Kazekumo no Kakyuuhime

It had been several long, boring days since that event� the Gala. Celes now walked with Locke down a narrow street in the city of Mau. They both wore their usual outfits and carried duffel bags containing other articles of clothes and a bit of food.

It was odd how the two had so easily gotten out of that nerve-wrecking scene� Locke had been badly injured and there was nothing the ex-General could�ve done for him. But now� yes, now they were on their way to meet with Locke�s savior- the gorgeous young woman who had been a special guest of the Gala� They remembered not her name, but she had invited them to her home.

Her home, anyway, was a large pastel-green and white castle. Not a medieval style one at that, but a marvelous, decorative Heian Period Japanese castle. This young woman who had healed Locke with her amazing magical powers was a princess of a small region called Aetheus. Mau was the capital city; and the place in that city the two stood now was before the great gate of the Kazekumo no Shiro (or Kazekumo Castle).

This princess would surely have it in her power to aid the two lost strangers�

When the guards of Kazekumo saw who their guests were, they opened the gate humbly. In total silence, one of them motioned for them to follow after him, and they did, both remaining in quiet during their venture. On the way to the room where they were to meet the princess, they took in many beautiful statues, all modeled from the ages of feudal Japan. The doors to each room were elaborate fusuma (sliding Japanese-style doors) painted with green and trimmed with gold. It was like nothing the two Returners had ever seen before�

And then they were led before two gargantuan fusuma, painted all in gold. On the paper sections were painted numerous designs of dragons and Oni; Tengu and Kappa (all different mythical Japanese creatures). Two servants wearing very untraditional and unfamiliar kimono slid the doors apart. Locke and Celes were lead into the throne room, which was indescribable.

Servants, guards, sages, and warriors all rested on seats around the room, leading up to a large chair in which the princess sat. Her long red hair was split into two unusual tresses and the top of her head graced with an ash-gray crown. A sleeveless multi-colored dress clung tightly to her body. Small yellow gentian flowers were stuck in her hair for decoration, as well as to match the gentian-shaped spot on her forehead�the source of her magical power.

Her crimson eyes warmly greeted her guests. "Welcome! I am very glad to meet you again." Almost seeming to read Celes� mind, she quickly spoke again, "My name is Princess Kakyuu Asakaji, but please call me Kakyuu." She smiled with simple elegance, and began a decent down the long staircase.

"Your castle is really� incredible, princess," Locke said, eyes still wandering around his surroundings to take everything in.

But Kakyuu hardly paid his compliment attention. As she neared the couple, her face grew serious. "The reason I have called you here is to give you my guidance� but doing so may place all of us in great danger." She drew in a breath. "At the Gala, the main reason I helped you was because of my strong dislike towards General Kagetsuki. I don�t trust him."

Celes� eyes smirked. �So that�s his name� Kagetsuki��

The princess went on, "I have long been friends with the Empress Saishirou, and was delighted to hear of her taking the throne of Calista. As a friend and subordinate ruler, I was invited as a special guest. When I saw Kagetsuki gazing suspiciously out of that window, I knew something was going on."

"So. I see," Celes said with understanding in response to the explanation. "So how can you help us?"

Getting so close to the two that they could smell not only her perfume but also the scent of the gentians in her hair, the princess warily spoke, "I know of the Returners." Her delicate face showed great worry, and she called an attendant to her side. Celes and Locke were shocked and overjoyed, but said nothing. They kept their expressions as calm as possible.

"Kakyuu-sama, how may I help your highness?"

"Atashitachiwo yuukyouhe tsukisoite kudasai," Kakyuu spoke to her servant, intentionally in her foreign tongue that Celes assumed to be Japanese.

"Hai, heika."

The three were led away by the servant. Kakyuu assured Locke and Celes that everything was okay, but they had to go to another room so they could discuss matters privately.

�Geez,� Celes thought to herself with a quick roll of her eyes, �I bet Locke and I are calmer than this princess! She seems a little paranoid��

But the measures Kakyuu was taking were the best that could be done. She knew that there might be a spy among her court. The matter was so delicate� she had to protect these guests to her world to the best of her ability. If Kagetsuki got the best of them, there was no telling what imbalance may occur�