Black Knight Chapter 4

I own nothing and probably never will… PROBABLY (it doesn't mean it won't happen :P)

-X-

Naoyasu Kirihara sat upright on the hospital bed; he looked around to get his bearings realizing he had just had a heart attack. He saw the man and his daughter sitting together, and when Hei looked him in the eye, Hei gently shook the daughter, telling her silently that her father was awake.

Misaki looked at her father, smiling and crying as she rushed over to him. "I'm sorry dad," she said, "I didn't mean to make you worried."

"It's okay Misaki. I know you didn't. I just want to get back home." The man loved his daughter, and it was shown as he rubbed her back to soothe away the guilt she was feeling. Hei felt like he was intruding and turned to leave when Naoyasu called him back. "Thanks for making sure she was okay."

Misaki was still feeling bad about what had happened. Of course it wasn't her fault, she could not predict the effect of her father's worries and Hei tried to get her to understand that. They were outside walking in the deadening night. From the moonlight, Hei could see the despair still painted on the woman's face.

"You know what," he said grabbing her hands. This was very uncharacteristic of Hei, but it needed to be done, and plus, he was happy to help her in any way; she wasn't a bad person at all either. "You are annoying the hell out of me with your moping." He pulled her into the stables. "We are going for a ride."

"I don't want to…"

"Well too bad," said Hei already lifting her up, and getting in front of her. "I drive and you just ride." They started off in a slow gallop. Nothing was said between the two, and looking back occasionally, Hei could see that nothing had changed. Smiling inwardly, he whipped the reins, telling the horse to go faster.

Gohan picked up the pace, so fast in fact that Misaki almost fell off. She grabbed onto her escort just in time, yelling at him for almost killing her. The wind blew her hair behind her face, and her eyes stung from the fresh, crisp air that blew into them. She wrapped her hands tighter around Hei. Hei felt this and touched her hand, speaking in silence that everything was going to be alright. That spark was back, but it made her feel worse. How could she be happy when her dad was in pain? Fresh tears stung her eyes and she nuzzled in closer to Hei, gaining comfort from him as they went through the silent night.

Gohan's hooves hit dirt now and he was told to slow down when they reached a pasture; they were in the middle of somewhere, along the way, somehow, their direction was lost. Hei unwrapped the woman's hand from his waist and stepped off the horse. After helping the princess down, Hei started leading the way. Her hands were kept in his; she really didn't want to lose that comfort. Over yonder was a small bench sitting alone in the field in front of a fence. The fence was the barrier to the cliff that stood right in front of the bench.

The two sat down, neither saying a word. Their hands were still interlocked, sitting on the cold bench's wood. "Princess Misaki," said Hei walking up and going over the fence.

"Li, what are you doing? That's dangerous!"

"What would you do if I fell from this cliff?" Misaki looked at him. "What would you do?"

"What are you saying Li? You're going to fall." Hei walked closer to the edge, almost as if he was a cat treading on a building's edge.

"The longer you're sad about what happened, the longer I will stay here."

"Okay," said Misaki, forcing a smile, "I'm happy now, see?" Hei looked at her, not amused.

"I know you're lying."

"Come on Li!" She stepped up closer to the fence, extending her hand so he could take it.

"You are your people's only hope, don't you know that? They brought gifts to your dad, but they were mostly for you. They cherish you and they thank you for all you try to do to help them. If you keep up this guilt trip, then who's to say you won't affect the whole entire village?"

Misaki stared at him. "I don't want that… but if I didn't go out…" Hei kept his composure, as he sighed again, walking even closer to the edge. "Li…"

"If I fall, it's on you… it was just an accident okay, and remember, he said he was fine. Do you really want to go against his word at a time like this?" Hei stared at her finally sensing that she had finally come through. The woman extended her hand and Hei took it. She pulled on him hard, causing him to fall onto her.

"I guess you were right about falling on me…" Her eyes had gotten her stubbornness back and her personality shined through as she planted a kiss on his lips. Hei chuckled a bit before he too, kissed her back…

"Sir, I hope you are feeling better today?" The king was back in his own bed, still a little weary from the attack. Misaki had insisted she stay with him, in case he needed anything, but he had tried to get it through her mind that that was what nursemaids were for. She still kept insisting, so he had to call Li to take her out, anywhere, so that she could calm down.

He noticed the affect the man had on his daughter; she usually wouldn't have relented so easily, or it was because she was still feeling guilty… "Quentin, have you noticed that Misaki has taken a liking to Li?" Quentin stayed quiet, not sure if he should really answer. "She's changed much since he came here… but sadly it cannot be."

"What do you mean sir?"

"Well, he may be able to quell her obstinacy, but it will not make for running a kingdom. This place needs someone who I know is capable of running things, especially since I am so ill. I want her to be happy, but the kingdom must come first. I think, should anything happen to me," the king took the hands of his advisor, "that you should be the one to marry my daughter, Princess Misaki."

Quentin held in his bliss. "Thank you sir, it means a great deal to see how much you treasure my abilities."

Gohan walked over to the naked figure on the dew-ridden grass. His nose nuzzled whom he knew to be Misaki and she laughed as she playfully swatted his nose away. Misaki sat up, feeling the salubrious air floating around her body, making her remember what had happened the night before. Blood rushed to her cheeks as she quickly dressed and looked around for the man who had been with her last night. Gohan nuzzled her again and she laughed. "Alright, I'll find you some food, but first we have to find Li." It was a wide, and although at the moment empty pasture, it should still be easy to spot the man.

Gohan sniffed the grass eating bits and pieces of it as he led the woman to a large tree. Gohan stood on his hind legs, trying to reach for some delicious reds. "Oh so your hunger comes before the search okay, hold on." Misaki climbed the tree expertly. She positioned herself on the branch and shook it dropping three of the reds onto the ground. She jumped down and grabbed one before Gohan went for it; he neighed his disapproval.

"This one is mine Gohan." Misaki blew on the fruit, wiping on her shirt and was about to take a bite when she heard the crunching of grass behind her. She turned to see none other than Li walking toward her, hands holding something steaming.

"Wouldn't you rather eat this instead?" Misaki still took that bite of the fruit before going over to the man. Her blush was back on her face as she recalled the heat and the lust between the two of them. She shook her head and took the food.

"Where did you find this?" As far as she knew, there wasn't a house or anything to cook for yards.

"Well, that shouldn't matter…" said Hei walking away. "We better eat and get on our way before your father gets worried again."

"Well then," she said already on Gohan, "Race you there!"

Mrs. Jo had woken up late this morning. She had stayed up till late last night just in case the others had come to visit her, but she fell asleep and before she knew it the roosters' loud calls did nothing to abolish her sleep. She was about to open the door when she stopped to make sure that everything was in proper order before she left. Upon doing so, she saw the neighbor get out of his house; something he rarely did. She remembered the first time he came to the village; it was after the queen had died, and no body had bothered to invite him into the village, everyone except for Mrs. Jo. She had baked a cake that day to give to him—a housewarming cake. He accepted it with a vacant thank you and closed the door; she wasn't even able to get a good look at the man. She hadn't seen him leave that house ever, not even when there were parades, or festivals, for nothing did he leave his house. Finally peeling her eyes from the window, the woman swiftly walked away from her house to get the days provisions. The bad feeling that was over her had not left at all that day.

Li dropped the princess off in her room after a much awkward (awkward for her at least) goodbye. The day had just begun and he was pretty sure the soldiers were already up and getting everything ready. The barracks were empty when the man walked in; everything was clean and neat, the beds made, the floor swept. He walked over to his bunk; he hadn't slept in it for days now but it wasn't as if he missed it. He got a change of clothes and was headed to the latrines when Keigo stepped out in front of him. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Hei took a step back as the man continued forward. "Where were you?"

"I was out, doing my job, escorting the princess around."

"Is that so?" Hei nodded. "You know you may think you are above the others because you're an escort, but you do know that you are still a soldier right? And that, as a soldier, I am still your commanding officer?"

"And as one who is in good graces with the princess… I believe I have power over you wouldn't you say?" It came without warning, the punch did, just like the last one.

"I hate you Li; I hate you good." Keigo took off his jacket and exposed his hands free of cloth. I will kill you," screamed the commander. Hei saw the blue outline projecting from the man. Hei had no idea what powers the man had. Keigo jumped up and brought electricity – the yellow kind – and slammed his hands onto the bed. The springs shot up from the bed, cheap Styrofoam-like material filled the air as Hei moved away once again.

Quentin smiled after he got news that Keigo was in the barracks and Li was there. Now all that would matter would be time. If all went well, then he would have his throne. The advisor walked into the room, careful to make sure that he was seen inside of the room. The king looked ill, but in truth he was actually recovering… it's just a shame to think that after surviving to rule for another day he'd be murdered by the people he trusted most. He spoke to the king for a while, again, making sure the timing wasn't off. If Misaki came in, all that was planned for. If she stayed longer than needed, that was planned for too. Her etiquette teacher would be there early and she was the one teacher who would punish Misaki for being late to class.

Quentin was still having the meaningless conversation with the king when Misaki knocked on the grand oak doors. She entered the room nodding to Quentin as he left the room. Only a few more hours or minutes, depending on whatever happened first. They were playing a game of chance here and the outcome was any possibility at all.

Would it matter at all if he used his powers? Hei was still dodging, throwing things at Keigo. He thought no. Hei let his power go, becoming outlined in the same astral line his foe was, as the blue electric attack took Keigo by surprise. Keigo stared at the man, that anger that had caused him to punch Hei the first time they met (when he was Li) was back on his face.

"You…" Once the word came out of his mouth Hei knew he knew, not that it mattered anymore. "You were the son of a bitch who attacked me in the village." Hei decided to attack again, ignoring the state of shock the soldier was in. The attacks came harder and it was then that Hei decided to run. Keigo laughed as Hei determined the best thing to do would be to leave… if anyone came in, the new guy would always be first suspect.

One of the other conspirators had motioned that Li was on the move from the castle. Two soldiers, walked up to Li and told him that the king wanted to see him. Hei couldn't at all not show up next to the king. If anything, that could be his alibi for the search party that was undoubtedly going to happen.

Misaki ran out of the room, running to make it in time for class. Her dad was getting better she could tell and that just made her happy.

Hei hurried up the steps, wary of every soldier that came passing by. For some reason he'd think he was more the lone knight type of guy, almost like he had another life kind of thing, but he dismissed the thought. He was in the open, and that in itself made it hard to concentrate.

Keigo got to the king's quarters way before Hei did. There were more than one way to the hall that connected his room, but again, only his most trusted colleagues knew about that. The king had a smile on his face as Keigo walked closer to him.

"Keigo how are you? It's been forever it seems." The king spoke only in a whisper as if speaking at volume would hurt him. Keigo walked as if he was going to talk. He seized the noble's hands and looked into his eyes. It was a good thing Keigo liked this man, or else he would've killed him with no mercy. The commanding officer's dark eyes went red and his body outlined blue once again.

"Keigo," whispered Naoyasu, "what is this?"

"This my king, is us taking the throne." Keigo's voice was still, solid, and with out movement as he took the life of his king. The electricity traveled to the man's heart heart, slowly messing the natural rhythm. A small smile later, Keigo exited the room just as Hei walked in with Quentin and a few other guards.

"You can't go in, he needs his rest."

"He said he wanted to talk to me…" Hei walked over to the king, who was blinking and had the impression of being alive, yet the moment Hei touched him, all fell to pieces. A glint sparkled in Quentin's eyes as he yelled out.

"Did you guys not see the look of pain upon our king's face as this man laid his hands upon him?" The guards looked at each other confused.

"I didn't see anything…" said one.

"Me either…"

"I did!" exclaimed yet another.

"Now I remember," they said one by one, minds changing with the others speculations. They stood at stance, swords and other weapons at the ready to attack. Quentin walked up to Hei.

"You dare kill the king? You are the man that had run away are you not?" Keigo came from the door, leaning on another's heavy shoulder as they helped him into the room.

"He does dare Quentin… look what he did to me. He is a contractor." Words of amazement escaped the soldiers' lips.

"I should have known," laughed Hei, "of course you were both in this conspiracy."

"Guards," said Quentin, not wanting to humor the man. Not all of the soldiers were in on the plan, and it was best to keep them thinking it was Hei; they fight for the king, they surely wouldn't fight to save those who premeditated the king's murder.

Hei jumped out of the window and ran from the men chasing him. They came in hordes and he was confident that the whole battalion was after him. He feared what he had to do, but it was either do it and live to fight another day, or don't do it, and leave Misaki alone with that man… it wasn't a hard decision at all.

Hei looked back and almost laughed at the sight. The whole crowd that was after him were wearing metal, metal that would kill if in contact with electricity, and not only that though, they were standing so close together, that they'd shock themselves. He said sorry to them all before they fell to the ground lifeless.

It had at some time turned night as Mrs. Jo continued to follow the man. She had decided that instead of going to get the first picking of the day, she could see where this man was going to go; it was too interesting to let the man go after all these years of him staying locked up in his house.

He had been to the castle at least three different times since she started following him. At first she thought it was just him going to meet with the guards to complain, but that's not what he did. He said something, and the guards nodded, letting him through. Hours later it seemed, the man reappeared and with both the king's advisor, as Mrs. Jo had known him by, and the ruthless man who had wanted Li to kill her. Wondering why he was with them she kept on following. The same thing happened the two other times, except the second time Keigo was with the man, and then the third time, two soldiers came out from nowhere.

The old man walked from the shadows of the castle's grounds and started on route back home. Mrs. Jo watched the way the man walked, the way he checked every house on the street he passed by with suspicion. He reminded her of somebody… somebody who she really did not want to remember. They arrived, each of them, at their respective homes. Mrs. Jo stayed outside… something was wrong here.

In the bush, Hei jumped out. He was back in his black clothes and he blended with the shadows as if he were the shadows himself. He saw the old Mrs. Jo standing outside of her house, away from the neighbor's window's view. He threw a branch out to her, getting her attention. Her eyes grew wide with hope as she hurried to the man in black.

"Are you alright… there's something not right here Li, something not right at all."

"I know. The king's advisor… and Keigo… we have to get you out of here. If anything your house is the first place they'll check."

"Are you saying…" Hei closed his eyes. "How horrible. No one deserves to die like that." Hei grabbed her hand and placed in it a bag.

"Here, everything you need. Find somewhere to lay low for a while. I'm going to see what I can do." Mrs. Jo looked at the man. He was taking on problems that weren't his own and he was paying for it. Hei pushed her on her way, but she stopped short, a thought in her mind. "If they killed the king… then what about the princess…" Hei looked away not wanting to answer that particular question himself. He was pretty sure that she'd be safe, at least for now; he hoped she'd be safe for now. "I understand. You find her okay. You make sure you get that woman back."

The nursemaids had all gathered into the chamber to collect the body of the king and prepare him for the coroner who was to come some hours in the later morning. Misaki had been by her dad's side all day, crying harshly at the unfairness of the world. Quentin had walked up to her and told her to let the nurse-maids do their job.

"Where's Li?" asked the princess. She was standing up and about to walk out of the room to follow whoever was to fetch him. "I need to see him now." Her tears were still falling fresh and salty, running down her cheeks.

"Princess…" She sensed a bit of hesitation in the advisor's voice.

"What is it Quentin?"

"Li…"

"What about him?" Misaki stepped over to the man, insisting he tell her what was on his mind.

"It was Li who was found with your father's dead body." The shock that ran its course through her body caused the woman to fall onto the bed. "I'm sorry; we all knew how you felt."

"Are you telling me you think Li killed dad?" Quentin nodded, not looking at her. Misaki started talking, more to herself, trying to tell herself that it couldn't have been Li who killed her father, what would he have to gain from it? She stood up, knees wobbly from the shock, and demanded to see him.

"You cannot my princess."

"I will."

"He has fled. And also, he was the man you had arrested, remember, the man in black, the contractor?" Misaki stared at him in disbelief.

"No, no… why?" She was starting to doubt her own thoughts. "I don't care where he is, I want him found now. He'll explain it to me." She stepped away again from the advisor but he went back in front of her.

"I told you, you can't."

"What? What is going on Quentin? I demand you let me go."

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this after all that has happened, and especially at such a fragile time…"

"Get out with it," said a fierce princess.

"I have been made king officially," he said handing over the documents to her, "and as of tomorrow, you will be my queen."

-X-

A/N: Whoa! Who'd want to marry a jerk like him? I just have to write that I was having fun writing this chapter… the romance scene had me laughing, just because (I have no real reason; I was just laughing) but either way, I'd really like to get feedback on the emotional aspect of the last two chapters, and the next ones; I think I need to work on that…