Chapter 83: Over a barrel

"Excellent!" Funaho breathed decisively, as Kiyone continued to glare holes in her. More than anything, Key thought the Queen seemed ... Relieved? Almost like she was expecting another answer? She wasn't certain, and didn't know that moment if she gave a damn anyway!

"Not like this!" Ayeka openly wept, still kneeling on the floor leaning forward to bury her face into hands. "Please eternal Tsunami! Not like this!" She whispered, almost inaudibly.

It was difficult to watch and almost as hard for Kiyone to believe that this was the same princess she had come to know over the last few years. Everyone, however has a breaking point as Key only too well knew, and the princess had always been proud. So very proud of her heritage, priding her self often, upon the excellence of her noble blood! Suddenly deprived of that, of the very thing which had always been a source of strength, Ayeka slumped, like a broken doll upon the floor.

"M'lady." Key heard to her left, shifting gaze to see Azaka starring sadly down at the Princess. He seemed to suddenly sense her eyes, for Asaka's gaze then shifted Kiyone's direction. There was a brief moment while their respective glances intertwined. Key almost felt something like Sympathy for the old Knight. Her perceived 'duty' had led her to some painful crossroads as well.

"Now that the matter is settled." Funaho announced firmly. "There are many details which to attend!" She then turned with an abrupt swirl of her robes. "You will therefore excuse me." She called as she moved toward the front entry hall, pausing just at the living rooms doorway.

"AYEKA!" Funaho snapped over her shoulder. "Nebula burning child!" She continued frostily towards the sobbing princess. "Do try at least to comport yourself with something approaching the dignity befitting your station!" Having made her pronouncements the queen then walked regally away with Azaka falling at her heel.

"Ayeka!" Mihoshi called urgently, making her way quickly over, dropping beside where the princess knelt in absolute misery, wrapping her arms around Ayeka's quaking form. "Aww honey, Com'on!" Miho cooed and comforted while Tenchi looked on.

He stood several feet away, wanted to give comfort as well, at the moment however ... He was just too boiling mad.

"Masaki?" Kiyone asked tentatively, "What are we going to do?"

"HOW THE HELL SHOULD I KNOW KEY?" Tenchi yelled glaring at her, flinching in reaction to his own outburst.

"Jesus!" He hissed while Kiyone weathered the blast, kicking herself for being the one to ask the most stupid question possible.

"Sorry." She sighed, feeling very small and impotent. A sensation which lasted about three seconds as Kiyone rallied her resolve. If Key prided her self on anything, it was that she didn't do helpless!

"We got'ta look around a bit." She told Tenchi quietly. "Scope out the area, see what kind of defenses we're up against." Key then waited, watching Tenchi stare at the living room carpet, apparently not having heard.

"Masaki?" She asked gently.

"Key." He told her tiredly after drawing and releasing a long breath. "Don't."

"Don't?" She stammered, uncomprehendingly.

"Don't, do, ANYTHING!" He told her emphatically, outlining each word.

"But..." She gasped after a stunned second. "We've been in tougher spots!"

"It's over Key..." Tenchi told her firmly.

"You can't just quit!" She snapped.

"FUCK YOU MAKIBI!" He yelled. "Didn't you hear what the Queen said?"

"She's gotta be bluffing!" Kiyone told him angrily, only flinching slightly. "Nobody commits genocide for those kind of reasons!"

"She's not bluffing!" Tenchi and Key turned, recognizing the small broken voice as Ayeka's.

"The Noir-Hordain are real Kiyone!" She looked tearfully up at them. Key didn't know which was more unsettling. The sight of Ayeka's red rimed, burgundy eyes or the fact she'd addressed her by name!

"And, if what Funaho said is true," the princess caught her breath. "They will use them!" Ayeka glanced up at where Mihoshi still knelt, locking eyes with her. "Tenchi is right." She murmured, defeated. "It' s over."Mihoshi sniffed, finding her own eyes beginning to tear, prompting Kiyone's mind to consider. It was funny, to really think about it. This was ultimately all over a wedding! Yet given the context, no small wonder, everybody was treating it like it was a funeral.

"Key?" Tenchi said quietly after a moment, causing her to turn. "I want you and Mihoshi to watch over Mayuka." He then looked over at Miho. "They can't find out about her, Understand?"

Mihoshi looked confused for a second before the lines of her face firmed and she sternly nodded.

"They try and hurt her Key." Tenchi said evenly, redirecting his gaze kiyone's direction. "You'll take care of it won't you?" he asked meaningfully. Studying Kiyone's eyes as they widened, understanding completely.

"If they try to hurt her, don't worry about me." She mentally interpreted. Well, everyone she supposed has a sick habit of swearing secret little oaths. Pronouncements about what they will or will not do, if such and such occurs. She'd sworn this one long ago, it was just a shock to realize the time had actually come! Kiyone smiled reassuringly and nodded, grimly considering. This so-called 'shield' the queen had mentioned might be a elaborate ruse. If it was not ... Kiyone couldn't help thinking, 'God' or some appropriate entity had better help everyone under it if it came to that!

"That being the case." She added after a moment. "I think I'll go to the kitchen and get a snack."

"A SNACK?" Ayeka gasped, recovering some of her equilibrium out of shear shock.

"Hey, needs of the body!" Kiyone called lightly over her shoulder, seeming suddenly more like her eternally 'flippant' self.

"I'll meet you at the kids room!" She then said to Mihoshi. "Can I grab something for you partner?"

"Some Deviled eggs!" Mihoshi cheered raising her hands while Ayeka simply gaped. "If there is any left from the picnic!" She paused. "And a pitcher of green tea!"

"With eggs?" Kiyone grimace, shaking her head. "Mih-chan you got no class!" She turned with a smile and headed around the bend. Leaving Ayeka to turn her astonished gaze toward Tenchi.

"Well," Mihoshi told them, "I guess I'll head on up!" She sauntered across to the stair, pausing briefly to stare glumly at the ruin of the T.V. for a moment. Shrugging that off, Mihoshi deftly plucked an apple out of the bowl of fruit sitting on a stand to the side and promptly bit into it.

"EWWWWWWWWWWW!" She sputtered as Tenchi smiled at her sadly.

"Mihoshi?" Tenchi called, almost managing to laugh in spite of the situation. "You knew those were wax didn't you?"

"I forgot!" She grimaced, turning and walking miserably up the stairs.

"I just can't believe those two!" Ayeka swore shaking her head sadly.

"I do." Tenchi looked at her meaningfully knowing Mayuka was in the safest hands the current situation would allow.

At the top of the stairs, Mihoshi paused. When absolutely certain she was unobserved, produced the wax apple still bearing her teeth marks. Dropping it then covertly into the cleavage of her robe. Along with the eyeglass repair kit which Nobuyuki had always been kept behind the fruit bowl. Sure, the queen had living room cleared, but that didn't mean nobody was watching. Who knows? Maybe the wax apple she had 'forgotten about' would come in handy as well.

Funaho walked into the Entry hall and turned, moving out of direct line of sight with the living rooms doorway. She'd taken four additional steps to the door of the house when her features suddenly contorted, one hand seeking the corridor wall, as her legs seemed almost to fail.

"Oh mercy!" she whispered, bowing her head, resting forehead against the wall, with Azaka instantly there, at her side.

"My lady?" He breathed dutifully.

"What have I done?" She hissed under her breath as the elder knight raised a hand, hesitant, wanting to give comfort, reassurance or to simply 'help' in some fashion. His hand quested, began to settle upon her quaking shoulder when there came a commotion to the other end of the hall.

"I must see the Queen!" Hero was seething insistently on the other side of a wall of guards with Kamadaki glaring down at the smaller man balefully.

"Mind your place!" He snapped ruefully. "Do not attempt to intrude upon her royal presence!" He then paused almost speculatively. "Your grievance will be addressed in due Order"

Whether it was his current frame of mind or the fact Kamadaki looked, 'a little less than noble' with two bald patches from where Mayuka had almost ripped out his scalp. Hero took a step insistently forward.

"This is important!" He rasped as Kamadaki's eyes caught fire.

"HOLD YOUR GROUND CHANGELING!" He warned, raising his staff.

Hero met the man's glare with one of his own, Golden eyes boring up into the Knights.

"Enough!" Funaho sighed loudly, motioning to Azaka.

"Who is this?" She asked as the elder Knight leaned closer.

"Some minor local diplomat my lady." Azaka told her flatly. Glancing Hero's direction."We found him with the cabbit." He paused, waiting dutifully.

"Shall I get rid of him?" Azaka then asked after a few moments during which the queen attempted to regain her composure.

"No" She said with obvious effort. "Let him speak." Thus prompted Azaka looked to Kamadaki and nodded. Noting the gestures, Hero immediately shouldered past, casting an angry glance Kamadaki's direction.

"Thank you your majesty!" Hero gasped. "Forgive my rude behavior in these matters!"

"And you are?" Funaho nodded noncommittally, a hint of strain riding her voice.

"Hero Sheagame, Your grace!" He announced respectfully. "Bureau of Earth/Jurai Affairs and current acting liaison to the Japanese government!"

"I see." Funaho again nodded. "What is your business with us?" She added flatly.

Hero paused a moment, more than aware of whom he was talking to. Thirty-six hours ago, he didn't even know the contested princes name, and now? To be standing in the presence of the Empress! Certainly he was excited! Hell! He should have been overjoyed! Except...

"My lady?" He began, choosing his word with utmost care. Part of him was wondering, and if this was about to be the last thing he would ever say as a diplomat.

"What I have witnessed here ... Disturbs me." He again paused."Has Lord Tenchi committed, some grievance against the crown?" Hero ventured cautiously, then watched as the queen stiffened.

"Such questions ... are best left for council arbitration!" She snapped. "I am not in the habit of availing myself to such interrogation!" Hero grimaced, that was of course just a flowery way of telling him to piss off!

"I, I understand that my lady!" He stammered, bowing respectfully. A convenient enough position, Hero was also wondering if a short prayer might be in order?

"But I would be remiss in not saying that these are strange events to be sure!" He added quickly. Hero then had the distinct displeasure of seeing Lady Funaho draw herself up angrily.

"PRESS ME NO FURTHER!" The queen spat venomously. Her eyes blazing as she added. "Or I will have you removed!"

"Forgive me then your grace!" Hero whined. "But at least, if you please?" He paused yet again. "Tell me what happened to the young girl I was with?"

It had just 'spilled' out of his mouth, the words exiting before Hero was properly aware of actually thinking them. He'd managed to keep his thoughts mostly in check after waking up to find himself resting comfortably in a hallway. From there he'd been briskly informed by a hulking Tanzuru that the house was under royal seizure. It then went to figuring out he'd been searched while unconscious then dumped in the closest convenient corridor. He'd heard the commotion exploding in the living room, shortly there after. Almost getting a staff to the face for attempting to intervene. The burly Knight which seemed to have dogged his heels since waking had no use for any of the protest Hero tried to forward his direction, and as much visible neck. When the room had then been ordered 'cleared' the further indignation of being jostled by every other knight as they rudely shouldered past had been all he could endure. Hero supposed he'd been primed like a bomb as he had raced up to the queen, with her further refusals only serving to 'light' his already infinitesimally short fuse. When, at last Funaho turned completely to curiously study him.