The two opponents stood in front of each other, each staring straight into the other's eyes.
Kuno's sword was aiming right at Nabiki's chest, while the young Sheikah warrior was considering slamming her knee into that sensitive area between the swordsman's legs...
And then, the two warriors leapt at each other. Kuno tried stabbing at Nabiki's heart immediately, but she nimbly dodged the strike and hit him with a forceful palm attack. Most of the force got absorbed by the soldier's armor, but he staggered back a few steps, so Nabiki got an opening: She jumped at him, raising her right leg for a powerful kick, aimed at his abdomen.
At the very last moment, Kuno rolled to the side, while his sword circled above him, leaving a big slice in Nabiki's clothes. Luckily, the clever girl had anticipated this move, so she only received a slight scratch on her skin.
Kuno rolled backwards, jumped to his feet, while Nabiki spun around to face him once again.
"You fight well, Nabiki Tendo," Kuno proclaimed. "But in the end, you shall fall before my blade. It is my duty as a servant of the kingdom to strike you down where you stand, servant of evil!"
"Oh, gimme a break..." the middle Tendo sister murmured. "Less talk, more action, sword boy!" she shouted.
"So shall it be!" Kuno said grimly and raised his weapon. "FOR THE KILLING BLOW!"
He raised his sword high above his head and charged Nabiki like a raging bull.
Nabiki didn't move, she calmly waited until the very last instant, then she bent her upper body sidewards, so the Kuno blade missed her, and at the same time, she hit the furious swordsman with a powerful roundhouse kick, which connected with Kuno's jaw and sent the delusional soldier flying.
Kuno hit the wall with a groan and sunk down to the ground, while Nabiki went out of her battle stance and wiped her brow with a sigh.
"Always remember, Kuno-baby," she murmured. "Never underestimate a Sheikah!"
----
Only a short time later, Tatewaki stood in front of the king and his father, the chancellor. His hands were bound behind his back, with a pair of manacles. To his left and right, two attentive soldier were standing.
Nabiki was standing at the side of the chamber, together with her mother.
The king threw the captive boy a serious gaze, to which the young Kuno replied with what he believed to be a proud stance.
Chancellor Kuno shook his head. "Really, Tachi," he sighed. "Wot in Din's name were ya thinkin'? Da big Kahuna's seriously disappointed with ya, boy!"
"I don't care what you think," Tatewaki snapped. "I said it and I say it again: You are a disgrace for the Kuno family name!"
"My boy..." the king sighed. "You shouldn't go and tell others that they are a disgrace when you are the one on trial. But I'll give you the chance to defend yourself... So, what were you doing down in the treasure rooms? Why did you attack Nabiki? And, most importantly: What were your intentions with the Ocarina of Time?"
"Your Highness!" Kuno Jr. replied with all dignity he could bring up. "Believe me when I tell you that I always have been a loyal subordinate of the crown." He threw a hateful side glance at Impa and her daughter. "It's the Sheikah we have to watch out for. They can't be trusted. Believe me, Your Majesty, they are planning your downfall! They have conspired with the traitorous Zora to take over your throne!"
'Oh boy!' Impa sighed as she shook her head.
The king looked back at the young man intently. "Boy, you don't know what you are saying. The war between the Zoras and our kingdom is over for a long time. We have settled our differences. They are our allies, and I would never suspect King Zora to be a traitor. And about the Sheikah... they have been our loyal servants for such a long time, even longer than your family has been in our services."
"That cannot be," Tatewaki shouted. "They are cowardly fighters and always shroud themselves in shadows. What for, if not to hide their true schemings? I plead with you, Your Highness, please get rid of those traitors before it's too late!"
"I see we aren't getting anywhere here..." the king sighed. "Fine, and how would you justify your presence within the treasure rooms? From what Nabiki and the other guards told me, you seemed to be intent on entering the storage chamber of the Ocarina of Time, isn't that correct?"
"My king, everything I did was for the greater good. I was on a mission to retrieve the Ocarina, so it could be used for a powerful, defensive spell that would protect you from the army of the Zora!"
The king shook his head. He had heard enough. "Your son seems not to be right in the head, my friend," he whispered to his chancellor.
Kuno Sr. nodded sadly. "Oh, ever since my dear wife's death, poor lil' Tachi had been acting strangely... I dunno what to do with 'im anymore, my king."
"I'm sorry it had to come to this," the king told him. He then looked back at the accused in front of him.
"Tatewaki Kuno, I find you to be guilty. Guards, lock him into the dungeon - for his own good!"
"Your Highness!" Kuno struggled against the guards that wanted to take him away. "Listen to me... this is all a conspiracy! I tell you, they will attack! Execute the Sheikah while you can!"
The king just waved with his hand, and the guards dragged the yelling boy out of the room.
"He's gone insane..." he muttered. "Somehow, I feel sorry for the boy... but we can't let him walk around freely. He has become a threat for society and the kingdom."
The chancellor nodded, while a tear blinked in the corner of his eye. "Poor, little Tachi... whatever did I do wrong?"
The king sighed and stood up. "Well, I guess that's all... he definitely has lost his mind."
The king and chancellor left the audience chamber. Impa was going to follow them, when she saw the thoughtful expression on her middle daughter's face.
She put her hands on her hips and smirked. "All right, Nabiki, I know that expression of yours, so out with it: What's on your mind?"
"I dunno..." Nabiki muttered. "I mean, I realized that Kuno has some serious problems, but... somehow I believe that there's more to that story. I can't put my finger on it, but... I have the feeling that there might be someone out there who used Kuno for his own purposes."
Impa thought about it. She, more than anyone else, knew that her daughter was an attentive and smart girl, especially for someone her age. And that meant she wouldn't just say something like that if it was just a hunch.
"You might just be right, Nabiki," she finally said. "But let's not worry the king with it just now. Just tell me when you notice something unusual and... be very attentive, you hear me?"
Nabiki smirked. "Ain't I always, Mom?" she asked.
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(Posted Sat, 27 Jan 2007 13:28)
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