A/N: Ok I was supposed to have nearly finished this fic by now, lol. As you can see my updating is much like cleaning up my room which gets put off alot. Well I've done half of the next chapter hopefully it'll be uploaded early next month. I have to make it a New Years Resolution to meet deadlines and trust me cramming for a test on the last night doesn't help much. (-_-)"
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Chapter 3- A New Alliance
When dawn broke a village meeting was called it was compulsory that all attended and were accounted for. The attempted assassination would not effect the relations between any of the parties. A group of the emperor's elite warriors began a search in and around the village. Surprisingly Emperor Wu announced that they would stay and the two assassins would be caught and brought to justice. The villagers would continue going about their daily lives but would be more aware and cautious. However most feared the lull of false security and threat of any harm. The village had come under attack a few times by raiders and bandits, but a small group of defence managed to avert any real disaster.
When the meeting was over people dissolved into small chatter and things slowly went back to some normality. Chen, Ming and Lei decided to head off for the training centre, while Cong and Fu went home with Grandpa Zhenyu. Emperor Wu and Kioshi went back to the inn under heavy protection and had a brief private discussion.
Kioshi rose from his seat with liquid confidence in his voice. "Please don't tell my father, we can resolve this situation I know we can."
"Are you sure it's very dangerous to compromise our safety and the villagers," Emperor Wu, responded with uncertainty.
"I know the risks and consequences but I have a plan," Kioshi said.
The emperor gave a reluctant nod. "Well I hope you know what you are doing. Excuse me I must meet my officials now."
After he had gone Tatsuo entered the room and stood near the window taking a look out before turning his attention to Kioshi.
"I would like to meet that boy who saved my life," Kioshi said.
"It is too dangerous and risky and who knows what else will happen," Tatsuo retorted.
"But your forgetting I have my spirit to protect me," Kioshi pulled out an amulet from beneath his robe.
"Ok we'll go together in the afternoon first we have some paper work to attend to," Tatsuo motioned towards the table.
Later that day they went to the local martial arts training centre which was the biggest building in the village. Located behind most of the residential houses and owned by the local training masters. One was a respectable swordsman, the other one a teacher of martial arts and a woman who was skilled in the use of weapons. Every three or four times a week Ming would go there to learn self defence, Lei would broaden his horizon by using a variety of weapons ranging from a staff to a heavy mace and Chen would continue to practice with his sword. It was a substitute for a lack of education which didn't bother them very much.
The two went in to find Chen practising with his master but they soon stopped realising that there were guests. The master swordsman told him that training was over for the day and it would resume next time, he then walked into back room.
"So your the Japanese ambassador and that's your son" Chen said, in a less than formal way of starting a conversation.
"Kioshi is not my son but the third son of the Emperor of Japan," Tatsuo announced. "Only you will know this and you must keep it a secret."
Chen nodded in wonder and respect. "Yes of course."
"I will see back at the inn," Tatsuo said, before leaving and closing the doors behind him.
"Thank you for saving my life. You can have whatever you want as long as the reward is reasonable and within means," Kioshi bowed slightly.
"No thank you, I appreciate your gratitude but I don't need any reward," Chen smiled. "My name is Chen by the way."
"You are modest as well as a good swordsman Chen," Kioshi remarked, making him blush slightly. "Surely there must be at least one thing?"
"Well nothing tangible as such," Chen said nervously, which confused him. "Have you ever been trained in sword fighting or any martial arts?"
"Actually I'm not really the fighter more of a scholar. I would rather study than pick up a weapon but I have seen some of the samurai train before."
"I have beaten people twice my age and never lost a battle before."
"Really?" Kioshi raised an eyebrow.
"What do you say to one right now?" Chen gave a little smirk.
"Alright then," Kioshi agreed and took a sword off the rack.
Standing in the middle of the floor the two stood facing one another. Both were of the same hight but not of the same skill. Then the swords clashed in a flash of silver. The two exchanged blows at a normal pace before going a little faster. Chen decided to go easy not because he was royalty but also a novice. The blades locked together angling the sunlight into Chen's face momentarily blinding him and forced him to falter. He was about to lose balance but then flew back and floated in the air. Looking up Kioshi's mouth was wide open like a goldfish.
"What you can…" Kioshi stammered and tried to think of something to say.
"Fly." Chen finished off his sentence and planted his feet back onto the solid floor.
"How did you do that it's amazing?" he asked quite inquisitively.
"Well you have to reach a certain point in your training," Chen replied. "From a young age I was put in extreme practice conditions. I would rise when the sun would and sleep when I felt satisfied. It also takes time to master the ability of flight, however it does have it's limitations."
"You're a noble person I wish I could do that" Kioshi put the sword back onto the rack.
"Well at least your educated I haven't learned much in writing or reading," Chen said sheathing his sword. "I don't want to be recruited to the emperor's army but stay here and protect my village."
"Sorry but I must leave now it was an honour to meet you," Kioshi said, extending a hand.
"No the honours all mine," Chen shook his hand for a few seconds and then let go.
"Why are you still here?" Chen asked. "Aren't you afraid that they might try again?"
"I'm not going to let them get away with this. We're going to find and punishment them," Kioshi answered firmly.
The prince walked out the training area after he had gone three heads poked out from the doorway. Chen sat down on a seat and closed his eyes for a brief moment. Lei and the others saw them leave and rushed inside to see if anything had happened. Chen opened his eyes and saw his sisters face plastered with a beaming grin.
"So what's the Japanese boy like?" Ming asked eagerly.
"Foreigners," Lei muttered in an awkward tone.
"Can he wield a sword?" Fu posed in a fighting position.
"He's nice," Chen said to the others who were disappointment and expected more.
"Is that all?" Ming asked, scratching her head.
"I'll tell you about it later ok but I'm tired and would like to get home" Chen sighed.
Fu yawned. "It is getting late and I'm hungry."
After briefly tidying the place and speaking with the training masters they went home. Taking one step through the door a smell wafted by, they immediately took in the delicious scent and followed it to the kitchen.
"Yummy," Fu said his stomach also rumbled in response.
Racing to the table they saw Cong and Grandpa Zhenyu in the middle of eating, they started to wolf down whatever was in the bowls and gulp down the tea.
"Hey Cong you could of at least left me one dumpling," Fu pouted.
"Well you should have been earlier then," Cong popped the last piece into his mouth.
"Tomorrow night I'll be first at the table and then I'll get all the dumplings," Fu said, poking out his tongue.
"Is that all both of you can think about food?" Ming laughed.
"Hey where did Chen go?" Lei asked looking at the empty spot.
"Must be in the stables tending to Bai Yun," Grandpa Zhenyu said, knowing quite well where he actually was.
It was an unusually clear but chilly night with only a few clouds drifting by. The crescent moon shone emitting a waning light surrounded by a myriad of stars. Kioshi and Chen sat down on a bench in the inn courtyard watching the unending skies.
"I have a plan for capturing those two, I would appreciate your help," Kioshi said.
"Of course I'll help I won't let them hurt anyone plus they might be a challenge," Chen agreed. "So when are you going to put your plan into action?"
"Tomorrow," came the terse reply.
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HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!! ^___^
