Firebird's Song Chapter Seventeen: A Fire Queen's Wrath

Toto leaned back, surprised at the tone.

"I mean the emperor of Kalmia is roughly a day's journey away from Alon by sea; he had over a hundred boats with him, which I personally think is a bit much for a royal escort."

Haru blinked twice before glaring into her fist.

"Of course. He even mentioned talking to Ryuichi."

Baron turned to her, confused.

"What do you mean?"

Haru faced him sharply.

"I think Unmar managed to convince Ryuichi into intimidating the emperor to take action against Alon, possibly using me as a bargaining chip. I know I didn't send an invitation, and I doubt you sent one either. Toto, can you take me to the emperor before he arrives?"

The crow hopped off the bench and grew large enough for her to sit on his back.

"I could have you home before supper, if you plan on being to the point with the emperor."

Baron quickly stepped between the bird and his wife, who was about to mount.

"Haru, I can't let you do this. You have responsibilities, love."

She smiled fondly at him and kissed his face.

"You're absolutely right. I have many responsibilities, and one of them is protecting my family. Do you doubt that I could take out the entire fleet if needed in order to protect Alon?"

He was about to say something when she kissed him on the mouth again, silencing any more protests. He squeezed her tightly.

"Besides, are you going to deny me the chance to blow off several years of repressed aggression?"

He chuckled, and helped her onto the crow.

"I'd much prefer for you to vent steam on the emperor than anyone here. I'll come with you."

"No you won't. If you're seen, they'll fire first and ask questions later. My greatest weapon is surprise, and they'll never see my wrath coming."

He laughed again, the love evident in his face as he stepped back.

"Have fun, love."

She gave an evil grin as Toto took off.

"Don't worry; I will."

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The setting sun highlighted several ships, the largest of them blackened with several charred and black spots. The cause was evident, as a young woman clapped her hands above her head, and pulled them apart to reveal an arch made of blue fire. She slammed the arch downward, and it burst apart into countless blue butterflies that danced around the deck, setting fire to everything they brushed against. The sailors didn't dare attend to the fires, trying to keep as much distance between themselves and the sapphire woman.

She turned her cold gaze to the two men trapped in a cage made of her twinkling butterflies. The older man had relieved himself on the mountain of pillows, and the slightly graying man was staring at her in horror.

"Have I made my point clear, gentleman?"

They both nodded their heads, nearly dislocating their necks. She smiled sweetly, and blinked once. All the fire immediately evaporated, only the smell and burn marks remaining. She bowed to the emperor for the last time as Toto flew down from his safe perch to grow by her side.

"Just for the record, I bear no ill will against Kalmia, but the day it wages war against Alon will be the day I burn you and your country. Now if you'll kindly excuse me, I think I hear my son calling." She delicately got onto the giant crow, which was now smirking, pleased that his new mistress was already showing more kindness than his previous master. She even waved goodbye to the emperor and the samurai she nearly was forced to marry as the large bird made a beeline towards Alon. The old emperor's face was pale, realizing how close he had come to signing his own death warrant.

"We will remember… Haru Yoshioka."

The samurai said nothing as his last hope of regaining honor faded in the distance and dimming sunlight. If anything, his eyes were colder and emptier than they were on the day he was supposed to marry the songbird. Who would have thought that a firebird was hiding behind the flute? For crying out loud; he knew Hasho Yoshioka, fought at his side in more wars than one. How could he have not have recognized the resemblance in Haru?

What a bride she would have made for him. What honor she could have brought to his family…

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Haru and Toto were still in giggles when they arrived back at the castle, her husband plainly seen to be madly pacing on top of his private tower, which was lit up by more torches than the rest of the stone palace. Toto caught the hint and sailed gracefully to the point. Baron was quick to help Haru off the crow so he could hold her.

"I take it from your gleeful expression that they got the message?"

She giggled wickedly before kissing him.

"If they didn't, than they've earned what I'm prepared to do if they ever attack." A slight crying caught her ear, and the younger queen looked over her husband's shoulder to see the older one cradling the young prince. The once tawny-haired woman smiled indulgently.

"You know, its poor diplomacy to frighten one's neighbor's into behaving."

Haru laughed, and retrieved her son to kiss his forehead.

"Perhaps, Mother, but I will die before I allow harm to come to one of my loved ones again."

The older woman smiled brighter and squeezed her daughter-in-law. She wrapped one arm around her mother-in-law, the other still around her son.

"If nothing else, I admire your passion. Good picking, Son."

He grinned, knowing that it wasn't the only thing that his mother admired about his wife.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When the crown prince Jason reached maturity, he gained the ability to shift between the cat form of his father and the human form of his mother. His descendants showed the same ability and birthmark, though displaying it in different ways. None showed aptitude for fire, the unique timing of the first cat king and his fire queen's power activation before the crown prince's birth making the fire gene a dormant one. But it is believed that the next fire elemental would be the one to release Toto's mate, however long it may take for such a child to be born.

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Lots of love to; Drifting One, Watersoul the Head Star Walker, LeafeKnight7, EarthGurdian, geminidragon76, 002fox, and Thundercat for their reviews! I love hearing what people have to say about my work, and I'm glad that some people were willing to tell me what they think!

I loved writing this story. I originally wasn't going to; it was just supposed to be pieces of a story in chapters of Nightingale's Song. But I'm glad that I ended up writing it; it's one of my personal favorites. Well, just in case no one's sick of my writing style, I'll have to post new stories next week (feel free to start pouting).

Lots of love, YarningChick.