AN: Hello again everything! I've gotten a couple reviews so far and I hope that you will continue to enjoy. A couple things before you get started. Chapters 1 and 2 have recently been updated with drastic changes. It's mostly that large portions have been added. Yosho is very OC too. There are reasons behind this that will come much later, probably near the end of the story, but he will ultimately develop into the man who is Tenchi's grandfather. After all, wisdom is proof of past mistakes! Let me know if you feel I should change this story from T to M-rated. I'm unsure of what exactly the difference in violence is between the two. Anyway, I feel there's a significant improvement in the writing in this chapter, as well. Thanks all! Please review!
"Brother, I don't understand…"
"Ayeka, there are cruel people in this world that would want to harm you simply because of who you are," Yosho consoled the young princess. "Unfortunately, these people aren't limited by age. Often times, they will use children as a means of deception."
"Brother, that isn't what happened! If you would listen, you would understand that," Ayeka argued back. "I would like to see the person who saved me. I would like to see Ryoko." Yosho sat back and sighed. Though a princess she may be, she was quite adamant. Unfortunately for her, he would not let her have her way. Finding that girl with Ayeka had been a matter of convenience and it gave him a full cover, knowing the guards would act hastily to protect Jurai's future. Aiding and abetting in the assault of a member of the royal houses, not to mention murdering a regular citizen of Jurai, was punishable by death. This was a perfect opportunity and the poor girl was lucky she was still alive, though she would not live to see the light of day again.
"You cannot see her, Ayeka." Yosho's words were final and she could not defy him. He reached out to pat her head, but she instead huffed and crossed her arms, turning away from him. It was custom to honor those who aided the royalty of Jurai, especially in times of danger, but it seemed that it would not happen now. She could only think of the unspeakable things that were being done below the palace's surface. If only she could return the favor and save the poor girl. If only she were older, everyone would listen to her. Somehow, everything had escalated into a ridiculous misunderstanding. The young princess slowly trudged away. "Pick up your feet and walk properly!" She turned back to stick her tongue out and ran away.
"AAAAAAAAAAAH!" Ryoko's screams filled the room as her body convulsed with electricity, rattling the chains that bound her to the walls. It was as if a live wire had been connected to every nerve in her body and they all tingled with a likening to the pricking of a thousand needles. As the current subsided, her body slumped, rising and falling laboriously as she gasped for the air that had escaped her lungs. Half-lidded eyes gave a slow glance toward footsteps that moved toward her. This was only a taste of how she would be passing the rest of her days, assuming there were more to come. A grimy hand hooked under her chin forcing her to look into her aggressor's cold eyes – overbearing eyes that diminuated her, affirming her worthlessness. Sapped of her will, mustered what little resolve she had and spat in her interrogator's face. He sneered in disgust, delivering a swift blow to Ryoko's cheek, generating enough force to jerk her head to the side. With her will broken, her head fell with blood smeared across her features.
"You still won't talk, will you? That's fine with me! I can do this all day!"
"There's nothing to tell! I keep telling you, I saved her fr- AAAAAAH!" Once more, her chains came alive with their damning energy, only relenting once she was tame. Even the slightest twitch was utterly impossible, so she remained as she was… silent and unmoving... almost lifeless. From the corner of her eye, she saw another elite speak in a hushed tone to her still agitated oppressor, to which he jerked away displaying an exaggerated dispute.
"Water?! You want to give her water?!" The man snatched up a pail of water and marched toward her at an aggressive pace, grasped her jaw, and squeezed hard until her mouth had been forced open. He proceeded to douse her head with the entire contents of the pail, leaving her to gurgle as she drowned. With the pail now empty, he tossed it to the side, letting it clank against a wall. "Get her out of my sight. She won't speak now; she won't speak to anyone again." With that, she felt something crack against the back of her head and her consciousness faded to darkness.
Misaki stared at her daughter picking at her food. An assortment of her favorite foods had been prepared and yet she seemed quite dour over something. Earlier in the afternoon, the child had been a ball of uncontrollable excitement as she awaited the evening's festivities. Word had spread quickly in regard to the attempt on her daughter's life, once they had returned. The would-be assassin had violently thrashed about, earning a quick sedation in order to be handled. She had definitely been a lively one. Misaki reached over to her daughter's hand in an effort to calm her worries.
"You're safe now, Ayeka – home, where no one can harm you," Misaki reassured with a warm smile. Ayeka returned a sad smile her way. Her words had seemed to have little effect on her daughter's current state of mind. It was the first attempt on her life and certainly it would not be the last… but these were not the words she needed to hear. Right now she needed the guidance of her mother and she would do just that. "Would you like to talk about it?" Ayeka gave her food one final pick before turning to her mother.
"Why can't Ryoko sit with us?"
"Ryoko? Who is Ryoko?" Misaki looked genuinely puzzled.
"Ryoko is the girl who saved me today. I wanted to give her an invitation as a 'thank you'," the princess explained.
"Saved you? Oh no, hunny, she made an attempt on your life, in addition to already killing someone! People like that should not be rewarded for their cri-" Misaki was immediately cut off by an outburst from her daughter.
"None of you are listening! Brother is lying because he left me alone and I got lost!" The air became cold as Misaki leaned passed her daughter baring a demonic glare in Yosho's direction. Sensing her her ill-intent, he became preoccupied with his food as he perspired.
"Is that so?" Misaki's voice was heavy with a gleeful, irritation. It seemed the cogs were already turning and his future was dim.
"I ran into a man and upset him. It was my fault, really, but he was angry and drunk. Ryoko saved me from him, but Yosho had her taken away no matter what I said! He told the guards I was too upset to know what I was saying!" Ayeka became visibly more upset. It was at this time that Lady Funaho decided it was appropriate to fuel Misaki's anger toward her own son even further.
"That does sound familiar. I do remember him saying Ayeka was too hysterical to know what had really happened," she smiled at her son.
"Mother, do you really need to egg her on?" Yosho expressed nervously.
"I'm just wondering what was so important that my wonderful son left his sister unattended," Funaho said inquisitively, dabbing her mouth. Yosho felt himself shrink under fires burning in Misaki's eyes. "Oh, I do hope you weren't looking at harlots in the slums again," she quickly added, relishing in her son's sudden increase of perspiration. With everyone distracted by Yosho's blunder, Ayeka decided to slip out of the banquet hall, though she did not escape the watchful eyes of neither Misaki nor Funaho. "What do you think she will do, Misaki?"
"If she's anything like me, something rash," Misaki chuckled. "I'll wager Yosho's punishment she tries to help her."
"Interesting. Then, I'll wager she asks us for help," Funaho said slyly.
"You all do realize I'm still here, right?" Yosho said nervously.
"YES," both of their voices resounded through the hall.
Ayeka found herself standing at a grand door that exuded an enchanting aura. Something about its grandeur made her feel so much smaller than she really was. She gulped and took a step forward. The princess refused to be intimidated by her brother's quarters. It was simply just a room… but it felt so barren when his presence was absent. Careful not to make a sound, she slid between the doors, scanning for a familiar gravity stand. Yosho's bed sat elegantly in the middle of his room, canopied with its many glowing ethereal fabrics.
As she neared the bed, a glow began to emanate from his nightstand. She pressed her hand to her chest, cautiously walking to this inviting light. It began as something dim, brightening with each step she took closer. Hovering above the light was an intricately decorated hilt, smoothed by only the finest of Jurai's craftsmen. At last, she had found what she was looking for – Yosho's master key. One day she would have her own, and she would be able to walk about the palace freely – even assume command of her own ship. However, that was for another day. She needed to focus her determination. For now, she was on a mission.
AN: So I do technically have the next chapter done! I'm proofreading it to make sure it lives up to this chapter. Also, I want to stay ahead so that I always have something release if I have writer's block hahah. Please review. Let me know what you think of this chapter or where this is going. Let me know what you like it, hate it, or want to kill it with fire! Also, I am looking for a Beta!
