An: Another chapter, another day or whatever. Read on!
Chapter Eleven
Kunanai leaned heavily against a tree catching her breath. They had been running since midnight and now the suns rosy fingers caressed their way through the night sky. Han sat across from her, gulping fresh spring water down as she relaxed to catch her breath as well.
"So how much longer until we reach Maki's?" Han asked finally leaning back.
"We'll only travel by night so a half night," Kunanai replied, lighting running her hand over the bark of a thick oak.
She leaned in and began whispering, her hands running over the crevices.
"What are you doing?"
A moment later, the tree opened, a thick hollow leading down to a chamber. A light glow could be seen in the depths of the chamber revealing two cots carved from the tree's wooded roots. A small table with three stools stood in the middle with a Fire Sprite resting in the hearth on a bed of leaves.
Kunanai smiled, "Dai, I've come."
The Sprite stretched, gazing sleepily before recognizing Kunanai. She jumped up, running to her with much enthusiasm.
"Did, Maki wish for us to rest here?"
The Sprite, Dai nodded, motioning to the table where food began to appear. Kunanai smiled, looking back at Han before moving to the table to eat her fill before bed.
Flashback
Everyone gathered in the square, watching Dananu stand consulting with Inari before they were to begin the ceremony. They could not remember when the last was appointed leader of the Demon Army but they had heard it was quite painful. Inari looked out over the square smiling graciously as the crowd's cheers filled the city.
He raised his hands for silence, "My friends and people, for months we have searched for our rightful Demon Army leader and now Lord Inari has brought them to us. As has been the custom of our people to place upon the Kitsune the Jagan, Third Eye."
He looked at Inari who nodded, "My people, I present to you, Lady Shimora, your new leader of the Demon Army."
Kunanai stepped out, her hair blowing from its hold in a high ponytail. She stared unnerved at the cheering crowd, watching as the people waved to her.
Dananu continued, "My young brother, Lord Yananu will be her second. Now I'm afraid my people, Shimora must go to receive her honor but tomorrow we feast in her honor."
Lord Inari placed a comforting hand on Kunanai's shoulder and led her into the castle from the crowd. She remained calm as if nothing were about to happen. Through the doors however stood a doctor who had once been evil and had given the Jagan its nickname. Kunanai let Lord Inari turn her towards him, staring defiantly into his eyes.
"Good luck, dear. I will be waiting when you come from the ceremony," he whispered placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before once again pressing his lips to hers.
Kunanai nodded, squeezing his hand before entering the room. A giant of eight feet stood before her, his thin body covered by a white cloak that covered his whole body including his head. Where his eyes were goggles rested, the lens tinted so they could not be seen. His pants and shoes seemed to blend as one in the same black color.
"So I am to put the Jagan in a female child?" his voice hissed and sent chills of distrust throughout Kunanai.
"I have been through more than you, Snake so begin the damn ceremony," she growled taking her place on the operation table below an intricate machine.
The Doctor stepped forward, placing tight leather bonds around her wrists and ankles as to keep her still. Next he pressed a button and the metal below her formed to her body making it impossible to move in the least.
"This will make sure you cannot ripe your own eyes out during the procedure. Are you sure you would like to go through with this?"
Kunanai nodded slightly finding that she had to lift her head to do so. The Doctor moved from her side and began pushing buttons on the controls. Kunanai closed her eyes, not wishing to see the twisting needles and knives spinning above her slowly descending to begin the tasks of placing the Jagan in her forehead. The slow cuts began ripping the skin open causing her to scream out in pain as her muscles and nerves were cut making for her Jagan.
She awoke hours later, her body numb from the pain she had experienced. She felt light-headed and dizzy from the blood loss. She could feel someone in the room but refused to open her eyes as pain throbbed across her temple.
"Darling, have you awoken?" Lord Inari questioned helping her sit up slightly so she could drink the potion to clear the pain.
She hesitantly opened her eyes, startled when she saw three images trying to join together. The top overlapped the other two but seemed to see beyond that which was in the room. It seemed the stonewalls blocked out noises from the room as two secret lovers met for an evening liaison.
"Is there nothing to keep from seeing these images?" she asked closing her eyes once more.
She felt something cover her forehead, the skin covering her third eye.
"It's a ward. Now in order to use your Jagan you must remove the cloth."
Kunanai smiled, grasping his hand, "Thank you so much, Inari. You're all I truly have left in this world. Everyone else has gone on."
He lightly smoothed her hair, leaning to brush a kiss on her cheek, "You should rest. I've heard a war is raging between Jantu and the Konai's"
Kunanai nodded, letting herself begin to give up to sleep. The Konai were a group of Demon that claimed to be descendants of the Kitsune's though in truth were closely related to the Koni's or rat Demon.
Dawn had hardly come to Jantu bathing Kunanai's room in a red tinge before she awoke. Much to her surprise she felt no pain but instead felt a strength like no other. It seemed as if she had doubled her power with no training. A bell sounded in the distance, drawing her attention. She could hear people hurrying about in the beginnings of day. The market, she imagined was reaching its busiest season as spring approached the Makai and many began to travel.
She hesitated, trying to decide whether she would get out of the bed or not. Since she was the leader of the Demon Army, she decided she had to at least try since they needed her strength. She pulled the covers back, greeted by the cool air that entered from the balcony door. She lightly set her feet on the floor, slowly putting her weight on them. She closed her eyes and stood, clasping the bedpost as a wave of dizziness hit her.
A moment later it passed much to her gratitude. She found herself clothed in black silk pajama top that stopped an inch above her navel and matching pants that started and inch below her navel. She grabbed her robe from the end of the bed and put it on, leaving it open as she walked to the balcony. People hurried by beneath her window, not caring to look up at the lone balcony above. She smiled to herself, leaning further to breath in the sweet scent of cooking meats.
"Hello, Lady Shimora," a voice called to her from below followed by others.
She glanced around watching as people waved to her. She smiled slightly, raising her hand to wave at them when her eyes widened. She jumped off the balcony, landing gracefully on the ground below before running towards the group. She skidded to a stop, bracing herself when suddenly a gold ball of energy, six feet wide, and four feet tall appeared colliding towards them. Many scream, running from the ball but seemed frozen in fear.
A shield of black energy surrounded them, shocking many of them as the energy ball hit, sparks flying out from the wall. She pushed on the wall harder trying to dispel the energy ball that surrounded. It suddenly flew the other direction, retracing its original course. The shield fell around them, Kunanai standing erect once more as she shook out the stiffness in her joints. A moment later her hand shot out, clasping the shaft of a black arrow that was aimed for her heart on the right side of her chest.
She growled, snatching a bow off of the ground as it leaned against a booth. She nocked the arrow, after pulling the ward from her forehead. It took her a moment to realize that she needed to close her original eyes or the Jagan would remain asleep. When she did so, she watched the scenes around her disappear as she seemingly sped towards the assassin. He stood atop a far off tree, shielding his eyes from the sun as he tried to see if she was dead. With a smirk, she released the arrow and sent it flying.
His eyes widened as he saw the arrow coming towards him rapidly. Even when he tried to dodge, it was useless as the arrow struck its mark true, pinning him through his heart to the tree. Blood coated the front of his shirt, dripping down to the ground below him.
"Someone go get the assassin. He's dead so it does not matter," she requested as she replaced the ward over her Jagan.
The crowd cheered, only parting when Lord Inari and Dananu pushed their way through to Kunanai. She swayed slightly grabbing hold of the nearest person. They grasped her as well, pulling her towards them, their arm around her waist. She turned towards them, coming eye to eye with Dananu. He smiled, motioning with head to move back to the castle. She nodded her consent, leaning dependently on him as he helped her to the castle. It took but a moment to reach a small chamber within the castle.
He rested her on the couch made of black leather. She smiled up at him with gratitude, moving to sit up.
"Ok, who was the freak trying to kill me?" she asked resting her elbows on her knees so she could look at them both.
Dananu turned from her, his hands folded behind his back as he gazed out the window before him.
"I'm sorry that happened, I had thought the assassins would wait until the feast before they killed again."
Kunanai stood, spinning Dananu around so she could look him in the eye, "Explain what's going on. I can't help you unless I know what is happening and how you plan on handling it."
He stared into her eyes before sighing, "The Koni's bought them to kill my brother, me, and the new Demon Army leader. We had issued an ultimatum to the King of the Koni, Lord Yamaci. He's the cousin of the Lord of Purgatory, Yacumo. Anyway he wished for Jantu to be his. Now it seems the only choice we have is to go to war with them."
Kunanai smiled, "Then I'm afraid the feast must wait. Gather the men, we move today. I will not have my people murdered when I can stop them."
Lord Inari placed a hand on her shoulder, "Are you sure of this? You do not know the formations yet."
Kunanai shrugged, "I have Yananu to help now we must move within the hour."
Dananu nodded hurrying from the room. Lord Inari sighed, wrapping his arm around her waist. In the next instant they appeared in her room. Lord Inari stepped back, watching her closely.
"I do not know if you will make it or not but I can use my power to help you as I can," he whispered, placing a hand atop her head.
Black armor slowly contoured to Kunanai's torso, forming to her build. Upon the chest was the emblem of Lord Inari, a white fox with seven tails. Boots with a slight heel finished the armor, leaving the palms of her hands and her head uncovered.
She looked down at herself before hugging Lord Inari, "Thank you so much."
He nodded, hugging her for a second before pushing her away, "It is best you put your weapons on."
She nodded, tying her swords to her armor before noticing the helmet that rested next to them. It was pure black with armor cut to cover her ears as well. The front was mostly shut except for a place where her eyes, nose, and mouth were. She smiled back at him before hearing the bell ring shrilly that a Dragon floated just outside waiting patiently. She climbed onto its back, startled when it first flew out to the field.
It was silver and its scales felt like silk under her hands. The fur that covered its neck was velvet that flowed on the wind. A huge army of thousands spread out before her. She gasped, spotting Yananu on another Dragon though this one was blue in color. She nodded to him, unsure of what to do now. The crowd below her shifted uneasily. Then she decided on what to so. She pulled her sword from its scabbard, the blade shining in the morning light.
With it held high, she yelled, "My people hear my words and take courage. The kingdom does not need heroes; it needs protectors. The world does not need warriors; it needs peacemakers. Jantu is the sight of peace and war. And we are the warriors, the peacemakers, and the protectors. We are Kitsunes with pride and love. Let us fight but fight with honor."
The men raised their weapons as one and scream at the top of their lungs in answer to her words, charging into the distance to battle.
End Flashback
They moved quickly once night fell, hurrying in the shadows that hid them so well. They froze under an evergreen, the branches hiding them as a scout moved by silently. They turned back moments later and left, their manner relaxed as they returned to the castle. It was sad that they had to return empty-handed. She hurried into the distance, making sure Han was close behind her. It took a moment to realize they had reached the meeting place.
The garden was lush, spreading for miles at either side. Herbs filled the sir with their naturally relaxing scent. As she gazed throughout the field, she heard footsteps approaching from behind. Han and her both hid in the herbs, covering their noses so the scents would not effect them. Three soldiers stepped out, patrolling, scanning the area as if they could smell them. A moment later the herbs scent took affect on the, causing both to fall asleep.
TBC
An: Yep…they finally got some where but what will happen? Shall they be caught? Guess you'll have to read and find out. Sorry. Review please. Much Love, S. Hunter