Author's Note: Alright! Time to get the party started! :D Enjoy~! Constructive Criticism is always welcomed.
Fiat Justitia Ruat Coelum
Chapter Six: Sunlight and Shadows
The group of four travelers stood in the dim passageway, the atmosphere tense as they waited for further instructions. They had followed the fair-haired man from the tavern through a series of maze-like passages below the city. The further they'd traveled underground, the more their anxiety had climbed. It would be a simple matter to ditch them down in the labyrinthine pathways, leaving the group hopelessly lost, until they succumbed to desperation or a knife's edge in the dark.
As they'd crept along the paths, the group could just make out their guide's head bobbing along in the shadows. They had glanced at the darker recesses as they'd moved along, feeling eyes unseen upon their backs. To say it had been a nerve-wracking journey would have been an understatement, but, they supposed, their entire journey was so improbable to begin with that they were beginning to feel a saturation point with their fears.
After what had felt like hours, their guide had urged them to wait in the hall outside a dark tunnel until he came back for them. That had been at least half an hour ago.
Now the group waited. One leaned against the wall, two sat upon the damp floor, and the last was trying his best to trace a path of his own as he paced back and forth in a relentless stride.
"Will you quit," Chiaki hissed at the pacer. "I feel exhausted just watching."
"He can't help it," a voice sounded from above him and Chiaki looked up into Genta's tense face where he leaned against the wall. "Ryunosuke doesn't know how to relax."
"As if anyone could relax in a place like this," Ryunosuke muttered darkly, though his pacing slowed and he dragged a hand across his face. "I don't think I've had a moment's peace since this entire debacle started."
"None of us have," Genta murmured, glancing at the hooded figure sitting against the wall next to Chiaki. "And I doubt any of will be able to until we're able to put this country far behind us again."
They tensed as they heard soft footsteps approaching.
Without a word, the four stood to face whoever was coming, Chiaki offering a hand to the hooded figure next to him who took it with a murmur of thanks. They turned to see that their guide had returned with another person in tow – a young woman from the looks of it.
Her hair hung to her shoulders, eyes sharp and narrowed as she studied the group before her. "This is them, then?" She asked her companion without taking her eyes off them for a second.
"Yep!" Her companion's tone was almost jovial compared to her creeping doubt.
"They don't look like much." She sniffed and crossed her arms across her chest. "Wonder how much truth there is to the tales."
"Tales?"
She raised an eyebrow in Genta's direction, but didn't answer. Her gaze instead fixated on the hooded figure, sharp eyes missing nothing as she noticed the slight angle with which the person held their body. "What's wrong with you? Gotta bum leg or something?"
"Or something," the figure murmured, faint amusement threaded through the tone.
Her lips pursed together. "Guess there's some truth to the rumors after all." She looked swiftly around them all before lingering on the hooded figure once more. "And just as many lies." She turned swiftly on her heel and began traveling back the way she'd come. "Well, come on," she called over her shoulder. "We haven't got all day."
The fair-haired man's smile widened and he gave a flourished bow at the group. "After you."
They followed the clipped footsteps of the stern young woman down a long dark tunnel until they emerged in a dimly lit passage where she gave a distinct knock upon a thick wooden door. There was a beat of silence before a series of clicks could be heard from the other side and the door opened a fraction.
The young woman grasped the edge of the door, opening it just wide enough to slip inside. The group of four looked at the man bringing up the rear but he simply waved them forward without a word.
Shoulders tense they made their way through the door, pushing aside a series of long, tattered curtains to arrive blinking in a well-lit stone room.
Mismatched furniture was placed haphazardly around the room, giving it an almost homey feel despite the damp, heavy atmosphere that told them they were underground.
"Huh." Genta took it all in with a swift glance.
"What were you expecting? A dirt hole?"
Genta glanced at the man from the tavern. "I was expecting to meet more of the captain's crew."
"Most of them are out on errands. The rest I booted out for this meeting. I assumed you'd appreciate a little privacy."
They looked up as a new figure strode into the room, every inch of him exuding an almost reckless confidence. A large grin sat beneath sharp dark eyes that eyed the assembled group with interest. His long crimson coat snapped out behind him as he made his way toward an intricately carved wooden chair placed on a small dais in the center of the room.
On his heels, following almost like a shadow, came a tall man, long dark hair pulled into a low ponytail that nearly reached the center of his back. His face was as serious as the other man's was eager. A pair of swords hung at his hips below his blue, shorter jacket.
The group looked at the man who commanded the room's attention with his mere presence as he stood upon the dais and gave them a deep bow in greeting. "Welcome to my home. I am Captain Marvelous." He indicated the man on his right. "This is Joe. You've already met my spymaster, Gai," he waved at the fair-haired man who gave the group a mock salute in greeting. "And Luka," he indicated the woman who stood closer to the door with intense, observant eyes.
The man called Captain Marvelous settled himself in his seat as if it were the king's throne. "Let's get down to business, shall we?"
The group of travelers exchanged glances before Ryunosuke stepped forward. "I'm –"
"I know who you are," Marvelous cut Ryunosuke off mid-sentence with a touch of impatience. "I wish to speak to the leader of your group." His eyes lit upon the hooded figure, eager anticipation shining bright. "I hear you'll pay a pretty sum for some valued treasure."
The figure placed a placating hand on Ryunosuke's shoulder before stepping forward, hood falling back.
"As I'm sure you're well aware, they're invaluable to us, but yes, we do intend to pay you for your services."
Marvelous' grin grew. "Not quite as dead as Almanzor would have hoped, huh?"
"Not for a lack of trying, I assure you," Takeru returned the grin with a small, tired one of his own.
Marvelous reclined in his chair with a shrug. "He pays for the best, but often I find if you want a job done right, you do it yourself." He raised a brow at the man before him. "I assume that's why you're here instead of recovering from your wounds in a sick bed?"
Takeru's hand involuntarily rose to the aggravated injury across his chest, its familiar throb an ever-present reminder of his failings to protect that which mattered most to him in this world. "The healers were less than pleased at my insistence in joining this mission, but, as you've said, I want it done myself."
"Not completely by yourself," Marvelous nodded toward Takeru's companions where they stood rigidly at his side.
"There wasn't time to argue against it," Takeru's grin was without humor.
"As if we'd let you do this alone," Chiaki muttered from his side. "Kotoha'd have my hide."
Gai and Luka's lips lifted at the quiet comment.
"Wife got ya by the apron strings?" Luka asked, eyes sparking with mischief.
Chiaki scowled, turning to snap back when Genta's hand on his shoulder gave him pause. Marvelous gave a sharp bark of laughter before waving them forward, Gai slipping away to reappear with a chair in hand. He placed it a few paces from Marvelous and indicated that Takeru should take a seat.
Takeru held back a wince as he sat, skin pulling at the healing ridge of the scar across his chest. Kaoru was going to kill him when she found out he hadn't been taking it as easy as she'd ordered upon his departure.
"Truth is, there are several treasures I'd love to claim myself up in that castle," Marvelous continued conversationally as he watched Takeru settle stiffly into his seat with a careful eye.
"Is that why you've stuck around so long?"
Marvelous looked up at the man who'd placed himself just behind Takeru, one hand on the chair's backrest.
"Genta," he introduced himself at the Captain's silent eyebrow raise. "Rumors say you never stay in one place for long."
"Keeps us out of the hands looking to seek justice for our past crimes," Marvelous responded with a flash of teeth. "In fact," he rested his elbows on the armrests and steepled his fingers before him. "The only reason I trust you lot not to turn us in is your desperation. So we'll make a bargain."
"Bargain?" Ryunosuke's brows furrowed.
Marvelous looked at each member of the quartet in turn. "You get us what we want, and we'll get you what you want."
Takeru was almost afraid to ask. "Which is?"
"Almanzor's head on a silver platter."
There was a beat of silence before Ryunosuke sputtered in the tense quiet. "You want us to dethrone the king?!"
"Not dethrone – kill." Marvelous' grin was deadly. "Stories say you're good at that – removing tyrants and their rule."
Ryunosuke was aghast. "That took years to plan!"
Marvelous shrugged, apathetic to the man's protests. "I suggest you don't take long." He fixed Takeru with an unreadable expression. "Unless you want your child growing up never knowing his father."
Takeru blinked. "His?"
"Ah, did we forget to mention that? Your wife had a son some time back. Congratulations."
"B-but," Ryunosuke stammered, the only one able to find his voice in the shocked group. "When –?"
Marvelous looked at Joe who crossed his arms over his chest with a weary sigh. His captain wasn't always known for his tact. "The child was born about two months ago."
"That's too early!" Ryunosuke's tone was aghast, features paling at the implications.
"Guess she went into an early labor," Marvelous shrugged, unconcerned. "All that stress and everything."
Luka glared at Marvelous in mild annoyance. "Your son is fine," she assured Takeru as he buried his haggard face in his hand. "I've seen him myself. His mother cares for his every need. They only thing he lacks is a name. Something about it being your turn to name him." She rolled her eyes toward the heavens with a slight shake of her head. "Don't know what she would have done if you hadn't survived – call him 'little one' for the rest of his life?"
She felt a rueful smile tug at her lips as he pulled his hand away from his face to look at her with the barest hint of a smile, desperation and gratitude fighting for dominance in his gaze.
"How is she?"
Luka exchanged a look with Joe who shrugged. "Let's just say that knowing you're alive is going to help – a lot."
"If I know Mako, she's not going to believe it without proof," Chiaki reminded them.
Takeru grimaced at the memory of the last time he had seen his wife – the look of horror and disbelief, the grief already clouding her features. "You're right."
"We'll figure something out," Genta reassured him, patting his friend's shoulder with encouragement.
Takeru gave his friend a grateful smile. "What about Ayako?" He asked, looking back at Luka. "Our daughter," he clarified when confusion colored her face. He frowned when she stiffened, her eyes darting to her partners. Takeru looked back at Marvelous to see the usual arrogant grin absent from the captain's face. He tensed, anxiety clawing its way through his system. "What? What is it?"
Marvelous' face was serious as he leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. "There's something we have to tell you." Dread curdled in their stomachs. "And it won't be easy to hear."
Mako gazed out the window at the fog that hung like a curtain in the sky. If she reached out a hand, could she grab a hold of it and shift it aside, catch a glimpse of the sun that was so elusive to her now?
"Momma!" A little voice called, jolting Mako from her sleep.
It felt as if she had just drifted off. She shifted under the bedclothes, suppressing a groan. Last night had been rough.
"Momma! Wake-up!"
She bit back a quiet sigh, smile tugging at her lips from the excitement evident in her child's voice. "Yes, Ayako? What is it?" She tried to keep her tone quiet as Takeru stirred next to her in his sleep.
"The sun's out!" Her daughter called, jubilant as she hopped up and down in the doorway. "Come see! Come see!"
Mako suddenly understood her daughter's exhilaration. The rainy season had been long this year. It'd felt at times like they'd never see the sun again, indeed had nearly forgotten what it felt like to be bathed in the warm rays of sunlight instead of raindrops.
Containing the rambunctious energy of her toddler during the seemingly unending season had been a particular challenge. Being at the end of her second pregnancy also hadn't helped any. Mako rubbed her hands over her heavy stomach.
"Come see, Momma!" Ayako stood on her tiptoes as if perched to fly off into the sunlight that dazzled her eyes and imagination.
Mako sighed. It had been an uncomfortable night, the weight of her pregnancy leaving her restless. She'd fallen asleep just before dawn. She glanced over at Takeru's waking form and felt guilt thrum through her. He hadn't had an easy night of it either with her constant shifting.
"Alright," Mako agreed at last. "I'll come see." She struggled to a sitting position, shooting her husband a grateful smile when he roused himself enough to help her. She braced herself against his arms for a moment as she gathered the wherewithal to make it to her feet.
"Thank you, sweetheart," Mako murmured as Ayako too rushed over to help her parents. Takeru braced Mako with one hand at her back, the other on her upper arm as she fought for balance. Once she was steady she sighed, rubbing her hands over her protruding stomach, feeling the weight and pressure of gravity pulling down on her. "Any day now," she reminded herself. "Any day."
Takeru placed a gentle kiss on her temple. "Are you okay?"
"Just tired," she assured him, arm slipping around his back in a partial embrace, as much as a need for simple contact as support as they moved to follow their exuberant daughter out the sliding paper door, her energy and joy bounding off the walls as she raced out onto the wooden deck.
"You didn't get much sleep," he murmured as they walked to the door. "I can watch her for a while."
She slid him a smile. "Neither did you."
He gave a half-shrug, one arm around her shoulder, but didn't argue – a sure sign of his exhaustion.
Mako's smile widened. "Sure you're ready for two of them?"
Takeru chuckled. "It's a little late for that, I think."
"I don't know," Mako countered playfully. "I think Kotoha would be happy to adopt them."
"Kotoha and Chiaki play with Ayako then send her home," Takeru reminded her. "It's a lot less work."
"Hmm," Mako agreed with a knowing smile. "Though not for long."
Takeru raised a silent brow at her in question.
"Just a feeling," she murmured, one hand slipping around to her lower back with a slight frown. The pressure had been increasing the last few days. She looked down at her belly. "Whenever you're ready."
"Momma! Look!" Ayako encouraged as Mako and Takeru slipped into the shade of the wooden deck, their daughter already darting around the small, enclosed garden with reckless abandon, sunlight gleaming off her dark hair.
Despite her exhaustion, Mako felt something sweet and ephemeral fill her from the inside out as she watched her daughter dancing in the sunshine. She rested her head against her husband's shoulder with a happy sigh of contentment. Takeru responded by kissing her softly on the top of her head before slipping both arms around her and holding her close.
"Momma, come play," Ayako urged, beckoning her mother to join her. She turned with a frown when a shadow crept over the wall, blocking out the sun. "Go away cloud!"
"It will pass," Mako assured her child with amusement, hiding her smile behind her hand as Ayako looked ready to stomp her foot at the cloud's daring. She held out a hand to cup a sunbeam as the white puff drifting in the sky moved past. She looked out and over the garden, drinking in the verdant plant growth as everything stretched toward the sun.
"The bamboo grew well this year," she remarked before looking down at her belly, running a gentle hand over it. "May you grow as healthily." A warm hand settled over hers, squeezing her hand lightly.
"The baby will be fine," Takeru assured her, as Ayako's animated giggles filled the air.
Mako's heart swelled at the rush of love that flooded through her. She leaned forward, eyes sliding closed as Takeru's lips captured hers. She gasped into the kiss, both hands going to her belly as muscles cramped, intensifying by the second.
"Mako!" Takeru's startled voice sounded above her as she pulled away from his embrace.
Mako curled in on herself, air hissing through her teeth as she breathed past the pain.
"Momma! Momma, are you okay?" Ayako's anxious voice threaded through her hearing as the cramping eased.
"Takeru," Mako began. "The baby –" She looked down at the pool of clear liquid at her feet.
Takeru nodded, already understanding. "It's time." He guided Mako back through the doors to the bed, easing her down into a reclining position as Ayako hovered anxiously behind them.
"Daddy? Is Momma okay?"
"I'm fine, sweetheart," Mako tried to assure her daughter as her next contraction gripped her. Her knuckles turned white as they gripped Takeru's hand as the pain surged through her. She knew her hold had to be hurting him, but he didn't utter a word of complaint or try to draw away.
When the contraction started to ease, Takeru kissed his wife on the top of her head with a murmured promise to return as soon as possible with the physicians. He brushed his hand through his daughter's messy hair with a request to watch over her mother until he returned before rushing from the room.
Ayako looked from the empty doorway to her mother, blinking in confusion. "Momma?"
Mako worked to push a smile onto her face, trying to unclench her muscles, skin already damp from the effort. "Are you ready to be a big sister?"
Ayako's eyes lit up brighter than the sunshine outside. "The baby's coming?"
Mako gave Ayako a jerky nod as she scooted closer to her mother, excitement coloring her entire face. She planted herself next to her mother's side and laid her head gently on her mother's belly.
"Be nice to Momma," she told her unborn sibling, breath warm against Mako's stomach. "I love her." She patted her mother's stomach softly. "You'll love her too."
Mako felt a rush of tears fill her eyes as she watched her daughter in amazement. "Momma loves you, too."
Mako closed her eyes against the rush of tears, the memory tearing into her heart and mind as a physical pain. She clutched at the clothes above her heart, leaning her forehead against the cold, gray stone walls, trying to breathe past the moment.