Chapter 13: Broken Arrow
3 weeks later
Sakaki stood at the throne and Captain Izo walked in. He bowed on one knee and Sakaki looked at him.
" You are no longer apart of the Imperial army," Sakaki said
" Majesty?" he questioned
" You are being stripped of your duties as of today," Sakaki said, " The lady Miyako will remain here, but you will be leaving. This day forth you are no longer a nobleman, but a peasant. Perhaps when you can not betray your emperor, will you come back."
" You can't do that!" Izo shouted
" I am the Emperor of this country, I can do anything I damn well please you ungrateful swine!" Sakaki shouted
Izo narrowed his eyes and looked at his daughter and then at Sakaki.
" You are dismissed," Sakaki growled
" You will pay for this Taiyou," Izo said
" I already have," Sakaki remarked, " Take this scoundrel out of my sight."
Guards walked over and grabbed Izo by his arms, he was quick to pushed them away.
" Death to the Emperor and his followers!" Izo shouted
" And death to you when you walk out that gate," Sakaki whispered
Karasuma looked at Sakaki and closed her eyes picking up strong feelings of anger from him.
" Taiyou-sama," Miyako said
" You will address me as Majesty or Highness, today you have no rights like the others," Sakaki growled at her
" Highness?" she questioned
She lowered her head and he walked off, Karasuma looked at Miyako.
" He will forget about this, do not worry," Karasuma said
" Empress, I had nothing to do with anything my father was doing," she said
" I know," Karasuma said
Sakaki drew his blade and got into position and began to practice.
" Don't you think you were a little tough?" Karasuma questioned
" My word is everything, if you do not follow it you fail to serve your country," Sakaki said as he practice
" What is happening to you?" she questioned, " Your acting like corrupted power."
" I am an emperor of a country, if I falter I am weak," he said
" Falter my ass, you're angry cause one of your guards betrayed you, Haruto," Karasuma said
Sakaki stopped and looked at her and narrowed his eyes.
" I am an Emperor," Sakaki said
" You are spoiled child," Karasuma remarked
" You are speaking treason to me," Sakaki said
Karasuma narrowed her eyes and said, " Kill me then Haruto…if I am speaking treason. Kill your people because they speak of you too. Become that bloody Emperor you were trying to avoid 4 months ago."
" I will not yield!" he shouted
Karasuma walked over to him and slapped him across the face. He did not turn to look at her. She walked off with tears in her eyes and Sakaki breathed deep. He touched his face and sighed. His thoughts had be interrupted by the sudden impact of Karasuma's hand and suddenly he had realized his fault. He cursed under his breath and walked off sheathing his blade.
" Damn it, why am I letting this get to me?" he thought
Karasuma laid on her bed in her chambers and cried.
" Why are you torturing yourself Haruto?" she whimpered, " Why?"
" Because he's afraid," A soft voice said
Karasuma looked up and saw Rinako standing there.
" Dowager Empress," she said
Rinako walked over to her and sat down next to Karasuma. Rinako wiped Karasuma's tears and gently hugged her daughter-in-law.
" You are much to emotional right now," Rinako said
" He's full of anger," Karasuma cried on her mother-in-law's shoulder
" You will find away to break the ice around his heart," Rinako said
Sakaki sat on the railing of the veranda and sighed. He looked over the courtyard and just over the gate.
"Ranpu, the streets are safe," Kyoushu said
" You have been a help," Sakaki replied
The assassin walked out the shadows and removed his face mask and hood. His black hair fell from place and Sakaki shook his head.
" What's the matter sire?" Kyoushu asked
" I have banished a man who has tried to assassinate me one to many times and have banished my mistress to only her living quarters. My wife is angry with me because of my new order on my mistress," Sakaki said
Kyoushu gave a 'humph' and a smile crossed the assassin's lips.
" I think his majesty is have women problems," Kyoushu joked
Sakaki shook his head and said, " Right now I only need one woman and that is my wife. The others are free to flee to other men, since they do not interest me."
" I see, and what choices are left over?" Kyoushu said
Sakaki gave a look and laughed a little, something no one really heard him do very often.
" Follow me," he said
Sakaki asked a servant to summon the courtesans, that have not been wedded.
" Married, Highness? Why do you keep them?" Kyoushu asked
" Their husbands lie in the palace walls, they are welcomed to stay here," Sakaki said
16 young courtesans appeared and bowed in respect.
" Stand," Sakaki said
They did just that and Kyoushu looked at them.
" You may chose one," Sakaki said
" They are beautiful Highness," Kyoushu said
" Ladies this is Kyoushu, but don't fear his name," Sakaki said, " He's nothing like what his name means."
" His majesty is much to kind, I am as bad as my name, but I can be a gentleman," Kyoushu said
They giggled and walked around Kyoushu and he smirked.
" I could get use to this," Kyoushu said
" Spend some time I have some things to attend too," Sakaki said
Sakaki walked out and the stable boy came running up the stairs. He came to his knees and bowed.
" Majesty, there has been a murder," he said
" Where?" he questioned
" In the stable," the stable boy said
They ran to the stable and three men were hanging from a large tree behind the stable.
" Who did this?" he questioned
Suddenly, there was a sound of swards hitting some bridals in the stable. Sakaki turned around and saw two men dressed in black.
" Assassins," he whispered
" Taiyou-Sama, it is time to meet your end," he growled
" I don't think so," Sakaki said
Sakaki drew his sword and the men came at Sakaki and both dueled. Sakaki threw him back into the other and pulled a set of daggers. He hit one in the shoulder, and came at the other one.
" Who sent you?" he growled
" Your dead father," one said
Sakaki narrowed his eyes and with his blade killed the first assassin. He looked at the other and narrowed his eyes.
" You will die," he growled, " If your do not tell me."
" Your old friend," the assassin said and struck at Sakaki
Sakaki narrowed his eyes and looked at the dagger in his right shoulder.
" Idiot," Sakaki said and swung his blade
The stable boy turned away and Sakaki pulled the blade out his shoulder. He threw it down and breathed deep.
" Highness, are you alright?" the stable boy asked
Sakaki breathed deep and looked at the men, that laid dead. Sakaki fell to the ground and he heard the stable boy shouting for help.
" I'm a broken arrow," Sakaki thought