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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 10, 2006 15:24:33 GMT -5
With that very information Akihito felt as ease, wanting to voice his gratitude that Naia had not reported the location - even if he said it in riddles. The hand on his shoulder caused him to faintly smile, reminding him that he was no longer alone (especially since Sze had found out the other's true identity). The interruption caused him to glance over and he seemingly lifted his hand to take Naia's before turning to face Sze directly. Akihito tightened his grasp on Naia's hand before moving forward as though to make an emphasis that he would be upset if Sze tore Naia away. Not that it he worried about it, anyways.
"Perhaps if you bothered, or really cared about my country, you would've asked sooner," his voice was dark and laced with annoyance. "You see, there is a man who is fiercely evil - he controls Japan's military sector. His name is Akiyama Kisho. He does things to people, tears into them .. not only physically but mental as well. I believe he was the one ordered the assassination, and if not him, someone under his power. Assuming his intentions was to kill me, and there are no other heirs left under my family's name - the power of Emperor would go to Akiyama."
"He was supposed to be the one who would talk to your Emperor, but instead he sent me because of inner conflicts in Japan. Who really knows if that was an excuse? But sure enough, that is why I am here now. Akiyama probably believes engaging in a war with your country will honor my 'death' and please people for how cruel you are," anyone could tell his last sentence had sarcasm to it. "No, we are not a source of your country's destruction - but I fear he would take down many people just to prove his power and existence, almost like a God."
"Can you understand that, can you?" the last question was intimidating. "Ah, well, I can't do anything for any of us here.." Akihito shrugged his shoulders, taking a slight step back so that he was resting against Naia. "But at least now you know who your true enemy is. Not Japan, just Akiyama himself."
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Sept 10, 2006 15:43:16 GMT -5
His attention lifted to Akihito's face, from where he had been staring at their multiple points of contact. "With all due respect," Sze answered calmly, "none of us are here to care about your country." It was a harsh thing to say, and utterly rude, but he wasn't about to let two Japanese captives in his army try to belittle their motives. As arrogant as it sounded, they were already being let off easy.
"I know you are impatient, but I would appreciate it if you didn't lash out so recklessly." He reverted back to a softer, less confrontational tone. "Since this Akiyama has power in your country now, then we can only treat him as 'Japan' itself. Similarly, our emperor is our country, or the equivalent. Shizukiri Naia, please stay here with your prince for now, until the other generals and I sort things out and decide what to do."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 10, 2006 17:15:24 GMT -5
A small frown took the corners of Naia's lips while Akihito spoke. He could see that Sze wasn't going to be swayed; the prince, he judged, was ruled by his emotions, while the general had long ago steeled himself against them. If they were ever going to successfully work against Akiyama, they at least needed Sze to let them return to their country...
Naia had a sudden image of asking Sze for help with removing Akiyama from power, of explaining his intentions, saying that they would hand Akiyama to China if they were allowed to return, or at least making it clear that they were no longer loyal to the shogun-turned-emperor... but the general had clearly had enough. Their situation was already bad enough; he didn't want to risk making it any worse.
"Yes, sir," he replied, momentarily pulling away from Akihito and bowing so low that his hair nearly brushed the ground. "Thank you for your leniency, and for deigning to hear our explanation."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 10, 2006 18:17:44 GMT -5
Akihito gave an abrupt smile to Sze's response, not like he was mocking the General or anything. Though he figured the word 'care' was undermined in the statement. Well, that's like saying, 'oh I don't care if everyone in China dies - it's not like we're all human anyways.. eh, that's probably the after affects of losing their alliance..' the thought made him slightly agitated with himself, wishing he wasn't raised under philosophy. Feeling Naia drift away he noticed they were bowing to the General. Perhaps he should've been grateful and express gratitude like Naia did but he felt so bitter about the situation.
"General Sze," Akihito spoke up, using the other's title just like he had done with him. "It's not that I don't appreciate all that you've done.." he started to trail off, his voice fading. Instead of finishing his sentence he stepped forward and gave a slight bow of his head, though not as low as Naia had gone. No, he wasn't really going to finish. It didn't feel right to thank an enemy. Standing up out of his bow, his gaze rested on Sze's face. He supposed he would act like the General expected he should act..
"We'll wait for your word, General," Akihito concluded.
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Post by Sze Kamlong on Sept 10, 2006 18:57:52 GMT -5
Looking from one face to the other, it wasn't difficult to guess what Akihito wanted to say. The prince was somewhat prone to these outbursts of emotion, he noted. He supposed it was effort enough that he was keeping himself in check right now. "Sorry," he sighed, though he didn't make clear exactly to who and for what he was apologizing. "If you'll excuse me." He nodded at both, and slipped out the tent.
Yulin and Rie Chou were probably waiting for his explanation as to why he had them all gathered, anyway. First things first.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 10, 2006 19:42:43 GMT -5
Apologizing? For being apathetic to the enemy's cause, or for keeping the prince captive, or what? Naia waited until Sze had left before standing upright again, staring after him warily. He wanted to trust that, somehow, both he and Akihito would get out of this alive, and for a moment he'd hoped that Sze might even be willing to let them go, but... well, so much for that.
"Akihito-sama." He turned his eyes curiously to the prince. "The people that attacked you. Any idea who they were?"
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 10, 2006 19:49:37 GMT -5
Akihito shook his head no, his eyes fixated on the flap of the tent before he turned to face Naia. His expression was sad, drained and utterly defeated. All of this was wearing him down, or more like his thoughts were eating him alive. "No, I wasn't fortunate to find out," he said quietly. If he didn't get to return to Japan he supposed he wouldn't be that sad about it, he didn't have any family but his friends would be missed. At least Naia was ok.
"Really, no matter how far we back track what happened..everything depends on their decision," he said, almost like every other word would be pessimistic for now on.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 10, 2006 20:27:03 GMT -5
Naia nodded, his lips pursed. He wasn't the only one having a long streak of bad luck, obviously. Well, if Akiyama is behind the attempt, he wouldn't have used anybody that the prince would have a chance of recognizing. Regrettably, he's too smart for that. But that's not enough evidence to say he is, either.
"One way or another, we are getting back," he insisted somewhat grimly, dropping the polite pretense he'd used before. "For now, we have to hope they'll be merciful, but if I were you, I'd want to have a few tricks ready, just in case." He paused, taking on a pensive look. "Which brings up another question. Would they aid us if we offered to give them Akiyama?"
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 10, 2006 20:44:32 GMT -5
Biting his lip in thought he started to walk towards Naia, considering about turning back around and pacing. But he knew how annoying that was to watch, so he didn't move. "Are we? As enemies, are we getting back? We have no credentials here, nor in Japan. Right now we could be taking up space and possibly opposing a threat. Though, don't you think it's suspicious that Sze isn't questioning us about Japan its self?" He figured in a war that any amount of information would be needed, but Sze never really talked about it. Considering the other's suggestion he glanced at Naia intently.
"If someone here with power allows us to return home, it is highly improbable to assume we are in war. Because letting us go back, would be like admitting defeat. However, if we give Akiyama up perhaps they'll opt to doing so. Like I said, it's really up to them and their decision." Without any warning he lifted up his right hand and rested his forefinger on Naia's chin, now giving into his smiling habits. "Akiyama was fond of me, and if we return - the possibilities are endless.. he wouldn't be disappointed to have me back, because I can't strip his position away unless he dies of a certain illness.."
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 10, 2006 21:53:00 GMT -5
"That's why I think we need to have some other escape plan ready," Naia replied, his lips pressed into a thin line. But Akihito was right - their situation was about as grim as things could get. Naia knew all of one person in China, a merchant friend of his father's to whom he'd been addressing the letters and who had forwarded them to Akiyama without knowing their content (Naia had made up some story about negotiating under the shogun's command and that the communications were private).
"Sze is the emperor's brother, isn't he? I don't think he's used to questioning anything," Naia reasoned. The general, he guessed, was accustomed to carrying out orders, not investigating the how and why of them. He though it a pity that a decent man and a good leader was going to waste.
For some reason, I'm having a hard time seeing Akiyama as particularly fond of anything, he thought wryly. "He might enjoy your company, but I know he won't exactly be pleased to see me." Not quite able to bring himself to smile, Naia touched Akihito's outstretched hand with a few light fingers. "Not to be... well, treasonous, but I'd prefer to take my chances with handing him over to China."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 10, 2006 22:12:40 GMT -5
"Escape plan," Akihito echoed, having a doubt in the thought already. Not that the idea would be in good use but it was near impossible to escape from the military and being out in the middle of no where didn't really help. "No matter where we go there will always be a group of people to stop us, news does travel fast," he nodded. As much as he hated placing any trust in the General - he just had to, for now.
However, he was caught off guard. "You're serious? He's the emperor's brother?" his eyes widened, completely shocked. "How do you know..? He doesn't seem like he would be," it was perfectly true. He did figure Sze was a distant cousin to the Emperor considering they held the last name, or like in Japan, many people had the same surname. At Naia's touch he slowly folded his fingers up to trace Naia's bottom lip, thinking.
"He did declare war with China, I suppose handing over the Emperor would do well enough - at least for the both of us. Isn't that more of a dream, though?" Finally he removed his fingers from the other's mouth to slowly place Naia's cheek within his open-palm.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 11, 2006 19:17:38 GMT -5
"Regardless..." Naia sighed faintly, his eyes drifting towards some point to Akihito's left as he mulled this over. His words weren't harsh, just matter-of-fact. "If you want to just give up, you're welcome to. Me, I don't plan on dying here."
Akihito's reaction brought a small, cat-like smile to Naia's face, in spite of everything else. "A little research here and there," he replied with an indecipherable but clearly pleased edge to his voice. "With his older brother as the emperor, I don't think he would question his orders even if it was permitted." The smile faded, and he took on a pensive look again. "I wonder, then, if he'd even consider helping us...
"A dream?" He tilted his head slightly against the prince's hand. "Removing Akiyama from power, you mean?"
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 11, 2006 19:34:26 GMT -5
"Give up? Now, that would make me a failure and not a very good leader," Akihito's expression suddenly tightened and he let his hand slide away from the other's face. Perhaps he was offended by Naia's words and if he was, he wouldn't say. He turned for a moment so his back was facing Naia, placing his chin into his palm before walking forward. Sure, now that explained why Sze had been detached. The emperor was his brother..
He was thinking this over, allowing the silence to sink in. "It's considerably easy to remove him of his status, however, he wouldn't take it well. The difficult part would be to physically remove him from the palace and 'power'. In fact, every minute I dream of his demise. That's what I mean," with his free-hand he waved slightly, annoyed and agitated. "It is true, if Akiyama is given over to the General - they would avoid the war completely, and actually be quite victorious. He would have nothing to lose in it."
Turning around he faced Naia while folding his arm down to reach over and hold his other arm. "Well now, lets make the suggestion when gets back." Akihito beamed at Naia, however, his eyes took on some malice.
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Post by Shizukiri Naia on Sept 11, 2006 22:43:58 GMT -5
As Akihito turned away, Naia frowned, though he said nothing. Too late he realized that he'd forgotten just who he was speaking to; it was easy to forget his place when the prince acted so familiar, but he was royalty - he could speak as he wished. Naia was in a different position altogether.
"The people of Japan will welcome you back as their leader," Naia guessed, his voice somewhat subdued. "Especially if they witness Akiyama's cruelty, though I'm sure the rumors about him are enough to convince most people." He spared another moment for thought. "He isn't immortal. Every man can be killed. It's just a matter of finding the right way."
The glint in the prince's eye was unfamiliar, and made Naia wonder just what Akihito was hiding under his delicate appearance. He found that he liked the thought. "Our proposition benefits China more than war could. They'll have to take it," he said through a thin smile. "At least, that's what we have to hope."
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Post by Koyada Akihito on Sept 11, 2006 22:59:24 GMT -5
Anyone would assume that he liked to hear about himself in power, but it wasn't flattering because he was used to the nature and idea of it. He didn't craze to be a leader - no, it was in his blood to be one. Perhaps Naia thought he looked down on him, but he didn't. The other was intelligent, and he was thankful for it. "I have a feeling it'll be awhile," the look of unforgiving intent was still there.
Slowly his eyes narrowed and he motioned his right hand towards the right side of the tent with various blankets. "Perhaps you should rest, you look awfully tired. I'll make sure nothing happens to you." He figured Naia hadn't gotten the chance to really sleep in peace, without thinking he would discovered during his slumber and thus murdered with dreams.
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