A Love That Holds
by KawaiiPie ^^
Chapter 1 - The Hunt For A Princess
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AN:
I created a map of the continent. I strongly suggest that you visit it because there will be a lot of travel in this story, and it would help you understand better if you knew where everything was located. The map can be found at http://www.geocities.com/kawaiiworks/alovethatholds.html
:END AN
TWO YEARS LATER
The name of the land was 'Memoire'. It was French for 'memory'. Wufei glanced up at the humongous castle, appropriately named 'Memoire Passee' or 'Past Memory'. He was a traveling mercenary/bounty hunter. There were whispers of troubles brewing in Memoire, and he figured that where there was trouble, a mercenary was needed. Wufei had been summoned by Queen Edymia of Memoire.
He walked across the drawbridge and into the castle courtyard. People hurried to and fro, all carrying something. @ Or someone, @ Wufei added to his thoughts, as he saw a mother dragging her little boy across the courtyard.
Wufei looked around for the entrance of the main castle. Suddenly, the tip of a spear prodded the back of his neck. "Turn around, very slowly. Alright then, what is your business here?"
Turning slowly, Wufei answered, "My name is Chang Wufei. I believe I am expected here at Memoire Passee?"
"Ah yes, Wufei-san, please follow me. I'm Brodo." Brodo dropped his spear and gestured for Wufei to follow. "Queen Edymia and her princes *have* been expecting you, indeed. Uh, what exactly is your business here?"
"If your Queen has not informed you, then I fear I am not at liberty to."
"Oh, come on," Brodo coaxed. "I'm a trust worthy man. You can tell me."
Wufei declined, "It would be against my honor to do so."
Sighing, Brodo ceased his questioning. Instead, he lead Wufei through several corridors wordlessly. He came to two ornate doors at the end of the hall. Brodo knocked.
A voice called, "This had better be good!"
Brodo blushed, giving Wufei a look that clearly apologized for his master's words. "Wufei-san is here!" Brodo replied loudly.
"Oh!" the same voice said. The two doors swung open, and a lavishly dressed man stepped out, arms flailing elaborately.
"Wufei-kun!" He said, "I am Akahiiro, youngest son of Queen Edymia! Welcome to Memoire Passee!"
Wufei fell to a knee, "I was summoned here, your Highness."
"Of course you were," a lazy, female voice interrupted. "Brodo, leave." Brodo bowed and exited the room, closing the heavy doors behind him. "Rise, Wufei-kun and come into the room."
Wufei rose up and walked further into the room, seeing that the female speaker was Queen Edymia. She was wearing a black dress, and there were red gloves on her hands. The deep strongly reminded Wufei of blood. The Queen was sprawled onto a lounge sofa, a glass of wine in her hand. The room was dimly lit, and there were two other men seated in the room.
"Now, Chang, I really must cut to the chase. You're the greatest bounty hunter in the land, are you not?" Edymia questioned, not really looking at Wufei.
Chest swelling, Wufei answered, "I can capture anyone, anywhere, given a decent amount of-"
"Are you, or are you not, Wufei-kun?" Edymia asked impatiently.
Wufei merely nodded.
"Then we have an assignment for you," a older man seated in the corner of the room said. Wufei just noticed him. "Surely you've heard the rumors running about in Memoire." He appeared to be about 24 and he was very grave looking.
Choosing his words carefully, Wufei replied, "Yes, of the missing Princess Usagi. Some people say that she ran from a scandal-" That was not all that was going around, but Wufei was sure not to offend anyone present. The rumors of the Queen murdering her daughter were running rampant all over the continent.
"I assure you," the man interrupted. "Nothing scandalous has gone on in this castle. Memoire Passee is a dignified place."
"I'm sure it is," Wufei said. He did not like this man, not one bit.
"Here is your assignment, plain and simple: Find Princess Usagi, bring her back, wether she is willing or not."
"Why wouldn't she be willing?" Wufei questioned.
The Queen shrugged. "Whoever it was that abducted her...Could've brainwashed her! You don't know what kind of crazy people there are out there."
Wufei smirked. @ I think I have a good idea... @ He voiced, "So she was kidnapped then?"
The man in the corner nodded. "That's what we believe. No idea who would've done it, though."
Nodding, Wufei continued his preliminary questioning. "No suspects? Did anyone in the castle disappear with her?"
Three individuals shook their heads. "I see. Where was she last seen?"
Hesitantly, Edymia answered, "A servant saw her...walking through the streets of Devinhoft. But she's been missing for quite some time."
"Then why try to find her now?" Wufei asked. He was well aware that Princess Usagi had been missing for nearly two years. "She could be dead."
Wufei saw Edymia flinch. Her grip on the wine glass tightened.
"It's not the job of a bounty hunter to ask questions," Akahiiro scolded.
Wufei bowed his head. "I apologize, your Highness."
"Before we begin discussing your fee," Queen Edymia asked, "As a mercenary or bounty hunter, you are sworn to some sort of Code of Confidentiality, correct?"
Crossing one arm over his chest ritualistically, Wufei answered, "Yes. Nothing said here will escape this room."
The Queen nodded, "Very good then. About your fee..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hino Rei looked down into the forest below. Her people, the Shintucs, were buzzing to and fro, carrying on with their everyday lives. The Shintucs were a tribe of strong, beautiful and outcast warrior women who simply wanted to live their lives in peace. Most of them had some kind of power, which caused them to be shunned by their society as witches. The Shintuc government was simple: They were ruled by the Four Princesses of the Great Wood, one of which was Rei. The others were Mizuno Ami, Aino Minako and Kino Makoto.
Each of the Princess ruled their own cities in the Great Wood. Minako ruled over Morvenoch, Ami ruled over Misenoch, Makoto ruled over Myrrnoch and Rei was Princess of Meflenoch.
Rei sighed as she glanced into the sunset. Another night was falling upon Meflenoch. @ Oh, these days are moving by too quickly... @ A single memory of her past flashed in her mind.
"You know," Konni said, "Whenever you get that look on your face, I want to run back to Dorsem and hug my little brother."
"What makes you say that?" Rei asked, turning to face her closest friend. She leaned against the rails and inhaled the forest air.
Konni shrugged. "It's...nostalgic. Very nostalgic. It makes me remember my past in Dorsem... My brother was adorable. But I had to run. Rei-sama, why do you refuse to tell me anything of your past?"
Rei turned back around and leaned over the rail. She looked down upon several chattering women. "Konni, you know you're one of my best friends, right?"
"Of course, Rei."
"Then drop the -sama."
"But-" Konni tried to protest but a servant girl burst in the room.
"Princess Rei! Mako-sama and Ami-sama have arrived. They are calling an Emergency Meeting of the Princesses," The servant announced. She had obviously ran to deliver the message to Rei.
Rei's brow rose in acute alarm. "Princess Minako has not arrived?" The servant shook her head. "Very well then, where are they?"
"They are waiting for you in the Council House."
"Ok. Ni-chan, I'll speak with you later," Rei promised as she followed the servant out. Rei walked swiftly across the many narrow bridges that led from tree to tree in Meflenoch. The Council House was an important place, therefore it was built around the highest tree in Meflenoch.
When she arrived at the wooden doors of the Council House, Rei dismissed the servant. She took a deep breath and smoothed out the wrinkles on her silk blouse. Opening the door, Rei peeked in and then entered.
Makoto and Ami were already seated in their chairs around the table. The room was lit by a single candle set on the middle of the table. It was a small room, and there were ancient paintings depicting a high queen on the wall. Of course, the queen had been long since dead, but Rei rather liked the paintings.
Rei did a short bow before taking a seat in her designated chair. It was intricately designed to resemble flames rising, just as Ami's was designed to resemble a rushing waterfall and Makoto's looked like a great oak tree. Rei eyed the empty chair, Minako's, the top of which rounded of into a heart.
Cutting to the chase, Ami said, "Morvenoch has fallen."
"What?!" Rei gasped, starting from her chair. Morvenoch, Minako's city.
Ami continued, "A band of about sixty or so soldiers attacked Morvenoch. They bore the seal of Venalane. Most of the women in Morvenoch managed to escape to my city, Misenoch... but not all of them made it."
Rei's head bowed. Locks of her raven-black hair fell and shadowed her face. The Shintucs were beautiful; soldiers were ruthless. They would be raped. Rei stuttered, "And what of Princess Minako?"
Silence fell. Rei looked up and saw Ami glancing at Makoto guiltily.
"I ask again, what of Princess Minako?"
Makoto answered, "She was captured by the Venalanian soldiers. The survivors of the attack say she fought until three soldiers managed to restrain her and...capture her."
Lost in thought, Rei's eyes stayed transfixed on the dancing flame on the candle in the center of the room. A tremendous anger welled up inside of her and she fought the urge to throw something. She said, "Then we begin a campaign to Venalane. How many warriors can each of your cities spare?"
"Misenoch can spare 60 women," Ami said. "But no more. Misenoch is next in line after Morvenoch, and I must leave a heavy defense."
"I understand. Myrrnoch is guarded well by the forest, so I will give 100 to this campaign," Makoto said.
Rei nodded. "Then I will give 100, for Meflenoch is also very heavily guarded by the forest. Send pigeons to your generals, ladies. We will leave from here at dawn and arrive in Venalane territory in a week."
"One week?!" Makoto shouted. "That's not nearly enough time to travel to Venalane. Devil's Pass is...not really much of a pass anymore. It hasn't been used in so long that it's overgrown."
Ami agreed with Makoto, "Rei, I know what you are feeling. But the weather is cold-"
"Exactly," Rei interjected. "Men will need warming. All the more reason for us to leave as soon as possible."
Ami sighed, "Rei-chan, Minako needs our help, the best we can give her. If we hurry our troops to Venalane, they will by tired and worn. They won't be able to put up much of a fight against the Venalanians and that will result in more of the Shintucs captured."
Rei stood up. She announced, "I will leave from here tomorrow at day break. My troops and I will arrive at Venalane in one week, no more. We'll send you a pigeon when we get there."
"Oh, Rei. You've always been too hot tempered. Which is why I'll... go with you," Makoto yielded.
Shaking her head, Ami said, "I don't know why I'm doing this... So it's agreed, Venalane in one week, no more and especially no less?"
A smile on her face, Rei nodded. "Send a pigeon, fellow Princesses. To Venalane!"
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Usagi shook. Her body trembled as she looked down into the water.
Breathe. It's Ok. Just breathe.
Usagi inhaled. Immediately, the world righted itself and Usagi's head stopped spinning. She glanced into the water once more.
"So the Four Princesses of the Great Wood are going to Venalane? Then I think I shall accompany them..."
A small voice in the back of her head whispered, "And so will I..."
Usagi twitched. @ I know what you want. You're not going to get it. Not as long as I'm living. @
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FIVE DAYS LATER
Trowa looked from his castle and then to Prince Heero as he saddled his horse. Trowa turned and his green eyes scanned the scene before him. A band of about twenty men were heading on a search for Prince Heero's lost bride.
"Dear Prince," Trowa asked, "Remind me again why we're doing this?"
Heero smirked as he hopped onto his horse. "Medingalian law states that the prince must be married before inheriting the Royal Crown and the Kingdom of Medingal."
Trowa nodded as he jumped on his horse, Windfire. "Ok, then remind me why you can't choose one of the many willing women of Medingal?"
Sighing, Heero answered, "You know very well why. My father was an ass."
"You shouldn't speak of the dead like that. Much less a king, and *very* much less your father," Trowa scolded.
Heero tossed his hand in a signal for the men to ride out. They began riding at a comfortable pace.
"Let's not speak of the father," Heero said. "The scouts were sent out three days ago, ne?"
Trowa nodded. "Yes. I received a pigeon yesterday. They send me reports of a, quote, 'mysterious young blonde' slinking around in Sevangall."
"Narrows it down..."
"It's all we've got," Trowa pointed out.
Heero nodded, reluctantly shouting, "To Sevangall!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quatre was looking up at the ceiling of his pavilion style tent. He sat up and his gaze fell to the floor guiltily as he heard the scream of a woman being muffled. His hands curled into an angry fist. His knuckles were white.
His friend, Duo Maxwell, entered. "Hey man," He greeted. "Why so glum, Quatre?"
Quatre looked up. "Duo, don't you hear it? These women are being *raped*... And I can't do anything about it. Not a damn thing..."
"Aw, man..." Duo said. "Commander Thornton is a horny, sadistic *bastard*. If you dare question him about his...ne, activities, he'll court-martial you for disobeying orders. Heck, he might even take your life. Horny Thorny isn't one to mess with, man."
"I know," Quatre agreed. "But...it's nerve wrecking. I can't stand it, just knowing what's going on a few tents down..."
"Hey," Duo said, "The Shintucs are devil seductresses. Do you know how many friends I've lost because they've been killed and seduced by the Shintuc mistresses? Too many."
"And that justifies their rape?"
Duo shook his head. "I never said that."
"Why did we invade their city anyway?" Quatre asked, lying back down.
"King Leo wanted to know if the four Shintuc cities were real, or if they were just legends. Obviously, they are very, very real," Duo replied.
A deep male voice laughed, and a woman shouted. The voice of skin slapping skin echoed through the night.
"Duo, they're being humiliated. How can I just sit here?"
Duo lied down on a cot. He closed his eyes as he replied, "If it makes you feel any better, two of them managed to escape yesterday."
"Only two?" Quatre asked.
"Only...*yawn* two. I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow we arrive at Gordon, and my foster mom lives there. I'm gonna get up bright and early to see if I can visit."
@ Why would King Leo care if the Shintuc cities were real? We know from the stories that they are poor and rather primitive. Why would he care for a primitive band of warrior women? @ Quatre did not finish his thoughts, nor answer them. Instead, he fell asleep and had a wonderful dream of a lost love...
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END
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Confused? I figured you would be. Please visit the map, which can be found at http://www.geocities.com/kawaiiworks/alovethatholds.html
Should I announce pairings? I think it's a much better story if you keep the pairings a surprise, but some people will lose interest and stop reading if they don't know who's gonna be with who. Send me a review that says wether you want me to keep the pairings a surprise or if you want me to reveal them. Whichever I get FIVE of first, I'll do.
--KawaiiPie ^^
PS: Watch out for the next chapter! REVIEW! PLEASE REVIEW! Reviews inspire me to write more and to write better. You want that, right?! Then *please* review!
PPS: I still haven't gotten an email from anyone explaining how to use bolds and italics and all the good stuff in my fics. I would *really* like to use them in all of my fics, but I'm not sure how. Someone *please* send me an explaining how to do this. I'll be eternally grateful!! LilRebel9046@aol.com!
by KawaiiPie ^^
Chapter 1 - The Hunt For A Princess
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AN:
I created a map of the continent. I strongly suggest that you visit it because there will be a lot of travel in this story, and it would help you understand better if you knew where everything was located. The map can be found at http://www.geocities.com/kawaiiworks/alovethatholds.html
:END AN
TWO YEARS LATER
The name of the land was 'Memoire'. It was French for 'memory'. Wufei glanced up at the humongous castle, appropriately named 'Memoire Passee' or 'Past Memory'. He was a traveling mercenary/bounty hunter. There were whispers of troubles brewing in Memoire, and he figured that where there was trouble, a mercenary was needed. Wufei had been summoned by Queen Edymia of Memoire.
He walked across the drawbridge and into the castle courtyard. People hurried to and fro, all carrying something. @ Or someone, @ Wufei added to his thoughts, as he saw a mother dragging her little boy across the courtyard.
Wufei looked around for the entrance of the main castle. Suddenly, the tip of a spear prodded the back of his neck. "Turn around, very slowly. Alright then, what is your business here?"
Turning slowly, Wufei answered, "My name is Chang Wufei. I believe I am expected here at Memoire Passee?"
"Ah yes, Wufei-san, please follow me. I'm Brodo." Brodo dropped his spear and gestured for Wufei to follow. "Queen Edymia and her princes *have* been expecting you, indeed. Uh, what exactly is your business here?"
"If your Queen has not informed you, then I fear I am not at liberty to."
"Oh, come on," Brodo coaxed. "I'm a trust worthy man. You can tell me."
Wufei declined, "It would be against my honor to do so."
Sighing, Brodo ceased his questioning. Instead, he lead Wufei through several corridors wordlessly. He came to two ornate doors at the end of the hall. Brodo knocked.
A voice called, "This had better be good!"
Brodo blushed, giving Wufei a look that clearly apologized for his master's words. "Wufei-san is here!" Brodo replied loudly.
"Oh!" the same voice said. The two doors swung open, and a lavishly dressed man stepped out, arms flailing elaborately.
"Wufei-kun!" He said, "I am Akahiiro, youngest son of Queen Edymia! Welcome to Memoire Passee!"
Wufei fell to a knee, "I was summoned here, your Highness."
"Of course you were," a lazy, female voice interrupted. "Brodo, leave." Brodo bowed and exited the room, closing the heavy doors behind him. "Rise, Wufei-kun and come into the room."
Wufei rose up and walked further into the room, seeing that the female speaker was Queen Edymia. She was wearing a black dress, and there were red gloves on her hands. The deep strongly reminded Wufei of blood. The Queen was sprawled onto a lounge sofa, a glass of wine in her hand. The room was dimly lit, and there were two other men seated in the room.
"Now, Chang, I really must cut to the chase. You're the greatest bounty hunter in the land, are you not?" Edymia questioned, not really looking at Wufei.
Chest swelling, Wufei answered, "I can capture anyone, anywhere, given a decent amount of-"
"Are you, or are you not, Wufei-kun?" Edymia asked impatiently.
Wufei merely nodded.
"Then we have an assignment for you," a older man seated in the corner of the room said. Wufei just noticed him. "Surely you've heard the rumors running about in Memoire." He appeared to be about 24 and he was very grave looking.
Choosing his words carefully, Wufei replied, "Yes, of the missing Princess Usagi. Some people say that she ran from a scandal-" That was not all that was going around, but Wufei was sure not to offend anyone present. The rumors of the Queen murdering her daughter were running rampant all over the continent.
"I assure you," the man interrupted. "Nothing scandalous has gone on in this castle. Memoire Passee is a dignified place."
"I'm sure it is," Wufei said. He did not like this man, not one bit.
"Here is your assignment, plain and simple: Find Princess Usagi, bring her back, wether she is willing or not."
"Why wouldn't she be willing?" Wufei questioned.
The Queen shrugged. "Whoever it was that abducted her...Could've brainwashed her! You don't know what kind of crazy people there are out there."
Wufei smirked. @ I think I have a good idea... @ He voiced, "So she was kidnapped then?"
The man in the corner nodded. "That's what we believe. No idea who would've done it, though."
Nodding, Wufei continued his preliminary questioning. "No suspects? Did anyone in the castle disappear with her?"
Three individuals shook their heads. "I see. Where was she last seen?"
Hesitantly, Edymia answered, "A servant saw her...walking through the streets of Devinhoft. But she's been missing for quite some time."
"Then why try to find her now?" Wufei asked. He was well aware that Princess Usagi had been missing for nearly two years. "She could be dead."
Wufei saw Edymia flinch. Her grip on the wine glass tightened.
"It's not the job of a bounty hunter to ask questions," Akahiiro scolded.
Wufei bowed his head. "I apologize, your Highness."
"Before we begin discussing your fee," Queen Edymia asked, "As a mercenary or bounty hunter, you are sworn to some sort of Code of Confidentiality, correct?"
Crossing one arm over his chest ritualistically, Wufei answered, "Yes. Nothing said here will escape this room."
The Queen nodded, "Very good then. About your fee..."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hino Rei looked down into the forest below. Her people, the Shintucs, were buzzing to and fro, carrying on with their everyday lives. The Shintucs were a tribe of strong, beautiful and outcast warrior women who simply wanted to live their lives in peace. Most of them had some kind of power, which caused them to be shunned by their society as witches. The Shintuc government was simple: They were ruled by the Four Princesses of the Great Wood, one of which was Rei. The others were Mizuno Ami, Aino Minako and Kino Makoto.
Each of the Princess ruled their own cities in the Great Wood. Minako ruled over Morvenoch, Ami ruled over Misenoch, Makoto ruled over Myrrnoch and Rei was Princess of Meflenoch.
Rei sighed as she glanced into the sunset. Another night was falling upon Meflenoch. @ Oh, these days are moving by too quickly... @ A single memory of her past flashed in her mind.
"You know," Konni said, "Whenever you get that look on your face, I want to run back to Dorsem and hug my little brother."
"What makes you say that?" Rei asked, turning to face her closest friend. She leaned against the rails and inhaled the forest air.
Konni shrugged. "It's...nostalgic. Very nostalgic. It makes me remember my past in Dorsem... My brother was adorable. But I had to run. Rei-sama, why do you refuse to tell me anything of your past?"
Rei turned back around and leaned over the rail. She looked down upon several chattering women. "Konni, you know you're one of my best friends, right?"
"Of course, Rei."
"Then drop the -sama."
"But-" Konni tried to protest but a servant girl burst in the room.
"Princess Rei! Mako-sama and Ami-sama have arrived. They are calling an Emergency Meeting of the Princesses," The servant announced. She had obviously ran to deliver the message to Rei.
Rei's brow rose in acute alarm. "Princess Minako has not arrived?" The servant shook her head. "Very well then, where are they?"
"They are waiting for you in the Council House."
"Ok. Ni-chan, I'll speak with you later," Rei promised as she followed the servant out. Rei walked swiftly across the many narrow bridges that led from tree to tree in Meflenoch. The Council House was an important place, therefore it was built around the highest tree in Meflenoch.
When she arrived at the wooden doors of the Council House, Rei dismissed the servant. She took a deep breath and smoothed out the wrinkles on her silk blouse. Opening the door, Rei peeked in and then entered.
Makoto and Ami were already seated in their chairs around the table. The room was lit by a single candle set on the middle of the table. It was a small room, and there were ancient paintings depicting a high queen on the wall. Of course, the queen had been long since dead, but Rei rather liked the paintings.
Rei did a short bow before taking a seat in her designated chair. It was intricately designed to resemble flames rising, just as Ami's was designed to resemble a rushing waterfall and Makoto's looked like a great oak tree. Rei eyed the empty chair, Minako's, the top of which rounded of into a heart.
Cutting to the chase, Ami said, "Morvenoch has fallen."
"What?!" Rei gasped, starting from her chair. Morvenoch, Minako's city.
Ami continued, "A band of about sixty or so soldiers attacked Morvenoch. They bore the seal of Venalane. Most of the women in Morvenoch managed to escape to my city, Misenoch... but not all of them made it."
Rei's head bowed. Locks of her raven-black hair fell and shadowed her face. The Shintucs were beautiful; soldiers were ruthless. They would be raped. Rei stuttered, "And what of Princess Minako?"
Silence fell. Rei looked up and saw Ami glancing at Makoto guiltily.
"I ask again, what of Princess Minako?"
Makoto answered, "She was captured by the Venalanian soldiers. The survivors of the attack say she fought until three soldiers managed to restrain her and...capture her."
Lost in thought, Rei's eyes stayed transfixed on the dancing flame on the candle in the center of the room. A tremendous anger welled up inside of her and she fought the urge to throw something. She said, "Then we begin a campaign to Venalane. How many warriors can each of your cities spare?"
"Misenoch can spare 60 women," Ami said. "But no more. Misenoch is next in line after Morvenoch, and I must leave a heavy defense."
"I understand. Myrrnoch is guarded well by the forest, so I will give 100 to this campaign," Makoto said.
Rei nodded. "Then I will give 100, for Meflenoch is also very heavily guarded by the forest. Send pigeons to your generals, ladies. We will leave from here at dawn and arrive in Venalane territory in a week."
"One week?!" Makoto shouted. "That's not nearly enough time to travel to Venalane. Devil's Pass is...not really much of a pass anymore. It hasn't been used in so long that it's overgrown."
Ami agreed with Makoto, "Rei, I know what you are feeling. But the weather is cold-"
"Exactly," Rei interjected. "Men will need warming. All the more reason for us to leave as soon as possible."
Ami sighed, "Rei-chan, Minako needs our help, the best we can give her. If we hurry our troops to Venalane, they will by tired and worn. They won't be able to put up much of a fight against the Venalanians and that will result in more of the Shintucs captured."
Rei stood up. She announced, "I will leave from here tomorrow at day break. My troops and I will arrive at Venalane in one week, no more. We'll send you a pigeon when we get there."
"Oh, Rei. You've always been too hot tempered. Which is why I'll... go with you," Makoto yielded.
Shaking her head, Ami said, "I don't know why I'm doing this... So it's agreed, Venalane in one week, no more and especially no less?"
A smile on her face, Rei nodded. "Send a pigeon, fellow Princesses. To Venalane!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usagi shook. Her body trembled as she looked down into the water.
Breathe. It's Ok. Just breathe.
Usagi inhaled. Immediately, the world righted itself and Usagi's head stopped spinning. She glanced into the water once more.
"So the Four Princesses of the Great Wood are going to Venalane? Then I think I shall accompany them..."
A small voice in the back of her head whispered, "And so will I..."
Usagi twitched. @ I know what you want. You're not going to get it. Not as long as I'm living. @
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIVE DAYS LATER
Trowa looked from his castle and then to Prince Heero as he saddled his horse. Trowa turned and his green eyes scanned the scene before him. A band of about twenty men were heading on a search for Prince Heero's lost bride.
"Dear Prince," Trowa asked, "Remind me again why we're doing this?"
Heero smirked as he hopped onto his horse. "Medingalian law states that the prince must be married before inheriting the Royal Crown and the Kingdom of Medingal."
Trowa nodded as he jumped on his horse, Windfire. "Ok, then remind me why you can't choose one of the many willing women of Medingal?"
Sighing, Heero answered, "You know very well why. My father was an ass."
"You shouldn't speak of the dead like that. Much less a king, and *very* much less your father," Trowa scolded.
Heero tossed his hand in a signal for the men to ride out. They began riding at a comfortable pace.
"Let's not speak of the father," Heero said. "The scouts were sent out three days ago, ne?"
Trowa nodded. "Yes. I received a pigeon yesterday. They send me reports of a, quote, 'mysterious young blonde' slinking around in Sevangall."
"Narrows it down..."
"It's all we've got," Trowa pointed out.
Heero nodded, reluctantly shouting, "To Sevangall!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quatre was looking up at the ceiling of his pavilion style tent. He sat up and his gaze fell to the floor guiltily as he heard the scream of a woman being muffled. His hands curled into an angry fist. His knuckles were white.
His friend, Duo Maxwell, entered. "Hey man," He greeted. "Why so glum, Quatre?"
Quatre looked up. "Duo, don't you hear it? These women are being *raped*... And I can't do anything about it. Not a damn thing..."
"Aw, man..." Duo said. "Commander Thornton is a horny, sadistic *bastard*. If you dare question him about his...ne, activities, he'll court-martial you for disobeying orders. Heck, he might even take your life. Horny Thorny isn't one to mess with, man."
"I know," Quatre agreed. "But...it's nerve wrecking. I can't stand it, just knowing what's going on a few tents down..."
"Hey," Duo said, "The Shintucs are devil seductresses. Do you know how many friends I've lost because they've been killed and seduced by the Shintuc mistresses? Too many."
"And that justifies their rape?"
Duo shook his head. "I never said that."
"Why did we invade their city anyway?" Quatre asked, lying back down.
"King Leo wanted to know if the four Shintuc cities were real, or if they were just legends. Obviously, they are very, very real," Duo replied.
A deep male voice laughed, and a woman shouted. The voice of skin slapping skin echoed through the night.
"Duo, they're being humiliated. How can I just sit here?"
Duo lied down on a cot. He closed his eyes as he replied, "If it makes you feel any better, two of them managed to escape yesterday."
"Only two?" Quatre asked.
"Only...*yawn* two. I'm going to sleep. Tomorrow we arrive at Gordon, and my foster mom lives there. I'm gonna get up bright and early to see if I can visit."
@ Why would King Leo care if the Shintuc cities were real? We know from the stories that they are poor and rather primitive. Why would he care for a primitive band of warrior women? @ Quatre did not finish his thoughts, nor answer them. Instead, he fell asleep and had a wonderful dream of a lost love...
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Confused? I figured you would be. Please visit the map, which can be found at http://www.geocities.com/kawaiiworks/alovethatholds.html
Should I announce pairings? I think it's a much better story if you keep the pairings a surprise, but some people will lose interest and stop reading if they don't know who's gonna be with who. Send me a review that says wether you want me to keep the pairings a surprise or if you want me to reveal them. Whichever I get FIVE of first, I'll do.
--KawaiiPie ^^
PS: Watch out for the next chapter! REVIEW! PLEASE REVIEW! Reviews inspire me to write more and to write better. You want that, right?! Then *please* review!
PPS: I still haven't gotten an email from anyone explaining how to use bolds and italics and all the good stuff in my fics. I would *really* like to use them in all of my fics, but I'm not sure how. Someone *please* send me an explaining how to do this. I'll be eternally grateful!! LilRebel9046@aol.com!