Chapter 17 - Changes

Izumi pov:

"W-will she really be alright, Onii sama?" I heard a meek voice as I was greeted by foggy consciousness.

"She will be, Shichirou. You have no reason to look so worried." This time, it was a deeper, more authoritative voice that spoke.

"T-that's good then....Izumi san saved my life and s-she's a really nice person. I really care for her and want her to be well."

This time, I realized that I was hearing Prince Shichirou and Ryuusei sama speaking. They were talking about me and for a moment, I wondered why my wellbeing was being mentioned. But I understood when everything that happened before I lost consciousness came back to me. I also finally noticed that my whole body was sore and I had a pounding headache.

"You care for her?" Ryuusei sama questioned with a hint of challenge, though I was not sure why he sounded that way. "Surely you don't have feelings for her, Shichirou. She is older than you and my Empress."

Was it just me or did Ryuusei sama sound genuinely possessive when he called me his Empress just now??

"O-of course not, Onii sama! I care for her because I have come to see her as an elder sister...." Prince Shichirou stuttered in slight alarm. "S-she is family that I've always hoped t-to have....since Fumiko Onee sama and Naora Onee sama don't really like me...."

"I see. I am glad that you have come to see her as family, Shichirou. Is that why you gifted her with the hair piece?" Ryuusei sama questioned. So....he knew about the hair piece. He had asked me about it when I had met with him, pretending to be unaware of who it was who had gifted it to me, but he knew of it all long. Why am I not surprised?

"Y-Yes! I wanted to thank her for how she's always protected me and cared for me genuinely. I-I didn't know how to show my gratitude but I came across t-the hair piece and thought she might like it." Prince Shichirou said softly, the smile and mild fluster clear in his voice.

I finally managed to peel my eyes opened and get a blurry view of the ceiling above me. I was lying on a soft mattress – the one of the bed Ryuusei sama and I shared since we began acting as a couple – and the silk blankets lay on top of me up till my shoulders. It was hot and uncomfortable and I wanted to get it off but I could barely lift my arms. I was completely drained of energy and stiff and felt a numbing pain overall and it made me wonder about just how badly I had been hurt and how long I had been unconscious.

When I thought I had enough energy to lift my arms, I did so slowly, my arms trembling from the strain, and moved the blanket off myself a little. I lifted my head a bit, trying to get up while pushing up on my elbows so I could sit but I gasped and fell back onto the pillow when I felt a searing pain throughout my body. I shut my eyes tightly and bit my lip hard enough to draw blood hoping that the pain in my back and side would subside soon.

"Izumi san!

"Izumi!"

I heard Prince Shichiro and Ryuusei sama call in worry and rush to my side to make sure I was okay. I opened my eyes to look at them while breathing heavily, no longer stiff and trying to resist the absolute limpness of my body – I felt like a blob of jelly and I couldn't do anything about it. My two spectators looked just as worried as they had sounded and for some reason, I found it funny. I snorted in amuse before closing my eyes and placing one hand on my torso where I felt maximum pain.

"Izumi san, are you alright? I'm so glad that you're finally awake! I was so worried." Prince Shichiro said and I looked at him again.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Prince Shichiro. But unfortunately, I can't say that I feel quite alright. I feel like crap." I answered and he cringed at my choice of words.

"Well, that's quite an unladylike response." Ryuusei sama mused. "But since you being just as brash as ever, can we assume you're feeling better, if not completely all right?"

"I suppose." I said and looked at the ceiling with a sigh. "But I can't sit up. I really want to sit up."

"I'm sure I could help with that." Ryuusei sama said and walked to my side.

He put one arm under my shoulders and lifted me up gently. He then slowly shifted me closer to the head board of the bed and leaned my back against the fluffy pillows propped up against it. I clenched my jaw when I felt the searing pain shoot through my body from my back again but I didn't let out a sound. I shut my eyes when he let go of me and waited while breathing heavily for the pain to subside. When I was better, I relaxed into the soft pillows with another sigh.

"Um, Izumi san?" Prince Shichiro spoke up and met his concerned gaze. "I wish you a speedy recovery. I have to go now for my daily studies but, um, will it be alright if I can come visit you again?"

"Of course. I'd like that." I said with a smile that caused him to blush and grin wide.

"T-thank you, Izumi san! Then, please take care!" He said, bowed and scuttled out of the room quickly.

I shook my head with a light laugh and then looked at Ryuusei sama who had been staring at me the entire time. I raised a brow but didn't say anything because I was still angry by the way he had treated me before the assassination attempt. I still felt an abnormal throbbing pain in my chest, which I knew was because of my unexpected feelings of attraction towards him. It was really stupid because despite knowing very well that I had been clearly rejected, let alone didn't have a chance with him to begin with, I still felt like I wanted to reach out to him. I didn't know what I wanted – I wasn't really romantic, per se, so I didn't have thoughts of hugging or kissing him but I just knew that I expected to receive some form of doting from him. Whether it was words or a gesture or reassurance, I just wanted to see some positive and rewarding reaction from him.

"How do you feel?" He asked and I nearly scoffed in amusement. Me and my expectations – well, that was a disappointment.

"I already answered that question. I feel like crap." I said flatly.

"I suppose you wouldn't feel any other way, being so badly injured and unconscious for nearly two days." He responded coolly. "But I have to say, I'm impressed by how you fought the assassin with such deep wounds. You lost a lot of blood with all the moving around you did."

"I did tell you I was loyal. I did my duty as your spy or soldier or whatever you want to call me. I also fought to protect myself since he was after me." I said with a nonchalant shrug. "But yes, I will take the liberty to gloat about fighting well despite being injured. I have good endurance."

We were enveloped by silence after I had spoken. It was mildly uncomfortable, all the more because we held each other's gazes intensely. While I was skeptical and scrutinizing, Ryuusei sama was observing and in deep thought. When I finally looked away, feeling more uncomfortable than I could handle, I heard him sigh. He took a seat on the bed very close to me but I didn't look at him – not even when he reached out to caress my cheek with the back of his fingers.

"You are angry." He stated and I resisted from twitching at his comment.

"I'm not angry. I have no reason to be." I answered in an even tone.

"Then why is it that you do not look at me?" He asked and I met his eyes with a placid expression. "I am aware that it has to do with what I said to you the last time we were together. My words were harsh."

I laughed amused and shook my head at the sting I felt in my heart. His words were harsh but he meant what he said. I was a pawn in his game of chess to win and defeat his opponents. I was nothing more. My expectations were nothing but a joke because this man didn't even trust me, let alone have any sort of affection or care for me – not even as a soldier in his Imperial Army.

"It doesn't matter whether your words were harsh or not. It's the truth after all, isn't it?" I said and looked back at him still smiling.

He narrowed his eyes though and clenched his jaw. He seemed angry and his eyes reflected chaotic and vivid emotions – ones I couldn't understand. He had pulled his hand away from me as well and then clenched them so tightly that his knuckles turned white. I half expected him to yell at me for disrespecting him when he was admitting that he had done something wrong or at least show hostility and tell me that I was no longer needed to play the part of his Empress but he said nothing. Instead, he got up from the bed and took a few steps to the side. He stood facing away from me with his hands clasped behind him. He was silent for a moment before his shoulders slumped and he sighed deeply.

"I apologize, Izumi, for everything I have done halfheartedly." He said and I raised a brow in mild surprise. "I am the Blood Emperor and so I have lived in constant risk. People around me, whether it is family or followers, have always posed as a threat to not just my throne but my life. As you are well aware, my own blood brother wishes to end my life and my reign so he can climb to power."

"I know that. Why are you repeating it?" I asked.

"Because there is more." He said in a low voice. "I have killed two of my brothers, two who tried to overthrow me just like Taheji. They were young and foolish and unaware of how to do things without getting caught. I was young too, and hot-headed and paranoid....and I killed them with my own hands. Perhaps I am still paranoid and it is the reason for my mistrust for those around me. I....I do not wish for you to take it personally."

"Why are you telling me this? And what do you mean I shouldn't take it personally?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

He turned to face me and I got a little guarded because he looked apologetic. His gaze was absorbing and it seemed to me that this conversation was going to lead us to something big, something important. Whether it was good or bad, I was yet to figure out.

"Izumi, I have fallen in love with you."

I blinked dumbly for a moment while staring at him. But it wasn't soon after than I burst into laughter, hard enough to make me wince at the pain it sent through my body by straining my injuries. I shook my head still chuckling and looked at Ryuusei sama bemused.

"I see you've taken the acting to the next level, Your Highness. You're so diligent in practicing our acting." I commented but Ryuusei sama only narrowed his eyes in displeasure.

"This is not an act, Izumi. I have no reason to act when we have no audience." He said curtly and it made my smile falter. "You don't seem to be aware of just how difficult it is for me to be honest about my feelings for you. I have never considered any person in my Empire, whether it be a member of the Royal Family, a governor or a soldier who serves me, to be worthy of my trust before. But now, I have come to see that worth in you. Despite looking like a fool and lowering myself in front of you, taking the risk of honestly telling you feelings that could pose as a threat, an fatal weakness, you see this as a joke."

"Well, it doesn't sound very believable to me." I said with a shrug. "Besides, the more I think about it, the more I feel that you're saying this out of pity. I may be injured and I may have saved your butt from being handed to you but I don't need such a pitiful reward. I'd rather have you relieve me from the job of acting as your Empress."

For some reason, my words weren't very convincing, even to me. It was as if I was saying them because I didn't want to look defeated or hurt by his earlier rejection and not because I really thought he was confessing his love for me out of pity. He didn't pity me – I could see it clearly in his eyes. He pitied himself....no, he was afraid and anxious and looked so vulnerable, so unguarded right now. His crystal like eyes that held my gaze reflected anxiousness and uneasiness, the fear of being alone in this dark world with no one to support him. It was the look I had seen in many people before and this....this was no acting.

I sighed feeling mildly guilty for a moment. I then winced as I moved my legs off the bed and onto the floor. A shiver ran down my spine at the coolness of the floor but I ignored it and took support of the curtain rods at one edge of the bed so I could stand. My legs were a little unsteady but as I mentioned before, I had good endurance. After a few moments of trying to balance, I was able to stand while holding onto the curtain rod with one hand.

"Alright, Your Highness, what is all of this about?" I asked tiredly. "Why are you saying something so ridiculous all of a sudden? You clearly don't trust me – you've made it clear several times and even on the day I fought with the assassin. So what is with this 'confession' now?"

"I do trust you, Love, perhaps more than I should. You're the first person I've met who is so transparent. You speak your mind, not caring about the consequences because you believe in yourself. You are strong in both body and mind and you are confident. I have come to see and appreciate those traits in the time I've known you. But more than anything, you are thoroughly sincere."

"That's a lot of complimenting....and it's odd coming from you. Are you being sarcastic?" I mused but cringed when he narrowed his eyes again.

He walked to me and stopped when he was barely half a foot away. The proximity made my head spin for more reasons than one but I held my ground and his gaze, not ready to let my heart take over my mind. It wasn't very effective though because Ryuusei sama brought his arms around me and embraced me gently while making sure not to cause me any pain. He was hunching over to compensate for the difference in our heights and interlocked his hands on my lower back while leaning his forehead against my shoulder. I didn't return his gesture and merely looked at the side of his head as my chin rested on his shoulder.

"I'm terrified." He said barely above a whisper. "I'm terrified that trusting you and yearning for you so much in dangerous and will only lead to my downfall. At the same time, I've got so used to your undisguised personality that I'm only at ease when in your presence and I'm anxious when not close to you. I'm terrified of losing the only sanctum I have found in you."

"Sanctum??" I asked with a light huff.

"At first, you were just a tool for me to reprimand Taheji. Your strength and skills were what I wanted to use as weapons but the more I spent time with you, teasing you, talking to you, receiving your straightforward reactions, I couldn't stop from becoming attached. And when you began to react to my advances, not through acting but for real, I lost the will to resist the need to be with you, to have you for myself." He said and tightened his arms around me just a bit.

"I'm not an object, Your Highness. You can't 'have' me for yourself just because you want to." I pointed out.

"I am aware of that. Very well aware. But my yearning is not something I can control. It's even more difficult because you too have been reacting positively. Or have I assumed wrong?"

I clenched my fists and narrowed my eyes. So he had noticed my reactions. I wasn't doing a very good job of hiding them, was I? Even now, if I didn't have feelings of attraction towards this idiot Emperor, I would have pushed him away the minute he embraced me. Instead, I was letting him hold me and I was unconsciously relishing the warmth and comfort the embrace gave. Something inside me was refusing to let me push him away.

"I also hate the fact that you're close to Haji. You let him call you Sweetheart and put his arm around you – I dislike that. I dislike it that you are so comfortable with him but so distant with me...even though I am holding you now, I feel like you're so far away." Ryuusei sama said and I almost cringed at the intense anguish in his voice.

"Your Highness..." I started only to be cut off by him.

"Ryuu sama....I told you to call me Ryuu sama." He corrected. "I want you to become my real Empress, Love. You don't have to change your personality or the way you carry yourself just to please my governors or people. You can be who you are – strong, brave and straightforward – but I want you to be my real Empress."

He let me out of his embrace and held my shoulders while looking into my eyes with a steely gaze. "I will make you my real Empress."

"Sorry but that isn't going to be so easy." I said and pushed him back with my hands on his chest. "Since you're being so honest about your feelings for me, I'll return the favor. It's true that I too began to feel attracted to you and perhaps I still am but you broke my trust when you doubted my loyalty three days ago. You're going to have to work hard to earn my trust again if you're serious about having fallen in love with me."

He didn't seem very happy with what I said. I suppose it was because he always got whatever he wanted because no one wished to defy him and get on his bad side. But I was different, as he said, and I didn't care about the consequences for rejecting him now and telling him to work hard to regain my trust in him. Well, I was being a little selfish and sly too. I was going to use this chance to understand more about him so I could decide whether trusting him or not and letting my feelings for him grow was a good decision or not. Besides, I also had some things that I wanted to look into and I wanted to know if he trusted me despite not knowing anything about my past. Of course, the question of how he would react when he found out who I really am remained but I could think of that later.

"What do you want me to do?" He asked though he seemed very much against complying with my words.

I held back a chuckle but smiled as I spoke. "First of all, there are some things I want to look into in the Capital. I'm recuperating so you can use this to save me from showing my face around the palace for a few days and let me go into the Capital for a mini vacation. Once I'm done with that, we can get back to the Emperor-Empress act but I'm going to see just how genuine your feelings for me are. When I feel like you're worth considering, I'll accept your apology fully."

"Do you take me for a fool, Izumi? Are you challenging me? I am the Blood Emperor and you should know my words are absolute. Such a challenge is the same as a death wish." He said menacingly, now quite upset and angry.

"As a matter of fact, I am challenging you, Ryuusei sama." I said just as fiercely. "Whether you accept it or not is your decision but I will not back down. I won't let you treat me like an object that you can get just because you want it. I am a person and I will not grovel at your feet just because you have power and authority. You want my trust? You want me to return your feelings? Then earn it."

Ryuusei sama tensed for a moment but then closed his eyes and smiled. "You never cease to amaze me, Love. And I can't bring myself to force you to like me even though I've done so to many of my consorts. Of course, they have only ever seen the kind side of me...."

"You were testing me, weren't you?" I asked now amused.

"I was....I wanted to know if your resolve was strong. You have yet again impressed me and made me yearn for you even more." He confessed, sounding slightly embarrassed.

I raised my brows. Who would have though this guy, this Blood Emperor who had shown even me only his powerful side, could be just as tender? I hadn't seen his ruthless side to its extremity but I figured that he wasn't a nice person when dealing with his enemies. I had seen his assassin samurai slaughter a whole family that was involved in illegal business when I was still living as a commoner in Sei'an and I knew from occasional serious moments that he was a strong and threatening person to face. But all said and done, this gentle side of him was clearly unexpected, just like his unguarded side that I had occasionally witnessed.

I couldn't stop from letting my heart take over my mind for just a moment now. I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around Ryuusei sama and he tensed. I smiled feeling cheeky and pulled away before he could wrap his arms around me to return the gesture.

"That was for good luck, Ryuusei sama. Do your best to impress me." I said and chuckled seeing that he was clearly surprised. "How about we make arrangements for my visit into the main city now, hmm?"

"Very well. I will make arrangement." He said and then smiled playfully.

Even before I could figure out what he was planning, he stepped close to me, bent down and pressed his lips against mine for just a second. When he pulled away, my eyes were wide and my face on fire.

"Just as I thought, this is going to be an easy task." He mused and I immediately reached out to hit him on the arm as hard as I could. He didn't seem to find it painful, even though I'm sure anyone else would have, and walked to the doors of the room while chuckling.

"Don't think my momentary surprise means that anything is easier for you!" I snapped, glaring at him through my obvious blush.

"Rest up for a while, Love. I'll have someone send you something to eat before we discuss how we can get you out of the palace unnoticed." He said, ignoring the comment I had thrown at him.

With that, he put on his mask and walked out of the room leaving me surprised, mildly dazed and embarrassed for being caught off guard.

>>Timeskip

"You really didn't have to come, you know? No one here knows that I'm the so called Empress." I muttered as Haji san and I walked through the crowded streets of Sei'an.

"Sorry, Sweetheart, but it's the Blood Emperor's orders." Haji san said with a shrug. "Besides, I didn't want to miss out on the chance to get out of the palace and do something fun!"

"We're not going to do anything 'fun' here." I deadpanned. "And how come Prince Shichiro is tagging along too??"

"I-I'm sorry, Izumi san. I didn't know I w-would be troubling you. I only wanted t-to spend some time with you because i-it's been so long." He said apologetically and I cringed, feeling bad for saying something rude.

"A-ah, it's not that you would trouble us. I just don't want you to get hurt....you know, in case something unexpected happens." I corrected.

"That's alright! I'm sure Haji san can protect us." He chimed with a bright smile and took a hold of my sleeve like a younger sibling would with the elder one.

I couldn't help but sigh in defeat and continue walking without bothering to say anything else. I wanted to come here alone because what I wanted to take care of something 'personal' but Ryuusei sama insisted on having Haji san to tag along to ensure my safety – I couldn't fight because of my injuries so perhaps it was an acceptable idea – and Prince Shichiro insisted on tagging along because he wanted to spend time with me who he considered as a sister. Well, I suppose it would be fine as long as I got some time alone with the person I wanted to meet.

"Is that...? Oh my goodness! It is her!! Izumi!!" I heard a voice call from the distance and I looked ahead to spot a person running madly towards us.

Even before I could recognize the person, I was brought into a tight, bone-crushing embrace. I couldn't stop from letting out a loud gasp in pain and my legs buckled, making me and the person holding me fall to the ground in a heap.

"Izumi!" Haji san called worriedly and ripped the person away from me. I fell to my side coughing, curled up slightly and clutching the fabric above my chest where it was hurting most.

"You b******! How dare you try to hurt her!" Haji san yelled and the person who had been pushed away from me stuttered out incoherent words.

I recognized the voice and I looked up only to see Haruko standing there, Haji san's blade dangerously close to his throat. I sat up still coughing but tugged on Haji san's clothes to get his attention. When he looked at me, I shook my head, silently telling him not to hurt Haruko. He was hesitant but he sheathed his katana and helped me stand.

"Hey Haruko." I greeted with a smile when I was up.

"Izumi, it really is you, isn't it?" He asked and eyed Haji san warily for a moment as he too stood up and took a step closer to me.

"It is me. And sorry about Haji san – he's just a little cautious." I said and held out my fist so we could share a fist bump.

He returned it wholeheartedly before embracing me again. I winced and he let me go while looking over me worried before giving me a smug grin.

"Ho?? What's this, Izumi? Don't tell me you've got rusty while in the palace. Haven't been working out as much, eh?" He teased and I chuckled along with him.

"Your guess is not even close, Haruko. I've been working out way more than what I used to when living with you."

"You were living with this guy??" Haji san asked and I noticed him give Haruko a rather disapproving stare.

"Yeah. His father, Kanzaki san, let me stay at their dormitory when I first arrived in Sei'an. So Haruko, how is Kanzaki san and Mira san? I'm sorry I haven't been able to send you guys a letter or anything while I was in the palace." I said smiling.

"Ka san and Tou san are doing fine, Izumi, besides the fact that they were really worried about you. But seeing how well you are now, I guess I can say they had no reason to worry. Although, you do seem to look a little pale and tired right now....you even reacted weirdly when I hugged you. Are you alright?" He pointed whith slightly narrow eyes.

"It's nothing you need to worry about, Haruko. I just happened to get into a small fight and my body is just a little sore." I said smoothly.

"Okay, as long as you're fine." He said but didn't seem to believe what I said completely.

"Hey Sweetheart, is this brat one of your reasons for coming to the city?" Haji san interrupted, earning a hostile glare from Haruko.

"Who do you think you're calling a brat, old man?!" Haruko retorted angrily.

"Old m-man?! You little punk! I'm going to make you regret calling me that and hurting Sweetheart!"

"Sweetheart?! Who do you think you are to call Izumi that?! And there's no way I'm going to regret calling you old man, old man!"

"That's it! You're finished, idiot brat!"

I couldn't help but sigh at the rather childish bicker that had broken out between two seemingly grown men. I glanced at Prince Shichiro who was looking between Haji san and Haruko uncomfortably while still holding onto the sleeve of my fighting kimono. When he realized that I was looking at him, he met my gaze and I smiled while placing my hand on top of his head. He smiled back halfheartedly and looked back at Haji san and Haruko who were now literally pulling at each other's hair.

"Alright you two, I think that's enough fighting." I finally said while cringing at the expressions of pain both of them had on their faces. I knew what it felt like when hair got tugged on that brutally and I hoped to spare them from possibly going bald.

"There's n-no way I'm letting go of this useless brat!" Haji san said in between grunts of pain.

"I'm not l-letting go either! I'm not going to lose t-to grandpa!" Haruko responded.

"Grandpa?! You little...!"

"Would you two numbskulls stop it already?!" I finally snapped and stomped up to them. I elbowed Haji san in the gut, making him grunt and let go of Haruko first. In turn, Haruko let go as well and fell onto his rear.

"Oww....that really hurt, Sweetheart! How come I was the one who got elbowed??" Haji san whined and pouted at me.

My brow twitched and I closed my eyes while pressing the bridge of my nose to compose myself. I let out a deep sigh and shook my head.

"Stop whining, Haji san. I know you're just being dramatic about what I did. And you shouldn't be so rough with Haruko – he's not an Imperial Guard and isn't as strong as you. And Haruko, I see you're still a troublemaker." I said and eyed him as he sat on the ground with an angry pout.

"He started it." Haruko said in a tiny voice.

I rolled my eyes and held my hand out for him to take so I could help him stand. He took it without hesitation and stood up. He glared at Haji san again while shifting closer to me. I rolled my eyes again before wrapping an arm around Prince Shichiro's shoulders with a smile.

"Alright, why don't we head over to see Kanzaki san first before any explanations? I'm quite looking forward to eat Mira san's food." I said with a grin.

Everyone having agreed to the idea, we headed down the streets to the dormitory I had once called home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mwahahahaha!!! Finally some progress between Izumi and Ryuusei, right? XD Took those two bakas long enough! And don't worry, there's going to be a lot more funny progress between the two of them from now on! And I hope you all will enjoy ;)

And Haji and Haruko are so childish, aren't they? Calling each other brat and old man and grandpa XD Lol I just had to include some airheadedness there. And Izumi had to break it up by calling both of them numbskulls XD

So! Now that Izumi is out of the palace sniffing for clues, what do you all guess she's going to do first? Of course, after meeting Kanzaki san and Mira san, that is....  ;)

Vote!

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:D