A/n Whoo, it's been a time. Well I already went into some detail about my issues in my last update on Steam, so I won't do it here. Anyways I thought this would be a nice little gift for the holidays. I hope it will hold you over some. It is a bit of a longer chapter too.

I got a kick out of reading your reviews for the last chapter, I admit it. Hehe

On to the story!

Chapter 25

There was a long moment of silence other than the cry of Ezak at being handled by a stranger and being taken from his mother. Takeda stepped away from the stable, Bala was making a distressed sound, her neck stretched as far as she could but not willing to leave her remaining dragonets. Kaoru didn't know she had moved until she found herself leaping into the air to latch on to Takeda. Only then did she come to her senses. She went for the face, clawing for those narrow eyes, knocking his glasses away with a savage scream. Bloody lines blossomed across his face but Kaoru continued to try and pluck his eye out, slowly becoming aware she was screaming at the top of her lungs. Arms pulled at her and she lunged desperately for a more precious prize. Her arms went around the little dragonet and pulled, but Takeda refused to give him up even when other raised voices joined her guttural screeching of anger. She scratched and bit at his hands all the while kicking at his shins.

She was like a wild animal, but Kaoru knew enough to not pull too hard or she could harm Ezak. Instead, she threw her shoulder into his middle, earning her a satisfying round of curses from the man. Then suddenly his grip was gone and Kaoru was pulled away with Ezak clutching at the front of her tunic. She wrapped her arms around him tightly as she looked over to find her Master with his sword pressed against Takeda's throat. Jacob was in Bala's stall attempting to calm her. The arms around Kaoru belonged to the two other messengers. Two men in their mid-twenties. It took both of them to pull her away and even then they were failing until Kaoru had the dragonet in her arms.

What had she done?

Her mind was blank and her heart hammered so loud in her head she was sure she somehow had gone deaf. Had she ran and jumped on the man? She must have. She couldn't remember how she got to the end of the stable, only that she was going for Takeda's face like a wild animal. The fellow messengers hurried Kaoru into the stable so that Bala could be calmed. Kaoru was aware of much yelling from everyone, but all she cared about was Ezak who refused to let her go. Jacob ended up pushing her down into the middle of the nest where the other dragonets climbed all over her and Bala's head thrust between the dragonet and her chest in order to see if Ezak was unharmed.

"My face!" Takeda screeched. "I'll have her head for this! How dare you pull your sword on me again Himura! That dragonet is mine!"

But that was all Kaoru could hear as her master pushed the messenger rider out of the stables. The screaming continued until it faded away into the background.

"I can't believe you did that." One of the messengers said to Kaoru, looking down at her with wide eyes. He was breathing hard. They were all breathing hard. Kaoru, in fact, was gasping for air. She forced herself to let Ezak go and the little dragonet was content to slowly slink out of her lap to curl up next to Bala but always kept one bright eye on Kaoru. She looked down at her hands and noticed they were stained with blood. There was skin under her nails, Takeda's skin. Her throat was burning from the abuse her screaming had caused. She swallowed hard and looked away.

"Kaoru are you alright?" Jacob asked, setting his hand on her shoulder. "I've never seen anyone do something like that."

"You were like a fierce wild dragon." The other messenger added. He turned to his companion and said in a soft tone. "Do you think she'll get in trouble? That man is a bastard and I would have killed him if I saw him with my dragonets."

His companion hushed him and when they saw that Kaoru was in capable hands, they excused themselves. Kaoru turned to her friend and almost burst into tears. What had she done? Takeda was a member of a powerful family. Did she ruin her chances of becoming a squire? Would they take her away from Kenshin? Would she be put to death? All these thoughts flooded in all at once as well as every moment she had spent learning and practicing. All the time people had spent on her teaching her and helping her. Was it all going to be for nothing?

… . . …

"Kenshin...what the Hell happened?" Gabell sighed, slowly sitting down in his chair. He suddenly looked like a much older man.

"Takeda apparently has not been punished in any way. I'm ashamed that a small girl has more balls than this government, that I am." Why did he ever fight for these people? He had asked himself this question many times this past year.

"Damn it Kenshin these things take time."

"Meanwhile he should be suspended."

Again the Chancellor gave a suffering sigh. He clasped his hands on his desk before changing his mind and set them flat on the desk. "Himura, I've sent an emergency letter to the Marshal. Takeda demands the dragonet he was promised and I have one of my best Messenger riders refusing a binding contract."

"You can't possibly give that man another dragon?" Kenshin sneered.

"It's not my place to say anymore. Now it will be up to the Marshal. It's out of my hands." He tapped his hands on the desk as he spoke, trying to remain calm. "There will be a court hearing, I'm sure."

"Better now than years from now," Kenshin muttered to himself.

Gabell sat back. "About your page."

Kenshin didn't like his tone and he ran his hand over his face. "Go on."

"She's suspended from duties and lessons until the hearing."

Kenshin nodded. It was common practice and not surprising. If that was all then Kaoru got off lucky. "She'll be in the hearing, I assume."

The older man nodded. "She will at least be questioned. You should prepare her for being on the stand."

… . . …

"The stand?" Kaoru asked as Megumi dug at her nails with a blunt metal hook.

"You'll be called to the front of the room to speak and answer questions," Kenshin informed. As he paced around Megumi's quarters.

"Will there be lots of people there?-Ow!"

"Hold still please," Megumi said automatically, her red lips pressed together as she worked to get every bit of skin and blood out from under her nails. Kaoru had scratched so deeply that tissue had buried itself under her nail bed. Megumi feared infection if it was allowed to stay.

"The entire Council and the Marshal. As well as anyone who can cram into the rest of the space. Mostly other Knights and anyone important to the trial."

Kaoru nodded and slumped in her chair as Megumi worked. All three were silent with only Megumi clicking her tongue now and then. Her large eyes glanced up at her charge and at the Knight pacing her room before focusing back on her work.

"I'm sorry." Kaoru blurted suddenly. "I didn't know what was happening. I just saw him with Ezak and I snapped."

Kenshin didn't pause in his pacing. "It's fine, that it is."

Megumi's head snapped up. "By the Gods, Kenshin sit down! You're putting a hole in my carpets with all that useless shuffling!"

Startled, the man sat in the closest seat.

"Someone needs to get yelled at and it seems you don't want to do it, so I will!" Megumi huffed once and then turned back to her work. Kaoru winced as Megumi dug a bit deeper and harder than before. Behind Megumi, Misao stood wide-eyed with her medical bag in her hands. Every time Megumi muttered Misao quickly found a tool and passed it over to the Lady Doctor.

Misao leaned in. "Pity you didn't claw his eyes out."

"Misao!" Megumi chastised. "Kaoru is going to court, she'll be tried alongside Takeda. Her punishment may be harsh. She is technically a slave." Misao looked downcast and fell silent.

Kaoru wished she had clawed his eyes out. At least then the man would never ride a dragon again. That, at least, would be something worthy of punishment. She felt she should feel more worried about her punishment, as Megumi had stated. She was in real serious trouble. But she found it difficult to feel anything other than hate for Takeda. She was sorry only for causing Kenshin even more problems.

… . . …

"Kenshin!?" Kokuei called, his long neck straining out over the stone wall of his sandpit. His red eyes wide as Kenshin appeared around the corner. "Kenshin!"

"Looks like Kokuei heard me talking." Kenshin mused softly. "I'm coming, don't climb over the wall, you know they hate that!" He called, running ahead as the dragon was nearly crawling over the wall. He dove into their private courtyard and Kokuei returned to his sandpit.

"Where's Kaoru!" The dragon cried.

"Right here you giant lizard," Kaoru muttered as she stepped into the courtyard. Instantly two giant claws cadged her and Kaoru found herself lifted and placed into the sandpit. The top of his claws opened only enough for Kokuei to peer inside.

"Aoshi came and gave me dinner. He said something bad happened. Said Kaoru attacked that bad messenger rider." He put his large face close and nudged her all over sniffing deeply. Once satisfied that she was unharmed he pulled her closer, wrapping his tail around and pinning her to his body before relaxing the cage of claws.

"I'm fine, Goodness." Kaoru huffed. She found Kenshin giving his dragon an amused look as he too was nudged and sniffed all over for wounds.

"Yes, we are quite fine, my dear. Kaoru did attack the man. As you can see, she is fine and the man will suffer wounds for a while, that he will."

"Pisssh." Kokuei hissed between his teeth, setting his head down, although his tail pressed Kaoru closer to his body, not yet ready to let her go. "Too bad he did not die."

"Kokuei!" Kenshin looked at his bonded with disappointment. "Kaoru will already face punishment for a few scratches. You do not want her punished for his death do you?"

Kaoru gasped as the massive tail nearly crushed her against his body. A giant wing covered her like a tent.

"They can try!" Kokuei snapped his jaw a few times in aggression. "I will kill them before they take her or you."

There was a surge of movement and Kaoru found Kenshin tucked carefully beside her. With both his rider and page trapped safely in his shelter, Kokuei curled tightly around them, content to nap like that.

Kaoru struggled but she was well and truly pinned.

"Don't fight it," Kenshin muttered, doing his best to get comfortable. "Once he gets possessive like this, it'll take a while for him to calm down, that it does. Just give it an hour or so and he'll let us go and be content to hover over us like a mother hen. May as well take a nap with him."

"Master...I'm sorry for causing so much trouble," Kaoru said softly.

Kenshin's eyes slipped closed and he sighed softly. "I don't want you to apologize for this again, understand Kaoru?"

Kaoru wanted to ask why, but she nodded to herself. "I understand," she said softly, letting the heat of Kokuei's body lull her into sleep.

… . . …

Kenshin watched as she drifted off in mere moments. She had been sleeping quite a lot, he noticed. Dropping off whenever she had a quiet moment. He was certain he was working her too hard. He didn't want to think about the possibility, but it would be stupid to ignore the fact that Kaoru was depressed. She was still mourning the loss of Enok and Kenshin suspected she had not been sleeping well after he stopped her treatments of laudanum. She worked hard. Too hard. Kenshin recognized someone working to keep their minds occupied. He had done so himself many times in the past. Work to keep thoughts away. To work oneself into mental and physical exhaustion so they didn't have to feel anything.

Kenshin reached over and ran the back of his hand across her cheek. He ached to kiss her again. His slip up weeks ago still caused him shame, but even still, he wanted to repeat his sin.

More so now that he knew she was experimenting with the Elf. If she was curious she could practice on him. He would ease her gently into the art. He'd mark her so every randy young buck in the compound would know she was his. He laughed ruefully at his fantasy. He felt like a dirty old man with his dirty fantasies about a young, innocent girl in the cusp of blooming into a woman. He swallowed it down and tamped it away.

But even so, his heart ached. It hadn't ached in such a way for years. And it ached for Kaoru. Was it possible that he had gone and done the stupid thing?

Had he fallen in love again?

… . . ...

Marshal An Aiguo arrived two days later with quite a bit of fanfare. Kaoru was not allowed to leave her compound so she and Kenshin sat on Kokuei's shoulders as the massive dragon stood up on his two back legs. No less than five copper and red dragons spouting steam and smoke landed in the main square. In the center of the troop was a navy blue middle-weight. It was so blue, it was nearly black with a belly that was a shocking bright powder blue. Kenshin had his spyglass to his eye and he hummed a bit at the sight of it.

"That's a pretty dragon." Kaoru offered. "Is that the one the Marshal is on?"

"That's the Marshal's dragon." He collapsed his spyglass. "Dangerous dragon. An Akumu. Deadly attacker from above or below, that he is. He can fly far higher than most dragons and blends in quite well in the clouds with that light belly, or the ground at night with that dark back. He can glide very far, needing only a few wing-beats a minute to keep it aloft, it's hard to hear when it approaches." He held the spyglass out to her and Kaoru gladly took it and looked over at the dragon in question. He had wicked-looking teeth and claws. His wings seemed a little too large for his body. His head was long and narrow crowed with nearly a dozen horns. The shocking contrast in color made him wonderful to look at.

"That's not his original dragon," Kenshin informed as the group was lead away and Kokuei set back down on all fours and the two slid off to sit in the sandpit with him.

"Oh?" Kaoru pressed.

Kenshin blinked as if coming out of memory. "Yes, during the war he had one just like that. Wild-caught and spiced. I met him a few times. One of the last times we talked he had said that he was giving his dragon over to the breeding grounds where they had found a female of his kind. He took the first egg from that pair and raised it by hand himself. He was still a very young and gangly reptile when I last saw him, that he was."

"You seem...unsure." Kaoru gave him a look.

"A bonded Akumu is a dangerous creature. Silent and deadly." He shivered slightly and turned to give Kaoru a bright smile. "One dragon I sure wouldn't want to be against, that's for sure."

He had tried to lighten the mood but Kaoru couldn't help but read between the lines. Was the Marshal anticipating another war? Or did he simply want a dragon that was bonded to him? Either way, his arrival spread the story of her attack on Takeda like fire. Soon it was all anyone in the barracks talked about. Kenshin had their meals brought to them since he refused to leave her alone. Kaoru wasn't sure if he feared someone coming in and attacking her. Seemed much of the population of the barracks was on her side. No one seemed to like Takeda and everyone who had anything to do with dragons certainly hated him. But perhaps there were those few that Kenshin feared, or maybe someone Takeda would bring in himself.

Molli came the next day. She was loaded down with mended clothing and wanted to take measurements for Kaoru's new uniform for when she made Squire. She ran a tape around every inch of her, determined to get the correct measurements.

"I'm tellin' ya, I've never seen so many summoned at once. Eli, Colt, even Yahiko was there."

"Yahiko?" Kaoru wondered.

"Oh yes. That Marshal wants to hear from everyone that has to do with ya. Your teachers and even your Wing group, Miss Megumi and Saitou and all of them. So many ravens and messenger dragons are coming in and going out carrying letters. I suspect it will be my turn soon."

The woman left after that and Kaoru went to put away her Master's clothes. She wondered just how many people had been called? How could they possibly know everyone she had ever talked to?

"Sir Kenshin Himura?" Called a voice in the courtyard.

Kaoru shut the chest of drawers and hurried outside. Kenshin was coming out of the tack room, cleaning his hands on a rag. "Right here." He said. The visitor was a common guard. He saluted Kenshin and then bowed holding out a fold of paper. It was sealed with bright blue wax. The guard stood as Kenshin took the letter.

"I'm to wait for an answer, sir." The guard said when Kenshin excused him. Kenshin nodded once and stepped away to read the letter. A moment later he folded the letter and tucked it away.

"Tell them we're on our way."

The guard bowed again and rushed away.

"What was that about? Where are we going?" Kaoru asked.

"Kokuei and I have been summoned," Kenshin said, turning around to face Kaoru. "I'm locking you in my quarters."

Kaoru blinked and looked over at the great black dragon. He sat up upon hearing his name and had his head tipped, curious.

"I'm being summoned?"

"Yes," Kenshin said. "They most likely want to talk to you about Kaoru as well."

Kaoru glanced at both dragon and rider before letting Kenshin lead her into his rooms.

"I'll have Aoshi bring you lunch, that I will. Don't open this door for anyone other than Aoshi. Swear it."

Kaoru nodded and swallowed hard. "I swear it." And with that Kenshin shut the door and heard the lock slide into place. She heard Kenshin speaking to Kokuei and the sound of wings flapping and then silence. Kaoru huffed and wandered over to the fireplace and gave it a poke and added a small log to bring it back to life. Thankfully her books had been kept in here as Kenshin had insisted Kaoru sleep in his quarters with him. He seemed paranoid that someone would attack her at any moment. Kaoru didn't think so, but he knew so much more about other people than she did. She trusted him.

… . . …

Aoshi brought her lunch and she ate alone. Aoshi seemed to second the idea of Kaoru staying behind locked doors and made sure the door was locked tightly when he left. Kenshin returned later that afternoon looking mildly annoyed but satisfied. Kaoru went and sat beside Kokuei and the dragon was happy to tell her all about the Marshal as Kenshin went to get the dragon a meal.

"He seemed like a smart man." He said. Keeping his fore claws around Kaoru like a cage.

"Well, that's good." Kaoru would hate to think that the military would rely on someone who was an idiot. And, because she couldn't help herself, she asked, "Was he a nice man?"

Kokuei tipped his head, regarding her with a curious look. "He didn't seem mean to me."

Kaoru wondered if the dragon actually talked to the man, as it seemed he didn't like to talk much around strangers. Kokuei wasn't one to open up to people he didn't know it seemed. Even members of their own group had trouble getting more than a few words out of him.

"Don't worry Kaoru. I won't let them take you away." Kokuei promised. His large ears dropped to hang about the side of his head. "Kenshin says I'm to not kill anyone for any reason. I think that it's stupid that I can't protect you. But he said you broke rules and punishment needs to happen. Even if you attacked a bad man."

"That's true." Kaoru swallowed. She had been thinking about it long and hard and she had come to terms with the chance of punishment. "I'm no different than anyone else. If Takeda had attacked me, we would want him punished."

The dragon grumbled loudly in his chest as he thought about it. "But he's a bad person and you are not."

"That's not for us to say, that's what the hearing is for."

"Even so, Kenshin made me promise not to act, but I told him I would kill anyone who would bring you sever harm. Even the Marshal and his blue dragon."

Kaoru looked up alarmed "Oh, Kokuei, you must not say anything like that. It's treason."

Kokuei snorted, a wave of hot air washed over Kaoru. "I do not follow the laws of humans. I only follow Kenshin."

"But think of the trouble it will cause Kenshin if you do such a thing." Kaoru pointed out.

"But Kenshin needs you, he loves you and if you are gone he will be sad again."

Kaoru blinked, her arms, out-stretched to calm the dragon dropped to her side. "Loves me?" Surely like a teacher with a fond student….not like real love? Kokuei was obviously starting to get upset. His tail lashed with deadly speed and his breathing quickened. He was much like a small child and so Kaoru tried to hush him gently. But hushing a dragon the size of a house was not easy.

"Kenshin has been nothing but sad for so long, and then we saved you and now he's so happy again like he used to be." The dragon rambled. "And besides, you are my good friend too." If he had been human Kaoru knew he would be pouting at this moment. The great beast set his head down on the stone ground and heaved a great and loud sigh.

Kaoru reached out and slowly placed her hand on the ridge of plates that grew over his brow. She gazed into his great big eye and gave him a reassuring smile. "You are my friend too, Kokuei. However, you must not do anything so drastic. Listen to what Kenshin tells you. Promise me."

Again the dragon huffed. "I promise." He muttered.

… . . ...

The day of the hearing was a cool, but comfortable morning. But Kaoru was not in the mood to enjoy it.

Kaoru had tossed and turned in Kenshin's bed, sleep would not come easy. In the next room, Kenshin paced, Kaoru could see his shadow when he would pass the open doorway. She wondered what he was thinking about? Did he think things would turn out well or not? He had said Marshal An Aiguo was a fair man, but also influenced by power, like most others in the government. How much influence did the Takeda family have over him?

Finally, sleep came with the thoughts of Kokuei's words echoing in her mind. It seemed as though she had only shut her eyes when Kenshin gave her shoulder a shake. It was time to get up and get dressed. Molli had prepared her a new set of Page clothes the day before and Kaoru quickly dressed. She noted that they were of a different size than her normal clothes. Kaoru figured she must have put on some weight since arriving. She was still short and slender, but she had more of a body and looked less like a skeleton with skin. She didn't even need a belt to keep her pants over her hips. She put it on anyway, as it was part of the uniform. She had to be just right.

A fresh and new rusty-colored tunic went over her bright white under tunic. The hem of white peeked out at the bottom and at her mid-length sleeves. New leather shoes were a bit tight, she would need to wear them to get the supple leather to conform to her feet. Her hair was only just long enough to start covering her scar, yet it stuck up awkwardly in places and no amount of brushing would make it behave. The locks of hair were only just starting to brush her ears and neck. She found it distracting the way they tickled, not use to having hair again. She also found it fascinating how it shined blue in the light and yet was of the deepest black color. She would have spent much longer admiring it in Kenshin's looking glass but it was an important day, and she didn't have time for that.

She emerged from Kenshin's quarters to find him dressed in his whites. The bright white tunic and pants looked odd on him. His blue and gold under tunic peeked from the bottom and sleeves just like her own. Even his leather riding boots were white. His cape was trimmed in blue and gold and was slung over one shoulder to hang to his knees. The crimson hair looked amazing against such pure white. Kaoru found herself captivated by it. He had it pulled back tight and braided against his scalp. This shortened the length and the rest of the braid was tucked away under his cape. He turned as she stepped out, his eyes flashing with dark emotion. Kaoru took a breath.

She felt bad for causing him so much trouble. She wanted to apologize but he had told her to never bring it up again. Was he so very upset with her or with Takeda or with the system that allowed such a man to serve? She could only hope that today would end well.

"Come, or we'll be late," Kenshin said. His voice matching the dark look on his face. He shifted the three different length swords on his belt and turned away. Kaoru hurried after him and fell a few steps behind him. She kept her head up as they made their way through the walkways. Nearly everyone coming and going paused to look at them. She expected as much. It wasn't every day that a Marshal came to visit, and she was Kenshin Himura's page. But more than that, she had attacked Takeda, a man from a very powerful family who was hated by nearly everyone. People didn't know if they should be afraid for her or proud. A glance behind her proved that Kokuei was following. Amazing how such a large beast could be so silent on the ground. She turned her head forward again and watched as the large council buildings loomed up closer with each step.

Finally, they made it to the front doors and they were thrown open, nearly half the building seemed missing as the large dragon doors had been pulled open. The closer they got the more and more people were gathered. Soon Kenshin and Kaoru were cutting through people standing shoulder to shoulder. White clad knights kept them at bay, however, with Kokuei lumbering behind them, everyone quickly moved to give way to the dragon. The cobblestones turned into polished tile at her feet and over her head, the sky became the underside of a golden dome. Kenshin slowed until Kaoru was walking beside him and she could see the ring of raised podiums where the council sat.

Beside them, a large podium was set up where the Marshal sat. He must have been middle-aged from how everyone spoke of him during the war, but he looked far younger than that. His skin was honey-colored and his hair was a chestnut salted with gray. He wore a beard that was trimmed and neat. It was slightly darker than his hair but was also salted with white. He seemed fit and strong under his robes with broad shoulders and strong hands. He looked up as they entered, and pinned Kaoru with his dark-colored eyes.

This was him. The man that would decide her fate from here on out. An Aiguo. She paused in step, suddenly worried. Kenshin reached out and caught her arm and pulled her along side him without missing a step. She kept up and his hand fell away. To one side a table was set up and Takeda sat there. On the left side, a second table was set up with Jacob sitting at it. Beside him, Bala sat. She looked nervous and unsure. Kaoru wondered how they were able to pull her away from the dragonets. In the center was a third table and Kenshin led her there and sat in the chair. Kaoru scrambled to sit in her own chair and turned to look over her shoulder. Kokuei sat, a low rumbling coming from his throat. He held his head up high on his long neck, even so, he was only half as tall as the building.

All around, knights filled the building. Their large tall forms became a barrier holding back the rest of the barracks as people flooded inside. Kaoru jerked her head back around and forced herself to keep her eyes up front. The building slowly became filled with the soft murmuring of dozens of people. But Kaoru could hardly hear them over the pounding of her own heart. After what seemed like a lifetime later A man stood up from his podium in the center of the semi-circle and raised his hands.

"That's chancellor Gaball," Kenshin whispered, leaning slightly closer. "In charge of the barracks."

Kaoru nodded. She remembered him from her first day here, he appointed her to Kenshin. Around them a hush fell over the crowd and soon is was so silent that Kokuei's breathing sounded like heaving bellows. At the larger podium, the Marshal stood.

"I'm Marshal An Aiguo here to oversee the trial of Messenger Kanryusai Takeda, Messenger Jacob Greenspan, and Page Kaoru Kamiya" He picked up a paper and read from it. "Takeda is being tried for gross negligence of a government-assigned dragon. Greenspan for breaking a binding government contract. Kamiya for assault of a government messenger rider." He looked surprisingly somewhat amused as he turned to Gabell, who was still standing. "I have to say Chancellor that I've never had to have so many trials at once. What kind of place are you running here." He chuckled softly at his teasing and then cleared his throat. "Well, I guess it can't be helped as they are all connected."

"Quite right, Sir." Gabell finally sat, looking no more assured than before the Marshall's teasing.

"Well, let's get this whole mess started." Aiguo sat and set his hands on the desk and interwove his fingers. "Chancellor Gabell, you may begin."

The older man stood. "I call Aoshi Shinomori to the front stand."

Startled, Kaoru looked around. She didn't see Aoshi in their small group but he materialized from the group of people behind them. The whole building was silent as his, shiny, mirror-like boots echoed with every step. His thick leather coat swished with strange loudness. His face passive, almost bored as he walked passed their tables and to the raised section almost like the podiums, but without the chair or table top. It was ringed with dark wooden railings that was open in the back with a small set of steps leading up to it. Aoshi climbed them and stood rigidity.

"Aoshi Shinomori. Do you swear that what you tell us here is the truth as you know it to be? That you understand that if you are proven to be purposely telling an untruth could result in punishment including death?"

Kaoru swallowed and glanced over at Kenshin out of the corner of her eyes. Death for lying? It seemed rather harsh, but perhaps it depended on the level of the lie and the damage it might have done to the trial? Kaoru wondered how anyone would want to risk such a punishment. She turned to Takeda. Was his family powerful enough that he could lie through his teeth and not worry?

"I do," Aoshi called out.

"Mr. Shinomori." Gabell took up a paper from his podium. "Can you tell us about the evening that Mr. Takeda first arrived at the compound last Summer?"

Aoshi tipped his head forward in a slight bow. "The Messenger Takeda landed in the square and rushed off the deliver his message. I assumed you read it sir, and then you called for a meeting."

"And what of Mr. Takeda's dragon, Enok?"

Hearing his name spoken out loud for the first time in weeks hurt Kaoru more than she thought it would. Did any of these people here know this dragon? Did they know how sweet and gentle he was? Or how horribly he was treated? Kaoru looked down at her lap and her two tightly clenched fists. She would tell them all. She would tell them everything.

… . . …

Aoshi gave his first impressions on the state of Enok and his idea to hand responsibility over to Kaoru as part of her training. After a few more questions he was allowed to step down.

"I call Kaoru Kamiya to take the stand." Gabell's voice echoed in the large building before falling silent. Soft murmuring, shuffling of feet and all manor of small sources of noise seem to stop at the sound of her name. Kaoru took a breath and stood. The chair scraping against the polished floor grated on her nerves and goosebumps covered her arms as she made her way to the raised podium. She kept her shoulders back and head up, for that she was thankful. But her eyes darted left and right. To the ring of the council and the Marshal who sat high above her. The Marshal looked especially interested. Kaoru walked up the three steep steps to the stand and set her hands on the dark wood of the rail.

"Kaoru Kamiya. Do you swear that what you tell us here is the truth as you know it to be? That you understand that if you are proven to be purposely telling an untruth could result in punishment including death?"

Blue eyes looked up at Gabell and she nodded. "I do."

"Speak up, for the witnesses." Gabell indicated to the crowd in the back of the room.

"I do!" She said, much louder.

"Very good."

"Miss Kamiya, do you remember the night that Takeda first arrived and his dragon, Enok was placed under your care?"

"Yes."

"Could you give us your first impression of the state of the beast?"

Kaoru felt the cold indifferent mask return to her face. She had not worn it since she had been rescued from the farm and when she had to stay calm while Enok was dying. She would not let them see the pain or the hurt. "I thought he was dying."

A wave of muttering went up from the crowd and Kaoru risked a glanced at Kenshin, who had his hard, strong eyes on her. He gave no indication of his thoughts. His mask, it seemed, was far stronger than hers. Takeda was sputtering about something rather loudly but Kaoru couldn't make out the words for the hammering of her heart.

The Marshal raised his hand and the room slowly fell into calm once again. "Miss Kamiya," He said, his tone amused as he sat forward. "Would you care to elaborate on why you thought this?"

"He was heaving for air. So thin his bones were painfully obvious. His wings hung on the ground and dragged uselessly as he hadn't the strength to hold them up. His neck was drooped and his head nearly dragged."

"Miss Kamiya it is not uncommon for a Messenger dragon to return in such a state after such a long mission. They are very tired."

Kaoru looked up at Gabell. "And dirty?" She asked sharply. "I'm sure Takeda came to you covered in grime so thick. He must have looked like the Zeni." She commented, turning her gaze to the sputtering man of question. Zeni were the nomadic tribe people of the Sand lands. Their skin ranged from honey to the deepest coffee. Though she was sure they all looked too lovely to be compared to a grime-covered Takeda. The comment brought the high born messenger into a rage that made him red-faced. She looked back at the chancellor.

"Tell me, did he stink of death and garbage? Because his dragon did."

Gabell looked scandalized and the room fell back into murmurs that the Marshal quickly hushed.

"We are here to ask you questions, Miss Kamiya, not for you to ask any." Gabell chastised.

"Pitty." Kaoru turned back to face the room. She noted the hitch in Kenshin's lips. Then the mask returned.

"Miss Kamiya." The Marshal's look never changed from its state of constant amusement and curiosity. "Are you exaggerating?"

Kaoru's eyes flashed. "No, sir." She bit. "You asked my first impressions and I gave it. I've never seen a messenger back from a mission before and had nothing to judge him from. Also. Since then, I've seen messengers back from missions and they didn't look half as bad as Enok did and never did they look so thin and bony."

If her sharp tone displeased the Marshal, he didn't show it. "Please tell us about Enok." He pressed.

Kaoru's mind was a blank, but her mouth opened and from it came every moment she had ever spent with the dragon. His timid, almost scared first days. The shock of how dirty he was when washing him. His rotting teeth, over grown claws, neglected harness that had chaffed painful wounds under his legs.

How sweet and eager to please he was. How he inhaled his food the first week. How he was not allowed to be seen by a medic for his wounds. How he was kept separated and alone from the other dragons in the stable. She went on and on and how she didn't shed a tear but her voice rose, wishing for every single person in the very back of the building to hear what state Enok had been in.

When she was done the hall remained silent. She could hear her voice still echoing off the dome. An Aiguo leaned forward, the wooden structure under him creaked slightly. "Thank you, Miss Kamiya. You may step down."

Kaoru swallowed but found that her throat was shut. She nodded silently and quickly turned to step down. Her footsteps seemed deafening to her ears. It was all she could hear as she returned to Kenshin's side. She felt weightless as she slid into her chair. Her heart felt like a thousand pieces against her ribs. She glanced over at Kenshin and then at the front where Aiguo was shuffling papers on his desk.

"Takeda." The Marshal started, leaning on his desk to look down at the man, his amused look all but gone. "This is not the first time I've heard this story about you."

The thin man looked taken aback at this.

Kaoru blinked and both she, Kenshin and Jacob turned. Was this hope she was feeling?

"You seemed to have missed much of your training." The Marshal stated. "Perhaps it would be better to retake your courses before being allowed to fly again."

"But, Sir, those courses are four years?" Takeda stated, blinking stupidly up at the man. "I'm sure you don't mean for me to take the full course again?"

Kaoru's eyes darted up at the Marshal in time to catch the strange flash in his eyes. "Well, why would I give your another dragon seeing as you've ran three of them into the ground. Honestly, Takeda, I've smooth-faced boys that care better for their beasts."

"But they are just dragons." Takeda protested. His statement brought many startled gasps among the crowd. His narrow eyes darted this way and that as if realizing his mistake.

Aiguo leaned even further over his desk as if to throw something at the man below him. "And without a dragon, you are just another man." He stated loudly. "You have a choice Takeda, you can retake the entire course, all four years. And you will be on ten-year probation. Any sign of neglect of your dragon and you will be jailed. Or you can be dishonorably discharged from the military right now."

Takeda was like a fish, his mouth was gasping, open, closed, open, closed.

"I understand that you come from an affluent family. Strange how one such as yourself would take up such a position as Messenger." The Marshal continued, his hard eyes pinning Takeda down. "I do not know why you've found yourself here nor do I care. But if you care so much about your career here then I think you need to be reeducated. So what will it be?"

Takeda stood, turning his narrow eyes at Kaoru. She didn't blink, nor look away. She wanted to show him that she wasn't afraid of him.

"What of her, she attacked me!" Takeda pointed, his eyes going wide and round.

"Sir, this is your trail, She will have hers. I've heard the statements I wanted to hear. Letters about your other dragons have turned my stomach, I wish to hear no more about this abuse. Your answer...now." The Marshal's tone showed that he was done with him.

The man looked down, his hands in fists. "I'll return to take courses." He muttered.

Aiguo sat back and pulled up a paper. "Being that you are now a student renders your contract with Jacob Greenspan now null and void. The hatchlings will be placed with riders by choice of the military when they are of age."

Kaoru turned and smiled at Jacob. None of Bala's and Enok's hatchlings were at risk of being paired with Takeda. By the time he was done with his courses, the hatchlings would be full gown and long united with their riders. The Elf flashed her a smile in return.

"After reviewing the statements of the attack, Kamiya admits to attacking Takeda outright." The Marshal stated. He lowered the paper and looked over it at Kaoru. "Do you still admit to this, my dear?"

Kaoru took a breath to answer. Kenshin nudged her with his elbow and Kaoru immediately sprang to her feet. "Yes sir, I did attack that man." She glared over at Takeda as she said it.

"I take it you were overcome from seeing him with a hatchling after knowing how he treats his dragon?" Aiguo pressed.

Kaoru tipped her chin up. Was the Marshal trying to give her a way out? Should she take it? What if it was a trap? So far the Marshal seemed nothing but fair. But she refused to give Takeda the satisfaction of sinking to his level. She was not a coward.

"I was sir if it were not the Laws of Men, or for the men that pulled me from him, I would have gladly put his eyes out."

The council muttered and the Marshal raised a brow at her as Takeda looked at her aghast. "You do know such actions would mean hanging?" The Marshal asked in a gentle tone.

Kaoru kept her chin up and she locked eyes with An Aiguo. "Better to hang a slave than to let that one kill another dragon." She ignored the sounds of shock rolling across the crowd.

The Marshal's eyes warmed somewhat. "As you admit to your crime and that it was in the passion of the moment to protect the property of the military, your punishment will be lenient. Ten lashes, no more."

A/n To be honest, while I'm not sure how I did with the trial, it was great fun to write. I wanted harsher punishment for Takada, but such is life...we don't always get the justice we think is fit sometimes. Kaoru is up for a whipping though, I wonder how that's gonna pan out.

Thank you for reading everyone! I hope you have a great holiday and a Happy New Year.

Reviews would be the best gift!