Chapter 2

The inside of the Japanese ship was something Tyler had never seen before. While black on the outside, inside was a white creamy kind of colour. The floors were carpeted and he was also asked to take off his shoes and wear ones that were provided to him by one of the servants. He complied and was lead by the prince to a part of the ship where seats were set in front of a large window. Outside the ship, the ocean expanded out in all directions. It was a beautiful site to see. The prince took a seat and gestured for Tyler to take the other. Sitting down the two looked out at the water for a while when it started to turn into spotted islands with sandy beaches. 

"So how long are you intending to stay with us prince Tyler?" The Japanese prince stared Tyler in the eye, his black eyes like dark pits. Tyler was not used to this kind of eye colour. He and his brother both had a light brown colour. So it was a little unnerving for him. He shuffled in his seat. 

"Please, call me Ty, that's my nickname," the prince gave a quick nod. "I was thinking maybe two months, if you'll have me?" He asked. The prince stared thinking for a second then nodded again. 

"If there is no need for such formalities between us then you may call me Junpei. I look forward to you staying with us Ty," the prince smiled which seemed to transform his hard features making him look so young. 
"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you Junpei and how are we able to communicate? I thought that maybe the Japanese spoke a different language." Tyler ventured to ask. 
"I am 15 turning 16 next month, are you shocked?" The prince grinned again at Tyler's gaping mouth. Tyler never expected the prince to be so young. He himself was turning 18 in December this year. He cleared his throat. 

"I will admit, a little surprised." Junpei chuckled loving how shocked Tyler was. 
"Attached to my collar here is a communication device that translates what I say in real time. It listens to what you say and the one here." He pointed to his right ear. "That translates what you say back to me. It is very convenient when so many people speak different languages in the empire." Tyler reminded himself to get one of those communication devices when he had the time. 

Then outside, Tyler noticed the scenery change again. This time houses had started to appear. They were stunning houses with tiled roofs. beautiful wooden verandahs that opened to elegant gardens. The houses slowly became bigger and larger as they got closer to the city centre. 

Tyler got up out of his seat, moving closer to the window. Eventually the ship started zooming in and out of the same beautiful tiled roofs, which were now rising up into the sky. It was like many of the houses were stacked on top of each other. Large lanterns hung on the corners of the rooves, shining golden light up and down the buildings in the evening dusk. The view suddenly opened up as the tall buildings surrounded a large wooden castle. The castle was around 15 floors tall, it's eves golden and golden statues of dragons lined the roof peaks. 

"This is the Ajisai Castle, where the emperor is currently staying during the fall and winter seasons. We will go greet his majesty once we land," the prince said behind him as he admired the beautiful castle below. Tyler nodded and followed the prince out of the room making their way back to the landing pad. The prince talked to a servant, finally he heard him speaking in what he thought to be the Japanese language. 

"The servants have placed your shoes with your luggage. May we ask that you wear the ones you have now inside the palace with you?" Tyler looked questioningly at Junpei. "Our shoes accumulate so much dirt and grime, so do our socks. The wooden flooring can be quite cold during this time of the year too so it's good to keep your feet warm," he answered. Tyler nodded in agreeance "Now please follow me this way." 

They walked out into the cool night air, it wasn't too cold just yet but Tyler could tell winter was on its way. They were what looked to be the fourth floor of the castle. Junpei led the way inside, making his way down narrow hallways with twists and turns. Then finally they stopped behind a set of double doors where two men stood in blue and white outfits. A large circular symbol was outlined in gold on the dark steel doors. It looked to have a flower with five petals on it. 

When they noticed the prince, they immediately moved and opened the doors for us. Inside, the flooring changed to a soft straw in rectangular patterns.  The room itslef was also rectangular and a man sat at the end with another guard beside him. The man got up from his seat as we walked down. 

"I suppose you must be prince Tyler?" asked the man. Junpei bowed to the man and Tyler followed suit. 

"Yes your majesty," Tyler replied recognising that this man must be the emporer of the Japanese Empire. He figured he must also have one of those communication devices because his voice sounded like an English native. He looked like a normal man in his 50's but Tyler new that his own father was also the same. The emporer had a long grey and black beard and his hair was up in a top knot. "Thank you for inviting me to your palace, I think it is very beautiful," he said flateringly. 

The king nodded. "I expect you'll be here a while prince Tyler, I will have Junpei oversee your stay here. I hope you enjoy your time in our city" Junpei bowed again and Tyler copied, figuring that was his majesty's way of saying they were dismissed. The emporer turned around and began speaking with the guard who stood at his side. Tyler turned and caught up to Junpei. 

As they turned a corner Junpei spoke as they walked. "If you ever need to talk to the emporer you ask me first, you are not allowed to seek him out yourself. The other thing, the top 4 floors of the palace are out of bounds, they are the emporers living quaters. You will be on the 5th floor next to my room." 

Tyler nodded. "Okay, so if I need anything, ask you." They walked up a flight of stairs and Junpei gestured to a door straight on their left. 

"Your belongings should be in your room. Get some rest tonight and I'll see you tomorrow morning for breakfast. I'll meet you here and lead the way," Junpei bowed toward him and walked away. The Junpei who smiled on the ship was gone. Tyler figured it may have had something to do with meeting his father. Opening the door Tyler had to duck his head a bit as he walked through the doorway. A nice cozy room greeted him. The bed was low to the ground and the window was the background of a forest. Bird sounds resonated throughout the room. He saw his lugggage piled near the front door. Looking at the pile he felt no desire to start unpacking. Instead he went back outside into the hallway. This was his first night in this new place. There was no way he was going to go straight to bed! 

He walked the opposite way from the stairs. Wanting to check out the 5th floor that he was on. He just hoped that Junpei wasn't still around. Doors lined the hallway but not a sound could be heard. He noticed a painting at the end and as he got closer he noticed it was a large mushroom cloud. He realised this was a reference to the Second World War when the Japanese had destroyed those countries that opposed them. He felt a chill run up and down his spine. What would have happened if Britain was one of them. 

"What are you doing my lord?" Came a voice beside him. Tyler jumped and turned around. He came face to face with a beautiful girl. Her hair was short but was a stunning blue and purple. Her eyes were black but shining with depth. She wore a a purple dress that shot straight up and down, a thick white band was tight around her stomach. The dress made her look elegant but her hair made her pop with personality. He figured she must be a maid or something. 

"I'm just admiring this painting. What are you doing here?" He replied back with a smile.

"I was intending to go out but met you here," she said with a soft smile. His ears perked up. 

"Mind if I join you? I was also intending to head out. Was just thinking about how to get out of here. My names Tyler by the way!" He held out his hand. She looked at his hand quizzically, not with any malice but with a look that she didn't know what to do with the gesture. "Ah, this is how my country greets people," he quickly explained. "I just thought you already knew. You just shake my hand back to show you are unarmed. It's a show of trust."  She nodded and with two fingers around his top finger, she gave his hand a little shake. He almost laughed at how she interpreted what he said but he held it in. 

"My name is Miu. You want to get out of here then? Follow me." She started walking and glanced back at him when he just stood there. His smile got wider and he followed her along the walkway.