Chapter One: Roses Have Thorns

Mako sat in the garden, enjoying the soft breeze blowing the scent of roses across her face. It was the first day of summer, and Mako loved days where she could sit out in her high walled garden to soak up the sun. In the distance she heard rapid hoofbeats and shouting. She sat up on her bench and opened her eyes just as Motoki came in and dropped to one knee.

"My beloved Queen, I come with news from the Spirit Kingdom." He stayed on one knee with his head bowed, which was unusal behavior for the Queen's lover. Mako touched the top of his head. "Rise fair lover, and tell me what tidings you bear."

Motoki lifted his head and made eye contact with Mako, she could then see the tears in his eyes. Mako slid off the bench and gathered Motoki in her arms. "My love, whatever is the matter? What ill news would bring you rushing to my garden with tears in your lovely eyes?" Motoki raised his head and placed it on Mako's shoulder.

"Mako, the Spirit Kingdom sent a message to all the Kingdoms in Majikku. The Kaze Kingdom has decided to call into effect an ancient treaty of peace that hasn't been used in 500 years, the Treaty of Heiwa. Are you familiar with it?" Mako's eyes widened at the mention of the treaty and her breathing quickened.

"You mean the treaty that was signed after war almost destroyed both lands? Why would they try to reinstate it now? We have had nothing but peace since the day it was signed. Has there been new threats?" Motoki pulled himself up onto the bench with Mako and laid her head in his lap, stroking her hair softly. "There have been no other threats, the rumor is that the Kings of North, East, South and West Kingdoms have not found themselves Queens nor do they seem particularly interested in doing so. Endymion of the Central Kingdom is the one who called for the reinstatement of the treaty with the blessing of our Queen Serenity of the Spirit Kingdom."

Mako sighed heavily, tears falling freely from her eyes. "Is there anything we can do to avoid this? What if we were to marry before the treaty can be carried out? I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Moto!" Mako was now sobbing openly, leaving tear stains on Motoki's shirt. Motoki pulled her up to a sitting postition and held her face in his hands, kissing her all over her face.

"Mako as much as this pains me to say, we shouldn't try to get around the the treaty. You are the Queen of the Earth Kingdom, you have to set a good example for your people, they look to you. How are they ever going to respect you when you make a selfish decision like this one?" At those last words, Mako shot up from the bench and glared at Motoki, her temper flaring up like a summer storm.

"SELFISH?! That is how you are going to speak of our love? Maybe then it is best that I marry a random stranger, for a stranger you are to me right now!" Mako's face was bright red and her voice carried across the ground like a boom of thunder, the air around her seemed to crackle like electricity with her anger. She spun around on one heel and stormed towards the castle.

Motoki ran after his love, calling her name in desperation. When he caught up to her, she had just made it inside the castle. "Motoki, I can't talk to you right now, I-" Motoki grabbed Mako around the waist and pushed her up against the nearest wall to give her a searing kiss. Mako pulled away, breasts heaving and face flushed.

"I'm glad you don't want to talk, because I didn't have talking in mind. Let us forget this for now." He grabbed her by the wrist and they ran towards Mako's chambers, laughing the whole way.