Of Differing Opinions part 1

"So," smirked Tatsumi. "What were you going to say, Your Majesty?"

"I said all I wanted to."

The three of them were in Asahi's office once again. He had just finished court and it was the first time he had been alone with his friends since the delegation from the Fox clan arrived.

Unlike most of the places in the palace, Asahi's personal office was simpler in design. He preferred less ornamentations than his predecessors. The walls were white, his windows only had thin curtains for the shade and the central table was made of sturdy oak. His friends' tables were of the same quality yet smaller in size.

"What happened to," Tatsumi crossed his arms and spoke in a high-pitch voice. "I have no need for some ancient clan of mountain dwellers to watch my every move. Stay a few days, see the sights then leave and do not bother me again!"

With Tatsumi's hard features, it made him look silly. Asahi would have laughed if he wasn't the butt of the joke. So, he did the only thing he could do. He threw a crumpled paper at Tatsumi`s head which he effortlessly dodged. Asahi crossed his arms and glowered at his friend.

Tatsumi was taller than Asahi and a bit broader. His hair was unbound and fell on his shoulders. Tatsumi's sword was strapped on his back.

He was a warrior and the best in swordsmanship. He was also the charmer of their group. Getting along with all kinds of people seemed to be his greatest talent.

"I was drunk." Asahi grabbed the unsigned papers on the pretense of reading them to hide his burning cheeks.

"I guess I can take that excuse," his friend said. "But that doesn't explain why you can't take your eyes off the princess. Were you drunk in her beauty then?"

"She was standing in front of me," Asahi snapped. "It is only natural that I look at her!"

"Stop teasing him."

Natsuo meanwhile was of average height, lean and wore glasses. His hair was thick and black, a ribbon always holding it neatly in place. His clothes were the opposite though. Crumpled collars and ink-stained sleeves were his usual look.

He preferred the company of books rather than people. Natsuo was the most mature among the three of them and he only spoke when he had something important to say. Natsuo and Tatsumi were TOTAL opposites yet, Asahi was certain that they would risk life and limb to help one another.

"Oh, I haven't forgotten about you," Tatsumi turned to Natsuo. "You didn't think I saw your slack jaw when she entered, did you?"

Natsuo's gaze was suddenly fixed on his papers. "I told you that my grandfather told me tales about the Fox clan ever since I was a child. Of course, I was surprised to see them in the flesh, that is all."

"Oh really?"

"Why are you grilling us about this anyway," Asahi asked, his narrowed eyes focused on Tatsumi. "It's not as if you have room to talk here."

A gaggle of ladies always followed Tatsumi wherever they went. They would trip over themselves to capture his attention. In turn, Tatsumi never picked a favorite and showered them with equal affection. Why choose one when I can have them all, was his motto in life.

"Just curious, that`s all." He grinned.

Asahi scowled at that. He didn't like the fact that Tatsumi, of all people, had interrogated him about this. If he had noticed, could other people have as well?

Members of the Imperial family were trained to keep their face blank. Emotions could be a powerful tool, so they must keep theirs hidden. Asahi never mastered it though.

Asahi wasn't certain what to expect from the Fox clan but a real doll hiding in silk was the furthest from his mind. Princess Shiori didn't give anything away about her business in the palace and had stood her ground under the might of one of his father's powerful advisors. Asahi would have applauded her if he could.

"Besides, Princess Shiori is not just a pretty face," Natsuo commented. "Or else, Saru Nobunaga wouldn't have looked that way."

Asahi wholeheartedly agreed with that assessment. Princess Shiori was not just beautiful, she had a keen mind and a sharp tongue. But with that said, doubts still niggled Asahi's mind. Surely, Princess Shiori didn't travel all the way here just so she could watch his every movement and deem him worthy of the throne? Who was the Fox clan to offer such opinions? Asahi was their ruler and they were his subjects.

Do they really have such a power? Would the people listen to them if they spoke against him? Aside from those questions, Asahi couldn't stop thinking about the princess. With the courage she'd shown, Asahi would do well to be careful in her presence.

it irked him greatly that Natsuo had stared at her. Asahi technically did the same, but he saw her first. She even let him escort her. Granted, to refuse would have been the height of rudeness but still.

Asahi slammed the papers he was holding and scowled. This childish jealousy over the Princess was troubling. He barely knew her yet, his reactions were already this intense.

"No one had ever proven anything about the accident that killed the second Prince." Said Tatsumi.

"I know," Natsuo replied. "But if someone knows something, it would be the Fox clan."

That was the last straw. Asahi stood and swiftly marched to the door. He was already turning the handle when he heard Tatsumi calling him.

"Where are you going, Your Majesty?"

"I'm going to see how our guest is settling in."

"You could just ask Shiro about it, you know," Tatsumi suggested, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Since he's her cousin and all?"

"Let him be," interjected Natsuo. "His Majesty just found an excuse to see the Princess, let's just pretend we didn't notice."

"Alright, alright. You'll tell us what you find out, won't you, Your Majesty?"

"Let's hope he doesn't forget."

Asahi made a vulgar gesture at his friends and slammed the door when he left. Even Natsuo made fun of him now. Dammit, he would bury them in paperwork at the soonest opportunity.