::The princess and the pirate Chapter 10::
::A princess stands alone::
She swallowed hard again.
There, in the centre of the grand hall of Jurai, the main room for all important matters of politics, the hall used for Juraian weddings, the very hall she was deemed first princess of the Jurai empire, she stood.
Before her, her father sat in regal garbs, his hawk like eyes focused on her, unwavering, unmoving. Her two mothers at either side of him. And the whole Juraian council to her left.
Never had she felt so small.
For an instant she wondered if this was a good idea, but the thought of her father getting to Ryoko before she had a chance to clear her name and explain everything to him quickly pushed that thread of doubt aside. She was determined. And she would not fail.
"So" He began, his low deep voice echoing around the hall. Aeka was startled by the sudden noise but she did not jump nor flinch, she would stand strong and fearless in-front of them all. Even if she felt the complete opposite.
He leaned forward and eyed her slowly. "Why has my daughter returned to me in such short notice, and not for a mere visit I know..."
Aeka felt herself begin to sweat and she swallowed once more. Coughing she straightened herself and kept her voice in perfect tone "I have come to speak with you of matters of dire importance" Her father raised an eyebrow and sat back in his throne, one hand rested on his chin and ran along his beard in thought. Aeka continued "A request of sorts"
She could have sworn she saw her mother Misaki lean forward ever so slightly in her seat, her mother Funaho becoming that much more interested in her presence. He idly waved his hand. "Continue"
All was going well up to now, she had been allowed to put her request forward. That was a good start. "I have found a suitor" Her mind thought back to when she was leaving earth, Ryoko's expression.
***
"What do you MEAN you don't want me to come with you!?"
Ryoko, Aeka, Washu and just about everybody stood on the front lawn just outside the Masaki house. Aeka stood a little ways in-front of them all, Ryoko closest to her. She held her hands out in-front of her, palms facing heavenward as she tried to reason with the confused oni "BELIEVE me Ryoko, it is not that I do NOT want you to come"
"Then what is it? Is there some other reason that I don't know about?"
"Please try to understand Ryoko, I think it would be best if I went to see my father alone... Your presence would only..."
"Pester you?!" She added, with a tone of anger she herself did not intend.
Aeka looked startled, she remained silent and immediatly Ryoko regretted her words. She lifted a hand up and stammered as Washu intervened. "She means confuse things Ryoko, you being there would make it a lot harder." Ryoko turned to her "Just imagine if Azusa went berserk, if you were there you'd most likely be arrested in an instant and trying to resist would only worsen your position"
Ryoko stepped toward her mother and waved her hands "And what if he went berserk on Aeka?! I wouldn't be there to stop it!"
"He wouldn't harm his own daughter, worse case scenario she'd never be allowed back to earth again, she wouldn't be harmed... Besides, we don't even know how he'll react so lets not jump to conclusions eh?"
Hanging her head in defeat she turned back to Aeka and strode up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder she nodded "Fine, you can go bye yourself, BUT I'm gonna at LEAST take you there ok?" Aeka made a sound of approval and kissed Ryoko on the lips throwing her arms around her waist and resting her head on Ryoko's chest.
"Thank-you for understanding"
A small grin, and blush appeared on Ryoko's face, she patted the princess' head and stroked her hair lovingly "Heh.. anytime"
***
As her mind re-focused she noticed not more than a second had passed, her father's expression changed to a serious one. Aeka felt a chill shoot up her spine and a great feeling of fear wash over her. She did not like his expression. But to her surprise his hand waved once more "....Continue"
Her breath caught for an instant and she coughed to clear her throat, he did not cut her short and tell her there was nothing to discuss, he actually let her put her point forward. This was going extremely well.
In the corner of her eye she noted the very cat like expression her mother's face "Yes well.... This suitor, I love them very much and they are my highest recommended suitor father. And-
Azusa held up a hand "Before you continue.... Is it that Tenchi boy?"
Aeka shook her head "No no father, Tenchi is not my highest suitor..."
"Very well then.... continue"
This was going VERY well.
"Yes, thank-you. Well as I was saying, this person would make a perfect leader, they have great leadership skills and handle dangerous situations brilliantly, also her power is amazing....."
Her eyes widened as she realised, she had used a word that may not go down so well. Azusa arched an eyebrow "......her?"
***
Washu's eyes moved left slowly once more, then right again. Then left then again right. "Ya know...." She said as she pointed to her daughter "...Your gonna make a ditch in the floor pacing back and forth like that"
Stopping her shoulders drooped once more and she phased her head out of the storage room and down the great Juraian corridor, elaborated with its many golden shield like decor hung on every wall. Looking once down each end of the corridor she phased her head back inside and slouched against the wall. Her mother sat cross-legged a little way away from her, currently in her child form she typed at her version of a leisurely pace- which to others would be a speed humanly impossible. Ryoko sidled up in-front of her and peered over at her screen. Rather than trying to figure out what all those numbers meant she decided to ask instead ".....Uh.... Whatcha doin?"
Washu's emerald cat like eyes rose and glimmered mischievously "Oh me?" She said as she turned the computer to her "Why I am watching a very interesting show" Upon the screen a perfect view of Aeka in the Great hall could be see, Ryoko's eyes widened respectively large and she leaned closer. "Wow look it's Aeka... Oh we can see what she's doing on this?" Washu nodded and Ryoko paused for a second. "Isn't that like spying on her?"
"I prefer to call 'observing her situation in case anything gets out of hand..."
***
Aeka began struggling with her words, had she slipped? Her heart raced as she tried to recover as fast she could. "Yes well I.... You see father"
"Oh lovely!" Misaki chirped, her hands clasped tightly in-front of her "Little Aeka has decided to choose a female bride so as not to have any disturbance to your place as king, Azusa honey" She turned and looked at Aeka, a slight grin on her face "Right Little Aeka?"
Almost immediately she was nodding rapidly in agreement with her mother, "Yes that is exactly why!" She swallowed slightly, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead in a fair number. "As you make such a powerful and wonderful King to the Juraian people" Azusa puffed his chest out in pride "There would be absolutely no reason for me to take a male suitor in order for them to be king, NOT that they would even be able to stand against you any way father..." To this Azusa smirked, his daughter was quite right in his opinion. He had raised her well.
Another idle wave of his hand "Enough praise my daughter, tell me more about your chosen suitor and I may consider having them put to my tests"
Inwardly she jumped for joy and yelled out in glee, but outwardly she kept all her excitement inside, having already come this far bursting out in a flurry of laughter would not go too well. "Well her race of people are all very strong, she herself is the strongest and most powerful woman I have met. just imagine the benefits of having such a powerful ally on our side father." Azusa nodded in agreement, brining strong alliances with a suitor was a good package- he thought. His daughter was making a good point. "Also she is very kind to me, she loves me very much as I do her and I couldn't possibly think of a better suitor"
***
Back in the storage room, not far from the great hall- Ryoko and Washu peered intently at the holo-top screen. Their eyes fixated on Azusa and Aeka.
Ryoko herself was nervous, she wanted so much to be with Aeka without anyone trying to separate them. but for it to be perfect, they needed Azusa's approval. And if anything, Ryoko truly thought, that this attempt would be futile.
Not after what she had done.
She could still hear their screams at night. Those faces filled with fear and terror. Each plea of mercy from man, woman and child.
And her laughter.
Even if she herself could do nothing and it was not her who was laughing, it was still her voice. Her cruel sadistic laugh echoed through her mind and then the pictures came.
Fire.
She could still remember the burning heat of the flames, the smell of burning flesh fresh in her nostrils. The great rush of flames dancing across the palace rooftops and houses below. The great tree's ignited row upon row as easily as matchsticks. Smoke filled the air and made it difficult to breath for the Juraian people running about trying to find survivors and fight off the flames. The screams and cries of pain, the sobbing of grief. She could hear it. And she could smell it. She could feel it.
And she could see it.
"It wasn't you..." Jumping slightly she looked to her side, Washu still in her child form had placed a gentle yet firm hand upon her shoulder. Briefly she thought of protesting, but that sudden rush of love and care, of understanding through their link, quietened her. "Relax" She said, a tone of calmness and sincerity. "If worst come to worse, I have a plan.... Don't worry"
***
"Enough" He said, his violet locks of hair rippling over his shoulders. Misaki and Funaho both looked at each other from either side of him, they too were hoping. As was Aeka. "I have heard enough about this suitor, tell me their name"
Her breath caught in the back of her throat and she found it a near struggle to breath. Gulping slowly she raised her head and looked her father directly in the eyes "R...R-Ryoko"
::End Chapter 10::
I know this is a really short Chapter compared to all the others but I didn't have time to do a longer one. Besides I'm trying to decide how to have Azusa react. Anyways, Review!
And send comments to yokouragasi593@hotmail.com
((Yuffie))
::A princess stands alone::
She swallowed hard again.
There, in the centre of the grand hall of Jurai, the main room for all important matters of politics, the hall used for Juraian weddings, the very hall she was deemed first princess of the Jurai empire, she stood.
Before her, her father sat in regal garbs, his hawk like eyes focused on her, unwavering, unmoving. Her two mothers at either side of him. And the whole Juraian council to her left.
Never had she felt so small.
For an instant she wondered if this was a good idea, but the thought of her father getting to Ryoko before she had a chance to clear her name and explain everything to him quickly pushed that thread of doubt aside. She was determined. And she would not fail.
"So" He began, his low deep voice echoing around the hall. Aeka was startled by the sudden noise but she did not jump nor flinch, she would stand strong and fearless in-front of them all. Even if she felt the complete opposite.
He leaned forward and eyed her slowly. "Why has my daughter returned to me in such short notice, and not for a mere visit I know..."
Aeka felt herself begin to sweat and she swallowed once more. Coughing she straightened herself and kept her voice in perfect tone "I have come to speak with you of matters of dire importance" Her father raised an eyebrow and sat back in his throne, one hand rested on his chin and ran along his beard in thought. Aeka continued "A request of sorts"
She could have sworn she saw her mother Misaki lean forward ever so slightly in her seat, her mother Funaho becoming that much more interested in her presence. He idly waved his hand. "Continue"
All was going well up to now, she had been allowed to put her request forward. That was a good start. "I have found a suitor" Her mind thought back to when she was leaving earth, Ryoko's expression.
***
"What do you MEAN you don't want me to come with you!?"
Ryoko, Aeka, Washu and just about everybody stood on the front lawn just outside the Masaki house. Aeka stood a little ways in-front of them all, Ryoko closest to her. She held her hands out in-front of her, palms facing heavenward as she tried to reason with the confused oni "BELIEVE me Ryoko, it is not that I do NOT want you to come"
"Then what is it? Is there some other reason that I don't know about?"
"Please try to understand Ryoko, I think it would be best if I went to see my father alone... Your presence would only..."
"Pester you?!" She added, with a tone of anger she herself did not intend.
Aeka looked startled, she remained silent and immediatly Ryoko regretted her words. She lifted a hand up and stammered as Washu intervened. "She means confuse things Ryoko, you being there would make it a lot harder." Ryoko turned to her "Just imagine if Azusa went berserk, if you were there you'd most likely be arrested in an instant and trying to resist would only worsen your position"
Ryoko stepped toward her mother and waved her hands "And what if he went berserk on Aeka?! I wouldn't be there to stop it!"
"He wouldn't harm his own daughter, worse case scenario she'd never be allowed back to earth again, she wouldn't be harmed... Besides, we don't even know how he'll react so lets not jump to conclusions eh?"
Hanging her head in defeat she turned back to Aeka and strode up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder she nodded "Fine, you can go bye yourself, BUT I'm gonna at LEAST take you there ok?" Aeka made a sound of approval and kissed Ryoko on the lips throwing her arms around her waist and resting her head on Ryoko's chest.
"Thank-you for understanding"
A small grin, and blush appeared on Ryoko's face, she patted the princess' head and stroked her hair lovingly "Heh.. anytime"
***
As her mind re-focused she noticed not more than a second had passed, her father's expression changed to a serious one. Aeka felt a chill shoot up her spine and a great feeling of fear wash over her. She did not like his expression. But to her surprise his hand waved once more "....Continue"
Her breath caught for an instant and she coughed to clear her throat, he did not cut her short and tell her there was nothing to discuss, he actually let her put her point forward. This was going extremely well.
In the corner of her eye she noted the very cat like expression her mother's face "Yes well.... This suitor, I love them very much and they are my highest recommended suitor father. And-
Azusa held up a hand "Before you continue.... Is it that Tenchi boy?"
Aeka shook her head "No no father, Tenchi is not my highest suitor..."
"Very well then.... continue"
This was going VERY well.
"Yes, thank-you. Well as I was saying, this person would make a perfect leader, they have great leadership skills and handle dangerous situations brilliantly, also her power is amazing....."
Her eyes widened as she realised, she had used a word that may not go down so well. Azusa arched an eyebrow "......her?"
***
Washu's eyes moved left slowly once more, then right again. Then left then again right. "Ya know...." She said as she pointed to her daughter "...Your gonna make a ditch in the floor pacing back and forth like that"
Stopping her shoulders drooped once more and she phased her head out of the storage room and down the great Juraian corridor, elaborated with its many golden shield like decor hung on every wall. Looking once down each end of the corridor she phased her head back inside and slouched against the wall. Her mother sat cross-legged a little way away from her, currently in her child form she typed at her version of a leisurely pace- which to others would be a speed humanly impossible. Ryoko sidled up in-front of her and peered over at her screen. Rather than trying to figure out what all those numbers meant she decided to ask instead ".....Uh.... Whatcha doin?"
Washu's emerald cat like eyes rose and glimmered mischievously "Oh me?" She said as she turned the computer to her "Why I am watching a very interesting show" Upon the screen a perfect view of Aeka in the Great hall could be see, Ryoko's eyes widened respectively large and she leaned closer. "Wow look it's Aeka... Oh we can see what she's doing on this?" Washu nodded and Ryoko paused for a second. "Isn't that like spying on her?"
"I prefer to call 'observing her situation in case anything gets out of hand..."
***
Aeka began struggling with her words, had she slipped? Her heart raced as she tried to recover as fast she could. "Yes well I.... You see father"
"Oh lovely!" Misaki chirped, her hands clasped tightly in-front of her "Little Aeka has decided to choose a female bride so as not to have any disturbance to your place as king, Azusa honey" She turned and looked at Aeka, a slight grin on her face "Right Little Aeka?"
Almost immediately she was nodding rapidly in agreement with her mother, "Yes that is exactly why!" She swallowed slightly, beads of sweat appearing on her forehead in a fair number. "As you make such a powerful and wonderful King to the Juraian people" Azusa puffed his chest out in pride "There would be absolutely no reason for me to take a male suitor in order for them to be king, NOT that they would even be able to stand against you any way father..." To this Azusa smirked, his daughter was quite right in his opinion. He had raised her well.
Another idle wave of his hand "Enough praise my daughter, tell me more about your chosen suitor and I may consider having them put to my tests"
Inwardly she jumped for joy and yelled out in glee, but outwardly she kept all her excitement inside, having already come this far bursting out in a flurry of laughter would not go too well. "Well her race of people are all very strong, she herself is the strongest and most powerful woman I have met. just imagine the benefits of having such a powerful ally on our side father." Azusa nodded in agreement, brining strong alliances with a suitor was a good package- he thought. His daughter was making a good point. "Also she is very kind to me, she loves me very much as I do her and I couldn't possibly think of a better suitor"
***
Back in the storage room, not far from the great hall- Ryoko and Washu peered intently at the holo-top screen. Their eyes fixated on Azusa and Aeka.
Ryoko herself was nervous, she wanted so much to be with Aeka without anyone trying to separate them. but for it to be perfect, they needed Azusa's approval. And if anything, Ryoko truly thought, that this attempt would be futile.
Not after what she had done.
She could still hear their screams at night. Those faces filled with fear and terror. Each plea of mercy from man, woman and child.
And her laughter.
Even if she herself could do nothing and it was not her who was laughing, it was still her voice. Her cruel sadistic laugh echoed through her mind and then the pictures came.
Fire.
She could still remember the burning heat of the flames, the smell of burning flesh fresh in her nostrils. The great rush of flames dancing across the palace rooftops and houses below. The great tree's ignited row upon row as easily as matchsticks. Smoke filled the air and made it difficult to breath for the Juraian people running about trying to find survivors and fight off the flames. The screams and cries of pain, the sobbing of grief. She could hear it. And she could smell it. She could feel it.
And she could see it.
"It wasn't you..." Jumping slightly she looked to her side, Washu still in her child form had placed a gentle yet firm hand upon her shoulder. Briefly she thought of protesting, but that sudden rush of love and care, of understanding through their link, quietened her. "Relax" She said, a tone of calmness and sincerity. "If worst come to worse, I have a plan.... Don't worry"
***
"Enough" He said, his violet locks of hair rippling over his shoulders. Misaki and Funaho both looked at each other from either side of him, they too were hoping. As was Aeka. "I have heard enough about this suitor, tell me their name"
Her breath caught in the back of her throat and she found it a near struggle to breath. Gulping slowly she raised her head and looked her father directly in the eyes "R...R-Ryoko"
::End Chapter 10::
I know this is a really short Chapter compared to all the others but I didn't have time to do a longer one. Besides I'm trying to decide how to have Azusa react. Anyways, Review!
And send comments to yokouragasi593@hotmail.com
((Yuffie))