Snow White and the Seven Cursed?!
Shadow Knight
Chapter 2: Jealousy of the Queen
Disclaimer: Um. . .no.
~
Story so far:
Akane Tendo: Snow White
Soun Tendo: Good King---Died
Kimiko (Akane's mom?) Tendo: Good Queen----Died
Mina Masato (Ranma and Akane's morphing teacher): Evil Queen
~
In a dark hall, a thin, willowy lady pulled her robes closer to her. She always hated how cold it was in this hall. Of course, going up the stone steps this high was expected. Reaching a thick oak door, she reached into her robes and withdrew a metal key. With a smile on her face, she quickly unlocked the door and stepped in, the door thudding shut behind her.
A small window was the only source of light in the darkened room. She pushed her back against the door until she heard the heavy thud of the door. With a grin on her face, she walked toward a corner of the room where a small door stood, too small for her.
Bending down on her knees, she knocked solidly on the door. She waited for a few moments. When nothing happened, she began to grow angry and started knocking harder on the door. A frown was etching deeply into her face.
Suddenly, her frown turned stiff as she felt a slight breeze pass through her legs, underneath her skirt. Then, she suddenly, felt something warm on her chest. Looking down she shrieked and batted away her chest. A small, wrinkled figure suddenly fell to the ground and bounced.
"Ow! You needn't hit so hard, Queen Misato," the small man cried out, fake tears falling down his weathered cheeks, "After all, can't an old, withered man get a little joy in his last years?"
"Happosai! You do a stunt like that again and I'll. . I'll," Misato boiled hotly, "I'll chop off you manhood and feed it to the dogs!"
Happosai looked frightened for a moment but covered up his fear with a leering grin. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a tin can, full of alcohol. "Yes, my Lady."
"Now," Misato said, an impatient frown on her face, "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Happosai sighed happily and jumped joyfully, taking a swig of some alcohol in his can.
"Okay," she said with a girlish grin.
"Pervert, Pervert, standing there. Lover of bras and silky underwear. . . . .Um. . . Happosai, do I really have to say that?"
Smiling, Happosai leered at her and took another swig of his alcohol. "Yes, my Lady, just continue saying the rhyme."
"Alright. . . Tell me pervert, not so tall. Who's the fairest one of all?"
Happosai's eyes suddenly opened. Misato gasped, as she was still not used to the sight. Black ink, the color of midnight colored his entire eye, leaving no white. Happosai's mouth opened and his raspy voice suddenly boomed.
"Meanie Queenie, you were once fair. . ."
Misato frowned at Happosai's words. "Meanie Queenie," she mumbled quietly to herself, "What kind of phrase it that?"
"But now you're ugly, old, and a prune. And Akane Tendo is now the shining moon."
"Um. . .," Misato started, "isn't that supposed to be shining _star_?"
Happosai's black eyes suddenly glared at her angrily. "No, it's moon! You idiot, star doesn't rhyme with prune!"
"What did you call me?!"
Happosai's eyes suddenly closed. When he opened them, his beady black eyes were staring at her, dazed. Seeing her stalking towards him with a furious frown on her face, he panicked. "What did I do?!"
Seeing Happosai back to normal, Misato suddenly stopped her stalk and let her arms fall to her sides. "Forget it. Explaining would take too long."
"So," Happosai started, "what happened?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. . .," Misato thought out loud, ". . Wait a second! You said I was ugly, old, and a prune now! And that spoiled Tendo brat was now the shining star! I can't believ-"
"Moon."
Misato looked oddly at Happosai. Stopping her raving, she stared at the little man confused.
"What?"
"It's shining moon, not star. Star doesn't rhyme," Happosai calmly explained.
Misato stood there for a moment, absorbing the information. A sudden tic appeared above her left eye. Seeing the tic, Happosai began to grow nervous.
"You told me that when you come out of your trance you don't remember what you say or happened. . . . ."
"Uh. . .," Happosai stuttered as sweat poured down his face, "I think it's time for me to go. . ."
"Oh no you don't! I'll show you who's an idiot," Misato was now yelling, looking evilly at the short man, "Get over here Happosai!"
"Uh-oh. . .Please don't hurt me!"
~
"What with all that screaming?"
Scratching her head in question, the blue-haired girl simply shrugged her shoulders and turned back to her work, scrubbing the cobblestone ground. After a bit, she stopped and sat back on her knees, pulling her mangled skirt down over her legs. She sighed and let her brush fall back into the bucket of water beside her.
Slowly, she pushed herself up onto her feet and walked to a large stone well in the center of the decorated cobblestone ground. Peering over the edge, she leaned her elbows against the stone framed circlet. A ring of water glared back at her dimly. "I wish you could give me some answers," she laughed quietly.
"AGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Hearing the scream overhead, she whipped around. Looking up, she saw a small, shriveled figure flying through the air. Suddenly the figure stopped screaming and yelled down to her. "Hello Akane! Looking better every day!"
Akane simply waved her hand as she watched the old man fly over the trees. "Wonder what Happosai did this time. . ."
Turning back toward the well, she gasped. A long stemmed rose was lying there. Picking up the rose, she closed her eyes and took in its sweet scent. She shifted among its yellow petals. "Lovely. . .," she mumbled out loud, "I just wish I knew who left it for me. . ."
She smiled and began walking inside to get a vase to place it in. Little did she notice two eyes watching her from afar. . .
~
"My lovely lady Akane. . . Wait just a little longer."
Cutting through another bush with his long sword, the young man made his way toward the tall stone tower in the distance. After getting a message from the queen's messenger, he was on his way. Not only to serve under the queen, but also to see the ferocious feline beauty, Akane Tendo.
Although she wasn't nearly as regal as a young princess should be, he knew he could fix that once she was his. "Don't worry my blossoming flower," he said as he struck down another bush in the way, "Your knight, Tatewaki Kuno is coming."
~
"Where is that numbskull? He was supposed to be here a while ago."
Flicking back her long hair, Queen Misato angrily stalked back and forth across her royal chambers. After hearing the leech Happosai's words, Misato wanted to get rid of that brat Akane. "No one is going to be fairer than me," she seethed, "Not if I can't help it."
She sat by her mirror and began brushing her hair in angry strokes. She was beginning to formulate a plan when suddenly she heard a faint shouting in the hall.
"Lady Akane! I love you. Be mine foreve-urk!"
"Get a life, Kuno."
"Your hits are merely a token of your love. You don't have to be coy when I know you're so ferocious-Ow!"
"Kuno don't you ever stay down?!"
Misato listened and heard more banging. Wincing slightly, she actually was beginning to feel a bit sorry for the fool. Standing up, she began walking quickly toward the outside. "I better stop her before she kills the idiot."
As the banging grew more intense, she began walking faster.
Stepping out, she saw Akane kicking the daylights out of the fallen form of Kuno. "Akane! Leave him alone! I sent for him, so don't beat the crap out of him."
Akane looked like she was about to reply for a moment before she simply shrugged her shoulders and gave him a last kick, walking back into the castle. Misato then walked over to Kuno and sat close to his face. He looked like he was unconscious, his face littered with angry blotches of purple and red. Sighing with annoyance, Misato bent close to his face and just when she was inches from his ear, she spoke quietly.
Kuno suddenly leaped to his feet, eyes wide open and alert. "Where is she?! Where's my lovely Akane Tendo?"
Turning he saw Misato and stopped. "Oh. . .it was just you."
Misato looked angry for a moment before she counted to ten and then looked at Kuno. "Kuno, I've got a special task for you."
"What? Take the Lady Akane off your hands? Marry her? Love her?"
"I want you to kill her, Kuno."
"Yes, we'd be very happy marrie- WHAT?!"
Misato sighed as she saw the boy's reaction. She was afraid this might happen. Suddenly, an idea popped in her head. "No, Kuno," she replied slowly, as if talking to a child, "I want you to kill the evil twin of Akane."
"She has an evil twin?"
"Uh. . .yes, sure."
"Oh. . .," Kuno replied, surprised, "Wait! If I have two Akane's it will make it even better!"
Misato was just growing frustrated now. "You idiot! Listen to me! If you kill the evil Akane, I'll. . .I'll. . I'll let you have the good Akane to marry."
Kuno's eyes suddenly grew as large as saucers. "Really?"
"Really. Just bring something back to show that you killed her. Got that?"
"Yes, I think so," Kuno mumbled, scratching his head.
"Good. I'll tell her to go pick me some berries. You follow the evil one I send out, when she's far away, kill her, bring something back, and I'll let you marry the other Akane."
"Um. . .okay."
Misato grinned evilly. "I'll send her out now. Go hide in the trees or something."
While Kuno ran to hide in the trees, Misato crackled as she walked into the tower. She never noticed the eyes glaring at her.
~
"Why does stupid Misato want berries all of a sudden?"
Carrying her basket, Akane grumbled. "Well," she started, "at least I can get away from her."
Walking along the forest, she began to pick the berries. Humming a slight tune, she picked through the bushes. Only at the last moment did she notice a looming shadow covering her from behind. Whirling around, she faced the stranger. When she saw who it was, she nearly wanted to cry from frustration.
"Kuno! What do you want?!"
Yet, even as she screamed, something seemed different about him. His face was rigid as he walked closer to her, sternly. "Evil twin sister of Akane. ."
"What?"
"Prepare to perish!"
As Kuno issued his war cry, Akane's grew big, watching Kuno wield his sword toward her. Jumping out of the way, she nearly missed being cut by his large sword as it cleaved through the bush. Dropping her basket, she leaped into a battle pose and got ready to fight. "Kuno," she yelled, "what are you doing?!"
"I must destroy you, evil twin of the pure Akane!"
"Um. . . Kuno? I don't have a twin!"
Kuno seemed to hesitate for a moment before he went back on his attack. Taking another slash at her, he yelled, "Queen Misato said you might say that, but I will not be fooled by your lavishing beauty. If I kill you, as promised I will have the innocent Akane to myself to marry."
Akane looked at Kuno as if he were delirious. "Marry. . .Marry you? Who gave you the permission?!"
As Kuno continued to attack Akane, she continued to dodge. Eventually the both were beginning to wear down. Both stood there, gasping for breath. Akane took the initiative of the moment and looked at Kuno. "You know Kuno," she said with the sultriest voice she could manage, "if you let me go, I'll give you something. From me."
Kuno stopped heaving his breath for a moment. "What?"
Akane looked at him with slanted eyes, disgust clawing in her throat. "A kiss."
He immediately became alert. "Really?!"
"Yeah. . .uh. . really."
"Okay."
Kuno then nearly ran over to where she stood, closing his eyes and puckering his lips before her. Akane smiled and reached into her pocket. Slowly, she placed something in Kuno's hand and began to walk off.
Not feeling any kisses, but something in his hand, Kuno opened his eyes and looked down into his hand. A silver wrapped dewdrop shape sat in his hand (I know they don't have them then, but oh well. It was too good to pass up! ^_^). His eye twitched a bit before he looked up.
"EVIL TWIN YOU DIE NOW!"
"Huh?"
Akane turned just in time to see the blade. Unfortunately she didn't jump aside quickly enough. As the blade fell back, a thick bundle of blue-black hair fell beside her feet. Kuno, seeing the hair fall even relented in his attack for a moment. As Akane reached up to her head, she felt the coarse cut she received. Staring down at the ground, she saw her beautiful hair she had grown out for so long.
Kuno got over the shock of seeing Akane with short hair and started to attack again, lashing out with his sword. Yet, as he raised his arm to strike, something pierced him in the back of his neck. Suddenly, he halted, a feeling of dizziness, nausea, and sleepiness overwhelming him. His head spinning, he fell to his knees and then to the ground, his sword lying by him, forgotten.
Akane still stood where she was. Suddenly a tear rolled down her cheek. She reached down touched her now lost silken strands. This. . .this was the only memory of her mother. She knew she had long hair and wanted to have hair like hers. Now. . .now it was lost. Crying, she placed her hands over her face and sobbed quietly.
After a few moments, she stopped, forcing herself to swallow the thick lump in her throat. Deftly, she picked up the hair and nestled it among a leafy grave. Rising to her feet shakily, she grabbed her basket and began walking toward the castle. Then, she remembered what Kuno said. "So," she thought aloud, "Misato tried to kill me. Well, I guess I have no place to go now. If I go back. . . she'll just try again."
Dropping her basket with stiff fingers, she began walking off into the woods, her mind still numb from shock. Soon she disappeared from the area and into the heart of the woods.
When she disappeared, a short stumpy figure trumped beside Kuno and pulled out a small yellow dart from the back of his neck. Pocketing it, the figure bent down and scrapped among the leaves.
Reaching down, he carefully pulled out a thick bundle of hair. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a thick cord to tie the hair together. Little did he notice a small chunk fell from the bundle as he continued to search. Tying one end together, he stuffed it in his small pack and began walking off into the woods after the girl, enveloped by the shadows of the forest.
~
Wow! I updated! I'm so happy! Unfortunately I'll have to wait until Sunday to post this. Ah well. I hope you people enjoyed it! I was just burning up with ideas for this story. If you read my other Ranma story Forsaken Memories, then that one is updated too. Well, this was an interesting chapter, huh? And Kuno's just nuts, no?
In the next chapter: Akane finds a little cottage and Kuno must go back to Queen Misato. . . uh oh. . .And what happened to Happosai? Even I don't know.
Until next time. Ciao. ^_~
P.S. PLEASE REVIEW! IT WOULD BE EVER SO NICE!!!! PLEASE?! ^_^
Shadow Knight
Chapter 2: Jealousy of the Queen
Disclaimer: Um. . .no.
~
Story so far:
Akane Tendo: Snow White
Soun Tendo: Good King---Died
Kimiko (Akane's mom?) Tendo: Good Queen----Died
Mina Masato (Ranma and Akane's morphing teacher): Evil Queen
~
In a dark hall, a thin, willowy lady pulled her robes closer to her. She always hated how cold it was in this hall. Of course, going up the stone steps this high was expected. Reaching a thick oak door, she reached into her robes and withdrew a metal key. With a smile on her face, she quickly unlocked the door and stepped in, the door thudding shut behind her.
A small window was the only source of light in the darkened room. She pushed her back against the door until she heard the heavy thud of the door. With a grin on her face, she walked toward a corner of the room where a small door stood, too small for her.
Bending down on her knees, she knocked solidly on the door. She waited for a few moments. When nothing happened, she began to grow angry and started knocking harder on the door. A frown was etching deeply into her face.
Suddenly, her frown turned stiff as she felt a slight breeze pass through her legs, underneath her skirt. Then, she suddenly, felt something warm on her chest. Looking down she shrieked and batted away her chest. A small, wrinkled figure suddenly fell to the ground and bounced.
"Ow! You needn't hit so hard, Queen Misato," the small man cried out, fake tears falling down his weathered cheeks, "After all, can't an old, withered man get a little joy in his last years?"
"Happosai! You do a stunt like that again and I'll. . I'll," Misato boiled hotly, "I'll chop off you manhood and feed it to the dogs!"
Happosai looked frightened for a moment but covered up his fear with a leering grin. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew a tin can, full of alcohol. "Yes, my Lady."
"Now," Misato said, an impatient frown on her face, "Are you ready?"
"Yes," Happosai sighed happily and jumped joyfully, taking a swig of some alcohol in his can.
"Okay," she said with a girlish grin.
"Pervert, Pervert, standing there. Lover of bras and silky underwear. . . . .Um. . . Happosai, do I really have to say that?"
Smiling, Happosai leered at her and took another swig of his alcohol. "Yes, my Lady, just continue saying the rhyme."
"Alright. . . Tell me pervert, not so tall. Who's the fairest one of all?"
Happosai's eyes suddenly opened. Misato gasped, as she was still not used to the sight. Black ink, the color of midnight colored his entire eye, leaving no white. Happosai's mouth opened and his raspy voice suddenly boomed.
"Meanie Queenie, you were once fair. . ."
Misato frowned at Happosai's words. "Meanie Queenie," she mumbled quietly to herself, "What kind of phrase it that?"
"But now you're ugly, old, and a prune. And Akane Tendo is now the shining moon."
"Um. . .," Misato started, "isn't that supposed to be shining _star_?"
Happosai's black eyes suddenly glared at her angrily. "No, it's moon! You idiot, star doesn't rhyme with prune!"
"What did you call me?!"
Happosai's eyes suddenly closed. When he opened them, his beady black eyes were staring at her, dazed. Seeing her stalking towards him with a furious frown on her face, he panicked. "What did I do?!"
Seeing Happosai back to normal, Misato suddenly stopped her stalk and let her arms fall to her sides. "Forget it. Explaining would take too long."
"So," Happosai started, "what happened?"
"Huh? Oh yeah. . .," Misato thought out loud, ". . Wait a second! You said I was ugly, old, and a prune now! And that spoiled Tendo brat was now the shining star! I can't believ-"
"Moon."
Misato looked oddly at Happosai. Stopping her raving, she stared at the little man confused.
"What?"
"It's shining moon, not star. Star doesn't rhyme," Happosai calmly explained.
Misato stood there for a moment, absorbing the information. A sudden tic appeared above her left eye. Seeing the tic, Happosai began to grow nervous.
"You told me that when you come out of your trance you don't remember what you say or happened. . . . ."
"Uh. . .," Happosai stuttered as sweat poured down his face, "I think it's time for me to go. . ."
"Oh no you don't! I'll show you who's an idiot," Misato was now yelling, looking evilly at the short man, "Get over here Happosai!"
"Uh-oh. . .Please don't hurt me!"
~
"What with all that screaming?"
Scratching her head in question, the blue-haired girl simply shrugged her shoulders and turned back to her work, scrubbing the cobblestone ground. After a bit, she stopped and sat back on her knees, pulling her mangled skirt down over her legs. She sighed and let her brush fall back into the bucket of water beside her.
Slowly, she pushed herself up onto her feet and walked to a large stone well in the center of the decorated cobblestone ground. Peering over the edge, she leaned her elbows against the stone framed circlet. A ring of water glared back at her dimly. "I wish you could give me some answers," she laughed quietly.
"AGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
Hearing the scream overhead, she whipped around. Looking up, she saw a small, shriveled figure flying through the air. Suddenly the figure stopped screaming and yelled down to her. "Hello Akane! Looking better every day!"
Akane simply waved her hand as she watched the old man fly over the trees. "Wonder what Happosai did this time. . ."
Turning back toward the well, she gasped. A long stemmed rose was lying there. Picking up the rose, she closed her eyes and took in its sweet scent. She shifted among its yellow petals. "Lovely. . .," she mumbled out loud, "I just wish I knew who left it for me. . ."
She smiled and began walking inside to get a vase to place it in. Little did she notice two eyes watching her from afar. . .
~
"My lovely lady Akane. . . Wait just a little longer."
Cutting through another bush with his long sword, the young man made his way toward the tall stone tower in the distance. After getting a message from the queen's messenger, he was on his way. Not only to serve under the queen, but also to see the ferocious feline beauty, Akane Tendo.
Although she wasn't nearly as regal as a young princess should be, he knew he could fix that once she was his. "Don't worry my blossoming flower," he said as he struck down another bush in the way, "Your knight, Tatewaki Kuno is coming."
~
"Where is that numbskull? He was supposed to be here a while ago."
Flicking back her long hair, Queen Misato angrily stalked back and forth across her royal chambers. After hearing the leech Happosai's words, Misato wanted to get rid of that brat Akane. "No one is going to be fairer than me," she seethed, "Not if I can't help it."
She sat by her mirror and began brushing her hair in angry strokes. She was beginning to formulate a plan when suddenly she heard a faint shouting in the hall.
"Lady Akane! I love you. Be mine foreve-urk!"
"Get a life, Kuno."
"Your hits are merely a token of your love. You don't have to be coy when I know you're so ferocious-Ow!"
"Kuno don't you ever stay down?!"
Misato listened and heard more banging. Wincing slightly, she actually was beginning to feel a bit sorry for the fool. Standing up, she began walking quickly toward the outside. "I better stop her before she kills the idiot."
As the banging grew more intense, she began walking faster.
Stepping out, she saw Akane kicking the daylights out of the fallen form of Kuno. "Akane! Leave him alone! I sent for him, so don't beat the crap out of him."
Akane looked like she was about to reply for a moment before she simply shrugged her shoulders and gave him a last kick, walking back into the castle. Misato then walked over to Kuno and sat close to his face. He looked like he was unconscious, his face littered with angry blotches of purple and red. Sighing with annoyance, Misato bent close to his face and just when she was inches from his ear, she spoke quietly.
Kuno suddenly leaped to his feet, eyes wide open and alert. "Where is she?! Where's my lovely Akane Tendo?"
Turning he saw Misato and stopped. "Oh. . .it was just you."
Misato looked angry for a moment before she counted to ten and then looked at Kuno. "Kuno, I've got a special task for you."
"What? Take the Lady Akane off your hands? Marry her? Love her?"
"I want you to kill her, Kuno."
"Yes, we'd be very happy marrie- WHAT?!"
Misato sighed as she saw the boy's reaction. She was afraid this might happen. Suddenly, an idea popped in her head. "No, Kuno," she replied slowly, as if talking to a child, "I want you to kill the evil twin of Akane."
"She has an evil twin?"
"Uh. . .yes, sure."
"Oh. . .," Kuno replied, surprised, "Wait! If I have two Akane's it will make it even better!"
Misato was just growing frustrated now. "You idiot! Listen to me! If you kill the evil Akane, I'll. . .I'll. . I'll let you have the good Akane to marry."
Kuno's eyes suddenly grew as large as saucers. "Really?"
"Really. Just bring something back to show that you killed her. Got that?"
"Yes, I think so," Kuno mumbled, scratching his head.
"Good. I'll tell her to go pick me some berries. You follow the evil one I send out, when she's far away, kill her, bring something back, and I'll let you marry the other Akane."
"Um. . .okay."
Misato grinned evilly. "I'll send her out now. Go hide in the trees or something."
While Kuno ran to hide in the trees, Misato crackled as she walked into the tower. She never noticed the eyes glaring at her.
~
"Why does stupid Misato want berries all of a sudden?"
Carrying her basket, Akane grumbled. "Well," she started, "at least I can get away from her."
Walking along the forest, she began to pick the berries. Humming a slight tune, she picked through the bushes. Only at the last moment did she notice a looming shadow covering her from behind. Whirling around, she faced the stranger. When she saw who it was, she nearly wanted to cry from frustration.
"Kuno! What do you want?!"
Yet, even as she screamed, something seemed different about him. His face was rigid as he walked closer to her, sternly. "Evil twin sister of Akane. ."
"What?"
"Prepare to perish!"
As Kuno issued his war cry, Akane's grew big, watching Kuno wield his sword toward her. Jumping out of the way, she nearly missed being cut by his large sword as it cleaved through the bush. Dropping her basket, she leaped into a battle pose and got ready to fight. "Kuno," she yelled, "what are you doing?!"
"I must destroy you, evil twin of the pure Akane!"
"Um. . . Kuno? I don't have a twin!"
Kuno seemed to hesitate for a moment before he went back on his attack. Taking another slash at her, he yelled, "Queen Misato said you might say that, but I will not be fooled by your lavishing beauty. If I kill you, as promised I will have the innocent Akane to myself to marry."
Akane looked at Kuno as if he were delirious. "Marry. . .Marry you? Who gave you the permission?!"
As Kuno continued to attack Akane, she continued to dodge. Eventually the both were beginning to wear down. Both stood there, gasping for breath. Akane took the initiative of the moment and looked at Kuno. "You know Kuno," she said with the sultriest voice she could manage, "if you let me go, I'll give you something. From me."
Kuno stopped heaving his breath for a moment. "What?"
Akane looked at him with slanted eyes, disgust clawing in her throat. "A kiss."
He immediately became alert. "Really?!"
"Yeah. . .uh. . really."
"Okay."
Kuno then nearly ran over to where she stood, closing his eyes and puckering his lips before her. Akane smiled and reached into her pocket. Slowly, she placed something in Kuno's hand and began to walk off.
Not feeling any kisses, but something in his hand, Kuno opened his eyes and looked down into his hand. A silver wrapped dewdrop shape sat in his hand (I know they don't have them then, but oh well. It was too good to pass up! ^_^). His eye twitched a bit before he looked up.
"EVIL TWIN YOU DIE NOW!"
"Huh?"
Akane turned just in time to see the blade. Unfortunately she didn't jump aside quickly enough. As the blade fell back, a thick bundle of blue-black hair fell beside her feet. Kuno, seeing the hair fall even relented in his attack for a moment. As Akane reached up to her head, she felt the coarse cut she received. Staring down at the ground, she saw her beautiful hair she had grown out for so long.
Kuno got over the shock of seeing Akane with short hair and started to attack again, lashing out with his sword. Yet, as he raised his arm to strike, something pierced him in the back of his neck. Suddenly, he halted, a feeling of dizziness, nausea, and sleepiness overwhelming him. His head spinning, he fell to his knees and then to the ground, his sword lying by him, forgotten.
Akane still stood where she was. Suddenly a tear rolled down her cheek. She reached down touched her now lost silken strands. This. . .this was the only memory of her mother. She knew she had long hair and wanted to have hair like hers. Now. . .now it was lost. Crying, she placed her hands over her face and sobbed quietly.
After a few moments, she stopped, forcing herself to swallow the thick lump in her throat. Deftly, she picked up the hair and nestled it among a leafy grave. Rising to her feet shakily, she grabbed her basket and began walking toward the castle. Then, she remembered what Kuno said. "So," she thought aloud, "Misato tried to kill me. Well, I guess I have no place to go now. If I go back. . . she'll just try again."
Dropping her basket with stiff fingers, she began walking off into the woods, her mind still numb from shock. Soon she disappeared from the area and into the heart of the woods.
When she disappeared, a short stumpy figure trumped beside Kuno and pulled out a small yellow dart from the back of his neck. Pocketing it, the figure bent down and scrapped among the leaves.
Reaching down, he carefully pulled out a thick bundle of hair. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a thick cord to tie the hair together. Little did he notice a small chunk fell from the bundle as he continued to search. Tying one end together, he stuffed it in his small pack and began walking off into the woods after the girl, enveloped by the shadows of the forest.
~
Wow! I updated! I'm so happy! Unfortunately I'll have to wait until Sunday to post this. Ah well. I hope you people enjoyed it! I was just burning up with ideas for this story. If you read my other Ranma story Forsaken Memories, then that one is updated too. Well, this was an interesting chapter, huh? And Kuno's just nuts, no?
In the next chapter: Akane finds a little cottage and Kuno must go back to Queen Misato. . . uh oh. . .And what happened to Happosai? Even I don't know.
Until next time. Ciao. ^_~
P.S. PLEASE REVIEW! IT WOULD BE EVER SO NICE!!!! PLEASE?! ^_^