A/N: What's up, fellow readers? Wrote another chapter because I want this to get done before finals. I only have about five more chapters to write before this fanfic is complete. Hopefully I can get this all out of my system as quickly as possible, as I have so many new writing ideas.
Even though it's only November, I listened to Christmas music as I wrote this. Lol. (But, seriously who isn't pumped for Christmas?)
Chapter 18:
"Finally, we'll see this bitch get what she deserves," Maki whispered to Suzuka. "Honestly, when Origami Yukari confirmed to me that she's actually related to Hiiragi Kagari, I admit I had a bit of a shock."
Maki and Suzuka thought Konoka was not listening as she was walking a little ahead of them, but she heard quite well. Gnashing her teeth, she was made very annoyed at these remarks, along with having to suddenly meet with the Origami sisters in their hospital room. The fact that the two Elite Guard idiots had to escort her made her even more indignant.
Yukari's curt voice came through the door, after Konoka vehemently rapped on it. "Enter."
The Origami family ambassador strode in alone, leaving Maki and Suzuka to stand guard outside the room. Konoka tried not to let a smile cross her face at seeing the thick bandages encasing most of the Origami sisters' bodies. However, in her opinion, they deserved worse. Delighted as she was that the two women were bedridden, their raw skin and broken bones were nothing compared to what she once went through. She, Hiiragi Konoka, suffered much worse...and nobody would understand that. But she'd make them understand.
"Do you know why I ordered for you to come here?" Yukari said sourly.
Konoka went purple.
"Juujou Hiyori told us that you have executed Etou Kanami, one of our most loyal Tojis, without our knowledge and permission," Akane said in a thick voice.
Konoka drew herself up, haughtily. So, her little niece poured out her sorrows to them in their captivity. Konoka cursed Tagitsuhime in her mind. If it had been up to her, Konoka would've just permanently shut the mouths of the Origami sisters, instead of just tricking them into Tagitsuhime's hands. But no—the aradama princess insisted on having the two alive as her prize trophies.
Konoka did not show any signs of fear though. She already had what she needed.
"You honestly believe the same girl who has literally killed hundreds of people just to steal noro? Juujou Hiyori is a traitorous monster! Slaying innocent civilians, soldiers, and Tojis! And may I remind you that she once turned her sword to you as well, Origami Yukari," Konoka spat.
"And yet from what we've heard, you have abused your position of power in our time of captivity!" Yukari retorted.
Konoka let something that sounded like a snort and a laugh escape her mouth. Her blood boiled at the two women before her, the family responsible for everything she had to endure. Through more than twenty years of loneliness, Konoka had enough time to let her mind brew and ravage against everyone she knew.
"So Juujou Hiyori is your favourite, is she?" Konoka snarled. "She gets the special treatment from you two, whereas I was left to fend for myself?"
Guilty looks crossed the faces of the Origami sisters, knowing that Konoka's words rang true and that they were partly to blame. Yukari set her mouth, as she shifted her position on her bed.
"It was wrong for us to not be there when you needed us the most," Yukari began. It was never easy for her to figure out what to say in these situations.
Akane continued for her sister, "But that is why we offered you this position...in the hopes that our relationship could be mended."
Konoka's eyes flashed fire, as she roared, "Mend our relationship?! You're the reason as to why I spent years without a family or friends! Alone! Mother is dead because of you! And you dare to think that I would actually forgive you?!"
In stony anger, she continued, "Your mother made my family disown me and hide me away for years. All because I was born half-aradama. All I wanted was to stand by your side with the others, as a Toji. I had every right to deserve everything!"
In Konoka's fierce anger came out all the words she had wanted to say. The words she had been bottling up for years, hoping somebody would understand and love her. The pain and anger she let boil inside her and never let go.
"But, we'll never get past this," Konoka seethed. "All because of what you did to me."
Yukari, who had been silent the whole time, stared at Konoka in stony anger. She was in all honesty ready to forgive Konoka for what she did, but after hearing her bitter words, had changed her mind entirely.
"Hiiragi Konoka, I am removing you from your position as the Origami family ambassador," Yukari said. "You are free to remain in Kamakura, but you are no longer welcome at the mansion or the Special Sword Administration Bureau. You are dismissed."
In her wrath, Konoka's hair started to float violently in the air, surrounded by blue aradama radiance. Her face became white with rage.
"Kaga-nee-chan already paid for her sins. But once I kill her precious daughter, there will be nobody left to protect you two," Konoka said.
"I don't think so!" a voice yelled.
Seconds later, the door flew open and Konoka moved just in time to avoid Maki and Suzuka's okatanas. Letting a "tch" escape her mouth, Konoka let a burst of energy envelop her body before crashing out the window in a bolt of lightning.
Tagitsuhime let a small grumble escape her mouth, as the rain continued to relentlessly beat down on top of her. There was no doubt that Hiyori was intent on either slowing her down or washing her away. Most likely the first one. Tagitsuhime knew that Hiyori wouldn't dare try to do anything too dangerous, while she had Kagari in her grasp.
A strong gust of wind caught the aradama princess off guard, causing her to trip slightly. Thankfully, she hadn't dropped Kagari, but just the sudden motion was enough to make the baby in her arms cry fretfully.
"It's alright, my little hatchling. Mummy's got you," Tagitsuhime soothed.
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to keep going. Right now, looking for shelter from the storm was her main concern. Through the darkness, dozens of crows flew silently among the branches of the trees. Tagitsuhime narrowed her eyes at them, before continuing forward. It was apparent that her presence caught the crows' attention though. Right as Tagitsuhime past by them, their beady eyes swiveled in her direction. The aradama princess let an evil smile crawl over her features.
"I honestly didn't expect you to send spies, Hiyori darling," she chortled.
The crows let out a simultaneous shrieking cry of rage, their blue eyes flashing with the lust to kill. Tagitsuhime desperately tried to balance Kagari with one arm, using the other to hold Onimaru, as the black horde of birds shot towards them. The aradama princess's orange eyes lit up with mild amusement, as she swung her okatana wildly. It didn't take long for all of the crows to fall dead to her feet.
Just as Kagari let a loud cry of agitation, Tagitsuhime said, "No, don't cry, little one. See? Mummy won't let anyone hurt you. We'll find ourselves a safe place and-"
She let a short gasp when she saw the small cut on Kagari's chubby little arm. Tagitsuhime shook her head in disbelief, as her eyes slowly turned to the okatana in her hand. Which now had a stain of blood on it.
"Get that thing to shut up," a voice grumbled. "Or I'll shut it up myself permanently."
Tagitsuhime turned to see Konoka stumbling through the shrubbery. An irked expression was on her face.
"Honestly, how do you stand that thing? I've always hated rug rats," the green-haired woman huffed. "But, onto more important questions, did you succeed with our plan? And what are you doing out here anyway? I thought you'd be exchanging your holy vows of union with my niece."
The dirty look she received from the aradama princess made Konoka add, "You seem disappointed."
Tagitsuhime answered, "Juujou Hiyori's reaction was not what I had expected or hoped."
It didn't take long for her to explain the rest and as she continued, Konoka's expression became more and more terrible.
"Then why didn't you kill her?!" Konoka roared.
"Although destroying the world would have been a big bonus, forcing Juujou Hiyori to submit herself to me was my primary focus," Tagitsuhime said, then with a sly smile, "Wouldn't want to end up a single mother now, would I?"
Konoka let out an exclamation of frustration, and growled, "I've had enough of this! I'll destroy the whole Hiiragi family on my own!"
She shot the aradama princess a look, once Tagitsuhime threw back her head, laughing.
"Just what is so funny?" Konoka said.
"I'm thinking about what a coincidence this is," Tagitsuhime responded.
"Huh?!"
"About how alike you are to your little niece," Tagitsuhime clarified. "Two aradama Tojis bent on revenge. Sound familiar?"
Konoka got right up to the aradama princess's face, snarling, "Don't even compare me to your little slut."
She vowed, "I will destroy every Hiiragi and I will get my vengeance. Everything Juujou Hiyori ever had will be mine!"
Unsheathing her okatana, Konoka asked, "So, who shall it be first? Hiyori or that little imp you both created?"
Tagitsuhime gave her a similar sneer, as she replied, "Watch yourself, dearie. I don't know exactly what your deluded plans for revenge are, but I do know this: I will never allow you to hurt my little hatchling."
"And I will never allow you to get in the way of my 'deluded plans' because of your sudden change of heart," Konoka countered.
She pointed her okatana towards Tagitsuhime, adding, "I suggest you make this easy for me."
"Not a chance."
After whispering some consoling words to Kagari and setting her down, Tagitsuhime summoned Onimaru and Oodenta into her hands. The two blades clashed against Konoka's double-edged okatana, as the two attacked one another. Konoka swung her weapon at Tagitsuhime's legs, hoping to slash them and make her unable to stand. However, the aradama princess easily blocked her attacks.
Just as Tagitsuhime was about to land a hard blow to Konoka's shoulder, she felt something strike the side of her head. Almost immediately, glowing orange noro started to flow out of her wound. Staggering back, Tagitsuhime frantically tried to clear the spots starting to appear before her eyes, but was struck down by a hard blow to her stomach.
"Your loss," Konoka chuckled, before driving her okatana through Tagitsuhime's chest. "I may have been the outcast, but even Fujiwara Minato was no match for me."
Clutching the gash in her torso, Tagitsuhime lay still on the ground, weakened and gasping for air. Her eyes widened as Konoka snatched a wailing Kagari into her arms.
"Wait!" Tagitsuhime cried.
A sorrowful tone she had never used before was in her voice, as Tagitsuhime pleaded, "Please...mercy."
A gulp went down her throat. "I can't lose my child."
If Konoka was sorry at the sight of Tagitsuhime looking so helpless, she certainly didn't show it. A contemptuous smile was on Konoka's face, as she put her okatana back in its sheath.
"Don't worry. I'll send Hiyori-chan your greetings," she cackled, before disappearing into the night.
A/N: Yay! Another chapter done! Sorry that this one is a little lacking, but writer's block has been affecting me lately. Please send me your thoughts and opinions if you wish. Hope you're all having a great November so far and peace out!