As usual, thank you for you guys. Have fun. You people deserved it.
Disclaimer: Yeah, I own it, happy? But listen, I'm just some poor student, so even if you sue me, you can't get any money. Do you still think I own it?
Chapter IX
October 3, 1917
Akito stepped into her son's room. It was dark and gloomy, and it rotted of death. She grimaced. What was going to happen to her, and the family now? Kisa was going to have to take Kaoru's place, and she could already imagine the chaos. More headaches for her.
She motioned that everyone should leave. Once she was alone, she went up the corpse, and almost wanted to scream at it. She wanted to scream at her son for being stupid, and catching some disease, that will make the family fail. She has worked so hard for it, and because of her son's death, she would need to waste even more time to rebuild everything. She was running out of time, and her son had to die on her like that. Damn him!
There was a soft cough, and she turned around. Eyes alert, she looked everywhere, until a girl stepped out. She narrowed her eyes, and glared at the girl. That girl merely smiled back.
"Hello, Lady Akito. Honoured to meet you." The girl bowed before her, and Akito didn't show any emotion.
"Why didn't you leave when I commanded everyone else to?" Akito questioned the girl, with a harsh tone. If it had been any other person, they would've already gone on their knees, begging for mercy. However, this girl just laughed.
"I was waiting for you. Do you remember me?" She smiled, mockingly. Her posture was mocking her, heck, her whole existence was annoying Akito.
"How about a hint? Remember Junko?" Her smile turned into nothing, and rage was evident on her face. Akito's face instead, was now filled with shock.
"Junko? Then you are?" She couldn't' finish her sentence. For the first time, Akito might have actually shown fear here.
"Her daughter. Guess you never thought that she had one, did you? Thank goodness I was away, while the whole thing happened. God intended to have someone take revenge for her. And here I am now. I have taken away your precious son, how does that feel? How does that feel, when you think that you can declare yourself the winner that everything will come crashing before you? I'm sure you know how Ren-sama feels now."
Akito continuing staring, and didn't do a thing. Cheiko smiled, and said "Thank you. I had a pleasant time at the Honke. I will send your compliments to my mistress. I must go now. Goodbye." With that, she slipped away, and the room resumed to normal, as if she was never there.
"Damn you, Ren. Damn you. He shouldn't have been gone. It's all your fault. Damn you to hell. " She whispered, and rage continued to consume her.
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October 11, 1917
"I believe that the mission was a success, right?" Ren stared at her new favourite, Cheiko. After Junko died, she took the little girl under her wing, and trained her to help her win the battle for Akito. It seems like, she was very useful. Now, Akito would want to the get rid of that alliance with the Takeda family, and then she could command it. No doubt that she could rise to be powerful, and totally finish off Akito.
"If it wasn't, why would I be sitting in front of you?" Cheiko smirked, and took a sip from her cup of tea.
"I didn't know that you were scared?" Ren threw her hands up in the air, smiling.
"I was. And I still am." The girl's smile was mirroring Ren, and they both laughed.
"I shall congratulate you, Ren-sama. Very soon, you will be controlling the Takeda family, and overthrowing Akito. I'm sure that she should be very scared right now." The girl was showing her loyalty and thanks to Ren.
"I doubt it. Nothing could scare that woman." Ren commented.
"Oh really? I beg to differ." Cheiko offered another mysterious smile, and laughter could be heard throughout the whole time during the night.
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October 13, 1917
Ren took her time, walking through the Takeda's house. She knew that the earl of Pembroke was going to be waiting eagerly, but she decided to tease him. She would make him always listen to her, and prove that she was superior to anyone else within the house.
"Announce to the earl that I am here." She spoke sweetly to the guard. He did, and she went inside.
As she had predicted, the earl was waiting frantically for her. He hastily went back to his seat at the center, but she could see him pacing around, wanting her to come. She also took the time of sitting down.
"Ren. I have been waiting forever. Is the Duke truly gone now?" The earl questioned, hoping for the answer that he is desired.
"I assured you that I would make him disappear, and I did. Now, for the next stage." She spoke in her business like tone, but it seems like the earl had no interest right now.
"Finally, that person is gone. At least I don't have to worry about that stupid contract that I was forced to sign. Thank god." He was in his own world, thanking everyone.
"My lord." Ren had to pull him out of his imagination.
"Listen, my lord, this is just the beginning. In order to make sure that the Sohmas won't rule your lands, there are still many more steps to take. Who knows, maybe you'll be ruling the Sohma lands someday? "
He looked hopeful, and whisper, "Really?"
Ren said "Why not? But first of all, I think that you should offer Akito a groom for her daughter."
"What? After I've worked so hard to get rid of this marriage contract, you're telling me that I should forge another one. Impossible. Woman, are you losing your brains, now that you've gave Akito the ultimate defeat?" The earl stormed. He was outraged by the idea. He would never do that, he is so sick of the Sohmas now.
"Don't worry, she won't say yes. That is what we want her to do now. That way, we can accuse her of treason, and you can get the lands, for being the one to discover it."
The earl couldn't understand how women's brains worked, they always have some crazy theory, yet they're always correct. He knows better than to stop Ren.
"Since the Sohmas have so much land right now, and they have done so much for the empire, the emperor would be glad to get rid of them. After all, he couldn't have someone so powerful, and so skilled, near him. But he could never find an excuse. If someone accuses her of treason, the commoners won't take it. They love her." She paused, and the earl still couldn't understand a thing.
"Now, if you offer a marriage, she would say no, since she doesn't want a Takeda taking chances, and end up ruling the Sohmas. Then you can tell the emperor that she was really committing treason, since she wants an alliance with the Takeda family to have their lands. She wants to over throw his power. Of course, we would need to add more 'truths' into it, but it's a pretty good claim. Once it succeeds, you'll be ruling the Sohma lands, and taking Akito's place." The earl seemed happy with Ren's explanation.
"But what if Akito agrees to the marriage?" Pembroke couldn't help but ask.
"She won't. And if she does, you'll still be ruling Sohma lands soon. Trust me." He likes the response, and laughs. Ren too, does that.
'Just you wait, Akito. I will come back, and take your place. And this fool will help me.'
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November 4, 1917
Just as Ren predicted, Akito got horrified of what the earl proposed to her. She crumpled up the letter, and said "Damn him. What's with him that wants an alliance so badly? He can't do that, he wishes to rule over me. He won't. I'm god, and I'll be the only one that does any commanding around here. He's not going to overthrow me so easily."
"Yoshiro. Come in here." The servant came running in, bowing before Akito.
"Good morning, Your Grace. What would you command me today?" He spoke easily.
"All arrangements for the funeral and advancement are done, right?" He nodded.
"I want you to help me with something. Come closer." He leaned in, and Akito told him her commands.
"I presume that you understand how dangerous this mission can be? I hope that you remember who you owe your loyalty to?" She smiled, and he replied smoothly.
"Of course. I never can never forget."
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November 19, 1917
"So, am I right, my lord? Did Akito reject my proposal?" She smiled lazily at him, and he said yes. Just as she thought. Akito wasn't that hard to guess nowadays, she's not that sharp anymore.
"Well then, we'd better start preparing. Who knows, maybe as your New Years gift, you might be already sitting in Akito's position? How would you like that, eh?" Pembroke was eager, and she continued.
"The evidence that we have created should be enough, but just in case, I would want some witnesses. I'm sure that you can provide that easily, right? Once their stories have been verified, along with the letter that she sent us, we can hand that whole thing to the royal court. You might even want to pull some people of great influence on our side. You know, for the whole trial to be smooth." Ren was pleased with herself that she could think up of a plan that's so flawless.
"Of course, Ren. I will do that. But won't it make our case even stronger, if there are rumours behind it. If everyone within the empire has heard something bad about her, it would be a lot easier to bring her down. Maybe we won't even need those extra 'evidence' anymore." Ren was actually amazed by what knowledge that the earl suddenly possessed. Even she didn't think of that.
"That too. I'm surprised that you are a quick learner. You have already surpassed the teacher." Ren gave him one of her genuine smiles.
"Thank you."
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November 28, 1917
"Lady Ren, there is someone that wants to see you." Her personal maid announced.
She looked up, wondering. Who would want to see her? The earl has already started his side of the bargain, and she is going to send the documents soon. Cheiko has already done her part for now, and is hiding again. So who would want to come and visit her?
"Who is it?" She spoke.
"I'm not sure. He just says that he wants to have a meeting with you. Something about giving you your desires." Ren was interested at that.
"Tell him to come in." Shuffling noises could be heard, and the door slid open. A figure came floating in.
"Who are you, and why do you think you're going to be one handing me my desires. For all I know, you don't even know what my desires are." The figure before her seemed unmoved by her words.
"Hello, Ren. Do you recognize me?" The figure looked up, and she gasped. It was that Yoshiro, from Akito.
"What do you want? Doesn't Akito want me to die?" Ren snarled, and her tone changed. Even the aura around her shifted.
"Akito may, but I don't want you to. In fact, if you can accept these as a token, I can give you what you want." He handed a packet to her. Ren took out the contents, and flipped through them.
"Why should I trust you?" She asked him, still holding the papers.
"Because if you don't, you will never find someone else that can help you." Yoshiro replied smoothly, a smile on his face.
"Oh, but I have such a powerful ally right now. Why should I need you?" Ren's eyes were trying to fool him.
"You mean that dog. You know, just because you trained it, doesn't mean it won't bite back. I have reports in here as well, that indicate that he wants to take over everything afterwards. This was the letter. Here, take a look." He gave her that as well.
"But isn't it a fake?" She taunted him.
In a quick movement, Yoshiro grabbed a small envelop that was beside Ren. He dangled it in front of her, and then put it away. His voice was trying to imitate Ren's, saying "But isn't it a fake?" Ren growled, her face pale.
"Fine, you win. One question though: Don't you owe your loyalty to Akito?" She was being skeptic.
He gave a teasing look at her, looked up, and a grin stretched across his face.
"Nope, I don't."
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December 3, 1917
Ren was looking at the Honke, seeing how much it had changed. It certainly didn't look as relaxing anymore, and gave a feeling that it was one huge military base. Not like she cares, when was the last time that she was here? Oh, about 7 years ago, when she got kicked out.
She smirked; even the servants looked wearier. They all have fear within their eyes, their positions hunched, afraid of what Akito could do to them. Akito has done the Honke well.
Once she entered the rooms though, she did have to say that Akito did make the rooms look more sophisticated. Maybe it was the only thing that she would ever do good for the house. She looked up, to see that Akito was still claiming the center, while her daughter, the Duchess, was sitting at her right.
"Good afternoon, Your Grace. I thank you for your invitation to the Honke. You are most kind." She spoke the words that were required, like a stupid puppy. It was too long since she had pretended like that.
"I am glad that you could make it. How was Yoshiro, a good guide? He is the most competent servant that I have." Akito gave her a kind look. Ren knew better than anyone else what that meant. She looked down, and carefully smirked.
"He is. I am glad that Your Grace has so many people surrounding you, helping you, assisting you." She replied. 'If you only knew what he had said to me, and my true purpose of this meeting.'
Akito gave her a hard long look. She wasn't sure what that meant, but she knew better than to speak anything else. Should she just continue looking down, and pretend to submit?
"Good. I'm glad that you care for us so much. You are the most loyal servant. Just as Shigure had said." Now Ren looked up, her eyes narrowing by the reference that Shigure had made so long ago. That was just some lover's talk, saying that she would bring him healthy sons, and worry about him. She didn't know how Akito knew that, but it was just insulting her as a mistress, that she was only a whore for heirs.
"Of course. But I am only a servant. Your are the mistress, the ruler of the household. He has always praised and enjoyed you helping. His thoughts are never far from you." Akito eyes flashed at that statement. How often did he spend time with her? That might have sounded wonderful for anyone else, but Ren did it on purpose. She however, didn't bother responding.
Akito forced herself to smile, and be polite to her guest. "Well, you must be tired. I have arranged your quarters; they will be your old ones. I'm sure that you'll like them very much." Ren said nothing, but one could tell that she was insulted by that. She was still calling her a whore after all these years.
Ren kept her cool though. Did it matter; Akito was just a spoiled brat.
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December 14, 1917
It was the day. The day that all the rivalry between them would end. Ren has already sent the package, without telling the earl. She realized that Yoshiro was right. The earl would never care for her once the deed was done. She might as well do it herself; now that she has such a powerful witness, from the heart of the power.
This was the day that she had been waiting forever. The day that all her scheming would have paid off. All those hours, thinking until she felt that her brain would burst, plotting with whatever pawns that she could have, climbing back to the position that she had. This was the day where she could finally declare superior to Akito. It doesn't matter if it's 7 years late. At last she would get what she wants, for herself.
It was almost sad that it has to end. This was what she had dedicated her life to, and she has to end it soon. It was almost as if she would lose everything once it was done. She scolded herself. She has been waiting forever, how could she be sad?
However, the weather was splendid. In addition, if blood spills, it would ruin the scenery in the Honke. She had to pity though, it was almost too beautiful of a day to end it.
Light laughter rang across the gardens in the early morning.
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The soldiers came marching in, questioning people, searching, ruining everything. Ren could get a view of that, from one of the rooms that she was in. She had to laugh. She was almost into tears, because of all the laughter.
Suddenly, a group of soldiers came running in. "Kimaru Ren?" They questioned. She nodded. Guess it was time to start the play.
Two of the soldiers came and grabbed her, holding her by the arms. They were trying to haul her out.
"What are you doing? Why are you doing this? I am not the one that has committed treason, it is Sohma Akito. I am the one that told the emperor about it. Why are you arresting me? Let go at once." She screamed like a madwoman, She looked desperate, frail, and for the first time, weak. She didn't care though. She kept on doing whatever it can to make them stop. The soldiers didn't listen though.
They lead her to one of the gardens, where the head of the soldiers was waiting. She found Akito sitting at a table, drinking tea. She growled.
"Is this the person that you've been talking about, Your Grace?" The head soldier asked Akito politely.
"Yes. She is the one." The head soldier thanked her, and turned around to glare at Ren.
"Lady Ren. You have committed high treason. You are to die for it." He said simply. Ren didn't give up though.
"What high treason? The only one that I can see committing it is all of you. Can't you see it; the real person that is unfaithful to the country is that spoiled brat. She has ambitions, and plans to overthrow the emperor. I just gave the information. Why are you capturing me instead of her?" She tried reasoning. Akito finally looked at her, and stared at her eyes.
"You have committed high treason, since you knew that the Earl of Pembroke was trying to start an army, and overthrow me. He wanted my lands, and my people, so that he can enslave them, and force them to acknowledge him as emperor. You knew that, but you didn't tell us. Instead, you tried helping him, encouraging him, working for him. You even went far as poisoning the late Duke. Is that not high treason?" Akito stated.
"How could he? Didn't Yoshiro…He said that…" Ren was going speechless.
"Oh, I knew that you and the earl were planning something, once you made your move against my son. So I had him test you. Guess you revealed your true intentions to him, and he told me. So as the emperor's most loyal servant, I naturally informed the court. I set up a trap for you, to reveal your evilness." Ren couldn't believe it. How could she have fallen it? She should've known that Yoshiro was the most loyal servant that Akito had. That he was one of the ones that snubbed her in the first place. How could she have been so careless? Yoshiro was standing behind his mistress, smirking at her.
"NO! I have done no such thing! It is you, Your Grace, that has done such things. You were the one that has tried to commit treason, and you are using me as your shield. I have done no such thing. I have not. I am loyal to the crown." Akito didn't bother, and gestured the soldiers to drag her to some prison.
"I didn't. I did not. Listen, Sohma Akito, I will take my revenge, and expose you. I will. I have not lost. I will never lose. Trust me. I will come back." Her voice still screaming in that high pitch, even as the guards were leading her away.
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December 17, 1917
Akito was tired. It has been 3 days since the capture of Ren, and everyone seems to question her about things. Things that she didn't care about. Like how did she find out the plot, more evidence, witness, etc. Heck, while she was pissed off for answering those stupid questions, she was also very proud. They were idiots, they actually believed her from those so call evidence.
"Looks like I've won." She whispered to herself, into the darkness of the room. She was drinking sake to calm herself, and possibly go to sleep.
Her eyes caught something. It looks like him. Or maybe it was her? Either way, they were giving her blank looks. She felt a cool breeze at the nape of her neck, and felt the need to tremble.
"It's not me. It's not me. I didn't do it. Why are you looking at me? I didn't do a thing. It's her. You see, it's her. Not me." She spoke, pointing at the silhouette that she could see. But whatever that she saw, didn't believe her. So Akito started screaming her words, and grabbing things to throw. One of the objects that she managed to get her hands on was a vase, and she threw it towards the figure. It crashed to the ground.
After a few moments, light flooded the room. Everything was lit up again. A maid came and asked if she was alright.
"Oh, I'm just dizzy, and accidentally knocked down a vase. Nothing else." She spoke briskly, and told everyone to go away.
However, she requested that there should be at least some candlelight in her room for the night. Very strange, since the Dowager Duchess normally hates having light. Very strange indeed.
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December 18, 1917
Ren was staring at the grey room that she'sbeen confined in. How long has it been since she was a prisoner? Two weeks, 18 days, 20 days? Does it even matter anymore?
She wasn't scared; she just felt that it wasn't fair. She was betrayed by everybody, and no one came to her rescue. How did Akito know that she was setting up a trap for her? That was her masterpiece, something that took her forever to come up with. How did Akito find out?
She couldn't die yet, she couldn't. She hasn't finished claiming what was hers. She still needs to educate her son into ruining Akito, she still needs to watch her son take revenge, and slaughter Akito before her eyes. She won't die until that happens. She can't lose to Akito. How can she, she has one ultimate weapon that she's been saving.
Ren began shaking her head, lifting her hands. She stares into them, whispering "I won't. I won't. I don't know a thing. I'm innocent. I know that. I know that." She kept whispering, until she started laughing, louder, the volume increasing.
Suddenly, a flash of white light burned her eyes, and there was a loud banging noise. She had to adjust her eyesight, but then, it disappeared again. Standing before her, was Akito.
"Be quiet. You are charged of treason of the highest degree. You should be preparing for you death, not screaming." She hissed. Ren found it amusing.
"Why should I? I'm innocent. I'll be free soon." Ren pretended to be all stupid, naïve. Akito just gave a harsh laughter.
"Are you? You knew, but you didn't say anything. That's why you are to die, for knowing but not saying. You know too much." Akito gave a twisted smile.
"Yet I can still say it. I know what crime I have committed, and it's not treason. Want me to repeat it? I'm sure that you'd like to hear the names again. And that idea, that was original. You gambled everything, and it seems like you've won that round. I was surprised, but I caught on. You chose her, for you needed someone to take the blame, and you hate her. What better person to kill him then her?" Ren smiled, she was so happy. Akito however, was growing dangerous. Her eyes flashed determination, wanting to kill.
"No, I didn't. I did not. It is you that is speaking all this evil. You are evil. I have done nothing wrong. It is not me. I did not do anything. Listen, I did not." She screamed, clutching her head.
"But you did. Want me to help you refresh your memory? Maybe it was too long ago. You know, when both of us still possessed beauty, and we were fighting. We were fighting for our futures, and you were losing. So you decided to pick up some innocent person, and then drag her to hell, in order to save yourself. You gave her orders, and then------" A scream broke Ren's words, and Ren smiled at how well her words worked. Maybe it was too long ago.
Akito was frightened. She could see them, pointing fingers at her. She could see her, pointing at the spices that she had prepared. She could see him, his eyes blank, wanting revenge. She could see them. No, she didn't do a thing. Why should she be worried?
"No, I have done no such thing. Your words will not haunt me. Your words will not haunt me." However determined her voice was, her eyes showed pure fear. She was shaking so badly, and her voice so hoarse. Her head looked up, her eyes darting suspiciously.
"Listen, Ren. You have lost. You are charged of treason, nothing can change that. And I have won. Do not forget." She commanded. Yet it was more like comforting herself, when Akito was saying it.
She quickly walked out, another flash of white light, another 'bang', and Ren was left alone again. Ren couldn't help but start laughing. The horrid sound continued to fill the room, louder every time, echoing. It was like she could never stop.
Kimaru Ren died laughing.
Author's ramblings: I'm sure all you people are so glad that she's finally dead, and want to celebrate, so I'll make this short.
Nothing much to say. The chapter pretty much explains itself. Well, there are strings to tie up, and some that will continue on, but let's not worry for now. I highly doubt that anyone is still reading this, since they're so glad that Ren's dead. Until the last chapter of part I, good bye.
Have a blast!