The Yaoi Otaku Forum

[Saenda]

He nodded at Isamu's words, looking at him go directly to the door with a silent sigh. He wished he could do something, anything for Isamu to be able to go near their child. He would find a solution, he would for the sake of his love.

Kokusei followed his samurai outside the room and headed to the throne room where surely all the advisors would be. He hoped that not too much had happened in his absence. Because Isamu was right : even if they had been gone a mere short while, things could have occurred.

As they arrived to the throne room, the advisors indeed were there, not looking to pleased as they saw the emperor entering. The latter immediately felt embarrassed, but never did he felt ashamed. He was glad he had taken some time off with Isamu.
"We are glad you are finally back, my lord." One of the old advisors said on a disapproval tone. Head high, Kokusei met up with them to go sit on his throne. He decided to ignore the scathing remark. "Has something happened in my absence?"

"Why actually, something did happen, my lord." Another told, although this one seemed less reproachful. "Citizens have come to us. According to them, there's been quite a few deaths during the last weeks. They fear that a sickness is coming upon us, that we have done something to anger the Gods."
Kokusei froze at those very words. What?
_________________

Will be gone from August 9th to 12th.

[Kotira]

Glancing towards the emperor, Isamu saw the way he tensed. Perhaps he worried now that them being together was causing turmoil or maybe he was just shocked. In either case, the samurai showed no emotion towards the matter. He had seen death in all its forms and in all ages. A peasant dying was really no great threat, people died all the time.

When his lover failed to respond swiftly, Isamu spoke up, “Commoners dying among our kingdom is hardly noteworthy. The air is chilling and with the chill comes illness. What is so noteworthy of these deaths?” He asked, almost scolding the men for having brought up the subject without truly delving into any detail. After all, a few deaths here or there wasn’t uncommon.
_________________
Classes have officially begun for Fall semester. My classes have me waking up early so I also go to sleep earlier. This means that on weekdays there will be very little time for me to reply. I will most likely only be able to reply on weekends.

[Saenda]

The advisor turned his head towards Isamu as he seemed more apt to answer him at the moment, Kokusei still trying to get over his shock. "Apparently, all those peasants have died of the very same illness : strong fever at the beginning that leaves the person with no strenght, then comes deep coughing a while after, coughing that ends up making the person vomit blood. No healer has been able to diagnose what was this illness either."

Kokusei closed his eyes as he calmed himself in order not to panick. If his people were to die because of him... "How many?" He asked softly. Another advisor answered. "For now, around fifteen or twenty, my lord."
The emperor sighed heavily. "I'll ask Rye to look over this. She might know a cure. She is from another country after all." He just hoped that she would know something about it. Although he wondered why the woman had not told him about the disease. Did she not know about it? Surely, people must have come to her for help. She was a well known healer, after all.
_________________

Will be gone from August 9th to 12th.

[Kotira]

Isamu closed his eyes and bowed his head. That number was no seasonal toll that was for sure and the symptoms were near unheard of. For a moment, his heart was gripped with fear. If the strange sickness should reach the palace, Daisuke would be at risk. Young ones had so little immunity and strength. A dangerous disease would kill him.

Clearing his throat, Isamu got his lover’s attention, “Rye is with child.” He reminded very quietly so the others could not hear. After all, no one was allowed to dispute the emperor’s word. However, now that he had a little one of his own, he could not help but speak up for Rye.
_________________
Classes have officially begun for Fall semester. My classes have me waking up early so I also go to sleep earlier. This means that on weekdays there will be very little time for me to reply. I will most likely only be able to reply on weekends.

[Saenda]

His attention was drawn to Isamu when the latter cleared his throat and realisation as well as guilt dawned on his face. How could he have forgotten about Rye's child? Was he that selfish. "I will ask her if she ever heard of such symptoms and if she knows a cure. However, we will have to put other healers on the case, she is in no condition to heal approach sick people." He corrected himself, still cursing himself for forgetting.

"I do believe a visit to the country where the sun sets will be needed." Kokusei suddenly told and all the advisors startled. The stared at the emperor with mixed expressions. "What? My lord, are you out of your mind? Why would we go to that country?"
"Because we will need more food!" Kokusei replied sternly. "Last winter was too rough, people ran out of food too early. If this winter is to be the same, and people are getting sick, this will not help us at all." He explained and all the advisors looked at each other, thinking. "But my lord, this will be costly! We will need to build those ships, and what guarantees us that the people of that country will want to trade?"

Kokusei sighed. "For now, it is a risk I am willing to take. We do not need to build too many boats either, just enough to go gather food. I will also write a letter of peace and offer good offerings in exchange for that food."
_________________

Will be gone from August 9th to 12th.

[Kotira]

“Unless, of course, you healthy men would rather offer your rations should we run low.” Isamu suggested coldly. It wasn’t as though he hated them, but he certainly could have done without them. Their intrusions were never welcome, especially when it meant it cut his time short with his lover, “And next time, you keep your outbursts to yourself. You are speaking with the emperor.” He added with indifference, “And whatever you think, he will make the right decision.”
_________________
Classes have officially begun for Fall semester. My classes have me waking up early so I also go to sleep earlier. This means that on weekdays there will be very little time for me to reply. I will most likely only be able to reply on weekends.

[Saenda]

The advisors all glared at Isamu. As much as the samurai 'liked' the men, as much as the latters 'liked' him. More that they saw him as a nuisance. It is always hard to manipulate an emperor when he has such a fateful guardian next to him. "I do believe you are overthinking on such matters for your mere position as a guard. You should think over on what you really can and cannot do. Besides, this is our job and we know what we are doing." One of them replied dryly, the older one. No one replied, but it was clear in their eyes that they agreed.

"That's enough!" Kokusei commanded in a strong voice, irritated. The advisor who had just spoken towards him. "I am merely stating the truth, my lord, I -" But Kokusei cut him immediately. "I said that's enough, Johei! You will show respect to my protector!" He ordered before turning his gaze to Isamu. "And you will show respect to them as well. As Johei said, they are doing their job." He reminded as sternly in order not to to show in favoritism.

He then sighed and stood up. "We will go to our neighbour's country. We will trade food with them and we will help our people. I do not want any objection for that, have I made myself cleared?" He declared in his strong voice, irritated more and more by the scene. He just wanted to get over with this. "Very well, my lord." Johei answered for all of them as they bowed. Kokusei nodded curtly. "Good. Now, was there anything else?"

"No, that was all." Ranme was the one to answer this time and Kokusei smiled. "That's good to hear. Now, if you'll excuse me." And without another word, he left the throne room, expecting Isamu to follow him.
_________________

Will be gone from August 9th to 12th.

[Kotira]

Isamu gripped his blade tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. The only thing stopping him from putting those men back in their place was Kokusei, and he made sure that they knew it from the look in his eyes. They may have been advisors but their outbursts were evidence of their slipping respect for the emperor. And Johei’s objection after Kokusei gave the word only reinforced Isamu’s current distaste for them.

For a moment, Isamu did not follow, only stared at the men. Then he took a step towards them, “You might have fooled yourselves into thinking what you’ve done today is within your power, but I am not such a fool. Another outburst like that, another objection after the matter is done and I will cut your tongue out and you will be advising with ink on parchment…” He seethed. Then he turned and followed the emperor. He had seen insubordination before and these little things could easily lead to such an uprising. The advisors underestimated the boundaries in which Isamu worked in to keep their emperor safe.

“You should not let them speak to you that way.” He said calmly now as he came to fall in step with his lover, “It is only their job to provide information, not to express their opinions. If they don’t have confidence in you and they can’t keep it to themselves they could cause an uprising…”
_________________
Classes have officially begun for Fall semester. My classes have me waking up early so I also go to sleep earlier. This means that on weekdays there will be very little time for me to reply. I will most likely only be able to reply on weekends.

[Saenda]

And such a glare coming from Isamu only fired back at the latter with more glares on the adviser's parts. Johei spoke up again, not at all impressed by the samurai's words. "I do not think that objecting while it can give the emperor another point of view on his decisions is a bad thing. You really should learn your place, samurai. Your job is to protect the emperor, that is all. Keep at it and leave the advising to the people who can actually manage." He replied dryly before turning around curlty and leaving the room through another exit with the other advisors.

Kokusei had vaguley heard the exchange while he was walking away and sighed very softly at Isamu's remark. "I very well know that. It's just that it's not easy since they have a lot of power over the country, weither I like it or not. Even if I show authority, they could still cause an uproar. You've seen how they acted." He smiled apologetically at his lack of power before his expression turned back to seriousness. "I should go and see what I could give as offerings now. As well as make sure that the boats will be built. I have a feeling these advisors could 'forget' to do this job."
_________________

Will be gone from August 9th to 12th.

[Kotira]

“Perhaps we should also be looking into finding new officials… There are enough problems within the empire without us having to worry about those who are supposed to be on our side.” Isamu said quietly, keeping his voice down just in case there might be anyone around to hear what he had to say. That was all he was going to say on the matter for now, “Perhaps we can offer kimonos made by the imperial tailor as well as provide some ore from the earth.” He suggested. Other than crops and fishing there wasn’t much they could offer, and they shared the ocean with the people they were trading with, “It might also be beneficial to see what the sea will offer us on the return home.” He added.
_________________
Classes have officially begun for Fall semester. My classes have me waking up early so I also go to sleep earlier. This means that on weekdays there will be very little time for me to reply. I will most likely only be able to reply on weekends.

[Advertisement]