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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 19:41:44 GMT -5
Why does it always happen like this? Xue moaned inwardly as he trudged across the frozen ground. It wasn't even his watch; he'd finished hours ago, but Xiao had guilted him into taking his graveyard shift, as well. He'd said he was coming down with something, but Xue knew better to believe that.
As he passed the tent that he'd seen the Japanese prince disappear into when they'd arrived, he vaguely tuned into the conversation within, the voices so muffled that he couldn't make anything out. It clicked on his radar, but he thought nothing of it; Sze and the other generals probably had a lot to discuss with him as of late.
It wasn't until he had almost passed the tent that he realized they were speaking a different language entirely.
Xue stepped behind the neighboring tent as the flap of canvas fluttered open, and a small, dark figure darted out. As it strode past him, away from Sze's camp, Xue stepped out, drawing his sword. "S-State your name and business with the prisoner."
As the figure turned around, Xue nearly dropped his weapon in shock.
"... Jun?"
((Whenever you're ready, Naia.))
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Aug 30, 2006 21:44:35 GMT -5
"X-Xue..." Naia turned around swiftly, fluidly, recognizing the timbre of the voice and the little stammer on the first syllable. Just great, he thought with a mental wince that didn't quite make it to his face. Xue had actually been helpful to him, had been reasonably trusting and at the very least, hadn't been entirely swayed by the suspicions of his fellow soldiers. The kid just had to run into him now. Naia straightened the collar of his uniform, knowing that Xue couldn't possibly tell what exactly had happened or what he and the prince had discussed, but feeling somewhat imposed upon, just the same. His eyelids lowered for a moment, probably indiscernabe in the darkness.
"My business with the prisoner--" he wasn't keen on saying something so cold, so it wasn't hard to fake a hint of apology in his tone of voice "--is between me and my superiors." It wasn't entirely a lie, at least. "Why?"
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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 21:51:29 GMT -5
"Your superior is General Sze," Xue barked, losing his stutter in his irritation. "And I'm sure he wouldn't..." He trailed off, eyes widening. "... you're not talking about General Sze, are you?"
He could have called for someone. Akihito's tent was only a short distance from the rest of the camp, he'd have dozens of soldiers running in a second. But he stood his ground, his gaze hardening as he looked at the man he'd regarded as his teammate.
"Who are you?"
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Aug 30, 2006 22:05:19 GMT -5
You're a smart kid, Xue, Naia had to admit. Maybe a little less gutsy than most, but that's not how you do things, is it? Or maybe you're not the type that goes looking for trouble because trouble finds you no matter what.
His eyes met Xue's, level and even; he figured as well that it wouldn't take much to bring the entire camp down on his head, and there was no way he could hope to survive that. Not that he'd want to, really - if he was found out and returned to Japan, Akiyama would make death seem downright enjoyable. No, he'd have to talk his way out. Beyond that, his options were slim and undesirable.
"I'm just a soldier," Naia replied, meeting Xue's glare with a nervous smile. "And of course I'm not talking about General Sze," he added with a quick laugh. "I'm in General Rie's camp, remember? I'm sorry that I can't tell you why I'm here, but... you know, I have to follow orders. Just like you, so why the hostility?" As he spoke, he slowly edged himself backwards, both to appear imtimidated and in an effort to draw him back towards the edge of camp, where they might be less visible.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 22:09:43 GMT -5
"In case you've forgotten, General Rie answers to General Sze, too." Shaking, Xue held up his sword, pointing it at Naia. "And I'm under orders to question anyone suspicious, and..." He attempted a smile. "Just tell me what you're doing here. We're supposed to be in this together."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Aug 30, 2006 22:24:36 GMT -5
Naia's eyes went to the tent flap, then back to Xue, as if he was deeply contemplating whether or not to give away the secret. Did Xue know who the prisoner was? He guessed not; the rumor mill had carried ample news of a prisoner, but little more than speculation as to who it was.
"No one's supposed to know, really," he said at last, "but the prisoner? Well, I guess you'd find out sooner or later, but he's the Japanese prince. General Rie needed me to bring him a message on short notice, which is why I'm out here in the cold instead of waiting until daylight. Word is--" and he didn't have to fake anxiety or sadness "--they've declared war."
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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 22:33:34 GMT -5
Naia's announcement barely even registered in Xue's consciousness; he pushed it to the back of his mind, telling himself that he'd deal with it later. He wasn't even sure if it was true. Why should it be, when nothing else Naia said was.
"What Xiao said... he was right, wasn't he? You're not... with us... are you?" The smile remained frozen on his face, as if stuck, and he began to laugh softly. "Did you think I was an idiot?"
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Aug 30, 2006 22:48:15 GMT -5
Naia didn't have to fake a sweat that time, even in the icy air. Nothing he'd said had gotten through, he could tell, and it wouldn't have mattered. Trying to dissuade Xue wouldn't do any good. His backward steps grew longer; what to do, now? He was as good as dead, unless he could kill Xue and hide the body... but there were no trees, and the ground was little more than permafrost, and besides, much as he knew it was a mistake, he didn't want to hurt the young man.
"Xiao..." Naia's eyebrows knitted darkly. He gave up on the intimidated posture and straightened his shoulders, his weight settling loosely. "I don't know what gave me away, but whatever it was, he picked up on it before anybody else. And no," he added, "I don't think you're an idiot. I thought I was good enough not to get caught."
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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 22:53:23 GMT -5
"... come on." For a brief moment, Xue's hand stopped shaking, and he held the tip of his sword steadily at Naia's throat. "Jun... whatever your name is... I don't know what you're doing here, but we're going to straighten this out. We're going to see General Sze, right now."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Aug 30, 2006 23:05:07 GMT -5
The blade was far too close for comfort; Naia's impulse was to strike it away, hit the flat edge with his palm and get out of its way, and probably follow that up with taking the young man to the ground with a kick to the back of the knee, all accomplished within a half of a second if he timed it right... but no. He clamped down on the instinct. That would hardly do. His life might have been forfeit, but doing something stupid rarely worked in his favor.
"Xue," Naia said, a little too evenly out of - for once - real fear, "I don't intend to harm anyone. How about you don't take me to a man who will undoubtedly kill me?"
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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 23:07:52 GMT -5
"You've been lying to everyone. For weeks," Xue spat. "How am I supposed to know you weren't planning to kill us in our sleep?" Catching himself, he took a long, slow breath. "You're not going to die. If you cooperate, everything's going to be fine. Now come with me."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Aug 30, 2006 23:20:01 GMT -5
"I--" Well, to say he hadn't been lying to everyone wouldn't go over well. "I'm doing my job," he said with a rough breath, "and my job isn't to hurt any of you. It's to keep my own people from being hurt."
Not going to die? There's a good laugh. He smiled, weakly, feeling his pulse accelerate. There was little hope of the situation improving, and he settled for being glad he wasn't completely unarmed - his dagger was concealed in his sash, invisible in the darkness. "I'm sorry. I can't turn myself in."
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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 23:24:40 GMT -5
"Dammit, Jun!" Xue gritted his teeth, choking on the words as his veneer slipped out of place entirely. "Don't think I won't do it, you know! Please don't make me fight you!"
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Aug 30, 2006 23:36:12 GMT -5
Naia reacted to the momentary lapse almost before he knew what he was doing. Almost before Xue had finished his plea, Naia ducked beneath the blade, struck the flat side upwards with his palm, and as he dropped to the ground, caught Xue's left ankle between his feet and twisted his body with all his might. As soon as he felt Xue's balance give, Naia released the grip, sprang to his feet, and tore away from the tents, trying only to put distance between him and the rest of the camp.
Xue would pursue him, he was sure; Naia just hoped that they wouldn't attract attention. After all, there was nowhere for him to run to out here.
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Post by Zhong Xue on Aug 30, 2006 23:44:15 GMT -5
It stopped Xue for a moment as he struggled to catch his breath, but he scrambled to his feet without thinking, grabbing his sword and sprinting after Naia as fast as he could. The Japanese man had the advantage; he was smaller and lighter than Xue, and was undoubtedly more trained, but somehow, Xue managed to get in reach of him.
He lunged forward, his arms wrapping tightly around Naia's waist, bringing them both to the ground hard.
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