@Haruko - things played well for Miichan's Kingdom
@dream_catcher - good catch on Kitarie
the lockets are very important to KojiYuu. Hmm, maybe Mayu should hit Yuki on the head a few times?
@haruhi16 @aoi_sora is 2 months considered soon? hehe
@skytsuna - hope this chapter explains a bit about Acchan
Thanks for reading everyone!!! Hope everyone had a nice Christmas!!!
Chapter 7 – Atsuko’s Decision **Aikuchi Kingdom**Minami walked into Atsuko’s office.
Atsuko was pacing around her office.
“Well?” Minami asked.
“Well what?” Atsuko replied, clearly annoyed.
“I guess I’ll prepare for departure.” Minami said.
“What?? Where are you going?” Atsuko questioned in a panicked tone.
“To Kiuchi, With General Takajo seriously injured, I should be there to lead the troops. That is my job!”
“Uhhh, that might not be necessary Minami.”
“Are you serious Atsuko? Why won’t you ever send me out there? You don’t trust me, Atsuko?” Minami questioned Atsuko.
“What, uhhh, that’s not true...”
Minami cut Atsuko off. “All the stuff that has happened, it’s like a bad omen. What’s to gain from Kiuchi, Atsuko? And don’t give me the same bullshit answers.”
Atsuko was taken aback by Minami’s attitude. Minami has always supported everything she has done, but lately, Minami has always argued against everything. It’s like she is losing her.
While hurt by Minami’s words, Atsuko handed a piece of paper to Minami.
Minami read the paper. “Oh.”
“Well?” Minami questioned.
“I haven’t decided it yet.”
“Atsuko, they’re giving you an easy way out of this without suffering further casualties, what is there to think about?”
“I won’t lose to circumstances, Minami.”
“Circumstances? These occurrences were nature’s way of telling you that this war was wrong from the start Atsuko! If you still consider me your advisor, your confidant, accept Kiuchi’s offer!! I have nothing further to say.” Minami stormed out of the room.
“Minami…” Atsuko whispered.
************************
Mayu sat in the media room. Her best friend, Oita Aika, had returned to the palace from her visit to Hasako Kingdom and was sitting next to her. To Aika and everyone else close to Mayu, it was obvious Mayu had changed since coming home from her “mission”.
“Ne Mayu, what are you thinking about?”
“Her.” Mayu simply said.
“What is it like to be in love?” Aika asked.
“The best feeling in the world. ” Mayu smiled at Aika,
“I want to know what love feels like...” Aika replied
Mayu smiled at Aika but her smile disappeared quickly. “But at the same time, all I feel now is guilt. And now, knowing that she knew who I was has made that guilt even worse. She loved me for who I am…”
Unbeknownst to the two inside the room, Atsuko was just outside the media room listening to their conversation.
“Love…” Atsuko whispered to herself. She had wanted to talk to Mayu. After her conversation with Minami, she wanted to get away from her office. Atsuko leaned on the wall and sighed.
Ever since Mayu returned, she had been focused on the attacks and never had time to really sit down with her. Hearing tidbits here and there, she pieced together what had happened. She didn’t think her sister would fall in love someone. Mayu had always sheltered herself from showing emotions, except to those truly close to her.
Flashback
A young Atsuko sat in a chair and watched her father pace around the room.
Her father finally stopped and stood in front of her.
“Your mother is back.”
“Mama?” Atsuko questioned her father.
“Yes, she’s sick Atsuko and won’t be around for long.”
“Can I see her?” Atsuko asked. She hadn’t seen her mother since her mother left when she was 7 years old. As she got older, she realized that her mother had actually runway with someone.
Her father nodded.
“Atsuko, you listen to me. Love makes you weak. Love hurts. When you become the Lord, you have to do things that no one will understand, even the person that you love will question you. Eventually, they’ll leave you just like what you mother did to me. You are destined to do great things for this kingdom my wonderful daughter. Aikuchi will become the most powerful Kingdom. Do you want that Atsuko?”
“Yes father.”
“Good. Remember my words Atsuko, Love makes you weak.”
Lord Maeda, we have a received a transmission from the General.
“Very well, I’ll take it a few moments. Atsuko, your mother is at the hospital. By the way, you’re a big sister now Atsuko. It seems your mother had a daughter with him though he died two years ago in an accident.”
Atsuko nodded and walked out of the room.
“Serves him right for stealing the Lord’s wife.” Lord Maeda mumbled softly but Atsuko heard every word of it as she left the room.
End FlashbackAtsuko stood still by the wall and sighed again. When her mother past away, she had begged her father to let Mayu stay in the Kingdom. She had promised her mother that she would take care of her. Mayu had always clung onto her since she first met her. She was a very cute 5 year old, always smiling and happy. As she got older, Atsuko watched as her little sister built a wall around herself.
Was it wrong to keep Mayu in the Palace? Atsuko had always wondered. Mayu grew up with people whispering behind her. She grew up on the receiving end of her father’s hatred. She grew up in the kingdom known as the illegitimate child. Mayu should have had a better childhood. If she had not stayed here, Mayu would have been a lot happier.
When Mayu begged Atsuko for a mission, she couldn’t say no. She wanted to prove to people that even though she is not a Maeda, she is from this Kingdom.
Atsuko walked away from the media room and headed back to her office.
“Love…” Atsuko whispered again.
She wasn’t angry at Mayu. In some ways, she was just simply jealous...
**Kiuchi Base Camp**Rumi ran into the main tent of the base camp.
“Miichan, Lieutenant Nakagawa from Aikuchi Kingdom request entrance into our camp to see you.”
“Let her in.” Miichan said.
Miichan stared at Tomochin. Tomochin nodded.
Sayaka, Yuko and Yuki stood up from where they sitting. There was anticipation in the air.
Lieutenant Nakagawa finally entered the room a short while later.
“Lord Minegishi.”
There was silence in the room. Everyone looked at Miichan but she doesn’t seem to be acknowledging.
Tomochin smacked Miichan on her arm.
“OW!” Miichan looked at Tomochin,who was giving her a death stare.
“Oh right, that’s me.” Miichan whispered.
Everyone mentally face palmed.
Miichan looked back at the visiting Lieutenant. “Yes?”
“I, Lieutenant Nakagawa, on behalf of Aikuchi Kingdom, accept your peace treaty offer.”
“YES!” Miichan jumped up and down, hugged and kissed the stunned Lieutenant.
“Miichan!” Tomochin quickly grabbed Miichan away from Lieutenant Nakagawa while mentally face-palming herself again. Just when she thought Miichan was finally serious, it’s like she is back to her previous self in an instant.
“Thank you Lieutenant. Is there anything we can help with?” Sayaka asked.
“Thank you for your offer, we will be preparing to leave your kingdom. Please excuse me.” Lieutenant bowed and left.
“We did it, we did it.” Miichan said while still happily jumping up and down. She went over to Yuki and gave her a big hug.
“You’re awesome Yuki. Would you like to work for this Kingdom? Be the Lord perhaps?”
“HA?” Yuki replied immediately wide eyed.
“Your reaction is cute as always!” Miichan pinched Yuki’s cheek.
“Ehhhh.” Yuki said in response to Miichan’s actions.
“Miichan, we should prepare for return to the palace, transport the injured soldiers to the hospital and let the uninjured soldiers return home to rest.” Sayaka interrupted.
“Right right, do whatever you want Sayaka. I need to start preparing for an awesome party. And everyone in Aikuchi is invited.”
“Everyone?” Yuko asked.
“Why not?” Miichan smiled.
“Come on Tomochin, let’s go have a drink.”
SLAP
“OUCH!” Miichan yelped. “What was that for?”
“Now is not the time for party Miichan!” Tomochin said in a stern voice.
“But why….” Miichan whined.
Yuko smiled. “Things are already getting back to normal…”
“Indeed.” Sayaka nodded.
and that's Chapter 7~ Those waiting for the Acchan/Mayu talk, I apologize, that will come in the next Chapter.
Topic: Kingdoms - Chapter 9 (2014/02/08) (Read 22810 times)