, Kiku held (name's) hand tightly. "H-Honda-sama..." She whispered.

"It will be alright, (name-san)."

The rest of the servants came in, lining up infront of the throne. (name) flinched. In the front row was the Leader and her two followers. They looked at her with malace.

"Now, (name-san), who was it... that did this to you. Point them out. Now."

(Name) was scared, but she lifted her hand any way. "It was th-those three, Honda-sama." (name) pointed at the three offenders.

"I see... You three. GET. OUT."

The leader stepped forward. "B-But, Honda-sama! We haven't done anything! What proof do you have-'

"(name's) word is proof enough. Now. GET. OUT!!!!" Gaurds grabbed them by the arms and dragged them out the door. The leader turned back and glared at (Name) . "THIS ISN'T OVER (SURNAME)! YOU HEAR ME!?! THIS ISN'T OVER!!"

The door slammed shut. The entire hall was quiet. One of the advisers slowly stepped forward. "Um... sir? I understand that you wanted to avenge Miss (surname's) honor, but why is she there with you? This is a matter that such things cannot be allowed to-"

"She is here with me, sir, because she is the one I care for most. And.. she is to be my Emperess."

(name) looked at him in suprise. 'H-His... Emperess?!?!' Her heart fluttered in her chest as the rest of the servants gasped in suprise.

"S-Sir! S-She is not of noble blood, a peasant! She is not-"

"She is not what, sir?" Kiku glared at the man. "She has more merit than you do. Do you not trust my judgement as Emperor? ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO GO THERE?!" The room was silent. No one could speak. the Empror had actually yelled at someone. YELLED.

(name) was in shock. 'He defendend me? Against his own advisers?'

"I-I see, sir. Please forgive my rudeness.." the servant bowed. "Now.." He turned to some of the servants. "Please take (name-sama) to her new quarters. '(name-sama)?' (name) thought. Servant came to her and bowed. "This way, (name-sama)." (name) looked at Kiku. He nodded his approval and gave her a reassuring smile. "Go on, (name). It is alright."

(name) was suprised. 'he called me (name)... without the -san..'

The servants led her away. The adviser came up to the throne. "Sir, about the threat of an uprising..."

------------------------------------

It was dark. She couldn't see the man she was addressing. "So.. you get rid of... HER, and we'll get you inside Honda's palace." Her two companions nodded.

"Hmm... an interesting offer... DEAL." The man leaned forward, revealing his face. He had long black hair, pulled back into a tight braid. His red eyes pierced into hers.

She bowed. "Thank You, Fukishira-sama..."

-------------------------------------