Not Always a Rainbow

Akihana waits quietely as Her Grace comes to terms with the new reality, her narrow frame out of the way of the royal's grief but ready nontheless should the Queen require assistance of a medical pursuasion. She watches the priests perform the final rites of the fallen princess and she watches Arthur through it all, standing as though carved from stone, a pillar for his Aunt. Akihana had never really been the strong one, preferring to envelope people like a warm blanket, sweeping up all their pain to herself and leaving them blissfully unhurt. She couldn't do what he was doing, not even if she tried.

When the princess was taken away and her promised prince finally felt safe at leaving his Aunt's side, the blonde lowered her golden lashes respectfully. She had never understood before today what it really meant to be royalty. Why the gowns and jewels and fanfare were neccesary. Queen Shiera had always said those were synbols, things that gave people hope. But as Akihana watched the prince make his way to her, the quiet strength exuding from him just as plainly as the waves of grief that perhaps only she could sense, the kunoichi truly understood what the queen had tried to tell her all those months ago.

The things weren't what gave the citizens hope, it was the people who were adorned by the things. As Prince Arthur came to her, he would have been a prince regardless of the finary that swathed his frame. His blood and lineage would never be contested regardless of what he wore and how he weilded a weapon.

The stregnth of kings was the most prominant trait in the young man.

"No debt can be owed your highness," she answered. "I apologize if it isn't my place but that is not how friendship works, not the way I learned it anywsy."

With that, the blonde dropped into a neat curtsy before rising tall once again. "I'll be in Her Majesty's chambers with medication to help her rest when she's ready. " She was about to offer him some form of medical solace too when the kunoichi stopped herself. It definitely wasn't her place.

"Please excuse me," she managed instead and disappeared in a bright glint of gold, dispersing with the light.

(Exit Akihana)

Total Word Count: 3487

3000 towards Mastery for Hikariton: Disperse
400 towards 4 AP
87 words to charity

Approved of Appropriate Rewards

His smile is genuine at the Ladies words and he inclines his head in thanks, despite the steel still present in his eyes. "You still have my gratitude, Friend Akari." Is his answer, she's no Princess he decides with a warm smile cutting through the sadness, he wouldn't even call her a Shinobi..No, Lady Akari isn't even a Knight.
She is a true Lady of the Healing Arts, a Heart of Gold and bedside manner to match, in his old Kingdom and culture she would be a treasure that King's would Men and Women alike would gladly go to war for, just like Fair Helen across the sea. It'd be easy to be smitten with her, but..not Arthur, he can see the pain deep inside of her fragile heart as she tries desperately to stand firm..To fill the role of a Princess..Which is much too cruel a station for one such as her.

His eyes close as she vanishes and he dips his head blonde locks covering his eyes briefly, how much longer will Hoshigakure suffer this onslaught? When will this black cloud be cast aside so that the Stars may shine again over this Land? He does something very improper and runs a frustrated hand through his hair and indulges in a sigh, then..He goes and sits beside his Aunt, ever-vigilant..Until he's sure she makes it to her room at night.
Then? He rides, he sneaks out, grabs hold of the reigns of Aggro and flies from the gates like the Silver streak that is his Families name-sake, the Silver Dragon's are said to be the swiftest of the Pendragon along with being the chosen Defenders of Excalibur along with the ones who choose when it is time to use the Blade...
Now is not that time, but as Arthur rides hard and fast, Aggro always compassionate to his Friends feelings, indulges in the freedom of the green fields.

The pain of loss is not something new to the Prince, it's been a companion of his since his Grandfather passed at Age Five and it was ever close when his Mother and Father spoke their last to him. But now his pain is echoed by an entire country, now people are suffering under his watch and it's his duty to relieve them of that pain in anyway he can...
But for now? He rides, he rides to remember, he rides to forget, he rides to be strong..And he rides so for a few hours, he can be weak.
Like tales of the glowing Fey in the night, Arthur and Aggro under the moonlight appear ethereal glowing subtly as they cut a path through the trails and the forests of the night...Meeting a figure during one evening.


[Exit, topic closed, Final WC; 4,517 claiming 22 Stats, feel free to correct my math if I'm wrong and then point and laugh.]