Chapter 18 – Breaking Storm

"Immortality is the condition of a dead man who doesn't believe he is dead." Henry Louis Mencken

It was a small, out of place thing, Yumi thought to herself in passing as she nudged the small pebble with the toe of her shoe. Barely noticeable at all in comparison to the paved sidewalk it rested upon. The first year high school student was leaning against the wall just outside the main gates to Lillian Girls Academy as she awaited the arrival of her Onee-sama. The slender brunette recalled a saying she had heard in one of her classes, 'a single pebble can change the course of the mightiest of rivers'.

Yumi couldn't help but wonder if in fact the issue which would not leave her thoughts was more of a boulder than a small pebble only because she allowed it to be. The previous evening she had realized that her Onee-sama was none other than the Ogasawara Sachiko, daughter to Ogasawara Tooru and heir to the Ogasawara clan. Perhaps more important and far more troubling than that though was the fact that she was Kyuuketsuki.

Is the fact that Onee-sama is Kyuuketsuki a large obstacle blocking my path or no more than a pebble? she pondered as she nudged the small stone once again. On impulse the slender first year high school student knelt down and scooped the small stone into her hand before standing once more and gazing upon it as if it held the answer to the questions absorbing her.

Yumi closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall behind her once again as her fingers closed over the stone. Last night she had lay awake in her bed, worrying over the same question concerning her Onee-sama and what she should do, if anything at all. Sleep had eluded her for a long while as she wrestled with her thoughts as well as her uncertainty.

Growing up the Queen's daughter she well knew the history of animosity between her kind and the Kyuuketsuki. It's not like I personally hold any prejudice against them, she reasoned. Mother ended the war some time ago. As quickly as she thought this she recalled her conversation from the previous day with Maria-sama and Sei-sama and how hatred and bloodshed still continued. There are those who are still fighting even after so long, she mused. Once again she could see the three girls attacking Sachiko-sama behind the clubhouse building. Hime-sama they had called me, so they must have been Ookami to have recognized me.

Yumi couldn't help but shake her head in silent disbelief as she slipped her hand with the small pebble in it into the pocket of her school uniform. How can someone come to hate a person based solely off their race? Having no answer to her own question she turned her thoughts once more to the matter at hand. Do I tell Onee-sama I know her secret?

If Onee-sama is actually Kyuuketsuki then the General and Yoshino-sama would almost certainly have to have known, she slowly realized. The young woman couldn't help wonder why neither of her closest friends had seen fit to inform her of this fact. Not only didn't they tell me, they actually brought me to the Yamayurikai, she realized with a start! Knowing there were Kyuuketsuki there!

For a very brief moment she wondered if Rei and Yoshino could be working for the Kyuuketsuki but she quickly dismissed the notion as an absurdity. I've known them my entire life and they have been Mother's closest advisors and friends for ages. Yumi realized that if her Mother trusted them then she had little reason not to do so herself.

The newest soeur's eyes snapped open as she suddenly recalled her first meeting with the student council of Lillian and how Youko-sama informed her that her own mother, the Queen, wanted her to be a part of the Yamayurikai. "What are you playing at, Mother?" Yumi questioned aloud softly as she tried to reason it all out once again.

It doesn't add up, she decided as she thought over everything she had learned in the short amount of time of the past couple of days. Sei-sama, if not immortal, has lived an unusual length of time due to being a witch? Yumi chewed on the inside of her lip, not liking that connotation in the least. Maybe practitioner of magic…no, not that either. She recalled her conversation with Rose Gigantea and the term the elder woman had used. Gifted…much better," she admitted silently with a smile. By association then Rosa Foetida is gifted as well, she puzzled out as she followed the next logic step from Sei.

What of Shimako-san? Yumi asked herself, recalling that she was the petite soeur of Sei. That would almost make it a certainty that she was gifted as well. She certainly seemed to know about Maria-sama, Yumi recalled upon looking back upon events when the silver-haired Patron had appeared in Sei-sama's office. Shimako-san didn't appear too surprised to see her. Yumi frowned recalling how her fellow classmate had dropped to one knee in reverence or as if paying homage.

The General and Yoshino are both Ookami and immortal. Yumi's brows creased in thought. It would be too great a stretch to expect Youko-sama to be the only human member of the entire council wouldn't it? That would mean….

"The entire Yamayurikai are special!" she exclaimed loudly in sudden realization.

"I'm certain they believe you to be fairly special as well, Yumi," Sachiko said with a bemused expression from a few feet away startling the girl she spoke to.

"EH!" Yumi exclaimed, as her cheeks turned a shade of red in embarrassment that the older woman had heard her words. "Onee-sama!" Yumi shrieked before she could stop herself.

"My word, Yumi!" Sachiko said with a look of disapproval, "from the sound you made people would believe I was attacking you or something."

"Gomennasai," Yumi hurriedly offered with a bow in way of apology even as her heart thundered in her chest. "I'm truly sorry, Onee-sama. I hadn't heard you approach and so the sudden sound of your voice…," the younger girl's words trailed off as Yumi's shoulders rose and fell in a slight shrug.

"Yes, well I can see where that might be disconcerting, given the circumstances," Sachiko agreed with a humorous grin tickling the corners of her mouth. "Shall we go to the Rose Mansion?" she asked, motioning with one hand in the direction of the gingko lined pathway leading onto the school grounds.

Yumi smiled, her confusion and worries momentarily forgotten a she fell in beside her Onee-sama as they strolled along the paved main thoroughfare of the school. The morning was crisp, clear and had the makings of a beautiful day, Yumi thought. Glancing around she noticed there were no other students about as they walked along.

"Onee-sama," Yumi said hesitantly, fearing she was perhaps about to ask something rather personal of the woman next to her. "Is…is everything better with your family?" the ponytail sporting girl enquired.

"Yes," Sachiko assured her with a small smile. "Thank you for asking, Yumi." She really is a thoughtful girl, the raven-haired woman surmised with an affectionate twinkle in her sapphire eyes. First the call last night and then asking about my family this morning, Sachiko mused as her smile grew slightly larger. That reminds me…. "Yumi," the en Bouton opened with only to see Yumi turn to regard her expectantly, "thank you for last night. Your call was an unexpected, yet very much appreciated, surprise."

Yumi couldn't help the smile that appeared on her face even as she felt her cheeks warm into a blush at the unexpected thanks. "I was just worried about Onee-sama," Yumi stammered in her defense as she quickly dropped her gaze less Sachiko see the reddening of her cheeks. Why am I suddenly embarrassed to admit that? The young brunette felt as though she was not acting as her usual self but quickly decided it was due to her lack of sleep the previous night.

"Is that so?" Sachiko replied a little sterner than she had wanted to, suddenly finding herself embarrassed by the younger girl's concern for her wellbeing. It had been some time since someone other than her immediate family had been worried about her and she wasn't certain just how she felt about it. It's not that I mind, she told herself as she looked forward once again. I am her Onee-sama so it would only be right for her to be concerned. Wouldn't it?

"I'm sorry if it appears as though I am meddling," the younger of the soeurs spoke remorsefully, fearful that she had managed to offend the upperclassman walking next to her. Yumi was certain from Sachiko's tone that she had overstepped herself and inadvertently intruded into her Onee-sama personal life when she shouldn't have. "My apologies for being too forward and personal, Sachiko-sama," Yumi said nervously shifting her school bag to the hand furthest away from the other woman.

That raven-haired woman frowned upon hearing her name spoken by the girl next to her. Onee-sama sounds so much…warmer, she reasoned silently. Damn but younger girls are fragile these days, she thought upon hearing the tone of Yumi's voice and realizing that her own words were the cause for it. Reaching beside her she took Yumi's hand in hers and gave it what she hoped was a reassuring squeeze. "Sometimes it's nice to be worried about, Yumi," she told her soeur matter-of-factly without looking in her direction.

"Yes," Yumi replied as her hand tightened ever so slightly around the soft hand in hers, "Yes it is," she agreed looking up at the older woman with shining brown eyes. The younger of the twain recalled then Sei-sama telling her that Sachiko would hide her feelings behind her actions as they made her uncomfortable to display.

"You'll be expected to arrive early each day," Sachiko informed her of, switching the subject as they walked towards the Rose Mansion after having offered prayers before the statue of Maria-sama. "Also you will need to be available during lunch as well as after school." Sachiko glanced towards Yumi to insure she had the younger girl's attention. "Please be certain to arrive before the Roses do so that the tea and any other preparations for the scheduled meeting are finished before hand."

"Yoshino-san said that we will need to stay after and clean up as well," Yumi offered.

Sachiko smiled upon realizing that Yumi had taken the initiative to ask questions of the other first year students. "Yes, that is correct. I don't expect you to do it all yourself," she warned the younger girl. "There are three of you to share the workload. It would not look good to have you collapse in the middle of class from working too hard for the Yamayurikai."

Yumi nodded her head, sending her pigtails swinging as they neared the Rose Mansion. "I understand, Onee-sama. I'll be certain to not embarrass you," or myself, she added silently.

Sachiko stopped, causing Yumi to do so as well before turning to face the en Bouton. "It's not just that, Yumi," Sachiko informed her of in a gentle voice as she handed Yumi her school bag to hold. "We're soeurs now," she continued with as she straightened the younger girl's collar. "We must learn to trust each other. If you aren't feeling well or have a problem you should be able tell me." Sachiko slender fingers quickly untied Yumi's scarf before retying it in a perfect knot. "As sisters we need to be able to trust each other, always," Sachiko said with a pointed look into the petite girl's brown eyes.

"I…I think I understand," Yumi replied as she gazed up into her Onee-sama's sapphire eyes. They're so beautiful I could easily get lost within them. Yumi could feel her heart start to race, a sensation that more confused her than frightened her. "I've never had a sister before though I've always wanted one," she confessed a bit shyly as she struggled to keep from getting lost within the older woman's gaze. What has gotten into me today?

"I've never had one either, being an only child," Sachiko said, looking up and thus by breaking eye contact with the smaller girl. Sachiko's lips curved into a crooked smile as her hand caressed one of Yumi's pigtail almost affectionately where it dangling in front of her. "I'm sure we'll make mistakes along the way but as long as we can talk to each other, trust each other to be honest, I think we'll get through anything that comes our way. Do you understand, Yumi?" Sachiko suddenly asked as she looked from the hair she was playing with to her soeur's eyes once again. I never noticed how large and expressive her eyes are. She's adorable, Sachiko suddenly realized.

"I do, Onee-sama," Yumi replied. "I want you to know that you can tell me anything as well," the younger girl offered hoping that the woman before her would tell her of the heritage she was hiding. "Anything at all," Yumi added in a slightly excited voice with a hopeful gleam in her eyes.

"I know I can," Sachiko smiled as her hand dropped to caress Yumi's cheek once before returning to her side. "I hope you know you can do the same," the heiress said as she turned to resume their progress to the Rose Mansion, who's front door was only a few feet away. Behind her she missed her soeurs shoulders drooping in disappointment.

Yumi, realizing that she was not going to be told what she had hoped to hear, could do little more than follow after the older girl as they made their way upstairs to the second floor meeting room. Slipping her hand into her pocket she fingered the small pebble there for a moment. I wonder how Onee-sama would react if I told her who I am? Doubt and uncertainty kept her from doing so.

Sachiko walked the newest member of the Yamayurikai about showing her where the supplies were located as well as the storage room on the first floor and the small bathroom on the second floor. Once they returned to the meeting room the older girl gave her directions for preparing tea that consisted of how much water to heat and how far in advance to start the process. Once the water was ready Sachiko instructed Yumi in the proper amount of tea leaves to use when making a proper cup of tea.

"The Yamayurikai donates its budget to clubs who are in greater need of funding," Sachiko explained. "What supplies and refreshments there are here are because we've brought them from home or purchased them ourselves."

Yumi realized without being told that if the teas were brought in as a gift from the other members then it would be very rude to waste it. "Is there some schedule we use for bringing in drinks or snacks, Onee-sama?" Yumi enquired wanting to make certain she didn't do anything incorrectly.

"Not really," Sachiko replied as she pulled out a seat at the table before sitting. "Please bring whatever you wish, just not too much. If you were to bring a large amount," Sachiko offered upon seeing the questioning look of the younger girl, "then others would feel obligated to do the same."

Yumi thought about that for a moment before she understood. "Even if they couldn't afford to do so," she offered and was rewarded with a smile from the seated woman.

"Correct. We each bring a little," she continued to explain, "but only as it is needed. When it is cooler outside we will use more tea yet while it is warmer out we try to keep plenty of cold drinks on hand." Yumi nodded that she understood, remembering the small refrigerator located under the counter in the kitchenette area.

Yumi walked to the corner, having followed her Onee-sama over to the large table, and taking up the two cups of tea they had prepared together brought them over to the table. Setting one before her Onee-sama, the young woman looked at the chairs on either side of Sachiko, uncertain just where she should sit.

Sachiko noticed her indecision and came to her rescue. "Onee-sama sits there," she informed Yumi of with a wave of her hand towards the chair on her left. "This is where you will sit, Yumi," the older woman added as her hand came to rest upon the back of the chair to her right.

"Thank you, Onee-sama," Yumi offered as she set her cup of tea down before the place so that she could pull out what was now her chair. So I will be able to sit next to her at all the meetings? The young girl, for no reason she could discern, found that she was glad of that fact.

"How are your grades?" Sachiko enquired as her little sister seated herself in the chair next to her that had once belonged to her.

"Passing," Yumi replied quietly before quickly taking up her cup and taking a long sip from it before she could be asked to explain. It wasn't that she had bad grades, just not great ones. Though she was smart and found the subjects easy, she did not apply herself. Why study myself senseless when I already know what I'm going to do after graduation, she reasoned. The reason people go to school for an education is so they can find employment. I already have a life time job waiting for me.

"That won't do," Sachiko tsked disapprovingly, eliciting a groan from the petite girl next to her. "It wouldn't due to have a member of the Yamayurikai with just passing grades," she explained. "Next year you will be an en Bouton, a budding rose in bloom. Other students will look to follow your example. The year afterwards I will have graduated and you'll be the reigning Rosa Chinensis."

Yumi felt a shiver of apprehension traverse her spin at the mention of her Onee-sama graduating and leaving Lillian, which confused her greatly. There was an undeniable attraction to the older woman and a desire to be with her. Yumi couldn't help but find this strange as she had only just met the woman not long ago. Still, she couldn't deny that she didn't like the thought of her new Onee-sama graduating. Am I uneasy about her leaving or is it the fact that when she graduates I will only have one more years of freedom? Unable to answer her own question she pushed it aside to ponder later.

"As one of the Roses, the entire school will look to you. Therefore you must set the best example you can," Sachiko continued to explain to her Petite Soeur. "The girls who attend school here strive to be the best they possibly can. It is by the ruler of the three Roses that they measure themselves, Yumi. It is our responsibility to be the best we can be so that they might have something to strive towards. A life without a goal to achieve isn't much of a life is it?"

"It would seem that we would almost have to be inhuman to meet that goal, Onee-sama," Yumi said even as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth at her words and their double meaning. Though being inhuman doesn't make this any easier, Yumi thought as she recalled her grades with a silent groan of despair.

"At times we must appear as such," Sachiko promptly replied in a serious tone with a slight nod of her head. "There are many influential and prominent families who send their daughters to Lillian, all with the singular purpose of seeing them be everything they wish to be so they can have a better future than they themselves had."

"Is that why you're here, Onee-sama?" Yumi asked.

Sachiko looked at her Petite Soeur, uncertain just how to answer that question. "Striving to be more than we are, to better ourselves, is a worthy goal to aim for," she finally said in answer to the younger girl's question. "I hope that I will be better for my time spent here."

"Me too," Yumi said after a moment of thought.

The newest soeurs sat and sipped their tea in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. It wasn't long thereafter before the rest of the Yamayurikai arrived. Once they were all present they officially welcomed Yumi to the student council and congratulated Sachiko and Yumi on becoming soeurs. They would have done that yesterday however with Sachiko being absent they had been forced to wait till now.

-oOo-

Queen Houribe reined in her mount to survey the area before her forces. In front of her stretched a large plateau that gave rise to larger hills on the distant horizon. Near the edge of her perception she could make out a large dark mass which she took to be the gathered forces which stood in her way of saving her troops. "Damn there are a lot of them," she muttered to herself upon seeing just how massive the dark mass was.

A swirling cloud suddenly blew in next to her causing her horse to shy away in fear. Once the Queen had regained control she looked over only to find Maria-sama with a smiling Sei-chan leaning against the older woman's leg standing there regarding her. "It is nearly time," the silver-haired woman said to the Queen.

Miki patted the nervous horse's neck in an effort to calm it and could feel the animals muscles quiver in fear. "A bit longer and the rest of my forces will be here," she replied. As she spoke Sei-chan left the protective security of the customary legs she clung to and walked slowly towards the horse. "I wouldn't advise that," the Queen warned both the child and the older woman, "he's a trained warhorse," she explained, fearful the animal would bite the child. "It would be a mistake to approach him without him already knowing you."

"It is her mistake to make," Maria-sama replied with a slight smile as she watched her ward slowly advance towards the animal and reach out with one tiny hand. The large horse rolled his eyes and stamped the ground nervously several times at the child's approach.

Sei softly began to hum to herself as she slowly advanced. Her small grey eyes sparkled brightly as they held the gaze of the frightened animal. There was no fear in her as she closed the final bit of distance between her and her goal.

Miki held her breath as the small girl, so tiny in comparison to the horse she approached, reached out and laid her hand upon the nose of the warhorse. Beneath her the Queen felt the animal freeze as if every muscle in its body had suddenly gone taut. Just as suddenly the beast relaxed and nuzzled the small hand affectionately.

"Creatures know whom to fear and whom not to," Maria-sama offered with a knowing smile as she eyed her charge that was even then hugging the horse's neck and whispering into its ear.

Both women watched, one in surprise and the other in amusement, as the warhorse slowly knelt down. Sei-chan grinned and whispered thanks in the proud animal's ear before scurrying around to the side and holding up her arms expectantly towards the still seated Queen.

Miki eyed the child for a moment before reaching down and lifting her up into her lap. Sei-chan squealed gleefully as the Queen's arm quickly encircled the small girl's waist and the warhorse lunged to its feet once more. Miki adjusted the child in her lap to a more comfortable position before looking to the standing woman. "I shall see to my forces and return shortly." The silver-haired woman simply nodded and waved them away with one hand.

It was an indication of the training and experience of her forces that they were already set into lines and ready for battle. The Queen, accompanied by her smaller passenger who was snuggled back into her embrace, rode between the formations. Every so often the Queen paused to speak with one of the men or woman in formation, often to crack a joke or wager on the first round of drinks after the coming battle. Though several of those she spoke with raised a questioning brow at the child within their Queen's arms, uniformly they refrained from asking the Queen directly. A good soldier knows his place which is not to question his leader or their actions. Seeing that her Officers had everything in order she returned to the front of her army to find Rei and Yoshino awaiting her.

"I take it that all is ready?" Miki asked after nodding in return to the cousins' salute to her.

Rei turned and looked back over the ranks of soldiers arrayed behind them. "As ready as we're ever likely to be, my Queen." The Queen's General turned in her saddle to survey the forces arrayed against them. "I advise we wait here and let them come to us. The slight rise in the ground will give us a small advantage," she explained as she turned back to regard the terrain in front of them.

Miki saw Maria-sama nod towards the child in her arms out of the corner of her eyes. A moment later Sei-chan began to hum softly to herself. Not certain what to make of it she nodded her head at her General. "I concur. They have us beat by numbers so any advantage we can obtain is worth it. Pass the word that we make our stand here."

"If I may?" Maria-sama's voice spoke up calmly before Rei could turn her mount and follow her Queen's orders. "If we are to win this then we shall have to take the battle to them," she continued once she saw all eyes but Sei-chan's were on her.

"You want us to charge out and take them head on?" Yoshino exclaimed loudly in utter disbelief.

Maria-sama nodded slowly as she replied, "When the time is right," she said, unruffled by the other woman's outburst.

"That is madness!" the twin ponytailed woman near yelled, her angry eyes flying to her Queen.

Miki held up a hand to forestall the younger girl's outburst as she regarded the woman standing before them. "I am assuming you have a plan then?"

"Did I not say that I would help with the battle as a show of faith in our new alliance?" the ageless woman replied calmly meeting the Queen's steely gaze without flinching.

The soft humming of Sei-chan who leaned back into the Queen was the only sound for several long moments. The Queen's tone when she spoke made it clear that she was not pleased. "Pass the word that we charge upon my order," she told Rei without breaking eye contact with the woman before her. "If this is a trap…." Miki said to Maria-sama, leaving the threat hanging.

"General, if you could bring back a bow with you as well?" Maria-sama asked, her head turning to look at the mounted woman who nodded curtly once and then rode off to spread the word but not before shooting Yoshino a look that clearly indicated she was to guard the Queen in her absence.

By the time Rei returned, carrying a long bow, it was evident to all that the opposing force was moving in their direction. As with any battle, the waiting was the most difficult part. Once the fighting started it always seemed as though the day had passed in a blink of an eye. As any seasoned soldier knew, it was times like these, while watching the enemy draw near, that time seemed to drag on.

The rain let up while they waited although the clouds gave no sign of dispersing. Maria-sama finally turned from watching the advancing forces to face Rei. "General, would you be so kind as to put that bow to use and shoot this as high as you can?" she asked as she slipped a single arrow from someplace within her robes.

Rei reached down and accepted the arrow but almost dropped it as soon as she touched it. She recognized it as the arrow she had given to the small girl last night. The reason she nearly dropped it was because it was warm to the touch and seemed to hum or vibrate within her grasp. "Straight up or out towards them?" she asked with a jerk of her head towards the advancing enemy forces.

"Straight up would be fine," Maria-sama assured her. "Just make sure it is as high as you can make it."

Rei shot a glance toward her Queen who nodded once sharply. Shrugging slightly Rei dismounted, handing the reins of her horse to her cousin before taking several strides out in front of the Queen's army. The tall slender woman sat down upon the ground and then braced the wood of the bow against the bottom of her boots. Rolling backwards onto her back she thrust her feet towards the sky and quickly set the arrow to the string and drew it back towards her chest as far as she could using both hands. A moment later there was a sharp twang as the shaft was released to disappear high overhead as Rei regained her feet and remounted her horse.

Several moments passed before Maria-sama suddenly gestured with one hand toward the advancing army and a hurricane force wind blew through the Queen's army from behind, knocking several soldiers to the ground by the unexpected impact of the wind which lasted for several long moments. There was little doubt that an arrow caught in such a wind would travel a great distance.

Maria-sama gazed off across the expanse of land before them though her eyes looked as if they were seeing something far further away. Absently she stepped to the side of the Queen's horse and gently laid one hand upon the small child's leg. There was complete silence when the ageless woman spoke, "It is there, child," was all she said.

Sei-chan stopped humming.

There was a near explosive concussion of both sight and sound that caused most of the Queen's army to stagger back even though they were a great ways away from the enemy forces. Those in the forefront of the army, including the Queen, Rei and Yoshino stared in utter amazement at what they beheld and could only imagine what it would be like to be at epicenter of that release.

As soon as the small child ceased to hum a spinning vortex sprang to life amidst the enemy forces and rapidly grew in size. Thunder rolled across the heavens and lighting flashed almost blindly within the twirling tornado that consumed everything within its path. In a matter of but a few heartbeats two thirds of the enemy forces were wiped out.

Sei turned and slid from her seat into the waiting arms of Maria-sama. The Queen, too shocked by what she was witnessing, didn't even notice. The small child had spent the entire night drawing the force and furry of the storm into that arrow and then had held it there till it was released all at once deep within the enemy ranks. Her task accomplished, the child was fast asleep in the time it took to snuggle into the ageless woman's arms.

In the distance the tornado, with no storm to sustain it, quickly spent its fury and soon the base of the spinning vortex lifted from the ground and ascend into the clouds above. As the Queen's army watched it began to rain in the distance, or so it appeared to them. There was no other way to describe the bodies, animals and equipment that began falling back to earth.

"I leave the rest to you," Maria-sama said into the stunned silence before walking off with the sleeping Sei-chan nuzzled into crook of her shoulder.

After a nod from Miki, Rei stood in her stirrups and drew her Nodachi, its long blade gleaming wickedly against the backdrop of darkness the clouds above the enemy forced provided. The tall female general leaned over with a grin and captured the waiting lips of her cousin in a deep and passionate kiss as was their tradition before each battle. Rei stood back up in her stirrups amidst the cheering of her troops and with a quick flick of her wrist she pointed the long weapon in her hand toward the enemy to signal the advance.

Despite everything, there were still some organized resistance which dug in and were prepared to make a final stand. The destruction of the storm's released fury had not struck directly in the center of the enemy army but rather more towards the left side. This allowed some units on the right outer edge to still remain intact and organize themselves.

Miki dropped the visor on her helmet and nudged her horse forward to follow in the wake of the footmen. Only once her forces were relatively close did she give the single and her horse mounted troops dug in their heels. The ground rumbled as the steel shod hoofs of the warhorses outpaced the running troops and slammed into the gathered enemy forces.

The Queen rode down three attackers, managing to behead one while kicking another under the hooves of the horse next to her. For a moment she lost track of the third assailant but then felt the familiar bunching of muscles beneath her. In an instant the large horse hoped forward onto its front legs and kicked backwards. There was a meaty sounding thunk which she knew to be the remaining attacker connecting with her steed's deadly rear hooves. Damn glad Tooru-kun tied me in, she thought to herself as the horse beneath her righted itself, tossing her about like a leaf in the wind.

Hastily reaching down she withdrew a large dirk from the sheath attached to her saddle. Two quick slashes and the ties that bound her to the saddle were cut. Perhaps it would be better to be thrown than to be trapped in the saddle of a downed horse. Yanking the reins to the side the horse spun about slamming into an attacker that was running at her and knocking the person to his back. Miki quickly jumped from her seat and finished off the prone soldier.

Turning about she cursed under her breath upon seeing four enemy soldiers closing on her. A quick flick of her eyes to her mount told her it would be a close call to make a dash for it so she had little choice but to turn and fight afoot. Miki reversed the grip on her sword as she finger flexed around the hilt of the dirk in her other hand. Her brown eyes darted about, realizing that she was on her own as the four encircled her.

"Well what have we here," the largest of the four drawled with a leer that showed off his yellow rotted teeth. "Seems we've got ourselves a Queenie, boys," he chuckled, the gold crown affixed to her helmet giving away her identity. "Now why don't you be a good girl and just drop those pieces of metal before you hurt yourself with them." The brutes tone made it clear that he believed that she was only playing at being a warrior.

Miki stood up from the half crouch she had been in and allowed the weapons to dangle from her hands at her sides. "You won't hurt me?" she enquired in a frightened voice.

Her attackers paused and seemed to relax at her submissive posture. The large man who had spoken before smiled upon seeing her willingness to surrender. "Of course not," he told her with a large smile as he held his arms open to show he meant no harm. "We'll just take you-" The other three men turned to regard their leader who had stopped speaking only to see him staring at the hilt of Queen's dirk which now protruded from his throat directly under his chin. Even as they watched he toppled forward, the force of the landing driving the blade out the back of his neck. All three remaining men charged at once.

Miki feinted towards the man on her left, bringing him up short as he hastily raised his sword to protect himself. As soon as she saw the man's blade begin to rise she pivoted while grasping the hilt of her sword with both hands and swinging it at the man directly in front of her. The force of their blades connecting sent a shiver down her arms but she managed to deflect the man's blade directly into the path of the attacker racing in from the right, causing him to have to leap to the side to miss being injured by it. Her greater dexterity as well as skill allowed her to recover quicker and her downward returning strike gutted the enemy before her.

Years of fighting allowed her to keep her cool however she realized that she was now caught in a very bad situation. Her attacker on the left should have recovered by now. If she turned to face him though then she would be leaving her back exposed to the attacker on her right, offering them a clear shot. Left with little choice she tried to bring her sword up even as she began to turn towards her left. Something slammed into her back driving her forward into the attack who was trying in vain to put his entrails back inside himself. They both went down in a mass of tangled arms, legs and intestines.

Move damnit!, she yelled at herself mentally as she lay there disoriented for a moment trying to figure out what happened. Years of training took over and she reflexively rolled to the side and onto her back where she would at least stand a chance to block a descending weapon. Standing spread-eagle almost above her was a man with his back towards her. In each hand he held a sword, impaled upon each was one of her attackers. Beyond him she saw other enemy racing towards them, closing in on the apparent easy prey.

Miki cursed under her breath and scrambled back to her feet. Her rescuer flicked his wrists at the same time and neatly severed both heads from bodies. Glancing down at herself to make certain that the gore and blood on her wasn't her own; the Queen turned her back to the man and crouched down, ready to defend herself.

"I thought I told you to go back to bed," she tossed back over her shoulder accusingly.

"I did," he replied with mock innocence at her tone.

"For how long, a few moments?" she fired back angrily as she reached behind her and liberated the dagger strapped to the small of his back.

Tooru paused and thought for a moment before shrugging slightly, "Roughly," he replied with a humorous chuckle.

Despite herself Miki grinned behind her visor, suddenly feeling far better with him here with her. "Will you ever learn to listen to me?" she enquired as she flexed her grip upon his dagger to get a feel for it. In front of her she could see three soldiers advancing cautiously towards her, eyeing the dead bodies already on the ground.

"What say you give me a stern talking to when we're done here?" Tooru offered as he eyed the enemy slowly moving in for the apparent easy kill. "How many dance partners have you?"

Miki snickered within her helmet even though she was staring death in the face or perhaps because she was. At this point even she wasn't certain which it was. "I have three who are eager to sweep me off my feet. How about you?"

Tooru grinned, his grey eyes sparkling as his muscles tensed and relaxed, driving blood to his muscles. "I know you enjoy a good challenge my Queen so I feel you should switch with me," he replied teasingly. "I have four and none of them are actually my type."

Further conversation was interrupted as their assailants decided to attack at that moment. There were flashes of steel and the crash of metal against metal and a howl of pain as one of the enemy staggered backwards only to crumple to the ground never to rise again.

The remaining six soldiers increased their attack trying to get past the combined defenses of the two before them. Several long moments passed and the only wounds Miki or Tooru received were minor nicks here and there while several of their attackers were sporting red leaking gashes about their persons.

"Left!" Miki suddenly called out as she batted the sword of the attacker on her left up and out. Without missing a beat Tooru reversed the grip on the sword in his right hand and jabbed it backwards under the Queens upraised arm, running the soldier through and severing his spin. The attacker closest to Tooru's right believing there to be an opening lunged forward only to impale himself on the Queen's sword as she shifted towards her left and intercepted him.

Like a bizarre deadly dance, Tooru turned to his left matching the Queen's shift of stance and caught the attacker there who had made the mistake of turning to follow the Queen as she moved away. A quick slash of his sword and the distracted soldier's arm fell to the ground leaving him holding the bleeding stump. The returning stroke of Tooru sword sliced open the injured fighter's throat, ending his misery. Their combined skill made short work of the remaining three attackers.

Resigned to what now looked inevitable, they turned to face the other advancing enemy, ready to sell their lives at a high price. Yet even as they braced for the final assault the enemy soldiers suddenly stopped their advance and started a rapid retreat. Miki and Tooru looked at each other with confused expressions. It was only then that they noticed the loud yells emanating from behind them as their own foot soldiers swarmed past them and entered the battle. They both grinned at each other realizing they had miraculously managed to survive.

Well, that went fairly well," Tooru offered with a grin as he turned to face his Queen.

Miki reached up and grabbed the top edge of Tooru's breast plate and pulled down hard, slamming her lips into his and kissing him soundly for a long moment before releasing him and storming off but not before he heard her mumble under her breath, "Damn fool!" He just wasn't certain if she was speaking of him or about herself.

-oOo-

The clouds had finally parted and blown away revealing a bright canopy of stars above. Ogasawara Tooru walked along the outer edges of the camp inspecting the sentries. It hadn't taken long to defeat the remaining forces who were disorganized and still stunned from the effects of the storm that had torn through their ranks seemingly out of nowhere. Upon reaching and sacking the enemy's camp they had discovered a large portion of their missing supplies still intact. Thanks to this the Queen's army was enjoy their first full meal in a good long while.

Tooru smiled and nodded to those he knew as he passed. Every so often he would stop by a fire and speak to the men and women gather there. He was not a general who kept himself apart from those he commanded but one rather who believed in knowing his troops. The tent he used was no different than their own save for the fact that he didn't have to share it with five others.

Excusing himself he walked a short distance out into the night to relieve himself. "I was a little surprised to see you here today," he said to the night around him as if he was speaking to himself.

A dark shadow separated itself from a nearby bush and approached slowly as he finished his business. "I am sorry I missed the battle Ogasawara-sama," a slender woman with waist length dark hair that was currently braided tightly down her back replied.

Tooru turned to face the woman who was clad all in black, a crooked smile on his face. It was while he had been making his way through the camps, inspecting the troops to ensure they had everything they needed, that he had first spied her in the shadows of a tent. "There's no need to be so formal, Youko-chan, when it's just the two of us."

"Sorry, Oji-san," Youko replied with a grin and a slight blush. "I'm still getting used to the fact that I have an Oji-san that I knew nothing about," she said, feeling the need to explain her actions.

Tooru nodded in understanding. "My sister wanted to keep you safe for as long as she could," he said as he stepped to her side and slipped a comforting arm around the younger girl's shoulders leading her further away from the camp. "Had people known that there were other possible heirs to the clan it might have….well," he sighed heavily not really wanting to think about what could have happened.

Youko simply nodded in understanding. Now that he was no longer a king the issue was rather mute. "I hear that you have become the Queen's General?" Youko asked to change the topic.

Tooru chuckled softly. "Yes, she needed someone to assist with her armor and to order about," he told his niece playfully without a hint of anger or regret in his tone. "Oh and to yell at when the mood strikes her, mustn't forget that," he added with another chuckle and a slight shake of his head.

"She sounds a great deal like Sayako Oba-san," Youko teased gently, recalling her aunt affectionately.

Tooru's smile softened as he thought of his deceased wife. "She does, doesn't she?" came his soft thoughtful admission. Not for the first time, or the last, he wondered why he was still alive and she was not. By all accounts he should have perished or gone insane shortly after her death and yet, here he was. The Fates are currently unkind, he thought to himself as they walked a bit in silence. His mind suddenly recalled the kiss that had been imparted to him earlier that day. Perhaps not, he reconsidered, uncertain what to make of it all.

Youko simply nodded, realizing that perhaps the memory of her aunt was still painful for him. "We found him," she said with a smile to change the subject yet again, hoping to draw him out from whatever dark thoughts held him at that moment. "He was where you thought he would be," she confirmed upon seeing his sharp glance towards her.

"I see," the former king said thoughtfully turning to look down at the ground before them as they continued to walk along. "How is he?"

Youko shrugged slightly and leaned into his shoulder for comfort. "We're not certain," she confided. "It's been three weeks and he hasn't spoken a word yet. Physically he seems fine; though a bit underfeed…nothing that can't be corrected with time and plenty of food," she assured him hastily before he could worry.

"Well that's something then," he said in a sad tone. "Do we know how old he is?"

"No more than seventeen or eighteen as best we can figure," was the reply when it came. Being of their kind it was near impossible to truly know just how old or young a person was.

"That would be about right then," the elder Ogasawara said with a nod of his head, confirming her guess of the boy's real age. "I was there for his birthing celebration," Tooru confessed with a pained expression that Youko could only just see in the darkness.

"Oji-san, why the concern over this one boy?" Youko asked curiously.

Tooru paused and regarded her for a long moment, his grey eyes unfathomable in the darkness. "I'm repaying a debt," he finally told her as he turned them about and headed back towards the camp. "Where is he now?"

"We placed him with the Kashiwagi's as you requested, Oji-san," she said hesitantly wondering if perhaps she had gotten that part of his instructions wrong.

"Excellent!" he exclaimed as a smile spread across his lips to reassure her. "Kashiwagi Suguru. Has a nice ring to it doesn't it?"


Author's Note:

My apologies for the long delay in getting the next chapter out to you. The Muse was kidnapped by an English Gent who favored cookware as he is a Potter and a rather Harry one at that! ;-) I finally managed to wrestle her away for a bit. Hopefully this longer than usual chapter will help appease you somewhat as I fear the Muse will be running off once again. My Harry Potter fic has been beating on me for some time…ever since last year but I'm only now sitting and writing it. I wanted a good start on Fumetsu first. I promise I WILL finish this story.

Poor Yumi, so confused and uncertain of what to do. Should she tell Sachiko or not? I haven't as yet decided so I would love to hear from you your thoughts on the matter. I think the next chapter as well as a few after it will focus more on the past as the events of back then are going to start to have a direct impact on the events of the present day. I hope you continue to enjoy the tale as it unfolds.

As always, though certainly not required, I do appreciate any and all reviews. They really do motivate me to write more! Seriously!

Kind Regards,

EJ Daniels

All characters within this story, unless otherwise stated are the sole property of Oyuki Konno the original writer of the Maria-sama ga Miteru light novel series.