This was supposed to be another one shot AU but it got longer so I'll be dividing it up into several chapters. Not sure how long this will be, at least three chapters I guess.
I'm trying to introduce the setting and the past events bit by bit so I apologize if some things are still unclear.
Remember the Enemy - Chapter 1
by Mara S. S.
General Haruka Armitage was the only one willing to speak for the people. She was the people's champion, bravely facing off against the other nobles and even daring to marry beneath her station. She tirelessly combated the government's rampant corruption and the monarchy's drunken excesses.
The assassination of General Haruka Armitage was the spark that set off the Fuuka Revolution. Already overtaxed and underrepresented, the masses rose up in outrage. With the loss of their champion, they had no choice but to take matters into their own hands.
In the revolution that followed, the Queen was executed along with most other high-ranking nobles. Caught up in the frenzy, the masses hunted and killed anyone who supported the Queen. Those who weren't killed either went into hiding or sought asylum in foreign lands. It became a death sentence in Fuuka to have been part of Queen Mashiro's court.
The government was rebuilt from the ground up with Armitage's widow as the new president. But President Yukino wasn't the only hero of the Fuuka revolution. There were three other leaders who distinguished themselves. Each with her own talents and each with her own grudge against the former Queen.
Each of them now served the new Republic in her own way. Mai was part of the president's Cabinet and Mikoto served as a guard. Both of them believed the revolution to be over and were focused on ensuring the old regime's mistakes would not be repeated.
Natsuki, on the other hand, would find that her own battle had just begun. A battle for her heart and mind, unknowingly waged by a captive princess.
-o-
Natsuki watched as the serving girl took away the bowl and spoon that had held her breakfast. A polite nod at Kazuya, the tavern keeper, then she got up from the bench and went to the door.
The tavern was modestly filled with other people. Like her, they were drawn to Kazuya's tavern because of the fair prices and the edible food. Even during the height of the queen's reign, Kazuya kept his tavern well cared for.
Stepping into the bright sunlight outside, Natsuki reflexively felt for the pistols at her belt. After her eyes adjusted to the light, she relaxed her stance.
"Good Morning, Natsuki!"
A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Natsuki's mouth. "Akane."
Akane was Kazuya's wife and she owned the apartment building next to the tavern. Over the past few months, Natsuki had come to an agreement with the couple. She rented a room from Akane and ate breakfast at Kazuya's. She just added a small sum to her monthly rent to pay for the breakfast. It worked out for everyone concerned.
"Here. You can have this later." Akane said, pressing warm cloth-wrapped bread into Natsuki's hands.
"Akane! I'll be fine." Natsuki protested.
Akane sighed. "Natsuki, I know what your idea of lunch is. Just take it."
"Bu-"
Akane made a shooing motion as she stepped past Natsuki. "Off with you now, or Midori-san will have your hide."
With a cheery smile, Akane turned her back on Natsuki and entered the tavern.
-o-
Natsuki ran down the cobbled streets of Fuuka City. When she reached the market square, she was forced to slow down.
She threaded her way through the crowd always keeping her senses alert for any danger. It was a holdover from her days in the revolution.
The vendors called out from their stalls, each vying for the attention of the people passing by. With a content smile, Natsuki noted how everyone seemed to look more prosperous than before. The president had lifted the many taxes imposed by the former queen and everyone was happy for it.
Everyone of course, except for the nobles. The gallows in the center of the square attested to that. It was where the queen had been executed and where many of her people had joined her to pay for their sins against the people.
Natsuki exited the square and hurried to her destination. There was only one captured noble who hadn't been justly punished. Natsuki still believed that one to be her fault no matter how much Midori told her otherwise.
Natsuki sighed and shook such grim thoughts aside. Instead, she started wondering if there would be anyone new that day.
-o-
"Hello Natsuki..." Nao purred, sitting on Natsuki's desk.
"Nao." Natsuki glared at the redhead. "Get. off. my. desk."
Nao laughed wickedly but got off the desk anyway. She sat herself down in one of the chairs in front of Natsuki's desk.
"So, have you heard?" Nao asked, leaning forward, her nails tapping on Natsuki's desk.
"Heard what?"
"She's here." Nao replied, grinning like a cat who got the cream.
Natsuki raised an eyebrow, looking meaningfully at the pistols attached to her own belt.
Nao pouted. "You're no fun."
Natsuki let out a long suffering sigh. "All right Nao, tell me who your new victim is."
"Our victim." Nao corrected her. "It's..." Nao paused for dramatic effect, "the princess." She said it with a grand flourish.
"You're kidding!" Natsuki stared at her colleague in surprise.
"Nope." Nao answered with a pleased smile.
Natsuki frowned. "But I thought they were going to execute her..."
"They were going to. Guillotine in fact. Chop her head off like Queen Mashiro." Nao said the last gleefully.
"But..." Natsuki prompted.
"But someone higher up decided to send her to us for some 'information gathering' first." Nao shrugged. "In case she has some useful info."
"Huh." Natsuki looked at Nao thoughtfully. "But she's been on the run for months."
Nao snorted. "I know, I've been getting tired of seeing her face on the Wanted posters. It's everywhere."
"So what secrets could she possibly know?" Natsuki continued, ignoring her colleague's side comment.
"She's one of them damn nobles." Nao spat out the word 'nobles' like a curse. "Of course she's got secrets, she was the princess for heaven's sake."
"I mean," Natsuki clarified, "is there anything in particular we have to find out?"
"As far as I know, we just ask her the usual questions. If there's anything we need to dig for..." Nao shrugged again. "Well, you tell me. You've got higher connections than I do."
"Mai's been too busy to talk lately." Natsuki answered, making a face.
A slow smile spread on Nao's face. "Then why don't we see if we can make the princess sing?" Nao said, dangling a key from between her fingers.
Natsuki laughed. "My clearance?"
"Check." Nao said, brandishing a folder in front of Natsuki. "Multiple copies, and already signed by the boss."
"Okay." Natsuki got up and pulled her jacket on. "Which cell is she in?"
"Follow me." Nao called back, already heading out the door.
-o-
"So... Who's the bad cop?" Natsuki asked, in a deceptively casual manner.
"I am, of course." Nao replied quickly as she fished out the key to the prisoner's cell.
"No fair." Natsuki scowled. "You were the bad cop the last time we tag-teamed someone."
"Ah, ah, ah." Nao waved a finger in front of Natsuki. "I got hold of the assignment first."
"Hmph. Whatever." Natsuki snorted. "You owe me one."
Nao batted her eyes and blew Natsuki a kiss.
Natsuki rolled her eyes. "Get on with it."
Nao inserted her key into the lock of the door. "Better put on your halo, kitty cat." She couldn't resist one last taunt.
"Cut it out Nao! Or you'll be next on the rack." Natsuki threatened.
"I thought bondage and pain was more my thing than yours?" Nao bantered.
Natsuki glared.
"Yes, yes..." Nao sighed and turned the lock. "Jeez, some people can't take a joke..." She pulled the heavy iron door open and stepped through.
Natsuki followed her colleague in, and then closed the door behind them.