Chapter twelve: Capturing the Queen
Prompt: #28 Light
Universe: Japanese Feudal AU
Rating: T
A/N: Part 2 of my 'reincarnation' series. Using Japanese names to keep the spirit of the feudal era, no honorifics... too complicated and I don't wanna look like a weeaboo xP Not my best work :/... Edit: Split in half... it was getting too long and crappy so I had to split it so I wouldn't rush the ending.
x
The moon was absent this dreary night, which greatly aided the person sneaking around on private property. Her long blue hair was tied into a braid and she wore a mask to cover her face. Only her blue eyes were showing, which reflected the lamp light stationed around the area. She wore a tight, black body suit and had a katana strapped to her back.
Her name? Hikari. The 'light', though Hikari knew not what she was the light of, only that her missions always happened before dawn, before the light.
Her mission? Assassinate the Professor's daughter.
The Professor went by the name of Nanakamado. He was a brave man who had constantly denounced the Emperor's authority and had organised various rebellions throughout the years. Having written books upon books of political theories and scientific discoveries, it's no wonder he became known as the Professor. Some traitors had even suggested he become the new leader of Sinnoh, but they were swiftly silenced.
The Emperor had enough of the Professor's treachery, and had sought his head. However, his loyal chief, Pluto, had suggested to break the Professor's spirit before executing him, thereby destroying the morale of any future rebellions.
With an evil grin, the Emperor agreed, and had ordered general Jupiter to send her most nimble and cunning assassin to take away what the Professor treasured more than life, politics and science: his daughter. Jupiter had chosen her, Hikari, because she had expertise in swift and clean kills, not to mention she was the one who had silenced the traitors for the Emperor. She did his dirty work, because her mother's life was at stake.
The Emperor wanted to kill the Professor's daughter, so that while the Professor rotted away in grief, the Emperor's army would arrest him under treason charges and publicly execute him. His final words would be words of loyalty to the Emperor.
Breathing lightly through her mask, Hikari pressed herself against the wall of the humble home. She crouched and turned a corner, spotting the Professor bid his daughter goodbye. He was most likely on his way for a meeting with the rebellion. Hikari was about to dart away and plan an entry when she noticed a man approach the daughter and father. He was tall and had spiky black hair. What was most impressive was his fighter garb and staff, signifying he was a monk.
Hikari cursed under her breath, realizing it was Gen from the Kannagi Shrine. He was rumoured to possess great power, having meditated for long hours in solitude. He was a man who strongly believed in the Professor's ideologies, and would do anything for him, even going as far as sacrificing his life.
The mission became much more difficult with Gen guarding Shirona, the Professor's daughter. Holding her breath, Hikari scaled the wall on nimble feet and perched herself on the slanted, tiled roof. She peeked below and saw Gen meditating, balancing his body on one foot and his staff on his palm. His shadows moved not, for he was totally still. His eyes were closed, but Hikari wasn't fooled. He must have sensed her the second he appeared on the grounds, and was awaiting her move.
'Such a gentleman,' she thought, smirking. Quickly unsheathing her katana, she jumped and thrust it forward, slamming it against the ground. She glanced upwards and noticed Gen in a battle stance, awaiting her next move. She straightened and held her sword out, rushing the monk.
He blocked her thrust with his staff and pushed back, making Hikari stumble, and slammed his staff against her side, knocking her to the floor. Groaning she stood up and glared at the monk, who smiled in response. They engaged in another face-off, this time Hikari was more prepared for his attacks. She threw a punch, which he grabbed with one hand, then launched a kick, which he blocked with his forearm, staff in hand. Hikari then used her momentum to thrust her katana on Gen's head, but he smiled and released her.
She gasped as she fell down, but quickly stood up and leaped back. With the score two-nothing in his favour, Hikari was beyond furious. She ignored assassin protocol and rushed him with a shout. Surprised, Gen failed to dodge the swipe at his side and grunted from the pain, blood leaking from the cut. He dodged her thrusts, walking backwards as she pressed on, determined to injure him. She suddenly jumped and spun, using her momentum to deliver a powerful strike to his shoulder. He cried out in pain and fell to his knee, panting harshly but still smiling.
Hikari didn't understand... why was he smiling? Gasping, she came to a quick realization, turning around but blacking out before she could see what hit her. Crumpling to the floor, her only thought consisted of her failure as an assassin. If these people didn't kill her, she was sure to die a gruesome death at the hands of Jupiter and the Emperor.
Mother... I've failed...
x
"What should we do with her, Shirona?"
"We should wait until Father arrives. He's big on mercy."
"If you say so."
Hikari groaned in pain, feeling her head throb. Blinking her eyes open, she wriggled around but noticed she was tied to something... it felt like a tree trunk. The bark digging into her bodysuit was her first clue. Her second was the sound of leaves rustling above her.
Eyes now observing her surroundings, the first thing she saw was Gen, shirtless, and wrapped in bandages. He was sitting crossed-legged in front of her, staring at her intensely. Feeling slightly nervous and guilty, she coughed a bit and looked away. She immediately noticed a tall blond woman leaning against another tree, dressed in traditional informal robes.
She had long blond hair that reached to the back of her legs, grey eyes and a scowl on her face. Hikari blushed out of embarrassment and glanced down to avoid her gaze. This was the woman she was told to kill, and here she was, at her mercy.
"She seems a little young," Gen remarked, leaning back on his palms.
"That's how that bastard Akagi gets them: young and full of energy," Shirona explained, disgust evident in her voice.
"Do not speak of the Emperor that way!" Hikari exclaimed before she could stop herself. The two adults looked shocked before Shirona angrily approached the girl and slapped her face. Hikari gasped and blinked back her tears.
"I'll speak of that coward any way I want, you hear me? He's selfish, cruel and a complete fool. I'd rather die than serve that idiot," Shirona snapped, arms crossed.
"Now, isn't that a bit harsh? The poor girl was raised to defend the man, it's in her system... don't punish her for following her instincts," Gen said, approaching Shirona and pushing her back lightly.
Shirona scoffed but remained silent. Hikari could feel the sting on her cheek and sniffed quietly, ashamed beyond belief. She kept her head down, and closed her eyes, her mother a constant thought. Hearing footsteps, she braced herself for another slap but was surprised to feel a hand patting her head gently. She opened her eyes and met kind navy blue eyes, shades darker than her own.
"Hey now," Gen soothed, "it's okay. We'll get this sorted out when the Professor returns."
"But, why would you help me? I almost... I tried to kill you. And my mission is to—" Hikari stopped herself. Surely this was an act of treason, divulging the Emperor's orders... could she trust them? They spared her life, an act of kindness she was sure to never forget. If it was the Emperor in their place, her death would have been quick and without remorse.
"Your mission is to what?" Gen asked softly, kneeling and placing his hands on her shoulders.
Hikari took a deep breath and stared into the man's eyes."My mission.. is.. was.. to kill Shirona, the daughter of the Professor," she muttered.
Gen raised and eyebrow and chuckled. "You? A little girl? Kill Shirona? Wow, Akagi really underestimated you, huh, Shirona?"
"It's this same little girl that almost ended your life," Hikari retorted, face red from anger at being called 'little', "and, for your information, I'm sixteen years old. Technically, I'm an adult."
"Technically, you're a child compared to us," Shirona declared, "and yes, Akagi thinks all women are inferior, that sexist pig."
Hikari held her tongue, trying not to defend the Emperor. She'd only get slapped again.
"Well, the matter of the fact is, he sent a teen to do his dirty work and paid the price. Say, you look a little familiar... I've been hearing of a blue-eyed menace from visitors of the shrine... could that be you? You seem to appear wherever the Professor and his ideas are concerned," Gen remarked, turning Hikari's cheek to the side to inspect her face.
Hikari remained silent, opting not to divulge anything.
"Answer his question!" Shirona demanded, stomping forward.
Hikari winced but remained firm, biting her tongue and clenching her jaw.
Gen sighed but let go of her face, standing up and putting a hand to his hip. "Her silence speaks louder than her words," he wisely stated.
"I agree," Shirona muttered through grit teeth.
They remained silent, watching the night sky lighten. Hikari sighed and dropped her head; her mission was over, and she failed. Her life was forfeit now. The sky slowly became a navy blue, then lighter shades until the sun started to peek over the horizon. She gasped, enamoured by the beauty of the sky; she'd never seen anything like it before.
Shirona noticed her expression and lifted an eyebrow. "What, you've never seen a sunrise before?"
Hikari kept her eyes glued on the changing colours. "No... I've.. never.." she trailed off, absorbed in her activity.
Shirona allowed some semblance of pity to leak in her expression but she hardened it, determined not to allow her emotions to affect her views. Beside her, Gen seemed deep in thought, fist to his chin. He occasionally glanced at the assassin but was quiet.
"Hey," he started, "we never got your name! I'm Gen, and this is Shirona."
Hikari turned to the man, startled, but smiled slightly.
"I know... my name's—"
"Hikari!" a voice interrupted. The trio looked toward the horizon to see a woman dressed in robes running to them. She looked like a carbon copy of the teen, except her hair was pulled into a tight bun and her features more mature.
"M-mother?!" Hikari stuttered, eyes wide.
"Hikari... I thought.. oh, thank goodness you're safe!" her mother, Ayako, sobbed, hugging her daughter to the best of her ability.
"Mother," Hikari whispered, somewhat embarrassed at the public display of affection. She glanced at Gen who gave a warm smile, and Shirona, who tried to hide her expression with her hair.
"I'll free you right now!" Ayako declared, grabbing a hidden knife from within the folds of her robe. Hikari's eyes widened in shock and she gaped as her mother cut through her bonds expertly.
"What.. since when could you..?" Hikari asked, overwhelmed.
Ayako sighed but held her daughter close, kneeling to give them a rest."The reason why Akagi makes you work for him is not because my life is endangered, but because I used to work for him. When he ordered your father's death, three years after you were born, that was when I offered my services, as an assassin. Your father was killed anyway, as a threat to show me that he would do the same to you.
"When Akagi learned of your potential, he immediately set out to take you, and I could do nothing but watch him transform you. I resigned and he accepted, under the condition that I would not interrupt your work. I was powerless, but I knew you wouldn't let his darkness take over your light... your name is 'Hikari' after all; the light of my eye and the reason I joined the rebellion in secret."
Hikari sat in shock, absorbing what her mother told her. All this time, this work, this effort... and she was being played by the man she called 'Emperor'? The man she defended so vehemently, the man she worked for? The man she gave up her childhood for... the man she killed for. Her eyes burned with tears and she let out a sob, collapsing against her mother.
"Mother, I... I killed all those people.. all for a monster! I'm.. so ashamed. My honour has been tarnished, my pride dismantled and my dignity crumbled to ashes..." she cried, clutching the back of her mother's robe.
Ayako soothed her daughter, treading her fingers through her hair and undoing her braid. "There, there...it's okay."
Hikari pulled back and glared at her fists. "No, it's not! My hands are stained with blood... I need to redeem myself, for my father, you, Gen, Shirona, the Professor and all the people I killed in the name of the Emperor, no, Akagi, the cruel dictator."
The three adults observed in silence as the teen pulled away from her mother, taking her knife and cutting her palm open. "I swear by this wound and the blood of my mother and father, I will fight for the rebellion and end the life of Akagi, or die trying," Hikari declared loudly, looking toward the horizon. Suddenly, a tall, old man appeared, holding a box under his arm.
"Hmm! I see we have a new member! Excellent!" a deep voice exclaimed.
Shirona ran up to the man with the pointed white beard and mustache, throwing her arms around him. "Father!" she joyously greeted.
"Shirona," he returned warmly, kissing the top of her head.
He turned to Gen and nodded. Gen bowed deeply in return. The Professor then turned to the mother and daughter and approached them, giving a hand to Ayako to help her up.
"Professor, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Hikari. Hikari, this is the man you've hated and loved for so long," Ayako said, turning to her daughter.
"Hated and loved?" Shirona asked, a curious expression on her face.
"Yes," Ayako giggled, "Hikari has read all his books on political ideology and deeply admires him, but she hated him because Akagi hates him."
Shirona stared at Hikari, seeing her in a new light. A person who admired the works of her father was a person to be admired, in her opinion. Just like Gen, she mused.
"Though now," Ayako continued, "she would prefer to love than hate."
Hikari stayed silent as the Professor stood in front of her. The man she'd hunted for Akagi for so long was right in front of her. If she wanted to, she could kill him right now and return to Akagi with victory. But, did she want that? Did she want honour in the name of death and blood? A tingle from her palm reminded her that, no, she didn't want that. Akagi was the enemy, and the Professor a friend. A friend she'd protect to her death, along with her mother, Gen and.. even Shirona.
"Now then," the Professor muttered, "let's clean this up, hmm?" He pulled bandages from his pocket and a tissue, cleaning up the blood before wrapping the wound. Hikari flexed her hand and smiled. She looked up at the kind eyes of the man and mustered up her courage.
"Thank you... I won't fail you," she told him.
He smiled in return. "I know. Come, let us step inside the house and discuss things in more detail... if we want to plan something we will have more freedom in the privacy of my home."
The Professor beckoned everyone inside and they followed. Hikari stayed behind, however, to watch the sun rise slowly. Shirona noticed this and stood at the entrance of the house to observe the girl. The teen stayed still, staring at the vast array of colours painting the sky. She then walked over to where her katana laid and placed the blade under her foot. With a sharp tug on the handle and pressure from her foot, she snapped it in half. She took both pieces and, with all her strength, threw them far away into the forest.
"When I kill Akagi," she said loud enough for others to hear, "it'll be with hands purged of dishonour and a weapon that shines like the light I was named for."
Shirona quickly ran inside when Hikari turned around and sat next to her father. Gen gave her a weird look but she dismissed his question with a shrug. Hikari entered then, sitting next to her mother. The group was sitting on a large mat in the center of a room. There was a low table, with the Professor at the head, Shirona on his right and Gen on his left. Hikari and Ayako sat on the other end, facing the Professor. On the table was the box the Professor had carried, opened up to reveal aged documents and books.
Gen's eyes widened. "Are these...?"
"Treaties with the other regions? Absolutely," the Professor confirmed.
"No way..." Shirona breathed.
"The only way to destroy the Emperor's grasp on Sinnoh is to receive outside help. I happen to personally know all the top scholars from the neighbouring regions, and though it took months of discussion, we have finally reached an agreement," he explained.
"Professor... there's something I don't understand. Well, two things," Hikari said, drawing the attention of all the occupants. She blushed lightly at the attention she received but brought forth her courage.
"Umm... first thing is, how do you plan on overthrowing the Empe— I mean Akagi, if you only have signatures of the scholars?" she asked.
The Professor laughed in response. "Dear, these men are the advisers of their regions leaders. They will put in a good word for me, trust me. When we win, they will benefit from our victory. Do you not remember when I wrote about compromising with other regions to become stronger?"
"Of course I do!" she exclaimed, "but I just don't see how promising something in return is going to make them send men to die for us!"
"They will not die for materials, that is just a bonus. They will be dying for the freedom of the people. Are you not fighting for the same cause?"
"...yes."
"Good, we have reached an understanding.. now, what was your second question?"
"Why was my mother with you?"
'Blunt and to the point,' Shirona thought, amused.
The Professor remained stoic and quiet but her mother blushed. "I-it's not what you think, dear!" Ayako nervously reassured, "the Professor.. I was going to ask the Professor a favour."
Hikari turned to her mother. "What kind of favour?"
Ayako steeled herself and clenched her fists, closing her eyes. "I was going to ask him to retrieve you from Akagi and fake your death. But I see you've managed to escape him on your own, though now your life is at stake..."
Hikari's eyes watered and she blinked rapidly, sucking in her breath. "M-mom.."
"Don't cry, dear," Ayako soothed, thumbing away her daughter's tears. Hikari nodded and faced the Professor once more. He had placed his documents on the table and his box was put away.
"Let's get to business," he announced.
"First, I have already discussed battle strategies with the scholars. Professor Okido and Professor Utsugi, of the Kanto and Johto regions respectively. Their fleets will be coming in with their ships directly to Nagisa city. The rebellion stationed there will be briefed by my assitant, Kouki, and the leader, Denzi, will aid them in the conquest of Nagisa. They will move forward and try to recapture the upper-east area of the Sinnoh region, then move west. This is so that we can cut off supplies to Snowpoint, the army's barracks.
"Following from there, I have spoken with Professors Odakami and Araragi. Hoenn will be moving in from Mio city, along with Unova, and will take over the lower western area. They will move eastward and press forward until they reach the base of operations Nagisa. By the following year, we'll have established a new regime and a new leader over the Sinnoh region," the Professor concluded, leaning back.
"What about Akagi?" Hikari asked.
The Professor looked at her directly. "I'll leave him to you. I feel you will be able to benefit the most from him emotionally, since you have an oath to fulfill and honour to redeem."
"Professor, if I may?" Gen interrupted.
"Hmm?"
"I.. would like to accompany Hikari on her mission," he requested, bowing low.
"Absolutely n—"
"Father," Shirona interjected, "while I do not agree that we should send our best monk with her... you do not know the dangers Hikari will face. She will need all the help she can get..."
"Hey!"
"...which is why I would like to go in Gen's stead."
"No!" the Professor roared.
"What?!" Hikari and Gen exclaimed in shock.
"That's right, you heard me."
"I will not allow it. Shirona, you are my only daughter and my only weak point. I cannot allow you to travel around," the Professor argued.
"Father, I am perfectly capable of travelling on my own. I've done it before, have I not?"
"Yes, but, Gen was with you!"
"And Hikari will be with me now. Father, she needs this help. Gen can't go, he needs to protect you. Ayako can't go, she would worry too much, and you can't go... you're the leader!"
The Professor slammed his hands on the table and stood, furious. "Listen, this girl may be an expert fighter, and she may not have killed you, but she almost did! She will turn against you and kill you when you have your guard down!"
The occupants in the room all gave shocked looks, but the most overwhelmed person was Hikari. She stood abruptly and left the house.
"I'll go see her," Shirona sighed, walking out the door before Gen or her father could interject. She exited her home and looked around. Behind her, she could hear Ayako and the Professor arguing fiercely and Shirona ignored them. Taking a deep breath, she decided to think like Hikari and looked at the roof, spotting a navy lump. She climbed up the vines on the side and peeked over, spotting the teen sitting and watching the horizon, knees pulled to her chest. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in waves, styled so because of her tight braid.
Shirona approached her and sat down, staring at her. She didn't understand why she tried to help her, the girl who was going to kill her. But she felt a connection to her, something deep within her spirit that told her they'd met before, that they shared something between them. Her heart had ached when Gen suggested he go with Hikari, much to her confusion. She decided to follow her instincts this time, something Gen would understand and forgive her for.
She didn't understand why her father was furious, but if she had to take a guess, he probably didn't mean what he said and was only speaking like he did to change her mind.
"Hey," Shirona tried, putting a hand on the girl's shoulder.
Hikari ignored her. Shirona rolled her eyes and shook the teen's shoulder. Hikari tightened her hands on her knees but stayed still. Cursing teens and their malicious attitude streak, Shirona shook Hikari's shoulder harder and remained passive when Hikari turned to her with a furious expression.
"What?" she snapped.
"Ignore what my father said," Shirona bluntly stated, "he's just trying to convince me not to go. He's spewing empty words."
Hikari looked at her with confusion in her eyes. "Why? Why would he do that?"
Shirona pulled her hand back and exhaled softly. "He loves me, he doesn't want me to die."
"So then don't go. Stay with your dad. I can do this on my own."
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because... I don't know. My instincts are telling me to go with it, so I am."
Hikari accepted her answer and they remained in silence, watching the trees rustle. Hikari glanced at the blond woman and felt herself smile, feeling slightly giddy about something.
"You like me!" Hikari declared.
Shirona turned to her, eyes wide. "What? Absolutely not. I'm only helping you because I feel it's the right thing to do," she defended.
"Why would you help me? I was ordered to kill you and I would've done it too if it hadn't been for Gen," Hikari retorted.
"Because," Shirona struggled to come up with the right words, "because... I feel a connection to you. Like I've met you before or something."
Hikari blushed lightly, not expecting an answer like that. She fidgeted slightly and made eye contact with Shirona. "I.. umm... does it feel like we've met before and had good times? But then there's this incredible sadness like something came between us and separated us?"
Shirona gasped. "That's.. exactly!"
"Thought so," Hikari muttered. "I've felt this way since you announced you wanted to come with me. It just... dredged up a lot of weird feelings for some reason," she added, "I'm just trying to sort it out..."
"I don't understand why..."
"Me neither, but I guess it wouldn't be wise to go separate ways now."
"Alright, then. We're partners now, huh?"
Hikari smiled and Shirona returned her action in kind. "Yep!"
They rested in comfortable silence, and Hikari tried to pull her courage again. "Shirona?"
"Hmm?"
"You know how it was my mission to kill you?"
Shirona turned to Hikari, a question in her eyes. "Yes.. what about it?"
Hikari grinned and turned to face her. "Look at you... so serious.. but, really, I just want to tell you that.. well, now, I'm making it my mission to protect you!"
Shirona's eyes widened before her shock melted to happiness. She turned to face the horizon and smiled warmly. "I'll hold you to that."