Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Dark Guardian: A tale of Rika and Renamon ❯ Chapter 10

Part Ten

"You promised me," Lord Takato growled out angrily, "that Lady Rika would be dead, and I'd finally be able to ascend to the throne of the realm!" He pushed his brown hair back from his face in a frustrated gesture, "But that witch still lives!"

The man who was dressed all in black smiled a cold, dangerous little smile. "What?" he asked him softly.

"I'm sorry, Devimon," Takato paled, taking a half step backward.

"It's quite all right," Devimon actually smiled slightly, but there was nothing at all warm in his steady gaze. With a name that was whispered to strike fear in the hearts of children across many nations, Devimon was not a man to cross lightly. "I made a promise to you, and so did you to me," he reminded Takato firmly.

The young man gulped loudly.

"If I removed the obstacle that Lady Rika has become to you," Devimon suddenly took a step forward, raising a black gloved hand to gently sweep some of Takato's hair from his face, "you vowed to make the realm a haven to my assassin's guild."

"I'll keep that promise," Takato stammered out.

"Then I will keep mine," Devimon said pleasantly. His eyes narrowed slightly as he added, "I must make Renamon pay, for betraying the guild."

"I heard," Takato offered softly, "that she slew your apprentice, Lady Devimon."

"That is yet another debt she owes me," Devimon smiled at him slightly then as he turned about, he simply disappeared.

Takato looked about him wildly, gazing into the shadows of the chamber fearfully for a few moments until he felt certain that he was really gone. Then with a soft sigh he slumped down into the ornate chair at the head of his long dining table. An opulent meal was laid out for him, but suddenly the young man wasn't feeling hungry.

'For all those years I carefully groomed myself,' Takato thought to himself glumly as he looked about the beautifully decorated dining hall of his family keep, 'presenting the perfect image of a sovereign so that I could be chosen to rule over the realm.' A sudden scowl marked his face, 'But instead they chose that... damn child!'

Across his mind's eye images of the redheaded girl appeared, her honest shock at being chosen for the task, her earnest attempts to dissuade the council in naming her. 'Like any of the nobles really bought that innocent act,' Takato thought to himself bitterly.

To make matters worse, almost as soon as Rika had gained power she had begun to make sweeping changes to the entire realm. She ordered her taxes to be reduced, and forced the landowners all over the realm to do the same. She listened to the appeals of the common people, and actually leant their word the same weight as any of the noble born.

And then there was the Kari and Yolie decision! Rika had completely ignored the traditional right of a nobleborn to marry off any unwed daughters, and now... Takato puffed out a furious breath. Now the daughters of nobility were actually beginning to speak out, to stand against the rightful rule of their fathers and brothers.

Takato didn't know what hideous, evil plan that Rika was hatching next, but he just knew that it would have dire consequences for the entire realm.

"Would you like the red, blue or brown?" Rika asked, holding up the bolts of fabric in the seamstress' room.

"Brown, please," Renamon blinked, standing there in her human form amid all the clutter of the large chamber. A young seamstress circled her thoughtfully, in the process of fitting the slim young woman with some new clothes.

Rika frowned slightly, "Why did I know you were going to choose that?" She shook her head, "Why do you always choose such a plain color?"

Renamon smiled at her gently, "Brown is a color that few notice, and it allows me to blend in easier. I'd rather an enemy did not know I was there, until I'm ready to strike."

"Hmm," Rika nodded, if a bit reluctantly. She brightened, "But I'm also having you fitted for one of our military uniforms. You can wear it to the next dance we hold."

Renamon opened her mouth to protest that, then closed it with a soft snap. By the look on Rika's face it clearly meant a great deal to the young woman. "All right," Renamon nodded to her slightly in defeat, "I'll do it."

Rika smiled at her happily, "Good." She paused a moment then added, "I'll make sure to save the first dance for you."

Renamon's eyes widened slightly. By ancient tradition the first dance of the ruler of the realm was saved for the wife or consort of that ruler. She smiled slightly, "Are you sure about this, Rika? You know what sort of message that might send."

"It's the message that I want sent," Rika said seriously. A slight smile, "I'm in love with you, Renamon, and I do not care who knows about it."

Renamon took a step forward, moving over to Rika's side. "And I, you," she reached out to tenderly brush the shorter redhead's hair back. Rika tilted her face up slightly, eyes closed, and with a slight smile Renamon bent to press her lips to Rika's.

They separated, and a smiling Rika noticed the seamstress' wide eyed gaze. "We rely on your discretion, Mimi," Rika gaze her a smile.

"Of course, my lady," Mimi curtsied slightly. She gave Renamon an admiring glance, "Let's finish fitting your handsome young woman."

Rika laughed softly, gently pushing the slightly uncomfortable looking Renamon toward her. "It's times like this," Renamon muttered softly under her breath, "that I wish I could easily transform my clothes, too."

"It's not so bad," Mimi smirked, "with some of the more... lecherous nobles, I'm not all that careful with my needles." She chuckled softly at the look on Renamon's face, "Don't worry, you've been a perfect gentleman."

"She is that," Rika agreed cheerfully. She looked over at Mimi, "Could you take the measurements for my gown while you're here?"

"At least someone else will have to go through this torture," Renamon muttered while bolts of fabric were pinned around her. "Ow!"

"Torture?" Mimi waved a long needle about threateningly while Rika chuckled.

A few moments after Mimi left, Renamon shifted back to her Kitsune form and gently pulled the smiling Rika into an embrace. Softly she murmured to her, "You do know that she's the biggest gossip in town, right?"

"Why do you think I hired her for this?" Rika asked cheerfully as she snuggled into the warmth of Renamon's fur. Softly she added, "This way my guests will all know what to expect, and there'll be no outcry."

"You're a very devious woman, Rika," Renamon said admiringly.

Rika stepped back, going over to pour them each a glass of juice. She nodded her head to Renamon, "I've had a very good teacher."

"You've taught me a great deal as well," Renamon said innocently, smiling to herself slightly as Rika's cheeks colored.

"I have no idea what you mean," Rika smiled. She looked off into the distance thoughtfully, "So much has changed in the months since you came into my life."

"No more than for me," Renamon agreed. She looked down, "I've never had a partner before, one who's life as value as much as my own."

"That almost sounds like our marriage vows," Rika murmured.

"Then why don't we?" Renamon answered.

Why don't we what?" Rika looked over at her curiously.

"Get married," Renamon said. There was a long moment of silence as it finally registered, what Renamon just said.

Rika was looking at her wide eyed. "Did you just propose?" she asked faintly.

Renamon gulped. "Yes," she said nervously, "yes, I did."

Tears glinted in Rika's eyes. "Yes," she beamed, "I accept."

THWACK!

Renamon shoved Rika down as the bolt flew in the open window, digging into the wall. She covered the girl's body with her own as Renamon gazed out the window, but the archer was gone. "Are you all right?" she asked Rika worriedly.

"I'm fine," Rika managed a smile. She frowned as she looked at the arrow buried in the wall, "There's something tied on to it."

Renamon tugged at the cord on the arrow, freeing a piece of parchment. She unfolded it carefully, reading it silently as her expression grew more and more grave.

"What is it?" Rika finally had to ask.

"A challenge," Renamon finally said softly, "from the master of the Assassin's guild."

To be continued...