Marksman
A war has left a nation torn and its remaining heirs escaping with their lives. Little did the Admiral know that by taking them in, it would alter the life of his daughter drastically, especially when her curiosity draws her closer to the budding marksman. One night, after receiving news of her abduction, the ranger departed on an arduous journey, vowing to bring her home safely.
Previously:
"It seems General Marguerite's peace treaty requires a wedlock. I believe it's between myself and her."
Chapter 12
Italics – Thoughts
Back in Vitilus
"Brought some food for you, Mai," Natsuki addresses the redhead as she steps into the room.
"Wha? Oh, thank you, Natsuki!" Mai beams despite the dull ache in her body.
"Don't worry, I didn't cook it. I just had the kitchen make it," Natsuki reassures her with a shrug, "So I hope you're feeling better?"
Mai takes a small sip from the bowl of soup, "Some parts still sting, but I was really lucky to get out alive. So... uhm, how are you feeling today?"
"Me?" Natsuki looks at her strangely.
Mai heaves a sigh, "I might be slightly singed, but I'm not stupid. I can tell that Shizuru hasn't been around. You two are virtually inseparable."
"She left for some state affairs," was Natsuki's response.
"And.. so why are you still here, Natsuki?" It was Mai's turn to look at her strangely.
"Because she decided to bring Nao along with her instead."
"Nao? Our Nao? Our ever annoying and tactless Nao?" Mai couldn't resist a gasp of surprise.
Natsuki scoffs, "The one and only."
"That's... unexpected. Did you ask her why, Natsuki?" Mai had placed her soup bowl down, now thoroughly intrigued by the turn of events. "Shizuru isn't the kind to just make random, whim-of-the-moment decisions like that. She had to have a reason."
"I did not ask."
Mai frowns, picking up a spoon and knocks Natsuki on the head once. "She's your girlfriend, for crying out loud! How could you just let it go just like that? Doesn't it bother you..."
"I don't know why, Mai! I just got confused and I just wasn't thinking straight, okay!" Natsuki snaps.
Mai's slightly taken aback that the backlash from her good friend. She lowers he gaze, "Sorry for intruding like that, Natsuki."
The dark-haired woman peers up, "I should be the one apologizing, Mai. I'm sorry, you were just concerned."
"It's alright, Natsuki. I understand," the carrot top smiles gently, patting her old friend on the back. "But sometimes, we need to let it out somehow."
Natsuki's lip twitches, "Actually, I've been going through Shizuru's stuff. But I couldn't find anything. Not even a semblance of a clue as to why she acted that way."
Mai's violet eyes twinkles cheekily at Natsuki's admission, "Well, I can swear on my last pinky that I wouldn't tell on you and any sleuthing you've done whatsoever."
Natsuki blinks at Mai and there's a short pause before both start chuckling. A rap on the door causes them to stifle their laughter.
"Ah, good day, Tokiha. I trust you are feeling better with Natsuki around to keep you company?"
"Of course, Councillor Masashi. Natsuki's always been great company," Mai replies with a nod.
Takeda beams, "See, Natsuki. I told you it was the right decision to stay."
Mai arches her brow in confusion – Takeda had a hand in this as well? She tilts her head at her best friend, but was getting rather unpleasant vibes reverberating from Natsuki. The archer's lips were pulled into a tight frown at the sight of the young man, annoyed that he was the one who had even suggested Shizuru go off alone when she was injured. Well, not alone, since she was with Nao. But in any case, he was the one with the damn big mouth. She snorts at him, then addresses Mai, "Well, I'm off to check on Kiyohime. I'll catch you later, Mai."
"Natsuki! You're not staying awhile longer?" Takeda calls after her, giving Mai a quick, half-hearted wave before jogging out the room.
"Don't follow me."
Takeda faltered slightly, but quickly caught up to her again. He finally had Shizuru out of the way and was alone with her. He just couldn't let this opportunity go! "I'd like to see Kiyohime too," he lied.
She turns around, gives him a questioning look but doesn't stop walking.
"I'd just wanna take a look at how she's doing," he added.
"Whatever."
He finally, for once, senses her irritation at him and tries to defend himself. "It's a free country. I can go and visit her as and when I like."
Natsuki expels a deep breath, not in the best of tempers ever since Shizuru left. "Can't you just take a hint and go away, Takeda?! I'm really not in the mood for you right now. Also, Shizuru left Kiyohime under my care,."
"Why do you keep talking about her? She isn't even here anymore!"
"She's coming back in a couple of weeks, you twit!"
Takeda grit his teeth, lest he spit the truth of the conspiracy out. Oh, how he wish he could have just told her. So she would finally see the truth and come back to him. But that would have to wait. His Natsuki was now in a foul mood, so he decided a change of tactic would be perfect. "Please calm down, Natsuki," he pleads, grabbing her hand and stroked it gently. "I promise I shall not aggravate you further."
Her response was to tug her hand away but he maintains his grip. With a growl, she yanks hard, but he refuses to let go and in a split second of unbalance; he finds himself crashing into her.
He opens his eyes, only to find her face merely inches away from his – the closest he has ever been. So close, that he could almost feel her beating heart. He frowns when he realizes that the pulse was right under his palm. He tears his gaze from her to find his hands on her bosom. A flurry of thoughts races through his mind, but before he could get anything out of those fantasies, he hears a stammer from behind.
"Ahhhh. Natsuki..?" Mai's voice was uncertain, questioning.
Natsuki winces from the impact and opens her eyes to a man groping her and in a very, very awkward position. She snarls.
He feels the breath knocked out of him and a dull ache in his head in a split second. He groans as he clutches his lower abdomen, where she had kicked him clear across the hall.
"I'M SORRY! Wait! What the hell are you doing?!" Mai widens her eyes in horror. Partly because Natsuki was caught in such a compromising position and partly because she wonders what Shizuru on a rampage would look like.
"I wasn't doing anything! That creep wouldn't let go of my hand!"
Mai holds up her hands, "Okay, okay. I'm going to get back in bed now." She spins around to see Takeda nursing his head. "I didn't see any of this!"
The carrot top promptly leaves the scene. Natsuki picks herself up, dusting herself off and strode toward the offending perpetrator. She grabs him roughly and yanks him against the wall. "What part of me being together with Shizuru do you not understand! I told you before and I'm telling you again now. Please just leave me alone!" she growls in hostility.
Takeda struggles from her grip, a defiant look on his face, "What do you see in her that I don't have?! I love you, Natsuki!"
"No you don't," she hisses. "I've known Shizuru for years. She knows my likes and dislikes, even before I know them. She knows my quirks, whims and obsessions. But you? What do you know about me? We merely trade pleasantries. I honestly can't fathom how you equate that to love."
He stays silent for a second. Then grabs her and presses his lips on hers.
The hallways resound with a reverberating slap. She bristles, clenching her fists in anger. What the hell was wrong with this man?!
The spiky-haired man starts laughing as he holds onto his reddening cheeks. "Well. Don't say I didn't warn you. Continue to wait for your little witch of a princess. But when you finally realize that she's never coming home, you could always beg me to take you back." He throws his head back, laughing as he walks away.
Natsuki eyes him as he staggers away, wondering if that knock on the head had caused him to go mad. But she then realizes that there was something to the things he had said. "What the hell do you mean by that, Takeda?" she snarls and takes two quick steps toward the man, squaring off with a glare that would cut most men down to size.
He keeps mum, but a thin smile forms on his lips and she questions his sanity again.
She shakes her head, "I am not joking, Takeda. What the hell did you mean by that?"
The man, in his delusional state, thinks that he holds all the cards by withholding all information. And now, he couldn't help but parade around it in front of her. He smiles wider, smugly.
Natsuki, wrought with sudden worry for Shizuru's well-being, breathes hard before she speaks again, "Takeda. I'm asking you one last time. Tell me what you meant by "she's never coming home". What did you do?"
"Perhaps, one day, I will tell you everything in detail."
XXX
Duran's ears twitched, lifting his large head as he heard a howl of pain. He gets up quietly, ensuring he does not awaken the sleeping Kiyohime. Pushing the door open with his snout, he ambles off into the direction of the scream.
He finds his rider seething in pure, unadulterated rage. She was standing over a collapsed figure.
Duran lets out a bark to get her attention. Hard, emerald eyes look up at him but soften slightly when they made eye contact. The large Wolcon is hit by the overwhelming smell of blood. The man known as Takeda had a dagger stabbed through his thigh, gasping for breath at the shock of the attack. The Wolcon assumes his position beside his rider, baring his huge fangs at the source of her anger.
The lean woman bends over the fallen Councillor, "Spill it, Takeda. Or the next one won't be through your thigh. What do you know? Why did you say Shizuru isn't coming back?"
The young man groans, squeezing his eyes shut from the throbs of pain that were coursing through his body; his smug smile gone. He mentally berated himself for his slip, his sanity and reason miraculously returning. God, he wasn't good at keeping his mouth shut. Especially around Natsuki. Even if she was the one who just sent a blade through his flesh.
"Commander! .. Councillor!" a patrol of guards comes running up. "What happened?"
Natsuki eyes them silently then straightens herself, "Fetch the Admiral and Lady. You, saddle up Duran and fetch my sister. I want him ready in half an hour." She places a hand on her steed, who brushes her with his body lightly.
The guards look to one another, but quickly nod and ran off to execute their orders.
"Takeda Masashi," she mutters through clenched teeth, "I don't know what the hell you did, but once I wring it from you, you'd wish you never planned on harming Shizuru. Now, I really don't have all day and most importantly, I need information and a location. Will you cooperate?"
"I.. I don't know what-t you're talking," he panted, "About.. Y-you can't prove anything to a-anyone."
She nods in agreement. "Indeed. Yet, I would have you know that this isn't a game. So Takeda, a second time. Would you share the information you hold?"
He winces as he shifts his body into a more comfortable position. The girl before him was exduing a dangerous air – one that his primal instinct knew not to cross. But to admit his scheme; that would be the end of him as well. He tries to divert the topic, "Natsuki.. I need.. medical attention first. I-I can't think straight with the b-blood loss.."
"Natsuki!" the familar voice of the Admiral resounded.
"Admiral," Natsuki greeted the older man with a short bow. "My Lady."
"Natsuki, the guards mentioned you needed us urgently," he looks down at the bleeding Takeda. "What happened?"
"I have reason to believe Shizuru is in trouble," she pauses, "And I think he has something to do with it."
"I do n-not..!" Takeda huffs from his prone position. "S-she's lying..!"
The lady immediately stiffens when she hears her daughter is in trouble, "Natsuki, what do you know?"
"He said that Shizuru wouldn't be coming back."
The Admiral's gaze hones in on the bushy-haired man. Takeda swallows uncomfortably. Tetsuo's lips pursed into a barely visible frown, "Take him down to the dungeons."
"W-what?! You can't do that! She's lying!" he howls. "You don't even have any proof!"
However, the soldiers merely dragged him away, not much of a struggle as he was already injured. "See to it that his wound is treated," Tetsuo calls after them. He turns back to the young archer who was giving him a questioning look. "What is it, Natsuki?"
"Ah.. I just thought.. It's nothing," she nods. She hadn't expected the Admiral to believe in her side of the story so easily.
Tetsuo pats her shoulder, "I trust you."
Natsuki looks at him in gratitude. That meant a lot to her. "Thank you. I have told the men to prepare Duran for travel in half and hour."
"You should get ready as well. The army is at your disposal. I will supplement you the information you need by then. Councillor Masashi is not that difficult of a man to break."
"I.. Admiral Tetsuo, leading an army might carry more risk. Allow me to do this myself."
Tetsuo doesn't reply.
"Please trust me, I would do anything just to get Shizuru back safely."
"It isn't that, Natsuki. I know you would risk anything. That is what I'm afraid of."
Natsuki bows, "My sister and I owe you our lives. You could have turned us away, but you did not. Instead, you offered your home and your family to us. And Shizuru.. She has given me something I hadn't dreamed I'll ever get to experience after my home and parents were wrenched away. This is something I must do."
Tetsuo nods, "I understand, Natsuki. I.."
"Thank you, Admiral. I will take my leave now."
XXX
Crucial information etched firmly in her head, Natsuki makes sure Duran's saddles are loaded with enough supplies. A pair of hands wrap around her waist and she finds Alyssa clutching on. "Take care."
"I will, Alyssa," Natsuki murmurs, gently wiping a teardrop off her sister's pale skin. They stay in the embrace for a while, before Natsuki purses her lips and slowly lets go. She adjusts her bow across her shoulders and pats the large Wolcon on the side, "We have to fly low, Duran."
She casts another short glance at Alyssa, who was being held by her attendant, Miyu. Tearing her gaze away, she gives her steed the command to fly, and with a powerful flap of his wings, they were off.
XXX
In the makeshift wooden cells
"What're you gonna tell that Tomoe?" Nao asks as she fiddles with the wooden cage, trying to find a way out.
Shizuru looks up, but does not respond.
"Damn, if I could just find a stupid guard. I'm so thirsty." Nao curses. "You know, whatever it is, we're screwed."
"Do not even think about it." Shizuru and Nao both turn to the voice. It was the disheveled girl in the other cage. "Tomoe Marguerite is a demon in disguise. Even if you were to agree to her stupid proposal, one day, she will turn around and ravage your country anyway."
"Ara. Thank you for the advice.." Shizuru trails off.
"Aoi. Senou Aoi."
"Pleased to meet you, Aoi. I'm Shizuru and this here is Nao."
Aoi nods in acknowledgement, then her eyes grew distant, "I'd know. I'd experienced it first hand. Look where I am now." She laughs coldly.
"What's your story, Aoi?" Nao moves closer to the other cage, intrigued.
"I'd tell, if you tell me yours," Aoi offers.
Nao grunts, "Ain't nothing to hide here. I was captured by the Arixian Army. Massacred half my camp. That insane bitch took me captive. Rather, as her plaything. Got a sick sense of sadism." Nao rolls up her sleeve, baring her old wounds, "This ain't even half of it."
"Camp? You were from..?"
"Ah. I joined one of them bandit gangs," Nao shrugs, "My Mom died when I was little, I had to find a way to survive, so..."
"Oh," Aoi nods with a smile, "Well, no judgement here. And you, Shizuru..?"
"Hey hey! I told mine, it's your turn now!" Nao interrupts, waving her hands.
Aoi laughs at her boisterious new cell-neighbour, "Alright, alright! At least tell me where are the both of you from?"
Nao shrugs and jabs a thumb across her shoulder, "She's from Vitilus."
Aoi's eyes meet Shizuru's briefly and found the burgundy ones peering at her with hidden amusement. She falters slightly, but quickly continues, "Well.. I was from Kagen."
"What!" Nao exclaims, she spins across to Shizuru, "Natsuki..?"
Aoi's eyes flash with recognition at the name and opens her mouth to question, but was cut short when two figures approached them. "Chie?" she widens her eyes in surprise.
"Aoi! Are you alright? Get her out, hurry!" Chie beckons for the guard, who obliges and opens the doors.
Chie gazes up at Shizuru and Nao, the guilt gnawing at her as Aoi is freed of her shackles. She remembers the kindness of the Princess and grits her teeth to remind herself. This was for Aoi. I'm sorry.
"Have we met before?" Shizuru questions the bespectacled woman whose head was bowed.
Chie shakes her head and turns away immediately, garnering an surprised look from Aoi. Despite of their long time relationship, Chie was never one to behave that way to a stunning woman – in any fathomable situation. However, there was a more pressing subject in Aoi's mind; but with the Arixian guard still hanging around, it was inconvenient and perilious to probe further.
Aoi throws Chie a look, which the latter catches. After a second of hesitation, she asks the guard, "She had a satchet of belongings with her, could we get it?"
He scratches his head, "Ah. It's probably all gone, but I guess you could take a look and see if there's anything." Chie nods and they disappear through the doors.
Aoi quickly uses the limited window of time, "You mentioned a Natsuki. Is she somehow related to an Alyssa?"
Shizuru peers at Aoi curiously. Natsuki and Alyssa had neither family nor friends when they first arrived at her family's doorstep. It was thought that majority of the Kagen populace was wiped out by the invading Arixians. But before she could respond, Nao cuts in eagerly, "Yeah! The cute blonde!"
Aoi bites back a gasp, "We always thought that they did not manage to escape..! This is- this is just... how is it possible that you are acquainted with them?"
"The sulky mutt and her are partners!" Nao exclaims triumphantly before Shizuru could stop her.
The voices of Chie and the guard stopped any further conversation between them, with Aoi casting strange looks towards Shizuru and Nao. Chie quickly takes Aoi by the hand and exits the room, leaving the Vitilians alone.
Outside
Chie helps Aoi up the horse, casting a final look at the encampment before spurring the steed to a gallop. She wanted to get them out of this accursed place as fast as possible.
Aoi tightens her hold around Chie's waist, feeling the tension in her girlfriend's torso. They ride on wordlessly for the next couple of miles, before coming to a stop at a small creek. The bespectacled woman hops off the horse, Aoi following behind closely.
"Chie, what's going on?" Aoi asks, wrapping her arms around her lover in hopes to soothe her.
"It's nothing, Aoi," Chie replies after a short silence as she swallows the pangs of guilt. "You're out now, that's all that matters."
Aoi looks at Chie silently, knowing that the dark-haired woman wasn't ready to reveal more as of now. She nods, "Chie, you know those two women in the cells?"
A pair of eyes dart across to Aoi, "What?"
"Apparently, they knew who Natsuki and Alyssa are."
Chie narrows her eyes immediately, "No. They are dead, just like Kagen. You can't believe everything people say, Aoi."
Aoi gives her a pointed look, "The redhead, Nao, specifically mentioned that Alyssa was a cute blonde. What are the chances of cute blondes named Alyssa being related to a Natsuki?"
The other woman doesn't respond.
Aoi continues, "I can't belive it, Chie. We have to get those two out of there. For all you know, they might lead us back to the rightful Krugers and our people will have something to rally towards!"
"Uggghh," Chie collapses heavily on the ground, holding her head in her hands. She was the one who had just got them in that bind. What the hell had she done?
Aoi watches as Chie clenches and unclenches her jaw, fiddling with her thumbs and running her hand through her short locks. She knew she had to be patient, so she stepped back and retreated to the edge of the water, filling a small canister with the refreshing liquid. It wasn't long before she heard footsteps behind her and she turned around slowly.
"Aoi, I'll fill on in on the full details."
XXX
The breeze was light and crisp. Usually, Natsuki would have relished it as Duran and her sped through the skies. However, she had no liberty to enjoy it today. The rider and the Wolcon had spent most of their journey flying through the clouds for cover, but as she glanced at the map one more time, she knew that they were soon approaching their destination. It was too conspicuous for Duran to be seen whisking around and it would only serve to raise suspicion.
"Let's land there, Duran," she gestures to a tall tree in the middle of the woods. Duran lands lightly, folding in his wings as he gained balance on the sturdy branch. Natsuki dismounts, nimbly weaving through the foilage. All seemed well until a loud exclamation pierced through the thick shrubbery, "What!"
She narrows her eyes, bow at the ready. She signals for Duran to conceal himself and silently makes her way across the treetops with practiced footwork toward the sound of the voice. Ears peeled, she strained to catch further conversation, but it seemed like the voices had dissipated.
However, she could hear the bubbling of water admist the trees and deduced that it would be the most sensible spot for any travellers – and she was right. The ranger perches atop an advantageous perch, keeping her ears peeled as she watched two women engage in a rather colorful conversation.
The taller, short-haired woman had her head bowed as her companion paced furiously in front of her, waving her arms in large, extravagant motions, "I can't believe you did that!"
"..."
"Whatever will Yamada say if he comes to know about this?"
"Indeed, whatever will he say?" a third, male voice interrupts the conversation; but his presence still unknown.
"Yamada?" the women glance around in unison.
A rapid blur shoots out from one of the trees, aimed toward the canopy above. Natsuki swallows as she skilllfully maneuvers to avoid the projectile, almost losing her footing and tumbling down a perilious 50-ft. She huffs in annoyance, knowing that she was spotted and quickly moves from her position. The figure darts quickly, through the forests and she follows close behind. The man was skilled, keeping up the pace in the chase. Her eyes darted between the branches and searching for a window of opportunity to take the offense as they moved through the woods.
An arrow comes whizzing past, causing her to drop and duck. She growls in finality – peeved. Adrenaline pumping from a thrilling chase, she pushes herself further. The wind billows through her long locks as her feet move on their own through the complex, twisted branches. She gains on the figure and in the split second where she overtakes him, she tightens the bowstring and releases the blue-feathered arrow.
A sharp clap echoes in the now silent forest and she moves quickly, knowing that the strike would only have disorientated him for a few seconds. She really did not want to kill random travellers. To her surprise, the man had already recovered and was seated on the leafy forest floor – the broken bow beside. She inches closer, carefully, her lethal arrow pointed at him.
He picks up the halved weapon, examining it for a second before he bows, "I apologize, princess."
XXX