A/N: (A cell phone rings and a reviewer picks it up off the ground) Hello! so, you guys probably all hate me right now for updating late... hehe, oops. Basically, High School just started and I've been loaded with work, work, stress, and more work. The joys of high school...
Anyway, on to the review replies (y'all know the drill. Skip to next A/N if ya didn't review or locate your name)
FalseDivinity: The deal we had that if I updated you would update! But you updated so I was happy! Sigh, how long must this continue? Oh yeah, until you get it through your head that YOU ARE BETTER! yeah, believe it! You can't say I have more reviews now since you have a story that has the same amount (according to chapter, I mean) SO HA! Accept it. Relish it. Believe it. YOU'RE BETTER! phew, glad that's over (ha! I won)
Dominosowner: Oh yeah, ya gotta love the raikim fluff! I'm glad the chapter made your day, it made mine to read your review! I hope you like this one as well (mopre raikim fluff... oops, I wasn't supposed to tell you that...) And you're right, they had better be careful around chase...
SadieYuki: lol, I'm glad you liked omi!
xxFireWarriorxx: So forgiven! I totally understand why it's getting hard to review (especially now since schools are starting! AH!) And I'm glad you liked the chapter! lol, yeah, it was funnily ironic that Rai used the skills chase taught him to get back at chase! so much fun to write! (hehe, you reviewed THREE times! happy day! So i'm just gonna combined the three answers!) Err, will Faith have a place in the future of this story? Maybe, but not a huge one. She really was just a filler (I'm so evil!) LOL! Machiavelli, I hadn't even thought of him! But that does sound like what Chase was going for. YES! THE WHOLE GANG'S THERE (well, except fung 'cause... yeah...) And Loophole? What loophole would that be? (smiles innocently) lol, I think you're talking about the loophole rai found to get out of killing the king. It repeats it in this chapter so no worries! (lol, LONG review reply! but that's because I was replying to THREE reviews! YEY!)
Ravn MTM: lol, don't I know it. Yes, sleep is VERY over rated, but I'm glad you got some anyways. And yup, the whole gangs together!
windXSchick: Lol, yup, it's finally almost arrived! sorry for not updating fat (smiles apologetically) But now you can finally find out what happens!
Raimundoroks: lol, well, after much deep thought I have com up with an excellent idea! I tossed out a spoiler for the story and the whole mob chased after it! W00T! FREEDOM!... that probably explains why I'm talking through a cell phone right now lol... OMG! i can see them on the horizon! Where did they get horses from and (gulp) rope... RUN!
dragonridersrock: TYRANICAL! AWESOME! I must be one of the few people in the world whose story is described as tyranical! SO COOL! (hugs) thanks for making up a word to describe it! And YES! More scelts!! I'm glad you added that disclaimer at the end, now no one can sue me for permanent head trauma lol
wicca in training: lol, bet you're happy, I put Omi in. I GET PIE NOW!
Lanny9000990009: Woohoo, new reviewer! I'm really glad you liked it and hoe you like this chapter too!
Allendra: lol, actually, I went back to re-read the review and I had in fact made the mistake. You did say lighter. But after doing so many review replies, I start to skim them instead of actually read, so my mistake! YES! SOMEONE CAUGHT ON! (hugs) I wanted rai as a hero from the beginning, but I never wanted it to be like, BAM, he's the hero. I wanted him to have t struggle with it (I'm evil!) I'm glad someone got that!
RCommonASenseI: lol, it's okay. I totally understand. And Rai, OMI IS NOT TO YOUNG! Lol, or too short! Isn't that right Omi (Omi: You are still going upward!) Sigh... the day Omi learns slang is the day i get hit by a meteorite... lol, here's the update!
Aria Pedrosa: Lol, Yup! Whole gangs there. so, originally, I wasn't planning on having Jack in the story. BUT you're review inspired me, so just for you I added Jack in this chapter! Hope you like that. AND YES! OMI HAD ARRIVED! lol, just so you know, banging your head against a pillow is one thing. banging your head against a keyboard... that's a whole 'nother. And yes, I LOVE obscenely long review! They make me all smiley! And i hope your head feels better (don't bang it on anymore keyboards okay?)
Luiz4200: Yup, and the chapter is finally updated!
A/N: (sighs in relief) WOW! SO MANY REVIEW REPLIES! (faints) I'm the happiest girl in da world! Now, if you would all excuse me, the mob has tracked this cell phone to my current location and they are riding horses and have a lot of rope... gulp... someone save me! (cell phone drops and much screaming can be heard.)
Disclaimer: I don't own Xiaolin Showdown. I only own this plot and any of my characters. If anyone tries to steal them I'll sue your pants off.
ON WITH THE STORY!
Chapter 25
This was it.
This would be the day I either do or die.
The day I can gain my freedom, or become a murderer.
This was it.
In all truth, it didn't feel different then any old morning, but I knew deep down in my gut that this was my chance. If I could just make it through this night I would be free. Free…
It's a word I've come so used to saying, but not having. Freedom was so close, I could taste it on my lips. The thought was alluring, and after more then two years, I would finally have it….
Freedom. My freedom.
Nothing could go wrong tonight. Clay was there to help me out, I had discovered a loophole in Chase's plan, and Kimiko was here. I couldn't ask for better circumstances.
I just had to find a way to avoid killing the king tonight. The one small detail of my plan that I've failed to work out yet. I could just avoid Chase, he would surely be kept busy with all the guest to attend to, but I don't think I'm going to get off that easily.
I guess the only thing I can do is keep the king awake the whole night. By morning, I'll be free, Chase's plan will be foiled, and the king will still be breathing.
I really hope that will work.
Since dawn, all the slaves here have been kept busy. Seriously busy. We've cleaned this palace top to bottom, prepared the three different halls for the party, and served any guest that requested help. Not to mention that tonight most of us will be on our feet around the halls, waiting to be called upon for any small thing.
Kimiko and I have tried to meet a couple times, but there are too many people around. I know Kimiko could care less if her reputation was ruined, but for her sake, I'm trying to avoid meeting with her when Chase is watching me. Chase is maniacal, and I don't know what he's do with that information.
Oh, and there was more bad news.
The king had arrived.
It was a huge thing. There were trumpets and four carriages just for him. All the slaves were ready to jump out and bring his luggage and things inside, and most of the nobles had come outside to greet him.
This was the first time I saw the man I was supposed to kill.
He looked so… normal. With a small beard, he had black hair like his brother, but bright emerald eyes instead of the cold golden ones. He looked wise, understanding, everything his brother was not. That's probably why he was king and Chase wasn't.
I felt weird, watching as he helped his wife get out of the carriage. I couldn't understand why Chase would kill the king, his own brother? Was he really that power hungry?
Rhetorical question. It's obvious.
I felt a growing dread as the day wore on. Time seemed to move slowly, and each tick of the clock seemed to take eternity. Tick, tick, tick. It was taunting me, knowing what awaited me that night. Tick, tick, tick.
I wish it would just shut up, stupid clock.
I spent the whole day preparing the ballrooms with countless other slaves, trying to keep my mind off what would happen tonight. There were so many paths that I could take.
But there were only two outcomes.
I kill the king or I don't.
Suddenly, I wanted time to move a lot slower. I wasn't ready for this. There was no way I would ever be ready for this! It was crazy, I was only fourteen! What if… what if I had no choice but to kill him? How would I be able to get out of that situation.
I couldn't kill someone.
I just couldn't.
"Rai." Someone whispered. I turned around to see Kimiko standing behind a door, motioning me forward. I did a quick room check, no Chase in sight, then hurried over to her. She closed the door behind me.
We were in a spare study. There was a big wooden desk and a few chairs, along with a bookshelf pushed in one corner. Kimiko was standing in the center of the room grinning widely. I smiled back.
"Are you okay?" She asked. I nodded and pulled her into my arms.
"I'm fine. Just a little worried."
"About tonight?" I nodded again. Kimiko already knew everything and I think she was afraid of what I might do. I was afraid of what I might do so it seemed perfectly reasonable.
"It'll be okay." She said, kissing me lightly on the cheek. "You'll see."
"I know… but… but what if it isn't okay? Kimiko, I can't kill anyone. I'd rather be killed…" I think I had jus come up with a solution to my problem from before. "Kimiko, if it comes down to it, I can't kill the king. And if I don't kill the king, I'll be killed. But it's a punishment I'll have to take-"
"Don't say that! You're not going to die Rai! And you're not going to kill anyone! Promise me that you won't die!" She demanded angrily.
"Kimiko-"
I sighed, then smiled. "Everyone dies eventually Kimiko. Maybe my time is just sooner then everyone else's." Kimiko had tears in her eyes and running down her cheeks.
"Please promise me Rai. I don't want to lose you. Not again." I couldn't say no, not when she was like this.
"I promise you Kimiko, I will do everything in my power to make sure it never comes down to that." I whispered in her ear. It wasn't what she wanted to hear, but she was content.
And I had already made up my mine. I had thought that if it came down to it, I would be able to choose myself over the king. I owed this country, this king, nothing! Why should I give my life for his? But now, seeing how Chase treats all these people…
I wouldn't condemn anyone to this life.
If I have to, I would choose the king's life over mine. I'm just one person. He represents millions.
He needed to live more then I.
But I don't have to worry about that. I'll find a way around all this. I'll keep the king up all night. I'll even get myself captured by the king's guards if I have to!
But I won't let anyone die. Not for my own personal gain.
God, when did I become this person? One thing's for sure; I'm not that naïve kid I was two years ago. I feel older, more responsible, now. Did it happen gradually? I don't really remember waking up one morning and feeling different.
But I was never this person before. I just kinda became it. No, I was made it. By the people around me.
When I was with father, I was depressed.
When I was with Master I was hopeless and lost.
When I was with Kimiko I was living anew.
And now that I'm here with Chase, I want to give others life and hope.
Somewhere along the line I must have grown up. I didn't realize it at the time, but I do now. I'm different from before. In either a good way or a bad one. Being here, being a slave, has changed me. I understand pain now, I understand hope, I understand desolation.
I understand love.
I told Kimiko I had to go and we went our respected ways. She to get ready for the ball, I to make the ball ready. It was tonight and everything had to be perfect for Prince Chase.
And now, more then ever, I was sure of one thing.
I wouldn't kill anyone.
But I wouldn't die either.
I couldn't die. It's for Kimiko's sake.
"Rai, I could use some help over here!" Clay called from the other side of the room, perched precariously on the edge of a chair. I ran over to hold him steady as he finished putting up the different decorations.
"Thanks. I thought I was gonna fall for sure." He chuckled, jumping down from atop the chair. The room looked amazing, filled with gold and green colors. Chase spared no expense for this party. The cloth was made of silk, the tables were littered with emerald gems. There was a huge fountain in the middle of the room that reflect the lights, making the water turn rainbow colored.
It looked magical.
If only it wasn't wasted on Chase.
Clay and I continued to move to the next ballroom and see if the slaves there needed any help. It was already late in the evening and everything needed to be done and finished. The two other ballrooms had also been cleared and decorated, so we decided to head to the servants quarters to get changed.
All the slaves had been supplied with this ugly looking uniform that I now despised. They consisted of a gold shirt and pants, along with a green tunic. There were also green boots and a greenish colored hat, but someone would have to kill me before I put that ugly hat on.
In fact, majority of the slaves magically 'misplaced' their hats. Seems I wasn't the only one who thought they were ugly.
In truth, the shirt and pants weren't so bad. They fit, even though they were a bit scratchy. I was mostly happy about the fact that they were clean!
"Come on Rai, we better get going." Clay said. He, unlike me, actually looked okay in what he was wearing. Clay had been fortunate to get a job as a kitchen worker. He was going to bring the meals in and out from the kitchen and deliver them to a table.
Which meant his uniform was different, a.k.a., much less ugly. Lucky Clay, he got to wear a set of black clothes with a silver tunic.
I told Clay I would catch up and waited for him to leave the room. Soon enough, all the other slaves departed as well and I was alone. Walking slowly, I headed over to the opposite wall and ran my fingers over the rough stone wall.
There, the stone with a dent through it. I dug my nails into the edges and pulled until it popped out. I had discovered the loose stone a while ago and figured it would be the perfect hiding place.
Inside the hollow, there lay three things. The first was the dagger Clay had given me. I traced my fingers over the words lovingly, then tucked it into my belt, out of sight. The next thing was a knife Chase had told me to keep. This is placed in the inside of my boot, easy to reach.
The third thing was the assassin outfit. I ran my hand over the soft material, wondering what I was supposed to do with it for the time being. I would need to have it near hand in case Chase was spying on me, but I didn't want anyone else to find it.
Eventually, I decided to hide it in a small study that was situated next to the ballrooms. I locked the door so no one would be able to get it, but since I didn't have a key, I would have to pick the lock to retrieve it.
And now, time for the ball.
The day I've been dreading since I got here.
This was it.
My next three hours were cursed with pompous brats, obnoxious Higher-ups, and spoiled snobs. Ah, the horrendous torture! I felt suffocated in the room, staying close to walls and doorways and trying to avoid human contact. Nothing could make this night better!
Actually, I take that back…
Kimiko was looking around the room, obviously looking for someone. I stepped out of the shadows for a moment and she spotted me and grinned widely. I stood to the side, watching as she edged her way closer. She had been looking for me and I couldn't have been more pleased.
But since when had anything in my life gone right? Let me answer that; never.
A wimpy looking red haired kid cut her off, standing right in front of her with a smug smirk on his face.
"Hello Kimiko, fancy seeing you here." He said casually.
Kimiko sighed. "Hello Jack. I thought you were unable to attend Chase's ball this year." I could tell she was forcing a smile upon her face. I felt bad for her, not only did she have to put up with this jerk, but she had to pretend she liked it.
"Yeah, change of plans. After all, I couldn't miss the chance to see you, now could I?" He took her hand and kissed it. Kimiko looked disgusted and pulled her hand away, wiping it discreetly on the back of her dress.
"Err, that's so sweet Jack, but I do have to be going…" She tried to escape but Jack grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his clutches.
"So soon? Surely you could stay just for one more moment. Slave boy!" He snapped, looking directly at me. I gritted my teeth before putting on a fake smile and walking forward.
"Yes sir?"
"Get me and the lovely lady a drink would ya?" I wanted to punch this guy in the face. He was one of the reasons slaves hated Higher-ups so much. But instead, I said,
"Of course sir." I hated having to act like this, but I just had to remember that I would be free soon.
I got two drinks, but then thinking twice, headed towards the bathroom and dumped Jack's drink out from its cup. Instead I filled it with toilet water.
Hehe, there are a few advantages to handling other peoples food and drinks.
I returned to the ballroom, smiling genuinely, only to see that Kimiko and Jack were now in an argument. This couldn't get much better!
Oh, I was wrong.
"Jack, you sexist jerk!" She yelled, snatching the cup I held out for her out of my hands. Then she took the flute of Champaign, a smug smile on her face, and dumped the whole thing in top of Jack's head.
He sputtered with embarrassment, watching as Kimiko stormed away. Then he grabbed the glass I was holding out for him and took an angry gulp.
And proceeded to turn a very interesting shade of green.
He gagged and ran from the room, leaving me to try and stifle my laughter.
It had gotten so much better!
I headed in the direction Kimiko had went and found her leaning against a wall, muttering angrily. I told her everything that had happened. She broke out laughing, which caused my own laughter to start. In the end, both of us were on the floor laughing our heads off and receiving some very strange looks from other nobles.
Once our laugher subsided to giggles, we stood up, helping each other stand. The music from the ballroom was wafting into the hallway, filling it with soft music. Everyone else had deserted the hallway and we were alone.
I held out my hand to her, a smile on my face. She giggled and took it, placing her other hand on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her waist and together we swayed to the music.
Nobody had told us the steps, but it was like we both knew them anyway. Together we spun and circled in an intricate dance neither of us wanted to stop. Her head rested on my chest and I held her as close as I could.
It felt so perfect.
"I still have it." She mumbled softly. I looked down at her, my eyes asking for an explanation. "The promise ring, the one you gave me. I kept it. I haven't even taken it off."
"Really?" She nodded.
"I never doubted you. When you promised that you would come back to me, I knew that you would one day. I love you so much Raimundo." She whispered.
"I love you to Kimiko. More then anything." I replied. She looked up at me with those big crystal eyes.
"If you really love me Rai, then don't die tonight. Please, don't die…" She looked down at the ground as if afraid of my answer. I smiled and took her chin between my thumb and forefinger, lifting her head up to look at her.
"I won't die Kimiko. Not tonight. Trust me." She nodded, though I could see a trace of tears in her eyes.
"I do trust you." I kissed her check lightly, then her lips.
"I wouldn't hurt you Kimiko. You know that, right?" She nodded and laid her head against my chest.
"I want you to be free Rai." She said softly. She didn't look up at me, but I knew that she was sincere.
"Yeah, me too Kimiko." We stood, swaying side to side like that, for a while, until the music stopped. Then I took her hand and started to lead her back to the ballroom.
"Come on, let's go check out how green that jerk Jack turned. I wonder if her realized it was toilet water in his cup?" I mused. Kimiko choked out a laugh and followed me into the ballroom.
I never realized the pair of gold eyes that were watching us the whole time.
A/N: I REFUSE TO COMMENT ON THIS CHAPTER! just review! please, I only need one review to continue! Just one! If I get one, I'll update eventually, If I get more, I'll update faster. But I only need one to continue!
(by the way, the ball has not ended. In fact, it has just barely begun...)