The Sunspire none can usurp this height.

Fate did not place the soon-to-be Emperor in her path. Neither did it send her the hopeful maiden Saarthal. Fortunately there was another person roaming the same slopes as Hime, although at first glance she could not tell him apart from many of the empyrean wolves. She did think it was Takeshi at first—and with a thin smirk upon her face, Hime prowled closer.

It wasn't until she caught the man's eyes with her own that a different recognition shot through her brain. Not Takeshi—the other one. Yuudai. He looked healthy; a well built guardian, his coat as dense and white as her own. Hime thought of playing a prank upon him at first, but it was obvious by the way his eyes lingered upon her that he was not impressed with Hime's presence. He could tell the sisters apart more quickly than Hime expected; but that gave her an idea of the depth of Yuudai and Reiko's relationship.

As Hime approached she slowed, settling to her haunches on an even slant of the plateau, and passed a genuinely warm smile to the marquis. Yuudai. Hm, what are you doing up here? Probably just a patrol, she mused. Perhaps he was as bored as she was. I don't recall you being so mischievious.