Chapter 3 – The verdict
We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us - E. M. Forster
Hitomi and Kenta descended the marble stairs nervously. Hitomi clutched to her brothers arm for support as he stared stoically ahead. The pair stopped as they reached the large double doors to the throne room, Kenta throwing a glance at his sister.
"Are they...?" he trailed off, letting his question hang in the air. He never liked being the first to arrive. Obviously, he would know if Cold was there, but their Father and Uncle, he would never sense without the Furemuai.
Hitomi closed her eyes, clearing her mind she reopened her irises entrapped within the circle of red only for them to flicker back to silver seconds later.
Hitomi clutched her head, rubbing her temples as she looked apologetically at her older brother. "I pushed it too far earlier, I won't be able to activate it for a while... all my senses are knackered..." she grimaced as she started back at the door ahead of her. As she had grown stronger, she had become more and more accustomed to using her bloodline trait, so much so that she felt uncomfortable when she couldn't use it. She revealed in the fact that she could walk into a room, knowing exactly what she would find there. But now... now she was going in blind, and she hated it.
Kenta gave her a sympathetic smile, he knew too well how much she struggled when she couldn't 'see' clearly. He gripped her hand, giving it a final squeeze before he pushed the door open.
Hitomi let out the breath she had been unconsciously holding when they saw the room held her father and Uncle. The two stepped quickly to kneel in their respective places either side of their father, Kenta on the right, and Hitomi on the left. Hitomi glanced sideways at her father before focusing her silver eyes dead ahead, the large double doors for the use of guests were there. King Cold and his followers would come through that very door any moment.
Hitomi bit her lip as she stared, within her peripheral she could see Kenta watching her carefully. She threw a glance at him, her expression unemotional before her attention was drawn back to the door as it creaked open. Two guards in matching black armour entered, flanking King Cold and the same two Icejin he had brought with him before. Hitomi eyed the three of them nervously, her jaw clenched tightly.
King Cold smirked as he eyed them, his black lips distorting as he twisted them. Hitomi glanced at the being at his side, the dark skinned Icejin, staring murderously at her father. She narrowed her silver eyes cautiously and returned her gaze to King Cold.
"Well?" Cold questioned, "have you decided yet?"
Hitomi turned her head to look at her father, waiting expectantly for his response.
"We have" he replied, his voice flat as he rose to his feet and took a step forward.
"As you are well aware, we have treaties with both yourselves and the Saiyans. I think you would agree, that defying a treaty with one side would not make us a trustworthy ally for the other."
King Cold didn't say anything, as he tipped his head to the side slightly, resting his chin on a closed fist.
"Therefore, I'm sure you will agree that to chose one side over the other would be unreasonable. We are a species that stick to our word, and I will not defile that reputation."
King Cold narrowed his eyes for a few moments as Hitomi stared at him, her silver eyes wide. Finally he bowed his head forward, breathing a heavy breath from his nose as his lips curled upwards.
His shoulders shook slightly as he chuckled.
"Well... I can't say that I'm at all surprised... but you must understand what a difficult situation this puts us in" his face lost its humour and smoothed over into a far more serious visage.
He stepped forward, his hands out as he spoke "how do I know, what guarantee do I have, that this isn't a lie That you don't side with those apes the second I leave your plant. What will you give me to prove your loyalty?"
He smirked and glanced first at Kenta, then Hitomi, clasping his large hands together.
"Well...?"
Hitomi felt her mouth drop slightly. What was he talking about? What could they give him to prove anything? Let alone prove they would keep their word?
"What did you have in mind?" Hitomi glanced at her father, this was the first time she had ever heard the emotion that was now in his voice... an emotion she couldn't identify.
"Well..." Cold started, "you have your heir" he nodded towards Kenta, "and you have your spare" he nodded towards Hitomi. "correct me if I'm wrong, but is it not customary for your kind to give the spare to their allies? For a union?"
Hitomi felt her breath catch in her throat as she stared, wide eyed at King Cold. She bit her lip as she tried desperately to stop shaking. No. No, no, no, this can't be happening... it can't. She turned to look at her father, and watched as his posture shifted his back straightening, and his fists clenching.
"My daughter is not an object. Cold. She cannot just be brought and sold" his fists were clenched, but the rest of him was still.
"I'm not suggesting I buy the girl Ryou" Cold stated matter of factly as he batted his hand towards Hitomi, "I'm simply pointing out one of your traditions. What a better demonstration of loyalty than to send one of the royal family, to join my own clan. I can assure you, she will not be harmed."
Hitomi could practically feel herself starting to hyperventilate as she stared at her balled fists, resting on her knees.
"Put it this way," King Cold said, his voice taking on a stern tone.
"If we cannot reach an agreement, I will have no alternative but to assume your loyalty lies with the apes." He leaned forward "and if that is the case... I will have no option but to destroy you along with them. What's it going to be King Ryou... do you want your children to get caught up in this war?
A quiet fell across the room. So silent, it was deafening. Hitomi felt her eyes burn as she stared at King Cold. She couldn't look at her father, she couldn't bring herself to look at his face... she knew Kenta was staring at her, but she dare not look at him either. She didn't think she could handle the hurt she knew would be on his face... it was obvious... they had no choice...
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Hitomi stood, arms by her side, staring at the front doors to her home. Tears streamed down her face as she waited for her brother. Her father, Ryou stood in front of her. He hadn't met her eyes, not since... since the agreement. A large part of her was glad, she felt like her heart broke when she saw Kenta... she didn't think she could handle looking both of them in the eye.
She sniffed, wiping her eyes as Kenta entered, eyes distant. Hitomi felt her chest grow tight and tears threaten to fall once again as she looked Kenta in the eyes, they looked dull. Dead. They'd lost the bright light they normally held to be replaced by a distant look. His face, she'd never seen such pain before, it felt like it was ripping her heart in two.
Kenta cleared the distance between them in one step, throwing his arms around her, pulling her close to him. Hitomi raised her shaky arms and wrapped them around her brother, closing her eyes tightly.
"I've packed your armour... its being put on the ship now..." Kenta whispered to her, "wear it all the time, I don't trust them..." he pushed her gently away from his body, holding her at arms length by her shoulders.
"If it comes to it... If it comes to it, activate the..."
"No Kenta."
Hitomi and Kenta both turned their gaze to their father.
"Even if she activates the Furemuai... she can't beat a whole ships worth of Icejin, and whatever else... you know what's happened to those who reveal the Furemuai. You must keep it hidden Hitomi. Only reveal it if you have no other options, do you understand?"
Hitomi didn't answer, causing her father to turn and look at her. She stared off to the side, avoiding his gaze. "Do you understand Hitomi?" he asked again.
She directed her eyes towards him, and nodded "yes father, I understand." she grimaced as she looked back at the floor. "Which one?" she asked, her voice barley audible.
"Which one what?" Ryou asked, still watching her closely.
"Which of the... which of his sons will I be joined to? To solidify the treaty?"
"I don't know Hitomi. Don't worry about that, it won't happen for a while. Nothing will be decided for some time. At the very least... not until this war is stabilised."
Hitomi nodded as her father rested a hand on her shoulder, watching her with a calculating gaze, he pulled her in close. Hitomi wrapped her arms tightly around him, returning the embrace for what really didn't feel like enough time before they broke apart at the arrival of a guard.
"My lord, the ship is loaded and ready to go"
Hitomi looked to the door and back at Kenta as he moved over to her, gripping her hand tightly. "Come on, lets go" he whispered, moving the both of them towards the door, where the ship waited for her outside.
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Well, this turned out to be a much shorted chapter than I thought it would. I'm having a bit of an internal debate as to which of the Cold's Hitomi has been promised to... it won't come in properly for a chapter or two, but I'm interested to know what peoples preference is?
As always, feed back/constructive criticism is always welcome.