Ch.9- The Plan

That evening they sat at the table as if nothing happened. Yomi carried on the story he was telling her earlier about the grave robbing. Brianna tried to focus and let that entertain her thoughts, but she couldn't help thinking about his touch. She almost yearned for it again. She let him continue to take the lead on the conversation for the night. After dessert, she stood up with a little difficulty. Yomi quickly grabbed her as she let out a giggle.

"I think you've had a little too much to drink, Brianna." he said with a chuckle. He walked her to the stairs.

"I think I've had just the right amount to drink." she said as they ascended the steps. "I feel fantastic!" she exclaimed softly. He chuckled again. When they got to her door, she turned to face him. She wrapped one arms around his back and the other behind his neck, pulling him in for a kiss on the lips. He was shocked by this but embraced her in return. He cupped her face and returned the kiss as he pushed her against the wall. She moaned softly. He let one of his hands run down her neck and chest as they kept kissing. "Touch me again." she begged against his lips. He stopped. His breath was a little heavy. He stroked her face.

"Not like this, Brianna." he said. She looked at him perplexed. "I want you sober when you beg me to touch you." He stepped back, leaving her against the wall almost out of breath. "Good night." he said as he walked away.

"Good night." she replied in disappointment. Then she attempted to make it into the room on her own. Once the door was open, she had a good eight feet between her and the bed. She began to walk towards it without the wall to hold her up but ended up falling about three feet in. Risha rushed in and helped Brianna off the floor. She dashed to the bathroom and returned with a bucket just in time.

The next day, Brianna awoke to a bit of a headache. The sun was up though. She slept through the night and couldn't recall any nightmares. She did think back to how she kissed Yomi and begged him to touch her. She held her head in her hands in pain and shame. She wasn't sure how to face him. Risha entered without knocking. She had two buckets of water with her and went straight into the bathroom. Brianna could hear the water going into the tub. Risha came back in.

"You're finally awake!" she exclaimed with some sarcasm. "Let's get you cleaned up. I swear, you must have thrown up your entire dinner last night."

"Please quit shouting at me." Brianna replied. She got up slowly. Risha came over and helped her get to the bathroom. She helped Brianna strip down and get in the tub. It was a little colder than her last bath, but it helped her snap out of it. She began to wash off with her cloth on the side as Risha did her back and hair again. "Has Lord Yomi had breakfast already?" she asked.

"Yes." Risha said softly. "I made you something special to help with the hangover."

"What is on the agenda after that?" she asked.

"Whatever you'd like." replied Risha. "Lord Yomi has left. During breakfast he was notified of a matter needing his immediate attention." Brianna nodded.

After the bath, Risha helped Brianna dress. She went downstairs and ate her food in the garden. As she finished, Risha come out with Senju and Valetina in tow. Risha gathered up her bowl of soup.

"You have guest, my dear." she said softly.

"Thank you, Risha." said Brianna. "Do you mind bringing us some tea?"

"What's with the pleasantries, Brianna?" asked Valentina. "Senju said you almost killed him yesterday." Brianna looked to them. Risha stayed by Brianna side as they stared each other down.

"I didn't though." said Brianna. She looked to Risha. "Tea, please. They won't hurt me." Risha looked unsure but left Brianna side.

"I see you've taken well to being of status." said Senju.

"Stop!" snapped Brianna. "Sit down and speak. I highly doubt you came to fight. Both of you have too much of a soft spoke for me." There was a tense moment of silence between all of them. It was broken by the dragging of a chair as Senju pulled a chair out for Valentina. She sat down uneasy. Senju pulled out his own chair and sat as well.

"So what does fucking the king get you, Brianna?" asked Valentina. Brianna laughed.

"I wouldn't know." she replied still amused. "Didn't you say he was into men, Senju?" she asked. "He turned me down last night so that must be true." The two looked between each other shocked. "He is willing to help me get the fort back as long as it flies his flag. Since we all all living in his land now anyway, that doesn't seem like the worst price to pay."

"So that's the end game?" asked Senju. "Reclaim you home and then what? You expect to govern it?" Brianna leaned forward.

"That's the idea, Senju." she stated. "I'm sorry for nearly killing you yesterday. Yomi is right that I need you at my side… as long as you understand your place."

"My place?" he asked.

"Yes, your place." she reiterated. "You followed my father and mother then you followed my brother. Now it's time you follow me...or get out of my way." Brianna was stern on this. Senju smiled.

"You're reminding me of your father again." he said.

"Good." she replied. Risha came out with the tea. She began to serve it. She started with Brianna then served Valentina and Senju. "I've decided what I'll be doing today, Risha."

"Yes, ma'am?" asked Risha.

"I need different clothes." she said. "I will be training. I hope to join the fight for the border soon." Risha smiled.

"I'll get right on that." she said. She hurried off.

"I think you're strong enough." said Senju.

"My powers still feel somewhat depleted." she replied. "I need to practice hand to hand and weapons. I know if I used all my power up on the battlefield it will leave me vulnerable. I can't have that." Valetina looked a little distressed by this talk.

"Must you fight, Brianna?" she asked. "Joanna fell for this hopeless cause."

"Joanna fueled me for the overturn I created at the fort." said Brianna. "I must be able to take the land back. She deserves a proper head stone. Please, Senju, tell all the men and women left from our village that I'm here and I'm willing to fight for what's ours." He looked at her proudly.

"You are right." he said. "You don't need a keeper anymore. You are your own. I won't doubt you anymore. I will follow you as I have followed your parents."

"Thank you." she replied. She looked to Valentina, who looked torn.

"Is this really what the people I love want to do?" she asked. They nodded. She sighed heavily. "I'm not a good fighter but I can mend wounds pretty well." Brianna smiled and took Valentina's hand.

Later that day, Senju returned with at least thirty strong from their village. Brianna waited on the steps of Yomi's estate in a loose top, tight pants and boots. One of the many approaching surprised her greatly. She rushed over to him. He was at least a foot taller. He was muscular and handsome. He had black markings all over his pale skinned body. He had pointy ears that stuck out. His hair was long and crimson. His green eyes met her gold eyes. They embraced. She felt warm and happy in his arms.

"Dominic!" she exclaimed as they embraced. "You grew up!" she said as they pushed each other to arm's length.

"As did you!" he said looking her over. "You're more beautiful than I could've imagined!" She giggled. "How do I look?" he asked giving her a spin to show himself off.

"Seen better, seen worse." she joked to him trying to hide her shock at how handsome he'd become.

"Are we here to train?" asked Senju as he passed them.

"As soon as we're done flirting." said Dominic with a smile.

"I'm here to train." said Brianna walking away. Dominic acted heartbroken. Brianna looked back with another giggle. Senju rallied everyone around in the open space out front.

"Attention, everyone!" he called. Brianna stood next to him on the steps again. "Please give Brianna Kurama your attention!" She looked to him nervously. "You want to lead." he said softly to her. She nodded. As he stepped down the steps, she came front and center.

"We all lost a lot 75 years ago when my brother sided with Mukuro!" she announced grasping their attention. "I stayed and watched the devastation that befell our homes, our friends and our families! I watched as men were killed, women were raped, and orphaned children were forced into hard labor by the hand that governed once Mukuro's flag flew over our peaceful village!" Murmurs erupted. She heard one person whisper doubt of her for not fighting back. She pointed him out. "I did fight back, Axton!" she corrected. He seemed to not believe her. He snorted out of his boarish, hairy snout. Brianna turned and pulled down her loose top. She pulled her hair aside to reveal her scars. She could hear the gasps. She fixed her top before turning back to the crowd. "I was whipped by my own brother! I was thrown in a cell and tortured by Kok-Lir! As I lay dying on that cellar floor by poison at the hand of my own brother, a miracle happened! I felt my true power stir! The poison burned out of me! I killed Kok-Lir! I banished my treacherous brother! I killed Mukuro's soldier! Our home is waiting for us out there! It can be like it was in my childhood under Lord Yomi's flag! So, I will reclaim the land from Mukuro no matter the cost! What I need to know is how many of you are with me?" Everyone looked around to each other except Senju and Dominic. They looked to Brianna. They both walked up the steps and exclaimed they would fight with her. Soon nearly the whole crowd was in an uproar to go to battle.

"Let's train so we can join our brethren on the battlefield!" called Dominic. That afternoon they all began to train.