Disclaimers on everything that I don't own.
Warriors At Heart,
Chapter Nine,
By Winterwing3000
Night fell over the Nakihaha Valley. The silvery moon was overhead, casting ghostly shadows among the rocks and dirt. The bones remained on the ground, which caused every step to make a crunchy noise. Anzu and Seto had set up camp at the base of the valley, a small crackling fire in front of them.
Somehow, an unfortunate, small, wild bird had wandered its way into the dead piece of land, thus was now being roasted above the fire to feed the two. Rika was sitting off a little ways from them, checking on them every now and then.
Silence fell over the two childhood friends as they watched the bird cook. A bundle of twigs and a few flint stones sat next to Seto, who speared his sword into the ground. His dark azure eyes were starring into the reddish-orange fire, deep in thought. Anzu seemed to be in the same trance as he, her brows drawn together and a frown etched her lovely features.
Seto tossed in a few more twigs to heighten the fire, eyes far off in a distance.
If I stayed, then what of Mokuba? He's still not of age to properly take over the castle. And will most likely to be overpowered by Atem's consul. They'll rip his powers into shreds before he could even access it. However, it is against a knight's code to leave a lady behind. Then again, I'm speaking of Anzu here. She's hardly a lady, no manners or noble-grace. Seto resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
Perhaps I could kill that evil wench over there before dawn. Rika I think her name is. Damn witch, no wonder Anzu didn't even want to step foot in here. Probably knew that this old hag reside here. But… if Anzu knew that, why did she want me to come along as well? Did she know that we would be dragged into this predicament and decided to lure me here, then leave me in the morning with this… Witch?
He raised a skeptical brow, now looking down at the dirt. Did she despise him that much, even after all these years? Surely, if he still remembered, she could hold no grudge longer than a single day. Guilt weighed almost next to nothing as he recollected what had happened to her mother.
True. He had stood there, behind Gozabourou as the man drove his bloody sword straight through Anzu's mother. He was stunned, and ashamed that he was raised in a family who would kill someone without as much as a second thought. The brutal and ruthless method to put someone through life-long misery did not suit his style back then. No, he would have talked it through, rather than using such lowly ways. But now…
Things have changed. He was cunning, cold and ruthless. He supposed that he picked up the nasty habit from his late stepfather himself, but it could not have been helped. What has been done is done. And nothing could have changed that fact.
But the question still remained…
Which one of them would be staying? Which one of them should be staying?
Well, I have a family to get back to. Especially with Isis in that condition, I can't just sit here and do nothing about it. Mai and Shizuka needs me should anything… happen to her. But… Seto has a nation to go back to. He has… his little brother and his fellow soldiers. Maybe… if his family will take in the others. He can go back to their camp on foot and save Isis and the other Raised. King Atem will, with no doubt, take in Isis. It is just so obvious with the way that he looks at her…
And if Isis goes, then she'll try and sway the king, asking him to bring Mai and Shizuka with her to the Raised land. As much as I hate to think this way, it is the next best option that I have.
It would also be for the best if I stay here. Rika could never harm me. She knows that I'm stronger than her, physically and mentally. If Seto stayed, ugh, he'll probably be dissected and fleshless after spending half a day with Rika. Good Heaven, just what does she make with bones and flesh? Love potions? Anzu snorted at the thought, then checked on their dinner. Nodding at the darkening outside, she took it off from the fire and started to cut out a nice large portion of the left thigh.
Seto had snapped from his thoughts when he heard her grunt. Then he peered at her, watching as she confidently hacked off the bird's well-cooked leg. And unexpectedly, Anzu shoved it in front of his face, causing him to lean a few inches back. "Here."
"Hn." He took the meat, but his touch lingered the slightest. A small spark jolted through their systems, making Anzu pull her hand back quickly and resumed her task at slicing up the bird.
"So…" she started hesitantly, blowing at her dinner and looking rather timidly at Seto. "I guess this will be our last meal… huh?"
"Hm…" Seto grunted, chewing.
Her sky-blue eyes looked at him expectantly. Then, after long moments of pregnant silence, the Huntress huffed indignantly. "Well, aren't you going to say something?"
The general glared at her. "What do you expect me to say? 'Oh, yes, I hope that one of us would get out alive this time'!"
"Something nice would be a great change!" the brunette snapped. "After all, I'm staying and you'll be going back to your family!"
That caught Seto off guard. She was planning on staying? On what grounds? They haven't even discussed this thoroughly and she decided to act rashly by saying that she'll stay!
"Who said you're staying!" he said coldly.
"I said it and that's the end of discussion. I'm not needed. Once you return, my Leader will sign the damned treaty and most likely return to a peaceful lifestyle. Or get married off by King Atem…," Aznu muttered the last part in Old Language.
"So you're assuming the future… hm, you ARE pathetic, Mazaki, just like the time I said it at the hill. If you were to remain here, never to return to your 'family', what do you think the consequences are? They will mourn, and most likely not live peacefully, but break out into mad rage and coming after my ass for not bringing you back. Then, they'll most likely die off like the rest of your tribe. What then, Anzu? Everyone will be dead and it will be your fault." Seto sneered, putting aside his dinner.
"You… I'm only doing this for your own good, so who are you to tell me what to do!" the Huntress bit back, narrowing her eyes. "It is not as if you care what ever happened to my family. You, Raised, will be celebrating over our defeat and your glorious victory. That's all you damned nobles think about, victory and glory. And my family will understand my decision. We, unlike you, are tightly-knit."
"I'm only doing this for your own good, Anzu!" he snarled, letting his temper get the best of him.
Shocked, she dropped her meal onto the ground and just stared at him. After a short moment, her facial expression dropped, back into a more understanding and accepting one. "Oh… so you do care. Why? Is it another order from your King? To watch over me?" she bitterly murmured.
Nearly sighing exasperatedly, Seto turned his head to face the darkness of the valley, where the sun had set. She had him there.
Just what was making him so… worried for her?
"You seem to know that hag over there very well. Planning of leaving me here with her then, are you?"
In the dark, Rika chuckled lowly, knowing that the two had forgotten her presence. So… Anzu and this Raised had a relationship… how… interesting…
Interesting, indeed...
Flecks of yellow and orange could be seen over the top of the tall green trees. A few crows took flight, leaving their nests for a morning meal on the ground.
Down in the campsite, all was quite, but a couple of soldiers and laborers were up and ready for the new day.
However, there was a small group of foot travelers heading uphill, deep within the forest. Two females walked ahead of the group, followed by a floating sphere carrying two people within. Another two men came after them.
Mai, dressed in a knee-length lavender skirt and a purple cloak, carried a black bag at her side, occasionally glancing back at the other two troopers, Honda and Prince Yuugi. Shizuka was at her side, concentrating deeply on her magical sphere where Jounouchi and Isis were encased.
They were heading upland, closer to the Southern Mountains where a large and long river ran through. Mai looked up into the sky and noticed that the sun was nearly up. Turning to the group, she said, "We need to pick up our pace the slightest. All preparations should be done before noon."
"But it's barely dawn!" Honda protested. Damn it, why does his armor have to be so heavy?
"And it'll take over two hours to prepare all that is necessary!" the blond doctor snapped. "Come Mage, if they wish to lag, then they can do as they wish."
Nodding, Shizuka hurried a few steps, quickly trailing Mai and leaving the two men behind.
They headed further up the river, until they neared the crashing waterfall. A small mountain of rocks built into a twisted stairway, leading them upwards to the land of the mountains. Slowly the climbed and as the way wound closer to the rushing water, then, they disappeared behind the water, leaving a bewildered Honda and Yuugi.
"Where did they go?" Yuugi asked, peering around the area.
Just then, a small hooded-head popped out from behind the curtain of water. "Over here, Prince Yuugi!"
Blinking a bit, Yuugi climbed up the rocks carefully with Honda at his tail. When they reached the pouring water, there was a gap big enough to fit two people, which led into a deep cave behind the waterfall. Stepping in quickly to avoid getting wet, the tri-hair colored prince adjusted his eyes to the darkness.
Mai was taking out what seemed to be candles and placing them all over the cave, forming a large circle. Shizuka still kept the two poisoned victims afloat near the end of the grotto, but she was drawing a weird symbol within the circle of candles on the dirt ground with dark charcoal.
Honda walked closer to inspect the emblem as the Healer took over the job of finishing it and the Mage was sent to light the candles. Soon, all preparations were done. The white candles were glowing with a eerie blue light, making the double-crossed star-formation ghostly. Then, Isis and Jounouchi suddenly appeared in the center of the ring, lying down on their backs with their hands at their sides.
"Prince Yuugi, perhaps now would be a good time for you to leave. I cannot have the slightest movement or noise once I start. And there will be no rests. Therefore, I cannot risk it with you here, despite your worries and fears. Please, heed my words." Mai said cautiously, taking out a rolled up piece of cloth from her bag.
"But…" Yuugi started, stepping forward to reason with the blond female.
"No… protection will not be needed either Prince. I will form a protection barrier around us, so nothing will penetrate it. Please, rest your worries and pray for the best. Should King Atem arrive, tell him that… they will be alright as long as he has faith in their will and in Healer's capable abilities." Shizuka told him softly, giving him a small visible smile.
Sighing in defeat, Yuugi nodded. "Okay. But do not wear yourselves out. It would not be wise to do so."
His general placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "No worries man, they'll be fine. Trust them."
The Raised Prince nodded once more and treaded out to the forest path with General Honda. After they left, Mai and Shizuka looked at each other. Emeralds met with dark lavender. An understanding passed through them. "Yes… trust."
It was about two hours after sunrise. The long shadows were dragged from the mountains and down to the valley, creating jagged figures on the soil. The campfire had gone out during the middle of the night, the wood cooled off from the nightly breeze. Anzu and Seto were still asleep, undisturbed by the dim sunlight. Their clothing were torn the slightest, but Anzu's looked most ragged. Her cloak was missing, her shirt was still in tact thankfully, her pants were ripped up to her knees, and her hair was wild. Seto looked much more decent. His pants were still in good shape, his shirt was missing a sleeve, his cloak was slightly shredded and his hair was rumpled as well.
The brown-headed huntress laid half curled on the dirt ground, her bare legs drawn closer to her torso which was twisted to the side so that she could comfortably nestle her head into her arms on the wood log she had used to sit on earlier. A dark blue cloak covered most of her figure, missing the feet and most of her arms. Her sword was right next to her, the brown bag tied to the hilt.
The general was sitting up, with one knee up and the other foot in front of him. His had his right elbow on his propped knee, resting his head there. His other hand was holding onto the sword lain on his lap, slanted. His fingers twitched occasionally and his grip on the weapon lessened every now and then. His nature was always to be alert, be he sleeping or awake.
Rika was resting on her back, body facing the sky with her arms crossed underneath her head. Her cloaked was fanned out beneath her and her lavender hair was braided over her left shoulder. A silver coil with two sharp heads was placed in the center of her abdomen.
Then was an eagle's cry far off in a distance. Rika's deep plum eyes opened the slightest, a smirk drawn on the corners of her mouth. It was time to put her plan into action.
Honda and Yuugi waited outside of the waterfall cave, half the time pacing around the riverbank. The blue candle lights were making that certain spot of water glow, eerily. Yuugi chewed on his lip worriedly. What if something horrible should occur during the 'operation'? What if they weren't operating at all! Then they would've been fooled.
Looking up at the waters then to the cave, Yuugi's violet eyes widened in surprise. "Honda, the lights, they're out."
As Honda's head snapped up to peer at the cave in the light provided by the setting sun,
Night crept up on the Raised campsite. Atem and Honda were quietly discussing some matters about the camp. Yuugi stood outside of the tent where Isis and Jounouchi were resting up, since it was his turn for guard duty. Mai and Shizuka were in the next tent, also resting from their exhausting day. They had gone through the day with barely any food, so the Cook was cooking some veal and soup for their dinner.
Every now and then, Mai would get up from her seat and walk over to the other tent to check on the two. Atem would also visit them, but only when he wasn't swamped with many reports.
Soon, Yuugi, Honda, Shizuka and Mai had gathered around a small fire, hoping to warm up from the chilly summer night. That was when they heard rustling from the nearby trees and bushes.
Alert, Honda and Yuugi stood in front of the women, much to Mai's distaste, with their swords out and ready to fend off any beasts. However, the last thing they expected were the two who were sent out to retrieve the medicine.
"Kaiba!" Yuugi exclaimed, putting his blade back into its sheath. Honda merely inclined his head to greet Seto.
Both of them were dirty, scrapped on all places and looked somewhat exhausted, like they just finished a mud war then ran down a hill. But that didn't stop a smile from blossoming on Anzu's face.
"Prince Yuugi." Seto addressed, giving a small bow.
"Huntress!" Shizuka cried in delight, tears brimming. Mai had on a rather large smile on her face, with a happy twinkle in her violet eyes.
Anzu, waving and smiling a bit, said, "Hey guys. We're back! Here are the herbs that you needed Healer." She held out the brown pouch toward the blond female. "I hope that it's enough for the both of them."
Shizuka ran up to hug Anzu, whispering in her ear as she did so. "I'm glad you're back safely. Isis and the Raised are safe now too!"
"I'm glad… as well…" the brunette returned the embrace tightly.
Seto watched them out of the corner of his eyes, a small quirk pulling at his mouth. Atem then came out to greet them.
All's well, ends well.
AN: Thanks for reading, now only one more chapter to go! Yay! Review and tell me what you think would happen in the end! (Not that I'll tell you of course. Bwha!)
Twilight eyes 8120: thank you! And I'm glad you enjoyed it, and yes, it takes a couple of hours to read it, since all the words are clumped together –sweatdrops- I think I'll re-edit all the chapters and see if I can make it easier for everyone. Ah, the war, that will come much later in the sequel. And the fun's just beginning! So don't worry, once this dies down… another twister's heading your way!
Poptart: Thanks! I'm glad that you're back too!
Mintt: Oh, woe is me! How cruel thy heart is. Especially to Kohaku! T.T But thank you anyways!