Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Checkmate: Royal Aquisition ❯ Compromised ( Chapter 14 )

Whew, has life been busy! Yeah, so besides being swamped at work I've also been either too tired or too busy on weekends. Golden Week has been one of my few times of rest….although I was dragged to several festivals as well. Some weird guy tried to hug me….that was odd.

 

Sorry for the delay in between chapters! I can't do it all unfortunately!

 

Chapter 14: Compromised

 

“A what?” Tokio asked, still breathing hard beneath him. His body was hot, but relaxed above her. His eyes were locked with hers in an intensive, searching gaze. He almost looked like he'd never seen her before.

“A channel. You were raised in a family of mages and know nothing of channels?”

Tokio only shook her head, suddenly feeling rather inadequate.

“Why study something you have no hope of ever understanding?” she replied softly. “Trying to explain magic to someone without it is like trying to teach a tone deaf person to sing.”

“That,” he said dryly, “sounds like something your father would say and he couldn't be more wrong. Magic is very easily explained in most aspects. Take, for example, a channel.”

He carefully pulled out of her and moved them farther up to the pillows. Turning over the blanket he tucked her in. Tokio rolled away from the pillow and contented herself to lie on his chest, her brown eyes looking up at his in near starved curiosity. She made for an apt pupil.

“Think of power being like water. You can have a river of power, an ocean or even just a simple trickle. Like water, it can be powerful or weak, depending on how it is used. Shallow rivers have less power than deep ones. You understand so far?”

She gave a light nod of her head. Her tumbled tresses were half tangled, but he soothed his hand down them, pausing for a moment to enjoy the silken feeling. She had to be the most unselfconscious newly deflowered women ever. Then again, she had no idea she should be self-conscious. He wasn't about to enlighten her.

“A channel is someone who can focus power. They have no power of their own, but they can have power pass through them.”

“I'm lost,” she stated with a frown.

“Think of a river dam. If you only allow the water to go through one part, the water is much stronger than if you allow the water to flow over the entire dam.”

“Like a magnifying lens and sunshine?”

“Somewhat, except a channel has more control over pinpointing than a magnifying glass. A channel takes the power and bends it to their purpose, no matter what the original purpose of the magic was….even if it was meant to harm the channel. In a way, channels are immune to power…unless caught unawares.”

“So what does this have to do with my father?” she asked.

“I suspect your father intended to have you linked to a powerful ally so he didn't have to worry about you being turned against him.”

Tokio suddenly became very still. He could feel her muscles begin to tense as mental wheels turned at a frightening pace in her head.

“Please,” she begged as tears threatened to form in her eyes. “Don't ask me….to go against my family or the people of Kyoto.”

“Stop being an idiot,” he snapped. “I can't control you. You are the only person who can choose how the power is utilized. All I can do is give it to you.”

“Yes, but I would like to avoid being pressured into using that power in a way I don't agree with.”

Saitou's jaw clenched and she could see anger flash in his eyes, but she wasn't about to cower because of her convictions.

“Women do not belong in war…in ANY manner,” he replied harshly. “I don't care if you have enough power to level the world.”

“Well aren't we a bit chauvinistic,” she replied bitterly.

“I would never directly use you,” he answered, his tone losing its bite. “Nor would I expect you to utilize power against your home country. I will not, however, inform your father of that. I can at least utilize the advantage I have if he is left to guess.”

“Well I don't mind,” Tokio said with a yawn, “if you keep him on his toes. That's his problem.”

“Sleep. I'll have someone wake you for dinner.”

“Hmmm,” came her reply and she snuggled against his chest. Saitou tried to move her and she held on tighter. Her nails even dug into his skin a little, causing him to look down at the woman in annoyance.

“Woman, let me up, I've a country to run.”

He got no response. It was a good half hour before he could get out of her arms. Surprisingly it amused him more than anything else. Looks like he wouldn't have to worry about Lady Yura hounding him much longer. If Tokio was that possessive in her sleep, he couldn't wait to see what she was like once she realized she was his…..and he hers.

It would prove to be a night of amusement. Far more than he'd had in many years.

The two guards outside the royal chambers nearly shat themselves when their king came out.

He was smiling.

 

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Tokio awoke to the sound of scratching at the door and a guard's annoyed voice.

“Damn thing wants in again. The king's been gone for hours. Why'd you think it wants in?”

“I don't know,” the other replied. “Just let the damn thing in.”

“What if it makes a mess in the royal chambers?”

“Not our problem.”

“Whatever happened to the princess?”

“You know, come to think of it, I don't remember her leaving. Maybe the king left her in there. No wonder that thing wants in.”

The door creaked open and shut quickly. Soft padded feet hit the floor in rapid succession before the large black bundle of fun hurled itself onto the bed. Now wide awake Tokio let the silly wolf cub lick her face, its tail wagging madly.

“Alright, I'm up!”

She sleepily looked up. He was gone…no surprise there. How come she was so sleepy and he wasn't? Maybe it was all that running around she did before coming up here. Swinging her legs from under the covers Tokio let out a sharp gasp. A dull throb was between her legs, leaving muscles she didn't know existed rather tender.

“Ok, easy does it. What the hell did he do to me?” she mumbled to herself and jumped down from the high bedding. Her clothes were scattered all over in various places, making her walk halfway across the room in small, careful steps. “Like hell he's doing THAT again if this is the result. Ow!”

Just as she began buttoning the vest the doors opened and in walked Saori. The head maid looked….amused to say the least…but concern also crossed her features.

“He didn't hurt you, did he? If he did, say the word and I'll lay him across my knee, so help me!”

The princess looked at her with such confusion Saori began to wonder if she'd made a mistake saying anything. She had yet to speak with the king, but considering the rumor that he came out of his room earlier smiling like a cat in cream, she assumed he'd done as planned.

Tokio had a million thoughts flying through her head. First and foremost she wanted to know just what the hell was going on. She had thought what had happened was just between her and the king…but obviously he'd informed others as well. She didn't know why, but that made her feel extremely uncomfortable. Next, why was Saori worried about him hurting her? Did she mean physically or mentally? He certainly didn't beat her up…and had warned her parts would be painful, but never did he hurt her to the point where she would consider it an abuse of her person.

Lastly…why did she get the feeling they'd done something they weren't supposed to?

“I'm….a little sore…but unhurt,” she replied slowly.

“Thank stars for that!” Saori said and smiled. “Now if you'll follow me we'll get you dressed for dinner. The king ordered a full banquet in the throne room for tonight. Someone actually got lucky and shot a big buck down.”

“Um….can we leave the corset a little loose?” Tokio asked. “I don't think I could walk with it pulled as tight as usual.”

“Whatever you wish,” Saori said with a small bow that left Tokio really confused. She was a prisoner…if an unorthodox one. Why was Saori suddenly very agreeable to anything? Did this have something to do with ….whatever the king had done?

Only one way to find out.

 

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“And a toast to Lord Hiraki for supplying the monstrous buck!”

All glasses lifted in a cheer, toasting the young lord who was blushing bright red.

“Really…it was nothing…..” he tried to say but was drowned out in the cheers and applause. The only person not cheering whole heartedly was the king, who never did that sort of thing anyway. Hiraki was slightly ashamed to say the least. Getting the deer had been sheer luck. The damn thing burst out of the woods right in front of his horse. His finger had been on the crossbow trigger and pulled it when the horse shied, sending the cross bolt straight into the heart of the deer. An inch to the left and he would have hit his own horse.

That and the Princess had not yet heard of his glorious…or not so glorious kill.

“And a toast to the king's bride-to-be…whoever the lucky lady may be!” a lord said, raising his goblet with a twinkle in his eye. Much to the assembly's amazement, the corners of the king's mouth actually twitched into a small smile. He wasn't even annoyed at the subject….odd behavior since he'd never before not snapped his infamous temper at the idiot who dared broach the subject. His eyes flicked to the doorway before he suddenly rose from his throne, causing everyone to scramble to stand as well.

“Since we are on the topic and everyone is so eager to know who the lady in question is, why don't I fulfill your curiosity?” he said in an almost mocking tone. No one else saw the humor dancing in his eyes as they awaited a name….any name. Hushed whispers were barely heard as the room focused its attention upon the king.

“I chose the lady with the war on Kyoto in mind. As many of you know my sister, Tomoe, is currently married to the heir of Kyoto. She has written to me to say she is happy with her decision and is not in need of a rescue. As such the war is becoming too taxing if its original reason is no longer an issue. However, I am not willing to just let Kyoto take the trade city to the north…nor do I want to keep the silly swamp ridden villages we conquered along the eastern border. As such, I sent a treaty to King Hiko.”

The hushed murmur of gossip was now growing to a dull roar as they tried to figure out where he was going with this. Had some military genius allied his daughter to the king or something? What the devil was going on?

“We're at war?” Hiraki asked to no one in particular around himself. A footman behind him struggled not to snicker at the oblivious lordling.

“Tokio,” the king said, his voice rising above all others without shouting. The entire room stopped in shock. Their king was on a first name basis with the prisoner princess? “You can come in now.”

Tokio stopped breathing when the entire room turned to look at her. Why had the king turned their focus upon her? She hated being in the spotlight…especially when she had no clue as to why she was there. Having just come up to the large double doors of the throne room she was ignorant of what the king had been discussing. Something about Kyoto and swamp ridden villages?

“Tomoe chooses to ally herself with Kyoto and so Kyoto will ally with Fujita. My future bride, Princess Tokio of Kyoto.”

Tokio felt her eyes widen in shock as her jaw dropped. All gossip stopped at the lords and ladies before her mirrored her own shock. Only one voice spoke out in the deafening silence.

“Oh no you don't!” Megumi yelled, pushing her way through ball gowns and obnoxious hats. “You cannot marry our princess, by law, without her father's permission!”

Saitou looked down from his throne at the determined duchess. Prince Sano stood behind her looking sheepish. Sano actually had enough sense to know now was not the time to argue the subject…not in front of an audience anyway.

“King Hiko is about as likely to give you permission as the demons across the barrier!”

“Prince Sano,” Saitou drawled. “I suggest you curb your guest's tongue before I have someone remove the offending object from her mouth.”

“She's right,” a small voice said from the back of the room. All eyes turned to Tokio again as she began making her way toward the main table and throne. “You cannot fault her for telling the truth…about the law, that is.”

“See!” Megumi reaffirmed and stood defiant in front of the king, although one of her hands crept back and enveloped itself in Sano's. He looked shocked at the gesture, but didn't complain.

“Well that would be true,” he began, hating how he would have to tell this before an entire room full of gossipers. “Except for one minor fact.”

“And what is that?” Megumi asked.

“I compromised your little princess…and she was quite willing. By law that makes her father's permission inconsequential.”

Sano barely had enough time to stepped forward to catch Megumi who fell in a dead faint. Gasps and instant gossip began to spread, now loud enough to drowned out any voice, including the ones trying to gossip. Tokio merely stood there in absolute confusion.

“Compromised?” she repeated to herself in confusion. Looking around her she quickly deduced it wasn't something honorable or highly thought of. Dark, suspicious looks were sent her way as people speculated, devised and outright lied. What did this all have to do with her? Why was she suddenly the victim of malicious rumors and murderous glares?

She startled when a hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her up the stairs to the throne. She turned and found herself looking into hard amber eyes…familiar yet suddenly harsh and painful to look at. Tokio couldn't, however, bring herself to speak any words. Only her eyes pled for a reason….justification of this all.

“Trust me,” he said simply, his eyes softening for barely a moment. She gave a slow nod, understanding he would tell her in time. As he pulled her to stand beside him she fought the overwhelming feeling to flee….to run far from him, this room and Fujita. He had asked her trust…but here she was ready to flee. Inhaling a ragged breath she steeled herself. She would trust him….and hope he would tell her what was going on soon.

Especially this marriage business. What the hell was he thinking?

Tokio never felt as scared and alone as she did at that moment.

 

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Sano breathed a sigh of relief as Megumi's eyes flew open. Her nostrils flared at the unpleasant smell of the smelling salts and she quickly regained consciousness with murder written in her eyes.

“That BASTARD!” she seethed.

“Saitou always was a manipulative one. I can't believe Tokio let him seduce her though…hell, I didn't know the old man had it in him!”

“Just because he is over thirty doesn't mean he is incapable of luring a younger woman to bed,” Megumi said dryly. “Some women actually prefer older men. More stamina.”

If she'd been in a better mood she would have laughed at the obvious affect her words had on his ego. Even the barb didn't raise her spirits.

“Still….she's like…half his age!”

“Wouldn't be the first time, nor the last,” Megumi mused. “Oh gods, what a mess! King Hiko will have my head for not stopping this. Tokio isn't in love with him….at least I don't think so. She looked more in shock than in love anyway. I assume he didn't bother to tell her of their intended marriage during the spiteful act.”

“Aw, now Kitsune, it can be much more enjoyable than you're making it sound,” Sano teased only to get a punch in the arm for his effort.

“Can you be serious for a change?” she snapped. “Do you realize what is going to happen?”

“Saitou marries Tokio? And they live….well, not so happily ever after?”

“Funny…I meant before all that. Or rather, directly following the marriage ceremony.”

“Nope…not following,” he confessed. “It might help if you didn't hit me before asking me to think along your parallels. Devilishly hard to do you know.”

“In the case of a compromised princess the King reserves the right to have witnessed proof of the willing compromise.”

“Uh, Kitsune, I hate to break it to you, but I'm pretty sure Saitou was there if he is the one who compromised her.”

That earned him another hit, leaving his ears ringing.

“Not King Saitou, idiot! King Hiko!”

“You can't mean….” Sano began, his eyes growing wide as he realized what she was referring to.

“Yes. And who is the only qualified Kyoto representative here besides Tokio herself?”

“Holy shit!”

 

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So what do I speak of? Well, that will come in the next chapter….sorry, not sure when I'll get that out. Please be patient. And no, reviews saying “Update!” aren't going to affect me one iota….sorry. It gets written when it gets written and not before. If anything encouragement in forms other than “Update soon!” inspires me much more effectively. Any review is find though…I'm really not picky.

Royal fact: Did you know all titles (Duke, Earl etc) are technically owned by the royal family? This means if there are no possible heirs for the title to pass to, then the title goes back to the royal family. Like they have an invisible vault holding tons of titles. They can also hand these titles out at will, change them etc. Kind of makes you wonder if they have a hat somewhere with names.

“Let's see, let's make him the….” (pulls paper out of hat) “Duke of…”(pulls second paper out) “Hertfordshire!”

In addition not all titles are hereditary…imagine that. Mind you the majority of them are so that's rather handy for the males of the family (few titles are hereditary through daughters).

And then some lords had multiple titles as well. So the Duke of Glasgow could also be the Marquis of Windom…..very handy if he wanted to give his son a title or two. Yeah, it's almost like having a car. You can only drive one at a time but you can certainly loan them out to your sons or have them just sit around.

Oh man, and don't get me started on the silly formality of names, addressing and titles. For example, you call a Duke “Your grace” but an earl “My lord”. The son of a Duke is called “Lord~” but the son of a Viscount is called “Honorable ~”. And then there's the complication of daughters….married, unmarried, who their father was, what that person's title is etc etc….

On the upside if you were Lady X and married Mr. Y, an untitled man, you retained your Lady status while he remains in Mr. status…no upgrading for him. However if Ms. Z married Lord X she becomes Lady X. Nice perk for the women there.