Shining Armor
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. My schedule still remains a bit unpredictable. So I can't promise how quickly or slowly this story will be updated again, but I still have no intention of abandoning it. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Notation: This fic is more about fun than historical accuracy. So I decided to focus on the main points more than the technicalities, rules, and mechanics of this particular event. With that in mind, happy reading.
Chapter 10
The day of the final tournament had finally dawned and Kakashi couldn't be more nervous as the various competitors were preparing for 'battle.' Not because he had any doubt in his skill, but because he honestly didn't know what the bluenette would say to his proposal.
"It's the event that you've all been waiting for." Neji smiles at the crowd. "The jousting competition! The last man still on his horse shall be the winner!"
The crowd's excitement was a living, breathing entity all on its own. That and is was also nearly deafening. Kakashi couldn't begrudge them that though. They had all been waiting a very long time for this day and now that it was finally here, you could feel the anticipation in the air.
"Start the match!" The demand echoes throughout the grounds.
It was hard to distinguish one voice from another. The crowd was now speaking as though they were a single person and Kakashi loved it.
"We shall begin." Neji smiles at them and Hinata signals for the competition to start.
It was surprising, but Kakashi didn't see the Uchiha Brothers competing in this one. Clearly, their parents must have intervened.
"Take this!" Sasori charges at Prince Kankuro.
The two of them were riding on the backs of noble stallions. Neither beast would yield an inch. Just like their masters. There were several charges before the red head manages to knock Kankuro's lance out of his arms.
"At least he won that smithing contest." Gai sighs as he watches Kakashi. "Don't worry about the competition, Kakashi. You'll do amazingly because the Power of Youth and Love is on your side."
That was true. Though Kakashi was under no illusions about the nature of jousting. People could and did get hurt. Sometimes even killed.
The matches were usually swift. Sometimes even brutal. One by one more men were lanced or fell from their horses.
"My Lord, the physicians are going to be busy today." Gai shakes his head as yet another youth falls to the ground.
Kakashi winces and nods. He was pretty sure he heard something snap. Judging by the way the lad was cradling it, probably the lad's wrist.
"Indeed." The silver haired man nods in agreement.
The crowd was roaring with excitement with every victory. It was probably a good thing that the jousters had helmets on to protect their ears. Kakashi had no idea how the spectators weren't going deaf from the sheer volume of it all.
"I can't believe that he's actually competing." Gai shakes his head in disgust. "Be careful, Kakashi. I wouldn't put it passed him to cheat."
That was good because neither would he. Kakashi knew exactly who his friend was speaking of. Orochimaru.
Naruto had just faced the man and fallen from his horse after quite the valiant effort to stay on. He'd charged him several times, but something was clearly wrong with his stead.
The horse had fallen over. Apparently, its hooves were not well-maintained or something. Kakashi suspected sabotage really.
"It's your turn." The knight claps him on the back. "Good luck."
Gaara watches the joust with increasing alarm. It was becoming glaringly obvious what was happening. A man of Orochimaru's age really shouldn't have been able to best Naruto, considering his skill.
Added to that, the Duke was currently mounting his horse and about to face the cheater. "Damn it." It was vexing. The red head could do nothing at the moment, but watch and hope that Kakashi would be well.
He seemed like a decent enough man. Not that Gaara had any real intention of losing to him when it came to competing for Hinata's hand. That didn't mean that he wanted him dead though.
"Duke Kakashi shall be facing off against King Orochimaru." Neji's voice rings throughout the courtyard.
They were off and there was little Gaara could do as he watches it all unfold in slow motion. At first, the joust seemed to be going in Kakashi's favor.
Certainly, he had a better command of his horse. It was actually rather poetic. Watching man and beast seem to move as one entity, but it was not to last.
"You should yield." Orochimaru winces as Kakashi's lance grazes the side of his face. "It would be in your best interests."
Oh yes. The man was going to cheat. The only question was how would he go about doing so?
"Perhaps, but I'm not going to." Kakashi charges at him again.
The way he held the weapon was impressive. Gaara couldn't fault his technique, but this could only end in tragedy. For which man though, he wasn't sure.
Everyone's eyes were on the pair though, even Hinata's. The red head winces at that. He wasn't completely oblivious. If one looked hard enough, it was obvious that the queen did have a soft spot for the duke.
"This won't end well." He sighs and crosses his arms.
It wasn't his turn to joust yet, but the sound of hooves hitting the ground was everywhere. Clashing lances. The smell of sweat and even a bit of blood clung to the air.
There had been some injuries, but fortunately it didn't seem that anyone was going to die on this day. Well as of yet. Gaara knew that there was still time to go before this was all over.
"Then you'll pay the price for your foolishness." Orochimaru smirks as he comes charging towards Kakashi.
His charge was a mock one. It happened almost faster than Gaara could blink. A single arrow goes flying through the air.
"AHHH!" Slamming into Kakashi's arm.
It was almost impossible to tell from whence it came, other than in the stand. What mattered now though was the fact Kakashi's anguish was alarming the stallion underneath him.
The beast lets out a frightened neigh as it begins to buck and throws Kakashi off of him. The duke lands on the nearby ground as the horse races away in terror.
"Oh, Dear God!" Hinata rushes towards him.
So does Gaara. He wasn't alone though. Many of the contestants, Neji, and even Shikamaru were also by the silver haired devil's side in an instant.
Shikamaru looks over Kakashi. "It's alright." His eyes narrow. "It was just his arm, but we will have to find out who shot him." That was no mystery.
Gaara glares at Orochimaru. He may not have strung the bow himself, but the king had obviously played a hand in Kakashi's injury and for that, he would pay dearly.
"We don't have to look far." Gaara marches back to his horse. "You paid a bowman to attack the Duke. With the queen's permission I would like to administer justice for Kakashi."
The duke was watching him now. Not that the king could blame him. His declaration must have been quite the shock for him, but that didn't matter. He needed to be dealt with without a war.
"That's quite the accusation." Orochimaru raises an eyebrow at him. "Though let us settle it as men. Should I win, that is God's proof that I am innocent of this crime and if I lose, well you were right and there will be no war over your loose lips!"
Hinata bites her lower lip. "So be it." Good.
If there was one thing that Gaara was good at, it was jousting. He had two things on his side the Spanish King did not. The 'Ultimate Defense' and righteous fury.
"Very well." With that being said, he mounts his horse.
It was time to punish this bastard for his treachery. A fair fight for the queen's hand was one thing, but this was unforgivable.
Hinata watches anxiously as Gaara and Orochimaru take off. She couldn't believe this was happening. The elderly king had actually paid someone to attack Kakashi.
"I will remove the arrow." A physician warns Kakashi. "This will hurt, but I will give you some strong liquor to dale the pain and a towel will be placed in your mouth."
That sounded ominous because it was. The healer didn't want Kakashi to bite off his own tongue from the pain of having the arrow remove. Still, it was a smart precaution, Hinata observes as Kakashi begins drinking quickly from a flask.
"I understand." He nods at them.
So did Gaara. With all eyes watching the Spanish King now, Hinata knew that he wouldn't dare cheat. Perhaps the red head would put an end to this without too much bloodshed.
Neji places a towel in Kakashi's mouth as the two combatants slam into each other. Orochimaru was older and far bigger, but Gaara didn't go anywhere. He refused to be knocked from his horse, Hinata notices.
"I am sorry for this." Neji sighs. "You may be a deviant of the highest order, but this will be painful and you haven't done anything to warrant it."
Kakashi somehow smiles at him even with his mouth filled with the towel. It was as if he was completely at ease with the situation. Which was quite the feat considering his best friend was racing towards them and sobbing.
"Sir Gai, calm yourself." Hinata looks at him. "We're giving Kakashi the best care that we can. He will be will and those who hurt him will be punished." That was a promise from a queen and a decent queen never went back on her word.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Gai wipes the tears from his face and sniffles.
It wasn't the most dignified picture for a knight to present, but it was still touching. The bushy browed man truly did care for Kakashi.
"You injured a man just so you could have an ill gotten victory." Gaara slams into Orochimaru. "This time, you won't be allowed to cheat your way to a win."
"Is he going to be alright?" Hanabi makes her way over to them with Konohmaru at her side.
Those two would truly be an adorable match one day. They already were, but now wasn't the time to muse about such things. Kakashi was about to have an arrow pulled out of him!
Kakashi smiles at her despite having a mouthful of some rag and nods. He was so sweet. Calming Hanabi when he was injured.
His smile didn't last for long though as the healer pulls out the arrow ever so slowly. Blood gushed from the wound, but they were soon compressing bandages on it. Trying to stop the bleeding.
His face was now contorted in pain as he bites down on that cloth so hard it was a wonder that the fabric was managing to perform its chosen task at all.
"TAKE THIS!" Gaara once again slams into Orochimaru.
The bastard didn't even have time to defend himself. Gaara was magnificent in his fury as he manages to throw Orochimaru from his horse.
Magnificent, but he was no Kakashi. Whoever ended up wedding the red head would be lucky, but he wouldn't be her husband.
"DAMN YOU!" Orochimaru falls onto the ground as Hinata hears a sickening crunch.
"Dear Lord, I think his legs are broken." Someone's voice is heard from the crowd.
That prompts many similar speculations. Hinata wasn't entirely sure if Orochimaru's legs were broken or not. Right now, she didn't particularly care. It would serve him right for trying to cheat his way into her life.
"How are you feeling?" Hinata smiles at Kakashi after slowly removing the rag.
The bleeding was slowing. His injury wouldn't be a fatal one. Not unless it became severely infected anyway.
"Well, I would be lying if I said that I felt good." He pants slightly as he smiles roguishly at her. "Though Heaven's Gates will just have to wait because I can't desert the angel that stands before me, especially when she is my queen."