Miku - Chapter 2

Miku walked to the window of her room. All she could see through the thick trees was the tops of faraway buildings. She pressed her nose to the glass until it was too foggy to see out of.

“Princess, the Emperor would like to speak to you.” A guard called through the door.

“Alright.” She mumbled. She looked down at her outfit, nice jeans and a blouse. It would have to do. She walked through the door and glided down the hallways of the Imperial Palace. Guards followed her at a distance, but she paid them no attention. She refused to socialize with them.

The doors to the throne room opened when she got to them. She didn’t look at the guards who had opened them for her. As far as she was concerned, they weren’t there. She looked her aging father in the eyes but did not speak. He was of course dressed as the Emperor. She had never cared for the ceremonial wardrobe she was provided.

“Miku,” He greeted, she bowed slightly in return, “I have been discussing with Katashi, and we have decided something.” He gestured to the man to his right. Katashi was head of security for the royal family. He wasn’t very old, but he was very smart. Miku thought he was ruggedly handsome, even though he doubled her age.

“Yes, Princess. With the attacks of the Taka-Gyangu, we have decided you need a personal guard. Someone to follow you and protect you.” Katashi said. Miku stared at both of them with disgust and shock.

“Why would you even suggest that?” She cried. The Emperor jumped at her outburst, but Katashi had seen her throw a tantrum countless times. And countless more time than her father.

“We believe it to be safest. You do know that they are after you.” Katashi said. Miku looked at him and shook her head fiercely. She turned out and ran from the room. Katashi followed her out of the room, walking calmly for the sake of his dignity.

He found her in a remote corner of the palace, staring at the wall. Tears were running down her face and she refused to look at him. “Why are they after me anyway?” She whispered to him. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she turned to him. She buried her face in his chest and let silent tears fall onto his suit. He hugged her softly back.

“Because, princess, you are valuable. You are the Jewel of Japan.” He said to her. She pulled back and looked at him before she looked away. Her hair was disheveled and her makeup was smeared from the tears. Katashi could tell from the look in her eyes that she was thinking hard.

“Alright. I’ll get a guard.” She said. Katashi raised his eyebrow, waiting for the conditions she was sure to apply. “But he will have to be American. And I want to help pick him.” She demanded. Katashi couldn’t stop himself from laughing out loud. He look particularly handsome when he laughed, making his smile wide, and his shaggy hair get a little disheveled. Miku would have smiled with him, had she not been so serious about this.

“Princess, you can’t be serious. American? They have no skills.” He laughed. She glared at him and crossed her arms.

“I am serious. Dead serious.” She told him. His smile fell and he stared at her.

“Why, of all people, an American?” He asked her. She opened her mouth but he stopped her. “I’ve known you for a long time Miku. Before you speak, make sure it’s the truth.”

She stared at him for a long time. Why an American? Because they knew how to have fun and be crazy. He would cause trouble. She wanted someone that would entertain her. She wanted someone to boss around, and who better than an American to be bossed? “Americans think outside the box.” She told Katashi. He stared at her for a long time.

“Alright. Fine.” He said, “I’ll be in America soon.” He began to walk away but she lunged at him and grabbed his arm.

“No!” She cried, “I want to come with you.” She said. He pulled out of her grasp.

“I will speak to your father about it.” He said.

“No need. I hereby order you, as the Princess of Japan, to take me to America and to let me help you pick my guard.” She said. He gave her a sideways glance.

“Not the most graceful of orders.” He teased. She playfully nudged his arm. This is how it had used to be. He had been her guard a lot, before she turned 12. She knew that he was married, but he was hardly ever home, so she doubted how well that relationship was going. Either way, after he got married they never spoke. They had been best friends. But four years was a long time to go without being friends. It was a long time to go without having friends.

“What do you expect?” She shrugged and he laughed. They walked down the hall together in silence, and Miku wished that he would talk to her. But he didn’t of course. All because of Aimi. Her father was in Parliament, which was why she had met Katashi. Miku would never had guessed that they would have gotten married. Aimi was only six years older than Miku, which was young to get married. Miku still hated her.

The Emperor was easy to convince, but convincing Miku’s mother to let her go to America was difficult. Sora had loved to pamper Miku, from the time she was little. But she was over protective.

“Mother, please let me go to America.” Miku pleaded. Sora shook her head.

“It is too dangerous for you my dear. Besides, can you even speak English?” She asked. Miku glared at her. No matter how spoiled she was, her mother didn’t care about her talents. Especially her knack for languages. Miku switched from Japanese to English.

“I’m practically fluent, mother.” She said. Sora rose to the challenge and spoke English as well.

“Really? Would you like to tell me where you will be going in America? Will you go to the country or to the coast?” She asked. Miku thought for a moment.

“I was thinking near the coast. San Diego to be exact.” She said. Sora sighed and switched back to Japanese.

“Dearest, you wouldn’t fit in there. The travel will be hard. You won’t enjoy it.” She said softly. Miku’s face reddened and she stomped her foot.

“How would you know?” She yelled, “You never let me travel!” She said. Sora stood up tall, which did nothing, considering both of them were barely over five foot.

“You will speak to me with respect!” Sora said her voice firm and loud. The guards nearby lowered their heads and looked away from the spectacle.

Miku lowered her voice and made her lower lip tremble, “Please, mother, let me go. Just this once. Please?” She begged. Sora’s face melted and she put a hand on Miku’s cheek.

“Alright. You may go. You have one week to find someone before Katashi is to send you home.” She said. Miku bowed to her mother and scurried from the room. Once she got to her suite, she did a little victory dance.

“San Diego, here I come.” She whispered as she threw herself onto her bed.