Chapter 12: Not gonna get us (Tatu)
Tiger hurried behind Masamune as the dragon made his way to Orochi's throne room. She was worried because Masamune had not come up with a lie in time and now he was going straight to Orochi. "What are you going to tell him?" Tiger called as she hurried her pace. Masamune chewed on his lip.
"I don't know. I'll think of something." he mumbled. They stopped outside the throne room doors. Tiger quickly caught her breath while Masamune tried to ease his nerves. Glancing to his bodyguard, the dragon nodded and pushed opened the doors.
--
Da Ji could not help but frown.
She was in a meeting with Orochi, about to explain about Masamune's strange behaviour when the said warrior wazlted in the room. The dragon seemed in a hurry to tell Orochi something which ticked her off to no end. Her news was more important then his. "Lord Orochi! I have made a discovery."
The snake king raised an eyebrow, ignoring Da Ji's ranting completely. "Oh and what discovery is this?" Orochi inquried. Masamune slowly rose from his bowing position and smiled a little at Da Ji. This enraged her further but the fox could not say anything yet.
"We, as in my bodyguard and I, discovered a castle 2 miles west from here. It's abandon at the moment. However there is a clear view of this castle. The enemy could easily hide there and plan their next attack." When Orochi said nothing, Masamune continued. "What I'm suggesting my lord is that my unit should go there to keep an eye on the place. I don't know if the rebels already know about the castle but if we don't act..."
"And when did you find this castle, hmm? On one of your night trips?" Da Ji snapped. Tiger tried hard to hide the spark of fear in her eyes. It was clear that Hanzo had not found out any other details and both Masamune and Tiger were glad. "Well?" Da Ji huffed, tapping her foot on the floor. Masamune let a slow smile appear on his face. If she wanted to play games, he was too.
"Yes we did." Tiger glanced at Masamune wondering what had gotten into him. Da Ji smirked cruelly but Masamune had not finished. "I usually go out at night to think. When your thoughts are consumed by rage and revenge, you can't sleep at night. The cool breeze helps me to sleep. Tiger often joins me as a loyal bodyguard. We happened to stumble upon the caslte, nothing more." Masamune explained. Da Ji's smirk disappeared from her face. It was now Orochi's time to smirk.
"Very well then. Leaving that castle alone will surely damage us later on. You will take your unit to the castle. They will stay at the castle to guard it, You and Tiger will come back here." Orochi ordered. Masamune hid his frown and bowed lowly.
"Yes my lord." Then the dragon turned and walked out of the throne room. Tiger followed closely. She waited until they were out of the room and the doors were closed before she spoke. Masamune did not that happy.
"My lord? Is everything alright?" Masamune let a low sigh escape his lips and lent against the wall. Tiger cocked her head to one side.
"My plan didn't include me coming back here. We were suppose to stake out at the castle then tonight, you and me would go to the meeting place. That way we could find Lu Xun and Zhen easier and we wouldn't have to worry." Masamune kicked the wall. "I'll have to think of something else." he muttered and continued on his way. Tiger took a couple of steps then paused. Her eyebrow twitched but she couldn't see anyone. "Tiger, come on!" Masamune yelled over his shoulder. Tiger shook her head a little and ran quickly to catch up with the dragon.
Sima Yi smirked from his perch, hiding out of sight. So that's where he goes at night. To see little Lu Xun. The former Wei warrior chuckled to himself and tapped his fan against his fingers. "I'm sure Da Ji would love to hear about this." he laughed.
--
Thunk!
Lu Xun paused in his reading and turned to look at the chamber window. He hadn't seen Zhen for sometime but Lu Xun was not that worried. The little girl could take care of herself.
Thunk!
Lu Xun shook his head and returned to his reading. He was nervous and excited all at once. Somewhere, buried deep, Lu Xun did feel guilty for leaving beind the Oda forces. A sudden cheer caught his attention forcing Lu Xun to leaving his reading and walk towards the window. Looking down into the courtyard, Lu Xun could not help but laugh. Zhen was showing off her skills as a archer.
Thunk!
The crowd that had gathered cheered again as Zhen hit a third arrow in the bulls-eye. The little girl blushed madly and bowed. Glancing up, Zhen waved a Lu Xun who returned the gesture. The former wu officer watched as Zhen made her way through the crowd and walked inside the castle.
--
Masamune's horse stomped the ground as the dragon waited for his unit. The Head general clicked the reins of his own horse and allowed the animal to trot up beside Masamune. "Where are we heading too my lord?" he inquried, breaking Masamune's train of thought. Tiger watched the exchange from her point beside Masamune's horse. The dragon did not reply straight away.
"There's a castle in the west. Orochi has ordered that we take the castle to prevent the rebels from seizing it." Masamune informed. The general nodded his head his eyes stil searching Masamune. He could tell that Masamune was hiding something but whatever it was, the dragon was not going to show it just yet. The head general glanced over to the unit and nodded his head. Once Masamune was sure that the unit was ready, he dug his horse in the sides and took off. Tiger caught up effortlessly as the unit stormed out the courtyard.
--
Da Ji watched from her chamber, her face twisted in anger. Her eyes did not move from the swirling dust clouds left behind, even when the door to her chamber opened. "A gentleman knocks before entering a lady's chamber." Da Ji hissed over her shoulder. The figure smiled coldly.
"I would have knocked but I have some information that should brighten up your day." Da Ji turned to look at Sima Yi, one eye brow raised. "It's about Masamune and where he goes at night." Sima yi's smile grew at Da Ji's expression. The fox pushed herself up from the window sill and walked towards Sima Yi. The male closed the door to the chamber. The last thing he wanted was for anyone else to hear.
"What? What news do you bring about that little brat?" Da Ji sounded like a five year old which seemed to increase Sima Yi's smile. The male wanted nothing more but for Masamune to fall. With Masamune out of the way, Lu Xun was his for the taking.
"I suppose Hanzo never told you but Masamune is meeting the enemy at night." Da Ji's eyes went wide as she took the information in. "I believe you already know about him. His name is Lu Xun." Da Ji's anger reached its peak.
"WHAT!" she screamed. Sima Yi took one step back away from the fox. "He's meeting up with...that brat! I can't believe it!" Da Ji paused and looked at Sima Yi. "There's something else, isn't there." She questioned. Sima Yi nodded his head. "Well? What?"
"Masamune is planning on running away with Lu Xun. The castle was just a cover. The dragon plans on taking his unit so that he and his lover could stand a chance against Lord Orochi's forces." Sima Yi explained. Confusion fell over Da Ji's face.
"L-L-Lover? Masamune and Lu Xun are...Lovers?" Sima Yi nodded his head. Da Ji let out a loud growl of anger. "That dragon has gone too far! How dare he betray Lord Orochi's trust." An idea formed in Da Ji's head. She smiled to herself and turned to face Sima Yi. "Perhaps we should humor him when he gets back. I have a plan that will end both Masamune's and his lover's life." she smirked evilly.
--
"You wished to see me my lord."
Masamune turned away from the sights of the forest and nodded his head. The head General bowed lowly and straightened up. "Did Tiger tell you of the plan?" The dragon asked. The head general nodded his head. "Well? I suppose you think I'm crazy." To Masamune's surprise, the General shook his head.
"I've seen crazy my lord. You are not." Masamune snorted a little under his breath. "As far as I'm concered, as long as you are happy I am no objections to your relationship with this Lu Xun. It would explain your behaviour as of late." The general explained. Masamune chuckled a little as Tiger appeared from the shadows.
"My Lord, it's almost time. We should make haste to the meeting." she stated. Masamune nodded his head, and waved a hand. Tiger bowed again and disappeared to get Masamune's horse ready. The dragon turned to the general but before he could say anything, the general beat him to the quick.
"We'll be fine here. We'll wait for both you and Lord Lu Xun to arrive before we depart. You'd best hurry." Masamune nodded his thanks and took off to the courtyard. The head General smiled to himself. "Noriko wouldn't be happy to hear about this my lord." he mused.
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