Chapter 7: Tsuiseki; Chasing

Kuonji writhed in anger as he sat broodingly in Izumi's study. To his right, he had discovered the secret passageway that led down to the hidden cave. At first he was elated, assuming that the sword would be there, but what stared back at him was the empty boulder.

His plan was going smoothly till this little hiccup happened.

Turning around to stare at the blonde doctor who was seemingly looking around the study in awe, a vein popped in his head.

"How could such an airheaded baron ever become a doctor?! Look at his carefree attitude in this time of urgency! Does he not care about the missing princesses?"

"Narumi…" Kuonji started at the doctor turned his attention to his senior of 3 years and smiled.

"Yes?" Narumi replied in a singsong manner.

Being stuck in the palace and tending to the wounds of the army was not something he enjoyed. Narumi yearned to leave the palace and aid Mikan in whatever she was doing. After the chaos, he had to tend to the many soldiers wounded, however, his presence was immediately requested by Kuonji.

Having had to be literally dragged to see Kuonji, Narumi fumed in anger. Did this nutcase not know how many casualties there are from his little uprising?! Soldiers and their useless brains…

A sharp rap on the door made Narumi wince. The lack of sleep from tending to the wounded was getting to him. The doors to Kuonji's quarters opened and he stood face to face with the shorter raven-haired man. Kuonji looked at the bloodstains on Narumi's doctor's coat and smirked, "so the doctor stays behind while everyone flees for their lives."

Narumi snorted. "Some kind of doctor I would be if I abandoned the wounded. If I betrayed their trust."

Kuonji raised an eyebrow and Narumi was struck in the face by the guard by his side. Tasting blood in his mouth, he spat at Kuonji's feet and looked up in defiance.

"I don't have time to play word games with you Anju. Since you remained here, you chose to remain here that is, you will now answer to me. The royal family is no more and since there will be no more balance in this country, I will be the one to bring about this balance. Your first duty is to tend to the wounds of the King's Guards."

Narumi looked up from the ground and stared at Kuonji confusedly. The King's Guards? Didn't he capture all of them and throw them into the dungeons? Why treat them?

A small laugh escaped Kuonji's lips, "I see you're thinking hard. Loyalty can be bought my dear doctor. I don't want them dead, in fact, I need them alive. They are going to tell me whatever I want to know and so are you, starting with Kami's Sword."

Narumi kept quiet and returned his gaze to the ground. He swore never to tell others of the sword, he promised Izumi.

Seeming to read his mind, Kuonji continued, "Izumi is dead. So is my cousin. You answer to no one else but me now."

Anger grew within Narumi, "how could you kill your own family? How could you give out orders for her to be murdered?!"

"She served her purpose. Is it even possible to want to be family with something like that thing? It was good that she was so obedient, always doing my bidding and listening to me." Kuonji began pacing around his room, "jealousy, anger… they're emotions which rob all sense of reasoning from you. It was interesting to see how they changed my poor cousin from a kind-hearted girl into one who lusted after power. Poisoning her mind was so easy with those emotions." Stopping and turning to face Narumi, Kuonji nodded his head and the guards yanked Narumi.

"Bring him to tend to the wounds of the King's guards then return him here after he is done." Kuonji instructed the two burly men beside Narumi.

Turning his attention to Narumi, Kuonji's eyes glinted with evil, "You have a choice to tell me about Kami's sword. If you don't, people around you will suffer."

In that instant, a recognizable bloody young commander was thrown into the room.

"Akira!" Narumi fought his way to the young man who was writhing in pain. Immediately checking his pulse, he noted that it was growing faint.

"Ah I see the poison is working well." Kuonji murmured in amusement.

"Give me the antidote." Narumi answered darkly.

Kuonji took out a small vial of clear blue liquid and dangled it in front of Narumi's face. Narumi reached out to snatch it away, but he grasped only at air.

"Ah ah… I didn't say this was to be given for free. Tell me the details of the sword."

"After Akira has drunk the antidote." Narumi urged as Tono started to thrash around in a sudden surge of pain.

"Before. Tick tock Narumi-sensei."

Debating with his mind whether to disclose such information, Narumi looked at Tono and to the vial and let out a frustrated sigh.

"All right! The passageway to the sword is in Izumi-sama's study room."

"And how do I open it?" Drawled Kuonji.

Narumi really wanted to pummel Kuonji into the ground but trying to keep Tono from smashing his own head into the ground in his fits took all of Narumi's effort.

"It's an old brown book! Now hand over the vial!"

Kuonji, pleased with the answer, carelessly threw the vial in Narumi's direction. Dashing out to catch the fragile vial before it broke, Narumi uncorked it and tipped the contents into Tono's mouth before tipping his head back, forcing him to swallow the liquid.

Instantly, Tono stopped moving in pain and he heaved with heavy breaths. He could finally have a moment of relief.

"It would take some time for Kuonji to find the key to the underground passage. Please let the sword be taken."

After that incident with Tono, Narumi practically had no freedom. He was bound by his promise to Izumi to stay within the palace so that he could keep an eye on Kuonji's movements. However, out of all this dreariness, Narumi found a way to keep his spirits up. He loved how Kuonji got frustrated each time Narumi answered him in a singsong manner. Each time Kuonji got mad, Narumi felt a little happier and made this his little mission each day.

Out of all the staff in the palace, he was the only on with the knowledge about Kami's sword since it was said to have some sort of healing ability. That was rumors till Izumi brought him to the sword. Amazed that it even existed, he began his study on it. There was so much he wanted to know, but his research was cut short by the uprising.

Once again, he was sitting at the window and it took over 3 days before Kuonji finally found the book which opened the passageway. However, he was met with an empty boulder. Narumi surged in joy but purposely wore a shocked expression.

This was not making Kuonji any happier and his day began to slide further. The loud rapping on the door added to his frustration and he growled, "enter".

Commander Goshima walked in and saluted in respect.

"I have news sir." Goshima spoke curtly.

Kuonji's head began throbbing. It had better be good news.

"This afternoon's patrol has gone smoothly. We have confirmed that the princesses and their bodyguard are in the capital." Goshima reported when Kuonji did not make a sound.

The crimson rays of the setting sun shone in through the glass-stained window behind the armchair Kuonji was sitting on. Once the news had registered in his head, he looked up at the commander thinking that it was some kind of cruel joke. Remembering how the commander was one of his loyal subordinates, the corners of Kuonji's mouth curled upwards.

Goshima noted the immediate change in mood from Kuonji and he silently let out a breath of relief.

"We found two of our men dead and it was most likely caused by Ruka. That was an hour ago."

"Good… this is good commander. It is a pity that some have to be sacrificed for this great goal but nonetheless, organise search parties this very instant. Barricade all bridges and highways leading out from the capital. I want those three caught by the end of tonight! It would take them another hour to reach the nearest bridge. Set out now!" Kuonji was practically dancing with joy in his cold shell.

You'll be mine soon. Very soon.

The group walked in silence as they finally reached the border which would lead into the lands of the forest. Not one word was said since the incident but Natsume suddenly turned around and Mikan walked straight into him.

"Ouch…" Mikan muttered as she hit her head against his body.

Natsume looked down at the girl before him. How could she be so stupid?! Taking on a well-trained soldier by herself with that weird looking sword. Does she want to be killed before even starting her mission? Looking up, he noted how Sumire had this spaced out look about her. The sister as well, instead of running or screaming for help, she just stood there, paralysed in fear. What would happen if Ruka and I hadn't come to their aid?

Mikan looked up at Natsume and saw that his crimson eyes were sparkling with a tinge of anger.

"Sorry. I'll be more careful." Mikan said while looking down again. She licked her suddenly dry lips and tasted the faint taste of iron in her mouth. Raising a finger to her mouth, she lightly dabbed the wound and saw that the wound had split after she licked it.

"Sumire-hime… are you all right?" Ruka looked at Sumire and held her shoulders.

Sumire kept muttering that she was sorry, that she had placed the both of them in danger because she did not actively use her alice.

When Mikan looked up, the dark red scab on her lips caught Natsume's attention. She's hurt? He chided himself for not noticing it despite being trained to be observant. When did she get hurt? He was so preoccupied with the soldier wielding the sword that he forgot to take a look at both the princesses.

Behind him, he could hear Ruka comforting Sumire, "it's all right, it's not your fault. You wouldn't have known."

Sumire shook her head, "I should have. My Alice would allow me to but I didn't use it. At a time like this, I should be using my Alice instead of trying to conserve it."

Reaching into his back pocket, Natsume took out a small white handkerchief and uncapped the water bag. Dipping it into his own water bag, the cloth immediately absorbed the cool water and he proceeded to tend to Mikan's wounds.

"Stay still." Natsume said while cupping her chin.

Mikan's breath hitched in her throat. Natsume's face slowly drew closer to hers and she could feel his intense gaze at her lips. His touch seared her skin as he brought the handkerchief closer to her face.

"I can clean up my own wounds…" Mikan started to argue but was cut off.

"Stop talking and this will be over soon." Natsume murmured while concentrating on dabbing away the fresh blood.

The cool cloth on her lip brought relief to the swelling that was beginning to form and seeing how Natsume was concentrating so hard, Mikan finally noted that he had a boyish charm. A few strands of his raven locks escaped the thick headband he was wearing and hung over his crimson eyes.

"Mikan-hime?" Natsume broke her out of her trance. Once he looked up from her broken lip, he saw how large her brown eyes were and they were staring back at him. Clearing his throat, he leaned back and washed the blood off his handkerchief with a little water. "Don't bite your lips when you're nervous and the wound will heal."

Once Natsume pulled away from her, Mikan suddenly felt that it was much easier to breathe and she immediately began to bite her lower lip until Natsume reminded her not to do that and she stopped. Was he always so nice? Mikan thought to herself.

Natsume walked over to the younger sister and lowered himself to her eye level.

"I know you're blaming yourself, but what's done is done. There isn't time for you to be harping over the past. The next time when the two of you are together, just be more alert and use your Alice. Contrary to belief, your Alice will not run out as fast as rumored." Once Sumire heard those words, she wiped away her tears and stood up.

Ruka looked to Natsume and gave him a nod as thanks. Nodding back, Natsume took out a pair of binoculars and focused them at the bridge. What caught his attention was the sound of galloping horses coming from behind him. Stuffing the binoculars back into his bag, he urged the group to start running towards the bridge.

"We have to go NOW! The army has most likely caught wind of our presence in town. We have to get over the bridge to be safe." Picking up the large knapsack, he slung it over his shoulders and clung on to his sword in his left hand.

Pushing his legs to run, they covered the distance within a short time, but the army had seen them and was charging on their horses.

"Hurry! We are safe once we've entered the forest!" Natsume shouted as the other three tried to run faster. Ruka and Sumire had reached the opposite side of the bridge way before Mikan because out of the two packs that were given to the princesses, Mikan purposely chose the heavier one.

Hurry up! Hurry up! Natsume urged in his head. She's not going to make it!

"Ruka, stay with Sumire-hime." Natsume said in a cool tone as he placed his knapsack on the ground. "Whatever you do, don't cross this boundary." Natsume drew a rough line with his scabbard on the ground.

Securing the belt which held his sword round his hip. He walked slowly up to the other end of the bridge and drew his sword. Slinging the crossbow that was hanging off his shoulder, Natsume loaded an arrow and fired at the soldier nearest to Mikan with deadly accuracy. Mikan could feel her legs burning as she pushed off from the ground but the loud sound of the metal armor clanking against the saddle was not helping her in running faster. In fact, she started to panic and looked around to see how close they were to her.

This caused her to trip over the root of a nearby tree and she crashed into a pile on the ground. Looking up to see the nearest soldier so close to her, she closed her eyes in fear as he raised his sword high above his head. Then she heard a loud sound and saw an arrow protruding out from his head. The soldier crashed to the ground and the horse, which was now without a rider, neighed in surprise and ran backwards.

"GET OFF FROM THE GROUND!" Natsume shouted as he inched closer to her, releasing an arrow when a solider got within 30 metres of the princess and immediately reloading. Consciously, he knew that he could not waste anymore arrows otherwise they would have trouble hunting for food later on.

Mikan was startled by the sudden shout and she quickly picked herself off the ground, but she fell again once she felt the sharp pain in her ankle. One of the soldiers picked up his crossbow from his side and aimed for the princess. Once he got a clear shot, he released the arrow but to his surprise the arrow flew upwards.

"Mikan-hime… get to safety! I'll protect you!" A warm turquoise enveloped Mikan as a barrier alice stone was activated.

Damn damn, he's too far for me! He's going to hit the princess! Natsume panicked as he saw the guard raise the crossbow but he too was surprised when the arrow flew upwards. Looking back at Mikan, he saw her within an aura of turquoise. Seeing as one of the horses without a rider was running towards him, he timed his mounting in such a way that allowed him to kick off from the ground and land promptly on the saddle.

Grabbing the reigns, he made the horse run towards the remaining group of 4 soldiers.

"Get him men! Don't let the princesses escape!" One of the shouted while charging. Two of the men had their crossbows readied while the other two held the torches which provided the only light in the dark grasslands.

Anticipating the release of the arrows, Natsume blocked them with his sword and reared his horse backwards such that he was behind the two crossbow holders. With a quick slash, he had sliced the throat of one while slicing another in the chest as the two men were trying to get their swords out of the scabbard.

Throwing their torches onto the ground, the dried grass caught fire and prevented Natsume from riding behind the remaining two. Turning to face them head on, Natsume dug his heels into the side of his mare and she ran as fast as she could towards the other two. Removing his feet from the stirrup, he crouched on the saddle and drew out the dagger within his boot. Once the two men were close enough, he leaped off his horse and landed behind of one of the soldiers. Digging the dagger deep into his back, he quickly removed it and threw the lifeless body to the ground.

The remaining guard stopped his horse when he saw his comrade fall to the ground. Then seeing movement at the end of his vision, he noted Mikan struggling to get to the bridge. Smirking at Natsume, he dug his heels into the sides of his horse and it ran with a great speed towards Mikan.

No way are you stealing her from me! Natsume clicked his tongue in a sequence and the horse started running.

Ruka who was watching from the other side of the bridge saw how the soldier was charging down towards Mikan as she struggled to crawl back to the bridge. Seeing how Natsume's horse was going to be slower, he activated his alice.

"Horse-san, if you reach the princess first you'll be set free from all this killing." Natsume's horse then started to gallop even faster than it ever had and soon it was on par with the soldier's horse.

"Give up now! What is there in it for you by helping them escape?" The soldier shouted over the rushing wind.

"I hate it when people command me around." Natsume noted the braid that was swinging wildy in the air. It had 2 light blue beads indicating that he was a low-ranking officer. "GET UP MIKAN-HIME AND STAND THERE!" Natsume shouted.

Urging his horse to go faster, Natsume's horse suddenly pulled in front of the soldier. In his frustration the soldier kicked the horse even harder but the horse slowed down to a gallop.

Seeing as to how the horse was slowing down, Ruka smiled and praised himself for thinking of such a reason to make the horse slow down. "You can kick him off your back if you slow down. I can see he mistreats you."

Sheathing his sword and dagger, Natsume released his right hand from the reigns and leaned over to the side of the horse Mikan was going to be on and stretched out his hand. Grabbing her round her waist, he hoisted her up the horse and galloped to the other end of the bridge.

"Ruka…" Natsume began once he slowed down but Ruka brushed him off.

"I know. For tonight's entertainment please watch the remaining soldier!" Ruka activated his alice and instructed the horse to kick his owner off his back. Once the instructions went through, the horse thrashed around violently, and its rider fell off. The horse then let out a satisfied snort and trotted across the bridge into Ruka's arms.

"Wow, that's a great misuse of your alice." Natsume jokingly teased his friend. Ruka replied by bowing low as a smile appeared on both the princesses faces.

The indignant soldier drew his sword and rushed across the bridge. "You'll never get away with this! Mocking me and getting away! I'll get you even if I'm doing it alone!" The man screamed.

Natsume looked at the man with a bored look and taunted, "that's if you can get to us. Idiot."

The man rushed up to where Natsume drew the line before he flew backwards, and his body had a slight electrocution. "What the…" The soldier moaned as he rubbed his sore body.

"Tch, another brainless one in the army; I thought things would have changed." Natsume spoke to Ruka before turning his attention back to the man, "this forest is protected, and they don't like humans waving around their swords. You, who stupidly did that, do not have permission to enter."

Removing a small dagger from his pouch, the man suddenly threw it with all his might at Mikan but Natsume's reflexes were faster and he blocked it with his scabbard. However, he could not prevent the ricochet as the dagger sliced his forehead, injuring him slightly before falling to the ground.

There was a moment of silence as everyone stared at Natsume who stood rooted to the ground. In one quick movement, he withdrew his own dagger and released it from his grasps, allowing it to plunge into the soldier's throat. The soldier clutched his throat and suffocated on his own blood while Natsume used the back of his hand to wipe the trickling blood from the wound.

Pulling his headband lower, he applied pressure to the shallow wound before urging the group to move on ahead as he went back to retrieve his dagger.

Hotaru landed her flying device in the middle of the grassland and dismounted it. Urging Misaki to get off, she opened the seat and underneath was a large cloth. Laying it on the ground, she pressed a button on the duck mobile, and it opened up to a small tent.

"Get in. We're going to rest the night." Hotaru asked Misaki.

Misaki opened the small bag beside her and took out some food, "here, you should probably eat something before you pass out. I won't be able to operate that queer contraption of yours if you're unconscious."

Staring at the piece of bread in Misaki's hands, Hotaru took it slowly and started to munch on it. She chided herself mentally; the more time she spent here, the further her friend was getting away.

"The sleeping bags are warmed, if you must know." Hotaru spoke up after seeing Misaki shiver as the cool breeze blew by.

Both ladies looked up in the sky and quickly finished their bread before snuggling into the heated sleeping bags. Allowing themselves to fall into a deep sleep, they knew that they should hurry and reach Mikan, but for some reason, her dot on the device was covering more ground than Hotaru had expected.

"They're on their way to find her." Yuu Tobita trembled while standing in front of the council.

The group murmured with the disturbing news.

"How is the situation?" One of the elders spoke up.

Yuu bowed and turned to the elder, "not good sir. It seems that this time, it has found a worthy host. If my calculations are correct, we should be heading towards the same path as the ones before."

The murmuring grew louder.

"Silence!"

The murmuring stopped.

"Yuu, please inform her that she is to expect visitors…"

"But…" Yuu spoke up but he was met with a palm signaling no further explanation.

Kami merely smiled and looked cheekily at Yuu, "but, we all know she would have foreseen this."