Love Across Time: Hidden Royalty
Disclaimer: I do not own Rayearth.
Chapter 10: Blood is Thicker Than Water
A/N: REALLY IMPORTANT BACKGROUND IN STORY: Ok, some one asked why Tatra and Tarta did not recognize Hikaru. Well I'm doing this based on the manga. I made sure each Knight is paired up with a planet that did not have direct contact with them. Also, the girls have not met the three foreign leaders since they restored Cephiro. I'm going to repost the first chapter to make it clearer. Add to this that the girls have lost some of their memories and tada!
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"I'm afraid I too have bad news to deliver," taking a deep breath he continued. "Not far from Autozam, is the planet called Squall. From the very beginning of Autozam's formation, we have been in a close alliance. They too have learned of our alliance, and have asked that we reconsider it."
"What is going on!" shouted Ferio angrily. "This planet is just as irrational as the other. It is stupid for them to ask for the termination of our alliances. If they joined the alliance could be even stronger!"
Eagle's eyes darkened as he pulled out his sword, in response to Ferio's words. Geo, who was sitting next to him, placed a restraining hand on Eagle's arm.
"Calm down Eagle," he whispered sharply. "Sit down. I'll explain more."
Eagle placed his sword back in its place, and sat down silently.
"Watch your words Prince Ferio. The alliance is not only strong because of how long it has lasted, but also because of blood. The King of Squall, Syaoran, is the brother of Autozam's King, Hawk Vision, Eagle's father. Squall's story is much like Vulcana's. Sixteen years ago, High King Syaoran and his wife Mitsuyo disappeared from Squall, with their only daughter. Their four sons, Syaoran, Touya, Masahito and Matsumoto (twins) stayed behind to rule over Squall. Everything was fine until twelve years into the royal family's absence. The people wanted the High King back; there were also rumors of foul play by the princes. About a year ago the possibility of civil war was becoming a reality. It was stopped however, with the return of the King, his wife, oldest daughter and a younger daughter, who had been born while they had been gone.
The Autozamian and Windarian families are very close. The Princess and Princesses are like brothers and sisters to Eagle. You will understand then why your words have offended him."
"Well at least they have only asked and not demanded," said Presea.
Eagle chuckled deeply at her. "They have no reason to demand. It is a given that we will keep our alliance with Squall. My father did not even think twice when the decision was presented to him." Ferio and Lantis began to argue their points again, but Eagle let Geo handle it, and let his mind remember the first time he had met his newest cousin.
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Eagle sat with his father and mother, as they listened to audiences. Eagle tried to think of an excuse so he could excuse himself. The banging of the great hall doors interrupted his plotting, as a servant came running up to the dais.
"Your majesties," he gasped trying to catch his breath, "A communication is being held for you from Squall."
"Well, let's have it," ordered Hawk Vision. The servant laid a circular devise on the floor before the King. Immediately a hologram of Prince Syaoran appeared.
"Greetings High Prince. To what do I owe the pleasure?" asked Hawk Vision with a smile.
"The pleasure is mine Uncle, for I bring wonderful news. My father, the High King Syaoran has returned. And he has brought with him, not only the rest of the family, but also a new sister!" said Syaoran smiling broadly.
"What wonderful news, your people must be happy as well. When did they arrive? Is it too soon for us to visit my older brother?" asked Hawk Vision eagerly.
Syaoran laughed at his Uncle's barge of questions. "They arrived yesterday. I would have contacted you sooner, but their arrival was accompanied by danger. My youngest sister was deathly ill, and would have died had she stayed where they had been. She is out of danger now but she is still very weak. However, father wishes you to come immediately he is anxious to see you and Aunt Minako and Eagle."
"That settles it!" laughed Hawk Vision slapping his knee, "We will leave today, and arrive tomorrow afternoon."
"Till then Uncle," said Syaoran as the hologram disappeared.
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In three hours they were on a ship headed for Squall. When they arrived King Syaoran and Prince Syaoran met them. Eagle smiled as his father embraced his brother, and laughed loudly. After greetings were exchanged, the High Prince led them to his new sister's room. Her room was full of light and the gentle breeze that seemed to be ever present around the royal family, played with the gauzy curtains of the princess's bed.
When they entered the room Eagle spotted his Aunt Minako, as she rose from her place beside the bed, and after he greeted her, Minako pulled him towards the bed. "Come, met your cousin," she smiled.
"No, if she is sleeping I don't want to disturb her," said Eagle pulling away slightly.
"Oh no, no, no. She made me promise to wake her as soon as you arrived," said Minako, pulling one of the gauzy curtains back, to reveal Eagle's youngest cousin. He noticed that her skin was pale but not in a healthy way. Minako gently shook her daughter, and Eagle found a pair of emerald green looking up at him.
"Fuu, this is your cousin," she said helping her daughter into a sitting position. "Eagle Vision, this is your cousin Fuu. You may take my seat." Eagle nodded and his aunt walked away to where the other adults were sitting and having tea.
"Hello Eagle," smiled Fuu.
"It is good to have you here cousin," said Eagle as he hugged her and kissed her forehead. Taking the chair next to the bed, he and Fuu talked about Squall, and about Autozam.
"What is this?" asked Eagle raising Fuu's left hand where a gold ring encircled her ring finger. "Have you been promised to someone already?" he asked with a laugh.
"No," smiled Fuu, "When I arrived, it appeared on my hand. I guessed it was just jewelry from Squall. And what about you?" she asked pointing to the silver chain around his neck. "Is that not a engagement ring hanging around your neck?"
Eagle looked down at the ring that had slipped out from beneath his shirt. "I…well…It is a engagement ring but, my promised was taken from me. I do not know if I will see her again," he said with a sad smile.
Fuu apologized for bring up the sad topic, but Eagle assured her that he would rather remember his missing love, than not speak of her at all. Fuu than turned the conversation back to Autozam. In the middle of his explanation of how his planet was fixing the problem of its deteriorating atmosphere, the door was opened and the rest of the royal children came in. First they greeted their parents and uncle and aunt, then, they came over to the bed. Kuu hugged him and sat next to Fuu on her bed, as the brothers tackled him to the ground. The girls giggled as they continued to rough house, and made room when the boys tired, and started to via for a spot on the bed. To insure his spot, Eagle wedged himself between Kuu and Fuu. Laying an arm around each girl, knowing the boys would not try and pull him from them. The twins claimed what was left of the bed, and Touya sat at the end. Syaoran picked up the overturned chair Eagle had been sitting in before, and sank down on it. They laughed and talked lively until Touya, who had gone to speak with his father returned. The group quitted down when they saw that his jovial smile and vanished from his face.
"What is wrong?" asked Fuu reaching a hand out to Touya.
"Autozam has made an alliance with the planet of Cephiro."
"What?" whispered Fuu fearfully, as tears began to form in her eyes.
"Oh Fuu darling," cried Minako immediately appearing at her daughters side.
"Lunch is ready everyone. Let's not keep it waiting," said King Syaoran motioning for the others to leave. "Fuu is tired, let us give her some quite to sleep." He went over to the bed and kissed his daughter's forehead, as everyone else headed out.
"Windom," called Minako. A large green hawk appeared and settled it's self on a perch next to Fuu's bed.
"That is Fuu's body guard," said Kuu taking Eagle's arm and leading him out. "Very loyal and protective of her." Eagle only nodded wondering what had upset his younger cousin so much.
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Eagle smirked slightly. The rest of the trip had been fine, and when they were leaving King Syaoran, asked them to reconsider the newly made alliance. If the alliance was kept, then Autozam would lose Squall as allies. It had taken his father scarcely a minute to decided. And here Eagle was now.
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When Geo finished his explanation for separating with Cephiro, Aska stood up on her chair so everyone could see her
"I fear that my news is no better than what you have already heard" she said nervously.
"Let me guess," said Clef tiredly, "Our alliance has been discovered and you've been asked to take it back."
"If only that were so," said Oiang Ang rising to stand next to Aska. "Our neighboring planet is called Atlantis. Atlantis has not asked anything of us about the alliance."
"Wait," said Ferio curiously, "I thought you said you were bringing bad news? This sounds like good news."
Oiang Ang held out his old hand, stopping Ferio's speech. "You have not heard all I have to say. Atlantis sees this alliance as an act of aggression towards them. They see it as you taking Fahren from them, and they have no hesitation of fighting to keep their alliance with us."
"What?" asked Ferio dejectedly laying his head on the table. 'This can not be happening,' he thought wearily. After a few minutes of silence Oiang Ang spoke again.
"The decision is yours Cephiro."
"Our decision?" asked Lantis.
"It looks like we have no choice though," said Lafarga, "Go to war, or break the alliance, right?"