June 19, 2002
Hope's Blade
By Vanilla
Edited by Cyber Rose
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope you liked the first chapter of Hope's Blade. It was kind of short, but it was my first one. I guess I'm doing pretty okay. I've got a few announcements, then the second chapter can commence.
* One, I'd like to thank The MOUSE and Kari'sKatFairyFlowerKitty. I believe that's everyone who reviewed. Every author loves feedback. I wouldn't mind seeing three more good reviews before the third chapter, but it isn't mandatory.
* Another is a reminder that flames will be used to toast marshmallows and that this is indeed my first fic. Be gentle. Don't forget I don't mind constructive criticism.
* They lay-out is kind of different. More spaces between the paragraphs for easy reading. Hope you like it!
* Also, if anyone wants me to email them when I post the next chapter, please email me at syaoran_ccslover@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We no own,
So you no sue!
(We do own the plot though!)
Hope's Blade
Chapter Two
'The Rebellion'
Takeru could faintly hear movement all around him, but the sounds he heard could not be defined by his tired and drained mind. He tried to stretch his stiff limbs, but they felt as though they had been filled with lead while he had been unconscious. His entire body was numb, as if he hadn't moved at all for weeks.
One by one, the rest of his senses came to life, and he could smell a delicious aroma emanating from what seemed to be a kitchen. His numbness seeped away, and he could feel the scratchy wool blanket and the hard wooden frame of a sturdy cot. His mouth felt as if someone had stuffed a wad of the scratchy blanket into it. He suddenly realized how thirsty and hungry he was. His eyes opened slowly and he was surprised to find himself in a suitable cottage.
'How did I get here?' he thought as a beautiful young woman walked briskly into his room, carrying a wooden bowl filled with fresh water and a cloth. The girl had creamy peach skin and pale pink hair. She looked to be in her lower twenties.
"Hello, I'm glad to see you're awake. Are you feeling better?" she asked the still-drowsy Takeru as she dipped the cloth into the water and brought it to his brow.
The questioning look on his face was enough to tell her that he didn't understand her.
She sighed and pointed to herself, saying "My name is Mimi." Noticing the young man still looked confused, she patiently shook her head.
'This is going to take awhile.'
***************
After two weeks, Mimi had finally managed to teach Takeru the basics of her language, and he was now speaking it somewhat fluently. He hadn't left the cabin for fear of invoking a fever, but he had gotten out of the cot and roamed around the small but tidy room once or twice. Today was no exception.
Takeru slowly rose from the sturdy cot and stood still for a minute to regain his balance. He then walked over to a wooden desk made of the purest of oak and stared into the basin that held water to wash with. What he saw in it made him jump back and cry out, completely shocked. He had seen his own reflection, and on his arm was a brand shaped like a crescent moon. He was branded a slave.
Mimi, who had been in the kitchen preparing fresh vegetables for dinner that night heard Takeru's yell and dropped the carrot she was holding. Recovering her senses, she ran to his room and thrust open the door. Chestnut eyes met azure blue, and Mimi saw fear, confusion, and anger.
"What's wrong? Are you alright?" she asked him tentatively.
"What is this?" he questioned, pointing to the crescent moon on his right upper arm.
Mimi's brown eyes softened and she replied, "I'm so sorry Takeru. We didn't have a choice. We either had to take you to jail or brand you a slave. At least this way you can live with us. We'll treat you better than the jailers, you know."
Silence. Then... "Why did you not throw me in jail? Our countries are at war! I could be a spy or-" he was abruptly silenced by Mimi, who slapped a hand over his mouth, her pretty eyes widening in fear.
"Don't say that! Not out aloud! Someone might hear you!" she whispered frantically. When she finally calmed herself, she said, "We took you in because of the Rebellion-" Before she could continue any further, the door burst open and two foot-soldiers strode in. They looked big and commanding, as though they could quiet an entire room by simply being there. There was an air of confidence around them, and Takeru suddenly filled with fear.
Had they been caught? Had these men heard things they shouldn't have?
Those questions were answered when the younger of the two stepped forward, unrolling and holding out a scroll of parchment. "You are under arrest for treason to King Kamiya."
Mimi gasped and involuntarily retreated backward, hitting the wall. She turned her brown eyes, wide with fear, on the door of the room as it creaked open.
"What's going on in here?" boomed Mr. Tachikawa, Mimi's father and Takeru's employer. He was the picture of tall, commanding officer. Instead, he was a considerate man who farmed for a living, a kind, caring soul worthy of a close friendship. But never to the King Kamiya and his evil minions. Mr. Tachikawa despised everyone and everything related to the horrible slave drivers. They forced children to work in factories that were over-heated and crumbling and made laws so townspeople have to go to jail if their taxes arrive a second late. That was why the Tachikawa family had turned to the Rebellion for help. And now they were paying the price.
"Sir," one of the soldiers sneered sarcastically, "you and yours are being arrested for treason."
That was when Mr. Tachikawa lost his nerve. "We have done nothing but serve him our entire lives! How dare he arrest us for being loyal to him alone!"
"You are not loyal. You are just a bunch of stinking farm pigs who are too senseless to obey the King's laws."
Mr. Tachikawa had had enough. He leaped onto the smart-talking soldier and attempted to pummel him into the ground. The second foot-soldier grabbed his musket and aimed it at Mr. Tachikawa to prevent him from hurting the soldier's comrade. It didn't work. The soldier's finger tightened on the trigger, and just when he was about to pull it to end the life of his friend's assailant, an arrow struck his shoulder, the musket falling to the ground with a resounding clack.
Everyone stood in still silence, not daring to move. Then another arrow whizzed by the soldier that had fought with Mr. Tachikawa, almost hitting Mimi. The third arrow did not miss it's mark. The second soldier was dead before you could say 'good aim.'
All eyes turned to the door, where a handsome man, somewhat resembling Takeru, stood, bow poised at ready. The last soldier remaining was the first to move. He lunged at the mysterious man, yelling in anger as the man stepped aside. The soldier landed on the floor hard, the wind knocked from his lungs.
"Come on everyone! We've no time to lose!' the man urgently ushered Mimi, Mr. Tachikawa, and Takeru out of the house and into a clandestine spot behind the bushes in Mimi's front lawn.
"Thank you much, Yamato. You saved us from death," Mimi whispered.
"Don't worry Mimi, we all have to watch out for each other. Hey, who's this?" Yamato questioned.
"My name is Takeru Takaishi. I come from Serbia. I was at war with this country and our ship was destroyed. I was floating at sea for what seemed like many days, but it was only hours. I saw a pirate ship and tried to get away, but they had seen me. Their boat came right up to me and one of them knocked me out with the hilt of a sword and I woke up in the cot in Tachikawa's cabin," he finished, seeing a slightly shocked look on all faces. "I can't remember any more that's important, but I know I lost my sword. It's probably lost at sea, like many of my companions..."
Everyone felt pity for the poor soldier, having been branded a slave in a country he had been trained all his life to hate.
Suddenly Yamato spoke up, "Have you heard of the Rebellion?" he asked in a soft whisper. When he received nods from all present, he continued, "The Rebellion is a group of men and women opposed to the King. Some men are armed and ready to fight and some are sentries, and some women are nurses and cooks. I'm the leader of the Rebellion, Yamato Ishida. I'm inviting you to join me to lead the army to victory. Mimi is a nurse and Mr. Tachikawa is a sentry. Will you accept my invitation to fight with me? Will you fight for the rights of you and others?"
Takeru took all of one second to make the most critical decision in his young life. "Yes."
More Author's Notes: Well, I think that is the best chapter yet. And the longest. Whew, whole bunch of words. That's an awful lot for me. I don't usually write long chapters or stories. I guess I'm doing okay then. Well, I hope you liked it. It's kind of a cliffhanger, but not really. I can't believe it's my first fanfic! Well, back on the subject...don't forget, three good reviews, and thanks to those who reviewed last time. Ja ne!
Hope's Blade
By Vanilla
Edited by Cyber Rose
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope you liked the first chapter of Hope's Blade. It was kind of short, but it was my first one. I guess I'm doing pretty okay. I've got a few announcements, then the second chapter can commence.
* One, I'd like to thank The MOUSE and Kari'sKatFairyFlowerKitty. I believe that's everyone who reviewed. Every author loves feedback. I wouldn't mind seeing three more good reviews before the third chapter, but it isn't mandatory.
* Another is a reminder that flames will be used to toast marshmallows and that this is indeed my first fic. Be gentle. Don't forget I don't mind constructive criticism.
* They lay-out is kind of different. More spaces between the paragraphs for easy reading. Hope you like it!
* Also, if anyone wants me to email them when I post the next chapter, please email me at syaoran_ccslover@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
We no own,
So you no sue!
(We do own the plot though!)
Hope's Blade
Chapter Two
'The Rebellion'
Takeru could faintly hear movement all around him, but the sounds he heard could not be defined by his tired and drained mind. He tried to stretch his stiff limbs, but they felt as though they had been filled with lead while he had been unconscious. His entire body was numb, as if he hadn't moved at all for weeks.
One by one, the rest of his senses came to life, and he could smell a delicious aroma emanating from what seemed to be a kitchen. His numbness seeped away, and he could feel the scratchy wool blanket and the hard wooden frame of a sturdy cot. His mouth felt as if someone had stuffed a wad of the scratchy blanket into it. He suddenly realized how thirsty and hungry he was. His eyes opened slowly and he was surprised to find himself in a suitable cottage.
'How did I get here?' he thought as a beautiful young woman walked briskly into his room, carrying a wooden bowl filled with fresh water and a cloth. The girl had creamy peach skin and pale pink hair. She looked to be in her lower twenties.
"Hello, I'm glad to see you're awake. Are you feeling better?" she asked the still-drowsy Takeru as she dipped the cloth into the water and brought it to his brow.
The questioning look on his face was enough to tell her that he didn't understand her.
She sighed and pointed to herself, saying "My name is Mimi." Noticing the young man still looked confused, she patiently shook her head.
'This is going to take awhile.'
***************
After two weeks, Mimi had finally managed to teach Takeru the basics of her language, and he was now speaking it somewhat fluently. He hadn't left the cabin for fear of invoking a fever, but he had gotten out of the cot and roamed around the small but tidy room once or twice. Today was no exception.
Takeru slowly rose from the sturdy cot and stood still for a minute to regain his balance. He then walked over to a wooden desk made of the purest of oak and stared into the basin that held water to wash with. What he saw in it made him jump back and cry out, completely shocked. He had seen his own reflection, and on his arm was a brand shaped like a crescent moon. He was branded a slave.
Mimi, who had been in the kitchen preparing fresh vegetables for dinner that night heard Takeru's yell and dropped the carrot she was holding. Recovering her senses, she ran to his room and thrust open the door. Chestnut eyes met azure blue, and Mimi saw fear, confusion, and anger.
"What's wrong? Are you alright?" she asked him tentatively.
"What is this?" he questioned, pointing to the crescent moon on his right upper arm.
Mimi's brown eyes softened and she replied, "I'm so sorry Takeru. We didn't have a choice. We either had to take you to jail or brand you a slave. At least this way you can live with us. We'll treat you better than the jailers, you know."
Silence. Then... "Why did you not throw me in jail? Our countries are at war! I could be a spy or-" he was abruptly silenced by Mimi, who slapped a hand over his mouth, her pretty eyes widening in fear.
"Don't say that! Not out aloud! Someone might hear you!" she whispered frantically. When she finally calmed herself, she said, "We took you in because of the Rebellion-" Before she could continue any further, the door burst open and two foot-soldiers strode in. They looked big and commanding, as though they could quiet an entire room by simply being there. There was an air of confidence around them, and Takeru suddenly filled with fear.
Had they been caught? Had these men heard things they shouldn't have?
Those questions were answered when the younger of the two stepped forward, unrolling and holding out a scroll of parchment. "You are under arrest for treason to King Kamiya."
Mimi gasped and involuntarily retreated backward, hitting the wall. She turned her brown eyes, wide with fear, on the door of the room as it creaked open.
"What's going on in here?" boomed Mr. Tachikawa, Mimi's father and Takeru's employer. He was the picture of tall, commanding officer. Instead, he was a considerate man who farmed for a living, a kind, caring soul worthy of a close friendship. But never to the King Kamiya and his evil minions. Mr. Tachikawa despised everyone and everything related to the horrible slave drivers. They forced children to work in factories that were over-heated and crumbling and made laws so townspeople have to go to jail if their taxes arrive a second late. That was why the Tachikawa family had turned to the Rebellion for help. And now they were paying the price.
"Sir," one of the soldiers sneered sarcastically, "you and yours are being arrested for treason."
That was when Mr. Tachikawa lost his nerve. "We have done nothing but serve him our entire lives! How dare he arrest us for being loyal to him alone!"
"You are not loyal. You are just a bunch of stinking farm pigs who are too senseless to obey the King's laws."
Mr. Tachikawa had had enough. He leaped onto the smart-talking soldier and attempted to pummel him into the ground. The second foot-soldier grabbed his musket and aimed it at Mr. Tachikawa to prevent him from hurting the soldier's comrade. It didn't work. The soldier's finger tightened on the trigger, and just when he was about to pull it to end the life of his friend's assailant, an arrow struck his shoulder, the musket falling to the ground with a resounding clack.
Everyone stood in still silence, not daring to move. Then another arrow whizzed by the soldier that had fought with Mr. Tachikawa, almost hitting Mimi. The third arrow did not miss it's mark. The second soldier was dead before you could say 'good aim.'
All eyes turned to the door, where a handsome man, somewhat resembling Takeru, stood, bow poised at ready. The last soldier remaining was the first to move. He lunged at the mysterious man, yelling in anger as the man stepped aside. The soldier landed on the floor hard, the wind knocked from his lungs.
"Come on everyone! We've no time to lose!' the man urgently ushered Mimi, Mr. Tachikawa, and Takeru out of the house and into a clandestine spot behind the bushes in Mimi's front lawn.
"Thank you much, Yamato. You saved us from death," Mimi whispered.
"Don't worry Mimi, we all have to watch out for each other. Hey, who's this?" Yamato questioned.
"My name is Takeru Takaishi. I come from Serbia. I was at war with this country and our ship was destroyed. I was floating at sea for what seemed like many days, but it was only hours. I saw a pirate ship and tried to get away, but they had seen me. Their boat came right up to me and one of them knocked me out with the hilt of a sword and I woke up in the cot in Tachikawa's cabin," he finished, seeing a slightly shocked look on all faces. "I can't remember any more that's important, but I know I lost my sword. It's probably lost at sea, like many of my companions..."
Everyone felt pity for the poor soldier, having been branded a slave in a country he had been trained all his life to hate.
Suddenly Yamato spoke up, "Have you heard of the Rebellion?" he asked in a soft whisper. When he received nods from all present, he continued, "The Rebellion is a group of men and women opposed to the King. Some men are armed and ready to fight and some are sentries, and some women are nurses and cooks. I'm the leader of the Rebellion, Yamato Ishida. I'm inviting you to join me to lead the army to victory. Mimi is a nurse and Mr. Tachikawa is a sentry. Will you accept my invitation to fight with me? Will you fight for the rights of you and others?"
Takeru took all of one second to make the most critical decision in his young life. "Yes."
More Author's Notes: Well, I think that is the best chapter yet. And the longest. Whew, whole bunch of words. That's an awful lot for me. I don't usually write long chapters or stories. I guess I'm doing okay then. Well, I hope you liked it. It's kind of a cliffhanger, but not really. I can't believe it's my first fanfic! Well, back on the subject...don't forget, three good reviews, and thanks to those who reviewed last time. Ja ne!
