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:

No matter how hard Nao rammed her fists and shoulders against the unyielding lock, she was only able to watch helplessly as they carried Shizuru off to be subject to the mercy of that bastard of an Arixian. Her hand broken, bruised and bloody, she collapsed on the cell floor, holding her head in her good hand and cursing under her breath.

Chapter 15

Italics – Thoughts

Shizuru awoke to find herself in familiar surroundings. Familiar, but undesirable. A glance to the left – a plethora of weapons on the display rack – some with the blood still encrusted around it. And to her right, the metallic tea pot she requested earlier sat on the table.

She was back in Tomoe Marguerite's tent.

This time, though, she wasn't on the bed. Instead, she was on the dirt floor, lying beside the potted fire pit. The thick odor of alcohol still wafted around the room and she crinkled her nose – it was stronger than how she had remembered it. Her slight movement did not go unnoticed by the sole occupant of the room, who was hiding in the shadows that the crackling fire pit provided. "You're up, my dear Shizuru," Tomoe drawled, moving into the light.

Shizuru knew there was no sense in avoiding Tomoe and pushed herself up, locking eyes with the Arixian. Against the orange embers, she could see that Tomoe's eyes were clouded and held a dangerous undertone. The teal-haired general continued in her speech, "You know, we could have had a fantastic life together – you and me. I've a grand villa back home, in Arixia.. I would have given you anything you desired. I'm the perfect spouse." Tomoe spun around, her expression taking on a complete 180, "But you chose to ruin it! You betrayed me! How could you even THINK of siding with the Kagenites? You foolish woman. Their stupid little woody kingdom is as good as gone!"

Shizuru shook her head. Natsuki was especially nostalgic of her homeland and she wouldn't just take insults like that lying down. "Kagen was a peaceful kingdom until Arixia broke the pact between the nations. Also, my allegiance and love never belonged to you in the first place. I am promised to another. I barely even know you, General Marguerite, but you had plotted and schemed against me when I had done nothing to you."

Tomoe waved her response off and shrugged, "I don't care about what you say, Shizuru. You will be mine. I will make you mine by today anyway," she laughs and stepped closer toward Shizuru, "Also, I happen to know you're an oustanding martial artist and equally skilled with the blade. However.. I do not wish to extert too much of my energy subduing you. Instead I shall spend that on savoring your body." She licks her lips contentedly.

Shizuru shifted uncomfortably – she was unarmed, drugged and the treacherous woman was closing in every second. She edged closer toward the fire pit, away from Tomoe. Tomoe produces a small vial from the breast pocket of her uniform and lunges, grabbing Shizuru's arm roughly. Shizuru struggles, knocking the table over and manages to push off the persistent woman but her sluggish body was still recovering from the tranquilizers that knocked her out earlier. Tomoe grins deviously at her weakness, firmly gripping her captive's wrists and pinning her lower body down with a knee between her thighs. She presses the sharp metallic tip into Shizuru's arm, drawing a muted gasp from the brunette below her.

"Oops, not too much. I wanted you to be awake for this," Tomoe smirks and withdraws the needle from her victim. She tosses the reminder of the vial across the room and leers at Shizuru from above, cupping her face with an exaggerated gentleness.

Shizuru shudders as the cool liquid crawls through her skin, feeling her arms go numb. She tosses her head away from the hand that was holding her cheek, sending a defiant glare at the offending woman straddling her. She bucked her hips, hoping to throw Tomoe off, but her body refused to co-operate. Tomoe chuckled darkly at her multiple failed attempts, "Now, now. I know you're eager but I prefer to be the one in control." She reaches for Shizuru's leathered shoulder pads with her free hand, removing them easily as the drug started to take its toll.

The Arixian beams in delight at the smooth, flawless skin that was exposed and bends over, pressing her lips against it and inhales deeply. She gets more aroused as the princess tries to wrestle her arms free; savoring the power that she held and bites down on her captive's neck. Shizuru releases a surprised hiss of pain but grits her teeth, refusing to let another sound escape her lips as she knows it would only please Tomoe further. She feels her hot breath down her neck and winces when Tomoe starts to trail down her neckline with her tongue, a hand clawing its way through her top. She feels her stomach turning as the spit evaporates, leaving her with the feelings of being cheap, dirty and used all at the same time. Shizuru feels herself being lifted slightly, her breastplate being unbuckled and squeezes her eyes shut.

Was I just going to give up? Just like that?

With a determined shove, she forces her uncooperative form into compliance and painstakingly wraps her arm around Tomoe in a vice grip; before sinking her teeth into Tomoe. Shizuru didn't know what she had bitten into. She crunched her jaw with whatever strength she could muster, not stopping until she was roughly thrown off. The attack had left her open and vulnerable as she tried to get her bearings from Tomoe's shove. She felt a heel punch right into her ribs and she collapsed into the dirt. Drugged or not, she wouldn't just let Tomoe have her way with her.

Shizuru Viola never goes down without a fight.

She stumbled to her feet, snatching the fire pit prong that lay beside her and her trained eyes quickly assessed the situation. Tomoe had backed a few feet away from her, clutching onto her neck that was dripping with fresh crimson blood. The two guards stationed outside the tent had heard the commotion; and probably Tomoe's distressed cries of pain. They raised their weapons toward her, commanding her to drop her makeshift weapon.

"Get out!" Tomoe elbowed them away, a snarl etched into her features and he eyes glazed with anger and maliciousness. "Leave us! Anyone who dares to come near this tent will die by my hand!"

"But.."

"I SAID GET OUT!"

Shizuru's eyes shifted to focus on Tomoe as the guards trudged out of the tent. Tomoe was emanating a primal, predatory air but Shizuru refused to waver despite her drug induced weariness. The remainder of her undergarments were torn during the struggle, but she held little care of it. She would kill Tomoe than to let her have her way and rob her of everything she held dear. She would rather die than to return to Natsuki sullied and broken.

Ara, a fight to the death it was, then.

Tomoe picks up her halberd that was leaning against the wall nearby, raising her other hand to wipe the sticky, dark liquid off. She stabs the base of the long weapon into the ground and taunts her opponent, "What're you waiting for, my dear? Come at me with that toothpick of yours."

Shizuru does not respond and she continues, "You know, initially I wanted to have you all to myself, but just for that chunk of flesh you took off, I think I'll share. After my entire command is done with you, I'll return you home, where your people's spirit will be broken as they hear of news that their beloved princess was raped by thousands of Arixians – and they best prepare themselves as our armies tear through your lands."

It was then when Shizuru noticed a glint of metal from behind Tomoe, slicing through the tarp. The blade was barely visible and the movement was so subtle even trained eyes would have missed it. Tomoe notices her gaze and turns her head to look, but stiffens immediately and her jibes die in the throat when she feels the cold steel against it, her weapon kicked aside easily.

There were no words that could describe Shizuru's emotions at that time as the mysterious figure took another step forward, into the light. She felt pangs of relief, comfort and joy but at the same time, also shame and regret. The remnants of her apparel were hanging off her shoulders and a large tear in the fabric across her chest left much to be desired.

"You're hurt," was all she said.

Shizuru shook her head, "Natsuki.."

The guilt in Natsuki's eyes disappeared for a mere second when she heard Shizuru's voice, but she closed them. When they reopened, they were stormy and cold. It was then when Shizuru knows that Natsuki had heard and seen everything. Tomoe let out a squeak as the blade pressed deeper into her skin, drawing a faint line of blood. Shizuru suddenly felt herself being lifted and suddenly notices that two familiar women had ducked under the tent flaps and were now supporting her.

"Get her out of here. I will handle it from here."

"But, Natsuki.." Aoi tried to dissuade her but to no avail. Natsuki wasn't to be persuaded at this juncture. She swallows, nodding and they lay a firm hand on Shizuru, who was starting to struggle when she figures out what Natsuki plans to do. Sure, Shizuru wanted that beast of an Arixan dead more than anything in the world, after almost becoming Tomoe's rape victim and all, but she valued Natsuki much more than that.

"HELP! Assassins!" Tomoe screams frantically, grabbing her last opportunity in saving herself. Natsuki growls and promptly stabs her knife down into Tomoe's shoulder, causing her to howl in pain. "Get her out. Now! I'll buy you time." Without another word, Chie grits her teeth and aims for Shizuru's temple, knocking her out. The Vitilan woman collapses into Aoi's awaiting arms and they disappear through the slit canvas.

Natsuki hears the faint flap of Duran's wings and she feels a little better knowing that Shizuru was in relative safety. Arixians were coming any second and she starts to search the room for something, anything that could alleivate the situation. Tomoe started to snicker triumphantly as there are shouts coming from outside. Natsuki snatches up the flasks on the table – alcohol – she realized and douses its entire contents onto Tomoe; effectively shutting her up. She managed to empty yet another flask and throws the last flask toward the entrance of the tent; where the guards burst in and it smashes onto the ground with a crash.

Tomoe let out another maniacal cackle. The flask didn't even take out a single soldier! How useless was this assassin anyway? The soldiers start to file in and she confidently tells her captor, "You don't have any hope of escaping here alive."

"I would like the key."

Tomoe snorts, "And why should I hand it to you?"

The dagger buried in Tomoe's shoulder was tugged out slowly, causing her to scream in pain as the jagged edges ripped the muscle inside. The Arixian soldiers started to panic at the screams, confusion abound the ranks. Tomoe was in no shape to command her men even after the blade was removed because it was soon replaced by a long arrow that was forced into the wound.

"Give me the General and I will hand them over to you, as well as the key."

Natsuki looks up and finds a scowling Nao, a chubby, moustached man and a young girl with locks as dark as night. Nao makes eye contact with her old friend and nods, an understanding formed. "Give her the key," Natsuki instructs the Arixian solder, pointing at Nao. He hesitates but the arrow being lodged further in drew more desperated cries and he hands it over to Nao.

"Release them, I will hand you your General."

"Let them go!" Tomoe wheezes, dizzy from the lack of blood. "I'll... trade them... all for this bitch!"

Her companions released, the guards reformed another semicircle around her, holding their gaze intently. Satisfied, Natsuki pulls the shorter Tomoe up and breathes into her ear, whispering, "I would have done to you what you had threatened Shizuru with earlier, but it appears that I do not have the chance yet. I honestly hope you survive this, so that I will still have the opportunity to carry our those threats."

With that, she pushes Tomoe toward the Arixian soldiers, who were across the fire pit. They hopped to attention, like the good soldiers they were the minute Tomoe left Natsuki's graps but were grossly unprepared when Tomoe started breaking into flames faster than trees burn during fire weather. The alcohol acted as a perfect accelerant and as the flaming Tomoe stumbled toward her men, the ground where the last flask had landed caught fire as well, erupting in flames and widespread panic. The sickening smell of burnt flesh enveloped the entire tent and cries of, "Get water!", "The General is burning!" and "Get her!" echoed throughout the encampment.

Natsuki ducked under the cover of the fumes and chaos, slinking through the tear in the tent and made her way out into the cold dark night. But she was not alone. A handful of soldiers had stormed after the assassin, determined to get their hands on the arsonist who had set their General on fire. Darting whizzing projectiles thrown her way, she faintly hears that the prisoners have escaped and she feels relief that Nao had succeeded in releasing the rest of her countrymen.

Just as she was about to make a turn toward the prison cells, an arrow flits by her, meeting its mark at an Arixian soldier that had routed in the opposite direction to cut her escape path off. It was by far the steadiest and most precise of shots, from a Kagenite, no doubt. A scroll was attached at the end and Natsuki quickly yanks it out of the dead man's chest. She slides the arrow into her quiver – no sense in wasting a perfectly good arrow. The note read: 'I've already instructed Nao and Sakomizu to meet at the rendevous point with the rest. Get out of here immediately. I hope to see you soon. - Benkei'. She silently thanks Yamada for the arrangements and alters her course toward the woods instead.

It was the best place to lose the troop of men sent to slay her.

A/N: Tomoe lives? Dies? Duran has BBQed pork for supper?