His smile widened and he looked at her. "I would be honored to have you as my guest." He gripped the lute a bit tighter and looked down at it in his hands. "I could play the lute for you again. My men are planning on helping me build a new house and I want it near the line. It would be easier for you to visit me that way, right?"
He looked up into her eyes with such an innocent expression that it was almost heart melting.

She smiled and giggled slightly. "Yes, that would make it easier. Much easier actually. And so long as I am welcome, I wish to come visit." Her smile was genuine. She She would visit him every day if she could. Alas, with work and running her empire, things would not be so simple, but she would definitely make the time to spend it with him. She had already decided that her spare time was going to be his. And who knows...

It was just a thought though. She knew that deep down she would never really be free. And her council would definitely not approve of her behaviour. If she was to see him, her council might declare foul play and rage war, throwing her in prison for treason. She knew her situation was precarious because she was a woman, but still...

"Perhaps you can come visit my home as well. I mean, you can stay until you house is built..." She knew he wouldn't, but she still made the offer.

He blushed a little bit and had to look away, feeling a bit emberassed. He never would have imagioned that he'd be asked by someone of such high class to stay with them and it touched him that she'd do so. "I wish that I could, but I can't just leave my men to build my house.." He laughed and shook his head. "They'd make it into a fortress much too big for me." He thought of his men and kept his smile. "They need me right now for more than that though. Right now they still don't trust the capital, but I feel that with your visits and the trading route that we'll make they'll come to trust the capital in time. For now though, I need to protect the line not just for my men, but also to make sure that they don't cross over to cause havok on your side as well." He audibly sighed and shook his head. "I would like to visit the capital sometime though.." he trailed off and looked determined. He wouldn't tell her that the noble that had his family killed was there and that he sought revenge. He didn't know what she'd think, and he knew that it could very well ruin the truce, but he needed to avenge his family.

She smiled. The let down was soft, so she was deeply thankful for that. "I think you might rather enjoy my home when you come to visit. It is grand, yes, but there is so much more to it then just a house. The gardens are my favourite place. I will have to show you one day. And I promise that I will." She smiled at him once more before coughing again. She pulled her cloak tighter around, feeling the cold morning's chill. She started shivering because of it.

This war had started so much for her. Perhaps her gardens would now loose their charm, seeing as that pure beauty she saw in them she had now placed upon someone else. She then thought to marriage once again. What would it be like now to find a husband? She would never grow to care about someone. She had not done so in the past, so why should that change now? She finally trusted someone, and she was set on the fact that he would be the only one to gain her trust. She was afraid at the same time, giving this much trust to someone. What would happen to her if he betrayed her? That idea had never crossed her mind until then. The thoughts began to give her a head ache.

He noticed that she was cold and, though he knew it was improper, he hesitantly put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his own body, giving her his warmth. He had to look away because of his emberassment and his face flushed pink to the tips of his ears. He'd never been able to get rid of it and he felt it made him seem boyish and he hated it.
But he didn't hate where his arm was. He found that coming in contact with her made him almost too giddy to think. He grew light-headed, but that just made him feel like a lecher and he had to completly clear his mind of all thoughts because they kept going back to his arm around Kiako.

Kiako paused. Her look went into a bit of shock. She blushed furiously. It took her a moment to regain her thought process. His arm was around her. She was so close to him. She let herself lean against him. She looked up at him for a moment, noticing that he was looking the other way. Was he embarrassed? She thought about moving away, to make him more comfortable, but she remained. This feeling was amazing. It made her head spin. Such a simple act was causing all this tension and irruption of thoughts she could not control herself. She tried to conceal a smile, but it was quickly overtaking her face. She stopped and turned to face him, and then stepped into his space, wrapping her arms around him. A hug. A simple hug. It meant more to her then anything else.

He was shocked and looked down at her, his face still pink, but he didn't move away. He smiled a bit lopsidedly and wrapped his arms tightly around her. "You should come visit soon." He took those few moments to try and warm her up with his body as much as possible. He didn't want to go back to his camp yet, he just wanted to stay like this for a while longer. He was careful not to let the lute bump her back.

She held onto him as if her life depended on it. "If I could I would go home with you now..." Her voice was hushed to the point where it was barely audible. At this moment, she wanted to run from it all. Everything. What she would have given to be free from all of her duties. The relief it would have brought her. She loosened her grip on him, but did not let go. She did not want to.She felt safe in his arms. Her face was buried deep into his chest, her body very cold against his. She tried not to cough as she held onto him. She looked up at him, her eyes soft and full of innocence. She heart was pounding loudly in her chest.

He blushed even brighter, unsure as to what to do. He took just a moment to decide and decided that he didn't care anymore about the treaty. He slowly leaned over and kissed her, and when he pulled back he looked down into her face and smiled a little. He lightly ran a finger down her cheek and shook his head. "Hurry back, ok?"
He looked at her a moment longer with that smile on his face, then noticed that they were pretty close to the camp. He knew that she was safe, so he smiled wider and slowly took a step back. "I'll see you when you return." He bowed to her for the general that she was, then laughed softly and ran back to his own camp; careful to not bump the lute.

She watched him run back, standing there for a moment. She was in a trance. She then went back to her camp, with a large smiled on her face. Her stuff had all been packed, and with that, her camp had moved back home.

* * *

Some time had gone by since that moment. Her arrival home had gone smoothly. Her people were happy, and council was angry. Many suitors had come to see her, but Kiako had refused every single one of them. She still thought back every day to that day. His kiss forever lingering on her lips. She had tried to find time to go back, but there was one problem, she had no idea where this man had lived. After a while, she had decided that she was going to send out a messenger to find him, and deliver an invite back to the capital. She needed to see him again. This time, she would not allow him to get away, or at least, leave without her.

His house had been built close to where the battle had gone on, maybe 20 miles away. It was a nice home with a sturdy feeling to it and shiney floors. He let travelers stay in his spare rooms and waited to hear word from Kiako. He didn't hear from her in so long he wondered if she hadn't liked the kiss, or if she'd found someone of a higher class. He wanted to go to her, but he felt that what he was doing was important. He protected both sides from each other and caught thieves, vandals, and murderers trying to get across and took care of them. It was a dirty job but he knew that it had to be done. He let out his rooms to monks, travelers, merchants, and sometimes some of his old soldiers that came to visit or deliver news. He learned of many of his soldiers having new children, of getting married and of making names for themselves. He thanked Kiako in his mind every time he heard something but his soldiers always celebrated him even when he told them that it was her doing.
He smiled in rememberance of his latest news, then frowned again when he remembered that Kiako hadn't even written to him.

A lone traveller came up to to his house one day. This man stood at about 6 foot tall, with dark hair and a gentle but cold feel about him. He came up to the door of the house, knocking on it. He knew who's house this had belonged to. He had searched for a long time in order to find this house. He was Kiako's messenger, her trusted advisor, and her best friend. He was the only one she would trust with such a letter. If this letter had been found by anyone else, she would be killed immediately. Yes, the letter was a simple invite to her home for a celebration of peace, but there was a second letter, a private one that was meant for Kaido.

As the man stood at the door, he looked down at himself. He wore the same uniform that he had worn on the day of the war. He stood there, and waited patiently.

Kiado found him quickly because he had felt his presence in his home. He came up to him and looked him over, noticing the uniform. "Hello. What business do you have here, soldier?" He saw how tall he was and blinked, surprised. 'He's a giant..' he thought. He felt he was tall at 5' 8'' and hadn't seen many people that were taller than him. Some of his soldiers, yes, but not many of them. He didn't feel any evil intent from the man so he didn't draw his blade.

"My name is Jethro. I come baring a message from My Lady the Empress Kiako. She requests that you read these letters carefully. And also requests that you return back to her home with me. All is explained in her letters address to you, Lord Kaido." Formality was a must with Jethro, even with Kiako, who he had known since they were both young, he had always called her Lady.

Jethro held out the letters to Kaido, his head bowed.

He'd known that she had to be of an upper class, but he hadn't known that she was THAT high up and the shock showed on his face. He took the letters from him, slightly dazed from the news, and turned to read them.
(sorry, not sure what all you want them to say..)

(haha its fine!)

Dear Kaido:
I hope everything has been going well. I am terribly sorry that I have not written to you. I have meant to, but things have been very busy here. The council has been very wary of my movements as of late. Your parting was observed by someone and I had to deal with that before I could safely write to you. I did not want to endanger your life, should something happen to me.

I really do hope you have been well. I miss you terribly. I hope you will come back hom with Jethro. I wish to see you. I wish to sing for you once more.

I remain yours, should you still accept me.

Kiako Lee

Kaido blushed and neatly folded the paper up. He turned to the guard and nodded once. "I'll go, but give me a day to prepare and send word for someone to take my place here at the line. I will prepare a room for you, and will prepare provisions for you as well. Please, enjoy your stay and explore the grounds to your liking."
He turned and left, leaving for his room to prepare his things and write his letters. He was going to write a letter to one of his old soldiers who happened to live somewhat close. The man had suggested before that he be allowed to help, but Kaido hadn't needed the help. He did now though, he wouldn't pass up this opportunity for anything in the world.

Jethro smiled, knowing what he was thinking. Kiako had confided everything to him, and he knew about her feelings for him. He smiled at the thought of Kiako being happy, for once in her life. Since she had left the war, She had developed two faces. One for the world, and one for her private life. The face for the public was cold and stern, as if nothing had changed, but her second face grew with such delight and such a passion. She had been in love this entire time, and she was not afraid to flaunt it, even if doing so had caused much trouble for her.

Kaido wrote his letters, packed his bags, and set to work on getting enough food for them. As he gathered the things he noticed that his mood had greatly improved. He hadn't noticed before but it was completly different than how he'd been feeling only moments before. He smiled and almost laughed out lout, but he didn't want anyone to see just how happy he was to be leaving to go to the capital. Many of them still didn't like the people from the capital so he had to appear stern and determined as if he didn't want to go.

Jethro walked around the house. It was much smaller then Kiako's, but there was something comforting here. Jethro wished he could have brought his Lady Kiako with him. She would have loved to see it. She had always hated her house, and wished she could move away from the capital. The only part she liked about the her home was its gardens. She had spent so most of her free time when her Father was still alive tending to the gardens.

Jethro walked up to Kaido's room. "When we get to My Lady's home, she has requested that I bring you straight to her. I believe that she missed you terribly, and wishes to have a moment with you in private. My request is that we keep our heads down in order to get you to her chambers without being caught."

He smiled and nodded, looking happy. He wasn't able to keep up the charade after hearing that. "I'll do whatever you say." He kept packing his bags and seemed to be trying to go a bit faster now. He had to wait for the other soldier to get there but he wanted to leave as soon as he arrived. He stopped to look at Jethro and seemed to pause. "What does shde want me to bring as a gift to the emperor? I can't show up with nothing!" he knew that it would be insulting to do so and didn't want the peace to be broken over something so trivial.

"Bring what you wish. It does not matter. Kiako will smooth things over for you." He smiled, crossing his arms, leaning against the wall. "Kiako has not stop talking about you, you are well aware I hope." He draped his cape over him in order to cover himself. "I do hope your soldiers arrive soon. Kiako has waited for a very long time to see you again, as I expect you have for her. However, she did mention in her letter that she was in trouble because of it. Know one thing, in public, try not to draw her attention to much, her life may depend on it."

Kiado stilled and looked at him. He hadn't realized that so much rode on his presence. He didn't know if his peasants upbringing would be good enough, but he doubted it. "Uh.. I'll need your help to make sure that nothing happens to her.." He cleared his throat and seemed to look paler. He kept packing but it was now at a slower pace. He thought of the best thing that he could bring, his best bottle of sake that one of his men had brought him. He didn't want to pass on a gift but it was the best that he could do. He stopped and sat down, thinking about Kiako. "She invited me even knowing that...?"
(I JUST realized how similar I made their names. oops)

"She invited you because she misses you and wants to see you and because she loves you. She did not invite you for other people, only for herself." His voice was stern, but at the same time, he was very genuine about it. Jethro then realized what he had said. Accidentally he had let slip that Kiako had fallen for Kaido. It was something he was not supposed to directly mention. "Forgive me outburst my Lord," He bowed to Kaido. Would Kiako be mad for this? Jethro did not know. He had hoped not. He looked out the window. "It is going to a long road home. Do you have a horse to ride?" he said changing the subject. Even with a horse, it was a full days journey to the capital. Even if Jethro had been gone for 3 weeks, he know Kiako was sitting at her window every night waiting for them.

(You just realized eh? :P It's kind of funny though. It depends on how Kaido is pronounced. Kiako is Kai - aye- ko)

(I was thinking (ka-i-do) (oh, guess I've been spelling it wrong then. lol it's right in the first post. hahaha)
Kaido was looking out the window with flushed cheeks. 'She loves me' he thought, then snapped back to attention. "What? I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said." He laughed softly and fidgeted with his yukata. He looked back out the window and dazed off again. He obviously wasn't listening again.(lol)