Chapter Eleven: At the Riverbank
Akito strode up the stairs of ShiraNobi with Shigure on his tail. Two guards flanked him as well as he walked into the palace. Tohru's grandfather had been informed that afternoon that he was arriving. He grimaced as he saw the young king approach.
"Good afternoon your highness" The King replied, "And to what do we owe this visit."
"I wanted to see your face in person" Akito began, "As I gave you an offer to end this war between our two countries."
"An offer? What kind of offer?"
"Simply this, you give me something I want and our kingdoms will be at peace again" Akito smiled.
"And what is it you want your majesty?"
Kageru appeared at the king's side.
"Oh not much. Mainly your granddaughter."
"His what!" Kageru exclaimed.
"It's as I said. You surrender her over to me and I will cease this war on my side."
"Your majesty I must protest" Kageru replied to the king.
The king was silent for a few moments then stood up.
"What personal interest do you have in my granddaughter your majesty?" he asked.
"No interest really. Consider her a prisoner of war."
"Then my answer is no" the king replied, "You may not have her. I don't care if this war continues; I will never give her to the likes of a Sohma. And I warn you your highness, if you or yours ever step another foot in my country again, there will be reprisals."
"I was afraid you would say that" Akito continued to grin, "That is why this war will go on, and when we have won, I will take her by force."
"No" Tohru's grandmother gasped.
"You can't do that!" Kageru shouted.
"Oh can't I? I gave the choice of the easy way out. But you apparently want to do things the hard way. So you leave me no choice."
The king's face began to turn red.
"Leave my palace!" he ordered, "Leave now!"
Akito bowed still grinning, and then flanked by his guards and followed by a sad Shigure he exited the room.
"Darling do you think he is serious?" the queen asked.
"I don't know" he replied sinking onto his throne next to her " But our granddaughter is in great danger."
****************
Yuki rode his horse near the riverbank that afternoon. He stopped his horse an hour later to water him, and sat on the grass to think. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since she had left. He still couldn't believe that she was a princess. And not only that, the princess of the country his was at war with.
"Oh how cruel fate is" he sighed as he lay on his back to gaze at the clouds going by.
He closed his eyes and soon he was fast asleep.
***************
"So how come you never mentioned before that you were the Princess of ShiraNobi?" Kyo asked.
"I was afraid I suppose. You are a Sohma, Kyo. My country is at war with yours."
"Hey don't throw me in with that lot" he frowned, "I am not like them. I am not a part of this war."
"Neither am I thankfully" Tohru sighed.
"And knowing that the Sohmas were your enemy, you still decided to work in the palace?" he said.
"I became very close with all of them. Even you Kyo" she smiled.
He blushed a little at her remark and turned his face.
"It's not that big of a deal" he replied.
"Oh my" Tohru suddenly looked up, "What time is it?"
"It's got to be close to two o'clock" Kyo answered her.
"I've got to go" she said in a hurry, "I need to get back."
She rushed out the door with him close behind her. Outside Uo and Hana were playing Rich man, Poor man with Kunimitsu. As usual Hana was winning.
"Reverse revolution" she replied.
"I can't believe it" Kunimitsu said, "She beat us again."
"That's Hana for you" Uo laughed. She looked up and saw Tohru in the doorway.
"So Tohru you ready to go? Who's the orangetop?"
"What did you call me Yankee!" he shouted.
"Oh this is Kyo. Another friend" Tohru responded, "Yes it is time to go."
She bowed to Kunimitsu and said a quick goodbye. Kyo walked them to the door and outside where he helped them back onto their horses.
"Be careful going back," he replied.
"Don't worry" Tohru smiled, "We'll be okay."
She led the girls down the path that led down the mountain. Kyo sighed as he watched her go. Kazuma joined him a few minutes later.
"Remarkable girl" Kazuma replied.
"Yea" Kyo agreed shaking his head, "And you know for a Princess she's not half bad."
****************
It took them less time to get down the mountain then up, but as they were nearing the castle Tohru asked the others if they could ride on ahead. Her horse was tired and needed to be watered. After promising that she would come straight home, they agreed and rode off without her. She jumped off her horse and led him to the riverbank. As she approached she noticed a figure on the other side lying down. She left the horse by the river to drink and moved closer. She was surprised to see the familiar face.
"Yuki!" she exclaimed.
His soft eyelashes brushed his cheek as his eyes opened. He turned in her direction and sat up.
"Miss Hon.. Oh I mean Princess? What are you doing here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same question" she smiled.
"I was watering my horse and I guess I must have dozed off. You?"
"Same thing? Do you come here often?" she asked.
"Whenever I want to be away from the palace. It's another good place to think."
"You must be angry with me."
"Why do you think that?" he smiled.
"Because I lied to you."
"I know why you did princess" he replied, "And I think it was very noble of you."
"Really?"
"Mhm."
"Oh dear" Tohru said, "I have to get back to the palace. But listen I am allowed to come to the riverbank on my own. Do you think you could meet me sometime? I would like to talk with you more about the Zodiac Curse."
"I think I can sneak away one day" he answered from his side of the bank, "How will we keep in contact?"
"I have trained doves that deliver my letters. I will send one with my letter the first chance I can. When you know of a time when we can meet just send me the response."
"Okay" he agreed climbing onto his horse, "I will be sure to send you the answer."
She climbed onto her horse. Then they waved and galloped off into opposite directions.
**************
Several days passed until Tohru received a message from Yuki. They met that night at the riverbank, careful to not cross sides. She told him all she knew about the curse, and about Kazuma translating the book. They talked for hours till they both realized that they should get back. The king of ShiraNobi had put extra watch on Tohru since Akito's threat, and it was getting harder for her to sneak out. Before leaving Tohru told Yuki that she would send him another message just as soon as the words were translated. He once again disappeared to TarraSohma.
**************
Kageru especially kept a close watch on the princess when he could. So far he had seen her sneak out but hadn't followed. He figured the next time that she left he would. A letter from Kazuma arrived at the palace a week later. It said:
Princess,
I have translated most of the book. As far as I can tell it talks about another temple where the Three Moons open the door to the answer. I am not sure what that means, but it is what it says. Once that temple is found, the book should become clearer. I hope this bit of information has helped you. Will send more when I can.
Sincerely,
Kazuma Sohma
Tohru folded the letter and smiled. She wrote a quick letter of her own and sent the dove flying with the response. Then she pulled out another piece of stationary and began to write.
My Dearest Yuki,
A response has just arrived from Kazuma this afternoon. Can you meet me on the riverbank this evening? I will explain more when I see you. Write back soon!
Sincerely yours,
Tohru
She tied the letter to her favorite and sent him flying as well. The dove flew over the hills till it reached TarraSohma. But it didn't make it to Yuki's room.
***************
Akito had been wondering where Yuki had been sneaking off too lately. When he spotted the dove he called it over gently from his balcony. He gave the dove a treat then sent it flying again. He untied the note and began to read. As he finished a smile spread across his face. He wrote down one final thing on the note, and then he called one of his black birds forward and tied the note to its leg.
"Take this to Yuki" he replied.
The black bird flew into the sky and headed for Yuki's window.
"So they think they can defy me do they?" Akito replied to himself, "We'll just see about that."
***************
The black bird landed on Yuki's shoulder.
"A black bird?" he thought, "Where did you come from?"
He unfolded the note and read it through. Then he pulled some stationary from his own desk and began to write.
Dear Princess,
I can make it tonight. Seven o'clock right? I'll be there!
Yuki
He tied the letter to the black bird and sent it out the window.
**************
The black bird flew back to Akito's room and landed on his shoulder.
"Good boy" he cooed taking the letter and giving the bird a treat.
He read over the letter, erased one part of it, grabbed a dove from his own collection and sent it off.
***************
The dove arrived that afternoon. Tohru unfolded the letter. It said:
Dear Princess,
I can make it tonight. I'll be there at six.
Yuki
Tohru sighed and put her head down on the desk.
**************
That night at six o'clock she waited on the riverbank. As she began to wonder where he was a dark shadow came upon her. She didn't see her attacker, in the next instant she had been knocked out. She was dragged from the riverbank, with a hair band as the only sign that she had been there.
****************
At seven Yuki rode up on his horse. He jumped off and looked around.
"Princess are you here? He called.
Then he spotted the hair band on the other side of the river. He climbed onto his horse and jumped over. He quickly jumped off and ran over to it. He picked it up.
"This belonged to her" he thought, "I'm certain of it."
Suddenly out of nowhere the ShiraNobi guards surrounded him and pinned him to the ground. As he struggled and was raised to his feet Kageru stood in front of him.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"You're under arrest your highness" Kageru replied, "For the kidnapping of Princess Tohru."
************************************************************** *
Authors Note: How's that for a cliffhanger? Not bad for the last chapter of the week huh? Hope it wasn't too long for you.
Next Chapter: Escape
Kyo rescues Yuki from the ShiraNobi prison.
Akito strode up the stairs of ShiraNobi with Shigure on his tail. Two guards flanked him as well as he walked into the palace. Tohru's grandfather had been informed that afternoon that he was arriving. He grimaced as he saw the young king approach.
"Good afternoon your highness" The King replied, "And to what do we owe this visit."
"I wanted to see your face in person" Akito began, "As I gave you an offer to end this war between our two countries."
"An offer? What kind of offer?"
"Simply this, you give me something I want and our kingdoms will be at peace again" Akito smiled.
"And what is it you want your majesty?"
Kageru appeared at the king's side.
"Oh not much. Mainly your granddaughter."
"His what!" Kageru exclaimed.
"It's as I said. You surrender her over to me and I will cease this war on my side."
"Your majesty I must protest" Kageru replied to the king.
The king was silent for a few moments then stood up.
"What personal interest do you have in my granddaughter your majesty?" he asked.
"No interest really. Consider her a prisoner of war."
"Then my answer is no" the king replied, "You may not have her. I don't care if this war continues; I will never give her to the likes of a Sohma. And I warn you your highness, if you or yours ever step another foot in my country again, there will be reprisals."
"I was afraid you would say that" Akito continued to grin, "That is why this war will go on, and when we have won, I will take her by force."
"No" Tohru's grandmother gasped.
"You can't do that!" Kageru shouted.
"Oh can't I? I gave the choice of the easy way out. But you apparently want to do things the hard way. So you leave me no choice."
The king's face began to turn red.
"Leave my palace!" he ordered, "Leave now!"
Akito bowed still grinning, and then flanked by his guards and followed by a sad Shigure he exited the room.
"Darling do you think he is serious?" the queen asked.
"I don't know" he replied sinking onto his throne next to her " But our granddaughter is in great danger."
****************
Yuki rode his horse near the riverbank that afternoon. He stopped his horse an hour later to water him, and sat on the grass to think. He hadn't been able to stop thinking about her since she had left. He still couldn't believe that she was a princess. And not only that, the princess of the country his was at war with.
"Oh how cruel fate is" he sighed as he lay on his back to gaze at the clouds going by.
He closed his eyes and soon he was fast asleep.
***************
"So how come you never mentioned before that you were the Princess of ShiraNobi?" Kyo asked.
"I was afraid I suppose. You are a Sohma, Kyo. My country is at war with yours."
"Hey don't throw me in with that lot" he frowned, "I am not like them. I am not a part of this war."
"Neither am I thankfully" Tohru sighed.
"And knowing that the Sohmas were your enemy, you still decided to work in the palace?" he said.
"I became very close with all of them. Even you Kyo" she smiled.
He blushed a little at her remark and turned his face.
"It's not that big of a deal" he replied.
"Oh my" Tohru suddenly looked up, "What time is it?"
"It's got to be close to two o'clock" Kyo answered her.
"I've got to go" she said in a hurry, "I need to get back."
She rushed out the door with him close behind her. Outside Uo and Hana were playing Rich man, Poor man with Kunimitsu. As usual Hana was winning.
"Reverse revolution" she replied.
"I can't believe it" Kunimitsu said, "She beat us again."
"That's Hana for you" Uo laughed. She looked up and saw Tohru in the doorway.
"So Tohru you ready to go? Who's the orangetop?"
"What did you call me Yankee!" he shouted.
"Oh this is Kyo. Another friend" Tohru responded, "Yes it is time to go."
She bowed to Kunimitsu and said a quick goodbye. Kyo walked them to the door and outside where he helped them back onto their horses.
"Be careful going back," he replied.
"Don't worry" Tohru smiled, "We'll be okay."
She led the girls down the path that led down the mountain. Kyo sighed as he watched her go. Kazuma joined him a few minutes later.
"Remarkable girl" Kazuma replied.
"Yea" Kyo agreed shaking his head, "And you know for a Princess she's not half bad."
****************
It took them less time to get down the mountain then up, but as they were nearing the castle Tohru asked the others if they could ride on ahead. Her horse was tired and needed to be watered. After promising that she would come straight home, they agreed and rode off without her. She jumped off her horse and led him to the riverbank. As she approached she noticed a figure on the other side lying down. She left the horse by the river to drink and moved closer. She was surprised to see the familiar face.
"Yuki!" she exclaimed.
His soft eyelashes brushed his cheek as his eyes opened. He turned in her direction and sat up.
"Miss Hon.. Oh I mean Princess? What are you doing here?"
"I was just about to ask you the same question" she smiled.
"I was watering my horse and I guess I must have dozed off. You?"
"Same thing? Do you come here often?" she asked.
"Whenever I want to be away from the palace. It's another good place to think."
"You must be angry with me."
"Why do you think that?" he smiled.
"Because I lied to you."
"I know why you did princess" he replied, "And I think it was very noble of you."
"Really?"
"Mhm."
"Oh dear" Tohru said, "I have to get back to the palace. But listen I am allowed to come to the riverbank on my own. Do you think you could meet me sometime? I would like to talk with you more about the Zodiac Curse."
"I think I can sneak away one day" he answered from his side of the bank, "How will we keep in contact?"
"I have trained doves that deliver my letters. I will send one with my letter the first chance I can. When you know of a time when we can meet just send me the response."
"Okay" he agreed climbing onto his horse, "I will be sure to send you the answer."
She climbed onto her horse. Then they waved and galloped off into opposite directions.
**************
Several days passed until Tohru received a message from Yuki. They met that night at the riverbank, careful to not cross sides. She told him all she knew about the curse, and about Kazuma translating the book. They talked for hours till they both realized that they should get back. The king of ShiraNobi had put extra watch on Tohru since Akito's threat, and it was getting harder for her to sneak out. Before leaving Tohru told Yuki that she would send him another message just as soon as the words were translated. He once again disappeared to TarraSohma.
**************
Kageru especially kept a close watch on the princess when he could. So far he had seen her sneak out but hadn't followed. He figured the next time that she left he would. A letter from Kazuma arrived at the palace a week later. It said:
Princess,
I have translated most of the book. As far as I can tell it talks about another temple where the Three Moons open the door to the answer. I am not sure what that means, but it is what it says. Once that temple is found, the book should become clearer. I hope this bit of information has helped you. Will send more when I can.
Sincerely,
Kazuma Sohma
Tohru folded the letter and smiled. She wrote a quick letter of her own and sent the dove flying with the response. Then she pulled out another piece of stationary and began to write.
My Dearest Yuki,
A response has just arrived from Kazuma this afternoon. Can you meet me on the riverbank this evening? I will explain more when I see you. Write back soon!
Sincerely yours,
Tohru
She tied the letter to her favorite and sent him flying as well. The dove flew over the hills till it reached TarraSohma. But it didn't make it to Yuki's room.
***************
Akito had been wondering where Yuki had been sneaking off too lately. When he spotted the dove he called it over gently from his balcony. He gave the dove a treat then sent it flying again. He untied the note and began to read. As he finished a smile spread across his face. He wrote down one final thing on the note, and then he called one of his black birds forward and tied the note to its leg.
"Take this to Yuki" he replied.
The black bird flew into the sky and headed for Yuki's window.
"So they think they can defy me do they?" Akito replied to himself, "We'll just see about that."
***************
The black bird landed on Yuki's shoulder.
"A black bird?" he thought, "Where did you come from?"
He unfolded the note and read it through. Then he pulled some stationary from his own desk and began to write.
Dear Princess,
I can make it tonight. Seven o'clock right? I'll be there!
Yuki
He tied the letter to the black bird and sent it out the window.
**************
The black bird flew back to Akito's room and landed on his shoulder.
"Good boy" he cooed taking the letter and giving the bird a treat.
He read over the letter, erased one part of it, grabbed a dove from his own collection and sent it off.
***************
The dove arrived that afternoon. Tohru unfolded the letter. It said:
Dear Princess,
I can make it tonight. I'll be there at six.
Yuki
Tohru sighed and put her head down on the desk.
**************
That night at six o'clock she waited on the riverbank. As she began to wonder where he was a dark shadow came upon her. She didn't see her attacker, in the next instant she had been knocked out. She was dragged from the riverbank, with a hair band as the only sign that she had been there.
****************
At seven Yuki rode up on his horse. He jumped off and looked around.
"Princess are you here? He called.
Then he spotted the hair band on the other side of the river. He climbed onto his horse and jumped over. He quickly jumped off and ran over to it. He picked it up.
"This belonged to her" he thought, "I'm certain of it."
Suddenly out of nowhere the ShiraNobi guards surrounded him and pinned him to the ground. As he struggled and was raised to his feet Kageru stood in front of him.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"You're under arrest your highness" Kageru replied, "For the kidnapping of Princess Tohru."
************************************************************** *
Authors Note: How's that for a cliffhanger? Not bad for the last chapter of the week huh? Hope it wasn't too long for you.
Next Chapter: Escape
Kyo rescues Yuki from the ShiraNobi prison.