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Once upon a Time: Chapter 27
by white seraph
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Shishio had gathered his army at the capital, along with Enishi. It was better than he thought, not only was Battousai gone, his kingdom was in chaos, with nobles fleeing, soldiers confused, people out of control, to take over was just as easy as baking cakes, he thought to himself as his horse marched through the capital gates, and saw people all frantic and terrified and the foreigner. He turned to the horse behind and looked at the white head master.
"Enishi, we shall go directly to the empty castle." He glanced at the grey tower that stood tall, and peerless in the middle of the grayish, lonely city. Soon, when he finally becomes king, he can settle down and get rid of everyone. But first off, he'd get rid of the useless girl in captive. Once Battousai was gone, he no longer needed her as a bribery tool. Then, he'd get rid of Enishi; if he could betray Battousai, then he could very well betray him..
Shishio drifted away from the thought as the grey tower came nearer and nearer in to sight. It was more magnificent than he ever thought it be, and it only made him want the kingdom ever the more. He could feel his heart racing as his army approached the big, thick metal gates that wide open, not a good way to guard the tower from attackers like him.
He only chuckled with delight as his army charged into the tower, flooding the castle with his men. What a shame, that such a beautiful place should be treated like this. The weeds were overgrowing, the vines were climbing over the grey stone walls, spiders spun their domains in every corner, dust was everywhere, and the castle was deserted.
Or so the thought, until he reached the main hall.
A man was standing at the entrance. "I have been waiting." He said calmly, as if he expected of this attack. "Now leave this castle or fight me!" He drew out his bokken, shaking. Kamiya had arrived back to the castle two days ago, and was received by the shock of an empty tower. People near the capital had told him that his royal highness had mysteriously disappeared, and that there was news on attackers, slowly making their way to the capital. He could very well have taken the chance to escape and return to the North. But he had to get to Kaoru, he had to do what he thought morally right, he had to do what others did not, and so, with much courage, he stayed and waited patiently for their arrival. Though he was no fighter, he will defend his kingdom in any way he could. But now, at the sight of the man, and the size of the army, he doubted his decision right.
Shishio laughed as if he just made the funniest joke. "What? He says he's going to fight us with that stick of his! What a mockery! If you want a dual, at least get a decent weapon." He snickered whilst the ones behind roared with laughter. "Now lets charge!!"
Upon the order, everyone suddenly rushed, pushing themselves through the door, and poor Kamiya, he didn't even know how to control the situation. He only stood there clutching the stick as if his life depended on it. But after a moment, even the stick was gone. Shishio had sliced the wood into two pieces.
"If you don't get out of my way, I swear I will cut you into two pieces just like that." But no, he actually quite liked this man, he could tell, this man's life depended on his morals and faith. He was loyal and courageous, unlike all the others who fled, leaving the Castle unkept. And then, completely switching the subject, he pointed the end of this sword to the man's chin "Would you like to be one of my men when I become king?" He smiled as he turned his gaze down to the throne.
Totally forgetting the man, Shishio left him there as he made his way to the high throne, the chair of power. As he sat, everyone in the room cheered, and applaud, causing the hall to be loud and chaotic. Kamiya utterly confused and helpless was about to charge up and kill the man..or at least attempt to, when another person barged into the room.
The entire hall fell completely silent at the intruders.
Kamiya leaped with joy at the sight of his savior. He had no longer needed to worry about protecting the kingdom on his own. His king had not let him down, he had not let the kingdom down.
Kenshin ignored everyone's stares and directed his gaze onto Shishios. Taking his time, he slowly made his way to the man. People and split and made a path for him, not daring to get into the way of the dangerous man. "Where. Is. Kaoru?" he demanded, shocking everyone.
Hiko thought he had come back for the Kingdom
Shishio thought he had come back for a dual
Kamiya thought he had come back for his people. No, he didn't even half expect his highness to come back just for his daughter. Why? How? When? A string of questions rushed into his mind as to what exactly happened during his long leave.
Shishio gave Kenshin an evil smirk. "Why, I thought my men had that wench killed somewhere out there, her body should be rotting by now." He pointed to the small, shallow woods out there.
Kenshin only grabbed onto Shishio's gi and pushed him to the back of the chair. "Where did you hide her?!" He rose his voice fiercely, letting it echo across the large hall.
"Why, if you push me like this I don't know if I can tell you." Shishio said innocently, and then he smiled "Don't worry, she's safe and sound. That is, if you abdicate." He added.
Kenshin took a deep, deep breath, as if he was thinking fast about the choices available, though deep in his heart, he knew very well what to do. He looked across the room; everyone was quiet, eager for his answer. Hiko shook his head subtly, indicating for him to decline the offer.
He turned and locked his eyes back to Shishio's. "Yes I will abdicate." He said evenly. "Now give me Kaoru."
"Tsk tsk tsk." Shishio shook his head. "I only said I will let her live. But as a sign of my gratitude for your abdication, I will let you see her." He clicked his fingers. "Bring the girl here." He told one of the men, who quickly scurried off.
Taking his chance, Hiko spoke up "No. Kenshin you will and cannot abdicate!" He pushed his way through to him, "How can you exchange the whole kingdom's happiness for your own selfish wants?" He hissed.
Shishio, knowing this man's words posed as a major threat to this very civil bargain, this very quiet, easy way in taking the kingdom, "This is business between me and him, don't you dare interfere." But it was too late, the words had enlightened Kenshin, just like that.
Realization and understanding had dawned him, as he realized the stupidity and selfishness in his decisions. How could he possibly put his own desires above everyone else's? He was the King, and he was supposed to protect the people, not exploit them. "I cannot take my words back, I cannot undo what is done, but I will fight you, and with all I have, I will protect my people from your evil" Kenshin gave his master a look, who nodded with approval. He drew his sword out, ready for the fight that held the kingdom's future and his people's hopes.
Shishio smiled, seemingly happy with what he proposed. "Right, that's the man I want to fight." He stood up and his eyes swept across the room. "Nobody here is allowed to interfere with out fight. This is my battle, understand?" The people replied with a chorused "yes"
* * * * * *
Kaoru had been treated well for the past few days, mostly because she was under the care of her long lost friend, soujiro! It was almost shocking to see him first thing when she woke up, if she had not known better, she'd have thought he was the one who had conspired all this!
Kaoru had tried to stay way from the evil yumi as far as possible, knowing how she might explode out of frustration and fury again. But besides from that everything was fine, and soon, all was forgotten, with Soujiro around, everything seemed fine. There was so much to tell him, to much to fill up for after his leave. ..
As she was running through her thoughts, in the small secluded, confined room at the furthest corner of the castle, she sighed, wondering where kenshin had gone. She had absolutely no idea what was going on; expecting to be brought back to the castle in the welcoming hands of Kenshin, she was greatly disappointed when what she met was but an empty castle. But soon after, she didn't even have the pleasure to be around to admire the old castle, or to enjoy Soujiro's company. Having been dragged down to the small room that was no better than a jail, she was locked.
She looked up at the stone walls. "where are you?" She asked out loud.
Suddenly, the clattering of metal broke her incoherent string of thoughts. A man entered and roughly yanked her up "Master Shishio wants to see you." He said, and without a word, he pulled her up.
Kaoru docilely followed, not wanting to cause anymore trouble and confusion.
As they approached their destination, Kaoru saw a large group of people gathering around the large door that, if Kaoru's memory tells true, is the castle's main hall. Where the throne was. "Make way! Make way!" Her escort yelled at the large crowd.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"They're having a personal battle inside." An anonymous person told her in the crowd.
Personal battle? Kaoru was now even more confused. Who was in the hall? Nevermind, she pushed the large door open.
.Two men were fighting fiercely, their swords clattering against each other as if their life depended on it.
"Kaoru!"
She turned to look behind her, and was met by the person she thought she'd never see again. "Father!" She rushed into his embrace.
A/N bleh I suck at writing action fics. damn.how am I supposed to end this fic with shishio gracefully losing.T.T someone teach meeeee. Crap I dunno how this story get into this mess..it's not even supposed to be an action fic . oh well it doesn't matter I hope I can finish it with epilogue up by next chapter :D
Luv you all mah dear readers =)
Once upon a Time: Chapter 27
by white seraph
**************************************************
Shishio had gathered his army at the capital, along with Enishi. It was better than he thought, not only was Battousai gone, his kingdom was in chaos, with nobles fleeing, soldiers confused, people out of control, to take over was just as easy as baking cakes, he thought to himself as his horse marched through the capital gates, and saw people all frantic and terrified and the foreigner. He turned to the horse behind and looked at the white head master.
"Enishi, we shall go directly to the empty castle." He glanced at the grey tower that stood tall, and peerless in the middle of the grayish, lonely city. Soon, when he finally becomes king, he can settle down and get rid of everyone. But first off, he'd get rid of the useless girl in captive. Once Battousai was gone, he no longer needed her as a bribery tool. Then, he'd get rid of Enishi; if he could betray Battousai, then he could very well betray him..
Shishio drifted away from the thought as the grey tower came nearer and nearer in to sight. It was more magnificent than he ever thought it be, and it only made him want the kingdom ever the more. He could feel his heart racing as his army approached the big, thick metal gates that wide open, not a good way to guard the tower from attackers like him.
He only chuckled with delight as his army charged into the tower, flooding the castle with his men. What a shame, that such a beautiful place should be treated like this. The weeds were overgrowing, the vines were climbing over the grey stone walls, spiders spun their domains in every corner, dust was everywhere, and the castle was deserted.
Or so the thought, until he reached the main hall.
A man was standing at the entrance. "I have been waiting." He said calmly, as if he expected of this attack. "Now leave this castle or fight me!" He drew out his bokken, shaking. Kamiya had arrived back to the castle two days ago, and was received by the shock of an empty tower. People near the capital had told him that his royal highness had mysteriously disappeared, and that there was news on attackers, slowly making their way to the capital. He could very well have taken the chance to escape and return to the North. But he had to get to Kaoru, he had to do what he thought morally right, he had to do what others did not, and so, with much courage, he stayed and waited patiently for their arrival. Though he was no fighter, he will defend his kingdom in any way he could. But now, at the sight of the man, and the size of the army, he doubted his decision right.
Shishio laughed as if he just made the funniest joke. "What? He says he's going to fight us with that stick of his! What a mockery! If you want a dual, at least get a decent weapon." He snickered whilst the ones behind roared with laughter. "Now lets charge!!"
Upon the order, everyone suddenly rushed, pushing themselves through the door, and poor Kamiya, he didn't even know how to control the situation. He only stood there clutching the stick as if his life depended on it. But after a moment, even the stick was gone. Shishio had sliced the wood into two pieces.
"If you don't get out of my way, I swear I will cut you into two pieces just like that." But no, he actually quite liked this man, he could tell, this man's life depended on his morals and faith. He was loyal and courageous, unlike all the others who fled, leaving the Castle unkept. And then, completely switching the subject, he pointed the end of this sword to the man's chin "Would you like to be one of my men when I become king?" He smiled as he turned his gaze down to the throne.
Totally forgetting the man, Shishio left him there as he made his way to the high throne, the chair of power. As he sat, everyone in the room cheered, and applaud, causing the hall to be loud and chaotic. Kamiya utterly confused and helpless was about to charge up and kill the man..or at least attempt to, when another person barged into the room.
The entire hall fell completely silent at the intruders.
Kamiya leaped with joy at the sight of his savior. He had no longer needed to worry about protecting the kingdom on his own. His king had not let him down, he had not let the kingdom down.
Kenshin ignored everyone's stares and directed his gaze onto Shishios. Taking his time, he slowly made his way to the man. People and split and made a path for him, not daring to get into the way of the dangerous man. "Where. Is. Kaoru?" he demanded, shocking everyone.
Hiko thought he had come back for the Kingdom
Shishio thought he had come back for a dual
Kamiya thought he had come back for his people. No, he didn't even half expect his highness to come back just for his daughter. Why? How? When? A string of questions rushed into his mind as to what exactly happened during his long leave.
Shishio gave Kenshin an evil smirk. "Why, I thought my men had that wench killed somewhere out there, her body should be rotting by now." He pointed to the small, shallow woods out there.
Kenshin only grabbed onto Shishio's gi and pushed him to the back of the chair. "Where did you hide her?!" He rose his voice fiercely, letting it echo across the large hall.
"Why, if you push me like this I don't know if I can tell you." Shishio said innocently, and then he smiled "Don't worry, she's safe and sound. That is, if you abdicate." He added.
Kenshin took a deep, deep breath, as if he was thinking fast about the choices available, though deep in his heart, he knew very well what to do. He looked across the room; everyone was quiet, eager for his answer. Hiko shook his head subtly, indicating for him to decline the offer.
He turned and locked his eyes back to Shishio's. "Yes I will abdicate." He said evenly. "Now give me Kaoru."
"Tsk tsk tsk." Shishio shook his head. "I only said I will let her live. But as a sign of my gratitude for your abdication, I will let you see her." He clicked his fingers. "Bring the girl here." He told one of the men, who quickly scurried off.
Taking his chance, Hiko spoke up "No. Kenshin you will and cannot abdicate!" He pushed his way through to him, "How can you exchange the whole kingdom's happiness for your own selfish wants?" He hissed.
Shishio, knowing this man's words posed as a major threat to this very civil bargain, this very quiet, easy way in taking the kingdom, "This is business between me and him, don't you dare interfere." But it was too late, the words had enlightened Kenshin, just like that.
Realization and understanding had dawned him, as he realized the stupidity and selfishness in his decisions. How could he possibly put his own desires above everyone else's? He was the King, and he was supposed to protect the people, not exploit them. "I cannot take my words back, I cannot undo what is done, but I will fight you, and with all I have, I will protect my people from your evil" Kenshin gave his master a look, who nodded with approval. He drew his sword out, ready for the fight that held the kingdom's future and his people's hopes.
Shishio smiled, seemingly happy with what he proposed. "Right, that's the man I want to fight." He stood up and his eyes swept across the room. "Nobody here is allowed to interfere with out fight. This is my battle, understand?" The people replied with a chorused "yes"
* * * * * *
Kaoru had been treated well for the past few days, mostly because she was under the care of her long lost friend, soujiro! It was almost shocking to see him first thing when she woke up, if she had not known better, she'd have thought he was the one who had conspired all this!
Kaoru had tried to stay way from the evil yumi as far as possible, knowing how she might explode out of frustration and fury again. But besides from that everything was fine, and soon, all was forgotten, with Soujiro around, everything seemed fine. There was so much to tell him, to much to fill up for after his leave. ..
As she was running through her thoughts, in the small secluded, confined room at the furthest corner of the castle, she sighed, wondering where kenshin had gone. She had absolutely no idea what was going on; expecting to be brought back to the castle in the welcoming hands of Kenshin, she was greatly disappointed when what she met was but an empty castle. But soon after, she didn't even have the pleasure to be around to admire the old castle, or to enjoy Soujiro's company. Having been dragged down to the small room that was no better than a jail, she was locked.
She looked up at the stone walls. "where are you?" She asked out loud.
Suddenly, the clattering of metal broke her incoherent string of thoughts. A man entered and roughly yanked her up "Master Shishio wants to see you." He said, and without a word, he pulled her up.
Kaoru docilely followed, not wanting to cause anymore trouble and confusion.
As they approached their destination, Kaoru saw a large group of people gathering around the large door that, if Kaoru's memory tells true, is the castle's main hall. Where the throne was. "Make way! Make way!" Her escort yelled at the large crowd.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"They're having a personal battle inside." An anonymous person told her in the crowd.
Personal battle? Kaoru was now even more confused. Who was in the hall? Nevermind, she pushed the large door open.
.Two men were fighting fiercely, their swords clattering against each other as if their life depended on it.
"Kaoru!"
She turned to look behind her, and was met by the person she thought she'd never see again. "Father!" She rushed into his embrace.
A/N bleh I suck at writing action fics. damn.how am I supposed to end this fic with shishio gracefully losing.T.T someone teach meeeee. Crap I dunno how this story get into this mess..it's not even supposed to be an action fic . oh well it doesn't matter I hope I can finish it with epilogue up by next chapter :D
Luv you all mah dear readers =)