Samurai Princess Chapter 8
By: Nighttime Wish
Disclaimer: I don't own SDK or Swan Princess. Only a stupid computer and wireless that decided to breakdown just when I wanted to post this!
Chapter 8
It was no easy feat to continue her wings flapping. Before this Yuya hadn't realized exactly how far the castle was. from Nobunga's abode. Now, her muscles ached and she wished for even a whisper of a draught to carry her with higher momentum.
'I hope I'm not too late.'
For what seemed like hours, Yuya had been flying. Then in the distance, so faint that it almost seemed not to be there, Yuya saw the lights of the castle. A beacon of hope, those lights beckoned her, giving her bearings of where she was.
Then she was flying over the village that was exactly as she remembered. The stream, the paddock, the square… and finally the castle came into view. Oh, the castle! The last time she had seen it was when she had visited and a ball had been thrown. but that was long ago…
Hiding in the shadows was no easy feat for a bright red phoenix. Yuya flew to the highest windows, planning on using them to gain access. From her vantage point, Yuya could see many couples dancing.
She almost fell out of the sky as she saw Kyo. Dashingly handsome as ever, the mysterious prince was garbed in all black. All around the room colors swirled, but it wasn't the women surrounding the room that had caught Yuya's attention… It was the woman Kyo was dancing with.
'No! Kyo, that's not me! Kyo!' shouted Yuya in her mind as she tried to open the window with her beak.
It was sealed shut. She looked once again to the woman Kyo was holding. It was an exact replica of her! If Yuya hadn't been sure of herself, she could have sworn that the woman down there was the real Yuya Shinna.
She flitted around, trying every window, opening and grate, but none yielded. And each time she tried to capture Kyo's attention, the bitch on his arm would turn him another way and flash a triumphant smile at the bird.
What's more, Kyo seemed to be perfectly content with the attention he was receiving from the female!
'No! I mustn't give up! Not now!' and Yuya went right back to searching for a way in.
- - - - - - - - - -
Kyo had almost despaired. His mother had promised a quiet affair, not one such as elaborate as this!
All around, women were touching his sleeve or offering a perfumed hand. It was making him sick, but he politely entertained each one for the fixed amount of time that it would not seem rude.
Halfway through the party, Okuni had decided that it would be good if Kyo would dance with each and every one of the unattached young ladies present. The men who were invited stood no chance.
So Kyo had to endure each toe stepping, mindless dithering waltz while he envied the men who stood off to one side.
DUM! DUM! DUM!
Kyo had just finished yet another dance and looked hopefully towards the double doors. She was not here yet, but that could just be her.
Lightning flashed as the footmen opened the oak doors.
Kyo was speechless, 'She came! She actually came!'
Outwardly, he was as unaffected as ever. Smoothly, he walked to the staircase an reached it just in time to intercept her stepping onto the floor.
"Yuya"
"Kyo," she smiled sweetly.
Yuya looked wonderful. He blond hair was left down and she wore little rouge that pinkened her lips. She was wearing a white dress with black lace and around her neck was the necklace that he had given her just yesterday.
"Late as usual."
"I felt that my late arrival would bring me more attention."
Kyo didn't feel that anything was wrong, even when she took his hand and kissed the back of it he never suspected.
Off to the side Kyo could see Okuni and many of the other guests staring in horror. The prince was actually behaving gentle and kind… the world must be surely ending.
Kyo snapped his fingers and music picked up. He gazed at Yuya softly. Her head was pillowed on his shoulder as they danced. She was however susceptible to suddenly changing directions midway through a step.
"Oi, still haven't learned how to properly dance?"
"Even if I haven't, I'm sure you'd be happy to teach me after we are together."
Kyo's jaw tightened, "Yuya, I can't wait anymore, and I don't think you want to wait."
He just got a smile in return. He sensed though she wasn't completely there. Though her lips might be smiling, her eyes weren't.
"Stop the music!" shouted Kyo, striding away from Yuya.
Within moments, the hall fell quiet. Only the occasional question filtered up. Kyo was very quiet at first, looking in the opposite direction of where the Princess stood. His fists clenched and unclenched against his thighs. Then he spun around and spread his arm in a circle, encompassing everyone.
"Good friends, subjects… and mother. You were told that tonight I would take a wife, and as promised I have chosen one."
Now Kyo turned to Yuya, each step bringing him closer to her, "She is someone that I never thought I could love. Once before I proposed to her but I was turned down. I won't make that mistake again. I know now that she is the only one for me. So, I stand before you, denouncing any false hopes and clearly making a vow, of my everlasting love… to Shinna Yuya."
In the distance it sounded as though a woman screamed and lightning arced while thunder boomed. Everyone without exception looked about trying to ascertain where the sound came from.
The doors to the hall slammed open. A figure stood, silhouetted by the light. He raised his hands and began slowly clapping. A mocking sound that traveled throughout the room.
"Well done! Well done, if I might say so myself, Princeling!" said the newcomer.
Kyo stood in font of Yuya, one hand motioning her back while the other went to rest on the pommel of his sword that he wore at all times.
"Who are you? What do you want here?"
The man waggled a finger, "Ah, there's the catch Princeling. I'm here about Yuya."
"Nobunaga!" Kyo bit out. "You have no power here. I already made the vow!"
Nobunaga cackled, "Ah that's the thing! The curse called for a vow of everlasting love," he went serious, "but you, you have just made a vow of everlasting death!"
He flicked a finger towards Yuya who crumpled.
Kyo sank to the ground after her. He furiously shook at her shoulder, calling her name. Kyo was unprepared though for the body to turn to ash.
For a moment he knealt, too angry to do anything, then the rage took over. Giving a low roar, Kyo charged Nobunaga. Grabbing the enchanter by the collar and lifting him Kyo growled out, "What have you done with her? Give her back!"
"Calm down Princeling, your anger will be your downfall," Nobunaga seemed unaffected about the current turn of events.
Kyo was almost nose to nose with the sorcerer now, "Give Yuya back!" It was spoken softly, but possessed a black threat that promised a hard compensation.
"Easy little prince, I didn't do anything. Yuya is…" here he paused and gave a small flick of his wrist, "Out of time."
"Out of time!" Kyo raged, "How dare you!"
"You seem desperate princeling, very well, I'll give you one last chance. But you better hurry," Nobunaga taunted as he gestured to the window.
Kyo turned to look, but didn't let go in case it was just another trick. His red eyes narrowed, and then he threw Nobunaga aside as he ran. A sense of urgency had overtaken him when he had seen the barely imperceptible trace of red in the dark sky.
"Better hurry little prince," Nobunaga's disembodied voice taunted, "She's fading away quickly."
Kyo rode hard on his horse, but no sooner had he come close, than vines and branches block his path. Adrenaline fueled his blood as he hacked with abandon that which stood in his path. Though he might have looked furious, that fury prevented the onset of terror for the girl he was chasing.
The lake came into view. Kyo swung off the stallion and hit the ground running.
"Yuya!" he shouted turning round, his sword drawn. He called again when he received no answer, "YUYA!"
A small whimper, but that was all he needed. Off at a run again, he only stopped when he came to a small stone pagoda that had been destroyed with years of weathering. A form was enveloped in a red glow and when it faded, Yuya was left, lying in an almost deathlike pose.
Kyo rushed forwards and sank beside her only to pull Yuya's weak body into the confines of his embrace. "Yuya," he whispered as though he were in a church.
She didn't stir.
"Yuya, please…" He tucked her golden head under his chin as he pleaded. His eyes closed against the onslaught of emotions as he refused to accept what had happened.
"Yuya, you can't, not now. I won't let you!"
"I don't think this is something you can order," came the weak reply.
"Yuya…" he pulled her away so he could see her face.
"Kyo, I'm sorry… my fault…"
"Quiet!" Then in a softer tone, "You always did talk too much."
"No, Kyo. There's something… lake… you must… I can't," she gasped out.
"You can! I still need you Yuya. You won't hear it again so remember that, and I haven't given you permission to leave yet."
Yuya gave a small smile and reached up to touch Kyo's cheek, "Too late Kyo. I'm so weak now, just tired. Remember, in the lake."
Her hand fell and her chest stopped moving.
"Yuya! Yuya! YUYA!" he gritted his teeth together. Reverently he put Yuya down before storming to the lip of the lake.
"WHERE ARE YOU! COWARD! SHOW YOURSELF! IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY! DO YOU HEAR ME! THE VOW I MADE WAS FOR HER!"
"I don't think they heard you back at the castle, try a little louder."
Kyo whirled around, "I am going to kill you!"
Nobunaga laughed, "We'll see."
Kyo charged and Nobunaga deflected the blow with a gauntlet. Then an explosion threw him back. Through squinted eyes, Kyo could see something large and winged that disappeared just as soon as it appeared.
He whirled around, his sword loose in his hand, ready for attack from any direction. Then it struck.
The great monster pounced and Kyo managed to get his sword up just in time to block. It took the sword like a toothpick and snapped it between its jaws. At least nine feet tall, it seemed taller now that Kyo was pinned under it. Red eyes and jaws that dripped with foul saliva looked at him in the face. It gave a smile that was more of a snarl.
Kyo's searching hand managed to find a rock. Forcefully, he brought it up and slammed it against the beast's snout. It roared in pain and Kyo took that opportunity to scramble out from under it.
Kyo picked up a stick and attempted clubbing the creature. But a brush of its wing threw Kyo back and managed to wind him. The next thing he knew was that he was suspended upside down and the ground was approaching fast.
With a sickening thud, Kyo's body hit the ground. He attempted to get up, but collapsed back again. Maybe he should stop fighting? Maybe that way he'd get to see Yuya faster? That would probably take away the pain…
SLAP! SLAP!
"Wake up! Wake up! Come on! You have to beat him!"
Slowly Kyo opened his eyes. There was a talking otter slapping him. If he was dead, why did it hurt so much?
Behind the otter, in a copse of trees, Kyo could make out a hawk, rabbit and an old woman. Summoning the last bits of his energy, Kyo dragged himself into the tree line, out of sight.
The old woman helped drag him in. Then she was muttering, "You must get to the lake. It's there, you must get it!"
"What…" he rasped out.
"The sword! It's there! It has been waiting for you all these years!" the woman hissed.
There was muttering around him, Kyo was barely conscious.
"Kyoshiro, you have to get it… You're the only one who can go into the water. Yuki, go help him."
"Kyoshiro?" Kyo sat up.
The otter jumped onto his lap, "Yes you peabrain! I'm not dead yet, but if you don't get that sword, we're all not gonna live very long!"
Kyo foisted himself up, and accompanied by angry roars of the beast they hatched a plan.
Kyo stood behind a tree on the opposite side of the lake, just by the bank was Kyoshiro and Yuki. They gave him a thumbs up, the sign that he had to act now.
As soonas Kyo rolled from the trees, the beast's large head swung towards him. From then it was a clear sprint. Dodging everything it threw at him. Battered and bruised, he got up again.
'Where are those useless creatures?'
Dodge.
Jump.
Duck.
Roll.
Then Kyo saw the animals lugging the sword. Compared to them the sword was huge, almost four feet long. Changing his step midstride, Kyo swerved and went straight to the lake.
'SHIT! They still don't have it!'
Just as he felt he was done for, the otter scrambled up… dragging a sword behind him.
Kyo reached it in time and spun quick enough to feel the monster's jaws just an inch from his elbow as they slammed shut. With a flick of his wrist, the scabbard was flung off and with practiced aim, Kyo stabbed the weapon into the beast's eye.
It reared back, roaring in pain. Oh the noise! With it's last good eye it advanced, determined to finish him off. Kyo was now between a lake and a monster. Logic dictated that such a puny sword wouldn't be ale to kill such a creature, but he had to have hope! This was the only way he could bring Yuya back.
Dropping to a charging stance, Kyo took aim and gave a cry and charged. The beast bellowed a challenge and bent it's head down to attack, but Kyo was just a split second too soon. Ducking under the neck, the soft underbelly of the beast presented itself. Never look a gift horse in the mouth.
Kyo pulled back his arm and with all his weight driving the blade, he pierced through the epithelial lining into the heart. It gave a cry and lurched, trying to pull back. Kyo was having none of it! He twisted the sword and dragged it to make the wound larger. The monster reared back, clawing at it's chest attempting to dislodge the weapon. It fell and after convulsing a few timed it laid still.
Only when the carcass began to glow red did Kyo remember the girl.
He rushed to her side and collapsed onto his knees.
"Come on, wake up," he murmured more to himself than anything as he gently brushed a few stray strands of hair from Yuya's face. He hauled her into his lap, "Wake up, girl. I won't forgive you if you don't!"
Her body remained still.
"Come on, you have to wake up," his voice cracking. He dropped his chin to her forehead and placed a kiss on her temples and between similar featherlight kisses he said, "Yuya… That promise I made… At the ball… It was all for you… Do you know why… Because I love you… Gods I love you so much… Now be a good girl and come back…"
Nothing.
Kyo's frame began to shake with quiet sobs when, "Kyo…"
He raised his head scarcely able to believe, "Yeah Yuya, it's me. Say something else!"
"God, my head feels like it was bashed in…" Kyo managed a shaky laugh before hauling her up into his arms.
"Come on, we're going back. This time I'm introducing you to my mother."
Yuya curled her arm around his neck, "What, are you going to ask for her blessings?"
Kyo turned an innocently confused expression to her, "I don't need to. You're marrying me whether you like it or not."
Yuya pulled herself up a little and grazed her lips along the underside of Kyo's throat, "So you're finally going to make an honest woman of me, huh?"
When his Adam's apple bobbed, she gave a throaty laugh and dragged her tongue over it, "Yuya," he growled, "You're injured and have just recently been through a terrible trauma. But if you continue to do that, I'll have to insist that all our meetings be chaperoned until the marriage."
Yuya chuckled, "Just take me home, Kyo."
Kyo maneuvered both of them onto his horse, "I'll never let you go Yuya."
She turned her head into his chest and mumbled, "Be careful what you wish for."
- - - - - - - - - -
Kira watched from the side the exchange between the prince and princess. It was so sweet, and the girl deserved a happy ending. But there were many who would not be able to reap such a reward from the situation.
There was a glow from behind her. As quickly as her aching limbs would allow, the old woman turned. The bird, otter and rabbit were glowing softly. Slowly, their limbs began to elongate. Then the fur on their bodies melted into fine woven cloth and the fur on their heads grew longer, forming hair. When the transformation was complete, three whole people stood before Kira.
Sakuya came forward and took her hands, "Thank you, Grandmother, for all you have done." Kyoshiro also came forth and thanked her. Yukimura walked off. Kira watched him go with a heavy heart, now that was one young man with a lot of grief in him. More than was healthy for one of his age.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Yukimura walked to the far side of the lake. He couldn't be around so many people at once, it made him uneasy. He gripped his fist, but the object in his palm prevented him from completely closing it.
Yukimura lifted his palm to look at the bauble nestled there. An amethyst the size of an acorn winked back at him. It was for her.
'I promised myself that once the curse was broken I would let go of the past. I have to finalize this. I HAVE to let go!'
So, drawing back his fist, preparing for a strong throw, the Sanada heir let loose, tossing the chain and pendant into the murky depths of the water. It had been a while since it had left his palm, but still he stood there. An aching wound had been torn in his soul and he felt as though he had just seared it closed with a hot iron.
Just as he was turning from the lake, there was a brilliant flash of light.
'What the-' then he took off running.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Kira had walked just close enough to the lip of the lake to see Yukimura toss something into the lake that made a good splash. She watched him a little until a 'plop' distracted her. With her poor eyesight, it took a while to notice, but she traced a shiny object in the water. Curiously, she waded in, careful to keep her feet dry. But the stone was in a slightly deeper part so she took one step too many and was in the water to her knees.
Just before her hand touched the jewel, there was a bright flash. It was warm and washed over her pleasantly. Her limbs were aching, but it was a good ache. Her hand closed about something cold and hard and she pulled it in. The light had been so bright, even after it faded she had to blink a few times before the spots cleared.
She turned her head to look at the bank. There stood the proud Sanada Yukimura, slack jawed. She glanced down, enough to see firm skin across her hands and a lithe body. A smile curved her lips.
Kosuke Anayama was back.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Yukimura couldn't believe it. All those years under spells must have effected him somehow.
Dressed in blue, she was a little stooped, one hand in the water she looked like some siren come to him. The charcoal of her hair fell around her in long strands. Then she turned her head and he saw those blue, blue eyes.
She was there. She was alive. She was here!
And when she quietly said his name, in that voice of hers, he knew, she was his!
"Anna…" he croaked.
She gave him that small smile again, before turning to walk to the bank. The water lapped against the blue dress she wore. And she kept walking, straight into his arms. She folded her arms around his waist and hugged him softly.
"I've missed you," the words were quiet and innocent, but breathed against his ear, it was the strongest seduction that even a man like him could not resist.
With a hand buried in her hair and another wrapped around her slight waist holding her still, Yukimura pulled away only to go right back in for a proper kiss. Once he pulled back he murmured into her mouth, "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that."
A/N: So how many people have put me onto their most hated person list for not updating. I'll bet everyone thought I had disbanded. Glad to prove you wrong. Only the prologue after this. For everyone who stayed with me from the beginning, thanks. I think it's been a year since I started this so thank you so much for being so patient.