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LOCATION: Imperial Residency—[Private building; completely sealed off from normal citizens. It is where high authority individuals such as the ruler of each region, whether they may be an Empress or Emperor or Commander in chief, or even councillor*; they all gather here. (mayors of a city)*
The building was completely white with grand halls and white pillars; inside lived the finest of artistic beauty. The building was extremely guarded; located in the center of the four regions. A place where such meetings of continental importance are held; this is "Nara"].
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A year had passed since the Hajime Era, a long taxing year. The life that the people of the region once knew was gone; a winter of change had fallen upon the summer of prosperity and calm.
The room was engulfed in a radiant light; covered from head to toe with remarkable art pieces, such as a gallery. The walls in the room seemed to box in the atmosphere; making the room humid, and heavy.
The rulers of the four nations sat crossed legged; gathered around a round table, located in one of the main rooms of the building.
The Empress of the Western region: "Shuri Kenmei" lay comfortably upon the floor. She had grown throughout the year; now, nineteen years old.
Her black glossy hair was tied up with a beetle shaped pin, held up in a round bun; her elegant blue eyes glistened like the ocean. Her body was sturdy yet curved; giving the appearance of a strong ruling woman. She wore a light blue kimono with beautiful Sakura flowers; a golden ribbon draped around her. The kimono carried the silver crest of the White Tiger Byakko.
The Emperor of the Northern region "Genkei Furukawa"; a man of forty five years.
He sat sternly crossing his arms; examining the room with great interest.
His orange eyes lay still; unblinking, almost like a hawk. His black hair tied up in a ponytail; which had a grey tinge to it from old age. His mustache was long and black, such as his beard yet longer.
Genkei wore a Kimono inscribed with the platinum crest of the mighty Genbu; the black turtle. The kimono's outer layer was black and the inner layer a maroon colour; it was tightly fitted and suited to his lean body frame. Atop his head sat a black scholar's hat.
Emperor of the southern Region "Hiroshi Diago".
His green eyes displayed a lazy appearance; but despite his bald head and old age he held the image of merry delight; his hairless grin reaching from ear to ear. He was a happy yet carefree man; with a heart of gold.
He wore baggy, free flung clothing; nothing else but a white outer layer and black comfy trousers. On his clothing there stood the golden crest of the Suzaku Phoenix. A shirt could never be found on this man; constantly boasting his large lumps of chest hair and giant belly. Opposite to his shirt his brown prayer beads could always be seen on his wrist and neck. His past time included smoking new herbal essences from his favorite long black wood pipe.
Lastly, the beautiful Empress of the Eastern region; "Aiko Hamada".
She adorned long beautiful sapphire hair; rumored to be the most elegant in the four regions. Her eyes were a radiant, yet fierce yellow, like the scorching sun. Her skin was white as snow, complementing her hair. One could look at her and see a calm winter's lake. Her expression was always that of kindness and compassion; that of a Mother's yet she had the appearance of a young adult; no one knew of her age for it seemed she never did.
Talking was a pleasure for which she did not indulge; shyly playing with her hair; which she used as a blanket on occasions.
Her body was elegant and petite; the epitome of true beauty. She wore a white kimono wrapped with a black ribbon; a beautiful design of pandas inscribed in it's fabrics. She adorned the jade crest of Seiryu; the Azure Dragon.
Shuri stood up from her seat, clearing her throat. "All those in favour of venturing towards the foreign territories raise your hand."
Shuri examined the room, glazing her eyes over the four rulers, who would raise their hands. Only one other person did, it was Aiko; she would always side with Shuri, no matter the situation; and Shuri knew that.
Genkei and Hiroshi were not so easily swayed.
"Lungs don't last forever Diago." Genkei proclaimed, covering his nose with a towel to the stench of the herbal essence.
Hiroshi placed his hand on Genkai. "Neither will those flashy looks of yours Furukawa." He said exposing his teeth with a grin.
Ever since they first met they never addressed each other by their first names. Genkei disliked Hiroshi for unknown reasons and Hiroshi would often tease him. It was as if they were made to do such things. They even furthered their arguments to fully commence into war with each other right after.
Genkei pushed Hiroshi's sweaty hand off him in disgust.
"You know this type of glazed herb is used to preserve age." Said Hiroshi, sparking another wide toothy smile.
Shuri slightly grinned but ushered it away. Aiko seemed to stare off into space; a world of her own, completely separate from theirs.
"Go on, try it Furukawa; try." Hiroshi passed it to Genkei gently.
Genkei put his hand out and politely declined the deranged offer.
"I'll happily pass on damaging my internal organs." Genkei proclaimed, folding his arms.
"Come on Furukawa live a little." Hiroshi continued to pass his pipe to Genkai, ignoring his refusal; each time, Genkei's temper grew.
Finally, Genkei put his hands together and ushered Hiroshi to pass him the smoke pipe; Hiroshi happily did so.
Shuri took little interest in their little squabble; continuing to read important documents. Genkei looked at the pipe then looked back at Hiroshi; he snapped the pipe in half, causing the herbs to fly out, splattering Genkei's angered face.
Hiroshi screamed with laughter, coughing up what herb he'd smoked onto Genkai.
"PHAHA PHAHA CKK PHAHAH CKK!" He laughed. "How are the herbs!?"
Hiroshi's belly jiggled with delight; shaking the table, knocking it's contents onto the floor.
Genkai stood up, slamming his hands down. "This is an outrage!" He screamed. "War has been marked once again between us Hiroshi! I promise you that!"
Genkei turned away, storming off furiously.
Shuri stood up as well, tidying her papers. She woke Aiko from her daydream, then turned to Hiroshi, staring at him with a violent gaze.
"…What? He caused it! It's all just laughs, Shuri." Hiroshi pulled out another smoke pipe from the inside of his pocket; lighting it once again, he laid back.
Shuri ran out of the Imperial residency; chasing after Genkei who was already sitting in his carriage with a towel in his hands; wiping at the herbs on his face.
"Lord Furukawa wait I-" Shuri stood near the side of the carriage.
"My decision for war against the southern region is final: you are a mere child; do not get involved in the predicament of an adult."
Genkei looked away in disgust, throwing Shuri the dirtied towel.
He raised his hands signalling the carriage. She watched him ride down the road; a heavy sigh made its way to her lips. She would often get those types of bashful comments from Genkei and the other high authority.
They were right, she was young, and it was all so unexpected. However, she had to fill her Father's shoes as soon as possible; because her own region needed her more than ever.
She walked over to her carriage where a man dressed in a black suit waited. He wore a black tie with white gloves and slicked back hair. On his tie he boasted the crest of Byakko in white.
He was of black descent; with brown eyes, his expression was well profound, and his posture was straight; one hand behind his back and one hand on the carriage door handle.
"Your majesty, a call from DXD.'' He proclaimed in a gentle tone.
Shuri threw him the dirty towel and smiled. "Thank you Batorāwan."
Shuri walked inside the carriage and sat down.
She picked up the Tele-Signal.
(Invented by DXD; able to transmit radio signals and pick them up from any range. It was a black cube with a small red button and a blue button on the top. When it rings, it makes a buzzing sound. The red button is for voice calls. The blue button is for video projection calls press a button twice it ends the call)
The Tele-signal rang and Shuri then pressed the red button; it suddenly stopped; she gently placed the box up to her ear; a muffled deep voice slithering it's way out.
"…We need to talk…" Said the voice.
Shuri ended the call; she would soon head back to Avalon Hillside. She signalled Batorāwan to start checking the horses and to eventually move the carriage. He did so with care; finally getting on the carriage he placed his coachman's hat atop his head.
"Where too, your Majesty?" He asked.
She waved up her hand. "...Avalon Hillside…" She replied tiredly.
"Ay Ma'am, then will be on our way." He took hold of the reins, gripping them tightly. "Yah!" He shouted.
The carriage took off with great speed; moving down the dusty path. The day was warm and the sun showed it's peaceful light upon the valley. Shuri looked onto the horizon; at the clouds that soon would be upon them, soon the sun would be no more.