Reina (dualwields) wrote in antecedents, @ 2010-03-26 01:06:00 |
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Entry tags: | raoh, reina, ryuga, souga, toki |
Ryuga, Reina, Souga, Toki and Raoh
Summary
As hundreds of soldiers marched to the battlefield, their bodies covered in sweat and dirt from the barren landscape, they understood that they were not alone and that, at this moment, they were being watched and protected by their champion and king. Not a single man felt it necessary to look, knowing that at the top of the mountain beside them Raoh and his generals were watching them. For hundreds of nameless men who marched in the name of the King of Fist, there was comfort in the fact that there was no enemy – mortal or otherwise – that could match the power of their own. That Raoh, along with his military strategist Souga, and his loyal Generals Reina and Ryuga, would allow for no defeat. Even if the men employed in his army had simple ambitions, there was not a single man fighting now who didn’t believe that Raoh truly would hold up the heavens with his fist. The fact that Raoh could better be described as a tyrant than a savior, his kingdom held together with fear and suppression -- cities like Cassandra -- did little to deter them from fighting in his name.
“Jadum the Steel Emperor,” the voice that spoke now belonged to Souga, Raoh’s right hand man, “He doesn’t realize that he’s walking into a battle he can’t win.” The way he spoke lacked the boastfulness one might expect from someone who was as talented as he in determining winning strategies, instead remaining calm and steady, merely stating a fact rather than bragging. “He doesn’t notice that with each step his army takes he’s being surrounded.” His blue eyes narrowed then, and underneath his worn, brown cloak his bandaged hands wrapped around the reigns of his steed. “This battle will be over quickly.” They were passed the days, it seemed, when their military needed real strategy, and Souga, who was unmatched in ability, almost missed the challenge. “Reina.” He turned to his sister then, dark strands of wavy hair falling over his eyes as he did. Rolling his shoulders slightly as he leaned forward to catch her attention, a slight smile came across his lips as he watched her. Seated on her white mare, her blue-green eyes seemed focused, not on the battle that had begun beneath them, but beyond it. Even as a wayward wind lifted the edges of her hair around her face and her mare pawed at the ground beneath her hooves, she didn’t move.
“Raoh, don’t go!” The hands that cradled the amulet he gave her seemed so small as Reina clutched his legs, burying her tear stained face against him. Even when her brother, only a few years older than herself, patted her back reassuringly she only squeezed Raoh tighter. For an six-year old, the concept of needing to say goodbye to her childhood friends wasn’t understandable, and it was only when Souga pried her from Raoh’s side that she looked to him, strawberry blond hair sticking to her cheeks. “Raoh’s going to protect us, Reina.” Her lower lip trembled slightly when her brother said that, and she looked down with a child’s determination before swallowing back the next waves of tears. “And Raoh will be back, Reina, right Raoh?” It was only when she looked at Souga now that she understood that this was hard on him too. His own voice cracked slightly as he brushed tears back with the palm of his hand, shaking his head as he rose to his feet once more.
“Do you promise?” Reina’s expression was hopeful when she looked up at Raoh then, at the dark-haired boy who had become the most important figure in her childhood. When he nodded in response, her own expression brightened, wiping away the last of her crocodile tears before holding out her hand to him. “Pinky swear, Raoh!”
Leaning back against the abandoned tank where the four sat, looking out at the setting sun and the oranges and purples that colored the horizon, Souga sighed. There was still time before they were separated and yet he felt that this moment would stay with him longer than anything else: a hundred times more poignant and meaningful. “You’re lucky,” he said then as he watched Toki cradling the baby Kenshiro on his lap. “You get to leave this place.” His gaze fell to his sister then, where she stood with her arms still wrapped around Raoh’s legs, and though she watched the sunset it was still obvious that she didn’t want to let him go. Souga watched her through hooded eyes before he closed them completely, taking in a deep breath. One day we’ll leave too, Raoh.
“Hurry Souga!” Waves of reddish-blonde hair streamed behind her as Reina ran towards the familiar house where Raoh and Toki lived, a basket of freshly baked bread hanging from her outstretched arms.
“Hey! Reina, be careful!” Calling out to his sister was useless, and Souga apologized to pedestrians that he bumped in to on his attempt to keep up with her. “They’re not going any where today, slow down!” A line of worry crossed his brow as he watched her slip in and out of his vision, and his blue eyes widened slightly at the sight of the girl tumbling down.
“I am—ouch.” Her lip quivered as her tiny hands touched the scratch on her knee, her punishment from running too fast. “Hey I told you to slow down—oh, Reina, don’t cry.” Tears swelled in her eyes as she peered up at her big brother, her cheeks turning red as she pleaded with him to make it better. “…I dropped Raoh’s bread…”
“Ah, look.” A line formed on Souga’s brow as he reached down for the basket that had rolled away, grabbing the neatly wrapped loaf and showing it to her. “See, safe and sound. It didn’t even fall out of the handkerchief.” He urged her to smile then, finding amusement in the way she wore her emotions like an open book.
“It hurts.” Reina’s voice was suddenly adamant, her voce stating the obvious through her pouting.
Sighing, Souga shook his head before scooping up his sister and lifting her on to his shoulders. “Better?” Reina’s squeal of excitement was more than enough of an answer, and with her small hands wrapped around his head the two walked the rest of the way quickly.
“We’re almost there! Faster, Souga!” Reina squirmed on his shoulders when she spotted the roof of Toki and Raoh’s home, a wide smile lighting her eyes when she spotted the familiar sight of her friends in the distance. “Ra---oh!” Waving both arms above her head, she wiggled and squirmed until Souga finally got the hint to put her down.
“Fine, fine—hey!” Shaking his head, a mop of displaced waves and curls falling around his shoulders, Souga followed suit. Raising a hand above his head he waved to them both before jogging to catch his sister once more. “She couldn’t wait to see you. Oh, our mom sent some bread.” Offering the basket to the youngest brother Souga grinned. “I think she’s preparing a going away feast for you guys, she’s been cooking nonstop since she found out.”