NOTE:
"Doryaaaaaaaaaa!": normal talking
"Charge!": special case
'Darn!': thoughts
GWA HA HA HA! : Giant creature speech
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!
Please… read and review
Chapter 6:
Slice the Heaven
Somewhere deep in the archipelago of the Zaft empire…
Athrun, tied and chained, were brought before a large court. His defender, Raww stood at his back. They were placed on a black podium, situated in the middle of the court.
A group of elders sit on floating thrones descended, encircling the convicted. Following, hundreds of people appeared all around the court to witness the trial. Then, one large figure, a throne shrouded in a veil descended. Everyone rise up, honoring the new arrival. "Now that the Holy Chief Judge is here, we will now begin the trial session of Athrun Zala." A voice announced.
"Athrun-zala." One of the elders began. "You were found guilty of insubordination during your latest mission. Do you comply?"
"Yes." Athrun nodded.
"The council found it very disturbing, Master Zala." Another elder spoke.
"You, who came from such prestigious lineage, and attain such exalted of a rank of an Elemental Knight at such an age, would perform something such as a baseless insubordination."
"No." Athrun raised his head in defiance.
"I beg your pardon?"
"If you accuse me of having being insubordinate, I wholeheartedly concur. But if you consider it baseless, then I'm afraid I must defy."
"Explain yourself."
The podium, in which Athrun and Raww stood, rose up in order for the accused to be seen and heard by the other councilmen. "First, allow me to debrief you on the chronicles of my mission. When I first accepted the order, I was briefed that the Alliance, as in our enemy, had hidden a set of secret weapons. I formed a task force composed of five elemental knights: Aqua Knight, Yzak Joule…" Athrun nodded at the councilwoman Ezaria Joule. "Earth Knight, Dearka Elthman…" Ted Elthman nodded. "…Wood Knight Nichol Amarfi…" Romina and Yuri Amarfi nod. "…myself, and a senior Fire Knight Miguel Aiman. But the person in question was incapacitated at the time, and so I settled with his junior, Rusty Mckenzie."
Athrun took another deep breath. "The operation was quite a resounding success, to say the most. We managed to gather 4 weapons: Ryuujinzan, Blitz Armature, Dragon Busting Staff, and Kokuyou (Obsidian King). At the same time, we destroyed four cities that were under the rule of the Alliance. When we after the final fifth weapon…things are a bit more…complicated."
"How is it different then?"
"There are three officers guarding the last weapon: Mwu La Flagga eagle of Endiminion, Murrue Ramias, and Natarle Badgiruel. The former two being captains of the 9th and 12th division, respectively. But that's not the problem. The real problem is the fact that they brought and hid the last weapon in Amaterasu. A little village in the middle of the island Japan, in which it was under the rule of the Orb republic."
"And this give raise a complication. Why?"
"Let's not forget. Years ago, Uzumi Nara Attha publicly stated that the Orb republic will not provide aid or receive aid from any of the two sides. Back then, knowing full well of the situation, we intend to finish the job as discreetly and as peacefully as possible. The last thing we wanted was to have a neutral village burned to the ground. And then, Lord Raww's army arrived."
"You dare to blame master Klueze?"
"Not at all. In fact, lord Klueze had made it a point that the rules of war are to be obeyed. But then the order of the emperor came-"
"So now you blame the emperor!?" An elder cut in. Murmur began to arise amongst the elder.
"I…" Athrun choose his words and answered: "…yes."
In an instant, everyone's in an uproar. Some elders yelled "Blasphemy!", "How dare he!", and "Disgrace!"
The raven haired boy received all the insults and yells in silence. Just then, the chief judge knocked his hammer behind the veil, demanding silence. And, for the first time, the chief judge spoke. "Accused Athrun Zala. Do you realize the seriousness of your statement?"
"I do. But… truthfully is, the statement was made under the basis of unknowingness."
"What do you mean unknowingness?"
Athrun closed his eyes and began explaining. "…Uzumi Nara Attha, is the current 'Lion of Orb'. The republic of Orb is vast. The people in Japan, northern part of Asia, and the entire European continent lived and died under the rule of the Lion. And, based on the recent Intel I've gathered when I spend time in Japan, he has approximately 250,000 men stationed in Onogoro ALONE. God Pray tells how many more he have in Kyoto, Edo, or Osaka. If he mobilizes his… if he ever goes to an all out war, he will unbalance the equation. And if he ever chose a side, that side is guaranteed for victory."
"We are listening."
"When the order of the Emperor came, the order was to attack the City Amaterasu. We were not given any concrete proof on the reason why. For my part, attacking a city under the rule of Lord Uzumi is… for the lack of better term, the height of idiocy. Challenging the undisputed might of the Lion of Orb is folly, given our current situation."
"Our army could crush any opponent! Be it Orb or Alliance!"
"That's true. But my insubordination is to prevent both Alliance AND Orb to attack us."
Everyone fell silent.
"Against one of them, we may be able to win. But if we are attacked by both Orb and Alliance at the same time, it will be certain destruction. My insubordination was to prevent such scenario from happening! We cannot fight such force! And we cannot win it!"
"That can be a convenient excuse for cowardice."
At this point Raww spoke up. "Honorable councilmen! Athrun Zala has served under me through many battles. And I can testify to every one of you on my life, there's not a single man or woman in this place that can match him in terms of skills and bravery."
The elders and the councilman fell silent. Glad for the support given to him, Athrun continued his explanation. "In any case… when I received the order, I was given neither explanation nor proper evidence to justify such an order. What's more, from what I've seen, the messenger, who died that day, had clearly overstated his boundary as the emperor's messenger. That's why, Chief Judge. I'd like to know… under what consideration the Emperor gave such an order. Based on the Emperor's answer… I'm prepared to receive any punishment for behavior unworthy of my rank."
The councilmen began debating amongst themselves. Some support Athrun's decision, the other speaks of it as heresy. When the debate shows no sign of it to end, the Chief Judge bashed his hammer again. "Order! Order on the court please!"
Everyone fell silent.
The chief judge asked the accused. "But the reports had said that the city of Amaterasu had fallen regardless. Are you aware of this?"
Athrun nodded. "Yes. But from what I've heard, no civilian casualties as of yet. This fact… may save us from incurring Orb's wrath."
The Chief Judge sighed. "Very well. Due to this controversy, the trial will be postponed for discussion. Until then, the accused will be put in jail until the next decision is made."
The councilmen quiet down at the announcement.
"Then, please take the accused away."
The black podium descended and several red knights took Athrun away.
'…'
00000000000000
"ANO… KATANAAAAAAARG!" The figure roared. A part of his face was burned, claiming his left eye. Pieces of armor had merged with his body. But his face are crazed and demented to such extent, people could hardly believe it's a face of a teenager. Large, red hot chains dangling from both of his arms and legs.
"You… that Orange Knight at the forest!"
"O… O… Ora… Onegai!" The demented Miguel Aiman slapped his hand. "Just die already. FOR ZAAAFT!!"
A burst of fire exploded from every part of Miguel's body. But it was no normal fire.
"Wha… what was that fire… it's… blue?" Mwu gasped.
"DIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEDIEEEEEEEEEEE! URAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" The now insane knight slammed both of his fists to the ground. A pillar of blue flame arises and went straight towards the fallen Kage.
"Kage! MOVE AWAY FROM THERE!"
Unfortunately, the ninja was too tired to even take another step. '…so… tired…' The flame pillar fast approaching.
"Suiton: DaiSuigan!" A glob of water suddenly smashed against the flame pillar. It didn't put it out, but it managed to knock the flame pillar off course, saving Kage from being scorched.
"WHATWHATWHATWHATWHAT!?" Miguel looked at the direction of the water ball.
Murrue swept the water away from her mouth. "I made it somehow…"
"YOU'REINTHEWAYYOU'REINTHEWAYYOU'REINTHEWAY!! YOU! ARE! IN! THE! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!! Die. FOOOR ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAFT!!" Miguel gathered a mass of blue flame on his right arm. With one swoop, the insane knight sent a huge wave of fire, scorching everything in its way to dust. The alliance soldier ran for their lives. But the directions of the bolts of fire were erratic and random. Some soldiers who were unfortunate enough were scorched.
"He's gone mad." Natarle gasped.
"At any rate, it looks like he's got a bit vendetta with Kage. You three! Go help him!"
"Eh?" Sai, Milly and Tolle gulped.
"We'll distract that… that… well… whatever he is." Mwu couldn't find the word to describe Miguel's madness.
"WHATEVER HE IS??" Miguel literally exploded, sending random bolts of fire to every direction.
The trio quickly made their way to the fallen warrior, avoiding the chaotic bursts of flame. When they got to him, the ninja apparently had lost consciousness.
"Oh my… it looks bad…"
"Atari maeda! He just beat that happy trigger of a knight… and then suddenly that madman of a knight smashed him… Milly?"
"Was it just my feeling… or he looked so… familiar?"
"Huh?" The other two looked at the person. The mask and the headband covered his face, but the outline of the said person is indeed…familiar.
"What's more…Mwu-san, Ramias-san, Natarle-san… they seem to know him."
"And he used the same technique with us… albeit more powerful."
Just then an explosion occurred right next to them. "HAH?"
"WAITWAITWAITWAITWAIT!! Who said you can take him away? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?"
"I SAID SO! SHOGEKIGAN!" Mwu slammed his glowing palm at Miguel's chest, grunted in pain in the process as the blue flame sear his skin. The chakra exploded through Miguel's back, sending him flying a few meters off the ground. But the knight landed on his feet and gave Mwu his craziest smile yet. The Blond ninja roared. "YOU IDIOTS! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! GET HIM OUT OF HERE!"
"H… HAI!" The trio immediately took the unconscious ninja away from the infernal battlefield.
Meanwhile, the attack on his chest did very little to stop the Fire Knight.
"SHINESHINESHINESHINNE!! ONEGAI SHINNEEEE!!" Miguel spins the chains in his arm, creating a tornado of fire. "ORAORAORAORAORAAAAAAA!" The tornado exploded, sending bullets of flame everywhere. With a blink of an eye, the grass field was turned ablaze.
"God damn it…" Mwu frowned. 'We need a real miracle to escape from this place…'
The trio finally managed to reach a relatively safe place that is their horses. Though obviously, given the fact that the whole place was set ablaze, it won't be long until the fire reaches them. Kuzzey was still cowering in fear. "Kuzzey! Are you okay?" Tolle shook the boy.
"We're gonna die… we're gonna die!"
"Get a hold of yourself! We're not gonna die!" Sai slapped him to his senses.
"But… still… Sai… Tolle… how… how are we going to survive THAT?" Trembling in fear, Milly pointed at the insane fire knight.
"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!! BURN! DESTROY! DIEEEE!!" The knight's body is literally encased in a mountain of blue fire.
Natarle's attempt to smash him from the distance with her Morningstar proved futile. The flame melted the iron ball before it even hit the target. Murrue attempted to perform another water jutsu, but Miguel's flame heated the atmosphere, there isn't much water she can produce. In fact, the very heat of the flame vaporized their sweat.
"AHAAHAHAHAHAAAHAA… THE PAIN! THE SUFFERING! DIEEE!"
Kage on the other hand, though still unconscious, something else happened on his head.
"Kokoa…doko?"
"Aso… you finally decided to fight again?"
"Dareda?"
"Well… I've been waiting for 13 years… I guess I can help you."
"Wha… what?"
Just then, a shockwave emanated from Kage's body it halted the fire, drawing everyone's attention. Even Miguel stopped his mad rampage and looked at the direction of the said ninja. Kira's gang looked in horror as the ninja stood up… shrouded in… blue fire?
Mwu gasped. 'That kid… he also has blue fire… no! Wait! That's not fire! That's… CHAKRA!?'
The blue flame like chakra enclosed the ninja's body, at the same time, all the wounds that the ninja had suffered regenerate at an unbelievable speed. By the time the ninja was on his feet, aside from the torn clothing, his body was unblemished.
"Hooo…" Miguel turned his head. His eyes rolling.
Kage grab hold of Shiki and place the blade to his left side. "Slice the Heaven… Aoiro Shiki. (Blue Stance)"
Shiki responded and began emanating blue light. Kage's left arm was enclosed in blue armor and the gauntlet encased his forearm as it formed a large claw. The katana also transformed. The blade disappears and the Tsuba (a katana's hand protector) enlarged, creating an oversized triangular Tsuba ornamented by three jewels encircling the center. The Habaki was long and intricately ornamented, just like the rest of the weapon. The handle extended to the length almost as tall as a Kage's height.
Mwu, Murrue, and Natarle's eyes widened.
"So… So that's how you use Shiki?"
"Look at the length of that… handle! And the size of it…"
"But… where's the blade?"
Kage began spinning the bladeless oversized katana handle on top of his head.
"WHOOOO! ARE YOU TRYING TO COPY MEEEEEE!? NOGOODNOGOODNOGOOD!! Die. ORYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!" Miguel charged at Kage.
Before the mad knight reached him, Kage stopped spinning Aoshiki and hold it in a position for an overhead vertical slash. The claw in his left hand tightened the grip on the enormous handle.
"ORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAORAAAAA!"
And then, with one mighty stroke, the ninja swing the katana down. It was then, during the swing, an enormously huge, long, bright pure blue chakra blade elongated instantaneously from the Habaki.
"GWAAAAAAAAAA!" Miguel roared in pain. He grabbed his chains and blocked the gargantuan sword. Sparks of fire lit up as the two 'weapons' clashes. For a moment, it looks like a stalemate.
"GrrrrrrRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!" Kage's roar turned from human to beastlike as he pressed the giant sword on the opponent. His left purple eyes turned yellow slit for an instant.
Miguel gasped. The blue flame shrouding his body did little to stop the chakra blade. Just then, the backside of the chakra blade turned fiery, and the next second, it released a giant burst of energy, acting like some short of propellant, it increases the blade's already overwhelming pressure. At this point, it's too much even for Miguel. The blade went through his chains, into his chest. The crazed knight grabs hold of the blade with his bare-hand in vain. His wide eye looked at Kage's figure, so far ahead. "HOW CAN THIS BE? THAT KATANA! THAT PERSON IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I COULDN'T EVEN…"
His comment cut short, the giant blade completed its swing and smashed him away with one giant explosion of light.
Everyone gaped.
Kage slammed the giant blade back to the ground, having finished its job. A large, long hole can be seen, having been cut by the enormous blade. The Chakra blade disappears and smoke start puffing out of the enormous handle.
"…that Water Knight was right… we Naturals have created the most outrageous of weapons…" Mwu gulped. His gaze transfixed to the sky.
"Mwu Taichou?" Murrue looked at the blond.
"What was Kage's catchphrase for that giant blade? Oh yes… slice the heaven…" He pointed the clouds in the sky…which is sliced in two.
"Oh my…"
The Ninja roared to the split sky, as if announcing his victory. "GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!"
00000000000000
At that time, Athrun woke up from his sleep, as some of the wardens banged his cell.
"Hey, prisoner! You have a visitor!"
"Hm?" The raven haired boy woke up, wondering who would be visiting 'the man who just criticized an emperor' like him. He had a pretty good guess though.
"Leave us."
"Yes my lord."
'Yep. That's him.' Athrun inwardly gave himself congratulation applause for guessing it right. "Are you going to lecture me?"
"Have you lost your mind!? Do you realize how much shame you brought me with that little statement of yours!?" The elderly man banged his prison bars in anger.
"Well I'm sorry that my strategic analysis had such impact on your political affairs."
"This has nothing to do with politics! Remember your name!"
"I don't care about my name! You left me to fend for myself. The only time we ever actually talk with each other is when you drafted me into the army when I was only six. Don't expect you can just barge in to my cell and start telling me what to do after all that!"
"Don't be childish, Athrun!"
"I only did what I thought was necessary! You have no right to criticize me!"
"Don't let the death of your mother get over your head!"
"I got it over a long time ago, father."
Patrick Zala went silent.
"What I still can't get over was… ten years ago… I didn't just lost mother… I lost you both." Athrun turned his back to his father.
The elder Zala showed indifference. "You will not be given an ounce of leniency for this, boy. I'll see to it myself." With one final scoff, Patrick left his son's jail.
00000000000000
A heavy rain mysteriously starts pouring down, putting out the blazing field of fire.
The giant sword handle began to shrink to its original size and shape as the blue fire chakra surrounding the ninja died down. And with it, the ninja's consciousness also returned. Kage blinked several times, not sure what just happened. He seems to be in some short of trance. When he scanned his surrounding, he saw the battle's over, and a giant crevice, which he unknowingly had made, appeared right in front of him. "W…what… happened?"
The soldiers were looking at him, their eyes filled with tears of happiness and awe. "HUZZAAAAAA!!" They ran at him, laughing, cheering, completely wet and happy. At the sight, Kage chickened out and ran away.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"We only want to thank you!"
Kage would have none of it. He rummaged his small bag and found a flashbang bomb. The same he used to blind Dearka. He threw it at the 'charging' soldiers. It explodes, unleashing a wave of bright light, blinding them all. When the soldiers regained their sight, the ninja had disappeared. Leaving the sheathed Shiki on the ground.
"W… where did he go?"
Mwu laughed out loud. "Hahahahaha! Good old Kage."
"Kage?" Everyone echoed.
Meanwhile, not far from the group, Kage undo his disguise. Kira gasped for breath once he removed the mouth cover. 'Damn… I need to find a better disguise… the mask's choking me!' He looked at the Kage's mask in his hand. "…this is absolutely… crazy." He undoes his clothing as fast as he could and get into his normal civilian clothing. He tried to sneak pass through them before everyone realized he was not on the scene. But it's too late.
"Hey… where's Kira?" Milly blinked.
The boy in question sighed in exasperation. 'Crap.' "I'm… I'm right here!"
Everyone turned and saw Kira, bushed, literally.
"Kira!" His gang ran to find him. "What happened to you?"
"I was… well… looking for help… and then that crazy knight appeared and smashed me and… well…"
"Don't tell me you got lost in this open space!" Sai slapped his head.
"No… but there are fires everywhere! How am I supposed to move?"
"I see." Mwu nodded.
"Well… at least you're okay. We owe that Ninja for this…"
"Who was he? Mwu-san you called him… Kage?"
"Yeah." The blond captain confirms it. "My… Classmate when I spend time in Orb."
"EEEEEEEEEEEErghh?" Everyone roared, including Kira. He seriously did not think of such a name as Kage… and seriously did not prepare any cover up story like that.
"Yes… I'll tell you more, but let's go find some cover first. This God-sent (albeit late) rain, fortunately, doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon."
And they managed to find a shelter in form of an abandoned stone cave. They gathered some woods and light a fire, illuminating the whole place.
"7 years ago, a year after I became a captain, I feel my skills are still not enough for a captain. Consulting with Captain Harlbarton, he recommended me to go to the Ninja academy on Orb. I spent 2 years and then graduated as a Jounin."
"You're a Jounin?" Sai gulped. That means he's the elite class!
Mwu took something out of his bag, a headband with a metal plate on it.
"That's…a Jounin headband!"
"Desshou?" Mwu smirked. "There, I met Kage. He's younger than me… talented little chap…and extremely shy."
Kira hid his blush.
"Hehehe… He never wanna get out of that mask of his…" Mwu chuckled, as if rekindling old memories.
"Heee… this old friend of yours…how can he use the same techniques like us?" Tolle wondered.
"How could he not? He studied on the same place as I did. The Senpuukyaku? I learned that from the academy, and so did he."
"Aso!" Tolle tapped his fist. "No wonder his Senpuukyaku is stronger than mine!"
"How come Murrue-san and Natarle-san know him?"
When it comes to lying, the two women suck badly. "Ah… erh… well…"
"I told them a lot about Kage." Mwu quickly covered. "…and we met in Amaterasu, the day I met my boys here. He agreed to give his former classman a help should the need arise."
"Anoo… I understand if he can use your technique easily… but, how come he could use Natarle-san technique?" Sai wondered.
"He's a genius in his own right. He can do a style just by seeing it once." Mwu stated. And Kira's expression paled like ghost.
Everyone gaped. "Y… You're saying… he just saw our technique performed once in that battle… and he copied it in an instant just like that?" Tolle's eyes were sparkling in awe.
"Don't underestimate him! I was, like, graduated salutatorian, he was valedictorian."
Kira's expression turned even paler and more nervous as the lie gets bigger.
"But why did he have to disappear? We didn't get to say thanks to him…" One of Mwu's soldiers moaned.
"Like I said. He's extremely shy. Even his name Kage is just an alias." And Mwu proceed of telling stories about the so called 'Kage'. "His kick can punch a hole through a wall, three foot thick! And when he moves… wow. They call me Eagle, but next to him I looked like a sloth!" Everyone enjoyed the story… except the 'real' Kage.
"He…heheehe…" Kira nervously and silently laughed.
The story went on and on, until they realized the rain had stopped.
"I think we can go now." Mwu put out the fire.
"But still, Mwu-san! Back then… what do you think happened to Kage? I mean… well… if he's listening somewhere, no offense, but… back then… he became more… I don't know… beast-like?" Milly remembered the roars. It was not a human roar… it was a beast!
Kira blinked. 'Beast-like?'
"He probably snapped. Given his situation it's not surprising. I mean… wouldn't you if you got some madman with fire allover pounding at you, kid?" Mwu stated jokingly.
"I… suppose." Milly nodded.
"But, Murrue-san! You were incredible too! What was that technique? I mean, water burst out of your mouth like that…"
"That? Oh that… I'm still learning it." The woman nervously rubbed her lips.
"That-" Mwu explained. "-was Ninjutsu."
"The ninja secret techniques?"
"Yes. There are three in total. Nin, Gen, and Taijutsu. The one I used to set up that caravan trap is genjutsu. The ones you guys been practicing is Taijutsu. And the water ball technique that Murrue just performed, and the one we're going to teach you, is called Ninjutsu."
"Y… you're going to teach us that skill?"
"Yep. We'll do it step by step. For now, let's move. I'll explain on the way."
00000000000000
"What… how is this… possible?" Yzak couldn't believe his eyes. Just a short while ago his squire, Shiho, reported that Miguel had escaped. He quickly returned to the battlefield, and here he was, watching a giant long crevice in the midst of the field, as if the earth was cleaved by one gigantic blade (that was very true).
"S… Search the place! Look for survivors!"
The knights began looking at every body, checking for pulse or whatever. The bodies of the Alliance soldier had been taken away. Only Zaft Emerald knights remained. Fortunately, they did find some. But they were too badly injured; they were in no condition to speak. Just then they heard a familiar roar.
"UGRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!"
"That roar… Miguel!" Yzak ran towards the source of that roar. When he arrived, Yzak gasped.
The already mad knight looked even worse for wear than before. The giant cut that appeared on his chest clearly showed he suffered some serious wounds, but unfortunately, he was too crazy and too unconscious to even care.
"GRAH… RAaaAAAARGH!"
"Miguel! Calm down! CALM DOWN! You're hurt!" Yzak ran to his insane friend and grab hold of him to calm him down in vain.
"Raaahh… RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!" Using his chain, Miguel smashed Yzak away. The water knight got thrown off to the sky. Miguel continued his incessant yell and roar, until…
"Hyomon Ken: Sub Zero."
A body of water encircle the mad knight, enclosing him, before it freezes altogether, trapping him in.
Yzak blinked. That technique… he knew only one person that can do that. He looked around and saw it. His master. His senior. His lord. "L… Hakutenkun, Lord Veia!" Yzak quickly bowed before the veteran warrior.
A knight dressed differently than the other knights rested his large weapon, a large stone cold Ice Nodachi on his shoulder. The knight wears a suit that is somewhat different then the other knights. His armor is colored blue with an ornament of a pair of dragons on both sides. The shoulder pads are more akin to samurai rather than normal knight. And a face of an oni is carved into his left shoulder armor. Large beads adorned his neck and his blue tattered cloak was blown aimlessly by the wind. His helmet is almost the same with the other nights, safe with an addition of a piece blade at the top stretching to the back and a pair of Antler horns pointing forward adorned his helmet. His left arm is enclosed in a gauntlet while he left his right arm, the one holding the weapon, bare. The Hakutenkun get down from his large black horse and observed the battlefield.
Yzak gulped. His master does not suffer failure greatly. "…I…"
"DON'T… talk."
Yzak trembled. He looked at the battlefield, and then to Yzak, and then to the frozen solid Miguel. "…I told you, didn't I? They have an ace that you wouldn't take for a warrior."
The student gasped. He raised his head at his master. The veteran warrior had removed his helmet and showed his face, the old knight he scolded. Gasping in horror at the thought of having scolded his own superior, the silver haired boy bowed as deeply as he could. "I… I'm deeply sorry! If… if I knew it was you…!"
"No need to apologize. Besides, I don't want you to know." A swirl of water encircle the man's face. But before further can be seen, the knight quickly put his helmet back. "I do it often to my juniors to test their discipline. You've done right to scold me."
"But still…"
"Hush." The knight tucked his junior head. "Get up!"
Yzak slowly got up. "…I… I've lost this battle. Please punish me according to martial decree."
"No. The ace I spoke of. You met him?"
"Y… yes. It is as you described him. You wouldn't take his build for a warrior… we didn't see his face though… he draped himself in black clothing, and a mask to boot."
'Mask? Well, well…' "No shame in defeat to him, Yzak. Besides, he could even take down Dearka, did he not?"
"Y… yes… and Miguel too… it seems…"
"And that's two senior Elemental Soldier in a day… that little boy is doing much better than I had expected."
"Y… you know him? My Lord?"
"Yes… but the next time I meet him, he might have changed yet again. So I may not know if it's him."
"Meet him?"
"Yes. After what happened today, obviously even Elemental Knights can't handle him anymore. I will have to fight him myself."
"NO!" Yzak roared. A Hakutenkun fight some unnamed soldier personally? Preposterous!
"No?"
"I mean… he's just some soldier! Why should the great Hakutenkun deal with such lowly person himself?"
"But you've seen it. Each one of the elemental knights is equal to a force of a battalion, and he beat two of them in a day."
"That's because… that's because he received aid from two Captain-class officers! Please my lord! Give me… give us one more chance! We will bring you his neck!"
Veia looked at his student. He sighed. "Alright. But for now, let us return to the main army. Shiho's worried to death about you."
"Yes, my lord."
00000000000000
Later that night…
Kira sit alone in the grass and reflected on what happened today. He remembered how he performed all those techniques in battle. And then he remembered when he instinctively used the three fighting styles in one go. When he did all that, everything seems to make sense. But then, he remembered kicking the knight's joint off its hinges. He remembered when he shot that sword through the soldier's shield. He didn't just practice, he killed those men. And then he remembered when Milly called him beastly. After the mad Orange knight smashed him to the rocks, he didn't remember anything else, except that he felt he was in a trance. Next thing he knew, he was standing with Shiki in his hand.
'Slice the Heaven, Aoiro Shiki!'
"Slice… the Heaven?" Kira remembered his mouth spoke such words. What scares him was, he didn't know how did he know such word… and he's not sure if it was him speaking at the time. The brunette shivered. 'J… just what am I?'
"Yo!" Kira jumped in shock. He looked at his back, Mwu grinned at him. "Hope I don't disturb some quality lone time?"
The boy didn't know what to say. Mwu sit next to him and understood his silence. "Kid, look."
Kira turned to the direction Mwu was pointing. The caravan, Mwu's men, his friends, every one of them sitting down there, sitting on a bonfire laughing and chattering, glad they're still alive.
"You saved them."
"…did I?"
"Yes." Mwu tapped the kid's shoulder. He felt a slight shiver. The boy was afraid. "Yeah. I know it's scary."
"I'm not afraid of those knights."
"Oh, no you don't?" Mwu looked at the boy.
"At least…not as much as…I'm afraid of myself."
"You're referring to that statement in which Milly called you… beastly?"
"I don't remember what I did… only images and faint feelings… what exactly happened?"
"I'm not exactly sure kid. But you used Shiki in ways we've never seen or even thought of before." Mwu gently tapped the boy's head. "It doesn't matter. You saved us."
"…"
"And that mask was a very good idea too."
"It didn't fool you."
"No. But it did fool the others and that's all that matters. Next time I report to my superiors, I can easily state that Kage the Mysterious Orb Ninja saved the day, not Kira the Ramen Bar Waiter."
Kira smirked. His plan half-worked after all. "All those things about Kage… Was a guy called Kage really exists?"
Mwu nodded with a smile, much to Kira's fright.
"C… can he really do all those… stuff you told me? Kicking a hole three feet deep, running faster than you…"
"That depends on you, isn't it?"
"Depends on me? Hey! I'm serious!" Kira groaned.
"And so am I!" Mwu laughed. "…I was serious when I said you're a genius in your own right."
Kira still look unconvinced. "I…"
"Remember when you fought that two giant sized warrior? And when you beat that Dearka guy? It wasn't shiki or our teachings that defeat them. It was you. All you. You seriously gave me Goosebumps when you did what you tried to do before: you combined three fighting styles into one."
"I…killed one of them."
"Yeah. You did."
Kira sighed in depression. But inside, he gritted his teeth.
"…if you chose this path, it is bound to happen. It's never easy."
"I know." Kira breathed in. "…you said we might make it to archangel Fortress in 4 days?"
"Yes."
"Okay. I'll continue this… play until we reach that fortress… after that, can you ensure me and my friends can get to proper shelter? Onogoro or Tokyo for instance."
"I'm sure Harlbarton can think of something."
"Okay."
"…tomorrow I will begin teaching them ninjutsu. You might want to sleep early. They're gonna need your help on this one too."
"I'm fine."
"Okay."
The next day…
"Taijutsu is about physical technique. Senpuukyaku, the Defense Stances, and even Murrue's Shuriken throwing… they all constitute as taijutsu. Genjutsu is illusionary tactics. They're mainly used as distraction and immobilization. Ninjutsu is different. It's a technique to manipulate the nature around us to fight."
Kira diligently took note of it.
"You guys know what Chakra is?"
"Chakra?" everyone echoed.
"I suppose not. Right. Chakra is a melding between physical and mental strength. With this chakra you can perform things that may look impossible, such as shooting out fire out of your mouth or water like Murrue do." Mwu gestured to Murrue. The Captain took a mouthful of water, made several handseals.
"Suiton, Daisuigan!" The Captain spluttered the water out, but the water had condensed into a giant glob of water. It travelled a short distance before it splashed.
"Must we… drink water first?"
"Theoretically, a suiton jutsu can use any body of water nearby. But… it has yet to be proven."
"Ookay… so… what? Must we prepare a glass of water every time we want to cast that jutsu?"
"Not all jutsu would require that though. Watch this." Mwu made several handseal. "Katon, Goukyaku no Jutsu!" The Jounin blow out a large mass of fire. When it died down, the spectators were left in awe. "But this is for advanced kiddies. No. First, we're gonna learn on how to produce chakra."
"O… okay…"
And they spend all day learning about how to produce chakra. It looks easy at first, but as it progresses, they realize it was far from it. Even Kira's journal was no help this time.
"It's internal. If it's something I can see from the outside, I might be able to do something… but…I don't know how to deal with this one…"
"Argh… so… we have no choice but to remember all this seals?" Tolle groaned, looking at the handseals Kira had drawn on his journal.
"There are only twelve seals. But the trick is… it must be performed fast and accurate."
"Heeehh…"
Later that night, as usual, Kira separate himself and looked at the handseals he had drawn on the book. "…rat, ox, rabbit, horse, sheep, monkey, dog, pig… 8 seals in total." The boy frowned. '…if I remember correctly, the technique that Mwu-san performed… it was called Goukyaku no Jutsu. If I remembered the order of seal is… ox, sheep, monkey, and dog.'
He performs the seal in succession sluggishly. He inhaled and open his mouth wide… nothing happened.
"Wait… he said… fast… let's try again."
And he tried to perform the seal again, faster, but there are errors in his handseals here and there… again, he open his mouth and blow… still nothing happened. He slumped to the ground. "Who am I kidding? Just today I heard the word chakra and think I can do it in one night? Get real."
Kira rested his back to the grass. '…Kage… just where in the blazes did he get that name? Mwu-san…'
The boy finally resolved on performing the handseal correctly one by one. The three officers who watched from afar sighed. Mwu in particular, look a bit disappointed.
"What's wrong?"
"No… I just thought I'll be seeing something incredible, that's all."
"I doubt that. I mean, did you see the look in Kira-kun's face when you told us that incredible lie about him?'
"Then we'll change it."
"Eh?"
"We'll change that lie to reality. I knew he can… he will do it!" Mwu smiled.
And then, as the next day progress, they continued their training on the so called chakra. But unlike the taijutsu training, the chakra training made no apparent results even after three days has passed. Even Kira began to lose hope of understanding this Chakra theory. And then, one night, one rainy night, Kira was training the handseals several times. He kept repeating the 8 seals slowly. But progressively it gets faster. Though his mind is in complete chaos, not understanding what is this chakra look like. Kira was so engulfed in his thought; he didn't realize his seals are getting faster and faster. First he performed the eight seals in eight seconds. And then 6 seconds. And then 4… and finally… in a split of 3 seconds, Kira mindlessly performed the eight seals accurately. That's when Kira's expression changed. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!"
Mwu jumped at his student's scream. "KID!?"
"AAAAAAARGH!! ARRRGGHHHH!!" Kira was yelling. Pain. Great pain. A pain like nothing he had ever felt before rushed in his veins. "AAAARGH! AAAAAAAAARRRGH!"
"KID! MY GOD! MURRUE! NATARLE!" The Jounin roared as he immediately rushed into the boy's aid.
Murrue blinked her eyes several times. They were taking shifts on who watches over Kira, and she fell asleep. But when she opened her eyes and heard the scream of their apprentice, the woman jumped out of her bed, rushed out of her tent, along with everyone else who heard the screams, and was shocked when she saw Kira, screaming and yelling in pain on the ground. She quickly rushed to his aid. "Kira-kun! KIRA-KUN!"
"AAAAAAAAARGH!! AAAAAAAAAARGHAAA!!"
"What happened?"
"Chakra overload. I think his body did it right… but his mind did not."
"Hold him!" Murrue opened her bag and unveil a set of needle. "I hope these medicines and needles you forced me to buy in Amaterasu works."
"I hope so."
Murrue uncork a bottle and poured a pill. She quickly jammed it into Kira's mouth. And then, opening a book about Acupuncture, she quickly scanned the content and found the right note. She quickly stabbed a needle on a specific point, and the boy's screaming ended instantly and he began breathing up and down as his condition stabilizes.
"What's going on here?" Tolle was the first one to ask. When he saw Kira, lying on the ground, wet and dirty, he realized something's wrong.
Murrue and Mwu looked at each other. Not knowing what to say. She then removed the needle on Kira's neck. The boy regained consciousness instantly.
"Kid! Kid! Are you okay?"
The first thing Kira do was hopped away in fright. He then remembered what happened. He messed up. He pants and gasp under the cold heavy rain. "…it's impossible…"
"What?"
"It's impossible… I can't do it… there's no way I can do this…"
"No. You can! Listen to me you just messed up in the mind part! You can do it Kid!"
"NO I CAN'T! I… I… LOOK AT ME! I'M JUST A RAMEN WAITER! A CHEF! I… I can't do this!"
Mwu roared. "THEN WHY DID YOU DO IT!? WHY DID YOU EVEN BOTHER TO TRY?"
"I… I… I thought I can make something happen… I thought I could do something… I… was wrong."
At this, that was the last straw. Mwu grabbed Kira's shoulder and decked him. Much to the shock of his friends. "You're wrong when you think you are!"
"And I am! I was a fool to even think I can do something!"
"YOU ALREADY DID! You've done something!"
"Yes. Like this close of getting killed."
"NO! YOU DID IT KIRA! You're just one step away! You can't give up now!"
"I… It's impossible!"
Mwu dropped Kira and made a set of handseals in rapid succession. "KATON! GOUKYAKU NO JUTSU!!" Mwu blow a gigantic mass of fire to the sky, the biggest and the hottest anyone has ever seen, vaporizing every raindrop. The mass of fire travelled all the way to the clouds, and it punch a small hole up there. "DON'T TELL ME IT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!"
Kira stared at the elder man.
Mwu hold both of his shoulder and look at him straight in the eye. "It's impossible if you think it is. But I tell you now! It's not! You just have to believe in yourself!"
"I… I…"
"Kid… no… Kira Yamato… I… I'm indebted to you. Ever since that day at Amaterasu I've turned you into something you shouldn't have… but you did anyway. Today I swear to you. I'll try everything. Till there's not a single breath left in me. I will help you make those lies to reality. I swear on my life, and the lives of your friends. You can… no… you will become more then what you are and you can help your friends. All my life, I never go back on my words. That's my Nindo! And I swear to God I won't go back on this one. But don't go back on me. Don't go back on your friends."
Kira looked at the elder man. He looked at his friends, watching him. The rain continues to drop. He gulped one more time. "You spoke to me… about I messed the last step. What was the last step?" He slowly stood up.
"Chakra is composed of physical and mental energy. You managed to do the physical part… but you messed up in mind. That's why your chakra went overload."
"Okay…" Kira closed his eyes, calming his mind, removing all unnecessary thought. And then he put his hands together and began to perform the eight seals accurately in rapid succession. In three seconds, the sequence is completed. And something began swelling in his mouth. Kira opened his eyes and covered his mouth. Something came out of his mouth. Everyone thought he vomited. And then Kira saw it. A mist… or something… sipping out from his lips. It engulfed his hand. Kira was shocked. It was… beautiful. It's shapeless, formless… yet it's so pure… a mass of… a transparent matter… it was… glowing light blue. Kira looked at it and realized. "…Chakra."
He looked at the glowing matter in his hand and showed it to the smiling Mwu. "Yes."
He showed it to his friends. "This is it. This is Chakra."
Forget the pouring rain, his friends were all blinded by tears. They charged at him, Kuzzey and Tolle tackled him to the ground, yelling what a lucky idiot he was, and Sai and Milly start laughing and cheering at him like mad, all dignity forgotten. Neuman, Jackie, and the rest of Mwu's men all dogpiled him. For the finale, they grabbed him and start throwing him to the air. Kira looked at his glowing hand in triumph. The chakra remained still in his hand. Finally. A progress. A significant progress. One that will start everything.
00000000000000
At the same time, in Zaft high court…
Athrun was once again brought to the podium. Raww was again chosen as his defender. Following the same procession, the trial begins again.
"The elders and the councilmen have convened. And after several considerations… we decided… Athrun Zala is Guilty."
The sentenced said nothing.
"For his improper use of language to his majesty the Emperor, we declared him innocence under the basis of mere over-curiosity. But for insubordination, we'll still consider it, baseless. Reason, because like what he said about the Emperor's decision, it has no solid proof-"
"Before you declared me guilty of baseless insubordination…" Athrun began. "Can you please… show me a solid proof… that the Emperor's decision to destroy Amaterasu is just?"
The elders and the chief judge seem to have been expecting this. "Yes. We just received a report. A squad from Gamoff had discovered enemy forces run rampart in Orb Territory. They were survivors from the Amaterasu."
"How many were there?"
"Intel about the quantity is still sketchy at the moment, but there's no question of their capabilities. One of the Elemental knights, Dearka Elthman was defeated, following, your fellow elemental knight, the currently mentally imbalanced Miguel Aiman."
Athrun gasped. "Two knights all at once?"
"In a day, to be more specific."
The raven haired boy gaped. They have that much force in Orb?
"The accused Athrun Zala! Do you now accept these proofs justify the Emperor's decision?"
"…yes."
"Do you accept that you're guilty of baseless insubordination?"
"…yes." Athrun exasperatedly admitted.
"Then, since the accused had admitted, we will now drop the verdict."
The elders and the councilmen nodded. Patrick remained indifferent.
"Patrick, that's your own son. Are you okay about this?"
"It is because he's MY son that I'm okay with this, Siegel."
With that, Siegel Clyne says no more.
"With that, we sentenced Athrun Zala… to death."
"NANNI!?" Siegel gasped. He turned to Patrick. "Oi! Patrick!"
"What's the fuss, Siegel?"
"It's DEATH sentence!"
"I'm not deaf."
"Doesn't it mean anything to you?"
"Siegel, who do you think propose the sentence?"
The elder man gasped. "You… your own son! Your only SON!"
"I told you. It is precisely because he is my son. I must make sure the Zala Family example to the rest." Patrick stated coldly. He turned to Seigel. "Don't worry. Lacus is still young. She can find another man."
"This has nothing to do with my daughter and you know it!"
"Then, be quiet."
Meanwhile, the chief judge passed on the verdict. "Then, please take the accused to the execution ground."
"PLEASE WAIT!"
Everyone turned to the speaker. It was Raww.
"Lord Klueze?"
"Before the execution is carried out I'd like to say a few words."
"Lord Klueze, you claim yourself as the defendant of the accused, yet, throughout the trial you say not a word, and now when the verdict has been passed, you choose now to speak?"
"Call me Mr. Egoistical, if you like. But from what I've seen so far, Athrun's ability need not me to speak on his behalf."
"Then, why do you choose to speak now? Do you want to defy the decision of the court?"
"No. I will accept the court's decision… and but one more thing."
Athrun rolled his eyes towards his master. Raww step forward, taking his place to speak. "It is an ancient tradition, in which the emperor decrees himself, that when a Hakutenkun resigns, in reward to their services, they will be given the right to make one request. One that will be granted by the emperor himself, and thus, it is irrefutable."
"Yes."
"Then, following this tradition… I resign."
Everyone went into an even larger uproar. Athrun gaped. "Lord Klueze! That's…!"
"In return… my request will be… Be lenient with the Knight Athrun Zala, in regards to his service."
"Raww le Klueze… you're even willing to sacrifice your own position to safe this young man's life? You realize you offered a king's ransom for a broken sword?" The chief judge calmed the hue and cry with his voice.
"This is a time of war. I'm sure you've heard the rumors?"
"I…" The judge frowned behind his veil.
"Yes. I will confirm that those rumors were true. Unofficially, I've chosen Athrun Zala, as my advisor… and as for the other rumor, I've been giving it some consideration, and I've landed on a conclusion just recently."
"I… it can't be…" One of the elder gasped.
"Yes. Initially I have thought of two candidates. And it was a very hard decision for me to make. Both capable, and has proven themselves worthy. But as we all find out, Fire Knight Miguel Aiman has become… mentally imbalanced due to recent accident."
Raww put both of his hands on Athrun's shoulders. "And thus, I have chosen Iron Knight Athrun Zala… as my legitimate… successor of the Hakutenkun title."
And it turned to total chaos. Elders and council members yelled incoherent sentences at each other. Athrun was the only one not affected by the utter uproar. He looked, disbelievingly, at the masked man. His expression was hard to make.
"ORDER! ORDER AT THE COURT!"
But even the Chief Judge's voice could not beat the rising uproar from the court attendants. The trial was once again postponed due to the chaos that ensues. The guards took both Athrun and Raww away from the court. On their way to Athrun's cell, the raven haired boy couldn't take it anymore and explode. "…I'm not worthy… I'm not worthy enough for you to sacrifice your position for me!"
"Athrun. Despite how I look, I am old. And I've reached my limits. You are young. Your skills are impressive to say the least, and yet they're still growing. This war was started by us old geezers; it should've ended with us, but no. It carries on, and now young people like you got mixed up in this. It was no coincidence that the recent newest generation of Elemental Knights were composed of teenagers of your age. Some weren't even young enough to feel a woman's warmth! That's why…"
"…"
"At least… allow me to pave a way for you." Raww tapped Athrun's shoulder gently.
"…Lord… Klueze…"
The guards put him in his cell and Raww left. Before he left the prison guard, a voice greets him.
"Doing outrageous thing again, Raww?"
"My, Gilbert! Want to challenge me in chess again? Try playing with Athrun some time. He's really good at it."
"Heh, I can never beat you, how am I supposed to beat him? From what I know, you never won a single match against him."
"Hahaha… alright. Well pretty soon, you'll have to get used to it."
Gilbert Dullindal sighed. "You seem pretty confident that the court will follow your request."
"It's an ancient tradition decreed personally by the Emperor. They dare not say no to that. Even there are some consequences; the judge said so himself… I'm buying a broken sword with a king's ransom. Bottom-line, the broken sword will mended albeit crudely."
"You're seriously willing to do this… for that boy?"
"Gilbert… I'm not joking." Raww support himself on the wall, his other arm holds his stomach, as if holding a great pain. "Soon… soon… my time as Raww le Klueze… will end. I need someone whom I can rely on when the time comes."
"Raww…" Gilbert made an attempt to help him. "Can you not count on me? We are friends, are we not?"
"Yes… you are… but I've already entrusted a heavy burden on your shoulder. You cannot carry anymore than this."
"…"
"The die is cast. The only thing I can do now… is hope."
00000000000000
The next day…
"Yooosh… done." Murrue was quite impressed with her handiwork.
"Whoa… not bad, Murrue. You'll make a good wife one day." Mwu whistled in admiration.
"S… Shut up." The woman blushed.
"Yooo! Kiddo! Come here for a minute will you!" The boy in question, however, was too busy explaining on how to produce Chakra to Tolle.
"ATCHYAAAAA!! This is too hard!" Tolle moaned.
"That's what I thought initially. But once you get used to it, it's pretty easy, really."
"But… seriously… what in the blazes got through your head to try that technique yourself?" Milly chuckled.
"Well… let's just say I want to help. Unlike the taijutsu technique, these notes worth nothing… unless you try to do it yourself… and besides, unlike those Taijutsu… these finger movements… even I can do it. Kuzzey! You try it too! It's pretty easy and quite fun too you know?"
"Erhh… umm…maybe some other time."
"Kuzzey?"
The boy walked away. Ever since the most recent battle, Kuzzey has become more silent and more distant with the others.
"What happened to him?" Kira frowned.
"KID!! KIDDO!"
A yell from Mwu woke him up from his daze. "Huh wha… aahh! Mwu-san! What's wrong!?"
"Kiddo! Come here for a sec, will you?"
"Kay…" Kira immediately ran to the blond man's side. "What is it?"
"So… how was it?"
"Huh?"
"Did they know? Did they figure out who you are?"
"No. It seems they only thought that I trained in secret only recently. They don't know anything else besides that."
"Good… for your Kage disguise… Murrue and I came up with something that might be useful."
"That is?"
"Heh! Murrue, show him."
Murrue showed the boy what she had been knitting: a black sleeveless bodysuit with a long collar. "Heeeh?"
"And this is from me. Took me ages to make it… but it does the works." Mwu gave Kira his handiwork: a black vest. There are special pockets on the jacket, presumably to hold shuriken and other weapons.
"Well what do you think? Wear it underneath your normal clothing!"
"Right here?"
"Wait… I saw a tree! Go there!"
"O… Okay…"
Kira and Mwu immediately run towards the said tree, making everyone wondered what the reckless duo is up to. Behind the tree, Kira wear the body suit. It tightly fits his figure. The long collar was a bit baggy so it didn't choke him. But he can easily pull it up, covering his mouth, and when it does, it tightly latched to his face, masking him half of his face up to his nose and since there is plenty of small holes in it, he can breathe just fine. He put on his black jacket. Kira grunted at the weight. "Mwu-san… this is…"
"Ah that? I put some small weights it… pretty light. The total weight should be only 50 kilos."
"5… 50 kilos!?"
"You're an advanced. Don't whine."
Grunting, Kira put on his normal clothing atop this one. The two captains were right: the ninja suit beneath the first clothing were so thin, people could hardly notice that he was wearing double clothing.
"The only problem now is the heat of having to wear double clothings."
"Nah… its fine."
"Oh yeah… and one more thing to complete your disguise."
"Hm?"
"Closed your eyes first."
"What?" Kira looked at Mwu, questioning his sanity… and his gender attraction.
"Hey! I'm not a gay okay! Just close your eyes! I won't do anything bad… I swear."
"…" reluctantly, the boy closed his eyes, taking one last peek to make sure the elder won't do anything funny.
Once he was sure that Kira's eyes were closed, Mwu do his thing. "Saa… open your eyes now."
"Hmm?" Kira opened his eyes. Something was pressing against his forehead. He touched it… and felt a metallic surface. He rolled his eyes upwards… the Jounin Hitai Ate! "W… Whoa! Wait… wait! You can't give this to me!"
"Keep it."
"B… But!"
"KEEP IT!"
"…!"
"I told you, didn't I? I'll make those lies a reality. You may feel unworthy of that headband right now… but one day… one day… it'll be that headband's turn to feel unworthy of you! And also… this."
Mwu gave Kira the katana, Shiki.
"You're giving me this too?"
"Don't get me wrong. We had to convince Natarle all night for this. But the verdict has been done. Shiki chose you to be its rightful user. Other than you, it won't even budge."
"…"
"Use it well."
"Anoo… one more thing…"
"Yes?"
"The headband… I can keep it in my pockets… how… am I supposed to hide this? Won't it be a dead giveaway?" Kira pointed at Shiki. "Plus… unless I'm mistaken… we should be reaching the fortress… TODAY! Look, we're nearing the forest already! Wouldn't this be confiscated once we arrived?"
"Arh… that… ummm… well ain't that a god-damn truth…"
Before they can reach a solution though, an explosion alerted them. Everyone turned towards the direction of the explosion. One of the horses has been brutally shot down.
"Who the…"
Kira knew who it was in an instant. He looked at the direction where the shot was coming. Smoke puffing out of the Dragon Busting Staff barrel. Dearka Elthman the Earth Knight grinned, ear to ear, following behind him, the Water Knight and the Wood Knight… and the whole bulk of the Zaft main army. And finally, a knight riding a large black horse appeared. His distinctive antler horn gave Mwu immediate clarification of their enemy: the Hakutenkun, Goud Veia.
"Oh, crap."
00000000000000
For the third time, Athrun and Raww were brought before the court. Without further ado, the chief judge spoke directly.
"We have taken some time to discuss your proposal. We finally decided… to ask the emperor himself for solution. His Excellency, has given us his word… and thus, the words I speak today… is irrefutable. None may disagree with this decision."
Everyone nodded.
"The Emperor declared that we will follow the tradition. We will be lenient. Athrun Zala will not be sentenced to death."
Raww sighed a relief.
"BUT! The emperor still wishes for Athrun Zala to atone for his mistakes. And for that, the Knighthood of Athrun Zala, will be refuted, and he must serve in prison… for an indeterminate amount of time."
"…"
"And as for Raww Le Klueze. The emperor is pleased by your willingness to sacrifice your position. But his Excellency still believes, that your skills are needed, particularly in this time of war. Therefore, we refuse your resignation, but we will demote you to the position of acting senior Elemental Knight of Fire, effective immediately."
The two remained silent. Raww nodded. 'Fine. It's okay… as long as Athrun lives… all are not lost.'
"Then, the accused, Athrun Zala! And Former Hakutenkun, Raww Le Klueze! You have received the Emperor's orders! Let it be done!"
The two bowed.
"Yes your Highness."
00000000000000
00000000000000
00000000000000
Habaki: the metallic protector that encircle the base of the katana's blade just below the Tsuba
Tsuba: Katana's hand protector. The hilt guard.
Ja ne.
