Act 11: No Place to Call Home

Akihiko quickly makes his way down the hall, earning various bows and various welcome backs from the servants whom he payed no attention to. He was too much of in a hurry to reach his destination to Karin's cell. And if what he heard as he stood outside the gates of his home is true, he certainly wishes he isn't too late.

He stands before two guards, "Let me pass." He demands, his eyes narrowed.

Both of them look at each other and stood their ground, "I'm sorry, your grace, but you can't."

"Let me pass." He says through grit teeth. He was fuming. He wanted to see the woman he loves. "It's an order!"

Without giving a second thought, they move out of his way. And he pushes through, his eyes desperately searching each cell, only to find no one there. He could feel his heart shatter. "Where is she?" He asks himself, his voice hollow. "I was too late..." He falls to his knees, his head in his hands.

"She escaped." A sudden voice came from behind him. A hand was placed on his shoulder.

Akihiko smacks the hand off him, and he turns to glare at his father, "You let this happen." His eyes have gone dull, "What did you do with Karin?!"

King Ryuota frowns at him, "I already told you she escaped. And she is yet to be found. Many think she's dead."

He scowls, "She can't be dead." He can't bear the thought, he won't stand for it, "If you never treated her like a criminal, none of this would've happened!"

The King scoffed, "Stand down, Akihiko. You certainly must have heard what happened while you were away. She was the one who committed the crime. She was the only one there, the only one who survived when it was obvious she should've died in the accident."

He clenched his fists, "That's what they wanted you to believe! She never would've been willing to murder that family! She couldn't possibly-" he stops himself, his eyes suddenly feeling hot, "-be willing to do it."

King Ryouta scoffs, "You can't be more mistaken."

"You're the one who's mistaken, father. I know what you did to become King!" He closes the distance between them, "Mother would have never allowed you to become so corrupt."

The King's face flushes red in anger, "How dare you question me?! You are my son! And your mother never wanted a kingdom, she always held me back!" He lets out a bitter laugh, "We were born to rule!"

It was then when the man in front of him looked unrecognizable, his eyes that used to be warm now looked cold, the smile that he had on resembled that of a mad man. The man in front of him was no longer his father but the self proclaimed King of this kingdom.

"What could have possibly made you fall so low?" He looks at him in shame, "You are no longer the man you used to be."

"You would never understand!" King Ryouta frowns at him, he's glaring at him, and Akihiko does not feel effected, "I'm a sick man, Akihiko, my time will soon come and I will want you to take my place in the throne."

"I don't want to be your heir." Akihiko spat, the thought making him feel sick. "The throne isn't yours to begin with."

A deep, throaty laugh escaped the King's lips, "Nonsense. You will take my spot. You will become the next king. Where'd you hear such a lie?"

"People talk." During his travel, he had come across the many rumors that involve his father. He will admit that he was angry upon hearing what they were saying, he felt offended once he heard someone say that Ryouta Yukimura stole the throne. And for many months, he ignored what the people were saying. Purposely getting into fights in pubs as drunken men bad mouthed the man he used to look up to, the man he hasn't seen in a good while. But he then started to investigate, learning the truth of his father as each day passed. He's never felt so ashamed. "You took Isshin Shiba's throne, and yet you still bother claiming it as your own!"

The King grimaced at his sons words, "Foolish! It is rightfully mine! I deserve this title! Isshin is incapable of holding such a title!"

Akihiko narrowed his eyes, turning on his heel to make his way towards the double doors that are made of steel. He is tired of standing in front a man who knows nothing of ruling a kingdom, who doesn't realize the consequences of his actions. He is tired of living as a lie.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm leaving! I'll look for Karin myself. I will help her clear her name." He says, not bothering looking back.

"Your efforts will be futile. You will never find this criminal."

Akihiko turns, fixing his gaze on his father's figure, "If she were dead you would've found a body by now. I know she's alive, and I will find her."

"You've always been like this," The King spat, "You will not find what you are looking for and you will soon regret your decision of making me your enemy, Akihiko."

Akihiko shakes his head, "Even in your death bed, father, you will never change the way you are." He looks at him dead in the eye, his gaze unwavering, "Enemy or not, the man that will soon lay in his death bed will not be the man who raised me. Farewell, your Majesty, this may be the last time you will see me."

A/N: I would like to thank those who reviewed my previous chapters, I felt giddy with when I saw them! And they're also my motivation for updating quicker haha. I know not a lot happened in this chapter and I also know some of you were expecting more hitsukarin interactions but I just felt that Akihiko needed some closure when it comes to his father so once again I dedicated a chapter to my OC. This may also be the last time Ryouta will make an official appearance in this story, but I'm still not sure. He may either be referred to or mentioned by other characters in future chapters.

Thank you for your time!