Author's Note: I also would like to say I'm sorry for yet, once again, irregular update time…I've been to a seminar this weekend, thus my plan on updating earlier was, say, postponed up to this date.
Disclaimers Applied!
Thanks for the reviews:
deity of death1, BitterStalker, Here4TheParty, Elementalmoon, Kitsune Kit, SilverTear, baka-onna2003, Crescent Venus, SakuraMikoLeeSetsu, Lady Meru, junyortrakr, sunshine14586, Mizustarangel, natsumi-chan, Melanie-Chan, FallenStardust, animefreak03, i won't tell, annetheatre, Dancing Doll, Curtis Zidane Ziraa, Firefox, angelprincess22, Lillian Claire, disguise, RelenaxHeeroFan, Psychogirly, tigerw114, tania, ditzypeony, lite-clouds
And some questions that caught my attention:
mai - you need to have a yahoo id to join the mailing list. otherwise, just go to my site and there was a part there where you can just type your email address and you're already a member.
Penny: Angel of Darkest Dreams - for your question: Yomi will appear in the third saga of the third series...he belongs to Kurama's past...
Lady-Anheleta-of-Darkness - I'm going to admit that this fic is based on a book, but not something called "The Secret". If you will go back to my earlier chapters, I think in chapter three, I credited Julie Garwood's Books because she was the one who inspired me to write this fic. Anyway, thanks for reminding me again, so that I may credit her works again:
I would like to inform everyone that this fic you've been reading and loving was based on Julie Garwood's Books (The Wedding, Prince Charming, Gentle Warrior and The Prize). Scenes may be similar and I don't mean to plagiarize her work, I just wanted to personalize it to fit this fanfiction...thank you very much.
STOLEN HEARTS
Chapter 18: Spare No One
She woke up alone in bed.
And she was surprised to realize how late it was.
Obviously, having been unable to sleep for a week because of their argument, she took the first opportunity to sleep as long as possible last night – when she was in his arms.
She touched his side of bed and was not at all surprised when it was cold. Her husband was such an early riser.
She stood up and stretched and was about to get dressed when a soft knock interrupted her.
"Come in," she said and yawned.
Naomi entered, followed by two servants, each carrying a tray of food.
"And to whom do I owe this wonderful breakfast in bed?" she asked and smiled gratefully at them.
The two servants bowed after setting the breakfast on the table and quickly exited.
"Lord Kurama asked us to bring you breakfast and bath here, milady," Naomi said softly.
"Really?" she asked as she stood up then strode to her room.
Naomi called out to stop her, but she was too late. Botan had already entered the other room. "Where are my things?" she asked, returning to her husband's room.
Naomi hesitated, then carefully chose her words. "Uh, milord asked us to move your things back here, so we did."
Botan nodded and forced the smile not to appear on her face. It doesn't mean she's forgiven, or he'd accepted her heart. "Did he say, by any chance, mention the reason behind this?"
Naomi shook her head. "We weren't in the position to ask."
Botan nodded. "I see."
Naomi was about to say something, but clearly, she was shy about it, so Botan prompted her to it. "Yes?"
"Is there anything else you need, milady?"
Botan smiled. "I can manage on my own. Thank you, Naomi. You may now go back to your other responsibilities."
Naomi bowed out of respect then left the room.
When she was left alone in the room, she approached the table to see what breakfast they brought her when she saw a piece of paper folded neatly with her name written on top.
Botan,
Please obey me this time. I need you to stay in your room until I tell you it's safe to go out. Do not defy me. This is for your own safety.
Normally, she would have no qualms defying an order such as this. Do not leave the room?! He didn't even specify a number of days. For all she knew, it could take months before it was again safe for her to go out.
But.
That was before.
Right now, she knew that her husband take his orders and demand obedience of them seriously – especially things that has something to do with her safety.
There was also that fact that there was a sense of desperation and plea on his letter, almost begging her to obey him for this one.
Botan folded the note and sighed.
Obviously, she would follow his order.
Defiance was simply out of the question.
Not now when they were treading a vulnerable path because of their recent argument. It was a truce between them and she wasn't about to dampen that by defying him.
She sighed again and resigned to her fate.
After all, things couldn't possibly get worse, right?
"We need all of them here save for two who could look after the villagers while we're away," Kurama told Kuronue, eyes reflecting tiredness.
Kuronue nodded. "Should I bring Yukina along? This might pose as a problem with your wife," he said.
"Yes, yes, bring her along. She's talented," he paused then gave Kuronue a look then smirked. "And with the way she took care of you, I know you'll protect her with all your life, ne?"
Kuronue stiffened, then turned away, the kitsune hearing a muttered "Baka!" from his retreating figure.
Then they focused again at the task on hand.
The battle lasted for one month, with the forces of Kurama emerging as victorious.
That was quite expected, really. The Raizen's, though multiple in numbers, were quite weak in battle.
Something to do with the lack of good training.
There was a little casualty – all of them belonging to the troops. Kurama had smartly stationed all of their soldiers outside the wall – preventing the enemies to enter their estate and do damage to the weaker villagers and inexperienced cubs.
There were a lot of wounded, though. And that was the reason why returning to the keep was taking so long. And also the reason for fetching a batch of healers again.
Soldiers requiring healers are helped first by those able ones. And Kurama won't move on until each and everyone of his soldiers have been attended to.
Yomi's side was a different scenario, though.
Out of all the soldiers he brought with him, only a few survived – their number not even reaching a hundred.
Something to do with the lack of management and encouragement from their lord.
Reilan, tired and impatient from all that has been going on, decided to look up on his mistress. For the past few days, Botan had dutifully complied with her husband's wishes and Reilan, taking pity on her, tried to spend some time with her to keep her company.
He knocked softy on her door. "Milady?"
"Come in, Reilan," she said.
He smiled and entered the room. "Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, too. Any news, so far?" she asked.
They started their conversation like this every morning, with her asking news about the war. On the outside, she seemed calm and remotely attached to what was going on.
Her eyes reflected otherwise.
With every question and inquiry lies a deep craving and desperation that begged to please tell her that her husband and everything was fine.
This was the first time Reilan actually smiled when he delivered the news. "It is done, milady. The kitsune and the troops who survived will come back soon."
Botan nodded nonchalantly but her eyes relaxed visibly. "And Kuronue?"
Kuronue had recovered miraculously fast that he'd been able to join the fight, leaving Reilan to manage what was left of the troop's defense.
"He'll be arriving tonight with some of the troops. They need healers out there and Kuronue's not risking them by making then travel without protection."
Botan nodded again. "That was a good idea."
"You do realize that Yukina's one of them?" Reilan asked, indirectly warning her that Yukina might be risking her life for this.
She shrugged nonchalantly. After all, it was time for her sister to stand up on her own two feet. "I'm sure Kuronue would protect her with all his powers."
And then, she turned serious. "What about Yomi's troops?"
"Very few survived. Tora died. I feel sorry for him, though," he said, noticing how her eyes grew afraid at the sudden switch of topic.
"Will he return here or go back to their estate?" she asked.
"I don't think there's anything left here for them to go back here. So I think they'll head back to their estate," he said, while looking at her curiously.
"And will we see them again?" she asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
He walked towards the windows. "Probably. When it's convenient for both lords to do so. But not frequently. I guess we'll see them in three years or so, and if we're lucky – in five."
Botan sighed with relief – a gesture she cannot help.
"Is there something wrong, milady?" Reilan asked, and frowned.
True, it wasn't his business to know, or even ask, about things concerning his mistress, but as long as Kurama's not around to take charge, then it's his duty to do so.
Botan looked at him and smiled weakly. "Can I tell you a secret?"
Reilan nodded.
"I'm terrified of him."
Naomi sat on one of the chairs in the kitchen and stared at her cup of coffee nervously.
The battle had left an eerie and uncomfortable atmosphere in the estate, especially in the houses where a soldier fighting out there with their lord lived.
Tonight was no exception – especially when it was the night some of the soldiers will return to fetch the healers. Tonight, it would be known who among the soldiers lived for another battle. And who didn't.
"Staring at the cup won't do you any good, Naomi. Why don't you just go out there and wait for their arrival?" Aura, fellow servant, told her.
Naomi just shook her head, tears gathering at the corner of her eyes. "He must be seeing someone new now," she said.
Baku, the head chef, snorted his disapproval. "You've gotta be kidding me if you tell me that lad does not feel anything for you anymore. He kept on staring at you from a distance with that disgusting look of longing on his face."
Naomi blushed, about to retort when she heard someone entered the kitchen. She turned around and stood up suddenly. "Why aren't you dead?" she asked with controlled anger.
"Well, I can say someone's happy to see me," he said sarcastically, then turned to Baku. He had no time for her moods, if she didn't want to believe him that he wasn't two-timing her, then so be it. "Jisan, I'm hungry."
"You're not dead," Naomi said, this time, her voice was thick with tears, and slowly approached him.
He looked at her impatiently. "Yes, yes. I'm not –"
She cut him off with a kiss so hot, they felt the electricity and desire coursing through their veins as they tried to get closer to each other.
"Oh, come on. Get a room!" Aura said disgustedly, the couple jumped apart.
Naomi, blushing, began to move away but Olic grabbed her. "You started this, you damn well should finish this," he said and looked at her intensely.
She nodded and exited the room to wait for him outside just when Baku snorted again. "Hn. Young ones!"
Olic, however, smiled goofily. "Ne, jisan. I'm going to marry that girl," he said as he followed her outside. He mentally noted to tell his Lord Kuronue he won't be going back in the field with him tomorrow.
The dinner was obviously forgotten.
He stiffened when he sensed that someone entered the room and he quickly grabbed the dagger from under his pillow while he pretended to be asleep on his stomach.
The rustles of silk reached his ears and her scent filled his nostrils when she walked towards his bed.
And, wonders of wonders, he felt her cover him up with a blanket, smoothened some of his dark locks from his face and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Sleep well, Kuronue," Yukina whispered, then stood up and left.
As soon as the door was shut gently behind her, he sat up, dumbfounded.
The woman was crazy, he thought. Sneaking in his room…he could have thrown the dagger and accidentally kill her because of that…that stupid –
Aw, hell! Who was he kidding? He'd known who she was even before she opened the door.
He sighed and lay down again. He had to admit, it was a very thoughtful and incredibly sweet thing to do.
But damned stupid! Coming into his room in the middle of the night…feh!
But then, it was actually nice to have someone take care of him that much.
Besides, he thought, milady already told me she'd like it if I become a part of her family.
Suddenly, marriage didn't seem as repulsive as it used to be.
He fell asleep with a silly smile on his face.
She was tidying up their chambers when she spotted the dagger under her pillow. Curiously, she picked it up and remembered seeing one like that from Reilan.
This must be some sort of a friendship or a bond symbol, she thought.
She mentally noted to ask her husband that if it is, she would ask him to give her one. And one for Yukina, too. It was such a pretty thing.
She smiled as she cleaned it with a rag. For now, it would be hers to keep – well, until her husband returned and she could ask for her own.
And hadn't she been sleeping in her husband's side of bed, she would have seen it sooner.
But she missed him so much and because his side of bed painfully smelled of him, she chose to sleep there so that even in dreams, he would be with her.
Ever since they got married, there'd been nothing but trouble in their relationship. And during those times when they'd had peace, she was trying to act like a proper wife or he was out during the hunt.
Secretly, she yearned to have some quality time with her husband. Naomi once assured her that her husband wasn't normally this busy. She even predicted that after the war, everything will be back to normal and he'll stay here for a few months before going to another hunt.
Just like it used to be when they weren't married yet.
Naomi even told her that maybe he'll stay here for a longer time since he won't be out for any sexual escapades anymore with different women.
The idea secretly made her sick with jealousy but she wished, that one day, Kurama would drag her on a trip just like those he had for a long time so that they could spend a few days alone together.
And idea struck her and she just had to smile. Well, if he wouldn't invite her, she'd just have to ask him, instead.
And with that thought, she put the dagger on the table and kneeled to open one of the drawers and clean it from unimportant contents.
She haven't been kneeling for a minute when she heard the door squeak and because she'd always kept the door open or unlocked to welcome visitors, she'd assumed it was just the wind that caused it. But when she heard the clicking of lock in place, she knew instantly who it was.
She turned around slowly, grabbing the dagger, and saw him.
Yomi looked at her hungrily before taking off his tunic.
Reilan was doing his routine patrol when he had been informed that Yomi came back to the Keep.
"He's just asking for a replenishment of their supplies before going back to their lands. They said what they had won't be enough. His soldiers were outside the fortress."
Reilan quickly nodded then turned to the direction of the keep. His mistress had told him once that she was terrified of Yomi, and by gods, he would stay by her side until he left the estate.
But the nearer he got to the keep, the quicker his pace became, his heartbeat accelerating with every passing second. He didn't know why he felt as if she were in trouble but he was already running just to be able to get to her.
And then he heard the scream. He thought his heart stopped beating as he reached for his sword. "Son of a bitch!" he roared.
Everyone was now running to the courtyard and the silence that followed the scream terrified all of them.
He looked up to her chamber's window and he saw a man, clutching his eyes, swaying until he lost his balance and fell.
Her chamber, being on the third level, was so high that he landed with a sickening thud. Mouth wide open, blood dripping from his closed and cut eyelids.
And then, Reilan ran. Kami, please let her be alive, he chanted over and over to himself.
He was a few steps away from the keep when the door was suddenly pulled open and out came a running Botan.
He stopped dead in his tracks as she looked more terrifying than her anguished scream; he wondered how she'd managed to walk, much more, run.
There was a haunted look in her eyes, her skin pale and she was shaking terribly. There was also blood – everywhere.
He walked towards her to take her in his arms but she ran towards Yomi's dead body instead.
"Hurry, Reilan, help me hide him," she said desperately while sobbing, refusing to look at him.
A number of soldiers surrounded Yomi's body but when Botan approached, they gave way to her, their expressions one and the same – rage.
She grabbed Olic's soldiers. "You have to believe…I didn't kill him…he was covering my mouth…and then…no, no, no…he jumped…that he did…Olic, I tried to cut his arms but I can only reach his face…yes, he tripped and fell…I can't scream for help," she rambled then grabbed Yomi's foot and tried to drag his body away.
"I'll do it, milady," Reilan said calmly as he tried to get her away from the site, not even noticing the lack of help from his soldiers as they were all shocked from what had just happened to their beloved mistress.
"Yes, please, hide it. If his clan knew what happened, there would be another war, ne?" Botan said.
"There would be no one left to declare war on us, milady," he said calmly, but his eyes betrayed the anger he felt inside – but it looks like she hadn't heard a word he said.
"Now, he's never going to love me. I only bring him trouble," she said and tears streamed down her face.
"Milady, you need to see a healer," he said, ignoring her statement. It wasn't in his position to tell her what her husband really feels.
And though the stupid kitsune haven't realized it yet, he really noticed how his friend's hearts slowly melted with his feelings for his wife.
Reilan tried taking her in his arms but she stepped away from him. "No, no. I'm not clean, Reilan. He was on me and…don't touch me," she sobbed, then threw herself in his arms.
"Will he ever love me now?" she asked, then fainted.
Reilan quickly lifted her then turned to Olic. "Go fetch Yukina, she'll need her help. Tell Kurama what had happened and, damn it, Olic, just make sure he understands that she's fine now," he said in a low voice.
Olic nodded then turned to get his horse from the stables.
Reilan turned to the other soldiers. "We will not accept this disrespect. Go and attack what was left of the bastard's soldiers outside this fortress," he ordered then turned to leave.
A soldier called out to him. "What will we do to his body, sire?"
Reilan paused, but didn't turn around. "Feed it to the animals. He did not deserve to be remembered in any way. Take the dagger and clean it before returning it to the kitsune. Sp that he may feel, even a little, that the bastard was killed using his weapon."
Another pause.
And then. "Remember, spare no one. Bring justice to your mistress."
Author's Note: I know almost all of you wanted Kurama to rescue Botan but we have to admit it was cliche and I wanted to portray that Botan can sometimes do things on her own and not always rely on her darling husband. Now, that was a cruel decision by Reilan…but of course, we must remember that they we're thieves…thus, it is expected of them. Though the trio was portrayed in this story as very huggable and lovable men, let's not forget that inside, there lies a cold heart in each of them. Also, I would like to thank you for supporting Kuronue/Yukina pairing in this fic...I didn't know it will work out well...in the series, they didn't even know each other and their pairing was miraculously successful. Thank you all!
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