"They're coming."
"I know"
"Do you think they are ready"
"Nope."
"Are your squads ready?"
"When arn't they?"
"Point taken"
"Well better get My teams ready. Hatter and the princess are going to need all the help they can get"
War and Conquest sat on the stoop of the mansion. They each held their respective weapons and talked of their ideas for the up coming conflict

Plans were set in motion. Soldiers got ready, and guards doubled. The Queen had been more anxious for this then anything else. Her uncle had found her mother had commuted suicide, which Aiko found a burden leave be shoulders. Knowing that the evil woman would no longer be there like a rain cloud I've her head gave her a feeling of freedom for the first time. Had it not been an important time, she might have thrown a secret party within the palace, but for now she needed her rest. Heading to her room she stripped off the fighting gear, leaving it out and ready, and pulled on a night gown before sliding into bed. She was soon out like a light in seconds, feeling so drained from everything that had happened that day.

Shifting threw the air and the void of nothingness Death appeared beside the now dead women. He reached over her heart and the air gained color as he removed her soul, as was his job. As he held it in his hand he placed it in his lantern. "What a cold, terrible women you were" Death walking out of the room

Yuki had been walking towards his sister in law's room where she was dead and stopped in the door way, seeing Death. Shocked he stopped still and watched the man emerge. He now believed. "Death. I must know. Please tell me my wife is alive. Tell me that the letter I received means she's alive." he said, hope in his eyes as he looked at the man before him. "And please tell me that my niece will not die in this fight. Can you tell me this? I wish for my family to live and prosper." the male said, hope glowing in his eyes as he looked into the man's eyes. Not afriad, but his respect for the man had grown immensely, and it showed in the way he acted.

"I cannot tell you about your wife. If i say yes, it could prolong your life and keep you from predetermined time. If i say no, you could commit suicide and stop your life short. I cannot tell you about your neice either. But let me give you some advice, fight as if her life depended on your actions. Then if she lives you feel good, if she dies. You gave it your all" Death said with a grim cold tone. He knew full well when everyone was going, and why. He told no one why or when, for it affected his job and their lives. After he spoke he stood and left the room. turning he spoke, "come Michael, we must renegotiate our contract."

Yuki's hopes fell as Death spoke, but being the wise man he was, he understood. "I understand... Thank you for your time..." he breathed and then took courage. As long as he believed in his wife, she would come home, he was sure of if. Watching as Michael left to talk with Death, the uncle went and entered his niece's room. It was late and he told her to rest once more. Then he moved to sit on the couch and keep watch for her. He would do his best for her, no matter what. She was family.

"Well now that the old lady is dead. You have to kill either the Uncle or the princess. Those are your options." Death said and a long silenced ensued. A good solid minute passed. "Brother War wanted me to give you this. In case you had to do any assassinations or kill them" Death handed Michael a solid black steel butterfly knife. He quickly flipped it open and shut with precision.

((( The knife http://www.filipvanbouwel.be/images/...rfly_knife.jpg )))

Aiko couldn't help but feel something change in the air. Taking a drink of water she laid her head back down to rest but found it didn't come as easily as she would have liked. Something was coming... And she didn't know whether it was good or bad. She silently prayed that it would be good and that her aunt would arrive, but then again who knew where the woman was? The young Queen had faith in her, but not enough to rely on the fact of if she would come or not. Though for her uncle's sake, she prayed she would.

Death and Michael roamed the halls. War showed up too and then they all walked and talked about the up coming war. The moon was high in the sky as they talked of the upcoming war. Death was ready to fight along with War, all though he was much more excited about the upcoming battle. "Keep the princess in sight, dont want her getting killed by accident" War said

((ummm yeah I've got nothing much more topmost... Running Kufic ideas...))

Getting up and feeling restless, Aiko walked to her window seat and sat down. Looking at the Newburgh moon outside she felt her eyes traveling over the stars. She knew her father was up there somewhere. She knew that he was happy and in heaven. Praying that she could win this war she heard her uncle get up. "I will send for your body guard. I must rest as well. It's his job to stay and watch you." he said and stepped out. Sending a messenger to find him, the boy stopped infront of micheal and the other men and bowed. "Sir Micheal you're needed in the princess's room." the young boy said and looked at the other two again. "Master Yuki said it's urgent."

Michael looked at the messenger and turned to tell the horsemen he would be leaving but they had already disappeared. "I hate it when they do that...." he muttered under his voice as he quickly hid the knife in his pocket. Death had also grabbed him Angi-Kat, his scythe which sat on his back. After a bit of hallway running he found the room, he knocked on the door that held the princess.

Hearing a knock, Yuki opened the door. "There you are Micheal. The Queen is in the world of thoughts that I can't reach. I need you to do your job and watch her, and maybe bring her out of this state. She needs to sleep well for tomorrow, allies arrive then and she will have to be constantly running around and greating people." he said and patted the male's shoulder. "She needs a guard she can trust that will always be by her side." he added and then left. Aiko slowly turned her head to meet the eyes of her guard in her near see through short night gown. Sighing softly she then look at the sky out of the window again.

"Enough of this slump. Put some clothes on, we'll go for a walk in the crisp night air" Michael smiled as he turned his back to her to allow her to dress. "Lets just go for a walk, everything will be okay." He breathed as Angi-Kat spoke to him Shes not going to calm down that way Michael. Just watch her, read her emotions and use them. Michael again repeated himself. "Let's go for a walk, you need to clear your mind." Only this time he wasn't making a suggestion, he was more telling. "It always helped me in the ghetto, go outside and just sit there and think"

Looking at Michael feeling not at all amused with his words. "I'm not sure. As long as my guard stays at my side as a guard should I would love too. I don't want my uncle having to come and guard me anymore. He's done that for me enough in my life." she said with a bit of anger in her voice and her eyes narrowed a bit as she looked at him. Moving to stand she soon was crossing the room in her practically see through nightgown and grabbed a simple black dress. Pulling it on behind her screen she then walked out and looked at the Hatter. "Walking around and thinking better not be the reason I found you in the snow..." she muttered as she grabbed her jacket and headed towards the door. She was a swirl of emotions as she did, and most of them were not positive.

Hatter took her by the hand and led her outside. THe horsemen stood outside, a few of them smoking. "Pardon me gents" Michael walked right past them and walked around towards the side of the home. He looked her dead in the eyes. "What can i do for you to make you feel better." He knew full well she was upset, it wasn't hard to notice

Aiko looked at Michael and frowned. Walking past Death and his buddies, made the Queen shudder and feel bile come up her throat. Images of the Hatter getting his body back flashed through her mind and as they stopped she turned and looked into his eyes. "Have you taken into consideration what I have seen today? Those things shouldn't be seen. I've seen you chop off body parts, die in front of me, and then I see you come back in a body I've never seen or know, watching the muscle and skin grow on your bones." her voice cracked and tears seemed to well in her eyes. Holding her stomach she grimaced. "Then I walk in and see my mother hanging on a rope from the ceiling, dead. I didn't like her, and practically hated her, but she was my mother and it was horrifying to see..." she breather and shuddered. Turning her face away from him two tears fell down her cheeks. "I have a feeling that I'm going to loose my uncle too... He is my only family left, and he means everything to me... I wouldn't know what to do if he was gone..." she breathed and shook her head and looked away. "I want someone I can trust. But seeing your new friends, I don't know if you're the person to trust... Even if my gut says I should." she said and more tears spilled from her bright teal eyes.z

"They are the ones that taught me, they gave me something so i could defend my family and home. That is what i wanted to do all along. But this." He said pointed to the house. "This is my home now." He said as he summoned Angi-Kat to his hands and tapped the ground hard to emphasis that point. "And i will fight to defend it. But if you cannot trust me, then i will only fight for this house, if you can trust me, i will fight for it and you"

Aiko turned around and watched as he summoned his scyth. Frowning as she heard him she shook her head. "Prove that I can trust you. I've clothes you, saved your life, found your book, killed the man that nearly killed you, and have offered your family a beautiful home to live in. I have proven that it doesn't matter what you do, I will still help you. But you haven't proven to me that I can trust you." she said and wiped away her tears. "I shouldnt even let you see me like this." she muttered angerily.

"how would you like me to prove to you my trust?" He asked sitting down next to her, laying the scythe against his shoulder and leaning against the building. Looking up at the sky in silence. He looked at her, then look back up at the sky. All was silent for him for a while, the world seased to exsist but left him in his tranquility

Aiko watched Michael and frowned. "You're keeping a secret from me. And I would like it if you stayed by my side and act like my true guard." she said softly and looked at him as he stared up at the sky. "Don't you feel that something bad will happen? I do.. And If you know something I don't I would like to know it... I want to go into this fight with as much of an advantage as possible." she said and sighed heavily. "Being Queen is hard enough the way it is... I just wish you would be truthful and frank with me." she said softly. "Everyone lies through their teeth when speaking to me anyway... Being my guard I want your true thoughts and opinions."

Looking up at the stars Michael spaced off thinking. "Going to be straight with you. In return for the powers I have, that i got to protect my family, Death had me sign a contract that said he could say I had to slay and collect the soul or souls of his target of choice. Now, he's calling that one in. For his services and too keep my immortality and powers." He took a huge gulp of air and held it for a moment. "He told me I had to slay either your uncle, or you AND your mother" He sat, he waited for the yelling, the cursing, the attack, the arrest, the whatever she was going to do.

Aiko listened to Micheal and then laughed. Shaking her head smiling widely she bumped his shoulder with her own. "I'm glad you care enough to make me laugh... Let's go back to my room. We both need some rest." she said lightly and stood up. "If anything, I'm just glad you are going to be at my side. It's nice to know you will be there." she said lightly and then sighed softly. Walking towards her bedroom.

Maybe ill tell her after the fights. Or in the morning. But why wouldnt she believe me? Is it the stress or what? Michael thought to himself as he followed her back into the castle. He yawned as he knew he was tired. Dying takes a lot of a man.

Aiko smiled back at Michael and opened the door to her room. "I am sure that you wouldn't hurt my family, and with your joke I truely know you won't do such a thing." she said lightly and then closed the door after he stepped inside. Taking off her coat she set it on the couch and sighed softly. "Thank you for being here Michael." she said softly and then leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. This caused a blush to glow on her cheeks as she moved to pull away.

He blushed slightly but it disappearaed quickly. "Princess... Why?" was all he could muster as he tried to regain his rock solid composuer but he seemed to fail. He sat all awkwardly as he had never been with a women let alone kissed one. He had trained for so long that he never really gained social interactions