The Emperor's Rose

Chapter 51// The Emperor and Goro

Aiko was as pale as snow. Her small and thin figure hidden in the richly embroidered kimono. Her black hair spilling messily around her relaxed face. Her eyes closed. Her cheeks were slightly pink. Her lips chapped and almost white. She smelled strongly of medicine, and she was safely enclosed in the Emperor's arms. Her forehead was warm. Her body shaken by small quakes.

Fumi's body had been momentarily forgotten. Dark clouds had rolled over the castle. Almost revealing the chaotic sadness of the moment. Soft rain started pattering on the roof, soon turning into thunder. Fumi's long hair slowly got drenched. A few droplet sliding underneath her eyes. Making the once cold and manipulative woman seem fragile and broken, as what she really had been.

If the Emperor could have, he would have kept Aiko in his arms forever, stopping the moment and staring at her relaxed face for eternity. He wasn't thinking of room and how it had been stained with death. Her face was calm, and not etched with fury, pain or anger. But a problem surged to stop the calming moment.

Goro was still standing in the middle of the destroyed room.

Lightening cracked outside. The pale winter light all gone. The wind was ordering the trees around. They bowed in respect as their leaves and branches were thrown everywhere.

Goro's repulsive aura was clearly showing. It licked the edge of his body and stained the air. It was something the Emperor had been blind to before.
Goro's eyes scanned Aiko's body. Searching for anything they could devour hungrily. His pupils dancing frantically.

The Emperor tucked her legs under his, and pulled her closer to his chest. Aiko mumbled in her sleep, snuggling closer to the Emperor. Oblivious to the crackling tension.

Goro's hand twitched almost imperceptibly. His eyes were almost as dark as the Emperor's, but nothing could beat the demon that swirled inside the Emperor's. Goro licked his lips. His wet and slimy tongue slowly passing on his cracked lips. "Oh come on Hisato," he said in almost teasing tone. "Remember when we were young, we used to peek in the girls' rooms and try and spy on them in the baths? Take that kimono off Aiko. She didn't let me finish what I started a few days ago." He grumbled.

The Emperor saw black. Venom shot through his veins, staining them. Everything fell immediately in the shadows. Fire igniting his heart.

His hands tightened on Aiko's shoulder. His nails digging in her skin so much Aiko stirred in her sleep.

Without thinking, the Emperor gently lifted her to bed. Goro smiled, thinking that the Emperor had agreed. The Emperor laid her carefully on the bed, laying her on a destroyed pillow. It had once been beautiful, just like the bind the two men had shared. Goro slithered in next to him. His hands yearning for Aiko's candid skin. His hand finally gave up and reached for the kimono, but he was stopped.

The Emperor tightened his hand into a fist. He turned around and slammed his punch against Goro's jaw. Goro flew away. A bruise forming.

The Emperor shook his hand as he felt it tingle. Goro fell against a rice paper screen leading to the wardrobe, but the impact was too much. He pushed easily through it. Goro stood up, his feet wobbly. Pure shock reflecting on his face.

"Why would I ever show you my woman?" The Emperor hissed. "Her body is for my eyes only."

Goro laughed, cracking his neck. "We all know women are only toys, what more could they be? You said so yourself once." Goro recalled. His smile a blood curdling one. He walked tentatively back inside the room, ready to fight. His jaw purple. His eyes puffy from the impact. 

"I was wrong. Aiko is intelligent, she is sweet and kind. Even if I hate it, she has the courage to stand up to me! The Emperor! She lived a hard life, but she turned out wonderfully! SHE IS MORE THAN JUST A TOY!" The Emperor roared. His words resonating in the room.

"My my Hisato, how much has this futile woman changed you?" He spat. His tone pure venom.

"She has changed me for the better! And I will not tolerate what you said before! And I will not forgive what you did to Aiko when I wasn't there!" The Emperor yelled. His eyes swirling into pure, black voids. His lips trembled.

"Who's fault was it that she was alone with me? You left with Akihfumi! You left me with her! What else could that mean?"

"EVERYTHING BUT THAT!" The Emperor hissed, launching his fist towards Goro. Goro was smiling before he saw the Emperor's eyes. They were as full as blood lust as they could ever be. The demon that nestled in them had turned into a Shinigami. Goro started trembling. He had angered the Emperor, past the point of no return. And he was terrified.