Sorry for being away so long but I've been too busy to sit down and write something! But now I'm on Christmas break so I'll put time aside to write more!
I don't any characters from Pokémon but I do own my own plot and characters.
Chapter Twenty Eight
"You never told me training with Akiko hurt so much," Kiboji groaned as he sprawled out of the hard floor of the gym. He was sure he'd get bruises in places he never knew he could get bruises and not to mention the internal trauma from the experience. He was sure he'd had his appendix out when he was younger until it hurt not more than an hour ago. It was either his appendix magically re-appearing or his spleen had gone on holiday. Kiboji wasn't a medic but he knew that that was not good.
Paul looked down at his older brother with a remarkably calm face. There was no sign of smugness or the usual 'in your face' that siblings tended to have when one was put down.
"You never asked," Paul replied simply. Kiboji was about to come back with a witty remark but the sudden yelp of pain and the sound of an incoming person distracted him. It was sort of an ill fated day for Kiboji, Paul thought, not because Akiko had beaten him to within an inch of his life. In some cases, such as now when Tatsu flew through the air and landed straight on top of the older Akari, she was just being mean for the hell of it. Kiboji couldn't move in time to avoid being the padded landing object for Tatsu fall onto. There was a shrill, almost girly, cry from both boys followed by two groans with a hint of defeat in each.
"Five points!" Isamu called from the side lines.
"Well, at least some one's having fun," Paul muttered to himself. Akiko walked over to the boys almost casually to say she'd just thrown a boy across the room.
"Get up," she snapped at the two boys on the floor and then turned to Paul, "Spar?"
"A warm up?" Paul asked. Akiko nodded. "Fine. But if you break a rib, I'm going home."
"Wuss," Akiko teased.
"I'll go to rescue Dawn," Paul threatened.
"Now that would be a very good warm up," Akiko said brightly.
"Maybe you should go do it then," Paul suggested, "You know to warm up."
"Hell no," Akiko told him, "I may be beautiful, strong and the best warrior here."
"Hey!" Isamu called from the side.
"But I am not that stupid," Akiko continued, completely ignoring her husband. "Besides, that's sort of your job, Shin."
"Yeah," Tatsu agreed as he climbed off Kiboji, "You are sort of her husband and it is expected of you to be her Prince Charming."
"Who says?" Paul asked.
"It's a girly thing that they all presume," Kiboji replied, "You know the likes of Disney and fairy tales just ingrain it in their minds from a young age."
"Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Snow White, Cinderella," Tatsu listed.
"It's the ultimate romantic gesture," Kiboji added, "So if you really love her then you would do that."
"She's testing your love for her," Tatsu said. Paul thought about this for a second. She had got him into various almost deadly fights, allowed him to leave home and almost walk into a deadly trap, put herself in danger and, on several attempts, almost given him a heart attack. This was no Prince Charming thing she dreamed of, this was just Dawn.
"She's just troublesome," he concluded out loud.
"Yeah, but you married her," Akiko said.
"No thanks to you," Paul retorted.
"I couldn't have married her," Akiko replied, "I'm pretty sure that's illegal."
"That's not what I meant. We're not even eighteen yet," Paul snapped, "Our marriage isn't technically legal."
"Legal enough for your father," Akiko said, "Spar?"
"Fine," Paul muttered in an annoyed sort of way.
"If we send in our best here and here," Kane told Arashi and Etsuo as he pointed at a rather complicated map, "Then we can drive them out to here where our apprentices can get in on the action."
"Sounds good," Arashi commented, stroking his chin in large semi circles.
"But what about this bit here?" Etsuo asked, pointing towards a stray area on the map, "They could retreat here or worse get reinforcements."
"Ah," Arashi said finally, "I can't stare at this any longer."
There was a loud crashing sound that resonated throughout the building for a few seconds. Kane and Etsuo looked round to check for any sort of attack but there was none. Another rumble happened not soon afterwards.
"What is that?" Kane asked sharply.
"It sounds like an explosion," Etsuo said. Arashi waved them off, too busy looking at the map to notice anything else.
"Kiko is training with Shinji, Kiboji and Tatsu," he explained calmly, "It's nice to have the family back under one roof."
"You'd say that," Kane muttered to Etsuo.
"He's not the one who has to baby-sit," Etsuo agreed with a grin. The two warriors exchanged crafty smiles while their leader was too busy looking over the plans. There was another rather loud explosion and suddenly Paul flew into the room.
Slightly dazed by the fact he landed in a completely different room, Paul got to his feet. He dusted his clothes off as he surveyed his new surroundings. Arashi glanced up from his map.
"Hello, Shinji," father greeted son, "How is it going?"
"Fine," Paul replied, "I think. How did I get here?"
"What do you remember last?" Arashi asked, turning over one page of maps to look at the next.
"Akiko kicking my butt," Paul replied, "And then I was here."
"Oh," Arashi said, "Well, you must have done something voodoo-y."
"Real helpful," Paul snapped, "Thanks."
"Anytime," Arashi said airily. He picked up a map and showed it to Etsuo and Kane. "How about this area here? Maybe have a team of three station right there?"
Etsuo and Kane leant in to get a better look at the map. They thought about this for a short while. Paul walked over to his father's side to have a look at what they were discussing.
"Two teams of two here and here would be better," Paul pointed out. Arashi glanced up at his boy.
"What about that then?" Arashi asked.
"Maybe three would be better to cover this area with their partners," Paul replied, "And then there should be another team of three here doing the same thing."
"That is a very good idea," Etsuo said, "Pokémon can sense where certain Kurai are."
"Shinji."
Paul turned to see his teacher stood behind him. She looked vaguely impressed at herself for finding him. She placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Training, remember?" she said.
"Have fun, Kiko," Arashi commented shortly before the two of them disappeared into black smoke. Seemingly ignoring the interaction between his son and Akiko, Arashi looked at Kane and Etsuo with wide eyes like he was demanding an answer to something. "Well?"
"Sorry," Etsuo said dryly, "I'd answer if I knew what the question was."
Arashi rolled his eyes and dismissed the two warriors. Slowly, and certainly confused by being dismissed so abruptly, Kane and Etsuo left to brief their warriors about what would be happening soon enough. Arashi let out a sigh the second he knew he was alone. He got up and walked to the back of the room to where his throne was but he didn't sit in the seat. His eyes washed over the shape of the throne.
"All these years," Arashi muttered, "Were just a cover for the battle yet to come. In my short reign I find I haven't done much. I hate it. My sons are unprepared for the battle ahead. I'm still in love with the same woman I was before I was married. Can my life get any worse?"
Sayuri walked into the room holding a tray with a large teapot and three cups on it. She paused at the door seeing Arashi with his back turned to her while the rest of the room was empty.
"Your meeting is over?" she asked.
"Yes," Arashi replied, "But please, come and take tea with me."
"You want me to drink tea with you?" Sayuri asked. She pulled a face like she didn't quite understand but decided not to argue with him. She walked over to the throne, setting down the tray on the floor. With a few floaty hand movements she poured two cups of tea, handing one up to Arashi . He took it gently and immediately raised the china to his lips. Sayuri studied him as he drank. Something was off about him. She paid it no mind, sipping on her own cup while her husband revelled in his thoughts.
"Sayuri," Arashi said suddenly.
"Yes," Sayuri replied after a pause which indicated she should reply.
"Despite our differences throughout the years, I hope you don't bear me ill will," Arashi said slowly. Sayuri merely blinked at him utterly confused at what he was saying to her. Since when had he been so nice to her? She stood in a dumb silence as he continued to speak. "I am glad that you stayed with me all this time. You've been quite the companion to me and a great mother to our sons."
"Arashi," Sayuri snapped, suddenly her mind catching up with her, "What's this about?"
"I've had a vision," Arashi stated. He turned his eyes on to hers to reveal a saddened look in his black orbs. Sayuri tilted her head to one side. "Not one I like but since you're my wife I felt as though I owed you and explanation but you must promise not to tell a living soul."
There was a pause where Sayuri stared wide eyed at her husband. Slowly she nodded her head.
"I promise," Sayuri said.
"Then after the event you must promise to go home," Arashi continued, "Get away from the Akari as soon as you can."
"I can't abandon my boys," Sayuri told him sharply.
"I would never ask you too," Arashi replied with a smile, "But trust me on this, Sayuri, leave as fast as you can. From there you will know what to do. Now promise me."
"Fine, I promise," Sayuri said, clearly not liking the suggestion but she found there was very little to do. Something was wrong with Arashi if he was telling her all this. "Now what's going on?"
Paul flumped back onto his sofa. He was tired and worried. Tired due to the amount of training Akiko had forced him to do, worried because Dawn was still in the clutches of Lord Kuro. Paul ran a hand through his hair as he thought about Dawn.
"He wouldn't hurt her," Tatsu said as the two of them watched Kiboji spar Akiko. Paul glanced at Tatsu wondering what he was going on about. "Dawn."
"I'd rather not talk about that," Paul snapped.
"I mean it," Tatsu said, "He may be a terrible father but he wants something from Dawn. I have no idea what though. I think it's that old myth."
"What old myth?" Paul asked. He wasn't really paying attention to what was being said but Tatsu didn't seem to notice.
"You're kidding right? Do you have an education at all?" Tatsu scoffed.
"Hmm?" Paul said. Tatsu scowled then groaned.
"You're not listening are you?"
"Nope."
"Fine. In that case then, did you know Lord Kuro has over a hundred and eighty different torture tools?" Tatsu asked in a rather sarcastic way. Paul grinned at the use of dark humour.
"What old myth?" Paul asked.
"Something Liaden said once upon a time," Tatsu explained, "When the diamond have all gone but one, that lone diamond shall rise up against the clans to destroy the ways of life for its enemy."
"And?"
"What do you mean, 'and'? It's Dawn. Who ever has her will use her to destroy the other," Tatsu snapped, "Liaden said that the lone diamond would kill which ever leader opposed her to bring balance to the clans. It would be the beginning of peace for all clans."
"Shinx," Shinx called from the arm of the sofa, bringing Paul out of his flashback. Slowly, Paul pushed himself into a sitting position so he could see his partner clearly.
"I'm fine," Paul replied, "I'm just worried. Tired and worried. I'm going to bed."
"Inx," Shinx agreed.
Paul went about his nightly routine and climbed into bed about ten minutes later wearing a white t-shirt and sweat pants. He closed his eyes only to open them again a few seconds later. He looked to the side of him. He was laid on one side of the bed like he used to do when Dawn slept with him. Her half of the bed was empty. Suddenly the bed was far too big for comfort. Paul sat up and swung his legs over the bed.
Shinx opened his eye when he heard his partner walking around the room. From his comfy bed that Dawn had commissioned for him, Shinx observed as Paul grabbed a blanket and a pillow then stormed back into the living room. Wanting to know what Paul was up to, Shinx got up and padded through the rooms until he saw Paul laid on the sofa with the blanket round his shoulders.
"Shinx?" Shinx asked.
"Go to sleep," Paul replied, "I'm fine."
"Shin," Shinx said, not convinced. He walked to the sofa and curled up close to it. Paul didn't notice his partner's behaviour since he was staring up at the ceiling. As sleep began to claim the young warrior, Shinx opened his eye once more to check on him. Seeing all was well, Shinx fell asleep too.
When Paul opened his eyes an eternity later he found that he wasn't in the place where he had fallen asleep. Slowly he sat up and looked around. All was quite around him. He was in a very dark hall made out of black marble. He found that he was laid on a black marble table so he hopped off it and looked around some more. This was definitely not good. He took two steps and stopped. He remembered he hadn't been wearing any foot wear in bed so why didn't he feel the coldness of the marble floor? He looked down.
Brown knee length boots clothed his feet. How odd, he thought, I don't like boots. Next he saw the white breeches which were tucked into his boots. Then came the teal kimono top wrapped round his middle with a white polo shirt underneath it. A brown belt hung where his obi normally would have been with his trusty katana sword in its sheath hooked onto it. Why on earth was he wearing these clothes?
He began to walk again, checking round for any sign of movement. Where was he? What was he doing here? Who had brought him here? He felt as though he was walking in circles. Every time he stepped out of the room he walked down a corridor that led back to the room every time. The corridor was straight with no bends or a curve to it. How was that possible?
As he stepped foot into the room for the third or fourth time, he stopped. Sitting on the stone table was Dawn. She smiled at him sweetly for a few seconds.
"Troublesome," he said. She jumped off the table and ran into his arms. They embraced each other tightly, making the most of each other's warmth for the time being. "You're alright."
"You came for me," Dawn replied, "I knew you would do."
"Yeah," Paul said, pulling away from her, "But I don't know how I got here."
He looked her up and down. She was wearing a long black dress. It made her look older than she was. The straps were off her shoulders, the bodice was tight and the skirt was floaty. Her azure eyes stared up at his. The clips in her hair were black too and so was the choker round her neck.
"That's simple," she told him, "I brought you here."
"Why?" he asked, "How?"
She smiled at him, taking a bold step towards him. Her hand rested on the handle of his sword. With a quick movement she sheathed the sword and plunged it into his side. Paul gasped and fell backwards as pain engulfed him. His hands flew to his side where his sword was protruding out of his body. Blood stained the teal kimono and the polo shirt. There was nothing he could do but sit on the floor as he was over come by pain.
"Why? Dawn?" he asked, looking up at her. She was not alone. Stood next to her was Lord Kuro with his hand on her shoulder.
"She's mine now boy."
Has Dawn turned on Paul? What's going to happen to Paul now? Sorry, you'll have to wait until next week to find out!
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