Taro Hisakawa yawned as the morning sun peaked over the mountains from a great distance away, as the first tells of winter were showing more concrete signs. For one, the royal cherry blossoms within the Imperial Palace had begun to bloom a soft salmon, sprouting pockets of lovely pink dyes across the scenes before him. Secondly, the morning air was far colder than usual, it forced him to wear his oversized cherry blossom haori. The intricately designed outer wear with its pale white-pink flowery hue embroidery–lovingly embraced a sizable moon–was a marker that signaled he was one of the Thirteen Lunar Blossom Generals of Ichika. He was expected to wear it whenever he stepped outside of his barracks or his home. He found the awestruck looks of the commonfolk uncomfortable and more hassle than it was worth, whenever he ventured into the capital city. Many of them gazed at him with reverence and fear, the history that came with the title he held was long as it was violent. Stories of the thirteen generals and the many warriors, deserving and otherwise, were spoken about and known by all throughout the fabled lands. As much as he carried himself as a pleasant man, it was difficult for ordinary people to see past the haori he wore. So he regularly chose to abandon the top for something more cozy. Soon enough his thoughts carried him to his bed and his lovely wife who looked ripe enough to burst with their first child on the way. He hoped it was a boy.

  The general’s smirk turned into a deep grumble. He had thought since King Satori’s departure to the south, the city and the Imperial Palace would be more agreeable than it has been the last several weeks. He was looking forward to spending more time with Fumi than the needless debates among the Imperial Court and those who looked to curry favor with the king. However he along with the other thirteen generals had been confined to the palace by the court as they examined the capabilities and limits of each general and their soldiers. This needless task had kept them here for several days. Taro was sure he would set a few nobles of the court ablaze if they made him miss the birth of his child.

  “I am surprised to see you attend the morning meeting. Even more so that you were first to arrive.”

  “Do not sound so shocked Lord Nishimura,” the general feigned annoyance. “I am beholden to the Imperial Court just as much as you are.”

  “I only wish you would remember that all the time, not just when it lets you win an argument.” Lord Nishimura smirked.

  Both of them were past the age of forty, but it was only Taro Hisakawa that showed his age. Whereas Lunar General Katsuo Nishimura, remained as youthful as he did in his twenties. Tales of his flowing black hair coupled with his kind and inviting face were talked about among many circles both men and women. He was seen by many to be an exemplary general and carried his tasks with utmost efficiency and execution. So it was odd for many that such a man would find a long time friend and companion in Taro who was the opposite of such refined dignity.

  However, to Lord Nishimura, it was quite obvious. It was not that Taro was unrefined, more so it was that he purposely carried himself as though he was not one of the thirteen protectors of Ichika. In his eyes he was no different than a bread maker, or a wet nurse. Each of them had a duty that was meant to serve the greater whole. He saw them all as equal and Lord Nishimura had always respected that, despite their many differences about their role and its true nature.

  The two men conversed on the open tower terrace while they waited for the other generals to appear. Tensions had been running high and several generals had come to near blows over their respective treatments and accusations by the courts. This meeting was assigned in the hopes that the generals would all come to a better understanding of what it was the Imperial Court required of them. King Satori’s presence was sorely missed and in his absence the courts had exercised a greater level of power than they had done in a very long time. It unsettled both men in their own right.

  “Have you been told what this meeting is about?” Taro yawned again, wiping sleep from his eyes.

  Lord Nishimura shook his head, “Not at all.” He pulled his cherry blossom haori closer to himself, his calm expression hardening. “I am quite tired of being ordered around.”

  Taro chuckled, “You and me both my friend.”

  “Good morning Lord Nishimura, Lord Hisakawa!” a young woman's voice called out from a few paces away.

  Both men turned their attention to Takara Yukimura who approached with a cheerful grin on her face. She towered taller than both men on account that she was a Stygian. Her star-filled hair was pulled back and tied behind her head. While her sunset eyes burned with a violet and peach intensity that showed the youthful energy of a girl no older than nineteen. Her hands were placed behind her back, her haori matched the same cherry blossoms as the Twelfth Lunar General who also happened to be her mother. She gave them both a courteous bow.

  “Taka? What are you doing here?” Taro asked, pleasantly surprised to see the girl.

  “Yes, this is a meeting for the Thirteen Lunar Generals. I do not recall you being one, yet.” Lord Nishimura did not mask his displeasure. “Where is your mother?”

  Takara quickly turned around not wanting to draw the ire of two famed generals, revealing the Twelfth Lunar Blossom General, Tsuru Yukimura clinging onto her as she slept soundly.

  Taro recalled the first time he met Lady Yukimura, it was soon before he was meant to be made a general. The stories he had heard of her were closer to fantasy than anything real. The woman he had envisioned in his head was a fearsome warrior, feared across all of Ichika with very few rivals. And worthy of the legendary title of the Thirteenth Lunar General. However as he accidentally crossed her path on one of his secret excursions all those years ago, he found the miniature woman dozed off atop one of the many buildings within the palace. With the genuine look of relaxation similar to the one he now saw on her sleeping face. However now, the amount of grey hairs she carried was far more noticeable. The woman was enjoying a deep slumber and Taro laughed in amusement.

  Lord Nishimura did not share in the joy, “I see…”

  Takara turned back to address them, “Forgive her my lords, this was the only way I could bring her here.” Her exasperated laugh, made it difficult to discern who was the child and the parent between them both.

  “Be that as it may-” began Lord Nishimura.

  “It is alright, you’ll join our ranks soon enough anyways isn't that right Lady Taka?” Taro winked at her, rubbing his beard.

  Taka blushed and then nodded in agreement. She felt her mother nuzzle into her, giving her an even greater sense of belonging. That sensation was quickly dashed by the suffocating present of the child that approached. His very aura made the red woods of the terrace they stood on groan and splinter under the ever growing force that approached. She found it difficult to breathe as though she had not been granted permission. In truth she had not. This was a meeting reserved only for the thirteen generals of Ichika. She was not. Her very presence here was a desecration of their ways and he displayed his displeasure for all to see. Crown Prince and Seventh Lunar General Hiei Sugawara approached along with his sister and fellow Sixth Lunar General, Princess Haruka Sugawara.

  “What are you here?” his words ripped through the air with resounding authority.

  Taka struggled to speak in his presence, she was older than him by two years and towered over him. All the same he carried himself much greater than she was–than she could ever be.

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  “Now, now Prince Hiei,” Taro tried to ease the growing discomfort. “That is no way to talk to a lady. You know how eccentric Lady Yukimura can be.”

  Prince Hiei turned his hateful gaze away from Taka and rested it on Taro.

  “You think-”

  Lunar General Tsuru Yukimura yawned loudly as the growing ruckus awoke her. She had been pleasantly dreaming about being attended to by scantily dressed men when reality sought to bring her back to the foreground. Now instead of the pleasures of her dreams she was greeted with the visage of a petulant child who still clung to his mothers teat, or as everyone else referred to him as Prince Hiei. Looking over her daughter's shoulder, she quite liked how short he appeared from here. Even his scowling face looked cute under the right whipping cane.

  “Prince Hiei, Princess Haruka. You look well,” she nodded with a smile. “What seems to be the problem?”

  Princess Haruka bowed in respect, while her brother looked to address the disrespect. “This is a meeting for generals, she has no right being here.”

  Lady Yukimura shrugged, “What was it you called me that one time?” she tried to earnestly recall, “A hag was it, a bag of bones? Or was that the other time? Nevertheless as you keep reminding me I already have one foot in the grave, let my little Taka learn from first hand experience. Since she is meant to surpass me.” She rubbed the side of her daughter's cheek.

  “Mother I dislike when you talk like that,” Taka tried to be upset with her despite the continued teasing from her mother.

  Prince Hiei disgustingly looked away. Once again faced with another reminder of his fathers flippant rule. To allow a Lunar General to adopt a Stygian babe was insulting enough. However to allow said general to raise it so that it may one day replace them was ludicrous. To have their ancient ways be toyed with was a step too far. He along with many within the Imperial Court had protested and still continued to do so. As he had spoken about with his father countless times, there were many within the ranks of the Lunar Generals who were inadequate for their position. Right now he stood in the face of two of them. He turned his gaze towards Taro Hisakawa who looked back awkwardly.

  “Good day to you Lord Nishimura, I will see you inside.” The prince declared as he left, acknowledging no one else.

  All bowed as he departed while Lady Yukimura offered an unsavory expression towards the back of the leaving prince. Princess Haruka also offered her apologies before she departed with her brother. Leaving the four of them to mingle among themselves for a little while. Before long they made their way inside, the drawing hour of the meeting was inching close. Taro walked alongside Lord Nishimura as they bickered over responsibility and the reach the generals should be given. Their conversation carried them until they were in front of the gilded doors of the private meeting room–Nonawa–of the lunar generals. Or as it was referred to officially, Ameno Hana No Niwa.

  Across the doors of Nonawa were engraved each of the thirteen moons of Ichika and the corresponding cherry blossoms that bloomed underneath them. These in turn acted as place markers for the thirteen generals who had served Ichika from their inception more than several thousand years ago. The energy emitted from this door was as ancient as it was great, legendary warriors throughout the ages had all crossed here, protectors who had given their life to defend Ichika from all threats both within and without. Their lives devoted only to one cause. As Taro placed his hands on the large doors pushing them open, a renewed sense of purpose and desire washed over him, as though he was reminded why he was made a Lunar General.

  The interior of the meeting room was more elegant than it was necessary. Originally the room was an armory depot that was used to store personal weapons that belonged to House Sugawara. As the centuries and millennia had moved on, various members of House Sugawara both those who sat on the throne and advised the king, believed that the Lunar Generals should operate closer to the royal family. Some had thought this was done so a closer eye could be kept on the going-ons of those deemed by many–the various kings through history as well–the strongest warriors Ichika had to offer. While others believed the consolidating of power in one centralized location would offer easier control over the entire realm.

  Whichever the case, all agreed that the room be reflected with the level of wealth and opulence befitting those who had given everything to their realm. From the ceiling hung red cloth that looped around connecting each wall, in various gaps, white flames hung in the air as a perpetual light source. Cherry Blossom flowers protruded from the walls offering shade as well as scenery that looked as though it hailed from a faraway mystical land. A long wooden table carved from an Everwood Tree was placed in the middle. Its make and craftsmanship was done by an artisan renowned for his work. His name lost to the annals of time, but his insignia carved underneath the table: a white lotus. Around the table were placed thirteen luxurious chairs, all of them sewn in with silk red sheets befitting nobility and even royals.

  As often as he had come in here, Taro was always appreciative of the splendid beauty of Nonawa. It seemed the only place they could all gather where attitudes were more relaxed and there was a greater desire for understanding than anywhere else. His entrance with Lord Nishimura was greeted by several other Lunar Generals who had arrived and taken their seats in preparation. He along with Lord Nishimura exchanged greetings and pleasant conversation with the generals as they waited for the rest to arrive.

  One by one they entered as they patiently waited for the thirteenth general. They were more weary than usual, the absence of the king had heightened things within the royal palace. The exertion of influence by the courts had not helped matters. Many of them were looking forward to this meeting, perhaps giving them clarity as to why the Imperial Court sought to confine them to the palace for so many days. If anyone would have the answer, it would be her.

  Before their minds could run further amok, she appeared. The Thirteenth Lunar General, Lady Inari Huli Jing. She was as pale as her cherry blossom haori, creating a phantom like image that glided across the wooden floors. Her long white hair matched the color of her skin further highlighting her almost Nephilim like features. Yet her deep honey brown eyes, as cunning as a fox's, proved to all who looked at her that she was human, at least appeared so. In her youth there were many who pined for her and sought to make her theirs, none quite being able to achieve it. All the same they were not deterred and persisted long into her forties. Even now with deep circles around her foxy eyes that looked to be growing every year, there were still those who whispered about courting her. Of course none would be foolish enough to do so out loud, given that the King of Ichika and her shared a child.

  All twelve generals rose in acknowledgement of the awesome power in front of them. Lady Huli Jing said nothing as she made her way around the table lost in thought. Without meeting any of their gazes, she observed their reactions and found odd tells that she had not encountered before. She dismissed it under the guise of the growing stress the Imperial Courts implemented in the king’s absence. She allowed her thoughts to briefly entertain the image of the king, at the same time the last conversation they shared played through her mind. The Lunar General was uneasy at the recollection of it, she hoped he was well, as well as Nanako too.

  “You may sit,” she commanded and they followed. “I would like to thank you all for attending.” She gazed at them, when her eyes rested on Taka. She offered a warm smile to which the young lady returned one in kind.

  There were appreciative nods from various generals. In truth Lady Huli Jing had not given any of them the opportunity to decline this meeting. Since King Satori’s departure along with their daughter, there had been a strange atmosphere permeating through the royal palace and the city at large. She had pleaded with the king to stay. He was more needed in his home than by the Stygians and the rest of Aurum. However as he always did with that annoyingly deceptive warm smile of his, he assured her that all would be well. She chose to believe his words, yet since he left she had been counting down the days until his return. Inari disliked how empty the palace felt without his presence. It would only be a few days longer, she reminded herself.

  “I shall cut through the platitudes-” Lady Huli Jing caught herself as for the briefest of seconds she spotted Prince Hiei Sugawara’s eyes dart towards the door.

  A moment later the doors burst open as Prince Hideyoshi Sugawara, elder brother of the King of Ichika appeared accompanied by imperial soldiers as well as hooded figures.

  “Hideyoshi, what is the meaning of this?” Inari was careful not to raise her voice, “This is a private meeting between generals.”

  A slimy grin crawled across Hideyoshi’s face, one that greatly upset Inari.

  “Lady Huli Jing forgive me," he bowed before turning to the others. "Famed generals, I come with great news.” His words brought with it disaster.