Disclaimer: Masashi Kishimoto owns Itachi and Yasunori Mitsunaga owns Lilliane. I do not own any of these characters...just this fic XD
and yeehs... y'all know that Italics=thoughts.
and awaaayyyyy, we go
CH 08: PRINCESS UNDERGROUND
In the outskirts of Sasanaki city, a mansion is dimly lit from atop a hill. The view looked melancholic, in contrast to a bright and starry night sky.
From afar, it can be seen that the usually brightly lit estate is quite solitary now. As if theres only one lonesome person inside the house, as only one room is lit. Inside the mansion, in the private dining room, the princess ate her dinner silently.
"Not being able to use an arm is certainly inconvenient, and I cant use my right shoulder well either…"
"please…! You should be grateful that you didn't lose the arm! That wasn't an ordinary gun, y'know."
"Here you are ojou-sama, aahmm~~~"
"I don't need to be spoon fed, Sawawa… I can eat with just one arm."
"Aww…c'mon, let her feed you-"
"Sawawa, you may leave."
"huh? But your food…"
"I don't need it."
"What? You don't need to be stubborn…"
"That's not it… You want to talk to me, don't you? Riza?"
...
"Where'd you send Itachi? I cant catch his scent anywhere."
"Which one?"
"pft. I know you know what I meant. His shadow clones doesn't actually have a scent you know."
"Miss him already?"
"Wh-what the heck you talkin about?!"
"fufu... I sent him to get something for me somewhere in the city. He'll be back in a few hours or so then you can continue 'sparring' with him."
"keh… well, why didn't you just send him with Sherwood?"
"…"
"What?"
"Im his master."
"But he said he wanted to go. That guy's such a bookworm, always reading about things and places. "
"I had him sent one of his shadow-clones. That will suffice."
"eh~? Don't want to let him go far, do ya~?"
The princess gave her the most expressionless face shes ever seen. "Kussharo lake is still in Japanese territory, so its permissible. I have to treat my servants well and with enough liberty."
"What? I don't get what youre saying again."
"Riza, are you able to detect 'divine beings'?"
"You mean spirits? Nope. They don't have a scent y'know, with their bodies being without form and stuff. What does this have to do with anything?"
"Ill tell you someday. Just keep an eye out. If my speculation is right, someone powerful might be targeting Itachi."
"Itachi? Not you? Why him?"
"fufu… destroy the castle walls and the queen is easy to take."
"What?! Youre talking in a confusing way again. Anyway, that's not what I really want to ask you. Severin, the sibling you defeated. Was he the one who got my brother killed?"
"And what would you do if he was?"
"Id leave."
"Riza… you have no family. You have nowhere else to go. You'd still leave?"
"You've taken care of me. That's why I wouldn't want to stay any longer. And I don't want to serve you as a vassal, you understand why right?"
"...Do what you want…"
"Besides you got Itachi now. And that wench vampire. An assassin you wouldn't send to do what hes good at and a capable informant but you don't want to spy on the location of your siblings. You really are eccentric Hime~!"
"hm… Well, as soon as one royalty dies, that changes the balance of power. Hmpf. It something that deeply involves me… but which doesn't interest me. Let them have a go at each other. Ill be here, waiting for my servants' return, in peace and at ease…"
...
Soon enough, the ladies heard the main door closing and an all too familiar deep voice of the only man in the house. "Tadaima." And a few seconds later, the princess heard flesh transforming and enthusiastic sounds of someone challenging another one for a fight. Followed by a polite refusal, then sounds of walls and household objects breaking, probably from punch attacks missing the target.
"fufu… They better not break the newly bought appliances."
"Fuga?"
"Yes Flandre. I had Itachi buy a new TV for Hiro, his preferred laptop for him and a another computer for the house."
"Fuga…?"
"Yes. Though im not that interested in such electronic devices, we have to keep up with the times."
The day ended with an exhausted half-breed, her impeccable opponent, if not for the few wrinkles in his white shirt from all that evading movements, and an entertained princess who witnessed the 'spar' with amusement.
The next day...
Itachi berated himself for feeling too carefree. Though the ninja in him never lets him forget that hes a man on a mission, seeing everyone live comfortably around each other for the past 9 days, he just cant help but feel the same. The house and everyone's relaxed mood is just very contagious.
And now they are held captive by an unknown enemy who has yet to speak through the device he left in this hollow underground.
I have underestimated this house… and this world… ''Forgive my incompetence, Hime-sama. Ive set traps around the premises but completely overlooked beneath the ground's surface...''
He apologized as he tore the web-like bindings on himself. Normally, he wouldn't be caught by such an attack. He and Hiro has a separate day of receiving Hime's blood. It was his scheduled day when the ambush happened.
The enemy was able to trap Flandre in a fast-drying cement in a deep sinkhole. And with her weight pulling her down, she cant get out.
And during the ambush, the power of her blood ran out. So he passed out.
Riza and Hiros out and wouldn't be back till afternoon.
And Reiri is deeply asleep in her coffin. It is the middle of the day.
...
Yesterday, he was in the far north, sight-seeing incredible creatures, and now suddenly hes in a critical situation. Theres also that matter from yesterday that is yet to be clarified. When Hiro asked what that message from Kusshi means. He shrugged. And looks like the princess isn't too knowledgeable about the Japanese gods, so she would be spending more time in the library again. With everyone mostly gone from yesterday and everyone busy in their own matters, it must be the primary reason the enemy's underground excavation went unnoticed.
And that's how they ended down that feeding hole. Scattered on the ground are remains of various flesh and bone. The stagnant air pungent with rotting insect stench. There were three other hostages on the ground beside them.
How Hime managed to reach him and give him blood is, complex to think of. Seeing as her hands were tied behind her back and certainly not from her feet. Shes still wearing her thigh-high boots. It was fortunate or stupid of the enemy's part that he/she placed him close to the princess.
She probably bit her lip to draw blood and spat on him.
Crude. But efficient.
At first there was a buzzing sound on the appliance, like static. Then a clear voice from the speakers were finally heard.
''How are you ripping those without using a blade!? I improved them so that that web is stronger than a fiber rope!''
''…Im sure my master would like to know the answer to that too. So ill tell her later when we get out of here. If you show yourself, she might even consider letting you know as well.'' He replied while they watched him cut through it with an invisible force, like it was nothing. Though the princess did hear a faint, crackling sound similar to the flow of electricity.
''fufu… well done Itachi. Now lets get out of here.''
Before they bust their way out, the person behind the speakers called for their attention. Then he proceeded to tell them of his merchandise. These web bindings are from spider-beetles he improved as the perfect creatures of death. He 'innovated' the insects into the size of a bear, and how its futile to get out of here. They are deep underground inside the hive of these monsters. He also slipped by revealing an info that their werewolf and human friend is heading their way. But will be too late to save them.
...
It did impress Itachi. The mimicry and camouflage of the Flyman's creations, as Hime have identified their assaulter. He wouldn't have detected them without sharingan. When Hime suggested that she stay behind & he go retrieve Flandre, he didn't object since the whole labyrinth is probably crawling with hundreds of them.
And he wouldn't want to expose his secret visual powers to anyone.
Who knows how long they'll last without it, & the princess will surely notice it during the struggle. The spider-beetles, who also look like they have been mixed with the wings of a cicada, head and pincers of a praying mantis, are easy to kill if one knows where to target the weak spot. But its their enhancements and numbers that made them a true threat.
Maintaining his tact. And not wanting to look like hes eager to leave already, he asked.
''What if they didn't find their way here? Shouldn't I go get Riza and Hiro first?''
''No. It will take longer. And I believe the Flyman here has something more to say. It would be rude if I just leave.
Besides, if Hiro is aware that hes a blood warrior, he'll find his way here.''
He bowed. He is about to leave his liege alone again... Just in case, he left her with a shadow clone and went off.
...
Sometime later, after he went, it dispersed during the half an hour of the Flyman's sales talk. That worried the princess, since hes already explained to her the mechanics and conditions of his shadow clone technique.
''Fufu... if my servant is in a tricky situation somewhere, then that's the only thing that makes your merchandise worth considering.''
''Oh I assure you, princess. He is not going to survive. That human is no match for my wonderful creations.''
''Hmph. I doubt that. Besides, the other one is already here.''
Another part of the cell wall broke down. From there appeared Hiro. Shirt already blood-stained from sustained wounds. Relief washed over and she smiled at her good servant.
''Eh…Hime? How did you break free from the bindings-''
''-Yo Hime! My instincts were right when we followed the trail of these bugs corpses. Hiros going the same direction too with the royal blood triggered in him. And we hit the jackpot!''
Hiro looked around. ''Wheres Itachi-san?''
''Ya sure are a dimwit Hiro… who do you think killed those bugs on the way here? Didnt you see the way they were killed?''
''Uh… they look like they exploded?''
''pfft… ahaha! Its those black knives with exploding tags that he throws around!'' she laughed at Hiro's hilarious description.
''fufu… you see Flyman? No royalty should buy such defective and incompetent merchandise.''
The Flyman is humiliated. However, he is too distracted with the scene unfolding from his other monitors to feel the insult from a royal princess. The Flyman watched with wonder as the princess' other blood warrior rapidly annihilate the majority of his sent creations. He watched as the man walk in ceilings and shoot spheres of electricity from his hands. Theres also those knives with papers that explodes. How does he make the papers explode? Impossible feats for a supposedly ordinary human.
No matter. His foremost task is just to capture that particular man in action on camera, as ordered by the first princess.
But if his Plan B works, that is to defeat the 2nd princess' blood warrior and bring him to his employer, then all the more he will gain favour from her. He turned his attention to his captive royalty once again.
''Now, now, princess. You shouldn't underestimate my work.''
''Yes… and instead of being tied up on the ground, I can listen to your sales talk, standing in grace.'' She said boredly.
''Now on the second surprise!''
''Hiro, the axe.''
She slammed the weapon in the other hostage's head. A sure death blow. ''Mimicry… in other words, metamorphic ability. Right, Flyman? the princess spoiled the surprise for him.
Now. The buzzing is beginning to annoy me.''
''Y-you intend to threaten me? Arent you still in a disadvantage in this situation?!''
By the Flyman's order, a dozen more surrounded them.
''E-eh? Itachi-san didn't get them all?''
''heh! He probably saved some for us!''
''Heres your axe, Hiro.''
''But what about you?''
''fufu… ill command you as your master. Protect me blood warrior.''
Another one stepped from outside her domain to join the fray. Albeit still sleepy from being disturbed from her slumber. ''Wh-who is it? Who woke me up….?''
''keh, What an easygoing bat.''
''Fuga.''
''Just in time Flandre. Thank you for bringing my chainsaw.''
''Fuga, fuga.''
''Is that so? I see, we'll meet him outside. Now then, shall we go and do some extermination~?''
Somewhere, some 50 feet deep underground, a group of people made their way out through the maze.
''Phew! That was a long fight! Those bugs sure are tough aint they?''
''More importantly, Im glad were finally reaching the end of this tunnel. Vampires don't like to be underground this deep…''
''Isnt it thanks to Itachi-san's direction? Even I noticed some of the dead bug's forelegs were pointed in a certain direction…''
''fufu… good discerning Hiro. Youre learning well.''
''hmmm… Im surprised nothings springing out at us yet.''
''Shouldn't a bitch like you use your nose?''
''Shut up! You took out only 5!''
''I h-hope… Itachi-sans cleared the way already?
''heh! Weve passed by only 9 corpses of em. I killed 12 myself!
''As expected of a rowdy dog… making competition at a time like this…''
''Whats that wench-bat? Youre just jealous I got more than you! I probably got more than Itachi!''
''fufu… why don't you ask him when we finally get out of here?''
...
''Anyway, good thing you got out of that sinkhole, didn't ya Flandre?''
''Fuga.''
''She said Itachi got her out.''
''Eh? How? Don't she weigh tons?! And for all I know Im physically stronger than him!''
''Use your head bitch~ He has probably thought of a method the likes of you wouldn't comprehend~''
The sounds of a cheerful, verbal confrontation continued to echo throughout the underground.
Meanwhile, in the Flyman's base. A girl in a wheelchair closely watched the lone, raven-haired man from the monitor.
''The group has finally reached the tunnel's end… What do you think of the second princess' blood warrior?''
The girl was silent.
''Would you like me to make you agile like him?''
She nodded.
''Would you like me to make you and your sister as fast as him?''
This time, the girl looked at the scientist with skeptical, but hopeful eyes.
''Then patience, dear child… The princess Sylvia has promised him to us. And she wont go back on her word. We'll just have to wait a bit more."
...
''When I came to, I had been asleep in bed. But the mansion really was full of holes too! Maybe we have termites after all…''
''fufun… the tea you make is always delicious, Sawawa.''
''Thank you ojou-sama~''
''Thank you for the tea as well.'' The only male voice gently resounded in the quiet room.
''fufu… You deserve a break after exterminating all… 136 of them? Sawawa says this tea quickly replenishes one's strength.''
''That it does, ojou-sama~ I drink it myself after a long day~''
''Hm…anyway, have you made sure theres no more left of those pests?''
''I don't know about the Flyman, but I guarantee you theres no more in our vicinity.''
''Good.''
''…''
He's silent again. ''fufu… what is it?''
''Where should I dispose off the ones I found here in the manor?''
''How many did you find here?''
''56.''
''And you took them all out by yourself…?'' How did he finish all those in a short span of time…
''Yes.''
''… Then that must be the reason why your shadow-clone with me dispersed?''
''Yes.''
''Oh.''
I hope she wont ask for details…
''And I assume that's also the reason why you didnt meet us outside the tunnel?''
''Yes. I was gathering the corpses in one place.''
''Oh? Those bugs are big… And would be quite heavy as well…''
Tch, I slipped. I cant say Flandre or princess Sherwood helped me. The former went to her master as soon as I got her out from the cement, and the latter is in her own house the whole day. ''I used the same method when pulling out Flandre from the sinkhole.''
''And that is?''
''I used a steel wire and hooked her in the truck.'' Smooth.
''You drove a truck through the trees?''
Damn. They are, in a hilltop, with thick vegetations… how does he explain his Susano's extra ethereal hands?
...
''I only took the ones near the road, tied them and dragged them through the street. I haven't actually finished gathering them all yet...''
''Ah.''
Smooth again.
Still, theres something on the princess' mind. Something that greatly intrigued her during today's event. ''Ah… I almost forgot.''
I hope she wont ask about the bindings.
''How are you able to cut the web-bindings? I didn't see you use a blade or any sharp objects… You just ran your hand over the fibres and it ripped to shreds.''
Great.
Itachi held out his hand. Hime watched with enthralment as she saw streaks of electricity emanate from his palm. Outlines of little bluish lightnings danced on his fingers. Ah. So that's the 'blue lightning' that Itachi used on the two-headed snakes on their exploration. I almost didn't believe Hiro when he told me that…
"wow~ That's an amazing magic trick, Itachi-san~!''
They looked at the maid, both a bit startled. Both forgetting shes still there, beaming on the side.
Silence ensued... for a few seconds.
...
Now its Itachi's turn.
''May I ask, how you were able to revive me while we were tightly bound?''
The princess sputtered her tea from the indecorous memory and flushed a deep red. As red as her eyes.
Uh oh. I shouldn't have asked. Anyway, that confirms my presumptions. He looked somewhere else for he sake of courtesy.
The maid smiled wider.
Oh my~ this is the first time Ive seen ojou-sama lose her poise~~~
...
She regained her composure after five seconds. He glanced at the princess if shes looking at him.
She is.
And now they're locked in a staring match. Both not backing down with perfectly maintained stoic faces.
Only their eyes show their true emotions.
Itachi's have self-assured discerning.
...
He…knows? Hmpf. Knowing him, he must have figured it out already…
''hmpf. You will not speak of this to anyone.''
Hime lost. Her stoical face broke first into a cute frown.
...
He chuckled. ''Of course, Hime-sama.''
...
Speak of what, oujo-sama? Somehow, Sawawa felt that shes standing between a verbal spar.
The master on the table's middle side. The position of the head of the house.
And her servant on her right.
She cant decide whether she should excuse herself or continue watching them. She chose the latter. They just look so cute together~
...
The princess sipped the remainder of her tea.
''fufu… Sawawa, call Riza, Hiro and Reiri. We'll light a big bonfire tonight~''
...
...
...
A/N: Anyway, someone very important-reader pm-ed me, asking for a ship. Well heres the best I could come up for a ship ryt nao. The best ship you can get if ye ship Hime and Itachi is a verbal fight. Friggin romantic riiiiight~~~?
Anyway, tell me who yall want to ship~~
Shipping trickster out~