by JK Ensley
Gabriel tenderly kissed the top of her head and then rested his cheek there. “My most precious prisoner, yes.”
Jenevier rolled her eyes. “Spare me the kindness, Brother.” She looked toward the dark-haired Arch still standing out on her balcony. “What did he call you here to do to me, Raphael? Kill me again?”
“Naga,” Raphael scolded. “Do not say such as that. I never meant to—”
“You are letting her play with your emotions, Brother. I swore an oath to Naga—I will never harm her.” Gabriel sighed softly. “I am only ensuring that I can keep said oath. She is hell-bent on interfering where she should not.”
“But…” Raphael took a step closer. “You can surely understand why she feels the way she does.”
“Of course I can understand it,” Gabriel said. “Yet I cannot condone it. I have not the time to hold her until this war sees its end. If you wish her to remain safe and whole, then put her to sleep.”
“Put me to sleep?” Jenevier’s eyes widened. “Raphael, don’t you dare.”
“It won’t hurt, little sister. I promise.” He moved closer. “Gabriel is right. Just for a little while. Okay?”
“No! It most certainly is not okay.”
“Do not try to reason with her, Brother,” Gabriel said. “If such a thing were possible, I would have accomplished it by now.”
When Raphael made no move to obey his wishes, Gabriel sighed softly.
“Think about it, Raph,” he whispered. “If she goes there… who do you think will be sent to stop her?”
Raphael pursed his lips together, tears fast filling his chocolate brown eyes.
“Do you believe Michael will simply put her to sleep?”
Raphael silently shook his head.
“Nor do I,” Gabriel whispered. “If you love her as much as I know you do, you will help her… whether she wants it or not.”
“…For how long?” Raphael’s voice cracked with his words.
“For as long as it takes.”
Raphael sniffed. “And what if she is summonsed?”
“Then… you will wake her.”
*****
“This is completely absurd,” Yui said, gently brushing back the curls from his precious wife’s fair face. “What about eating and drinking and training?”
Raphael glanced up at the fretting Emperor, then back to his sleeping sister. “She only does such things out of habit and a feeling of normalcy. They are no longer necessary.”
“And do you plan on lying there beside her the whole time?” Yui snapped.
“I am simply easing her into peace,” Raphael whispered. “I will ensure her rest for a while, but I will have to return daily.”
“He should stay with her through the night, tonight,” Gabriel said. “But, no… he does not have to lie beside her.”
Raphael shot a harsh glare toward the other Arch, before turning a gentle gaze back to Jenevier. “Yet, she will not wake until I let her. Someone should check on her, often.”
“I don’t believe that will be a problem,” Yui half hissed.
“Try to understand, Emperor,” Gabriel said. “We have simply chosen the lesser of two evils.”
“If she had gone to Ashgard,” Raphael said. “You may never have been able to look upon her again.”
“May?” Yui said.
“We could not be certain what Naga would do, so we cannot be certain of the outcome,” Gabriel said. “But judging by her past actions…”
“…Yes,” Yui whispered. “I understand.”
*****
“We will work in shifts,” Yui said, glancing around at her worried loved ones. “I am not as confident in her safety as are the Archs. If Naga’s stalker remains, then he knows as much as we do.”
“That she sleeps and can only be woken by Raphael,” Lala said, tears filling her eyes.
“Yes,” Yui said. “So you see why it is so important that we do not leave Naga alone. If this Rixx person wished to take her, now would be the time.” He sighed. “Very well, then… I will sleep with her, of course, and I will never be far. Alas, I must see to my royal duties as well. When I must hold court, I want someone I trust by her side.”
“I will do first thing in the mornings,” Lala said. “I don’t really like waking up, anyway. When dawn comes, I will just crawl into bed with Obaasan.”
Duhrias chuckled. “I will come as well. Lala sleeps like a log. If someone were to enter—”
“That’s mean, Dimples,” she said, pouting.
The River Spirit only chuckled again.
“I am sure our time with Mama will overlap,” Tenshi said. “Yui just wishes to be certain that each person who attends her understands that they cannot leave her side.”
“Yes.” Yui nodded. “During your appointed shift, you will not leave this room until the next person assigned comes to relieve you.”
Mika hummed softly before speaking. “What he means is… it matters not if twenty people are gathered here. If you have the morning shift, Lala, you cannot so much as walk out into the hallway until I come in at noon to take your place. Understand?”
“Yes, Mama,” Lala said. “I understand. So… if I’m doing mornings and you’re coming in at noon, who shall sit with her in the evenings?”
“I will,” Munenori said.
“Like hell you will,” Tenshi mumbled. “I will relieve Mika in the afternoon/evening hours.”
“Very good,” Yui said. “I will continue to spend every night by her side. Lala, you will come in at dawn and stay until your mother shows up with noon tea. Tenshi.” The Emperor turned toward him. “Starting today, we will take our evening meal together, here, on the balcony.”
Tenshi nodded his understanding.
“After dinner, you will stay with her until I can put the day’s business to rest. At which time, I will return and remain with her until dawn.”
“What if an emergency arises?” Munenori asked.
“Daichi will be our back-up,” Tenshi said coolly. “If a problem arises during any shift, summon him immediately. If he is otherwise engaged, he will send one of the other Archs.” The beautiful blue Angel narrowed his gaze. “We’ve got this, Munenori. Mama is not your concern.”
“You are free to come and stay as long and as often as you wish,” Yui added. “But we will split the appointed shifts up amongst her immediate family. You are her beloved Senpai. Naga would feel safe knowing that you were watching over her.”
When Munenori bowed toward the Emperor, Tenshi snorted and rolled his eyes.
“Raphael told me he would be by daily,” Yui said. “When he comes, see that you do not hinder him.” He looked over to his sleeping wife. “While I do not necessarily approve of their methods, the Archs are only seeing to her welfare.”
“But… why?” Lala whispered.
“Because, little one.” Tenshi pulled his daughter close and kissed the side of her head. “Your Obaasan can have one seriously wicked temper, especially when someone she loves is in danger.”
“As it should be,” Munenori whispered.
Son of my Guardian!
Tenshi looked down from the balcony to see Nilakanta in the field below.
Heaven nor hell could move me from this spot. More Dragons landed while he was speaking. Naga will be fine.
Tenshi only smiled.
“Hey, Goemon!” Lala yelled, waving. “Come on up. Grandpapa brought me some new books. I think you’re gonna like them.”
The young Shinobi waved back as he dismounted Kin-Ryu. When Lala hurried out of the room, Taka twittered after her.
“Bloody hell,” Duhrias mumbled under his breath before turning to go.
Mika giggled softly. “As far as watchers go… Mistress Naga will have plenty.”
“Yes.” Yui smiled. “And if her fierce Dragon could actually fit inside this room… there would be no stopping him.”
Munenori smiled to himself. As it should be.
*****
By the
end of the third week, Yui was more than just a little cross. When Raphael showed up for his regular visit, the Emperor let the Arch know exactly how he was feeling.
“Do you not believe enough time has passed, Angel?”
Raphael glanced over at the pretty, ageless ninja. “Fear not. When Gabriel says the time is right, I will wake her.”
“Why is it Gabriel’s decision?”
“In truth, I agree with my golden brother. I didn’t want to do it, no.” He lowered his voice. “I wish there could have been another way.”
“Did you even try to think of another way?”
Raphael smiled. “She holds sway with me, fair Emperor. Were it possible, I would have chained your lovely wife to my side and kept her awake. We would have watched from afar and witnessed Ashgard’s strife together. But you know how she is, little ninja. You know this beautiful woman’s fire, do you not? She would have talked me into joining her there. I know she would have. Gabriel knew it too. Had I been given charge over her… Michael would have us both bound in darkness by now.”
“Michael?”
Raphael nodded. “You have yet to meet that fierce brother of ours. He is as straight as they come. There are no grey areas where Michael is concerned. It is either black or white, period. When the rest of us fail her, he will step in. Had she gone to Ashgard…” He shuddered. “No, dear Emperor. This is what was best for Naga… and all who love her.”
Yui sighed as he sat down. “The war on Ashgard is well underway now. The initial clash is always the deadliest. Since her loved ones yet live… perhaps you could convince her that they can handle this, minus her help. Why don’t you just try? Wake her, Raphael. Wake her and see how she reacts.”
“Give it more time, Your Grace,” Raphael said softly. “The war has started, yes. Alas, it is far from over. And such being the case, what you hope for is simply not possible. Tell me. What good would it do to keep her safe all this time, only to wake her now… and lose her in the next instant?”
Yui sort of huffed out a grunt and looked away.
“If you are weary, Emperor, I will gladly take this shift.” Raphael spoke while staring lovingly at Jenevier’s sleeping face. “Saddle your horse and go for a ride. Meet with your kinsmen and share in a drink. Go for a long swim under the gentle moonlight. It doesn’t matter, just get out of the palace for a bit and take a deep breath. Worry not for my precious sister. I will not leave her side. I promise.”
“I do not need a breather, Angel. I do not tire of sleeping with my beautiful wife. And I sure as hell am not letting you take my place.” He mumbled that last part. “My anger is not born from my needs. I am vexed on behalf of Naga, not because of her. When you finally let her wake, there will be hell to pay. Very. Bloody. Hell. You know this as well as I do. If you could but wake her on occasion and tell her all is well… I believe things would go much better in the end.”
“I cannot,” Raphael whispered. “It’s too risky.”
Yui balled his hands into fists. “Then I will hold her while you do. Naga would never harm me to free herself.”
“That’s not it, pretty little ninja.” Raphael played with one of her curls as he spoke. “If this precious Angel opens her eyes right now and asks for my support, I would willingly help her slay the whole of Ashgard… and be back in time for tea.”
The Arch’s words were hard to hear, only because Yui knew them to be absolutely true. The Emperor of Jinn swallowed hard, yet ceased his prior pleading.
Gabriel is the only one thinking straight, Yui thought. The only one looking to the future… and all its possible ramifications. He sighed. I will leave well-enough alone… for today.
*****
Dawn slowly lit up their quiet room. Yui kissed Lala on the forehead as she crawled into bed beside her Obaasan, while he made ready to leave.
“Hold to her hand, Lala,” he softly whispered. “Remember… do not part until your mother arrives.”
Lala only mumbled and nodded before curling up close to Jenevier and drifting back off to sleep.
Yui watched them a moment more—his two favorite women in the universe—smiling as his heart warmed at the precious sight of their gentle sleeping faces.
I am truly blessed beyond my worth, he thought, as he quietly closed the door.
Jenevier didn’t move. She remained as she had been for the last few weeks. Alas, the same did not hold true for her precious raven-haired Princess.
Lala furrowed her brow, stirring—wrestling uncomfortably within her darkening dreams. Her eyes suddenly sprang open, yet her consciousness was still lost to sleep. A different entity now peered through the unknowing Princess’s sparkling sapphires.
“Ahh… my treasure… my Jenevier,” Lala whispered, in a deep voice not belonging to her. “Oh, how I have missed you, my love. Missed looking upon your angelic face, touching your magically painted hair.”
While the young Princess yet slept, she reached up and twisted Jenevier’s sapphire curl around her finger.
“Why did I gift you with that horrible trinket? What in the universe ever possessed me to do such an incomprehensible thing? Madness must have claimed me. To think that I could live throughout all eternity without ever being able to glance upon your lovely face once more—yes, pure madness.”
Ahriman tenderly kissed Jenevier’s scarred cheek with Lala’s pale lips.
“In so doing… I have erred, my love. Erred greatly. Something I am not well known for, ‘tis true… and something that will not happen twice.” He buried his nose in her curls and inhaled deeply. “Oooh… how I have missed you, my Princess.”
Jenevier didn’t move—a frozen doll, minus her will.
Ahriman kissed her once more… before whispering the words that should never have been spoken.
*****
Mika came in with the tea-laden tray at noon. The dainty porcelain crashed to the ground when she found her beloved Empress sleeping all alone. She ran from the room just as Munenori burst through the door.
“What has happened?” he demanded.
“I know not,” Mika said, running down the hall, swinging Lala’s door wide.
The invisible Shinobi sighed and nearly collapsed when she found her precious daughter sound asleep, curled up in her own bed.
“What’s going on?” Tenshi said as he reached Mika’s trembling form. “Nilakanta is threatening to tear the whole side of the palace off.”
“Your mother is fine. Munenori is with her now,” Mika said, breathlessly. “Please, reassure her Dragon.”
“As soon as you tell me what’s going on, I will.”
“I don’t know what’s going on, Tenshi.” Relieved tears began to streak down Mika’s fair cheeks. “When I came for my shift, Lala wasn’t there. Fear seized me. I thought she had been taken.”
“Taken?” Tenshi looked from his still sleeping daughter back to his wife. “Where is Duhrias?”
Mika silently shook her head.
Tenshi growled. “Why would Yui leave Mama unattended? Lala.” He shook her shoulder. “Lala! What are you doing sleeping here? Why aren’t you with Naga?”
Lala blinked a couple of times before looking around. She quickly sat up.
“How did I get here?” she mumbled.
Gasping loudly, the confused young Princess leapt from the bed and ran down the hall.
“Obaasan!” she yelled as she burst into the room, followed closely by her worried parents.
Munenori looked from them, back out to the balcony. “Rest easy, Dragon. It seems all is well with your Guardian and her loved ones.”
Nilakanta blew a large puff of hot air into the room—sending the sheers flying about in a frenzied fit—before slowly lowering himself back to the ground.
“Explain yourself, Princess,” Munenori said coolly.
“Don’t you dare speak to my—”
Tenshi’s words were cut short when Mika placed her hand to his chest, but remained silent, waiting.
Lala looked aroun
d nervously before clearing her throat. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispered. “I remember coming in here this morning… crawling into bed with Obaasan.”
“Then how do you explain your absence when your mother arrived?”
Lala met Munenori’s stern gaze and swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know. The last thing I remember was when Uncle Yui kissed me good-bye. I remember because he had on his dark purple scarf. It makes his eyes sparkle. It’s my favorite, yet he rarely wears it,” she mumbled quietly.
“And where is Naga’s Knight?” Munenori continued. “Why did you come here all alone? Has he not been keeping vigil by her bed as well?”
Lala nodded. “He has, yes.” She glanced toward her parents. “But he left early this morning to go with Goemon. They were gonna do Dragon stuff, or something. I’m not sure.”
“Why didn’t you tell someone? Has the River Spirit not been joining you because you have been sleeping abnormally deep for abnormally long periods of time, as of late?”
She bit her lip before answering Jenevier’s enraged Senpai. “That is true, yes.”
“Then explain yourself,” Munenori demanded.
Mika felt Tenshi’s growl forming deep within his chest, but their daughter’s anger burst forth first.
“It’s been well over three weeks now, Angel,” she spat. “Nothing has happened. Nothing! Just because Dimples wished to spend a few hours with a friend, doesn’t mean I have to hunt you down and ask for permission.”
“I never said you had to tell me!” He motioned towards Jenevier. “Because of your arrogance, your stupidity…” He ignored Tenshi’s warning growl. “…your precious Obaasan—the light of Jinn—was left unattended in her forced slumber.”
“But I—”
Munenori cut her off. “Had you but told your father, told anyone that her sworn Knight was leaving the two of you fast asleep and all alone, this would never have happened.”
“That’s enough, Angel,” Tenshi said through a growl.
Munenori continued, “What if, God forbid, that bloody Nephilim came and stole her away, stole both of you away? What then? Knowing that, would you have been too proud to hunt me down and ask for permission?”
