Author's Notes: I wanna do one based on Tangled...the idea of Natsuki as Flynn amuses me so. Perhaps I may do some other fairy tale rendition...
...Perhaps...
Ehhh...RIP Modem. You served me well. *salutes as funeral music plays and the modem is slowly lowered to the ground*
Disclaimers: I wished. If I did own it there would have probably been more character development and the main characters would be less...annoying...
Also more Shizuru.
Crimson Red and The Ten HiMEs
Chapter 3
"I don't care how you do it. Just be sure to bring back her heart to me as proof."
Takeda sighed, sharpening a hunting knife he kept with him at all time. He was known throughout the land to be the best huntsman...if he were asked to hunt a bear...or even a lion, he would probably do it with ease.
But a human?!
If it was anyone else that have demanded such an absurd request he would have flat out refused. His code of conduct of not spilling another human's blood. But this was Kanzaki Reito who had demanded this. A man who could have easily obliterated Takeda at anytime he desired.
He stared at the knife that glinted beautifully and scraped at a nearby tree trunk he was currently resting close by to test it's sharpness. It easily cut through the trunk like a hot knife through butter. Satisfied with the sharpness, he put the knife back into the sheath attached to his waist. It was only a matter of time now. Awaiting for the carriage to come pass this path, quickly ambush them, slit her throat, carve her heart out, and flee before anyone could even react. That was the plan. Quick and simple.
...The plan made him cringe though...
He was a hunter. A provider. Not an assassin.
Of course...it was either this one girl's life, or his own and possibly many others who were close with him. Reito had exactly the power to do such a thing which frightened the hunter.
"Shizuru-sama, I'm certain the bandits said there is a river nearby over around this area. Shall we rest here for a bit to wash up?"
Takeda perked at the voice, quickly hiding himself within the trees.
"Ookini, Aoi. Father still seems a little...drunk after that ordeal."
"Dass mah girrrrlll. Charming da pantsh offa dose bandish."
A man slurred out, stumbling out of the carriage with the help of his daughter. "Ara. Yes, father. I learn from the best." She said teasingly, supporting her drunken father.
"Coursh Ah coulda bash dem bandish. Giff dem the good ol' one-two!" As if to prove his point, the man swung his fist at the air, stumbling and almost falling down if it was not for his daughter still holding onto him.
"Arara. Father, you're starting to sound like Max-san now." Shizuru said teasingly, comparing her father speech to one of the bandit. The scrawny mousey one who was apparently an errand boy for a nearby library before a terrible accident involving several dictionaries falling upon his head causing his slow and unintelligent like ways. Although he did have a wonderful taste in designing clothes. His parting gifts have been several dresses and shirts he have sewn himself in secret, which was wonderful since they now had more clothes with them for their new lives.
She helped her father walked at a steady pace, finally reaching a small river just like the bandits have said. Such a good bunch they were. Honest folks too.
Seating her father down on a nearby boulder she kneel down at the edge of the water, soaking up a handkerchief and helped wiping her father's face. Her father squinted his eyes at Shizuru, "Ara...you're such a good girl, Shizuru." He said, slightly sobering up, "I really wish I could have given you a better chance at life." He closed his eyes, feeling better as he felt the cool cloth wipe away his stress and fatigue.
Shizuru hummed softly, placing the soaked handkerchief into her father's hands as to let him take care of the rest. "You already given me so much, father. Even if we had nothing, I wouldn't wish for anything more if knowing I had such a loving father that cared for me."
"Such a charmer, you are." The older man took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a bit. Shizuru silently moved to the other part of the creek, knowing her father wanted to be left alone for a moment. She needed her own privacy too, although she wasn't like most nobles and aristocrats, she was still a woman who liked cleanliness. It also been awhile since she last bathe. She glanced at Aoi who was filling the canteens the bandits gave to them. Giving her a wave, she quickly stroll to an area far from sight, covered with several thickets of trees and bushes.
Making sure there was no one around, possibly more bandits or something, she quickly slipped off her dress with ease and elegance that came naturally to her. Folding it neatly before placing it on a branch, she dipped a smooth sensual leg into the water, shivering slightly from the cold. She took a deep breath before completely dipping herself fully into the water, trying her best not to cry out from the cold.
Soon she slowly became accustom to the chilling water, washing the dirt and grime off her body. She waded around in the deeper area of the waters, thanking the gods that she was out of her father's sight for this brief moment. He would have probably blown a gasket if he knew his daughter was skinny dipping in a river.
After awhile of just mindlessly wading around, Shizuru decided it was time to get out. Just as she was getting out of the water she heard a rustle in the bushes.
"Father? Aoi?" Shizuru covered her breasts instinctively.
Out from the bushes emerged a man she did not know.
Of course. Just when she so happens to finish washing herself. The timing is just soooooo perfect.
The man stopped, pausing as his eyes widen like saucers at the sight before him.
Oh good lord...
He threw his head back, covering his nose with his hand and blood erupted from his nostril. staining his shirt. With blood dripping from his hand and face, he stumbled backwards. His back hitting the tree. "Oh sweet mother of..."
'Such a beautiful sight...'
"A-ara...are you alright?" Shizuru asked in complete shock as she quickly grabbed her clothes, holding it tightly against her body in an attempt to cover herself.
"I-I'b find." the unknown man tried to calm himself. 'Crap. I'm already behind schedule. Her throat should have been slit by now...' He mentally berated himself at his failure. Oh hormones. Why have thou betray thee?
Trying to ignore the beauty of the naked goddess before him he took out his knife. "I'b sorry, bud you're going du have du die now...blease don blame me for dis. I'b jus a 'unter."
Shizuru blinked as she slowly processed what the man meant by this. But if the knife was any hint of what was going on then...
"Ara...this day just decides to get better and better..."
Making sure his nose was no longer bleeding, he expertly twirl the knife in his fingers, sniffling slightly and clearing his nasal passages. "Again...I apologize, Fujino-san. But it's either you or me and possibly my family and friends. Please understand..." His eyes softening, showing that he indeed would take no enjoyment from this.
Shizuru made no attempt to run as she just stood there, her clothes still clutched to her chest. She let out a shaky breath, closing her eyes as if accepting her fate. For she knew if she even attempted and somehow succeeded to escape the man would find her one way or another, possibly endangering Aoi and her father. "I...I understand, but please. Leave my father and Aoi alone, if it is not too much to ask, Hunter-san."
He truly wasn't hoping that it would be this easy...but here she was. Just going to accept her fate. Takeda gulped as he clenched the knife tight in his bloodied hands, preparing to kill the girl before him. His hands feeling sticky and sweaty, his eyes frantically hoping that the maid or her father would suddenly appear and save the crimson-eyed beauty.
Several moments have passed.
Shizuru opened one eye, staring at the frozen hunter. "Hunter-san?"
"..."
"I...I can't do this!" He collapse on the ground, sobbing before Shizuru. "I killed animals for a living...yet I am unable to...but...this...this is the same, isn't it though?" He looked up into Shizuru's eyes, hoping to find some sort of answer.
Shizuru slowly kneel down meet the hunter's eyes. "All lives are precious, yes. Some are sacrificed to feed others. To help others. But you must still be considerate of them and respect their sacrifices. Humans are not really the same as animals though, are they? Killing another human being will not truly feed you family nor benefit them, would they...?" Her ruby colored eyes staring deeply into Takeda, as if looking through his soul. "Would killing me really help your family and friends?" Shizuru asked with a soft tone.
Takeda looked down at his bloodied hands, gripping at the dirt while being slightly thankful that the blood stained on his hands were his own and not of another human being. "I...I don't know anymore..."
He truly didn't know.
He only knew that Reito was capable of killing him and anyone close to him. He had no choice but to obey the overly ambitious man's command.
There was no way he could do this though! This woman was a living being. Just like him. His family. His friends. He couldn't pull through with this.
His eyes suddenly narrowed in determination as he decided on his choice. It was his only choice. The only way.
He stood up, leaving the girl to stare up at him, still clenching her clothes to her chest. Realizing that she was still indeed naked, he coughed and quickly turned away. "There's a man in Fuuka who wants you dead. For a stupid reason honestly." He wrinkled his nose as he realized the blood on his hands were now drying up and crusting. "He's an extremely powerful and capable man. There is no way you can escape from him alive."
"In...Fuuka?" Just great. Perfect. The one place they were heading. Another lunatic was after her.
"There will be no point in asking the royal family to help you, as he has some influence within the family."
Great. This was getting to be a sort of Deja vu.
"If he finds out you're still alive, he might just go and kill you, your father, and your maid."
"..." Shizuru gulped, this was not a pretty scenario at all. "Is there anyway at least my father and Aoi can escape alive?"
"Do you not fear for your own safety?" Takeda looked down at Shizuru who only looked straight at him with piercing eyes. "I would be lying if I said I was not." she spoke is a firm tone, despite her trembling arms hugging the clothes tighter to her. "I just want to know is there a possibility they will be safe from harm either way..."
A pained expression flashed through the man's eyes and he nodded. He washed the blood off his hands and motioned for Shizuru to come closer. As Shizuru did so, he took a hold of one of her hands and sliced the palm deeply, letting the knife be covered with her blood. Shizuru winced and tried her best to suppress her cries of pain and surprise. Quickly with precise, Takeda sheathed the knife, her blood now also staining his clothes and sheath.
"I killed you."
"Ara?"
"I have killed you. Your father and maid shall see me while I am still bathe with your blood." He ripped off a sleeve and tied it around Shizuru's open palm. "I will get you some other clothes from your carriage as soon as possible.I want you to make sure no one know who you are from now on. He will be able to find you if someone meets and knows a "Fujino Shizuru" that is alive. If they think "Fujino Shizuru" is dead, the spell cannot work."
"But...you know."
"Yes...but in my heart I have just killed her..." Takeda replied sadly. "You are to never meet with your father and anyone else who is precious to you. Is that not like you are dead?"
Shizuru stood in silence. Processing everything the man have just said.
It was confusing...she couldn't really understand at all. But she knew one thing...
She may never see her father and Aoi again...
"Remember...if someone asks who you are, give them another name. Any name. Just one that isn't yours." Takeda leaned against a tree, making sure to hide his blush as he tried not to looked behind him to watch the girl changing.
"Ookini, Hunter-san." Shizuru said softly as she tied the belt on her waist. Although the fabric was cheap, like the one a commoner would wear, it was design beautifully. In a way one would have thought that, despite the cheap fabric, the clothing was made by a well-known tailor. The fabric not even feeling rough, but soft and hugged her skin in a sort of warmth feeling. Shizuru chuckled softly at that. Max certainly had a wonderful skill.
"Do not thank me..." Takeda looked up at the sky. "I apologize for having to bring more bad news to you after what you have been through."
"Still...I thank you for at least allowing my father and my dear friend live."
"...Just go quickly now. Your father is probably going crazy wondering where his precious daughter is..."
Shizuru gave Takeda a sad smile. "Be careful, he might try and give you the good ol' one-two." She said teasingly before turning and making a bolt for it, trying her best to hide the tears. Takeda grinned and chuckled before pushing himself off against the tree and holding the clothing Shizuru have left behind. He gripped the soft fabric in his hands before tearing at it, the ripping echoing in his ears. He then took out his knife, still magically wet with blood and used the torn fabric to clean the blade.
Satisfied with this, he stalked back towards the carriage, knowing that the maid and father was probably now waiting there for the return of the crimson-eyed beauty. He walked slowly, the site coming into view and he had to stop himself from chuckling. There, pacing back and forth frantically, was the girl's father. The maid seated on the driver seat, looking a tad bored. "Oh, I should have never decided to close my eyes and leave her out of my sight. My baby. My baby is gone now." The poor man moaned in despair.
"Calm down, Fujino-san. You should know how ladies like taking their time cleaning." Aoi said, trying to ease the man.
Trying to cover up any emotion on his face, Takeda walked into view of the two travelers. Both pausing and looked at him with wide eyes as his clothes was covered in blood. Without even uttering a single word, he showed them the bloodied cloth held in his hand, inside he was hating himself as he saw the horrified expressions as they recognized the pattern. He dropped the cloth, letting it flutter down, all eyes following as it fell to the ground only to be picked up by the wind and blown away.
"You...who...who are you..." Shizuru's father shook, his eyes filled with horror and anger. "My daughter...did you...is she...what...where is she?!"
"Your daughter's corpse have already been fed to the wolves. You should go now, unless you want to join her..." His cold voice even shocked Takeda himself. He felt disgusted with himself...even acting like this made his stomach churn.
"W-why? You monster..." The pained hunter inwardly flinched at the seething rage of the man before him.
"Just be lucky I am feeling kind and allowing you to live." Without even pausing he turned and quickly disappeared into the thickets. His heart stopping momentarily as he hid himself, hearing the father fall to his knees and sobbing uncontrollably.
'Now to spread the word of her death...'
Author's Blabbering: Oh god. I'm on a roll! Course I usually do kinda do some speedy releases until I get some sort of Writer's block.
Reviews are trickling in slow, if barely...
...
...Meh.
Plot moving on. For a moment I was worried it was gonna turn out like that bandit chapter. I never really planned that chapter. It just sorta...came up. Like an Omake so to speak...
I bet some of you are thinking "OH GOD, THIS TAKEDA X SHIZURU THING IS MAKING ME PUKE!" Fear not. This is not a Shizuru x Harem type fic (Though I would probably enjoy that, preferring the Yuri-only route though). Every people Shizuru encounter will be friendship centered with the exception of Natsuki. *waves ShizNat flag*
And I'm sure you're also probably thinking "WHERE IS *insert character name here*?! SHE/HE(mostly she probably...) IS MY FAVORITE!" This story is like a pot of soup. I'm letting it boil before I enhance it with more flavor(characters). Too much flavor(characters) may ruin the whole entire pot(story).
Nao: ...Are you basically calling us ingredients for food?
Yes...yes I am.
Also..Shizuru should stop being so philosophical. It's hard coming up with deep meaningful sayings about the human life and whatnot...someone help me come up with more cheesy sayings. I'm close to just pulling a cliche Shounen line about friendship and nakama.
Ehhh...I miss those bandits already...
Probably gonna change the genre of this. This was originally going to be humor and cracked filled like my usual fics...but I wanted to try writing something serious in the first chapter...then...well...yeah. Drama and seriousness decided to creep up on me. It's refreshing to write and brainstorm about though.
Let's try pushing out Chapter 4 by the end of next week!
RRWhitey signing out!