The Visiting Kings

"Achoo! Achoo!" The King of Kouri wiped his runny nose with a handkerchief. He had been sneezing nonstop ever since they got back from the Kasai royal garden. They were about to leave for their kingdom and the palace people had re-assembled by the front door to bid him farewell. He was going to miss Kasai. It was very rare for him to leave Kouri and visit his childhood friends nowadays.

"Are you alright Horo-Horo?" Prince Yoh looked at his friend with concern.

"I'm alright, Yoh. It must have been the flowers. I'm allergic to some of them. They are beautiful but very dangerous for me. That's why I usually stay indoors when the butterbur flowers begin to bloom in Kouri. The fields look magical. Come with Tamao and Anna to see for yourselves. Well, maybe when you're not grounded anymore and the girls have cooled their heads."

King Horokeu took a quick glance at his friend's fiancée who glowered at him. It would take some time before the pink-haired girl would forgive him. He did not really mean to steal a kiss from her. It was his first kiss, too.

He then grinned at Yoh's personal maid, Anna among the lined up servants. She also responded in the same infuriated manner as Tamao.

"Actually, I'm referring to your swollen right cheek," the Kasai heir whispered at him.

"This is JUST an allergic reaction, Yoh," he said with a tinge of embarrassment.

On the contrary, it was a nice-to-meet you gift from the blond girl who slapped him hard when he tried to kiss her hand as they were introduced. Perhaps, she was not used to such regal gestures or perhaps she realized that he was hitting on her but did not like him as well.

The cute girls in Kasai are really strong but quick-tempered and they only have their eyes on Yoh. I need to start looking for a bride or else I would end up with no heir. The king of Kouri thought.

"I must be going now before the sun sets in," he climbed into the carriage followed by his bodyguard Tona. He then opened the window and peered out from it.

"Thanks for the hospitality King Miki and Queen Keiko! I have enjoyed my short stay here."

The king of Kasai nodded curtly. "You are always welcome to our kingdom. Please extend my invitation to your father. It's been years since I have last seen Lycan."

"Ahhhh King Miki, it's been years since my father has last seen your face as well." The Kouri king's statement elicited laughter from everyone except the Kasai monarch.

"Take care on your way," King Mikihisa bowed down ignoring the sniggering from behind.

"Have a safe trip King Horokeu!" the palace personnel said in unison.

"Bye people of Kasai!" he made his final salute then off the carriage went.

At the Kouku palace dining hall...

"So how are things going on here?" King Yuan asked his royal counterpart from across the table. He was invited over by his ally kingdom's ruler to dine with him that night. "You know my wife would be pissed that I would be missing dinner at home so this should really be important."

The newly-appointed king of Kouku waved at the servants to leave them as soon as they had settled the food on the table.

"And something confidential I assume.." King Yuan gulped down his red wine.

"I'm still trying to gain the favor of the people by going around town and overseeing projects to ensure their completion."

"A good move for a new king, I might say but I don't think boasting of your early accomplishments for this kingdom is the real reason you had invited me here."

"You're right," King Ryuuken Tori eyed the Kaminari monarch. "This is about the spy mission I sent to the other side of the land."

King Yuan's eyes gleamed with interest. "Go on.. You have my full attention." He filled his goblet with more wine.

"My men had confirmed it. They have been digging new tunnels and receiving crates of weapons from ships disguised as merchant vessels at night. I do think they are preparing for a third war against us."

The Tao king banged his fists on the table. "I knew it! We have to take action NOW. We'll crush them before they can attack us!"

"I'm sure you of all people know what an unplanned and rushed decision could result to, Your Highness." The Kouku monarch reminded his ally. "Remember them?"

King Yuan turned grim, "Yes, you're absolutely right but when are you planning to open it? That would put everything in motion."

"When the right time comes…"