Author's Note: So how many people still remember Jelensta? Haha she was in "The Grand Ball II" and appeared 1 more chapter sometimes after that for about 2 paragraphs… :P it's so hard writing about her now as she's come a long way since then and has developed into one of my favourite OCs… she's a girl with lotsa attitude, and her last name should be Frazram! XD; Please leave a review guys! I'm really, really hoping to make to 400 reviews! Please help me make it come true! :D
Wow… the response for last chap's question… very passionate for Sakura and Syao… as in no one wanted Mei and Syao… whoops… now I know people will really wanna kill me on the last chapter… n.n; BUT! Before you all go ballistic, it will NOT be Mei n Syao… read A/N at end of chapter for more info! :P
)Cheeseycraziness( - Well, see the thing is the time that they live in, there's no such thing as "Divorce" yet… which as we can all see is going to become a major issue… n.n;
)Golden Emerald( - Yeah, see that's the main problem, I got pretty much everyone paired up except for Sakura and Mei… basically one of them has to leave broken hearted… T.T either Jayx or Reyn dies? O.o isn't that a lil extreme? XD Well don't expect me to kill King Reyn… n.n; I just can't… I wuv him… XD And glad you're enjoying the long updates :)
)kimmygoldenangel( - O.o oh wow… those are some choices for Mei… T.T
)sakusyao( - Yeah… that's my other major issue… T.T If Sakura goes with Syao, obviously as the Queen she has to stay inside the castle, where as Touya is not a royalty of any type, thus not allowing him anywhere near the castle… and poor Chiika is caught in between… I think I got myself into more of a mess than I can sort out… T.T
)Irui( - Naww, lol don't worry, it's not like there's some rule you have to review every chap or something… XD thanks for, I guess "voting" in the polls! :)
)Amy Ishida( - Aww! Yay, thank you, finally someone who has at least some love for Mei… I agree with you completely btw… even if Mei doesn't get the guy of course I'll give her a grand and proud exit… :happy tears:
)Jackie( - Thank you for your honesty! Really! Actually I sort of feel that way too, but I really don't know what to do… X.x I guess I was just more "into" the story before…? And usually I'm better at writing beginnings and endings… so I really hope my ending will match up to your expectations...
Thanks you guys for answering my questions last time!
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Chapter Seventeen
Captured
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The old woman heard a light knocking on her door. "Who it is?" She called out weakly.
"It's me, ma'am."
A slow smile crept over her wrinkled face as she got up from the sofa with great difficulty to greet her guest. "Oh my, hello, dear, what brings you here today?"
Touya smiled gently at the old woman as he handed her a basket of various vegetables. "It's been a great season this year; we have plenty to eat and then some. And I thought if possible, could you taste them and let me know how they are? You know, to help me determine the price I should sell them on the market for."
The old woman smiled as she took the basket gratefully. "Oh thank you, Touya, you've grown up to be such a kind child…"
Touya smiled at the old woman whom he grew up with. He had always lived here for as long as he could remember, and she had always been his neighbour.
Back when he was still a small child, this woman and her husband had often given him small treats, and helped him clean up so that his parents wouldn't find out about him having played in the sandbox after school. But inevitably, as time goes by, people grow old. A few years back her husband passed away, and since then on, Touya had tried to help her out wherever he could, to make life a little easier for her. "Is there any chores you might need help with today, ma'am?"
"No, no, you worry too much Touya. Truly, I am still functional…"
"Of course, I wouldn't doubt it for a single second." He replied with a smile. "Well, take care now." He gave her a brief hug and began walking away.
The old woman—whose name was Mame (May-mm)—stared after Touya's retreating figure hesitantly. After a long pause, she finally called out, "Touya! Actually, there is something!"
He turned around instantly. "Yes? What is it?"
"Well, I was wondering if you could help me make some lunch today…?"
"Of course, I'd be happy to." Touya replied as he walked into her house. She shut the door behind her, worry flashing across her eyes.
—
"How are you doing these days?" Touya asked as he peeled away at a potato.
"Oh, same old, same old. There really isn't much left to do anymore… I'm just not who I used to be…" she sighed.
Touya laughed. "Oh, I still remember the way you were back then… I was still such a kid… but I remember how lively and vibrant you were, and I remembered thinking to myself—when I grow up, I gotta get myself a wife as wonderful as she is. A truly recherche figure."
Mame laughed along with him. "Yes, yes, the wonderful old days when we were all so young and innocent… but look at me now, nothing more than a frangible old woman…" Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the joy in his face—it's been a while since she's seen him this happy… especially the past few months… he had been exceptionally depressed. "You know, Touya, I can't help but to notice how happy you seem to be…"
He turned and looked at her. "Oh? I haven't noticed that myself." He replied, though a smile was still bright on his face.
She chuckled. "You've grown up to become very reserved, my dear, and it's the first time I've ever seen you smile this much."
"Well I haven't noticed a difference at all." He replied as he turned around to cut up some cabbage.
"Pardon me, but I couldn't help but to wonder… does it have anything to do with… that beautiful young woman at your house?"
Touya stiffened. He lowered his head a bit and pretended to be concentrating more on the cutting. "Oh yes… you spoke to her?"
"Not quite… but she is a very vibrant soul—it's impossible not to notice her, with such beauty, energy, and of course, that gorgeous red hair."
"Yeah, I suppose…" he replied laboriously.
"Touya…"
"Yea?"
"Touya…"
"Yes?"
"Touya, honey, look at me please."
Slowly, Touya dropped the knife on the cutting board as he turned around slowly, still staring at the ground.
"Have a seat, dear." She gestured at the seat next to hers.
Touya sat down reluctantly. He didn't like where this was going… nowadays, any mentions of Kaho made him nervous. One might say he was being overcautious, but it was pure kismet that he was able to find her again, and he didn't want to lose her again.
"Touya, look at me please."
After a very long time, Touya finally brought his eyes to meet hers.
"Touya… I don't want to say anything offensive… but having known you for 20 something years, you do know that I worry about you, and care about you very much."
"I know, Mame, and I love you dearly too."
She smiled warmly as she grasped his hands. "Listen… Touya… I'm sure you've seen, and they may even have been to your house… it's the talk of the town right now… it's the easy way out for anyone who wants to get rich fast…" she cleared her throat. "They… they've got a bounty on this girl… a life-time worth of fortune will be paid to anyone who would simply tell them her whereabouts… they don't even have to capture her or anything… you must understand everyone in town is going mad trying to find this woman, as the soldiers do believe she is nearby…" She could feel the temperature drop in Touya's hands.
"Yeah. I heard about it. 50,000 gold, was it?"
"Yes, you remember well… there was one distinct characteristic about her written down… do you remember what that was?"
Touya swallowed. "That she has bright red hair like the sunset." He said through gritted teeth.
Mame nodded slowly. "I don't want to hurt you Touya… but… that woman with you… I-I think she's trouble…"
Touya withdrew his hands quickly. "What's wrong with her." He bit out with difficulty.
"Well for one… I notice how she often puts her hair up and wear a sunhat of sorts… but if anyone was to see that hair of hers… the consequences could be catastrophic."
"What are you saying, Mame?"
"Touya… I'm saying… maybe you should consider finding another home for her…"
Touya rose from his seat abruptly. "That's not fair, Mame, that's just not fair! She came to my house during one, cold night. She's homeless, do you understand? She has nowhere else to go! I can't just send her away—and all because of what? Because she happens to have red hair? That doesn't mean anything!"
"Your reaction means something, though."
Touya took a sharp intake of breath. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, calming his breathing. When he opened his eyes again, they were dull. "I'm not sending her anywhere. She's going to stay with me."
Mame sighed sadly. "Please don't be angry with me, Touya… I am only thinking what is best for you… I do not wish for someday, for someone to see her and… mistaken her to be the woman with the hefty bounty on her head. You and I may know… what… she is… and what she isn't, but that doesn't mean everyone else does. If someone speaks of your house then soldiers will definitely raid your home… No matter what you plead, the soldiers will take her and you away. Perhaps by then, the King shall say… 'that's not the one I'm looking for, release them'. But by then, months could've passed, and the state of your home will be no doubt disastrous… and think Touya, think about your daughter Chiika… what's to become of her?"
Touya swallowed thickly. There were too many negative possibilities that he had forced out of his mind for much too long. He simply didn't want to think about the consequences—it would drive him mad. "Mame… if something like that were to ever happen… could you… could you take care of Chiika… till I return?"
Mame frowned. "Oh, Touya… come here…"
Touya did as he was asked, and she engulfed him in a tight hug. "I've watched you grow up… I heard you say your first words, I watched you learn to talk, walk, go to school, and become the successful, brilliant man you are today… I do not wish for anything to happen to you, my child…"
"I know, Mame… but you must believe in me… I'm doing the right thing."
She nodded tearfully as she released him. "All right, I believe you…"
"By the way… do you know if… they have published the name of that woman?"
She was thoughtful. "I do not believe so… but I have heard rumours of soldiers speaking of it… I believe she's called… Mizuki. Mizuki… Kaho?"
Touya swallowed. "Oh, okay. Thanks." The situation was worse than he had anticipated.
"Not a problem, child. What do you say we finish lunch?"
Touya smiled thankfully as he returned to the vegetables.
Mame leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Be safe, child…
—
King Syaoran had returned to his chambers for the doctors to examine his arm injury, leaving Eriol and Jelensta alone in the throne room.
Jelensta giggled as she circled the throne, before propping down in it.
Eriol stared at her distastefully but said nothing. After all, there was no one watching, and even the King wouldn't've done anything about it. "Tell me, Kalira, do you not have a kingdom to return to?" Eriol bit out tightly, making sure to use her last name.
She stared at him through the top of her eyelids, not amused. "As a matter of fact I do have a kingdom to return to, I just don't want to."
"Where on earth do you exactly stay all the time? I never see you around the castle yet you show up at the worst times possible."
She simply shrugged as she leaned against one arm of the throne and slung her legs over the other. "That's not for you to know." She replied, examining her nails.
Eriol sighed. It was absolutely impossible to try to make this woman feel ashamed or degraded. She simply didn't care enough. Eriol often wondered how on the earth she was brought up to become like this… and why Kings of so many lands wanted her hand in marriage—besides the fact she was beautiful, if not a bit too showy. "Kalira, tell me, exactly how much do you believe… Sakura to be the murderer?"
Jelensta paused before she looked up straight into Eriol's eyes, her expression serious. The normal drowsy and seductive look gone from her eyes. "I do not know this Sakura person well enough to judge, and to be quite honest her well-being isn't important to me. But… truth be told, I believe the chances of her being a murderer, is very slim."
Eriol breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh? Then why do you test her so?"
"Who knows… it's actually not just her. My plan needed another person, and I figured it might as well be her."
"Why didn't you do it yourself?"
Jelensta stared at him before bursting out laughing. "Me? Risking my life for him? I'm terribly sorry, but I risk my life for no one. I'll only die when I feel like dying. Not a moment sooner, not a moment later. Besides, the assassin seems to have a strange soft spot for this Sakura girl, and they also seem to… rather… despise seeing Sakura and the King together. I wonder… could this person be someone who has a slight crush on Sakura?"
Eriol's eyes widened slightly. "Good deductions… that is very possible, actually… So in that case, by sending Sakura, not only will we distract the assassin, protect the King from harm, we'll—ultimately—catch him through Sakura."
Jelensta shrugged as she got up slowly from the throne. "Sure, whatever you like to see it as. I suggest you speak to Sakura soon—this plan should be carried out as soon as possible… I do believe our King is quite irritated at the lack of safety in his life." She laughed mirthless to herself as she walked away, leaving Eriol staring after her, shivering slightly.
—
"Look, for the last time, I'm fine!" The King growled.
The doctor bowed quickly as he collected his equipment in a hurry before leaving.
The King sighed as he pulled his shirt back on. "You." He gestured at nearby soldier guarding the door. "I want you to bring Captain Ramsa here immediately."
"Yes Sir!"
A few minutes later the Captain arrives as he kneeled before the King. "Your Majesty!"
"Please rise." King Syaoran said impatiently. "Listen, it's been much too long! Have you still not found her?"
"I'm sorry your majesty, she is more sneaky than we have expected! But we are doing our best! We have narrowed our possible locations down to one village! I believe we're close to finding her!"
"Oh is that so? Well better hurry it up! Because I believe she is scheming outside these castle walls—scheming to kill me!"
Ramsa gasped. "Your Majesty! Are you all right?"
King Syaoran growled. "That, is not your concern! She, is your concern! So bloody find her quick! My patience is running thin!"
"Yes Your Majesty! We're doing our absolute best!"
"Well your best is not good enough!" He shouted, pacing back and forth with great irritation. "Look, we've already narrowed down that she must've escaped into that village! Someone said they've seen a woman who matches her description! You've sealed off all areas around there, that means there is no way she can escape, which means she has to be in that damned village! WELL HOW HARD CAN IT BE THEN? FIND HER! SEARCH EVERY HOUSE IF YOU HAVE TO!"
"B-But your majesty, we did!"
"And?"
"Well, no one's seen her!"
"Well," he said with a roll of his eyes. "Do you really think she'll just stay at some person's house without precautions? Think about it! With such a huge bounty on her head, obviously she'll have to find someone who'd agreed to keep her identity a secret! So search again, and find her this time, dammit!"
"Yes Your Majesty! Right away!" Ramsa bowed quickly before scurrying hastily out of the room to send a message to his soldiers down at the village.
Kaho, Kaho, Kaho… you're a shrew woman… King Syaoran sighed as he slumped back into a nearby chair. You couldn't've despised me enough to want me dead… could you?
—
There was rapid knocking on the wooden door. A rather high ranked soldier yawned tiredly as he swung the door open.
The man at the door immediately went on his knees as he held a scroll forward. "Message from Captain Ramsa, sir."
The soldier sighed as he unrolled the scroll and skimmed through it quickly. When he was done, he gave a deep sigh. "Stay here for a few. I might have a message to send back a few days from now, hopefully. There's a spare room next door."
The man bowed and left quickly.
The soldier walked out of his hut as he rang the bell in the middle of this small circle of huts.
Groaning could be heard, but five minutes later all the soldiers (approximately 20) gathered near the bell with their uniforms on and their weapons ready.
"Men, I've just received orders from Captain Ramsa. We are given permission… well, in fact we were ordered directly to stop playing the nice guy. And get to point. So, we're breaking up into 4 teams today, groups of 5, and we're going to search the village again, understood?
"Yes sir."
"Good. We'll disperse right now asking around the townsfolk nicely for one last morning before we begin our plan of attack. At noon everyone is to meet back here where we will briefly discuss any progress in this goddamn search. Captain Ramsa is suggesting that someone here might not be tempted by this reward and might be hiding her somewhere. Which is why, from the afternoon till how long ever it takes, we'll fully search every single house in this entire village. If you find anyone suspicious or slightly resembling her, one person will take her to the King immediately, and one person will come back to report to me immediately. After reporting you are to rejoin your teammates and continue the search for anymore suspicious figures. If by any chance there really is someone attempting to hide a woman who also happens to resemble her…" a slow smile appeared on his lips. "Then most likely we've got the right woman. In that case, arrest her and all helpers and take them all to the King. Take as many soldiers as you need to keep them all under control, but send at least one back to report on the status. There are 3 carriages waiting at all four exits, take any one you'd like. Is that understood, men?"
"Yes sir!"
"Good. Now what are you all waiting for? Go!"
—
"Excuse me sir, have you seen this woman?"
Touya stopped as he glanced at the poster nonchalantly. "Yes, I have. I've seen that poster every single day for the past 7 days now. Considering the bounty, do you really think anyone would not turn her in?"
The soldier scratched his head. "I 'unno… 'guess it makes sense… but we gotta find her and haven't so we keep lookin'."
Touya sighed. "My guess is she isn't even in town anymore. Seriously, how does anyone not notice a woman with hair like that?"
"Well, I-I don't know… but… word has it…" he looked around before leaning in to Touya, and whispering, "that somebody's hiding her… that's why we ain't findin' her, 'cause the ca'tain is sure she's here… so we outta be doing another full search soon."
Touya nearly choked hearing that. "Gee, must suck for you with a job like this." He replied tersely.
"Yeah, you bet. It's boring as hell everyday, and the King doesn't even recognize our hard work unless we turn something in." he replied glumly.
"Well, say, does this woman have a name?"
"Naww, not a clue." He rolled his eyes. "You'd think they'd give us more clues when they want this woman so badly…"
Touya patted his shoulder. "I feel ya. I mean 50,000 gold, she must've done something horrendous."
The guard looked around once more, before coughing a bit. "Actually… rumour has it that she really ain't done much bad… just ran away from the King or something so now he's all pissed some woman ran out on him… but SHHHH!" the soldier put a finger over his lips quickly. "Not a word about that, ay?"
Touya smiled. "Not a problem, brother. Well it's getting late, I best be going now. And best of luck to you with this search—hope ya find the woman soon." He said patting the soldier.
"Let me know if you hear anything on her at all, anything, ay?"
"For sure." Touya replied, as he gave a short wave, walking away, cold sweat rolling down his back.
The moment he got home, he quickly ushered Kaho and his daughter into the house from the fields where they were watering various plants and feeding some chickens they owned. "Chiika, go to your room."
"B-But daddy, I was just playing with mommy! I wanna play more!"
"Chiika." Touya said sternly. "Go to you room."
Kaho saw the seriousness on his face as she bent down and took Chiika's hands. "Chiika… please, be a good girl, ne? Stay in you room for just a tiny little bit, and I promise to reward you later." She winked.
Chiika giggled. She loved it when people winked. "Aww, okies mommy… mmm could I get some cookies and milk as a treat?" She pouted.
Kaho laughed. "Anything you want, honey." She said as she led the little girl by her hand into her room.
When the door was closed tight, she quickly made her way back to the living room where an agitated Touya was sitting and wiping his face with his hands in frustrations.
"Touya…" she said slowly, sitting down next to him. "What's the matter? Did something happen?"
He took a deep breath, before facing her, and grasping her hands. "Kaho, you have to leave."
"W-What?"
"The soldiers… they've just been lying low for a bit, and they're acting up again today. I just spoke to one on my way back from the market… they've got you pinpointed down to this village and they've not backing away till you're tracked down. They're resuming normal if not extra searches very soon—it's not safe for you, you have to leave."
"W-What? Are you kidding me? H-How can I? I thought you said we're never to leave each other again…"
"We're not, Kaho…" he said gently. "Tonight, the moment the sun sets, we're leaving."
Kaho stared at him with wide eyes. Was this man really willing to lose his entire home just to save her…? How could anyone on this earth be so kind…? And she knew, with a warm feeling inside, that she had fallen in love with the right man. "B-But Touya… think about your future… and your daughter, Chiika…"
"Of course Chiika will come with us."
"I know… but she will have to adjust to a new town, a new school, a new home… she won't like it…"
Touya glanced away. "I know… believe me, I know that more than anyone else… but it's not safe for you here… Sooner or later they're going to get you… And who knows what that King will do to you…?"
"But… I, I just can't. I can't do this to you and your family."
Touya guided her to the couch slowly, where they sat down together, him still grasping her hands. "Kaho, listen to me. This is only temporarily, alright? We're going to leave for a while, and when it's safe again, we'll come back."
"But… after we leave, where will we go…? Where are we going to live?"
"There's a town to the north of here… we'll buy a carriage and 2 horses… it shouldn't take more than 3 days to travel there… I've got some savings and we'll pack as much food and clothing as we could. Hopefully this will all be over soon…"
Kaho bowed her head. "I'm so sorry, Touya…" she said, barely above a whisper.
He was surprised. "What for?"
"For being… such a burden…"
"Kaho, I told you, don't be sorry. I'm not sorry, why are you? Your bravery and determination touched my very soul, and no matter what happens, we'll go through it together, and I shan't regret a single moment."
"Oh, Touya…" Kaho blinked back the tears. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, before holding her head back up, and looking at him in the eyes. "All right," she said with strength behind her voice. "Let's leave the moment the sky darkens."
Later…
The sun was fading slowly as dusk approached. Chiika wasn't very glad of the situation at hand, but she saw the pain on her mommy's face and she knew that it must be something very serious. And she didn't want to get in the way, so she behaved like a good little girl as she packed her stuff quietly.
—
"All right men, we're heading out! Remember to report back the moment you see anything suspicious at all, and arrest all who seem questionable! Understood?"
"YES SIR." The soldier saluted as the teams headed in different directions—four teams, one heading north, one heading south, one heading east, and the last heading west.
—
There was rapid knocking on the door. "HEY OPEN UP!"
A frightened couple opened the door timidly. "M-May I help you?"
A soldier held out a hand-sketched poster. "HAVE YOU SEEN HER?"
"N-No sir," the wife replied.
"W-We were asked this a few weeks ago, and never saw her…" the husband added.
"Yeh sure?"
"O-Of course, the b-bounty is h-huge, we'd, we'd definitely be t-tempted by that amount!"
The soldier sneered as he pushed the couple aside, striding into the house. "Men, SEARCH!"
—
"Okay, Kaho, I got the horses and carriage." Touya said quietly as he gathered all the bags they were to bring and piled them at the door. "Everybody got everything?"
Kaho nodded silently.
"Daddy… when will we be back…?" Chiika wailed softly.
Touya bent down to her level and held her by the shoulders. "Honey… I'm really sorry… I know you'll miss this home, as we all will, but we must do this, you understand? You don't want to lose mommy Kaho, do you?"
Chiika shook her head violently. "No! Never!"
He smiled as he hugged her tightly. "Good girl… don't worry sweetie, we'll definitely be back… we'll be back before you know it… and we'll go back to the happy days…"
Chiika smiled happily as she took in the comfort of her father's voice. She had always loved how despite the sternness in his father's behavior towards other people, he was always so caring and sweet towards her.
—
"OPEN UP! KING'S SOLDIERS HERE!"
Mame's eyes darkened as she walked slowly towards the door. "Yes…?"
"HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WOMAN?" The soldier asked shoving the poster in front of her face.
"Oh, I'm sorry dear, my eyesight has been failing me from old age… I can't see too well…"
The soldier was irritated. "Young woman, around 20, bright red hair."
"Oh, bright red hair…? Now that's a distinct feature… no one could possibly miss that…" She shook her head. "But… nope, sorry, haven't seen anyone like that…" she said slowly as she began closing the door.
But the soldier lashed out his right foot and stopped the door from closing. "Yeah?" He scoffed. "You sure about that?"
"Sir, my vision might be failing me but for sure I would not miss a woman like that… I'm not quite colour-blind yet…" Touya… run… she thought silently. I must try to stall them, the longer they're here, the more commotion they will cause; it'll warn Touya… and he shall get away with his new friend…
"Ma'am, are you aware that deceiving the King could potentially lead to capital punishment?"
"Yes, which is why I shan't ever dare…" She said slowly but loudly, just a hint of taunting in her voice.
His eyes darkened. "Well, we shall see about that. Men, SEARCH THE HOUSE! DON'T LEAVE A SINGLE SPOT UNTOUCHED!"
"Hey, hey, HEY!" Mame cried desperately. "What are you doing? Get out! Hey don't touch that! That was given to me by my deceased husband! HEY!"
—
Touya stopped gathering the bags as he heard yelling from nearby. "Kaho, you wait here with Chiika, I will be right back."
Kaho nodded as Touya rushed out, watching five soldiers bombarding Mame's house.
"SIR! PLEASE! DON'T TOUCH THAT!" She cried desperately.
"SHUT UP YOU OLD HAG!" He roared throwing her against the wall. She groaned slightly as blood dripped down the side of her head.
"MAME!" Touya cried rushing up to her.
But she gave him a sternly look and shook her head slowly. Go… she mouthed.
Touya swallowed the lump in his throat as he stood there, not knowing what to do. He knew she was doing this to buy time for him, and by saving her, he would put all her work in vain. But how could he leave her in that state?
GO! She mouthed, more sternly this time.
Touya turned around and ran back towards his home.
One of the soldiers saw Mame mouthing something as he knelt down and held her chin up with one hand. "Yo, old hag, who the hell is that guy? And what the damned hell did you tell him?"
"Nothing…" she whispered.
"TELL ME!"
"I told him nothing!"
"We'll see about that." He said, slapping her across the face. "Let me ask you again. WHAT THE HELL DID YOU TELL HIM?"
"N-Nothing…" she whispered, barely conscious.
"Tch." He spat, throwing her face aside as he got up. "Suspicious activity from her neighbour. Men, abandon this home, head for that one." He said, pointing at the house Touya disappeared into.
The men nodded as they began heading out, each pocketing something of value on their way out.
"No…" Mame said weakly, grabbing onto one of the men's pants hem.
But he simply looked at her in disgust at kicked her hand away.
"Touya…" Mame mumbled sadly watching the soldier approach his house. "Run, my child… run…"
—
"Touya, what's going on?" Kaho asked, worry clear in her voice.
He wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. "Not good, the soldiers—they're here." Kaho gasped. "They're interrogating Mame right now, and she's trying to buy us time, we gotta leave, now." He said as he grabbed 4 bags, ready to load them onto the carriage. But before he could open the door, loud knocking was heard on the other side.
"OPEN UP!"
Touya stood there, shock written all over his face. "Shoot… Kaho, hide!" He hissed sharply as he tried to put the bags in various scattered places, as not to arouse suspicions of possible attempted escape. He then quickly ushered Chiika to her room.
"I SAID OPEN UP!" The pounding became more brutal and impatient.
"Geez," he said, yawning, as if just getting up. "Coming, coming." He said opening the door. "What the hell now?" He growled in agitation, stretching indolently.
One of the guards sneered as he glanced at the carriage in front of the house. Jackpot… "Have you seen this woman?" He taunted slowly, showing Touya the poster of Kaho. "Well?"
"Nope, never seen her."
"I'm sure you haven't." He gestured at the carriage. "Going somewhere?"
Touya yawned as he stretched. "Naww, relatives came over today," he said gesturing at the bags scattered around the room. "They've gone to buy some stuff from town."
"Oh? Where they from?"
"You know, up north from Village of Bélcarr."
"Is that so?" The soldier asking, faking a fond smile, though danger was flashing behind his dark eyes.
"Yes…" Touya replied raising an eyebrow. "I think I'd know where my own relatives are from… now if you gentlemen are done I'd like to get back to my nap before they all return from their shopping spree." He rolled his eyes. "Two aunts are coming, and you know how women get when they visit the nephew they haven't seen for ages."
"Oh, yes, I definitely know… it's an utter cacophony…" he soldier replied. The smile on his face dropped instantly. "All four exits from this damned town have been sealed off for 3 weeks now. So you damned tell me, how the holy hell did those relatives of yours get here?" His voice was dark and angered.
Touya paled. "I-I don't know… th-that's definitely… news… I shall d-definitely ask them w-when they get back…"
"No need. MEN, SEARCH! SEARCH EVERY CORNER OF THE HOUSE! BY THE TIME YOU'RE ALL DONE SEARCHING, I DON'T WANT A SINGLE PERSON TO BE ABLE TO EVEN RECOGNIZE THIS AS A HOUSE! I WANT EVEN THE ABSOLUTE SMALLEST GEWGAW SEARCHED TILL IT'S UPSIDE DOWN!"
"Hey… Hey… HEY!" Touya cried trying to push them back, but they ignored him and headed into the house and began their search. "WHAT THE HELL! IS THIS EVEN ALLOWED?"
One soldier who was waiting at the door looked him over darkly. "Is the King allowed?" He replied.
Touya swallowed as he slumped to the ground, defeat clear in his every gesture.
—
The door opened slowly as Sakura glanced in that direction from her bed. "Meiling!" She said happily, getting up, but Meiling only glared at her in return.
"Sakura, Sakura, Sakura…" she said slowly, sitting on Sakura's bed next to her, but with her back facing the girl. "Do you still remember what you told me the first day when we were assigned to be roommates?"
"N-No…? Meiling…?"
"You told me, that this competition, is a lie on the King's behalf. He is using this competition, as an excuse to get women, sleep with women, use women, etc etc. Remember?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Then I remember I got really angry with you, and told you to shut up, because you were probably lying to me to lessen the number of competitors…"
"Y-Yes…" Sakura's voice was faltering as Meiling's voice grew stronger.
"And then… you told me," a bare hint of disgust emerged from her voice. "that you were not at all interested in the King. You would in fact, be happy if him and I end up together, because you are not interested in him the tiniest bit, and that you just want to end this competition, to save all the other women." She turned around slowly and bore into Sakura's eye without mercy. "Correct?"
"Y-Yes…" Sakura replied, barely above a whisper.
"Well what ever the hell happened to all those promises?"
"W-What do, d-do you m-mean, M-Meiling?"
Meiling felt no pity. "Sakura, look at me. Don't look down, look up, at me."
Slowly, Sakura brought her head up, and stared into those burning crimson eyes.
"What the hell happened?"
"I…" Sakura felt her voice stuck at the base of her throat. Yeah, what the hell did happen? She didn't even know. After the longest time, she finally replied, barely audible: "I'm sorry, Meiling."
Meiling closed her eyes and sucked in a breath of air. So I was right. My suspicions are confirmed. She stood up slowly, as she headed for the door.
"Meiling." Sakura cried out desperately. "The way things turned out… it was completely unpredicted… but what I told you, during the time I told you, I meant every word. I did not lie to you, Meiling."
Meiling sighed as she rested her hand on the doorknob. "It's okay, Sakura." She finally said. "It's a competition, after all. All's fair in love and war. I'm going to be staying with Tomoyo for a bit—she's got an empty bed there." And she turned the doorknob, and walked out, shutting the door softly behind her.
Tears filled her eyes as Sakura brought her legs up to her chest, hugging them tightly. She buried her face in her arms as she wept.
—
"Hey! I found someone here!" Touya tensed as the soldier cast him a glare, heading to the bathroom.
On the ground, with a dirty cloth in her hands was a young woman with a head wrap, cleaning the floor.
"Well hello there, lovely. Let us see that beautiful face of yours." The soldier said as he held her face up by the chin.
Kaho stared back at him defiantly.
"What a lovely little thing." He said. "Remove her head wrap."
All at once, the four soldiers lunged forth to pull it off. But Kaho grabbed onto it as if her life depended on it as she made a few screeching noises.
"Hey, hey, what are you guys doing?" Touya asked pushing his way through. "That's my maid that I bought a few years ago—that head wrap, it's her religion to always wear it."
The soldier raised an eyebrow as he bent down and looked at the pretty little thing on the ground. "Is that so?"
She nodded slowly.
"Why… don't you TALK?" He growled kicking her across the face, sending her sprawling across the ground.
"HEY! WHAT THE HELL!" Touya cried standing in front of her, protecting her from these men. "Look she's a mute, that's why her parents sold her in the first place, she can't talk!"
The soldier narrowed his eyes. Something was going on here. He was positive. He was positive this was the woman as well, but he didn't have sufficient proof. After a long thought, he finally said. "All right. Well guess I can't do anything about that maid of yours." Touya breathed a sigh of relief. "But… Men, arrest him."
"WHAT?" Touya gasped as two men were instantly on him, expertly tying his hands together behind him. "WHAT THE HELL? WHAT DID I DO?" He cried struggling.
"Well, see the King's patience is running thin, and we gotta give him something today. You'll have to do for now."
"BUT I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!"
"I come on behalf of the King's orders. And you lied about your so-called relatives coming over. That's a seriously crime—deceiving the King. Because you lied, there has to be an explanation for all those bags and the carriage outside—thus, you're suspicious, and we will now take you away for further investigation."
"MMM!" Kaho squealed as she grabbed one of the soldier's arm, shaking him and shaking her head furiously. "MMM-MMMMM!"
One of the soldiers shoved her aside as another two pushed the struggling Touya towards the door.
Another soldier came to Kaho as he held her chin. "Honey, if you want him back, you're gonna have to find that Kaho for us." He said as he threw the poster of her in her face with his other hand. "Only then, when we find the real culprit, we'll let him go." With that, he dropped her chin, and turned around without a second glance, marching towards the door.
Kaho stood there, heart pounding, not knowing what to do. Slowly, she fell on her knees in disbelief. Touya turned around briefly and shook his head before being ushered out the door.
The door closes behind them, and Kaho was left alone in the silence, horrified at what had just happened. Tears dripped down her face. She shut her eyes tightly and knew what she had to do. Gathering all her strength, she got up, and ran out the door.
"STOP!" She cried.
The soldiers were at least a few meters away, but they heard her cry and turned around, watching her walk towards them well-paced, and fearlessly. "Well, well, so you can talk after all." The soldier commented, throwing Touya a dirty glare.
Touya groaned. "No…" he muttered. "Don't be foolish…"
"Release him." Kaho said. When she was half a meter away from them, she stopped, and stood there, tall and brave, without a hint of fear.
"I thought I told you our terms?"
"I'll give you Kaho. Release him."
"Yeah? Well where is she?"
"I, am Kaho."
The soldier laughed. "Yeah, hon, seen this too often. You think you can exchange your life for his? Naw! We need PROOF babe, proof!"
Without breaking the eye contact, Kaho reached up slowly as she untied her head wrap, and let it fall down to the ground gently.
Like a contained waterfall, her bright red, fire-like hair splashed down her back gracefully.
For a brief moment the soldiers were stunned silent as they stared at the scene before them, mesmerized.
At last, one soldier muttered, "Bingo." He couldn't stop staring at her. No wonder the King liked her so much. "Men, get her."
And instantly the two free soldiers ran up and tied her arms roughly behind her back. But Kaho didn't resist at all. She simply closed her eyes. I can't let anything happen to you, Touya… "I've held up my end of the bargain. Now release him."
The soldier snickered. "Ya kiddin'? He is facing crimes of hiding a criminal, deceiving the King, and accessory after the fact! No way we're letting a criminal like that go!"
"WHAT?" Kaho gasped. "NO! YOU LIE! YOU TOLD ME YOU'D LET HIM GO IF YOU GOT KAHO! WELL YOU GOT ME! NOW LET HIM GO!"
But the soldier only threw his head back and laughed. "Of course I said that. I say a lot of things. BRING THEM TO THE CARRIAGE AT THE SOUTHERN EXIT!" He bellowed. "And I, shall report to our General."
With two soldiers on each side shoving them mercilessly, Kaho couldn't help the defeat that wracked through her body.
Touya shook his head as sorrow shined clearly in his eyes. He took a deep breath, and using the last of his strength, he broke away from the soldier as he ran towards his house.
Needless to say he only made about 10 meters before two soldiers tackled him to the ground.
"CHIIKA!" Touya cried as they kicked at him. "GO FIND MAME! YOU'VE GOTTA LIVE WITH MAME FROM NOW ON!"
A few seconds later a crying little girl ran out. "DADDY!" She cried, running as fast as her little legs could carry her. "COME BACK! DADDY!" Tears ran down her cheeks.
"GO TO MAME, CHIIKA! GO TO MAME!" Touya said with all his strength as the soldiers dragged him away, his feet kicking uselessly at the dirt.
"DADDY! MOMMY!" Chiika cried running after them, but she was still young, and soon she tripped and fell in the dirt, where she wailed and screamed and cried, her hand reaching out. "Mommy… daddy…" she wailed in defeat.
Kaho closed her eye tightly, tears dripping down as the sound of Chiika's cries faded little by little, as they walked deeper and deeper into the forest. HOW COULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED? HOW? HOW COULD ANYONE BE CRUEL ENOUGH TO DO THIS TO SUCH A KIND FAMILY? WHERE DID THEY GO WRONG? "I promised I shan't let misfortune fall upon you or your family… I'm so sorry Touya… I have lied…" she whispered brokenly.
But Touya just closed his eyes as the soldiers continued to drag him along. "We'll get through this… we have to… I must return for my daughter…"
Despite all that's happened, Touya never for one second regretted meeting this woman, Mizuki Kaho.
—
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—
Author's Note: Finally, all the characters are coming together… now how would Sakura react if she knew what happened to Touya…? Or what's happened between Touya and Kaho? Some loose ends up to tie up and the story will finally reach an end…
Btw, the way I planned this story, the end will be really, really sad… but of course, following it will definitely be a sequel to wrap the mess up completely (def. will be a SHORT sequel). I was just wondering what you guys thought of that? Anyone actually interested in a sequel? I know this story has dragged on for practically… forever, so I guess if nobody's interested to read another continuation of this, I can always make up some ending that somehow ends up "happily ever after"… though of course it'll be ultra-lame/crapping… u.u
7590 words. Long chap. O.o