Itami Heart to Heart

Her foresight of the incident in Dubai would only be the tip of the iceberg with regards to Naomi’s newfound precognitive powers.  The already skilled psychic was now becoming savant-like in her ability to predict the future.  This ability, which now allowed her to not just predict events that she would become aware of but any event anywhere in the world at any time, did bring with it a few burdens however.  The process of interfacing with the Eye of God was extremely taxing on her both physically and mentally, restricting her from utilising her abilities for lengthily periods of time, and attempting to get the device to focus only on a single, continuous action was even a task in of itself.  Despite these challenges however, Naomi was determined to master the new gift which the Archetype had bestowed upon her, slowly acclimatising herself to the device and had adopting the province of Genaisa as the testing ground for her abilities.  In her small scale tests, she placed particular focus on the rising anti-channeler sentiment in the province, attempting to predict and thus enable her husband and his personal squadron of the Royal Guard to stop crimes originating from her fellow Terrans before they could even be committed.  For the Great Prince of Itam, Maximillian ‘Shin’ Itami, this project provided not only a test of skill for his personal squadron, who he was only now truly becoming acquainted with, but also allowed him to synchronise his own unique speed based combat style with the warriors.  This ensured that in more serious and potentially life threatening situations, they would be more effective as a team.  However, from Naomi’s perspective her primary goal in all of this was ensuring that her Terran brothers and sisters did not anger their Oyan conquerors to the point where they would simply wipe them out to avoid further pestilence.

Needless to say, the Grand Emperor Kairi ‘Kai’ Itami had by now taken notice of their small project, which had caused him to deploy his own investigative team into the matter to gather further information on just what his long lost brother and his new found sister-in-law were actually up to.  As more and more information on the project came back, it amused the large framed channeler greatly.

“Brother.”  Kai stated now as he entered Shin’s private quarters unannounced.  “Oh sorry...”  He stated, more out of courtesy than anything else as he paused now, not even bothering to avert his gaze as Shin and Naomi broke their embrace and turned their attentions towards him.  “My apologies for the intrusion but I have come to discuss something with you.  As you would imagine, this imperial matter far outweighs your more social desires.”  He explained, causing Naomi to smile modestly at the Oyan’s frankness before turning her gaze to her husband who had almost instantaneously adopted a serious and businesslike demeanour.  Naomi smiled again now as she noticed this, noting more specifically the discipline of these Itami men.

“What is it that you need to discuss, Kai?”  Shin inquired now, utilising a far less formal tone.

“I’ve made some inquiries into your recent actions with regards to these enhanced non-channelers, and I have to that I’m quite confused, albeit greatly amused, by why the Great Prince and some of the most skilled members of the Royal Guard would be concerning themselves with matters so trivial that the regular police could deal with the matter.”  He explained.

“I took on these tasks as a favour to my wife, and to further accustom myself and my team to each others’ combat methods.”  Shin explained, causing Kai to now, turning his gaze to Naomi now, who was business reading the underlying psychic base of the conversation.

“Naomi, is there any particular reason why you would have such vested interests in these things?”  Kai inquired now, breaking Naomi away from her passive psychic observation.

“Even as a member of the Itami Royal family, my origins are very Terran.”  Naomi started.  “For this reason I feel a strong kinship to both the Itami people...”  She paused and looked at her husband now.  “...and the people of Japan that inhabit this land.  These ‘power-users’ are just going to make life hard for everyone, and I just want to stop that.”  She explained, causing Kai to nod slightly.

“This is a noble act, but why not simply coordinate with our police, I’m sure they would be more than willing to deal with this situation.”  Kai inquired now.

“As these power users become more and more of a problem, I believe that the Imperial Council will come closer and closer to considering their absolute annihilation as a viable course of action.  In my mind, that is a collateral damage that is unacceptable... whether or not the council deems it to be necessary.”  Naomi explained respectfully.

“So this is the extent of Terran compassion.”  Kai smirked at the observation.  “Your husband must be quite loving to indulge you in even this.”  Kai continued, drawing a side glance from Shin that didn’t go unnoticed by Naomi, who just smiled now as the brotherly jostle.

“I suppose he must.” She replied casually, not further pressing the issue.  This would be followed by a short silence, before Kai turned to Shin now and got down to the real business at hand.

“Shin Itami, loyal brother, loving husband... quite the candidate for the throne don’t you think?”  Kai pressed now, drawing a very amused smile from Shin now.

“It seems that you aren’t as unfamiliar with Terran ways as you would like us to believe.”  Shin sounded now, having seen this coming for quite some time now.

“You cannot deny that your direct interests in this matter does bolster your image in the eyes of the people.”  Kai stated.

“Nor would I try to deny it, that it does.”  Shin replied casually.

“Were you to eventually attempt to pursue your place on the throne, this would help to quell some of the civil unrest that would result from those who might disagree with your methods...”  Kai reasoned more directly now.

“No need for hypotheses brother, I have not let the Terran way of living thin my skin so much that I cannot deal with direct accusations.”  Shin replied now, causing Kai to smile.

“Good, then let me ask you plainly.  Is this part of some larger scheme to claim my throne?”  Kai inquired, causing Shin to laugh loudly.

“I guess it was absent minded of me to not inform you of this upon my return, and for that I apologise.”  Shin stated now, causing Kai to raise an eyebrow.  “But it has always been my intension to return and assume my rightful place as the Emperor of Itam.  So since that day that I was banished to Terra, I have not made a single action which would hinder me in this most ultimate of goals... in this way you could say that I have been scheming for quite some time.  But know this, I hold the position of Emperor in the highest of regards, and I would not seek to acquire it by anything but the most noble of means.  At present, you are unequivocally the superior candidate for the role as you posses a more intimate knowledge of Itam and the Itami people that I could not have acquired in the year that I have been back.”  Shin explained as Kai listened intently.  “Until that time when I can challenge formally you for the throne, your position as Emperor is safe...” Shin paused, before a slight smirk broke across his face.  “Because other than myself, of course, there is no one better suited for the title... and as long as I live, none shall usurp your power.”  Shin finished.  The two brothers would stand momentarily as what Shin said sunk in and Kai evaluated whether or not he could trust the words of his brother.

“Very well... carry on then.”  Was all Kai would say to break the silence before turning and leaving the room.  Shin would watch him as he made his way out and closed the door, wondering just what his brother was now thinking.  Unfortunately, his own thoughts would be invaded by his wife, who was now eager to get back to what they were doing before they were so rudely interrupted.