Chapter Eight: The Princess is Found
The signs were posted everywhere. Guards were on the lookout. It was a full out manhunt all right. King Akito had been looking for the mysterious Tohru Honda for weeks now. Luckily for her, she was nowhere to be found. Hana was the first to discover the signs.
"Oh my" she replied looking at the words, "This is not good. My Tohru's in trouble."
"Hey Hana!" Uo called.
Hana walked over to her.
"Have you seen the signs?" Uo asked, "They're everywhere."
"Yes, this is not good. Not good at all."
"I'll say. It's nuts" Uo replied.
"I hate to think what will happen when Kageru finds out" Hana responded.
"I suppose we had better go and tell him" Uo sighed.
"Don't bother," he said angrily coming up from behind them with a sign crumpled in his fist, "I don't believe this!"
"Calm down" Hana replied.
"Calm down! Calm down!" his voice rose, "I will not calm down! They are going to kill me. First I lose her and now this! The King of TarraSohma is after her! Why should I be calm?!"
"Your face is turning red Kageru" Uo sighed, "And Hana's right. If I know Tohru she's nowhere near this place. And we will find her."
"No, I will find her. You two have done enough as it is. I trusted you to watch after her, and you let her walk off. No, you two have been summoned back. And if I were you I'd go quickly as possible."
He turned away and stomped off in a huff.
"Well Hana, what do you think we should do?"
"I guess we should return. Besides we are already in enough hot water as it is."
"That's true" Uo replied.
"Oh my poor, sweet, Tohru" Hana said following Uo down the street, "Be careful."
****************
Yuki watched as the guards walked back and forth everyday from his bedroom window. He only prayed that she was safe and that Akito would never find her. Much had changed in the palace since her departure. The servants were extra careful not to anger the king. Most of them couldn't believe the audacity of the young girl, but some like the young Hanako still held her in the highest respect.
*****************
Tohru meanwhile had retreated to the mountains, where her mother's second cabin gave her all the warmth and welcome of home. She had tidied up the place and had spent a few wonderful weeks there. She sometimes felt lonely for the Sohmas back at the palace. She missed seeing Kagura's happy face in the morning, Hatsuharu's gentlemanly nature, Momiji's joy, and Shigure's laughter. She missed Yuki the most of all. All the times they had spent in the garden, the walks they had shared. She knew that she would never have them again. The time was drawing near. She would have to return soon, and she dreaded it.
One evening while she was in her garden she heard a strange noise come from behind the house. She hadn't any weapon with her so she held up her fists. She wasn't an excellent fighter, but figured that she could defend herself at least. The shadow came nearer and just, as the figures head appeared she swung her hand and hit what appeared to be an arm.
"You know you'll never going to knock someone out with a girly hit like that," A deep familiar voice responded.
Tohru looked up and saw before her a pair of red eyes, bright orange hair, and a scowl on his face.
"Kyo?" she replied, "Is that you?"
"I thought it was you too" he responded, "What are you doing up here?"
"I live here now."
"I guess you took my advice about the palace then?"
"Not exactly" she replied shaking her head, "I left the palace for more personal reasons."
"Oh."
"What are you doing way up here?"
"This is my home most of the time" he said sitting on a log, "Every month I am transported to the palace for certain things, after five days I come back."
"Does it have to do with your curse?" she replied sitting on another log opposite his.
"How do you know about that?"
"I found out a couple months ago. I know you're the cat."
"The damn rat told you didn't he?"
"Well in his defense, I did ask."
"That's not why you left is it?"
"Oh no, not at all. Like I said it's personal."
She looked up and saw the moon shining bright.
"It's getting kind of chilly out here" she replied rubbing her arms, "Would you like to come inside? I have Miso soup waiting."
"Miso soup? Sure" he shrugged, "I could use a hot meal."
"Good. Then come on in" she smiled.
Kyo followed her into the small cabin and sat down at the table.
"Doesn't it get kinda lonely up here?" he asked her.
"Well yes. But I won't be here much longer. I have to go home soon."
"Really? Where's that?"
"Oh far away from here. I think I've decided to go see the temple tomorrow."
"You mean the Zodiac Temple?"
"Mhm."
"You can't get in that place. There's no way, it's sealed shut."
"Oh I know of a way. My mom showed it to me. If you'd like I can show you tomorrow?"
"You want me to come with you to that creepy place?"
"Sure. The inside is wonderful. And it's not so scary. Will you come?" she asked setting down his bowl.
"Okay. Sounds like fun. I'll meet you at the front of the temple."
"Okay" she grinned.
They ate their soup and continued to talk for a couple more hours. Kyo told her all about living in the mountains most of his life and the mysterious Sohma curse. Tohru listened intently pausing to ask a few questions here and there. He even taught her to punch the right way if an attacker ever confronted her. Kyo finally left an hour later, promising her that he would meet her in front of the Zodiac Temple. She sighed as she shut the door. She walked into the bedroom, took off her clothes, put on her nightgown, and climbed under the covers. She briefly said her prayers and blew out the candle on her nightstand. As the darkness enveloped her she gazed at the Zodiac figurines that shone on her dressing table and smiled.
"Oh mom" she thought, "You knew I was lonely. So you sent him to me. Thank you!"
****************
The next morning Tohru climbed the stairs that led to the temple. Kyo was waiting at the top.
"Okay where's your mysterious entrance" he replied with his arms crossed.
"Follow me" Tohru smiled.
****************
Yuki rode his horse up the mountainside with Momiji following him the whole way. He had decided that morning that he was tired of staying cooped up and that he wanted to ride in the mountains. Unfortunately for him Momiji had insisted on going too.
"Yuki why are we going so high?" Momiji asked.
"There is a temple at the top of this mountain" Yuki answered, "I have often heard about it, and I want to see it."
"Oh okay" Momiji agreed shaking his head happily.
****************
"Here it is" Tohru replied.
"I don't see anything" Kyo retorted.
Tohru chuckled.
"That's because you have to kneel down. It's behind this."
She moved a small patch of ivy on the wall away to reveal a man- sized hole.
"Wow!" he exclaimed, "Your mom knew about this place?"
"Uh huh. We used to come here all the time when I was little."
She began to crawl through the opening with Kyo not far behind.
"I can't see anything in here!" he responded.
"Don't worry!" she called still leading the way, "I know the way by heart!"
****************
Yuki stopped his horse at the entrance to the small temple. He climbed off and began to read some of the inscriptions on the wall.
"Well how do we get in?" Momiji asked climbing off his horse.
"Most people can't get in" Yuki replied, "But luckily for us, I told Shigure where we were going this morning and he handed me the key."
He pulled a green key from his pocket.
"Good old Shigure!" Momiji cheered.
Yuki slid the key in the iron lock. The lock clicked, and doors swung open.
"In we go" Yuki said.
*****************
"Tohru!" Kyo called, "Don't you think we should take a torch?"
"Good idea" she replied walking back, "It'll be easier to see things."
Kyo grabbed a lit torch and they began walking through the temple. They saw several statues and many murals in the wall.
"This place is fantastic" Kyo breathed.
"Isn't it? It's my favorite place to be."
*****************
"Yuki do you even know where you are going?" Momiji replied following his cousin, who was carrying a torch of his own and looking at the walls.
"Not really" he responded, "But I thought I heard voices."
"In an abandoned temple?"
"Come on. Let's find out."
Yuki and Momiji walked a little further.
"You're right. I do hear voices."
Yuki walked around a pillar and then:
POOF!
"Yuki are you all right?" Momiji rushed over, and then saw Tohru and Kyo.
"What are you doing here?" Momiji asked.
"We were just going to ask you the same question," Kyo growled.
"Excuse me! A little help!"
Tohru looked down and saw the familiar rat form.
"Oh my goodness Yuki!" she exclaimed picking him up, "I'm so sorry."
"That's okay Miss Honda, but what are you doing here?"
****************
After Yuki had transformed back, and put his clothes on, explanations were given.
"So you have been up in the mountains all this time?" he asked Tohru.
"Yes, I'm sorry for not saying goodbye to anyone. It's just I had to leave."
"Well Akito is still upset about it" Momiji piped up, "He's got every available guard out searching for you."
"Oh dear" Tohru replied, "I didn't think I would cause this much trouble."
"What did you do anyway?" Kyo asked.
"Never you mind about that stupid cat," Yuki said cynically.
Kyo growled at him.
"You trying to pick a fight you damn rat?"
"No but you are apparently."
"All right that's it girly boy put up your fists!"
"Hey guys!" Momiji called interrupting their argument, "Look at this!"
Tohru and the two boys walked over and saw Momiji pointing to a large ancient book.
"What do you think it is for?" Momiji questioned.
"I don't know" Tohru replied excitedly, "But I bet it is interesting. I think I will take it with me."
She placed the book in the pack that she had brought with her.
"Say it's getting late" she said, "How about the three of you coming back to my cabin for an afternoon snack and tea."
Momiji nodded his head.
"Thank you Miss Honda" Yuki replied smiling warmly, "We'd love to."
"And this time you guys can use the front door with us" Momiji giggled.
***************
But when they arrived back at the cabin they were in for a surprise. The TarraSohma guards had surrounded the place.
"There she is!" the head guard yelled as they approached.
Kyo jumped out the way just in time to see Yuki, Momiji, and Tohru enclosed by the many guards.
"Damn" he said to himself, "She must have done something really bad to piss him off."
*****************
Tohru was dragged into the throne room followed by Shigure and Yuki. She was flung on the floor right in front of the angry King.
"Akito is this really necessary?" Shigure asked.
"Yes" Akito replied stepping down from the throne, "So you thought you could escape me did you? Big mistake."
He grabbed her hair and pulled her up.
"You will soon learn that nobody defies me."
"And if I were you your majesty, you would release me at once" she said through gritted teeth.
"What did you say?" he seethed.
"Release my hair or you're the one who will suffer the consequences."
"Is that so little girl? What can you possibly do to me?"
"I don't want to do anything to you, but someone will if you don't let me go now."
"Who? He chided.
"Me!" a voice from the doorway piped up.
It was Kageru with ten men at his side.
"Release her your highness, or do you want this war to continue going as badly as it has been going?"
"Who the hell are you?" Akito demanded.
"I am Kageru Manabe. Head guard of ShiraNobi and that young lady who is in your grasp is none other then Princess Tohru Honda Shinobi, Heir to the throne."
***********************************************
Authors Note: Thanks for the great reviews! Keep them coming!
Next Chapter: ShiraNobi
Tohru returns home
The signs were posted everywhere. Guards were on the lookout. It was a full out manhunt all right. King Akito had been looking for the mysterious Tohru Honda for weeks now. Luckily for her, she was nowhere to be found. Hana was the first to discover the signs.
"Oh my" she replied looking at the words, "This is not good. My Tohru's in trouble."
"Hey Hana!" Uo called.
Hana walked over to her.
"Have you seen the signs?" Uo asked, "They're everywhere."
"Yes, this is not good. Not good at all."
"I'll say. It's nuts" Uo replied.
"I hate to think what will happen when Kageru finds out" Hana responded.
"I suppose we had better go and tell him" Uo sighed.
"Don't bother," he said angrily coming up from behind them with a sign crumpled in his fist, "I don't believe this!"
"Calm down" Hana replied.
"Calm down! Calm down!" his voice rose, "I will not calm down! They are going to kill me. First I lose her and now this! The King of TarraSohma is after her! Why should I be calm?!"
"Your face is turning red Kageru" Uo sighed, "And Hana's right. If I know Tohru she's nowhere near this place. And we will find her."
"No, I will find her. You two have done enough as it is. I trusted you to watch after her, and you let her walk off. No, you two have been summoned back. And if I were you I'd go quickly as possible."
He turned away and stomped off in a huff.
"Well Hana, what do you think we should do?"
"I guess we should return. Besides we are already in enough hot water as it is."
"That's true" Uo replied.
"Oh my poor, sweet, Tohru" Hana said following Uo down the street, "Be careful."
****************
Yuki watched as the guards walked back and forth everyday from his bedroom window. He only prayed that she was safe and that Akito would never find her. Much had changed in the palace since her departure. The servants were extra careful not to anger the king. Most of them couldn't believe the audacity of the young girl, but some like the young Hanako still held her in the highest respect.
*****************
Tohru meanwhile had retreated to the mountains, where her mother's second cabin gave her all the warmth and welcome of home. She had tidied up the place and had spent a few wonderful weeks there. She sometimes felt lonely for the Sohmas back at the palace. She missed seeing Kagura's happy face in the morning, Hatsuharu's gentlemanly nature, Momiji's joy, and Shigure's laughter. She missed Yuki the most of all. All the times they had spent in the garden, the walks they had shared. She knew that she would never have them again. The time was drawing near. She would have to return soon, and she dreaded it.
One evening while she was in her garden she heard a strange noise come from behind the house. She hadn't any weapon with her so she held up her fists. She wasn't an excellent fighter, but figured that she could defend herself at least. The shadow came nearer and just, as the figures head appeared she swung her hand and hit what appeared to be an arm.
"You know you'll never going to knock someone out with a girly hit like that," A deep familiar voice responded.
Tohru looked up and saw before her a pair of red eyes, bright orange hair, and a scowl on his face.
"Kyo?" she replied, "Is that you?"
"I thought it was you too" he responded, "What are you doing up here?"
"I live here now."
"I guess you took my advice about the palace then?"
"Not exactly" she replied shaking her head, "I left the palace for more personal reasons."
"Oh."
"What are you doing way up here?"
"This is my home most of the time" he said sitting on a log, "Every month I am transported to the palace for certain things, after five days I come back."
"Does it have to do with your curse?" she replied sitting on another log opposite his.
"How do you know about that?"
"I found out a couple months ago. I know you're the cat."
"The damn rat told you didn't he?"
"Well in his defense, I did ask."
"That's not why you left is it?"
"Oh no, not at all. Like I said it's personal."
She looked up and saw the moon shining bright.
"It's getting kind of chilly out here" she replied rubbing her arms, "Would you like to come inside? I have Miso soup waiting."
"Miso soup? Sure" he shrugged, "I could use a hot meal."
"Good. Then come on in" she smiled.
Kyo followed her into the small cabin and sat down at the table.
"Doesn't it get kinda lonely up here?" he asked her.
"Well yes. But I won't be here much longer. I have to go home soon."
"Really? Where's that?"
"Oh far away from here. I think I've decided to go see the temple tomorrow."
"You mean the Zodiac Temple?"
"Mhm."
"You can't get in that place. There's no way, it's sealed shut."
"Oh I know of a way. My mom showed it to me. If you'd like I can show you tomorrow?"
"You want me to come with you to that creepy place?"
"Sure. The inside is wonderful. And it's not so scary. Will you come?" she asked setting down his bowl.
"Okay. Sounds like fun. I'll meet you at the front of the temple."
"Okay" she grinned.
They ate their soup and continued to talk for a couple more hours. Kyo told her all about living in the mountains most of his life and the mysterious Sohma curse. Tohru listened intently pausing to ask a few questions here and there. He even taught her to punch the right way if an attacker ever confronted her. Kyo finally left an hour later, promising her that he would meet her in front of the Zodiac Temple. She sighed as she shut the door. She walked into the bedroom, took off her clothes, put on her nightgown, and climbed under the covers. She briefly said her prayers and blew out the candle on her nightstand. As the darkness enveloped her she gazed at the Zodiac figurines that shone on her dressing table and smiled.
"Oh mom" she thought, "You knew I was lonely. So you sent him to me. Thank you!"
****************
The next morning Tohru climbed the stairs that led to the temple. Kyo was waiting at the top.
"Okay where's your mysterious entrance" he replied with his arms crossed.
"Follow me" Tohru smiled.
****************
Yuki rode his horse up the mountainside with Momiji following him the whole way. He had decided that morning that he was tired of staying cooped up and that he wanted to ride in the mountains. Unfortunately for him Momiji had insisted on going too.
"Yuki why are we going so high?" Momiji asked.
"There is a temple at the top of this mountain" Yuki answered, "I have often heard about it, and I want to see it."
"Oh okay" Momiji agreed shaking his head happily.
****************
"Here it is" Tohru replied.
"I don't see anything" Kyo retorted.
Tohru chuckled.
"That's because you have to kneel down. It's behind this."
She moved a small patch of ivy on the wall away to reveal a man- sized hole.
"Wow!" he exclaimed, "Your mom knew about this place?"
"Uh huh. We used to come here all the time when I was little."
She began to crawl through the opening with Kyo not far behind.
"I can't see anything in here!" he responded.
"Don't worry!" she called still leading the way, "I know the way by heart!"
****************
Yuki stopped his horse at the entrance to the small temple. He climbed off and began to read some of the inscriptions on the wall.
"Well how do we get in?" Momiji asked climbing off his horse.
"Most people can't get in" Yuki replied, "But luckily for us, I told Shigure where we were going this morning and he handed me the key."
He pulled a green key from his pocket.
"Good old Shigure!" Momiji cheered.
Yuki slid the key in the iron lock. The lock clicked, and doors swung open.
"In we go" Yuki said.
*****************
"Tohru!" Kyo called, "Don't you think we should take a torch?"
"Good idea" she replied walking back, "It'll be easier to see things."
Kyo grabbed a lit torch and they began walking through the temple. They saw several statues and many murals in the wall.
"This place is fantastic" Kyo breathed.
"Isn't it? It's my favorite place to be."
*****************
"Yuki do you even know where you are going?" Momiji replied following his cousin, who was carrying a torch of his own and looking at the walls.
"Not really" he responded, "But I thought I heard voices."
"In an abandoned temple?"
"Come on. Let's find out."
Yuki and Momiji walked a little further.
"You're right. I do hear voices."
Yuki walked around a pillar and then:
POOF!
"Yuki are you all right?" Momiji rushed over, and then saw Tohru and Kyo.
"What are you doing here?" Momiji asked.
"We were just going to ask you the same question," Kyo growled.
"Excuse me! A little help!"
Tohru looked down and saw the familiar rat form.
"Oh my goodness Yuki!" she exclaimed picking him up, "I'm so sorry."
"That's okay Miss Honda, but what are you doing here?"
****************
After Yuki had transformed back, and put his clothes on, explanations were given.
"So you have been up in the mountains all this time?" he asked Tohru.
"Yes, I'm sorry for not saying goodbye to anyone. It's just I had to leave."
"Well Akito is still upset about it" Momiji piped up, "He's got every available guard out searching for you."
"Oh dear" Tohru replied, "I didn't think I would cause this much trouble."
"What did you do anyway?" Kyo asked.
"Never you mind about that stupid cat," Yuki said cynically.
Kyo growled at him.
"You trying to pick a fight you damn rat?"
"No but you are apparently."
"All right that's it girly boy put up your fists!"
"Hey guys!" Momiji called interrupting their argument, "Look at this!"
Tohru and the two boys walked over and saw Momiji pointing to a large ancient book.
"What do you think it is for?" Momiji questioned.
"I don't know" Tohru replied excitedly, "But I bet it is interesting. I think I will take it with me."
She placed the book in the pack that she had brought with her.
"Say it's getting late" she said, "How about the three of you coming back to my cabin for an afternoon snack and tea."
Momiji nodded his head.
"Thank you Miss Honda" Yuki replied smiling warmly, "We'd love to."
"And this time you guys can use the front door with us" Momiji giggled.
***************
But when they arrived back at the cabin they were in for a surprise. The TarraSohma guards had surrounded the place.
"There she is!" the head guard yelled as they approached.
Kyo jumped out the way just in time to see Yuki, Momiji, and Tohru enclosed by the many guards.
"Damn" he said to himself, "She must have done something really bad to piss him off."
*****************
Tohru was dragged into the throne room followed by Shigure and Yuki. She was flung on the floor right in front of the angry King.
"Akito is this really necessary?" Shigure asked.
"Yes" Akito replied stepping down from the throne, "So you thought you could escape me did you? Big mistake."
He grabbed her hair and pulled her up.
"You will soon learn that nobody defies me."
"And if I were you your majesty, you would release me at once" she said through gritted teeth.
"What did you say?" he seethed.
"Release my hair or you're the one who will suffer the consequences."
"Is that so little girl? What can you possibly do to me?"
"I don't want to do anything to you, but someone will if you don't let me go now."
"Who? He chided.
"Me!" a voice from the doorway piped up.
It was Kageru with ten men at his side.
"Release her your highness, or do you want this war to continue going as badly as it has been going?"
"Who the hell are you?" Akito demanded.
"I am Kageru Manabe. Head guard of ShiraNobi and that young lady who is in your grasp is none other then Princess Tohru Honda Shinobi, Heir to the throne."
***********************************************
Authors Note: Thanks for the great reviews! Keep them coming!
Next Chapter: ShiraNobi
Tohru returns home