Nakago looked up at the city walls and grinned.... for soon they would fall. Tamahome was relived that he was not the only citizen that had joined the 'enemy'... so he felt more like this was a revolution of goodness then a takeover. Nakago rode along the lines.... reminding the men that he wanted as few civilian casualties as possible.
"What about the emperor and the those that work for him? they are not civilians." One asked.
"I do not want the palace workers or the emperor harmed until I get there... I will deal with them on a one on one basis...."
"Yes sir!"
They head out. Tamahome stayed near Nakago's side at all times.

Nuriko had been watching out the window. "They are advancing.." He said sadly.
Hotohori looked worried.... and drew his arms around Nuriko... only having had a few days with him.
Nuriko turned to face him, still in his arms. "They be up here soon I think..."
"Not yet.... not yet Nuriko... a few more moments with you.... " Hotohori said softly.... choking back tears.

Nakago's men broke down the gate of the city and flooded in, heading for the palace. Tamahome looked around the city and tried to calm the people.

Nuriko was crying some as well, resting his head on Hotohori's neck. "I love you so much..."
"Shh... Nuriko..." Hotohori said, but couldn't stop his own crying.

The palace's gates were pushed open as Nakago's army entered the grand courtyard... Nakago at the lead, shouting orders.

"They're coming..." Nuriko whispered in his ear, holding him close.
"I know... lie down with me... " Hotohori said... drawing his sword.

Nakago dismounted and strode up the steps of the palace after the last remaining guards were subdued.

Nuriko kissed Hotohori softly and lay down with him, getting ready for the end.

Tamahome stayed by Nakago side, looking around as he realized he had never been inside the palace before.

Hotohori brought his arms around Nuriko... one hand holding the sword and readying it to thrust through Nuriko's back and into his own chest.

Nakago grinned at Tamahome's wide-eyed appearance as he looked around the palace. "Amazing isnt it?" He said, and headed for the emperor's quarters.

"do it..." Nuriko whispered, kissing the emperor's lips softly and resting them there.

Tamahome nodded. "Yes... Too bad I had to visit it under such reasons."

Hotohori returned the kiss softly, then rammed the sword forward, killing them both the instant it pierced their hearts.

Nakago drew his sword and moved the last remaining royal servant aside as he opened the doors to the Emperor's chambers. Tamahome stepped in behind him and blinked, seeing the two bodies locked together, their blood drenching the sheets from the fresh fatal wound.
Nakago walked over to the emperor and shook his head "It's a pity he had to take such a pretty ... ... hmm.... boy with him."
Tamahome's jaw was a little loose. "I.. didn't know he was that young... what.. happened?"
"Looks like he killed himself... and his lover as well... must have been afraid of what he thought we would do to him..." Nakago shook his head again.
"They're so young too..."
Nuriko still had a smile on his now cold lips.
"Surprised? The Emperor was 18.."
"Yeah... that's around my age... and the other seems to have the same age as well... but, they look happy even in death... but, their cheeks are stained with tears."
"They must have loved each other... to have died that way.... It doesn't look like they wanted to die.... but I suppose they felt they didn't have a choice."
"They were going to do anyway... weren't they?"
"hmm?" Nakago asked.... apparently deep in thought.
"I mean... when you take over a country or even rebel.. you have to kill it's leaders... right? or else they can come back and take it back..."
Tamahome was looking at the bodies... almost as if he was envying something... or maybe admiring.
"I try not to be like other generals," Nakago explained, "I would have liked to have taken him alive...."
"And then what? I'm sure he wouldn't have lived much longer after that... or his lover..."
"It was up to the Kutou emperor...."
"True... but they probably thought what I did... and saw it that way... and they didn't want to be torn apart before dying so they chose to die in each other's arms, untouched by the enemy..."
"They look peaceful... that way... I envy them."
"I... do too... they're courage too... to pierce your own heart, and that of your lovers.... and the other just to have his lover do that..."
Nakago sighed. "We will bury them with dignity then... together.. " He turned and gave orders to one of the soldiers behind him.
Tamahome smiled ever so slightly. "That is a wonderful gesture..."
Nakago moved over to the bed and drew a blanket over the pair. He then stepped back and moved out of the room to check out the rest of the palace while his men moved the bodies. Tamahome sighed softly and followed him.
"This palace is beautiful.... I have told my men not to damage it... in the least."
"I'm glad..." Tamahome seemed lost in thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Nakago asked, leaning on the railing to look at the water garden that made up the central courtyard.
"About those two still... I haven't seen such love and devotion shown like that before."
"It's a rare thing."
"Very rare... is that what they call true love?"
"I believe so.... Its very sad to see something like that end in that way."
"That young... it makes it only more tragic."
"But tragic as it may be.... it does make me wish to share love.... that pure some day."
"If it's possible..." Tamahome sighed softly again.
"Anything is possible...." Nakago said quietly... then raised his voice again "I want you to stay here in the palace with me for a time... you know the local area from what I've seen... but I wont make you stay...."
"I can stay... with my father getting better thanks to the medicine I'm not needed back right now."
"Good then.... Im glad to have you aboard."
Tamahome smiled some. "Thank you."
"Well... I'm going to go get my men set up in the courtyard... then take care of the late emperor... then I think Im going to claim a room in the palace and call it a night."
"Sounds good to me... now I just need to know where I should sleep tonight."
"Pick a room in the palace... and its yours..." Nakago said, winking.
"Um.. I don't know this place yet though. Put me some place and I'll sleep."
Nakago chuckled "How about you just take the room next to mine when I turn in for the night?"
"Alright... if there is one."
"There will be... if not you can have the bed in my room... " Nakago said with another soft chuckle.
"Ok." Tamahome yawned.
Nakago saw to it that the emperor and his lover are buried respectfully... and assured the people gathered at the Funeral that their way of life would not change. They cheer some and basically say as long as they are not overtaxed or heart they will respect their new leadership and not revolt. Nakago returned to the palace and upon seeing that the royal chambers had been cleaned.... he decided upon that as his room... knowing the ex emperor won't mind.
Tamahome followed him in. "I think the bed is stained with blood."
"Flip over the mattress... if it goes through we can take a mattress from another room..."
"Alright." Tamahome did as he was instructed.
"It looks alright... unless you're squeamish..."
"Nah... I grew up in a one bed home."
"Alright.. " Nakago said as he took off his armor. He then plunked down on the bed. Tamahome sat down as well and stretched.
"The emperor sure knew how to live..." Nakago remarked. "this is a nice bed..."
"Yes it is... very good."
Nakago stretched out on the bed and closed his eyes... not seeming to mind that two people died on the very bed he lay on. Died out of love and not baring to be split apart. Tamahome stretched out beside him, yawning again.
"Sleep well Tamahome... we have much to do in the morning" Nakago told him, letting himself fall asleep.
"Mmmm hmm..." Tamahome was already snoring softly.
Nakago smiled to himself before sinking into a deep sleep he only allowed himself when things had been accomplished.