Sand and Fire

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and plots belong to Koroshi and wildcatv2. They cannot be used without express permission from the authors, nor can Sand and Fire be posted on any site without the express permission of the authors. Any similarities between real people and the characters in this piece of fiction are purely coincidental. The cultures in this story were inspired by many real life cultures. No offense is intended by the portrayal of any race.

Special thanks to Gnome for the wonderful review!


Chapter 5


By the time Anna and Inusuke reached Nishi Port, the sun was well on its way to setting. They would have made better time if the woman hadn’t been so stingy with her money and bought a replacement energy sphere for the bike; the one they had started with was on its last legs.

Anna returned the rented vehicle and was quickly on her way. Inusuke would have liked to stay and speak with Crei for awhile, but he knew he had to book it back to the palace. He was going to be in deep shit for being away for nearly two full days. If he were lucky, he’d be able to sneak back in unnoticed, but that would be too much to ask for and only prolong the lecture he’d get from his father.

It was dark when he reached the rear door of the stables to change back into his more formal attire. As he ran past Clooss, he gave the gamekeeper a brief wave and heard him shout something like “Yer in so much trouble, boy” to his back. He tried in vain to wipe some of the grime that had accumulated during his little “adventure” from his body before throwing his yukata on.

Now slightly more presentable, he walked to the barn’s main entrance and peeked outside, ignoring Clooss’ amused chortles. The guards were out in full force, ready to intercept him at every possible approach to the main palace building. No use sneaking around, then. He straightened his posture and made sure his chin was held high before stepping out into the open and towards the nearest pair of guards.

The two men were quick to spot him. They jogged lightly to him and bowed a greeting. “Prince Ouken no Hideinosuke,” the first began.

“Where on Harte have you been?” the second blurted. Inusuke blinked at him. The guards were never so casual and informal with him. Upon closer inspection, he saw that both of them weren’t much older than he was. New guards were always assigned to night shifts – they were less likely to run into and be pranked by the mischievous prince, whose shenanigans tended to cause the guards to request transfers away from the palace.

The first continued, “My prince, your father is quite angry over your disappearance.” Inusuke was about to reply with a smartass comment, but the second guard picked up right where the first left off.

“And your mother, oh bless the Queen, she has been worried sick over you.”

“And the staff has been in an uproar-”

“Yeah, yeah, running around like chickens with their heads cut off-”

“And the knights haven’t had time to actually go and look for you-”

“-what with the tournaments being so near-”

“-and all the foreigners needing to be watched closely-”

“-things have been a little crazy.”

“Hah! A little?! Bit of an understatement, there.”

Inusuke felt dizzy watching them, looking from to the other; it was worse than being forced to attend his cousins’ tennis matches. The two of them kept going with their running commentary of past days’ events, but at least now they were leading him to the palace and the prince was saved from an awkward silence or petty small talk.

The two stopped their conversation briefly. Guard Number Two leaned in conspiratorially to whisper in the blonde’s ear. “So, Your Highness, where did you go?”

“I bet he went off to the arena,” Guard Number One answered for him. Inusuke forced a weak smile on his face. “I knew it! Aw, man, I’m jealous.”

“Who wouldn’t want to go watch the preparations?”

“Yeah, and being the prince means royal treatment.”

“And free access to the entire arena.”

“Oh, oh, and you get to check out all the hot babes that will be competing.”

“Dudes, too.” That brought his companion up short and caused the prince to raise an eyebrow in interest.

“What?!” Guard Number One was giving his friend an odd look.

“Huh? What, what I’d say?!”

“You said ‘dudes,’ Futatsu.”

“Yeah, so?”

“That’s just wrong, man.”

“What’s wrong with saying ‘dudes’?”

“You don’t think there’s something wrong with that?”

Inusuke felt his eye begin to twitch at the ignorant prattle he was being subjected to.

“No, not really.”

“I mean the way you said it.”

“You mean it’s wrong to look forward to seeing dudes compete?”

“No, but dude, I mean I said ‘chicks’ and you said ‘dudes’ and is there something you’re not telling me?”

“What? Aww, no way, Hitotsu.”

“You sure? ‘Cause it’s okay. I mean, I’m not that way, but you’re my buddy no matter what.”

Where the hell were the recruiting sergeants finding guys like this?

“Alright man, I believe ya.”

“You sure? Because you’re still using that tone.”

“This is my ‘I believe you’ voice, man.”

“You promise, Hitotsu?”

“Promise. You’re my best bud, you know that?”

“Yeah. So we’re cool?”

“Always, dude.” The two of them knocked knuckles over his now slouched head. So odd, Insuke thought.

They were starting another banter fest about some new cannon when they were interrupted by a loud voice clearing his throat.

Turned out the voice belonged to the captain of the guards. The idiots beside Inusuke snapped to attention, saluting their superior.

“Sir! We have located the prince, sir!” the two said in unison. Their carefree attitudes had quickly disappeared.

“I can see that,” he said and turned to give the prince a low bow. “Good evening, Your Highness. I hope these two didn’t annoy you too terribly with their ramblings.” The captain eyed the guards who then began to minutely fidget under the scrutiny.

Inusuke decided to save the pair from a lecture that could result in a punishment; they weren’t assholes like some of the other guards. “Captain, I’ve already been briefed on the severity of my disappearance and will converse with my father. These two knights did their job accordingly and efficiently.”

“Very well, Your Highness.” He dismissed the guards with a gesture, keeping his attention on the prince as if he would disappear again should he look away. “Your Highness, His Majesty the king awaits.”

Inusuke begrudgingly followed the stern captain, allowing himself a brief glance back at the guards to see one bowing with his hands together over his head, the other looking on sympathetically. He allowed himself a small smile and waved to them. Facing forward once more, he cleared his countenance of all emotions, and straightened to his full height.

He and the captain maintained a reserved silence while walking to where his father was likely smoldering with barely controlled rage. Inusuke began focusing his thoughts and emotions to have the upper hand in the upcoming argument. His hot temper was quick to ignite in tense situations, with his mind becoming hazy from his out of control emotions. He could not allow that to happen if wanted to win any disagreement with his father.

When they reached their destination, Inusuke took a deep breath and pushed open the heavy door to his father’s study. As expected, the man was standing behind his ornate desk, gazing at the gardens outside his window. His posture was ramrod straight, hands clasped tightly at the small of his back. He had already changed out of his formal robes into his more comfortable but no less impressive yukata. His father was the type of man that could put on a beggar’s outfit and make it look like silk, such was his regal bearing.

Inusuke was surprised to see his mother, though. While he took after his father with his stubborn personality, he inherited his looks from her. Her wheat blonde hair, typically piled on her head in elaborate styles, now flowed over her shoulders. Her blue eyes were a shade darker than her son’s and shone with warmth and kindness instead of his mischievousness. She never raised her gentle voice, but she also had no need to; one quiet word from her could instantly stop a verbal match between Inusuke and his father.

With that thought, the young man started to become apprehensive. He expected only a scolding, followed by some inane punishment. His mother’s presence meant she would be needed as a mediator at some point during the conversation. What horrible plans did his father have for him now?

His father finally turned around, hard brown eyes meeting his son’s in a staring contest. Predictably, it didn’t take long for Inusuke to glance away angrily.

The king of Napaaj, Ouken no Hitotsuchi started the latest “talk.” “I have had it with your disappearances from the palace, Hideinosuke,” his deep voice rumbled. “You miss at least three of your lessons a week. Those lessons are to prepare you to efficiently rule this country one day. You will need them if you ever hope to be king!” His voice rose in volume and was punctuated with a heavy fist slamming on the desk, rattling the objects in the room.

Inusuke lost the little composure he had gathered and blew up in frustrated anger. “But I don’t want to be king! How many times do I have to tell you?” His father sputtered, but he continued, undeterred. “And even though I’m your son, I’m not guaranteed to inherit your place when you die. I’ll still have to fight power-hungry nobles for the throne.”

“If you would train to your full potential, no one would dare question your right to rule,” he countered. “I did not spend most of my life planning to take control of this throne for you to simply throw it away on a childish whim!” His eyes flashed dangerously. It was obvious he was restraining himself from flattening his son with the earth alchemy for which he was famous.

Inusuke was weary of hearing the story of how his father removed the previous king six years ago. He threw a hand up in the air, waving off his father. He no longer felt up to rehashing this old argument. “Whatever. Just give me my punishment so I can get out of here.”

Hitotsuchi pointed a finger at him. “Do not think you can get out of this so easily. Your mother and I have arranged things so your ascent to the throne will be assured, as long as you proficiently display your skill of alchemy to the nobles when the time comes.”

“Well, that’s fantastic,” he replied, full of sarcasm. “What is this ‘arrangement’?”

“You will wed Noblesse Akane no Hisamatsu the day after the tournament awards’ ceremony.”

Inusuke stilled in shock. “What?!”

The king crossed his well-muscled arms over his chest. “The law states royalty is to be betrothed at eighteen and married before nineteen. You are nearly twenty now. Your mother and I have given you ample time to decide on an acceptable bride. You have yet to do so on your own, so we have chosen for you. Hisamatsu-dono is the daughter of the most powerful and ambitious noble family. Currently, they pose the greatest threat to us. A union between our two families will halt any aggressive actions. No one would dare challenge your right to rule.” His father looked rather pleased with himself.

Inusuke and Hisamatsu were of similar age, and as a result, were forced to attend lessons together before he became prince. Due to the fact that both of them were fire adepts, their hot heads clashed loudly and often.

The prince shot the large man a fiery glare. “You know I can’t stand that tramp.”

“And you should know that arranged marriages are not based on love or attraction. With time, I am sure you will come to care for her.” Inusuke snorted in disbelief. “At any rate, you may choose to have nothing to do with her once you have an heir.”

“Do you know how long that could take? Have you forgotten the more powerful an alchemist is, the less potent he is? I may not even be able to have children!”

“Nonsense. That fact is grossly exaggerated by the commoners who do not understand our wish to only have one child.” That was bullshit and the king knew it. His parents had been married for nearly ten years before he was conceived. “You are also young; you have many years before an heir will be necessary.”

The king was calmly rebutting all of his son’s arguments. Inusuke despaired. A solution to this marriage scenario refused to come to him.

“Hideinosuke.” Inusuke was startled by the sweet voice of his mother; he had forgotten she was in the room. She glanced purposefully down to his left arm. He followed her gaze to see his fist clenching and relaxing, runes ablaze. Every time his hand opened, it would become engulfed in red, alchemic flames. He scowled at the traitorous appendage. Only an argument with his father could trigger such a reaction.

Suitsuki spoke again. “Please calm down, my child.” She looked at him imploringly, causing Inusuke’s anger to wilt immediately. He could never deny her anything. She held out a delicate hand. “Come, walk with me.” He took her hand in his and she proceeded to lead him outside to his father’s private gardens. The king watched them leave, confident his wife would settle things.

There was a comfortable silence between them as they walked the moonlit path through lush foliage. Inusuke loved the sereneness of this place; it was the reason his mother always brought him here to speak with him.

Finally, his mother broke the silence. “I know you are unhappy about the marriage, but we only have your best interests at heart.”

“Shouldn’t my best interests include my happiness?”

She sighed. “You must create your own happiness, as you have been doing, but now you must do so in a way that you do not shirk your responsibilities.” She paused briefly. “Your father would not want me telling you this, but he has a standing order in place to allow you to leave the palace whenever you wish.”

Inusuke jerked to a stop and stared at her, slack jawed. “You’ve allowed me to run off these past several years?” He felt rather conflicted. On one hand, his pride was wounded a bit at the realization that he was not as sly at evading the guards as he had originally thought. On the other, he had a new appreciation for his parents.

She nodded, pale hair swaying with the slight motion. “Yes, dear. The first year, you were able to elude the guards for awhile, but they eventually tracked you to Nishi Port and witnessed your visits with Crei Xanataer.”

The prince was absolutely dumbfounded. “Why?”

Suitsuki smiled. “You may not believe it, but you are very much your father’s son. He too chafed under his father’s rules and rebelled when he could. He also had great ambition, something you lack.” No, he just didn’t have any ambition to become king. She continued, “I think he hoped you would get bored socializing with commoners and then realize your true place.” True place? Inusuke felt his true place was exploring the world, meeting new people. His ambition was to make something of himself outside of Napaaj. He felt stifled in the isolated world of nobility.

His mother reached up to clasp his face in her cool hands. “Please follow our wishes for the following weeks. Our guard is stretched thinly during the tournament. We do not have the men to spare to lock you in your room.” She looked at him meaningfully, saying nothing more.

He gave a sharp intake of breath as he replayed her words in his head. He wrapped his arms around her small waist, hugging her closely. He buried his face in her hair and whispered, “Thank you, Mother.” He pulled back to see tears forming in her blue eyes. None would fall, though; she was too proud a woman for that.

She leaned up to place a kiss on his cheek. “I love you, Hideinosuke.”

He smiled warmly. “I love you, too, Mother.”

“Now, return to your room for the night. I will take care of your father. I expect you to make it to every lesson these next few days before the tournament. Understand?”

He grinned brightly, his mood now vastly improved. “Absolutely, Mother.” He could suffer three days of lessons before making his escape during the week long tourney. He nearly ran back to his room in his excitement to make his plans.

Thanks for reading!

Here's a link to some of the art we've finished. We're drawing as we're writing, so'll art will posted a bit less frequently than chapters.

http://koroshicatv2.webs.com/apps/photos/album.jsp?albumID=3643020