The prince sighed. He was back at the window. His thoughts spun with this newest development. He considered what he knew so far. Spewing hate at Emperor Jimmu would cause his death. Being too complacent would cause his death. The man liked when he was quiet, but if he was too quiet then he wouldn't trust him.

Then there was the fact that the man liked the way he looked. Being swayed by a pretty face was a common failing, but still it helped that the prince was good looking. At least when he could keep his head. Ayumu raised an unconscious hand to his throat in remembrance. One thing was becoming very clear... someone was keeping him alive until he figured out what he was supposed to do.

The sounds of clanging and stomping feet reached his ears for the fourth time. He turned to watch them come in the room this time with a dispassionate air. He counted them, and there was six men to come and get him from his palace. He sighed. Here it comes, You are wanted in the throne room.

"You are wanted in the throne room." The leader of the group gruffly announced. He stepped forward before his arm could be grabbed this time, and the old man raised a brow at the action. This time he kept pace next to the leader and the rest followed in behind. He could practically move in sync with the man as he knew the paths they were taking off by heart now.

He recited the words the other men would throw at him, only a moment before they were said. Trash. Scum. Vermin. It was almost comical to him, and a faint grin was now spreading across his face. That just seemed to make them angrier though, and one of them decided to spit in his direction as he walked by. He deftly avoided it, and the old man glared at the soldier who had done it.

"I found him, my liege." The man announced, this time just giving him a little push forward. Ayumu was confused at the gentleness not seen before. It threw him off, and his smile was wiped from his face. He looked up at the new Emperor, Jimmu. It took him a moment to recall that he wasn't supposed to know the man's name just yet.

He appraised the man who sat on the throne once more, and weighed his options. Each time had been subtly different based on what was said or done the few seconds before. What route should he take? The silent one? The confident one? Should he try to seduce him? He was at a loss what to do now. Yet again, he pursed his lips unconsciously in his thoughts.

"You seem confused little prince. Are you not aware that the empire has fallen to us? That you are at my mercy?" The Emperor Jimmu said with that dark and dangerous voice. Ayumu was slightly ashamed to find that he was actually coming to like the sound of it. He blushed a little at the thought.

"Oh, uh, no that's not the reason. I guess I am just a little confused at why you wanted to see me? Uh, yeah, I mean, shouldn't I be in the prison or something? Uh, sir." Ayumu fumbled over his words and glanced around at the various men who were chuckling and watching with some interest.

"Do you want to be in the prison?" The man asked with a raised brow. He shook his head and bit his lip. "Well then, be glad you are here instead. I brought you here to discuss the terms of your surrender." He told me flatly. He tilted his head at the words. Hmm. This was new.

"My surrender? Do you want me to swear allegiance to you or something?" Ayumu asked innocently. He looked at him like he was an idiot, but the prince wasn't really sure what he was getting at.

"Yes! Are you really this stupid, or are you putting on an act?" He thundered. Ayumu jumped a little but felt kind of attacked by the words.

"I'm not putting on an act. I just wasn't sure what you want from me. How am I supposed to know what you are thinking if you don't tell me?" He complained as though hard done by. It was hard. He had already died four times trying to figure out what this man wanted from him. He was tired, and confused. The gods were surely testing his patience, if nothing else.

"Any good ruler knows that the son of his predecessor will be an adversary for his throne as long as he lives. How else do I appease your people, if not by securing your loyalty to me? If I kill you, it may be far easier or far harder. If your people love you greatly, then it behooves me to keep you alive." He declared with the air of an impatient teacher.

"Ah. So you want to keep me alive, but not if I am a threat? That makes sense. I think." Ayumu was mumbling at the last part of it and he sighed dramatically.

"Well? Do you swear loyalty?" He finally exploded with exasperation. He jumped again, shocked at his forceful tone and scared a little by his fierce eyes.

"Yes! Sure. Absolutely. Whatever you wish, oh fierce new emperor." He smiled congenially and bowed a little to the man. The chuckles from the other warriors had an annoyed smirk playing on the Emperor's face.

"Good. What I wish is for you to behave yourself and do whatever you are asked by me. Understood?" He stared down at Ayumu with a strange look. The prince nodded a bit.

"Understood." He said. Then he looked around a little bit, saw a seat unattended and went to sit down docilely. The Emperor just sighed again and put a hand to his forehead for a second. After a deep breath, the man and his men went about their business. The place was put into a bit of order, with a few directions from the seated prince at timely moments.

He decided that he needed to follow the third path, but with a little more communication and friendliness on his part. Keeping to himself and being quiet only served to make him seem suspicious, so he had to be as open and honest as he could. He would be helpful and try to be a loyal subject to the new Emperor. He nodded to himself decisively.

For the first week it went really well too. Ayumu was treated well by all the new Emperor's men. Although the women didn't seem to like him very much, they were not given any opportunity to get near him alone. He made sure to stick to that one. He had a guard walk him to his palace every time he went back and then took one with him when he left to help in the morning.

No job was too menial or small for him. He would grind ink, help carry supplies, organise living spaces, and of course showed the men where all the necessary papers were in the study. The two of them were using names with each other by the end of the week. Which was a relief because he almost slipped a few times and called him Emperor Jimmu.

He was actually kind of happy this time around. He was coming to like the man, Emperor Jimmu that is, after spending so much time with him. He was a little uneasy with the looks of interest that were sometimes thrown his way, but he thought that with a little time he might get used to the teasing from the man.

All in all, he smiled more in his presence. He was able to glean more information about the man from their interactions. Jimmu liked to eat spicy dishes. He ate his noodles too quickly and tended to belch after. He wore simple clothes because he didn't have the patience for the fancier ones. He hated having his hair done up by others.

He was careful. Precise. Didn't like when things were too chaotic. Kept his own things in exacting order. Expected others to listen when spoken to, the first time. Wanted what was best for the majority, not just what was best for his generals. Rebuilt what he destroyed. Believed his new people... really were his people. Ayumu was relieved.

Now the prince didn't just want to help him to stay alive, but because he liked him. He felt himself having to hold back looking at the man when he walked about the place. He couldn't hold back the blushes that came to his cheeks when he was caught looking. He felt his brain scramble when the man would talk to him and it gave him the nickname 'idiot prince' among the Emperor's men.

However, the day came when he would be asked to take a walk in the gardens with the Emperor, and he couldn't say no. He shyly walked beside the stern man, and blushed when a leaf was plucked from his hair as they passed underneath a broad tree. He felt warm at the attention he received, and smiled when Jimmu teased him.

Which is why he was so very upset when the date came to an abrupt end. He bit his lips in anger when he saw the assassin sneak out from behind a wall and manage to draw an arrow at them. He didn't want to find out what might happen if it hit it's intended mark, so he shoved the Emperor aside to take the arrow himself.

It lodged in his chest with a sickening thud, and he fell to the ground. Damn, this was quite painful. He coughed when the fluid filling his lungs would not let him breath properly, and it came out his mouth. The Emperor Jimmu looked so angry when he turned to him. He bent over Ayumu and placed a hand on his chest near the arrow.

"I'm sorry." Ayumu said to him roughly. He shook his head, closing his eyes.

"For what? The assassin? It was not your fault." The man told him consolingly.

"I'm sorry for making you mad." He coughed again, the blood making it harder and harder for him to take breaths and stay conscious. He felt a gentle hand upon his head, and a kiss was pressed to his temple.

"Shush. You didn't make me angry. I am mad at the assassin, not you my love." The man's gentle words caressed his spirit as it struggled to stay with him in this moment.

"Am I... your love?" Ayumu looked up at him with a bit of surprise on his paling features. The Emperor Jimmu choked out a laugh that was tainted with tears. His hand resting against the gasping prince's chest as he fought to keep breathing.

"Yes, my idiot prince. You are my love." The words barely reached him as his vision became fuzzy with lack of air and pain enveloped him in it's cold embrace. Damn it. He really wanted to stay this time.

1875

A/N ...how are we liking it so far?