(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.
Chapter Fifty-Two
Prepared
One day before the Ball
Onogoro City
As soon as morning came to the sky, Rau had come in view of Onogoro. Rau smiled as he saw the city. Rau rode a little closer and stopped as he surveyed the guards at the gate. Rau was not wearing any of his ZAFT gear, but he had to somehow sneak his new toy in the gates. He knew the guards would not have seen anything like this before, so they would want to examine it. Rau looked around and saw a few other people leaving the city; he was hoping to get in without much notice. Rau took a long cloak he brought with him and picked up some wood that was near on the ground and he disabled the crossbow in a few pieces, as it was well designed for disassemble it really was quite an achievement for the weapons department in Messiah, after it was apart he placed all of them among the firewood.
Rau then placed the crossbow arrows in with it as well and wrapped them up in his cloak. He placed it on the back of his horse, but this would leave his sword visible, but he knew he could come up with some excuse. Rau got back on his horse and started heading for the gate, as the people were coming out Rau hoped he would be able to get in unnoticed, but that didn't happen.
"You their halt," the guards said.
Rau stopped and looked at them, "Is their anything wrong sir." he asked in a different manner.
The guards looked at him, "State your business here, I see a lot of people everyday, but I know I have never seen you."
Rau looked at him, "I just moved here from one of the border villages, it is too dangerous and a merchant was kind enough to give me a job, and I have collected firewood to sell."
The guards eyed his cargo; Rau really did a good job in hiding everything with the wood. Rau knew if they found him out he would have to get rid of them and that would most likely stop the ball.
The guards never opened his cargo they just felt around it and everything seemed alright. Then they saw his sword.
"What is with the sword, a simple merchant would have no need for one, especially in this land." the guard said as something didn't feel right, it was normal for people to carry swords but the guard got a bed vibe from Rau.
Rau looked at him, "With all the ZAFT attacks crossing the borders in the past, you can never be too prepared."
The guard eyed him, everything was clean here but this man still didn't trust him, but a few more people were coming in from the outside and the guard had to check them.
"Go about your business," The guard said as he had to go and check all the other people.
Rau smiled and started riding away, he knew that their were people behind him as well as the ones coming out so he knew it would be fairly easy to get by.
Rau didn't need to look at the map; he knew exactly where the spot was. He looked at the city and it disgusted him. Rau arrived at the downtown area, which was a fairly isolate spot where no one really was. It was in a few desolate allies and contact with other people here would be at a minimum.
Rau got off his horse in front of the small building he stopped at, and he grabbed his cloak with his crossbow inside and went inside.
As soon as Rau walked in he saw that Jibril had prepared everything he would need to get the job done. There were classy clothes that he would use to wear into the ball; on the table was an invitation, along with some food that would hold him over.
Rau set his cloak down and dumped the wood in the corner. Rau started reassembling his crossbow; after the last piece was assembled he placed it on the floor next to the arrows. When Rau was attempting to look over the invitation, the door opened and Rau instantly drew his sword pointing it at the person's neck.
Onogoro Allster Estate
Right before Rau's arrival George was talking with his messenger.
"I have all the money prepared, take it to the location outside the city," George said.
The messenger nodded, "Sir this will without a doubt make you broke."
George looked at him, "It can't be helped, once Flay is Queen we will have it all back and more."
The messenger nodded, "As you wish sir," The messenger said as he walked out of the estate and cover the wagon with all the money and started heading for the outside of the city. He would place the money exactly where the other one did the last time. This man would have no trouble leaving as he was known for running Georges errands.
George watched him leaved and sighed, he hated spending money, but he hated hearing Flay whine even more.
As George was watching Flay entered the room.
"What do you think of my dress for tomorrow daddy?" Flay said as she was feeling great about herself.
George looked at her, as he remembered the price, "Listen Flay, you had better be right about this or we have just wasted a lot of money.
Flay was spinning in her dress, "What does it matter daddy, you have a lot more." Flay said as she was barely able to tell the value of money she would always just whine until George gave her what she wanted.
George sighed, "Just do what you have to do to become Queen, I can do no more."
Flay smiled, "Don't worry daddy, after slave girl gets it tomorrow, I will help him forget about her, besides she stole him from me, I just hope he returns to what he became that day he had his talk with you." Flay said as she was still focusing on her dress.
George shook his head that was one side he never wanted to see again.
"Make sure you're prepared for tomorrow Flay, when it happens don't act happy." George said.
Flay frowned, "But daddy."
George glared at her, "I'm serious Flay, don't screw this up or all of us will pay."
Flay whined again and then left the room, not really caring she just had her mind set on getting Kira.
Onogoro Castle
Jibrils Chambers
Lord Jibril was in his chambers going over some last minute preparations with his subordinate. It was one day before this was going to take place and he had to make sure it went how he planned.
"Have you prepared the safe house?" Jibril asked him.
The subordinate nodded his head, "Yes my lord, all items you requested were left there, and whoever was sent should have no trouble."
Jibril looked at him, "I want you to head their and meet whoever it is, use my name to identify yourself."
"As you wish My Lord, what about Allster?" he asked.
Jibril smiled, "Leave the fool to me, I will stay close to him tomorrow and after the incident happens, I will slip this in his pocket."
"Won't that be a little to obvious sir?" the man asked.
Jibril looked at him seriously, "People know that Allster isn't the most intelligent man, and the King will not be thinking clearly so all he will want to see is the letter."
The subordinate smiled, "Brilliant My Lord."
Jibril looked at him, "You remember how to get whoever is here to the castle don't you?"
The subordinate nodded his head, "I remember My Lord."
"After he gets in you get out and head back to Logos, we will have to stay quiet for awhile after this." Jibril told him.
"I understand My Lord," the subordinate replied.
Jibril smiled again, "We cannot meet again for awhile, just do what I told you and leave the rest to whoever is here."
The man bowed and agreed. He left the chamber and headed straight to the safe house Jibril set up. Jibril stared out the window, a massive gathering was here at Onogoro, and when they see the King loss it, it will only makes his efforts easier. Jibril played that over in his mind.
Kira's Chambers
Kira finished all he needed to do in the past few days so he was free the rest of the time. Kira watched as Lacus looked over the dress she would wear to the ball, Kira had not seen her in it, but it was something he was looking forward to. The dress was custom made for her, Kira had a special tailor come to Onogoro for the making over a week ago, this tailor was so skill the dress was completed on time for this ball. Kira watched as she looked over every inch of it.
"Does it fit right?" Kira asked.
Lacus smiled, "It is perfect, he really did a great job."
Kira looked at her, "It really does look amazing My Lady and I think it would look even better on you."
Lacus looked over at him, "That will not work My King, you will see it on me tomorrow," Lacus told him as she enjoyed teasing him.
Kira frowned but he enjoyed the way Lacus was acting, "You really enjoy this don't you?"
Lacus smiled and walked next to him putting her arms around him, "I do, but you do as well."
Kira laughed a little bit and captured her lips with his own. After a few minutes they broke it.
"Are you nervous about the announcement tomorrow?" Kira asked.
Lacus looked at him, "A little, but I would not have it any other way."
"That's good, because I look forward to marring you," Kira told her.
Lacus blushed, "When…when should we have it?" Lacus asked as she was looking forward to planning out her wedding, she could have experts doing it, but she wanted her and Kira to plan how they wanted their own wedding.
Kira looked at her, "I would marry you tomorrow, but I think we should wait until things settle down a bit."
Lacus looked at him, "What about your sisters wedding, should we wait?"
Kira smiled, "Knowing Cagalli she will probably wait around for awhile, so I think we could plan for it anytime."
Lacus smiled, "I think we…I don't know what to think," Lacus said as both were still in the excited stage when they talked about their wedding and didn't really know how to plan for it yet. Both of them wanted the perfect wedding, and they didn't know how to go about it yet.
Kira seemed to know that they were struggling with ideas, "We don't need to decide anything now Lacus, it will all come together in time."
Lacus smiled, "Your right it is a little overwhelming so I think we should take our time."
"First and foremost we have to get through the banquet I have planned for later," Kira told her.
Lacus looked at him, "I think it will be lovely and I look forward to knowing more about the people there as well."
Kira planned a small feast mostly for himself, Lacus, his mother, Cagalli, Athrun, Nicol, and Mu, and Murrue, that was all he planned it for, but it was still going to be a feast.
Kira looked at her, "I must warn you to be on the lookout for Mu when he is drinking."
Lacus looked at him, "What do you mean?"
Kira laughed, "Last time we had something like this he wound up on top of the castle wall trying to slay a statue, and nearly fell off."
Lacus laughed as she could imagine the main bodyguard in ORB doing such an act.
Kira and Lacus continued on their conversation that went through the day, they had spent the whole day together just with each other. In other parts of the castle it was the same with Athrun and Cagalli, and Mu was running around trying to get Murrue to notice him, but he didn't want to push it as she had said she would accompany him to the ball tomorrow.
Onogoro Safe House
The streets of Onogoro were in full party at this time of day, people were celebration like they did every time there was a major victory. Jibrils subordinate quickly headed to the safe house and when he opened the door he got a surprise.
Inside the small building Rau was attempting to look over the invitation when the door opened and Rau instantly drew his sword pointing it at the person's neck. Jibrils subordinate instantly froze when he felt the blade on his throat, he looked over and saw who it was, and he was a little shocked.
Rau looked at the man, "Oh…its you," Rau said as he knew the man, Rau very slowly removed the blade.
The subordinate looked at him when the blade was removed, "I didn't know you would be handling this General."
Rau looked at him, "There is no room for error, so I will handle it."
The subordinate smiled, "I am sure it will succeed sir."
Rau looked at him, "When will I head to the castle?"
"Tomorrow evening sir, just take the invitation to the guard and walk in, but how will you handle the job? she will no doubt be with the King the whole time."
Rau smiled and showed him his crossbow, "With this, now tell me is their a good place to shoot this from?"
The subordinate thought for a second, he imagined the ball room and where the King would be with Lacus, he thought hard and then he remembered the balcony, it would be dark and desolate.
The man smiled, "There is a balcony overlooking them sir, I think that would be your best bet, no one would be there."
Rau smiled.
"One thing sir how do you plan on getting this in their?" the subordinate said.
Rau looked at him, "Simple you will do it tonight."
The man looked at him funny, "But sir."
"If you go at night the guards will be light and you should make it, and tomorrow stand by to keep any people away from the stairs by the ballroom." Rau told him.
The subordinate looked at him, he was supposed to help Rau, and so he had no choice.
"It will be done general," the man said as he got the feeling Rau knew more about the castle then he let on.
Rau smiled, "Good, take this there tonight, and tomorrow stand watch near the stairs, when I go up let nobody follow me, and act like a guard."
The man smiled and took the crossbow and arrows. "I will not fail general."
Rau smiled, "Make sure you don't," Rau said as he threw him something to cover it, the subordinate was in full armor so he would not cause much suspicion.
Rau watched him leave and smiled, tomorrow he would do his job and then battle with Mu again, nothing couldn't be better for him at the moment.
The subordinate would stay with Rau's weapon until night when he would be able to sneak it into the castle.
Onogoro Castle
When evening approached it was almost time for the feast, Via and Murrue were properly dressed and arrived their early. Nicol was next as he dressed fancy as well. After a while Athrun and Cagalli entered and they started having conversations with the others. Kira and Lacus would be last, and Mu would take them their.
Inside Kira's Chambers they were finally ready for the feast and Mu knocked on the door.
"Hey kid you ready?" Mu asked.
Kira didn't hear as he was memorized by Lacus, she was wearing the dress she first wore when she came to the castle but Kira still loved the way it looked. He really couldn't wait to see her in the new one. Kira and Lacus' eyes met as they were about to kiss, when Mu called out again.
"I know you here me kid," Mu almost yelled.
Kira and Lacus laughed a little and walked out the door, finding Mu. Mu led them to the dinning room and the servants inside made the announcement that the King had arrived.
All people inside the dinning room stopped and returned to their assigned seats as they heard the announcement. As soon as everybody was standing by their seats the guards opened the doors revealing Mu first and then Kira and Lacus. They walked in and Mu stood by his seat by the door, while Kira and Lacus went to their seats at the head of the table. As they were walking by all bowed in respect, and they stopped when they came to their seats. Kira lead Lacus to hers and she sat down, he went back over to his and soon joined her. As soon as the King was seated all in the room sat as well.
Kira looked up, "I appreciate all coming to Onogoro for the ball, and I am grateful that we could all have a meal together."
All smiled at their King, "I still can't believe you made us attend this," Cagalli told him.
Kira smiled, "It is in part for you and Athrun, so I had to make sure you attended."
Cagalli glared at him.
"I just found that news out and I wanted to congratulate you," Nicol said.
Athrun looked at him, "We appreciate your kind words."
"Any idea when you will have your wedding?" Mu asked.
Athrun and Cagalli looked at each other.
"We have yet to discuss when, but we came up with most of the details," Athrun told them.
"That's good to hear," Kira told them.
"I'm curious about the details," Mu said as he was starting to head for the wine.
Cagalli looked at him, "We want to have it in Boaz, and we want the people there to be apart of it somehow."
Kira nodded his head, "That would be nice, I am happy for you both."
Athrun looked at him, "Your words honor us, and I know it would be a lot of trouble for you attend this wedding at Boaz."
Mu looked at him, "He is right sire, security will have to have weeks to plan for it."
Kira looked at him, "This is a wedding for them and I really don't want it to turn into a defensive matter, they want the people to take part in it."
"I know, but my job is to make sure your safe at all times, it will have to be done." Mu told them.
Athrun looked at Kira, "He is right, I will give full authority to the royal guard so you can prepare whatever you need; besides Cagalli is the princess so I was going to request more security anyway."
Cagalli looked at him, "Please stop calling me that."
All got a little laugh out of that.
"Just let me know when you have it so I can clear my schedule," Kira told him as he and Lacus were listening to every detail. Depending on there own wedding security there would be nothing compared to what theirs would be like.
Mu was already downing the bottles of wine and Murrue glared at him when he was staring at her.
"I really look forward to tomorrow My Lord, I was wondering if…" Nicol was saying but Kira cut him off.
"Of course you can join the orchestra," Kira said as he knew Nicol would want to play some of the songs he composed; it was a little hobby of his.
Nicol smiled, "Thank you sir."
Mu was about three sheets to the wind know.
"Hey kid…with all the talk about weddings…when is yours?" Mu asked slurring his words a little bit.
Kira and Lacus instantly looked up at him, they knew he didn't know but it still made them look.
"Yeah brother you should have been married on our birthday, but you waited and found the right girl, so when will you two tie the knot," Cagalli teasingly asked.
Kira glared at her, "We will take our time on the matter."
Lacus was glad Kira was able to save it, they were going to shock the highest people of ORB tomorrow she would not be able to take two days of it.
Via looked on with interest and saw them tense up.
"Everybody moves at their own pace dear," Via said.
Everybody turned to look at her.
"I know mother but still," Cagalli said.
Via looked at her, "Things will happen in time, just like with what happened to you."
Cagalli said no more.
After a few hours of eating and talking Mu was really out of it and passed out on his chair and then fell backwards.
"What a moron?" Murrue said.
Via laughed at her. She knew Murrue was more different than she lead on to be.
"At least he is not on the castle ledge again," Kira said.
Lacus giggled.
They continued talking a little while longer and after night hit the sky they decided to retire. They left Mu asleep on the floor; he would sleep it off and be fine in the morning.
They retired to there room's and went to sleep.
With the Subordinate
As night came upon the sky, Jibril's guy knew he had to get Rau's weapon to the spot on the balcony. He knew he could get into the castle but he didn't need the guards seeing what he had. He decided to wait until a patrol returned to the castle to get in. As the patrol returned he watched the guards open the gates and he quickly rode up to them, doing his best to hid the crossbow, he had a couple regular bows and tried to hid it in with them, he hoped it would be enough not to draw their suspicion.
As soon as he neared the castle the guards looked at him and then noticed all the bows he carried.
"What's with those?" he asked, it was dark and he could see all of them to well.
The subordinate looked at him, "I am just trying out a few new bows, and I wanted to use the targets."
"At this time of night?" the guard asked.
He nodded in agreement, "I need to try these out it is really bugging me."
This subordinate was always a little strange so the guards allowed him to go in.
The subordinate rode in and jumped off his horse. He waited near some of the other castle entries and when the guards changed shifts he knew he had about thirty seconds so he took that chance and slipped in the castle. As soon as he was in the castle he came in the door that was nearest to the ballroom. He went through the hallways and found the ballroom. Instead of going in the main entrance he used a door off to the right that tomorrow would be guarded. They would do a check tomorrow but thanks to Jibril he was the one ordered to patrol this part so he could easily let Rau in.
The subordinate quickly went up the stairs and found the balcony that was right across from where Rau's target would be. He placed the crossbow and arrows near the ledge near the corner of the balcony, and he placed a cloak around them. After he was done he quickly left the room and castle pleased that he was able to do it.
Over in Rau's safe house he was going over exactly what to do tomorrow he would accomplish his goal and battle Mu, this would lead to his ultimate goal, and that was all he wanted.
To be continued…
(AN): I hope you liked this chapter; the next one will be the day of the ball. It should be up by Friday. Bye for now.