Hey guys! I'm really sorry this has taken longer to update than usual but I've been really busy and for the whole of last week I was really sick:( I'm still only just recovering. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter and maybe now you can see how some of the plot is going to unfurl!

Disclaimer: If only...

Chapter 7

"No, Kai," Tala said firmly, taking his friend by the shoulders and looking at him appealingly. "No. It would be suicide. You go out there you wouldn't last two seconds. It's clear from the way you're walking that you've not recovered and you'll fall. As your friend I can't let you do it."

Kai shrugged him off and walked past him. "As you're leader I'm telling you to let it go. I have to be there and its as simple as that. This whole things to lure me out. If I'm there then he might let those men and women live."

"But he might not. And you know that's a more than likely outcome," Ray reasoned and Kai knew instantly from the murmurs of agreement whose side his comrades were taking.

If he said he wasn't royally pissed off he would be lying. Following his return, his army's mood had lightened but a lingering cloud had told him there was something wrong and, just as he suspected, it was due to an announcement by Brooklyn. There was to be a mass hanging the following Saturday and he had given out an invitation for the whole city to attend. How kind. Fooling no one, Kai knew exactly to whom this invitation was reaching too though there was no slip for him to reply to the R.S.V.P. Considering how big this spectacle was going to be it would be rude for him not to attend. However, he seemed to be the only person to realise this. More over, it was a moral issue. These people were about to killed (and he knew most of them were innocent) because of him; because there was a small chance they had been involved with him. This was truly going a step too far. Even he had not foreseen this coming from Brooklyn. He truly was desperate to gain this omnipotent power he believed would come with capturing him. Kai also had a suspicion that Brooklyn wanted to get him before his wedding to Hilary. If he was right, time was running out. A man short on time became desperate. A desperate man becomes unpredictable. An unpredictable man does terrible things.

"I'm not going to sit back and do nothing," Kai said. "Innocent people are about to be killed and it'll be my fault if they are. I've got to do something."

Garnet rolled her eyes irritably, tired of this usual attitude for her leader. "Hmph. There you go again. Why do you think this is all about you? You're not the only person in this resistance group you know. Why do you act as though you are?"

"Because to Brooklyn I may as well be. Take out the leader and the resistance will shatter. That's why I know its about me. I'm always singled out because I'm always the one the attention is on. I'm not kidding myself. I know I draw it to me but some one has to be the face of this and why not some one who had dealings with Brooklyn in the past, some one with a grudge to bear-"

"Some one with nothing to lose?" Tala asked. Kai remained silent; he was unwilling to tell his group that now he did have something to lose. Something important. "You forget Kai that you have us to lose. You have the resistance. Sure, you may save a couple of strangers' lives but is it work the expense of one of your friends?"

Kai narrowed his eyes. "You're putting words in my mouth. That's not what I'm saying. All I'm saying is that we have to do something to try and save these people and I am going to be a part of that. Once again, I'm your leader. Now I've come back from my short absence I'm going to resume my position and that means that what I say goes. It's the harsh reality and I hate to play that card but you're giving me no choice. You all swore loyalty to this resistance and to me as your leader. Breaking that oath is treason." He sighed at their looks of disappointment and realised that he hated this job. He didn't ask for this. He didn't want these responsibilities either. Happily he would keep to the sidelines if he thought there was some one else who would do this job better. "Look, sometimes in order to do what's right you have to distance yourself from those you care about. When you don't follow orders that's what I'm going to do."

"I have a question," Garnet said. "Is this a dictatorship too?" He looked at her, furious at what the tone in her voice was implying. "Then why don't we take a vote just like the old days when democracy ruled." She let her eyelashes flicker towards him. "Unless, of course, you have any objections to a fair decision."

Having seen enough, Hiro decided that now was the time to intervene before he had a mutiny on his hands. "Garnet, this isn't a government. This is an army. As you would have experienced have you joined the King's army, it is not ruled by democracy. The country is but not the army. As such what the leader says goes. To go against that is mutiny and Kai's perfectly right to draw your attention to that. You may not like it but its his decision to throw away his life. We all agreed in this very room that Kai would lead us. We took an oath. I for one am not going to break that, no matter how much I disagree with Kai.

"Kai. When you asked me to be the commander of the resistance and I turned it down, you told me that you would never shun anything I had to say even if it went against your orders. I've never had anything to say about the way you've led us all except for how well you're doing it. The people couldn't have asked for any better. This decision, however, is not one of your best. In fact, I take that back. It's shit. A truly shitty decision made on truly shitty grounds. Now I know that you feel you have a responsibility for the people and you do. But that only goes so far. You have a bigger responsibility to stay alive. I'm not saying you let all those people die. I think you're right in saying we've got to do something to save them but with the condition you're in you'll be a hindrance and not a help. In my opinion, you should sit out. Now, I'm not doing to tell you what to do since that isn't my place but I will guide you and give you my advice. Right now you know where I stand but I want you to see this from my thinking. Do you think you'd be able to last should it come down to a chase? And be honest."

"No, I don't," Kai admitted. "I'm barely able to run at all at the moment. But it's healing up rapidly. It might be better in three days."

"Better, yes. But it won't have fully healed. Nor will it be strong. That'll take a little more than three days. Be realistic Kai, not optimistic. At the rate you'll work at it, I would give it another week, eleven days tops. You're lucky that the bullet didn't pierce bone or any nerves or we could be looking at a month. So what do you say? I've said all I wanted to but it doesn't matter if you don't listen."

Kai frowned at him. He didn't want to have to back down but sometimes he knew he would just have to swallow his pride. There was the sense that he had just lost a battle but he knew sometimes to win a war battles had to be forfeited. This would have to be one of those times. Brooklyn now had one on up on him and it wasn't a good feeling. On the other hand, part of his plan had been foiled. He wasn't about to be lured out thanks to Hiro's good sense but that meant that his friends and comrades would be left defending for themselves without him. Should something go wrong...well that didn't really bear thinking about. Guilt ridden he would be, no doubt.

"Well?" Max asked hopefully, grabbing Kai's attention from his mental soliloquy. "Will you sit this one out?"

He looked at the blonde steadily. "If I do you all have to promise me that you won't do anything stupid. You won't take any unnecessary risks. No bravadoes and no heroes. Got it?"

Tyson laughed. "No problem Kai. None of us are you."

Sighing, Kai nodded. "Fine. You win. I'll sit this out." Secretly, he was a little glad. This would be the opportune moment for him to spend some time with Hilary. Although they had only been a few hours apart he couldn't lie to himself. He was close to missing her. It was the knowledge that he wouldn't be able to see her, call her, be with her until it was absolutely safe. On Saturday it would be. Brooklyn would be occupied trying to find him.

"You know," Garnet said as she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "You don't seem as disappointed as you should be. It's funny, you know. I'd have expected you to leave the room in a rage and returned when your temper had settled down a bit. Yet here you are."

"I'm not as immature as I was when I was younger. What of it?"

Garnet pouted and folded her arms. "I'm just saying its weird. You've been acting weird. You're just weird!" With that said she turned on her heel and left the room leaving the harsh sound of the click of her boots following her.

Tyson stifled a grin. "According to her, your two roles have just switched."

Max took Kai's shoulders with a sombre expression on his face. "May I be the first to offer you my deepest sympathies."

"I wouldn't worry about it," Ray said. "Until you start wearing belts for skirts you're alright. Or spend an hour in the bathroom just to wash you hair."

"Then double trying to style it," Tyson added.

Frowning, Tala, Kai and Hiro swapped glances while their other parts laughed hysterically amongst themselves. "Guys, could we get serious here for just a second?" Kai commanded irritatedly. "If I'm not going to be there I'm going to at least oversee your plan for carrying out this sabotage. I know its impossible but can you all just act your age for more than five minutes?"

"Oh come off it, Kai!" Ray replied. "We are acting our ages. Just because we don't have sticks up our asses twenty-four seven doesn't make us immature."

Tala scoffed. "I don't have a stick up my ass. I just get my priorities straight."

"Okay I take that back. Tala has his surgically removed during the weekend."

"Guys!" Kai barked harshly. "Please. Can you focus? This is important. I wish you guys would just stop messing around long enough for us to get something done. It's no wonder Kingston doesn't take us seriously. In his position I wouldn't take us seriously." Kai sighed in frustration and realised he was stalking the room. He came to a quick halt across from everyone else. "Okay. How about we just do this tomorrow. Obviously we're not going to get much done today anyway and I guess it's nothing that can't wait. We've still got time to fine tune everything. All I'll ask of you is that you give this some considerable thought. I want some input from everyone tomorrow and I will be singling you out. Until then I guess we can convene this quasi-meeting."

No sooner had he said that but he found the room instantly vacated save him, Tala and Hiro. A knowing silence had fallen over them as they basked in the peace given to them without the constant bicker and banter that came hand in hand with living with a group of adolescents.

Tala cleared his throat. "I ought to follow my other half. You know. Since we're done here and there's no point in hanging about." He saw Kai's unamused glance and shrugged. "We can collaborate and stuff."

"The only collaboration the two of you will be doing is the missionary position," Kai retorted. Not answering back, Tala left, leaving the trio one less member. "I guess he wasn't going to dignify that with an answer. Well, that leaves just me and you."

"I guess it does. Unfortunately I don't have time to spend catching up. There's a truckload of supplies being taken into the city and I need to go and collect a few boxes for our donation. Sorry man but it looks like you're on your own unless you fancy trying to make intelligent conversation with Max and Tyson who have just got the latest porno, Kenny who'll be busy trying to hack into God knows what computer system just because he can, Ray who'll be talking dirty to Mariah on his cell or Tala and Garnet who need no explanation."

Kai frowned and fell against the wall, sending his impending boredom attacking. "Do you really have to go into so much detail? Or highlight just how depressing my day's going to be for that matter? This has just got to be the icing on the cake of what has just been the perfect day. I'm accused of not being able to lead by one of my best friends, told I have to stay home while you guys get to piss of Kingston and now I'll have to sit about doing fuck all because everyone else is busy."

"Oh, come on. I'm sure you can find something to do. It's not exactly a prison in here you know."

"Yeah, well sometimes I wonder."

Hiro gave him a bemused look. "I'm going to leave you to ponder that for a while. Have fun whatever you decide to do."

Kai watched him leave and sunk to the floor. This shouldn't be happening. Days off during what is nearly a war between them and Kingston's army isn't the right way to be leading a rebellion. What was the matter with everyone anyway? He'd have thought they'd be gagging to get some action now he was back but they were only interested in slacking off. If they were taking these attitudes to his face then God only knew what they had been doing behind his back. Of course with Hiro present it was unlikely his absence had been a vacation but it seemed like one now. When would they get their heads in the game and realise that this wasn't all for fun? Real fighters didn't waste their days romping in bedrooms or reading adult magazines. Any time not spent planning their attacks or carrying them out should be spent in training rooms getting into shape. He would gladly do so if he hadn't been warned to have strictly no exercise on his leg until the bandage was taken off. Hiro had been adamant about that and Kai knew that it was for the greater good. But why couldn't his friends realise that.

Everything about this was frustrating him and it was only increased by knowing he wouldn't be taking part in Saturday's events. He could bet that Kingston wouldn't let the members of his army slack off. They would be training hard, working inhumane hours. But it wouldn't matter because they were loyal to Kingston and it would be worth it. Pity he couldn't say the same for his own pseudo army. Sometimes he could understand why Kingston's rule was as brutal as it was. No one would ever dare question what his methods, not even Mystel or Garland. They had their places it it was the follow him. Why couldn't he have the same control over his ranks? Was it truly neccesary to resort to harsh methods to be obeyed? Not even obeyed but to have your soldiers just listen ot you? This whole thing wasn't as easy as people thought. Hell mend anyone who thinks its a simple job.

Putting that aside, there was no point in worrying about it. He could waste his entire day thinking and getting himself nowhere. What he had to do was find something that would clear his mind completely and he could think on one way.

"I have to protest," Hilary said, almost running to keep up with Brooklyn's quick pace. He clearly didn't have the time for her complaints but she didn't care. This was far too serious a case for her to back down.

"Hilary," Brooklyn said impatiently, suddenly stopping. She still had a few steps to go to catch up. "I don't have time to waste over your childish moans. There's too much to do before the execution and I can't have you following me like some lovesick puppy."

She swallowed hard, finding this was one of the best ways to abate emotions which may not be taken too well by Brooklyn. It took a few seconds for her anger to evaporate just enough for her to reply in an even voice. "An issue like this is too serious to be considered childish, my Lord. What will people think if you kill a group of people who may be innocent just so you can taunt Kai Hiwatari?"

Brooklyn chuckled softly, the sound barely leaving his throat. Hilary wasn't sure she was meant to have heard it. "Am I to believe that you're now looking out for my reputation? You and I both know that the day that happens the horse men of the apocalypse will come. Be honest. It's not my welfare you're looking out for."

"And it's not mine either," She retorted quickly. "How can you be so blasé when you're about to send innocent people to their deaths? Doesn't it bother you at all?" From the yawn that escaped his lips without a word he told her she blatantly wasn't. His bored eyes scanned over her head and down the corridor of his palace and an interested glint twinkled in them. Hilary turned around to see who was approaching and saw it was Mystel, one of Brooklyn's little minions. She turned around to face Brooklyn in disgust though he wasn't much better. Gaging she had about twenty seconds before Mystel had caught up with them she decided to try a new tactic. "Kai might not even turn up. Isn't he still injured? He might let his subordinates turn up at the execution or they might nor even appear at all. What then? You'll just have killed those people for nothing!"

Brooklyn's facial expression softened and he took Hilary's chin in his hand. "Think of it as a few less mouths to feed." He smiled at Hilary's outrage and, unexpectedly, walked on, leaving her alone with the coming Mystel. As he noticed Brooklyn had continued on without him, Mystel's walk faltered slightly but his composure was quickly regained when he approached Hilary.

"Good afternoon, Hilary." He gave her the usual formal greeting drilled into all employee's of Brooklyn's, the only exception being Brooklyn himself. The strain in his voice told her that he was well aware Brooklyn had snubbed him and she could only wonder why. It was a dangerous place to be when you fell from Brooklyn's favor. Mystel knew that too, she could see.

"Mystel," She replied with equal formality. "Shouldn't you be busy with Saturday's events?"

The tone in her voice was detected and he glanced at her wounded. The clear dig to his position with Brooklyn was one that cut deep. If even she was noticing he wasn't as involved with Brooklyn and his plans as he used to be he knew it was time to start watching his own back because Brooklyn may stick a knife in it.

"It seems I'm not to be included in those plans. There's other important things I have to do." Hilary snorted, telling him he was convincing no one. "Okay, so I've just been left out of the picture. You don't need to be so uppity about it. You're hardly in any better a position to be turning up your nose."

"Hardly in any batter a position? I'm about to become queen. I'm doing alright for myself."

"Oh yeah?" He said, tipping his head towards Brooklyn. "You don't make it a secret that you'd much rather be living in obscurity than beside him. Luckily for you, his head's too swollen for him to realise just how much you hate him."

Her eyes widened in shock and quickly scanned the immediate surroundings for suspicious ears. "Watch what you say about him! It's no wonder you're not his favourite anymore when you talk about him like that. I bet Garland doesn't have such a loose tongue as yours."

"No," he agreed. "Garland's just the perfect puppet for Brooklyn. He won't question anything no matter what morals may be put to the test. I guess you could say they share the same because his certainly change to suit Lord Brooklyn's." The bitter sarcasm bit into the awkward air and Hilary felt it cut between them. "I guess I've got too many of my own opinions to suit Brooklyn. For certain I can make up my own mind about right and wrong and there's enough wrong going on here to make me more than a little uncomfortable."

Hilary lowered her voice as she felt more than a little uncomfortable blatantly discussing Brooklyn in his own home. There was being daring and watching right into the lion's den banging pots. This was the latter. "Mystel, you really need to watch what you're saying. There could be people listening to your every word, watching your every move."

"I see paranoia's spread to even you," Mystel commented dryly. "Trust me, there' not eyes watching you through portraits or chips attached to your clothing. You've been watching too many movies. Things just aren't done that way. Brooklyn's too confident to think anyone as close to him as you and I would even consider going against his orders. Well, me at least. You maybe not though he thinks you're as predictable as spring falling after winter."

"You seem to think otherwise."

Mystel grinned slyly and reached into his pocket. Hilary accepted the folded up paper with growing curiosity that quickly turned into panic. How had anyone been able to capture this without her realising? The girl in the picture was her. No doubt. The person whose eyes she was lost in were Kai's. No doubt about that either. Their expressions were the same. This wouldn't perhaps be a crime. People saw people every day. However, should Brooklyn discover this picture he would know she had sneaked out and gone to the parade against his knowledge. Dangerous times would be upon her then. Simply, he would kill her. Marry her, get his precious throne, kill her. Easy as one, two, three. He wouldn't even wipe the knife he'd slit her throat with either.

She looked to Mystel, desperation and fear evident in her ruby eyes. "He doesn't know yet, does he? I mean, you've not told her or anything? Have you told anyone else?"

Mystel laughed softly, calmly. "No, no. I know very well what would happen if he found this and it would settle too well on my shoulders. Sure, Brooklyn would welcome me back with open arms but I personally am not sure how keen I am being under the wing of the dragon again. There's nightmares I'm getting now based on the crimes I've committed."

"If he found out you're hiding this from me you might be worse off than what I would be. Why would you risk that?"

Mystel sighed and turned towards the window, placing his hand on the cool glass. "I hate to think what would happen should Brooklyn get full power over this country. He wasn't always like this, you know. Back before all this madness he was one of the greatest guys I ever knew and I proudly called him my best friend. You would have liked him. All the girls did. But then he got a taste of power and the flavour stuck. It's addicting, you know. That's why he is the way he is now. He's become addicted to power and its slowly controlling him. Think of all the greatest leaders of our time. Even the ones who were evil. They all did insane things in order to stay in their position and Brooklyn's the same." He frowned, his lips pulling his entire face down. "I wish things were still the same between us and none of this had happened but I can't change the past. I can only look towards the future. That's why he can't get the throne."

If Hilary said she wasn't surprised she would be a liar. Mystel, the cool, collected, loyal General of Brooklyn's great army was having treacherous thoughts against his leader. She suddenly felt like she'd been let in on one of the world's greatest secrets which she now had to keep with her life. There were so many now she wondered how it was humanly possible to keep them inside. Lives rested on these, her own included. Glancing down at the photo again, she thought how lucky she was that none of these had bee discovered. Mystel had kept this from Brooklyn so it was only fare she returned the favor. In addition, this photograph would only drive Brooklyn's eagerness to have Kai in a hangman's noose or worse. He had come into contact with Hilary and that would be a bigger insult than any dealt so far. And should he find out just how much in contact the two of them were...Well it would be safe to say that there would no more genitalia left for them to get into close contact with another person again.

"What are you going to do?" Hilary asked suddenly, breaking the silence that had fallen over the two of them.

"What to you mean?"

"I mean are you going to go leave the army and fight on the side of the Resistance or stay put?"

"I don't know," Mystel replied honestly. "I feel like I owe it to Brooklyn to stay by his side but then I have sins I want to earn redemption for. I have no idea what to do." He smiled sadly at Hilary. "Such as life, huh? When do we ever know the right thing to do until we've done the wrong thing. Look, we'd better go. We've been talking for too long and Brooklyn knows I'm looking for him. He might get suspicious."

"Okay. Be careful whatever you do," Hilary said gently, feeling a new found affection for her unlikely ally.

They quickly took off in opposite directions with airs that pretended like they hadn't even spoke at all, never mind confessed their wavering allegiances to their Lord. She gave an uneasy glance over her shoulder as she walked past a few of Brooklyn's soldiers in full uniform who greeted her formally before carrying on. She hated this place to much. What kind of home was it with soldiers parading the hallway and a future husband who was planning the deaths of some of his citizens? Thankfully with Brooklyn occupied with his first love of being a tyrant she could excuse herself from this cramped palace and get back to her own house were she knew her surroundings and the people there with her.

Quickening her steps, she was almost trotting to get out of the palace. Her chauffeur driven car was waiting obediently outside of the gates, just beyond the eyes of Brooklyn and his army. It was a simple thing to ask but it made her feel better to know she wasn't being watched all the time when she was outside of her house. Though with regards to the photograph she knew she could never be too careful. Nervously looking at the golden gates, she climbed into the rear of the car.

"Just take me home."

Silently, the car's ignition started and they pulled away from the palace. She felt relieved to see it getting smaller from view. Then the car began to turn down streets unfamiliar to her and she felt rising panic in her chest. They were heading in a completely different direction from the square.

"Taking a new route, are we driver?" She asked, fighting to keep her voice calm.

"You could say that," A familiar voice replied easily, pressing the button to let the window separating them down.

Hilary smiled ecstatically and laughed. "Kai! How did you manage to hijack this care without getting caught."

He smirk mysteriously. "I have my ways."

"So where are we going?"

The spark of mischief in his eyes made her heart flutter in excitement as briefly turned around. "It's a surprise."

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