A/N: Hello, guys! It's been five months since my last update and I do sincerely apologize for that. I've never been this busy in school and work that writing fanfics is such a luxury. I do admit I wrote some parts of this during my free time at my night job, so do forgive me for any errors you might encounter here (I'm slightly exhausted while writing this). This story will have an end, don't worry.
And speaking of the ending of this story, I'm actually struggling what should happen between our beloved Sen and her dragon hero. I have two possible endings for this: one a nice ending, and the other a tragic ending.
So hopefully you guys enjoy this not so long chapter (I'm really sorry. I'm so tired.) I'm tempted to write a Street Fighter fanfic while writing this. I love Chun-Li and Vega! 3
Ok...I really need to go to bed. I have work tomorrow. -_-
Italics - spoken in Japanese
Chapter 8 The Constabulary
(KOHAKU POV)
Silence hung inside the car as it sped off towards its destination. Corazon and I sat at the back. No words were exchanged since I had executed Major Ogata's orders to arrest her. As I looked out at the car window, I marveled at her bravery, speaking out against a high – ranking official, which no one could do, even facing death for doing so. At the same time, I worry for her life. Even if I was the White Dragon, I am not always there to save her.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard her shifting on her seat. I slowly turned my head away from the window towards her. She was slightly looking away towards the window, but I could see the glare that was visible on her beautiful features. This was the only time I could be in awe of her as Lieutenant Kohaku Nushi and not as the White Dragon. But I knew that she bore a deep hatred towards me because of my association with the Imperial Army and that fact was like a knife being twisted in my heart.
When she turned her head a bit, I immediately looked away, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to spill from my eyes. I looked at the corner of my eye and I saw that she was looking forward, her glare still visible. My only prayer was that whatever will happen when we reach the station, she will never be harmed.
I felt the car stopped and I realized that we had already reached the station. As I got out of the car, I went to the other side and opened the door. Corazon gracefully stepped out of the car and walked past me, paying me no heed. I followed right behind her as we headed towards the grand Spanish era door of the station. As we entered the station, I was greeted by two privates who guarded the door. I walked past the other junior officers who were at their desks and acknowledged their greetings. We followed Major Ogata, who took a turn to another hallway, a hallway in which I knew where it led.
The torture chambers.
Just the thought of the place was enough to make me feel sick to my stomach. I have seen people who have left the chambers and they were never the same again since. Others never even got out alive. I had a hunch that the priest and Corazon's friend were brought. Knowing that she would never want to see the people close to her hurt in any way, she might break down and tell everything she knew about her father.
When we had already reached the steel metal door to the chamber, Major Ogata commanded me to open the door. I concealed my own reluctance when I turned the door knob, a screeching sound produced as the door swung open. I immediately detected the horrible stench of death that hung in the room, the stench that was left behind by those who had died protecting their own country. I held the door open for my superior and Corazon to go in. After closing the door behind me, I followed right behind them as I took a few steps down the stairs leading to the main area, where Corazon's friend was restrained by chains on their wrists.
(CORAZON POV)
By the horrible stench of this room, I could tell this was where they brought all my comrades to their deaths. I fought back the urge to throw up as I stepped inside the room, walking past Lieutenant Nushi who was holding on to the door. As I took a few steps down, my eyes widened in horror as they laid on a figure that was chained by the wrists. Pepe was obviously beaten up, as shown by the cuts and bruises on his face. I knew that this would already happen. However, coming face – to – face with the situation was quite overwhelming. I held back the tears as I stepped down on the main area and walked right in front of him.
"So, Miss Ocampo!" the gruff voice of Major Ogata snapped me out of my thoughts, "I would spare your friend only if you would cooperate."
I turned my head towards him and gave him the hardest glare I could manage. "How dare you touch my friends?" I growled.
The officer only chuckled at my remark. "This is how it works, young missy." He sneered, "We all know we couldn't get any information from you even though how much we try. So maybe, if we can hit your Achilles' heel, probably you might finally cooperate."
I wanted to retort, asking what will happen if I refuse, but I stopped myself. It was obvious that if I do not tell them what I know, they will kill them.
"Where is your father?" Major Ogata drawled the question I had already expected.
I remained silent. Replying something like "I don't know." would not do me any good.
"Still silent, eh?" the officer taunted and pulled out a hot iron rod from the flames. I gaped out in horror as he planted the hot round end of the rod on Pepe's chest, causing him to make an earsplitting scream.
"DON'T! AZON! DON'T!" he screamed, which urged Major Ogata to press even deeper into his chest, the sound of burning flesh was enough to let the tears spill on my face.
When he finally released my friend from his agony, he then turned to me, an evil smirk visible on his face.
"I will ask you one more time." He said menacingly, "Where is your father?"
"Do you think arresting and killing my father would end the fight for freedom?" I snarled, giving him a glare through my tears, "Even if you did, there are still many people willing to take his place."
Major Ogata responded by planting the hot rod once more on Pepe, who looked as if he was about to pass out through the searing pain he endured. I bit my lip hard, almost feeling it bleed as my heart was slowly tearing to pieces.
"Don't be too cocky, woman." The Japanese officer sneered, pulling the rod off my friend's chest. Then his sneer changed back into his dark menacing smirk.
"I see now." He said in a monotone, "Let me ask about your relationship with our masked friend."
I did not respond. I thought I heard Lieutenant Nushi draw a breath from behind but I shrugged it off as my imagination. Even Pepe, whose head was down, immediately shot his head up and looked directly at me with a stunned look.
"Nushi told me about your special relationship with the White Dragon." He said tauntingly, an evil smile plastered on his walrus – like features, "I'm actually very curious on how deep it is right now."
I immediately shot an inquisitive stare at Lieutenant Nushi, whose cold emerald eyes pierced directly into my soul. I immediately looked away and glared at Major Ogata.
"And what concern do you have over my relationship with the White Dragon?" I asked coldly.
The Japanese officer snorted. "Of course I'm not concerned in a way your father may be concerned about you dealing with boys." He spat, "But don't you know he is wanted in all parts of the country?"
I cocked an eyebrow, feeling slightly annoyed by his remark. "I am aware of that." I said a – matter – of – factly, "Although I must tell you again that my personal affairs are none of the imperial army's business."
"Oh, but yes it is." Major Ogata drawled, slightly swinging the now cool rod back and forth, "He is a fugitive who uses his charisma to drag the naïve freedom fighters into their deaths and yet you, who has a very promising future, decides to sell your soul to him because you share the same ideals with him as well."
"Really? I think selling my soul to the White Dragon would be the best thing that will happen in my life rather than be a slave to a tyrant." I said, gritting my teeth.
Major Ogata frowned at my remark and proceeded to the fireplace where he heated the round end of the rod once again. He then walked back towards my friend.
"You leave me no choice, Ocampo." He said in an unsympathetic tone while pointing the rod towards Pepe, who drew his breath as he braised himself for another searing burn on his chest. As I was about to lunge towards him, I heard the metal door bust open and I heard footsteps hurriedly coming down the stairs.
(KOHAKU POV)
As I was about to grab Corazon's arm as she was about to lunge towards Major Ogata, I heard the metal door burst open and Sergeant Takada hurriedly came down the steps and saluted him before stating his business.
"Major, the Governor – General wishes to speak to you on the phone." Takada said curtly.
Major Ogata nodded, acknowledging his request and turned towards Corazon.
"Your friend is lucky this time." He sneered, setting the rod down at the fireplace, "However, this won't be the last time we will see each other again." With that, he strode past us and followed Takada upstairs. But before he proceeded upstairs, he turned towards me.
"Nushi!" he barked, "Bring Ocampo into your office and await further instructions!"
"Hai." I replied quietly to my commanding officer, "But what about this man over here?"
"Two guards will come get this mongrel and bring him to the cells with that priest." Major Ogata said scathingly and with that he stormed up the steps.
I then turned to Corazon who gave me a hard glare the moment I laid my eyes on her. I only gave her a hard stare and drew a breath in.
"My office." I said curtly. She raised an eyebrow.
"What about your office?" she asked shortly.
I sighed. "Follow me to my office, Ocampo." I replied, making it clear to her what I want.
"And what about Pepe?" she asked.
"They will take him away to the cells where they are also holding the priest." I replied.
There was a pregnant pause. Then she spoke.
"May I see Padre Kanor?" she asked.
I thought on what I should do. My conscience told me to give in to her request but my brain told me to decline her request and bring her to my office, otherwise there will be harsh consequences. Then I finally decided on what to tell her.
"You may." I said, "However, it will only be for a short while as Major Ogata wants the both of us in my office."
Her face lit up after I told her of my decision. But her face fell when she turned to her tortured friend, whose head was hung low, obviously showing the extent of what he had endured just to protect his fiancée's friend.
"They'll be released." I said reassuringly. Corazon spun her head towards me, a hint of surprise visible on her beautiful face.
"And how should I know if you're speaking the truth?" she asked suspiciously.
I snorted at her remark. "They do not have any use for them…yet." I replied thoughtfully, "Major Ogata was never able to get any information from you and so he will have no choice but to release them."
She only nodded at my answer. Then I saw two guards coming down the steps and strode towards Corazon's friend and led him away to the cellars. I then wrenched my eyes away from them and towards Corazon.
"Let us go to the cellars."
(CORAZON POV)
As Lieutenant Nushi led me down into the cold and damp cellars, I saw that most of the cells were empty except one. I saw Padre Kanor who sat at a corner, head hung low, and Pepe who was down on the cold floor, seemingly unconscious. When Padre Kanor looked up and saw me, his wrinkled features lit up and he scurried towards us and held on to the bars.
"Azon! Thank goodness!" he exclaimed.
I smiled and turned my head to Lieutenant Nushi who seemingly had a small smile gracing his lips.
"Five minutes, Ocampo." He said calmly before stepping back and exiting through the door.
I immediately kneeled in front of Padre Kanor, feeling worried about his condition. I never saw any marks of any kind of brutality on him, but I was not sure.
"Did they do anything to you, Padre?" I asked. I was relieved when he shook his head.
"Heh. I don't think they'll ever do that to me, considering that I am a clergyman. However…" he trailed off and turned to Pepe's lifeless body.
I felt tears welling up my eyes when my eyes laid on him. It was all because of me that he ended up in this state. I did not notice that Padre Kanor was looking at me.
"Don't cry, Azon." He said softly, reaching through the bars and taking my hand, "You are your father's daughter. You have to be strong, dear."
I nodded in agreement, wiping the tears away from my face with my free hand. When the old priest let go of my hand, he smiled at me, but I saw a mischievous hint on his face.
"That boy seems like to you." He said, chuckling. I grunted in disgust.
"Padre!" I exclaimed in a low voice, feeling the heat creep up my face, "How could you say such thing?!"
Padre Kanor laughed at my reaction. "I was only trying to cheer you up, Azon." He said, scratching the back of his head, "But don't you think it was nice of him to allow you five minutes of his time just to talk to me?"
I shrugged. "Five minutes then he'll whisk me away." I said, a hint of bitterness visible in my voice, "But coming to think about it, all of these…people except him would never give such privilege to someone like me."
"That's the point, Azon!" Padre Kanor said with gusto, "Don't you think that he could probably be an angel in disguise for all we know."
I rolled my eyes at his statement. "Padre, he still works for them." I drawled.
The elderly priest waved his hand at me. "I know that." He said dismissively, "But it's rather strange that he acts that way when it's you."
I heard the door to the cellar burst open. Speaking of the "angel", time was already up.
I stood up and turned to Lieutenant Nushi who strode towards me, not saying any word. He only gave Padre Kanor a knowing look, before his cold gaze fell on me once more. I then followed him out of the cellar, but not before giving the elderly priest one last look.
He had a private office of his own, a privilege that was handed to him as a high – ranked officer. His desk was free of clutter, unlike what I have seen on the desks of most of the officers outside. There was a small rising sun flag at the edge of his table and there was also a large flag at the back of his desk.
I took a seat at the leather divan by the blinds. Lieutenant Nushi took a seat beside me, still not uttering a word. Suddenly, the door to his office burst open and Major Ogata came in and huffed.
"The Governor – General knows of the situation here in Tarlac and he has ordered your transfer to the headquarters in Manila." He said in a booming voice, "However, your assignment does not end as well."
"I beg your pardon, Major," Lieutenant Nushi said curtly, "But do you mean…"
"Yes," Major Ogata cut in before Lieutenant Nushi could say anything more, "You will also have to escort Ocampo with you as well and make sure" his cold gaze shifted towards me, "she does not escape your sight."
A/N: That's it! Please R&R! Hopefully I will update soon enough! Peace out!
